788 
VALACHIAN PEOPLE. 
is painful to look at them, after the first risible impression of 
the absurd passes away. 
The Valachian men, of all ranks, are remarkably handsome ; 
fair-complexioned, fine features, and an expression of counte¬ 
nance peculiarly mild. I am told their abilities are good, and 
their aptitude for acquiring languages nearly equal to that of the 
Russians. But with the mere words of a language, the study 
appears to cease, the circumstances of the country being such as 
to check liberal pursuits of almost every kind. There are some 
exceptions ; but those being few, little present good can be done 
by so small a number, who feel to have tasted the forbidden 
fruit, only to expose to themselves the nakedness in which they 
dwell. The women are extremely pretty, affable, and lively; 
and having entirely laid aside their national costume, looked like 
an assembly of Parisian belles. In due time the concert was 
over; which, as a part of the entertainment, might as well 
have been left out; not a note having been heard, from the 
incessant talking of the company, the crying of ten or a dozen 
