Lavengro

The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest

George Borrow, Edmund J. Sullivan

• Publisher: Aeneas Press
• Year: 2026
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9785486975288
• Subtopic: Classics
• Index: Literature

A young Englishman leaves the law, takes to the road as a tinker, learns Romany from the gypsies and argues theology in a field. Borrow really did all of it - he spoke a dozen languages, sold Bibles in Spain for a living, and this half-memoir is unlike anything else in English. This edition binds fifty plates of paintings from 1820 to 1905, among them works by Raden Saleh, François-Auguste Biard and Frederick Sargent, alongside ten restored and coloured illustrations.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Copyright
• Lavengro
• Introduction
• Preface
• Chapter I. Birth—My father—Tamerlane—Ben Brain—French Protestants—East Anglia—Sorrow and troubles—True peace—A…
• Chapter II. Barracks and lodgings—A camp—The viper—A delicate child—Blackberry time—Meun and tuum—Hythe—The…
• Chapter III. Pretty D——The venerable church—The stricken heart—Dormant energies—The small packet—Nerves—The books—A…
• Chapter IV. Norman Cross—Wide expanse—Vive l’Empereur—Unpruned woods—Man with the bag—Froth and conceit—I beg your…
• Chapter V. The tent—Man and woman—Dark and swarthy—Manner of speaking—Bad money—Transfixed—Faltering tone—Little…
• Chapter VI. Three years—Lilly’s grammar—Proficiency—Ignorant of figures—The school bell—Order of…
• Chapter VII. The Castle—A father’s inquiries—Scotch language—A determination—Bui hin Digri—Good Scotchman—Difference of…
• Chapter VIII. Expert climbers—The crags—Something red—The horrible edge—David Haggart—Fine materials—The greatest…
• Chapter IX. Napoleon—The storm—The cove—Up the country—The trembling hand—Irish—Tough battle—Tipperary hills—Elegant…
• Chapter X. Protestant young gentlemen—The Greek letters—Open chimney—Murtagh—Paris and Salamanca—Nothing to do—To whit…
• Chapter XI. Templemore—Devil’s Mountain—No companion—Force of circumstance—Way of the world—Ruined castle—Grim and…
• Chapter XII. A visit—Figure of a man—The dog of peace—The raw wound—The guardroom—Boy soldier—Person in authority—Never…
• Chapter XIII. Groom and cob—Strength and symmetry—Where’s the saddle?—The first ride—No more fatigue—Love for…
• Chapter XIV. A fine old city—Norman master-work—Lollards’ Hole—Good blood—The Spaniard’s sword—Old retired…
• Chapter XV. Monsieur Dante—Condemned musket—Sporting—Sweet rivulet—The Earl’s Home—The pool—The sonorous voice—What…
• Chapter XVI. Fair of horses—Looks of respect—The fast trotter—Pair of eyes—Strange men—Jasper, your pal—Force of…
• Chapter XVII. The tent—Pleasant discourse—I am Pharaoh—Shifting for one’s self —Horse-shoes—This is wonderful—Bless…
• Chapter XVIII. What profession?—Not fitted for a Churchman—Erratic course—The bitter draft—Principle of woe—Thou…
• Chapter XIX. Agreeable delusions—Youth—A profession—Ab Gwilym—Glorious English law—There they pass—My dear old…
• Chapter XX. Silver gray—Good word for everybody—A remarkable youth—Clients—Grades in society—The archdeacon—Reading the…
• Chapter XXI. The eldest son—Saying of wild Finland—The critical time—Vaunting polls—One thing wanted—A father’s…
• Chapter XXII. Desire for novelty—Lives of the lawless—Countenances—Old yeoman and dame—We live near the…
• Chapter XXIII. The two individuals—The long pipe—The Germans—Werther—The female Quaker—Suicide—Gibbon—Jesus of…
