xt7qjq0stw34_211 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qjq0stw34/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qjq0stw34/data/1997ms474.dao.xml unknown archival material 1997ms474 English University of Kentucky The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. W. Hugh Peal manuscript collection George Barrow, Marsk Stig's Daughters and Other Songs and Ballads and Letters to His Wife Mary Barrow, each with pages in manuscript text 43.94 Cubic Feet 86 boxes, 4 oversize boxes, 22 items Poor-Good Peal accession no. 11453. George Barrow, Marsk Stig's Daughters and Other Songs and Ballads and Letters to His Wife Mary Barrow, each with pages in manuscript 2017 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qjq0stw34/data/1997ms474/Box_2/Folder_89/Multipage606.pdf 1913, undated 1913 1913, undated 
  Scope and Contents
  
Peal accession nos. 7508 and 7509.
 section false xt7qjq0stw34_211 xt7qjq0stw34  

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 MARSK STI G’S
DAUGHTERS

AND OTHER

SONGS AND BALLADS

BY

GEORGE BORROW

LONDON :

PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION

1913

 

  

 

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MARSK STIG’S
DAUGHTERS

AND OTHER

SONGS AND BALLADS

HY

GEORGE BORROW

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULAIWON

1913

 

  

1‘14 ‘ .1 l ‘wlw‘l : 1 :1.£P‘|.}I.«.I l“ll§y.l 11‘,‘ “4l(

 

 

 CONTENTS

Marsk Stig’s Daughters

The Three Expectants .

Translation : “ One Summer worn, as 1 was see/wing ”
The English Gipsy

Gipsy Song

The Heart is heavy, Brother

Song : “ Nastrona”: blazes ”

Lines : “ To read [/26 great myslerz'ozts Past ”

PAGE

II
13
I4
16
I7
19

2I

 

 

  

 

 

 ’K‘

 

MA RSK STIG’S DAUGHTERS

TWO daughters fair the Marshal had,
0 grievous was their fate and sad.

The eldest she took her sister’s hand
And away they went to Sweden’s land.

Home from the Stevn King Byrgye rode;
Up to him Marsk Stig’s daughters trode.

“ \Vhat women ye who beset my gate?
What brings ye hither at eve so late?”

“Daughters of Stig, the Marshal brave,
So earnestly thee for help we crave.”

“ Hence, hence away, ye outcasts two,
Your sire accurst my uncle slew.”

 

  

8 SONGS AND BALL/1195

“ Guiltless are we of Erik’s blood,

So wide we wander in quest of food.”

The eldest she takes her sister’s hand,
And away they went into Norway’s land.

Home from the Ting King Erik rode
Up to him Marsk Stig’s daughters trode.

“What women are ye whom here I view,
And what may ye in my country do?”

“Daughters of Stig, the Marshal brave
So earnestly thee for help we crave.”

“To brew'and bake full well ye know ”—
“Alas, Sir King, not so, not so.

“ To brew and bake we do not know,
We never stoop’d to employ so low.

“To spin red gold that is our pride,
Our mother taught us ere she died.

“And we can weave galloon as well

As the maidens with the Queen that dwell.

 

 ‘_.

. 41"

SONGS AND BALL/IDS
“We can weave red gold with wool,

But oh, our hearts with grief are full.

“Had Marsk Stig stay’d in Denmark green,
Different far our fate had been.

“Had Ingeborg not chanc’d to die,
We had not borne this misery.”

King Erik replied in gentle tone:
“I knew your father like my own

“He was a man in heart and hand,
Whose like lives not in any land.”

O’er them he threw his mantle red,
To the ladies’ chamber them he led.

He bade them 'no more tears to shed,
For he would stand in their father’s stead.

The eldest sister began the weft,
The youngest finished what she left.

In the first lace she wove so true
The Virgin Mary and Christ Jesu.

