Gibraltar, 15th December 1847

Rev A Brandram No.8

Gibraltar 15th December 1847

My Dear Friend,

When I wrote you on the 4th instant from Tetuan, I was ready to leave that place, and was waiting for the first vessel. One offered for Ceuta, and in the same I engaged a passage, as I hoped from thence easily to get a vessel going direct across the Straits of Gibraltar.

The only thing I left undone in Tetuan which I had wished to do was obtain a visit to the Bashaw. But I learned that I could not effect that without taking with me a Present for him of not less value than a doubloon, and besides nearly as much more would be required in gratuities to attendants. So I thought this too much, and that it was better to forgo the interview.

The port of embarkation of Tetuan is some six or seven miles distant from the town, and of course a horse was necessary; and not less necessary was a soldier, for there is an express order, that no Christian shall go outside the gates even without this accompaniment, whilst Jews may go with or without as they please. This difference is owing to the circumstance, that if the Christian is murdered, the European Authority to which he belongs calls the Moorish Government to strict account on the subject, and it may be that severe penalties are exacted, whereas the Poor Jew has nobody to take up his cause, and the Government cares not whether he been murdered or not, and murders of such in this quarter are not rare.

I mounted, as in Tangier, at the Inn, and rode through the town, thus enjoying the privilege of European influence; and I may observe, that it is not many years since this privilege was granted in Tetuan, and it was asked, insisted on, and obtained by the British Consul there at the time; but in a former period, owing to some affair between a Christian and a Moor, the Emperor swore by his beard, that no Christian should ever live there in future, and this (considered the most sacred of oaths) was kept for a long time, and hence all the Consuls had to remove to Tangier where they now reside. The British Lion however interfered and succeeded, and at the present time our Consul is the sole Christian in this town of 30,000 inhabitants.

As I rode through the Moor part of the town, I met numbers of Jews, in dress and appearance gentlemen, but each with his slippers or shoes in his hand, and walking on his stocking soles, or barefooted, for stockings here are the exception not the rule in both Moor and Jew. This the Jews had to do, as they had every now and then to pass a Mosque, and to avoid always taking off and putting on their slippers they thus kept them off altogether. – I might mention here also, that no Jew is allowed to wear yellow slippers, which is the universal colour of those of the Moors. Again, the Moor wears a red cap, but woe to the Jew if he presumed on the same, his must be and is black, as also are his slippers. There were no hats in this country, except on the head of an outlandish European, and most outlandish we all are here in this Barbary.

Soon after I reached the port, a Jew came down to the Custom House where I was waiting; and it seemed that I must needs see, before I left this country, a still stronger proof than I had yet seen of Ishmael ruling over and oppressing Isaac. It was near sunset when the Jew was about to return, but the Moor Authorities refused to let him go to the city at that late hour, agreeably it would seem, to some orders on the subject, but most probably overstretched by them for gain, and which the Jew did not consider to apply to him at that hour. He got angry with them, and about half a dozen Moors set on him like so many dogs at a bull, and how Arabic words did pour out in volumes and thunders! During this fracas, one of the Moors with a long and heavy stick struck the Jew with all his might. The Jew of course, had to give way, and remain there till the morning, and as to the severe blow he had received you would never think of seeking redress, as he would be sure not to obtain it, but on the contrary he might receive additional injury in being fined or imprisoned.

I got into our skiff of a vessel, of five tons and a half, and passed the night in a sort of coffin, for there was little more than a hand breadth between my face and the deck. There I lay all night, and also till two o'clock next day, whilst we were waiting to get out of the river, and the weather was bad so as thus to confine me below. At this hour, we hove, I may say, into the sea, and in this tetotum vessel in a high wind and a high sea, we had a sort of hap step and jump voyage of no ordinary kind, from wave to wave, over the waves, and under the waves, whilst I lay in my coffin to keep myself dry as the water was dashing over the vessel, and the hatches fast closed. We got to Ceuta just about an hour after the gates were shut, and so I had another night of this coffin. In the morning I got out after 36 hours enclosure, and we entered the city.

