g Gipsy youth, who was placed with a coach-maker in
Southampton, after working some time, cut his hand, and then relinquished
his employment, to wander with his father, who is a rat-catcher. But it
is hoped that he, as well as others of his brethren who have returned to
their former courses, will be brought back, or find some other desirable
and permanent abode; that what has been done by this society may not
ultimately be lost. Indeed, while writing this, I am happy to be able to
state, that the morals of this young man appear very correct, and that he
has, by constant application, learned to read tolerably well since he
left Southampton. He supports himself by selling brushes, lines, and
corks, but talks very seriously of giving up his wandering habits to
return to us again.

Among the reclaimed Gipsies are three women who were notorious
fortune-tellers, and who doubtless have done much injury to the morals of
society. They are now very promising; and there is a fair prospect of
their children being saved from much sin and misery, as they are placed
at Infants' Schools, where they are gradually acquiring useful scriptural
knowledge, and correctness of habits; in which, if they persevere, by the
grace of the Redeemer, their present and everlasting welfare will be
secured. Such examples of success amply repay the Committee for the
trouble and expense already bestowed on the Gipsies; and it is hoped its
members will be stimulated to every exertion in their power by the good
done to those in a state of reformation and improvement, that the whole
wandering race may be led into the right way.

CHAP. IX. Of the plans pursued by the Southampton Committee, and the
success which has attended them, continued.

A gipsy woman, of whose reformation we have already taken some notice,
having gone to solicit the assistance of the parish to which one of her
children belonged, met with many difficulties and troubles. She was not
at this time destitute of the knowledge of religion. She had learned to
read, and had become acquainted with the Scriptures, at an adult school,
and by attending at a place of worship; and these instructions were not
thrown away on her; for although she was frequently invited to eat and
drink in the tents of the Gipsies on her journey, she conscientiously
refused, fearing that what they were partaking of might not be honestly
obtained. She informed them that her Testament had taught her better