Dissertation on the Gipseys: Representing their manner of life, family economy, occupations & trades, marriages & education, sickness, death, & burial, religion, language, sciences & arts, &c. &c. &c.; with an historical enquiry concerning their origin & first appearance in EuropeGrellmann, Heinrich Moritz Gottlieb
History
Dissertation on the Gipseys: Representing their manner of life, family economy, occupations & trades, marriages & education, sickness, death, & burial, religion, language, sciences & arts, &c. &c. &c.; with an historical enquiry concerning their origin & first appearance in Europe
Grellmann, Heinrich Moritz Gottlieb
Romanies
Such is the condition of the Gipseys who wander about in Hungary, Turkey,
and other countries; being no-where, or rather every-where, at home. The
remainder of these people who have reconciled themselves to a settled
mode of living, are in much better circumstances, and infinitely more
rational, than those just described. It will be expected, that those
Spanish Gipseys who are innkeepers, and entertain strangers, are more
civilised; and it also holds good with regard to those in Hungary and
Transylvania who have different ways of gaining a livelihood. Their
habitations are conveniently divided into chambers; and are furnished
with tables, benches, decent kitchen furniture, and other necessaries.
The few who farm, or breed cattle, have a plough and other implements of
husbandry; the others, what is necessary for carrying on their trade;
though even here you are not to expect superfluity: habitations, clothes,
every thing, indicate that their owners belong to the class of poor.
They are very partial to gold and silver plate, particularly silver cups;
which is a disposition they have in common with the wandering Gipseys:
they let slip no opportunity of acquiring something of the kind; and will
even starve themselves to procure it. Though they seem little anxious to
heap up riches for their children, yet these frequently inherit a
treasure of this sort, and are obliged in their turn to preserve it as a
sacred inheritance. The ordinary, travelling Gipseys when in possession
of such a piece of plate, commonly bury it under the hearth of their
dwelling, in order to secure it. This inclination to deprive themselves
of necessaries, that they may possess a superfluity, as well as many
other of their customs, is curious, yet appears to be ancient; and it was
probably inherent in them when they were first seen by Europeans.
CHAPTER VII.
_Their Occupations and Trades_.
ON considering the means to which the Gipseys have recourse to maintain
themselves, we shall perceive the reason why poverty and want are so
generally their lot; namely, their excessive indolence, and aversion from
industry. They abhor every kind of employment which is laborious or
requires application; and had rather suffer even hunger and nakedness,
than obviate these privations on such hard terms. They therefore either
choose some profession which requires little exertion, allowing them many
idle hours; or addict themselves to unlawful courses, and vicious habits.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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