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unrestricted trade； which would awaken the Cypriotes to the fact that
labour properly directed would ensure the best qualities； that would
benefit the producer by securing the best prices。
Self…evident facts in an English community may be utterly misconstrued
in Cyprus。 The Cypriote has never been accustomed to unrestricted
freedom； but like his own ox in the plough； he requires a certain amount
of control； and his energies must be directed by a driver or ruler。 When
the vegetables were assured of a certain fixed price per oke regulated
by the authorities； he knew that he would obtain that amount for his
produce whether good or bad； accordingly he brought his goods to market。
But； when he found that his inferior vegetables would remain unsold； or
would realise a mere trifle should a competitor's stall present a
superior show； he withdrew altogether from the market； which at length
became deserted； and the few who maintained their positions advanced
their prices to such an exorbitant degree that vegetables became a
luxury in which none could indulge but the rich。 The fishermen profited
by the reform and only caught sufficient for the minimum demand； but at
the same time that they reduced their own labour and consequently the
supply of fish； they also took advantage of the new law of free trade；
and advanced their prices in extortionate proportion。 Instead of the
self…evident prosperity that would benefit all classes； the sudden
liberty to which the Cypriote was unaccustomed acted diametrically
against all English expectations； and for the time ruined the market。
This was told me by Colonel Warren himself； and the failure of the
apparently wholesome reform is suggestive of the danger that may result
in the too sudden enfranchisement of those races which from a long
series of oppression are unfit for perfect liberty。
At the same time there can be no doubt that the vexatious and arbitrary
systems of taxation pursued in collecting the 〃dimes〃 has prevented the
extension of market gardens； and were this tax remitted； I cannot
imagine any more lucrative occupation than the growth of vegetables of
the best quality for the FREE markets of the principal towns。
Some encouragement is necessary in promoting exhibitions； or
horticultural shows； accompanied by substantial prizes； in various
localities； and I should not be dismayed by the failure of the first
well…meant attempt at reform in Limasol。
When I was at Limasol in May the price of cauliflowers was 2 pence the
oke （2。75 lbs）。 Fish was dear at 2 shillings the oke； mutton 8 pence the
oke。 Beef is seldom eaten by the Cypriotes； potatoes are good； and are
usually 1 penny the lb。 Flour； best； 8 pence the oke。 If a sheep should
be purchased alive； and be killed for home consumption； the mutton
should not exceed 3 pence per lb。 for the best quality； leaving the
skin； head； &c。； as profit。
There are two varieties of sheep； the fat…tailed species supplies the
best mutton； but the wool of both is coarse； and is exported to Trieste
and Marseilles to the amount of about 400；000 lbs。 annually。 A large
trade in lamb skins is a necessary result of the slaughter of a
considerable proportion of lambs every winter and spring； owing to the
usual scarcity of pasturage； which limits the increase of the flocks。
The entire yield of skins is absorbed by Trieste and Marseilles。
A sheep in good condition of the fat…tailed species weighs when dressed；
without the head； 16 okes； or 44 lbs。 Fowls in the country can generally
be purchased for 1 shilling each； but they are double that price in the
market…towns。 Turkeys fetch about 4 or 5 shillings each； pigeons 6
pence； fish is about 2 shillings the oke； or 8 pence the lb。； milk about
4 pence a quart； eggs from 24 to 30 for one shilling。
The grapes are the best fruit in Cyprus； these are really good； and in
some instances would compare favourably with the hot…house produce of
England。 The best varieties can be purchased at the vineyards for less
than 1 penny the lb。 The above prices prove that the expense of
necessaries is moderate； and the actual cost of existence low； but the
want of good servants is a serious disadvantage。
At some future time Cyprus will become the resort of delicate persons to
escape the winter and spring of England； as the climate of the southern
portion of the island is most enjoyable during the cool season。 In the
neighbourhood of Limasol there are many excellent sites for building； in
picturesque spots within two or three miles of the town。 At present
there is no adequate comfort for invalids； and the hotels are hardly
adapted for persons who are accustomed to luxury。 The commencement is
attended with risk； and it would be dangerous under the existing
conditions of the island to build and furnish an hotel with grounds and
gardens sufficiently attractive for English visitors。 There is no direct
communication from England； which effectually debars Cyprus from an
influx of travellers。 It is necessary to land at Alexandria either from
Marseilles or Brindisi； and thence to re…ship in small and uncomfortable
steamers； which are by no means suitable for ladies or invalids。 The
extra expense； and above all the trouble and delay of landing in Egypt
and again embarking； together with the cost of hotel charges at
Alexandria； are quite sufficient to deter strangers from visiting
Cyprus。 The first necessary step will be the establishment of direct
communication from Marseilles and Brindisi； or from Trieste。 In that
case； a commencement might be made by a small company of friends who
determine to visit Cyprus annually； and to arrange an hotel upon some
favourable site near Limasol； which they will themselves occupy； and
which can be extended according to future requirements。 English people
are somewhat like sheep in following each other； and a quiet beginning
in this simple but convenient form would quickly develop； and Cyprus
would be linked with the beaten paths of tourists。 The neighbourhood of
Kyrenia is the most beautiful； but during winter it is exposed to severe
north winds from the snowy mountains。
So much has been written and spoken against the climate of Cyprus that
an unprejudiced account may be acceptable。 There are serious
disadvantages to those who by their official position are obliged to
remain in the low country during the summer months； where the extreme
heat must always be prejudicial to the health of Europeans。 From the
middle of October to May the climate is most agreeable； but the five
intervening months should be passed at higher altitudes； which； as I
have already described； afford a variety of climates。
Neither Lady Baker nor myself or servants had any climatic ailment
throughout our journeys in every portion of the island。 A horsekeeper
had fever while at Famagousta； but he was a native who had suffered
previously； and the fit was a return of chronic ague； my own people
never required a dose of medicine although we were living in tents
through winter and summer。
The water is generally wholesome； therefore dysentery and bowel
complaints are rare； CONSUMPTION IS UNKNOWN； and pulmonary affections
are uncommon