Ceuta, perhaps you are aware, is a Spanish Fortress, on the coast of Marocco, just like our British Fort of Gibraltar on the coast and territory properly so called of Spain. But Spain can never complain of our holding Gibraltar, whilst the hold in turn this portion of Marocco.

Again, once more, I felt myself on Christian ground, and I blessed God for the same. I felt with fresh force the advantages of being born in a Christian land, and gave thanks anew for this blessing under feelings I had never had so strong before. The Christianity of Ceuta is Romanism, but still I felt the joy of being on Christian ground. We Protestants at times are apt to wish that Roman Catholic countries had remained in heathenism rather than with the corrupted Christianity they have. I have long ago been corrected in this, but now on this occasion felt more than ever convinced of the great advantage of the profession of Christianity under any form, rather than Jewish, Mohammedanism, or Paganism. I have a proof and illustration at hand. When walking out in Ceuta, I had some conversation the man who was showing me some things in the place. He was a convict, and I took occasion to show him the greater danger of being a convict for eternity. I told him that to avoid that issue we must truly repent of our sins, and rest in the blood of Jesus Christ, and in that alone. The man received this instruction with readiness. But what would have been the reception of the Jew, Mohammedan, or pagan to this advice!

I brought with me from Tetuan a note to the Aid de Camp of the Governor, and I was kindly conducted by him over the city and fortifications, and also introduced to the Governor, with whom I had the pleasure of dining. I was glad of this opportunity of seeing the Governor so much, and learning somewhat concerning this penal establishment, for such the fortress has been made, besides war purposes. The number of the inhabitants of the town is nearly 3000. The military number about the same, and the convicts vary from 2000 to 3000. Most of these convicts are at large, and acting as servants, watchmen, etc. All the soldiers, it may be observed too, are a sort of convicts, for they have been all sentenced to this penal establishment for evil deeds done in their respective regiments in Spain. Yet notwithstanding this mass of criminals there is hardly a crime committed in the place! It seems to be one of the most successful in good results of any penal establishment known, and a visit to it might instruct those who, so much to their credit, take an interest in improving these establishments. – I made inquiry about the sale or circulation of Bibles there, but got no encouragement. But on my return here, I sent the Governor a Bible, the New Testament to his Lady, and one to another Lady who dined with us.

After a couple of days spent in this place, I got, as I had expected, a vessel for Gibraltar. With a fine wind, and a fine day, we had a delightful voyage across the Straits, from the one Pillar of Hercules to the other, and these two splendid rocks or mountains, and all the coasts of the Straits, full before us. It was no wonder the Ancients were struck when they first saw these Pillars of Hercules, and the singular Strait connected with them. If I were a Poet I would write a poem entitled "The Mediterranean," a sea so full of past incidents and of great interest, and not less so perhaps of present ones.

Again in Europe, and the British ground too, I look back to Africa, Barbary, and Marocco. Last month seems to me the dream, everything having been so different from all I have seen before. I have been led, I may say unwittingly, into this new field of labours, and I have great hopes that it may become, and early, one is much interest, and of extensive operations. I trust you will be able to meet our wishes about the Hebrew Bible, and also the suggestions made regarding a portion, or portions, of the New Testament for the Jews. On this last suggestion I have thought a great deal since I last wrote, and I see the subject in a much stronger light than I did then. It is a measure applicable to the Jews everywhere. I hope too the Moors through this visit may soon have a portion of the Scriptures in their own dialect of every day's conversation. The great cause of Education also, though not directly ours, likewise will gain I trust by this visitation, and many will thus be prepared for perusing the Books you send them. May God give his blessing with the humble means called into exercise in favour of these countries and peoples.

