A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE _CUSTOMS_, _HABITS_, & _PRESENT STATE_ OF The Gypsies; DESIGNED TO DEVELOPE The Origin of this Singular People, AND TO PROMOTE _The Amelioration of their Condition_. 

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 BY JOHN HOYLAND, _Author of an Epitome of the History of the World_, _&c. _

 [Picture: Decorative divider]

 York: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; AND SOLD BY _WM. ALEXANDER_, _YORK_:

 DARTON, HARVEY, & CO. ; W. PHILLIPS; AND W. DARTON, JUN. LONDON. 

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 1816. 

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 Entered at Stationers’ Hall. 

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_Printed by HARGROVE_, _GAWTHORP_, _& COBB_, _Herald-Office_, _York_. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The author of the following Survey, has frequently had opportunity ofobserving the very destitute and abject condition of the Gypsey race, inthe counties of Northampton, Bedford, and Herts. The impressionsreceived from viewing a state so derogatory to human nature, induced himto make numerous inquiries, in order to ascertain if necessity compelledtheir continuance, under circumstances so deplorable as their conditionexhibited. 

Not meeting with satisfactory intelligence on application to variousindividuals, to whose observation Gypsies are frequently presented, theauthor was excited to an examination of history, for the developement ofa case involved in so much obscurity; and aggravated by circumstances sorepugnant to the mild and genial influences of the Christian Religion. 

He must not however omit to state, that in Northamptonshire, WilliamAllen, who is in the profession of the law, at Higham Ferrers, andSteward to Earl Fitzwilliam, very warmly interested himself on thesubject. He said it afforded him much pleasure to find, that someattention was excited to the condition of the Gypsies, and that he shouldbe glad to co-operate, as far as was in his power, in any measures likelyto conduce to the reformation of this greatly neglected class of Britishsubjects. 

He volunteered his services to find out the nearest Gypsey rendezvous, and soon procured information of an encampment which the writer visited. An account of the visit will appear in the following sheets. The firstassurance that the Gypsies really had a language peculiar to themselves, which the author received, was from this intelligent and obligingprofessor of the law, who had heard children, as well as adults amongthem, speak it with great fluency. 

He also observed, that the situation of this people daily becameincreasingly deplorable, in consequence of the establishment ofassociations for the prosecution of felons; and that the fear ofapprehension as vagrants, and the progressive inclosures near towns andvillages, had a tendency to drive them to a greater distance from thehabitations of man. And he was fully of opinion, as these houselesswanderers were expelled from Township after Township, without anyprovision being made for their refuge, that it was high time their caseshould obtain the consideration of the public. 

Of the historic authorities whence the author has derived information andinteresting observation, he has to place in the foremost rank, theDissertation of the learned H. M. G. Grellmann, translated a few yearssince, by the late M. Raper, Esq. F. R. S. & A. S. He has, however, toacknowledge himself indebted to various other intelligent authors, whosewritings will be noticed in the course of the work. 

Another source of information, and which relates especially to the_present state_ of the Gypsies in Great Britain, has been opened throughinquiries instituted in most parts of the nation, by the author, aided byseveral obliging and able coadjutors. The results of these inquiries, itscarcely need be added, will be presented to the reader in their properplaces. 

The author has much regretted, that scarcely any of the splendidhistories of Counties in England, and even those in which the Gypsiesabound, have in the least noticed that part of the population which sostrongly claims our attention. By bringing their situation into view, the historian might not merely have served the cause of humanity; hewould have advanced the interest of the state, by promoting an object ofso much public utility, as the improvement of the whole Gypsey racecannot fail to prove. 

A comparative view of their customs and habits, and how far they appearcoincident in different countries, may afford a criterion by which tojudge if they have all had one origin. By thus tracing them to thatsource, we may possibly discover the occasion of their peculiarities; andif the means hitherto employed to counteract them, have provedunsuccessful, we may be prepared to consider of others, better adapted tocorrect the errors of their education. 

Conceiving that any scheme for ameliorating the condition of the Gypsies, would not only be premature, but might prove highly injudicious, beforeobtaining a knowledge of their history, the author has endeavoured tocollect, from the most authentic European authorities to which he couldhave access, a general view of this people, in the different parts of theworld to which they have resorted; and from these and the other sourcesof information, he has subjoined accounts of their state in GreatBritain, and of the suggestions offered by other individuals for theirimprovement; concluding the subject with a review of the whole, andproposing a plan to be set on foot for accomplishing this desirableobject. 

CONTENTS. 

 SECTION I. 

_Various Appellations of them—Their arrival in Europe_ _page_ 9

 SECTION II. 

_Accounts of the Gypsies in various Countries_ _page_ 17

 SECTION III. 

_The Habits_, _Occupations_, _and Polity of the _page_ 37Continental Gypsies_

 SECTION IV. 

_Political Regulations on the Continent respecting _page_ 61Gypsies_

 SECTION V. 

_The Gypsies in Great Britain_ _page_ 75

 SECTION VI. 

_The present State of the Gypsies in Scotland_ _page_ 91

 SECTION VII. 

_On the Origin of the Gypsies_ _page_ 112

 SECTION VIII. 

_Comparative view of the Gypsey_, _Hindostanie_, _and _page_ 131Turkish languages_

 SECTION IX. 

_Present State of the Gypsies in England_ _page_ 151

 SECTION X. 

_Present State of the Gypsies in and about London_ _page_ 175

 SECTION XI. 

_Sentiments of various persons on the moral condition of _page_ 191the Gypsies_

 SECTION XII. 

_Review of the Subject_, _and Suggestions for _page_ 221ameliorating the condition of the Gypsies in the BritishEmpire_

SECTION I. 

Various appellations of them—Their arrival in Europe. 

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The different appellations by which the People whom we denominateGypsies, have been distinguished, appear generally to have had referenceto the countries, from which it was supposed they had emigrated. 

Grellmann states, that the French, having the first accounts of them fromBohemia, gave them the name of _Bohémiens_, Bohemians. That the Dutchapprehending they came from Egypt, called them _Heydens_, Heathens. InDenmark, Sweden, and in some parts of Germany, Tartars were thought of. The Moors and Arabians, perceiving the propensity the Gypsies had tothieving, adopted the name _Charami_, Robbers, for them. 

In Hungary, they were formerly called Pharaohites, (_Pharaoh Nepek_)Pharaoh’s people; and the vulgar in Transylvania continue that name forthem. The idea of the English appears to be similar, in denominatingthem Gypsies, Egyptians; as is, that of the Portuguese and Spaniards, incalling them _Gitanos_. But the name _Zigeuners_, obtained the mostextensive adoption, and apparently not without cause; for the word_Zigeuner_, signifies to wander up and down—for which reason, it is said, our German ancestors denominated every strolling vagrant _Zichegan_. 

The Gypsies are called not only in all Germany, Italy, and Hungary_Tziganys_; but frequently in Transylvania, Wallachia and Moldavia, _Cyganis_. But the Turks, and other Eastern nations name them, _Tschingenes_. 

The origin of this people has been a subject of inquiry for more thanthree hundred years. Many persons have been anxious to discover “whothese guests were, that, unknown and uninvited, came into Europe in thefifteenth century, and have chosen ever since to continue in this quarterof the globe. ”

Continental writers state, that it is incredible how numerous the hordesof this people are, and how widely dispersed over the face of the earth. They wander about in Asia, the inferior of Africa, and have establishedthemselves in most of the countries of Europe. Grellmann is of opinion, that America is the only part of the world, in which they are not known. Though no mention appears to be made of them by Authors who have writtenon that quarter of the globe; yet no doubt remains, of their having beenin Europe nearly four hundred years. 

_Wilhelm Dilick_ in his HESZISCHEN _Chronik_, scit 229, beyn Jahr 1414, informs us they arrived the same year in the Hessian territories; but nomention of them appears in the public prints till three years afterward. Mention is made of their being in Germany as early as the year 1417; whenthey appeared in the vicinity of the North sea. Fabricius, in _AnnalibbMisn_, says, they were driven from Meissen in 1416, but Calvisiuscorrects this date by changing it to 1418. 

Sir Thomas Browne in his “_Vulgar Errors_, ” page 287, says, “their firstappearance was in Germany, since the year 1400; nor were they observedbefore in other parts of Europe, as is deducible from Munster, Genebrard, Krantzius and Ortelius. ”

In Germany they spread so rapidly, that in 1418, their names wererecorded in the annual publications of various parts of the country. They travelled in hordes, each having his leader, sometimes called_Count_, others had the title of _Dukes_, or _Lords of Lesser Egypt_. 

In 1418 they were found in Switzerland, and in the country of theGrisons; and in 1422 they made their appearance in Italy. The BolognaChronicle states, that the hordes which arrived in that city, on the 18thof July, 1422, consisted of about one hundred men, the name of whoseleader, or Duke as they termed him, was Andreas. They travelled fromBologna to Forli, intending to pay the Pope a visit at Rome. 

Their appearance in France bears the date of 1427, when the French say, they straggled about Paris, having arrived on the 17th day of August inthat year. 

German Historians are agreed, that when the Gypsies first made theirappearance in Europe, they chose to be considered as Pilgrims; and thattheir profession met with the more ready belief, as it coincided with theinfatuation of the times. The learned Grellmann states, that several oldwritings mention the credulity, with which people cherished the idea, that they were real pilgrims and holy persons; that it not only procuredfor them toleration, but safe-conducts in many places. 

Munster declares, that they carried about with them passports and sealsfrom the Emperor Sigismund, and other Princes; by means of which, theyhad free passage through different countries and cities; and that he hadhimself seen, an attested copy of such a letter to the possession of someGypsies at Eberbach. 

Krantz, Stumpf, Guler, and Laurentius Palmirenus, all agree in thisstatement. . The Gypsies at Bologna also shewed an instrument fromSigismund; but he appears to have granted this to them, not as Emperor, and in Germany; but in Hungary, and as King of Hungary. A pass ofUladislaus II. Might also be quoted, which the Gypsies obtained chieflyon account of their supposed sanctity and pilgrimage. In Transylvania, it is asserted they received letters of protection from the House ofBathory. 

Webner says, that the Gypsies in France quoted ancient privileges, granted to them by the former Kings of that country. 

Crusius, Wurstisen, and Guler, mention papal permissions for wanderingunmolested through all Christian countries, as long as the term of theirpilgrimage lasted; which they asserted was seven years. But at theexpiration of that term, they represented that their return home wasprevented by soldiers stationed to intercept them. 

The impression their pretensions had made on the people among whom theycame, did not entirely subside during half a century; but afterward, “theGypsies being watched with a more jealous eye, it appeared but tooclearly, that, instead of holy pilgrims, they were the mere refuse ofhumanity, who, often, under pretexts of safe-conducts, committed allmanner of excesses. ”

Their impositions being detected, it is probable some of them werereduced to the necessity of having recourse to legitimate means ofsubsistence, for within thirty years afterward, we have accounts ofGypsies in Hungary being employed in the working of iron. Thisoccupation, appears from old writings, to have been a favourite one withthem. Bellonius also takes notice of its being so; and there is a recordof the Hungarian King Uladislaus, in the year 1496, cited by the Abbé_Pray_ in his Annals; and by _Friedwalsky_ in his Mineralogy, wherein itis ordered, “_That every __officer and subject_, _of whatever rank andcondition_, _do allow to Thomas Polgar_, _leader of twenty-five tents ofwandering Gypsies_, _free residence every where_, _and on no account tomolest him_, _or his people_; _because they had prepared military storesfor the Bishop Sigismund at Fünfkirchen_. ”

 GRELLMANN. 

SECTION II. 

Accounts of the Gypsies in various countries. 

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To propose means for improving the condition of Gypsies, before we haveinformed ourselves of their real state, and what has been done for them, would be as injudicious, as for a Physician to prescribe for a patient, without being acquainted with the nature or extent of his disease, andthe means attempted for his cure. To form a just opinion, on the case ofthe Gypsies, it appears necessary to ascertain their general habits, andtheir mode of life. 

From Pasquier’s _Recherches de la France_, B. IV. C. 9, is selected thefollowing account of the Gypsies in that country: “On August 17th, 1427, came to Paris, twelve Penitents, _Penanciers_, as they called themselves, viz: a Duke, an Earl, and ten men, all on horse-back, and callingthemselves good christians. They were of Lower Egypt, and gave out, thatnot long before, the Christians had subdued their country, and obligedthem to embrace christianity, on pain of being put to death. Those whowere baptized, were great Lords in their own country; and had a King andQueen there. Some time after their conversion, the Saracens over-rantheir country, and obliged them to renounce christianity. 

“When the Emperor of Germany, the King of Poland, and other ChristianPrinces, heard of this; they fell upon them, and obliged the whole ofthem, both great and small, to quit their country, and go to the Pope atRome; who enjoined them seven years’ penance, to wander over the world, without lying in a bed. They had been wandering five years when theycame to Paris; first the principal people, and soon after the commonalty, about 100, or 120, reduced from 1000, or 1200, when they came from home;the rest being dead, with their King and Queen. They were lodged by thepolice, out of the city, at Chapel St. Denis

“Nearly all of them had their ears bored, and one or two silver rings ineach, which they said were esteemed ornaments in their country. The menwere black, their hair curled; the women remarkably black, all theirfaces scarred, _deployez_, their hair black, their only clothes a largeold shaggy garment, _flossoye_, tied over the shoulders with a cloth orcord, sash, _lien_, and under it a poor petticoat, _roquet_. In short, they were the poorest miserable creatures that had ever been seen inFrance; and notwithstanding their poverty, there were among them women, who by looking into people’s hands told their fortunes. And what wasworse, they picked people’s pockets of their money; and got it into theirown, through telling these things by art, magic, &c. 

“But though this was the common report, I spoke to them several times, yet I never lost a farthing by them; or ever saw them look into people’shands. But the Bishop of Paris, hearing of it, went to them with a FriarPreacher, named _Le petit Jacobin_, who, by the Bishop’s order, preacheda sermon excommunicating all the men and women who pretended to believethese things; and had believed in them, and shown their hands; and it wasagreed that they should go away, and they departed for Pontoise, inSeptember. 

“This was copied from an old book in the form of a journal, drawn up by adoctor of divinity in Paris, which fell into the hands of Pasquier; whoremarks upon it, that however the story of a penance savours of a trick, these people wandered up and down France, under the eye, and with theknowledge of the magistrates, for 100, or 120 years. At length, in 1661, an edict was issued, commanding all officers of justice, to turn out ofthe kingdom, in the space of two months, under pain of the gallies, andcorporal punishment, all men, women and children, who assumed the name of_Bohémiens_, or Egyptians. ”

Dufresne, in his Glossary V. Ægyptiaci, confirms Pasquier’s character ofthem in these words: “Ægyptiaci, Gallicé Egyptiens, Bohémiens, vagihomines, harioli, et fatidici, qui hac et illac errantes, ex manuinspectione futura prœsagire se fingunt; ut de marsupiis incautorumnummos corrogent;” which may be thus translated, “Egyptians called by theFrench Egyptiens, Bohémiens, vagabonds, soothsayers and fortune-tellers, who, wandering up and down, pretend to foretel future events from theinspection of the hand, for the purpose of obtaining money from personsnot careful of their purses, &c. ”

Grellmann speaks of Gypsies “being numerous in Lorraine and Alsatia, before the French Revolution, but especially in the forests of Lorraine. They increased in this district, in consequence of their having beenassiduously looked after in the dominions of the late Duke Deux-Fonts, and driven from thence; whither his successor would not suffer them toreturn. He adds, that an order of the provincial council, held atTarragona, in 1591, subjected them to the magistrates, as people “quosvix constat esse Christianos, nisi ex eorum relatione, cum tamen sintmendaces, fures, deceptores, et aliis sceleribus multi eorum assueti;” inEnglish, “who are scarcely allowed to be Christians, except from theirown account of themselves, seeing they are liars, thieves, cheats, andmany of them accustomed to other kinds of wickedness. ”

Twiss, in his Travels p. 179, gives the following account of them inSpain: “They are very numerous about, and in, Murcia, Cordova, Codis, andRonda. The race of these vagabonds is found in every part of Europe. The French call them _Bohémiens_, the Italians _Zingari_, the Germans_Ziegeuners_, the Dutch _Heydenen_, Pagans, the Portuguese _Siganos_, andthe Spaniards _Gitanos_, in Latin, _Cingari_. 

“Their language, which is peculiar to themselves, is every where sosimilar, that they are undoubtedly all derived from the same source. They began to appear in Europe in the 15th century, and are probably amixture of Egyptians and Ethiopians. The men are all thieves, and thewomen libertines. They follow no certain trade, and have no fixedreligion. They do not enter into the order of society, wherein they areonly tolerated. It is supposed there are upwards of forty thousand ofthem in Spain; great numbers of them are innkeepers in the villages, andsmall towns; and they are every where fortune-tellers. 

“In Spain, they are not allowed to possess any lands, nor even to serveas soldiers. They marry among themselves, stroll in troops, about thecountry, and bury their dead under water. Their ignorance prevents theiremploying themselves in any thing, but in providing for the immediatewants of nature; beyond which even their roguishness does not extend;and, only endeavouring to save themselves the trouble of labour, they arecontented if they can procure food by showing feats of dexterity; andonly pilfer to supply themselves with the trifles they want; so that theynever render themselves liable to any severer chastisement, than that ofwhipping, for having stolen chickens, linen, &c. Most of the men have asmattering of physic and surgery, and are skilful in tricks performed byslight of hand. ”

“The foregoing account is partly extracted from _Le Voyageur François_, Vol. XVI. ; but the assertion that they are all so abandoned, as thatauthor says, is too general. I have lodged many times in their houses, and never missed the most trifling things, though I have left my knives, forks, candlesticks, spoons, and linen at their mercy. ”

Swinburne states, that “they swarm more in the province of Granada, thanin any other part of the realm. This singular sect have kept themselvesseparate from the rest of mankind ever since their first appearance whichhas been recorded in history. 

“Their origin remains a problem not to be satisfactorily solved; and Idoubt whether the Gitanos themselves, have any secret tradition thatmight lead to a discovery of what they really were in the beginning, orfrom what country they came. The received opinion sets them down asEgyptians, and makes them out to be the descendants of those vagabondvotaries of Isis, who appear to have exercised, in ancient Rome, prettymuch the same profession as that followed by the present Gypsies, viz:fortune-telling, strolling up and down, and pilfering. 

“Few of them employed themselves in works of husbandry, or handicrafts;indeed the Spaniards would not work with them. Except a small part ofthem who follow the trades of blacksmiths, and vintners, most of them aremakers of iron rings, and other little trifles, rather to prevent theirbeing laid hold of as vagrants, than really as a means of subsistence. Several of them travel about as carriers and pedlars. 

“Though they conform to the Roman Catholic mode of worship, they arelooked upon in the light of unbelievers; but I never could meet with anybody that pretended to say what their private faith and religion may be. All the Gypsies I have conversed with, assured me of their soundCatholicism; and I have seen the medal of _Nuestra Senora del Carmel_sewed on the sleeves of several of their women. 

“They seldom venture on any crimes that may endanger their lives; pettylarceny is the utmost extent of their roguishness. 

“The men are tall, well built, and swarthy, with a bad scowling eye, anda kind of favorite lock of hair left to grow down before their ears, which rather increases the gloominess of their features; their women arenimble and supple jointed; when young they are generally handsome, withfine black eyes. Their ears and necks are loaded with trinkets andbaubles, and most of them wear a large patch on each temple. ”

Of the Italian Gypsies, the same traveller in his journey throughCalabria, p. 304, gives the following account: “The landlord of the innat Mirti, earnestly recommended to the servants to leave nothing out ofdoors, as there was an encampment of Zingari, or Gypsies, who would laytheir hands upon any part of the baggage, that was not watched with thestrictest attention. His caution led me to an inquiry into the state ofthis strange tribe of vagrants, of whom I had seen great numbers inSpain. The result of this account, combined with those I had receivedfrom others, is as follows:

“The Gypsies of Calabria do not contract alliances with any other classof inhabitants; but marry among themselves. 

“It is not possible to say where they reside, as they have no fixedhabitations; and consequently possess neither house nor land, but pitchtheir tents wherever they think proper to make any stay. They supportlife by the profits of handicrafts; but more by swapping asses andhorses. 

“They generally work in iron, and make trivets, knitting needles, bodkins, and such trifles. Their dress is extremely shabby; they shavetheir chins, but indulge a great length of hair, which they seldomdisturb with either comb or scissars. 

“As to their religion, it is a secret which they keep locked up in theirown breasts. They seem to have no great veneration for the Virgin Mary, but are supposed to believe in Christ. All the proof we have of theirbelief, depends upon appearances, and an occasional conforming to theceremonies of the Roman Catholic religion, in marriages, burials, &c. ;but if the priests start any difficulties, they manage the matter withouttheir interference, and perform the functions according to their ownceremonies, which in many points resemble those of the heathens. 

“At their weddings they carry torches, and have paranymphs to give thebride away, with many other unusual rites. 

“It is in reality, almost absurd to talk of the religion of a set ofpeople, whose moral characters are so depraved, as to make it evidentthey believe in nothing capable of being a check to their passions. Theyare usually accounted pilferers, cheats, faithless, and abandoned todissoluteness. 

“They tell fortunes, and play juggling tricks, just as they do in allother countries where they are to be found. In 1560, they were banishedthe kingdom as thieves, cheats, and spies for the Turks. In 1569 and1685, the order was resumed, but not being enforced, had little effect. 

“A Gypsey being brought to trial for a larceny, declared, that his lawallowed him to take as much from others, every day, as sufficed for hismaintenance. 

“These people make use of two languages, one Calabrian, with a foreignaccent and pronunciation; the other a peculiar one of their own, which insound, seems to have great affinity to the Oriental tongues; and isspoken when they have secrets to impart to each other. They sleep likedogs in a kennel, men, women, and children huddled together. ”

The learned Grellmann states, that “Gypsies were universally to be foundin Italy; insomuch, that even Sicily and Sardinia were not free fromthem. 

“But they were the most numerous in the dominions of the church; probablybecause there was the worst police, with much superstition. By theformer they were left undisturbed; and the latter enticed them to deceivethe ignorant, as it afforded them an opportunity of obtaining a plentifulcontribution, by their fortune-telling and enchanted amulets. 

“There was a general law throughout Italy, that no Gypsey should remainmore than two nights, in any one place. By this regulation, it is true, no place retained its guest long; but no sooner was one gone, thananother came in his room. It was a continual circle, and quite asconvenient to them, as a perfect toleration would have been. Italyrather suffered, than benefited, by this law; as, by keeping those peoplein constant motion, they would do more mischief there, than in placeswhere they were permitted to remain stationary. ”

It appears from the Dissertation of Grellmann, that he had examined withgreat care and attention, the continental authorities on the subject ofGypsies. He asserts, that “In Poland and Lithuania, as well as inCourland, there is an amazing number of Gypsies. 

“That they are to be found in Denmark and Sweden, is certain, but hownumerous they are in those countries we cannot pronounce, and thereforeproceed to the south east of Europe. 

“The countries in this part seem to be the general rendezvous of theGypsies; their number amounts in Hungary, according to a probablestatement, to upwards of 50, 000. 

“Cantemir says, the Gypsies are dispersed all over Moldavia, where everyBaron has several families of them subject to him. 

“In Wallachia and the Sclavonian mountains, they are quite as numerous. Bessarabia, all Tartary, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, swarm with them;even in Constantinople they are innumerable. In Romania, a large tractof Mount Hæmus, which they inhabit, has acquired from them the name_Tschenghe Valkan_, the Gypsey mountain. This district extends from thecity Aydos, quite to Phillipopolis, and contains more Gypsies than anyother province in the Turkish empire. ”

Our countryman Edward Daniel Clark, in his travels in Russia, Tartary, &c. So lately as the year 1800, states, “that after the ceremony of theresurrection at Moscow, a party of Gypsies were performing the nationaldance, called Barina; others were telling fortunes, according to theiruniversal practice, or begging for presents of oranges or ice. 

“This extraordinary people, found in all parts of Europe, were originallyone of the Castes of India, driven out of their territory, anddistinguished among Indian tribes, by a name which signifies thieves. They have a similar appellation among the Fins, and with the samesignification. 

“They preserve every where the same features, manners, and customs, andwhat is more remarkable, almost always the same mode of dress. Theextraordinary resemblance of the female Gypsies to the women of India, was remarked by the British officers and men, in Egypt, when GeneralBaird arrived with his army to join Lord Hutchinson. The Sea-poys hadmany of their women with them, who were exactly like our Gypsies. 

“In their dress, they lavish all their finery upon their heads. Theircostume in Russia is very different to that of the natives. The Russianshold them in great contempt; never speaking of them without abuse; andfeel themselves contaminated by their touch, unless it be to have theirfortunes told. Formerly they were more scattered over Russia, and paidno tribute; but now they are collected, and all belong to one nobleman, to whom they pay a certain tribute, and work among the number of hisslaves. ”

P. 209, he writes: “At Woronetz, the Gypsey tribe are very prevalent, anda mixed race, resulting from their intermarriage with the Russians. ”

Dr. Clarke observes, Chap. 18, p. 440, 441 of his Travels, betweenKertchy and Caffa, in the Crimea: “In the villages we found parties ofTzigankies or Gypsies, encamped as we see them in England, but havingtheir tents stationed between their waggons, in which they move about thecountry. 

“Poultry, cats, dogs, and horses, were feeding all round them, seeminglike members of the same family. The Gypsies are much encouraged by theTartars, who allow them to encamp in the midst of their villages, wherethey exercise the several functions of smiths, musicians, andastrologers. Many of them are wealthy, possessing fine horses, andplenty of other cattle; but their way of life, whether rich or poor, isalways the same. As we entered their tents they arose, and cast asheep’s hide over their bodies. The filth and stench of these peoplewere abominable. ”

In the second, part of his Travels, p. 644, he writes respecting theGypsies: “We found this people in Nauplia, under the name they bear inMoldavia, of Tchinganes. How they came thither no one knew; but themarch of their ancestors, from the North of India to Europe, so lately asthe beginning of the 15th century, will account for their not being foundfurther towards the South; and this is now so well ascertained, that noone would expect to meet a Gypsey, upon any of the southern shores of theMediterranean. 

