Part 10 (1/2)

s.h.i.+ng Seen Horn

Tuttoo Tutta Heat

Riah Raye Lord

Rriena Ra, enee Lady

Dai Da'ee Mother

Ma.s.s 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 the author visited an encampment of Gypsies. It consisted of five tents, situated near Rushden, within two miles of the pleasant town of Higham Ferrers. He did not reconnoitre the camp till about mid-day, having been informed that by this time, it was probable, the able-bodied persons of both s.e.xes would be drawn off to a feast and a fair, in different situations, not very distant. It proved so; there were only two women, three children, and an infant remaining in the tents; which were the residence of several branches of the numerous families of Smith, and Loversedge, names well known in the county of Northampton.

The head of the former, has been many years a dealer in a.s.ses, or donkies; and is reputed to be possessed of some property. His wife, more than 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 nursing an infant; and the eldest of the children, about twelve years of age, was making preparation for was.h.i.+ng; a pan was suspended from three poles, under which she had kindled a fire, to boil water. The very tattered and squalid 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 both men and women were musical performers.

On being asked whether any of them had learned to read, she shook her head, and, with apparent regret, acknowledged they had not. This indication of concern excited an idea, that some impression had been made on the minds even of Gypsies, of the disadvantages their children were under.

Considering how generally education had been extended, to the lowest description of every other cla.s.s of British subjects; how many schools had been opened in villages, as well as in the different towns of the kingdom, it was not improbable, that information of movements so extraordinary, might have reached the ears, if not impressed the minds of these neglected fellow-creatures. The activity which had been subsequently displayed in the distribution of the Scriptures, and the zeal excited among the most ignorant to receive them, might also come to their knowledge.

Resuming conversation with the female head of the Smith family, she said they endured great hards.h.i.+ps in winter, having no shelter but their tents, in the worst of weather.

She was then asked, if they did not experience great difficulty in obtaining the means of subsistence, during the inclement seasons; and whether they were not, at times, reduced to the necessity of taking up with any kind of sustenance, even if it consisted of animals they might find dead upon the road.

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