DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5074#0450
432
THE DOBRUDSCHA.
the commerce of so vast a stream, and of the rich
countries through which it flows. The river, however,
spreads itself in a network of streaming mouths form-
ing a Delta to the extent of about sixty miles-—and of
which the apex is about thirty-six miles from the sea.
The greater part of this Delta, which is called the
D5b-rusha, is to all appearance a vast marsh covered
with osiers, reeds, and bulrushes, decked here and there
with pretty, bright flowers, presenting to the eye of the
passer-by a dead level of waving stems : but hidden
among these lie numerous and extensive lakes peopled
by myriads of water-fowl. These birds are of every
variety, from the stately swan to the skimming, rapid
widgeon, and the screaming, whirling curlew-—whilst
the waters abound with excellent fish. The Dobrudscha
is enlivened here and there by some miserable little
huts, built on tall piles, beside which some still more
miserable specimens of humanity are to be seen, fish-
ing or sleeping, drinking in the fever-taint of the marsh
at every breath—and yet even this depressing condition
has not deprived them of all vitality. The fishermen of
the Danube — for the most part Eussians — of the tribe
called Lipovan — are a hardy, robust race, keen sports-
men, and as cunning in their trade as others of their
profession in all parts of the world: their huts are
clean and comfortable within — and they contain at
least one luxury of furniture in their beautiful swans'-
down pillows. The way in which these men contrive
to kill the swans deserves notice. The smaller boats
which they use in fishing are narrow and long, draw
very little water, and are very light: with one of these
a man punts himself along, forcing his way through the
tall reeds, in which an ordinary boat would be impounded
before it had advanced its own length. Under the
THE DOBRUDSCHA.
the commerce of so vast a stream, and of the rich
countries through which it flows. The river, however,
spreads itself in a network of streaming mouths form-
ing a Delta to the extent of about sixty miles-—and of
which the apex is about thirty-six miles from the sea.
The greater part of this Delta, which is called the
D5b-rusha, is to all appearance a vast marsh covered
with osiers, reeds, and bulrushes, decked here and there
with pretty, bright flowers, presenting to the eye of the
passer-by a dead level of waving stems : but hidden
among these lie numerous and extensive lakes peopled
by myriads of water-fowl. These birds are of every
variety, from the stately swan to the skimming, rapid
widgeon, and the screaming, whirling curlew-—whilst
the waters abound with excellent fish. The Dobrudscha
is enlivened here and there by some miserable little
huts, built on tall piles, beside which some still more
miserable specimens of humanity are to be seen, fish-
ing or sleeping, drinking in the fever-taint of the marsh
at every breath—and yet even this depressing condition
has not deprived them of all vitality. The fishermen of
the Danube — for the most part Eussians — of the tribe
called Lipovan — are a hardy, robust race, keen sports-
men, and as cunning in their trade as others of their
profession in all parts of the world: their huts are
clean and comfortable within — and they contain at
least one luxury of furniture in their beautiful swans'-
down pillows. The way in which these men contrive
to kill the swans deserves notice. The smaller boats
which they use in fishing are narrow and long, draw
very little water, and are very light: with one of these
a man punts himself along, forcing his way through the
tall reeds, in which an ordinary boat would be impounded
before it had advanced its own length. Under the