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who frequented the fairs with the beasts which he had obtained by
various means； but generally by theft。 Highway robbery； though
occasionally committed by all jointly or severally； was probably
the peculiar department of the boldest spirits of the gang； whilst
wielding the hammer and tongs was abandoned to those who； though
possessed of athletic forms； were perhaps； like Vulcan； lame； or
from some particular cause； moral or physical； unsuited for the
other two very respectable avocations。 The forge was generally
placed in the heart of some mountain abounding in wood； the gaunt
smiths felled a tree； perhaps with the very axes which their own
sturdy hands had hammered at a former period； with the wood thus
procured they prepared the charcoal which their labour demanded。
Everything is in readiness； the bellows puff until the coal is
excited to a furious glow； the metal； hot； pliant； and ductile； is
laid on the anvil； round which stands the Cyclop group； their
hammers upraised； down they descend successively； one； two； three；
the sparks are scattered on every side。 The sparks …
'More than a hundred lovely daughters I see produced at one time；
fiery as roses： in one moment they expire gracefully
circumvolving。' （17）
The anvil rings beneath the thundering stroke； hour succeeds hour；
and still endures the hard sullen toil。
One of the most remarkable features in the history of Gypsies is
the striking similarity of their pursuits in every region of the
globe to which they have penetrated； they are not merely alike in
limb and in feature； in the cast and expression of the eye； in the
colour of the hair； in their walk and gait； but everywhere they
seem to exhibit the same tendencies； and to hunt for their bread by
the same means； as if they were not of the human but rather of the
animal species； and in lieu of reason were endowed with a kind of
instinct which assists them to a very limited extent and no
farther。
In no part of the world are they found engaged in the cultivation
of the earth； or in the service of a regular master； but in all
lands they are jockeys； or thieves； or cheats； and if ever they
devote themselves to any toil or trade； it is assuredly in every
material point one and the same。 We have found them above； in the
heart of a wild mountain； hammering iron； and manufacturing from it
instruments either for their own use or that of the neighbouring
towns and villages。 They may be seen employed in a similar manner
in the plains of Russia； or in the bosom of its eternal forests；
and whoever inspects the site where a horde of Gypsies has
encamped； in the grassy lanes beneath the hazel bushes of merry
England； is generally sure to find relics of tin and other metal；
avouching that they have there been exercising the arts of the
tinker or smith。 Perhaps nothing speaks more forcibly for the
antiquity of this sect or caste than the tenacity with which they
have uniformly preserved their peculiar customs since the period of
their becoming generally known； for； unless their habits had become
a part of their nature； which could only have been effected by a
strict devotion to them through a long succession of generations；
it is not to be supposed that after their arrival in civilised
Europe they would have retained and cherished them precisely in the
same manner in the various countries where they found an asylum。
Each band or family of the Spanish Gypsies had its Captain； or； as
he was generally designated； its Count。 Don Juan de Quinones； who；
in a small volume published in 1632； has written some details
respecting their way of life； says： 'They roam about； divided into
families and troops； each of which has its head or Count； and to
fill this office they choose the most valiant and courageous
individual amongst them； and the one endowed with the greatest
strength。 He must at the same time be crafty and sagacious； and
adapted in every respect to govern them。 It is he who settles
their differences and disputes； even when they are residing in a
place where there is a regular justice。 He heads them at night
when they go out to plunder the flocks； or to rob travellers on the
highway； and whatever they steal or plunder they divide amongst
them； always allowing the captain a third part of the whole。'
These Counts； being elected for such qualities as promised to be
useful to their troop or family； were consequently liable to be
deposed if at any time their conduct was not calculated to afford
satisfaction to their subjects。 The office was not hereditary； and
though it carried along with it partial privileges； was both
toilsome and dangerous。 Should the plans for plunder； which it was
the duty of the Count to form； miscarry in the attempt to execute
them； should individuals of the gang fall into the hand of justice；
and the Count be unable to devise a method to save their lives or
obtain their liberty； the blame was cast at the Count's door； and
he was in considerable danger of being deprived of his insignia of
authority； which consisted not so much in ornaments or in dress； as
in hawks and hounds with which the Senor Count took the diversion
of hunting when he thought proper。 As the ground which he hunted
over was not his own； he incurred some danger of coming in contact
with the lord of the soil； attended； perhaps； by his armed
followers。 There is a tradition （rather apocryphal； it is true）；
that a Gitano chief； once pursuing this amusement； was encountered
by a real Count； who is styled Count Pepe。 An engagement ensued
between the two parties； which ended in the Gypsies being worsted；
and their chief left dying on the field。 The slain chief leaves a
son； who； at the instigation of his mother； steals the infant heir
of his father's enemy； who； reared up amongst the Gypsies； becomes
a chief； and； in process of time； hunting over the same ground；
slays Count Pepe in the very spot where the blood of the Gypsy had
been poured out。 This tradition is alluded to in the following
stanza：…
'I have a gallant mare in stall；
My mother gave that mare
That I might seek Count Pepe's hall
And steal his son and heir。'
Martin Del Rio； in his TRACTATUS DE MAGIA； speaks of the Gypsies
and their Counts to the following effect： 'When； in the year 1584；
I was marching in Spain with the regiment； a multitude of these
wretches were infesting the fields。 It happened that the feast of
Corpus Domini was being celebrated； and they requested to be
admitted into the town； that they might dance in honour of the
sacrifice； as was customary； they did so； but about midday a grea