A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, & Present State of the Gypsies Part 14

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 that James Corder, who took from the mouths of those in the parish called St.

Giles, the preceding Gypsey words, did not know of Grellmann's vocabulary, the coincidence appears very remarkable; but it is still more so with the Turkish Gypsey specimen by Jacob Bryant, exhibited also in the 8th Section. Robert Forster of Tottenham, who has been a coadjutor in this work, transmitted the following collection of words obtained from Gypsies in his neighbourhood.

_Gypsey_. _English_.

Parnee Water

Jewcal Dog

Maurau Bread

Kil-maurau Bread & b.u.t.ter

Lavenar Beer

s.h.i.+ll-deues Cold day

Taldu Hot day

Moila a.s.s

Gur Horse

In the conversation a clergyman had with the Bosswell gang, as published in the Christian Guardian for 1812 and 1813, they told him _Chum_, was the sun; _Chuu_, the moon; _Kalmaro_, bread and b.u.t.ter; and _Livina_, drink. The first two of those words almost exactly accord with Grellmann's vocabulary, and the latter as nearly with Robert Forster's and James Corder's collection from Gypsies in and about London.

From the comparative views which have been taken of Gypsey expressions in various countries, there is reason to conclude that wherever they have been scattered on the face of the earth, they have spoken and transmitted the same language to their descendants. That it should have been preserved by them, when among people of other tongues, throughout centuries, for no purpose that we are acquainted with, but that of concealment, is indeed astonis.h.i.+ng.

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 and habits of this people, in the various countries they inhabit, the reader will be prepared for the conclusions of Grellmann, that Gypsies are indeed a singular phenomenon in Europe. And remarkable it is, that the combined influence of time, climate, and example, have not effected any material alteration in their state. For the s.p.a.ce of three or four hundred years, they have gone wandering about as pilgrims and strangers; they are found in eastern, as well as in western countries; as well among the rude, as the civilized; among indolent and active people; yet they remain in all places, as to customs and habits, what their fathers were.

It is a.s.serted, there are two causes to which this coincidence is to be attributed; one is the country where they originate, with their consequent train of thinking; the other arises out of the circ.u.mstances which have hitherto attended their situation. Their peculiar notions and customs, leave no doubt of their being of eastern origin. In oriental countries, attachment to habit is so strong, that what has been once current among them, be it ever so pernicious or ridiculous, is persevered in; any affection which has once predominated, retains its dominion for ages.

Mahomet knowing that the weak side of the Arabians was their veneration for every thing handed down from their forefathers, gave his new profession the colouring of antiquity, and affirmed it to be the religion of Abraham. The Jesuits in China, availed themselves of similar means, by referring to Confucius, in aid of their doctrines, and thus they obtained admission for their religion among the Chinese. In the eastern nations, no change is adopted merely because it is an improvement. The Chinese are acquainted with the use of gla.s.s, yet their mirrors are always made of metal; and their windows of sh.e.l.ls.-Mechanical watches have been for ages used in the court of Pekin, but the bulk of the nation depend upon the action of fire and water; the former, by the gradual burning of a match composed of sweet smelling powder, the latter by water, somewhat resembling our large hour-gla.s.ses.

If we consider the circ.u.mstances under which the Gypsies have existed, we shall want nothing more to make us comprehend, why they have remained to the present time, what they were at their first arrival in Europe.

Separating themselves as much as possible from all a.s.sociation, but with those of their own tribe, they avoid every means which might give a new turn to their ideas, or in the least degree contribute to eradicate deep-rooted prejudice.-Unused to reflect, and fettered by habit, they arrived in our quarter of the globe; and it does not appear that any measures have been enjoined for instructing or reforming them, except those of the Empress Theresa, which were never put in execution.

The most extreme punishments failing to effect a change in the habits of Gypsies, they were subjected in almost all countries to banishment. They had been accustomed in their own country, to live remote from cities and towns; now they became more invariably inhabitants of forests, and penetrated deeper into deserts; as, in consequence of the search which was made after them, or, at least, threatened to be made, they judged themselves more secure in seclusion and concealment, than they would have been, in frequenting places of established abode, and having free intercourse with the neighbouring, inhabitants. Thus they became, in a greater degree, outcasts from civilized society; and divested of the most, and perhaps the only, probable means, of inducing a change in their manner.

Being always either persecuted, or left to themselves, no other could be expected, than that they must ever remain in all places the same. The character of people being formed by the instruction they receive in their early years, can it be thought surprising, that Gypsies who are idlers, should be also abandoned and thievish? Is it to be expected that men should become diligent, who have been educated in laziness? Who can have a general idea of fair dealing, that has never been taught the distinction between good and evil, virtue and vice? Perhaps it is reserved for _our age_, in which so much has been attempted for the benefit of mankind, to humanize a people, who, for centuries, have wandered in error and neglect; and it may be hoped, that while we are endeavouring to ameliorate the condition of our African brethren, the civilization of Gypsies, who form so large a portion of humanity, will not be overlooked.

It cannot be denied, that considering the mult.i.tude of them, their reform must be a subject of very serious consideration to many states. The period in which banishments were generally p.r.o.nounced on this people, were too unphilosophical for any preferable mode of punishment to be suggested; but it may be expected from a better informed age, that better maxims will be adopted. We send apostles to the east and west, to the most distant parts of the whole earth; and even into the very country whence the Gypsies emigrated, to instruct the people who know not G.o.d.

Is it not inconsistent for men to be solicitous for the welfare of their fellow-creatures in distant regions, and to throw off, and leave to chance, those who, equally wretched, have brought their errors home to us? If it be a good work to teach religion and virtue to such as are ignorant of their Creator, why not begin with those nearest to us?-Especially as neglect in this particular, is attended with detriment to the society of which we are members.

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

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

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

Care being taken to enlighten their understandings, and amend their hearts, they might become useful citizens; for observe them at whatever employment you may, there always appear sparks of genius. It is well known, and no writer omits to remark, what artful devices they have recourse to, in perpetrating any cheat or robbery: but this is not the only particular in which they show capacity. The following extract is from 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 with children, appears judicious; but the events of the present day justify the 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, the author 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 benevolent individuals, 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 following letter.