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 ^^nt-^.^^-'u^ >r 
 
 A N 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 CORSICA, 
 
 THE JOURNAL OF A TOUR 
 TO THAT ISLAND, 
 
 AND MEMOIRS OF 
 
 PASCAL P A O L I. 
 
 BY JAMES BOSWELL, Efq; 
 
 Illustrated with a New and Accurate Ma» of Corsica^ 
 
 Non enim propter glorlam, divitiat aut honores pugnamuSj fed propter 1I« 
 bsrtatem folummodo^ quam nemo bonus nifi fimul cum vita amittit. 
 
 Lit. Comit, et Baron. Scotix ad Pap. A. O. 1320^ 
 
 THE THIRD EDITION CORRECTED. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for Edward and Charles Dillv 
 IN THE Poultry. 
 
 M DCC LXIX. 
 
Tr.'K 
 
LETTER 
 
 FROM 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 George lord Lyttelton 
 
 T O 
 
 James Boswell, esq^. 
 
 :56iC4 
 
London, Feb. 21, 1768. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I Think myfelf greatly obli- 
 ged to you, and defire you 
 to accept my mofl gi-ateful 
 thanks, for the valuable pre- 
 fent you have done me the ho- 
 nour to make me, of your Ac- 
 count of Corfica, which has 
 given me the pleafure of being 
 more perfedlly acquainted with 
 the greateft character of this 
 
 :<*Ji 
 
 eie4 
 
[ vx ] 
 age. I had oained fbine know- 
 ledge of it, before I faw your 
 book, from the letters of ano- 
 ther Eno;lifti o;entlenian on that 
 jRibjecl ; but you have added 
 many curious and interefling 
 particulars, which I have read 
 widi mvich delight and adinira- 
 tion. If I were a few years 
 younger, I would go in pilgri- 
 iT^age to Coriica (as you have 
 i^Qlie) to yifit this Uying imajfe 
 of ancient virtue, and to yene«. 
 rate in tlie ipind of P a s c 4 l 
 P A o J. I the ipirit of Tj mol ^-^ 
 
 43K ^nd EPA^I|1^05i[PA.S. But J 
 
 muft riow be contieiit with fc^^ 
 ing him \r\ your defcription, 
 the vivacity of which fliews, 
 that your h^^rt is ipflame^ 
 
C vu ] 
 with the (ame generous paflion 
 which glows fb brightly in his. 
 I wifli with you that our go- 
 veriinient had fliewn more re- 
 fpetSl for Corlican liberty, and 
 think it diigraces our nation 
 that we do not live in good 
 friendfliip with a brave people 
 eno;ao;ed in the nobleft of all 
 contells, a conteft againft ty« 
 ranny, and who have never 
 given us any caufe of com- 
 plaint. Befides fympathy of 
 {entiment, which is a natural 
 bond of union, we ought in po- 
 licy to fliew as much regard 
 for them, as the Genoefe, their 
 oppreffors, have fhewn for the 
 French, in our late wars with 
 that nation. 
 
[ viii ] 
 
 Believe me with fincere re- 
 gard and efteem, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your tnoft obedient 
 
 And obliged humble fervant, 
 
 LYTTELTON. 
 
DEDICATION 
 
 T O 
 
 PASCAL PAOLI 
 
 GENERAL OF 
 
 THE C ORS IC ANS. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 DEDICATIONS are for moft 
 part the offerings of in- 
 terefted fervility, or the effu- 
 fions of partial zeal ; enume- 
 rating the virtues of men in 
 whom no virtues can be 
 found, or predifting great- 
 nefs to thofe who afterwards 
 pafs their days in unambi- 
 tious indolence, and die leav- 
 ing no memorial of their ex- 
 iftence, but a dedication, in 
 
X DEDICATION. 
 
 which all their merit is con- 
 feffedly future, and which 
 time has turned into a filent 
 reproach. 
 
 He who has any experi- 
 ence of mankind, will be cau- 
 tious to whom he dedicates. 
 Publickly to bellow praife on 
 merit of which the publick is 
 not fenfible, or to raife flat- 
 tering expeftations which are 
 never fulfilled, muft fmk the 
 chara6ler of an authour, and 
 make him appear a cringing 
 parafite, or a fond enthufiaft. 
 
 I am under no apprehen- 
 fions of that nature, when I 
 infcribe this book to Pafcal 
 Paoli. Your virtues, Sir, 
 are univerfally acknowledg- 
 ed ; they dignify the pages 
 
DEDICATION. si 
 
 which I venture to prefent to 
 you; and it is my fmgular 
 feUcity, that my book is the 
 voucher pf its dedication. 
 
 In thus addrefling you, my 
 intention is not to attempt 
 your panegyrick. That may 
 in fome meafure be coUeOed 
 from my imperfeft labours. 
 But I wifh to exprefs to the 
 world, the admiration and 
 gratitude with which you 
 have infpired me. 
 
 This, Sir, is all the return 
 that I can make for the ma- 
 ny favours which you have 
 deigned to confer upon me. 
 I intreat you to receive it as 
 a teftimony of my difpofition. 
 I regret that I have neither 
 power nor intereft to enable 
 
2di DEDICATION. 
 
 me to render any effential 
 fervice to you and to the 
 brave Corficans. I can only 
 aflure you of the moft fer- 
 vent wifhes of a private gen- 
 tleman. I have the honour 
 to be, with all refpe6l and 
 affeftion, 
 
 s I R, 
 
 Your ever devoted, 
 
 Obliged humble fervant, 
 JAMES BOS WELL 
 
 Auchinleck, Ayrfhire, 
 29 Goober, 1767. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 TVT O apology fliall be made for prefent^ 
 ing the world with an Account of 
 Corfica. It has been for fome time ex- 
 pelled from me ; and I own that the ar- 
 dour of publick curiofity has both encou- 
 raged and intimidated me. On my re- 
 turn from viiiting Coriica, I found people 
 wherever I went, defirous to hear what I 
 could tell them concerning that ifland 
 and its inhabitants. Unwilling to repeat 
 my tale to every company, I thought it 
 beft to promife a book which fhould fpeak; 
 for me. 
 
 But I would not take upon rne to do 
 this, till I confulted with the General of 
 the nation. I therefore informed him of 
 my delign. His anfwer is perhaps too 
 flattering for me to pubhfh : but I muft 
 beg leave to give it as the licence and 
 fandlion of this work. 
 
 Paoli was pleafed to write to me thus : 
 * Non puo effer piu generofo il di lei di- 
 
xiv PREFACE. 
 
 fegno dl pubblicaAr colle ftampe le ofTerva- 
 ziOM che ha fatte fopra la Corlica. Ella 
 ne ha veduto la filica fituazione, ha potu- 
 t& efarriinare i coftumi degli ab-kantiy c 
 t^edcr dentra le mafTime del loro governo, 
 (S cm conofce lai coftittizio^ie'* Quefli po- 
 poh con entufiafeio di gratitudin'e iiniralft'- 
 ti!& il Hoto applatifa ^ quelle dell' Eufoprf 
 drfingannata. Nothing ca-ft be n?iore ge- 
 nerous than yo^r de%n to publifli th^ 
 6bfcrvations -which you have m»ade xipotl 
 €oflica. You h^ve {eeti its natni^ail fi^ta:- 
 tion, yoti hscte been able to f^udy th€ 
 manners of ks- inhabitants, and to fe^ hfir^ 
 tiwiateiy the mai^ims of their goYe:^n>- 
 inent, of which you know the con'Mth!!^* 
 d'on'. TRi^ people with an enthufiufni: of 
 gratitude, wiil' unite their' applaufe vrkt^ 
 t3iat of unxfeceivcd Europe/ 
 
 IMy firft intention was to give otfl/i 
 yfcw of the prefcnt ftaHe of Corficst, toge* 
 ther with Memoirs' of its illuftrious Ge> 
 neral. But by the adVice of fbirie learned- 
 friends, whofe judgement I refpedl, I eti- 
 larged my ipldLtx, and fixed on that of the 
 
PREFACE. XV 
 
 Execution of which the publick is now to 
 judge. 
 
 I had before mc two French books 
 exprcfsly written on Corfica. The one 
 ' Hifloire de I'lfle de Corfe, par M. G.D. C.^ 
 printed at Nancy in 1749. '^^^ other 
 ' Memoires Hiftoriques &c. par M. Jauf- 
 fin Ancien Apoticaire Major;' printed at 
 Laufan'ne in 1 758. From both of thofe 
 books I derived many ufeful materials. 
 The lad of them contains a full and fci- 
 entiiick detail of the natural hiftory of 
 tlie ifland, as alfb many letters, manifeA 
 toes and other papers : and both of them 
 contain a variety of particulars with re^ 
 ■gard to the operations of the French in 
 Corfica. I had alTo before me a pretty 
 large colleclion of remarks, which I had 
 committed to writing, while I was in the 
 ifland. 
 
 But I flill found my materials defici- 
 ent in many refpecls. I therefore applied 
 to my friends abroad ; and in the mean 
 time dirc(5led my ftudies to fuch books 
 as might furnifli me with any thing re« 
 
xYi PREFACE. 
 
 lative to the fubjecl. I am thus enabled 
 to lay before the world fuch An Account 
 of Corfica, as I flatter myfelf will give fome 
 fatisfadlion ; for, in comparifon of the ve- 
 ry little that has been hitherto known 
 concerning that ifland, this book may be 
 faid to contain a great deal. 
 
 It is indeed amazing that an ifland fb 
 confiderable, and in which fuch noble 
 things have been doing, fhould be fo im- 
 perfedily known. Even the fucceflion c^ 
 Chiefs has been unperceived ; and becaufe 
 we have read of Paoli being at the head of 
 the Corficans many years back, and Paoli 
 ftill appears at their head, the command 
 has been fuppofed all this time in the pcr- 
 fon of the fame man. Hence all our news- 
 papers have confounded the gallant Paf- 
 cal Paoli in the vigour of manhood, with 
 the venerable chief his deceafed Father 
 Giiicinto Paoli. Nay the fame errour has 
 found its way into the page of the hifto- 
 rian ; for Dr. Smollet when mentioning 
 Paoli at the fiege of Furiani a few years 
 ago, lays he was then paft fourfcor^. 
 
PREFACE. xvii 
 
 I would in the firfl place return my 
 moft humble thanks to Pafcal Paoli, for 
 the various communications with which 
 he has been pleafed to favour me ; and as 
 I have related his remarkable fayiiigs, I 
 declare upon honour, that I have neither 
 added nor diminifhed ; nay fo fcrupuious 
 have I been, that I would not ma.ke the 
 fmallefl: variation even when my friends 
 thought it would be an improvement. 
 I know with how much pleafure we read 
 what is perfectly authentick. 
 
 Count Rivarola was fo good as to re- 
 turn me full and diftin^ anfwers to a 
 ■variety of queries which I fent him with re- 
 gard to many particulars concerning Cor- 
 fica. I am much indebted to him for 
 this, iand particularly {b, from the obH- 
 ging manl?er in which he did it. 
 
 Th6J reverend Mr. Burnaby, chaplain 
 to the Britifli fa(5lory at Leghorn, made a 
 tour to Gorfica in 1766, at the fame time 
 with the honourable and reverend Mr. 
 Hervey now bifliop of Cloyne. Mr. Bur- 
 naby was abfent from Leghorn when J 
 
 h 
 
xviii PREFACE. 
 
 was there, fo I had not the pleafure of be- 
 ing perfonally known to him. But he with 
 great poUtenefs of his own accord, fent me 
 a copy of the Journal which he made of 
 what he obferved in Corlica. I had the 
 fatisfadlion to find that we agreed in every 
 thing which both of us had confidered. 
 But I found in his Journal, obfervations 
 on feveral things which I had omitted ; 
 and feveral things which I had remarked, 
 I found fet in a clearer light. As Mr. Bur- 
 naby was fo obliging as to allow me to 
 make what ufe I pleafed of his Journal, I 
 have freely interwoven it into my work. 
 
 I acknowledge my obligations to my 
 efteemed friend Sir John Dick, Bart, his 
 Britannick Majeily's Conful at Leghorn, to 
 Signor Gian Quilico Cafa Bianca, to the 
 learned Greek phyfician Signor Stefan o- 
 poli, to Colonel Buttafoco, and to the Ab- 
 be Roflini. Thefe gentlemen have all con- 
 tributed their aid in eredling my little mo- 
 nument to liberty. 
 
 I am alfb to thank an ingenious gentle- 
 man who has favoured me with the tranf- 
 
PREFACE. xix 
 
 lations of Seneca's Epigrams. I made ap- 
 plication for this favour, in the London 
 Chronicle ; and to the honour of litera- 
 ture, I found her votaries very liberal. Se- 
 veral tranflations were fent, of which I 
 took the liberty to prefer thofe which had 
 the fignature of Patricius, and which were 
 improved by another ingenious correfpon- 
 dent under the fignature of Plebeius. By 
 a fubfequent application I begged that Pa- 
 tricius would let me know to whom I was 
 obliged for what I confidered as a great 
 ornament to my book. He has complied 
 with my requefl ; and 1 beg leave in this 
 publick manner, to acknowledge that I 
 am indebted for thofe tranflations to Tho- 
 mas Day Efquire, of Berkfhire, a gentle- 
 man whofe fituation in life is genteel, and 
 his fortune affluent. I mufl add that al- 
 though his verfes have not only the fire 
 of youth, but the maturity and corredlnefs 
 
 of age, Mr. Day is no more than nine- 
 teen. 
 
 Nor can I omit to exprefs my fenfe of 
 
 the candour and politenefs with which 
 
 b 2 
 
XX 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Sir James Steuart received the remark 
 which I have ventured to make in op- 
 polition to a pafTage concerning the Corfi- 
 cans, in liis Inquiry into the Principles of 
 PoUtical Oeconomy. 
 
 I have fubmitted my book to the re- 
 vifal of feveral gentlemen who honour 
 me with their regard, and I am feniible 
 how much it is improved by their cor- 
 redlions. It is therefore my duty to re- 
 turn thanks to the reverend Mr. Wyvill 
 redour of Black Notely in EfTex, and to 
 my old and mofl intimate friend the re- 
 verend Mr. Temple redlour of Mamhead 
 in Devonfhire. I am alfo obliged to My 
 Lord Monboddo for many judicious re- 
 marks, which his thorough acquaintance 
 with ancient learning enabled him to 
 make. But I am principally indebted to 
 the indulgence and friendly attention of 
 My Lord Hailes, who under the name of 
 Sir David Dalrymple*, has been long 
 
 * It is the cuftom in Scotland to give the Judges of the 
 Court of Seflion the title of Lords by the names of their 
 eftates. Thus Mr. Burnett is Lord Monboddo, and Sir 
 David Dalryinple is Lord Hailes. 
 
PREFACE. xxi 
 
 known to the world as an able Antiqua- 
 rian, and an elegant and humourous Ef- 
 fayid ; to whom the world has no fault 
 but that he does not give them more of 
 his own writings, when they value them 
 fo highly. 
 
 I would however have it undeflood, 
 that although I received the corredlions 
 of my friends with deference, I have not 
 always agreed with them. An authour 
 ihould be glad to hear every candid re- 
 mark. But I look upon a man as unwor- 
 thy to write, who has not force of mind 
 to determine for himfelf. I mention this, 
 that the judgement of the friends I have 
 named may not be conlidered as con- 
 nected with every pafTage in this book. 
 
 Writing a book I have found to be like 
 building a houfe. A man forms a plan, 
 and colledls materials. He thinks he has 
 enough to raife a large and (lately edifice ; 
 but after he has arranged, compadled and 
 poliflied, his work turns out to be a very 
 fmall performance. The authour howe- 
 ver like the builder, knows how much 
 
xxil PREFACE. 
 
 labour his work has coft him ; and there- 
 fore eftimates it at a much higher rate 
 than other people think it deferves. 
 
