Of the Italian Gypsies, the same traveller in his journey through Calabria, p. 304, gives the following account: “The landlord of the inn at Mirti, earnestly recommended to the servants to leave nothing out of doors, as there was an encampment of Zingari, or Gypsies, who would lay their hands upon any part of the baggage, that was not watched with the strictest attention. His caution led me to an inquiry into the state of this strange tribe of vagrants, of whom I had seen great numbers in Spain. The result of this account, combined with those I had received from others, is as follows:
“The Gypsies of Calabria do not contract alliances with any other class of inhabitants; but marry among themselves.
“It is not possible to say where they reside, as they have no fixed habitations; and consequently possess neither house nor land, but pitch their tents wherever they think proper to make any stay. They support life by the profits of handicrafts; but more by swapping asses and horses.
“They generally work in iron, and make trivets, knitting needles, bodkins, and such trifles. Their dress is extremely shabby; they shave their chins, but indulge a great length of hair, which they seldom disturb with either comb or scissars.
“As to their religion, it is a secret which they keep locked up in their own breasts. They seem to have no great veneration for the Virgin Mary, but are supposed to believe in Christ. All the proof we have of their belief, depends upon appearances, and an occasional conforming to the ceremonies of the Roman Catholic religion, in marriages, burials, &c.; but if the priests start any difficulties, they manage the matter without their interference, and perform the functions according to their own
ceremonies, which in many points resemble those of the heathens.
“At their weddings they carry torches, and have paranymphs to give the bride away, with many other unusual rites.
“It is in reality, almost absurd to talk of the religion of a set of people, whose moral characters are so depraved, as to make it evident they believe in nothing capable of being a check to their passions. They are usually accounted pilferers, cheats, faithless, and abandoned to dissoluteness.
“They tell fortunes, and play juggling tricks, just as they do in all other countries where they are to be found. In 1560, they were banished the kingdom as thieves, cheats, and spies for the Turks. In 1569 and 1685, the order was resumed, but not being enforced, had little effect.
“A Gypsey being brought to trial for a larceny, declared, that his law allowed him to take as much from others, every day, as sufficed for his maintenance.