The attention of Gypsies to the aged and infirm of their fraternity, is not less exhibited in the case of Ann Day, whose age is inserted in a work on human longevity, published at Salisbury in 1799. She was aged 108, and had not slept in a bed during seventy years. She was well known in the counties of Bedford and Herts, and having been a long time blind, she always rode upon an ass, attended by two or three of the tribe. A friend of the author, a farmer near Baldock, who had frequently given food and straw for the old woman, says of the attendants she had, her comfort and support seemed to be their chief concern. He considers her longevity a proof of the kindness she received. Her interment, which was at Arsley, near Henlow, was attended by her son and daughter, the one 82, the other 85 years of age, each having great grand-children. It must have been a satisfaction to every one interested in the improvement of human nature, to observe the number of advocates who have come forward, within the last ten years, in this country, to plead the cause of this despised and abused people. In bringing their case before the public, the author has aimed at discharging what he thought incumbent upon him to undertake on their behalf. He trusts that persons much more competent than himself, will be induced to give effect to whatever measures may be thought best adapted to promote the temporal, as well as spiritual benefit of this people; and that as H, the correspondent of the Christian Observer, remarks: “amidst the great light that prevails, the reproach may be wiped away from our country, of so many of its children walking in darkness, and in the shadow of death.” Can a nation, whose diffusive philanthropy extends to the civilization of a quarter of the globe, and to the evangelization of the whole world, be regardless of any of the children of her own bosom, or suffer the pious, truly patriotic solicitude of her King, for the instruction of the meanest of his subjects to remain unaccomplished. Many persons appear zealous to send Missionaries to convert heathens in the most distant parts of the world; when, as a late writer {264} observes, “the greatest, perhaps of all heathens, are at home, entirely neglected.” Peace and tranquillity are favorable to the improvement of the internal condition of a country; and can Britain more unequivocally testify her gratitude for the signal favors conferred upon her, than in promoting that object for which rational beings were formed—the glory of God, and the happiness of his creatures.