Various are the conjectures which have been indulged, and the coincidences which have been sought for, in order to obtain a solution of the query,What race of people are the Gypsies?
Whoever is disposed to refer to Continental writers, may see more than thirty different opinions started on this subject, founded on no better authority than some similarity of appellation, garb, complexion, or unsettled way of life.
They were sometimesTorlaques,Kalendars, orFaquirs. The Torlaques are Mahometan Monks, who under the pretence of holiness, are guilty of the most flagrant excesses. Bajazet the 2d, banished them from the Turkish empire in 1494. The Kalendarswander about in heathen countries, as the Gypsies do among Christians. The Faquirs are religious fanatics; and rove about in heathen and mahometan countries, like the most atrocious robbers. Anquetil says, the Faquirs in India go a pilgrimage to Jagrenat; they plunder such villages and cities as lie in their way; they form considerable bodies about a mile from Jagrenat, where they choose themselves a leader, to whom they pay all the attention due to a general.
With regard to strolling and thieving, the Faquirs and Gypsies agree exactly. Thomasius, Griselini, and the English geographer Salmon, imagined that when Sultan Selim conquered Egypt in 1517, several of the natives refusing to submit to the Turkish yoke, revolted under one Zinganeus.
But we have already adverted to authentic documents for the proof, that they were in Germany, Italy, and France, near a century before the conquest of Egypt by Selim.
Yet the belief that Gypsies were of Egyptian origin is parallel with their existence in Europe.It arose from the report circulated by the first of them, that they were pilgrims from Egypt; and this statement was not only adopted by the common people, but here, and there, obtained credit among men of learning. Grellmann observes, that had this opinion not been received at a time when almost every thing was taken upon trust, with little examination; had it not been propagated by the first Gypsies, and then obtained a sanction, it would have been impossible for it to have gained such general acceptation, or to have maintained itself to the present times. Till the 17th century, the Egyptian descent of the Gypsies rested entirely on tradition. Afterwards, Aventin, Krantz, and Miinster openly contradict it.
Aventin relates that they wished it to be thought they came from that country, but that, in his time, nothing was known concerning them, but what came from their own mouths; those who accounted them Egyptians, rested their belief entirely on the veracity of their informants.
This is collected with greater certainty from Krantz and Miinster, for they declare expressly, that every thing which could be discovered by any other means than their own assertions, contradicted, rather than confirmed their Egyptian descent. But it is not merely that their Egyptian descent is entirely destitute of proof, the most circumstantial evidence can be adduced against it.
Their language differs entirely from the Coptic, and their customs, as Ahasuerus Fritsch has remarked, are diametrically opposite to the Egyptian; but what is, if possible, of greater weight, they wander about in Egypt, like strangers, andthere, as in other countries, form a distinct people.
The testimony of Bellonius is full and decisive on the point. He states; “No part of the world, I believe, is free from those banditti, wandering about in troops; whom we, by mistake, call Gypsies, and Bohemians. When we were at Cairo, and the villages bordering on the Nile, we found troops of these strollingthieves sitting under palm-trees; and they areesteemed foreignersinEgypt.”
Aventin expressly makes Turkey their original place of rendezvous; and this furnishes a reason for the south east parts of Europe being the most crowded with them. If all that came to Europe passed by this route, it accounts for a greater number remaining in those countries, than in others to which they would have a much longer travel; and before their arrival at which, their hordes might be much divided.
It is a just assertion, that one of the most infallible methods of determining the origin of a people, would be the discovery of a country in which their language is that of the natives. It is a fact incontrovertibly established, that besides the Gypsies speaking the language of the country in which they live, they have a general one of their own, in which they converse with each other.
Not knowing any speech correspondent with the Gypsies, some have been ready to pronounce it a mere jargon; not considering how extravaganta surmise it would be, that a people rude, uncivilized, and separated hundreds of miles from each other, have invented a language. Others who are better informed on the subject, allow that the language brought into Europe with the Gypsies, was really vernacular, of some country; but suppose it is so disguised and corrupted, partly by design, and partly by adventitious events, through length of time, and the continued wandering of these people, that it must be considered a new language, and now used by the Gypsies only.
That it is the dialect of some particular part of the globe, though no longer pure, as in the country whence it originated, is an opinion which has obtained the greatest concurrence among the learned. Grellmann says, had a German listened a whole day to a Gypsey conversation, he would not have comprehended a single expression. It must doubtless appear extraordinary, that the language of a people who had lived for centuries in Europe, should have remained so much a secret: but it was not easy to gain information from the Gypsiesconcerning it. Acquainted, by tradition, with the deception their predecessors practised on coming into Europe, they are suspicious; and fearing an explanation might be dangerous to themselves, they are not disposed to be communicative.—But how was it possible for the learned of former centuries, to be competent to the investigation, who had not the aids which now so copiously occur to the historical etymologist?
