第 79 节
作者:双曲线      更新:2022-04-14 11:08      字数:9322
  individuals or religious institutions。
  The arrangement of this most serious question will stir up a nest of
  hornets。 The equitable adjustment would demand a minute survey of the
  various districts; and a comparison of the holdings with the title
  deeds; but what then? It is already known that the holdings are in
  excess; and where is the legal remedy that can be practically applied?
  If the actual letter of the law shall be enforced; and each proprietor
  shall be compelled to disgorge his prey; there will be endless
  complications。 In England; twenty…one years' uninterrupted possession;
  with occupation; constitutes a valid title。 In Cyprus the extended
  holdings have in many instances been inherited; and have remained
  unquestioned as the acknowledged property of individuals; while in other
  cases they have been more recently acquired。 The question will comprise
  every possible difficulty; and can only be determined by a special
  commission officially appointed for a local investigation throughout
  each separate district。
  This will be a labour of years; and the innumerable intricacies and
  entanglements will test the patience and HONESTY of interpreters in a
  country where bribery has always opened a golden road for an escape from
  difficulty; while our own authorities are entirely ignorant of the
  native language。 It is this lack of natural means of communication viva
  voce which increases the already awkward position of high officials: the
  power of speech belongs to the dragoman alone; and a great gulf exists
  between the English and the Cypriote; who represent the deaf and dumb in
  the absence of an interpreter。 The old song 〃We have no money;〃 is the
  now stereotyped response to all suggestions for district schools; but if
  we are to retain Cyprus; one of the most urgent necessities is the
  instruction of the people in English。 It is not to be expected that any
  close affinity can exist between the governing class and the governed;
  in the darkness of two foreign tongues that require a third person for
  their enlightenment。 In many cases secrecy may be of considerable
  importance; and the conversation should be confined to the principals;
  but the third person must invariably be present as interpreter; and
  unless he is a man of the highest integrity he will not lose an
  opportunity of turning his knowledge of state secrets to account for his
  own advantage。 Throughout the Levant it is difficult to find men who
  combine the rare qualities necessary for a confidential dragoman; such a
  person would be invaluable; as he would represent all the cardinal
  virtues; at the same time that he must possess a natural aptitude for
  his profession; and a store of patience; with the most unruffled temper。
  The natives dread the interpreter; they know full well that one word
  misunderstood may alter the bearing of their case; and they believe that
  a little gold judiciously applied may exert a peculiar grammatical
  influence upon the parts of speech of the dragoman; which directly
  affects their interests。 There are; no doubt; men of honour and great
  capability who occupy this important position; at the same time it is
  well known that many interpreters have been found guilty; the exceptions
  proving the rule; and exhibiting the extreme danger and general
  disadvantage in the ignorance of the native language。 It cannot be
  expected that the English officials are to receive a miraculous gift of
  fiery tongues; and to address their temporary subjects in Turkish and in
  Greek; but it is highly important that without delay schools should be
  established throughout the island for the instruction of the young; who
  in two or three years will obtain a knowledge of English。 Whenever the
  people shall understand our language; they will assimilate with our
  customs and ideas; and they will feel themselves a portion of our
  empire: but until then a void will exclude them from social intercourse
  with their English rulers; and they will naturally gravitate towards
  Greece; through the simple medium of a mother…tongue。 Limasol must
  perforce of its geographical advantages become the capital of Cyprus。 As
  I have already described; the port may be much improved。 The
  neighbouring country is healthy; and well covered with trees; the
  landscape is pleasing; and the new road opens a direct communication
  with the mountain sanatorium。 The most important exports of the island
  are produced within the district; and; as might be expected; the result
  of commercial enterprise is exhibited in the increased intelligence and
  activity of the Limasol inhabitants。 It is highly to be desired that