 

 

 

 

 IO SONGS AND BALLADS

 

And in the second of Norway land
She wove the Queen and her maiden band. ;j

Of the antler’d hart they wove the chase,
They wove themselves with pallid face.

They wove with nimble fingers small
Of God the holy Angels all.

The youngest sister the woof up caught,
And that before the Queen she brought.

Then into her eyes the tears they Icame, v I‘
“ Thou art not our Mother, Queenly Dame.

“\Nert thou our mother or sister dear, l
With praises thou our hearts wouldst cheer.

“But in thine eye no praise I see,
Misfortune is our destiny.”

The eldest sicken’d, and sick she lay, .
The youngest tended her night and day.

The eldest died of grief of heart, 5
The youngest liv’d with sorrow and smart. l

 

 

 SONGS AND BALL/IDS II

THE THREE EXPECTANTS

THERE are three for my death that now pine,
Though one and all wondrous civil;

Would that all of them hung on a line,
My children, the worms, and the Devil.

My body, my soul, and my gear,
When down to the grave I descend,

The three hope among them to share,
And to revel on time without end.

But there is not one of the three,
To the others though kindly affected,
For both of their shares would agree
To resign his own portion expected.

 

  

12 SONGS AND BALLADS

The Devil, so harsh and austere,
Who only in evil hath joy,

Would scorn to take body and gear
For my soul, that sweet beautiful toy.

My children would rather possess
The gear I have toil’d so to gather,
Though for me fervent love they profess,
Than the body and soul of their father.

The worms, though my children will make
A lament when I’m laid in the hole,
Would my body in preference take
To my gear or my beautiful soul.

Oh, Christ! who wast hung on a tree,
And wast pierc’d by a fool in his madness;
Since each of them plund’ring would be,
Send each disappointment and sadness.

 

 SONGS AND BALLADS 13

TRANSLATION

ONE summer morn, as I was seeking
My ponies in their green retreat,

I heard a lady sing a ditty
To me which sounded strangely sweet.

I am the [adj/e, I am Z/ze [adj/e3
I am Z/ze [adye [0712'ng Z/ze leyzzg/zz‘;

[ in the green wood ’7zeaZ/z Z/ze green omndzrs
[72 the mg/zz,‘ season sleep wit/z Z/ze lemg/zz‘.

Since yonder summer mom of beauty
I’ve seen many a gloomy year;

But in my mind still lives the ditty
That in the green wood met my ear.

I am t/ze [adye, I am i/ze [(m’ye,
I am Z/ze ladye loving t/ze leizzg/zz‘;

I in t/ze green wood ’nezzi/z flze green [Iraizc/zes
[12 the mg/zt season sleep wit/z t/ze lcmg/zz‘.

 

 I4 SONGS AND BALLADS

THE ENGLISH GIPSY

He

As I to the town was going one day

My Roman lass I met by the way.

Said 1, “Young maid, will you share my lot?”
Said she, “ Another Wife you’ve got."

“Ah, no!” to my Roman lass I cried,

“No Wife have I in the world so wide;

And you my wedded wife shall be,

If you will consent to come with me.”

S/ze

As I to the town was going one day

I met a young Roman upon the way.

Said he, “ Young maid will you share my lot?”
Said 1, “Another Wife you’ve got.”

 

 

 

 SONGS AND BALLADS 15

“No, no!” the handsome young Roman criedf
“ No wife have I in the world so wide,-

And you my wedded wife shall be,

If you will share my lot with me.”

 

 16 SOJVGS AND BALL/IDS

GIPSY SONG

UP, up, brothers,
Cease your revels!
The Gentile’s coming—

Run like devils.

I do not like your way of life
Ye men of Christian creed;

I’d rather live the kind of life
Which forest foxes lead.

 

 

 

 

 SONGS AND BALLADS I7

OUR HEART IS HEAVY, BROTHER

TI-IE strength of the ox,
The wit of the fox,

And the leveret’s speed;
All, all to oppose
Their numerous foes

The Romany need.

