Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-13

DOaUS mlgnC carry over q thousand
- troops or civilians
ut an inconsiderable cost. The
possession of Cyprus would
facilitate the selection of such
a terminus; for with so convenient
a tenancy we only require on the
landing-place, offices,
sheds for temporary accommoda-
ton of troops, and residence for a
small railway staff provided from
our headquarters in the island. The
is in favor of commencing
work at Tripoli or Tyre for the in
evitable Indo- European railway,and
of taking it through the Palmyra
desert to a suitable point on the
Euphrates, and thence to the Per-
sian gulf. But he urged that we
should in any case inaugurate our
operations for overland communica-
ton with India by establishing a
depot both for men and materials
at the Island of Cyprus. He did
not consider it romancing to say
that the journey from the island to
Karachi might in this way be ac-
complshed within a week, allowing
a day and a half for embarkation
and Decentralization. The total dis
tance is two thousand one hundred
and fifty miles, which, at twenty
five miles an hour by rail and ten
miles an hour by river, gives a total
of one hundred and twenty-six
hours; and, allowing for delays
thirty hours, the travelling time
reached is one hundred and fifty
six hours, or six and a half days.
The lecturer, however, principally
dwelton the advantages Of an islanC
stronghold in this sea, to all intenti
and purposes British ; protected by
material force-not a mere ship OF
two with a guard of marines-bu
with powerful garrisons as well al
depots. He concluded by observ
ing: 81 should be very glad tC
think a practical notion of thii
kind could find place among thu
minor considerations of the grear
congress now sitting; for, if peac,
follows the present negotiations, nc
time should be lost in carrying our
the railway, whether its existenc,
has bceS provided for by payment
or in compensation for claims, or a
part of an Anglo-0ttoman schem,
of mutual benefit"
In connection with this "Anglo
Ottoman scheme of mutual bene
it," it is worth while to look a littl
closer at Cyprus, which, having
been so important in ancient times
may thus, perchance, recover it
fame and celebrity. Nearly on
hundred and fifty miles long, will
a breadth of from fifty.five t,
twenty-seven miles, it is an ampl
dominion in itself, and one of tn
most beautiful and capable in th,
world, It's alleged malaria is a cal
umny founded on the habits of
few rash travellers who expose them
selves and eat improper food. Th
birthplace of the queen of gods an,
men is as salubrious, with Just pre-
cautions, as it is beautiful, albei
decidedly hot in the summe
months. This heat, however,
tempered with the winds from tn
snowy SUBMITS of the KaramaniaI
mountains, and eternal sea breeze
cool the littoral plains. The field
produce, even with lazy husband
ry, wheat, barley, cotton, silk, mad
der, olives, carobs, and splendi
vines; while in the north and ives
are magnificent fields full of game
and of the wild cattle and swim
desoepded from those which hay
strayed from the folds and styes {
old civilization. Iarnaka, the prir
cipal port, gives travellers 0 wron
impression of the lovely and fertil
island: for that town, which owe
its existence TO a good anchorage
but wag chosen too hastily by th
crusaders, stands in the worst regio
of Cyprus, and presents a very di
ierent aspect from the exquisite dil
tricts around Episcopi, Kuklia, an
Bafo--the antique Paphos. In Il
magnificent valleys near AaratasS
the finest possible timber is to |
found, and only roads are wante
to establish a great trade iR tn
commodity, while rich land
to be seen along the shore-wi
to Cerinea and Nicosia, or LIE,
COSTA. the capital. Famagpsta-tl
, old Fama August, named to con
memorate the cattle Of Actium-
b one of the main spOtG along Il
! coast which might be made impre
{ nable, though the harbor is /
donbt small and neglected, 1t
4 needless to say how intensely inte
: estiag TO the scholar and antiqui
Che whole island must be, with