Cyprus, as I Saw it in 1879 | Page 5

combined the temperate with almost
tropical, according to the changes of seasons; accordingly, the
productions of the earth varying upon the northern and southern coasts,
were all that could be required for the necessities of the human race. In
this happily situated position commerce was first cradled, and by the
interchange of ideas and natural productions, artificial wants were
mutually created among the various countries around the great sea
margin; the supply of these new requirements and exchange of
commodities established trade. With the development of commerce,
wealth and prosperity increased; nations became important through the
possession of superior harbours and geographical positions, and the
entire maritime strength and commercial activity of the ancient world
was represented by the Mediterranean. The Phoenicians of Tyre and
Sidon were the English of to-day; the Egyptians and the Greeks were

followed as the world grew older by the Venetians and Genoese, and
throughout the world's history no point possessed a more constant and
unchangeable attraction from its geographical position and natural
advantages than the island of Cyprus, which in turn was occupied by
Phoenicians, Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Byzantine rulers,
Saracens, Byzantine rulers again, English, Lusignans, Venetians, Turks,
and once more English in 1878.
The advantages which had thus possessed a magnetic influence in
attracting towards this island the leading nations of the world were in
ancient days undeniable. When vessels directed their course only by
well-known landmarks, or by the position of certain stars, it was highly
necessary for a maritime power to occupy a continuous chain of
stations, where, in case of danger from a superior force, a place of
refuge would be near. Cyprus from its peculiar geographical position
commanded the eastern portion of the Mediterranean. The harbour of
Famagousta was only a few hours' sail, with a favourable wind, to the
coast of Asia Minor. The bays of Larnaca and Limasol were roadsteads
with a safe anchorage, and Paphos (Baffo) was a convenient harbour
upon the south-western portion of the island, capable of protecting a
considerable number of the small vessels of the period. Thus Cyprus
possessed two harbours upon the south coast in addition to good
roadsteads; while upon the north, Cerinea (Kyrenia) and Soli, although
never large, were serviceable ports of refuge, exactly facing the coast of
Caramania, plainly visible. The lofty mountains of the Carpas range
which overhang these harbours command the sea view at an elevation
of between three and four thousand feet, from which the approach of an
enemy could be quickly signalled, while the unmistakable peaks of the
rugged sky-line formed landmarks by which vessels could steer direct
to the desired ports. The same advantage of descrying an enemy at a
distance from the shore exists in many parts of Cyprus, owing to the
position of the heights; and the rocky nature of the coast (with the
exception of a few points such as Limasol, Morphu Bay, &c.), rendered
the landing of a large force extremely difficult. As a strategical point,
there was no more formidable position than Cyprus; it formed a
common centre within immediate reach of Alexandria and all the coasts
of Syria and Asia Minor. It was not only a military place d'armes, such

as Malta and Gibraltar now are, dependent upon maritime superiority
for the necessary provisions, but it was a country of large area,
comprising about 3500 square miles, with a soil of unbounded fertility
in a high state of cultivation, a population sufficiently numerous for all
requirements of the island, and forests of timber that was in great
request for the architect and ship-builder. In addition to these natural
sources of wealth, the mineral productions were celebrated from the
earliest history, and the copper of Cyprus was used by the Phoenicians
in the manufacture of their celebrated bronze.
The Chittim wood of Scripture, imported to Syria from Cyprus (the
ancient Chittim), was probably a species of cypress at that time
composing the forests which ornamented a considerable portion of the
surface. There are two varieties of cypress in the island: that which
would have been celebrated grows upon the high mountains, and
attains a girth of from seven to nine feet, the wood being highly
aromatic, emitting a perfume resembling a mixture of sandal-wood and
cedar; the other cypress is a dwarf variety that seldom exceeds twenty
feet in height, with a maximum circumference of two feet; this is a
totally different wood, and is intensely hard, while the former is easily
worked, but durable. The derivation of the name Cyprus has been
sought for from many sources; and the opinions of the authorities differ.
English people may reflect that they alone spell and pronounce the
word as "Cyprus." The name of the cypress-tree, which at one time
clothed the mountains of this formerly verdant island, is pronounced by