Many dialects have been discovered, and our knowledge of others greatly increased, within the last fifty or sixty years. During that time, not only the literary treasures of the furthest north have been opened to us, but we have become acquainted with many of the oriental languages; and even eastern idioms are becoming familiar to us. We need not therefore be surprised, that before this period, the most learned were unable to point out the country in which the Gypsey language was spoken. The Gypsies have no writing peculiar to themselves, in which to give a specimen of the construction of their dialect.
Writing and reading are attainments not to be expected from nomadic tribes. Sciences, and the refined arts, are never to be looked for among a people whose manner of living, and education, are so irregular. Music is the only science in which Gypsies participate in any considerable degree; they likewise compose, but it is after the manner of the eastern people, extempore.
Grellmann asserts, that the Hindostanie language has the greatest affinity with that of the Gypsies; but he does not rest this solely on the specimen he has introduced, a sketch of which will be presented in the next section; he adduces many facts in confirmation of his opinion, which it would be an injustice to him not to exhibit.
He infers from the following considerations, that Gypsies are of the lowest class of Indians, namely Pariars, or as they are called in Hindostan,Suders.
The whole great nation of Indians is known to be divided into four ranks, or stocks, which are called by a portuguese name,castes; eachof which has its own particular subdivisions. Of these castes, the Bramin is the first; the second contains theTschechteriesor Setreas; the third, consists of theBeis, or Wazziers; the fourth is the caste of the above mentioned Suders; who upon the peninsula of Malabar, where their condition is the same as in Hindostan, are called Parias, and Pariers.
The first were appointed by Brama to seek after knowledge, to give instructions, and to take care of religion. The second were to serve in war; the third were as the Bramins, to cultivate science; but particularly to attend to the breeding of cattle. The caste of Suders was to be subservient to the Bramins, the Tschecteries, and the Beis. These Suders are held in disdain, they are considered infamous, and unclean, from their occupation, and they are abhorred because they eat flesh; the three other castes living entirely on vegetables.
Of this very caste it will appear, by the following comparison, our Gypsies are composed. We have seen that the Gypsies are in the highest degree filthy and disgusting; and withregard to character, depraved and fraudulent to excess, and these are the qualities of the Suders.
Baldeus says, the Parias are a filthy people, and wicked crew, who in winter steal much cattle, &c.
It is related in the Danish Mission Intelligence:—Nobody can deny that the Pariers are the dregs and refuse of all the Indians; they are thievish, and have wicked dispositions, &c.
Moreover Neuhof assures us: “The Parruas are full of every kind of dishonesty; they do not consider lying and cheating to be sinful, as they have no other custom or maxims among them. The Gypsey’s solicitude to conceal his language is, also, a striking Indian trait.”
“Professor Pallas says of the Indians round Astracan: custom has rendered them to the greatest degree suspicious about their language, insomuch that I was never able to obtain a small vocabulary from them.”
With regard to Gypsey marriages, Salmon relates that the nearest relations cohabit witheach other; and as to education, their children grow up in the most shameful neglect, without either discipline or instruction.
All this is precisely the case with the Pariars. In the journal of the Missionaries already quoted, it is said; “With respect to matrimony, they act like the beasts, and their children are brought up without restraint or information.” Gypsies are fond of being about horses, so are the Suders in India, for which reason, they are commonly employed as horse-keepers, by the Europeans resident in that country.”
We have seen that the Gypsies hunt after cattle which have died of distempers, in order to feed on them; and when they can procure more of the flesh than is sufficient for one day’s consumption, they dry it in the sun. Such is likewise a constant custom with the Pariars in India.
That the Gypsies, and natives of Hindostan, resemble each other in complexion, and shape is undeniable. And what is asserted of the young Gypsey girls rambling about with their fathers who are musicians, dancing with lasciviousand indecent gestures, to divert any person who is willing to give them a small gratuity for so acting, is likewise perfectly Indian. Sonnerat confirms this in the account he gives of the dancing girls of Surat.
Fortune-telling is practised all over the East; but the peculiar kind professed by the Gypsies, viz: chiromancy, constantly referring to whether the parties shall be rich or poor, happy or unhappy in marriage, &c. is no where met with but in India.
