On the 7th of May the princely pair had moved up to Cotroceni. “The nightingales are singing, and the damp earth has an agreeable scent. It is absolutely still. The first thing I did was to set free thirty nightingales which I had bought in the market for sixty francs. Perhaps they will stay here. You should have seen how the poor little birds, still quite stiff from their fetters, at first remained on my hand, then slowly stretched their necks, and then it was but one beat of their wings and they were free! I rejoiced each time! Here I shall set to work again. What hinders me most is the want of interest of those who know too little German and too little Roumanian to be able to help me to understand. Perhaps I shall take drawing lessons from the new directress of the Asyle, Madame Pinel, a scholar of Horace Vernet, and thereby entice one young lady after the other. In this way I should be able to found a school of drawing in the same manner as the Choral Society by mixing with the scholars.” On the 19th of July 1875 the Princess writes from Sinaia:--“How I have longed for the forest! Yesterday I told it to the Pelesch, whose rushing and foaming waterfall seemed to make moan, the leaves of the beech trees whispered and trembled and the sunbeams came flying to me. All promised me new songs, and said that if they were eternal and unceasing my poetry must be so too.” Finding it impossible to make a fixed residence in the uncomfortable apartments which were all that the convent at Sinaia could offer, the Prince began to build a castle of his own in the woods. At the place which had been the favourite haunt of the little Princess Marie, the foundation stone of Castle Pelesch was laid on the 22nd of August 1875. The wishes of the Princess as to the spirit which should reign in this new home are laid in the foundation-stone with the archives and the coins. They are expressed as follows:-- “My thoughts they fall and flatter Like leaves from off the trees; They flutter, float, and scatter, As in a dream one sees; And then take shape in singing And come to face of day, Leaf-thoughts life’s storm is bringing Down on my brow alway. And out from springs deep-hidden With ever newer might Rush waves of words unbidden Brought from the gloom to light. Brought into sight so slowly, From caverns unbeheld, Sought for with prayings lowly; Distinct, and then dispelled. A thought of light that glideth Down from the heavenly hall, Wherever it abideth Maketh a sunbeam fall. Of equal radiance, springing From sunset or sunrise; Of equal help for singing Or praying, I comprise. All thoughts which bright hopes nourish In this our building--sown Like spirit-seed to flourish From its foundation-stone.” --_Translated by Sir Edwin Arnold._