THE GIPSIES' ADVOCATE. CHAP. I. On the Origin of the Gipsies. Of the Origin of these wanderers of the human race, the learned are not agreed; for we have no authentic records of their first emigrations. Some suppose them to be the descendants of Israel, and many others that they are of Egyptian origin. But the evidence adduced in confirmation of these opinions appears very inconclusive. We cannot discover more than fifty Hebrew words in the language they speak, and they have not a ceremony peculiar to the Hebrew nation. They have not a word of Coptic, and but few of Persian derivation; and they are deemed as strangers in Egypt to the present time. They are now found in many countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa, in all of which they speak a language peculiar to themselves. On the continent of America alone are there none of them found. Grellman informs us that there were great numbers in Lorraine, and, that they dwelt in its forests, before the French Revolution of 1790. He supposes that there are no less than 700,000 in the world, and, that the greatest numbers are found in Europe. Throughout the countries they inhabit, they have kept themselves a distinct race of people in every possible way. They never visit the Norman Isles; and it is said by the natives of Ireland, that their numbers are small in that country. Hoyland informs us, that many counties in Scotland are free of them, while they wander about in other districts of that country, as in England. He has also informed us, in the sixth Section of his dissertation, of a colony which resides, during the winter months, at Kirk Yetholm, in the county of Roxburgh.* Sir Thomas Brown, in his work entitled "VULGAR ERRORS," says, that they were first seen in Germany, in the year 1409. In 1418, they were found in Switzerland; and, in 1422, in Italy. They appeared in France, on the 17th of August, 1427. It is remarkable that, when they first came into Europe, they were black, and that the women were still blacker than the From Grellman we learn, that, "in Hungary, there are 50,000; in Spain, 60,000; and, that they are innumerable in Constantinople." men. It appears from the Statute of the 22nd of Henry VIII, made against this people, that they must, at that time, have been in England some years, and must have increased much in number, and in crime. In * See a late account of this colony in a subsequent page. the 27th of that reign, a law was made against the importation of such persons, subjecting the importer to 401 penalty. In that reign, also, they were considered so dangerous to the morals and comfort of the country, that many of them were sent back to Calais. Yet, in the reign of Elizabeth, they were estimated at 10,000.* Dr Walsh says, that the Gipsies in Turkey, like the Jews, are distinguishable by indelible personal marks, dark eyes, brown complexion, and black hair; and, by unalterable moral qualities-an aversion to labour, and a propensity to petty thefts.† The celebrated traveller, Dr Daniel Clarke, speaks of great numbers of Gipsies in Persia, who are much encouraged by the Tartars. Formerly, and particularly on the Continent, they had their counts, lords, and dukes; but these were titles without either power or riches. The English Gipsies were formerly accustomed to denominate an aged man or woman among them, as their king and queen; but this is a political distinction which has not been recognized by them for many years. If we suppose the Gipsies to have been heathens before they came into this country, their separation * See Hoyland, pages 78, 79, and 80. + We should not forget that the grace of God can change their hearts and morals. The facts contained in this book are very encouraging examples of the power of divine grace upon the heart and character of the Gipsy people. The reader would do well to turn to the following scriptures-Isaiah xi, 6, 7, 8, 9. 1 Cor. vi, 9, 10, 11. from pagan degradation and cruelty, has been attended with many advantages to themselves. They have seen neither the superstitions of idolatry, nor the unnatural cruelties of heathenism. They are not destitute of those sympathies and attachments, which would adorn the most polished circles. In demonstration of this, we have only to make ourselves acquainted with the fervour and tenderness of their conjugal, parental, and filial sensibilities, and the great care they take of all who are aged, infirm, and blind, among them. Were these highly interesting qualities sanctified by pure religion, they would exhibit much of the beauty and loveliness of the Christian character. I am aware that an opinion is general, that they are cruel to their children; but it may be questioned if ebullitions of passion are more frequent among them, in reference to their children, than among other classes of society; and when these ebullitions, which are not lasting, are over, their conduct towards their children is most affectionate. The attachment of Gipsy children to their parents, is equally vivid and admirable; it grows with their years, and strengthens even as their connections increase.* And, indeed, the affection that sisters and brothers have for each other is very great. A short time since, the little sister of a Gipsy youth, * Children, after grown up to men and women, have an affection for their parents somewhat childish. A young Gipsy man, known to the author, when his mother stays longer from the camp than usual, expresses his anxiety for her return by saying, Where is my mum? I wish my mum would come home. seventeen years of age, was taken ill with a fever, when his mind became exceedingly distressed, and he gave way to excessive grief and weeping. Those who suppose these wanderers of mankind to be of Hindostanee or Suder origin, have much the best proof on their side. A real Gipsy has a countenance, eye, mouth, hands, ancle, and quickness of manners, strongly indicative of Hindoo origin. This is more particularly the case with the females. Nor is the above mere assertion. The testimony of the most intelligent travellers, many of whom have long resided in India, fully supports this opinion. And, indeed, persons who have not travelled on the Asiatic Continent, but who have seen natives of Hindostan, have been surprised at the similarity of manners and features existing between them and the Gipsies. The Author of this work once met with a Hindoo woman, and was astonished at the great resemblance she bore, in countenance and manners, to the female Gipsy of his own country. The Hindoo Suder delights in horses, tinkering, music, and fortune telling; so does the Gipsy. Suder tribes of the same part of the Asiatic Continent, are wanderers, dwelling chiefly in wretched mud huts, who, when they remove from one place to another, carry with them their scanty property; and the English Gipsies imitate these erratic tribes in this particular: they wander from place to place, and carry their small tents with them, which consist of a few bent sticks, and a blanket.* The Suders in the East eat the flesh The * Some of those Gipsies who have families, and a little pro |