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snowfall. A s the sun shone upon a bare white surface, the sterile slopes and mountain sides were utterly devoid of vegetation, and presented a sad aspect of desolation, which reminded me of the barren range on the shores of the Red Sea. First impressions are seldom correct, but the view of Cyprus on arrival from the south was depressing, and extinguished all hopes that had been formed concerning our newly-acquired possession. This was the treasure acquired by astute diplomacy ! For about twenty miles we skirted this miserable coast, upon which not a green speck relieved the eye ; at length we sighted the minaret which marked the position of Larnaca, the port or roadstead to which the mail was bound ; and in the town we distinguished three or four green trees. W e cast anchor about half a mile from the shore. Nine or ten vessels, including several steamers, were in the roadstead, and a number of lighters were employed in landing cargoes. Disappointment and disgust were quickly banished by the reflection that at this season (January) there was nothing green in England : the thermometer in that dreary land would be below freezing-point, while on the deck where we stood it was 64° Fahr. W e were quickly in a boat steering for the landing-place. All towns look tolerably well from the sea, especially if situated actually upon the margin of the water. The town represented a front of about a mile, less than five feet above the level of the sea, bordered by a masonry quay perpendicular to the surface, from which several wooden jetties of inferior and very recent construction served as landing-places. The left flank of Larnaca was bounded by a small Turkish fort, absolutely useless against modern artillery;

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