“To have found them in the Peloponnesus is rather remarkable, consideringthat their whole tribe at first did not exceed half a million. ”

In the travels, written by Bell, of Antermony, Vol. 2, p. 157, he states:“During my stay at Tobolski, I was informed that a large troop of Gypsieshad been lately at that place, to the number of sixty or upwards. TheRussians call these vagabonds, _Tziggany_. Their sorry baggage wascarried upon horses and asses. The Vice-Governor sent for the chief ofthis gang, and demanded whither they were going. They answered to China. He stopped their progress and sent them back. ”

“Bishop Pococke met with these people, still further to the Eastward. Hesays, the Chingani, who are spread all over the world, are in greatabundance in the North of Syria, and pass for Mahometans. They liveunder tents, and sometimes in grots under ground. 

“They make a coarse sort of tapestry, or carpet work, for hangings ofsaddles and other uses; and when they are not far from towns, deal muchin cattle, and have a much better character than their relations inHungary, and the Gypsies in England; who are thought by some to have beenoriginally of the same tribe. 

“These and the Turcomen, with regard to offence, are under the Pasha andCadi; though they have a sheik to every encampment, and several greatones over them: but with regard to taxes, they are immediately under theGrand Seignior; whose tribute is collected yearly, by an officer overeach of these people; one being called the Turcoman-Agasi, an officer ofgreat credit, and the other the Chingani-Agasi, who go round the Turkishdominions to collect the taxes from these people. ” Travels, Vol. 2, Part1, p. 207, 208. 

Grellmann says: “Independently of the number of Gypsies in Egypt, andsome parts of Asia, could we obtain an exact estimate of them in thecountries of Europe, the immense number would probably greatly exceedwhat we have any idea of. At a moderate calculation, without beingextravagant, they might be reckoned at between seven and eight hundredthousand. 

“What a serious matter of consideration, when we reflect that thegreatest part of these people, are idlers, cheats, and thieves!

“What a field does this open for the contemplation of Governments!”

SECTION III. 

The Habits, Occupations, and Polity of Continental Gypsies. 

 * * * * *

The first of them that came to Europe, appeared ragged and miserable, unless we allow their leaders to have been an exception. In like mannertheir descendants have continued for hundreds of years, and still remain. This is particularly remarkable in the countries about the mouth of theDanube, which abound with Gypsies; namely Transylvania, Hungary, andTurkey, in Europe; where they dress even more negligently than in otherparts. 

It is a fact that these people enjoy a good state of health moreuninterruptedly, and perfectly, than persons of the most regular habits, and who pay the greatest attention to themselves. Neither wet nor dryweather, heat nor cold, let the extremes follow each other ever soquickly, seem to have any effect upon them. Any prevailing sickness, orepidemical disorder, sooner penetrates into ten habitations of civilizedpeople, than finds its way into a Gypsey’s tent. 

Though they are fond of a great degree of heat, and to lie so near thefire, as to be in danger of burning, yet they can bear to travel in theseverest cold, bareheaded, with no other covering than some old ragscarelessly thrown over them. 

The causes of these bodily qualities, or at least some of them, evidentlyarise from their education, and hardy manner of life. 

The pitiless mother takes her three months old child on her back, andwanders about, in fair and foul weather, in heat or cold; there it sitswinter and summer, in a linen rug, with its head over her shoulder. Gypsey women never use a cradle, nor even possess such a piece offurniture. The child sleeps in their arms, or on the ground. When a boyattains three years of age, his lot becomes still harder. Whilst aninfant, and his age reckoned by weeks and months, he was wrapt in rags, but now deprived of these, he is equally with his parents, exposed to therigour of the elements, for want of covering; he is now put to trial howfar his legs will carry him; and must be content to travel about with, atmost, no other defence for his feet than thin socks. 

Thus he acquires a robust constitution by hardships and misery; butthough the children of Gypsies do not partake of what the refinements ofart and of tenderness would account advantages, writers are unanimous instating, they are good-looking, well-shaped, lively, clever, and havefine eyes. The Gypsies, in common with uncivilized people, entertainunbounded love for their children. This is a source of inexcusableneglect: Gypsey children never feel the rod, they fly into the mostviolent passions, and at the same time hear nothing from their parentsbut flattering and coaxing. In return they act with ingratitude, as iscommonly the consequence of such education. 

Gypsies would long ago have been divested of their swarthy complexions, had they discontinued their filthy mode of living. The Laplanders, Samoieds, as well as the Siberians, likewise, have brown, yellow-colouredskins, in consequence of living from their childhood, in smoke and dirt, in the same manner as the Gypsies. 

Experience shows that their dark colour, which is continued fromgeneration to generation, is more the effect of education, and manner oflife, than of descent. Among those who serve in the Imperial army, wherethey have learned to pay attention to order and cleanliness, there aremany to be found, whose extraction is not at all discernible in theircolour; though they had, probably, remained to the age of twelve orfourteen years under the care of their filthy parents. 

A Gypsey considers a covering for the head as useless, and if he does notobtain socks, which the female Gypsies in Moldavia and Wallachia knitwith wooden needles for the feet, he winds rags about them, which arelaid aside in summer. He is not better furnished with linen, as thewomen neither spin, sew, nor wash. But this inattention is not fromindifference about dress; on the contrary, they are particularly fond ofclothes, which have been worn by people of distinction. The following, which appeared in the Imperial Gazette, is very much to the purpose:“Notwithstanding these people are so wretched, that they have nothing butrags to cover them, which do not at all fit, and are scarcely sufficientto hide their nakedness; yet they betray their foolish taste, and vainostentation, whenever they have in opportunity. ” The women are as fondof dress as the men, and equally expose themselves to the ridicule of theconsiderate and reflecting part of mankind. 

They are remarkable not only in hanging their ragged clothes about theminstead of garments, according to the Eastern custom; but their wholearrangement is singular. Several of their leaders have horses, asses, ormules with them, on which they load their tents and effects, with theirwhole family also. They have likewise dogs in their train, with whichKrantz asserts they are used illegally, to destroy game; but probably thedogs are not kept so much for that purpose, as to take fowls and geese. 

One strange peculiarity in the ideas of Gypsies we have hitherto forbornto mention, but, disgusting as the task of recording it way be, it is sowell authenticated, as to have excited the notice of the HungarianLegislature; and as it will be found to have some reference to the originof this singular race of human beings, it must not be withheld frompublic view. The greatest luxury to them is, when they can procure aroast of cattle that have died of any distemper: to eat their fill ofsuch a meal, is to them the height of epicurism. When any personcensures their taste, or shows surprise at it, they say: “The flesh of abeast which God kills, must be better than that of one killed by the handof man. ” They therefore embrace every opportunity of obtaining suchdainties. 

They are particularly fond of animals that have died by fire; therefore, whenever a conflagration has happened, the next day, the Gypsies fromevery neighbouring quarter assemble, and draw the suffocated, half-consumed beasts out of the ashes; men, women, and children, introops, joyfully carrying the flesh home to their dwellings. 

The Gypsies in Hungary, who have settled habitations, are very partial togold and silver plate, particularly silver cups, which is a dispositionthey have in common with the wandering tribes. They let slip noopportunity of acquiring something of this kind; and will even starvethemselves to procure it. Though they seem little anxious to heap upriches for their children, yet these frequently inherit a treasure ofthis sort; and are obliged in their turn to preserve it as a sacredinheritance. This inclination to deprive themselves of necessaries thatthey may possess a superfluity, as well as many others of their customs, is curious, yet appears to be ancient; and it was probably inherent inthem when they were first seen by Europeans. 

Historians assert, that of all the different people who have migratedinto foreign countries, a single instance is not to be found, whichaccords with that of the Gypsies. The religious rites and observances ofthe Jews were calculated to prevent their imbibing the customs and habitsof other nations. But it is universally admitted, that Gypsies did notbring any particular religion with them from their native country, bywhich they could be distinguished among other people; being as inconstantand unsettled respecting religion, as they are to place of residence. 

Indeed it is asserted, that no Gypsey has any idea of submission to anyfixed profession of faith; that patents suffering their children to growup as themselves, without education or instruction, they acquire littleknowledge either of morality or justice; that few of them wilt attend toany discourse on religion, but they hear it with indifference, if notwith impatience and repugnance. Despising all remonstrance; theyendeavour to live without the least solicitude concerning a future stateof being. 

The Turks are so fully convinced of the little religious sinceritypossessed by Gypsies, that although a Jew, by becoming a Mahometan, isfreed from the payment of the _Charadsch_, the Gypsies are not; at leastin the neighbourhood of Constantinople, they are compelled to pay thepoll-tax, even though their ancestors for centuries had been Mahometans, or though they should actually have been a pilgrimage to Mecca. Theprivilege of wearing a white turban, is the only advantage theirconversion gives them, over unbelieving Jews and Gypsies. 

Among warlike nations, many instances have occurred, in which the peoplesubdued, being more enlightened than their conquerors, the latter haveadopted the manners of the former. After the conquest of Greece, theRomans assumed the manners of the Greeks; and the Turks in like mannerassumed those of the Gauls. The Mancheans vanquished the Chinese, butChinese customs prevailed over those of the Mancheans. 

 _Grellmann_. 

Our countryman Dr. Clarke, page 4, of part the second of his Travels inGreece, says: “There is every reason to believe that the Turksthemselves, at the conquest of Constantinople, adopted many of thecustoms, and embraced many of the refinements of a people they hadsubdued. 

“Their former habits had been those of nomad tribes, their dwellings wereprincipally tents, and the camp, rather than the city, distinguishedtheir abode. ”

But Grellmann observes, Gypsies who have not established themselves byforce in any country, nor obtained toleration from any Government, remainunchanged. Though they behold fixed dwellings on every side of them, with settled inhabitants, they nevertheless, proceed in their own way, and continue, for the most part, unsocial, houseless wanderers. 

To their excessive indolence and aversion to industry, may be attributedthe poverty and want which are generally their lots. They dislike everykind of employment which requires application; and had rather sufferhunger and nakedness, than provide against these privations, on theconditions of labour. They therefore practise music and palmistry, whichallows them many idle hours; or addict themselves to vicious habits andunlawful courses. Though no one of them marries a person who is not ofGypsey extraction, there is not any people among whom marriage iscontracted with less consideration, or accomplished with less solemnity. 

Some Gypsies, who are stationary, have regular habitations, according totheir situation in life. To this class belong those who keeppublic-houses in Spain; and others in Transylvania and Hungary, whofollow some regular business; which latter have their own miserable hutsnear Hermanstadt, Cronstadt, Beatritz, Grosswaradein, Debrezin, Eperies, Karchan, and other places. But by far the greater number of thesepeople, lead a very different kind of life; ignorant of the comfortsattending a fixed place of residence, they rove from one district toanother in hordes; having no habitation, but tents, holes in the rocks, or caves: the former shade them in summer, the latter screen them inwinter. 

Many of these people, particularly in Germany and Spain, do not evencarry tents with them, but shelter themselves from the heat of the sun, in forests shaded by the rocks, or behind hedges. They are very partialto willows, under which they erect their sleeping places at the close ofthe evening. Some live in their tents, in their language called_Tschater_, during both summer and winter; which latter indeed theGypsies generally prefer. 

In Hungary, those who have discontinued their rambling way of life, andbuilt houses for themselves, seldom let a spring pass without takingadvantage of the first settled weather, to set up a tent for their summerresidence. Under this, each enjoys himself with his family, nor thinksof his house till winter returns, and the frost and snow drive him backto it. 

The wandering Gypsey in Hungary and Transylvania, endeavours to procure ahorse; in Turkey, an ass serves to carry his wife and a couple ofchildren, with his tent. When he arrives at a place he likes, near avillage, or a city, he unpacks, pitches his tent, ties his animal to astake to graze, and remains some weeks there: or if he do not find hisstation convenient, he breaks up in a day or two, loads his beast, andlooks out for a more agreeable situation. His furniture seldom consistsof more than an earthen pot, an iron pan, a spoon, a jug and a knife;with sometimes the addition of a dish. These serve for the whole family. 

Working in iron is the most usual occupation of the Gypsies. In Hungary, this profession is so common, that there is a proverb: “So many Gypsiesso many smiths. ”

The same may be said of those in Transylvania, Wallachia, Moldavia, andall Turkey in Europe; at least such workers in fire are very numerous inall those countries. But the Gypsies of our time, are not willing towork heavy works; they seldom go beyond a pair of light horse shoes. Ingeneral, they confine themselves to small articles, such as rings andnails; they mend old pots and kettles; make knives, seals, and needles;and sometimes they work in tin and brass. Their materials, tools, andapparatus, are of a very inferior kind. The anvil is a stone; the otherimplements are a pair of hand bellows, a hammer, a pair of pincers, avice, and a file. These ape the tools which a Nomadic Gypsey takes withhim in his perambulations. 

Whenever he is disposed to work, he is at no loss for fuel: on hisarrival at a station where he proposes to remain a few days, he takes hisbeast, loads him with wood, builds a small kiln, and prepares his owncoal. In favourable weather, his work is carried on in the open air;when it is stormy, he retires under his tent. He does not stand, butsits down on the ground cross-legged to his work; which position isrendered necessary, not only by custom, but by the quality of his tools. The wife sits by to work the bellows, in which operation she is assistedby the elder children. The Gypsies are generally praised for theirdexterity and quickness, notwithstanding the bad tools they have to workwith. 

Another branch of commerce much followed by Gypsies, is horse-dealing, towhich they have been attached from the earliest period of their history. In those parts of Hungary, where the climate is so mild, that horses maylie out all the year, the Gypsies avail themselves of this circumstanceto breed, as well as to deal in horses; by which they sometimes not onlyprocure a competency, but grew rich. Instances have been known on theContinent, of gypsies keeping from fifty to seventy horses each; andthose the best bred horses of the country; some of which they let out forhire, others they exchange or sell. But this description of Gypseyhorse-dealers is not numerous; the greater number of them deal ininferior kinds. 

In addition to the two professions before-mentioned, commonly followed bythe men, some of them employ themselves as carpenters and turners; theformer making watering troughs and chests; the latter turn, trenchers anddishes; make sieves, spoons, and other trifling articles, which they hawkabout. Many of them, as well as the smiths, find constant employment inthe houses of the better sort of people; for whom they work the yearround. They are not paid in money, but beside other advantages find acertain subsistence. 

Those who are not thus circumstanced, do not wait at home for customers, but with their implements in a sack thrown over their shoulders, seekbusiness in the cities and villages. When any one calls, they throw downthe bundle, and prepare the apparatus for work, before the door of theiremployer. 

The Gypsies have a fixed dislike to agriculture; and had rather sufferhunger, or any privation, than follow the plough. Since the year 1768, the Empress Theresa has commanded that the Hungarian, and TransylvanianGypsies should be instructed in husbandry; but these orders have beenvery little regarded. At this time there are so few of them farmers inthose parts, that they are undeserving of notice. In Spain and otherEuropean countries, it would be difficult to find one who had ever made afurrow in his life. 

Respecting fortune-telling, with which the female Gypsies impose onpeople’s credulity in every district and corner of Europe, the origin, ofthe imposition is not to be attributed to them: the cheat was known andpractised in Europe before their arrival; being deeply rooted in theignorance of the middle age. The science of divination here was said tobe already brought to a greater degree of perfection than among them. Rules were invented to tell lies from the inspection of the hand, inwhich the poor Gypsies were accounted mere bunglers. They in theseventeenth and eighteenth centuries were esteemed supernumeraries; therebeing men of great learning, who not only read lectures in Colleges onthe art of chiromancy; but wrote many books, vilifying these people, andendeavouring to spoil their market. But these wise men are no more;their knowledge is deposited in the dead archives of literature; andprobably had there been no Gypsies, with them would have died the beliefin chiromancy, as is the case with respect to astrology, necromancy, oneirocritica, and the other offspring of imbecile fancy. 

We must not omit to mention the occupation of gold-washing, by whichthousands of Gypsies, of both sexes, in the Banat, Transylvania, Wallachia, and Moldavia, procure a livelihood in summer; who, in winter, make trays and troughs, which they sell in an honest way. 

It is not permitted for every one, without exception, to be agold-washer; such only can follow the employment as have permission fromthe office of Mons, where a College was established by the EmpressTheresa, in 1748. In the seventh article of instructions granted, theGypsies were allowed the privilege of washing for gold, for which eachperson pays a tribute to Government. 

The gold-washers in Transylvania and the Banat, pay four guildersannually in gold dust. The tribute collected in Wallachia and Moldaviadoes not go into the public treasury, but belongs to the Princesses forpin-money. 

The consort of the Wallachian Hospodar, Stephen Rakowitza, in the year1764, received from her Rudars, being two hundred and forty in number, twelve hundred and fifty-four drachms. The gold-washers in the Banat andTransylvania, dispose of their shares at the Royal Redemption-Office, inZalatuya. The earnings of these people vary with time, and at differentplaces; during heavy rains and floods they are usually most successful. The Transylvanian rivers yield the most gold. It is said, all the riversand brooks which the rain forms, produce gold; of these the riverAranyasch is the richest; insomuch, that Historians have compared it tothe Tagus and Pactolus. 

 _Grellmann_. 

In Travels through the Banat of Temeswar, Transylvania, and Hungary, inthe year 1770, described in a series of letters to Professor Ferber, onthe mines and mountains of these different countries, by Baron InigoBorn, Counsellor of the Royal Mines, in Bohemia, page 76, is thefollowing account:

“Observations on the Gold-washings, in the Banat, by Counsellor Koezian. Translated by R. E. Ruspe. 

“After the several natural advantages of the _Temeswar Banat_, some ofits rivers are known to yield gold dust; I could not neglect the objectwhen I travelled in these parts. 

“The gold-washing in the Banat, is properly the business of the Gypsies, _Zigeuner_, and left, as it were, to this poor people, as an exclusivetrade. This laid me under the necessity of applying to them forinstruction. 

“The river Nera, in Almash, carries gold dust; and seemed to me thefittest for my purpose; accordingly I caused some Gypsies, reputed to beskilful, to make a washing, near a village called Boshowitz; and I sawwith pleasure, that with much dexterity, and in a few minutes time, theycleared in the trough, the value of some groshes of gold: they showed melikewise among their gold dust, some pieces of remarkable bigness. ”

It has been stated, that when Gypsies first arrived in Europe, they hadleaders and chiefs to conduct their various tribes in their migrations. 

Grellmann says, this was necessary, not only to facilitate their progressthrough different countries and quarters of the globe; but to unite theirforce, if necessary, and thereby enable them to make a more formidableresistance when opposed; and likewise, to carry any plan they might haveformed, more regularly into effect. 

We accordingly find in old books, mention made of Knights, Counts, Dukes, and Kings, among this people. Crucius cites a Duke, _Michael_;Muratorio, a Duke, _Andreas_: and Arentinus records a King, _Zindelo_:not to speak of inscriptions on monuments erected in different places tothe memories of Duke, _Panuel_; Count, _Johannis_; and a Knight, _Petrus_, in the fifteenth century. 

But no comment is necessary to show how improperly these appellationswere applied. Though the Gypsey chiefs might be gratified with suchtitles; and their descendants probably esteemed them persons of rank, itwas merely a ridiculous imitation of what they had seen, and perhapsadmired, among civilized people. Nevertheless, the custom of havingleaders and chiefs over them, prevails to this time, at least in Hungaryand Transylvania; probably it may also still exist in Turkey, and othercountries, where these people live together in great numbers. 

Their chiefs, or waywodes, were formerly of two degrees in Hungary. Eachpetty tribe had its own leader, beside which, there were four superiorwaywodes, of their own caste, on both sides the Danube and Teisse; whoseresidences were at Raab, Lewentz, Szathmar, and Kaschan; and to these thesmaller waywodes were accountable. But now, only one superior waywode isappointed in all Transylvania, who has authority over the gold-washers inthose parts. The Gypsies, however, still continue the custom amongthemselves, of choosing certain persons, whom they make heads over them, and call by the exalted Sclavonian title of waywode. 

It would appear extraordinary, that any well-regulated state should allowthese people a distinct establishment in the heart of the country; didnot the Hungarian writers assign as a reason, that in the commotions andtroubles occasioned by the Turkish wars, in former centuries, they were, by means of their waywode, more easily summoned when occasion required, and rendered useful to the community. 

In Transylvania, the magistrates do interfere with regard to the personwhom this or that horde hath elected chief, and impose an obligation onhim; but it is only that he should be careful to prevent his subjectsfrom absconding, when the time arrives for them to discharge their annualtribute at the Land Regent’s chamber. He has no right to interfere indisputes or quarrels which the Gypsies have among themselves, or withother people, further than to give notice of them to the regular courtsof the district, where they happen to be. 

 Grellmann. 

SECTION IV. 

Political Regulations on the Continent, respecting Gypsies. 

 * * * * *

To the ignorance and superstition of the middle age, must be attributedthe powerful ascendency which the Gypsies obtained over the minds of men. In addition to the chiromantic deception, practised by the women, theyfollowed also the profession of exorcism; and were greatly in requestduring the prevalence of a belief in witchcraft. 

They were employed to cure bewitched cattle, and to loosen the spells ofenchantment; for which they had nostrums of various kinds, consisting ofroots and amulets, made of unfermented dough, marked with strong figures, and dried in the sun. 

For a long time little attention was paid to them, but at last the evilbecame enormous, and complaints against them were so loud, thatGovernments were constrained to take official notice of them. Exemplarypunishments were judged necessary; and, at length, the most cruel andbarbarous kinds were resorted to. What a blot upon the history of thosetimes, are the dreadful tortures of quartering alive, and breaking uponthe wheel! These means being insufficient to prevent the perpetration ofcrimes; it was thought expedient to banish the Gypsies. 

German waiters say, that King Ferdinand of Spain, who esteemed it a goodwork to expatriate useful and profitable subjects—Jews, and even Moorishfamilies—could much less be guilty of an impropriety in laying hands onthe mischievous progeny of Gypsies. The edict for their extermination, was published in the year 1492. But instead of passing the boundaries, they only slunk into hiding-places, and shortly after appeared in asgreat numbers as before. 

The Emperor Charles V. Persecuted them afresh; as did Philip II. Also. Since that time they have nestled in again, and have been also threatenedwith another storm, but it has blown over without taking effect. 

In France, Francis I. Passed an edict for their expulsion; and at theAssembly of the States of Orleans, in 1561, all Governors of citiesreceived orders to drive them away with fire and sword. Nevertheless, inprocess of time, they had collected again, and increased to such adegree, that, in 1612, a new order came out for their extermination. 

In the year 1572, they were compelled to retire from the territories ofMilan and Parma; and at a period somewhat earlier, they were chasedbeyond the Venetian jurisdiction. They were not allowed the privilege ofremaining unmolested in Denmark, as the code of Danish law specifies:“The Tartars, _Gypsies_, who wander about every where, doing great damageto the people, by their lies, thefts, and witchcraft, shall be taken intocustody by every magistrate. ”

Sweden was not more favourable, having attacked them at three differenttimes: A very sharp order for their expulsion came out in 1662. The Dietof 1723 published a second, and that of 1727, repeated the foregoing withadditional severity. 

They were excluded from the Netherlands under pain of death, partly byCharles the Vth, and afterwards by the United States, in 1582. But thegreatest number of sentences of exile, have been pronounced against themin Germany. The beginning was made under Maximilian I, at the AugsburghDiet, in 1500, where the following was drawn up, respecting those peoplewho call themselves Gypsies, roving up and down the country. 

“By public edict, to all ranks of the empire, according to theobligations under which they are bound to Us, and the Holy Empire; it isstrictly ordered, that in future they do not permit the said Gypsies, since there is authentic evidence of their being spies, scouts, andconveyers of intelligence, betraying the christians to the Turks, to passor remain within their territories; nor to trade; neither to grant themprotection, nor convoy. And that the said Gypsies do withdrawthemselves, before Easter next ensuing, from the German dominions;entirely quit them, nor suffer themselves to be found therein: as in casethey should transgress after that time, and receive injury from anyperson, they shall have no redress, nor shall such person be thought tohave committed any crime. ”

The same business occupied the attention of the Diet, in 1530, 1544, 1548, and 1551; and was also again enforced in the improved policeregulation of Frankfort, in 1577. 

Several Princes were however so little attentive to these orders of theempire, that instead of endeavouring to drive out the Gypsies, they onthe other hand, furnished them with passports and safe-conducts; but byfar the greater number exerted themselves to the utmost, to clear theirstates of them. 

Perhaps there is not any civilized state, Hungary and Transylvaniaexcepted, where this remedy has not been tried; but in the first place ithad very little effect, and that little was only temporary. Even ifevery civilized nation had driven out the Gypsies at the same time, Europe could not have been entirely cleared of them, so long as theypreserved an asylum in Turkey. Now as experience evinces there is nocountry in which a constant, equal attention, is paid to the execution ofthe laws, they would, in more, or less time, have again insinuatedthemselves into the neighbouring countries; from these into others; andhave recommenced where they left off. 

But a general extermination never did take place. The law for banishingthem passed in one state before it was thought of in the next, or when alike order had long become obsolete, and sunk into oblivion. Theseguests were therefore merely compelled to shift their quarters to anadjoining state, where they remained till the Government, there, began toclear them away, upon which the fugitives either retired back whence theycame, or went on progressively to a third place, thus making a continualrevolution. 

Secondly, this remedy was premature: endeavouring to exterminate, was thesame as if a surgeon should proceed directly to the amputation of adiseased limb, because it created inconvenience to the rest of the body. Whereas the first inquiry ought to be, whether the disorder is of such anature as not to be removed, but by entire separation. This is adesperate course, and should only be adopted, when no other can beefficacious. 

