_Character and Capacities of the Gipseys_; _whether they are an Advantage
or a Detriment to States_.
IMAGINE a people of childish thoughts, whose minds are filled with raw
indigested conceptions, guided more by sense than reason, and using
understanding and reflection only so far as they promote the
gratification of any particular appetite;—and you have a perfect sketch
of the general character of the Gipseys.
They are lively; uncommonly loquacious; fickle to an extreme,
consequently inconstant in their pursuits; faithless to every body, even
of their own caste; void of the least emotion of gratitude, frequently
returning benefits with the most insidious malice. Fear makes them
slavishly compliant {89} when under subjection; but having nothing to
apprehend, like other timorous people, they are cruel. A desire of
revenge often causes them to take the most desperate resolutions. Thus
they vowed no less than death against a respectable German prince who
died not many years ago, because, on account of their misdeeds, he had
persecuted and driven them from his territories. They even went so far
as to offer a reward among themselves (probably something considerable)
to whoever would deliver him to them, either alive or dead. Nor did they
give up this insolent design, till some of them, who talked too openly
about it in the Darmstadt dominions, were taken, and being delivered up
to the parties concerned, paid the forfeit of their lives for their good
intentions.
To such a degree of violence is their fury sometimes excited, that a
mother has been known, in the excess of passion, to take her small infant
by the feet, when no other instrument has readily presented, and
therewith strike the object of her anger. They are so addicted to
drinking, as to sacrifice what is most necessary to them, that they may
gratify their taste for spirituous liquors. They have likewise, what one
would little expect, an enormous share of vanity, which is evidenced in
their fondness for fine clothes, and their gait and deportment when
dressed in them. It might be supposed that this pride would have the
good effect of rendering the Gipsey cautious not to be guilty of such
crimes as subject him to public shame: but here his levity of character
is rendered conspicuous, for he never looks either to the right or to the
left in his transactions; and though his conceit and pride are somewhat
humbled during the time of punishment, and while the consequent pain
lasts, these being over, he no longer remembers his disgrace, but
entertains quite as good an opinion of himself as before. The Gipseys
are loquacious and quarrelsome in the highest degree, though they seldom
make much noise in their huts, in which they generally keep quiet enough:
but in the public markets, and before alehouses, where they are
surrounded by a number of spectators, they bawl, spit at each other—catch
up sticks and cudgels, vapour and brandish them over their heads—throw
dust and dirt—now run from each other, then back again, with furious
gestures and threats. The women scream, drag their husbands by force
from the scene of action; these break from them again, and return to it:
the children, too, howl piteously. After a short time, without any
person’s interference, when they have cried and made a noise till they
are tired, and without either party having received any personal injury,
the affair finishes itself, and they separate, with as much ostentation
as if they had performed the most heroic feats.
_Thus_ the Gipsey seeks honour! of which his ideas seldom coincide with
those of other people, and sometimes deviate entirely from propriety: we
may therefore assert, what all, who have made observations on these
people agree in, that honour and shame are to them totally indifferent.
We establish this decision by comparing Gipsey notions with our own:
trying their dealings and conduct by this standard, they will often
appear ridiculous, frequently even infamous.
Nothing can exceed the unrestrained depravity of manners existing among
these people, particularly the softer sex. Unchecked by any idea of
shame, they give way to every desire. The mother endeavours, by the most
scandalous arts, to train her daughter for an offering to sensuality; and
the latter is scarcely grown up, before she becomes the seducer of
others. Let the dance, formerly mentioned, be called to mind; it will
then be unnecessary to adduce fresh examples, of which regard for decency
will not permit a detail.
Their indolence has been already quoted. Laziness is so natural to them,
that were they to subsist by their own labour only, they would hardly
have bread for two of the seven days in the week. This disposition
increases their propensity to stealing and cheating—the common attendants
on idleness. They seek and avail themselves of every opportunity to
satisfy their lawless desires. Thomasius endeavours to propagate a
notion, that this habit has grown upon the latter Gipseys by degrees, in
opposition to the practice of those who first arrived, quoting Stumpf for
his authority, who talks of Christian discipline and order among the
original Gipseys; he assures us, too, that they paid ready money for all
they wanted; but this testimony does not deserve attention: the Gipseys
in Stumpf’s time were the same as they are at this day, nor are they
differently described by any of the old writers.
This is a lamentable enumeration of evil and ruinous properties in the
Gipsey’s character, which applies not only to a few individuals, but to
by far the greatest number of these people. Scarcely any virtue could
exist in a soul so replete with vices. What at first sight appears less
censurable, or perhaps even amiable, in them is, their habitual content
in their situation. They have no care about futurity; they are
unacquainted either with anxiety or solicitude: and pass through every
day lively and satisfied. But this, in itself commendable resignation,
is as little to be accounted a virtue among the Gipseys as among the
Iroquois, and proceeds from the excessive levity of their dispositions.
