VALACHIAN BALL. 
787 
of the town. I was curious to see this eastern assembly, 
where Turk, Greek, and Frangy mingled together in our 
lively European dances; of which, I am told the ladies and 
gentlemen of Valachia are remarkably fond. They acquired the 
taste while the Russians were in possession of the province, and 
the gentler sex at the same time affected the fashions of more 
western Europe. At seven o’clock we reached the place of 
rendezvous, a large saloon, at the upper end of which the ladies 
sat in rows ; amongst whom were the sister and daughter of 
Prince Sutzo. Four of his sons were also present. The rest of 
the company was composed of boyars of the first class, and all 
the strangers in public agency from various parts of Europe. 
The concert consisted of professional violin-players, occasionally 
accompanied by amateur performers ; but the guests in general 
paid so little attention to this part of the entertainment, they 
employed themselves in adjoining rooms, playing cards, smoking 
pipes, and drinking punch, which they certainly did with suffi¬ 
cient spirit. While thus diverting themselves, I amused myself 
in silently sketching some of their figures. The general costume 
was Turkish, and of every-coloured brocade, embroidered, and 
befurred ; so far all was well, till the huge Valachian cap turned 
the whole to the ridiculous. It is of a pumpkin form, nearly 
three feet in circumference, and of an equally enormous height. 
The material, a grey silvery Bucharian lamb-skin, with a tassel 
at the top, to assist the wearer in taking it off when he means 
to salute an acquaintance. This little appendage is green with 
every person, excepting the royal family, and they have it white. 
The cap of the lower orders is of the same shape, but not quite 
so large; and a square cushion covered with dark cloth is its 
enormous crest; in fact all these people appear so top-heavy it 
5 h 2 
