through
which they would blow the creature up till his flesh looked fat and
plump, and then they would apply a strong sticking plaster to prevent the
air escaping. Wolfgang Franz says they make use of another device with
an eel. Grellmann says of the Spanish Gipsies in his day that dancing
was another means of getting something; they generally practised dancing
when they were begging, particularly if men were about the streets.
Their dances were of the most disgusting kind that could be conceived;
the most lascivious attitudes and gestures, young girls and married
women, travelling with their fathers, would indulge in, to the extent of
frisking about the streets in a state of nudity.

Further inquiries among the Gipsies more than ever satisfy me that my
first statement last August, viz., that five per cent. of them could not
read and write, is being more than fully borne out by facts brought under
my notice; in fact, I question if there will be three per cent. of the
Gipsies who can read and write. The following letter has been sent to me
by a friend to show that there is one Gipsy in the country, at least, who
knows how to put a letter together, and as it is somewhat of a curiosity
I give it, as exactly as possible as I received it, of course leaving out
the name, and without note or comment.

"Newtown Moor,
"the 22nd, 1877.

"Dear Sir,--

"I recivd your last Letter, and proude to say that I shall (if alls
well) endeavor to cum on the day mentioned. I shall start from hear
5.36 a.m., and be in Edinburgh betwen 3 and 4. I have no more to say
very particular, only feel proude of having the enviteation (we are
all well hear) with the exception of my little Daughter. She still
keeps about the same. I shall finish (this little bit) by sending
all our very kind love and respects to Mrs. --- and yourself.
Hopeing this will find you boath in good helth (I shall go on with a
little bit of something else) (by the way, a little filling up which
I hope you will parden me for taking up so much of your time.

"I am yours
"Very obediently,t
"WELSH HARPER.

(Now a little more about