Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1853-02-03

been proposed, In England, to establish
schools for them, and TO convert them By
means of missionaries. In Germany and
France, there are bu, few; but they are nu
merous in Hungary, Transylvania and Mol
davis. where their number amounts to abou
100000. They are still more numerous in
BessarabIa, the Crimea, near Constantinople
and in the whole Of Turkey. They are re.
markable for The yellow brown, or rather
olive color, Of their skin !; the Jet black ol
their hair and eyes The extreme whiteness
Of their teeth, on accoun, Of which many
Of The gypsy gisls, PARTICULAR y those OF
Spain, are considered beauties and for the
symmetry Of their limbs, which distinguish
es even the men, whose general appearance.
however, is repulsive aud shy. The gypsies
have much elasticity and quckness they
are seldom of tall or powerful frame their
lPhysl"gnomy denotes carelessness and levi
ty. They rarely settle permanently any
where. Wherever the climate is mild enough
they are found in forests and deserts, in
companies. They seldom have tents, but
seek shelter from the cold Of winter in grol-
toes and caves, or they build hu,s sunk some
feet IN the earth, and covered with sods laid
on poles. In Spain, and even in Hungary
and Transylvania, there are, however, some
who follow a tIsde. They are inn keepers,
horse-doctors, and dealers in horses they
are smiths, mend old pans and kettles, and
make iron utensils, nails, aud the like
Some work in wood, making spoons, spin
dies, troughs, or they assist the farmer in
the fields. Their talent for music has been
remarked, bu, il is confined TO instrumental
music, which they chiefly practise 10y the
ear. They play on the violin, Jews-harp,
The bugle, flute and hau;boy. Their music
for dancing is lively and expressive; there
are no better musicians for the Hungarian
and Polish national dances. Their lively
motions are remarkable in their own pecu-
liar dances, and they have great ,sIen. for
mlmIcry. The gypsies who formerly ira
ve'sed Germany supported themselves By
tricks, the women telling fortunes with
cards; the men dancing on the rope, and
performing similar fea.s. The gypsy wo-
men, in their younger years, particularly in
Spain, are dancers. As soon as they grow
older, they invariably practice foriune-t tell
ing end chiromancy. This is their chief
children 60 perfectly naked until their tenth
year. The men wear a shirt and trowsers;
The women, pellicoats and aprons, red or
light blue. In Eng land, they have red cloaks
with hoods, and, generally handkerchief
tied over the head. They are fond of rings
and ornaments. Those gypsies who live a
settled life ere very fond Of dress. Their
house utensils consist of a pan, dish, kettle
and silver mug their domestic animals
are horses and pigs. In England, they have
always donkeys in their caravans; their food
is disgusli"g. They are fond Of onions and
garlic, according to the Oriental cuslom.-
They eat all kinds Of flesh, even that of ami
mails which have died natural death; on
which account, a murrian is the most well
come event for them. Some 80 or 40 years
ago, they were accused, in Hungary, Of hav-
ing slaughtered human beings and devoured
them, and, in consequence of the charge,
were treated with the greatest severity
Their guilt, however, has never been proved.
Brandy is their favorile beverage; tobacco
their greatest luxury both men and women
chew and smoke it with avidily, and are
ready to make great sacrifices for the sake
of satisfying this inclination. They have
no peculiar religion. Amongst the Turks,
they are Mohammedans and in Spain, a,
least, as well as in TransylvaEia, they follow
the forms of the Christian religion, without,
however, caring for instruction, or having
any interest in the spirit Of religion. ln
Transy lvanis, they often have their children
baptized repeatedly a. dlfferen. places, for
the sake Of the money which i. is custom
sry in that country for the godfather to give
to the poor parents of his god-child. Mar
risges are formed in the rudest manner
The young gypsy marries girl, without
caring if she is his sister or stranger, often
when he is not more than IA or Is years
old. In Hungary, another gypsy officiales
as priest a. the wedding. No gypsy will
marry any but one of his race. If he be-
comes tired Of her he will turn her off with
ou. ceremony. There is no idea of educa-
lion amongs. this people. A blind, almos,
animal love for their children, prevents them
from Furnishing them. SO that they grow up
in idleness, and are accustomed 10 steal and
cheat. The depravi.y Of this people is so
great, tha. they have real enjoyment in
cruelty; SO that they were formerly employ
ed, in preference as execulioners. A, the
same time, they are great towards, and on
ly steal where they can do so with safety.
They never break into houses at night
The plague having occurred in a certain
town of Spain, the gypsies focked into the
houses in hofdes, and pIundered the unpro.
,ected Inhabitants. In Trsnsylvania, they
are very expert at washing gold. On &C.
coun. Of their cowardIce, they have never
in Spain, been used for soldiers. In Hun
gary and Pennsylvania, they have been oc-
casionalIy taken into the armies, bu. they
have never distinguished themselves by