My Experiences of Cyprus Being an Account of the People, Mediaeval Cities and Castles, Antiquities and History of the Island of Cyprus #225272

The small island of Cyprus, hidden away in a little-frequented corner of the Eastern Mediterranean, may not inaptly be called "Our Island Cinderella." Ever since the all-conquering Turk besieged its two chief towns and wrested the island from Venice in the latter part of the sixteenth century, neglect and poverty has been her lot.<br><br>Even after thirty years under the aegis of the Union Jack, the flag of the most successful colonizing country in the world - a boast to which, I think, we may fairly be entitled if we judge by results elsewhere - Cyprus is still one of the poorest and most neglected countries in the world, though latterly, during the last year or two, efforts have been made towards removing this reproach - the Anglo-Egyptian Land Allotment company having been recently formed to develop agriculture in the island by introducing more modern methods than those to which the native Cypriot has hitherto been accustomed.<br><br>This company, I believe, owes its inception to the energy of Sir William Willcocks, whose services to India and Egypt are well known, and who is interested in the development of Cyprus.