The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1854-02-22
MisrrllupIrups,

From Dickens Household Words.l
TIE Gypsy SLAVES OF WALLACIllA. 80
All travellers who have journeyed from
Zemltza on the Danube 10 Bucharest,
agree ia painting the country they are
obliged 10 traverse in The most sombre
colors. Once ou, Of sight Of the lines of
trees iha, border the Danube, you enter
upon an ihlerminable dismal plain, with a
levd horizon that surrounds you like
circle, of which you are ever in tire CEN
ter. There are no objeelsbehind, 10 mark
your progress by their gradual disappear
ance there is nothing ahead 10 encourage
you on; no mountains Of blue rising high
or and higher, becoming substantial as you
advance, breakin up their long line into
peaks and valleys, brislling with crags or
clothed in forest. II you would know
that you we're in motion. you must look
upon the giound beneath your feet and see
The pebbles and plants pass slowly back
wards as your wagon moves sleepily on,
or whirl dimly by as the karoulchor pur-
sues lis mad career. In winter time, an
additional dreariness is given 10 this des-
ert by The absence Of the sun, which is
hidden from view by one vast cloud
sire'ching FROM horizOp to horizon, low
down, SO as almost 10 resemble mist
Just risen from the earth. Here and there
few slight elevations, lootor two high,
indicate the presence Of an1underground
village. At various distances, tall poles
rise into the air. marking the positions Of
wells, around which the sky is speckled
by flights of crows and vultures. Now
and then YOU meet parties of peasants
clothed in sheepskip, and wearing pro-
digious nousiachos, wandering across the
level. AT night the only sound in the
wind whislling through The low bushes.
occasionally bringing 10 the ear the re-
ports Of roley Of muske;ry fired by
some party VI travellers, who amuse
themselves in this martial way. ., p
II is not uncommon in crossing these
sad plains 10 come upon groups OF Wild
locking individuals, black as Elhiopians,
scautily covered by old rags, stepping
jauntIly out, waving their arms, nodtling
their heads, raiIliug fragments Of songs,
and clattsring together as they 60 the
blacksmlh's tools which they bear upon
their backs. Further on, perhapswhen
night has fallen, an houror Two after these
odd looking people have gone ahead ol
your wagon, Qhey take two strides fol
one Of your oxen, the ground ahead wil
probably become spangled as with glow
worms and presently asor, Of whirIwind
of strange sounds, half song, half shopt
will be borne by ihs nigh, breeze, 10 pin
gle with NE bSzefof your caravan, ant
'ihe cresking Of the wheels You hav'
come upon village, an encamPment /;
burrow Of gipsy troglodyies (dwellelrs i
caves,) who are either sitting around Nh
temsins Of the fges lhey have lighted II
cook their evening medl, or with opel
doors, or traps, by the light Of a candle
stuck in ,hc gound, are engaged in smo
king red clay or cherry wood pipes, an'
drinking the harsh vine Of the cduatry.
u'rhese people are Of the most humbl
and GostguRf6riunale section Of the Wal
lechian people, the Zlgans, who of Oh
fofmed a hodrishing little state, payin
tribute 10 the Greek empire, but who al
now reduced 10 a condition Of ahj ect sla
very. Their history u most obscure, an
J Il Is not with certainly known whenc
/ they came or by what steps they descent
ed 10 their present level. Il seems cel
tain, however, that they belong 10 u
same family Of wanderers who Oreknow
in Egypt as Gayaras. in Hungary as III
; gari, ipIG Germany as Zigeuner in SPaihh
tiiianos, in France as Bohemians, and
England as Gipsies. Their own tradition
derive them from Syria, WHENCE The
were transported IN lbo eighth century, 3
one Of The Greek emperors, 70 ThrSce.-
, On account Of some peculiarilies in The
b manners, perhaps Of some strange form
az dochine, they seem 10 have beeoh
deieslcd aud despissd Ny hslEhboriig y
lions, and especially BY tho MOhamm