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DX  251 
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1843 
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(lass     MAJZeTJ 

urn      '.'  ' 


PKESKNTE 


THE    ZINCALI; 


OR, 


AN   ACCOUNT    OF 


THE  GYPSIES  OF  SPAIN. 

3  *% 

WITH   AN  <L  (     <* 

©riglnal  doUettion  of  tljrir  Songs  anb  JJaetrg. 


BY 


GEORGE    BORROW, 

LATE    AGENT    OF   THE   BRITISH    AND    FOREIGN    BIBLE    SOCIETY    IN    SPAIN 


"  For  that  which  is  unclean  by  nature  thou  canst  entertain  no 
hope;  no  washing  will  turn  the  Gypsey  white." Ferdousi. 


PHILADELPHIA : 
JAMES  M.  CAMPBELL  &  CO.,  98  CHESTNUT  STREET. 

SAXTON  &  MILES,  205  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK. 

STEREOTYPED   BY  L.  JOHNSON. 

1843. 


** 


Qtft 
W.  L.  Siioemaiter 
T    t     '06 


TO 


THE    RIGHT   HONOURABLE 

THE  EARL  OF  CLARENDON,   G.C.B., 

KEEPER  OF   HER  MAJESTY'S   PRIVY   SEAL, 
ETC.    ETC.    ETC. 

My  Lord, 
I  peel  it  not  only  a  gratification  but  an  honour  to  be  permitted  to 
dedicate  these  volumes  to  your  Lordship,  the  more  particularly  as  they 
are  connected  with  Spain,  a  country  in  which  it  was  so  frequently  my 
fortune  to  experience  such  prompt  and  salutary  aid  from  your  Lordship 
in  the  high  capacity  of  representative  of  our  Gracious  British  Sovereign. 

The  remembrance  of  the  many  obligations  under  which  your  Lord- 
ship has  placed  me,  by  your  energetic  and  effectual  interference  in  time 
of  need,  will  ever  in  heartfelt  gratitude  cause  me  to  remain,  with  unfeigned 
sentiments  of  respect, 

My  Lord, 
Your  most  devoted  servant, 

George  Borrow. 


PREFACE. 


It  is  with  some  diffidence  that  the  author  ventures  to  offer  the  present  work 
to  the  public. 

The  greatest  part  of  it  has  been  written  under  very  peculiar  circumstances, 
such  as  are  not  in  general  deemed  at  all  favourable  for  literary  composition; — 
at  considerable  intervals,  during  a  period  of  nearly  five  years  passed  in  Spain, — 
in  moments  snatched  from  more  important  pursuits — chiefly  in  ventas  and  po- 
sddas,  whilst  wandering  through  the  country  in  the  arduous  and  unthankful 
task  of  distributing  the  Gospel  among  its  children. 

Owing  to  the  causes  above  stated,  he  is  aware  that  his  work  must  not  unfre- 
quently  appear  somewhat  disjointed  and  unconnected,  and  the  style  rude  and 
unpolished:  he  has,  nevertheless,  permitted  the  tree  to  remain  where  he  felled 
it,  having,  indeed,  subsequently  enjoyed  too  little  leisure  to  make  much  effec- 
tual alteration. 

At  the  same  time  he  flatters  himself  that  the  work  is  not  destitute  of  certain 
qualifications  to  entitle  it  to  approbation.  The  author's  acquaintance  with  the 
Gypsy  race  in  general  dates  from  a  very  early  period  of  his  life,  which  con- 
siderably facilitated  his  intercourse  with  the  Peninsular  portion,  to  the  eluci- 
dation of  whose  history  and  character  the  present  volumes  are  more  particu- 
larly devoted.  Whatever  he  has  asserted,  is  less  the  result  of  reading  than  of 
close  observation,  he  having  long  since  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  Gypsies 
are  not  a  people  to  be  studied  in  books,  or  at  least  in  such  books  as  he  believes 
have  hitherto  been  written  concerning  them. 

Throughout  he  has  dealt  more  in  facts  than  in  theories,  of  which  he  is  in 
general  no  friend.  True  it  is  that  no  race  in  the  world  affords,  in  many  points, 
a  more  extensive  field  for  theory  and  conjecture  than  the  Gypsies,  who  are 
certainly  a  very  mysterious  people  come  from  some  distant  land,  no  mortal 
knows  why,  and  who  made  their  first  appearance  in  Europe  at  a  dark  period 
when  events  were  not  so  accurately  recorded  as  at  the  present  time. 

But  if  he  has  avoided  as  much  as  possible  touching  upon  subjects  which 
must  always,  to  a  certain  extent,  remain  shrouded  in  obscurity;  for  example, 
the  original  state  and  condition  of  the  Gypsies,  and  the  causes  which  first 
brought  them  into  Europe,  he  has  stated  what  they  are  at  the  present  day, 
what  he  knows  them  to  be  from  a  close  scrutiny  of  their  ways  and  habits,  for 
which,  perhaps,  no  one  ever  enjoyed  better  opportunities;  and  he  has  more- 
over, given — not  a  few  words  culled  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  supporting 
a  theory,  but  one  entire  dialect  of  their  language,  collected  with  much  trouble 
and  difficulty;  and  to  this  he  humbly  calls  the  attention  of  the  learned,  who, 
by  comparing  it  with  certain  languages,  may  decide  as  to  the  countries  in 
which  the  Gypsies  have  lived  or  travelled. 

With  respect  to  the  Gypsy  rhymes  in  the  second  volume  he  wishes  to  make 
one  observation  which  cannot  be  too  frequently  repeated,  and  which  he  en- 
2  B  5 


VI 


PREFACE. 


treats  the  reader  to  bear  in  mind;  they  are  Gypsy  compositions ,  and  have  little 
merit  save  so  far  as  they  throw  light  on  the  manner  of  thinking  and  speaking 
of  the  Gypsy  people,  or  rather  a  portion  of  them,  and  as  to  what  they  are  ca- 
pable of  effecting  in  the  way  of  poetry.  It  will,  doubtless,  be  said  that  the 
rhymes  are  trash — even  were  it  so,  they  are  original,  and  on  that  account,  in 
a  philosophic  point  of  view,  are  more  valuable  than  the  most  brilliant  compo- 
sitions pretending  to  describe  Gypsy  life,  but  written  by  persons  who  are  not 
of  the  Gypsy  sect.  Such  compositions,  however  replete  with  fiery  sentiments, 
and  allusions  to  freedom  and  independence,  are  certain  to  be  tainted  with  affec- 
tation. Now  in  the  Gypsy  rhymes  there  is  no  affectation,  and  on  that  very- 
account  they  are  different  in  every  respect  from  the  poetry  of  those  interesting 
personages  who  figure,  under  the  names  of  Gypsies,  Git&nos,  Bohemians,  &c, 
in  novels  and  on  the  boards  of  the  theatre. 

It  will,  perhaps,  be  objected  to  the  present  work,  that  it  contains  little  that 
is  edifying  in  a  moral  or  Christian  point  of  view:  to  such  an  objection  the 
author  would  reply,  that  the  Gypsies  are  not  a  Christian  people,  and  that  their 
morality  is  of  a  peculiar  kind,  not  calculated  to  afford  much  edification  to  what 
is  generally  termed  the  respectable  portion  of  society.  Should  it  be  urged  that 
certain  individuals  have  found  them  very  different  from  what  they  are  repre- 
sented in  these  volumes,  he  would  frankly  say  that  he  yields  no  credit  to  the 
presumed  fact,  and  at  the  same  time  he  would  refer  to  the  vocabulary  con- 
tained in  the  second  volume,  whence  it  will  appear  that  the  words  hoax  and 
hocus  have  been  immediately  derived  from  the  language  of  the  Gypsies,  who, 
there  is  good  reason  to  believe,  first  introduced  the  system  into  Europe,  to 
which  those  words  belong. 

The  author  entertains  no  ill-will  towards  the  Gypsies;  why  should  he,  were 
he  a  mere  carnal  reasoner?  He  has  known  them  for  upwards  of  twenty  years,, 
in  various  countries,  and  they  never  injured  a  hair  of  his  head,  or  deprived 
him  of  a  shred  of  his  raiment;  but  he  is  not  deceived  as  to  the  motive  of  their 
forbearance:  They  thought  him  a  Rom,  and  on  this  supposition  they  hurt  him 
not,  their  love  of  "the  blood,"  being  their  most  distinguishing  characteristic. 
He  derived  considerable  assistance  from  them  in  Spain,  as  in  various  instances 
they  officiated  as  colporteurs  in  the  distribution  of  the  Gospel:  but  on  that  ac- 
count he  is  not  prepared  to  say  that  they  entertained  any  love  for  the  Gospel, 
or  that  they  circulated  it  for  the  honour  of  Tableque  the  Saviour.  Whatever 
they  did  for  the  Gospel  in  Spain,  was  done  in  the  hope  that  he  whom  they 
conceived  to  be  their  brother,  had  some  purpose  in  view  which  was  to  con- 
tribute to  the  profit  of  the  Cales,  or  Gypsies,  and  to  terminate  in  the  confusion 
and  plunder  of  the  Busne,  or  Gentiles.  Convinced  of  this,  he  is  too  little  of 
an  enthusiast  to  rear,  on  such  a  foundation,  any  fantastic  edifice  of  hope  which 
would  soon  tumble  to  the  ground. 

The  cause  of  truth  can  scarcely  be  forwarded  by  enthusiasm,  which  is  almost 
invariably  the  child  of  ignorance  and  error.  The  author  is  anxious  to  direct 
the  attention  of  the  public  towards  the  Gypsies,  but  he  hopes  to  be  able  to  do 
so  without  any  romantic  appeals  in  their  behalf,  by  concealing  the  truth,  or  by- 
warping  the  truth  until  it  becomes  falsehood.  In  the  following  pages  he  has 
depicted  the  Gypsies  as  he  has  found  them,  neither  aggravating  their  crimes 
nor  gilding  them  with  imaginary  virtues.  He  has  not  expatiated  on  "their 
gratitude  towards  good  people,  who  treat  them  kindly  and  take  an  interest  in 
their  welfare;"  for  he  believes  that  of  all  beings  in  the  world  they  are  the 
least  susceptible  of  such  a  feeling.  Nor  has  he  ever  done  them  injustice  by 
attributing  to  them  licentious  habits,  from  which  they  are,  perhaps,  more  free 
than  any  race  in  the  creation. 


THE  CrYPSIES. 


ON  THE  GYPSIES  IN  GENERAL. — NAME  AND  LANGUAGE. — THE  RUSSIAN  GYPSIES. — GYPSIES 
AT  MOSCOW. HUNGARIAN  GYPSIES. ENGLISH  GYPSIES,  OR  ROMMANY. — GYPSY  FOR- 
TUNE-TELLERS.— GYPSY    JOCKEYS. — GYPSY    WILL. THURTELL. GYPSY     CLANS. CUR- 

t     RAPLE. — GYPSIES  OF  THE  EAST. ARTIFICE  OF  TIMOUR. BISHOP  OF  FORLI. 


I  should  find  some  difficulty,  if  called  upon, 
to  assign  a  reason  why  the  singular  race  of 
whom  I  am  now  about  to  speak,  has,  through- 
out my  life,  been  that  which  has  most  inva- 
riably interested  me;  for  I  can  remember  no 
period  when  the  mentioning  of  the  name  of 
Gypsy  did  not  awaken  feelings  within  my 
mind  hard  to  be  described,  but  in  which  a 
fitrange  pleasure  predominated. 

The  Gypsies  themselves,  to  whom  I  have 
stated  this  circumstance,  account  for  it  on 
the  supposition  that  the  soul  which  at  present 
animates  my  body,  has  at  some  former  period 
tenanted  that  of  one  of  their  people;  for  many 
among  them  are  believers  in  metempsychosis, 
and  like  the  followers  of  Bouddha,  imagine 
that  their  souls,  by  passing  through  an  in- 
finite number  of  bodies,  attain  at  length  suf- 
ficient purity  to  be  admitted  to  a  state  of  per- 
fect rest  and  quietude,  which  is  the  only  idea 
of  heaven  they  can  form. 

Having  in  various-and  distant  countries 
lived  in  habits  of  intimacy  with  these  people, 
I  have  come  to  the  following  conclusions  re- 
specting them:  that  wherever  they  are  found, 
their  manners  and  customs  are  virtually  the 
fiame,  though  somewhat  modified  by  circum- 
stances, and  that  the  language  they  speak 
amongst  themselves,  and  of  which  they  are 
particularly  anxious  to  keep  others  in  igno- 
rance, is  in  all  countries  one  and  the  same, 
but  has  been  subjected  more  or  less  to  modi- 
fication; and  lastly,  that  their  countenances 
exhibit  a  decided  family  resemblance,  but  are 
darker  or  fairer  according  to  the  temperature 
of  the  climate,  but  invariably  darker,  at  least 
in  Europe,  than  the  natives  of  the  countries 
in  which  they  dwell,  for  example,  England 
and  Russia,  Germany  and  Spain. 

The  names  by  which  they  are  known  differ 
with  the  country,  though,  with  one  or  two 
exceptions,  not  materially;  for  example,  they 
are  styled  in  Russia,  Zigani;  in  Turkey  and 
Persia,  Zingarri;  and  in  Germany,  Zigeuner; 
all  which  words  apparently  spring  from  the 
same  etymon,  which  there  is  no  improba- 
bility in  supposing  to  be  "  Zincali,"  a  term 


by  which  these  people,  especially  those  of 
Spain,  sometimes  designate  themselves,  and 
the  meaning  of  which  is  believed  to  be,  The 
black  men  of  Zend  or  Ind.  In  England  and 
Spain  they  are  commonly  known  as  Gypsies 
and  Gitanos,  from  a  general  belief  that  they 
were  originally  Egyptians,  to  which  the  two 
words  are  tantamount ;  and  in  France  as  Bo- 
hemians, from  the  circumstance  that  Bohe- 
mia was  the  first  country  in  civilized  Europe 
where  they  made  their  appearance ;  though 
there  is  reason  for  supposing  that  they  had 
been  wandering  in  the  remote  regions  of 
Sclavonia  for  a  considerable  time  previous, 
as  their  language  abounds  with  words  of 
Sclavonic  origin,  which  could  not  have  been 
adopted  in  a  hasty  passage  through  a  wild 
and  half-populated  country. 

But  they  generally  style  themselves  and 
the  language  which  they  speak,  Rommany. 
This  word,  of  which  I  shall  ultimately  have 
more  to  sav,  is  of  Sanscrit  origin,  and  signi- 
fies, The  Husbands,  or  that  which  pertaineth 
unto  them.  From  whatever  motive  this  ap- 
pellation may  have  originated,  it  is  perhaps 
more  applicable  than  any  other  to  a  sect  or 
caste  like  them,  who  have  no  love  and  no 
affection  beyond  their  own  race;  who  are 
capable  of  making  great  sacrifices  for  each 
other,  and  who  gladly  prey  upon  all  the  rest 
of  the  human  species,  whom  they  detest,  and 
by  whom  they  are  hated  and  despised.  It 
will  perhaps  not  be  out  of  place  to  observe 
here,  that  there  is  no  reason  for  supposing 
that  the  word  Roma  or  Rommany  is  derived 
from  the  Arabic  word  which  signifies  Greece 
or  Grecians,  as  some  people  not  much  ac- 
quainted with  the  language  of  the  race  in 
question  have  imagined. 

I  have  no  intention  at  present  to  say  any 
thing  about  their  origin.  Scholars  have  as- 
serted that  the  language  which  they  speak 
proves  them  to  be  of  Indian  stock,  and  un- 
doubtedly a  great  number  of  their  words  are 
Sanscrit.  My  own  opinion  upon  this  subject 
will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  article,  I  shall 
here  content  myself  with  observing,  that  from 

7 


s 


THE  GYPSIES. 


whatever  country  they  come,  whether  from 
India  or  Egypt,  there  can  be  no  doubt  they 
are  human  beings,  and  have  immortal  souls; 
and  it  is  in  the  humble  hope  of  drawing  the 
attention  of  the  Christian  philanthropists  to- 
wards them,  especially  that  degraded  and  un- 
happy portion  of  them,  the  Gitanos  of  Spain, 
that  the  present  little  work  has  been  under- 
taken.  But  before  proceeding  to  speak  of  the 
latter,  it  will  perhaps  not  be  amiss  to  afford 
some  account  of  the  Rommany,  as  I  have 
seen  them  in  other  countries ;  for  there  is 
scarcely  a  part  of  the  habitable  world  where 
they  are  not  to  be  found  ;  their  tents  are  alike 
pitched  on  the  heaths  of  Brazil  and  the  ridges 
of  the  Himalayan  hills,  and  their  language  is 
heard  at  Moscow  and  Madrid,  in  the  streets  of 
London  and  Stamboul. 

THE  ZIGANI,  OR  RUSSIAN  GYPSIES. 

They  are  found  in  all  parts  of  Russia,  with 
the  exception  of  the  government  of  St.  Pe- 
tersburg!], from  which  they  have  been  ba- 
nished. In  most  of  the  provincial  towns  they 
are  to  be  found  in  a  state  of  half-civilization, 
supporting  themselves  by  trafficking  in  horses, 
or  by  curing  the  disorders  incidental  to  those 
animals ;  but  the  vast  majority  reject  this 
manner  of  life,  and  traverse  the  country  in 
bands,  like  the  ancient  Hamaxobioi ;  the  im- 
mense grassy  plains  of  Russia  affording  pas- 
turage for  their  herds  of  cattle,  on  which,  and 
the  produce  of  the  chase,  they  chiefly  depend 
for  subsistence.  They  are,  however,  not  des- 
titute of  money,  which  they  obtain  by  various 
means,  but  principally  by  curing  diseases 
amongst  the  cattle  of  the  mujiks  or  peasantry, 
and  by  telling  fortunes,  and  not  unfrequently 
by  theft  and  brigandage. 

Their  power  of  resisting  cold  is  truly  won- 
derful, as  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find  them 
encamped  in  the  midst  of  the  snow,  in  slight 
canvass  tents,  when  the  temperature  is 
twenty-five  or  thirty  degrees  below  the 
freezing  point  according  to  Reaumur;  but  in 
the  winter  they  generally  seek  the  shelter  of 
the  forests,  which  afford  fuel  for  their  fires, 
and  abound  with  game. 

The  race  of  the  Rommany  is  by  nature 
perhaps  the  most  beautiful  in  the  world  ;  and 
amongst  the  children  of  the  Russian  Zigani 
are  frequently  to  be  found  countenances,  to 
do  justice  to  which  would  require  the  pencil 
of  a  second  Murillo  ;  but  exposure  to  the  rays 
of  the  burning  sun,  the  biting  of  the  frost,  and 
the  pelting  of  the  pitiless  sleet  and  snow, 
destroys  their  beauty  at  a  very  early  age  ;  and 
if  in  infancy  their  personal  advantages  are  re- 
markable, their  ugliness  at  an  advanced  age 
is  no  less  so,  for  then  it  is  loathsome,  and 
even  appalling;  verifying  the  adage,  that  it 
requires  an  angel  to  make  a  demon. 

A  hundred  years,  could  I  live  so  long,  would 
not  efface  from  my  mind  the  appearance  of  an 
aged  Ziganskie  Attaman,  or  Captain  of  Zi- 
gani, and  his  grandson,  who  approached  me 
on  the  meadow  before  Novo  Gorod,  where 
6tood  the  encampment  of  a  numerous  horde. 


The  boy  was  of  a  form  and  face  which  might 
have  entitled  him  to  represent  Astyanax,  and 
Hector  of  Troy  might  have  pressed  him  to 
his  bosom  and  called  him  his  pride;  but  the 
old  man  was,  perhaps,  such  a  shape  as  Milton 
has  alluded  to,  but  could  only  describe  as  exe- 
crable— he  wanted  but  the  dark  and  kingly 
crown  to  have  been  mistaken  for  the  monster 
who  opposed  the  progress  of  Lucifer,  whilst 
careering  in  burning  arms  and  infernal  glory 
to  the  outlet  of  his  hellish  prison. 

But  in  speaking  of  Russian  Gypsies,  those 
of  Moscow  must  not  be  passed  over  in  silence. 
The  station  to  which  they  have  attained  in 
society  in  that  most  remarkable  of  cities,  is 
so  far  above  the  sphere  in  which  the  remainder 
of  their  race  pass  their  lives,  that  it  may  be 
considered  as  a  phenomenon  in  Gypsy  his- 
tory, and  on  that  account  is  entitled  to  parti- 
cular notice. 

Those  who  have  been  accustomed  to  con- 
sider the  Gypsy  as  a  wandering  outcast,  in- 
capable of  appreciating  the  blessings  of  a 
settled  and  civilized  life,  or,  if  abandoning  his 
vagabond  propensities  and  becoming  sta- 
tionary, as  one  who  never  ascends  higher 
than  the  condition  of  a  low  trafficker,  will  be 
surprised  to  learn,  that  amongst  the  Gypsies 
of  Moscow,  there  are  not  a  few  who  inhabit 
stately  houses,  go  abroad  in  elegant  equi- 
pages, and  are  behind  the  higher  orders  of  the 
Russians  neither  in  appearance  nor  mental 
acquirements.  To  the  female  part  of  the 
Gypsy  colony  of  Moscow,  is  to  be  attributed 
the  merit  of  this  partial  rise  from  degradation 
and  abjectness,  having  from  time  immemorial 
so  successfully  cultivated  the  vocal  art,  that 
though  in  the  midst  of  a  nation  by  whom  song 
is  more  cherished  and  cultivated,  and  its  prin- 
ciples better  understood  than  by  any  other  of 
the  civilized  globe,  the  Gypsy  choirs  of  Mos- 
cow are,  by  the  general  voice  of  the  Russian 
public,  admitted  to  be  unrivalled  in  that  most 
amiable  of  all  accomplishments.  It  is  a  fact, 
notorious  in  Russia,  that  the  celebrated  Cata- 
lani  was  so  enchanted  with  the  voice  of  one 
of  these  Gypsy  songsters,  (who,  after  the 
former  had  displayed  her  noble  Italian  talent 
before  a  splendid  audience  at  Moscow,  stepped 
forward,  and  with  an  astonishing  burst  of 
almost  angelic  melody,  so  enraptured  every 
ear  that  even  applause  forgot  its  duty,)  that 
she  tore  from  her  own  shoulders  a  shawl  of 
Cashmire,  which  had  been  presented  to  her 
by  the  Faiher  of  Rome,  and  embracing  the 
Gypsy,  insisted  on  her  acceptance  of  the 
splendid  gift,  saying,  that  it  had  been  intended 
for  the  matchless  "songster,  which  she  now 
perceived  she  herself  was  not. 

The  sums  obtained  by  these  Gypsy  females, 
by  the  exercise  of  their  art,  enable  them  to 
support  their  relatives  in  affluence  and  luxury; 
some  are  married  to  Russians,  and  no  one 
who  has  visited  Russia  can  but  be  aware  that 
a  lovely  and  accomplished  countess,  of  the 
noble  and  numerous  family  of  Tolstoy,  is  by 
birth  a  Zigana,  and  was  originally  one  of  the 
principal  attractions  of  a  Rommany  choir  at 
Moscow, 


HUNGARIAN  GYPSIES. 


But  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  whole 
of  the  Gypsy  females  at  Moscow  are  of  this 
high  and  talented  description ;  the  majority 
of  them,  if  not,  entirely  profligate,  are  cer- 
tainly not  unimpeachable  in  their  morals  and 
character,  and  obtain  their  livelihood  by  sing- 
ing and  dancing  at  taverns,  whilst  their  hus- 
bands in  general  follow  the  occupation  of 
horse-dealing. 

Their  favourite  place  of  resort  in  the  sum- 
mer time  is  Marina  Rotze,  a  species  of  sylvan 
garden  about  two  versts  from  Moscow,  and 
thither,  tempted  by  curiosity,  I  drove  one  fine 
evening.  On  my  arrival,  the  Ziganas  came 
flocking  out  from  their  little  tents,  and  from 
the  tractir  or  inn  which  has  been  erected  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  public.  Standing 
on  the  seat  of  the  calash,  I  addressed  them  in 
a  loud  voice  in  the  English  dialect  of  the 
Rommany,  of  which  I  have  some  knowledge. 
A  shrill  scream  of  wonder  was  instantly 
raised,  and  welcomes  and  blessings  were 
poured  forth  in  floods  of  musical  Rommany, 
though  above  all  predominated  the  cry  of  Kak 
mitute  kamama, — or,  How  we  love  you, — 
for  at  first  they  mistook  me  for  one  of  their 
wandering  brethren  from  the  distant  lands, 
come  over  the  great  panee  or  ocean  to  visit 
them. 

After  some  conversation  they  commenced 
singing,  and  favoured  me  with  many  songs 
both  in  Russian  and  Rommany;  the  former 
were  modern  popular  pieces,  such  as  are  ac- 
customed to  be  sung  on  the  boards  of  the 
theatre ;  but  the  latter  were  evidently  of  great 
antiquity,  exhibiting  the  strongest  marks  of 
originality,  the  metaphors  bold  and  sublime, 
and  the  metre  differing  from  any  thing  of  the 
kind  which  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  observe 
in  Oriental  or  European  prosody. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable,  and  which 
commences  thus : — 

"  Za  mateia  rosherroro  odolata 
Bravintata," 

(or,  Her  head  is  aching  with  grief  as  if  she 
had  tasted  wine,)  describes  the  anguish  of  a 
maiden  separated  from  her  lover,  and  who 
calls  for  her  steed — 

"  Tedjav  manga  gurraoro  "— 

that  she  may  depart  in  quest  of  the  lord  of 
her  bosom,  and  share  his  joys  and  pleasures. 

A  collection  of  these  songs,  with  a  transla- 
tion and  vocabulary,  would  be  no  slight  ac- 
cession to  literature,  and  would  probably 
throw  more  light  on  the  history  of  this  race, 
than  any  thing  which  has  yet  appeared,  and  as 
there  is  no  want  of  zeal  and  talent  in  Russia 
amongst  the  cultivators  of  every  branch  of 
literature,  and  especially  philology,  it  is  only 
surprising  that  such  a  collection  still  remains 
a  desideratum. 

The  religion  which  these  singular  females 
externally  professed  was  the  Greek,  and  they 
mostly  wore  crosses  of  copper  or  gold ;  but 
when  I  questioned  them  on  this  subject  in 
their  native  language,  they  laughed  and  said 
it  was  only  to  "please  the  Russians.  Their 
names  for  God  and  his  adversary,  are  Deval 


and  Bengel,  which  differ  little  from  the 
Spanish  Undebel  and  Bengi,  which  signify 
the  same.     I  will  now  say  something  of 

THE  HUNGARIAN  GYPSIES,  OR  CHINGANY. 

Hungary,  though  a  country  not  a  tenth 
part  so  extensive  as  the  huge  colossus  of  the 
Russian  empire,  whose  tzar  reigns  over  a 
hundred  lands,  contains  perhaps  as  many 
Gypsies,  it  not  being  uncommon  to  find  whole 
villages  inhabited  by  this  race;  they  likewise 
abound  in  the  suburbs  of  the  towns.  In  Hun- 
gary the  feudal  system  still  exists  in  all  its 
pristine  barbarity;  in  no  country  does  the 
hard  hand  of  this  oppression  bear  so  heavy 
upon  the  lower  classes, — not  even  in  Russia. 
The  peasants  of  Russia  are  serfs,  it  is  true, 
but  their  condition  is  enviable  compared  with 
that  of  the  same  class  in  the  other  country  ; 
they  have  certain  rights  and  privileges,  and 
are  upon  the  whole  happy  and  contented, 
whilst  the  Hungarians  are  ground  to  powder. 
Two  classes  are  free  in  Hungary  to  do  almost 
what  they  please — the  nobility  and — the 
Gypsies ;  the  former  are  above  the  law — the 
latter  below  it :  a  toll  is  wrung  from  the  hands 
of  the  hard-working  labourers,  that  most  me- 
ritorious class,  in  passing  over  a  bridge,  for 
example,  at  Pesth,  which  is  not  demanded 
from  a  well  dressed  person — nor  from  the 
Chingany,  who  have  frequently  no  dress  at 
all — and  whose  insouciance  stands  in  striking 
contrast  with  the  trembling  submission  of  the 
peasants.  The  Gypsy,  wherever  you  find  him, 
is  an  incomprehensible  being,  but  no  where 
more  than  in  Hungary,  where,  in  the  midst  of 
slavery,  he  is  free,  though  apparently  one 
step  lower  than  the  lowest  slave.  The  habits 
of  the  Hungarian  Gypsies  are  abominable ; 
their  hovels  appearsinks  of  the  vilest  poverty 
and  filth,  their  dress  is  at  best  rags,  their  food 
frequently  the  vilest  carrion,  and  occasionally, 
if  report  be  true,  still  worse, — on  which  point, 
when  speaking  of  the  Spanish  Gitanos,  we 
shall  have  subsequently  more  to  say:  thus  they 
live  in  filth,  in  rags,  in  nakedness,  and  in 
merrinessof  heart,  for  no  where  is  there  more 
of  song  and  dance  than  in  an  Hungarian 
Gypsy  village.  They  are  very  fond  of  music, 
and  some  of  the  Chingany  are  heard  to  touch 
the  violin  in  a  manner  wild,  but  of  peculiar 
excellence.  Parties  of  them  have  been  known 
to  exhibit  even  at  Paris. 

In  Hungary,  as  in  all  parts,  they  are  ad- 
dicted to  horse-dealing;  they  are  likewise 
tinkers,  and  smiths  in  a  small  way.  The 
women  are  fortune-tellers,  of  course — both 
sexes  thieves  of  the  first  water.  They  roam 
where  they  list — in  a  country  where  all  other 
people  are  held  under  strict  surveillance,  no 
one  seems  to  care  about  these  Parias.  The 
most  remarkable  feature,  however,  connected 
with  the  habits  of  the  Chingany,  consists  in 
their  foreign  excursions,  having  plunder  in 
view,  which  frequently  endure  for  three  or 
four  years,  when,  if  no  mischance  Ins  be- 
fallen them,  they  return  to  tho;r  native  land — 
rich;  where  they  squander  .he  proceeds  of 
b2 


10 


THE  GYPSIES, 


their  dexterity  m  mad  festivals:  they  wander 
in  bands  of  twelve  or  fourteen  through  France, 
even  to  Rome.  Once,  during  my  own  wan- 
derings in  Italy,  I  rested  at  nightfall  by  the 
&ide  of  a  kiln,  the  air  being  piercingly  cold; 
it  was  about  four  leagues  from  Genoa.  Pre- 
sently arrived  three  individuals  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  warmth,  a  man,  a  woman,  and 
a  lad.  They  soon  began  to  discourse — and 
I  found  that  they  were  Hungarian  Gypsies; 
they  spoke  of  what  they  had  been  doing,  and 
what  they  had  amassed;  I  think  they  men- 
tioned nine  hundred  crowns.  They  had  com- 
panions in  the  neighbourhood,  some  of  whom 
they  were  expecting:  they  took  no  notice  of 
me,  and  conversed  in  their  own  dialect;  I 
did  not  approve  of  their  propinquity,,  and 
rising,  hastened  away. 

When  Napoleon  invaded  Spain,  there  were 
not  a  few  Hungarian  Chingany  in  his  armies: 
some  strange  encounters  occurred  on  the 
field  of  battle  between  these  people  and  the 
Spanish  Gitanos,  one  of  which  is  related  in 
the  second  part  of  the  present  work.  When 
quartered  in  the  Spanish  towns  the  Chingany 
invariably  sought  out  their  peninsular  bre- 
thren, to  whom  they  revealed  themselves, 
kissing  and  embracing  most  affectionately: 
the  Gitanos  were  astonished  at  the  proficiency 
of  the  strangers  in  thievish  arts,  and  looked 
upon  them  almost  in  the  light  of  superior 
beings:  "They  knew  the  whole  reckoning," 
is  still  a  common  expression  amongst  them. 
There  was  a  Chinganian  soldier  for  some 
time  at  Cordoba,  of  whom  the  Gitanos  of 
the  place  still  frequently  discourse,  whilst 
smoking  their  cigars  during  winter  nights 
over  their  braseros. 

The  Hungarian  Gypsies  have  a  peculiar 
accent  when  speaking  the  language  of  the 
country,  by  which  they  can  be  instantly  dis- 
tinguished; the  same  thing  is  applicable  to 
the  Gitanos  of  Spain,  when  speaking  Spanish. 
In  no  part  of  the  world  is  the  Gypsy  language 
preserved  better  than  in  Hungary. 

To  the  above  general  remarks  on  the  Hun- 
garian Gypsies,  we  shall  add  the  following 
particulars,  connected  with  them  and  their 
history,  collected  from  various  sources. 

The  first  Gypsies,  said  to  be  about  3000  in 
number,  made  their  appearance  a.  d.,  1417, 
during  the  reign  of  Sigismond,  emperor  of 
the  Romans  and  King  of  Hungaria,  and  set- 
tled in  Moldavia,  near  Szuesava,  with  the 
permission  of  Alexander,  vojvode  of  that 
country;  a  greater  number  of  the  adventurers 
J  allowed  during  the  next  succeeding  years, 
making  incursions  into  Wallachia,  Transyl- 
vania, and  Hungary.  One  band  in  particular, 
guided  by  their  vojvode  Laszlo  (Ladislaus,) 
settled  in  the  Zips  (Scepusium,)  and  obtained 
from  king  Sigismond,  according  to  Katona, 
a.  d.  1423,  the  writ  of  diploma  or  privilege 
of  settling  near  the  free  and  royal  towns, 
(libera  regiaque  urbs,  in  Hungary,  is  consi- 
dered as  the  peculium  regis,  the  king's  own,) 
and  on  the  crown  estates;  which  privilege 
placed  the  adventurers  under  the  king's  pro- 
tection.    At  'he  same  time  the  king  invested 


their  vojvode  with  the  power  of  settling  their 
domestic  quarrels.  Pzay  and  Fridvaldszky 
quote  a  diploma  of  free  migration  of  Wlad- 
islaus,  which  was  granted  to  the  vojvode 
Thomas  Bolgaz  and  to  his  twenty-five  Gyp- 
sies, living  under  the  same  tents,  whom  the 
king  gave  over  to  Sigismund,  bishop  of  Funf- 
kirchen,for  the  particular  object  of  preparing 
cannon  balls  and  different  kinds  of  weapons. 

The  Hungarian  Gypsies  were,  for  the  most 
part,  the  king's  own  subjects,  but  at  present 
they  are  subject  to  those  nobles  on  whose 
estates  they  dwell.  If  they  had  a  religion 
of  their  own  at  any  period,  they  most  cer- 
tainly have  forgotten  it;  they  generally  com- 
ply with  the  religious  ceremonies  of  the  place, 
town,  or  village  where  they  settle,  without 
caring  much  about  the  doctrine,  of  which 
they  know  little  or  nothing. 

In  ancient  times  every  tribe  had  in  Hun- 
gary a  particular  captain  and  judge;  in  Tran- 
sylvania they  had  their  vojvode,  to  whom 
they  paid  a  tax.  This  tax  was  fixed  in  1558 
by  law:  "  Vajvodae  Ciganorum  juxta  veterem 
consuetudinem  a  singulis  Ciganis  nonnisi 
florenum  unicum  ultra  annum  exigant;  ad 
Georgii  festum  denar.  50,  ad  Michaelis  toti- 
dem."  These  vojvodes  were  freely  chosen 
by  them  from  the  most  distinguished  families, 
and  the  new  vojvode  was  lifted  up  by  the 
people  amidst  deafening  acclamations.  They 
kept  writs  by  which  they  had  obtained  privi- 
leges from  several  Transylvanian  princes, 
and  in  particular  from  the  Batorys.  In  1568 
and  1600  the  dignity  of  a  vojvode  was  abo- 
lished. 

The  empress  Maria  Theresa  and  Joseph 
II.  made  some  ineffectual  attempts  to  civilize 
them.  In  1782  there  were  in  Hungary  50>000 
Gypsies,  according  to  a  census  taken:  since 
that  time  their  number  is  said  to  have  de- 
creased. 

THE  ENGLISH  GYPSIES,  OR  ROMMANY. 

No  country  appears  less  adapted  for  that 
wandering  life,  which  seems  so  natural  to 
these  people,  than  England.  Those  wilder- 
nesses and  forests,  which  they  are  so  attached 
to,  are  not  to  be  found  there;  every  inch  of 
land  is  cultivated,  and  its  produce  watched 
with  a  jealous  eye;  and  as  the  laws  against 
trampers,  without  the  visible  means  of  sup- 
porting themselves,  are  exceedingly  severe, 
the  possibility  of  the  Gypsies  existing  as  a 
distinct  race,  and  retaining  their  original  free 
and  independent  habits,  might  naturally  be 
called  in  question  by  those  who  had  not  satis- 
factorily verified  the  fact.  Yet  it  is  a  truth 
that,  amidst  all  these  seeming  disadvantages, 
they  not  only  exist  there,  but  in  no  part  of 
the  world  is  their  life  more  in  accordance 
with  the  general  idea  that,  the  Gypsy  is,  like 
Cain,  a  wanderer  of  the  earth;  for  in  England 
the  covered  cart  and  the  little  tent  are  the 
houses  of  the  Gypsy,  and  he  seldom  remains 
more  than  three  days  in  the  same  place. 

At  present  they  are  considered  in  some 
degree  as  a  privileged  people;  for,  though 


ENGLISH  GYPSIES,  OR  ROMMANY. 


11 


their  way  of  life  is  unlawful,  it  is  connived 
at;  the  law  of  England  having  discovered 
bjfr experience,  that  its  utmost  fury  is  ineffi- 
cient to  reclaim  them  from  their  inveterate 
habits. 

Shortly  after  their  first  arrival  in  England, 
which  is  upwards  of  three  centuries  since,  a 
dreadful  persecution  was  raised  against  them, 
the  aim  of  which  was  their  utter  extermina- 
tion, for  the  being  a  Gypsy  was  esteemed  a 
crime  worthy  of  death,  and  the  gibbets  of 
England  groaned  and  creaked  beneath  the 
weight  of  Gypsy  carcasses,  and  the  miserable 
survivors  were  literally  obliged  to  creep  into 
the  earth  in  order  to  preserve  their  lives. 
But  these  days  passed  by;  their  persecutors 
became  weary  of  pursuing  them;  they  showed 
their  heads  from  the  holes  and  caves  where 
they  had  hidden  themselves,  they  ventured 
forth,  increased  in  numbers,  and  each  tribe 
or  family  choosing  a  particular  circuit,  they 
fairly  divided  the  land  amongst  them. 

In  England,  the  male  Gypsies  are  all  deal- 
ers in  horses,  and  sometimes  employ  their 
idle  time  in  mending  the  tin  and  copper  uten- 
sils of  the  peasantry;  the  females  tell  fortunes. 
They  generally  pitch  their  tents  in  the  vici- 
nity of  a  village  or  small  town  by  the  road 
side,  under  the  shelter  of  the  hedges  and 
trees.  The  climate  of  England  is  well  known 
to  be  favourable  to  beauty,  and  in  no  part  of 
the  world  is  the  appearance  of  the  Gypsies 
so  prepossessing  as  in  that  country;  their 
complexion  is  dark,  but  not  disagreeably  so ; 
their  faces  are  oval,  their  features  regular, 
their  foreheads  rather  low,  and  their  hands 
and  feet  small.  The  men  are  taller  than 
the  English  peasantry,  and  far  more  active. 
They  all  speak  the  English  language  with 
fluency,  and  in  their  gait  and  demeanor  are 
easy  and  graceful ;  in  both  points  standing  in 
striking  contrast  with  the  peasantry,  who  in 
speech  are  slow  and  uncouth,  and  in  manner 
dogged  and  brutal. 

The  dialect  of  the  Rommany,  which  they 
speak,  though  mixed  with  English  words, 
may  be  considered  as  tolerably  pure,  from 
the  fact  that  it  is  intelligible  to  the  Gypsy 
race  in  the  heart  of  Russia.  Whatever 
crimes  they  may  commit,  their  vices  are  few, 
for  the  men  are  not  drunkards,  nor  are  the 
women  harlots ;  there  are  no  two  characters 
which  they  hold  in  so  much  abhorrence,  nor 
do  any  words  when  applied  by  them  convey 
so  much  execration  as  these  two. 

The  crimes  of  which  these  people  were 
originally  accused  were  various,  but  the  prin- 
cipal were  theft,  sorcery,  and  causing  disease 
among  the  cattle  ;  and  there  is  every  reason 
for  supposing  that  in  none  of  these  points 
they  were  altogether  guiltless. 

With  respect  to  sorcery,  a  thing  in  itself 
impossible,  not  only  the  English  Gypsies,  but 
the  whole  race  have  ever  professed  it;  there- 
fore, whatever  misery  they  may  have  suffered 
on  that  account,  they  may  be  considered  as 
having  called  it  down  upon  their  own  heads. 

Dabbling  in  sorcery  is  in  some  degree  the 
province  of  the  female  Gypsy.     She  affects 


to  tell  the  future,  and  to  prepare  philters  by 
means  of  which  love  can  be  awakened  in 
any  individual  towards  any  particular  object ; 
and  such  is  the  credulity  of  the  human  race, 
even  in  the  most  enlightened  countries,  that 
the  profits  arising  from  these  practices  are 
great.  The  following  is  a  case  in  point: 
two  females,  neighbours  and  friends,  were 
tried  some  years  since,  in  England,  for  the 
murder  of  their  husbands.  It  appeared  that 
they  were  in  love  with  the  same  individual, 
and  had  conjointly,  at  various  times,  paid 
sums  of  money  to  a  Gypsy  woman  to  work 
charms  to  captivate  his  affections.  What- 
ever little  effect  the  charms  might  produce, 
they  were  successful  in  their  principal  object, 
for  the  person  in  question  carried  on  for 
some  time  a  criminal  intercourse  with  both. 
The  matter  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
husbands,  who,  taking  means  to  break  off 
this  connexion,  were  respectively  poisoned 
by  their  wives.  Till  the  moment  of  convic- 
tion these  wretched  females  betrayed  neither 
emotion  nor  fear,  but  then  their  consternation 
was  indescribable ;  and  they  afterwards  con- 
fessed that  the  Gypsy,  who  had  visited  them 
in  prison,  had  promised  to  shield  them  from 
conviction  by  means  of  her  art.  It  is  there- 
fore not  surprising  that  in  the  fifteenth  and 
sixteenth  centuries,  when  a  belief  in  sorcery 
was  supported  by  the  laws  of  all  Europe, 
these  people  were  regarded  as  practisers  of 
sorcery,  and  punished  as  such,  when,  even 
in  the  nineteenth,  they  still  find  people  weak 
enough  to  place  confidence  in  their  claims  to 
supernatural  power. 

The  accusation  of  producing  disease  and 
death  amongst  the  cattle  was  far  from  ground- 
less. Indeed,  however  strange  and  incredi- 
ble it  may  sound  in  the  present  day  to  those 
who  are  unacquainted  with  this  caste,  and 
the  peculiar  habits  of  the  Rommanees,  the 
practice  is  still  occasionally  pursued  in  Eng- 
land and  many  other  countries  where  they 
are  found.  From  this  practice,  when  they 
are  not  detected,  they  derive  considerable  ad- 
vantage. Poisoning  cattle  is  exercised  by 
them  in  two  ways ;  by  one,  they  merely 
cause  disease  in  the  animals,  with  the  view 
of  receiving  money  for  curing  them  upon  of- 
fering their  services  ;  the  poison  is  generally 
administered  by  powders  cast  at  night  into 
the  mangers  in  which  the  animals  feed:  this 
way  is  entirely  confined  to  the  larger  cattle, 
such  as  horses  and  cows.  By  the  other, 
which  they  practise  chiefly  on  swine,  speedy 
death  is  almost  invariably  produced,  the  drug 
administered  being  of  a  highly  intoxicating 
nature,  and  affecting  the  brain.  They  then 
apply  at  the  house  or  farm  where  the  disas- 
ter has  occurred  for  the  carcass  of  the  animal, 
which  is  generally  given  them  without  suspi- 
cion, and  then  they  feast  on  the  flesh,  which 
is  not  injured  by  the  poison,  which  only  af- 
fects the  head. 

The  English  Gypsies  are  constant  attend- 
ants at  the  race-course  ;  what  jockey  is  not? 
Perhaps  jockeyism  originated  with  them,  and 
even  racing,  at  least  in  England,    Jockeyism 


12 


THE  GTPS1ES. 


properly  implies  the  management  of  a  whip, 
and  the  word  jockey  is  neither  more  nor  less 
than  the  term,  slightly  modified,  by  which 
they  designate  the  formidable  whips  which 
they  usually  carry,  and  which  are  at  present 
in  general  use  amongst  horse-traffickers,  un- 
der the  title  of  jockey  whips.  They  are  like- 
wise fond  of  resorting  to  the  prize  ring,  and 
have  occasionally  even  attained  some  emi- 
nence, as  principals,  in  those  disgraceful  and 
brutalizing  exhibitions,  called  pugilistic  com- 
bats. I  believe  a  great  deal  has  been  written 
on  the  subject  of  the  English  Gypsies,  but 
the  writers  have  dealt  too  much  in  generali- 
ties ;  they  have  been  afraid  to  take  the  Gypsy 
by  the  hand,  lead  him  forth  from  the  crowd, 
and  exhibit  him  in  the  area ;  he  is  well  worth 
observing.  When  a  boy  of  fourteen,  I  was 
present  at  a  prize  fight ;  why  should  I  hide 
the  truth  1  It  took  place  on  a  green  meadow, 
beside  a  running  stream,  close  by  the  old 

church  of  E ,  and  within  a  league  of  the 

ancient  town  of  N ,  the  capital  of  one  of 

the  eastern  counties.  The  terrible  Thurtell 
was  present,  lord  of  the  concourse;  for 
wherever  he  moved  he  was  master,  and 
whenever  he  spoke,  even  when  in  chains, 
every  other  voice  was  silent.  He  stood  on 
the  mead,  grim  and  pale  as  usual,  with  his 
bruisers  around.  He  it  was,  indeed,  who 
got  up  the  fight,  as  he  had  previously  done 
with  respect  to  twenty  others ;  it  being  his 
frequent  boast  that  he  had  first  introduced 
bruising  and  bloodshed  amidst  rural  scenes, 
and  transformed  a  quiet  slumbering  town 
into  a  den  of  Jews  and  metropolitan  thieves. 
Some  time  before  the  commencement  of  the 
combat,  three  men,  mounted  on  wild-looking 
horses,  came  dashing  down  the  road  in  the 
direction  of  the  meadow,  in  the  midst  of 
which  they  presently  showed  themselves, 
their  horses  clearing  the  deep  ditches  with 
wonderful  alacrity.  "  That's  Gypsy  Will  and 
his  gang,"  lisped  a  Hebrew  pickpocket ;  "  we 
shall  have  another  fight."  The  word  Gypsy 
was  always  sufficient  to  excite  my  curiosity, 
and  I  looked  attentively  at  the  new  comers. 
I  have  seen  Gypsies  of  various  lands,  Rus- 
sian, Hungarian  and  Turkish;  and  I  have 
also  seen  the  legitimate  children  of  most 
countries  of  the  world,  but  I  never  saw,  upon 
the  whole,  three  more  remarkable  individuals, 
as  far  as  personal  appearance  was  concerned, 
than  the  three  English  Gypsies  who  now  pre- 
sented themselves  to  my  eyes  on  that  spot. 
Two  of  them  had  dismounted,  and  were  hold- 
ing their  horses  by  the  reins.  The  tallest, 
and,  at  the  first  glance,  the  most  interesting 
of  the  two,  was  almost  a  giant,  for  his  height 
could  not  have  been  less  than  six  feet  three. 
It  is  impossible  for  the  imagination  to  con- 
ceive any  thing  more  perfectly  beautiful  than 
were  the  features  of  this  man,  and  the  most 
skilful  sculptor  of  Greece  might  have  taken 
them  as  his  model  for  a  hero  and  a  god.  The 
forehead  was  exceedingly  lofty, — a  rare  thing 
in  a  Gypsy; — the  nose  less  Roman  than  Gre- 
cian,— fine  yet  delicate ;  the  eyes  large,  over- 
hung with  long  drooping  lashes,  giving  them 


almost  a  melancholy  expression ;  it  was  only 
when  they  were  highly  elevated  that  the 
Gypsy  glance  peered  out,  if  that  can  be  called 
glance  which  is  a  strange  stare,  like  nothing 
else  in  this  world.  His  complexion — a  beau- 
tiful olive;  and  his  teeth  of  a  brilliancy  un- 
common even  amongst  these  people,  who 
have  all  fine  teeth.  He  was  dressed  in  a 
coarse  wagoner's  slop,  which,  however,  was 
unable  to  conceal  altogether  the  proportions 
of  his  noble  and  Herculean  figure.  He  might 
be  about  twenty-eight.  His  companion  and 
his  captain,  Gypsy  Will,  was,  I  think,  fifty 
when  he  was  hanged,  ten  years  subsequently, 
(for  I  never  afterwards  lost  sight  of  him,)  in 
the  front  of  the  jail  of  Bury  St.  Edmonds.  I 
have  still  present  before  me  his  bushy  black 
hair,  his  black  face,  and  his  big  black  eyes, 
full  and  thoughtful,  but  fixed  and  staring. 
His  dress  consisted  of  a  loose  blue  jockey 
coat,  jockey  boots  and  breeches  ;  in  his  hand 
a  huge  jockey  whip,  and  on  his  head  (it  struck 
me  at  the  time  for  its  singularity)  a  broad- 
brimmed,  high-peaked  Andalusian  hat,  or  at 
least  one  very  much  resembling  those  gene- 
rally worn  in  that  province.  In  stature  he 
was  shorter  than  his  more  youthful  compa- 
nion, yet  he  must  have  measured  six  feet  at 
least,  and  was  stronger  built,  if  possible. 
What  brawn  ! — what  bone  ! — what  legs  ! — 
what  thighs  !  The  third  Gypsy,  who  re- 
mained on  horseback,  looked  more  like  a 
phantom  than  any  thing  human.  His  com-" 
plexion  was  the  colour  of  pale  dust,  and  of 
that  same  colour  was  all  that  pertained  to 
him,  hat  and  clothes.  His  boots  were  dusty 
of  course,  for  it  was  midsummer,  and  his  very 
horse  was  of  a  dusty  dun.  His  features  were 
whimsically  ugly,  most  of  his  teeth  were 
gone,  and  as  to  his  age,  he  might  be  thirty 
or  sixty.  He  was  somewhat  lame  and  halt, 
but  an  unequalled  rider  when  once  upon  his 
steed,  which  he  was  naturally  not  very  soli- 
citous to  quit.  I  subsequently  discovered 
that  he  was  considered  the  wizard  of  the 
gang. 

I  have  been  already  prolix  with  respect  to 
these  Gypsies,  but  I  will  not  leave  them  quite 
yet.  The  intended  combatants  at  length  ar- 
rived ;  it  was  necessary  to  clear  the  ring, — 
always  a  troublesome  and  difficult  task.  Thur- 
tell went  up  to  the  two  Gypsies,  with  whom 
he  seemed  to  be  acquainted,  and,  with  his 
surly  smile,  said  two  or  three  words,  which 
I,  who  was  standing  by,  did  not  understand. 
The  Gypsies  smiled  in  return,  and  giving  the 
reins  of  their  animals  to  their  mounted  com- 
panion, immediately  set  about  the  task  which 
the  king  of  the  flashmen  had,  as  I  conjecture, 
imposed  upon  them ;  this  they  soon  accom- 
plished. Who  could  stand  against  such  fel- 
lows and  such  whips?  The  fight  was  soon 
over — then  there  was  a  pause.  Once  more 
Thurtell  came  up  to  the  Gypsies  and  said 
something;  the  Gypsies  looked  at  each  other 
and  conversed,  but  their  words  had  then  no 
meaning  for  my  ears.  The  tall  Gypsy  shook 
his  head — "Very  well,"  said  the  other,  in 
English,  "I  will— that's  all." 


GYPSY  CLANS. CURRAPLE. 


13 


Then  pushing  the  people  aside,  he  strode 
to  the  ropes,  over  which  he  bounded  into  the 
ring,  flinging  his  Spanish  hat  high  into  the 
air. 

Gypsy  Will.— "The  best  man  in  England 
for  twenty  pounds?" 

Thurtell.— "I  am  backer." 

Twenty  pounds  is  a  tempting  sum,— and 
there  were  men  that  day  upon  the  green 
meadow  who  would  have  shed  the  blood  of 
their  own  fathers  for  the  fifth  of  the  price. 
But  the  Gypsy  was  not  an  unknown  man,  his 
prowess  and  strength  were  notorious,  and  no 
one  cared  to  encounter  him.  Some  of  the 
Jews  looked  eager  for  a  moment;  but  their 
sharp  eyes  quailed  quickly  before  his  savage 
glances,  as  he  towered  in  the  ring,  his  huge 
form  dilating,  and  his  black  features  con- 
vulsed with  excitement.  The  Westminster 
bravos  eyed  the  Gypsy  askance;  but  the 
comparison,  if  they  made  any,  seemed  by  no 
means  favourable  to  themselves.  "Gypsy! 
rurn  chap.— Ugly  customer,— always  in  train- 

ing'>j  Such  Were  the  exc]anmtions  which  I 
heard,  some  of  which  at  that  period  of  my 
life  I  did  not  understand. 

No  man  would  fight  the  Gvpsy.— Yes  !  a 
strong  country  fellow  wished  to  win  the 
stakes,  and  was  about  to  fling  up  his  hat  in 
defiance,  but  he  was  prevented  by  his  friends, 
•with— "Fool !  he'll  kill  you  !" 

As  the  Gypsies  were  mounting  their  horses, 
I  heard  the  dusty  phantom  exclaim— 

"Brother,  you  are  an  arrant  ring-maker 
=and  a  horse-breaker ;  you'll  make  a  hempen 
ring  to  break  your  own  neck  of  a  horse  one 
of  these  days." 

They  pressed  their  horses'  flanks,  again 
leaped  over  the  ditches,  and  speedily  va- 
nished, amidst  the  whirlwinds  of  dust  which 
they  raised  upon  the  road. 

The  words  of  the  phantom  Gypsy  were 
ominous.  Gypsy  Will  was  eventually  exe- 
cuted for  a  murder  committed  in  his  early 
youth,  in  company  with  two  English  labour- 
ers, one  of  whom  confessed  the  fact  on  his 
•death-bed.  He  was  the  head  of  the  clan 
Young,  which,  with  the  clan  Smith,  or  Cur- 
raple,  still  haunts  two  of  the  eastern  coun- 
ties. 

The  name  Curraple  is  a  favourite  one 
amongst  the  Gypsies.  It  excited  the  curi- 
osity of  the  amiable  White,  of  Selbourne, 
who  m  one  of  his  letters  mentions  it  as  per- 
taining to  the  clan  Stanley.  He  conceived 
it  to  be  partly  Greek,  from  the  termination 
aple,  or  ople,  which  put  him  in  mind  of  jtoak. 
Curraple,*  however,  means  a  smith — a  name 
very  appropriate  to  a  Gypsy. 

THE  GYPSIES  OP  THE  EAST,  OR  ZINGARRI. 

What  has  been  said  of  the  Gypsies  of  Eu- 
rope is,  to  a  considerable  extent,  applicable 
to  their  brethren  in  the  East,  or  as  t'hev  are 
called  Zingarri ;  they  are  either  found  wan- 

*  The  root  is  ••  curaw,"  to  strike,  hammer,  &c.  Curra- 
ple is  likewise  a  legitimate  Sanscrit  word,  signifying  a 
jxoord. 

.3 


dering  amongst  the  deserts  or  mountains,  or 
settled  in  towns,  supporting  themselves  by 
horse-dealing  or  jugglery,  by  music  and  song. 
In  no  part  of  the  East  are  they  more  nume- 
rous than  in  Turkey,  especially  in  Constan- 
tinople, where  the  females  frequently  enter 
the  harems  of  the  great,  pretending  to  cure 
children  of  "the  evil  eye,"  and  to  interpret 
the  dreams  of  the  women.  They  are  not  un- 
frequently  seen  in  the  coffee-houses,  exhibit- 
ing their  figures  in  lascivious  dances  to  the 
tune  of  various  instruments;  yet  these  fe- 
males are  by  no  means  unchaste,  however 
their  manners  and  appearance  may  denote 
the  contrary,  and  either  Turk  or  Christian 
who,  stimulated  by  their  songs  and  voluptu- 
ous movements,  should  address  them  with 
proposals  of  a  dishonourable  nature,  would, 
in  all  probability,  meet  with  a  decided  re- 
pulse. 

Amongst  the  Zingarri  are  not  a  few  who 
deal  in  precious  stones,  and  some  who  vend 
poisons;  and  the  most  remarkable  individual 
whom  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  encounter 
amongst  the  Gypsies,  whether  of  the  Eastern 
or  Western  world,  was  a  person  who  dealt 
in  both  these  articles.  He  was  fc  native  of 
Constantinople,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  his  trade 
had  visited  the  most  remote  and  remarkable 
portions  of  the  world.  He  had  traversed 
alone  and  on  foot  the  greatest  part  of  India; 
he  spoke  several  dialects  of  the  Malay,  and 
understood  the  original  language  of  Java, 
that  isle  more  fertile  in  poisons  than  even 
"  far  Iolchos  and  Spain."  From  what  1  could 
learn  from  him,  it  appeared  that  his  jewels 
were  in  less  request  than  his  drugs,  though, 
he  assured  me  that  there  was  scarcely  a  Bey 
or  Satrap  in  Persia  or  Turkey  whom  he  had 
not  supplied  with  both.  I  have  seen  this  in- 
dividual in  more  countries  than  one,  for  he 
flits  over  the  world  like  the  shadow  of  a  cloud, 
the  last  time  at  Granada  in  Spain,  whither  he 
had  come  after  paying  a  visit  to  his  Gitano 
brethren  in  the  presidio  of  Ceuta. 

Few  Eastern  authors  have  spoken  of  the 
Zingarri,  notwithstanding  they  have  been 
known  in  the  East  for  many  centuries; 
amongst  the  few,  none  has  made  more  curi- 
ous mention  of  them  than  Arabschah,  in  a 
chapter  of  his  life  of  Timour  or  Tamerlane, 
which  is  deservedly  considered  as  one  of  the 
three  classic  works  of  Arabian  literature. 
This  passage,  which,  while  it  serves  to  illus- 
trate the  craft,  if  not  the  valour  of  the  con- 
queror of  half  the  world,  offers  some  curious 
particulars  as  to  Gypsy  life  in  the  East  at  a 
remote  period,  will  scarcely  be  considered 
out  of  place  if  reproduced  here,  and  the  fol- 
lowing is  as  close  a  translation  of  it  as  the 
metaphorical  style  of  the  original  will  allow. 

"There  were  in  Samarcand  numerous  fa- 
milies of  Zingarri  of  various  descriptions; 
some  were  wrestlers,  others  gladiators,  others 
pugilists.  These  peoplo  were  much  at  vari- 
ance, so  that  hostilities  and  battling  were  con- 
tinually arising  amongst  them.  Each  band 
had  its  chief  and  subordinate  officers;  and  it 
came  to  pass  that  Timour  and  the  power 


14 


THE  GYPSIES. 


which  he  possessed  filled  them  with  dread, 
for  they  knew  that  he  was  aware  of  their 
crimes  and  disorderly  way  of  life.  Now  it 
was  the  custom  of  Timour,  on  departing  upon 
his  expeditions,  to  leave  a  viceroy  in  Samar- 
cand ;  but  no  sooner  had  he  left  the  city,  than 
forth  marched  these  bands,  and  giving  battle 
to  the  viceroy,  deposed  him  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  government,  so  that  on  the  return 
of  Timour  he  found  order  broken,  confusion 
reigning,  and  his  throne  overturned,  and  then 
he  had  much  to  do  in  restoring  things  to  their 
former  state,  and  in  punishing  or  pardoning 
the  guilty;  but  no  sooner  did  he  depart  again 
to  his  wars,  and  to  his  various  other  con- 
cerns, than  they  broke  out  into  the  same  ex- 
cesses, and  this  they  repeated  no  less  than 
three  times,  and  he  at  length  laid  a  plan  for 
their  utter  extermination,  and  it  was  the  fol- 
lowing. He  commenced  building  a  wall,  and 
he  summoned  unto  him  the  people  small  and 
great,  and  he  allotted  to  every  man  his  place, 
and  to  every  workman  his  duty,  and  he  sta- 
tioned the  Zingarri  and  their  chieftains  apart; 
and  in  one  particular  spot  he  placed  a  band 
of  soldiers,  and  he  commanded  them  to  kill 
whomsoever  he  should  send  to  them ;  and 
having  done  so,  he  called  to  him  the  heads 
of  thelpeople,  and  he  filled  the  cup  for  them, 
and  placed  upon  them  a  splendid  vest ;  and 
when  the  turn  came  to  the  Zingarri,  he  like- 
wise pledged  one  of  them,  and  bestowed  a 
vest  upon  him,  and  sent  him  with  a  message 
to  the  soldiers,  who,  as  soon  as  he  arrived, 
tore  from  him  his  vest  and  stabbed  him,  pour- 
ing forth  the  gold  of  his  heart  into  the  pan  of 
destruction,*  and  in  this  way  they  continued 
until  the  last  of  them  was  destroyed;  and  by 
that  blow  he  exterminated  their  race,  and 
their  traces,  and  from  that  time  forward  there 
were  no  more  rebellions  in  Samarcand." 

It  has  of  late  years  been  one  of  the  favour- 
ite theories  of  the  learned,  that  Timour's  in- 


life. 


An  eastern  image  tantamount  to  the  taking  away  of 


vasion  of  Hindostan,  and  the  cruelties  com- 
mitted by  his  savage  hordes  in  that  part  of 
the  world,  caused  a  vast  number  of  Hindoos 
to  abandon  their  native  land,  and  that  the 
Gypsies  of  the  present  day  are  the  descend- 
ants of  those  exiles  who  wended  their  weary- 
way  to  the  West.  Now  provided  the  above 
passage  in  the  work  of  Arabschah  be  entitled 
to  credence,  the  opinion  that  Timour  was  the 
cause  of  the  expatriation  and  subsequent  wan- 
dering life  of  these  people,  must  be  abandoned 
as  untenable.  At  the  time  he  is  stated  by  the 
Arabian  writer  to  have  annihilated  the  Gypsy 
hordes  of  Samarcand,  he  had  but  just  com- 
menced his  career  of  conquest  and  devasta- 
tion, and  had  not  even  directed  his  thoughts 
to  the  invasion  of  India;  yet  at  this  early  pe- 
riod of  the  history  of  his  life  we  find  families 
of  Zingarri  established  at  Samarcand,  living 
much  in  the  same  manner  as  others  of  the 
race  have  subsequently  done  in  various  towns 
of  Europe  and  the  East;  but  supposing  the 
event  here  narrated  to  be  a  fable,  or  at  best 
a  floating  legend,  it  appears  singular  that,  if 
they  left  their  native  land  to  escape  from  Ti- 
mour, they  should  never  have  mentioned  in 
the  Western  world  the  name  of  that  scourge 
of  the  human  race,  nor  detailed  the  history 
of  their  flight  and  sufferings,  which  assuredly 
would  have  procured  them  sympathy;  the  ra- 
vages of  Timour  being  already  but  too  well 
known  in  Europe.  That  they  came  from  In- 
dia is  much  easier  to  prove  than  that  they 
fled  before  the  fierce  Mongol. 

Such  people  as  the  Gypsies,  whom  the 
Bishop  of  Forli,  in  the  year  1422,  only  six- 
teen years  subsequent  to  the  invasion  of  In- 
dia, describes  as  a  "  raging  rabble,  of  brutal 
and  animal  propensities,"*  are  not  such  as 
generally  abandon  their  country  on  foreign 


*Gentes  non  multum  morigeratjc,sed  quasi  bruta  ann 
ma'ia  et  furentes.  See  Vol.  xxii.  of  the  Supplement  to 
the  works  of  Muratori,  p.  890. 


THE  ZINCALI. 


CHAPTER  I. 


OP  THE  SPANISH  GYPSIES  IN  GENERAL. — 
NAMES.— ARRIVAL — EGYPTIAN  PENITENTS. 
PECULIARITIES      OF      SPAIN. PROVINCES 

.  WHICH  THE  GYPSIES  PRINCIPALLY  FRE- 
QUENTED. 

Gitanos,  or  Egyptians,  is  the  name  by 
which  the  Gypsies  have  been  most  generally 
known  in  Spain,  in  the  ancient  as  well  as  in 
the  modern  period,  but  various  other  names 
have  been  and  still  are  applied  to  them  ;  for 
example,  New  Castilians,  Germans,  and  Fle- 
mings ;  the  first  of  which  titles  probably  ori- 
ginated after  the  name  of  Gitano  had  begun 
to  be  considered  a  term  of  reproach  and  in- 
famy. They  may  have  thus  designated  them- 
selves from  an  unwillingness  to  utter,  when 
speaking  of  themselves,  the  detested  expres- 
sion "  Gitano,"  a  word  which  seldom  escapes 
their  mouths ;  or  it  may  have  been  applied 
to  them  first  by  the  Spaniards,  in  their  mu- 
tual dealings  and  communication,  as  a  term 
less  calculated  to  wound  their  feelings  and 
to  beget  a  spirit  of  animosity  than  the  other; 
but,  however  it  might  have  originated,  New 
Castilian,  in  course  of  time,  became  a  term 
of  little  less  infamy  than  Gitano;  for,  by  the 
law  of  Philip  the  Fourth,  both  terms  are  for- 
bidden to  be  applied  to  them  under  severe 
penalties. 

That  they  were  called  Germans  may  be 
accounted  for  either  by  the  supposition  that 
their  generic  name  of  Rommany  was  misun- 
derstood and  mispronounced  by  the  Spa- 
niards, amongst  whom  they  came,  or  from 
the  fact  of  their  having  passed  through  Ger- 
many in  their  way  to  the  south,  and  their 
bearing  passports  and  letters  of  safety  from 
the  various  German  states.  The  title  of  Fle- 
mings, by  which  at  the  present  day  they  are 
known  in  various  parts  of  Spain,  would  pro- 
bably never  have  been  bestowed  upon  them 
but  from  the  circumstance  of  their  having 
been  designated  or  believed  to  be  Germans 
as  German  and  Fleming  are  considered  by 
the  ignorant  as  synonymous  terms. 

Amongst  themselves  they  have  three  words 
to  distinguish  them  and  their  race  in  gene- 
ral :  Zincalo,  Romano,  and  Chai ;  of  the  first 
two  of  which  something  has  been  already 
said. 

They  likewise  call  themselves  "Cales," 
by  which  appellation  indeed  they  are  tolera- 


bly well  known  by  the  Spaniards,  and  which 
is  merely  the  plural  termination  of  the  com* 
pound  word  Zincalo,  and  signifies,  The  black 
men.  Chai  is  a  modification  of  the  word 
Chal,  which,  by  the  Gitanos  of  Estremadurar 
is  applied  to  Egypt,  and  in  many  parts  of 
Spain  is  equivalent  to  "  Heaven,"  and  which 
is  perhaps  a  modification  of  "  Cheros,"  the 
word  for  heaven  in  other  dialects  of  the  Gyp- 
sy language.  Thus  Chai  may  denote,  The 
men  of  Egypt,  or,  The  sons  of  Heaven.  It 
is,  however,  right  to  observe,  that  amongst 
the  Gitanos,  the  word  Chai  has  frequently 
no  other  signification  than  the  simple  one  of 
"  children." 

It  is  impossible  to  state  for  certainty  the 
exact  year  of  their  first  appearance  in  Spam ; 
but  it  is  reasonable  to  presume  that  it  was 
early  in  the  fifteenth  century ;  as  in  the  year 
1417  numerous  bands  entered  France  from 
the  north-east  of  Europe,  and  speedily  spread 
themselves  over  the  greatest  part  of  that 
country.  Of  these  wanderers  a  French  au- 
thor has  left  the  following  graphic  descrip- 
tion :* —  .  . 

"On  the  17th  of  April,  1427,  appeared  in 
Paris  twelve  penitents  of  Egypt,  driven  from 
thence  by  the  Saracens;  they  brought  in 
their  company  one  hundred  and  twenty  per- 
sons ;  they  took  up  their  quarters  in  La  Cha- 
pelle,  whither  the  people  flocked  in  crowds 
to  visit  them.  They  had  their  ears  pierced, 
from  which  depended  a  ring  of  silver;  their 
hair  was  black  and  crispy,  and  their  women 
were  filthy  to  a  degree,  and  were  sorceresses 
who  told  fortunes." 

Such  were  the  people,  who,  after  tra- 
versing France  and  scaling  the  sides  of  the 
Pyrenees,  poured  down  in  various  bands 
upon  the  sun-burnt  plains  of  Spain.  Wherever 
they  had  appeared  they  had  been  looked 
upon  as  a  curse  and  a  pestilence,  and  with 
much  reason.  Either  unwilling  or  unable  to 
devote  themselves  to  any  laborious  or  useful 
occupation,  they  came  like  flights  of  wasps 
to  prey  upon  the  fruits  which  their  more  in- 
dustrious fellow  beings  amassed  by  the  toil 
of  their  hands  and  the  sweat  of  their  fore- 
heads ;  the  natural  result  being,  that  wherever 
they  arrived,  their  follow  creatures  banded 
themselves  against  them.  Terrible  laws 
were  enacted  soon  after  their  appearance  ID 
France,   calculated  to  put  a  stop  to  their 


*  As  quoted  by  Hcrvas 
vol.  iii.  p.  30G. 


Catalogo  dc  las  Lenguas, 

15 


16 


THE  ZINCALI. 


frauds  and  dishonest  propensities;  wherever 
their  hordes  were  found  they  were  attacked 
by  the  incensed  rustics  or  by  the  armed  hand 
of  justice,  and  those  who  were  not  massacred 
on  the  spot,  or  could  not  escape  by  flight, 
were,  without  a  shadow  of  trial,  either  hanged 
on  the  next  tree,  or  sent  to  serve  for  life  in 
the  galleys ;  or  if  females  or  children,  either 
scourged  or  mutilated. 

The  consequence  of  this  severity,  which, 
considering  the  manners  and  spirit  of  the 
time,  is  scarcely  to  be  wondered  at,  was  the 
speedy  disappearance  of  the  Gypsies  from 
the  soil  of  France. 

Many  returned  by  the  way  they  came,  to 
Germany,  Hungary,  and  the  woods  and  fo- 
rests of  Bohemia,  but  there  is  little  doubt 
that  by  far  the  greatest  portion  found  a  refuge 
in  the  Peninsula,  a  country  which,  though  by 
no  means  so  rich  and  fertile  as  the  one  they 
had  quitted,  nor  offering  so  wide  and  ready  a 
field  for  the  exercise  of  those  fraudulent  arts 
for  which  their  race  had  become  so  infa- 
mously notorious,  was  nevertheless,  in  many 
respects,  suitable  and  congenial  to  them.  If 
there  were  less  gold  and  silver  in  the  purses 
of  the  citizens  to  reward  the  dexterous  han- 
dler of  the  knife  and  scissors  amidst  the 
crowd  in  the  market  place;  if  fewer  sides  of 
fatted  swine  graced  the  ample  chimney  of 
the  labourer  in  Spain,  than  in  the  neighbour- 
ing country ;  if  fewer  beeves  bellowed  in  the 
plains,  and  fewer  sheep  bleated  upon  the 
hills,  there  were  far  better  opportunities 
afforded  of  indulging  in  wild  independence. 
Should  the  halberded  bands  of  the  city  be 
ordered  out  to  quell,  seize,  or  exterminate 
them  ;  should  the  alcalde  of  the  village  cause 
the  tocsin  to  be  rung,  gathering  together  the 
villanos  for  a  similar  purpose,  the  wild  sierra 
was  generally  at  hand,  which,  with  its  wind- 
ing paths,  its  caves,  its  frowning  precipices, 
and  ragged  thickets,  would  offer  to  them  a 
secure  refuge  where  they  might  laugh  to 
scorn  the  rage  of  their  baffled  pursuers,  and 
from  which  they  might  emerge  either  to 
fresh  districts  or  to  those  which  they  had 
left,  to  repeat  their  ravages  when  opportunity 
served. 

After  crossing  the  Pyrenees,  a  very  short 
time  elapsed  before  the  Gypsy  hordes  had 
bivouacked  in  the  principal  provinces  of 
Spain.  There  can,  indeed,  be  little  doubt 
that,  shortly  after  their  arrival,  they  made 
themselves  perfectly  acquainted  with  all  the 
secrets  of  the  land,  and  that  there  was  scarce- 
ly a  nook  or  retired  corner  within  Spain, 
from  which  the  smoke  of  their  fires  had  not 
arisen,  or  where  their  cattle  had  not  grazed. 
People,  however,  so  acute  as  they  have  al- 
ways .proverbially  been,  would  scarcely  be 
slow  in  distinguishing  the  provinces  most 
adapted  to  their  manner  of  life,  and  most 
calculated  to  afford  them  opportunities  of 
practising  those  arts  to  which  they  were 
mainly  indebted  for  their  subsistence ;  the 
savage  hills  of  Biscay,  of  Galicia,  and  the 
Asturias,  whose  inhabitants  were  almost  as 
poor  as    themselves,   which    possessed    no 


superior  breed  of  horses  or  mules,  from 
amongst  which  they  might  pick  and  purloin 
many  a  gallant  beast,  and  having  transformed 
by  their  dexterous  scissors,  impose  him 
again  upon  his  rightful  master  for  a  high 
price, — such  provinces,  where,  moreover, 
provisions  were  hard  to  be  obtained,  even  by 
pilfering  hands,  could  scarcely  be  supposed 
to  offer  strong  temptations  to  these  roving 
visiters  to  settle  down  in,  or  to  vex  and 
harass  by  a  long  sojourn. 

Valencia  and  Murcia  found  far  more  favour 
in  their  eyes;  a  far  more  fertile  soil,  and 
wealthier  inhabitants,  were  better  calculated 
to  entice  them ;  there  was  a  prospect  of 
plunder,  and  likewise  a  prospect  of  safety 
and  refuge,  should  the  dogs  of  justice  be 
roused  against  them.  If  there  were  the  popu- 
lous town  and  village  in  those  lands,  there 
was  likewise  the  lone  waste,  and  uncultivated 
spot,  to  which  they  could  retire  when  danger 
threatened  them.  Still  more  suitable  to  them 
must  have  been  La  Mancha,  a  land  of  tillage, 
of  horses,  and  of  mules,  skirted  by  its  brown 
sierra,  ever  eager  to  afford  its  shelter  to  their 
dusky  race.  Equally  suitable,  Estremadura 
and  New  Castile;  but  far,  far  more,  Andalu- 
sia, with  its  three  kingdoms,  Jaen,  Granada, 
and  Seville,  one  of  which  was  still  possessed 
by  the  swarthy  Moor — Andalusia,  the  land 
of  the  proud  steed  and  the  stubborn  mule, 
the  land  of  the  savage  sierra  and  the  fruitful 
and  cultivated  plain  :  to  Andalusia  they  hied, 
in  bands  ot  thirties  and  sixties;  the  hoofs  of 
their  asses  might  be  heard  clattering  in  the 
passes  of  the  stony  hills;  the  girls  might  be 
seen  bounding  in  lascivious  dance  in  the 
streets  of  many  a  town,  and  the  beldames 
standing  beneath  the  eaves  telling  the  "bue- 
na  ventura"  to  many  a  credulous  female 
dupe  ;  the  men  the  while  chaffered  in  the  fair 
and  market-place  with  the  labourers  and  cha- 
lanes,  casting  significant  glances  on  each 
other,  or  exchanging  a  word  or  two  in  Rom- 
many,  whilst  they  placed  some  uncouth  ani- 
mal in  a  particular  posture  which  served  to 
conceal  its  ugliness  from  the  eyes  of  the 
chapman.  Yes,  of  all  provinces  of  Spain, 
Andalusia  was  the  most  frequented  by  the 
Gitano  race,  and  in  Andalusia  they  most 
abound  at  the  present  day,  though  no  longer 
as  restless  independent  wanderers  of  the 
fields  and  hills,  but  as  residents  in  villages 
and  towns, — especially  in  Seville. 


CHAPTER  II. 

MANNER    OF    LIFE. PREDATORY    HABITS. 

THE     TRAVELLER. — JEWS     AND     GYPSIES. 

THE        FORGE. — THE       SPARKS.  —  GYPSY 

COUNTS. MARTIN      DEL      RIO. — FACILITY 

IN  SPEAKING  LANGUAGES. PROVERBS- 

Having  already  stated  to  the  reader  at 
what  period  and  by  what  means  these  wan- 


PREDATORY  HABITS. 


17 


derers  introduced  themselves  into  Spain,  we 
shall  now  say  something  concerning  their 
manner  of  life. 

It  would  appear  that,  for  many  years  after 
their  arrival  in  the  Peninsula,  their  manners 
and  habits  underwent  no  change;  they  were 
wanderers,  in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  word, 
and  lived  much  in  the  same  way  as  their 
brethren  exist  in  the  present  day  in  England, 
Russia,  and  Bessarabia,  with  the  exception 
perhaps  of  being  more  reckless,  mischievous, 
and  having  less  respect  for  the  laws ;  it  is 
true  that  their  superiority  in  wickedness  in 
these  points  may  have  been  more  the  effect 
of  the  moral  state  of  the  country  in  which 
they  were,  than  of  any  other  operating  cause. 

Arriving  in  Spain  with  a  predisposition  to 
every  species  of  crime  and  villany,  they  were 
not  likely  to  be  improved  or  reclaimed  by  the 
example  of  the  people  with  whom  they  were 
about  to  mix ;  nor  was  it  probable  that  they 
would  entertain  much  respect  for  laws  which, 
from  time  immemorial,  have  principally 
served,  not  to  protect  the  honest  and  useful 
members  of  society,  but  to  enrich  those  in- 
trusted with  the  administration  of  them. 
Thus,  if  they  came  thieves,  it  was  not  pro- 
bable that  they  would  become  ashamed  of 
the  title  of  thief  in  Spain,  where  the  officers 
of  justice  were  ever  willing  to  shield  an  of- 
fender on  receiving  the  iargest  portion  of  the 
booty  obtained.  If  on  their  arrival  they 
held  the  lives  of  others  in  very  low  estima- 
tion, could  it  be  expected  that  they  would 
become  gentle  as  lambs  in  a  land  where 
blood  had  its  price,  and  the  shedder  of  blood 
was  seldom  executed  unless  he  was  poor  and 
friendless,  and  unable  to  cram  with  ounces 
of  yellow  gold  the  greedy  hands  of  the  pur- 
suers of  blood, — the  alguazil  and  escribano; 
therefore,  if  the  Spanish  Gypsies  have  been 
more  bloody  and  more  wolfishly  eager  in  the 
pursuit  of  booty  than  those  of  their  race  in 
most  other  regions,  the  cause  must  be  attri- 
buted to  their  residence  in  a  country  unsound 
in  every  branch  of  its  civil  polity,  where 
right  has  ever  been  in  less  esteem,  and  wrong 
in  less  disrepute,  than  in  any  other  part  of 
the  world. 

However,  if  the  moral  state  of  Spain  was 
not  calculated  to  have  a  favourable  effect  on 
the  habits  and  pursuits  of  the  Gypsies,  their 
manners  were  as  little  calculated  to  operate 
beneficially,  in  any  point  of  view,  on  the 
country  where  they  had  lately  arrived.  Di- 
vided into  numerous  bodies,  frequently  for- 
midable in  point  of  number,  their  presence 
was  an  evil  and  a  curse  in  whatever  quarter 
they  directed  their  steps.  As  might  be  ex- 
pected, the  labourers,  who  in  all  countries 
are  the  most  honest,  most  useful  and  merito- 
rious class,  were  the  principal  sufferers ;  their 
mules  and  horses  were  stolen,  carried  away 
to  distant  fairs,  and  there  disposed  of,  per- 
haps, to  individuals  destined  to  be  deprived 
of  them  in  a  similar  manner;  whilst  their 
flocks  of  sheep  and  goats  were  laid  under 
requisition  to  assuage  the  hungry  cravings  of 
these  thievish  cormorants. 

C 


It  was  not  uncommon  for  a  large  band  or 
tribe  to  encamp  in  the  vicinity  of  a  remote 
village  scantily  peopled,  and  to  remain  there 
until,  like  a  flight  of  locusts,  they  had  con- 
sumed every  thing  which  the  inhabitants 
possessed  for  their  support;  or  until  they 
were  scared  away  by  the  approach  of  justice, 
or  by  an  army  of  rustics  assembled  from  the 
surrounding  country.  Then  would  ensue  the 
hurried  march;  the  women  and  children, 
mounted  on  lean  but  spirited  asses,  would 
scour  along  the  plains  fleeter  than  the  wind; 
ragged  and  savage-looking  men,  wielding 
the  scourge  and  goad,  would  scamper  by 
their  side  or  close  behind,  whilst  perhaps  a 
small  party  on  strong  horses,  armed  with 
rusty  matchlocks  or  sabres,  would  bring  up 
the  rear,  threatening  the  distant  foe,  and 
now  and  then  saluting  them  with  a  hoarse 
blast  from  the  Gypsy  horn  : — 

"  O,  when  I  sit  my  courser  bold, 

My  bantling  in  my  rear, 
And  in  my  hand  my  musket  hold— 

O  how  they  quake  with  fear." 

Let  us  for  a  moment  suppose  some  unfor- 
tunate traveller,  mounted  on  a  handsome 
mule  or  beast  of  some  value,  meeting,  un- 
armed and  alone,  such  a  rabble  rout  at  the 
close  of  eve,  in  the  wildest  part,  for  example, 
of  La  Mancha;  we  will  suppose  that  he  is 
journeying  from  Seville  to  Madrid,  and  that 
he  has  left,  at  a  considerable  distance  behind 
him,  the  gloomy  and  horrible  passes  of  the 
Sierra  Morena;  his  bosom,  which,  for  some 
time  past,  has  been  contracted  with  dreadful 
forebodings,  is  beginning  to  expand ;  his 
blood,  which  had  been  congealed  in  his  veins, 
is  beginning  to  circulate  warmly  and  freely  ; 
he  is  fondly  anticipating  the  still  distant  Po- 
sada and  savoury  omelet.  The  sun  is  sink- 
ing rapidly  behind  the  savage  and  uncouth 
hills  in  his  rear;  he  has  reached  the  bottom 
of  a  small  valley,  where  runs  a  rivulet  at 
which  he  allows  his  tired  animal  to  drink  ;  he 
is  about  to  ascend  the  side  of  the  bill;  his 
eyes  are  turned  upwards;  suddenly  he  be- 
holds strange  and  uncouth  forms  at  the  top 
of  the  ascent — the  sun  descending  slants  its 
rays  upon  red  cloaks,  with  here  and  there  a 
turbaned  head,  or  long  streaming  hair.  The 
traveller  hesitates,  but  reflecting  that  he  is 
no  longer  in  the  mountains,  and  that  in  the. 
open  road  there  is  no  danger  of  banditti,  he- 
advances.  In  a  moment  he  is  in  the  midst 
of  the  Gypsy  group,  in  a  moment  there  is  a 
general  halt ;  fiery  eyes  are  turned  upon  him 
replete  with  an  expression  which  only  the 
eyes  of  the  Roma  possess,  then  ensues  a 
jabber  in  a  language  or  jargon  which  is  strange 
to  the  ears  of  the  traveller,  at  last  an  ugly 
urchin  springs  from  the  crupper  of  a  halting 
mule,  and  in  a  lisping  accent  entreats  charity 
in  the  name  of  the  Virgin  and  the  Majoro. 
The  traveller,  with  a  faltering  hand,  produces 
his  purse,  and  is  proceeding  to  loosen  its 
strings,  but  he  accomplishes  not  his  purpose, 
for  struck  violently  by  a  huge  knotted  club 
in  an  unseen  hand,  he  tumbles  headlong  from 
his  mule.    Next  morning  a  naked  corse,  be- 


18 


THE  ZINCALI. 


smeared  with  brains  and  blood,  is  found  by 
an  arriero :  and  within  a  week  a  simple  cross 
records  the  event,  according  to  the  custom 
of  Spain. 

"  Below  there  in  the  dusky  pass 
Was  wrought  a  murder  dread; 

The  murdered  fell  upon  the  grass, 
Away  the  murderer  fled." 

To  many,  such  a  scene  as  above  described, 
will  appear  purely  imaginary,  or  at  least  a 
mass  of  exaggeration,  but  many  such  anec- 
dotes are  related  by  old  Spanish  writers  of 
these  people ;  they  traversed  the  country  in 
gangs ;  they  were  what  the  Spanish  law  has 
styled  Abigeos  and  Salteadores  de  Camino, 
cattle-stealers  and  highwaymen ;  though,  in 
the  latter  character,  they  never  rose  to  any 
considerable  eminence.  True  it  is  that  they 
would  not  hesitate  to  attack  or  even  murder 
the  unarmed  and  defenceless  traveller,  when 
they  felt  assured  of  obtaining  booty  with  little 
or  no  risk  to  themselves;  but  they  were  not 
by  constitution  adapted  to  rival  those  bold 
and  daring  banditti  of  whom  so  many  terrible 
anecdotes  are  related  in  Spain  and  Italy,  and 
who  have  acquired  their  renown  by  the  daunt- 
less daring  which  they  have  invariably  dis- 
played in  the  pursuit  of  plunder. 

The  Gypsies,  though  not  cowardly,  and 
capable  of  meeting  death,  when  inevitable, 
with  as  much  resolution  as  any  people  in 
the  world,  have  no  abstract  love  for  danger, 
and  none  of  that  chivalrous  spirit  which  is 
as  often  found  in  the  bandit  chief  as  in  the 
leader  of  mighty  armies ;  their  leading  pas- 
sion is  gain,  but  only  by  fraudulent  and  in- 
significant means,  for,  in  general,  their  minds 
are  incapable  of  conceiving  any  great  and 
extensive  project.  In  some  points  they  re- 
semble the  Jews  ;  they  have  perhaps  some  of 
the  same  feeling  which  has  ever  prevented 
the  latter  from  excelling  as  warriors,  for 
though  their  history  is  the  most  ancient  and 
most  authentic  of  any,  wre  can  find  amongst 
them  no  character  who  has  excelled  in  war- 
like qualities,  and  in  whose  life  and  death  the 
poet  would  find  food  for  his  muse,  if  we  ex- 
cept Saul  and  his  son  Jonathan,  the  latter  of 
whom  is  the  most  brave  and  amiable,  and  the 
former  the  most  singularly  romantic  charac- 
ter in  the  annals  of  the  Jewish  race.  The 
Jew,  again,  is  equally  rapacious  as  the  Gyp- 
sy; but  oh,  what  a  difference  in  the  means 
which  he  adopts  for  satisfying  his  craving  for 
gold !  How  stupendous  are  his  plans,  and 
how  vast  are  the  mental  resources  which  he 
displays  in  putting  them  into  execution !  And 
our  wonder  increases  when  we  reflect  that 
some  of  the  very  individuals,  whose  whole 
life  and  energy  seemed  to  be  solely  devoted 
to  piling  up  gold  and  acquiring  fortunes, 
which  the  haughtiest  kings  have  envied,  were 
men  profoundly  versed  in  learning  the  most 
mystical,  singular,  and  bewildering,  learning 
in  comparison  with  which  the  lore  of  the 
Buddhists  and  Brahmins  is  simple  and  easy; 
6uch  is  the  Rabbinical  with  its  dusky  cabala. 
The  most  profound  of  the  Rabbins  was  Abar- 
bcr.°l,  the  Spanish  Jew,  the  confidant  and 


adviser  of  the  most  powerful  monarchs  of 
his  time,  and  who  acquired  at  different  pe- 
riods of  his  life  three  fortunes,  each  so  gi- 
gantic, as  never  to  have  been  rivalled  by  the 
riches  of  any  one  of  his  brethren,  however 
great,  either  before  or  since. 

Besides  trafficking  in  horses  and  mules, 
and  now  and  then  attacking  and  plundering 
travellers  upon  the  highway,  the  Gypsies  of 
Spain  appear,  from  a  very  early  period,  to 
have  plied  occasionally  the  trade  of  the  black- 
smith, and  to  have  worked  in  iron,  forming 
rude  implements  of  domestic  and  agricultural 
use,  which  they  disposed  of,  either  for  pro- 
visions or  money,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
those  places  where  they  had  taken  up  their 
temporary  residence.  As  their  bands  were 
composed  of  numerous  individuals,  there  is 
no  improbability  in  assuming  that  to  every 
member  was  allotted  that  branch  of  labour 
in  which  he  was  most  calculated  to  excel. 
The  most  important,  and  that  which  required 
the  greatest  share  of  cunning  and  address, 
was  undoubtedly  that  of  the  chalan  or  jockey, 
who  frequented  the  fairs  with  the  beasts 
which  he  had  obtained  by  various  means,  but 
generally  by  theft.  Highway  robbery,  though 
occasionally  committed  by  all  jointly  or  seve- 
rally, was  probably  the  peculiar  department  of 
the  boldest  spirits  of  the  gang;  whilst  wield- 
ing the  hammer  and  tongs  was  abandoned 
to  those  who,  though  possessed  of  athletic 
forms,  were  perhaps,  like  Vulcan,  lame,  or 
from  some  particular  cause,  moral  or  physical, 
unsuited  for  the  other  two  very  respectable 
avocations.  The  forge  was  generally  placed 
in  the  heart  of  some  mountain  abounding  in 
wood  ;  the  gaunt  smiths  felled  a  tree,  per- 
haps with  the  very  axes  which  their  own 
sturdy  hands  had  hammered  at  a  former  pe- 
riod ;  with  the  wood  thus  procured,  they  pre- 
pared the  charcoal  which  their  labour  de- 
manded. Everything  is  in  readiness;  the 
bellows  puff  until  the  coal  is  excited  to  a 
furious  glow;  the  metal  hot,  pliant,  and  duc- 
tile, is  laid  on  the  anvil,  round  which  stands 
the  Cyclop  group,  their  hammers  upraised; 
down  they  descend  successively  one,  two, 
three,  the  sparks  are  scattered  on  every  side. 
The  sparks — 

"  More  than  a  hundred  lovely  daughters  I  see  produced 
at  one  time,  fiery  as  roses,  in  one  moment  they  expire 
gracefully  circumvolving."* 

The  anvil  rings  beneath  the  thundering 
stroke,  hour  succeeds  hour,  and  still  endures 
the  hard  sullen  toil. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  features  in  the 
history  of  Gypsies  is  the  striking  similarity 
of  their  pursuits  in  every  region  of  the  globe 
to  which  they  have  penetrated  ;  they  are  not 
merely  alike  in  limb  and  in  feature,  in  the 
cast  and  expression  of  the  eye,  in  the  colour 
of  the  hair,  in  their  walk  and  gait,  but  every 


•  We  have  found  this  beautiful  metaphor  both  in  Gyp- 
sy and  Spanish;  it  runs  thus  in  the  former  language;— 
"  Las  Muchis.     (The  Sparks.) 

"  Bus  de  eres  chabalas  orchiris  man  dique  a  yes  chiro 
purelar  sistilias  sata  rujins,  y  or  sisli  c&rjibal  diuando 
trutas  discandaa." 


THE  BOOKSELLER  OF  LOGRONO. 


19 


where  they  seem  to  exhibit  the  same  ten- 
dencies, and  to  hunt  for  their  bread  by  the 
same  means  as  if  they  were  not  of  the  human 
but  rather  of  the  animal  species,  and  in  lieu 
of  reason  were  endowed  with  a  kind  of  in- 
stinct which  assists  them  to  a  very  limited 
extent  and  no  farther. 

In  no  part  of  the  world  are  they  found  en- 
gaged in  the  cultivation  of  the  earth,  or  in  the 
service  of  a  regular  master;  but  in  all  lands 
they  are  jockeys,  or  thieves,  or  cheats,  and  if 
ever  they  devote  themselves  to  any  toil  or 
trade,  it  is  assuredly  in  every  material  point 
one  and  the  same.  We  have  found  them 
above,  in  the  heart  of  a  wild  mountain,  ham- 
mering iron,  and  manufacturing  from  it  in- 
struments either  for  their  own  use  or  that  of 
the  neighbouring  towns  and  villages.  They 
may  be  seen  employed  in  a  similar  manner  in 
the  plains  of  Russia,  or  in  the  bosom  of  its 
eternal  forests ;  and  whoever  inspects  the 
site  where  a  horde  of  Gypsies  has  encamped, 
in  the  grassy  lanes  beneath  the  hazel  bushes 
of  merry  England,  is  generally  sure  to  find 
relics  of  tin  and  other  metal,  avouching  that 
they  have  there  been  exercising  the  arts  of 
the  tinker  or  smith.  Perhaps  nothing  speaks 
more  forcibly  for  the  antiquity  of  this  sect  or 
caste  than  the  tenacity  with  which  they  have 
uniformly  preserved  their  peculiar  customs, 
since  the  period  of  their  becoming  generally 
known ;  for,  unless  their  habits  had  become 
a  part  of  their  nature,  which  could  only  have 
been  effected  by  a  strict  devotion  to  them 
through  a  long  succession  of  generations,  it 
is  not  to  be  supposed  that  after  their  arrival 
in  civilized  Europe  they  would  have  retained 
and  cherished  them,  precisely  in  the  same 
manner,  in  the  various  countries  where  they 
found  an  asylum. 

Each  band  or  family  of  the  Spanish  Gypsies 
had  its  Captain,  or,  as  he  was  generally  de- 
signated, its  Count.  Don  Juan  de  Quinones, 
who,  in  a  small  volume,  published  in  1632, 
has  written  some  details  respecting  their  way 
of  life,  says :  "  They  roam  about,  divided  into 
families  and  troops,  each  of  which  has  its 
head  or  Count;  and  to  fill  this  office  they 
choose  the  most  valiant  and  courageous  in- 
dividual amongst  them,  and  the  one  endowed 
with  the  greatest  strength.  He  must  at  the 
same  time  be  crafty  and  sagacious,  and 
adapted  in  every  respect  to  govern  them.  It 
is  he  who  settles  their  differences  and  disputes, 
even  when  they  are  residing  in  a  place  where 
there  is  a  regular  justice.  He  heads  them  at 
night  when  they  go  out  to  plunder  the  flocks, 
or  to  rob  travellers  on  the  highway;  and  what- 
ever they  steal  or  plunder  they  divide  amongst 
them,  always  allowing  the  captain  a  third 
part  of  the  whole." 

These  Counts  being  elected  for  such  quali- 
ties as  promised  to  be  useful  to  their  troop  or 
family,  were  consequently  liable  to  be  deposed 
if  at  any  time  their  conduct  was  not  calculated 
to  afford  satisfaction  to  their  subjects.  The 
office  was  not  hereditary,  and  though  it  carried 
along  with  it  partial  privileges,  was  both  toil- 
some and  dangerous.    Should  the  plans  for 


plunder,  which  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Count 
to  form,  miscarry  in  the  attempt  to  execute 
them  ;  should  individuals  of  the  gang  fall  into 
the  hand  of  justice,  and  the  Count  be  unable 
to  devise  a  method  to  save  their  lives  or  ob- 
tain their  liberty,  the  blame  was  cast  at  the 
Count's  door,  and  he  was  in  considerable 
danger  of  being  deprived  of  his  insignia  of 
authority,  which  consisted  not  so  much  in 
ornaments  or  in  dress,  as  in  hawks  and  hounds 
with  which  the  Senor  Count  took  the  diver- 
sion of  hunting  when  he  thought  proper.  As 
the  ground  which  he  hunted  over  was  not  his 
own,  he  incurred  some  danger  of  coming  in 
contact  with  the  lord  of  the  soil,  attended, 
perhaps,  by  his  armed  followers.  There  is  a 
tradition,  (rather  apocryphal,  it  is  true,)  that 
a  Gitano  chief,  once  pursuing  this  amuse- 
ment, was  encountered  by  a  real  Count,  who 
is  styled  Count  Pepe.  An  engagement  en- 
sued between  the  two  parties,  which  ended 
in  the  Gypsies  being  worsted,  and  their  chief 
left  dyingon  the  field.  The  slain  chief  leaves 
a  son,  who,  at  the  instigation  of  his  mother, 
steals  the  infant  heir  of  his  father's  enemy, 
who,  reared  up  amongst  the  Gypsies,  becomes 
a  chief,  and,  in  process  of  time,  hunting  over 
the  same  ground,  slays  Count  Pepe  in  the 
very  spot  where  the  blood  of  the  Gypsy  had 
been  poured  out.  This  tradition  is  alluded  to 
in  the  following  stanza: — 

"  I  have  a  gallant  mare  in  stall, 

My  mother  gave  that  mare 
That  I  might  seek  Count  Pepe's  hall 

And  steal  his  son  and  heir." 

Martin  Del  Rio,  in  his  "Tractatus  de 
Magia,"  speaks  of  the  Gypsies  and  their 
Counts  to  the  following  effect:  "  When,  in 
the  year  1584,  1  was  marching  in  Spain  with 
the  regiment,  a  multitude  of  these  wretches 
were  infesting  the  fields.  It  happened  that 
the  feast  of  Corpus  Domini  was  being  cele- 
brated, and  they  requested  to  be  admitted  into 
the  town,  that  they  might  dance  in  honour  of 
the  sacrifice,  as  was  customary;  they  did  so, 
but  about  mid-day  a  great  tumult  arose,  owing 
to  the  many  thefts  which  the  women  com- 
mitted, whereupon  they  fled  out  of  the  su- 
burbs, and  assembled  about  St.  Mark's,  the 
magnificent  mansion  and  hospital  of  the 
knights  of  St.  James,  where  the  ministers  of 
justice  attempting  to  seize  them  were  repulsed 
by  force  of  arms ;  nevertheless,  all  of  a  sud- 
den, and  I  know  not  how,  every  thing  was 
hushed  up.  At  this  time  they  had  a  Count, 
a  fellow  who  spoke  the  Castilian  idiom  with 
as  much  purity  as  if  he  had  been  a  native  of 
Toledo ;  he  was  acquainted  with  all  the  ports 
of  Spain,  and  all  the  difficult  and  broken 
ground  of  the  provinces.  He  knew  the  exact 
strength  of  every  city,  and  who  were  the 
principal  people  in  each,  and  the  exact  amount 
of  their  property;  there  was  nothing  relating 
to  the  state,  however  secret,  that  he  was  not 
acquainted  with  ;  nor  did  he  make  a  mystery 
of  his  knowledge,  but  publicly  boasted  of  it." 

From  the  passage  quoted  above,  we  learn 
that  the  Gitanos  in  the  ancient  times  were 
considered  as  foreigners  who  prowled  about 


20 


THE  ZINCALI. 


the  country;  indeed,  in  many  of  the  laws 
which  at  various  times  have  been  promulgated 
against  them,  they  are  spoken  of  as  Egyptians, 
and  as  such  commanded  to  leave  Spain,  and 
return  to  their  native  country;  at  one  time 
they  undoubtedly  were  foreigners  in  Spain, 
foreigners  by  birth,  foreigners  by  language ; 
but  at  the  time  they  are  mentioned  by  the 
worthy  Del  Rio  they  were  certainly  not  en- 
titled to  the  appellation.  True  it  is  that  they 
spoke  a  language,  amongst  themselves,  unin- 
telligible to  the  rest  of  the  Spaniards,  from 
whom  they  differed  considerably  in  feature 
and  complexion,  as  they  still  do;  but  if  being 
born  in  a  country,  and  being  bred  there,  con- 
stitute a  right  to  be  considered  a  native  of  that 
country,  they  had  as  much  claim  to  the  ap- 
pellation of  Spaniards  as  the  worthy  author 
himself.  Del  Rio  mentions  as  a  remarkable 
circumstance,  the  fact  of  the  Gypsy  Count 
speaking  Castilian  with  as  much  purity  as  a 
native  of  Toledo,  whereas  it  is  by  no  means 
improbable  that  the  individual  in  question 
was  a  native  of  that  town  ;  but  the  truth  is, 
at  the  time  we  are  speaking  of,  they  were  in 
general  believed  to  be  not  only  foreigners, 
but  by  means  of  sorcery  to  have  acquired  the 
power  of  speaking  all  languages  with  equal 
facility;  and  Del  Rio,  who  was  a  believer  in 
magic,  and  wrote  one  of  the  most  curious  and 
erudite  treatises  on  the  subject  ever  penned, 
had  perhaps  adopted  that  idea,  which  possi- 
bly originated  from  their  speaking  most  of 
the  languages  and  dialects  of  the  peninsula, 
which  they  picked  up  in  their  wanderings. 
That  the  Gypsy  chief  was  so  well  ac- 
quainted with  every  town  of  Spain,  and  the 
broken  and  difficult  ground,  can  cause  but 
little  surprise,  when  we  reflect  that  the  life 
which  the  Gypsies  led,  was  one  above  all 
others  calculated  to  afford  them  that  know- 
ledge. They  were  continually  at  variance 
with  justice,  they  were  frequently  obliged  to 
seek  shelter  in  the  inmost  recesses  of  the 
hills;  and  when  their  thievish  pursuits  led 
them  to  the  cities,  they  naturally  made  them- 
selves acquainted  with  the  names  of  the  prin- 
cipal individuals,  in  hopes  of  plundering  them. 
Doubtless  the  chief  possessed  all  this  species 
of  knowledge  in  a  superior  degree,  as  it  was 
his  courage,  acuteness,  and  experience  alone 
which  placed  him  at  the  head  of  his  tribe, 
though  Del  Rio  from  this  circumstance  wishes 
to  infer,  that  the  Gitanos  were  spies  sent  by 
foreign  foes,  and  with  some  simplicity  inquires 
"Quo  aut  cui  rei  hsec  curiosa  exploratio? 
nonne  compescenda  vagamundorum  hsBC  cu- 
riositas,  etiam  si  solum  peregrini  et  inculpatse 
vitro." 

With  the  Counts  rested  the  management 
and  direction  of  these  remarkable  societies  ; 
it  was  they  who  determined  their  marches, 
counter-marches,  advances,  and  retreats ; 
what  was  to  be  attempted  or  avoided;  what 
individuals  were  to  be  admit.fpd  into  the  fel- 
lowship and  privileges  of  the  Gitanos,  or  who 
were  to  be  excluded  from  their  society;  they 
settled  disputes  and  sat  in  judgment  over 
offences.    The  greatest  crimes,  according  to 


the  Gypsy  code,  were  a  quarrelsome  disposi- 
tion, and  revealing  the  secrets  of  the  brother- 
hood. By  this  code  the  members  were  for- 
bidden to  eat,  drink,  or  sleep  in  the  house  of 
a  Busno,  which  signifies  any  person  who  is 
not  of  the  sect  of  the  Gypsies,  or  to  marry 
out  of  that  sect;  they  were  likewise  not  to 
teach  the  language  of  Roma  to  any  but  those 
who,  by  birth,  or  inauguration,  belonged  to 
that  sect;  they  were  enjoined  to  relieve  their 
brethren  in  distress  at  any  expense  or  peril ; 
they  were  to  use  a  peculiar  dress,  which  is 
frequently  alluded  to  in  the  Spanish  laws,  but 
the  particulars  of  which  are  not  stated ;  and 
they  were  to  cultivate  the  gift  of  speech  to 
the  utmost  possible  extent,  and  never  to  lose 
any  thing  which  might  be  obtained  by  a  loose 
and  deceiving  tongue,  to  encourage  which 
they  had  many  excellent  proverbs,  for  ex- 
ample— 

"The  poor  fool  who  closes  his  mouth  never 
winneth  a  dollar." 

"  The  river  which  runneth  with  sound,  bears 
along  with  it  stones  and  water." 


CHAPTER  III. 


EXCESSES  OF  THE  GITANOS. — THE  BOOKSELL- 
ER OF  LOGRONO. 

The  Gitanos  not  unfrequently  made  their 
appearance  in  considerable  numbers,  so  as  to 
be  able  to  bid  defiance  to  any  force  which 
could  be  assembled  against  them  on  a  sudden  ; 
whole  districts  thus  became  a  prey  to  them, 
and  were  plundered  and  devastated. 

It  is  said  that,  in  the  year  1018,  more  than 
800  of  these  wretches  scoured  the  country 
between  Castile  and  Aragon,  committing  the 
most  enormous  crimes.  The  royal  council 
despatched  regular  troops  against  them,  who 
experienced  some  difficulty  in  dispersing 
them. 

But  we  now  proceed  to  touch  upon  an  event 
which  forms  an  era  in  the  history  of  the  Gi- 
tanos of  Spain,  and  which  for  wildness  and 
singularity  throws  all  other  events  connected 
with  them  and  their  race,  wherever  found, 
entirely  into  the  shade. 

THE  BOOKSELLER  OF  LOGRONO. 

About  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century, 
there  resided  one  Francisco  Alvarez  in  the 
city  of  Logrono,  the  chief  town  of  Rioja,  a 
province  which  borders  on  Aragon.  He  was 
a  man  above  the  middle  age,  sober,  reserved, 
and  in  general  absorbed  in  thought ;  he  lived 
near  the  great  church,  and  obtained  a  liveli- 
hood by  selling  printed  books  and  manuscripts 
in  a  small  shop.  He  was  a  very  learned  man, 
and  was  continually  reading  in  the  books 
which  he  was  in  the  habit  of  soiling,  and  some 
of  these  books  were  in  foreign  tongues  and 
characters,  so  foreign  indeed,  that  none  but 
himself  and  some  of  his  friends,  the  canons, 


THE  BOOKSELLER  OF  LOGRONO. 


21 


could  understand  them ;  he  was  much  visited 
by  the  clergy,  who  were  his  principal  custo- 
mers, and  took  much  pleasure  in  listening  to 
his  discourse. 

He  had  been  a  considerable  traveller  in  his 
youth,  and  had  wandered  through  all  Spain, 
visiting  the  various  provinces  and  the  most 
remarkable  cities. 

It  was  likewise  said  that  he  had  visited 
Italy  and  Barbary.  He  was,  however,  inva- 
riably silent  with  respect  to  his  travels,  and 
whenever  the  subject  was  mentioned  to  him, 
the  gloom  and  melancholy  increased  which 
usually  clouded  his  features. 

One  day,  in  the  commencement  of  autumn, 
he  was  visited  by  a  priest,  with  whom  he  had 
long  been  intimate,  and  for  whom  he  had 
always  displayed  a  greater  respect  and  liking 
than  for  any  other  acquaintance.  The  eccle- 
siastic found  him  even  more  sad  than  usual, 
and  there  was  a  haggard  paleness  upon  his 
countenance  which  alarmed  his  visiter.  The 
good  priest  made  affectionate  inquiries  re- 
specting the  health  of  his  friend,  and  whether 
any  thing  had  of  late  occurred  to  give  him  un- 
easiness; adding,  at  the  same  time,  that  he 
had  long  suspected  that  some  secret  Jay  heavy 
upon  his  mind,  which  he  now  conjured  him 
to  reveal,  as  life  was  uncertain,  and  it  was 
very  possible  that  he  might  be  quickly  sum- 
moned from  earth  into  the  presence  of  his 
Maker. 

The  bookseller  continued  for  some  time  in 
gloomy  meditation,  till  at  last  he  broke  silence 
in  these  words: — "It  is  true  I  have  a  secret 
which  weighs  heavy  upon  my  mind,  and  which 
I  am  still  loath  to  reveal ;  but  I  have  a  pre- 
sentiment that  my  end  is  approaching,  and 
that  a  heavy  misfortune  is  about  to  fall  upon 
this  city :  I  will  therefore  unburden  myself, 
for  it  were  now  a  sin  to  remain  silent. 

"I  am,  as  you  are  aware,  a  native  of  this 
town,  which  I  first  left  when  I  went  to  ac- 
quire an  education  at  Salamanca ;  ]  continued 
there  until  I  became  a  licentiate,  when  I 
quitted  the  university  and  strolled  through 
Spain,  supporting  myself  in  general  by  touch- 
ing the  guitar,  according  to  the  practice  of 
penniless  students;  my  adventures  were  nu- 
merous, and  I  frequently  experienced  great 
poverty.  Once,  whilst  making  my  way  from 
Toledo  to  Andalusia  through  the  wild  moun- 
tains, I  fell  in  with  and  was  made  captive  by 
a  band  of  the  people  called  Gitanos,  or  wan- 
dering Egyptians;  they  in  general  lived 
amongst  these  wilds,  and  plundered  or  mur- 
dered every  person  whom  they  met.  I  should 
probably  have  been  assassinated  by  them,  but 
my  skill  in  music  perhaps  saved  my  life.  I 
continued  with  them  a  considerable  time,  till 
at  last  they  persuaded  me  to  become  one  of 
them,  whereupon  I  was  inaugurated  into  their 
society  with  many  strange  and  horrid  cere- 
monies, and  having  thus  become  a  Gitano,  I 
went  with  them  to  plunder  and  assassinate 
upon  the  roads. 

*    "  The  Count  or  head  man  of  these  Gitanos 

had  an  only  daughter,  about  my  own  age ;  she 

was  very  beautiful,  but,  at  the  same  time,  ex- 

4  C 


ceedingly  strong  and  robust;  this  Gitana  was 
given  to  me  as  a  wife  or  cadjee,  and  I  lived 
with  her  several  years,  and  she  bore  me  chil- 
dren. 

"My  wife  was  an  arrant  Gitana,  and  in 
her  all  the  wickedness  of  her  race  seemed  to 
be  concentrated.  At  last  her  father  was 
killed  in  an  affray  with  the  troopers  of  the 
Hermandad,  whereupon  my  wife  and  myself 
succeeded  to  the  authority  which  he  had 
formerly  exercised  in  the  tribe.  We  had  at 
first  loved  each  other,  but  at  last  the  Gitano 
life,  with  its  accompanying  wickedness,  be- 
coming hateful  to  my  eyes,  my  wife,  who 
was  not  slow  in  perceiving  my  altered  dispo- 
sition, conceived  for  me  the  most  deadly  ha- 
tred;  apprehending  that  I  meditated  with- 
drawing myself  from  the  society,  and  perhaps 
betraying  the  secrets  of  the  band,  she  formed 
a  conspiracy  against  hip,  and,  at  one  time,  be- 
ing opposite  the  Moorish  coast,  I  was  seized 
and  bound  by  the  other  Gitanos,  conveyed 
across  the  sea,  and  delivered  as  a  slave  into 
the  hands  of  the  Moors. 

"I  continued  for  a  long  time  in  slavery  in 
various  parts  of  Morocco  and  Fez,  until  I  was 
at  length  redeemed  from  my  state  of  bondage 
by  a  missionary  friar  who  paid  my  ransom. 
With  him  I  shortly  after  departed  for  Italy, 
of  which  he  was  a  native.  In  that  country  I 
remained  some  years,  until  a  longing  to  re- 
visit my  native  land  seized  me,  when  I  re- 
turned to  Spain  and  established  myself  here, 
where  I  have  since  lived  by  vending  books, 
many  of  which  I  brought  from  the  strange 
lands  which  I  visited.  I  kept  my  history, 
however,  a  profound  secret,  being  afraid  of 
exposing  myself  to  the  laws  in  force  against 
the  Gitanos,  to  which  I  should  instantly  be- 
come amenable  were  it  once  known  that  I 
had  at  any  time  been  a  member  of  this  de- 
testable sect. 

"  My  present  wretchedness,  of  which  you 
have  demanded  the  cause,  dates  from  yester- 
day; I  had  been  on  a  short  journey  to  the  Au- 
gustine convent,  which  stands  on  the  plain  in 
the  direction  of  Saragossa,  carrying  with  me 
an  Arabian  book,  which  a  learned  monk  was 
desirous  of  seeing.  Night  overtook  me  ere 
I  could  return.  I  speedily  lost  my  way,  and 
wandered  about  until  I  came  near  a  dilapi- 
dated edifice  with  which  I  was  acquainted  ;  I 
was  about  to  proceed  in  the  direction  of  the 
town,  when  I  heard  voices  within  the  ruined 
walls ;  I  listened,  and  recognised  the  lan- 
guage of  the  abhorred  Gitanos  ;  I  was  about 
to  fly,  when  a  word  arrested  me.  It  was 
Drao,  which  in  their  tongue  signifies  the  hor- 
rid poison,  with  which  this  race  are  in  the 
habit  of  destroying  the  cattle :  they  now  said 
that  the  men  of  Logrono  should  rue  the  Drao 
which  they  had  been  casting.  I  heard  no 
more,  but  fled.  What  increased  my  fear  was, 
that  in  the  words  spoken,  I  thought  I  recog- 
nised the  peculiar  jargon  of  my  own  tribe; 
I  repeat,  that  1  believe  some  horrible  misfor- 
tune is  overhanging  this  city,  and  that  my 
own  days  are  numbered." 

The  priest,  having  conversed  with  him  for 


22 


THE  ZINCALI. 


some  time  upon  particular  points  of  the  his- 
tory that  he  had  related,  took  his  leave,  ad- 
vising him  to  compose  his  spirits,  as  he  saw 
no  reason  why  he  should  indulge  in  such 
gloomy  forebodings. 

The  very  next  day  a  sickness  broke  out  in 
the  town  of  Logrono.  It  was  one  of  a  pecu- 
liar kind  ;  unlike  most  others,  it  did  not  arise 
by  slow  and  gradual  degrees,  but  at  once  ap- 
peared in  full  violence,  in  the  shape  of  a  ter- 
rific epidemic.  Dizziness  in  the  head  was 
the  first  symptom  ;  then  convulsive  retch- 
ings, followed  by  a  dreadful  struggle  between 
life  and  death,  which  generally  terminated  in 
favour  of  the  grim  destroyer.  The  bodies, 
after  the  spirit  which  animated  them  had 
taken  flight,  were  frightfully  swollen,  and  ex- 
hibited a  dark  blue  colour,  chequered  with 
crimson  spots.  Nothing  was  heard  within 
the  houses  or  the  streets  but  groans  of  agony; 
no  remedy  was  at  hand,  and  the  powers  of 
medicine  were  exhausted  in  vain  upon  this 
terrible  pest;  so  that  within  a  few  days  the 
greatest  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  Logrono 
had  perished.  The  bookseller  had  not  been 
seen  since  the  commencement  of  this  fright- 
ful visitation. 

Once,  at  the  dead  of  night,  a  knock  was 
heard  at  the  door  of  the  priest,  of  whom  we 
have  already  spoken;  the  priest  himself  stag- 
gered to  the  door,  and  opened  it, — he  was 
the  only  one  who  remained  alive  in  the  house, 
and  was  himself  slowly  recovering  from  the 
malady  which  had  destroyed  all  the  other  in- 
mates; a  wild  spectral-looking  figure  pre- 
sented itself  to  his  eye — it  was  his  friend, 
Alvarez.  Both  went  into  the  house,  when 
the  bookseller,  glancing  gloomily  on  the 
wasted  features  of  the  priest,  exclaimed, 
"  You  too,  I  see,  amongst  others,  have  cause 
to  rue  the  Drao  which  the  Gitanos  have  cast. 
Know,"  he  continued,  "that  in  order  to  ac- 
complish a  detestable  plan,  the  fountains  of 
Logrono  have  been  poisoned  by  emissaries 
of  the  roving  bands,  who  are  now  assembled 
in  the  neighbourhood.  On  the  first  appear- 
ance of  the  disorder,  from  which  I  happily 
escaped  by  tasting  the  water  of  a  private 
fountain,  which  I  possess  in  my  own  house, 
I  instantly  recognised  the  effects  of  the  poi- 
son of  the  Gitanos,  brought  by  their  ances- 
tors from  the  isles  of  the  Indian  sea,  and  in- 
stantly suspecting  their  intentions,  I  disguised 
myself  as  a  Gitano,  and  went  forth  in  the  hope 
of  being  able  to  act  as  a  spy  upon  their  actions. 
I  have  been  successful,  and  am  at  present  tho- 
roughly acquainted  with  their  designs.  They 
intended,  from  the  first,  to  sack  the  town,  as 
soon  as  it  should  have  been  emptied  of  its 
defenders. 

"  Mid-day,  to-morrow,  is  the  hour  in  which 
they  have  determined  to  make  the  attempt. 
There  is  no  time  to  be  lost ;  let  us,  there- 
fore, warn  those  of  our  townsmen  who  still 
survive,  in  order  that  they  may  make  prepa- 
rations for  their  defence." 

Whereupon  the  two  friends  proceeded  to 
the  chief  magistrate,  who  had  been  but  slight- 
ly affected  by  the  disorder ;  he  heard  the  tale 


of  the  bookseller  with  horror  and  astonish- 
ment, and  instantly  took  the  best  measures 
possible  for  frustrating  the  designs  of  the  Gi- 
tanos ;  all  the  men  capable  of  bearing  arms 
in  Logrono  were  assembled,  and  weapons  of 
every  description  put  in  their  hands.  By  the 
advice  of  the  bookseller,  all  the  gates  of  the 
town  were  shut,  with  the  exception  of  the 
principal  one;  and  the  little  band  of  defend- 
ers, which  barely  amounted  to  sixty  men, 
was  stationed  in  the  great  square,  to  which, 
he  said,  it  was  the  intention  of  the  Gitanos 
to  penetrate  in  the  first  instance,  and  then 
dividing  themselves  into  various  parties,  to 
sack  the  place.  The  bookseller  was,  by  ge- 
neral desire,  constituted  leader  of  the  guar- 
dians of  the  town. 

It  was  considerably  past  noon ;  the  sky 
was  overcast,  and  tempest  clouds,  fraught 
with  lightning  and  thunder,  were  hanging 
black  and  horrid  over  the  town  of  Logrono. 
The  little  troop,  resting  on  their  arms,  stood 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  their  unnatural  ene- 
mies ;  rage  fired  their  minds  as  they  thought 
of  the  deaths  of  their  fathers,  their  sons,  and 
their  dearest  relatives,  who  had  perished,  not 
by  the  hand  of  God,  but,  like  infected  cattle, 
by  the  hellish  arts  of  Egyptian  sorcerers. 
They  longed  for  their  appearance,  determined 
to  wreak  upon  them  a  bloody  revenge ;  not 
a  word  was  uttered,  and  profound  silence 
reigned  around,  only  interrupted  by  the  oc- 
casional muttering  of  the  thunder  clouds. 
Suddenly,  Alvarez,  who  had  been  intently 
listening,  raised  his  hand  with  a  significant 
gesture ;  presently,  a  sound  was  heard — a 
rustling  like  the  waving  of  trees,  or  the  rush- 
ing of  distant  water;  it  gradually  increased, 
and  seemed  to  proceed  from  the  narrow  street 
which  led  from  the  principal  gate  into  the 
square.  All  eyes  were  turned  in  that  di- 
rection  

That  night  there  was  repique  or  ringing  of 
bells  in  the  towers  of  Logrono,  and  the  few 
priests  who  had  escaped  from  the  pestilence 
sang  litanies  to  God  and  the  Virgin  for  the 
salvation  of  the  town  from  the  hands  of  the 
heathen.  The  attempt  of  the  Gitanos  had 
been  most  signally  defeated,  and  the  great 
square  and  the  street  were  strewn  with  their 
corses.  Oh!  what  frightful  objects:  there 
lay  grim  men  more  black  than  mulattos  with 
fury  and  rage  in  their  stiffened  features ;  wild 
women  in  extraordinary  dresses,  their  hair, 
black  and  long  as  the  tail  of  the  horse,  spread 
all  dishevelled  upon  the  ground ;  and  gaunt 
and  naked  children  grasping  knives  and  dag- 
gers in  their  tiny  hands.  Of  the  patriotic 
troop  not  one  appeared  to  have  fallen ;  and 
when,  after  their  enemies  had  retreated  with 
howlings  of  fiendish  despair,  they  told  their 
numbers,  only  one  man  was  missing,  who 
was  never  seen  again,  and  that  man  was  Al- 
varez. 

In  the  midst  of  the  combat,  the  tempest, 
which  had  for  a  long  time  been  gathering, 
burst  over  Logrono  in  lightning,  thunder, 
darkness,  and  vehement  hail. 

A  man  of  the  town  asserted  that  the  last 


GYPSY  COLONIES. 


£3 


time  he  had  seen  Alvarez,  the  latter  was  far 
in  advance  of  his  companions,  defending-  him- 
self desperately  against  three  powerful  young 
heathen,  who  seemed  to  be  acting  under  the 
direction  of  a  tall  woman  who  stood  nigh, 
covered  with  barbaric  ornaments,  and  wear- 
ing on  her  head  a  rude  silver  crown.* 

Such  is  the  tale  of  the  Bookseller  of  Lo- 
grofio,  and  such  is  the  narrative  of  the  at- 
tempt of  the  Gitanos  to  sack  the  town  in  the 
time  of  pestilence,  which  is  alluded  to  by 
many  Spanish  authors,  but  more  particularly 
by  the  learned  Francisco  De  Cordova,  in  his 
Didascalia,  one  of  the  most  curious  and  in- 
structive books  within  the  circle  of  universal 
literature. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

|     GYPSY  COLONIES  IN  VARIOUS  TOWNS  OF 
SPAIN. 

The  Moors,  after  their  subjugation,  and 
previous  to  their  expulsion  from  Spain,  ge- 
nerally resided  apart,  principally  in  the  su- 
burbs of  the  towns,  where  they  kept  each 
other  in  countenance,  being  hated  and  de- 
spised by  the  Spaniards,  and  persecuted  on 
all  occasions.  By  this  means  they  preserved, 
to  a  certain  extent,  the  Arabic  language, 
though  the  use  of  it  was  strictly  forbidden, 
and  encouraged  each  other  in  the  secret  ex- 
ercise of  the  rites  of  the  Mahometan  religion, 
so  that,  until  the  moment  of  their  final  ex- 
pulsion, they  continued  Moors  in  almost 
every  sense  of  the  word.  Such  places  were 
called  Morerias,  or  quarters  of  the  Moors. 

In  like  manner  there  were  Gitanerias,  or 
quarters  of  the  Gitanos,  in  many  of  the  towns 
of  Spain  ;  and  in  more  than  one  instance  par- 
ticular barrios  or  districts  are  still  known  by 
this  name,  though  the  Gitanos  themselves 
have  long  since  disappeared.  Even  in  the 
town  of  Oviedo,  in  the  heart  of  the  Asturias, 
a  province  never  famous  for  Gitanos,  there 
is  a  place  called  the  Gitaneria,  though  no 
Gitano  has  been  known  to  reside  in  the  town 
within  the  memory  of  man,  nor  indeed  been 
seen,  save,  perhaps,  as  a  chance  visiter  at  a 
fair. 

The  exact  period  when  the  Gitanos  first 
formed  these  colonies  within  the  towns  is 
not  known  ;  the  laws,  however,  which  com- 
manded them  to  abandon  their  wandering 
life  under  penalty  of  banishment  and  death, 
and  to  become  stationary  in  towns,  may  have 
induced  them  first  to  take  such  a  step.  By 
the  first  of  these  laws,  which  was  made  by 

♦In  the  above  little  tale  the  writer  confesses  that  there 
are  many  things  purely  imaginary ;  the  most  material 
point,  however,  the  attempt  to  sack  the  town  during  the 
pestilence,  which  was  defeated  by  the  courage  and  acti- 
vity of  an  individual,  rests  on  historical  evidence  the 
most  satisfactory.  It  is  thus  mentioned  in  the  work  of 
Francisco  De  Cordova,  (he  was  surnamed  Cordova  from 
having  been  for  many  years  canon  in  that  city:}— 

"  Annis  praUerilis  luliobrigam  urhem,  vulgo  Logrono, 
pestilenti  iahorantem  morbo.et  hominibus  vacunm  inva- 
dere  hi  ac  diripere  tentarunt.perfecissentque  ni  DeusO. 
M.  cuiusdam  bibhopola  opera,  in  eorum  capita,  quam  urbi 
moliebantur perniciem  avertisset."  Didascalia,  Lueduni. 
1615.    1  vol.  8vo.,  p.  405,  cap.  50. 


Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  as  far  back  as  the 
year  1499,  they  are  commanded  to  seek  out 
for  themselves  masters.  This  injunction  they 
utterly  disregarded.  Some  of  them,  for  fear 
of  the  law,  or  from  the  hope  of  bettering  their 
condition,  may  have  settled  down  in  the 
towns,  cities,  and  villages  for  a  time,  but  to 
expect  that  a  people  in  whose  bosoms  was 
so  deeply  rooted  the  love  of  lawless  inde- 
pendence, would  subject  themselves  to  the 
yoke  of  servitude,  from  any  motive  what- 
ever, was  going  too  far:  as  well  might  it 
have  been  expected,  according  to  the  words 
of  the  great  poet  of  Persia,  that  they  would 
have  washed  their  skins  white. 

In  these  Gitanerias,  therefore,  many  Gypsy 
families  resided,  but  ever  in  the  Gypsy  fa- 
shion, in  filth  and  in  misery,  with  little  of  the 
fear  of  man,  and  nothing  of  the  fear  of  God 
before  their  eyes.  Here  the  swarthy  children 
basked  naked  in  the  sun  before  the  doors; 
here  the  women  prepared  love  draughts,  or 
told  the  buena  ventura;  and  here  the  men 
plied  the  trade  of  the  blacksmith,  a  forbidden 
occupation,  or  prepared  for  sale,  by  disguising 
them,  animals  stolen  by  themselves  or  their 
accomplices.  In  these  places  were  harboured 
the  strange  Gitanos  on  their  arrival,  and  here 
were  discussed  in  the  Rommany  language, 
which,  like  the  Arabic,  was  forbidden  under 
severe  penalties,  plans  of  fraud  and  plunder, 
which  were  perhaps  intended  to  be  carried 
into  effect  in  a  distant  province  and  a  distant 
city. 

The  great  body,  however,  of  the  Gypsy 
race  in  Spain  continued  independent  wan- 
derers of  the  plains  and  the  mountains,  and 
indeed  the  denizens  of  the  Gitanerias  were 
continually  sallying  forth,  either  for  the  pur- 
pose of  re-uniting  themselves  with  the  wan- 
dering tribes,  or  of  strolling  about  from  town 
to  town  and  from  fair  to  fair.  Hence  the 
continual  complaints  in  the  Spanish  laws 
against  the  Gitanos  who  have  left  their 
places  of  domicil,  from  doing  which  they 
were  indicted,  even  as  they  were  interdicted 
from  speaking  their  language  and  following 
the  occupations  of  the  blacksmith  and  horse- 
dealer,  to  all  which  they  still  cling  even  to 
the  present  day. 

The  Gitanerias  at  evening  fall  were  fre- 
quently resorted  to  by  individuals  widely 
differing  in  station  from  the  inmates  of  these 
places, — we  allude  to  the  young  and  disso- 
lute nobility  and  hidalgos  of  Spain.  This 
was  generally  the  time  of  mirth  and  festival, 
and  the  Gitanos,  male  and  female,  danced 
and  sang  in  the  Gypsy  fashion  beneath  the 
smile  of  the  moon.  The  Gypsy  women  and 
girls  were  the  principal  attractions  to  these 
visiters;  wild  and  singular  as  these  females 
are  in  their  appearance,  there  can  be  no 
doubt,  for  the  fact  has  been  frequently  proved, 
that  they  are  capable  of  exciting  passion  of 
the  most  ardent  description,  particularly  in 
the  bosoms  of  those  who  are  not  of  their 
race,  which  passion  of  course  becomes  the 
more  violent  when  the  almost  utter  impossi- 
bility of  gratifying  it  is  known.     No  females 


24 


THE  ZINCALI. 


in  the  world  can  be  more  licentious  in  word 
and  gesture,  in  dance  and  in  song,  than  the 
Gitanos;  but  there  they  stop:  and  so  of  old, 
if  their  titled  visiters  presumed  to  seek  for 
more,  an  unsheathed  dagger  or  gleaming 
knife  speedily  repulsed  those  who  expected 
that  the  gem  most  dear  amongst  the  sect  of 
the  Roma  was  within  the  reach  of  a  Busno. 

Such  visiters,  however,  were  always  en- 
couraged to  a  certain  point,  and  by  this  and 
various  other  means,  the  Gitanos  acquired 
connexions  which  frequently  stood  them  in 
good  stead  in  the  hour  of  need.  What 
availed  it  to  the  honest  labourers  of  the 
neighbourhood,  or  the  citizens  of  the  town, 
to  make  complaints  to  the  corregidor  con- 
cerning the  thefts  and  frauds  committed  by 
the  Gitanos,  when  perhaps  the  sons  of  that 
very  corregidor  frequented  the  nightly  dances 
at  the  Gitaneria,  and  were  deeply  enamoured 
with  some  of  the  dark-eyed  singing  girls? 
What  availed  making  complaints,  when  per- 
haps a  Gypsy  sibyl,  the  mother  of  those  very 
girls,  had  free  admission  to  the  house  of  the 
corregidor  at  all  times  and  seasons,  and 
spaed  the  good  fortune  to  his  daughters,  pro- 
mising them  counts  and  dukes,  and  Andalu- 
sian  knights  in  marriage,  or  prepared  phil- 
ters for  his  lady  by  which  she  was  always  to 
reign  supreme  in  the  affections  of  her  hus- 
band? And,  above  all,  what  availed  it  to  the 
plundered  party  to  complain  that  his  mule  or 
horse  had  been,  stolen,  when  the  Gitano  rob- 
ber, perhaps  the  husband  of  the  sibyl  and  the 
father  of  the  black-eyed  Gitanillas,  was  at 
that  moment  actually  in  treaty  with  my  lord 
the  corregidor  himself,  for  supplying  him 
with  some  splendid  thick-maned,  long-tailed 
steed,  at  a  small  price,  to  be  obtained,  as  the 
reader  may  well  suppose,  by  an  infraction  of 
the  laws?  The  favour  and  protection  which 
the  Gitanos  experienced  from  people  of  high 
rank,  is  alluded  to  in  the  Spanish  laws,  and 
>can  only  be  accounted  for  by  the  motives 
above  detailed. 

The  Gitanerias  were  soon  considered  as 
public  nuisances,  on  which  account  the  Gi- 
tanos were  forbidden  to  live  together  in  par- 
ticular parts  of  the  town,  to  hold  meetings, 
and  even  to  intermarry  with  each  other;  yet 
it  does  not  appear  that  the  Gitanerias  were 
ever  suppressed  by  the  arm  of  the  law,  as 
many  still  exist  where  these  singular  beings 
M  marry  and  are  given  in  marriage,"  and 
meet  together  to  discuss  their  affairs,  which, 
in  their  opinion,  never  flourish  unless  those 
of  their  fellow  creatures  suffer.  So  much 
for  the  Gitanerias,  or  Gypsy  colonies,  in  the 
towns  of  Spain. 


CHAPTER  V. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  ANCIENT  SPANISH  WRITERS. 

LA  OITANILLA,  A  TALE  OF  CERVANTES. — 

THE  ALONSO  OF  OERONIMO  DE  ALCALA. 

"It  would  appear  that  the  Gitanos  and 
Gitanas  were  only  sent  into  this  world  to  be 


thieves;  they  are  born  thieves;  they  are 
brought  up  amongst  thieves,  they  study  to  be 
thieves,  and  finally  they  turn  out  thieves, 
going  about  and  making  victims  of  all  the 
world;  the  love  of  thievery  and  the  practice 
of  thievery  are  in  them  constitutional  mala- 
dies, which  cleave  to  them  till  the  day  of 
their  death." 

These  words,  or  similar  ones,  serve  as  the 
exordium  to  the  Gitanilla  or  Gypsy  Girl  of 
Cervantes,  who  immediately  proceeds  to  in- 
troduce his  heroine  by  saying,  "An  old  hag 
of  this  nation  who  had  certainly  taken  the 
degree  of  Doctoress  in  the  science  of  Cacus, 
reared  up  a  young  girl  whom  she  called  her 
grand-daughter,"  &c. 

The  tale  of  "  The  Gypsy  girl "  was  written 
by  Cervantes  in  the  year  1612,  and  stands 
the  first  in  that  collection  of  beautiful  fictions, 
generally  styled  "  Novelas  Exemplares."  At 
the  present  day  the  Gypsy  is  the  most  popu- 
lar perhaps  of  all  the  works  of  Cervantes 
amongst  his  countrymen;  it  being  rare  to 
find  an  individual  who  has  not  read  it  or 
heard  it  read.  Whilst  Cervantes  lived,  few 
people  cared  about  him  or  his  works ;  it  was 
not  till  some  time  subsequent  to  his  death, 
that  Spain  began  to  take  much  interest  in 
either;  she  then  discovered  that  she  had  pro- 
duced and  permitted  to  starve,  a  wonderful 
genius,  quite  equal  in  his  peculiar  style  to 
Dante  in  his  own.  She  has  lately  "given 
him  a  stone"*  to  whom  she  once  refused 
bread,  and  for  the  last  hundred  years  has 
occasionally  occupied  herself  in  endeavour- 
ing to  investigate  whatever  she  deems  likely 
to  elucidate  his  life  and  writings.  We  shall 
offer  no  opinion  as  to  how  far  she  has  been 
successful  in  her  object,  though  there  are 
some  Spanish  literati,  who  flatter  themselves 
that  all  the  passages  in  the  life  of  Cervantes 
are  at  present  known,  with  the  exception  of 
those  which  occurred  during  a  short  period, 
when  he  disappeared  for  a  time,  and  conjec- 
ture only  is  able  to  follow  his  steps. 

Amongst  other  things  said  of  this  extraor- 
dinary man,  it  is  asserted  that  he  was  in- 
duced to  write  the  Gitanilla  from  the  follow- 
ing circumstance.  Shortly  after  the  accession 
of  Philip  the  Third  to  the  throne,  a  Gypsy 
girl  appeared  in  the  streets  of  Madrid,  like  a 
wonderful  cornet;  she  was  surrounded  by 
many  females  of  the  same  race,  in  whose 
company  she  danced  and  sang;  she  was, 
however,  distinguished  from  them  all  by  her 
almost  celestial  beauty,  the  grace  of  her 
movements,  and  her  surpassing  powers  of 
voice;  crowds  followed  wherever  she  went, 
blessing  and  applauding  her;  gold  and  silver 
rained  down  upon  her,  and  even  the  eye  of 
royalty  was  turned  towards  her  with  appro- 
bation. The  best  poets  of  the  day  made 
verses  which  they  entreated  her  to  sing. 
Many  of  the  young  nobility  became  passion- 
ately enamoured  of  her,  and  an  accomplished 
young  courtier  finally  left  the  capital  in  her 

*  A  statue  of  Cervantes  (not  a  colossal  one")  has  be«n 
placed  before  the  entrance  to  the  Cortes,  at  Madrid,  in 
the  square  generally  termed  the  Plaza  de  Cervantes. 


LA  GITANILLA. 


25 


company,  and  for  love  of  her  became  a  Gi- 
tano.  She  was  subsequently  discovered  to 
be  the  daughter  of  a  noble  corregidor,  having 
been  stolen  in  her  infancy  by  a  Gypsy  hag, 
who  pretended  to  be  her  grandmother.  She 
was  of  course  honourably  united  to  her  faith- 
ful admirer. 

This  account,  however,  is  neither  more 
nor  less  than  the  outline  of  the  tale  of  Cer- 
vantes, and  there  is  more  reason  to  suppose 
that  it  originated  from  the  tale,  than  that  the 
latter  originated  from  the  pretended  fact. 
Child-stealing  has  occasionally  been  prac- 
tised by  GyrjVsies,  but  never  without  some 
immediate  prospect  of  gain;  they  do  not 
steal  children  for  the  sake  of  bringing  them 
up  as  Gypsies ;  they  have  plenty  of  their  own, 
and  bread  is  scarce  amongst  them.  If  those 
of  Spain  ever  stole  children,  they  were  mar- 
ketable children,  not  squalling  infants,  but 
boys  and  girls  of  handsome  features  and  of  a 
certain  age,  who  were  intended  not  to  be 
carried  about  to  betray  them,  but  to  be  sold 
to  the  Moors  of  Barbary.  Child-stealing  is 
generally  imputed  to  the  Gypsies  of  England, 
but  undeservedly;  they  can  scarcely  support 
their  own  offspring,  and  would  smile  at  the 
idea  of  incumbering  themselves  with  the 
children  of  others.  But  their  ancestors  were 
certainly  guilty  of  this  practice,  which  was 
once  highly  profitable,  when  the  white  slave 
trade  was  carried  on  in  the  streets  of  London 
itself,  and  hundreds  of  individuals,  "kid- 
napped," were  annually  conveyed  from  the 
shores  of  England  to  be  sold  to  the  planters 
on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware;  but  here  again 
be  it  observed,  that  the  English  Gypsies  did 
not  steal  infants,  but  children  of  sufficient 
size  and  strength  to  support  the  toils  and 
hardships  of  the  servitude  to  which  they 
were  destined. 

The  unfounded  idea  that  Gypsies  steal 
children  to  bring  them  up  as  Gypsies,  has 
been  the  besetting  sin  of  authors,  who  have 
attempted  to  found  works  of  fiction*  on  the 
way  oflife  of  this  most  singular  people.  The 
Preciosa  of  Cervantes,  and  the  modern  Es- 
meralda, eventually  turn  out  to  be  "no  Gyp- 
sies," but  were  stolen  in  their  cradles  and 
reared  amongst  the  wild  children  of  Roma. 
By  pursuing  this  course,  the  writers  only  ex- 
hibit their  incompetence  to  the  subject  which 
they  pretend  to  handle,  but  which  they  avoid 
as  much  as  possible;  the  Rommany  of  their 
romances  are  invariably  subordinate  charac- 
ters, the  whole  interest  of  the  narratives 
being  engrossed  by  the  adventures  of  people 
of  distinguished  birth,  who,  by  some  strange 
concatenation  of  events,  become  associated 
for  a  period  with  the  wanderers. 

"The  Gypsy  Girl,"  notwithstanding  its 
popularity  in  Spain,  is  far  from  being  the 


*  In  justice,  we  must  except  two  works,  the  "Zig&ni  " 
of  the  celebiated  Puacktne,  and  a  beautiful  tale,  pub- 
lished at  St.  I'elersburgh  about  six  years  ngo,  entitled 
"Zijiiini  B'Moskbai,"  (or  the  Gypsies  at  Moscow;)  the 
heroines  in  both  are  veritable  Gypsies.  Russia  is  doomed 
eventually  to  effect  a  revolution  in  the  political  world, 
perhaps  in  the  literary. 


best  of  the  minor  pieces  of  Cervantes ;  its 
chief  merit  consists  in  the  few  preliminary 
lines,  in  which  the  thievish  character  of  the 
Thugs  of  Europe  is  drawn  with  wonderful 
vigour  and  terseness;  but  no  sooner  does  he 
cause  his  Gypsies  to  speak,  in  the  course  of 
his  narrative,  than  we  perceive  that,  like 
the  hero  and  heroine,  they  too  are  "  no  Gyp- 
sies," but  Busne  in  disguise :  what  real 
Gypsy  ever  spoke  in  such  a  strain  as  that  in 
which  he  causes  the  old  Gypsy  chief  to  ad- 
dress the  young  Hidalgo,  on  his  first  joining 
the  society? 

"  We  are  lords  of  the  plains  and  of  the 
corn-fields,  of  the  woods  and  the  mountains, 
the  rivers  and  the  springs :  the  forests  yield 
us  wood  for  nothing;  the  trees  fruits;  the 
vines  grapes;  the  gardens  pulse ;  the  foun- 
tains water;  the  rivers  fish,  and  the  parks 
game;  the  rocks  shade;  the  clefts  in  the  hills 
fresh  air,  and  the  caves  houses.  For  us  the 
keen  blasts  of  Heaven  are  gentle  zephyrs, 
the  snows  refreshment;  our  baths  are  the 
rain;  our  music  the  thunders;  our  torches 
the  lightning;  the  stony  earth  seems  to  us  a 
bed  of  the  softest  down ;  the  tanned  hide  of 
our  bodies  serves  as  an  impenetrable  armour 

to  defend  us The 

fear  of  losing  honour  does  not  weary  us,  nor 
does  the  desire  of  increasing  it  keep  us 
wakeful ;  we  neither  sustain  factions,  nor 
rise  betimes  to  present  petitions,  nor  to  at- 
tend magnates,  nor  to  solicit  favours.  These 
sheds  and  moveable  huts  we  esteem  as  gilded 
roofs  and  sumptuous  palaces;  and  our  Fle- 
mish pictures  and  landscapes  are  those  which 
nature  affords  us  in  the  stupendous  hills  and 
snowy  precipices,  wide-spread  meadows,  and 
tangled  forests,  which,  at  every  step,  meet 
our  view.  We  are  rustic  astrologers,  for  as 
we  always  sleep  beneath  the  naked  sky,  we 
have  no  difficulty  in  distinguishing  the  hours 
of  the  day  from  those  of  the  night.  We  be- 
hold how  Aurora  sweeps  away  the  stars 
from  the  heaven,  and  how  accompanied  by 
the  dawn,  she  comes  forth  filling  the  air 
with  gladness,  cooling  the  water  and  bedew- 
ing the  earth;  and  presently  behind  her  the 
sun  gilding  summits,  as  the  poet  hath  it, 
and  curling  f orests,"  &c. 

The  above  description  of  Gypsy  life  may 
be  essentially  true,  but  it  is  not  usual  for 
Gypsies  to  talk  of  such  things,  and  least  of 
all  in  the  worst  style  of  Gongora,  as  the  old 
Thug  is  made  to  do  by  the  author  of  "the 
Gypsy  Girl."  Cervantes  was  more  at  home 
in  posadas  and  ventas  than  in  Gypsy  encamp- 
ments amongst  the  sierras,  and  was  belter 
acquainted  with  the  ways  of  Picaros  than 
the  manners  of  the  Gitanos,  which  he  evi- 
dently only  knew  by  report:  there  are  some 
who  are  of  opinion  that,  at  one  period  of 
his  life,  that  of  his  temporary  disappearance, 
he  officiated  as  alguazil  in  one  or  other  of 
the  second  class  cities  of  Spain.  This  sup- 
position appears  by  no  means  improbable, 
and  if  adopted,  it  affords  a  clue  to  the  sur- 
prising knowledge  of  Picaresque  life,  which 
he  developes  in  the  extraordinary  story  of 


26 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Rinconete  and  Cortadillo.     So  much  for  Cer- 
vantes. 

There  exists  in  the  Spanish  language  a 
book,  entitled  Alonso,  servant  of  many  mas- 
ters,  composed  by  the  Doctor  Geronimo  de 
Alcala,  native  of  the  city  of  Segovia,  who 
flourished  about  the  commencement  of  the 
seventeenth  century;  perhaps,  with  the  single 
exception  of  the  grand  work  of  Cervantes, 
there  is  no  novel  in  existence  which  can 
compete  with  it  for  grave  quiet  humour,  while 
for  knowledge  of  the  human  mind  and  acute 
observation,  we  do  not  believe  that  its  equal 
is  to  be  found.  Gil  Bias,  which,  by  the  by, 
is  a  piratical  compilation  from  the  works  of 
the  old  Spanish  novelists,  executed,  it  is  true, 
with  great  tact  and  discernment,  sinks  im- 
measurably below  the  Alonso  of  the  Sego- 
vian  Doctor,  who  is  made  to  serve  all  kinds 
of  masters,  from  the  sacristan  of  the  church 
in  an  obscure  village  in  Old  Castile,  to  the 
proud  Fidalgo  of  Lisbon ;  and  by  the  gene- 
rality of  whom  he  is  discarded  on  account  of 
his  great  talkativeness,  and  the  disposition 
which  he  exhibits  to  criticise  their  failings. 

At  last  he  enters  a  convent  as  donado,  or 
lay  brother,  where,  for  a  long  time,  he  enjoys 
the  particular  favour  of  the  Father  Vicar, 
whom,  however,  he  eventually  offends,  like 
the  rest,  by  the  great  freedom  of  discourse 
in  which  he  indulges.  He  is  formally  read 
out  of  the  society,  and  wanders  about  until 
he  reaches  one  of  those  mountain-forests  for- 
merly abounding  in  Spain,  where  he  falls  into 
the  hands  of  Gitanos,  whom  he  describes  in 
a  manner  which  almost  induces  the  belief 
that  the  author  had  himself  lived  amongst 
these  people,  so  true,  so  vivid  is  the  colour- 
ing.    Here  follow  extracts. 

"I  had  wandered  little  more  than  a  league 
through  the  thickets,  when  I  saw  a  great 
quantity  of  smoke  arising  not  far  from  the 
place  where  I  was,  and  concluding,  like  a 
good  philosopher,  that  where  there  was  smoke 
there  must  be  fire,  and  if  fire  there  must  be 
people  to  kindle  it,  I  endeavoured  to  direct 
my  steps  towards  it,  for  it  was  now  near 
nightfall,  and  the  wind  blew  bitterly  keen. 
I  had  no  occasion  however,  to  walk  very  far, 
as  I  suddenly  felt  myself  seized  by  the  shoul- 
ders; whereupon  turning  my  head,  I  found 
myself  in  the  hands  of  two  men,  not  quite  so 
handsome  as  English  or  Flemings,  but  black 
as  mulattos,  badly  dressed,  and  of  particularly 
ill-favoured  countenances.  I  bade  them  good 
evening  with  trepidation  enough  of  heart,  as 
the  Lord  knows,  asking  them  what  they  had 
to  command.  Then  one  of  them,  lisping  a 
little,  after  the  Gitano  fashion,  told  me  that  I 
must  go  with  them  to  their  encampment  to 
speak  to  my  lord  the  Conde.  In  fine  hands 
have  I  fallen,  said  I  to  myself,  in  which  no 
doubt  1  shall  prosper;  a  pretty  night  is  pre- 
pared for  me ;  however,  making  a  virtue  of 
necessity,  I  replied,  '  Well,  gentlemen 
wherever  you  please.'  They  then  led  me 
through  the  thickest  of  the  wood,  between 
them,  in  order  not  to  lose  sight  of  me,  and 
asked  where  was  the  animal  on  which  I  had 


come,  and  where  I  had  left  it.  '  It  always 
comes  with  me,'  said  I,  *  for,  like  a  devout 
servant  of  San  Francisco,  I  am  a  bad  rider, 
and  to  save  myself  expense,  always  walk/ 
In  such  like  discourse,  we  arrived  at  the  en- 
campment of  the  brotherhood,  who  were  al- 
ready expecting  us,  being  advised,  by  the 
whistling  of  my  guides,  of  the  prey  they 
were  bringing,  some  time  before  we  arrived. 
At  the  distance  of  more  than  a  stone's  throw, 
two  Gypsy  girls  and  three  lads  advanced  to 
receive  us  with  much  rejoicing,  inquiring 
whether  other  passengers  were  coming.  '  He 
comes  alone,'  said  my  guards,  'and  if  he  had 
delayed  a  little  longer,  we  should  have  left 
our  post,  and  returned  empty  handed.'  Eager 
to  know  how  my  misfortune  would  end,  I 
presently  found  myself  amidst  a  rabble  of 
near  forty  people,  men  and  women,  without 
reckoning  boys  of  a  reasonable  age,  who 
were  running  about  amidst  them  as  naked  as 
they  were  born.  They  presented  me  to  the 
Count,  a  person  whom  they  all  respected, 
and  who  was  the  judge  and  governor  of  this 
disorderly  society.  He  received  me  with  no 
little  complaisance,  and  caused  me  to  be 
stripped  to  the  shirt,  leaving  me  naked  as 
when  I  left  my  mother's  womb.  My  clothes 
were  divided  amongst  the  naked  lads,  and 

the  little  money  I  had  amongst  all 

So,  without  muttering  one  execration  or 
proffering  one  excuse,  I  delivered  up  all  my 
clothes,  remaining  en  cuerpo ;  only  for  de- 
cency's sake  I  kept  a  bit  of  a  mantle,  and  even 
this  they  would  not  spare  me,  for  a  Gypsy 
woman  coming  up  to  me,  cried,  'Show  me, 
show  me,  for  with  this  cloth  we  will  warm 
the  belly  of  little  Antonio,  who  is  almost 
dying  with  cold."  'It  is  good  for  nothing, 
I  replied:  'for,  although  it  is  cloth,  it  is  very 
old,  torn,  and  threadbare,  with  no  nap  upon 
it.'  '  Nap  or  none,  it  will  do,'  replied  the 
evil  hag,  and  without  waiting  for  farther  re- 
ply or  excuse,  tore  it  away  from  me.  I 
wished  at  that  moment  to  become  a  savage, 
that  I  might  cover  my  nakedness  and  shame 
with  my  hair.  But,  without  doubt,  that  piti- 
less woman  had  read  the  canon  of  Avicena, 
which  says:  Etiam  in  vilibus  summa  virtus 
inest.  She  wished  her  ailing  bantling  to  be 
cured  at  my  expense,  caring  nothing  what 

harm  might  befall  me  in  consequence 

"At  the  cries  of  the  Conde  forth  stepped 
Isabel  with  half  a  goat,  (the  other  half,  as  I 
afterwards  learned  having  been  eaten  in 
the  morning,)  stolen  according  to  custom 
from  the  flocks  of  some  shepherds  in  the 
neighbourhood  ;  and  asking  no  questions  as 
to  what  death  it  died,  or  as  to  its  tenderness, 
they  put  it  on  a  stick  as  a  spit,  and  all  helping 
to  bring  wood,  of  which  there  was  abundance, 
they  made  an  enormous  fire.  The  goat  was 
presently  roasted,  and  without  asking  for 
savoury  sauces,  those  who  officiated  as  car- 
vers began  portioning  out  the  meat  in  certain 
wooden  platters.  All  squatted  down  around 
a  sheet,  which,  spread  on  the  ground,  served 
as  a  table  cloth.  The  night  was  very  dark ; 
but  there  was  no  need  of  light,  the  blaze  of 


ALONSO. 


27 


the  fire  being  sufficient  to  illumine  three 
times  more  company  than  that  present.  See- 
ing that  they  were  supping,  I  went  on  one 
side  that  I  might  not  compel  them  to  invite 
me,  whereupon  a  Gitana,  taking  from  the 
platter  one  or  two  ribs,  called  to  me,  saying, 
*  Take  this  bit  of  meat  and  bread,  that  you 
may  not  say  to  us,  little  good  may  it  do  you.' 
I  was  grateful  for  the  regale,  for  to  tell  the 
truth,  as  I  became  warm  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  fire  my  appetite  was  beginning  to  sting, 
and  hunger  to  incommode  me ;  so  I  fell  to 
work  on  my  ribs,  but  notwithstanding  I  had 
capital  teeth,  I  could  make  no  impression, 
nor  indeed  could  the  best  Irish  harrier  have 
broken  them,  so  hard  they  were.  But  my 
companions  making  no  ceremony,  ate  of 
their  she-goat  or  he-goat,  just  as  if  it  were  a 
fat  and  tender  capon,  and  from  time  to  time 
swallowed  down  a  pitcher  of  water,  for  wine 
was  not  used  in  this  fraternity,  being  con- 
sidered as  too  expensive.  I  looked  on  and 
praised  the  Lord,  seeing  that  what  I  could 
not  eat  was  so  savoury  and  palatable  to  these 
poor  wretches ;  for  notwithstanding  their  food 
was  carrion  swallowed  at  so  late  an  hour, 
and  their  drink  not  wine,  but  brackish  hard 
water,  being  enough  to  make  the  most  robust 
animal  burst;  still  the  old  men,  wTomen,  and 
children  were  strong,  with  hale  colour  on 
their  countenances  and  vigour  in  all  their  ac- 
tions, as  much  so  as  if  their  health  had  been 
the  subject  of  their  particular  solicitude.  .  . 
It  was  already  past  midnight  when  the  frater- 
nity began  to  betake  themselves  to  rest,  some 
of  them  reclining  their  backs  against  the  pine 
trees,  and  others  stretching  themselves  on 
any  few  clothes  which  they  chanced  to  have ; 
I,  who  was  beset  by  imaginations  many  and 
various,  served  as  a  vigilant  sentinel,  tending 
the  fire,  and  adding  to  it  frequently  new  ma- 
terials that  it  might  not  go  out,  for  without 
its  warmth  I  should  certainly  have  arrived  at 
the  portals  of  death.  I  was  busied  in  this  oc- 
cupation more  than  five  hours,  until  morning 
came,  as  slow  in  giving  its  light  as  desired 
by  me.  I  began  to  take  comfort  when  1  saw 
the  darkness  passing  away,  and  the  sky  che- 
quered with  different  colours,  and  forthwith 
sought  for  something  to  cover  my  sodden 
flesh,  and  it  pleased  God  to  show  me  some 
sheep  skins,  which,  turned  with  the  wool  in- 
side, I  commenced  fastening  to  my  body  with 
some  pieces  of  cord. 

"The  sun  was  already  illuming  the  lowest 
hills  when  these  barbarians  began  to  rouse 
themselves  from  their  slumbers.  Gracious 
providence !  though  it  had  not  left  off  rain- 
ing, more  or  less,  for  eleven  hours,  and 
though  they  had  nothing  to  shelter  and  de- 
fend them  from  the  inclemency  of  the  cold, 
they  had  slept  as  calmly  and  quietly  as  if  on 
beds  of  down.  True  it  is  that  custom  be- 
came to  them  nature,  and  to  remove  them 
from  this  species  of  life  would  have  been 
death.  Seeing  that  I  had  made  of  myself  a 
portrait  of  the  Baptist,  with  my  arms  and  legs 
uncovered,  all  who  saw  me  began  to  laugh, 
praising  my  industry,  for  by  accommodating 


myself  to  circumstances  I  had  given  a  proof 
of  my  skill ;  it  however  availed  me  but  little, 
for  one  of  the  Gitanas,  uttering  many  cries, 
and  threatening  me  with  many  abusive  words, 
bade  me  instantly  take  off  my  new  dress,  it 
being  the  rug  on  which  she  was  wont  to  sleep. 
I  saw  that  she  was  right,  as  I  had  made  my- 
self master  of  another  person's  property,  and 
instantly  stripped  myself  of  that  disguise, 
remaining  naked  as  before.  Two  days  I  con- 
tinued in  this  state,  and  might  have  continued 
for  many  more  but  for  the  death  of  a  Gitano, 
who  being  very  infirm  and  excessively  old, 
paid  the  debt  to  which  he  was  condemned 
from  the  moment  of  his  birth. 

"Two  fellows  made  a  deep  hole  or  grave, 
where  they  left  the  body  of  the  defunct  un- 
covered, casting  in  with  it  some  loaves  and 
a  little  money,  as  if  he  needed  it  for  the 
journey  of  the  next  world.  Then  the  Gita- 
nas walked  past,  two  by  two,  with  hair  dis- 
hevelled and  scratching  their  visages,  and 
she  who  made  her  nails  most  bloody  performed 
her  duty  best,  according  to  their  idea.  In 
the  rear  came  the  men  calling  on  the  saints, 
and  principally  on  the  divine  Baptist,  for 
whom  they  entertain  an  especial  devotion, 
entreating  him  with  loud  cries,  as  if  he  were 
deaf,  to  help  the  dead,  and  to  obtain  pardon 
for  his  sins.  When  they  were  hoarse  with 
shouting,  they  were  proceeding  to  cast  the 
earth  over  him ;  but  I  prayed  them  to  stay 
awhile  whilst  I  said  two  words.  They 
granted  my  request,  and  I  with  the  greatest 
humility  addressed  them  in  the  following 
manner 

"  What  I  said  appeared  reasonable  to  all, 
and  it  was  certainly  strange  that  amongst  so 
many  there  was  none  to  contradict  me.  They 
told  me  to  strip  him ;  and  I  very  obediently 
took  from  the  dead  man  his  dress,  with  which 
I  covered  my  body,  becoming  in  garb,  if  not 
in  disposition  and  manners,  like  the  other 
Gypsies.  I  returned  the  body  to  its  grave; 
and  covering  it  with  earth,  left  it  until  the 
day  of  judgment,  when  it  will  come  forth  to 
its  account,  like  all  the  rest  of  us." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  COMUNEROS. — GUEVARA. THE  TWO  PA- 

DILLAS. — MARY  PADILLA  AND  HER  HAG. 

CANNIBALISM. — FAJARDO. — ANECDOTES. 

CHILD-STEALING. — CONNEXION  OF  THE  GI- 
TANOS  WITH  THE  MOORS  OF  BARBARY. 

Few  foreigners  have  heard  of  the  Comu- 
neros  of  Spain;  yet  the  civil  war  between  the 
Comuneros  and  Royalists,  or  the  party  of 
Carlos  the  First,  generally  known  in  Europe 
by  the  name  of  Charles  the  Fifth,  is  one  of 
tlfe  most  remarkable  events  in  Spanish  his- 
tory. 

Charles  the  Fifth,  the  Austrian,  who  as- 
cended the  throne  of  Spain  a  mere  stripling, 
brought  with  him  a  crowd  of  foreigners,  by 


28 


THE  ZINCALI. 


whose  advice  and  opinions  his  actions,  for 
some  years,  were  much  influenced.  The  ra- 
pacity and  insolence  of  these  followers  highly 
incensed  the  people,  and  especially  the  proud 
Castilian  nobles.  Resistance  to  the  royal  au- 
thority was  determined  upon ;  a  league  was 
formed,  and  those  who  composed  it  were 
called  Comuneros,  or  individuals  united  in  a 
common  cause.  This  league  had  its  ramifi- 
cations throughout  Spain,  but  its  focus  was 
in  Old  Castile,  and  there  principally  was  the 
battle  fought.  The  Royalists  and  foreigners  j 
finally  triumphed,  but  in  a  manner  which  did  • 
them  little  honour.  Their  soldiers  were  fierce 
and  savage  enough  to  all  purpose,  but  their . 
swords  and  lances  proved  of  less  service  to 
the  royal  cause  than  the  preaching  and  ha- 
ranguing of  certain  friars,  who  were  sent| 
amongst  the  Comuneros  for  the  purpose  of 
breeding  dissension,  in  which  they  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  succeeded. 

It  is  said  that  the  Comuneros  wished  to 
have  established  a  kind  of  republic,  after  the 
manner  of  the  Italian  states :  the  scheme  was 
perhaps  chimerical,  yet  some  of  the  best  and 
bravest  spirits  in  Spain  were  engaged  in  it, 
the  most  celebrated  of  whom  were  Juan  de 
Padilla,  and  the  Bishop  of  Zamora.  The  Co- 
muneros, who  still  held  together,  were  at  last 
worsted  in  a  decisive  combat  on  the  plains  of 
Villalar,  where  their  chiefs  were  taken  pri- 
soners, after  a  desperate  combat,  and  almost 
immediately  executed. 

On  this  latter  occasion,  two  examples  were 
offered,  one  of  heroic  and  generous  feeling, 
and  the  other  of  Christian  resignation,  which 
are  perhaps  without  a  parallel.  Juan  de  Pa- 
dilla was  led  forth  to  suffer  on  the  scaffold 
with  one  Juan  Bravo ;  whereupon  the  latter, 
who  was  a  cavalier  of  Salamanca  and  an  en- 
thusiastic Comunero,  begged  of  the  execu- 
tioner to  decapitate  him  first :  that  I  may  not 
see  the  best  gentleman  in  Castile  put  to 
death.  On  hearing  which,  Padilla  exclaimed: 
"  Heed  not  such  a  trifle,  Juan  Bravo;  yes- 
terday it  became  us  to  fight  like  gentlemen; 
to-day  it  is  our  duty  to  die  like  Chris- 
tians." 

But  the  most  extraordinary  of  all  the  Co- 
muneros was  a  woman,  and  this  woman  was 
Donna  Maria  de  Padilla,  the  wife  of  Juan  de 
Padilla,  of  whom  we  have  just  been  speaking. 
She  was  a  native  of  Toledo,  her  maiden  name 
was  Pacheco,  and  she  is  said  to  have  been  a 
person  of  great  beauty,  and  of  masculine  un- 
derstanding ;  the  worst  enemy  of  her  husband 
and  herself,  Friar  Antonio  Guevara,*  bears 

*  This  individual  was  originally  a  soldier,  subsequent ly 
a  friar,  and  finally  Bishop  of  Mondonedo,  to  which  dig- 
nity he  was  advanced  by  the  Emperor,  for  services  ren- 
dered during  the  rebellion.  He  preached  anainst  the  as 
sembled  junta  of  the  Comuneros  at  Villabraxima,  and  it 
is  much  to  the  credit  of  those  of  the  league  that  he  was 
permitted  to  depart  alive,  if  he  really  said  only  one  half 
of  iht:  Impertinent  things  of  which  he  himself  boasts  in 
his  letters.  The  Bishop  of  Zamora,  however,  dismissed 
him  with  a  cutting  rebuke,  which  Guevara  had  not  suf- 
ficient sense  to  suppress,  but  has  related  to  his  own  im 
mortal  shame.  He  was  a  i  erson  of  loud  voice,  matchles- 
impudence,  and  of  exceeding  ignorance.  It  is  believed 
that  Cervantes  intended  to  represent  Guevara  by  the  in 
solent  ecclesiastic  at  the  Duke's  table,  who  abuses  the 
Don,  and  scolds  the  Duke  for  tolerating  him. 


witness  to  her  energy ;  for,  in  his  Familiar 

Letters,*  he  says,  that  she  was  the  stay  of 
the  cause,  a  title  of  which  she  proved  herself 
well  worthy,  by  holding  out,  when  all  was 
lost;  and  by  defending  Toledo,  the  capital  of 
New  Castile,  after  the  husband  whom  she 
idolized  had  perished  on  the  scaffold  in  the 
adjoining  province.  The  latter  part  of  the 
life  of  this  wonderful  woman  is  enveloped  in 
a  strange  mystery;  she  is  said  to  have  incited 
her  husband  to  take  a  principal  part  in  the 
rebellion,  (for  rebellion  it  certainly  was,) 
from  motives  of  ambition,  with  which  she 
was  inspired  by  the  discourse  of  a  being — a 
female,  who  was  continually  about  her,  prat- 
tling and  filling  her  brain  with  fantastic  vi- 
sions of  future  grandeur.  Let  us  see  what 
her  enemy  Guevara  says  on  this  point,  who, 
in  a  letter  which  he  addressed  to  her,  thus 
writes : — 

"People  likewise  say  of  you,  O  madam, 
that  you  have  about  you  a  tawny  and  frantic 
slave,  a  female  who  is  a  great  sorceress ;  and 
they  say  that  she  has  said  and  affirmed,  that 
within  a  few  days  you  shall  be  called  high 
and  mighty  lady,  and  your  husband  high- 
ness." 

It  appears  to  us,  that  this  mad,  tawny  fe- 
male, whom  Guevara  calls  a  slave,  was  a 
Gypsy,  one  of  the  sect  of  the  Rommany,  of 
the  husbands  and  wives,  such  predictions 
having  at  all  times  formed  part  of  the  buena 
ventura,  which  they  are  so  fond  of  telling. 

It  is  singular  enough  that  the  Gitanos,  who 
have  so  few  traditions,  speak  of  Mary  Padil- 
la, in  one  of  their  magic  rhymes : — 

"  One  of  these  cheeses  I  will  give  to  Mary  Padilla  and 
to  her  company." 

It  must  be  observed,  however,  that  two 
personages  of  the  name  of  Maria  de  Padilla 
have  played  a  part  in  Spanish  history.  The 
first  was  the  wife  or  concubine  of  the  king 
Don  Pedro,  and  the  second  the  Maria  Pa- 
checo, or  Padilla,  as  she  is  always  called,  of 
whom  we  are  now  speaking.  We  entertain 
no  doubt,  however,  and  no  individual  who  at 
all  understands  the  subject  can  entertain  a 
doubt,  that  Maria  Pacheco,  wife  of  Don  Juan 
de  Padilla,  is  alluded  to  in  this  witch-rhyme 
of  the  Gitanos,  and  not  the  wife  of  the  king 
Don  Pedro,  who  was  also  called  Donna  Ma- 
ria de  Padilla. 

Maria  Padilla,  the  wife  of  Don  Pedro,  lived 
centuries  before  the  arrival  of  the  Gitanos  in 
Spain.  This  alone  is  a  very  strong  argu- 
ment for  the  correctness  of  the  opinion  ex- 
pressed ;  if  we  consider  what  slight  know- 
ledge people  so  illiterate  as  the  Gitanos 
could  have  of  the  unfortunate  wife  of  Don 
Pedro,  and  how  little  any  thing  relating  to 
her  was  calculated  to  interest  this  jente  de 
behetria,  this  disorderly  rabble,  who,  during 
their  whole  sojourn  in  Spain,  have  thought 
of  nothing  hut  deceit  and  robbery. 

But  with  respect  to  the  other  Maria,  the 
Pacheco  Padilla,  the  case  is  widely  different. 

*  Epistolas  Familiares.  Salamanca,  1578.  Several  of 
these  letters  are  addressed  to  the  principal  Comuneros; 
amongst  them  is  one  to  Maria  de  Padilla. 


CANNIBALISM. FAJARDO. 


29 


She  lived  in  Gypsy  times;  and  we  have 
little  hesitation  in  believing  that  she  was 
connected  with  this  race — fatally  for  herself: 
her  slave  !  lora  y  loca,  tawny  and  frantic — 
what  epithets  can  be  found  more  applicable 
to  a  Gypsy,  more  descriptive  of  her  personal 
appearance  and  occasional  demeanour  than 
these  two]  And  then  again,  the  last  scene 
in  the  life  of  Padilla,  so  mysterious,  so  unac- 
countable, unless  the  Gitanos  were  con- 
cerned, and  they  unquestionably  were  flit- 
ting about  the  eventful  stage  at  that  pe- 
riod. 

The  great  majority  of  the  Spanish  towns, 
foreseeing  perhaps  the  evil  termination  of 
the  enterprise,  abandoned  the  comunidad. 
The  commercial  city  of  Medina  was  burnt 
by  the  royal  soldiery  in  their  rage.  The  fate 
of  Olmedo  was  little  better.  After  the  affair 
of  Villalar,  all  the  Comuneros  who  remained 
alive  submitted,  and  all  the  cities  of  Spain 
presented  their  keys  to  the  conquerors,  with 
the  exception  of  Toledo,  where  Maria  Pa- 
dilla commanded,  by  the  express  desire  of 
the  Toledans  themselves.  Toledo  resisted 
so  long  as  the  Padilla  thought  fit;  and  per- 
haps this  city  would  have  chosen  and  imi- 
tated the  fate  of  Nuinancia,  if  the  heroic 
matron  had  required  such  a  sacrifice.  But 
the  Padilla  loved  Toledo  as  dearly  as  she 
loved  the  cause  for  which  her  husband  had 
fallen  ;  and  perceiving  that  it  was  necessary 
either  to  surrender  or  to  see  Toledo  razed  to 
the  ground,  she  disguised  herself  in  the  dress 
of  a  female  peasant,  or  perhaps  in  that  of  a 
Gypsy,  and  leading  her  son  by  the  hand, 
escaped  from  Toledo  one  stormy  night;  and 
from  that  moment  nothing  more  is  known  of 
her.  The  surrender  of  the  town  followed 
immediately  after  her  disappearance. 

We  have  said  that  perhaps  she  disguised 
herself  as  a  Gypsy,  and  we  certainly  believe 
that  the  tawny  and  frantic  slave,  the  mighty 
sorceress,  who  haunted  her,  was  a  genuine 
Gitana,  and  that  the  lying  prophecy  attri- 
buted to  her  was  the  baji  or  buena  ventura. 
It  was  quite  in  character  for  this  being  to 
assist  her  mistress,  or  rather  her  victim,  in 
making  her  escape,  not  from  love,  not  from 
fidelity,  O  no!  The  Gitana  had  no  sympa- 
thy, no  pity,  for  the  busnee,  or  her  fair  boy. 
She  and  her  gang,  concealed  amongst  the 
hills,  only  thought  of  the  jewels  which  the 
Padilla  might  bring  with  her. 

One  word  more  on  this  point.  The  place 
where  the  most  noisy  meetings  of  the  Co- 
muneros were  held,  was  the  village  of  Villa- 
braxima,  which,  as  Martin  del  Rio  proves, 
(an  excellent  authority  on  such  a  subject,) 
was  one  of  the  most  constant  haunts  of  the 
Gitanos.  It  is  by  no  means  improbable  that 
during  the  events  which  we  have  related 
above,  the  Comuneros  employed  Gitanos  for 
the  purpose  of  conveying  their  correspon- 
dence, and  perhaps  the  royalists  themselves 
made  use  of  these  people — people  exactly 
suited  for  every  species  of  mysterious  crime 
—so  that  the  poor  unfortunate  Padilla,  trust- 
ing to  make  her  escape  by  means  of  them 


and  her  frantic  slave,  perished  with  her 
young  son  by  hokkano  baro. 

If  the  Gitanos  had  any  hand  in  the  disap- 
pearance and  death  of  the  Padilla,  it  is  the 
worst  of  the  many  evil  actions  which  they 
have  committed  in  Spain. 

"Los  Gitanos  son  muy  malos! — the  Gyp- 
sies are  very  bad  people,"  said  the  Spaniards 
of  old  times.  They  are  cheats;  they  are 
highwaymen;  they  practise  sorcery;  and, 
lest  the  catalogue  of  their  offences  should  be 
incomplete,  a  formal  charge  of  cannibalism 
was  brought  against  them.  Cheats  they 
have  always  been,  and  highwaymen,  and  if 
not  sorcerers,  they  have  always  done  their 
best  to  merit  that  appellation,  by  arrogating 
to  themselves  supernatural  powers;  but  that 
they  were  addicted  to  cannibalism  is  a  mat- 
ter not  so  easily  proved. 

Their  principal  accuser  was  Don  Juan  de 
Quinoues,  who,  in  the  work  from  which  we 
have  already  had  occasion  to  quote,  gives 
several  anecdotes  illustrative  of  their  canni- 
bal propensities.  Most  of  these  anecdotes, 
however,  are  so  highly  absurd,  that  none  but 
the  very  credulous  could  ever  have  vouchsafed 
them  the  slightest  credit.  This  author  is  very 
fond  of  speaking  of  a  certain  juez,  or  judge, 
called  Don  Martin  Fajardo,  who  seems  to 
have  been  an  arrant  Gypsy-hunter,  and  was 
probably  a  member  of  the  ancient  family  of 
the  Fajardos  which  still  flourisnes  in  Estre- 
madura,  and  with  individuals  of  which  we 
are  acquainted.  So  it  came  to  pass  that  this 
personage  was,  in  the  year  1629,  at  Jarai- 
cejo,  in  Estremadura,  or,  as  it  is  written  in 
the  little  book  in  question,  Zaraizejo,  in  the 
capacity  of  judge,  a  zealous  one  he  undoubt- 
edly was. 

A  very  strange  place  is  this  same  Jarai- 
cejo,  a  small  ruinous  town  or  village,  situated 
on  a  rising  ground,  with  a  very  wild  country 
all  about  it.  The  road  from  Badajoz  to  Ma- 
drid passes  through  it ;  and  about  two  leagues 
distant,  in  the  direction  of  Madrid,  is  the 
famous  mountain  pass  of  Mirabete,  from  the 
top  of  which  you  enjoy  a  most  picturesque 
view  across  the  Tagus,  which  flows  below, 
as  far  as  the  huge  mountains  of  Plasencia, 
the  tops  of  which  are  generally  covered  with 
snow. 

So  this  Don  Martin  Fajardo,  judge,  being 
at  Jaraicejo,  laid  his  claw  upon  four  Gita- 
nos, and  having  nothing,  as  it  appears,  to 
accuse  them  of,  except  being  Gitanos,  put 
them  to  the  torture,  and  made  them  accuse 
themselves,  which  they  did;  for,  on  the  first 
appeal  which  was  made  to  the  rack,  they 
confessed  that  they  had  murdered  a  female 
Gypsy  in  the  forest  of  Las  Gamas,  and  had 
there  eaten  her 

I  am  myself  well  acquainted  with  this 
same  forest  of  Las  Gamas,  which  lies  be- 
tween Jaraicejo  and  Trujillo;  it  abounds 
with  chestnut  and  cork  trees,  and  is  a  place 
very  well  suited  either  for  the  purpose  of 
murder  or  cannibalism.  It  will  be  as  well 
to  observe  that  I  visited  it  in  company  with 
a  band  of  Gitanos,  who  bivouacked  there, 


30 


THE  ZINCALI. 


and  cooked  their  supper,  which  however  did 
not  consist  of  human  flesh,  but  of  a  puchera, 
the  ingredients  of  which  were  beef,  bacon, 
garbanzos,  and  berdolaga,  or  field-peas  and 
purslain, — therefore  I  myself  can  bear  testi- 
mony that  there  is  such  a  forest  as  Las 
Gamas,  and  that  it  is  frequented  occasionally 
by  Gypsies,  by  which  two  points  are  esta- 
blished by  far  the  most  important  to  the  his- 
tory in  question,  or  so  at  least  it  would  be 
thought  in  Spain,  for  being  sure  of  the  forest 
and  the  Gypsies,  few  would  be  incredulous 
enough  to  doubt  the  facts  of  the  murder  and 
cannibalism 

On  being  put  to  the  rack  a  second  time, 
the  Gitanos  confessed  that  they  had  like- 
wise murdered  and  eaten  a  female  pilgrim  in 
the  forest  aforesaid ;  and  on  being  tortured 
yet  again,  that  they  had  served  in  the  same 
manner,  and  in  the  same  forest,  a  friar  of  the 
order  of  San  Francisco,  whereupon  they 
were  released  from  the  rack  and  executed. 
This  is  one  of  the  anecdotes  of  Quinones. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  moreover,  that  the 
said  Fajardo,  being  in  the  town  of  Montijo, 
was  told  by  the  alcalde,  that  a  certain  inha- 
bitant of  that  place  had  some  time  previous 
lost  a  mare ;  and  wandering  about  the  plains 
in  quest  of  her,  he  arrived  at  a  place  called 
Arroyo  el  Puerco,  where  stood  a  ruined 
house,  on  entering  which  he  found  various 
Gitanos  employed  in  preparing  their  dinner, 
which  consisted  of  a  quarter  of  a  human 
body,  which  was  being  roasted  before  a  huge 
fire:  the  result  however  we  are  not  told: 
whether  the  Gypsies  were  angry  at  being  dis- 
turbed in  their  cookery,  or  whether  the  man 
of  the  mare  departed  unobserved. 

Quinones,  in  continuation,  states  in  his 
book  that  he  learned  (he  does  not  say  from 
whom,  but  probably  from  Fajardo)  that  there 
was  a  shepherd  of  the  city  of  Gaudix,  who 
once  lost  his  way  in  the  wild  sierra  of  Gadol : 
night  came  on,  and  the  wind  blew  cold;  he 
wandered  about  until  he  descried  a  light  in 
the  distance,  towards  which  he  bent  his  way, 
supposing  it  to  be  a  fire  kindled  by  shep- 
herds; on  arriving  at  the  spot,  however, 
he  found  a  whole  tribe  of  Gypsies,  who  were 
roasting  the  half  of  a  man,  the  other  half 
being  hung  on  a  cork  tree:  the  Gypsies  wel- 
comed him  very  heartily,  and  requested  him 
to  be  seated  at  the  fire  and  to  sup  with 
them ;  but  he  presently  heard  them  whisper 
to  each  other,  "this  is  a  fine  fat  fellow," 
from  which  he  suspected  that  they  were  me- 
ditating a  design  upon  his  body;  whereupon, 
feigning  himself  sleepy,  he  made,  as  if  he 
were  seeking  a  spot  where  to  lie,  and  sud- 
denly darted  headlong  down  the  mountain 
side,  and  escaped  from  their  hands  without 
breaking  his  neck. 

These  anecdotes  scarcely  deserve  com- 
ment: first,  we  have  the  statements  of  Fa- 
jardo, the  fool  or  knave,  who  tortures 
wretches,  and  then  puts  them  to  death  for 
the  crimes  with  which  they  have  taxed 
themselves  whilst  undergoing  the  agonv  of 
the  rack,  probably  With  the  hope  OI  Obtaining  'pelled  people  far  more  civilized  than  wandering  Gypsies 


a  moment's  respite ;  last  comes  the  tale  of 
the  shepherd,  who  is  invited  by  Gypsies  on  a 
mountain  at  night  to  partake  of  a  supper  of 
human  flesh,  and  who  runs  away  from  them 
on  hearing  them  talk  of  the  fatness  of  his 
own  body,  as  if  cannibal  robbers  detected  inr 
their  orgies  by  a  single  interloper  would 
have  afforded  him  a  chance  of  escaping. 
Such  tales  cannot  be  true.* 

Cases  of  cannibalism  are  said  to  have  oc- 
curred in  Hungary  amongst  the  Gypsies ; 
indeed,  the  whole  race,  in  that  country,  has 
been  accused  of  cannibalism,  to  which  we 
have  alluded  whilst  speaking  of  the  Chin- 
gany :  it  is  very  probable,  however,  that  they 
were  quite  innocent  of  this  odious  practice, 
and  that  the  accusation  had  its  origin  in  po- 
pular prejudice,  or  in  the  fact  of  their  foul 
feeding,  and  their  seldom  rejecting  carrion 
or  offal  of  any  description. 

The  Gazette  of  Frankfort  for  the  year 
1782,  Nos.  157  and  207,  states  that  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  Gypsies  were  imprisoned 
charged  with  this  practice ;  and  that  the 
Empress  Teresa  sent  commissioners  to  in- 
quire into  the  facts  of  the  accusation,  who 
discovered  that  they  were  true ;  whereupon 
the  Empress  published  a  law  to  oblige  all 
the  Gypsies  in  her  dominions  to  become 
stationary,  which,  however,  had  no  effect. 

Upon  this  matter  we  can  state  nothing  on 
our  own  knowledge. 

"Los  Gitanos  son  muy  malos;  llevart 
ninos  hurtados  a  Berberia.  The  Gypsies 
are  very  bad  people;  they  steal  children  and 
carry  them  to  Barbary,  where  they  sell  them 
to  the  Moors" — so  said  the  Spaniards  in  old 
times.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  even 
before  the  fall  of  the  kingdom  of  Granada, 
which  occurredjin  the  year  1492,  the  Gitanos 
had  intercourse  with  the  Moors  of  Spain. 
Andalusia,  which  has  ever  been  the  province 
where  the  Gitano  race  has  most  abounded 
since  its  arrival,  was,  until  the  edict  of  Philip 
the  Third,  which  banished  more  than  a  mil- 
lion of  Moriscos  from  Spain,  principally  peo- 
pled by  Moors,  who  differed  from  the  Spa- 
niards both  in  language  and  religion ;  by  living- 
even  as  wanderers  amongst  these  people, 
the  Gitanos  naturally  became  acquainted 
with  their  tongue,  and  with  many  of  their 
customs,  which  of  course  much  facilitated 
any  connexion  which  they  might  subse- 
quently form  with  the  Barbaresques.  Be- 
tween the  Moors  of  Barbary  and  the  Spa- 
niards a  deadly  and  continued  war  raged  for 
centuries,  both  before  and  after  the  expulsion 
of  the  Moriscos  from  Spain.  The  Gitanos, 
who  cared  probably  as  little  for  one  nation 
as  the  other,  and  who  have  no  sympathy  and 
affection  beyond  the  pale  of  their  own  sect, 
doubtless  sided  with  either  as  their  interest 

*  Yet  notwithstanding :  that  wo  refuse  credit  to  these 
particular  narrations  of  Qniiiones  and  Fajardo,  acts 
of  cannibalism  may  certainly  have  been  perpetrated 
by  the  Gitanos  of  Spain  in  ancient  times,  when  they 
were  for  the  most  part  semi-savages,  Itving  amongst 
mountains  and  deserts,  where  food  was  hard  to  be  pro- 
cured :  famine  may  have  occasionally  compelled  them 
to  prey  on  human  flesh,  as  it  has  in  modern  times  com- 


CHILD-STEALING. 


31 


dictated,  officiating  as  spies  for  both  parties 
and  betraying  both. 

It  is  likely  enough  that  they  frequently 
passed  over  to  Barbary  with  stolen  children 
of  both  sexes,  whom  they  sold  to  the  Moors, 
who  traffic  in  slaves,  whether  white  or  black, 
even  at  the  present  day;  and  perhaps  this 
kidnapping  trade  gave  occasion  to  other  re- 
lations. As  they  were  perfectly  acquainted, 
from  their  wandering  life,  with  the  shores  of 
the  Spanish  Mediterranean,  they  must  have 
been  of  considerable  assistance  to  the  Bar- 
bary pirates  in  their  marauding  trips  to  the 
Spanish  coast,  both  as  guides  and  advisers; 
and  as  it  was  a  far  easier  matter,  and  afford- 
ed a  better  prospect  of  gain,  to  plunder  the 
Spaniards  than*  the  Moors,  a  people  almost 
as  wild  as  themselves,  they  were,  on  that 
account,  and  that  only,  more  Moors  than 
Christians,  and  ever  willing  to  assist  the 
former  in  their  forays  on  the  latter. 

Quinones  observes:  "The  Moors  with 
whom  they  hold  correspondence  let  them 
go  and  come  without  any  let  or  obstacle :  an 
instance  of  this  was  seen  in  the  year  1627, 
when  two  galleys  from  Spain  were  carrying 
assistance  to  Mamora,  which  was  then  be- 
sieged by  the  Moors.  These  galleys  struck 
on  a  shoal,  when  the  Moors  seized  all  the 
people  on  board,  making  captives  of  the 
Christians  and  setting  at  liberty  all  the 
Moors,  who  were  chained  to  the  oar;  as  for 
the  Gypsy  galley-slaves  whom  they  found 
amongst  these  last,  they  did  not  make  them 
slaves,  but  received  them  as  people  friendly 
to  them,  and  at  their  devotion ;  which  mat- 
ter was  public  and  notorious." 

Of  the  Moors  and  the  Gitanos  we  shall 
have  occasion  to  say  something  in  the  fol- 
lowing chapter. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

BARBARY  AND  ITS  TRIBES. — BENI  AROS. — 

SIDI  HAMED  AU  MUZA. THE  CHILDREN  OF 

THE  DAR-BUSHI-FAL,  A  SECT  OF  THIEVES 
AND  SORCERERS,  PROBABLY  OF  GYPSY 

j  ORIGIN. 

'  There  is  no  portion  of  the  world  so  little 
known  as  Africa  in  general ;  and  perhaps  of 
all  Africa  there  is  no  corner  with  which  Eu- 
ropeans are  so  little  acquainted  as  Barbary, 
which  nevertheless  is  only  separated  from 
the  continent  of  Europe  by  a  narrow  strait  of 
four  leagues  across. 

China  itself  has,  for  upwards  of  a  century, 
ceased  to  be  a  land  of  mystery  to  the  civilized 
portion  of  the  world ;  the  enterprising  chil- 
dren of  Loyola  having  wandered  about  it  in 
every  direction,  making  converts  to  their 
doctrine  and  discipline,  whilst  the  Russians 
possess  better  maps  of  its  vast  regions  than 
of  their  own  country,  and  lately,  owing  to 


the  persevering  labour  and  searching  eye  of 
my  friend  Hyacinth,  Archimandrite  of  Saint 
John  Nefsky,  are  acquainted  with  the  num- 
ber of  its  military  force  to  a  man,  and  also 
with  the  names  and  residences  of  its  civil 
servants.  Yet  who  possesses  a  map  of  Fez 
and  Morocco,  or  would  venture  to  form  a 
conjecture  as  to  how  many  fiery  horsemen 
Abderrahman,  the  mulatto  emperor,  could 
lead  to  the  field,  were  his  sandy  dominions 
threatened  by  the  Nazarene?  Yet  Fez  is 
scarcely  two  hundred  leagues  distant  from 
Madrid,  whilst  Maraks,  the  other  great  city 
of  the  Moors,  and  which  also  has  given  its 
name  to  an  empire,  is  scarcely  farther  re- 
moved from  Paris,  the  capital  of  civilization  : 
in  a  word,  we  scarcely  know  any  thing  of 
Barbary,  the  scanty  information  which  we 
possess  being  confined  to  a  few  tpwns  on  the 
sea  coast;  the  zeal  of  the  Jesuit  himself  be- 
ing insufficient  to  induce  him  to  confront  the 
perils  of  the  interior,  in  the  hopeless  endea- 
vour of  making  one  single  proselyte  from 
amongst  the  wildest  fanatics  of  the  creed  of 
the  Prophet  Camel-driver. 

Are  wanderers  of  the  Gypsy  race  to  be 
found  in  Barbary  1  This  is  a  question  which 
I  have  frequently  asked  myself.  Several  re- 
spectable authors  have,  I  believe,  asserted  the 
fact,  amongst  whom  Adelung,  who,  speaking 
of  the  Gypsies,  says,  "Four  hundred  years 
have  passed  away  since  they  departed  from 
their  native  land.  During  this  time,  they  have 
spread  themselves  through  the  whole  of  West- 
ern Asia,  Europe,  and  Northern  Africa."* 
But  it  is  one  thing  to  make  an  assertion,  and 
another  to  produce  the  grounds  for  making 
it.  I  believe  it  would  require  a  far  greater 
stock  of  information  than  has  hitherto  been 
possessed  by  any  one  who  has  written  on  the 
subject  of  the  Gypsies,  to  justify  him  in  as- 
serting positively,  that  after  traversing  the 
west  of  Europe,  they  spread  themselves  over 
Northern  Africa,  though  true  it  is  that  to 
those  who  take  a  superficial  view  of  the  mat- 
ter, nothing  appears  easier  and  more  natural 
than  to  come  to  such  a  conclusion. 

Tarifa,  they  will  say,  the  most  western  part 
of  Spain,  is  opposite  to  Tangier,  in  Africa,  a 
narrow  sea  only  running  between,  less  wide 
than  many  rivers.  Bands,  therefore,  of  these 
wanderers,  of  course,  on  reaching  Tarifa, 
passed  over  into  Africa,  even  as  thousands 
crossed  the  channel  from  France  to  England. 
They  have  at  all  times  shown  themselves  ex- 
travagantly fond  of  a  roving  life.  What  land 
is  better  adapted  for  such  a  life  than  Africa  and 
its  wilds'?  What  land,  therefore,  more  likely 
to  entice  them? 

All  this  is  very  plausible.  It  was  easy 
enough  for  the  Gitanos  to  pass  over  to  Tan- 
gier and  Tetuan,  from  the  Spanish  towns  of 
Tarifa  and  Algeziras.  In  the  last  chapter  I 
have  stated  my  belief  of  the  fact,  and  that 
moreover  they  formed  certain  connexions 
with  the  Moors  of  the  coast,  to  whom  it  is 
likely  that  they  occasionally  sold  children 

*  Mithridates,  erster  theil.  e.  241. 


32 


THE  ZINCALI. 


stolen  in  Spain ;  yet  such  connexion  would 
by  no  means  have  opened  them  a  passage  into 
the  interior  of  Barbary,  which  is  inhabited  by 
wild  and  fierce  people,  in  comparison  with 
whom  the  Moors  of  the  coast,  bad  as  they 
always  have  been,  are  gentle  and  civilized. 

To  penetrate  into  Africa,  the  Gitanos  would 
have  been  compelled  to  pass  through  the  tribes 
who  speak  the  Shilha  language,  and  who  are 
the  descendants  of  the  ancient  Numidians. 
These  tribes  are  the  most  untameable  and 
warlike  of  mankind,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
most  suspicious,  and  those  who  entertain  the 
greatest  aversion  to  foreigners.  They  are 
dreaded  by  the  Moors  themselves,  and  have 
always  remained,  to  a  certain  degree,  inde- 
pendent of  the  emperors  of  Morocco.  They 
are  the  most  terrible  of  robbers  and  murderers, 
and  entertain  far  more  reluctance  to  spill 
water,  than  the  blood  of  their  fellow-creatures: 
the  Bedouins,  also,  of  the  Arabian  race,  are 
warlike,  suspicious,  and  cruel ;  and  would 
not  have  failed  instantly  to  have  attacked 
bands  of  foreign  wanderers,  wherever  they 
found  them,  and  in  all  probability  to  have  ex- 
terminated them.  Now  the  Gitanos,  such  as 
they  arrived  in  Barbary,  could  not  have  de- 
fended themselves  against  such  enemies,  had 
they  even  arrived  in  large  divisions,  instead 
of  bands  of  twenties  and  thirties,  as  is  their 
custom  to  travel.  They  are  not  by  nature 
nor  by  habit  a  warlike  race,  and  would  have 
quailed  before  the  Africans,  who,  unlike  most 
other  people,  engage  in  wars,  from  what  ap- 
pears to  be  an  innate  love  of  the  cruel  and 
bloody  scenes  attendant  on  war. 

It  may  be  said,  that  if  the  Gitanos  were 
able  to  make  their  way  from  the  north  of 
India,  from  Multan,  for  example,  the  province 
which  the  learned  consider  to  be  the  original 
dwelling-place  of  the  race,  to  such  an  im- 
mense distance  as  the  western  part  of  Spain, 
passing  necessarily  through  many  wild  lands 
and  tribes,  why  might  they  not  have  pene- 
trated into  the  heart  of  Barbary,  and  where- 
fore may  not  their  descendants  be  still  there 
following  the  same  kind  of  life  as  the  Eu- 
ropean Gypsies,  that  is,  wandering  about 
from  place  to  place,  and  maintaining  them- 
selves by  deceit  and  robbery  1 

But  those  who  are  acquainted  but  slightly 
with  the  condition  of  Barbary,  are  aware  that 
it  would  be  less  difficult  and  dangerous  for  a 
company  of  foreigners  to  proceed  from  Spain 
to  Multan,  than  from  the  nearest  sea-port  in 
Barbary  to  Fez,  an  insignificant  distance. 
True  it  is,  that  from  their  intercourse  with 
the  Moors  of  Spain,  the  Gypsies  might  have 
become  acquainted  with  the  Arabic  language, 
and  might  even  have  adopted  the  Moorish 
dress  ere  entering  Barbary ;  and,  moreover, 
might  have  professed  belief  in  the  religion  of 
Mahomet;  still  they  would  have  been  known 
as  foreigners,  and,  on  that  account,  would 
have  been  assuredly  attacked  by  the  people 
of  the  interior,  had  they  gone  amongst  them, 
who,  according  to  the  usual  practice,  would 
either  have  massacred  them,  or  made  them 
slaves,  and  as  slaves  they  would  have  been 


separated.  The  mulatto  hue  of  their  counte- 
nances would  probably  have  insured  them  the 
latter  fate,  as  all  blacks  and  mulattos  in  the 
dominions  of  the  Moor  are  properly  slaves, 
and  can  be  bought  and  sold,  unless  by  some 
means  or  other  they  become  free,  in  which 
event  their  colour  is  no  obstacle  to  their  ele- 
vation to  the  highest  employments  and  dig- 
nities, to  their  becoming  pashas  of  cities  and 
provinces,  or  even  to  their  ascending  the 
throne.  Several  emperors  of  Morocco  have 
been  mulattos. 

Above  I  have  pointed  out  all  the  difficulties 
and  dangers  which  must  have  attended  the 
path  of  the  Gitanos,  had  they  passed  from 
Spain  into  Barbary,  and  attempted  to  spread 
themselves  over  that  region,  as  over  Europe 
and  many  parts  of  Asia.  To  these  observa- 
tions I  have  been  led,  by  the  assertion  that 
they  accomplished  this;  and  no  proof  of  the 
fact  having,  as  I  am  aware,  ever  been  adduced ; 
for  who  amongst  those  who  have  made  such 
a  statement,  has  seen  or  conversed  with  the 
Egyptians  of  Barbary,  or  had  sufficient  inter- 
course with  them,  to  justify  him  in  the  as- 
sertion that  they  are  one  and  the  same  people 
as  those  of  Europe,  from  whom  they  differ 
about  as  much  as  the  various  tribes  which  in- 
habit various  European  countries  differ  from 
each  other.  At  the  same  time,  I  wish  it  to 
be  distinctly  understood,  that  I  am  far  from 
denying  the  existence  of  Gypsies  in  various 
parts  of  the  interior  of  Barbary.  Indeed,  I 
almost  believe  the  fact,  though  the  informa- 
tion which  I  possess  is  by  no  means  of  a  de- 
scription which  would  justify  me  in  speaking 
with  full  certainty;  I  having  myself  never  come 
in  contact  with  any  sect  or  caste  of  people 
amongst  the  Moors,  who  not  only  tallied  in 
their  pursuits  with  the  Rommany,  but  who 
likewise  spoke  amongst  themselves  a  dialect 
of  the  language  of  the  Roma ;  nor  am  I  aware 
that  any  individual  worthy  of  credit  has  ever 
presumed  to  say  that  he  has  been  more  fortu- 
nate in  these  respects. 

Nevertheless,  I  repeat  that  I  am  inclined  to 
believe  that  Gypsies  virtually  exist  in  Bar- 
bary, and  my  reasons  I  shall  presently  adduce; 
but  I  will  here  observe,  that  if  these  strange 
outcasts  did  indeed  contrive  to  penetrate  into 
the  heart  of  that  savage  and  inhospitable 
region,  they  could  only  have  succeeded  after 
having  become  well  acquainted  with  the 
Moorish  language,  and  when,  after  a  conside- 
rable sojourn  on  the  coast,  they  had  raised 
for  themselves  a  name,  and  were  regarded 
with  superstitious  fear;  in  a  word,  if  they 
walked  this  land  of  peril  untouched  and  un- 
scathed, it  was  not  that  they  were  considered 
as  harmless  and  inoffensive  people,  which, 
indeed,  would  not  have  protected  them,  and 
which  assuredly  they  were  not;  it  was  not 
that  they  were  mistaken  for  wandering  Moors 
and  Bedouins,  from  whom  they  differed  in 
feature  and  complexion,  but  because,  wherever 
they  went,  they  were  dreaded  as  the  posses- 
sors of  supernatural  powers,  and  as  mighty 
sorcerers. 

There  is  in  Barbary  more  than  one  sect  of 


CHILDREN   OF  THE  DAR-BUSHI-FAL 


33 


wanderers,  which,  to  the  cursory  observer, 
might  easily  appear,  and  perhaps  have  ap- 
peared, in  the  light  of  legitimate  Gypsies. 
For  example,  there  are  the  Beni  Aros.  The 
proper  home  of  these  people  is  in  certain  high 
mountains  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Tetuan, 
but  they  are  to  be  found  roving  about  the 
whole  kingdom  of  Fez.  Perhaps  it  would  be 
impossible  to  find,  in  the  whole  of  Northern 
Africa,  a  more  detestable  caste.  They  are 
beggars  by  profession,  but  are  exceedingly 
addicted  to  robbery  and  murder;  they  are  no- 
torious drunkards,  and  are  infamous,  even  in 
Barbary,  for  their  unnatural  lusts;  gangs  of 
them  frequently  forcing  their  way  into  vil- 
lages, whence  they  bear  off  all  the  good- 
iooking  male  children.  They  are,  for  the 
most  part,  well  made  and  of  comely  features. 
I  have  occasionally  spoken  with  them ;  they 
are  Moors,  and  speak  no  language  but  the 
Arabic. 

Then  there  is  the  sect  of  Sidi  Hamed  au 
Muza,  a  very  roving  people,  companies  of 
whom  are  generally  to  be  found  in  all  the 
principal  towns  of  Barbary.  The  men  are 
expert  vaulters  and  tumblers,  and  perform 
wonderful  feats  of  address  with  swords  and 
daggers,  to  the  sound  of  wild  music,  which 
the  women,  seated  on  the  ground,  produce 
from  uncouth  instruments ;  by  these  means 
they  obtain  a  livelihood.  Their  dress  is  pic- 
turesque, scarlet  vest  and  white  drawers.  In 
many  respects  they  not  a  little  resemble  the 
Gypsies ;  but  they  are  not  an  evil  people,  and 
are  looked  upon  with  much  respect  by  the 
Moors,  who  call  them  Santons.  Their  patron 
saint  is  Hamed  au  Muza,  and  from  him  they 
derive  their  name.  Their  country  is  on  the 
confines  of  the  Sahra,  or  great  desert,  and 
their  language  is  the  Shilhah,  or  a  dialect 
thereof.  They  speak  but  little  Arabic.  When 
I  saw  them  for  the  first  time,  I  believed  them 
to  be  of  the  Gypsy  caste,  but  was  soon  unde- 
ceived. A  more  wandering  race  does  not 
exist,  than  the  children  of  Sidi  Hamed  au 
Muza.  They  have  even  visited  France,  and 
exhibited  their  dexterity  and  agility  at  Paris 
and  Marseilles* 

I  will  now  say  a  few  words  concerning 
another  sect  which  exists  in  Barbary,  and 
will  here  premise,  that  if  those  who  compose 
it  are  not  Gypsies,  such  people  are  not  to 
be  found  in  North  Africa,  and  the  assertion 
hitherto  believed,  that  they  abound  there,  is 
devoid  of  foundation.  I  allude  to  certain 
men  and  women,  generally  termed  by  the 
Moors,  "Those  of  the  Dar-bushi-fal,"  which 
word  is  equivalent  to  prophesying  or  fortune- 
telling.  They  are  great  wanderers,  but  have 
also  their  fixed  dwellings  or  villages,  and 
such  a  place  is  called  "Char  Seharra,"  or 
witch-hamlet.  Their  manner  of  life,  in  every 
respect,  resembles  that  of  the  Gypsies  of 
other  countries  ;  they  are  wanderers  during 
the  greatest  part  of  the  year,  and  subsist 
principally  by  pilfering  and  fortune-telling. 
They  deal  much  in  mules  and  donkeys,  and 
it  is  believed,  in  Barbary,  that  they  can  change 
the  colour  of  any  animal  by  means  of  sorce- 


ry, and  so  disguise  him  as  to  sell  him  to  his 
very  proprietor,  without  fear  of  his  being 
recognised.  This  latter  trait  is  quite  charac- 
teristic of  the  Gypsy  race,  by  whom  the  same 
thing  is  practised  in  most  parts  of  the  world. 
But  the  Moors  assert,  that  the  children  of 
the  Dar-bushi-fal  can  not  only  change  the 
colour  of  a  horse  or  a  mule,  but  likewise  of 
a  human  being,  in  one  night,  transforming  a 
white  into  a  black,  after  which  they  sell  him 
for  a  slave;  on  which  account  the  supersti- 
tious Moors  regard  them  with  the  utmost 
dread,  and  in  general  prefer  passing  the  night 
in  the  open  fields,  to  sleeping  in  their  ham- 
lets. They  are  said  to  possess  a  particular 
language,  which  is  neither  Shilhah  nor  Ara- 
bic, and  which  none  but  themselves  under- 
stand; from  all  which  circumstances  I  am 
led  to  believe,  that  the  children  of  the  Dar- 
bushi-fal  are  legitimate  Gypsies,  descendants 
of  those  who  passed  over  to  Barbary  from 
Spain.  Nevertheless,  as  it  has  never  been 
my  fortune  to  meet  or  to  converse  with  any 
of  this  caste,  although  they  are  tolerably  nu- 
merous in  Barbary,  I  am  far  from  asserting 
that  they  are  of  Gypsy  race.  More  enter- 
prising individuals  than  myself  may,  perhaps, 
establish  the  fact.  Any  particular  language 
or  jargon  which  they  speak  amongst  them- 
selves, will  be  the  best  criterion.  The  word 
which  they  employ  for  "  water,"  would  de- 
cide the  point;  for  the  Dar-bushi-fal  are  not 
Gypsies,  if,  in  their  peculiar  speech,  they 
designate  that  blessed  element  and  article 
most  necessary  to  human  existence,  by  aught 
else  than  the  Sanscrit  term  "  Pani,"  a  word 
brought  by  the  race  from  sunny  Ind,  and  es- 
teemed so  holy  that  they  have  never  pre- 
sumed to  modify  it. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  Dar- 
bushi-fal,  given  me  by  a  Jew  of  Fez,  who 
had  travelled  much  in  Barbary,  and  which  [ 
insert  almost  literally  as  I  heard  it  from  his 
mouth.  Various  other  individuals,  Moors, 
have  spoken  of  them  in  much  ihe  same 
manner. 

"  In  one  of  my  journeys  I  passed  the  night 
in  a  place  called  Mulai-Jacub  Munsur. 

"  Not  far  from  this  place  is  a  Char  Seharra, 
or  witch-hamlet,  where  dwell  those  of  the 
Dar-bushi-fal.  These  are  very  evil  people, 
and  powerful  enchanters ;  for  it  is  well  known 
that  if  any  traveller  stop  to  sleep  in  their  Char, 
they  will  with  their  sorceries,  if  he  be  a 
white  man,  turn  him  as  black  as  a  coal,  and 
will  afterwards  sell  him  as  a  negro.  Horses 
and  mules  they  serve  in  the  same  manner, 
for  if  they  are  black,  they  will  turn  them  red, 
or  any  other  colour  which  best  may  please 
them;  and  although  the  owners  demand  jus- 
tice of  the  authorities,  the  sorcerers  always 
come  off  best.  They  have  a  language  which 
they  use  among  themselves,  very  different 
from  all  other  languages,  so  much  so  that  it 
is  impossible  to  understand  them.  They  are 
very  swarthy,  quite  as  much  so  as  mulattos, 
and  their  faces  are  exceedingly  lean.  As  for 
their  legs,  they  are  like  reeds;  and  when  they 
run,  the  devil  himself  cannot  overtake  thenf. 


34 


THE  ZINCALI. 


They  tell  Dar-bushi-fal  with  flour ;  they  fill 
a  plate,  and  then  they  are  able  to  tell  you 
any  thing  you  ask  them.  They  likewise  tell 
it  with  a  shoe;  they  put  it  in  their  mouth, 
and  then  they  will  recall  to  your  memory 
every  action  of  your  life.  They  likewise 
tell  Dar-bushi-fal  with  oil;  and  indeed  are, 
in  every  respect,  most  powerful  sorcerers. 

"Two  women,  once  on  a  time,  came  to 
Fez,  bringing  with  them  an  exceedingly  white 
donkey,  which  they  placed  in  the  middle  of 
the  square  called  Faz  el  Bali ;  they  then 
killed  it,  and  cut  it  into  upwards  of  thirty 
pieces.  Upon  the  ground  there  was  much 
of  the  donkey's  filth  and  dung;  some  of  this 
they  took  in  their  hands,  when  it  straight  as- 
sumed the  appearance  of  fresh  dates.  There 
were  some  people  who  were  greedy  enough 
to  put  these  dates  into  their  mouths,  and 
then  they  found  that  it  was  dung.  These 
women  deceived  me,  amongst  the  rest,  with 
a  date ;  when  I  put  it  into  my  mouth,  lo  and 
behold  it  was  the  donkey's  dung.  After  they 
had  collected  much  money  from  the  specta- 
tors, one  of  them  took  a  needle,  and  ran  it 
into  the  tail  of  the  donkey,  crying,  'Arrhe 
li  dar,'  (Get  home,)  whereupon  the  donkey 
instantly  rose  up,  and  set  off  running,  kicking 
every  now  and  then  most  furiously;  and  it 
was  remarked,  that  not  one  single  trace  of 
blood  remained  upon  the  ground,  just  as  if 
they  had  done  nothing  to  it.  Both  these 
women  were  of  the  very  same  Char  Seharra 
which  I  have  already  mentioned.  They  like- 
wise took  paper,  and  cut  it  into  the  shape  of 
a  peseta,  and  a  dollar,  and  a  half  dollar,  until 
they  had  made  many  pesetas  and  dollars,  and 
then  they  put  them  into  an  earthen  pan  over 
a  fire,  and  when  they  took  them  out,  they 
appeared  just  fresh  from  the  stamp,  and  with 
such  money  these  people  buy  all  they  want. 

"  There  was  a  friend  of  my  grandfather, 
who  came  frequently  to  our  house,  who  was 
in  the  habit  of  making  this  money.  One  day 
he  took  me  with  him  to  buy  white  silk  ;  and 
when  they  had  shown  him  some,  he  took  the 
silk  in  his  hand,  and  pressed  it  to  his  mouth, 
and  then  1  saw  that  the  silk,  which  was  be- 
fore white,  had  become  green,  even  as  grass. 
The  master  of  the  shop  said,  *  Pay  me  for 
my  silk.'  'Of  what  colour  was  your  silk?' 
he  demanded.  '  White,'  said  the  man;  where- 
upon, turning  round,  he  cried,  'Good  people, 
behold  the  white  silk  is  green ;'  and  so  he 
got  a  pound  of  silk  for  nothing;  and  he  also 
was  of  the  Char  Seharra. 

"  They  are  very  evil  people  indeed,  and  the 
Emperor  himself  is  afraid  of  them.  The 
poor  wretch  who  falls  into  their  hands  has 
cause  to  rue;  they  always  go  badly  dressed,  and 
exhibit  every  appearance  of  misery,  though 
they  are  far  from  being  miserable.  Such  is 
the  life  they  load." 

There  is,  of  course,  some  exaggeration  in 
the  above  account  of  the  Dar-bushi-fal;  yet 
there  Is  little  reason  to  doubt  that  there  is  a 
foundation  of  truth  in  all  the  facts  stated. 
The  belief  that  they  are  enabled,  by  sorcery, 
to  change  a  white  into  a  black   man,  had  its 


origin  in  the  great  skill  which  they  possess 
in  altering  the  appearance  of  a  horse  or  a 
mule,  and  giving  it  another  colour.  Their 
changing  white  into  green  silk  is  a  very  simple 
trick,  and  is  accomplished  by  dexterously 
substituting  one  thing  for  another.  Had  the 
man  of  the' Dar-bushi-fal  been  searched,  the 
white  silk  would  have  been  found  upon  him. 
The  Gypsies,  wherever  they  are  found,  are 
fond  of  this  species  of  fraud.  In  Germany, 
for  example,  they  go  to  the  wine  shop  with 
two  pitchers  exactly  similar,  one  in  their  hand 
empty,  and  the  other  beneath  their  cloaks, 
filled  with  water;  when  the  empty  pitcher  is 
filled  with  wine  they  pretend  to  be  dissatisfied 
with  the  quality,  or  to  have  no  money,  but 
contrive  to  substitute  the  pitcher  of  water  in 
its  stead,  which  the  wine  seller  generally 
snatches  up  in  anger,  and  pours  the  contents 
back,  as  he  thinks,  into  the  butt — but  it  is 
not  wine  but  water  which  he  pours.  With 
respect  to  the  donkey,  which  appeared  to  be 
cut  in  pieces,  but  which  afterwards,  being 
pricked  in  the  tail,  got  up  and  ran  home,  I 
have  little  to  say,  but  that  I  have  myself  6een 
almost  as  strange  things  without  believing 
in  sorcery. 

As  for  the  dates  of  dung,  and  the  paper 
money,  they  are  mere  feats  of  legerdemain. 

1  repeat,  that  if  legitimate  Gypsies  really 
exist  in  Barbary,  they  are  the  men  and  wo- 
men of  the  Dar-bushi-fal. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


CHIROMANCY. TORREBLANCA. — GITANAS. 

THE  GITANA  OF  SEVILLE. —  LABUENA  VEN- 
TURA.  THE  DANCE. THE  SONG. TRICKS 

OF  THE  GITANAS. — THE  WIDOW. — OCCULT 
POWERS. 

Chiromancy,  orthe  divination  of  the  hand, 
is,  according  to  the  orthodox  theory,  the  de- 
termining from  certain  lines  upon  the  hand 
the  quality  of  the  physical  and  intellectual 
powers  of  the  possessor. 

The  whole  science  is  based  upon  the  five 
principal  lines  in  the  hand,  and  the  triangle 
which  they  form  in  the  palm.  These  lines, 
which  have  all  their  particular  and  appropriate 
names,  and  the  principal  of  which  is  called 
"  the  line  of  life,"  are,  if  we  may  believe  those 
who  have  written  on  the  subject,  connected 
with  the  heart,  with  the  genitals,  with  the 
brain,  with  the  liver  or  stomach,  and  the  head. 
Torreblanca,*  in  his  curious  and  learned  book 
on  magic,  observes,  "In  judging  these  lines 
you  must  pay  attention  to  their  substance, 
colour,  and  continuance,  together  with  the 
disposition  of  the  correspondent  member; 
for,  if  the  lino  be  well  and  clearly  described, 
and  is  of  a  vivid  colour,  without  being  inter- 
mitted or  puncturis  infecta,  it  denotes  the 

»  Torreblanca  Jc  Magin,  1C78. 


GITANAS. 


35 


good  complexion  and  virtue  of  its  member, 
according  to  Aristotle. 

"  So  that  if  the  line  of  the  heart  be  found 
sufficiently  long  and  reasonably  deep,  and  not 
crossed  by  other  accidental  lines,  it  is  an  in- 
fallible sign  of  the  health  of  the  heart  and  the 
great  virtue  of  the  heart,  and  the  abundance 
of  spirits  and  good  blood  in  the  heart,  and  ac- 
cordingly denotes  boldness  and  liberal  genius 
for  every  work.' 

In  like  manner,  by  means  of  the  hepatal 
line,  it  is  easy  to  form  an  accurate  judgment 
as  to  the  state  of  a  person's  liver,  and  of  his 
powers  of  digestion,  and  so  on  with  respect 
to  all  the  other  organs  of  the  body. 

After  having  laid  down  all  the  rules  of  chi- 
romancy with  the  utmost  possible  clearness, 
the  sage  Torreblanca  exclaims :  "  And  with 
these  terminate  the  canons  of  true  and  catholic 
chiromancy ;  for  as  for  the  other  species  by 
which  people  pretend  to  divine  concerning 
the  affairs  of  life,  either  past  or  to  come,  dig- 
nities, fortunes,  children,  events,  chances, 
dangers,  &c,  such  chiromancy  is  not  only 
reprobated  by  theologians,  but  by  men  of  law 
and  physic,  as  a  foolish,  false,  vain,  scan- 
dalous, futile,  superstitious  practice,  smell- 
ing much  of  divinery  and  a  pact  with  the 
devil." 

Then,  after  mentioning  a  number  of  erudite 
and  enlightened  men  of  the  three  learned 
professions,  who  have  written  against  such 
absurd  superstitions,  amongst  whom  he  cites 
Martin  Del  Rio,  he  falls  foul  of  the  Gypsy 
wives  in  this  manner:  "A  practice  turned  to 
profit  by  the  wives  of  that  rabble  of  abandoned 
miscreants  whom  the  Italians  call  Cingari, 
the  Latins  Egyptians,  and  we  Gitanos,  who, 
notwithstanding  that  they  are  sent  by  the 
Turks  into  Spain  for  the  purpose  of  acting  as 
spies  upon  the  Christian  religion,  pretend 
that  they  are  wandering  over  the  world  in  ful- 
filment of  a  penance  enjoined  upon  them,  part 
of  which  penance  seems  to  be  the  living  by 
fraud  and  imposition."  And  shortly  after- 
wards he  remarks :  "  Nor  do  they  derive  any 
authority  for  such  a  practice  from  those  words 
in  Exodus,*  <et  quasi  signum  in  manutua,'  as 
that  passage  does  not  treat  of  chiromancy, 
but  of  the  festival  of  unleavened  bread ;  the 
observance  of  which,  in  order  that  it  might 
be  memorable  to  the  Hebrews,  the  sacred  his- 
torian said  should  be  as  a  sign  upon  the  hand; 
a  metaphor  derived  from  those  who,  when 
they  wish  to  remember  any  thing,  tie  a  thread 
round  their  finger,  or  put  a  ring  upon  it;  and 
still  less  I  ween  does  that  chapter  of  Jobf 
speak  in  their  favour,  where  is  written,  « Qui 
in  manu  hominis  signat,  ut  norint  omnes 
opera  sua,'  because  the  divine  power  is  meant 
thereby  which  is  preached  to  those  here  be- 
low: for  the  hand  is  intended  for  power  and 
magnitude,  Exod.  chap.  xiv.,|  or  stands  for 
free  will,  which  is  placed  in  a  man's  hand, 

*  Exodus,  chap.  xiii.  v.  9.  "  And  it  shall  be  for  a  sign 
unto  thee  upon  thy  hand."     Enjr.  Trans. 

t  No  chapter  in  the  book  of  Job  contains  any  such 
verse.  J  i 

X  "  And  the  children  of  Israel  went  out  with  a  high 
.hand  "    Exodus,  chap.  xiv.  v.  8.     Eng.  Trans.  I 


that  is,  in  his  power.  Wisdom,  chapter 
xxxvi.  '  In  manibus  abscondit  lucem,'  "*  &c. 
&c.  &c. 

No,  no,  good  Torreblanca,  we  know  per- 
fectly well  that  the  witch-wives  of  Multan, 
who  for  the  last  four  hundred  years  have  been 
running  about  Spain  and  other  countries, 
telling  fortunes  by  the  hand,  and  deriving 
good  profit  from  the  same,  are  not  counte- 
nanced in  such  a  practice  by  the  sacred 
volume;  we  yield  as  little  credit  to  their  chi- 
romancy as  we  do  to  that  which  you  call  the 
true  and  catholic,  and  believe  that  the  lines 
of  the  hand  have  as  little  connexion  with  the 
events  of  life  as  with  the  liver  and  stomach, 
notwithstanding  Aristotle,  who  you  forget 
was  a  heathen,  and  knew  as  little  and  cared 
as  little  for  the  scriptures  as  the  Gitanos, 
whether  male  or  female,  who  little  reck  what 
sanction  any  of  their  practices  may  receive 
from  authority,  whether  divine  or  human,  if 
the  pursuit  enable  them  to  provide  sufficient 
for  the  existence,  however  poor  and  miserable, 
of  their  families  and  themselves. 

A  very  singular  kind  of  women  are  the  Gi- 
tanas,  far  more  remarkable  in  most  points 
than  their  husbands,  in  whose  pursuits  of  low 
cheating  and  petty  robbery  there  is  little  ca- 
pable of  exciting  much  interest;  but  if  there 
be  one  being  in  the  world  who,  more  than 
another,  deserves  the  title  of  sorceress,  (and 
where  do  you  find  a  word  of  greater  romance 
and  more  thrilling  interest  1)  it  is  the  Gypsy 
female  in  the  prime  and  vigour  of  her  age  and 
ripeness  of  her  understanding — the  Gypsy 
wife,  the  mother  of  two  or  three  children. 
Mention  to  me  a  point  of  devilry  with  which 
that  woman  is  not  acquainted.  She  can  at 
any  time,  when  it  suits  her,  show  herself  as 
expert  a  jockey  as  her  husband,  and  he  ap- 
pears to  advantage  in  no  other  character,  and 
is  only  eloquent  when  descanting  on  the 
merits  of  some  particular  animal ;  but  she 
can  do  much  more;  she  is  a  prophetess,  though 
she  believes  not  in  prophecy;  she  is  a  physi- 
cian, though  she  will  not  taste  her  own  phil- 
ters ;  she  is  a  procuress,  though  she  is  not  to  be 
procured ;  she  is  a  singer  of  obscene  songs, 
though  she  will  suffer  no  obscene  hand  to  touch 
her;  and  though  no  one  is  more  tenacious  of  the 
little  she  possesses,  she  is  a  cut-purse  and  a 
shop-lifter  whenever  opportunity  shall  offer. 

In  all  times,  since  we  have  known  anything 
of  these  women,  they  have  been  addicted  to 
and  famous  for  fortune-telling ;  indeed,  it  is 
their  only  ostensible  means  of  livelihood, 
though  they  have  various  others  which  they 
pursue  more  secretly.  Where  and  how  they 
first  learned  the  practice  we  know  not ;  they 
may  have  brought  it  with  them  from  the  East, 
or  they  may  have  adopted  it,  which  is  less 
likely,  after  their  arrival  in  Europe.  Chiro- 
mancy, from  the  most  remote  periods,  has 
been  practised  in  all  countries.  Neither  do 
we  know,  whether  in  this  practice  they  were 
ever  guided  by  fixed  and  certain  rules ;  the 
probability,  however,  is,  that  they  were  not, 
and  that  they  never  followed  it  but  as  a  means 

*  No  such  verse  is  to  be  found  in  the  book  mentioned. 


36 


THE  ZINCAL1 


of  fraud  and  robbery;  certainly,  amongst  all 
the  professors  of  this  art  that  ever  existed,  no 
people  are  more  adapted  by  nature  to  turn  it 
to  account  than  these  females,  call  them  by 
whatever  name  you  will,  Gitanas,  Ziganas, 
Gypsies,  or  Bohemians;  their  forms,  their 
features,  the  expression  of  their  countenances 
are  ever  wild  and  Sibylline,  frequently  beau- 
tiful, but  never  vulgar.  Observe,  for  example, 
the  Gitana,  even  her  of  Seville. 

She  is  standing  before  the  portal  of  a  large 
house  in  one  of  the  narrow  Moorish  streets  of 
the  capital  of  Andalusia:  through  the  grated 
iron  door,  she  looks  in  upon  the  court;  it  is 
paved  with  small  marble  slabs  of  almost  snowy 
whiteness;  in  the  middle  is  a  fountain  dis- 
tilling limpid  water,  and  all  around  there  is  a 
profusion  of  macetas,  in  which  flowery  plants 
and  aromatic  shrubs  are  growing,  and  at  each 
corner  there  is  an  orange  tree,  and  the  per- 
fume of  the  azahar  may  be  distinguished ;  you 
hear  the  melody  of  birds  from  a  small  aviary 
beneath  the  piazza  which  surrounds  The  court, 
which  is  surmounted  by  a  toldo  or  linen  awn- 
ing, for  it  is  the  commencement  of  May,  and 
the  glorious  sun  of  Andalusia  is  burning  with 
a  splendour  too  intense  for  his  rays  to  be 
borne  with  impunity.  It  is  a  fairy  scene  such 
as  no  where  meets  the  eye  but  at  Seville,  or 
perhaps  at  Fez  and  Shiraz,  in  the  palaces  of 
the  Sultan  and  the  Shah.  The  Gypsy  looks 
through  the  iron-grated  door,  and  beholds, 
seated  near  the  fountain,  a  richly  dressed 
dame  and  two  lovely  delicate  maidens;  they 
are  busied  at  their  morning's  occupation,  in- 
tertwining with  their  sharp  needles  the  gold 
and  silk  on  the  tambour ;  several  female  at- 
tendants are  seated  behind.  The  Gypsy 
pulls  the  bell,  when  is  heard  the  soft  cry  of 
"  Quien  es  ;"  the  door,  unlocked  by  means  of 
a  string,  recedes  upon  its  hinges,  when  in 
walks  the  Gitana,  the  witch-wife  of  Multan, 
with  a  look  such  as  the  tiger-cat  casts  when 
she  stealeth  from  her  jungle  unto  the  plain. 

Yes,  well  may  you  exclaim  "Ave  Maria 
purisima,"  ye  dames  and  maidens  of  Seville, 
as  she  advances  towards  you ;  she  is  not  of 
yourselves,  she  is  not  of  your  blood,  she  or 
her  fathers  have  walked  to  your  clime  from  a 
distance  of  three  thousand  leagues.  She  has 
come  from  the  far  East,  like  the  three  en- 
chanted kings  to  Cologne;  but  unlike  them 
she  and  her  race  have  come  with  hate  and 
not  with  love.  She  comes  to  flatter,  and  to 
deceive,  and  to  rob,  for  she  is  a  lying  pro- 
phetess, and  a  she  Thus1;  she  will  greet  you 
with  blessings  which  will  make  your  hearts 
rejoice,  but  your  heart's  blood  would  freeze, 
could  you  hear  the  curses  which  to  herself 
she  murmurs  against  you  ;  for  she  says,  "  that 
in  her  children's  veins  flows  the  dark  blood 
of  the  'husbands,'  whilst  in  those  of  yours 
flows  the  pale  tide  of  the  savages,"  and  there- 
fore she  would. gladly  set  her  foot  on  all  your 
corses  first  poisoned  by  her  hands.  For  all 
her  love — and  she  can  love — is  for  the  Romas  ; 
and  all  her  hate — and  who  can  hate  like  her'! 
— is  for  the  Busnees;  for  she  says  that  the 
world  would  be  a  fair  world  were  there  v.o 


Busnees,  and  if  the  Romamiks  could  heat 
their  kettles  undisturbed  at  the  foot  of  the 
olive  trees ;  and  therefore  she  would  kill  them 
all  if  she  could  and  if  she  dared.  She  never 
seeks  the  houses  of  the  Busnees  but  for  the 
purpose  of  prey;  for  the  wild  animals  of  the 
sierra  do  not  more  abhor  the  sight  of  man, 
than  she  abhors  the  countenances  of  the  Bus- 
nees. She  now  comes  to  prey  upon  you  and 
to  scoff  at  you.  Will  you  believe  her  words  1 
Fools  !  do  you  think  that  the  being  before  ye 
has  any  sympathy  for  the  like  of  you? 

She  is  of  the  middle  stature,  neither  strongly 
nor  slightly  built,  and  yet  her  every  movement 
denotes  agility  and  vigour.  As  she  stands 
erect  before  you,  she  appears  like  a  falcon 
about  to  soar,  and  you  are  almost  tempted  to 
believe  that  the  power  of  volition  is  hers ;  and 
were  you  to  stretch  forth  your  hand  to  seize 
her,  she  would  spring  above  the  house-tops 
like  a  bird.  Her  face  is  oval,  and  her  features 
are  regular  but  somewhat  hard  and  coarse, 
for  she  was  born  amongst  rocks  in  a  thicket, 
and  she  has  been  wind-beaten  and  sun- 
scorched  for  many  a  year,  even  like  her  pa- 
rents before  her;  there  is  many  a  speck  upon 
her  cheek,  and  perhaps  a  scar,  but  no  dimples 
of  love ;  and  her  brow  is  wrinkled  over,  though 
she  is  yet  young.  Her  complexion  is  more 
than  dark,  for  it  is  almost  that  of  a  mulatto; 
and  her  hair,  which  hangs  in  long  locks  on 
either  side  of  her  face,  is  black  as  a  coal,  and 
coarse  as  the  tail  of  a  horse,  from  which  it 
seems  to  have  been  gathered. 

There  is  no  female  eye  in  Seville  can  sup- 
port the  glances  of  hers,  so  fierce  and  pene- 
trating, and  yet  so  artful  and  sly,  is  the  ex- 
pression of  their  dark  orbs ;  her  mouth  is  fine 
and  almost  delicate,  and  there  is  not  a  queen 
on  the  proudest  throne  between  Madrid  and 
Moscow  who  might  not,  and  would  not,  envy 
the  white  and  even  rows  of  teeth  which  adorn 
it,  which  seem  not  of  pearl  but  of  the  purest 
elephant's  bone  of  Multan.  She  comes  not 
alone ;  a  swarthy  two-year  old  bantling  clasps 
her  neck  with  one  arm,  its  naked  body  half 
extant  from  the  coarse  blanket  which,  drawn 
round  her  shoulders,  is  secured  at  her  bosom 
by  a  skewer.  Though  tender  of  age  it  looks 
wicked  and  sly,  like  a  veritable  imp  of  Roma. 
Huge  rings  of  false  gold  dangle  from  wide 
slits  in  the  lobes  of  her  ears;  hernether  gar- 
ments are  rags,  and  her  feet  are  cased  in 
hempen  sandals.  Such  is  the  wandering  Gi- 
tana, such  is  the  witch-wife  of  Multan,  who 
has  come  to  spae  the  fortune  of  the  Sevillian 
countess  and  her  daughters. 

"  O  may  the  blessing  of  Egypt  light  upon 
your  head,  you  high-born  lady!  (May  an 
evil  end  overtake  your  body,  daughter  of  a 
Busnee  harlot!)  and  may  the  same  blessing 
await  the  two  fair  roses  of  the  Nile  here 
flowering  by  your  side!  (May  evil  Moors  seize 
them  and  carry  them  across  the  water!)  O 
listen  to  the  words  of  the  poor  woman  who 
is  come  from  a  distant  country;  she  is  of  a 
wise  people,  though  it  has  pleased  the  God 
of  the  sky  to  punish  them  for  their  sins  by 
sending  them  to  wander  through  the  world. 


TRICKS  Or  THE  GITANAS. 


37 


They  denied  shelter  to  the  Majari,  whom  you 
call  the  queen  of  heaven,  and  to  the  Son  of 
God,  when  they  flew  to  the  .land  of  Egypt, 
before  the  wrath  of  the  wicked  king;  it  is 
said  that  they  even  refused  them  a  draught 
of  the  sweet  waters  of  the  great  river  when 
the  blessed  two  were  athirst.  O  you  will 
say  that  it  was  a  heavy  crime ;  and  truly  so 
it  was,  and  heavily  has  the  Lord  punished  the 
Egyptians.  He  has  sent  us  a-wandering, 
poor  as  you  see,  with  scarcely  a  blanket  to 
cover  us.  O,  blessed  lady,  (accursed  be  thy 
dead  as  many  as  thou  mayest  have,)  we  have 
no  money  to  purchase  us  bread ;  we  have 
only  our  wisdom  with  which  to  support  our- 
selves and  our  poor  hungry  babes;  when  God 
took  away  their  silks  from  the  Egyptians., 
and  their  gold  from  the  Egyptians,  he  left 
them  their  wisdom  as  a  resource  that  they 
might  not  starve.  O  who  can  read  the  stars 
like  the  Egyptians'?  and  who  can  read  the 
lines  of  the  palm  like  the  Egyptians'?  The 
poor  woman  read  in  the  stars  that  there  was 
a  rich  ventura  for  all  of  this  goodly  house,  so 
she  followed  the  bidding  of  the  stars  and 
came  to  declare  it.  O,  blessed  lady,  (I  defile 
thy  dead  corse,)  your  husband  is  at  Granada, 
fighting  with  king  Ferdinand  against  the  wild 
Corohai !  (May  an  evil  ball  smite  him  and 
split  his  head!)  Within  three  months  he 
shall  return  with  twenty  captive  Moors,  round 
the  neck  of  oach  a  chain  of  gold.  (God  grant 
that  when  he  enter  the  house  a  beam  may 
fall  upon  hirn  and  crush  him !)  And  within 
nine  months  after  his  return  God  shall  bless 
you  with  a  fair  chabo,  the  pledge  for  which 
you  have  sighed  so  long !  (Accursed  be  the 
salt  placed  in  its  mouth  in  the  church  when 
it  is  baptized  !)  Your  palm,  blessed  lady, 
your  palm,  and  the  palms  of  all  I  see  here, 
that  I  may  tell  you  all  the  rich  ventura  which 
is  hanging  over  this  good  house  ;  (May  evil 
lightning  fall  upon  it  and  consume  it !)  but 
first  let  me  sing  you  a  song  of  Egypt,  that 
the  spirit  of  the  Chowahanee  may  descend 
more  plenteously  upon  the  poor  woman." 

Her  demeanour  now  instantly  undergoes  a 
change.    Hitherto  she  has  been  pouring  forth 
a  lying  and  wild   harangue,  without  much 
flurry  or  agitation  of  manner.     Her  speech, 
it  is  true,  has  been  rapid,  but  her  voice  has 
never  been  raised  to  a  very  high  key;  but  she 
now  stamps  on  the  ground,  and  placing  her 
hands  on  her  lips,  she  moves  quickly  to  the 
right  and  left,  advancing  and  retreating  in  a 
side-long   direction.     Her   glances    become 
more  fierce  and  fiery,  and  her  coarse  hair 
stands  erect  on  her  head,  stiff*  as  the  prickles 
of  the  hedgehog;  and  now  she  commences 
clapping  her  hands,  and  uttering  words  of  an 
unknown  tongue,  to  a  strange  and  uncouth 
tune.     The  tawny  bantling  seems  inspired 
with  the  same  fiend,   and,  foaming  at  the 
mouth,  utters  wild  sounds,  in  imitation  of  j 
its  dam.     Still  more  rapid  become  the  side-  j 
long  movements  of  theGitana.     Movements!  \ 
she  springs,  she  bounds,  and  at  every  bound  j 
she  is  a  yard  above  the  ground.     She  no  ' 
longer  bears  the  child  in  "her  bosom;   she 
6 


plucks  it  from  thence,  and  fiercely  brandishes 
it  aloft,  till  at  last,  with  a  yell,  she  tosses  it 
high  into  the  air,  like  a  ball,  and  then,  with 
neck  and  head  thrown  back,  receives  it,  as 
it  falls,  on  her  hands  and  breast,  extracting 
a  cry  from  the  terrified  beholders.  Is  it  pos- 
sible she  can  be  singing1?  Yes,  in  the  wildest 
style  of  her  people ;  and  here  is  a  snatch  of 
the  song,  in  the  language  of  Roma,  which 
she  occasionally  screams. 

"  En  los  sastos  de  yesque  plai  me  diquelo, 
Doscusanas  de  sonacai  teredo,— 
Corojai  diquelo  abillar, 
Y  ne  asislo  chapescar,  chapescar." 

"  On  the  top  of  a  mountain  I  stand, 
With  a  crown  of  red  gold  in  my  hand, — 
Wild  Moors  come  trooping  o'er  the  lea, 
O  how  from  their  fury  shall  I  flee,  flee,  flee? 
O  how  from  their  fury  shall  I  flee  .?" 

Such  was  the  Gitana  in  the  days  of  Ferdi- 
nand and  Isabella,  and  much  the  same  is  she 
now  in  the  days  of  Isabel  and  Christina. 

Of  the  Gitanas  and  their  practices,  I  shall 
have  much  to  say  on  a  future  occasion,  when 
speaking  of  those  of  the  present  time,  with 
many  of  whom  I  have  had  no  little  inter- 
course. All  the  ancient  Spanish  authors  who 
mention  these  women,  speak  of  them  in  un- 
measured terms  of  abhorrence,  employing 
against  them  every  abusive  word  contained  in 
the  language  in  which  they  wrote.  Amongst 
other  vile  names,  they  have  been  called  har- 
lots, though  perhaps  no  females  on  earth  are, 
and  have  ever  been,  more  chaste  in  their  own 
persons,  though  at  all  times  willing  to  en- 
courage licentiousness  in  others,  from  a  hope 
of  gain.  It  is  one  thing  to  be  a  procuress, 
and  another  to  be  a  harlot,  though  the  former 
has  assuredly  no  reason  to  complain,  if  she 
be  confounded  with  the  latter.  "The  Gita- 
nas," says  Doctor  Sancho  de  Moncado,  in 
his  discourse  concerning  the  Gypsies,  which 
I  shall  presently  lay  before  the  reader,  "are 
public  harlots,  common,  as  it  is  said,  to  all 
the  Gitanos,  and  with  dances,  demeanour, 
and  filthy  songs,  are  the  cause  of  infinite 
harm  to  the  souls  of  the  vassals  of  your 
Majesty,  (Philip  III.,)  as  it  is  notorious  what 
infinite  harm  they  have  caused  in  many  ho- 
nourable houses.  The  married  women  whom 
they  have  separated  from  their  husbands,  and 
the  maidens  whom  they  have  perverted  ;  and 
finally,  in  the  best  of  these  Gitanas,  any  one 
may  recognise  all  the  signs  of  a  harlot  given 
by  the  wise  king:  'they  are  gadders  about, 
whisperers,  always  unquiet  in  the  places  and 
corners.'"* 

The  author  of  Alonso,  he  who  of  all  the 
old  Spanish  writers  has  written  most  graphi- 
cally concerning  the  Gitanos,  and  I  believe 
with  most  correctness,  puts  the  following 
account  of  the  Gitanas,  and  their  fortune- 
telling  practices,  into  the  entertaining  mouth 
of  his  hero: 

"O  how   many  times  did  these  Gitanas 


*  Prnv  chnp.  vii.  vers.  11  12.  "  She  i>  loud  and  stub- 
born; her  feet  abide  not  in  her  house.  Now  i*  she  with- 
out, now  in  the  streets,  and  Iielh  in  wait  at  ever}  cor 
ner."    EHg.'Trana. 


38 


THE  Z1NCALI. 


carry  me  along  with  them,  for  being,  after 
all,  women,  even  they  have  their  fears,  and 
were  glad  of  me  as  a  protector;  and  so  they 
went  through  the  neighbouring  villages,  and 
entered  the  houses  a-begging,  giving  to  un- 
derstand thereby  their  poverty  and  necessity, 
and  then  they  would  call  aside  the  girls,  in 
order  to  tell  them  the  buena  ventura,  and  the 
young  fellows  the  good  luck  which  they  were 
to  enjoy,  never  failing  in  the  first  place  to 
ask  for  a  cuarto,  or  a  real,  in  order  to  make 
the  sign  of  the  cross  ;  and  with  these  flatter- 
ing  words  they  got  as  much  as  they  could, 
although,  it  is  true,  not  much  in  money,  as 
their  harvest  in  that  article  was  generally 
slight ;  but  enough  in  bacon  to  afford  subsist- 
ence to  their  husbands  and  bantlings.  I 
looked  on  and  laughed  at  the  simplicity  of 
those  foolish  people,  who,  especially  such  as 
wished  to  be  married,  were  as  satisfied  and 
content  with  what  the  Gitana  told  them,  as 
if  an  apostle  had  spoken  it." 

The  above  description  of  Gitanas  telling 
fortunes  amongst  the  villages  of  Navarre, 
and  which  was  written  by  a  Spanish  author 
at  the  commencement  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  is,  in  every  respect,  applicable,  as 
the  reader  will  not  fail  to  have  observed,  to 
the  English  Gypsy  women  of  the  present  day 
engaged  in  the  same  occupation  in  the  rura. 
districts  of  England,  where  the  first  demand 
of  the  sibyls  is  invariably  a  sixpence,  in  order 
that  they  may  cross  their  hands  with  silver, 
and  where  the  same  promises  are  made  and 
as  easily  believed ;  all  which,  if  it  serves  to 
confirm  the  opinion  that  in  all  times  the  prac- 
tices and  habits  of  the  Egyptian  race  have 
been,  in  almost  all  respeets,  the  same  as  at 
the  present  day,  brings  us  also  to  the  follow- 
ing mortifying  conclusion, — that  mental  illu- 
mination, amongst  the  generality  of  mankind, 
has  made  no  progress  at  all ;  as  we  observe 
in  the  nineteenth  century  the  same  gross 
credulity  manifested  as  in  the  seventeenth, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  one  of  the  countries 
most  celebrated  for  the  arts  of  civilization, 
imposed  upon  by  the  same  stale  tricks  which 
served  to  deceive  two  centuries  before  in 
Spain,  a  country  whose  name  has  long  and 
justly  been  considered  as  synonymous  with 
every  species  of  ignorance  and  barbarism. 

The  same  author,  whilst  speaking  of  these 
female  Thugs,  relates  an  anecdote  very  cha- 
racteristic of  them ;  a  device  at  which  they 
are  adepts,  which  they  love  to  employ,  and 
which  is  generally  attended  with  success. 
It  is  the  more  deserving  attention,  as  an  in- 
stance of  the  same  description,  attended  with 
very  similar  circumstances,  occurred  within 
the  sphere  of  my  own  knowledge  in  my  own 
country.  This  species  of  deceit  is  styled,  in 
the  peculiar  language  of  the  Rommany,  hok- 
kano  baro,  or  the  "great  trick;"  it"  being 
considered  by  the  women  as  their  most  fruit- 
ful source  of  plunder.  The  story,  as  related 
by  Alonso,  runs  as  follows: 

"A  band  of  Gitanos  being  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  a  village,  one  of  the  women 
went  to  a  house  where  lived  a  lady  alone. 


This  lady  was  a  young  \vidow,  rich,  without 
children,  and  of  very  handsome  person.  Af- 
ter having  saluted  her,  the  Gypsy  repeated 
the  harangue  which  she  had  already  studied,, 
to  the  effect  that  there  was  neither  bachelor, 
widower,  nor  married  man,  nobleman,  nor 
gallant,  endowed  with  a  thousand  graces, 
who  was  not  dying  for  love  of  her;  and  then 
continued  ;  "Lady,  I  have  contracted  a  great 
affection  for  you,  and  since  I  know  that  fou 
will  merit  the  riches  you  possess,  notwith- 
standing you  live  heedless  of  your  good  for- 
tune, I  wish  to  reveal  to  you  a  secret.  You 
must  know  then,  that  in  your  cellar  you  have 
a  vast  treasure;  nevertheless  you  will  expe- 
rience great  difficulty  in  arriving  at  it,  as  it 
is  enchanted,  and  to  remove  it  is  impossible, 
save  and  alone  on  the  eve  of  St.  John.  We 
are  now  at  the  eighteenth  of  June,  and  it 
wants  five  days  to  the  twenty-third ;  there- 
fore, in  the  meanwhile,  collect  some  jewels 
of  gold  and  silver,  and  likewise  some  money, 
whatever  you  please,  provided  it  be  not  cop- 
per, and  provide  six  tapers  of  white  or  yellow 
wax,  for  at  the  time  appointed  I  will  come 
with  a  sister  of  mine,  when  we  will  extract 
from  the  cellar  such  abundance  of  riches,  that 
you  will  be  able  to  live  in  a  style  which  will 
excite  the  envy  of  the  whole  country."  The 
ignorant  widow,  hearing  these  words,  put 
implicit  confidence  in  the  deceiver,  and  ima- 
gined that  she  already  possessed  all  the  gold 
of  Arabia  and  the  silver  of  Potosi. 

"The  appointed  day  arrived,  and  not  more 
punctual  were  the  two  Gypsies,  than  anx- 
iously expected  by  the  lady.  Being  asked 
whether  she  had  prepared  all  as  she  had  been 
desired,  she  replied  in  the  affirmative,  when 
he  Gypsy  thus  addressed  her:  "You  must 
know,  good  lady,  that  gold  calls  forth  gold, 
and  silver  calls  forth  silver;  let  us  light  these 
tapers,  and  descend  to  the  cellar  before  it 
grows  late,  in  order  that  we  may  have  time 
for  our  conjurations."  Thereupon  the  trio', 
the  widow  and  the  two  Gypsies,  went  down, 
and  having  lighted  the  "tapers  and  placed 
<hem  in  candlesticks  in  the  shape  of  a  circle, 
they  deposited  in  the  midst  a  silver  tankard, 
with  some  pieces  of  eight,  and  some  corals 
tipped  with  gold,  and  other  jewels  of  small 
value.  They  then  told  the  lady  that  it  was 
necessary  for  them  all  to  return  to  the  stair- 
case by  which  they  had  descended  to  the 
cellar,  and  there  they  uplifted  their  hands, 
and  remained  for  a  short  time  as  if  engaged 
in  prayer. 

"The  two  Gypsies  then  bade  the  widow 
wait  for  them,  and  descended  again,  when 
they  commenced  holding  a  conversation, 
speaking  and  answering  alternately,  and  al- 
tering their  voices  in  such  a  manner  that  five 
or  six  people  appeared  to  be  in  the  cellar. 
"Blessed  be  little  St.  John,"  said  one,  "will 
it  be  possible  to  remove  the  treasure  which 
you  keep  hidden  here?"  "O  yes,  and  with 
little  more  trouble  it  shall  be  yours,"  replied 
tlit-  Gypsy  sister,  altering  her  voice  to  a  thin 
treble,  as  if  it  proceeded  from  a  child  four  or 
five  years  old.     In  the  mean  time,  the  lady 


THE  EVIL  EYE. 


39 


remained  astonished,  expecting  the  promised 
riches  and  the  two  Gitanas  presently  coming 
to  her,  said,  "Come  up,  lady,  for  our  desire 
is  upon  the  point  of  being  gratified.  Bring 
now  the  best  petticoat,  gown,  and  mantle 
which  you  have  in  your  chest,  that  I  may 
dress  myself,  and  appear  in  other  guise  to 
what  I  do  now."  The  simple  woman,  not 
perceiving  the  trick  they  were  playing  upon 
her,  ascended  with  them  to  the  door-way, 
and  leaving  them  alone  went  to  fetch  the 
things  which  they  demanded.  Thereupon 
the  two  Gypsies,  seeing  themselves  at  liberty, 
and  having  already  pocketed  the  gold  and 
silver  which  had  been  deposited  for  the  con- 
juration, opened  the  street-door,  and  escaped 
with  all  the  speed  they  could. 

"The  beguiled  widow  returned  laden  with 
the  clothes,  and  not  finding  those  whom  she 
had  left  waiting,  descended  into  the  cellar, 
when  perceiving  the  trick  which  they  had 
played  her,  and  the  robbery  which  they  had 
committed  in  stealing  her  jewels,  she  began 
to  cry  and  weep,  but  all  in  vain.  All  the 
neighbours  hastened  to  her,  and  to  them  she 
related  her  misfortune,  which  served  more  to 
raise  laughter  and  jeers  at  her  expense,  than 
to  excite  pity;  though  the  subtlety  of  the  two 
she-thieves  was  universally  praised.  These 
latter,  as  soon  as  they  had  got  out  of  the 
door,  knew  well  how  to  conceal  themselves, 
for  having  once  reached  the  mountain,  it  was 
not  possible  to  find  them.  So  much  for  their 
divination,  their  foreseeing  things  to  come, 
their  power  over  the  secrets  of  nature,  and 
their  knowledge  of  the  stars." 

The  Gitanas  in  the  olden  time  appear  to 
have  not  un frequently  been  subjected  to  pu- 
nishment as  sorceresses,  and  with  great  jus- 
tice, as  the  abominable  trade  which  they  have 
always  driven  in  philters  and  decoctions, 
certainly  entitled  them  to  that  appellation, 
and  to  the  pains  and  penalties  reserved  for 
those  who  practised  what  is  generally  termed 
"  witchcraft." 

Amongst  the  crimes  laid  to  their  charge, 
connected  with  the  exercise  of  occult  pow- 
ers, there  is  one,  however,  of  which  they 
were  certainly  not  capable,  as  it  is  a  purely 
imaginary  one,  though  if  they  were  ever 
punished" for  it,  they  had  assuredly  little  right 
to  complain,  as  the  chastisement  they  met 
was  fully  merited  by  practices  equally  malefic 
as  the  crime  imputed  to  them,  provided  that 
were  possible.     It  was  casting  the  evil  eye. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  EVIL  EYE. — CREDULITY  OF  THE  JEWS 
AND  MOORS. — THE  JEWESS  OF  FEZ. — THE 
BIBLE  AND  KEY. — REMEDIES  FOR  THE  EVIL 

EYE. THE    TALMUD. — SUPERSTITIONS  OF 

THE  NORTH. 

In  the  Gitano  language,  casting  the  evil 
eye  is  called  Querelar  nasula,  which  simply 


means  making  sick,  and  which,  according  to 
the  common  superstition,  is  accomplished  by 
casting  an  evil  look  at  people,  especially 
children,  who,  from  the  tenderness  of  their 
constitution,  are  supposed  to  be  more  easily 
blighted  than  those  of  a  more  mature  age. 
After  receiving  the  evil  glance,  they  fall  sick, 
and  die  in  a  {"ew  hours. 

The  Spaniards  have  very  little  to  say  re- 
specting the  evil  eye,  though  the  belief  in  it 
is  very  prevalent,  especially  in  Andalusia, 
amongst  the  lower  orders,  A  stag's  horn  is 
considered  a  good  safeguard,  and  on  that  ac- 
count, a  small  horn,  tipped  with  silver,  is 
frequently  attached  to  the  children's  necks 
by  means  of  a  cord  braided  from  the  hair  of 
a  black  mare's  tail.  Should  the  evil  glance 
be  cast,  it  is  imagined  that  the  horn  receives 
it,  and  instantly  snaps  asunder.  Such  horns 
may  be  purchased  in  some  of  the  silver- 
smiths' shops  at  Seville.  ' 

The  Gitanos  have  nothing  more  to  say  on 
this  species  of  sorcery  than  the  Spaniards, 
which  can  cause  but  little  surprise,  when  we 
consider  that  they  have  no  traditions,  and 
can  give  no  rational  account  of  themselves, 
nor  of  the  country  from  which  they  come. 

Some  of  the  women,  however,  pretend  to 
have  the  power  of  casting  it,  though  if  ques- 
tioned how  they  accomplished  it,  they  can  re- 
turn no  answer.  They  will  likewise  sell  re- 
medies for  the  evil  eye,  which  need  not  be 
particularized,  as  they  consist  of  any  drugs 
which  they  happen  to  possess  or  be  acquainted 
with ;  the  prescribers  being  perfectly  reckless 
as  to  the  effect  produced  on  the  patient,  pro- 
vided they  receive  their  paltry  reward. 

I  have  known  these  beings  offer  to  cure  the 
glanders  in  a  horse,  (an  incurable  disorder,) 
with  the  very  same  powders  which  they  offer 
as  a  specific  for  the  evil  eye. 

Leaving,  therefore,  for  a  time,  the  Spa- 
niards and  Gitanos,  whose  ideas  on  this  sub- 
ject are  very  scanty  and  indistinct,  let  us  turn 
to  other  nations  amongst  whom  this  super- 
stition exists,  and  endeavour  to  ascertain  on 
what  it  is  founded,  and  in  what  it  consists. 
It  is  current  amongst  all  oriental  people, 
whether  Turks,  Arabs,  or  Hindoos;  but  per- 
haps there  is  no  nation  in  the  world  amongst 
whom  the  belief  is  so  firmly  rooted,  and  from 
so  ancient  a  period,  as  the  Jews;  it  being  a 
subject  treated  of,  and  in  the  gravest  manner, 
by  the  old  rabbinical  writers  themselves, 
which  induces  the  conclusion  that  the  super- 
stition of  the  evil  eye  is  of  an  antiquity  almost 
as  remote  as  the  origin  of  the  Hebrew  race; 
(and  can  we  go  farther  back?)  as  the  oral 
traditions  of  the  Jews,  contained  and  com- 
mented upon  in  what  is  called  the  Talmud, 
are  certainly  not  less  ancient  than  the  in- 
spired writings  of  the  Old  Testament,  and 
have  unhappily  been  at  all  times  regarded  by 
them  with  equal,  if  not  greater  reverence. 

The  evil  eye  is  mentioned  in  Scripture,  but 
of  course  not  in  the  false  and  superstitious 
sense  ;  evil  in  the  eye,  which  occurs  in  Prov. 
xxiii.  v.  6,  merely  denoting  niggardliness  and 
iilliberality.     The  Hebrew  words  arc  ain  ra, 


40 


THE  ZINCALI, 


and  stand  in  contradistinction  to  ain  toub,  or ! 
the  benignant  in  eye,  which  denotes  an  in- 
clination to  bounty  and  liberality. 

The  Rabbins  have  said,  "  For  one  person 
who  dies  of  sickness,  there  are  ten  who  die 
by  the  evil  eye."  And  as  the  Jews,  espe- 
cially those  of  the  East,  and  of  Barbary,  place 
implicit  confidence  in  all  that  the  Rabbins 
have  written,  we  can  scarcely  wonder  if,  at 
the  present  day,  they  dread  this  visitation 
more  than  the  cholera  or  the  plague.  "  The 
leech,"  they  say  "can  cure  those  disorders,  but 
who  is  capable  of  curing  the  evil  eye?" 

It  is  imagined  that  this  blight  is  most  easily 
•inflicted  when  a  person  is  enjoying  himself, 
with  little  or  no  care  for  the  future;  when  he 
is  reclining  in  the  sun  before  his  door,  or 
when  he  is  full  of  health  and  spirits,  but  prin- 
cipally when  he  is  eating  and  drinking,  on 
which  account  the  Jews  and  Moors  are  jea- 
lous of  the  appearance  of  strangers  when  they 
are  taking  their  meals. 

