To the Editor of the Christian Observer. [206]

I am much pleased with the interest which your two correspondents, Fraternicus, and H. appear to take, in the spiritual and eternal condition of that ignorant and degraded class of human beings, the Gypsies.

I wish much to see appropriate and active measures adopted, immediately to put into execution the benevolent suggestions of your worthy and sensible correspondents. I cannot do a great deal in a pecuniary point of view, but in counsel and influence I could do more.

I feel no hesitation in inviting your correspondents to a meeting on the subject, with a view to the formation of some plan, and the consequent commencement of active exertions. One of the first objects to be aimed at, is the introduction of cleanliness and decorum.—Another object to be attended to, is, the teaching of them, especially the young, to read; and then the supplying of them with testaments and religious tracts.

There are many of the latter which would be both entertaining and useful to them; but the most direct means to do them good is, by frequent intercourse with them, and plain and familiar conversation, prudently conducted. And if any thing be done, it must be undertaken in a patient and persevering spirit.

The soil which it is proposed to cultivate, is remarkably barren and unpropitious; of course a plentiful harvest must not be soon expected. The persons to be employed in this work of faith and labour of love, must not only be men of prudence and discretion, but men of information, and possessing clear and cool heads, and warm hearts.

I have no doubt, but that in these times of active benevolence and zeal, when a good plan is laid, and funds provided, instruments will be found, who with love in their hearts, will go seek those wandering sheep in the wilderness, for whom no man hath yet cared.

Many good hints, Mr. Editor, are often fruitless for want of immediate attention; and many a good work long talked of is not only suspended, but never begun, for want of some one to put forth the hand and begin. I for one, say to your two correspondents, “let us arise and build; let us begin; there is no fear of progress and help.”

I remain, &c. Minimus.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. [208]

June 13, 1809.

I was afraid the Gypsies had been quite forgotten; and therefore it gives me real pleasure to see, by your last number, for May 1809, that another correspondent has taken up their cause. If the subject was once fairly before the public, I am persuaded it would interest the feelings of many amongst us; and should good arise from it, which with God’s help and blessing, could not fail to be the case, we might confidently look forward to a daily increasing fund for its support. Surely when our charity is flowing in so wide a channel, conveying the blessings of the gospel to the most distant quarters of the globe, we shall not hesitate to water this one barren and neglected field, in our own land.

My attention was first drawn to the state of this miserable class of human beings, by the letter of “Fraternicus;” and looking upon it as a reproach to our country, that amidst the great light which prevails, so many of its children should be walking in darkness and the shadow of death, I was anxious to contribute something out of my abundance, towards their spiritual welfare. I perfectly agree with your correspondent, that no time should be lost in devising some plan, which may give consistency and effect to this work of faith, and labour of love. In this short and uncertain life, no opportunities of usefulness should be neglected. It is a call which may never again be repeated. I am ready and desirous, to give Minimus the proposed meeting; and the time and place might be appointed through the medium of the Christian Observer.

I must however premise, that the writer of this is a very humble individual in all respects, both in abilities, and in influence. My habits are very retired, and at present, my time is occupied in attending to the ministerial duties of a populous village. I shall most gladly adhere to my first proposal, and might be induced to do more, if need required.

In the meantime, it is my earnest prayer to God, that this may not be one of those projects, which are only talked of, and never begun; but that it may tend to the glory of his name, and to the bringing back of those poor lost sheep to the fold of their Redeemer. Amen.

Yours, H.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. [211]

As I am not in the constant habit of seeing your publication, it is only lately, in meeting with your number for February last, at the house of a friend, that I was aware that the spiritual state of the Gypsies, had excited interest in the breasts of some of your readers.

They are a race who have long excited interest in mine; so much, that in the year 1801, I had written a letter upon the subject to the society for bettering the condition, and increasing the comforts of the poor; but I thought on further reflection, that any attempts to civilize a race of beings so degraded, and held in so much contempt, would be considered so very visionary, that I gave up the idea and did not send it. A greater lapse of time, farther observation, and the suggestions of your correspondents, induce me to trouble you with the few following remarks; recollecting that in literary attempts and works of beneficence, it is the same as in pecuniary subscriptions; that great effects are not always produced from the stores of an opulent individual, but from the willing contributions of the many.

It does not appear to me, that a few, or even many Missionaries, according to the suggestion of Fraternicus, Vol. vii. p. 496, would answer the purpose of imparting religious knowledge to the Gypsies; since on account of their wandering mode of life, and from their not travelling in any numbers together, it would be difficult to form congregations. What the number of Gypsies, and of those who lead vagrant lives, like them, may be in this kingdom, I cannot even form a conjecture; and Mr. Colquhoun, I think does not mention them in his treatise on the Police of the Metropolis. Neither am I acquainted with their numbers and modes of life at Norwood, [212] which I understand is the chief residence of them; what I have to say, therefore, is only from observations made upon those who frequent this neighbourhood, and from others seen occasionally when I have been travelling.

The suggestions of Minimus, Vol. viii. p. 286, appear to me to be the most practicable: and I hope that there are many Gypsies who would be inclined to profit by any judicious and kind exertions made on their behalf. There are already several families of them within my knowledge, who reside in houses during the winter, and travel about only in the summer. Their means of subsistence are tinkering, and fiddling at feasts and fairs; by which some, I believe, make a good deal of money, which helps them out in the winter, when there is less work and less dancing.

A young man with a large family, whom I have long observed near this place, in my walks, about six years ago, when many inclosures took place in this neighbourhood, and he found it less convenient to be out in the fields, or rather that the farmers were less willing to let him encamp upon their grounds, took a small house, with a garden annexed to it, in the suburbs of this town, and has since lived here constantly in the winter, but travels in the summer. He is now about 38 years of age. He married when 20, and has 8 children, all of whom have been baptized in the several parishes where they were born. He is a very civil man, and is much respected where he is known; having a good character for honesty.