• Chapter XXIV. The alehouse-keeper—Compassion for the rich—Old English gentleman—How is this?—Madeira—The Greek…
• Chapter XXV. Doubts—Wise king of Jerusalem—Let me see—A thousand years—Nothing new—The crowd—The hymn—Faith—Charles…
• Chapter XXVI. The flower of the grass—Days of pugilism—The rendezvous—Jews—Bruisers of England—Winter…
• Chapter XXVII. My father—Premature decay—The easy-chair—A few questions—So you told me—A difficult language—They can it…
• Chapter XXVIII
• Chapter XXIX. The greeting—Queer figure—Cheer up—The cheerful fire—It will do—The sally forth—Trepidation—Let him come…
• Chapter XXX. The sinister glance—Excellent correspondent—Quite original—My system—A losing trade—Merit—Starting a…
• Chapter XXXI. The walk—London’s Cheape—Street of the Lombards—Strange bridge—Main arch—The roaring gulf—The…
• Chapter XXXII. The tanner—The hotel—Drinking claret—London journal—New field—Commonplaceness—The three…
• Chapter XXXIII. Dine with the publisher—Religions—No animal food—Unprofitable discussions—Principles of criticism—The…
• Chapter XXXIV
• Chapter XXXV. Francis Ardry—Certain sharpers—Brave and eloquent—Opposites—Flinging the bones—Strange…
• Chapter XXXVI. Occupations—Traduttore traditore—Ode to the Mist—Apple and pear—Reviewing—Current literature—Oxford-like…
• Chapter XXXVII. My brother—Fits of crying—Mayor-elect—The committee—The Norman arch—A word of Greek—Church and State—At…
• Chapter XXXVIII. Painter of the heroic—I’ll go!—A modest peep—Who is this?—A capital Pharaoh—Disproportionably…
• Chapter XXXIX. No authority whatever—Interference—Wondrous farrago—Brandt and Struensee—What a life!—The hearse—Mortal…
• Chapter XL. London Bridge—Why not?—Every heart has its bitters—Wicked boys—Give me my book—Such a fright—Honour bright.
• Chapter XLI. Decease of the Review—Homer himself—Bread and cheese—Finger and thumb—Impossible to find—Something…
• Chapter XLII. Francis Ardry—That won’t do, sir—Observe my gestures—I think you improve—Better than politics—Delightful…
• Chapter XLIII
• Chapter XLIV. The old spot—A long history—Thou shalt not steal—No harm—Education—Necessity—Foam on your lip—Apples and…
• Chapter XLV. Bought and exchanged—Quite empty—A new firm—Bibles—Countenance of a lion—Clap of thunder—A truce with…
• Chapter XLVI. The pickpocket—Strange rencounter—Drag him along—A great service—Things of importance—Philological…
• Chapter XLVII. New acquaintance—Wired cases—Bread and wine—Armenian colonies—Learning without money—What a language—The…
• Chapter XLVIII. What to do—Strong enough—Fame and profit—Alliterative euphony—Excellent fellow—Listen to me—A…
• Chapter XLIX. Singular personage—A large sum—Papa of Rome—We are Christians—Degenerate Armenians—Roots of…
• Chapter L. Wish fulfilled—Extraordinary figure—Bueno—Noah—The two faces—I don’t blame him—Too fond of money—Were I an…
• Chapter LI. The one half-crown—Merit in patience—Cementer of friendship—Dreadful perplexity—The usual guttural—Armenian…
• Chapter LII. Kind of stupor—Peace of God—Divine hand—Farewell, child—The fair—Massive edifice—Battered tars—Lost!…
• Chapter LIII. Singular table—No money—Out of employ—My bonnet—We of the thimble—Good wages—Wisely resolved—Strangest…
• Chapter LIV
• Chapter LV. Bread and water—Pair play—Fashion—Colonel B——Joseph Sell—The kindly glow—Easiest manner imaginable.
• Chapter LVI
• Chapter LVII. Nervous look—The bookseller’s wife—The last stake—Terms—God forbid!—Will you come to tea?—A light heart.
