The Romany Rye

"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."