It is to be regretted that, not until the reign of the Empress Theresa, does there appear to have been any plan laid down for the gaining overthese poor ignorant people to virtue, and to the state. Historiansrepresent that the wise dispositions she enjoined respecting the Gypsiesin Hungary, were intrusted to people inadequate to the task. 

What was done, in her time, for the improvement of their condition, maybe seen by the following article extracted from the _Anzeigen aus denKayserl_, _Königl Erbländern_, or Intelligence from the HereditaryImperial Royal Dominions. 

“Since the year 1768, several decrees regarding these people have beenpublished in the country, _Hungary_, and the strictest orders despatchedto the several districts, in consequence. They were prohibited fromdwelling in huts, or tents; from wandering up and down the country; fromdealing in horses; from eating animals which died naturally, and carrion;and from electing their own Wayda or Judge. It was intended to extirpatethe very name and language of these folks out of the country. They wereno longer to be called Gypsies, but New Boors, _Uj Magyar_; not toconverse any longer with each other in their own language, but in that ofany of the countries in which they had chosen to reside. 

“Some months were to be allowed, after which they were to quit theirGypsey manner of life, and settle like the other inhabitants, in citiesand villages; to build decent houses and follow some reputable business. They were to procure Boors’ clothing; to commit themselves to theprotection of some territorial superior, and live regularly. ”

Nevertheless, though these regulations were calculated for the good ofthese people, and the state, the greater part were not in the smallestdegree benefited by them. In the year 1773, these orders were not onlyrepeated, but made more rigid; and as even this measure would not answerthe end, it was then thought necessary to proceed to extremity with them. 

Wherefore it was ordered, that no Gypsey should have permission to marry, who could not prove himself in condition to support a wife and children;that from such Gypsies who had families, the children should be takenaway by force; removed from their parents, relations, and intercoursewith the Gypsey race. A beginning was made in some places; and wherethey would not comply voluntarily, they were compelled to submit to thedecree. 

At Fahlendorf, in Schütt, and in the district of Presburgh, all thechildren of the New Boors, _Gypsies_, above five years old, were carriedaway in waggons, during the night of the 21st of December, 1773, byoverseers appointed for that purpose; to order that, at a distance fromtheir parents, or relations, they might be more usefully educated, andbecome accustomed to work. Those Boors who were willing to receive andbring up these children, were paid eighteen guilders yearly fromGovernment. 

On the 24th of April, 1774, between five and six o’clock in the morning, the children of the Gypsies which had been growing up from December ofthe foregoing year, were again removed from Fahlendorf, in Schütt, andHideghid, for the purpose of being put under the same course ofdiscipline as the others. Among the children taken away on thisoccasion, was a girl fourteen years old, who was forced to be carried offin her bridal state. She tore her hair for grief and rage, and was quitebeside herself with agitation: but she recovered a composed state ofmind; and, in 1776, in Fasching, obtained permission to accomplish hermarriage. 

So far our intelligence is quoted from the Gazettes, by which we may seehow prudently every thing was concerted. 

But it must be observed, although the publisher of this informationendeavours to conceal it, how little these salutary regulations were putin force; there were scarcely two places in the kingdom where even anendeavour was made to give them proper effect. This supineness must havebeen unknown to the Emperor Joseph, or he would certainly again haveenforced these regulations, to all chiefs and governors, at the same timethat he gave orders for their being observed in Transylvania. 

The tenor of the decree just mentioned, which was published in the year1782, was consonant with the intention of Theresa, with regard to theHungarian Gypsies; namely, that those also in Transylvania should becomebetter men, and more useful inhabitants. For the accomplishment of thisend, it prohibits their wandering about, and living under tents; requiresthat they become settled, and put themselves under some territorialchief. In order to strike immediately at the root of the evil, necessaryand minute directions are given for the improvement of their religiousideas and opinions; and, by correcting their vicious habits, forrendering them good citizens. 

First, with respect to religion, they must

1. Not only be taught the principles of religion themselves, but earlysend their children to school. 

2. Prevent as much as possible, their children running about naked inthe roads and streets, thereby giving offence and disgust to otherpeople. 

3. In their dwellings, not permit their children to sleep promiscuouslyby each other, without distinction of sex. 

4. Diligently attend at church, particularly on Sundays and holidays, togive proof of their Christian disposition. 

5. Put themselves under the guidance of spiritual teachers, and conductthemselves conformably to the rules laid down by them. 

Secondly, with regard to their temporal conduct, and better mode ofliving, they are bound

1. To conform to the custom of the country, in diet, dress, andlanguage: consequently to abstain from feeding on cattle which have diedof distempers; not to go about in such unseemly dresses; and todiscontinue the use of their own particular language. 

2. Not to appear any more in large cloaks; which are chiefly useful tohide things that have been stolen. 

3. No Gypsey, except he be a gold-washer, shall keep a horse. 

4. Also the gold-washers must refrain from all kinds of bartering at theannual fairs. 

5. The magistrates of every place must be very attentive that no Gypseywaste his time in idleness; but at those seasons, when they have noemployment, either for themselves or any landholder, to recommend them tosome other person, with whom they shall be compelled to work for hire. 

6. They are to be kept particularly to agriculture; therefore

7. It is to be observed, where possible, that every territorial Lord, who takes any Gypsies under his jurisdiction, do allot them a certainpiece of ground to cultivate. 

8. Whoever is remiss in his husbandry, shall be liable to corporalpunishment. 

9. They shall be permitted to amuse themselves with music, or otherthings, only when there is no field work for them to do. 

Such were the regulations adopted by the Emperor Joseph II. For thepurpose of civilizing, and rendering good and profitable subjects, upwards of eighty thousand of miserable wretches, ignorant of God and ofvirtue. 

 _Grellmann_. 

SECTION V. 

The Gypsies in Great Britain. 

 * * * * *

The traits of character and the habits of the Gypsies on the Continent ofEurope, exhibited in this work, are sufficient for an examination, inwhat degree these people correspond with those under the samedenomination in England. 

The earliest account which the writer of this section has been able tocollect from British History, was printed in the year 1612; when a quartowork, by S. R. Was published, to detect and expose the art of jugglingand legerdemain; in which is the following description of the Gypsies. 

“This kind of people, about a hundred years ago, beganne to gather anhead, as the first heere, about the southerne parts. And this as I aminformed, and can gather, was their beginning: Certain Egyptians banishedtheir country, (belike not for their good conditions, ) arrived heere inEngland, who for quaint tricks and devices, not known heere, at thattime, among us, were esteemed, and had in great admiration; insomuch, that many of our English _Loyterers_ joined with them, and in timelearned their craftie cosening. 

“The speach which they used, was the right Egyptian language, with whomour Englishmen conversing, at least learned their language. These peoplecontinuing about the country, and practising their cosening art, purchased themselves great credit among the country people, and got muchby palmistry, and telling of fortunes; insomuch, they pitifully cosenedpoor country girls, both of money, silver spoons, and the best of theirapparelle, or any goods they could make. ”

From this author, it is collected, they had a leader of the name of_Giles Hather_, who was termed their King; and a woman of the name of_Calot_, was called Queen. “These riding through the country onhorseback, and in strange attire, had a prettie traine after them. ”

After mentioning some of the laws passed against them, this writer adds:“But what numbers were executed on these statutes you would wonder; yet, notwithstanding, all would not prevaile, but they wandered as before uppeand downe, and meeting once in a yeare at a place appointed; sometimes atthe Peake’s Hole in Derbyshire, and other whiles by Ketbroak atBlackheath. ”

About the same time, Spellman’s Portrait of the Gypsey Fraternity seemsto have been taken, ad vivum, and is as follows:

“Egyptiani, Erronum, Impostorumque genus nequissimum, in Continenteortum; sed ad Britannos nostras et Europam reliquam pervolans, nigredinedeformes, excocti sole, immundi veste, et usu rerum omnium fædi, &c. ;”which may be thus translated, “Egyptians, the worst kind of wanderers andimpostors, springing up on the Continent, but yet rapidly spreadingthemselves through Britain, and other parts of Europe, disfigured bytheir swarthiness; sun-burnt; filthy in their clothing, and indecent inall their customs, &c. ”

According to the first of these statements, the arrival of Gypsies inEngland might be about the year 1512; or ten years at least before theStatute of the 22d of Henry VIII; in the 10th chapter of which, they aredescribed to be, “_An outlandish people_, _calling themselves Egyptians_, _using no crafte_, _nor feat of merchandise_; _who have come into thisrealm_, _and gone from shine to shire_, _and place to place in greatcompany_; _and used great_, _subtle_, _and crafty means_, _to deceive thepeople_, _bearing them in hand_, _that they by palmistry could tell men’sand yeomen’s fortunes_; _and so_, _many times by crafte and subtlety havedeceived the people of their money_; _and also have committed manyheinous felonies and robberies_. ” Wherefore they are directed to avoidthe realm, and not to return under pain of imprisonment, and forfeitureof their good and chattels; and upon their trials for any felonies whichthey may have committed, they shall not be entitled to a Jury _demedietate linguæ_. 

The Act passed the 27th of the came reign goes farther, as will appear bythe following abstract of it: “_Whereas certain outlandish people_, _whodo not profess any crafte or trade whereby to maintain themselves_, _butgo about in great numbers from place to place_, _using insidious_, _underhand means to impose on his Majesty’s subjects_, _making thembelieve that they understand the art of foretelling to men and womentheir good and evil fortune_, _by looking in their hands_, _whereby theyfrequently defraud people of their money_; _likewise are guilty of theftsand highway robberies_: _it is hereby ordered that the said vagrants_, _commonly called Egyptians_, _in case they remain one month in thekingdom_, _shall be proceeded against as thieves and rascals_; _and onthe importation of any such Egyptian_, _he_, (_the importer_) _shallforfeit_ £40 _for every trespass_. ”

By the above recited Acts of Parliament, it appears, that it was fromtheir own representation of being Egyptians, they were so denominated inEngland; and that they did not on their arrival in this country, feignthemselves, as in Germany, to be pilgrims; or as in France, to bepenitents; neither of which impositions would have been well adapted tothe temper of the government of Henry VIII; or to his subversion of papalpower, and abolition of monastic influence. The character they assumed, was the best adapted to establish their reputation, for the arts anddeception they intended to practise in England. The fame of Egypt inastrology, magic, and soothsaying, was universal; and they could not havedevised a more artful expedient, than the profession of this knowledge, to procure for them a welcome reception by the great mass of the people. 

From the abstract of the Act of 27th, Henry VIII, we may infer, that theGypsies were so much in request, as to induce some of our countrymen toimport them from the Continent, or at least to encourage their migrationto this Island. The importation of these people must have been prevalentfrom some cause, to require parliamentary interference, and even a fineto prevent it, of such an amount as £40; which according to the relativevalue of money, would, at the present time, be equal to a large sum. 

During the same reign, we find that a number of Gypsies were reshipped atthe public expense, and sent to France. 

In the Book of Receipts and Payments, of the 35th of Henry VIII. Are thefollowing entries. 

“Nett Payments 1st Sept. 36th of Henry VIII, “Item to Tho. Warner, Sergeant of the Admyraltie, 10th Sept. For victualsprepared for a shippe appointed to convey certaine Egupeians, 58s. —Itemto the same Tho. Warner to th’ use of John Bowles for freight of saidshippe, £6 5s. Item to Robt. Ap. Rice, Esq. Shriff of Huntingdon for thecharge of the Egupeians at a special gaile delivery, and the bringing ofthem to be conveied over the sees; over and besides the sum of £4. 5s. 0d. Growing of seventeen horses, sold at five shillings {82} the piece, as apperythe by a particular book, £17. 17s. 7d. Item to Will. Weverappointed to have the charge of the conduct of the said Egupeians toCallis, £5. ”

There were subsequent acts relating to Gypsies in the reign of Ph. & M. ;and 5th of Eliz. ; by which, “_If any person being_ 14 _years old_, _whether natural born subject or stranger_, _who had been seen in thefellowship of such persons_, _or had disguised himself like them_, _should remain with them one month at once_, _or at several times_, _itshould be felony without benefit of clergy_. ”

But notwithstanding these measures to extirpate Gypsies, Wraxall, in hisHistory of France, Vol. II. Page 32, in referring to the Act of Eliz. In1563, states, that in her reign, the Gypsies throughout England weresupposed to exceed ten thousand. 

And it appears by the following Order of Sessions, copied from theHarleian M. S. S. British Museum, No. 364, that about the year 1586, therewere great complaints of the increase of vagabonds and loitering persons, &c. 

“Orders, Rules, and Directions, concluded, appointed, and agreed uppon, by us the Justices of the Peace, within the countie of Suffolk, assembledat our General Sessions of Peace, holden at Bury the 22d daie of Aprill, in the 31st yeare of the Raigne of our Souraigne Lady, the Queen’sMajestie, for the punishinge and suppressinge of Roags, Vacabonds; idle, loyteringe, and lewde persons; which doe, or shall hereafter wander andgoe aboute, within the hundreths of Thingo cum Bury, Blackborne, Thedwardstree, Cosford, Babings, Risbridge, Lackford, and the halfhundreth of Exninge, in the said countie of Suffolk, contrary to the law, in that case made and provided. 

“Whereas, at the Parliement beganne and holden at Westminster, the 8thdaie of Maye, in the 14th yeare of the raigne of the Queen’s Majestie, that nowe is, one Acte was made, intytuled, “An Acte for punishment ofVacabonds, and for releife of the Pooere, and Impotent. ” And whereas, ata Session of the Parliament, holden by prorogacon, at Westminster, theeight daie of February, in the 28th yeare of her Majestie’s raigne, oneother Acte was made and intytuled, “An Acte for settinge of the Poore towork, and for the avoydinge of idleness. ” By vertue of which, severallActs, certeyne provisions and remedies been ordeyned, and established, aswell for the suppressinge, and punishinge of all roags, vacabonds, sturdyroags, idle and loyteringe persons; as also for the releife, and settingon worke of the aged and impotente persons within this realm; andauthoritie gyven to Justices of Peace, in their several charges andcommission, to see that the said Acts and Statuts be putte in dueexecution, to the glorie of Allmightie God, and the benefite of thecommon welth. 

“And whereas also yt appeareth by dayly experience, that the number ofidle, vagraunte, loyteringe, sturdy roags, masterles men, lewde and ylldisposed persons are exceedingly encreased, and multiplied, committingemany grevious and outeragious disorders and offences, tendinge to thegreat . . . Of Allmightie God, the contempte of her Majestie’s laws, andto the great charge, troble, and disquiet of the common welth. —We theJustices of Peace, above speciefied, assembled and mett together at ourgeneral sessions above named, for remedie of theis and such lykeenormities which hereafter shall happen to arise or growe within thehundreths and lymits aforesaid, doe by theis presents, order, decree andordeyne, That there shall be builded or provided one convenient house, which shall be called the House of Correction; and that the same beestablished within the towne of Bury, within the hundreth of Thingoeaforesaid. And that all persons offendinge or lyvinge contrary to thetenor of the said twoe Acts, within the hundreths and lymitts aforesaid, shal be, by the warrante of any Justice of Peace, dwellinge in the samehundreths or lymitts, committed thether and there be releived, punished, sett to worke, and ordered in such sorte, and accordinge to thedirections, provisions, and limitations, hereafter in theis presentsdeclared and specified. 

“Fyrst, That yt maie appeare what persons arre to be apprehended, committed and brought to the House of Correction, it is ordered andappointed, That all and every person and persons which shal be found andtaken within the hundreths and lymitts aforesaid, above the age of 14yeares, and shall take upon them to be procters or procurators goingeaboute withowt sufficiente lycence from the Queen’s Majestie. All idlepersons goinge aboute usinge subtiltie and unlawfull games or plaie—allsuch as faynt themselves to have knowledge in phisiognomye, palmestrie orother abused sciences—all tellers of destinies, deaths or fortunes, andsuch lyke fantasticall imaginations. ”

From the tenor of the above Ordinance, it might be inferred that, at thetime of issuing it, Gypsies, and their adherents, abounded in the Countyof Suffolk; and it may be concluded, that they continued to attachthemselves to that part of the nation, as Judge Hale remarks, that “atone Suffolk Assize, no less than thirteen Gypsies were executed uponthese Statutes, a few years before the restoration. ”

To the honour of our national humanity, however, Judge Blackstoneobserves, there are no instances more modern than this, of carrying theselaws into practice; and the last, sanguinary act is itself now repealed. The severe statute of 5th Eliz. C. 20 is repealed by 23d Geo. III. C. 51—and Gypsies are now only punishable under the Vagrant Act, whichdeclares, “that all persons pretending to be Gypsies, or wandering in thehabit, and form of Egyptians, shall be deemed rogues, andvagabonds. ”—17th Geo. II. C. 5. 

In Scotland, these people seemed for a time to enjoy some share ofindulgence; for a writ in favour of John Faw, Lord and Earl of UpperEgypt, was issued by Mary, Queen of Scots, 1553; and in 1554, he obtaineda pardon for the murder of Numan Small. 

In 1579, however all the legislative provisions respecting vagrants, beggars, &c. In Scotland, were reduced into one law, by the followingvery comprehensive statute: “Forameikle as there is sindrie loyabil Actsof Parliament, maid be our soveraine Lord’s maist nobil progenitours, forthe stanching of maisterful and idle beggars, away putting of Sornares, and provision for the pure: bearing that nane sall be thoiled to beg, nouther to burgh, nor to land, betwixt 14 and 70 zeires. 

“That sik as make themselves fules, and ar bairdes, or uther sik likerunners about, being apprehended, sall be put into the Kinge’s waird, orirones, sa lang as they have ony gudes of their awin to live on. And frathey have not quhairupon to live of their awin, that their eares benayled to the trone, or to an uther tree, and their eares cutted off, andbanished the countrie; and gif thereafter they be found againe, that theybe hanged. 

“And that it may be knowen, qwhat maner of persones ar meaned to be idleand strang begares, and vagabounds, and warthy of the punischement beforespecified, it is declared: “That all idle persones ganging about in onycountrie of this realm, using subtil, craftie, and unlawful playes, asjuglarie, fast-and-lous, and sik uthers; the idle peopil callingthemselves _Egyptians_, or any uther, that feinzies themselves to have aknawledge or charming prophecie, or other abused sciences, qwairby theyperswade peopil, that they can tell their weirds, {89} deathes, andfortunes, and sik uther phantastical imaginations, &c. ”

Notwithstanding this law, a writ of Privy Seal, dated 1594, supports JohnFaw, Lord and Earl of Little Egypt, in the execution of justice upon hiscompany of folk, conform to the laws of Egypt, in punishing certainpersons there named, who had rebelled against him, left him, robbed him, and refused to return home with him. 

James’ subjects are commanded to aid in apprehending them, and inassisting Faw and his adherents to return home. 

From all these circumstances, it appears that this John Faw, or twopersons of the same name and distinction, succeeding each other, staid along time in Scotland; and from him this kind of strolling people mightreceive the name of Faw Gang, which they still retain, as appears byBurn’s Justice. 

But the Scottish laws, after this time, were not less severe than thoseof Queen Elizabeth. By an Act passed in 1609; “Sorners, common thieves, commonly called Egyptians, were directed to pass forth of the kingdom, under pain of death, as common, notorious, and condemned thieves. ”Scottish Acts, I. 850. 

SECTION VI. 

The present State of the Gypsies in Scotland. 

 * * * * *

The energy and perseverance by which North Britons are distinguished, will be evinced throughout the pages of this section. A friend of theauthor, having been requested to make application at the Advocates’ andthe University Libraries, in the city of Edinburgh, for extracts fromsome foreign publications, was also desired to transmit with them whatinformation could be obtained respecting the Gypsies in Scotland. 

With a promptitude and zeal which characterises genuine philanthropy, acircular, containing four queries, was dispatched to the Sheriff of everycounty in that nation; soliciting through the medium of an officialorgan, all the intelligence which could be obtained on the subject. Inconsequence, returns have been made from nearly the whole of the shires, either by the Sheriff, or his substitute; generally addressed to GeorgeMiller, jun. Edinburgh; who has been a most effective coadjutor on thisoccasion. 

From thirteen counties, the reports are, “No Gypsies resident in them;”some others give account of their only passing through at times. 

William Frazer Tytler, Sheriff of Invernessshire, writes as follows: “Theundertaking in which you are engaged, for the civilization of so lost aportion of mankind, merits every support. Its effects may be moregenerally and extensively useful in England, where those unfortunatepeople are extremely numerous. In Scotland, their number iscomparatively small, and particularly in the county of Inverness. ”

Alexander Moor, Sheriff Depute, of Aberdeenshire, states: “There are notany Gypsies who have a permanent residence in that Sheriffalty. Occasionally vagrants, both single and in bands, appear in this part ofthe country; resorting to fairs, where they commit depredations on theunwary. Some of them are supposed to be connected with Gypsies in thesouthern part of the island. ”

John Blair, Sheriff Substitute for the County of Bute, writes: “I have toinform that the people generally known by the description of Gypsies, arenot in use to come hither, unless abject, itinerant tinkers and braziers, generally from Ireland, may be accounted such. A few of them often visitus, and take up their abode for a time in different parts of the country, where people can be prevailed upon to give them the accommodation of anout-house or hut. ”

They are understood to be illiterate, neither they, nor their children, who are often numerous, being able to read. 

The distinguished northern Poet, Walter Scott, who is Sheriff ofSelkirkshire, has in a very obliging manner communicated the followingstatement:

“A set of people possessing the same erratic habits, and practising thetrade of tinkers, are well known in the Borders; and have often fallenunder the cognisance of the law. They are often called Gypsies, and passthrough the county annually in small bands, with their carts and asses. The men are tinkers, poachers, and thieves upon a small scale. They alsosell crockery, deal in old rags, in eggs, in salt, in tobacco and suchtrifles; and manufacture horn into spoons, I believe most of those whocome through Selkirkshire, reside, during winter, in the villages ofSterncliff and Spittal, in Northumberland, and in that of Kirk Yetholm, Roxburghshire. 

“Mr. Smith, the respectable Baillie {94} of Kelso, can give the mostcomplete information concerning those who reside at Kirk Yetholm. Formerly, I believe, they were much more desperate in their conduct thanat present. But some of the most atrocious families have beenextirpated, I allude particularly to the _Winters_, a Northumberlandclan, who I fancy are all buried by this time. 

“Mr. Reddell, Justice of Peace for Roxburghshire, with my assistance andconcurrence, cleared this country of the last of them, about eight ornine years ago. They were thorough desperadoes, of the worst class ofvagabonds. Those who now travel through this country, give offencechiefly by poaching, and small thefts. They are divided into clans, theprincipal names being Faa, Baillie, Young, Ruthven, and Gordon. 

“All of them are perfectly ignorant of religion, nor do their childrenreceive any education. They marry and cohabit amongst each other, andare held in a sort of horror by the common people. 

“I do not conceive them to be the proper Oriental Egyptian race, at leastthey are much intermingled with our own national out-laws and vagabonds. They are said to keep up a communication with each other throughScotland, and to have some internal government and regulation as to thedistricts which each family travels. 

“I cannot help again referring to Mr. Smith of Kelso, a gentleman who cangive the most accurate information respecting the habits of thoseitinerants, as their winter-quarters of Yetholm, are upon an estate ofwhich he has long had the management. ”

It is very satisfactory to have received from an authority so respectablyas that of William Smith, the Baillie of Kelso, above referred to, answers to the four queries of the circular; accompanied by his owninteresting and appropriate illustrations, from which extracts are madeas follow, dated November, 1815. 

“A considerable time having elapsed, since I had an opportunity, oroccasion to attend to the situation of the colony of Gypsies in ourneighbourhood, I was obliged to delay my answer to your inquiries, untilI could obtain more information respecting their present numbers. 

“The great bar to the benevolent intentions of improving their situationwill be, the impossibility to convince them that there either is, or canbe, a mode of life preferable, or even equal to their own. 

“A strong spirit of independence, or what they would distinguish by thename of liberty, runs through the whole tribe. It is no doubt a verylicentious liberty, but entirely to their taste. Some kind of honour, peculiar to themselves, seems to prevail in their community. They reckonit a disgrace to steal near their homes, or even at a distance, ifdetected. I must always except that petty theft of feeding theirshelties and asses on the farmer’s grass and corn, which they will do, whether at home or abroad. 

“When avowedly trusted, even in money transactions, they never deceivedme, nor forfeited their promise. I am sorry to say, however, that whenchecked in their licentious appropriations, &c. They are very muchaddicted both to threaten and to execute revenge. 

“Having so far premised with respect to their general conduct andcharacter, I shall proceed to answer, as far as I am able, the fourqueries subjoined to the circular which you sent me, and then subjoin, innotes, some instances of their conduct in particular cases, which mayperhaps elucidate their general disposition and character. ”

“Query 1st. _What number of Gypsies in the County_?

“A. I know of none except the colony of Yetholm, and one family wholately removed from that place to Kelso. Yetholm consists of two towns, or large villages, called _Town_ Yetholm, and _Kirk_ Yetholm. The firstis in the estate of Mr. Wauchope, of Niddry; the latter in that of theMarquis of Tweedale. The number of the Gypsey colony at present in KirkYetholm, amounts to at least 109 men, women, and children; and perhapstwo or three may have escaped notice. They marry early in life, ingeneral have many children, and their number seems to be increasing. 

“Query 2d. _In what do the men and women mostly employ themselves_?

“B. I have know the colony between forty and fifty years. At my firstremembrance of them, they were called the _Tinklers_, (Tinkers) ofYetholm, from the males being chiefly then employed in mending pots, andother culinary utensils, especially in their peregrinations through thehilly and less populous parts of the country. 

“Sometimes they were called _Horners_, from their occupation in makingand selling horn spoons, called Cutties. Now their common appellation isthat of _Muggers_, or, what pleases them better, _Potters_. Theypurchase, at a cheap rate, the cast or faulty articles, at the differentmanufactories of earthenware, which they carry for sale all over thecountry; consisting of groups of six, ten, and sometimes twelve orfourteen persons, male and female, young and old, provided with a horseand cart to transport the pottery; besides shelties and asses to carrythe youngest of the children, and such baggage as they find necessary. 

