NICOPOLIS OF TRAJAN. 305 



chuck could not offer any effectual resistance to a 

 besieging army ; and although from the breadth 

 of the Danube at this point, which is about three 

 miles, it would not, perhaps, be expedient to 

 attempt to force a passage in the teeth of such 

 a fortress as Rustchuck, if in tolerable condition, 

 would be, yet in its present state, if need should 

 so require, a passage might undoubtedly be 

 attempted, and I feel convinced would prove 

 successful. As, however, there are plenty of guns 

 in the arsenal, it might be put in tolerable order 

 before an army could reach it ; but even in this 

 case, its defences are in so dilapidated a state, 

 that it would soon fall if attacked on the land 

 side. There are a number of very good brass 

 guns in the arsenal, and all warlike stores 

 appeared to be plentiful and kept in good con- 

 dition. 



The town of Rustchuck has rather a neat ap- 

 pearance from a distance, and on nearer approach 

 it is found to be as clean as any Turkish town can 

 be expected to be. The bazaars are good and 

 extensive. The next town we anchored at was 

 Nicopolis, which was built by the Emperor Tra- 

 jan, in consequence of his conquest of the Da- 



