with fire and sword. Nevertheless, in
process of time, they had collected again, and increased to such a
degree, that, in 1612, a new order came out for their extermination.

In the year 1572, they were compelled to retire from the territories of
Milan and Parma; and at a period somewhat earlier, they were chased
beyond the Venetian jurisdiction. They were not allowed the privilege of
remaining unmolested in Denmark, as the code of Danish law specifies:
"The Tartars, _Gypsies_, who wander about every where, doing great damage
to the people, by their lies, thefts, and witchcraft, shall be taken into
custody by every magistrate."

Sweden was not more favourable, having attacked them at three different
times: A very sharp order for their expulsion came out in 1662. The Diet
of 1723 published a second, and that of 1727, repeated the foregoing with
additional severity.

They were excluded from the Netherlands under pain of death, partly by
Charles the Vth, and afterwards by the United States, in 1582. But the
greatest number of sentences of exile, have been pronounced against them
in Germany. The beginning was made under Maximilian I, at the Augsburgh
Diet, in 1500, where the following was drawn up, respecting those people
who call themselves Gypsies, roving up and down the country.

"By public edict, to all ranks of the empire, according to the
obligations under which they are bound to Us, and the Holy Empire; it is
strictly ordered, that in future they do not permit the said Gypsies,
since there is authentic evidence of their being spies, scouts, and
conveyers of intelligence, betraying the christians to the Turks, to pass
or remain within their territories; nor to trade; neither to grant them
protection, nor convoy. And that the said Gypsies do withdraw
themselves, before Easter next ensuing, from the German dominions;
entirely quit them, nor suffer themselves to be found therein: as in case
they should transgress after that time, and receive injury from any
person, they shall have no redress, nor shall such person be thought to
have committed any crime."

The same business occupied the attention of the Diet, in 1530, 1544,
1548, and 1551; and was also again enforced in the improved police
regulation of Frankfort, in 1577.

Several Princes were however so little attentive to these orders of the
empire, that instead of endeavouring to drive out the Gypsies, they on
the other hand, furnished them with passports