Chapter II: Preface

NOT a few writers have essayed to study the Gypsies in dusty libraries. I have companioned with them on fell and common, racecourse and fairground, on the turfy wayside and in the city’s heart. In my book, which is a record of actual experiences, I have tried to present the Gypsies just as I have found them, without minimising their faults or magnifying their virtues. Most of the Gypsies mentioned in the following pages have now passed away, and of those who remain, many have, for obvious reasons, been renamed.

For the majority of the pictures adorning my book, I owe a profound debt of gratitude to my friend, Mr. Fred Shaw; also, for their kind permission to include several pictures in my “Romany Gallery,” my cordial thanks are due to Mrs. Johnson, of Yatton, Rev. H. H. Malleson, Mr. William Ferguson, Mr. T. J. Lewis, Mr. H. Stimpson, and Mr. F. Wilkinson.

The phonetics contained in this work are based upon a system invented by my friend, Mr. R. A. Scott Macfie, of the Gypsy Lore Society, whose innumerable kindnesses I most gratefully acknowledge.

G. H.

RUCKLAND RECTORY,
NEAR LOUTH,
LINCOLNSHIRE.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE
I. GYPSY COURT—MY INITIATION INTO GYPSYDOM 1
II. CHARACTERS OF THE COURT—READING BORROW 16
III. NORTH-COUNTRY GYPSIES 32
IV. MY POACHING PUSSY—A ROMANY BENISON—MY FIRST TASTE 41
OF HEDGEHOG
V. A GYPSY BAPTISM—ROMANY NAMES 52
VI. I MAKE A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 57
VII. THE BLACKPOOL GYPSYRY 71
VIII. A TRENTSIDE FAIR 89
IX. TAKEN FOR TRAMPS—AN EAST ANGLIAN FAMILY 99
X. PETERBOROUGH FAIR 118
XI. A FORGOTTEN HIGHWAY—“ON THE ROAD” WITH 134
JONATHAN—THE PATRIN—THE GHOST OF THE HAYSTACK
XII. THE GYPSY OF THE TOWN 152
XIII. WITH THE YORKSHIRE GYPSIES 172
XIV. A NIGHT WITH THE GYPSIES—THE SWEEP OF LYNN—LONDON 186
GYPSIES—ON EPSOM DOWNS
XV. TINKERS AND GRINDERS 205
XVI. THE INN ON THE RIDGEWAY—TALES BY THE FIRESIDE 213
XVII. HORNCASTLE FAIR 229
XVIII. A GYPSY SEPULCHRE—BURIAL LORE—THE PASSING OF 238
JONATHAN
XIX. _BITSHADO PAWDEL_ (TRANSPORTED) 247
XX. A ROMANY MUNCHAUSEN 256
XXI. THE GYPSY OF THE HILLS—IN THE HEART OF WALES—A 262
WESTMORLAND HORSE FAIR
XXII. FURZEMOOR 278
GLOSSARY OF ROMANY WORDS 291
GYPSY FORE OR CHRISTIAN NAMES 299
INDEX 303

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

THE GYPSY’S PARSON _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE A ROMANY LASS 6 THE CAMP IN THE LANE 20 A DAUGHTER OF “JASPER PETULENGRO” 28 ON THE MOORLAND 36 A NORTH-COUNTRY GYPSY GIRL 36 ROUND THE CAMP-FIRE 48 A CHILD OF THE CARAVAN 48 A REST BY THE WAY 62 A WAYSIDE IDYL 68 CHILDREN OF THE OPEN AIR 68 ON THE LOOK-OUT 72 THE GYPSY’S PARSON WITH HIS FRIENDS 86 FRIENDS AT THE FAIR 86 A MAID OF THE TENTS 112 ON THE EVE OF THE FAIR 118 MIDLAND GYPSIES 128 SOUTH-COUNTRY GYPSIES 128 NETTING RABBITS 139 ’NEATH THE HEDGEROW 139 THE GYPSY’S PARSON ON THE ROAD 142 GYPSIES AT HOME 146 COMRADES 146 “A MOTHER IN EGYPT” 160 HOUSE-DWELLING GYPSIES 172 A GYPSY LAD 184 ON THE RACECOURSE 202 A TINKER OF THE OLDEN TIMES 208 A WELSH GYPSY TINKER 208 A ROMANY FIDDLER 222 HORNCASTLE HORSE FAIR 230 READY FOR THE FAIR 232 YARD OF THE “GEORGE” INN, HORNCASTLE 232 A LONDON GYPSY 246 “BLACK AS A BOZ’LL” 258 OLI PURUM 264 A GYPSY HARPIST 264 A HAPPY PAIR 268 A CHAT BY THE GATE 268 ’NEATH CAUTLEY CRAG 272 A BOTTOMLESS POOL 272 A WANDERING MINSTREL 274 BROUGH HILL HORSE FAIR 276 GYPSY CHILDREN 280