_, _to deceive the
people_, _bearing them in hand_, _that they by palmistry could tell men's
and yeomen's fortunes_; _and so_, _many times by crafte and subtlety have
deceived the people of their money_; _and also have committed many
heinous felonies and robberies_." Wherefore they are directed to avoid
the realm, and not to return under pain of imprisonment, and forfeiture
of their good and chattels; and upon their trials for any felonies which
they may have committed, they shall not be entitled to a Jury _de
medietate linguae_.

The Act passed the 27th of the came reign goes farther, as will appear by
the following abstract of it: "_Whereas certain outlandish people_, _who
do not profess any crafte or trade whereby to maintain themselves_, _but
go about in great numbers from place to place_, _using insidious_,
_underhand means to impose on his Majesty's subjects_, _making them
believe that they understand the art of foretelling to men and women
their good and evil fortune_, _by looking in their hands_, _whereby they
frequently defraud people of their money_; _likewise are guilty of thefts
and highway robberies_: _it is hereby ordered that the said vagrants_,
_commonly called Egyptians_, _in case they remain one month in the
kingdom_, _shall be proceeded against as thieves and rascals_; _and on
the importation of any such Egyptian_, _he_, (_the importer_) _shall
forfeit_ 40 pounds _for every trespass_."

By the above recited Acts of Parliament, it appears, that it was from
their own representation of being Egyptians, they were so denominated in
England; and that they did not on their arrival in this country, feign
themselves, as in Germany, to be pilgrims; or as in France, to be
penitents; neither of which impositions would have been well adapted to
the temper of the government of Henry VIII; or to his subversion of papal
power, and abolition of monastic influence. The character they assumed,
was the best adapted to establish their reputation, for the arts and
deception they intended to practise in England. The fame of Egypt in
astrology, magic, and soothsaying, was universal; and they could not have
devised a more artful expedient, than the profession of this knowledge,
to procure for them a welcome reception by the great mass of the people.

From the abstract of the Act of 27th, Henry VIII, we may infer, that the
Gypsies were so much in request, as to induce some of our countrymen to
import them from the Contine