第9章

Thismaid"snamewas“Christina，“andshereceivedthemunificentsumofonehundredpiastresperannumaswages，whichinEnglishmoneywouldbefifteenshillingsandsixpenceeveryyear。Theworldisfullofingratitude，andstrangetosay，Christinawasdissatisfied，whichnaturallywoundedthefeelingsofthegoodmonks，asinadditiontothislargesumofmoneyshereceivedherfoodandclothes；thelatterconsistingoffulltrousers，andaconfusionoflightmaterial，which，havingnoshapewhatever，Icouldnotdescribe。Christina，thoughyoung，wasnotpretty，andshewasalwayseithercryingorscolding，whichwouldofcoursespoilanybeauty；whileatthesametimeshewaseitherwashingalltheclothesbelongingtothewholeestablishmentofmonks(averydisagreeablebusiness)，orhangingthemouttodrynearthespring；

orshewassweepingthemonastery；orarrangingtheverydirtyroomsoftheestablishment；orbakingallthebreadthatwasrequired；orcookingthedinner；orrepairingalltheoldclotheswhichthemonksworewhentheywereonlyfitforapaper-mill。Astherewasnospecialaccommodationintheshapeofalaundry，Christinahadtocollectsticks，andmakeahugefirebeneathacoppercauldronintheopenair，intowhichsheplungedallthedifferentvestmentsofthemonksandpriests，andstewedthembeforewashing。ThiswasaCyprian“maidofallwork，“whosegrossingratitudetroubledthemindsofher“pastorsandmasters；“andonedayapeculiarmentaldisturbancepervadedthewholepriestlyestablishmentandcausedamonasterialcommotion，as，afteraviolentfitoftemperattendedbycrying，Christinahaddeclaredsolemnlythatshe“wouldstanditnolonger，“and“shewishedTOBETTER

HERSELF！”

Whenevertherewasadifficultythemonkscametome；why，Icannotimagine。Iftheshepherd"sgoatsinvadedtheirgardensanddestroyedtheonionsandthebeet-rootcrops，theyappliedtome。OfcourseIadvisedthemto“fencetheirgardens，“andtheywentawaysatisfied，butdidnotcarryoutthesuggestionsoinduetimetheircropsweredevoured。TheynowtoldmethatTHEYALWAYSHADDIFFICULTYWITHWOMEN！Thisnewtheorystartledmealmostasmuchasthenoveltyoftheoldmonks"stories。

TheyexplainedthatYOUNGWOMENWOULDN"TWORK，ANDOLDWOMENCOULDN"T

WORK。Ithadnotoccurredtothemthatamiddle-agedwomanmighthavecombinedallthattheydesired。Knowingtheirstrictmoralprinciples，I

hadsuggestedan“oldwoman“asthesuccessorofChristina；asI

explainedtothemthat，tobeinharmonywiththeestablishment，awomanofa“certainage“asgeneralservantwouldnotdetractfromthereligiouscharacteroftheplace。HoweverImightargue，theoldmonkhesitated；butwhilethemonkwavered，Christina"s“monkeywasup，“and，takingherchildinherarms，shestartedoffwithoutgivinga“month"snotice，“andfairlyleftthemonastery，withmonks，priests，deacons，servantsandthedogsallaghastandbarking。Therewasnobodytowashthelinen，tobakethebread，tosweeptherooms，tocookthedinner，tomendtheclothes！Christinawasgone，andthegentlesexwasnolongerrepresentedinthemonasteryofTrooditissa。

IwassorryforChristina，butIwasgladthechildwasgone；althoughI

pitiedthepoorabandonedandneglectedlittlecreaturewithallmyheart。Asarule，“maidsofallwork“shouldnotbemothers，butiftheyare，theyshouldendeavourtocarefortheunfortunatechild。Thiswretchedlittlethingwasabouttwoyearsold——agirl；itseyeswerenearlyclosedwithinflammationcausedbydirtandneglect；itwasnaked，withtheexceptionofafilthyragthathungintattersscarcelybelowitships；andasitsill-temperedandover-workedmotheralternatelyraved，orcried，thechild，whichevenatthisagedependedmainlyuponhernursingforitsfood，joinedinaperpetualyell，whichatlengthterminatedinafaintandweariedmoan，untilitlaiditselfdownuponthebare，hardstones，andfellasleep。Itwasasadpictureofneglectandmisery；theshepherd"sprettychildrenshunnedit，andinitsabandonedsolitudethelittlecreaturehadtoamuseitself。Thefacelookedlikethatofanoldcarewornpersonwhohadlostallpleasureintheworld，andthechildwanderedaboutaloneanduncaredfor；itsonlyplaythingwasmygood-tempereddogWise，whoallowedhimselftobepulledaboutandteasedinthemostpatientmanner。Icuredthechild"seyesaftersomedays"attention，andmywifehaditwashed，andmadeitdecentclothes。Thislittleunusualcare，withafewkindwordsinastrangelanguageonlyinterpretedbyasmile，attractedthepoorthingtothetent，whereitwouldsitforhours，untilitatlengthfoundsolaceinthechild"sgreatrefuge，sleep。ItwouldalwaysfollowLadyBakertoandfroalongtheonlylevelwalkwehad，fromthetenttotherunningspring，andwouldsitdownbyhersidedirectlyshearrivedatourfavouriteseat——alargeflatrocklookingdownuponaprecipitousdescenttotheravinesome500feetbelow，andcommandingaviewofthelowcountryandthedistantsea。Itwasanobstinateandperverselittlecreature，anditinsisteduponclimbinguponrocksandstandingupontheextremeedgeoverhangingaprecipice。Ifithadbeenthelovedandonlyoffspringoffondparents，heiresstoalargeestate，itwouldofcoursehavetumbledover，intheabsenceofnursesandathrongofcarefulattendants，butneverhavingbeencaredforsinceitsbirth，itpossessedaninstinctiveknowledgeofself-preservation，anddeclinedtorelieveitsmotherofanextraanxiety。Itwasanagreeablechangetolosethesoundofachild"sconstantwailing，andIsuggestedtothemonksthatitspresencewashardlyinaccordancewiththesevereaspectoftheestablishment。TherewassomemysteryconnectedwithitofwhichIamstillignorant，asIneveraskquestions；butitisattheleastill-judgedandthoughtlessonthepartof“maidsofallwork“toengagethemselvestoanysituationwherethekissingofarock，oraholyeffigy，mayleadtocomplications。Itwasofnousetomoralise；

Christinawasgone，togetherwiththechild；therewasabsolutequietinthemonastery；neitherthescoldingofthemother，northecryingofaninfant，washeard。Themonkslookedmoreausterethanever，andremainedinunwashedlinen，untiltheyatlengthsucceededinengagingacharmingsubstituteinamiddle-agedmaidofallworkofseventy-five！

