View PDF version of this page

having no churches of their own they officiate, and fulfil the duties of Catholic Christians, in the Latin churches. The number of Latin Catholics is much smaller than that of the sects named above, for they are only the Europeans settled in the island, among whom are the fathers of St Francis (Minori Observanti) called Padri di Terra Santa, the name I shall give them in my book, for they are known by it throughout the Levant. The Turks have a Molla, who ranks as the head of their Law ; the Greeks an archbishop and three bishops ; the Maronites an archpriest, and the Latins two curates, one for the French, another for the Italian colony, everyone being free to follow his own religion. The English have neither church nor house of prayer, but when they are in sufficient numbers they would assemble in the house of their consul, and then they would be obliged to maintain a minister of their religion ; but such is now wanting. Greek and Turkish are the common languages, with the result that both one and the other are corrupted. Greek has here perhaps adhered with greater purity to the ancient vocabulary, but the pronunciation is entirely spoiled: an effect, they say, of the Venetian domination. The Greek commercial class frequently use Italian, French very little indeed. It is very remarkable that all orientals learn our Italian tongue with more ease than the other languages of Europe. The Cypriots are generally well formed, tall and good looking, sober and temperate. The women have mostly good eyes, but ugly features, and few are seen of any special beauty : they are tall, spirited, little industrious, and luxurious : they are long lived, and often re-marry when they are already great-grandmothers. All Greeks like amusement, but the Cypriots to excess ; and though they be never so much oppressed by the government they never lose their liveliness. The men dress alia Turca, like those of Constantinople, 4 A General View of the [CH.

View PDF version of this page