Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-31
GIPSIES.

Suho w VI AI0tOPo S0b tnCtUS
Bohemians, is unknown on this CONT
nent: but the books, both grave aud
light, Of Europe, have made the name
familiar 10 all reading people; and we
shall therefore, without hesitation, CO.
py from "Walsh's Journey" a sketch
of this strange people, as he found them
at the foot Of the Carpathian Mountains
in Transylvania:'
l vas now in the country where
these extraordinary people are most
numerous, and where they were first
known in Europe. About the year
l4oS, they appeared in Hungary and
Bohemia, where they were called Zig
%uerier, or Czingaries; but when they
emigrated from hence, Bohemians-as
it was from Bohemia they were suppos-
ed 10 have come, when they were first
seen in the moro western parts OF Eu-
rope. They then went about in troops
of several thousands together; but the
tribes soon dispersed, and they are now
scattered in smaller companies, FORM
ing still a large population in the CEN
tire Of Europe, and occupying the sub
urbs Of many towns beside the wander
ers, who pitch their tents wherever in
clination leads them. The number of
these people at present in Wallachi,,
MoIdavia, and Pennsylvania, mounts
to 222 900. They are generally cal
led C~zingarier, but sometimes Dfaroner
or subjects Of Pharaoh, for the same
reason as we call them Gypsies-their
supposed Egyptian origin. They are
distinguished like the Jews, by indelible
personal marks dark eyes, brown COM
plexion, and black hair; and by u%nalter-
able moral qualities-an aversion 10 la
Dor. and a propensity to petty theft.
They acknowledge no particular reIig-
ion as their own, bu: generally profess
the Greek rites, of which they have but
a crude and debased conception. They
baptise their children, but it is generally
done by themselves in a public house,
with a prolane mixture Of ribaldry and
folly. They have nc notion Of a resur-
rection, independent Of tho same body
beng again brought to life before it de-
Gays, which they say is impossible. One
of their children died at school in this
place, and the parents requested he
might be buried with his school fellows.
On being asked if they expected to meet
HIM in a future state, they said they
knew he could never live again; and
shelving a skinned horse, asked wheth-
er it was possible that he could ever be
restored to life. They form connexions
before they are of manageable years,
and change them as inclination leads;
and mothers are frequently surrounded
by a number Of children of different fa.
theirs, who to a certain age run about
naked even in the severest weather.
When inclined to a settled life several
families herd together, with pigs and 9TH
er animals, in a small enclosure, which
is rendered exceedingly offensive by
their total disregard of cleanliness.
They are in temper irascible, even TO
frenzy. and live in state Of discord with
each other, which is greatly increased
by a propensity to intoxication. Not
withstanding their debased and despiscd
situation in society, they are proud and
consequential, exceedingly loquacious
and vain-glorious, with no regard to
truth. They hold certain families a.
mong them in high respect and call them
Voivodes; and from these they elect a
nominal chief, to whom they pay a sem-
blance Of obedience. He is carried
three times round their huts with shouts
and vociferations, and then his inaugu-
ration is complete. These chiefs are
the guardians Of some privileges granted
them by the Bathorinn family in the
year 1890, Of which the Czingarics of
T~ransylyania are very proud and tena-
cious Notwithstanding their general
depravity, there arc shades Of infamy,
and many so vile that they arc rejected
by the rest; Of these, some are made
execu'ioners who set about their task
with delight, prepare extraordinary in
struments OF torture, and take q savage
pleasure in telling the victim the punish
ment he is to undergo and the pain he IL
to suffer.
Their chief occupation is making iron
tools, horn spoons, baskets, and other
articles; in the provinces many are en-
gagged in collecting gold from the beds
Of the OF, Dobricza, and other aurifer-
Gus rivers. They are also employed rs
sculIions, and contribute to increase that
dirt aud disorder, for which a Wallachia
kitchen is notorious; they sometimes
however, rise to more pleasing occupa.
lions. They. have naturally very acute
and delicate perceptions Of sounds, and
hence they are greatly disposed 10 and
delighted with music; this talent is much
cultivated; and they generally form the