The  evil  eye  may  be  cast  by  an  ugly  or  ill- 
favoured  person,  either  designedly  or  not,  and 
the  same  effect  may  be  produced  by  an  inad- 
vertent word.  It  is  deemed  very  unlucky  to 
say  to  a  person  diverting  himself,  How  merry 
you  are ;  or  to  one  whilst  eating,  How  fat  you 
are;  as  such  persons  are  said  to  receive  a 
sudden  blight,  and  perish.  Never,  amongst 
Jews  or  Mahometans,  nor  indeed  amongst  any 
eastern  people,  stop  to  gaze  on  a  child,  or  to 
caress  it,  for  it  will  be  thought  that  you  are 
about  to  give  it  the  evil  eye.  I  was  acquainted 
with  a  very  handsome  Jewess  of  Fez ;  she 
had  but  one  eye,  but  that  one  was  particularly 
brilliant.  On  asking  her  how  she  lost  its  fel- 
low, she  informed  me  that  she  was  once  stand- 
ing in  the  street  at  night-fall,  when  she  was 
a  little  girl ;  a  Moor  that  was  passing  by  sud- 
denly stopped,  and  said,  "  Tswac  Ullah, 
(blessed  be  God,)  how  beautiful  are  your  eyes, 
my  child !"  whereupon  she  went  into  the 
house,  but  was  presently  seized  with  a  dread- 
ful pain  in  the  left  eye,  which  continued  during 
the  night,  and  the  next  day  the  pupil  came 
out  of  the  socket.  She  added,  that  she  did 
not  believe  the  Moor  had  any  intention  of 
hurting  her,  as  he  gazed  on  her  so  kindly;  but 
that  it  was  very  thoughtless  in  him  to  utter 
words  which  are  sure  to  convey  evil  luck.  It 
is  said  to  be  particularly  dangerous  to  eat  in 
the  presence  of  a  woman,  for  the  evil  eye,  if 
cast  by  a  woman,  is  far  more  fatal  and  difficult 
to  cure  than  if  cast  by  a  man.  There  are  said 
to  be  various  ways  of  curing  the  evil  eye.  The 
following  is  much  in  vogue  amongst  the  Jews 
of  Barbary. 

When  any  one  falls  sick  of  the  evil  eye,  he 
must  instantly  call  in  to  his  assistance  the 
man  cunning  in  such  cases.  The  man,  on 
coming,  takes  either  a  girdle  or  a  handker- 
chief from  off  his  own  person,  and  ties  a  knot 
at  either  end,  then  he  measures  three  spans 
with  his  left  hand,  and  at  the  end  of  these 
three  he  fastens  a  knot  and  folds  it  three  times 
round  his  head,  pronouncing  this  bcraka,  or 
blessing:  "Ben  porat  Josef,  ben  porat  ali 
ain  ;*'  (Joseph  is  a  fruitful  bough,  a  fruitful 


bough  by  a  well ;)  he  then  recommences  mea. 
suring  the  girdle  or  handkerchief,  and  if  he 
finds  three  spans  and  a  half,  instead  of  the 
three  which  he  formerly  measured,  he  is  ena- 
bled to  tell  the  name  of  the  person  who  cast 
the  evil  eye,  whether  male  or  female. 

It  will  be  as  well  to  observe,  in  this  stage 
of  the  process,  that  it  very  much  resembles 
the  charm  of  the  Bible  and  key,  by  which 
many  persons  in  England  still  pretend  to  be 
able  to  discover  the  thief  when  an  article  is 
missed.  A  key  is  placed  in  the  Bible,  at  that 
part  which  is  called  Solomon's  Song;  the 
Bible  and  key  are  then  fastened  strongly  to- 
gether by  means  of  a  ribbon,  which  is  wound 
round  the  Bible,  and  passed  several  times 
through  the  handle  of  the  key,  which  projects 
from  the  top  of  the  book.  The  diviner  then 
causes  the  person  robbed  to  name  the  names 
of  any  person  or  persons  whom  he  may  sus 
pect.  The  two  parties,  the  robbed  and  the 
diviner,  then  standing  up,  support  the  book 
between  them,  the  ends  of  the  handle  of  the 
key  resting  on  the  tips  of  the  fore-fingers  of 
the  right  hand.  The  diviner  then  inquires  of 
the  Bible  whether  such  a  one  committed  the 
theft,  and  commences  repeating  the  sixth  and 
seventh  verses  of  the  eighth  chapter  of  the 
Song;  and  if  the  Bible  and  key  turn  round  in 
the  mean  time,  the  person  named  is  consi- 
dered guilty.  This  charm  has  been,  and  still 
is,  the  source  of  infinite  mischief,  innocent 
individuals  having  frequently  irretrievably 
lost  their  character  amongst  their  neighbours, 
from  recourse  being  had  to  the  Bible  and  key. 
The  slightest  motion  of  the  finger,  or  rather 
of  the  nail,  will  cause  the  key  to  revolve,  so 
that  the  people  named  are  quite  at  the  mercy 
of  the  diviner,  who  is  generally  a  cheat,  or 
professed  conjurer,  and  not  ^infrequently  a 
Gypsy.  In  like  manner,  the  Barbary  cunning 
man,  by  a  slight  contraction  of  his  hand, 
measures  three  and  a  half  spans,  where  he 
first  measured  three,  and  then  pretends  to 
know  the  person  who  has  cast  the  evil  eye, 
having,  of  course,  first  ascertained  the  names 
of  those  with  whom  his  patient  has  been  lately 
in  company. 

When  the  person  who  has  cast  the  evil 
eye  has  been  discovered  by  means  of  the 
magical  process  already  described,  the  mo- 
ther, or  wife,  or  sister  of  the  sufferer  walks 
forth,  pronouncing  the  name  of  the  latter 
with  a  loud  voice,  and  making  the  best  of  her 
way  to  the  house  of  the  person  guilty,  takes 
a  little  of  the  earth  from  before  the  frontdoor 
of  the  house,  and  a  little  from  before  the  door 
of  his  or  her  sleeping  apartment.  Some  of 
the  saliva  of  the  culprit  is  then  demanded, 
which  must  be  given  early  in  the  morning  be- 
fore breakfast ;  then  the  mother,  or  the  wife, 
or  the  sister,  goes  to  the  oven  and  takes  from 
thence  seven  burning  coals,  which  are  slaked 
in  water  from  the  bath  in  which  the  women 
bathe.  The  four  ingredients,  earth,  saliva, 
coals,  and  water,  are  then  mixed  together  in 
a  dish,  and  the  patient  is  made  to  take  three 
sips,  and  what  remains  is  taken  to  a  private 
place  and  buried,  the  person  who  buries  it 


SUPERSTITIONS  OF  THE  NORTH. — EXODUS  OF  THE  JEWS. 


41 


having  to  make  three  paces  backwards,  ex- 
claiming, "May  the  evil  eye  be  buried  be- 
neath the  earth."  Such  are  the  magic  for- 
mulae practised  when  the  person  who  cast  the 
evil  eye  is  known.  Should  the  cunning  man 
be  unable  to  ascertain  who  the  person  is,  they 
take  a  glass,  and  going  to  the  door,  compel 
every  person  who  passes  to  drop  therein  a 
small  portion  of  his  saliva,  which  is  after- 
wards mixed  with  the  water  of  the  bath  in 
which  the  burning  coals  have  been  slaked, 
and  either  drank,  as  above  described,  or  ap- 
plied to  the  eye  or  body  of  the  patient.  The 
sick  man  sleeps  that  night  on  his  left  side, 
and,  when  he  arises  in  the  morning,  feels 
himself  cured,  and  will  never  more  be  afflicted 
by  it.  Many  people  carry  papers  about  with 
them,  scrawled  with  hieroglyphics,  which  are 
prepared  by  the  hacumim,  or  sages,  and  sold. 
These  papers,  placed  in  a  little  bag  and  hung 
about  the  person,  are  deemed  infallible  pre- 
servatives from  the  "  ain  ara." 

Let  us  now  see  what  the  Talmud  itself 
says  about  the  evil  eye.  The  passage  which 
we  are  about  to  quote  is  curious,  not  so  much 
from  the  subject  which  it  treats  of,  as  in  af- 
fording an  example  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  Rabbins  are  wont  to  interpret  the  Scrip- 
ture, and  the  strange  and  wonderful  deduc- 
tions which  they  draw  from  words  and  phrases 
apparently  of  the  greatest  simplicity. 

"  Whosoever  when  about  to  enter  into  a 
city  is  afraid  of  evil  eyes,  let  him  grasp  the 
thumb  of  his  right  hand  with  his  left  hand, 
and  his  left  hand  thumb  with  his  right  hand, 
and  let  him  cry  in  this  manner:  *I  am  such 
a  one,  son  of  such  a  one,  sprung  from  the 
seed  of  Joseph;'  and  the  evil  eyes  shall  not 
prevail  against  him.  Joseph  is  a  fruitful 
bough,  a  fruitful  bough  by  a  well,*  &c. 
Now  you  should  not  say  by  a  well,  but  over 
an  eye.j  Rabbi  Joseph  Bar  Henina  makes 
the  following  deduction :  and  they  shall  be- 
come (the  seed  of  Joseph)  like  fishes  in  mul- 
titude in  the  midst  of  the  earth.\  Now  the 
fishes  of  the  sea  are  covered  by  the  waters, 
and  the  evil  eye  has  no  power  over  them  ; 
and  so  over  those  of  the  seed  of  Joseph  the 
evil  eye  has  no  power." 

I  have  been  thus  diffuse  upon  the  evil  eye, 
because  of  late  years  it  has  been  a  common 
practice  of  writers  to  speak  of  it  without  ap- 
parently possessing  any  farther  knowledge  of 
the  subject  than  what  may  be  gathered  from 
the  words  themselves. 

Like  most  other  superstitions,  it  is,  per- 
haps, founded  on  a  physical  reality. 

I  have  observed,  that  only  in  hot  countries, 
where  the  sun  and  moon  are  particularly 
dazzling,  is  the  belief  in  the  evil  eye  preva- 
lent. If  we  turn  to  Scripture,  the  wonderful 
book  which  is  capable  of  resolving  every 


*Gen.  xlix.  22. 

f  In  the  original  there  is  a  play  on  words  — It  i3  not 
necessary  to  enter  into  particulars  farther  than  to  oh- 
serve  that  in  the  Hebrew  language  "  ain  "  means  a  well, 
and  likewise  an  eye. 

\  Gen.  xlviii.  16.  In  the  English  version  the  exact 
sense  of  the  inspired  original  is  not  conveyed.  Tlie  de- 
scendants of  Joseph  are  to  increase  like  fish. 


mystery,  I  believe  that  we  shall  presently 
come  to  the  solution  of  the  evil  eye.  "The 
sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day,  nor  the  moon 
by  night."  Ps.  cxxi.  v.  6. 

Those  who  wish  to  avoid  the  evil  eye,  in- 
stead of  trusting  in  charms,  scrawls,  and  Rab- 
binical antidotes,  let  them  never  loiter  in  the 
sunshine  before  the  king  of  day  has  nearly 
reached  his  bourne  in  the  west;  for  the  sun 
has  an  evil  eye,  and  his  glance  produces  brain 
fevers ;  and  let  them  not  sleep  uncovered  be- 
neath the  smile  of  the  moon,  for  her  glance 
is  poisonous,  and  produces  insupportable 
itching  in  the  eye,  and  not  unfrequently 
blindness. 

The  northern  nations  have  a  superstition 
which  bears  some  resemblance  to  the  evil 
eye,  when  allowance  is  made  for  circum- 
stances. They  have  no  brilliant  sun  and 
moon  to  addle  the  brain,  and  poison  the  eye, 
but  the  gray  north  has  its  marshes,  and  fenny 
ground,  and  fetid  mists,  which  produce  agues, 
low  fevers,  and  moping  madness,  and  are  as 
fatal  to  cattle  as  to  man.  Such  disorders  are 
attributable  to  elves  and  fairies.  This  super- 
stition still  lingers,  in  some  parts  of  England, 
under  the  name  of  elf-shot,  whilst,  throughout 
the  north,  it  is  called  elle-skiod,  and  elle-vild 
(fairy  wild.)  It  is  particularly  prevalent 
amongst  shepherds  and  cowherds,  the  people 
who,  from  their  manner  of  life,  are  most  ex- 
posed to  the  effects  of  the  elf-shot.  Those 
who  wish  to  know  more  of  this  superstition, 
are  referred  to  Thieles  Danske  Folkesagn, 
and  to  the  notes  of  the  Kcempe  Viser,  or 
popular  Danish  Ballads. 


CHAPTER  X. 

EXODUS  OF  THE  JEWS :  THAT  OF  THE  GYP- 
SIES.— INDIFFERENCE  OF  THE  OITANOS 
WITH  RESPECT  TO  RELIGION. — EZEKIEL. — 

TALE  OF  EGYPTIAN  DESCENT. QUINONES. 

— MELCHIOR     OF     GUELAMA. RELIGIOUS 

TOLERANCE. — THE     INQUISITOR    OF    COR- 
DOVA.— GITANOS  AND  MORISCOS. 

When  the  six  hundred  thousand  men,*  and 
the  mixed  multitude  of  women  and  children 
went  forth  from  the  land  of  Egypt,  the  God 
whom  they  worshipped,  the  only  true  God, 
went  before  them  by  day  in  a  pillar  of  cloud, 
to  lead  them  the  way,  and  by  night  in  a  pillar 
of  fire  to  give  them  light;  this  God  who  res- 
cued them  from  slavery,  who  guided  them 
through  the  wilderness,  who  was  their  cap- 
tain in  battle,  and  who  cast  down  before  them 
the  strong  walls  which  encompassed  the 
towns  of  their  enemies,  this  God  they  still  re- 
member, after  the  lapse  of  more  than  three 
thousand  years,  and  still  worship  with  ado- 
ration the  most  unbounded.  If  there  be  one 
event  in  the  eventful  history  of  the  Hebrews 

*  Exodus,  chap.  xii.  v.  37,  38. 

E 


42 


THE  ZINC  ALL 


which  awakens  in  their  minds  deeper  feelings 
of  gratitude  than  another,  it  is  the  exodus, 
and  that  wonderful  manifestation  of  olden 
mercy  still  serves  them  as  an  assurance  that 
the  Lord  will  yet  one  day  redeem  and  gather 
together  his  scattered  and  oppressed  people. 
"Art  thou  not  the  God  who  brought  us  out 
of  the  land  of  bondage  ?"  they  exclaim  in  the 
days  of  their  heaviest  trouble  and  affliction. 
He  who  redeemed  Israel  from  the  hand  of 
Pharaoh  is  yet  capable  of  restoring  the  king- 
dom and  sceptre  to  Israel. 

If  the  Rommany  trusted  in  any  God  at  the 
period  of  their  exodus,  they  must  speedily 
have  forgotten  him.  Coming  from  Ind,  as 
they  most  assuredly  did,  it  was  impossible 
for  them  to  have  known  the  true,  and  they 
must  have  been  followers  (if  they  followed 
any)  either  of  Buddh,  or  Brahmah,  those  tre- 
mendous phantoms  which  have  led,  and  are 
likely  still  to  lead,  the  souls  of  hundreds  of 
millions  to  destruction ;  yet  they  are  now 
ignorant  of  such  names,  nor  does  it  appear 
that  such  were  ever  current  amongst  them 
subsequent  to  their  arrival  in  Europe,  if  in- 
deed they  ever  were.  They  brought  with 
them  no  Indian  idols,  as  far  as  we  are  able  to 
judge  at  the  present  time,  nor  indeed  Indian 
rites  or  observances,  for  no  traces  of  such 
are  to  be  discovered  amongst  them. 

All,  therefore,  which  relates  to  their  ori- 
ginal religion  is  shrouded  in  mystery,  and  is 
likely  so  to  remain.  They  may  have  been 
idolaters,  or  atheists,  or  what  they  now  are, 
totally  neglectful  of  worship  of  any  kind;  and 
though  not  exactly  prepared  to  deny  the  ex- 
istence of  a  Supreme  Being,  as  regardless 
of  him  as  if  he  existed  not,  and  never  men- 
tioning his  name  save  in  oaths  and  blasphemy, 
or  in  moments  of  pain  or  sudden  surprise, 
as  they  have  heard  other  people  do,  but 
always*  without  any  fixed  belief,  trust,  or 
hope. 

There  are  certainly  some  points  of  resem- 
blance between  the  children  of  Roma  and 
those  of  Israel.  Both  have  had  an  exodus, 
both  are  exiles  and  dispersed  amongst  the 
gentiles,  by  whom  they  are  hated  and  de- 
spised, and  whom  they  hate  and  despise, 
under  the  names  of  Busnees  and  Goyim ; 
both,  though  speaking  the  language  of  the 
Gentiles,  possess  a  peculiar  tongue,  which 
the  latter  do  not  understand,  and  both  possess 
a  peculiar  cast  of  countenance,  by  which  they 
may,  without  difficulty,  be  distinguished  from 
all  other  nations ;  but  with  these  points  the 
similarity  terminates.  The  Israelites  have 
a  peculiar  religion,  to  which  they  are  fanati- 
cally attached,  the  Romas  have  none,  as  they 
invariably  adopt,  though  only  in  appearance, 
that  of  the  people  with  whom  they  chance 
to  sojourn ;  the  Israelites  possess  the  most 
authentic  history  of  any  people  in  the  world, 
and  arc  acquainted  with  and  delight  to  re- 
capitulate all  that  has  befallen  their  race, 
from  ages  the  most  remote;  the  Romas  have 
no  history,  they  do  not  even  know  the  name 
of  their  original  country,  and  the  only  tradi- 
tion which  they  possess,  that  of  their  Egyp- 


tian origin,  is  a  false  one,  whether  invented 
by  themselves  or  others ;  the  Israelites  are 
of  all  people  the  most  wealthy,  the  Romas 
the  most  poor;  poor  as  a  Gypsy  being  pro- 
verbial amongst  some  nations,  though  both 
are  equally  greedy  of  gain;  and  finally,  though 
both  are  noted  for  peculiar  craft  and  cunning, 
no  people  are  more  ignorant  than  the  Romas, 
whilst  the  Jews  have  always  been  a  learned 
people,  being  in  possession  of  the  oldest  lite- 
rature in  the  world,  and  certainly  the  most 
important  and  interesting. 

Sad  and  weary  must  have  been  the  path 
of  the  mixed  rabble  of  the  Romas  when  they 
left  India's  sunny  land  and  wended  their  way 
to  the  West,  in  comparison  with  the  glorious 
exodus  of  the  Israelites  from  Egypt,  whose 
God  went  before  them  in  cloud  and  in  fire, 
working  miracles  and  astonishing  the  hearts 
of  their  foes. 

Even  supposing  that  they  worshipped 
Buddh  or  Brahmah,  neither  of  these  false 
deities  could  have  accomplished  for  them 
what  God  effected  for  his  chosen  people,  al- 
though it  is  true  that  the  idea  that  a  Supreme 
Being  was  watching  over  them,  in  return  for 
the  reverence  paid  to  his  image,  might  have 
cheered  them  'midst  storm  and  lightning, 
'midst  mountains  and  wildernesses,  'midst 
hunger,  and  drought,  for  it  is  assuredly  better 
to  trust  even  in  an  idol,  in  a  tree,  or  a  stone, 
than  to  be  entirely  godless ;  and  the  most 
superstitious  hind  of  the  Himalayan  hills 
who  trusts  in  the  Grand  Foutsa  in  the  hour 
of  peril  and  danger,  is  more  wise  than  the 
most  enlightened  atheist,  who  cherishes  no 
-consoling  delusion  to  relieve  his  mind,  op- 
pressed by  the  terrible  ideas  of  reality. 

It  is  evident  that  the  Romas  arrived  at  the 
confines  of  Europe  without  any  certain  or 
rooted  faith,  for  knowing,  as  we  do,  with 
what  tenacity  they  retain  their  primitive 
habits  and  customs,  their  sect  being,  in  all 
points,  the  same  as  it  was  four  hundred  years 
ago,  it  appears  impossible  that  they  should 
have  forgotten  their  peculiar  god,  if  in  any 
peculiar  god  they  trusted. 

Though  cloudy  ideas  of  the  Indian  deities 
might  be  occasionally  floating  in  their  minds, 
these  ideas,  doubtless,  quickly  passed  away 
when  they  ceased  to  behold  the  pagodas  and 
temples  of  Indian  worship,  and  were  no 
longer  in  contact  with  the  enthusiastic  adorers 
of  the  idols  of  the  East ;  they  passed  away 
even  as  the  dim  and  cloudy  ideas  which  they 
subsequently  adopted  of  the  Eternal  and  His 
Son,  Mary  and  the  saints  would  pass  away 
when  they  ceased  to  be  nourished  by  the  sight 
of  churches  and  crosses;  for  should  it  please 
the  Almighty  to  reconduct  the  Romas  to 
Indian  climes,  who  can  doubt  that  within  half 
a  century  they  would  entirely  forget  all  con- 
nected with  the  religion  of  the  West!  Any 
poor  shreds  of  that  faith  which  they  bore 
with  them  they  would  drop  by  degrees  as  they 
would  relinquish  their  European  garments 
when  they  became  old,  and  as  they  relin- 
quished their  Asiatic  ones  to  adopt  those  of 
Europe  ;  no  particular  dress  makes  a  part  of 


TALE  OF  EGYPTIAN  DESCENT. 


43 


the  things  essential  to  the  sect  of  Roma,  so 
likewise  no  particular  god  and  no  particular 
religion. 

Where  these  people  first  assumed  the  name 
of  Egyptians,  or  where  that  title  was  first 
bestowed  upon  them,  it  is  difficult  to  de- 
termine; perhaps,  however,  in  the  eastern 
parts  of  Europe,  where  it  should  seem  the 
grand  body  of  this  nation  of  wanderers  made 
a  halt  for  a  considerable  time,  and  where  they 
are  still  to  be  found  in  greater  numbers  than 
in  any  other  part.  One  thing  is  certain,  that 
when  they  first  entered  Germany,  which  they 
speedily  overran,  they  appeared  under  the 
character  of  Egyptians,  doing  penance  for 
the  sin  of  having  refused  hospitality  to  the 
Virgin  and  her  Son,  and,  of  course,  as  be- 
lievers in  the  Christian  ftiith,  notwithstanding 
that  they  subsisted  by  the  perpetration  of 
every  kind  of  robbery  and  imposition;  Aven- 
tinus  (Annalibus  Boiorum,  826)  speaking  of 
them  says:  "Adeo  tamen  vana  superstitio 
hominum  mentes,  velut  lethargus  invasit,  ut 
eos  violari  nefas  putet,  atque  grassari  futari 
imponere  passim  sinant." 

This  singular  story  of  banishment  from 
Egypt,  and  wandering  through  the  world  for 
a  periocUof  seven  years,  for  inhospitality  dis- 
played to  the  Virgin,  and  which  I  find  much 
difficulty  in  attributing  to  the  invention  of 
people  so  ignorant  as  the  Romas,  tallies 
strangely  with  the  fate  foretold  to  the  ancient 
Egyptians  in  certain  chapters  of  Ezekiel,  so 
much  so,  indeed,  that  it  seems  to  be  derived 
from  that  source.  The  Lord  is  angry  with 
Egypt  because  its  inhabitants  have  been  a 
staff  of  reed  to  the  house  of  Israel,  and  thus 
he  threatens  them  by  the  mouth  of  his  pro- 
phet: 

"I  will  make  the  land  of  Egypt  desolate 
in  the  midst  of  the  countries  that  are  desolate, 
and  her  cities  among  the  cities  that  are  laid 
waste  shall  be  desolate  forty  years :  and  I 
will  scatter  the  Egyptians  among  the  na- 
tions, and  will  disperse  them  through  the 
countries."  Ezek.  chap.  xxix.  v.  12.  "Yet 
thus  saith  the  Lord  God;  at  the  end  of  forty 
years  will  I  gather  the  Egyptians  from  the 
people  whither  they  were  scattered,"  v.  13. 

"Thus  saith  the  Lord;  I  will  make  the 
multitude  of  Egypt  to  cease,  by  the  hand  of 
Nebuchadnezzar,  king  of  Babylon."  Chap. 
xxx.  v.  10. 

"  And  I  will  scatter  the  Egyptians  among 
the  nations,  and  disperse  them  among  the 
countries ;  and  they  shall  know  that  I  am  the 
Lord."  Chap.  xxx.  v.  26. 

The  reader  will  at  once  observe  that  the 
apocryphal  tale  which  the  Romas  brought  into 
Germany,  concerning  their  origin  and  wan- 
derings, agrees  in  every  material  point  with 
the  sacred  prophecy.  The  ancient  Egyptians 
were  to  be  driven  from  their  country  and 
dispersed  amongst  the  nations,  for  a  period 
of  forty  years,  for  having  been  the  cause  of 
Israel's  backsliding,  and  for  not.  having  known 
the  Lord, — the  modern  pseudo  Egyptians  are 
to  be  dispersed  among  the  nations  for  seven 
years,  for  having  denied  hospitality  to  the 


Virgin  and  her  child.  The  prophecy  seems 
only  to  have  been  remodelled  for  the  purpose 
of  suiting  the  taste  of  the  time  ;  as  no  legend 
possessed  much  interest  in  which  the  Virgin 
did  not  figure,  she  and  her  child  are  here  in- 
troduced instead  of  the  Israelites,  and  the 
Lord  of  Heaven  offended  with  the  Egyp- 
tians ;  and  this  legend  appears  to  have  been 
very  well  received  in  Germany,  for  a  time  at 
least;  for,  as  Aventinus  observes,  it  was  es- 
teemed a  crime  of  the  first  magnitude  to  offer 
any  violence  to  the  Egyptian  pilgrims,  who 
were  permitted  to  rob  on  the  highway,  to 
commit  larceny,  and  to  practise  every  species 
of  imposition  with  impunity. 

The  tale,  however,  of  the  Romas  could 
hardly  have  been  invented  by  themselves,  as 
they  were,  and  still  are,  utterly  unacquainted 
with  the  Scripture;  it  probably  originated 
amongst  the  priests  and  learned  men  of  the 
east  of  Europe,  who,  startled  by  the  sudden 
apparition  of  bands  of  people  foreign  in  ap- 
pearance and  language,  skilled  in  divination, 
and  the  occult  arts,  endeavoured  to  find  in 
Scripture  a  clue  to  such  a  phenomenon ;  the 
result  of  which  was  that  the  Romas  of  Hin- 
dustan were  suddenly  transformed  into  Egyp- 
tian penitents,  a  title  which  they  have  ever 
since  borne  in  various  parts  of  Europe.  There 
are  no  means  of  ascertaining  whether  they 
themselves  believed  from  the  first  in  this 
story;  they  most  probably  took  it  on  credit, 
more  especially  as  they  could  give  no  ac- 
count of  themselves,  there  being  every  reason 
for  supposing  that  from  time  immemorial 
they  had  existed  in  the  East  as  a  thievish 
wandering  sect,  as  they  at  present  do  in 
Europe,  without  history  or  traditions,  and 
unable  to  look  back  for  a  period  of  eighty 
years.  The  tale  moreover  answered  their 
purpose,  as  beneath  the  garb  of  penitence 
they  could  rob  and  cheat  with  impunity,  for 
a  time  at  least.  One  thing  is  certain,  that 
in  whatever  manner  the  tale  of  their  Egyp- 
tian descent  originated,  many  branches  of 
the  sect  place  implicit  confidence  in  it  at  the 
present  day,  more  especially  those  of  Eng- 
land and  Spain. 

Even  at  the  present  time  there  are  writers 
who  contend  that  the  Romas  are  the  de- 
scendants of  the  ancient  Egyptians,  who 
were  scattered  amongst  the  nations  by  the 
Assyrians.  This  belief  they  principally  found 
upon  particular  parts  of  the  prophecy  from 
which  we  have  already  quoted,  and  there  is 
no  lack  of  plausibility  in  the  arguments  which 
they  deduce  therefrom.  The  Egyptians,  say 
they,  were  to  fall  upon  the  open  fields,  they 
were  not  to  be  brought  together  nor  ga- 
thered ;  they  were  to  be  dispersed  through 
the  countries,  their  idols  were  to  be  de- 
stroyed, and  their  images  were  to  cease  out 
of  Noph !  In  what  people  in  the  world  do 
these  denunciations  appear  to  be  verified 
save  the  Gypsies? — a  people  who  pass  their 
lives  in  the  open  fields,  who  are  not  gathered 
together,  who  arc  dispersed  through  the 
countries,  who  have  no  idols,  no  images,  nor 
any  fixe-d  or  certain  religion. 


44 


THE  ZINCALI. 


In  Spain,  the  want  of  religion  amongst 
the  Gitanos  was  speedily  observed,  and  be- 
came quite  as  notorious  as  their  want  of 
honesty;  they  have  been  styled  atheists,  hea- 
then idolaters  and  Moors.  In  the  little  book 
of  Quiiiones,  we  find  the  subject  noticed  in 
the  following  manner: 

"They  do  not  understand  what  kind  of 
thing  the  church  is,  and  never  enter  it  but 
for  the  purpose  of  committing  sacrilege. 
They  do  not  know  the  prayers;  for  I  exa- 
mined them  myself,  males  and  females,  and 
they  knew  them  not,  or  if  any,  very  imper- 
fectly. They  never  partake  of  the  Holy 
Sacraments,  and  though  they  marry  relations 
they  procure  no  dispensations.*  No  one 
knows  whether  they  are  baptized.  One  of 
the  five  whom  I  caused  to  be  hung  a  few  days 
ago,  was  baptized  in  the  prison,  being  at  the 
time  upwards  of  thirty  years  of  age.  Don 
Martin  Fajardo  says  that  two  Gitanos  and  a 
Gitana,  whom  he  hanged  in  the  village  of 
Torre  Perojil,  were  baptized  at  the  foot  of 
the  gallows,  and  declared  themselves  Moors. 

"They  invariably  look  out,  when  they 
marry,  if  we  can  call  theirs  marrying,  for  the 
woman,  most  dexterous  in  pilfering  and  de- 
ceiving, caring  nothing  whether  she  is  akin 
to  them  or  married  already,!  for  it  is  only 
necessary  to  keep  her  company  and  to  call 
her  wife.  Sometimes  they  purchase  them 
from  their  husbands,  or  receive  them  as 
pledges :  so  says,  at  least,  Doctor  Salazar  de 
Mendoza. 

"Friar  Melchior  of  Guelama  states  that 
he  heard  asserted  of  two  Gitanos  what  was 
never  yet  heard  of  any  barbarous  nation, 
namely,  that  they  exchanged  their  wives, 
and  that  as  one  was  more  comely-looking 
than  the  other,  he  who  took  the  handsome 
woman  gave  a  certain  sum  of  money  to  him 
who  took  the  ugly  one.  The  licentiate 
Alonzo  Duran  has  certified  to  me  that,  in 
the  year  1623-4,  one  Simon  Ramirez,  cap- 
tain of  a  band  of  Gitanos,  repudiated  Teresa 
because  she  was  old,  and  married  one  called 
Melchora,  who  was  young  and  handsome, 
and  that  on  the  day  when  the  repudiation 
took  place  and  the  bridal  was  celebrated  he 
was  journeying  along  the  road,  and  perceived 
a  company  feasting  and  revelling  beneath 
some  trees  in  a  plain  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  village  of  Deleitosa,  and  that  on  de- 
manding the  cause  he  was  told  that  it  was 
on  account  of  Simon  Ramirez  marrying  one 
Gitana  and  casting  off  another;  and  that  the 
repudiated  woman  told  him,  with  an  agony 
of  tears,  that  he  abandoned  her  because  she 
was  old,  and  married  another  because  she 
was  young.  Certain  Gitanos  and  Gitanas 
confessed  before  Don  Martin  Fajardo  that 
they  did  not  really  marry,  but  that  in  their 
banquets  and  festivals  they  selected  the  wo- 
man whom  they  liked,  and  that  it  was  lawful 
for  them  to  have  as  many  as  three  mistresses, 
and   on  that  account  they  begat  so  many 

*  Quiiiones,  p.  11. 

t  The  writer  will  hy  no  menus  answer  for  the  truth 
of  these  statements  respecting  Gypsy  miurlnges. 


children.  They  never  keep  fasts  nor  any 
ecclesiastical  command.  They  always  eat 
meat,  Friday  and  Lent  not  excepted;  the 
morning  when  I  seized  those  whom  I  after- 
wards executed,  which  was  in  Lent,  they  had 
three  lambs  which  they  intended  to  eat  for 
their  dinner  that  day." — Quiiiones,  page  13. 
Although  what  is  stated  in  the  above  ex- 
tracts, respecting  the  marriages  of  the  Gitanos 
and  their  licentious  manner  of  living,  is,  for 
the  most  part,  incorrect,  there  is  no  reason 
to  conclude  the  same  with  respect  to  their 
want  of  religion  in  the  olden  time,  and  their 
slight  regard  for  the  forms  and  observances 
of  the  church,  as  their  behaviour  at  the  pre- 
sent day  serves  to  confirm  what  is  said  on 
those  points.  From  the  whole,  we  may  form 
a  tolerably  correct  idea  of  the  opinions  of  the 
time  respecting  the  Gitanos  in  matters  of 
morality  and  religion.  A  very  natural  ques- 
tion now  seems  to  present  itself,  namely; 
what  steps  did  the  government  of  Spain,  civil 
and  ecclesiastical,  which  has  so  often  trum- 
peted its  zeal  in  the  cause  of  what  it  calls 
the  Christian  religion,  which  has  so  often 
been  the  scourge  of  the  Jew,  of  the  Maho- 
metan, and  of  the  professors  of  the  reformed 
faith ;  what  steps  did  it  take  towards  convert- 
ing, punishing,  and  rooting  out  from  Spain, 
a  sect  of  demi-atheists,  who,  besides  being 
cheats  and  robbers,  disr.  layed  the  most  marked 
indifference  for  the  forms  of  the  Catholic  re- 
ligion, and  presumed  to  eat  flesh  every  day, 
and  to  intermarry  with  their  relations,  with- 
out paying  the  vicegerent  of  Christ  here  on 
earth  for  permission  so  to  do"? 

The  Gitanos  have  at  all  times,  since  their 
first  appearance  in  Spain,  been  notorious  for 
their  contempt  of  religious  observances;  yet 
there  is  no  proof  that  they  were  subjected  to 
persecution  on  that  account.  The  men  have 
been  punished  as  robbers  and  murderers,  with 
the  gallows  and  the  galleys ;  the  women,  as 
thieves  and  sorceresses,  with  imprisonment, 
flagellation,  and  sometimes  death;  but  as  a 
rabble,  living  without  fear  of  God,  and,  by  so 
doing,  affording  an  evil  example  to  the  nation 
at  large,  few  people  gave  themselves  much 
trouble  about  them,  though  they  may  have 
occasionally  been  designated  as  such  in  a 
royal  edict,  intended  to  check  their  robberies, 
or  by  some  priest  from  the  pulpit,  from  whose 
stable  they  had  perhaps  contrived  to  extract 
the  mule  which  previously  had  the  the  honour 
of  ambling  beneath  his  portly  person. 

The  Inquisition,  which  burnt  so  many  Jews 
and  Moors,  and  conscientious  Christians,  at 
Seville  and  Madrid,  and  in  other  parts  of 
Spain,  seems  to  have  exhibited  the  oreatest 
clemency  and  forbearance  to  the  Gitanos. 
Indeed,  we  cannot  find  one  instance  of  its 
having  interferred  with  them.  The  charge 
of  restraining  the  excesses  of  the  Gitanos, 
was  abandoned  entirely  to  the  secular  autho- 
rities, and  more  particularly  to  the  Santa 
Hermandad,  a  kind  of  police  instituted  for 
the  purpose  of  clearing  the  roads  of  robbers. 
Whilst  1  resided  at  Cordova,  I  was  acquainted 
with  an  aged  ecclesiastic,  who  was  priest  of  d 


THE  EXPULSION  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


45 


village  called  Puente,  at  about  two  leagues' 
distance  from  the  city.  He  was  detained  in 
Cordova  on  account  of  his  political  opinions, 
though  he  was  otherwise  at  liberty.  We 
lived  together  at  the  same  house;  and  he 
frequently  visited  me  in  my  apartment. 

This  person,  who  was  upwards  of  eighty 
years  of  age,  had  formerly  been  inquisitor  at 
Cordova.  One  night,  whilst  we  were  seated 
together,  three  Gitanos.  entered  to  pay  me  a 
visit,  and  on  observing  the  old  ecclesiastic, 
exhibited  every  mark  of  dissatisfaction,  and, 
speaking  in  their  own  idiom,  called  him  a 
balichow,  and  abused  priests  in  general  in 
most  unmeasured  terms.  On  their  departing, 
I  inquired  of  the  old  man  whether  he,  who 
having  been  an  inquisitor,  was  doubtless 
versed  in  the  annals  of  the  holy  office,  could 
inform  me  whether  the  Inquisition  had  ever 
taken  any  active  measures  for  the  suppres- 
sion and  punishment  of  the  sect  of  the  Gita- 
nos :  whereupon  he  replied,  "  that  he  was  not 
aware  of  one  case  of  a  Gitano  having  been 
tried  or  punished  by  the  Inquisition ;"  adding 
these  remarkable  words:  "The  Inquisition 
always  looked  upon  them  with  too  much  con- 
tempt to  give  itself  the  slightest  trouble  con- 
cerning them ;  for  as  no  danger  either  to  the 
state,  or  the  church  of  Rome,  would  proceed 
from  the  Gitanos,  it  was  a  matter  of  perfect 
indifference  to  the  holy  office,  whether  they 
lived  without  religion  or  not.  The  holy  office 
has  always  reserved  its  anger  for  people  very 
different;  the  Gitanos  having  at  all  times 
been  Gente  barrata  y  despreciable." 

Indeed,  most  of  the  persecutions  which 
have  arisen  in  Spain  against  Jews,  Moors, 
and  Protestants,  sprang  from  motives  with 
which  fanaticism  and  bigotry,  of  which  it  is 
true  the  Spaniards  have  their  full  share,  had 
very  little  connexion.  Religion  was  assumed 
as  a  mask  to  conceal  the  vilest  and  most  de- 
testable motives  which  ever  yet  led  to  the 
commission  of  crying  injustice;  the  Jews 
were  doomed  to  persecution  and  destruction 
on  two  accounts,  their  great  riches,  and  their 
high  superiority  over  the  Spaniards  in  learn- 
ing and  intellect.  Avarice  has  always  been 
the  dominant  passion  in  Spanish  minds,  their 
rage  for  money  being  only  to  be  compared  to 
the  wild  hunger  of  wolves  for  horse-flesh  in 
the  time  of  winter;  next  to  avarice,  envy  of 
superior  talent  and  accomplishment,  is  the 
prevailing  passion.  These  two  detestable 
feelings  united,  proved  the  ruin  of  the  Jews 
in  Spain,  who  were,  for  a  long  time,  an  eye- 
sore, both  to  the  clergy  and  laity,  for  their 
great  riches  and  learning.  Much  the  same 
causes  insured  the  expulsion  of  the  Moriscos, 
who  were  abhorred  for  their  superior  industry, 
which  the  Spaniards  would  not  imitate ;  whilst 
the  Reformation  was  kept  down  by  the  gaunt 
arm  of  the  Inquisition,  lest  the  property  of 
the  church  should  pass  into  other  and  more 
deserving  hands.  The  fagot  piles  in  the 
squares  of  Seville  and  Madrid,  which  con- 
sumed the  bodies  of  the  Hebrew,  the  Morisco, 
and  the  Protestant,  were  lighted  by  avarice 
and  envy,  and  those  same  piles  would  like- 
7 


wise  have  consumed  the  Mulatto  carcass  of 
the  Gitano,  had  he  been  learned  and  wealthy 
enough  to  become  obnoxious  to  the  two  mas- 
ter passions  of  the  Spaniards. 

Of  all  the  Spanish  writers  who  have  written 
concerning  the  Gitanos,  the  one  who  appears 
to  have  been  the  most  scandalized  at  the  want 
of  religion  observable  amongst  them,  and  their 
contempt  for  things  sacred,  was  a  certain  Dr. 
Sancho  De  Moncada. 

This  worthy,  whom  we  have  already  had 
occasion  to  mention,  was  Professor  of  The- 
ology at  the  University  of  Toledo,  and  shortly 
after  the  expulsion  of  the  Moriscos  had  been 
brought  about  by  the  intrigues  of  the  monks 
and  robbers  who  thronged  the  court  of  Philip 
the  Third,  he  endeavoured  to  get  up  a  cry 
against  the  Gitanos  similar  to  that  with  which 
for  the  last  half  century  Spain  had  resounded 
against  the  unfortunate  and  oppressed  Afri- 
cans, and  to  effect  this,  he  published  a  dis- 
course, entitled  "The  Expulsion  of  the  Gita- 
nos," addressed  to  Philip  the  Third,  in  which 
he  conjures  that  monarch,  for  the  sake  of 
morality  and  every  thing  sacred,  to  complete 
the  good  work  he  had  commenced,  and  to 
send  the  Gitanos  packing  after  the  Moriscos 

Whether  this  discourse  produced  any  be- 
nefit to  the  author,  we  have  no  means  of  as- 
certaining. One  thing  is  certain,  that  it  did 
no  harm  to  the  Gitanos,  who  still  continue  in 
Spain. 

If  he  had  other  expectations,  he  must  have 
understood  very  little  of  the  genius  of  his 
countrymen,  or  of  King  Philip  and  his  court. 
It  would  have  been  easier  to  get  up  a  crusade 
against  the  wild  cats  of  the  sierra,  than  against 
the  Gitanos,  as  the  former  have  skins  to  re- 
ward those  who  slay  them.  His  discourse, 
however,  is  well  worthy  of  perusal,  as  it  ex- 
hibits some  learning,  and  comprises  many 
curious  details  respecting  the  Gitanos,  their 
habits,  and  their  practices.  As  it  is  not  very 
lengthy,  we  here  subjoin  it,  hoping  that  the 
reader  will  excuse  its  many  absurdities,  for 
the  sake  of  its  many  valuable  facts. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  EXPULSION  OF  THE  GITANOS ;  A  DIS- 
COURSE ADDRESSED  BY  DOCTOR  SANCHO 
DE  MONCADA  TO  PHILIP  THE  THIRD. 

"SIRE, 

"The  people  of  God  were  always  afflicted 
by  the  Egyptians,  but  the  Supreme  King 
delivered  them  from  their  hands  by  means  of 
many  miracles,  which  are  related  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures;  and  now,  without  having  recourse 
to  so  many,  but  only  by  means  of  the  miracu- 
lous talent  which  your  Majesty  possesses  for 
expelling  such  reprobates,  he  will,  doubtless, 
free  this  kingdom  from  them,  which  is  what 
is  supplicated  in  this  discourse,  and  it  be- 
hooves us,  in  the  first  place,  to  consider 
E2 


46 


THE  ZINC4LI. 


"  WHO  ARE  THE  GITANOS  ] 

"  Writers  generally  agree  that  the  first 
time  the  Gitanos  were  seen  in  Europe  was 
the  year  1417,  which  was  in  the  time  of  Pope 
Martinus  the  Fifth  and  King  Don  John  the 
Second ;  others  say  that  Tamerlane  had  them 
in  his  camp  in  1401,  and  that  their  captain 
was  Cingo,  from  whence  it  is  said  that,  they 
call  themselves  Cingary.  But  the  opinions 
concerning  their  origin  are  infinite. 

"  The  first  is  that  they  are  foreigners, 
though  authors  differ  much  with  respect  to  the 
country  from  whence  they  came.  The  ma- 
jority say  that  they  are  from  Africa,  and  that 
they  came  with  the  Moors  when  Spain  was 
lost;  others  that  they  are  Tartars,  Persians, 
Cilicians,  Nubians,  from  Lower  Egypt,  from 
Syria,  or  from  other  parts  of  Asia  and  Africa, 
and  others  consider  them  to  be  descendants 
of  Chus,  son  of  Cain;  others  say  that  they 
are  of  European  origin,  Bohemians,  Ger- 
mans, or  outcasts  from  other  nations  of  this 
quarter  of  the  world. 

"  The  second  and  sure  opinion  is,  that  those 
who  prowl  about  Spain  are  not  Egyptians  but 
swarms  of  wasps  and  atheistical  wretches, 
without  any  kind  of  law  or  religion,  Spaniards, 
who  have  introduced  this  Gypsy  life  or  sect, 
and  who  admit  into  it  every  day  all  the  idle 
and  broken  people  of  Spain.  There  are  some 
foreigners  who  would  make  Spain  the  origin 
and  fountain  of  all  the  Gypsies  of  Europe,  as 
they  say  that  they  proceeded  from  a  river  in 
Spain  called  Cija,  of  which  Lucan  makes 
mention;  an  opinion,  however,  not  much 
adopted  amongst  the  learned.  In  the  opinion 
of  respectable  authors,  they  are  called  Cin- 
gary or  Cinli,  because  they  in  every  respect 
resemble  the  bird  cinclo,  which  we  call  in 
Spanish  Motacilla,  or  aguzanieve,  (wag-tail,) 
which  is  a  vagrant  bird  and  builds  no  nest,* 
but  broods  in  those  of  other  birds,  a  bird  rest- 
less and  poor  of  plumage,  as  Elian  writes. 

"  THE  GITANOS  ARE  VERY  HURTFUL  TO  SPAIN. 

"There  is  not  a  nation  which  does  not  consi- 
der them  as  a  most  pernicious  rabble;  even  the 
Turks  and  Moors  abominate  them,  amongst 
whom  this  sect  is  found  under  the  names  of 
Torlaquis,f  Hugiemalars,  and  Dervislars,  of 
whom  some  historians  make  mention,  and  all 
agree  that  they  are  most  evil  people,  and 
highly  detrimental  to  the  country  where  they 
are  found. 

"  In  the  first  place,  because  in  all  parts  they 
are  considered  as  enemies  of  the  states  where 
they  wander,  and  as  spies  and  traitors  to  the 
crown ;  which  was  proven  by  the  emperors 
Maximilian  and  Albert,  who  declared  them 
to  be  such  in  public  edicts;  a  fact  easy  to  be 
believed,  when  we  consider  that  they  enter 
with  ease  into  the  enemies'  country,  and  know 
the  languages  of  all  nations. 

*  This  statement  is  incorrect. 

f  The  Torlnquis.  (idle  vagabonds,)  TIadpies,  (saints,) 
and  Dervishes,  i  mendicant  friars,)  of  the  East,  are  Gyp- 
sies neither  by  origin  nor  habits,  but  are  in  general  peo 
pie  who  support  themselves  in  idleness  bv  practising 
upon  the  credulity  and  superstition  of  the  Moslems. 


"Secondly,  because  they  are  idle  vagabond 
people,  who  are  in  no  respect  useful  to  the 
kingdom  ;  without  commerce,  occupation,  or 
trade  of  any  description ;  and  if  they  have 
any  it  is  making  pick-locks  and  pot-hooks  for 
appearance  sake,  being  wasps,  who  only  live 
by  sucking  and  impoverishing  the  country, 
sustaining  themselves  by  the  sweat  of  the 
miserable  labourers,  as  a  German  poet  has 
said  of  them: 

'  duos  aliena  juvant,  propriis  habitare  molestum, 
Fastidit  patrium  non  nisi  nosse  solum.' 

They  are  much  more  useless  than  the  Mo- 
riscos,  as  these  last  were  of  some  service  to 
the  state  and  the  royal  revenues,  but  the  Gi- 
tanos are  neither  labourers,  gardeners,  me- 
chanics, nor  merchants,  and  only  serve,  like 
the  wolves,  to  plunder  and  to  flee. 

"  Thirdly,  because  the  Gitanas  are  public 
harlots,  common,  as  it  is  said,  to  all  the  Gi- 
tanos, and  with  dances,  demeanour,  and  filthy 
songs,  are  the  cause  of  continual  detriment 
to  the  souls  of  the  vassals  of  your  majesty,  it 
being  notorious  what  infinite  harm  they  have 
caused  in  many  honourable  houses,  the  mar- 
ried women  whom  they  have  separated  from 
their  husbands,  and  the  maidens  whom  they 
have  perverted;  and  finally,  in  the  best  of 
these  Gitanas  any  one  may  recognise  all  the 
signs  of  a  harlot  given  by  the  wise  king,  they 
are  gadders  about,  whisperers,  always  unquiet 
in  places  and  corners. 

"  Fourthly,  because  in  all  parts  they  are  ac- 
counted famous  thieves,  about  which  authors 
write  wonderful  things;  we  ourselves  have 
continual  experience  of  this  fact  in  Spain, 
where  there  is  scarcely  a  corner  where  they 
have  not  committed  some  heavy  offence. 

"Father  Martin  Del  Rio  says  they  were 
notorious  when  he  was  in  Leon  in  the  year 
1584;  as  they  even  attempted  to  sack  the 
town  of  Logrofio  in  the  time  of  the  pest,  as 
Don  Francisco  De  Cordoba  writes  in  his  Di- 
dascalia.  Enormous  cases  of  their  excesses 
we  see  in  infinite  processes  in  all  the  tri- 
bunals, and  particularly  in  that  of  the  Holy 
Brotherhood;  their  wickedness  ascending  to 
such  a  pitch,  that  they  steal  children,  and 
carry  them  for  sale  to  Barbary ;  the  reason 
why  the  Moors  call  them,  in  Arabic,  Raso 
cherany,*  which,  as  Andreas  Tebetus  writes, 
means  master  thieves.  Although  they  are 
addicted  to  every  species  of  robbery,  they 
mostly  practise  horse  and  cattle  stealing,  on 
which  account  they  are  called  in  \&\v  Abigcos, 
and  in  Spanish  Quatreros,  from  which  prac- 
tice great  evils  result  to  the  poor  labourers. 
When  they  cannot  steal  cattle,  they  endea- 
vour to  deceive  by  means  of  them,  acting  as 
terceros  in  fairs  and  markets. 

"Fifthly,  because  they  are  enchanters,  di- 
viners, magicians,  chiromancers,  who  tell  the 
future  by  the  lines  of  the  hand,  which  is  what 
they  call  liuena  ventura,  and  are,  in  general, 
addicted  to  all  kind  of  superstition. 

*  In  the  Moorish  Arabic,  reus  al  haramin,  the  literal 
meaning  being,  M  heads  or  captains  of  thieves." 


THE  EXPULSION  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


47 


"This  is  the  opinion  entertained  of  them 
universally,  and  which  is  confirmed  every  day 
by  experience;  and  some  think  that  they  are 
called  Cingary,  from  the  great  Magian  Cineus, 
from  whom  it  is  said  they  learned  their  sor- 
ceries, and  from  which  result  in  Spain  (es- 
pecially amongst  the  vulgar)  great  errors,  and 
superstitious  credulity,  mighty  witchcrafts, 
and  heavy  evils,  both  spiritual  and  corporeal. 

"Sixthly,  because  very  devout  men  con- 
sider them  as  heretics,  and  many  as  Gentile 
idolaters,  or  atheists,  without  any  religion,  al- 
though they  exteriorly  accommodate  them- 
selves to  the  religion  of  the  country  in  which 
they  wander,  being  Turks  with  the  Turks, 
heretics  with  the  heretics,  and  amongst  the 
Christians,  baptizing  now  and  then  a  child 
for  form's  sake.  Friar  Jayme  Bleda  produces 
a  hundred  signs,  from  which  he  concludes 
that  the  Moriscos  were  not  Christians,  all 
which  are  visible  in  the  Gitanos ;  very  few 
are  known  to  baptize  their  children  ;  they  are 
not  married,  but  it  is  believed  that  they  keep 
the  women  in  common ;  they  do  not  use  dis- 
pensations, nor  receive  the  sacraments  ;  they 
pay  no  respect  to  images,  rosaries,  bulls, 
neither  do  they  hear  mass,  nor  divine  ser- 
vices ;  they  never  enter  the  churches,  nor 
observe  fasts,  Lent,  nor  any  ecclesiastical 
precept ;  which  enormities  have  been  attested 
by  long  experience,  as  every  person  says. 

"Finally,  they  practise  every  kind  of 
wickedness  in  safety,  by  discoursing  amongst 
themselves  in  a  language  with  which  they 
understand  each  other  without  being  under- 
stood, which  in  Spain  is  called  Gerigonza, 
which,  as  some  think,  ought  to  be  called  Cin- 
gerionza,  or  language  of  Cingary.  The  king 
our  lord  saw  the  evil  of  such  a  practice  in  the 
law  which  he  enacted  at  Madrid,  in  the  year 
1566,  in  which  he  forbade  the  Arabic  to  the 
Moriscos,  as  the  use  of  different  languages 
amongst  the  natives  of  one  kingdom  opens  a 
door  to  treason,  and  is  a  source  of  heavy  in- 
convenience ;  and  this  is  exemplified  more  in 
the  case  of  the  Gitanos  than  of  any  other 
people. 

"the  gitanos  ought  to  be  seized 
wherever  found. 

"The  civil  law  ordains  that  vagrants  be 
seized  wherever  they  are  found,  without  any 
favour  being  shown  to  them;  in  conformity 
with  which,  the  Gitanos  in  the  Greek  empire 
were  given  as  slaves  to  those  who  should  cap- 
ture them ;  as  respectable  authors  write. 
Moreover,  the  emperor,  our  lord,  has  decreed, 
by  a  law  made  in  Toledo,  in  the  year  1525, 
that  the  third  time  they  be  found  wandering 
they  shall  serve  as  slaves  during  their  whole 
life  to  those  who  capture  them.  Which  can 
be  easily  justified,  inasmuch  as  there  is  no 
shepherd  who  does  not  place  barriers  against 
the  wolves,  and  does  not  endeavour  to  save 
his  flock,  and  I  have  already  exposed  to  your 
majesty  the  damage  which  the  Gitanos  per- 
petrate in  Spain. 


"THE    GITANOS    OUGHT    TO    BE    CONDEMNED 
TO  DEATH. 

"The  reasons  are  many.  The  first,  for  being 
spies,  and  traitors  to  the  crown ;  the  second, 
as  idlers  and  vagabonds. 

"  It  ought  always  to  be  considered,  that  no 
sooner  did  the  race  of  man  begin,  afier  the 
creation  of  the  world,  than  the  important 
point  of  civil  policy  arose  of  condemning  va- 
grants to  death ;  for  Cain  was  certain  that  he 
should  meet  his  destruction  in  wandering  as 
a  vagabond  for  the  murder  of  Abel.  Ero 
vagus  et  profugus  in  terra:  omnis  igitur 
qui  inveuerit  me,  occidet  me.  Now,  the 
igitur  stands  here  as  a  natural  consequence 
of  vagus  ero;  as  it  is  evident,  that  whoever 
shall  see  me  must  kill  me,  because  he  sees 
me  a  wanderer.  And  it  must  always  be  re- 
membered, that  at  that  time  there  were  no 
people  in  the  world  but  the  parents  and  bro- 
thers of  Cain,  as  St.  Ambrose  has  remarked. 
Moreover,  God,  by  the  mouth  of  Jeremias, 
menaced  his  people,  that  all  should  devour 
them  whilst  they  went  wandering  amongst 
the  mountains.  And  it  is  a  doctrine  enter- 
tained by  theologians,  that  the  mere  act  of 
wandering,  without  any  thing  else,  carries 
with  it  a  vehement  suspicion  of  capital  crime. 
Nature  herself  demonstrates  it  in  the  curious 
political  system  of  the  bees,  in  whose  well 
governed  republic  the  drones  are  killed  in 
April,  when  they  commence  working. 

"The  third,  because  they  are  stealers  of 
four-footed  beasts,  who  are  condemned  to 
death  by  the  laws  of  Spain,  in  the  wise  code 
of  the  famous  King  Don  Alonso  ;  which  enact- 
ment became  a  part  of  the  common  law. 

"  The  fourth,  for  wizards,  diviners,  and  for 
other  arts  which  they  practise,  which  are 
prohibited  under  pain  of  death  by  the  divine 
law  itself.  And  Saul  is  praised  for  having 
caused  this  law  to  be  put  in  execution  in  the 
beginning  of  his  reign ;  and  the  Holy  Scrip- 
ture attributes  to  the  breach  of  it  (namely, 
his  consulting  the  witch)  his  disastrous  death, 
and  the  transfer  of  the  kingdom  to  David. 
The  emperor  Constantine  the  Great,  and 
other  emperors  who  founded  the  civil  law, 
condemned  to  death  those  who  should  prac- 
tise such  facinorousness, — as  the  President 
of  Tolosa  has  written. 

"The  last  and  most  urgent  cause  is,  that 
they  are  heretics,  if  what  is  said  be  truth ; 
and  it  is  the  practice  of  the  law  in  Spain  to 
burn  such. 

"THE    GITANOS    ARE    EXPELLED    FROM    THE 
COUNTRY  BY  THE  LAWS  OF  SPAIN. 

"Firstly,  they  are  comprehended  as  hale 
beggars  in  the  law  of  the  wise  king,  Don 
Alonso,  by  which  he  expelled  all  sturdy  beg- 
gars, as  being  idle  and  useless. 

"Secondly,  the  law  expels  public  harlots 
from  the  city;  and  of  this  matter  I  have  al- 
ready said  something  in  my  second  chapter. 

"  Thirdly,  as  people  who  cause  scandal, 
and  who,  as  is  visible  at  the  first  glance,  are 
prejudicial  to  morals  and  common  decency. 


4S 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Now,  it  is  established  by  the  statute  law  of 
these  kingdoms,  that  such  people  be  expelled 
therefrom ;  it  is  said  so  in  the  well  pondered 
words  of  the  edict  for  the  expulsion  of  the 
Moors: — 'And  forasmuch  as  the  sense  of 
good  and  Christian  government  makes  it  a 
matter  of  conscience  to  expel  from  the  king- 
doms the  things  which  cause  scandal,  injury 
to  honest  subjects,  danger  to  the  state,  and 
above  all,  disloyalty  to  the  Lord  our  God.' 
Therefore,  considering  the  incorrigibility  of 
the  Gitanos,  the  Spanish  kings  made  many 
holy  laws  in  order  to  deliver  their  subjects 
from  such  pernicious  people. 

"  Fourthly,  the  Catholic  princes,  Ferdinand 
and  Isabella,  by  a  law  which  they  made  in 
Medina  del  Campo,  in  the  year  1494,  and 
which  the  emperor  our  lord  renewed  in  To- 
ledo in  1523,  and  in  Madrid  in  1528  and  1534, 
and  the  late  king  our  lord,  in  1560,  banished 
them  perpetually  from  Spain,  and  gave  them 
as  slaves  to  whomsoever  should  find  them, 
after  the  expiration  of  the  term  specified  in 
the  edict — laws  which  are  notorious  even 
amongst  strangers.  The  words  are : — '  We 
declare  to  be  vagabonds,  and  subject  to  the 
aforesaid  penalty,  the  Egyptians  and  foreign 
tinkers,  who  by  laws  and  statutes  of  these 
kingdoms  are  commanded  to  depart  there- 
from ;  and  the  poor  sturdy  beggars,  who,  con- 
trary to  the  order  given  in  the  new  edict,  beg 
for  alms  and  wander  about.' 

"THE  laws  are  very  just  which  expel 

THE  GITANOS  FROM  THE  STATES. 

"  All  the  doctors  who  are  of  opinion  that 
the  Gitanos  may  be  condemned  to  death, 
would  consider  it  as  an  act  of  mercy  in  your 
majesty  to  banish  them  perpetually  from 
Spain,  and  at  the  same  time  as  exceedingly 
just.  Many  learned  men  not  only  consider 
that  it  is  just  to  expel  them,  but  cannot  suf- 
ficiently wonder  that  they  are  tolerated  in 
Christian  states,  and  even  consider  that  such 
toleration  is  an  insult  to  the  kingdoms. 

u  Whilst  engaged  in  writing  this,  1  have 
ceen  a  very  learned  memorial,  in  which  Dr. 
Salazar  de  Mendoza  makes  the  same  suppli- 
cation to  your  majesty,  which  is  made  in  this 
discourse,  holding  it  to  be  the  imperious  duty 
of  every  good  government. 

''It  stands  in  reason  that  the  prince  is 
bound  to  watch  for  the  Welfare  of  his  subjects, 
and  the  wrongs  which  those  of  your  majesty 
receive  from  the  Gitanos  I  have  already  ex- 
posed in  my  second  chapter;  it  being  a  point 
worthy  of  great  consideration  that  the  wrongs 
caused  by  the  Moriscos  moved  your  royal  and 
merciful  bosom  to  drive  them  out,  although 
they  were  many,  and  their  departure  would 
be  felt  as  a  loss  to  the  population,  the  com- 
merce, the  royal  revenues,  and  agriculture. 
Now,  with  respect  to  the  Gitanos,  as  they  are 
fjw,  and  perfectly  useless  for  every  thing,  it  ap- 
pears more  necessary  to  drive  them  forth,  the 
injuries  which  they  cause  being  so  numerous. 

"  Secondly,  because  the  Gitanos,  as  I  have 
already  said,  are  Spaniards;  and  as  others 
profess  the  sacred  orders  of  religion,  even  so 


do  these  fellows  profess  gypsying,  which  is 
robbery,  and  all  the  other  vices  enumerated 
in  chapter  the  second.  And  whereas  it  is 
just  to  banish  from  the  kingdom  those  who 
have  committed  any  heavy  delinquency,  it  is 
still  more  so  to  banish  those  who  profess  to  be 
injurious  to  all. 

"Thirdly,  because  all  the  kings  and  rulers 
have  always  endeavoured  to  eject  from  their 
kingdoms  the  idle  and  useless.  And  it  is 
very  remarkable,  that  the  law  invariably  com- 
mands them  to  be  expelled,  and  the  republics 
of  Athens  and  Corinth  were  accustomed  to 
do  so, — casting  them  forth  like  dung,  even  as 
Athenseus  writes: — Nos  genus  hoc  morta- 
lium  ejicimus  ex  hac  urbe  velut  purgamina. 
Now  the  profession  of  the  Gypsy  is  idleness. 

"Fourthly,  because  the  Gitanos  are  di- 
viners, enchanters,  and  mischievous  wretches, 
and  the  law  commands  us  to  expel  such  from 
the  state. 

11  In  the  fifth  place,  because  your  majesty, 
in  the  cortes  at  present  assembled,  has  obliged 
your  royal  conscience  to  fulfil  all  the  articles 
voted  for  the  public  service,  and  the  forty- 
ninth  says : — '  One  of  the  things  at  present 
most  necessary  to  be  done  in  these  kingdoms, 
is  to  afford  a  remedy  for  the  robberies,  plun- 
dering and  murders  committed  by  the  Gitanos, 
who  go  wandering  about  the  country,  stealing 
the  cattle  of  the  poor,  and  committing  a  thou- 
sand outrages,  living  without  any  fear  of  God, 
and  being  Christians  only  in  name.  It  is 
therefore  deemed  expedient,  that  your  ma- 
jesty command  them  to  quit  these  kingdoms 
within  six  months,  to  be  reckoned  from  the 
day  of  the  ratification  of  these  presents,  and 
that  they  do  not  return  to  the  same  under  pain 
of  death.' 

11  Against  this,  two  things  may  possibly  be 
urged : 

"The  first,  that  the  laws  of  Spain  give 
unto  the  Gitanos  the  alternative  of  residing 
in  large  towns,  which,  it  appears,  would  be 
better  than  expelling  them.  But  experience, 
recognised  by  grave  and  respectable  men, 
has  shown  that  it  is  not  well  to  harbour  these 
people ;  for  their  houses  are  dens  of  thieves, 
from  whence  they  prowl  abroad  to  rob  the 
land. 

"The  second,  that  it  appears  a  pity  to 
banish  the  women  and  children.  But  to  this 
can  be  opposed  that  holy  act  of  your  majesty 
which  expelled  the  Moriscos,  and  the  children 
of  the  Moriscos,  for  the  reason  given  in  the 
royal  edict.  Whenever  any  detestable  crime 
is  committed  by  any  university,  it  is  well  to 
punish  all.  And  the  most  detestable  crimes 
of  all  are  those  which  the  Gitanos  commit, 
since  it  is  notorious  that  they  subsist  on  what 
they  steal ;  and  as  to  the  children,  there  is 
no  law  which  obliges  us  to  bring  up  wolf- 
whelps,  to  cause  hereafter  certain  damage  to 
the  tiock. 

"  IT     HAS     EVER    BEEN     THE     PRACTICE     OF 
PRINCES  TO  EXPEL  THE  GITANOS. 

"Every  one  who  considers  the  manner  of 
your  majesty's  government  as  the  truly  Chris J 


LAWS  FOR  THE  SUPPRESSION  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


49 


tian  pattern,  must  entertain  fervent  hope  that 
the  advice  proffered  in  this  discourse  will  be 
attended  to;  more  especially  on  reflecting 
that  not  only  the  good,  but  even  the  most 
barbarous  kings  have  acted  upon  it  in  their 
respective  dominions. 

"  Pharaoh  was  bad  enough,  nevertheless  he 
judged  that  the  children  of  Israel  were  dan- 
gerous to  the  state,  because  they  appeared  to 
him  to  be  living  without  any  certain  occupa- 
tion ;  and  for  this  very  reason  the  Chaldeans 
cast  them  out  of  Babylon.  Amasis,  King  of 
Egypt,  drove  all  the  vagrants  from  his  king- 
dom, forbidding  them  to  return  under  pain  of 
death.  The  Soldan  of  Egypt  expelled  the 
Torlaquis.  The  Moors  did  the  same,  and 
Bajazet  cast  them  out  of  all  the  Ottoman  em- 
pire, according  to  Leo  Clavius. 

44  In  the  second  place,  the  Christian  princes 
have  deemed  it  an  important  measure  of  state. 

"The  emperor  our  lord,  in  the  German 
Diets  of  the  year  1548,  expelled  the  Gitanos 
from  all  his  empire,  and  these  were  the  words 
of  the  decree: — 'Zigeuner  quos  compertum 
est  proditores  esse,  et  exploratores  hostium 
nusquam  in  imperio  locum  inveniunto.  In 
deprehensos  vis  et  injuria  sine  fraude  esto. 
Fides  publica  Zigeuners  ne  dator,  nee  data 
servator.' 

"  The  King  of  France,  Francis,  expelled 
them  from  thence;  and  the  Duke  of  Terranova, 
when  Governor  of  Milan  for  our  lord  the  king, 
obliged  them  to  depart  from  that  territory 
under  pain  of  death. 

"  Thirdly,  there  is  one  grand  reason  which 
ought  to  be  conclusive  in  moving  him  who  so 
much  values  himself  in  being  a  faithful  son  of 
the  church, — I  mean  the  example  which  Pope 
Pius  the  Fifth  gave  to  all  the  princes ;  for  he 
drove  the  Gitanos  from  all  his  domains,  and 
in  the  year  1568,  he  expelled  the  Jews,  as- 
signing as  reasons  for  their  expulsion  those 
which  are  more  closely  applicable  to  the  Gi- 
tanos;— namely,  that  they  sucked  the  vitals 
of  the  state,  without  being  of  any  utility 
whatever;  that  they  were  thieves  themselves, 
and  harbourers  of  others ;  that  they  were 
wizards,  diviners,  and  wretches,  who  induced 
people  to  believe  that  they  knew  the  future, 
which  is  what  the  Gitanos  at  present  do  by 
telling  fortunes. 

"  Your  majesty  has  already  freed  us  from 
greater  and  more  dangerous  enemies ;  finish, 
therefore,  the  enterprise  begun,  whence  will 
result  universal  joy  and  security,  and  by  which 
your  majesty  will  earn  immortal  honour. 
Amen. 

"  O  Regum  summe,  horum  plura  ne  temnas 
(absit)  ne  forte  tempsisse  Hispania;  periculo- 
suni  existat." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

VARIOUS  LAWS  ISSUED  AGAINST  THE  SPANISH 
GYPSIES,  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  FERDINAND 
AND    ISABELLA,  TO   THE   LATTER  PART    OF 


THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY,  EMBRACING 
A  PERIOD  OF  NEARLY  THREE  HUNDRED 
YEARS. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  country  in  which  more 
laws  have  been  framed,  having  in  view  the 
extinction  and  suppression  of  the  Gypsy  name, 
race,  and  manner  of  life,  than  Spain.  Every 
monarch,  during  a  period  of  three  hundred 
years,  appears  at  his  accession  to  the  throne 
to  have  considered  that  one  of  his  first  and 
most  imperative  duties  consisted  in  suppress- 
ing or  checking  the  robberies,  frauds,  and 
other  enormities  of  the  Gitanos,  with  which 
the  whole  country  seems  to  have  resounded 
since  the  time  of  their  first  appearance. 

They  have,  by  royal  edicts,  been  repeatedly 
banished  from  Spain,  under  terrible  penalties, 
unless  they  renounced  their  inveterate  habits ; 
and  for  the  purpose  of  eventually  confounding 
them  with  the  residue  of  the  population,  they 
have  been  forbidden,  even  when  stationary, 
to  reside  together,  every  family  being  en- 
joined to  live  apart,  and  neither  to  seek,  nor 
to  hold  communication  with  others  of  the 
race. 

We  shall  say  nothing  at  present,  as  to  the 
wisdom  which  dictated  these  provisions,  nor 
whether  others  might  not  have  been  devised, 
better  calculated  to  produce  the  end  desired. 
Certain  it  is,  that  the  laws  were  never,  or 
very  imperfectly,  put  in  force,  and  for  reasons 
with  which  their  expediency  or  equity  (which 
no  one  at  the  time  impugned)  had  no  con- 
nexion whatever. 

It  is  true,  that  in  a  country  like  Spain, 
abounding  in  wildernesses  and  almost  inac- 
cessible mountains,  the  task  of  hunting  down 
and  exterminating,  or  banishing  the  roving 
bands,  would  have  been  found  one  of  no  slight 
difficulty,  even  if  such  had  ever  been  at- 
tempted; but  it  must  be  remembered,  that 
from  an  early  period  colonies  of  Gitanos  have 
existed  in  the  principal  towns  of  Spain, 
where  the  men  have  plied  the  trades  of  joc- 
keys and  blacksmiths,  and  the  women  sub- 
sisted by  divination,  and  all  kinds  of  fraud. 
These  colonies  were,  of  course,  always  within 
the  reach  of  the  hand  of  justice,  yet  it  does 
not  appear  that  they  were  more  interfered 
with  than  the  roving  and  independent  bands, 
and  that  any  serious  attempts  were  made  to 
break  them  up,  though  notorious  as  nurseries 
and  refuges  of  crime. 

It  is  a  lamentable  fact,  that  pure  and  uncor- 
rupt  justice  has  never  existed  in  Spain,  as  far 
at  least  as  record  will  allow  us  to  judge  ;  not 
that  the  principles  of  justice  have  been  lest 
understood  than  in  other  countries,  but  be- 
cause the  entire  system  of  justiciary  adminis- 
tration is  shamelessly  profligate  and  vile. 

Spanish  justice  has  invariably  been  a 
mockery,  a  thing  to  be  bought  and  sold,  ter- 
rible only  to  the  feeble  and  innocent,  and  an 
instrument  of  cruelty  and  avarice. 

The  tremendous  satires  of  Le  Sage  upon 
Spanish  corregidors  and  alguazils,  are  true, 
even  at  the  present  day,  and  the  most  noto- 
jrious  offenders  can  generally  escape,  if  able 


50 


THE  ZINCALI. 


to  administer  sufficient  bribes  to  the  minis- 
ters* of  what  is  misnamed  justice. 

The  reader,  whilst  perusing  the  following 
extracts  from  the  laws  framed  against  the 
Gitanos,  will  be  filled  with  wonder  that  the 
Gypsy  sect  still  exists  in  Spain  contrary  to 
the  declared  will  of  the  sovereign  and  the 
nation,  so  often  repeated  during  a  period  of 
three  hundred  years ;  yet  such  is  the  fact,  and 
it  can  only  be  accounted  for  on  the  ground  of 
corruption. 

It  was  notorious  that  the  Gitanos  had  pow- 
erful friends  and  favourers  in  every  district, 
who  sanctioned  and  encouraged  them  in  their 
Gypsy  practices.  These  their  fautors  were 
of  all  ranks  and  grades,  from  the  corregidor 
of  noble  blood,  to  the  low  and  obscure  escri- 
bano ;  and  from  the  viceroy  of  the  province, 
to  the  archer  of  the  Hermandad. 

To  the  high  and  noble,  they  were  known 
as  Chalanes,  and  to  the  plebeian  functiona- 
ries, as  people  who  notwithstanding  their 
general  poverty,  could  pay  for  protection. 

A  law  was  even  enacted  against  these  pro- 
tectors of  the  Gitanos,  which  of  course  failed, 
as  the  execution  of  the  law  was  confided  to 
the  very  delinquents  against  whom  it  was 
directed.  Thus,  the  Gitano  bought,  sold, 
and  exchanged  animals  openly,  though  he 
subjected  himself  to  the  penalty  of  death  by 
so  doing,  or  left  his  habitation  when  he 
thought  fit,  though  such  an  act,  by  the  law 
of  the  land,  was  punishable  with  the  galleys. 

In  one  of  their  songs  they  have  comme- 
morated the  impunity  with  which  they  wan- 
dered about :  The  escnbano,  to  whom  the 
Gitanos  of  the  neighbourhood  pay  contribu- 
tion, on  a  strange  Gypsy  being  brought  be- 
fore him,  instantly  orders  him  to  be  liberated, 
assigning  as  a  reason,  that  he  is  no  Gitano, 
but  a  legitimate  Spaniard : 

"  I  left  my  house,  and  walked  about, 
They  seized  me  fast,  and  bound: 
It  is  a  Gypsy  thief,  they  shout, 
The  Spaniards  here  have  found. 

"  From  out  the  prison  me  they  led, 
Before  the  scribe  they  brought: 
It  is  no  Gypsy  thief,  he  said. 
The  Spaniards  here  have  caught." 

In  a  word,  nothing  was  to  be  gained  by  in- 
terfering with  the  Gitanos,  by  those  in  whose 
hands  the  power  was  vested :  but,  on  the 
contrary,  something  was  to  be  lost.  The 
chief  sufferers  were  the  labourers,  and  they 
had  no  power  to  right  themselves,  though 
their  wrongs  were  universally  admitted,  and 
laws  for  their  protection  continually  being 
made,  which  their  enemies  contrived  to  set 
at  nought ;  as  will  presently  be  seen. 

The  first  law  issued  against  the  Gypsies 
appears  to  have  been  that  of  Ferdinand  and  j 
Isabella,  at  Medina  Del  Campo,  in  1499.  In 
this  edict  they  were  commanded,  under  cer- 
tain penalties,  to  become  stationary  in  towns 
and  villages,  and  to  provide  themselves  with 

*A  favourite  saying  amongst  this  class  of  people,  is 
the  following:  "  Es  preciso  que  cada  uno  coma  de  su 
tiiitiio." 


masters  whom  they  might  serve  for  their 
maintenance,  or  in  default  thereof,  to  quit 
the  kingdom  at  the  end  of  sixty  days.  No 
mention  is  made  of  the  country  to  which  they 
were  expected  to  betake  themselves  in  the 
event  of  their  qyitting  Spain.  Perhaps,  as 
they  are  called  Egyptians,  it  was  concluded 
that  they  would  forthwith  return  to  Egypt ; 
but  the  framers  of  the  law  never  seem  to  have 
considered  what  means  these  Egyptians  pos- 
sessed of  transporting  their  families  and 
themselves  across  the  sea  to  such  a  distance, 
or  if  they  betook  themselves  to  other  coun- 
tries, what  reception  a  host  of  people,  con- 
fessedly thieves  and  vagabonds,  wore  likely 
to  meet  with,  or  whether  it  was  fair  in  the 
two  Christian  princes  to  get  rid  of  such  a 
nuisance  at  the  expense  of  their  neighbours. 
Such  matters  were  of  course  left  for  the  Gyp- 
sies themselves  to  settle. 

In  this  edict,  a  class  of  individuals  is  men- 
tioned in  conjunction  with  the  Gitanos,  or 
Gypsies,  but  distinguished  from  them  by  the 
name  of  foreign  tinkers,  or  Calderos  estran- 
geros.  By  these,  we  presume,  were  meant 
the  Calabrians,  who  are  still  to  be  seen  upon 
the  roads  of  Spain,  wandering  about  from 
town  to  town,  in  much  the  same  way  as  the 
itinerant  tinkers  of  England  at  the  present 
day.  A  man  half  a  savage,  a  haggard  wo- 
man, who  is  generally  a  Spaniard,  a  wretched 
child,  and  still  more  miserable  donkey,  com- 
pose the  group;  the  gains  are  of  course  ex- 
ceedingly scanty,  nevertheless  this  life,  seem- 
ingly so  wretched,  has  its  charms  for  these 
outcasts,  who  live  without  care  and  anxiety, 
without  a  thought  beyond  the  present  hour, 
and  who  sleep  as  sound  in  ruined  posadas 
and  ventas,  or  in  ravines  amongst  rocks  and 
pines,  as  the  proudest  grandee  in  his  palace 
at  Seville  or  Madrid. 

Don  Carlos  and  Donna  Juanna,  at  Toledo, 
1539,  confirmed  the  edict  of  Medina  Del 
Campo  against  the  Egyptians,  with  the  addi- 
tion, that  if  any  Egyptian,  after  the  expira- 
tion of  the  sixty  days,  should  be  found  wan- 
dering about,  he  should  be  sent  to  the  galleys 
for  six  years,  if  above  the  age  of  twenty  and 
under  that  of  fifty,  and  if  under  or  above 
those  years,  punished  as  the  preceding  law 
provides. 

Philip  the  Second,  at  Madrid,  1596,  after 
commanding  that  all  the  laws  and  edicts  be 
observed,  by  which  the  Gypsies  are  forbidden 
to  wander  about  and  commanded  to  establish 
themselves,  ordains,  with  the  view  of  restrain- 
ing their  thievish  and  cheating  practices,  that 
none  of  them  be  permitted  to  sell  any  thino-, 
either  within  or  without  fairs  or  markets,  i. 
not  provided  with  a  testimony  signed  by 
the  notary  public,  to  prove  that  they  have  a 
settled  residence,  and  where  it  may  be ;  which 
testimony  must  also  specify  and  describe  the 
horses,  cattle,  linen,  and  other  things,  which 
they  carry  forth  for  sale ;  otherwise  they  are 
to  be  punished  as  thieves,  and  what  they  at- 
tempt to  sell  considered  as  stolen  property. 

Philip  the  Third,  at  Belem,  in  Portugal, 
1619,  commands  all  the  Gyosies  of  the  king- 


LAWS  FOR  THE  SUPPRESSION  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


51 


dom  to  quit  the  same  within  the  term  of  six 
months,  and  never  to  return,  under  pain  of 
death ;  those  who  should  wish  to  remain,  are 
to  establish  themselves  in  cities,  towns,  and 
villages,  of  one  thousand  families  and  up- 
wards, and  are  not  to  be  allowed  the  use  of  the 
dress,  name,  and  language  of  Gypsies,  in 
order  that,  forasmuch  as  they  are  not  such 
by  nation,  this  name  and  manner  of  life  may 
be  for  ever  more  confounded  and  forgotten. 
They  are  moreover  forbidden,  under  the 
same  penalty,  to  have  any  thing  to  do  with 
the  buying  or  selling  of  cattle,  whether  great 
or  small. 

The  most  curious  portion  of  the  above  law, 
is  the  passage  in  which  these  people  are  de- 
clared not  to  be  Gypsies  by  nation.  If  they 
are  not  Gypsies,  who  are  they  then?  Spa- 
niards ?  If  so,  what  right  had  the  King  of 
Spain  to  send  the  refuse  of  his  subjects 
abroad,  to  corrupt  other  lands,  over  which 
he  had  no  jurisdiction'? 

The  Moors  were  sent  back  to  Africa,  under 
gome  colour  of  justice,  as  they  came  origi- 
nally from  that  part  of  the  world,  but  what 
would  have  been  said  to  such  a  measure,  if 
the  edict  which  banished  them  had  declared 
that  they  were  not  Moors,  but  Spaniards  ? 

The  law,  moreover,  in  stating  that  they 
are  not  Gypsies  by  nation,  seems  to  have 
forgotten  that  in  that  case  it  would  be  impos- 
sible to -distinguish  them  from  other  Spaniards, 
so  soon  as  they  should  have  dropped  the 
name,  language,  and  dress  of  Gypsies.  How, 
therefore,  provided  they  were  like  other  Spa- 
niards, and  did  not  carry  the  mark  of  another 
nation  on  their  countenances,  could  it  be 
known  whether  or  not  they  obeyed  the  law, 
which  commanded  them  to  live  only  in  popu- 
lous towns  or  villages,  or  how  could  they  be 
detected  in  the  buying  or  selling  of  cattle, 
which  the  law  forbids  them  under  pain  of 
death? 

The  attempt  to  abolish  the  Gypsy  name 
and  manner  of  life,  might  have  been  made 
without  the  assertion  of  a  palpable  absurdity. 

Philip  the  Fourth,  May  8,  1633,  after  re- 
ference to  the  evil  lives  and  want  of  religion 
of  the  Gypsies,  and  the  complaints  made 
against  them  by  prelates  and  others,  declares, 
"that  the  laws  hitherto  adopted  since  the 
year  1499,  have  been  inefficient  to  restrain 
their  excesses  ;  that  they  are  not  Gypsies  by 
origin  or  nature,  but  have  adopted  this  form 
of  life;"  and  then,  after  forbidding  them,  ac- 
cording to  custom,  the  dress  and  language  of 
Gypsies,  under  the  usual  severe  penalties,  he 
ordains: 

"  1st.  That  under  the  same  penalties,  the 
aforesaid  people  shall,  within  two  months, 
leave  the  quarters  (barrios)  where  they  now 
live  with  the  denomination  of  Gitanos,  and 
that  they  shall  separate  from  each  other,  and 
mingle  with  the  other  inhabitants,  and  that 
they  shall  hold  no  more  meetings,  neither  in 
public  nor  in  secret;  that  the  ministers  of 
justice  are  to  observe,  with  particular  dili- 
gence, how  they  fulfil  these  commands,  and 
whether  they  hold  coflwnunication  with  each 


other,  or  marry  amongst  themselves;  and 
how  they  fulfil  the  obligations  of  Christiana 
by  assisting  at  sacred  worship  in  the  churches; 
upon  which  latter  point  they  are  to  procure 
information  with  all  possible  secrecy  from  the 
curates  and  clergy  of  the  parishes  where  the 
Gitanos  reside. 

"2dly.  And  in  order  to  extirpate,  in  every 
way,  the  name  of  Gitanos,  we  ordain  that 
they  be  not  called  so,  and  that  no  one  venture 
to  call  them  so,  and  that  such  shall  be  es- 
teemed a  very  heavy  injury,  and  shall  be  pun- 
ished as  such,  if  proved,  and  that  nought  per- 
taining to  the  Gypsies,  their  name,  dress,  or 
actions,  be  represented,  either  in  dances  or  in 
any  other  performance,  under  the  penalty  of 
two  years'  banishment,  and  a  mulct  of  fifty 
thousand  maravedis  to  whomsoever  shall  of- 
fend for  the  first  time,  and  double  punishment 
for  the  second." 

The  above  two  articles  seem  to  have  in 
view  the  suppression  and  breaking  up  of  the 
Gypsy  colonies  established  in  the  large  towns, 
more  especially  the  suburbs  ;  farther  on,  men- 
tion is  made  of  the  wandering  bands. 

"4thly.  And  forasmuch  as  we  have  under- 
stood that  numerous  Gitanos  rove  in  bands 
through  various  parts  of  the  kingdom,  com- 
mitting robberies  in  uninhabited  places,  and 
even  invading  some  small  villages,  to  the 
great  terror  and  danger  of  the  inhabitants, 
we  give  by  this  our  law  a  general  commission 
to  all  ministers  of  justice,  whether  appertain- 
ing to  royal  domains,  lordships,  or  abbatial 
territories, that  everyone  may, in  his  district, 
proceed  to  the  imprisonment  and  chastise- 
ment of  the  delinquents,  and  may  pass  beyond 
his  own  jurisdiction  in  pursuit  of  them ;  and 
we  also  command  all  the  ministers  of  justice 
aforesaid,  that  on  receiving  information  that 
Gitanos  or  highwaymen  are  prowling  in  their 
districts,  they  do  assemble  at  an  appointed 
day,  and  with  the  necessary  preparation  of 
men  and  arms  they  do  hunt  down,  take,  and 
deliver  them  under  a  good  guard  to  the  near- 
est officer  holding  the  royal  commission." 

Carlos  the  Second  followed  in  the  foot- 
steps of  his  predecessors,  with  respect  to  the 
Gitanos.  By  a  law  of  the  20th  of  November, 
1692,  he  inhibits  the  Gitanos  from  living  in 
towns  of  less  than  one  thousand  heads  of  fa- 
milies (vecinos,)  and  pursuing  any  trade  or 
employment,  save  the  cultivation  of  the 
ground ;  from  going  in  the  dress  of  Gypsies, 
or  speaking  the  language  or  gibberish  which 
they  use ;  from  living  apart  in  any  particular 
quarter  of  the  town  ;  from  visiting  fairs  with 
cattle,  great  or  small,  or  even  selling  or  ex- 
changing such  at  any  time,  unless  with  the 
testimonial  of  the  public  notary  that  they 
were  bred  within  their  own  houses.  By  this 
law  they  are  also  forbidden  to  have  fire-arms 
in  their  possession. 

So  far  from  being  abashed  by  this  law,  or 
the  preceding  one,  the  Gitanos  seem  to  have 
increased  in  excesses  of  every  kind.  Only 
three  years  after,  (12th  June,  1095,)  the  same 
monarch  deemed  it  necessary  to  publish  a 
'  new  law  for  their  persecution  and  chastise- 


52 


THE  ZINCALI. 


ment.  This  law,  which  is  exceedingly  se- 
vere, consists  of  twenty-nine  articles.  By 
the  fourth  they  are  forbidden  any  other  ex- 
ercise or  manner  of  life  than  that  of  the 
cultivation  of  the  fields,  in  which  their  wives 
and  children,  if  of  competent  age,  are  to  assist 
them.  / 

Of  every  other  office,  employment,  or  com- 
merce, they  are  declared  incapable,  and  espe- 
cially of  being  blacksmiths. 

By  the  fifth,  they  are  forbidden  to  keep 
horses  or  mares,  either  within  or  without 
their  houses,  or  to  make  use  of  them  in  any 
way  whatever,  under  the  penalty  of  two 
months'  imprisonment  and  the  forfeiture  of 
such  animals;  and  any  one  lending  them  a 
horse  or  a  mare,  is  to  forfeit  the  same,  if  it  be 
found  in  their  possession.  They  are  declared 
only  capable  of  keeping  a  mule,  or  some  lesser 
beast,  to  assist  them  in  their  labour,  or  for 
the  use  of  their  families. 

By  the  twelfth,  they  are  to  be  punished 
with  six  years  in  the  galleys,  if  they  leave  the 
towns  or  villages  in  which  they  are  located, 
and  pass  to  others,  or  wander  in  the  fields  or 
roads  ;  and  they  are  only  to  be  permitted  to 
go  out,  in  order  to  exercise  the  pursuit  of 
husbandry.  In  this  edict,  particular  mention 
is  made  of  the  favour  and  protection  shown 
to  the  Gitanos,  by  people  of  various  descrip- 
tions, by  means  of  which  they  had  been  ena- 
bled to  follow  their  manner  of  life  undisturbed, 
and  to  baffle  the  severity  of  the  laws : 

"  Article  16. — And  because  we  understand 
that  the  continuance  in  these  kingdoms  of 
those  who  are  called  Gitanos  has  depended 
on  the  favour,  protection,  and  assistance 
which  they  have  experienced  from  persons  of 
different  stations,  we  do  ordain,  that  whoso- 
ever, against  whom  shall  be  proved  the  fact 
of  having,  since  the  day  of  the  publication 
hereof,  favoured,  received,  or  assisted  the 
said  Gitanos,  in  any  manner  whatever,  whe- 
ther within  their  houses  or  without,  the  said 
person,  provided  he  is  noble,  shall  be  sub- 
jected to  the  fine  of  six  thousand  ducats,  the 
half  of  which  shall  be  applied  to  our  treasury, 
and  the  other  half  to  the  expenses  of  the  pro- 
secution ;  and,  if  a  plebeian,  to  a  punishment 
often  years  in  the  galleys.  And  we  declare, 
that  in  order  to  proceed  to  the  infliction  of 
such  fine  and  punishment,  the  evidence  of 
two  respectable  witnesses,  without  stain  or 
suspicion,  shall  be  esteemed  legitimate  and 
conclusive,  although  they  depose  to  separate 
acts,  or  three  depositions  of  the  Gitanos 
themselves,  made  upon  the  rack,  although 
they  relate  to  separate  and  different  acts  of 
abetting  and  harbouring." 

The  following  article  is  curious,  as  it  bears 
evidence  to  Gypsy  craft  and  cunning. 

"Article  18. — And  whereas  it  is  very  diffi- 
cult to  prove  against  the  Gitanos  the  robbe- 
ries and  delinquencies  which  they  commit, 
partly  because  they  happen  in  uninhabited 
places,  but  more  especially  on  account  of  the 
malice  and  cunning  with  which  they  execute 
them;  we  do  ordain,  in  order  that  they  may 
receive  the  merited  chastisement,  that  to  con- 


vict, in  these  cases,  those  who  are  called  Gi- 
tanos, the  depositions  of  the  persons  whom 
they  have  robbed  in  uninhabited  places  shall 
be  sufficient,  provided  there  are  at  least  two 
witnesses  to  one  and  the  same  fact,  and  these 
of  good  fame  and  reputation ;  and  we  also 
declare  that  the  corpus  delicti  may  be  proved 
in  the  same  manner,  in  these  cases,  in  order 
that  the  culprits  may  be  proceeded  against, 
and  condemned  to  the  corresponding  pains 
and  punishments." 

The  council  of  Madrid  published  a  schedule, 
18th  of  August,  1705,  from  which  it  appears 
that  the  villages  and  roads  were  so  much  in- 
fested by  the  Gitano  race,  that  there  was 
neither  peace  nor  safety  for  labourers  and 
travellers;  the  corregidors  and  justices  are 
therefore  exhorted  to  use  their  utmost  en- 
deavour to  apprehend  these  outlaws,  and  to 
execute  upon  them  the  punishments  enjoined 
by  the  preceding  law.  The  ministers  of 
justice  are  empowered  to  fire  upon  them  as 
public  enemies,  wherever  they  meet  them,  in 
case  of  resistance  or  refusal  to  deliver  up  the 
arms  they  carry  about  them. 

Philip  the  Fifth,  by  schedule,  October  1st, 
1726,  forbade  any  complaints  which  the  Gi- 
tanos might  have  to  make  against  the  inferior 
justices  being  heard  in  the  higher  tribunals, 
and,  on  that  account,  banished  all  the  Gypsy 
women  from  Madrid,  and,  indeed,  from  all 
towns  where  royal  audiences  were  held,  it 
being  the  custom  of  the  women  to  flock  up  to 
the  capital  from  the  small  towns  and  villages, 
under  pretence  of  claiming  satisfaction  »  for 
wrongs  inflicted  upon  their  husbands  and  re- 
lations, and  when  there  to  practise  the  art  of 
divination,  and  to  sing  obscene  songs  through 
the  streets  ;  by  this  law,  also,  the  justices  are 
particularly  commanded  not  to  permit  the 
Gitanos  to  leave  their  places  of  domicile, 
except  in  cases  of  very  urgent  necessity. 

This  law  was  attended  with  the  same  suc- 
cess as  the  others ;  the  Gitanos  left  their 
places  of  domicile  whenever  they  thought 
proper,  frequented  the  various  fairs,  and 
played  off  their  jockey  tricks  as  usual,  or  tra- 
versed the  country  in  armed  gangs,  plundering 
the  small  villages,  and  assaulting  travellers. 
The  same  monarch,  in  October,  published 
another  law  against  them,  from  St.  Lorenzo 
of  the  Escurial.  From  the  words  of  this 
edict,  and  the  measures  resolved  upon,  the 
reader  may  fofm  some  idea  of  the  excesses 
of  the  Gitanos  at  this  period.  They  are  to 
be  hunted  down  with  fire  and  sword,  and  even 
the  sanctity  of  the  temples  is  to  be  invaded 
in  their  pursuit,  and  the  Gitanos  dragged 
from  the  horns  of  the  altar,  should  they  flee 
thither  for  refuge.  It  was  impossible,  in 
Spain,  to  carry  the  severity  of  persecution 
farther,  as  the  very  parricide  was  in  perfect 
safety,  could  he  escape  to  the  church.  Here 
follows  part  of  this  law. 

"  I  have  resolved  that  all  the  lord-lieute- 
nants, intcndants,  and  corregidors  shall  pub- 
lish proclamations,  and  fix  edicts,  to  the  ef- 
fect that  all  the  Gitanos  who  are  domiciled 
in  the  cities  and  towns  of  their  jurisdiction 


CARLOS  TERCERO. 


shall  return  within  the  space  of  fifteen  days 
to  their  places  of  domicile,  under  penalty  of 
being  declared,  at  the  expiration  of  that  term, 
as  public  banditti,  subject  to  be  fired  at  in  the 
event  of  being  found  with  arms,  or  without 
them,  beyond  the  limits  of  their  places  of 
domicile ;  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  term 
aforesaid,  the  lord-lieutenants,  intendants, 
and  corregidors  are  strictly  commanded,  that 
either  they  themselves,  or  suitable  persons 
deputed  by  them,  march  out  with  armed 
soldiery,  or  if  there  be  none  at  hand,  with  the 
militias  and  their  officers,  accompanied  by 
the  horse  rangers  destined  for  the  protection 
of  the  revenue,  for  the  purpose  of  scouring 
the  whole  district  within  their  jurisdiction, 
making  use  of  all  possible  diligence  to  ap- 
prehend such  Gitanos  as  are  to  be  found  on 
the  public  roads  and  other  places  beyond 
their  domiciliary  bounds,  and  to  inflict  upon 
them  the  penalty  of  death,  for  the  mere  act 
of  being  found. 

"And  in  the  event  of  their  taking  refuge 
in  sacred  places,  they  are  empowered  to  drag 
them  forth,  and  conduct  them  to  the  neigh- 
bouring prisons  and  fortresses,  and  provided 
the  ecclesiastical  judges  proceed  against  the 
secular,  in  order  that  they  be  restored  to  the 
church,  they  are  at  liberty  to  avail  themselves. 
of  the  recourse  to  force,  countenanced  by 
laws  declaring,  even  as  I  now  declare,  that 
all  the  Gitanos,  who  shall  leave  their  allotted 
places  of  abode,  are  to  be  held  as  incorrigible 
rebels,  and  enemies  of  the  public  peace." 

From  this  period,  until  the  year  1780,  va- 
rious other  laws  and  schedules  were  directed 
against  the  Gitanos,  which,  as  they  contain 
nothing  very  new  or  remarkable,  we  may  be 
well  excused  from  particularizing.  In  1783, 
a  law  was  passed  by  the  government,  widely 
differing  in  character  from  any  which  had 
hitherto  been  enacted  in  connexion  with  the 
Gitano  caste  or  religion  in  Spain. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


CARLOS    TERCERO. — HIS    LAW    RESPECTING 
THE  GITANOS. 

Carlos  Tercero,  or  Charles  the  Third, 
ascended  the  throne  of  Spain  in  the  year 
1759,' and  died  in  1788.  No  Spanish  monarch 
has  left  behind  a  more  favourable  impression 
on  the  minds  of  the  generality  of  his  country- 
men ;  indeed,  lie  is  the  only  one  who  is  re- 
membered at  all  by  all  ranks  and  conditions; — 
perhaps  he  took  the  surest  means  for  prevent- 
ing his  name  being  forgotten,  by  erecting  a 
durable  monument  in  every  large  town, — 
we  do  not  mean  a  pillar  surmounted  by  a 
statue,  or  a  colossal  figure  on  horseback, 
but  some  useful  and  stately  public  edifice. 
All  the  magnificent  modern  buildings  which 


attract  the  eye  of  the  traveller  in  Spain, 
sprang  up  during  the  reign  of  Carlos  Ter- 
cero,— for  example,  the  museum  at  Madrid, 
the  gigantic  tobacco  fabric  at  Seville, — half 
fortress,  half  manufactory, — and  the  Farol, 
at  Corunna.  We  suspect  that  these  erec- 
tions, which  speak  to  the  eye,  have  gained 
him  far  greater  credit  amongst  Spaniards, 
than  the  support  which  he  afforded  to  liberal 
opinions,  which  served  to  fan  the  flame  of 
insurrection  in  the  new  world,  and  eventually 
lost  for  Spain  her  transatlantic  empire. 

We  have  said  that  he  left  behind  him  a  fa- 
vourable impression  amongst  the  generality 
of  his  countrymen ;  by  which  we  mean  the 
great  body  found  in  every  nation,  who  neither 
think  nor  reason, — for  there  are  amongst  the 
Spaniards  not  a  few  who  deny  that  any  of 
his  actions  entitle  him  to  the  gratitude  of 
the  nation.  All  his  thoughts,  say  they,  were 
directed  to  hunting — and  hunting  alone ;  and 
all  the  days  of  the  year  he  employed  himself 
either  in  hunting  or  in  preparation  for  the 
sport.  In  one  expedition,  in  the  parks  cf 
the  Pardo,  he  spent  several  millions  of  reals. 
The  noble  edifices  which  adorn  Spain,  thougli 
built  by  his  orders,  are  less  due  to  his  reign 
than  to  the  anterior  one, — to  the  reign  of 
Ferdinand  the  Sixth,  who  left  immense  trea- 
sures, a  small  portion  of  which  Carlos  Ter- 
cero devoted  to  these  purposes,  squandering 
away  the  remainder.  It  is  said  that  Carlos 
Tercero  was  no  friend  to  superstition ;  yet 
how  little  did  Spain  during  his  time  gain  in 
religious  liberty.  The  great  part  of  the  na- 
tion remained  intolerant  and  theocratic  as 
before,  the  other  and  smaller  section  turned 
philosophic,  but  after  the  insane  manner  of 
the  French  revolutionists,  intolerant  in  its 
incredulity,  and  believing  more  in  the  "En- 
cyclopedie,"  than  in  the  gospel  of  the  Na- 
zarene. 

We  should  not  have  said  thus  much  ot 
Carlos  Tercero,  whose  character  has  been 
extravagantly  praised  by  the  multitude,  and 
severely  criticised  by  the  discerning  few  who 
look  deeper  than  the  surface  of  things,  if  a 
law  passed  during  his  reign  did  not  connect 
him  intimately  with  the  history  of  the  Gita- 
nos, whose  condition  to  a  certain  extent  it 
has  already  altered,  and  over  whose  future 
destinies  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  will 
exert  considerable  influence.  Whether  Car- 
los Tercero  had  any  thing  farther  to  do  with 
its  enactment  than  subscribing  it  with  his 
own  hand,  is  a  point  difficult  to  determine ; 
the  chances  are  that  he  had  not;  there  is 
damning  evidence* to  prove  that  in  many  re- 
spects he  was  a  mere  Nimrod,  and  it  is  not 


+  Anionc  the  archives  of  Simancas  there  are  preserved 
various  volumes  in  4to.  of  manuscript  letters  of  Carlos 
Tercero;  they  are  his  correspondence  with  certain  Nea- 
politan sentry,  his  friends.  These  letters  (we  have  read 
many)  contain  nothing  more  than  accounts  transmitted 
hy  the  kin;;  to  these  individuals,  of  the  wild  hoars,  Stan, 
and  smaller  game,  which  he  had  slaughtered  in  h1-* 
batidaa  y  monteruus—gpndtj  matters  to  engage  the  atten- 
tion of  a  monarch,  whilst"  his  fleets— and  such  fleets!— 
were  hein»  burnt  and  sunk,  and  the  most  splendid  em- 
pire in  the  world  was  slipping  from  his  hands. 


51 


THE  ZINCALL 


probable  that  such  a  character  would  occupy 
his  thoughts  much  with  plans  for  the  welfare 
of  his  people,  especially  such  a  class  as  the 
Gitanos,  however  willing  to  build  public  edi- 
fices, gratifying  to  his  own  vanity,  with  the 
money  which  a  provident  predecessor  had 
amassed. 

The  law  in  question  is  dated  19th  Sept. 
1783.  It  is  entitled,  "Rules  for  repressing 
and  chastising  the  vagrant  mode  of  life,  and 
other  excesses,  of  those  who  are  called  Gita- 
nos." It  is  in  many  respects  widely  different 
from  all  the  preceding  laws,  and  on  that  ac- 
count we  have  separated  it  from  them,  deem- 
ing it  worthy  of  particular  notice.  It  is  evi- 
dently the  production  of  a  comparatively 
enlightened  spirit,  for  Spain  had  already  be- 
gun to  emerge  from  the  dreary  night  of  mo- 
nachism  and  bigotry,  though  the  light  which 
beamed  upon  her  was  not  that  of  the  gospel, 
but  of  modern  philosophy.  The  spirit,  how- 
ever of  the  writers  of  the  Encyclopedie  is  to 
be  preferred  to  that  of  Torquemada  and  Mon- 
cada,  and  however  deeply  we  may  lament  the 
many  grievous  omissions  in  the  law  of  Car- 
los Tercero,  (for  no  provision  was  made  for 
the  spiritual  instruction  of  the  Gitanos,)  we 
prefer  it  in  all  points  to  that  of  Philip  the 
Third,  and  to  the  law  passed  during  the  reign 
of  that  unhappy  victim  of  monkish  fraud, 
perfidy,  and  poison,  Charles  the  Second. 

Whoever  framed  the  law  of  Carlos  Tercero 
with  respect  to  the  Gitanos, — and  it  is  pos- 
sible that  the  famous  Count  de  Aranda  dic- 
tated its  provisions, — had  sense  enough  to 
see  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  reclaim  and 
bring  them  within  the  pale  of  civilized  soci- 
ety, by  pursuing  the  course  invariably  adopted 
on  former  occasions, — to  see  that  all  the  me- 
nacing edicts  for  the  last  three  hundred  years, 
breathing  a  spirit  of  blood  and  persecution, 
had  been  unable  to  eradicate  Gitanismo  from 
Spain;  but,  on  the  contrary,  had  rather  served 
to  extend  it.  Whoever  framed  this  law, 
was,  moreover,  well  acquainted  with  the 
manner  of  administering  justice  in  Spain, 
and  saw  the  folly  of  making  statutes  which 
were  never  put  into  effect.  Instead,  there- 
fore, of  relying  on  corregidors  and  alguazils 
for  the  extinction  of  the  Gypsy  sect,  the 
statute  addresses  itself  more  particularly  to 
the  Gitanos  themselves,  and  endeavours  to 
convince  them  that  it  would  be  for  their  in- 
terest to  renounce  their  much  cherished  Gi- 
tanismo. Those  who  framed  the  former 
laws  had  invariably  done  their  best  to  brand 
this  race  with  infamy,  and  had  marked  out 
for  its  members,  in  the  event  of  abandoning 
their  Gypsy  habits,  a  life  to  which  death  it- 
self must  have  been  preferable  in  every  re- 
spect. They  were  not  to  speak  to  each  other, 
nor  to  intermarry,  though,  as  they  were  con- 
sidered of  an  impure  cnste,  it  was  scarcely 
to  be  expected  that  the  other  Spaniards  would 
form  with  them  relations  of  love  or  amity, 
and  they  were  debarred  the  exercise  of  any 
trade  or  occupation  but  hard  labour,  for  which 
neither  by  nature  nor  habit  they  were  at  all 
adapted*     The  Jaw  of  Carlos  Tercero,  on 


the  contrary,  flung  open  to  them  the  whote 
career  of  arts  and  sciences,  and  declared 
them  capable  of  following  any  trade  or  pro- 
fession to  which  they  might  please  to  addict 
themselves.  Here  follow  extracts  from  the 
above-mentioned  law. 

"  Art.  1.  I  declare  that  those  who  go  by 
the  name  of  Gitanos  are  not  so  by  origin  or 
nature,  nor  do  they  proceed  from  any  infected 
root. 

11 2.  I  therefore  command  that  neither  they 
or  any  one  of  them,  shall  use  the  language, 
dress,  or  vagrant  kind  of  life  which  they  have 
followed  unto  the  present  time,  under  the 
penalties  here  below  contained. 

"  '3.  I  forbid  all  my  vassals,  of  whatever 
state,  class,  and  condition  they  may  be,  to 
call  or  name  the  above-mentioned  people  by 
the  names  of  Gitanos,  or  New  Castilians, 
under  the  same  penalties  to  which  those 
are  subject  who  injure  others  by  word  or 
writing. 

"  5.  It  is  my  will  that  those  who  abandon 
the  said  mode  of  life,  dress,  language,  or 
jargon,  be  admitted  to  whatever  offices  or 
employments  to  which  they  may  apply  them- 
selves, and  likewise  to  any  guilds  or  com- 
munities, without  any  obstacle  or  contradic- 
tion being  offered  to  them,  or  admitted  under 
this  pretext  within  or  without  courts  of  law. 

"6;  Those  who  shall  oppose  and  refuse 
the  admission  of  this  class  of  reclaimed  peo- 
ple to  their  trades  and  guilds,  shall  be  mulcted 
ten  ducats  for  the  first  time,  twenty  for  the 
second,  and  a  double  quantity  for  the  third; 
and  during  the  time  they  continue  in  their 
opposition  they  shall  be  prohibited  from  ex- 
ercising the  same  trade,  for  a  certain  period, 
to  be  determined  by  the  judge,  and  propor- 
tioned to  the  opposition  which  they  display. 

"  7.  I  grant  the  term  of  ninety  days,  to  be 
reckoned  from  the  publication  of  this  law 
in  the  principal  town  of  every  district,  in 
order  that  all  the  vagabonds  of  this  and  any 
other  class  may  retire  to  the  towns  and  vil- 
lages where  they  may  choose  to  locate  them- 
selves, with  the  exception,  for  the  present, 
of  the  capital  and  the  royal  residences,  in 
order  that,  abandoning  the  dress,  language, 
and  behaviour  of  those  who  are  called  Gita- 
nos, they  may  devote  themselves  to  some 
honest  office,  trade,  or  occupation,  it  being 
a  matter  of  indifference  whether  the  same 
be  connected  with  labour  or  the  arts. 

"8.  It  will  not  be  sufficient  for  those  who 
have  been  formerly  known  to  follow  this 
manner  of  life  to  devote  themselves  solely 
to  the  occupation  of  shearing  and  clipping 
animals,  nor  to  the  traffic  of  markets  and  fairs, 
nor  still  less  to  the  occupation  of  keepers 
of  inns  and  ventas  in  uninhabited  places,  al- 
though they  may  be  inn-keepers  within  towns, 
whieh  employment  shall  be  considered  as 
sufficient,  provided  always  there  be  no  well 
founded  indications  of  their  being  delin- 
quents themselves,  or  harbourers  of  such 
people. 

"9.  At  the  expiration  of  ninety  days,  the 
justices  shall  proceed  against  the  disobedient 


CARLOS  TERCERO. HIS  LAW 


in  the  following  manner : — Those  who  having 
abandoned  the  dress,  name,  language,  or  jar- 
gon, association,  and  manners  of  Gitanos, 
and  shall  have  moreover  chosen  and  estab- 
lished a  domicile,  but  shall  not  have  devoted 
themselves  to  any  office  or  employment, 
though  it  be  only  that  of  day-labourers,  shall 
be  considered  as  vagrants,  and  be  appre- 
hended and  punished  according  to  the  laws 
in  force  against  such  people,  without  any  dis- 
tinction being  made  between  them  and  the 
other  vassals. 

"  10.  Those  who  henceforth  shall  commit 
any  crimes,  having  abandoned  the  language, 
dress,  and  manners  of  Gitanos,  chosen  a 
domicile,  and  applied  themselves  to  any  office, 
shall  be  prosecuted  and  chastised  like  others 
guilty  of  the  same  crimes,  without  any  dif- 
ference being  made  between  them. 

"  11.  But  those  who  shall  have  abandoned 
the  aforesaid  dress,  language,  and  behaviour, 
and  those  who  pretending  to  speak  and  dress 
like  the  other  vassals,  and  even  to  choose  a 
domiciliary  residence,  shall  continue  to  go 
forth,  wandering  about  the  roads  and  unin- 
habited places,  although  it  be  with  the  pre- 
text of  visiting  markets  and  fairs,  such  peo- 
ple shall  be  pursued  and  taken  by  the  jus- 


tices, and  a  list  of  them  formed,  with  their 
names  and  appellations,  age,  description,  with 
the  places  where  they  say  they  reside  and 
were  born. 

"16.  I,  however,  except  from  punishment 
the  children  and  young  people  of  both  sexes 
who  are  not  above  sixteen  years  of  age. 

"17.  Such,  although  they  may  belong  to 
a  family,  shall  be  separated  from  their  pa- 
rents who  wander  about  and  have  no  em- 
ployment, and  shall  be  destined  to  learn  some- 
thing, or  shall  be  placed  out  in  hospices  or 
houses  of  instruction. 

"20.  When  the  register  of  the  Gitanos 
who  have  proved  disobedient  shall  have  taken 
place,  it  shall  be  notified  and  made  known 
to  them,  that  in  case  of  another  relapse,  the 
punishment  of  death  shall  be  executed  upon 
them  without  remission,  on  the  examination 
of  the  register,  and  proof  being  adduced  that 
they  have  returned  to  their  former  life." 

What  effect  was  produced  by  this  law,  and 
whether  its  results  at  all  corresponded  to  the 
views  of  those  who  enacted  it,  will  be  ga- 
thered from  the  following  chapters  of  this 
work,  in  which  an  attempt  will  be  made  to 
delineate  briefly  the  oresent  condition  of  tho 
Gypsies  in  Spain. 


PART   II. 


CHAPTER  I. 

BADAJOZ. THE    GYPSIES. — THE   WITHERED 

ARM. GYPSY  LAW. TRIMMING  &  SHEAR- 

ING. METEMPSYCHOSIS. PACO    AND  AN- 
TONIO.— ANTONIO  &>  THE    MAGYAR. THE 

CHAI. PHARAOH. THE   STEEDS    OF    THE 

EGYPTIANS. 

About  twelve  in  the  afternoon  of  the  6th 
of  January,  1836,  I  crossed  the  bridge  of  the 
Guadiana,  a  boundary  river  between  Portugal 
and  Spain,  and  entered  Badajoz,  a  strong 
town  in  the  latter  kingdom,  containing  about 
eight  thousand  inhabitants,  supposed  to  have 
been  founded  by  the  Romans.  I  instantly 
returned  thanks  to  God  for  having  preserved 
me  in  a  journey  of  five  days  through  the  wilds 
of  the  Alemtejo,  the  province  of  Portugal 
the  most  infested  by  robbers  and  desperate 
characters,  which  I  had  traversed  with  no 
other  human  companion  than  a  lad,  almost 
an  idiot,  who  was  to  convey  back  the  mules 
which  had  brought  me  from  Aldea  Gallega. 
I  intended  to  make  but  a  short  stay,  and  as 
a  diligence  would  set  out  for  Madrid  the  day 
next  but  one  to  my  arrival,  I  purposed  de- 
parting therein  for  the  capital  of  Spain. 

I  was  standing  at  the  door  of  the  inn  where 
I  had  taken  up  my  temporary  abode;  the 
weather  was  gloomy,  and  rain  seemed  to 
be  at  hand ;  I  was  thinking  on  the  state  of 
the  country  I  had  just  entered,  which  was 
involved  in  bloody  anarchy  and  confusion, 
and  where  the  ministers  of  a  religion  falsely 
styled  Catholic  and  Christian  were  blowing 
the  trump  of  war,  instead  of  preaching  the 
love-engendering  words  of  the  blessed  Gos- 
pel. 

Suddenly  two  men,  wrapped  in  long  cloaks, 
came  down  the  narrow  and  almost  deserted 
street;  they  were  about  to  pass,  and  the  face 
of  the  nearest  was  turned  full  towards  me;  I 
knew  to  whom  the  countenance  which  he 
displayed  must  belong,  and  I  touched  him  on 
the  arm.  The  man  stopped  and  likewise  his 
companion;  I  said  a  certain  word,  to  which, 
after  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  he  responded 
in  the  manner  I  expected.  The  men  were 
Gitanos  or  Gypsies,  members  of  that  singular 
family  or  race  which  has  diffused  itself  over 
the  face  of  the  civilized  globe,  and  which,  in 
all  lands,  has  preserved  more  or  less  its  ori- 
ginal customs  and  its  own  peculiar  language. 

We  instantly  commenced  discoursing  in 
the  Spanish  dialect  of  this  language,  with 
which  I  was  tolerably  well  acquainted.  I 
asked  my  two  newly  made   acquaintances 


whether  there  were  many  of  their  race  in 
Badajoz  and  the  vicinity:  they  informed  me 
that  there  were  eight  or  ten  families  in  the 
town,  and  that  there  were  others  at  Merida, 
a  town  about  six  leagues  distant.  I  inquired 
by  what  means  they  lived,  and  they  replied 
that  they  and  their  brethren  principally  gained 
a  livelihood  by  trafficking  in  mules  and  asses, 
but  that  all  those  in  Badajoz  were  very  poor, 
with  the  exception  of  one  man,  who  was  ex- 
ceedingly balbalo,  or  rich,  as  he  was  in  pos- 
session of  many  mules  and  other  cattle.  They 
removed  their  cloaks  for  a  moment,  and  I 
found  that  their  under  garments  were  rags. 

They  left  me  in  haste,  and  went  about  the 
town  informing  the  rest  that  a  stranger  had 
arrived  who  spoke  Rommany  as  well  as  them- 
selves, who  had  the  face  of  a  Gitano,  and 
seemed  to  be  of  the  "  errate,"  or  blood.  In 
less  than  half  an  hour  the  street  before  the 
inn  was  filled  with  the  men,  women,  and 
children  of  Egypt ;  I  went  out  amongst  them, 
and  my  heart  sank  within  me  as  I  surveyed 
them ;  more  vileness,  dirt,  and  misery  I  had 
never  before  seen  amongst  a  similar  number 
of  human  beings ;  but  the  worst  of  all  was 
the  evil  expression  of  their  countenances, 
which  spoke  plainly  that  they  were  conver- 
sant with  every  species  of  crime,  and  it  was 
not  long  before  I  found  that  their  counte- 
nances did  not  belie  them.  After  they  had 
asked  me  an  infinity  of  questions,  and  felt 
my  hands,  face,  and  clothes,  they  retired  to 
their  own  homes. 

That  same  night  the  two  men  of  whom  I 
have  already  particularly  spoken  came  to  see 
me;  they  sat  down  by  the  brasero  in  the 
middle  of  the  apartment,  and  began  to  smoke 
small  paper  cigars.  We  continued  for  a 
considerable  time  in  silence  surveying  each 
other.  Of  the  two  Gitanos  one  was  an  el- 
derly man,  tall  and  bony,  with  lean,  skinny, 
and  whimsical  features,  though  perfectly  those 
of  a  Gypsy;  he  spoke  little,  and  his  expres- 
sions were*  generally  singular  and  grotesque; 
his  companion,  who  was  the  man  whom  I 
had  first  noticed  in  the  street,  differed  from 
him  in  many  respects ;  he  could  be  scarcely 
thirty,  and  his  figure,  which  was  about  the 
middle  height,  was  of  Herculean  proportions; 
shaggy  black  hair,  like  that  of  a  wild  beast, 
covered  the  greater  part  of  his  immense  head; 
his  face  was  frightfully  seamed  with  the  small 
pox,  and  his  eyes,  which  glared  like  those  of 
ferrets,  peered  from  beneath  bushy  eyebrows; 
he  wore  immense  moustaches,  and  his  wide 
mouth  was  garnished  with  teeth  exceedingly 
large  and  white;  there  was  one  peculiarity 


BADAJOZ THE  GVPSIES. 


57 


about  him  which  must  not  be  forgotten,  his 
right  arm  was  withered,  and  hung  down  from 
his  shoulder  a  thin  sapless  stick,  which  con- 
trasted strangely  with  the  huge  brawn  of  the 
left.  A  figure  so  perfectly  wild  and  uncouth 
I  had  scarcely  ever  before  seen.  He  had 
now  flung  aside  his  cloak,  and  sat  before  me 
gaunt  in  his  rags  and  nakedness :  in  spite  of 
his  appearance,  however,  he  seemed  to  be 
much  the  more  sensible  of  the  two,  and  the 
conversation  which  ensued  was  carried  on 
chiefly  between  him  and  myself:  this  man, 
whom  I  shalLcall  the  first  Gypsy,  was  the 
first  to  break  silence,  and  he  thus  addressed 
me,  speaking  in  Spanish,  broken  with  words 
of  the  Gypsy  tongue. 

First  Gypsy. — "Aromali  (In  truth)  I  little 
thought  when  I  saw  the  errano  standing  by 
the  door  of  the  posada  that  I  was  about  to 
meet  a  brother,  one  too  who,  though  well 
dressed,  was  not  ashamed  to  speak  to  a  poor 
Gita.no ;  but  tell  me,  I  beg,  you,  brother,  from 
whence  you  come;  I  have  heard  that  you 
have  just  arrived  from  Laloro,  but  I  am  sure 
you  are  no  Portuguese;  1  have  been  there 
myself,  but  they  are  very  different  from  you ; 
I  rather  take  you  to  be  one  of  the  Corahai, 
for  I  have  heard  say  that  there  is  much  of 
our  blood  there.  You  are  a  Corahano,  are 
you  not]" 

Myself. — "I  am  no  Moor,  though  I  have 
been  in  the  country;  I  was  born  in  an  island 
in  the  West  Sea,  called  England,  which  I 
suppose  you  have  heard  spoken  of." 

First  Gypsy. — "  Yes,  yes,  I  have  a  right 
to  know  something  of  the  English;  I  was 
born  in  this  foros,  and  remember  the  day 
when  the  English  hundunares  clambered  over 
the  walls,  and  took  the  town  from  the  Ga- 
bine;  well  do  I  remember  that  day,  though  1 
was  but  a  child  !  the  streets  ran  red  with  blood 
and  wine. — Are  there  Gitanos  then  amongst 
the  English?" 

Myself. — "There  are  numbers,  and  so 
there  are  amongst  most  nations  of  the  world." 

Second  Gypsy. — "Vaya!  And  do  the 
English  Calore  ga.in  their  bread  in  the  same 
way  as  those  of  Spain]  Do  they  shear  and 
trim]  Do  they  buy  and  change  beasts,  and 
(lowering  his  voice)  do  they  now  and  then 
chore  a  gras]" 

Myself. — "They  do  most  of  these  things; 
the  men  frequent  fairs  and  markets  with 
horses,  many  of  which  they  steal,  and  the 
women  tell  fortunes  and  perform  all  kinds  of 
tricks,  by  which  they  gain  more  money  than 
their  husbands." 

First  Gypsy. — "  They  would  not  be  callces 
if  they  did  not;  I  have  known  a  Gitana  gain 
twenty  ounces  of  gold,  by  means  of  the  hok- 
kano  baro,  in  a  few  hours,  whilst  the  silly 
Gypsy,  her  husband,  would  be  toiling  with 
his  shears  for  a  fortnight,  trimming  the  horses 
of  the  Busne,  and,  yet  not  to  be  a  dollar 
richer  at  the  end  of  the  time." 

Myself — "You  seem  wretchedly  poor; 
are  you  married]" 

First  Gypsy. — "I  am,  and  to  the  best- 
looking    and  cLeverest  callee   w    Badajoz. 


nevertheless  we  have  never  thriven  since  the 
day  of  our  marriage,  and  a  curse  seems  to 
rest  upon  us  both.  Perhaps  I  have  only  to 
thank  myself;  1  was  once  rich,  and  had  never 
less  than  six  borricos  to  sell  or  exchange,  but 
the  day  before  my  marrriage  I  sold  all  I  pos- 
sessed, in  order  to  have  a  grand  fiesta;  for 
three  days  we  were  merry  enough ;  I  enter- 
tained every  one  who  chose  to  come  in,  and 
flung  away  my  money  by  handfuls,  so  that 
when  the  affair  was  over  I  had  not  a  cuarto 
in  the  world,  and  the  very  people  who  had 
feasted  at  my  expense  refused  me  a  dollar  to 
begin  again,  so  we  were  soon  reduced  to  the 
greatest  misery.  True  it  is  that  1  now  and 
then  shear  a  mule,  and  my  wife  tells  the  bahi 
(fortune)  to  the  servant  girls;  but  these  things 
stand  us  in  little  stead ;  the  people  are  now 
very  much  on  the  alert,  and  my  wife,  with  all 
her  knowledge,  has  been  unable  to  perform 
any  grand  trick,  which  would  set  us  up  at 
once ;  she  wished  to  come  to  see  you,  bro- 
ther, this  night,  but  was  ashamed,  as  she  shas 
no  more  clothes  than  myself.  Last  summer 
our  distress  was  so  great  that  we  crossed  the 
frontier  into  Portugal ;  my  wife  sang  and  I 
played  the  guitar,  for  though  I  have  but  one 
arm,  and  that  a  left  one,  I  have  never  known 
the  want  of  the  other.  At  Estremoz  I  was 
cast  into  prison  as  a  thief  and  vagabond,  and 
there  I  might  have  remained  till  I  starved 
with  hunger;  my  wife,  however,  soon  got  me 
out;  she  went  to  the  lady  of  the  corregidor, 
to  whom  she  told  a  most  wonderful  bahi, 
promising  treasures  and  titles,  and  I  wot  not 
what ;  so  I  was  set  at  liberty,  and  returned  to 
Spain  as  quick  as  I  could." 

Myself — "Is  it  not  the  custom  of  the 
Gypsies  of  Spain  to  relieve  each  other  in 
distress] — it  is  the  rule  in  other  countries." 

First  Gypsy. — El  krallis  ha  nicobado  la 
liri  de  los  Gales, — (The  king  has  destroyed 
the  law  of  the  Gypsies;)  we  are  no  longer 
the  people  we  were  once,  when  we  lived 
amongst  the  sierras  and  deserts,  and  kept 
aloof  from  the  Busne ;  we  have  lived  amongst 
the  Busne  till  we  are  become  almost  like 
them,  and  we  are  no  longer  brothers,  ready 
to  assist  each  other  at  all  times  and  seasons, 
and  very  frequently  the  Gitano  is  the  worst 
enemy  of  his  brother." 

Myself — "The  Gitanos,  then,  no  longer 
wander  about,  but  have  fixed  residences  in 
the  towns  and  villages]" 

First  Gypsy. — "In  the  summer  time  n 
few  of  us  assemble  together,  and  live  amongst 
the  plains  and  hills,  and  by  doing  so  we  fre- 
quently contrive  to  pick  up  a  horse  or  a  mule 
for  nothing,  and  sometimes  we  knock  down 
a  Busno  and  strip  him,  but  it  is  seldom  we 
venture  so  far.  We  are  much  looked  after 
by  the  Busne,  who  hold  us  in  great  dread, 
and  abhor  us.  Sometimes,  when  wandering 
about,  we  are  attacked  by  the  labourers,  ami 
then  we  defend  ourselves  as  well  as  uv  can. 
There  is  no  better  weapon  in  the  hands  of  a. 
Gitano  than  his  "cachas,"  or  shears,  wit'i 
which  he  trims  the  mules.  I  once  snipped 
off  the  nose  of  a  Bucno,  and  op/cneJ  tlie 
F2 


5S 


THE  ZINCAI.I. 


greatest  part  of  his  clteek  in  an  affray  at 
which  I  was  present  up  the  country  near 
Trujillo." 

Myself. — "  Have  you  travelled  much  about 
Spain'!" 

First  Gypsy. — "Very  little;  I  have  never 
been  out  of  this  province  of  Estremadura,  ex- 
cept last  year,  as  I  told  you  into  Portugal. 
When  we  wander  we  do  not  go  far,  and  it  is 
very  rare  that  we  are  visited  by  our  brethren 
of  other  parts.  I  have  never  been  in  Anda- 
lusia, but  I  have  heard  say  that  the  Gitanos 
are  many  in  Andalusia,  and  are  more  wealthy 
than  those  here,  and  that  they  follow  better 
the  gypsy  law." 

Myself. — "What  do  you  mean  by  the 
gypsy  law  7" 

First  Gypsy. — "  Wherefore  do  you  ask, 
brother?  You  know  what  is  meant  by  the 
law  of  the  Cales  better  even  than  ourselves." 

Myself. — "I  know  what  it  is  in  England 
and  in  Hungary,  but  I  can  only  give  a  guess 
as  to  what  it  is  in  Spain." 

