The Romany Rye

The Romany Rye, by George
Borrow, Edited by

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Edited by Theodore Watts-Dunton
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Title: The Romany Rye a sequel to "Lavengro"
Author: George Borrow
Editor: Theodore Watts-Dunton
Release Date: April 24, 2007 [eBook #21206]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
ROMANY RYE***

Transcribed from the 1900 Ward, Lock and Co. edition by David Price,
email [email protected]

THE ROMANY RYE:
A SEQUEL TO "LAVENGRO."
BY GEORGE BORROW, AUTHOR OF "THE BIBLE IN SPAIN,"
"THE GYPSIES OF SPAIN," ETC.
WITH SPECIAL INTRODUCTION BY THEODORE
WATTS-DUNTON
"Fear God, and take your own part."
LONDON WARD, LOCK AND CO. LIMITED WARWICK HOUSE,
SALISBURY SQUARE, E.C NEW YORK AND MELBOURNE
{Horncastle horse fair in the olden days. (From an old Water colour.):
p0.jpg}

ADVERTISEMENT.
It having been frequently stated in print that the book called
"Lavengro" was got up expressly against the popish agitation, in the
years 1850-51, the author takes this opportunity of saying that the
principal part of that book was written in the year '43, that the whole of
it was completed before the termination of the year '46, and that it was
in the hands of the publisher in the year '48. And here he cannot forbear
observing, that it was the duty of that publisher to have rebutted a
statement which he knew to be a calumny; and also to have set the
public right on another point dealt with in the Appendix to the present
work, more especially as he was the proprietor of a review enjoying,
however undeservedly, a certain sale and reputation.
"But take your own part, boy! For if you don't, no one will take it for
you."
With respect to "Lavengro," the author feels that he has no reason to be

ashamed of it. In writing that book he did his duty, by pointing out to
his country people the nonsense which, to the greater part of them, is as
the breath of their nostrils, and which, if indulged in, as it probably will
be, to the same extent as hitherto, will, within a very few years, bring
the land which he most loves beneath a foreign yoke: he does not here
allude to the yoke of Rome.
Instead of being ashamed, has he not rather cause to be proud of a book
which has had the honour of being rancorously abused and execrated
by the very people of whom the country has least reason to be proud?
One day Cogia Efendy went to a bridal festival. The masters of the
feast, observing his old and coarse apparel, paid him no consideration
whatever. The Cogia saw that he had no chance of notice; so going out,
he hurried to his house, and, putting on a splendid pelisse, returned to
the place of festival. No sooner did he enter the door than the masters
advanced to meet him, and saying, "Welcome, Cogia Efendy," with all
imaginable honour and reverence, placed him at the head of the table,
and said, "Please to eat, Lord Cogia." Forthwith the Cogia, taking hold
of one of the furs of his pelisse, said, "Welcome, my pelisse; please to
eat, my lord." The masters looking at the Cogia with great surprise, said,
"What are you about?" Whereupon the Cogia replied, "As it is quite
evident that all the honour paid is paid to my pelisse, I think it ought to
have some food too."--PLEASANTRIES OF THE COGIA NASR
EDDIN EFENDI.

IN DEFENCE OF BORROW.
When the publishers of "The Minerva Library" invited me to write a
few introductory words to this edition of Borrow's "Romany Rye," I
hesitated at first about undertaking the task. For, notwithstanding the
kind reception that my "Notes upon George Borrow" prefixed to their
edition of "Lavengro" met with from the public and the Press, I shrank
from associating again my own name with the name of a friend who is
now an English classic. But no sooner had I determined not to say any
more about my relations with Borrow than circumstances arose that

impelled me, as a matter of duty, to do so. Ever since the publication of
Dr. Knapp's memoirs of Borrow attacks upon his memory have been
appearing--attacks which only those who knew him can repel.
His has indeed been a fantastic fate! When the shortcomings of any
illustrious man save Borrow are under discussion, "les defauts de ses
qualites" is the criticism--wise as charitable--which they evoke. Yes,
each one is