Ancient and Modern Britons

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1884. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. THE following particulars, which have been encountered subsequent to the writing of the preceding chapters, will serve to emphasize the identity between British "gypsies" and one or more sections of the British people. Of the superstitions with regard to which Scott has said that "these notions are not peculiar to the gypsies ;" but having been once generally entertained among the Scottish common people, are now only found among those who are the most rude in their habits, and most devoid of instruction;" of these superstitions enough might be written to fill a volume. But it is sufficient to say that such of them as have come under the observation of the present writer do not tend, in the least degree, to prove that the British " gypsies " own a different origin from the general population of the British islands. (Or, it may be more correct to say that the existence of many beliefs and customs that are common to British "gypsies" and to British nondescripts, render it almost a matter of certainty that by one line of its ancestry the Modern-British nation is of "gypsy" lineage.) Mr. C. G. Leland, for example, refers to such practices as the nailing-up of a horse-shoe, or the tying of a red thread round one's finger, as gypsy observances for warding off all evil or "unlucky" influences. Students of such matters can best say how many localities will father such beliefs; but the efficacy of a red thread or ribbon as a charm is believed in by the superstitious classes of Provence, of Lapland, and of Scotland,--and, doubtless, of many other parts of Europe; while the mystic power of the horse-shoe is acknowledged in many countries. The custom of sitting-up all night in the presence of the dead, mingling tears and lamentations with the liberal consumption of intoxicating drin...