From all these circumstances, it appears that this John Faw, or two persons of the same name and distinction, succeeding each other,
staid a long time in Scotland; and from him this kind of strolling people might receive the name of Faw Gang, which they still retain, as appears by Burn’s Justice.
But the Scottish laws, after this time, were not less severe than those of Queen Elizabeth. By an Act passed in 1609; “Sorners, common thieves, commonly called Egyptians, were directed to pass forth of the kingdom, under pain of death, as common, notorious, and condemned thieves.” Scottish Acts, I. 850.
SECTION VI.
The present State of the Gypsies in Scotland.
The energy and perseverance by which North Britons are distinguished, will be evinced throughout the pages of this section. A friend of the author, having been requested to make application at the Advocates’ and the University Libraries, in the city of Edinburgh, for extracts from some foreign publications, was also desired to transmit with them what information could be obtained respecting the Gypsies in Scotland.
With a promptitude and zeal which characterises genuine philanthropy, a circular, containing four queries, was dispatched to the Sheriff of every county in that nation; soliciting through the medium of an official organ, all the intelligence which could be obtained on the subject. In consequence, returns have
been made from nearly the whole of the shires, either by the Sheriff, or his substitute; generally addressed to George Miller, jun. Edinburgh; who has been a most effective coadjutor on this occasion.
From thirteen counties, the reports are, “No Gypsies resident in them;” some others give account of their only passing through at times.
William Frazer Tytler, Sheriff of Invernessshire, writes as follows: “The undertaking in which you are engaged, for the civilization of so lost a portion of mankind, merits every support. Its effects may be more generally and extensively useful in England, where those unfortunate people are extremely numerous. In Scotland, their number is comparatively small, and particularly in the county of Inverness.”