HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 194

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our sudden invasion of his bachelor's quarters must have caused him some inconvenience. ι On the following morning, we enjoyed the splendid I view from the covered balcony at the back of Mr. Holbeach's house, which showed the richest foreground in Cyprus in the dark green of caroub-forest and gardens of fruit-trees intermingled with plots of barley already in the ear. This rich front was backed by the wall of dark limestone cliffs two miles distant, 3000 feet elevation, with the castles of Buffavento and St. Hilarion perched left and right on the giddy summits of the highest crags, which in the clear atmosphere apparently overhung our position. W e then breakfasted, took leave of our hospitable host, and rode back to Lefkosia to inquire into the cause of the delay. [ On arrival we found a string of mules just starting, as the camels that had been engaged yesterday had never appeared. I sent off the servants and animals, with orders to pitch the tent upon the site of the ' old camp of the 42nd Highlanders, within a mile ' of Kyrenia ; we then once more encroached upon the kindness of Sir Garnet and Lady Wolseley for the . night. On the following morning we rode to Kyrenia, sixteen miles, and found tents pitched in a delightful situation, and the camp swept and arranged in perfect order. There could not have been a better site for a military camp, as the ground was firm and sloped gradually towards the sea, above which the elevation may have been about 120 feet. The beautiful caroubtrees afforded a dense shade for individual tents and 'for unlimited numbers of men. The ground had been well drained, and every care had been taken to ensure the health of the troops ; but in spite of all sanitary

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