按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
sacrifice； as was customary； they did so； but about midday a great
tumult arose owing to the many thefts which the women committed；
whereupon they fled out of the suburbs； and assembled about St。
Mark's； the magnificent mansion and hospital of the knights of St。
James； where the ministers of justice attempting to seize them were
repulsed by force of arms； nevertheless； all of a sudden； and I
know not how； everything was hushed up。 At this time they had a
Count； a fellow who spoke the Castilian idiom with as much purity
as if he had been a native of Toledo； he was acquainted with all
the ports of Spain； and all the difficult and broken ground of the
provinces。 He knew the exact strength of every city； and who were
the principal people in each； and the exact amount of their
property； there was nothing relating to the state； however secret；
that he was not acquainted with； nor did he make a mystery of his
knowledge； but publicly boasted of it。'
From the passage quoted above； we learn that the Gitanos in the
ancient times were considered as foreigners who prowled about the
country； indeed； in many of the laws which at various times have
been promulgated against them； they are spoken of as Egyptians； and
as such commanded to leave Spain； and return to their native
country； at one time they undoubtedly were foreigners in Spain；
foreigners by birth； foreigners by language but at the time they
are mentioned by the worthy Del Rio； they were certainly not
entitled to the appellation。 True it is that they spoke a language
amongst themselves； unintelligible to the rest of the Spaniards；
from whom they differed considerably in feature and complexion； as
they still do； but if being born in a country； and being bred
there； constitute a right to be considered a native of that
country； they had as much claim to the appellation of Spaniards as
the worthy author himself。 Del Rio mentions； as a remarkable
circumstance； the fact of the Gypsy Count speaking Castilian with
as much purity as a native of Toledo； whereas it is by no means
improbable that the individual in question was a native of that
town； but the truth is； at the time we are speaking of； they were
generally believed to be not only foreigners； but by means of
sorcery to have acquired the power of speaking all languages with
equal facility； and Del Rio； who was a believer in magic； and wrote
one of the most curious and erudite treatises on the subject ever
penned； had perhaps adopted that idea； which possibly originated
from their speaking most of the languages and dialects of the
Peninsula； which they picked up in their wanderings。 That the
Gypsy chief was so well acquainted with every town of Spain； and
the broken and difficult ground； can cause but little surprise；
when we reflect that the life which the Gypsies led was one above
all others calculated to afford them that knowledge。 They were
continually at variance with justice； they were frequently obliged
to seek shelter in the inmost recesses of the hills； and when their
thievish pursuits led them to the cities； they naturally made
themselves acquainted with the names of the principal individuals；
in hopes of plundering them。 Doubtless the chief possessed all
this species of knowledge in a superior degree； as it was his
courage； acuteness； and experience alone which placed him at the
head of his tribe； though Del Rio from this circumstance wishes to
infer that the Gitanos were spies sent by foreign foes； and with
some simplicity inquires； 'Quo ant cui rei haec curiosa exploratio？
nonne compescenda vagamundorum haec curiositas； etiam si solum
peregrini et inculpatae vitae。'
With the Counts rested the management and direction of these
remarkable societies； it was they who determined their marches；
counter…marches； advances； and retreats； what was to be attempted
or avoided； what individuals were to be admitted into the
fellowship and privileges of the Gitanos； or who were to be
excluded from their society； they settled disputes and sat in
judgment over offences。 The greatest crimes； according to the
Gypsy code； were a quarrelsome disposition； and revealing the
secrets of the brotherhood。 By this code the members were
forbidden to eat； drink； or sleep in the house of a Busno； which
signifies any person who is not of the sect of the Gypsies； or to
marry out of that sect； they were likewise not to teach the
language of Roma to any but those who； by birth or inauguration；
belonged to that sect； they were enjoined to relieve their brethren
in distress at any expense or peril； they were to use a peculiar
dress； which is frequently alluded to in the Spanish laws； but the
particulars of which are not stated； and they were to cultivate the
gift of speech to the utmost possible extent； and never to lose
anything which might be obtained by a loose and deceiving tongue；
to encourage which they had many excellent proverbs； for example …
'The poor fool who closes his mouth never winneth a dollar。'
'The river which runneth with sound bears along with it stones and
water。'
CHAPTER III
THE Gitanos not unfrequently made their appearance in considerable
numbers； so as to be able to bid defiance to any force which could
be assembled against them on a sudden； whole districts thus became
a prey to them； and were plundered and devastated。
It is said that； in the year 1618； more than eight hundred of these
wretches scoured the country between Castile and Aragon； committing
the most enormous crimes。 The royal council despatched regular
troops against them； who experienced some difficulty in dispersing
them。
But we now proceed to touch upon an event which forms an era in the
history of the Gitanos of Spain； and which for wildness and
singularity throws all other events connected with them and their
race； wherever found； entirely into the shade。
THE BOOKSELLER OF LOGRONO
About the middle of the sixteenth century； there resided one
Francisco Alvarez in the city of Logrono； the chief town of Rioja；
a province which borders on Aragon。 He was a man above the middle
age； sober； reserved； and in general absorbed in thought； he lived
near the great church； and obtained a livelihood by selling printed
books and manuscripts in a small shop。 He was a very learned man；
and was continually reading in the books which he was in the habit
of selling； and some of these books were in foreign tongues and
characters； so foreign； indeed； that none but himself and some of
his friends； the canons； could understand them； he was much visited
by the clergy； who were his