第 3 节
作者:
指环王 更新:2024-01-24 16:00 字数:9322
sufficient purity to be admitted to a state of perfect rest and
quietude; which is the only idea of heaven they can form。
Having in various and distant countries lived in habits of intimacy
with these people; I have come to the following conclusions
respecting them: that wherever they are found; their manners and
customs are virtually the same; though somewhat modified by
circumstances; and that the language they speak amongst themselves;
and of which they are particularly anxious to keep others in
ignorance; is in all countries one and the same; but has been
subjected more or less to modification; and lastly; that their
countenances exhibit a decided family resemblance; but are darker
or fairer according to the temperature of the climate; but
invariably darker; at least in Europe; than those of the natives of
the countries in which they dwell; for example; England and Russia;
Germany and Spain。
The names by which they are known differ with the country; though;
with one or two exceptions; not materially for example; they are
styled in Russia; Zigani; in Turkey and Persia; Zingarri; and in
Germany; Zigeuner; all which words apparently spring from the same
etymon; which there is no improbability in supposing to be
'Zincali;' a term by which these people; especially those of Spain;
sometimes designate themselves; and the meaning of which is
believed to be; THE BLACK MEN OF ZEND OR IND。 In England and Spain
they are commonly known as Gypsies and Gitanos; from a general
belief that they were originally Egyptians; to which the two words
are tantamount; and in France as Bohemians; from the circumstance
that Bohemia was one of the first countries in civilised Europe
where they made their appearance。
But they generally style themselves and the language which they
speak; Rommany。 This word; of which I shall ultimately have more
to say; is of Sanscrit origin; and signifies; The Husbands; or that
which pertaineth unto them。 From whatever motive this appellation
may have originated; it is perhaps more applicable than any other
to a sect or caste like them; who have no love and no affection
beyond their own race; who are capable of making great sacrifices
for each other; and who gladly prey upon all the rest of the human
species; whom they detest; and by whom they are hated and despised。
It will perhaps not be out of place to observe here; that there is
no reason for supposing that the word Roma or Rommany is derived
from the Arabic word which signifies Greece or Grecians; as some
people not much acquainted with the language of the race in
question have imagined。
I have no intention at present to say anything about their origin。
Scholars have asserted that the language which they speak proves
them to be of Indian stock; and undoubtedly a great number of their
words are Sanscrit。 My own opinion upon this subject will be found
in a subsequent article。 I shall here content myself with
observing that from whatever country they come; whether from India
or Egypt; there can be no doubt that they are human beings and have
immortal souls; and it is in the humble hope of drawing the
attention of the Christian philanthropist towards them; especially
that degraded and unhappy portion of them; the Gitanos of Spain;
that the present little work has been undertaken。 But before
proceeding to speak of the latter; it will perhaps not be amiss to
afford some account of the Rommany as I have seen them in other
countries; for there is scarcely a part of the habitable world
where they are not to be found: their tents are alike pitched on
the heaths of Brazil and the ridges of the Himalayan hills; and
their language is heard at Moscow and Madrid; in the streets of
London and Stamboul。
THE ZIGANI; OR RUSSIAN GYPSIES
They are found in all parts of Russia; with the exception of the
government of St。 Petersburg; from which they have been banished。
In most of the provincial towns they are to be found in a state of
half…civilisation; supporting themselves by trafficking in horses;
or by curing the disorders incidental to those animals; but the
vast majority reject this manner of life; and traverse the country
in bands; like the ancient Hamaxobioi; the immense grassy plains of
Russia affording pasturage for their herds of cattle; on which; and
the produce of the chase; they chiefly depend for subsistence。
They are; however; not destitute of money; which they obtain by
various means; but principally by curing diseases amongst the
cattle of the mujiks or peasantry; and by telling fortunes; and not
unfrequently by theft and brigandage。
Their power of resisting cold is truly wonderful; as it is not
uncommon to find them encamped in the midst of the snow; in slight
canvas tents; when the temperature is twenty…five or thirty degrees
below the freezing…point according to Reaumur; but in the winter
they generally seek the shelter of the forests; which afford fuel
for their fires; and abound in game。
The race of the Rommany is by nature perhaps the most beautiful in
the world; and amongst the children of the Russian Zigani are
frequently to be found countenances to do justice to which would
require the pencil of a second Murillo; but exposure to the rays of
the burning sun; the biting of the frost; and the pelting of the
pitiless sleet and snow; destroys their beauty at a very early age;
and if in infancy their personal advantages are remarkable; their
ugliness at an advanced age is no less so; for then it is
loathsome; and even appalling。
A hundred years; could I live so long; would not efface from my
mind the appearance of an aged Ziganskie Attaman; or Captain of
Zigani; and his grandson; who approached me on the meadow before
Novo Gorod; where stood the encampment of a numerous horde。 The
boy was of a form and face which might have entitled him to
represent Astyanax; and Hector of Troy might have pressed him to
his bosom; and called him his pride; but the old man was; perhaps;
such a shape as Milton has alluded to; but could only describe as
execrable … he wanted but the dart and kingly crown to have
represented the monster who opposed the progress of Lucifer; whilst
careering in burning arms and infernal glory to the outlet of his
hellish prison。
But in speaking of the Russian Gypsies; those of Moscow must not be
passed over in silence。 The station to which they have attained in
society in that most remarkable of cities is so far above the
sphere in which the remainder of their race pass their lives; that
it may be considered as a phenomenon in Gypsy history; and on that
account is entitled to particular notice。
Those who have been accustomed to consider the Gypsy as a wandering
outcast; incapable of appreciating the blessings of a settled and
civilised life; or … if abandoning vagabond propensities; and
becoming stationary … as one who never ascends higher than the
condition of a low trafficker; will be surprised to learn; that
amongst the Gypsies of Moscow there are not a few who inhabit
stately houses; go abroad in elegant equipages; and are behind the
higher orders of the Russians neither in appearance nor mental
acquirements。 To the power of song alone this phenomenon is to be
attributed。 From time immemorial the female Gypsies of Moscow have
been much addicted to the vocal art; and bands or quires of them
have sung for pay in the halls of the nobility or upon the boards
of the theatre。 Some first…rate songsters have been produced among
them; whose merits have been acknowledged; not only by the Russian
public; but by the most fastidious foreign critics。 Perhaps the
highest compliment ever paid to a songster was paid by Catalani
herself to one of these daughters of Roma。 It is well known
throughout Russia that the celebrated Italian was so enchanted with
the voice of a Moscow Gypsy (who; after the former had displayed
her noble talent before a splendid audience in the old Russian
capital; stepped forward and poured forth one of her national
strains); that she tore from her own shoulders a shawl of cashmire;
which had been presented to her by the Pope; and; embracing the
Gypsy; insisted on her acceptance of the splendid gift; saying;
that it had been intended for the matchless songster; which she now
perceived she herself was not。
The sums obtained by many of these females by the exercise of their
art enable them to support their relatives in affluence and luxury:
some are married to Russians; an