Cyprus, as I Saw It in 1879

by Samuel White Baker

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1879

About the author

Sir Samuel White Baker of Britain founded a settlement at Ceylon in 1848, explored the region of the Blue Nile from 1861 to 1862, and as the first such European, reached Albert in 1864.

Baker served as an English officer, naturalist, big game hunter, engineer, writer, and abolitionist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_...

Reviews

[Ne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chap goes caravanning around Cyprus in 1879 and describes the land and his interactions with the "Cypriotes".

Some bits are quite glaring examples of the fervent superiority felt by a colonial power. There are:
-- references to "natives"
-- an especially patronising sentence describing "many stone columns lying useless among the heaps of ruins so common in Cyprus, that would form excellent rollers, but the idea of such an implement has never entered the Cypriote head"
-- my favourite observation that in Cyprus "there is a distressing absence of the wholesome vanity that should induce attention to dress and cleanliness"
-- astute comments such as "...[t]he failure of the apparently wholesome reform is suggestive of the danger that may result in the too sudden enfranchisement of those races which from a long series of oppression are unfit for perfect liberty."
-- and the best example: "The filthy habits of the people, now restrained only by strong remonstrance, will be too apparent."

Also there are villages that must have had their names misspelled or something, such as "Lauranchina", about 12 miles from Larnaca.

However, it does a good job of describing the way of life around that time and also paints a picture of the Cypriot landscape in the late 19th century. One is also grateful that the references to malaria are now extremely outdated. Finally, he mentions that in his experience of travelling he "never met with such kind and courteous people as the inhabitants of Cyprus". Clearly hospitality was in the island's blood even then!

All in all, not the most thrilling read but a rare insight into the Mediterranean island's history.

[Stella Rosegarden · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I do not intend to write a history of Cyprus, as authorities already exist that are well known, but were generally neglected until the British occupation rescued them from secluded bookshelves.”

A very well written view of Cyprus from 1879 from the perspective of a British traveller whose opinion of the island is both good and bad. “I shall recount my personal experience of this island as an independent traveller, unprejudiced by political considerations, and unfettered by the responsible position of an official.”

Baker refers to the names of places and arid landscapes unfold in his journeys, the vegetation, or the lack of, the various types of rocks that make up Cyprus, his encounters with the locals, the way things worked and the cultural differences. All in all, many of the places he visited have changed beyond recognition by now, while others are still recognizable. His varying adventures bring vivid memories of his time there and the modern traveller and reader can easily relate to them.

An interesting read for anyone looking a different approach about the island.

“All travellers are well aware that their servants and general entourage delight in towns or villages, as they discover friends, or make acquaintances, and relieve the tedium of the journey[..].

[Kerim Ramadan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone with strong family ties to Cyprus it’s interesting to read about the country from the 1870s. The writer has an enjoyable if strongly Victorian style.

Good suggestions of other books written on Cypriot history before the 1960s.

[Mustafa Shakir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me such a long time to read. It is so full of facts and data that it cannot be absorbed without periods of abstinence. It is hard to read without wonderment at how someone can have such a life with all the time and money to undergo such a comprehensive fact find.
The author’s knowledge of Geology, agriculture and commerce is astounding.
After completing it I can say that it has beets labour of love and I have at times wondered if I would ever finish it.
The detail is incredible and I have been well and truly educated as to how Cyprus was in 1879 and to what the start point was for the British contribution and influence in Cyprus.