a title borne by the governors of Wallachia and Moldavia. Although nominated by the Porte, they possessed absolute power within their own dominions. Formerly they were chosen from the Greeks of Phanar, but lately they have been taken from amongst the native boyards or nobles. By the treaty of Adrianople in 1829, the Principalities were placed under Russian protection, and from that time till the treaty of Paris 1856, the Hospodars were virtually the nominees of Russia.