“In the country, they sleep in barns, and byres, or other out-houses: andwhen they cannot find that accommodation, they take the canvas coveringfrom the pottery cart, and squat below it like a covey of partridges inthe snow. 

“A few of the colony also employ themselves occasionally in makingbeesoms, foot-bosses, &c. From heath, broom, and bent, and sell them atKelso, and the neighbouring towns. After all, their employment can beconsidered little better than an apology for idleness and vagrancy. 

“They are in general great adepts in hunting, shooting, and fishing; inwhich last they use the net and spear, as well as the rod; and oftensupply themselves with a hearty meal by their dexterity. They have nonotion of being limited in their field sports, either to time, place, ormode of destruction. 

“I do not see that the women are any otherwise employed, than attendingthe young children; and assisting to sell the pottery when carriedthrough the country. ”

“Query 3rd. _Have they any settled abode in winter_, _and where_?

“C. Their residence, with the exception of a single family, who someyears ago came to Kelso, is at Kirk Yetholm, and chiefly confined to onerow of houses, or street of that town, which goes by the name of TinklerRow. Most of them have leases of their possessions, granted for a termof nineteen times nineteen years, for payment of a small sum yearly;something of the nature of a quit rent. There is no tradition in theneighbourhood concerning the time when the Gypsies first took up theirresidence at that place, nor whence they came. 

“Most of their leases, I believe were granted by the family of theBennets of Grubet; the last of whom was Sir David Bennet, who died aboutsixty years ago. The late Mr. Nesbit of Dirleton, then succeeded to theestate, comprehending the Baronies of Kirk Yetholm, and Grubet. He diedabout the year 1783, and not long after, the property was acquired by thelate Lord Tweedale’s trustees. 

“During the latter part of the life of the late Mr. Nesbit, he was lessfrequently at his estate in Roxburghshire than formerly. He was a greatfavourite of the Gypsies, and was in use to call them his body guards, and often gave them money, &c. 

“On the other hand, both the late and present Mr. Wauchope were ofopinion, that the example of these people had a bad effect upon themorals and industry of the neighbourhood; and seeing no prospect of theirremoval, and as little of their reformation, considered it as a duty tothe public, to prevent the evil increasing; and never would consent toany of the colony taking up their residence in Town Yetholm. 

“They mostly remain at home during winter, but as soon as the weatherbecomes tolerably mild in spring, most of them, men, women, and children, set out on their peregrination over the country, and live in a state ofvagrancy, until again driven into their habitations by the approach ofwinter. 

“Seeming to pride themselves as a separate tribe, they very seldomintermarry out of the colony; and in rare instances where that happens, the Gypsey, whether male or female, by influence and example, alwaysinduces the stranger husband or wife to adopt the manners of the colony, so that no improvement is ever obtained in that way. The progeny of suchalliances have almost universally the tawny complexion, and fine blackeyes of the Gypsey parent, whether father or mother. 

“So strongly remarkable is the Gypsey cast of countenance, that even adescription of them to a stranger, who has had no opportunity of formerlyseeing them, will enable him to know them wherever he meets with them. Some individuals, but very rarely, separate from the colony altogether;and when they do so early in life, and go to a distance such as London, or even Edinburgh, their acquaintances in the country get favourableaccounts of them. A few betake themselves to regular and constantemployments at home, but soon tire, and return to their old way of life. 

“When any of them, especially a leader, or man of influence dies, theyhave full meetings, not only of the colony, but of the Gypsies from adistance, and those meetings, or _Late Wakes_, are by no means conductedwith sobriety or decency. ”

“Query 4th. _Are any of their children taught to read_, _and whatproportion of them_? _With any anecdotes respecting their customs andconduct_. 

“D. Education being obtained at a cheaper rate, the Gypsies in general, give their male children as good a one, as is bestowed on those of thelabouring people and farm servants in the neighbourhood; such as reading, writing, and the first principles of arithmetic. They all apply to theclergyman of the parish for baptism to their children, and a strongsuperstitious notion universally prevails with them, that it is unluckyto have an unchristened child long in the house. Only a very few everattend divine service, and those as seldom as they can, just to preventbeing refused as sponsors at their children’s baptism. 

“They are in general, active and lively, particularly when engaged infield sports; or in such temporary pursuits as are agreeable to theirhabits and dispositions; but are destitute of the perseverance necessaryfor a settled occupation, or even for finishing what a moderate degree ofcontinued labour, would enable them to accomplish in a few weeks. ”

NOTES

_By_ WM. SMITH, _intended to elucidate his answers to the Queries_ A_and_ B, _on their licentious liberty_. 

“I remember that about 45 years ago, being then apprentice to a writer, who was in use to receive the rents as well as the small duties of KirkYetholm, he sent me there with a list of names, and a statement of whatwas due; recommending me to apply to the landlord of the public-house, inthe village, for any information or assistance which I might need. 

 “After waiting a long time, and receiving payment from most of thefeuers, or rentallers, I observed to him that none of the persons of thenames of Faa, Young, Blythe, Fleckie, &c. Who, stood at the bottom of thelist for small sums, had come to meet me, according to the notice givenby the Baron Officer; and proposed sending to inform them that they weredetaining me, and to request their immediate attendance. 

“The landlord, with a grave face, inquired whether my master had desiredme to ask money from those men. I said, not particularly; but they stoodon the list. “So, I see, ” said the landlord, “but had your master beenhere himself, he did _not dare to ask money from them_, _either as rent_, _or feu duty_. —_He knows that it is as good as if it were in his pocket_. _They will pay when their own time comes_, _but do not like to pay at aset time with the rest of the Barony_; _and still less to be craved_. ”

“I accordingly returned without their money, and reported progress. Ifound that the landlord was right; my master said with a smile, that itwas unnecessary to send to them, after the previous notice from the BaronOfficer; it was enough if I had received the money, if offered. —Theirrent and feu duty was brought to the office in a few weeks. I needscarcely add, those persons all belonged to the tribe. 

“Another instance of their licentious, independent spirit, occurs to me. The family of Niddry always gave a decent, annual remuneration to a BaronBaillie, for the purpose of keeping good order within their Barony ofTown Yetholm. The person whom I remember first in possession of thatoffice, was an old man called Doctor Walker, from his being also thevillage surgeon; and from him I had the following anecdote:—

“Between Yetholm and the border farms in Northumberland, there wereformerly, as in most border situations, some uncultivated lands calledthe _Plea lands_, or _Debateable lands_, the pasturage of which wasgenerally eaten up by the Sorners and vagabonds on both sides of themarches. 

“Many years ago, Lord Tankerville and some other of the Englishborderers, made their request to Sir David Bennet, and the late Mr. Wauchope of Niddry, that they would accompany them at a _riding_ of thePlea lands, who readily complied with their request. They were inducedto this, as they understood that the Gypsies had taken offence, on thesupposition that they might be circumscribed in the pasture for theirshelties and asses, which they had held a long time, partly by stealth, and partly by violence. 

“Both threats and entreaties were employed to keep them away; and, atlast, Sir David obtained a promise from some of the heads of the gang, that none of them should show their faces on the occasion. 

“They, however, got upon the hills at a little distance, whence theycould see every thing that passed. At first they were very quiet. Butwhen they saw the English Court Book Spread out on a cushion before theclerk, and apparently taken in a line of direction, interfering with whatthey considered to be their privileged ground, it was with greatdifficulty that the most moderate of them, could restrain the rest fromrunning down, and taking vengeance, even in sight of their own Lord ofthe Manor. 

“They only abstained for a short time, and no sooner had Sir David, andthe other gentleman taken leave of each other in the most polite andfriendly manner, as border chiefs are wont to do, since border feudsceased, and had departed to a sufficient distance, than the clan, armedwith bludgeons, pitch-forks, and such other hostile weapons as they couldfind, rushed down in a body; and before the chiefs on either side hadreached their home, there was neither English tenant, horse, cow, norsheep left upon the premises. 

“Notes on Answers C and D. 

“_Peculiar cast of_ GYPSEY FEATURES, _every where distinguishable_, &c. 

“When first I knew any thing about the colony, old Will Faa was king, orleader, and had held the sovereignty for many years. 

“Meeting at Kelso with Mr. Walter Scott, whose discriminating habits andjust observations I had occasion to know from his youth, and at the sametime seeing one of my Yetholm friends in the horse market, I merely saidto Mr. Scott, “Try to get before that man with the long drab coat, lookat him on your return, and tell me whether you ever saw him, and what youthink of him. ” He was so good as to indulge me; and rejoining me saidwithout hesitation, “I never saw the man that I know of; but he is one ofthe Gypsies of Yetholm, that you told me of several years ago. ” I needscarcely say that he was perfectly correct. 

“The descendants of Faa, now take the name of _Fall_, from the Messrs. Falls, of Dunbar, who, they pride themselves in saying, are of the samestock and lineage. When old Will Faa was upwards of eighty years of age, he called on me at Kelso, in his way to Edinburgh, telling that he wasgoing to see the Laird, the late Mr. Nesbit, of Dirleton, as heunderstood that he was very unwell, and himself being now old, and not sostout as he had been, he wished to see him once more before he died. 

“The old man set out by the nearest road, which was by no means hiscommon practice. Next market-day, same of the farmers informed me, thatthey had been in Edinburgh, and seen Will Faa upon the bridge; (the southbridge was not then built;) that he was tossing about his old brown hat, and huzzaing with great vociferation, that he had seen the Laird beforehe died. Indeed Will himself had no time to lose, for having set hisface homewards by the way of the sea coast, to vary his route, as is thegeneral custom of the gang, he only got the length of Coldingham, when hewas taken ill, and died. 

“His death being notified to his friends at Yetholm, they and theiracquaintance at Berwick, Spittal, Horncliff, &c. Met to pay the lasthonours to their old leader. His obsequies were continued threesuccessive days and nights, and afterwards repeated at Yetholm, whitherhe was brought for interment. I cannot say that the funeral rites werecelebrated with decency and sobriety, for that was by no means the case. This happened in the year 1783, or 1784, and the late Mr. Nesbit did notlong survive. ”

William Dymock, W. S. Edinburgh, distinguished in the profession of thelaw, by his sound judgment and strict integrity, having had the perusalof the preceding report from William Smith, gives the following testimonyconcerning that account: “Baillie Smith’s report is quite graphical, correct truth, and correctly expressed. —It is useful as showing, that theparties of Tinklers are great detachments from one colony. ”

With this, accords Sir John Sinclair’s observation in his StatisticalAccount of Scotland, Vol. II. P. 124, when describing the village ofEaglesham, he remarks: “There is no magistrate nearer than four miles, and the place is oppressed with gangs of Gypsies, commonly calledTinklers, or sturdy beggars. ”

Before receiving the very interesting report from William Smith, theauthor of this Survey was entirely at a loss to determine what was becomeof the descendants of John Faw, who styled himself Lord and Earl ofLittle Egypt; and with a numerous retinue entered Scotland in the reignof Queen Mary, as stated in Section the 5th. —His complaint of his menrefusing to return home with him, might be only a feint, invented tocover his design of continuing in the country; for there does not appearto be any traces in history of the banishment of Faw-gang, or of theirquitting Scotland. —But in the above cited report, we find at the head ofthe Tinklers a Will Faa, in whose name there is only a variation of oneletter from that of his distinguished predecessor; and that in referenceto this origin, he asserts the _Falls_ of Dunbar to be of the same stockand lineage. 

SECTION VII. 

On the origin of the Gypsies

 * * * * *

Various are the conjectures which have been indulged, and thecoincidences which have been sought for, in order to obtain a solution ofthe query, _What race of people are the Gypsies_?

Whoever is disposed to refer to Continental writers, may see more thanthirty different opinions started on this subject, founded on no betterauthority than some similarity of appellation, garb, complexion, orunsettled way of life. 

They were sometimes _Torlaques_, _Kalendars_, or _Faquirs_. TheTorlaques are Mahometan Monks, who under the pretence of holiness, areguilty of the most flagrant excesses. Bajazet the 2d, banished them fromthe Turkish empire in 1494. The Kalendars wander about in heathencountries, as the Gypsies do among Christians. The Faquirs are religiousfanatics; and rove about in heathen and mahometan countries, like themost atrocious robbers. Anquetil says, the Faquirs in India go apilgrimage to Jagrenat; they plunder such villages and cities as lie intheir way; they form considerable bodies about a mile from Jagrenat, where they choose themselves a leader, to whom they pay all the attentiondue to a general. 

With regard to strolling and thieving, the Faquirs and Gypsies agreeexactly. Thomasius, Griselini, and the English geographer Salmon, imagined that when Sultan Selim conquered Egypt in 1517, several of thenatives refusing to submit to the Turkish yoke, revolted under oneZinganeus. 

But we have already adverted to authentic documents for the proof, thatthey were in Germany, Italy, and France, near a century before theconquest of Egypt by Selim. 

Yet the belief that Gypsies were of Egyptian origin is parallel withtheir existence in Europe. It arose from the report circulated by thefirst of them, that they were pilgrims from Egypt; and this statement wasnot only adopted by the common people, but here, and there, obtainedcredit among men of learning. Grellmann observes, that had this opinionnot been received at a time when almost every thing was taken upon trust, with little examination; had it not been propagated by the first Gypsies, and then obtained a sanction, it would have been impossible for it tohave gained such general acceptation, or to have maintained itself to thepresent times. Till the 17th century, the Egyptian descent of theGypsies rested entirely on tradition. Afterwards, Aventin, Krantz, andMiinster openly contradict it. 

Aventin relates that they wished it to be thought they came from thatcountry, but that, in his time, nothing was known concerning them, butwhat came from their own mouths; those who accounted them Egyptians, rested their belief entirely on the veracity of their informants. 

This is collected with greater certainty from Krantz and Miinster, forthey declare expressly, that every thing which could be discovered by anyother means than their own assertions, contradicted, rather thanconfirmed their Egyptian descent. But it is not merely that theirEgyptian descent is entirely destitute of proof, the most circumstantialevidence can be adduced against it. 

Their language differs entirely from the Coptic, and their customs, asAhasuerus Fritsch has remarked, are diametrically opposite to theEgyptian; but what is, if possible, of greater weight, they wander aboutin Egypt, like strangers, and _there_, as in other countries, form adistinct people. 

The testimony of Bellonius is full and decisive on the point. He states;“No part of the world, I believe, is free from those banditti, wanderingabout in troops; whom we, by mistake, call Gypsies, and Bohemians. Whenwe were at Cairo, and the villages bordering on the Nile, we found troopsof these strolling thieves sitting under palm-trees; and they are_esteemed foreigners_ in _Egypt_. ”

Aventin expressly makes Turkey their original place of rendezvous; andthis furnishes a reason for the south east parts of Europe being the mostcrowded with them. If all that came to Europe passed by this route, itaccounts for a greater number remaining in those countries, than inothers to which they would have a much longer travel; and before theirarrival at which, their hordes might be much divided. 

It is a just assertion, that one of the most infallible methods ofdetermining the origin of a people, would be the discovery of a countryin which their language is that of the natives. It is a factincontrovertibly established, that besides the Gypsies speaking thelanguage of the country in which they live, they have a general one oftheir own, in which they converse with each other. 

Not knowing any speech correspondent with the Gypsies, some have beenready to pronounce it a mere jargon; not considering how extravagant asurmise it would be, that a people rude, uncivilized, and separatedhundreds of miles from each other, have invented a language. Others whoare better informed on the subject, allow that the language brought intoEurope with the Gypsies, was really vernacular, of some country; butsuppose it is so disguised and corrupted, partly by design, and partly byadventitious events, through length of time, and the continued wanderingof these people, that it must be considered a new language, and now usedby the Gypsies only. 

That it is the dialect of some particular part of the globe, though nolonger pure, as in the country whence it originated, is an opinion whichhas obtained the greatest concurrence among the learned. Grellmann says, had a German listened a whole day to a Gypsey conversation, he would nothave comprehended a single expression. It must doubtless appearextraordinary, that the language of a people who had lived for centuriesin Europe, should have remained so much a secret: but it was not easy togain information from the Gypsies concerning it. Acquainted, bytradition, with the deception their predecessors practised on coming intoEurope, they are suspicious; and fearing an explanation might bedangerous to themselves, they are not disposed to be communicative. —Buthow was it possible for the learned of former centuries, to be competentto the investigation, who had not the aids which now so copiously occurto the historical etymologist?

Many dialects have been discovered, and our knowledge of others greatlyincreased, within the last fifty or sixty years. During that time, notonly the literary treasures of the furthest north have been opened to us, but we have become acquainted with many of the oriental languages; andeven eastern idioms are becoming familiar to us. We need not thereforebe surprised, that before this period, the most learned were unable topoint out the country in which the Gypsey language was spoken. TheGypsies have no writing peculiar to themselves, in which to give aspecimen of the construction of their dialect. 

Writing and reading are attainments not to be expected from nomadictribes. Sciences, and the refined arts, are never to be looked for amonga people whose manner of living, and education, are so irregular. Musicis the only science in which Gypsies participate in any considerabledegree; they likewise compose, but it is after the manner of the easternpeople, extempore. 

Grellmann asserts, that the Hindostanie language has the greatestaffinity with that of the Gypsies; but he does not rest this solely onthe specimen he has introduced, a sketch of which will be presented inthe next section; he adduces many facts in confirmation of his opinion, which it would be an injustice to him not to exhibit. 

He infers from the following considerations, that Gypsies are of thelowest class of Indians, namely Pariars, or as they are called inHindostan, _Suders_. 

The whole great nation of Indians is known to be divided into four ranks, or stocks, which are called by a portuguese name, _castes_; each of whichhas its own particular subdivisions. Of these castes, the Bramin is thefirst; the second contains the _Tschechteries_ or Setreas; the third, consists of the _Beis_, or Wazziers; the fourth is the caste of the abovementioned Suders; who upon the peninsula of Malabar, where theircondition is the same as in Hindostan, are called Parias, and Pariers. 

The first were appointed by Brama to seek after knowledge, to giveinstructions, and to take care of religion. The second were to serve inwar; the third were as the Bramins, to cultivate science; butparticularly to attend to the breeding of cattle. The caste of Suderswas to be subservient to the Bramins, the Tschecteries, and the Beis. These Suders are held in disdain, they are considered infamous, andunclean, from their occupation, and they are abhorred because they eatflesh; the three other castes living entirely on vegetables. 

Of this very caste it will appear, by the following comparison, ourGypsies are composed. We have seen that the Gypsies are in the highestdegree filthy and disgusting; and with regard to character, depraved andfraudulent to excess, and these are the qualities of the Suders. 

Baldeus says, the Parias are a filthy people, and wicked crew, who inwinter steal much cattle, &c. 

It is related in the Danish Mission Intelligence:—Nobody can deny thatthe Pariers are the dregs and refuse of all the Indians; they arethievish, and have wicked dispositions, &c. 

Moreover Neuhof assures us: “The Parruas are full of every kind ofdishonesty; they do not consider lying and cheating to be sinful, as theyhave no other custom or maxims among them. The Gypsey’s solicitude toconceal his language is, also, a striking Indian trait. ”

“Professor Pallas says of the Indians round Astracan: custom has renderedthem to the greatest degree suspicious about their language, insomuchthat I was never able to obtain a small vocabulary from them. ”

With regard to Gypsey marriages, Salmon relates that the nearestrelations cohabit with each other; and as to education, their childrengrow up in the most shameful neglect, without either discipline orinstruction. 

All this is precisely the case with the Pariars. In the journal of theMissionaries already quoted, it is said; “With respect to matrimony, theyact like the beasts, and their children are brought up without restraintor information. ” Gypsies are fond of being about horses, so are theSuders in India, for which reason, they are commonly employed ashorse-keepers, by the Europeans resident in that country. ”

We have seen that the Gypsies hunt after cattle which have died ofdistempers, in order to feed on them; and when they can procure more ofthe flesh than is sufficient for one day’s consumption, they dry it inthe sun. Such is likewise a constant custom with the Pariars in India. 

That the Gypsies, and natives of Hindostan, resemble each other incomplexion, and shape is undeniable. And what is asserted of the youngGypsey girls rambling about with their fathers who are musicians, dancingwith lascivious and indecent gestures, to divert any person who iswilling to give them a small gratuity for so acting, is likewiseperfectly Indian. Sonnerat confirms this in the account he gives of thedancing girls of Surat. 

Fortune-telling is practised all over the East; but the peculiar kindprofessed by the Gypsies, viz: chiromancy, constantly referring towhether the parties shall be rich or poor, happy or unhappy in marriage, &c. Is no where met with but in India. 

The account we have given of Gypsey smiths may be compared with theIndian, as related by Sonnerat in the following words: “The smith carrieshis tools, his shop, and his forge about with him, and works in any placewhere he can find employment; he erects his shop before the house of hisemployer, raising a low wall with beaten earth; before which, he placeshis hearth; behind this wall, he fixes two leathern bellows. He has astone instead of an anvil, and his whole apparatus is a pair of tongs, ahammer, a beetle, and a file. How exactly does this accord with thedescription of the Gypsey smith!

We have seen that Gypsies always choose their place of residence nearsome village, or city, very seldom within them; even though there may notbe any order to prevent it, as is the case in Moldavia, Wallachia, andall parts of Turkey. Even the more improved Gypsies in Transylvania, whohave long since discontinued the wandering mode of life, and might, withpermission from government, reside within the cities, rather choose tobuild their huts in some bye place, without their limits. This customappears to be derived from their original Suder education; it being usualall over India, for the Sunders to have their huts without the villagesof the other castes, and in retired places near their cities. 

With respect to religion, it has appeared that the greater part of theGypsies live without any profession of it; _Tollius_ says, worse thanheathens. The more wonderful it is, that a whole people should be soindifferent and void of religion, the more weight it carries with it, toconfirm their Indian origin, when all this is found to be literally trueof the Suders. 

In relation to the emigration of the Gypsies, no cause can be assignedfor their leaving their native country, so probable, as the war of TimurBeg, in India. The date of their arrival marks it very plainly. It wasin the years 1408, and 1409, that this Conqueror ravaged India for thepurpose of disseminating the Mahometan religion. Not only every one whomade any resistance was destroyed, and such as fell into the enemies’hands, though quite defenceless, were made slaves; but in a short timethose very slaves, to the number of one hundred thousand, were put todeath. In consequence of the universal panic which took place, those, who could quit the country, might well be supposed to consult theirsafety by flight. 

If any of the higher castes did withdraw themselves on account of thetroubles it is probable, they retired southward to people of their ownsort, the Mahrattas. To mix at all with the Suders, would have beendegrading their high characters, which they consider worse than death; itwas therefore morally impossible for them to have united with the Sudersin a retreat. Moreover, by putting themselves into the power of theSuders, with whom they live in a state of discord and inveteracy, theymight have incurred as much danger as from the common enemy. 

Before presenting a vocabulary of Gypsey words, it may be observed, thatthough the Hindostanie language is fundamentally the same, all overHindostan; yet, like other languages, it has different dialects in thevarious provinces. The eastern dialect, spokes about the Ganges, hasdifferent names for some things; and inflections of some words differentto the western ones spoken about the Indus: There is, besides, a third, varying from both these, viz: the Surat dialect, which has a number ofMalabar, and other words mixed with it. To this must be added, that inthe Hindostan, as well as in every other language, there are oftenseveral names for the same thing. 

The particular dialect bearing the closest affinity to the Gypseylanguage, as will appear hereafter, is the western; and perhaps moreespecially that of Surat. With respect to the construction andinflections of the two languages, they are evidently the same. In thatof Hindostan, every word ending in j is feminine, all the rest masculine;the Gypsey is the same. That makes the inflections entirely by thearticle, adding it at the end of the word. The Gypsey language proceedsexactly in the same manner

 _Grellmann_. 

SECTION VIII. 

Comparative view of the Gypsey, Hindostanie, and Turkish languages. 

 * * * * *

The following collection is extracted from Grellmann’s Vocabulary. 

 _Gypsey_. _Hindostanie_. _English_. 

Ick, Ek Ek One

Duj, Doj Du Two

Trin, Tri Tin Three

Schtar, Star Tschar Four

Pantsch, Pansch Pansch Five

Tschowe, Schow Tscho Six

Efta Hefta, Sat Seven

Ochto Aute Eight

Desch, Des Des, Des Ten

Bisch, Bis Bjs Twenty

Diwes Diw Day

Ratti Rateh Night

Cham, Cam Kam The Sun

Schan Tschand The Moon

Panj Panj Water

Sonnikey Suna Gold

Rûp Ruppa Silver

Jiv Giuw Wheat

Bàl Bàl The Hair

Aok Awk The Eye

Kan Kawn The Ear

Nak Nakk The Nose

Mui Mu The Mouth

Dant Dant A Tooth

Tschib Jibb The Tongue

Sunjo Sunnj The Hearing

Sunj Sunkh The Smell

Sik Tschik The Taste

Tschater Tschater A Tent

Rajah Raja The Prince

Puro Purana Old

Baro Burra Great

Kalo Kala Black

Grea Gorrra Horse

Jukel Dog

Maru Bread

Kil Butter

Ker Gurr House

It has already been observed, that in the Gypsey, as well as in theHindostanie language, the article is not placed before the noun, butaffixed behind it; and that is the sole indication of the case of a noun. 

Grellmann has given examples of the declension of nouns, pronouns, andadjectives, as well as the conjugation of verbs in both languages; butthe grammatical arrangement of them does not come within the design ofthis work. The foregoing list of words is a selection of those that aremost similar: but in Grellmann’s extensive vocabulary, he says, it willappear on the average, that every third Gypsey word, is likewiseHindostanie. 

