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Page:Brief relation of the adventures of Bamfylde Moore Carew (1).pdf/5

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were met on purpose for festivity and jollity, which by plenty of meat, fowl flowing cups of beer, cyder, &c. they seemed to enjoy to their hearts content. In short the freedom, mirth, and pleasure that appeared among them, invited our youngsters to enlist into their company; which, on communicating to the gypsies, they would not believe them, as thinking they jested; but on tarrying with them all night, and continuing in the same mind the next morning, they at length began to think them serious, encouraged them; and after going through the requisite ceremonials, and administering to them the proper oath, they admitted them into their number.

The reader will no doubt wonder to hear of the ceremonials and oaths among gypsies and beggars but that will cease on being informed, that these people are subject to a form of government and laws peculiar to themselves, and pay due obedience to one who is stiled their King; to which honour Carew, in a short time arrived, after having by many acts proved himself worthy of it. The substance of them are these; Strong love and mutual regard for each member in particular, and the whole community