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depicted the Gypsies as he has found them； neither aggravating
their crimes nor gilding them with imaginary virtues。 He has not
expatiated on 'their gratitude towards good people； who treat them
kindly and take an interest in their welfare'； for he believes that
of all beings in the world they are the least susceptible of such a
feeling。 Nor has he ever done them injustice by attributing to
them licentious habits； from which they are； perhaps； more free
than any race in the creation。
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
I CANNOT permit the second edition of this work to go to press
without premising it with a few words。
When some two years ago I first gave THE ZINCALI to the world； it
was； as I stated at the time； with considerable hesitation and
diffidence： the composition of it and the collecting of Gypsy
words had served as a kind of relaxation to me whilst engaged in
the circulation of the Gospel in Spain。 After the completion of
the work； I had not the slightest idea that it possessed any
peculiar merit； or was calculated to make the slightest impression
upon the reading world。 Nevertheless； as every one who writes
feels a kind of affection； greater or less； for the productions of
his pen； I was averse； since the book was written； to suffer it to
perish of damp in a lumber closet； or by friction in my travelling
wallet。 I committed it therefore to the press； with a friendly
'Farewell； little book； I have done for you all I can； and much
more than you deserve。'
My expectations at this time were widely different from those of my
namesake George in the VICAR OF WAKEFIELD when he published his
paradoxes。 I took it as a matter of course that the world； whether
learned or unlearned； would say to my book what they said to his
paradoxes； as the event showed； … nothing at all。 To my utter
astonishment； however； I had no sooner returned to my humble
retreat； where I hoped to find the repose of which I was very much
in need； than I was followed by the voice not only of England but
of the greater part of Europe； informing me that I had achieved a
feat … a work in the nineteenth century with some pretensions to
originality。 The book was speedily reprinted in America； portions
of it were translated into French and Russian； and a fresh edition
demanded。
In the midst of all this there sounded upon my ears a voice which I
recognised as that of the Maecenas of British literature：
'Borromeo； don't believe all you hear； nor think that you have
accomplished anything so very extraordinary： a great portion of
your book is very sorry trash indeed … Gypsy poetry； dry laws； and
compilations from dull Spanish authors： it has good points；
however； which show that you are capable of something much better：
try your hand again … avoid your besetting sins； and when you have
accomplished something which will really do credit to … Street； it
will be time enough to think of another delivery of these GYPSIES。'
Mistos amande： 'I am content；' I replied； and sitting down I
commenced the BIBLE IN SPAIN。 At first I proceeded slowly …
sickness was in the land； and the face of nature was overcast …
heavy rain…clouds swam in the heavens； … the blast howled amid the
pines which nearly surround my lonely dwelling； and the waters of
the lake which lies before it； so quiet in general and tranquil；
were fearfully agitated。 'Bring lights hither； O Hayim Ben Attar；
son of the miracle！ ' And the Jew of Fez brought in the lights； for
though it was midday I could scarcely see in the little room where
I was writing。 。 。 。
A dreary summer and autumn passed by； and were succeeded by as
gloomy a winter。 I still proceeded with the BIBLE IN SPAIN。 The
winter passed； and spring came with cold dry winds and occasional
sunshine； whereupon I arose； shouted； and mounting my horse； even
Sidi Habismilk； I scoured all the surrounding district； and thought
but little of the BIBLE IN SPAIN。
So I rode about the country； over the heaths； and through the green
lanes of my native land； occasionally visiting friends at a
distance； and sometimes； for variety's sake； I stayed at home and
amused myself by catching huge pike； which lie perdue in certain
deep ponds skirted with lofty reeds； upon my land； and to which
there is a communication from the lagoon by a deep and narrow
watercourse。 … I had almost forgotten the BIBLE IN SPAIN。
Then came the summer with much heat and sunshine； and then I would
lie for hours in the sun and recall the sunny days I had spent in
Andalusia； and my thoughts were continually reverting to Spain； and
at last I remembered that the BIBLE IN SPAIN was still unfinished；
whereupon I arose and said： 'This loitering profiteth nothing' …
and I hastened to my summer…house by the side of the lake； and
there I thought and wrote； and every day I repaired to the same
place； and thought and wrote until I had finished the BIBLE IN
SPAIN。
And at the proper season the BIBLE IN SPAIN was given to the world；
and the world； both learned and unlearned； was delighted with the
BIBLE IN SPAIN； and the highest authority （1） said； 'This is a much
better book than the GYPSIES'； and the next great authority （2）
said； 'something betwixt Le Sage and Bunyan。' 'A far more
entertaining work than DON QUIXOTE；' exclaimed a literary lady。
'Another GIL BLAS；' said the cleverest writer in Europe。 （3）
'Yes；' exclaimed the cool sensible SPECTATOR； （4） 'a GIL BLAS in
water…colours。'
And when I heard the last sentence； I laughed； and shouted； 'KOSKO
PENNESE PAL！' （5） It pleased me better than all the rest。 Is
there not a text in a certain old book which says： Woe unto you
when all men shall speak well of you！ Those are awful words；
brothers； woe is me！
'Revenons a nos Bohemiens！' Now the BIBLE IN SPAIN is off my
hands； I return to 'these GYPSIES'； and here you have； most kind；
lenient； and courteous public； a fresh delivery of them。 In the
present edition； I have attended as much as possible to the
suggestions of certain individuals； for whose opinion I cannot but
entertain the highest respect。 I have omitted various passages
from Spanish authors； which the world has objected to as being
quite out of place； and serving for no other purpose than to swell
out the work。 In lieu thereof； I have introduced some original
matter relative to the Gypsies； which is； perhaps； more calculated
to fling light over their peculiar habits than anything which has
yet appeared。 To remodel the work； however； I have neither time
nor inclination； and must therefore again commend it； with all the
i