 I have endeavoured to avoid an often- 
 tatious difplay of learning. By the idle 
 and the frivolous indeed, any appearance 
 of learning is called pedantry. But as I 
 do not write for fiich readers, I pay no 
 regard to their cenfures. Thofe by whom 
 I wifli to be judged, will I hope, approve 
 of my adding dignity to Corfica, by ihew- 
 ing its coniideration among the ancients, 
 and will not be difpleafed to find my page 
 fornetimes embellifhed with a feafonable 
 quotation from the Glaflicks. The tranf- 
 lations are afcribed to their proper au- 
 thours. "What are not fo afcribed are my 
 own. 
 
 It may be neceffary to fay fomething 
 in defence of my orthography. Of late 
 it has become the fafhion to render our 
 language more neat and trim by leaving 
 out k after c, and u in the lafl fyllable of 
 words which ufed to end in our. The il- 
 luftrious Mr. Samuel Johnfon, who has a^ 
 
PREFACE. xxiii 
 
 lone executed in England what was the 
 task of whole academies in other countries, 
 has been careful in his Didlionary to pre- 
 ferve the k as a mark of Saxon original. 
 He has for moft part too, been careful to 
 preferve the u, but he has alfo omitted it 
 in feveral words. I have retained the k, 
 and have taken upon me to follow a ge- 
 neral rule with regard to words ending 
 in our. Wherever a word originally Latin 
 has been tranfmitted to us through the 
 medium of the French, I have written it 
 with the charadleriftical u. An attention 
 to this may appear trivial. But I own I 
 am one of thofe who are curious in the 
 formation of language in its various 
 modes ; and therefore wifli that the affi- 
 nity of Englifli with other tongues may 
 not be forgotten. If this work Ihould at 
 any future period be reprinted, I hope 
 that care will be taken of my orthogra- 
 phy. 
 
 He who publifhes a book, afFecling 
 
 not to be an authour, and profeffing an 
 indifFerence for literary fame, may pof- 
 
 i^ 
 
xxiy PREFACE. 
 
 fibly impofe upon many people flich. ati 
 idea of his confequence as he wifhes 
 may be received. For my part, I ihould 
 be proud to be known as aqi authour ; 
 and I have an ardent ambition for litera^ 
 ry fame ; for of all pofTeflions I ihould ima- 
 gine literary fame to be the moft valuable. 
 A man who has been able to furnifh a 
 book which has been approved by the 
 world, has eflablifhed himfelf as a re- 
 fpedlable charadler in diitant fociety, with- 
 out any danger of having that character 
 leflened by the obfervation of his ^eak- 
 nefles. To prefer ve an uniform dignity 
 am^ong tLofe who fee us every day, is 
 hardly poiTible ; and to aim at it, mufl 
 put us under the fetters of a perpetual 
 reflraint. The authour of an approved 
 book may allow his natural diipolition 
 an eafy play, and yet indulge the pride 
 of fuperiour genius when he coniiders 
 that by thofe who know him only 
 as an authour, he never ceafes to be re- 
 fpe(5led. Such an authour when in his 
 hours of gloom and difcontent, may have 
 
PREFACE. XXV 
 
 ;the confolation to think that his writings 
 are at that very time giving pleafure to 
 numbers ; and ftich an authour may che- 
 rifh the hope of being remembered after 
 death, which has been a great objecH: to 
 the nobleft minds in all ages. 
 
 Whether I may merit any portion of 
 literary fame, the publick will judge. 
 Whatever my am.bition may be, I trvift 
 jthat m.y confidence is not too great, nor 
 fny hopes too fanguine. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 To the Third Edition. 
 
 T Now beg leave to prefcnt the world with 
 a more corredl edition of my Account 
 of Corlica. I return my iincere thanks to 
 thofe who have taken the trouble to point 
 out feveral faults, with a fpirit of candid 
 criticifm. I hope they will not be offend- 
 ed that in one or two places I have pre- 
 ferved my own reading, contrary to their 
 opinion ) as I never would own that I am 
 wrong, till I am convinced that it is {o. 
 My orthography I have fufficiently ex- 
 plained ; and although fome pleafantry has 
 been fliewn, I have not met with one ar- 
 gument againft it. 
 
 In juftice to Mr. Burnaby, I muft ob- 
 ferve, that the erroneous tranflation of a 
 pafTage in Livy, which is corrected in this 
 edition, page 64, was mine ; it being no 
 
xxviii PREFACE. 
 
 part of his Journal, in which the original 
 text only was quoted. In comparing the 
 former editions with this, it will appear 
 that my firfl tranflation renders the mean- 
 ing of Livy, but does not convey the turn 
 of exprefTion, as I hope I have now done. 
 
 While I have a proper fenfe of my obli- 
 gations to thofe who have treated me with 
 candour, I do not forget that there have 
 been others who have chofen to treat mc 
 in an illiberal manner. The refentment 
 of fome has evidently arifen from the 
 grateful admiration which I have exprelTed 
 of Mr. Samuel Johnfon. Over fuch, it is 
 a triumph to me, to aflure them, that I ne- 
 ver ceafe to think of Mr. Johnfon, with the 
 fame warmth of afFeclion, and the fame 
 dignity of veneration. The refentment of 
 others it is more difficult to explain. For 
 what fliould make men attack one who 
 never offended them, who has done his 
 befl to entertain them, and who is enga- 
 ged in the moft generous caufe ? But I am 
 told by thofe who have gone before me in 
 
PREFACE. xxit 
 
 literamre, that the attacks of fuch flioiild 
 rather flatter me, than give me difplea- 
 fure. 
 
 To thofe who have hnaghied themfelves 
 very witty in fneering at me for being a 
 Chriftian, I wonld recommend the ferious 
 ftudy of Theology, and I hope they will 
 attain to the fame comfort that I have, in 
 the belief of a Revelation by which a Sa- 
 viour is proclamed to the world, and 
 " life and immortality are clearly brought 
 " to light." 
 
 I am now to return thanks to My Lord 
 Lyttelton, for being fo good as to allow me 
 to enrich my book with one of his Lord- 
 fhip's letters to me. I was indeed moft 
 anxious that it fhould be pubUfhed ; as it 
 contains an eulogium on Pafcal Paoli, 
 equal to any thing that I have foimd in 
 the writings of antiquity. Nor can I deny 
 that I was very defirous to ihew the world 
 that this worthy and refpedlablc Noble- 
 man, to whom genius, learning and vir- 
 
XXX PREFACE. 
 
 tue owe fo much, can amidft all his 
 literary honours be pleafed with what I 
 have been able to write. 
 
 May I be permitted to fay that the fuc- 
 cefs of this book has exceeded my warm- 
 ed hopes. When I firfl ventured to fend 
 it into the world, I fairly owned an ardent 
 defire for literary fame. I have obtained 
 my defire : and whatever clouds may over- 
 cafl my days, I can now walk here among 
 the rocks and woods of my anceftors, with 
 an agreeable confcioufnefs that I have done 
 fomething worthy. 
 
 AucHiNLECK, Ayrshire, 
 29 Odobcr, 1768. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 A 
 
 Letter from the Right Honourable George 
 Lord Lyttelton to James Bofwell, Efq; 
 
 page iii 
 
 Introduftion. 33 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Of the Situation, Extent, Air, Soil, and Pro- 
 dudions, ofCorfica. 43 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 A concife View of the Revolutions which Corfi- 
 ca has undergone from the earlieft times. Z^j 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The prefent State of Corfica, with refped to 
 Government, Religion, Arms, Commerce, 
 Learning, the Genius and Charafter of its 
 Inhabitants. 1 73 
 
 Appendix, containing Corfican State Papers. 
 
 265 
 
 The Journal of a Tour to Corfica ; and Me- 
 nioirs of Pafcal Paoh, 285 
 
r*«--4. 
 
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A N 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 O F 
 
 CORSICA. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 T IBERTYisfo natural, and fo dear to 
 •^^ mankind, whether as individuals, or as 
 members of fociety, that it is indifpenfibly ne- 
 ceflary to our happinefs. Every thing great and 
 worthy arifeth from it. Liberty gives health to 
 the mind, and enables us to enjoy the full exer- 
 cife of our faculties. He who is in chains cannot 
 move either eafily or gracefully -, nothing elegant 
 or noble can be expecfted from thofe, whofe fpi- 
 rits are fubdued by tyranny, and whofe powers 
 are cramped by reftraint. 
 
 There are, indeed, who from the darkeft pre- 
 judice, or moft corrupt venality, would endeavour 
 
 A 
 
34 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 to reafon mankind out of their original and ge- 
 nuine feelings, and perfuade them to fubftitute ar- 
 tificial fentiment in place of that which is implant 
 ed by God and Nature. They would maintain, 
 that flavery will from habit become eafy, and, that 
 mankind are truly better, when under confine- 
 ment and fubjedlion to the arbitrary will of a few. 
 
 Such dodrine at this, could never have gained 
 any ground, had it been addreffed to calm rea- 
 fon alone. Its partifans therefore have found it 
 neceilary to addrefs themfelves to the imagina- 
 tion and palTions ; to call in the aid of enthufi- 
 afm and fuperftition ; in fome countries to inftill 
 a ftrange love and attachment to their fovereigns -, 
 and in others to propogate certain myftical noti- 
 ons, which the mind of man is wonderfully rea- 
 dy to receive, of a divine right to rule -, as if their 
 fovereigns had defcended from heaven. This laft 
 idea has been cherifhed for ages, from the ' Cara 
 Deum foboles. The beloved offspring of the 
 Gods,' among the Romans, to thofe various ele- 
 vated and endearing epithets, which modern na- 
 tions have thought proper to bellow upon their 
 fovereigns. 
 
 But whatever fophifms may be devifed in fa- 
 vour of flavery, patience under it, can never be 
 any thing but ' the effed of a fickly conftitutiojn, 
 
INTRODUCTION. 35 
 
 ' which creates a lazinefs and defpondency, that 
 
 * puts men beyond hopes and fears : mortifying 
 ' ambition, and other aftive qualities, which 
 
 * freedom begets •, and inftead of them, affording 
 ' only a dull kind of pleafure, of being carelefs 
 ' and infenfible {a).* 
 
 There is no doubt, but by entering into focie- 
 ty, mankind voluntarily give up a part of their 
 natural rights, and bind themfelves to the obe- 
 dience of laws, calculated for the general good. 
 But, we muft diftinguilh between authority, and 
 cpprefTion ; between laws, and capricious dic- 
 tates •, and keeping the original intention of go- 
 vernment ever in view, we fliould take care that 
 no more reftraint be laid upon natural liberty, 
 than what the neteflities of fociety require. 
 
 Perhaps the limits between the power of go- 
 vernment, and the liberty of the people, fhould 
 not be too ftriftly marked out. Men of tafte rec- 
 kon that picture hard, where the outhnes are fo 
 flrong, as to be clearly feen. They admire a piece 
 of painting, where the colours are delicately blend- 
 ed, and the tints, which point out every particu- 
 lar objefl, arc foftened into each other, by an in- 
 fenfible gradation. So in a virtuous ftate, there 
 fhould be fuch a mutual confidence between the 
 
 (^) My lord Molefworth's Account of Denmark, p. 69. 
 
 A 2 
 
g6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 government and the people, that the rights of 
 each fliould not be exprefsly defined. 
 
 But flagrant injuftice, on one fide or other, 
 is not to be concealed ; and, without queflion, it 
 is the privilege of the fide that is injured, to vin- 
 dicate itfelf. 
 
 I have been led into thefe reflexions from a 
 confideration of the arguments by which ingeni- 
 ous men in the refinement of politicks have en- 
 deavoured to amufe mankind, and turn away 
 their attention from the plain and fimple notions 
 of liberty. 
 
 Liberty is indeed the parent of felicity, of eve- 
 ry noble virtue, and even of every art and fcience. 
 Whatever vain attempts have been made to raife 
 the generous plants under an opprefllve chmate, 
 have only fhewn more evidently the value of 
 freedom. 
 
 It is therefore no wonder that the world has 
 at all times been roufed at the mention of liber- 
 ty ', and that we read with admiration and a vir- 
 tuous enthufiafm, the gallant achievements of 
 thofe who have diftinguiftied themfelves in the 
 glorious caufe, and the hiftory of fl:ates who were 
 animated with the principle of freedom, and made 
 it the bafis of their conftitution. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 37 
 
 Should any one tranfmit to pofterity the an- 
 nals of an cnllaved nation, we fhould fleep over 
 whole ages of the humbling detail. Every thing 
 would be fo poor, fo tame, and fo abje(5l, that 
 one might as well perufe the records of a prifon- 
 houfe. 
 
 But we have a manly fatisfaflion in reading 
 the hiftory of the ancient Romans ; even abflraft- 
 ing from their eonnedions and their broils with 
 other ftates. Their internal progrefs alone af- 
 fords ample matter of fpeculation to a judicious 
 and fpirited obferver of human nature. We love 
 to trace the various fprings of their conduft, and 
 of their advancement in civilization. We con- 
 template with pleafure the ferments between the 
 patricians and plebeians, the ftrong exertions of 
 rude genius, the vigorous exercifes and hardy 
 virtues of men uncontrouled by timid fubjedion. 
 
 They who entertain an extravagant veneration 
 for antiquity, would make us believe, that the 
 divine fire of liberty has been long ago exhaufted, 
 and that any appearances of it which are to be 
 found in modern times, are but feeble and dim. 
 They would make us believe that the world is 
 grown old, that the ftrength of human nature is 
 decayed, and that we are no more to exped: thofe 
 
38 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 noble powers which dignified men in former 
 ages. 
 
 But the truth is, that human nature is the fame 
 at all times, and appears in different lights merely 
 from a difference of circumflances. In the lan- 
 guage of the fchoolmen, the fubftance is fixed, 
 the accidents only vary. Rome has yet the feven 
 hills on which the conquerors of the world dwelt, 
 and thefe are inhabited by Romans. Athens 
 ftill occupies the fpace from whence philofophy 
 and genius difFuled a radiance to all the nation? 
 around, and is pofTeffed by Athenians. But 
 neither of thefe people now retain any refem- 
 blance of their illuflrious anceftors ; this is entire- 
 ly owing to the courfe of political events, which 
 has produced a total change in their manners. 
 
 That the fpirit of liberty has flourifhed in mo- 
 dern times, we may appeal to the hiftories of the 
 Swifs, and of the Dutch ; and the boldeft proofs 
 of it are to be found in the annals of our own 
 country. 
 
 But a mofl diftinguifhed example of it adlually 
 exifls in the illand of Corfica. There, a brave an4 
 refolute nation, has now for upwards of fix and 
 thirty years, maintained a conftant ilruggle againft 
 the opprefTion of the republick of Genoa. Thefe 
 valiant iHanders were for a long time looked upon 
 
INTRODUCTION. 39 
 
 as an inconfiderable band of malecontents, as a 
 diforderly troop of rebels, who would fpeedily be 
 compelled to refume thofe chains which they had 
 frowardly Hiaken off. They have however con- 
 tinued fteady to their purpofe. Providence has 
 favoured them -, and Europe now turns her eyes 
 upon them, and with aftonifhment fees them on 
 the eve of emancipating themfelves for ever from 
 a foreign yoke, and becoming a free and inde- 
 pendent people. 
 
 Libcrtas quae fera tamen relpexit 
 
 Refpexit tamen et longo poft tempore venit. 
 
 ViRG. Eclog. I. 
 When a long age of vent'rous toil was paft, 
 Celtftial freedom bleft their ifle at laft. 
 
 The fmallnefs of the Corfican ftate does not 
 render it lefs an objed of admiration. On the 
 contrary, we ought to admire it the more. The 
 ingenious Mr. Hum.e (a) hath fhewn \\s, that 
 Rhodes, Thebes, and many of the famous an- 
 cient ftates were not fo numerous as the people of 
 Corfica now are. If the ten thoufand Greeks have 
 gained immortal honour, becaufe they were op- 
 pofed to the armies of the Perfian monarch, Shall 
 not the Corficans be found deferving of glory, 
 who have let themfelves againft a republick, which 
 («) EfHiy on the populoufnels of ancient nations. 
 
