the zincali-第51章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
more properly the fashion of Andalusia; the principal
characteristic of which is the saya; which is exceedingly short;
with many rows of flounces。
True it is that the original dress of the Gitanos; male and female;
whatever it was; may have had some share in forming the Andalusian
fashion; owing to the great number of these wanderers who found
their way to that province at an early period。 The Andalusians are
a mixed breed of various nations; Romans; Vandals; Moors; perhaps
there is a slight sprinkling of Gypsy blood in their veins; and of
Gypsy fashion in their garb。
The Gitanos are; for the most part; of the middle size; and the
proportions of their frames convey a powerful idea of strength and
activity united; a deformed or weakly object is rarely found
amongst them in persons of either sex; such probably perish in
their infancy; unable to support the hardships and privations to
which the race is still subjected from its great poverty; and these
same privations have given and still give a coarseness and
harshness to their features; which are all strongly marked and
expressive。 Their complexion is by no means uniform; save that it
is invariably darker than the general olive hue of the Spaniards;
not unfrequently countenances as dark as those of mulattos present
themselves; and in some few instances of almost negro blackness。
Like most people of savage ancestry; their teeth are white and
strong; their mouths are not badly formed; but it is in the eye
more than in any other feature that they differ from other human
beings。
There is something remarkable in the eye of the Gitano: should his
hair and complexion become fair as those of the Swede or the Finn;
and his jockey gait as grave and ceremonious as that of the native
of Old Castile; were he dressed like a king; a priest; or a
warrior; still would the Gitano be detected by his eye; should it
continue unchanged。 The Jew is known by his eye; but then in the
Jew that feature is peculiarly small; the Chinese has a remarkable
eye; but then the eye of the Chinese is oblong; and even with the
face; which is flat; but the eye of the Gitano is neither large nor
small; and exhibits no marked difference in its shape from the eyes
of the common cast。 Its peculiarity consists chiefly in a strange
staring expression; which to be understood must be seen; and in a
thin glaze; which steals over it when in repose; and seems to emit
phosphoric light。 That the Gypsy eye has sometimes a peculiar
effect; we learn from the following stanza:…
'A Gypsy stripling's glossy eye
Has pierced my bosom's core;
A feat no eye beneath the sky
Could e'er effect before。'
The following passages are extracted from a Spanish work; (55) and
cannot be out of place here; as they relate to those matters to
which we have devoted this chapter。
'The Gitanos have an olive complexion and very marked physiognomy;
their cheeks are prominent; their lips thick; their eyes vivid and
black; their hair is long; black; and coarse; and their teeth very
white。 The general expression of their physiognomy is a compound
of pride; slavishness; and cunning。 They are; for the most part;
of good stature; well formed; and support with facility fatigue and
every kind of hardship。 When they discuss any matter; or speak
among themselves; whether in Catalan; in Castilian; or in Germania;
which is their own peculiar jargon; they always make use of much
gesticulation; which contributes to give to their conversation and
to the vivacity of their physiognomy a certain expression; still
more penetrating and characteristic。
To this work we shall revert on a future occasion。
'When a Gitano has occasion to speak of some business in which his
interest is involved; he redoubles his gestures in proportion as he
knows the necessity of convincing those who hear him; and fears
their impassibility。 If any rancorous idea agitate him in the
course of his narrative; if he endeavour to infuse into his
auditors sentiments of jealousy; vengeance; or any violent passion;
his features become exaggerated; and the vivacity of his glances;
and the contraction of his lips; show clearly; and in an imposing
manner; the foreign origin of the Gitanos; and all the customs of
barbarous people。 Even his very smile has an expression hard and
disagreeable。 One might almost say that joy in him is a forced
sentiment; and that; like unto the savage man; sadness is the
dominant feature of his physiognomy。
'The Gitana is distinguished by the same complexion; and almost the
same features。 In her frame she is as well formed; and as flexible
as the Gitano。 Condemned to suffer the same privations and wants;
her countenance; when her interest does not oblige her to dissemble
her feelings; presents the same aspect of melancholy; and shows
besides; with more energy; the rancorous passions of which the
female heart is susceptible。 Free in her actions; her carriage;
and her pursuits; she speaks; vociferates; and makes more gestures
than the Gitano; and; in imitation of him; her arms are in
continual motion; to give more expression to the imagery with which
she accompanies her discourse; her whole body contributes to her
gesture; and to increase its force; endeavouring by these means to
sharpen the effect of language in itself insufficient; and her
vivid and disordered imagination is displayed in her appearance and
attitude。
'When she turns her hand to any species of labour; her hurried
action; the disorder of her hair; which is scarcely subjected by a
little comb; and her propensity to irritation; show how little she
loves toil; and her disgust for any continued occupation。
'In her disputes; the air of menace and high passion; the flow of
words; and the facility with which she provokes and despises
danger; indicate manners half barbarous; and ignorance of other
means of defence。 Finally; both in males and females; their
physical constitution; colour; agility; and flexibility; reveal to
us a caste sprung from a burning clime; and devoted to all those
exercises which contribute to evolve bodily vigour; and certain
mental faculties。
'The dress of the Gitano varies with the country which he inhabits。
Both in Rousillon and Catalonia his habiliments generally consist
of jacket; waistcoat; pantaloons; and a red faja; which covers part
of his waistcoat; on his feet he wears hempen sandals; with much
ribbon tied round the leg as high as the calf; he has; moreover;
either woollen or cotton stockings; round his neck he wears a
handkerchief; carelessly tied; and in the winter he uses a blanket
or mantle; with sleeves; cast over the shoulder; his head is
covered with the indispensable red cap; which appears to be the
favourite ornament of many nations in the vicinity of the
Mediterranean and Caspian Sea。
'The neck and the elbows of the jacket are adorned with pieces of
blue and yellow cloth embroidered with silk; as well as the seams
of the pantaloons; he wears; moreover; on the jacket or the
waistcoat; various rows of silver buttons; small and round;
sustained by rings or chains of the same metal。 The old people;
and those who by fortune; or some other cause; exercise; in
appearance; a kind of authority over the rest; are almost always
dressed in black or dark…blue velvet。 Some of those who affect
elegance amongst them keep for holidays a complete dress of sky…
blue velvet; with embroidery at the neck; pocket…holes; arm…pits;
and in all the seams; in a word; with the exception of the turban;
this