Part 1 (1/2)

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

by John Hoyland.

INTRODUCTION.

The author of the following Survey, has frequently had opportunity of observing the very dest.i.tute and abject condition of the Gypsey race, in the counties of Northampton, Bedford, and Herts. The impressions received from viewing a state so derogatory to human nature, induced him to make numerous inquiries, in order to ascertain if necessity compelled their continuance, under circ.u.mstances so deplorable as their condition exhibited.

Not meeting with satisfactory intelligence on application to various individuals, to whose observation Gypsies are frequently presented, the author was excited to an examination of history, for the developement of a case involved in so much obscurity; and aggravated by circ.u.mstances so repugnant to the mild and genial influences of the Christian Religion.

He must not however omit to state, that in Northamptons.h.i.+re, William Allen, who is in the profession of the law, at Higham Ferrers, and Steward to Earl Fitzwilliam, very warmly interested himself on the subject. He said it afforded him much pleasure to find, that some attention was excited to the condition of the Gypsies, and that he should be glad to co-operate, as far as was in his power, in any measures likely to conduce to the reformation of this greatly neglected cla.s.s of British subjects.

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 first a.s.surance that the Gypsies really had a language peculiar to themselves, which the author received, was from this intelligent and obliging professor of the law, who had heard children, as well as adults among them, speak it with great fluency.

He also observed, that the situation of this people daily became increasingly deplorable, in consequence of the establishment of a.s.sociations for the prosecution of felons; and that the fear of apprehension as vagrants, and the progressive inclosures near towns and villages, had a tendency to drive them to a greater distance from the habitations of man. And he was fully of opinion, as these houseless wanderers were expelled from Towns.h.i.+p after Towns.h.i.+p, without any provision being made for their refuge, that it was high time their case should obtain the consideration of the public.

Of the historic authorities whence the author has derived information and interesting observation, he has to place in the foremost rank, the Dissertation of the learned H. M. G. Grellmann, translated a few years since, by the late M. Raper, Esq. F.R.S. & A.S. He has, however, to acknowledge himself indebted to various other intelligent authors, whose writings 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 through inquiries inst.i.tuted in most parts of the nation, by the author, aided by several obliging and able coadjutors. The results of these inquiries, it scarcely need be added, will be presented to the reader in their proper places.

The author has much regretted, that scarcely any of the splendid histories of Counties in England, and even those in which the Gypsies abound, have in the least noticed that part of the population which so strongly claims our attention. By bringing their situation into view, the historian might not merely have served the cause of humanity; he would have advanced the interest of the state, by promoting an object of so much public utility, as the improvement of the whole Gypsey race cannot fail to prove.

A comparative view of their customs and habits, and how far they appear coincident in different countries, may afford a criterion by which to judge if they have all had one origin. By thus tracing them to that source, we may possibly discover the occasion of their peculiarities; and if the means. .h.i.therto employed to counteract them, have proved unsuccessful, we may be prepared to consider of others, better adapted to correct 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, before obtaining a knowledge of their history, the author has endeavoured to collect, from the most authentic European authorities to which he could have access, a general view of this people, in the different parts of the world to which they have resorted; and from these and the other sources of information, he has subjoined accounts of their state in Great Britain, and of the suggestions offered by other individuals for their improvement; concluding the subject with a review of the whole, and proposing a plan to be set on foot for accomplis.h.i.+ng this desirable object.

SECTION I.

Various appellations of them-Their arrival in Europe.

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

Grellmann states, that the French, having the first accounts of them from Bohemia, gave them the name of _Bohemiens_, Bohemians. That the Dutch apprehending they came from Egypt, called them _Heydens_, Heathens. In Denmark, Sweden, and in some parts of Germany, Tartars were thought of.

The Moors and Arabians, perceiving the propensity the Gypsies had to thieving, 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 for them. The idea of the English appears to be similar, in denominating them Gypsies, Egyptians; as is, that of the Portuguese and Spaniards, in calling them _Gitanos_. But the name _Zigeuners_, obtained the most extensive 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 than three hundred years. Many persons have been anxious to discover ”who these guests were, that, unknown and uninvited, came into Europe in the fifteenth century, and have chosen ever since to continue in this quarter of the globe.”

Continental writers state, that it is incredible how numerous the hordes of this people are, and how widely dispersed over the face of the earth.

They wander about in Asia, the inferior of Africa, and have established themselves 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.