Present state of the Gypsies in and about London.
* * * * *
In the autumn of 1815, the author made a journey to London, in order to
obtain information respecting the Gypsies in its vicinity.
The first account he received of the education of any of them, was from
Thomas Howard, proprietor of a glass and china shop, No. 50, Fetter-lane,
Fleet-street. This person, who preached among the Calvinists, said, that
in the winter of 1811, he had assisted in the establishment of a Sunday
School in Windmill-street, Acre-lane, near Clapham. It was under the
patronage of a single gentlewoman, of the name of Wilkinson, and
principally intended for the neglected and forlorn children of
brick-makers, and the most abject of the poor. It was begun on a small
scale, but increased till the number of scholars amounted to forty.
During the winter, a family of Gypsies, of the name of Cooper, obtained
lodgings at a house opposite the school. Trinity Cooper, a daughter of
this Gypsey family, who was about thirteen years of age, applied to be
instructed at the school; but, in consequence of the obloquy affixed to
that description of persons, she was repeatedly refused. She
nevertheless persevered in her importunity, till she obtained admission
for herself, and two of her brothers.
Thomas Howard says, that, surrounded as he was by ragged children,
without shoes and stockings, the first lesson he taught them was silence
and submission.--They acquired habits of subordination, became tractable
and docile; and, of all his scholars, there were not any more attentive
and affectionate than these; and when the Gypsies broke up house in the
spring, to make their usual excursions, the children expressed much
regret at leaving the school.
This account was confirmed by Thomas Jackson, of Brixton-row, minister of
Stockwell Chapel, who said, since the above experiment, several Gypsies
had been admitted to a sabbath school, under the direction of his
congregation. At their introduction, he compared them to birds when
first put into a cage, which flew against the sides of it, having no idea
of restraint; but by a steady even care over them, and the influence of
the example of other children, they soon became settled, and fell into
their ranks.
With a view to reconnoitre an encampment of Gypsies, the author accepted
a seat in the carriage of a friend, who drove him to Hainault forest.
This, according to historians, was of vast extent in the times of the
ancient Britons, reaching to the Thames; and so late as the reign of
Henry the 2d, it covered the northern vicinity of the city.
On this forest, about two miles from the village of Chigwell, Essex, and
ten from London, stands the far-famed oak, at which is held Fairlop Fair,
that great annual resort of the Gypsies.
According to an account of it printed for Hogg, Paternoster-row, the
trunk or main stem of this tree has been sixty-six feet, and some of the
branches twelve feet, in circumference. The age of this prodigy of the
forest cannot be ascertained with any degree of precision. The oak
viewed by the present King, in Oxfordshire, and some years ago felled in
the domains of one of the Colleges, though only twenty-five feet in
girth, is said to have been six hundred years old. Fairlop oak having
been nearly thrice as large, is supposed to be at least twice that age.
Phillips employed by the King, applied a patent mixture to stop the
progress of its decay, but, last autumn, when seen by the describer, its
naked gigantic trunk and arms, retaining not the least symptom of
animation, presented a ghastly spectacle of the ravages of time, as
contrasted with the rich verdure of the surrounding scenery.
The circumstances which gave rise to the establishment of a fair, on this
spot of ground, are somewhat singular.
Daniel Day, an engine, pump, and block-maker, of Wapping, having a small
estate in the vicinity of this oak, was in the habit of annually
resorting to it about a fortnight after midsummer, to receive his rents,
when he provided a dinner under the tree, and invited several of his
friends to it. The novelty of the scene exciting the attention of the
neighbouring inhabitants, attendance on that occasion increased until
about the year 1725, when booths being erected round the stupendous oak,
the scene assumed the appearance of a regular fair. It has continued to
be held there, and it is said now attracts a great number of attendants.
As this fair does not appear to be a mart for horses or cattle, there is
reason to fear, it is kept up more for revelry and excess, than for any
useful purpose. The ground has been cleared to some extent about the
oak, which stands at the head of a circular lawn, surrounded by pailing,
to protect it from the ravages of the unthinking part of the multitude,
who assemble there. It is said to have been the practice of the Gypsies,
to kindle fires against the trunk, by which the bulk has been diminished,
and perhaps the vegetation injured.
