Not So, However, For The
Gypsy Luke, Of Which I Could Have Easily Disposed Of The Whole
Edition In Less Than A Fortnight.
Long, however, before this
period had expired, the clergy were up in arms.
"Sorcery!" said
one bishop. "There is more in this than we can dive into,"
exclaimed a second. "He will convert all Spain by means of the
Gypsy language," cried a third. And then came the usual chorus on
such occasions, of Que infamia! Que picardia! At last, having
consulted together, away they hurried to their tool the corregidor,
or, according to the modern term, the gefe politico of Madrid. I
have forgotten the name of this worthy, of whom I had myself no
personal knowledge whatever. Judging from his actions, however,
and from common report, I should say that he was a stupid wrong-
headed creature, savage withal - a melange of borrico, mule, and
wolf. Having an inveterate antipathy to all foreigners, he lent a
willing ear to the complaint of my accusers, and forthwith gave
orders to make a seizure of all the copies of the Gypsy Gospel
which could be found in the despacho. The consequence was, that a
numerous body of alguazils directed their steps to the Calle del
principe; some thirty copies of the book in question were pounced
upon, and about the same number of Saint Luke in Basque. With this
spoil these satellites returned in triumph to the gefatura
politica, where they divided the copies of the Gypsy volume amongst
themselves, selling subsequently the greater number at a large
price, the book being in the greatest demand, and thus becoming
unintentionally agents of an heretical society. But every one must
live by his trade, say these people, and they lose no opportunity
of making their words good, by disposing to the best advantage of
any booty which falls into their hands. As no person cared about
the Basque Gospel, it was safely stowed away, with other
unmarketable captures, in the warehouses of the office.
The Gypsy Gospels had now been seized, at least as many as were
exposed for sale in the despacho. The corregidor and his friends,
however, were of opinion that many more might be obtained by means
of a little management. Fellows, therefore, hangers-on of the
police office, were daily dispatched to the shop in all kinds of
disguises, inquiring, with great seeming anxiety, for "Gypsy
books," and offering high prices for copies. They, however,
returned to their employers empty-handed. My Gallegan was on his
guard, informing all who made inquiries, that books of no
description would be sold at the establishment for the present.
Which was in truth the case, as I had given him particular orders
to sell no more under any pretence whatever.
I got no credit, however, for my frank dealing. The corregidor and
his confederates could not persuade themselves but that by some
means mysterious and unknown to them, I was daily selling hundreds
of these Gypsy books, which were to revolutionize the country, and
annihilate the power of the Father of Rome.
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