The Romany Rye by George Borrow is a novel written in 1857 as a sequel to Lavengro. The story
itself follows the journey of a learned young man living with Romanies. It is a philosophical
adventure story of sorts. It also contains what could be called ethnographic material on the
customs and views of the Romani women. Excerpt: I awoke at the first break of day and leaving
the postillion fast asleep stepped out of the tent. The dingle was dank and dripping. I
lighted a fire of coals and got my forge in readiness. I then ascended to the field where the
chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening. After looking at the cloud-stone
near it now cold and split into three pieces I set about prying narrowly into the condition
of the wheel and axle-tree. The latter had sustained no damage of any consequence and the
wheel as far as I was able to judge was sound being only slightly injured in the box.
