_For the Table Book._
The Gipsies are pretty well known as streams of water, which, at
different periods, are observed on some parts of the Yorkshire Wolds.
They appear toward the latter end of winter, or early in spring;
sometimes breaking out very suddenly, and, after running a few miles,
again disappearing. That which is more particularly distinguished by the
name of _The Gipsy_, has its origin near the Wold-cottage, at a distance
of about twelve miles W. N. W. from Bridlington. The water here does not
rise in a body, in one particular spot, but may be seen oozing and
trickling among the grass, over a surface of considerable extent, and
where the ground is not interrupted by the least apparent breakage;
collecting into a mass, it passes off in a channel, of about four feet
in depth, and eight or ten in width, along a fertile valley, toward the
sea, which it enters through the harbour at Bridlington; having passed
the villages of Wold Newton, North Burton, Rudston, and Boynton. Its
uncertain visits, and the amazing quantity of water sometimes discharged
in a single season, have afforded subjects of curious speculation. One
writer displays a considerable degree of ability in favour of a
connection which he supposes to exist between it and the ebbing and
flowing spring, discovered at Bridlington Quay in 1811. “The appearance
of this water,” however, to use the words of Mr. Hinderwell, the
historian of Scarborough, “is certainly influenced by the state of the
seasons,” as there is sometimes an intermission of three or four years.
It is probably occasioned by a surcharge of water descending from the
high lands into the vales, by subterraneous passages, and, finding a
proper place of emission, breaks out with great force.
After a secession of five years, the Gipsy made its appearance in
February, 1823; a circumstance which some people had supposed as
unlikely to occur, owing to the alterations effected on the _Carrs_,
under the Muston and Yedingham drainage act.
We are told, that the ancient Britons exalted their rivers and streams
into the offices of religion, and whenever an object had been thus
employed, it was reverenced with a degree of sanctity ever afterwards;
and we may readily suppose, that the sudden and extraordinary appearance
of this stream, after an interval of two or three successive years,
would awaken their curiosity, and excite in them a feeling of sacred
astonishment. From the Druids may probably have descended a custom,
formerly prevalent among the young people at North Burton, but now
discontinued: it was--“going to meet the Gipsy,” on her first approach.
Whether or not this meeting was accompanied by any particular ceremony,
the writer of this paragraph has not been able to ascertain.