It must be observed, that the words above recited, have been learned fromthe Gypsies within a few years, consequently at a time when they had beennearly four complete centuries away from Hindostan, their native country;and among people who spoke languages totally different; in which also theGypsies conversed. 

Under the constant and so long continued influx of these languages, theirown must necessarily have suffered some alteration; more especially asthey are a people entirely ignorant, either of writing or literature. 

It does not appear that there is so much Persian in the Gypsey language, as has been generally imagined; and even what there is of it, they mayhave brought with them from their native country, as many Persian wordsare current in Hindostan. We ought rather to wonder the number ofHindostanie words in the Gypsey language, is so considerable, than torequire it should be greater, to furnish sufficient proof of theHindostanie language being the Gypsies’ mother tongue. 

Since the laborious researches of Grellmann, extended intercourse withIndia, has furnished unquestionable evidence in support of hisdeductions. The first we shall introduce, is contained in the followingletter from William Marsden to Sir Joseph Banks, F. R. S. Read to theSociety of Antiquaries in London, 1785. 

“It has long been surmised, that the vagrant tribes of people called inthis country Gypsies, and on parts of the Continent of Europe, Cingari, Zingari, and Chingali, were of eastern origin. The former name has beensupposed a corruption of Egyptian, and some learned men have judged itnot improbable that their language might be traced to the Coptic. 

“In the course of researches which I have had occasion to pursue on thesubject of language, I have observed that Ludolfus, in his history ofEthiopia, makes mention incidentally of the Cingari, vel _ErronesNubiani_, and gives a specimen of words which he had collected from thesepeople on his travels, with a view of determining their origin. Hediscusses the opinions of various writers concerning them; but forms noprecise sentiment of his own, concluding his observations with thesewords: “Eadem vocabula, cum maximam partem reperiam apud Vulcanium àcentum fere annis traditam, non fictitia existimo, ut Megiferus putat neccorrupta ex aliis linguis, neque Egyptiaca, sive Coptica. ”—In English, thus: “Since I find according to Vulcanius, that most of these words havebeen continued traditionally for a period of nearly 100 years, I do notconsider them fictitious, as Megiferus supposes, nor corrupted from otherlanguages, either the Egyptian or Coptic. ”

“I was surprised to find many of the words familiar to my eye; and Ipointed out to Sir Joseph Banks, in the latter end of the year 1783, their evident correspondence with terms in the Hindostanie, or as it isvulgarly termed in India, the Moors’ language. 

“This similitude appeared to me so extraordinary, that I was inclined tosuspect an error in the publication, which might have arisen from aconfusion of obscure vocabularies in the author’s possession. Thecircumstance, however, determined me to pay farther attention to thesubject, and to examine, in the first place, whether the language spokenby the Gypsey tribes in England, and by those in the remoter parts of thecontinent of Europe was one, and the same; and then to ascertain, whetherthis actually bore the affinity which so forcibly struck me in Ludolfus, to any of the languages on the Continent of India. 

“Through the obliging assistance of Sir Joseph Banks, who has spared nopains to promote this investigation, I procured an opportunity ofobtaining a list of words from our Gypsies, which I can depend upon asgenuine, and tolerably accurate in respect to the pronunciation, fromtheir being corroborated also by words taken down, separately, by SirJoseph, and by Dr. Blagden. 

“Mr. Matra did me the favour to transmit for me, a list of words toTurkey; and from his ingenious friend B. Pisani, I received a completeand satisfactory translation of them, together with some information, respecting the manners of the Chingiares, in the Turkish dominions, which, however, does not come within the design of this paper, as I meanto confine myself in the present communication, simply to the question ofsimilarity of language; which, if established, I should esteem a matterof no little curiosity; presuming it to be perfectly new to the world. 

“Of this similarity, the learned members of the Society will be enabledto form their judgment from the annexed paper, exhibiting a comparison ofa few of the words procured from the different quarters before mentioned, with the Hindostanie terms, from the best published, and paroleauthorities. It may not be unworthy of remark, that the generalappellation of these people in the eastern part of Europe, is very nearlyconnected with that of the inhabitants of Ceylon, in the East-Indies, whoare equally termed. Lingalese and Chingalese; though at the same time itmust be acknowledged, that the language of this Island has much lesscorrespondence with that of the Gypsies, than many others of the Indiandialects. 

“His Grace, the Archbishop of York, with his usual discernment, suggestedto me, the probability that the Zingara here spoken of, may have derivedtheir name, and perhaps their origin from the people called Langari, orLangarians, who are found in the north-west parts of the Peninsula ofHindostan, and infest the coasts of Guzerat and Sindy with theirpiratical depredations. 

“The maritime turn of this numerous race of people, with their roving andenterprising disposition, may warrant the idea of occasional emigrationin their boats, by the coarse of the Red Sea. 

“Notwithstanding the resemblance to the Hindostanie, is the predominantfeature in the Gypsey dialect, yet there are words interspersed, whichevidently coincide with other languages. Besides the Mahratta, andBengalese, which I have marked in the comparative specimen, it is not alittle singular that the terms for the numerals _seven_, _eight_, and_nine_, are purely Greek: although the first five, and that for ten, areindisputably Indian. It is also a curious observation, that although theIndian term for seven is _saath_, yet that for a week, or seven days; isthe Eftan of the latter. 

“One word only among those I have examined, bears a resemblance to theCoptic, which is _rom_, the same with _romi_, a man. 

“In comparisons of this nature, a due allowance must be made, not onlyfor the various modes of spelling adopted by different persons, anddifferent nations, but also for the dissimilar manner in which the sameindividual sound, strikes the organs of the hearers; of which somepointed instances may be given. 

“Should any be inclined to doubt, which I scarcely suppose possible, theidentity of the Gypsey, or Cingari, and the Hindostanie languages, stillit will be acknowledged as no uninteresting subject, that tribeswandering through the mountains of Nubia, or the plains of Romania, haveconversed for centuries in a dialect precisely similar to that spoken atthis day, by, the obscure, despised, and wretched people in England, whose language has been considered as a fabricated gibberish, andconfounded with a cant in use among thieves and beggars; and whosepersons have been, till within the period of a year, an object of thepersecution, instead of the protection of our laws. ”

 _William Marsden_. 

In the 386th page of the 7th Vol. Of Archæologia, is the comparative viewof the English Gypsey, Turkish Gypsey, and Hindostanie dialects; aspecimen of which will be presented in this section. 

In page 387 of the same volume, are collections on the Zingara, or Gypseylanguage, by Jacob Bryant, Esq. Transmitted to G. Salusbury Brereton, Esq. In a letter from Doctor Douglas, read 1785: This learned traveller, when in Hungary, had taken from the mouths of Gypsies, specimens of theirlanguage, which occupy seven pages. It is remarkable, that of seventeenwords obtained and enumerated in the letters of Coxe, the learnedtraveller, fourteen appear to resemble most exactly those of the samesignification, collected by Jacob Bryant

 _John Douglas_. 

COMPARISON OF THE GYPSEY, TURKISH, AND HINDOSTANIE LANGUAGES. 

_English_. _English _Turkish _Cingari vel _Hindostanie_. Gypsey_. Gypsey_. Errones Nubiani_. 

One Aick Yeck Aick, ek, Yek

Two Dooce Duy Du, Dow

Three Trin Trin Trin

Four Staur, Shtar Shtiar Chaur

Five Panji Panch Paunch

Six Shove Shove Chaye

Seven Heftan Efta Saath

Eight Okto Aoth Aut

Nine Henya Enia Noh Nu

Ten Desh Desh Dus, Doshe (Bengalese)

Man Raye, gazo Ram Manush Manusch Manoosha, (Bengalese)

Woman Raunee gougee Romee Rendee, Raunee

Head Bold-uroo shero Shero Schiero Seer, Sirr

Eyes Yackau, yock Yack Jaka Okhyo (Bengalese)

Nose Bol-nak Nack Nak Nauck

Hair Ballau, bolow Bal Bal Baul, Bal

Teeth Danau Dan Daunt, Dant (Bengalese)

Ear Kanaue Can Kaun

Day Dewas, Devas Deeves Deendeewas (Mahratta)

Night Rautee Rateee Raut, roat

White Pauno Parnee Paandra (Mahratta)

Sheep Baukro Bakro Bhare

Hog Baulo Balo Palo

Fish Matcho Muteho Matchee, Mutchee

Bind Cheriko Chiriiklo Chereah

House Kair Ker Ghurr

Gold Soona-kai Sonna

Silver Roop Roopau

Brand, in his observations on Popular Antiquities, Vol. II. Page 432, observes: “The Gypsies, as it should seem from some striking proofsderived from their language, were originally from Hindostan, where theyare supposed to have been of the lowest class of Indians, named Pariars, or as they are called in Hindostan, Suders. They are thought to haveemigrated about A. D. 1408, or 1409, when Timur Beg ravaged India for thepurpose of spreading the Mahometan religion. On this occasion so manywere made slaves, and put to death, that a universal panic took place, and a very great number of terrified inhabitants endeavoured to savethemselves by flight. 

“As every part to the north and east was beset by the enemy, it is mostprobable that the country below Multan, to the mouth of the Indus, wasthe first asylum and rendezvous of the fugitive Suders. This is calledthe country of Zinganen. Here they were safe, and remained so tillTimur’s return from the victory of the Ganges. Then it was that theyentirely quitted the country, and probably with them a considerablenumber of the natives, which will explain the meaning of their originalname. ”

In the seventh Vol. Of the Asiatic Researches, page 470, Captain DavidRichardson says of the _Panchperee_, or Budee’a Nuts: “’Tis probablethere will be found in their manners, a stronger similitude to theGypsies of Europe, than in those of any other which may come underreview. They have no particular system of religion, adopting withindifference that of the village near to which they happen to beencamped. In the upper provinces of Hindostan, the little encampments ofthese people are frequently very regular and neat, being there formed ofthe Sirkee entirely. Each apartment, though not much larger than amastiff’s kennel, has its own particular enclosure, or court-yard;generally erected in such a manner, as to become a species ofcircumvallation to the whole portable hamlet. 

“One cannot help wondering where so many men, women, and children, andother domestic animals manage to sleep; or shelter themselves from thestorms which sometimes assail these itinerant people. The men areremarkably athletic and active, and also nimble and adroit, in every kindof slight of hand. Many of the subdivisions of this class of men, paylittle, or no attention to cleanliness, or any restrictions in diet;eating dead jackalls, bullocks, horses, or any kind of food procurable. 

“The women do not attend the men during their juggling exploits, but havea peculiar department allotted to themselves; which consists of thepractice of physic, cupping, palmistry, curing disorders of the teeth, and marking the skin of the Hindoo women, an operation termed Godna. They have two languages peculiar to themselves; one intended for the useonly of the craftsman, the other general among men, women, and children. 

“The Hindostanie is the basis of both; the first is general, being a meretransposition or change of syllables; and the second apparently, asystematic conversion of a few letters; but which will be best elucidatedby the following specimen, which contains twenty-two words. ”

After which, he says: “I find these people in Colebrook’s arrangement ofthe Hindoo Classes, mentioned in the sixth class, under the head of_Nata_, Bazeegurs; and in Sir William Jones’s translation of theOrdinances of Menu, _Munoo_, Chapter 10. 

“I shall now subjoin a short parallel between the Gypsies of Europe, andthe people I have described. Both the _Gypsies_ and the _Nuts_ aregenerally a wandering race of beings, seldom having a fixed habitation. They have each a language peculiar to themselves. That of the Gypsies isundoubtedly a species of Hindostanie; as well as that of the Nuts. InEurope, it answers all the purposes of concealment. 

“The Gypsies have their King, the Nuts their _Nardar Boutoh_; they areequally formed into companies, and their peculiar employments are exactlysimilar; dancing, singing, music, palmistry, &c. They are bothconsidered as thieves; at least that division of the Nuts, whose mannerscome nearest the Gypsies. —In matters of religion they appear equallyindifferent, and as to food, we have seen that neither the Gypsies northe Budee’a Nuts are very choice. 

“Though, in the Encyclopædia Britannica, Grellmann’s Theory is thoughtslightly of, the similarity of language being deemed but inconclusiveevidence; yet in this instance, and even in opposition to such authority, I will venture to consider it, as forming a basis of the most substantialkind. It is not the accidental coincidence of a few words, but the wholevocabulary he produces, differs not so much from the common Hindostanie, as provincial dialects of the same country do from each other. 

“Grellmann, from a want of knowledge in the Hindostanie; as to itsprovincial dialects, lost many opportunities of producing the proper wordin comparison with the Gypsey one. 

“The following list of words was taken from the Annual Register of 1784, or 1785, with a few I have now subjoined from Grellmann. —In some of theinstances where he has failed of producing the corresponding Hindostanieword, the supply of them will, I hope, prove the language of the Gypsies, and that of Hindostan to be the same, or very intimately connected witheach other. 

 _Gypsey_. _Hindostanie_. _English_. 

Bebee Beebe Aunt, _a respectful feminine termination from baba_, _Father_. 

Pawnee Paniee Brook, Drink, Water

Cauliban Kalaburn Black

Davies, Devus Dewus Day

Rattie Rat Dark night

Can Kan The Ear

Dad Dada Father

Mutchee Muchee Fish

Bootsee Buholsee Great

Gur Ghur House

Shing Seen Horn

Tuttoo Tutta Heat

Riah Raye Lord

Rriena Ra, enee Lady

Dai Da’ee Mother

Mass Mas Meat or food

Nack Nak Nose

Bouropanee Bura-panee Ocean, wave

Loon Loon Salt

Rook Rook, h A Tree

Tschar Char A Thief

Mul Mool Wine

Captain Richardson continues the list through four pages. 

SECTION IX. 

Present state the Gypsies in England. 

 * * * * *

It has been already stated, in the Introduction to this work, that theauthor visited an encampment of Gypsies. It consisted of five tents, situated near Rushden, within two miles of the pleasant town of HighamFerrers. He did not reconnoitre the camp till about mid-day, having beeninformed that by this time, it was probable, the able-bodied persons ofboth sexes would be drawn off to a feast and a fair, in differentsituations, not very distant. It proved so; there were only two women, three children, and an infant remaining in the tents; which were theresidence of several branches of the numerous families of Smith, andLoversedge, names well known in the county of Northampton. 

The head of the former, has been many years a dealer in asses, ordonkies; and is reputed to be possessed of some property. His wife, morethan eighty years of age, was seated at the entrance of one of the tents, weaving a cabbage net. The other woman, who was middle aged, was nursingan infant; and the eldest of the children, about twelve years of age, wasmaking preparation for washing; a pan was suspended from three poles, under which she had kindled a fire, to boil water. The very tattered andsqualid appearance of this poor girl was truly affecting. 

On conversing with the old woman, she said she had forty grand-children;some gone to the feast, others to the fair; and she signified, that bothmen and women were musical performers. 

On being asked whether any of them had learned to read, she shook herhead, and, with apparent regret, acknowledged they had not. Thisindication of concern excited an idea, that some impression had been madeon the minds even of Gypsies, of the disadvantages their children wereunder. 

Considering how generally education had been extended, to the lowestdescription of every other class of British subjects; how many schoolshad been opened in villages, as well as in the different towns of thekingdom, it was not improbable, that information of movements soextraordinary, might have reached the ears, if not impressed the minds ofthese neglected fellow-creatures. The activity which had beensubsequently displayed in the distribution of the Scriptures, and thezeal excited among the most ignorant to receive them, might also come totheir knowledge. 

Resuming conversation with the female head of the Smith family, she saidthey endured great hardships in winter, having no shelter but theirtents, in the worst of weather. 

She was then asked, if they did not experience great difficulty inobtaining the means of subsistence, during the inclement seasons; andwhether they were not, at times, reduced to the necessity of taking upwith any kind of sustenance, even if it consisted of animals they mightfind dead upon the road. 

To this she immediately replied: “Those that have died by the hand ofGod, are better than those that have died by the hand of man. ”

This reply, corresponding so exactly with that of the ContinentalGypsies, presents a remarkable trait of their mutual descent from theSuder caste. 

Some of the peculiarities in Gypsey habits to which we have just nowadverted, had not escaped the observation of that accurate delineator ofmen and manners, our celebrated poet, Cowper; as will appear by thefollowing sketch:

 “I see a column of slow rising smoke, O’er-top the lofty wood, that skirts the wild. A vagabond and useless tribe, there eat Their miserable meal. A Kettle Slung between two poles, upon a stick transverse, Receives the morsel: flesh _obscene_ of hog, Or _vermin_; or, at best, of cock purloined From his accustom’d perch. Hard faring race, They pick their fuel out of every hedge, Which kindled with dry leaves, and wood, just saves The spark of life. The sportive wind blows wide Their fluttering rags, and shows a tawney skin, The vellum of the pedigree they claim. ”

Before the Gypsey’s acknowledgment, of preferring the flesh of animalswhich have died by disease, or what is called a natural death, the writerof this section, knew not how to credit the general testimony of thefarmers and inhabitants of Northamptonshire, that they did not find theGypsies committed any depredations on their property, unless it was inpilfering wood from the fences. He now thinks it probable, that others, who were unacquainted with this singular idea of the Gypsies, respectinganimal food, may have imagined they were guilty of many more thefts forsubsistence, than is really the case. 

In the further progress of his inquiries, the writer has met with variousinstances in which confidence reposed in Gypsies, has not beendisappointed. —He will mention a remarkable one at Feringbury, nearCoggeshall, in Essex, on a farm which had been occupied by threegenerations of the family of Corders; during which time, not the leastloss had been sustained, by accommodating Gypsies with lodgings in theirbarns and out-houses during inclement weather; but, on the contrary, thefamily have considered them a protection to their property. 

After the success of an experiment like the above, it would besuperfluous to ask, if it is not sounder policy to excite the good, thanthe bad dispositions of human nature. 

Must not the torrent of invective and abuse, almost universally pouredupon this people, tend to disaffect and indispose them to civilassociation! Despised and ill-treated as they often are, have they notreason to imagine the hand of every man to be against them? Who then canwonder at their eluding, as much as possible, the inquiries of strangers!

Looking at their condition among the various inhabitants of Europe, dignified with the Christian name, the writer has often been reminded ofthe universality of the Gospel call, as illustrated in the parable of thegreat supper. After the invitation had been given throughout the streetsand lanes of the cities, the command to the servants was: “Go out intothe highways and hedges, and compel them to come in. ” Here is adescription that may have been intended specially to apply to thispeople, so exactly and even literally adapted to their condition, in allcountries, is the language: “Go ye into the highways and hedges. ” Andthe distinction in their case is rendered still more remarkable by thevery pressing injunction, “Compel them to come in. ”

Does it not admit of the inference, that as outcasts of society, beingunder greater disadvantages than the other incited classes, theirsituation requited a more powerful stimulus to be applied?

The account of the sufferings of Gypsies in winter, having been confirmedby many concurring testimonies, from the inhabitants of Northamptonshire, the following Circular was sent into most of the Counties of England, with a view to ascertain their state in other parts of the nation. 

CIRCULAR. 

When it is considered how much the exertions of the wise, thephilanthropic, and the good, in all parts of the nation, have beendirected to advancing the morals and religious instruction of the lowerorders of the community, it appears almost incredible that onedescription of British subjects, and of all others the most abject anddepraved, should have been either entirely overlooked or neglected. TheGypsies, to whom this applies, are a people which, more than any other, it might have been considered the interest of society to reclaim, becauseof the depredations they commit upon it. 

The efforts of the good, and of the great, have not been confined tomeliorating the condition of the inhabitants of this country only, theyhave been directed to the alleviation of human misery in various othernations, and even to the augmentation of funds for civilizing the nativesof distant regions of the globe. Can we manifest our solicitude for theimprovement of our fellow-creatures separated from us thousands of miles, whose faces we never saw, and conclude that numbers of persons in our owncountry, whose situation is more desperate, have not a peculiar claim onour consideration?

To reclaim the Indians of North America from their wild and roving courseof life, associations have been formed to give them instructions inagriculture, and to supply them with implements of husbandry; plans ofeducation adapted to their untutored state have been arranged, andpersons qualified to carry them into effect, in the establishment ofschools, have gone to their assistance. 

Do the numerous Gypsey tribes of England possess any of these advantages?

In the summer of 1814, when the writer of this circular, visited a numberof Gypsey tents in Northamptonshire, as already stated, a woman about 80years of age, who had forty grand-children, acknowledged, that not one ofthem had been taught to read. In this land of Christian benevolence, canwe pronounce a certain proportion of its inhabitants to be wretchedlydepraved, and even a wicked set of people; advertise them as rogues andvagabonds, and offer a reward for their apprehension, without devisingany means of remedying the defects of their habits, or holding outencouragement to reformation, in any of them who are disposed torelinquish their vicious courses?

The associations formed and forming in different parts of the nation forthe prosecution of felons, render the condition of Gypsies every day moreand more deplorable, by their being hunted like beasts of prey fromtownship to township. 

The last winter but one, a company of these houseless wanderers were dugout of the snow in Ditchford Lane, near Irchester, Northamptonshire, whenit appeared one woman had been lying in, and that an old man was dying. 

If those who have been zealous in driving them from their accustomedhaunts, were to place themselves, if but ideally in their situation, canwe believe, that instead of augmenting their sufferings, they would notbe disposed to commiserate their case, and even attend to the precept ofthe Christian Legislator: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them?” It is worse than useless and unavailing toharrass them from place to place, when no retreat or shelter is providedfor their refuge. 

A writer on this subject, under the designation of Junius, in theNorthampton Mercury of June 27th, 1814, observes: “When we consider theimmense sums raised for every probable means of doing good, which havehitherto been made public, we cannot doubt, if a proper method should beproposed for the relief and ameliorating the state of these people, itwould meet with deserved encouragement. Suppose that the Legislatureshould think them not unworthy its notice; and as a part of the greatfamily, they ought not to be overlooked. ” Another writer in theNorthampton Mercury of July the 21st of the last year, on the necessityof some plan being adopted for their advantage, remarks, thereby“thousands of our fellow-creatures would be raised from depravity andwretchedness to a state of comfort; the private property of individualsbe much more secure, and the public materially benefited. ” In additionto these observations, it may be asked, Would not the providing of aneducation for their children, to which they should be induced to conform, and the apprenticing of them, at a proper age, to suitable trades, enablethe rising generation to correct the errors of Gypsey habits?

With a view to ascertain more fully the extent in which this may benecessary, the friends of humanity, to whom this Circular may beaddressed, are requested to co-operate with others of their friends indifferent parts of each county, for procuring answers from the bestinformed of the Gypsies, and others, to the subsequent questions. Andshould there be any person in their neighbourhood, who after beingbrought up among the Gypsies, hath quitted them for a more settled courseof life, information from such is particularly desirable. Answers arerequested in the course of the summer: to be sent to John Hoyland, Springfield, Sheffield. 

 * * * * *

QUESTIONS. 

1. From whence is it said the Gypsies first came?

2. How many is it supposed there are in England?

3. What is your circuit in summer?

4. How many Gypsey families are supposed to be in it?

5. What are the names of them?

6. Have they any meetings with those of other circuits?

7. And for what purpose?

8. What number of Gypsies are there computed to be in the county?

9. What proportion of their number follow business, and what kind?

10. What do they bring their children up to?

11. What do the women employ themselves in?

12. From how many generations can they trace their descent?

13. Have they kept to one part of the country, or removed to distantparts?

14. How long have they lived in this part?

15. Have they any speech of their own, different to that used by otherpeople?

16. What do they call it? Can any one write it?

17. Is there any writing of it to be seen any where?

18. Have they any rules of conduct which are general to their community?

19. What religion do they mostly profess?

20. Do they marry, and in what manner?

21. How do they teach their children religion?

22. Do any of them learn to read?

23. Who teaches them?

24. Have they any houses to go to in winter?

25. What proportion of them, is it supposed, live out of doors inwinter, as in summer?

5_th_ _Month_, 16_th_, 1815. 

THE REPORTS

_Received from the Counties of England_, _are comprised in the followinggeneral Answers to the Queries of the Circular_. 

1. All Gypsies suppose the first of them came from Egypt. 

2. They cannot form any idea of the number in England. 

3. The Gypsies of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, parts of Buckinghamshire, Cambridge, and Huntingdonshire, are continually making revolutions withinthe range of those counties. 

4. They are either ignorant of the number of Gypsies in the countiesthrough which they travel, or unwilling to disclose their knowledge. 

5. The most common names are Smith, Cooper, Draper, Taylor, Bosswel, Lee, Lovell, Loversedge, Allen, Mansfield, Glover, Williams, Carew, Martin, Stanley, Buckley, Plunkett, Corrie. 

6 & 7. The gangs in different towns have not any regular connection, ororganization; but those who take up their winter quarters in the samecity or town, appear to have some knowledge of the different routes eachhorde will pursue; probably with a design to prevent interference. 

8. In the county of Herts, it is computed there may be sixty families, having many children. Whether they are quite so numerous inBuckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Northamptonshire, the answers are notsufficiently definite to determine. In Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Dorsetshire, greater numbers are calculatedupon. In various counties, the attention has not been competent toprocuring data for any estimate of families, or individuals. 

9. More than half their number follow no business; others are dealers inhorses and asses; farriers, smiths, tinkers, braziers, grinders ofcutlery, basket-makers, chair-bottomers, and musicians. 

10. Children are brought up in the habits of their parents, particularlyto music and dancing, and are of dissolute conduct. 

11. The women mostly carry baskets with trinkets and small wares; andtell fortunes. 

12. Too indolent to have acquired accounts of genealogy, and perhapsindisposed to it by the irregularity of their habits. 

13. In most counties there are particular situations to which they arepartial. In Berkshire is a marsh, near Newbury, much frequented by them;and Dr. Clarke states, that in Cambridgeshire, their principal rendezvousis near the western villages. 

14. It cannot be ascertained, whether from their first coming into thenation, attachment to particular places has prevailed. 

15, 16, & 17. When among strangers, they elude inquiries respectingtheir peculiar language, calling it gibberish. Don’t know of any personthat can write it, or of any written specimen of it. 

