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