  this favourable position should become the seat of government。 Although
  the troops in 1879 are camped among the barren rocks beneath the
  pine…forests upon Mount Troodos; at an elevation of about 5800 feet
  above the sea; there is no necessity for a station at so extreme and
  inconvenient an altitude in north latitude 35 degrees。 The general
  unhealthiness of the troops upon the first occupation of the island
  during the summer and autumn of 1878; determined the military
  authorities to arrange the new camp at the greatest altitude practicable
  with a regard to the supply of water; but the experience gained in 1879
  proves that a permanent camp; or barracks; may be equally healthy at a
  lower and more convenient level。 This fact would establish an additional
  advantage in the selection of Limasol for headquarters; as the troops
  would be in the immediate neighbourhood at all seasons。 Colonel Warren;
  R。A。; who had been the prime mover in all the improvements that had been
  made in Limasol since the British occupation; was promoted on 1st August
  to the position of chief of the staff under Sir Garnet Wolseley's able
  successor; Major…General Biddulph; C。B。; R。A。; and the district thus
  lost its leading spirit。 In reforming abuses and promoting progress;
  Colonel Warren had not entirely escaped the usual fate of men who are in
  advance of their age。 The unflinching determination to administer the
  laws without fear or favour to all classes had infringed upon the
  assumed immunities of the Greek Church; which had always received
  deferential consideration from the Turkish government; and although
  actually liable to taxation; the right had never been enforced。 This is
  a curious contradiction to the vulgar belief in Mussulman intolerance
  and bigotry; the Greek Church not only enjoyed a perfect freedom under
  the Turks; but the bishops were assisted in obtaining a forced tribute
  from their flock by the presence of Turkish zaphtiehs (police); who
  accompanied them during their journeys through the diocese。
  An interference with Church property or established rights is certain to
  create a buzzing of the ecclesiastical bees; who will swarm against the
  invader with every sting prepared for action。 As the case was
  investigated by a special court of inquiry; and terminated; as might
  have been expected; completely in favour of Colonel Warren; it is not
  necessary to enter upon minute details; but; as the plaintiff was the
  Bishop of Citium; and this first public attack created a peculiar
  agitation that will probably be repeated; it may be interesting to
  examine the actual position of the Greek Church as it existed during the
  Turkish administration。
  The Church in Cyprus is represented by an Archbishop and three Bishops
  as the acknowledged heads。 The diocese of the former comprises Lefkosia;
  Famagousta; and the Carpas districts; while the three Bishoprics are
  those of Larnaca or Citium; Kyrenia; and Baffo。
  The revenues of the Archbishop amount to about ?000 a year; and the
  necessary expenditure for staff; schools; &c。; to ?500。 The Bishopric
  of Baffo is the richest; with a revenue of about ?000; at the same time
  the outgoings are small; amounting to ?00 a year for the payment of his
  staff; and one…fifth of the expenses of a public school。
  The Bishopric of Larnaca or Citium is valued at about ?00 a year; but
  the expenditure is confined to ?00。 That of Kyrenia is about the same
  as Citium。 There is no possibility of determining an exact figure; as
  these revenues are dependent upon voluntary payments; which cannot be
  enforced by any statute; but there is a 〃Berat〃 (decree) which invites
  the local authorities to render the bishops assistance in the collection
  of their revenues; without the absolute enforcement of any payments。 No
  amounts due to the bishops for either canonical; ecclesiastical; or alms
  (Zitia); can be recovered through a court of law。 On the other hand; the
  all…powerful countenance afforded by the Turkish government represented
  by public functionaries (zaphtiehs); who accompanied the bishops during
  their diocesan visits upon a tour of collection; was a moral influence
  that succeeded in extorting the unwilling fees。 In case of a defaulting
  village; it is said that a bishop has been known to suspend the
  functions of the priest until the necessary payments should be completed
  by his parishioners; who; thus temporarily cut off from all ghostly
  comfort; hastened to arrive at a pecuniary compromise。
  The monasteries are an important institution throughout Cyprus; and
  there is a decided difference between the monks of these establishme