40 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 has been aided at different times by the power of 
 France, and by that of the empire of Germany ? 
 
 The Corficans have been obliged to (hew par- 
 ticular force of fpirit. The Swils and the Dutch 
 were both afTifted by powerful nations in the re- 
 covery of their liberties : but during the long and 
 bloody war which Corfica has carried on, the Pow« 
 ers of Europe, who might be fuppofed friendly to 
 her, have flood aloof, and fhe has fingle and un^ 
 fupported, weathered the ftorm, and arrived at; 
 the degree of confequence which fhe now holds. 
 
 To give an account of this ifland, is what I 
 am now to attempt. The attempt is furely lau- 
 dable ; and I am perfuaded that my readers will 
 grant me every indulgence, when they confider 
 how favourable is the fubje<5t. They will confi- 
 der that I am the firft Briton who has had the 
 curiofity to vifit Corfica, and to receive fuch infor- 
 mation as to enable him to form a juft idea of it ; 
 and they will readily make allowance for the en- 
 thufiafm of one who has been among the brave 
 iflanders, when their patriotick virtue is at its 
 height, and who has felt as it were a communi- 
 cation of their fpirit. 
 
 The plan which I have prefcribed to myfelf 
 is, to give a Geographical and Phyfical defcriptioq 
 pf the 'flandj that my readers may b^ mad? ag-. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 41 
 
 quainted with the country which in thefc latter 
 days has produced fo heroick a race of patriots. 
 To exhibit a concife view of the Revolutions it 
 has undergone from the earlieft times, which will 
 prepare the mind, and throw light on the fequel. 
 To Ihew the Prefent State of Corfica j and to fub- 
 join my Journal of a Tour to that ifland, in 
 which I relate a variety of anecdotes, and treafure 
 up many memoirs of the illuftrious General of the 
 
 Corficans Memorabilia Paoli. 
 
 I do moft fincerely declare, that I feel myfelf 
 inferiour to the tafk. But I hope the fketch which 
 I give, will be of fome immediate fervice, and will 
 induce others to execute a more perfe<5l plan. I 
 Ihall be happy if I contribute in a certain degree 
 to give the world a juft idea of Corfica, and to in- 
 tereft the generous in its favour j and I would adopt 
 for this work a fimple and beautiful infcription on 
 the front of the Palazzo Tolomei at Siena, 
 
 Qiiod potiii feci ; faclant meliora potentes. 
 I've done my beft ; let abler men do mofe. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of the Situation^ Extent^ Air^ Soil, and Pro- 
 di'Mions, of Corsica. 
 
 /^ O R S I C A is an ifland of the Mediterranean 
 ^""'^ fea, fituated between the 41 and 43 de- 
 gree of north latitude, and between the 8 and 10 
 degree of eaft longitude, reckoning from London. 
 It hath on the north the Ligurian fea, and gulf 
 of Genoa. On the eaft, the Tufcan fea ; on the 
 fouth, a ftrait of ten miles which feparates it from 
 Sardinia ; and on the weft the Mediterranean. It 
 is about 100 miles fouth of Genoa, and 80 
 fouth- weft of Leghorn, from whence it can plain- 
 ly be feen when the weather is clear. It is 150 
 miles in length, and from 40 to 50 in breadth, 
 being broadeft about the middle. It is reckoned 
 322 miles in circumference ; but an exad mea- 
 furement round it would extend to 500 miles, 
 as it is edged with many promontories, and with 
 a variety of bays. 
 
/ 
 
 44 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Pliny the elder hath given ns a fhort, but very 
 accurate account of the geography of Corfica j 
 ' In Liguflico mari eft Corfica quam Graeci Cyr- 
 ' non appellavere, fed Thufco proprior, a fepten- 
 ' trione in meridiem projedla, longa pafTuum CL 
 ' millia,lata majore ex parte L,circuituCCCXXII, 
 ' civit^tes habet XXXIII et colonias Marianam a 
 
 * Mario dedu6lam, Aleriam a didatore Sylla (a). 
 ' In the Ligurian fea, but nearer to Tufcany than 
 
 * to Liguria, is Corfica, which the Greeks called 
 
 * Cyrnus. It extendeth from north to fouth, and 
 
 * is about 1 50 miles in length, for the moll part 
 ' 50 in breadth, and 322 in circumference. It 
 ' hath 3 3 ftates and two colonies, Mariana found- 
 
 * ed by Marius, and Aleria founded by the di6la- 
 ' tor Sylla.' Of thefe 33 ftates, not above five 
 or fix can now be traced •, and the colonies are 
 only to be marked by their ruins. But the ufual 
 fidelity of Pliny is to be credited in this account. 
 Pomponius Mela (h) defcribes the fituation of 
 Corfica, as does Ptolemy (c), 
 
 Seneca the philofopher hath left us two moft 
 horrid piftures of Corfica, very falfe indeed, but 
 executed with uncommon ftrength of fancy and 
 cxpreflion. Stoick as he was, of a grave and fe- 
 
 {a) Plin. Nat. Hift. lib. ii. cap. 6. {!>) Pomp. Mel. 
 
 lib. ii. cap. 7. {c) Ptol, Geog. lib. iii. cap. 2. 
 
OF CORSICA. 45 
 
 vere demeanour, he did not efcape the Emperour's 
 jealoufy, but being accufed as one of the many 
 gallants with whom the profligate Julia had been 
 guilty of adultery, he was banifhed to Corfica, 
 where he remained for feven years -, and where 
 in the province of Capo Corfo they flill Ihew an 
 old ruin called ' II torre di Seneca, Seneca's Tower.' 
 Here he compofed his books De Confolatione to 
 Polybius, and to his mother Helvia, with feveral 
 other works ; and here he indulged his fretted 
 imagination in the following epigrams, 
 
 h 
 
 Corfica Phocaeo tellus habitata colono, 
 
 Corfica quae Graio nomine Cyrnus eras : 
 Corfica Sardinia brevior, porre(5tior Ilva ; 
 
 Corfica pilcofis per\ia fluminibus : 
 Corfica terribilis quum primum incanduit aeftas ; 
 
 Saevior, oftendit quum ferus ora canis : 
 Parce relegatis, hoc eft, jam parce lepultis, 
 
 Vivorum cineri fit tua terra levis. 
 
 O fea-girt Corfica ! whole rude domains, 
 Firft own'd the culture of Phocaean fwains ; 
 Cyrnus, fince thus the Greeks thy ifieexprefs. 
 Greater than Ilva, than Sardinia lefs ; 
 O Corfica ! whofe winding rivers feed, 
 Unnumber'd as their fands, the finny breed : 
 
46 A N A C C O UN T 
 
 O Corfica ! whofe raging heats diiJnay, 
 When firft returning fummer pours her ray ; 
 Yet fiercer plagues thy fcorching fliores dilpenfe. 
 When Sirius fheds his baneful influence : 
 Spare, fpare the banifh'd ! fpare, fince fuch his doom, 
 A wretch, who living, feeks in thee a tomb ! 
 Light lay thy earth, in pity to his pains. 
 Light lay thy earth upon his lad remains. 
 
 Day. 
 
 n. 
 
 Barbara praeruptis inclufa eft Corfica faxis; 
 
 Horrida, defertis undique vafta locis. 
 Non poma autumnus, fegetes non educat aeftas j 
 
 Canaque Palladio numere bruma caret; 
 Umbrarum nuUo ver eft laetabile foetu, 
 
 Nullaque in infaufto nafcitur herba folo : 
 Non panis, non hauftus aquae, non ultimus ignis. 
 
 Hie fola haec duo funt, exful, et exfilium. 
 
 O ! Corfica, whom rocks terrific bound. 
 Where nature fpreads her wildeft defarts round. 
 In vain revolving feafons cheer thy foil. 
 Nor rip'ning fruits, nor waving harvefts Cnilc : 
 Nor blooms the oli\fe mid the winter drear; 
 The votive olive to Minerva dear. 
 See, fpring returning, Ipreads her milder reign ! 
 Yet (hoots no herb, no verdure clothes the plain. 
 No cooling (prings to quench the traveller's thirft 
 From thy parch'd hills in grateful murmurs burft ; 
 Nor, haplefs ifle! thy barren fiiores around. 
 Is wholefome food, fair Ceres' bounty, found. 
 
OF CORSICA. 47 
 
 Nor ev'n the laft fad gift, the wretched claim, 
 Tlie pile funereal, and the (acred flame. 
 Nought here, a.las ! furrounding feas enclole. 
 Nought but an exile, and an exile's woes. 
 
 Day. 
 
 He hath alfo vented his fpleen againft the place 
 of his exile, in the fame extravagant manner, in 
 his books De Confolatione. But we muft confi- 
 der, that notwithftanding all the boafted firmnefs 
 of Seneca, his mind was then clouded with me- 
 lancholy, and every objed around him appeared 
 in meful colours. 
 
 Corfica is, in reality, a moft agreeable ifland. 
 It had from the ancient Greeks the name of 
 K«AXtrii,Callifba, on account of its beauty; and we 
 may believe it was held in confiderable eftimation, 
 fince Callimachus places it next to his favourite 
 Delus, 
 
 H ^ oifjSeI' ^outco'cc (i,i~ '/%iia Ki'po; ottyi^iT 
 
 Ovx ovorr' Callim. Hymn, in Del. 1. i^. 
 
 Next in the rank, Phoenician Cyrnus came, 
 A fruitful ifle, of no ignoble name. 
 
 It is charmingly fituated in the Mediterranean, 
 from whence continual breezes fan and cool it in 
 fummer, and the furrounding body of water keeps 
 it warm in winter, fo that it is one of the moft 
 
48 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 temperate countries in that quarter of Europe. Its 
 air is frefh and healthful, except in one or two 
 places, which are moift, and where the air, eipe- 
 cially in fummer, is fuffocating and fickly ; but in 
 general, the Corficans breathe a pure atmofphere, 
 which is alfo keen enough to brace their fibres 
 more than one would expedl under fo warm a fun. 
 
 Corfica has indeed been pretty generally re- 
 prefented as unwholefome, which, I fuppofe, has 
 been owing to the bad report given of it by the 
 Romans, who eftablilhed their colonies at Aleria 
 and Mariana, which from their damp fituation, 
 occafioned a great death among the inhabitants, 
 and accordingly thefe colonies foon went to ruin. 
 But all the interiour parts of the Ifland have very 
 good air. 
 
 Corfica is remarkably well furniihed with good 
 harbours, fo that we may apply to it what Florus 
 fays of the Campania, * Nihil hofpitalius mari (a). 
 Nothing more hofpitable to the fea.* It has on 
 the north Centuri. On the weft San Fiorenzo, 
 Ifola RofTa, Calvi, Ajaccio. On the South it has 
 Bonifaccio. And on the eaft Porto Vecchio, Ba- 
 ftia, and Macinajo. Of each of thefe I fhall give 
 fome account. 
 
 {a) Flor. Lib. i. Cap. i6. 
 
OF CORSICA. 49 
 
 Centuri, though at prefent but a fmall harbour, 
 may be greatly enlarged, as its fituation is very 
 convenient. 
 
 San Fiofenzo is an extenfive gulf. It runs 
 about fifteen miles up into the country, and is 
 about five miles acrofs, and many fathom deep. 
 The gulf itfelf hath often a violent furge, being 
 expofed to the wellerly winds ; but there are feve- 
 tal creeks and bays, particularly on the fouth 
 fide of it, which are quite fecure. There is a 
 bay under the tower of Fornali, about two miles 
 from San Fiorenzo, which is highly efleemed, 
 and where velTels of confiderable burden may be 
 fafely ftationed. 
 
 Ifola Rofl^a is but a little harbour ; but has a 
 confiderable depth of water, and is defended by 
 a fmall ifland againft the wellerly winds. They 
 talk of erecting a mole to lock it in on every quar- 
 ter. It is at prefent one of the principal ports for 
 Commerce in the pofTeiTion of the Corficans. 
 
 Calvi (a) is a large and excellent harbour. 
 Cluverius calls it * Celeberrimus infulae por- 
 
 (rt) Poftletliwayt, in his tranflation of Savary's Diclionaiy 
 of Trade and Commerce, has a moft abfurd obfervation con- 
 cerning Calvi: ' Its inhabitants,' fays he, ' are called 
 Calves.' Who told him this? What connexion is there 
 
 B 
 
50 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 tus (h)^ The moft famous port of this ifland.' 
 The only objeftion I ever heard made to it, was 
 by a French Gentleman, who told me, that the 
 bottom of it was full of fharp rocks, which were 
 apt to cut the cables of fhips which entered it : 
 and he inftanced one of the tranfports, which had 
 landed fome of the French troops in the year 
 1764. He however was under a miftake ; for 
 I have been at pains to enquire very particularly 
 concerning this, and am informed from the beft 
 authority, that there is nothing to fear from 
 rocks at Calvi, and that the French tranfport 
 which fuffered a little there, happened to be run 
 foul of, by fome of the reft, which was the oc- 
 cafion of any damage it fuftained. 
 
 Ajaccio is a wide and commodious harbour, 
 with a good mole, and perfe<5lly fafe. It wants 
 only to have a fmall rock in front of the mole 
 removed, which might be done at no great 
 charge. 
 
 Corfica hath alfo in this quarter feveral fmaller 
 havens, which are ufeful for the reception of 
 little veflels. 
 
 between the Englifh word Calves and the Italian word Cal- 
 vi ? Perhaps he intended it as wit. If fo, how clumfy are 
 the jefts of this Lexicographer ! 
 
 {h) Cluver. Corlic. Antiq. 
 
OFCORSICA. 51 
 
 Bonifaccio is an ufeful harbour, much fre- 
 quented fince the oldeft times, and very fit for 
 trade. 
 
 Baftia is not a port of the firft confideration, as 
 fhips of v/ar cannot enter ir. But it hath a mole 
 for the convenience of fmall vefTels, for which it 
 is very well fitted. The iflands of Gorgona, 
 Capraja, and Ilva, or the Elbe, are placed at no 
 great diftance in the fea which rolls between the 
 eaft coaft of Corfica and Tufcany, with the Pope's 
 dominions ; fo that fmall vefTels can never be at 
 a lofs for protedion, fhould any fudden ftorm 
 come upon them,, as they can run Into any of 
 thefe iflands. 
 
 Macinajo is not one of the principal harbours 
 in Corfica, though it is very fafe and commo- 
 dious for vefTels of a light conftruftion. I men- 
 tion Macinajo, becaufe it was from thence that 
 the expedition fet fail againft Capraja, as will be 
 afterwards feen. 
 
 Diodorus Siculus celebrates Corfica for the ex- 
 cellency of its harbours : Aut»? S\ v i/*i<ro? £uV^oVo^- 
 
 2u^ix)t8(r»oi/ (a), ' The ifland being of very eafy 
 accefs, has a moft beautiful port, called the Sy- 
 
 (^) Diodor. Sicul. lib. v, 
 
 B z 
 
•52 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 racufian.' This, which was anciently called the 
 Syracufian, has now the name of Porto Vecchio 5 
 of which it is proper to take particular notice. 
 
 Porto Vecchio is a fpacious haven, capable of 
 containing a very large fleet. It is five miles long, 
 above a mile and a half broad, has a great depth 
 of water, and a good bottom, and being land- 
 locked on every fide, is well Iheltered from 
 ftorms. I may add, that nature has placed a high 
 and rocky mountain like a fiately column to point 
 it out at a great diftance. In fhort, Porto Vec- 
 chio may vie with the mofl dillinguillied harbours 
 in Europe. 
 
 The only objeftion to it, is the badnefs of its 
 air, occafioned by the marfhy grounds which lie 
 in its neighbourhood. But this difadvantage may 
 be remedied, as has been done at Leghorn. 
 ' The country about Leghorn was formerly a vile 
 ' morafs or rather quagmire, the noxious fleams 
 ' of which rendered the air unwholefome ; but 
 
 * by the (kill and pains of an Eriglifhman, Sir 
 
 * Robert Dudley, fon to Queen Elizabeth's po- 
 ' tent favourite the Earl of Leicefter, the foil 
 ' was rendered habitable, the air much lefs un- 
 ' wholefome, and the port improved, 10 as to 
 ' become the beft in Italy (^ j/ 
 
 (^) Prefent State of Europe, p. 411. 
 
