stening to a very good instrumental band. The object of
the travellers, however, was to meet with the civilised specimens of the
race of Zingari or gipsies, whom they would find there. They were not
long in discovering them as they moved about among the crowd. There was
the same swarthy hue, black, burning eyes, and cunning, quick expression
of countenance which distinguish them in every part of the world. The
women were somewhat fancifully, but not fantastically dressed. This
costume varied little from that common in Europe. It is only on festive
occasions that they wear the dress of their people. The men had on
surtouts, with belts round their waists, and light-coloured trousers.
They were remarkable for their small well-formed heads and sharp Jewish
countenances. Cousin Giles said he should call them Arab Jews. One of
the women, who was fairer than the rest, and somewhat picturesquely
dressed in a red mantle, seemed to attract some attention, though when
her features were seen near they bore the gipsy characteristics.

After some time the interpreter succeeded in finding the chief of the
gipsies, and in drawing him aside to where Cousin Giles was standing.
The interpreter told the gipsy chief that Cousin Giles was an Englishman
who took great interest in the gipsies of all countries, and that he
would like to hear about his tribe. The gipsy replied that he was much
flattered; that he was the chief only of forty or fifty people, but that
they were all well off; that they lived in comfortable houses, and had
conformed to the religion of the country; that he had been offered a sum
equivalent to a thousand pounds to each of his band to go to Paris to
sing in public, but that they were well off in Russia, and did not wish
to move. Some of his people at times became very wealthy, and some of
the women, who had fine voices, went on the stage, while others married
men of rank. There were many tribes of gipsies in Russia who were
altogether of an inferior grade. They still lived in tents, and
wandered about the country, and were chiefly horse and cattle-dealers.
A few followed still less creditable occupations. His tribe, however,
held no communication whatever with them.

It occurred to Cousin Giles that the life of the wandering gipsy was
perhaps more creditable than that of his brethren in the city. The
conversation was brought to a close by the gipsy and his band being
summoned to the platform.

The band