George Borrow, the Man and His Work

George Borrow, the Man and His Work

One writing of Borrow since the publication of Dr. W. I. Knapps Life, Writings, and Correspondence of George Borrow (Murray, 1899) must of need acknowledge the invaluable services conferred upon the student by that monumental work. Its store of documents is the harvest of a lifetime of devoted labour, and it bridges many a yawning gulf which aforetime left the Borrovian explorer disconsolate. In this monograph, where Dr. Knapp is directly quoted, the fact is generally mentioned either in the text or by way of footnote; but it seemed fitting that there should be some more definite expression of my indebtedness to his affectionate diligence in those long and fruitful researches, which alone have made possible a consecutive story of Borrows life. An inquiry into the Cornish origin of the Borrow family, into the circumstances of Borrows visit to the home of his forbears, and of his tour in Cornwall, was responsible for the inception of the present book. The astonishing contrast between the Borrow of the common conception and Borrow as he really was in the flesh and in the spirit gradually forced itself upon me. Borrow has been popularly regarded in two lights. Many people have had a vague idea that if p. vihe was not a gypsy he was half a gypsy, or something of the sort. More instructed opinion has accepted his affection for East Anglia, the country of his birth, and his glorification of Anglo-Saxonism, as sufficient evidence that he was himself an Anglo-Saxon. Both views are wrong. He was of Celtic origin; his genius was Celtic, though its attributes were modified by many influences. Here is the explanation of many things in Borrows life and work which can be explained in no other way. If the part of the book referring to his Cornish associations appears to be out of proportion to the rest, my excuse lies here also. Further, the Cornish episodes are those least known in Borrows life. My object has been, so far as the narrative is concerned, to strengthen the connecting links between those portions of his career which he set forth in his autobiographies, rather than to re-traverse ground where he himself trailed the pen. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 63880
Author: Walling, R. A. J. (Robert Alfred John)
Release Date: Nov 25, 2020
Format: eBook
Language: English