OFCORSICA. 53 
 
 From this account of the harbours of Corfica, 
 it will appear of how great confequence an alliance 
 with this ifland might be to any of the maritime 
 powers of Europe. For, a fleet flationed there 
 might command the navigation of Genoa, Tuf- 
 cany, and the ecclefiaftical ftate, that between 
 Spain and Naples, and a good ihare of that to the 
 Levant-, not to mention its influence over that of 
 Sardinia. And it may be material to obferve, that 
 vefl^els fl:ationed in the ports of Corfica might be 
 formidable to France, as the weftern fide of the 
 ifland is direftly oppoflte to the extenfive coafl: of 
 Provence, on which a defcent might be made with 
 cruifers in a very fliort time. 
 
 The northern point of Corfica, called Capo 
 Corfo (h), is about 30 miles long, very mountain- 
 ous and rocky, but covered with vines and olives. 
 
 There are, in feveral parts of the ifland, but 
 particularly in Capo Corfo, a great many ancient 
 towers, built about three or four hundred years 
 ago, to defend the inhabitants againfl: the incurfi- 
 ons of the Turks and other pirates. There is there 
 a little village called Tomino, fl:rong by fituation. 
 
 {b) There is a place in Guinea, which has alfo the name of 
 Capo Corfo: I know not from what. Cluver. Geog. p. ^t^j. 
 
54 A N A C C O U N T 
 
 The Genoefe have made feveral attacks upon ic 
 during the late troubles, but were never able to 
 carry it. The inhabitants are very defervedly proud 
 of this. They fhew, with particular triumph, a 
 fhell which the enemy threw into their village, to 
 oblige them to furrender. They have placed it 
 in a niche on the outfide of their church, to ferve 
 as a memorial of their deliverance, and to infpire 
 them with greater zeal and devotion when they ga 
 to divine worlhip. 
 
 From Tomino eaft to Baflia, is about 26 miles 
 of a country much diverfified with hills, and 
 abounding in fprings. On the coail are a number 
 of poor fiiliing towns, and a little up the country, 
 there are feveral villages or hamlets prettily 
 fituated. 
 
 Baflia has of a long time been reckoned the 
 capital of Corfica. It was here that the Genoefe 
 held the feat of their fovereign power : and indeed 
 Baflia is llill the largeft town in the ifland. It ha^ 
 a Hately appearance from the fea, being byil^ oa 
 the declivity of a hill •, though upon entering the 
 town, one is a good deal difappointed j for thq 
 houfes are in o-eneral ill built, and the ftreets nar- 
 row, and from the fituation of the town, are ne- 
 ceffarily very fleep. There are however feveral 
 pretty good buildings here. It hath a caflle, which 
 
OFCORSICA. 55 
 
 commands the town and harbour, which, though 
 hut a forry fortification at prefent, is capable of 
 being made a place of confiderable ftrength, as it 
 hath a range of hills behind it, on which little re- 
 doubts might be ere6led ; and with thefe, and a 
 few fubftantial outworks towards the fea, it might 
 Hand a pretty long fiege. The caftle is properly 
 on a ieparate territory, called terra nuova, the 
 New Land, as is alfo the cathedral of Baflia, 
 which .has nothing very remarkable. It belongs 
 €0 the bilhoprick of Mariana. 
 
 The church of St. John in this city, by no 
 means an inelegant building, belongs to the Je- 
 fuits, who have here a college. Their garden is 
 finely fituated, large, and well laid out. This they 
 owe in a great meafure to the French, who have 
 been ftationed in Corfica at different times. From 
 them the inhabitants have learned much of what 
 they know of tke arts and conveniences of life. 
 There is here a convent of Lazarifts or mifliona- 
 ries, a vaft and magnificent houfe, almofl over- 
 hanging the fea. The convent of the Francifcans, 
 and that of the Capuchins, are fituated on the 
 rifing grounds behind Baftia. The lafl flands in 
 a beautiful expofure, and has really a very pretty 
 front. 
 
56 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 From Baftia fouth to beyond Aleria, is one 
 continued plain, between 50 and 60 miles in 
 length, proper for raifing all forts of grain, as well 
 as for paftiirage. 
 
 I fay nothing of the ruins of Mariana and A- 
 leria, the two Roman colonies which ftood on 
 this plain -, for as Corfiea was much difregarded 
 by the Romans, they did not think it worthy of 
 having any of their tafte and magnificence em- 
 ployed in it : fo there are no veftiges of ancient 
 grandeur. As however, even the dregs of the 
 Rom.ans could not be without fome fl<ill in the 
 arts, feveral antiques, fuch as rings, and feals with 
 engravings on precious ftones have been found 
 here, and Ibmetimes pretty good ones. The ruins 
 of an old town called Nicea, faid to be built by 
 the Ktrufcans, are ftill to be feen on this plain, 
 but without any thing remarkable. 
 
 Beyond Aleria the country rifes into fmall hillsj 
 proper for vines, olives, mulberry trees, and many 
 cf them for corn. It is traverfed by fome ridge$ 
 of mountains, upon which, not far from Porto 
 Vecchio, are great numbers of very fine oaks, the 
 bell being to be found here, and at Campoloro. 
 A rich waved country with fome few interrupti- 
 ons, reaches along the eafb and fouth coails to 
 Bonifaccioj wh^ch is a pretty confiderable town, 
 
OF CORSICA. s7 
 
 well inhabited, and ftrongly fortified ; and from 
 thence is continued to the plain of Ajaccio. 
 
 Ajaccio is the prettieft town in Corfica. It 
 hath many very handfome ftreets, and beautiful 
 walks •, a citadel, and a palace for the Genoefe go- 
 vernour. The inhabitants of this town are t'ht 
 genteeleft people in the ifland, having had a good 
 deal of intercourfe with the French. In Ajaccio 
 are the remains of a colony of Greeks fettled in 
 Corfica, of which colony a particular accouiu 
 fhall be given in the next chapter. 
 
 From the plain of Ajaccio, after pafling fomc 
 more ridges, you advance along the well fhore to 
 the provinces of Balagna and Nebbio, which are 
 very rich, and afford an agreeable profpedt, parti- 
 cularly Balagna, which may be called the garden 
 of Corfica, being higfily favoured by nature, and 
 having alfo had in a fuperiour degree the advan- 
 tages of cultivation. 
 
 You next arrive at San Fiorenzo, which is but 
 an inconfiderable place, and of no great ftrength. 
 About a quarter of a mile to the fouthward of the 
 town, are fome low marlliy grounds, which make 
 San Fiorenzo fo fickly, that few people choofe 
 to inhabit it, and the garrifon there muft be chang- 
 ed every month. 
 
58 AN ACCOUNT. 
 
 On the northern fhore of the gulf, are two or 
 three villages, of which the principal is Nonza. 
 This is properly the key of Capo Corfo •, becaufe 
 from the cape into the interiour parts of the iflancj 
 on the weflern fide, there is only one pafs, and that 
 leads through this place. Nonza is a little village, 
 on a high rock, on the extreme pinnacle of which, 
 fome hundred fathoms above the gulf, and di- 
 re6lly perpendicular, Hands a tower or fmall for- 
 trefs, which commands the avenue to it. Nonza 
 is literally what Cicero calls Ithaca, * In alperri- 
 mis faxulis tanqijam nidulum aifixam (a). Stuck 
 on the rudeft cliffs like a little neil.' After this, 
 the cape begins, which finifhes at Erfa. 
 
 I have thus reviewed the Corfican harbours, and 
 travelled round the fkirts of the country, along its 
 fhores. 
 
 Diodorus Siculus defcribes Corfica as an exten- 
 five ifland, very mountainous, abounding in large 
 forefts, and watered with many rivulets : H St oAu 
 
 (a) Cic. De Orat. lib. i. cap. 44. 
 {b) Diodor. Sicul. lib. v. 
 
OF CORSICA. 59 
 
 Indeed the interiour parts of the ifland are in 
 general mountainous, though interfperfed with 
 fruitful valleys •, but have a peculiar grand appear- 
 ance, and infpire one with the genius of the place ; 
 with that undaunted and inflexible fpirit, which 
 will not bow to opprefTion. As Homer fays of 
 Ithaca : 
 
 OdyfT. lib. ix. I. 27. 
 •Strong are her fons^ tho' rocky are her fhores. 
 
 POPE^ 
 
 The great divifion of Corlica, is into the di 
 QUA, and the di la dei monti. The country 
 on this fide, and the country on the other fide of 
 the mountains -, reckoning from Baftia. By the 
 mountains is underftood, that great range of them 
 which rifes beyond Aleria, and ftretches acrofs 
 the ifland, interfering it however by no mean^ 
 equally J for, the country di qua is a third more 
 than that di la. Another old diviflon of this 
 ifland was, to fuppofe a line drawn from Porto 
 Vecchio, to the gulf of San Fiorenzo ; and the 
 divifion upon the eaft, v/as called band a di 
 DENTRO, The fide within ; and that on the wefl:, 
 was called banda di fuori, The fide without. I 
 never could learn th^ meaning of this diviflon 
 farther, than that, I fuppofe, thofe who inhabited 
 
6o ANACCOUNT 
 
 Baftia and the plain of Aleria, looked upon them- 
 felves as the mofl civilized j and fo were for calling 
 thofe on the oppofite fide of the ifland to them 
 * forreftieri, foreigners.' 
 
 The next divifion is into provinces, of which 
 there are nine •, for although a great part of this 
 country long went under the denomination of 
 ' FEUDOs, feus,' and is Aill called fo in the maps, 
 the jurifdiftion of the fignors is now gradually 
 wearing out, and will foon be funk into the gene- 
 ral power of the ftate. 
 
 Another divifion of Corfica is into pieves. A 
 Pieve is properly an ecclefiaftical appointment, 
 containing a certain number of parifhes, over 
 which is placed a pievano, who fuperjntends the 
 the priefts, and draws a certain part of the tithes. 
 But this divifion is as much ufed for civil ajffairs, 
 as for thofe of the church. 
 
 There are large traces of uninhabited land in 
 Corfica, moftly covered with woods i to fomc 
 parts of which the peafants refort in fummer td 
 feed their cattle, and to gather cheftnuts, mak- 
 ing little Iheds for themfelves to lie under. There 
 is hardly fuch a thing as a detached farm-houfe 
 to be feen in the ifland, like what are fcattered 
 every where over Great Britain ; for, the Corft- 
 cans gather together in little villages, which they 
 
OF CORSICA. 6i 
 
 call by corruption ' p a e s e s, countries.' I re- 
 member when I was lirlt told in Corfica, that I 
 Ihould travel a great many miles ' Senza veder 
 ' un paefe, Without feeing a country,' I could 
 not conceive what they meant. The Corficans 
 are in greater fafety, and have more fociety with 
 each other by thus living in villages ; which is 
 much the cuftom in the cantons of Switzerland, 
 and fome parts of Germany j as it was anciently 
 among all nations. 
 
 The Corfican villages are frequently built up- 
 on the very fummits of their mountains, on crag- 
 gy cliffs of fo ftupendous a height, that the 
 houfes can hardly be diftinguifhed during the 
 day •, but at night, when the fhepherds kindl-e 
 their fires, the refledion of fuch a variety 
 of lights, makes thefe aerial villages have a 
 moft pidlurefque and pleafmg appearance. 
 
 In the center of the ifland Hands Corte, which 
 is properly its capital, and will undoubtedly be 
 one day a city of eminence. Here is the Gene- 
 ral's palace •, and here is the fupreme feat of juf- 
 tice, where the executive power conftantly refides, 
 and where the legiflature is annually afiembled ; 
 and here alfo is the univerfity, which in time may 
 become a diftinguifhed feat of learning, though I 
 muft not allov/ mv enthufiafm to induke itfelf in 
 
 4 D 
 
52 ANACCOUNT 
 
 too eager hopes of feeing Corfica an Athens, as 
 well as a Thebes. 
 
 Corte is fituated part at the foot, and part on 
 the declivity of a rock, in a plain furrounded with 
 prodigious high mountains, and at the conflux of 
 two rivers, the Tavignano and Reftonica. It 
 hath a great deal of rich country about it, and a 
 wonderful natural ftrength, being hemmed in by 
 almoft impaflfable mountains and narrow defiles, 
 which may be defended with a handful of men, 
 againfl very large armies. 
 
 Upon a point of the rock, prominent above 
 the reft, and on every fide perpendicular, ftands 
 the caftle or citadel. It is at the back of the 
 town, and is almoft impregnable ; there being 
 only one winding pafTage to climb up to it, and 
 that not capable of admitting more than two per- 
 fons abreaft. Thuanus thus defcribes it: ' Cu- 
 
 * riae arx faxo fere undique praempto impofi- 
 
 * ta (a)^ The caftle of Corte placed upon a 
 
 * rock, broken and ragged almoft on every fide.' 
 In the year 1554, it was in poflefiion of the 
 French, (h) A Capitaine la Chambre betrayed 
 it, for which he was afterwards hanged at Mar- 
 feilles. The fame hiftorian inform us, that after 
 
 (^) Thuan. Hill. torn. i. p. 507, 
 {h) Ibid. 
 
OF CORSICA. 63 
 
 the Corficans had thus recovered the citadel of 
 Corte, it flood a fiege by the French general de 
 Thermes, from Auguft to 06tober, and that it 
 was a fcarcity of water, which at laft occafioned 
 its furrender. 
 
 In the plain, on the north of Corte, there is 
 a convent of Capuchins, and on the fide of the 
 hill, to the fouth of the City, there is a convent 
 of Francifcans. Here the General lived while his 
 palace was repairing ; and here all ftrangers of re- 
 fpe(5t are lodged. From this convent, one has 
 the beft view of the city of Corte. 
 
 The learned and ingenious MefTieurs Hervey 
 and Burnaby, when they were at this convent, 
 were greatly Itruck with the romantick appearance 
 of Corte. 
 
