Transcribed from the 1816 WM. Alexander edition by David Price, email
ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Kensington Library, London, for
allowing the use of their copy in cross-checking the transcription.
A
HISTORICAL SURVEY
OF THE
_CUSTOMS_, _HABITS_, & _PRESENT STATE_
OF
The Gypsies;
DESIGNED TO DEVELOPE
The Origin of this Singular People,
AND TO PROMOTE
_The Amelioration of their Condition_.
* * * * *
BY JOHN HOYLAND,
_Author of an Epitome of the History of the World_, _&c._
[Picture: Decorative divider]
York:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; AND SOLD BY
_WM. ALEXANDER_, _YORK_:
DARTON, HARVEY, & CO.; W. PHILLIPS; AND W. DARTON, JUN.
LONDON.
* * * * *
1816.
* * * * *
Entered at Stationers' Hall.
* * * * *
* * * * *
_Printed by HARGROVE_, _GAWTHORP_, _& COBB_,
_Herald-Office_, _York_.
INTRODUCTION.
The author of the following Survey, has frequently had opportunity of
observing the very destitute and abject condition of the Gypsey race, in
the counties of Northampton, Bedford, and Herts. The impressions
received from viewing a state so derogatory to human nature, induced him
to make numerous inquiries, in order to ascertain if necessity compelled
their continuance, under circumstances so deplorable as their condition
exhibited.
Not meeting with satisfactory intelligence on application to various
individuals, to whose observation Gypsies are frequently presented, the
author was excited to an examination of history, for the developement of
a case involved in so much obscurity; and aggravated by circumstances so
repugnant to the mild and genial influences of the Christian Religion.
He must not however omit to state, that in Northamptonshire, William
Allen, who is in the profession of the law, at Higham Ferrers, and
Steward to Earl Fitzwilliam, very warmly interested himself on the
subject. He said it afforded him much pleasure to find, that some
attention was excited to the condition of the Gypsies, and that he should
be glad to co-operate, as far as was in his power, in any measures likely
to conduce to the reformation of this greatly neglected class of British
subjects.
He volunteered his services to find out the nearest Gypsey rendezvous,
and soon procured information of an encampment which the writer visited.
An account of the visit will appear in the following sheets. The first
assurance that the Gypsies really had a language peculiar to themselves,
which the author received, was from this intelligent and obliging
professor of the law, who had heard children, as well as adults among
them, speak it with great fluency.
He also observed, that the situation of this people daily became
increasingly deplorable, in consequence of the establishment of
associations for the prosecution of felons; and that the fear of
apprehension as vagrants, and the progressive inclosures near towns and
villages, had a tendency to drive them to a greater distance from the
habitations of man. And he was fully of opinion, as these houseless
wanderers were expelled from Township after Township, without any
provision being made for their refuge, that it was high time their case
should obtain the consideration of the public.
Of the historic authorities whence the author has derived information and
interesting observation, he has to place in the foremost rank, the
Dissertation of the learned H. M. G. Grellmann, translated a few years
since, by the late M. Raper, Esq. F.R.S. & A.S. He has, however, to
acknowledge himself indebted to various other intelligent authors, whose
writings will be noticed in the course of the work.
Another source of information, and which relates especially to the
_present state_ of the Gypsies in Great Britain, has been opened through
inquiries instituted in most parts of the nation, by the author, aided by
several obliging and able coadjutors. The results of these inquiries, it
scarcely need be added, will be presented to the reader in their proper
places.
The author has much regretted, that scarcely any of the splendid
histories of Counties in England, and even those in which the Gypsies
abound, have in the least noticed that part of the population which so
strongly claims our attention. By bringing their situation into view,
the historian might not merely have served the cause of humanity; he
would have advanced the interest of the state, by promoting an object of
so much public utility, as the improvement of the whole Gypsey race
cannot fail to prove.
A comparative view of their customs and habits, and how far they appear
coincident in different countries, may afford a criterion by which to
judge if they have all had one origin. By thus tracing them to that
source, we may possibly discover the occasion of their peculiarities; and
if the means hitherto employed to counteract them, have proved
unsuccessful, we may be prepared to consider of others, better adapted to
correct the errors of their education.
