Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-09-05

Frsa A< Assfss Courier.
r0E GIPSIES.

00M881As xx8OsAA&hA1s Re
Fssm AZ Assss. Courier.
rnE GIPsIEs.
The last number OF siiIimans Journal con-
tains an essay, abridged from the Revue
Encyciopediq0s, Of this singular race, whose
origin. character and history are - much .
mystery now a. they were when they made
their 6rst appearance in Europe three or four
entaries ago. They scem to b upinflasoeed
iy any OF the circumstances which affect
tie condition Of other nations. while time
], continually producing changes IN the ha-
bits, manners, civil Institutions, Language. and
even the religious systems Of civilized men,
the Gipscy remains unchanged In the midst Of
Passes over him without leaving trace. lie
hives in the midst Of civilized communities,
unaffected by their progress, and scoring
their Improvements. A. he was when he
was first known, so is be now, unchanged
and unohaogeable--a distinct being, whom IL
u impossible TO amalg amats with the mass Of
mankind. The Jew, whom in some respects
he resembles, has received impressions Of
the people among whom he resides, and has
never so completely separated himself from
the interest and feelings Of other nations
The Gipsies are one Of the most remarkab
phenomena presented by the history Of man.
IN almost every country where IL Is known.
TheirEnglish name, Gipsiss,is q corruption Of
EgyPtisn', from whom they are supposed to
be descendants. The Spanish call thsm Ci-
fsrvps-the Dutch Hsiisn>a (tloiaters.) In the
middle ages they were called .1singhsns. The
Arabs and Moors call them Harensi (robbers. J
The Hungarisns, Csngsays and Pharaoh Ne
pek (people OF Pbaraoh.) In France they were
formerly called Egyptians, but moro lately
Ahs nd 4 -. s.sl. H. q
asgiven, IN Quentin Durward, many interest
ing particulars Of the habits aud opinions OF
this people.
These are some OF the names BY which
they are distinguished in different parts of
Europe. ia Asia they have other and equally
numerous appeilations. The Persians call
them Black Hndoos. The author OF the ar
ficle in the Revue was acquainted with three
Of their Rsbsrs, or chief, who informed him
that they called themselves Rouuna Chai.-
These are Mahratta words, and signify ,nsn
icho rsndsr in the plains. He considers Tam
gsyis as their primitive name, aud still pre-
served in the mother country. That country
he considers To be the country Of the hahrat-
tas, in Hindostan, and there he says they are
still found united in tribes. This primitive tribe
OF Tzangars,i is subdivision of Ific rent tribes
Of Pariahs or Hindooos, who have lost caste,
for offences committed against the religion
and laws. This original tribe is represented
~ wandering, like all the rest of the nation
The author has often met large bands of them
near the ancient city of visapour, ard in other
parts oil the Mahratta country. Their roli-
gion, manners, and language differ from those
of other tribes Of Hindoos. They arc repre-
sented as m every respect Migrants, foIlowing
armies IN time OF war for the pSrpose Of pill
iage, and filling the camps with spies and
dancers. They are accused of sacrificing HUI
man victims to their demons, and Of eating
human flesh. Their females pursue the occu-
patton OF fortune telling, which is their prin-
eipal trade in Europe. In short, says the
writer, after giving a particular account Of
their habits aud customs, they arc suspi
cious, liars, gamblers, drunkards, towards,
bathrooms, aud altogether illiterate; they de-
spise religion, and have no other creed than
the fear Of evil gepii and Of fatality"
Their first dispersion is thought 10 have
taken place in the time Of Tameriane, the
conqueror OF India, and to have been occa-
stoned by tho atrocious cruelties inflicted by
bin upon the nations whom he subdued-
They appeared in Hungary IS early as 14l7i
In France, where they were known about
the same time, they styled themselves, ac-
eording 90 PIsquer. Christians from Lower
Egypt, expelled thence by the Saracens. II
- difficult 10 account for their acquiring the
name Of Egyptians, since il has been salts
factorily proved that they have not an Egyp-
tan origin, and did not come from Egypt to
Europe. These conclusions are derived from
the rcasonings Of Crantz and Munster.
These people are scattered over the whole
OF Europe, the greater part Of Asia, and the
= North OF Africa, including Niubia and Sousan.
The author estimates their numbers in Eu-
rope al nearly half million an Africa 4OO.-
QUO IN India SOC, 900, aud in the rest OF
Asia at 100000. In Europe they are mos,
numerous III TransylvaDia, where they are
reckoned at 1911 900. in n population OF
1,720,000. They arc considerably hume vous
m England, Spain and Hungary, and few in
Italy, Germany, sweden, Denmark, Switzer-
Iaud and the Netherlands. They have never
appeared ia America. and are not to be found
IN Asiatic Russia, 10 China, Slain, AMMAN, or
Japan. The whole nuDber of this outcast
race is estimated al five millions.
The auihor concludes with the following
reflections:
what painful subject for reflection il
- 70 think Of 80 large a portion Of the hui
man race, thrown as il were beyond the CON.
mon rights IL nations; 40 many men wander
Ing about without any claims which can at
taeh them 20 the soil encamping in places
remote from civilization living by theft and
deception; AID every where dihused. not
withdrawing the prosecutions and contsmpl
which arc heaped upon them
STRIKING AND TRUE STORY.
Two young German nobIemen having I'm.