grown up. Their reformation would be a difficult task, as the attempts made by the Empress Theresa evinced:—you must begin with children, and not meddle with the old stock, on whom no efforts will have effect.
Expelling the Gypsies entirely, was not merely a premature step, it was a wasteful one. This is indisputable, so long as the state maxim holds good, that a numerous population is advantageous.
Care being taken to enlighten their understandings, and amend their hearts, they might become useful citizens; for observe them at whatever employment you may, there always appear sparks of genius. It is well known, and no writer omits to remark, what artful devices they have recourse to, in perpetrating any cheat or robbery: but this is not the only particular in which they show capacity. The following extract is from a Hungarian author, who was an attentive observer of these people.
“The Gypsies have a fertile imagination in their way, and are quick and ready at expedients; so that in many serious, doubtful cases, they soon recollect how to act, in order to extricate themselves. We cannot indeed help wondering, when we attend to, and consider the skill they display in preparing and bringing their works to perfection; which is the more necessary from the scarcity of proper tools and apparatus. They are very acute and cunning in cheating, or thieving; and when called to account for any fraud or robbery, fruitful in invention, and persuasive in their arguments to defend themselves.”
Grellmann.
The recommendation of Grellmann, p. 197, to begin the work of reform with children, appears judicious; but the events of the present day justify the expectation, that benevolent exertions would not prove fruitless, should they afterwards be extended even to the “old stock.”
Before the Circular introduced is the 10th Section was distributed, the author did not know of the correspondence on the subject of Gypsies, which had appeared in the interesting pages of the Christian Observer. But he should now consider it an injustice to those benevolent individuals, who had taken the lead in this work of Christian charity, not to give full consideration to the ideas they have suggested.
In Vol. VII. p. 91 of that periodical publication, is the following letter.
To the Editor of the Christian Observer.
As the divine spirit of Christianity deems no object, however unworthy or insignificant, beneath her notice, I venture to apply to you on behalf of a race, the outcasts of society, of whose pitiable condition, among the many forms of human misery which have engaged your efforts, I do not recollect to have seen any notice in the pages of your excellent miscellany. I allude to the deplorable state of the Gypsies, on whose behalf I beg leave to solicit your good offices with the public.—Lying at our very doors, they seem to have a peculiar claim on our compassion.
In the midst of a highly refined state of society, they are but little removed from savage life. In this happy country, where the light of Christianity shines with its purest lustre, they are still strangers to its cheering influence. I have not heard even of any efforts which have been made, either by individuals or societies, for their improvement; and so thoroughly do they appear to despise the advantages of civilized life, that perhaps nothing less than that change of heart, which is the effect of the blessing of God on the means employed for their conversion, would prevent their continuing to be the pest of society. The great Shepherd of Israel despises not these unhappy wanderers from his fold; and I am persuaded, that neither you, nor those who read and prize your work, will be insensible to the force of His benign example.
May the Divine Spirit suggest means, by which this wretched race may be reclaimed from their vagrancy, and be made acquainted with that Saviour, whom to know is life eternal!
Yours, &c. Nil.
To the Editor of the Christian Observer. [201]
It gave me pleasure to observe in one of the numbers of your miscellany, a letter on a subject that has frequently engaged my serious attention: I mean the state of the Gypsies. It is painful to reflect how many thousands of these unhappy creatures, have, since the light of Christianity has shone on this Island, gone into eternity ignorant of the way of salvation, and without one cheering thought of a Saviour. Surely, Sir, there is an awful responsibility attached to this neglect! If we look back into the history of the Christian church, from the earliest ages, we shall find that the introduction of the gospel amongst any people, has generally been effected by means of Missionaries; and so numerous are the Gypsies, and so desultory in their habits of life, that it might well occupy the time of more than one zealous individual, to go amongst them, and by plain, simple, affectionate conversation and exhortation, when practicable, instruct them in the knowledge of their Redeemer.
Nor in this favoured land, where there are so many who zealously embrace the doctrines of Christianity, would there, I trust, be wanting both one, or more persons, who would devote themselves to this truly apostolic work; and benevolent individuals who would open their hearts and their purses, for the support and encouragement of such an undertaking. This labour of love would doubtless prove less arduous, than the attempts which have been made to establish missions among the American Indians; the natives of the South-Seas; or the inhabitants of Southern Africa.
The dread of the magistracy in this country, would prove a protection from personal injury, while the painful relinquishment of friends and country would not be required. I will also beg leave to mention another suggestion: I have understood that, in different parts of the kingdom, the neighbouring clergy meet at stated times, for the purpose of conversing on the important duties of their pastoral office. At such times, would it not be well to take into consideration, the perishing condition of so large a part of the community, as that, which forms the subject of this letter? Some plan might probably be thus devised, which, through the blessing of the Lord, would prove effectual for the salvation of this out-cast, and hitherto neglected people.
I would also take the liberty of recommending the cause of these unhappy partners of our kind, to the humanity of our dissenting brethren; and most earnestly solicit Christians of all denominations, to unite in prayer to the God of all grace, that he would prosper every attempt which may be made, to communicate to them the knowledge of His will. I trust, Sir, I shall obtain your excuse for detaining you on this important subject; and as I know your pages are read and valued, by real Christians of various denominations, perhaps they may, through the Divine Providence, be the means of exciting effectual attention, to the spiritual wants of this deplorable set of beings; and the same benevolence which induced you to exert your talents and influence in behalf of the oppressed negroes, may be again successfully employed, in ameliorating the condition of a numerous class of our fellow-creatures, who are second only to them in wretchedness, and spiritual misery.
I am, &c. Fraternicus.
To the Editor of the Christian Observer. [205]
The insertion of the letter of “Fraternicus,” on the moral and religious state of the Gypsies, in a late number of your work, (August, p. 496) implies, I presume, an approbation of its contents. It is a subject that cannot fail to interest the feelings of a real Christian.
The writer of this, has it in his power to contribute some pecuniary aid towards such a truly Christian undertaking, and would most gladly afford it. He commiserates, equally with Fraternicus, the wretched state of this people, and hopes to see the day when the nation which has, at length, done justice to the poor negroes, will be equally zealous to do their duty in this instance; and attempt to raise the Gypsies from their state of degradation. If any way can be devised through the medium of your work, to set about this labour of love, twenty pounds per annum shall be regularly contributed by the writer of this; and you are at liberty to make whatever use you can of this offer. If any good, which I pray God it may, should arise from the present communication, the name of the writer, who is a constant reader of the Christian Observer, shall be made known, when thought necessary by the conductor.
H.