April xxx.
This day about twelve a clock we arrive at Tergovist, where his Excellency and his retinue are lodged in the palace of the Prince. The form and state hereof much resembles that of Bucurest; only it has the advantage of a much finer garden, and therein of a beautiful stone summer house; both which are regular, and may compare with those of the politer Christendom. The town is pleasantly situated on the Ialomitza, beyond which it enjoys the prospect of a beautiful tract of hills, which make the boundary betwixt this province and that of Transylvania; but on the other hand, the eye loses itself in an even boundless plain, encircled at a large distance with stately woods. The city gives title to the chief Metropolite of Valachia, and in like manner, till within these thirty years, was the residence of their princes; when a rebellion against the Turks being here formed by Prince Ghika, and the neighbourhood of Transylvania contributing to render the place more suspected, his successors were constrained to demolish it, and retire to Bucurest. But within five years the present Prince has obtained fresh leave to reestablish it, on condition he erects no fortifications in the place; and accordingly it begins apace to be repeopled, while the Prince refits his palace, embellishes his gardens, and invites the nobility to erect their respective houses, that so they may attend him in those frequent residences, which for the future he intends to make here.