take themselves to regular and constant
employments at home, but soon tire, and return to their old way of life.

"When any of them, especially a leader, or man of influence dies, they
have full meetings, not only of the colony, but of the Gypsies from a
distance, and those meetings, or _Late Wakes_, are by no means conducted
with sobriety or decency."

"Query 4th. _Are any of their children taught to read_, _and what
proportion of them_? _With any anecdotes respecting their customs and
conduct_.

"D. Education being obtained at a cheaper rate, the Gypsies in general,
give their male children as good a one, as is bestowed on those of the
labouring people and farm servants in the neighbourhood; such as reading,
writing, and the first principles of arithmetic. They all apply to the
clergyman of the parish for baptism to their children, and a strong
superstitious notion universally prevails with them, that it is unlucky
to have an unchristened child long in the house. Only a very few ever
attend divine service, and those as seldom as they can, just to prevent
being refused as sponsors at their children's baptism.

"They are in general, active and lively, particularly when engaged in
field sports; or in such temporary pursuits as are agreeable to their
habits and dispositions; but are destitute of the perseverance necessary
for a settled occupation, or even for finishing what a moderate degree of
continued labour, would enable them to accomplish in a few weeks."

NOTES

_By_ WM. SMITH, _intended to elucidate his answers to the Queries_ A
_and_ B, _on their licentious liberty_.

"I remember that about 45 years ago, being then apprentice to a writer,
who was in use to receive the rents as well as the small duties of Kirk
Yetholm, he sent me there with a list of names, and a statement of what
was due; recommending me to apply to the landlord of the public-house, in
the village, for any information or assistance which I might need.

"After waiting a long time, and receiving payment from most of the
feuers, or rentallers, I observed to him that none of the persons of the
names of Faa, Young, Blythe, Fleckie, &c. who, stood at the bottom of the
list for small sums, had come to meet me, according to the notice given
by the Baron Officer; and proposed sending to inform them that they were
detaining me, and to request their immediate attendance.

"The landlord, with a grave face, inquired whether my master had de