Conceiving that any scheme for ameliorating the condition of the Gypsies,
would not only be premature, but might prove highly injudicious, before
obtaining a knowledge of their history, the author has endeavoured to
collect, from the most authentic European authorities to which he could
have access, a general view of this people, in the different parts of the
world to which they have resorted; and from these and the other sources
of information, he has subjoined accounts of their state in Great
Britain, and of the suggestions offered by other individuals for their
improvement; concluding the subject with a review of the whole, and
proposing a plan to be set on foot for accomplishing this desirable
object.
CONTENTS.
SECTION I.
_Various Appellations of them--Their arrival in Europe_ _page_ 9
SECTION II.
_Accounts of the Gypsies in various Countries_ _page_ 17
SECTION III.
_The Habits_, _Occupations_, _and Polity of the _page_ 37
Continental Gypsies_
SECTION IV.
_Political Regulations on the Continent respecting _page_ 61
Gypsies_
SECTION V.
_The Gypsies in Great Britain_ _page_ 75
SECTION VI.
_The present State of the Gypsies in Scotland_ _page_ 91
SECTION VII.
_On the Origin of the Gypsies_ _page_ 112
SECTION VIII.
_Comparative view of the Gypsey_, _Hindostanie_, _and _page_ 131
Turkish languages_
SECTION IX.
_Present State of the Gypsies in England_ _page_ 151
SECTION X.
_Present State of the Gypsies in and about London_ _page_ 175
SECTION XI.
_Sentiments of various persons on the moral condition of _page_ 191
the Gypsies_
SECTION XII.
_Review of the Subject_, _and Suggestions for _page_ 221
ameliorating the condition of the Gypsies in the British
Empire_
SECTION I.
Various appellations of them--Their arrival in Europe.
* * * * *
The different appellations by which the People whom we denominate
Gypsies, have been distinguished, appear generally to have had reference
to the countries, from which it was supposed they had emigrated.
Grellmann states, that the French, having the first accounts of them from
Bohemia, gave them the name of _Bohemiens_, Bohemians. That the Dutch
apprehending they came from Egypt, called them _Heydens_, Heathens. In
Denmark, Sweden, and in some parts of Germany, Tartars were thought of.
The Moors and Arabians, perceiving the propensity the Gypsies had to
thieving, adopted the name _Charami_, Robbers, for them.
In Hungary, they were formerly called Pharaohites, (_Pharaoh Nepek_)
Pharaoh's people; and the vulgar in Transylvania continue that name for
them. The idea of the English appears to be similar, in denominating
them Gypsies, Egyptians; as is, that of the Portuguese and Spaniards, in
calling them _Gitanos_. But the name _Zigeuners_, obtained the most
extensive adoption, and apparently not without cause; for the word
_Zigeuner_, signifies to wander up and down--for which reason, it is
said, our German ancestors denominated every strolling vagrant
_Zichegan_.
The Gypsies are called not only in all Germany, Italy, and Hungary
_Tziganys_; but frequently in Transylvania, Wallachia and Moldavia,
_Cyganis_. But the Turks, and other Eastern nations name them,
_Tschingenes_.
The origin of this people has been a subject of inquiry for more than
three hundred years. Many persons have been anxious to discover "who
these guests were, that, unknown and uninvited, came into Europe in the
fifteenth century, and have chosen ever since to continue in this quarter
of the globe."
Continental writers state, that it is incredible how numerous the hordes
of this people are, and how widely dispersed over the face of the earth.
They wander about in Asia, the inferior of Africa, and have established
themselves in most of the countries of Europe. Grellmann is of opinion,
that America is the only part of the world, in which they are not known.
Though no mention appears to be made of them by Authors who have written
on that quarter of the globe; yet no doubt remains, of their having been
in Europe nearly four hundred years.