Let us now take a view of the natural qualities, and capacities, of the
Gipseys. Here they will appear to advantage. Observe them at whatever
employment you may, there always appear sparks of genius. It is well
known, and no writer omits to remark, what artful curious devices they
have recourse to in perpetrating any cheat or robbery: but this is not
the only particular in which they shew brains and capacity. The
following extract from an Hungarian author, who was an attentive observer
of these people, contains corroborating instances:
“The Gipseys,” he says, “have a fertile imagination in their way, and
are quick and ready at expedients, so that in many serious doubtful
cases they soon recollect how to act, in order to extricate
themselves. We cannot, indeed, help wondering, when we attend to and
consider the skill they display in preparing and bringing their works
to perfection, which is the more necessary, from the scarcity of
proper tools and apparatus. They are very acute and cunning in
cheating or thieving: and when called to account, for any fraud or
robbery, fruitful in invention and persuasive in their arguments to
defend themselves.”
At Debrezin, as well as at other schools in Hungary and Transylvania,
there have been several lads admitted for instruction. Cleverness is
observable in all, with no despicable talents for study. If another
proof should be wanting, let us advert to their skill in music. That no
Gipsey has ever signalised himself in literature, notwithstanding,
according to the foregoing accounts, many of them have partaken of the
instruction to be obtained at public schools, is no contradiction to the
point in question. Their volatile disposition and unsteadiness will not
allow them to complete any thing which requires perseverance or
application. Frequently the bud perishes before it blows; or if it
proceed so far that fruit appears, it commonly falls off and rots ere it
attains maturity. In the midst of his career of learning, the
recollection of his origin seizes him; a desire arises to return to, what
he thinks, a more happy manner of life; this solicitude increases; he
gives up all at once, turns back again, and consigns over his knowledge
to oblivion. Such is the reason why the Gipsey race has never produced a
learned man, nor ever will so long as these principles are retained.
It appears certain that the Gipseys are not deficient in capacity; and it
seems equally decided that they have throughout a wicked depraved turn of
mind. Their skill and ingenuity might render them very profitable
subjects to the state, but their disposition makes them the most useless
pernicious beings. They are not fit for agriculture, nor any other art
which requires industry; on the contrary, they are burthensome from their
begging, they do mischief by their various impositions, besides, being
thieves and robbers, they destroy the security of a state. The
goldwashers, in Transylvania and the Banat, are the only considerable
exceptions; these Gipseys are considered the best of the caste; they have
no intercourse with those of their own nation, nor do they like to be
called Gipseys, but Bräschen, and in the Hungarian language _Aranyasz_
(gold collectors). Their employment not being profitable, they are
generally poor and necessitous; yet seldom beg, and it is still more rare
for them to steal. Content with their scanty subsistence, they sift gold
sand in summer; in winter they make trays and troughs, which they sell in
an honest way. These properties render them, not only harmless, but
serviceable to government; as they annually produce large sums, which,
but for them, would remain in the earth. What pity it is, that so small
a part should be well inclined, in proportion to the multitude, in
Transylvania and elsewhere, who live in the manner above described!
There remains perhaps one more profession, in which a state might reap
advantage from the Gipseys, viz. that of a military life. This seems to
be doubted in Spain, as no Gipsey there, even were he so inclined, can
become a soldier. In other countries, people think differently. For
example, in the two Hungarian regiments, the Orosaish and the Julaish,
nearly every eighth man is a Gipsey. In order to prevent either them or
any other persons from remembering their descent, it is ordered by
government, that as soon as a Gipsey joins the regiment, he is no longer
to be called by that appellation. Here he is placed, promiscuously with
other men; and by this wise regulation, may be systematically rendered
useful. But whether he would be adequate to a soldier’s station, unmixed
with strangers, in the company of his equals only, is very doubtful. His
healthy robust body, active on every occasion; at the same time so inured
to hardship, that he can defy hunger, thirst, heat, cold, and other
inconveniences; makes him extremely well qualified for a military life:
on the other hand, his innate properties seem incompatible with his
profession, and he has little of the essential requisite for a
serviceable soldier. How could a regiment composed of people without
heart or courage, who would be overcome with fear and dismay on the least
appearance of danger, who would give up every thing, and only think of
saving themselves by flight, ever perform any great action? Or how could
we expect, from their levity, and unspeakable want of foresight, that
they should avail themselves to the utmost of any advantage with proper
precaution and judgment? The following incident, taken from the
Hungarian annals, may serve as proof, whether this suspicion be or be not
well founded.—In the year 1557, during the troubles in Zapoly, the castle
of Nagy Ida, in the county of Abauywar, was in danger of being besieged
and taken by the imperial troops. Francis von Perenyi, who had the
command, being short of men, was obliged to have recourse to the Gipseys,
of whom he collected a thousand; these he furnished with proper means of
defence, and stationed them in the outworks, keeping his own small
compliment of men to garrison the citadel. The Gipseys imagined that
they should be perfectly free from annoyance behind their entrenchments,
and therefore went courageously to their posts. Every thing was in order
when the enemy arrived, and the storm commenced. The Gipseys, behind
their fortifications, supported the attack with so much more resolution
than was expected, returning the enemy’s fire with such alacrity, that
the assailants, little suspecting who were the defendants, were actually
retreating. They had hardly quitted their ground, when the conquerors,
elated with joy on their victory, crept out of their holes, crying after
them, “Go and be hanged, you rascals! Thank God we had no more powder
and shot, or we would have played the very devil with you!”—“What!”
