Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-09-19
The Gypsies and Their Peculiar
characteristics.

The gypsies present one OF the most re-
markable anomalies 10 the history OF the human
race. Though they have lived among Euro
peau nations for centuries, forming IN some
districts prominent element ID the population,
they have succeeded in keeping them.elves
separate in social relations, customs, language.
and, IN a measure, in Government, and in ex-
cluding strangers from real knowledge Of the
character of their communities and organiza-
tons. Scarcely more is known Of them by the
world in general, than was known when they
6rst made their appearance among civilized ma
tons Nobody could then tell what their
origin, no one definitely knows now. The
name given them IN the English laws implies
that they came originally from Egypt, hnd
there are tr additions to that effect, but it can
only be copjectured when they left the country,
or BY what way they got into Europe. Nj
Sim.on suggests that they emigrated from
Egypt along with the 1sraeIites, and that they
settled in Hindostan, whence they came mex,
in due course of time. In support Of his the
orv, he adduces many striking anslogies be-
tween their language and some OF the Indian
dialects.
Another curious thing advanced by Mr..
Simson in his " History of the Gypsies is
that of the perpetuity Of the race, on which
he entertains doctrines that may we'll be called
radical" He thinks that the race never dies
out. and tha. Gypses, however much they
/ NAV intermarry with the worlds people, and
adopt the habits of civilization, remain Gyp-
sizes, preserve the language. the Gypsy mode
of thought, and loyalty to the race and its ira
ditions to remote generations. His work.
turns in fact, upon these two theories and the
incidents, facts, and citations from history With
which it abounds are skiliuily used in support
of them.
Pertinent anecdotes, illustrating the habits
and craft of the Gypsies, may be picked up at
random in any part Of the book.
ANECDOTES.
A very good one is told Of the unceremonI.
GUS manner in which some Scotch Gypsies-
unwit,ingly, it is to be presumed-served the
sovereign Of the land, whose royal prerogatives
however, troubled them but little:
King James ", as be travelling
through part OF his dominions, disg ised un-
der the character Of the Gaberlunzieman, OF
Guid man of Ballangeigh, prosecuting, was
his Gus tom,, his lev and vague amours, fell in
with p band of Gypsies, in the midst OF their
icarousals, in a cave, near Wemyss, in Fifeshire
His Majesty heartily joined in their revels, bu
it was not long before scuffie ensued, wherein
the King was very roughly handled, being II
danger of his lite. The Gypsies, perceiving a
last that be was none of their people, and con
siderng him a spy, treated him with great in
; dignity. Among other humlating insults
, they compelled his royal Majesty, an hum
ole servant of Tinker, to carry their bud
, gets and wallets on his back, for several miles
until be was exhausted; and being unable t
proceed step further. he sank under his load
He was then dismissed with scorn and con
e tempt by the merciless Gypsies. Being ex
, aspelated at their cruel and contemptuou
e treatment Of his sacred person, and havini
of th lDon no
r of life, the King caused an order in counc
t Immediately to be issued, declaring that,
three Gypsies were found together, one of th
Q three was to be instantly seized, and forthwith
I hanged or shot, by any of his Majesty's sui
l ects that chose to put the order IN execu
d tion."
i Gypsies are capable, when inclined, of bette
y treatment towards those who fall in their wa.
as is illustrated by the following, which is on
K of many of the same kind which are given b
. MIR. Simson:
b "A gentleman, whose name is not mention
q ed, while travelling, under night, betwee
It Falkirk and Linlithgow, fell in, on the roa
b with man whom be did not know. Darin
Q the conversation which ensued, he mentione
n to the stranger that he was afraid of being a
It tackled, for many one, he observed, hs
10 been robbed on that road. He then urge
st that they should return. as the safest plan II
them both. The stranger, however, replis
It that he had often travelled the road, yet hi
{, never been troubled by any one. After sol
further conversation, he put his hand into ;
9 pocket, and gave the traveller knife, vi
q which he was desired to proceed without fea
ID The traveller now perfectly understood the 7
lation that existed between them, and continue
n bis journey with confidence but he had n
n proceeded far ere he was accosted by foe
d pad to whom he produced the knife. II
1t pad looked at it carefully, said nothing. b
le passed on, without giving the traveller t
slightest annoyance"
THE ART OF THEFT.
be One of the trades of Gypsies is that
I'd stealing, which they make it their business
! teach the young among them. the anecde
Cd given below reminds one of the customs of I
at 80. = o....