[From _Studies in Literature_ (Baltimore, 1870)]
The Gypsies are wholly ignorant of their origin, and have kept but an
imperfect record of their migrations; but it is evident that they are
a distinct race of people. Like the Jews, they have no country of
their own, and are scattered over all parts of the globe. Time has
made little or no change in their peculiarities. They have the same
language, personal appearance, habits, and customs, that they had
centuries ago. The name of Gypsies (meaning Egyptians) is doubtless an
incorrect one. At least we know of nothing to justify them in the
assumption of the title. In Italy they are called "Zingari," in
Germany "Zigeuner," in Spain "Gitanos," in Turkey "Tchengenler," in
Persia "Sisech Hindu," in Sweden "Tartars," and in France "Bohemiens."
Borrow expresses the opinion that the name of Gypsies originated
among the priests and learned men of Europe, who expected to find in
Scripture some account of their origin and some clew to their skill in
the occult sciences.
Simson, the author of a recent work entitled the _History of the
Gypsies_, believes that they are a mixture of the shepherd-kings and the
native Egyptians, who formed part of the "mixed multitude" mentioned in
the Biblical account of the expulsion of the Jews from Egypt. Grellman,
however, traces their origin to India. He says that they belong to the
Soodra caste. Vulcanius describes them simply as robbers and outlaws,
and Hervas regards their language as "a mere jargon of banditti."
Their keen black eyes, swarthy complexion, long raven locks, high
cheek-bones, and projecting lower jaws evidently indicate Asiatic
origin. It is certain that neither their language nor physiognomy are
African. It is argued that if really Egyptians, they would in all
probability have preserved a religion, or some of the forms of worship
so characteristic of the descendants of that people; whereas, the
Gypsies have no religion at all.
Indeed, it is a proverb with them that "the Gypsy church was built of
lard, and the dogs ate it."
Whether Egyptians or not, they are doubtless what they claim to be,
"Rommany Chals," and not "Gorgios." Very few who have seen them will
refuse to believe that they do not understand the art of making
horse-shoes, and of snake-charming, fortunetelling, poisoning with the
drows, and of singing such songs as the following:
"The Rommany chi
And the Rommany chal
Shall jaw tasaulor
To drab the bawlor,
And dook the gry
Of the farming rye.
"The Rommany churl
And the Rommany girl
To-morrow shall hie
To poison the sty,
And bewitch on the mead
The farmer's stead."