and safe-conducts; but by
far the greater number exerted themselves to the utmost, to clear their
states of them.

Perhaps there is not any civilized state, Hungary and Transylvania
excepted, where this remedy has not been tried; but in the first place it
had very little effect, and that little was only temporary. Even if
every civilized nation had driven out the Gypsies at the same time,
Europe could not have been entirely cleared of them, so long as they
preserved an asylum in Turkey. Now as experience evinces there is no
country in which a constant, equal attention, is paid to the execution of
the laws, they would, in more, or less time, have again insinuated
themselves into the neighbouring countries; from these into others; and
have recommenced where they left off.

But a general extermination never did take place. The law for banishing
them passed in one state before it was thought of in the next, or when a
like order had long become obsolete, and sunk into oblivion. These
guests were therefore merely compelled to shift their quarters to an
adjoining state, where they remained till the Government, there, began to
clear them away, upon which the fugitives either retired back whence they
came, or went on progressively to a third place, thus making a continual
revolution.

Secondly, this remedy was premature: endeavouring to exterminate, was the
same as if a surgeon should proceed directly to the amputation of a
diseased limb, because it created inconvenience to the rest of the body.
Whereas the first inquiry ought to be, whether the disorder is of such a
nature as not to be removed, but by entire separation. This is a
desperate course, and should only be adopted, when no other can be
efficacious.

It is to be regretted that, not until the reign of the Empress Theresa,
does there appear to have been any plan laid down for the gaining over
these poor ignorant people to virtue, and to the state. Historians
represent that the wise dispositions she enjoined respecting the Gypsies
in Hungary, were intrusted to people inadequate to the task.

What was done, in her time, for the improvement of their condition, may
be seen by the following article extracted from the _Anzeigen aus den
Kayserl_, _Konigl Erblandern_, or Intelligence from the Hereditary
Imperial Royal Dominions.

"Since the year 1768, several decrees regarding these people have been
published in the country, _Hungary_, and the strictest orders despa