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•bevili.] F OOD AND PRODUCE. 425 [like his own ox in the plough, he requires a certain amount of control, and his energies must be directed by a driver or ruler. When the vegetables were 'assured of a certain fixed price per oke regulated by Rhe authorities, he knew that he would obtain that amount for his produce whether good or bad ; accordingly he brought his goods to market. But, when he found that his inferior vegetables would remain unsold, or would realise a mere trifle should a competitor's [stall present a superior show, he withdrew altogether . from the market, which at length became deserted ; land the few who maintained their positions advanced ; their prices to such an exorbitant degree that vegetables became a luxury in which none could indulge but the rich. The fishermen profited by the reform and only caught sufficient for the minimum demand, but at the same time that they reduced their own labour iand consequently the supply of fish, they also took advantage of the new law of free trade, and advanced their prices in extortionate proportion. Instead of the self-evident prosperity that would benefit all classes, the sudden liberty to which the Cypriote was unaccustomed acted diametrically against all English expectations, and for the time ruined the market. This was told me by Colonel Warren himself, and the 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. At the same time there can be no doubt that the vexatious and arbitrary systems of taxation pursued in collecting the "dimes " has prevented the extension of market gardens, and were this tax remitted, I

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