The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-03-30

2
lis language, which contain traces of an
original character, but which is encrusted
as it we're, with words borrowed (it Nigh
perhaps, be more appropriate to say, sto-
len-for the Higan, like his brethern VIC
know of, has great pilfering propensities
from a dozen different dialects. The
sound is not at all unmusical; and some
Of the songs which have been taken down
ere curiously characteristic. The follow
ing is the beginning Of one Of them
Through the pathway of the sky,
Quail with sharpend heak doth fly,
Christos praising with sharp beak.
What oh dun quail, dost thou seek!
To the grog-sEop come with me,
And treat me to some arakee!'
1t will be seen from these lines that the
ideas Of the Zigans on various points are
somewhat confused, or, at any rate, it
seems rather odd to interrupt pious
quail in its dozologies by an invitation to
I tiDplc. Perhaps, as in the case in
many eastern songs, the words arbitrarily
thrown together for the sake of harmony
an observation that might apply some
times to the verse making in our civilized
regions.
The Zigans are not only poets and
singers, but they are musicians also, and
their fayorite instruments is the fiddle
They often ask permission of their mas
ters. the Boyards, to form what are cal
led Witzoulin, or storms rof music, con-
sisting of ten or twelve members, who 90
about the country to the towns and cas-
ties Of the rich, and let themselves out at
so much an hour No ball is considered
complete without one ofthe musical storms
who ask very little for their services, pre-
tending that they are paid by their pleas
ure; but who, unless they are grievously
wronged, generally contrive to leave a
deficit behind them somewhere, either in
the larder or in the hen-roost They Of
ten lead few bears about with them, and
when there are no balls toward, dance a
strange dance among themselves, circle,
men and women, they begin by uttering
frightful cries, and then, as tie fiddle
strikes up, whirl, jump, stop, roll, crawl
crowd together, separate, throw their
arms and legs into the air, wag their
heads, shake their bracelets, and work
themselves up in:o kind of fury. The
dance in fact, is kind ofcompendium CT
the bolero, the saltarella, and the fandan-
60 SometimesasiDgle performet goes thro'
ferocious jig, which may be called the
jig of murder and suicide, for these two
pleasant things are the basis of his rep
reservations. The acting in often so clev-
er that the unaccustomed spectators
shrek and rush away to save themselves.
The ragged and breathess artist, fancy
ing they want to escape payment, pur-
sues them with his greasy cap held out,
shouting for piastre.
Little is really known of the relations
of the Zigans among themselves. Mar
riage can only take place within The lin
its of the tribe, and generally within the
limits of the property Of one master,
whose permission, also, is required before
the ceremony can take place. There is
no ceremony Of betrothal, no intervention
of matchmakers or friends; the youth
goes to the father Of the girl he has cho-
sen, and, after some attempts at polite
ness-as offering pipe, or praising the
size of the old gentleman's beard comes
straight to the point, and proposes himself
as a son in-law. Few questions are asked
few conditions made. Unless there be
some important objections, the young low
er receives permission to call his com
rades together, and build hut during
the course Of the night to receive his bride.
The very next day he requests his moth
CT to prepare full pot of porridge, and
then repairs to the dwelling--a hole six
feet square, or perhaps tent of branch
cs-where the maiden Of his choice,
dressed in her sheepskin tunic, with a
veil borrowed from neighbor, is mod
cstly crouched in a corner He takes ber
by the hand and leads her to where his
family is collected The Oldest man Of
the tribe is there by appointment, encour.
aged by fee of few handfulls of por-
ridge, and hastily mutters a few words
by way Of blessing. This is the whole
ceremony, if, indeed, the great feed that
follows be not more worthy that name
and thus the Zigans continue from goner.
alton to generation. We are sorry to be
obliged to add that both women and men
are, as rule exceedingly debauched.--
ILeHSch0ld Words.
-~-'. --s----
Il N0reI C0adcnsed.-Moonlight night
shady grove-two lovers-eternal fidel,
ity-young lady rich-young man poor
great obstacle-young man proud-ve-
ry handsome-very smart-sure to make
fortune-young lady's father very an
gry-wont consent-mothor intercedes-
no go-rich rival-yery ugly-very hare
hearted-lovers in bad Gx-won't part
die Grst-moonlight again-garret win
dow opens-rope ladder-fight-
foo late-marria rp-old man in q ra rf