CHAPTER II.
Giurgewo--Interior of the town--Braila--Sanitary precautions-- Galatz--Scarcity of good water--Ridiculous fear of the plague--The steamer Ferdinand--Entrance into the Black Sea--Stormy weather and sea-sickness--Arrival at Constantinople--Picturesque appearance of the city--Mosques--The dancing Dervishes--The Sultan and his barge-- Pera--The great and little Campo--Wild dogs--Dirty state of the streets--Preparations in case of fire.
March 31st.
We started early this morning, and at eight o'clock had already reached Giurgewo.

This town is situate on the left bank of the Danube, opposite the fortress of Rustschuk.

It contains 16,000 inhabitants, and is one of the chief trading towns of Wallachia.

We were detained here until four o'clock in the afternoon; for we had to unload above 600 cwt.

of goods and eight carriages, and to take coals on board in exchange.