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obtained。 If on their arrival they held the lives of others in
very low estimation； could it be expected that they would become
gentle as lambs in a land where blood had its price； and the
shedder was seldom executed unless he was poor and friendless； and
unable to cram with ounces of yellow gold the greedy hands of the
pursuers of blood； … the alguazil and escribano？ therefore； if the
Spanish Gypsies have been more bloody and more wolfishly eager in
the pursuit of booty than those of their race in most other
regions； the cause must be attributed to their residence in a
country unsound in every branch of its civil polity； where right
has ever been in less esteem； and wrong in less disrepute； than in
any other part of the world。
However； if the moral state of Spain was not calculated to have a
favourable effect on the habits and pursuits of the Gypsies； their
manners were as little calculated to operate beneficially； in any
point of view； on the country where they had lately arrived。
Divided into numerous bodies； frequently formidable in point of
number； their presence was an evil and a curse in whatever quarter
they directed their steps。 As might be expected； the labourers；
who in all countries are the most honest； most useful； and
meritorious class； were the principal sufferers； their mules and
horses were stolen； carried away to distant fairs； and there
disposed of； perhaps； to individuals destined to be deprived of
them in a similar manner； whilst their flocks of sheep and goats
were laid under requisition to assuage the hungry cravings of these
thievish cormorants。
It was not uncommon for a large band or tribe to encamp in the
vicinity of a remote village scantily peopled； and to remain there
until； like a flight of locusts； they had consumed everything which
the inhabitants possessed for their support； or until they were
scared away by the approach of justice； or by an army of rustics
assembled from the surrounding country。 Then would ensue the
hurried march； the women and children； mounted on lean but spirited
asses； would scour along the plains fleeter than the wind； ragged
and savage…looking men； wielding the scourge and goad； would
scamper by their side or close behind； whilst perhaps a small party
on strong horses； armed with rusty matchlocks or sabres； would
bring up the rear； threatening the distant foe； and now and then
saluting them with a hoarse blast from the Gypsy horn：…
'O； when I sit my courser bold；
My bantling in my rear；
And in my hand my musket hold …
O how they quake with fear！'
Let us for a moment suppose some unfortunate traveller； mounted on
a handsome mule or beast of some value； meeting； unarmed and alone；
such a rabble rout at the close of eve； in the wildest part； for
example； of La Mancha； we will suppose that he is journeying from
Seville to Madrid； and that he has left at a considerable distance
behind him the gloomy and horrible passes of the Sierra Morena； his
bosom； which for some time past has been contracted with dreadful
forebodings； is beginning to expand； his blood； which has been
congealed in his veins； is beginning to circulate warmly and
freely； he is fondly anticipating the still distant posada and
savoury omelet。 The sun is sinking rapidly behind the savage and
uncouth hills in his rear； he has reached the bottom of a small
valley； where runs a rivulet at which he allows his tired animal to
drink； he is about to ascend the side of the hill； his eyes are
turned upwards； suddenly he beholds strange and uncouth forms at
the top of the ascent … the sun descending slants its rays upon red
cloaks； with here and there a turbaned head； or long streaming
hair。 The traveller hesitates； but reflecting that he is no longer
in the mountains； and that in the open road there is no danger of
banditti； he advances。 In a moment he is in the midst of the Gypsy
group； in a moment there is a general halt； fiery eyes are turned
upon him replete with an expression which only the eyes of the Roma
possess； then ensues a jabber in a language or jargon which is
strange to the ears of the traveller； at last an ugly urchin
springs from the crupper of a halting mule； and in a lisping accent
entreats charity in the name of the Virgin and the Majoro。 The
traveller； with a faltering hand； produces his purse； and is
proceeding to loosen its strings； but he accomplishes not his
purpose； for； struck violently by a huge knotted club in an unseen
hand； he tumbles headlong from his mule。 Next morning a naked
corse； besmeared with brains and blood； is found by an arriero； and
within a week a simple cross records the event； according to the
custom of Spain。
'Below there in the dusky pass
Was wrought a murder dread；
The murdered fell upon the grass；
Away the murderer fled。'
To many； such a scene； as above described； will appear purely
imaginary； or at least a mass of exaggeration； but many such
anecdotes are related by old Spanish writers of these people； they
traversed the country in gangs； they were what the Spanish law has
styled Abigeos and Salteadores de Camino； cattle…stealers and
highwaymen； though； in the latter character； they never rose to any
considerable eminence。 True it is that they would not hesitate to
attack or even murder the unarmed and defenceless traveller； when
they felt assured of obtaining booty with little or no risk to
themselves； but they were not by constitution adapted to rival
those bold and daring banditti of whom so many terrible anecdotes
are related in Spain and Italy； and who have acquired their renown
by the dauntless daring which they have invariably displayed in the
pursuit of plunder。
Besides trafficking in horses and mules； and now and then attacking
and plundering travellers upon the highway； the Gypsies of Spain
appear； from a very early period； to have plied occasionally the
trade of the blacksmith； and to have worked in iron； forming rude
implements of domestic and agricultural use； which they disposed
of； either for provisions or money； in the neighbourhood of those
places where they had taken up their temporary residence。 As their
bands were composed of numerous individuals； there is no
improbability in assuming that to every member was allotted that
branch of labour in which he was most calculated to excel。 The
most important； and that which required the greatest share of
cunning and address； was undoubtedly that of the chalan or jockey；
who frequented the fairs with the beasts which he had obtained by
various means； but generally by theft。 Highway robbery； though
occasionally