He attends church constantly on a Sunday; and though he has not any regular notion of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, he has some very good general ideas of religion and morality. He is no swearer; and he would consider it wicked in his wife to attempt to tell fortunes.

He is frequently employed to fiddle, at the houses of respectable farmers and trades-people at Christmas. His other occupation is tinkering; and he is ingenious at mending fiddles, and making cases, &c.

Neither he, nor his wife, can read; and none of his children have been hitherto sent to school. His third boy, who is about 9 years old, he has, at my suggestion, promised to send to the new school which has been established here on Dr. Bell’s and Mr. Lancaster’s plan: he accepted the offer with great thankfulness. The boy is to come into the school at Michaelmas, when the family return from their summer’s travelling. The father would be very glad to have all his children brought up to any other mode of life; and even to embrace some other himself; but he finds a difficulty in it.

He himself, from not having been brought up to work in husbandry, could not go through the labour of it; and few, if any persons, would be willing to employ his children, on account of the bad character which his race bears; and from the censure and ridicule which might attach to taking them, where they might be willing to do it from motives of benevolence.

There is another family of Gypsies resident in this place in the winter, the father of which was formerly a musician in the guards. He has a boy now in the school.

These circumstances lead me to think, that were encouragement given to them, the Gypsies would be inclined to live in towns and villages like other people; and would in another generation or two become civilized, and with the pains which are now taken to educate the poor, and to diffuse the Scriptures and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, would become a part of the regular fold: while in the mean time, from personal intercourse with their pastors, and from attending public worship, the spiritual condition of the present generation would be materially improved. It would, however, require much patient continuance in well doing, in those who attempted it; and they must be prepared, perhaps, to meet with some untowardness, and much disappointment; but in due season we could not fail to reap, if we fainted not.

All Gypsies must have some parish to which they belong; and if these parishes were to provide habitations for them, and to hold out encouragement to them to come and settle, and were to bear for the present with any ways which might be different from those of the regular inhabitants, affording them work as tinkers, &c. and providing education and work for their children; and for the present, even bearing with their travelling in the summer; this now almost unprofitable race of beings might be reclaimed to society. Many of them are accustomed, in the seasons, to undertake hay and harvest work. These, I think, with proper encouragement, might be induced to get their living by husbandry work throughout the year.

Should these suggestions lead to any farther discussion upon the subject, or to adopting any measures to promote the desired object; it would give me sincere pleasure to lend my assistance, either pecuniary or personal.

I am, Sir, &c. J. P.

Cambridge, April 28, 1810.

P.S. I recollect having heard that the benevolent Jonas Hanway took a Gypsey for his servant, but I know not on what authority this was said.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. [217]

The candid acknowledgment of your benevolent correspondent, in the Christian Observer for February last, that his attention had been first drawn to the state of the Gypsies by the letter of Fraternicus, was matter of unfeigned satisfaction to me; and as it is probable there may be no want of inclination in the Christian world, to extend relief effectually to them, permit me to solicit a place in your pages, for a thought which has occurred to me in my meditations on the subjects.

It appears from a letter in your number for May, that they are not totally destitute of a desire for the benefit of instruction. Information might easily be obtained, as to what part of England they are to be found in the greatest numbers; and if a free school could be instituted, and the means of instruction provided for those of their children who were willing to attend, at least in the winter season; might it not be a means of conveying useful knowledge to them?

By degrees, they might be brought to attend divine worship regularly; and if in the parish of a pious clergyman, he would probably embrace the opportunity of teaching them, more particularly, the way of salvation. Much, however, might be done by a pious schoolmaster, and a schoolmistress, by whom the girls might be instructed in different kinds of work, knitting, sewing, &c.; and if any of the parents should evince a desire for instruction, they could be admitted at different hours in the day. It would be an interesting inquiry, what becomes of orphans among them, and whether there is not a possibility of at least rescuing them from their present state of ignorance and misery.

Should these suggestions be deemed worthy of your insertion, they might, perhaps awaken the attention of some benevolent persons, whose superior talents and experience in the ways of beneficence, would enable them to perfect and carry into execution, a plan for the effectual benefit of those unhappy partners of our kind. That He may grant it, from whom every good thought proceeds, is the fervent prayer of

Fraternicus.

SECTION XII.

Review of the Subject, and Suggestions for ameliorating the condition of the Gypsies in the British Empire.

Since the commencement of the present year, 1816, a friend [221] of the author has informed him, that about three weeks before, he was in company with an English and a Persian gentleman, who had lately come from Persia, through Russia; the latter well understood the languages of both countries, and spoke them fluently. He had travelled with the Persian Ambassador; and said that he had met with many hordes of Gypsies in Persia; had many times conversed with them; and was surprised to find their language was the true Hindostanie. He did not then know of Grellmann’s work. He further stated, that the Gypsies in Russia were, in language and manners, the

same, and exactly corresponded with the Gypsies of this country. Their name in Persia signified Black Eyes.

From whatever part of the world we derive intelligence of this people, it tends to corroborate the opinion, that they have all had one peculiar origin. How little has it occupied the contemplation of Britons, that there existed among them, subjects of such great curiosity as the poor and despised Gypsies!

The statute of Henry VIII. imposing a fine of forty pounds upon the importation of a Gypsey, induces the belief they were much in request in England at that period. The attention which their low performances attracted in those times, will not perhaps excite surprise, when we see the encouragement given in our day, to their idly disposed countrymen, termed, Indian Jugglers. It is remarkable, that the earliest account of Gypsies in Great Britain, is in a work published to expose and detect the “Art of Juggling,” &c.