On the side of the forest, near to Dagenham, Essex, was the encampment of
Gypsies, of which the author's friend was in quest. The construction of
their tents, is well known to be wooden hoops fastened into the ground,
and covered with an awning of blankets or canvas, which resembles the
tilt of a waggon; the end is closed from the wind by a curtain. This
gang was called by the name of Corrie. It consisted of an old man, his
wife, a niece, and their son and daughter with ten children; said to be
all from Staffordshire. The men were scissars' grinders and tinkers.
Questions being asked them respecting their condition, a young woman made
some observations upon them to an older woman, in their own peculiar
speech. This was the first time the writer had an opportunity of
ascertaining, what the language of Gypsies in England really was. With
the knowledge only of Grellmann's vocabulary, he pointed out what the
young woman had expressed; upon which they immediately exclaimed, the
gentleman understands what we say; and they gave way to immoderate
transports of joy, saying, they would tell him any thing he wished to
know of them.
On being asked what gold was in their language, they replied without
hesitation, _sonnaka_, and immediately added, silver was _roop_.
The opinion which has been entertained, that Gypsey language was composed
only of cant terms, or of what has been denominated the slang of beggars,
has probably been much promoted and strengthened by the dictionary
contained in a pamphlet entitled, "The Life and Adventures of Bampfylde
Moore Carew." It consists for the most part of English words, vamped up
apparently not so much for the purpose of concealment, as burlesque.
Even if used by this people at all, the introduction of this cant, as the
genuine language of the community of Gypsies, is a gross imposition on
the public.
One of the women said, the education of their children was to be desired,
but their travelling from place to place was against it.--A young man
among them said, there were a hundred of their people in Staffordshire.
This gang was intelligent as well as communicative, and gave proof of
more civility than is commonly attributed to Gypsies.
The author also visited Norwood, which was formerly a principal
rendezvous of the Gypsies. This village, near Croydon, in Surry, is
situated on a fine hill, and is a wildly rural spot; but having been
considerably inclosed of late years, it is not now much frequented by the
Gypsies.
John Westover, deputy of James Furnell, constable of Norwood, stated,
that about two months before, the Gypsies in that neighbourhood had been
apprehended as vagrants, and sent in three coaches to prison. This
account was confirmed by Edward Morris, the landlord at the Gypsey house.
It did not appear that these Gypsies were committed for depredations on
property, but merely on the vagrant act.
Gypsies being _routed_, as it is termed, in this manner, from various
parts of the south, may probably have occasioned their appearing in
greater numbers in the northern parts of the nation. The writer of this
section being at Scarborough, in the bathing season of 1815, had
intelligence of there being, at the same time, an encampment of Gypsies
at Boroughbridge, another at Knaresborough, and a third at Pocklington,
in the east-riding of Yorkshire.
On returning from Scarborough, he was told by an acquaintance at
Tadcaster, that a gang of about twenty Gypsies, were just gone from the
neighbourhood, after telling fortunes to most of the people in the town.
The same summer, a numerous horde had been driven from the township of
Rotherham; and there had been two encampments in the neighbourhood of
Sheffield.
The winter before the last, severe as it was, a gang of about fifty or
sixty, lay upon Bramley Moor, three miles from Chesterfield. This
information was received from Joseph Storrs of Chesterfield, who has been
an assiduous coadjutor. From the same authority, the writer learns, that
a number of Gypsies usually came to Duckmanton, near Chesterfield, at the
feast, who appear to be in pretty good reputation in their transactions.
Also that there is a party of Gypsies who frequent Socombe-lane, near
Shirbrook, which is two miles east of Pleasley. They are called
Bosswell's gang, consisting of twelve, and sometimes more, who mostly
come once a year, and sometimes continue there for most of it. A woman
among them is about 90 years old. They support a good character; and one
of them who bought a pony, had credit for it, and paid honestly on his
return.
