New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-28
REcoLLEcTToNS OF GEORGE BoRRoR

Looking back my own experience. which is
comparatively recent. though he was friend of my
family before he wrote IaveL gro' few men have
ever made SO deep an impression me George
Borrow. His tall, broad figure. his stately bearing
his fine brown eyes, bright vet soft his thick
white hair. his oval, beardless face, his loud rich
voice and bold heroic ar were such as TO impress
the most Indifferent of lookerS-OD. Added to this
there was something not easily forgotten in tho
manner IN which he wOnld unexpectedly come TO
our gates singing some gypsy song, and suddenly
depart. His conversation, too. was unlike that of
any other man; whether he told long story or
only commented on some ordinary topic he
always quaint. often humorous. / was once much
amused at hearing him say to my little brother,
TO fight man bigger than yourselfi Accept his
challenge and tell him take of his coat and
while he is doing 10 knock him down and then
for your life" George Borrow, whimsical and
eccentric he appeared was al ways honest, and
presented stern front to humbug and cant, but
what he admired most OF all things pluck. His
enthusiasm Tor nature was peculiar; he could draw
more poetry from wide spreading marsh with its
struggling PUSHES than from the most beautiful
scenery; and would stand and look at il with rap
would drink whatever he came across upon the road,
IT, ont of peryersity, to insist his cOnsttu-
ton bearing whatever work he chose to impose
upon it. As anot her example, one day IN March we
were walking through Richmond Park in a bitter
easterly wind. and came to the Fen Ponds, which
had Ice on them. Borrow stripped and jumped INTO
the water diving for long distance and realpear-
ing at a far-oh spot. He was then seventy years of
age
knowledge of languages TO make himself fully un-
derstood in the countries where they spoken;
but he never professed 10 be lmcust. and he
heartily OeSplSe those VINO bnaSieN or tnelr ten
a dozen languages, as IN the instance of the late
Dr. ID. Borrow adventures abroad pretty well
came TO a conclusion with his marriage. After this
the only excursion he made. 50 lar rs know, was
into Albania, through which country he rode on
horseback alone, at time when native would
take anotheTs ile 10 rob him OF ducat Borrow
fortunate in his publishers; and among all tho
friends whom he attached To himself ia life there
were none whom ne loved and respected SO much aS
the elder Mr. Murray and his son. the present emf
nent publisher lie had many pleasant anecdotes TO
tell of the late Mr.; Murray. One of these remem-
ber in which he related now that gentleman would
double ms list aud eXeialin, " want 20 meet with
good writers, bat there none 10 be had; want
man who can write like Ecclesiastcsw
The property on which Borrow lived AT OutOn,
which consists OF good farm ana farmhouse, be-
longed TO his wiies family part interest IN VII ch
fell to her; bat the large sums of money that his
early books produced hlm enabled INN Ia purchase
the remainder. and il was there that he wrote the
greater number of hIs works. His home consisted
OF a pleasant cottage with "A lawn sloplng down 10
Lake Lothing, fine sheet OF water stretching
Lowestof, three miles OF. and nanked by
pine wood with paddock IN the rear for his good
horse, Sidi Habismllk."
When he was m st. Petersburg he occupied him.
self with tanslating poetry from thirty languages
and dialects, some specimens of which appeared
there in a volume called Iargum." OF this may
speak on some Cther occasion having copy OF thus
rare book. which. after he became famous. the
Russian Government was desirous of procuring iOr
the Imperial Library, and sent an envoy 10 ing
land for the purpose But the envoy was refused
what he sought. and told that as the book was not
worth notice when the authors name obscure
and they had the opportunity of obtaining 1t them
selves, they should not have il now. Borrow has
which his publishers dld not encourage HIM TO
bring out, and bus impression that this was
owing to Iockhart's influence. who wishing
monOpolize he field OF Spanish ballads insinuated
that Borrow was no poet.
