and although, as we have asserted in a former page, they are strangers in that land of wonders to the present day; yet, it appears possible to me, that Egypt may have had something to do with their present appellation. And, allowing that the supposition is well founded, which ascribes to them a passage through Egypt into European nations, it is very likely they found their way to that place under the following cir

cumstances.

In the years 1408 and 1409, Timur Beg ravaged India, to make, as has already been observed, proselytes to the Mohammedan delusion, when he put hundreds of thousands of its inhabitants to the sword. It is very rational to suppose, that numbers of those who had the happiness not to be overtaken by an army so dreadful, on account of the cruelties it perpetrated, should save their lives by flying from their native land, to become wandering strangers in another. Now, if we assert, that the Gipsies were of the Suder cast of Asiatic Indians, and that they found their way from Hindostan into other, and remote countries, when Timur Beg spread around him terrors so dreadful, it is natural to ask, Why did not some of the other casts of India accompany them? This objection has no weight at all when we consider the hatred and contempt poured upon the Suder by all the other casts of India. The Bramins, Tschechteries, and Beis, were as safe, though menaced with destruction by Timur Beg, as they would have been along with the Suder tribes, seeking a retreat from their enemy in lands

where he would not be likely to follow them. Besides, the other casts, from time immemorial, have looked on their country as especially given them of God; and they would as soon have suffered death as leave it. The Suders had not these prepossessions for their native soil. They were a degraded people; a people looked on as the lowest of the human race; and, with an army seeking their destruction, they had every motive to leave, and none to stay in Hindostan.

It cannot be determined by what track the forefathers of the Gipsies found their way from Hindostan to the countries of Europe. But it may be presumed that they passed over the southern Persian deserts of Sigiston, Makran, and Kirman; along the Persian Gulf to the mouth of the Euphrates; thence to Bassora into the deserts of Arabia; and thence into Egypt by the Isthmus of Suez.

It is a fact not unworthy a place in these remarks on the origin of this people, that they do not like to be called Gipsies, unless by those persons whom they have reason to consider their real friends. This probably arises from two causes of great distress to them: Gipsies are suspected and hated as the perpetrators of all crime; and they are almost universally prosecuted as vagrants. Is it to be wondered at, that to strangers they do not like to acknowledge themselves as Gipsies?

We will conclude our remarks on the origin of these erratic sons of Adam, by adding the testimony of Col. Herriot, read before the Royal Asiatic Society-Sir

George Staunton in the chair. That gentleman, giving an account of the Zingaree of India, says, that this class of people are frequently met with in that part of Hindostan which is watered by the Ganges, as well as the Malwa, Guzerat, and the Deccan ; they are called Nath or Benia; the first term signifying a rogue, and the second a dancer or tumbler. And the same gentleman cites various authorities in demonstration of the resemblance between the Gipsies and their neglected brethren in Europe. Nor does he think that the English Gipsies are so degraded as is generally supposed; in support of which he mentions some instances of good feeling displayed by them under his own observation while in Hampshire.

CHAP. II.

Observations on the Character, Manners, and Habits of the English Gipsies.

THE origin of this people is by no means of so much importance as the knowledge of their present character, manners, and habits, with the view to the devising of proper plans for the improvement of their condition, and their conversion to Christianity: for, to any one who desires to love his neighbour as himself, their origin will be but a secondary consideration.

Fifty years ago the Gipsies had their regular journeys, and often remained one or two months in a place, when they worked at their trades. And as access to different towns was more difficult than at the present day, partly from the badness of the roads, and partly from the paucity of carriers, they were considered by the peasantry, and by small farmers, of whom there were great numbers in those days, as very useful branches of the human family; I mean the industrious and better part of them. At that period they usually encamped in the farmers' fields, or slept in their barns; and not being subject to the driving system, as they now are, they seldom robbed hedges; for their fires were replenished with dead wood procured, without any risk of fines or imprisonments,

from decayed trees and wooded banks. And it is proper to suppose, that, at such a time, their outrages and depredations were very few.

It has already been stated that the Gipsies are very numerous, amounting to about 700,000. It is supposed that there are about 18,000 in this kingdom. But be they less or more, we ought never to forget, that they are branches of the same family with ourselves; that they are capable of being fitted for all the duties and enjoyments of life; and, what is better than all, that they are redeemed by the same Saviour, may partake of the same salvation, and be prepared for the same state of immortal bliss, whence flows to the universal church of Christ that peace which the world cannot take from her. Their condition, therefore, at once commands our sympathies, energies, prayers, and benevolence.

Gipsies, in general, are of a tawny or brown colour; but this is not wholly hereditary. The chief cause is probably the lowness of their habits; for they very seldom wash their persons, or the clothes they wear, their linen excepted. Their alternate exposures to cold and heat, and the smoke surrounding their small camps, perpetually tend to increase those characteristics of complexion and feature by which they are at present distinguishable.

It is not often that a Gipsy is seen well dressed, even when they possess costly apparel; but their women are fond of finery. They are much delighted with broad lace, with which they decorate their bon