Males above 15 . . . . . . . . 3,773 Males under 15 . . . . . . . . 1,900 Females above 14 . . . . . . . 3,718 Females under 14 . . . . . . . 1,806 Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,197 Population by religion:-- English . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Greek Church. . . . . . . . . . 5,251 Catholics . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Mohammedans . . . . . . . . . . 5,628 Armenians . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Jews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,197 ) There is no position throughout the plain of Messaria adapted for a permanent government establishment as head-quarters. The depressing effect of that horrible landscape, embracing the extensive area from Trichomo and Famagousta to Larnaca, Lefkosia, and Morphu, is most demoralising, and few Europeans would be able to resist the deleterious climate of summer, and the general heart-sinking that results in a nervous despondency when the dreary and treeless plain is ever present to the view. There is no reason why officials should be condemned to the purgatory of such a station when Cyprus possesses superior positions where the great business of the future will be conducted. The new road already completed from Larnaca to Lefkosia must be carried on to Morphu, and thus connect the north and south extremities of the plain; Kyrenia, sixteen miles distant, must be connected with Lefkosia; branches must then be extended to Kythrea and to Famagousta; and subsequently, from the latter town a direct road must be continued parallel with the south coast to Larnaca. Such roads may be constructed for about 350 pounds per mile at the low rate of labour in Cyprus, considering the presence of stone throughout the district, and their completion will open the entire plain of Messaria to wheeled communication with four ports, to north and south. CHAPTER IV. THE MESSARIA. Having passed a week with our kind hosts, Sir Garnet and Lady Wolseley, at Government House, which formed a most agreeable contrast to the friendless life that we had been leading, the vans once more started en route for Kythrea, Famagousta, and the Carpas district. I had hired a good, sure-footed pony for my wife and a powerful mule for myself, and, having given the vans a start of several hours, we followed in the afternoon.