Aboutthe20thJulytheswallowsdisappeared，andIhavenoideatowhatportionoftheworldtheywouldmigrateatthisseason。Inthelowcountrytheheatisexcessive，andevenatthealtitudeofTrooditissatheaverage，sincethe1stofthemonth，hadbeenat7A。M。70。7

degrees——3P。M。77。3degrees。

Thebirdsthathadsungsocheerfullyuponourarrivalhadbecomesilent。Therewasageneralabsenceofthefeatheredtribe，butoccasionallyaconsiderablenumberofhoopoesandjayshadappearedforafewdays，andhadagaindeparted，asthoughchangingtheirmigrations，andrestingforatimeuponthecoolmountains。

Ifrequentlyrambledamongthehighestsummitswithmydogs，buttherewasadistressingandunaccountableabsenceofgame；inadditiontowhichtherewasnoscent，asthebarrenrockswereheatedinthesunlikebrickstakenfromthekiln。Theunder-growthupto4500feetaffordedbothfoodandcovertforhares，buttheywereveryscarce。A

peculiarspeciesofdwarfpricklybroomcoversthegroundinsomeplaces，andtheyoungshootsareeagerlydevouredbygoats；thisspreadshorizontally，andgrowsinsuchdensemassesaboutonefootfromthesurfacethatitwillsupporttheweightofaman。

Whengrubbedupbytherootitformsanimperviousmataboutthreeorfourfeetindiameter，andsuppliesanexcellentdoortotheentranceofagarden，topreventtheincursionsofgoatsorfowls。TheBerberrisgrewinlargequantities，which，togetherwiththefoliageofthedwarfilex，isthegoat"sfavouritefood。NotfarfromthevillageofProdomos，upontheneighbouringheights，Ifound，forthefirsttimeinCyprus，thejuniper，whichappearedtobekeptlowbytheconstantgrazingofthenumerousherds。

Thewalkingoverthemountainsismostfatiguing，andutterlydestructivetoboots，owingtotheinterminablemassesofsharprocksandstonesofallsizes，whichquitedestroythepleasureofalengthenedstroll。Theviewsfromthevariouselevatedridgesareexceedinglybeautiful，andexhibitthenumerousvillagessurroundedbyvineyardssnuglyclusteredinobscuredellsamongthemountainsatgreatelevationsabovethesea。Prodomosisabout4300feetabovethelevel，andcanbeeasilydistinguishedbythefoliageofnumerousspreadingwalnut-treesandthelargeamountofcultivationbywhichitissurrounded。

Therewasnodifficultyingainingthehighestpointoftheislandfromourcamp，asazigzagrockypathledtothetopofaridgeabout600

feetdirectlyabovethemonastery，whichascendedwithvaryinginclinationstothesummitofTroodos，about2100feetaboveTrooditissa；bythemaps6590feetabovethesea，buthardlysomuchbyrecentmeasurement。

Themoufflon，orwildsheep，existsinCyprus，butintheabsenceofprotectiontheyhavebeenharassedatallseasonsbythenatives，whohavenoideaofsparinganimalsduringthebreedingseason。Thepresentgovernmenthaveprotectedthembyatotalprohibition，underapenaltyoftenpoundstobeinflicteduponanypersondiscoveredinkillingthem。Intheabsenceofallkeepersorguardiansoftheforests，itwouldbedifficulttoproveacase，andIhavenodoubtthatthenativesstillattemptthesport，althoughfromtheextremewarinessoftheanimalstheyaremostdifficulttoapproach。Theauthoritiesshouldemploysomedependablesportsmantoshootacertainnumberoframswhicharenowinundueproportion，astheeweswithyounglambshavebeenaneasierpreytotheunsparingCypriotes。

Absurdopinionshavebeenexpressedconcerningthenumbersofmoufflonnowremainingupontheisland，anditwouldbequiteimpossibletoventureuponaconjecture，asthereisaverylargeareaofthemountainsperfectlywildandunoccupiedtothewestofKykamonastery，extendingtoPoli-ton-Khrysokus，uponwhichtheanimalsaresaidtobetolerablynumerous。TherearesomeupontheTroodosrange，butfromallaccountstheydonotexceedfifteen。

On2ndJulyIstartedat4A。M。withashepherdladforthehighestpointofTroodos，hopingbywalkingcarefullytoseemoufflonamongsomeofthenumerousravinesnearthesummit，whichareseldominvadedbytheflocksofgoatsandtheirattendants。Itookasmallriflewithmeasacompanionwhichisseldomabsentinmywalks，andalthoughIshouldhaverigidlyrespectedthegovernmentprohibitioninthecaseofewes，orevenoframsatalongshotthatmighthavebeenuncertainandhazardous，Ishouldatthesametimehaveregardedamoufflonwithgoodhornsatarangeunder150yards，intheAbrahamiclightof“aramcaughtinathicket“thathadbeenplacedinmywayforthepurposeofaffordingmeaspecimen。

Onarrivalatthetopoftheridgeabovethemonasterytheviewwassuperb。Welookeddownacoupleofthousandfeetintodeepandnarrowvalleysrichinvineyards；themountainsroseindarkmassesuponthewesternside，coveredwithpineforests，whichatthisdistancedidnotexhibitthemutilationsoftheaxe。Atthisearlyhourtheseawasblueandclear，asthesunhadnotyetheatedtheairandproducedtheusualhazewhichdestroysthedistantviews：andthetopsofthelowermountainsaboveOmodosandChilaniappearedalmostclosebeneathuponthesouth，theirvine-coveredsurfaceproducingarichcontrasttotheglaringwhitemarlsthatwereclearedfornextyear"splanting。ThetopofTroodoswasnotvisible，aswecontinuedtheascentalongtheridge，withthegreatdepthsofravinesandpine-coveredsteepsuponeitherside，butseveralimposingheightsinfront，andupontheright，seemedtocloselyrivalthetruehighestpoint。

Asweascended，thesurfacevegetationbecamescanty；therocksinmanyplaceshadbeenthicklyclothedwiththecommonferngrowingindensemassesfromthesoilamongtheinterstices；thewhitecistusandthepurplevarietyhadformedagummybedofplantswhich，togetherwithseveralaromaticherbs，emittedapeculiarperfumeinthecoolmorningair。Thesenowgaveplacetothehardyberberriswhichgrewinthickpricklybushesatlongintervals，leavingabaresurfaceofrocksbetweenthemdevoidofvegetation。Therewaslittleofgeologicalinterest；gneissandsyenitepredominated，withextremelylargecrystalsofhornblendeinthelatterrock，thatwouldhaveaffordedhandsomeslabshadnottheprevailingdefectthroughoutCyprusrenderedallblocksimperfectthroughinnumerablecracksandfissures。Apeculiargreenishandgreasy-lookingrockresemblingsoapstonewasoccasionallymetwithinveins，anduponcloseexaminationIdiscoveredittobethebaseofasbestos。Thesurfaceofthisgreensubstancewaslikepolishedhorn，whichgraduallybecamefibrous，andinsomespecimensdevelopedtowardstheextremityintothetruewhitehairyconditionofthewell-knownmineralcotton。

