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characters which they hold in so much abhorrence； nor do any words
when applied by them convey so much execration as these two。
The crimes of which these people were originally accused were
various； but the principal were theft； sorcery； and causing disease
among the cattle； and there is every reason for supposing that in
none of these points they were altogether guiltless。
With respect to sorcery； a thing in itself impossible； not only the
English Gypsies； but the whole race； have ever professed it；
therefore； whatever misery they may have suffered on that account；
they may be considered as having called it down upon their own
heads。
Dabbling in sorcery is in some degree the province of the female
Gypsy。 She affects to tell the future； and to prepare philtres by
means of which love can be awakened in any individual towards any
particular object； and such is the credulity of the human race；
even in the most enlightened countries； that the profits arising
from these practices are great。 The following is a case in point：
two females； neighbours and friends； were tried some years since；
in England； for the murder of their husbands。 It appeared that
they were in love with the same individual； and had conjointly； at
various times； paid sums of money to a Gypsy woman to work charms
to captivate his affections。 Whatever little effect the charms
might produce； they were successful in their principal object； for
the person in question carried on for some time a criminal
intercourse with both。 The matter came to the knowledge of the
husbands； who； taking means to break off this connection； were
respectively poisoned by their wives。 Till the moment of
conviction these wretched females betrayed neither emotion nor
fear； but then their consternation was indescribable； and they
afterwards confessed that the Gypsy； who had visited them in
prison； had promised to shield them from conviction by means of her
art。 It is therefore not surprising that in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries； when a belief in sorcery was supported by the
laws of all Europe； these people were regarded as practisers of
sorcery； and punished as such； when； even in the nineteenth； they
still find people weak enough to place confidence in their claims
to supernatural power。
The accusation of producing disease and death amongst the cattle
was far from groundless。 Indeed； however strange and incredible it
may sound in the present day to those who are unacquainted with
this caste； and the peculiar habits of the Rommanees； the practice
is still occasionally pursued in England and many other countries
where they are found。 From this practice； when they are not
detected； they derive considerable advantage。 Poisoning cattle is
exercised by them in two ways： by one； they merely cause disease
in the animals； with the view of receiving money for curing them
upon offering their services； the poison is generally administered
by powders cast at night into the mangers of the animals： this way
is only practised upon the larger cattle； such as horses and cows。
By the other； which they practise chiefly on swine； speedy death is
almost invariably produced； the drug administered being of a highly
intoxicating nature； and affecting the brain。 They then apply at
the house or farm where the disaster has occurred for the carcase
of the animal； which is generally given them without suspicion； and
then they feast on the flesh； which is not injured by the poison；
which only affects the head。
The English Gypsies are constant attendants at the racecourse； what
jockey is not？ Perhaps jockeyism originated with them； and even
racing； at least in England。 Jockeyism properly implies THE
MANAGEMENT OF A WHIP； and the word jockey is neither more nor less
than the term slightly modified； by which they designate the
formidable whips which they usually carry； and which are at present
in general use amongst horse…traffickers； under the title of jockey
whips。 They are likewise fond of resorting to the prize…ring； and
have occasionally even attained some eminence； as principals； in
those disgraceful and brutalising exhibitions called pugilistic
combats。 I believe a great deal has been written on the subject of
the English Gypsies； but the writers have dwelt too much in
generalities； they have been afraid to take the Gypsy by the hand；
lead him forth from the crowd； and exhibit him in the area； he is
well worth observing。 When a boy of fourteen； I was present at a
prize…fight； why should I hide the truth？ It took place on a green
meadow； beside a running stream； close by the old church of E…； and
within a league of the ancient town of N…； the capital of one of
the eastern counties。 The terrible Thurtell was present； lord of
the concourse； for wherever he moved he was master； and whenever he
spoke； even when in chains； every other voice was silent。 He stood
on the mead； grim and pale as usual； with his bruisers around。 He
it was； indeed； who GOT UP the fight； as he had previously done
twenty others； it being his frequent boast that he had first
introduced bruising and bloodshed amidst rural scenes； and
transformed a quiet slumbering town into a den of Jews and
metropolitan thieves。 Some time before the commencement of the
combat； three men； mounted on wild…looking horses； came dashing
down the road in the direction of the meadow； in the midst of which
they presently showed themselves； their horses clearing the deep
ditches with wonderful alacrity。 'That's Gypsy Will and his gang；'
lisped a Hebrew pickpocket； 'we shall have another fight。' The
word Gypsy was always sufficient to excite my curiosity； and I
looked attentively at the newcomers。
I have seen Gypsies of various lands； Russian； Hungarian； and
Turkish； and I have also seen the legitimate children of most
countries of the world； but I never saw； upon the whole； three more
remarkable individuals； as far as personal appearance was
concerned； than the three English Gypsies who now presented
themselves to my eyes on that spot。 Two of them had dismounted；
and were holding their horses by the reins。 The tallest； and； at
the first glance； the most interesting of the two； was almost a
giant； for his height could not have been less than six feet three。
It is impossible for the imagination to conceive anything more
perfectly beautiful than were the features of this man； and the
most skilful sculptor of Greece might have taken them as his model
for a hero and a god。 The forehead was exceedingly lofty； … a rare
thing in a Gypsy； the nose less Roman than Grecian； … fine yet
delicate； the eyes lar