After several centuries, a degree of solicitude being at length apparent in the Gypsies, for the improvement of their children, the time has arrived when some effectual benefit may be communicated to them.
The distribution proposed, would admit of these itinerants seeing their children once in the year. But to extirpate Gypsey habits, education alone would not be sufficient. Yet as there is no reason to think this people are less susceptible than others, of gainful considerations, a fund might be provided, out of which, twenty pounds should be paid with each boy, on his apprenticeship to some handicraft business, in lieu of finding him with clothes during the term. And in consideration of its being faithfully served, five pounds might be allowed to find the young man with tools for his trade,
or otherwise setting him forward in the world. This would excite an interest in civil associations and order, which are necessary for the successful prosecution of trade; and probably, an encouragement like this, would have a greater effect in giving a new direction to Gypsey pursuits, than any coercive or restrictive measures which could be devised. And who would not wish to contribute to the means of rescuing from ignorance and vice, such a portion of the population of their country! Who would not be desirous of emulating in some degree, that best kind of patriotism, by which the correspondent H. of the Christian Observer, is so remarkably distinguished!
This would be an example worthy of a great nation; and is it not probable, that the prospect of so much preferment, would induce Gypsey parents, to promote to the utmost of their power, a disposition in their children to obtain it? Cooper, a Gypsey at Chingford Green, said, “It is a pity they should be as ignorant as their fathers.” This may be considered as the language of “help us,” accompanied with this acknowledgment,
“for we are unable to help ourselves;” and certainly there is but too much reason to conclude it is strictly true, respecting the instruction of this forlorn and destitute race.
According to the enumeration of Gypsey lodgers, given in Section X, their families average 5½ in number. This exceeds by one half, what is reported to be the average of England in general. If we take Gypsey population at 18,000, their children will be 12,000. Supposing two-thirds of these to be under twelve years of age, there would be 8,000 to educate. Reckoning half that number to be girls, 4,000 boys would be to be apprenticed after leaving school. And if these, after their apprenticeship, married Gypsey girls, who had been brought up to service in families, twenty thousand useful subjects might be calculated upon as gained to the State in the first generation.
Should the efforts of individuals, require assistance from the State, to render their plans effectual; surely they may depend on the co-operation of a British legislature, to promote the
cause in which they would embark! On this point may be adduced the judicious observation of Grellmann: “If the Gypsey knows not how to make use of the faculties with which nature has intrusted him, let the State teach him, and keep him in leading strings till the end is attained. Care being taken to improve their understandings, and to amend their hearts, they might become useful citizens; for observe them at whatever employment you may, there always appear sparks of genius.”
Every well-wisher to his country must be gratified in observing, that as soon as the conflicting tumult of nations is calmed, and the precipitations attendant on military supplies have subsided, the attention of the Legislature is turned to the investigation of some of the causes of human misery at home; and to the means of increasing the social comforts of a considerable portion of British population in the metropolis of the kingdom. This recommencement of operations, directed to the important object for which Governments have been instituted,—the good of the people,—encourages
the hope, that the most neglected and destitute of all persons in this country, whose cause we have been pleading, will not be suffered to remain much longer unnoticed and disregarded.