THE LIFE OF GEORGE BORROW

by Herbert Jenkins




PREFACE



During the whole of Borrow's manhood there was probably only one
period when he was unquestionably happy in his work and content with
his surroundings. He may almost be said to have concentrated into
the seven years (1833-1840) that he was employed by the British and
Foreign Bible Society in Russia, Portugal and Spain, a lifetime's
energy and resource. From an unknown hack-writer, who hawked about
unsaleable translations of Welsh and Danish bards, a travelling
tinker and a vagabond Ulysses, he became a person of considerable
importance. His name was acclaimed with praise and enthusiasm at
Bible meetings from one end of the country to the other. He
developed an astonishing aptitude for affairs, a tireless energy, and
a diplomatic resourcefulness that aroused silent wonder in those who
had hitherto regarded him as a failure. His illegal imprisonment in
Madrid nearly brought about a diplomatic rupture between Great
Britain and Spain, and later his missionary work in the Peninsula was
referred to by Sir Robert Peel in the House of Commons as an instance
of what could be achieved by courage and determination in the face of
great difficulties.