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went； and we conversed together alone。 Therefore I should wish you
to do me the favour to send me scissors for trimming beasts； … good
scissors； mind you； … such would be a very great favour； and I
should be ever grateful； for here in Cordova there are none； or if
there be； they are good for nothing。 Senor Don Jorge； you remember
I told you that I was an esquilador by trade； and only by that I
got bread for my babes。 Senor Don Jorge； if you do send me the
scissors for trimming； pray write and direct to the alley De la
Londiga； No。 28； to Antonio Salazar； in Cordova。 This is what I
have to tell you； and do you ever command your trusty servant； who
kisses your hand and is eager to serve you。
'ANTONIO SALAZAR。'
FIRST COUPLET
'That I may clip and trim the beasts； a pair of cachas grant；
If not； I fear my luckless babes will perish all of want。'
SECOND COUPLET
'If thou a pair of cachas grant； that I my babes may feed；
I'll pray to the Almighty God； that thee he ever speed。'
It is by no means my intention to describe the exact state and
condition of the Gitanos in every town and province where they are
to be found； perhaps； indeed； it will be considered that I have
already been more circumstantial and particular than the case
required。 The other districts which they inhabit are principally
those of Catalonia； Murcia； and Valencia； and they are likewise to
be met with in the Basque provinces； where they are called
Egipcioac； or Egyptians。 What I next purpose to occupy myself with
are some general observations on the habits； and the physical and
moral state of the Gitanos throughout Spain； and of the position
which they hold in society。
CHAPTER III
ALREADY； from the two preceding chapters； it will have been
perceived that the condition of the Gitanos in Spain has been
subjected of late to considerable modification。 The words of the
Gypsy of Badajoz are indeed； in some respects； true； they are no
longer the people that they were； the roads and 'despoblados' have
ceased to be infested by them； and the traveller is no longer
exposed to much danger on their account； they at present confine
themselves； for the most part； to towns and villages； and if they
occasionally wander abroad； it is no longer in armed bands；
formidable for their numbers； and carrying terror and devastation
in all directions； bivouacking near solitary villages； and
devouring the substance of the unfortunate inhabitants； or
occasionally threatening even large towns； as in the singular case
of Logrono； mentioned by Francisco de Cordova。 As the reader will
probably wish to know the cause of this change in the lives and
habits of these people； we shall； as briefly as possible； afford as
much information on the subject as the amount of our knowledge will
permit。
One fact has always struck us with particular force in the history
of these people； namely； that Gitanismo … which means Gypsy
villainy of every description … flourished and knew nothing of
decay so long as the laws recommended and enjoined measures the
most harsh and severe for the suppression of the Gypsy sect； the
palmy days of Gitanismo were those in which the caste was
proscribed； and its members； in the event of renouncing their Gypsy
habits； had nothing farther to expect than the occupation of
tilling the earth； a dull hopeless toil； then it was that the
Gitanos paid tribute to the inferior ministers of justice； and were
engaged in illicit connection with those of higher station； and by
such means baffled the law； whose vengeance rarely fell upon their
heads； and then it was that they bid it open defiance； retiring to
the deserts and mountains； and living in wild independence by
rapine and shedding of blood； for as the law then stood they would
lose all by resigning their Gitanismo； whereas by clinging to it
they lived either in the independence so dear to them； or beneath
the protection of their confederates。 It would appear that in
proportion as the law was harsh and severe； so was the Gitano bold
and secure。 The fiercest of these laws was the one of Philip the
Fifth； passed in the year 1745； which commands that the refractory
Gitanos be hunted down with fire and sword； that it was quite
inefficient is satisfactorily proved by its being twice reiterated；
once in the year '46； and again in '49； which would scarcely have
been deemed necessary had it quelled the Gitanos。 This law； with
some unimportant modifications； continued in force till the year
'83； when the famous edict of Carlos Tercero superseded it。 Will
any feel disposed to doubt that the preceding laws had served to
foster what they were intended to suppress； when we state the
remarkable fact； that since the enactment of that law； as humane as
the others were unjust； WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING MORE OF THE GITANOS
FROM OFFICIAL QUARTERS； THEY HAVE CEASED TO PLAY A DISTINCT PART IN
THE HISTORY OF SPAIN； AND THE LAW NO LONGER SPEAKS OF THEM AS A
DISTINCT PEOPLE？ The caste of the Gitano still exists； but it is
neither so extensive nor so formidable as a century ago； when the
law in denouncing Gitanismo proposed to the Gitanos the
alternatives of death for persisting in their profession； or
slavery for abandoning it。
There are fierce and discontented spirits amongst them； who regret
such times； and say that Gypsy law is now no more； that the Gypsy
no longer assists his brother； and that union has ceased among
them。 If this be true； can better proof be adduced of the
beneficial working of the later law？ A blessing has been conferred
on society； and in a manner highly creditable to the spirit of
modern times； reform has been accomplished； not by persecution； not
by the gibbet and the rack； but by justice and tolerance。 The
traveller has flung aside his cloak； not compelled by the angry
buffeting of the north wind； but because the mild； benignant
weather makes such a defence no longer necessary。 The law no
longer compels the Gitanos to stand back to back； on the principal
of mutual defence； and to cling to Gitanismo to escape from
servitude and thraldom。
Taking everything into consideration； and viewing the subject in
all its bearings with an impartial glance； we are compelled to come
to the conclusion that the law of Carlos Tercero； the provisions of
which were distinguished by justice and clemency； has been the
principal if not the only cause of the decline of Gitanismo in
Spain。 Some importance ought to be attached to the opinion of the
Gitanos themselves on this point。 'El Crallis ha nicobado la liri
de los Cales；' is a proverbi