Mss Eur F594/10/13

Content warning: The papers of Arthur Moore Bennett (1877-1950) contain his personal views and opinions, with explicit language and terminology which today are deemed unacceptable and offensive and may cause upset.

Typescript volume, without cover or content pages, covers the period 1935-1937. Describes Arthur Moore Bennett and Helen's journey from Port Said to Cyprus. Description of Cyprus, including comments on its history, taxation, Greek and Turkish land ownership, weather, manufacturing etc. Describes Mediterranean schooners. Comments on individual Europeans in Cyprus, including those involved in the citrus industry. Comments on situation between Italy and England, and Germany and England, and precariousness of British position in China. His correspondence with Hitler, Mussolini and Moseley. Car trip to Trodos, Mount Olympus. Move to Nicosia due to his bad health, including breathing problems. Comments on unrest in Rome, Palestine and Berlin. His musings upon individualism and Government, and the history and impact of colonisation by the British, in light of the death of King George V. Detailed description of the countryside on bus journey from Nicosia to Paphos via Limassol. Description of Ktima, its history and archaeology. Another bout of illness and return to Paphos for hospital stay. Belief that there would be a world war soon. Sailed to Egypt in the Medea. Description of Port Said. Travels in Egypt. Refers to articles about Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson in the American newspapers. Description of impact of taxation on the price of goods in Egypt. Arrangements for Helen to travel to England to see the Coronation, which Moore Bennett listened to on the radio. Voyage to Alexandretta for fitting of new engine, and Helen's return. Return voyage to Famagusta.

The volume is divided into sections: ' 1935 Chapter. Leave [Port] Said and go to Cyprus after experiencing the weather. Arrival, a quiet port. We meet people. Summer weather. Description of Famagusta inhabitants, country round, occupations etc. The Schooners of the place. We visit Trodos. The winter begins. My heath fails. Christmas festivities, the end of 1935'. '1936 Chapter. New Year Festivities. People we met. Sickness. I have to leave. Helen comes too. The journey. Nicosia. A modern hotel. We have visitors. Go to Dr Goeglers. Meet Emma. Go to her. A month in Nicosia. Description of the Fortress. Of the modern town. Walks around. We go to Paphos. We meet friends. Miss Young. The Hospital. Spires & New Olympus. Description Paphos. The Lancasters. Walks. Helen returns. Loss of Binty [cat]'. '1936 Chapter. Paphos and its People. A brief sketch of its history and present people. The surrounding country. The Hospital. Its inmates. Helen returns. The Kantara Cottage. Daphne and its surroundings. I go ill again. Paphos. Vincent. We leave Famagusta once, we leave it twice, we finally DO leave it'. '1936[-1937] Chapter. Winter in Egypt. Port Said. Ismalia. We think of houses and see sites. Helen goes to Cairo. Trouble in the yard. Annie [cat] goes?? Helen sees the Holy Carpet. Old Suez. Luxor. Tomb of the Kings. Upper Egypt. Bars to travel. Coal Basin. Empress Britain. Mustapha and Mish mish [cat]. Soultanakis and the old gang. Coronation festivities. Helen wants to go and we arrange it so. Difficulty in getting tickets. We leave the Basin and start North and Helen leaves Medea at Port Said'.

Images include: Sketch map of Famagusta Bay and Larnaca Bay; sketch map of the Venetian City at Famagusta; pencil drawing of '80 Ton Syrian Ship'; pencil drawing of 'Ruad Schooner 35 Ton'; sketch map of Famagusta portion; sketch map of Cyprus showing the position of principle villages; sketch map of Paphos and Western Districts; sketch of Port Paphos; sketch of Port Ibrahim; sketch map of Alexandretta Bay showing site of graving dock [dry dock]; sketch of Gulf of Iskanderun [Iskenderun].