Wewerenearthesummitofthemountain，andarrivedatanancientcampthathadbeenarrangedwithconsiderablejudgmentbyaseriesofstonewallswithflankingdefencesfortheprotectionofeachfront。ThiswasmanycenturiesagothesummerretreatoftheVenetiangovernment，andithadformedasanatorium。Thisextendstothesummitofthemountain，wherefragmentsoftilesdenotetheformerexistenceofhouses。Intheabsenceofwateritwouldhavebeenimpossibletoadopttheusualcustomofmud-coveredroofs，thereforetileshadbeencarriedfromthelowcountry。ItissupposedthatthestationsfellintodecayatabouttheperiodoftheTurkishconquest。

Arattleofloosestonesupontheoppositesideofaravinesuddenlyattractedmyattention；andtwomovingobjectsatabout230yardshalted，andfacedusintheusualmannerofinquirywhenwildanimalsaredisturbedtowindwardoftheirenemy。Therockswerebare，andtheircafe-au-laitcolourexactlyharmonisedwiththatofthetwomoufflon，whichInowmadeouttobefineramswithlargeandpeculiarheads。

Motioningtomyshepherdladtositquietlyupontheground，uponwhichIwasalreadystretched，Iexaminedthemcarefullywithmyglass。HadtheynotbeenmovingwhenfirstobservedIshouldnothavediscoveredthem，sopreciselydidtheirskinsmatchtherockysurfaceofthesteepinclinationuponwhichtheystood。Theyremainedstillforabouttwominutes，affordingmeanexcellentopportunityofexamination。Thehornswerethick，androsefromthebaselikethoseoftheibex，turningbackwards，buttheytwistedforwardfromthefirstbend，andthepointscameroundtowardsthefrontintheordinarymannerofthesheep。LikeallthewildsheepofIndiaandothercountries，thecoatwasdevoidofwool，butappearedtobeaperfectlysmoothsurfaceofdensetexture。Itwastoofarforacertainshot，especiallyastheanimalswerefacingme，whichisalwaysanunsatisfactorypositionevenwhenatacloserange。

Iputupthe200yardssight，andraisedtherifletomyshoulder，merelytotrytheview；butwhensightedIcouldnotclearlydistinguishtheanimalfromtherocks，andIwouldnotfiretowound。Myshepherdladatthismomentdrewhiswhistle，and，withoutorders，begantopipeinawildfashion，whichhesubsequentlyinformedmeshouldhaveinducedthemoufflontocomeforwardtowardsthesound；insteadofwhich，theycanteredoff，thenstoppedagain，aswehadthewind，andatlengththeydisappearedamongtherocksandpines。Itwouldbealmostimpossibletoobtainashotatthesewarycreaturesbyapproachingfrombelow，astheyaregenerallyuponhighpositionsfromwhichtheylookdownforexpectedenemies，andthenoiseofthelooserocksbeneaththefeetofamanwalkingupthemountainswouldbesuretoattractattention。TheonlychanceofsuccesswouldbetopassthenightonthesummitofTroodos，andatdaybreaktoworkdownwards。

Imadealongcircuitinthehopeofagainmeetingthetworams，duringwhichIfoundmanyfreshtracksofthepastnight，butnothingmore。

Thesummitofthemountainwasdisappointing，asthehazeoccasionedbytheheatinthelowcountryobscuredthedistantview。Itwas8。10。

A。M。，andtheairwasstilldeliciouslycoolandfreshuponthehighestpointofCyprus，whichaffordsacompletepanoramathatinthemonthofOctoberorduringearlyspringmustbeverybeautiful。EvennowIcoulddistinguishLarnaca，Limasol，Morphu，allinoppositedirections，inadditiontotheseasurroundingtheislanduponeverypointexcepttheeast。TheloftycoastofCaramania，whichhadformedaprominentobjectinthelandscapewhenatKyrenia，wasnowunfortunatelyhiddenwithinthehaze。

FromthiselevatedpositionIcouldfaintlyhearthemilitarybandpractisingatthecampofthe20thRegiment，invisible，aboutamiledistantamongthepine-forests，atalowerlevelof700feet。TherewerenotreesupontheroundedknollwhichformsthehighestpointofCyprus：

thesemusthavebeenclearedawayandrootedoutwhentheancientcampwasformed，andthepineshavenotre-grown，forthesimplereasonthatnohighergroundexistsfromwhichtherainscouldhavewashedtheconestorootuponalowerlevel。

Inowexaminedeveryravinewiththegreatestcautioninthehopesofmeetingeitherthetworams，orothermoufflon，butIonlycameacrossasolitaryewewithalambaboutfourmonthsold；whichIsawtwiceduringmywalkroundthemountaintops。UponarrivingduringmydescentatthehighestspringofTroodos，wherethecoldwaterdrippedintoanarrowstreambed，Ilaydownbeneathafineshadycypress，andhavingeatentwohard-boiledeggsanddrunkacupfulofthepureicywatermixedwithatingeofGenevafrommyflask，Iwatchedtillafternooninthehopethatmytworamsmightarrivetodrink。Nothingcameexceptafewtamegoatswithoutagoatherd；thereforeIdescendedtheabominablestoneswhichrattleddownthemountainside，andbythetimethatIarrivedatourcampatTrooditissa，mybestshootingbootsofquaggahide，thatwereasdeartomeasmyrifle，werealmostcuttopieces。

TherewasaterriblepictureofdestructionthroughouttheforestsofTroodos。Nearthesummit，thepinesandcypresswereoflargegrowth，butexceptingthecypress，therewerescarcelyanytreesunscathed，andthegroundwascoveredbymagnificentsparsthatwerefelledonlytorotuponthesurface。

Iwasnotsorrytoarriveattheshepherd"shutupontheridgeoverhangingthemonasteryuponmyreturn。Thegoodwifewasasusualbusyinmakingcheesesfromthegoat"smilk，whichisaveryimportantoccupationthroughoutCyprus。Thecurdwaspressedintotinybasketsmadeofmyrtlewands，whichproducedacheesenotquitesolargeasaman"sfist。IthinkthesedryandtastelessproductionsoftheoriginalCypriandairyuneatable，unlessgratedwhenoldandhard；butamongthenativestheyarehighlyesteemed，andformaconsiderablearticleoftradeandexport。Cesnolamentionsthat2，000，000(twomillion)cheesesperannumaremadeinCyprusofthissmallkind，whichweighfromhalfapoundtothree-quarters。Ihavefrequentlymetdrovesofdonkeysheavilyladenwithpanniersfilledwiththesesmallcheeses，which，althoughrepresentingimportantnumbers，becomeinsignificantwhencomputedbyweight。

DuringourstayatTrooditissaweoccasionallyobtainedeelsfromamanwhocaughttheminthestreamatthebaseofthemountains；thisistheonlyfresh-waterfishinCyprusthatisindigenous。Somepersonshaveaverredthatthegold-fishdatesitsoriginfromthisisland；thisisamistake，asitisnotfoundelsewherethaninornamentalpondsandcisternsintheprincipaltowns。ItismostprobablethatitwasintroducedbytheVenetianswhotradedwiththefarEast，anditmayhavearrivedfromChina。

