“Dear Sir,

“In answer to your inquiries, I have to say, that within my knowledge, little or nothing has as yet been accomplished for the Gipsies. The Home Missionaries have frequently paid flying visits to their camps, and prayed, read, preached and distributed tracts. In all cases they have been treated with much respect, and their labour has been repaid with the most sincere marks of gratitude. But I never met with very warm support in carrying on this object, but was often exposed to some sarcastical insinuations or sardonic smiles from those who thought the attempt to ameliorate the condition of the Gipsies, only Quixotic.

“I think their wandering life is one very great impediment in the way of improving the Gipsy tribes, and yet they are so attached to it, that, when taken into families, as servants, they will not stay. Nor can any good be done to their children; for, like all wild people, the parents are attached to them to a fault; so that they cannot allow them to be absent from them even to enjoy the instruction of a school, suspecting that such a separation might end in their final disunion.

“Were a distinct society formed to effect a reformation among the Gipsies, many of the nobility, and other classes of the higher orders, would no doubt subscribe. There is a feeling among them on the subject, and many times the formation of a society has been on the tapis. The Gipsies are singularly attached to the Establishment, and many of them are married at the parish churches; and it is a pity the episcopalian body have not taken them up. There is a prejudice against them which I think is unfounded; but I cannot enter into details in a mere letter. People look on them as vagabonds, and they seem shy in return; and hence they continue a kind of outcast body in a civilized country.

“If any further steps are taken, and if I can in any way assist in promoting your good object, you may command my services.

“I am, dear sir, respectfully yours,

“I. Cobbin.”

Extracts from the Letter of a Clergyman’s Lady.

“Sir,

“My best thanks are due to you for your compliance with my request; and, in return, I beg to assure you, that I consider your answer to my friend’s objection, as quite satisfactory and efficient. I rejoice to hear that God has been pleased to bless the endeavours and earnest exertion of the Scripture-readers (to the Gipsies) with success. To behold sixteen, and afterwards twenty-one Gipsies voluntarily attending Divine worship, must have conveyed feelings of heartfelt gratitude to the heart of every Christian, and at the same time encourage him to persevere in earnest prayer to the Father of mercies, to pour his holy Spirit into their souls, that they might become the true and faithful followers of the Redeemer. You say you would be glad to receive any intelligence respecting this interesting people; by which I am led to suppose that an account of an interview which I had with some of them, may not be unacceptable; an interview that was highly pleasing and satisfactory, as I found them less ignorant of spiritual concerns, and to possess better qualities, than I had imagined.

“Having sent for two women, (the heads of the camps) I received them in a cottage in the town of ---, and after allowing them some refreshment, proceeded to put the different questions to them that are inserted in the Observer. They told me that their family, altogether, consisted of eighteen persons, who travelled about the country in three camps; that the men found it difficult to obtain regular employment; that sometimes, during the winter, they made cabbage-nets, and mended culinary utensils; that in the summer, men and women were occasionally employed in making hay, &c. These women appeared very destitute of necessary clothing, which they said they found great difficulty in obtaining. They appeared careful to speak the truth, alleging that it hurt their consciences to speak otherwise. On the question being put to them, whether they appropriated to themselves the property of those near whom they encamped? they candidly confessed that they sometimes took a little straw, hay, and sticks; but no fowls or any other live-stock. They shewed a very affectionate disposition and warm feelings towards their children. The eldest of them assured me, that if any in their camp became orphans, she considered herself more bound to provide for them than her own, as the former needed it the more, being destitute. She did not object to their gaining instruction, if it came in the way, and she wished to be read to herself, and appeared to take much pleasure in listening to my explanations of the important doctrines of religion. They said that none of their party could read, but that they were sometimes visited by a relative who was a good scholar. She said, too, that she always kept in her possession a godly book, for the purpose of asking, as opportunity offered, a traveller to read to them. She assured me, too, (which I rather doubted,) that they constantly attended Divine worship, when encamped near enough to churches; that they send for the nearest clergyman to preach to the dying, and that they never omit having their babes full christened, excepting in cases of sickness, when the child is only baptized: and should such child die, they obtain the services of a parochial clergyman to inter it. They said, thinking, no doubt, to please me, that they did not like the Ranters, but that they thought well of the church folks. I fear that, though they had a general knowledge of the Supreme Being, they were sadly ignorant of the most important point of Christianity, namely, the all-sufficient sacrifice that was made for the whole world. While I expatiated to them on the day of judgment and the final doom of man, displaying the extreme and exquisite happiness of the righteous part of the human family, and the dreadful misery of the wicked, the younger of them, who appeared indisposed, was considerably agitated. They then said, that they were not in the habit of swearing, but occasionally did so, though they were aware it was very wicked. When travelling, they told me that they avoid breaking the sabbath; and that they visit all places included in the district through which they wander, three times per year, from which plan they seldom deviate. I inquired if they would like to settle in cottages, and gain their livelihood by industry. They replied, that if house-rent, clothes, food, and all other necessaries were found them, they would; but that they would not settle on any other condition.

