Borrow lost his father on the 28th February, 1824.  He reached London on the 2nd April of the same year, and this was the beginning of his many wanderings.  He was armed with introductions from William Taylor, and with some translations in manuscript from Danish and Welsh poetry.  The principal introduction was to Sir Richard Phillips, a person of some importance in his day, who has so far received but inadequate² treatment in our own.  Phillips was active in the cause of reform at a certain period in his life, and would seem to have had many sterling³ qualities before he was spoiled by success.  He was born in the neighbourhood of Leicester, and his father was “in the farming line,” and wanted him to work on the farm, but he determined⁴ to seek his fortune in London.  After a short absence, during which he clearly proved to himself that he was not at present qualified⁵ to capture London, young Phillips returned to the farm.  Borrow refers to his patron’s vegetarianism⁶, and on this point we have an amusing story from his own pen!  He had been, when previously⁷ on the farm, in the habit of attending to a favourite heifer:

 

During his sojournment in London this animal had been killed; and on the very day of his return to his father’s house, he partook of part of his favourite at dinner, without his being made acquainted with the circumstance of its having been slaughtered⁸ during his absence.  On learning this, however, he experienced a sudden indisposition; and declared that so great an effect had the idea of his having eaten part of his slaughtered favourite upon him, that he would never again taste animal food; a

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