The account we have given of Gypsey smiths may be compared with the Indian, as related by Sonnerat in the following words: “The smith carries his tools, his shop, and his forge about with him, and works in any place where he can find employment; he erects his shop before the house of his employer, raising a low wall with beaten earth; before which, he places his hearth; behind this wall, he fixes two leathern bellows. He has a stone instead of an anvil, and his whole apparatus is a pair of tongs, a hammer, a beetle, and a file. Howexactly does this accord with the description of the Gypsey smith!
We have seen that Gypsies always choose their place of residence near some village, or city, very seldom within them; even though there may not be any order to prevent it, as is the case in Moldavia, Wallachia, and all parts of Turkey. Even the more improved Gypsies in Transylvania, who have long since discontinued the wandering mode of life, and might, with permission from government, reside within the cities, rather choose to build their huts in some bye place, without their limits. This custom appears to be derived from their original Suder education; it being usual all over India, for the Sunders to have their huts without the villages of the other castes, and in retired places near their cities.
With respect to religion, it has appeared that the greater part of the Gypsies live without any profession of it;Tolliussays, worse than heathens. The more wonderful it is, that a whole people should be so indifferent and void of religion, the more weight it carries withit, to confirm their Indian origin, when all this is found to be literally true of the Suders.
In relation to the emigration of the Gypsies, no cause can be assigned for their leaving their native country, so probable, as the war of Timur Beg, in India. The date of their arrival marks it very plainly. It was in the years 1408, and 1409, that this Conqueror ravaged India for the purpose of disseminating the Mahometan religion. Not only every one who made any resistance was destroyed, and such as fell into the enemies’ hands, though quite defenceless, were made slaves; but in a short time those very slaves, to the number of one hundred thousand, were put to death. In consequence of the universal panic which took place, those, who could quit the country, might well be supposed to consult their safety by flight.
If any of the higher castes did withdraw themselves on account of the troubles it is probable, they retired southward to people of their own sort, the Mahrattas. To mix at all with the Suders, would have been degradingtheir high characters, which they consider worse than death; it was therefore morally impossible for them to have united with the Suders in a retreat. Moreover, by putting themselves into the power of the Suders, with whom they live in a state of discord and inveteracy, they might have incurred as much danger as from the common enemy.
Before presenting a vocabulary of Gypsey words, it may be observed, that though the Hindostanie language is fundamentally the same, all over Hindostan; yet, like other languages, it has different dialects in the various provinces. The eastern dialect, spokes about the Ganges, has different names for some things; and inflections of some words different to the western ones spoken about the Indus: There is, besides, a third, varying from both these, viz: the Surat dialect, which has a number of Malabar, and other words mixed with it. To this must be added, that in the Hindostan, as well as in every other language, there are often several names for the same thing.
The particular dialect bearing the closest affinity to the Gypsey language, as will appear hereafter, is the western; and perhaps more especially that of Surat. With respect to the construction and inflections of the two languages, they are evidently the same. In that of Hindostan, every word ending in j is feminine, all the rest masculine; the Gypsey is the same. That makes the inflections entirely by the article, adding it at the end of the word. The Gypsey language proceeds exactly in the same manner
Grellmann.
Comparative view of the Gypsey, Hindostanie, and Turkish languages.
The following collection is extracted from Grellmann’s Vocabulary.
Gypsey.
Hindostanie.
English.
Ick, Ek
Ek
One
Duj, Doj
Du
Two
Trin, Tri
Tin
Three
Schtar, Star
Tschar
Four
Pantsch, Pansch
Pansch
Five
Tschowe, Schow
Tscho
Six
Efta
Hefta, Sat
Seven
Ochto
Aute
Eight
Desch, Des
Des, Des
Ten
Bisch, Bis
Bjs
Twenty
Diwes
Diw
Day
Ratti
Rateh
Night
Cham, Cam
Kam
The Sun
Schan
Tschand
The Moon
Panj
Panj
Water
Sonnikey
Suna
Gold
Rûp
Ruppa
Silver
Jiv
Giuw
Wheat
Bàl
Bàl
The Hair
Aok
Awk
The Eye
Kan
Kawn
The Ear
Nak
Nakk
The Nose
Mui
Mu
The Mouth
Dant
Dant
A Tooth
Tschib
Jibb
The Tongue
Sunjo
Sunnj
The Hearing
Sunj
Sunkh
The Smell
Sik
Tschik
The Taste
Tschater
Tschater
A Tent
Rajah
Raja
The Prince
Puro
Purana
Old
Baro
Burra
Great
Kalo
Kala
Black
Grea
Gorrra
Horse
Jukel
Dog
Maru
Bread
Kil
Butter
Ker
Gurr
House
It has already been observed, that in the Gypsey, as well as in the Hindostanie language, the article is not placed before the noun, but affixed behind it; and that is the sole indication of the case of a noun.
