SILISTRIA, or Drystra, the ancient name of which is Duroeterurn, in 44' 7' N. lat., 27' 12' E. long., 155 mites N.N.E. from Constantino ple, is a fortified town in Bulgaria in European Turkey. It is the capital of a pashalic, and stands on the right bank of the Danube, which is here 1200 feet wide, and is studded with a seriee of islands between the town and the Wallachian shore. The town is large, defended by a citadel, and surrounded by double walls and ditches. The city itself is surrounded by ditches from 12 to 15 feet deep, and defended by strong palisades. The water-front of the town is pro tected by a fosse and wall. In the rear of the town are several tablas, or forts, the fire of some of which commands the islands opposite the town. On the laud side the town is commanded by raugea of low hills. aliatria is ill.built; the streets are narrow and crooked, amid the houses low ; even the mosques and publio baths partake of the general ugliness. There is however at the eastern extremity of the town a custom-house in a better style of architecture. The largo magazines which surround it contain chiefly corn and flour. As it is a fortress built on the northern frontier, in tho neighbourhood of the Danube, and is principally of a military character, the commerce has never been flourishing. The population amounts to 20,000.
Silistria has frequently boon the theatre of sharp actions between the Russians and the Turks. It was unsuccessfully besieged by the Russians in 1773, and was again attacked by them in 1779, on which latter occasion they suffered a considerable loss. In 1823 General Rosh was obliged to retreat after besieging the town for some months; but it fell into the bands of the Russians in 1820, when Generals Diebitsch and Krassowski took it by assault on the 30th of June. It was again attacked with a largo force in May and June 1854 by the Russian', who, after enormous losses, retreated from the place, which was heroically defended by the Turks. The Russians were com manded first by Prince Clortachnkoff, and lastly by Prince Peakicwitsch ; the Turks by Mussa Kussul Pasha, aided by Captains Butler and Nasmyth, British officers, who happened to be in the place when the siege commenced. The Pasha was killed by the bursting of a shell ; and Captain Butler died of fatigue and wounds received in defeudiug the Arab Table earthwork. During this memorable siege the town and its defences were battered almost to ruins.