The Gipsies' Advocate: Or, Observations on the Origin, Character, Manners, and Habits of the English GipsiesCrabb, James
Religion
The Gipsies' Advocate: Or, Observations on the Origin, Character, Manners, and Habits of the English Gipsies
Crabb, James
Romanies -- England
The celebrated traveller, Dr Daniel Clarke, speaks of great numbers of
Gipsies in Persia, who are much encouraged by the Tartars. Formerly, and
particularly on the Continent, they had their counts, lords, and dukes;
but these were titles without either power or riches.
The English Gipsies were formerly accustomed to denominate an aged man
and woman among them, as their king and queen; but this is a political
distinction which has not been recognized by them for many years.
If we suppose the Gipsies to have been heathens before they came into
this country, their separation from pagan degradation and cruelty, has
been attended with many advantages to themselves. They have seen neither
the superstitions of idolatry, nor the unnatural cruelties of heathenism.
They are not destitute of those sympathies and attachments which would
adorn the most polished circles. In demonstration of this, we have only
to make ourselves acquainted with the fervour and tenderness of their
conjugal, parental, and filial sensibilities,--and the great care they
take of all who are aged, infirm, and blind, among them. Were these
highly interesting qualities sanctified by pure religion, they would
exhibit much of the beauty and loveliness of the christian character. I
am aware that an opinion is general, that they are cruel to their
children; but it may be questioned if ebullitions of passion are more
frequent among them, in reference to their children, than among other
classes of society; and when these ebullitions, which are not lasting,
are over--their conduct toward their children is most affectionate. The
attachment of Gipsy children to their parents is equally vivid and
admirable; it grows with their years, and strengthens even as their
connections increase. {12} And indeed the affection that sisters and
brothers have one for the other is very great. A short time since, the
little sister of a Gipsy youth seventeen years of age, was taken ill with
a fever, when his mind became exceedingly distressed, and he gave way to
excessive grief and weeping.
Those who suppose these wanderers of mankind to be of Hindostanee or
Suder origin, have much the best proof on their side. A real Gipsy has a
countenance, eye, mouth, hands, ancle, and quickness of manners, strongly
indicative of Hindoo origin. This is more particularly the case with the
females. Nor is the above mere assertion. The testimony of the most
intelligent travellers, many of whom have long resided in India, fully
supports this opinion. And, indeed, persons who have not travelled on
the Asiatic Continent, but who have seen natives of Hindostan, have been
surprised at the similarity of manners and features existing between them
and the Gipsies. The Author of this work once met with a Hindoo woman,
and was astonished at the great resemblance she bore in countenance and
manners to the female Gipsy of his own country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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