206 NIMUOD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



private houses, and villages in the neighbourhood ; and, as it fortunately 

 happened — for every thing 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 iEthiopian, 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 Kam- 

 schatka, 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 fine-turn'd limbs, which every breeze reveals ; 

 Their bright black eyes througli silken lashes sliine, 

 Around their necks their raven tresses twine ; 

 But chilling damps, and dews of night impair 

 It's 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 skin." " That was ivelldone,'' 