Grellmann has given examples of the declension of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives, as well as the conjugation of verbs in both languages; but the grammatical arrangement of them does not come within the design of this work. The foregoing list of words is a selection of those that are most similar: but in Grellmann’s extensive vocabulary, he says, it will appear on the average, that every third Gypsey word, is likewise Hindostanie.
It must be observed, that the words above recited, have been learned from the Gypsies within a few years, consequently at a time when they had been nearly four complete centuries away from Hindostan, their native country; and among people who spoke languages totally different; in which also the Gypsies conversed.
Under the constant and so long continued influx of these languages, their own must necessarily have suffered some alteration; more especially as they are a people entirely ignorant, either of writing or literature.
It does not appear that there is so much Persian in the Gypsey language, as has been generally imagined; and even what there is of it, they may have brought with them from their native country, as many Persian words are current in Hindostan. We ought rather to wonder the number of Hindostanie words in the Gypsey language, is so considerable, than to require it should be greater, to furnish sufficient proof of the Hindostanie language being the Gypsies’ mother tongue.
Since the laborious researches of Grellmann, extended intercourse with India, has furnished unquestionable evidence in support of his deductions. The first we shall introduce, is contained in the following letter from William Marsden to Sir Joseph Banks, F.R.S. read to the Society of Antiquaries in London, 1785.
“It has long been surmised, that the vagrant tribes of people called in this country Gypsies, and on parts of the Continent of Europe, Cingari, Zingari, and Chingali, were of eastern origin. The former name has been supposed a corruption of Egyptian, and some learned men have judged it not improbable that their language might be traced to the Coptic.
“In the course of researches which I have had occasion to pursue on the subject of language, I have observed that Ludolfus, in his history of Ethiopia, makes mention incidentally of the Cingari, velErrones Nubiani, and gives a specimen of words which he had collected from these people on his travels, with a view of determining their origin. He discusses the opinions of various writers concerning them; but forms no precise sentiment of his own, concluding his observations with these words: “Eadem vocabula, cum maximam partem reperiam apud Vulcanium à centum fere annis traditam, non fictitia existimo, ut Megiferus putat nec corrupta ex aliis linguis,neque Egyptiaca, sive Coptica.”—In English, thus: “Since I find according to Vulcanius, that most of these words have been continued traditionally for a period of nearly 100 years, I do not consider them fictitious, as Megiferus supposes, nor corrupted from other languages, either the Egyptian or Coptic.”
“I was surprised to find many of the words familiar to my eye; and I pointed out to Sir Joseph Banks, in the latter end of the year 1783, their evident correspondence with terms in the Hindostanie, or as it is vulgarly termed in India, the Moors’ language.
“This similitude appeared to me so extraordinary, that I was inclined to suspect an error in the publication, which might have arisen from a confusion of obscure vocabularies in the author’s possession. The circumstance, however, determined me to pay farther attention to the subject, and to examine, in the first place, whether the language spoken by the Gypsey tribes in England, and by those in the remoter parts of the continent of Europe was one, and the same; and then to ascertain,whether this actually bore the affinity which so forcibly struck me in Ludolfus, to any of the languages on the Continent of India.
“Through the obliging assistance of Sir Joseph Banks, who has spared no pains to promote this investigation, I procured an opportunity of obtaining a list of words from our Gypsies, which I can depend upon as genuine, and tolerably accurate in respect to the pronunciation, from their being corroborated also by words taken down, separately, by Sir Joseph, and by Dr. Blagden.
“Mr. Matra did me the favour to transmit for me, a list of words to Turkey; and from his ingenious friend B. Pisani, I received a complete and satisfactory translation of them, together with some information, respecting the manners of the Chingiares, in the Turkish dominions, which, however, does not come within the design of this paper, as I mean to confine myself in the present communication, simply to the question of similarity of language; which, if established, I should esteem a matterof no little curiosity; presuming it to be perfectly new to the world.
“Of this similarity, the learned members of the Society will be enabled to form their judgment from the annexed paper, exhibiting a comparison of a few of the words procured from the different quarters before mentioned, with the Hindostanie terms, from the best published, and parole authorities. It may not be unworthy of remark, that the general appellation of these people in the eastern part of Europe, is very nearly connected with that of the inhabitants of Ceylon, in the East-Indies, who are equally termed. Lingalese and Chingalese; though at the same time it must be acknowledged, that the language of this Island has much less correspondence with that of the Gypsies, than many others of the Indian dialects.
