Episodes

  • 058 - Appendix The old radical

    058 - Appendix The old radical
    Mar 19 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    24 mins
  • 057 - Appendix Pseudo-radicals

    057 - Appendix Pseudo-radicals
    Mar 18 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    15 mins
  • 056 - Appendix Pseudo-critics

    056 - Appendix Pseudo-critics
    Mar 17 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    21 mins
  • 055 - Appendix On canting nonsense

    055 - Appendix On canting nonsense
    Mar 16 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    20 mins
  • 054 - Appendix Same subject continued

    054 - Appendix Same subject continued
    Mar 15 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    13 mins
  • 053 - Appendix On Scotch gentility nonsense

    053 - Appendix On Scotch gentility nonsense
    Mar 14 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    17 mins
  • 052 - Appendix Subject of gentility nonsense continued

    052 - Appendix Subject of gentility nonsense continued
    Mar 13 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    30 mins
  • 051 - Appendix On gentility nonsense

    051 - Appendix On gentility nonsense
    Mar 12 2026
    In The Romany Rye, George Borrow picks up the narrative right where his previous work Lavengro left off, creating a seamless continuation of his compelling tale. Borrow viewed both works as a single entity, aiming to promote values such as virtue, patriotism, knowledge, and genuine faith—particularly that of the Church of England—while fostering a disdain for all forms of nonsense and priestcraft, especially those from Rome. However, this description only scratches the surface of a book that defies easy classification. Blending autobiography, travelogue, and sharp invective, Borrow’s vibrant prose invites readers on an unforgettable journey through early to mid-nineteenth century England. Along the way, youll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, from a transformed innkeeper who rejects Papism to a cheerful rat catcher, a hapless bank note forger, a wistful beekeeper brewing mead, and a grief-stricken widower learning Chinese through pottery. Youll discover the secrets of horse trading, the history of Hungary told by an expert, the challenges of romance with an Armenian, and much more—each story narrated in some of the most captivating mid-nineteenth century English prose youll ever read.
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    6 mins