Both  Gypsies. — "  What  do  you  consider 
it  to  be  in  Spain?" 

Myself. — "Cheating  and  choring  the  Busne 
on  all  occasions,  and  being  true  to  the  errate 
in  life  and  death." 

At  these  words  both  the  Gitanos  sprang  si- 
multaneously from  their  seats,  and  exclaimed 
with  a  boisterous  shout — "  Chachipe." 

This  meeting  with  the  Gitanos  was  the  oc- 
casion of  my  remaining  at  Badajoz  a  much 
longer  time  than  I  originally  intended.  I 
wished  to  become  better  acquainted  with  their 
condition  and  manners,  and  above  all  to  speak 
to  them  of  Christ  and  his  word ;  for  I  was 
convinced,  that  should  I  travel  to  the  end  of 
the  universe,  I  should  meet  with  no  people 
more  in  need  of  a  little  Christian  exhortation, 
and  I  accordingly  continued  at  Badajoz  for 
nearly  three  weeks. 

During  this  time  I  was  almost  constantly 
amongst  thorn,  and  as  I  spoke  their  language, 
and  was  considered  by  them  as  one  of  them- 
selves, I  had  better  opportunity  of  arriving  at 
a  fair  conclusion  respecting  their  character 
than  any  other  person  could  have  had,  whether 
Spanish  or  foreigner,  without  such  an  ad- 
vantage. I  found  that  their  ways  and  pur- 
suite  were  in  almost  every  respect  similar  to 
t!iose  of  their  brethren  in  other  countries. 
By  cheating  and  swindling  they  gained  their 
daily  bread;  the  men  principally  by  the  arts 
of  the  jockey, — by  buying,  selling,  and  ex- 
changing animals,  at  which  they  are  wonder- 
fully expert;  and  the  women  by  telling  for- 
tunes, selling  goods  smuggled  from  Portugal, 
hud  by  dealing  in  love  draughts  and  diablerie. 
The  most  innocent  occupation  which  I  ob- 
served amongst  them  was  trimming  and 
.shearing  horses  and  mules,  which  in  their 
I  mguage  is  called  "  monrahar,"  and  in  Spanish 
"csquilar;"  and  even  whilst  exercising  this 
art,  they  not  unfrequently  have  recourse  to 
foul  play,  doing  the  animal  some  covert  in- 
jury, in  hope  that  the  proprietor  will  dispose 
of  it  to  themselves  at  an  inconsiderable  price, 
in  which  event  they  soon  restore  it  to  health; 


for  knowing  how  to  inflict  the  harm,  they 
know  likewise  how  to  remove  it. 

Religion  they  have  none;  they  never  attend 
mass,  nor  did  I  ever  hear  them  employ  the 
names  of  God,  Christ,  and  the  Virgin,  but  in 
execration  a,nd  blasphemy.  From  what  I  could 
learn,  it  appeared  that  their  fathers  had  enter- 
tained some  belief  in  metempsychosis ;  but 
they  themselves  laughed  at  the  idea,  and  were 
of  opinion  that  the  soul  perished  when  the 
body  ceased  to  breathe;  and  the  argument 
which  they  used  was  rational  enough,  as  far 
as  it  impugned  metempsychosis: — "  We  have 
been  wicked  and  miserable  enough  in  this 
life,"  they  said ;  "  why  should  we  live  again  V 

I  translated  certain  portions  of  Scripture 
into  their  dialect,  which  I  frequently  read  to 
them ;  especially  the  parable  of  Lazarus  and 
the  Prodigal  Son,  and  told  them  that  the 
latter  had  been  as  wicked  as  themselves,  and 
both  had  suffered  as  much  or  more ;  but  that 
the  sufferings  of  the  former,  who  always 
looked  forward  to  a  blessed  resurrection,  were 
recompensed  by  admission,  in  the  life  to  come, 
to  the  society  of  Abraham  and  the  Prophets, 
and  that  the  latter,  when  he  repented  of  his 
sins,  was  forgiven,  and  received  into  as  much 
favour  as  the  just  son. 

They  listened  with  admiration ;  but,  alas  ! 
not  of  the  truths,  the  eternal  truths,  I  was 
telling  them,  but  to  find  that  their  broken  jar- 
gon could  be  written  and  read.  The  only 
words  of  assent  to  the  heavenly  doctrine 
which  t  ever  obtained,  and  that  rather  of  the 
negative  kind,  were  the  following  from  the 
mouth  of  a  woman: — "Brother,  you  tell  us 
strange  things,  though  perhaps  you  do  not 
lie;  a  month  since,  1  would  sooner  have  be- 
lieved these  tales,  than  that  this  day  I  should 
see  one  who  could  write  Rommany." 

Two  or  three  days  after  my  arrival,  I  was 
again  visited  by  the  Gypsy  of  the  withered 
arm,  who-  I  found  was  generally  termed  Paco, 
which  is  the  diminutive  of  Francisco ;  he  was 
accompanied  by  his  wife,  a  rather  good- 
looking  young  woman  with  sharp  intelligent 
features,  and  who  appeared  in  every  respect 
to  be  what  her  husband  had  represented  her 
on  the  former  visit.  She  was  very  poorly 
clad,  and  notwithstanding  the  extreme  sharp- 
ness of  the  weather,  carried  no  mantle  to  pro- 
tect herself  from  its  inclemency, — her  raven 
black  hair  depended  behind  as  far  down  as 
her  hips.  Another  Gypsy  came  with  them, 
but  not  the  old  fellow  whom  I  had  before  seen. 
This  was  a  man  about  forty-five,  dressed  in  a 
zamarra  of  sheep  skin,  with  a  high-crowned 
Andalusian  hat;  his  complexion  was  dark  as 
pepper,  and  his  eyes  were  full  of  sullen  fire. 
In  his  appearance  he  exhibited  a  goodly  com- 
pound of  Gypsy  and  bandit. 

Paco. — "  Laches  chibescs  te  dinele  Unde- 
bel;  (May  God  grant  you  good  days,  bro- 
ther.) This  is  my  wife,  and  this  is  my  wife's 
father." 

Myself. — "  I  am  glad  to  see  them.  What 
are  their  names]" 

Paco. — "  Maria  and  Antonio;  their  other 
name  is  Lopez." 


THE  CHAI. 


59 


Myself. — "Have  they  no  Gypsy  names?' , 

Paco. — "They  have  no  other  names  than 
these." 

Myself. — "Then  in  this  respect  the  Gi- 
tanos  of  Spain  are  unlike  those  of  my  coun- 
try. Every  family  there  has  two  names ;  one 
by  which  they  are  known  to  the  Busne,  and 
another  which  they  use  amongst  themselves." 

Antonio. — "Give  me  your  hand,  brother! 
I  should  have  come  to  see  you  before,  but  I 
have  been  to  Olivenzas  in  search  of  a  horse. 
What  I  have  heard  of  you  has  filled  me  with 
much  desire  to  know  you,  and  I  now  see  that 
you  can  tell  me  many  things  which  I  am  ig- 
norant of.  I  am  Zincalo  by  the  four  sides, 
— I  love  our  blood,  and  I  hate  that  of  the 
Busne.  Had  I  my  will  J  would  wash  my  face 
every  day  in  the  blood  of  the  Busne,  for  the 
Busne  are  made  only  to  be  robbed  and  to  be 
slaughtered ;  but  I  love  the  Calore,  and  I  love 
to  hear  of  things  of  the  Calore,  especially 
from  those  of  foreign  lands  ;  for  the  Calore  of 
foreign  lands  know  more  than  we  of  Spain, 
and  more  resemble  our  fathers  of  old." 

Myself. — "  Have  you  ever  met  before  with 
Calore  who  were  not  Spaniards?" 

Antonio. — "  I  will  tell  you,  brother.  I  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  independence 
against  the  French.  War,  it  is  true,  is  not, 
the  proper  occupation  of  a  Gilano,  but  those 
were  strange  times,  and  all  those  who  could 
bear  arms  were  compelled  to  go  forth  to  fight : 
so  I  went  with  the  English  armies,  and  we 
chased  the  Gabine  unto  the  frontier  of  France; 
and  it  happened  once  that  we  joined  in  des- 
perate battle,  and  there  was  a  confusion,  and 
the  two  parties  became  intermingled  and 
fought  sword  to  sword  and  bayonet  to  bayonet, 
and  a  French  soldier  singled  me  out,  and  we 
fought  for  a  long  time,  cutting,  goring,  and 
cursing  each  other,  till  at  last  we  flung  down 
our  arms  and  grappled ;  long  we  wrestled, 
body  to  body,  but  I  found  that  I  was  the 
weaker,  and  I  fell.  The  French  soldier's 
knee  was  on  my  breast,  and  his  grasp  was  on 
my  throat,  and  he  seized  his  bayonet,  and  he 
raised  it  to  thrust  me  through  the  jaws ;  and 
his  cap  had  fallen  off,  and  I  lifted  up  my  eyes 
wildly  to  his  face,  and  our  eyes  met,  and  gave 
a  loud  shriek,  and  cried  Zincalo,  Zincalo ! 
and  I  felt  him  shudder,  and  he  relaxed  his 
grasp  and  started  up,  and  he  smote  his  fore- 
head and  wept,  and  then  he  came  to  me  and 
knelt  down  by  my  side,  for  I  was  almost  dead, 
and  he  took  my  hand  and  called  me  Brother 
and  Zincalo,  and  he  produced  his  flask  and 
poured  wine  into  my  mouth  and  I  revived, 
and  he  raised  me  up,  and  led  me  from  the  con- 
course, and  we  sat  down  on  a  knoll,  and  the 
two  parties  were  fighting  all  around,  and  he 
said, '  Let  the  dogs  fight,  and  tear  each  other's 
throats  till  they  are  all  destroyed,  what  mat- 
ters it  to  the  Zincali ;  they  "are  not  of  our 
blood,  and  shall  that  be  shed  for  them  V  So 
we  sat  for  hours  on  the  knoll  and  discoursed 
on  matters  pertaining  to  our  people;  and  I 
could  have  listened  for  years,  for  he  told  mo 
secrets  which  made  my  ears  tingle,  and  I 
soon  found  that  I  knew  nothing,  though  I 


had  before  considered  myself  quite  Zincalo; 
but  as  for  him  he  knew  the  whole  cuenta ;  the 
Bengui  Lango*  himself  could  have  told  him 
nothing  but  what  he  knew.  So  we  sat  till 
the  sun  went  down  and  the  battle  was  over, 
and  he  proposed  that  we  should  both  flee  to 
his  own  country  and  live  there  with  the  Zin- 
cali ;  but  my  heart  failed  me ;  so  we  embraced, 
and  he  departed  to  the  Gabine,  whilst  I  re- 
turned to  our  own  battalions." 

Myself. — "Do  you  know  from  what  coun- 
try he  came  J" 

Antonio. — "  He  told  me  that  he  was  a 
Mayoro." 

Myself. — "  You  mean  a  Magyar  or  Hun- 
garian." 

Antonio. — "Just  so;  and  I  have  repented 
ever  since  that  I  did  not  follow  him." 

Myself—  "  Why  so?" 

Antonio. — "I  will  tell  you  :  the  king  has 
destroyed  the  law  of  the  Cales,  and  has  put 
disunion  amongst  us.  There  was  a  time 
when  the  house  of  every  Zincalo,  however 
rich,  was  open  to  his  brother,  though  he  came 
to  him  naked ;  and  it  was  then  the  custom  to 
boast  of  the  errate.'  It  is  no  longer  so  now  : 
those  who  are  rich  keep  aloof  from  the  rest, 
will  not  speak  in  Calo,  and  will  have  no  deal- 
ings but  with  the  Busne.  Is  there  not  a  false 
brother  in  this  foros,  the  only  rich  man  among 
us,  the  swine,  the  balichow?  he  is  married 
to  a  Busnee,  and  he  would  fain  appear  as  a 
Busno  !  Tell  me  one  thing,  has  he  been  to 
see  you?  The  white  blood,  I  know  he  has 
not ;  he  was  afraid  to  see  you,  for  he  knew 
that  by  Gypsy  law  he  was  bound  to  take  you 
to  his  house,  and  feast  you  whilst  you  re- 
mained like  a  prince,  like  a  crallis  of  the 
Cales,  as  T  believe  you  are,  even  though  he 
sold  the  last  gras  from  the  stall.  Who  have 
come  to  see  you,  brother?  Have  they  not 
been  such  as  Paco  and  his  wife,  wretches 
without  a  house,  or,  at  best,  one  filled  with 
cold  and  poverty;  so  that  you  have  had  to  stay 
at  a  mesuna,  at  a  posada  of  the  Busne;  and, 
moreover,  what  have  the  Cales  given  you 
since  you  have  been  residing  here?  Nothing, 
I  trow,  better  than  this  rubbish,  which  is  all 
I  can  offer  you,  this  Meligrana  de  los  Ben- 
gues." 

Here  he  produced  a  pomegranate  from  the 
pocket  of  hiszamarra,  and  flung  it  on  the  table 
with  such  force  that  the  fruit  burst,  and  the 
red  grains  were  scattered  on  the  floor. 

The  Gitanos  of  Estremadura  call  them- 
selves in  general  Chai  or  Chabos,  and  say  that, 
their  original  country  was  Chal  or  Egypt.  I 
frequently  asked  them  what  reason  they  could 
assign  for  calling  themselves  Egyptians,  and 
whether  they  could  remember  the  names  of 
any  places  in  their  supposed  father  land,  but 
I  soon  found  that,  like  their  brethren  in  other 
parts  of  the  world,  they  were  unable  to  give 
any  rational  account  of  themselves,  and  pre- 
served no  recollection  of  the  places  where 
their  forefathers  had  wandered:  their  lan- 
guage, however,  to   a  considerable  extent, 

*  The  lame  devil :  Atmodffua. 


60 


THE  ZINCALI. 


solved  the  riddle,  the  bulk  of  which  being 
Hindui,  pointed  out  India  as  the  birth-place 
of  their  race,  whilst  the  number  of  Persian, 
Sclavonian,  and  modern  Greek  words  with 
which  it  is  chequered,  spoke  plainly  as  to  the 
countries  through  which  these  singular  peo- 
ple had  wandered  before  they  arrived  in  Spain. 

They  said  that  they  believed  themselves  to 
be  Egyptians,  because  their  fathers  before 
them'believed  so,  who  must  know  much  bet- 
ter than  themselves.  They  were  fond  of  talk- 
ing of  Egypt  and  its  former  greatness,  though 
it  was  evident  that  they  knew  nothing  far- 
ther of  the  country  and  its  history  than  what 
they  derived  from  spurious  biblical  legends 
current  amongst  the  Spaniards;  only  from 
such  materials  could  they  have  composed  the 
following  account  of  the  manner  of  their  ex- 
pulsion from  their  native  land. 

''There  was  a  great  king  in  Egypt,  and 
his  name  was  Pharaoh.  He  had  numerous 
armies,  with  which  he  made  war  on  all  coun- 
tries, and  conquered  them  all.  And  when  he 
had  conquered  the  entire  world,  he  became 
sad  and  sorrowful ;  for  as  he  delighted  in  war, 
he  no  longer  knew  on  what  to  employ  him- 
self. At  last  he  bethought  him  of  making 
war  on  God ;  so  he  sent  a  defiance  to  God, 
daring  him  to  descend  from  the  sky  with  his 
angels,  and  contend  with  Pharaoh  and  his 
armies  ;  but  God  said,  I  will  not  measure  my 
strength  with  that  of  a  man.  But  God  was 
incensed  against  Pharaoh,  and  resolved  to 
punish  him ;  and  he  opened  a  hole  in  the 
side  of  an  enormous  mountain,  and  he  raised 
a  raging  wind,  and  drove  before  it  Pharaoh 
and  his  armies  to  that  hole,  and  the  abyss  re- 
ceived them,  and  the  mountain  closed  upon 
them  ;  but  whosoever  goes  to  that  mountain 
on  the  night  of  St.  John,  can  hear  Pharaoh 
and  his  armies  singing  and  yelling  therein. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  Pharaoh  and 
his  armies  had  disappeared,  all  the  kings  and 
the  nations  which  had  become  subject  to 
Egypt  revolted  against  Egypt,  which,  having 
lost  her  king  and  her  armies,  was  left  utterly 
without  defence;  and  they  made  war  against 
her,  and  prevailed  against  her,  and  took  her 
people  and  drove  them  forth,  dispersing  them 
over  all  the  world." 

So  that  now,  say  the  Chai,  "  Our  horses 
drink  the  waters  of  the  Guadiana." — (Apily- 
ela  gras  Chai  la  panee  Lucalee.) 

,(tiie  steeds  of  the  Egyptians  drink  the 
waters  of  the  guadiana. 

"  The.  repion  bf  Chai  Was  our  dear  native  soil, 
When;  in  fulness  of  pleasure  we  lived  without  toil; 
Till  dispers'd  through  all  lands,  'twas  our  fortune  to 

be— 
Our  steeds,  Guadiana,  must  now  drink  of  thee. 

"  Once  kings  came  from  far  to  kneel  down  at  our  gate, 
And  princes  re.joic'd  on  our  meanest  to  wait; 

But  now  whoso  mean  but  would  seorn  our  degree — 
Our  diced*,  Guadiana,  must  now  drink  of  thee. 

*  For  the  Undebel  saw,  from  his  throne  In  the  cloud, 
That  our  deeds  they  were  foolish,  our  hearts  they  were 

proud; 
And  in  anger  he  bade  US  his  presence  to  lice  — 
Our  steeds,  Guadiana,  must  now  drink  of  lluee. 


u  Our  horses  should  drink  of  no  river  but  one; 
It  sparkles  through  Chai,  'neath  the  smile  of  the  sun; 
But  they  taste  of  all  streams  save  that  only,  and  see — 
Apilyela  gras  Chai  la  panee  Lucalee." 


CHAPTER  II. 


MADRID. GYPSY  WOMEN.— GRANADA. — GYP- 
SY   SMITHS. — PEPE     CONDE. SEVILLE. 

TRIANA. — CORDOVA. — HORSES. — THE  ES- 
QUILADOR. — CHARACTERISTIC  EPISTLE. — 
CATALONIA,  ETC. 

In  Madrid  the  Gitanos  chiefly  reside  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  "  mercado,"  or  the  place 
where  horses  and  other  animals  are  sold, — in 
two  narrow  and  dirty  lanes,  called  the  Calle 
de  la  Comadre  and  the  Callejon  de  Lavapies. 
It  is  said,  that  at  the  beginning  of  last  centu- 
ry, Madrid  abounded  with  these  people,  who, 
by  their  lawless  behaviour  and  dissolute  lives, 
gave  occasion  to  great  scandal;  if  such  were 
the  case,  their  numbers  must  have  considera- 
bly diminished  since  that  period,  as  it  would 
be  difficult  at  any  time  to  collect  fifty  through- 
out Madrid.  These  Gitanos  seem,  for  the 
most  part,  to  be  either  Valencians,  or  of  Va- 
lencian  origin,  as  they  in  general  either  speak 
or  understand  the  dialect  of  that  province; 
and  whilst  speaking  their  own  peculiar  jar- 
gon, the  Rommany,  are  in  the  habit  of  making 
use  of  many  Valencian  words  and  terms. 

The  manner  of  life  of  the  Gitanos  of  Mad- 
rid differs  in  no  material  respect  from  that  of 
their  brethren  in  other  places.  The  men, 
every  market  day,  are  to  be  seen  on  the  skirts 
of  the  mercado,  generally  with  some  misera- 
ble animal;  for  example,  a  foundered  mule, 
or  galled  borrico,  by  means  of  which  they  sel- 
dom fail  to  gain  a  dollar  or  two,  either  by  sale 
or  exchange.  It  must  not,  however,  be  sup- 
posed that  they  content  themselves  with  such 
paltry  earnings.  Provided  they  have  any  va- 
luable animal,  which  is  not  unfrcquentiy  the 
case,  they  invariably  keep  such  at  home  snug 
in  the  stall,  conducting  thither  the  chapman, 
should  they  find  any,  and  concluding  the  bar- 
gain with  the  greatest  secrecy.  Their  rea- 
sons for  this  conduct  are  manifold.  In  the 
first  place,  a  deadly  feud  exists  between  the 
Gitanos  and  the  chalanes,  or  jockeys  of  Spa- 
nish blood,  by  whom  the  former  are  not  un- 
frequently ejected  from  the  fair  by  force  of 
palos  or  cudgels,  verifying  the  old  adage, 
that  two  of  a  trade  are  sure  to  quarrel.  The 
chalanes  in  this  violence  are  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent countenanced  by  law;  for  though  by  the 
edict  of  Carlos  the  Third,  the  Gitanos  were 
in  other  respects  placed  upon  an  equality 
with  the  rest  of  the  Spaniards,  they  were  still 
forbidden  to  obtain  their  livelihood  by  the 
traffick  of  markets  and  lairs. 

Another  reason  for  the  secrecy  that  they 
practise  in  these  cases,  is  the  fact,  that  ani- 
mals of  this  description  are  generally  ob- 
tained by  dishonest  means,  and  would  pro- 


PEPE  CONDE. 


61 


fcably  be  recognised  were  they  publicly  ex- 
posed for  sale.  The  stealing-,  concealing, 
and  receiving  animals  when  stolen,  is  an  in- 
veterate Gypsy  habit,  and  is  perhaps  the  last 
from  which  the  Gitano  will  be  reclaimed,  or 
will  only  cease  when  the  race  has  become  ex- 
tinct. In  the  prisons  of  Madrid,  either  in 
that  of  the  Saladero,  or  De  la  Corte,  there 
are  never  less  than  a  dozen  Gitanos  immured 
for  stolen  horses,  or  mules  being  found  in 
their  possession,  which  themselves  or  their 
connexions  have  spirited  away  from  the 
neighbouring  villages,  or  sometimes  from  a 
considerable  distance.  I  say  spirited  away, 
for  so  well  do  they  take  their  measures,  and 
watch  their  opportunity,  that  they  are  sel- 
dom or  never  taken  in  the  fact. 

The  Madrilenian  Gypsy  women  are  inde- 
fatigable in  the  pursuit  of  prey,  prowling 
about  the  town  and  the  suburbs  from  morn- 
ing till  night,  entering  houses  of  all  descrip- 
tions, from  the  highest  to  the  lowest;  telling 
fortunes,  or  attempting  to  play  off  various 
kinds  of  Gypsy  tricks,  from  which  they  de- 
rive much  greater  profit,  and  of  which  we 
shall  presently  have  occasion  to  make  parti- 
cular mention. 

We  have  already  stated  that  the  Gypsy 
women  in  general  are  far  more  remarkable 
beings  than  the  men,  whose  pursuits,  those 
of  the  jockey  and  the  horse-stealer,  are  low 
and  mean,  possessing  nothing  capable  of 
strongly  captivating  the  imagination, — not 
so  what  regards  the  females;  and  those  of 
Madrid  yield  to  none  in  Spain  in  those  quali- 
ties on  which  a  good  Galli  prizes  herself. 
The  boldness,  acuteness,  and  subtlety  of 
some  of  these  women  are  truly  wonderful, 
and  their  self-possession  is  so  great,  that  they 
pass  unharmed  through  dangers,  which  would 
be  fatal  to  others  educated  in  a  school  less 
stern  and  hard  than  Gypsy  life  in  Spain. 

From  Madrid  let  us  proceed  to  Andalusia, 
casting  a  cursory  glance  on  the  Gitanos  of 
that  country.  1  found  them  very  numerous 
at  Granada,  which  in  the  Gitano  language  is 
termed  Meligrana.  Their  general  condition 
in  this  place  is  truly  miserable,  far  exceeding 
in  wretchedness  the  state  of  the  tribes  of  Es° 
tremadura.  It  is  right  to  state  that  Granada 
itself  is  the  poorest  city  in  Spain  ;  the  great- 
est part  of  the  population,  which  exceeds 
sixty  thousand,  passing  their  days  in  beggary 
and  nakedness,  and  the  Gitanos  share  in  the 
general  distress. 

Many  of  them  reside  in  caves  scooped  in 
the  sides  of  the  ravines  which  lead  to  the 
higher  regions  of  the  Alpujarras,  on  a  skirt 
of  which  stands  Granada.  A  common  occu- 
pation of  the  Gitanos  of  Granada  is  working 
in  iron,  and  it  is  not  unfrequent  to  find  these 
caves  tenanted  by  Gypsy  smiths  and  their  fa- 
milies, who  ply  the  hammer  and  forge  in  the 
bowels  of  the  earth.  To  one  standing  at  the 
mouth  of  the  cave,  especially  at  night,  they 
afford  a  picturesque  spectacle.  Gathered 
round  the  forge,  their  bronzed  and  naked  bo- 
dies,  illuminated  by  the  flame,  appear  like  I 
figures  of  demons ;  while  the  cave,  with  its  | 
9 


flinty  sides  and  uneven  roof,  blackened  by  the 
charcoal  vapours  which  hover  about  it  in  fes- 
toons, seems  to  offer  no  inadequate  repre- 
sentation of  fabled  purgatory.  Working  in 
iron  was  an  occupation  strictly  forbidden  to 
the  Gitanos  by  the  ancient  laws,  on  what  ac- 
count does  not  exactly  appear;  though,  per- 
haps, the  trade  of  the  smith  was  considered 
as  too  much  akin  to  that  of  the  chalan  to  be 
permitted  to  them.  The  Gypsy  smith  of  Gra- 
nada is  still  a  chalan,  even  as  his  brother  in 
England  is  a  jockey  and  tinker  alternately. 

Whilst  speaking  of  the  Gitanos  of  Grana- 
da, we  cannot  pass  by  in  silence  a  tragedy 
which  occurred  in  this  town  amongst  them, 
some  fifteen  years  ago,  and  the  details  of 
which  are  known  to  every  Gitano  in  Spain, 
from  Catalonia  to  Estremadura.  We  allude 
to  the  murder  of  Pindamonas  by  Pepe  Conde. 
Both  these  individuals  were  Gitanos;  the 
latter  was  a  celebrated  contrabandista,  of 
whom  many  remarkable  tales  are  told.  On 
one  occasion,  having  committed  some  enor- 
mous crime,  he  fled  over  to  Barbary  and 
turned  Moor,  and  was  employed  by  the 
Moorish  Emperor  in  his  wars,  in  company 
with  the  other  renegade  Spaniards,  whose 
grand  depot  or  presidio  is  the  town  of  Agu- 
rey  in  the  kingdom  of  Fez.  After  the  lapse 
of  some  years,  when  his  crime  was  nearly 
forgotten,  he  returned  to  Granada,  where  he 
followed  his  old  occupations  of  contraban- 
dista and  chalan.  Pindamonas  was  a  Gitano 
of  considerable  wealth,  and  was  considered 
as  the  most  respectable  of  the  race  at  Grana- 
da, amongst  whom  he  possessed  considera- 
ble influence.  Between  this  man  and  Pepe 
Conde  there  existed  a  jealousy,  especially  on 
the  part  of  the  latter,  who,  being  a  man  of 
proud  untameable  spirit,  could  not  well  brook 
a  superior  amongst  his  own  people.  It  chanced 
one  day  that  Pindamonas  and  other  Gitanos, 
amongst  whom  was  Pepe  Conde,  were  in  a 
coffee-house.  After  they  had  all  partaken  of 
some  refreshment  they  called  for  the  reckon- 
ing, the  amount  of  which  Pindamonas  insist- 
ed on  discharging.  It  will  be  necessary  here 
to  observe,  that  on  such  occasions  in  Spain, 
it  is  considered  as  a  species  of  privilege  to 
be  allowed  to  pay,  which  is  an  honour  gene- 
rally claimed  by  the  principal  man  of  the 
party.  Pepe  Conde  did  not  fail  to  take  um- 
brage at  the  attempt  of  Pindamonas,  which 
he  considered  as  an  undue  assumption  of  su- 
periority, and  put  in  his  own  claim  ;  but  Pin- 
damonas insisted,  and  at  last  flung  down  the 
money  on  the  table,  whereupon  Pepe  Conde 
instantly  unclasped  one  of  those  terrible 
Manchegan  knives  which  are  generally  car- 
ried by  the  contrabandistas,  and  with  a  fright- 
ful gash  opened  the  abdomen  of  Pindamonas, 
who  presently  expired. 

After  this  exploit,  Pepe  Conde  fled,  and 
was  not  seen  for  some  time.  The  cave,  how- 
ever, in  which  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  re- 
siding was  watched,  as  a  belief  was  enter- 
tained that  sooner  or  later  he  would  return 
to  it,  in  the  hope  of  being  able  to  remove 
some  of  the  property  contained  in  it.     This 


62 


THE  ZINCALI. 


belief  was  well  founded.  Early  one  morning 
he  was  observed  to  enter  it,  and  a  band  of 
soldiers  was  instantly  despatched  to  seize 
him.  This  circumstance  is  alluded  to  in  a 
Gypsy  stanza : — 

"  Fly,  Pepe  Conde,  seek  the  hill; 
To  flee  's  tliy  only  chance: 
With  bayonets  fixed,  thy  blood  to  spill, 
See  soldiers  four  advance." 

And  before  the  soldiers  could  arrive  at  the 
cave,  Pepe  Conde  had  discovered  their  ap- 
proach and  fled,  endeavouring  to  make  his 
escape  amongst  the  rocks  and  berrancos  of 
the  Alpujarras.  The  soldiers  instantly  pur- 
sued, and  the  chase  continued  a  considerable 
time.  The  fugitive  was  repeatedly  summoned 
to  surrender  himself,  but  refusing,  the  soldiers 
at  last  fired,  and  four  balls  entered  the  heart 
of  the  Gypsy  contrabandista  and  murderer. 

Once  at  Madrid  I  received  a  letter  from 
the  sister's  son  of  Pindamonas,  dated  from 
the  prison  of  the  Saladero.  In  this  letter 
the  writer,  who  it  appears  was  in  durance 
for  stealing  a  pair  of  mules,  craved  my  cha- 
ritable assistance  and  advice,  and  possibly  in 
the  hope  of  securing  my  favour,  forwarded 
some  uncouth  lines  commemorative  of  the 
death  of  his  relation,  and  commencing  thus: — 

"  The  death  of  Pindamonas  filled  all  the  world  with  pain: 
At  the  coffee-house's  portal,  by  Pepe  he  was  slain." 

The  faubourg  of  Triana,  in  Seville,  has, 
from  time  immemorial,  been  noted  as  a  fa- 
vourite residence  of  the  Gitanos,  and  here, 
at  the  present  day,  they  are  to  be  found  in 
greater  numbers  than  in  any  other  town  in 
Spain.  This  faubourg  is  indeed  chiefly  in- 
habited by  desperate  characters,  as,  besides 
the  Gitanos,  the  principal  part  of  the  robber- 
population  of  Seville  is  here  congregated ; 
perhaps  there  is  no  part  even  of  Naples  where 
crime  so  much  abounds,  and  the  law  is  so 
little  respected  as  at  Triana,  the  character  of 
whose  inmates  was  so  graphically  delineated 
two  centuries  and  a  half  back  by  Cervantes, 
in  one  of  the  most  amusing  of  his  tales.* 

In  the  vilest  lanes  of  this  suburb,  amidst 
dilapidated  walls  and  ruined  convents,  exists 
the  grand  colony  of  Spanish  Gitanos.  Here 
they  may  be  seen  wielding  the  hammer ;  here 
they  may  be  seen  trimming  the  fetlocks  of  j 
horses,  or  shearing  the  backs  of  mules  and 
borricos  with  their  cachas;  and  from  hence  | 
they  emerge  to  ply  the  same  trade  in  the 
town,  or  to  officiate  as  terceros,  or  to  buy, 
sell,  or  exchange  animals  in  the  mercado, 
and  the  women  to  tell  the  bahi  through  the 
streets,  even  as  in  other  parts  of  Spain,  ge- 
nerally attended  by  one  or  two  tawny  bant- 
lings in  their  arms  or  by  their  sides  ;  whilst 
others,  with  baskets  and  chafing-pans,  pro- 
ceed to  the  delightful  banks  of  the  Len  Baro,f 
by  the  Golden  Tower,  where,  squatting  on 
the  ground  and  kindling  their  charcoal,  they 
roast  the  chestnuts  which,  when  well  pre- 
pared, are  the  favourite  bonne  bouche  of  the 
Sevillians ;  whilst  not  a  few,  in  league  with 

*  Rinconeto  and  Cortadillo. 

|  The  great  river,  or  Guadalquivir. 


the  contrabandistas,  go  from  door  to  door 
offering  for  sale  prohibited  goods  brought 
from  the  English  at  Gibraltar.  Such  is  Gi- 
tano  life  at  Seville,  such  it  is  in  the  capital 
of  Andalusia. 

It  is  the  common  belief  of  the  Gitanos  of 
other  provinces  that  in  Andalusia  the  lan- 
guage, customs,  habits,  and  practices  pecu- 
liar to  their  race  are  best  preserved.  This 
opinion,  which  probably  originated  from  the 
fact  of  their  being  found  in  greater  numbers 
in  this  province  than  in  any  other,  may  hold 
good  in  some  instances,  but  certainly  not  in 
all.  In  various  parts  of  Spain,  I  have  found 
the  Gitanos  retaining  their  primitive  language 
and  customs  better  than  in  Seville,  where 
they  most  abound  ;  indeed  it  is  not  plain  that 
their  number  has  operated  at  all  favourably 
in  this  respect.  At  Cordova,  a  town  at  the 
distance  of  twenty  leagues  from  Seville,  which 
scarcely  contains  a  dozen  Gitano  families,  I 
found  them  living  in  much  more  brotherly 
amity,  and  cherishing  in  a  greater  degree 
the  observances  of  their  forefathers. 

I  shall  long  remember  these  Cordovese 
Gitanos,  by  whom  I  was  very  well  received, 
but  always  on  the  supposition  that  I  was  one 
of  their  own  race.  They  said  that  they  never 
admitted  strangers  to  their  houses  save  at 
their  marriage  festivals,  when  they  flung  their 
doors  open  to  all,  and  save  occasionally  peo- 
ple of  influence  and  distinction,  who  wished 
to  hear  their  songs  and  converse  with  their 
women  ;  but  they  assured  me,  at  the  same 
time,  that  these  they  invariably  deceived,  and 
merely  made  use  of  as  instruments  to  serve 
their  own  purposes.  As  for  myself,  I  was 
admitted  without  scruple  to  their  private 
meetings,  and  was  made  a  participator  of 
their  most  secret  thoughts.  During  our  in- 
tercourse, some  remarkable  scenes  occurred  : 
one  night  more  than  twenty  of  us,  men  and 
women,  were  assembled  in  a  long  low  room 
on  the  ground  floor,  in  a  dark  alley  or  court 
in  the  old  gloomy  town  of  Cordova.  After 
the  Gitanos  had  discussed  several  jockey 
plans,  and  settled  some  private  bargains 
amongst  themselves,  we  all  gathered  round 
a  huge  brasero  of  flaming  charcoal,  and  be- 
gan conversing  sobre  las  cosas  de  Egypto, 
when  I  proposed  that,  as  we  had  no  better 
means  of  amusing  ourselves,  we  should  en- 
deavour to  turn  into  the  Calo  language  some 
piece  of  devotion,  that  we  might  see  whether 
this  language,  the  gradual  decay  of  which  I 
had  frequently  heard  them  lament,  was  capa- 
ble of  expressing  any  other  matters  than 
those  which  related  to  horses,  mules,  and 
Gypsy  traffic.  It  was  in  this  cautious  man- 
ner that  I  first  endeavoured  to  divert  the  at- 
tention of  these  singular  people  to  matters 
of  eternal  importance.  My  suggestion  was 
received  with  acclamations,  and  we  forthwith 
proceeded  to  the  translation  of  the  Apostle'i 
creed.  I  first  recited  in  Spanish,  in  the  usual 
manner  and  without  pausing,  this  noble  con- 
fession, and  then  repeated  it  again,  sentence 
by  sentence,  the  Gitanos  translating  as  I  pro- 
ceeded.     They  exhibited  the  greatest  eager- 


CORDOVA. 


G3 


ness  and  interest  in  their  unwonted  occupa- 
tion, and  frequently  broke  into  loud  disputes 
as  to  the  best  rendering — many  being  offered 
at  the  same  time.  In  the  meanwhile,  I  wrote 
down  from  their  dictation,  and  at  the  con-, 
elusion  I  read  aloud  the  translation,  the  result 
of  the  united  wisdom  of  the  assembly,  where- 
upon they  all  raised  a  shout  of  exultation, 
and  appeared  not  a  little  proud  of  the  corn- 
position-. 

Cordova  has  always  been  celebrated  for  its 
steeds ;  the  best  breeding  horses  in  the  whole 
of  Spain  being  found  in  the  stalls  of  the  large 
landed  proprietors  in  the  neighbourhood. 
These  animals  are  of  unequalled  beauty  in 
their  way;  their  colour  is  in  general  a  glossy 
black,  their  manes  bushy  and  silky  and  of  a 
great  length,  whilst  their  tails  trail  upon  the 
ground,  and  seem  a  forest  of  waving  hair; 
they  are  invariably  broad-chested  and  round 
in  their  quarters,  and  their  embonpoint,  which 
is  remarkable,  is  considered  their  chief  or- 
nament. 

The  Spaniards  consider  these  horses  as 
the  genuine  descendants  of  the  steeds  of  the 
Moorish  conquerors  of  Spain, — that  terrific 
cavalry,  who  dyed  the  waters  of  the  Guada- 
lete  with  the  blood  of  the  Goths.  This, 
however,  is  a  gross  error;  no  two  animals 
can  be  more  unlike  than  the  Moorish  and 
Andalusian  horse.;  the  first  being  far  from 
handsome,  and  the  mane  and  tail  scanty  and 
of  a  wiry  quality,  instead  of  exhibiting  the 
rich,  glorious  redundancy  of  the  Andalusian. 
The  Moorish  horse,  again,  (we  speak  of  those 
of  high  caste,)  is  a  furious,  savage  creature, 
whom  it  is  frequently  necessary  to  chain, — 
indefatigable  in  the  course,  and  never  resting 
but  on  its  legs ;  whilst  the  Andalusian  is 
gentle  and  docile,  and  will  follow  its  keeper 
like  a  dog,  and  though  of  great  swiftness  for 
a  short  distance,  is  soon  blown  and  fatigued, 
and  when  seeking  repose,  will  cast  itself  on 
its  side  like  a  human  being.  These  beautiful 
-animals,  which  are  a  mixture  of  many  breeds, 
are  nurtured  with  the  greatest  delicacy,  and 
their  slightest  wants  and  ailments  attended 
to.  Nothing  is  more  deserving  of  remark 
in  Spanish  grooming,  than  the  care  exhibited 
in  clipping  and  trimming  various  parts  of 
the  horse,  where  the  growth  of  hair  is  con- 
sidered as  prejudicial  to  the  perfect  health 
and  cleanliness  of  the  animal ;  particular  at- 
tention being  always  paid  to  the  pastern,  that 
fiart  of  the  foot  which  lies  between  the  fet- 
ock  and  the  hoof,  to  guard  against  the 
arestin,  that  cutaneous  disorder  which  is  the 
dread  of  the  Spanish  groom,  on  which  ac- 
count the  services  of  a  skilful  esquilador  are 
continually  in  requisition. 

The  esquilador,  when  proceeding  to  the 
exercise  of  his  vocation,  generally  carries 
under  his  arm  a  small  box  containing  the  in- 
struments necessary,  and  which  consist  prin- 
cipally of  various  pairs  of  scissors,  and  the 
acidly  two  short  sticks,  tied  together  with 
whipcord  at  the  end,  by  means  of  which  the 
lower  lip  of  the  horse,  should  he  prove  res- 
tive, is  twisted,  and  the  animal  reduced  to 


speedy  subjection.  In  the  girdle  of  the  es- 
quilador are  stuck  the  large  scissors  called  in 
Spanish  lijeras,  and  in  the  Gypsy  tongue 
cuchas,  with  which  he  principally  works.  He 
operates  upon  the  backs,  ears,  and  tails  of 
mules  and  borricos,  which  are  invariably 
sheared  quite  bare,  that  if  the  animals  are 
galled,  either  by  their  harness  or  the  loads 
which  they  carry,  the  wounds  may  be  less 
liable  to  fester,  and  be  more  easy  to  cure. 
Whilst  engaged  with  horses,  he  confines  him- 
self to  the  feet  and  ears.  The  esquiladores 
in  the  two  Castiles,  and  in  those  provinces 
where  the  Gitanos  do  not  abound,  are  for 
the  most  part  Aragonese ;  but  in  the  others, 
and  especially  in  Andalusia,  they  are  of  the 
Gypsy  race.  The  Gitanos  are  wonderfully 
expert  in  the  use  of  the  cachas,  which  they 
handle  in  a  manner  practised  no  where  but 
in  Spain;  and  with  this  instrument  the  poorer 
class  principally  obtain  their  bread. 

In  one  of  their  couplets  allusion  is  made  to 
this  occupation  in  the  following  manner:— - 

"  I'll  rise  to-morrow  bread  to  earn, 
For  hunger's  worn  me  grim  ; 

Of  all  I  meet  111  ask  in  turn, 
If  they've  no  beasts  to  trim." 

Sometimes,  whilst  shearing  the  foot  of  a 
horse,  exceedingly  small  scissors  are  neces- 
sary, for  the  purpose  of  removing  fine  soli- 
tary hairs;  for  a  Spanish  groom  will  tell  you 
that  a  horse's  foot  behind  ought  to  be  kept  as 
clean  and  smooth  as  the  hand  of  a  senora; 
such  scissors  can  only  be  procured  at  Madrid. 
My  sending  two  pair  of  this  kind  to  a  Cor- 
dovese  Gypsy,  from  whom  I  had  experienced 
much  attention  whilst  in  that  city,  was  the 
occasion  of  my  receiving  a  singular  epistle 
from  another  whom  I  scarcely  knew,  and 
which  I  shall  insert  as  being  an  original 
Gypsy  composition,  and  in  some  points  not 
a  little  characteristic  of  the  people  of  whom 
I  am  now  writing. 

"Cordova,  20th  day  January,  1837. 
" SENOR  DON  JORGE, 

"After  saluting  you  and  hoping  that  you 
are  well,  I  proceed  to  tell  you  that  the  two 
pair  of  scissors  arrived  at  this  town  of  Cor- 
dova with  him  whom  you  sent  them  by ;  but, 
unfortunately,  they  were  given  to  another 
Gypsy,  whom  you  neither  knew  nor  spoke  to 
nor  saw  in  your  life ;  for  it  chanced  that  he 
who  brought  them  was  a  friend  of  mine,  and 
he  told  me  that,  he  had  brought  two  pair  of 
scissors  which  an  Englishman  had  given  him 
for  the  Gypsies ;  whereupon  I,  understanding 
it  was  yourself,  instantly  said  to  him,  'Those 
scissors  are  forme;'  he  told  me,  however, 
that  he  had  already  given  them  to  another, 
and  he  is  a  Gypsy  who  was  not  even  in  Cor- 
dova during  the  time  you  were.  Neverthe- 
less, Don  Jorge,  I  am  very  grateful  for  your 
thus  remembering  me,  although  I  did  not  re- 
ceive your  present,  and  in  order  that  you 
may  know  who  I  am,  my  name  is  Antonio 
Salazar,  a  man  pitted  with  the  small-pox, and 
the  very  first  who  spoke  to  you  in  Cordova 
in  the  posada  where  you  were;  and  you  told 


G4 


THE  ZINCALI. 


me  to  come  and  see  you  next  day  at  eleven, 
and  I  went,  and  we  conversed  together  alone. 
Therefore  1  should  wish  you  to  do  me  the 
favour  to  send  me  scissors  for  trimming 
beasts, — good  scissors,  mind  you, — such 
would  be  a  very  great  favour,  and  I  should 
be  ever  grateful,  for  here  in  Cordova  there 
are  none,  or  if  there  be  they  are  good  for 
nothing.  Sefior  Don  Jorge,  you  remember  I 
told  you  that  I  was  an  esquilador  by  trade, 
and  only  by  that  I  got  bread  for  my  babes. 
Senor  Don  Jorge,  if  you  do  send  me  the  scis- 
sors for  trimming,  pray  write  and  direct  to 
the  alley  De  la  Londiga,  No.  28,  to  Antonio 
Salazar,  in  Cordova.  This  is  what  I  have  to 
tell  you,  and  do  you  ever  command  your 
trusty  servant,  who  kisses  your  hand  and  is 
eager  to  serve  you. 

"Antonio  Salazar." 

FIRST  COUPE.ET. 

"That.  I  may  clip  and  trim  the  beasts,  a  pair  of  cachas 
grant, 
If  not,  1  fear  my  luckless  babes  will  perish  all  of  want. 

SECOND  COUPLET. 

"  If  thcu  a  pair  of  cachas  grant,  that  I  my  babes  may 
feed, 
I'll  pray  to  the  Almighty  God,  that  thee  he  ever  speed." 

It  is  by  no  means  my  intention  to  describe 
the  exact  state  and  condition  of  the  Gitanos 
in  every  town  and  province  where  they  are 
to  be  found;  perhaps,  indeed,  it  will  be  con- 
sidered that  I  have  already  been  more  cir- 
cumstantial and  particular  than  the  case  re- 
quired. The  other  districts  which  they  in- 
habit are  principally  those  of  Catalonia, 
Murcia,  and  Valencia ;  and  they  are  likewise 
to  be  met  with  in  the  Basque  provinces,  where 
they  are  called  Egipcioac  or  Egyptians. 
What  I  next  purpose  to  occupy  myself  with, 
are  some  general  observations  on  the  habits, 
and  the  physical  and  moral  state  of  the  Gi- 
tanos throughout  Spain,  and  of  the  position 
which  they  hold  in  society. 


CHAPTER  III. 

GENERAL  REMARKS  ON  THE  PRESENT  STATE 
OF  THE  GITANOS. — EFFECTS  OF  EDUCA- 
TION.— INEFFICIENCY    OF  THE  OLD  LAWS. 

PROSPECTS  OF  THE  GITANOS. — PARTIAL 

REFORMATION. — DECLINE    OF  THE    GYPSY 

SECT. — FAIR    OF    LEON. LOVE    OF   RACE. 

— GYPSY      EXECUTED.  —  NUMERICAL      DE- 
CREASE. 

Already,  from  the  two  preceding  chapters, 
it  will  have  been  perceived  that  the  condition 
of  the  Gitanos  in  Spain  has  been  subjected  of 
late  to  considerahle  modification.  The  words 
of  the  Gypsy  of  Badajoz  are  indeed,  in  some 
respects,  true  ;  they  are  no  longer  the  people 
that  they  were  ;  the  roads  and  "  despoblados  " 
have  ceased  to  be  infested  by  them,  and  the 
traveller  is  no  longer  exposed  to  much  danger 
on  their  account;    they  at  present  confine 


themselves,  for  the  most  part,  to  towns  and 
villages,  and  if  they  occasionally  wander 
abroad  it  is  no  longer  in  armed  bands,  for- 
midable for  their  numbers,  and  carrying  ter- 
ror and  devastation  in  all  directions,  bivou- 
acking near  solitary  villages  and  devouring 
the  substance  of  the  unfortunate  inhabitants, 
or  occasionally  threatening  even  large  towns, 
as  in  the  singular  case  of  Logrono,  men- 
tioned by  Francisco  de  Cordova*  The  Gita- 
nos no  longer  dream  of  committing  excesses 
such  as  these,  and  the  reader  may  be  excused 
for  demanding  whether,  in  the  chang-e  which 
has  taken  place,  their  minds  and  morals  "have 
not  been  improved  as  well  as  modified  of  late 
years;  and  what  have  been  the  means  em- 
ployed, or  the  accidental  causes  which  have 
led  to  such  a  result.  We  shall  therefore,  as 
briefly  as  possible,  afford  as  much  elucidation 
on  these  points  as  the  sphere  of  our  know- 
ledge will  permit. 

The  Gitanos  have,  to  a  considerable  de- 
gree, renounced  their  wandering  habits,  and 
their  name  is  no  longer  a  sound  of  terror  to 
the  peaceable  traveller.  By  residing  in  towns 
they  have  insensibly  become  more  civilized 
than  their  ancestors,  who  passed  the  greatest 
part  of  their  time  amongst  the  deserts  and 
mountains ;  their  habits  and  manners  are  less 
ferocious,  for  all  wandering  tribes  may  be 
ranked  amongst  the  savage  people  of  the 
earth,  whose  very  reason  is  little  better  than 
a  brute  instinct,  and  who,  indeed,  in  other 
respects,  are  but  very  few  degrees  superior 
to  the  brute  creation.  The  culture  of  their 
minds  has  not  been  entirely  neglected,  and 
upon  the  whole  their  education  and  acquire- 
ments are  not  inferior  to  those  of  the  lower 
classes  of  the  Spaniards.  Tt  is  not  uncommon 
to  find  amongst  the  men,  especially  of  the 
rising  generation,  individuals  able  to  read 
and  write  in  a  manner  by  no  means  con- 
temptible. It  is  true  that  amongst  the  women 
such  instances  do  not  occur,  but  then  the 
great  majority  of  the  female  part  of  the 
Spanish  population  itself  is  entirely  unedu- 
cated; many  females,  even  of  respectable 
station,  being  quite  ignorant  of  letters,  whilst 
those  of  inferior  grade  are  as  illiterate  as  the 
Gitanas.  It  is  probable  that  the  Spanish 
Gypsies  have  had  their  full  share  of  the  im- 
provement in  mental  education,  which  during 
the  present  century  has  been  going  on  in 
Spain,  where  formerly  learning  of  any  kind 
was  entirely  confined  to  the  nobility,  to  the 
priesthood  and  the  legal  class.  Had  the  an- 
cient laws  continued  in  force,  which  branded 
the  Gitanos  as  an  impure  caste,  and  which 
placed  them  at  an  immeasurable  distance 
from  other  members  of  society  in  Spain,  it  is 
difficult  to  conceive  that  they  would  have 
participated  in  this  advance  of  education  ;  the 
schools  would  have  been  most  assuredly 
closed  ngainst  their  children,  and  notwith- 
standing that  they  invariably  found  numerous 
individuals  to  protect  and  encourage  them  in 
their  unlawful  practices  and  avocations,  which 
made  them  the  pests  of  society,  they  would 
hardly  have  found  minds  philanthropic  enough 


GENERAL  REMARKS. 


65 


to  interpose  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  them 
the  means  of  eventually  redeeming  the  race 
from  the  state  of  degradation  in  which  it 
grovelled ;  nor  is  it  probable  that  the  Gitanos 
themselves  would  have  made  any  considera- 
ble sacrifices  to  obtain  that  end.  But  on  be- 
ing declared  on  a  level  with  the  other  Spa- 
niards, they  naturally  enough  were  desirous 
of  becoming  participators  in  any  advantages 
within  the  reach  of  the  Spaniards  in  general, 
though  certainly  with  no  intention  of  be- 
coming, in  any  respect,  worse  Gypsies  than 
they  had  hitherto  been,  or  of  abandoning  one 
point  of  their  Gitanismo.  There  is  no  sect 
in  the  world  which  professes  ignorance,  or 
amongst  whose  members  ignorance  is  con- 
sidered an  advantage ;  there  are  sects  of 
murderers,  for  example,  the  Maravars  of  Ind ; 
there  are  sects  of  thieves,  for  example,  the 
Thugs  of  the  East,  and  the  Gypsies  of  Eu- 
rope ;  yet  neither  Maravar  nor  Gypsy  would 
be  expelled  from  these  societies  for  the  fact 
of  being  able  to  read  or  write,  which  would 
be  considered  as  any  thing  but  disqualifica- 
tion ;  yet  certain  it  is  that,  provided  education 
were  more  generally  extended,  there  would 
be  fewer  Thugs  and  Gypsies,  as  it  is  only 
from  the  uneducated  orders  that  such  people 
arise. 

To  acquire  only  the  rudiments  of  education, 
it  is  necessary  to  subject  the  mind  to  a  spe- 
cies of  discipline  which,  in  most  cases,  exerts 
a  salutary  influence  over  the  human  being; 
education,  however  slight,  never  yet  made 
an  individual  reckless,  but  has  sobered  many, 
and  preserved  them  from  crime  by  opening 
their  eyes  to  the  consequences  of  evil  actions. 

Has  Gitanismo,  which  is  :the  Gypsy  sect, 
increased  in  Spain  during  the  last  seventy 
years'?  The  answer  is  comprised  within  a 
monosyllable,  and  that  a  decided  negative. 
The  Gitanos  are  not  so  numerous  as  in  for- 
mer times,  witness  those  barrios  in  various 
towns  still  denominateu  vHtanerias,  but  from 
whence  the  Gitanos  have  Jisappeared  even 
like  the  Moors  from  the  Morerias ;  nor  are 
the  Gitanos  of  the  present  day  so  daring,  nor 
their  excesses  so  flagrant  as  in  former  times, 
witness  the  total  suspension  of  those  edicts 
which  were  continually  being  fulminated 
against  them  from  the  throne  and  the  cortes. 
At  present  neither  their  actions  nor  their 
numbers  can  create  much  reasonable  ground 
for  apprehension,  however  dishonest  and 
knavish  they  may  be,  which  facts  lead  us  to 
the  conclusion  that  Gitanismo  is  declining 
in  Spain,  and  we  shall  now  proceed  to  inves- 
tigate the  causes  of  that  decline. 

One  thing  is  certain  in  the  history  of  the 
Gitanos,  that  the  sect  flourished  and  increased 
so  long  as  the  law  recommended  and  enjoined 
measures  the  most  harsh  and  severe  for  its 
suppression ;  the  palmy  days  of  Gitanismo 
were  those  in  which  the  caste  was  proscribed, 
and  its  members,  in  the  event  of  renouncing 
their  Gypsy  habits,  had  nothing  further  to 
expect  than  the  occupation  of  tilling  the 
earth,  a  dull,  hopeless  toil;  then  it  wns  that 
the  Gitanos  paid  tribute  to  the  inferior  mi- 


nisters of  justice,  and  were  engaged  in  illicit 
connexion  with  those  of  higher  station,  and 
by  such  means  baffled  the  law,  whose  ven- 
geance rarely  fell  upon  their  heads;  and  then 
it  was  that  they  bid  it  open  defiance,  retiring 
to  the  deserts  and  mountains,  and  living  in 
wild  independence  by  rapine  and  shedding 
of  blood ;  for  as  the  law  then  stood  they 
would  lose  all  by  resigning  their  Gitanismo, 
whereas  by  clinging  to  it  they  lived  either  in 
the  independence  so  dear  to  them,  or  beneath 
the  protection  of  their  confederates.  It  would 
appear  that  in  proportion  as  the  law  waa 
harsh  and  severe,  so  was  the  Gitano  bold 
and  secure.  The  fiercest  of  these  laws  was 
the  one  of  Philip  the  Fifth,  passed  in  the 
year  1745,  which  commands  that  the  refrac- 
tory Gitanos  be  hunted  down  with  fire  and 
sword ;  that  it  was  quite  inefficient  is  satis- 
factorily proved  by  its  being  twice  reiterated, 
once  in  the  year  46,  and  again  in  49,  which 
would  scarcely  have  been  deemed  necessary 
had  it  quelled  the  Gitano.  This  law,  with 
some  unimportant  modifications,  continued 
in  force  till  the  year  83,  when  the  famous 
edict  of  Carlos  Tercero  superseded  it.  Will 
any  feel  disposed  to  doubt  that  the  preceding 
laws  had  served  to  foster  what  they  were  in- 
tended to  suppress,  when  we  state  the  re- 
markable fact,  that  since  the  enactment  of 
that  law,  as  humane  as  the  others  were  un- 
just, we  have  heard  nothing  more  of  the 
Gitanos  from  official  quarters;  they  have 
ceased  to  play  a  distinct  part  in  the  history 
of  Spain;  and  the  law  no  longer  speaks  of 
them  as  a  distinct  people  ?  The  caste  of  the 
Gitanos  still  exists,  but  it  is  neither  so  ex- 
tensive nor  so  formidable  as  a  century  ago, 
when  the  law  in  denouncing  Gitanismo  pro- 
posed to  the  Gitanos  the  alternatives  of  death 
for  persisting  in  their  profession,  or  slavery 
for  abandoning  it. 

There  are  fierce  and  discontented  spirits 
amongst  them,  who  regret  such  times,  and 
say  that  Gypsy  law  is  now  no  more,  that  the 
Gypsy  no  longer  assists  his  brother,  and  that 
union  has  ceased  among  them.  If  this  be 
true,  can  better  proof  be  adduced  of  the 
beneficial  working  of  the  later  law]  A 
blessing  has  been  conferred  on  society,  and 
in  a  manner  highly  creditable  to  the  spirit  of 
modern  times ;  reform  has  been  accomplished, 
not  by  persecution,  not  by  the  gibbet  and  the 
rack,  but  by  justice  and  tolerance.  The  tra- 
veller has  flung  aside  his  cloak,  not  compelled 
by  the  angry  buffeting  of  the  north  wind,  but 
because  the  mild,  benignant  weather  makes 
such  a  defence  no  longer  necessary.  The 
law  no  longer  compels  the  Gitanos  to  stand 
back  to  back,  on  the  principle  of  mutual 
defence,  and  to  cling  to  Gitanismo  to  escape 
from  servitude  and  thraldom. 

Taking  every  thing  into  consideration,  and 
viewing  the  subject  in  all  its  bearings  with 
an  impartial  glance,  we  are  compelled  to 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  law  of  Carlos 
Tercero,  the  provisions  of  which  were  dis- 
tinguished by  justice  and  clemency,  has  been 
the  principal  if  not  the  only  cause  of  the  de- 

G 


66 


THE  ZINCALI. 


clinc  of  Gitanismo  in  Spain.  Other  causes, 
of  which  we  are  not  aware,  may  have  had 
their  effect,  and  it  must  be  remembered  that 
during  the  last  seventy  years,  a  revolution 
has  been  progressing  in  Spain,  slowly,  it  is 
true,  and  such  a  revolution  may  have  affected 
even  the  Gitanos.  Some  value  ought  to  be 
attached  to  the  opinion  of  the  Gitanos  them- 
selves on  this  point,  who  allude  to  the  influ- 
ence which  the  law  of  Carlos  Tercero  nas 
exerted  over  their  condition  in  the  saying 
which  has  become  proverbial  amongst  them: 
"  El  Crallis  ha  nicobado  la  liri  de  los  Cales." 

By  the  law,  the  whole  career  of  the  arts 
and  sciences  is  now  open  to  them.  Have 
they  availed  themselves  of  this  privilege! 

Up  to  the  present  period  but  little.  What 
more  could  be  expected'?  Some  of  these 
Gypsy  chalanes,  these  bronzed  smiths,  these 
wild-looking  esquiladors  can  read  or  write  in 
proportion  of  one  man  in  three  or  four;  what 
more  can  be  expected  1  Would  you  have  the 
Gypsy  bantling,  born  in  filth  and  misery, 
'midst  mules  and  borricos,  amidst  the  mud 
of  a  choza  or  the  sand  of  a  barranco,  grasp 
with  its  swarthy  hands  the  crayon  and  easel, 
the  compass  or  the  microscope,  or  the  tube 
which  renders  more  distinct  the  heavenly 
orbs,  and  essay  to  become  a  Murillo,  or  a 
Feijoo,  or  a  Lorenzo  de  Hervas,  as  soon  as 
the  legal  disabilities  are  removed  which 
doomed  him  to  be  a  thievish  jockey  or  a 
sullen  husbandman!  Much  will  have  been 
accomplished,  if,  after  the  lapse  of  a  hundred 
years,  one  hundred  human  beings  shall  have 
been  evolved  from  the  Gypsy  stock,  who  shall 
prove  sober,  honest,  and  useful  members  of 
society, — that  stock  so  degraded,  so  invete- 
rate in  wickedness  and  evil  customs,  and  so 
hardened  by  brutalizing  laws.  Should  so 
many  beings,  should  so  many  souls  be  rescued 
from  temporal  misery  and  eternal  wo ;  should 
only  the  half  of  that  number,  should  only  the 
tenth,  nay,  should  only  one  poor,  wretched 
sheep  be  saved,  there  will  be  joy  in  heaven, 
for  much  will  have  been  accomplished  on 
earth,  and  those  tremendous  lines  will  have 
been  falsified  which  made  Mahmoud  tremble 
on  his  throne. 

"  For  the  root  that's  unclean,  hope  if  you  can ; 
No  washing  e'er  whitens  the  black  Zigan  ; 
The  tree  that's  bitter  by  birth  and  race, 
If  in  paradise  garden  to  grow  you  place, 
And  water  it  free  with  nectar  and  wine, 
From  streams  in  paradise  meads  that  shine, 
At  the  end  its  nature  it  still  declares, 
For  bitter  is  all  the  fruit  it  bears. 
If  the  egg  of  the  raven  of  noxious  breed 
You  place  'neath  the  paradise  bird,  and  feed 
The  splendid  fowl  upon  its  nest, 
With  immortal  figs,  the  food  of  the  blest, 
And  give  it  to  drink  from  Silsibel,* 
Wbii.-t  lift;  in  the  egg  breatbea  Ganrl6I, 
A  raven,  a  raven,  the  cjz  shall  bear. 
And  the  fostering  bird  shall  waste  its  care." 

Ferdousi. 

The  principal  evidence  which  the  Gitanos 
have  hitherto  given  that  a  partial  reformation 
has  been  effected  in  their  habits,  is  the  re- 
linquishment, in  a  great  degree,  of  that  wan- 
dering life  of  which  the  ancient  laws  were 

+  A  fountain  in  Paradise. 


continually  complaining,  and  which  was  the? 
cause  of  infinite  evils,  and  tended  not  a  little 
to  make  the  roads  insecure. 

Doubtless,  there  are  those  who  will  find 
some  difficulty  in  believing  that  the  mild  and 
conciliatory  clauses  of  the  law  in  question 
could  have  much  effect  in  weaning  the  Gi- 
tanos from  this  inveterate  habit,  and  will  be 
more  disposed  to  think  that  this  relinquish- 
ment was  effected  by  energetic  measures  re- 
sorted to  by  the  government,  to  compel  them 
to  remain  in  their  places  of  location.  It  does 
not  appear,  however,  that  such  measures  were 
ever  resorted  to.  Energy,  indeed,  in  the  re- 
moval of  a  nuisance,  is  scarcely  to  be  expected 
from  Spaniards,  under  any  circumstances. 
All  we  can  say  on  the  subject,  with  certainty, 
is,  that  since  the  repeal  of  the  tyrannical  laws, 
wandering  has  considerably  decreased  among 
the  Gitanos. 

Since  the  law  has  ceased  to  brand  them, 
they  appear  to  have  come  nearer  to  the  com- 
mon standard  of  humanity,  and  their  genera) 
condition  to  have  been  ameliorated.  At  pre- 
sent, only  the  very  poorest,  the  parias  of  the 
race,  are  to  be  found  wandering  about  the 
heaths  and  mountains,  and  this  only  in  the 
summer  time,  and  their  principal  motive,  ac- 
cording to  their  own  confession,  is  to  avoid 
the  expense  of  house  rent;  the  rest  remain  at 
home,  following  their  avocations,  unless  some 
immediate  prospect  of  gain,  lawful  or  unlaw- 
ful, calls  them  forth;  and  such  is  frequently 
the  case.  They  attend  most  fairs,  women 
and  men,  and  on  the  way  frequently  bivouack 
in  the  fields,  but  this  practice  must  not  be 
confounded  with  systematic  wandering. 

Gitanismo,  therefore,  has  not  been  extin- 
guished, only  modified;  but  that  modification 
has  been  effected  within  the  memory  of  man, 
whilst  previously  near  four  centuries  elapsed, 
during  which  no  reform  had  been  produced 
amongst  them  by  the  various  measures  de- 
vised, all  of  which  were  distinguished  by  an 
absence,  not  only  of  true  policy,  but  of  com- 
mon sense ;  it  is  therefore  to  be  hoped,  that 
if  the  Gitanos  are  abandoned  to  themselves, 
by  which  we  mean  no  arbitrary  laws  are  again 
enacted  for  their  extinction,  the  sect  will 
eventually  cease  to  be,  and  its  members  be- 
come confounded  with  the  residue  of  the 
population;  for  certainly  no  Christian,  not 
merely  philanthropic  heart,  can  desire  the 
continuance  of  any  sect  or  association  of 
people,  whose  fundamental  principle  seems 
to  be  to  hate  all  the  rest  of  mankind,  and  to 
live  by  deceiving  them  ;  and  such  is  the  prac- 
tice of  the  Gitanos. 

During  the  last  five  years,  owing  to  the 
civil  wars,  the  ties  which  unite  society  have 
been  considerably  relaxed ;  the  law  has  been 
trampled  under  foot,  and  the  greatest  part  of 
Spain  overrun  with  robbers  and  miscreants, 
who,  under  pretence  of  carrying  on  partisan 
warfare,  and  not  unfrequently  under  no  pre- 
tence at  all,  have  committed  the  most  fright- 
ful oxcospos,  plundering  and  murdering  the 
defenceless.  Such  a  state  of  things  would 
have  afforded  the  Gitanos  a  favourable  op- 


FAIR  OF  LEON. 


67 


portunity  to  resume  their  former  kind  of  life, 
and  to  levy  contributions  as  formerly,  wan- 
dering  about  in  bands.  Certain,  it  is,  how- 
ever, that  they  have  not  sought  to  repeat  their 
ancient  excesses,  taking  advantage  of  the  trou- 
bles of  the  country;  they  have  gone  on,  with 
a  few  exceptions,  quietly  pursuing  that  part 
of  their  system  to  which  they  still  cling,  their 
jockeyism,  which,  though  based  on  fraud  and 
robbery,  is  far  preferable  to  wandering  bri- 
gandage, which  necessarily  involves  the  fre- 
quent °shedding  of  blood.  Can  better  proof 
be  adduced,  that  Gitanismo  owes  its  decline, 
in  Soain,  not  to  force,  not  to  persecution,  not  to 
any  want  of  opportunity  of  exercising  it,  but  to 
other  causes,  to  one  of  which  we  have  already 
distinctly  pointed,  the  conferring  on  the  Gi- 
tanos the  rights  and  privileges  of  other  sub- 
jects. 

We  have  said  that  the  Gitanos  have  not 
much  availed  themselves  of  the  permission, 
which  the  law  grants  them,  of  embarking  in 
various  spheres  of  life.  They  remain  jock- 
eys, but  they  have  ceased  to  be  wanderers ; 
and  the  grand  object  of  the  law  is  accom- 
plished. The  law  forbids  them  to  be  jock- 
eys, or  to  follow  the  trade  of  trimming  and 
shearing  animals,  without  some  other  visible 
mode  of  subsistence.  This  provision,  except 
in  a  few  isolated  instances,  they  evade,  and 
the  law  seeks  not,  and  perhaps  wisely,  to  dis- 
turb them,  content  with  having  achieved  so 
much.  The  chief  evils  of  Gitanismo  which 
still  remain,  consist  in  the  systematic  frauds 
of  the  Gypsy  jockeys,  and  the  tricks  of  the 
women.  It  is  incurring  considerable  risk, 
to  purchase  a  horse,  or  a  mule,  even  from 
the  most  respectable  Gitano,  without  a  pre- 
vious knowledge  of  the  animal  and  his  for- 
mer possessor,  the  chances  being  that  he  is 
either  diseased,  or  stolen  from  a  distance ; 
and  even  the  sale  of  a  horse  to  a  Gitano 
should  be  carefully  avoided,  or  the  owner 
will,  to  a  certainty,  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
bargain,  find  himself  most  miserably  duped 
and  cheated. 

The  Gitanos  in  general  are  very  poor,  a 
pair  of  large  cachas  and  various  scissors  of 
a  smaller  description  constituting  their  whole 
capital ;  occasionally  a  good  hit  is  made,  as 
they  call  it,  but  the  money  does   not   last 
long,  being  quickly  squandered  in  feasting 
andf  revelry.     He  who  has  habitually  in  his 
house  a  couple  of  donkeys  is  considered  a 
thriving  Gitano;  there  are  some,  however, 
who  are  wealthy  in  the  strict  sense  of  the 
word,  and  carry  on  a  very  extensive  trade 
in  horses  and  mules.     These,  occasionally, 
visit  the  most  distant   fairs,  traversing  the 
greatest  part  of  Spain.     There  is  a  cele- 
brated cattle-fair  held  at  Leon,  on  St.  John's 
or  Midsummer  day,  and  on  one  of  these  oc- 
casions, being  present,  £  observed  a  small 
family  of  Gitano,  consisting   of  a   man  of 
about  fifty,  a  female  of  the  same  age,  and  a 
handsome  young  Gypsy,  who  was  their  son  ; 
they  were   richly  dressed   after  the  Gypsy 
fashion,    the    men   wearing   zamarras   with 
aaassy  clasps  an-d  knobs  of  silver,  and  the 


woman  a  species  of  riding  dress  witli  much 
gold  embroidery,  and  having  immense  gold 
rings  attached  to  her  ears.  They  came  from 
Murcia,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  leagues 
and  upwards.  Some  merchants,  to  whom  1 
was  recommended,  informed  me  that  they 
had  credit  on  their  house  to  the  amount  of 
twenty  thousand  dollars. 

They  experienced  rough  treatment  in  the 
fair,  and  on  a  very  singular  account :  imme- 
diately on  their  appearing  on  the  ground  the 
horses  in  the  fair,  which,  perhaps,  amounted 
to  three  thousand,  were  seized  with  a  sud- 
den and  universal  panic;  it  was  one  of  those 
strange  incidents  for  which  it  is  difficult  to 
assign  a  rational  cause ;  but  a  panic  there 
was  amongst  the  brutes,  and  a  mighty  one ; 
the  horses  neighed,  screamed,  and  plunged, 
endeavouring  to  escape  in  all  directions: 
some  appeared  absolutely  possessed,  stamp- 
ing and  tearing,  their  manes  and  tails  stiffly 
erect,  like  the  bristles  of  the  wild  boar — 
many  a  rider  lost  his  seat.  When  the  panic 
had  ceased,  and  it  did  cease  almost  as  sud- 
denly as  it  had  arisen,  the  Gitanos  were 
forthwith  accused  as  the  authors  of  it ;  it  was 
said  that  they  intended  to  steal  the  best 
hors,es  during  the  confusion,  and  the  keepers 
of  the  ground,  assisted  by  a  rabble  of  chalanes, 
who  had  their  private  reasons  for  hating  the 
Gitanos,  drove  them  off  the  field  with  sticks 
and  cudgels.  So  much  for  having  a  bad 
name. 

These  wealthy  Gitanos,  when  they  are 
not  ashamed  of  their  blood  or  descent,  which 
is  rarely  the  case,  and  are  not  addicted  to 
proud  fancies,  or  "  barbales,"  as  they  are 
called,  possess  great  influence  with  the  rest 
of  their  brethren,  almost  as  much  as  the  rab- 
bins amongst  the  Jews ;  their  bidding  is  con- 
sidered law,  and  the  other  Gitanos  are  at 
their  devotion.  On  the  contrary,  when  they 
prefer  the  society  of  the  Busne  to  that  of 
their  own  race,  and  refuse  to  assist  their  less 
fortunate  brethren  in  poverty  or  in  prison, 
they  are  regarded  with  unbounded  contempt 
and  abhorrence,  as  in  the  case  of  the  rich 
Gypsy  of  Badajoz,  and  are  not  unfrequently 
doomed  to  destruction:  such  characters  are 
mentioned  in  their  couplets : 

"  The  Gypsy  fiend  of  Manga  mead, 
Who  never  gave  a  straw, 
He  would  destroy  for  very  greed, 
The  good  Egyptian  law. 

The  raise  Juanito  day  and  night 

Had  best  with  caution  go; 
The  Gypsy  carles  of  Yeira  height 

Have  sworn  to  lay  him  low." 

However  some  of  the  Gitanos  may  com- 
plain that  there  is  no  longer  union  to  be 
found  amongst  them,  there  is  still  much  of 
that  fellow-feeling  which  springs  from  a  con- 
sciousness of  proceeding  from  one  common 
origin,  or,  as  they  love  to  term  it,  "blood." 
At  present  their  system  exhibits  less  of  a 
commonwealth  than  when  they  roamed  in 
bands  amongst  the  wilds,  and  principally 
subsisted  by  foraging,  each.individunl  contri- 
buting to  the  common  stock,  according  to 


6S 


THE  ZINCALI. 


his  success.  The  interests  of  individuals 
are  now  more  distinct,  and  that  close  con- 
nexion is  of  course  dissolved  which  existed 
when  they  wandered  about,  and  their  dan- 
gers, gains,  and  losses  were  felt  in  common  ; 
and  it  can  never  be  too  often  repeated  that 
they  are  no  longer  a  proscribed  race,  with 
no  rights  nor  safety  save  what  they  gained 
by  a  close  and  intimate  union.  Neverthe- 
less, the  Gitano,  though  he  naturally  prefers 
his  own  interest  to  that  of  his  brother,  and 
envies  him  his  gain  when  he  does  not  ex- 
pect to  share  in  it,  is  at  all  times  ready  to 
side  with  him  against  the  Busno,  because 
the  latter  is  not  a  Gitano,  but  of  a  different 
blood,  and  for  no  other  reason.  When  one 
Gitano  confides  his  plans  to  another,  he  is 
in  no  fear  that  they  will  be  betrayed  to  the 
Busno,  for  whom  there  is  no  sympathy,  and 
when  a  plan  is  to  be  executed  which  re- 
quires co-operation,  they  seek  not  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  Busne  but  of  each  other,  and  if 
successful  share  the  gain  like  brothers. 

As  a  proof  of  the  fraternal  feeling  which 
is  not  unfrequently  displayed  amongst  the 
Gitanos,  I  shall  relate  a  circumstance  which 
occurred  at  Cordova  a  year  or  two  before  I 
iirst  visited  it.  One  of  the  poorest  of  the 
Gitanos  murdered  a  Spaniard  with  the  fatal 
iVLanchegan  knife ;  for  this  crime  he  was 
seized,  tried,  and  found  guilty.  Blood-shed- 
ding in  Spain  is  not  looked  upon  with  much 
abhorrence,  and  the  life  of  the  culprit  is  sel- 
dom taken,  provided  he  can  offer  a  bribe  suf- 
ficient to  induce  the  notary  public  to  report 
favourably  upon  his  case ;  but  in  this  instance 
money  was  of  no  avail ;  the  murdered  indi- 
vidual left  behind  him  powerful  friends  and 
connexions,  who  were  determined  that  jus- 
tice should  take  its  course.  It  was  in  vain 
that  the  Gitanos  exerted  all  their  influence 
with  the  authorities  in  behalf  of  their  com- 
rade, and  such  influence  was  not  slight;  it 
was  in  vain  that  they  offered  extravagant 
sums  that  the  punishment  of  death  might  be 
commuted  to  perpetual  slavery  in  the  dreary 
presidio  of  Ceuta;  [was  credibly  informed 
that  one  of  the  richest  Gitanos,  by  name 
Fruto,  offered  for  his  own  share  of  the  ran- 
som the  sum  of  five  thousand  crowns,  whilst 
there  was  not  an  individual  but  contributed 
according  to  his  means — nought  availed,  and 
the  Gypsy  was  executed  in  the  Plaza.  The 
day  before  the  execution,  the  Gitanos,  per- 
ceiving that  the  fate  of  their  brother  was 
sealed,  one  and  all  quitted  Cordova,  shutting 
up  their  houses  and  carrying  with  them  their 
horses,  their  mules,  their  borricos,  their 
wives  and  families,  and  the  greatest  part  of 
their  household  furniture.  No  one  knew 
whither  they  directed  their  course,  nor  were 
they  seen  in  Cordova  for  some  months,  when 
they  again  suddenly  made  their  appearance; 
a  few,  however,  never  returned.  So  great 
was  the  horror  of  the  Gitanos  at  what  had 
occurred,  that  they  were  in  the  habit  of  say- 
ing that  the  place  was  cursed  for  evermore, 
and  when  I  knew  them  there  were  many 
amongst  them  who,  on   no  account,  would 


enter  the  Plaza  which  had  witnessed  the  dis- 
graceful end  of  their  unfortunate  brother. 

The  position  which  the  Gitanos  hold  in 
society  in  Spain  is  the  lowest,  as  might  be 
expected;  they  are  considered  at  best  as 
thievish  chalans,  and  the  women  as  half  sor- 
ceresses, and  in  every  respect  thieves ;  there 
is  not  a  wretch,  however  vile,  the  outcast  of 
the  prison  and  the  presidio,  who  calls  him- 
self Spaniard,  but  would  feel  insulted  by 
being  termed  Gitano,  and  would  thank  God 
that  he  is  not;  and  yet,  strange  to  say  there 
are  numbers,  and  those  of  the  higher  classes, 
who  seek  their  company,  and  endeavour  to 
imitate  their  manners  and  way  of  speaking. 
The  connexions  which  they  form  with  the 
Spaniards  are  not  many ;  occasionally  some 
wealthy  Gitano  marries  a  Spanish  female, 
but  to  find  a  Gitana  united  to  a  Spaniard  is  a 
thing  of  the  rarest  occurrence,  if  it  ever  takes 
place.  It  is,  of  course,  by  intermarriage  alone 
that  the  two  races  will  ever  commingle,  and 
before  that  event  is  brought  about,  much 
modification  must  take  place  amongst  the 
Gitanos,  in  their  manners,  in  their  habits,  in 
their  affections,  and  their  dislikes,  and,  per- 
haps, even  in  their  physical  peculiarities; 
much  must  be  forgotten  on  both  sides,  and 
every  thing  is  forgotten  in  the  course  of  time. 

Considerable  difficulties  oppose  themselves 
to  the  attempt  of  forming  a  correct  census 
of  the  Gitano  population  of  Spain.  Some 
writers,  we  believe,  have  estimated  the  num- 
ber at  sixty  thousand,  or  thereabouts  ;  this 
might  possibly  be  a  fair  estimate  at  former 
periods,  but  it  would  hardly  hold  good  at  the 
present  day,  when,  from  the  opportunities 
which  we  have  had  of  observing  them,  we 
should  say  that  their  number  cannot  exceed 
forty  thousand,  of  which  about  one  third  are 
to  be  found  in  Andalusia  alone.  We  have 
already  expressed  our  belief  that  the  caste 
has  diminished  of  latter  years  ;  whether  this 
diminution  was  the  result  of  one  or  many 
causes  combined ;  of  a  partial  change  of 
habits,  of  pestilence  or  sickness,  of  war  or 
famine,  or  of  a  freer  intercourse  with  the 
Spanish  population,  we  have  no  means  of 
determining,  and  shall  abstain  from  offering 
conjectures  on  the  subject. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  GYPSY  CHARACTER. 

THE  GYPSY  INNKEEPER  OF  TARIFA. — THE 
GYPSY  SOLDIER  OF  VALDEPENAS. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year  1839,  I  landed 
at  Tarifa,  from  the  coast  of  Barbary.  I  ar- 
rived in  a  small  felouk  laden  with  hides  for 
Cadiz,  to  which  place  I  was  myself  going. 
We  stopped  at  Tarifa  in  order  to  perform 
quarantine,  which,  however,  turned  out  a 
i  mere  farce,  as  we  were  all  permitted  to  come 
!  on  shore ;  the  master  of  the  felouk  having 


THE  GIPSY  INNKEEPER. 


69 


bribed  the  port  captain  with  a  Few  fowls.  We  . 
formed  a  motley  group.  A  rich  Moor  and  his  I 
son,  a  child,  with  their  Jewish  servant  Yusouf, 
sind  myself  with  my  own  man  Hayim  Ben 
Attar,  a  Jew.  After  passing  through  the 
gate,  the  Moors  and  their  domestic  were 
conducted  by  the  master  to  the  house  of  one 
of  his -acquaintance,  where  he  intended  they 
should  lodge;  whilst  a  sailor  was  despatched 
with  myself  and  Hayim  to  the  only  inn 
which  the  place  afforded.  I  stopped  in  the 
street  to  speak  to  a  person  whom  I  had  known 
at  Seville.  Before  we  had  concluded  our  dis- 
course, Hayim,  who  had  walked  forward,  re- 
turned, saving,  that  the  quarters  were  good, 
land  that  we  were  in  high  luck,  for  that  he 
knew  the  people  of  the  inn  were  Jews. 
"'Jews*""  said  I,  "here  in  Tarifa,  and  keep- 
ing an  inn,  I  should  be  glad  to  see  them." 
•So  1  left  my  acquaintance  and  hastened  to 
the  house.  We  first  entered  a  stable,  of 
which  the  ground  floor  of  the  building  con- 
sisted, and  ascending  a  flight  of  stairs  en- 
tered a  very  large  room,  and  from  thence 
passed  into  a  kitchen,  in  which  were  several 
people.  One  was  a  stout,  athletic,  burly 
fellow  of  about  fifty,  dressed  in  a  buff  jerkin 
•and  dark  cloth  pantaloons.  His  hair  was 
black  as  a  coal  and  exceedingly  bushy,  his 
face  much  marked  from  some  disorder, 
and  his  skin  as  dark  as  that  of  a  toad.  A 
very  tall  woman  stood  by  the  dresser,  much 
resembling  him  in  feature,  with  the  same 
hair  and  complexion,  but  with  more  intelli- 
gence in  her  eyes  than  the  man,  who  looked 
heavy  and  dogged.  A  dark  woman,  whom  I 
subsequently  discovered  to  be  lame,  sat  in  a 
corner,  and  two  or  three  swarthy  girls,  from 
fifteen  to  eighteen  years  of  age,  were  flitting 
about  the  room.  I  also  observed  a  wicked- 
looking  boy,  who  might  have  been  called 
handsome,  had  not  one  of  his  eyes  been  in- 
jured. "Jews!"  said  I,  in  Moorish  to  Hay- 
im, as  I  glanced  at  these  people  and  about 
the  room;  "These  are  not  Jews,  but  chil- 
dren of  the  Dar-bushi-fal." 

"  List  to  the  Corohai,"  said  the  tall  woman 
in  broken  Gypsy  slang;  "  hear  how  they  jab- 
ber, (hunelad  como  chamulian,)  truly  we  will 
make  them  pay  for  the  noise  they  raise  in 
the  house."  Then  coming  up  to  me,  she 
demanded  with  a  shout,  fearing  otherwise 
that  I  should  not  understand,  whether  I 
would  not  wish  to  see  the  room  where  I  was 
to  sleep.  I  nodded:  whereupon  she  led  me 
out  upon  a  back  terrace,  and  opening  the 
door  of  a  small  room,  of  which  there  were 
three,  asked  me  if  it  would  suit.  "Perfectly," 
said  I,  and  returned  with  her  to  the  kitchen. 

11  O,  what  a  handsome  face!  what  a  royal 
person!"  exclaimed  the  whole  family  as  I 
returned,  in  Spanish,  but  in  the'  whining, 
canting  tones  peculiar  to  the  Gypsies,  when 
they  are  bent  on  victimising.  "A  more  ugly 
Busno  it  has  never  been  our  chance  to  see," 
said  the  same  voices  in  the  next  breath, 
speaking  in  the  jargon  of  the  tribe.  "  Won't 
your  Moorish  Royalty  please  to  cat  some- 
thing]" said  the  tall  hag.  "We  have  no- 
10 


thing  in  the  house ;  but  I  will  run  out  and 
buy  a  fowl,  which  I  hope  may  prove  a  royal 
peacock  to  nourish  and  strengthen  you." 
"I  hope  it  may  turn  to  drow  in  your  en- 
trails," she  muttered  to  the  rest  in  Gypsy. 
She  then  ran  down,  and  in  a  minute  returned 
with  an  old  hen,  which  on  my  arrival,  I  had 
observed  below  in  the  stable.  "  See  this 
beautiful  fowl,"  said  she,  "I  have  been  run- 
ning over  all  Tarifa  to  procure  it  for  your 
kingship;  trouble  enough  I  have  had  to  ob- 
tain it,  and  dear  enough  it  has  cost  me.  1 
will  now  cut  its  throat."  "Before  you  kill 
it,"  said  I,  "I  should  wish  to  know  what 
you  paid  for  it,  that  there  may  be  no  dispute 
about  it  in  the  account."  "Two  dollars  I 
paid  for  it,  most  valorous  and  handsome  sir; 
two  dollars  it  cost  me,  out  of  my  own  quiso- 
bi — out  of  my  own  little  purse."  I  saw  it 
was  high  time  to  put  an  end  to  these  zala- 
merias,  and  therefore  exclaimed  in  Gitano, 
"You  mean  two  brujis  (reals,)  O  mother  of 
all  the  witches,  and  that  is  twelve  cuarlos 
more  than  it  is  worth."  "Ay  Dios  mio, 
whom  have  we  here?"  exclaimed  the  females. 
"  One,"  I  replied,  "  who  knows  you  well  and 
all  your  ways.  Speak !  am  I  to  have  the 
hen  for  two  reals?  if  not,  I  shall  leave  the 
house  this  moment."  "Oyes,  to  be  sure, 
brother,  and  for  nothing  if  you  wish  it,"  said 
the  tall  woman,  in  natural  and  quite  altered 
tones;  "but  why  did  you  enter  the  house 
speaking  in  Corohai  like  a  Bengui?  We 
thought  you  a  Busno,  but  we  now  see  that 
you  are  of  our  religion ;  pray  sit  down  and 
tell  us  where  you  have  been." 

Myself. — "Now,  my  good  people,  since 
I  have  answered  your  questions,  it  is  but 
right  that  you  should  answer  some  of  mine; 
pray  who  are  you?  and  how  happens  it  that 
you  are  keeping  this  inn?" 

Gypsy  Hag. — "Verily,  brother,  we  can 
scarcely  tell  you  who  we  are.  All  we  know 
of  ourselves  is,  that  we  keep  this  inn,  to 
our  trouble  and  sorrow,  and  that  our  parents 
kept  it  before  us  ;  we  were  all  born  in  this 
house,  where  I  suppose  we  shall  die." 

Myself. — "  Who  is  the  master  of  the  house, 
and  whose  are  these  children  V 

Gypsy  Hag. — "  The  master  of  the  house 
is  the  fool,  my  brother,  who  stands  before 
you  without  saying  a  word  ;  to  him  belong 
these  children,  and  the  cripple  in  the  chair 
is  his  wife,  and  my  cousin.  He  has  also 
two  sons  who  are  grown  up  men ;  one  is  a 
chumajarri  (shoemaker,)  and  the  other  serve* 
a  tanner." 

Myself. — "Is  it  not  contrary  to  the  law 
of  the  Cales  to  follow  such  trades." 

Gypsy  Hag. — "  We  know  of  no  law,  and 
little  of  the  Cales  themselves.  Ours  is  the 
only  Calo  family  in  Tarifa,  and  we  never 
left  it  in  our  lives,  except  occasionally  to  go 
on  the  smuggling  lay  to  Gibraltar.  True  it 
is  that  the  Cales  when  they  visit  Tarifa  put 
up  at  our  house,  sometimes  to  our  cost. 
There  was  one  Rafael,  son  of  the  rich  Fruto 
of  Cordova,  here  last  summer,  to  huv  <u> 
horses,  and  he  departed  a  bcria  and  a  !':..; 
o2 


70 


THE  ZINCALI- 


in  our  debt;  however,  I  do  not  grudge  it  him, 
for  he  is  a  handsome  and  clever  chabo — a 
fellow  of  many  capacities.  There  was  more 
than  one  Busno  had  cause  to  rue  his  coming 
to  Tarifa." 

Myself. — "Do  you  live  on  good  terms 
with  the  Busne  of  Tarifa?" 

Gypsy  Hag. — "Brother,  we  live  on  the 
best  terms  with  the  Busne  of  Tarifa;  espe- 
cially with  the  errays.  The  first  people  in 
Tarifa  come  to  this  house,  to  have  their  baji 
told  by  the  cripple  in  the  chair  and  by  my- 
self. I  know  not  how  it  is,  but  we  are  more 
considered  by  the  grandees  than  the  poor, 
who  hate  and  loathe  us.  When  my  first  and 
only  infant  died,  for  I  have  been  married, 
the  child  of  one  of  the  principal  people  was 
put  to  me  to  nurse,  but  I  hated  it  for  its 
white  blood,  as  you  may  well  believe.  It 
never  throve,  for  I  did  it  a  private  mischief, 
and  though  it  grew  up  and  is  now  a  youth, 
it  is — mad." 

Myself. — "  With  whom  will  your  bro- 
ther's children  marry]  You  say  there  are 
no  Gypsies  here." 

Gypsy  Hag. — "Ay  de  mi  hermano !  It 
is  that  which  grieves  me.  I  would  rather 
see  them  sold  to  the  Moors  than  married  to 
the  Busne.  When  Rafael  was  here  he 
wished  to  persuade  the  chumajarri  to  accom- 
pany him  to  Cordova,  and  promised  to  pro- 
vide for  him,  and  to  find  him  a  wife  among 
the  Callees  of  that  town ;  but  the  faint  heart 
would  not,  though  I  myself  begged  him  to 
comply.  As  for  the  curtidor  (tanner,)  he 
goes  every  night  to  the  house  of  a  Busnee ; 
and  once,  when  I  reproached  him  with  it,  he 
threatened  to  marry  her.  I  intend  to  take 
my  knife,  and  to  wait  behind  the  door  in  the 
dark,  and  when  she  comes  out  to  gash  her 
over  the  eyes.  I  trow  he  will  have  little 
desire  to  wed  with  her  then." 

Myself. — "  Do  many  Busne  from  the  coun- 
try put  up  at  this  house?" 

Gypsy  Hag. — "  Not  so  many  as  formerly, 
brother;  the  labourers  from  the  Campo  say 
that  we  are  all  thieves ;  and  that  it  is  impos- 
sible for  any  one  but  a  Calo  to  enter  this 
house  without  having  the  shirt  stripped  from 
Ins  back.  They  go  to  the  houses  of  their 
acquaintance  in  the  town,  for  they  fear  to 
enter  these  doors.  I  scarcely  know  why, 
far  my  brother  is  the  veriest  fool  in  Tarifa. 
Were  it  not  for  his  face,  I  should  say  that 
lie  is  no  Chabo,  for  he  cannot  speak,  and 
permits  every  chance  to  slip  through  his 
fingers.  Many  a  good  mule  and  borrico 
have  gone  out  of  the  stable  below,  which  he 
might  have  secured,  had  he  but  tongue  enough 
to  have  cozened  the  owners.  But  he  is  a 
fool,  as  I  said  before ;  he  cannot  speak,  and 
is  no  Chabo. 

How  far  the  person  in  question,  who  sat 
fill  the  while  smoking  his  pipe,  with  the 
most  unperturbed  tranquillity,  deserved  the 
character  bestowed  upon  him  by  his  sister, 
will  presently  appear.  It  is  not  my  inten- 
tion to  describe  here  all  the  strange  things 


I  both  saw  &nd  heard  in  this  Gypsy  inn.  Se- 
veral Gypsies  arrived  from  the  country  during 
the  six  days  that  I  spent  within  its  walls ; 
one  of  them,  a  man,  from  Moron,  was  re- 
ceived with  particular  cordiality,  he  having 
a  son,  whom  he  was  thinking  of  betrothing 
to  one  of  the  Gypsy  daughters.  Some 
females  of  quality  likewise  visited  the  house 
to  gossip,  like  true  Andalusians.  It  was 
singular,  to  observe  the  behaviour  of  the 
Gypsies  to  these  people,  especially  that  of 
the  remarkable  woman  some  of  whose  con- 
versation I  have  given  above.  She  whined, 
she  canted,  she  blessed,  she  talked  of  beauty, 
of  colour,  of  eyes,  of  eye-brows,  and  pestanas, 
(eyelids,)  and  of  hearts  which  were  aching 
for  such  and  such  a  lady.  Amongst  others, 
came  a  very  fine  woman,  the  widow  of  a 
colonel  lately  slain  in  battle ;  she  brought 
with  her  a  beautiful  innocent  little  girl,  her 
daughter,  between  three  and  four  years  of 
age.  The  Gypsy  appeared  to  adore  her; 
she  sobbed,  she  shed  tears,  she  kissed  the 
child,  she  blessed  it,  she  fondled  it.  I  had 
my  eye  upon  her  countenance,  and  it  brought 
to  my  recollection  that  of  a  she-wolf,  which 
I  had  once  seen  in  Russia,  playing  with  her 
whelp  beneath  a  birch-tree.  "  You  seem  to 
love  that  child  very  much,  O,  my  mother," 
said  I  to  her,  as  the  lady  was  departing. 

Gypsy  Hag. — "No  lo  camelo  hijo !  I 
do  not  love  it,  O  my  son,  1  do  not  love  it;  I 
love  it  so  much,  that  I  wish  it  may  break  its 
legs  as  it  goes  down  stairs,  and  its  mother 
also." 

On  the  evening  of  the  fourth  day,  I  was 
seated  on  the  stone  bench  at  the  stable  door, 
taking  the  fresco;  the  Gypsy  innkeeper  sat 
beside  me,  smoking  his  pipe,  and  silent  as 
usual;  presently  a  man  and  woman  with  a 
borrico,  or  donkey,  entered  the  portal.  I 
took  little  or  no  notice  of  a  circumstance  so 
slight,  but  I  was  presently  aroused  by  hear- 
ing the  Gypsy's  pipe  drop  upon  the  ground  : 
I  looked  at  him,  and  scarcely  recognised  his 
face.  It  was  no  longer  dull,  black,  and 
heavy,  but  was  lighted  up  with  an  expres- 
sion so  extremely  villanous,  that  I  felt  uneasy. 
His  eyes  were  scanning  the  recent  comers, 
especially  the  beast  of  burden,  which  was  a 
beautiful  female  donkey.  He  was  almost  in- 
stantly at  their  side,  assisting  to  remove  its 
housings,  and  the  alforjas,  or  bags.  His 
tongue  had  become  unloosed,  as  if  by  sor- 
cery ;  and  far  from  being  unable  to  speak,  he 
proved  that,  when  it  suited  his  purpose,  he 
could  discourse  with  wonderful  volubility. 
The  donkey  was  soon  tied  to  the  manger, 
and  a  large  measure  of  barley  emptied  before 
it,  the  greatest  part  of  which  the  Gypsy  boy 
presently,  removed,  his  father  having  pur- 
posely omitted  to  mix  the  barley  with  the 
straw,  with  which  the  Spanish  mangers  are 
always  kept  filled.  The  guests  were  hur- 
ried up  stairs  as  soon  as  possible.  I  re- 
mained below,  and  subsequently  strolled  about 
the  town  and  on  the  bench.  It  was  about 
nine  o'clock  when  1  returned  to  the  inn  to 


THE  GYPSY  INNKEEPER. 


71 


retire  to  rest ;  strange  things  had  evidently 
been  going  on  during  my  absence.  As  I 
passed  through  the  large  room,  on  my  way 
to  my  apartment,  lo,  the  table  was  set  out 
with  much  wine,  fruits,  and  viands.  There 
sat  the  man  from  the  country,  three  parts 
intoxicated ;  the  Gypsy,  already  provided 
with  another  pipe,  sat  on  his  knee,  with  his 
right  arm  most  aiFectionately  round  his  neck  ; 
on  one  side  sat  the  chumajarri  drinking  and 
smoking;  on  the  other,  the  tanner.  Behold, 
poor  humanity,  thought  I  to  myself,  in  the 
hands  of  devils;  in  this  manner  are  human 
souls  insnared  to  destruction  by  the  fiends 
of  the  pit.  The  females  had  already  taken 
possession  of  the  woman  at  the  other  end  of 
the  table,  embracing  her,  and  displaying 
every  mark  of  friendship  and  affection.  I 
passed  on,  but  ere  I  reached  my  apartment, 
I  heard  the  words  mule  and  donkey.  "  Adios," 
said  I,  for  I  but  too  well  knew  what  was  on 
the  carpet. 

In  the  back  stable  the  Gypsy  kept  a  mule, 
a  most  extraordinary  animal,  which  was  em- 
ployed in  bringing  water  to  the  house,  a  task 
which  it  effected  with  no  slight  difficulty ; 
it  was  reported  to  be  eighteen  years  of  age ; 
one  of  its  eyes  had  been  removed  by  some 
accident,  it  was  foundered,  and  also  lame, 
the  result  of  a  broken  leg.  This  animal  was 
the  laughing-stock  of  all  Tarifa  ;  the  Gypsy 
grudged  it  the  very  straw  on  which  alone  he 
fed  it,  and  had  repeatedly  offered  it  for  sale 
at  a  dollar,  which  he  could  never  obtain. 
During  the  night  there  was  much  merriment 
going  on,  and  I  could  frequently  distinguish 
the  voice  of  the  Gypsy  raised  to  a  boisterous 
pitch.  In  the  morning,  the  Gypsy  hag  en 
tered  my  apartment,  bearing  the  breakfast 
of  myself  and  Hayim.  "  What  were  you 
about  last  night  1"  said  I. 

"We  were  bargaining  with  the  Busno. 
evil  overtake  him,  and  he  has  exchanged  us 
the  ass,  for  the  mule  and  the  reckoning," 
said  the  hag,  in  whose  countenance  triumph 
was  blended  with  anxiety. 

"  Was  he  drunk  when  he  saw  the  mule?" 
I  demanded. 

"He  did  not  see  her  at  all,  O  my  son,  but 
we  told  him  we  had  a  beautiful  mule,  worth 
any  money,  which  we  were  anxious  to  dis- 
pose of,  as  a  donkey  suited  our  purpose  bet- 
ter. We  are  afraid  that  when  he  sees  her 
he  will  repent  his  bargain,  and  if  he  calls  off 
within  four-and-twenty  hours,  the  exchange 
is  null,  and  the  justicia  will  cause  us  to  re- 
store the  ass  ;  we  have,  however,  already  re- 
moved her  to  our  huerta  out  of  the  town, 
where  we  have  hid  her  below  the  ground. 
Dios  sabe  (God  knows)  how  it  will  turn 
out." 

When  the  man  and  the  woman  saw  the 
lame,  foundered,  one-eyed  creature,  for  which 
and  the  reckoning  they  had  exchanged  their 
own  beautiful  borrica,  they  stood  confounded. 
It  was  about  ten  in  the  morning,  and  they 
had  not  altogether  recovered  from  the  fumes 
of  the  w'.ne  of  the  preceding  night ;  at.  last 
the  man,  with  a  frightful  oath,  exclaimed  to 


the  innkeeper,  "Restore  my  donkey,  you 
Gypsy  villain." 

"  It  cannot  be,  brother,"  replied  the  latter, 
"your  donkey  is  by  this  time  three  leagues 
from  here ;  I  sold  her  this  morning  to  a  man 
1  do  not  know,  and  I  am  afraid  I  shall  have  a 
hard  bargain  with  her,  for  he  only  gave  two 
dollars,  as  she  was  unsound.  O,  you  have 
taken  me  in,  I  am  a  poor  fool,  as  they  call 
me  here,  and  you  understand  much,  very- 
much,  baribu."* 

"  Her  value  was  thirty-five  dollars,  thou 
demon,"  said  the  countryman,  "and  the  jus- 
ticia will  make  you  pay  that." 

"Come,  come,  brother,"  said  the  Gypsy, 
"all  this  is  mere  conversation,  you  have  a 
capital  bargain,  to-day  the  mercado  is  held, 
and  you  shall  sell  the  mule,  I  will  go  with 
you  myself.  O,  you  understand  baribu;  sister, 
bring  the  bottle  of  anise;  the  senor  and  the 
senora  must  drink  a  copita."  After  much 
persuasion,  and  many  oaths,  the  man  and 
woman  were  weak  enough  to  comply;  when 
they  had  drank  several  glasses,  they  departed 
for  the  market,  the  Gypsy  leading  the  mule. 
In  about  two  hours  they  returned  with  the 
wretched  beast,  but  not  exactly  as  they  went; 
a  numerous  crowd  followed,  laughing  and 
hooting.  The  man  was  now  frantic,  and  the 
woman  yet  more  so.  They  forced  their  way 
up  stairs  to  collect  their  baggage,  which  they 
soon  effected,  and  were  about  to  leave  the 
house,  vowing  revenge.  Now  ensued  a  truly 
terrific  scene,  there  were  no  more  blandish- 
ments ;  the  Gypsy  men  and  women  were  in 
arms,  uttering  the  most  frightful  execrations ; 
as  the  woman  came  down  stairs,  the  females 
assailed  her  like  lunatics;  the  cripple  poked 
at  her  with  a  stick,  the  tall  hag  clawed  at 
her  hair,  whilst  the  father  Gypsy  walked 
close  beside  the  man,  his  hand  on  his  clasp- 
knife,  looking  like  nothing  in  this  world  :  the 
man,  however,  on  reaching  the  door,  turned 
to  him  and  said  :  "Gypsy  demon,  my  borrica 
by  three  o'clock — or  you  know  the  rest,  the 
justicia." 

The  Gypsies  remained  filled  with  rage  and 
disappointment;  the  hag  vented  her  spite  on 
her  brother.  "'Tis  your  fault,"  said  she; 
"fool!  you  have  no  tongue;  you  a  chabo, 
you  can't  speak ;"  whereas,  within  a  few- 
hours,  he  had  perhaps  talked  more  than  an 
auctioneer  during  a  three  days'  sale  :  but  he 
reserved  his  words  for  fitting  occasions,  and 
now  sat  as  usual,  sullen  and  silent,  smoking 
his  pipe. 

The  man  and  woman  made  their  appear- 
ance at  three  o'clock,  but  they  came — intox- 
icated; the  Gypsy's  eyes  glistened — blandish- 
ment was  again  had  recourse  to.  "  Come 
and  sit  down  with  the  cavalier  here,"  whined 
the  family;  "he  is  a  friend  of  ours,  and  will 
soon  arrange  matters  to  your  satisfaction." 
I  arose,  and  went  into  the  street;  the  hag 
followed  mo.  "  Will  you  not  assist  us, 
brother,  or  are  you  no  chabo]"  she  mut- 
tered. 

*  A  Oypsy  word,  signifying  "exceeding  much." 


72 


THE  ZINC  ALL 


"  I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  your  mat- 
ters," said  L 

"  I  know  who  will,"  said  the  hag,  and  hur- 
ried down  the  street. 

The  man  and  woman,  with  much  noise, 
demanded  their  donkey,  the  innkeeper  made 
no  answer,  and  proceeded  to  fill  up  several 
glasses  with  the  anisado.  In  about  a  quarter 
of  an  hour,  the  Gypsy  hag  returned  with  a 
young  man,  well  dressed,  and  with  a  genteel 
air,  but  with  something  wild  and  singular  in 
his  eyes.  He  seated  himself  by  the  table, 
smiled,  took  a  glass  of  liquor,  drank  part  of 
it,  smiled  again,  and  handed  it  to  the  coun- 
tryman. The  latter  seeing  himself  treated 
in  this  friendly  manner  by  a  cabaliero,  was 
evidently  much  flattered,  took  off  his  hat  to 
the  new  comer,  and  drank,  as  did  the  woman 
also.  The  glass  was  filled,  and  refilled,  till 
they  became  yet  more  intoxicated.  I  did  not 
hear  the  young  man  say  a  word  :  he  appeared 
a  passive  automaton.  The  Gypsies,  how- 
ever, spoke  for  him,  and  were  profuse  of 
compliments.  It  was  now  proposed  that  the 
caballaro  should  settle  the  dispute :  a  long 
and  noisy  conversation  ensued,  the  young 
man  looking  vacantly  on  :  the  strange  people 
had  no  money,  and  had  already  run  up  ano- 
ther bill  at  a  wine  house  to  which  they  had 
retired.  At  last  it  was  proposed,  as  if  by 
the  young  man,  that  the  Gypsy  should  pur- 
chase his  own  mule  for  two  dollars,  and  for- 
give the  strangers  the  reckoning  of  the  pre- 
ceding night.  To  this  they  agreed,  being 
apparently  stultified  with  the  liquor,  and  the 
money  being  paid  to  them  in  the  presence  of 
witnesses,  they  thanked  the  friendly  mediator 
and  reeled  away. 

Before  they  left  the  town  that  ~ight, 
they  had  contrived  to  spend  the  entire  two 
dollars,  and  the  woman  who  first  recovered 
her  senses,  was  bitterly  lamenting  that  they 
had  permitted  themselves  to  be  despoiled  so 
cheaply  oi&pren&a  tan  preciosa,  as  was  the 
donkey.  Upon  the  whole,  however,  I  did 
not  much  pity  them.  The  woman  was  cer- 
tainly not  the  man's  wife.  The  labourer 
had  probably  left  his  village  with  some  stroll- 
ing harlot,  bringing  with  him  the  animal 
which  had  previously  served  to  support  him- 
self and  family. 

I  believe  that  the  Gypsy  read,  at  the  first 
glance,  their  history,  and  arranged  matters 
accordingly.  The  donkey  was  soon  once 
more  in  the  stable,  and  that  night  there  was 
much  rejoicing  in  the  Gypsy  inn. 

Who  was  the  singular  mediator'?  He  was 
neither  more  nor  less  than  the  foster  child  of 
the  Gypsy  hag,  the  unfortunate  being  whom 
she  had  privately  injured  in  his  infancy.  After 
having  thus  served  them  as  an  instrument  in 
their  villany,  he  was  told  to  go  home 


THE  GYPSY  SOLDIER  OF  VALDEPENAS. 

It  was  at  Madrid  one  fine  afternoon  in  the 
beginning  of  March,  1838,  that,  as  I  was  sit- 
ting behind  my  table  in  a  cabinete,  as  it  is 
called,  of  the  third  floor  of  No.  10  in  the 
Calle  De  Santiago,  having  just  taken  my 


meal,  my  hostess  entered  and  informed  me 
that  a  military  officer  wished  to  speak  to  me, 
adding,  in  an  under  tone,  that  he  looked  a 
strange  guest.  I  was  acquainted  with  no 
military  officer  in  the  Spanish  service;  but 
as  at  i  hat  time  I  expected  daily  to  be  arrested 
for  having  distributed  the  Bible,  I  thought 
that  very  possibly  this  officer  might  have 
been  sent  to  perform  that  piece  of  duty.  I 
instantly  ordered  him  to  be  admitted,  where- 
upon a  thin  active  figure,  somewhat  above 
the  middle  height,  dressed  in  a  blue  uniform, 
with  a  long  sword  hanging  at  his  side,  tripped 
into  the  room.  Depositing  his  regimental 
hat  on  the  ground,  he  drew  a  chair  to  the 
table,  and  seating  himself,  placed  his  elbowa 
on  the  board,  and  supporting  his  face  with 
his  hands,  confronted  me,  gazing  steadfastly 
upon  me,  without  uttering  a  word.  I  looked 
no  less  wistfully  at  him,  and  was  of  the  same 
opinion  as  my  hostess,  as  to  the  strangeness 
of  my  guest.  He  was  about  fifty,  with  thin 
flaxen  hair  covering  the  sides  of  his  head, 
which  at  the  top  was  entirely  bald.  His 
eyes  were  small,  and,  like  ferrets',  red  and 
fiery.  His  complexion  like  a  brick,  a  dull 
red,  chequered  with  spots  of  purple.  "May 
f  inquire  your  name  and  business,  Sir?"  I  at 
length  demanded. 

Stranger. — "My  name  is  Chaleco  of  Val- 
depefias;  in  the  time  of  the  French  I  served 
as  bragante  fighting  for  Ferdinand  VII.  I 
am  now  a  captain  on  half  pay  in  the  service 
of  Donna  Isabel;  as  for  my  business  here  it 
is  to  speak  with  you.  Do  you  know  this 
book?" 

Myself.— "  This    book    is   Saint    Luke's 
Gospel  in  the  Gypsy  language ;  how  can  this 
k  concern  you?" 

Stranger. — "  No  one  more.  It  is  in  the 
language  of  my  people." 

Myself. — "  You  do  not  pretend  to  say  that 
you  are  a  Calo?" 

Stranger. — "  I  do !  I  am  Zincalo,  by  the 
mother's  side.  My  father,  it  is  true,  was 
one  of  the  Busne,  but  1  glory  in  being  a 
Calo,  and  care  not  to  acknowledge  other 
blood." 

Myself — "How  became  you  possessed  of 
that  book?" 

Stranger. — "I  was  this  morning  in  the 
Prado,  where  I  met  two  women  of  our  peo- 
ple, and  amongst  other  things  they  told  me 
that  they  had  a  Gabicote  in  our  language. 
T  did  not  believe  them  at  first,  but  they  pulled 
it  out,  and  I  found  their  words  true.  They 
then  spoke  to  me  of  yourself,  and  told  me 
where  you  live,  so  I  took  the  book  from  them 
and  am  come  to  see  you." 

Myself. — "Are  you  able  to  understand 
this  book?" 

Straiigcr. — "Perfectly,  though  it  is  written 
in  very  crabbed  language  :*  but  I  learnt  to 
read  Calo  when  very  young.  My  mother 
was  a  good  Calli,  and  early  taught  me  both 
to  speak  and  read  it.  She  too  had  a  Gabi- 
cote, but  not  printed  like  this,  and  it  treated 
of  a  different  matter." 

*  "  LcngiM  nnij-  ccrrada." 


THE  GYPSY  SOLDIER. 


73 


Myself. — "  How  came  your  mother,  being 
a.  good  Calli,  to  marry  one  of  a  different 
blood!" 

Stranger. — "  It  was  no  fault  of  hers ;  there 
was  no  remedy.  In  her  infancy  she  lost  her 
parents,  who  were  executed ;  and  she  was 
abandoned  by  all,  till  my  father,  taking  com- 
passion on  her,  brought  her  up  and  educated 
her;  at  last  he  made  her  his  wife,  though 
three  times  her  age.  She,  however,  remem- 
bered her  blood  and  hated  my  father,  and 
taught  me  to  hate  him  likewise,  and  avoid 
him.  When  a  boy,  I  used  to  stroll  about 
the  plains,  that  I  might  not  see  my  father ; 
and  my  father  would  follow  me  and  beg  me 
to  look  upon  him,  and  would  ask  me  what  I 
wanted ;  and  I  would  reply,  Father,  the  only 
thing  I  want  is  to  see  you  dead." 

Myself.—"  That  was  strange  language 
from  a  child  to  its  parent." 

Stranger. — "  It  was, — but  you  know  the 
couplet,*  which  says,  'I  do  not  wish  to  be  a 
lord — I  am  by  birth  a  Gypsy; — I  do  not  wish 
to  be  a  Gentleman — I  am  content  with  being 
a  Calo!'" 

Myself. — "  I  am  anxious  to  hear  more  of 
your  history;  pray  proceed." 

Stranger. — "  When  I  was  about  twelve 
years  old  my  father  became  distracted,  and 
died.  I  then  continued  with  my  mother  for 
some  years ;  she  loved  me  much,  and  procured 
a  teacher  to  instruct  me  in  Latin.  At  last 
she  died,  and  then  there  was  a  pleyto  (law- 
suit.) I  took  to  the  sierra  and  became  a 
highwayman  : — but  the  wars  broke  out.  My 
cousin  Jara,  of  Valdepenas,  raised  a  troop  of 
bragantes.i  I  enlisted  with  him  and  distin- 
guished myself  very  much ;  there  is  scarcely 
a  man  or  woman  in  Spain  but  has  heard  e 
Jara  and  Chaleco.  I  am  now  captain  in  the 
service  of  Donna  Isabel — I  am  covered  with 
wounds — I  am — ugh  !  ugh  !  ugh  ! — " 

He  had  commenced  coughing,  and  in  a 
manner  which  perfectly  astounded  me.  I  had 
heard  hooping-coughs,  consumptive-coughs, 
coughs  caused  by  colds  and  other  accidents, 
hut  a  cough  so  horrible  and  unnatural  as  that 
of  the  Gypsy  soldier,  I  had  never  witnessed 
in  the  course  of  my  travels.  In  a  moment 
he  was  bent  double,  his  frame  writhed  and 
laboured,  the  veins  of  his  forehead  were 
frightfully  swollen,  and  his  complexion  be- 
cameblack  as  the  blackest  blood;  hescreamed, 
he  snorted,  he  barked,  and  appeared  to  be  on 
the  point  of  suffocation, — yet  more  explosive 
became  the  cough;  and  the  people  of  the 
house,  frightened,  came  running  into  the 
apartment.  I  cried,  "The  man  is  perishing, 
run  instantly  for  a  surgeon  !"  He  heard  me. 
and  with  a  quick  movement  raised  his  left 
hand  as  if  to  countermand  the  order; — another 
struggle,  then  one  mighty  throe,  which  seemed 
to  search  his  deepest  intestines;  and  he  re- 

*  "  No  catnelo  ser  eray,  es  Calo  mi  nacimiento 
No  camelo  ser  eray,  con  ser  Calo  me  contento." 

f  Armed  partisans,  or  guerillas  on  horseback  :  they 
Waited  a  war  of  extermination  against  the  French,  hut 
at  the  same  time  plundered  their  countrymen  without 
scruple. 


mained  motionless,  his  head  on  his  knee. 
The  cough  had  left  him,  and  within  a  minute 
or  two  he  again  looked  up. 

"That  is  a  dreadful  cough,  friend,"  said  I, 
when  he  was  somewhat  recovered.  "How 
did  you  get  it]" 

Gypsy  Soldier. — "  I  am — shot  through  the 
lungs — brother!  Let  me  but  take  breath, 
and  I  will  show  you  the  hole — the  agujero." 

He  continued  with  me  a  considerable 
time,  and  showed  not  the  slightest  disposition 
to  depart;  the  cough  returned  twice,  but  not 
so  violently; — at  length,  having  an  engage- 
ment, I  arose,  and  apologizing,  told  him  I 
must  leave  him.  The  next  day  he  came 
again  at  the  same  hour,  but  he  found  me  not, 
as  1  was  abroad  dining  with  a  friend.  On 
the  third  day,  however,  as  I  was  sitting  down 
to  dinner,  in  he  walked,  unannounced.  1  am 
rather  hospitable  than  otherwise,  so  T  cor- 
dially welcomed  him,  and  requested  him  to 
partake  of  my  meal.  "  Con  mucho  gusto," 
he  replied,  and  instantly  took  his  place  at 
the  table.  I  was  again  astonished,  for  if 
his  cough  was  frightful  his  appetite  was 
yet  more  so.  He  ate  like  a  wolf  of  the 
sierra ; — soup,  puchero,  fowl  and  bacon  dis- 
appeared before  him  in  a  twinkling.  I  or- 
dered in  cold  meat,  which  he  presently  de- 
spatched ;  a  large  piece  of  cheese  was  then 
produced.     We  had  been  drinking  water,  j, 

"  Where  is  the  wine1?"  said  he. 

"I  never  use  it,"  I  replied. 

He  looked  blank.     The  hostess,  hon 
who  was  present  waiting,  said,  "If  the  gen- 

L.ot&  Trtrarty 
full  which  I  will  instantly  fetch." 

The  skin  bottle,  when  full,  might  contain 

out  _ur  quai.s.  She  filled  him  a  very 
large  glass,  and  was  removing  the  skin,  but 
he  prevented  her,  saying,  "Leave  it,  my 
good  woman  ;  my  brother  here  will  settle 
with  you  for  the  little  I  shall  use." 

He  now  lighted  his  cigar,  and  it  was  evi- 
dent that  he  had  made  good  his  quarters.  On 
the  former  occasion  I  thought  his  behaviour 
sufficiently  strange,  but  I  liked  it  still  less  on 
the  present.  Every  fifteen  minutes  he  emp- 
tied his  glass,  which  contained  at  least  a 
pint;  his  conversation  became  horrible.  He 
related  the  atrocities  which  he  had  com- 
mitted when  a  robber  and  bragante  in  La 
Mancha.  "It  was  our  custom," said  he, "to 
tie  our  prisoners  to  the  olive  trees,  and  then, 
putting  our  horses  to  full  speed,  to  tilt  at 
them  with  our  spears."  As  he  continued  to 
drink  he  became  waspish  and  quarrelsome  : 
he  had  hitherto  talked  Castilian,  but  he  would 
now  only  converse  in  Gypsy  and  in  Latin,  the 
last  of  which  languages  he  spoke  with  great 
fluency,  though  ungrammatically.  He  told 
me  that  he  had  killed  six  men  in  duels;  and, 
drawing  his  sword,  fenced  about  the  room. 
I  saw  by  the  manner  in  which  he  handled  it, 
that  he  was  master  of  his  weapon.  His 
cough  did  not  return,  and  he  said  it  seldom 
afflicted  him  when  he  dined  well.  He  gave 
me  to  understand  that  ho  had  received  no 
pay  for  two   years.     "Therefore  vou  visit 


74 


THE  ZINCALI. 


me,"  thought  t.  At  the  end  of  three  hours, 
perceiving  that  he  exhibited  no  signs  of  taking 
his  departure,  I  arose,  and  said  I  must  again 
leave  him.  "As  you  please,  brother,"  said 
he  ;  "  use  no  ceremony  with  me,  I  am  fatigued 
and  will  wait  a  little  while."  I  did  not  re- 
turn till  eleven  at  night,  when  my  hostess 
informed  me  that  he  had  just  departed,  pro- 
mising to  return  next  day.  He  had  emptied 
the  bota  to  the  last  drop,  and  the  cheese  pro- 
duced being  insufficient  for  him,  he  sent  for 
an  entire  Dutch  cheese  on  my  account;  part 
of  which  he  had  eaten  and  the  rest  carried 
away.  I  now  saw  that  I  had  formed  a  most 
troublesome  acquaintance,  of  whom  it  was 
highly  necessary  to  rid  myself,  if  possible;  I 
therefore  dined  out  for  the  next  nine  days. 

For  a  week  he  came  regularly  at  the  usual 
hour,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  desisted ; 
the  hostess  was  afraid  of  hirn,  as  she  said 
that  he  was  a  brujo  or  wizard,  and  only  spoke 
to  him  through  the  wicket. 

On  the  tenth  day  I  was  cast  into  prison, 
where  I  continued  several  weeks.  Once, 
during  my  confinement,  he  called  at  the 
house,  and  being  informed  of  my  mishap, 
drew  his  sword,  and  vowed  with  horrible 
imprecations  to  murder  the  prime  minister 
Ofalia,  for  having  dared  to  imprison  his  bro- 
ther. On  my  release,  I  did  not  revisit  my 
lodgings  for  some  days,  but  lived  at  an  hotel. 
I  returned  late  one  afternoon,  with  my  ser- 
vant Franci<5ro.  p  Rasn.i^  0f  Hernani,  who 
e  rved  me  with  the  utmost  fidelity  during 
my  imprisonment,  which  he  had  voluntarily 
Sfiured  wtth  me.  •  The  Ifrrt  person  I  ntW  en 
entering  was  the  Gypsy  soldier,  seated  by 
the  tctuio,   „  .  ore  several  bottles  of 

wine  which  he  had  ordered  from  the  tavern,, 
of  course  on  my  account.  He  was  smoking, 
and  looked  savage  and  sullen;  perhaps  he 
was  not  much  pleased  with  the  reception  he 
had  experienced.  He  had  forced  himself  in, 
and  the  woman  of  the  house  sat  in  a  corner 
looking  upon  him  with  dread.  I  addressed 
him,  but  he  would  scarcely  return  an  answer. 
At  last  he  commenced  discoursing  with  great 
volubility  in  Gypsy  and  Latin.  I  did  not 
understand  much  of  what  he  said.  His  words 
were  wild  and  incoherent,  but  he  repeatedly 
threatened  some  person.  The  last  bottle  was 
now  exhausted — he  demanded  more.  I  told 
him  in  a  gentle  manner  that  he  had  drank 
enough.  He  looked  on  the  ground  for  some 
time,  then  slowly,  and  somewhat  hesitatingly, 
drew  his  sword  and  laid  it  on  the  table.  It 
was  become  dark.  I  was  not  afraid  of  the 
fellow,  but  I  wished  to  avoid  any  thing  un- 
pleasant. I  called  to  Francisco  to  bring 
lights,  and  obeying  a  sign  which  I  made  him, 
he  sat  down  at  the  table.  The  gypsy  glared 
fiercely  upon  him — Francisco  laughed,  and 
began  with  great  glee  to  talk  in  Basque,  of 
which  the  Gypsy  understood  not  a  word.  The 
Basques,  like  nil  Tartars,*  and  such  they  are, 
are  paragons  of  fidelity  and  good  nature ;  they 
are  only  dangerous  when  outraged,  when  they 

*  The  Basques  speak  a  Tartar  dialed  Which  strikingly 
resembles  the  Mongolian  and  the  Mamlchou. 


are  terrible  indeed.  Francisco  to  the  strength 
of  a  giant  joined  the  disposition  of  a  lamb. 
He  was  beloved  even  in  the  patio  of  the  pri- 
son, where  he  used  to  pitch  the  bar  and 
wrestle  with  the  murderers  and  felons,  al- 
ways coming  off  victor.  He  continued  speak- 
ing Basque.  *The  Gypsy  was  incensed  ;  and, 
forgetting  the  languages  in  which,  for  the 
last  hour,  he  had  been  speaking,  complained 
to  Francisco  of  his  rudeness  in  speaking  any 
tongue  but  Castilian.  The  Basque  replied 
by  a  loud  carcajada,  and  slightly  touched  the 
Gypsy  on  the  knee.  The  latter  sprang  up 
like  a  mine  discharged,  seized  his  sword, 
and,  retreating  a  few  steps,  made  a  despe- 
rate lunge  at  Francisco. 

The  Basques,  next  to  the  Pasiegos,*  are 
the  best  cudgel-players  in  Spain,  and  in  the 
world.  Francisco  held  in  his  hand  part  of  a 
broomstick,  which  he  had  broken  in  the  stable, 
whence  he  had  just  ascended.  With  the 
swiftness  of  lightning  he  foiled  the  stroke  of 
Chaleco,  and,  in  another  moment,  with  a 
dexterous  blow,  struck  the  sword  out  of  his 
hand,  sending  it  ringing  against  the  wall. 

The  Gypsy  resumed  his  seat  and  his  cigar. 
He  occasionally  looked  at  the  Basque.  His 
glances  were  at  first  atrocious,  but  presently 
changed  their  expression,  and  appeared  to 
me  to  become  prying  and  eagerly  curious. 
He  at  last  arose,  picked  up  his  sword,  sheathed 
it,  and  walked  slowly  to  the  door,  when  there 
he  stopped,  turned  round,  advanced  close  to 
Fra'icisco,  and  looked  him  steadfastly  in  the 
face.  "My  good  fellow,"  said  he,  "I  am  a 
Gypsy,  and  can  read  baji.  Do  you  know 
where  you  will  be  at  this  time  to-morrow  P'f 
Then  laughing  like  a  hyena,  he  departed,  and 
I  never  saw  him  again. 

At  that  time  on  the  morrow,  Francisco  was 
on  his  death-bed.  He  had  caught  the  jail 
fever,  which  had  long  raged  in  the  Carcel  de 
la  Corte,  where  I  was  imprisoned.  In  a  few 
days  he  was  buried,  a  mass  of  corruption,  in 
the  Campo  Santo  of  Madrid. 


CHAPTER  V. 

VARIOUS  POINTS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  GI- 
TANOS. — DRESS. — PHYSICAL  CHARACTER- 
ISTICS.— THE  GYPSY  GLANCE. — EXTRACTS 
FROM  A  SPANISH  WORK. 

The  Gitanos,  in  their  habits  and  manner 
of  life,  are  much  less  cleanly  than  the  Spa- 
niards.    The  hovels  in  which  they  reside  ex- 

,  hibit  none  of  the  neatness  which  is  observa- 
ble in  the  habitations  of  even  the  poorest  of 

j  the  other  race.     The  floors  are  unswept,  and 

*  A  small  nation  or  rather  sect  of  contrabandistas, 
!  who  Inhabit  the  valley  of  Pas  amidst  the  mountains  or 
Santandar;  they  -;irrv  long  sticks,  in  the  handling  of 
which  they  an:  unequalled.  Armed  with  one  of  these 
sticks,  a  smuggler  of  Paa  has  been  known  to  beat  ml" 
.  two  mounted  dragoons. 

t  The  hostess,  .Maria  Diaz,  and  her  son  Juan  Jose 
j  Lopez,  were  present  when  the  outcast  uttered  these  pro- 
I  |>hctic  wo.ds. 