Our horses they take,

Our wagons they break,
And us they seize

In their prisons to coop,

Where we pine and droop
For want of breeze.

When the dead swallow
The fly shall follow
Across the sea,

 

  

18 SONGS AND BALLADS

We’ll then forget
The wrongs we have met,
And forgiving be—
Bi'ot/zcr, of Z/mz‘ [$6 [Hz/mm.

 

 SONGS AND BALLADS 19

SONG

Nastrond’s blazes,
How fierce ye roar!
The deepmost deeps feel
Valhal’s power.

Sulphurous blazes,
Which with dismay

Strike e’en the Aser,
Our voice obey!

Poisonous Mazes,
Horde/z a spear .
For V aZ/zal’s ”my!

Poisonous Mazes,
H order; a spear
For Vol/zzzl’s may ./

 

  

 

SONGS AND BALLADS

Poz'soizoas olazes,
Harden a spear
For Val/zal’s way!

In juice of rue
And trefoil too,
In marrow of bear
And blood of trold
Be cool’d the spear,

)

Three times cool’d,
When hot from fire
Of Nastrond dire,
For Valhal’s may.

W/zom z'l womza’el/z
[l s/zall slay.

I/V/zom z'l wozma’el/l
[l s/zall slay.

W/zom z'l wozma’el/l
[l s/zall slay.

 SONGS AJVD BALLADS 21

LINES

To read the great mysterious Past
They are yearning;

But to mist the writings old fast, fast
Are turning.

0, how inviting
The deeds of yore!
But the ancient writing
Mist sweeps o’er.

 

  LONDON :

Printed {or THOMAS J. WISE, Hampstead, N.W.

Eli/71'0” Zinnia] [0 T/zz'r/y Cop/(3x.

 

  

   

  

LETTERS

TO HIS \NI FE

MARY BORROW

BY

GEORGE BORROW

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATTON

1913

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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LETTERS

TO HIS \VIFE

MARY BORROW

B Y

GEORGE BORROW

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULA1WON

I913

 

 

  

 

 

 

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LETTERS TO HIS WIFE

LETTER 1.
VENICE,
Odobcr 22nd, 1844.
MY DEAREST CARRETA,

I arrived this day at Venice, and though I
am exceedingly tired I hasten to write a line
to inform you of my well-being. I am now
making for home as fast as possible, and I have
now nothing to detain me.

Since I wrote to you last I have been again
in quarantine for two days and a half at Trieste,
but I am glad to say that I shall no longer be
detained on that account. I was obliged to go

to Trieste, though it was much out of my way,
B

-‘r-- w .- :..,..,.A.. '7 —

 

 

  

6 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE

otherwise I must have remained I know not
how long in Corfu, waiting for a direct con-
_ veyance. After my liberation I only stopped a
day at Corfu in order that I might lose no more
time, though I really wished to tarry there a
little longer, the people were so kind. On the
day of my liberation I had four invitations to
dinner from the officers. I, however, made the
most of my time, and escorted by one, Captain
Northcott, of the Rifles, went over the fortifi-
cations, which are most magnificent. I saw
everything that I well could, and shall never
forget the kindness with which I was treated.
The next day I went for Trieste in a steamer,
down the whole length of the Adriatic. l was
horribly unwell, for the Adriatic is a bad sea,
and very dangerous ; the weather was also very
rough. After stopping at Trieste a day, besides
the quarantine, I left for Venice, and here I am,

and hope to be on my route again the day after

 

‘ 141%

M0.

 

 “1°

 

LETTERS TO' HIS \VIFE 7
to—morrow. I shall now hurry through Italy by
way of Ancona, Rome, and Civita Vecchia to
Marseilles in France, and from Marseilles to
London, in not more than six days’ journey.
Oh, I shall be so glad to get back to you and
my mother (I hope she is alive and well) and
I-Ienf‘e

I am glad to hear that we are not to have a
war with those silly people, the French. The
idea made me very uneasy, for I thought how
near Oulton lay to the coast.

