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chapter； in the middle of which they broke down。 Was that to be
wondered at？ The only thing which astonished me was； that I had
induced two such strange beings to advance so far in a task so
unwonted； and so entirely at variance with their habits； as
translation。
These chapters I frequently read over to them； explaining the
subject in the best manner I was able。 They said it was lacho； and
jucal； and misto； all of which words express approval of the
quality of a thing。 Were they improved； were their hearts softened
by these Scripture lectures？ I know not。 Pepa committed a rather
daring theft shortly afterwards； which compelled her to conceal
herself for a fortnight； it is quite possible； however； that she
may remember the contents of those chapters on her death…bed； if
so； will the attempt have been a futile one？
I completed the translation； supplying deficiencies from my own
version begun at Badajoz in 1836。 This translation I printed at
Madrid in 1838； it was the first book which ever appeared in
Rommany； and was called 'Embeo e Majaro Lucas；' or Gospel of Luke
the Saint。 I likewise published； simultaneously； the same Gospel
in Basque； which； however； I had no opportunity of circulating。
The Gitanos of Madrid purchased the Gypsy Luke freely： many of the
men understood it； and prized it highly； induced of course more by
the language than the doctrine； the women were particularly anxious
to obtain copies； though unable to read； but each wished to have
one in her pocket； especially when engaged in thieving expeditions；
for they all looked upon it in the light of a charm； which would
preserve them from all danger and mischance； some even went so far
as to say； that in this respect it was equally efficacious as the
Bar Lachi； or loadstone； which they are in general so desirous of
possessing。 Of this Gospel （61） five hundred copies were printed；
of which the greater number I contrived to circulate amongst the
Gypsies in various parts； I cast the book upon the waters and left
it to its destiny。
I have counted seventeen Gitanas assembled at one time in my
apartment in the Calle de Santiago in Madrid； for the first quarter
of an hour we generally discoursed upon indifferent matters； I then
by degrees drew their attention to religion and the state of souls。
I finally became so bold that I ventured to speak against their
inveterate practices； thieving and lying； telling fortunes； and
stealing a pastesas； this was touching upon delicate ground； and I
experienced much opposition and much feminine clamour。 I
persevered； however； and they finally assented to all I said； not
that I believe that my words made much impression upon their
hearts。 In a few months matters were so far advanced that they
would sing a hymn； I wrote one expressly for them in Rommany； in
which their own wild couplets were； to a certain extent； imitated。
The people of the street in which I lived； seeing such numbers of
these strange females continually passing in and out； were struck
with astonishment； and demanded the reason。 The answers which they
obtained by no means satisfied them。 'Zeal for the conversion of
souls； … the souls too of Gitanas； … disparate！ the fellow is a
scoundrel。 Besides he is an Englishman； and is not baptized； what
cares he for souls？ They visit him for other purposes。 He makes
base ounces； which they carry away and circulate。 Madrid is
already stocked with false money。' Others were of opinion that we
met for the purposes of sorcery and abomination。 The Spaniard has
no conception that other springs of action exist than interest or
villainy。
My little congregation； if such I may call it； consisted entirely
of women； the men seldom or never visited me； save they stood in
need of something which they hoped to obtain from me。 This
circumstance I little regretted； their manners and conversation
being the reverse of interesting。 It must not； however； be
supposed that； even with the women； matters went on invariably in a
smooth and satisfactory manner。 The following little anecdote will
show what slight dependence can be placed upon them； and how
disposed they are at all times to take part in what is grotesque
and malicious。 One day they arrived； attended by a Gypsy jockey
whom I had never previously seen。 We had scarcely been seated a
minute； when this fellow； rising； took me to the window； and
without any preamble or circumlocution； said … 'Don Jorge； you
shall lend me two barias' （ounces of gold）。 'Not to your whole
race； my excellent friend；' said I； 'are you frantic？ Sit down and
be discreet。' He obeyed me literally； sat down； and when the rest
departed； followed with them。 We did not invariably meet at my own
house； but occasionally at one in a street inhabited by Gypsies。
On the appointed day I went to this house； where I found the women
assembled； the jockey was also present。 On seeing me he advanced；
again took me aside； and again said … 'Don Jorge； you shall lend me
two barias。' I made him no answer； but at once entered on the
subject which brought me thither。 I spoke for some time in
Spanish； I chose for the theme of my discourse the situation of the
Hebrews in Egypt； and pointed out its similarity to that of the
Gitanos in Spain。 I spoke of the power of God； manifested in
preserving both as separate and distinct people amongst the nations
until the present day。 I warmed with my subject。 I subsequently
produced a manuscript book； from which I read a portion of
Scripture； and the Lord's Prayer and Apostles' Creed； in Rommany。
When I had concluded I looked around me。
The features of the assembly were twisted； and the eyes of all
turned upon me with a frightful squint； not an individual present
but squinted； … the genteel Pepa； the good…humoured Chicharona； the
Casdami； etc。 etc。 The Gypsy fellow； the contriver of the jest；
squinted worst of all。 Such are Gypsies。
THE ZINCALI PART III
CHAPTER I
THERE is no nation in the world； however exalted or however
degraded； but is in possession of some peculiar poetry。 If the
Chinese； the Hindoos； the Greeks； and the Persians； those splendid
and renowned races； have their moral lays； their mythological
epics； their tragedies； and their immortal love songs； so also have
the wild and barbarous tribes of Soudan； and the wandering
Esquimaux； their ditties； which； however insignificant in
comparison with the compositions of the former nations； still are
entitled in every essential point to the name of poetry； if poetry
mean metrical compositions intended to s