Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-12-23
AN ANCIENT RACE.
eYPsIEs, AND THEIR CLAIM TO sE
GODS CHOSEN PEOPLE.

A Prevailing Idea Among the Race.
''PiIgrims" of Noble Blood Under PEN
ance-Known By Various Names in
Different Countries.
once knew q Gypsy named Carpenter
nearly 100 years old-exactly 96 in the sum-
mer of 1877, when 1 was favored with his
wise companionship among the beautiful hills
and valleys of western Pennsylvania Bis
great age, and Q certain amount of book
knowledge he had somehow acquired, made
him sort of seer among his race always
approached him with real veneraticn, and
when one day asked him why Gypsies were
wanderers he instantly answered in Rom
many:
because they are Gods chosen peoplel'
am pretty sure the old rascal did not be-
heve what he said, because there was half
wicked, merry twinkle in his eyes, and be-
sides we were ct that moment occupied In
dressing some plump chickens over whose
manner of getting into camp thought best
to throw the mantle of silent charity; but he
gravely proceeded to draw host Of simili-
tudes between modes Of gypsy life and those
of the modern patriarchs, laying great en-
phasis upon the statement that gypsies were
the true descendants Of the house of Recha-
bites, so loved of the Lord for its peoples
faithful observance of divine commands.
Then he glibly quoted from Jeremiah:
GNeither shall ye build house, nor sow seed,
nor plant vineyard, nor have any; but all
your days We shall dwell in tents; that ye may
live many days in the land where ye be
strangers"
As little weight as need be given to this
idea, it is true that have discovered this
thought to be prevailing one with the race
In many lands, and have traced it so thor
oughly among the 0psies Of to-day as to ven
ture the statement that something like it Is
with them universal underlying ethnologi-
cal and ethical principle and belief a not
greatly dissiulilar thought or pretsnse csr-
tainly served them well between 400, the
date Of their first appearance in Europe, and
1880, when they had become known and recog-
nized with much favor In every prindpality
Of Europe.
PILGRIMS OF NOBLE BLOOD.
However such cheat may have been sug-
gested to them, they everywhere appeared as
Spilgrimsn of noble blood under penance for
some fictitious infringement Of divine law to
wander without covering for their heads
through Christian lands for a long term Of
years This delusion found ready accept
ance, and, as the various bands were
well appareled, mounted upon the finest Of
steeds, possessed many indications Of oriental
prestige, and were withal picturesque to q
great degree, each horde having its titled
leader known as %count" or "duke' or i1ord"
of 'little Egypt their increase In popularity
and numbers was marvellous. The idea that
they were genuine pilgrims and holy persons
soon prevailed throughout all Europe, the
memory of the orlsades being still glowing
fervor among the people, prompting quick
motive for sympathy in all professedly holy
undertakings, and the willy pretenders every
where easily secured passports, seals, safe
conducts, and liberation from kings and
princes
From these Egyptian pilgrims" came
Gyptians, and hence gypsies, which name, al
though now regarded by the entire race as q
term of reproach, the more dignified Rom
many from Rom, Ram, the first, the head be-
ing their own priced appellation, viii always
cling TO them Is closely as the unfortunate
Ill repute into which they soon fell after their
generous welcome into European countries.
They are variously known, according to Hoy
land, by the Moors and Arabians as Charami,
or robbers, pretty severe name among ma
tions of robbers; ss Cyganis, In Trausyl-
vania Tschingenes, among the Turks and
other eastern nations; Txiganys, In Hungary;
Zingaris, in Italy; Zigermers, In Germany;
Bohemians, among the French; Gitanos and
Liganos respectively, In Spain and Portugal,
and in Holland as Heydens, or heathen.
They can never be other than plain gypSies
In all English speaking countries, unless az
is not impossible In America, their numbers,
wealth and respectability shall so increase
that they may in time command the self