rising sun. Poor woman! _her_ sun is set. Her sins have found her
out. Fortune-tellers die hard without exception, so I am told by the
Gipsies themselves.

Some time ago a gentleman followed several Gipsy families. Arriving at
the place of their encampment his first object was to gain their
confidence. This was accomplished; after which, to amuse their
unexpected visitant, they showed forth their night diversions in music
and dancing; likewise the means by which they obtained their livelihood,
such as tinkering, fortune-telling, and conjuring. That the gentleman
might be satisfied whether he had obtained their confidence or not, he
represented his dangerous situation, in the midst of which they all with
one voice cried, "Sir, we would kiss your feet rather than hurt you!"
After manifesting a confidence in return, the master of this formidable
gang, about forty in number, was challenged by the gentleman for a
conjuring match. The challenge was instantly accepted. The Gipsies
placed themselves in a circular form, and both being in the middle
commenced with their conjuring powers to the best advantage. At last the
visitor proposed the making of something out of nothing. This proposal
was accepted. A stone which never existed was to be created, and appear
in a certain form in the middle of a circle made on the turf. The master
of the gang commenced, and after much stamping with his foot, and the
gentleman warmly exhorting him to cry aloud, like the roaring of a lion,
he endeavoured to call forth nonentity into existence. Asking him if he
could do it, he answered, "I am not strong enough." They were all asked
the same question, which received the same answer. The visitor
commenced. Every eye was fixed upon him, eager to behold this unheard-of
exploit; but (and not to be wondered at) he failed! telling them he
possessed no more power to create than themselves. Perceiving the
thought of insufficiency pervading their minds, he thus spoke: "Now, if
you have not power to create a poor little stone, and if 1 have not power
either, what must that power be which made the whole world out of
nothing?--men, women, and children! that power I call God Almighty."

I have been told that the dislike they have to rule and order has led
many of them to maim themselves by cutting off a finger, that they might
not serve in either the army or the navy; and I believe there is one
instance known of some Gipsies murdering a witness