gard to it. An American humourist has
said, 'Never prophesy unless you know,' and many a writer on Roumania
must wish that he had refrained from dealing with probabilities, or from
prognosticating the coining events of history. The future of the East
depends upon a variety of divergent considerations: upon the relations
of the Government of Russia with its people; the course of events in the
newly acquired provinces of Austria, and the delicate relations between
Austria and Hungary; the future action of the Prince and people of
Bulgaria, the former of whom is at present under Russian influence; upon
the growing power and influence of Greece; and, lastly, upon the
possible, but not probable, regeneration of Turkey. And without speaking
for others, I should feel it presumptuous, under the circumstances, to
deal in prophecies.

As to the best policy for Great Britain, however, that is perfectly
clear, and may be summed up in a short sentence. It is to facilitate, by
pacific means, the solution of every difficulty and problem as it
arises, and wherever it is possible, through our influence, to support
and encourage constitutional government against autocracy and despotism.
This we can do with great advantage in our relations with Roumania, and
it will be a source of much gratification to me if the information which
I have here attempted to disseminate should have the slightest tendency
in that direction.

JAMES SAMUELSON.

CLAUGHTON, BIRKENHEAD:
_April 20, 1882._

[Footnote 1: Chapter vi. and Appendix IV.]

[Footnote 2: P. 270, _note_.]

CONTENTS.

PART I.

_ROUMANIA, TO-DAY._

CHAPTER PAGE

I. GEOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE 3

II. GEOGRAPHICAL--ARCHAEOLOGICAL 20

III. THE NAVIGATION OF THE DANUBE 30

IV. TOPOGRAPHICAL, ETC. 36

V. TOPOGRAPHICAL--COMMERCIAL 67

VI. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL--THE PEASANT PROPRIETARY 74

VII. EDUCATIONAL--ETHNOGRAPHICAL 88

VIII. JUDICIAL AND PENAL 100

PART II.

_HISTORICAL._

IX. FROM THE GETAE (ABOUT 335 B.C.) TO THE CLOSE OF THE ROM