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with more easy negligence or jauntiness； by which he may be
recognised at some distance； even from behind。
It is still more difficult to say what is the peculiar dress of the
Gitanas； they wear not the large red cloaks and immense bonnets of
coarse beaver which distinguish their sisters of England； they have
no other headgear than a handkerchief； which is occasionally
resorted to as a defence against the severity of the weather； their
hair is sometimes confined by a comb； but more frequently is
permitted to stray dishevelled down their shoulders； they are fond
of large ear…rings； whether of gold； silver； or metal； resembling
in this respect the poissardes of France。 There is little to
distinguish them from the Spanish women save the absence of the
mantilla； which they never carry。 Females of fashion not
unfrequently take pleasure in dressing a la Gitana； as it is
called； but this female Gypsy fashion； like that of the men； is
more properly the fashion of Andalusia； the principal
characteristic of which is the saya； which is exceedingly short；
with many rows of flounces。
True it is that the original dress of the Gitanos； male and female；
whatever it was； may have had some share in forming the Andalusian
fashion； owing to the great number of these wanderers who found
their way to that province at an early period。 The Andalusians are
a mixed breed of various nations； Romans； Vandals； Moors； perhaps
there is a slight sprinkling of Gypsy blood in their veins； and of
Gypsy fashion in their garb。
The Gitanos are； for the most part； of the middle size； and the
proportions of their frames convey a powerful idea of strength and
activity united； a deformed or weakly object is rarely found
amongst them in persons of either sex； such probably perish in
their infancy； unable to support the hardships and privations to
which the race is still subjected from its great poverty； and these
same privations have given and still give a coarseness and
harshness to their features； which are all strongly marked and
expressive。 Their complexion is by no means uniform； save that it
is invariably darker than the general olive hue of the Spaniards；
not unfrequently countenances as dark as those of mulattos present
themselves； and in some few instances of almost negro blackness。
Like most people of savage ancestry； their teeth are white and
strong； their mouths are not badly formed； but it is in the eye
more than in any other feature that they differ from other human
beings。
There is something remarkable in the eye of the Gitano： should his
hair and complexion become fair as those of the Swede or the Finn；
and his jockey gait as grave and ceremonious as that of the native
of Old Castile； were he dressed like a king； a priest； or a
warrior； still would the Gitano be detected by his eye； should it
continue unchanged。 The Jew is known by his eye； but then in the
Jew that feature is peculiarly small； the Chinese has a remarkable
eye； but then the eye of the Chinese is oblong； and even with the
face； which is flat； but the eye of the Gitano is neither large nor
small； and exhibits no marked difference in its shape from the eyes
of the common cast。 Its peculiarity consists chiefly in a strange
staring expression； which to be understood must be seen； and in a
thin glaze； which steals over it when in repose； and seems to emit
phosphoric light。 That the Gypsy eye has sometimes a peculiar
effect； we learn from the following stanza：…
'A Gypsy stripling's glossy eye
Has pierced my bosom's core；
A feat no eye beneath the sky
Could e'er effect before。'
The following passages are extracted from a Spanish work； （55） and
cannot be out of place here； as they relate to those matters to
which we have devoted this chapter。
'The Gitanos have an olive complexion and very marked physiognomy；
their cheeks are prominent； their lips thick； their eyes vivid and
black； their hair is long； black； and coarse； and their teeth very
white。 The general expression of their physiognomy is a compound
of pride； slavishness； and cunning。 They are； for the most part；
of good stature； well formed； and support with facility fatigue and
every kind of hardship。 When they discuss any matter； or speak
among themselves； whether in Catalan； in Castilian； or in Germania；
which is their own peculiar jargon； they always make use of much
gesticulation； which contributes to give to their conversation and
to the vivacity of their physiognomy a certain expression； still
more penetrating and characteristic。
To this work we shall revert on a future occasion。
'When a Gitano has occasion to speak of some business in which his
interest is involved； he redoubles his gestures in proportion as he
knows the necessity of convincing those who hear him； and fears
their impassibility。 If any rancorous idea agitate him in the
course of his narrative； if he endeavour to infuse into his
auditors sentiments of jealousy； vengeance； or any violent passion；
his features become exaggerated； and the vivacity of his glances；
and the contraction of his lips； show clearly； and in an imposing
manner； the foreign origin of the Gitanos； and all the customs of
barbarous people。 Even his very smile has an expression hard and
disagreeable。 One might almost say that joy in him is a forced
sentiment； and that； like unto the savage man； sadness is the
dominant feature of his physiognomy。
'The Gitana is distinguished by the same complexion； and almost the
same features。 In her frame she is as well formed； and as flexible
as the Gitano。 Condemned to suffer the same privations and wants；
her countenance； when her interest does not oblige her to dissemble
her feelings； presents the same aspect of melancholy； and shows
besides； with more energy； the rancorous passions of which the
female heart is susceptible。 Free in her actions； her carriage；
and her pursuits； she speaks； vociferates； and makes more gestures
than the Gitano； and； in imitation of him； her arms are in
continual motion； to give more expression to the imagery with which
she accompanies her discourse； her whole body contributes to her
gesture； and to increase its force； endeavouring by these means to
sharpen the effect of language in itself insufficient； and her
vivid and disordered imagination is displayed in her appearance and
attitude。
'When she turns her hand to any species of labour； her hurried
action； the disorder of her hair； which is scarcely subjected by a
little comb； and her propensity to irritation； show how little she
loves toil； and her disgust for any continued o