Mr.Thomas makes no claim to the possession of new documents.

This brings me to such excuse as I can make for perpetrating a fifth biography.

When Mrs.MacOubrey, Borrow's stepdaughter, the 'Hen.' of _Wild Wales_ and the affectionate companion of his later years, sold her father's books and manuscripts--and she always to her dying day declared that she had no intention of parting with the manuscripts, which were, she said, taken away under a misapprehension--she did not, of course, part with any of his more private documents.

All the more intimate letters of Borrow were retained.

At her death these passed to her executors, from whom I have purchased all legal rights in the publication of Borrow's hitherto unpublished manuscripts and letters.