_Wilhelm Dilick_ in his HESZISCHEN _Chronik_, scit 229, beyn Jahr 1414,
informs us they arrived the same year in the Hessian territories; but no
mention of them appears in the public prints till three years afterward.
Mention is made of their being in Germany as early as the year 1417; when
they appeared in the vicinity of the North sea. Fabricius, in _Annalibb
Misn_, says, they were driven from Meissen in 1416, but Calvisius
corrects this date by changing it to 1418.
Sir Thomas Browne in his "_Vulgar Errors_," page 287, says, "their first
appearance was in Germany, since the year 1400; nor were they observed
before in other parts of Europe, as is deducible from Munster, Genebrard,
Krantzius and Ortelius."
In Germany they spread so rapidly, that in 1418, their names were
recorded in the annual publications of various parts of the country.
They travelled in hordes, each having his leader, sometimes called
_Count_, others had the title of _Dukes_, or _Lords of Lesser Egypt_.
In 1418 they were found in Switzerland, and in the country of the
Grisons; and in 1422 they made their appearance in Italy. The Bologna
Chronicle states, that the hordes which arrived in that city, on the 18th
of July, 1422, consisted of about one hundred men, the name of whose
leader, or Duke as they termed him, was Andreas. They travelled from
Bologna to Forli, intending to pay the Pope a visit at Rome.
Their appearance in France bears the date of 1427, when the French say,
they straggled about Paris, having arrived on the 17th day of August in
that year.
German Historians are agreed, that when the Gypsies first made their
appearance in Europe, they chose to be considered as Pilgrims; and that
their profession met with the more ready belief, as it coincided with the
infatuation of the times. The learned Grellmann states, that several old
writings mention the credulity, with which people cherished the idea,
that they were real pilgrims and holy persons; that it not only procured
for them toleration, but safe-conducts in many places.
Munster declares, that they carried about with them passports and seals
from the Emperor Sigismund, and other Princes; by means of which, they
had free passage through different countries and cities; and that he had
himself seen, an attested copy of such a letter to the possession of some
Gypsies at Eberbach.
Krantz, Stumpf, Guler, and Laurentius Palmirenus, all agree in this
statement.. The Gypsies at Bologna also shewed an instrument from
Sigismund; but he appears to have granted this to them, not as Emperor,
and in Germany; but in Hungary, and as King of Hungary. A pass of
Uladislaus II. might also be quoted, which the Gypsies obtained chiefly
on account of their supposed sanctity and pilgrimage. In Transylvania,
it is asserted they received letters of protection from the House of
Bathory.
Webner says, that the Gypsies in France quoted ancient privileges,
granted to them by the former Kings of that country.
Crusius, Wurstisen, and Guler, mention papal permissions for wandering
unmolested through all Christian countries, as long as the term of their
pilgrimage lasted; which they asserted was seven years. But at the
expiration of that term, they represented that their return home was
prevented by soldiers stationed to intercept them.
The impression their pretensions had made on the people among whom they
came, did not entirely subside during half a century; but afterward, "the
Gypsies being watched with a more jealous eye, it appeared but too
clearly, that, instead of holy pilgrims, they were the mere refuse of
humanity, who, often, under pretexts of safe-conducts, committed all
manner of excesses."
Their impositions being detected, it is probable some of them were
reduced to the necessity of having recourse to legitimate means of
subsistence, for within thirty years afterward, we have accounts of
Gypsies in Hungary being employed in the working of iron. This
occupation, appears from old writings, to have been a favourite one with
them. Bellonius also takes notice of its being so; and there is a record
of the Hungarian King Uladislaus, in the year 1496, cited by the Abbe
_Pray_ in his Annals; and by _Friedwalsky_ in his Mineralogy, wherein it
is ordered, "_That every __officer and subject_, _of whatever rank and
condition_, _do allow to Thomas Polgar_, _leader of twenty-five tents of
wandering Gypsies_, _free residence every where_, _and on no account to
molest him_, _or his people_; _because they had prepared military stores
for the Bishop Sigismund at Funfkirchen_."
GRELLMANN.