“I am desirous of obtaining your opinion respecting the plan I have lately formed to benefit this people; for, should you approve of it, it will be carried into immediate execution. I thought it would be very advantageous to offer an adequate remuneration to a pious person who would devote every half-day to reading and explaining the Scriptures to the old, and teaching the young to read. I was aware that it would be difficult to obtain one, who, while he would teach the young to read, and explain the Scriptures to the aged, would be wise enough to give wholesome advice to every case of mental distress, and be gifted to guide the first steps of those who are disposed to be good, in the way of Christian godliness. After much anxiety and many attempts, I at length succeeded in meeting with a person most disinterestedly pious; one who was willing to accede to any proposal to benefit his fellow-creatures. He appears to attach little importance to himself, but to have much confidence in God, in reference to his exertions. He is really desirous to promote the immortal interests of the poor people to whom his attention has been directed, and is pious, zealous and intelligent. He, however, cannot devote himself to this work more than three days per week. He will visit all Gipsy camps for seven or eight miles round.

“Some clear, forcible, simple, religious tracts, such as are likely to instruct and awaken, with the Scriptures, would, perhaps, be of service. I shall hold out rewards of clothes and books to those of whom I hear the best accounts, and shall endeavour to meet them, a few at a time, in a cottage, at least once per year. Will you let me know whether you think I am doing right?”

Extracts of a Letter from a man of plain, but pious character, addressed to the Southampton Committee.

“Gentlemen,

“It is natural for me to suppose that you expect, by this period, to hear something of the success that has attended my labours on the common among the people called Gipsies. I visit them three or four times a-week, besides going among them on sabbath days. I go from tent to tent, and talk to them on religious subjects, read and explain the word of God to them, so far as I am able, and pray with them. At such times they thankfully receive what I humbly communicate to them, and often, with tears and gratitude, wonder that I should think of them in their poor degraded state. I hope some of them may be brought to the knowledge of God.”

After some other pleasing details, this humble person concludes his letter thus:

“With regard to the children, I meet with here and there one among them that can read, but it is very little. These children, however, are desirous, I may say very desirous to have some little books. To such I have given books, till I have none left. I could have given away, where desired, and with the prospect of knowing they might be useful, many more, had I possessed them. Upon the whole I think there is cause for much encouragement.

“I am, gentlemen, your humble servant,
“* * * * *”

A clergyman, a most valuable correspondent, observes, while addressing the Committee, through the author:

“In speaking to the Gipsies on the road side, and offering a tract, I have never but once met with impertinence. It is probable that the individual had been impertinently treated, first, by people called Christians.

“Dr More has well said, with respect to the Jews, ‘If Christians had believed and acted like Christians, it would have been a miracle if the Jews had not been converted.’

“This observation is equally applicable to the Gipsies of England; for, if Christian denominations did their duty, they would cease to be Gipsies.”