Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-29
NO. l7s.
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.

An English resident in Cyprus has favor
Ell us with some interesting details relative
To tins valuable island. Cyprus has been
subject Ia the dominion of the Turks since
lb5J, It having been taken from the NenItlans.
When 1t became "a Turkish province the po-
pulatlon WAS 2,O0O, 900: but this has been re-
duced by tyranny. revolutions and emigra-
zion tn 10000; which is the gross number OF
the present inhabtaDts--uttsrly insufficient
for the cultivation of even one third Of the
rich soil of the island; which is l6l miles long
by G3 broad. The resources OF Cyprus, 81
large and So various, are consequently ne
elected, and our correspondent desires Ia
awaken the interest of England, with
view TO promote the welfare of his adopted
country.
He says that Cyprus affords large field
for the cultivation Of cotton now 50 much IN
request, although the annual exports have
declined from ZOO to 5000 bales, and the
supply is yearly decreasing. Indoleuce and
want ot hands rs in the case Of the West In
dies are the two evils to be encountered by
rnterprising men, energy and perseverance
being qualities indispensable. The soil of
Cyprus is fertile and well suited to the growth
of cotton. The potatoe also hourishes to
great extent II is believed that the Turkish
Government would grant leases Of land, sub
lect to the usual taxes. Not only to farmers.
however, does Cyprus offer great inducements
to settle, but also to families with small
means. desirous of living cheaply.
The antiquarian, too, will meet with objects
Of interest at every step, while the miner
alogist will find that the silver, lead, copper,
and coal mines, mentioned in Virgil, are no
Myths Butchers meat may be had at Sd.
per pound, bread Id, tea 3s., sugar I'd, cot
fee Sd, milk I'D. per pint, oil I'd. per pint,
wine ID. to Sd. per bottle, and spirits -. per
bottle. Fruit aud vegetables may be had al
most for the asking. the prices being merely
nominal. House rent is fl0 to f3O a year
according To size and site. Water is plenti-
full and good, and French, Italian, Greek,
and Turkish may be learnt at the rate of Sd.
a lesson. The government of the island ~
under civil and military pasha; there being
500 troops in the chief towns. Nlcosa, the
capital, is well fortified, and holds about 49,
900 inhabitants: it is twenty miles from Lar
MICA, the chief seaport, where the military
pasha and the foreign cOnsiis reside.
The laws are mildly and impartially ad
ministered, and crime is of rare occurrence.
robbery and murder being unknown. The
inhabitants are friendly to Europeans, and
three quarters are Christians of the Greek
church Except 500 Catholics and 10 Protes-
tants.) Lastly-and who can resist this at
traction-the fair "Koconas" of the island
are so beautiful in face and elegant in form
~ to suggest the belief that they owe their
descent to the godness who is said to have
risen from the sea on the shores of their YER
dant island Such is the terrestrial paradise
to which our correspondent, in Syren-like
strains, would allure those Of his country
men and countrywomen, whom discomfort
may drive away from home