I am now sending a case of books to Tangier and another to Tetuan, containing each five Arabic Bibles, five Hebrew New Testaments, and six Rabbinical Spanish Testaments. I found these last here since my return, not having known of them before. I would have taken them with me had I known of them, especially as a supply I had requested did not come, through some oversight I suppose, or perhaps because you are out of them. I send these to two Jews who have no scruple about reading or giving the New Testament, and we may hope the number of such will increase.

I now forward the two Marocco Arabic documents mentioned in my preceding letter.

The Packet is expected here tomorrow, and will sail the following day. I go with it to Cadiz there to commence anew my Spanish work, interrupted by Africa.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Faithfully Yours,

                                                                                    James Thomson.

Postscript. – I have had different meetings with our friends of the Bible Society here, and we were contemplating having a public meeting, and of organizing a formal Bible Society. But upon taking all things into consideration it was thought better to defer our purpose to a future occasion.

Two of our friends, both Officers of the Army, undertook the other day to visit some vessels in the harbour, and their reception and success were very encouraging, so that they are likely to pursue the work, and probably you may in due time here of their operations in an official shape.

I saw a  Hebrew Bible here today in the shop of a Jew of the duodecimo size, and printed by Mackintosh, 20 Great New Street, Fetter Lane in 5596. The letter is smaller than yours. But if you could get these and cheap, and have them bound in four volumes as formerly described, it would at least suit in the meantime.

I found here on my arrival your letter of the 22nd November. I am not much disappointed at your refusal to advance money on the project mentioned. I thought at the time I wrote, and more afterwards, that I was converging upon, if not also treading upon, ground not exactly our own, but rather beyond our sphere. Perhaps some impression was on my mind, rightly or wrongly, that I had in this Spain a sort of liberty to transgress. Mr. Hull's letter is my commission. Again I thought, that should you find yourselves unable in principle to attend to the request as a body, that same might move the more someone, two or three, to lend the sum in question. The failures however of which I read after my letter was on the way discouraged me, but notwithstanding these discouragements, help may yet come from some quarter in aid of the proposed undertaking, and the plan may be carried into effect, and largely you may, and may you reap benefits from the same. My letter from Tangier has the following expression. – "I called on the Miss Duncans and made an apology to them for." Please to alter it thus, – "I called on them and made an apology for".

Cadiz, 27th December 1847

Rev A Brandram  No.11

Cadiz 27th December 1847

My Dear Friend,

I now forward by the Packet the two cushions of which I spoke to you in my letter from Tangier. May yourself and Colleague ever enjoy much comfort as you sit on them, and do the work of the Society, and of God: and when at times the humble bestower comes into your minds, lift up a thought to God for him in all his wanderings, with thankful remembrances for preservations and mercies heretofore received.

I mentioned to you in my letter of the 15th instant, that I had found some Rabbinical Spanish Testaments unexpectedly in Gibraltar, and had forwarded them to Tangier and Tetuan, with some Hebrew and Arabic Bibles. In the morning of the day on which I left Gibraltar, the Jew, the supercargo before noticed to you, called to take charge of the two cases, and to have them put on board of his vessel, in which he would take them freight free. I showed him one of these Testaments that I had in reserve and on looking into it, we found the language was not Spanish, but some other. This was the thicker of the two sizes, of which all were except two, and these were packed up. Perhaps these thinner, but broader and longer volumes are different, and may be Spanish. The Jew was to examine, and retain these two if Spanish, and send the others back to the depot. Be so good as have these two different sizes and shapes of New Testament in the rabbinical character looked into, and apprise me on the subject.

I should not have omitted to mention in my last Gibraltar letter, that in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Dove, I enjoyed a most gratifying hospitality. Gibraltar has been to me, from their kindnesses, and from comforts enjoyed, combined with spiritual fellowship, and oasis among the desert lands of my travels in Spain and Barbary. The Lord reward them, and the many who have shown me kindnesses in many places. May we all meet in that one place, which only is a truly happy place, in the house of our Father in heaven.

The subject of the Jews, in their past and present states, and their prospective one, has much occupied my thoughts, and not unnaturally, since I found them in such numbers in Barbary, and had extensive conversations with them.

