fixing an iron air-pipe into the skin of the neck of the animal, and by fastening two wooden handles to that part of it that covered the feet. Baron Born, describing the ironworks of the Walachian Gipsies, cites a mineralogical writer, of the name of Fridwalsky'; who, in proving their antiquity, tells of an inscription found near Ostrow, relating to a COLLEGIUM FABRORUM; adding, that probably "the denomination of the PORTA FERREA, given to a pass on the Turkish frontier, is hence derived."

CHAP. II.

(1) See his Letters to Professor Ferber, as edited by Raspe, p. 132. Lond. 1777.

B. Harrador del

Mineralogical Apparatus.

CHAP. III.

Departure from Búkorest-Bûlentin-Maronches-Gayest-Kirchinhof
-Pitesti-Manner of facilitating the passage of the Ambassador-
Múnichest-Corté D'Argish
Corté D'Argish - Salatroick
-Salatroick- Kinnin-Perichan-
Boundary of Walachia-Alûta-Visible change in the manners of
the People-Pass of Rothenthurn-Boitza-Minerals-Geological
Observations-Hermanstadt, or Cibinium-Baron Bruckenthal's
Museum-Pictures- Library-Ores of Gold- Vases - Gems-
Medals-River Cibin-Magh-Riesmark-Inhabitants of Dacia-
Muhlenbach-Sibot-Szasavaros-Deva-Roman Citadel-River
Marisus-Excursion to the Tellurium Mine-Sekeremb, or Nagyag
---Manner in which the Mine was discovered-Its description-Pro-
ductions-Character of its Ores -Their analysis-Treatment-

Profit

Profit of the Mine-Miners-Return to Deva-Dobra-Czoczed-
Kossova-Entrance of the Bannat-Fazced-Bossar-Lugos-
Banditti― Climate of the Bannat-Temeswar - Description of the
Country.

CHAP. III.

Departure

rest.

On Monday, April 26, we left Bûkorest, accompanied, during the first stage of our journey, by our friend Mr. Summerer. from BakoThe Turkish Ambassador had already preceded; but as we no longer travelled on horseback, having purchased a small open carriage, there was little doubt of our being able to overtake him. The inhabitants of Bûkorest are not allowed the privilege of remaining out of the city during the night, without an express permission from the Hospodar: owing to this circumstance, and the badness of the roads, we parted from our worthy friend at Bûlentin, distant only Balentin. four hours from Bûkorest. The trees were not yet in leaf; and the country exhibited a complete desert, flat and uncultivated. At Maronches, or Marunice, three hours farther, at Marouches. noon, we observed the thermometer 68°. of Fahrenheit. We then passed through Gayest, a village distant three Gayest. hours; and Kirchinhof, three hours more; round which Kirchinhof. village the country was better cultivated: and as it was the Easter week, the amusements which are common during the same season in Russia were here in full force. We saw villagers in their best attire, diverting themselves with swings and turning machines. The Walachians have a

curious custom in the treatment of their horses upon a journey, which we have not elsewhere observed: whenever they halt, be it but for a moment's rest, they begin to rub eyes of these animals, and to pull their ears. We could

the

discover

CHAP. III.

Pitesti.

Manner of facilitating

the passage of the Ambassador.

discover neither the cause nor the use of this practice; but
the horses, being accustomed to it, would perhaps be uneasy
if it were omitted; and it was evident, from the care and
constancy with which it was done, that it was considered as
refreshing and salutary. At the distance of four hours
from Kirchinhof, we came to Pitesti, having travelled the
whole day over plains. Just before our arrival at Pitesti,
we crossed the river Dumbovitza, by means of a barge.
The Hospodar had granted us an order for forty-three horses,
and had also, unknown to us, directed that the chiefs of all
the villages should be responsible for our being well supplied
with lodgings and provisions. It was therefore owing to
this circumstance that, upon our arrival at Pitesti, five or
six of the principal inhabitants came to visit us.
We were
surprised at the circumstance; and still more so when they
begged to know our wishes, saying, that they had received
orders from the Prince to supply us with everything we
might require. Pitesti contains a hundred houses; and,
judging from their external appearance, the inhabitants are
wealthy. The land around is well cultivated, and the wine
of this place is excellent.

Our journey on the following day, (April 27,) furnished us with remarkable proofs of the attention shewn to the passage of Turks of distinguished rank in the countries through which they travel. Fortunately for the poor inhabitants, their journeys are very rare. The preparations made to facilitate the expedition of the Turkish Ambassador must have cost an amazing sum of money. The roads were now very bad, and they had been worse at the time of his

passing.

CHAP. III

D'Argish.

passing. In consequence of the state of the main road, the inhabitants had actually constructed not only a new-raised causeway by the side of it, but also a prodigious number of temporary bridges, some of them of great length, over the worst parts of the route. We travelled through a flat country three hours to Munichest, often profiting by these Munichest. preparations. Three hours beyond Múnichest, we came to Corté D'Argish, where the view of the village with its church, and of mountains covered with forests, and of more distant summits capped with snow, reminded us of the Tirol. Corté Corté D'Argish, at a distance, resembled Inspruck. We saw here the remains of a Roman temple that had been constructed with terra-cotta tiles. The houses, small but extremely clean, were built entirely of wood. From this place we took with us four men, besides the postillions, to assist during the route; as we had a journey of five hours to perform to the next station, Salatroick, through the mountains: the pass begins after leaving Corté D'Argish. High snowy summits were now in view, belonging to the great Carpathian barrier, which separates WALACHIA from TRANSYLVANIA. We soon found, that, had it not been for the preparations made to facilitate the progress of the Ambassador, this route would have been impracticable until a more advanced season of the year. Leaving Corté D'Argish, we crossed a river, and began to ascend the mountains, among which Salatroick is situate; a very small and poor village; but the houses are as clean as the cottages of Switzerland. Upon our arrival, we learned that the Turkish Ambassador had slept in this village

VOL. IV.

4 K

Salatroick.