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THE GYPSIES
By John Hoyland (A5, 102
pages)
Originally published
in 1816, this book is widely recognised as the first full attempt
by a British author to examine and report on the history and
lifestyle of the Gypsies of Britain. Hoyland (1750-1831) was
an eminent and highly respected Yorkshire Quaker who took a pioneering
approach to alleviating the lot of his fellow human beings that
might be considered ethno-graphic rather than religious. His
method was to broadcast a questionnaire and invite interested
parties to answer its questions through observation of the Gypsy
families in their locality and by gathering in information at
first hand from them. Hoyland himself joined in this process
by visiting Gypsy encampments.
The result is a largely
sympathetic and factual account of the plight of that section
of British society that was even then the most discriminated
against. It also includes a summary of the history of the diaspora
of the Gypsy people from their Indian origins to their arrival
in Britain, gleaned from the few sources that were available
at the time.
Price
including P&P: UK £7.50; Europe £8.20;
Worldwide Airmail £9.30.
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