You cannot imagine what a magnificent old
town Venice is—it is clearly the finest in Italy,
although in decay; it stands upon islands in
the sea, and in many places is intersected with
canals. The Grand Canal is four miles long,
lined with palaces on either side. I, however,
shall be glad to leave it, for there is no place to

* Borrow’s stepdaughter, Henrietta Mary Clarke, afterwards

Mrs. MacOubry.
ll 2

 

 

 

  

8 LETTERS TO HIS \VIFE

me like Oulton, where live two of my dear ones.
I have told you that I am very tired, so that
I cannot write much more, and I am presently
going to bed, but I am sure that you will be
glad to hear from me however little I may
write.

I think I told you in my last letter that I
had been to the top of Mount Olympus, in
Thessaly. Tell Hen that I saw a whole herd
of wild deer bounding down the cliffs, the noise
they made was like thunder. I also saw an
enormous eagle—one of Jupiter’s birds, his real
eagles, for according to the Grecian mythology
Olympus was his favourite haunt. I don’t
know what it was then, but at present it is the
most wild, savage place I ever saw ; an immense
way up I came to a forest of pines; half of
them were broken by thunder—bolts, snapped in
the middle, and the ruins lying around in the

most hideous confusion ; some had been blasted

 

 

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LETTERS TO HIS WIFE 9
from top to bottom and stood naked, black, and
charred, in indescribable liorridness. Jupiter
was the god of thunder, and he stillseems to
haunt Olympus. The worst is there is little
water, so that a person might almost perish
there of thirst: the snow-water, however, when
it'runs into the hollows is the most delicious
beverage ever tasted—the snow, however, is
very high up. My next letter I hope will be
from Marseilles, and I hope to be there in a
very few days.

Now, God bless you, my dearest. Write to
my mother, and kiss Hen, and remember me
kindly to Lucy and the Atkinses.

G. B[ORROW].

 

  

LETTER II.

53A I’ALL l\'IALL,
Saturday [1854].
DEAR CARRETA,

I am thinking of coming to you on Thursday.
I do not know that I can do anything more
here, and the dulness of the weather, and the
mists, are making me ill.

Please to send another five pound note by
Tuesday morning. I have spent scarcely any-
thing of that which you sent, except what I owe
to Mrs. VV.,_but I wish to have money in my
pocket, and Murray and Cooke are going to
dine with me on Tuesday.

I shall be glad to be with you again, for I am

very much in want of your society. I miss very

 

 

  

 

LETTERS TO HIS WIFE II
much my walks at Llangollen by the quiet
canal ; but what’s to be done?

Everything seems nearly at a standstill in
London on account of this wretched war, at
which it appears to me the English are getting
the worst, notwithstanding their boasting. They
thought to settle it in an autumn’s day; they
little knew the Russians, and they did not
reflect that just after autumn comes winter,
which has ever been the Russian’s friend.

Have you heard anything about the rent Of
the cottage? I should have been glad to hear
from you this morning.

Give my love to Hen, and may God bless
you, dear.

GEORGE BORROW.

Keep this.

 

 

  

LETTER III.

TEN BY
Tuesday, 2 5 [A Itgmt, 18 5 7].

My DEAR CARRETA,

Since writing to you I have been rather un-
well, and was obliged to remain two days at
Sandypool. The weather has been terribly hot,
and affected my head, and likewise my sight
slightly. Moreover, one of the shoes hurt my
foot. I came to this place to-day, and shall
presently leave it for Pembroke on my way
back. I shall write to you from there. I shall
return by Cardigan.

