To the Rev.A.Brandram (ENDORSED:recd.July 30,1838)VILLA SECA,NEW CASTILLE,17JULY 1838.
REVD.AND DEAR SIR,-I addressed a letter to you on the 14th instant,which I hope you will receive in course of time,together with the present;in that letter I informed you where I was,stating my proceedings and intentions.It has pleased the Lord to permit me to be hitherto very successful in these regions,so much so that during less than a week I have disposed of the entire stock of Testaments which I brought with me,namely two hundred;only three or four remain,which are already bespoken.Last night Isent off a messenger to Madrid for a fresh supply,which I expect will arrive in a day or two.
I must here observe that up to the present moment I have endeavoured as much as possible to avoid noise,and notoriety.
Advertisements and handbills I have utterly eschewed.I brought none with me,and in these rural places,the name of a printing press is unknown;nor have I much endeavoured to work upon the mind of the simple peasantry around me by words.I merely tell them that I bring them the words and life of the Saviour and His saints at a price adapted to their humble means.Nevertheless the news of the arrival of the book of life is spreading like wild-fire through the villages of the Sagra of Toledo,and wherever my people and myself direct our course we find the inhabitants disposed to receive our merchandise;it is even called for where not exhibited.
Last night as I was bathing myself and [my]horse in the Tagus,a knot of people gathered on the bank crying:'Come out of the water,Englishman,and give us books;we have got our money in our hands.'The poor creatures then held out their hands filled with CUARTOS,a copper coin of the value of a farthing,but I had unfortunately no Testament to afford them.My servant,however,who was at a short distance,having exhibited one,it was instantly torn from his hands by the people,and a scuffle ensued to obtain possession of it.It has very frequently occurred that the poor labourers in the neighbourhood,being eager to obtain Testaments and having no money to offer us in exchange,have brought various other articles to our cottage as equivalents -for example,rabbits,fruit and barley;and I have made a point never to disappoint them,as such articles are of utility either for our own consumption or that of the horses.
