DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0281
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 245
in honour of one of Mahomet's relations. The mountains of
the Holy Cross appear to rise behind it. Towards sun-set,
its rays, verging on the lake, produce a bright red, on
which were reflected the figures of the carts, horses, and
passengers, traversing it: this, combining with the mosque
and the tints on the overhanging mountains, produced a
beautiful picture.
The government is an appendage to the Captain Pasha,
who vests it in the person of a mosallem or governor, no-
minally appointed for three j^ears; the present one had, how-
ever, contrived to remain longer. The seat of government is
at Nicosia, where the chief Turkish population resides. The
island is divided into sixteen districts, each under a lieu-
tenant> who bears the title of Cadelesquiere. The Grand
Signor, at the commencement of a war, demands four hun-
dred men from Cyprus, who form part of the Timariots. The
Greeks are, as usual, oppressed. The dignitaries of the
church are protected by the governor, who obtains contribu-
tions easily through their influence. They consist of one
archbishop and three bishops: the former with an income
of forty thousand dollars : the latter have much less; and, in
an excursion I made for a day in the mountains, a return of
money for hospitality shown was thankfully received by one
of them.
The Roman Catholics have a considerable establishment
in honour of one of Mahomet's relations. The mountains of
the Holy Cross appear to rise behind it. Towards sun-set,
its rays, verging on the lake, produce a bright red, on
which were reflected the figures of the carts, horses, and
passengers, traversing it: this, combining with the mosque
and the tints on the overhanging mountains, produced a
beautiful picture.
The government is an appendage to the Captain Pasha,
who vests it in the person of a mosallem or governor, no-
minally appointed for three j^ears; the present one had, how-
ever, contrived to remain longer. The seat of government is
at Nicosia, where the chief Turkish population resides. The
island is divided into sixteen districts, each under a lieu-
tenant> who bears the title of Cadelesquiere. The Grand
Signor, at the commencement of a war, demands four hun-
dred men from Cyprus, who form part of the Timariots. The
Greeks are, as usual, oppressed. The dignitaries of the
church are protected by the governor, who obtains contribu-
tions easily through their influence. They consist of one
archbishop and three bishops: the former with an income
of forty thousand dollars : the latter have much less; and, in
an excursion I made for a day in the mountains, a return of
money for hospitality shown was thankfully received by one
of them.
The Roman Catholics have a considerable establishment