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nor inclination； and must therefore again commend it； with all the
imperfections which still cling to it； to the generosity of the
public。
A few words in conclusion。 Since the publication of the first
edition； I have received more than one letter； in which the writers
complain that I； who seem to know so much of what has been written
concerning the Gypsies； （6） should have taken no notice of a theory
entertained by many； namely； that they are of Jewish origin； and
that they are neither more nor less than the descendants of the two
lost tribes of Israel。 Now I am not going to enter into a
discussion upon this point； for I know by experience； that the
public cares nothing for discussions； however learned and edifying；
but will take the present opportunity to relate a little adventure
of mine； which bears not a little upon this matter。
So it came to pass； that one day I was scampering over a heath； at
some distance from my present home： I was mounted upon the good
horse Sidi Habismilk； and the Jew of Fez； swifter than the wind；
ran by the side of the good horse Habismilk； when what should I see
at a corner of the heath but the encampment of certain friends of
mine； and the chief of that camp； even Mr。 Petulengro； stood before
the encampment； and his adopted daughter； Miss Pinfold； stood
beside him。
MYSELF。 … 'Kosko divvus （7）； Mr。 Petulengro！ I am glad to see you：
how are you getting on？'
MR。 PETULENGRO。 … 'How am I getting on？ as well as I can。 What
will you have for that nokengro （8）？'
Thereupon I dismounted； and delivering the reins of the good horse
to Miss Pinfold； I took the Jew of Fez； even Hayim Ben Attar； by
the hand； and went up to Mr。 Petulengro； exclaiming； 'Sure ye are
two brothers。' Anon the Gypsy passed his hand over the Jew's face；
and stared him in the eyes： then turning to me he said； 'We are
not dui palor （9）； this man is no Roman； I believe him to be a Jew；
he has the face of one； besides； if he were a Rom； even from
Jericho； he could rokra a few words in Rommany。'
Now the Gypsy had been in the habit of seeing German and English
Jews； who must have been separated from their African brethren for
a term of at least 1700 years； yet he recognised the Jew of Fez for
what he was … a Jew； and without hesitation declared that he was
'no Roman。' The Jews； therefore； and the Gypsies have each their
peculiar and distinctive countenance； which； to say nothing of the
difference of language； precludes the possibility of their having
ever been the same people。
MARCH 1； 1843。
NOTICE TO THE FOURTH EDITION
THIS edition has been carefully revised by the author； and some few
insertions have been made。 In order； however； to give to the work
a more popular character； the elaborate vocabulary of the Gypsy
tongue； and other parts relating to the Gypsy language and
literature； have been omitted。 Those who take an interest in these
subjects are referred to the larger edition in two vols。 （10）
THE GYPSIES … INTRODUCTION
THROUGHOUT my life the Gypsy race has always had a peculiar
interest for me。 Indeed I can remember no period when the mere
mention of the name of Gypsy did not awaken within me feelings hard
to be described。 I cannot account for this … I merely state a
fact。
Some of the Gypsies； to whom I have stated this circumstance； have
accounted for it on the supposition that the soul which at present
animates my body has at some former period tenanted that of one of
their people； for many among them are believers in metempsychosis；
and； like the followers of Bouddha； imagine that their souls； by
passing through an infinite number of bodies； attain at length
sufficient purity to be admitted to a state of perfect rest and
quietude； which is the only idea of heaven they can form。
Having in various and distant countries lived in habits of intimacy
with these people； I have come to the following conclusions
respecting them： that wherever they are found； their manners and
customs are virtually the same； though somewhat modified by
circumstances； and that the language they speak amongst themselves；
and of which they are particularly anxious to keep others in
ignorance； is in all countries one and the same； but has been
subjected more or less to modification； and lastly； that their
countenances exhibit a decided family resemblance； but are darker
or fairer according to the temperature of the climate； but
invariably darker； at least in Europe； than those of the natives of
the countries in which they dwell； for example； England and Russia；
Germany and Spain。
The names by which they are known differ with the country； though；
with one or two exceptions； not materially for example； they are
styled in Russia； Zigani； in Turkey and Persia； Zingarri； and in
Germany； Zigeuner； all which words apparently spring from the same
etymon； which there is no improbability in supposing to be
'Zincali；' a term by which these people； especially those of Spain；
sometimes designate themselves； and the meaning of which is
believed to be； THE BLACK MEN OF ZEND OR IND。 In England and Spain
they are commonly known as Gypsies and Gitanos； from a general
belief that they were originally Egyptians； to which the two words
are tantamount； and in France as Bohemians； from the circumstance
that Bohemia was one of the first countries in civilised Europe
where they made their appearance。
But they generally style themselves and the language which they
speak； Rommany。 This word； of which I shall ultimately have more
to say； is of Sanscrit origin； and signifies； The Husbands； or that
which pertaineth unto them。 From whatever motive this appellation
may have originated； it is perhaps more applicable than any other
to a sect or caste like them； who have no love and no affection
beyond their own race； who are capable of making great sacrifices
for each other； and who gladly prey upon all the rest of the human
species； whom they detest； and by whom they are hated and despised。
It will perhaps not be out of place to observe here； that there is
no reason for supposing that the word Roma or Rommany is derived
from the Arabic word which signifies Greece or Grecians； as some
people not much acquainted with the language of the race in
question have imagined。
I have no intention at present to say anything about their origin。
Scholars have asserted that the language which they speak proves
them to be of Indian stock； and undoubtedly a great number of their
words are Sanscrit。 My own opinion upon this subject will be