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Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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GIOVANNI MARITI
Travels in the Island of Cyprus
page 134

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Nicosia each consul must send thither a dragoman and a janissary to offer the usual compliments. If he. lands at Salines, he is greeted there, and again at Nicosia. It may happen that the Governor wishes to receive the consuls and their colony, in such case he appoints a day. He never returns these visits, but neither can he expect them, unless he chances to be at Larnaca. Should any Pasha happen to touch at Larnaca the consuls must send their dragomans and janissaries to compliment him on board. If he lands and invites them to call upon him, they do so with the ceremony used to a Governor, but their visit is not returned. When a Digdaba?i or Commissioner comes to take up the post of Governor of Larnaca, or a Qazi is installed, they are the first to call upon the consuls, who receive them in state, and later return the visit. If a son is born to the Sultan, and the local government holds public rejoicings, the consuls also illuminate their houses for three days, and keep open a room in which coffee is offered to anyone, Moslem or Christian, who comes there. I assisted at one of these feasts in January, 1762, which was distinguished by fireworks and dances. The national ensign is hoisted, and dragomans and janissaries are sent to Nicosia to congratulate the Governor. Besides the compliments exchanged between consuls on their arrival in the island, ceremonial visits are paid on the sovereign's birthday, on the arrival of any personage (as an admiral or captain of a man of war) and on New Year's day. In paying visits at private houses the consul is preceded by a janissary only : if he be obliged to take an interpreter, the dragoman must walk by his side, not in front of him, as on public occasions. It is most necessary that the consuls should exhibit to the public, and to the Turks particularly, an entire unanimity, and a common policy. These inspire respect and even fear, for when the consuls act in harmony, their representations against 130 Consuls [CH.

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