DRESS. 


75 


abound  with  filth  and  mud,  and  in  their  per- 
sons they  are  scarcely  less  vile.  Inattention 
to  cleanliness  is  a  characteristic  of  the  Gyp- 
sies, in  all  parts  of  the  world. 

The  Bishop  of  Forli,  as  far  back  as  1422, 
gives  evidence  upon  this  point,  and  insinu- 
ates that  they  carried  the  plague  with  them  ; 
as  he  observes  that  it  raged  with  peculiar 
violence  the  year  of  their  appearance  at 
Forli* 

At  the  present  day  they  are  almost  equally 
disgusting,  in  this  respect,  in  Hungary,  Eng- 
land, and  Spain.  Amongst  the  richer  Gi- 
tanos, habits  of  greater  cleanliness  of  course 
exist  than  amongst  the  poorer.  An  air  of 
sluttisbness,  however,  pervades  their  dwell- 
ings, which,  to  an  experienced  eye,  would 
sufficiently  attest  that  the  inmates  were  Gi- 
tanos, in  the  event  of  their  absence. 

What  can  be  said  of  the  Gypsy  dress,  of 
which  such  frequent  mention  is  made  in  the 
Spanish  laws,  and  which  is  prohibited  toge- 
ther with  the  Gypsy  language  and  manner  of 
life)  Of  whatever  it  might  consist  in  former 
days,  it  is  so  little  to  be  distinguished  from 
the  dress  of  some  classes  amongst  the  Spa- 
niards, that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  describe 
the  difference.  They  generally  wear  a  high 
peaked,  narrow  brimmed  hat,  a  zamarra  of 
sheepskin  in  winter,  and,  during  summer,  a 
jacket  of  brown  cloth  ;  and  beneath  this  they 
are  fond  of  exhibiting  a  red  plush  waistcoat, 
something  after  the  fashion  of  the  English 
jockeys,  with  numerous  buttons  and  clasps. 
A  faja,  or  girdle  of  crimson  silk,  surrounds 
the  waist,  where,  not  unfrequently,  are  stuck 
the  cachas  which  we  have  already  described. 
Pantaloons  of  coarse  cloth  or  leather  de- 
scend to  the  knee;  the  legs  are  protected 
by  woollen  stockings,  and  sometimes  by  a 
species  of  spatterdash,  either  of  cloth  or 
leather;  stout  high-lows  complete  the  equip- 
ment. 

Such  is  the  dress  of  the  Gitanos  of  most 
parts  of  Spain.  But  it  is  necessary  to  re- 
mark that  such  also  is  the  dress  of  the  cha- 
ianes,  and  of  the  muleteers,  except  that  the 
latter  are  in  the  habit  of  wearing  broad  som- 
breros as  preservatives  from  the  sun.  This 
dress  appears  to  be  rather  Andalusian  than 
Gitano  ;  and  yet  it  certainly  beseems  the  Gi- 
tano better  than  the  chalan  or  muleteer.  He 
wears  it  with  more  easy  negligence  or  jaun- 
tiness,  by  which  he  may  be  recognised  at 
some  distance,  even  from  behind. 

It  is  still  more  difficult  to  say  what  is  the 
peculiar  dress  of  the  Gitanas;  they  wear  not 
the  large  red  cloaks  and  immense  bonnets  of 
coarse  beaver  which  distinguish  their  sisters 
of  England ;  they  have  no  other  head  gear 
than  a  handkerchief,  which  is  occasionally 
resorted  to  as  a  defence  against  the  severity 
of  the  weather;  their  hair  is  sometimes  con- 
fined by  a  comb,  but  more  frequently  is  per- 
mitted to  stray  dishevelled  down  their  shoul- 
ders; they  are  fond  of  large  ear-rings  whe- 
ther of  gold,  silver,  or  metal,  resembling  in 

*  Eodem  anno  precipue  fuit  pestis  sea  mortalitas. 
Foriivio. 


this  respect  the  poissardes  of  France.  There 
is  little  to  distinguish  them  from  the  Spanish 
women  save  the  absence  of  the  mantilla, 
which  they  never  carry.  Females  of  fashion 
not  unfrequently  take  pleasure  in  dressing  a 
la  Gitana,  as  it  is  called,  but  this  female 
Gypsy  fashion,  like  that  of  the  men,  is  more 
properly  the  fashion  of  Andalusia,  the  prin- 
cipal characteristic  of  which  is  the  saya, 
which  is  exceedingly  short  with  many  rows 
of  flounces. 

True  it  is  that  the  original  dress  of  the 
Gitanos,  male  and  female,  whatever  it  was, 
may  have  had  some  share  in  forming  the  An- 
dalusian fashion,  owing  to  the  great  number 
of  these  wanderers  who -found  their  way  to 
that  province  at  an  early  period.  The  An- 
dalusians  are  a  mixed  breed  of  various  na- 
tions, Romans,  Vandals,  Moors;  perhaps- 
there  is  a  slight  sprinkling  of  Gypsy  blood 
in  their  veins,  and  of  Gypsy  fashion  in  their 
garb. 

The  Gitanos  are,  for  the  most  part,  of  the 
middle  size,  and  the  proportions  of  their 
frames  convey  a  powerful  idea  of  strength 
and  activity  united;  a  deformed  or  weakly 
object  is  rarely  found  amongst  them  in  per- 
sons of  either  sex ;  such  probably  perish  in> 
their  infancy,  unable  to  support  the  hardships 
and  privations  to  which  the  race  is  still  sub- 
jected from  its  great  poverty,  and  these  same 
privations  have  given  and  still  give  a  coarse- 
ness and  harshness  to  their  features,  which 
are  all  strongly  marked  and  expressive. 
Their  complexion  is  by  no  means  uniform, 
save  that  it  is  invariably  darker  than  the 
general  olive  hue  of  the  Spaniards  ;  not  un- 
frequently countenances  as  dark  as  those  of 
Mulattos,  present  themselves,  and  in  some 
few  instances  of  almost  negro  blackness. 
Like  most  people  of  savage  ancestry,  their 
teeth  are  white  and  strong;  their  mouths  are 
not  badly  formed,  but  it  is  in  the  eye  more 
than  in  any  other  feature  that  they  differ  from 
other  human  beings. 

There  is  something  remarkable  in  the  eye 
of  the  Rommany ;  should  his  hair  and  com- 
plexion become  fair  as  those  of  the  Swede  or 
the  Finn,  and  his  jockey  gait  as  grave  and 
ceremonious  as  that  of  the  native  of  Old  Cas- 
tile, were  he  dressed  like  a  king,  a  priest,  or 
a  warrior,  still  would  the  Gitano  be  detected 
by  his  eye,  should  it  continue  unchanged. 
The  Jew  is  known  by  his  eye,  but  then  in  the 
Jew  that  feature  is  peculiarly  small ;  the  Chi- 
nese has  a  remarkable  eye,  but  then  the  eye 
of  the  Chinese  is  oblong,  and  even  with  the 
face,  which  is  flat ;  but  the  eye  of  the  Gitano 
is  neither  large  nor  small,  and  exhibits  no 
marked  difference  in  its  shape  from  eyes  of 
the  common  cast.  Its  peculiarity  consists 
chiefly  in  a  strange  staring  expression,  which 
to  be  understood  must  be  seen,  and  in  a  thin 
glaze,  which  steals  over  it  when  in  repose, 
and  seems  to  emit  phosphoric  light.  That 
the  Gypsy  eye  has  sometimes  a  peculiar  cf* 
feet,  we  learn  from  the  following  stanza: 

"  A  Oypsy  stripling  glossy  eye 
Has  pierced  my  bosom's  core, 


7G 


THE  ZINCALI. 


A  feat  no  eye  beneath  the  sky 
Could  e'er  effect  before." 


The  following  passages  are  extracted  from 
a  Spanish  work,*  and  cannot  be  out  of  place 
here,  as  they  relate  to  those  matters  to  which 
we  have  devoted  this  chapter. 

"  The  Gitanos  have  an  olive  complexion  : 
and  very  marked  physiognomy ;  their  cheeks 
are  prominent,  their  lips  thick,  their  eyes  j 
vivid  and  black  ;  their  hair  is  long,  black,  and 
coarse,  and  their  teeth  very  white.  The 
general  expression  of  their  physiognomy  is  a 
compound  of  pride,  slavishness,  and  cunning. 
They  are,  for  the  most  part,  of  good  stature, 
well  formed,  and  support  with  facility  fatigue 
and  every  kind  of  hardship.  When  they 
discuss  any  matter,  or  speak  among  them- 
selves, whether  in  Catalan,  in  Castilian,  or 
in  Germania,  which  is  their  own  peculiar  jar- 
gon, they  always  make  use  of  much  gesticu- 
lation, which  contributes  to  give  to  their  con- 
versation and  to  the  vivacity  of  their  phy- 
siognomy a  certain  expression,  still  more 
penetrating  and  characteristic. 

"  When  a  Gitano  has  occasion  to  speak  of 
some  business  in  which  his  interest  is  in- 
volved, he  redoubles  his  gestures  in  propor- 
tion as  he  knows  the  necessity  of  convincing 
those  who  hear  him,  and  fears  their  impassi- 
sibility.  If  any  rancorous  idea  agitate  him 
in  the  course  of  his  narrative ;  if  he  endea- 
vour to  infuse  into  his  auditors  sentiments  of 
jealousy,  vengeance,  or  any  violent  passion, 
his  features  become  exaggerated,  and  the 
vivacity  of  his  glances,  and  the  contraction 
of  his  lips,  show  clearly,  and  in  an  imposing 
manner,  the  foreign  origin  of  the  Gitanos  and 
all  the  customs  of  barbarous  people.  Even 
his  very  smile  has  an  expression  hard  and 
disagreeable.  One  might  almost  say  that 
joy  in  him  is  a  forced  sentiment,  and  that  like 
unto  the  savage  man,  sadness  is  the  dominant 
feature  of  his  physiognomy. 

"  The  Gitana  is  distinguished  by  the  same 
complexion,  and  almost  the  same  features. 
In  her  frame  she  is  as  well  formed,  and  as 
flexible  as  the  Gitano.  Condemned  to  suffer 
the  same  privations  and  wants,  her  counte- 
nance, when  her  interest  does  not  oblige  her 
to  dissemble  her  feelings,  presents  the  same 
aspect  of  melancholy,  and  shows,  besides, 
with  more  energy,  the  rancorous  passions  of 
which  the  female  heart  is  susceptible.  Free 
in  her  actions,  her  carriage,  and  her  pursuits, 


*This  work  is  styled  Historia  de  los  GitAnos,  by  J. 
M ,  published  at  Darcelona  in  the  year  1832;  it  con- 
sists of  93  very  small  and  scantily  furnished  pages.  Its 
chief,  we  might  say  its  only  merit,  is  the  style,  Which  is 
tlncnt  and  easy.  The  writer  is  a  theorist,  and  sacrifices 
truth  and  probability  to  the  shrine  of  one  idea,  and  that 
one  of  the  most  absurd  that  ever  entered  the  head  of  an 
individual.  He  endeavours  to  persuade  his  readers  that 
the  GitAnos  are  the  descendants  of  the  Moors,  and  the 
greatest  part  of  his  work  is  a  history  of  those  Africans, 
from  the  time  of  their  arrival  In  the  Peninsula  till  their 
expatriation  by  Philip  the  Third.  The  GitAnos  be  sup- 
poses to  be  various  tribes  of  wandering  Moors,  who  baf- 
lled  pursuit  amidst  the  fastnesses  of  hills;  be  denies  that 
they  are  of  the  same  rare  and  origin  as  the  Gypsies,  Bo- 
hemians,  <&c,  of  other  lands,  though  he  affords  no  proof, 
anil  is  confessedly  ignorant  of  the  GilAno  language,  the 
only  criterion. 

To  this  work  we  shall  revert  on  a  future  occasion. 


she  speaks,  vociferates,  and  makes  more  ges- 
tures than  the  Gitano,  and,  in  imitation  of 
him,  her  arms  are  in  continual  motion,  to  give 
more  expression  to  the  imagery  with  which 
she  accompanies  her  discourse ;  her  whole 
body  contributes  to  her  gesture,  and  to  in- 
crease its  force;  endeavouring  by  these  means 
to  sharpen  the  effect  of  language  in  itself  in- 
sufficient; and  her  vivid  and  disordered  ima- 
gination is  displayed  in  her  appearance  and 
attitude. 

"  When  she  turns  her  hand  to  any  species 
of  labour,  her  hurried  action,  the  disorder  of 
her  hair,  which  is  scarcely  subjected  by  a  lit- 
tle comb,  and  her  propensity  to  irritation, 
show  how  little  she  loves  toil,  and  her  dis- 
gust for  any  continued  occupation. 

"In  her  disputes,  the  air  of  menace  and 
high  passion,  the  flow  of  words,  and  the  fa- 
cility with  which  she  provokes  and  despises 
danger,  indicate  manners  half  barbarous,  and 
ignorance  of  other  means  of  defence.  Fi- 
nally, both  in  males  and  females,  their  phy- 
sical constitution,  colour,  agility,  and  flexi- 
bility, reveal  to  us  a  caste  sprung  from  a 
burning  clime,  and  devoted  to  all  those  ex- 
ercises which  contribute  to  evolve  bodily 
vigour,  and  certain  mental  faculties. 

"The  dress  of  the  Gitano  varies  with  the 
country  he  inhabits.  Both  in  Rousillon  and 
Catalonia,  his  habiliments  generally  consist 
of  jacket,  waistcoat,  pantaloons,  and  a  red 
faja  which  covers  part  of  his  waistcoat;  on 
his  feet  he  wears  hempen  sandals,  with  much 
ribbon  tied  round  the  leg  as  high  as  the  calf; 
he  has,  moreover,  either  woollen  or  cotton 
stockings;  round  his  neck  he  wears  a  hand- 
kerchief, carelessly  tied ;  and  in  the  winter 
he  uses  a  blanket  or  mantle  with  sleeves, 
cast  over  the  shoulder ;  his  head  is  covered 
with  the  indispensable  red  cap,  which  ap- 
pears to  be  the  favourite  ornament  of  many 
nations  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Mediterranean 
and  Caspian  Sea. 

"The  neck  and  the  elbows  of  the  jacket 
are  adorned  with  pieces  of  blue  and  yellow 
cloth  embroidered  with  silk,  as  well  as  the 
seams  of  the  pantaloons ;  he  wears,  moreo- 
ver, on  the  jacket  or  the  waistcoat,  various 
rows  of  silver  buttons,  small  and  round,  sus- 
tained by  rings  or  chains  of  the  same  metal. 
The  old  people,  and  those  who  by  fortune,  or 
some  other  cause,  exercise,  in  appearance, 
a  kind  of  authority  over  the  rest,  are  almost 
always  dressed  in  black  or  dark  blue  velvet. 
Some  of  those  who  affect  elegance  amongst 
them,  keep  for  holidays  a  complete  dress  of 
sky-blue  velvet,  with  embroidery  at  the  neck, 
pocket-holes,  armpits,  and  in  all  the  seams ; 
in  a  word,  with  the  exception  of  the  turban, 
this  was  the  fashion  of  dress  of  the  ancient 
Moors  of  Granada,  the  only  difference  being 
occasioned  by  time  and  misery." 

"The  drc^s  of  the  Gitanas  is  very  varied: 
'  the  young  girls,  or  those  who  are  in  tolerably 
;  easy  circumstances,  generally  wear  a  black 
bodice  laced  up  with  a  string,  and  adjusted 
to  their  figure,  and  contrasting  with  the  scar- 
let-coloured saya,  which  only  covers  a  part 


GYPSY  PRACTICES. — THE  BAHI. 


77 


of  the  leg ;  their  shoes  are  cut  very  low,  and 
are  adorned  with  little  buckles  of  silver;  the 
breast,  and  the  upper  part  of  the  bodice,  are 
covered  either  with  a  white  handkerchief,  or 
one  of  some  vivid  colour;  and  on  the  head  is 
worn  another  handkerchief,  tied  beneath  the 
chin,  one  of  the  ends  of  which  falls  on  the 
shoulder,  in  the  manner  of  a  hood.  When 
the  cold  or  the  heat  permit,  the  Gitana  re- 
moves the  hood,  without  untying  the  knots, 
and  exhibits  her  long  and  shining  tresses  re- 
strained by  a  comb.  The  old  women,  and 
the  very  poor,  dress  in  the  same  manner, 
save  that  their  habiliments  are  more  coarse, 
the  colours  less  in  harmony,  and  more  disor- 
der in  their  array.  Amongst  them  misery 
appears  beneath  the  most  revolting  aspect : 
whilst  the  poorest  Gitano  preserves  a  certain 
deportment  which  would  make  his  aspect 
supportable,  if  his  unquiet  and  ferocious 
glance  did  not  inspire  us  with  aversion." 


CHAPTER  VI. 


CERTAIN    TRICKS    AND    PRACTICES    OF    THE 

GYPSY  FEMALES. — THE    BAHI. HOKKANO 

BARO. — USTILAR    PASTESAS. SHOP-LIFT- 

I  ING.  —  DRAO.  —  THE  LOADSTONE.  —  THE 
ROOT  OF  THE  GOOD  BARON. 

Whilst  their  husbands  are  engaged  in 
their  jockey  vocation,  or  in  wielding  the  ca- 
chas,  the  Callees,  or  Gypsy  females,  are  sel- 
dom idle,  but  are  endeavouring,  by  various 
means,  to  win  all  the  money  they  can.  The 
richest  amongst  them  are  generally  contra- 
bandistas,  and  in  the  large  towns  go  from 
house  to  house  with  prohibited  goods,  espe- 
cially silk  and  cotton,  and  occasionally  with 
tobacco.  They  likewise  purchase  cast  off  fe- 
male wearing  apparel,  which,  when  vamped 
up  and  embellished,  they  sometimes  contrive 
to  sell  as  new,  with  no  inconsiderable  profit. 

Gitanas  of  this  description  are  of  the  most 
respectable  class ;  the  rest,  provided  they  do 
not  sell  roasted  chestnuts,  or  esteras,  which 
are  a  species  of  mat,  seek  a  livelihood  by  dif- 
ferent tricks  and  practices,  more  or  less  fraud- 
ulent, for  example : — 

La  Bahi,  or  fortune-telling,  which  is  called 
in  Spanish  buena  ventura. — This  way  of  ex- 
tracting money  from  the  credulity  of  dupes, 
is,  of  all  those  practised  by  the  Gypsies,  the 
readiest  and  most  easy;  promises  are  the 
only  capital  requisite,  and  the  whole  art  of 
fortune-telling  consists  in  properly  adapting 
these  promises  to  the  age  and  condition  of 
the  parties  who  seek  for  information.  The 
Gitanas  are  clever  enough  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this,  and  in  most  cases  afford  per- 
fect satisfaction.  Their  practice  chiefly  lies 
amongst  females,  the  portion  of  the  human 
race  most  given  to  curiosity  and  credulity. 
To  the  young  maidens  they  promise  lovers, 
11 


handsome  invariably,  and  sometimes  rich ;  to 
wives  children,  and  perhaps  another  husband; 
for  their  eyes  are  so  penetrating,  that  occa- 
sionally they  will  develop  your  most  secret 
thoughts  and  wishes;  to  the  old,  riches — and 
nothing  but  riches;  for  they  have  sufficient 
knowledge  of  the  human  heart  to  be  aware 
that  avarice  is  the  last  passion  that  becomes 
extinct  within  it.  These  riches  are  to  pro- 
ceed either  from  the  discovery  of  hidden  trea- 
sures, or  from  across  the  water;  from  the 
Americas,  to  which  the  Spaniards  still  look 
with  hope,  as  there  is  no  individual  in  Spain, 
however  poor,  but  has  some  connexion  in 
those  realms  of  silver  and  gold,  at  whose 
death  he  considers  it  probable  that  he  may 
succeed  to  a  brilliant  "herencia."  The  Gi- 
tanas, in  the  exercise  of  this  practice,  find 
dupes  almost  as  readily  amongst  the  superior 
classes,  as  the  veriest  dregs  of  the  popula- 
tion. It  is  their  boast,  that  the  best  houses 
are  open  to  them  ;  and  perhaps  in  the  space 
of  one  hour,  they  will  spae  the  bahi  to  a 
duchess,  or  countess,  in  one  of  the  hundred 
palaces  of  Madrid ;  and  to  half  a  dozen  of  the 
lavanderas  engaged  in  purifying  the  linen  of 
the  capital,  beneath  the  willows  which  droop 
on  the  banks  of  the  murmuring  Manzanares. 
One  great  advantage  which  the  Gypsies  pos- 
sess over  all  other  people,  is  an  utter  absence 
of  mauvaise  honte;  their  speech  is  as  fluent, 
and  their  eyes  as  unabashed,  in  the  presence 
of  royalty,  as  before  those  from  whom  they 
have  nothing  to  hope  or  fear;  the  result  be- 
ing, that  most  minds  quail  before  them,  and 
they  play  with  what  would  be  fatal  to  others. 
There  were  two  Gitanas  at  Madrid,  and  pro- 
bably they  are  there  still.  The  name  of  one 
was  Pepita,  and  the  other  was  called  La  Chi- 
charona ;  the  first  was  a  spare,  shrewd,  witch- 
like female,  about  fifty,  and  was  the  mother- 
in-law  of  La  Chicharona,  who  was  remarkable 
for  her  stoutness.  These  women  subsisted 
entirely  by  fortune-telling  and  swindling.  It 
chanced  that  the  son  of  Pepita,  and  husband 
of  Chicharona,  having  spirited  away  a  horse, 
was  sent  to  the  presidio  of  Malaga  for  ten 
years  of  hard  labour.  This  misfortune  caused 
inexpressible  affliction  to  his  wife  and  mo- 
ther, who  determined  to  exert  every  effort  to 
procure  his  liberation.  The  readiest  way 
which  occurred  to  them,  was  to  procure  an 
interview  with  the  Queen  Regent  Christina, 
whom  they  doubted  not  would  forthwith  par- 
don the  culprit,  provided  they  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  assailing  her  with  their  Gypsy  dis- 
course :  for,  to  use  their  own  words,  "  they 
well  knew  what  to  say."  I  at  that  time  lived 
close  by  the  palace,  in  the  street  of  Santiago, 
and  daily,  for  the  space  of  a  month,  saw  them 
bending  their  steps  in  that  direction. 

One  day,  they  came  to  me  in  a  great  hurry, 
with  a  strange  expression  on  both  their  coun- 
tenances. "  We  have  seen  Christina,  hijo," 
(my  son,)  said  Pepita  to  me. 

"Within  the  palace?"  I  inquired. 

"  Within  the  palace,  O  child  of  my  gar- 
lochin,"  answered  the  sibyl:  "Christina  at 
last  saw  and  sent  for  us,  as  I  knew  she  would ; 
II 


78 


THE  ZINC  ALL 


I  told  her  'Bahi,'  and  Chicharona danced  the 
Romalis  (Gypsy  dance)  before  her." 

"What  did  you  tell  her?" 

11 1  told  her  many  things,"  said  the  hag, 
"  many  things  which  I  need  not  tell  you : 
know,  however,  that  amongst  other  things,  I 
told  her  that  the  chabori  (little  queen)  would 
die,  and  then  she  would  be  Queen  of  Spain. 
I  told  her,  moreover,  that  within  three  years 
she  would  marry  the  son  of  the  King  of 
France,  and  it  was  her  bahi  to  die  Queen  of 
France  and  Spain,  and  to  be  loved  much,  and 
hated  much." 

"  And  did  you  not  dread  her  anger,  when 
you  told  her  these  things]" 

"Dread  her,  the  Busnee! "  screamed  Pe- 
pita:  "No,  my  child,  she  dreaded  me  far 
more:  I  looked  at  her  so — and  raised  my  finger 
so — and  Chicharona  clapped  her  hands,  and 
the  Busnee  believed  all  I  said,  and  was  afraid 
of  me:  and  then  I  asked  for  the  pardon  of  my 
son,  and  she  pledged  her  word  to  see  into 
the  matter,  and  when  we  came  away,  she 
gave  me  this  baria  of  gold,  and  to  Chicharona 
this  other,  so  at  all  events  we  have  hokkanoed 
the  queen.  May  an  evil  end  overtake  her 
body,  the  Busnee?-" 

Though  some  of  the  Gitanos  contrive  to 
subsist  by  fortune-telling  alone,  the  generality 
of  them  merely  make  use  of  it  as  an  instru- 
ment towards  the  accomplishment  of  greater 
things,  the  immediate  gains  are  scanty; 
a  few  cuartos  being  the  utmost  which  they 
receive  from  the  majority  of  their  customers. 
But  the  bahi  is  an  excellent  passport  into 
houses,  and  when  they  spy  a  convenient  op- 
portunity they  seldom  fail  to  avail  themselves 
of  it.  It  is  necessary  to  watch  them  strictly, 
as  articles  frequently  disappear  in  a  myste- 
rious manner,  whilst  Gitanos  are  telling  for- 
tunes. The  bahi,  moreover,  is  occasionally 
the  prelude  to  a  device  which  we  shall  now 
attempt  to  describe,  and  which  is  called 
Hokkano  Baro,  or  the  great  trick,  of  which 
we  have  already  said  something  in  the  former 
part  of  this  work.  When  the  Gitana  has 
met  some  credulous  female,  whom  she  sus- 
pects to  be  wealthy,  she  will  address  her  in 
much  the  way  as  she  of  yore  is  represented 
to  have  addressed  the  widow,  in  the  History 
of  Alonso;  telling  her  that  she  will  disclose 
to  her  a  way  by  means  of  which  both  may 
make  their  fortunes.  It  is  neither  more  nor 
less  than,  at  a  certain  hour  and  place,  to  de- 
posit a  sum  of  money,  the  more  the  better; 
as  the  Gitana  says,  that  if  not  looked  at  until 
a  certain  time,  it  will  increase  a  thousand 
fold.  Some  of  our  readers  will  have  difficulty 
in  believing  that  any  people  can  be  found 
sufficiently  credulous  to  allow  themselves  to 
be  duped  by  a  trick  of  this  description,  the 
grossness  of  the  intended  fraud  seeming  too 
palpable.  Experience,  however,  proves  the 
contrary.  The  deception  is  frequently  prac- 
tised at  the  present  day,  and  not  only  in  Spain 
but  in  England — enlightened  England — and 
in  France  likewise;  an  instance  being  given 
in  the  memoirs  of  Vidocq,  the  late  celebrated 
head  of  the  secret  police  of  Paris,  though,  in 


that  instance,  the  perpetrator  of  the  fraud  was 
not  a  Gypsy.  The  most  subtle  method  of 
accomplishing  the  hokkano  baro  is  the  fol- 
lowing:— 

When  the  dupe  has  been  induced  to  con- 
sent to  make  the  experiment,  the  Gitana  de- 
mands of  her  whether  she  has  in  the  house 
some  strong  chest,  with  a  safe  lock  and  key. 
On  receiving  an  affirmative  answer,  she  will 
request  to  see  all  the  gold  and  silver,  of  any 
description,  which  she  may  chance  to  have  in 
her  possession.  The  money  is  shown  her; 
and  when  the  Gitana  has  carefully  inspected 
and  counted  it,  she  produces  a  white  hand- 
kerchief, saying:  "Lady,  I  give  you  this 
handkerchief  which  is  blessed.  It  is  now  ne- 
cessary that  you  place  in  it  your  gold  and 
silver,  tying  it  with  three  knots.  I  will  then 
depart  for  three  days,  when  I  will  return.  In 
the  mean  time  you  must  keep  the  bundle, 
which  contains  your  treasure,  beneath  your 
pillow,  permitting  no  one  to  go  near  it,  and 
observing  the  greatest  secrecy,  otherwise  the 
money  will  take  wings  and  fly  away.  Every 
morning  during  the  three  days  it  will  be  well 
to  open  the  bundle,  for  your  own  satisfac- 
tion, to  see  that  no  misfortune  has  befallen 
your  treasure;  be  always  careful,  however, 
to  fasten  it  again  with  three  knots.  On  my 
return,  we  will  place  the  bundle,  after  having 
inspected  it,  in  the  chest,  which  you  shall 
yourself  lock,  retaining  the  key  in  your  pos- 
session. But,  thenceforward,  for  three  weeks, 
you  must  by  no  means  unlock  the  chest,  nor 
touch  the  treasure,  but  pray  night  and  morning 
to  San  Antonio  that  it  be  multiplied,  other- 
wise it  will  fly  away." 

The  Gitana  departs,  and,  during  the  three 
days,  prepares  a  bundle  as  similar  as  possible 
to  the  one  which  contains  the  money  of  her 
dupe,  save  that  instead  of  gold  ounces,  dol- 
lars, and  plate,  its  contents  consist  of  copper 
money  and  pewter  articles  of  little  or  no 
value.  With  this  bundle  concealed  beneath 
her  cloak,  she  returns  at  the  end  of  three 
days  to  her  intended  victim.  The  bundle  of 
real  treasure  is  produced  and  inspected,  and 
again  tied  up  by  the  Gitana,  who  then  re- 
quests the  other  to  open  the  chest,  which 
done,  she  formally  places  a  bundle  in  it;  but, 
in  the  meanwhile,  she  has  contrived  to  sub- 
stitute the  fictitious  for  the  real  one.  The 
chest  is  then  locked,  the  lady  retaining  the 
key.  The  Gitana  promises  to  return  at  the 
end  of  three  weeks,  to  open  the  chest,  as- 
suring the  lady  that  if  it  be  not  unlocked  till 
that  period,  it  will  be  found  filled  with  gold 
and  silver;  but  threatening  that,  in  the  event 
of  her  injunctions  being  disregarded,  the 
money  deposited  will  vanish.  She  then  walks 
off"  with  great  deliberation,  bearing  away  the 
spoil.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  she  never  re- 
turns. 

There  are  other  ways  of  accomplishing  the 
hokkano  baro.  The  most  simple,  and  indeed 
the  most  generally  used  by  the  Gitanas,  is  to 
persuade  some  simple  individual  to  hide  a  sum 
of  money  in  the  earth,  which  they  afterwards 
carry  away.     A  case  of  this  description  oc- 


GYPSY  PRACTICES. — USTILAR  PASTESAS. 


79 


curred  within  my  own  knowledge,  at  Madrid, 
towards  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1837. 
There  was  a  notorious  Gitana,  of  the  name 
of  Aurora ;  she  was  about  forty  years  of  age, 
a  Valencian  by  birth,  and  immensely  fat. 
This  amiable  personage,  by  some  means, 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  a  wealthy  widow 
lady ;  and  was  not  slow  in  attempting  to  prac- 
tise the  hokkano  baro  upon  her.  She  suc- 
ceeded but  too  well.  The  widow,  at  the  in- 
stigation of  Aurora,  buried  one  hundred  ounces 
of  gold,  beneath  a  ruined  arch  in  the  field,  at 
a  short  distance  from  the  wall  of  Madrid. 
The  inhumation  was  effected  at  night  by  the 
widow  alone.  Aurora  was  however  on  the 
watch,  and,  in  less  than  ten  minutes  after  the 
widow  had  departed,  possessed  herself  of  the 
treasure ;  perhaps  the  largest  one  ever  ac- 
quired by  this  kind  of  deceit.  The  next  day 
the  widow  had  certain  misgivings,  and,  re- 
turning to  the  spot,  found  her  money  gone. 
About  six  months  after  this  event,  I  was  im- 
prisoned in  the  Carcel  de  la  Corte,  at  Madrid, 
and  there  I  found  Aurora,  who  was  in  durance 
for  defrauding  the  widow.  She  said  that  it 
had  been  her  intention  to  depart  for  Valencia 
with  the  "barias,"  as  she  styled  her  plunder, 
but  the  widow  had  discovered  the  trick  too 
soon,  and  she  had  been  arrested.  She  added, 
however,  that  she  had  contrived  to  conceal 
the  greatest  part  of  the  property,  and  that  she 
expected  her  liberation  in  a  few  days,  having 
been  prodigal  of  bribes  to  the  "  justicia."  In 
effect,  her  liberation  took  place  sooner  than 
my  own.  Nevertheless,  she  had  little  cause 
to  triumph,  as  before  she  left  the  prison  she 
had  been  fleeced  of  the  last  cuarto  of  her  ill- 
gotten  gain,  by  alguazils  and  escribanos,  who, 
she  admitted,  understood  hokkano  baro  much 
better  than  herself. 

When  I  next  saw  Aurora,  she  informed 
me  that  she  was  once  more  on.  excellent 
terms  with  the  widow,  whom  she  had  per- 
suaded that  the  loss  of  the  money  was  caused 
by  her  own  imprudence,  in  looking  for  it  be- 
fore the  appointed  time;  the  spirit  of  the 
earth  having  removed  it  in  anger.  She  added 
that  her  dupe  was  quite  disposed  to  make 
another  venture,  by  which  she  hoped  to  re- 
trieve her'ormer  loss. 

Ustilar  pastesas. — Under  this  head  may  be 
placed  various  kinds  of  theft  committed  by 
the  Gitanas.  The  meaning  of  the  words  is 
stealing  with  the  hands ;  but  they  are  more 
generally  applied  to  the  filching  of  money  by 
dexterity  of  hand,  when  giving  or  receiving 
change.  For  example :  a  Gitana  will  enter 
a  shop,  and  purchase  some  insignificant  ar- 
ticle, tendering  in  payment  a  baria  or  golden 
ounce.  The  change  being  put  down  before 
her  on  the  counter,  she  counts  the  money, 
and  complains  that  she  has  received  a  dollar 
and  several  pesetas  less  than  her  due.  It 
seems  impossible  that  there  can  be  any  fraud 
on  her  part,  as  she  has  not  even  taken  the 
money  in  her  hand,  but  merely  placed  her 
fingers  upon  it;  pushing  it  on  one  side.  She 
now  asks  the  merchant  what  he  means  by  at- 
tempting to  deceive  the  poor  woman.    The 


merchant,  supposing  that  he  has  made  a  mis- 
take, takes  up  the  money,  counts  it,  and 
finds  in  effect  that  the  just  sum  is  not  there. 
He  again  hands  out  the  change,  but  there  is 
now  a  greater  deficit  than  before,  and  the 
merchant  is  convinced  that  he  is  dealing  with 
a  witch.  The  Gitana  now  pushes  the  money 
to  him,  uplifts  her  voice,  and  talks  of  the  jus- 
ticia. Should  the  merchant  become  fright- 
ened, and,  emptying  a  bag  of  dollars,  tell  her 
to  pay  herself,  as  has  sometimes  been  the 
case,  her  utmost  hopes  will  be  gratified,  as 
she  will  contrive,  by  means  which  baffle  the 
possibility  of  detection,  to  convey  at  least 
five  or  six  dollars  into  her  sleeves,  when  she 
will  depart  with  much  vociferation,  declaring 
that  she  will  never  again  enter  the  shop  of 
so  cheating  a  picaro. 

Of  all  the  Gitanas  at  Madrid,  Aurora  the 
fat  was,  by  their  own  confession,  the  most 
dexterous  at  this  species  of  robbery;  she 
having  been  known,  in  many  instances,  whilst 
receiving  change  for  an  ounce  to  steal  the 
whole  value,  which  amounts  to  sixteen  dol- 
lars. It  was  not  without  reason  that,  mer- 
chants in  ancient  times  were,  according  to 
Martin  del  Rio,  advised  to  sell  nothing  out  of 
their  shops  to  Gitanas,  as  they  possessed  an 
infallible  secret  for  attracting  to  their  own 
purses  from  the  coffers  of  the  former  the 
money  with  which  they  paid  for  the  articles 
they  purchased.  This  secret  consisted  in 
stealing  a  pastesas,  which  they  still  practise, 
Many  accounts  of  witchcraft  and  sorcery, 
which  are  styled  old  women's  tales,  are  per- 
haps equally  well  founded.  Real  actions  have 
been  attributed  to  wrong  causes — thus  the 
seeming  absurdity. 

Shop-lifting,  and  other  kinds  of  private  lar. 
ceny,  are  connected  with  stealing  a  pastesas, 
for  in  all  dexterity  of  hand  is  required.  Many 
of  the  Gitanas  of  Madrid  are  provided  with 
large  pockets,  or  rather  sacks,  beneath  their 
gowns,  in  which  they  stow  away  their  plun- 
der. Some  of  these  pockets  are  capacious 
enough  to  hold,  at  one  time,  a  dozen  yards 
of  cloth,  a  Dutch  cheese,  and  a  bottle  of  wine. 
Nothing  that  she  can  eat,  drink,  or  sell, 
comes  amiss  to  a  veritable  Gitana ;  and  some- 
times the  contents  of  her  pocket  would  afford 
materials  for  an  inventory  far  more  lengthy 
and  curious  than  the  one  enumerating  the 
effects  found  on  the  person  of  the  man  moun- 
tain at  Lilliput. 

Drao  or  Drow. — By  this  word  is  meant 
the  venomous  preparation  which  the  Gitanos 
were  in  the  habit  of  flinging  into  the  mangers 
of  the  cattle,  for  the  purpose  of  causing  sick- 
ness and  death.  I  say,  were,  as  there  is  rea- 
son for  believing  that  the  practice  has  ceased, 
at  least  to  a  very  considerable  extent.  Few 
know  how  to  prepare  it,  though  all  speak  of 
the  practice  as  common  amongst  their  fore- 
fathers ;  it  is  said,  that  it  was  the  province  of 
the  women  to  compound  the  ingredients  of 
the  drao,  which  answered  many  purposes,  all 
unlawful ;  the  stalls  and  stables  were  visited 
secretly,  and  the  provender  of  the  animals 
poisoned,  who  at  once  fell  sick;  speedily  ap. 


80 


THE  ZINC ALL 


peared  the  Gitanos,  offering  their  services  to 
the  labourers,  on  the  condition  of  no  cure  no 
pay,  and,  when  these  were  accepted,  the 
malady  was  speedily  removed. 

The  manner  in  which  they  pretended  to 
effect  the  cure  was  curious;  they  used  no 
medicines,  only  charms,  which  consisted  of 
small  variegated  beans,  called  in  their  lan- 
guage "  bobis,"*  dropped  in  the  mangers, 
though  they  doubtless  administered  privately 
a  real  and  efficacious  remedy.  By  this  means 
they  fostered  the  idea,  already  prevalent,  that 
they  were  people  possessed  of  supernatural 
gifts  and  powers,  who  could  remove  diseases 
without,  having  recourse  to  medicine.  By 
means  of  drao,  they  likewise  procured  them- 
selves food;  poisoning  swine,  as  their  bre- 
thren in  England  still  do,  and  then  feasting 
on  the  flesh,  which  was  abandoned  as  worth- 
less: witness  one  of  their  own  songs: 

"  By  Gypsy  drovv  the  porker  died, 
I  saw  him  stiff  at  evening  tide, 
But  I  saw  him  not  when  morning  shone. 
For  the  Gypsies  ate  him  flesh  and  bone." 

By  drao  also  they  could  avenge  themselves 
on  their  enemies  by  destroying  their  cattle, 
without  incurring  a  shadow  of  suspicion. 
Revenge  for  injuries,  real  or  imaginary,  is 
sweet  to  all  unconverted  minds ;  to  no  one 
more  than  the  Gypsy,  who,  in  all  parts  of  the 
world,  is,  perhaps,  the  most  revengeful  of  hu- 
man beings. 

Vidocq  in  his  memoirs  states,  that  having 
formed  a  connexion  with  an  individual  whom 
he  subsequently  discovered  to  be  the  captain 
of  a  band  of  Walachian  Gypsies,  the  latter, 
whose  name  was  Caroun,  wished  Vidocq  to 
assist  in  scattering  certain  powders  in  the 
mangers  of  the  peasants'  cattle;  Vidocq,  from 
prudential  motives,  refused  the  employment. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  these  powders 
were,  in  substance,  the  drao  of  the  Spanish 
Gitanos. 

La  Bar  Lachi,  or  the  Loadstone. — If  the 
Gitanos  in  general  be  addicted  to  any  one 
superstition,  it  is  certainly  with  respect  to 
this  stone,  to  which  they  attribute  all  kinds 
of  miraculous  powers.  There  can  be  no 
doubt,  that  the  singular  property  which  it 
possesses  of  attracting  steel,  by  rilling  their 
untutored  minds  with  amazement,  first  gave 
rise  to  this  veneration,  which  is  carried  be- 
yond all  reasonable  bounds. 

They  believe  that  he  who  is  in  possession 
of  it  has  nothing  to  fear  from  steel  or  lead, 
from  fire  or  water,  and  that  death  itself  has 
no  power  over  him.  The  Gypsy  contraban- 
distas  are  particularly  anxious  to  procure 
this  stone,  which  they  carry  upon  their  per- 
sons in  their  expeditions;  they  say,  that  in 
the  event  of  being  pursued  by  the  jaracanallis, 
or  revenue  officers,  whirlwinds  of  dust  will 
arise  and  conceal  them  from  the  view  of  their 
enemies;  the  horse-stealers  say  much  the 
same  thing,  and  assert  that  they  arc  uniform- 
ly successful,  when  they  bear  about  them  the 

*  A  Russian  word  signifying  beans. 


precious  stone.  But  it  can  effect  much  more. 
Extraordinary  things  are  said  of  its  power  in 
exciting  the  amorous  passions,  and,  on  this 
account,  it  is  in  great  request  among  the 
Gypsy  hags;  all  these  women  are  procuresses, 
and  find  persons  of  both  sexes  weak  and 
wicked  enough  to  make  use  of  their  pretend- 
ed knowledge  in  the  composition  of  love 
draughts  and  decoctions.  In  the  case  of  the 
loadstone,  however,  there  is  no  pretence, 
the  Gitanas  believing  all  they  say  respecting 
it,  and  still  more ;  this  is  proved  by  the  eager- 
ness with  which  they  seek  to  obtain  the  stone 
in  its  natural  state,  which  is  somewhat  diffi- 
cult to  accomplish. 

In  the  museum  of  natural  curiosities  at 
Madrid,  there  is  a  large  piece  of  loadstone 
originally  extracted  from  the  American  mines. 
There  is  scarcely  a  Gitana  in  Madrid  who  is 
not  acquainted  with  this  circumstance,  and 
who  does  not  long  to  obtain  the  stone,  or  a 
part  of  it;  its  being  placed  in  a  royal  muse- 
um, serving  to  augment,  in  their  opinion,  its 
real  value.  Several  attempts  have  been  made 
to  steal  it,  all  of  which,  however,  have  been 
unsuccessful.  The  Gypsies  seem  not  to  be 
the  only  people  who  envy  royalty  the  posses- 
sion of  this  stone.  Pepita,  the  old  Gitana, 
of  whose  talent  at  telling  fortunes  such  ho- 
nourable mention  has  already  been  made,  in- 
formed me  that  a  priest,  who  was  muy  ena- 
morado  (in  love)  proposed  to  her  to  steal  the 
loadstone,  offering  her  all  his  sacerdotal  gar- 
ments in  the  event  of  success;  whether  the 
singular  reward  that  was  promised  had  but 
slight  temptations  for  her,  or  whether  she 
feared  that  her  dexterity  was  not  equal  to  the 
accomplishment  of  the  task,  we  know  not, 
but  she  appears  to  have  declined  attempting 
it.  According  to  the  Gypsy  account,  the 
person  in  love,  if  he  wish  to  excite  a  corre- 
sponding passion  in  another  quarter  by  means 
of  the  loadstone,  must  swallow,  in  aguardi- 
ente, a  small  portion  of  the  stone  pulverized, 
at  the  time  of  going  to  rest,  repeating  to  him- 
self the  following  magic  rhyme: 

"  To  the  Mountain  of  Olives  one  morning  I  hied 
Three  little  black  goats  before  me  I  spied. 
Those  three  little  goats  on  three  cars  i  laid, 
Black  cheeses  three  from  their  milk  I  made; 
The  one  I  bestow  on  the  loaditone  of  power, 
That  save  me  it  may  from  all  ills  that  lowerj 
The  second  to  Mary  Padilla  I  give, 
And  to  all  the  witch  lia^s  about  her  that  live; 
The  third  I  reserve  for  Asmedeus  lame, 
That  fetch  me  he  may  whatever  I  name." 

La  raiz  del  buen  Baron,  or  the  root  of  the 
good  Baron. — On  this  subject  we  cannot  be 
very  explicit.  It  is  customary  with  the  Gi- 
tanas to  sell,  under  this  title,  various  roots 
and  herbs,  to  unfortunate  females  who  are 
desirous  of  producing  a  certain  result;  these 
roots  are  boiled  in  white  wine,  and  the  abo- 
minable decoction  is  taken  fasting.  I  was 
once  shown  the  root  of  the  good  baron, 
which,  in  this  instance,  appeared  to  be  pars- 
ley root.  By  the  good  baron  is  meant  his 
Satanic  majesty,  on  whom  the  root  is  very 
appropriately  fathered. 


DON  ALVARO. 


81 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  LACHA OF THE  GITANAS. — THE  DICLE. 

GYPSY  BETROTHMENTS. — DON  ALVARO. — 
THE  SCRUTINY. — THE  MARRIAGE  FESTI- 
VAL.— EASTERN  JEWS — THEIR  WEDDINGS. 
THE  GITANA  OF  CORDOVA. — THE  ITA- 
LIAN AND  THE  GYPSY. 

It  is  impossible  to  dismiss  the  subject  of 
the  Spanish  Gypsies,  without  offering  some 
remarks  on  their  marriage  festivals.  There 
is  nothing  which  they  retain  connected  with 
their  primitive  rites  and  principles,  more  cha- 
racteristic perhaps  of  the  sect  of  the  Rom- 
many,  of  the  sect  of  the  husbands  and  wives, 
than  all  which  relates  to  the  marriage  cere- 
mony, which  gives  the  female  a  protector, 
and  the  man  a  helpmate,  a  sharer  of  his  joys 
and  sorrows.  The  Gypsies  are  almost  en- 
tirely ignorant  of  the  grand  points  of  morali- 
ty; they  have  never  had  sufficient  sense  to 
perceive  that  to  lie,  to  steal,  and  to  shed  hu- 
man blood  violently,  are  crimes  which  are 
sure,  eventually,  to  yield  bitter  fruits  to  those 
who  perpetrate  them ;  but  on  one  point,  and 
that  one  of  no  little  importance  as  far  as  tem- 
poral happiness  is  concerned,  they  are  in 
general  wiser  than  those  who  have  had  far 
better  opportunities  than  such  unfortunate 
outcasts,  of  regulating  their  steps,  and  dis- 
tinguishing good  from  evil.  They  know  that 
chastity  is  a  jewel  of  high  price,  and  that 
conjugal  fidelity  is  capable  of  occasionally 
flinging  a  sunshine  even  over  the  dreary 
hours  of  a  life  passed  in  the  contempt  of  al- 
most all  laws,  whether  human  or  divine. 

There  is  a  word  in  the  Gypsy  language  to 
which  those  who  speak  it  attach  ideas  of  pe- 
culiar reverence,  far  superior  to  that  con- 
nected with  the  name  of  the  Supreme  Being, 
the  creator  of  themselves  and  the  universe. 
This  word  is  Ldcha,  which  with  them  is  the 
corporeal  chastity  of  the  females ;  we  say 
corporeal  chastity,  for  no  other  do  they  hold 
in  the  slightest  esteem ;  it  is  lawful  amongst 
them,  nay  praiseworthy,  to  be  obscene  in 
look,  gesture,  and  discourse,  to  be  accessa- 
ries to  vice,  and  to  stand  by  and  laugh  at  the 
worst  abominations  of  the  Busne,  provided 
their  Ldcha  ye  trnpos,  or  corporeal  chastity, 
remains  unblemished.  The  Gypsy  child,  from 
her  earliest  years,  is  told  by  her  strange  mo- 
ther, that  a  good  Calli  need  only  dread  one 
thing  in  this  world,  and  that  is  the  loss  of 
Lacha,  in  comparison  with  which  that  of  life 
is  of  little  consequence,  as  in  such  an  event 
she  will  be  provided  for,  but  what  provision 
is  there  for  a  Gypsy  who  has  lost  her  Lacha'? 
"Bear  this  in  mind,  my  child,"  she  will  say, 
"and  now  eat  this  bread,  and  go  forth  and 
see  what  you  can  steal."  She  is,  however, 
by  no  means  content  with  advice  and  exhor- 
tation. She  has  recourse  to  other  means  for 
securing  her  daughter's  Lacha.  There  is 
another  word  in  the  Gypsy  language,  Diclc, 
and  this  word  is  closely  connected  with  La- 
cha, indeed  is  inseparable  from  it  in  unmar- 
ried females ;  for  to  lose  their  Dicle  is  tanta- 


mount to  losing  Lacha.  Reasons  which  may 
easily  be  judged,  render  it  impossible  for  us 
to  be  very  explicit  on  this  point;  it  will  be 
permitted  to  us,  however,  to  state,  that  no 
females  in  the  world  wear  their  interior  dra- 
pery in  the  same  manner  as  the  Gitanas :  and 
this  drapery  or  Diclc  of  the  female  children 
is  invariably  fastened  by  their  mothers  after 
a  peculiar  and  singular  fashion,  and  is  never 
removed,  but  continually  inspected  by  the 
latter  until  the  day  previous  to  her  marriage. 
The  Dicle,  therefore,  is  the  seal  of  the  Lacha. 
A  Gypsy  girl  is  generally  betrothed  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  to  the  youth  whom  her  pa- 
rents deem  a  suitable  match,  and  who  is  ge- 
nerally a  few  years  older  than  herself.  Mar- 
riage is  invariably  preceded  by  betrothment; 
and  the  couple  must  then  wait  two  years  be- 
fore their  union  can  take  place,  according  to 
the  law  of  the  Cales.  During  this  period 
it  is  expected  that  they  treat  each  other  as 
common  acquaintance ;  they  are  permitted  to 
converse,  and  even  occasionally  to  exchange 
slight  presents.  One  thing,  however,  is 
strictly  forbidden,  and  if  in  this  instance  they 
prove  contumacious,  the  betrothment  is  in- 
stantly broken  and  the  pair  are  never  united, 
and  thenceforward  bear  an  evil  reputation 
amongst  their  sect.  This  one  thing,  is  going 
into  the  campo  in  each  other's  company,  or 
having  any  rendezvous  beyond  the  gate  of 
the  city,  town,  or  village,  in  which  they  dwell. 
Upon  this  point  we  can  perhaps  do  no  better 
than  quote  one  of  their  own  stanzas : — 

"  Thy  sire  and  mother  wrath  and  hate 
Have  vowed  against  us,  love  ! 
The  first,  first  night  that  from  the  gate 
We  two  together  rove." 

With  all  the  other  Gypsies,  however,  and 
with  the  Busne  or  Gentiles,  the  betrothed  fe- 
male is  allowed  the  freest  intercourse,  going 
whither  she  will,  and  returning  at  all  times 
and  seasons.  With  respect  to  the  Busne, 
indeed,  the  parents  are  invariably  less  cau- 
tious than  with  their  own  race,  as  they  con- 
ceive it  next  to  an  impossibility  that  their  child 
should  lose  her  Lacha  by  any  intercourse  with 
the  white  blood;  and  true  it  is  that  experience 
has  proved  that  their  confidence  in  this  re- 
spect is  not.  altogether  idle.  The  Gitanas 
have  in  general  a  decided  aversion  to  the 
white  men ;  some  few  instances,  however, 
to  the  contrary  are  said  to  have  occurred, 
and  by  far  the  most  remarkable  is  the  fol- 
lowing one : — 

At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century 
there  resided  near  Ciudad  Real,  in  la  Mancha, 
a  certain  Don  Alvaro  Murioz,  a  celebrated 
"ganadero"  or  proprietor  of  cattle;  and 
from  his  dehesas,  and  those  of  his  ancestors 
for  more  than  one  hundred  years,  had  pro- 
ceeded the  fiercest  and  most  terrible  bulls, 
animals  which  the  bravest  toreros  of  Madrid 
and  Seville  never  encountered  in  the  circus 
without  trembling  and  fear.  This  cavalier, 
at  the  time  we  arc  speaking  of,  was  about 
two  and  twenty,  handsome  of  feature,  noble 
of  carriage,  the  best  jinete  in  all  La  Mancha, 
and  invariably  possessed  of  the  best  hordes, 
u  2 


82 


THE  ZIN€ALI. 


for  he  was  passionately  fond  of  good  steeds, 
His  generosity  and  frankness  were  proverbial, 
so  that  no  gentleman  ever  expressed  an  ad- 
miration for  any  thing  which  he  possessed 
but  he  instantly  presented  it  to  him,  and  this 
not  in  mere  compliment,  without  wishing  or 
expecting  the  gift  to  be  received,  as  is  but 
too  customary  in  Spain,  but  from  overflowing 
generosity  and  bounty  of  heart.     There  was 
one  steed  which  he  particularly  cherished, 
the  finest  horse  in  Spain,  a  genuine  Cordo- 
vese  by  the  four  sides,  for  which  he  had 
paid  twenty  thousand  reals.     Tt  chanced  one 
day  whilst  his  steed  was  standing  splendidly 
caparisoned  in  the  court  yard,  that  a  cavalier 
passed  by  the  cortijo  of  Don  Alvaro  Munoz, 
and  stopped  to  survey  the  horse.     An  excla- 
mation expressive  of  admiration  of  the  splen- 
did animal  escaped  him.     Don  Alvaro  heard 
him,  and  when  the  cavalier  had  passed  by  on 
his  way,  he  despatched  a  servant  after  him 
with  the  horse,  which  he  requested  him  to 
accept.     The  cavalier  astonished,  returned, 
and  inquired  the  reason  of  so  extraordinary 
and  splendid  an  offer  to  an  unknown  indivi- 
dual.    Don  Alvaro's  answer  was  the  follow- 
ing.    "No  gentleman  shall  ever  admire  any 
ihing  which  I  possess  without  having  it  in- 
stantly placed  at  his  disposal,"  and  warmly 
pressed  the  stranger  to  receive  the  animal. 
But  the  latter,  who  was  a  person  of  noble 
birth,  begged  leave  to  refuse  the  offer,  and 
passed  on  his  way,  which  was  to  Madrid. 

At  this  time  there  were  several  Gypsy  fa- 
milies residing  in  the  town  of  Ciudad  Real. 
As  they  were  people  of  very  evil  character, 
and  were  much  looked  after  by  the  authorities, 
they  experienced  considerable  obstacles  in 
carrying  on  their  Gypsy  traffick.  They  were 
in  need  of  some  powerful  protector;  and, 
knowing  that  Don  Alvaro  enjoyed  great  au- 
thority in  the  neighbourhood,  they  endea 
voured,  by  every  artifice  in  their  power,  to 
secure  his  good  graces,  and  soon  succeeded, 
by  the  knowledge  which  they  displayed  in 
curing  the  diseases  to  which  horses  are  sub- 
ject, and  by  improving  the  beauty  of  the  fa- 
vourite steeds  of  Don  Alvaro. 

"But  he  was  chiefly  induced  to  favour 
them  from  the  extraordinary  impression  which 
he  had  received  from  the  beauty  of  a  young 
girl,  the  daughter  of  one  of  the  principal 
Gypsies.  This  girl,  who  was  called  Maria, 
was  in  her  sixteenth  year,  and  had  been  be- 
trothed for  a  considerable  time  to  one  Sim- 
profie, a  Gypsy,  whose  parents  were  consi- 
dered rich.  He  was  the  ugliest  fellow  of  his 
caste,  not  only  in  La  Mancha,  but  in  all 
Spain.  He  was  tuerto  or  one-eyed,  and  was, 
moreover,  manco,  or  maimed ;  his  left  hand 
having  been  bit  off  in  an  encounter  with  one 
of  the  bulls  of  Don  Alvaro.  When  the  Gyp- 
sies saw  how  enamoured  the  cavalier  was  of 
the  eyes  of  Maria,  they  persuaded  her  to 
use  all  her  influence  with  him  for  their  benefit ; 
and,  indeed,  in  a  short  time,  through  her 
means,  the  Gypsies  enjoyed  many  privileges 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ciudad  Real,  so  that 
many  came  from  afar  and  settled  there,  in 


order  to  share  in  the  good  fortune  of  their 
brethren. 

But  the  parents  of  Maria  never  dreamt  of 
a  possible  contingency.  They  would  not 
permit  her  to  pass  the  gate  of  the  town  with 
the  ugly  Simprofie,but  encouraged  her  every 
day  to  visit  alone  the  cortijo  of  the  gallant 
Don  Alvaro,  in  order  that  she  might  request 
something  farther  for  their  advantage.  One 
morning,  however,  shortly  before  she  was  to 
have  been  married  to  Simprofie,  there  was 
a  terrible  uproar  in  Ciudad  Real  amongst 
the  Gypsies,  and  the  mother  of  Maria  ran 
through  the  town  with  dishevelled  hair, 
screaming, "  El  Bengue hanicobado  la  lacha 
de  min  chai." 

From  that  moment,  no  one  knew  what  be- 
came of  Maria;  but  she  is  said  to  have  been 
carried  behind  the  stony  mountains  which 
skirt  the  pass  of  Lapice,  and  to  have  there 
perished  a  victim  beneath  the  cachas  of  her 
friends  and  relations.  The  Gypsies  did  not 
long  enjoy  the  protection  of  Don  Alvaro; 
for  the  disappearance  of  Maria  changed 
the  favour  which  he  formerly  displayed  to 
them  into  bitter  hate  and  direst  persecu- 
tion. He  drove  them  from  Ciudad  Real, 
after  having  killed  the  maimed  and  one- 
eyed  Simprofie  with  his  own  hand;  and, 
not  content  with  this,  hunted  them  up  and 
down,  and,  at  length,  succeeded  in  driving 
them  through  the  pass  which  leads  into  An- 
dalusia. From  that  time  there  have  been 
tew  or  no  Gypsies  seen  in  La  Mancha,  and 
especially  at  Ciudad  Real. 

A  short  time  previous  to  the  expiration  of 
the  term  of  the  betrothment,  preparations 
are  made  for  the  Gypsy  bridal.  The  wedding 
day  is  certairaly  an  eventful  period  in  the  life 
of  every  individual,  as  he  takes  a  partner  for 
better  or  for  worse,  whom  he  is  bound  to 
cherish  through  riches  and  poverty;  but  to 
the  Gypsy  particularly  the  wedding  festival 
is  an  important  affair.  If  he  is  rich,  he  fre- 
quently becomes  poor,  before  it  is  terminated ; 
and  if  he  is  poor,  he  loses  the  little  which 
he  possesses,  and  must  borrow  of  his  bre- 
thren ;  frequently  involving  himself  through- 
out life,  to  procure  the  means  of  giving  a 
festival ;  for  without  a  festival,  he  could  not 
become  a  Rom,  that  is  a  husband,  and  would 
cease  to  belong  to  the  sect  of  Rommany. 
But,  before  the  festival  begins,  a  singular 
scrutiny  is  performed,  the  subject  of  which 
is  the  betrothed  girl ;  and  here  again  we  can- 
not be  very  explicit.  .  .  . 

This  scrutiny  is  connected  with  the  dicle 
and  the  lacha  of  the  girl;  and,  to  ascertain 
the  point  in  question,  four  matrons  are  ap- 
pointed, relations  of  the  contracted  parties — 
two  on  the  part  of  the  bridegroom,  two  on 
the  part  of  the  bride.  A  rigorous  examina- 
tion ensues,  in  which  a  handkerchief  of  finest 
French  cambric  takes  a  leading  part.  Should 
the  bride  be  pronounced  blameless  by  these 
female  inquisitors,  the  bridal  takes  place 
the  next  day;  but  should  they  discover  that 
she  has  proved  frail,  the  chances  are  that 
she  will  be  made  away  with  privately,  and 


MARRIAGE  FESTIVAL. 


83 


in  a  manner  which  will  leave  no  trace  be- 
hind. 

There  is  a  great  deal  of  what  is  wild  and 
barbarous  attached  to  these  festivals.  I  shall 
never  forget  a  particular  one  at  which  I  was 
present.  After  much  feasting,  drinking  and 
yelling,  in  the  Gypsy  house,  the  bridal  train 
sallied  forth — a  frantic  spectacle.  First  of 
all  marched  a  villanous  jockey-looking  fellow, 
holding  in  his  hands,  uplifted,  a  long  pole,  at 
the  top  of  which  fluttered  in  the  morning 
air — what?  the  mysterious  dicle,  and  yet 
more  mysterious  handkerchief  of  cambric — 
the  latter  unspotted — for,  otherwise,  there 
would  have  been  no  bridal,  and  the  betrothed 
girl  would  perhaps  ere  then  have  been  a 
corse.  Then  came  the  betrothed  pair,  fol- 
lowed by  their  nearest  friends ;  then  a  rabble 
rout  of  Gypsies,  screaming  and  shouting,  and 
discharging  guns  and  pistols,  till  all  around 
rang  with  the  din,  and  the  village  dogs  barked. 
On  arriving  at  the  church  gate,  the  fellow 
who  bore  the  pole  stuck  it  into  the  ground 
with  a  loud  huzza,  and  the  train,  forming  two 
ranks,  defiled  into  the  church  on  either  side 
of  the  pole  and  its  strange  ornaments.  On  the 
conclusion  of  the  ceremony,  they  returned  in 
the  same  manner  in  which  they  had  come. 

Throughout  the  day  there  was  nothing 
going  on  but  singing,  drinking,  feasting,  and 
dancing;  but  the  most  singular  part  of  the 
festival  was  reserved  for  the  dark  night. 
Nearly  a  ton  weight  of  sweetmeats  had  been 
prepared,  at  an  enormous  expense — not  for 
the  gratification  of  the  palate,  but  for  a  pur- 
pose purely  Gypsy.  These  sweetmeats  of 
all  kinds,  and  of  all  forms,  but  principally 
yemans,  or  yolks  of  eggs  prepared  with  a 
crust  of  sugar,  (a  delicious  bonne  bouche,) 
were  strewn  on  the  floor  of  a  large  room,  at 
least  to  the  depth  of  three  inches.  Into  this 
room,  at  a  given  signal,  tripped  the  bride  and 
bridegroom  dancing  romolis,  followed  amain 
by  all  the  Gitanos  and  Gitanas,  dancing  ro- 
malis.  To  convey  a  slight  idea  of  the  scene, 
is  almost  beyond  the  power  of  words.  In  a 
few  minutes  the  sweetmeats  were  reduced  to 
a  powder,  or  rather  to  a  mud,  and  the  dancers 
were  soiled  to  the  knees  with  sugar,  fruits, 
and  yolks  of  eggs.  Still  more  terrific  became 
the  lunatic  merriment.  The  men  sprang  high 
into  the  air,  neighed,  brayed,  and  crowed; 
whilst  the  Gitanas  snapped  their  fingers  in 
their  own  fashion,  louder  than  castanets, 
distortingtheir  forms  into  all  kinds  of  obscene 
attitudes,  and  uttering  words  to  repeat  which 
were  an  abomination.  In  a  corner  of  the 
apartment  capered  the  while  Sebastianillo,  a 
convict  Gypsy  from  Melilla,  strumming  the 
guitar  most  furiously,  and  producing  demoni- 
acal sounds  which  had  some  resemblance  to 
Malbrun  (Malbrouk,)  and  as1  he  strummed, 
repeating  at  intervals  the  Gypsy  modification 
of  the  song. 

u  Chala  Malbrun  rbinfrnenir, 
Kiranddn,  birand6n,  birandtfra— 
Cbala  Malbrun  cliinguerur, 
No  s6  bus  tutcra  - 

No  se  bus  tutera. 

No  sc  bus  luterft 
I  a  romi  que  le  r.airtf'la, 
BJr&adfoj  biramkVu,"  <Scx 


The  festival  endures  three  days,  at  the  end 
of  which  the  greatest  part  of  the  property  of 
the  bridegroom,  even  if  he  were  previously 
in  easy  circumstances,  has  been  wasted  in 
this  strange  kind  of  riot  and  dissipation. 
Paco,  the  Gypsy  of  Badajoz,  attributed  his 
ruin  to  the  extravagance  of  his  marriage  fes- 
tival ;  and  many  other  Gitanos  have  confessed 
the  same  thing  of  themselves.  They  said 
that  throughout  the  three  days  they  appeared 
to  be  under  the  influence  of  infatuation,  having 
no  other  wish  or  thought  but  to  make  away 
with  their  substance ;  some  have  gone  so  far 
as  to  cast  money  by  handfuls  into  the  street. 
Throughout  the  three  days  all  the  doors  are 
kept  open,  and  all  comers,  whether  Gypsies 
or  Busne  welcomed  with  a  hospitality  which 
knows  no  bounds. 

In  nothing  do  the  Jews  and  Gitanos  more 
resemble  each  other  than  in  their  marriages, 
and  most  points  connected  therewith.  In 
both  sects  there  is  a  betrothment :  amongst 
the  Jews  for  seven,  amongst  the  Gitanos  for 
a  period  of  two  years.  In  both  there  is  a 
wedding  festival,  which  endures  amongst  the 
Jews  for  fifteen,  and  amongst  the  Gitanos  for 
three  days,  during  which,  on  both  sides,  much 
that  is  singular  and  barbarous  occurs,  which, 
however,  has  perhaps  its  origin  in  antiquity 
the  most  remote.  But  the  wedding  ceremo- 
nies of  the  Jews  are  far  more  complex  and 
allegorical  than  those  of  the  Gypsies,  a  more 
simple  people.  The  Nazarene  gazes  on  these 
ceremonies  with  mute  astonishment;  the 
washing  of  the  bride — the  painting  of  the 
face  of  herself  and  her  companions  with  chalk 
and  carmine — her  ensconcing  herself  within 
the  curtains  of  the  bed  with  her  female  bevy, 
whilst  the  bridegroom  hides  himself  within 
his  apartment  with  the  youths  his  companions 
— her  envelopment  in  the  white  sheet,  in 
which  she  appears  like  a  corse,  the  bride- 
groom's going  to  sup  with  her,  when  he 
places  himself  in  the  middle  of  the  apartment 
with  his  eyes  shut,  and  without  tasting  a 
morsel.  His  going  to  the  synagogue,  and 
then  repairing  to  breakfast  with  the  bride, 
where  he  practises  the  same  self-denial — the 
washing  of  the  bridegroom's  plate  and  sending 
it  after  him,  that  he  may  break  his  fast — the 
binding  his  hands  behind  him— his  ransom 
paid  by  the  bride's  mother — the  visit  of  the 
sages  to  the  bridegroom — the  mulct  imposed 
in  case  he  repent — the  killing  of  the  bullock 
at  the  house  of  the  bridegroom — the  present 
of  meat  and  fowls,  meal  and  spices,  to  the 
bride — the  gold  and  silver — that  most  im- 
posing part  of  the  ceremony,  the  walking  of 
the  bride  by  torch-light  to  the  house  of  her 
betrothed,  her  eyes  fixed  in  vacancy,  whilst 
the  youths  of  her  kindred  sing  their  wild 
songs  around  her — the  cup  of  milk  and  the 
spoon  presented  to  her  by  the  bridegroom's 
mother — the  arrival  of  the  sages  in  the  morn 
— the  reading  of  the  Ketuba — the  night — the 
half  enjoyment — the  old  woman — the  tanta- 
lizing knock  at  the  door — and  then  the  fes- 
tival of  fishes,  which  concludes  all,  and  leaves 
the  jaded  and  wearied  couple  to  repose  after 
a  fortnight  of  persecution. 


84 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Strange  are  the  marriage  ceremonies  of 
the  Jews,  and  much  there  is  in  them  that  is 
incomprehensible,  even  to  those  who  can 
read  the  book  of  elucidation,  the  Zohar, 
(lucus  a  non  lucendo,)  but  strange  as  they 
are,  they  are  upon  the  whole  less  singular 
than  those  of  the  Gypsies,  solely  from  the 
absence  of  two  objects  which  flutter  about  in 
the  bridals  of  the  latter — these  are  the  dicle 
and  the  cambric  handkerchief. 

The  Jews,  like  the  Gypsies,  not  unfre- 
quently  ruin  themselves  by  the  riot  and  waste 
of  their  marriage  festivals.  Throughout  the 
entire  fortnight,  the  houses,  both  of  bride  and 
bridegroom,  are  flung  open  to  all  comers; — 
feasting  and  song  occupy  the  day — feasting 
and  song  occupy  the  hours  of  the  night,  and 
this  continued  revel  is  only  broken  by  the 
ceremonies  of  which  we  have  endeavoured  to 
convey  a  faint  idea.  In  these  festivals  the 
sages  or  ulemma  take  a  distinguished  part, 
doing  their  utmost  to  ruin  the  contracted 
parties,  by  the  wonderful  despatch  which 
they  make  of  the  fowls  and  viands,  sweet- 
meats and  strong  waters  provided  for  the 
occasion. 

After  marriage  the  Gypsy  females  gene- 
rally continue  faithful  to  their  husbands 
through  life ;  giving  evidence,  in  one  respect 
at  least,  of  the  good  effects  which  the  exhor- 
tations of  their  mothers  in  early  life,  and  the 
use  of  the  dicle  have  produced.  Of  course 
licentious  females  are  to  be  found  both 
amongst  the  matrons  and  the  unmarried ; 
but  such  instances  are  rare,  and  must  be  con- 
sidered in  the  light  of  exceptions  to  a  princi- 
ple. The  Gypsy  women,  (I  am  speaking  of 
those  of  Spain,)  as  far  as  corporeal  chastity 
goes,  are  very  paragons;  but  in  other  re- 
spects— alas !  an  anecdote  or  two  will  best 
depicture  what  they  are.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  the  year  1838, 1  was  visited  in  Madrid 
by  a  Gypsy  woman  from  Cordova — her  hus- 
band had  been  sent  to  the  Presidio  of  Melilla, 
I  think  for  a  robbery  of  mules  as  usual;  she 
departed  for  Madrid  to  try  what  she  could  do 
to  effect  his  liberation.  The  distance  was 
two  hundred  miles;  she  had  two  children 
which  she  brought  with  her  in  paniers  upon 
a  donkey.  Whilst  passing  through  La  Man- 
cha  she  was  met  by  robbers,  who  took  from 
her  the  donkey,  the  greatest  part  of  her  dress, 
and  all  the  money  which  they  could  find 
about  her.  But  this  did  not  satisfy  them, 
and  they  were  proceeding  to  commit  another 
crime,  whereupon  she  fell  on  her  knees,  and 
in  a  frantic  manner  told  them  that  all  kind  of 
blessings  should  await  them  if  they  desisted; 
but  if,  on  the  contrary,  they  committed  the 
proposed  violence,  all  the  worst  curses  which 
the  Gypsy  devil  could  hurl  upon  them  should 
be  their  lot;  and  that  in  less  than  a  month 
they  should  be  carrion  for  the  grajos  (rooks.) 
She  added  that  if  they  acceded  to' her  prayer, 
she  had  power  to  reward  them  on  the  spot. 
Even  the  desperadoes  of  La  Mancha  were 
abashed  by  her  manner,  and  not  uninfluenced, 
perhaps,  by  hor  1  at  for  words,  vowed  by  the 
Virgin  and  Santo  Christo  to  let  her  alone; 
■whereupon  she  produced  several  pieces  of 


gold  which  she  had  concealed  by  a  Gypsy 
artifice,  and  giving  it  them  she  was  permitted 
to  pass  on.  She  arrived  at  Madrid  with  her 
children,  whom  she  had  been  compelled  to 
carry  the  greatest  part  of  the  way.  Their 
state  was  wretched,  half  starved  and  naked; 
they  procured,  however,  some  relief  from  the 
Gitanos.  Well,  this  faithful  and  exemplary 
wife,  this  affectionate  mother,  this  miracle  of 
corporeal  chastity  had  scarcely  recovered 
from  the  fatigue  of  her  journey,  when  she 
commenced  exhibiting  the  other  and  worst 
side  of  her  character  by  plying  the  arts  of  the 
fortune-teller,  the  shop-lifter,  and  the  pro- 
curess. True  it  is  that  all  the  while  she 
thought  of  nothing  but  to  obtain  a  sufficient 
sum  to  make  up  her  loss,  with  which  she 
hoped  to  bribe  some  notary  public  to  report 
favourably  the  case  of  her  husband.  To  raise 
money  she  depended  chiefly  on  bringing 
couples  together;  in  other  words,  purveying 
for  vice.  She  even  made  her  propositions  to 
myself,  I  will  not  say  with  what  result.  In 
the  same  house,  however,  lived  an  Andalu- 
sian  cavalier,  rich  and  gay,  and  to  him  she 
next  resorted  with  the  same  proffers.  Now 
the  Gypsy,  though  tawny,  sun-burnt,  and  ill- 
dressed,  was  rather  good-looking,  and  the 
Andalusian  was  upon  the  whole  much  taken 
with  her:  she  told  him  that  if  he  would  em- 
ploy her,  she  would  engage  to  procure  for 
him  within  two  days  any  lady  with  whom  he 
might  chance  to  be  captivated.  The  Anda- 
lusian, however,  soon  gave  her  to  understand 
that  he  liked  no  one  better  than  herself,  and 
that  she  might  easily  earn  any  thing  she 
asked  for.  He  showed  her  two  ounces  of 
gold,  a  far  larger  sum  than  what  she  had  lost 
by  the  thieves ;  she  at  first  affected  to  con- 
sider him  in  jest,  and  began  to  enumerate 
other  women  far  more  handsome  than  herself 
who  would  be  at  his  disposal ;  but  perceiving 
him  growingtoo  pressing,  she  suddenly  struck 
him  in  the  face,  and,  with  a  bitter  maledic- 
tion, asked  him  if  he  thought  she  was  one  of 
the  Pallias,*  that  he  ventured  to  hope  he 
should  be  able  to  corrupt  her  lacha  ye  trupos, 
or  corporeal  chastity. 

At  Grenada,  in  the  year  1836,  it  was  my 
chance  to  become  acquainted  with  an  indi- 
vidual an  Italian,  who  officiated  as  a  kind  of 
valet  de  place.  This  person  had  received  a 
good  education,  and  in  many  respects  was  a 
very  sensible  man  ;  he  was  about  fifty  years 
of  age,  and  had  entered  Spain  with  the  ar- 
mies of  Napoleon;  his  manners  were  highly 
corrupt,  and  instead  of  affording  the  infor- 
mation expected  from  a  person  in  his  situa- 
tion, he  would  talk  of  nothing  but  his  "  bonnes 
fortunes."  A  casualty  induced  us  to  speak 
of  the  Gypsy  women,  but  here  he  shook  his 
head  and  said,  that  he  had  never  experienced 
difficulty  with  any  women  but  the  "  Maldette 
Zingarinelle."  "They  are  possessed  witli 
a  fiend,"  he  added;  "I  was  acquainted  with 
one  Jaen,  she  lived  alone,  her  husband  ha- 
ving been  transported:  she  supported  herself 
entirely  by  officiating  as  procuress  for  the 

*  Women  who  arc  not  Gypsies;  Spanish  females 


THE  INWARD  MONITOR. 


S5 


canons  of  the  cathedral ;  she  was  upwards  of 
forty,  but  was  nevertheless  a  '  bella  e  mag- 
nifica  Rufiana.'  I  became  enamoured  of  her, 
and  we  were  very  good  friends.  I  soon 
proposed  the  matter  to  her;  but  she  said  it 
could  never,  never  be.'  •  Why  not,  woman,' 
said  I,  '  is  that  matter  worse  than  to  carry 
on  your  present  trade!'  'You  are  a  fool, 
foreigner,'  she  replied,  'you  know  nothing 
of  the  ways  of  our  people:  there  is  a  gulf 
between  us  which  neither  of  us  can  pass.'* 
I  saw  it  was  no  use,  and  said  no  more  on  the 
subject." 

Had  this  individual,  who  was  a  confirmed 
boaster,  told  me  of  a  conquest  effected  by 
him  over  the  Gitana,  I  should  have  entirely 
disbelieved  him,  but  as  he  detailed  a  defeat 
which  he  had  experienced,  I  placed  implicit 
confidence  in  his  words. 

It  were  easy  to  accumulate  examples  of 
this  kind,  but  enough  has  been  said  on  the 
subject. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

ATTEMPTS  MADE  TO  PROPAGATE  THE  SCRIP- 
TURE AMONGST  THE  GITANOS. — THE  IN- 
WARD MONITOR- THE  ONE-EYED  GITANA. 

PEPA  AND  CHICHARONA. THE  GYPSY  CON- 
GREGATION. 

As  I  did  not  visit  Spain  with  the  express 
purpose  of  labouring  among  the  Gitanos,  nor 
indeed  had  them  at  all  in  view  in  my  visit 
to  that  country,  I  could  only  devote  a  portion 
of  my  time,  and  that  a  slight  one,  in  endea- 
vouring to  remove  the  extreme  ignorance 
under  which  they  laboured  with  regard  to 
the  most  common  points  of  religion,  and  of 
interesting  the  minds  of  these  strange  people 
in  the  subject.  It  will  be  as  well  to  observe, 
at  the  commencement,  that  I  can  scarcely 
flatter  myself  with  having  experienced  any 
success  in  my  endeavours ;  indeed  1  never 
expected  any,  or  at  least  any  which  I  myself 
could  hope  to  witness ;  I  knew  too  well  the 
nature  of  the  ground  on  which  I  was  casting 
seed ;  true  it  is  that  it  may  not  be  lost,  and 
that  it  may  eventually  spring  up  in  this  or 
that  direction,  as  barley  has  dropped  from 
the  cerements  of  a  mummy,  and  has  sprung 
up,  and  displayed  vitality  after  laying  choked 
and  hidden  for  two  thousand  years.  It  is 
not,  however,  my  intention  to  fill  up  this 
chapter  with  reflection,  entertaining  a  belief 
that  a  simple  narration  of  facts  will  be  far 
more  agreeable  and  instructive. 

It  has  been  said,  that  there  is  a  secret 
monitor,  or  conscience,  within  every  heart, 
which  immediately  upbraids  the  individual 
on  the  commission  of  a  crime;  this  may  be 
true,  but  certainly  the  monitor  within  the 
Gitano  breast  is  a  very  feeble  one,  for  little 

*  This  unhappy  and  very  wicked  person  understood 
the  Scriptures  well, and  spoke  Latin  admirably.  Instead 
of  s^ivinp  the  exact  words  of  the  Gitana,  lie  paraphrased 
them  in  a  quotation  from  the  vulgate. 

12 


attention  is  ever  paid  to  its  reproofs.  With 
regard  to  conscience,  be  it  permitted  to  ob- 
serve, that  it  varies  much  according  to  cli- 
mate, country,  and  religion  ;  perhaps  nowhere 
is  it  so  terrible  and  strong  as  in  England;  I 
need  not  say  why.  Amongst  the  English,  I 
have  seen  many  individuals  stricken  low,  and 
broken-hearted,  by  the  force  of  conscience ; 
but  never  amongst  the  Spaniards  or  Italians ; 
and  I  never  yet  could  observe  that  the  crimes 
which  the  Gitanos  were  daily  and  hourly 
committing,  occasioned  them  the  slightest 
uneasiness. 

One  important  discovery  I  made  among 
them ;  it  was,  that  no  individual,  however 
wicked  and  hardened,  is  utterly  godless. 
Call  it  superstition,  if  you  will,  still  a  certain 
fear  and  reverence  of  something  sacred  and 
supreme  would  hang  about  them.  I  have 
heard  Gitanos  stiffly  deny  the  existence  of  a 
Deity,  and  express  the  utmost  contempt  for 
every  thing  holy;  yet  they  subsequently  never 
failed  to  contradict  themselves,  by  permitting 
some  expression  to  escape  which  belied  their 
assertions,  and  of  this  I  shall  presently  give 
a  remarkable  instance. 

I  found  the  women  much  more  disposed  to 
listen  to  any  thing  I  had  to  say  than  the 
men,  who  were  in  general  so  taken  up  with 
their  traffick,  that  they  could  think  and  talk 
of  nothing  else ;  the  women,  too,  had  more 
curiosity,  and  more  intelligence ;  the  conver- 
sational powers  of  some  of  them  I  found  to 
be  very  great,  and  yet  they  were  destitute 
of  the  slightest  rudiments  of  education,  and 
were  thieves  by  profession.  At  Madrid  I 
had  regular  conversaziones,  or,  as  they  are 
called  in  Spanish,  tertulias,  with  these  wo- 
men, who  generally  visited  me  twice  a  week  ; 
they  were  perfectly  unreserved  towards  me 
with  respect  to  their  actions  and  practices, 
though  their  behaviour,  when  present,  was 
invariably  strictly  proper.  I  have  already 
had  cause  to  mention  Pepa,  the  sibyl,  and 
her  daughter-in-law,  Chicharona ;  the  man- 
ners of  the  first  were  sometimes  almost  ele- 
gant, though,  next  to  Aurora,  she  was  the 
most  notorious  she-Thug  in  Madrid  ;  Chicha- 
rona was  good-humoured,  like  most  fat  per- 
sonages. Pepa  had  likewise  two  daughters, 
one  of  whom,  a  very  remarkable  female,  was 
called  La  Tuerta,  from  the  circumstance  of 
her  having  but  one  eye,  and  the  other,  who 
was  a  girl  of  about  thirteen,  La  Casdami,  or 
the  scorpion,  from  the  malice  which  she  oc- 
casionally displayed. 

Pepa  and  Chicharona  were  invariably  my 
most  constant  visiters.  One  day  in  winter 
they  arrived  as  usual ;  the  One-eyed  and  the 
Scorpion  following  behind. 

Myself. — "  1  am  glad  to  see  you,  Pepa;  what 
have  you  been  doing  this  morning?" 

Pepa. — "  I  have  been  telling  baji,  and  Chi- 
charona has  been  stealing  a  pastesas ;  we 
have  had  but  little  success,  and  have  come  to 
warm  ourselves  at  the  brasero.  As  for  the 
One-eyed,  she  is  a  very  sluggard,  (holgazana,) 
she  will  neither  tell  fortunes  nor  steal." 
The  One-eyed. — "Hold  your  peace,  mo- 


86 


THE  ZINCALI. 


ther  of  the  Bengues ;  I  will  steal,  when  I  see 
occasion,  but  it  shall  not  be  a  pastesas,  and  I 
will  hokkawar  (deceive,)  but  it  shall  not  be 
by  telling  fortunes.  If  I  deceive,  it  shall  be 
by  horses,  by  jockeying.*  If  I  steal,  it  shall 
be  on  the  road — I'll  rob.  You  know  already 
what  I  am  capable  of,  yet  knowing  that,  you 
would  have  me  tell  fortunes  like  yourself,  or 
steal  like  Chicharona.  Me  dinela  conche  (it 
fills  me  with  fury)  to  be  asked  to  tell  fortunes, 
and  the  next  Busnee  that  talks  to  me  of  bajis 
I  will  knock  all  her  teeth  out." 

The  Scorpion. — "My  sister  is  right;  I, 
too,  would  sooner  be  a  salteadora  (highway- 
woman,)  or  a  chalana  (she-jockey,)  than  steal 
with  the  hands,  or  tell  bajis." 

Myself.—"  You  do  not  mean  to  say,  O 
Tuerta,  that  you  are  a  jockey,  and  that  you 
rob  on  the  high-way." 

The  One-eyed. — "  I  am  a  chalana,  brother, 
and  many  a  time  I  have  robbed  upon  the 
road,  as  all  our  people  know.  I  dress  myself 
as  a  man,  and  go  forth  with  some  of  them.  I 
have  robbed  alone,  in  the  pass  of  the  Guada- 
rama,  with  my  horse  and  escopeta.  I  alone 
once  robbed  a  cuadrilla  of  twenty  Gallegos, 
who  were  returning  to  their  own  country, 
after  cutting  the  harvests  of  Castile;  I  stripped 
them  of  their  earnings,  and  could  have  stripped 
them  of  their  very  clothes  had  I  wished,  for 
they  were  down  on  their  knees  like  cowards. 
I  love  a  brave  man,  be  he  Busno  or  Gypsy. 
When  I  was  not  much  older  than  the  Scor- 
pion, I  went  with  several  others  to  rob  the 
cortijo  of  an  old  man ;  it  was  more  than 
twenty  leagues  from  here.  We  broke  in  at 
midnight,  and  bound  the  old  man :  we  knew 
he  had  money;  but  he  said  no,  and  would 
not  tell  us  where  it  was ;  so  we  tortured  him, 
pricking  him  with  our  knives  and  burning  his 
hands  ever  the  lamp ;  all,  however,  would  not 
do.  At  last  I  said,  « Let  us  try  the  pimientos ; 
so  we  took  the  green  pepper  husks,  pulled 
open  his  eyelids,  and  rubbed  the  pupils  with 
the  green  pepper  fruit.  That  was  the  worst 
pinch  of  all.  Would  you  believe  it?  the  old 
man  bore  it.  Then  our  people  said,  '  Let  us 
kill  him,'  but  I  said,  no  it  were  a  pity;  so  we 
spared  him.  though  we  got  nothing.  I  have 
loved  that  old  man  ever  since  for  his  firm  heart, 
and  should  have  wished  him  for  a  husband." 

The  Scorpion. — "  Ojala,  that  I  had  been 
in  that  cortijo,  to  see  such  sport!" 

Myself.— "Bo  you  fear  God,  O  Tuerta!" 

The  One-eyed. — "Brother,  I  fear  nothing." 

Myself — "Do  you  believe  in  God, Tuerta]" 

The  One-eyed. — "  Brother,  I  do  not ;  I  hate 
all  connected  with  that  name ;  the  whole  is 
folly;  me  dinela  conche.  If  I  go  to  church, 
it  is  but  to  spit  at  the  images.  I  spat  at  the 
bulto  of  Maria  this  morning;  and  I  love  the 
Corojai,  and  the  Londone,f  because  they  are 
not  baptized." 

Myself — "  You,  of  course,  never  say  a 
prayer." 

The  One-eyed. — "  No,  no ;  there  are  three 
or  four  old  words,  taught  me  by  some  old  peo- 


*  Por  m6dio  de  chalancrias. 


f  The  English. 


pie,  which  I  sometimes  say  to  myself;  I  be- 
lieve they  have  both  force  and  virtue." 

Myself — "  1  would  fain  hear ;  pray  tell  me 
them." 

The  One-eyed. — "  Brother,  they  are  words 
not  to  be  repeated." 

Myself—"  Why  not?" 

The  One-eyed. — "They  are  holy  words, 
brother." 

Myself. — "Holy!  You  say  there  is  no 
God ;  if  there  be  none,  there  can  be  nothing 
holy;  pray  tell  me  the  words,  O  Tuerta." 

The  One-eyed. — "  Brother,  I  dare  not." 

Myself. — "Then  you  do  fear  something." 

The  One-eyed.—"  Not  I "— . 
•  Saboca  Enrecar  Maria  Ereria,'* 
and  now  I  wish  I  had  not  said  them." 

Myself. — "You  are  distracted,  O  Tuerta: 
the  words  say  simply,  '  Dwell  within  us, 
blessed  Maria.'  You  have  spitten  on  her 
bulto  this  morning  in  the  church,  and  now 
you  are  afraid  to  repeat  four  words,  amongst 
which  is  her  name." 

The  One-eyed. — "I  did  not  understand 
them  ;  but  I  wish  I  had  not  said  them." 

I  repeat,  that  there  is  no  individual,  how- 
ever hardened,  who  is  utterly  godless. 

The  reader  will  have  already  gathered  from 
the  conversations  reported  in  this  volume,  and 
especially  from  the  last,  that  there  is  a  wide 
difference  between  addressing  Spanish  Gi- 
tanos and  Gitanas  and  English  peasantry:  of 
a  certainty  what  will  do  well  for  the  latter,  is 
calculated  to  make  no  impression  on  these 
thievish,  half  wild  people.  Try  them  with 
the  Gospel,  1  hear  some  one  cry,  which  speaks 
to  all:  I  did  try  them  with  the  Gospel,  and 
in  their  own  language,  I  commenced  with 
Pepa  and  Chicharona.  Determined  that  they 
should  understand  it,  I  proposed  that  they 
themselves  should  translate  it.  They  could 
neither  read  nor  write,  which,  however,  did 
not  disqualify  them  from  being  translators.  I 
had  myself  previously  translated  the  whole 
Testament  into  the  Spanish  Rommany,  but  I 
was  desirous  to  circulate  amongst  the  Gitanos, 
a  version  conceived  in  the  exact  language  in 
which  they  express  their  ideas.  The  women 
made  no  objection,  they  were  fond  of  our 
tertulias,  and  they  likewise  reckoned  on  one 
small  glass  of  Malaga  wine,  with  which  I  in- 
variably presented  them.  Upon  the  whole, 
they  conducted  themselves  much  better  than 
could  have  been  expected.  We  commenced 
with  Saint  Luke:  they  rendering  into  Rom- 
many the  sentences  which  I  delivered  to  them 
in  Spanish.  They  proceeded  as  far  as  the 
eighth  chapter,  inthe  middle  of  which  they 
broke  down.  Was  that  to  be  wondered  at] 
The  only  thing  which  astonished  me  was, 
that  I  had  induced  two  such  strange  beings 
to  advance  so  far  in  a  task  so  unwonted,  and 
so  entirely  at  variance  with  their  habits,  as 
translation. 

These  chapters  I  frequently  read  over  to 

*  These  words  are  very  anrient,  and  were,  perhcps, 
used  by  the  earliest  Spanish  Gypsies;  they  differ  much 
from  (he  language  of  the  present  day,  and  are  quite  unin- 
telligible to  the  modern  Gitanos. 


THE  GYPSY  CONGREGATION. 


87 


them,  explaining  the  subject  in  the  best  man- 
ner I  was  able.  They  said  it  was  lacho,  and 
jucal,  and  misto,  all  of  which  words  express 
approval  of  the  quality  of  a  thing.  Were 
they  improved,  were  their  hearts  softened  by 
these  Scripture  lectures?  I  know  not.  Pepa 
committed  a  rather  daring  theft  shortly  after- 
wards, which  compelled  her  to  conceal  her- 
self for  a  fortnight ;  it  is  quite  possible,  how- 
ever, that  she  may  remember  the  contents  of 
those  chapters  on  her  death-bed,  if  so,  will 
the  attempt  have  been  a  futile  one? 

I  completed  the  translation,  supplying  de- 
ficiencies from  my  own  version,  begun  at 
Badajoz  in  1836.  This  translation  I  printed 
at  Madrid  in  1838 ;  it  was  the  first  book  which 
ever  appeared  in  Rommany,  and  was  called 
"Ernbeo  e  Majaro  Lucas,"  or  Gospel  of  Luke 
the  Saint.  I  likewise  published,  simultane- 
ously, the  same  Gospel  in  Basque,  which, 
however,  I  had  no  opportunity  of  circulating. 

The  Gitanos  of  Madrid  purchased  the  Gypsy 
Luke  freely :  many  of  the  men  understood  it, 
and  prized  it  highly,  induced  of  course  more 
by  the  language  than  the  doctrine ;  the  wo- 
men were  particularly  anxious  to  obtain 
copies,  though  unable  to  read;  but  each 
wished  to  have  one  in  their  pocket,  especially 
when  engaged  in  thieving  expeditions,  for 
they  all  looked  upon  it  in  the  light  of  a  charm, 
which  would  preserve  them  from  all  danger 
and  mischance ;  some  even  went  so  far  as  to 
say,  that  in  this  respect  it  was  equally  effica- 
cious as  the  Bar  Lachi,  or  loadstone,  which 
they  are  in  general  so  desirous  of  possessing. 
Gf  this  Gospel*  five  hundred  copies  were 
printed,  the  greatest  part  of  which  I  contrived 
to  circulate  amongst  the  Gypsies  in  various 
parts ;  1  cast  the  book  upon  the  waters  and 
left  it  to  its  destiny. 

I  have  counted  seventeen  Gitanas  assem- 
bled at  one  time  in  my  apartment  in  the  Calle 
de  Santiago  in  Madrid:  for  the  first  quarter  of 
an  hour  we  generally  discoursed  upon  indiffe- 
rent matters,  when,  by  degrees,  I  guided  the 
subject  to  religion  and  the  state  of  souls.  I 
finally  became  so  bold  that  I  ventured  to  speak 
against  their  inveterate  practices,  thieving 
and  lying,  telling  fortunes,  and  stealing  a 
pastesas;  this  was  touching  upon  delicate 
ground,  and  I  experienced  much  opposition 
and  much  feminine  clamour.  I  persevered, 
however,  and  they  finally  assented  to  all  I 
said,  not  that  I  believe  that  my  words  made 
much  impression  upon  their  hearts.  In  a  few 
months  matters  were  so  far  advanced  that 
they  would  sing  a  hymn;  I  wrote  one  ex- 
pressly for  them  in  Rommany,  in  which  their 
own  wild  couplets  were,  to  a  certain  extent, 
imitated. 

The  people  of  the  street  in  which  I  lived, 
seeing  such  numbers  of  these  strange  females 

*  It  was  speedily  prohibited,  together  with  the  Basque 
Gospel;  by  a  royal  ordoiniance,  however,  which  appeared 
in  the  gazette  of  Madrid  in  August  1838,  every  public  li- 
brary In  the  kingdom  was  empowered  to  purchase  two 
copies  in  both  languages,  as  the  works  in  question  were 
allowed  to  possess  some  merit  in  a  literary  point  of  vinr. 
In  the  Basque  translation  I  was  assisted  by  an  ingenious 
gentleman,  a  native  of  the  province  of  Guipn/.coa. 


continually  passing  in  and  out,  were  struck 
with  astonishment,  and  demanded  the  rea- 
son. The  answers  which  they  obtained  by 
no  means  satisfied  them.  "  Zeal  for  the  con- 
version of  souls, — the  souls  too  of  Gitanas, — 
disparate !  the  fellow  is  a  bribon.  Besides 
he  is  an  Englishman,  and  is  not  baptized; 
what  cares  he  for  souls'?  They  visit  him  for 
other  purposes.  He  makes  base  ounces, 
which  they  carry  away  and  circulate.  Ma- 
drid is  already  stocked  with  false  money." 
Others  were  of  opinion  that  we  met  for  pur- 
poses of  sorcery  and  abomination.  The  Spa- 
niard has  no  conception  that  other  springs  of 
action  exist  than  interest  or  villany. 

My  little  congregation,  if  such  I  may  call 
it,  consisted  entirely  of  women;  the  men  sel- 
dom or  never  visited  me  save  they  stood  in 
need  of  something  which  they  hoped  to  ob- 
tain from  me.  This  circumstance  1  little  re- 
gretted, their  manners  and  conversation  being 
the  reverse  of  interesting.  It  must  not,  how- 
ever, be  supposed  that,  even  with  respect  to 
the  women,  matters  went  on  invariably  in  a 
smooth  and  satisfactory  manner.  The  fol- 
lowing little  anecdote  will  show  what  slight 
dependence  can  be  placed  upon  them,  and 
how  disposed  they  are  at  all  times  to  take 
part  in  what  is  grotesque  and  malicious.  One 
day  they  arrived,  attended  by  a  Gypsy  jockey 
whom  I  had  never  previously  seen.  We  had 
scarcely  been  seated  a  minute,  when  this  fel- 
low, rising,  took  me  to  the  window,  and  with- 
out any  preamble  or  circumlocution,  said, — 
"Don  Jorge,  you  shall  lend  me  two  barias" 
(ounces  of  gold.)  "  Not  to  your  whole  race, 
my  excellent  friend,"  said  I ;  "  are  you  fran- 
tic? Sit  down  and  be  discreet."  He  obeyed 
me  literally,  sat  down,  and  when  the  rest  de- 
parted, followed  with  them.  We  did  not  in- 
variably meet  at  my  own  house,  but  occa- 
sionally at  one  in  a  street  inhabited  by  Gyp- 
sies. On  the  appointed  day  I  went  to  this 
house,  where  I  found  the  women  assembled  ; 
the  jockey  was  also  present.  On  seeing  me 
he  advanced,  again  took  me  aside,  and  again 
said, — "  Don  Jorge,  you  shall  lend  me  two 
barias."  I  made  him  no  answer,  but  at  once 
entered  on  the  subject  which  brought  me 
thither.  I  spoke  for  some  time  in  Spanish ;  I 
chose  for  the  theme  of  my  discourse  the  situa- 
tion of  the  Hebrews  in  Egypt,  and  pointed  out 
its  similarity  to  that  of  the  Gitanos  in  Spain. 
I  spoke  of  the  power  of  God,  manifested  in 
preserving  both  as  separate  and  distinct  peo- 
ple amongst  the  nations  until  the  present  day. 
I  warmed  with  my  subject.  I  subsequently 
produced  a  manuscript  book,  from  which  [ 
read  a  portion  of  Scripture,  and  the  Lord's 
Prayer  and  Apostle's  Creed,  in  Rommany. 
When  I  had  concluded  I  looked  around  me. 
The  features  of  the  assembly  were  twisted, 
and  the  eyes  of  all  turned  upon  me  with  a 
frightful  squint;  not  an  individual  present 
but  squinted, — the  genteel  Pepa,  the  good- 
humoured  Chicharona,  the  Caedmai,  &c, 
&c,  all  squinted.  The  Gypsy  fellow,  the  con- 
triver of  t  he  burla,  squinted  worst  of  all.  Such 
arc  Gypsies. 


PART  III. 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE  POETRY  OF  THE  GITANOS. 

There  is  no  nation  in  the  world,  however 
exalted  or  however  degraded,  but  is  in  pos- 
session of  some  peculiar  poetry,  by  which  it 
expresses  its  peculiar  ideas  of  religion  or  mo- 
rality, depicts  the  manner  of  life  to  which  it 
is  addicted,  or  in  which  it  embodies  its  tradi- 
tions, if  any  it  possess.  If  the  Chinese,  the 
Hindoos,  the  Greeks,  and  the  Persians,  those 
splendid  and  renowned  races,  have  their  mo- 
ral lays,  their  mythologic  epics,  their  trage- 
dies, and  their  immortal  love  songs,  so  also 
have  the  wild  and  barbarous  tribes  of  Sou- 
dan, and  the  wandering  Esquimaux,  their  dit- 
ties, which,  however  insignificant  in  compa- 
rison with  the  compositions  of  the  former  na- 
tions, still  are  entitled  in  every  essential  point 
to  the  name  of  poetry;  if  poetry  mean  those 
creations  of  the  mind  in  which  it  seeks  for 
solace  and  recreation  from  the  cares,  dis- 
tresses, and  anxieties  to  which  mortality  is 
subject. 

The  Gypsies  too  have  their  poetry.  Of 
that  of  the  Russian  Zigani  we  have  already 
said  something,  and  hope  on  a  future  occa- 
sion to  be  enabled  to  say  yet  more;  for, 
though  the  present  work  is  devoted  to  the 
Spanish  Gypsies,  we  are  willing  to  confess 
that  they  afford  a  subject  by  no  means  so  ex- 
tensive and  interesting  as  their  brethren  of 
Sclavonia,  to  whom  we  should  assuredly  have 
turned  our  attention  in  preference,  had  posi- 
tion and  circumstances  brought  us  so  much 
and  so  continually  in  contact  with  them  as 
with  the  Zincali  of  Spain.  It  has  always 
been  our  opinion,  and  we  believe  that  in  this 
we  are  by  no  means  singular,  that  in  nothing 
can  the  character  of  a  people  be  read  with 
greater  certainty  and  exactness  than  in  its 
songs.  How  truly  do  the  warlike  ballads  of 
the  Northmen  and  the  Danes,  their  drapas 
and  kcempe  visers,  depict  the  character  of 
the  Goth ;  and  how  equally  do  the  songs  of 
the  Arabians,  replete  with  homage  to  the  one 
high,  uncreated,  and  eternal  God,  "the  foun- 
tain of  blessing,"  "the  only  conqueror,"  lay 
bare  to  us  the  mind  of  the  Moslem  of  the  de- 
sert, whose  grand  characteristic  is  religious 
veneration  and  uncompromising  zeal  for  the 
glory  of  the  Creator. 

The  poetry  of  the  Spanish  Gypsies  is,  in 
almost  every  respect,  such  as  might  be  ex- 
pected to  originate  among  people  of  their 
class:  a  set  of  Thugs,  subsisting  by  cheating 


and  villany  of  every  description ;  hating  the 
rest  of  the  human  species,  and  bound  to  each 
other  by  the  bands  of  common  origin,  lan- 
guage, and  pursuits.  The  themes  of  this  po- 
etry are  the  various  incidents  of  Gitano  life — 
cattle-stealing,  prison  adventures,  assassina- 
tion, revenge,  with  allusions  to  the  peculiar 
customs  of  the  race  of  Roma.  Here  we  be- 
hold a  swine  running  down  a  hill,  calling  to 
the  Gypsy  to  steal  him,  which  he  will  most 
assuredly  accomplish  by  means  of  his  intoxi- 
cating drao — a  Gypsy  reclining  sick  on  the 
prison  floor,  beseeches  his  wife  to  intercede 
with  the  alcayde  for  the  removal  of  the  chain 
whose  weight  is  bursting  his  body — the  moon 
arises,  and  two  Gypsies,  who  are  about  to 
steal  a  steed,  perceive  a  Spaniard  and  in- 
stantly flee.  Sometimes  expressions  of  wild 
power  and  romantic  interest  occur.  The 
swarthy  lover  threatens  to  slay  his  be- 
trothed, even  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  should 
she  prove  unfaithful.  And  another  hopes  to 
bear  away  a  beauty  of  Spanish  race,  by  the 
magic  sound  of  a  word  of  Romrnany  whis- 
pered in  her  ear  at  the  window. 

Amongst  these  effusions  are  even  to  be 
found  tender  and  beautiful  thoughts;  for 
Thugs  and  Gitanos  have  their  moments  of 
gentleness.  True  it  is  that  such  are  few  and 
far  between,  as  a  flower  or  a  shrub  are  here 
and  there  seen  springing  up  from  the  inter- 
stices of  the  rugged  and  frightful  rocks  of 
which  the  Spanish  sierras  are  composed :  a 
wicked  mother  is  afraid  to  pray  to  the  Lord 
with  her  own  lips,  and  calls  on  her  innocent 
babe  to  beseech  him  to  restore  peace  and 
comfort  to  her  heart— an  imprisoned  youth 
appears  to  have  no  earthly  friend  on  whom 
he  can  rely,  save  his  sister,  and  wishes  for  a 
messenger  to  carry  unto  her  the  tale  of  his 
sufferings,  confident  that  she  would  hasten 
at  once°to  his  assistance.  And  what  can  be 
more  touching  than  the  speech  of  the  re- 
lenting lover  to  the  fair  one  whom  he  has 
outraged? 

"  Extend  to  me  the  hand  so  small, 

Wherein  1  see  thee  weep, 

For  O  thy  balmy  tear-drops  nil 

I  would  collect  and  keen!" 

This  Gypsy  poetry  consists  of  quartets,  or 
rather  couplets,  but  two  rhymes  being  dis- 
cernible, and  those  generally  imperfect,  the 
vowels  alone  agreeing  in  sound.  Occasion- 
ally, however,  sixains  or  stanzas  of  six  lines, 
a  re  to  be  found,  but  this  is  of  rare  occurrence. 
The  thought,  anecdote  or  adventure  described, 
is  seldom  carried  beyond  one  stanza,  in  which 
every  thing  is  expressed  which  the  poet  wishes 


RHYMES. 


89 


to  impart.  This  feature  will  appear  singu- 
lar to  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the 
character  of  the  popular  poetry  of  the  south, 
and  are  accustomed  to  the  redundancy  and 
frequently  tedious  repetition  of  a  more  po- 
lished muse.  It  will  be  well  to  inform  such 
that  the  greatest  part  of  the  poetry  sung  in 
the  south,  and  especially  in  Spain,  is  extem- 
porary. The  musician  composes  it  at  the 
stretch  of  his  voice,  whilst  his  fingers  are 
tugging  at  the  guitar;  which  style  of  compo- 
sition is  by  no  means  favourable  to  a  long  and 
connected  series  of  thought.  Of  course,  the 
greatest  part  of  this  species  of  poetry  perishes 
as  soon  as  born.  A  stanza,  however,  is  some- 
times caught  up  by  the  by-standers,  and  com- 
mitted to  memory;  and,  being  frequently  re- 
peated, makes,  in  time,  the  circuit  of  the 
country.  For  example,  the  stanza  about  Co- 
runcho  Lopez,  which  was  originally  made  at 
the  gate  of  a  venta  by  a  Miquelet,*  who  was 
conducting  the  said  Lopez  to  the  galleys  for 
a  robbery.  It  is  at  present  sung  through  the 
whole  of  the  peninsula,  however  insignificant 
it  may  sound  to  foreign  ears : — 

"  Coruncho  Lopez,  gallant  lad, 
A  smuggling  he  would  ride; 
He  stole  his  father's  ambling  prad, 
And  therefore  to  the  galleys  sad 
Coruncho  now  I  guide." 

The  couplets  of  the  Gitanos  are  composed 
in  the  same  off-hand  manner,  and  exactly  re- 
semble in  metre  the  popular  ditties  of  the 
Spaniards.  In  spirit,  however,  as  well  as 
language,  they  are  in  general  widely  differ- 
ent, as  they  mostly  relate  to  the  Gypsies  and 
their  affairs,  and  not  unfrequently  abound 
with  abuse  of  the  Busne  or  Spaniards.  Many 
of  these  creations  have,  like  the  stanza  of 
Coruncho  Lopez,  been  wafted  over  Spain 
amongst  the  Gypsy  tribes,  and  are  even  fre- 
quently repeated  by  the  Spaniards  them- 
selves ;  at  least,  by  those  who  affect  to  imi- 
tate the  phraseology  of  the  Gitanos.  Those 
which  appear  in  the  present  collection,  con- 
sist partly  of  such  couplets,  and  partly  of 
such  as  we  have  ourselves  taken  down,  as 

*  A  species  of  gendarme  or  armed  policeman.  The 
Miquelets  have  existed  in  Spain  for  upwards  ol'two  hun- 
dred years.  They  are  called  Miquelets,  from  the  name 
of  their  original  leader.  They  are  generally  Aragonese 
by  nation,  and  reclaimed  robbers. 


soon  as  they  originated,  not  unfrequently  In 
the  midst  of  a  circle  of  these  singular  people, 
dancing  and  singing  to  their  wild  music.  Jn 
no  instance  have  they  been  subjected  to  mo- 
dification;  and  the  English  translation  is,  in 
general,  very  faithful  to  the  original,  as  will 
easily  be  perceived  by  referring  to  the  lexi- 
con. To  those  who  may  feel  disposed  to 
find  fault  with  or  criticise  these  songs,  wo 
have  to  observe,  that  the  present  work  has 
been  written  with  no  other  view  than  to  de- 
pict the  Gitanos  such  as  they  are,  and  to  il- 
lustrate their  character;  and,  on  that  ac- 
count, we  have  endeavoured,  as  much  as 
possible,  to  bring  them  before  the  reader,  and 
to  make  them  speak  for  themselves.  They 
are  a  half  civilized,  unlettered  people,  pro- 
verbial for  a  species  of  knavish  acuteness, 
which  serves  them  in  lieu  of  wisdom.  To 
place  in  the  mouth  of  such  beings  the  high- 
flown  sentiments  of  modern  poetry  would  not 
answer  our  purpose,  though  several  authors 
have  not  shrunk  from  such  an  absurdity. 

These  couplets  have  been  collected  in  Es- 
tremadura  and  New  Castile,  in  Valencia  and 
Andalusia;  the  four  provinces  where  the  Gi- 
tano  race  most  abounds.  We  wish,  howe- 
ver, to  remark,  that  they  constitute  scarcely 
a  tenth  part  of  our  original  gleanings,  from 
which  we  have  selected  one  hundred  of  tke 
most  remarkable  and  interesting. 

The  language  of  the  originals  will  convey 
an  exact  idea  of  the  Rommany  of  Spain,  as 
used  at  the  present  day  amongst  the  Gitanos 
in  the  fairs,  when  they  are  buying  and  sell- 
ing animals,  and  wish  to  converse  with  each 
other  in  a  way  unintelligible  to  the  Spaniards. 
We  are  free  to  confess  that  it  is  a  mere  bro- 
ken jargon,  but  it  answers  the  purpose  of 
those  who  use  it ;  and  it  is  but  just  to  remark 
that  many  of  its  elements  are  of  the  most  re- 
mote antiquity,  and  the  most  illustrious  de- 
scent, as  will  be  shown  hereafter.  We  have 
uniformly  placed  the  original  by  the  side  of 
the  translation ;  for  though  unwilling  to  make 
the  Gitanos  speak  in  any  other  manner  than 
they  are  accustomed,  we  are  equally  averse 
to  have  it  supposed  that  many  of  the  thoughts 
and  expressions  which  occur  in  these  songs, 
and  which  are  highly  objectionable,  origi- 
nated with  ourselves. 


POESIAS  DE  LOS  GITANOS.  RHYMES  OF  THE  GITANOS, 


Me  ligueron  al  vero, 

Por  medio  de  una  estaripel, 

Le  penelo  a  mi  romi, 

Que  la  mequelo  con  mi  chabore. 


Unto  a  refuge  me  they  led, 
To  save  from  dungeon  drear; 

Then  sighing  to  my  wife  I  said: 
I  leave  mv  habv  dear. 


90 


THE  ZINCALI. 


II. 

Abillelo  del  vcro, 
Dique  a  mi  chabori, 
He  penado  a  mi  romi : 
Io  me  chalo  de  aqui. 

in. 

Cuando  me  blejelo  en  mi  gra, 
Mi  chabori  al  atras, 
Ustilelo  io  la  pusca, 
Empiezan  daranar. 

IV. 

Manguela  chabori, 
Si  estas  en  gracia  de  Undebel, 
Que  me  saiga  araquerarme, 
Descanso  a  mi  suncue. 


El  chuquel  de  Juanito 
Bien  puede  chalar  con  cuidao 
Que  los  Cales  de  Lleira 
Le  quieren  dinar  un  pucazo. 

VI. 

Nueve  bejis  hace  hoy 
Que  chalaste  de  mi  quer, 
Abillar  a  Santo  Christo, 
A  diflarle  cuenta  a  Undebel. 

VII. 

Mai  fin  terele  el  Crallis, 
Que  lo  caquero, 
Liguero  a  mi  batus  y  min  dai, 
Y  me  mequelo. 

VIII. 

Sinaron  en  una  bal 
Unos  poco  de  randes, 
Con  las  puscas  en  las  pates, 
Pa  marar  a  Undebel. 

IX. 

Por  aquel  luchipen  abajo> 
Abillela  un  balichoro, 
Abillela  a  goli  goli : 
Ustilame  Caloro. 


El  gate  de  mi  trupo, 
No  se  muchobela  en  pani, 
Se  muchobela  con  la  rati, 
De  Juanito  Rali. 

XI. 

He  costunado  en  mi  gra, 
Con  Juanito  Rali, 
Al  sicobar  por  l'ulicha,1 
Un  pucazo  io  le  di. 

XII. 

Al  pinre  de  Jezunvais 
Me  abillelo  matarar 
La  gachi  que  llo  camelo, 
Si  abillela  nansala. 

XIII. 

Cuando  paso  por  Pulicha, 
Yebo  el  estache  blejo, 
Para  que  no  penele  tun  dai 
De  que  camelo  io. 

XIV. 

No  te  chibcle  beldolaia, 
A  recogerte  una  fremi ; 
Quo  no  es  el  jnlia  mas  rico, 
Ni  la  bal  mas  bari. 


ii. 

Back  from  the  refuge  soon  I  sped, 

My  child's  sweet  face  to  see; 
Then  sternly  to  my  wife  I  said, 

You've  seen  the  last  of  me. 

in. 

0  when  I  sit  my  courser  bold, 
My  bantling  in  my  rear, 

And  in  my  hand  my  musket  hold, 

0  how  they  quake  with  fear. 

IV. 

Pray  little  baby,  pray  the  Lord, 

Since  guiltless  still  thou  art, 
That  peace  and  comfort  he  afford 

To  this  poor  troubled  heart. 

v. 

The  false  Juanito,  day  and  night, 

Had  best  with  caution  go, 
The  Gypsy  carles  of  Yeira  height, 

Have  sworn  to  lay  him  low. 

VI. 

Nine  years  are  past  since  this  abode 

Thou  left'st  to  grief  a  prey, 
And  took'st  to  Christ  the  heavenward  road, 
~  To  him  account  to  pay. 

VII. 

Upon  the  king  may  evils  pour, 

Such  ills  from  him  I've  borne, 
From  me  my  parents  lov'd  he  tore, 

1  now  am  left  forlorn. 

VIII. 

Within  a  garden  rav'd  and  yell'd 

A  desperate  robber  horde, 
And  in  their  hands  they  muskets  held, 

To  shoot  their  God  and  Lord. 

IX. 

There  runs  a  swine  down  yonder  hill, 

As  fast  as  e'er  he  can, 
And  as  he  runs  he  crieth  still, 

Come  steal  me,  Gypsy  man. 

x. 

1  wash'd  not  in  the  limpid  flood, 

The  shirt  which  binds  my  frame; 
But  in  Juanito  Ralli's  blood, 
I  bravely  wash'd  the  same. 

XI. 

I  sallied  forth  upon  my  gray, 

With  him  my  hated  foe, 
And  when  we  reach'd  the  narrow  way, 

I  dealt  a  dagger  blow. 

XII. 

To  blessed  Jesus'  holy  feet, 

I'd  rush  to  kill  and  slay 
My  pliffhted  lass  so  fair  and  sweet, 

Should  she  the  wanton  play. 

XIII. 

I  slouch  my  beaver  o'er  my  brow, 

As  down  the  street  I  rove, 
For  fear  thy  mother  keen  should  know 

That  I  her  daughter  love. 

XIV. 

The  purslain  weed  thou  must  not  sow, 

If  thou  wouldst  fruit  obtain, 
As  poor  would  be  the  garden's  show, 

As  would  the  crardcner's  gain. 


RHYMES. 


91 


XV. 

He  mangado  la  pani, 

No  me  la  camelaron  dinar ; 

He  chalado  a  la  ulicha 

Y  me  he  chibado  a  dustilar. 

XVI. 

He  mangado  una  poca  yaque, 
No  me  la  camelaron  dinar, 
El  gate  de  mi  trupo, 
Si  io  les  camelare  dinar. 

XVII. 

Najeila  Pepe  Conde, 
Que  te  abillelan  a  marar, 
Abillelan  cuatro  jundunares, 
Con  la  bayoneta  cala' 

XVIII. 

El  Bengue  de  Manga  verde, 
Nunca  camela  dinar, 
Que  la  ley  de  los  Cales 
La  camela  nicabar. 

XIX. 

Chalando  por  una  ulicha 
He  dica'o  una  mulati, 

Y  a  mi  me  araquero : 
Garabelate  Calori. 


He  chalado  a  la  cangri, 
A  araquerar  con  Undebel, 
Al  tiempo  de  sicobarme, 
Alache  pansche  chules. 

XXI. 

Io  me  chale  a  mi  quer, 
En  buscar  de  mi  romi, 
La  topisare  orobando, 
Por  medio  de  mi  chabori. 

XXII. 

Me  chalo  por  una  rochime, 
A  buscarme  mi  bien  serial; 
Me  tope  con  Undebel, 

Y  me  peno:  Aonde  chalas'? 

XXIII. 

Abillaron  a  un  gao 
Unos  poco  de  Cales, 
Con  la  chaboeia  orobando, 
Porque  no  terelaban  lo  hates, 
Pa  dinarles  que  jamar, 

Y  maraban  Undebel. 

XXIV. 

El  crallis  en  su  trono, 
Me  mando  araquerar ; 
Coma,  aromali,  me  camelaba, 
Ahcra  su  real  me  heta. 

XXV. 

He  chalado  por  un  dru, 
He  dicado  una  rande, 
A  las  goles  que  dinaba, 
He  pejado  Undebel. 

XXVI. 

El  crallis  anda  najando, 
Que  lo  camelo  marar ; 
Ha  ampenado  las  chabes, 
Que  no  los  tenga  dustilar. 


xv. 

I  for  a  cup  of  water  cried, 
But  they  refus'd  my  pray'r; 

Then  straight  into  the  road  I  hied, 
And  fell  to  robbing  there. 

XVI. 

I  ask'd  for  fire  to  warm  my  frame, 
But  they'd  have  scorn'd  my  pray'r, 

If  I,  to  pay  them  for  the  same, 
Had  stripp'd  my  body  bare. 

XVII. 

Fly,  Pepe  Conde,  seek  the  hill, 

To  flee's  thy  only  chance, 
With  bayonets  fix'd  thy  blood  to  spill, 

See  soldiers  four  advance. 

XVIII, 

The  Gypsy  fiend  of  Manga  mead, 

Who  never  gave  a  straw, 
He  would  destroy,  for  very  greed, 

The  good  Egyptian  law. 

XIX. 

I  walk'd  the  street,  and  there  1  spied 

A  goodly  gallows-tree, 
And  in  my  ear  methought  it  cried; 

Gypsy,  beware  of  me. 


The  church  I  enter'd,  thither  bound 
With  God  discourse  to  hold, 

And  when  I  left  it,  lo,  I  found 
A  prize — five  crowns  of  gold. 

XXI. 

I  bounded  through  my  cottage  door, 

My  partner  to  embrace, 
And  lo,  I  found  her  weeping  o'er 

My  dying  infant's  face. 

XXII. 

I  spurr'd  my  courser  o'er  the  ford, 

Afar  my  luck  I'd  try, 
Encounter'd  me  my  God  and  Lordf 

And  said,  where  dost  thou  hie] 

xxnr. 
There  came  adown  the  village  street, 

With  little  babes  that  cry, 
Because  they  have  no  crust  to  cat, 

A  Gypsy  company; 
And  as  no  charity  they  meet, 

They  curse  the  Lord  on  high. 

XXIV. 

I  spoke,  'twas  at  the  king's  command, 

And  as  I  spoke  he  smiPd 
Benign,  and  now,  by  all  the  land 

Your  Highness  I  am  styl'd. 

XXV. 

Along  the  pathway  as  I  trod, 

A  beggar  met  my  eye, 
And  at  her  cries  the  Almighty  God 

Descended  from  the  sky. 

XXVI. 

The  king  in  fear  before  me  runs, 
Because  I  him  would  slay, 

He  bears  with  him  his  little  ones, 
Lest  hands  on  them  I  lay. 


92 


THE  ZINCALI. 


XXVII. 

El  erajai  de  Villa  Franca 
Ha  mandiserado  araquerar, 
Que  la  ley  de  los  Cales, 
La  camela  nicabar. 

XXVIII. 

Abillela  el  erajai 
Por  el  dm  de  Zabuncha, 
El  chororo  de  Facundo 
Ha  comenzado  najar. 

XXIX. 

Me  chalo  de  mi  quer, 
En  l'ulicha  m'ustilaron ; 
Ampenado  de  los  Busnes, 
Este  Calo  ha  sinado. 

XXX. 

Me  sicobaron  del  estaripel, 
Me  ligueron  al  libano ; 
Ampenado  de  los  Busnes 
Esto  Calo  no  ha  sinado.  ' 

XXXI. 

Toda  la  erachi  pirando 
Emposuno,  emposuno, 
Con  las  acais  pincherando 
Para  dicar  el  Busno 
Que  le  dinele  con  el  chulo. 

XXXII. 

No  hay  quien  liguerele  las  nuevas 

A  la  chabori  de  min  dai, 

Que  en  el  triste  delveo 

Me  sinelan  nicabando  la  metepe! 

XXXIII. 

Sinamos  jatanes  y  les  peno 
Que  se  sicobelen  por  abri, 
Que  camelo  araquerar 
Con  esta  romi. 

XXXIV. 

Me  ha  penado  que  gustisaraba 
Un  estache  de  Laloro ; 
'Laver  chibes  por  la  tasala 
Chalo  a  la  tienda  y  lo  quino. 

XXXV. 

Le  sacaron  a  mulabar 
Entre  cuatro  jundunares ; 
Ha  penado  laCrallisa 
Que  no  marela  a  nadie. 

XXXVI. 

Por  la  ulicha  van  beando 
Vasos  finos  de  cristal ; 
Dai  merca  mangue  uno, 
Que  lo  camelo  estrenar. 

XXXVII. 

No  camelo  romi 
Que  camela  chinoro ; 
Chalo  por  las  cachimanis 
Beando  el  pefiacoro. 

XXXVIII. 

Undcbel  de  chinoro 
!>c  gnillo  con  los  Cales; 
Y  sinelando  el  varo 
Le  mataron  los  gaehes. 


XXVII. 

The  priest  of  Villa  Franca  bold 

Proclaimeth  far  and  wide, 
That  he  the  law  which  Gypsies  hold 

Is  bent  to  set  aside. 

XXVIII. 

And  see  adown  the  road  doth  prance 

The  priest  in  full  array, 
In  fear  before  his  countenance 

Facundo  runs  away. 

XXIX. 

I  left  my  house  and  walk'd  about, 
They  seized  me  fast  and  bound; 

It  is  a  Gypsy  thief,  they  shout, 
The  Spaniards  here  have  found. 

xxx. 
From  out  the  prison  me  they  led, 

Before  the  scribe  they  brought ; 
It  is  no  Gypsy  thief,  he  said, 

The  Spaniards  here  have  caught. 

XXXI. 

Throughout  the  night,  the  dusky  night, 

I  prowl  in  silence  round, 
And  with  my  eyes  look  left  and  right, 

For  him,  the  Spanish  hound, 
That  with  my  knife  I  him  may  smite, 

And  to  the  vitals  wound. 

XXXII. 

Will  no  one  to  the  sister  bear 
News  of  her  brother's  plight. 

How  in  this  cell  of  dark  despair, 
To  cruel  death  he's  dight. 

XXXIII. 

We  all  are  met,  a  sign  I  make, 
That  they  abroad  should  steal, 

For  to  this  maid  my  mind  to  break, 
So  sore  inclin'd  I  feel. 

xxxiv. 

She  told  me  she  would  gladly  wear 

A  hat  of  Portugal ; 
To-morrow's  morn  'twill  be  my  care 

To  buy  one  at  the  stall. 

xxxv. 
The  youth  to  execution  went, 

Held  fast  by  soldier's  hands ; 
The  queen  proclaimed  him  innocent, 

And  freed  him  from  his  bands. 

XXXVI. 

Within  the  street  they're  selling,  see, 

Vases  of  crystal  fine ; 
Dear  mother,  purchase  one  for  me — 

I'll  fill  it  up  with  wine. 

XXXVII. 

I  hate  a  wife  who  sits  at  homo 

A-fondling  aye  her  child ; 
Unto  the  brandy  shops  I  roam, 

And  drink  till  I  am  wild. 

XXXVIII. 

The  Lord,  as  e'en  the  Gentiles  state, 

By  Egypt's  nice  was  bred, 
And  when  he  came  to  man's  estate, 

His  blood  the  Gentiles  shed. 


RHYMES. 


93 


XXXIX. 

No  camelos  a  gaches 
Por  mucho  que  se  aromanen, 
Que  al  fin  ila  por  partida 
Te  reverdisce  la  rati. 

XL. 

Dela  estaripel  me  sicobelaron 

Blejo  un  gel ; 

Por  toda  la  polvorosa 

Me  zuran  el  barandel. 

XL  I. 

Me  sicobelan  dela  estaripel 
Me  ligueron  al  vero 
Ustilada  una  pusca 
Un  puscazo  les  dino. 

XLII. 

He  abillado  de  Madrilati 
Con  muclia  pena  y  dolor, 
Porque  ha  penado  el  Crallis  : 
Marad  a  ese  Cala. 

XLIII. 

Ya  estan  los  Cales  balbales 
Cada  uno  en  sus  queres, 
Y  tosares  los  pobrecitos 
Los  llevan  al jurepe. 

XLIV. 

La  puri  de  min  dai 
La  curaron  los  randes, 
Al  abillar  a  la  Meligrana 
Pa  manguelarme  metepe. 


