To the Rev.A.Brandram (ENDORSED:recd.Nov.13,1837)MADRID,NOVR.1,1837.
CALLE SANTIAGO,No.16PISO 3RO.
REVD.AND DEAR SIR,-In my last letter,from Oviedo in the Asturias,I stated that my next would be dated either from Santander or the capital of Spain.I arrived yesterday at Madrid,but I previously visited Santander,which I reached with my usual good fortune,without accident,after a fatiguing journey of six days.When there,I found to my great sorrow that the two hundred Testaments which I had ordered to be sent from Madrid were not come;and I supposed that they had either been seized on the way by the Carlists or that my letter had miscarried.(2)I then thought of applying to England for a supply,but I abandoned the idea for two reasons;first,that I should have to remain idly loitering at Santander for at least a month before I could receive them -a place where every article is so dear that my expenses with the strictest economy would have amounted to nearly two pounds PERDIEM;secondly,that I was very unwell,and unable to procure medical advice at Santander:for,to tell the truth,ever since Ileft Corunna I have been afflicted with a terrible dysentery,and latterly with an ophthalmia,the result of the other malady.
I therefore determined on returning to Madrid.To effect this,however,seemed almost impossible.Parties of the army of Don Carlos,which in a partial degree had been routed in Castile,were hovering about the country through which I should have to pass,more especially that part called 'The Mountains,'so that all communication had ceased between Santander and the southern districts.Nevertheless I determined to trust,as usual,in the Almighty and to venture.I purchased,therefore,a small horse and sallied forth with Antonio,notwithstanding I was so unwell as to be scarcely able to support myself.I wished to have written to you from Santander,but I was exceedingly dispirited and could not collect my thoughts.Before departing,I of course entered into conference with the booksellers as to what they should do in the event of my finding an opportunity of sending them a stock of Testaments from Madrid,and having arranged things to my satisfaction I committed myself to Providence.I will not dwell long on this journey of three hundred miles.We were in the midst of the fire,yet,strange to say,escaped without a hair being singed;robberies,murders,and all kinds of atrocity were perpetrated before,behind,and on both sides of us,but not so much as a dog barked at US,though in one instance a plan had been laid to intercept us.About four leagues from Santander,whilst we were baiting our horses at a village hostelry,I saw a fellow run off after having held a whispering conversation with a boy who was dealing out barley to us.I instantly enquired of the latter what the man had said to him,but only obtained an evasive answer.It appeared afterwards that the conversation was about ourselves.Two or three leagues further on there was an inn and village,where we had proposed staying,and indeed had expressed our intention of doing so;but on arriving there,finding that the sun was still far from its bourn,I determined to proceed further,expecting to find a resting-place at the distance of a league;though I was mistaken,finding none until we reached Montaneda,nine leagues and a half from Santander,where was stationed a small detachment of soldiers.