o it about a fortnight after midsummer, to receive his rents,
when he provided a dinner under the tree, and invited several of his
friends to it. The novelty of the scene exciting the attention of the
neighbouring inhabitants, attendance on that occasion increased until
about the year 1725, when booths being erected round the stupendous oak,
the scene assumed the appearance of a regular fair. It has continued to
be held there, and it is said now attracts a great number of attendants.

As this fair does not appear to be a mart for horses or cattle, there is
reason to fear, it is kept up more for revelry and excess, than for any
useful purpose. The ground has been cleared to some extent about the
oak, which stands at the head of a circular lawn, surrounded by pailing,
to protect it from the ravages of the unthinking part of the multitude,
who assemble there. It is said to have been the practice of the Gypsies,
to kindle fires against the trunk, by which the bulk has been diminished,
and perhaps the vegetation injured.

On the side of the forest, near to Dagenham, Essex, was the encampment of
Gypsies, of which the author's friend was in quest. The construction of
their tents, is well known to be wooden hoops fastened into the ground,
and covered with an awning of blankets or canvas, which resembles the
tilt of a waggon; the end is closed from the wind by a curtain. This
gang was called by the name of Corrie. It consisted of an old man, his
wife, a niece, and their son and daughter with ten children; said to be
all from Staffordshire. The men were scissars' grinders and tinkers.

Questions being asked them respecting their condition, a young woman made
some observations upon them to an older woman, in their own peculiar
speech. This was the first time the writer had an opportunity of
ascertaining, what the language of Gypsies in England really was. With
the knowledge only of Grellmann's vocabulary, he pointed out what the
young woman had expressed; upon which they immediately exclaimed, the
gentleman understands what we say; and they gave way to immoderate
transports of joy, saying, they would tell him any thing he wished to
know of them.

On being asked what gold was in their language, they replied without
hesitation, _sonnaka_, and immediately added, silver was _roop_.

The opinion which has been entertained, that Gypsey language was composed
only of cant terms, or of what has been denominated the slang of be