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ten thousand： it is probable that； ere the conclusion of the
present century； they will have entirely disappeared。 They are in
general quite strangers to the commonest rudiments of education；
few even of the most wealthy can either read or write。 With
respect to religion； they call themselves members of the
Established Church； and are generally anxious to have their
children baptized； and to obtain a copy of the register。 Some of
their baptismal papers； which they carry about with them； are
highly curious； going back for a period of upwards of two hundred
years。 With respect to the essential points of religion； they are
quite careless and ignorant； if they believe in a future state they
dread it not； and if they manifest when dying any anxiety； it is
not for the soul； but the body： a handsome coffin； and a grave in
a quiet country churchyard； are invariably the objects of their
last thoughts； and it is probable that； in their observance of the
rite of baptism； they are principally influenced by a desire to
enjoy the privilege of burial in consecrated ground。 A Gypsy
family never speak of their dead save with regret and affection；
and any request of the dying individual is attended to； especially
with regard to interment； so much so； that I have known a corpse
conveyed a distance of nearly one hundred miles； because the
deceased expressed a wish to be buried in a particular spot。
Of the language of the English Gypsies； some specimens will be
given in the sequel； it is much more pure and copious than the
Spanish dialect。 It has been asserted that the English Gypsies are
not possessed of any poetry in their own tongue； but this is a
gross error； they possess a great many songs and ballads upon
ordinary subjects； without any particular merit； however； and
seemingly of a very modern date。
THE GYPSIES OF THE EAST； OR ZINGARRI
What has been said of the Gypsies of Europe is； to a considerable
extent； applicable to their brethren in the East； or； as they are
called； Zingarri； they are either found wandering amongst the
deserts or mountains； or settled in towns； supporting themselves by
horse…dealing or jugglery； by music and song。 In no part of the
East are they more numerous than in Turkey； especially in
Constantinople； where the females frequently enter the harems of
the great； pretending to cure children of 'the evil eye；' and to
interpret the dreams of the women。 They are not unfrequently seen
in the coffee…houses； exhibiting their figures in lascivious dances
to the tune of various instruments； yet these females are by no
means unchaste； however their manners and appearance may denote the
contrary； and either Turk or Christian who； stimulated by their
songs and voluptuous movements； should address them with proposals
of a dishonourable nature； would； in all probability； meet with a
decided repulse。
Among the Zingarri are not a few who deal in precious stones； and
some who vend poisons； and the most remarkable individual whom it
has been my fortune to encounter amongst the Gypsies； whether of
the Eastern or Western world； was a person who dealt in both these
articles。 He was a native of Constantinople； and in the pursuit of
his trade had visited the most remote and remarkable portions of
the world。 He had traversed alone and on foot the greatest part of
India； he spoke several dialects of the Malay； and understood the
original language of Java； that isle more fertile in poisons than
even 'far Iolchos and Spain。' From what I could learn from him； it
appeared that his jewels were in less request than his drugs；
though he assured me that there was scarcely a Bey or Satrap in
Persia or Turkey whom he had not supplied with both。 I have seen
this individual in more countries than one； for he flits over the
world like the shadow of a cloud； the last time at Granada in
Spain； whither he had come after paying a visit to his Gitano
brethren in the presidio of Ceuta。
Few Eastern authors have spoken of the Zingarri； notwithstanding
they have been known in the East for many centuries； amongst the
few； none has made more curious mention of them than Arabschah； in
a chapter of his life of Timour or Tamerlane； which is deservedly
considered as one of the three classic works of Arabian literature。
This passage； which； while it serves to illustrate the craft； if
not the valour of the conqueror of half the world； offers some
curious particulars as to Gypsy life in the East at a remote
period； will scarcely be considered out of place if reproduced
here； and the following is as close a translation of it as the
metaphorical style of the original will allow。
'There were in Samarcand numerous families of Zingarri of various
descriptions： some were wrestlers； others gladiators； others
pugilists。 These people were much at variance； so that hostilities
and battling were continually arising amongst them。 Each band had
its chief and subordinate officers； and it came to pass that Timour
and the power which he possessed filled them with dread； for they
knew that he was aware of their crimes and disorderly way of life。
Now it was the custom of Timour； on departing upon his expeditions；
to leave a viceroy in Samarcand； but no sooner had he left the
city； than forth marched these bands； and giving battle to the
viceroy； deposed him and took possession of the government； so that
on the return of Timour he found order broken； confusion reigning；
and his throne overturned； and then he had much to do in restoring
things to their former state； and in punishing or pardoning the
guilty； but no sooner did he depart again to his wars； and to his
various other concerns； than they broke out into the same excesses；
and this they repeated no less than three times； and he at length
laid a plan for their utter extermination； and it was the
following：… He commenced building a wall； and he summoned unto him
the people small and great； and he allotted to every man his place；
and to every workman his duty； and he stationed the Zingarri and
their chieftains apart； and in one particular spot he placed a band
of soldiers； and he commanded them to kill whomsoever he should
send to them； and having done so； he called to him the heads of the
people； and he filled the cup for them and clothed them in splendid
vests； and when the turn came to the Zingarri； he likewise pledged
one of them； and bestowed a vest upon him； and sent him with a
message to the soldiers； who； as soon as he arrived； tore from him
his vest； and stabbed him； pouring forth the gold of his heart into
the pan of destruction； （14） and in this way they continue