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The Zincali … An Account of the Gypsies of Spain
by 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 posadas；
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。
At the same time he flatters himself that the work is not destitute
of certain qualifications to entitle it to approbation。 The
author's acquaintance with the Gypsy race in general dates from a
very early period of his life； which considerably facilitated his
intercourse with the Peninsular portion； to the elucidation of
whose history and character the present volumes are more
particularly devoted。 Whatever he has asserted； is less the result
of reading than of close observation； he having long since come to
the conclusion that the Gypsies are not a people to be studied in
books； or at least in such books as he believes have hitherto been
written concerning them。
Throughout he has dealt more in facts than in theories； of which he
is in general no friend。 True it is； that no race in the world
affords； in many points； a more extensive field for theory and
conjecture than the Gypsies； who are certainly a very mysterious
people come from some distant land； no mortal knows why； and who
made their first appearance in Europe at a dark period； when events
were not so accurately recorded as at the present time。
But if he has avoided as much as possible touching upon subjects
which must always； to a certain extent； remain shrouded in
obscurity； for example； the； original state and condition of the
Gypsies； and the causes which first brought them into Europe； he
has stated what they are at the present day； what he knows them to
be from a close scrutiny of their ways and habits； for which；
perhaps； no one ever enjoyed better opportunities； and he has；
moreover； given … not a few words culled expressly for the purpose
of supporting a theory； but one entire dialect of their language；
collected with much trouble and difficulty； and to this he humbly
calls the attention of the learned； who； by comparing it with
certain languages； may decide as to the countries in which the
Gypsies have lived or travelled。
With respect to the Gypsy rhymes in the second volume； he wishes to
make one observation which cannot be too frequently repeated； and
which he entreats the reader to bear in mind： they are GYPSY
COMPOSITIONS； and have little merit save so far as they throw light
on the manner of thinking and speaking of the Gypsy people； or
rather a portion of them； and as to what they are capable of
effecting in the way of poetry。 It will； doubtless； be said that
the rhymes are TRASH； … even were it so； they are original； and on
that account； in a philosophic point of view； are more valuable
than the most brilliant compositions pretending to describe Gypsy
life； but written by persons who are not of the Gypsy sect。 Such
compositions； however replete with fiery sentiments； and allusions
to freedom and independence； are certain to be tainted with
affectation。 Now in the Gypsy rhymes there is no affectation； and
on that very account they are different in every respect from the
poetry of those interesting personages who figure； under the names
of Gypsies； Gitanos； Bohemians； etc。； in novels and on the boards
of the theatre。
It will； perhaps； be objected to the present work； that it contains
little that is edifying in a moral or Christian point of view： to
such an objection the author would reply； that the Gypsies are not
a Christian people； and that their morality is of a peculiar kind；
not calculated to afford much edification to what is generally
termed the respectable portion of society。 Should it be urged that
certain individuals have found them very different from what they
are represented in these volumes； he would frankly say that he
yields no credit to the presumed fact； and at the same time he
would refer to the vocabulary contained in the second volume；
whence it will appear that the words HOAX and HOCUS have been
immediately derived from the language of the Gypsies； who； there is
good reason to believe； first introduced the system into Europe； to
which those words belong。
The author entertains no ill…will towards the Gypsies； why should
he； were he a mere carnal reasoner？ He has known them for upwards
of twenty years； in various countries； and they never injured a
hair of his head； or deprived him of a shred of his raiment； but he
is not deceived as to the motive of their forbearance： they
thought him a ROM； and on this supposition they hurt him not； their
love of 'the blood' being their most distinguishing characteristic。
He derived considerable assistance from them in Spain； as in
various instances they officiated as colporteurs in the
distribution of the Gospel： but on that account he is not prepared
to say that they entertained any love for the Gospel or that they
circulated it for the honour of Tebleque the Saviour。 Whatever
they did for the Gospel in Spain； was done in the hope that he whom
they conceived to be their brother had some purpose in view which
was to contribute to the profit of the Cales； or Gypsies； and to
terminate in the confusion and plunder of the Busne； or Gentiles。
Convinced of this； he is too little of an enthusiast to rear； on
such a foundation； any fantastic edifice of hope which would soon
tumble to the ground。
The cause of truth can scarcely be forwarded by enthusiasm； which
is almost invariably the child of ignorance and error。 The author
is anxious to direct the attention of the public towards the
Gypsies； but he hopes to be able to do so without any romantic
appeals in their behalf； by concealing the truth； or by warping the
truth until it becomes falsehood。 In the following pages he has
depicted the Gypsies as he has found them； neither aggravating
their crimes nor gilding the