“His Grace, the Archbishop of York, with his usual discernment, suggested to me, the probability that the Zingara here spoken of, may have derived their name, and perhaps their origin from the people called Langari, orLangarians, who are found in the north-west parts of the Peninsula of Hindostan, and infest the coasts of Guzerat and Sindy with their piratical depredations.
“The maritime turn of this numerous race of people, with their roving and enterprising disposition, may warrant the idea of occasional emigration in their boats, by the coarse of the Red Sea.
“Notwithstanding the resemblance to the Hindostanie, is the predominant feature in the Gypsey dialect, yet there are words interspersed, which evidently coincide with other languages. Besides the Mahratta, and Bengalese, which I have marked in the comparative specimen, it is not a little singular that the terms for the numeralsseven,eight, andnine, are purely Greek: although the first five, and that for ten, are indisputably Indian. It is also a curious observation, that although the Indian term for seven issaath, yet that for a week, or seven days; is the Eftan of the latter.
“One word only among those I have examined, bears a resemblance to the Coptic, which isrom, the same withromi, a man.
“In comparisons of this nature, a due allowance must be made, not only for the various modes of spelling adopted by different persons, and different nations, but also for the dissimilar manner in which the same individual sound, strikes the organs of the hearers; of which some pointed instances may be given.
“Should any be inclined to doubt, which I scarcely suppose possible, the identity of the Gypsey, or Cingari, and the Hindostanie languages, still it will be acknowledged as no uninteresting subject, that tribes wandering through the mountains of Nubia, or the plains of Romania, have conversed for centuries in a dialect precisely similar to that spoken at this day, by, the obscure, despised, and wretched people in England, whose language has been considered as a fabricated gibberish, and confounded with a cant in use among thieves and beggars; and whose persons have been, tillwithin the period of a year, an object of the persecution, instead of the protection of our laws.”
William Marsden.
In the 386th page of the 7th Vol. of Archæologia, is the comparative view of the English Gypsey, Turkish Gypsey, and Hindostanie dialects; a specimen of which will be presented in this section.
In page 387 of the same volume, are collections on the Zingara, or Gypsey language, by Jacob Bryant, Esq. transmitted to G. Salusbury Brereton, Esq. in a letter from Doctor Douglas, read 1785: This learned traveller, when in Hungary, had taken from the mouths of Gypsies, specimens of their language, which occupy seven pages. It is remarkable, that of seventeen words obtained and enumerated in the letters of Coxe, the learned traveller, fourteen appear to resemble most exactly those of the same signification, collected by Jacob Bryant
John Douglas.
English.
English Gypsey.
Turkish Gypsey.
Cingari vel Errones Nubiani.
Hindostanie.
One
Aick
Yeck
Aick, ek, Yek
Two
Dooce
Duy
Du, Dow
Three
Trin
Trin
Trin
Four
Staur, Shtar
Shtiar
Chaur
Five
Panji
Panch
Paunch
Six
Shove
Shove
Chaye
Seven
Heftan
Efta
Saath
Eight
Okto
Aoth Aut
Nine
Henya
Enia
Noh Nu
Ten
Desh
Desh
Dus, Doshe (Bengalese)
Man
Raye, gazo
Ram Manush
Manusch
Manoosha, (Bengalese)
Woman
Raunee gougee
Romee
Rendee, Raunee
Head
Bold-uroo shero
Shero
Schiero
Seer, Sirr
Eyes
Yackau, yock
Yack
Jaka
Okhyo (Bengalese)
Nose
Bol-nak
Nack
Nak
Nauck
Hair
Ballau, bolow
Bal
Bal
Baul, Bal
Teeth
Danau
Dan
Daunt, Dant (Bengalese)
Ear
Kanaue
Can
Kaun
Day
Dewas, Devas
Deeves
Deendeewas (Mahratta)
Night
Rautee
Rateee
Raut, roat
White
Pauno
Parnee
Paandra (Mahratta)
Sheep
Baukro
Bakro
Bhare
Hog
Baulo
Balo
Palo
Fish
Matcho
Muteho
Matchee, Mutchee
Bind
Cheriko
Chiriiklo
Chereah
House
Kair
Ker
Ghurr
Gold
Soona-kai
Sonna
Silver
Roop
Roopau
Brand, in his observations on Popular Antiquities, Vol. II. page 432, observes: “The Gypsies, as it should seem from some striking proofs derived from their language, were originally from Hindostan, where they are supposed to have been of the lowest class of Indians, named Pariars, or as they are called in Hindostan, Suders. They are thought to have emigrated about A.D. 1408, or 1409, when Timur Beg ravaged India for the purpose of spreading the Mahometan religion. On this occasion so many were made slaves, and put to death, that a universal panic took place,and a very great number of terrified inhabitants endeavoured to save themselves by flight.
