The Tziganes are rarely wanting in a certain sense of humor and power of repartee, which often disarms the anger they have justly provoked. In a travelling menagerie the keeper, showing off his animals to a large audience, pointed to the cage where a furious lion was pawing the ground, and pompously announced that he was ready to give a thousand florins to whoever would enter that cage. “I will,” said a starved-looking gypsy, stepping forward. “You will!” said the keeper, looking contemptuously at the small, puny figure. “Very well; please yourself, and walk in,” and he made a feint of opening the door. “Step in; why are you not coming?” “Certainly,” said the Tzigane; “I have not the slightest objection, and am only waiting till you remove that very unpleasant-looking animal which occupies the cage at present.” Of course the laugh was turned against the showman, who, in his speech, had only spoken of the cage without mentioning the lion. A peasant, accusing a Tzigane of having stolen his horse, declared that he could produce half a dozen witnesses who had seen him in the act. “What are half a dozen witnesses?” said the gypsy. “I can produce a whole dozen who have not seen it!” A starving and shivering Tzigane once, craving hospitality, was told to choose between food and warmth. Would he have something to eat; or did he prefer to warm himself at the hearth? “If you please,” he answered, “I would like best to toast myself a piece of bacon at the fire.” When asked which was his favorite bird a Tzigane made reply, “The pig, if it had only wings.” Another gypsy, asked whether, for the remuneration of five florins, he would undertake the office of hangman on a single victim, answered, joyfully, “Oh, that is far too high a price! For five florins I would undertake to hang all the officials into the bargain!” Some Tzigane proverbs are as follows: “Better a donkey which lets you ride than a fine horse which throws you off.” “Those are the fattest fishes which fall back from the line into the water.” “It is not good to choose women or cloth by candlelight.” “What is the use of a kiss unless there be two to share it?” “Who would steal potatoes must not forget the sack.” “Two hard stones do not grind smooth.” “Polite words cost little and do much.” “Who flatters you has either cheated you or hopes to do so.” “Who waits till another calls him to supper often remains hungry.” “If you have lost your horse, you had better throw away saddle and bridle as well.” “The best smith cannot make more than one ring at a time.” “A pleasant smile smooths away wrinkles.” “Nothing is so bad but it is good enough for some one.” “Do we keep the fast-days? Yes, when there is neither bread nor bacon in the cupboard.” “It is of no use to teach science to children, unless we explain it by means of the broomstick.” “Let nothing on earth sadden you as long as you still can love.” “It is easier to inherit than to earn.”