miserable huts
near Hermanstadt, Cronstadt, Beatritz, Grosswaradein, Debrezin, Eperies,
Karchan, and other places. But by far the greater number of these
people, lead a very different kind of life; ignorant of the comforts
attending a fixed place of residence, they rove from one district to
another in hordes; having no habitation, but tents, holes in the rocks,
or caves: the former shade them in summer, the latter screen them in
winter.

Many of these people, particularly in Germany and Spain, do not even
carry tents with them, but shelter themselves from the heat of the sun,
in forests shaded by the rocks, or behind hedges. They are very partial
to willows, under which they erect their sleeping places at the close of
the evening. Some live in their tents, in their language called
_Tschater_, during both summer and winter; which latter indeed the
Gypsies generally prefer.

In Hungary, those who have discontinued their rambling way of life, and
built houses for themselves, seldom let a spring pass without taking
advantage of the first settled weather, to set up a tent for their summer
residence. Under this, each enjoys himself with his family, nor thinks
of his house till winter returns, and the frost and snow drive him back
to it.

The wandering Gypsey in Hungary and Transylvania, endeavours to procure a
horse; in Turkey, an ass serves to carry his wife and a couple of
children, with his tent. When he arrives at a place he likes, near a
village, or a city, he unpacks, pitches his tent, ties his animal to a
stake to graze, and remains some weeks there: or if he do not find his
station convenient, he breaks up in a day or two, loads his beast, and
looks out for a more agreeable situation. His furniture seldom consists
of more than an earthen pot, an iron pan, a spoon, a jug and a knife;
with sometimes the addition of a dish. These serve for the whole family.

Working in iron is the most usual occupation of the Gypsies. In Hungary,
this profession is so common, that there is a proverb: "So many Gypsies
so many smiths."

The same may be said of those in Transylvania, Wallachia, Moldavia, and
all Turkey in Europe; at least such workers in fire are very numerous in
all those countries. But the Gypsies of our time, are not willing to
work heavy works; they seldom go beyond a pair of light horse shoes. In
general, they confine themselves to small articles, such as rings and
nails; they mend old pots and kettles;