“As every part to the north and east was beset by the enemy, it is most probable that the country below Multan, to the mouth of the Indus, was the first asylum and rendezvous of the fugitive Suders. This is called the country of Zinganen. Here they were safe, and remained so till Timur’s return from the victory of the Ganges. Then it was that they entirely quitted the country, and probably with them a considerable number of the natives, which will explain the meaning of their original name.”
In the seventh Vol. of the Asiatic Researches, page 470, Captain David Richardson says of thePanchperee, or Budee’a Nuts: “’Tis probable there will be found in their manners, a stronger similitude to the Gypsies of Europe, than in those of any other which may come under review. They have no particular system of religion, adopting with indifference that of the village near to which they happen to be encamped. In the upper provinces of Hindostan, the little encampments of these peopleare frequently very regular and neat, being there formed of the Sirkee entirely. Each apartment, though not much larger than a mastiff’s kennel, has its own particular enclosure, or court-yard; generally erected in such a manner, as to become a species of circumvallation to the whole portable hamlet.
“One cannot help wondering where so many men, women, and children, and other domestic animals manage to sleep; or shelter themselves from the storms which sometimes assail these itinerant people. The men are remarkably athletic and active, and also nimble and adroit, in every kind of slight of hand. Many of the subdivisions of this class of men, pay little, or no attention to cleanliness, or any restrictions in diet; eating dead jackalls, bullocks, horses, or any kind of food procurable.
“The women do not attend the men during their juggling exploits, but have a peculiar department allotted to themselves; which consists of the practice of physic, cupping, palmistry, curing disorders of the teeth, and marking the skin of the Hindoo women, anoperation termed Godna. They have two languages peculiar to themselves; one intended for the use only of the craftsman, the other general among men, women, and children.
“The Hindostanie is the basis of both; the first is general, being a mere transposition or change of syllables; and the second apparently, a systematic conversion of a few letters; but which will be best elucidated by the following specimen, which contains twenty-two words.”
After which, he says: “I find these people in Colebrook’s arrangement of the Hindoo Classes, mentioned in the sixth class, under the head ofNata, Bazeegurs; and in Sir William Jones’s translation of the Ordinances of Menu,Munoo, Chapter 10.
“I shall now subjoin a short parallel between the Gypsies of Europe, and the people I have described. Both theGypsiesand theNutsare generally a wandering race of beings, seldom having a fixed habitation. They have each a language peculiar to themselves. That of the Gypsies is undoubtedly a species of Hindostanie;as well as that of the Nuts. In Europe, it answers all the purposes of concealment.
“The Gypsies have their King, the Nuts theirNardar Boutoh; they are equally formed into companies, and their peculiar employments are exactly similar; dancing, singing, music, palmistry, &c. They are both considered as thieves; at least that division of the Nuts, whose manners come nearest the Gypsies.—In matters of religion they appear equally indifferent, and as to food, we have seen that neither the Gypsies nor the Budee’a Nuts are very choice.
“Though, in the Encyclopædia Britannica, Grellmann’s Theory is thought slightly of, the similarity of language being deemed but inconclusive evidence; yet in this instance, and even in opposition to such authority, I will venture to consider it, as forming a basis of the most substantial kind. It is not the accidental coincidence of a few words, but the whole vocabulary he produces, differs not so much from the common Hindostanie, as provincial dialects of the same country do from each other.
“Grellmann, from a want of knowledge in the Hindostanie; as to its provincial dialects, lost many opportunities of producing the proper word in comparison with the Gypsey one.
“The following list of words was taken from the Annual Register of 1784, or 1785, with a few I have now subjoined from Grellmann.—In some of the instances where he has failed of producing the corresponding Hindostanie word, the supply of them will, I hope, prove the language of the Gypsies, and that of Hindostan to be the same, or very intimately connected with each other.
Gypsey.
Hindostanie.
English.
Bebee
Beebe
Aunt,a respectful feminine termination from baba,Father.
Pawnee
Paniee
Brook, Drink, Water
Cauliban
Kalaburn
Black
Davies, Devus
Dewus
Day
Rattie
Rat
Dark night
Can
Kan
The Ear
Dad
Dada
Father
Mutchee
Muchee
Fish
Bootsee
Buholsee
Great
Gur
Ghur
House
Shing
Seen
Horn
Tuttoo
Tutta
Heat
Riah
Raye
Lord
Rriena
Ra, enee
Lady
Dai
Da’ee
Mother
Mass
Mas
Meat or food
Nack
Nak
Nose
Bouropanee
Bura-panee
Ocean, wave
Loon
Loon
Salt
Rook
Rook, h
A Tree
Tschar
Char
A Thief
Mul
Mool
Wine
Captain Richardson continues the list through four pages.
