l as in
Courland, there is an amazing number of Gypsies.

"That they are to be found in Denmark and Sweden, is certain, but how
numerous they are in those countries we cannot pronounce, and therefore
proceed to the south east of Europe.

"The countries in this part seem to be the general rendezvous of the
Gypsies; their number amounts in Hungary, according to a probable
statement, to upwards of 50,000.

"Cantemir says, the Gypsies are dispersed all over Moldavia, where every
Baron has several families of them subject to him.

"In Wallachia and the Sclavonian mountains, they are quite as numerous.
Bessarabia, all Tartary, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, swarm with them;
even in Constantinople they are innumerable. In Romania, a large tract
of Mount Haemus, which they inhabit, has acquired from them the name
_Tschenghe Valkan_, the Gypsey mountain. This district extends from the
city Aydos, quite to Phillipopolis, and contains more Gypsies than any
other province in the Turkish empire."

Our countryman Edward Daniel Clark, in his travels in Russia, Tartary,
&c. so lately as the year 1800, states, "that after the ceremony of the
resurrection at Moscow, a party of Gypsies were performing the national
dance, called Barina; others were telling fortunes, according to their
universal practice, or begging for presents of oranges or ice.

"This extraordinary people, found in all parts of Europe, were originally
one of the Castes of India, driven out of their territory, and
distinguished among Indian tribes, by a name which signifies thieves.
They have a similar appellation among the Fins, and with the same
signification.

"They preserve every where the same features, manners, and customs, and
what is more remarkable, almost always the same mode of dress. The
extraordinary resemblance of the female Gypsies to the women of India,
was remarked by the British officers and men, in Egypt, when General
Baird arrived with his army to join Lord Hutchinson. The Sea-poys had
many of their women with them, who were exactly like our Gypsies.

"In their dress, they lavish all their finery upon their heads. Their
costume in Russia is very different to that of the natives. The Russians
hold them in great contempt; never speaking of them without abuse; and
feel themselves contaminated by their touch, unless it be to have their
fortunes told. Formerly they were more scattered over Russia, and paid
no tribute; but now they are collec