 ' We could fcarce help fancying ourfelves at 
 ' Lacedemon, or fome other ancient Grecian 
 *■ City. Livy fpeaking of Heraclea, has given 
 ' a defcription of it very like Corte : ' Sita eft 
 ' Heraclea in radicibus Aetae montis, ipfa in 
 ' Campo, arcem imminentem loco alto et undi- 
 ' que praecipiti habet. Lib. Ixxxvi. cap. 22. He* 
 ' raclea is fituated at tlie foot of mount Aeta ; 
 * itlelf on a plain, but hanging over it, is a ci- 
 ' tadel, on a cliff very high and fleep on every 
 I fide.' One would think he was fpeaking of the 
 
64 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 very place. At Lacedemon indeed, as ap- 
 pears from Paufanias, there was no Acropolis 
 or citadel, and they only called the higheft 
 point or eminence in the city by that name ; 
 from its anfwering probably the fame pur- 
 pofe to them, as the AcropoUs did to the other 
 cities of Greece, it being more difficult of accefs 
 to an enemy, and admitting of an eafier defence* 
 
 Auv.tSoi,\fjLO'Jioi(; J'e yi dy^poTToXii; (Xii/ sg \J^JOi 7rfpnpai/£? 
 l^i'^itTcc o^x £$-», JtaOa ^n ©-/jSa/ojf te -n Kx^fJi-sia,, xj 
 71 Aacica-oc, Aoysioi^^ oi/tuv Si Iv tJJ ttoAei Xc^pov xj 
 ccKXwv TO fji.cx,Xif(x. Ig ^iTSwoov am'jtoi/ ovoy-dC^nTiu 
 ocK^OTToXiVj lvTau0o5 AfiJi'vaf I'soov -TrBTTOiriron. PaU- 
 
 fan. lib. iii. cap. 17. The Lacedemonians 
 have no citadel built upon a high place, like 
 Cadmaea of the Thebans, or LarifTa of the 
 Argives. But as there are in the city many 
 hills, they give the moll elevated of them the 
 name of the citadel. Upon this- hill is a tem- 
 ple to Minerva.' And Livy, fpeaking of its 
 being befieged by Flaminius, obferves nearly the 
 fame thing : ' Altiora loca et difficiliora aditu 
 flationibus armatorum, pro munimento objedlis 
 tutabantur. lib. xxxiv. cap. 38. The higher 
 places, and thofe more difficult of accefs, were 
 defended by detachments of foldiers which 
 ferved inftead of fortifications.* 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 65 
 
 ' According to the inftitution of Lycurgus, the 
 ' Spartans were not allowed to have any fortifi- 
 ' cations •, but were to rely for their defence upon 
 
 * their own valour. Towards the decline of the 
 ' Grecian liberty however, they eredted walls in 
 
 * the plainer and more open avenues ; Locis 
 ' patentibus plerifque objecerunt murum, fays 
 ' Livy. The remainder was fciil confided to the 
 ' valour of its citizens. However, notwithftand- 
 ' ing this, there was fufficient likenefs to form a 
 ' comparifon between Corte and Lacedemon ; 
 ' efpecially as the Acropolis was built upon ; the 
 ' temple of Minerva being placed there. We 
 ' could not help imagining, that yonder was the 
 
 * Taygetus, here the Eurotas -, and what made 
 
 * the comparifon more flriking, was the refem- 
 ' blance, we fancied, between- Lycurgus and 
 ' Paoli (a): 
 
 Corfica is extremely well watered. Its princi- 
 pal lakes, are thofe of Ino and Crena, about two 
 miles from each other ; both fituated on the high- 
 eft mountain in the iiland, called by the ancients 
 Mons Aureus, and now Gradaccio or Monte Ro- 
 tondo. It is of an amazing height, and may 
 equal any of the Alps. From the top of it there 
 
 (</ ) Mr. Burnaby's Journal. 
 
 c 
 
66 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 is a moft extenfive view of all Corfica, of the 
 feas and of Sardinia, with diftant profpects of 
 Italy and France •, while the Mediterranean and 
 many of its little illes are alfo under the eye. But 
 people feldom go to take this view -, for the up- 
 per part of the monntain is almoft a perpendicular 
 rock, fo that a man muft climb two miles with 
 the help of his hands and knees ; and for the 
 greateft part of the year, this immenfe mountain 
 is covered with fnow. Thefe two lakes of Ino 
 andCrena, are both of confiderable extent. 
 
 In the plain of Aleria, near to Mariana, is a 
 lake called Chiurlina or Biguglia, which is pretty 
 large, and communicates with the fea ; and near 
 to Aleria, is a lake called II Stagno di Diana, 
 which alfo communicates with the fea ; and it is 
 remarkable, that in fummer, when the heat of 
 the fun has exhaled part of the water, and the 
 reft of it is abforbed by the fandy bottom, there 
 remains a kind of natural fait, which the Cor- 
 ficans find very good, and conftantly make 
 ufe of. 
 
 The rivers of Corfica are, the Golo, a large 
 and beautiful river, which takes its rife from the 
 lake of Ino, traverfes feveral provinces, and after 
 a courfe of above feventy miles, empties itfelf in- 
 to the fea, juft by the ancient city of Mariana. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 67 
 
 The Tavignano, alfo a confiderable river, which 
 takes its rife from the lake of Crena, and after 
 traverfing a long tra6t of rude country, empties 
 itfelf into the fea, jufh bv the ancient city of Ale- 
 ria. The Reftonica, which, though but a fmall 
 river, is famous in Corfica, on account of its par- 
 ticular qualities. Its water is clear as chryftal, 
 and mofl agreeable to drink -, fo that Seneca cer- 
 tainly never faw the Reftonica, other\\afe he 
 would never have faid, that Corfica had not 
 ' hauftus aquae, a draught of water.' The Re- 
 ftonica is faid to be of a mineral nature, and very 
 wholefome. It hath a virtue of whitening every 
 thing. The ftones in its channel are like as ma- 
 ny pieces of chalk. I remember on the road be- 
 tween Rome and Naples, a run from a fulphure- 
 ous fpring, which had fomething of the fame qua- 
 lity, only it did not give fo very white a tinfture 
 as that of the Reftonica, which will make iron 
 look almoft like filver, and never ruft. The 
 Corficans frequently dip the barrels and locks of 
 their guns in it. 
 
 There are fcveral other rivers, of which I ftiall 
 not give a particular defcription ; the Prunella, 
 Fiumorbo, Gravonne, Valinco, Talavo, Lia* 
 mone ; fine poetical names. There are alfo a 
 
 C 2 
 
68 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 great many rivulets, which ferve to enrich the 
 country, and keep it conftantly frefh. 
 
 It hath been faid, that with proper care and 
 expence, fome of the Corfican rivers might be 
 rendered navigable ; but this, I think, would 
 be a very idle proje6t ; for their courfes are 
 exceedingly rapid, and when there has been 
 a great deal of rain, the torrents which 
 tumble from the mountains often bring down 
 large fragments of rock, which would dafh in pie- 
 ces any veffels that they fhould encounter. 
 
 There are many mineral fprings, both of the 
 hot and cold kind, in different parts of the ifland, 
 which the inhabitants of the country find to be 
 very efficacious for the cure of moft diflempers ; 
 and people of fkill, particularly fome French phy- 
 ficians have examined them by, a chymical analy- 
 fis, and approved of them. 
 
 Corfica is extremely well fupplied with fifh. 
 I never indeed could hear of any other fifh in 
 their rivers or frefh water lakes, except trout and 
 eel. Thefe however are found in great plenty, 
 very fat, and of an uncommon fize. 
 
 But the rich treafure of fifh for Corfica, is in 
 its fea ; for on all its coafls, there is the greatefl 
 variety of all the befl kinds, and in particular a 
 fort of ton or fturgeon, and the fmall fifh called 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 69 
 
 Sardinas, which is of an exquifite tafte. And in 
 feveral places, the Corficans have beds of cyflers, 
 remarkably large ; of which they have not only 
 a fufficiency for their own confumption, but ex- 
 port a great many to Italy. 
 
 From the earlieft times, Corfica has been fa- 
 mous for its excellent fifli. Juvenal, when faty- 
 rifmg the excefllve luxury of the Romans in his 
 time, who brought every delicacy from the great- 
 eft diftance, fays, 
 
 Mullus erit domini qiiem mlfit Corfica. 
 
 Juv. Sat. V. I. 92. 
 A precious mullet from the Corfick leas. 
 Nor lefs the mailer's pamper'd tafte can pleafe. 
 
 And fmce I am talking of the productions of 
 the Corfican fca, I may obferve, that they here 
 filh great quantities of coral, of all the three kinds, 
 white, red and black. But I ihall fay more of 
 this, when I come to the commerce of Corfica. 
 
 Corfica hath as great a variety of animals as 
 moft countries. The horfes here, are in general of 
 a very fmall breed. Procopius in his wars of the 
 Goths, fays, they run about in herds, and were 
 little bigger than fheep {a). They are, however, re- 
 markably lively, and very hardy, fomewhat of the 
 nature of Welch ponies, or of the little horfes cal- 
 
 {a) Procop. de Bell. Goth. lib. iii. cap. 24.. 
 
70 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 led fhelties, which are found in the highlands and 
 iflands of Scotland j though I have feen Corfican 
 horfes of a very good fize. The affes and mules 
 here, are alfo fmali, but very ftrong and wonder- 
 fully agile in fcrambling along the deep rocky 
 mountains •, for there are hardly any made roads 
 in the ifland. My worthy friend Sir Alexander 
 Dick, whole publick fpirit in promoting good 
 roads in an approved age, is well known to all his 
 countrymen, obferved that this has been no lofs to 
 the Corficans during the time that they have been 
 employed only in defending themfclves in a Hate of 
 natural freedom. Had their country been open 
 and acceflible, they had been eafily fubdued by 
 regular troops. It yvas in a good meafure owing 
 to her rugged hills, that ancient Scotland preferved 
 her independency. 
 
 The black cattle are larger in proportion than 
 the horfes •, but the greateft part of the ifland is 
 not very proper pafture for them ; fo in general, 
 they do not give much milk, and their beef is 
 lean and tous-h. There is not fo great occafion 
 for milk in Corfica, as they make no butter, oil 
 fupplying its place, as in Italy, and moft warm 
 countries. They however make a good deal of 
 cheefe in fome pieves. 
 
OFCORSICA. 71 
 
 There are here a vaft number of goats, which 
 browfe upon the wild hills, and put one in mind 
 of Virgil's BucoUcks, where mention is fo often 
 made of this animal. Sheep are alfo very plenti- 
 ful, and have fine feeding ; fo that their mutton is 
 as fweet and juicy as one could defire, and attones 
 for the badnefs of the beef. 
 
 The Corfican flieep are generally black, or of 
 a dufky colour j a white Iheep being here and 
 there to be met with in a flock, as black ones are 
 amongft our Iheep. The wool is coarfe and hairy, 
 which the people of the country impute to their 
 Iheep being of a mongrel race. They have had 
 thoughts of helping this, by importing a good 
 breed from England or Spain. But I have been 
 told by the breeders of llieep, that the quahty of 
 wool is not fo much owing to the kind of fheep, 
 as to the nature of their pafture ; for thofe Iheep, 
 who bear very rough fleeces when upon one farm, 
 will, when put upon another of a difix^rent foil, 
 bear fleeces exceedingly fine. It is very common 
 here, for fheep to have more horns than two : 
 many of them have fix. 
 
 The forefts of this ifland abound in deer. 
 And there is here a curious animal, called a Muf- 
 foli. It refembles a flag, but has horns like a ram, 
 and a (kin uncommonly hard. It is very wild, and 
 
72 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 lives on the higheft mountains, where it can hard- 
 ly be approached, it is fo nimble. It will jump 
 from rock to rock, at the diftance of many feet, 
 and if hard chaced to the extremity of a cliff, 
 from whence it can reach no other, it will throw 
 itfelf over, and with furprifmg agility pitch upon 
 its horns, without receiving any hurt. Yet when 
 thefe creatures are taken young, they are very ea- 
 fily tamed. M. de Marboeuf, the French com- 
 mander at the time I was in Corfica, had then 
 one of them j and there are now two of them 
 at Shugborough in StafFordfhire, the feat of 
 Mr. Anfon, who has a rich affemblage of what 
 is curious in nature, as well as of what is elegant 
 in art. 
 
 The Corfican animals in general, appeared wild 
 to ftrangers, Polybius gives us a reafon for it : 
 
 Toiavrriv ccWiccv. OJ ivuecuro-t xara ra? uof/.oci <rvvix.xoXvQi7y 
 
 T^a%fr«v i^ivoci TAv mc-ov (a). ' All the animals in the 
 ' ifland appear to be wild, on this account, that it is 
 ' fo rude and deep, and fo thick fet with trees, that 
 * the Ihcpherds are not able to follow their flocks.' 
 The wild boar is found here in great plenty. In" 
 
 {a) Polyb, hiil, lib. xii. 
 
OFCORSICA. 73 
 
 deed their fwine, which are very numerous, have 
 all a mixture of the wild breed, and being fed on 
 cheftnuts, they are agreeable food. 
 
 The Corficans are very fond of the diverfion 
 of hunting the wild boar, for which there is here 
 a race of dogs, particulary excellent* They have 
 linooth hair, and are fometliing between a mailiff, 
 and a ftrong lliepherd's dog. They are large, and 
 exceedingly fierce ; but when once they have tak- 
 en an attachment, they are very faithful to their 
 mafter, watch him night and day, and are moft 
 undaunted in his defence. 
 
 Procopius (a) tells us, that there were in Cor- 
 fica, apes wonderfully refembling men ; and in- 
 deed, this ifland, and all that quarter of Europe 
 before it was well inhabited, muft on account of 
 its vicinity to Africa, have fwarmcd with apes. Of 
 thefe, however, there are at prefent no remains ; 
 which is a proof, that different fpecies of animals 
 migrate from one country to another, and when 
 their race wears out in a particular part of the 
 globe, it may be very numerous Ibmewhere elfe. 
 Certain it is, that in many countries, the race of 
 leveral animals, well known there in ancient times, 
 is totally extinguiihcd. But I am not inclined to 
 j^elieve that our Creatour allows any of the various 
 
 {n) Procop. de Bell. Goth. lib. iii. cap. 24. 
 
74 ANACCOUNT 
 
 creatures which his almighty hand hath formed, 
 to be abfokitely annihilated. 
 
 There are hares enough in Corfica, but no 
 rabbits ; though Polybius, when talkihg of the ani- 
 mals of this ifland, fays there are rabbits, and is 
 very minute as to their form and qualities 5 faying, 
 that at a diflance, one would take them to be lit- 
 tle hares, but when they are caught, a great diffe- 
 rence is perceived, both in their appearance and 
 tafte. There are here no wolves, nor any of the 
 larger wild beafts, unlefs foxes can be reckoned 
 fo, which are here indeed extremely large and ra- 
 venous. It is faid, they not only deftroy Iheep, 
 but have been known to devour even foals. 
 
 There is alfo a variety of birds in Corfica ; the 
 eagle, the vulture, wood-pidgeon, turtle, thrufh, 
 blackbird, and many of the fmaller fpecies ; and 
 plenty of game, as partridges, woodcocks, fnipes, 
 and water-fov/1 in the lakes. The poor thrufhes 
 and blackbirds too, muft be reckoned as part of 
 the game, for they are very numerous ; and from 
 there being a great quantity of the arbutus fruit in 
 the ifland, they are exceedingly fat, and are ef- 
 teemed a particular delicacy. It is barbarous to 
 deftroy, for the mere luxury of the table, birds 
 which make fuch fine mufick ; furely their melo- 
 dy affords more enjoyment, than what can be (lad 
 
OFCORSICA. ^c, 
 
 from eating them. They are, however, a very- 
 common diih in the fouthern countries, particu- 
 larly in France. 
 
 In general, it m.ay be obferved that this iOand 
 is fo privileged by nature, that there is no poifo- 
 nous animal in it. For althous;h there are fome 
 fcorpions, their bite carries no venom. The crea- 
 ture in Corfica, which approaches neareft to a 
 poilonous animal is a fpider, of an extraordinary 
 fize. Its bite will irritate, and inflame to a creat 
 degree, and the fwelling which it occafions, is very 
 alarming to one unacquainted with it •, but it foon 
 goes away, and no bad confequences follow, 
 more than from the Hinging of our bees. This 
 fpider, has by fome been miftaken. for the famous 
 tarantula of tlie kingdom of Naples. 
 
 Trees grow remarkably well in Corfica. There 
 is here almoft every fort of forell trees, but it is 
 principally adorned v/ith pines of different kinds, 
 oaks, and cheftnut trees. All of thele are to be 
 found of a great fize •, fome of the pines in parti- 
 cular, are exceedingly lofty, and the cheftnut tree 
 grows to a prodigious bignefs. 
 
 There are extenfive forefbs in different places. 
 That of Yico is rnoft remarkable. There is in 
 Corlica, timber fafHcient to maintain a very large 
 (leet^ and the timber here, is much harder than one 
 
76 ANACCOUNT 
 
 would exped in fo fouthern a latitude, owing to the 
 rocky foil of the country, to the perpetual currents 
 of freih air through its valleys, and to the tempera- 
 ture that proceeds from fome of its mountains 
 being half of the year in fnow ; and this is alfo one 
 great caufe of the falubrity of the climate, in which 
 Corfica has much the advantage of Sardinia. 
 
 The Ilex, or ever- green oak, is very common 
 here, and gives the country a cheerful look even 
 in the depth of winter. The lemon, the orange, 
 the fig and the almond trees, are alfo frequent. 
 There are, however, few walnut trees, and the ap- 
 ple, pear, plumb and cherry are not remarkably 
 good, which is probably owing to no care being 
 taken of them. Corfica has the pomegranate in 
 great perfeflion, alfo the Indian fig and the aloe ; 
 which laft is faid to flower here, as well as in the 
 Eaft. 
 
