There was, we may be perfectly sure, no _Joseph Sell_, and it is more reasonable to suppose that it was the sale of his translation of Klinger's _Faustus_ that gave him the much needed money at this crisis.
Dr.Knapp pictures Borrow as carrying the manuscript of his translation of _Faustus_ with him to London.

There is not the slightest evidence of this.

It may be reasonably assumed that Borrow made the translation from Klinger's novel during his sojourn in London.

It is true the preface is dated 'Norwich, April 1825,' but Borrow did not leave London until the end of May 1825, that is to say, until after he had negotiated with 'W.
Simpkin and R.Marshall,' now the well-known firm of Simpkin and Marshall, for the publication of the little volume.

That firm, unfortunately, has no record of the transaction.