DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0278
HOLY LAND, A N"D CYPRUS. 243
The superstition of the Levantines of this island may
be imagined by my mentioning, that I observed the nurse
who attended the consul's children burn incense under their
nose every evening at sun-set, to prevent the effects of the
evil eye. On my smiling at this ceremony, I was told it was
common; perhaps, indeed, my presence, as a stranger, ren-
dered it essential.
Larnica contains two or three wide streets, and has one
mosque. The principal Levantines and Franks inhabit large
houses in the outskirts of the town: amongst the most consi-
derable is a palace of the archbishop of Cyprus; where,
during my stay at Larnica, I went, on the occasion of some
particular ceremony, to pay my respects to the archbishop.
All the Franks and Levantines, under their respective con-
suls, were assembled. The canons of the church received
them in an antechamber. Coffee and refreshments were
handed about; and, as the archbishop had been taken sud-
denly ill, only a few of the principal visitors were introduced
to him, amongst whom I was one. He was lying on a
crimson bed of state, in full costume; and, if the length of
beard was intended to add to dignity, his must have been
increased for that purpose. He only spoke Romaic; but
asked me some few questions by the help of his nephew,
who had been studying medicine at Padua for some j^cars,
and seemed an intelligent young man, ardent in the pursuit
2 i 2
The superstition of the Levantines of this island may
be imagined by my mentioning, that I observed the nurse
who attended the consul's children burn incense under their
nose every evening at sun-set, to prevent the effects of the
evil eye. On my smiling at this ceremony, I was told it was
common; perhaps, indeed, my presence, as a stranger, ren-
dered it essential.
Larnica contains two or three wide streets, and has one
mosque. The principal Levantines and Franks inhabit large
houses in the outskirts of the town: amongst the most consi-
derable is a palace of the archbishop of Cyprus; where,
during my stay at Larnica, I went, on the occasion of some
particular ceremony, to pay my respects to the archbishop.
All the Franks and Levantines, under their respective con-
suls, were assembled. The canons of the church received
them in an antechamber. Coffee and refreshments were
handed about; and, as the archbishop had been taken sud-
denly ill, only a few of the principal visitors were introduced
to him, amongst whom I was one. He was lying on a
crimson bed of state, in full costume; and, if the length of
beard was intended to add to dignity, his must have been
increased for that purpose. He only spoke Romaic; but
asked me some few questions by the help of his nephew,
who had been studying medicine at Padua for some j^cars,
and seemed an intelligent young man, ardent in the pursuit
2 i 2