The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-19


GYPsIEs.-A band of Gypsies has
encamped near the Hempfeld Railroad
Bridge a short distance east of the city.
The most noticeable feature OF their
equipage is number of fine horses.
These bands Comes wandering around
at irregular intervals generally staying
week or ten days in place, the men
trading and iockeying in horses and
selliugu few simple wares Of their own
manufacture, and the women telling
fortunes for such as are more willing to
pay for promises Of fortunes than they
are to earn them. In this way and by
petty theiViug they manage to pick ups
precarious eXistence-alWRys wander
lug from place to place and from coun-
try to country, and never mingling or
inter-marrying with any other race. 4
A people 30 singular, naturally excite
curiosity as to their origin and history.
With a view of gratifying this, we add
some account Of their origin and his
tory. u
The word "Gypsies'' is a corruption
of Egyptians." The Gypsies are found
in most parts Of Europe, and in some
other portions of the world. They call
themselves Roma (men, coptic reR),
Slnte probably from the Sind or Indus
riber,l and PharaOns-the latter In al
fusion TO their pretended Egyptian ORR
gin. The names given them by other
nations are: Zingari, in Italy; Gitanos,
in Spain; Zingari, in Germany; Czigan-I
yoks in Hungary; Tsigani, in Slavic
countries; Tshengenler, in Turkey;
Sisech Hindu, BLACK Indians) in Per-
sla; Bohemlans, in France, Craving ar
rived thither from Bohemia); also
nicknamed MattOis, Geesux, CagouX,
aud their Language Blesquin, in France;
Zieh-Gauner, Wandering request, in
Germany; Heathens, in Holland; Tar
taTs, in Sweden, SO. They. are igno-
rant Of their origin, and history having
failed to record their nigrationS, there
are various opinions on the subject,
Some authors deem them OF Median
origin, and others trace them to India
whence they were driven by Tanner
lane in 1903, where they belonged to
the SOodra caste, or rather PariahS.
There are many rowing tribes in
India now which = resemble
them. Gypsy bands hrst aTi-
peared about l4l7 in Germany, and in
1877. 100 arrived at Paris from Bohemia,
claiming to be Christians from Lower
Egypt, whence they were expelled by
the Saracens. They were afterwards
expelled from Paris, but continued To
wander over France and crossed 10
England. Wherever they went they |
practised the arts of thieying and de.
ception. Severe laws were enacted
against them in the different States or
Europe into which they found their
way, but without much effect. In
TTansylvania, WallaChia, MOIdavia,
and Hungary there are 200, 900, and here
they more nearly approach a settled
life than anywhere else.u In Spain there
L. 81.
southern provinces Of Russia and Tur@
key; considerable number in Nor
way; less than 5000 in England. In
1880 the total number In Europe was
100000. 7li5llas5f
The Gypsy physiognomy Is Asiatlc in
type, with tawnyi complexion, quick
black eyes, black hair, high cheek
bones, slightly projecting lower Jaw,
narrow mouth with fine white teeth.
Some oftheir young women are consid-
cred beauties. They pretend that their
skin in palmistry Is the love Of the
Egyptians. They have little or no re-
Ngtous belief, and no words in their
Language to signify God, the soul or
Immortality.
Their habits are SO squalid and de-
PRAYED as usually to cause them 10 fau
into decrepitude before middle aEie.
They have few redeeming traits, They
and cruel. Marriage is i temporary
form with them. Velasquez SAYS 1.-THE
Gypsies' Church was built OF lard and
the dogs ate IT." Their industry reach
es no higher than the ttnkering ofhard-
ware and turning small articles in
wood, with occasionally some 1ssist-
ance in farm labor, reluctantly given.
In Transylvania they do little wash
ing gold. They have some talent for
music, and their young persons are
fond OF dancing. The women are fond
of gay colors. In England the recog-
mixed Gypsey womai's apparel is a red
cloak with a hood and 4 handkerehiSfI
tied over the head. Il
We are sorry TO have to add to all
this that the authorities are Of the opin-
ion that It Is Questionable WHEELER a !
band OF genuine Gypsies has ever been |
In AmeTica-t pretending to be |
such in this country being vagabonds |
who adopt their mode Of life.