The Gipsies.

Masonic Order . " A Gipsy , " says Mr . Simson , "is , in his way , a Mason born , and , from his infancy , is taught to hide everything connected with his race from those around him . He is his own tijler , and tylcshis lips continually . Imagine ,

then , a person taught , from his infancy , to understand that he is a Gipsy ; that his blood ( at least -part of it ) is Gipsy ; that he has been instructed in the language , aud initiated in all the mysteries of the Gipsies ; that his relations and acquaintances in the tribe have undergone the same experience ; that the utmost reserve towards those who are not

Gipsies has been continually inculcated upon him , and as often practised before his eyes ; and what ¦ must be the leading idea in that person ' s mind , but that he is a Gipsy . " Several of these mixed Gipsies occupy highly

respectable positions in society . They are to "be found amongst the clergy , in the medical and legal professions , and amongst the leading merchants . An eminent clergyman of the Church of Scotland stated at a meeting of a society which

was inaugurated for the amelioration of the Gipsies , that he himself was sprung from the tribe . And here we are reminded to offer a few remarks

oa religion among the Gipsies . Nothing can be lower than the religious condition . of this people . They seem to be utterly destitute of religion . They have brought none with them from the country whence they came , and they have not

adopted any during their sojourn in Europe . They are quite indifferent on the subject . It is true that they outwardly conform to the religion of the country through which they may happen to be passing . They suffer themselves to be baptized

among Christians , and circumcised among Mohammedans . With Greeks they are Greeks , with ¦ Romanists they are Romanists , with Churchmen

they are Churchmen , with Presbyterians they are Presbyterians . They have been known to have their children baptised over and over again in different parishes , in order to get into the good graces of the clergyman . The writer of this

article was frequently thrown amongst them in the West of England , and was constantly solicited by them for tracts and relig ious publications , which , he doubts not , were either immediately sold , or . devoted not to perusal , but to lighting their pipes .

In short , the Gipsy ' s total indifference to religion has given , rise to the adage , " The Gipsy's church was built of bacon , and the dogs ate it . " The Gipsies marry very early , almost invariably

before attaining twenty years of years . The nuptial ceremonies , although undoubtedly of the highest antiquity , are so very peculiar as to render it almost impossible to describe them in language which would be considered delicate . Those who

are anxious for further information on tins point , must be referred to Mr . Simson ' s history . The Gipsies are said to be very licentious . Facts , however , seem to disprove this notion , as the slightest infidelity on the part of their wives is

punished with the utmost severity . In the " Edinburgh Encyclopaedia , " Vol . X ., we read that in India the Gipsy men " are extremely jealous of their wives , who are kept in strict subservance , and are in danger of corporeal punishment , or

absolute dismissal , if they happen to displease them . " Mr . Borrow also bears positive testimony to the personal virtue of Giysy females ; and these statements are fully corroborated by Mr . Simson . But , as in the best society , woman will prove

frail , it is not to be expected that the Gipsies should be exempt from the common lot of humanity . The separation of husband and wife then takes place , accompanied with very melancholy ceremonies , aud frequently it is attended with

bloodshed and violence . The following account of the curious rites performed on the occasion of a divorce , is furnished by an eye-witness to the occurrence , and it is of so novel a character that we give it in extenso : —

" When the parties can no longer live together as husband and wife , and a separation for ever is finally determined on , a horse without blemish , and in no manner of way lame , is led forth to the spot for performing the ceremony of divorce .

The hour at which the rites must be performed is , if possible , twelve o ' clock at noon , when the sun is at his height . ' The Gipsies present cast lots for the individual who is to sacrifice the animal , and whom they call the priest , for the time . The

priest , with a long pole or staff in his hand , walks round and round the animal several times , repeating the names of all the persons in whose possession it has been , and extolling and expatiating on the rare qualities of so useful an animal . It is

now let loose , and driven from their preeence , to do whatever it pleases . The horse , perfect and free , is put in the room of the woman who is to be divorced ; and by its different movements is the degree of her guilt ascertained . Some of the Gipsies now set off in pursuit of it , and endeavour to catch it . If it is wild and intractable , kicks