The Gypsies have been long enough among civilized people to prove, that they will not be allured by the mere example of others, to free themselves from the fetters of old customs and vices. To accomplish that end, more effectual means are requisite. It would be vain to hope for any considerable progress in the improvement of those who are grown up. Their reformation would be a difficult task, as the attempts made by the Empress Theresa evinced:—you must begin with children, and not meddle with the old stock, on whom no efforts will have effect. Expelling the Gypsies entirely, was not merely a premature step, it was a wasteful one. This is indisputable, so long as the state maxim holds good, that a numerous population is advantageous. Care being taken to enlighten their understandings, and amend their hearts, they might become useful citizens; for 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 devices they have recourse to, in perpetrating any cheat or robbery: but this is not the only particular in which they show capacity. The following extract is from a Hungarian author, who was an attentive observer of these people. “The Gypsies 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.” _Grellmann_. * * * * * The recommendation of Grellmann, p. 197, to begin the work of reform with children, appears judicious; but the events of the present day justify the expectation, that benevolent exertions would not prove fruitless, should they afterwards be extended even to the “_old stock_.” Before the Circular introduced is the 10th Section was distributed, the author did not know of the correspondence on the subject of Gypsies, which had appeared in the interesting pages of the Christian Observer. But he should now consider it an injustice to those benevolent individuals, who had taken the lead in this work of Christian charity, not to give full consideration to the ideas they have suggested. In Vol. VII. p. 91 of that periodical publication, is the following letter. _To the Editor of the Christian Observer_.