Transcribed from the 1874 Trübner & Co. edition by DavidPrice, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk
Author of “Hans Breitmann’s Ballads,” “TheMusic Lesson of Confucius,”
Etc. Etc.
Second Edition
LONDON
TRÜBNER & CO., 57 & 59 LUDGATE HILL
1874
[All rights reserved]
As Author of this book, I beg leave to observe that all which isstated in it relative to the customs or peculiarities of Gipsies wasgathered directly from Gipsies themselves; and that every word oftheir language here given, whether in conversations, stories, or sayings,was taken from Gipsy mouths. While entertaining the highest respectfor the labours of Mr George Borrow in this field, I have carefullyavoided repeating him in the least detail; neither have I taken anythingfrom Simson, Hoyland, or any other writer on the Rommany race in England. Whatever the demerits of the work may be, it can at least claim to bean original collection of material fresh from nature, and not a reproductionfrom books. There are, it is true, two German Gipsy letters fromother works, but these may be excused as illustrative of an Englishone.
I may here in all sincerity speak kindly and gratefully of everytrue Gipsy I have ever met, and of the cheerfulness with which theyhave invariably assisted me in my labour to the extent of their humbleabilities. Other writers have had much to say of their incredibledistrust of Gorgios and unwillingness to impart their language,but I have always found them obliging and communicative. I havenever had occasion to complain of rapacity or greediness among them;on the contrary, I have often wondered to see how the great want ofsuch very poor people was generally kept in check by their natural politeness,which always manifests itself when they are treated properly. In fact, the first effort which I ever made to acquire a knowledge ofEnglish Rommany originated in a voluntary offer from an intelligentold dame to teach me “the old Egyptian language.” And as she also suggested that I should set forth the knowledge whichI might acquire from her and her relatives in a book (referring to MrBorrow’s having done so), I may hold myself fully acquitted fromthe charge of having acquired and published anything which my Gipsyfriends would not have had made known to the public.
Mr Borrow has very well and truly said that it is not by passinga few hours among Gipsies that one can acquire a knowledge of theircharacteristics; and I think that this book presents abundant evidencethat its contents were not gathered by slight and superficial intercoursewith the Rommany. It is only by entering gradually and sympathetically,without any parade of patronage, into a familiar knowledge of the circumstancesof the common life of humble people, be they Gipsies, Indians, or whites,that one can surprise unawares those little inner traits which constitutethe characteristic. However this may be, the reader willreadily enough understand, on perusing these pages—possibly muchbetter than I do myself—how it was I was able to collect whateverthey contain that is new.
The book contains some remarks on that great curious centre and secretof all the nomadic and vagabond life in England, THE ROMMANY, with commentson the fact, that of the many novel or story-writers who have describedthe “Travellers” of the Roads, very few have penetratedthe real nature of their life. It gives several incidents illustratingthe character of the Gipsy, and some information of a very curious naturein reference to the respect of the English Gipsies for their dead, andthe strange manner in which they testify it. I believe that thiswill be found to be fully and distinctl