The words contained in Hebrews II.3,4, are very solemn. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will." This passage applies no doubt especially to the Jews in Jerusalem in the times of the Apostles. Their circumstances and privileges were remarkable, and there could be no escape to those who neglected to profit by them. Their sin in this case was truly the sin against the Holy Ghost. But the Jews of the present day are not so favoured as were the Jews of that time and place. They have never heard Jesus speak, nor have they heard those who delivered what they with their own ears learned from him, nor have the gifts of the Holy Ghost been seen by them. True, they might, if they would, have all these advantages, in a secondary sense, and just as we have them, that is, as they are found detailed at length in the New Testament. But that book they will not look into, and why, because they view it as we do the Koran, or the Socialists' irreligious and immoral book. Our efforts therefore should be turned, and be most specially directed, to the smoothing of the way to their access to, and use of the New Testament code. A serious Jew could not well be uninterested in the perusal of this volume, for in truth it is, as we might say, Jewish throughout. Nor could he, we should imagine, be unaffected in observing in it, and contrary to all his previous ideas, the constant reverence and respect shown in all its parts to their own Scriptures, as divine, and of all authority, and of the highest value. He would see, that under these impressions of their sacredness and importance, they are continually quoted and illustrated, and everything taken from them which Christians hold concerning the Messiah, and as personated in Jesus of Nazareth. I have said, that a serious Jew, that is one without guile and seeking truth, could not be unaffected by the reading of this volume. I might perhaps venture to say more, he could hardly but be conducted thereby to the Christian's faith. Let us therefore by all and every means, facilitate to the Jew the reading of this book. Greatly, I conceive would this be done by the printing of the Three Books I mentioned from the entire volume. It would be much easier to gain the attention of a Jew to this small portion than to the whole. It might prove a sort of entering wedge, and in it he would find the cream of all the code, and what most would suit his case. In the Gospel the Jews would find the Lord Jesus a very different personage from what they had supposed, and they would see how he reverenced and handled the Scriptures. In the Acts they would observe how their own nation was distinguished in having the message always first delivered to them, and that when they were addressed, it was always by opening up the Scriptures to them, and declaring nothing but what Moses himself, and all the Prophets testified. In the Hebrews they would perceive a chain of lengthened, close, and deep reasoning on the words of Scripture, and proving powerfully all that Christians hold. – But for all the same reasons already brought forward, I would also, by all means, have each of these three Books published separately, for still more attracting and initiating the Jews in respect to our Blessed Book of the New Testament. And also, and farther, I would have copies of the several books of the New Testament to contain, besides the Hebrew, in which I have supposed them all to be published, a translation into the vernacular language of the Jews in the several countries in which they reside and printed on the opposite page.

In the following four ways than I would have the Jews accommodated. First, by having printed for them in a volume by themselves, in the Hebrew tongue, one of the Gospels, say Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistle to the Hebrews. Secondly, I would have each of these three bound up separately. Thirdly, I would have to accompany those portions in the Hebrew language, a translation on the opposite page in the vernacular language of the various nations into which the Jews are found. And fourthly and lastly, I would still give them, as is now done, the whole New Testament, and I would also have it with a translation annexed.

In reasoning with the Jews in Barbary, I was surprised at the ease and readiness with which they set aside, and otherwise applied, the several passages which our Lord and the Apostles bring forward from the Old Testament, and apply to the Messiahship of Jesus. The 16th Psalm for instance. That applied to David himself, they said. We know that it is otherwise. But how do we know this? Not by our own sagacity in discerning the meaning and force of that ancient, great, and deep prophecy, but because we have it explained to us by men whom we believe and know to have been divinely inspired, and all of which we read in our own precious Testament. On these occasions, I was forcibly and frequently reminded of the Eunuch's pertinent question, "Of whom speaketh the prophet?" Oh the value immense of our Blessed Testament, which sets all these inquiries at rest! How are we privileged indeed in having this holy volume of light! As I wrote from Tetuan, I look up, I clasp and press to my bosom, and I prize and peruse this precious volume, since I had these interviews, in a way I never did before; and if the Jews shall not be benefited by my visit to Barbary, I hope at least that I myself shall. Well did our Lord say, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see." Oh then let us hasten to show to the Jews the Blessed Things which we see, as contained in the New Testament, and by all the facilities and attractions indicated, and by all others we can devise.