replied the retiring besiegers, as they turned about, and, to their great
astonishment, instead of regular troops, discovered a motley Gipsey
tribe, “are you the heroes! is it so with you!” immediately wheeling
about to the left, sword in hand, they drove the black crew back to their
works, forced their way after, and in a few minutes totally subdued them.
Thus the affair ended. In this manner Gipseys would frequently trifle
away by heedlessness, what they might have secured by good fortune and
alacrity, if they were permitted to act in separate corps.
There are many instances recorded in the annals of former centuries,
{89a} of Gipseys having been employed in military expeditions: but
seldom, or rather never, were they thought of as solders. At Crupa,
1565, they prepared cannon balls for the Turks: still earlier, in 1496,
they served Bishop Sigismund at Fünfkirchen in the same manner. In the
thirty-years war, the Swedes likewise had a body of Gipseys in their
army. And when, in 1686, Hamburgh was besieged by the Danes, there were
three companies of them in the Danish army. Their destination was not so
much to stand to their arms, as to perform other services; they were
chiefly employed in flying parties, to burn, plunder, or lay waste, the
enemy’s country. As these are the operations most suitable to their
genius, they are now by the Turks destined to such purposes, and
incorporated with the Sains Serdenjesti, and Nephers.
Such is the assistance which has hitherto been derived from the Gipseys
in war; whence we experience the possibility of their being rendered
serviceable, although the strict watch necessary to be kept over them, on
account of their propensity to be guilty of excesses and irregularities,
would be exceedingly troublesome.
But, in order to bring the advantages and disadvantages attending them to
a fair discussion, it must not be forgotten, that at the very time one
part of these people might be rendered beneficial, viz. in time of war,
another part would have it in their power to do more mischief; by reason
of the disorder which then prevails, when the relaxed attention of the
magistrates makes them more daring in their depredations. Besides, what
is still worse, they are very convenient for the enemy to use as machines
for treachery. What they were in former times accustomed to practise
very commonly, they still continue whenever they have an opportunity.
They have been generally decried, in early ages, as traitors and spies:
perhaps this accusation may be too far extended, but it is not without
foundation. A Gipsey possesses all the properties required to render him
a fit agent to be employed in traitorous undertakings. Being
necessitous, he is easily corrupted; and his misconceived ambition and
pride persuade him that he thus becomes a person of consequence: he is at
the same time too inconsiderate to reflect on danger; and, artful to the
greatest degree, works his way under the most difficult circumstances.
This accusation may be proved by more than one instance.—Count Eberhard,
of Wirtemberg, with a train of forty people, made a pilgrimage to
Palestine in the year 1468: and, as Crusius says, fell into the hands of
the Sultan of Egypt, through the treachery of the Gipseys. Further,
during the troubles excited by John Zapolya, in Hungary, in the sixteenth
century, sundry spies and delegated incendiaries were taken, which proved
to be Gipseys. In 1602 Count Basta, the imperial general, who besieged
the city of Bistritz in Transylvania, when he wanted to circulate a
letter among the besieged, effected it by means of a Gipsey.
They have been sometimes still more dangerous to a country, by harbouring
other spies, who, under the disguise of Gipseys, made excursions,
surveying cities and countries, without being noticed. An example of
this kind is recited in the Adventures of a certain French engineer,
Peter Durois; which is a circumstance, in the records of Louis XIV.
perhaps as much unknown as it is remarkable. It relates, that at Padock
(Patak), in Upper Hungary, a great fire happened, through the
carelessness of the Gipseys; by which not only the little city adjoining
the fort was burnt, but the beautiful Bruderhoff was also reduced to
ashes: on which occasion seven supposed Gipseys were taken into custody,
one of whom was the French engineer above mentioned. This person had
travelled about with them during nine years: he had sketches of all the
principal fortifications in the whole Roman empire, and the imperial
hereditary dominions, taken in the most concise manner, with remarks
where each place was least defensible.—This affair has still another
voucher, who says, “in the month of June of the year 1676, the Gipseys
fired this little city (Patak), together with the church. With these
Gipseys was found a French engineer, named Peter Durois, who had been
nine years in this disguise, and received considerable remittances from
France. He was taken by the imperialists, and there were found upon him
plans of almost all the cities of Upper Hungary, and the German empire.”
Thus these people, in whatever point of view they are considered, are
found to cause incalculable damage and mischief, without, in general,
returning the smallest profit or benefit to the state in which they
reside.