DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0303
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 267
of the island that are fortified, I am not able to speak. Fa-
magusta is celebrated for the siege it stood against the Turks,
and for the barbarous treatment its governor endured from
them after its surrender. It is still called a fortified town.
Nicosia the capital is walled round, but neither would stand
a regular siege.
Before I conclude this chapter, I shall add a few words
on the political state of the possessions of the Turks in this
quarter of the world. Could the interests of Great Britain
be ensured, the delivery of Syria and Cyprus from the
Turkish rulers, by any European power, would be an ad-
vantage to the world : that power is now looked for in the
shape of Russia. Prophecy, still existing in the East in full
force, bids the Mahometan beware of Russia, who is to
swallow up all that the Turkish government possesses, and
to plant its colonies in Syria. The jealousies and fears of all
the chiefs in that country are directed against Russia; and
they appeared to dread the overthrow of the French ruler,
whose power prevented her from turning her arms against the
Turks. Lord Bacon, in his Essay on Prophecies, says, " they
are not to be despised, for they have done much mischief."
When he wrote, the state of Europe was not so enlightened as
it now is: he considered it involved in ignorance, and subject
to enthusiasm. In that condition Syria remains. If the emir
of Mount Libanon be not first induced to become a tributary
2 m 2
of the island that are fortified, I am not able to speak. Fa-
magusta is celebrated for the siege it stood against the Turks,
and for the barbarous treatment its governor endured from
them after its surrender. It is still called a fortified town.
Nicosia the capital is walled round, but neither would stand
a regular siege.
Before I conclude this chapter, I shall add a few words
on the political state of the possessions of the Turks in this
quarter of the world. Could the interests of Great Britain
be ensured, the delivery of Syria and Cyprus from the
Turkish rulers, by any European power, would be an ad-
vantage to the world : that power is now looked for in the
shape of Russia. Prophecy, still existing in the East in full
force, bids the Mahometan beware of Russia, who is to
swallow up all that the Turkish government possesses, and
to plant its colonies in Syria. The jealousies and fears of all
the chiefs in that country are directed against Russia; and
they appeared to dread the overthrow of the French ruler,
whose power prevented her from turning her arms against the
Turks. Lord Bacon, in his Essay on Prophecies, says, " they
are not to be despised, for they have done much mischief."
When he wrote, the state of Europe was not so enlightened as
it now is: he considered it involved in ignorance, and subject
to enthusiasm. In that condition Syria remains. If the emir
of Mount Libanon be not first induced to become a tributary
2 m 2