What I want you todo is to write to me
directed to the post office, Cardigan (in Cardigan-

shire), and either inclose a post office order for

 

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' _..—'__;’:;——___ M, A.” . _ flaw-“ . AAW

LETTERS TO HIS WIFE 13
five pounds, or an order from Lloyd and Co. on
the Banker of that place for the same sum.
But at any rate write, or I shall not know what
to do. I would return by railroad, but in that
event I must go to London, for there are no rail—
roads from here to Shrewsbury. I want, more-
over, to see a little more.

Just speak to the Banker, and don’t lose any
time. Send letter, and either order in it, or say
that I can get it at the Banker’s.

I hope all is well. God bless you and Hen.

G EORG E BORROW.

 

 

 LETTER IV.

LAM PETER
Sc/J/embcr 3rd, [ I 8 57].

MY DEAR CARRETA,

I am making the best of my way to Shrews—
bury (my face is turned towards Mama). I
write this from Lampeter, where tlzere is a
college for educating clergymen intended for
Wales, which I am going to see. I shall then
start for Radnor by Tregavon, and hope soon to
be in England.

I have seen an enormous deal since I have
been away, and have walked several hundred
miles. Amongst other places I have seen St.

David’s, a wonderful half-ruinous Cathedral at

 

 

 

 

  

LETTERS TO HIS WIFE 15
the western end of Pembrokeshire; but I shall
be glad to get back.

God bless you and Hen,

GEORGE BORROW.

Henrietta! Do you know who is handsome?

 

  

LETTER V.

EDINBURGH,
Sunday [September 19113, 1858].

DEAR CARRETA,

I just write a line to inform you that I
arrived here yesterday quite safe.

We did not start from Yarmouth till past
three o’clock on Thursday morning; we reached
Newcastle about ten on Friday. As I was
walking in the street at Newcastle a sailor-like
man came running up to me, and begged that I
would let him speak to me. He appeared
almost wild with joy. I asked him who he was,
and he told me he was a Yarmouth north
beach man, and that he knew me very well.

Before I could answer, another sailor-like, short,

 

 

 -.—‘_:

 

LETTERS TO HIS WIFE I7
thick fellow came running up, who also seemed
wild with joy; he was a comrade of the other.
I never saw two people so out of themselves
with pleasure, they literally danced in the street;
in fact, they were two of my old friends. I
asked them how they came down there, and
they told me that they had been down fishing.
They begged a thousand pardons for speaking
to me, but told me they could not help it.

I set Off for Alnwick on Friday afternoon,
stayed there all night, and saw the castle next
morning. It is a fine old place, but at present
is undergoing repairs—a Scottish king was
killed before its walls in the old time. At about
twelve I started for Edinburgh. The place is
wonderfully altered since I was here, and I don’t
think for the better. There is a Runic stone on
the castle brae which I am going to copy. It
was not there in my time.

If you write direct to me at the Post Office,

 

 

  

18 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE
Inverness. I am thinking of going to Glasgow
toLmorrow, from which place I shall start for
Inverness by one of the packets which go thither
'by the North-VVest and the Caledonian Canal.
I hope that you and Hen are well and comfort-
able. Pray eat plenty of grapes and partridges.
\Ve had upon the whole a pleasant passage
from Yarmouth ; we lived plainly but well, and
I was not at all ill—the captain seemed a kind,
honest creature.

Remember me kindly to Mrs. Turnour and
Mrs. Clarke, and God bless you and Hen.

GEORGE BORROW.

 

. l
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I

LETTER VI.

INVERNESS,
Sunday [Se/Member 26%, 1858].

DEAR CARRETA,

This is the third letter which I have written
to you. Whether you have received the other
two, or will receive this, I am doubtful. I have
been several times to the post office, but we
found no letter from you, though I expected to.
find one awaiting me when I arrived. I wrote
last on Friday. I merely want to know once
how you are, and if all is well I shall move
onward. It is of not much use staying here.

