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attach ideas of peculiar reverence； far superior to that connected
with the name of the Supreme Being； the creator of themselves and
the universe。 This word is LACHA； which with them is the corporeal
chastity of the females； we say corporeal chastity； for no other do
they hold in the slightest esteem； it is lawful amongst them； nay
praiseworthy； to be obscene in look； gesture； and discourse； to be
accessories to vice； and to stand by and laugh at the worst
abominations of the Busne； provided their LACHA YE TRUPOS； or
corporeal chastity； remains unblemished。 The Gypsy child； from her
earliest years； is told by her strange mother； that a good Calli
need only dread one thing in this world； and that is the loss of
Lacha； in comparison with which that of life is of little
consequence； as in such an event she will be provided for； but what
provision is there for a Gypsy who has lost her Lacha？ 'Bear this
in mind； my child；' she will say； 'and now eat this bread； and go
forth and see what you can steal。'
A Gypsy girl is generally betrothed at the age of fourteen to the
youth whom her parents deem a suitable match； and who is generally
a few years older than herself。 Marriage is invariably preceded by
betrothment； and the couple must then wait two years before their
union can take place； according to the law of the Cales。 During
this period it is expected that they treat each other as common
acquaintance； they are permitted to converse； and even occasionally
to exchange slight presents。 One thing； however； is strictly
forbidden； and if in this instance they prove contumacious； the
betrothment is instantly broken and the pair are never united； and
thenceforward bear an evil reputation amongst their sect。 This one
thing is； going into the campo in each other's company； or having
any rendezvous beyond the gate of the city； town； or village； in
which they dwell。 Upon this point we can perhaps do no better than
quote one of their own stanzas：…
'Thy sire and mother wrath and hate
Have vowed against us； love！
The first； first night that from the gate
We two together rove。'
With all the other Gypsies； however； and with the Busne or
Gentiles； the betrothed female is allowed the freest intercourse；
going whither she will； and returning at all times and seasons。
With respect to the Busne； indeed； the parents are invariably less
cautious than with their own race； as they conceive it next to an
impossibility that their child should lose her Lacha by any
intercourse with THE WHITE BLOOD； and true it is that experience
has proved that their confidence in this respect is not altogether
idle。 The Gitanas have in general a decided aversion to the white
men； some few instances； however； to the contrary are said to have
occurred。
A short time previous to the expiration of the term of the
betrothment； preparations are made for the Gypsy bridal。 The
wedding…day is certainly an eventful period in the life of every
individual； as he takes a partner for better or for worse； whom he
is bound to cherish through riches and poverty； but to the Gypsy
particularly the wedding festival is an important affair。 If he is
rich； he frequently becomes poor before it is terminated； and if he
is poor； he loses the little which he possesses； and must borrow of
his brethren； frequently involving himself throughout life； to
procure the means of giving a festival； for without a festival； he
could not become a Rom； that is； a husband； and would cease to
belong to this sect of Rommany。
There is a great deal of what is wild and barbarous attached to
these festivals。 I shall never forget a particular one at which I
was present。 After much feasting； drinking； and yelling； in the
Gypsy house； the bridal train sallied forth … a frantic spectacle。
First of all marched a villainous jockey…looking fellow； holding in
his hands； uplifted； a long pole； at the top of which fluttered in
the morning air a snow…white cambric handkerchief； emblem of the
bride's purity。 Then came the betrothed pair； followed by their
nearest friends； then a rabble rout of Gypsies； screaming and
shouting； and discharging guns and pistols； till all around rang
with the din； and the village dogs barked。 On arriving at the
church gate； the fellow who bore the pole stuck it into the ground
with a loud huzza； and the train； forming two ranks； defiled into
the church on either side of the pole and its strange ornaments。
On the conclusion of the ceremony； they returned in the same manner
in which they had come。
Throughout the day there was nothing going on but singing；
drinking； feasting； and dancing； but the most singular part of the
festival was reserved for the dark night。 Nearly a ton weight of
sweetmeats had been prepared； at an enormous expense； not for the
gratification of the palate； but for a purpose purely Gypsy。 These
sweetmeats of all kinds； and of all forms； but principally yemas；
or yolks of eggs prepared with a crust of sugar （a delicious bonne…
bouche）； were strewn on the floor of a large room； at least to the
depth of three inches。 Into this room； at a given signal； tripped
the bride and bridegroom DANCING ROMALIS； followed amain by all the
Gitanos and Gitanas； DANCING ROMALIS。 To convey a slight idea of
the scene is almost beyond the power of words。 In a few minutes
the sweetmeats were reduced to a powder； or rather to a mud； the
dancers were soiled to the knees with sugar； fruits； and yolks of
eggs。 Still more terrific became the lunatic merriment。 The men
sprang high into the air； neighed； brayed； and crowed； whilst the
Gitanas snapped their fingers in their own fashion； louder than
castanets； distorting their forms into all kinds of obscene
attitudes； and uttering words to repeat which were an abomination。
In a corner of the apartment capered the while Sebastianillo； a
convict Gypsy from Melilla； strumming the guitar most furiously；
and producing demoniacal sounds which had some resemblance to
Malbrun （Malbrouk）； and； as he strummed； repeating at intervals the
Gypsy modification of the song：…
'Chala Malbrun chinguerar；
Birandon； birandon； birandera …
Chala Malbrun chinguerar；
No se bus trutera …
No se bus trutera。
No se bus trutera。
La romi que le camela；
Birandon； birandon；' etc。
The festival endures three days； at the end of which the greatest
part of the property of the bridegroom； even if he were previously
in easy circumstances； has been wasted in this strange kind of riot
and dissipation。 Paco； the Gypsy of Badajoz； attributed his ruin
to the extravagance of his marriag