s, what their fathers were.

It is asserted, there are two causes to which this coincidence is to be
attributed; one is the country where they originate, with their
consequent train of thinking; the other arises out of the circumstances
which have hitherto attended their situation. Their peculiar notions and
customs, leave no doubt of their being of eastern origin. In oriental
countries, attachment to habit is so strong, that what has been once
current among them, be it ever so pernicious or ridiculous, is persevered
in; any affection which has once predominated, retains its dominion for
ages.

Mahomet knowing that the weak side of the Arabians was their veneration
for every thing handed down from their forefathers, gave his new
profession the colouring of antiquity, and affirmed it to be the religion
of Abraham. The Jesuits in China, availed themselves of similar means,
by referring to Confucius, in aid of their doctrines, and thus they
obtained admission for their religion among the Chinese. In the eastern
nations, no change is adopted merely because it is an improvement. The
Chinese are acquainted with the use of glass, yet their mirrors are
always made of metal; and their windows of shells.--Mechanical watches
have been for ages used in the court of Pekin, but the bulk of the nation
depend upon the action of fire and water; the former, by the gradual
burning of a match composed of sweet smelling powder, the latter by
water, somewhat resembling our large hour-glasses.

If we consider the circumstances under which the Gypsies have existed, we
shall want nothing more to make us comprehend, why they have remained to
the present time, what they were at their first arrival in Europe.
Separating themselves as much as possible from all association, but with
those of their own tribe, they avoid every means which might give a new
turn to their ideas, or in the least degree contribute to eradicate
deep-rooted prejudice.--Unused to reflect, and fettered by habit, they
arrived in our quarter of the globe; and it does not appear that any
measures have been enjoined for instructing or reforming them, except
those of the Empress Theresa, which were never put in execution.

The most extreme punishments failing to effect a change in the habits of
Gypsies, they were subjected in almost all countries to banishment. They
had been accustomed in their own country, to live remote from cities and
towns; now they became more invaria