After I had written to you on Friday I
crossed by the ferry over the Firth and walked

to Beauly, and from thence to Beaufort or Castle

 

 

 20 LETTERS TO HIS \VIFE

Downie. At Beauly I saw the gate of the pit
where old Fraser used to put the people whom
he owed money to—it is in the old ruined
cathedral, and at Beaufort saw the ruins of the
house where he was born. Lord Lovat lives in
the house close by. There is now a claimant to
the title, a descendant of old Fraser’s elder
brother who committed a murder in the year
1690, and on that account fled to South Wales.
The present family are’ rather uneasy, and so
are their friends, of whom they have a great
number, for though they are flaming Papists
they are very freeof their money. I have told
several of their cousins that the claimant has
not a chance as the present family have been so
long in possession. They almost blessed me for
saying so. There, however, can be very little
doubt that the title and estate, more than a
million acres, belong to the claimant by strict

law. Old Fraser’s brother was called Black

 

 

c,

 

 

 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE 21
John of the Tasser. The man whom he killed
was a piper who sang an insulting song to him
at a wedding. I have heard the words and
have translated them; he was dressed very
finely, and the piper sang:

You’re dresrea’ 2'11 High/and robex, 0 fall”,
8111‘ raps: of straw would Imam/e ye bet/er;
You’ve silver buds/es your 3/106: upon
But Zeal/157‘ Mung: for 1/25/11 werefil‘z‘er.

VVhereupon John drew his dagger and ran it
into the piper’s belly; the descendants of the
piper are still living at Beauly. I walked that
day thirty—four miles between noon and ten
o’clock at night. My letter of credit is here.
This is a dear place, but not so bad as Edin—
burgh. If you 1251716 wrz'z‘z‘en, don’t write any
more till you hear from me again.
God bless you and Hen.

G 150mm BORROW.

 

 

 

 LETTER VI I.

INVERNESS,
Sepia/tbs)- 30%, [1358].

DEAR CARRETA,

Iwrite another line to tell you that I have
got your second letter—it came just in time, as
I leave to-morrow. In your next, address to
George Borrow, Post Office, Tobermory, Isle of
Mull, Scotland. You had, however, better write
without delay, as I don’t know how long I may
be there; and be sure only to write once. I am
glad we have got such a desirable tenant for our
Maltings, and should be happy to hear that the
cottage was also let so well. However, let us

be grateful for what has been accomplished.

 

 

 

 

 LETTERS TO HIS \VIFE 23

I hope you wrote to Cooke as I desired you,
and likewise said something about how I had
waited for Murray. Between ourselves that
account of theirs was a shameful one, whatever
they may say.

I met to-day a very fat gentleman from Caith-
ness, at the very north of Scotland; he said he
was descended from the Norse. I talked to
him about them, and he was so pleased with
my conversation that he gave me his card, and
begged that I would visit him if I went there.

As I could do no less, I showed him my
card—I had but one—and he no sooner saw the
name than he was in a rapture.

I am rather glad that you have got the next
door, as the locality is highly respectable. Tell
Hen that I copied the Runic stone on the
Castle Hill, Edinburgh. It was brought from
Denmark in the old time. The inscription is

imperfect, but I can read enough of it to see

 

 

 24 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE
that it was erected by a man to his father and
mother. I again write the direction for your
next: George Borrow, Esq, Post Ofiice, Toéer-
1/10/35 Isle of [1/th”, Scot/(111d.
God bless you and Hen.
Ever yours,

GEORGE BORROW.

 

 

 

 

 LETTER VIII.
FORT AUGUSTUS,
Sunday, 0mm 71/1,, [1858].
DEAR CARRETA,

I write a line lest you should be uneasy.
Before leaving the Highlands I thought I would
see a little more about me. So last week I set
on a four days’ task, a walk of a hundred miles.
I returned here late last Thursday night. I
walked that day forty—five miles; during the
first twenty the rain poured in torrents, and the
wind blew in my face. ' The last seventeen miles
were in the dark. To-morrow I proceed
towards Mull.

