fold of their Redeemer. Amen.

Yours, H.

* * * * *

_To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {211}

As I am not in the constant habit of seeing your publication, it is
only lately, in meeting with your number for February last, at the
house of a friend, that I was aware that the spiritual state of the
Gypsies, had excited interest in the breasts of some of your readers.

They are a race who have long excited interest in mine; so much, that
in the year 1801, I had written a letter upon the subject to the
society for bettering the condition, and increasing the comforts of
the poor; but I thought on further reflection, that any attempts to
civilize a race of beings so degraded, and held in so much contempt,
would be considered so very visionary, that I gave up the idea and
did not send it. A greater lapse of time, farther observation, and
the suggestions of your correspondents, induce me to trouble you with
the few following remarks; recollecting that in literary attempts and
works of beneficence, it is the same as in pecuniary subscriptions;
that great effects are not always produced from the stores of an
opulent individual, but from the willing contributions of the many.

It does not appear to me, that a few, or even many Missionaries,
according to the suggestion of Fraternicus, Vol. vii. p. 496, would
answer the purpose of imparting religious knowledge to the Gypsies;
since on account of their wandering mode of life, and from their not
travelling in any numbers together, it would be difficult to form
congregations. What the number of Gypsies, and of those who lead
vagrant lives, like them, may be in this kingdom, I cannot even form
a conjecture; and Mr. Colquhoun, I think does not mention them in his
treatise on the Police of the Metropolis. Neither am I acquainted
with their numbers and modes of life at Norwood, {212} which I
understand is the chief residence of them; what I have to say,
therefore, is only from observations made upon those who frequent
this neighbourhood, and from others seen occasionally when I have
been travelling.

The suggestions of Minimus, Vol. viii. p. 286, appear to me to be the
most practicable: and I hope that there are many Gypsies who would be
incl