Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-02-21
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 81, 1860.
GIpSIES.


6 IS GIPSIES.
A set of vile impostors and vagabonds'-
Their name (Egyptian) seems to nave
been, for some reason, assumed by them
selves.
They were driven from Egypt when the
Saracens oyerrun it, which was IN the year
1922. Their first appearance was IN rance a.,
where they arrived August =, AZ. 1hey
came from Lower Egypt Their hrst appear
ance in numbers in Christendom, was some
what imposing. They entered France, Hun
gary and Bohemia from the East, travelling
in numerous hordes, under leaders who as
sumed the titles of kings, dukes, counts, or
lords of Lesser Egypt, and they gave them
selves out for Christian pilgrims who had
been expelled from that country by the
Saracens, for their adherence to the true re-
ligion. However doubtful may now appear
their claims to this sacred character, they
had the address to pass themselves on some
of the principal sovereigns OF Europe, ana,
as German historians relate, even on the
Pope himself, for real pilgrims, and obtain
ed. under the seals of these potentates, va
rious privileges and passports, empowering
them to travel through all Christian coun.
tries under their patronage, for the space OF
seven years. Having once gained this loot
ing, however, the Egyptian pilgrims were at
no great loss in finding pretences Tor pro
longing their stay; and though 1t was soon
discovered that their manners and conduct
correspondent but little to the sanctty oil
their first pretensions, yet so strong was the
delusion respecting them, and so dexterous
were they in the arts of imposition, that they
seem to have been either legally protected
or silently endured by most of the European
governments, for the greater part OF cen
fury.
When their true character became at length
fully understood, and they were found to be
in reality race of profigate and theylsh I'M
posters, who from their numbers and auda-
city had now become griveous and intoler-
able nuisance to the various countries they
had inundated, severe measures were adop-
ted by different States to eXpel them from
their territories. DEGREES ofexpulsion were
issued against them by Spain in l492, by the
German Empire in 1900, and by France IN
1861 and 1912. Whether it was owing,
however, to the inefficient systems OF po-
lice at that time in use, or, that the common
people among whom they were mingled, Ia
yored their evasion Of the public edicts, 1t IS
certain, that Notwithstanding many long and
bloody prosecutions, no country that had once
admitted "these unknown and uninvited
guests" has ever again been able to get rid
of them.
When vigorously prosecuted by any gov
ernment on account of their crimes ana de-
predations,, they generally withdrew Tor a
time to the remote parts OF the country, or
crossed the frontiers to a neighborlng Jurls-
diction-only to return to their accustomed
haunts and habits, as soon as the storm pass
ed over. Though their numbers may per-
haps have since been somewhat diminished
in particular States by the progress OF civil
cation. it seems to be generally allowed that
their distinctive character, and modes OF lie
have nowhere undergone any material altera-
ton. In Germany, Hungary, Poland--ln
Italy, Spain, France and England, this sim
gular people, by whatever appellation they
may be distinguished Zlgeuners,
Tziganays, Bohemians, Gitanos, or Gipsies
still remain uncombined with the various
nations among whom they are dispersed,
and still continue the same dark, decettul
and disorderly race as when their wander
ing hordes first emigrated from Egypt or
from India. They are still everywhere char
acterized by the same strolling and pilterlng
propensities, the same popularity OF aspect,
and the same pretensions to iortunetelling
and "warlockry."
The Gipsies do not appear to have found
their way to England till about 100 years
after they we're first known in Europe
Henry Viii, and his immediate successors,
by several severe enactments, and by re-
exporting numbers of them at the public ex-
pense, endeavored to expel from their do
minions "this outlandish people calling
themselves Egupeins," but apparently with
little better success than their brother SOW
ereigns in other countries; for in the reign OF
Elizabeth, the number ofthem in England is
stated to have exceeded 10000, and they
afterwards became still more numerous. If
they made any pretension to the character
Of pilgrims, on their arrival it is evident at
least that neither Henry nor Elizabeth were
deceived by their impostures. Both these
monarchs, indeed, particularly the former
were too much accustomed to use religion,
ms well as law, for cloak to cover their own
violent and criminal conduct, to be easily
imposed upon by the like articles in others
We find them accordingly using very little
ceremony with the Egyptian pilgrims"
who, in several of their statutes, are described
by such designations as the following
sturdy roags," "rascals, vaeabonds," "mas-
terless men, ydle, yagrauntc, loyterlngs
lewde, and yll disposed persons, golnge
aboutc usings subtitle and unlawful games
or plate, such as faynt themselves to have
knowledge in phisiognomye, palmestrie, or
other abused science" ''tellers of deSti
MES, deaths, or fortunes, and such lyke fan
tastioal imaginations."
In King Edwards journal we find them
mentioned along with other ''masterless
men," The following association of per-
sons seems curious "June -. 1919 There
was privy search made through Suffolk for
all vagabonds, Gipsies, conspirators, pro
phesiers, all players, and such like.
Their first appearance in Scotland was in
the year 1906. Pretending that they came
from Egypt on a holy pilgrimage, by order
of the Pope.
Their appearance in America, in families
has been of recent date. The first who
came hither came singly or in parts, with
musical instruments, sometimes with mon
key attachment A man ground the organ,
a woman beat the tamborine and begged,
and sometimes told fortunes. The true
Gipsey, however, was only now and then
encountered amongst the array OF hurdy CUR
dy and organ grinders, who were mostly