Thestreamsbelowthemountainscontainnumerouscrabsofasmallspeciesseldomlargerthantwoinchesandahalfacrosstheshell，toamaximumofthreeinches；theseareinseasonuntilthemiddleofJune，afterwhichtheybecomelightandempty。Whenalivetheyareabrownishgreen，butwhenboiledtheyarethecolouroftheordinarycrab，andareexceedinglyfullinflesh，anddelicate。Theshellisextremelyhardcomparedtothesmallsize，andtheclawsmustbebrokenbyasharpblowwiththebackofaknifeuponablock。

Wefrequentlyhadthemfirstboiledandthenpoundedinamortartoapaste，thenmixedwithboilingwaterandstrainedthroughasieve；afterwhichcreamshouldbeadded，togetherwiththerequiredseasoningsforasoup。IimaginethatthecommongreencrabsoftheEnglishcoasts，whicharecaughtinsuchnumbersandthrownawaybythefishermen，wouldbealmostasgoodiftreatedinthesamemannerforpotage。

ThecalmmonotonyofalifeatTrooditissawasdisturbedeverynowandthenatdistantintervalsbytriflingeventswhichonlyservedtoprovethatpeculiarcharactersexistedintheotherwiseheavenlyatmospherewhichshowedourconnectionwiththeworldbelow。

Onenightaburglarattemptedanentrance；buttheman(whowasacarpenter)havingbeenpreviouslysuspected，waswatched，andhavingbeenseeninthemiddleofthenighttoplacealadderagainsttheoutergallery，bywhichheascended，andwithfalsekeysopenedadoorthatledtothestore-roomofthemonastery，hewassuddenlypounceduponbytwostrongyoungpriestsandfairlycaptured。Onthefollowingmorningthemonksappliedtome，andasusualIvainlypleadedmyunofficialposition。Iwaseithertodoortosaysomething。IfthemanwassenttoLimasol，thirty-fivemilesdistant，themonkswouldhavethetroubleandexpenseofappearingasprosecutors；therobberwouldbeimprisonedforperhapsacoupleofyears，duringwhichhisfamilywouldstarve。Icouldoffernoadvice。IsimplytoldthemthatifanyrobbershouldattempttoentermytentIshouldnotsendhimtoLimasol，butIshouldendeavourtomakethetentsodisagreeabletohimthathewouldneverbetemptedtorevisitthepremisesfromtheattractionofpleasingassociations。I

explainedtothemonksthatalthoughaseverethrashingwithstoutmulberrystickswould，iflaidonbytwostoutfellows，haveamostbeneficialeffectupontheburglar，andsaveallthetroubleofareferencetoLimasol，atthesametimethattheinnocentwifeandfamilywouldnotbethrownupontheirrelatives，theymustnotacceptmyviewsofpunishmentasanysuggestionunderthepresentcircumstances。

AbouthalfanhourafterthisconversationIheardasoundofwell-inflictedblows，accompaniedbycrieswhichcertainlydenotedadisagreeablephysicalsensation，withinthecourtyardofthemonastery，andtomyastonishmentIfoundthatmyinterpreterandwillingcookChristohadvolunteeredasoneoftheexecutioners，andtheburglar，havingbeenseverelythrashed，wasturnedoutofthemonasteryandthrustdownthepathtowardsthedepthsofPhyni。Christowasaverygoodfellow，andhesometimesremindedmeofaterrierreadytoobeyortakeahintfromhismasteruponanyactivesubject，whileatothers，inhiscalmermoments，heresembledKingHenry"sknights，whointerpretedtheirmonarch"swishesrespectingThomasa-Becket。

On6thJunewehadbeensomewhatstartledbythesuddenappearanceintheafternoonofamanperfectlynaked，whomarcheddowntheapproachfromthespringandenteredthemonastery-yardinadignifiedandstage-likeattitudeasthoughhehadthesolerightofentree。AtfirstsightIthoughthewasmad，butonreferencetothemonksIdiscoveredhewasperfectlysane。ItappearedthathewasaGreekaboutforty-fiveyearsofage，whowasanativeofKyrenia，andforsomeoffencetwentyyearsagohehadbeenorderedbytheprieststodopenanceinthisextraordinarymanner。Hisbody，originallywhite，hadbecomequiteasbrownasthatofanArabofthedesert；hepossessednoclothingnorpropertyofanykind，notevenablanketduringwinter；buthewanderedaboutthemountainsandvisitedmonasteriesandcertainvillages，whereheobtainedfoodascharity。Hewouldneveracceptmoney(probablyfromtheabsenceofpockets)，neitherwouldheventurenearTurkishvillages，ashehadseveraltimesreceivedathrashingfromthemenforthuspresentinghimselfbeforetheirwomen，anditistoberegrettedthattheCyprioteshadnotfollowedtheTurkishexample，whichwouldhavequicklycuredhiseccentricity。Hewasastrong，well-builtman，withgoodmusculardevelopment；hisheadwasbaldwiththeexceptionofalittlehairuponeitherside，andhewasinterestingtoacertainextentasanexampleofwhataEuropeancanendurewhentotallyexposedtothesunandweather。Sometimeshesleptlikeawildanimalbeneatharockamongthemountains，orinacave，whensuchaluxuriousretreatmightofferarefuge；atothertimeshewasreceivedandshelteredbythepriestsorpeople。Thisindividual"snamewasChristodilos，andaccordingtomynotestakenatthetime，heisdescribedas“originallyalabourerofKyrenia；parentsdead：onebrotherandtwosistersliving。“

CHAPTERXVI。

SOMETHINGABOUTTAXATION。

ThemonasterygardensofTrooditissaatthecloseofJulyexhibitedthegreatfruit-producingpowerofthesoilandclimateatthishighaltitude，butatthesametimetheywereexamplesofthearbitraryandvexatioussystemofTurkishtaxation，whichremainsunchangedandisstillenforcedbytheBritishauthorities。Ishalldescribethisindetail，andleavethequestionofpossibilityofdevelopmentundersuchwholesaletyrannytothejudgmentofthepublic。ItisdifficulttoconceivehowanypersonscanexpectthatEuropeans，especiallyEnglishmen，willbecomelandownersandsettleinCypruswhensubjectedtosuchunfairandirritatingrestrictions。

NOPRODUCECANBEREMOVEDFROMANYGARDENUNTILITSHALLHAVEBEEN

VALUEDFORTAXATIONBYTHEGOVERNMENTOFFICIALAPPOINTEDFORTHAT

PURPOSE，attherateof10percent。advalorem。

Atfirstsightthissystemappearsincredible，butuponanexaminationofthedetailsourwonderceasesatthegeneralabsenceofcultivatedvegetablesandthepropagationofsuperiorqualitiesoffruits。Iftheobjectofthegovernmentwerepurposelytorepressallhorticulturalenterprise，andtodrivetheinhabitantstotheNebuchadnezzar-likegrazinguponwildherbs，thepresentsystemwouldassuredlyaccomplishthebanefulend。TheCypriotesarecalledindolent，andareblamedbytravellersfortheirapathyincontentingthemselveswithwildvegetables，whentheirsoiliseminentlyadaptedinthevaryingaltitudesandclimatesfortheproductionofthefinestqualitiesoffruitsandgreen-stuffs。IwillimaginethatanEnglishmanofanyclassmaybeplacedinthefollowingpositionofacultivator，whichheassuredlywouldbe，iffoolishenoughtobecomeaproprietorinCyprus。