After obtaining information at Norwood, of the winter-quarters in London,
to which Gypsies resorted; the author had an interview with branches of
several families of them, collected at the house of his friend William
Corder, Grocer, in Broad-street, Giles's. And in justice to them, he
must observe, that however considerably the fear of apprehension as
vagrants, may dispose them, when on travel and among strangers, to elude
their inquiries, no disposition to do so, appears in the company of
persons to whom they are known, and in whom they can repose confidence.
Being accustomed to lay out their money at the shop of this grocer, he
said they would be very ready to attend upon his invitation; and
accordingly, a number of them soon made their appearance. They said
there were about twenty of the name of Lovell, who lodged in Bowles's
yard, in the neighbourhood. These acknowledged themselves Gypsies, and
many of them had the features, as well as the complexion of Asiatics.
Their account is, that they come into lodgings at Michaelmas, and
continue till April, then they set out on travel, and go into Norfolk,
&c.
That some time ago, some of them had embraced an offer to educate their
children at St. Patrick's charity school, which had been established by
the chaplain to the Portuguese ambassador; but some dissatisfaction
arising in consequence of the religion of the conductors of that
Institution, they had removed their children to the school for the Irish,
taught by Partak Ivery, No. 5, George-street.
Uriah Lovell, the head of one of the families, made a very decent
appearance; three of his children have been four winters at school, and
learned to read and write; their father having paid sixpence per week,
for each of them.--Partak was sent for, and came to the house of William
Corder, where he confirmed the above account, saying there had been six
Gypsey children at his school, and that when placed among others, they
were reducible to order.
These Gypsies, like those upon Hainault forest, appeared to be greatly
delighted at meeting with a person, acquainted, as they thought, with
their language, and were remarkably free in speaking it.
James Corder, son of William Corder, obtained the following account of
some of the lodgers in Westminster, and in the Borough, &c.
_Names_. _Family_. _Occupation and
Residence_.
John Lovell, wife and 6 children, Chair-bottomer,
Tunbridge-street.
James Lovell, do. 6 do. Tinker, Church-lane.
Joseph Lovell, do. 3 do. Chair-bottomer,
New-street.
Thomas Lovell, do. 2 do. Chair bottomer,
Banbridge-street.
William Lovell, do. 1 do. Knife-grinder,
Church-street.
Lussha Cooper, wife and 10 children, Rat-catcher,
Tottenham-court-road.
Corrie Lovell, do. 5 do. Knife-grinder,
Bolton-street.
Uriah Lovell, do. 6 do. Chair-bottomer,
Bolton-street.
Thomas Lovell, do. 7 do. Knife-grinder,
Paddington.
Solomon Lovell, do. 4 do. Chair-bottomer,
New-street.
Solomon Jones, do. 2 do. Basket-maker and
Wire-worker,
Battle-bridge.
Men and Women, 22--52 Children.
John Lee, wife and 9 children, Chair-bottomer,
Tothil-fields.
Richard Taylor, do. 3 do. Wire-worker,
New-street.
Betsey Lovell, widow, Supported by her son
Joseph Lovell.
Joseph Lovell, wife 1 do. Bellows-mender,
Shore-ditch.
Diana Lee, widow 1 do. Sells Earthenware,
Shore-ditch.
Mansfield Lee, wife 0 do. Tinker and Grinder,
Shore-ditch.
Zachariah Lee, do. 0 do. Fiddler--Travels the
Country.
Thomas Smith, do. 5 do. Chair-bottomer,
Lisson-green,
Paddington.
Thomas Porter, do. 3 do. Works at the Canal,
Paddington.
Charlotte Allen, widow 7 do. Sells Earthenware,
Kent-street, Borough.
James Cole, wife 4 do. Lamplighter and
Grinder, Kent-street,
Borough.
Edward Martin, do. 2 do. Sells Fruit in the
Street, Kent-street,
Borough.
