Thismaid\'snamewas“Christina，“andshereceivedthemunificentsumofonehundredpiastresperannumaswages，whichinEnglishmoneywouldbefifteenshillingsandsixpenceeveryyear。Theworldisfullofingratitude，andstrangetosay，Christinawasdissatisfied，whichnaturallywoundedthefeelingsofthegoodmonks，asinadditiontothislargesumofmoneyshereceivedherfoodandclothes；thelatterconsistingoffulltrousers，andaconfusionoflightmaterial，which，havingnoshapewhatever，Icouldnotdescribe。Christina，thoughyoung，wasnotpretty，andshewasalwayseithercryingorscolding，whichwouldofcoursespoilanybeauty；whileatthesametimeshewaseitherwashingalltheclothesbelongingtothewholeestablishmentofmonksaverydisagreeablebusiness，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。Cesnolamentionsthat2，000，000twomillioncheesesperannumaremadeinCyprusofthissmallkind，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；butthemanwhowasacarpenterhavingbeenpreviouslysuspected，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。Hewouldneveracceptmoneyprobablyfromtheabsenceofpockets，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：Ishallwritedown1500ifwedeclared1000，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。
TherevenuesofthedistrictLarnacaarederivedfromthefollowingsources：——
1。Dimesi。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。Verghia，4per1000onthepurchasingvalueofhouses，land，orimmovableproperty。
4。Verghib，4percent。ontherentofimmovableproperty，orhousesnotoccupiedbytheirowners。
5。Verghic，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。Propertytaxmunicipalpaidbyowners：——
Onhouseslettotenants，5percent。perannum。
Onhousesinhabitedbytheowners，3percent。perannum。
15。TaxoncamelsM。2shillingseachperannum。
16。TaxoncartsM。belongingtoandworkinginLarnacaandMarinatownships，1*。eachperannum。
17。Corvee。Forcedlabouronroadsfourdaysayear。
18。ShoplicencesM。inclasses，10*，5*。，2*。，1*。，10shillings。
19。WinelicencesC。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。
ThetransferismadebygivinganewKotshanTitle，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。
ThisisforpropertyinlandArazi。
AstothefreeholdpropertyEmlak，themaleinhabitantstwo-thirdsandthefemaleone-third；butitisverydifficulttoenumeratethevariousshadesofdivisionwhicharealwaysmadebythecadisaccordingtotheChenilaw；thereisnoNizamlawinthisrespect。
AllsystemofendorsmentonKotshanisabolished。
Thedutyontransferinsuccessionofafreeholdpropertyishalfthefeesontransferbysale。
Intransferringbysalethefeesare1percent。onthevalue，ifthisfreeholdpropertyisarealoneEmlakiSerfi；and3percent。ifitisvacouffreeholdpropertyEmlakMeocoofi。Besidesthis3piastresaspriceofpaper，and1piastreasclerks\'feesRiatakiarepaidforeverynewKotshan。
ThelandsArazipay5percent。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，butthetomymindabominablesystemofdimes，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。