Iamatthismomentlookingdownfromtheshadeofthegreatwalnut-treeupontheterracedgardensandorchardsbeneath，whicharerichinpotatoesofexcellentquality，onions，beet-root，&c。；togetherwithwalnuts，pears，apples，plums，filberts，figs，andmulberries。Thepearsandplumsareofseveralvarieties，somewillripenlate，othersarenowfittogather，butnothingcanbetoucheduntilthevaluershallarrive；

heisexpectedintendays；bywhichtimemanyoftheplumswillhavefallentotheground，andtheswarmingratswillhaveeatenhalfthepears。Theshepherds"childrenandthevariousmonasteryboysliveintheboughslikemonkeys，anddevourthefruitripeorunripe，frommorningtillevening，withextraordinaryimpunity；womenwhoarrivefromthelowcountrywithchildrentobechristenedplacethemupontheground，andclimbthepear-trees；neithercolicnorcholeraisknowninthissanctifiedlocality。Thenativesofthelowcountrywhoarriveatthemonasterydailywiththeirladenmulesfromvillagesupontheothersideofthemountains，enroutetoLimasol，immediatelyascendtheattractivetreesandfeastupontheplums；atthesametimetheyfilltheirhandkerchiefsandpocketswithpears，&c。，asfoodduringtheirreturnjourney。“Therewillnotbemuchtroubleforthevaluerwhenhearrives，“Iremarkedtothemonks，“ifyouallowsuchwholesalerobberyofyourorchards。“

“Onthecontrary，“theyreplied，“thedifficultywillbeincreased；weneverselltheproduceofthegardens，whichiskeptforthesupportofallthosewhovisitus，butwehavemuchtroublewiththevaluationofthefruitsfortaxation。Itishardthatweshallhavetopayforwhatthepublicconsumeatourexpense，butitwillbethusarranged……

Thevaluerwillarrive，andhewillfindsometreesladenwithunripefruit，othersthathavebeenstrippedbyplunder；thepotatoes，&c。，willbestillintheground。Weshallhaveapersontorepresentourinterestsinthevaluationasacheckupontheofficial；butintheendhewillhavehisownway。Weshallexplainthatcertaintreesarenaked，asthefruitbecameripeandwasstolenbytheboys。"Thenyououghttohavetakenmorecareofit，"hewillreply；`howmanyokesofplumswerethereuponthosetrees？"Weshallhavetoguesstheamount。`Nonsense！"

hewillexclaimtowhateverfigurewemaymention，"theremusthavebeendoublethatquantity：Ishallwritedown1500(ifwedeclared1000)，whichwillsplitthedifference。"(“Splittingthedifference“istheusualmethodofarranginganOrientaldispute，asinstancedbySolomon"swell-knownsuggestionofdividingthebaby。)。

“Weshallprotest，“continuedthemonks，“andthiskindofinquisitorialhagglingwilltakeplaceconcerningeverytree，untilthevaluershallhaveconcludedhislabour，andaboutone-thirdmorethantheactualproduceoftheorchardswillhavebeenbookedagainstus；uponwhichwemustpayataxof10percent。，atthesametimethattherisksofinsects，rats，andtheexpensesofgatheringremaintothedebitofthegarden。Infact，“saidthepooroldmonks，“ourproduceisatroubletous，aspersonallywederivenobenefit；thepubliceatthefruit，andthegovernmenteatsthetaxes。“

Therewerecuriousdistinctionsandexceptionsinthisarbitraryformoftaxation：ifafruit-treegrewwithinthemonasterycourtyarditwasexempt；thusthegreatwalnut-treebeneathwhichwecampedwasfree。ItwasreallycheeringtofindthatwewerelivingundersomeobjectthatwasnottaxedinCyprus；butthemonkcontinued，andsomewhatdispelledtheillusion……“Thistreeproducedinoneyear20，000walnuts，anditaveragesfrom12，000to15，000；butwhenthecropsofourothertreesareestimated，theofficialvalueralwaysinsistsuponafalsemaximum，soastoincludethecropofthecourtyardwalnutinthetotalamountfortaxation。“

Thepotatoes，likeallotherhorticulturalproductions，arevaluedwhilegrowing，andthesamesystemofextravagantestimateispursued。

Thissystemisablightofthegravestcharacteruponthelocalindustryoftheinhabitants，anditisasuicidalandunstatesmanlikepolicythatcrushesandextinguishesallenterprise。WhatEnglishmanwouldsubmittosuchapryingandhumiliatingposition？AndstillitisexpectedthattheresourcesoftheislandwillbedevelopedbyBritishcapital！Thegreatwantforthesupplyoftheprincipaltownsismarket-gardens。

ImagineanEnglishpracticalmarket-gardener，freshfromtheten-mileradiusofCoventGarden，wheredespatchandpromptitudemeanfortuneandsuccess：hecouldnotcuthiscauliflowersinCyprusuntilhiscropofunblownplantshadbeenvaluedbyanofficialandwhilehemightbewaitingforthiswell-hatedspiritofevil，hiscauliflower-headswouldhaveexpandedintocoral-likeprojectionsandhavebecomeutterlyvaluelessexceptforpig-feeding。Icannotconceiveamoreextravagantinstanceofoppressionthanthissystemoftaxation，whichthrowsenormouspowersofextortionintothehandsoftheofficialvaluer。Thispersoncanopposebydelaysandsuperlativeestimatesthevitalinterestsoftheproprietors；ifthepropertyislarge，theownerwillbeonlytoogladtosilencehisoppositionbyaconsiderablebribe；thepoormustalikecontribute，orsubmittobethevictimofdelayswhich，withperishablearticlessuchasvegetables，representhisruin。IsitsurprisingthatthevillagesofthedesolateplainofMessariaareforthemostpartdevoidoffruit-trees？WearepreachingtotheCypriotestheadvantageofplantingaroundtheirdwellings，asthoughtheyweresuchidiotsastobeignorantthat“hewhosowsthewindwillreapthewhirlwind。“Iftheyplantfruit-treesunderthepresentlawstheyareplantingcurseswhichwillentailthemiseryofinquisitorialvisitsandthemostobjectionableandoppressiveformofanunjusttaxation。Asthelawatpresentstands，theamountoffruitisridiculouslysmall，andthequalityinferior，whilecultivatedvegetablesaredifficulttoobtain。CananyotherresultbeexpectedundertheparalysingeffectofTurkishlaws？whichunfortunatelyBritishofficialshavethequestionablehonourofadministering。

