142 NIMRO&S NORTHERN TOUR. 



mill, with three pair of stones, a bone-crushing mill, and a saw 

 mill. The latter I had never before seen at work ; but from the 

 rapidity with which it cuts every description of wood into any 

 substance that may be required, and, especially, rails for fences^ 

 such an engine should be erected upon every large estate which 

 will admit of its being driven by water. 



The bone-mill is likewise a most valuable adjunct in countries 

 where the material can be conveniently found. Mr. Baillie's is 

 in great part supplied by the gypsies of Yeth-holm (muggers, as 

 they are called in this part of Scotland), who collect the bones 

 from the various kennels, private houses, and villages in the 

 neighbourhood ; and, as it fortunately happened for everything 

 relating to this race of people is interesting one of them, 

 apparently a very old man, arrived with a cart-load of bleached 

 bones during our visit. As may be supposed, I had some con- 

 versation with this would-be Ethiopian, and found him, what 

 they are all indeed, shrewd and very ready with answers, 

 delivered in their usual quaint terms of expression ; but was it 

 not from the wandering tribes of ancient Greece that the world 

 is indebted for all that contributes to sweeten and embellish 

 social life ? Regarding the first-named wild and wayward tribe, 

 indeed, it has been elegantly observed, that men of letters, whilst 

 eagerly investigating the customs of Otaheite or Kamschatka, 

 and losing their tempers in endless disputes about Gothic and 

 Celtic antiquities, have witnessed with apathy and contempt the 

 striking spectacle of a gypsy camp. Leyden has painted them to 

 the life 



" With loitering steps from town to town they pass, 

 Their lazy dames rock'd on the pannier'd ass, 

 From pilfer'd roots, or nauseous carrion, fed, 

 By hedge -rows green they strew the leafy bed ; 

 While scarce the cloak of tawdry red conceals 

 The fme-turn'd limbs, which every breeze reveals ; 

 Their bright ^lack eyes through silken lashes shine, 

 Around their necks their raven tresses twine ; 

 But chilling clamps, and dews of night impair 

 Its soft sleek gloss, and tan the bosom bare." 



" I have read," said I to Mr. Baillie, " that these ' Lordes of 

 Little Egypt/ in addition to their strong spirit of independence, 

 have some kind of honour in their community ; how do you find 

 them in your dealings with them?" "Tolerably correct," he 

 replied ; " although this old fellow did once sell me the bones of 

 a favourite old hunter which I had had buried in his shoes and 



