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words are Sanscrit。 My own opinion upon this subject will be found
in a subsequent article。 I shall here content myself with
observing that from whatever country they come； whether from India
or Egypt； there can be no doubt that they are human beings and have
immortal souls； and it is in the humble hope of drawing the
attention of the Christian philanthropist towards them； especially
that degraded and unhappy portion of them； the Gitanos of Spain；
that the present little work has been undertaken。 But before
proceeding to speak of the latter； it will perhaps not be amiss to
afford some account of the Rommany as I have seen them in other
countries； for there is scarcely a part of the habitable world
where they are not to be found： their tents are alike pitched on
the heaths of Brazil and the ridges of the Himalayan hills； and
their language is heard at Moscow and Madrid； in the streets of
London and Stamboul。
THE ZIGANI； OR RUSSIAN GYPSIES
They are found in all parts of Russia； with the exception of the
government of St。 Petersburg； from which they have been banished。
In most of the provincial towns they are to be found in a state of
half…civilisation； supporting themselves by trafficking in horses；
or by curing the disorders incidental to those animals； but the
vast majority reject this manner of life； and traverse the country
in bands； like the ancient Hamaxobioi； the immense grassy plains of
Russia affording pasturage for their herds of cattle； on which； and
the produce of the chase； they chiefly depend for subsistence。
They are； however； not destitute of money； which they obtain by
various means； but principally by curing diseases amongst the
cattle of the mujiks or peasantry； and by telling fortunes； and not
unfrequently by theft and brigandage。
Their power of resisting cold is truly wonderful； as it is not
uncommon to find them encamped in the midst of the snow； in slight
canvas tents； when the temperature is twenty…five or thirty degrees
below the freezing…point according to Reaumur； but in the winter
they generally seek the shelter of the forests； which afford fuel
for their fires； and abound in game。
The race of the Rommany is by nature perhaps the most beautiful in
the world； and amongst the children of the Russian Zigani are
frequently to be found countenances to do justice to which would
require the pencil of a second Murillo； but exposure to the rays of
the burning sun； the biting of the frost； and the pelting of the
pitiless sleet and snow； destroys their beauty at a very early age；
and if in infancy their personal advantages are remarkable； their
ugliness at an advanced age is no less so； for then it is
loathsome； and even appalling。
A hundred years； could I live so long； would not efface from my
mind the appearance of an aged Ziganskie Attaman； or Captain of
Zigani； and his grandson； who approached me on the meadow before
Novo Gorod； where stood the encampment of a numerous horde。 The
boy was of a form and face which might have entitled him to
represent Astyanax； and Hector of Troy might have pressed him to
his bosom； and called him his pride； but the old man was； perhaps；
such a shape as Milton has alluded to； but could only describe as
execrable … he wanted but the dart and kingly crown to have
represented the monster who opposed the progress of Lucifer； whilst
careering in burning arms and infernal glory to the outlet of his
hellish prison。
But in speaking of the Russian Gypsies； those of Moscow must not be
passed over in silence。 The station to which they have attained in
society in that most remarkable of cities is so far above the
sphere in which the remainder of their race pass their lives； that
it may be considered as a phenomenon in Gypsy history； and on that
account is entitled to particular notice。
Those who have been accustomed to consider the Gypsy as a wandering
outcast； incapable of appreciating the blessings of a settled and
civilised life； or … if abandoning vagabond propensities； and
becoming stationary … as one who never ascends higher than the
condition of a low trafficker； will be surprised to learn； that
amongst the Gypsies of Moscow there are not a few who inhabit
stately houses； go abroad in elegant equipages； and are behind the
higher orders of the Russians neither in appearance nor mental
acquirements。 To the power of song alone this phenomenon is to be
attributed。 From time immemorial the female Gypsies of Moscow have
been much addicted to the vocal art； and bands or quires of them
have sung for pay in the halls of the nobility or upon the boards
of the theatre。 Some first…rate songsters have been produced among
them； whose merits have been acknowledged； not only by the Russian
public； but by the most fastidious foreign critics。 Perhaps the
highest compliment ever paid to a songster was paid by Catalani
herself to one of these daughters of Roma。 It is well known
throughout Russia that the celebrated Italian was so enchanted with
the voice of a Moscow Gypsy （who； after the former had displayed
her noble talent before a splendid audience in the old Russian
capital； stepped forward and poured forth one of her national
strains）； that she tore from her own shoulders a shawl of cashmire；
which had been presented to her by the Pope； and； embracing the
Gypsy； insisted on her acceptance of the splendid gift； saying；
that it had been intended for the matchless songster； which she now
perceived she herself was not。
The sums obtained by many of these females by the exercise of their
art enable them to support their relatives in affluence and luxury：
some are married to Russians； and no one who has visited Russia can
but be aware that a lovely and accomplished countess； of the noble
and numerous family of Tolstoy； is by birth a Zigana； and was
originally one of the principal attractions of a Rommany choir at
Moscow。
But it is not to be supposed that the whole of the Gypsy females at
Moscow are of this high and talented description； the majority of
them are of far lower quality； and obtain their livelihood by
singing and dancing at taverns； whilst their husbands in general
follow the occupation of horse…dealing。
Their favourite place of resort in the summer time is Marina Rotze；
a species of sylvan garden about two versts from Moscow； and
thither； tempted by curiosity； I drove one fine evening。 On my
arrival the Ziganas came flocking out from their little tents； and
from the tractir or inn which has been erected for the
accommodation of the public。 Standing on the seat of the calash； I
addressed them