按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
and dissipation。 Paco； the Gypsy of Badajoz； attributed his ruin
to the extravagance of his marriage festival； and many other
Gitanos have confessed the same thing of themselves。 They said
that throughout the three days they appeared to be under the
influence of infatuation； having no other wish or thought but to
make away with their substance； some have gone so far as to cast
money by handfuls into the street。 Throughout the three days all
the doors are kept open； and all corners； whether Gypsies or Busne；
welcomed with a hospitality which knows no bounds。
In nothing do the Jews and Gitanos more resemble each other than in
their marriages； and what is connected therewith。 In both sects
there is a betrothment： amongst the Jews for seven； amongst the
Gitanos for a period of two years。 In both there is a wedding
festival； which endures amongst the Jews for fifteen and amongst
the Gitanos for three days； during which； on both sides； much that
is singular and barbarous occurs； which； however； has perhaps its
origin in antiquity the most remote。 But the wedding ceremonies of
the Jews are far more complex and allegorical than those of the
Gypsies； a more simple people。 The Nazarene gazes on these
ceremonies with mute astonishment； the washing of the bride … the
painting of the face of herself and her companions with chalk and
carmine … her ensconcing herself within the curtains of the bed
with her female bevy； whilst the bridegroom hides himself within
his apartment with the youths his companions … her envelopment in
the white sheet； in which she appears like a corse； the
bridegroom's going to sup with her； when he places himself in the
middle of the apartment with his eyes shut； and without tasting a
morsel。 His going to the synagogue； and then repairing to
breakfast with the bride； where he practises the same self…denial …
the washing of the bridegroom's plate and sending it after him；
that he may break his fast … the binding his hands behind him … his
ransom paid by the bride's mother … the visit of the sages to the
bridegroom … the mulct imposed in case he repent … the killing of
the bullock at the house of the bridegroom … the present of meat
and fowls； meal and spices； to the bride … the gold and silver …
that most imposing part of the ceremony； the walking of the bride
by torchlight to the house of her betrothed； her eyes fixed in
vacancy； whilst the youths of her kindred sing their wild songs
around her … the cup of milk and the spoon presented to her by the
bridegroom's mother … the arrival of the sages in the morn … the
reading of the Ketuba … the night … the half…enjoyment … the old
woman … the tantalising knock at the door … and then the festival
of fishes which concludes all； and leaves the jaded and wearied
couple to repose after a fortnight of persecution。
The Jews； like the Gypsies； not unfrequently ruin themselves by the
riot and waste of their marriage festivals。 Throughout the entire
fortnight； the houses； both of bride and bridegroom； are flung open
to all corners； … feasting and song occupy the day … feasting and
song occupy the hours of the night； and this continued revel is
only broken by the ceremonies of which we have endeavoured to
convey a faint idea。 In these festivals the sages or ULEMMA take a
distinguished part； doing their utmost to ruin the contracted
parties； by the wonderful despatch which they make of the fowls and
viands； sweetmeats； AND STRONG WATERS provided for the occasion。
After marriage the Gypsy females generally continue faithful to
their husbands through life； giving evidence that the exhortations
of their mothers in early life have not been without effect。 Of
course licentious females are to be found both amongst the matrons
and the unmarried； but such instances are rare； and must be
considered in the light of exceptions to a principle。 The Gypsy
women （I am speaking of those of Spain）； as far as corporeal
chastity goes； are very paragons； but in other respects； alas！ …
little can be said in praise of their morality。
CHAPTER VIII
WHILST in Spain I devoted as much time as I could spare from my
grand object； which was to circulate the Gospel through that
benighted country； to attempt to enlighten the minds of the Gitanos
on the subject of religion。 I cannot say that I experienced much
success in my endeavours； indeed； I never expected much； being
fully acquainted with the stony nature of the ground on which I was
employed； perhaps some of the seed that I scattered may eventually
spring up and yield excellent fruit。 Of one thing I am certain：
if I did the Gitanos no good； I did them no harm。
It has been said that there is a secret monitor； or conscience；
within every heart； which immediately upbraids the individual on
the commission of a crime； this may be true； but certainly the
monitor within the Gitano breast is a very feeble one； for little
attention is ever paid to its reproofs。 With regard to conscience；
be it permitted to observe； that it varies much according to
climate； country； and religion； perhaps nowhere is it so terrible
and strong as in England； I need not say why。 Amongst the English；
I have seen many individuals stricken low； and broken…hearted； by
the force of conscience； but never amongst the Spaniards or
Italians； and I never yet could observe that the crimes which the
Gitanos were daily and hourly committing occasioned them the
slightest uneasiness。
One important discovery I made among them： it was； that no
individual； however wicked and hardened； is utterly GODLESS。 Call
it superstition； if you will； still a certain fear and reverence of
something sacred and supreme would hang about them。 I have heard
Gitanos stiffly deny the existence of a Deity； and express the
utmost contempt for everything holy； yet they subsequently never
failed to contradict themselves； by permitting some expression to
escape which belied their assertions； and of this I shall presently
give a remarkable instance。
I found the women much more disposed to listen to anything I had to
say than the men； who were in general so taken up with their
traffic that they could think and talk of nothing else； the women；
too； had more curiosity and more intelligence； the conversational
powers of some of them I found to be very great； and yet they were
destitute of the slightest rudiments of education； and were thieves
by profession。 At Madrid I had regular conversaziones； or； as they
are called in Spanish； tertulias； with these women； who generally
visited me twice a week； they were perfectly unreserved towards me
w