II was at Dalton that the author of the Bible
in SPAIN spent his happicSt DAYS. The BegGce IN
his Suffolk home was conducted with great SIM
plicitv but he ALWAYS had for his friends a bottle
TWO of wine of rare vintage. and no man was
more hearty than he over the glass. lie passed las
mornluO. in ms SIMMER honse ,yrtino an, s,,oil
scraps OF paper. and these he handed 10 has WIFE,
who copied them on tOolScap. 1t IN this way
we'll nj fhp i'm W. rod
place of which he says Aud l fastened To my
summer-house by the side of the lake. aud there
thought and wrote. and every day repaired 10 the
same place and thought and wrote until had I'M
ished the b BILE IN SPAIN
In tins outdoor studio, hung behind the door.
Were a soldiers coat and a sword which belonged
to his father; these We're household gods which
very little. and had few books except old ones m
foreign tongues and Hebrew Bible which lie
exercise taking very long walks or rides, making
friends with odd people on The road. lie used -
say that the common folk talked Danish for
seventeen miles inland SIR Morton Peto Was one
OF his neighbors; he was the owner 1T Sonerlcvton
Hall, which he had bought of Lord sydney Godoi-
pmn Osborne the = g. o. OF Re Iiise,' Icio had
boosted that he had Tade more money by tao
gravel he had taken out of BorTow's land through
which the railway passed, than he paid for inc
purchase. Borrow often met the great contractor
in his walks aud on one of these occa ions ~,r
Morton said 10 hun; lou never come and see me :"
and Borrow. who had heard of his boast. greeted
the invitation thus: call on Youi DO yau think
! don't read NV Shakespeare DO you think don't
know all about those hlghwaymen Bard9lph and
Rotor Bolr0w was q very nervous man. and. Ike
many who are so, when he had anything strong TO
say he did so in a menacing voice.
Borrow always gave the gypSies leave o. cncamp
on his land; one OF my family was staying VITA
him when party OF these nomads there.
After dinner IL was proposed TO 20 ont aud tho
gypsles. Borrow received with great respect;
after talking with these people for time hs
began To intone TO them song, written by him IN
ROmany which recountcd al their tricks and evil
deeds. The pypSes soon became excited then they
began TO kick their property about such barrels
and tin cans then the mcu icgan 60 fight and Tho
women to part them; an uproar OF shouts aud Te-
| examinations set IN, and the quarrel became 20
serious that it was thought prudent 10 quit tho
scene. Borrow was very fond Of WALKING over 20
Yarmouth, where everyone knew him, and woul0
battle there in the sea even in the scVcrcst weather.
| lie was extremely courteous when visiting the
! county families, though N he met Il" lion az any
! of their houses such "A might easily iBclr the
| risk OF rebuff distinguished novelist who
STAYING one of the great houses met Borrow
there, and rubbing his hands. said 10 HIM Have
| you reau my - in Punch this week = and got Tor
| answer: " Punch it's thing | never look 90 ..
! On similar occasion a lady who sat 10y nun a5
din ner said, " Oh, Mr. Borrow, | have been rcaolng
| yonr books; and his answer was, Pray, whas
| books, madaml DO you mean my account hooks
an al loss 10 know where You could have got slght
| of them" And celebrated authoress 10 whom no
was introduced said: q" l am pleased 20 meek
| you. Mr. Borrow. Nav | send YOU my Lives y
and he replied, For Gods sake, don't madam L
| shouldn't know where TO put them or what TO 90
| proud man which he The fact Is he womd
| only talk OF has works 10 intimate friends, ana
when ho went into company II was as a gcnlie-
| man, not because he an author
Comparing what | have heard of him in former
times with what l have seen, think has hrt sque,
ness must have softened a good deal with years and
have gwen way TO moro quiet humor. AT one
time lie felt almost resentment against the puDno
when they refused TO receive his fctons actual
truth; he freCted q good deal at finding that bis
works were less sought after as time went on. On