English Gypsies and Their Language

As Author of this book, I beg leave to observe that all which is stated in it relative to the customs or peculiarities of Gypsies was gathered directly from Gypsies themselves; and that every word of their language here given, whether in conversations, stories, or sayings, was taken from Gypsy mouths. While entertaining the highest respect for the labours of Mr George Borrow in this field, I have carefully avoided repeating him in the least detail; neither have I taken anything from Simson, Hoyland, or any other writer on the Rommany race in England. Whatever the demerits of the work may be, it can at least claim to be an original collection of material fresh from nature, and not a reproduction from books. There are, it is true, two German Gypsy letters from other works, but these may be excused as illustrative of an English one.