18. Their habits and customs in all places are peculiar. 

19. Those who profess any religion, represent it to be that of thecountry in which they reside: but their description of it, seldom goesbeyond repeating the Lord’s prayer; and only a few of them are capable ofthat. Instances of their attending any place for warship are very rare. 

20. They marry for the most part by pledging to each other, without anyceremony. A few exceptions have occurred when money was plentiful. 

21. They do not teach their children religion. 

22 & 23. Not _one_ in a _thousand_ can read. 

24 & 25. Some go into lodgings in London, Cambridge, &c. During winter;but it is calculated three-fourths of them live out of doors in winter, as in summer. 

Most of the answers are confirmed by Riley Smith, who, during many years, was accounted the chief of the Gypsies in Northamptonshire. He beingmuch in request by some of the principal inhabitants of that county, as amusician, had the address to marry the cook out of one of their families, and afterward obtained a farm near Bedford; but being unsuccessful inagriculture, he returned to his former occupation. John Forster andWilliam Carrington, respectable merchants of Biggleswade, and neighboursto Riley Smith, procured answers from him to all the queries in theCircular; but they cannot be made the basis of any calculation of thenumber of Gypsies in the nation. 

It has not come to the knowledge of the writer, what foundation there hasbeen for the report commonly circulated, that a Member of Parliament hadstated to the House of Commons, when speaking to some question relatingto Ireland; that there were not less than 36, 000 Gypsies in GreatBritain. 

To make up such an aggregate, the numerous hordes must have beenincluded, who traverse most of the nation with carts and asses, for thesale of earthenware, and live out of doors great part of the year, afterthe manner of the Gypsies. —These potters, as they are commonly called, acknowledge that Gypsies have intermingled with them, and their habitsare very similar. They take their children along with them on travel, and, like the Gypsies, regret that they are without education. 

It has already appeared in Baillie Smith’s report, that the Gypsies inScotland, of late years, have had recourse to a similar occupation in thesale of earthenware, which, as they mostly attend fairs, is a mode oflife remarkably adapted to their inclination. 

Some pains have been taken among the potteries in Staffordshire, toprocure information of the number of families of this description, whichannually apply to purchase the refuse of their wares; but no return hasbeen made. 

The application to the Sheriffs of Scotland, procured from the countiesprompt and decisive reports; and it is not probable that any measure, short of an order to the constables of every township, to take an accounton the same day, throughout England, would be sufficient for ascertainingGypsey population. 

For this purpose a patrole might be necessary, on one and the same day, in each township, particularly in lanes and situations shaded in summer. If notice of the requisition were to be communicated to constables, a fewdays before, with directions not to disclose the object, further than thenecessary provision for it required; it is probable, that a sufficientlycorrect estimate might be formed, of the aggregate number in the nation. 

Such an account might extend also to the itinerant potters, and thenumber of their children: or if the potters take out a Hawker’s andPedlar’s licence, a return of their numbers might be obtained from theproper office. There is reason to think that many of these dealers haveacquired property, who, nevertheless take lodgings for the winter, instead of renting houses; whereby they, equally with Gypsies, evade allcontributions to the service of the State, and parochial assessments. 

On this subject, the writer is reminded of what has often occurred tohim, when inspecting a low description of lodging-houses in the populoustown of Sheffield, of which he is an inhabitant. Finding it difficult toobtain from the keepers of such houses, sufficient information respectingtheir guests; he has thought, that obliging all who lodge itinerants totake out a licence, would, by rendering them amenable to just authority, obviate this difficulty; and put it in the power of those respectableinhabitants, who wish the regulation of these receptacles, to exercisejust discrimination, without infringing upon the liberty of the subject. He has reason to believe, if this were effected, it would operate as aconsiderable check on vagrancy, and save much trouble to magistrates. 

SECTION X. 

Present state of the Gypsies in and about London. 

 * * * * *

In the autumn of 1815, the author made a journey to London, in order toobtain information respecting the Gypsies in its vicinity. 

The first account he received of the education of any of them, was fromThomas Howard, proprietor of a glass and china shop, No. 50, Fetter-lane, Fleet-street. This person, who preached among the Calvinists, said, thatin the winter of 1811, he had assisted in the establishment of a SundaySchool in Windmill-street, Acre-lane, near Clapham. It was under thepatronage of a single gentlewoman, of the name of Wilkinson, andprincipally intended for the neglected and forlorn children ofbrick-makers, and the most abject of the poor. It was begun on a smallscale, but increased till the number of scholars amounted to forty. 

During the winter, a family of Gypsies, of the name of Cooper, obtainedlodgings at a house opposite the school. Trinity Cooper, a daughter ofthis Gypsey family, who was about thirteen years of age, applied to beinstructed at the school; but, in consequence of the obloquy affixed tothat description of persons, she was repeatedly refused. Shenevertheless persevered in her importunity, till she obtained admissionfor herself, and two of her brothers. 

Thomas Howard says, that, surrounded as he was by ragged children, without shoes and stockings, the first lesson he taught them was silenceand submission. —They acquired habits of subordination, became tractableand docile; and, of all his scholars, there were not any more attentiveand affectionate than these; and when the Gypsies broke up house in thespring, to make their usual excursions, the children expressed muchregret at leaving the school. 

This account was confirmed by Thomas Jackson, of Brixton-row, minister ofStockwell Chapel, who said, since the above experiment, several Gypsieshad been admitted to a sabbath school, under the direction of hiscongregation. At their introduction, he compared them to birds whenfirst put into a cage, which flew against the sides of it, having no ideaof restraint; but by a steady even care over them, and the influence ofthe example of other children, they soon became settled, and fell intotheir ranks. 

With a view to reconnoitre an encampment of Gypsies, the author accepteda seat in the carriage of a friend, who drove him to Hainault forest. This, according to historians, was of vast extent in the times of theancient Britons, reaching to the Thames; and so late as the reign ofHenry the 2d, it covered the northern vicinity of the city. 

On this forest, about two miles from the village of Chigwell, Essex, andten from London, stands the far-famed oak, at which is held Fairlop Fair, that great annual resort of the Gypsies. 

According to an account of it printed for Hogg, Paternoster-row, thetrunk or main stem of this tree has been sixty-six feet, and some of thebranches twelve feet, in circumference. The age of this prodigy of theforest cannot be ascertained with any degree of precision. The oakviewed by the present King, in Oxfordshire, and some years ago felled inthe domains of one of the Colleges, though only twenty-five feet ingirth, is said to have been six hundred years old. Fairlop oak havingbeen nearly thrice as large, is supposed to be at least twice that age. 

Phillips employed by the King, applied a patent mixture to stop theprogress of its decay, but, last autumn, when seen by the describer, itsnaked gigantic trunk and arms, retaining not the least symptom ofanimation, presented a ghastly spectacle of the ravages of time, ascontrasted with the rich verdure of the surrounding scenery. 

The circumstances which gave rise to the establishment of a fair, on thisspot of ground, are somewhat singular. 

Daniel Day, an engine, pump, and block-maker, of Wapping, having a smallestate in the vicinity of this oak, was in the habit of annuallyresorting to it about a fortnight after midsummer, to receive his rents, when he provided a dinner under the tree, and invited several of hisfriends to it. The novelty of the scene exciting the attention of theneighbouring inhabitants, attendance on that occasion increased untilabout the year 1725, when booths being erected round the stupendous oak, the scene assumed the appearance of a regular fair. It has continued tobe held there, and it is said now attracts a great number of attendants. 

As this fair does not appear to be a mart for horses or cattle, there isreason to fear, it is kept up more for revelry and excess, than for anyuseful purpose. The ground has been cleared to some extent about theoak, which stands at the head of a circular lawn, surrounded by pailing, to protect it from the ravages of the unthinking part of the multitude, who assemble there. It is said to have been the practice of the Gypsies, to kindle fires against the trunk, by which the bulk has been diminished, and perhaps the vegetation injured. 

On the side of the forest, near to Dagenham, Essex, was the encampment ofGypsies, of which the author’s friend was in quest. The construction oftheir tents, is well known to be wooden hoops fastened into the ground, and covered with an awning of blankets or canvas, which resembles thetilt of a waggon; the end is closed from the wind by a curtain. Thisgang was called by the name of Corrie. It consisted of an old man, hiswife, a niece, and their son and daughter with ten children; said to beall from Staffordshire. The men were scissars’ grinders and tinkers. 

Questions being asked them respecting their condition, a young woman madesome observations upon them to an older woman, in their own peculiarspeech. This was the first time the writer had an opportunity ofascertaining, what the language of Gypsies in England really was. Withthe knowledge only of Grellmann’s vocabulary, he pointed out what theyoung woman had expressed; upon which they immediately exclaimed, thegentleman understands what we say; and they gave way to immoderatetransports of joy, saying, they would tell him any thing he wished toknow of them. 

On being asked what gold was in their language, they replied withouthesitation, _sonnaka_, and immediately added, silver was _roop_. 

The opinion which has been entertained, that Gypsey language was composedonly of cant terms, or of what has been denominated the slang of beggars, has probably been much promoted and strengthened by the dictionarycontained in a pamphlet entitled, “The Life and Adventures of BampfyldeMoore Carew. ” It consists for the most part of English words, vamped upapparently not so much for the purpose of concealment, as burlesque. Even if used by this people at all, the introduction of this cant, as thegenuine language of the community of Gypsies, is a gross imposition onthe public. 

One of the women said, the education of their children was to be desired, but their travelling from place to place was against it. —A young manamong them said, there were a hundred of their people in Staffordshire. This gang was intelligent as well as communicative, and gave proof ofmore civility than is commonly attributed to Gypsies. 

The author also visited Norwood, which was formerly a principalrendezvous of the Gypsies. This village, near Croydon, in Surry, issituated on a fine hill, and is a wildly rural spot; but having beenconsiderably inclosed of late years, it is not now much frequented by theGypsies. 

John Westover, deputy of James Furnell, constable of Norwood, stated, that about two months before, the Gypsies in that neighbourhood had beenapprehended as vagrants, and sent in three coaches to prison. Thisaccount was confirmed by Edward Morris, the landlord at the Gypsey house. It did not appear that these Gypsies were committed for depredations onproperty, but merely on the vagrant act. 

Gypsies being _routed_, as it is termed, in this manner, from variousparts of the south, may probably have occasioned their appearing ingreater numbers in the northern parts of the nation. The writer of thissection being at Scarborough, in the bathing season of 1815, hadintelligence of there being, at the same time, an encampment of Gypsiesat Boroughbridge, another at Knaresborough, and a third at Pocklington, in the east-riding of Yorkshire. 

On returning from Scarborough, he was told by an acquaintance atTadcaster, that a gang of about twenty Gypsies, were just gone from theneighbourhood, after telling fortunes to most of the people in the town. The same summer, a numerous horde had been driven from the township ofRotherham; and there had been two encampments in the neighbourhood ofSheffield. 

The winter before the last, severe as it was, a gang of about fifty orsixty, lay upon Bramley Moor, three miles from Chesterfield. Thisinformation was received from Joseph Storrs of Chesterfield, who has beenan assiduous coadjutor. From the same authority, the writer learns, thata number of Gypsies usually came to Duckmanton, near Chesterfield, at thefeast, who appear to be in pretty good reputation in their transactions. Also that there is a party of Gypsies who frequent Socombe-lane, nearShirbrook, which is two miles east of Pleasley. They are calledBosswell’s gang, consisting of twelve, and sometimes more, who mostlycome once a year, and sometimes continue there for most of it. A womanamong them is about 90 years old. They support a good character; and oneof them who bought a pony, had credit for it, and paid honestly on hisreturn. 

After obtaining information at Norwood, of the winter-quarters in London, to which Gypsies resorted; the author had an interview with branches ofseveral families of them, collected at the house of his friend WilliamCorder, Grocer, in Broad-street, Giles’s. And in justice to them, hemust observe, that however considerably the fear of apprehension asvagrants, may dispose them, when on travel and among strangers, to eludetheir inquiries, no disposition to do so, appears in the company ofpersons to whom they are known, and in whom they can repose confidence. 

Being accustomed to lay out their money at the shop of this grocer, hesaid they would be very ready to attend upon his invitation; andaccordingly, a number of them soon made their appearance. They saidthere were about twenty of the name of Lovell, who lodged in Bowles’syard, in the neighbourhood. These acknowledged themselves Gypsies, andmany of them had the features, as well as the complexion of Asiatics. 

Their account is, that they come into lodgings at Michaelmas, andcontinue till April, then they set out on travel, and go into Norfolk, &c. 

That some time ago, some of them had embraced an offer to educate theirchildren at St. Patrick’s charity school, which had been established bythe chaplain to the Portuguese ambassador; but some dissatisfactionarising in consequence of the religion of the conductors of thatInstitution, they had removed their children to the school for the Irish, taught by Partak Ivery, No. 5, George-street. 

Uriah Lovell, the head of one of the families, made a very decentappearance; three of his children have been four winters at school, andlearned to read and write; their father having paid sixpence per week, for each of them. —Partak was sent for, and came to the house of WilliamCorder, where he confirmed the above account, saying there had been sixGypsey children at his school, and that when placed among others, theywere reducible to order. 

These Gypsies, like those upon Hainault forest, appeared to be greatlydelighted at meeting with a person, acquainted, as they thought, withtheir language, and were remarkably free in speaking it. 

James Corder, son of William Corder, obtained the following account ofsome of the lodgers in Westminster, and in the Borough, &c. 

 _Names_. _Family_. _Occupation and Residence_. 

John Lovell, wife and 6 children, Chair-bottomer, Tunbridge-street. 

James Lovell, do. 6 do. Tinker, Church-lane. 

Joseph Lovell, do. 3 do. Chair-bottomer, New-street. 

Thomas Lovell, do. 2 do. Chair bottomer, Banbridge-street. 

William Lovell, do. 1 do. Knife-grinder, Church-street. 

Lussha Cooper, wife and 10 children, Rat-catcher, Tottenham-court-road. 

Corrie Lovell, do. 5 do. Knife-grinder, Bolton-street. 

Uriah Lovell, do. 6 do. Chair-bottomer, Bolton-street. 

Thomas Lovell, do. 7 do. Knife-grinder, Paddington. 

Solomon Lovell, do. 4 do. Chair-bottomer, New-street. 

Solomon Jones, do. 2 do. Basket-maker and Wire-worker, Battle-bridge. 

Men and Women, 22—52 Children. 

John Lee, wife and 9 children, Chair-bottomer, Tothil-fields. 

Richard Taylor, do. 3 do. Wire-worker, New-street. 

Betsey Lovell, widow, Supported by her son Joseph Lovell. 

Joseph Lovell, wife 1 do. Bellows-mender, Shore-ditch. 

Diana Lee, widow 1 do. Sells Earthenware, Shore-ditch. 

Mansfield Lee, wife 0 do. Tinker and Grinder, Shore-ditch. 

Zachariah Lee, do. 0 do. Fiddler—Travels the Country. 

Thomas Smith, do. 5 do. Chair-bottomer, Lisson-green, Paddington. 

Thomas Porter, do. 3 do. Works at the Canal, Paddington. 

Charlotte Allen, widow 7 do. Sells Earthenware, Kent-street, Borough. 

James Cole, wife 4 do. Lamplighter and Grinder, Kent-street, Borough. 

Edward Martin, do. 2 do. Sells Fruit in the Street, Kent-street, Borough. 

Samuel Martin, do. 6 do. Journeyman Saddler, White-street. 

John Sinfield, do. 0 do. Sells Fish in the Streets, White-street. 

John Taylor, do. 3 do. Ditto. Ditto. 

Men and Women, 25—44 Children. 

There has not been any information obtained concerning who winter inBull’s Court, Kingsland Road, or in Cooper’s Gardens. 

The older Gypsey children assist their parents in their trades; a few ofthe younger go to school during winter. Most of those who have children, are desirous of their receiving an education; though but few have themeans of procuring it. 

They complain of the scarcity of work; and in some instances appear to bedistressed for want of it; the more so, as their ideas of independenceprevent their applying to parishes for assistance. —It is much to theircredit, that so few instances occur of their begging in London. In theminutes of evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons, onmendicity, there is only one example of a Gypsey girl begging in thestreets. 

Some of the women go in a morning to principal houses in the squares, before the heads of the families have risen, and tell fortunes to theservants, from whom they obtain sixpence or a shilling each. 

A few of the Gypsies continue all the year in London, excepting theirattendance of fairs in the vicinity. Others, when work is scarce, go outtwenty or thirty miles round the metropolis, carrying their implementswith them on asses; and support themselves by the employment they obtainin the towns and villages through which they pass; and assist sometimesin hay-making, and plucking hops, in the counties of Kent, Surry, andSussex. 

Among those who have winter-quarters in London, there are a few that takecircuits of great extent. Some of them mentioned going through Hertsinto Suffolk, then crossing Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire toHerefordshire, Monmouthshire, Bristol, &c. Others spoke of being atYarmouth, Portsmouth, South Wales, Wiltshire, &c. 

There is reason to think, the greatest part of the Island is traversed indifferent directions, by hordes of Gypsies. 

For the purpose of comparing the language of English Gypsies with that ofthe Continental, exhibited in Section VIII, the following list of wordswas sent to James Corder, Broadstreet, Bloomsbury. He obtained from theGypsies in his neighbourhood, the translation affixed to them. 

 _English_. _Gypsey_. 

One Yake

Two Duèe

Three Trin

Four Stor

Five Pan

Ten Dyche

Head Charro

Eyes Yock

Nose Nack

Bread Mor

Bread & butter Kil-môr

Beer Limbar

Hair Bâlo. 

Cold day Shil-dewes

Hot day Tal-dewes

Ear Kau

Day Dewes

Night Raut

White Parnau

Sheep Bolko

Hog Borlo

Fish Marcho

House Kare

Gold Sonnekar

Silver Rupe

Dog Jukou

Horse Grarre

When it is known that Gypsies are unacquainted with letters, and thatJames Corder, who took from the mouths of those in the parish called St. Giles, the preceding Gypsey words, did not know of Grellmann’svocabulary, the coincidence appears very remarkable; but it is still moreso with the Turkish Gypsey specimen by Jacob Bryant, exhibited also inthe 8th Section. Robert Forster of Tottenham, who has been a coadjutorin this work, transmitted the following collection of words obtained fromGypsies in his neighbourhood. 

 _Gypsey_. _English_. 

Parnee Water

Jewcal Dog

Maurau Bread

Kil-maurau Bread & butter

Lavenar Beer

Shill-deues Cold day

Taldu Hot day

Moila Ass

Gur Horse

In the conversation a clergyman had with the Bosswell gang, as publishedin the Christian Guardian for 1812 and 1813, they told him _Chum_, wasthe sun; _Chuu_, the moon; _Kalmàro_, bread and butter; and _Livina_, drink. The first two of those words almost exactly accord withGrellmann’s vocabulary, and the latter as nearly with Robert Forster’sand James Corder’s collection from Gypsies in and about London. 

From the comparative views which have been taken of Gypsey expressions invarious countries, there is reason to conclude that wherever they havebeen scattered on the face of the earth, they have spoken and transmittedthe same language to their descendants. That it should have beenpreserved by them, when among people of other tongues, throughoutcenturies, for no purpose that we are acquainted with, but that ofconcealment, is indeed astonishing. 

SECTION XI. 

Sentiments of various persons on the moral condition of the Gypsies

 * * * * *

After the extensive survey which has now been taken of the customs andhabits of this people, in the various countries they inhabit, the readerwill be prepared for the conclusions of Grellmann, that Gypsies areindeed a singular phenomenon in Europe. And remarkable it is, that thecombined influence of time, climate, and example, have not effected anymaterial alteration in their state. For the space of three or fourhundred years, they have gone wandering about as pilgrims and strangers;they are found in eastern, as well as in western countries; as well amongthe rude, as the civilized; among indolent and active people; yet theyremain in all places, as to customs and habits, what their fathers were. 

It is asserted, there are two causes to which this coincidence is to beattributed; one is the country where they originate, with theirconsequent train of thinking; the other arises out of the circumstanceswhich have hitherto attended their situation. Their peculiar notions andcustoms, leave no doubt of their being of eastern origin. In orientalcountries, attachment to habit is so strong, that what has been oncecurrent among them, be it ever so pernicious or ridiculous, is perseveredin; any affection which has once predominated, retains its dominion forages. 

Mahomet knowing that the weak side of the Arabians was their venerationfor every thing handed down from their forefathers, gave his newprofession the colouring of antiquity, and affirmed it to be the religionof Abraham. The Jesuits in China, availed themselves of similar means, by referring to Confucius, in aid of their doctrines, and thus theyobtained admission for their religion among the Chinese. In the easternnations, no change is adopted merely because it is an improvement. TheChinese are acquainted with the use of glass, yet their mirrors arealways made of metal; and their windows of shells. —Mechanical watcheshave been for ages used in the court of Pekin, but the bulk of the nationdepend upon the action of fire and water; the former, by the gradualburning of a match composed of sweet smelling powder, the latter bywater, somewhat resembling our large hour-glasses. 

If we consider the circumstances under which the Gypsies have existed, weshall want nothing more to make us comprehend, why they have remained tothe present time, what they were at their first arrival in Europe. Separating themselves as much as possible from all association, but withthose of their own tribe, they avoid every means which might give a newturn to their ideas, or in the least degree contribute to eradicatedeep-rooted prejudice. —Unused to reflect, and fettered by habit, theyarrived in our quarter of the globe; and it does not appear that anymeasures have been enjoined for instructing or reforming them, exceptthose of the Empress Theresa, which were never put in execution. 

The most extreme punishments failing to effect a change in the habits ofGypsies, they were subjected in almost all countries to banishment. Theyhad been accustomed in their own country, to live remote from cities andtowns; now they became more invariably inhabitants of forests, andpenetrated deeper into deserts; as, in consequence of the search whichwas made after them, or, at least, threatened to be made, they judgedthemselves more secure in seclusion and concealment, than they would havebeen, in frequenting places of established abode, and having freeintercourse with the neighbouring, inhabitants. Thus they became, in agreater degree, outcasts from civilized society; and divested of themost, and perhaps the only, probable means, of inducing a change in theirmanner. 

Being always either persecuted, or left to themselves, no other could beexpected, than that they must ever remain in all places the same. Thecharacter of people being formed by the instruction they receive in theirearly years, can it be thought surprising, that Gypsies who are idlers, should be also abandoned and thievish? Is it to be expected that menshould become diligent, who have been educated in laziness? Who can havea general idea of fair dealing, that has never been taught thedistinction between good and evil, virtue and vice? Perhaps it isreserved for _our age_, in which so much has been attempted for thebenefit of mankind, to humanize a people, who, for centuries, havewandered in error and neglect; and it may be hoped, that while we areendeavouring to ameliorate the condition of our African brethren, thecivilization of Gypsies, who form so large a portion of humanity, willnot be overlooked. 

It cannot be denied, that considering the multitude of them, their reformmust be a subject of very serious consideration to many states. Theperiod in which banishments were generally pronounced on this people, were too unphilosophical for any preferable mode of punishment to besuggested; but it may be expected from a better informed age, that bettermaxims will be adopted. We send apostles to the east and west, to themost distant parts of the whole earth; and even into the very countrywhence the Gypsies emigrated, to instruct the people who know not God. Is it not inconsistent for men to be solicitous for the welfare of theirfellow-creatures in distant regions, and to throw off, and leave tochance, those who, equally wretched, have brought their errors home tous? If it be a good work to teach religion and virtue to such as areignorant of their Creator, why not begin with those nearest tous?—Especially as neglect in this particular, is attended with detrimentto the society of which we are members. 

The Gypsies have been long enough among civilized people to prove, thatthey will not be allured by the mere example of others, to freethemselves from the fetters of old customs and vices. To accomplish thatend, more effectual means are requisite. 

It would be vain to hope for any considerable progress in the improvementof those who are grown up. Their reformation would be a difficult task, as the attempts made by the Empress Theresa evinced:—you must begin withchildren, and not meddle with the old stock, on whom no efforts will haveeffect. 

Expelling the Gypsies entirely, was not merely a premature step, it was awasteful one. This is indisputable, so long as the state maxim holdsgood, that a numerous population is advantageous. 

Care being taken to enlighten their understandings, and amend theirhearts, they might become useful citizens; for observe them at whateveremployment you may, there always appear sparks of genius. It is wellknown, and no writer omits to remark, what artful devices they haverecourse to, in perpetrating any cheat or robbery: but this is not theonly particular in which they show capacity. The following extract isfrom a Hungarian author, who was an attentive observer of these people. 

 “The Gypsies have a fertile imagination in their way, and are quick and ready at expedients; so that in many serious, doubtful cases, they soon recollect how to act, in order to extricate themselves. We cannot indeed help wondering, when we attend to, and consider the skill they display in preparing and bringing their works to perfection; which is the more necessary from the scarcity of proper tools and apparatus. They are very acute and cunning in cheating, or thieving; and when called to account for any fraud or robbery, fruitful in invention, and persuasive in their arguments to defend themselves. ”

 _Grellmann_. 

 * * * * *

The recommendation of Grellmann, p. 197, to begin the work of reform withchildren, appears judicious; but the events of the present day justifythe expectation, that benevolent exertions would not prove fruitless, should they afterwards be extended even to the “_old stock_. ”

Before the Circular introduced is the 10th Section was distributed, theauthor did not know of the correspondence on the subject of Gypsies, which had appeared in the interesting pages of the Christian Observer. But he should now consider it an injustice to those benevolentindividuals, who had taken the lead in this work of Christian charity, not to give full consideration to the ideas they have suggested. 

In Vol. VII. P. 91 of that periodical publication, is the followingletter. 

 _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. 

 As the divine spirit of Christianity deems no object, however unworthy or insignificant, beneath her notice, I venture to apply to you on behalf of a race, the outcasts of society, of whose pitiable condition, among the many forms of human misery which have engaged your efforts, I do not recollect to have seen any notice in the pages of your excellent miscellany. I allude to the deplorable state of the Gypsies, on whose behalf I beg leave to solicit your good offices with the public. —Lying at our very doors, they seem to have a peculiar claim on our compassion. 