I hope that you got my letters, and that I

shall find something from you awaiting me at

 

 26 LETTERS TO HIS \VIFE
the post office. The first day I passed over
Corryarrick, a mountain 3000 feet high. I was
nearly up to my middle in snow. As soon as I
had passed it I was on Badenoch. The road
on the farther side was horrible, and I was
obliged to wade several rivulets, one of which
was very boisterous and nearly threw me down.
I wandered through a wonderful country, and
picked up a great many strange legends from
the people I met, but they were very few, the
country being almost a desert, chiefly inhabited
by deer. When amidst the lower mountains I
frequently heard them blaring in the woods
i above me. The people at the inn here are by
far the nicest I have met; they are kind and
honourable to a degree.
God bless you and Hen.

GEORGE BORROW.

Don’t write again if you have written.

 

 

 

 LETTER IX.
INVERNESS,
November 71/1, [1858].
DEAR CARRETA,

After'I wrote to you I walked round Mull
and through it, over Benmore. I likewise went
to Icolmkill, and passed twenty-four hours there.
I saw the wonderful ruin and crossed the island.
I suffered a great deal from hunger, but what I
saw amply repaid me; on my return to Tober—
mory I was rather unwell, but got better. I was
disappointed in a passage to Thurso by sea, so
I was obliged to return to this place by train.
On Tuesday, D.V., I shall set out on foot, and
hope to find your letter awaiting me at the post
office at Thurso.

On coming hither by train I nearly lost my

 

 

  

28 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE

things. I was told at Huntly that the train
stopped ten minutes, and meanwhile the train
drove off purpose/y. I telegraphed to Keith in
order that my things might be secured, describ-
ing where they were, under the seat. The reply
was that there was nothing of the kind there. I
instantly said that I would bring an action
against the company, and walked off to the
town, where I stated the facts to a magistrate,
and gave him my name and address. He
advised me to bring my action. I went back
and found the people frightened. They tele-
graphed again—and the reply was that the
things were safe. There is nothing like setting
oneself up sometimes. I was terribly afraid I
should never again find my books and things.
I, however, got them, and my old umbrella, too.
I was sent on by the mail train, but lost four
hours, besides undergoing a great deal of misery

and excitement.

 

 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE 29
When I have been to Thurso and Kirkwall I
shall return as quick as possible, and shall be
glad to get out of the country. As I am here,
however, I wish to see all I can, for I never wish
to return. Whilst in Mull I lived very cheaply
—it is not costing me more than seven shillings
a day. The generality of the inns, however, in
the lowlands are incredibly dear—haIf-a-crown
for breakfast, consisting of a little tea, a couple
of small eggs, and bread and butter—two
shillings for attendance. Tell Hen that I have
some moss for her from Benmore——~also some
seaweed from the farther shore of Icolmrill.
God bless you,

GEORGE BORROW.

 

  

LETTER X.

THURSO, ,
Mmeméer 2 152‘, [1858].

MY DEAR CARRETA,

I reached this place on Friday night, and was
glad enough to get your kind letter. I shall be
so glad to get home to you.

Since my last letter to you I have walked
nearly 160 miles. I was terribly taken in with
respect to distances—however, I managed to
make my way. I have been to Johnny Groat’s
House, which is about twenty-two miles from
this place. I had tolerably fine weather all the
way, but within two or three miles of that place
a terrible storm arose; the next day the country
was covered with ice and snow. There is at
present here a kind of Greenland winter, colder

almost than I ever knew the winter in Russia.

