the zincali-第52章
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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 was the fashion of dress of the ancient Moors of Granada; the
only difference being occasioned by time and misery。
'The dress of the Gitanas is very varied: the young girls; or
those who are in tolerably easy circumstances; generally wear a
black bodice laced up with a string; and adjusted to their figures;
and contrasting with the scarlet…coloured saya; which only covers a
part of the leg; their shoes are cut very low; and are adorned with
little buckles of silver; the breast; and the upper part of the
bodice; are covered either with a white handkerchief; or one of
some vivid colour; and on the head is worn another handkerchief;
tied beneath the chin; one of the ends of which falls on the
shoulder; in the manner of a hood。 When the cold or the heat
permit; the Gitana removes the hood; without untying the knots; and
exhibits her long and shining tresses restrained by a comb。 The
old women; and the very poor; dress in the same manner; save that
their habiliments are more coarse and the colours less in harmony。
Amongst them misery appears beneath the most revolting aspect;
whilst the poorest Gitano preserves a certain deportment which
would make his aspect supportable; if his unquiet and ferocious
glance did not inspire us with aversion。'
CHAPTER VI
WHILST their husbands are engaged in their jockey vocation; or in
wielding the cachas; the Callees; or Gypsy females; are seldom
idle; but are endeavouring; by various means; to make all the gain
they can。 The richest amongst them are generally contrabandistas;
and in the large towns go from house to house with prohibited
goods; especially silk and cotton; and occasionally with tobacco。
They likewise purchase cast…off female wearing…apparel; which; when
vamped up and embellished; they sometimes contrive to sell as new;
with no inconsiderable profit。
Gitanas of this description are of the most respectable class; the
rest; provided they do not sell roasted chestnuts; or esteras;
which are a species of mat; seek a livelihood by different tricks
and practices; more or less fraudulent; for example …
LA BAHI; or fortune…telling; which is called in Spanish; BUENA
VENTURA。 … This way of extracting money from the credulity of dupes
is; of all those practised by the Gypsies; the readiest and most
easy; promises are the only capital requisite; and the whole art of
fortune…telling consists in properly adapting these promises to the
age and condition of the parties who seek for information。 The
Gitanas are clever enough in the accomplishment of this; and in
most cases afford perfect satisfaction。 Their practice chiefly
lies amongst females; the portion of the human race most given to
curiosity and credulity。 To the young maidens they promise lovers;
handsome invariably; and sometimes rich; to wives children; and
perhaps another husband; for their eyes are so penetrating; that
occasionally they will develop your most secret thoughts and
wishes; to the old; riches … and nothing but riches; for they have
sufficient knowledge of the human heart to be aware that avarice is
the last passion that becomes extinct within it。 These riches are
to proceed either from the discovery of hidden treasures or from
across the water; from the Americas; to which the Spaniards still
look with hope; as there is no individual in Spain; however poor;
but has some connection in those realms of silver and gold; at
whose death he considers it probable that he may succeed to a
brilliant 'herencia。' The Gitanas; in the exercise of this
practice; find dupes almost as readily amongst the superior
classes; as the veriest dregs of the population。 It is their
boast; that the best houses are open to them; and perhaps in the
space of one hour; they will spae the bahi to a duchess; or
countess; in one of the hundred palaces of Madrid; and to half a
dozen of the lavanderas engaged in purifying the linen of the
capital; beneath the willows which droop on the banks of the
murmuring Manzanares。 One great advantage which the Gypsies
possess over all other people is an utter absence of MAUVAISE
HONTE; their speech is as fluent; and their eyes as unabashed; in
the presence of royalty; as before those from whom they have
nothing to hope or fear; the result being; that most minds quail
before them。 There were two Gitanas at Madrid; one Pepita by name;
and the other La Chicharona; the first was a spare; shrewd; witch…
like female; about fifty; and was the mother…in…law of La
Chicharona; who was remarkable for her stoutness。 These women
subsisted entirely by fortune…telling and swindling。 It chanced
that the son of Pepita; and husband of Chicharona; having spirited
away a horse; was sent to the presidio of Malaga for ten years of
hard labour。 This misfortune caused inexpressible affliction to
his wife and mother; who determined to make every effort to procure
his liberation。 The readiest way which occurred to them was to
procure an interview with the Queen Regent Christina; who they
doubted not would forthwith pardon the culprit; provided they had
an opportunity of assailing her with their Gypsy discourse; for; to
use their own words; 'they well knew what to say。' I at that time
lived close by the palace; in the street of Santiago; and daily;
for the space of a month; saw them bending their steps in that
direction。
One day they came to me in a great hurry; with a strange expression
on both their countenances。 'We have seen Christina; hijo' (my
son); said Pepita to me。
'Within the palace?' I inquired。
'Within the palace; O child of my garlochin;' answered the sibyl:
'Christina at last saw and sent for us; as I knew she would; I told
her 〃bahi;〃 and Chicharona danced the Romalis (Gypsy dance) before
her。'
'What did you tell her?'
'I told her many things;' said the hag; 'many things which I need
not tell you: know; however; that amongst other things; I told her
that the chabori (little queen) would die; and then she would be
Queen of Spain。 I told her; moreover; that within three years she
would marry the son of the King of France; and it was her bahi to
die Queen of France and Spain; and to be loved much; and hated
much。'
'And did you not dread her anger; when you told her these things?'
'Dread her; the Busnee?' screamed Pepita: 'No; my child; she
dreaded me far more; I looked at her so … and raised my finger so …
and Chicharona clapped her hands; and the Busnee believed all I
said; and was afraid of me; and then I asked for the pardon of my
son; and she pledged her word to see into the matter; and when we
came away; she gave me this baria of gold; and to Chicharona this
other; so at all events we have hokkanoed the queen。 May an evil
end overtake her body; the Busnee!'
Though some of the Gitanas contrive to subsist by fortune…telling
alone; the generality of them merely make use of it as an
instrument towards the accomplishment of greater things。 The
immediate gains are scanty; a few cuartos being the utmost which
they receive from the majority of their customers。 But the bahi is
an excellent passport into houses; and when they spy a convenient
opportunity; they seldom fail to avail themselves of it。 It is
necessary to watch them strictly; as articles frequently disappear
in a mysterious manner whilst Gitanas are telling fortunes。 The
bahi; moreover; is occasionally the prelude to a devic