ur
interests and those of Roumania are therefore identical.

But it is to be hoped that passing events in that part of Europe will
cure Austria of her aggressive tendencies, and that she will not assume
the same attitude towards the Powers as she did towards her weaker
neighbour. She will gain more by co-operating loyally with her to
improve the navigation of the lower Danube than by striving either
openly or secretly to secure a predominance which she could not
permanently maintain even if her present efforts were successful.

[Footnote 25: Chiefly Greek and Turkish.]

[Footnote 26: The correspondence, which extends from June 23 to
September 5, 1880, and is chiefly telegraphic, was published in the
supplement to the _Independance Roumaine_, Bucarest, December 6 [18],
1881.]

[Footnote 27: After this despatch follows one from M. Bratiano, the
Roumanian Secretary of State, finding fault with M. Calargi for his
unfriendly tone towards Austria, and here is his edifying reply on that
point. 'Let me satisfy you (_vous rassurer_) as to the consequences that
might arise from the handing in of this document. Written on paper
without any mark, deprived of every official or individual character,
bearing no signature, this historical _resume_ of the phases through
which the question has passed cannot compromise anyone.' This is one of
the men who make history, and to whom the lives and interests of the
million are confided!]

CHAPTER IV.

TOPOGRAPHICAL, ETC.

The chief cities of Roumania--The capital, Bucarest--Ignorance
concerning it--Conflicting accounts--Its true character--The 'sweet
waters of the Dambovitza'--Dimensions of Bucarest--External
aspect--The Chaussee, the ladies' mile of Bucarest--Streets, shops,
and houses--The Academy--Its collections--Coins--Dacian, Roman, and
other antiquities--Excellent physical laboratory--Professor
Bacologlu--The Coltza laboratory--Dr. Bernath--The Cismegiu
Garden--Shabby courts of justice--Other
buildings--Churches--Railway stations--Fine hospitals--Dr.
Davila--The Colentina Hospital--The 'police des moeurs' and the
morality of Bucarest--The 'Philanthropic' Hospital--The
'Coltza'--Its museums--Life in Bucarest--Hotels--The upper
classes--Places of amusement--Cost of land and houses for different
classes--Wages of artisans; of gipsies--Habits of the
working-classes--Cost of living, food, clothing, &c.