J. E.
Oxford, July 29.
64. Spenser's Portraits (Vol. iv., p. 74.).
—VARRO states he is "well acquainted with an admirable portrait of the poet, bearing date 1593." Perhaps he could give a satisfactory answer to a Query relative to the engraved portraits of Spenser which appeared in one of the numbers of "NOTES AND QUERIES" for last April, and which was not been yet answered.
E. M. B.
65. Borrow's Bible in Spain.
—In the Athenæum for Aug. 17, 1850, in a review of Wallis's Glimpses of Spain, I find the following remark:—
"Mr. Wallis imputes a want of judgment and of 'earnest desire' for the objects of his mission to Mr. Borrow personally, on the ground that he—being, as all know, sent out by the Bible Society to circulate the Protestant Scriptures—did not, instead of attempting to fulfil that special object of his mission, employ himself in diffusing the Roman Catholic version of the Vulgate set forth by the Spanish hierarchy."
It is well known that the Bible Society keeps on its shelves both the Protestant and Roman Catholic versions of French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Its endeavours at present are, I believe, confined to attempting to circulate the Roman Catholic versions, on the ground that it is impossible to circulate the more correct Protestant ones. My Queries are:—
1. Was Mr. Borrow sent out by the Bible Society to circulate the Protestant Scriptures?