HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 218

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drawing near, and we should seek a settlement as near the clouds as possible upon Trôôdos ; the snow was still deep upon the northern summit of this mountain, which formed the prominent object in the range. Our new muleteer Iiani was about six feet two inches .high, and not being sufficiently tall, he added nearly three inches more by enormous heels to a pair of wellfitting high boots ; these, fastened below the knee, just 'showed sufficient clean grey stocking to prove that he possessed such hose ; which are luxuries seldom indulged in by the peasantry. The boots Avere carefully blackened and polished, and Avere armed with long spurs. His trousers were the usual roomy pattern, containing sufficient stuff to clothe a small family of English children ; above these dark-blue bags he wore a kind of Jersey frock of thick silk fitting tight to his figure ; the junction betAveen this purple-striped garment and his AAraistband was concealed in the many Avindings •bf a long shawl which passed several times round his centre ; in this he Avore a German-silver-handled knife or dagger of pure Birmingham or Sheffield origin. His figure was very perfect, and he was as thoroughly " set-up " as though he had been in the hands of a drill-serjeant from his cradle. He carried a long stick like the shaft of a lance, Avith which he could poke a refractory mule, but Avhich he ahvays used Avhen mounting by resting one end upon the ground, and Avith the left hand upon the saddle he ascended with the ease of a spiritualist " floating in the air. " Iiani Avas very polite to ladies, and he knew their Avays. He seldom advanced Avithout an offering of some lovely floAver or a small sprig of sweetly-scented herb, Avhich he invariably presented Avith a graceful boAv and a smile intended to represent a combination of humility,

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