A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, & Present State of the GypsiesHoyland, John
History
A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, & Present State of the Gypsies
Hoyland, John
Romanies
So far our intelligence is quoted from the Gazettes, by which we may see
how prudently every thing was concerted.
But it must be observed, although the publisher of this information
endeavours to conceal it, how little these salutary regulations were put
in force; there were scarcely two places in the kingdom where even an
endeavour was made to give them proper effect. This supineness must have
been unknown to the Emperor Joseph, or he would certainly again have
enforced these regulations, to all chiefs and governors, at the same time
that he gave orders for their being observed in Transylvania.
The tenor of the decree just mentioned, which was published in the year
1782, was consonant with the intention of Theresa, with regard to the
Hungarian Gypsies; namely, that those also in Transylvania should become
better men, and more useful inhabitants. For the accomplishment of this
end, it prohibits their wandering about, and living under tents; requires
that they become settled, and put themselves under some territorial
chief. In order to strike immediately at the root of the evil, necessary
and minute directions are given for the improvement of their religious
ideas and opinions; and, by correcting their vicious habits, for
rendering them good citizens.
First, with respect to religion, they must
1. Not only be taught the principles of religion themselves, but early
send their children to school.
2. Prevent as much as possible, their children running about naked in
the roads and streets, thereby giving offence and disgust to other
people.
3. In their dwellings, not permit their children to sleep promiscuously
by each other, without distinction of sex.
4. Diligently attend at church, particularly on Sundays and holidays, to
give proof of their Christian disposition.
5. Put themselves under the guidance of spiritual teachers, and conduct
themselves conformably to the rules laid down by them.
Secondly, with regard to their temporal conduct, and better mode of
living, they are bound
1. To conform to the custom of the country, in diet, dress, and
language: consequently to abstain from feeding on cattle which have died
of distempers; not to go about in such unseemly dresses; and to
discontinue the use of their own particular language.
2. Not to appear any more in large cloaks; which are chiefly useful to
hide things that have been stolen.
3. No Gypsey, except he be a gold-washer, shall keep a horse.
4. Also the gold-washers must refrain from all kinds of bartering at the
annual fairs.
5. The magistrates of every place must be very attentive that no Gypsey
waste his time in idleness; but at those seasons, when they have no
employment, either for themselves or any landholder, to recommend them to
some other person, with whom they shall be compelled to work for hire.
6. They are to be kept particularly to agriculture; therefore
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account