Smyrna times., 1876-09-27
The First Appearance of the Gipsies


thereabouts, says writer in Temple Bar,
ian English magazine,) there knocked at
the gates of the city of Luncburg, on the
Elbe, as strange rabble rout as had ever
been seen by German burgher. Therewere
three hundred of them, men and women,
accompanied by an extraordinary number
of children. They were duslly of skin, with
jet black hair and eyes they wore strange
garments; they were unwashed and dirty
even beyond the liberal limits tolerated by
the coldwater fearing citizens of Luneburg;
they had with them horses, donkeys, and
carts; they were led by two men whom
they described as duke and count. These
two alone were dressed in some kind of
splendor, and rode richly-caparisoned
horses; they were most courteous in man
ner; they seemed careful to cOnciliate;
they talked among themselves strange
language, although they understood the
language Of the country. All they asked
was permission to camp for few days out
side the gates. All the Luneburgers turned
out to gaze open-mouthed at the these pill
grims, while the Duke and the Count told
the authorities their tale, which was wild
and romantic; even had they invented a
story to suit their own objects, no other
could so we'll have enlisted the sympathies
OF credulous, kindly, uncrtical, and soft
hearted folk. Many years before they ex-
planned, while the tears OF penitence stood
in the eyes of all but the youngest children,
they had been a Christian community,
living in orthodoxy, and therefore happi-
ness, in far-otf country known as Egypt.
The Luneburgers had heard of Egypt.
Crusades had not been out of fashion more
than two hundred years, and people still
told Of dreadful things done in Egypt, was
about as well as in the Holy Land. Egypt,
| indeed, was about as well known to me
di@val Europe as it was TO the Israelites
under the judges. The strangers came
from Egypt ltwas the land of the phoenix
| 1t was not far from the dominions of
Prester John. 1t was the country of the
Saracen and the intidel They were then
a happy Christian flock. 10 their valley
came the Saracens, an execrable race,
worshipping Mahound. Yielding, in an
evil hour, TO the threats and prosecutions
of their cOnquerors, they-here they turn
ed their face and wept aloud-they abjured
Christ. But thereafter they had no rest or
peace, and remorse SO deep fell upon
their souls that they were fain to arise,
leaving their homes, and journey to Rome
in hope Of getting reconciliation with the
Church. They were graciously received by
the Pope, who promised to admit them
back into the fold after seven years of peni-
tential wandering. They had letters of
credit from King Sigismund-would the
Luneburgers kindly look at them grant
ing safe conduct and recommending them
to the safe protection of all honest people.
The Luneburg folk were touched at the re.
cital of so much suffering in case SO good
they granted the request Of the strangers.
They allowed them to encamp; they watch.
ed in curiosity while the black tents were
pitched, the naked babies rolled out on
brass kettle slung over the newly kindled
fire; then they went home. The next day
the strangers visited the town. In the
evening a good many things were missed
especially those unconsidered trines which
a housewife may leave about her doorway
Poultry became suddenly scarce; egg.
doubled in price; it was runored that
purses had been lost while their owner.
gazed at the strangers; cherished cups ot
silver were not to be found. Could it be
that these christian penitents, these re
! morseful backsliders, these seekers after
!, holiness, these interesting pilgrims, SC
gentle of speech, so courteous and humble
were cut-purses and thievesP The mex
day there remained no longer any doubt
: about the matter at all, because the gentle
} strangers were taken in the act red. handed
While the Luneburgers took counsel, il
their leisurely way, how to meet case Sc
uncommon, the pilgrims suddenly de
{ camped, leaving nothing behind them bu
/ the ashes of their fires and the picked
DSHSS VI VAC pdEAOlhtu pOullIys luSI
Dogberry called unto him his brothe
3 Verges, and they fell to thanking God as i
: they were rid of knaves. This was the frs
7 historical appearance of gipsies. 1t was
curious place to appear in. The mouth o
the Elbe is long way from Egypt, even
II you travel by sea, which does not appear Il
have been the case and journey on lane
1 not only would have been infinitely NOR,
fatiguing, bat would, one would think, hav
: led to some notice on the road befor
! reaching Luneburg There, however, tn
4 gipsies certainly were first heard of, ant
henceforth history has plenty to say of thei
i doings.
n Hard times checks European immigrs
|. ton in the East hard treatment Asiati
!. immigration in the West. Ambition
/. foreign workmen return home; and tn
d prosecuted Asiatic laboref gladly joins tn
It company of those whose departure force
II the American to do his own work. Durin
- the rnonth of August thera vvara A7A ,nor