Present state the Gypsies in England.
It has been already stated, in the Introduction to this work, that the author visited an encampment of Gypsies. It consisted of five tents, situated near Rushden, within two miles of the pleasant town of Higham Ferrers. He did not reconnoitre the camp till about mid-day, having been informed that by this time, it was probable, the able-bodied persons of both sexes would be drawn off to a feast and a fair, in different situations, not very distant. It proved so; there were only two women, three children, and an infant remaining in the tents; which were the residence of several branches of the numerous families of Smith, and Loversedge, names well known in the county of Northampton.
The head of the former, has been many years a dealer in asses, or donkies; and is reputed to be possessed of some property. His wife, more than eighty years of age, was seated at the entrance of one of the tents, weaving a cabbage net. The other woman, who was middle aged, was nursing an infant; and the eldest of the children, about twelve years of age, was making preparation for washing; a pan was suspended from three poles, under which she had kindled a fire, to boil water. The very tattered and squalid appearance of this poor girl was truly affecting.
On conversing with the old woman, she said she had forty grand-children; some gone to the feast, others to the fair; and she signified, that both men and women were musical performers.
On being asked whether any of them had learned to read, she shook her head, and, with apparent regret, acknowledged they had not. This indication of concern excited an idea, that some impression had been made on the minds even of Gypsies, of the disadvantages their children were under.
Considering how generally education had been extended, to the lowest description of every other class of British subjects; how many schools had been opened in villages, as well as in the different towns of the kingdom, it was not improbable, that information of movements so extraordinary, might have reached the ears, if not impressed the minds of these neglected fellow-creatures. The activity which had been subsequently displayed in the distribution of the Scriptures, and the zeal excited among the most ignorant to receive them, might also come to their knowledge.
Resuming conversation with the female head of the Smith family, she said they endured great hardships in winter, having no shelter but their tents, in the worst of weather.
She was then asked, if they did not experience great difficulty in obtaining the means of subsistence, during the inclement seasons; and whether they were not, at times, reduced to the necessity of taking up with any kind of sustenance, even if it consisted of animals they might find dead upon the road.
To this she immediately replied: “Those that have died by the hand of God, are better than those that have died by the hand of man.”
This reply, corresponding so exactly with that of the Continental Gypsies, presents a remarkable trait of their mutual descent from the Suder caste.
Some of the peculiarities in Gypsey habits to which we have just now adverted, had not escaped the observation of that accurate delineator of men and manners, our celebrated poet, Cowper; as will appear by the following sketch:
“I see a column of slow rising smoke,O’er-top the lofty wood, that skirts the wild.A vagabond and useless tribe, there eatTheir miserable meal. A KettleSlung between two poles, upon a stick transverse,Receives the morsel: fleshobsceneof hog,Orvermin; or, at best, of cock purloinedFrom his accustom’d perch. Hard faring race,They pick their fuel out of every hedge,Which kindled with dry leaves, and wood, just savesThe spark of life. The sportive wind blows wideTheir fluttering rags, and shows a tawney skin,The vellum of the pedigree they claim.”
Before the Gypsey’s acknowledgment, of preferring the flesh of animals which have died by disease, or what is called a natural death, the writer of this section, knew not how to credit the general testimony of the farmers and inhabitants of Northamptonshire, that they did not find the Gypsies committed any depredations on their property, unless it was in pilfering wood from the fences. He now thinks it probable, that others, who were unacquainted with this singular idea of the Gypsies, respecting animal food, may have imagined they were guilty of many more thefts for subsistence, than is really the case.
In the further progress of his inquiries, the writer has met with various instances in which confidence reposed in Gypsies, has not been disappointed.—He will mention a remarkable one at Feringbury, near Coggeshall, in Essex, on a farm which had been occupied by three generations of the family of Corders; during which time, not the least loss had been sustained, by accommodating Gypsies with lodgings in their barns and out-houses duringinclement weather; but, on the contrary, the family have considered them a protection to their property.
After the success of an experiment like the above, it would be superfluous to ask, if it is not sounder policy to excite the good, than the bad dispositions of human nature.
Must not the torrent of invective and abuse, almost universally poured upon this people, tend to disaffect and indispose them to civil association! Despised and ill-treated as they often are, have they not reason to imagine the hand of every man to be against them? Who then can wonder at their eluding, as much as possible, the inquiries of strangers!
