Lieut-Colonel Donisthorpe Donne, District Commissioner of Limassol, describes his Christmas day in Cyprus:
Being Christmas Day I had my Parade of the Zaptiehs and visited the prison in the morning and in the afternoon entertained Hedji Emmanueli’s family and some of Papa’s friends at my lodgings and rode out to Polemydia to dine with the Regiment in the evening. It was a warm fine day. 1881 being well-nigh run out I may safely say that I have seen and done more during the last twelve months than in any previous year. “ Non numero horas nisi serenas” and I cannot resist this little quotation, dedicated respectfully to the year passing away: “Yet I leave, as waves leave their Treasures of coral and shell, a gift passing sorrows and pleasures, our friendship to tell.”