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
Schütt and Hideghid, for the purpose of being put under the same course
of discipline as the others. Among the children taken away on this
occasion, was a girl fourteen years old, who was forced to submit to be
carried off in her bridal state. She tore her hair for grief and rage,
and was quite beside herself with agitation: but she recovered a composed
state of mind; and, in 1776, in Fasching, obtained permission to
accomplish her marriage.
So far our intelligence quoted from the Gazettes; by which we may see how
prudently every thing was concerted. It is true, the means here used are
compulsory; but such measures were necessary, and the only ones capable
of insuring success. Moreover, it may at the same time be observed,
although the publisher of this information endeavours to conceal it, how
little these salutary regulations were put in force: there were scarcely
two places in the kingdom, where even an endeavour was made to give them
proper effect. This supineness must have been unknown to the emperor
Joseph, or he would certainly have again enforced them, to all chiefs and
governors, at the same time that he gave orders for their being observed
in Transylvania.
The tenor of the decree just mentioned, which was published in the year
1782, was consonant with the intention of Theresa with regard to the
Hungarian Gipseys, namely, that those also in Transylvania should become
better men, and more useful inhabitants. For the accomplishment of
which, it prohibits their wandering about and living under tents;
requires that they become settled, and put themselves under some
territorial chief. In order to strike immediately at the root of the
evil, necessary and minute directions are given for the improvement of
their religious ideas and opinions, and, by correcting their vicious
habits, for rendering them good citizens. First, with respect to
religion, they must
1. Not only be taught the principles of religion themselves, but send
their children early to school:
2. Prevent, as much as possible, their children from running about
naked, in the house, the roads, and streets, thereby giving offense and
disgust to other people:
3. In their dwellings, not permit their children to sleep
promiscuously by each other, without distinction of sex:
4. Diligently attend at church, particularly on Sundays and holidays,
to give proof of their Christian disposition:
5. Put themselves under the guidance of spiritual teachers, and
conduct themselves conformably to the rules laid down by them.
Secondly, with regard to their temporal conduct and better mode of
living, they are bound
1. To conform to the custom of the country, in diet, dress, and
language: consequently to abstain from feeding on cattle which have
died of distempers; not to go about in such unseemly dresses; and to
discontinue the use of their own particular language:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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