Stanley, who, after the service, accompanied the Gipsies to their tents, found that the sermon afforded conversation for the whole evening. One of them said, “The minister has told us every thing, as though he had lived with us.” Another observed, “If it be all true what the gentleman has said, not a Gipsy can be saved.” A third exhorted his children “never to say bad words again.” The little creature replied—“Then I hope my grandfer (grandfather) will never swear any more.” Many of them talked of the evils
of fortune-telling, and some resolved on going to Southampton, to see the reformed Gipsies.
During the stay of the minister in that neighbourhood, eighty of them were visited, among whom was a dying woman, who very gladly received instruction, and heard prayer. A minister, in the neighbourhood, had been asked to visit her, but had neglected to do so.
The author must not forget to acknowledge the kindness of the farmers who assisted him in the distribution of tracts, &c. &c., and who solicited that some might be left them for that purpose.
This visit afforded an opportunity to contradict many false reports of the treatment with which the Gipsy children had met in the Infants’ Schools at Southampton. It was said that they were all confined, and would at a future period be transported. This shews how easily people who deceive others, are imposed on themselves.
The following letter was addressed to the author by a Gipsy woman when she was in great trouble of mind. It is presented to the reader just as it was received, and may be found interesting to the friends of their cause.
“Sir,
“I Hope you will Excuse Me for Riun These few Lines too you, I did Not Now where To Cend to My Sister, I Have Been very Il and my Familee. My Children Ave Had The Measils, They are Got Well from That. I am Sorry to hinform you I Have Had A Shockin Accedent To my Little Girl, She was Burnd to Death. I Give My Luv To My Son Job. Plese to Give My Luv to My Sister Paishince, and Hur Childern. Plese to Give My Luv To My Ant Pheny, and Plese to Lett Me Now How My Cuzin James doos Go on, Plese to Lett Me Now How My Unkil Charls and His Famly Is. Wm Duff Gives His Best Rispecs To All. Plese To Tel My Sister too Anser This Letter By Returne of Post. I Am So unappy in My Mind Till I Do Hear From Er. Dear Sister, I Have Mett With so Much Trubel Sinc I Saw you Last, That I Am Sorre To inform you. Plese to Tel my Child from Me To Bee A Good Boy, and Think Imself Wel off Wher He Is. My Distris and My Trubel Makes Me Think More of My Sister. Ples To Direct the Letter To Be Left At The Post Offis, for Haryett Duff, Till Caulld for, in Bristil. Plese To Give My Luv To My Son Job. So No More At Prezint from your Umble Sarvint. Plese God I Am Coming To See You Some time This Munth.
“My Littel Girl Met The Accedent Wednesday, April 23, 1828.”
The following letter, too, refers to the writer of the above.
Bristol, August, 1830.
“My dear Sir,
“As I know that you are deeply interested in every circumstance relating to the Gipsies, I trouble you with the following anecdote. In the month of January last, when walking in the city of Bristol, I met a Gipsy woman, who accosted me with the usual salutation of her race, “Shall I tell you your fortune?” I enquired her name, and then said, “You well know that you are not able to tell me my fortune; and I am sorry to see you carrying on such deception.” I then endeavoured to speak to her about the importance of considering her eternal welfare, and of seeking the salvation which is in Christ Jesus; at the same time pointing out the certain condemnation she was bringing upon herself, by willingly following the multitude to do evil, even carrying a lie in her right hand. She urged that her trade (which she acknowledged to be built on deceit and falsehood) was her only support; and that she must starve if she followed my advice. I reminded her that she would be like Dives, if she gained the whole world and lost her own soul; but that were she indeed to honour God, by giving up her wicked trade, because she knew that it was displeasing to him, he would never suffer her to want any good thing. After much more conversation, she assured me that she would never tell fortunes again, and would discontinue her evil habits of life. I told her that I could not allow her to make to me any promise of the kind; for she did not know her wickedness, nor the power which could alone prevent her from committing sin. I again besought her to avail herself of the means of instruction within her power.
Before leaving the city, I commended her to the care of some pious friends, who were interested in my account of her, and who kindly promised not to lose sight of her. Since that time I have received very pleasing accounts from them respecting her. They have purchased materials in order that she may be able to support herself by basket-making, which she has begun; and I trust she has relinquished her former trade. She is making progress in reading, and constantly attends the preaching of the Gospel. I hope also that she is really in earnest for the welfare of her soul. I earnestly wish that every one would take an interest in the same; and I should be much rejoiced if the circumstance which I have just mentioned, should be the means of encouraging any one to notice those Gipsies with whom they may occasionally meet, and to exert themselves in saving them from their present degraded condition.
“I am, my dear Sir,
“Yours respectfully,
* * * * *
Wm. Stanley’s Letter to the Author.