heir parishes in order to levy contributions, by practising
impositions in places where they are not known, it is obvious that
Gypsies, having no parochial settlements, cannot come under that
description. Excepting a temporary residence of some of them in winter,
their home is a whole county, and the majority of them are too
independent to apply to any parish for assistance.

Here is a trait in their character, which, were it grafted on the stock
of half the paupers in the kingdom, would be a national advantage.

It ought to procure some indulgence for the Gypsies, that their wandering
mode of life does not originate in any contumacious opposition to
judicial order; but in a scrupulous regard to the Institutions of their
ancestors. For the advantages we possess, shall we return injury to our
fellow-men! If after being fully introduced into a situation to taste
the comforts of social order, and to acquire a knowledge of mechanical
professions, which would render them useful and respectable, any of them,
despising these privileges, should indulge wandering dispositions, they
might then deserve all the punishment which under the vagrant Acts, can
be indicted.

It is worthy of remark, that in the evidence respecting mendicity in
London, adduced last year before the Committee of the House of Commons,
there is only a single instance in the parish called St. Giles, that
noted rendezvous of Gypsies, of one of their tribe, a girl, begging in
the streets.

Is it not high time the people of England were undeceived, respecting the
motives to Gypsey perseverance in their singular line of conduct. Their
invincible attachment to the traditions they have received, is almost
proof, in itself, of Grellmann's assertion, that they are the descendants
of an Indian caste; in whose estimation inviolable adherence to the
customs of their order, constitutes the highest perfection of character.

When any remark is made to them on their strange mode of conduct, they
are ready to reply: "The inhabitants of cieled houses follow the customs
of their predecessors; What more do we? Are they creatures of habit? So
are we."

After this account, is it surprising that the violent means pursued
against them in all countries, have been ineffectual to abolish their
peculiarities?

Their humane and intelligent biographer, Grellmann, styles them a
"singular phenomenon in Europe;" and it may justly be observed of such of
them as inhabit countries