should continue here, than in the different countries where their hordes were much divided and diminished. The time when they arrived, has been as little certified, as the particular place where they landed. Perhaps, the before-quoted chronicle of Bologna may afford some insight into this matter. It relates, as appears by the context, from the mouth of the leader of the horde which it describes, that these people had been five years wandering about in the world, previously to their arrival at Bologna. Now, if this account is to be depended on, they cannot have arrived in Europe earlier than the year 1417. But before attaching credit to this relation, we are to consider, whether the author of it be deserving of credit. To place any confidence in Gipsey narrations, in general, would be very imprudent; as there are too many proofs that their sayings are mere nonsense, and contradictory prattle: but the case in question seems to be an exception. All the inconsistency and falshoods which the Gipseys reported, concerning whence they came, with the reasons for their wandering, have an end in view. But with regard to time, if they knew, they are more to be trusted, as no injury could be expected to result from the knowledge of a mere date. Now, the inference to be drawn is, that the leader of a horde might not only know how long he had retired from Egypt, or Asia Minor, and travelled about in Europe, as the time had been short; but it may also be supposed, that he said what he knew. In the mean time, we will compare this cited term, of five years, with other circumstances, and see whether they make for or against our argument. The first enquiry would be, Whether there are any earlier authentic accounts of their appearance in Europe, than 1417? But we do not find such any-where. {113} The second question to be decided is, Whether, if they were not seen towards the Black Sea before 1417, they could in one year’s time have reached the North Sea? This doubt requires little consideration. A year was quite sufficient for people like the Gipseys, who never tarried long in a place, to have migrated even far beyond where they were found. Again, if they were not in Moldavia and Wallachia earlier than the year 1417, and yet appeared during the same year in the neighbourhood of the North Sea, what great difference would it make if they came from a province next beyond Moldavia or Wallachia, travelling a few miles further to arrive at the same place? It is therefore very credible that 1417 was the period of their arrival.