Return to Vienna* II 9 



tions, barometrical) at the observatory of Buda, is about 330 feet, 

 the barometer being about 250 feet above the river. The popu- 

 lation of these towns, including old Buda, may amount to 50 or 

 55,000, nearly two-thirds of which are at Pest. It has augment- 

 ed considerably during the last fifty years, and every thing announces 

 a much greater increase. 



The town of Pest, therefore, is now the most considerable and 

 handsomest of Hungary; being pretty near the centre of the 

 kingdom, and from its position on the Danube, it has an easy 

 communication with Austria and Turkey, and becomes a principal 

 entrepot of commerce. This has attracted a number of Germans, 

 from all the different states, and every day new sources of indus- 

 try are arising that will ere long rank Pest with the greatest 

 towns in Europe. New buildings, new works of every descrip- 

 tion, appear in all directions, and the improvements are planned 

 on a symmetrical scale. A commission of embellishment has 

 been established, which obliges the proprietors to build in a man- 

 ner more agreeable to the eye ; the results produced excite the 

 fairest hopes as to the future, and the town already exhibits a 

 great number of elegant and beautiful houses. Their construction 

 is simple but in a good taste, and they run in a right line. The 

 entrance to the town, on the banks of the Danube, has an im- 

 posing effect. As to grand structures there are but few ; the only 

 one that can be called magnificent is the hospital for invalids, built 

 by Charles VI. and which now serves for a casern. The churches 

 are very ancient and have a poor appearance, recalling the bad 

 taste of the times. There is one hotel for the exhibition of spec- 

 tacles, very large and handsome ; another is building to form an 

 national theatre, for Hungarian pieces only, but the subscribers 

 are very scanty, as there are but few Hungarians in the town. 

 Doubts are entertained whether it will ever be finished, There 

 are no public promenades in Pest that can properly be called 

 such. Some trees, indeed, have been planted along the Danube, 

 and on one of the avenues to the town ; this last will probably 

 become a sort of Boulevard, but considerable improvements will 

 be requisite to form it into an agreeable retreat. We must go 

 half a league out of town ere we arrive at any shade, in a sort of 

 promenade, called the Stadwald ; but it is of little notoriety, either 

 for extent or respectability. 



In quitting Pest for Buda, we have, on the bridge, a view of 

 scenery altogether of the finest order. Water constitutes one of 

 its principal features ; the majestic Danube is seen to full advan- 

 tage, and the eye enjoys the replication of its course to a con- 

 siderable extent. In this part the river is nearly four times the 

 breadth of the Seine, at the Garden of Plants in Paris. Its 

 islands are covered with verdure, and the mountains in the back- 



