Although the Gipsies, on account of their unsettled habits, their disposition to evil practices, and that ignorance of true religion, which is inseparably connected with a life remote from all the forms of external worship, and from the influence of religious society, may be said to be in a most lamentably wretched state; yet is their condition not desperate. They are rational beings, and have many feelings honourable to human nature. They are not as the heathens of other countries, addicted to any system of idolatry; and what is of infinite encouragement, they inhabit a land of Bibles and of Christian ministers; and, although at present, they derive so little benefit from these advantages, there are many of them willing to receive instruction. The following details, to which I gladly turn, will shew that, when _patient_ and _persevering_ means are used, Gipsies may be brought to know God; and no body of people were ever yet converted to Christianity without means. The following circumstances gave rise to the idea of forming a society for the improvement of this people. In March, 1827, during the Lent Assizes, the author was in Winchester, and wishing to speak with the sheriff's chaplain, he went to the court for that purpose. He happened to enter just as the judge was passing sentence of death on two unhappy men. To one he held out the hope of mercy; but to the other, _a poor Gipsy_, who was convicted of horse-stealing, he said, _no hope could be given_. The young man, for he was but a youth, immediately fell on his knees, and with uplifted hands and eyes, apparently unconscious of any persons being present but the judge and himself, addressed him as follows: "_Oh_! _my Lord_, _save my life_!" The judge replied, "_No_; _you can have no mercy in this world_: _I and my brother judges have come to the determination to execute horse-stealers_, _especially Gipsies_, _because of the increase of the crime_." The suppliant, still on his knees, entreated--"_Do_, _my Lord Judge_, _save my life_! _do_, _for God's sake_, _for my wife's sake_, _for my baby's sake_!" "_No_," replied the judge, "_I cannot_: _you should have thought of your wife and children before_." He then ordered him to be taken away, and the poor fellow was _rudely dragged_ from his earthly judge. It is hoped, as a penitent sinner, he obtained the more needful mercy of God, through the abounding grace of Christ. After this scene, the author could not remain in court. As he returned, he found the mournful intelligence had been communicated to some Gipsies who had been waiting without, anxious to learn the fate of their companion. They seemed distracted.