tricks and devices, not known heere, at that
time, among us, were esteemed, and had in great admiration; insomuch,
that many of our English _Loyterers_ joined with them, and in time
learned their craftie cosening.

"The speach which they used, was the right Egyptian language, with whom
our Englishmen conversing, at least learned their language. These people
continuing about the country, and practising their cosening art,
purchased themselves great credit among the country people, and got much
by palmistry, and telling of fortunes; insomuch, they pitifully cosened
poor country girls, both of money, silver spoons, and the best of their
apparelle, or any goods they could make."

From this author, it is collected, they had a leader of the name of
_Giles Hather_, who was termed their King; and a woman of the name of
_Calot_, was called Queen. "These riding through the country on
horseback, and in strange attire, had a prettie traine after them."

After mentioning some of the laws passed against them, this writer adds:
"But what numbers were executed on these statutes you would wonder; yet,
notwithstanding, all would not prevaile, but they wandered as before uppe
and downe, and meeting once in a yeare at a place appointed; sometimes at
the Peake's Hole in Derbyshire, and other whiles by Ketbroak at
Blackheath."

About the same time, Spellman's Portrait of the Gypsey Fraternity seems
to have been taken, ad vivum, and is as follows:

"Egyptiani, Erronum, Impostorumque genus nequissimum, in Continente
ortum; sed ad Britannos nostras et Europam reliquam pervolans, nigredine
deformes, excocti sole, immundi veste, et usu rerum omnium faedi, &c.;"
which may be thus translated, "Egyptians, the worst kind of wanderers and
impostors, springing up on the Continent, but yet rapidly spreading
themselves through Britain, and other parts of Europe, disfigured by
their swarthiness; sun-burnt; filthy in their clothing, and indecent in
all their customs, &c."

According to the first of these statements, the arrival of Gypsies in
England might be about the year 1512; or ten years at least before the
Statute of the 22d of Henry VIII; in the 10th chapter of which, they are
described to be, "_An outlandish people_, _calling themselves Egyptians_,
_using no crafte_, _nor feat of merchandise_; _who have come into this
realm_, _and gone from shine to shire_, _and place to place in great
company_; _and used great_, _subtle_, _and crafty means