 In the midst of a highly refined state of society, they are but little removed from savage life. In this happy country, where the light of Christianity shines with its purest lustre, they are still strangers to its cheering influence. I have not heard even of any efforts which have been made, either by individuals or societies, for their improvement; and so thoroughly do they appear to despise the advantages of civilized life, that perhaps nothing less than that change of heart, which is the effect of the blessing of God on the means employed for their conversion, would prevent their continuing to be the pest of society. The great Shepherd of Israel despises not these unhappy wanderers from his fold; and I am persuaded, that neither you, nor those who read and prize your work, will be insensible to the force of His benign example. 

 May the Divine Spirit suggest means, by which this wretched race may be reclaimed from their vagrancy, and be made acquainted with that Saviour, whom to know is life eternal!

 Yours, &c. NIL. 

 * * * * *

 _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {201}

 It gave me pleasure to observe in one of the numbers of your miscellany, a letter on a subject that has frequently engaged my serious attention: I mean the state of the Gypsies. It is painful to reflect how many thousands of these unhappy creatures, have, since the light of Christianity has shone on this Island, gone into eternity ignorant of the way of salvation, and without one cheering thought of a Saviour. Surely, Sir, there is an awful responsibility attached to this neglect! If we look back into the history of the Christian church, from the earliest ages, we shall find that the introduction of the gospel amongst any people, has generally been effected by means of Missionaries; and so numerous are the Gypsies, and so desultory in their habits of life, that it might well occupy the time of more than one zealous individual, to go amongst them, and by plain, simple, affectionate conversation and exhortation, when practicable, instruct them in the knowledge of their Redeemer. 

 Nor in this favoured land, where there are so many who zealously embrace the doctrines of Christianity, would there, I trust, be wanting both one, or more persons, who would devote themselves to this truly apostolic work; and benevolent individuals who would open their hearts and their purses, for the support and encouragement of such an undertaking. This labour of love would doubtless prove less arduous, than the attempts which have been made to establish missions among the American Indians; the natives of the South-Seas; or the inhabitants of Southern Africa. 

 The dread of the magistracy in this country, would prove a protection from personal injury, while the painful relinquishment of friends and country would not be required. I will also beg leave to mention another suggestion: I have understood that, in different parts of the kingdom, the neighbouring clergy meet at stated times, for the purpose of conversing on the important duties of their pastoral office. At such times, would it not be well to take into consideration, the perishing condition of so large a part of the community, as that, which forms the subject of this letter? Some plan might probably be thus devised, which, through the blessing of the Lord, would prove effectual for the salvation of this out-cast, and hitherto neglected people. 

 I would also take the liberty of recommending the cause of these unhappy partners of our kind, to the humanity of our dissenting brethren; and most earnestly solicit Christians of all denominations, to unite in prayer to the God of all grace, that he would prosper every attempt which may be made, to communicate to them the knowledge of His will. I trust, Sir, I shall obtain your excuse for detaining you on this important subject; and as I know your pages are read and valued, by real Christians of various denominations, perhaps they may, through the Divine Providence, be the means of exciting effectual attention, to the spiritual wants of this deplorable set of beings; and the same benevolence which induced you to exert your talents and influence in behalf of the oppressed negroes, may be again successfully employed, in ameliorating the condition of a numerous class of our fellow-creatures, who are second only to them in wretchedness, and spiritual misery. 

 I am, &c. FRATERNICUS. 

 * * * * *

 _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {205}

 The insertion of the letter of “Fraternicus, ” on the moral and religious state of the Gypsies, in a late number of your work, (August, p. 496) implies, I presume, an approbation of its contents. It is a subject that cannot fail to interest the feelings of a real Christian. 

 The writer of this, has it in his power to contribute some pecuniary aid towards such a truly Christian undertaking, and would most gladly afford it. He commiserates, equally with Fraternicus, the wretched state of this people, and hopes to see the day when the nation which has, at length, done justice to the poor negroes, will be equally zealous to do their duty in this instance; and attempt to raise the Gypsies from their state of degradation. If any way can be devised through the medium of your work, to set about this labour of love, twenty pounds per annum shall be regularly contributed by the writer of this; and you are at liberty to make whatever use you can of this offer. If any good, which I pray God it may, should arise from the present communication, the name of the writer, who is a constant reader of the Christian Observer, shall be made known, when thought necessary by the conductor. 

 H. 

 * * * * *

 _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {206}

 I am much pleased with the interest which your two correspondents, Fraternicus, and H. Appear to take, in the spiritual and eternal condition of that ignorant and degraded class of human beings, the Gypsies. 

 I wish much to see appropriate and active measures adopted, immediately to put into execution the benevolent suggestions of your worthy and sensible correspondents. I cannot do a great deal in a pecuniary point of view, but in counsel and influence I could do more. 

 I feel no hesitation in inviting your correspondents to a meeting on the subject, with a view to the formation of some plan, and the consequent commencement of active exertions. One of the first objects to be aimed at, is the introduction of cleanliness and decorum. —Another object to be attended to, is, the teaching of them, especially the young, to read; and then the supplying of them with testaments and religious tracts. 

 There are many of the latter which would be both entertaining and useful to them; but the most direct means to do them good is, by frequent intercourse with them, and plain and familiar conversation, prudently conducted. And if any thing be done, it must be undertaken in a patient and persevering spirit. 

 The soil which it is proposed to cultivate, is remarkably barren and unpropitious; of course a plentiful harvest must not be soon expected. The persons to be employed in this work of faith and labour of love, must not only be men of prudence and discretion, but men of information, and possessing clear and cool heads, and warm hearts. 

 I have no doubt, but that in these times of active benevolence and zeal, when a good plan is laid, and funds provided, instruments will be found, who with love in their hearts, will go seek those wandering sheep in the wilderness, for whom no man hath yet cared. 

 Many good hints, Mr. Editor, are often fruitless for want of immediate attention; and many a good work long talked of is not only suspended, but never begun, for want of some one to put forth the hand and begin. I for one, say to your two correspondents, “let us arise and build; let us begin; there is no fear of progress and help. ”

 I remain, &c. MINIMUS. 

 * * * * *

 _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {208}

 _June_ 13, 1809. 

 I was afraid the Gypsies had been quite forgotten; and therefore it gives me real pleasure to see, by your last number, for May 1809, that another correspondent has taken up their cause. If the subject was once fairly before the public, I am persuaded it would interest the feelings of many amongst us; and should good arise from it, which with God’s help and blessing, could not fail to be the case, we might confidently look forward to a daily increasing fund for its support. Surely when our charity is flowing in so wide a channel, conveying the blessings of the gospel to the most distant quarters of the globe, we shall not hesitate to water this one barren and neglected field, in our own land. 

 My attention was first drawn to the state of this miserable class of human beings, by the letter of “Fraternicus;” and looking upon it as a reproach to our country, that amidst the great light which prevails, so many of its children should be walking in darkness and the shadow of death, I was anxious to contribute something out of my abundance, towards their spiritual welfare. I perfectly agree with your correspondent, that no time should be lost in devising some plan, which may give consistency and effect to this work of faith, and labour of love. In this short and uncertain life, no opportunities of usefulness should be neglected. It is a call which may never again be repeated. I am ready and desirous, to give Minimus the proposed meeting; and the time and place might be appointed through the medium of the Christian Observer. 

 I must however premise, that the writer of this is a very humble individual in all respects, both in abilities, and in influence. My habits are very retired, and at present, my time is occupied in attending to the ministerial duties of a populous village. I shall most gladly adhere to my first proposal, and might be induced to do more, if need required. 

 In the meantime, it is my earnest prayer to God, that this may not be one of those projects, which are only talked of, and never begun; but that it may tend to the glory of his name, and to the bringing back of those poor lost sheep to the fold of their Redeemer. Amen. 

 Yours, H. 

 * * * * *

 _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {211}

 As I am not in the constant habit of seeing your publication, it is only lately, in meeting with your number for February last, at the house of a friend, that I was aware that the spiritual state of the Gypsies, had excited interest in the breasts of some of your readers. 

 They are a race who have long excited interest in mine; so much, that in the year 1801, I had written a letter upon the subject to the society for bettering the condition, and increasing the comforts of the poor; but I thought on further reflection, that any attempts to civilize a race of beings so degraded, and held in so much contempt, would be considered so very visionary, that I gave up the idea and did not send it. A greater lapse of time, farther observation, and the suggestions of your correspondents, induce me to trouble you with the few following remarks; recollecting that in literary attempts and works of beneficence, it is the same as in pecuniary subscriptions; that great effects are not always produced from the stores of an opulent individual, but from the willing contributions of the many. 

 It does not appear to me, that a few, or even many Missionaries, according to the suggestion of Fraternicus, Vol. Vii. P. 496, would answer the purpose of imparting religious knowledge to the Gypsies; since on account of their wandering mode of life, and from their not travelling in any numbers together, it would be difficult to form congregations. What the number of Gypsies, and of those who lead vagrant lives, like them, may be in this kingdom, I cannot even form a conjecture; and Mr. Colquhoun, I think does not mention them in his treatise on the Police of the Metropolis. Neither am I acquainted with their numbers and modes of life at Norwood, {212} which I understand is the chief residence of them; what I have to say, therefore, is only from observations made upon those who frequent this neighbourhood, and from others seen occasionally when I have been travelling. 

 The suggestions of Minimus, Vol. Viii. P. 286, appear to me to be the most practicable: and I hope that there are many Gypsies who would be inclined to profit by any judicious and kind exertions made on their behalf. There are already several families of them within my knowledge, who reside in houses during the winter, and travel about only in the summer. Their means of subsistence are tinkering, and fiddling at feasts and fairs; by which some, I believe, make a good deal of money, which helps them out in the winter, when there is less work and less dancing. 

 A young man with a large family, whom I have long observed near this place, in my walks, about six years ago, when many inclosures took place in this neighbourhood, and he found it less convenient to be out in the fields, or rather that the farmers were less willing to let him encamp upon their grounds, took a small house, with a garden annexed to it, in the suburbs of this town, and has since lived here constantly in the winter, but travels in the summer. He is now about 38 years of age. He married when 20, and has 8 children, all of whom have been baptized in the several parishes where they were born. He is a very civil man, and is much respected where he is known; having a good character for honesty. 

 He attends church constantly on a Sunday; and though he has not any regular notion of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, he has some very good general ideas of religion and morality. He is no swearer; and he would consider it wicked in his wife to attempt _to tell fortunes_. 

 He is frequently employed to fiddle, at the houses of respectable farmers and trades-people at Christmas. His other occupation is tinkering; and he is ingenious at mending fiddles, and making cases, &c. 

 Neither he, nor his wife, can read; and none of his children have been hitherto sent to school. His third boy, who is about 9 years old, he has, at my suggestion, promised to send to the new school which has been established here on Dr. Bell’s and Mr. Lancaster’s plan: he accepted the offer with great thankfulness. The boy is to come into the school at Michaelmas, when the family return from their summer’s travelling. The father would be very glad to have all his children brought up to any other mode of life; and even to embrace some other himself; but he finds a difficulty in it. 

 He himself, from not having been brought up to work in husbandry, could not go through the labour of it; and few, if any persons, would be willing to employ his children, on account of the bad character which his race bears; and from the censure and ridicule which might attach to taking them, where they might be willing to do it from motives of benevolence. 

 There is another family of Gypsies resident in this place in the winter, the father of which was formerly a musician in the guards. He has a boy now in the school. 

 These circumstances lead me to think, that were encouragement given to them, the Gypsies would be inclined to live in towns and villages like other people; and would in another generation or two become civilized, and with the pains which are now taken to educate the poor, and to diffuse the Scriptures and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, would become a part of the regular fold: while in the mean time, from personal intercourse with their pastors, and from attending public worship, the spiritual condition of the present generation would be materially improved. It would, however, require much patient continuance in well doing, in those who attempted it; and they must be prepared, perhaps, to meet with some untowardness, and much disappointment; but in due season we could not fail to reap, if we fainted not. 

 All Gypsies must have some parish to which they belong; and if these parishes were to provide habitations for them, and to hold out encouragement to them to come and settle, and were to bear for the present with any ways which might be different from those of the regular inhabitants, affording them work as tinkers, &c. And providing education and work for their children; and for the present, even bearing with their travelling in the summer; this now almost unprofitable race of beings might be reclaimed to society. Many of them are accustomed, in the seasons, to undertake hay and harvest work. These, I think, with proper encouragement, might be induced to get their living by husbandry work throughout the year. 

 Should these suggestions lead to any farther discussion upon the subject, or to adopting any measures to promote the desired object; it would give me sincere pleasure to lend my assistance, either pecuniary or personal. 

 I am, Sir, &c. J. P. 

 _Cambridge_, _April_ 28, 1810. 

 P. S. I recollect having heard that the benevolent Jonas Hanway took a Gypsey for his servant, but I know not on what authority this was said. 

 * * * * *

 _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {217}

 The candid acknowledgment of your benevolent correspondent, in the Christian Observer for February last, that his attention had been first drawn to the state of the Gypsies by the letter of Fraternicus, was matter of unfeigned satisfaction to me; and as it is probable there may be no want of inclination in the Christian world, to extend relief effectually to them, permit me to solicit a place in your pages, for a thought which has occurred to me in my meditations on the subjects. 

 It appears from a letter in your number for May, that they are not totally destitute of a desire for the benefit of instruction. Information might easily be obtained, as to what part of England they are to be found in the greatest numbers; and if a free school could be instituted, and the means of instruction provided for those of their children who were willing to attend, at least in the winter season; might it not be a means of conveying useful knowledge to them?

 By degrees, they might be brought to attend divine worship regularly; and if in the parish of a pious clergyman, he would probably embrace the opportunity of teaching them, more particularly, the way of salvation. Much, however, might be done by a pious schoolmaster, and a schoolmistress, by whom the girls might be instructed in different kinds of work, knitting, sewing, &c. ; and if any of the parents should evince a desire for instruction, they could be admitted at different hours in the day. It would be an interesting inquiry, what becomes of orphans among them, and whether there is not a possibility of at least rescuing them from their present state of ignorance and misery. 

 Should these suggestions be deemed worthy of your insertion, they might, perhaps awaken the attention of some benevolent persons, whose superior talents and experience in the ways of beneficence, would enable them to perfect and carry into execution, a plan for the effectual benefit of those unhappy partners of our kind. That He may grant it, from whom every good thought proceeds, is the fervent prayer of

 FRATERNICUS. 

SECTION XII. 

Review of the Subject, and Suggestions for ameliorating the condition ofthe Gypsies in the British Empire. 

 * * * * *

Since the commencement of the present year, 1816, a friend {221} of theauthor has informed him, that about three weeks before, he was in companywith an English and a Persian gentleman, who had lately come from Persia, through Russia; the latter well understood the languages of bothcountries, and spoke them fluently. He had travelled with the PersianAmbassador; and said that he had met with many hordes of Gypsies inPersia; had many times conversed with them; and was surprised to findtheir language was the true Hindostanie. He did not then know ofGrellmann’s work. He further stated, that the Gypsies in Russia were, inlanguage and manners, the same, and exactly corresponded with the Gypsiesof this country. Their name in Persia signified _Black Eyes_. 

From whatever part of the world we derive intelligence of this people, ittends to corroborate the opinion, that they have all had one peculiarorigin. How little has it occupied the contemplation of Britons, thatthere existed among them, subjects of such great curiosity as the poorand despised Gypsies!

The statute of Henry VIII. Imposing a fine of forty pounds upon theimportation of a Gypsey, induces the belief they were much in request inEngland at that period. The attention which their low performancesattracted in those times, will not perhaps excite surprise, when we seethe encouragement given in our day, to their idly disposed countrymen, termed, _Indian Jugglers_. It is remarkable, that the earliest accountof Gypsies in Great Britain, is in a work published to expose and detectthe “Art of Juggling, ” &c. 

The first of this people who came into Europe, must have been persons ofdiscernment and discrimination, to have adapted their deceptions soexactly to the genius and habits of the different people they visited, asto ensure success in all countries. 

The stratagem to which they had recourse on entering France, evincesconsummate artifice of plan, and not a little adroitness and dexterity inthe execution. The specious appearance of submission to papal authority, in the penance of wandering seven years without lying in a bed, combinedthree distinct objects. They could not have devised an expedient morelikely to recommend them to the favor of Ecclesiastics; or betterconcerted for taking advantage of the superstitious credulity of thepeople, and, at the same time, for securing to themselves thegratification of their own nomadic propensities. So complete was thedeception they practised, that we find they wandered up and down inFrance, under the eye of magistracy, not for seven only, but for morethan a hundred years, without molestation. 

In 1561, the edict of the States of Orleans directed their expulsion byfire and sword; yet in 1612, they had increased to such a degree, thatthere was another order for their total extermination. Notwithstandingthis severity, in 1671 they were again spread over the kingdom, asappears in the letters of the Marchioness de Sévigné to her friends, andthe Countess Grignan, in nine volumes, translated from the last Parisedition: “Bohemians travel up and down the Provinces of France, and gettheir living by dancing, showing postures, and telling fortunes; butchiefly by pilfering, &c. ”

It is remarkable, that in all countries, they professed to be Egyptians;but the representation is not only refuted by Bellonius, but by laterwriters, who assert, that the “few who are to be found in _Egypt_, wanderabout as strangers _there_, and form a distinct people. ”

As historians admit that the greatest numbers of them are to be found inTurkey, and south of Constantinople, there is reason to apprehend theyhad a passage through that country. If many of them did not visit Egyptpreviously to their arrival in Europe, they probably wished to availthemselves of the reputation the Egyptians had acquired in occultsciences, that they might practise with greater success, the arts towhich they had been previously accustomed, and the practice of which iscommon in various parts of Asia. In other respects the habits of Egyptwere very dissimilar to theirs. 

We find by the reports on the first question put by the Circular, mentioned in Section IX. That “all Gypsies in this country suppose thefirst of them came from Egypt;” and this idea is confirmed by manycircumstances that have been brought into view in the course of thiswork. In addition it may be observed, that before the discovery of thepassage to India, by the Cape of Good Hope, all the productions of theeast, that were distributed in Europe, came to Egyptian ports. Hence wehave many concurring testimonies, which render it highly probable, if notevidently clear, that the first Gypsey tribes who came into England, andother parts of Europe, migrated from hordes of that people who hadpreviously found their way into Egypt. 

The evidence appears equally strong, that they were not natives of Egypt;but as the Egyptians were in great repute for the practice of the occultsciences, common to them and to the Suder caste; we cannot be surprizedto find these crafty itinerants, should avail themselves of such anopportunity, as coming out of that country, to profess themselvesEgyptians. 

Continental writers exhibit a strange assemblage of crude, andincongruous ideas on the subject of Gypsey extraction. So numerous arethe opinions diffusely stated, that Grellmann must have exercised muchpatient investigation, to deduce from them the rational and satisfactoryconclusions which his Dissertation presents. 

Our countryman Swinborne, in describing the Gypsies in Calabria, is thefirst to remark that their peculiar language bears great affinity to theoriental tongues; and that many of their customs resemble those of theheathens. But European ignorance of the habits and speech of Asiaticsmay be accounted for, whilst the rich productions of India continued tobe brought to Egyptian ports, and to be conveyed thence by the Lombardmerchants, to be distributed over Europe

The _Cingari_, _Zigeuners_, or _Gypsies_, had been in Germany nearly acentury, before the Portuguese discovered the passage to India by theCape of Good Hope. The stimulus which this discovery gave toimprovements in the art of navigation, soon opened immediate intercoursewith the eastern world. Vast are the establishments, which have beensubsequently effected, in that quarter of the globe by naval powers, andextraordinary have been, of late years, the exertions for the acquisitionof oriental languages; yet so numerous are they in those widely extendedregions, that European knowledge of Asiatic etymology, is yet but in astate of infancy. 

The case of the Gypsies is singular; for it may fairly be questioned, whether it has a parallel in the history of the world. Dispersed overthe face of the earth, without any organization of their differenthordes; and all concert between them entirely precluded by separations ofhundreds of miles from each other, in different parts of the globe, andby their incapacity for literary communication; they have, however, whilst speaking the languages of the respective countries they inhabit, preserved in _all places one_ peculiar to themselves, and havetransmitted it through a lapse of centuries to their descendants, almostunimpaired. 

Increased acquaintance with oriental customs and tongues, has, at length, discovered the near coincidence they have with the language of theGypsies, and has developed an origin of this people, of which those ofthe present age were, till now, entirely ignorant. It will appearextraordinary, that these people should have been able, by oral meansalone, and under all disadvantages, to retain their language, and yet notto have handed down with it, any tradition that might lead to a discoveryof who they were, or whence they came. But the knowledge recentlyacquired, of their very abject condition in the country from which theyemigrated, offers a reason why the first comers might be anxious toconceal their pedigree, the meanness of which would have but ill accordedwith the titles of rank assumed by some of their leaders. 

The regulations proposed by the Empress Theresa, and the Emperor JosephII. Could they have been carried into effect, would doubtless haveimproved the state of the Gypsies. But an order for children to be tornaway from their parents, was so far from being dictated by the study ofhuman nature, that it did violence to the tenderest sensibilities, andset at nought the kindest emotions. Its tendency was to produce in theminds of Gypsies, disaffection to the state, and to indispose others fromaiding in the execution of the edict. The advantages to be derived byGovernments from a liberal toleration, being not then so well understoodas in succeeding times, they were not duly regarded. 

Those potentates considering Zigeuners of Egyptian origin, mightreasonably conceive agriculture well adapted to their genius andinclination; but it was a pursuit, which, more than any other, theydisapproved. 

All other Governments appear to have been misled, in like manner, by thedeception which the first Gypsies practised; for had they been apprizedof this people’s descent, and of the almost unalterable pertinacity of anIndian caste, they would have been sensible that an attempt to changetheir habits by force, was a measure the least likely to be attended withsuccess. 

The Circular introduced in the ninth Section of this work, noticesGypsies being hunted like beasts of prey, from township to township inEngland; and it has been ascertained, that in some places they arerouted, as it is termed, by order of magistrates, whenever they appear, and sent to prison on the vagrant act, without so much as a charge ofdepredation upon property. “This is to make their persons, an object ofpersecution, instead of the protection of our laws. ”

For the credit of our country it may be hoped, that instances of thissort, respecting Gypsies, are not very numerous; seeing all writersconcur in stating, every attempt by coercive means to alter the peculiarhabits of this people, have had a tendency to alienate them still morefrom civil associations, and directly to defeat the end proposed. It istime therefore that a better and a more enlightened policy should beadopted in Europe, towards a race of human beings, under so manyhereditary disadvantages as are the helpless, the rude, the uninstructedGypsies. 

In the decision on the vagrant case, in Crabbe’s “Hall of Justice, ”{231a} and in the treatment of Gypsies on Knoland-Green, {231b} a temperis displayed so truly Christian, and so different from what is justalluded to, that in consulting the best feelings of human nature, it addsdignity to magistracy. 

Sir Frederick Morton Eden, in his first volume on the State of the Poor, p. 306, refers to an Act passed in 1741, respecting that class of thepoor, who are considered by the Legislature as the outcasts of society, namely rogues, vagabonds, &c. ; and he remarks: “From perusing thecatalogue of actions which denominate a man, a disorderly person, avagabond, or incorrigible rogue, the reader may perhaps incline to thinkthat many of the offences specified in this Act, and in subsequentstatutes, on the same subject, are of a very dubious nature, and that itmust require nice legal acumen, to distinguish whether a person incursany, and what, penalty, under the vagrant laws. ”

In support of this opinion, and of the indefinite and unjustifiablelatitude of those statutes, a late decision at Maidstone, in the actionof Robins, v. Boyce, affords a striking demonstration. 

If the statutes do not admit of any construction in favor of Gypsies, butenjoin rigorous treatment of them, merely for wandering, it may become aquestion whether the peculiar circumstances of their case, might notconstitute an exception to the general rule. 

However wholesome and salutary vagrant Acts may be, to deter persons fromquitting their parishes in order to levy contributions, by practisingimpositions in places where they are not known, it is obvious thatGypsies, having no parochial settlements, cannot come under thatdescription. Excepting a temporary residence of some of them in winter, their home is a whole county, and the majority of them are tooindependent to apply to any parish for assistance. 

Here is a trait in their character, which, were it grafted on the stockof half the paupers in the kingdom, would be a national advantage. 

It ought to procure some indulgence for the Gypsies, that their wanderingmode of life does not originate in any contumacious opposition tojudicial order; but in a scrupulous regard to the Institutions of theirancestors. For the advantages we possess, shall we return injury to ourfellow-men! If after being fully introduced into a situation to tastethe comforts of social order, and to acquire a knowledge of mechanicalprofessions, which would render them useful and respectable, any of them, despising these privileges, should indulge wandering dispositions, theymight then deserve all the punishment which under the vagrant Acts, canbe indicted. 

It is worthy of remark, that in the evidence respecting mendicity inLondon, adduced last year before the Committee of the House of Commons, there is only a single instance in the parish called St. Giles, thatnoted rendezvous of Gypsies, of one of their tribe, a girl, begging inthe streets. 

Is it not high time the people of England were undeceived, respecting themotives to Gypsey perseverance in their singular line of conduct. Theirinvincible attachment to the traditions they have received, is almostproof, in itself, of Grellmann’s assertion, that they are the descendantsof an Indian caste; in whose estimation inviolable adherence to thecustoms of their order, constitutes the highest perfection of character. 

When any remark is made to them on their strange mode of conduct, theyare ready to reply: “The inhabitants of cieled houses follow the customsof their predecessors; What more do we? Are they creatures of habit? Soare we. ”

After this account, is it surprising that the violent means pursuedagainst them in all countries, have been ineffectual to abolish theirpeculiarities?