Ihaveheardofficialscondemninthestrongesttermsthelawstheyareobligedtoenforce。Therearefewpersonswhoareobtusetothesenseofinjustice，butatthesametimethesuggestionhasbeenexpressedthatanextremedifficultywouldbeexperiencedshouldthetaxesbecollectedinanyotherformthandimes。IcannotseetheslightesttruthinthisdisclaimerofresponsibilityforTurkishevils，andIbelievethepresentdifficultymightbeovercomewithlittletroublebyasystemofratingthelandadvalorem。

ThesoilandgeneralvalueofpropertiesinCyprusvaryasinEnglandandothercountriesaccordingtoqualityandposition。Thereislandcontiguoustomarkettownsofmuchhighervaluethanthesamequalityofsoilinremotedistricts；therearefarmssuppliedwithwatereithernaturallyorartificially，whicharefarmorevaluablethanotherswhicharedependentuponfavourableseasons。Landwhichformerlyproducedmadderwasofextremevalue，andshouldhavebeenadjudgedaccordingly；

butwhyshouldnotallpropertiesofeverydescriptionthroughoutCyprusberatedandtaxedindueproportion？Thevaluationshouldbearrangedbylocalcouncils。Thevineyardswhichproducedtheexpensivewinesshouldberatedhigherthanthoseofinferiorquality。Gardensshouldberatedaccordingtotheirdistancefromamarket；fieldsinproportiontotheirwater-supplyandthequalityofthesoil。TheCypriotesdonotcomplainoftheamountof10percent。taxationunderthenameofdimes，buttheynaturallyobjecttothearbitraryandvexatioussystemofinquisitorialvisits，togetherwiththedelaysandlossoftimeoccasionedbytheoldTurkishsystem。“Rateus，andletusknowthelimitofourresponsibility“——thatisthenaturaldesireoftheinhabitants。Iftheindustriesofthecountryaretobedevelopedtheymustbeunfettered；butifweigheddownbyrestrictionsandvexatiousinterference，theywillhardlydiscoverthebenefitofachangetoBritishmasters。

SomepeopleinCyprusmakeuseofanargumentinfavourofthepresentsystemofdimesorcollectinginkindbytenths，whichdoesnotcommenditselfbylogicalreasoning。Theysay，“ifyouratethelandadvalorem，andestablishamonetarypaymentof10percent。，youwillsimplyburdenthepoorland-holderwithdebtduringaseasonofdrought，whenhispropertywillproducenothing。Accordingtothepresentsystemheandthegovernmentalikesharetheriskofseasons；ifthelandproducesnothing，therecanbenodimes。“Itdoesnotappeartohaveoccurredtothesereasonersthatinsuchseasonsofscarcitythetaxationcouldbeeasilyreducedasatemporarymeasureofreliefaccordingtothevaluationofthelocalmedjlisorcouncil；butIclaimthenecessityofartificialirrigationthatwillsecurethelandfromsuchmeteorologicaldisasters，andwillenableboththecultivatorandthegovernmenttocalculateuponadependableaverageofcrops，insteadofexistinguponthefluctuationsofvariableseasons。

ThedistrictofLarnacawillofferafairexampleoftheusualmethodsoftaxation，andasthefigureshavebeenmostkindlysuppliedbytheauthoritiesofthedivision，theycanbethoroughlyreliedupon。

Therevenuesofthedistrict(Larnaca)arederivedfromthefollowingsources：——

1。Dimes(i。e。tenthsoftheproduce)——insomeinstancesmaybepaidinkind。

2。PropertyTax——4piastresper1000uponthevalueofimmovableproperty，suchasbuildings，land，trees；

thisisclassedas1stclassVerghi。

3。ChargeuponIncomederivedfromRents——40piastresper1000；classedas2ndclassVerghi。

4。ChargeonTradeProfits——30piastresper1000；3rdclassVerghi。

5。ExemptionfromMilitaryService——thistaxlevieduponChristiansonly，attherateof5000piastresfor180males。

6。DutyuponSaleofHorses，Mules，Donkeys，Camels，andCattle——1piastreinevery40uponprice；alsotaxongoodsweighedbypublicmeasurer。

7。TaxonFlocksofSheepandGoats——2。5piastresperhead。

Thisisnotlevieduntiltheanimalshallbeoneyearold。

In1877theamountreceivedwas——

Piastres。Paras。

1。Dimes……822，000

2。PropertyTax……221，89724

3。RentCharge……20，08932

4。TaxonTrade-Profits……65，34020

5。MilitaryExemption……153，33325

6。SalesofAnimals，Measures，&c……450，000

7。SheepandGoats……200，000

__________

1，932，659101

ThereturnofsheepandgoatsinthedistrictofLarnacaduringtheyear1878，andcomprising36villages，wasrenderedas47，841。

ThefollowingtaxesarepayablebyinhabitantsofScalaandtheneighbourhood：——

JANUARY，1879。

1。Thetitheofagriculturalproduce，includingsilk，payableinsomecasesinkind，inothersinmoney。

2。Taxinlieuofmilitaryservice，5000copperpiastresfor180

Christianmales。

3。Verghi(a)，4per1000onthepurchasingvalueofhouses，land，orimmovableproperty。

4。Verghi(b)，4percent。ontherentofimmovableproperty，orhousesnotoccupiedbytheirowners。

5。Verghi(c)，3percent。onprofitsandprofessions。

6。Taxonsheep，2。5silverpiastreseach。

7。Taxongoats，2silverpiastreseach。

8。Taxonpigs，3silverpiastreseach。

9。Taxonwoodandcharcoal。Woodforcarpenters"usespays20percent。onthevalueattheplaceofproduction，andafurther5percent。ontheamountofthetaxoncomingintothetown。

Firewoodpays12percent。onthevalueattheplaceofproduction，andafurther5percent。asabove。

Charcoalpays2piastresper100okes。

10。Taxongoodsweighed，onehalfparaperoke。(Inthecaseofwoodandcharcoal，hay，choppedstraw，lime，andonions，thetaxbeginsataweightof50okes，andatarateof5

parasfor50okes。)

11。Taxongrainmeasured，2parasperkilopaidbythebuyer，and2parasperkilopaidbytheseller。Ifmeasuredforthesoleconvenienceoftheowner，2parasperkilo。

12。Octroi。Everyloadbroughtfromthevillagestothetownpaysataxofoneokeperload，orinmoney，accordingtothemarketrateofthegoods。

13。Taxonthesaleofmules，horses，donkeys，oxen，andcamelsinthetown，1paraperpiastreoftheprice。

14。Propertytax(municipal)paidbyowners：——

Onhouseslettotenants，5percent。perannum。

Onhousesinhabitedbytheowners，3percent。perannum。

15。Taxoncamels(M。)2shillingseachperannum。

16。Taxoncarts(M。)belongingtoandworkinginLarnacaandMarinatownships，1*。eachperannum。

