TO BUKOREST. 25/ 
to gratify by continual presents. He is never chap. 
without numerous enemies watching to effect - > 
his downfall. Eagerly and dearly as this 
honour is nevertheless purchased, it is rarely 
possessed more than two or three years ; for, 
whenever the Porte has need of money, the 
Hospodar of Walachia is cashiered and dis- 
missed, as a matter of course, and the princi- 
pality again sold to the highest bidder : yet, as 
the persons appointed to this situation have 
seldom any scruples in their mode of gaining 
money, they do amass enormous wealth. The 
Hospodar, whom we found as the reigning Prince, 
had been displaced three times; yet was always 
rich enough to recover his situation. It was 
expected at this time that his fourth dethrone- 
ment would soon happen ; and Prince 
Muriizi, who travelled with us, was the person 
considered as likely to become his successor. 
The event depended only upon the strength of 
their respective purses, and the superior 
address of either party in managing the arts of 
bribery. In the view, therefore, of such a 
system of knavery and corruption, it may be 
easily imagined what attractions the Capital of 
Walachia has for Greeks and Jews. The 
peasants, as it may be supposed, are stripped state of 
of every thing they ought to possess ; and the santry. ' 
VOL. VIII. s 
