Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-03-01
fatts about Qeipsies
THE eIpSIEs OF THE DANUBE.

The Gipsey population Of the Danuban
PrlGcipa!ties numbers about three hundred
thousand souls, aud presents the marked ply
steal and mental characteristics of the wan
dering Behemians of Central Europe, and the
Gitanos OF Spain. 1t is evident that, under
various names, they all belong TO the same
nomadic family. The traveller finds numer-
ons representatives Of the GipSey race in
Egypt; they are not wanting in Jerusalem,
aud have small but distinct quarter near one
OF the walls Of Constantinople. One meets
them rowing in bands and practicing theft and
magic along the Ganges, the same as on the
banks Of the Elbe and Thames. They are to
be found in almost every part Of Continental
Europe-shivering in rags in the regions of
tho North aud basking in the warm sunshine
Of the South, which they particularly love-
Scattered more widely over the world than
are, ethnographically, wandering vagabonds
politically, democrats Of the open air aud
good adventure-religiously outward con-
formists to the faith Of those among whom
they move and have temporary being, but
cherishing at the same time mysterious be-
lief OF their own. Holding themselves usual
y for Christians or Mohamedans, they are
without Christian or Mohammcdan worship
belonging to the great world they are with,
out worldly possessions and making pre-.
tense to patriarchial customs, they lead a
vagrant lille, and exhibit the characteristics oi
carniverous animals in general.
Scattered as they are, and recognizing the
temporal and religious authority of those
whose lands they inhabit, it is believed by
| persons who have studied them and their in.
| situations that they have a secret but sxten.
ded political organization--nay, that there is
King OF the Gipses but where he lives
"heTe is the court OF this monarch whose do.
mains are wider than those ruled over by spir.
itnsi Rome, is question still open.
The impression prevails throughout the
East OF Europe that the Gipsies are one Of
the lost tribes of Israel that they are de
seendants OF the lsraelites who caused ou,
Saviour to be crucified. and for that ofIenc,
have been scattered over the earth and con
demned to personate the Wandering jew.
The Gipsies declare themselves to be o
Egyptian origin, and are. in fact, termed
Egyptians in many parts of Europe; henc,
also the name Gipsey. Their features can
not be mistaken. They are of ordinary stat
ure, robust. nervous, and manifest Bedouil
partiallty for tent life, the open air, and th
beautiful stars. Their bronze complexion
black hair, burning eyes, .eeth of ivory white
| 'sS' us snNs'S u"u PloycCtlnS sHouiueT
suggest an Ethiopian origin. Their naked
ness. relieved by few scattering rags. thei
naughty and almost warlike gait. and the ex
presslve gestures which characterize thei
conversation also give them striking resem
blance TO wandering Hottentots or Kalfres
Theirs, however, is not an African origin
Their language is a meldnge of branch @
the Sanscrt, with Examinations and word
borrowed from the people among whom the
live. In Turkey, for instance, they emplo
the Sanscrit root, with the Turkish termina
tions. The many traces of patriarchal lf
which they exhbit--each nomadic band hav
ing its chief-their oriental language au,
many things about them suggest Eastern life
Eastern origin. Eastern institutions.
A religious faith analogous to the Fettisl
has been ascribed to the Gipsies bat the
who consider them worshippers of leeks an,
onions, and those holding them to be Chris
tians, appear to be equally mistaken. Their
are many reasons leading us to believe tha
the Gipses are branch of the great Fir
Worsbipping family in the East 1t has fre
quenty been observed that the smiths, whel
kindling their fires. 20 through with certain
mystical performances Of a religious nature
and also that their worship, Of whatever kind