On the 24th of April, 1774, between five and six o’clock in the morning, the children of the Gypsies which had been growing up from December of the foregoing year, were again removed from Fahlendorf, in Schütt, and Hideghid, for the purpose of being put under the same course of discipline as the others. Among the children taken away on this occasion, was a girl fourteen years old, who was forced to be carried off in her bridal state. She tore her hair for grief and rage, and was quite beside herself with agitation: but she recovered a composed state of mind; and, in 1776, in Fasching, obtained permission to accomplish her marriage.
So far our intelligence is quoted from the Gazettes, by which we may see how prudently every thing was concerted.
But it must be observed, although the publisher of this information endeavours to conceal it, how little these salutary regulations were put in force; there were scarcely two places in the kingdom where even an endeavour was made to give them proper effect. This supineness must have been unknown to the Emperor Joseph, or he would certainly again have enforced these regulations, to all chiefs and governors, at the same time that he gave orders for their being observed in Transylvania.
The tenor of the decree just mentioned, which was published in the year 1782, was consonant with the intention of Theresa, with regard to the Hungarian Gypsies; namely, that those also in Transylvania should become better men, and more useful inhabitants. For the accomplishment of this end, it prohibits their wandering about, and living under tents; requires that they become settled, and put themselves under some territorial chief. In order to strike immediately at the root of the evil, necessary and minute directions are given for the improvement of their religious ideas and
opinions; and, by correcting their vicious habits, for rendering them good citizens.
First, with respect to religion, they must
1. Not only be taught the principles of religion themselves, but early send their children to school.
2. Prevent as much as possible, their children running about naked in the roads and streets, thereby giving offence and disgust to other people.
3. In their dwellings, not permit their children to sleep promiscuously by each other, without distinction of sex.
4. Diligently attend at church, particularly on Sundays and holidays, to give proof of their Christian disposition.