nder his own
observation, while in Hampshire.

CHAP. II. Observations on the Character, Manners, and Habits of the
English Gipsies.

The origin of this people is by no means of so much importance as the
knowledge of their present character, manners and habits, with the view
to the devising of proper plans for the improvement of their condition,
and their conversion to christianity: for to any one who desires to love
his neigbour as himself, their origin will be but a secondary
consideration.

Fifty years ago the Gipsies had their regular journeys, and often
remained one or two months in a place, when they worked at their trades.
And as access to different towns was more difficult than at the present
day, partly from the badness of the roads and partly from the paucity of
carriers, they were considered by the peasantry, and by small farmers, of
whom there were great numbers in those days, as very useful branches of
the human family; I mean the industrious and better part of them. At
that period they usually encamped in the farmers' fields, or slept in
their barns; and not being subject to the _driving system_, as they now
are, they seldom robbed hedges; for their fires were replenished with
dead-wood procured, without any risk of fines or imprisonments, from
decayed trees and wooded banks. And it is proper to suppose, that, at
such a time, their outrages and depredations were very few.

It has already been stated that the Gipsies are very numerous, amounting
to about 700,000. It is supposed that there are about 18,000 in this
kingdom. But be they less or more, we ought never to forget--that they
are branches of the same family with ourselves--that they are capable of
being fitted for all the duties and enjoyments of life--and, what is
better than all, that they are redeemed by the same Saviour, may partake
of the same salvation, and be prepared for the same state of immortal
bliss, from whence flows to the universal church of Christ, that peace
which the world cannot take from her. Their condition, therefore, at
once commands our sympathies, energies, prayers, and benevolence.

Gipsies in general are of a tawny or brown colour; but this is not wholly
hereditary. The chief cause is probably the lowness of their habits; for
they very seldom wash their persons, or the clothes they wear, their
linen excepted. Their alternate exposures to cold and heat, and the
smoke surrounding their small camps, perpetu