 The Corfican mountains are covered with the 
 arbutus or ftrawberry tree, which gives a rich glow- 
 ing appearance as far as the eye can reach. Indeed 
 the ifland is very like the country which Virgil de- 
 fcribes as the feat of rural felicity : 
 
 Glande fues laeti redeunt, dant arbuta fylvae : 
 Et varios ponit foetus autumnus et alte 
 Witis in apricis coquitur vindemia faxis. 
 
 ViRG. Georg. lib. ii. 1. 520, 
 
OF CORSICA. 77 
 
 On fatning maft, the fwine well pleas'd, are fed ; 
 
 And every wood witli arbutus is red. 
 
 Benignant autumn finiling on the fields. 
 
 All various fnuts in rich abundance yields ; 
 
 While ev'ry rocky mountain vines difplays, 
 
 Whofe grapes are mellow'd by the fun's warm raj'^ 
 
 The mulberry grows well here, and is not fo 
 much in danger from blights and thunderftorms 
 as in Italy, and the fouth of France ; fo that 
 whenever Corfica enjoys tranquillity, it may have 
 abundance of filk. We muft not omit the laurel, 
 to which Corfica has furely a very good claim. 
 The box tree is a very common plant here. 
 In moft countries it is dwarfifh, and generally 
 ufed only for hedges i but it grows to a good fize 
 in Corfica, and may be reckoned a timber tree. 
 Bochart (a) has very ingenioufly fhewn, that the 
 benches of the Tyrian fhips, which according to 
 the common tranllation of Ezechiel, chap, xxvii. 
 ver. 6. are faid to have been made of ivory 
 brought out of the ifles of Chittim, were moft 
 probably made of Corfican boxwood. 
 
 Theophraftus in his hiftory of plants expati- 
 ates on the wonderful fize of the Corfican trees ; 
 
 {a) Bochart Geog. Sac. parsi. lib, i- cap. 5. 
 
78 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 to which, he fays, the pines of Latium were no-' 
 thing at all. He alfo fays, the trees were im- 
 menfely thick here -, his exprefiion is very ftrong: 
 
 TV? vKn (a). ' The whole ifland feemed crouded 
 ' and favage with woods.* He relates a ftrange 
 tradition, that the Romans, who were ftruck 
 with the vaftnefs of thefe woods, built here a 
 prodigious large fhip, which carried no lefs than 
 fifty fails, but was loft in the ocean (l^). This 
 authour gives another ancient teftimony to the 
 goodnefs of the climate, foil, and air of the ifland : 
 
 Kuflvo? ^Ji-iv av s'iT£ SiOi TJ5V a.vs(TiVi fjT£ hJ TO iSocOogy x^ 
 rov cii^oc TToAu Sia<pi6H Twy uXXoov fc). ' CorflCa 
 
 ' therefore, whether in refpeft of its temperate 
 ' climate (d), or in refpeft of its foil, or of its air, 
 * greatly excelleth other countries.* 
 
 The different kinds of grain in Corfica, are 
 wheat, barley, rye, and millet •, all of which grow 
 extremely well in feveral parts of the country. 
 There are no oats here, as indeed hardly ever in 
 any of the fouthern countries. They give their 
 horfes and mules barley. The millet is excellent 
 in Ccrfica, and when mixed with rye, makes a 
 
 (a) Theophraft. Hift. lib. v. cap. 9. {i>) lb. (c) lb, 
 {d) I follow Scaligcr's interpretation of «i=(7k. He tranflates 
 it Temperies. 
 
OF CORSICA. 79 
 
 v/holefome bread, of which the peafants are very- 
 fond. Cheilnuts may be reckoned a fort of grain 
 in Corfica •, for they anfwer all the purpofes of 
 it. The Corficans eat them when roafted by way of 
 bread. They even have them ground into flour, 
 and of that they make very good cakes. 
 
 There is a vaft quantity of honey produced in 
 Corfica; for the ifland has from the earliefl times 
 been remarkable for its fwarm.s of bees. When 
 it was fubje6b to the Romans, a tribute was im- 
 pofed upon it of no Icfs than two hundred thou- 
 fand pounds of wax yearly (a). Indeed the lau- 
 rel, the almond tree, and the myrtle, in the flow- 
 ers of which, the bees find fo much fweetnefs, 
 are very common here ; and the hills are all 
 covered with wild thyme, and other fragrant herbs. 
 Yet its honey hath always been accounted bitter, 
 by reafon of the boxwood and yew, as Diodorus 
 (b) and Pliny (c) obferve ; which make Virgil's 
 Lycidas wifli 
 
 Sic tua Cyrnaeas fugiant e^amina taxos. 
 
 ViRG. Eclog. i\-. ;o. 
 
 . So may thy bees refuie 
 
 The baneful juices of Cyrnaean yews. 
 
 Wart OK. 
 
 (^) Liv. lib. xlli. cap. 7. (^) Diodor. Sicul. lib. v. cap. 
 295. [c) Plin. lib. xvi. cap. 16. 
 
8o AN ACCOUNT 
 
 and Martial write 
 
 Audet facundoqui carmina mittere Nervae, 
 Hyblaeis apibus Corfica mella dabit. 
 
 Martial, lib. ix. Epig. 27. 
 To tuneful Nerva, who would verfes fend. 
 May Corfick honey give to Hybla's bees. 
 
 Many people think the bitternefs which is in 
 the Corfican honey very agreeable. The reafon 
 which Pliny alTigns for the bitternefs of the ho- 
 ney, he alfo affigns for the excellence of the wax. 
 Having mentioned the Piinick, the Pontick, and 
 the Cretan, he fays, ' Poll has Corfica (cera) quo- 
 
 * niam ex buxo fit habere quandam vim medicami- 
 
 * nis putatur (a). After thefe, the Corfican wax, 
 ' becaufe it is made from the box tree, is reckon- 
 ' ed to have a certain medicinal virtue.' 
 
 There are in Corfica, a great many mines of 
 lead, copper, iron, and filver. Near to San Fio- 
 renzo is a very rich filver mine, yielding above the 
 value- of 5I. fterling out of every 100 lib. weight 
 of ore. The Corfican iron is remarkably good, 
 having a toughnefs nearly equal to that of the pre- 
 pared iron of Spain, famous over all the world. 
 It is faid that the true Spanifh barrels are made 
 of iron which has been worn and beaten for a long 
 
 (a) Plin. Nat. Kift. lib. ::vi. cap. 16. 
 
OF CORSICA. 81 
 
 time in heads of naiis in tiie Ihoes of the mules, 
 who travel with a flow and incefiant pace along 
 the hard roads. But a very fmall proportion of 
 the great quantity of Spanifli barrels, which are 
 fold in all parts of Europe, can have this advan- 
 tage. The metal of the Corfican barrels is little 
 inferiour to that of the generality of Spanifli ones, 
 and they begin to make them very well. 
 
 An allufion has been drawn from the iron 
 mines, and the name .of Corfica, to the charac- 
 ter of its inhabitants. Hieronymus de Marinis, 
 a Genoefe, who writes on the dominion and go- 
 vernment of the republick, fays of this ifland : 
 ' Terrae vifcera ferri fodinis affluunt, naturae cum 
 ' ipfo Corficae nomine in uno confpirantis prae- 
 ' judicio, Corii enim corde funt ferreo, adeoque ad 
 
 * ficam armaque prono (a). The bowels of the 
 ' earth abound in mines of iron -, nature confpir- 
 ' ing, by a fort of prejudice, to form a fimilarity 
 ' between the name (b) of Corfica and the tem- 
 
 * per of the people ; for the Corficans have hearts 
 ' of iron, and are therefore prone to arms and the 
 ' fword.' The Marquis D'Argens (c) applies to 
 Corfica thefe lines of Crebillon : 
 
 (a) Graev. Thefaur. Antiq. vol. I. p. 1410. {^) Corfica, 
 Qy-fica. Cor, the heart ; Sica, a ftiletto, heart of fleel. 
 (<r) Lettres Juivcs. let. 53. 
 
 D 
 
82 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 La nature maratre en ces afreux climats, 
 Produifoit au lieu d'or du fer et des foldats. 
 
 In that rude ifle, inftead of golden ore. 
 Nature, to aid the genius of the place, . 
 
 On her high hills the malTy iron bore. 
 And bade her fons flill rife a hardy race. 
 
 I may add 
 
 And \irtue Iprlnging from the iron foil. 
 
 John Home. 
 
 There are alfo mines of allum, and of faltpetre, 
 in feveral parts of Corfica. 
 
 There is here a kind of granite, extremely 
 hard, fome of it approaching in quality to the 
 oriental granite, which was fo famous at Rome, 
 and of which fuch noble columns are ftill remain- 
 ing, faid to have. been brought from Egypt. I 
 fear it would be extravagant to conjedlure, that 
 fome of thefe columns may have been the produce 
 of Corfica j for, befides the perfecflion of the hiero- 
 glyphicks, which prove them to have been in 
 Egypt, I queflion if fuch large pieces of granite 
 could be raifed in Corfica. There is here like- 
 wife porphyry, and a great variety of jafper. 
 The magnificent chapel of the grand duke of 
 Tufcany, at Florence, is finiihed with Corfican 
 jafper, with which its infide is elegantly incrufted, 
 and has a moft beautiful appearance. 
 
OF CORSICA. 8^ 
 
 On the borders of the lake of Ino, they find 
 pieces of rock cryftal, very clear, and with five 
 fides, as if they had been cut by a lapidary. 
 They find fome of it too in the mountains of 
 Iftria. It is fo hard, that it flrikes fire ; and 
 the Corficans frequently ufe it for flint to their 
 fufils. 
 
 Near to Ballia, there is found a fort of mine- 
 ral, called by the country people, petra quadrata, 
 becaufe it is always found in little fquare bits. 
 It has much about the hardnefs of marble, has 
 a colour like iron-ore, and weighs like lead. 
 The Corficans afcribe certain myftical virtues to 
 this ftone, as appears from an old monkifii difiiich 
 made in its praife : 
 
 Petrae quadratae duro de marmore natae, 
 Innumeras dotes quis numerare poteft ! 
 
 Of the fquare ftone of marble grown. 
 The virtues fell, what man can tell ! 
 
 From the defcription of Corfica, which I have 
 now given, it will appear to be a country of con- 
 fiderable importance. According to Mr. Temple- 
 man's Tables, in his New Survey of the Globe, 
 the ifiand contains 2520 fquare miles. It hath 
 a number of good harbours. Its air is excellent, 
 and its produ6lions rich and various. 
 
 D 2 
 
84 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 I lliall conclude this chapter with Homer's 
 defcription of Ithaca, which, in general, may be 
 well applied to Corfica : 
 
 H [Lit baoi, vx'mai Wfo; riu r rjiXiuv T£, 
 H S oaa-oi jxetcttwOs ttotj ^o^op jjfgssvTac. 
 H To« [Atv terty^iXx Kxt apjj, ^^^^»:^aTo; Irw, 
 Owde Xiijv Xwwpi}, ara^ sJ ei/^Eia TfTyxTau 
 Ey ^£» y«|) ot a-Troq ddia^aroi;, l» $s Te oivoj 
 
 TiyVBTXl' x'iil J Ol^efOi Ep^c*, TsQaXwtaTE £^0-»* 
 
 A»7»boT05 tf a7«6>i x«» /SstoTo;* «r' j^e* ^'Aij 
 
 navTotq, El/ a ftgd/xoi Ivrjirxvo) nrxBiaan. 
 
 Tu T0(» ^£t>, l^xxYii yt Tix) I? T^oijjy ivo^ jjkjj» 
 
 Ody/r. lib. xiii. 1. 238. 
 
 Thou feeft: an ifland, not to thofe unknown, 
 Whofe hills are brighten'd by the riling fun. 
 Nor thofe that plac'd beneath his uttnoft reign. 
 Behold him finking in the weftern main. 
 The rugged foil allows no level Ipace, 
 For flying chariots, or the rapid race ; 
 Yet, not ungrateful to the peafant's pain, 
 Suffices fulnefs to the levelling grain. 
 The loaded trees their various fruits produce. 
 And cluftring grapes afford .a generous juice : 
 
OF CORSICA. 85 
 
 Woods crown our mountains, and in every grove 
 
 The bounding goats and frilking heifers rove : 
 
 Soft rains and kindly dews refrefh the field. 
 
 And liGiigfprings eternal verdure yield. 
 
 Ev'n to thofe fliores is Ithaca renown'd. 
 
 Where Troy's majellick ruins ftrow the ground. 
 
 Pope. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 A concife View of the Revolutions which 
 Corsica has undergone from the earliejl 
 times. 
 
 A LT HOUGH many diftinguifhed authours- . 
 have, in conformity with the tafte of the 
 age, rejected every inquiry into the origin of na- • 
 tions, and prefented their readers with nothing but 
 what can be clearly attefted ; I confefs, I am not 
 for humouring an inordinate avidity for pofitive 
 evidence. By being accuftomed to demonftration, 
 or what approaches near to it, and at no time giv- 
 ing any credit to what we do not fully compre- 
 hend, we are apt to form a pride and infolence 
 of underftanding •, the mind acquires a hardnefs 
 and obftinacy, inconfiftent with the true intention 
 of our faculties in this imperfedl ftate, and is ren- 
 dered unfit for the reception of many important 
 truths. 
 
 But not to deviate into metaphyfical fpeculati- 
 on, I have always thought, that even the dark and 
 fabulous periods are worthy of fome attention. 
 The founded heads amonsr the ancients thousht 
 
88 A N A C C O U N T 
 
 lb -, and their works are therefore more agreeable, 
 than if they had confined themfelves to ftridt au- 
 thenticity. The origin of every nation is, as Livy 
 fays, ' Poeticis decora fabulis (a). Adorned with 
 ' poetical fables.' Thefe are always amufing to the 
 imagination, when neither tedious, nor too extra- 
 vagant. We love to be led on in a gradual pro- 
 grefs, and to behold truth emerging from obfcu- 
 rity, like the fun breaking through the clouds. 
 Such a progrefs makes a part of our own nature, 
 which advances from the dawnings of being in 
 our infancy, to greater and greater intelligence. 
 
 They, whofe genius is directed to the ftudy of 
 antiquities, befides the immediate delight which 
 fuch traditions afford them, are often able, from 
 hints feemingly detached and unimportant, to trace 
 the fundamental truth, and extend the bounds of 
 reality. Few indeed have that peculiar turn for 
 inquiry, to deferve the name of antiquarians. But 
 there is an univerfal principle of curiofity, with 
 refpe<5t to times paft, which makes even conjec- 
 tures be received with a kind of pleafmg venera- 
 tion •, and although the great end of hillory is in- 
 flrudlion, I think it is alfo valuable, when it ferves 
 to gratify this curiofity. 
 
 (i/) Liv. Prooem» 
 
OFCORSICA. 89 
 
 I fliall therefore, in treating of the revolutions 
 of Corfica, go as far back as books will ferve me •, 
 though at the fame time, I intend to give no more 
 th?,n a concife recital, and am rather to Ihew my 
 readers what is to be feen, than to detain them 
 till I exhibit a full view of it. 
 
 The earlieft accounts that we have of Corfica, 
 are to be found in Herodotus. He tells us, that 
 its firft inhabitants were Phenicians ; for, that Cad- 
 mus, the fon of Agenor, when wandering in queifc 
 of Europa, fell upon this ifland, which was nam- 
 ed Callifta, and left there fome of his countr)'-men, 
 with his own coufin Membleareus(^). He tells us, 
 that ei2;ht o-enerations after this, Theras brought 
 a colony to the ifland, from Lacedaemon. This 
 Theras (b) was originally of the race of Cadmus, 
 but, being uncle by the motherfide to Euryfthe- 
 nes and Procles, the two fons of Ariflodemus, 
 
 Kao^o? yxf o A^jjuopoj, Ev^uTir.y ^(^zftgicjj Tr^osrsVp^js I5 T»;7 vv» Qi^py,-j 
 
 iroiyicrcii tsto, xctvciXsi/mu yxo h T'o vr^au toivt/i «XA»; te tuv i>on:iKct.<v, 
 >Cj o"<i »tj T«; cumin c'jyyvivji'j ^liu.oXixcyi- 
 
 Herodot. lib. iv. cap. 147. 
 