Samuel Martin, do. 6 do. Journeyman Saddler,
White-street.
John Sinfield, do. 0 do. Sells Fish in the
Streets,
White-street.
John Taylor, do. 3 do. Ditto. Ditto.
Men and Women, 25--44 Children.
There has not been any information obtained concerning who winter in
Bull's Court, Kingsland Road, or in Cooper's Gardens.
The older Gypsey children assist their parents in their trades; a few of
the younger go to school during winter. Most of those who have children,
are desirous of their receiving an education; though but few have the
means of procuring it.
They complain of the scarcity of work; and in some instances appear to be
distressed for want of it; the more so, as their ideas of independence
prevent their applying to parishes for assistance.--It is much to their
credit, that so few instances occur of their begging in London. In the
minutes of evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons, on
mendicity, there is only one example of a Gypsey girl begging in the
streets.
Some of the women go in a morning to principal houses in the squares,
before the heads of the families have risen, and tell fortunes to the
servants, from whom they obtain sixpence or a shilling each.
A few of the Gypsies continue all the year in London, excepting their
attendance of fairs in the vicinity. Others, when work is scarce, go out
twenty or thirty miles round the metropolis, carrying their implements
with them on asses; and support themselves by the employment they obtain
in the towns and villages through which they pass; and assist sometimes
in hay-making, and plucking hops, in the counties of Kent, Surry, and
Sussex.
Among those who have winter-quarters in London, there are a few that take
circuits of great extent. Some of them mentioned going through Herts
into Suffolk, then crossing Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire to
Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Bristol, &c. Others spoke of being at
Yarmouth, Portsmouth, South Wales, Wiltshire, &c.
There is reason to think, the greatest part of the Island is traversed in
different directions, by hordes of Gypsies.
For the purpose of comparing the language of English Gypsies with that of
the Continental, exhibited in Section VIII, the following list of words
was sent to James Corder, Broadstreet, Bloomsbury. He obtained from the
Gypsies in his neighbourhood, the translation affixed to them.
_English_. _Gypsey_.
One Yake
Two Duee
Three Trin
Four Stor
Five Pan
Ten Dyche
Head Charro
Eyes Yock
Nose Nack
Bread Mor
Bread & butter Kil-mor
Beer Limbar
Hair Balo.
Cold day Shil-dewes
Hot day Tal-dewes
Ear Kau
Day Dewes
Night Raut
White Parnau
Sheep Bolko
Hog Borlo
Fish Marcho
House Kare
Gold Sonnekar
Silver Rupe
Dog Jukou
Horse Grarre
When it is known that Gypsies are unacquainted with letters, and that
James Corder, who took from the mouths of those in the parish called St.
Giles, the preceding Gypsey words, did not know of Grellmann's
vocabulary, the coincidence appears very remarkable; but it is still more
so with the Turkish Gypsey specimen by Jacob Bryant, exhibited also in
the 8th Section. Robert Forster of Tottenham, who has been a coadjutor
in this work, transmitted the following collection of words obtained from
Gypsies in his neighbourhood.
_Gypsey_. _English_.
Parnee Water
Jewcal Dog
Maurau Bread
Kil-maurau Bread & butter
Lavenar Beer
Shill-deues Cold day
Taldu Hot day
Moila Ass
Gur Horse
In the conversation a clergyman had with the Bosswell gang, as published
in the Christian Guardian for 1812 and 1813, they told him _Chum_, was
the sun; _Chuu_, the moon; _Kalmaro_, bread and butter; and _Livina_,
drink. The first two of those words almost exactly accord with
Grellmann's vocabulary, and the latter as nearly with Robert Forster's
and James Corder's collection from Gypsies in and about London.
From the comparative views which have been taken of Gypsey expressions in
various countries, there is reason to conclude that wherever they have
been scattered on the face of the earth, they have spoken and transmitted
the same language to their descendants. That it should have been
preserved by them, when among people of other tongues, throughout
centuries, for no purpose that we are acquainted with, but that of
concealment, is indeed astonishing.