New-York tribune., 1906-04-22
CHAPTER |.
The Name-day of the King

"HE ancient city Of Slavna, for thousand
years or more and under many dynastes
the capital OF kraVOnia, is an island set
u IN plain. Il hes in the broad valley
OF the krath, which this point flows
due east. Immediately above the city the river
divides into two branches, known as the North
and the South Rivers; Slavna is casped in the
embrace OF these channels Conditioned by
their course its form Is not circular. but pear
shaped, Tor they bend out in gradual broad
curves TO their greatest distance from another
TeapTroaching quickly after that point is passed
till they meet again the end-Or rather what was
originally the end-of the city TO the the single
reunited river stand Tor the stalk OF the pear
In old days the position was a strong one; now
adaYs II Is obviously much less defensible: and
those in power had recognized this fact in two
Ways-tlrst, by allocatlng money Tor a and
scientific system OF fOrtiflCatiOnS second, by
destroying almost entirely the ancient and out-of-
date walls which had once been the protection of
the city. Part OF the wall the north side indeed
Stll stood. but where II had escaped ruin II was
encumbered and built over with warehouses and
wharycs for The North River is the channel of
commerce and the medium OF trade with the coun-
try round about. To the south the wall has been
entirely demolished, its site being occupied by
boulevard. which faces a line of handsome
modern resldencos-tor as the North River is for
trade, the South IS for pleasure this bOue-
Vard has been carried across the stream and on
he. .ond the old limits OF the city, and runs for
mile or farther on the right bank OF the reunited
hrath, forming delightful and well-shaded prom
enade where the citizens are accustomed to take
their various forms OF exercise.
Opposite 10 il on the left bank lies the park at
,ached TO the Palace. That building itself, dating
from 1920 and rcrettaby typical OF the style OF its
period, faces the riVer the left bank just where
the stream takes a broad sweep the south, giving
q rounded margin TO the Kings pleasure grounds.
Below the Palace there soon comes open country
on both banks The boulevard merges in the main
poslroad 10 kolseni, and TO the mountains which
form the eastern frontier of the kingdom. At this
date and Tor considerable number of years after
ward, the only railway line in kraVonia did not
follow the course OF the hrath (Which itself afforded
facilities Tor traffic and ntercoursc) but ran down
iron the north having its terminus the left bank
ot The North River, whence a carrlage-b bridge gave
access 70 the CITY
j. vote money is thing raise ii another,
and 10 spend Il the designated objects a third.
Not stone a sod Of the forts was vet in
place, and Savna solitary defense the ancient
tort which stood on the left bank OF the river just
above the point OF dissection, facing the casino and
botanical gardens on the opposite bank. Suleinan's
Tower, a rclc OF Turkish rule, is built a simple
plan square curtain, with bastion at each
ner, lncl9scS a massive circular tower. The gate
faces the North River. and a bridge which admits
OF beng raised and lowered, this outwork
with the north wall of the city which at this point
Is IN good preservation. The fort is roomy; two
rod find a,,J