The Gipsies' Advocate by James Crabb

Author:James Crabb [Crabb, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, General, Literary Collections, European, English; Irish; Scottish; Welsh, Social Science, Folklore & Mythology
ISBN: 9781446053416
Google: slxRg9WR-GAC
Publisher: Read Books Design
Published: 2011-03-15T00:22:47+00:00

The author has also just received from a clergyman in Scotland, a most interesting account of a colony of Gipsies in that country, where, I am happy to observe, they do not seem so much hunted as in England. And as the severity of their winters drive them into houses for three months, during that season, there is offered a fair opportunity to both ministers and kindly disposed Christians to do them good. The letter alluded to is most gladly inserted with the view to encourage the Christian denominations of England to imitate the benevolence, zeal, and industry of their much respected brethren the Scotch.

“Yetholm Hall, Dec. 11th, 1830.

“My dear Sir,

“Through the report of the Society for ameliorating the condition of that unfortunate race, the Gipsies, I am acquainted with your name, and with your benevolent exertions in their behalf. As the minister of a parish in which perhaps the largest colony of this people in Scotland reside, and naturally, therefore, very much interested in any plan that promises to improve their condition, I take the liberty of writing you; not so much for the purpose of answering the numerous queries subjoined to the report, as of requesting your advice and opinion, with regard to what plan might be adopted for the improvement of the colony, placed, in some degree, under my care and superintendence. I have but lately been called to the ministerial office, and appointed to the pastoral care of this parish; and previous to the period of my appointment, I had no opportunity of being acquainted with the character and habits of the Gipsies. Your longer acquaintance with this people, and experience, may suggest to me some useful hints on the subject, should you take the trouble to notice this letter. The number of Gipsies in the parish of Yetholm is about 100. You are no doubt already in some degree acquainted with the Gipsies of Kirk Yetholm, from the interesting notices furnished by Mr Smith, of Kelso, and published in Hoyland’s Survey, and in one of the earliest numbers of Blackwood’s Magazine. And his account of them is substantially correct to this day. It would appear that the Gipsy population of this place is fluctuating. In 1798, there were only 59. In 1818, when Mr Smith wrote, there were 109. In 1830, there are 100. And in a few years more, this number may be considerably diminished or increased. The greater part of them are “muggers,” or “potters,” who carry earthen-ware about the country for sale. There are two horn spoon makers; all the others are abroad from their head quarters, of Kirk Yetholm, from eight to nine months in the year. The history of some of the individuals and families of the clan, would furnish something very interesting. One of the family of the Taa’s is still denominated the “King.” The number of children belonging to each family is generally large. There may be thirty children under twelve years of age. The parents express themselves

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