“He is an excellent oriental scholar, and he tells me that
amongst the gipsies are the remains of a language (peculiar to
themselves) in which are traces of Sanscrit. Sir David Baird,
too, was remarkably struck with the resemblance of some of the
Sepoys to the English gipsies. They are evidently not the dregs
of any people. The countenances of many of the females are
beautiful, as those of the males are manly.”--_The Peacock at
Rowsly._
GIPSY EQUIPMENT--NORWEGIAN GIPSIES--PRESTEN EILERT SUNDT--THE
HULL STEAMER--THE TOURIST’S FRIEND--OUR GIPSY SONG.
The gipsies’ equipment and wardrobe was not extensive; some additions
given by the Rye made them up _assez bien pour la voyage_. One or two
waistcoats, and a handkerchief or two, formed, we believe, the whole of
Noah and Zacharia’s change. But their boots! those were unexceptionable.
They must be new--they must be thick--they must be nailed--double and
treble nailed. One shoemaker failed in solidity and soundness of
substratum; but at last, to the Rye’s comfort and inexpressible relief,
a more skilled follower of St. Crispin produced some _chef d’œuvres_ of
ponderous construction, which the gipsies admitted to be masterpieces.
The man who drove the nails had well-earned his wages; the soles,
indeed, at length resembled one of those old-fashioned oak doors, that
one sometimes sees in ancient castles, or manorial residences. We duly
discharged their cost, consoling ourselves with the reflection that we
had not to walk in them through Norway. Esmeralda had one dress to
change. What it wanted in skirt, was made up by the ornamentation of
plaid braid, and silver buttons, quite in accordance with the fashion of
some Norwegian districts. She had no bandboxes, chignon-boxes,
gloveboxes, parasols, umbrellas, caps, pomades, perfumes, and a thousand
other things often required. A long Alpine cloak, and a few articles of
change, formed a very slight addition to our baggage.
There are Norwegian gipsies. Even Norway has been reached by wandering
hordes of this singular people.[10] We were desirous of comparing the
language of English gipsies with that of the Norwegian Zigeuner; we were
anxious to see some of the roving Tater-pak of this Northern land. In
our researches into the history, language, origin, and probable fate of
this wild, wandering people, who still cling with remarkable tenacity to
their ancient modes of life and language, we had met with the
interesting works of Presten Eilert Sundt--a gentleman who has given
much time and indefatigable energy to a complete investigation of the
present state of the Norwegian gipsies, and has formed a vocabulary of
the Romany language as spoken by them in Norway.
Presten Sundt’s notes will remain a valuable record of the footsteps of
this people in the world. His first work, “Beretning om Fante-eller
Landstrygerfolket i Norge,” was published at Christiania in 1852; it was
succeeded by “Anden aars Beretning om Fantefolket,” published at
Christiania in 1862. To him the Norwegian Government are indebted for
the only information which we believe has yet been given relative to the
Norwegian gipsies. The extracts from Presten Sundt’s works, expressly
made for us, will be found in the Appendix to this work.
* * * * *
Our preparations had wonderfully progressed: besides bags of various
kinds we had three _pockets_, as the gipsies call them,--one for each
animal. The pocket is a large broad, flat sack, sewed up at both ends,
with a slit on one side, which buttons. The blankets and rugs, &c., are
folded and packed flat into it through the slit or opening. Any hard
substances are placed at each end of the pocket, so that the donkey’s
back may not be injured. The pocket is placed flat over the tent covers,
and then girthed tightly round the animal. The bags, tent-rods, and
other things are fastened by cords passing between the girth and the
pocket.
A steamer was to sail from Hull in June, and we ultimately arranged to
take a return ticket from Hull to Norway and back, ourself first-class,
and the gipsies second-class: our return tickets cost us £25, including
the carriage of three animals, either donkeys or horses, whichever we
might wish to take, going or returning. At one time we thought of going
by the special steamer to Throndhjem, intended for the convenience of
sportsmen, but as the voyage was longer, and the fare considerably
higher, we gave up the idea. Messrs. Wilson were most prompt in giving
us every information, and when we had decided to go, they secured us an
excellent berth, and received our heavy baggage when forwarded.
[Illustration: BREAKING UP CAMP: GIPSY POCKET AND LOADED DONKEY.]
We soon received a small publication, by John Bradley, entitled,
“Norway, its Fjords, Fjelds, and Fosses, and How to See Them for Fifteen
Guineas:” with a tempting view of Norwegian scenery on the cover.
Unfortunately we could not travel at so cheap a rate with our party;
but we recommend the publication to intending tourists.
We now wrote to Mr. Bennett, 17, _Store Strandgade_, Christiania, who is
a perfect oracle upon all matters pertaining to Norway, and gives ready
aid to northern tourists, and he at once sent the maps we required. We
afterwards received his newly revised Guide Book, which is indispensable
to all Norwegian travellers.
A gipsy song was composed by us for our campaign,--a sort of souvenir,
to be given here and there,--a memorial of our visit; we had it
translated into Norwegian. It was a guitar song, with an engraved
border, illustrative of gipsy life. The music was arranged by our
friend, of whose regretted absence, we have already spoken. He had taken
it from an air, which he once heard played, by an Italian boy, in the
streets of London. It had since dwelt on his memory. The following is
the music of the air, and the song follows, with a Norwegian
translation, which is said, to be exceedingly good.
[Illustration: MUSIC OF GIPSIES’ NORWEGIAN SONG.]
[Illustration: ZIGEUNERNES SANG TIL NORGE.
Hil dig du kjœre gamle Land!
Hvor Frihed og Munterhed boe,
Vi Zigeunere komme til din Strand
Forat vandre med dig i Ro.
Vi vandre paa Mark, vi vandre i Fjord
I det stolte gamle Norge.
Der leve gjœve Folk i Nord,
Thi her ere Frihedens Borge.
I mit Telt ved din blanke Söe
Belyst af Maanen södt jeg drömmer.
Din Erindring hos mig vil aldrig döe
Dine höie Granskove jeg ikke glemmer.
Giv os Eders Velkomst til Norgesland,
Hvor Alter saa yndigt at skue.
I Eders Fædres Bryst for den fremmede Mand
Opflammede Venskabets Lue.
Den hellige Olaf velsigned dig.
De djærve Haralders Jord,
Om dig stedse siges sandelig:
Som Guld kan man tage dit Ord.
Farvel! vi Afsked maa tage,
Og besöge hver Skov og hvert Fjeld
Vor Velsignelse Eder altid ledsage
Og gjentone vort sidste Farvel.]
[Illustration: THE GIPSIES’ NORWEGIAN SONG.
Welcome, you dear old land,
Land of the gay and free;
We are a gipsy band,
And wander awhile with thee.
In fiord and fell we wander,
Nor tire, old Norge, of thee,
A people so brave, and no wonder--
For they live in the land of the free.
I dream in my tent by your Indsöe,
When the moonlight hour is mine,
And my heart can never forget you,
And your beautiful forests of pine.
Give us your welcome to Norway,
Where all is lovely and fair;
Your fathers of old never tardy
Their friendship with strangers to share.
Blessed by St. Olaf the holy,
Land of Harold the bold,
Of you it is ever said truly
Your word is as good as your gold.
And now adieu; we must leave you,
To wander each forest and fell;
Our blessing for ever attend you,
And echo our parting farewell.]