The Gipsies Advocate | Page 2

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 at 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, sec. 6, of a colony which resides during the winter months
at Kirk Yetholm in the county of Roxburgh. {10}

Sir Thomas Brown, in his work entitled "VULGAR ERRORS," says,
that they were seen first 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 August, 1427. It is remarkable that, when they first
came into Europe, they were black, and that the women were still
blacker than the men. From Grellman we learn, that "in Hungary, there
are 50,000; in Spain, 60,000; and that they are innumerable in
Constantinople."
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 the 27th of
that reign, a law was made against the importation of such persons,
subjecting the importer to 40l 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. {11a}
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. {11b}
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 and 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 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 toward 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. {12} And indeed the affection that
sisters and brothers have one for the other is very great. A short time
since, the little sister of a Gipsy youth 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,