S. I recollect having heard that the benevolent Jonas Hanway took
a Gypsey for his servant, but I know not on what authority this was
said.

* * * * *

_To the Editor of the Christian Observer_. {217}

The candid acknowledgment of your benevolent correspondent, in the
Christian Observer for February last, that his attention had been
first drawn to the state of the Gypsies by the letter of Fraternicus,
was matter of unfeigned satisfaction to me; and as it is probable
there may be no want of inclination in the Christian world, to extend
relief effectually to them, permit me to solicit a place in your
pages, for a thought which has occurred to me in my meditations on
the subjects.

It appears from a letter in your number for May, that they are not
totally destitute of a desire for the benefit of instruction.
Information might easily be obtained, as to what part of England they
are to be found in the greatest numbers; and if a free school could
be instituted, and the means of instruction provided for those of
their children who were willing to attend, at least in the winter
season; might it not be a means of conveying useful knowledge to
them?

By degrees, they might be brought to attend divine worship regularly;
and if in the parish of a pious clergyman, he would probably embrace
the opportunity of teaching them, more particularly, the way of
salvation. Much, however, might be done by a pious schoolmaster, and
a schoolmistress, by whom the girls might be instructed in different
kinds of work, knitting, sewing, &c.; and if any of the parents
should evince a desire for instruction, they could be admitted at
different hours in the day. It would be an interesting inquiry, what
becomes of orphans among them, and whether there is not a possibility
of at least rescuing them from their present state of ignorance and
misery.

Should these suggestions be deemed worthy of your insertion, they
might, perhaps awaken the attention of some benevolent persons, whose
superior talents and experience in the ways of beneficence, would
enable them to perfect and carry into execution, a plan for the
effectual benefit of those unhappy partners of our kind. That He may
grant it, from whom every good thought proceeds, is the fervent
prayer of