e 'Boswell gang' were coming down the
one long street; the women of the tribe, fine, bold, handsome-looking
women, in 'black beaver bonnets, with black feathers and red cloaks,'
sometimes quarrelled, and my mother, then a girl, saw the procession
several times stop in the middle of the village, and two women (sometimes
more) would fall out of the ranks, hand their bonnets to friends, strip
off cloak and gown, and fight in their 'shift' sleeves, using their fists
like men. The men of the tribe took no notice, stood quietly about till
the fight was over, and then the whole bevy passed on to their
camping-ground. My grandfather never passed the tents without calling in
to see his friends, and it would have been an offence indeed if he had
not partaken of some refreshment. Two or three times my mother
accompanied him, and whenever and wherever they met her they were always
very kind and respectful to 'Pe-tee's little girl.' In after years, when
visiting her native village, she often inquired if it was known what had
become of the tribe; at last she heard from some one it was thought they
had settled in Canada: at any rate they had passed away for ever from
that part of England."

Mr. Leland wrote as follows in the _Standard_, August 19:--"As you have
kindly cited my work on the English Gipsies in your article on them, and
as many of your readers are giving their opinions on this curious race,
perhaps you will permit me to make a few remarks on the subject. Mr.
Smith is one of those honest philanthropists whom it is the duty of every
one to honour, and I for one, honour him most sincerely for his kind
wishes to the Romany; but, with all my respect, I do not think he
understands the travellers, or that they require much aid from the
'Gorgios,' being quite capable of looking out for themselves. A _tacho
Rom_, or real Gipsy, who cannot in an emergency find his ten, or even
twenty, pounds is a very exceptional character. As I have, even within a
few days, been in company, and on very familiar footing with a great
number of Romanys of different families of the dark blood who spoke the
'jib' with unusual accuracy, I write under a fresh impression. The Gipsy
is almost invariably strong and active, a good rough rider and
pedestrian, and knowing how to use his fists. He leads a very hard life,
and is proud of his stamina and his pluck. Of late years he _kairs_, or
'houses,' more than of old, particularly during the winter, b