Turkish influence on Roumanian mind and manners--The origin of
the people--Clearly descended from the Romans of Trajan’s
day--Collateral evidence of Latin origin in the language--Pride of
race--Roumanian literature.
Although so many years have passed since the Roumanians shook off the
yoke of the Turk, still many little indications remain to show that
Turkish influence on mind and manners has not yet totally disappeared.
For instance, I was quite amazed one day to learn that the mother of
a highly placed official could neither read nor write. Asking for an
explanation of this singular state of affairs, I was informed that the
lady in question, being of the older generation, had been brought up
when the country was still under Turkish influence. The Turkish women
were never allowed to read or write, so all fear of intrigue outside
the harem was thus avoided. Roumanian women of that time were brought
up in a similar fashion. Of course, nowadays, even in Turkey, all this
is changed: education has found its way into the harems; languages,
music, and sciences are studied, with the result that Turkish women
are amongst the most highly educated of the present time. Those who
have read Pierre Loti’s books on present-day life in Constantinople
will understand the change that has taken place in the harems in regard
to education. Roumanian ladies of the present day are also highly
educated.
It is not considered proper for a young Roumanian girl, or even a young
married woman, to walk alone through the principal streets in Bucarest;
and as to travelling alone, even a short distance, that is quite out of
the question.
A young girl whom I knew was very stout, and took so little outdoor
exercise that I expostulated with her mother. The mother then confided
to me that she did not wish her daughter to be seen often out of doors;
she preferred her to live a rather secluded life till she should become
engaged. There again was an example of Turkish influence, as we all
know how their women are forced to live a secluded life, and are never
permitted to go on foot on the few occasions when they may go out of
doors.
It is no part of my present purpose to deal at any length with the
vexed question of the origin of the Roumanian people. I have both read
and heard a great many views expressed on the subject, but as these
have been of the most conflicting character they have not helped me
much. The most stupid view of all is that persistently expressed by
many ill-informed Germans, who, because they are aware that there is a
certain Sclavonic element in the country, contend that the whole of the
Roumanian people are Slavs.
The Roumanians are of course a Latin race--that is as clear as noonday.
They are, however, like ourselves, a very mixed race. That fact is made
sufficiently clear in the sketch I have given of the history of the
country. Nations and tribes have overrun their land times innumerable,
as other nations and other tribes have overrun our own; but whilst
“Saxon and Norman and Dane are we,” with the characteristics of these
races now well blended (except perhaps in some remote provincial
quarters), the Roumanians have retained, in what must be considered a
remarkable degree, the language and characteristics of the people from
whom they have clearly sprung, viz. the Romans of Trajan’s day.
It is not only to history that we may look for proof of this assertion.
Were the history of the country unknown, its language would demonstrate
the Latin origin of the people. It has much in common even with
the Italian spoken in the present day; and as I am acquainted with
that language, I would instance a great many words which could be
readily understood by Roumanians, so much do they resemble their own
equivalents. In fact, I had a friend from Genoa who was able to manage
very well in Roumania, though only able to speak to the natives in her
own language.
There is also something more than history and language to go upon. It
is very easy for a superficial observer to form conclusions with regard
to the Roumanians which are entirely wrong. The national indolence, the
disinclination to engage in industrial or commercial occupations, so
long responsible for failure to develop the resources of the country,
render it difficult to appreciate the true character of the people. It
is only when one comes to live constantly with them that one realises
the pride of race which lies behind their careless demeanour. It was
this pride which rendered the Germanisation of Roumania an impossible
task even for King Carol to accomplish, and which the enemy had to
reckon with in the late war.
I have endeavoured in these pages to present as faithfully as was in
my power a picture of the everyday life of the Roumanian people. If I
have failed to give my readers an impression of a thoroughly lovable
people, the failure is due to my lack of skill, and not to any lack of
appreciation of their many fine qualities.
There are no warmer-hearted people in the world than our Roumanian
allies. They are hospitable to an extraordinary extent, many of them
keeping a perpetually open house for their friends. They are extremely
charitable, and are invariably courteous and polite. Indeed, in their
consideration for the feelings of others they evince a delicacy of
perception which I have never seen equalled in any other people.
An Italian diplomat once told me that he did not wish for any
preferment, lest it should necessitate his leaving Bucarest, and I
could well understand his feelings.
Behind the _laissez-aller_ which hinders endeavour, the Roumanians have
a high order of intelligence. They have a quick appreciation of what is
best in all that we mean by “progress,” and are always ready to profit
by the example of others who may be more advanced in some directions
than themselves.
As I have indicated elsewhere, the Roumanians do not sufficiently
cultivate their native language, which indeed is to a serious extent
abandoned to the common people. Roumania has not produced very much
literature in the past which might have served to keep alive an
interest in the language, and the modern writers who have utilised it
in their works are few. The best known are perhaps the poets Eminescu,
Alexandri, and Bolintineana. The works of the first-named have been
translated into French and German, and those who are qualified to
judge credit him with possessing the fire of genius. His work has
been compared to that of Keats. V. Alexandri is _par excellence_ the
national poet. Bolintineana, who has achieved great popularity, is a
writer of ballads.
It may be that Roumanians have now found a stimulus to higher
endeavours, and will cease to be satisfied with a life of pleasure. But
even when considering the love of gaiety which is so distinguishing
a characteristic of the people, it is well to remember that they are
never happy unless they can make all those with whom they come in
contact happy also.