New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-06
Nep:alurk DAILY Gribm,te
THE GIPSIES AND Gypsy SLAVERY IN
THE DANUBIAN MUNICIPALITIES.

THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALl1IES.
The Gypsy population Of the Danubian Principali-
ties numbers about three hundred thousand souls, and
presents the marked physical and mental characters
tics of the wandering Bohsmians of Central Europe
and the Gitanos of Spain. 1t is evident that, under
various Names they all belong to the same nomadc
family. The traveller finds numerous representatives
of the Gypsy race in Egypt; they not wanting in
Jerusalem, and have small but distinct quarer near
one of the walls of Constantinople. One meets them
rowing in bands and practeing thief, and magic along
the Ganges the came as on the banks of the Elbe
end the Thames They are to be found in almost
every part of Continental Europe-shvering in rags
in the regions of the North and backing in the warm
sunshine of the South which they particularly love.
Scattered more widely over the world than even the
tattered remnants Israel they are, ehnographcay,
wandering vagabonds-politically, democrats Of the
open air and good adventure-elgously, outward con-
fol rsts to the faith of those among whom they move
and have temporary being, but shershng at the
same time mysterious belief of their own. Holding
themselves usually for Christians or Hohanmedans,
they are without Christian or MISUNDERSTANDING
belonging to the great world they are without world
" Dc ssessions and making pretense to patriarchM
customs they lead vagrant life, and exhibit the char
ecterstics Of carnivorous animals in general
Scattered as they are and recognizing the temporal
and RELIGIOUS authority of those whose lands they in.
habit. it is believed by persons who have studied
them and their institutions that they have secret
but extended political organizaton-nsy, that there Is
King of the Gpses; but where he lives, where Is
tho court of this monarch whose domains wider
than those ruled over by spiritual Rome is question
still open
The impression prevails throughout the East Of
Europe thai the Gpses are one OF the lost tribes oil
Israel; that they are descendants. OF the Isael'tes
who caused our Savior to be crucfed, and for that
ofense have been scattered the earth and con-
demned to personate the Wandering jew.
The Gpsies declare themselves to be of Egyptian
origin, sfd are, in fact, termed Egyptians in many
parts of Europe; hence also the name Gypsy. Iheir
features cannot be mistaken. They are of ordinary
stature robust. nervous, and manifest q Bedouin
partalty for tent lie the open air, and the beautiful
stars. Their bronze complexion black hair, burning
eyes, teeth Of ivory VIII eness long chests and pro-
iecting shoulders suggest an Ethiopian origin Their
pakedness, relieved by few scattering rags their
naughty end almost warlke gait and the expressive
gestures which characterize their conversation also
| give then striking resemblance to wandering Hot
tentots or Kaes Theirs, however, is not an African
| origin. Their language is medNge OF branch OF
the Ssnserit. with examinations and words borrowed
from the people among whom they live. In Turkey,
for instance, they employ the Sanscrt root, with the
Turkish Examinations. The maDT traces OF patrarchai
lie which they exhibit-eaeh nomadic band having
its chief-their oriental language and many things
| about them suggest Eastern life, Eastern origin,
| Eastern Institutions.
A religious faith analogous to the Fetish has been
ascrbed to the Gipses; but they who consider them
worsbpers Of eeks and onions and those holding them
10 be Christians appear be equally mistaken. There
are many reasons leading TO believe that the Gpses
are brlsch Of the great Fire Worshpping famiy 10
the Eas. 1t has frequently been observed that the
smiths when kinding their fires, 60 through win Ger.
tain mystical performances of religious nature, ana
also that their worship, Of whatever kind, is usually
celebrate at or near the rising of the sun.
The Gipsies are clearly of Asiatic origin. Ihey
closely resemble the lowest caste in India, and 1t Is
highly probable that their ancestors came from the
banks Of the OIus and the region south OF the same
| Driven ON Asia b. Tamerane about the year 400,
they en- red Europ by three great routes one stream
iumiglei.on reaching Spain by way of Africa another
sweeping into Europe along the northern shore OF the
Eu1ine and the third and largest tide ebbing to the
nations Of the Danube by the way of Anatolia and
Roumelia. In comparatively years they became
widely disseminated over Europe. Gypsy bands first
| appeared in Moldavia in the year l4l7, and lew
months afterward were seen in Germany and on the
con.ts of the Baltic. The following year they made
their appearance in Switzerland, pretending a. else
where, that they inhabitants of Lower Egypt
who had been compelled by the Saracens 10 renounce
Christianity but that having been reconquered By the
Christians they had been sent 10 Rome where the
pope for their apostacy, condemned them to wander
over the earth seven years and sleep constantly on
the ground. They also pretended to have passports
from.the Pope and the Emperor sig'mund, permitting
them TO wander at pleasure and steal with impunty'
| They were described as 80 vagrant horde belonging