17。Corvee。Forcedlabouronroadsfourdaysayear。

18。Shoplicences(M。)inclasses，10*，5*。，2*。，1*。，10shillings。

19。Winelicences(C。H。)inclasses，25percent。，12。5percent。，6。25percent。onrental。

20。Licencestomerchants，bankers，&c。，(M。)inclasses，10*。，5*。，2*。，1*。

21。Monopolies。Salt，gunpowder。

22。CustomHouseduties8percent。onimports，1percent。

exports。

CustomHousedutyonwine，10percent。

CustomHousedutyonimportedtobacco，75percent；

onhomegrown，orimportedunmanufactured，10penceapound。

23。Stamps，transferandsuccessionduties。Mubashine。VotedtoremaininforceuntilMarch1st，1879。

[Transcriber"sNote：Omittedtableofvillagesonpage388

whichwashardtoread。]

ThereareothertaxesaccordingtothelawsofsuccessionuponthedeathofanindividualwhichI

giveinthesamewordsasfurnishedtomebytheauthority：——

MemorandumoftheDefterHakkaniabouttheTransferinSuccesionofProperty。

Whenamandieshispropertiesmustbedulytransferredtohisheirs，whomustapplytotheauthoritieswithinsixmonths，inordertohavethetransfermade。

ThetransferismadebygivinganewKotshan(Title)，totheheirsinexchangefortheKotshanofthedeceased。

Therighttotheinheritanceisstatedbythelawsasfollows：——

1st，Tothesonordaughter；inwantofwhich，2nd，tothegrandsonandgranddaughter；inwantofwhich，3rd，tothefatherandmother；inwantofwhich，4th，tothebrotherfromthesamefatherandmother；inwantofwhich，5th，tothesisterfromthesamefatherandmother；inwantofwhich，6th，tothebrotherfromthesamemother；andinwantofwhich，7th，tothesisterfromthesamemother。

Thegrandsonandthegranddaughterfromrighttotheinheritanceofthesharebelongingtotheirfather，whomayhavediedbeforethedeathoftheirgrandfather；theyinherittogetherwiththeirunclesandauntsasanotherdirectsonordaughterofthegrandfather。

Inallabovestateddegreesofinheritance，exceptinthe1stand2nd，thehusbandorwifehasrighttothefourthshareofthelandleftbythehusbandorwife。

Thisisforpropertyinland(Arazi)。

Astothefreeholdproperty(Emlak)，themaleinhabitantstwo-thirdsandthefemaleone-third；butitisverydifficulttoenumeratethevariousshadesofdivisionwhicharealwaysmadebythecadisaccordingtotheChenilaw；thereisnoNizamlawinthisrespect。

AllsystemofendorsmentonKotshanisabolished。

Thedutyontransferinsuccessionofafreeholdpropertyishalfthefeesontransferbysale。

Intransferringbysalethefeesare1percent。onthevalue，ifthisfreeholdpropertyisarealone(EmlakiSerfi)；and3percent。ifitisvacouffreeholdproperty(EmlakMeocoofi)。Besidesthis3piastresaspriceofpaper，and1piastreasclerks"fees(Riataki)arepaidforeverynewKotshan。

Thelands(Arazi)pay5percent。indifferentlyontransferbysaleandontransferbysuccession。

Thecustomistovaluelandsatoneyear"srental，orvalueofproducts。

Ifahouseisoccupiedbytheownernotaxonrentalisdemanded；theonlytaxdemandedinthatcasebeingthatontheproportionatevalue。

Theproportionatevaluesofrealpropertiesarenotassessedforafixedperiod。Thereforethevalue，onceassessed，canremainthesameformanyyears，oritcanbealteredintheannualinspectionsoftheVakouatRiatibsaccordingtoanincreaseordecreaseofvaluethatmaytakeplaceonaccountofrepairs，ageneralriseofvalue，orpartialorentiredestructionbyfire，rain，&c。

ThepovertyoftheagriculturalclasseswassogenerallyacknowledgedevenbytheTurkishadministrationthatitwasabsolutelynecessarytorelievethembysomeexternalassistance；itwasthereforeresolvedin1869tocreatean“AgriculturalBankandaLocustFund；“theprinciplesofthisestablishmentaresufficientlyoriginaltoattractattention。

In1871theTurkishgovernmentissuedadecreethatallcultivatorsofthegroundshouldpaytotheauthoritiesasumofmoneyequaltothepriceofonekiloofwheatandoneofbarleyforeverypairofoxenintheirpossession，inordertocreateacapitalforthenewbank。Thenumberofoxenwouldrepresentthescaleofeveryholding，astheywouldexhibittheproportionofploughsrequireduponthefarm，andthusyieldanapproximateestimateofthearea。

Thisarbitrarycallupontheresourcesoftheimpoverishedfarmerswasaneccentricfinancialoperationintheostensiblecauseofassistance，butitproducedacapitalof169，028piastres。Therateofinterestuponloanstoindividuals，orforparticulardistricts，forthepurposeofdestroyinglocustswas8percent。previoustotheyear1875，andwasincreasedto12percent。sincethatperiod。Receiptsforallsumsborrowedforthepublicbenefitoflocustdestructionweresignedbythehead-menandmembersofcouncilsofvillages。

Atfirstsighttheestablishmentofanagriculturalbanksoundedpropitiousasastepintherightdirection，but，accordingtotheconditionsofallloans，itbecameusurious，andsaddledtheunfortunatefarmersafterafewbadseasonswithdebtsthatcouldneverbepaidoff。

IfXborrowed1000pounds，hereceivedonly880pounds，astheyear"sinterestwasdeductedinadvance，buthewasafterwardschargedcompoundinterestat12percent。uponthewhole1000pounds。Compoundinterestat12percent。meansspeedyruin。

Uponanexaminationoftheaccounts，thewholeaffairrepresentsapparentlylargefiguresinpiastres，whichwhenreducedtopoundssterlingpresentsamiserabletotalthatprovesthefailureoftheenterprise。AsIhavealreadystated，a“bank“couldnotsucceedinCyprusifitwereestablishedspeciallytobenefittheagriculturist；

moneycanalwayscommand10percent。，whilethefarmershouldobtaintheloansnecessaryforirrigationatamaximumof6percent。ifheisreallytobeencouraged。ThiscanonlybeaccomplishedthroughaGovernmentorNationalBank，expresslyorganisedforthepurposeofdevelopingtheagriculturalinterests。Asthegovernmentcanobtainanyamountat4percent。，theNationalBankcouldwellaffordtolendat6，especiallyastheloanwouldbesecuredbyafirstmortgage，totakeprecedenceofallotherclaimsupontheproperty。

The“LocustFund“wasanadmirableinstitutionwhichhasachievedgreatresults。Therecanbelittledoubtthatthroughouttheworld"shistorymanhasexhibitedalamentableapathyinhispassivesubmissiontothedepredationsoftheinsecttribe，whereasbyasystemoforganisationhewouldattheleasthavemitigatedthescourgewhichhasinmanyinstancesresultedinabsolutefamine。AtonetimetheplagueoflocustswasannuallyexpectedinCyprusasanaturaladventlikethearrivalofswallowsintheusualseason，andwhentheswarmswereextremethecropsweredevouredthroughouttheisland，andsweptcompletelyfromthesurface，entailinggeneralruin。Thecultivationofcotton，whichshouldbeoneofthemostimportantindustries，hasbeenmuchrestrictedfromthefearoflocusts，astheyappearinMay，whenthetenderyoungplantsareafewinchesabovethegroundandarethefirstobjectsofattack。