Looking at their condition among the various inhabitants of Europe, dignified with the Christian name, the writer has often been reminded of the universality of the Gospel call, as illustrated in the parable of the great supper. After the invitation had been given throughout the streets and lanes of the cities, the command to the servants was: “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in.”Here is a description that may have been intended specially to apply to this people, so exactly and even literally adapted to their condition, in all countries, is the language: “Go ye into the highways and hedges.” And the distinction in their case is rendered still more remarkable by the very pressing injunction, “Compel them to come in.”
Does it not admit of the inference, that as outcasts of society, being under greater disadvantages than the other incited classes, their situation requited a more powerful stimulus to be applied?
The account of the sufferings of Gypsies in winter, having been confirmed by many concurring testimonies, from the inhabitants of Northamptonshire, the following Circular was sent into most of the Counties of England, with a view to ascertain their state in other parts of the nation.
When it is considered how much the exertions of the wise, the philanthropic, and the good, in all parts of the nation, have been directed to advancing the morals and religious instruction of the lower orders of the community, it appears almost incredible that one description of British subjects, and of all others the most abject and depraved, should have been either entirely overlooked or neglected. The Gypsies, to whom this applies, are a people which, more than any other, it might have been considered the interest of society to reclaim, because of the depredations they commit upon it.
The efforts of the good, and of the great, have not been confined to meliorating the condition of the inhabitants of this country only, they have been directed to the alleviation of human misery in various other nations, and even to the augmentation of funds for civilizing the natives of distant regions of the globe.Can we manifest our solicitude for the improvement of our fellow-creatures separated from us thousands of miles, whose faces we never saw, and conclude that numbers of persons in our own country, whose situation is more desperate, have not a peculiar claim on our consideration?
To reclaim the Indians of North America from their wild and roving course of life, associations have been formed to give them instructions in agriculture, and to supply them with implements of husbandry; plans of education adapted to their untutored state have been arranged, and persons qualified to carry them into effect, in the establishment of schools, have gone to their assistance.
Do the numerous Gypsey tribes of England possess any of these advantages?
In the summer of 1814, when the writer of this circular, visited a number of Gypsey tents in Northamptonshire, as already stated, a woman about 80 years of age, who had forty grand-children, acknowledged, that not one of them had been taught to read. In this landof Christian benevolence, can we pronounce a certain proportion of its inhabitants to be wretchedly depraved, and even a wicked set of people; advertise them as rogues and vagabonds, and offer a reward for their apprehension, without devising any means of remedying the defects of their habits, or holding out encouragement to reformation, in any of them who are disposed to relinquish their vicious courses?
The associations formed and forming in different parts of the nation for the prosecution of felons, render the condition of Gypsies every day more and more deplorable, by their being hunted like beasts of prey from township to township.
The last winter but one, a company of these houseless wanderers were dug out of the snow in Ditchford Lane, near Irchester, Northamptonshire, when it appeared one woman had been lying in, and that an old man was dying.
If those who have been zealous in driving them from their accustomed haunts, were to place themselves, if but ideally in their situation,can we believe, that instead of augmenting their sufferings, they would not be disposed to commiserate their case, and even attend to the precept of the Christian Legislator: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them?” It is worse than useless and unavailing to harrass them from place to place, when no retreat or shelter is provided for their refuge.
A writer on this subject, under the designation of Junius, in the Northampton Mercury of June 27th, 1814, observes: “When we consider the immense sums raised for every probable means of doing good, which have hitherto been made public, we cannot doubt, if a proper method should be proposed for the relief and ameliorating the state of these people, it would meet with deserved encouragement. Suppose that the Legislature should think them not unworthy its notice; and as a part of the great family, they ought not to be overlooked.” Another writer in the Northampton Mercury of July the 21st of the last year, on the necessity of some planbeing adopted for their advantage, remarks, thereby “thousands of our fellow-creatures would be raised from depravity and wretchedness to a state of comfort; the private property of individuals be much more secure, and the public materially benefited.” In addition to these observations, it may be asked, Would not the providing of an education for their children, to which they should be induced to conform, and the apprenticing of them, at a proper age, to suitable trades, enable the rising generation to correct the errors of Gypsey habits?
With a view to ascertain more fully the extent in which this may be necessary, the friends of humanity, to whom this Circular may be addressed, are requested to co-operate with others of their friends in different parts of each county, for procuring answers from the best informed of the Gypsies, and others, to the subsequent questions. And should there be any person in their neighbourhood, who after being brought up among the Gypsies, hath quitted them for a more settled course of life,information from such is particularly desirable. Answers are requested in the course of the summer: to be sent to John Hoyland, Springfield, Sheffield.