Que  el  encarcelamiento  de  Undebel 
No  causo  tanto  dolor, 
Cuando  se  guillaba  la  Majari 
Atras  de  su  Chaboro. 

XLVI. 

Sinaron  en  un  paluno 
Unos  poco  de  Cales ;! 
Se  ban  sicobado  najando 
Por  medio  del  barate. 

XLVII. 

Empunandome  '1  estache 
La  plata  para  salir, 
Me  curelan  los  soiares — 
Ustile  la  churi. 

XLVIII. 

Me  costune  la  chori 
Para  chalar  a  Laloro, 
Al  nacar  de  la  pani 
Abillo  obusno, 

Y  el  chuquel  a  largo  me  chibo. 

XLTX. 

Empenete  romi 

Con  el  carcelero, 

Que  me  nicobelc  este  gran  sase, 

Porque  me  merelo. 

L. 

Tositos  los  correoi 
Te  dinelan  recado, 

Y  tu  me  tenelas  en  el  rinconcillo. 
De  Jos  olvidados. 

10 


XXXIX. 

O  never  with  the  Gentiles  wend, 
Nor  deem  their  speeches  true ; 

Or  else,  be  certain  in  the  end, 
Thy  blood  will  lose  its  hue. 

XL. 

From  out  the  prison  me  they  bore, 

Upon  an  a^s  they  plac'd, 
And  scourg'd  me  till  I  dripp'd  with  gore, 

As  down  the  road  it  pac'd. 

XLI. 

They  bore  me  from  the  prison  nook, 
They  bade  me  rove  at  large  ; 

When  out  I'd  come  a  gun  I  took, 
And  scathed  them  with  its  charge. 

XLII. 

From  out  Madrid  I  wretch  have  fled 
With  many  a  tear  and  sigh, 

Because  the  cruel  king  has  said — 
This  Gypsy  he  shall  die. 

XLIII. 

Within  his  dwelling  sits  at  ease 

Each  wealthy  Gypsy  churl, 
While  ali  the  needy  ones  they  seize 

And  into  prison  hurl. 

XLIV. 

My  mother,  ag'd  afflicted  dame 

By  thieves  beset  was  she, 
To  high  Granada  as  she  came 

From  bondage  me  to  free. 

XLV. 

For  oh !  the  imprisonment  of  God 

Awak'd  not  grief  more  wild 
In  blessed  Mary  as  she  trod 

Behind  her  heavenly  child. 

XLVI. 

Of  Gypsy  folk  a  scanty  few 

Into  the  wood  had  stray'd, 
But  out  in  hurry  soon  they  flew 

Before  the  fierce  alcayde. 


My  hat  and  mantle  on  I  cast 

To  sally  forth  I  thought, 
Then  by  the  greaves  they  seiz'd  me  fast, 

And  I  my  dagger  caught. 

XLVIII. 

My  mule  so  bonny  I  bestrode, 

To  Portugal  I'd  floe, 
And  as  I  o'er  the  water  rode 

A  man  came  suddenly; 
And  he  his  love  and  kindness  show'd 

By  setting  his  dog  on  me. 

XLIZ. 

O  wife,  beseech  the  prison  lord 

That  he  this  chain  remove. 
For  I  shall  perish  ovcrpower'd 

Unless  he  clement  prove. 

L. 

Each  post  that  leaves  the  village  gate 
My  message  forth  doth  bear, 

But  still  forgotten  here  I  wait, 
And  wither  and  despair. 
12 


94 


THE  ZIKCALI. 


LI. 

Si  min  dai  abillar 
A  dicar  a  su  men, 
Io  le  penara  que  fuera 
Con  Dios  (Jndebel. 


Me  ardinelo  a  la  muralia 

Y  Je  penelo  al  jil, 

Que  me  querelaron  un  tumbacillo 
De  acero  y  de  marfil, 

LIII. 

Pucas  tenela  min  dai 
Ducas  tenelo  yo, 
Las  de  min  dai  io  siento 
Las  de  Mangue  no. 

LIV. 

Si  pasaras  por  la  cangri 
Trin  berjis  despues  de  mi  mular, 
Si  araqueras  por  min  nao 
Respondiera  mi  cocal. 

LV. 

Io  no  tenelo  batu 

Ni  dai  tampoco, 

Io  tenelo  un  planelillo. 

Y  le  Hainan  el  loco. 

LVI. 

Si  tu  te  romandinaras 

Y  io  le  supiera, 

Io  vestiria  todo  min  trupos 
De  bayeta  negra. 

LVII. 

Si  io  no  t'endicara 

En  una  semana — 

Como  aromali  Flamenca  de  Roma 

Me  rincondenara. 

LVIII. 

Flamenca  de  Roma 
Si  tu  sinaras  mia, 
Te  metiera  entre  viere 
Por  sari  la  vida. 

LIX. 

Difiame  el  pate 

Por  donde  orobaste, 

A  recoger  la  pani  delas  acais 

Que  tu  derramaste.j 

LX, 

El  gate  de  mi  trupo 
No  se  muchobela  en  pani, 
Se  muchobela  con  la  rati 
Que  ha  chibado  mi  romi. 

LXI. 

No  sinela  su  men  min  dai 
La  que  me  chindo, 
Que  sinando  io  chinorillo 
Se  liguero  v  me  meco. 

LXII. 

Tosarias  las  m ananas 
Que  io  me  ardinelo, 
Con  la  pani  de  mis  acais 
La  chichi  me  nmcliabelo. 

LXIII. 

Tu  patu  y  tun  dai 
Me  publican  clijnga, 


Sir  Cavalier,  my  mother  dear 

Must  come  and  visit  you, 
That  Mother  dear,  Sir  Cavalier, 

The  face  of  God  may  view. 

LII. 

I'll  climb  the  wall  which  towereth  there, 

And  to  the  winds  I'll  cry; 
They've  built  for  me  a  tomb  so  fair 

Of  steel  and  ivory. 

LIII. 

My  mother  has  of  griefs  a  store 

And  I  have  got  my  own ; 
Full  keen  and  sore  I  hers  deplore, 

But  ne'er  for  mine  I  moan. 

LIV. 

When  I  in  grave  three  years  have  lain, 
If  thou  shouldst  pass  thereby, 

And  but  to  breathe  my  name  shouldst  deign, 
My  dead  bones  would  reply. 

LV. 

Sire  nor  mother  me  caress, 

For  I  have  none  on  earth ; 
One  little  brother  I  possess, 

And  he's  a  fool  by  birth. 

LVI. 

If  thou  another  man"  shouldst  wed, 
And  I  the  same  should  know, 

In  mourning  clad,  from  foot  to  head, 
For  ever  I  would  go, 

LVII. 

Unless  within  a  fortnight's  space 

Thy  face,  O  maid,  I  see, 
Flamenca  of  Egyptian  race 

My  lady  love  shall  be. 

LVIII. 

Flamenca  of  Egyptian  race, 

If  thou  wert  only  mine, 
Within  a  bonny  crystal  case 

For  life  I'd  thee  enshrine. 

LIX. 

Extend  to  me  the  hand  so  small, 

Wherein  I  see  thee  weep, 
For  O  thy  balmy  tear-drops  all 

I  would  collect  and  keep. 

LX. 

I  wash'd  not  in  the  limpid  flood 

The  goodly  shirt  I  bear, 
I  wash'd  it  in  the  streaming  blood 

Of  my  betrothed  fair. 

LXI. 

Thou'rt  not,  sweet  dame  who  smil'st  so  mild 

The  mother  me  who  bore, 
She  left,  me  whilst  a  little  child, 

And  fled  and  came  no  more. 

LXII. 

Each  morning  when  from  bed  I  rise, 

'Tis  then  I  lave  my  face 
With  tears,  which  from  my  wretched  eyes 

Begin  to  flow  apace. 

LXIII. 

Thy  sire  and  mother  wrath  and  hate 
Have  vow'd  against  me,  love! 


RHYMES. 


95 


Como  la  rachi  mu  chalemos 
Afuera  d'este  gau. 

LXIV. 

Abillelate  a  la  dicani, 
Que  io  voy  te  penelar 
Una  buchi  en  Calo, 
Y  despues  te  liguerar. 

LXV. 

Unas  acais  callardias 

Me  ban  vencido, 

Como  aromali  no  me  vencen  otras 

De  cayque  nacido. 

LXVI. 

Como  camelas  que  te  rnequele 
Si  en  su  men  tuve  una  chabori, 
Que  cada  vez  que  abillelo 
Le  penara  en  Germani. 

LXVII. 

Undebel  me  ha  castigado 
Con  esa  romi  tan  fea, 
Que  nastisarelo  liguerarla 
Adonde  los  busne  la  vean. 

LXVIII. 

Esta  rachi  no  abillelan 
Dai  los  Cales; 
Es  serial  que  ban  chalado 
A  los  durotunes. 

LXIX. 

Un  chibe  los  Cales 

Han  gastado  olibeas  de  seda, 

Y  acana  por  sus  desgracias 
Gasten  saces  con  cadenas. 

LXX. 

Esta  gran  duca 

Ha  ardinelado  al  cielo, 

Que  Undebel  de  los  tres  cayes 

Lo  pongo  en  su  remedio. 

LXXI. 

Tres  vezes  te  he  araquerado 

Y  no  camelas  abillar; 

Si  io  me  vuelvo  a  araquerarte 
Mi  trupos  han  de  marar. 

LXXII. 

Alia  arribita 

Mararon  no  chanelo  quien; 
El  mulo  cayo  en  la  truni 
El  maraol  se  puso  a  huir. 

LXXIII. 

Sinaron  en  unos  bures 
Unos  poco  de  randes, 
Aguardisarando  q'abiflara. 
La  Crallisa  y  los  parnes. 

LXXIV. 

Chalo  para  mi  quer 
Me  tope  con  el  meripe; 
Me  peno,  adonde  chalas1 
Le  pene,  para  mi  quer. 

LXXV. 

Io  no  camelo  ser  eray 
Que  es  Calo  mi  nacimiento ; 
Io  no  camelo  ser  eray 
Con  ser  Calo  me  contento. 


The  first,  first  night  *hat  from  the  gate 
We  two  together  rove. 

LXIV. 

Come  to  the  window,  sweet  love,  do, 

And  I  will  whisper  there, 
In  Romrnany,  a  word  or  two, 

And  thee  far  off  will  bear. 


A  Gypsy  stripling's  sparkling  eye 
Has  pierced  my  bosom's  core; 

A  feat  no  eye  beneath  the  sky 
Could  e'er  effect  before. 

LXVI. 

Dost  bid  me  from  the  land  begone, 

And  thou  with  child  by  me'? 
Each  time  I  come,  the  little  one 

I'll  greet  in  Romrnany. 

LXVII. 

With  such  an  ugly,  loathly  wife 

The  Lord  has  punish'd  me, 
I  dare  not  take  her  for  my  life 

Where'er  the  Spaniards  be. 

LXVIII. 

Tkis  night  abroad  the  Gypsies  stay, 

O  mother,  that's  a  sign 
They've  to  the  shepherds  ta'en  their  way, 

To  steal  the  lambkins  fine. 

LXIX. 

Brown  Egypt's  race  in  days  of  old 
Were  wont  silk  hose  to  wear, 

But  for  their  sins  so  manifold 
They  now  must  fetters  bear. 


That  spirit,  long  oppress'd  with  grief, 
Hath  scap'd  and  heavenward  flown, 

In  hope  the  Lord  will  grant  relief 
Who  builds  in  heaven  his  throne. 

LXXI. 

I've  called  thee  thrice  in  anxious  strain, 

But  thou  dost  not  appear, 
And  should  I  raise  my  voice  again 

Thy  kinsmen  me  would  hear. 

LXXII. 

Above  there,  in  the  dusky  pass, 
Was  wrought  a  murder  dread ; 

The  murder'd  fell  upon  the  grass, 
Away  the  murderer  fled. 

LXXIII. 

The  thieves,  the  thieves  are  on  the  watch 

Amid  the  hills  so  green; 
They're  on  the  watch  that  they  may  catcli 

The  treasure  and  the  queen. 

LXXIV. 

Towards  my  home  I  bent  my  course. 

Then  death  to  me  drew  nigh, 
And  where  art  bound  I  he  bellow'd  hoarse, 

Home,  home,  was  my  reply. 

LXXV. 

O  I  am  not  of  gentle  clan, 

I'm  sprung  from  Gypsy  tree, 
And  I  will  be  no  gentleman, 

But  an  Egyptian  tree. 


96 


THE  ZINCALI. 


LXXVI. 

La  filimicha  esta  puesta, 

Y  en  ella  un  chindobaro, 
Pa  mulabar  una  lendriz 
Que  echantan  estardo. 

LXXVII. 

El  reo  con  sus  chineles 
Le  sacan  del'  estaripel, 

Y  le  alumbran  con  las  velas 
De  la  gracia  Undebel. 

LXXVIII. 

El  baro  jil  mejanela 

Los  chobares  me  dan  tormento ; 

lo  me  chalo  al  daro  quer, 

Y  ote  alivio  a  mi  cuerpo. 

LXXIX. 

Si  tu  chalas  por  l'ulicha 

Y  rachelas  con  mi  romi, 
Pen  que  mangue  monrabelo 
Que  querele  yaque  a  la  peri. 

LXXX. 

Mango  me  chalo  a  mi  quer 

Y  te  mequelo  un  cotor, 
Si  abillelas  con  mangue 
Te  dinelo  mi  carlo. 

LXXXI. 

La  tremucha  se  ardela 
Guillabela  el  caloro: 
Chasa  mangue,  acai 
Abillela  obusno. 

LXXXII. 

Abillela  la  rachi 

Y  io  no  puedo  pirar, 
lo  me  chalo  mirando 
Q'  abillele  un  jundunar 

Y  me  camele  marar. 

LXXXI1I. 

Este  quer  jandela  minchi, 
Acai  no  abillele  la  salipen  ; 
Mi  batus  camela  a  tun  dai 
Mango  me  chalo  a  mi  quer. 

LXXXIV. 

La  romi  que  se  abillela 
Debajo  delos  portales, 
No  s'abillela  con  tusa, 
Que  s'abillela  con  mangue. 

LXXXV. 

Tapa  chabea  las  chuchais, 
Que  las  dica  el  bufio ; 
Que  las  digue  6  no  las  digue 
A  el  chabe  lo  camelo  io. 

LXXX  VI. 

Esta  rachi  voy  de  pirar 
A  dinar  mule  a  un  errajai, 

Y  me  chapesgue  de  mi  pasma 
A  los  pindres  del  oclay. 

LXXXVII. 

La  romi  que  io  cameloO 
Si  otro  me  la  camelara, 
Sacaria  la  chuli 

Y  la  fila  le  cortara, 

O  el  me  la  cortara  a  mi. 


LXXVI. 

The  gallows  grim  they've  raised  once  more, 

The  hangman  ready  stands, 
And  all  to  slay  a  partridge  poor 

That's  fallen  in  their  hands. 

LXXVII. 

'Twixt  soldier  now  and  alguazil 

The  culprit  forth  they  bear, 
Whilst  him  with  grace  divine  to  fill 

The  holy  tapers  glare. 

LXXVIII. 

I'm  bitten  by  the  frosty  air, 

The  fleas  about  me  swarm  : 
Unto  the  great  house  I'll  repair, 

And  there  myself  I'll  warm. 

LXXIX. 

If  down  the  street,  my  friend,  thou  stray, 
And  my  dear  wife  thou  meet, 

I'm  plying,  say,  the  shears  all  day, 
That  she  the  pot  may  heat. 

LXXX. 

I  hasten  home,  but  leave  with  thee 

A  portion  of  my  heart, 
But  if  thou  home  wilt  come  with  me 

The  whole  I  will  impart. 

LXXXI. 

On  high  arose  the  moon  so  fair, 

The  Gypsy  'gan  to  sing : 
I  see  a  Spaniard  coming  there, 

I  must  be  on  the  wing. 

LXXXII. 

The  night  descends,  yet  I'm  afraid 

Abroad  my  face  to  show ; 
I  fear  to  meet  a  soldier  blade, 

Who'd  kill  me  at  a  blow. 

LXXXIII. 

This  house  of  harlotry  doth  smell, 

I  flee  as  from  the  pest; 
Your  mother  likes  my  sire  too  well ; 

To  hie  me  home  is  best. 

LXXXIV. 

That  lass  with  cheek  of  rosy  hue 
That's  entering  now  the  gate, 

She  does  not  come  to  visit  you, 
She  comes  on  me  to  wait. 

LXXXV. 

O  daughter,  hide  thy  breasts,  for  shame, 

For  them  the  boy  can  see, — 
And  if  he  can,  or  cannot,  Dame, 

That  boy  is  lov'd  by  me. 

LXXXVI. 

This  night,  to  dog  the  priest  I  go, 

And  shed  his  priestly  gore, 
Then  I  will  haste  myself  to  throw 

The  monarch's  feet  before. 

LXXXVII. 

The  girl  I  love  more  dear  than  life 

Should  other  gallant  woo, 
I'd  straight  unsheath  my  dudgeon  knife 

And  cut  his  weasand  through, 
Or  ho,  the  conqueror  in  the  strife, 

The  same  to  me  should  do. 


TUIYMES. 


97 


LXXXVIII. 

Esos  calcos  que  tenelas 
En  tus  pulidos  pindres, 
No  se  los  dines  a  nadie, 
Que  me  costaron  el  parnes. 

LXXXIX. 

Corojai  en  grastes 
Majares  en  pindre, 
Al  tomar  del  quer  lacho 
Del  proprio  Undebel. 

xc. 

Mas  que  io  me  guillelo 
Portu  bundal, 
Al  dicar  tu  chaboreia 
Me  difiela  canrea. 

xci. 

Te  chibelas  en  l'ulicha 
Querelando  el  sobindoi ; 
Abillela  el  barete, 

Y  te  chibela  estardo. 

xcu. 

Voy  dicando  tus  parlachas, 
Para  poder  las  quinar, 
Para  chibarlas  bucha, 
Sin  que  chanele  tun  dai. 

xcin. 

Me  ardifielo  de  tasala 
A  orotarme  que  jalar, 
A  tosare  Busne  puchando, 
Si  tenelan  que  monrabar. 

XCIV. 

Un  caloro  chororo 
Se  vino  por  jundunar, 
Se  najo  con  los  jalleri, 

Y  le  mandaron  unglabar. 

XCV. 

Retirate  a  la  cangri 
Mira  que  abillela  el  chinel, 
Mira  no  te  jongabe 

Y  te  lleve  al  estaripel. 

XCVI. 

Chalo  a  la  beia  de  Clunes 
A  manguelar  mi  metepe; 
Los  erais  de  la  beia 
Me  dinaron  estaripel. 

XCVII. 

A  la  burda  de  su  men 

Abillela  un  pobre  lango  mango, 

Pirando  del  vero, — 

No  permita  su  majaro  lacho 

Que  su  men  se  abillele, 

En  semejante  curelo. 

XCVIII. 

Mango  me  chalo  pirar 
Por  el  narsaro  baro, 
En  estes  andaribeles, 
Al  chen  de  lospallardos. 

XCIX. 

Un  Coroyai  me  penelo 

Que  camelaba  Undeber  y  mangue; 

Y  io  le  he  penelado 

Tute  camarelas  ser  chuquer. 


LXXXVIII. 

The  shoes,  O  girl,  which  thou  dost  bear 
On  those  white  feet  of  thine, 

To  none  resign  for  love  or  pray'r, 
They're  bought  with  coin  of  mine. 

LXXXIX. 

On  horseback  fought  the  bloody  Moors, 

On  foot  the  Christian  clan, 
What  time  were  gain'd  the  holy  towers 

Where  God  once  dwelt  with  man. 


Whene'er,  and  that's  full  frequently, 

I  past  your  portal  go, 
And  there  your  naked  babes  espy, 

I  feel  at  heart  so  low. 

xci. 

Within  the  street  thou  down  hast  lain 

To  slumber  in  the  ray, 
And  yonder  comes  the  justice  train, 

Who'll  thee  in  prison  lay. 

xcu. 

To  spy  thy  window,  love,  I  go, 

For  I  would  creep  in  there, 
And  out  to  thee  thy  things  would  throw, 

Thy  mother  not  aware. 

XCIII. 

I'll  rise  to-morrow  bread  to  earn, 

For  hunger's  worn  me  grim, 
Of  all  I  meet  I'll  ask  in  turn 

If  they've  no  beasts  to  trim. 

XCIV. 

The  Gypsy  bold  himself  enroll'd 

As  soldier  of  the  king, 
But  he  deserted  with  the  gold, 

And  therefore  he  must  swing. 

XCV. 

Seek,  seek  the  church,  thou'st  broke  the  law, 

The  alguazil  I  spy ; 
He  comes  on  thee  to  set  his  claw 

And  drag  to  custody. 

XCVI. 

I  ran  to  Clime's  judgment  seat 

My  forfeit  life  to  crave; 
The  judges  rose  upon  their  feet, 

And  chains  and  dungeon  gave. 

XCVII. 

I  come  a-begging  to  your  gate, 
A  maim'd  and  crippled  wight, 

From  out  the  prison  thrust  of  late 
In  rags  and  tatters  dight; 

May  thy  blest  saint  from  such  a  fate 
Protect  thee,  good  Sir  Knight. 

XCVIII. 

T  leave  my  home  and  haste  to  roam 

In  yonder  bark  of  pride, 
To  lands  far  o'er  the  salt  sea  foam, 

Where  foreign  nations  bide. 

xcix. 
One  day  a  bearded  Moor  did  vow 

He  lov'd  the  Lord  and  me; 
And  I  replied  with  frowning  brow, 

Thou  lov'st  a  dog  to  be. 


9S 


THE  ZINC  ALL 


El  eray  guillabeia 
El  eray  obusno ; 
0,'abillele  Romanela, 
No  abillele  Caloro. 


La  chimutra  se  ardela, 
A  pas-erachi ; 
El  Calo  no  abillela 
Abillela  la  Romi. 


c. 

Loud  sang  the  Spanish  cavalier, 
And  thus  his  ditty  ran  : — 

God  send  the  Gypsy  lassie  here, 
And  not  the  Gypsy  man. 

ci. 

At  midnight,  when  the  moon  began 
To  show  her  silver  flame, 

There  came  to  him  no  Gypsy  man, 
The  Gypsy  lassie  came. 


CHAPTER  II. 


SPURIOUS  GYPSY  POETRY  OF  ANDALUSIA. 


The  Gitanos,  abject  and  vile  as  they  have 
ever  been,  have  nevertheless  found  admirers 
in  Spain,  individuals  who  have  taken  plea- 
sure in  their  phraseology,  pronunciation,  and 
way  of  life ;  but  above  all,  in  the  songs  and 
dances  of  the  females.  This  desire  for  culti- 
vating their  acquaintance  is  chiefly  preva- 
lent in  Andalusia,  where,  indeed,  they  most 
abound ;  and  more,  especially  in  the  town  of 
Seville,  the  capital  of  the  province,  where,  in 
the  barrio  or  Faubourg  of  Triana,  a  large  Gi- 
tano colony  has  long  flourished,  with  the  de- 
nizens of  which  it  is  at  all  times  easy  to  have 
intercourse,  especially  to  those  who  are  free 
of  their  money,  and  are  willing  to  purchase 
such  a  gratification  at  the  expense  of  dollars 
and  pesetas. 

When  we  consider  the  character  of  the 
Andalusians  in  general,  we  shall  find  little  to 
surprise  us  in  this  predilection  for  the  Gitanos. 
They  are  an  indolent  frivolous  people,  fond 
of  dancing  and  song,  and  sensual  amusements. 
They  live  under  the  most  glorious  sun  and 
benign  heaven  in  Europe,  and  their  country 
is  by  nature  rich  and  fertile,  yet  in  no  pro- 
vince of  Spain  is  there  more  beggary  and 
misery ;  the  greatest  part  of  the  land  being  un- 
cultivated, and  producing  nothing  but  thorns 
and  brushwood,  affording  in  itself  a  striking 
emblem  of  the  moral  state  of  its  inhabitants. 

Though  not  destitute  of  talent,  the  Anda- 
'usians  are  not  much  addicted  to  intellectual 
pursuits,  at  least  in  the  present  day.     The 
person  in  most  esteem  among  them  is  inva- 
riably the  greatest  majo,  and  to  acquire  that 
character  it  is  necessary  to  appear  in  the  dress  j 
of  a  Merry  Andrew,  to  bully,  swagger,  and  \ 
smoke   continually,  to  dance  passably,  and 
to    strum    the    guitar.     They   are    fond   of 
obscenity  and   what   they   term  picardias. 
Amongst  them  learning  is  at   a  terrible  dis- 1 
count,  Greek,  Latin,  or  any  of  the  languages 
generally  termed  learned,  being  considered1 
in  any  light  but  accomplishments,  though 
not  so  the  possession  of  thieves'  slang  or  the  J 
dialect  of  the  Gitanos,  the  knowledge  of  a 


few  words  of  which  invariably  creates  a  cer- 
tain degree  of  respect,  as  indicating  that  the 
individual  is  somewhat  versed  in  that  kind 
of  life  or  trato  for  which  alone  the  Andalu- 
sians have  any  kind  of  regard. 

In  Andalusia  the  Gitano  has  been  studied 
by  those  who,  for  various  reasons,  have  min- 
gled with  the  Gitanos.  It  is  tolerably  well 
understood  by  the  chalanes,  or  jockeys,  who 
have  picked  up  many  words  in  the  fairs  and 
market-places  which  the  former  frequent. 
It  has,  however,  been  cultivated  to  a  greater 
degree  by  other  individuals,  who  have  sought 
the  society  of  the  Gitanos  from  a  zest  for  their 
habits,  their  dances,  and  their  songs ;  and 
such  individuals  have  belonged  to  all  classes, 
amongst  them  noblemen  and  members  of  the 
priestly  order. 

Perhaps  no  people  in  Andalusia  have  been 
more  addicted  in  general  to  the  acquaintance 
of  the  Gitanos  than  the  friars,  and  pre-emi- 
nently amongst  these  the  half  jockey,  half 
religious  personages  of  the  Cartujan  convent 
at  Xeres.  This  community,  now  suppressed, 
was,  as  is  well  known,  in  possession  of  a 
celebrated  breed  of  horses,  which  fed  in  the 
pastures  of  the  convent,  and  from  which 
they  derived  no  inconsiderable  part  of  their 
revenue.  These  reverend  gentlemen  seem 
to  have  been  much  better  versed '  in  the 
points  of  a  horse  than  in  points  of  theology, 
and  to  have  understood  thieves'  slang  and 
Gitano  far  better  than  the  language  of  the 
Vulgate.  A  chalan,  who  had  some  know- 
ledge of  the  Gitano,  related  to  me  the  fol- 
lowing singular  anecdote  in  connexion  with 
this  subject. 

He  had  occasion  to  go  to  the  convent, 
having  been  long  in  treaty  with  the  friars  for 
a  steed  which  he  had  been  commissioned  by 
a  nobleman  to  buy  at  any  reasonable  price. 
The  friars,  however,  were  exorbitant  in  their 
demands.  On  arriving  at  the  gate,  he  sang 
to  the  friar  who  opened  it,  a  couplet  which 
he  had  composed  in  the  Gypsy  tongue,  in 
which  he  stated  the  highest  price  which  he 
was  authorized  to  give  for  the  animal  in 
question;  whereupon  the  friar  instantly  an- 
swered in  the  same  tongue  in  an  extempo- 
rary couplet  full  of  abuse  of  him  and  his  ern- 
ployer,  and  forthwith  slammed  the  door  in 
the"  face  of  the  disconcerted  jockey. 


SPURIOUS  GYTSY  POETRY. 


99 


An  Augustine  friar  of  Seville,  called,  u-e 
believe,  Father  Manso,  who  lived  some  twcnty 
years  ago,  is  still  remembered  for  his  passion 
for  the  Gitanos;  he  seemed  to  be  under  the 
influence  of  fascination,  and  passed  every 
moment  that  he  could  steal  from  his  clerical 
occupations,  in  their  company.  His  conduct 
at  last  became  so  notorious  that  he  fell  under 
the  censure  of  the  Inquisition,  before  which 
he  was  summoned ;  whereupon  he  alleged, 
in  his  defence,  that  his  sole  motive  for  follow- 
ing the  Gitanos  was  zeal  for  their  spiritual 
conversion.  Whether  this  plea  availed  him 
we  know  not ;  but  it  is  probable  that  the  Holy 
Office  dealt  mildly  with  him;  such  offenders, 
indeed,  had  never  much  to  fear  from  it.  Had 
he  been  accused  of  liberalism,  or  searching 
into  the  Scriptures,  instead  of  connexion 
with  the  Gitanos,  we  should,  doubtless,  have 
heard  either  of  his  execution  or  imprison- 
ment for  life  in  the  cells  of  the  cathedral  of 
Seville. 

Such  as  are  thus  addicted  to  the  Gitanos 
and  their  language,  are  called,  in  Andalusia, 
Los  del'  Aficion,  or  those  of  the  predilection. 
These  people  have,  during  the  last  fifty  years, 
composed  a  spurious  kind  of  Gypsy  literature: 
we  call  it  spurious  because  it  did  not  originate 
with  the  Gitanos,  who  are,  moreover,  utterly 
unacquainted  with  it,  and  to  whom  it  would 
be  for  the  most  part  unintelligible.  It  is 
somewhat  difficult  to  conceive  the  reason 
which  induced  these  individuals  to  attempt 
such  compositions ;  the  only  probable  one 
seems  to  have  been  a  desire  to  display  to 
each  other  their  skill  in  the  language  of 
their  predilection.  It  is  right,  however,  to 
observe,  that  most  of  these  compositions, 
with  respect  to  language,  are  highly  absurd, 
the  greatest  liberties  being  taken  with  the 
words  picked  up  amongst  the  Gitanos,  of  the 
true  meaning  of  which,  the  writers,  in  many 
instances,  seem  to  have  been  entirely  igno- 
rant. From  what  we  can  learn,  the  com- 
posers of  this  literature  flourished  chiefly  at 
the  commencement  of  the  present  century: 
Father  Manso  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the 
last.  Many  of  their  compositions,  which  are 
both  in  poetry  and  prose,  exist  in  manuscript 
in  a  compilation  made  by  one  Luis  Lobo.  It 
has  never  been  our  fortune  to  see  this  com- 
pilation, which,  indeed,  we  scarcely  regret, 
as  a  rather  curious  circumstance  has  afforded 
us  a  perfect  knowledge  of  its  contents. 

Whilst  at  Seville,  chance  made  us  acquaint- 
ed with  a  highly  extraordinary  individual,  a 
tall,  bony,  meagre  figure,  in  a  tattered  Anda- 
lusian  hat,  ragged  capote,  and  still  more 
ragged  pantaloons,  and  seemingly  between 


I  forty  and  fifty  years  of  age.  The  only  ap- 
pellation to  which  he  answered  was  Manuel. 
His  occupation,  at  the  time  we  knew  him, 
was  sellingftickets  for  the  lottery,  by  which 
he  obtained  a  miserable  livelihood  in  Seville 
and  the  neighbouring  villages.  His  appear- 
ance was  altogether  wild  and  uncouth,  and 
there  was  an  insane  expression  in  his  eye. 
Observing  us  one  day  in  conversation  with  a 
Gitana,  he  addressed  us,  and  we  soon  found 
that  the  sound  of  the  Gitana  language  had 
struck  a  chord  which  vibrated  through  the 
depths  of  his  soul.  His  history  was  remark- 
able; in  his  early  youth  a  manuscript  copy 
of  the  compilation  of  Luis  Lobo  had  fallen 
into  his  hands.  This  book  had  so  taken  hold 
of  his  imagination,  that  he  studied  it  night 
and  day  until  he  had  planted  it  in  his  memory 
from  beginning  to  end;  but  in  so  doing,  his 
brain,  likethatof  the  hero  of  Cervantes,  had 
become  dry  and  heated,  so  that  he  was  unfitted 
for  any  serious  or  useful  occupation.  After 
the  death  of  his  parents  he  wandered  about 
the  streets  in  great  distress,  until  at  last  he 
fell  into  the  hands  of  certain  toreros  or  bull- 
fighters, who  kept  him  about  them,  in  order 
that  he  might  repeat  to  them  the  songs  of 
the  Aficion.  They  subsequently  carried  him 
to  Madrid,  where,  however,  they  soon  desert- 
ed him  after  he  had  experienced  much  bru- 
tality from  their  hands.  He  returned  to  Se- 
ville, and  soon  became  the  inmate  of  a  mad- 
house, where  he  continued  several  years. 
Having  partially  recovered  from  his  malady 
he  was  liberated,  and  wandered  about  as  be- 
fore. During  the  cholera  at  Seville,  when 
nearly  twenty  thousand  human  beings  pe- 
rished, he  was  appointed  conductor  of  one 
of  the  death-carts,  which  went  through  the 
streets  for  the  purpose  of  picking  up  the  dead 
bodies.  His  perfect  inoffensiveness  eventu- 
ally procured  him  friends,  and  he  obtained 
the  situation  of  vender  of  lottery  tickets. 
He  frequently  visited  us,  and  would  then  re- 
cite long  passages  from  the  work  of  Lobo. 
He  was  wont  to  say  that  he  was  the  only  one 
in  Seville,  at  the  present  day,  acquainted  with 
the  language  of  the  Aficion  ;  for  though  there 
were  many  pretenders,  their  knowledge  was 
confined  to  a  few  words. 

From  the  recitation  of  this  individual,  we 
wrote  down  the  Brijindope  or  Deluge,  and 
the  poem  on  the  plague  which  broke  out  in 
Seville  in  the  year  1800.  These,  and  some 
songs  of  less  consequence,  constitute  the  poe- 
tical part  of  the  compilation  in  question  ;  the 
rest,  which  is  in  prose,  consisting  chiefly  of 
translations  from  the  Spanish,  of  proverbs 
and  religious  pieces. 


iu  ur  u, 


BRIOTDOPE.-THE  DELUGE. 


A  POEM,  IN  TWO  PARTS. 


BRIJ1ND0PE, 


BROTOBA  PAJIN. 

Dajirando  presimelo 
Abillar  la  pelabru ; 

Y  manguelarle  camelo 
A  la  Beluni  de  otarpe, 
Nu  inerique  sos  terelo 
De  soscabar  de  siarias, 
Persos  menda  ne  chanelo 
Sata  niquillar  de  ondoba, 

Y  an  dial  lo  fendi  grobelo 
Sin  utilarme  misto: 
Men  crejete  orobibelo 
Dicando  trincha  henira 
Sata  aocana  nacardelo, 
Delos  chiros  naquelaos. 

Y  aocana  man  presimelo 
On  sandani  de  Ostebe 

Y  desquero  day  darabemos, 
Sos  sin  nonrro  longono: 
Jinare  lo  sos  chanelo, 
Sasta  Ostebe  se  abichola 

Y  le  penelo  a  Noyme: 
Tran  quifiado  soscabelo; 
Ies  Estarica  queraras, 
Sos  or  surdan  dicabelo 
Tran  najabao,  y  andial 
Quera  lo  sos  man  te  pendo, 
Sos  se  ennagren  persos  man 
La  Janro  en  la  Bas  terelo: 

Y  Noyme  pendaba  a  golis: 
Sos  se  ennagreis  os  penelo, 
Sos  dico  saro  or  surdan 
Najabao  y  lo  prejeno; 
Ostebe  nu  lo  dichaba, 

Per  lo  trincha  lo  penelo. 

Y  saros  se  sarrasiran : 
Sos  duquipen  dicobelo! 
Los  Brochabos  le  bucharan 
E  nonro  Bato,  y  diquelo 

A  saros  persibaraos : 
La  Erandia  la  dicobelo 
Bartrabe  de  su  costuri 

Y  or  Erajay — presimelo 
A  jinar  sata  Ostebe 
Yes  minricla  dichabelo 
Sar  yes  simachcs  bare — 
Sin  trincha  dan  sos  terelo 
Dicando  los  Lariandcscs 
Tran  bares  sos  me  merelo, 
Dicando  saro  or  surdan 
Tran  jurune  dan  terelo, 

100 


THE  DELUGE. 


PART  THE  FIRST. 

I  with  fear  and  terror  quake, 
Whilst  the  pen  to  write  I  take ; 
I  will  utter  many  a  pray'r 
To  the  heaven's  Regent  fair, 
That  she  deign  to  succour  me, 
And  I'll  humbly  bend  my  knee ; 
For  but  poorly  do  I  know 
With  my  subject  on  to  go ; 
Therefore  is  my  wisest  plan 
Not  to  trust  in  strength  of  man. 
I  my  heavy  sins  bewail, 
Whilst  1  view  the  wo  and  wail 
Handed  down  so  solemnly 
In  the  books  of  times  gone  by. 
Onward,  onward,  now  I'll  move 
In  the  name  of  Christ  above, 
And  his  Mother  true  and  dear, 
She  who  loves  the  wretch  to  cheer. 
All  I  know,  and  all  I've  heard 
f  will  state — how  God  appear'd, 
And  to  Noah  thus  did  cry; 
Weary  with  the  world  am  I; 
Let  an  ark  by  thee  be  built, 
For  the  world  is  lost  in  guilt; 
And  when  thou  hast  built  it  well, 
Loud  proclaim  what  now  I  tell : 
Straight  repent  ye,  for  your  Lord 
In  his  hand  doth  hold  a  sword. 
And  good  Noah  thus  did  call : 
Straight  repent  ye,  one  and  all, 
For  the  world  with  grief  I  see 
Lost  in  vileness  utterly. 
God's  own  mandate  I  but  do, 
He  hath  sent  me  unto  you. 
Laugh'd  the  world  with  bitter  scorn 
I  his  cruel  sufferings  mourn ; 
Brawny  youths  with  furious  air 
Drag  the  Patriarch  by  the  hair  ■ 
Lewdness  governs  every  one : 
Leaves  her  convent  now  the  nun, 
And  the  monk  abroad  I  see 
Practising  iniquity. 
Now  I'll  tell  how  God,  intent 
To  avenge,  a  vapour  sent, 
With  full  many  a  dreadful  sign — 
Mighty,  mighty  fear  is  mine  : 
As  I  hoar  the  thunders  roll, 
Seems  to  die  my  very  soul ; 
As  I  Pfe  the  world  o'erspread 
All  with  darkness  thick  and  dread ; 


THE  DELUGE. 


101 


Y  ne  camelara  mend  a, 
Trincha  sata  orobibelo 
Chalabear  la  pelabru 

On  la  opuchen  sos  terelo 

De  soscabar  libanando — 

Per  los  barbanes  junelo 

Butes  benges  balogando, 

Pendando  a  golis  bares 

Ochardilo  terelamos ; 

Aocana  sin  la  ocana 

Sosque  sinastra  queramos. 

Dajiralo  sos  punis. 

Dicar  las  queles  petrando, 

A  butes  las  chibiben 

Les  nicaba  merelando, 

Persos  los  cotos  bares 

A  butes  guilla  marando ; 

Ne  sindo  lo  chorro  ondoba, 

Sos  aocana  presimando 

Las  minrriclas  bus  pani 

On  or  surdan  techescando, 

De  chibel  y  de  rachi  nardian  tesumiando. 

Sos  perplejo  tranbare ! 

Saros  a  Ostebe  acarando 

A  nonrria  day  y  Erani — 

Chi  de  ondoba  ne  molando, 

Per  socabar  Ostebe 

Sar  los  murciales  sustiiiaos. 

O  henira  tran  bare 

A  golis  saros  pendando; 

Chapescando  nasti  chanan 

De  or  rifian  sos  dicando 

Flima  a  flima  bus  pajes ; 

La  chen  se  cha  pirrandando : 

Se  quimpifia  la  sueste 

Sos  niquilla  chapescando, 

E  isna  longono  caute ; 

Bute  pani  brijindando ; 

Saros  los  perifuyes 

De  los  jebis  niquillando : 

Or  jabuno  y  jabufii 

On  toberjeli  guillando ; 

La  Julistraba  y  chaplica 

Se  encaloman  per  lo  sasto ; 

Chiribito  y  tejuni, 

Y  oripatia  pirelando, 

Ne  chanan  sosque  chibarse, 

Y  se  muquelan  tasaos. 
Gollori,  braco  y  braqui — 
Los  jurus  catabranando, 

Y  or  batane  y  Jabuni, 
On  or  chasno  an  sustifiao 
Bajilache  y  Baluni, 

Los  duis  se  an  cataneaos : 
Chelendres  y  Bombardos, 
De  or  rifian  chapescando; 
La  sorjia  sar  los  chabales, 
Tramisto  cha  platanando ; 
Or  chinoje  y  Jerini, 
Choro  y  choria  acareando, 
La  andalula  y  or  Jojoy, 
Per  or  dron  cataneaos ; 
Los  grates  y  los  gadujos, 
De  chapescar  tesumiaron— 
On  yes  pray  se  catanan, 

Y  aoter  catane  mucaron  ; 
Escotria  en  Pavel  pajin, 
Pendare  lo  sos  queraron. 


I  the  pen  can  scarcely  ply 
For  the  tears  which  dim  my  eye, 
And  o'ercome  with  grievous  wo, 
Fear  the  task  I  must  forego 
I  have  purposed  to  perform. — 
Hark,  I  hear  upon  the  storm 
Thousand,  thousand  devils  fly, 
Who  with  awful  howlings  cry: 
Now's  the  time,  and  now's  the  hour 
We  have  license,  we  have  power 
To  obtain  a  glorious  prey. — 
I  with  horror  turn  away; 
Tumbles  house  and  tumbles  wall ; 
Thousand  lose  their  lives  and  all, 
Voiding  curses,  screams,  and  groans 
For  the  beams,  the  bricks,  and  stones 
Bruise  and  bury  all  below — 
Nor  is  that  the  worst,  I  trow, 
For  the  clouds  begin  to  pour 
Floods  of  water,  more  and  more, 
Down  upon  the  world  with  might, 
Never  pausing  day  or  night. 
Now  in  terrible  distress 
All  to  God  their  cries  address, 
And  his  Mother  dear  adore, — 
But  the  time  of  grace  is  o'er, 
For  the  Almighty  in  the  sky 
Holds  his  hand  upraised  on  high. 
Now's  the  time  of  madden'd  rout 
Hideous  cry,  despairing  shout ; 
Whither,  whither  shall  they  fly? 
For  the  danger  threat'ningly 
Draweth  near  on  every  side, 
And  the  earth,  that's  opening  wide, 
Swallows  thousands  in  its  womb, 
Who  would  'scape  the  dreadful  doom. 
Of  dear  hope  exists  no  gleam, 
Still  the  water  down  doth  stream ; 
Ne'er  so  little  a  creeping  thing, 
But  from  out  its  hole  doth  spring 
See  the  mouse,  and  see  its  mate 
Scour  along,  nor  stop  nor  wait ; 
See  the  serpent  and  the  snake,; 
For  the  nearest  highlands  make ; 
The  tarantula  I  view, 
Emmet  small,  and  cricket  too, 
All  unknowing  where  to  fly, 
In  the  stifling  waters  die. 
See  the  goat  and  bleating  sheep, 
See  the  bull  with  bellowings  deep, 
And  the  rat  with  squealings  shrill, 
They  have  mounted  on  the  hill : 
See  the  stag,  and  see  the  doe, 
How  together  fond  they  go : 
Lion,  tiger-beast,  and  pard, 
To  escape  are  striving  hard : 
Followed  by  her  little  ones, 
See  the  hare  how  swift  she  runs : 
Asses  he  and  she,  a  pair, 
Mute  and  mule  with  bray  and  blare, 
And  the  rabbit  and  the  fox, 
Hurry  over  stones  and  rocks 
With  the  grunting  hog  and  horse, 
Till  at  last  they  stop  their  course — 
On  the  summit  of  the  hill 
All  assembled  stand  they  still ; 
In  the  second  part  I'll  tell, 
Unto  them  what  there  befell. 


14 


K 


102 


THE  ZINCALI, 


BRIJINDOPE, 


REBLANDUY  PAJIN 

Bus  muque  la  avel  pajin, 
Dine  carema  a  or  surdan 
De  pendar  sata  guillo 
Or  janbri  sar  la  Pastia 
La  Cremen  y  or  Piribicho, 
Saros  se  guillon  aotar, 
On  lay  Pray  se  catanan 
Bus  dicaron  abillar 
Or  Bispibi  y  Coligote, 

Y  la  Anis  sar  la  Macha; 
Or  Chilindrote  y  Lore, 

Y  or  Cacarabi  apala ; 
Ballestero  y  Ballestera, 
Curraco  tramisto  cha; 
Catacolla  y  Escobiche 
Balogan  per  or  barban ; 
Ne  berjan  sosque  urdifarse, 
Per  soscabar  or  surdan 
Saro  perdo  de  pani ; 

Se  petran  y  se  tasaban :  . 
"Guillemos  a  monrro  Bato!" 
Sos  la  Estarica  pirranda, 
Chibelando  enrre  a  saros 
Perifuyes  y  los  garaba, 
De  cata  yesque  yes  cro ; 
Tramisto  chibelo  aotar 
Desquero  sueste,  y  cotria 
La  Estarica  la  panda. 
De  saros  ha  chibelado,. 

Y  garabaos  aotar. 

On  los  sastos  de  la  pray 
La  pani  begorea  otar ; 
Naquelao  bin  chibeles, 
La  Estarica  sustiria, 
La  legera  aupre  y  aostele, 
Sata  yes  buchi  basta. 
Diquemos  sos  duquipen, 
Per  la  pani  nofiabar 
Trincha  los  drupos  mules, 
Sos  ne  se  asislan  jinar ! 
O  duquipen  tran  bare, 
Sos  se  tasabo  or  surdan. 
Aunsos  nasti  sin  saro, 
Flimas  se  muquelaran, 
Pa  en  camelando  Ostebe 
Linbidien  a  perbarar 
Avel  sueste  bufendi, 
Pa  querar  demo  surdan 
Sos  archaben  a  Ostebe. 

Y  aocana  canbro  pendar, 
Sueste  de  andoba  chiro, 
Ennagrabarse,  y  dicar 
Sos  oclinde  sia  pafii 
Aocana  sen  bus  basta 
Sos  pendan  los  Manjaros 
Se  remarara  or  surdan 
On  llaquele  retablejiendo, 

Y  flacha  se  querara. 


THE  DELUGE. 


PART  THE  SECOND. 

When  I  last  did  bid  farewell, 
I  proposed  the  world  to  tell, 
Higher  as  the  Deluge  flow'd, 
How  the  frog  and  how  the  toad, 
With  the  lizard  and  the  efte, 
All  their  holes  and  coverts  left, 
And  assembled  on  the  height ; 
Soon  I  ween  appear'd  in  sight 
All  that's  wings  beneath  the  sky, 
Bat  and  swallow,  wasp  and  fly, 
Gnat  and  sparrow,  and  behind 
Comes  the  crow  of  carrion  kind ; 
Dove  and  pigeon  are  descried, 
And  the  raven  fiery-eyed, 
With  the  beetle  and  the  crane 
Flying  on  the  hurricane : 
See  they  find  no  resting-place, 
For  the  world's  terrestrial  space 
Is  with  water  cover'd  o'er, 
Soon  they  sink  to  rise  no  more : 
"  To  our  father  let  us  flee !" 
Straight  the  ark-ship  openeth  he, 
And  to  every  thing  that  lives 
Kindly  he  admission  gives, 
Of  all  kinds  a  single  pair, 
And  the  members  safely  there 
Of  his  house  he  doth  embark, 
Then  at  once  he  shuts  the  ark ; 
Every  thing  therein  has  pass'd, 
There  he  keeps  them  safe  and  fast. 
O'er  the  mountain's  topmost  peak 
Now  the  raging  waters  break. 
Till  full  twenty  days  are  o'er, 
'Midst  the  elemental  roar, 
Up  and  down  the  ark  forlorn, 
Like  some  evil  thing  is  borne : 
O  what  grief  it  is  to  see 
Swimming  on  the  enormous  sea 
Human  corses  pale  and  white, 
More,  alas!  than  1  can  write : 
O  what  grief,  what  grief  profound 
But  to  think  the  world  is  drown'd ; 
True  a  scanty  few  are  left, 
All  are  not  of  life  bereft, 
So  that,  when  the  Lord  ordain, 
They  may  procreate  again, 
In  a  world  entirely  new, 
Better  people  and  more  true, 
To  their  Maker  who  shall  bow; 
And  I  humbly  beg  ye  now. 
Ye  in  modern  times  who  wend, 
That  your  lives  ye  do  amend; 
For  no  wat'ry  punishment, 
But  a  heavier  shall  be  6ent; 
For  the  blessed  saints  pretend 
That  the  latter  world  shall  end 
To  tremendous  fire  a  prey, 
And  to  ashes  sink  away. 


THE  DELUGE. 


103 


A  la  Estarica  linbidio 
Sos  pira  per  or  surdan 
Najabada,  y  Ostebe 
Los  camela  listramar: 
Yes  callico  pirrandaron 
Yesque  besni  per  dicar 
De  otarpe  la  simachi ; 
Pa  orondar  or  surdan 
Sublirnan  la  Ballestera ; 

Y  a  las  duis  canas  le  an 
Yesque  corbi  de  eruquel, 
On  or  punsabo  alala. 
Pendan  dinelando  golis, 
'*  Sos  terelamos  surdan.' 
Begorean  a  yes  pray ; 

Y  bus  se  dican  aotar, 
Saros  panelan  on  Chen 
De  siarias  per  dinar 
Las  sardanis  a  Ostebe , 

Y  se  camelan  guillar 
Yesque  lacri  y  yesque  lacro, 
A  perbarar  or  surdan, 

A  or  sichen  Corajafio. — 
Avel  cro  tramisto  cha 
A  la  chen  del  Gabine ; 
Saros  guillan  andial 
Querando  nevel  sueste. 
Ondoba  panchabaras, 
Sos  lo  muco  libanado 
Nonrro  Bato,  y  andia! 
Abillo  de  yesque  avel 
Pa  enjalle  per  or  surdan. 
Man  soscabo  manguelando 
Estormen  pa  libanar 
A  saros  lo  sos  chanaren 
Chipi  Cayi  araquerar ; 

Y  la  Debel  de  Ineriqu 
Me  dine  la  sardafia, 
Sos  me  quera  farsilaja, 
E  ochipa.    Anarania. 


To  the  Ark  I  now  go  back 

Which  pursues  its  dreary  track 

Lost  and  'wilder'd  till  the  Lord 

In  his  mercy  rest  accord. 

Early  of  a  morning  tide 

They  unclosed  a  window  wide, 

Heaven's  beacon  to  descry , 

And  a  gentle  dove  let  fly, 

Of  the  world  to  seek  some  trace, 

And  in  two  short  hours'  space 

It  returns  with  eyes  that  glow, 

In  its  beak  an  olive  bough. 

With  a  loud  and  mighty  sound. 

They  exclaim:  "The  world  we've  found. 

To  a  mountain  nigh  they  drew 

And  when  there  themselves  they  view, 

Bound  they  swiftly  on  the  shore, 

And  their  fervent  thanks  outpour 

Lowly  kneeling  to  their  God , 

Then  their  way  a  couple  trod, 

Man  and  woman,  hand  in  hand, 

Bent  to  populate  the  land, 

To  the  Moorish  region  fair — 

And  another  two  repair 

To  the  country  of  the  Gaul ; 

In  this  manner  wend  they  all 

And  the  seeds  of  nations  lay. 

I  beseech  ye'll  credence  pay, 

For  our  father,  high  and  sage, 

Wrote  the  tale  in  sacred  page, 

As  a  record  to  the  world, 

Record  sad  of  vengeance  hurl'd. 

I,  a  low  and  humble  wight, 

Beg  permission  now  to  write 

Unto  all  that  in  our  land 

Tongue  Egyptian  understand: 

May  our  Virgin  Mother  mild 

Grant  to  me,  her  erring  child, 

Plenteous  grace  in  every  way 

And  success.     Amen  I  say. 


LA  KETREQUE.-THE  PESTILENCE. 


A  POEM  COMMEMORATIVE  OF  THE  PLAGUE  WHICH  BROKE  OUT  AT  SEVILLE  IN  THE 

YEAR  1800. 


LA  RETREQUE, 


Man  camelo  libanar, 
Pa  enjalle  on  chipi  Cale, 
Saro  lo  sos  chunde6J 
On  caba  Foro  bare. 

On  or  brege  de  ostor  gres, 
On  macara  llacuno, 
Tenblesquero  sustifio 
La  bate  tabastorre 
Sar  ies  griba  tranbare, 
Dinelando  a  jabelar 
Sos  camelaba  Hilar 
Jina  de  monria  puchel. 
Pa  difielar  irsimen 
Man  camelo  libanar. 

Dajirando  on  la  retreque 
Se  ennagro  saro  or  surdan' 

Y  aocana  sen  bus  bastas 
On  or  surdan  los  crejetes, 
Per  socabar  la  sueste 
Chanorgaos  de  Ostebe, 
Sata  unga  la  beriben 

Se  udicara  merelao ; 
Per  ondoba  e  libanao 
Pa  enjalle  on  chipi  Cale. 

De  niquillar  a  la  olicha 
Difielaba  duquipen, 
On  dicar  trincha  mule 
Sueste  on  la  ferminicha; 
Flimas  a  la  banbanicha 
Guillan  a  tapillar  mol, 
Per  soscabar  nasalos— 
Difielaba  alangari : 
Sian  canrrias  y  Pufiis 
Saro  lo  sos  chundeo. 

La  sueste  a  or  drobardo 
Guillan  orobibelando 
Per  la  olicha  manguelando 
Estormen  a  or  Erano ; 

Y  los  cangollos  perdos 
Mustinando  los  mules 
Bartrabes  a  oltarique — 
Sos  duquipen  sia,  Erais, 
Ne  dicar  ies  Arajay 

On  caba  foro  bare. 
104 


THE  PESTILENCE, 


I'm  resolved  now  to  tell, 
In  the  speech  of  Gypsy-land, 
All  the  horror  that  befell 
In  this  city  huge  and  grand. 

In  the  eighteenth  hundred  year 
In  the  midst  of  summer  tide, 
God,  with  man  dissatisfied, 
His  right  hand  on  high  did  rear, 
With  a  rigour  most  severe ; 
Whence  we  well  might  understand 
He  would  strict  account  demand 
Of  our  lives  and  actions  here. 
The  dread  event  to  render  clear 
Now  the  pen  I  take  in  hand. 

At  the  dread  event  aghast, 

Straight  the  world  reform'd  its  course ; 

Yet  is  sin  in  greater  force, 

Now  the  punishment  is  past; 

For  the  thought  of  God  is  cast 

All  and  utterly  aside, 

As  if  death  itself  had  died. 

Therefore  to  the  present  race 

These  memorial  lines  I  trace 

In  old  Egypt's  tongue  of  pride. 

As  the  streets  you  wander'd  through 
How  you  quail'd  with  fear  and  dread, 
Heaps  of  dying  and  of  dead 
At  the  leeches'  door  to  view. 
To  the  tavern  O-how  few 
To  regale  on  wine  repair ; 
All  a  sickly  aspect  wear. 
Say  what  heart  such  sights  could  brook- 
Wail  and  wo  where'er  you  look — 
Wail  and  wo  and  ghastly  care. 

Plying  fast  their  rosaries, 
See  the  people  pace  the  street, 
And  for  pardon  God  entreat 
Long  and  loud  with  streaming  eyes. 
And  the  carts  of  various  size, 
Pil'd  with  corses,  high  in  air, 
To  the  plain  their  burden  bear. 
O  what  grief  it  is  to  me 
Not  a  friar  or  priest  to  see 
In  this  city  huge  and  fair. 


THE  PRAISE  OE  BUDDH. 

METEMPSYCHOSIS. 


It  ub  scarcely' necessary  to  apologize  for  the  insertion,  in  tnis  place,  of  the 
following  poem,  which  contains  the  creed  of  the  Buddhists.  In  many  por- 
tions of  the  present  work,  allusion  has  been  made  to  the  want  of  any  fixed 
or  certain,  religious  opinions  amongst  the  Gypsies,  since  their  appearance  in 
Europe.  Of  their  original  religion,  whatever  it  was,  no  vestige  seems  to  re- 
main, save  some  vague  ideas  of  metempsychosis,  which  are  still  occasionally 
to  be  found  amongst  them  in  England  and  in  Russia,  and  the  remembrance 
of  which  has  not  altogether  disappeared  from  those  of  Spain.  India  is  the 
proper  home  of  that  superstition,  from  whence,  by  the  transmigration  of  na- 
tions, or  by  other  circumstances,  it  was  conveyed,  at  an  early  period,  to  more 
westerly  regions,  where  it  subsequently  fell  into  total  discredit.  At  present 
no  trace  of  it  is  found  in  the  West,  except  amongst  the  Gypsies,  whose  arri- 
val dates  from  a  very  modern  period. 

This  attachment  of  the  Gypsy  race  to  metempsychosis,  or  even  their  re- 
membrance of  it,  is  one  of  the  distinguishing  marks  of  their  Indian  extrac- 
tion. It  pertains  as  much  to  India,  as  do  their  complexions,  and  the  broken 
jargon  which  they  speak:  it  connects  them  with  Buddh  and  Brahma.  The 
wild  dream  of  spiritual  wandering  through  millions  of  ages,  even  through 
calaps,  when  the  world  itself  goes  to  wreck,  till,  by  enormous  penance  and 
mortification,  the  state  is  attained  where  there  is  no  pain,  no  birth,  and  no 
death,  forms  an  essential  part  of  the  two  great  religious  systems  of  India. 
It  is  with  the  view  of  affording  the  reader  some  idea  of  what  the  original  re- 
ligion of  the  Gypsies  may  possibly  have  been,  that  we  lay  before  him  a 
synopsis  of  Buddhism,  contained  in  a  brief  but  singularly  comprehensive 
hymn  to  Buddh,  or,  as  he  is  called  by  the  Tartars,  the  Great  Foutsa,  who 
seems  to  have  been  the  father  of  religious  imposture,  and  whose  system  was 
subsequently  modified  by  Brahma  for  the  worse. 

The  Gypsies  know  not  Buddh  by  name,  but  they  unconsciously  acknow- 
ledge him  when  they  declare,  as  they  have  been  known  to  do,  that  it  is  use- 
less to  execute  them  as  they  cannot  die;  for  such  doctrine  is  his  own,  and 
from  him  it  sprang.  In  the  following  hymn  the  transmigration  of  souls  is 
distinctly  alluded  to:  the  human  or  dragon  spirit,  bereft  of  kindred,  solitary 
and  desolate,  may  discover  the  spot  where  its  parents  and  kindred  have  been 
born  again,  and  rejoin  them  by  paying  reverence  to  Buddh — as  individual 
Gypsies  have  said,  that  however  the  souls  of  their  race  may  go  a- wandering 
they  are  sure  to  rejoin  each  other  at  last.  This  hymn  is  chanted  in  their 
respective  languages  by  Buddhists  of  most  lands,  by  the  Chinese  and  Cinga- 
lese, by  the  Mongolians,  and  by  the  present  lords  of  China,  the  Mandchou 
Tartars,  and  it  is  from  the  Mandchou  that  the  present  version  has  been  made. 

k2  105 


POEM 


RELATING  TO  THE  WORSHIP  OF  THE  GREAT  FOUTSA  OR  BUDDH. 


Should  I  Foutsa's  force  and  glory, 

Earth's  protector,  all  unfold, 
Through  more  years  would  last  my  story, 

Than  has  Ganges'  sands  of  gold. 
Him  the  fitting  reverence  showing, 

For  a  moment's  period,  brings 
Ceaseless  blessing,  overflowing, 

Unto  all  created  things. 
If  from  race  of  man  descended, 

Or  from  dragon's  kingly  line, 
Thou  dost  dread,  when  life  is  ended, 

Deep  in  sin  to  sink  and  pine — 
If  thou  seek  great  Foutsa  ever, 

With  a  heart  devoid  of  guile, 
He  the  mists  of  sin  shall  sever, 

All  before  thee  bright  shall  smile. 
Whosoe'er  his  parents  losing, 

From  his  earliest  infancy, 
Cannot  guess,  with  all  his  musing, 

Where  their  spirits  now  may  be ; 
He  who  sister  dear  nor  brother, 

Since  the  sun  upon  him  shone, 
And  of  kindred  all  the  other 

Shoots  and  branches  ne'er  has  known — 
If  of  Foutsa  Grand  the  figure 

He  shall  shape  and  colour  o'er, 
Gaze  upon  it  rapt  and  eager, 

And  with  fitting  rites  adore, 
And  through  twenty  days  shall  utter 

The  dread  name  with  reverent  fear, 
Foutsa  huge  of  form  shall  flutter 

Round  about  him  and  appear, 
And  to  him  the  spot  discover 

Where  his  kindred  breathe  again, 
And  though  evils  whelm  them  over, 

Straight  release  them  from  their  pain, 
If  that  man,  unchang'd  still  keeping, 

From  backsliding  shall  refrain,  \ 
lie,  by  Foutsa  touch'd  when  sleeping, 

Shall  Biwangarit's  title  gain. 
If  to  Bouddi's  elevation 

He  would  win,  and  from  the  three 
Confines  dark  of  tribulation 

Soar  to  light  and  liberty; 
When  a  heart  with  kindness  glowing 

He  within  him  shall  descry, 
To  Grand  Foutsa's  image  going, 

Let  him  gaze  attentively; 
Soon  his  every  wish  acquiring 

He  shall  triumph  glad  and  fain 
And  the  shades  of  sin  retiring 

Never  more  his  soul  restrain. 
Whosoever  bent  on  speeding 

To  that  distant  shore,  the  home 
106 


Of  the  wise,  shall  take  to  reading 

The  all-wondrous  Soudra*  tome; 
If  that  study  deep  beginning 

No  fit  preparation  made, 
Scanty  shall  he  find  his  winning, 

Straight  forgetting  what  he's  read ; 
Whilst  he  in  the  dark  subjection 

Shall  of  shadowing  sin  remain, 
Soudra's  page  of  full  perfection 

How  shall  he  in  mind  retain  ? 
Unto  him  the  earth  who  blesses, 

Unto  Foutsa,  therefore  he 
Drink  and  incense,  food  and  dresses 

Should  up-offer  plenteously; 
And  the  fountain's  limpid  liquor 

Pour  Grand  Foutsa's  face  before, 
Drain  himself  a  cooling  beaker 

When  a  day  and  night  are  o'er; 
Tune  his  heart  to  high  devotion ; 

The  five  evil  things  eschew, 
Lust  and  flesh  and  vinous  potion, 

And  the  words  which  are  not  true  ; 
Living  thing  abstain  from  killing 

For  full  twenty  days  and  one ; 
And  meanwhile  with  accents  thrilling 

Mighty  Foutsa  call  upon — 
Then  of  infinite  dimension 

Foutsa's  form  in  dreams  he'll  see, 
And  if  he  with  fix'd  attention, 

When  his  sleep  dissolv'd  shall  be, 
Shall  but  list  to  Soudra's  volume, 

He,  through  thousand  ages  flight, 
Shall  of  Soudra's  doctrine  solemn 

Ne'er  forget  one  portion  slight ; 
Yes,  a  soul  so  richly  gifted 

Every  child  of  man  can  find, 
If  to  mighty  Foutsa  lifted 

He  but  keep  his  heart  and  mind. 
He  who  views  his  cattle  falling 

Unto  fierce  disease  a  prey 
Hears  his  kindred  f  round  him  brawling, 

Never  ceasing  night  nor  day, 
Who  can  find  no  rest  in  slumber 

From  excess  of  grief  and  pain, 
And  whose  prayers,  in  countless  number 

Though  they  rise,  are  breathed  in  vain — 
To  earth  favouring  Foutsa's  figure 

If  but  reverence  he  shall  pay, 

*  The  Sacred  Codex  of  the  Buddhists,  which  contains 
the  canons  of  their  religion. 

f  Literally,  in  whose  house  bones  are  breaking  and  cuts 
occurring  MntamoUy.  In  the  metaphorical  language  of 
the  Chinese  and  Tartars,  who  profess  the  Buddhic  re- 
ligion, the  flesh  and  bone  of  a  man  stand  for  his  kin- 
dred. 


THE  PRAISE  OF  BUDDH. 


107 


Dire  misfortune's  dreadful  rigour 

Flits  for  ever  and  for  aye : 
No  domestic  broils  distress  him, 

And  of  nought  he  knows  the  want ; 
Cattle,  corn,  and  riches  bless  him, 

Which  the  favouring  demons  grant. 
Those,  who  sombre  forests  threading, 

Those,  who  sailing  ocean's  plain, 
Fain  would  wend  their  way  undreading 

Evil  poisons,  beasts,  and  men, 
Evil  spirits,  demons,  javals, 

And  the  force  of  evil  winds, 
And  each  ill,  which  he  who  travels 

In  his  course  so  frequent  finds, — 
Let  them  only  take  their  station 

'Fore  the  form  of  Foutsa  Grand, 
On  it  gaze  with  adoration, 

Sacrifice  with  reverent  hand, 
And  within  the  forest  gloomy, 

On  the  mountain  or  the  vale, 
On  the  ocean  wide  and  roomy, 

Them  no  evil  shall  assail. 
Thou,  who  every  secret  knowest 


Foutsa,  hear  my  heartfelt  pray'r; 
Thou  who  earth  such  favour  showest, 

How  shall  I  thy  praise  declare? 
If  with  cataract's  voice  the  story 

I  through  million  calaps  roar, 
Yet  of  Foutsa's  force  and  glory 

I  may  not  the  sum  outpour. 
Whosoe'er  the  title  learning 

Of  the  earth's  protector  high, 
Shall  whene'er  his  form  discerning, 

On  it  gaze  with  steadfast  eye, 
And  at  times  shall  offer  dresses, 

Offer  fitting  drink  and  food, 
He  ten  thousand  joys  possesses, 

And  escapes  each  trouble  rude ; 
Whoso  into  deed  shall  carry 

Of  the  law  each  precept,  he 
Through  all  time  alive  shall  tarry, 

And  from  birth  and  death  be  free . 
Foutsa,  thou,  who  best  of  any 

Know'st  the  truth  of  what  I've  told, 
Spread  the  tale  through  regions  many 

As  the  Ganges'  sands  of  gold. 


ON  THE 


LANGUAGE  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


"I  am  not  very  willing  that  any  language  should  be  totally  extinguished;  the  similitude  and  derivation  of  lan- 
guages afford  the  most  indubitable  proof  of  the  traduction  of  nations,  and  the  genealogy  of  mankind:  they  add 
often  physical  certainty  to  historical  evidence  of  ancient  migrations,  and  of  the  revolutions  of  ages  which  left  no 
written  monuments  behind  them."— Johnson. 


The  speech  of  the  Gitanos,  as  it  at  present 
exists  in  Spain,  though  scarcely  entitled  to 
the  appellation  of  a  language,  was,  neverthe- 
less, at  one  period,  the  same  which  the  first 
wanderers  of  the  Romanian  sect  brought  with 
them  into  Europe  from  the  remote  regions  of 
the  East.  It  may  now  be  termed  with  more 
propriety  the  ruins  of  a  language  than  the 
language  itself,  enabling,  however,  in  its  ac- 
tual state,  the  Gitanos  to  hold  conversations 
amongst  themselves,  the  import  of  which  is 
quite  dark  and  mysterious  to  those  who  are 
not  of  their  race,  or  by  some  means  have  be- 
come acquainted  with  their  vocabulary.  The 
relics  of  this  tongue,  singularly  curious  in 
themselves,  must  be  ever  particularly  inte- 
resting to  the  philological  antiquarian,  inas- 
much as  they  enable  him  to  arrive  at  a  satis- 
factory conclusion  respecting  the  origin  of 
the  Gypsy  race.  During  the  latter  part  of 
the  last  century,  the  curiosity  of  some  learned 
individuals,  particularly  Grellman,  Richard- 
son, and  Marsden,  induced  them  to  collect 
many  words  of  the  Romanian  language,  as 
spoken  in  Germany,  Hungary,  and  England, 
which,  upon  analyzing,  they  discovered  to  be 
in  general  either  pure  Sanscrit  or  Hindus- 
tani words,  or  modifications  thereof;  these 
investigations  have  been  continued  to  the 
present  time  by  men  of  equal  curiosity  and 
no  less  erudition,  the  result  of  which  has 
been  the  establishment  of  the  fact  that  the 
Gypsies  of  those  countries  are  the  descend- 
ants of  a  tribe  of  Hindus,  who,  for  some  par- 
ticular reason,  had  abandoned  their  native 
country.  In  England,  of  late,  the  Gypsies 
have  excited  particular  attention  ;  but  a  de- 
sire far  more  noble  and  laudable  than  mere 
antiquarian  curiosity  has  given  rise  to  it, 
namely,  the  desire  of  propagating  the  glory 
of  Christ  amongst  those  who  know  him  not, 
and  of  saving  souls  from  the  jaws  of  the  in- 
fernal wolf.  It  is,  however,  with  the  Gyp- 
sies of  Spain,  and  not  with  those  of  England 
and  other  countries,  that  we  are  now  occu- 
pied, and  we  shall  merely  mention  the  latter 
so  far  as  they  may  serve  to  elucidate  the  case 
of  the  Gitanos,  their  brethren  by  blood  and 
language.  Spain  for  many  centuries  has  been 
the  country  of  error;  she  has  mistaken  stern 
108 


and  savage  tyranny  for  rational  government; 
base,  low,  and  grovelling  superstition  for 
clear,  bright,  and  soul-ennobling  religion; 
sordid  cheating  she  has  considered  as  the 
path  to  riches;  vexatious  persecution  as  the 
path  to  power;  and  the  consequence  has 
been  that  she  is  now  poor  and  powerless,  a 
pagan  amongst  the  pagans,  with  a  dozen 
kings,  and  with  none.  Can  we  be  surprised, 
therefore,  that,  mistaken  in  policy,  religion, 
and  moral  conduct,  she  should  have  fallen 
into  an  error  on  points  so  naturally  dark  and 
mysterious  as  the  history  and  origin  of  those 
remarkable  people,  whom  for  the  last  four 
hundred  years  she  has  supported  under  the 
name  of  Gitanos?  The  idea  entertained  at 
the  present  day  in  Spain  respecting  this  race 
is,  that  they  are  the  descendants  of  the  Mo- 
riscos  who  remained  in  Spain,  wandering 
about  amongst  the  mountains  and  wilder- 
nesses, after  the  expulsion  of  the  great  body 
of  the  nation  from  the  country  in  the  time  of 
Philip  the  Third,  and  that  they  form  a  dis- 
tinct body,  entirely  unconnected  with  the 
wandering  tribes  known  in  other  countries 
by  the  names  of  Bohemians,  Gypsies,  &c. 
This,  like  all  unfounded  opinions,  of  course 
originated  in  ignorance,  which  is  always 
ready  to  have  recourse  to  conjecture  and 
guess-work,  in  preference  to  travelling 
through  the  long,  mountainous,  and  stony 
road  of  patient  investigation ;  it  is,  however, 
an  error  far  more  absurd  and  more  destitute 
of  tenable  grounds  than  the  ancietit  belief 
that  the  Gitanos  were  Egyptians,  which  they 
themselves  have  always  professed  to  be,  and 
which  the  original  written  documents  which 
they  brought  with  them  on  their  first  arrival 
in  western  Europe,  and  which  bore  the  sig- 
nature of  the  king  of  Bohemia,  expressly 
stated  them  to  be.  The  only  clue  to  arrive 
at  any  certainty  respecting  their  origin,  is 
the  language  which  they  still  speak  amongst 
themselves ;  but  before  we  can  avail  ourselves 
of  the  evidence  of  this  language,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  make  a  few  remarks  respecting 
the  principal  languages  and  dialects  of  that 
immense  tract  of  country,  peopled  by  at  least 
eighty  millions  of  humt>n  beings,  generally 
known  by  the  name  of  Hindustan,  two  Per- 


THE  LANGUAGE  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


109 


sian  words  tantamount  to  the  land  of  Ind,  or, 
the  land  watered  by  the  river  Indus. 

The  most  celebrated  of  these  languages  is 
the  Samskrida,  or,  as  it  is  known  in  Europe, 
the  Sanscrit,  which  is  the  language  of  reli- 
gion of  all  those  nations,  amongst  whom  the 
faith  of  Brahma  has  been  adopted ;  but  though 
the  language  of  religion,  by  which  we  mean 
the  tongue  in  which  the  religious  books  of 
the  Brahmanic  sect  were  originally  written 
and  are  still  preserved,  it  has  long  since 
ceased  to  be  a  spoken  language;  indeed, 
history  is  silent  as  to  any  period  when  it  was 
a  language  in  common  use  amongst  any  of 
the  various  tribes  of  the  Hindus ;  its  know- 
ledge, as  far  as  reading  and  writing  it  went, 
having  been  entirely  confined  to  the  priests 
of  Brahma,  or  Brahmans,  until  within  the 
last  half  century,  when  the  British,  having 
subjugated  the  whole  of  Hindustan,  caused 
it  to  be  openly  taught  in  the  colleges  which 
they  established  for  the  instruction  of  their 
youth  in  the  languages  of  the  country. 
Though  sufficiently  difficult  to  acquire,  prin- 
tffially  on  account  of  its  prodigious  richness 
BRpynonymes,  it  is  no  longer  a  sealed  lan- 
guage, its  laws,  structure,  and  vocabulary 
being  sufficiently  well  known  by  means  of 
numerous  elementary  works,  adapted  to  faci- 
litate its  study.  It  has  been  considered  by 
several  famous  philologists  as  the  mother  not 
only  of  all  the  languages  of  Asia,  but  of  all 
others  in  the  world.  So  wild  and  prepos- 
terous an  idea,  however,  only  serves  to  prove 
that  a  devotion  to  philology,  whose  principal 
object  should  be  the  expansion  of  the  mind 
by  the  various  treasures  of  learning  and  wis- 
dom which  it  can  unlock,  sometimes  only 
tends  to  its  bewilderment,  by  causing  it  to 
embrace  shadows  for  reality.  The  most  that 
can  be  allowed,  in  reason,  to  the  Sanscrit,  is 
that  it  is  the  mother  of  a  certain  class  or  fa- 
mily of  languages,  for  example,  those  spoken 
in  Hindustan,  with  which  most  of  the  Euro- 
pean, whether  of  the  Sclavonian,  Gothic,  or 
Celtic  stock,  have  some  connexion.  True  it 
is  that  in  this  case  we  know  not  how  to  dis- 
pose of  the  ancient  Zend,  the  mother  of  the 
modern  Persian,  the  language  in  which  were 
written  those  writings  generally  attributed  to 
Zerduscht,  or  Zoroaster,  whose  affinity  to 
the  said  tongues  is  as  easily  established  as 
that  of  the  Sanscrit,  and  which,  in  respect  to 
antiquity,  may  well  dispute  the  palm  with  its 
Indian  rival.  Avoiding,  however,  the  discus- 
sion of  this  point,  we  shall  content  ourselves 
with  observing,  that  closely  connected  with 
the  Sanscrit,  if  not  derived  from  it,  are  the 
Bengali,  the  high  Hindustani,  or  grand  po- 
pular language  of  Hindustan,  generally  used 
by  the  learned  in  their  intercourse  and 
writings,  the  languages  of  Multan,  Guzerat, 
and  other  provinces,  without  mentioning  the 
mixed  dialect  called  Mongolian  Hindustani, 
a  corrupt  jargon  of  Persian,  Turkish,  Arabic, 
and  Hindu  words,  first  used  by  the  Mongols, 
after  the  conquest,  in  their  intercourse  with 
the  natives.  Many  of  the  principal  languages 
of  Asia  are  totally  unconnected  with  the  San- 
15 


scrit,  both  in  words  and  grammatical  struc- 
ture; these  are  mostly  of  the  great  Tartar 
family,  at  the  head  of  which  there  is  good 
reason  for  placing  the  Chinese  and  Tibetian. 

Bearing  the  same  analogy  to  the  Sanscrit 
tongue,  as  the  Indian  dialects  specified  above, 
we  find  the  Rommany,  or  speech  of  the  Roma, 
or  Zincali,  as  they  style  themselves,  known 
in  England  and  Spain  as  Gypsies  and  Gita- 
nos.  This  speech,  wherever  it  is  spoken,  is, 
in  all  principal  points,  one  and  the  same, 
though  more  or  less  corrupted  by  foreign 
words,  picked  up  in  the  various  countries  to 
which  those  who  use  it  have  penetrated. 
One  remarkable  feature  must  not  be  passed 
over  without  notice,  namely,  the  very  consi- 
derable number  of  pure  Sclavonic,  or  Rus- 
sian words,  which  are  to  be  found  imbedded 
within  it,  whether  it  be  spoken  in  Spain  or 
Germany,  in  England  or  Italy;  from  which 
circumstance  we  are  led  to  the  conclusion, 
that  these  people,  in  their  way  from  the  East, 
travelled  in  one  large  compact  body,  and  that 
their  route  lay  through  the  steppes  of  Rus- 
sia, where  they  probably  tarried  for  a  consi- 
derable period,  as  nomade  herdsmen,  and 
where  numbers  of  them  are  still  to  be  found 
at  the  present  day.  Besides  the  many  Scla- 
vonian words  in  the  Gypsy  tongue,  another 
curious  feature  attracts  the  attention  of  the 
philologist— an  equal  or  still  greater  quantity 
of  terms  from  the  modern  Greek ;  indeed,  we 
have  full  warranty  for  assuming  that  *t  one 
period  the  Gypsy  nation,  or  at  least  the  Spa- 
nish branch  thereof,  understood  the  Greek 
language  well,  and  that,  besides  their  own 
Indian  dialect,  they  occasionally  used  it  in 
Spain  for  considerably  upwards  of  a  century 
subsequent  to  their  arrival,  as  amongst  them 
there  were  individuals  to  whom  it  was  intel- 
ligible so  late  as  the  year  1540. 

Where  this  knowledge  was  obtained  it  is 
difficult  to  say,  perhaps  in  Bulgaria;  that 
they  did  understand  the  Romaic  in  1540,  we 
gather  from  a  very  remarkable  work  called 
"El  Estudioso  Cortesa.no,"  written  by  Lo- 
renzo Palmireno;  this  learned  and  highly 
extraordinary  individual  was  by  birth  a  Va- 
lencian,  and  died,  we  believe,  about  1580; 
he  was  professor  at  various  universities — of 
rhetoric  at  Valencia,  of  Greek  at  Zaragossa, 
where  he  gave  lectures,  in  which  he  explained 
the  verses  of  Homer;  he  was  a  proficient  in 
Greek,  ancient  and  modern,  and  it  should  be 
observed  that,  in  the  passage  which  we  are 
about  to  cite,  he  means  himself  by  the  learned 
individual  who  held  conversation  with  the 
Gitanos.  El  Estudioso  Cortesano  was  re- 
printed at  Alcala  in  1587,  from  which  edition 
we  now  copy. 

"  Who  are  the  Gitanos  ?  I  answer ;  these 
vile  people  first  began  to  show  themselves  in 
Germany,  in  the  year  1417,  where  they  call 
them  Tartars  or  Gentiles;  in  Italy  they  are 
termed  Ciani.  They  pretend  that  they  came 
from  Lower  Egypt,  and  that  they  wander 
about  as  a  penance,  and  to  prove  this  they 
show  letters  from  the  king  of  Poland.  Thev 
lie,  however,  for  they  do  not  lead  the  life  of 


110 


THE  ZIXCALI. 


penitents,  but  of  dogs  and  thieves.  A  learned  | 
person,  in  the  year  1540,  prevailed  with! 
them,  by  dint  of  much  persuasion,  to  show ! 
him  the  king's  letter,  and  he  gathered  from 
it  that  the  time  of  their  penance  was  already 
expired ;  he  spoke  to  them  in  the  Egyptian 
tongue  ;  they  said,  however,  that  as  it  was  a 
long  time  since  their  departure  from  Egypt, 
they  did  not  understand  it;  he  then  spoke  to 
them  in  the  vulgar  Greek,  such  as  is  used  at 
present  in  the  Morea  and  Archipelago;  some 
understood  it,  others  did  not ;  so  that  as  all  did 
not  understand  it,  we  may  conclude  that  the 
language  which  they  use  is  a  feigned  one,*  got 
up  bythieves  for  the  purpose  of  concealing  their 
robberies,  like  the  jargon  of  blind  beggars.'' 

Still  more  abundant,  however,  than  the 
mixture  of  Greek,  still  more  abundant  than 
the  mixture  of  Sclavonian,  is  the  alloy  in  the 
Gypsy  language  wherever  spoken,  of  modern 
Persian  words,  which  circumstance  will  com- 
pel us  to  offer  a  few  remarks  on  the  share 
which  the  Persian  has  had  in  the  formation 
of  the  dialects  of  India,  as  at  present  spoken. 

The  modern  Persian,  as  has  been  already 
observed,  is  a  daughter  of  the  ancient  Zend, 
and,  as  such,  is  entitled  to  claim  affinity 
with  the  Sanscrit,  and  its  dialects.  With 
this  language  none  in  the  world  would  be 
able  to  vie  in  simplicity  and  beauty,  had  not 
the  Persians,  in  adopting  the  religion  of  Ma- 
homet, unfortunately  introduced  into  their 
speech  an  infinity  of  words  of  the  rude  coarse 
language  used  by  the  barbaric  Arab  tribes, 
the  immediate  followers  of  the  warlike  Pro- 
phet. With  the  rise  of  Islam  the  modern 
Persian  was  doomed  to  be  carried  into  India. 
This  country,  from  the  time  of  Alexander, 
had  enjoyed  repose  from  external  aggression, 
had  been  ruled  by  its  native  princss,  and 
been  permitted  by  Providence  to  exercise, 
without  control  or  reproof,  the  degrading 
superstitions,  and  the  unnatural  and  bloody 
rites  of  a  religion,  at  the  formation  of  which 
the  fiends  of  cruelty  and  lust  seem  to  have 
presided ;  but  reckoning  was  now  about  to  be 
demanded  of  the  accursed  ministers  of  this 
system  for  the  pain,  torture,  and  misery, 
which  they  had  been  instrumental  in  inflict- 
ing on  their  countrymen  for  the  gratification 
of  their  avarice,  filthy  passions,  and  pride ; 
the  new  Mahometans  were  at  hand — Arab, 
Persian,  and  Afghan,  with  the  glittering 
scimitar  upraised,  full  of  zeal  for  the  glory 
and  adoration  of  the  one  high  God,  and  the 
relentless  persecutors  of  the  idol-worshippers. 
Already,  in  the  426th  year  of  the  Hageira, 
we  read  of  the  destruction  of  the  great 
Butkhan,  or  image-house  of  Sumnaut,  by  the 
armies  of  the  far-conquering  Mahmoud,  when 
the  dissevered  heads  of  the  Brahmans  rolled 
down  the  steps  of  the  gigantic  and  Babel- 
like temple  of  the  great  image — 

*  A  very  unfair  inference;  thnt  some  of  the  Gypsies 
did  not  understand  the  author  when  lie  spoke  Romaic, 
whs  no  proof  that  their  own  private  language  \va.i  ;i 
feigned  one,  invented  for  thievish  purposes. 


It  is  not  our  intention  to  follow  the  conquests 
of  the  Mahometans  from  the  days  of  Walid 
and  Mahmoud  to  those  of  Timour  and  Na- 
dir; sufficient  to  observe,  that  the  greatest 
part  of  India  was  subdued,  new  monarchies 
established,  and  the  old  religion,  though  far 
too  powerful  and  widely  spread  to  be  extir- 
pated, to  a  considerable  extent  abashed  and 
humbled    before    the    bright    rising  sun   of 
Islam.     The   Persian  language,  which  the 
conquerors*  of  whatever  denomination  intro- 
duced with  them  to  Hindustan,  and  which 
their  descendants  at  the  present  day  still  re- 
tain, though  not    lords   of   the  ascendant, 
speedily  became  widely  extended  in  these 
regions,  where  it  had  previously  been  un- 
known.    As  the  language  of  the  court,  it  was 
of  course  studied  and  acquired  by  all  those 
natives  whose  wealth,  rank,  and  influence 
necessarily   brought    them    into   connexion 
with  the  ruling  powers,  and  as  the  language 
of  the  camp,  it  was  carried  into  every  part  of 
the  country  where  the  duties  of  the  soldiery 
sooner  or  later  conducted  them ;  the  result 
of  which  relations  between  the  conquerors 
and  conquered,  was  the  adoption  into  the 
popular  dialects  of  India  of  an  infinity  of 
modern  Persian  words,  not  merely  those  of 
science,  such  as  it  exists  in  the  East,  and  of 
luxury  and  refinement,  but  even  those  which 
serve  to  express  many  of  the  most  common 
objects,  necessities,  and  ideas,  so  that  at  the 
present  day  a  knowledge  of  the  Persian  is 
essential  for  the  thorough  understanding  of 
the  principal  dialects  of  Hindustan,  on  which 
account,  as  well  as  for  the  assistance  which 
it  affords  in  communication  with  the  Maho- 
metans, it  is  cultivated  with  peculiar  care  by 
the  present  possessors  of  the  land. 

No  surprise,  therefore,  can  be  entertained, 
that  the  speech  of  the  Gitanos  in  general, 
who,  in  all  probability  departed  from  Hindus- 
tan long  subsequent  to  the  first  Mahometan 
invasions,  abounds,  like  other  Indian  dialects, 
with  words  either  purely  Persian,  or  slightly 
modified  to  accommodate  them  to  the  genius 
of  the  language.  Whether  the  Rom  many 
originally  constituted  part  of  the  natives  of 
Multan  or  Guzerat,  and  abandoned  their  na- 
tive land  to  escape  from  the  torch  and  sword 
of  Tamerlane  and  his  Mongols,  as  Grellman 
and  others  have  supposed,  or  whether,  as  is 
much  more  probable,  they  were  a  thievish 
caste,  like  some  others  still  to  be  found  in 
Hindustan,  who  fled  westward,  either  from 
the  vengeance  of  justice,  or  in  pursuit  of 
plunder,  their  speaking  Persian  is  alike  satis- 
factorily accounted  for.  With  the  view  of 
exhibiting  how  closely  their  language  is  con- 
nected with  the  Sanscrit  and  Persian,  we 
subjoin  the  first  ten  numerals  in  the  three 
tongues,  those  of  the  Gypsy  according  to  the 

*  Of  all  these,  the  most  terrible,  and  whose  sway  en- 
dured for  the  longOBl  period,  were  the  Mongols,  as  they 
were  called:  few,  however,  of  his  original  Mongolian 
warriors  followed  Timour  in  the  invasion  of  India.  His 
armies  latterly  appear  to  have  consisted  chiefly  of  Turco- 
mans and  Persians  It  was  to  obtain  popularity  amonjjst 
these  soldiery  that  he  abandoned  the  old  relision  of  the 
steppea,  a  kind  of  leash,  or  sorcery,  and  became  a  Ma- 
hometan. 


THE  LANGUAGE  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


Ill 


Hungarian  dialect,  as  quoted  in  the  Mithri. 
dates  of  Adelung,  vol.  i.  page  246. 


Gypsy. 

Persian. 

Sanscrit. 

1 

Jek 

Ek 

Ega 

2 

Dui 

Du 

Dvaya 

3 

Trin 

Se 

Treya 

4 

Schtar 

Chehar 

Tschatvar 

5 

Pansch 

Pansch 

Pantscha 

6 

Tschov 

Schesche 

Schasda 

7 

Efta 

Heft 

Sapta 

8 

Ochto 

Hescht 

Aschta 

9 

Enija 

Nu 

Nava 

10 

Dosch 

De 

Dascha 

It  would  be  easy  for  us  to  adduce  a  thou- 
sand instances,  as  striking  as  the  above,  of 
the  affinity  of  the  Gypsy  tongue  to  the  Per- 
sian Sanscrit  and  the  Indian  dialects,  but  we 
have  not  space  for  farther  observation  on  a 
point  which  long  since  has  been  sufficiently 
discussed  by  others  endowed  with  abler  pens 
than  our  own ;  but  having  made  these  pre- 
liminary remarks,  which  we  deemed  neces- 
sary for  the  elucidation  of  the  subject,  we  now 
hasten  to  speak  of  the  Gitano  language  as 
used  in  Spain,  and  to  determine,  by  its  evi- 
dence, (and  we  again  repeat,  that  the  lan- 
guage is  the  only  criterion  by  which  the  ques- 
tion can  be  determined,)  how  far  the  Gitanos 
of  Spain  are  entitled  to  claim  connexion  with 
the  tribes,  who,  under  the  names  of  Zigani, 
&c,  are  to  be  found  in  various  parts  of  Eu- 
rope, following,  in  general,  a  life  of  wander- 
ing adventure,  and  practising  the  same  kind 
of  thievish  arts  which  enable  those  in  Spain 
to  obtain  a  livelihood  at  the  expense  of  the 
more  honest  and  industrious  of  the  commu- 
nity. 

The  Gitanos  of  Spain,  as  already  stated, 
are  generally  believed  to  be  the  descendants 
of  the  Moriscos,  and  have  been  asserted  to 
be  such  in  printed  books.*     Now  they  are 

*  For  example,  in  the  Historiade  los  Gitanos,  of  which 
we  have  had  occasion  to  speak  in  the  first  part  of  the 
present  work:  amongst  other  things  the  author  says,  p. 
95,  "If  there  exist  any  similitude  of  customs  between 
the  Gitanos  and  the  Gypsies,  the  Zigeuners,  the  Zingari, 
and  the  Bohemians,  they  (the  Gitanos)  cannot,  however, 
be  confounded  with  these  nomade  castes,  nor  the  same 

origin  be  attributed  to  them All  that  we  shall  find 

jn  common  between  these  people  will  be,  that  the  one, 
(the  Gypsies,  &c.,)  arrived  fugitives  from  the  heart  of 
Asia  by  the  steppes  of  Tartary,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
fifteenth  century,  whilst  the  Gitanos,  descended  from  the 
Arab  or  Morisco  tribes,  came  from  the  coast  of  Africa  as 
conquerors  at  the  beginning  of  the  eighth." 

He  gets  rid  of  any  evidence  with  respect  to  the  origin 
of  the  Gitanos  which  their  language  might  be  capable  of 
affording,  in  the  following  summary  manner:  "  As  to  the 
particular  jargon  which  they  use,  any  investigation  which 
people  might  pretend  to  make  would  be  quite  useless;  in 
the  first  place,  on  account  oi  the  reserve  which  they  ex- 
hibit on  this  point,  and  secondly,  because,  in  the  event 
of  some  being  found  sufficiently  communicative,  the  in- 
formation which  they  could  impart  would  lead  to  no 
advantageous  result,  owing  to  their  extreme  igno- 
rance." 

It  is  scarcely  worth  while  to  offera  remark  on  reason- 
ing which  could  only  emanate  from  an  understanding  of 
the  very  lowest  order,— so  the  Gitanos  are  so  extremely 
ignorant,  that  however  frank  they  might  wish  to  be, 
they  would  be  unable  to  tell  the  curious  inquirer  the 
names  for  bread  and  water,  meat  and  salt,  in  their  own 
peculiar  tongue— for,  assuredly,  had  they  sense  enough 
to  afford  that  slight  quantum  of  information,  it  would 
lead  to  two  very  advantageous  results,  by  proving,  first, 
that  they  spoke  the  same  language  as  the  Gypsies,  &c, 
hnd  were  consequently  .he  same  people— and  secondly, 


known  to  speak  a  language  or  jargon  amongst 
themselves,  which  the  other  natives  of  Spain 
do  not  understand;  of  course,  then,  sup- 
posing them  to  be  of  Morisco  origin,  the 
words  of  this  tongue  or  jargon,  which  are 
not  Spanish,  are  the  relics  of  the  Arabic  or 
Moorish  Tongue  once  spoken  in  Spain,  which 
they  have  inherited  from  their  Moorish  an- 
cestors. Now  it  is  well  known,  that  the 
Moorish  of  Spain  was  the  same  tongue  as 
that  spoken  at  present  by  the  Moors  of  Bar- 
bary,  from  which  country  Spain  was  invaded 
by  the  Arabs,  and  to  which  they  again  retired 
when  unable  to  maintain  theirground  against 
the  armies  of  the  Christians.  We  will  there- 
fore collate  the  numerals  of  the  Spanish  Gi- 
tano with  those  of  the  Moorish  tongue,  pre- 
ceding both  with  those  of  the  Hungarian 
Gypsy,  of  which  we  have  already  made  use, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  clear  the  affinity 
of  that  language  to  the  Sanscrit  and  Persian. 
By  this  collation  we  shall  at  once  perceive 
whether  the  Gitano  of  Spain  bears  most  re- 
semblance to  the  Arabic,  or  the  Rommany 
of  other  lands. 


Hungarian 

Spanish 

Moorish 

Gypsy. 

Gitano. 

Arabic. 

1 

Jek 

Yeque 

Wahud 

2 

Dui 

Dui 

Snain 

3 

Trin 

Trin 

Slatza 

4 

Schtar 

Estar 

Arba 

5 

Pansch 

Pansche 

Khamsa 

6 

Tschov 

Job.  Zoi. 

Seta 

7 

Efta 

Hefta 

Sebea 

8 

Ochto 

Otor 

Sminia 

9 

Enija 

Esnia.  (Nu 

.  Pers.)  Tussa 

10 

Dosch 

Deque 

Aschra 

We  believe  the  above  specimens  will  go 
very  far  to  change  the  opinion  of  those  who 
have  imbibed  the  idea  that  the  Gitanos  of 
Spain  are  the  descendants  of  Moors,  and  are 
of  an  origin  different  from  that  of  the  wan- 
dering tribes  of  Rommany  in  other  parts  of 
the  world,  the  specimens  of  the  two  dialects 
of  the  Gypsy,  as  far  as  they  go,  being  so 
strikingly  similar,  as  to  leave  no  doubt  of 
their  original  identity,  whilst,  on  the  con- 
trary, with  the  Moorish,  neither  the  one  nor 
the  other  exhibit  the  slightest  point  of  simi- 
larity or  connexion.  But  with  these  speci- 
mens we  shall  not  content  ourselves,  but  pro- 
ceed to  give  the  names  of  the  most  common 
things  and  objects  in  the  Hungarian  and  Spa- 
nish Gitana,  collaterally,  with  their  equiva- 
lents in  the  Moorish  Arabic ;  from  which  it 
will  appear  that  whilst  the  former  are  one 
and  the  same  language,  they  are  in  every  re- 
spect at  variance  with  the  latter.  When  we 
consider  that  the  Persian  has  adopted  so  many 
words  and  phrases  from  the  Arabic,  we  are  at 
first  disposed  to  wonder  that  a  considerable 
portion  of  these  words  are  not  to  be  disco- 
vered in  every  dialect  of  the  Gypsy  tongue, 
since  the  Persian  has  lent  it  so  much  of  its 
vocabulary.     Yet  such  is  by  no  means  the 

that  they  came  not  from  the  coast  of  Northern  Africa, 
where  only  Arabic  and  Shilhah  are  spoken,  but  from 
the  heart  of  Asia,  three  words  of  the  four  being  pure 
Sanscrit. 


112 


THE  ZINCALI. 


case,  as  it  is  very  uncommon,  in  any  one  of 
these  dialects,  to  discover  words  derived  from 
the  Arabic.  Perhaps,  however,  the  follow- 
lowing  consideration  will  help  to  solve  this 
point.  The  Gitanos,  even  before  they  left 
India,  were  probably  much  the  same  rude, 
thievish,  and  ignorant  people,  as  they  are  at 
the  present  day.  Now  the  words  adopted 
by  the  Persian  from  the  Arabic,  and  which  it 
subsequently  introduced  into  the  dialects  Oi 
India,  are  sounds  representing  objects  and 
ideas  with  which  such  a  people  as  the  Gitanos 
could  necessarily  be  but  scantily  acquainted, 
a  people  whose  circle  of  ideas  only  embraces 
physical  objects,  and  who  never  communed 
with  their  own  minds,  nor  exerted  them,  but, 
in  devising  low  and  vulgar  schemes  of  pillage 
and  deceit.  Whatever  is  visible  and  common 
is  seldom  or  never  represented  by  the  Per- 
sians, even  in  their  books,  by  the  help  of 
Arabic  words :  the  sun  and  stars,  the  sea  and 
river,  the  earth,  its  trees,  its  fruits,  its  flowers 
and  all  that  it  produces  and  supports,  are 
seldom  named  by  them  by  other  terms  than 
those  which  their  own  language  is  capable 
of  affording;  but  in  expressing  the  abstract 
thoughts  of  their  minds,  and  they  are  a  peo. 
pie  who  think  much  and  well,  they  borrow 
largely  from  the  language  of  their  religion — 
the  Arabic.  We  therefore,  perhaps,  ought 
not  to  be  surprised,  that  in  the  scanty  phra- 
seology of  the  Gitanos,  amongst  so  much 
Persian,  we  find  so  little  that  is  Arabic ;  had 
their  pursuits  been  less  vile,  their  desires  less 
animal,  and  their  thoughts  less  circumscribed, 
it  would  probably  have  been  otherwise ;  but 
from  time  immemorial  they  have  shown  them- 
selves a  nation  of  petty  thieves,  horse  traf- 
fickers and  the  like,  without  a  thought  of  the 
morrow,  being  content  to  provide  against  the 
evil  of  the  passing  day. 

The  following  is  a  comparison  of  words  in 
the  three  languages. 


Name 

Night 

Nose 

Old 

Red 

Salt 

Sing 

Sun 

Thief 

Thou 

Tongue 

Tooth 

Tree 

Water 

Wind 


Hungarian 
Gypsy. 

Nao 

Rat 

Nakh 

Puro 

Lai 

Lon 


Spanish 
Gitano. 

Nao 

Rachi 

Naqui 

Puro 

Lalo 

Lon 


Gjuwawa  Gilyabar 
Can 
Choro 
Tucue 
Chipe 
Dani 
Caste 
Pani 
Barban 


Cam 

Tschor 

Tu 

Tschib 

Dant 

Karscht 

Pani 

Barbar 


Moorish 
Arabic. 

Ism 

Lila 

Munghar 

Shaive 

Hamr 

Mela 

Iganni 

Schems 

Haram 

Antsi 

Lsan 

Sinn 

Schizara 

Ma 

Ruhk 


Hungarian 
Gypsy. 

Spanish 
Gitano. 

Moorish 
Arabic. 

Bone 

Cokalos 

Cocal 

Adorn 

City 

Forjus 

For  os 

Beled 

Day 

Dives 

Chibes 

Youm 

Drink  (to) 
Ear 

Piava 
Kan 

Piyar 
Can 

Yeschr 
Oothin 

Eye 
Feather 

Jakh 
Por 

Aquia 
Porumia 

Ein 
Risch 

Fire 
Fish 

Vag 
Maczo 

Yaque 
Macho 

Afia 
Hutz 

Foot 

Pir 

Piro,  pindro  Rjil 

Gold 

Sonkai 

Sonacai 

Dahab 

Great 

Baro 

Baro 

Quibir 

Hair 

Bala 

Bal 

Schar 

He,  pron. 

Wow 

O 

Hu 

Head 

Tschero 

Jero 

Ras 

House 

Ker 

Quer 

Dar 

Husband 

Rom 

Ron 

Zooje 

Lightning 

Molnija 

Maluno 

Brak 

Love  (to) 

Camaba 

Cumelar 

Yehib 

Man 

Manusch 

Manu 

Rajil 

Milk 

Tud 

Chuti 

Helib 

Mountain 

Bar 

Bur 

Djibil 

Mouth 

Mui 

Mui 

Finn 

We  shall  offer  no  farther  observations  re- 
specting the  affinity  of  the  Spanish  Gitano  to 
the  other  dialects,  as  we  conceive  we  have 
already  afforded  sufficient  proof  of  its  origi- 
nal identity  with  them,  and  consequently 
shaken  to  the  ground  the  absurd  opinion  that 
the  Gitanos  of  Spain  are  the  descendants  of 
the  Arabs  and  Moriscos.  We  shall  now  con- 
clude with  a  few  remarks  on  the  present  state 
of  the  Gitano  language  in  Spain,  where,  per- 
haps, within  the  course  of  a  few  years,  it  will 
have  perished,  without  leaving  a  vestige  of 
its  having  once  existed ;  and  where,  perhaps, 
the  singular  people  who  speak  it  are  likewise 
doomed  to  disappear,  becoming  sooner  or 
later  engulfed  and  absorbed  in  the  great  body 
of  the  nation,  amongst  whom  they  have  so 
long  existed  a  separate  and  peculiar  class. 

Though  the  words  or  a  part  of  the  words 
of  the  original  tongue  still  remain,  preserved 
by  memory  amongst  the  Gitanos,  its  gram- 
matical peculiarities  have  disappeared,  the 
entire  language  having  been  modified  and 
subjected  to  the  rules  of  Spanish  grammar, 
with  which  it  now  coincides  in  Syntax,  in 
the  conjugation  of  verbs,  and  in  the  declen- 
sion of  its  nouns.  Were  it  possible  or  ne- 
cessary to  collect  all  the  relics  of  this  speech, 
they  would  probably  amount  to  four  or  five 
thousand  words;  but  to  effect  such  an  achieve- 
ment, it  would  be  necessary  to  hold  close  and 
long  intercourse  with  almost  every  Gitano  in 
Spain,  and  to  extract  from  them,  by  various 
means,  the  information  which  they  might  be 
individually  capable  of  affording ;  for  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  state  here,  that  though  such  an 
amount  of  words  may  still  exist  amongst  the 
Gitanos  in  general,  no  single  individual  of 
their  sect  is  in  possession  of  one  third  part 
thereof,  and  indeed  we  may  add,  those  of  no 
single  city  or  province  of  Spain ;  neverthe- 
less all  are  in  possession,  more  or  less,  of  the 
language,  so  that,  though  of  different  pro- 
vinces, they  are  ennbled  to  understand  each 
other  tolerably  well,  when  discoursing  in  this 
their  characteristic  speech.  Those  who  tra- 
vel most  are  of  course  best  versed  in  it,  as, 
independent  of  the  words  of  their  own  vil- 
lage or  town,  they  acquire  others  by  inter- 
mingling with  their  race  in  various  places. 
Perhaps  there  is  no  part  of  Spain  where  it 
is  spoken  better  than  in  Madrid,  which  is 


THE  LANGUAGE  OF  THE  GITANOS. 


113 


easily  accounted  for  by  the  fact,  that  Madrid, 
as  the  capital,  has  always  been  the  point  of 
union  of  the  Gitanos,  from  all  those  provinces 
of  Spain  where  they  are  to  be  found.  It  is 
least  of  all  preserved  in  Seville,  notwith- 
standing that  the  Gitano  population  is  very 
considerable,  consisting,  however,  almost  en- 
tirely of  natives  of  the  place.  As  may  well 
be  supposed,  it  is  in  all  places  best  preserved 
amongst  the  old  people,  especially  the  fe- 
males, their  children  being  comparatively  ig- 
norant of  it,  as  perhaps  they  themselves  are 
in  comparison  with  their  own  parents,  which 
naturally  leads  us  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
Gitano  language  of  Spain  is  at  the  last  stage 
of  its  existence,  an  idea  which  has  been  our 
main  instigator  to  the  present  attempt  to  col- 
lect its  scanty  remains,  and  by  the  assistance 
of  the  press,  rescue  it  in  some  degree  from 
destruction.  It  will  not  be  amiss  to  state 
here,  that  it  is  only  by  listening  attentively 
to  the  speech  of  the  Gitanos,  whilst  dis- 
coursing amongst  themselves,  that  an  ac- 
quaintance with  their  dialect  can  be  formed, 
and  by  seizing  upon  all  unknown  words  as 
they  fall  in  succession  from  their  lips.  Nor 
thing  can  be  more  useless  and  hopeless  than 
the  attempt  to  obtain  possession  of  their  vo- 
cabulary by  inquiring  of  them  how  particular 


objects  and  ideas  are  styled  in  the  same,  for 
with  the  exception  of  the  names  of  the  most 
common  things,  they  are  totally  incapable, 
as  a  Spanish  writer  has  observed,  of  yielding 
the  required  information,  owing  to  their  great 
ignorance,  the  shortness  of  their  memories, 
or  rather  the  state  of  bewilderment  to  which 
their  minds  are  brought  by  any  question 
which  tends  to  bring  their  reasoning  facul- 
ties into  action,  though  not  unfrequently  the 
very  words  which  have  been  in  vain  required 
of  them,  will,  a  minute  subsequently,  proceed 
inadvertently  from  their  mouths. 

We  now  take  leave  of  their  language. 
When  wishing  to  praise  the  proficiency  of 
any  individual  in  their  tongue,  they  are  in 
the  habit  of  saying,  "He  understands  the 
seven  jargons."  In  the  Gospel  which  we 
have  printed  in  this  language,  and  in  the  dic- 
tionary which  we  have  compiled,  we  have 
endeavoured,  to  the  utmost  of  our  ability,  to 
deserve  that  compliment ;  and  at  all  times  it 
will  afford  us  sincere  and  heartfelt  pleasure 
to  be  informed  that  any  Gitano,  capable  of 
appreciating  the  said  little  works,  has  ob- 
served, whilst  reading  them  or  hearing  them 
read:  It  is  clear  that  the  writer  of  these 
books  understood 

The  Seven  Jargons. 


K 


ON 


ROBBER  LANGUAGE: 


OR,  AS  IT  IS  CALLED  IN  SPAIN,  GERMANIA. 


"  So  I  went  with  them  to  a  music  booth,  where  they  made  me  almost  drunk  with  gin,  and  began  to  talk  their 
Flash  Language,  which  I  did  not  then  understand." — Narrative  of  the  exploits  of  Henry  Simms,  executed  at 
Tyburn,  1746. 

"  Hablaronse  los  dos  en  Germania,  de  lo  qual  resulto  darme  un  abraco,  y  ofrecerseme."— Qoevedo.  Vida  del 
gran  Tacano. 


Havtng  in  the  preceding  article  endea- 
voured to  afford  all  necessary  information 
concerning1  the  Rommany,  or  language  used 
by  the  Gypsies  amongst  themselves,  we  now 
propose  to  turn  our  attention  to  a  subject  of 
no  less  interest,  but  which  has  hitherto  never 
been  treated  in  a  manner  calculated  to  lead 
to  any  satisfactory  result  or  conclusion ;  on 
the  contrary,  though  philosophic  minds  have 
been  engaged  in  its  consideration,  and  learned 
pens  have  not  disdained  to  occupy  themselves 
with  its  details,  it  still  remains  a  singular 
proof  of  the  errors  into  which  the  most  acute 
and  laborious  writers  are  apt  to  fall,  when  they 
take  upon  themselves  the  task  of  writing  on 
matters  which  cannot  be  studied  in  the  clo- 
set, and  on  which  no  information  can  be  re- 
ceived by  mixing  in  the  society  of  the  wise, 
the  lettered,  and  the  respectable,  but  which 
must  be  investigated  in  the  fields,  and  on  the 
borders  of  the  highways,  in  prisons,  and 
amongst  the  dregs  of  society.  Had  the  lat- 
ter system  been  pursued  in  the  matter  now 
before  us,  much  clearer,  more  rational,  and 
more  just  ideas  would  long  since  have  been 
entertained  respecting  the  Germania,  or  lan- 
guage of  thieves. 

In  most  countries  of  Europe  there  exists, 
amongst  those  who  obtain  their  existence  by 
the  breach  of  the  law,  and  by  preying  upon 
the  fruits  of  the  labours  of  the  quiet  and  or- 
derly portion  of  society,  a  particular  jargon 
or  dialect,  in  which  the  former  discuss  their 
schemes  and  plans  of  plunder,  without  being 
in  general  understood  by  those  to  whom  they 
are  obnoxious.  The  name  of  this  jargon  va- 
ries with  the  country  in  which  it  is  spoken. 
In  Spain  it  is  called  "  Germania ;"  in  France, 
"  Argot ;"  in  Germany,  "  Rothwelsch,"  or 
red  Italian;  in  Italy,  "Gorgo;"  whilst  in 
England  it  is  known  by  many  names,  for 
example  "  cant,  slang,  thieves'  Latin,"  &c. 
The  most  remarkable  circumstance  connect- 
ed with  the  history  of  this  jargon  is,  that  in 
all  the  countries  in  which  it  is  spoken,  it  has 
invariably,  by  the  authors  who  have  treated 
114 


of  it,  and  who  are  numerous,  been  confounded 
with  the  Gypsy  language,  and  asserted  to  be 
the  speech  of  those  wanderers  who  have  so 
long  infested  Europe  under  the  name  of  Gi- 
tanos,  &c.  How  far  this  belief  is  founded  in 
justice  we  shall  now  endeavour  to  show,  with 
the  premise  that  whatever  we  advance  is  de- 
rived, not  from  the  assertions  or  opinions  of 
others,  but  from  our  own  observation ;  the 
point  in  question  being  one  which  no  person 
is  capable  of  solving,  save  him  who  has  mixed 
with  Gitanos  [and  thieves,  not  with  the  for- 
mer merely  or  the  latter,  but  with  both. 

We  have  already  stated  what  is  the  Rom- 
many or  language  of  the  Gypsies.  We  have 
proved  that  when  properly  spoken  it  is  to  all 
intents  and  purposes  entitled  to  the  appella- 
tion of  a  language,  and  that  wherever  it  ex- 
ists it  is  virtually  the  same.  That  its  origin 
is  illustrious,  it  being  a  daughter  of  the  San- 
scrit, and  in  consequence  in  close  connexion 
with  some  of  the  most  celebrated  languages 
of  the  East,  although  it  at  present  is  only 
used  by  the  most  unfortunate  and  degraded 
of  beings,  wanderers  without  home  and  al- 
most without  country,  as  wherever  they  are 
found  they  are  considered  in  the  light  of  fo- 
reigners and  interlopers.  We  shall  now 
state  what  the  language  of  thieves  is,  as  it  is 
generally  spoken  in  Europe;  after  which  we 
shall  proceed  to  analyze  it  according  to  the 
various  countries  in  which  it  is  used. 

The  dialect  used  for  their  own  peculiar 
purposes  amongst  thieves,  is  by  no  means 
entitled  to  the  appellation  of  a  language,  but 
in  every  sense  to  that  of  a  jargon  or  gibber- 
ish, it  being  for  the  most  part  composed  of 
words  of  the  native  language  of  those  who 
use  it,  according  to  the  particular  country, 
though  invariably  in  a  meaning  differing  more 
or  less  from  the  usual  and  received  one,  and 
for  the  most  part  in  a  metaphorical  sense. 
Metaphor  and  allegory,  indeed,  seem  to  form 
the  nucleus  of  this  speech,  notwithstanding 
that  other  elements  are  to  be  distinguished; 
for  it  is  certain  that  in  every  country  where 


ROBBER  LANCUAGE. 


115 


it  is  spoken,  it  contains  many  words  differing 
from  the  language  of  that  country,  and  which 
may  either  be  traced  to  foreign  tongues,  or 
are  of  an  origin  at  which,  in  many  instances, 
it  is  impossible  to  arrive.  That  which  is 
most  calculated  to  strike  the  philosophic 
mind  when  considering  this  dialect,  is  doubt- 
less the  fact  of  its  being  formed  every  where 
upon  the  same  principle — that  of  metaphor, 
in  which  point  all  the  branches  agree,  though 
in  others  they  differ  as  much  from  each  other 
as  the  languages  on  which  they  are  founded; 
for  example,  as  the  English  and  German, 
from  the  Spanish  and  Italian.  This  circum- 
stance naturally  leads  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  robber  language  has  not  arisen  fortui- 
tously in  the  various  countries  where  it  is  at 
present  spoken,  but  that  its  origin  is  one  and 
the  same,  it  being  probably  invented  by  the 
outlaws  of  one  particular  country;  by  indivi- 
duals of  which  it  was,  in  course  of  time,  car- 
ried to  others,  where  its  principles,  if  not  its 
words,  were  adopted ;  for  upon  no  other  sup- 
position can  we  account  for  its  general  me- 
taphorical character  in  regions  various  and 
distant.  It  is,  of  course,  impossible  to  state 
with  certainty  the  country  in  which  this  jar- 
gon first  arose,  yet  there  is  cogent  reason  for 
supposing  that  it  may  have  been  Italy.  The 
Germans  call  it  Rothwelsch,  which  signifies 
"Red  Italian,"  a  name  which  appears  to 
point  out  Italy  as  its  birth-place ;  and  which, 
though  by  no  means  of  sufficient  importance 
to  determine  the  question,  is  strongly  cor- 
roborative of  the  supposition,  when  coupled 
with  the  following  fact.  We  have  already 
intimated,  that  wherever  it  is  spoken,  this 
speech,  though  composed  for  the  most  part 
of  words  of  the  language  of  the  particular 
country,  applied  in  a  metaphorical  sense,  ex- 
hibits a  considerable  sprinkling  of  foreign 
words;  now  of  these  words  no  slight  number 
are  Italian  or  bastard  Latin,  whether  in  Ger- 
many, whether  in  Spain,  or  in  other  coun- 
tries more  or  less  remote  from  Italy.  When 
we  consider  the  ignorance  of  thieves  in  ge- 
neral, their  total  want  of  education,  the  slight 
knowledge  which  they  possess  even  of  their 
mother  tongue,  it  is  hardly  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose that  in  any  country  they  were  ever  ca- 
pable of  having  recourse  to  foreign  languages, 
for  the  purpose  of  enriching  any  peculiar  vo- 
cabulary or  phraseology  which  they  might 
deem  convenient  to  use  among  themselves  ; 
nevertheless,  by  associating  with  foreign 
thieves,  either  exiled  from  their  native  coun- 
try for  their  crimes,  or  from  a  hope  of  reap- 
ing a  rich  harvest  of  plunder  in  other  lands, 
it  would  be  easy  for  them  to  adopt  a  consi- 
derable number  of  words  belonging  to  the 
languages  used  by  their  foreign  associates, 
from  whom  at  the  same  time  they  derived  an 
increase  of  knowledge  in  thievish  arts  of 
every  description.  At  the  commencement 
of  the  fifteenth  century  no  nation  in  Europe 
was  at  all  calculated  to  vie  with  the  Italian 
in  arts  of  any  kind,  whether  those  whose 
tendency  was  the  benefit  or  improvement  of 
society,  or  those  the  practice  of  which  serves 


to  injure  and  undermine  it.  The  artists  and 
artisans  of  Italy  were  to  be  found  in  all  the 
countries  of  Europe,  from  Madrid  to  Mos- 
cow, and  so  were  its  charlatans,  its  jug- 
glers, and  multitudes  of  its  children,  who 
lived  by  fraud  and  cunning.  Therefore,  when 
a  comprehensive  view  of  the  subject  is  taken, 
there  appears  to  be  little  improbability  in 
supposing,  that  not  only  were  the  Italians 
the  originators  of  the  metaphorical  robber 
jargon,  which  has  been  termed  "Red  Ita- 
lian," but  that  they  were  mainly  instrumen- 
tal in  causing  it  to  be  adopted  by  the  thievish 
race  in  the  less  civilized  countries  of  Europe. 
It  is  here,  however,  necessary  to  state, 
that  in  the  robber  jargon  of  Europe,  elements 
of  another  language  are  to  be  discovered, 
and  perhaps  in  greater  number  than  the  Ita- 
lian words.  The  language  which  we  allude 
to  is  the  Rommany;  this  language  has  been, 
in  general,  confounded  with  the  vocabulary 
used  among  thieves,  which,  however,  is  a 
gross  error,  so  gross,  indeed,  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  conceive  the  manner  in  which 
it  originated.  The  speech  of  the  Gypsies 
being  a  genuine  language  of  oriental  origin, 
and  the  former  little  more  than  a  phraseology 
of  convenience,  founded  upon  particular  Eu- 
ropean tongues.  It  will  be  sufficient  here  to 
remark,  that  the  Gypsies  do  not  understand 
the  jargon  of  the  thieves,  whilst  the  latter, 
with  perhaps  a  few  exceptions,  are  ignorant 
of  the  language  of  the  former.  Certain 
words,  however,  of  the  Rommany  have  found 
admission  into  the  said  jargon,  which  may 
be  accounted  for  by  the  supposition  that  the 
Gypsies,  being  themselves  by  birth,  educa- 
tion, and  profession,  thieves  of  the  first 
water,  have,  on  various  occasions,  formed 
alliances  with  the  outlaws  of  the  various 
countries  in  which  they  are  at  present  to  be 
found,  which  association  may  have  produced 
the  result  above  alluded  to ;  but  it  will  be  as 
well  here  to  state,  that  in  no  country  of  Eu- 
rope have  the  Gypsies  forsaken  or  forgotten 
their  native  tongue,  and  in  its  stead  adopted 
the  "Gerrnania,"  "  Red  Italian,"  or  robber 
jargon,  notwithstanding  that  they  preserve 
their  native  language  in  a  state  of  more  or 
less  purity.  We  are  induced  to  make  this 
statement  from  an  assertion  of  the  celebrated 
Lorenzo  Hervas,  who,  in  the  3d  vol.  of  his 
"  Catalogo  de  las  lenguas,"  trat.  3.  cap.  vi. 
p.  311,  expresses  himself  to  the  following 
effect:  "  The  proper  language  of  the  Gitanos, 
neither  is  nor  can  be  found  amongst  those 
who  scattered  themselves  through  the  western 
kingdoms  of  Europe,  but  only  amongst  those 
who  remained  in  the  eastern,  where  they  are 
still  to  be  found.  The  former  were  notably 
divided  and  disunited,  receiving  into  their 
body  a  great  number  of  European  outlaws, 
on  which  account  the  language  in  question 
was  easily  adulterated  and  soon  perished. 
In  Spain,  and  also  in  Italy,  the  Gitanos  have 
totally  forgotten  and  lost  their  native  Ian. 
guage;  yet  still  wishing  to  converse  with 
each  other  in  a  language  unknown  to  tho 
Spaniards  and  Italians,  they  have  invented 


116 


THE  ZINCALI. 


some  words,  and  have  transformed  many 
others  by  changing  the  signification  which 
properly  belongs  to  them  in  Spanish  and 
Italian."  In  proof  of  which  assertion  he 
then  exhibits  a  small  number  of  the  words 
of  the  "  Red  Italian,"  or  allegorical  tongue 
of  the  thieves  of  Italy. 

It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  a  man  like 
Hervas,  so  learned,  of  such  acknowledged, 
and  upon  the  whole  well-earned  celebrity, 
should  have  helped  to  propagate  three  such 
flagrant  errors  as  are  contained  in  the  passage 
above  quoted.  1st.  That  the  Gypsy  language, 
within  a  very  short  period  after  the  arrival  of 
those  who  spoke  it  in  the  western  kingdoms 
of  Europe,  became  corrupted,  and  perished 
by  the  admission  of  outlaws  into  the  Gypsy 
fraternity.  2dly.  That  the  Gypsies,  in  or- 
der to  supply  the  loss  of  their  native  tongue, 
invented  some  words,  and  modified  others, 
from  the  Spanish  and  Italian.  3dly.  That 
the  Gypsies  of  the  present  day  in  Spain  and 
Italy  speak  the  allegorical  robber  dialect. 
Concerning  the  first  assertion,  namely,  that 
the  Gypsies  of  the  west  lost  their  language 
shortly  after  their  arrival,  by  mixing  with  the 
outlaws  of  those  parts,  we  believe  that  its 
erroneousness  will  be  sufficiently  established 
by  the  publication  of  the  present  volume, 
which  contains  a  dictionary  of  the  Spanish 
Gitano,  which  we  have  proved  to  be  the  same 
language  in  most  points  as  that  spoken  by 
the  eastern  tribes. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  Gypsies 
have  at  various  times  formed  alliances  with 
the  robbers  of  particular  countries,  but  that 
they  ever  received  them  in  considerable  num- 
bers into  their  fraternity,  as  Hervas  has  stated, 
so  as  to  become  confounded  with  them,  the 
evidence  of  our  eye-sight  precludes  the  pos- 
sibility of  believing.  If  such  were  the  fact, 
why  do  the  Italian  and  Spanish  Gypsies  of 
the  present  day  still  present  themselves  as  a 
distinct  race,  differing  from  the  other  inhabi- 
tants of  the  west  of  Europe  in  feature,  co- 
lour, and  constitution  1  Why  are  they  in 
whatever  situation  and  under  whatever  cir- 
cumstances, to  be  distinguisiied,  like  Jews, 
from  the  other  children  of  the  Creator?  But 
the  question  involves  an  absurdity;  and  it  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  state  that  the  Gypsies 
of  Spain  and  Italy  have  kept  themselves  as 
much  apart,  or  at  least  have  as  little  mingled 
their  blood  with  the  Spaniards  and  Italians 
as  their  brethren  in  Hungaria  and  Transyl- 
vania with  the  inhabitants  of  those  countries, 
on  which  account  they  still  strikingly  resem- 
ble them  in  manners,  customs  and  appear- 
ance. The  most  extraordinary  assertion  of 
Hervas  is  perhaps  his  second,  namely,  that 
the  Gypsies  have  invented  particular  words 
to  supply  the  place  of  others  which  they 
had  lost.  The  absurdity  of  this  supposition 
nearly  induces  us  to  believe  that  Hervas, 
who  has  written  so  much  and  so  laboriously 
on  language,  was  totally  ignorant  of  the  phi- 
losophy of  his  subject.  There  can  be  no 
doubt,  as  we  have  before  admitted,  that  in 
the  robber  jargon,  whether  spoken  in  Spain, 


Italy,  or  England,  there  are  many  words  at 
whose  etymology  it  is  very  difficult  to  arrive; 
yet  such  a  fact  is  no  excuse  for  the  adoption 
of  the  opinion  that  these  words  are  of  pure 
invention.  A  knowledge  of  the  Rommany 
proves  satisfactorily  that  many  have  been 
borrowed  from  that  language,  whilst  many 
others  may  be  traced  to  foreign  tongues,  es- 
pecially the  Latin  and  Italian.  Perhaps  one 
of  the  strongest  grounds  for  concluding  that 
the  origin  of  language  was  divine,  is  the  fact 
that  no  instance  can  be  adduced  of  the  inven- 
tion, we  will  not  say  of  a  language,  but  even 
of  a  single  word  that  is  in  use  in  society  of 
any  kind.  Although  new  dialects  are  con- 
tinually being  formed,  it  is  only  by  a  system 
of  modification,  by  which  roots  almost  coeval 
with  time  itself  are  continually  being  repro- 
duced under  a  fresh  appearance,  and  under 
new  circumstances.  The  third  assertion  of 
Hervas  as  to  the  Gitanos  speaking  the  alle- 
gorical language  of  which  he  exhibits  speci- 
mens, is  entitled  to  about  equal  credence  as 
the  two  former.  The  truth  is,  that  the  entire 
store  of  erudition  of  the  learned  Jesuit,  and 
he  doubtless  was  learned  to  a  remarkable  de- 
gree, was  derived  from  books,  either  printed 
or  manuscript.  He  was  aware,  from  the  then 
recent  publication  of  Grellman,  that  the  Gyp- 
sies of  Germany  and  Hungaria  spoke  amongst 
themselves  a  language  differing  from  the  rest 
of  the  European  ones,  specimens  of  which 
he  compared  with  various  vocabularies,  which 
have  long  been  in  existence,  of  the  robber 
jargon  of  Spain  and  Italy;  which  jargon,  by 
some  unaccountable  fatuity,  has  been  con- 
sidered as  belonging  to  the  Gitanos,  but  he 
never  gave  himself  the  trouble  to  verify  whe- 
ther this  jargon  was  intelligible  to  the  Gyp- 
sies of  the  respective  countries ;  had  he  done 
so,  he  would  have  found  it  about  the  same 
degree  as  unintelligible  to  them,  as  the  words 
in  the  vocabulary  of  Grellman  would  have 
proved  if  quoted  to  thieves.  With  respect 
to  the  Gitanos  of  Spain,  it  will  be  sufficient 
to  observe  that  they  speak  the  language  of 
the  present  volume,  whilst  the  Gitanos  of 
Italy,  who  are  generally  to  be  found  existing 
in  a  half  savage  state  in  the  various  ruined 
castles,  relics  of  the  feudal  times,  with  which 
Italy  abounds,  speak  a  dialect  very  similar, 
and  about  as  much  corrupted.  There  are, 
however,  to  be  continually  found  in  Italy 
roving  bands  of  Rommany,  not  natives  of  the 
country,  who  make  triennial  excursions  from 
Moldavia  and  Hungaria  to  France  and  Italy, 
for  the  purpose  of  plunder;  and  who,  if  they 
escape  the  hand  of  justice,  return  at  the  ex- 
piration of  that  period  to  their  native  regions, 
with  the  booty  they  have  amassed  by  the 
practice  of  those  thievish  arts,  perhaps  at 
one  period  peculiar  to  their  race,  but  at  pre- 
sent, for  the  most  part,  known  and  practised 
by  thieves  in  general.  These  bands,  how- 
ever, speak  the  pure  Gypsy  language,  with 
all  its  grammatical  peculiarities.  It  is  evi- 
dent, however,  that  amongst  neither  of  these 
j  classes  had  Hervas  pushed  his  researches, 
!  which,  had  he  done,  it  is  probable  that  his 


ROBBER  LANGUAGE. 


