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
There is another family of Gypsies resident in this place in the
winter, the father of which was formerly a musician in the guards.
He has a boy now in the school.
These circumstances lead me to think, that were encouragement given
to them, the Gypsies would be inclined to live in towns and villages
like other people; and would in another generation or two become
civilized, and with the pains which are now taken to educate the
poor, and to diffuse the Scriptures and the knowledge of Jesus
Christ, would become a part of the regular fold: while in the mean
time, from personal intercourse with their pastors, and from
attending public worship, the spiritual condition of the present
generation would be materially improved. It would, however, require
much patient continuance in well doing, in those who attempted it;
and they must be prepared, perhaps, to meet with some untowardness,
and much disappointment; but in due season we could not fail to reap,
if we fainted not.
All Gypsies must have some parish to which they belong; and if these
parishes were to provide habitations for them, and to hold out
encouragement to them to come and settle, and were to bear for the
present with any ways which might be different from those of the
regular inhabitants, affording them work as tinkers, &c. and
providing education and work for their children; and for the present,
even bearing with their travelling in the summer; this now almost
unprofitable race of beings might be reclaimed to society. Many of
them are accustomed, in the seasons, to undertake hay and harvest
work. These, I think, with proper encouragement, might be induced to
get their living by husbandry work throughout the year.
Should these suggestions lead to any farther discussion upon the
subject, or to adopting any measures to promote the desired object;
it would give me sincere pleasure to lend my assistance, either
pecuniary or personal.
I am, Sir, &c. J. P.
_Cambridge_, _April_ 28, 1810.
P.S. I recollect having heard that the benevolent Jonas Hanway took
a Gypsey for his servant, but I know not on what authority this was
said.
* * * * *
_To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {217}
The candid acknowledgment of your benevolent correspondent, in the
Christian Observer for February last, that his attention had been
first drawn to the state of the Gypsies by the letter of Fraternicus,
was matter of unfeigned satisfaction to me; and as it is probable
there may be no want of inclination in the Christian world, to extend
relief effectually to them, permit me to solicit a place in your
pages, for a thought which has occurred to me in my meditations on
the subjects.
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