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HISTORY OF LIMASSOL

SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER. Cyprus as I saw it in 1879. The district of Limasol and landowners. 

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song «We have no money», is the now stereotyped response to all suggestions for district schools, but if we are to retain Cyprus, one of the most urgent necessities is the instruction of the people in English. It is not to be expected that any close affinity can exist between the governing class and the governed, in the darkness of two foreign tongues that require a third person for their enlightenment. In many cases secrecy may be of considerable importance, and the conversation should  be  confined to the principals, but the third person must invariably be present as interpreter, and unless he is a man of the highest integrity he will noi lose an opportunity of turning his knowledge of stats secrets to account for his own advantage. Throughout the Levant it is difficult to find men who combine the rare qualities necessary for a confidential dragoman J such a person would be invaluable, as he would represent all the cardinal virtues, at the same time that he must possess a natural aptitude for his profession, and a store of patience, with the most unruffled temper. The natives dread the interpreter, they know full well that one word misunderstood may alter the bearing of their case, and they believe that a little gold judiciously applied may exert a peculiar grammatical influence upon the parts of speech of the dragoman, which directly affects their interests. There are, no doubt, men of honour and great capability who occupy this important position, at the same time it is well known that many interpreters have been found guilty; the exceptions proving the rule, and exhibiting the extreme danger and general disadvantage in the ignorance of the native language. It cannot be ex­pected that the English officials are to receive a miraculous gift of fiery tongues, and to address their temporary subjects in Turkish and in Greek; but it is highly important that without delay schools should be established throughout the island for the instruction of] the young, who in two or three years will obtain a knowledge of English. Whenever the people shall | understand our language, they will assimilate with out customs and ideas, and they will feel themselves a portion of our empire: but until then a void will exclude them from social intercourse with their English rulers, and they will naturally gravitat towards Greece, through the simple medium of a mother-tongue.
Limasol must perforce of its geographical advantages become the capital of Cyprus. As I have already de­scribed, the port may be much improved. The neigh­bouring country is healthy, and well covered with trees; the landscape is pleasing, and the new road opens a direct communication with the mountain sanatorium. The most important exports of the island are pro­duced within the district, and, as might be expected, the result of commercial enterprise is exhibited in the increased intelligence and activity of the Limasol inhabitants.
It is highly to be desired that this favourable position should become the seat of government. Al­though the troops in 1879 are camped among the barren rocks beneath the pine-forests upon Mount Troodos, at an elevation of about 5800 feet above the sea, there is no necessity for a station at so extreme and inconvenient an altitude in north lati­tude 350. The general unhealthiness of the troops upon the first occupation of the island during the summer and autumn of 1878, determined the military authorities to arrange the new camp at the greatest altitude practicable with a regard to the supply of water, but the experience gained in 1879 proves that a permanent camp, or barracks, may be equally healthy at a lower and more convenient level. This fact would establish an additional advantage in the selection of Limasol for headquarters, as the troops would be in the immediate neighbourhood at all seasons.
Colonel Warren, R.A., who had been the prime mover in all the improvements that had been made in Limasol since the British occupation, was promoted on 1st August to the position of chief of the staff) under Sir Garnet Wolseley's able successor, Major-General Biddulph, C.B., R.A., and the district thus lost] its leading spirit.
In reforming abuses and promoting progress, Colonel Warren had not entirely escaped the usual fate of men who  are in advance of their age.    The unflinching determination to administer the laws without fear or favour to all classes had infringed upon the assumed immunities of the Greek Church, which had always received  deferential  consideration  from   the Turkish government, and although actually liable to taxation, the right had never been enforced.    This is a curious contradiction  to  the vulgar belief in Mussulman in-tolerance and  bigotry;   the  Greek  Church  not only enjoyed a perfect freedom under the Turks, but the bishops were assisted   in   obtaining  a  forced tribute from   their flock by the presence  of Turkish  zaphtiehs   (police), who   accompanied  them   during  their journeys through the diocese.
An interference with Church property or established righ'ts is certain to create a buzzing of the ecclesiastical bees, who will swarm against the invader with every  sting prepared  for  action.    As   the   case  was investigated  by a  special  court   of inquiry, and  ter­minated,   as   might  have  been  expected,  

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