And there are others which we can devise, and I have in a former letter noticed them. But I now return to them more particularly. What I am now to speak of has reference only to the Old Testament, but it is a means and a way by which the Jews may be stirred up to make inquiry about the Christian's addition to the Scriptures. This is to be done, by making their own Scriptures more common, familiar, and general among them, in the synagogue, and in the house. I observed in the synagogues I visited in Barbary, as before noticed to you, that many of the people had books. Both the Law and the Prophets are read, but the greatest attention is evidently given to the Law, and no doubt rightfully. One portion of the Scriptures is read one day, and another another, but of the Law, I believe, some portion every day. What then would accommodate the Jews, would be the binding of the entire Bible in such portions as could easily be carried by them at every time they go to the synagogue, which is, as before noticed, three times every day. I have recommended the dividing the Bible into four volumes for this purpose, which are the four natural and common divisions the Jews have in their Hebrew Bible.

But the dividing of the Bible into such portions, for convenience should be still further extended, at least as regards the Law. The Pentateuch consists of Five Books. It is desirable for the ends and reasons stated, that each of these Five Books should be printed and bound up separately, and in the neatest and cheapest manner.

In the Parcel I now send, you will find Five Small Volumes. These contain the Pentateuch, with each several book bound up in a volume. I bought them and Gibraltar, and gave three shillings of our money for them. I asked the Jew from whom I bought these books, if he wished to procure a good supply of the Scriptures at a low price. Oh, he said, you cannot in London print them so cheap as we get them. You do not know all that London can do, I replied, and perhaps I am better acquainted with our powers there than you may be. Well then, said he, I would take 500 copies of the Pentateuch in this form and style, if I could now get them, and would give for them one and sixpence a copy.

The indication here given is worthy of our closest attention, and of being fully followed up. In this form and way, no doubt, we could circulate, and by sale at a fair price for us, a considerable quantity of this portion of the Scriptures; and everything we can do to make any one part to be read, will have great influence in promoting the reading of the whole. The specimen, you will see, is a poor thing, in the way of paper, printing, and binding; and the Jew's observation as to our inabilities in London, is true perhaps in one sense, but a different one. I do not know really that we would now manage in London to produce paper printing and binding so miserable us these are. But all this is in our favour. Let us apply our nice and cheap paper, our beautiful printing, and elegant yet cheap binding, to these books, and we shall thereby not only gain the sales and prices indicated, but a much larger sale, and even better prices, if we wished for them, at all events a price about suitable to the cost.

But I would therefore beg leave to recommend, and very earnestly, is, that an edition of the Pentateuch be forthwith got up without delay, and with each of the Five Books so printed, as to be done separately. The type of the specimen is, I think, the same in size as Duncan's, and would suit well, whilst the smaller one would not. The page in it appears too long for its width. The common octodecimo size, I should think the best in every way, as this form would give a thicker volume than the specimen, which looks too thin for the length and breadth, and it would do so still more were it bound closely as we do. Nor would the volume in the 18mo be too thick with a vernacular version combined with it. This then is the size, in my judgment, in which you should prepare this work. The paper may be the common this paper you use, and the bindings various, say the common neat stamped cloth, and the roan, some gilt, and some plain. A few might be in calf, and some in morocco, both gilt for a trial. The calf and morocco bound copies might be on superior paper.