117 


investigations  would  have  resulted  in  a  workl  ing  various  conjectures  respecting  its  origin; 
of  a  far'different  character  from  the  confused,   its  sound,  cotipJed  with  its  signification,  at'- 


unsatisfactory,  and  incorrect  details  of  which 
is  formed  his  essay  on  the  language  of  the 
Gypsies. 

Having  said  thus  much  concerning  the  rob- 
ber language  in  general,  we  shall  now  pro- 
ceed to  offer  some  specimens  of  it,  in  order 
that  our  readers  may  be  better  able  to  under- 
stand its  principles.  We  shall  commence 
with  the  Italian  dialect,  which  there  is  rea- 
son for  supposing  to  be  the  prototype  of  the 
rest.  For  this  purpose  we  avail  ourselves  of 
some  of  the  words  adduced  by  Heryas,  as 
specimens  of  the  language  of  the  Gitanos  of 
Italy.  "I  place  them,"  he  observes,  "with 
the  signification  which  the  greater  number 
properly  have  in  Italian." 


Arm 

Belly 
Devil 


Earth 

Eye 

Father 

Fire 

God 

Hair 

Head 


Heart 
Man 


Moon 

Night 
Nose 
Sun 

Tongue 
Water 


Robber  jargon 
of  Italy. 

Ale 

Barbacane 

Fagiana 

Rabuino 


Calcosa 

Balco 

Grimo 

Presto 

Anticrotto 

Prusa* 
"Elmo 
I  Borellaf 
.Chiurlat 

SalsEi 

Osm 


Proper  signification 
of  the  words. 

Wings 

Barbican 

Pheasant 

Perhaps  Rab- 
bin, which, 
in  Hebrew, 
is  Master 

Street,  road 

Balcony 

Old,  wrinkled 

Quick 

Probably  An- 
tichrist 

Helmet 


Mocoloso  di  Sant' 
Alto 

Brunamaterna 

Gambaro 

Ruffo    di     Sant' 
Alto 
^  Serpentina 
\  Danosa 
5  Lenza 
I  Vetta$ 


Sauce 

From  the  Ita- 
lian    uomo, 
which  is  man 
Wick   of  the 

firmament 
Mother-brown 
Crab 
Red  one  of  the 

firmament 
Serpent-like 
Hurtful 
Fishing-net 
Top,  bud 

The  Germania  of  Spain  may  be  said  to  di- 
vide itself  into  two  dialects,  the  ancient  and 
modern.  Of  .the  former  there  exists  a  voca- 
bulary, published  first  by  Juan  Hidalgo,  in  the 
year  1609,  at  Barcelona,  and  reprinted  in 
Madrid,  1773.  Before  noticing  this  work,  it 
will  perhaps  be  advisable  to  endeavour  to  as- 
certain the  true  etymology  of  the  word  Ger- 
mania, which  signifies  the  slang  vocabulary, 
or  robber  language  of  Spain.  We  have  no 
intention  to  embarrass  our  readers  by  offer- 

*  Possibly  from  the  Russian  Eoloss,  which  has  the 
same  signification. 

|  Basque,  Ilurua. 

t  Sanscrit,  Schira. 

$  These  two  words,  which  Hervas  supposes  to  be  Ita- 
lian used  in  an  improper  sense,  are  probably  of  quite  ano- 
ther origin.  Len,  in  Gitano signifies  "river,"  whilst vadi 
In  Russian  is  equivalent  to  water. 

16 


fording  sufficient  evidence  that  it  is  but  a 
corruption  of  Rommany,  which  properly  de- 
notes the  speech  of  the  Roma  or  Gitanos. 
The  thieves  who  from  time  to  time  associ- 
ated with  this  wandering   people,  and   ac- 
quired more  or  less  of  their  language,  doubt- 
less adopted  this  term  amongst  others,  and, 
after  modifying  it,  applied  it  to  the  peculiar 
phraseology  which,  in  the  course  of  time,  be- 
came prevalent  amongst  them.   The  diction- 
ary of  Hidalgo  is  appended  to  six  ballads,  or 
romances,  by  the  same  author,  written  in  the 
Germanian  dialect,  in  which  he  describes  the 
robber  life  at  Seville  at  the  period  in  which 
he  lived.  All  of  these  romances  possess  their 
peculiar  merit,  and  will  doubtless  always  be 
considered  valuable,  and  be  read,  as  faithful 
pictures  of  scenes  and  habits  which  now  no 
longer  exist.     In  the  prologue,  the  author 
states  that  his  principal  motive  for  publish- 
ing a  work  written  in  so  strange  a  language 
was,  his  observing  the  damage  which  result- 
ed from  an  ignorance  of  the  Germania,  espe- 
cially to  the  judges  and  ministers  of  justice, 
whose  charge  it  is  to  cleanse  the  public  from 
the  pernicious  gentry  who  use  it.     It  will  be 
necessary  to    observe    here,  that   Hidalgo 
speaks  of  this  language  as  the  language  of 
the  thieves  as  it  in  reality  is,  but  neither  in 
his  preface,  nor  in  the  romances  themselves, 
utters  one  syllable  which  could  lead  his  read- 
ers to  conclude  that  it  was  used  by  the  Gita- 
nos, concerning  whom  he  is  perfectly  silent 
throughout  his  work.     His  editor,  however, 
J  of  1779,  has  fallen  into  that  error,  and,  as  an 
appendix  to  the  work,  has  reprinted  the  dis- 
course of  Doctor  Sancho  Moncada,  Profes- 
sor of  Theology  at  the  University  of  Toledo, 
addressed  to  Philip  the  Third,  concerning  the 
expulsion  of  the  Gitanos ;  the  consequence 
of  which  has  been  that,  at  the  present  day, 
the  vocabulary  of  Hidalgo  is  generally  con- 
sidered in  Spain  to  consist  of  the  genuine 
relics  of  the  Gitano,  and  the  romances  in 
Germania  to  be  written  in  the  Rommany,  or 
speech  of  the  Gitanos.     By  far  the  greatest 
part  of  the  vocabulary  consists  of  Spanish 
words  used  allegorically,  which  are,  howe- 
ver, intermingled  with  many  others,  most  of 
which  may  be  traced  to  the  Latin  and  Ita- 
lian, others  to  the  Sanscrit  or  Gitano,  Rus- 
sian, Arabic,  Turkish,  Greek,  and  German 
languages.*     This   circumstance,   which   at 
first  may  strike  the  reader  as  singular,  and 
almost  incredible,  will  afford  but  slight  sur- 
prise, when  he  takes  into  consideration  the 
peculiar  circumstances  of  Spain  during  the 


^pai 
sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries.     Spain 
was  at  that  period  the  most  powerful  monar- 

*  It  is  not  our  intention  to  weary  the  reader  with  pro- 
lix  specimens;  nevertheless,  in  corroboration  of  what  W  9 
have  asserted,  we  shall  take  the  liberty  of  offering  a  tow. 
Piar,  to  drink,  (p.  188,)  is  Sanscrit,  piawa.  llasilra,  cal- 
lows, (p.  15*,)  is  Russian,  bcnliti.  CaraOlO,  wine,  and 
gurapo,  galley,  (p.  ir>9-17(>,)  Arabic,  haram  (whicb  IKd. 
rally  signifies  that  which  Is  forbidden)  and  rrab.  rat, 
(p.  27&,]  harlot,  Turkish,  kilt.  Barton,  bread,  (p.  177,) 
Greek,  arto.-.  Gaido,  good,  and  hurgnmandera.  boriot, 
(p.  177-8,)  German  gut  and  Inirr.  Tiple,  wine,  (p  l'.'7,) 
is  the  same  as  I  he  EngJiflb  «  ord  tij>;l(  .  G\  rw;  .  I 

12 


IIS 


THE  ZINC ALL 


chy  in  Europe,  her  foot  reposed  upon  the 
Low  Countries,  whilst  her  gigantic  arms  em- 
braced a  considerable  portion  of  Italy.  Main- 
taining always  a  standing  army  in  Flanders 
and  in  Italy,  it  followed,  as  a  natural  conse- 
quence, that  her  Miquelets  and  soldiers  be- 
came tolerably  conversant  with  the  languages 
of  those  countries;  and,  in  course  of  time, 
returning  to  their  native  land,  not  a  few,  es- 
pecially of  the  former  class,  a  brave  and  in- 
trepid, but  always  a  lawless  and  dissolute 
species  of  soldiery,  either  fell  in  or  returned 
to  evil  society,  and  introduced  words  which 
they  had  learnt  abroad  into  the  robber  phra- 
seology; whilst  returned  galley  slaves,  from 
Algiers,  Tunis,  and  Tetuan,  added  to  its 
motley  variety  of  words  from  the  relics  of 
the  broken  Arabic  and  Turkish,  which  they 
had  acquired  during  their  captivity.  The 
greatest  part  of  the  Germania,  however,  re- 
mained strictly  metaphorical,  and  we  are 
aware  of  no  better  means  of  conveying  an 
idea  of  the  principle  on  which  it  is  formed, 
than  by  quoting  from  the  first  romance  of 
Hidalgo,  where  particular  mention  is  made 
of  this  jargon: — 

66  A  la  cama  llama  Blanda 
Donde  soman  en  poblado. 
A  la  Fresada  Vellosa, 
Que  mucho  vello  ha  criado. 
Dice  a  la  sabana  Alba 
Porque  es  alba  en  sumo  grade. 
A  la  eamisa  Carona, 
Al  jubon  llama  apretado; 
Dice  al  Sayo  Tapador 
Porque  le  lleva  tapado. 
Llama  a  los  zapatos  Duros, 
Clue  las  piedras  van  pisando. 
A  la  capa  llama  nuve, 
Dice  al  Sombrero  Texado. 
Respeto  llama  a  la  Espada, 
due  por  ella  es  respetado. 
Al  meson  llama  Sospecho 
Porque  del  Guro  es  mirado. 
Llama  al  Bodegon  Registro, 
Do  el  dinero  es  registrado. 
A  la  Taberna  Alegria, 
due  alegra  al  mas  enojado. 
A  los  reales  Contento, 
Glue  el  oue  los  tiene  es  preciado." 

Hidalgo,  p.  21—3. 

After  these  few  remarks  on  the  ancient 
Germania  of  Spain,  we  now  proceed  to  the 
modern,  which  differs  considerably  from  the 
former.  The  principal  cause  of  this  differ- 
ence is  to  be  attributed  to  the  adoption  by 
the  Spanish  outlaws,  in  latter  years,  of  a  con- 
siderable number  of  words  belonging  to,  or 
modified  from,  the  Rommany,  or  language  of 
the  Gitanos.  The  Gitanos  of  Spain,  during 
the  last  half  century,  having,  in  a  great  de- 
gree, abandoned  the  wandering  habit  of  life 
which  once  constituted  one  of  their  most  re- 
markable peculiarities,  and  residing,  at  pre- 
sent, more  in  the  cities  than  in  the  fields, 
have  come  into  closer  contact  with  the  great 
body  of  the  Spanish  nation  than  was  in  for- 
mer days  their  practice.  From  their  living 
thus  in  towns,  their  language  has  not  only 
undergone  much  corruption,  but  has  become, 
to  a  slight  degree,  known  to  the  dregs  of 
society,  amongst  whom  they  reside.  The 
.thieves'  dialect  of  the  present  day  exhibits, 
therefore,  less  of  the  allegorical  language 
preserved  in  the  pages  of  Hidalgo  than  of 


the  Gypsy  tongue.  It  must  be  remarkeo, 
however,  that  it  is  very  scanty,  and  that  the 
whole  robber  phraseology  at  present  used  in 
Spain  barely  amounts  to  two  hundred  words, 
which  are  utterly  insufficient  to  express  the 
very  limited  ideas  of  the  outcasts  who  avail 
themselves  of  it.  As  our  readers  may  per- 
haps entertain  some  curiosity  respecting  this 
dialect,  we  subjoin  a  small  vocabulary,  com- 
piled in  the  prison  of  Madrid.  In  this  voca- 
bulary, some  of  the  allegorical  words  of  Hi- 
dalgo will  be  observed,  though  the  greater 
part  consists  of  Gitano  words  modified  and 
not  unfrequently  used  in  a  wrong  sense. 


Abillar 

To  have 

Agarabar 

To  seize 

Alajai 

Friar 

Alares 

Pantaloons 

Aplacerarse 

To  be 

Aquerar 

To  say 

Arriar 

To  send 

Baril 

Judge 

Barria 

Ounce  of  Gold 

Bastes 

Hands 

Bato,  Bata 

Father,  Mother 

Bero 

Galley 

Bola 

Street 

Burda 

Gate 

Calcos 

Shoes 

Camalinches 

Buttons 

Cargar 

To  take 

Clais 

Eyes 

Coba 

Mouth 

Coba 

Talk,  fun 

Colgandero 

Watch 

Culebra 

Girdle 

Cha 

Yes 

Chai 

Woman 

Charros 

Fetters 

Chima 

Head 

Chiscon 

Dungeon 

Chivei 

Village 

Chuli 

Knife 

Chulo 

Good 

Dinar 

To  give 

Estabo 

Robbery 

Estaro 

Prison 

Estache 

Hat 

Falda 

Clothes,  linen 

Fila 

Face 

Filipichi 

Jacket 

Filar 

To  see 

Filotear 

To  recognise 

Filoteo 

Recognition 

Gache 

Man 

Gao 

Madrid 

Gitana 

Twelve  ounces  of  bread 

small  pound 

Jardin 

Court  of  the  prison 

Jaula 

Chapel 

Junar 

To  learn 

Jundo 

Soldier 

Liban 

Ink 

Libanadora 

Pen 

Libanar 

To  write 

Libano 

Notary  public 

Lima 

Shirt 

Manro 

Bread 

ROEBER   LANGUAGE. 


119 


Maque 


In  Spanish   Cardjo,  an 
oath 


Monro  An  adult 

Mosquete  Dollar 

Muy  Tongue 

Nacle  Light 

Nel  No 

Nibel  God 

Nube  Cloak 

Paloma  Billet,  note 

Papiri  Paper 

Pel  a  Peseta 

Pelusera  Blanket 

Peria  Brandy 

Pesquivar  To  like 

Picudos  Field  Pease 

Pili  Cigar 

Pifios  Teeth 

Pin  res  Feet, 

Piano,  plana         Brother,  sister 
Pusca  Pistol 

Quile  Mentula 

Recarii  Window 

Rumi  Harlot 

Safo  Handkerchief 

Sarto  Serjeant 

Tarpe  Heaven. 

Concerning  the  Germania  of  France*  or 
"Argot,"  as  it  is  called,  it  is  unnecessary  to 
make  many  observations,  as  what  has  been 
said  of  the  language  of  Hidalgo  and  the  Red 
Italian,  is  almost  in  every  respect  applicable 
to  it.:  As  early  as  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  a  vocabulary  of  this  jargon  was  pub- 
lished under  the  title  of  "  Langue  des  Es- 
crocs,"  at  Paris.  Those  who  wish  to  study 
it  as  it  at  present  exists,  can  do  no  better 
than  consult  "  Les  Memoires  de  Vidocq," 
where  a  multitude  of  words  in  Argot  are  to 
be  found,  and  also  several  songs,  the  subjects 
of  which  are  thievish  adventures. 

The  first  vocabulary  of  the  "Cant  Lan- 
guage," or  English  Germania,  appeared  in 
the  year  1680,  appended  to  the  life  of  "The 
English  Rogue,"  a  work  which,  in  many  re- 
spects, resembles  the  history  of  Guzman  D'Al- 
farache,  though  it  is  written  with  considerably 
more  genius  than  the  Spanish  novel,  every 
chapter  abounding  with  remarkable  adven- 
tures of  the  robber  whose  life  it  pretends  to 
narrate,  and  which  are  described  with  a  kind 
of  ferocious  energy,  which,  if  it  do  not  charm 
the  attention  of  the  reader,  at  least  enslaves 
it,  holding  it  captive  with  a  chain  of  iron. 
Amongst  his  other  adventures,  the  hero  falls 
in  with  a  Gypsy  encampment,  is  enrolled 
amongst  the  fraternity,  and  is  allotted  a 
"  mort,"  or  concubine;  a  barbarous  festival 
ensues,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  an  epi- 
thalamium  is  sung  in  the  Gypsy  language, 
as  it  is  called  in  the  work  in  question.  Nei- 
ther the  epithalamium,  however,  nor  the  vo- 
cabulary, are  written  in  the  language  of  the 
English  Gypsies,  but  in  the  "Cant,"  or  alle- 
gorical robber  dialect,  which  is  sufficient  proof 
that  the  writer,  however  well  acquainted  with 
thieves  in  general,  their  customs  and  man- 
ners of  life,  was  in  respect  to  the  Gypsies  pro- 
foundly ignorant.     His  vocabulary,  however 


has  been  always  accepted  as  the  speech  of 
the  English  Gypsies,  whereas  it  is  at  most  en- 
titled to  be  considered  as  the  peculiar  speech 
of  the  thieves  and  vagabonds  of  his  time. 
The  cant  of  the  present  day,  which,  though 
it  differs  in  some  respects  from  the  vocabu- 
lary already  mentioned,  is  radically  the  same, 
is  used  by  the  greatest  part  of  those  who  live 
in  open  defiance  of  the  law,  or  obtain  their 
livelihood  by  means  which  morality  cannot 
sanction ;  it  is  used  not  only  in  the  secret  re- 
ceptacles  of  crime,  but  on  the  race-course, 
and  in  the  "ring,"  where  those  tremendous 
beings,  the  pugilists  of  England,  display  their 
prowess  and  ferocity.  It  is,  moreover,  much 
cultivated  by  the  young  and  debauched  aris- 
tocracy of  England,  whose  pride  it  is  to  con- 
verse with  the  pugilists  of  the  ring,  and  the 
jockeys  of  the  race-course,  in  their  own  vul- 
gar and  disgusting  jargon,  resembling,  in  this 
point,  the  Grandees  of  Spain,  who  are  not 
ashamed  to  receive  into  their  palaces,  and  to 
feast  at  their  tables,  the  ruffian  Toreros  of  An- 
dalusia. As  a  specimen  of  the  cant  of  Eng- 
land, we  shall  take  the  liberty  of  quoting  the 
epithalamium  to  which  we  have  above  al- 
luded. 

Bring  out,  bien  morts,  and  tour  and  tour, 
Bring  out,  bien  morts  and  tour; 
For  all  your  duds  are  bing'd  awast 
The  bien  cove  hath  the  loure. 

I  met  a  dell,  I  view'd  her  well, 
She  was  benship  to  my  watch; 
So  she  and  I  did  stall  and  cloy. 
Whatever  we  could  catch. 

This  doxy  dell  can  cut  ben  whids, 
And  wap  well  for  a  win, 
And  prig  and  cloy  so  benshiply, 
All  daisy-ville  within. 

The  hoyle  was  up,  we  had  good  luck, 
In  frost  for  and  in  snow; 
When  they  did  seek,  then  we  did  creep 
And  plant  in  roughman's  low. 

Which  may  be  thus  translated  into  Spanish. 

Fuera:  al  camino:  vos,  las  buenas  muchachas;  fu6ra; 
al  cainitjo  :  para  dar  una  vuelta ;  pues  que  todas  vuestras 
alhajas  estan  empeiiAdas,  y  el  Tabernero  tiene  el  dinero. 

Me  tope  con  una  ino/.a  y  despues  de  considerarla  con 
atencion  parecio  bien  a  mis  ojos;  compania  Kcba,  nos 
pusimos  a  trabajar,  engnfiando,  y  robando  todo  lo  que  nos 
era  posible. 

Esta  moza-ramera  tiene  el  don  del  bienhablar,  y  sabe 
trocar  sus  jeneros,  siginpre  con  la  canancia  de  algun 
cuarto;  sabe  pillar  y  bribonear  divinainentedentrodelos 
pueblecitos  del  campo. 

Al  fin  conclniinos  nutstro  juego,  despues  de  tener 
mucha  suerte  en  el  tiempo  de  la  escarcha  y  de  la  nieve, 
principiando  la  justicia  a  buscamos,  fuiinos  a  agazapar' 
nos  en  unas  oscuras  cucvjis  de  la  tierra. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  dilate  farther 
upon  the  Germania  in  general  or  in  particular ; 
we  believe  that  we  have  achieved  the  task 
which  we  marked  out  for  ourselves,  and  have 
conveyed  to  our  readers  a  clear  and  distinct 
idea  of  what  it  is.  We  have  shown  that  it 
has  been  erroneously  confounded  with  the 
Rommany,  or  Gitano  language,  with  which 
it  has  nevertheless  some  points  of  similarity. 
The  two  languages,  are,  at  the  present  day, 
used  for  the  same  purpose,  namelv,  to  enable 
habitual  breakers  of  the  law  to  carry  on  their 
consultations  with  more  secresy  and  privacy 
than  by  the  ordinary  means.  Yet,  it  must 
not  be  forgotten,  that  the  thieves   jargon  was 


120 


THE  ZINCALI. 


invented  for  that  purpose,  whilst  the  Rom- 1 
many,  originally  the  proper  and  only  speech ' 
of  a  particular  nation,  has  been  preserved  j 
from  falling  into  entire  disuse  and  oblivion,  i 
because  adapted  to  answer  the  same  end.  It 
was  impossible  to  treat  of  the  Rommany  in  a 
manner  calculated  to  exhaust  the  subject,  and 
to  leave  no  ground  for  future  cavilling,  with- 
out devoting  a  considerable  space  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  other  dialect,  on  which  ac- j 
count  we  hope  we  shall  be  excused  many  of  | 
the  dry  details  which  we  have  introduced  into 
the  present  essay.  There  is  a  link  of  con- 
nexion between  the  history  of  the  Roma,  or 
wanderers  from  Hindustan,  who  first  made 
their  appearance  in  Europe  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  fifteenth  century,  and  that  of  mo- 
dern roguery.  Many  of  the  arts  which  the 
Gypsies  proudly  call  their  own,  and  which 
were  perhaps  at  one  period  peculiar  to  them, 
have  become  divulged,  and  are  now  practised 
by  the  thievish  gentry  who  infest  the  various 
European  states,  a  result  which,  we  may  as- 
sert with  confidence,  was  brought  about  by 
the  alliance  of  the  Gypsies  being  eagerly 
Bought  on  their  first  arrival  by  the  thieves, 
who,  at  one  period,  were  less  skilful  than  the 
former  in  the  ways  of  deceit  and  plunder; 


which  kind  of  association  continued  and  held 
good,  until  the  thieves  had  acquired  all  they 
wished  to  learn,  when  both  parties  retired  to 
their  proper  and  most  congenial  orbits,  the 
Gypsies  to  the  fields  and  plains,  so  dear  to 
them  from  the  vagabond  and  nomade  habits, 
which  had  become  identified  with  their  na- 
ture, and  the  thieves  and  vagabonds  of  Eu- 
ropean origin  to  the  towns  and  cities.  Yet 
from  this  temporary  association  were  pro- 
duced two  results ;  European  fraud  became 
sharpened  by  coming  into  contact  with  Asiatic 
craft,  whilst  European  tongues,  by  impercep- 
tible degrees,  became  recruited  with  various 
words,  (some  of  them  wonderfully  expressive,) 
many  of  which  have  long  been  stumbling, 
stocks  to  the  philologist,  who,  whilst  stigma- 
tizing them  as  words  of  mere  vulgar  inven- 
tion, or  of  unknown  origin,  has  been  far  from 
dreaming  that  a  little  more  research  or  re- 
flection would  have  proved  their  affinity  to 
the  Sclavonic,  Persian,  or  Romaic,  or  perhaps 
to  the  mysterious  object  of  his  veneration,  the 
Sanscrit,  the  sacred  tongue  of  the  palm- 
covered  regions  of  Ind ;  words  originally  in- 
troduced into  Europe  by  objects  too  miserable 
to  occupy  for  a  moment  his  lettered  attention, 
— the  despised  denizens  of  the  tents  of  Roma. 


ADVERTISEMENT 


TO  THE 


VOCABULARY. 


The  Gypsy  words  in  this  Collection  are  written  according  to  the  Spanisli 
orthography:  and  their  pronunciation  is  the  Spanish;  the  rules  for  which  need 
not  be  laid  down,  the  Spanish  language  being  at  present  very  extensively  cul- 
tivated in  Europe,  and  a  knowledge  of  it  considered  as  forming  part  of  a  li- 
beral education. 

The  words  pointed  out  as  derivatives,  though  tolerably  numerous,  are  to  be 
considered  merely  in  the  light  of  specimens  of  what  may  be  accomplished. 
We  are  within  compass,  when  stating,  that  there  are  hundreds  of  words  in  this 
Vocabulary  which  we  could  as  easily  have  traced  to  the  Sanscrit,  Modern 
Greek,  Sclavonian,  &c. — and  have  forborne;  it  being  our  belief  that  the 
general  scholar  will  peruse  the  following  columns  with  increased  interest,  on 
perceiving  that  many  roots  have  been  left  in  the  soil,  which  will  not  fail  to 
reward  his  patient  research. 

To  those  who  may  feel  inclined,  in  some  instances,  to  call  in  question  the 
correctness  of  our  derivations,  we  wish  to  observe,  that  in  order  to  form  an 
opinion  on  this  point,  it  is  necessary  to  be  well  acquainted  with  the  manner 
in  which  not  only  the  Gitanos,  but  the  lower  orders  of  the  Spaniards  them- 
selves, are  in  the  habit  of  changing  and  transposing  letters.  In  some  provinces, 
the  liquids  are  used  indifferently  for  each  other — I  for  r,  r  for  n  and  Z,  y  for 
11,  and  vice  versa.  With  respect  to  the  Git&nos,  they  not  only  confuse  the 
liquids,  but  frequently  substitute  the  I  for  the  d:  for  example,  they  have  changed 
the  Persian  duriya,  "the  sea,"  into  luriya;  and  in  their  word  for  "thunder," 
have  afforded  a  curious  instance  how  the  change  of  a  letter  may  render  it  diffi- 
cult to  trace  a  word  to  its  etymon:  unacquainted  with  this  habit  of  theirs,  no 
one  would  venture  to  derive  lurian,  their  term  for  "thunder,"  from  the  San- 
scrit; yet  when  spelt  and  pronounced  durian,  as  it  ought  to  be,  the  difficulty 
at  once  vanishes:  durian  being  twin  brother  to  the  Celtic  darian,  which  is 
clearly  allied  to  the  Danish  torden,  the  German  donner,  the  English  thunder, 
which  latter  is  but  a  slight  modification  of  the  Sanscrit  indra.  They  likewise 
occasionally  confound  a  liquid  with  a  labial;  saying,  lombardo  or  bombardo  indif- 
ferently, which  word  in  their  language  signifies  "a  lion." 

We  shall  offer  no  examples  as  to  their  manner  of  transposing  letters;  but 
content  ourselves  with  observing,  that  nothing  is  more  common  than  such 
transpositions.  With  all  its  faults,  we  recommend  this  Vocabulary  to  the 
Reader,  assuring  him  that  it  contains  the  elements  of  the  speech  of  a  most  ex- 
traordinary people,  the  Spanish  Gypsies — a  speech  which,  if  this  memento 
preserve  it  not,  must  speedily  be  lost,  and  consigned  to  entire  oblivion — a 
speech  which  we  have  collected  in  its  last  stage  of  decay,  at  the  expense  of 
much  labour  and  peril,  during  five  years  spent  in  unhappy  Spain — Spain,  which 
we  have  traversed  in  all  directions,  mindful  of  the  proverb— 

Chuquel  sos  pin'ila 
Cocal  terda. 

121 


THE  ZINCALI 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


Abatico,  5.7W.  Father.  Padre. 

Vid.  Batu. 
Abelar,  v.  a.   To  have,  possess. 

Tener.     Sans,  Ava.* 
Abertune,  s.  a.    Foreigner,  fo- 
reign.   Forastero. 
Aberucar,  v.  n.      To    repent. 

Arrepentirse. 
Abicholar,  v.n.  To  appear.  Pa- 

recer. 
Abillelar,  v.  n.   To  come.   Ve- 

nir.  Pers.  Amdan.  Hin.  Ana. 
Abx'x, adv.  Out,  abroad.  Fuera. 

Pers.  Badar.  Sans.  Vahira. 
Acaba,  pron.  dem.  This.  Este. 
Aca.ni,adv.  Now.  Ahora.  Pers. 

Acnun.     Saris.  Adhuna. 
Acarar,  v.  a.   To  call.  Llamar. 
Acatan,  adv.  Hither.  Aca. 
Achibes,  adv.    To-day.    Hoy. 

Hin.  Ajhi. 
Achinelar,  v.  a.   To  cat.   Cor- 

tar. 
Achogornar,  v.  n.    To  assist. 

Acudir. 
Acoi,  adv.  Here.  A  qui. 
Acores,  5.  pi.    Nuts.  Nueces. 

Mod.  Gr.  xaovSi. 
Ajojoy,  s.m.  A  hare.  Liebre. 
Ajoro,  s.  m.  Friday.  Viernes. 
Ajua,  s. m.  Halter.  Cabestro. 
Alachar,  v.  n.    To  meet.    En- 

contrar. 
Alala,  s.f.  Joy,  Alegria.  Sans. 

Ullasa. 
Alangari,  s.f.    Grief,   sorrow. 

Pesar. 
Alao,  s.  m.  Word.  Palabra. 
Alcarran,  s.  m.    Drone.    Zan- 

gano. 
Alcorabisar,  v.  a.  To  arrive  at. 

Alcanzar. 
Alendarse,   v.  r.     To    rejoice. 

Alegrarse.  Sans.  Ananda. 
Alialy,  s.f.    Temper,  disposi- 
tion.   Genio. 
Alicati,  s.f.  Time,  turn.  Vez. 
Aligata,  s.f.  Side.  Lado. 
AIigatas,6av.  Justby.  Al  lado. 
Aljenique,  s.f.  Fountain.  Fu-  J 

ente. 


Almedalle,  s.f.    Almond.   Al- 

mendra. 
Almensalle,  s.f.    Table.    Me- 
sa. 
Amal,  s.  m.  Companion.  Com- 

paiiero. 
A  mala,  5./.  Companion.  Com- 

panera. 
Amartelar,   v.  n.     To   wither. 

Marchitar. 
Amini,  s.f  Anvil.  Ayunque. 
Amolar,   v.  n.    To    be   worth. 

Valer. 
Ampio,5.?re.  Oil.  0!eo,aceyte. 

Sans.  Abhyanjana. 
Ampio  majaro,  Holy  oil.  Santo 

6leo. 
Amucharse,  v.  r.  To  intoxicate 

oneself.  Emborracharse. 
Amular,  v.  a.    To  hang,  exe- 
cute, strangle.    Ahorcar,dar 

garrote. 
An,  s.pl.      Things,    matters. 

Cosas.    Mod.  Gr.  ov  (being 

existence.) 
Anacar,  v.  impers.  To  happen. 

Suceder. 
Anarania  >  adv.  Amen,  so  be  it. 
Anariana  )      Amen,  asi  sea. 
Andandula,  s.  f.  Fox.  Raposa. 

Andingla,  s.f.  Girth.  Cincha. 
Andoba, pron.  dem.  This.  Este. 
Andoriles,  s.pl.    Strings,  gar- 
ters. Ligas. 
Andre,  adv.  prep.    In,  within. 

En,   dentro.    Pers.    Andar. 

Sans.  Antare. 
Anduque,  adv.  Whither.  Adon- 

de. 
Anduyo,  s.  m.  Lamp.  Velon. 
Anglal,  adv.    Before,  forward. 

Delante.  Hin.  Age. 
Anglano,   s.  m.    A    publican. 

Publica.no. 
Angrunio,  s.  m.     Lock,  bolt. 

Cermjo.  Sans.  Argala.  [Germ. 

Riegel.] 
An<rui, s.f.  Honey.  Miel.  Pers. 

Angbin. 
Angusti,   s.f.   Finger.    Dedo. 


j      Pers.  Angusht.  Sans.  Agru, 
Anguri. 
Angustro,5. 771.  A  ring.  Anillb. 
Pers.  Angushtari.  Sans.  An- 
guriya. 
Anis,  s.f.  Wasp.  Avispa. 
Anjella,  prep.   Before.  Antes, 
Anjelo,  s.  m.  Desire.  Deseo. 
Anro,5.  m.  Egg.  Huevo.  Sans. 
Anda.  Both  in  Sanscrit  and 
Gypsy,  this  word  signifies  a 
testicle. 
Ansul,  adj.  Sick.  Enfermo. 
Aocana.  Vid.  Acana. 
Aopler,  v.  a.  To  open.  Abrir. 
Aotar,  adv.  Yonder.  Alia. 
Aoter,  adv.  There.  Alii. 
Apajenar,  v.  a.    To  approach. 

Acercar. 
Apala,  prep.   Behind.    Detras. 

Sans.  Apara.  [Fr.  Apres.] 
Aparati,  s.f.    Cloud.    Nube. 

Pers.  Abar." 
Apenar,  v.  a.  To  take.  Tomar. 

Hin.  Pana. 
Apuchelar,  v.n.  To  live,  dwell. 

Vivir,  habitar.  Sans.  Piji. 
Apucheris,  s.p^l.   The  living. 

Los  vivos. 
Aquia,  s.f.  The  eye.  Ojo.  Sans. 

Akshi.  Germ.  Auge. 
Aquinbilaneto,  s.  m.    Attend- 
ance, accompaniment.    Ac- 
companamiento. 
Aquirimen,  s.f.  Affection.  Afi- 

cion. 
Aquirindoy,  adj.  Affected.  Afi- 
cionado. 
Aracate,s.  m.  Guard.  Guarda. 
Aracatear,   v.  a.      To    guard. 

Guardar. 
Arachi,  adv.  Last  night.  Ano- 

che. 
Arajambi,s./.  Under-petticoat. 

Zagalejo. 
Arajay,  s.  m.    Friar.     Frayle. 

Arab.  Raheb. 
Araperar,  v.  a.    To  remember. 

Acordar. 
Arapuchi,  s.f.  Tortoise.  Gala- 
pago.      Sans.    Kachchhapa, 
Krodapada.  TiMs.Cherepakia, 


*  As  there  are  no  Sanscrit  types  in  this  country,  and  no  Arabic  of  the  proper  size,  we  have  been  compelled  to 
put  our  author's  .Sanscrit,  Persian,  and  Arabic  etymologies  in  Roman  characters;  which  to  the  majority  oi 
readers  will  be  rather  a  subject  of  felicitation  than  of  regret.  Jn  so  doing  we  have  followed  the  usual  and  most 
convenient  course,  giving  the  English  sound  to  the  consonants,  and  the  Italian  to  the  vowels,  hi  Shemitish 
words  the  combinations  with  //.  are  to  he  pronounced  as  follows:  i,h  like  v.dk  like  th  in  thine,  th  like  th  in  thin,  and 
kh  like  ch  in  German,  or  the  Greek  /;  but  in  words  from  the  Sanscrit,  Hlndostanee,  &c,  the  first  letter  of  the 
combination  retains  its  hard  sound,  which  is  simply  followed  by  an  aspirate;  thus  hh  is  to  be  pronounced  as  in 
ahhor,  ilk  as  in  mad-house,  6ic.  The  long  vowels  are  designated  by  an  acute  accent.  An  apostrophe  (';  represents 
the  Sheinitish  letter  Ayiu.     A  few  additional  etymologies  are  placed  between  brackets.— Am.  Ed. 

123 


124 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Araquerar,  v.  a.  To  speak,  talk, 

call.    Hablar.  llamar.    Sans. 

Rata. 
Araquerepenes,s .pi.  Sayings. 

Dichos. 
Arara,  s.f.  Pledge.  Prenda. 
Arari,    adj.     Pregnant.     Pre- 

nada. 
Arasno,  s.  m.  Fear.  Miedo. 
Arate,  s.  m.  Blood.  Sangre. 
Archabar,-».  a.  To  serve.   Ser- 

vir.    Sans.  Abhichara,  Pari- 

chara,  (servant.) 

"}  v.  a.  To  raise.  Le- 

Ardelar  vantar.     Sans. 

!      Arohana. 

^(rising.)      Celtic, 

Ardinelar  Ard  (high,  ex- 

J      alted.) 
Ardoria,  s.f.  Vein.  Vena.  [Lat. 

Arteria.] 
Arispejal,  s.  m.   Metal.   Metal, 

Sans.Ara.  (brass;)  Pitala  (yel- 
low, )  literally  yellow  brass. 
Arite,  s.  m.  Lentil.  Lenteja. 
Arjana,  s.f.  Salad.  Ensalada. 
Armensalle,  adj.   Free.  Libre. 
Aromali,  adv.   Verily,  indeed. 

En  verdad. 
Aruje,  5.  in.  Wolf.  Lobo.  Hin. 

Bheruha. 
Asaselarse,  v.  r.  To  rejoice,  to 

laugh.  Alegrarse,  reirse.  Hin. 

Hansna. 
Ashios, pron.pl.  Those.  Aquel- 

los. 
Asislable,  adj.   Powerful.   Po- 

deroso. 
Asislar,  v.  a.    To  be  able.    Po- 

der.  Vid.  Astisar. 
Asisnastri,  s.f.       Apprentice. 

Aprendiz. 
Asisprole,  s.  m.  Brass.  Bronce. 
Asna.o,  s.m.  Name,  word.  Vid. 

Alao. 
Asparabar,  v.  a.  To  break,  tear. 

Romper,  lacerar.    Gr.   ana- 

Astis,  a.  Possible.  Posible. 
Astisar,  v.  a.    To  be  able.    Po- 

der. 
Astra,  s.f.   Moon,  star.  Luna. 

Estrella.   [Sans.  Tara,  Zend. 

Stara.   Gr.  aarrjQ.li 
Atelis,  adv.  Below.  Abajo.  Vid. 

Ostele.  Turk.  Altandeh.  Hin. 

Tule. 
Aterni,  s.  a.    Dead-born.    Na- 

cido  muerto.    This  word  in 

Sanscrit  signifies  pregnant 

Udarin. 

m.     Steel :    ra 
Acero.      Sans 


Atudiesalle, 
thcr  iron. 
Ayasa 

Avel 


Aver 


adj.    Other,  another, 

Otro. 
Sans.    Apara.     Arab. 
Ghair. 

Aunsos,cory.Although.Aunque. 

Aupre,   adv.    Above.     Arriba. 

\Gr.    v7rtQ.     Germ.    Ueber. 

Eng.  Over.] 

Ayes,  adv.    Yet,  nevertheless. 

Aim. 
Ayore,  adv.    Above.     Arriba. 
[See  Aupre.] 


'Azia,  s.f.   Mill.  Molino.  Pers. 

Asya. 
Azimache,  s.f.  Sign.  Sena. 

B. 

Babinar,  v.  a.  To  extinguish. 
Apagar. 

Bachildoy,  s.f.  Loose-hair. 
Melena. 

Bacria,  s.f.  A  goat.  Cabra. 

Bajanbar,  v.  a.  To  touch.  To- 
car.  Hin.  Pukurna. 

Bajatia,  s.f.  A  bell.  Campana. 
A  derivative  from  the  pre- 
ceding word. 

Baji,s./.  Luck,  fortune. Suerte, 
ventura. — Penar  baji,  "  to 
tell  fortunes,"  Decir  la  bue- 
na  ventura.  Sans.  Bhagaya. 
Pers.  Bakht.  Instead  of  this 
word,  the  English  Gypsies 
make  use  of  a  derivative 
from  the  Sclavonian,  duk- 
kerin.  In  their  dialect,  to 
tell  fortunes  is  "  penaw  duk- 
kerin." 

Bajilache,  s.  m.  Deer,  venison. 
Venado. 

Bajin,  s.  m.  Event.  Caso. — 
Bajine,  "  that  which  has 
happened."     Acaecido. 

Bajuma,  5./.  Bug.  Chinche. 

Bal,  s.f..  Garden,  kitchen-gar- 
den. Jardin,  huerta.  Sans. 
Vela. 

Bal,  s.f.  Hair.  Pelo.  Sans. 
Bala.  Gr.  palog.  Mod.  Gr. 
uaXku 

Balbalo,  adj.  Rich,  strong. 
Rico,  •  fuerte.  Pers.  Pahlii. 
Sans.  Balavag. 

Baliba,  s.f.  Bacon,  Tocino. 

Balicho,  s.  m.  Hog.  Marra.no. 
Sans.  Balin.  Hin.  Barah. 

Ballestera,  s.f.  Pigeon.  Palo- 
ma.  Mod.  Gr.  TtiQionqa. 

Ballestero,  s.  m.  Cock-pigeon. 
Palomo. 

Balogar,  v.  a.  To  fly.  Volar. 

Balunes,5.pZ.  Pantaloons.  Pan- 
talones. 

Baluni,  s.f.  Wild-goat,  cha- 
mois. Corza,  gamiiza. 

)s.f.  Shop,  cel- 
lar; also  Gal- 
lows.  Botica, 
bodega,  tarn-' 
bien,  horca. 

Bar,  s.f.  Stone.  Piedra.  Hin. 
Puthur. 

Bar  lacln,  s.f  The  loadstone. 
La  piedra  iman. — Connected 
with  this  word  there  is  a 
kind  of  magic  rhyme,*  used 
by  the  Gypsy  women  in  their 
incantations;  it  runs  as  fol- 
lows: 

En  el  beji  d'Olivdte  entrisard, 
Trin  Hraqtiia  callardia  encontrisar6, 
En  trin  tmdnfl  las  oidriiisare, 

Y  trin  quir.iiis  callardia  nicobfl: 
Yoque  se  lo  dinulo  A  la  bar  lachi 
Pura  que  me  nicobele  de  meripa; 

Y  'laver  se  in  dtBelo  &  Padilla  romi 
Con  sarin  bu  suesu; 


*  Of  this  rhyme  there  is  a  transla- 
tion in  the  first  volume. 


Y  '1  aver  al  Bengui  langd 
Para  que  m'otorguisarele  lo  que  ca- 
melo  yo. 

Baraca,  s.f.  Winter.  Invierno. 

Barader,  s.  m.  Justice  of  peace, 
a  person  of  authority.  Al- 
calde, hombre  principal. 

Barandi,  s.f.  Back,  shoulder. 
Espalda. 

Barani.  s.f.  Galley.  Galera. 

Barbalu,  s.m.  Physician.  Me- 
dico. 

Barban,  s.  m.  Wind,  air.  Vien- 
to,  ayre.  Vid.  Bear.  Sans. 
Pradhavana,  Pavana. 

Barchata,  s.f.  Knobbed  stick. 
Porra. 

Bardadi,  adj.   Empty.  Vacio. 

Bardi,  s.f.  Prison.  Carcel. 

Bardon,  5.  m.    Reason.  Razon. 

Bardroy,  adj.  Green.  Verde. 
Sans.  Bharita. 

Barendani,  s.f.  Stone.  Piedra. 
Vid.  Bar. 

Bares  del  mol,  n.p.  Vol  depe- 
nas;  literally,  "  The  rocks  of 
the  wine,"  Penas  del  vino. 

Bargana,  s.f.f  War.  Guerra. 
Pers.  Perkhash. 

Baribu,  adj.  Much.  Mucho. 
Sans.  Puru. 

Baricuntus,  s.  m.  The  Captain 
or  Count  of  a  band  of  Gita- 
nos, — a  governor;  literally, 
The  Great  Count.  El  Capi- 
tan  6  Conde  de  una  tropa  de 
Jitanos, — gobernador. 

Baro,  adj.;  pi.  bareles;  Great 
Grande.  Hin.  Bura. 

5K&>*  J°hn-  J-°- 

Barsamia,  adv.  Enough.  Bas- 
tante. 

Bartrabe,  adv.  Without.  Fuera. 
Moorish  Arabic,  Barra. 

Bartrabes,  adv.  Contrariwise. 
Al  reves. 

Bas,  s.f;  pi.  bastes;  The  hand. 
Mano.  Pers.  Bazu. 

Basno,5.m.  Cock.  Gallo.  Sans. 
Puchchhinu. 

Bastardo,  s.  a.  Affliction,  evil, 
prison.  Afliccion,  mal,  car- 
cel. The  proper  significa- 
tion of  this  word  is  probably 
slavery.  Pers.  Parastari. 

Bastarre,  s.f.  The  right-hand. 
La  derecha. 

Basto,  adj.  Evil.  Malo.  v.  Bas- 
tardo.  | 

Basya,  s.f.  Sleeve.  Manga. 

Batane,  s.  m.  Calf.  Becerro. 
"1  5.  7/1.;  pi.  batuces;  Fa- 

Bato   (^     ther.    Padre.     From 

Batu  [      the  Russian  word, ba- 
J      tuschka. 

Bato  Majoro,  The  Holy  Father, 
the  Pope.  El  Padre  Santo. 

Bausale,  s.f.  Cause.  Causa. 

Bnyopio,  adj.  Maimed,  one- 
handed.  Manco. 

Bazan,  pron.  dcm.  pi.  fem. 
Tliese.  Estas. 

Bazin,  pron.  dcm.  pi.  mas. 
These.  Estos. 

Beao,  s.  m.    A  lord,  a  gentle- 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


125 


man.  SeSor,  caballero.  Turk. 
Beg. 

Bear,       >  s.  to.  Wind,air.Vien- 

Bearbal,  $      to,  ay  re.  Hin.  Bara. 

Beda,  s.f  Manner,  way,  cus- 
tom. Manera,  costumbre. 

Bedar,     >  v.  a.  To  Teach.  En- 

Bedelar,  >  senar.  It  has  many 
other  meanings;  e.g.  Bedar 
or  yaque,  "  To  light  the 
fire."  Encender  fuego. — 
Bedar  or  chiros. — "  To  pass 
the  time:"  Pasar  el  tiempo, 
&c. 

Bede  de  mulo,  "Funeral  of 
the  dead."  El  entierro  de 
un  difunto. 

Bedora,  \s.f    A  girl,  virgin. 

Bedori,  >      Muchacha,  virjen. 

Bedoro,  s.  m.  Boy,  youth.  Mu- 
chacho,  joven.  Arab.  Badr. 

Bedrajami,  s.  m.  Giant.  Ji- 
gante.  Pers.  Bah  ad  ar,  [strong 
man.]  Sans.  Patti,  Vikramin. 

*?*?>  ]s.m.  Cart.  Carro. 
Berdo,  $ 

Bejanbi,s./.  Fault,  crime.  De- 
lito. 

Bejari,  5./.  Female  lizard.  La- 
garta.  Lagartija. 

Bejelar,  v.  n.  To  take  a  seat. 
Asentar. 

Belga,  adv.  There.  Alii. 

Bella,  s.f.  War.  Guerra. 

Beluni,  s.f.  A  calash.  Calesa. 

Beluni,  s.f.  Queen.  Reyna. 
Pers.  Banu.  Sans.  Battini. 
[Welsh,  Brenhines.] 

Bengue,   >*.m.      Devil,    evil 

Bengui,  $  spirit.  Demonio, 
espiritu  malo.  Sans.  Panka, 
i.  e.  mud,  bog.  According 
to  the  Hindoo  mythology, 
there  is  a  hell  of  mud,  called 
Bengraprabha:  the  Bengues 
of  the  Gypsies  appear  to  be 
the  tenants  of  this  hell.  The 
Russian  Bog  (God,)  and  the 
English  nursery  demon,  Bo- 
gey, are  possibly  derived 
from  the  same  Sanscrit 
root. 

Benseni,  s.f  Audience.  Au- 
diencia. 

Beo,  s.  to.  Las  partes  vergon- 
zosas  de  una  mujer.  Sans. 
Bhaga.  Hin.  Bhug. 

Beo,  s.  m.  Prison.  Carcel. 

Berabar,  v.  a.  To  save.  Salvar. 

Berallas,  s.f  pi.  Bee-hives. 
Colmenas. 

Beralli,  s.f.  Galley.  Galera. 

Berbal,  s.  to.  Picture.  Cuadro. 

Berbel,  s.m.  Looking-glass. 
Espejo. 

Berbirincha,  s.f  Star-lizard. 
Salamanquesa. — The  proper 
meaning  is  squirrel,  which  is 
an  animal  rarely  found  in 
Spain.  Mod.  Gr.  SenftiQirta. 
Ardilla. 

Berdacufii,.?./.  Window.  Ven- 
tana. 

Berdeji,  s  m.  Lizard.  Lagarto. 

Berdi,  s.f.     Quarrel,    dispute. 
Rina.      Perhaps     from    the 
17 


Scandinavian   word    Barda, 
"to  fight." 
Berdo,  s.  to.    A  ship.    Navio. 

Vid.  Bero. 
Berdoche,  s.  to.  Coach.  Coche. 
Beribu,  s.f.  Multitude.  Multi- 
tud.   Vid.  Baribu. 

Beriga,  s.f.  Chain.  Cadena. 
Rus.  Veriga. 

Berilli,  s.f.  Wasp.  Avispa. 
Hin.  Birnee. 

Berjar,  v.  a.  To  find.  Hallar. 

Berji,s.  m.  A  year.  Aiio.  Hin. 
Burukh. 

Bero,  5.  m.  Galley;  garrison  to 
which  criminals  are  sent  for 
hard  labour.  Galera,  presi- 
dio. Sans.  Padara. 

Berquero,  s.  to.  Wen.  Loba- 
nillo. 

Berrandana,  s.f.  Stone.  Pie- 
dra.   Vid.  Barendani. 

Berrinches,  s.  pi.  Lemons.  Li- 
mones. 

Bersali,  s.  Spy.  Espia. 

Berseji,  s.f.  VVar,  quarrel.  Gu- 
erra, rina. 

Berseli, adj.  Coarse, rude.  Bas- 
to. 

Berteleri,  s.f  Appellation. 
Apelacion.  Perhaps  Word, 
from  the  Sanscrit. 

Beruni,  s.f.   Balcony.  Balcon. 

Beslli,  s.f.  War,  dispute.  Gu- 
erra, quimera.   Vid.  Bella. 

Besiii,s./.  Window.  Ventana. 
Pers.  Bin  (seeing.) 

Bestale,  )  s.  Seat,  chair,  saddle 

Besti,      5     bench.  Silla,  banco. 

Bestelar,  v.  a.  To  sit.  Asen 
tar. 

Bestipen,  s.f  Wealth,  riches. 
Riqueza. 

Bestique,  par.  Seated.  Asen- 
tado. 

Beyio,  adj.  Single,  singular 
Solo,  iinico. 

Bian,acZj.  Twenty-three.Veinte 
y  tres.  g 

Bica,  s.f  Chair.  Silla. 

Bichabar,  v.  a.  To  send.  En- 
viar.  Hin.  Bhejwa'd.  Sans. 
Visa,  Vikshepa  (casting.) 

Bichola,  s.f  Likeness,  simi- 
litude. Semejanza. 

Bicholar,  v.  n.  To  appear.  Pa- 
recer.   Vid.  Abicholar. 

Biere,  s.  to.  Glass.  Vidrio. 

Bifi,  s.f.  Snow.  Nieve.  Pers. 
Barf. 

Bigorear,  v.  a.  To  arrive.  Lie- 
gar. 

Binar,  v.  a.  To  sell.  Vender. 
Sans.  Vikrayana.  (selling.) 
Panana.  (sale.)  Hin.  Bikna. 
Arab.  Bai. 

Bique,  s.  to.  Edict,  Cartel. 

Biruquero,  s.m.  Carpenter. 
Carpintero. 

B\s,adj.  Twenty.  Veinte.  Hin. 
Bis. 

Bisarar.  v.  a.  To  owe.  Deber. 

Bisinia,  s.f.  Pasture-ground. 
Dehesa. 

Bisna,  5./.  Sale.  Venta.  Vid. 
Binar. 

M 


Bispaparo,  s.  m.     Grandfather. 

Abuelo. 
Bispibi,  s.f.  Hornet.  Avispon. 
Blani,  s.f.  Jacket.  Chaquett- 
Blejo,  adj.  Slouched.  Sesgo. 
Bobes,  s.jd.     Beans.      Habas. 

Rus.  Boby.  Hin.  Lnbiya. 
Boltani,5./.  Turn.  Vue'lta. 
Bombardo,  s.m.    Lion.    Leon. 

Ilin.  Bubur. 
Bomboi,  adj.  Foolish.  Tonto. 
Bonbachi,  s.f.  Pipe.  Pipa. 

Boqui,  )'•/'.  Hunger  fa- 
r>  -v  >  mine. — Hambre. 
Boqms,^    £     flj^Bhakh. 

Bordani,  s.f.     Tower,    castle. 

Torre,  castillo. 
Bordeles,  s.pl.  Christians.  Cris- 

tianos. 
Bosnansibla,  s.f.   Confidence. 

Confianza.     Query,    Possibi- 

lity.    Rus.  Vosinojgnost. 
Bostan,  s.  to.  Linen.  Lienzo. 
Bostan,  adj.      Weak,    feeble. 

Flojo. 

Bozuchoy,}5-w-  Abear  °so 
Brabani,  adj.  Valiant.  Valiente. 

[Fr.  Brave.] 
Braco,  s.  m.    Mutton.  Carnero. 
Bracuiu,  s.f.    A  sheep.  Oveja. 
Braga-lachi,     Much      shame. 

Mucha  verguenza. 
Bragante,  adj.   Made  of  straw. 

Pajizo. 
Brajata,  s.f.   Necessity.  Nece- 

sidad. 
Braji,  s.f  Sheep.  Oveja.  Pars. 

Barah. 
Brajial,  s.  m.  Hospital.   Hospi- 
tal. 
Breji,  s.  m.     Field,    mountain. 

Campo,  monte.    Hin.  Bur  (a 

desert.) 
Brequejo,    adj.  par.     Obliged 

Obligado. 
Brequenar,  v.  a.     Defend,    de- 
fender. 
Bresban,  adj.    Blessed.     Ben- 

dito.     Possibly  that  which  is 

connected  with  Brahman  or 

Brahma. 
Bretegeli,  s.f  pi.  Delights.  De- 

licias. 
Brichardilar,  v.  a.    To  ask,  im- 
plore. Rogar. 
Bricholar,  v.  a.  To  bear,  suffer 

Padecer. 
Bridaque,  s.  A  break,  rupture. 

Quiebra. 
Bridaquelar,   v.  a.     To   break. 

Romper,  quebrar. 
Brijindal,   s.      Rain,     shower. 

Lluvia.    Pers.  Biiran.    Sans. 

Purana.  Mod.  Gr.  pQQXV- 
Brijindar,u.n.  To  rain.  Llovtr. 
Brijindobio,  S.  to.   Hunchback. 

Jorobado.    Sans.  Bhangura. 
Brijindope,5.??i.  Deluge,  mighty 

rain.  Diluvio. 
Brinda,  s.f.      A    pear.     Pora, 

fruta. 
Brinsela,  s.f.  Bottle.  Botella. 
Brinza,  sf,  flesh,  meat.  (Carrie 
Broba,    \s.f.    Pompinn.    cala- 
Brobia,  )      bash.  Calabazu. 


126 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Brochabo,  s.  m.  Boy,  lad.  Mu- 
ch ac  ho. 

Brodelo,  s.  and  adj.  Third, 
third  party,  mediator.  Ter- 
cero. 

Brojuchi,  s.f.  Pink,  flower, 
Clavel. 

Brondo,  conj.  But,  yet.  Pero. 

Brono  Alienicato,  n.  pr.  Pon- 
tius Pilate.  Poncio  Pilato. 

Bros,  adj.pron.  Your,  yours. 
Vuestro. 

Brosibana,5/.  Bramble.  Zarza. 
Hin.  Bhur-band. 

Brostildan,  s.m.  Mayor,  jus- 
tice of  peace.  Alcalde. 

Brote,  s.  m.  Camel.  Camello. 

Brotobo,     )adj.     First.      Pri- 

Brotoboro,  )    mero.  Gr.TQanog. 

Brotomuchi,  s.f.  The  spring. 
Primavera. 

Brotomucho,  s.m.  First-cou- 
sin. Primo-hermano. 

Brucharno,  s.m.  A  shot.  Tiro. 

Bruchino,  s.  m.  Dried  cod-fish. 
Bacallao. 

Brudilar,z?.  d.  To  answer.  Con- 
testar,  responder.  Vid.  Ru- 
dilar. 

Bruja,  s.f.  The  Holy  Brother- 
hood, La  Santa  Hermandad. 
This  word  is  a  cant  term 
(Bruja,  in  Spanish  means  a 
witch,)  and  does  not  proper- 
ly belong  to  the  Gitano  lan- 
guage. 

Bruji,  s.f.  A  real,  a  Spanish 
coin.  Un  real. 

Brum,  s.f.  A  she-goat.  Cabra. 

Bruinito,  s.m.   A  kid.    Cabrito. 

Bucharar,t>.  a.  To  shoot.  Tirar. 
— This  word  has  numerous 
significations;  e.g.  Bucharar 
la  baste,  "  To  extend  the 
hand  :"  Extender  la  mano. — 
Me  bucharela  l'errate,  "My 
blood  beats."  Me  arde  la 
sangre.  Sans.  Vikshepa.  Vid. 
Bichabar. 

Buchi,  s.f.  Any  thing,  the 
public  executioner.  Cual- 
quiera  cosa,  el  verdugo. 

Bucos,  s.m.  Liver.  Higado. 
Sans.  Bukka  (heart.) 

Bufa,  s.f.  Crib,  manger.  Pese- 
bre. 

Bufaire,  s.  m.  A  king's  evi- 
dence, informer,  cat.  So- 
plon,  gato. 

Bufendi,  adv.  Better.  (From 
bus,  "  more,"  and  fendi, 
"good.")  Mejor. 

Bujendi,  s.  m.  Catamite.  Bu- 
jarron. 

Bujibio,  s.m.  Hunchback.  Jo- 
robado. 

n  ,  ~)s.  The  anus,  orificio. 

ii     it      >    &ins.Put.Phalaka. 
Uullati,    ^    Ilin   BiJ 

Bullas,  s.f.pl.  Gray  hairs.  Ca- 

nas. 
Bundal,  s.f.  Gate,  door.  Puer- 

ta.   Vid.  Burda. 
Buque,  s.  m.      Point.     Punto. 

Sans.  Makada  (^peak.) 
Buquepe,^.  Account,  informa- 


tion given  to  the  ministers 
of  justice.  Cuenta  dada  a.  la 
justicia.  Arab.  Wokuf. 

Bur,  s.  m.  Mountain.  Monta- 
na. Rus.  Bugor. 

Burda,  s.f.  Gate,  door.  Puerta. 
Sans.  Puradwara,(of  a  town.) 
Hin.  Bur. 

Burlo,.s.  m.  Play,  sport.  Juego. 

Bus,  adv.  and  conj.  More,  but, 
yet.  Mas,  pero. 

Bus,  adv.  When.  Cuando. 

Busne,  adj.  Sweet.  Dulce. 

Busno,  s.  m.  A  gentile,  a  sa- 
vage, every  person  who  is 
not  of  the  Gypsy  sect.  Jen- 
til,  salvaje ;  asi  llaman  los 
Jitancs  al  que  no  es  dela 
sangre  de  ellos.^The  Eng- 
lish Gypsies  make  use  of 
the  word  Tororo  in  this 
sense,  which  signifies  what 
is  poor  and  pitiful ;  See  Cho- 
roro.  The  root  of  Busno  is 
probably  the  Sans.  Purusha 
(a  man  in  general)  or  Puk- 
kasa,  an  impure  person, 
"Busurman,"  in  the  Rus- 
sian tongue,  signifies  **A 
heathen." 

Busne,  s.  pi.  The  Gentiles,  sa- 
vages. Los  Jentiles,  los  sal- 
vajes. 

Busnos,  s.pl.  Torments,  pains. 
Tormentos. 

Busorala,  adj.  Ripe.  Maduro. 

Buste,  s.f.  The  act  of  sticking 
or  joining  together.  Pega- 
dura.  Pers.  Baslah. 

Butacole,  adj.  Yellow,  Ama- 
rillo.  Sans.  Pitala. 

Butanar,  v.  a.  To  drain,  spill, 
scatter.  Derramar. 

Butrl'  \  adv-  More*  Mas' 
Butron,  s.  m.  Abyss,  a  deep 
hole.  Abismo,  hoyo  profun- 
do.  This  word  is  evidently 
derived  from  the  Sanscrit 
Avada.  Mod.  Gr.  (ivdog.  Eng- 
lish, Pit. 


Caba,  pron.  dem.  This.  Este. 
Vid.  Acaba. 

Cabana,  5./.  Tomb,  grave.  Se- 
pultura.  Moorish  Arab.  Ca- 
war. 

Cabanar,  v.  a.  To  bury.  En- 
terrar.  Mod.  Gr.  oxanrw. 

Cacabi,s./.  A  kettle.  Caldera. 
This  word  is  pure  Greek, 
x.a%K(x(}*}. 

Cacalufii,  s.f  Species  of  earth- 
en pan.  Cazuela. 

Cacarabi,  s.  m.  A  crow.  Grajo. 
Sans.  Kaka,  Karava.  [Lat. 
Corvus.] 

Cachas,  s-f.pl.  Scissors.  Tije- 
ras.  Sans.  Katraro. 

Cachicalli,  *./.  Female  rela- 
tion. Parienta. 

Cachimani,  s.f.    Brandy-shop, 
tavern.    Aquardienteria,  ta 
berna.     Query.  The  seller  of 
brandy, from  Kasya,  a  kind 


of  liquor.    Rus.  Quass,  and 

Manuj,  man. 
Cafi,  s.f.  Nail.  Clavo.  Mod.  Gr. 

xao<t>i. 
Cajuco,  adj.  Deaf.  Sordo. 
Cajuguy,  s.f.  File.  Lima. 
Calabea,  s.f     Lie,    falsehood. 

Mentira.  Arab.  Khelaf. 
Calabear,  v.  a.   To  lie.  Mentir. 
Calafresa,  s.f.      Chitterlings. 

Asadura. 
Calas,  s.pl.    The  Gypsies.    Ji- 

tanos.  Vid.  Calo." 
Calisen,  s.f.    Death.    Muerte. 

Sans.  Kala. 
Callicaste,    adv.       Yesterday. 

Ayer. 
Callico,  s.  m.    Dawn.    Madru- 

gada.  Sans.  Kalya. 
Callardo,  adj.  Black.  Negro. 

~\  s.  m.  A  Gypsy,  a 
Calo,  [  black.  Jitano,hom- 
Caloro,  f      bre    negro.     Sans. 

J      Kala.  Hin.  id. 
Calli,  s.f.    A  Gypsy   woman. 

Jitana. 
Calochin,  s.  m.  Heart  Corazon. 

Properly,   liver.     Sans.   Ka- 

lah-kanjana. 
Caltrabo,  s.  m.     Convict-garri- 
son. Presidio. 
Calumbrico,  s.  m.  Understand- 
ing.   Entendimiento.    Sans. 

Kalandika.    Mod.  Gr.  xara- 

XctuBavw,  to  M  understand." 
Cam,)  s.  m.    Sun.     Sol.    Hin. 
Can,  )    Khan.  Sans.  Khamani. 
Camaranchas,  s.f.  pi.  Buttons. 

Botones. 
Cambarii,  s.f.  Shop.  Tienda. 
Cambrai,  s.m.     Dog.     Perro. 
'     [Arab.  Calb.] 
^      ,    /        }  adj.  fern.      Preg- 

Cambrobi,  $   ^  Garbhino. 
Camelar,  v.  a.  To  love.  Amar. 

Sans.  Kama,  Kama.    (Love, 

Cupid.) 
Cameni,  s.f.    Shop.     Tienda. 

Pers.  Carkhaneh.     The  root 

is  the  Sans.  Karmman  (work, 

action.) 
Camuchi,  s.    Heel-bone.   Zan 

cajo. 
Cana,  s.f  Hour.  Hora. 
Cana,  s.f.  A  Bell.   Campana. 
Canbrar,  ca.    To  love.  Amar. 

Vid.  Camelar. 
Canbuter,  s.  m.    Sorcerer,^  wi- 
zard. Hechicero.  Sans.  Karm- 

mana   (magic.)     Russ.  Cal- 

dun. 
Canche,  s.m.    Saturday.    Sa- 

bado. 
Candon,s.?n.  Companion.  Com- 

pafiero. 
Candor ry,s.r/2.  Christian.  Cris- 

tiano. 
Cangallo,  5.  m.    Wagon,  cart. 

Carro.   Properly,  one  that  is 

tilted     from      Kambala     (a 

blanket.) 
Cangri,  5  /.    Church.    Iglesia. 

The  literal  meaning  appears 

to  be    Tower.      Pers.   Cun- 

gurah. 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


12' 


Cangrias,  s.f.  pi.      Heels     of 

shoes.  Tapas  delos  zapatos. 
Canguelar,  v.  a.    To  fear.   Te- 
rrier. Sans.  Kampana  (trem- 
bling.) 
Canguelo,  s.  m.    Fear.  Temor. 

Cani,  s.f.  Ear.  Oreja.  Sans. 
Kama.  Hin.  Kaun. 

Canrea,  s.f.  Pity.  Lastima 
Sans.  Karuna.  Hin.  Kuruna. 

Canriano,  s.  m.  Summer.  Ve- 
rano.  Mod.  Gr.xaloxaiQi. 

Canrias,  s.f.pl.  Troubles.  Fa- 
tigas. 

Canro,  s.  m.    Neck.  Pescuezo. 

Canucho,  s.  m.  Heel-bone,  stu- 
pid person.  Zancajo. 

Cani,  s.f.  Hen.  Gallina. 

Canismi,  s.f.  Forge.  Fragua. 

Capirima,  s.f.  Aloe.  La  Pita. 
Mod.  Gr.  xaTiTcaQi. 

Capucho,  s.  m.  Child's  cap. 
Capillo. 

Car,  s.  m.  Heat.  Calor.  Sans. 
Khara.  Arab.  Kharr. 

Carbe,  s.  m.  Dike.  Malecon. 

Carema,  s.f.  Word.  Palabra. 
Arab.  Calam. 

Carjibar,  v.  a.  To  finish.  Fene- 
cer. 

Carlo.  5.  m.  Heart.  Corazon. 
Arab.  Kalb. 

Carmujon,5. m.  Mouse.  Raton. 

Carobi,  s.f.  Staple,  ring.  Ar- 
golla.  Query,  bracelet.  Sans. 
Karabhushana. 

Cartacaya,  s.f.  Stork,  heron. 
Cigiiena,  Sans.  Karetu. 

Cartrabar,  v.  a.  To  load.  Car- 
gar. 

Casabo,  s.m.  Liver.  Higado. 

Cascane,  s.  m..  Avaricious,  stin- 
gy. Pers.  Gursneh  (hungry.) 

Cascane,  s.m.  Tuesday:  ac- 
cording to  others,  Thursday, 
Martes,  Jueves. 

Casian,  s.f.  Wood,  timber. 
Madera. 

Casidazo,  s.  m.  March,  month 
of  Marzo. 

Casinoben,  s.  m.  Hell.  Infierno. 
Literally,  A  blaze,  conflagra- 
tion. Mod.  Gr.  xav<rtfiov. 

Caste,  s.  m.  A  stick.  Palo.  The 
true  meaning  is,  Tree.  Sans. 
Kachchha.  (wood.)  Pers. 
Eghaj.  Hin.  Gachh. 

Caste-randador,  s.  m.  A  work- 
ing-stick, i.  e.  a  plough.  Ara- 
do. 

Casto,  s.  m.  Hammer.  Martillo. 

Castorro,  s.m.  Hat.  Sombrero. 

Castumba,  s.f.  The  province 
of  Castile.  Castilla. 

Cata,  adj.  Every.  Cada. 

Catabranar,  v.  n.  To  roar.  Bra- 
mar. 

Catacolla,  s.f.  Stork,  crane. 
Ciguena. 

Catanar,?1'-*. To  assemble. 

Cataiiar    {    Juntar.2ftn.Ckhu- 
'  )    than-k. 

Catane,  pi.  Catanes.  adj.  Uni- 
ted, assembled.  Junto,  jun- 
tos. 

Catesca,s./.  Spot,  mark.  Pinta. 


Caute,  adj.     None,    not    one. 

Ningun,  ninguno. 
Cayes,  s.pt.   Heavens.  Cielos. 
Cayque,  s.  m.    Nobody.  Nadie. 
Cende,  s.f.  Light.  Luz. 

Cengarica,  s.f.  Desire.  Gana. 
Sans.  Kanksha.  Peis.  Kha- 
ter  khah.  Hin.  Chana  (to 
desire.) 

Ciria,  s.f.  Passover,  Easter. 
Pascua. 

Ciria,  s.f.  Garlick.  Ajo.  Hin. 
Seer.   Fid.  Sar. 

Claby,  s.f.  Earthen  pan,  pip- 
kin. Cazuela. 

Clarico,  s.  m.  Dawn.  Madru- 
gada.  Vid.  Callico. 

Clasma,  s.f.  Queen.  Revna. 
Vid.  Crallisa. 

Clemaco,  s.  m.  Hunter.  Caz- 
dor. 

Clichi,  s.f.  Key.  Llave.  Rus. 
Clootch.  The  root  is  Sanscrit, 
Kilaka  (bolt.) 

Clonel,  s.  m.  Pink.  Clavel. 

Cobadrar,  v.  n.  To  bark.  La- 
drar.  Arab.  Kavvwaha.  Rus. 
Gabh. 

Cobler,  5.  ra.  Elbow.  Codo. 
Sans.  Kurppara. 

Coca],  s.m.  Bone.  Hueso. 
Mod.  Gr.  y.oy.xalov.  Sans. 
Kulya. 

Cocal  ie  Lubano.  Bone  of  the 
navel.  Hueso  del  empeyne. 

Cocalis,  pi.  Bones.  Huesos. 

Cochoco,  s.m.  Evergreen  oak. 
Encina. 

Cochoglera,  s.f.  Oil-cruse.  Al- 
cuza. 

Coco,  s.  m.  Nut.  Nuez. 

Cocole,  s.m.  Number.  Nume- 
ro. 

Coin,  pron.  rel.  Who,  Quien. 
Hin.  Kaun, 

Colcoro,  adj.  Alone.  Solo. 

Coligote,  s.m.  Bat.  Murcie- 
lago. 

Combo,  adj.  Dumb.  Mudo. 
Sans.  Muka. 

Conche,  s.m.  Anger.  Coraje. 

Condari,  s.f.  Beam.  Viga. 
Hin.  Kandee.    Sans.  Kanda. 

Contique,s.  m.  Neighbour.  Ve- 
cino. 

Coplemande,s.  m.  Coward.  Co- 
barde. 

Coracano,  s.  m.  Guard.  Guarda. 

Corajai,  s.pl.  The  Moors.  Los 
Moros.  Probably  derived 
from  the  word  Kurreh,  a 
term  of  execration  and  con- 
tempt too  frequently  em- 
ployed by  the  common  Moors 
in  their  discourse. 

Corajano,  s.  and  adj.  Moor, 
Moorish.  Moro,  Moruno. 

Corbo,  adj.    Strange.  Estrano. 

Corby,  s.f.  Branch,  shoot, 
sprig.  Rama. 

Corcorria,  s.  f.  Solitude.  Sole- 
dad.  Vid.  Colcoro. 

Cori,  s.f.  Island.  Isla. 

Coria,  s.f.  Large  jar.  Tinaja. 

Corio,  s.  m.  An  ochavo,  a  small 
brass  coin.  Ochavo. 


Coripen,  s.f.     Trouble,    afflic- 
tion. Tribulacion,  aflicion. 

1  Cormuni,  adj.    Some.  Alguno. 

.Comes,  s.pl.     Buskins.      Bo- 
tines.    [Gr.  uaAoQvoi.] 
Comicha,  s.f.    Basket.    Espu- 

erta.  Sans.  Karanda. 
Coro,  s.  in.    Pitcher.    Cantaro. 

Hin.  Ghurola. 
Corpichi,  s.f.     Rice.      Arroz. 

Sans.  Kur. 
Oorvovo, udj.  One-eyed.  Tuer- 

to. 
Costiiii,  5./.  Tax  levied  on 
horses  sold  at  fairs.  Alcab.i- 
la.  Literally,  "The  mount- 
ing," or  "  tax  paid  for  mount- 
ing."  Vid.  Costunar. 

Costipen,  s.  m.  The  summer. 
Verano. 

Costunar,  v.n.  To  mount.  Mon- 
tar.  Pers.  Khastan. 

Costuri,5.  Convent.  Convento. 

Cotor,  5.771.  A  piece.  Pedazo. 
Arab,  Ket'at. 

Cotria.,adv.  Immediately.  Lue- 
go. 

Coyme,  s.  m.  Farm-house.  Cor- 
tijo. 

Crallis,s.m.  King.  Rey.  From 
the  Sclavoniun  word  Krai. 

Cralb'sa,  s.f.  Queen.  Reyna. 

Crejete,  s.pl.  Sins.  Pecados. 
Rus.  Graike. 

Cremen.  s.f.  Worm.  Lombriz. 
Sans.  Krimi. 

Criscote,  s.m.  A  book.  Libro. 
Vid.  Gabicote. 

Crisime,  n.pr.  Christ.  Christo. 

Cro,  s.  m.  Pair.  Par. 

Cuarinda,  s.f.  Lent.  Cuares- 
ma. 

Cucana,  s  f.  Millet,  Panic- 
grass.  Panoja.  Sans.  Kangu. 

Cuchioyo,  s.  m.  Sedge.  LV 
parto. 

Cudo,  s.?n.  Mill.  Molino.  Hin. 
Kolhoo. 

Cueiii,5./.  Cave.  Cueva.  Sans. 
Gahana. 

Cuji,  s.f.  Rose.  Rosa.  Pers. 
Gul. 

Culana,  s.f.  Bell.  Campana. 
Sans.  Kala  (to  sound.)  Rus. 
Kolokol. 

Culco,5.  m.  Sunday.  Domingo. 

Cumorra,  s.f.  Hall,  chamber. 
Sala.  Hin.  Cumra.  Germ. 
Kammer. 

Cundus,  s.  m.  Count,  lord. 
Conde.  Mod.  Gr.Komic. 

Curar,  v.  a.  To  strike,  do,  work. 
Pegar,  hacer,  tr  aba  jar.  Hin. 
Gurhna. 

Curda,5./.  Drunkenness.  Bor- 
rachera. 

Curebay,  s.f.  Bit  of  a  bridle. 
Bocado  de  freno.  Sans.  Ka- 
viya. 

Curelo,  s.m.  Trouble,  pain. 
Trabajo,  pena. 

Curolamiento,  s.m.  Carpenters 
plane.  Cepillo  de  carpintero. 

Curoro,  s.m.  Colt.  Potro.  Hin 
Koorru. 

Curque,  s.  m.     Sunday.     Do- 


128 


THE  ZINCALI. 


mingo.     Modern    Greek  y.v- 

Curraco,  s.m.  Raven.  Cuervo. 

Sans.  K.ikala. 
Currandea,  s.f    Flat  roof  of  a 

house,  terrace.  Azotea. 
Currandi,  s.f.    Veil.  Mantilla. 
Currando,  s.  m.     A   hammer. 

Martillo. 
Curriel,  s.m.  Trade,  business. 

Oficio.  Sans.  Karana. 

CH 

Chabel,  s.  m.  Son.  Hijo. 

Chabo,      )  s.  m.  A  boy,  a  child. 

Chaboro,  J  Muchacho,  niiio. 
In  the  English  dialect,  Chab: 
e.  g.  Rommany  Chab,  "  A 
Gypsy  boy"  or  "fellow;'' 
whence  the  cant  expression, 
Rum  Chap.  Arab.  Shab.  Sans. 
Arbha. 

Chabori,s./.  A  girl.  Muchacha. 

Chachipe,  s.f.  Truth.  Verdad. 
— This  word  which  the 
English  Gypsies  pronounce 
Tsatsipe1  seems  to  be  a  com- 
pound of  the  Sanscrit,  Sat, 
which  signifies  "  True,"  and 
the  word  of  Sanscrit  origin, 
Chipi,  "  a  tongue."  Cha- 
chipi,  therefore,  is  literally 
"  True  tongue." 

Chai,  s.  pi.  Children,  fellows, 
Gypsies.  Niiios,  muchachos. 
Jitanos.   Vid.  Chabo. 

Chaja,  s.f.  Cabbage.  Col. 

Chajamen,  s.f.  Prudence, 
bashfulness.  Rec&to,  timidez. 
Pers.  Sharm.  [Eng.  Shame.] 

Chalabear,  v.  a.  To  move.  Mo- 
ver. Sans.  Kshwela.  Rus. 
Kolebat. 

Chalar,  v.  n.  To  walk,  to  go. 
Andcir,  ir.  Sans.  Kshwela. 

Chalendre,  s.m.  Tiger.  Tigre. 
Sans.  Sardula.  Pers.  Shir. 

Chalchiben,  s.m.  Steel  for 
striking  fire.  Eslabon. 

Chalks,  s.pl.  Ear-rings.  Zar- 
cillos. 

Challu,  s.f  Lie.  Mentira. 

Chalorgar,  s.  m.  Altar.  Altar. 
Pers.  Keblah  gah.  Sans.  Chat- 
wara. 

Chamuliar,  v. a.  To  speak.  Hab- 
lar.  Sayis.  Sambhasha  (dis- 
course.) 

Chan,  5. 7/i.  Cloth.  Pano.  Sans. 
Achchhadana. 

Chancle,  s.f  Knee.  Rodilla. 
Sans  Janu.  [Lat.  Genu.] 

Chando,  s.  and  adj.  Wise,  a 
sage.  Sabio,  doctor.  [Gey. 
Kundig.] 

Chanelar,  v.  a.  n.  To  know.  Sa- 
ber. Pers.  Shenat'tan. 

Chuneo,  s.  m.  Ring.  Anillo. 

Changanar,  v.  a.  n.  To  awake. 
Despertiir.  Sans.  J.igri.  llin. 
Jugana. 

Chanjrane,  adj.  Awake.  Des- 
pierto.  Sana,  Jajrarin. 

Changero,  adj.  False.  Falso 

Chanispar,  r.  o.  n.  Exhale, 
breathe,  inspire.  Espirar. 


Chanispero,  s.m.  Spirit.  Espi- 
ritu. 

Chanorgar,  v.  a.  To  forget.  Ol- 
vidiir. 

Chantar,  v.  a.  To  plant.  Plan- 
tar. 

Chaomo,  s.  m.  Winter.  Invi- 
erno.  Pers.  Sarma. 

Chapardo,  s.m.  Tinder.  Yesca. 

Chapesca,  s.f   Flight.   Fuga. 

Chapescar,??.  n.  To  flee.  Huir. 

Chaplesca,  s.  f  Serpent.  Ser- 
piente. 

Char,  s.  m.  Heaven.  Cielo.  Sans. 
Swar.  Pers.  Charkh. 

Char,  ^.  m.  Egypt :  according 
to  the  dialect  of  Estrema- 
dura.  Egipto;  segun  el  dia- 
lecto  de  los  Jitanos.  Estre- 
menos. 

Char,  s.f.  Grass.  Yerba.  Pers. 
Gey  ah. 

Charabaro,  adj.  Sad.  Triste. 

Charaburi,  s.f.  Sadness.  Tris- 
te za. 

Chardi,  s.f.  A  fair,  market. 
Feria.   Vid.  Chati. 

Charnique,  s.f  Life.  Vida. 
Hin.  Jan. 

Charipe,  s.f.  Bed,  bedstead. 
Cama.  Hin.  Charpoy.  Mo- 
dern Greek,  tcQeftftori. 

Chasar,  v.  n.  To  pass.   Pasar. 

Chaseos,  s.  m.  Exercise.  Ejer- 
cicio. 

Chasilar,  v.  a.  To  sup.  Cenar. 

Chati,  s.f.  A  fair.  Feria.  Hin. 
Chhetr. 

Chavo,  s.  m.    A  plate.   Plato. 

Chaute,  n.  p.  The  fortress  of 
Ceuta.  Ceuta. 

Che,  s.f  Scab.  Tina.  Sans. 
Kachchhu.  Hin.  Khaj. 

Chen,  s.f  Earth,  land.  Tierra. 
[Gr.yiff]   Vid.  Chim. 

Chepo,  s.m.  Breast,  bosom. 
Seno,  pecho.  Pers.  Jayb. 

Cherdillas,5.p/.  The  stars.  Las 
estrellas. 

Cherdino,  s.  m.  The  morning- 
star.   Lucero. 

Cherja,  s.f.  Bag,  bundle.  Hal- 
da. 

Chetalli,  s.f.  Olive.   Oliva. 

Cheti,  s.f    Olive-oil.   Aceyte. 

Chi,  s.  f  and  adv.  Nothing. 
Nada. 

Chiabalo,  s.  m.  Cigar.  Cigarro. 

Chiaca,  s.f  Table.  Mesa. 

Chibar,  v. a.  To  cast,  shoot. 
Echar.  Sans.  Kshipa.  This 
verb  is  used  in  many  senses. 

Chibarse  a  penar,  To  begin  to 
speak.    Comenzar  a  hablar. 

Chibar  lacho,  To  make  well,  to 
cure.  Curar,  sanar. 

Chibar  sermon,  To  preach. 
Predicar. 

Chibel.    Vid.  Chibes. 

Chibel,5.?ft.  A  river.  Rio.  Pers. 
Jui. 

Cliibelar,  v.  a.   Vid.  Chibar. 

Chtbes,  *,  7ii.  Day.  Dia.  Sans. 
Divasa.    Hin.  Dewus. 

('hibiben 

Chibos, 


5.  Life.  \"ida. 


Chicato,  5.7n.  Uncle.  Tio.  Hin. 
Chucha. 

Chiche,  s.f.  Face.  Cara. 

Chichi, s.  Nothing.  Nada.  Que- 
ry, Any  thing.    Pers.  Chizi. 

Chichoji,  s.   Cat.   Giito. 

Chiguay,  s.  m.   Louse.  Piojo. 

Childar,  v.  a.  To  put,  place. 
Poner,  meter. 

Chi\do,  par.  pars.  Put,  placed 
Metido,  puesto. 

Chilindrote,  5.7ra.  Sparrow.  Gor- 
rion.  Hin.  Chiriya. 

Chim,  5.  to.  Kingdom,  coun- 
try. Reyno,  tierra.  Sans. 
Kshmd. 

Chimoni,  s.f.  Any  thing.  Cual- 

quier  cosa. 

r*i  •  a  —  }  s.  Glory.  Glo- 
Chimudani,  f  •  o  •*  «„, 
r,.  .  ,    '     >   na.  Sans. bam- 

Cnimusolano,  i    ,,,,„,; 
' )    bhavana. 

Chimuyar,  v.  a.  Vid.  Chamu- 
liar. 

Chimutra,  s.f.  Moon.  Luna. 
Arab.  Kamr.  Saw5.  Kaumu- 
dipati. 

Chinaora,  s.f  Sickle.  Hoz. 
Vid.  Chinelar. 

Chindar,  v.  a.  To  hang  up. 
Colgar. 

Chindar,  v.  a.  To  bear,  pro- 
duce. Parir.  Sans.  Jani, 
(birth.)  Hin.  Junna.  [Gr. 
ysvraw.] 

Chinday,  5./.  Mother.  Madre. 
Sans.  Janitwa. 

Chindo,  ^s.fy-adj.  Blind, 

Chindoquendo,  )  blind  man. 
Ciego.  Sans.  Andha.  Hin. 
Chundhla,  (blear-eyed.) 

Chindoma,  s.  m.  Butcher.  Car- 
nicero.  Saws.  Sunavata. 

Chinel,  )  5.  m.  A  person  of  offi- 

Chino,  5  c'al  rank.  Hombre 
de  graduacion,  oficial.  De- 
rived from  the  Russian,  Chin, 
"Rank." 

Chinelar,  v.  a.  To  cut,  reap. 
Cortar,  segar. 

Chingabar,  5.  m.  Pin.  Alfiler. 

Chingrar,  v.a.  To  fight.  Pe- 
leAr,  renir. 

Chingaripen,  s.m.  War,  battle. 
Guerra,combate.  Sans.  San- 
gara.  Pers.  Jang. 

Chinobaro,  5. 7ft.  High-consta- 
ble, governor.  Alguacil  may- 
or, gobernador.  Vid.  Chino 
and  Baro. 

Chinoje,  5. 7ft.  He-ass.  Burro. 

Chinoro,  adj.  Small,  little.  Pe- 
querio.  Sans.  Kanika,  Ka- 
nishta  ;  whence  likewise  the 
English  cant  word  Kinchin. 

Chipalo,  5. 7M.  Blacksmith.  Her- 
rero.  Sans.  Kapila  (dark, 
tawny.) 

Chipe,  s.f.  Truth  (improper- 
ly.) Verdad. 

,„,  -       )  5.  f.  Tongue.  Lengua. 

Wf     Sans.   Jihwa.    Hin. 

Uhip1'  )      Jibh.   Pers.  Znb.in. 

Cbipen,  s.f.  Life.  \*ida.  Sans. 
Jivana.   Per-s.  Jan.  Hin.Jee. 

Chique,  s.f.  Earth,  ground 
Tierra,  suelo.  Sans,  ldika. 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


129 


Ohirinda 
Chiringa 


ILdUU. 

'     S     Mi 


;,) 


Chobar, 
Chobelar 


€hique.  5./.  Butter.  Manteca. 

Hin.  Ghee. 
Chirdabar,  v.  a.  To  cut.    Cor- 

tar. 
Chirdo.  adj.   Short.   Corto. 
Chiribito,s.  m.  A  cricket.  Gril- 

lo.  Sans.  Chirika. 
Chiriclo,  s.m.  A  fowl,  chicken. 
Polio.  Properly,  A  bird.  Ave, 
Hin.  Chiriya. 
Chirijimar,  v.  a.  n.  To  advance. 

Adelantar.  Hin.  Churhana. 
Chirijimen,  -par.  pas.  Advanced, 
delantado 

An  orange. 

aranja.        In 

Moorish,  China. 

Time.   Tiem 

Chiro,       I      po.   Sans.  Cruras* 

Chiros,     f      ya    (long    time.) 

J      Mod.  Gr.  y.aigog. 
Chirriria,  s.f.    Bit  of  thread, 
lint,    Mota.       Sans.    Chora 

Chismar,  v.  a.  To  spit.  Escu- 
pir.  Sans.  Smarasawa  (sali- 
va.) 

&    }™.  Childar. 

Chitino,  s.  m.   Passport.  Pasa- 

porte. 
Cho,  s.f.      Barley.      Cebada. 

Pers.  Ju. 

"  v.a.  To  wash.  La- 
var.  Pers.  Shu- 
yidan. 
Chocoronar,  v.  a.    To  remedy. 

Remediar. 
Chocorono,  s.m.     A  remedy. 

Remedio. 

^  s/.Petticoat.Saya, 
Choji,  I      enaguas.  Sans. 

Chojinda,     |      Chalanaka,  Sa.- 

J      taka. 
Chon,  s.f.  Beard,  chin.  Barba. 

Mod.  Gr.  ysvtiov. 
Choneria,  5./.    Barber's  shop. 

Barberia. 
Chonero,  s.  m.  Barber.  Barbe- 

ro.  Sans.  Chandila. 
Chono,s.m.  Month.  Mes.  Hin. 

Chand. 
Chopala,  s.f.  Hut,  tent.  Choza. 

Sans.  Skula.  Hin.  Chuppur. 

Italian,  C'apanna. 
Chopon,5.  m.   Quince.   Mem- 

brillo. 
Chor,  5. 771.      Thief.      Ladron. 

Sans.  Chaura.   Hin.  Chor. 
Chorl,s. /.   Knife.    Cuchillo, 

navaja.    Sans,  Chhuro.  Hin. 

Chooree.  Mod.  Gr.  ua/aiQi. 
Chori,s.f.    Mule.  Mula.  Hin. 

Khuchur. 
Choro,  s.  and  adj.  Thief,  thiev- 
ish, evil.  Ladron,  malo. 
Chororo,   adj.       Poor,    Pobre. 

Sans.  Kshudra.  Hin. Shor.  . 
Chorripen,  s.f    Evil,  wicked- 
ness. Maldad. 
Chotiar,  v.a.  To  spit.  Eseupir. 

Sans.  Nishtuta  (spitting.) 
Chova,s./.  Hand.  Mano. ~Sans. 

Charpata  (the  palm.)    [Hcb. 

Caph.] 
Chuajani,  s.f.    Witch,  sorce- 


ress.   Bruja,  hechicera  pro- 

fetisa.  Sans.  Sanvanana.  J  Jin. 

Syana.  Rus.  Charobnitza. 
Chube,  s.  m.     Louse,     Piogo. 

Sans.  Kitibha.  Hin.  Jun. 
Chubalo,  s.  m.     Cigar.    Cigar- 

ro. 
Chucha,5/.  Breast, pap.  Pecho. 

Sans.  Kucha. 
Chuchipon,  s.m.   Suet,  grease. 

Sebo. 
Chuchiri,  s.f.  Fat.  Gordura. 
Chuchuquelar,  s.f.    Oil-cruse. 

Alcuza. 
Chuli,  ~)s.m.    A   dollar.     Un 
Chulo,  )    duro.  un  peso  fuerte. 
Chulo,  s.  m.    A  knife.    Un  cu- 
chillo.  Hin.C  luil  hoc. 
Chullo,  adj.  Fat.  Gordo.  Sans. 

Sthula.  Hin,  Chuodhur. 
Chumasconas,  s.f.  Harlot.  Ra- 

inera.  Sans.  Smara  (love.) 
Chumajari,  s.m.     Shoemaker. 

Zapatero.    Sans.  Charmma- 

kara. 
Chumajayal,  s.f.       Grinders. 

Muelas. 
Chumia,  s.f.  Time,  turn.  Vez. 
Chundear,  v. imp.    To  happen. 

Suceder.  Hin.  Ho-chooka. 
Chungalipen,  s.f.       What    is 

ugly,  heavy.     Cosa  fea,  pe- 

sada.  Hin.  Choonna. 

Chungalo,  H£*£SJ; 
Chungo,      <j     pe,.i.TaPng. 
Chupardelar,  v.  n.  To  stumble. 

Tropezar. 
Chupendi,  s.f    A  kiss.    Beso. 

Sans.  Chumbana   (kissing.) 

Hin.  Chooma. 
Chuque,    )s.  m.    Dog.    Perro. 
Chuquel,  )      Sans.       Kukura 

Basque,     Chacurra.      Pers. 

Sag. 
Churdani,  s.f.  Fancy,  presump- 
tion. Fantasia. 
Churdina,  s.f.     Dagger-blow. 

Puiialada. 
Churrilli,  s.f.  Nit.  Liendre. 
Chusno,  s.  m.    Hillock.    Cer- 

10. 
Chuti,s./.  Milk.  Leche.  Sans. 

Dugdha,  Duh.  Hin.  Dudh. 
Chuvias,  s.  pi.  Fisty-cuffs.  Pu- 

fiadas. 


Dabastro.   Vid.  Drabaro. 

Dai,   >  s  f.   Mother,  {properly, 

Day,  5  "Nurse";  Madre. 
Pers.  Dayah.  Mod.  Gr.  Qua. 

Dajiralo,s.»i.  Trembling.  Tem- 
blor. 

Dajirar,  v.n.  To  tremble.  Tem- 
blar. 

Dal,  ^s.  m.  Fear.  Temor.  Mod. 

Dan,  >      Greek,   duXta.     Sans. 

Dar,  )      Dara. 

Danbilar,  v.  a.  To  chew.  Mas- 
car. 

Dandesquero,  s.  m.  Lamp,  can- 
dle. Candil. 

Dani,  s.  v/.  Teeth.  Dientes. 
Sans,  Danta. 

Darabar,  v.a.  To  praise,  (pro- 
M2 


perly,    "  to   fear,")     Alabar. 

temer. 
Daraiiar,  v.  n.  To  fear.  Temer 
Darano,  v.a.    Fearful,    Teine- 

roso. 
Dari, .<?./.  Thread,  line.  Hilera 

Vid.  Dori. 
Debel,  s.7u.   God.  Dios.  Sans. 

Div  (heaven,)  Deva  (deity.) 
Debla,  s.f.  The  Virgim  (God- 
dess.) La  Virjen.  Diosa. 
Debleschinday,  Tiie  Mother  of 

God.    Madro  de  Dios.    Vid. 

Debel,  and  Chinday. 
Debus,  adv.    Over  and  above. 

Dernas. 
Delale,  par.    Presented.    Pre- 

sentado. 
Delune,  s.f  Sickle.  Hoz. 
Deplemande,a^?j.  For  nothing. 

Debalde. 
Deque,  s.m.  Ten.  Diez.  Mod. 

Gr.  Sexa.  Pers.  Dah. 
Demo,  adj.  New.  Nuevo.  Sans. 

Taruna. 
Desparugar,  v.a.   To  return  a 

thing  bartered.  Destrocar. 
Desquero,  pron.  pers.  injlec.  Of 

him,  his.  Del,su.  Hin.  Iska. 
I  Desquinar,  v.n.   To  rest.  Des- 

cansar. 
Destechescar,  v.  a.    To  undo. 

Deshacer. 
Diar,  v.a.   To  see.  Ver,  mirar. 

Pers.  Didan. 
Dicani,5./.  Window.  Ventana. 
Dicar,  v.  a.  To  see.  Ver.  Sans. 

Iksha. 
Dichabar,?;.  a.  To  send.  Man- 

dar.   Vid.  Bichabar. 
Diclo,  s.  m.        Handkerchief, 

clout.  Panuelo,  panal. 
Dilia,^./.  Lettuce.  Lechuga. 
Dinaste,  s.  m.  Glass.  Vidrio. 
Dinelo,  s.fy adj.   Fool.   Tonto. 

Pers.  Diwanah. 
Dini,  s.f.  Pound.  Libra. 
i-.~  )».a.  To  give.  Dar. 

Dinelar,  ^    Dena 

Dinator,  5.  m.  Doctor.  Doctor. 

Dinople,  s.  m.  Harm,  damage, 
Dano. 

Discoli,  s.  m.  Disciple.  Disci- 
pulo. 

Disde,  adv.  Until.  Hasta. 

Docurdanza,  s.f.  Mistress. 
Maestra. 

Docurdo,  s.  m.  Master.  Maestro. 
Sans.  Thakkura.  Hin.  Tha- 
kur. 

Doj,  \s.f  Fault.  Culpa.  Sa?is. 

Doji,  5      Dosha.  Hin.  Dokh. 

Dori,  s.f.  Rope.  Soga.  Pers. 
Dari. 

Doscusaiia,  s.f.  A  crown.  Co- 
rona. 

Dosta,  adv.  Enough.  Basta. 
From  the  Russian  verb,  Dos 
tat,  "to  suffice."  Sans. 
Tashu. 

Drabaro,  s.m.  Rosary.  Rosii- 
rio. — Drabarar  or  drabaro: 
"  To  tell  one's  beads,"  Rezjr 
el  rosilrio.  This  word  is  com* 
pounded  of"da.l''  aud  "  baro,' 


130 


THE  ZINCALI. 


literally,  "  a  thing  of  great 
fear"  or  "  sanctity." 

Drabuco,  adj.  Flat.  Chato. 

Dracay,  sf.pl.  Grapes.  Uvas. 
Sans.  Draksha. 

Drami,  s.f.  Week.  Semana. 

Drante,  s.  Ink.  Tinta, 

Drao,  s.  m.  Poison.  Veneno. 
The  Gitanos  apply  this  word 
to  a  certain  noxious  prepara- 
tion, which  they  are  in  the 
habit  of  casting  in  the  man- 
gers of  cattle,  to  cause  sick- 
ness and  death.  Pers.  Zahr. 
(poison.)   Vid.  Grao. 

Draute.   Vid.  Drante. 

Drescos.  s.pl.  Corns.  Callos. 

Droba,  s.f.  Leather-bag  for 
wine.  Bota. 

Droji,  s.f  Rind,  peel.  Cascara. 

Dromalis,  s.pl.  Carriers,  mu- 
leteers, men  of  the  road.  Ar- 
rieros,  viajeros. 

Dron,")s.  >m.    Road.    Camino. 

Drun,  5  Pers.  Darund.  Mod. 
Gr.  dQo/iiog.  Hin.  Duhur. 

Dron-grugi,  )  s.     Royal    road, 

Drunji,  )    likewise  a  Foot- 

path. Camino  real,  vereda. 

Drupos,  s.  m.  Body.  Cuerpo. 

Dua,    \s.f.  Pain,  grief.  Pena. 

Duga,  5     Sans.  Tuda  (to  pain.) 

Dubela,  s.f.  Cup.  Tasa.  Pers. 
Peyaleh. 

Ducano,  adj.  Compassionate. 
Compasivo. 

Dm,  adj.  Two.  Dos.  Pers.  Du. 

Dujo,  adj.  Wroth  in  spirit, 
angry.  Enojado.  Vid.  Du- 
quende. 

Dumen,  s.  m.  Loin.  Lorao. 

Dundilo,  s.  m.  Lamp.  Velon. 

Dundun,  s.f.  Light.  Luz. 

Duneo,  s.  m.  Sunday.  Domin- 
go. 

Duqueles,s.;>Z.  Dobloons.  Dob- 
lones. 

Duquende,5.  m.  A  spirit,  ghost. 
Duende.  From  the  Russian, 
Dook,  "a  spirit;"  which  is 
itself  derived  from  the  Sans. 
Dhuka. 

Duquendio,  s.  m.  Master,  a 
principal  person  amongst  the 
Gitanos.  Maestro,  hombre 
principal  entre  los  Jitanos. 

Duquipen,  s.  m.  Grief.  Dolor. 

Dnr.  adv.  Far.  Lejos.  Sans. 
Dura.  Pers.  Dur. 

Durlin,  s.7n.  Police  archer.  Cor- 
chete. 

Durotunes,  s.pl.  Shepherds, 
herdsmen.  Pastorcs.  Hin. 
Dnoongur. 

Dusuldo,  s.m.  Drunkard.  Bor- 
racho. 

Dut,  s.f.  Light.  Luz.  Sans. 
Dyuti.  Hin.  Yot.  Moorish 
Arabic,  Dow. 

E. 

E,  gen.  sin.  of  the  article  O. 

Jenetivo   singular  del   arti- 

cuto  O. 
JEfta.  adj.  Seven.  Siete.    Pas. 

Haft.   Gr.  tmu. 


\  Egresi ton,  adj.    Last.  Ultimo. 

Embeo,  s.  m.     Book.    Libro. 

Hin.  Bed. 
Emposuno,  adv.    Attentively. 

Atentamente. 
Enbrota,  s.f  Trunk,  proboscis. 

Trompa. 
Encalomar,  v.  a.    To    mount, 

ascend.  Subir.  Sans.  Unnaya. 

(raising.) 
Ende,  adv.  prep.    Since,  after, 

from  Desde. 
Engrejeri,s.  m.  Asparagus.  Es- 

parrago.  Sans.  Indivara. 
Enjallar,  v.  n.    To   remember. 

Acordar. 
Enjalle,  sf.  Memory.  Memoria. 
Ennagrar,  v.  a.  To  repair.    En- 

mendar. 
Enorme,  5.  m.    Enemy.    Ene- 

migo. 
Enpirre,  s.pl.  Footmen,  infan- 
try, labourers.   Peones. 
Enre,    )  adv.  Within.  Dentro. 
Enrun,  )    Gr.tvdov.(Lat Antra..) 
Enrecar,  Within  us.   En  noso- 

tros ;    e.  g.   Saboca    enrecar 

Maria  ereira!  "  Dwell  within 

us,  Blessed  Mary!" 
Enrrar,  v.  n.  To  enter.  Entrar. 
Ensimacha,  s.f.   Ensign.    En- 

sena. 
Enia,  adj.  Nine.  Nueve.  Mod. 

Gr.  svvta. 
Epicon^  s.f.  Corner.  Esquina. 
Erajay,.  s.  m.      Friar.     Frayle. 

Vid.  A  raj  ay. 
Erajami,/.  s.    Dress  of  a  friar. 

Habito  de  fraile. 
Er  ajar  da,  s.f.  Bramble,  thistle. 

Zarza,  cardo.    Pers.   Khar. 

Hin.  Jardar. 
Erandia,  s.f  Nun.  Monja. 
Erani,  s.f  Lady.  Seiriora. 
Erano,  s.m.  Lord,  master.  Se- 

rior.    Sans.  Bharanda.    Rus. 

Bareen. 
Eray,  s.m.  Gentleman, knight. 

Caballero.  Hin.  Rae. 
Erdicha.s./.  Poverty.  Pobreza. 

Vid.Zichz. 
Eres,  s.pl.     Men   not  of   the 

Gypsy  caste :  "  Hombres  que 

no  son  Jitanos." 
Ererio,  adj.   Blessed.   Bendito. 
Erescare,  adj.  Blue.  Azul. 
Eresia,  s.f.     Vine,    vineyard. 

Vid,  vina.   Pers.  Raz.  Sans. 

Trirahnara  (grape.) 
Eriche,  s.jh.    Pig,  swine.  Mar- 

ra.no. 
Eriiries,  s.pl.  Hojrs.  Marranos. 
Erisimen,  s.f    Blessing.  Ben- 

dicion. 
Erradcras,  s.pl.  Lettuces.  Le- 

chugas. 
Eru,          7  s.m.  Olive  tree.  Oli- 
Eni(]uel,  )     vo.  Nod.Gr.  tXaia. 
Erucar,  5.  m.       Olive-ground. 

Olivar. 
Eso&nii,  s.f.  Staircase,  ladder. 

Escala. 
Escobiche,s.  m.  Beetle.   Esca- 

rabnjo 
Eaden,  .<?.  Ten.  Diez,  properly 

Deque,  q.v. 


Esden  y  yesque,  Eleven.  Once. 
Esden  y  duis,  Twelve.  Doce. 
Esden  y  trin,  Thirteen.  Trece. 
Esden  y  ostar,   Fourteen.    Ca- 

torce. 
Esden      y      panche,    Fifteen. 

Quince. 
Esden  y  jobe,  Sixteen.   Diez  y 

seis. 
Esden  y  ester,  Seventeen.  Diez 

y  siete. 
Esden  y  ostor,  Eighteen.  Diez 

y  ocho. 
Esden  y  esne,  Nineteen.    Diez 

y  nueve. 
Esne,  adj.    Nine.  Nueve.   Via 

Enia. 
Esnerdi,  s.  Ninety.  Noventa. 
Esorgie,  adj.  Extreme.  Extre- 
me 
Espajuo,  s.  m.  Fright,  wonder. 

Espanto. 
Espandador,  s.  m.    Gorge  of  a 

hill.  Barranco. 
Esparrabar.    Vid.  Asparabar. 
Esparrusar,  v.  a.  To  hide.    Es- 

conder.      Sans.    Apavarana 

(concealment.) 
Espibias,  5.  pi.  Chestnuts.  Cas- 

tanas. 
Espirabia,  s.f.  Leech.  Sangui- 

juela.  Sans.  Asrapa. 
Esporboria,  s.f.  Onion.  Cebolla. 
Esprejaiio,  s.  m.  Mulatto.  Mu- 

lato. 
Espurria,  s.f   Gut.  Tripa. 
Espusifia,  s.f.  Spur.  Espuela. 
Estache,  s.m.  Hat.  Sombrero 

From  the  Arab.  Taj  (a  crown.) 
Estar,  adj.  Four.  Cuatro. 
Estarica,5./.  Ark,  chest.  Area 

Vid.  Jestari. 
Estardi,  adj.  Forty.  Cuarenta. 
Estardo,  s.  &  adj.       Prisoner, 

captive.     Preso.     Arab,  and 

Heb.  Asfr. 
Estaripel,  s.f.   Prison.  Carcel. 

Arab.  Asiri. 
Esterdi,arfj.  Seventy.  Setenta. 
Estomar,  v.  a.  To  pardon.  Per- 

donar. 
Estongri,  s.f.  A  weight,  dollar. 

Peso. 
Estonquelar,  v.  a.    To   weigh. 

Pesar, 
Estonquele,  s.m.      A    weight. 

Peso. 
Estonqueleta,  s.f.  Small  silver 

coin.  Peseta. 
Estoriar.  r.  r.  To  be  tired.  Ren- 

dir. 
Estoriel,  adj.    Fatigued,  worn 

up.  Rendido.  Sans.  Avasada 

(weariness.) 
Estormen,5./.  Pardon.  Remis- 
sion. Remision. 
Estuche,  s.m.  Sword.  Espada. 

Sans.  Asidhenu  (knife,)  Asi. 


Fachoyi.  s.f.      Grub,     insect. 

Vicho,  vichuelo. 
Fac6rro.5.»».  Halt.  Alto.  Que- 

relar  facorro,  To  halt.  Hacer 

alto. 
Farafais,  s.pl.  Buttons.  Botones. 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


131 


Farsilaja,  s.f.  Fault.  Falta. 
Feda,  s.f.  Way,  path.  Camino. 
Felicha,  5./.    Tower    (prison.) 

Torre,  Mod.  Gr.  (pukax.ij. 
Fermentar,  s.f.  Penitence.  Pe- 

nitencia. 
Fendo,  fendi,  adj.  Good.  Bue- 

no,  buena. 
Fermicha,  s.f.   Tower.  Torre. 
Feter,  adv.  Better.  Mejor.  Pers. 

Bahtar. 
Fiafo,  s.m.    Steel  for  striking 

fire.  Eslabon. 
Fili,  s.f.  Face.  Cara. 
Fili,  s.f.  Jacket.  Chaqueta. 
Filimicha,  s.f.  Gallows.  Horca. 

Rus.  Bicelitza. 
Fingule,  s.  to.    Kind  of  Gnat. 

Cagarropa. 
Firb,  s.pl.  Sparrows.  Gorriones. 
Flacha,s./.  Ashes.  Ceniza.  Hin. 

Rakh. 
lamar,  s.  m.  Jest.  Chanza 
-'loja,  s.f.  Account.  Cuenta. 
Floripi,  s.f.  Mass.  Misa. 
Fondela,  s.f.    Tavern.  Taver- 

na. 
Foro,  )  s.  to.  City.  Ciudad. 
Foros,  5  Sans.  Puri.  Hin.Pnr. 
Fracasia,  s.f.  Low.  La  puerca. 
Fracaso,  s.m.  Hog.  El  puerco. 
Frasardo,s.m.  Tiled  Roof.  Te- 

jado. 
Fresiego,  s.m.     Gulf.     Golfo. 

From    the    Sans.    Asthaga 

(deep.) 
Fresiego  e  Bombardo,  Gulf  of 

Lyons,  Golfo  de  Leon. 

Aunson  guilles 

Y  te  chobes 

En  e  fresiego 

E  Bombardo— 

N&sti  nicabas 

E  quichardila 

Sos  sar  menda 

Te  petro. 
"Although  thou  go  and  wash 
thee  in  the  Gulf  of  Lyons,  thou 
wilt  not  get  rid  of  the  stain  which 
thou  didst  obtain  through  me 
(which  with  me  fell  to  thee.") 

Frima,  ado.  Little.  Poco. — 
"  Frima,  frima,''  "  By  de- 
grees, "Poco  a  poco." 

Fronsaperar,u.  a.  n.  To  wait,  to 
hope.  Esperar. 

Frujeria,  s.f.  Fruit.  Fruta. 

Fufu,  s.  m.  A  well.  Pozo. 

Ful,  s.  to.  Dung.  Estiercol. 
Sans.  Mala.  Hin.  Mul. 

Fulalo,  s.  m.  A  dirty  fellow. 
Hombre  dispreciable. 

Fulaiii,  s.f.  Dirtiness.  Sucie- 
dad. 

Furi,*./.  Jacket.  Chaqueta. 

Furi,s./.  Pudendum  muliebre. 
Hin.  Furj. 

Furnia,  s.f.  Cave.  Cucva. 

Furunc,  s.f.  Favour,  grace.  Fa- 
vor, gracia. 

G. 

Gabicote.  s.  m.    Book.    Libro. 

Jirab.  KeUib. 
Gabine,   s.m.        Frenchman, 

French.  Frances. 
Gabuno,  s.  m.  Mouse.  Raton. 
21 


Gachapla,  s.f.    Couplet,  catch 

Copla. 
Gachaten,  s.       Cup,     brasier. 

Copa. 
Gachinbarta,  s.f.     Goodness, 
righteousness.  Rectitudjus- 
ticia. 

Gacho,  s.m.  A  gentleman. 
Caballero. — Properly,  Any 
kind  of  person  who  is  not  a 
Gypsy:  "  Cualquier  hombre 
quo  no  sea  Jitano." 

Gae,  s.  m.   Wine-press.  Lagar. 

Gajere,      1  adv.    Always.    Si- 

Gayeres,   )      empre. 

Galisarda,  s.f.  Hunger.  Ham- 
bre.  Rus.  Golod 

Gancibe,  s.f.  Avarice.  Avari- 
cia. 

Gandi,  s.f.  Smell.  Olor.  Sans. 
Gandha.  Hin.  Gund. 

Gandias,  s.fd.  Dross,  siftings. 
Granzas. 

Ganisardar,  v.  a.  To  gain.  Ga- 
ndr. 

Gao,  s.  w.  Town,  village.  Pue- 
blo. Sans.  Karvvada.  Pers. 
Cui.  In  the  Thieves'  lan- 
guage, this  word  is  applied 
to  Madrid. 

Garabelar,  v.  To  be  on  one's 
guard,  to  guard.  Guardar. 

Garapatia,  s.f.  Thanks.  Gra- 
cias.  Arab.  'Arefat. 

Garibardo,  adj.  Wounded,  full 
of  sores.  Llagado. 

Garipe,  s.  Scab.  Postilla. 

Garlochin, s.m.  Heart.  Cora- 
zon.   Vid.  Carlochin. 

Gate,  s.  to.  Shirt.  Camisa.  Pro- 
perly,  A  cloth  round  the 
middle.  Sans.  Kadirra. 

Gavin,  s.J.  France.  Francia. 

Gel,  s. m.  Ass.  Burro. 

Geliche,  s.  to.  Cord.  Cordel. 

Geremancha,  s.f.  Shop.  Tien- 
da. 

Gerjeres.  Vid  Guerere. 

Gerinel,  «./>.  Michael.  Miguel. 

Gi,  s.  to.  Wheat.  Trigo. 

Gilo,  s.  Kind  of  rope.  Soga. 

Gimona,s./".  Hunting-cap.  Mon- 
te r  a. 

Ginar,  v.  a.  To  count.  Contar. 
Sans.  Gana.  Hin.  Ginna. 

Ginglar,  v.  n.    To  smell.  Oler. 

Girelar,  v.  n.  To  laugh.  Reir. 
Hin.  Khilkhilana. 

Give,  s.f.  Snow.  Nieve. 

Giyabar,  v.  a.  To  relate.  Con- 
tar. 

Glandaseo,  s.  and  adj.  A  gal- 
lant.  Gallant.  Galante. 

Glandi.s./.  A  knife.  Cuchil- 
lo. 

Gloriban,  s.  m.  Idler.  Holga- 
zan. 

Gola,  s.f.  Order.  Orden. 

Golberi,  s.f 4  Crop,  harvest. 
Cosecha. 

Gole,  s.f.  Shout,  cry.  Voz, 
grito.  Hin.  Ghooloo.  Rus. 
Golos. 

Golipcn,  s.f.  Health.  Salud. 

Golisarelar,  v.  71.  To  smell,  i 
Oler 


Golli,5./.  Black-pudding.  Mor- 

ci  11a.  Hin.  Gulgul. 
Gollori,  5.  to.      Male    animal. 

Macho. 
Goneles,s.7ra.  Garments,  linen. 

Vestidos,  ropa.    Sans.  Goni. 

Rus.  Gune. — These  words  in 

the    Sanscrit    and    Russian 

tongues  are  solely  applied  to 

the  habiliments  of  a  beggar. 
Gono,  s.  m.  A  sack.  Saco,  cos- 
tal. Hin.  Gon. 
Gorberi,  s. m.    Farmer.    Cose- 

chero. 
Gorbi,  s.  m.   Ox.    Buey.  Sans. 

Gavaraja  (bull.) 
Gorbio,  s.  m.  A  swelling.  Bollo. 
Gorobar,  v.  n.  To  howl,  Aullar. 

Vid.  Cobadrar. 
Gorotune,  s.m.    Native  of  Es- 

tremadura.  Estremeiio. 
Goruy.  s.  m.   Ox.  Buey.    Vid. 

Gorbi. 
Gozoni,  5./.  Young  mare.  Po- 

tranca. 
Gra,5.  m.  Horse.  Caballo.  Sans. 

Kharu.  Hin.  Ghora. 
Grajuno,  adj.  Dirty.  Sucio. 
Granajina,  s.f.       Species     of 

plant.  Berengena. 
Granar,  v.n.   To  bray.  Rebuz- 

nar. 
Grani,  s.f.  Mare.  Yegua. 
Grao,  s.  to.    Poison.    Veneno. 

Sans.  Gara. 
Gras,      >  s.  m.  Horse.  Caballo. 
Graste,  >    Vid.  Gra. 
Grateriza,  s.f.  Stable.  Cuadra. 
Grejelo,  adj.  Certain.  Cierto. 
Grejeri,  s.   Asparagus.   Espar- 

rago. 
Gres,  s.  Hundred.  Ciento. 
Gres, prep.adv.  Before.  Antes. 
Gresdene,  s.  m.   Stove.  Anafe. 
Gresone,  p.n.     Jesus    Christ. 

Jesu  Christo. 
Grestis,  s.pl.    Breeches.    Cal- 

zones. 
Grey,  s.  m.  Century.  Siglo. 
Griba,  s.f.  Rigour.  Rigor. 
Gribule,  adj.   Rigorous.  Rigo- 

roso. 
Grimpar,  v.n.  To  toast,  pledge. 

Brindar. 
Gris,  s.m.  Cold.  Frio. 
Grobelar,  v.  a.     To  repair,  go- 
vern. Componer,  gobernar. 
Grodogopo,  adj.       Wounded. 

Estropeiido. 
Gronichen,A/.  Manured  earth. 

Tierra  estercolada. 
Groiii,  s.f.   Dung-heap.  Ester- 

col6ro. 
Grose,  5.  to.  Forest,  mountain. 

Monte.  Rus.  Gora. 
Grucha,  s.f.  Cloth.  Tola. 
Guachedre,  s.    Manger.    Pese- 

bre. 
Gnajalote,  s.  m.    Turkey,  pea- 
cock. Pavo.  Sans.  Garabrata, 

Galavrata. 
Gucanar,  v.  a.  To  open.  Abrir 

Hin.  Kuhna. 
Guchiba,  s.f.   Stable.  Cuadra 
Guel,  5.  in.    Donkey,  ass.  Bor 


132 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Guel,  s.f.  Itch.  Sarna. 
Guergere,s.  m.  Tuesday.  Mar- 

tes. 
Gui,  s.f.  Wheat.  Trigo. 
Guillabar,r>.  a.  To  sing.  Cantar. 

Sans.  Kheli  (a  song.)    Hin. 

Guvvuya. 
Guillar,  v.  n.    To  go,  to  walk. 

Ir,  pasear.  Rvs.  Gulliat. 
Guillopio,r/</j.  Maimed.  Manco. 
Gula,  s.f.  Wave.  Onda. 
Gule,s.m.  Must, sirup.  Arrope. 
Gulupe,  s.  m.    Cotton.    Algo- 

don.  Sans.  Sthulapatta. 
Gurabano,  s.  m.    Pastry  cook. 

Bollero. 
Guribano,5.?n.  Silence.  Silen- 

cio. 
Guruju,  s.m.  Dissolute  fellow. 

Tunante. 
Gusto,  5.  in.  Goose.  Ganso. 

H.| 

Haccuno,  s.  m.    Summer.  Ve- 

rano. 
Hambo,  s.m.  One  who  is  not  a 

Gypsy.     El  que  no  es  Jita- 

no. 
Harero,  s.  m.    Plum-tree.    Ci- 

ruelo. 
Helo,s.m.  Hog.  Marrano.  Sans. 

Kola.  Moor.  Arab.  Haiti f. 
Henira,  s.f.  Misfortune.  Des- 

gracia. 
Heta,  adj.  Named.  Nombrado. 

— This  word  appears  to  be 

derived  from  the  same  root 

as  the  English  "  hight,"  and 

the   "  hedte"  of  the   Danes 

and  Scandinavians. 
Horipaquia,  s.f.    Ant,  emmet. 

Hormiga. 

I 

Ibrain,s.ra.  February.  Febr6ro. 

Iclene,  adj.  Celebrated.  Cele- 
bre.  Rus.  Slavnoy.  [Lat.  In- 
clytus.] 

Ie,  properly  the  genitive  singu- 
lar of  the  article  O;  also  the 
accusative;  it  frequently  serves 
for  the  nominative;  e.g.  Ie 
pray  the  mountain ;  ie  ran 
the  rod ;  Ie  trujacai  the 
grapes. — Propriamente  el  je- 
nitivo  singular  del  articulo 
O;  tambien  el  acusativo . 
frecu6ntemente  sirve  por  el 
nominativo. 

lege,  s.f.  Mass.  Misa. 

leque,  adj.  One.  Uno.  Sans. 
Eka.  [Pers.  Yak.] 

leru,  s.  m.  Wolf.  Lobo. 

les,  gen.  pi.  of  the  article  O.  Jen. 
pi.  del  articulo  O. 

Ies,  adj.  One.  Uno. 

Iesano,  s.  m.  Bacon.  Tocino. 

Iescotria,  adv.  Immediately. 
Luego.  Vid.  Escotria. 

Iesdra,  s.f.  The  left-hand. 
Mano  izquierda. 

lesque.  Vid.  Ieque. 

iesque  avel,  One  to  another. 
Uno  a  otro. 

Inclobo,  s.  m.  Hermitage.  Er- 
raito. 


Inericar,  v.  a.  To  protect,  shel- 
ter. Amparar. 

Inerin,  s. m.  January.  Enero. 

Inerique,  5.  m.  Protection,  shel- 
ter. Ampa.ro. 

Ingodine,a6(;.  Gluttonous.  Go- 
loso. 

Ingrodile.  Impossible,  lmposi- 
ble. 

Inica,  adj.  Doting.  Chocho. 

lnolobi,  s.  m.  Hermit.  Ermi- 
tano.  Rus.  Inokk  (monk.) 

Irismen,  s.m.  Information. Aviso. 

Isic6n,5.  m.  Corner.  Esquina. 

Isnabar,  v.  a.  To  have.  Haber. 
Isna,  "  There  is."  Hay. 

Iu,  s.  m.  Paper.  Papel.  Hin. 
Ruq  (parchment.) 

Iusmito,  s.  vi.  Smith.  Herrador. 

J. 

Jaba,  s.f.     Harlot.     Ramera. 

Sans.  Kavera.  Moorish,  Kah- 

bah. 
Jabillar,  v.  a.     To  understand. 

Entender. 
Jabuni,  s.f.  Rat.  Rata. 
Jacbapen,  s.     Food.     Comida. 

Sans.  Kasipu.  Hin.  Khaja. 
Jacharar,  v.  a.   To  burn.  Que- 

mar.  Sans.  Chura. 
Jachari,  *./.       Conflagration, 

blaze.  Incendio. 
Jal,  s.  m.    Rope  tied  round  the 

neck.  Dogiil. 
Jalar,  v. a.     To  eat.     Comer. 

Sans.  Gala 
Jalares,  s.  pi.    Breeches.    Cal- 

zones. 
Jamar,  v.  a.    To  eat.    Comer. 

Sans.  Chamya  (food.)     Hin. 

Khana. 
Jamachuri,  )  s.f.    Strawberry- 
Jamaduri,    )      tree«  Madrono. 
Jamaco,  s.  m.  Apricot.  Albari- 

coque. 
Janbri,  s.m.  Toad.  Sapo. 
Jandeblaban,*.  m.  Proverb.  Re- 

fran. 
Jandojo,  s.  m.  Sin.  Pecado. 
Jandorro,  s.m.  Money.  Dinero. 
Janreles,  5.  pi.     The  genitals. 

Los  jenitales. 

Janro°,'}*m-  S^e.  Sable. 
\  s.f  Virgin. Virjen.  Sans. 

Jaiia,  !       Kani.      [Suns.    Jani. 

Jani,  [      Rus.  Jena.    Gr.  ywtj 
J      woman.] 

Japufie,  $.  m.  Soap.  Jabon. 

Jar,  s.  m.  Heat.  Calor.  Sans. 
Khara.  [Arab.  Kharr.  Old 
Ger.  Har] 

Jara,  s.f.  Ounce  of  gold.  Onza 
de  oro. 

Jaracaiiales,  s.  pi.  Guards,  offi- 
cers of  the  revenue.  Guardas, 
carabineros. 

Jarambolis,  5.  pi.  Rags.Trapos. 

Janimi,  s.f.  Jacket.  Chaquota. 

Jarando,  s.  m.  Pool,  puddle. 
Charco. 

Jardani,  pr.  v.  John.  Juan. 

Jarima,  s.f.  Crumb,  micraja. 

Jarrumbo,  .s\  rn.  Sieve.  Harnero. 

Jarsia,  s.f.  Justice.  Justicia 


Jayere,  s.m.  Money.   Dinero. 
Jayro,  adj.  Dry.  Seco. 
Jebe,  )5.  Hole.  Agujero.  Sans. 
Jebi,  5      Gavaksha.  Hin. Beh. 
Jebilen,  s.m.  Hole,  well.  Pozo. 
Jele,  s.f.  Pope.  Soga. 
Jeli,  s.f.  Love    Amor. 
Jenebel,  s.  m.  Cloak.  Capote. 
Jeni,  s.f.  She-ass.  Burra. 
Jeralli,s./.  Hunting-cap.  Mon- 

tera. 
Jerami,  s.f.  Bracelet.  Manilla. 
Jerardo,  5.  m.  Hell.  Infierno. 
Jerias,  s.  pi.  Legs.  Piernas. 
Jeriiii,  s.f.  She-ass.  Burra. 
Jero,  s.  m.  Head.  Cabeza.  Sans. 

Sira. 
Jeroro,5.  m.   He-ass.  Burro. 
Jeroscosa,  5. /.    Crown   of  the 

head.  Mollera. 
Jerquem,sf.  Fountain.  Fucnte. 
Jerrumbro,  s. m.  Muleteer.  Ar- 

riero. 
Jesame,  s.f.  Waistcoat.  Chupa 
Jestari,  s.f    Chest.  Area.    Gr. 

y.iort]. 
Jetayo,  5.  m.  Lackey,  footman. 

Lacayo. 
Jetro,  adj.  Another.  Otro. 
Jibicha,  s.f  Soup.   Sopa. 
Jichanca,  s.f.     Gypsy- woman 

J  i  tan  a. 
Jichanco,  s. m.  Gypsy-man.  Ji- 

tano. 
Jil,  s.m.  Cold.  Frio.  Sans.  Si- 

tala.  [Lat.  Gelid  us,  adj.] 
Jil,  s.  m.  Wheat.  Trigo. 
Jimilo,  s.m.     Sigh.     Suspiro. 

