there are 50,000; in
Spain, 60,000; and that they are innumerable in Constantinople."

It appears from the statute of the 22nd of Henry VIII, made against this
people, that they must at that time have been in England some years, and
must have increased much in number, and in crime. In the 27th of that
reign, a law was made against the importation of such persons, subjecting
the importer to 40_l_ penalty. In that reign also they were considered
so dangerous to the morals and comfort of the country, that many of them
were sent back to Calais. Yet in the reign of Elizabeth, they were
estimated at 10,000. {11a}

Dr Walsh says, that the Gipsies in Turkey, like the Jews, are
distinguishable by indelible personal marks, dark eyes, brown complexion,
and black hair; and by unalterable moral qualities, an aversion to
labour, and a propensity to petty thefts. {11b}

The celebrated traveller, Dr Daniel Clarke, speaks of great numbers of
Gipsies in Persia, who are much encouraged by the Tartars. Formerly, and
particularly on the Continent, they had their counts, lords, and dukes;
but these were titles without either power or riches.

The English Gipsies were formerly accustomed to denominate an aged man
and woman among them, as their king and queen; but this is a political
distinction which has not been recognized by them for many years.

If we suppose the Gipsies to have been heathens before they came into
this country, their separation from pagan degradation and cruelty, has
been attended with many advantages to themselves. They have seen neither
the superstitions of idolatry, nor the unnatural cruelties of heathenism.
They are not destitute of those sympathies and attachments which would
adorn the most polished circles. In demonstration of this, we have only
to make ourselves acquainted with the fervour and tenderness of their
conjugal, parental, and filial sensibilities,--and the great care they
take of all who are aged, infirm, and blind, among them. Were these
highly interesting qualities sanctified by pure religion, they would
exhibit much of the beauty and loveliness of the christian character. I
am aware that an opinion is general, that they are cruel to their
children; but it may be questioned if ebullitions of passion are more
frequent among them, in reference to their children, than among other
classes of society; and when these ebullitions, which are not lasting,
are over--their conduct toward their childre