Transcribed from the 1901 John Murray edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org [Picture: Book cover] THE ZINCALI * * * * * AN ACCOUNT OF THE GYPSIES OF SPAIN BY GEORGE BORROW AUTHOR OF ‘THE BIBLE IN SPAIN’ ‘LAVENGRO’ ETC. * * * * * ‘_For that which is unclean by nature_, _thou canst entertain no hope_; _no washing_ _will turn the Gypsy white_.’—FERDOUSI * * * * * NEW IMPRESSION * * * * * LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET 1901 * * * * * Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF CLARENDON, G.C.B. KEEPER OF HER MAJESTY’S PRIVY SEAL ETC., ETC., ETC. MY LORD, _I feel it not only a gratification but an honour to be permitted to dedicate these volumes_ {0} _to your Lordship_, _the more particularly as they are connected with Spain_, _a country in which it was so frequently my fortune to experience such prompt and salutary aid from your Lordship in the high capacity of representative of our Gracious British Sovereign_. _The remembrance of the many obligations under which your Lordship has placed me_, _by your energetic and effectual interference in time of need_, _will ever in heartfelt gratitude cause me to remain_, _with unfeigned sentiments of respect_, _My Lord_, _Your most devoted Servant_, GEORGE BORROW. PREFACE IT is with some diffidence that the author ventures to offer the present work to the public. The greater part of it has been written under very peculiar circumstances, such as are not in general deemed at all favourable for literary composition: at considerable intervals, during a period of nearly five years passed in Spain—in moments snatched from more important pursuits—chiefly in ventas and posádas, whilst wandering through the country in the arduous and unthankful task of distributing the Gospel among its children. Owing to the causes above stated, he is aware that his work must not unfrequently appear somewhat disjointed and unconnected, and the style rude and unpolished: he has, nevertheless, permitted the tree to remain where he felled it, having, indeed, subsequently enjoyed too little leisure to make much effectual alteration.