The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-01-15
GlPsIEs AND GIPsYDOM.

continent, but also In Asia, Africa and
America and, Notwithstanding their in
tercourse with other nations, the greater
part of them still remain, like the Jews,
wholly unchanged In manners, customs,
visage and appearas ce.
1t was in the early part of the fifteenth
century that large hordes of, these people,
peculiar in complexion and hair, and In
their mode of life, and apparently OF Asia
tic origin, first made their appearance in
Europe aud, in spite of the sanguinary
efforts Of the governments Of the countries
through which they passed, they continued
to spread over the continent, and have e1-
listed there in large numbers till this day,
preserving their language, if not in its or
iginal purity, yet without its having lost
its character.
Their primitive state is the tent and tilt
ed carts. The females derive considerable
profits from the trade of fortune telling,
certain old crones of the tribe pretending
to be inspired with the gift of prophecy
These employ the men to gather facts,
which, if they do not aid them in their pre-
dictious. at least often enable them to give
the history and condition of mind of indi
viduals with great accuracy. Besides tel
ling fortunes by palmistery, they toretell
destlnies by dlvination of the cup, adept
ing the method practiced by the ancient
Assyrans, Chaldeans and Egyptians. A
great deal OF awe is inspired by these OLD
hays, who turn the heads of country mai
dens in matters of matrimony, setting them
all agog on husbands, instruotiDg them IN
the Fart of love, and promising them as
many lovers at once as their hearts desire.
The men generally follow the trades of
thinkers, peddle crockery, or make and vend
brooms. They also provide food for the
meals, which are never very frugal, from
the fat of the land, without troubleing
themselves to inquire as to their right OF
title thereto. Child-stealing has ever been
enc of the mal-practices of the Gipsies,
who, when enabled to escape from a dis,
trict without the little ones being reclaimed
dye their skins to disguise them, adopt
them, md when grown up intermarry them
into their fraternity, believing that the
mixture Of blood will give stamina to their
race.
Historians have been terribly baf1ed il
their endeavors to arrive at a correct
knowledge Of the origin of the Gipsies.-
One speculation is that they are the de-
cendants OF great body of Egyptians who
revolted from the Turkish yoke, and, be-
ing defeated dispersed to small parties all
over the world while the supposed skill
of the black art gave them a universal re-
ception in an age of credulity and super
stlton. Another theory is to the effect
that they were from Hindoostan, whence
they were driven by the cruelty OF Timour;
while again very intelligent member Of
the tribe has asserted that his race sprung
from body of men-a cross between the
Arabs and Egyptians-whch originally
left Egypt in the train of the Jews. No
trace can now be found of any inquiry hav-
ing been made into their origin upo their
first appearance in Europe, when they re
celved the name Of Egyptians, of which
word Glpsis Is corruption. Various 9th
er appelaticns have also been given them
by different countries such as Bohemans,
Gitanos, Cingari, Heydens, or heather,
Zigeuners, Or wanderers, Charami or rob-
beTS, etc.
GIpsies was first observed in Germany
in l4l4 and l4l7. In 14l8 they were
found in Switzerland in l422, in Italy, in
l427 they are mentioned as being in the
neighborhood of Paris, and about the same
time in Spain. When they arrived at Par
is nearly all Of them had their ears bored,
with one or two silver rings in each, which
they said were esteemed ornaments In that
country, the men were black with curled
hair; the women remarkably black !; and
all had their faces SCARED.
Representing themselves as Egyptian
pilgrims, they, at first, under that charac-
ter, obtained considerable respect and,
for half century, were favored Dy differ
ent potentates with passports and letters of
security. Gradually, however, they really
became, or were fancied to be, troublesome
end ltalo, Sweden, Denmark and Germany
successfully attempted their expulsion in
the sixteenth century Eventually it is be-
lieeed that every State in Pennsylvania, at
tempted their expulsion or determination
but, notwithstanding the dreadful severity
Of the numerous laws and edicts promul~
gated against them, they remained in every
part OF the continent, in defiance Of every
effort made by the respective governments
TO get rid of their unwelcome guests.
About the time the Gipsies first appear
ed in Europe, their chiefs, under the titles
OF dukes, earls, lords. counts, and knights
Of Little Egypt rode up and down the coun-
try on horseback, dressed in gay apparel,
and attended by train of ragged and mis-
cradle interiors, having, also, hawks and
hounds in their retinue. From this it ap-
pears that these chiefs we've led by their
excessive vanity to initiate the customs Of
civilized society, and to assume these high
sounding European titles Of holsor There
does not appear on record any form of gov
eminent laws. or customs, by which the
internal affairs of the tribe, on the CONT
nent, were regulated, further than that
those resident in Hungary were wont to
dignity certain personages, whom they
elected as heads over them, by the exalted
Scalvonian title of Waywois. The distin>
gushing mark of dignity of this chief was
a large whip, hanging over the shoulder
In courland he was not only much respect
ed by his own people, but even by the no
bility OF the land, who esteemed him as
man of high rank. and frequently Invited
him to their entertainments, where he was
always welcome guest. His dress was
uncommonly rich, in comparison with that
OF others of his tribe, and generally consis>
ted of silk in summer and velvet in the
winter.
At first, Gipsies was not permitted to
bear arms in the service of any Christian
power, but the long wars of Louis XIV,
abolished this point of delicacy, and both
in the French army, and those of the con-
fo1arafaS tho b1lla,t % Ioc