FROM THE DEPOSITION OF PRINCE COUZA (1866) TO THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES (1881). Accession of Prince Charles of Hohenzollern--Signs the Constitution--Former differences between the Prince and the Parliament--(Note: State of parties with leaders in 1881)--Action of Russia prior to the war of 1877--Turkish incapacity and obstinacy--Perplexing position of Roumania--Reluctance of the nation to interfere--First attitude of neutrality--The Porte declares the Prince an enemy--The Prince and army organisation--Value of Roumanian co-operation to Russia--The Russian army of operations--Crosses the Danube and occupies Sistova and the Shipka Pass--Repeated defeats at Plevna and elsewhere--Gloomy outlook for the Russians--The Roumanians cross the Danube--First estimates of them--Contemptuous criticisms and anecdotes--Changing views regarding them--Prince Charles appointed Commander-in-Chief of the allies before Plevna--Defences of Plevna--The Grivitza redoubt--Strength and composition of the armies--Commencement of the attack (August 31, 1877)--Capture of Loftcha by Skobeleff--Russian operations against Plevna--Great assault of September 11--Defeat of the Russians--Ineffectual bravery of Skobeleff--His appearance after the repulse--The Roumanians--The 'indomitable' Grivitza redoubt--Roumanian approaches (September 7 to 10)--Assaults and final capture and retention of the redoubt by the Roumanians (11th)--Carnage in the redoubt--Unsuccessful attempt to capture a second redoubt--Flattering criticisms upon their bravery--Further Roumanian victories and services in the war--Failure of Osman Pasha to break the lines of the allies--His submission--Interview between Osman, the Grand Duke, and Prince Charles--Russian ingratitude to Roumania--'Exchange' of Bessarabia for the Dobrudscha--Treaty of San Stephano and Berlin Conference--Roumania independent--Coronation of the King and Queen--Conclusion of historical review. I.