iles from each other, have invented a language. Others who
are better informed on the subject, allow that the language brought into
Europe with the Gypsies, was really vernacular, of some country; but
suppose it is so disguised and corrupted, partly by design, and partly by
adventitious events, through length of time, and the continued wandering
of these people, that it must be considered a new language, and now used
by the Gypsies only.

That it is the dialect of some particular part of the globe, though no
longer pure, as in the country whence it originated, is an opinion which
has obtained the greatest concurrence among the learned. Grellmann says,
had a German listened a whole day to a Gypsey conversation, he would not
have comprehended a single expression. It must doubtless appear
extraordinary, that the language of a people who had lived for centuries
in Europe, should have remained so much a secret: but it was not easy to
gain information from the Gypsies concerning it. Acquainted, by
tradition, with the deception their predecessors practised on coming into
Europe, they are suspicious; and fearing an explanation might be
dangerous to themselves, they are not disposed to be communicative.--But
how was it possible for the learned of former centuries, to be competent
to the investigation, who had not the aids which now so copiously occur
to the historical etymologist?

Many dialects have been discovered, and our knowledge of others greatly
increased, within the last fifty or sixty years. During that time, not
only the literary treasures of the furthest north have been opened to us,
but we have become acquainted with many of the oriental languages; and
even eastern idioms are becoming familiar to us. We need not therefore
be surprised, that before this period, the most learned were unable to
point out the country in which the Gypsey language was spoken. The
Gypsies have no writing peculiar to themselves, in which to give a
specimen of the construction of their dialect.

Writing and reading are attainments not to be expected from nomadic
tribes. Sciences, and the refined arts, are never to be looked for among
a people whose manner of living, and education, are so irregular. Music
is the only science in which Gypsies participate in any considerable
degree; they likewise compose, but it is after the manner of the eastern
people, extempore.

Grellmann asserts, that the Hindostanie language has the greatest
a