ItisrelatedthatwhenundertheVenetians，Cyprusannuallyexported30，000balesor6，600，000lbs。ofcotton。In1877theconsularreportsestimatedtheentireproduceoftheislandat2000balesof200okesperbale，or1，100，000lbs。，equaltoonlyone-sixthoftheoriginalVenetianexport。

Thestepstakentodestroythelocustshavesofardiminishedtheirnumbersthatincertaindistrictstheproductionofcottonmightbelargelyextended。M。Mattei，andSaidPachawhengovernorofCyprus，combinedtomakewaruponthelocustswarmsbymeansofasimplebuteffectivemethod，whichwillrendertheirnameshistoricalasthegreatestbenefactorsinanislandthathasseldomknownaughtbutoppressors。

TheideaoriginatedwithSignorRichardMattei，whoisthelargestlandedproprietorinCyprus。Itismuchtoberegrettedthatprofessionalentomologistscanseldomassistusintheeradicationofinsectplagues；theycanexplaintheirhabits，buttheyareuselessasalliesagainsttheirattacks。M。Matteihadobservedthattheyounglocustsinvariablymarchedstraightahead，andturnedneithertotherightorleft；hehadalsoremarkedthatuponarrivalatanobstacletheywouldendeavourtoclimbover，insteadofgoingroundit。Underthesepeculiaritiesofnaturalinstinctaverysimplearrangementsufficedtoleadthemtodestruction。Pitsweredugaboutthreeorfourfeetdeepatrightangleswiththelineofmarch，andscreensofcottonclothedgedatthebottomwithoil-skinwerearrangedsomethingafterthefashionofstop-netsforgroundgameincovert-shootinginEngland。

Thiswall，withaslipperygroundwork，preventedtheinsectsfromproceeding。Astheyneverturnback，theywereobligedtosearchsidewaysforapassage，andwerethusledintothepitsinmillions，wheretheyweredestroyedbyburyingthemassesbeneathheapsofearth。

Ifafewgallonsofpetroleumweresprinkledoverthem，andfireapplied，muchtroublewouldbesaved。Thisisacrudemethodofinsectdestructionwhichcouldbeimprovedupon，butgreatpraiseisduetotheeffortsofM。RichardMatteiandSaidPachaforhavingdevotedtheirenergiessosuccessfullytotheeradicationofascourgewhichproveditsancientimportancefromtheBiblicalregistrationofacurseupontheEgyptians。

Thereisarewardgivenbygovernmentforthedestructionoflocusteggs。Eachfemaledepositstwosmallcasesorsheathsbeneaththeground，containingthirtyorfortyeggsineach。Thepositioniseasilydistinguishedbyashiningslimysubstance。Acertainsumperokeisgiven，andthepeoplegladlyavailthemselvesoftheopportunityofearningmoneyatthesametimethattheydestroythecommonenemy。

TheBritishadministrationiskeenlyalivetotheimportanceofthiswarfare，andIhavefrequentlymetcommissionersofdistrictsgallopinginhothaste，asthoughinpursuitofaretreatingenemy，towardssomequarterwheretheappearanceoflocustswarmsmayhavebeenreported，inordertotakeimmediatemeasuresfortheirdestruction。

Unfortunatelythelocustisnottheonlyenemyofcottoncultivation，butthe(tomymind)abominablesystemofdimes，ortenthsofproducetobevaluedwhilegrowing，restrictsthecultivatortoaninferiorvarietythatwillremainwithinthepod，insteadofexpandingwhenliberatedbyripening。

Thecultivationofcottondiffersaccordingtothemanyvarietiesoftheplant。Plinydescribedthe“wool-bearingtreesofEthiopia，“andIhavemyselfseentheindigenouscottonthrivinginawildstateinthosepartsfromwhencetheywerefirstintroducedtoEgypt，duringthereignofMehemetAli，grandfatheroftheKhedive。ItiswellknownthatalthoughcomparativelyarecentarticleofcultivationinEgypt，ithasbecomeoneofthemostimportantexportsfromthatcountry。Cottonofthefirstqualityrequiresapeculiarcombinationoflocalconditions。

Watermustbeatcommandwheneverrequiredduringthevariousstagesofcultivation；andperfectlydryweathermustbeassuredwhenthecropisripeandfittogather。Thecollectionextendsovermanydays，asthepodsdonotburstatthesameperiod。Someofthemostvaluablekindsdetacheasilyfromtheexpandedhuskandfallquicklytotheground，whichentailsconstantattention，andthequalitywoulddeteriorateunlesslabourisalwaysathandtogatherthecottonbeforeitshallfallnaturallyfromtheplant。

Itwillbethereforeunderstoodthat，althoughmanysoilsmaybehighlyfavourabletothegrowthoffinequalitiesofcotton，thereisanabsolutenecessityforacombinationofapeculiarclimate，whereneitherrainnordewshallmoisten，andaccordinglydeterioratethecrop。Egyptisspeciallyfavouredfortheproductionoffirst-classcotton，asintheupperportionsoftheDeltarainisseldomknown；buttheextremecarelessnessofthepeoplehasreducedtheaveragequalitybymixingtheseeds，insteadofkeepingthevariousclassesrigidlyseparate。

Thedryclimate，combinedwiththefertilesoilofCyprus，wouldsuggestagreatextensionofcottoncultivation，whenartificialirrigationshallbegenerallydeveloped，butsolongasthepresentsystemofcollectingthedimesiscontinued，thefarmercannotproducethehigherqualitieswhichrequireimmediateattentionincollecting。Duringthedelayinwaitingfortheofficialvaluer，thepodsareburstingrapidly，andthevaluablequalityisfallingtotheground；thecultivatoristhereforeconfinedtothegrowthofthoseinferiorcottonsthatwilladheretothepods，andwaitpatientlyforthearrivalofthegovernmentauthority。

ConsulHamiltonLang，inhisinterestingworkuponCyprus，suggeststhatthedutyshouldbecollecteduponexport，torelievethefarmerfromthepresentdifficulty，whichwouldenablehimtocultivatetheAmericanhighqualities。ItisalmostamusingtocontrastthecriticismsandadviceofthevariousBritishconsulswhohaveformanyyearsrepresentedusinCypruswiththeideasofmodernofficials。Therecanbenodoubtconcerningconsularreportsinblackandwhite，andequallytherecanbenoquestionofexistingordinancesundertheBritishadministration；butwhatappearedhighlyunjusttoourconsulswhenCypruswasunderTurkishrule，isacceptedasperfectlyequitablenowthattheislandhaspassedintothehandsofGreatBritain。