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_.