Their humane and intelligent biographer, Grellmann, styles them a“singular phenomenon in Europe;” and it may justly be observed of such ofthem as inhabit countries accounted the most enlightened, that thecontrast which their destitute state presents to the numerous advantagesof civilized life, and to the refinements of polished society, is trulyastonishing. If there possibly can be a single Briton who is a skepticto the benefits of education, let him only take a view of theintellectual degradation and disgusting condition of the Gypsies. But ifBritons have made greater advancement in civilization than some othernations, the Gypsies here are left at a greater distance, and furnish themore occasion for their condition being improved. 

It does not appear that the Pariars, or Suders, from whom it is believedthese swarthy itinerants of our age are descended, were farther advancedin the knowledge of moral obligations, than were the Spartan people; who, however celebrated for some of their Institutions, accounted thesuccessful perpetration of thefts to be honourable. 

The Gypsies at Kirk Yetholm, as stated by Baillie Smith, in this part oftheir conduct, are an exact counterpart of the Spartans. To a people ofGreece, the foremost of their time in legislative arrangements, who hadcultivated so little sense of the turpitude of injustice, surely a muchmore criminal neglect may be imputed, than to the ignorant, untutoredrace we have been surveying!

Malcolm, in his Anecdotes of the manners and customs of London, p. 350, says of the English Gypsies: “Despised, and neglected, they naturallybecame plunderers and thieves to obtain a subsistence. ” But when heafterward states, that “They increased rapidly, and at length were foundin all parts of the country, ” we may be disposed to think that Britishfastidiousness was not less ingenious than that of the Spaniards, whoconsidered themselves _contaminated_ by a touch of the Gypsies, unless itwere to have their fortunes told. Venality and deception meeting with somuch encouragement, those propensities of the human heart would begenerated and fostered, which at length produced flagrant impositions, and the greatest enormities. 

The dominion of superstition was at its zenith, in what are termed themiddle ages: so absolute and uncontrolled was its influence, that becauseof reputed skill in exorcism and witchcraft, the deluded Germans reposedimplicit confidence in persons so ignorant as the Gypsies. 

What an impeachment of British sagacity, is the following observation ofSir Frederick Morton Eden, in his first volume on the State of the Poor, p. 146: “It is mortifying to reflect, that whilst so many wise measureswere adopted by the great Council of the Nation, neither a Coke, nor aBacon, should oppose the law suggested by royal superstition, for makingit felony to _consult_, _covenant with_, _entertain_, _employ_, _feed_, _or reward_, _any evil_, _or wicked spirit_, 2d James, 12th. —It is stillmore mortifying to reflect, that the enlightened Sir M. Hale left a manfor execution, who was convicted on this Act, at Bury, March 10th, 1664;and that even in the present (the 18th) century, a British Jury should bepersuaded that the crime of witchcraft could exist. ”

If the annual filling of prisons in England may be attributed, in anydegree, to the neglect of educating the lower orders of the people, itwill appear extraordinary, that instances of Gypsies being convicted ofcapital crimes, are not more frequent, rather than that they sometimesoccur. 

The Committee of the British and Foreign School Society, in their Reportfor 1815, express their conviction of the advantages of education, incorrecting evils, which at once disgrace society, and deprive it of many, who might be its most useful and active members; and then, they exclaim:“Surely we may hope the day is not far distant, when Statesmen andLegislators of all countries, will open their eyes to the awfullyimportant truth; and beholding in a sound and moral education, the grandsecret of national strength, will co-operate for the _prevention_, ratherthan the _punishment_ of crimes!”

It was not until near the conclusion of the last year, and after theauthor had inspected some of the Gypsey families who winter in London, that he was apprized of the correspondence in the Christian Observer, which forms part of the preceding Section. The position with which itcommences, is worthy of all acceptation, as applied to beings formed forimmortality: “The Divine Spirit of Christianity deems no object, howeverunworthy and insignificant, beneath her notice. Gypsies lying at ourdoors, seem to have a peculiar claim on our compassion. In the midst ofa highly refined state of society, they are but little removed fromsavage life. ”

The letters extracted from the Christian Observer, are distinguished by aChristian zeal and liberality, which must be cheering to every one, whohas felt an interest in improving the condition of these greatlyneglected partners of his kind. On their behalf, appeals to the publichave been subsequently made, as we have seen in Section IX, through themedium of the Northampton Mercury of 1814, by two correspondents; oneunder the designation of “A Friend to Religion;” the other, that of“Junius. ”

Communications from a county which has long been a noted rendezvous ofGypsies, may be considered the result of observations actually made ontheir state. The first of these appeals is introduced in the followingmanner: “Various are the religious and moral Institutions in thiscountry; humanity and benevolence have risen to an unprecedented height. Not only for our country, are the exertions of the good and greatemployed, but at this time the greatest efforts are making on behalf ofthe distressed Germans. The hand of charity is open not only to thealleviation of _present_ misery, but such an Institution as the BibleSociety, is calculated to excite thousands to seek for _future_happiness. Yet amidst all, one set of people seems to be entirelyexcluded from participating in any of those blessings; I mean Gypsies, who are accounted rogues and vagabonds. When we consider that they, equally with ourselves, are bought with a price, much remains to be donefor them. These people, however wretched and depraved, certainly demandattention; their being overlooked with indifference, is really much to beregretted. 

“Instead of being subjects of commiseration, they are advertised asrogues and vagabonds; and a reward offered for their apprehension. Butno asylum is offered them, nothing is held out to encourage a reformationin any that might be disposed to abandon their accustomed vices. ” Thesame writer, in a subsequent letter, dated September 8, respecting thesehouseless wanderers, remarks: “I was representing the deplorable statethey are in, to a person of my acquaintance; and his reply was: They werea set of worthless and undeserving wretches; and he believed they wouldrather live as they do, than otherwise; with many other such likeinconsiderate ideas; resulting, I believe, from a prejudiced mind, andfrom not properly considering their situation; and I fear thesesentiments are too prevalent. ”

It will readily be admitted, that they are generally prevalent: and howshould it be otherwise, so long as the great mass of the population ofEngland continues to be uninformed of the motives inducing the strangeconduct of Gypsies, who consider themselves under the strongest of allobligations, strictly to observe the Institution of their ancestors. HadBritons been apprized of the origin of this people, and the peculiarcircumstances of their case, the national character would not have beenstained, by the abuse and mal-treatment which Gypsies have received. 

It is very satisfactory to find by the before recited correspondence, aninhabitant of the county in which the Gypsies are so numerous, advocatingtheir cause, by a public exposure of the mistaken ideas which have solong prevailed respecting them. 

From the length of time they have continued to reside in Britain, theyhave ceased to become subjects of much curiosity or conversation. And asthey endeavour to avoid populous districts, persons in large towns, whoare occupied in trade, seem little aware that in the county they inhabit, there may be hordes of these wanderers, traversing the thinly inhabitedparts of it, in various directions, as was the case in Yorkshire duringthe last summer. (1815. )

When the amelioration of the condition of this people is mentioned topersons of the above description, so little informed are they on thesubject, that it is many times treated as if the existence of Gypsies wasquestioned; at others, as if affording any help to them, was visionary, and even ludicrous. 

Some places formerly frequented by Gypsey gangs, having been muchdeserted by them of late years, does not authorize any calculation upon adecrease of their numbers in the nation. 

In the vicinity of the metropolis, Gypsies have been excluded byinclosures from various situations to which they had been accustomed toresort. But there is some reason to apprehend they have become morenumerous, in several other parts of the Island. Baillie Smith of Kelso, is of opinion, they increase in Scotland, and it is by no means certainthat they do not in England. 

Any idea that routing them will lessen their numbers, may be asfallacious, and injudicious, as were banishments from the German States, which, without diminishing Gypsey population, had the injurious effect ofalienating them still more from civil associations. 

Junius, the other correspondent of the Northampton Mercury, in hisAddress of October 29, writes: “I trust the time is not distant, whenmuch will be accomplished, as it respects the civilization of the peoplewhose cause we plead. In the meantime, I would humbly hope all thoseharsh and degrading measures, of publicly in the papers, and uponplacards by the sides of roads, ordering their apprehension andcommitment to prison, will be suspended, until some asylum is offered;and should nothing be attempted by the Legislature, for reclaiming themfrom their present mode of life, surely much may be done by the exertionsof individuals!”

Many of the observations in the Christian Observer, and in theNorthampton Mercury, are striking and pertinent, as they relate to thepresent state of the Gypsies in England; and the philanthropy theyinculcate is honourable to the national character. Had these benevolentindividuals been acquainted with the history of the people, whose causethey plead, they would, doubtless, have suggested plans adapted to theirpeculiar case. For want of this knowledge, it is not surprising thatoccupations in husbandry should take the lead in propositions foremploying them. The last mentioned writer, from a desire to renderessential service to this people, suggests, that the Legislature shouldfix upon five or six stations in different parts of the kingdom, on whichvillages should be erected, in order that they might be employed infarming. 

It will have been obvious in the survey which has been taken, and it hasbeen already remarked, that of all occupations, agriculture is the leastadapted to their genius and inclination. 

It has appeared in Section IX, that Riley Smith, a chief of theNorthamptonshire Gypsies, after marrying the cook out of a gentleman’sfamily, and obtaining a farm, quitted it, to resume musical performances. 

Conformity to agricultural employments, could not be effected in Gypsies, by the most rigorous measures to which the Empress Theresa, and theEmperor Joseph II. Resorted. —Much less could it be expected that persons, who, all their lives, have accustomed themselves to be in the open air, or others who have lived three parts of the year in this manner, shouldbe induced, in open weather, to brook the restraint of houses. 

Those who have houses at Kirk Yetholm, quit them in spring: men, women, and children, set out on their peregrinations over the country, and livein a state of vagrancy, until driven back to their habitations by theapproach of winter; and it appears, in all countries to which the Gypsieshave had access, that a similar course is pursued by them. 

In a dialogue between a Curate and some Gypsies, as published in theChristian Guardian, of March, 1812, is the following question and answer:

_Curate_. “Could you not by degrees bring yourselves to a more settledmode of life?

_Gypsey_. I would not tell you a story, Sir; I really think I could not, having been brought up to it from a child. ”

Upon this conversation, the Curate makes the following remark: “In orderto do good among the Gypsies, we must conciliate their esteem, and gaintheir confidence. ”

The plain and simple reply to the Curate, will put out of question theerection of villages, or the making of establishments for adults amongthem. In mechanical operations, to which the Gypsies are most inclined, British artisans might be as averse to unite with them, as they were withthe Jews. The Spaniards, it has appeared, are unwilling to be associatedwith Gypsies in any kind of occupation. Moreover, the competition ofmanufacturers in England, during the last fifty years, has effected byartificial means, so much saving of manual labour, and so muchimprovement in the division of it, that the rude operations of Gypsies, would be a subject of ridicule and contempt. 

J. P. , in a letter from Cambridge to the Christian Observer, veryfeelingly states the case of a Gypsey family, the father of which, beinga travelling tinker and fiddler, intimated, he would be glad to have allhis children brought up to some other mode of life, and even to embracesome other himself; but he finds a difficulty in it. Not having beenbrought up in husbandry, he could not go through the labour of it; andfew, if any persons, would be willing to employ {248} his children, onaccount of the bad character which his race bears, and from the censureand ridicule which would attach to the taking of them. ”

There appears so little probability of any useful change being effectedin the nomadic habits of adult Gypsies, that it seems better to bear withthat propensity for some time longer, than by directly counteracting it, so disturb the minds of parents, as to indispose them to consent to theeducation of their children. There are thousands of other people in thenation, who, more than half their time, live out of doors in like manner. Were they all obliged to take out licences, this measure might operate insome degree as a check upon them; at least it would be a tacitacknowledgment of a controlling power, and might admit of some regulationof their conduct. At present, numbers of them resemble a lawlessbanditti, and may not inaptly be termed, _Imperium in imperio_. 

It appears by J. P. ’s letter from Cambridge, that six years ago, he hadengaged a Gypsey boy to be sent to a school on the Belleian andLancasterian plan. At that time, the system had been but littleappropriated in the country to the instruction of girls; and theapplication of it to boys only, would have been doing the work by halves. But the time seems now to have arrived, when the minds of Gypsies havegenerally received an impression in favor of the education, both of theirsons and daughters, as has been manifest in various parts of this Survey;and that some of those who lodge in London, have been themselves at theexpense of sending their children to school. But if all of them could bethus taught, three months in a year, would not their running wild theother nine, under the influence of dissolute and unrestrained example, belikely to defeat every purpose of instruction. 

Were they to be educated during the whole of the year, it is obvious thatsome establishment would be necessary for their maintenance and clothing. The author of this Survey is not aware of any Institutions so muchadapted to their case, as the charity schools for boys and girls, whichare common to every part of the kingdom. It is not probable that Gypseypopulation would furnish more than two boys, and two girls, for each ofthese schools. Their being placed among a much greater number ofchildren, and those of settled, and in some degree of civilized habits, would greatly facilitate the training of Gypsies to salutary disciplineand subordination; and the associations it provided for them out ofschool hours, being under the superintendence of a regular family, would, in an especial manner, be favorable to their domestication. 

Charity schools, by admitting children so early as at six years of age, and continuing them to fourteen, seem particularly suited to the case ofGypsies, in supplying all that is requisite until the boys are at an ageto go out apprentices, and the girls to service in families. 

Gypsies being the children of a whole county, if not of the nation atlarge, perhaps the expense of their maintenance might, withoutinconsistency, be defrayed out of county rates, which would prevent itsbeing burdensome to any particular district. By a process so simple andeasy, expensive establishments on the account of Gypsies, might beentirely avoided. And many parents among them, express a willingness topart with their children, for education, provided they were cared for inother respects. 

After several centuries, a degree of solicitude being at length apparentin the Gypsies, for the improvement of their children, the time hasarrived when some effectual benefit may be communicated to them. 

The distribution proposed, would admit of these itinerants seeing theirchildren once in the year. But to extirpate Gypsey habits, educationalone would not be sufficient. Yet as there is no reason to think thispeople are less susceptible than others, of gainful considerations, afund might be provided, out of which, twenty pounds should be paid witheach boy, on his apprenticeship to some handicraft business, in lieu offinding him with clothes during the term. And in consideration of itsbeing faithfully served, five pounds might be allowed to find the youngman with tools for his trade, or otherwise setting him forward in theworld. This would excite an interest in civil associations and order, which are necessary for the successful prosecution of trade; andprobably, an encouragement like this, would have a greater effect ingiving a new direction to Gypsey pursuits, than any coercive orrestrictive measures which could be devised. And who would not wish tocontribute to the means of rescuing from ignorance and vice, such aportion of the population of their country! Who would not be desirous ofemulating in some degree, that best kind of patriotism, by which thecorrespondent H. Of the Christian Observer, is so remarkablydistinguished!

This would be an example worthy of a great nation; and is it notprobable, that the prospect of so much preferment, would induce Gypseyparents, to promote to the utmost of their power, a disposition in theirchildren to obtain it? Cooper, a Gypsey at Chingford Green, said, “It isa pity they should be as ignorant as their fathers. ” This may beconsidered as the language of “_help us_, ” accompanied with thisacknowledgment, “_for we are unable to help ourselves_;” and certainlythere is but too much reason to conclude it is strictly true, respectingthe instruction of this forlorn and destitute race. 

According to the enumeration of Gypsey lodgers, given in Section X, theirfamilies average 5½ in number. This exceeds by one half, what isreported to be the average of England in general. If we take Gypseypopulation at 18, 000, their children will be 12, 000. Supposingtwo-thirds of these to be under twelve years of age, there would be 8, 000to educate. Reckoning half that number to be girls, 4, 000 boys would beto be apprenticed after leaving school. And if these, after theirapprenticeship, married Gypsey girls, who had been brought up to servicein families, twenty thousand useful subjects might be calculated upon asgained to the State in the first generation. 

Should the efforts of individuals, require assistance from the State, torender their plans effectual; surely they may depend on the co-operationof a British legislature, to promote the cause in which they wouldembark! On this point may be adduced the judicious observation ofGrellmann: “If the Gypsey knows not how to make use of the faculties withwhich nature has intrusted him, let the State teach him, and keep him inleading strings till the end is attained. Care being taken to improvetheir understandings, and to amend their hearts, they might become usefulcitizens; for observe them at whatever employment you may, there alwaysappear sparks of genius. ”

Every well-wisher to his country must be gratified in observing, that assoon as the conflicting tumult of nations is calmed, and theprecipitations attendant on military supplies have subsided, theattention of the Legislature is turned to the investigation of some ofthe causes of human misery at home; and to the means of increasing thesocial comforts of a considerable portion of British population in themetropolis of the kingdom. This recommencement of operations, directedto the important object for which Governments have been instituted, —thegood of the people, —encourages the hope, that the most neglected anddestitute of all persons in this country, whose cause we have beenpleading, will not be suffered to remain much longer unnoticed anddisregarded. 

When at length the veil that has obscured them is once drawn aside, canBritish benevolence withhold its exertions, to elevate the moral tone ofthis degraded eastern race, and to call forth the dignity of the humancharacter, in exchange for the strange torpor and vileness in which thispeople are involved. Here an occasion presents for the display of atemper truly Christian, and for the erection of a standard to surroundingkingdoms, in which also these outcasts of society are dispersed, of thatphilanthropy and sound policy which are worthy of a great nation. 

Such an experiment, though on a limited scale, may furnish various datafor judging what may be effected for their countrymen, the countlessmyriads of British subjects, inhabiting the vast regions of Hindostan. 

Alexander Fraser Tytler, late Assistant Judge in the twenty-fourPergunnahs, Bengal Establishment, in his highly important work, entitled, “Considerations on the present Political State of India, ” after pointingout the depravity which prevails to an extraordinary degree among thepopulation of India, states in the 313th page of the first volume, that“Poverty, or according to the definition of writers on Police, _Indigence_ may be said to be the nurse of almost all crimes. To findout the causes of poverty, and to attempt their removal, must thereforebe the chief object of a good police. ”

It has been remarked, that this author drew his conclusions, not onlyfrom what he understood of human nature in general, but from what hedaily saw before him, in the circumstances and actions of the peoplewhose crimes he was called upon to punish. And he reasons upon thesubject in the following manner: “Great poverty among the lower orders inevery country, has an immediate effect in multiplying the number of pettythieves; and where the bounds of the moral principle have been onceover-stepped, however trivial the first offence, the step is easy frompetty theft to the greater crimes of burglary and robbery. ”

May Britons in their conduct towards the Gypsies, be actuated by a policyso liberal, as to induce the rising generation among this neglectedclass, to attach themselves to civil society, and to enter intosituations designed to inculcate habits of industry, and prepare them tobecome useful members of the community. 

The successful experiments lately made by the British and Foreign SchoolSociety, upon persons addicted to every species of depravity, leave nodoubt of the practicability of ameliorating the condition of Gypsies. Itis with pleasure that on this subject the following statement of facts isintroduced, respecting two schools established in the neighbourhood ofthe metropolis. One of them at Kingsland, a situation which has beentermed, “A focus where the most abandoned characters constantly assembledfor every species of brutal and licentious disorder. ” The other is atBowyer-lane, near Camberwell, a district inhabited by persons of theworst description; among whom the police officers have been accustomed tolook for the various kinds of offenders, who have infested the Borough ofSouthwark. 

We are informed by the Committee of that School, that “in the districtembraced by their Society, the consequences of ignorance were evident tothe most superficial observer. Parents and children, appeared alikeregardless of morality and virtue; the former indulging in profligacy, and the latter exhibiting its lamentable effects. 

“Did the friends of _universal education_ require a fresh illustration, they would find it in the scene we are now contemplating; and they wouldconfidently invite those who still entertain a doubt on the subject, to amore close and rigid examination of that scene, satisfied with the effectupon every candid and unprejudiced mind. For, assuredly, “men do notgather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles:” and when morality, decency, and order, are gradually occupying the abodes of licentiousness, misery, and guilt, the change must be attributed to some operating cause, and _that_ cause must be derived from the Source of all Good. 

“The principles of decorum, of propriety, and of virtue, are instilledinto the youthful mind; and by a powerful reaction, they reach the heartof the parent; the moral atmosphere extends—its benefits are felt andappreciated—the Bible takes its proper place in the habitations ofpoverty; and thus in its simple, natural, and certain course, the _germ_of _instruction_ yields the happy fruit of _moral reformation_. ”

If as Grellmann computes, there are not fewer than 700, 000 of thesepeople in Europe, who do not either plough, or sow, or the greater partof them contribute in any manner to the improvement of the country, orthe support of the State, what a subject is this, for the contemplationof Governments!

In reference to England, it is a beautiful exclamation of the ChristianObserver: “Surely when our charity is flowing in so wide a channel, conveying the blessings of the gospel to the most distant quarters of theglobe, we shall not hesitate to water this one barren and neglectedfield, in our own land. ” Uniting cordially in this appeal, it is a greatsatisfaction to be able to state, there are traits of character in thispeople, which encourage attention to Gypsey soil. Let it but be clearedof weeds, and sown with good seed, and the judicious cultivator maycalculate upon a crop to compensate his toil. 

Greater proof of confidence, as to money transactions, not beingmisplaced in Gypsies need not be given, than in the testimony of thelandlord at Kirk Yetholm, to William Smith, that his master knew he wasas sure of their money, as if he had it in his pocket. 

In Dr. Clarke’s Travels, published in the present year, Part the 2nd ofSection 3rd, page 592, are the following observations respecting theGypsies of Hungary: “The Wallachian Gypsies are not an idle race. Theymight rather be described as a laborious people; and the greater part ofthem honestly endeavour to earn a livelihood. It is this part of themwho work as gold-washers. ”

In page 637, the Doctor remarks: “The Wallachians of the Bannat, bear avery bad character, and perhaps many of the offences attributed toGypsies, may be due to this people, who are the least civilized, and themost ferocious of all the inhabitants of Hungary. ” {262}

Could grateful sensibility of favors received, and of personalattachment, be more strikingly evinced than in the promptitude of WillFaa, who when he was eighty years of age, on hearing of his landlordbeing unwell, undertook, at the hazard of his life, a journey of ahundred miles, to see him before he died?

The attention of Gypsies to the aged and infirm of their fraternity, isnot less exhibited in the case of Ann Day, whose age is inserted in awork on human longevity, published at Salisbury in 1799. She was aged108, and had not slept in a bed during seventy years. She was well knownin the counties of Bedford and Herts, and having been a long time blind, she always rode upon an ass, attended by two or three of the tribe. Afriend of the author, a farmer near Baldock, who had frequently givenfood and straw for the old woman, says of the attendants she had, hercomfort and support seemed to be their chief concern. He considers herlongevity a proof of the kindness she received. Her interment, which wasat Arsley, near Henlow, was attended by her son and daughter, the one 82, the other 85 years of age, each having great grand-children. 

It must have been a satisfaction to every one interested in theimprovement of human nature, to observe the number of advocates who havecome forward, within the last ten years, in this country, to plead thecause of this despised and abused people. 

In bringing their case before the public, the author has aimed atdischarging what he thought incumbent upon him to undertake on theirbehalf. He trusts that persons much more competent than himself, will beinduced to give effect to whatever measures may be thought best adaptedto promote the temporal, as well as spiritual benefit of this people; andthat as H, the correspondent of the Christian Observer, remarks: “amidstthe great light that prevails, the reproach may be wiped away from ourcountry, of so many of its children walking in darkness, and in theshadow of death. ”

Can a nation, whose diffusive philanthropy extends to the civilization ofa quarter of the globe, and to the evangelization of the whole world, beregardless of any of the children of her own bosom, or suffer the pious, truly patriotic solicitude of her King, for the instruction of themeanest of his subjects to remain unaccomplished. 

Many persons appear zealous to send Missionaries to convert heathens inthe most distant parts of the world; when, as a late writer {264}observes, “the greatest, perhaps of all heathens, are at home, entirelyneglected. ”

Peace and tranquillity are favorable to the improvement of the internalcondition of a country; and can Britain more unequivocally testify hergratitude for the signal favors conferred upon her, than in promotingthat object for which rational beings were formed—the glory of God, andthe happiness of his creatures. 

In relation to the uncultivated race we have been surveying, may aguarded and religious education prove to them, as the voice crying in thewilderness: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desertan highway for our God. ” The subsequent declaration, without doubt, isdescriptive of what should be effected under the gospel dispensation:“The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And theglory of the Lord shall be revealed, and _all flesh_ shall see ittogether; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. ”—Isaiah, Chap. Xl. V. 3, 4, 6. 

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Footnotes:

{82} In the 31st page of Sir Frederick Morton Eden’s Appendix to theState of the Poor, it appears that in 1426, a hay horse, for the Prior(we may suppose of prime quality) cost £1 6s. 8d. And a colt 4s. 6d. Andin the year 1448, page 34, the hay of one acre was estimated at 5s. 

{89} Weirde, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon “_wird_;” _i. E. _, fatum, ordeafinie, and is used in this sense, in Hollinshed. 

{94} Ballie is a material designation in Scotland, agreeing in rank withthat of Alderman in England. 

{201} Vol. Vii. P. 496, 497. 

{205} Vol. Vii. P. 712. 

{206} Vol. Viii. P. 286. 

{208} Vol. Ix. P. 82, 83. 

{211} Vol. Ix. P. 278, 279, 280. 

{212} Since writing the above, a friend has informed me that Norwood isnow inclosed, and has ceased to be a rendezvous of Gypsies. 

{217} Vol. Ix. P. 554, 555. 

{221} Frederick Smith, of Croydon, Surry. 

{231a} Vide Crabbe’s Poems. 

{231b} See No. 104, Sunday School Tracts. 

{248} The benevolent Jonas Hanway took a Gypsey boy into his family, forthe purpose of making an experiment, but the result has not come to theknowledge of the author. 

{262} At page 691, is a Vignette of Gypsies washing gold in Hungary. 

{264} Samuel Tuke, Author of a Description of the Retreat, &c.