 {oj Hj 5; 'J ©r.^x; cirs? yi~c; 1:jv K.»^;ji.i7iii, rr,^ ft^Tfi; uh?.^eoi; Toicrt 
 
90 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 and, on that account, having governed the king- 
 dom ^s their tutor ; when they grew up, and be- 
 came kings of Sparta, T'heras fcorning to live a 
 private hfe, and to be under the government of 
 his pupils, determined not to remain at Lacedae- 
 mon, but to go and join his kindred in the ifland 
 of Corfica, then called Callifla. Accordingly, {b) 
 he went thither with fome chofen companions, not 
 with any intention to drive out the former inha- 
 bitants, but, on the contrary, with moft friendly 
 difpofitions towards them. 
 
 55 rr, A:iKi^xi[Mvi, x?s?' XTicnrT^ivcrcaBxt I? toJj avyyiveui;. 
 
 Herodot. lib. iv. cap. 147. 
 
 foj OrJrot Ei£jW.e>TO T^v K«^X*r>',i' Ka.>.'.o-^J.vr,v l-Trt yimx^, cr^Iv •), Qn^xv 
 iX'^iTv IK Aa.Xtoxi'/.rtvoCi oztuj avci^uv, Ett* tutok; ovt uv o ©rijiasj 'Kct.ov 'i^ay 
 cTTo TiJy ^fAsi/'y, eV£?'.>>e (TyvoiXKTwv TSiTotcri' icj aoxixuz iz,c'h{uy aiTUg, aXku. 
 xxzrx olKr.h-j ^svcc, Ette* te oe x^ ol Mnvai iX^ctimiSK mi; 'ifxvo<; I'^cvro 
 1^- To Trivyeroy, riov Axmaxiuanut B^htvo^t^ivuv o-^ix^ a77c?\l^y:xi, irxpn- 
 T£'et«» Q-n^X'; oxui; jmvjte (pitvo^ yivr/rxi, uvto^ tb viriSiXna aipsxg i^x^siv 
 Ix. T?7 y(uipr,c. '^vy)(oi^f,cxnuy oa t>j yvu[^.v) rav AxKiSxi-^oviuv, T^trt 
 r^irixovTe^oiffi ii "Tov; MsixQxKXfiu a7royoia<; e7r?iUi7B, ********** 
 T*( ok vr,ff.u) iTTi Tov olxtTeU 0>;^« rj iTruvv^'iTt lyinro. 
 
 Jbid. et cap. 14.8. 
 
OFCORSICA. oj 
 
 Sometime after this, the Minyae, a wandering 
 tribe, who had taken refuge among the Lacedae- 
 monians, having become obnoxious, on account 
 of their afpiring views, were thrown into priibn, 
 and condemned to die -, but Theras perfuaded 
 the Spartans to fpare them, promifmg, that he 
 would carry them out of the country ; and ac- 
 cordingly, he carried them to the ifland of Callifta, 
 to join the new colony which he had fettled 
 there-, and from liim, the ifland was called 
 Thera. 
 
 Thefe Minyae, though but a wandering tribe 
 am.ong the Lacedaemonians, were, in reality, of 
 illullrious defcent, being the poflerity of the he- 
 roick Argonauts (a). 
 
 (a) Tun Ik TYii Acyag li^iQarioiv <7rx.'ioav •^txTob;, l*c?vaO»W£f uTra 
 TIe'ka.ayuiv tJi Ix Vicav^icvoc y'.riis'ay.ivni 7a; Ah:',vx\i;» yv'jxizx^ vTro Ttirxv 
 ^i l^i^sU^i-JTo; Ix. A-/;/x.;i?, ci;^o:to ttAeojt;; £T Axy.ioa'iy.o'joc. IQo'^vj:h a 
 if Tj) 'Tr,'6yi~!i}, cri;^)}!' ixanv. AuKiox.ifi,w(n ob ioJctej, olyUXov t'T^t^irm'* 
 
 ■-re: yup TKTaj ic AniMov, (f'jTiucrui <75c(Jj;. vJ. os j\a.x.i'ju.iy.'y.i,zi, cacuZooTii 
 r.K'jUv T£ £i T-<i> y^uQriV, x^ lUtva aiOctvj. Ot cS s^asrav, vs:o Ui'f.xiryuv 
 
93 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 This account of the firft peopling of Corfica, 
 is a very curious piece of ancient hiftory. It is 
 indeed very probable, that the Phenicians, or the 
 Phoceans, where its original inhabitants ; feeing 
 they were the firft great navigatours in the weftern 
 part of the world, and fent out colonies to many 
 diilant countries. 
 
 It afterwards got the name of KJgvo?, Cyr- 
 nus, from the number of its promontories ; and 
 Ifidorus (a) relates the manner in Ayhich it got 
 the name of Corfica. According to him, Corfa, 
 a Ligurian woman, having often obferved a bull 
 fwim over to the iQand, and return much fatter,, 
 fhe had the curiofity to follow him in a little vef- 
 fel ; and lb difcovered the idand, with all it& 
 beauty and fertility. Upon which the Ligurians 
 fent thither a colony j and from Corfa, who had 
 made the difcovery, they called the ifland Corfi- 
 ca. This is ludicrous enough •, but we may trace 
 what has given rife to fo extraordinary a fidlion, 
 
 filai ^i?'Jeci auTai. 
 
 Herodot. lib. iv, cap. 14.5". 
 
 (.^) Ifltlor. Origin. lib. xiii. cap. 6.. 
 
OF CORSICA. -93 
 
 when we confider, that very probably, a people 
 from the oppofite coaft of Italy, either tlie Li- 
 gurians, or the Etrufcans, have taken pofleffion 
 of Coriica, 
 
 Whatever may be in this conjecture, it is cer- 
 tain, that its next mafters were the Carthagini- 
 ans, who extended their conquefts over all the 
 iflands of the Mediterranean. Ariftotle relates a 
 moll extraordinary piece of Ptinick policy, with 
 refpeft to Corfica. Finding that is was difficult 
 to keep the inhabitants in fubjeflion, they ordered 
 the whole of the vines and olives in the ifland to 
 be pulled up, and forbid the Corficans, under 
 the pain of death, to fow their fields with any 
 kind of grain, fo that they might be kept in the 
 moft abfolute dependance ; and, though poffelTed 
 of a very fertile territory, be obliged to refort to 
 Africa, to feek the bare necefiafies of life. So 
 early was the cowardly and barbarous policy of a 
 trading republick exercifed againft this people. 
 
 Corfica next pafled under the dominion of 
 Rome. In the firft Punick war, and about the year 
 493 from the building of the city, Lucius Corne- 
 lius Scipio conquered the ifland (a), being oppoied 
 
 (a) Liv, Epit. lib, xvij. Flor. lib. ii. cap. 2, 
 
94 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 by an army of Sardinians and Corlicans, headed 
 by Hanno, a Carthaginian general. 
 
 It appears however, that the Corficans could 
 not bear fubje6tion with patience, for they were 
 continually attempting to get free. Of this, we 
 have an inftance in the epitome of the twentieth 
 book of Livy. Y\^c next find them engaged 
 againft M. Pinarius the praetor, who flew 2000 
 of them, obliged them to give hollages, and took 
 them bound to pay a tribute of 100,000 lib. of 
 wax, every year (a). Afterwards C. Cicereius 
 the praetor, was obliged to give them battle, 
 when 1700 of them were killed, and upwards of 
 1070 taken prifoners, and upon this occafion, 
 their annual tribute was increafed to 200,000 lib. 
 weight of wax (b). From thefe inflances, we 
 may fee that Corfica was formerly much more 
 populous than it is now, and that it hath been 
 able to furnilli amazing quantities of honey. We 
 are told by Pliny, that Papyrius Nafo firft tri- 
 umphed over the Corficans, on the Alban 
 mount (c). 
 
 It has already been faid, that the Romans 
 founded two colonies in Corfica. The ifland was, 
 
 {a) Liv. lib. xl. cap. 34. (^) lb. lib. xlii. cap. 7. 
 
 (it) Plin. lib. V. cap. 29. 
 
OFCORSICA. gs 
 
 like their other provinces, governed by a praetor. 
 It was alfo made to ferve for a place of exile ; 
 and was very proper for what they called * Rele- 
 gatio in infulam, banifhment to an ifland/ But 
 the, Romans never had a firm hold of this coun- 
 try, where that fpirit of liberty, which tyrants 
 call rebellion, was ever breaking forth» 
 
 On the irruption of the barbarous nations, 
 Corfica fhared the fame fate with the other do- 
 minions of the ruined empire, It fell a prey 
 to the Goths, who eftablillied there the feudal 
 fyftem, as they did in every other country to 
 which their arms penetrated. Some authours 
 fay, that Corfica was conquered by Alarick, 
 the firfl king of the Goths -, b\it according to Pro- 
 copius, it was conquered by a detachment fent 
 out by Totilas (a). 
 
 From this period, the hiftory of Corfica is for 
 many ages a continued feries of wars, ravage and 
 deftruftion, by a variety of contending powers. 
 We are here very much in the dark, without any 
 fufficient clew to guide us. We find in many 
 authours detached remarks concerning the illand ; 
 but it is difficult to arrange them iii tolerable 
 
 (a) Procop, de Bell. Goth. lib. iii. cap. 24. 
 
9^ A N A C C O U N T 
 
 order, fince the dates are almoft always uncer- 
 tain. 
 
 I Ihall however give a fhort view of what feems 
 to have been the progrefs of events. 
 
 When the power of the Saracens rofe to that 
 height, of which we read with amazement, 
 they drove the Goths from Corfica, and main- 
 tained the dominion there for a confiderable 
 time. 
 
 It is believed, that they firft gave the title of 
 kingdom to Corfica; and, to this day, the coat 
 armonial of the iiland bears a Moor'^s head on its 
 Ihield. 
 
 There are Moorifh coins frequently dug up 
 in Corfica; and near to Ajaccio, are Saracen 
 tombs, which appear to have had fome magnifi- 
 cence. They are fubterraneous vaults, fupported 
 by ftone pillars ; and in them are found fepul- 
 chral urns of an earthen compofition, fimilar to 
 brick. 
 
 It would appear, that the Pope has always had 
 a view towards the annexation of Corfica to his 
 territories ; and, that he at different times infti- 
 gated the kings of Arragon, as well as the {ove- 
 reigns of France, to make againll it, what in the 
 flile of thofe times was called a holy war ; which 
 
OF CORSICA. 97 
 
 kind of wars were always calculated to ferve the 
 political views of the holy father. 
 
 At laft, Corfica was adually conquered by one 
 of the kings of France ; fome fay, by Pepin, and 
 others, by Charles Martel. The Corficans fhew 
 to this day, a fountain, called by the name of 
 Charles, in the pieve of Alefani, and, as they fay, 
 on the fpot where this gallant prince vanquifhcd 
 the Moors. 
 
 By the kings of France, Corfica was refigned, 
 in a perpetual gift, to the holy fee. The Sara- 
 cens however, from time to time returned •, fo 
 that the pope had but a very feeble and uncertain 
 fway. 
 
 The Genoefe availing themfelves of the dif- 
 tradled ftate of the ifland, had very early con- 
 trived to fettle a colony at Bonifaccio ; and em- 
 boldened by degrees, they landed troops on other 
 parts of the country, and began to bear a formi- 
 dable appearance. 
 
 This could not fail to incenfe the court of 
 Rome, and to draw down upon them the thunders 
 of the Vatican, from whence the holy father ufed, 
 in thofe ages, to fulminate with ferious efFed 
 againft the greateft powers in Europe. Accord- 
 ingly, the Genoefe were excommunicated by 
 
 E 
 
98 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 pope Gregory the feventh, which made them at 
 that time defift from their projeft. 
 
 In this flud:iiating fituation Corfica continued, 
 till one of the popes, but which of them hifto- 
 rians are not agreed, fent thither Hugo Colonna, 
 a nobleman of Rome, accompanied by feveral 
 others of the Roman nobility, with a good force 
 under his command, in order to expel the infidels 
 from the ifland. When Colonna landed, he was 
 joined by many of the inhabitants, who, during 
 the flruggle which had been fubfifting fo long, 
 and with fuch violence, had again and again en- 
 deavoured to maintain themfelves in a ftate of 
 freedom, and had elected a certain number of 
 chiefs, to whom they gave the title of caporali. 
 
 Thefe caporali gave all the aid in their power 
 to Colonna ; and, by their influence over the peo- 
 ple, they foon brought together fuch a body of 
 men, that Colonna was enabled totally to rout 
 the Saracens, and to difpoffefs them for ever. 
 
 The Moors being rendered defperate by this 
 unexpefted blow, were forced to quit the ifland ; 
 but before they went, they burnt all that they 
 pofllbly could •, and to this we mufl: greatly iiii' 
 pute the defolation which is yet to be feen in 
 Corfica, and the deflrudion of their ancient mo- 
 numents and publick archives. 
 
OF CORSICA. 99 
 
 Hugo Colonna fettled in Corfica, having ob- 
 tained from the Pope diftinguiflied honours and 
 extenfive grants. The family of Colonna is one 
 of the moil illuHrious, and mofl: ancient in the 
 world. So early as the 1200, mention is made 
 of Pietro Colonna, the eight of the name. The 
 branch which fettled in Corfica, continued long 
 in great fplendour, enjoying the noble fief of 
 Iftria •, but, by the confufions and troubles which 
 the ifland has been thrown into, by the bloody 
 contefts between the Genoefe and the patriotick 
 Corficans, that family hath fuffered prodigioufly, 
 and its polTeffions are reduced to a very narrow 
 compafs. The prefent head of the family, is a 
 worthy, fenfible man, and very zealous in the 
 great caufe. I was lodged in his houfe at Solla- 
 caro, where I found Pafcal Paoli. 
 
 It is probable, that the Corlican counts, mar- 
 quiffes and barons, derive their origin from this 
 period ; for I can fee no time fo proper for their 
 firfb taking place here. 
 
 The ifland remained for fome time in tolerable 
 quiet. But partly from the difTenfions of diffe- 
 rent parties among themfelves, ever impatient of 
 contradiflion, and partly from the repeated at- 
 tacks of the Genoefe, whofe hankering after this 
 little kingdom ftill continued, there were fuch 
 
 E 2 
 
100 . AN ACCOUNT 
 
 diforders, and fiich a defed of good government, 
 that the Pope thought proper to make it over to 
 the Pifans, who were then in great power. 
 
 This grant was upon advantageous terms for 
 the holy father, like the many grants of fiefs 
 which he ufed to give to various princes, to be 
 lield of the fee of Rome. A learned Profeflbur 
 of the univerlity of Pifa, has compofed a very cu- 
 rious difiertation concerning the ancient dominion 
 of his countrymen over Corfica. It is to be found 
 in the 7th volume of the EfTays of the Acade- 
 my of Cortona. 
 
 The Pifans, while their republick flourifhed, 
 and their force was confiderable, maintained their 
 authority over Corfica to very good purpofe •, and, 
 as far as we can gather from different authours, 
 the illand enjoyed more rcpofe and tranquillity 
 during this period, than it has ever been known 
 to enjoy. 
 
 But this calm was of Ihort endurance ; for the 
 Genoefe, irritated to find themfelves now ef- 
 fedtually excluded from an ifland on which they 
 had long fet their hearts ; and being, over and 
 above, the determined rivals of Pifa, a keen 
 and obftinate war was carried on between thefe 
 flates ; at lafl, the Genoefe prevailed, in the fa- 
 mous fea-fight at Malora, near the mouth of the 
 
O F C ORSI C A. loi 
 
 Arno •, after which, they got entirely the maftery 
 of Pifa, and fo were at length enabled to feize 
 upon Corfica, about the beginning of the four- 
 teenth century. 
 
