rts. The impressions
received from viewing a state so derogatory to human nature, induced him
to make numerous inquiries, in order to ascertain if necessity compelled
their continuance, under circumstances so deplorable as their condition
exhibited.

Not meeting with satisfactory intelligence on application to various
individuals, to whose observation Gypsies are frequently presented, the
author was excited to an examination of history, for the developement of
a case involved in so much obscurity; and aggravated by circumstances so
repugnant to the mild and genial influences of the Christian Religion.

He must not however omit to state, that in Northamptonshire, William
Allen, who is in the profession of the law, at Higham Ferrers, and
Steward to Earl Fitzwilliam, very warmly interested himself on the
subject. He said it afforded him much pleasure to find, that some
attention was excited to the condition of the Gypsies, and that he should
be glad to co-operate, as far as was in his power, in any measures likely
to conduce to the reformation of this greatly neglected class of British
subjects.

He volunteered his services to find out the nearest Gypsey rendezvous,
and soon procured information of an encampment which the writer visited.
An account of the visit will appear in the following sheets. The first
assurance that the Gypsies really had a language peculiar to themselves,
which the author received, was from this intelligent and obliging
professor of the law, who had heard children, as well as adults among
them, speak it with great fluency.

He also observed, that the situation of this people daily became
increasingly deplorable, in consequence of the establishment of
associations for the prosecution of felons; and that the fear of
apprehension as vagrants, and the progressive inclosures near towns and
villages, had a tendency to drive them to a greater distance from the
habitations of man. And he was fully of opinion, as these houseless
wanderers were expelled from Township after Township, without any
provision being made for their refuge, that it was high time their case
should obtain the consideration of the public.

Of the historic authorities whence the author has derived information and
interesting observation, he has to place in the foremost rank, the
Dissertation of the learned H. M. G. Grellmann, translated a few years
since, by the late M. Raper, Esq. F.R.S. & A.S. He has, however, to
acknowledg