• Chapter LVIII. Indisposition—A resolution—Poor equivalents—The piece of gold—Flashing eyes—How beautiful—Bon jour…
• Chapter LIX. The milestone—The meditation—Want to get up?—The off-hand leader—Sixteen shillings—The near-hand…
• Chapter LX. The still hour—A thrill—The wondrous circle—The shepherd—Heaps and barrows—What do you mean?—Milk of the…
• Chapter LXI
• Chapter LXII. The hostelry—Life uncertain—Open countenance—The grand point—Thank you, master—A hard mother—Poor…
• Chapter LXIII. Primitive habits—Rosy-faced damsel—A pleasant moment—Suit of black—The furtive glance—The mighty…
• Chapter LXIV. New acquaintance—Old French style—The portrait—Taciturnity—The evergreen tree—The dark hour—The…
• Chapter LXV
• Chapter LXVI. Trepidations—Subtle principle—Perverse imagination—Are they mine?—Another book—How hard!—Agricultural…
• Chapter LXVII
• Chapter LXVIII. Elastic step—Disconsolate party—Not the season—Mend your draft—Good ale—Crotchet—Hammer and…
• Chapter LXIX. Effects of corn—One night longer—The hoofs—A stumble—Are you hurt?—What a difference—Drowsy—Maze of…
• Chapter LXX
• Chapter LXXI
• Chapter LXXII. Desired effect—The three oaks—Winifred—Things of time—With God’s will—The preacher—Creature…
• Chapter LXXIII. Morning hymn—Much alone—John Bunyan—Beholden to nobody—Sixty-five—Sober greeting—Early Sabbaths—Finny…
• Chapter LXXIV. The following day—Pride—Thriving trade—Tylwyth Teg—Ellis Wyn—Sleeping hard—Incalculable good—Fearful…
• Chapter LXXV. Taking a cup—Getting to heaven—After breakfast— Wooden gallery—Mechanical habit—Reserved and gloomy—Last…
• Chapter LXXVI. Hasty farewell—Lofty rock—Wrestlings of Jacob—No rest—Ways of Providence—Two females—Foot of the…
• Chapter LXXVII. Getting late—Seven years old—Chastening—Go forth—London Bridge—Same eyes—Common occurrence—Very sleepy.
• Chapter LXXVIII
• Chapter LXXIX. Deep interest—Goodly country—Two mansions—Welshman’s Candle—Beautiful universe—Godly discourse—Fine…
• Chapter LXXX
• Chapter LXXXI. At a funeral—Two days ago—Very coolly—Roman woman—Well and hearty—Somewhat dreary—Plum pudding—Roman…
• Chapter LXXXII. Offence and defense—I’m satisfied—Fond of solitude—Possession of property—Chal Devlehi—Winding path.
• Chapter LXXXIII. Highly poetical—Volundr—Grecian mythology—Making a petul—Tongues of flame—Hammering—Spite of…
• Chapter LXXXIV. Several causes—Frogs and eftes—Gloom and twilight—What should I do?—‘Our Father’—Fellow-men—What a…
• Chapter LXXXV. Free and independent—I don’t see why—Oats—A noise—Unwelcome visitors—What’s the matter?—Good-day to…
• Chapter LXXXVI. At tea—Vapours—Isopel Berners—Softly and kindly—Sweet pretty creature—Bread and water—Two sailors—Truth…
• Chapter LXXXVII
• Chapter LXXXVIII
• Chapter LXXXIX. The dingle—Give them ale—Not over complimentary—America—Many people—Washington—Promiscuous…
• Chapter XC. Buona sera—Rather apprehensive—The steep bank—Lovely virgin—Hospitality—Tory minister—Custom of the…
• Chapter XCI
• Chapter XCII. The landlord—Rather too old—Without a shilling—Reputation—A fortnight ago—Liquids—The main…
• Chapter XCIII
• Chapter XCIV. Prerogative—Feeling of gratitude—A long history—Alliterative style—Advantageous specimen—Jesuit…
• Chapter XCV. Wooded retreat—Fresh shoes—Wood fire—Ash, when green—Queen of China—Cleverest…
• Chapter XCVI. A shout—A fireball—See to the horses—Passing away—Gap in the hedge—On three wheels—Why do you stop?—No…
• Chapter XCVII. Fire of charcoal—The new-comer—No wonder!—Not a blacksmith—A love affair—Gretna Green—A cool…
• Chapter XCVIII. An exordium—Fine ships—High Barbary captains—Free-born Englishmen—Monstrous figure—Swashbuckler—The…
• Chapter XCIX. A cloister—Half English—New acquaintance—Mixed liquors—Turning Papist—Purposes of charity—Foreign…
• Chapter C. Nothing but gloom—Sporting character—Gouty Tory—Servants’ Club—Politics—Reformado…
• About the Author