New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-22


ing purgatory, it 10 not easy to account for the
above singular custom. Ii is doubtless one OF the
many heather usages which have found their way
into the Christian Church. Others might trace II
back 10 the teachings Of ZamolIis, . pupil OF
Pythoras and the lawgiver Of the Scythians, from
whom the Wallschisns are in part descended.
The connection is quite probable, a. the philoso'
pher in question taught the doctrine OF the trans
nigraiioss Of the soul A funeral procession IN
Bucharest 10 something not soon 10 be forgotten.
The crowd Of undevout Greek priests in attend
ance, the face of the dead exposed TO the burning
SUD. and surrounded BY swarms Of insects doing
their horrid work bile the corpse IL being borne
along the street the paid mourDers behind, ragged
won en- weeping and wsiDg for hire all these dis
turb those beautiful thoughts which we are accus-
toned to associate with the last Office 70 the de-
parted and the peaceful rest Of the grave.
Bucharest is watered BY the Dumb0vitza, mud
dy creek which flows down from the CarPathlans,
and unites with the Argisch below the city. There
il popular saying that those who have drunk OF
ito waters would foin remain along its banks-a
circumstance that may possibly account for the
repeated presence of the Russians and Turks in
the Principally. As it lie the very mother of dead
dogs. | always avoid il ae I would the plague.
The Metropolitan Church, built on the only ele-
walton in the vicinity, s the one remarkable sruc-
ture in Bucharest. 1t contains the ashes OF ST.
Demetrius The General Assembly of the Prin.
cpaliy formerly held it's annual sessions in one OF
the chambers.
The population of Bucharest is made up Of
Jews, Armenians, Greeks and Wallachlans.
There are also many German residents living un-
der the protection of the Austrian and Prussian
Consuls. The Jews form distinct community,
having, for the most part its own laws. Iheyare
small traders and artisans, while the Armenans
who are enyied for their wealth and influence, own
the greater part Of the well filled stores to be
found in Bucharest The Germans are Principally
artisans, and from their saving and industrious
habits, enjoy good degree OF prosperity /. IS
among the peasants, who are but little better than
serfs, and the 250, 900 Gipses of Wallachia, who
are real slaves. that one sees degree of poverty
and wretchedness TO be found nowhere else IN
Europe. There is no middle. class. The foreigners
who reside here retain their nationality from gen.
Grafton TO generation. The Government is arlstO-
cratic in character. All the institutions OF the
Principally are of the same Order-a country OF
$500, GO inhabitants being represented by few
Boyards, who spend their incomes abroad, enter
tain French ideas, and initiate French manners.
tbs remarkable that Ottoman usages have been
adopted only in those provinces of Turkey IN Eu-
rope which have aristocratic institutions. Thus,
in Bosnia. where something resembling feudal
syetem prevails, not only the the customs, but also
the religion Of the Mussuman have been adopted by
the inhabitants while in the adjoining Prlncpality
of Servia, where there is no nobility, the ancient
Seryan or Scavish usages are retained IN purity,
and the religion Of the country is the same as II
vas centuries ago. The same is true OF the Bull
garians: but the Danuban Prncipalltles, where
the mobiles make up the State, Turkish IDEAS ana
manners have become common, although the creek
faith is retained. Thus, the old Boyards dress in
the STYLE of the Asiatic Turk, and their servants
sport the most gaudy Albanian costumes. Mothers
retain the pretty Greek dress, while the sons and
daughters are attired lis the most approved Paris
ian style. The national costume OF the Walachs
or Romouni. as they call themselves, consists, for
males, of sheepskin csp,with the wool outside,
linen frock-ke garment hanging from the shout
ders to the knees, and secured by broad leathern
girdle, wide trowsers of the same material,
and sandals fastened to the feet by means OF
leathern thongs In winter hereditary cloak,
also of sheepskin, ia thrown over the shoulders,
with the wool side out, which, reaching almost to
the ground, gives the wearer q peculiarly saw
age appearance. The females, celebrated through
out Europe for their beauty, are fond OF flowing
dresses and gold ornaments on the hair and neck.
The simple and elegant head-dress ia often en-
riched with q string of shining ducats which are
not unfrequenty the product OF the wearers IN
dustry at the wheel and loom, and can again be
put into circulation at her will.
Az the Romouni are descendants OF the ancient
Roman colonists established here in the time Of
Traiap. their language is the Oldest daughter OF
the attn tongue more than half its words are
of Roman o. igin. Many Scavish and Greek
words have been introduced, and Russian charac-
tiers substitu ed for the Latin. Traces OF the an
Gent Scythian tongue are also TO be detected.
When first hearing il on the steamer mistook IL
for the Italian. Among the Austrians now IN
Bucharest there is a regiment from Italy, and 1t
10 an interesting TACT that these descendants OF the
ancient Romans are still able 70 understand each
others language after the races have been sePa-
rated more than sixteen centuries. Strange Ior-
tunes have falen upon Eastern Europe since the
time when Trajan led his legons across the Dan
ube. and incorporated this immense region into
the Empire Of Rome The Italians return once
more but az the servants Of an Austrian tyrant,
v ho has inherited the name of Caesar without his
virtues " lille the Wslachs, also children OF Rom
Mus. have degenerated so far from the race OF
their ancestors as TO be the ready slaves OF every
aespot WHO may choose TO extend over them MS
power Even in this region, 80 distant IRON
Rome. and vet so wonderfully fertile and beaut-
full as 10 have attracted thousands o. colonsts
from sunny Italy, | see everywhere about me
traces of the ancient Roman world. Among the
peasants have not unirequently observed Tea
lures resembling those on TIE ancient CONS. Inc
elevated forehead. the aquine nose, the DARK eye
and the martial bearing, all tell OF the old Roman
although their pOssessOr be clothed III shecpskins,
md ignorant Of the long line Of heroes from whom
he NAV have descended. The Romouni still term
their land Zara Romanesoa-tbc Roman country
-snd their beautiful language L'mba Romdne'oa.
or the Roman tongue. Many of the chariots used
BY the peasantry resemble the vehicles OF the an
Gent Romans, while in certain parts OF the prln.
cipnIty the ancient custom Of putting small
con into the mouth Of the dead, to pay for tho
carrying Of the soul across the sty'' stun prevails.
Roman coins have also been dug up in many parts