The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-06

the number. in my Judgment more than
100 900, that troops out o. London IN the
springtime and returns to the great metr p-
Oils for the winter months. Their remote
summer migrationS, considering the differ
ence in condition in favor OF American
gypsies, are quite as extraordinary
as with our own. While / have often
known the American gypsy band Of three or
four fnmilies to travel in sumptuous wagons
from Central Ohio to Eastern Maine and re-
turn the same season; it is truly as interest
ing to meet, as l have met, London gy psies,
VINO travel with numbering vans or donkeys
and carts, in the most remote mining villages
OF Cornwall, among the statesmen" in the
bills OF Cumberland, among the moorland
VILLAGES of Yorkshire, on the reedy shores of
the Norfolk "Broads, along the banks of
the Till and Tyne, on the southern slopes of
the Cheviot hills, beside the lochs Of the far
Hebrides or nested against some old clachan
in the misty corries of the, Scottish high
lands.
The evolution Of the gypsy, or more
properly the rise of the gypsy, is, though
slower, as certain here as it has been in our
country. With US hosts have gained or
are securing little p operties These largely
consist Of fine farms, country tavern stands,
toll gate privileges, tracts of woodland, of
which they are very fond. livery and sales
stables in the smaller towns and villages,
and, not infrequently, extensive town
properties, particularly large sales
stables in our own metropolitan
cities. All who are at all interested in
American gypsies, whatever may be
the hasCy judgment from the appearance
of occasional dusty roadside bands, should
know. once for all. that as a class, or race,
they have become rich and prosperous; and
it must be borne in mind that no human
beings so we'll know how to hide all offens-
i've semblanc De of wealth.
In a similar degree tina last quarter Of
century has wrought a wonderful change
Tor the better with maj ority of all Lon
don and English gypsles who have been
content to remain in their own land.
While in England in 1867, l had means of
knowing from personal observation that
almost universal squalor and wretched-
ness was characteristic OF English and par
ticularly London gypsies. No one can make
of a gypsy anything but gypsy; but gen.
Grafton Of change here has effected a more
marked advancement in a rugged pros
perity with this than with any other lowly
class. IL has not seized him bodily and in a
moment, or a year, or in q decade, put fine
clio hing upon him and made the
gypsy a man Of affairs, but-some-
thing as with the destitute Italians
who have landed upon our shores,
who we directly find as hawkers, willing
laborers restaurant Keepers, newsboys.
bootblacks, controllers of retail and whole
sale !ruil and nut trades, and on the high
road to prospect J, because they are quick
wit ed and willing to laDor--the English
gypsy has found. along With old tnakeshitts
for livelihood, many new tho gh rude occu-
pations and means of getting on in the
world all after his own mind and heart.
To one not acquainted with the ha bits and
WAYS of these in eresting folk, the old false
notion still exists that they must one and all
be thleving vagabonds. How else can they
exist? ts asked by tn Sc willing to believe
that a ragpicker, or a Russian Jew with a
| pack on his back, can hoard little savings
| until hs becomes etiiuenJ. Should you fol-
| low one Of these wa deriug families or
| bands from London in spring time to every
| English, Welsh or Scottish village to which
its way 10 made. and back sgain to its win
ter haunt in London, doubt if you could
| discover a. act Of single member savoring
more OF dishonesty than fortu ne telling or
cunning horse jockeying al fairs.
The cavAlcade at its outset may comprise
| one or more vans. They are, briefly de-
scribed, tiny houses upon Wheels They are
! drawn by donkeys. or often by broken down
! CITY tram horses which the gypsles get In
| oudou for a song, and which with care are
| finally transformed into exec lent cattle.
| Following these may be three or four, or
| a half-d0z u, little donkey carts, after the
| fashion of the costerml ngers' city carts.
! These will hold the real resources of The
| band. An examination Of the latter would