[Lat.  Gemitus.] 
Jinar,  v.  a.    To  count,  reckon. 

Contar.  Vid.  Ginar. 
Jinco,  adj.  Deep.  Hondo. 
Jindo,  adj.  Dirty.  Sucio.  Sans. 

Gundaka  (dirt.) 
Jinar,  v.  n.    To  exonerate  the 

belly.    Descargar  el  vientr»\ 

Sans.  Havna.  Mod.  Gr.  pw 
Jir,  5.  m.  Cold.  Frio.  Vid.  Jil. 
Jircar,  v.n.     To  shiver.    Tiri- 

tar. 
Jire,  adj.  pron.     Your,  yours. 

Vuestro. 
Jiribar,  v.  a.   To  cook  victuals, 

to  curry.  Guisar.    Vid.  Que- 

rabar. 
Jirirde,  adj.  Thin.  Delgado. 
Jitarrorro,  5.  m.  Rag.  Trapo. 
Job,  adj.  Six.  Seis. 
Joberdi,  a\  Sixty.  Sesenta, 
Jojabar,  v.  a.  To  deceive.    En- 

gafiar.    Sans.  Kuhaka.    (de- 
ception ;)    whence   also   the 

English  Hoax,  Hocus. 
Jojana,  s.f.  Deceit,  lie.   Enga- 

iio,  Mentira.    Sans.  Kuhana. 

Hin.  Jhooth. 
Jojenan,    >  s.  m.   Captain.  Ca- 
Jojerian,   )      pitan. 
Jojoy,  5.  m.  Hare,  rabbit.  Lie- 

bre,  conejo. 
Jolili,  s.f.  Earth,  country.  Ti- 

erra,  pais.  Sans.  Kula. 
Jollin,  s. to.    Anger,  rage.   Co- 

raje.  Hin.  Julun. 
Jongabar,  v.  a.     To   tie,   bind. 

Atar.  Htm.  Jukurnar. 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


133 


Jorgarse,  v.  r.  To  divert  one- 
self. Divertirse. 

Jorosnosco,  adj.  Hoary,  gray. 
Canudo. 

Jorpoy ,  s.  m.  Wool.  Lana.  Arab. 
Tsuf. 

Jostia,  s.f.  Disputa. 

Jotisarar,  v.  a.  To  approach. 
Acercar. 

Jubeni,  s.f  Sale.  Venta. 

Jubichen,  s.  m.  Gaspacho. 

Jucal,  adj.  Lovely,  generous. 
Hermoso,  generoso.  Sans. 
Prakula.  Sukala.  Hin.  Shu- 
keela. 

Jucali,  fern,  of  the  preceding. 
Eermosa,  &c. 

Juco,  adj.  Lean.  Delgado./em. 
Juqui. 

Juica,  s.f.  Cradle.  Cuna. 

Julabar,z7.  a.  To  sweep.  Barrer. 
Sans.  Khalapu.  (sweeper.) 

Julabay,s./.  A  broom.  Escoba. 

Julaiii,  s.f.  Mistress.  Ama. 

Julay, s.m.  Master.  Arao.  Sans. 
Kulika  (head  of  a  family.) 

Julistraba,  s.f.  Serpent.  Cule- 
bra.  Sans.  Kalasarpa  (black 
snake.) 

Jumeri,s./.  Bread.  Pan.  Sans. 
Sumana  (wheat.)  Pers.  Gon- 
dam.  [Arab.  Khamir,  leaven.] 

Junar,  v.  a.  To  hear,  listen. 
Oir,  escuchar.  Pers. 

J  undro,  s.  m.  Tube,  pipe.  Canon. 

Jundro  de  la  pusca,  Barrel  of  a 
gun.   Carion  de  la  escopeta. 

Jundunar,  s.  m.  Soldier.  Sol- 
dado.  Sans.  Kandira  (an 
archer,)  from  Kanda  (an 
arrow.) 

Junios,  s.  m.  A  lamb.  Cordero. 
Mod.  Gr.  anvi. 

Juntuno, s.m.  Listener, scoun- 
drel. Escuchador,  bribon. 
Vid.  Junar. 

Jurdi,  5./.  Gunpowder.  P61- 
vora.  Sans.  Kshoda. 

Jurepe,  s.  m.  Prison,  tribula- 
tion. Carcel,  tribulacion. 

Juri,  s.f.  File.  Lima. 

Juribaiii,  s.f.  A  cow.  Vaca. 

Jurnio,  s.  m.  A  rope.  Soga.  Hin. 
Joorna  (to  tie.)  "  Chibar  un 
jurnio  en  el  aver  pinre." — 
When  an  animal  is  lame  in 
one  foot,  the  Gypsies  are  in 
the  habit  of  driving  a  nail 
into  the  other,  by  which  they 
frequently  deceive  the  chap- 
man :  for  when  a  horse  is 
lame  in  both  feet,  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  perceive  that  he  is 
lame  at  all,  the  paces  being 
equal.  This  trick  is  expressed 
by  the  above  phrase  ;  which 
means,  literally,  "  To  cast  a 
rope  into  the  other  foot." 

Jurtibar,  5.?7i.  September.  Sep- 
tiembre. 

Juru,  5.  m.  A  bull.  Toro. 

Jurune,  adj.  Dark,  obscure. 
Oscuro. 

Justi,  5  /.  Girdle.  Faja. 

Justia,  s.  f.  Pinchbeck.  Tum- 
baga. 

18 


Juter 
Juti 


M 


s.  Vinegar.   Vimiorrc. 
Mod.  Gr.  |o*i.  [Lat. 
Acetum.] 
Jutia,  s.f.      Needle.       Aguja. 
Suchi.  Hin.  Suja. 

L. 

Labane,5.  Purple,  a  red  cloak. 

Purpura,  capa  encarnada. 
Labelar,  v.  a.  To  sing,  to  speak. 

Cantar,  hablar.  Sans.  Lapa. 

Mod.  Gr.  Xayu).    Ger.  Lallen. 
Lacha,  s.f.    Shame,   modesty. 

Verguenza.  Sans.  Lagga. 
Lachinguel,  adj.  Long.  Largo. 
Lachipe,  s.f  Silk,  Seda. 
Lachipen,  s.f  Goodness.  Bon- 

diid. 
Lacho,fem.  Lachi,  adj.  Good. 

Bueno.  Hin.  Achchha.  Sans. 

Ruchira  (beautiful.) 
Lacro,  s.  m.  Servant.    Criado. 

Sans.  Loka   (a  man.)    Hin. 

Larka  (lad,  boy.) 
Lalo,  adj.   Red,  purple.    Rojo, 

purpureo.  Sans.  Lohita.  Pers. 

Lai. 
Lalore,  s.  m.      A  Portuguese. 

Portugues. 
Laloro,    Portugal     "  The   red 

land."   Tierra  bermeja,  i.  e. 

Portugal. 
Lanbar,  s.  m.  Law-suit.  Pleyto. 
Lanbio,   )  s.  Farming-man,  la- 
Lanbro,  )      bourer.  Aperador. 
Lanchicol,  s.m.  Charcoal-dust. 

Cisco. 
Landari,  s.f.  Ribbon    Cinta. 
Lanelar,  v.  a.  To  bring.  Traer. 

Hin.  Lana. 
Langar,  s.  m.  Coal,  Carbon. 
Lango,  adj.  Lame  Cojo.  Sans. 

Langa.  Pers.  Lang. 
Languear,  v.n.    To  limp.    Co- 

jear.   [Pers.  Langidan.] 
Languno,  s.  m.  Thigh.  Muslo. 
Languro,  s.  m.  Back-door.  Pos- 

tigo. 
Lao,  s.  m.     A  word.     Palabra. 

Sans.  Lapa  (speaking.)  Rus. 

Slobo.  See  Labelar. 
Larpa,  s.f.  A  blow.  Golpe. 
Lebate,  s.  m.  Flint.  Pedernal. 
Leberbena,  s.f.    Public    walk 

planted  with  elms.  Alameda. 
Legrente,  s.  m.  A  gallant.  Ga- 

ldn. 
Lei,  s.  m.  The  world.  Mundo. 
Lembresque,  s.f.    Lie,   error. 

Mentira. 
Lemitre,  v.  Limitren. 
Len,  s.f  River.  Rio. 
Lendriz,s./,  Partridge.  Perdiz. 
Leprefete,  s.  m.  Parsley.  Pere- 

ifl- 

Leprentero,  s.m.    Glazed  pan. 

Lebrillo. 
Lerenes,  s.  pi.  Letters.  Letras. 
Li,  s.f.  Paper,  a  letter.  Papel, 

carta.  Sans.  Li  pi. 
Libanar,  v.  a.  To  write.  Escri- 

bir.  Sans.  Likha.  Hin.  Likha. 
Libano.  5.  m.     Notary  Public. 

Escribano.     Sans.  Lipikara. 

Hin.  Likhunhara 
LiclirijS./.  Lantern.  Linterna. 


Liganda,  s.f  Tassel.  Borla. 

Liguerar,  v.  a.  To  carry.  Llevar. 

Lilibuto,  s.  m.  Sale,  despatch, 
bureau.  Despacho. 

Lillar,  v.  a.  To  take.  Tom;ir. 

Lillax,  pr.  n.  Thomas.  Tom.is. 
— This  is  one  of  the  many 
ridiculous  words  manufac- 
tured by  the  "Aficion"  of 
Seville.  Lillar,  in  Gypsy, 
signifying  "to take,"  in  Spa- 
nish Tomar,  they,  by  slight- 
ly modifying  the  word,  have 
attempted  to  make  it  serve 
for  "Tomas,"  or  "  Thomas:" 
whereby,  unwittingly,  they 
have  converted  an  Apostle 
into  a  thief  or  shop-lifter; 
for  such  is  Lillax,  according 
to  the  principle  of  the  Gypsy 
tongue.  In  like  manner,from 
Lon,  "  salt,"  in  Spanish  Sat, 
they  have  coined  Londilla 
for  "  parlour,"  because  in 
Spanish  it  is  called  Sala ; 
whereas  the  proper  meaning 
of  Londilla  is  a  "  salt-cellar." 

Lilo,  s.m.  Fool,  madman.  Loco. 
Sans.  Ligu.  Mod.  Gr.  lialoq. 

Lima,  s.f.  Wood.  Lena. 

Lima,  s.f.  Shirt.  Camisa. 

Limbidiar,  )  v.a.n.  To  return. 

Linbidiar,  5      Volver. 

Limitren,  s.  m.  Monday.  Lunes. 

Limutra,5./.  Public  walk.  Ala- 
meda. 

Linaste,  s. m.  Motive.  Motivo. 
^1  s.  to.     Fool,  igno- 

Lipendi,     I    rant  person.  Ton- 

Lilipendi,  f  to,ignorante.Jlforf. 
J    Gr.  XujkortaiSu). 

Liquia,5./.  Nit.  Liendre.  Sans. 
Liksha.  Hin.  Leikh. 

Lirenar,  v.  a.  To  read.  Leer. 

Lirestres,  s.pl.  Letters.  Letras. 

Liri,  s.f.  Law.  Ley. 

Lirione,  adj.  Light.  Lijero. 

Liripio,  s.  m.  Lead.  Plomo. 
Sans.  Trapula. 

Listrabar,   ~)v.  a.    To  free.  Li- 

Listramdr,  )      bertar,  librar. 

Listrabea,  s.f  Livery.  Librea. 

Liter, s.  m. Inscription.  Letrero. 

Litinguagi,  s.f.  Dispute,  law- 
suit. Pleyto. 

Lofi,  s.f.  Navel.  Ombligo. 

Lole,  >6\m.    Love  apple.    To- 

Lolo,  5      n)ate. 

Lombardo,  s.  m.  Lion,  the  pro- 
vince of  Leon.  Leon.  Vid. 
Bombardo. 

Lon,  s.f.  Salt.  Sil.  Sans.  La- 
vana.  Hin.  Lon. — Haperado 
la  lon  chingaripcn,  "  the  salt 
of  quarrel  has  fallen;"  a 
proverbial  expression  of  the 
Gypsies  when  they  chance 
to  drop  salt,  which  they  con- 
sider to  be  a  prognostic  ol 
strife. 

Londe,  prep.  For.  by.  Por. 

Londilla, 5./.  Parlour,  hall.  Sal:i. 

Lon  done,  .v.  to.  Englishman.  In- 
•rlos. — This  word  is  derived 
from  "  London,"  which  the 
Spaniards  in  general  consi 


134 


THE  ZIXCALI. 


der  to  be  synonymous  with 
England. 

Longono,  s.  m.  Comfort.  Con- 
suelo. 

Lorampio,  s.m.  A  watch.  Re- 
lox. 

Lore,  s.m.  Gnat.  Mosquito. 

Loria,  s  f  The  sea.  El  mar. 
Pers.  Darya,  from  the  Sans. 
Toyjadhi. 

Loriazo,  s.  m.  March.  Marzo. 

Luandar,  v.  a.  To  hang  up, 
weigh.  Colgar. 

Luas,  s.pl.  Pesetas,  coins.  Pe- 
setas. 

Lucali,  s.f.  The  river  Gua- 
diana. — La  Guadiana. — This 
word  seems  to  be  derived 
from  Jubdl,  q.  v. 

Luchardo,  s.  m.  Steel  for  strik- 
ing fire.  Eslabon. 

Luchipen,  s.f.  Cliff,  declivity. 
Cuesta. 

Lucrarre,  s.  Large  jar.  Tinaja. 

Luey,s.  m.  Wolf.  Lobo.  Greek, 
XvKog.   [Fr.  Loup.] 

Luli,  s.f.  Basket.  Espuerta. 
Hin.  Duliya. 

Lumi,       } 

Lumia,      S  s.f  Harlot.  Ramera. 

Lumiaca,  } 

Lunberu.  s.  m.  Lantern.  Farol. 

Luno,  s.m.  Sickle.  Hoz.  Sans. 
Lavanaka,  Lavana. 

Luquindone,5.m.  Cypress-tree. 
Cipres. 

Lurco,  s.  m.  Well.  Pozo. 

Luriandez,  s.f.  Thunder.  True- 
no.  It  is  probable  that  this 
word  sprung  from  the  same 
root  as  the  Celtic  Daran, 
which  it  very  much  resem- 
bles :  which  root  seems  to 
have  been  the  Sanscrit  In- 
dra,  from  which  the  Gothic 
"thunder,"  "  donner,"  &c, 
are  more  immediately  de- 
rived. Lur,  in  old  Danish, 
signifies  "  a  horn." 

Luricani,  s.f.  Guest-house.  Po- 
sada. 

Lluslu,  s.  m.  Water-parsnep. 
Berro. 

M. 

Maas,  s.f  Meat,  flesh.  Came. 
Sans.  Mansa.  Rus.  Miaso. 

Maasengoro,  s.  m.  A  butcher. 
Carnicero. 

Maasquero,  s.  m.  Shambles, 
public  market-place.  Carni- 
ceria,  pkiza  publica. 

Macache,  adj.  Dull.  Torpe. 

Macolotende,  s.  m.  The  abode 
of  the  fish,  i.  e.  the  sea.  El 
mar. — This  word  is  com- 
pounded from  the  Sanscrit 
Machchha  (fish)  and  Alaya 
(abode,)  and  is  one  of  those 
beautiful  metaphorical  terms 
for  the  great  deep  with 
which  "the  divine  language" 
abounds. 

Macota,  s.f  Drop.  Gota. 

Madia,  s.f  Fly.  Mosca.  Sans. 
Makshilu. 


Machican,  )  .  ,-,  .    r,4n  J 

Machico,  J'.w-ACat.Galo. 

Machingano,    ")s.m.  A  drunk- 

Machargarno,  5  ar(k  Borracho. 

Machiro,  s.  m.  Witness.  Tes- 
tigo. 

Macho,  s.m.  Fish.  Pez.  Sans. 
Machchha.  Hin.  Muchee. 

Machunu,  s.f.  Fish-market. 
Pescaderia. 

Madoy,  s.  m.  A  clove  for  eat- 
ing. Clavo  de  comer. 

Majara,  adj.  Half,  middle.  Me- 
dio. Sans.  Madhya. 

Majara-chibel,  s.  Mid-day.  Me- 
diojia.   Sans.  Divamadhya. 

Majares,  s.  m.  pi.  The  saints. 
Los  santos. 

Majari,  s.f.  The  beatic  one,  i.  e. 
The  Virgin.  La  Virjen. 

MeLJ9.ro,  adj.  Holy.  Santo.  Mod. 
Gr.  iiaxaqioq. 

Mai,  5.  m.  Comrade.  Compa- 
nero. 

Malabar,  v.  a.  To  rob.  Robar. 
Sans.  Malucha. 

Maluno,  s.  m.  Lightning.  Re- 
lampago.  Sans.  Mahotka. 
Rus.  Molnia. 

Mamucha,  s.f  Short  carbine. 
Tercerola. 

Man,  pron.  pers.  1.  Io.  Pers. 
Man. 

Manchin,  s.  m.  Treasure.  Te- 
soro. 

Manclay,  s.  m.  Prince.  Prin- 
cipe. Sans.  Madanalaya. 

Manclay i,  s.f  Princess.  Prin- 
cesa. 

Mancon,  5.  m.  Hedge-hog.  Eri- 
zo.  Mod.  Gr.  sxiv°S' 

Mandela,  s.f  Cloak.  Capa. 

Mang,  s.f  Meat,  flesh.  Carne. 
Vid.  Maas.  Hin.  Mans. 

Mangue,  the  accusative  of  the 
pron.  pers.  Man.  El  acusa- 
tivo  del  pro.  pers.   Man. 

Manguelar,  v.  a.  n.  To  entreat, 
beg.  Pedir,  rogar.  Sans.  Va- 
nika  (beggar.)  Hin.  Mangna. 

Manpori,  s./.  Tail.  Cola. 

Manricli,  s.f.  Kind  of  cake. 
Torta. 

Manro,  s.  m.  Bread.  Pan.  In 
the  Gypsy  dialect  of  Eng- 
land, Morro.    Hin.  Roti. 

Manronas,  s.pl.  Bags  (for 
bread.)    Alforjas. 

Mansenquere.s./.  Meat,  flesh. 
Carne.   Vid. Maas,  mane. 

Mantroji,  s.f.  Wrist.  Mufie- 
ca 

Manu,      )  s.  in.  Man.  Flombre. 

Manupe,  )  From  the  Sans. 
Manu.  i.  e.  Menu,  "  the  first 
man,  "  the  creator  of  the 
world,"  and  "  the  giver  of 
political  institutes." 

Manus,  s.  m.  A  man.  Hombre. 
In  this  form  it  is  likewise 
found  in  the  Sans.  Manasha. 
Hin.  Manus. 

Manusalo,  adj.  Valiant,^  pow- 
erful. Valiente.  poderoso. 

Manusardi,  .•>•./.  Woman. Mujer. 
Sans.  Manushi. 


Maqueo,  s.  m.    Halter.   Cabes- 

tro.   Arab.  Mekwad  (rope  ) 
Marabear,  v.  a.   To  grind.  Mo- 

ler. 
Maramfios,  s.  m.  Fennel.    Hi- 

nojo. 
Manir,  v.  a.  To  kill.   Matar. 
Maraol,  s.m.    Assassin.     Ase- 

sino. 
Marcuri, s.m.  Cat.  Gato.  Sans. 

Marjara. 
Marelar,  v.  a.   To  kill.    Matar. 

Pers.  Mirandan. 
Marmulli,s./.  Wax.  Cera.  Pers. 

Mum. 
Marmuya,  s.f.  Ball.  Bala. 
Maru,  s.  m.  Man.  Hombre.  Pers. 

Mard. 
Mastronges,s.  pi.  Wrists.  Mu- 

necas. 
Masune,  s.  Skirt.  Falda. 
Masvaro,  s.  m.     Flesh-market. 

Plaza  de  la  carne. 
Matipen,  s.f      Drunkenness. 

Borracheria.    Sans,  Madi  (to 

make  drunk.)  Pers.  Masti. 
Mato,  adj.  and  part.    Drunk, 

drunken.  Borracho. 
Matobar,  v.  a.    To   intoxicate. 

Emborrachar.    Mod.    Greek, 

Matogarno,  s.  m.  Drunkard. 
Borracho. 

Meelfa,  5./.  Measure.  Medida. 

Melalo,  s.  m.  A  measure  of 
wine,  a  drunkard.  Medida 
de  vino  :  tambien,  borracho. 

Meligrana,  s.f  A  pomegranate, 
The  city  of  Granada,  Gra- 
nada fruta,  tambien,  la  ciu- 
dad  de  Granada.  From  the 
Italian,  Melagrana. 

Men,  pron.  pos.  Mine.  Mi. 

Men,  s.  Person,  honour.  Per- 
sona, honor. — Su  men  "your 
lordship."  Usted.  From  the 
Sans.  Mana  (to  honour,  re- 
spect.) 

Menbrerico,  s.m.  Purgatory. 
Purgatorio. 

Mencha,  s.f  Pudendum  fe 
minse.  Hin.  Chicha. 

Menda,  pron.  pers.  I.  Io. 

Menderi,  s.f.  Phial.  Limeta. 

Mendesqucro,  adv.  Less.  Mo- 
nos. 

Mensalle,  S.f.  Table.  Mesa. 

Mequelar,  v.  a.  To  leave,  let 
go.  Dejar.  Sans.  Moksha. 
Moorish,  Ihalli. 

Merdipen,  s.f.  Wound.  Ma- 
tad  ura. 

Merdo,  adj.    Sick.   Enfermo. 

Mericha,  s.f.  Bushel.  Fanegn. 

Mericlen,  s.f  Yard,  court 
Corral. 

Merinao,  adj.  An  immortal. 
Suns.  Marut. 

Meripen.  s.f.  Death.  Muerte. 
Sans.  Mar  an  a.  Arab.  Maradz. 

Mermelli,  s.f.  A  taper.  Vela. 

Mestepen,  s /.  Life.  Vida. 

Mesiina.s./.  Guest-house.  Po- 
sada. 

Milan,  s.  m.  One  thousand.  Mil. 

Miliyo,  s.  m.   Heart.  Corazun. 


VOCABULARY  OP  TIIEIR  LANGUAGE. 


13; 


Milla,  5./.     League.    Legua. 

Pers.  Mil. 
Minchabar,  v.  a.    To  produce, 

bring  forth.  Parir. 
Minchi,  s.f.    Pudendum  femi- 

nse.    In  the  English  dialect, 

Mitcld.  Sans.  Madanayadha. 
Minchoro,  s.  m.    The  bully  of 

a  prostitute.     El  querido,  6 

rufian  de  una  mujer  publica. 
M\nrio,pron.  poss.  Mine.  Mio. 
Minrricla,s./.    Cloud.    Nube. 

Sans.  Mudira. 
Mirindia,  adv.     In   the  mean- 
while. Mientras. 
Mistos,  adv.  Well.  Bien. 
Mochi,  s.f.  Doublet.  Coleto. 
Mochique,  5.  Mallet.  Mazo. 
Mo\,  s.m.  Wine.  Vino.  A  pure 

Persian  word. 
Mollati.  s.f.  Grape.  Uva. 
Monborico,  s.  and  adj.    Violet. 

Morado. 
Monrabar,  v.  a.  To  clip,  shear. 

Esquilar.   Vid.  Munrabar. 
Monro,  s.m.  A  friend.  Amigo, 

Sans.  Vandhu. 
Morchas.s.  Skin,  hide.  Pellejo. 

Hin.  Mushk. 
Morquilen,  s.  m.  Mentula. 
Moscabis,   adj.      Enamoured. 

Enamorado. 
Mostarban,  s.  m.    A  traveller. 

Viajante.  Arab.  Mosafer. 
Mostipelo,  s .  m.     Farm-house. 

Cortijo. 
Mu,  pron.  pers.  pi.    We,  our- 
selves. Nosotros. 
Muchi,  s.f.  Spark.  Chispa. 
Muchobelar,  v.  a.     To   wash. 

Lavar.  Vid.  Chobelar.  Sans. 

Marjju. 
Muclar,  v.n.     To   hold   one's 

tongue.   Callar. 
Muclar,  v.  n.    To  void  urine. 

Orinar. 
Mui,  s.f.    Mouth,  face.    Boca, 

cara.    De  mamui.    In  front, 

De    fr£nte.     Sajis.   Mukha. 

Hiii.  Mukh. 
Mulani,  adj.   Sad.  Triste. 
Mulati,  s.f.  The  gallows.  Horca. 
Mule  16,  adj.  Mortal.  Mortal. — 

Crejete  mulela, "  mortal  sin."  i 

Pecado,  "mortal." 
Mulo,  s.  m.  A  dead  man.  Mu- 

erto.  Pers.  Mordah. 
Munela,  s.f.  Cap.  Gorra. 
Munrabar, ©.a.  To  clip,  shear. 

Esquilar. 
Munrabador,  s.  m.    A  shearer. 

Esquilador. 
Muquelar,z?.a.  To  leave,  aban- 
don. Dejar.   Vid.  Mequilar. 
Murcia,  s.f.  Arm.  Brazo. 
Murciales,  s.pl.  Arm3.  Brazos. 
Murciali,  s.f.    A  sweet  drink 

of  wine,  water,  sugar,  &c. 

Mistela. 
Mureo,  s.  m.  A  wall.  Pared. 
Murmo 
Murno. 


}odj. 


Dear.  Caro. 


Mus,  conj.  But, yet.  Pero.  [Fr. 

Mnis.] 
Musile,  adj.   Dumb.  Mudo. 
Musley,  s.  m.  Lamp.  Candil. 


Mustiiiar,  v.  a.  To  extract,  pull 

out.  Saciir. 
Mutrar,  v.n.    To  void   urine. 

Orinar.     Sans.  Mutra.    Hin. 

Mutna. 

N. 
Na,  adv.    No.   Sans,  and  Pers. 

Na.  [Welsh  and  A.  Sax.  id.] 
Nacar,  v.n.  To  pass.  Pasar. 
Nacardelar,  v.  a.  To  read.  Leer. 
Nacicar,  v.  a.  To  grind,  whet. 

Amolar. 
Nacle,  s.f.  Fire.  Candela. 
Nafre,  s.  m.  Thread.   Hilo. 
Naguerindoy,  s.f.     Idle     dis- 
course, conversation.     Con- 

versacion. 
Najabar,  v.  a.  To  lose.  Perder. 

Sans.  Nakka  (to  destroy.) 
Najar,  v.n.  To  flee.  Huir.  Hin. 

Nathna. 
Najipen,  s.f.     Loss,  perdition. 

Perdida,  perdicion. 
Najira,  s.f.  Banner,  Bandera. 
Nanai,  adv.  No. 
Nansu,o.f/j.  Pleasant.  Chvisco. 
Nao,  s.m.     Name.      Nombre. 

[Welsh  Enw.] 
Naquelar,  v.  n.  To  pass.  Pasar. 

Vid.  Nacar.  * 
Naqui,s./.  Nostril.  Nariz.  Sans. 

Narkudaka.  Hin.  Nakh. 
Nardian,  adv.  Never.  Nunca. 
Narsichisle,  s.  m.      A    dwarf. 

Enano.    Sans.  Nara  (man,) 

Nichais  (low.) 
Nasalo,arfj.    Sick,  infirm.  En- 

fermo. 
Nasallipen,  s.f.  Sickness.  En- 

fermedad.  Mod.  Gr.voaivf.ia. 
Nasti,  adv.  No. 
Nastibre,  s.m.  November.  No- 

viembre. 
Nasula,  s.f.  The  evil  eye.  Mai 

de  ojo. 
Nausardan,  adj.  Vile.  Vil. 
Ne,  adv.   No,  not.  Sans.  Nahi. 
Nebel,  adj.  New.  Nuevo.  Sans. 

Navina. 
Nebo,  adj.  New.  Nuevo.  Sans. 

Nava. 
Nebor6,a</;.  Small. young.  Pe- 

queno, joven. 
Necaute,  adj.    None,  not  one. 

Ningun. 
Nicabar,  v.  a.   To  take  away, 

steal.  Quitar,  robar. 
Nichobelar,  v.n.    To   appear. 

Parecer. 
Niguillar,  v.  n.  To  go  out.  Salir. 

Hin.  Nikulna. 
Nililo,  s.  m.  Turkey,  peacock. 

Pavo. 
Ninelo,  s.  m.  Fool,  ninny.  Tonto. 
Nislo,   adj.      Prompt,     quick. 

Pronto. 
Nivel,  s.f.  Ray.  Raya. 
Nonabar,  v.  n.    To  swim.    Na- 

dar. 
Nonrro,  pron.  poss.  Our.  Nues- 

tro. 
Noques,  s.  pi.  Horns.  Cuernos. 

Has.  Roger. 
Norical,  s.  Snail.  Caracol. 
Norungarse,  v.r.  To  be  angry. 

Enojarse. 


Norungy,  adj.    Angry.    Eno- 

jadov 
Nostaro,  s.  m.  Small  coin.  Cu- 

artillo. 
Nostu, s.m.  Small  coin.  Cuarto. 
Noyme,n.^r.  Noah.  No6. 
Nu,  pron.  vers.  ace.  sin.  Me.  Me. 
Nu,  adj.  Nine.   Nucve.    Pers. 

Nuh. 
Nuca,  5./.  Mother-in-law.  Sue- 

gra. 
Nunutibe,  s.  m.  July.  Julio. 
Nutib6,  s.  m.  June.  Junio. 

O. 

O,  art.  dcf.    The.  El.— ex.  gr. 

"Ocan,"  The  sun.  El  sol. 
O,  pron. pers.  He.  El.  Pers.  O. 
Oben,  s.      Winter.      Invierno. 

Sans.  Haimana. 
Obiserna,^./.  Scabbard.  Vayna. 
Ocajanaycha,5./.  Hut.  Cabana. 
Ocana,  s.f.  Hour.  Hora. 
Ocanagimia,  s.f.  Prayer.  Ora- 

cion. 
Ochardilo,  s.  m.      Permission. 

Licencia.  Hin.  Choottee. 
Ochi,  s.f.   Soul,  spirit.    Alma, 

espiritu.  Hin.  Jee. 
Ochipa,s./.  Fortune.  Fortiina. 
Ochon,  s.  m.  Month.  Mes. 
Oclajita,  s.f.  Estate.  Hacienda. 
Oclaye,  5.772.  King.  Rey. 
Oclinde,<wfo.  Then.  Entonces. 
Ocrianse,  s.  Ant.  Hormiga. 
Odisilo,  s.  m.  Vice.  Vicio. 
Odoros,  5.  pi.    Jealous  fancies. 

Zelos. 
Ogomo,  s.  m.   Stomach.  Esto- 

mago.    Sans.  Anga   (bod v.1) 

ml  ojh.         *V.T' 

Ojabesar,?j.a.  To  pardon.  Per- 

donar. 
Ojarar,  v.  n.      To   remember. 

Acordar. 
Ojomon,  s.  m.  Stomach.  Esto- 

mago. 
Olacerar,  v.  n.  To  cost.  Costar. 
Olajay,  s.f.  Curse.  Maldicion. 
01ebarachi,s/.  Midnight.  Me- 

dianoche. 
Oleria,  s.f.  Roof-tile.  Teja. 
Olibias,  s.pl.    Stockings.    Me- 

dias.  Rus.  Obubh  (shoes  and 

stockings.) 
OKcha,  s  f.  Street.  Calle.  Vid. 

Ulicha. 
Olilo,  s.  m.  Heart.  Corazon. 
Ollarub,  s.  m..  Wolf.  Lobo. 
Oltarique,  s.  m.  Plain.  Campo. 
Olune,  s.  Sickle.  Hoz. 
Oman,  5.  m.    Hole,  pit.    Hoyo, 

agujero.    Sans.  Avada.  Rus. 

Obman  (deceit,  artifice.) 
Omito,  s.m.  Farrier.  Albeytar. 
On,  prep.  In.  En. 
Onchullao,  adj.     Having    the 

dropsy.  Hidropico. 
Onchullar,  v.n.v.a.    To  grow 

fat,  to  fatten.  Engordilr. 
Ondila,  s.f   Win<r.  Ala. 
Ondinamo,  s. m.  Elm.  Alamo. 
Ondoba,  pron.  dcm.  This.  Estc. 
Ondolay a, pron. pers.  ft m.  She. 

Ella. 
Ondole, pron.  pers.  mas.  He.  El. 


136 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Ondoquel,  pron.  dem.     That. 

Aquel. 
Onrrcs,  s.f.  Skirt.  Falda. 

Operisa,  s.f  Salad.  Ensalada. 

Opoy,s.  Pupil  of  the  eye.  Nina 
del  ojo. 

Opre,  adv.  Above.  Encima. 
Hin.  Ooupur.   Gr.  vticq. 

Opucher,  s.f.  Occasion.  Oca- 
sion. 

Or.   Vid.O. 

Oranpion.  s.m.  Watch.  Reloj. 

Orasta,  s.f.  Play,  comedy. 
Comedia. 

Or-bajando,  s.  m.  Drum.  Tam- 
bor.  Literally,  the  thing  that 
is  touched  or  beaten.  Vid. 
Pajabar. 

Orcajaiii,  s.f.  ('age.  Jaula. 

Orchiri,  s.f.  Beauty.  Hermo- 
sura. 

Orfi,s/.  Fig.  Higo.  Sans. 
Avarohin. 

Orioz,  s.m.  Wolf.  Lobo. 

Orobar,  v.  n.  To  weep.  Llorar. 
Sans.  Ruda.  Hin.  Rowuya 
(weeping.) 

Orobrero, s.m.  Thought.  Pen- 
samiento. 

Orocana,  s.f.  Foot-path. Senda. 

Orondar,  v.  a.  To  seek.  Bus- 
car. 

Oropate,  s.f.  Ant.  Hormiga. 

Oropatia,  s.f.  Leaf.  Hoja.  Pro- 
bably from,  the  Sanscrit  com- 
pound Gurupatra  (large  leaf.) 

Oropatiara,  interject.  God  grant. 
Ojala. 

Oropendola,  s.f.  Will.  Volun- 
tad. 

Oropera,s./.  Company.  Com- 
pania. 

Oropielar,  v.  a.  To  suck  the 
breast.  Mamar. — Coin  ne 
orobiela  ne  oropiela,  "  He 
who  does  not  weep,  does  not 
suck. —  Gypsy  Proverb. 

Orosque,  s.  m.  Copper.  Cobre. 
Properly,  Brass.  Sans.  Ara- 
kuda. 

Orotar,  v.  a.  To  seek.  Buscar. 
Vid.  Orondar. 

Orpachirima,5./.  Patience.  Pa- 
ciencia. 

Ortalame,  s.  m.  Plain,  field. 
Campo. 

Orteli,  s./.  Love.  Amor. 

Oruji,s./.  Rind,husk.  Cascara. 

Orzica,  s.f  Harlot.  Ramera. 

Ospanto,  5.W.  Pompion,  cala- 
bash. Calabaza 

Ospesimia,  s.f.  Spice.  Especia. 

Ostabar,  v.  a.  Rob.  Robar. 

Ostalique,  s.  Plain,  field.  Campo. 

Oste,  tit.  hon.  Your  worship. 
Usted.  pi.  Ostelende. 

0stebel,5.m.  God.  Dios.  Vid. 
Debel. 

Ostelinda,  s.f.  Goddess,  the 
Virgin.  Diosa,  la  Virgen. 

Ostelc,     ?fld;vHnd"»be1^- 
Ostely',     \     tzstl 
Ostil'ir,  v.  a.  To  rob.  Robar. 
Ostilador,  s.m.    Robber,  thief. 
Ladron. 


Ostinar,r.  a.  n.  To  awake.  Des- 

pertar. 
Ostor,  adj.  Eight.  Ocho. 
Ostord i.,adj.  Eighty.  Ochenta. 

Pers.  Hashtad. 
Osuncho,  s.  m.  Pleasure.  Placer. 
Osune,  adj.  Obscure,  dark.  Os- 

curo. 
Otal,  5.  m.    The  heavens.     El 

cielo. 
Otan,  adv.  Already.  Ya. 
Otarpe,  s.m.  The  heavens.  El 

cielo. 
Ote,  adv.  There,  yonder.  Alii, 

alia.  Hin.  Uthe. 
Otembrolilo,  s.  m.    Heart.  Co- 

razon. 
Otoba, pron. dem.  That.  Aquel. 
Otollojo,  adj.  Tame.  Manso. 
Oto,  adj.     Eight.   Ocho.     Vid. 

Ostor. 
Otorbar,  s.  m.    October.  Octu- 

bre. 
Oygue,  s.  m.    Lodging  for  sol- 
diers. Cuartel. 
Ozandi,  s.f.    Hempen  sandal. 

Alpargata. 

P. 

Pa,  prep.  For.  Para. 

Pacuaro,  adj.  Handsome,  pret- 
ty. Bonito. — The  Gypsies 
have  a  trick,  which  they 
employ  when  they  wish  to 
get  rid  of  an  animal  with  an 
ugly  neck  and  head :  they 
place  him  in  an  attitude  by 
which  his  ugliness  is  partly 
concealed  from  the  chapman, 
which  they  call.De  pacuaro. 
The  word  is  pure  Persian, 
Pacru.  [Lat.  Pule  her.] 

Pachabelar,  v.  a.  To  believe. 
Creer.  Sans.  Puja  (to  reve- 
rence.) 

Pachandra,  s.f.  The  festival  of 
Easter.  Pascua. 

Pacharracar,r.  a.  To  sow.  Sem- 
brar. 

Pacbatrar,  v.  a.  To  pound, 
break  to  pieces.  Machacar. 

Pachi,  s.f.  Modesty,  honour, 
virginity.  Verguenza,  virji- 
nidad.  Suns.  Puja. 

Pachibalo,  adj.  Honest,  ho- 
nourable. Honrado. 

Pachibar,0.a.  To  honour.  Hon- 
rar.  Rus.  Pachitat. 

Paehimaehi,  s.f.  Foot  and  leg. 
Pata. 

Pachuno,  adj.  Modest,  bashful. 
Vergonzoso. 

Paillo,  5.  m.  One  who  is  not  a 
Gypsy.  El  que  ne  es  Jita.no. 

Pajabar.  v.  a.  To  touch,  feel. 
Tocar,  tentar.    Sans.  Pricha. 

Pajanbo,  s.f.  Temptation.  Ten- 
tacion. 

Pajandi,5./.  Guitar.  Guilarra. 
Literally,  Tbe  thing  that  is 
touched  or  played  upon. 

Paiardo,  *.  m.  Watch.  Reloj. 

Pajilaa,  s.  A  ball.  Peldta. 

Paiin,*./.  Part.  Parte.  Sans. 
Paksha. 

Pajorias,  s.pl.  Ribs.  Costillas. 


Pajumi,  s.f.  Flea.  Pulga. 

Palabear,  v.  a.  To  shave.  Afetar. 
Sans.  Palyula  (to  cut.) 

Palal,  adv.  Behind.  Atras,  de- 
tras. 

Palard.   Vid.  Pajardo. 

Palchandra,s./.  Carnival.  Car- 
nestolendas. 

Paldum,5.  m.  Hunchback.  Jo- 
robado. 

Palife,  adj.  Exquisite.  Esqui- 
sito.  Sans.  Pelava  (delicate.) 

PalomiaSjS.pf.  Hips.  Caderas. 

Paluli,  s.f.  Acorn.  Bellota. 
Pers.  Palid.  Arab.  Ballut. 

Paluno,  s.  in.  A  wood,  farm- 
house. Bosque,  tambien  cor- 
lijo.  Sans.  Palla  (kind  of 
sbed.) 

Panchabar,  Vid.  Pachabelar. 

Pa.nche, adj.  Five.  Cinco.  Pers. 
Panj. 

Pancherdi,  adj.  Fifty  Cincu- 
enta. 

Pandar,  v.  a.  Vid.  Pandelar. 

Pandela,  s.f.  Frying-pan.  Sar- 
ten.  Jta/.  Padella. 

Pandelar,  v.  a.  To  enclose,  to 
tie,  to  shut.  Atar,  cerrar. 
Sans.  Vandha.  Pers.  Pay- 
wandan. 

Pandipen,  s.m.  Dungeon,  pri- 
son. Calabozo,  carcel- 

Panelar,  v.  n.  To  leap,  jump. 
Saltar.  Sans.  Plava. 

Pani,  s.f.  Water.  Agua.  Sans. 
Paniya,  Pavana.  Hin.  Panic 

Paniscaia,5./.  Water-melon. — 
Sandia. 

Pansiberarse,  v.  r.  To  live  in 
concubinage.  Amancebarse. 

Pantaluno,s.  m.  A  Frenchman. 
Frances. — This  is  a  cant 
word,  and  not  Gypsy. 

Pani,  s.f.   Vid.  Pani. 

Papajoy,5./.  Parable.  Parabola. 

Paparuiii,  s.f.  Grandmother. 
Abuela. 

Papimia,  s.f.  Flea.  Pulga. 

Papiri,  5.   Paper.  Papel. 

Paque,  adv.  Near  at  hand. 
Cerca. 

Paquilli,  s.f  Silver.  Plata. 

Parabar,  v.  a.  n.  To  break.  Par- 
tir,  romper. 

Paraiii,  s.f.  Broom.  Escdba. 
Hin.  Burhni. 

Paratute,s.?rc.  Rest.  Descanso. 
Sans.  Parajata  (adopted,  nou- 
rished.) 

Parauco,  *.  m.  Care.  Cuidado. 
See  the  last. 

Parbarar,  v.  a.  To  nurse,  edu- 
cate. Criar.  Sans.  Parajata 
(adopted.)   Pers.  Parwardan. 

Parbaraura,  s.f.  A  child,  in- 
fant.  Criatuni. 

Pare  hand  i,5./.  Easter.  Pascua. 
Vid.  Pachandra. 

Parcbandrero, adj.  Ragged, slo- 
venly. Dospilfarrado. 

Parcharique,  adj.  Obstinate. 
Port! a  do. 

Tardy,  s.f.  Tinder.  Yesca. 

Pariolar,  v.  n.  To  rage.  Uabi;ir. 

Paripen,  s.  m.  Danger.  Peligro. 


VOCABULARY  OP  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


137 


Pnrlacha,  s.f.  Window.  Ven- 
tana. 

Parlaora,  s.f.  A  letter.  Car- 
ta. 

Parne,  s.  m.  White  or  silver 
money.  Dineros  blancos,  i.  e. 
De  plata. 

Parno,  adj.  White.  Blanco. 
Sans.  Pandu. 

Paroji,  s.f.  Leaf.  Hoja. 

Parracha,  s.f.  Wave.  Onda. 

Parrotobar,  v.  n.  To  fast.  Ayu- 
nar. 

Parta,  s.f.  Ribbon.  Cinta. 

Parugar,  v.  a.  To  exchange, 
barter.  Cambiar.  trocar.  Sans. 
Parivatta  (exchange,)  Para- 
spara  (interchanging.) 

Paruipen,5.  m.  Exchange,  bar- 
ter. Cambio. 

Paruni,  s.f.  Grandmother.  Abu- 
ela. 

Pas,  adj.  Half.  Medio.  Pas- 
chibe,  Half-day,  i.  e.  Noon, 
Medio-dia.  In  like  manner, 
the  English  Gypsies  say,Pas- 
korauni,  "Half-a-crown,"  &c. 

Pasabia,  5./.  Strength.  Fuerza. 

Pas-callico,  s.  m.  The  day  after 
to-morrow.    Pasadomanana. 

Pas-pile,  Half  drunk.  Medio 
borracho. 

Pasque,  s.f.  The  half.  Mitad. 
Sans.  Bhaga. 

Pastia,5./.  Frog.  Rana.  [Arab. 
Dzafda'.] 

Pastimache,  s.  .  Footstep.  Pi- 
sada. 

Pu3uno,  s.m.  Farm-house. 
Cortijo. 

Pa,tupire,5.  Staircase.  Escalera. 
Sans.  Pad  (a  foot) 

Pavi,  s.f  Nostril.  Nariz. 

Pea,  s.f.  Chair,  Saddle.  Silla. 

Pebuldorico,  adj.  Catholic.  Ca- 
tolico. — Cangri  Pebuldorica 
y  Rebuldorica,  "  Catholic 
and  Apostolic  Church." 

Pecalis,  s.f.  French  silk.  Seda. 
Francesa. 

Pechisla,  s.  m.  Sexton.  Sacris- 
tan. 

Peco,  adj.  Roasted.  Asado. 
Sans.  Pakka  from  Pacha  (to 
cook.)  Pers.  Pokhtan.  Rus. 
Petsch  (oven.) 

Pelanbru,  s.f.  Pen.  Plurna. 

Pele,  s.pl.  Eggs,  the  genitals. 
Huevos,  los  jenitales.  Sans. 
Pela. 

Pen,  A  particle  frequently 
used  in  the  Gypsy  language 
in  the  formation  of  nouns ; 
e.g.Chungalipen,"  ugliness," 
or  "an  ugly  thing;"  in  which 
word  the  particle  Pen  is  af 
fixed  to  Ckungalo,  "  ugly." 
Una  particula  de  que  fre- 
cuentemente  se  sirve  en  Ji- 
tano  para  la  formacion  de 
substantives. 

Penar,  i.a.  To  say,  speak. 
Decir,  hablar.  Hin.  BoJna. 

Penchahar,©  n.  To  think.  Pen- 
sar.  Hin.  Bicharna. 

Pendar.   Vid.  Penar. 


Pendebre,  s.  m.  December.  Di- 
ci6mbre. 

Penebri,*./.  Root.  Rafz. 

Peniche,5.  m.  The  Holy  Ghost 
El  Espiritu  Santo.  Greek, 
Tlvev/xa. 

Penascoro,  )  5. m. Brandy.  Agu- 

Penaquero, )  ardiente  (fire- 
drink.)  Sans.  Pana  (drink- 
ing,) Agira  (fire.) 

Peiiaspe,  5.7n.  Blunderbuss. 
Trabuco. 

Pepedro,  s.  m.  Plain,  field.  Cam- 
po. 

Peperes,  s.  m.  Pepper.  Pimien- 
to.  Sans.  Pippali. 

Per,  prep.  For,  by.  Por. 

Perar,  v.  n.  To  fall.  Caer.  Hin. 
Purnar. 

Perbarar,  v.  a.  To  create.  Criar. 

Perbaraor,  s.  m.  Creator.  Cria- 
dor. 

Percara,^./.  Tongue.  Lengua. 

Perdine,  s.f.  Musket.  Escopeta. 

Perdineles,  s.  pi.  Musketeers. 
Escopeteros. 

Perdo,  adj.  Full.  Lleno. 

Perdobal,  s.m.  A  debauchee. 
Tunante. 

Perdoripe,  adj.  Full.  Lleno. 

Perelalo,  adj.  Full.  Lleno.  Sans. 
Purita. 

Perfine,  adj.  Necessary.  Pre- 
cise Mod.  Gr.  TiQenet. 

Pergenamiento,  5.  m.  Feeling, 
grief.  Sentimiento. 

Pergenar,  v.  a.  To  feel.  Sentir. 

Pergoleto,  s.  m.  Pilgrim.  Pere- 
grino. 

Perifuye,  s.m.  Worm,  rep- 
tile. 

Perindola,  s.f.  Ball.  Bola.  Sans. 
Parimandala,  Pinda.  Hin. 
Pinda. 

Peris,  n.p.  Cadiz. 

Perma,5./.  Yolk  of  Egg.  Yema. 

Pernasi,  s.f.    Salad.  Ensalada. 

Perpello,  s.m.  Calf.  Becerre. 

Perpelo,  s.  m.  Peach.  Mekco- 
ton. 

Perpeni,  s.f.    Bridge.  Fuente. 

Perpiche,  s.  m.  Cat.   Gato. 

Perplejo,  s.  m.  Fright.  Susto. 

Persibarao,  adj.  Lining  in  con- 
cubinage. Ama^cebado. 

Persibararse,  v.r.  To  live  in 
concubinage.  Amancebarse. 

Persifuye,  s.  m.  Worm,  reptile. 
Bicho.  Vid.  Perifuye. 

Persine,  adj.  Savage,  fierce. 
Bravo. 

Persos,  conjunc.  Because.  Por- 
que, 

Perto,  5.W.  Bolt.  Cerrojo. 

Pertraba,  s.f  Knapsack.  Mo- 
chila. 

Fespuro,  s.  m.  Pepper.  Pimi- 
ento. 

Pesquibar,  v.  a.  n.  To  taste,  en- 
joy. Gustiir. 

Pesquilar,r.  a.  To  deceive.  En- 
gaiiar 

Pesquital,  s.  m.  Pleasure.  Pla- 
cer, gusto. 

Petali,s./.  Horse-shoe.  Herra- 
dura.  Mud.  Gr.ntxaXuv. 

N 


Petallas,  s.pl.      Horse-shoes. 

Herraduras. 
Petalli,  s.f.   Lodging.  Posada. 

Mod.  Gr.  OTrijTt  (a  house.) 
Petano,  s.  m.  Calf.  Becerro. 
Petra,s./.  A  fall.  Caida.  Sans. 

Patayalu. 
Peujo,  5.771.    He-goat.     Macho 

cabrio. 
Pichibibi,5./.  Linnet.  Jilguero. 
Pichiscas,  s.f.     Cough.     Tos. 

Sans.  Vikshava.    Mod.   Gr. 

Pico,  5. 771.  Shoulder.  Hombro. 
Picon,  Tip.  La  Mancha. — This 

word  seems  to  belong  to  the 

Germania,  or  cant  dialect. 
Piltra,  s.f  Bed.  Cania. 
Pilvo,  adj.  Bald.  Calvo. 
Pincherar,  v.  a.  r.  To  know,  to 

be  acquainted  with.  Conocer. 

Hin.  Puh-channa. 
Pindorri,  s.f.    Girl,  lass.    Mu- 

chacha. 
Pindorro,  5.  m.   Boy,  lad.  Mu- 

chacho. 
Pindrabar.  v.  a.  To  open.  Abrir. 

Hin.  Bihurna. 
Pindro,  7  5. 7».     Foot.    Pie.  pi. 
Pinro,    5      Pinres.  [Sayis.  Pad.] 
Pinre-bustaro,  The  right  foot. 

El  derecho. 
Pinre-can,   The  left  foot.     El 

izquierdo. 
Pinnelar,t».a.  To  paint.  Pinttir. 
Pinpore,  5.  m.  Lip.  Labio. 
Pinsorra,  s.f.   Crab-louse.  La- 

dilla. 
Pipindorio,  n.p.  Antonio. 
Pipochi,  s.f.  Block,  stock.  Cepo. 
Pirabar.  v.  r.  a.  To  copulate,  to 

heat.  Copuliir,  calentar.  Mod. 

Gr.  nvooivia.     Sans.  Pallava 

(i'ove.) 
Pirando,  s.  m.  Lover,  libidinous 

person.   Amante,  hombre  li- 

bidonoso.  Sans.  Peiradarika. 
Pirar,  v.  n.    To  walk.    Andar. 

Properly,  To  fly.  Pers.  Pari- 

dan. 
Piri,  s.f.    Earthen  pot.     Olla. 

Sans.  Pithara. 
Piribicha,  s.f.    Female   lizard. 

Lagarta.   Vid.  Berbirincha. 
Piribicho,  5.  m.     Lizard.    La- 
gar  to. 
Piro,  5.771.     Foot.     Pie.      Vid. 

Pinro. 
Pisabais,  s.pl.  Buckles.  Hebil- 

las. 
Pispindi,5./.  Pepper-plant.  Pi- 

micnto. 
Pispiri,  s.f   Pepper.  Pimicnta. 
Pispirucha,  s.f.  Widow.  Viuda. 
Pista,  s.f.  Account.  Cuenta. — 

"  Dinar  pista,"  "  To  give  ac- 
count."  Dar  cuenta. 
Pita,  5./.  Drink,  beverage.  Be- 

bida.  Rus.  Pitic. 
Piuli,5./.  Widow.  Viuda.  Pers. 

Biwah. 
Piyar,  v.  a.    To  drink.    Beber. 

Sans.  Pivati.  Hi*.  Piya-k. 
Placo,  s.m.    Tobacco.  Tabaco. 

Literally,  Dust,  powder.  Rus. 

Prak. 


138 


THE  ZINCALI. 


,  ~)s.m.  Brother.  Herma- 
it  C  no.— The  first  of 
to,  j     these  words  is  nei- 


Plai,s./.  A  mountain.  Sierra, 
montana. 

Plajista,  s.  m.  Smuggler  of  to- 
bacco. Contrabandista  de  ta- 
baco. 

Plal,     ")  5.  m.  Brother.  Herma 

Plan 

Piano,  „ 
ther  more  nor  less  than  the 
English  Pal,  a  cant  expres- 
sion much  in  use  amongst 
thieves,  which  signifies  a 
comrade  or  brother  in  vil- 
lany. 

Plani,  s.f.  Sister.  Hermana. 
Sans.  Bhgani. 

Plasarar,  v.  a.  To  pay.  Pagar. 
Rus.  Platit. 

Plastariar,  v.  a.  To  follow,  to 
pursue.  Seguir.  Sans.  Pras- 
thana  (march.) 

Plastani,  s  f.  A  company,  a 
band  of  people  pursuing 
thieves.  Compania,  caterva 
que  sigue  a  ladrones. 

£J\ta'  Is.  Cloak.  Capa. 

Platamugion, ) 

Platesquero,s.ra.  Court.  Patio. 

Platilla,  s.f.  Straw.  Paja. 

Playi,s./.  Importunity.  Porfia. 

Plescari,  adj.  Clear.  Claro. 

Plubi,  s.f.  Silver.  Plafa  (pro- 
perly, Rupi.)   Sans.  Raupya. 

Flaco,adj.  Strange,  rude.  Fan- 
tastico,  basto.  Rus.  Plok. 

Po,5.m.  Belly.  Vientre. 

Poba,  s.f.  Apple.  Manzana. 
[Lat.  Pomum.] 

Poban6,s.ra.  Apple-tree.  Man- 
zano. 

p0„^aJ^DuC!lt'Du<!4d0- 

Polvorosa.s./.  Road,  way.  Ca- 
mino. — This  is  a  cant  ex- 
pression, and  does  not  pio- 
perly  belong  to  the  Gypsj 
language. 

Pomi,  s.f.  Silver.  Plata. 

Pondesquero,  s.m.  Pontiff,  chief. 
Pontifice,  cabo. 

Pondone,  s.  m.  Mattress.  Col 
chon. 

Poquinar,t5.a.  To  pay.  Pagar. 
Hin.  Pukrana. 

For,  s.f  Feather.  Pluma.  Pers. 
Par.  Rus.  Pero.  [He&.Ebher, 
pinion.] 

Porescaro,  s.  m.  Governor  of  a 
town.  Gobernadorde  ciudad. 
Sans.Fm'i  (city,)  Kara  (lord.) 

Pori,  s.f.  Tail.  Cola. 

Porias,s.  pi.  Bowels.  Entranas. 
Sans.  Puritat. 

Porsumi,  s.f.  Onion.  Cebolla. 

Pos,  s.  Belly.  Barriga.  [Rus. 
Puzo.   Ger.  Bauch.] 

Posilati,  adv.  Compulsively,  by 
force.  Por  fuerza. 

Postan,s.m.  Skin.  Pitt.  Pers. 
Pust.  Also,  Linen,  Lienzo. 
Properly,  The  skin  or  hide 
in  which  smuggled  goods 
are  wrapped. 

Postaiii,  s.f  Parcel  of  smug- 
gled goods    Contrabando. 

Posters. m.  Bosom.  P6cho. 


Posuno,s.m.  Courtyard.  Cor- 

rah 
Potosi,  s.      Bottomless   abyss. 

Abisimo  sin  fondo.  Vid.  Bu- 
tton. Also,  A  pocket,  Faltri- 

quera. 
Prachindo.  adj.    Dirty.  Sucio. 

From  the  Sans.  Raja  (dust.) 
Prasni,  s.f.    A  family,  a  tribe. 

Familia,  tribu.     Sans.  Pras- 

tita  (crowded,  swarming.) 
Pray,  s.f.  Mountain.  Montana. 

Vid.  Plai. 
Pre,  prep.  For.  Por. 
Prelumina,  s.f.  Week.  Semana. 
Presa s,conjunc.  Because.  Por- 

que. 
Presimelar,  v.  a.  To  begin.  Em- 

pezar.  Sans.  Prastavana  (be- 
ginning.) 
Prestani,  s.f.  Pasture-ground, 

meadow.  Dehesa. 
Prevarengue,5.  Hell.  Infierno. 

Sans.  Pratapana. 
Pritingina,5./.  Week.  Semana. 
Probosquero,  s.m.  Herald,  com- 
mon crier.  Pregonero. 
Prochibar,  v.  a.  To  offer.  Ofre- 

cer. 
Protobolar,  v.  a.   To  cure.   Cu- 

rar. 
Prulano,  s.  m.  Hedgehog.  Erizo. 
Prumi,  s.f.  Beard,  chin.  Barba. 
Prusiatini,  s.f.  Pistola. 
Pucanar,  v.  a.   Proclaim.  Pre- 

gonar.  Hin.  Pukarnar. 
Pucano,  s.  m.  Herald,  common 

crier.  Pregonero. 
Puchabar,  >  v.  a.    To  question. 
Pucharar,  $  Preguntar.  Prach- 

chha.  Hin.  Puchna. 
Puchel,  s.f.  Life.  Vida. 
Pujumi,  s.f.  Flea.  Pulga. 
Pul,s.m.    Abridge.    Puente. 

This  word  is  pure  Persian. 

Sans.  Pali. 
Pumen,  s.  m.  Shoulder.  Hom- 

bro. 
Putu,5./.  Trouble,  affliction.— 

Pexia. 
Punsa'oo,  s.  m.  Beak.  Pico. 
Pur,  adt.  When.  Cuando. 
Purelar,  e.n.  To  be  born.  Na- 

cer. 
Puro,  adj.   Old.    Viejo.    Sans. 

Pura.  Pers.  Pir. 
Pus,  s. m.    Strav.    Paja.   Hin. 

Bhusa. 
Pusabar,  v.  a.  To  prick.  Picar. 
Pusca,  s.f  Muskei.  Escopeta. 

Rus.  Pushca. 
Puscali,5./.  Pen,  feather.  Plu- 
ma. 
Putar,  s.  m.  Well.  Pozo.  Sans. 

Patala. 
Puy,  s.  Straw.  Paja. 

Q. 

Quejelano,  adj.    Open,   clear, 

unincumbered.  Raso. 
Quejeiia,  s.f.     Custom-house. 

Aduana. 
Qucjosa,^./.  Silk.  S6da.  Sans. 

Kauseya. 
Quelalla,  s.f.   Egg-plant.    Be- 

rengena. 


Quelar,  v.  n.  To  dance.  Baylar. 

•Sans.  Kela  (to  sport.) 
Quelati,  s.f.  A  rial,  coin.  Real. 
Quele,  s.  m.  Dance.  Bayle. 
Quelebao,  s.  m.   Dancer.  Bay- 

lador. 
Queliben,  s.f.  Declaration.  De- 

claracion. 
Quer,  s.  m.  House.  Casa.  Sans. 

Agara.  Hin.  Ghur. 
Querabar,  v.  a.  To  cook.   Gui- 

sar.  Vid.  Jiribar.  Hin.  Kurna. 
Querar,       )  »•  £  To  do,  make. 

Querelar  nasula,  To  cast  the 

evil  eye.  Aojar. 
Querdi,  par.  pass.  Done.Hecho. 

Pers.  Kardeh. 
Querescaro,  s.  m.  Steward,  but- 
ler. Mayordomo. 
Querisar,r.  a.  To  scratch.  Ara- 

nar. 
Querlo, s.m.  Neck,  throat  Pes- 

cuezo.      Sans.  Gala.     Pers. 

Galu.  Rus.  Gorlo. 
Querosto,s.m.  August.   Agos- 

to. 
Quichardila,  s  f.  Stain.  Man- 

cha. 
Quichardino,  adj.  Tight,  hard, 

mean.  Apretado, 
Quichi,  adj.  adv.    As  many  as, 

concerning.      Cuanto. — On 

quichi,    "Inasmuch."      En 

cuanto. 
Quicia,  s.f.  Basket.  Espuerta. 
Quiguinibe,  s.  m.  A  cook.  Co- 

cinero 
Quijari,  s.f  Stirrup.  Estribo. 
Quilen,  s.  Mentula. 
Quillaba,  s.f.  Prune.  Ciruela. 
Quimbila,  s.f.  Company.  Com- 
pania. 
Quimbilo,  s.  m.      Companion. 

Companero 
Quimpinar,  v.  a.    To  swallow. 

Tragar. 
Quimuqui,  s.f.  Gimlet.  Barre- 

na. 
Quinar,  v.  a.  To  buy.  Comprar. 

Hin.  Kinna.  [Arab.  Kana.] 
Quinate,  s.  m.  Cheese.  Queso. 
Quindia,  s.f.  A  species  of  bean. 

Abichuela. 
Quinguina,  s.f.  Kitchen.  Co- 

cina. 
Quinao,  adj.  Tired.  Cansado. 
Quiquiria,  s.f.   Bug.  Chinche. 

Hin.  Khut-kira.  Mod.  Greek, 

KOQig. 

Quira,      >s./.  Cheese.  Queso. 

Quiralis,  )      Mod.  Greek,  tvqu 

Quiria,  s.f.  Ant.  Hormiga. 

Quiribi,  s.f.  Godmother.  Co- 
madre. 

Quiribo,s.m.  Godfather  Com- 
p.idre. 

Quirindia,  adj.  Most  holy  (fe- 
male.) Santisima. — "  Debla 
quirindia,"  "  Most  blessed 
Virgin."  Maria  Santisima. 

Quisi,s./.  Purse.  Bolsa.  Pers. 
Kisch. 

Quisobu,  s.m.  Money-bag, 
pouch    Bolsillo. 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


139 


R. 

Raco,  s.  m.  A  crab.   Cangrejo. 

Rus.  Rak. 
Rachar,  v.  a.  n.   To  meet.  En- 

contrar. 
Rachi,  s.f.  Night.  Noche.  Sans. 

Ratri.  Hin.  Rat. 
Ran,  s.f.    Rod.    Vara.— With- 
out doubt,  one  and  the  same 
with    the    Bengalic    Ratan, 
Sanscrit  Ratha ;  whence  the 
English  Rod,  and  German 
Ruthe. 
Randar,  v.  a.  To  rob.  Robar. 
Randar,  v.  a.    To  write.  Escri- 

bir. 
Rande,  s.  m.    Thief.    Ladron. 

Pers.  Rend. 
Randinar,  v.  n.     To   work,   la- 
bour. Labrar. 
Randinipen,  s.f.      A   writing. 

Escritura. 
Rapipocha,  s.f.   A  fox.   Zorra. 
Rapipoche,  s.  m.  Dungeon.  Ca- 

labozo. 
Rasajel,  adj.  Oppressed.  Opri- 

mido. 
Rastrajel,  adj.  Miserable.  Mise- 
rable. 
Rati,  s.f.  Blood.  Sangre.  Sans. 

Rakta.  Rus.  Ruda. 
Rebardroy,  s.f.  Obstinacy,  re- 
belliousness. Rebeldia. 
Reblandani,  s.f.    Stone.    Pie- 

dra. 
Reblandete,  s.  m.    Mat,  clout. 

Pallete. 
Reblanduy,  adj.    Second.    Se- 

gundo. 
Reblantequere,  5.  to.  Joint.  Co- 

yuntura. 
Rebrino,  s.  to.     Respect.     Re- 

speto. 
Rebuldorico,  adj.      Apostolic. 

Apostolico. 
Recafa,  s.f.  Heat.  Calor. 
Recardi,  adj.    Dragged  along. 

Arrastrado. 
Reche,  s.  Cane,  reed.  Cana. 
Rechibilly,  s.f.    A  little  net. 

Redecilla. 
Rechipatis,  adj.   Naked.    Des- 

nudo,  en  cueros. 
Rechitar,  v.  a.  To  patch,  mend. 

Remendar. 
Redundis,  s.  pi.      Chick-peas. 

Garbanzos. 
Rejelendre,  s.m.    A   proverb. 

Refran. 
Rejonisa,  s.f.  Dough.  Masa. 
Relichi,  s.f.  Net.  Red. 
Relli,  s.f.  lnclosure.  Cercado. 
Remacha,s./.  Procuress.  Alca- 

hucta. 
Remarar,  v.  a. n.  To  finish.  Re- 

matar,  acabar. 
Rendepe,  adj.  Round.  Redondo. 
Repani,  s.f.      Turnip,   radish. 
Nabo.  Sans.  Haritparna.  Mod. 
Gr.  Qanavi.  [Ger. Ruben.] 
Repani,  s.f.    Brandy.    Aguar- 
diente. 
Repurelar,  v.  a.  To  resuscitate. 

Resucitar. 
Resaronomo,  adj.  Cheap.  Ba* 
r.ito 


Resis,  s.f.  Cabbage.  Col. 
Retamo,  s.  to.    Cloak.    Capote. 
Retejo,  adj.     Content,   merry. 

Contento. 
Retreque,    s.f.        Pestilence, 

plague.  Peste. 
Reutilar,  v.  a.  To  withdraw.  Re- 

tiiar. 
Reyi,  s.f   Dust.  Polvo.    Sans. 

Raja.  Pers.  Rayg. 
Rias,  s.f.  Damsel.  Doncella. 
Rifian,  5.  to.  Danger.  Peligro. 
Rilar,  v.n.  To  belch.  Peer, 
Rilo,  s.  to.  Belching.  Pedo. 
Rilli,  s.f.  Wax.  Cera. 
Rin,  s.f.   Engine  for  drawing 
water.    Noria.    Properly,  A 
river.  Icelandic,  Rin. 
Rinballar,  v.  a.    To  pull  up  by 

the  roots.  Arrancar. 
Ro.  Vid.  Rom. 

Rocamblo,  s.  to.  A  friend.  Ami- 
go.    Sans.  Raksha  (protect- 
ing.) 
Rochimel,  s.  to.    River.     Rio. 

Mod.  Gr.  Qvaxt. 
Roi,  s.f.  Flour.  Harina.    Hin. 

Rui. 
Roin,  s.f.  Spoon.  Cuchara. 
Rolli,  s  f.  Spoon.  Cuchara. 
Rom,  s.  to.  A  husband,  a  mar- 
ried man,  a  Gypsy.    Marido, 
hombre   casado,    un   Jitano. 
Sans.  Rama. 
Roma,  s.  pi.    The  Husbands  ; 
the  goneric  name  of  the  na- 
tion or  sect  of  the  Gypsies. 
Los  maridos,  i.  e.  nombre  je- 
nerico  de  la  nacion  6  secta 
de  los  Jitanos. 
Romi,  s.f.    A  married  woman, 
a  female  Gypsy.    Mujer  ca- 
sada,  Jitana. 
Romalis,  s.f.    A  Gypsy  dance. 

Danza  Jitana. 
Romandinar,  v.n.    To  marry. 

Casar. 
Romandiiiipen,  s.f.      A    mar- 
riage, bridal.  Casamiento. 
Romani,  s.f.    The    Rommany 
or  Gypsy  language.  Lengua 
de  los  Jitanos. 
Romani-chal.  s.     Gypsy-grass, 
a  species  of  plant.   La  yerba 
de  los  Jitcinos  una  planta. 
Romuy,  s.f.  The  face.   Lacara. 
Roscorre, s.m.  Lamb.  Cordero. 
Rotuiii,  s.f.  Mouth.  Boca.  Rus. 

Rot. 
Rudelar,  v.a.n.     To   answer. 

Responder,  contestar. 
Rujia,  s.f.  Rose.  Rosa. 
Rulisarra,  s.f.  Knee.  Rodilla. 
Rullipate,s./.  Wheel.  Rueda. 

Sans.  Rathapada. 
Rullitagar,  v.  a.   To    turn  up- 
side down.  Trastornar. 
Rullitaque.   Vid.  Rullipate. 
Rumijele,  s.  m.    Pilgrim  ;  also, 
Rosemary.  Rom6ro. 

S. 
Sabocar,  v.  a.    To  inhabit.  Ha- 

bitar.  Sans.  Sabha  (house.) 
Saces,  s.pl.  Irons,  chains.  Ca- 

d6nas. 


Safacoro,  71.7;.  The  city  of  Se- 
ville. Sevilla. 

Salamisto, s.m.  Physician.  Me- 
dico. 

Salchuyo,5.?n.  Anvil.  Yunque. 

Salquero,  s.  to.  A  glass.  Vaso. 

Salvaiii,  s.f.  A  long  sausage. 
Longaniza. 

Sampuni,  s.f.  Soap,  Jabon. 
Properly,  The  Hindoo  sham- 
pooing or  rubbing.  Sans.  Sa- 
vahana.  Mod.  Gr.  oanovn. 
Germ.  Seife,  &c. 

Sane,  s.m.  Sausage.  Chorizo. 

Sapumetelli,  s  f.  Trumpet. 
Trompcta.      Modern  Greek, 

Sar,  s.  m.   Iron.    Hierro.    Sans. 

Sarana. 
Sar,  prep.  With.  Con. 
Sar,  s.  to.    Garlick.    Ajo.  Hin. 

Seer. 
Saraballi,  s.f      Money,   coin. 

Moneda.  Arab.  Dzarb. 
Saracate,  s.  m.   Tailor.   Sastre. 

Sans.  Sauchika. 
Saray,s.  in.  Sergeant.  Sarjento. 
Sarballeri,  adj.    Convalescent. 

Convaleciente. 
Sardana,  s.f.   Favour.  Gracia. 
Sardenar,  v.  a.     To  condemn. 

Condenar. 
Sardo,  s.  in.    Brandy.    Aguar- 
diente. Sons.  Sandluina. 
Sarmenda,  With  me.  Conmigo. 

Vid.  Sar,  menda. 
Sarmufie,  adj.    Prompt,  quick. 
Pronto.      Sans.    Sambhama. 
(haste.) 
Saro,  adj.     All.    Todo.    Sans. 

Sarvva.  Pers.  Sayr. 
Saro,  asisiluble,   All-powerful. 

Todo  poderoso. 
Sarplar,a.  a.  To  pass  judgment. 

Juzgar. 
Sarquere,  s.  m.  Glass,  cup.  Vaso, 
Sans.  Saraka.  Pers.  Saghar. 
Sarquerin,s.?ri.  Large  pan.  Ba- 

cin. 
Sarraoatin,  s. to.  Huckster.  Re- 

gaton. 
Sarrasinir.7j.71.  To  laugh.  Reir. 
Sarsale,    With  him.     Con   el. 

Vid.  Sar. 
Sarsos,  So  that.  Con  que.  Vid. 

Sar,  sos. 
Sarta,  adv.      How,    as,    why. 

Como. 
Sas,  s.  to.  Iron.  Hierro.    Sans. 

Ayasa. 
Sasta,  adv.      As,    how.   until. 
Como,  hasta.  Sans.  Saddasa. 
Saste,  adj.     High,   tall.     Alto. 

Sans.  Sada  (crest.) 
Sasteji,s/.  Complaint.  Queja. 
Sastri,  s.  Relation.  Parientc. 
Sat.  prep.    With.    Con.    Sans. 

Saba. 
Sata,flr/o.  As,  how.  Como.  Vid. 

Sarta,  Sasta. 
Saullo,  s.m.  Colt.  Potro. 
Seffritin,   adj.fcm.    Last.   'Ul- 
tima. 
Segriton.ar/y.  to.  Last.  'Ultimo. 
Seirron,  s.  m.     J'ruit,  benefit. 
Fruto. 


140 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Selvani,  s.f.  Buffet.  Bofetada. 

Semuche,  s.  m.  Monkey.  Mico. 

Senjen,  s.  pZ.  Spaniards.  Espa- 
noles. 

Sentalli,  s.f.  Front.  Frente. 

Seiieba,  s.  Fowl,  pigeon. 

Serdani,s./.  Razor.  Navaja. 

Sersen,n.p.  Spain.  Espana. 

Servants./.  Pilchard.  Sardina. 

Serviche,  s.m.  Morning-slar. 
Lucero.  Seems  to  be  the  S'an- 
scvit  Saptajihwa,  one  of  the 
names  of  Agni,  the  personi- 
fication of  Fire. 

Seso,  n.  adj.  Spaniard,  Spanish. 
Espanol  — Sesi,  "  Spanish 
woman,"  Espanola. 

Sestroji,s./.  Shell,  husk.  Cas- 
cara. 

Siarias,  5.  pi.  Knees.  Rodillas. 

Sibica,  s.f.  Trumpet,  probos- 
cis. Trompa. 

Sicha,  s.f  Female  monkey. 
Mona.    [Fr.  Singe.] 

Sichen,s.  m.  Kingdom.  Reyno. 

Side,  s.  m.  Age,  century.  Siglo. 

Sicobar,  v.  a.  To  extract,  pull 
out.  Sacar.  Properly,  To  lift. 
Mod.  Gr.  oijxojvo). 

Sila,  5./.  Strength.  Fuerza. 

Sillofi,  s.f.  Thorn.  Espina. 
Sans.  Sula  (pin,  spit.)  Hin. 
Sul. 

Sihw, adj.  Strong.  Fueite.Rus. 
Silnoy. 

Simaehe,  )  s.  Sign.  Serial.  Gr. 

Simachi,  }      otjusior. 

Simbres,  s. pi.  Eye-brows.  Cejas. 

Simprofie,  n.  p.  Joseph.  Jose. 

Sinar,  v.n.  To  be.  Ser,  Estar. 

Sinastra,  s.f.  Capture,  prize. 
Prcsa. 

Sinastro,  s.  m.  Prisoner.  Preso. 
Sans.  Sandita. 

Sincarfial,  s.  m.  Slave.  Esclavo, 

Sinchule,  s.  m.  Roll  of  tobac- 
co, cigar.  Cigarro. 

Singa,  s.f.  Singing,  music.  Can- 
tar.  Musica. 

Singe,  s.m.  Horn.  Cuerno. 
Sans.  Sringa.  Hin.  Sing. 

Singo,  adv.  Quick.  De  priesa. 
Sans.  Sankshu. 

Simpalomi,«</j.  Peeled.  Decor- 
ticated. Pelado. 

Sirbalo,  s.  m.  Thimble.  Dedal. 

Sirguedes,  )  s.  m.  Wednesday. 

Sirquedis,  )      Miercoles. 

Siroque,  s.m.  Hemp.  Caifiamo. 

Siscabelar,  v.  a.  To  teach.  En- 
sefiar. 

Siscunde,  s.m.  Wednesday 
Miercoles. 

Sisla,  s.f.  Vid.  Sila. 

Sisli,  s.f.  Moment.  Momento. 
— or  sisli,  "  At  the  moment," 
Al  momento. 

Sistigui,  s.  Girdle.  Cenidor. 
Sans.  Saptaka. 

Sitacoria,  s.f  Kind  of  tax, 
carved  work.  Talla. 

Sitaescorial,s./.  Unglazed  jug. 
Alcarraza. 

Sixtiliar,  v.n.  To  kindle.  En- 
cender. 

.Soba,  s.f  Nightmare  Pesadilla. 


Sobadrar,  v.  a.  To  sweat.  Sudar. 

Sobelar,  v.  n.  To  sleep.  Dormir. 
Sans.  San  vesa  (sleeping.) 

Sobindoy,  s.  Sleep.  Dormidura. 
Perhaps  the  proper  significa- 
cation  of  this  word  is,  Dream, 
vision.  From  the  Russian 
Snobidenie. 

Socabar,  v.a.n.  To  inhabit, 
dwell.  Habitar,  morar.  Also, 
To  be,  Estar.  Vid.  Sabocar, 
Soscabar. 

Socreteria,  s.f.  Synagogue.  Si- 
nagoga. 

Sodimiar,i>.  a.  To  sweat.  Su- 
dan^ 

Sofanar,  v.  n.  To  travel,  go. 
Viajar,  ir.  Arab.  Safara. 

Solaja,  s.f  Curse.  Maldicion. 
— Chibar  una  solaja,  "  To 
curse."  Maldecir.  Vid.  Ola- 
jay- 

Solares,s.^.  Pantaloons,  trow- 
sers.  Pantalones. 

Solares,5.pZ.  Powers.  Poderes. 
Sans.  1  Sthaura  (power.) — I 
found  this  word  in  a  transla- 
tion, apparently  ancient,  of 
a  church  canticle,  which  a 
Cordovese  Gypsy  repeated 
to  me;  and  which  runs  as 
follows : — 

Majaro  Undebel !    "Holy  God!" 
Majaro  Sol&res  !      "  Holy  Powers !" 

Majaro  Merinao!  J  "Jjjf,    lmmor- 

Listrab&nos,  Er-  j  „  Sa*eug)Lord„ 
ano,  )  ' 

De  o  saro  bastai-  5  "  From  all  afflic- 
tardo  I"  )     tion  I" 

Solgia,.s./,  Hare.  Liebre.  Sans. 

Sulika.  Arab  Sokhalat. 
Solibari,  s.f.     Bridle.    Freno, 

Mod.  Gr.  ovZfaiPaQi. 
Solter,  s.m.     Notary    Public. 

Escribano. 
Sonacai,  s.    Gold.    Oro.    Sans. 

Kanaka.  Pers.  Tanka. 
Sonsane,  s.  m.  Sausage.    Cho- 

nzo. 
Sonsi,  s.f  Mouth.  Boca. 
Sonsibelar,  v.  n.     To   keep   si- 
lence (hold  the  mouth.)  Cal- 

lar. 
Sorinbo,  adj.  Serious,  dejected. 

Serio. 
Soripa,  s.f   Wood.  Lena. 
Sornar,  v.  n.  To  sleep.  Dormir. 

Hin.  Sona. 
Soronje,  adj.  Sorrowful.  Afli- 

jido. 
Soronji,s./.  Sorrow.  Afliccion. 
Sos,  pron.  rel.  Who,  that.  Que. 

[Gr.oc.] 
Soscabas,  v.  a.  n.    To  inhabit, 

dwell.  Habitar. 
Sosi,  s.  Court,  yard.  Corral. 
Sosimbo,  s.m.  Oven.  Homo. 
Sosimbres,  s.pl.      Eye-lashes. 

Pestanas. 
Soso,  5.  m.    Tranquillity.    So- 

siego. 
Sosque,a<Zp.  Where.  Donde. 
Sotagaji,  s.f     Jujube,  fruit  of 

the  jujube.   Azufayfa.  Sans. 

Suviryva 


Sublimar,  v.  a.  To  set  at  liber- 
ty, loose.  Soltar. 
Sudo,  adv.  Asleep.  Durmiendo. 
Sueti,s./.  World,  people. Mun- 

do,  jente. — This  word  is  pure 

Russian. 
Sugerilar,  v.  a.  To  put.  Poner. 
Sugilla,  s.f   Justice.  Justicia. 
Sulando,  adj.  Loose,  light,  easy. 

Suelto. 
Sulastraba,  s.f.  Chain,  shackle. 

Cadena.  Arab.  Selselat.  Sans. 

Srinkhala. 
Sumi,s./.  Broth,  soup.  Caldo. 

Mod.  Gr.  tovui.  Sans.  Supa. 
Sumuquelar,  v.  a.    To  cement, 

join.  Pegar. 
Suncai,  s.f.  Spirit,  soul.  Espi- 

ritu,  alma. 
Sundilar,  v.n.  To  descend.  De- 
scender. 
Sungalo,  s.  m.  Traitor,  he-goat. 

Traidor,  cabron. 
Sungar,r.a.  To  betray,  inform 

against.  Soplar. 
Sungelar,0.n.  To  stink.  Heder. 
Sunglq,  s.  m.  Melon.  Melon. 
Sunpacel,  adv.    Near.     Cerca. 

Sans.  Samipa. 
Surabi,  adj.  Fine.  Fino.  Sans. 

Saru. 
Surdan,  s.f   World.    Mundo. 

Sans.  Sansara. 
Surde,  adj.  Buff-coloured.  An- 

teado. 
Surdete,  s.  m.  World.  Mundo. 

Sans.  Sansriti. 
Surdinar,  v.  a.  v.  r.     To  raise, 

stand  up.  Levantar. 
Susalar,  v.  a.  To  satisfy.  Satis- 

facer. 
Sustilar,  v. a.  v.  r.     To   detain, 

to  be  detained.  Detener.  Hin. 

Soostana  (to  rest.) 
Sustiry,  5./.  Lot,  fortune.  Su- 

erte.  Sans.  Susthata  (happi- 
ness.) Hin.  Sitari. 


Ta,  conjunc.  And  Y. — Chulo 
tapaque,  "Dollar  and  a  half," 
Duro  y  medio. 

Tabastorre,  s.f.  The  right- 
hand.  Mane  derecha.  Sans. 
Avasavya. 

Tabuman,  s.  m.  May.  Mayo. 
Sans.  Tapana. 

Tacufii,  s.f.  A  kind  of  leather 
case.  Petaca. 

Tajuni,  s.f.  Box.  Caja. 

Talabi,  s.f.  Sedge.  Esparto. 

Talarosis,  5.  pi.  Garments.  Ves- 
tidos.  Sans.  Cheld. 

Tanbubian,5./7i.  Hcrse-jockey. 
Chahin. 

Tandal,5.»»  Court,  yard.  Pa- 
tio. 

Tangle,  s.m.  April.  Abril. 

TapHlar,  v.  a.  To  drink.  Beber. 
Vid.  Piyar. 

Taquibaque,  s.  Ramrod.  Ba- 
queta. 

Tarpe,5.  m.  Heaven.  Ci61o, 
Sans.  Devapatha,  Div. 

Tarquino,  s.  m.  Parable.  Pard- 
bola. 


VOCABULARY  OF  THEIR  LANGUAGE. 


141 


Tasabar,  v.  a.  To  choak,  suffo- 
cate. Ahogar. 

Tasala,  s.f.  Evening.  Tarde. 
Sans.  Say  a. 

Tasalar,  v.  n.  To  delay.  Tardar. 

Tasar.   Vid.  Tasabar. 

Tasarbani,  s.  m.  Mason.  Alba- 
nil. 

Tasarden,  adv.  Late.  Tarde. 

Tasquiiio,  5.  m.  Million.  Millon. 

Tati,  5./.  Fever.  Calentura. 
Sans.  Tapaka. 

Tati  bari,  s.f.  The  great  or 
putrid  fever.  Calentura  ma- 
ligna. 

Tato,  s.  m.  Bread.  Pan. 

Tebleque,  God,  the  Saviour. 
Dios,  Jesus. 

Techafao,  adj.  Bent,  crooked. 
Agachado. 

Techescdr,».a.  To  cast.  Echar. 

Techorde,  adj.  Weak,  infirm. 
Invalido. 

Tejuni,  s.f.  Tarantula.  Taran- 
tula. 

Telejeni,  s.f.  Mat.  Estera. 

Tellorre,  s.  m.  Minister.  Mi- 
ni stro. 

Tememblero,a<fo.  Early.  Tem- 
prano. 

Tempano,  s.m.  Piece,  portion. 
Pedazo.  Sans.  Damma  (to 
divide.) 

Terelar,  v.  a.  To  hold,  have, 
possess.  Tener.  Sans.  Dha- 
rana  (holding.) 

Ternaciba,  s.f.  Rage,  madness. 
Rabia. 

Ternasibel,  s.m.  Worth,  valour. 
Valor,  valentia.  Sans.  Dha- 
nara. 

Terneja,  adj.  Valiant.  Valiente. 

Ternoro,  adj.  Young,  new.  Jo- 
ven,  nu6vo.  Pers.  Tar. 

Terrepleco,  s.m.  End,  bounda- 
ry. Termino. 

Terrain,  s.f.  Scratch.  Arano. 

Tesquelo,  s.  m.  Grandfather. 
Abuelo. 

Tesquera,  s.f.  Front,  forehead. 
Frente. 

Tesquinso,  adj.  Sour.  Agrio. 
Pers.  Tez. 

Tesumiar,  v.  n.  To  stop.  Parar. 

Tibay, adj.  Stiff,  firm.  Tieso. 

Tiliche,  s.  m.  Lover.  Amante. 


Timuchi, 


,    ]«<!/.  Same.  Misma. 


Tinbalo,  s.  m.  Musician.  Mu- 
sico.  Sans.  Tandava  (dan- 
cing.) 

Tirabani,  5.  m.   Shoe.   Zapato. 

Tirajai,  5.  pi.  Shoes.  Zapatos. 
Sans.  Tadatrana. 

Tiraj6ro,  s.  m.  Shoe-maker.  Za- 
patero. 

Tiro,  pron.pos.  Thine.  Tu. — 
Fern.  Tin.  Hin.  Tera. 

Torbergeli,  s.f.  A  plain,  desert 
place,  mountainous  region 
Campo,  despoblado,  serrania. 
Sans.  Dhara. 

Tornasiba,  s.f.  Rage,  anger 
Rabia. 

Tornasibe,  s.  m.  Pride,  passion. 
Soberbia. 
19 


Tocinb6,5.  m.  Circumvolution, 
wheel.  Torno. 

Toto,  s.m.  Cheese.  Queso. 
Properly,  curdled  milk.  Sans. 
Dadhi. 

Trabare,  So  great.  Tan  grande. 

Traisne,  s.  m.  The  post,  cou- 
rier. Correo.  Sans.  Taraswin. 

Tramalar,  v.  a.  To  tie,  tram- 
mel. Atar. 

Tran,  adv.  comp.  So  much. 
Tan. 

Tran-flima,  adv.  So  little,  nei- 
ther. Tampoco. 

Trani,5./.  Mouth.  Mes. 

Traquias,  5.  pi.  Grapes.  Uvas. 
Sans.  Draksha.  Vid.  Dracay. 

Tramistos,  conjunc.  adv.  Also, 
as  well.  Tambien. 

Trasardo,  s.  m.  Tiled  roof.  Te- 
jddo^ 

Trebena,  s.f.  A  star.  Estr6lla. 

Tremendo,  s.  m.  Danger.  Pe- 
ligro. — This  word  appears  to 
belong  to  the  eant,  or  robber 
jargon. 

Tremucha,  s.f.  Moon.  Luna. 
Sans.  Chandramas. 

Trianda,  adj.  Thirty.  Treinta. 
Mod.  Gr.  TQiavra. 

Trijul,  s.f.  The  cross.  La  cruz. 
Hin.  Trisool. — Querelar  la 
trijul,  "  To  make  the  sign  of 
the  cross,"  Persignarse. 

Triman,  s.f.  Alms,  charity.  Li- 
mosna. 

Trin,  adj.  Three,  Tres. 

Trin,  adj.  So  much  so.  Tanto. 

Troecane,  s.f.  Work,  deed. 
Obra. 

Tronfaron,  s.  m.  Stock,  trunk. 
Tronco. 

Trostis,  adj.  Educated,  nou- 
rished. Criado,  alimentado. 
— A  child  that  has  lost  its 
parents,  and  is  adopted  by 
other  people,  is  Trostis. 

Trujan ,  s.  m.  Tobacco.  Tabaco. 

Trujatapucherido,  adj.  Con- 
ceived. Concebido. 

Truni,s./.  Floor,  ground.  Sud- 
lo. 

Trupo,  s.m.  Body.  Cuerpo. 
Rus.  Trap. 

Truta,  s.f   Return.  Vuelta. 

Trutar,  v.  a.  n.  To  return.  Vol- 
ver. 

Tucue,  pron.  pers.  Thou.  Tu. 
Pers.  Tu. 

Tumbardo,  5.  m.  Purgatory. 
Purgatorio. 

Tun,  pron.  pos.  Thy,  thine.  Tu. 

Tundico,  adj.  Muddy,  turbid. 
— Turbio. 

Tunia,  s.f.  Cave.  Cueva. 

Tuni,  s.f.  Apothecary's  shop. 
— Botica. 

Tuiii,  s.f.  Oil-flask.  Alcuza. 

Turno,  s.m.  Castle.  Castillo. 

Turra,  s.f.  Nail,  claw.  Una. 

Tusni,s./.  Earthen  jar.  Betija. 

Tuyolo,  adj.  Bad,  evil.  Malo. 

V. 

Vea.,s.f.  Garden,  kitchen-gar- 
1     den.  Jardfn,  huerta. 

n2 


Velar,  v.  a.  To  cut.  Ccrtar. 
\vr;iblv,  adj.  Everlasting.  Scrn- 

pitcrno. 
Visalti,  s.f.  Debt.  Deuda. 
Vriardao,  par.  pas.      Dressed, 

adorned,  Vestido,  adornado. 

U. 

Uchagardi,  s.f.  Star.  Estrel- 
la 

Uchi,  s.f  Tongue.  Lengua. 

Udicare,  v.  def.  Might  or  should 
have.  Hubiere. 

Ulandar,  v.  a.  To  hang  up. 
Collar. 

Ulandi,  s.f.  Hook  to  hang 
things  upon.  Colgadcro. 

Ulaque,  s.  One  of  the  districts 
into  which  a  town  is  divided. 
Barrio. 

Ulicha,5./.  Street.  CallcRus. 
Ulitza. 

Ulilla,  n.  p.  Seville.  Sevilla. 

Ulique,  s.  Festival.  Fiesta. 

Ululo,  adj.  Angry.  Enojado. 

Uluya,  s.f    Fame.  Fama. 

Uncho,  A  particle,  which  the 
Gypsies  of  Estremadura  are 
in  the  habit  of  affixing  to 
Spanish  words,  in  order  to 
disguise  them,  and  to  pre- 
vent their  being  easily  un- 
derstood ;  e.  g.  Favoruncho, 
"favour;"  Gozuncho,"joy," 
&c. — Particula  que  los  Jita- 
nos  de  Estremadura,  suelen 
posponer  a  palabras  Castel- 
lanas,  para  disfrazarlas,y  que 
no  se  les  entienda  facilmente. 

Undabilar,  v.  a.  To  chew.  Mas- 
car. 

Un-debel,  s.  m.  God.  Dios. — 
The  first  syllable  of  this  word 
seems  to  be  the  Om  of  the 
Buddhists  and  Brahmins, 
which  is  one  of  the  names 
of  the  Deity  :  and  is  the  com- 
mencement of  that  mysteri- 
ous sentence,  Om  ma  ni  bat 
si  khom;  which,  according 
to  the  creed  of  the  followers 
of  the  Grand  Lama,  contains 
the  essence  of  all  prayer ; 
and  by  the  constant  repeti- 
tion of  which,  they  hope  to 
obtain  the  tide  of  Bivanga- 
rit,  and  to  ascend  to  the  ele- 
vation of  Bouddh. 

Unga,  adv.  Yea,  truly,  yes.  Si. 
In  the  English  dialect,  Auka. 
Sans.  Tryama. 

Ungachoba,  s.f.  Syllable.  Si- 
laba. 

Ungla,  s.f.  Nail,  claw.  Uni. 
[Lat.  Ungula.J 

Unglabar,  v.  a.  To  seize,  to 
hang.  Agarrar,  ahorcar. 

Ununique,  s  f.  Confession, 
Confesion. 

Urapero,  adj.  Prudent.  Cuerdo, 
prudente. 

Urdifar,  v.  a.  To  put.  Poner, 

Urdiffar,  v.  a.  To  kindle.  En- 
cender. 

Urdiiii,5./.  Fancy,  presump- 
tion. Fantasia. 


142 


THE  ZINCALI. 


Uriiyar,  v.  a.    To  suffer.    Su- 

frir. 
Ustilar,  v.  a.  To  take,  to  steal. 

Tomar,  robar. 
Usur,  s.  m.  Smoke.  Humo. 
Uyi,s./.  Sugar.  Azucar.  Sans. 

Ikshu  (sugar-cane.) 

Y. 

Yaque,     >5.m.    Fire.  Fuego, 
Yaquero, )   lumbre.  Sans.  Agi- 


ra.  Hin.Ag.  [Rus.  Ogin.  Lat. 

Ignis.] 
Ybucho,  s.  m.  Jew.  Judio. 
Ye-ref,  s.  m.  The  colour,  form. 

El  color,  la  figura. 
Yeru,  s.  m.  Wolf.  Lobo. 
Ylo,  s.m.    Soul.   Alma.     Vid. 

Olilo.  Sans.  Ligu. 
Yustique,  s.m.    Girdle,  belt. 

Ceiiiddr. 


Z. 

Zaraborino,  s.  m.  Pumpkin,  ca- 
labash. Oalabaza. 

Zarapia,  s.f.  The  itch.  Sarna. 

Zerecin,5.m.  Sausage.  Salchi- 
chon. 

Zermana,  s.f.  Curse.  Maldi- 
cion.    Sans.  Sapana. 

Zi,s.f.  Hen.  Gallina. 

Zibaora,  s.f.  Needle.  Agiija. 

Zin-calo,  e.  m.  Gypsy.  Jitano. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


*w^^%^^**^^/*^^«^^^^ 


It  is  with  the  view  of  preserving  as  many  as  possible  of  the 
monuments  of  the  Spanish  Gypsy  tongue  that  the  author  inserts 
the  following  pieces;  they  are  for  the  most  part,  whether  original 
or  translated,  the  productions  of  the  "  Aficion"  of  Seville,  of  whom 
something  has  been  vsaid  in  the  Preface  to  the  Spurious  Gypsy 
Poetry  of  Andalusia;  not  the  least  remarkable,  however,  of  these 
is  a  genuine  Gypsy  composition,  the  translation  of  the  Apostles' 
Creed  by  the  Gypsies  of  Cordova,  made  under  the  circumstances 
detailed  in  the  second  part  of  this  volume.  To  all  have  been  af- 
fixed translations,  more  or  less  literal,  to  assist  those  who  may  wish 
to  form  some  acquaintance  with  the  Gitano  language. 


MISCELLANIES 


IN  THE 


GITANO  LANGUAGE. 


COTORRES  ON  CHIPE  CALL! 


Bato  Nonrro  sos  socabas  on  o  tarpe,  man- 
jirificado  quejesa  tute  acnao;  abillanos  or  tute 
sichen,  y  querese  tute  orependola  andial  on 
la  chen  sata  on  o  tarpe ;  or  manrro  nonrro  de 
cata  chibel  difianoslo  sejofiia,  y  estormenanos 
nonrrias  bisauras  andial  sata  gaberes  estor- 
menamos  a  nonrros  bisaraores ;  y  nasti  nes 
muques  petrar  on  la  bajanbo,  bus  listrabanos 
de  chorre.-— Anarania. 

Panchabo  on  Ostebe  Bato  saro-asisilable, 
Perbaraor  de  o  tarpe  y  la  chen,  y  on  Gresone 
desquero  Beyio  Chabal  nonrrio  Erano,  sos 
guillo  sar-trujata-pucherido  per  troecane  y 
sardafia  de  or  Chanispero  Manjaro,  y  purelo 
de  Manjari  ostelinda  deblaj  Bricholo  ostele 
de  or  asislar  de  Brono  Alienicato  ;  guillo  tre- 
juficao,  mule  y  cabafiao;  y  sundilo  a  los 
casinobes,*  y  a  or  brodelo  chibel  repurelo  de 
enrre  los  mules,  y  encalomo  a  los  otarpes,  y 
soscabela  bestique  a  la  tabastorre  de  Ostebe 
Bato  saro-asisilable,  ende  aoter  a  de  abillar  a 
sarplar  a  los  Apucheris  y  mules.  Panchabo 
on  or  Chanispero  Manjaro,  la  Manjari  Can- 
gari  Pebuldorica  y  Rebuldorica,  la  Erunon  de 
los  Manjaros,  or  Estormen  de  los  crejetes,  la 
repurelo  de  la  mansenquere  y  la  chibiben  ve- 
rable. — Anarania,  Tenbleque. 

OCANAJ1MIA  A  LA  DEBLA. 

O  Debla  quirindia,  Day  de  saros  los  Bor- 
deles  on  coin  panchabo:  per  los  duquipenes 
sos  naquelastes  a  or  pindre  de  la  trejul  de 
tute  Chaborro  majarolisimo  te  manguelo, 
Debla,  me  alcorabises  de  tute  chaborro  or 
estormen  de  sares  las  dojis  y  crejetes  sos 
menda  udicare  aquerao  on  andoba  surdete. — 
Anarania,  Tebleque. 

Ostebe  te  berarbe  Ostelinda!  perdoripe 
sirles  de  sardafia ;  or  Erano  sin  sartute ;  bres- 
ban  tute  sirles  enrre  sares  las  rumiles,  y  bres- 
ban  sin  or  frujero  de  tute  po. — Tebleque. 

Manjari  Ostelinda,  day  de  Ostebe,  brichar- 
dila  per  gaberes  crejetaores  aocana  y  on  la 


*  V.  Casinolcn  in  Lei  icon. 


MISCELLANIES. 


Father  our,  who  dwellest  in  the  heaven, 
sanctified  become  thy  name ;  come-to-us  the 
thy  kingdom,  and  be-done  thy  will  so  in  the 
earth  as  in  the  heaven ;  the  bread  our  of  every 
day  give-us-it  to  day,  and  pardon-us  our 
debts  so  as  we-others  pardon  (to)  our  debtors ; 
and  not  let  us  fall  in  the  temptation,  but  de- 
liver-us  from  wickedness. — Amen. 

I  believe  in  God,  Father  all-powerful,  cre- 
ator of  the  heaven  and  the  earth,  and  in 
Christ  his  only  Son  our  Lord,  who  went  con- 
ceived by  deed  and  favour  of  the  Spirit  Holy, 
and  born  of  blessed  goddess  divine ;  suffered 
under  (of)  the  might  of  Bronos  Alienicatos  ;* 
went  crucified,  dead  and  buried ;  and  de- 
scended to  the  conflagrations,  and  on  the  third 
day  revivedf  from  amongthe  dead,  and  ascend- 
ed to  the  heavens,  and  dwells  seated  at  the 
right-hand  of  God,  Father  all-powerful,  from 
there  he-has  to  come  to  impeach  (to)  the 
living  and  dead.  I  believe  in  the  Spirit  Holy, 
the  Holy  Church  Catholic  and  Apostolic,  the 
communion  of  the  saints,  the  remission  of  the 
sins,  the  re-birth  of  the  flesh,  and  the  life 
everlasting. — Amen,  Jesus. 


PRAYER  TO  THE  VIRGIN. 

O  most  holy  Virgin,  mother  of  all  the  Chris- 
tians, in  whom  I  believe  :  for  the  agony  which 
thou  didst  endure  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  of 
thy  most  blessed  Son,  I  entreat  thee,  Virgin, 
that  thou  wilt  obtain  for  me,  from  thy  Son, 
the  remission  of  all  the  crimes  and  sins  which 
I  may  have  committed  in  this  world. — Amen, 
Jesus. 

God  save  thee,  Maria!  full  art  thou  of 
grace;  the  Lord  is  with  thee;  blessed  art 
thou  amongst  all  women,  and  blessed  is  the 
fruit  of  thy  womb. — Jesus. 

Holy  Maria,  Mother  of  God,  pray  for  us 

*  By  these  two  words,  Pontius  Pilate  is  represented, 
but  whence  they  are  derived  I  know  not. 
J  fieborn. 


144 


MISCELLANIES. 


145 


ocana  de  nonrra  beriben ! — Anarania,  Teble- 
que. 

Chimuclani  or  Bato,  or  Chabal,  or  Chanis- 
pero  manjaro ;  sata  sia  on  or  presimelo,  aoca- 
na,  y  gajeres :  on  los  sides  de  los  sicles. — 
Anarania. 

OR  CREDO. 

SARTA  LO  CHIBELARON  LOS  CALES  DE  COR- 
DOVATI. 

Pachabelo  en  Un-debel  batu  tosaro-baro, 
que  ha  querdi  el  char  y  la  chique ;  y  en  Un- 
debel  chinoro  su  unico  chaboro  erano  de 
amangue,  que  chalo  en  el  trupo  de  la  Majari 
por  el  Duquende  Majoro,  y  abio  del  veo  de  la 
Majari;  guillo  curado  debajo  de  la  sila  de 
Pontio  Pilato  el  chinabaro;  guillo  mulo  y 
garabado  ;  se  chalo  alas  jacharis  ;  al  trin  chibe 
se  ha  sicobado  de  los  mules  al  char ;  sinela 
bejado  a  las  baste  de  Un-debel  barrea ;  y  de 
ote  abiara  a  juzgar  a  los  mules  y  a  los  que  no 
lo  sinelan ;  pachabelo  en  el  Majaro ;  la  Can- 
gri  Majari  barea ;  el  jalar  de  los  Majaries ;  lo 
meco  de  los  grecos ;  la  resureccion  de  la  maas, 
y  la  ochi  que  no  marela. 


REJELENDRES. 

Or  soscabela  juco  y  terable  garipe  on  le  sin 
perfine  anelar  relichi. 

Bus  yes  manupe  cha  machagarno  le  pendan 
chuchipon  los  brochabos. 

Sacais  sos  ne  dicobelan  calochin  ne  brida- 
quelan. 

Coin  terelare  trasardos  e  dinastes  nasti  le 
buchare  berrandanas  a  desquero  contique. 

On  sares  las  cachimanes  de  Sersen  abillen 
reches. 

Bus  mola  yes  chirriclo  on  la  ba  sos  gres 
balogando. 

A  Ostebe  brichardilando  y  sar  or  mochique 
dinelando. 

Bus  mola  quesar  jero  de  gabuno  sos  man- 
pori  de  bombardo. 

Dicar  y  panchabar,  sata  penda  Manjaro 
Lillar. 

Or  esorjie  de  or  narsichisle  sin  chismar  la- 
chinguel. 

Las  queles  mistos  grobelas:  per  macara 
chibel  la  piri  y  de  rachi  la  operisa. 

Aunsos  me  dicas  vriardao  de  jorpoy  ne  sirlo 
braco. 

Chachipe  con  jujana — Calzones  de  buchi  y 
medias  de  lana. 

Chuquel  sus  pirela  cocal  terela. 

Len  sos  sonsi  bela  pani  oreblandani  terela. 


ODORES  YE  TILICHE. 

Dica  Calli  soslinastes  terelas,  plasarandote 
misto  men  calochin  desquifiao  de  trinchas 
punis  y  canrrias,  sata  anjella  terelaba  dicando 

*  Poverty  is  always  avoided. 

t  A  drunkard  reduces  himself  to  the  condition  of  a  hog. 
%  The  most  he  can  do. 

§  The  puchero,orpan  of  glazed  earth,  in  which  bacon, 
beef,  and  garbanzos  are  stewed. 


sinners,  now  and  in  the  hour  of  our  death  ! 
— Amen,  Jesus. 

Glory  (to)  the  Father,  the  Son,  (and)  the 
Holy  Ghost ;  as  was  in  the  beginning,  now, 
and  forever:  in  the  ages  of  the  ages.—  Amen. 

THE  CREED. 

TRANSLATED  BY  THE  GYPSIES  OF  CORDOVA. 

I  believe  in  God  the  Father  all-great,  who 
has  made  the  heaven  and  the  earth ;  and  in 
God  the  young,  his  only  Son,  the  Lord  of  us, 
who  went  into  the  body  of  the  blessed  (maid) 
by  (means  of)  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  came  out 
of  the  womb  of  the  blessed  ;  he  was  tormented 
beneath  the  power  of  Pontius  Pilate,  the  great 
Alguazil ;  was  dead  and  buried ;  he  went 
(down)  to  the  fires;  on  the  third  day  he  raised 
himself  from  the  dead  unto  the  heaven  ;  he  is 
seated  at  the  major  hand  of  God ;  and  from 
thence  he  shall  come  to  judge  the  dead  and 
those  who  are  not  (dead.)  I  believe  in  the 
blessed  one ;  in  the  church  holy  and  great ; 
the  banquet  of  the  saints ;  the  remission  of 
sins ;  the  resurrection  of  the  flesh,  and  the  life 
which  does  not  die.  j 

PROVERBS. 

He  who  is  lean  and  has  scabs  needs  not 
carry  a  net.* 

When  a  man  goes  drunk  the  boys  say  to 
him  "suet."f 

Eyes  which  see  not  break  no  heart. 

He  who  has  a  roof  of  glass  let  him  not  fling 
stones  at  his  neighbour. 

Into  all  the  taverns  of  Spain  may  reeds 
come. 

A  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth  more  than  a 
hundred  flying. 

To  God  (be)  praying  and  with  the  flail  ply- 
ing. 

It  is  worth  more  to  be  the  head  of  a  mouse 
than  the  tail  of  a  lion. 

To  see  and  to  believe,  as  Saint  Thomas 
says. 

The  extremej  of  a  dwarf  is  to  spit  largely. 

Houses  well  managed  : — at  mid-day  the 
stew-pan, §  and  at  night  salad. 

Although  thou  seest  me  dressed  in  wool,  I 
am  no  sheep. 

Truth  with  falsehood — Breeches  of  silk 
and  stockings  of  wool.  || 

The  dog  who  walks  finds  a  bone. 

The  river  which  makes  a  noiseH  has  either 
water  or  stones. | 

THE  LOVER'S  JEALOUSY 

Reflect,  O  Callee  !**  what  motives  hast  thou 
(now  that  my  heart  is  doting  on  thee,  having 
rested  awhile  from  so  many  cares  and  griefs 

||  Truth  contrasts  strangely  with  falsehood  ;  this  is  a 
genuine  Gypsy  proverb,  as  are  the  two  which  follow  :  it 
is  repeated  throughout  Spain  without  bring  understood. 

1!  In  the  original  wears  a  mouth:  the  meaning  is,  ask 
nothing,  gain  nothing.  ♦*  Female  Gypsy. 


146 


THE  ZIXCALI. 


on  los  chorres  naquelos  sos  me  tesumiaste, 
y  andial  reutila  a  men  Jeli^  dinela  gao  a  sos 
menda  orobibele ;  men  puni  sin  trincha  per 
la  quimbila  nevel  de  yes  manu  barbalo;  sos 
saro  se  muca  per  or  jandorro.  Lo  sos  bus 
prejeno  Calli  de  los  Bengorros  sin  sos  nu 
muqueis  per  yes  manu  barbalo.  On  tute 
orchiri  nu  chismo,  tramisto  on  coin  te  ara- 
quera,  sos  menda  terela  men  nostus  pa  avel 
sos  me  camela  bus  sos  tute. 


OR  PERSIBARARSE  SIN  CHORO. 

Gajeres  sin  corbo  rifian  soscabar  yes  manu 
persibarao,  per  sos  saro  se  linbidian  odoros^y 
beslli,  y  per  esegriton  apuchelan  on  sardana 
de  saros  los  Benjes,  techescando  grejos  y 
olajais — de  sustiri  sos  lo  resaronomo  niquilla 
murmo ;  y  andial  lo  fendi  sos  terelamos  de 
querar  sin  techescarle  yes  sulibari  a  or  Jeli, 
y  ne  panchabar  an  caute  manusardi,  persos 
trutan  a  yesque  lili. 

LOS  CHORES. 

On  grejelo  chiro  begoreo  yesque  berbanilla 
de  chores  a  la  burda  de  yes  mostipelo  a  oleba 
rachi — Andial  sos  la  prejenaron  los  cambrais 
presimelaron  a  cobadrar ;  sar  andoba  linaste 
changano  or  lanbro,  se  sustino  de  la  charipe 
de  lapa,  untilo  la  pusca,  y  niquillo  platanando 
per  or  platesquero  de  or  mostipelo  a  la  burda 
sos  socabelaba  pandi,  y  per  or  jobi  de  la  clichi 
chibelo  or  jundro  de  la  pusca,  le  dino  pesquibo 
a  or  langute,  y  le  sumuquela  yes  bruchasno 
on  la  tesquera  a  or  Jojenan  de  los  ostilaores 
y  lo  techesco  de  or  grate  a  ostele.  Andial 
sos  los  debus  quimbilos  dicobelaron  a  desquero 
Jojerian  on  chen  sar  las  canrriales  de  la  Be- 
riben,  lo  chibelaron  espusifias  a  los  grastes,  y 
niquillaron  chapescando,  trutando  la  romuy 
apala,  per  bausale  de  las  machas  6  almedalles 
de  liripio. 

*  Women  understood. 

f  With  that  motive  awoke  the  labourer.    Orig. 


which  formerly  it  endured,  beholding  the  evil 
passages  which  thou  preparedst  for  me ;)  to 
recede  thus  from  my  love,  giving  occasion  to 
me  to  weep.  My  agony  is  great  on  account 
of  thy  recent  acquaintance  with  a  rich  man  : 
for  every  thing  is  abandoned  for  money's  sake. 
What  I  most  feel,  O  Callee,  of  the  devils  is, 
that  thou  abandonest  me  for  a  rich  man.  .  . 
I  spit  upon  thy  beauty,  and  also  upon  him 
who  converses  with  thee,  for  I  keep  my  money 
for  another  who  loves  me  more  than  thou. 

THE  EVILS  OF  CONCUBINAGE. 

It  is  always  a  strange  danger  for  a  man  to 
live  in  concubinage,  because  all  turns  to  jea- 
lousy and  quarrelling,  and  at  last  they  live  in 
the  favour  of  all  the  devils,  voiding  oaths  and 
curses :  so  that  what  is  cheap  turns  out  dear. 
So  the  best  we  can  do,  is  to  cast  a  bridle  on 
love,  and  trust  to  no  woman,  for  they  *  make 
a  man  mad. 


THE  ROBBERS. 

On  a  certain  time  arrived  a  band  of  thieves 
at  the  gate  of  a  farm-house  at  midnight.  So 
soon  as  the  dogs  heard  them  they  began  to 
bark,  which  causing!  the  labourer  to  awake, 
he  raised  himself  from  his  bed  with  a  start, 
took  his  musket,  and  went  running  to  the 
court-yard  of  the  farm-house  to  the  gate, 
which  was  shut,  placed  the  barrel  of  his 
musket  to  the  key-hole,  gave  his  finger  its 
desire,|  an(*  sent  a  bullet  into  the  forehead  of 
the  captain  of  the  robbers,  casting  him  down 
from  his  horse.  Soon  as  the  other  fellows 
saw  their  captain  on  the  ground  in  the  agonies 
of  death,  they  clapped  spurs  to  their  horses, 
and  galloped  off  fleeing,  turning  their  faces 
back  on  account  of  the  flies§  or  almonds  of 
lead. 

X  Gave  its  pleasure  to  the  finger,  i.e.  his  finger  was 
itching  to  draw  the  trigger,  and  he  humoured  it. 

§  They  feared  the  shot  and  slugs,  which  are  compared, 
and  not  badlv,  to  Hies  and  almonds. 


MISCELLANIES. 


147 


COTOR  YE  GAB1C0TE 
MAJARO. 

OR  SOS  SARO  LO  HA.  CHIBADO  EN  CHIPE  CALLI 
OR  RANDADOR  DE  OCONOS  PAPIRIS  AUNSOS 
NARDIAN  LO  HA  DINADO  AL  SURDETE. 


Y  soscabando  dicando  dico  los  Barbalos 
sos  techescaban  desqueros  mansis  on  or  Ga- 
zofilacio;  y  dico  tramisto  yesque  pispiricha 
chorrorita,  sos  techescaba  duis  chinorris  sara- 
ballis,  y  penelo :  en  chachipe  os  penelo,  sos 
caba  chorrorri  pispiricha  a  techescao  bus  sos 
sares  los  aveles :  persos  saros  ondobas  han 
techescao  per  los  mansis  de  Ostebe,  de  lo  sos 
les  costuna ;  bus  caba  e  desquero  chorrorri  a 
techescao  sare  saro  or  susalo  sos  terelaba.  Y 
pendo  a  cormufiis,  sos  pendaban  del  canga- 
ripe,  soscabelaba  uriardo  de  orchiris  berran- 
danas,  y  de  denes :  Cabas  buchis  sos  dicais, 
abillaran  chibeles,  bus  ne  muquelara  berran- 
daiia  costuiie  berrandafia,  sos  ne  quesesa  de- 
marabea.  Y  le  prucharon  y  pendaron :  Do- 
curdo,  bus  quesa  ondoba?  Y  sos  simachi 
abicara  bus  ondoba  presimare'J  Ondole  po- 
nelo:  Dicad,  sos  nasti  queseis  jonjabaos; 
persos  butes  abillaran  on  men  acnao,  pen- 
dando :  man  sirlo,  y  or  chiro  soscabela  pajes : 
Garabaos  de  guillelar  apala  de  ondolayos :  y 
bus  junureis  barganas  y  sustifies,  ne  os  espa- 
jueis ;  persos  sin  perfine  sos  ondoba  chundee 
brotobo,  bus  nasti  quesa  escotriaoregresiton. 
Oclinde  les  pendaba  :  se  sustinara  sueste  sar- 
tra  sueste,  y  sichen  sartra  sichen,  y  abicara 
bareles  dajiros  de  chenes  per  los  gaos,  y  re- 
treques  y  bocatas,  y  abicara  buchengeres  es- 
pajuis,  y  bareles  simachis  de  otarpe :  bus 
anjella  de  saro  ondoba  os  sinastraran  y  pre- 
guillaran,  enregandoos  a  la  Socreteria,  y  los 
ostardos,  y  os  legeraran  a  los  Oclayes,  y  a 
los  Baquedunis,  per  men  acnao :  y  ondoba  os 
chundeara  on  chachipe.  Terelad  pus  suraji 
on  bros  garlochines  de  ne  orobrar  anjella  sata 
abicais  de  brudilar,  persos  man  os  diiiare 
rotufii  y  chanar,  la  sos  ne  asislaran  resistir 
ne  sartra  pendar  saros  bros  enormes.  Y 
quesareis  enregaos  de  bros  batos,  y  opranos, 
y  sastris,  y  monrrores,  y  querara  merar  a 
cormuni  de  averes ;  y  os  cangelaran  saros  per 
men  acnao ;  bus  ne  carjibara  ies  bal  de  bros 
jeros.  Sar  bras  opachirima  avelareis  bras 
orchis:  pus  bus  dicareis  a  Jerusalem  relli, 
oclinde  chanad  sos  desquero  petra  soscabela 
pajes ;  oclinde  los  soscabelan  on  la  Chutea, 
chapesguen  a  les  toberjelis;  y  los  que  on  ma- 
cara  de  ondolaya,  niquillense;  y  lo  sos  on  los 
oltariques,  nasti  enrren  on  ondolaya;  persos 
odoba  sen  chibeles  de  Abillaza,  pa  sos  chun- 
deen  sares  las  buchis  soscabelan  libanas;  bus 
isna  de  las  araris,  y  de  las  sos  difian  de  oro- 
pielar  on  asirios  chibeles ;  persos  abicara  bare 
quichartura  costuiie  la  chen,  e  guillara  pa 


SPECIMEN  OF  THE 
GOSPEL. 

FROM   THE    AUTHOR'S   UNPUBLISHED  TRANS- 
LATION OF  THE  NEW  TESTAMENT. 


And  whilst  looking  he  saw  the  rich  who 
cast  their  treasures  into  the  treasury;  and  he 
saw  also  a  poor  widow,  who  cast  two  small 
coins,  and  he  said :  In  truth,  I  tell  you,  that 
this  poor  widow  has  cast  more  than  all  the 
others;  because  all  those  have  cast,  as  of- 
ferings to  God,  from  that  which  to  them 
abounded ;  but  she  from  her  poverty  has  cast 
all  the  substance  which  she  had.  And  he 
said  to  some,  who  said,  of  the  temple,  that 
it  was  adorned  with  fair  stones,  and  with 
gifts :  These  things  which  ye  see,  days  shall 
come,  when  stone  shall  not  remain  upon  stone, 
which  shall  not  be  demolished.  And  they 
asked  him  and  said :  Master,  when  shall  this 
be  1  and  what  sign  shall  there  be  when  this 
begins  1  He  said :  See,  that  ye  be  not  de- 
ceived, because  many  shall  come  in  my  name, 
saying:  I  am  (he,)  and  the  time  is  near :  be- 
ware ye  of  going  after  them :  and  when  ye 
shall  hear  (of)  wars  and  revolts  do  not  fear ; 
because  it  is  needful  that  this  happen  first, 
for  the  end  shall  not  be  immediately.  Then 
he  said  to  them :  Nation  shall  rise  against 
nation,  and  country  against  country,  and  there 
shall  be  great  tremblings  of  earth  among  the 
towns,  and  pestilences  and  famines ;  and  there 
shall  be  frightful  things,  and  great  signs  in 
the  heaven :  but  before  all  this  they  shall 
make  ye  captive,  and  shall  persecute,  de- 
livering ye  over  to  the  synagogue,  and  pri- 
sons ;  and  they  shall  carry  ye  to  the  kings, 
and  the  governors,  on  account  of  my  name : 
and  this  shall  happen  to  you  for  truth.  Keep 
then  firm  in  your  hearts,  not  to  think  before 
how  ye  have  to  answer,  for  I  will  give-  you 
mouth  and  wisdom,  which  all  your  enemies 
shall  not  be  able  to  resist,  or  contradict.  And 
ye  shall  be  delivered  over  by  your  fathers,  and 
brothers,  and  relations,  and  friends,  and  they 
shall  put  to  death  some  of  you ;  and  all  shall 
hate  you  for  my  name;  but  not  one  hair  of 
your  heads  shall  perish.  With  your  patience 
ye  shall  possess  your  souls:  but  when  ye 
shall  see  Jerusalem  surrounded,  then  know 
that  its  fall  is  near ;  then  those  who  are  in 
Judea,  let  them  escape  to  the  mountains ;  and 
those  who  are  in  the  midst  of  her,  let  them 
go  out;  and  those  who  are  in  the  fields,  let 
them  not  enter  into  her;  because  those  are 
days  of  vengeance,  that  all  the  things  which 
are  written  may  happen  ;  but  alas  to  the  preg- 
nant and  those  who  give  suck  in  those  days, 
for  there  shall  be  great  distress  upon  the  earth, 
and  it  shall  move  onward  against  this  people; 


148 


THE  ZINCALI. 


andoba  Gao ;  y  petraran  a  surabi  de  janrro ; 
yquesan  legeraos  sinastros  asareslas  chenes, 
y  Jerusalen  quesa  omana  de  los  suestiles, 
sasta  sos  quejesen  los  chiros  de  las  sichenes ; 
y  anicara  simaches  on  or  orcan,  y  on  la  chi- 
mutia,  y  on  las  uchurgafiis;  y  on  la  chen 
chalabeo  on  la  sueste  per  or  dan  sos  bausa- 
lara  la  loria  y  desqueros  gulas;  muquelendo 
los  romares  bifaos  per  dajiralo  de  las  buchis 
sos  costime  abillaran  a  saro  or  surdete ;  persos 
los  solares  de  los  otarpes  quesan  sar-chala- 
beaos;  y  oclinde  dicaran  a  or  Chaboro  e 
Manu  abillar  costufie  yesque  minrricla  sar 
baro  asislary  Chimusolano :  bus  presimelaren 
a  chundear  caba  buchis,  dicad,  y  sustifiad 
bros  jer6s  pajes  soscabela  bras  redencion. 


and  they  shall  fall  by  the  edge  of  the  sword ; 
and  they  shall  be  carried  captive  to  all  the 
countries,  and  Jerusalem  shall  be  trodden  by 
the  nations,  until  are  accomplished  the  times 
of  the  nations ;  and  there  shall  be  signs  in  the 
sun,  and  in  the  moon,  and  in  the  stars;  and 
in  the  earth  trouble  of  nations  from  the  fear 
which  the  sea  and  its  billows  shall  cause; 
leaving  men  frozen  with  terror  of  the  things 
which  shall  come  upon  all  the  world ;  because 
the  powers  of  the  heavens  shall  be  shaken ; 
and  they  shall  see  the  Son  of  Man  coming 
upon  a  cloud  with  great  power  and  glory: 
when  these  things  begin  to  happen,  iook  ye, 
and  raise  your  heads,  for  your  redemption  is 
near. 


THE    END. 


LBS '14 


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RECOMMENDATIONS. 

We  take  pleasure  in  commending  the  above  work  to  the  public  as  possessing  all  the  advantages  set 
forth  in  the  prospectus,  and  highly  recommend  its  general  circulation. 

(  John  A.  Clark,  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Church. 

Edmund  Neville,  Rector  of  St.  Philip'   Church. 

Geokge  W.  Bethune,  Minister  of  the  Third  Reformca  Dutch  Church. 

Joel  Parker,  Pastor  of  Clinton  Street  Presbyterian  Church. 

H.  A.  Boardman,  Pastor  of  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church. 

John  McDowell,  Pastor,  of  Central  Presbyterian  Church. 

J.  Kennaday,  Pastor  of  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

J.  Lansing  Burrows,  Pastor  of  Sansom  Street  Church. 
L  George  B.  Ide,  Paster  of  First  Baptist  Church. 


PHILADELPHIA < 


NEW  YORK. 


James  Milnor,  Rector  of  St.  George's  Church. 

Spencer  H.  Cone,  Pastor  of  First  Baptist  Church. 

W.  W.  Evarts,  Pastor  of  Laight  Street  Baptist  Church. 

A.  Perkins,  Pastor  of  Borcau  Street  Baptist  Church. 

Duncan  Dunbar,  Pastor  of  McDougal  Street  Church. 

Samuel  H.  Cox,  Pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Church  Brooklyn. 

Thomas  H.  Skinner,  Pastor  of  Mercer  Street  Church. 

Wm.  Patton,  Pastor  of  Spring  Street  Church. 

Sylvester  Eaton. 


JAMES  M.  CAMPBELL  &  Go., 

No.  98  Chestnut  Street,  Philadelphia, 

Have  recently  published  a  beautiful  and  cheap  edition  complete  in  one  large  octavo  volume — 432  pages— \ 

Price  $1,  full  cloth,  of 

D'AUBIGNE'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  REFORMATION 

IN  GERMAN Y  AND  SWITZERLAND. 

0°  This  work,  being  the  first  of  the  series  published  in  the  "  Select  Library,"  can  be  sent  by  mail  in 
Jive  numbers  at  periodical  postage.     Price  75  cents — greatest  postage  40  cents. 

Also— THE   BIBLE   IN    SPAIN, 

Or,  the  Journeys,  Adventures,  and  Imprisonments  of  an  Englishman,  in  an  attempt  to  circulate  the 
Scriptures  in  the  Peninsula,  by  George  Borrow,  author  of"  The  Gipsies  of  Spain" — 232  pages  octavo- 
price  37  £  cents. 

AIso-THE  GIPSIES  OF  SPAIN, 

With  an  Original  Collection  of  their  Songs  and  Poetry,  by  George  Borrow.     Price  31$.  cents. 


Also— FOX'S  BOOK  OF  MARTYRS, 

Complete  in  eight  numbers  of  80  pages  each.     Price  15  cents  per  number. 

This  work  is  published  uniform  with  and  supplementary  to  the  "  Select  Library,"  and  hence  is  subject 
to  periodical  postage  only.    Price  for  the  whole,  with  at  least  sixteen  illustrations  in  wood,  $1  20. 


ALSO, 

RISE  AND  FALL  OF  THE  PAPACY. 

An  Extraordinary  Discourse  on  the  Rise  and  Fall  of  the  Papacy;  or  the  pouring  out  of  the  vials,  in 
the  Revelation  of  St.  John — containing  Predictions  respecting  the  Revolutions  of  France,  the  Fate  of  its 
Monarch;  the  Decline  of  Papal  Power,  &c.  &c.     By  Robert  Fleming,  V.D.M. 


FATHER   CLEMENT, 

A  Roman  Catholic  Story,  by  Grace  Kenneday,  Author  of  the  Decision,  Philip  Colville,  &c,  with  a 
Sketch  of  the  Author — A  new  and  beautiful  edition — price  25  cents. 


CAMPBELL'S  FOREIGN  MONTHLY  MAGAZrJNE 

Is  published  the  first  week  in  each  month,  and  furnishes  the  choicest  literary  contents  of  the  Reviews, 
Magazines,  and  weekly  publications  of  Europe.  Every  other  number  will  be  embellished  with  a  fine 
engraved  likeness  of  some  distinguished  individual,  particularly  of  the  literary  and  scientific  circles  of 
Europe.     Price  Five  Dollars  a  year,  payable  in  advance. 

JAMES   M.    CAMPBELL, 

No.  98  Chestnut  street,  Philadelphia. 


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