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CYPRUS.

COMPILED IN THE INTELLIGENCE BRANCH, QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT,

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Printed under the Superintendence of Her Majesty's Stationery Office,

AND SOLD BY

W. CLOWES & SONS, 13, Charing Cross; HARRISON & SONS, 59, Pall Mall ;
W. H. ALLEN & Co., 13, Waterloo Place; W. MITCHELL, Charing Cross;
LONGMAN & Co., Paternoster Row; TRUBNER & Co., 57 & 59, Ludgate Hill;
STANFORD, Charing Cross; and C. KEGAN PAUL & Co., 1, Paternoster Square:
Also by GRIFFIN & Co., The Hard, Portsea;
A. & C. BLACK, Edinburgh;

ALEX. THOM, Abbey Street, and E. PONSONBY, Grafton Street, Dublin.

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MG 1133.17

MGT133.17

MARVARD COLLEGE LIBRANT

RECEIVED THROUGH THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OFA BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

1933

PRUDENTIAY IM

PREFACE.

THE subject of the first chapter of this book, viz., the History of Cyprus, is one upon which many volumes might be written, for few countries have a longer or more varied history; it has therefore been impossible to give more than a mere sketch of the numerous dynasties which have succeeded one another in the island, and to relate the most important historical events. Stress has been laid upon the incidents which occurred at the end of the twelfth century leading to the conquest of Cyprus by Richard Coeur de Lion, its sale to the Templars, and subsequent transfer to the Lusignan family, for this period in the history of the island is of special interest to English readers. The process by which Cyprus was annexed three hundred years later by the Venetian Republic is explained in detail, and the events of the invasion by the Turks, and their subjugation of the island in 1570-71 are also related. Information concerning the ancient history has been chiefly gathered from the works of Rawlinson, Smith, Di Cesnola, and Knight. M. De Mas Latrie's "Histoire de L'Ile de Chypre," is a most valuable work; it contains minute information concerning the events of the Lusignan dynasty, and touches also upon the Venetian rule; this history has been of great assistance to the compiler of this book. The particulars of the conquest of Cyprus by the Turks are contained in the Histories of the Ottoman Empire, by Knolles and Von Hanmer; both these authors enter into the subject in full detail. Additional historical information has been derived from various sources; a complete list of the authors and their works from which extracts have been taken, will be found at the end of this book.

The four descriptive chapters, II to V, are compiled from the writings of travellers in Cyprus, and from all other available sources; the island is now daily becoming better known, and when it has been completely and accurately surveyed and examined, it is not unlikely that errors will be found in both the reports and the

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maps now in existence; in order that such discrepancies may be corrected and new matter added, some copies of this portion of the book are interleaved.

The observations upon the climate of Cyprus, a subject of the deepest interest and importance, are supplemented by very valuable information and statistics which have been kindly supplied by the Secretary of the Scottish Meteorological Society, A. Buchan, Esq., whose remarks, contained in Chapter VI, with regard to the atmospheric conditions affecting the healthiness of the island, are highly important.

The geological description is chiefly derived from the works of Albert Gaudry, Dr. Unger, and Dr. Kotschy, but the thanks of the compiler are also due to Professor Rupert Jones, who kindly gave most valuable assistance in clearing up ambiguous points, and reconciling apparently conflicting statements in the works of the above authors.

The chapters upon Natural History, Agriculture, Trade, and Revenue, have been compiled not only from the writings of travellers, but, in a very great measure, from the Reports annually furnished by Her Majesty's Consuls. The General and Statistic Report of Vice-Consul White, dated March 1863, is a most valuable paper, and has been largely used in this compilation. The consular reports indicate in the clearest possible manner the various causes which, under the Turkish administration, have year by year influenced the harvests, trade, revenue, and the general prosperity of the island; the information given on these subjects cannot but be of value to all who are interested or concerned in the future welfare of Cyprus.

ADAIR HOUSE, PALL MALL,

31st August, 1878.

A. R. S.

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