Lavengro · Chapter
Preface to the Second Edition (1872) explained
In this preface, the author reflects on the hostile reception of 'Lavengro' upon its first publication over twenty-one years ago, noting that while it was knocked down by critics—especially friends of Popery in England—it was not killed.
What happens
In this preface, the author reflects on the hostile reception of 'Lavengro' upon its first publication over twenty-one years ago, noting that while it was knocked down by critics—especially friends of Popery in England—it was not killed. He then turns to discuss the Gypsies (Romany Chals), their origins in Hindostan, their arrival in Europe in the early fifteenth century, their language and customs, and their enduring characteristics. He concludes by asserting that a book must stand or fall by its own merits, and that the continued demand for this edition proves the book's worth.
Themes in this chapter
The Gypsy and the Outsider
The entire preface focuses on the Gypsies as a distinct, wandering people with their own language and customs, often persecuted and marginalized.
Religion and Priestcraft
The author criticizes the friends of Popery for attacking the book, and contrasts the Bible with the 'mythology of a foreign priest.'
Philology and Learning
The author delves into the etymology of 'Zingary' and 'Romany Chals,' referencing Sanskrit and the Hebraist Johannes Buxtorf.
Characters to notice
- George Borrow
The author, who defends his book and discusses the Gypsies.
- Jasper Petulengro
Mentioned implicitly as a representative of the English Gypsies and the Romany Chals.
Key passages
“Lavengro made its first appearance more than one and twenty years ago. It was treated in anything but a courteous manner; indeed, abuse ran riot, and many said that the book was killed.”
Lavengro was first published over 21 years ago and received harsh criticism, with many claiming it was destroyed.
The author sets the stage by recalling the book's initial hostile reception.
“The chief assailants of the book were the friends of Popery in England. They were enraged because the author stood up for the religion of his fathers, his country, and the Bible, against the mythology of a foreign priest.”
The main attackers were English Catholics, angered that the author defended Protestantism and the Bible against Catholic mythology.
The author identifies the religious controversy surrounding the book.
“They called themselves Zingary and Romany Chals, and the account they gave of themselves was that they were from Lower Egypt, and were doing penance, by a seven years’ wandering, for the sin of their forefathers... They did not speak truth, however; the name they bore, Zingary... shows that they were not from Egypt, but from a much more distant land, Hindostan; for Zingaro is Sanskrit, and signifies a man of mixed race, a mongrel.”
The Gypsies claimed to be from Egypt doing penance, but the name 'Zingary' actually derives from Sanskrit, indicating their true origin in India.
The author corrects the common misconception about Gypsy origins using philological evidence.