New-York daily tribune., 1857-10-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS
LIFE ON THE DANUBE.

The pat,oDs of the Lower Danube, to whom THE
volume is chiefly devoted have been descrbedby to"
travellers writing in the English language, and little
10 Known Of them BY the ms 'rty of readers in th"
country. The author, who seems to have been co.,
ne scted with the Turkish army in the caoscisy o.
surgeon during the late Crimean war, has made
Sibsent observation Of the peculiar people among
whom be travelled, and from the fruits OF his expe
rieece, together with important aid from other
writers, has composed readable and informing
work.
Tie first vivid impression of Oriental Europe
which our traveller received WAS experienced upon
bis entrance into Belgrade, the capital OF Ser7lA'
Crossing the Danube from Hungarian Semln, be
was at once brought into the presence OF the TURK;
bearded and turbaned Mosems crowded the streets;
the cry of the muezzin calling the fnithiui TO
prayer strangely blended with the vesper bell; and
Western life without losing its individuality, was
strongly tipsed with the eo,ors of the Orient. The
Turkish quarter Of Belgrade presented an exceed
ingy uninviting appearance. The wretched cabins
,eemed just ready to fall in pieces. The stran.
ger was avoided by the natives as if he had been
the bearer of the plague. An excurson into the
country gave him better opinion OF the people,
In company with an old associate in Vienna, he
set of, one fine afternoon, on horseback to town
in the interior at the distance of some sixteen
miles. The way led among hills clothed with mag
nifcent forests. On arriving at their place OF des'
,ination, they were Hospitality entertained by
fsmiy with whom the VisDnese happened to 30
acquainted. When stranger enters Servian
village, the people vie with each other in paying
him attention. He s received as q guest sent BY
Providence; the patriarch of the househod gives
him seat at his side; the mistress Of the cottage
has.ens to serve bim; and the youngest daughter
will sometimes ask to wash his feet.
Perhaps the most remarkable institution of the
Seryians is "The Brotherhood" usage descended
from primitive timer Such is their affection for each
| other, that, when q young man has lost natural
brother, he seeks in the neighborhood brother by
adoption, and cOpfers upon him all the rights aPper
| tanipg to the deceased. The two urite with each
Other in the name of God and st. John for mutual
fidelity and assistance during the remainder OF their
lives. Persons thus allied call themselves brothers
in God" The union concerns those only by whom
has been formed The benedctOn OF the church is not
requisite TO form such alliance. In certain parts OF
SeIvia il is customary for the youths, and nsidens
aso to enter into this relation on the second Monday
aer Easter while kissing each other through garlands
which are aiterwsrd exchanged The first bond, how
ever merely nitiatOy. At the expiration OF year
they either cor firm the original choice or make new
selection similar relation OF EN- exists between the
two sexes. man may call woman his " mother or
sister in God" maiden may elsc. an old man her
| ''father in God" or youth her brother n God"
This alliance between the sexes is usual 10 cases OF
oistIess and when pc rsons whose assistance IS thus
invoked accept the appelaon they are bound to pro-
tect and csre for the unortuDaes placing themselves
in their bands violation of so solemn contract
supposed to incur severe punishment in heaven. Eoe
l.. 30 hin pHrla
II not unfle quenty exists between Turks and Servsns
| during their blOodiest feuds.
The Servians are pa,sionately fond of the song
and the dance. Their history is preserved in bal
lads and traditions Wherever there is Slavic wo.
man there s a song. Many tuneful successor of
the blind old bard of Greece is to be found among
the mountains Of Servia.
Amorg the Servians the institution Of the family
retains It's primitive character every household being
IN itself an entire community In the villages pctu-
resquey situated the borders Of The streams, or TO
gresier security esled in the fastnesses OF tn
mouptairs the low, rude dwellings are at distance
om eaci ether and Of such size thas one not unfre
Quepty forms entire street. Around the main room,
which contains hearth in the center, are chambers
for the you, ger married people. Iron s scarcely used
in the erection of Servisn dwellings, chmneys and
wiz dows are rare the eltrodden earth serves for
floor while the osm wslls and bark roof are blackened
with soot snd smoke. The father is the patriarch OF
the family. Whep he dies one Of the sons appointed
BY his brethren becomes master Of the house. All the
members Of the family work and eat together, sharing
each others joys. and alike independent OF the world
for support Individual interest merged in that OF
the family. Paternal and flial affection are strong:
the brother the chosen protector Of the sister, OF
whom he is the joy and the pride.
Marriage Is arranged by the fathers Of the two fam.
ilss. AT her new abode the young bride dresses an
,infsnt touches the walls with distsf, and spreads
table tn food sine and water. Her mouth IL sealed
by piece Of sugar indicating that she should utter
only what is good. For whole year she is termed
the " betrOthed." In the presence Of others she
tcarcely converses with her husband.
Every family has patron saint and the whole year
ia rouI OF festivals and eacred rter. They pray
three nes day; and at table person ventures 10
accept the place Of honor without beiog able to i'm
provise an appropriate expression Of thanks.
In due time the tourist arrives at Bukarest,
city of peace" as the name signifies, but pre-
senting few attractions to the pilgrim painting for
rest. Bukarest became the capital of Wallachiain
the seventeenth century, and probably numbers
population, at present, Of about 100 900 souls. 1t
is situated on the Dumbovitza, little river that
flows down from the Carpathans, and is rather an
aasregation Of villages than compact city. Beau
tiful gardens, laid out with walks and flowers, are
interspeIsed among morasses, vocal with the dis
cordant notes of frogs and lizards The wretched
streets are paved with stones, or with logs placed
crosswise, and are covered with mud in Winter and
dust in Summer. No one thinks Of usiDgihi, legs
for any practical purposes in Bulare't. Even the
servant takes carriage when he goes on an errand.
Going on foot is as little respectable as going bare
foot elsewhere The streets are c:ordngly crowded
with vehicles, dashing through the mud or dust
with wpetuous fury. You will often see one Of the
Bucharest grsndees riding out in. q gaudy carriage
Imported from Vienna, drawn BY tho most wretched