raging results. Before the Government tackled
them, they were idling, loafing, rambling, and robbing all over the
country, alike to our Gipsies; now they have settled down and become
useful and good citizens. In Norway the Gipsies are put into prison, and
there kept till they have learnt to read and write. In Hungary the
Government has appointed a special Minister to look after them, and see
that they are being properly educated and brought up. In Russia, the
laws passed for their imprisonment has had the effect of causing them, to
a great extent, to settle down to useful trades, and they are forming
themselves into colonies. And so, in like manner, in Spain, Germany,
France, and other European countries, steps have been taken to bring
about an improvement among them. In these countries nearly the whole of
the Gipsies can read and write; and we, of all others, who ought to have
set the example a century ago in the way of educating the Gipsy children,
have stood by with folded arms, and let them drift into ruin. I claim it
to be our duty--and it will be to our shame if we do not--to see to the
welfare of the Gipsy children for four reasons. First, that they are
Indians, and under the rule of our noble Queen; second, that they are in
our midst, and ought to take their share of the blessings, duties, and
responsibilities pertaining to the rest of the community; third, that as
a Christian nation, professing to lead the van and to set forth the
blessings of Christianity and civilisation; and, fourth, their universal
desire for the education of their children, and to contribute their
quota, however small, to the country's good, and for the eternal welfare
of their own children; and I do not think that there will be any
objection on their part to it being brought about on the plan I have
briefly sketched out.

I fancy I can hear some of the artists who have been delighted with Gipsy
models--the novelists who have hung many a tale upon the skirts of their
garments--the dramatists who have trotted them before the curtain to
please the public, and some old-fashioned croakers, who delight in
allowing things to be as they have always been--the same yesterday,
to-day, and for ever--saying, "let everybody look after their own
children;" and then, in a plaintive tone, singing--

"Woodman, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough;
In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now."

First,--I would ha