 

 LETTERS TO HIS \VIFE 31
The streets are so covered with ice that it is
dangerous .to step out. Tomorrow D. and I
pass over into Orkney, and we shall take the
first steamer to Aberdeen and Inverness, from
whence I shall make the best of my way to
England. It is well that I have no farther to
walk, for walking now is almost impossible—the
last twenty miles were terrible, and the weather
is worse than it was then. I was terribly
deceived with respect to steamboats. I was
told that one passed over to Orkney every day,
and I have now been waiting two days, and
there is not yet one. I have had quite enough
of Scotland. When I was at Johnny Groat’s I
got a shell for dear Hen, which I hope I shall
be able to bring or send to her.
I am glad to hear that you have got out the
money on mortgage so satisfactorily. One of
the greatest blessings in this world is to 'be

independent. My spirits of late have been

i
I
l
'l
.l
a
. l
‘l
_ .3
'l
i
i
'l

 

  

32 LETTERS TO HIS \VIFE

rather bad, owing principally to ' my dear
mother’s death. I always knew that we should
miss her. I dreamt about her at Fort Augustus.
Though I have walked so much I have suffered
very little from fatigue, and have got over the
ground with surprising facility, but Ihave not
enjoyed the country so much as Wales.

I wish that you would order a hat for me
against I come home; the one I am wearing is
very shabby, having been so frequently drenched
with rain and storm-beaten. I cannot say the
exact day that I shall be home, but you may be
expecting me. The worst is that there is no
depending on the steamers, forthere is scarcely
any traffic in Scotland 'in winter. My appetite
of late has been very poorly, chiefly, I believe,
owing to badness Of food and want Of regular
meals. Glad enough, I repeat, shall I be to get
home to you and Hen.

GEORGE BORROW.

 

 LETTER XI.

KIRKWALL, ORKNEY,
IVom'm/mr 271/1, Saturday [1858].

DEAR CARRETA,

I am, as you see, in Orkney, and I expect
every minute the steamer which will take me to
Shetland and Aberdeen, from which last place I
go by train to Inverness, where my things are,
and thence home.

I had a stormy passage to Stromness, from
whence I took a boat to the Isle of Hoy, where
I saw the wonderful Dwarf’s House hollowed
out of the stone. From Stromness I walked
here. I have seen the old Norwegian Cathedral ;
it is of red sandstone, and looks as if cut out of

rock. It is different from almost everything of

 

  

34 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE

the kind I ever saw. It is stern and grand to a
degree. I have also seen the ruins of the old
Norwegian Bishop’s palace in which King
Hacon died; also the ruins of the palace of
Patrick, Earl of Orkney. I have been treated
here with every kindness and civility. As soon
as the people knew who I was they could
scarcely make enough of me. The Sheriff, Mr.
Robertson, a great Gaelic scholar, said he was
proud to see me in his house; and a young
gentleman of the name of Petrie, Clerk of
Supply, has done nothing but go about with me
to show me the wonders of the place. Mr.
Robertson wished to give me letters to some
gentleman at Edinburgh. I, however, begged
leave to be excused, saying that I wished to get
home, as, indeed, I do, for my mind is wearied
by seeing so many strange places. On my way
to Kirkwall I saw the stones of Stennis—

immense blocks of stone standing up like those

- -‘~:—~<.-.-._.Wv

 

 LETTERS TO HIS WIFE 35
of Salisbury Plain. All the country is full of
Druidical and Pictish remains. It is, however,
very barren, and scarcely a tree is to be seen,
only a few dwarf ones. Orkney consists of a
multitude of small islands, the principal of
which is Pomonayin which Kirkwall is. The
currents between them are terrible. _

I hope to be home a few days after you
receive these lines, either by rail or steamer.
This is a fine day, but there has been dreadful
weather here. I hope we shall have a pros-
perous passage. I have purchased a little
Kirkwall newspaper, which I send you with this
letter. I shall perhaps post both at Lerwick or
Aberdeen. I sent you a Johnny Groat’s news-
paper, which I hope you got. Don’t tear either
up, for they are curious.

I God bless you and Hen.
GEORGE BORROW.

 

 

  

LETTER XII.
STIRLING,
Deccm/m' 14m, [1858].
DEAR CARRETA,

I write a line to tell you that I am well, and
that I am on my