Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1890-08-21
THE GYPSIES.
SomethIng About That Most Re-
narkable People.

markable People.
You WAC have seen these people, in
the country tenting BY the roadside or
camping Ia ghs woods. or. mayhsp on
the sabgrta Of city. have had these
questions arise in your minds; Who are
these people? Were DID they come
from2 What Is their origin?
The gypsies I'll 40 place and take no
part IN the grezs movements OF the
world; thsY are a despised race Of vaga-
bonds; and yet they must have history.
To Writs the history OF a people.
though it be ever SO concise. we must
live Ia spirit as 1t were. among : people
OF = bY-goE.s sge, 20 note their appear
anee. their manners and their general
eOnditiOn. that we may form Just esCi-
mate OF their merits and their short
comlngs, 90 must form pictare made
By the impression OF our researches in
the highways and the byways OF the his
tory those before as have written, for
whatever we can find upon the subject,
that we nav trace is - clearly as posi-
bic on tho blank page for others 70 see.
The gYpsies, al taings considered,
must % regarded as the most singular
and most remarkable people on the
globe. They are without history or
tradition or religion; without litera .ure
or written language, and. as has been
observed, with nothing 20 bind them
together but the indelible, unchange-
able strain OF their savage blood, and
displaying . pertinacity OF race surpass-
ing that 81 the jews"
Everywhere present. from Persia 70
ireland. from Siberia 20 Central Africa.
ssd from Australia 20 America, and
everywhere despised and oppressed out
casts. they have always kept their race
separate and distinct with a rigid ex-
clusiveneis which - unparalleled.
From one end GO the earth 20 the 9TH
or, with few exceptions in language. in
physical peculia-ities, in their social and
moral character. IN their pursuits and
their habits OF life they are every
where essentially The same. Difference
In climate appears 70 work but little
change in thcir color or complexion.
Changes In foci and in outward circum-
stances wo-k buE little variation in
their physical type They are not in
fusnced by the utilization or tho bar
barisn Of any Peopio among whom they
may chance % So ourn.
The word gypsy is a corruption OF
Egyptian" with the prevalent belief.
founded on their own assertion, that
they cane fyon Egypt, though recent
evidence shows 20 the contrary.
Some have supposed them TO be the
descendants OF Ishnael; son OF Hagar.
Ethnologists. BY q careful investigation
OF their language. have discovered it TO
be the Old Sanscrit mingled with words
OF other languages. added or discarded.
according 10 the country in which they
lived. They are sprung from the lowest
class Of Indians; the degraded Pariahs
from the valley OK the Indus.
The indications arc that the gypsies
entered Europe through southern Rus
sia, in some connection with tho Tar
tars OF the Golden Horde. Before the
year 1880 their rowing bands seem to
have scattered through Moldavia. Wall
lacEis and Bulgaria where many Of
them were seized and reduced 20 a most
miserable state OF slavery By the cruel
Bulgarian mobiles
Outwardly as within. the gypsies pre-
sent a strong contrast; some being
strangely hideous. others very bcauti-
fuL They are finely proportional. II
medium stature. and light and sinewy,
insonsib.e 70 both cold and wet, sup
porting great fatigue. They pride
themselves on their sCiall hands and
feet Corpulenco rarely occurs, and
only in the older women. Their hair Is
black or dark brown. incliniag toCosrse-
ness. il often fri1zled and does not soon
turn gray. Their complexion is tawny
olive. Their teoth are OF = dazzling
wilderness and % perfect regularity.
Their check bones high. and their aqui-
1ino nose is overhunE by strongly
marked brows. often knit in deep lines
- thought But the most striking feat
Pre- is tte foil. dark eve, now listless.
tAsn changing 20 expression OF mystic
Gus chlld-like sorrow, presently blas-
ng forth with sudden passion. They
early develop and early fade.
The xypsy character IS strange
mixtu-e Of COOL and evil. and though
black and hateful ~ tbe tsile world. 20
the Romani is Is ali that isfair and low
able. They are liz. s-hearted and coure-
eous. but only 20 trae and adopted mem
bers q the tribe are their iEmost hearts
revealed
Their PRINCIPAL faults are childish
vanity. professions cunning. Incidence,
o. hot. p3ssiona., temper. bat they
s-e as ready ~ for ve as troy are quick
e. roecnt a wrong
Their family Election ia fntenseIT
strong. parent never chastisin- a
younger child; but grovn-up son
meek ~ taxes a thrashinV from hls faith
- They are exceedingly Eenero1s to
such as ara poorer than themselves.
sven though they arc nor = their own
race. They love nature and dumt
creation They have gift - tongues,
readily adapting themselves e. what
sver counerv theg are in and convsrs
irF In the laaguare spoken. There 4
anorz chem a kind ~ wii3. SAVAGE dig
nitv and undergraduates 81 character 4
UVrsv queen viii sometimes display /
majesty - ierresnor tralT worthy q I
gypsy throne They have a passion foi