One thing is of double importance, and that is the extreme correctness of the edition. To ensure this, you must not only secure a thorough Hebrew scholar, to whom the reading of the Hebrew is easy and familiar, but also a Jew not converted, to lend his aid likewise. The Jews are jealous of our not giving them their own proper Bible, and an unconverted Jew to aid, will be able to direct you in this. The specimen is sound, I understand, in their eyes, and if you can printed verbatim et literatim the object will be gained. You may under these circumstances at once stereotype the work, and 1000 copies you may print for us to begin with. Many thousands, I trust will be required, for not only for the Jews in Barbary in question, for whom I am more immediately pleading, but also the Jews bordering on all the extent of the coasts of the Mediterranean, and likewise the Jews in all places where they are found.

Probably it would be well to follow this work in immediate succession by the printing of the Book of Psalms, in the same style, and with the same precautions and accommodations.

I may observe in closing, by way of reasons and in inducements to act thus, if you needed any, that you have accommodated, and to a large extent, the English Public by variety in editions, sizes, paper, and bindings, and so also you have prepared the Scriptures for some other nations. All this should be done, and more if practicable for the nation of the Jews, that they may, if possible, be attracted to the familiar study and use of their own Scriptures, and which I confidently expect would be followed by inquiries concerning the New Testament; and by its perusal, if well fitted for them as recommended, and this again would, I have great reason to believe, be followed, at least in many instances, by their conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. And may the Lord Jesus Christ bring about all this, and speedily, to his own glory in the salvation of his kindred, and to the glory of his Father and our Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.

            I remain, Your Most Truly,

                        James Thomson.

Madrid, 24th April 1848

Rev A Brandram No.17

Madrid 24th April 1848

My Dear Friend,

In my letter of  the 27th March, I mentioned to you my application to Mr. Bulwer about our six cases, with the hopes at first excited, and the disappointment in which this, as previous efforts, had ended. I added, that I had another resource or two that I would try for the gaining of our object. One of these I immediately tried, but it failed. In succession I tried the other, and perhaps it will result favourably, but they must see such result before we can rejoice in it. The attempt I made first was, the requesting a letter from Mr. Bulwer to the Foreign Office here, that I might try to get an order from thence for the Spanish Consul in London, that he might give the proper certificate. Mr. Bulwer readily gave me this letter, and from my first reception, I had good hopes; but the Foreign Minister would needs first consult with his brother of the Exchequer, and as our matter had been there before, and was rejected, it was so again.

My next application was to the American Minister here, and with whom previously I had spoken on the subject generally, but there were reasons for my not specifically making a request to him then concerning it. But failing on all hands, I ventured formally to ask him for the favour in question. He has granted it, but the doubt in the matter as to success is this, that on a former occasion of said Minister getting books from London, the Spanish Consul refused this certificate until he should get an order from the government here, because some of the books as in our case, where prohibited articles, being bound or in Spanish. This order was applied for here and of course obtained. Now General Saunders, for that is the American Minister's name, said he could not well apply for a second order so soon after the previous one. But in this refusal of the Consul, he was demurring where he ought not, though he had right, I believe, on his side in our case. There is a specific statute, as he ought to know, of the government here, allowing Ambassadors to bring among other things important prohibited articles. I have applied for a copy of this and if it come before I seal my letter I shall enclose it. But in the meantime I forward you the printed instructions regarding the liberties granted to Foreign Ministers grounded on the statute mentioned. At the place of the top of the second page where I have made a pencil mark, you will see that such liberty in importing prohibited articles is clearly allowed, and the provision made for it, namely, that of charging duties on them, whereas other articles to them are duty free. This should be shown to the Consul if he hesitates, as well as the statute I have referred to if enclosed. – John Miller, 26 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden is General Saunders's agent for books and other things he gets from London. I do not know whether it would be better for you to act through him or not, but give you his name and address in case of need. Again, perhaps you had better employ another Broker than the one spoken to before, and that the shipment be made to Bilbao instead of Santander. The address should be "Al Sr. General Saunders, Ministro Plenipotentiario de los Estados Unidos, Madrid", and the letter should be sent to the American Consul at Bilbao, whose address is "Sr. D. Mariano de Aguirre". The last notice I have to make is, that it will suit better to send four cases instead of six. When these are done Providence will open another door for more. I would say, drop all the 8vo Testaments as they are bulky. Let there be an equal number of large and small Bibles, and equal numbers of the 12mo and 32mo new Testaments. If you have still the Four Books, send us a proper supply of them. Of course you will send all Usoz's books ordered.

