ars of age." The
gentleman who wrote the account, adds as follows:--

"Their countenances were very animated and expressive; there seemed to be
a ray of heavenly brightness resting upon them; and while I gave them a
charge how to read the sacred gift, they were much affected: the boy, in
particular, listened with eager attention, fixing his eyes first on me,
then on the Bible. After I had inscribed their names in the title-page,
they departed with my blessing; and what is better--with the blessing of
God."

At another part of the year, this clergyman returned to the same spot
where he had before been so delightfully engaged in attempting to benefit
the poor Gipsies. He found out another camp, and thus writes of them.

"On my approach to the camp (where was a group of nearly naked children,)
the Gipsy girls rose up, and, in a modest and respectful manner, answered
my questions; while the little swarthy group of children gathered around
me. To one of these girls I said, 'How is it that you bear such a
wandering and exposed life?' In reply, she said, 'Sir, it is _use_;
_use_ is second nature.' 'But have you any religion? Do you think about
God, about judgment, and eternity? Do you know how to pray?' She
answered, 'I say my prayers, sir, night and morning.' I then said, 'can
any of your people read?' 'Yes, sir,' she replied, 'one of our men that
is not here, can read very well.' 'Have you a Bible among you?' 'No,
sir; we should be thankful for one, sir.'"

On leaving the camp, the clergyman promised to call on them again, when
the other part of the family should be returned from the town, where they
were gone to vend their wares.

"On my return to the encampment," says he, "I was met by two men who came
out to greet me. I asked them kindly of their names. They informed me
it was Bosvill. The women and children were now collected around me. I
inquired who among them could read. Captain Bosvill, for so I called
him, answered me, 'My wife, sir, can read any thing in English.' I was
glad to hear this, and asked them if they had any books. Bosvill went to
a package and brought forth his stock, fragments of an old Testament, and
an old spelling-book. 'And what use do you make of your spelling book?'
asked I. 'My wife,' replied Bosvill, 'when she has time, teaches the
children their letters.' I now shewed them the Bible I had in my pocket,
saying, that as it was so holy and blessed a book, it ought not t