From Preface: "In 1845 Richard Ford published his Hand-Book for Travellers in Spain and Readers at Home [2 Vols. 8vo.], a work which still commands attention, and the compilation of which is said to have occupied its author for more than sixteen years.- In conformity with the wish of Ford (who had himself favourably reviewed The Bible in Spain) Borrow undertook to produce a study of the Hand-Book for The Quarterly Review.- The following Essay was the result. But the Essay, brilliant as it is, wa
...s not a -Review.-- Not until page 6 of the suppressed edition (p. 25 of the present edition) is reached is the Hand-Book even mentioned, and but little concerning it appears thereafter.- Lockhart, then editing the Quarterly, proposed to render it more suitable for the purpose for which it had been intended by himself interpolating a series of extracts from Ford-s volumes.- But Borrow would tolerate no interference with his work, and promptly !-- page 8--p. 8withdrew the Essay, which had meanwhile been set up in type.- The following letter, addressed by Lockhart to Ford, sufficiently explains the position: London,June 13th, 1845. Dear Ford, -El Gitano- sent me a paper on the -Hand-Book- which I read with delight.- It seemed just another capital chapter of his -Bible in Spain,- and I thought, as there was hardly a word of -review,- and no extract giving the least notion of the peculiar merits and style of the -Hand-Book,- that I could easily (as is my constant custom) supply the humbler part myself, and so present at once a fair review of the work, and a lively specimen of our friend-s vein of eloquence in exordio. But, behold! he will not allow any tampering . . . I now write to condole with you; for I am very sensible, after all, that you run a great risk in having your book committed to hands far less competent for treating it or any other book of Spanish interest than Borrow-s would have been . . . but I consider that, after all, in the case of a new author, it is the first duty of -The Quarterly Review- to introduce that author fully and fairly to the public. Ever Yours Truly,J. G. Lockhart."
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