I here notice (to conclude the year just before your annual meeting) some things which might or should have been noticed earlier. – I duly received Mr. Jackson's letter of the 17th January, with Invoice of the four cases I had expected when it Gibraltar. By letter from Mr. Dove of the 11th March, I learned, that these had arrived a few days before he wrote. I also received Mr. Jackson's letter of the 12th February, with Invoice of the Books voted for Tangier and Tetuan on the 24th December. The Hebrew Bibles in that Invoice are marked in 12mo I suppose my mistake, for it is Duncan's Bible in 8vo that is mentioned in the Resolution.

Soon after receiving the Invoice of the Books for Barbary, I wrote a letter to my Jew friends there, and enclosed it to Mr. Dove, with directions as to forwarding the Books when they came, and also the letter. On the 11th March they had not arrived, nor could they have arrived so late as the 18th instant, as Mr. Dove promised to write me as soon as they came, and his letter of that date would have been here this morning.

Have you heard from Mr. Tiddy in reply to your inquiries about the 12mo Hebrew Pentateuch? In your letter of the 4th January you inquire if I know to what extent the Jews in Barbary understand the Hebrew. To a considerable extent, I should think, judging from the readiness I observed in reading and translating passages from the Hebrew Bible, and Coriat is translating direct from it. – As to the services of the Jews, about which you dealt, after my leaving them, I would say, that, added to some degree of friendship, I took the measure most likely to secure interest in Jews, if common report speaks correctly, namely, the money one. They are to have a commission on what they sell.

With regard to the Arabic dialects spoken in Marocco, I think the judgment pronounced on it by your young friend has some correctness in it, as it corresponds a good deal with the view given me by Mr. Drummond Hay, the British chargé d'affaires in Tangier to whom I wrote on the subject. But this view hardly accords with what he said to me in conversation, namely, that the language and the dialect were as different as Latin and Italian, or as Ancient and Modern Greek. We must therefore leave the subject till further light can be obtained. Your work in Barbary at present must be with the Jews, and when the result of the attempt made for them is seen, you will be able to judge whether further measures should be adopted, and in connexion with working for them, some lights may arise as to what can be done for the Moors.

Bearing on this subject, I would observe, that in Cadiz I met with a Frenchman, a kind of half Jew, that is, a Jew in reality, but not caring to show it, and rather wishing to conceal such a connexion. He was then lately come from Marocco, and had traveled extensively over it. I told him of my arrangements in sending the Hebrew Scriptures to the Jews there. He said, it was likely they would have an extensive circulation over the country; and he particularly recommended the sending of a supply to Mogador, as the Books were all destroyed there, he said, during the French bombardments and robberies in consequence within the place. I should think you might venture to send there, with safety and good hopes, 100 copies of the Bible, and bound in four volumes like those sent to Gibraltar. Mr. Willshire, the British Consul in Mogador, of whom everybody speaks well, would be the person to whose care you might entrust them. If you should agree to send this supply, as I hope you will, be so good as to send it as early as you may find an opportunity, and these two experiments will guide for the future better than one of them, as the places are situated in opposite quarters of the country.

To conclude this letter, and year, allow me to say that this is a noted day with me. On this day, 30 years ago, I left home for abroad. I left alone, and I am again alone.

            Believe me, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,

                                                                        James Thomson.

P.S. I have seen the Royal Orders on the subject above noticed. There are six of them, and it is not easy to give just what is wanted. But no doubt the Spanish Consul has them in his house. They are noted in the first page of the paper enclosed opposite the mark.