 Thus v/ere the Corficans, for the firfl time, 
 brought under the power of the Genoefe -, with 
 whom they have fince had fuch ftruggles for that 
 freedom, which they appear to have at all times 
 attempted to recover. 
 
 If I have erred in any part of this recital, I 
 am fure it is without any intention. I know fome 
 Genoefe writers have maintained, that a fignor 
 Ademar, of their nation, was employed in the 
 firft conqueft of the iiland by the kings of France. 
 I confefs I do not fee fuflicient authority for this. 
 But fuppofmg it had been fo, Ademar could on- 
 ly be an officer under the French king. We are 
 certain, that the French king made the conqueft, 
 becaufe he afterwards made a srift of the iiland to 
 
 O 
 
 the pope. 
 
 But I would not dwell long upon fuch dif- 
 quifitions. There are many pieces lately pu- 
 blifhed, both by the Corficans and the Ge- 
 noefe i in which the authours, v/ith great labour, 
 endeavour to refute each others hypothefes with 
 regard to many ancient fafts in the hiilory of 
 Corfica. Here indeed, there is full fcope for all 
 
102 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 parties •, fince thofe periods are fo obfcure, that 
 every writer may fill them up according to the 
 turn of his imagination ; juft as people who are 
 abroad in a dark night, may with equal keennefs, 
 and equal appearance of reafun affirm, that ihey 
 lee objefts totally different. 
 
 Let Corfica have been the property of the 
 Phenicians, the Etrufcans, the Carthaginians, the 
 Romans, the Goths, the Saracens: let it have been 
 a conqueft of France -, a gift from that kingdom 
 to the pope •, a gift again from the pope to the 
 Pifans, and at length a conqueft of Genoa ; flill 
 we muft have recourfe to the plain and funda- 
 mental principle, that the Corficans are men, anc^ 
 have a right to liberty j which, if ufurped by any 
 power whatever, they have at all times a juft title 
 to vindicate. 
 
 In reviewing thefe ftrange and rapid revolu- 
 tions, which this ifland has undergone, we may 
 join with Seneca (a") in refleding on the muta- 
 bility of human affairs, and be filent on the 
 changes which happen to individuals, when we 
 contemplate the viciffitudes of a whole nation. 
 
 The Genoefe having obtained the undoubted 
 poffeffion of Corfiica, they were eager to enjoy 
 their power, and thought they could not fully 
 
 («) Seneca de confohtione. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 103 
 
 enjoy it, but by exercifing the moft fevere do- 
 minion. What we have long anxioufly defired, 
 acquires in our minds an imaginary and extrava- 
 gant vahie ; and when we adlually become pof- 
 feiTcd of it, a moderate and reafonable fruition, 
 feems infipid and unfatisfa6lory to our heightened 
 expectations. We are even, as it were, uncertain 
 if we really have it. And generally, we never reft, 
 till by abufing our powers, we deftroy what we 
 cfteemed fo highly. 
 
 An individual, who acquires a large fortune, 
 and a ftate, which acquires an increafe of domi- 
 minion, may be very properly compared. He who 
 gets a large fortune, thinks he cannot fhew his 
 command of riches, but by fuch ads of profu- 
 lion, as muft quickly diflipate them. And a 
 ftate, which has acquired an increafe of domini- 
 on, thinks its fovereignty is not fufficiently 
 manifcfted, but by fuch a6ts of arbitrary op- 
 prefllon, as muft tend to force its fubjefts to 
 throw off their allegiance. For however a people 
 may, from indolence, from timidity, or from 
 other motives, lubmit for a feafon to a certain 
 degree of tyranny ; if it is long continued, and 
 puflied to an exorbitant length, nature will re- ■ 
 volt, and the original rights of men will call for 
 redrefs. 
 
104 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 The Genoefe were the worfl: nation to whom 
 Corfica could have fallen. The Corficans were 
 a people, impetuous, violent and brave ; who 
 had weathered many a florm •, and who could not 
 have been governed, but by a flate of which they 
 flood fomewhat in awe, and which, by humanity 
 and proper encouragement, might have conciliat- 
 ed their affeftions. Whereas, the Genoefe were a 
 nation of republicans juft in the neighbourhood 
 of the idanders -, who had long been their ene- 
 mies ; v^'ho had made fo many cunning, and im- 
 potent attempts to feize upon the ifland, that al- 
 though, by the unexpedled courfe of events, they 
 were now mailers of it, the Corficans could not 
 look upon them with any refpedl. And as it has 
 been always remarked that the foreign fubje6ls 
 of a little republick, are much worfe ufed, than 
 thofe of a great kingdom ; they had reafon to 
 expe£l nothing but avowed tyranny from Ge- 
 noa. 
 
 Accordingly the Genoefe, who were them- 
 felves in an unliable, and perilous condition, 
 feeking the protedion fometimes of one pow- 
 erful flate, and fometimes of another, did not 
 treat the Corficans with that gentlenefs and 
 confidence, which alone could have fecured their 
 attachment and obedience, by infenfibly leading 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 105 
 
 them to a participation of the culture and fe- 
 licity of civil life, and accuftoming them to con- 
 fider the Genoefe as their fellow fubjefts, and 
 friends. 
 
 ■ They took a dire6t a contrary courfe ; and, 
 although they did not ufe fo defperate a mea- 
 fure, as that of the Carthaginians, their oppref- 
 fion was heavy ; their fyflem was not to ren- 
 der the Corficans happier and better, but by 
 keeping them in ignorance, and under the moft 
 abjedt fubmiffion, to prevent their endeavouring 
 to get free ; while Genoa drained the ifland of all 
 ftie could pofiibly get, choofing rather even to 
 have lefs advantage by tyranny, than to have a 
 much greater advantage, and rifk the confequences 
 of permitting to the inhabitants the blelTings of 
 freedom. 
 
 In this unhappy fituation was Corfica. Often 
 did the natives rife in arms -, but having no head 
 to dire6t them, they were immediately quelled. 
 So apprehenfive however were the Genoefe, that, 
 according to their own hiftorian Filippini, they 
 burnt 120 of the beft villages in Corfica, while 
 4000 people left the ifland. 
 
 What Ihewed the Genoefe policy in the woril 
 light, and could not but be very galling to the 
 Corficans who remained at home, was, that many 
 
io6 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 of thefe iflancjers, who had gone over to the 
 continent, made a diftinguilhed figure in moft 
 of the European ftates, both in learning, and in 
 arms. 
 
 About the 1550, Corfica revived under the 
 condudl of a great hero, who arofe for the de- 
 liverance of his country. This was Sampiero di 
 Ballelica. He early difcovered extraordinary parts 
 and fpirit ; and had the advantage of being edu- 
 cated in the houfe of cardinal Hypolitus de Me- 
 dicis, the nephew of pope Clement the feventh. 
 He was created colonel of the Corficans in France, 
 and diftinguilhed himfelf in almoft every one 
 of the o:reat aftions of that nation in his 
 
 c 
 
 time. 
 
 After the death of Francis the firft, he went 
 home to his native country ; where he married 
 Vannina, heirefs of the houfe of Ornano, of the 
 moft ancient and rich of the Corfican nobility ; 
 and from this time, he was generally called Sam- 
 piero di Ornano. 
 
 Being moved with the miferable ftate of his 
 countrymen, he refolved to procure them relief -, 
 and for this, a very favourable opportunity then 
 prefented itftlf. 
 
 Here hiftory begins again to open upon us. 
 The clouds of antiquity, and barbarifm are dif- 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 107 
 
 perfed, and we proceed clearly, under the guidance 
 of the illufirious Thuanus (a). 
 
 France had of a long time claimed a right o- 
 ver Genoa j but after the battle of Pavia, when 
 the French were forced entirely to abandon Italy, 
 that claim had become of no effecfl. Henry the 
 fecond however, having commenced a new war in 
 Italy, againft the emperour Charles the fifth, re- 
 folved to aiTert his power in Corfica \ Sampiero di 
 Ornano encouraged this difpofition, that he might 
 avail himfelf of it, to free the ifland from a yoke 
 which galled it fo much. 
 
 He reprefented to Henry, that as the Genoefe 
 had taken part with the emperour, his majefty 
 was debarred from all entrance to Italy by fea-, 
 whereas, by putting himfelf in pofTcfTion of Cor- 
 fica, he might have a free paflage through the Me- 
 diterranean, and might, at the fame time, employ 
 that ifland as a commodious garrifon, where troops 
 and warlike ftores might be lodged, to be from 
 thence thrown in upon Naples or Tufcany, as the 
 fituation of affairs Ihould require. 
 
 An expedition was therefore ordered to Corfi- 
 ca, in the year 1553, ^^nd^^* the command of 
 
 {a) Tliuan. Hill, lib. .\ii. cnp. 2. 
 
io8 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 general Paul de Thermes, accompanied by Sam- 
 piero di Ornano, Jourdain des Urfins, and feveral 
 other able commanders. Henry had alfo the 
 Turks joined with him in this expedition, having 
 prevailed with their fourth Emperour, Solyman, 
 ftyled the magnificent, to fend out a large fleet to 
 the Tufcan fea (a). 
 
 This expedition was powerfully oppofed by 
 the. Genoefe -, v/ho had given Corfica in charge 
 to their celebrated bank of St. George. The great 
 Andrew Doria, though then in his eighty feventh 
 year, bid defiance to age and infirmities, and, fince 
 Corfica was an objed of importance to his coun- 
 try, the gallant veteran embarked with all the fpi- 
 rit of his glorious youth, having a formidable ar- 
 mament under his command. 
 
 The war was carried on with vigour on both 
 fides. At firft however, feveral of the beft towns 
 were taken by the French and Turks, particular- 
 ly Ajaccio, where were a number of merchants, 
 whofe riches afforded good pillage to the enemy, 
 and helped to make the enterprife go on v/ith more 
 fpirit. The Corficans joined in the common caufej 
 and the greatefl part of the ifland was once fairly 
 delivered from the tyrant. 
 
 {a) Knowlcs's hiftory of the Turks, p. 757. 
 
OF CORSICA. 109 
 
 But the Genoefe were fo well commanded by 
 the intrepid Doria, and had befides fuch aiTiftance 
 from Charles the fifth, who lent ftrong reinforce- 
 ments both of Spanifh and German troops, that 
 the expedition was not entirely effeclual. 
 
 In the courfe of this war, fo many valourous 
 aftions were performed, that, fired with the con- 
 templation of them, I am almoft tempted to for- 
 get the limited bounds of my plan, and of my 
 abilities, and to affun-ie the province of an hifto- 
 rian •, I hope a Livy, or a Clarendon, Ihall one 
 day arife, and difplay to fucceeding ages, the Cor- 
 fican bravery, with the luflure which it deferves. 
 
 The Corficans were now fo violent againft the 
 Genoefe, that they refolved with one accord, that 
 rather than return under the dom.inion of the repu- 
 blick, they would throw themfelves into the arms 
 of the great Turk. At length however, a treaty 
 was concluded between the Corficans and Geno- 
 efe, advantageous and honourable for the former, 
 having for guarantee, his moft Chriftian Majefly. 
 
 But, as there was an inveterate, and implacable 
 hatred between thofe two nations, this treaty did 
 not long fubfift •, and upon Henry's death, the 
 fame opprefTion as formerly, became flagrant in 
 Corfica. 
 
no AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Sampiero di Ornano, who had been again fof 
 fometime in France, having loft his royal mafter, 
 wciit himfelf to the Ottoman Porte, and earneftly 
 folicited frefh afiiftance to his unhappy nation. 
 But the face of affairs was changed./ The fame 
 political viev/s no longer exifted j and it muft be 
 a miracle indeed, when ftates are moved by vir- 
 tuous principles of generofity. This brave man, 
 being unfuccefsful at Conftantinople, returned to 
 Corlica, where his prefence infpired the iflanders 
 with fortitude, and occafionedavery general revolt. 
 
 He carried on his glorious enterprife with con- 
 iiderable effedl ; and the more fo, that, as he had 
 now no foreign afTiftance, he was not looked 
 upon as very formidable, and the republick made 
 little preparation againft him. But he was ftop- 
 ped in his career by the treachery of the Genoefe, 
 who had him bafely affalTinated, by a wretch of 
 the name of Vitolli (a)^ in the year 1567. 
 
 (a) IVlichael Metello, who writes a particular hiflory of 
 the Cordcan revolt under Sampiero, gives a different account 
 of liis death. He will have him to have been killed from mo- 
 tives of private revenge, by his brother in law, Michael An- 
 gelo di Ornano. But, befides the improbability that Vannina, 
 the Ipoufe of Sampiero, had a brother, when it is certain fiie 
 inherited the family domains ; I own, that the aflaflination, as 
 related by feveral other autliours, appears to me fo much of 
 
Of CORSICA. tit 
 
 Thus fell Sampiero di Baftelica di Ornano, a 
 Corfican worthy of being ranked with the moft 
 diftinguifhed heroes. He dilplayed great bravery 
 and fidelity in foreign fervice ; and with unremit- 
 ting conftancy endeavoured to rellore the liber- 
 ties of his country. Thuanus calls him * Vir 
 bello impiger et animo invidtus (a)^ A man a6live 
 in war, and of a fpirit invincible.' The fhades 
 which were in his private condu6t, are to be for- 
 gotten in the admiration of his publick virtues. His 
 fon Alphonfo, and his grandfon John Baptift, both 
 arrived at the dignity of marcfchal of France, 
 after which his pofterity failed. 
 
 Alphonfo di Ornano, who had been brought 
 up in the court of Henry the fecond, kept alive 
 the patriotick ftruggle for a fliort while -, but un- 
 able to make head againfb the republick, he re- 
 tired from the ifland and fettled in France. 
 
 The Genoefe were thus again put in pofTef- 
 fion of Corfica. Enraged at what they had dif- 
 fered from a daring rebellion, as they termed it ; 
 and Hill dreading a new infurredlion, they thought 
 only of avenging themfelves on the Corficans ; and 
 
 a piece with the oppreirions of Genoa; both before and fince, 
 that I give it the preference. 
 {a) Thuani Hift. lib. xli. cap. 31. 
 
112 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 plunging that people ftill lower than ever, in ig- 
 norance and flavery. 
 
 Their opprefTion became now, if pofiibie, 
 worfe than before. They were inflamed with hot- 
 ter refentment, and their tyranny formed itfelf 
 into fomething of a regular fyftem. Forgetful of 
 every equitable convention that France had efta- 
 blillied, they exercifed, without controul, the ut- 
 moft rigours of arbitrary power. They permiti* 
 ted nothing to be exported from the ifland, but 
 to Genoa, where, of neceflity, the Corficans were 
 obliged to fell their merchandife at a very low 
 rate j and in years of fcarcity, the ifland was 
 drained of provifions by a fort of legal plunder. 
 For the inhabitants were forced to bring them to 
 Genoa, fo that adlual famine was often occafioned 
 in Corfica. 
 
 The Genoefe did every thing in their power to 
 foment internal diflenfions in Cgrfica, to which 
 the people were naturally too much inclined. 
 Thefe diflenfions occafloned the moft: horrid blood- 
 flied. They reckon that no lefs than 1 700 Cor- 
 flcans were aflafllnated in the fpace of two years. 
 Aflafllnations were, in the firft place, a certain 
 caufe of hatred among the Corflcans, and often 
 between the befl: families, fo that they would not 
 unite in any fcheme for the general liberty. And 
 
OP CORSICA. 113 
 
 in the fecond place, they could be turned to very 
 good account, either by confifcating the eftates of 
 the affaflins, or by making the criminals pay heavy 
 compenfacions to the judge. The judge could 
 wave the purfuit of juftice by faying, ' Non pro- 
 cedatur. Let there be no procefs •,* which could 
 eafily be cloaked under the pretence of fome de- 
 feft in point of form j or could even acquit the 
 deepeft offenders from his own will alone, by what 
 was called ' Ex informata confcientia, The infor- 
 mation of his own confcience j' of which he was 
 not obliged to give any account. 
 
 It was not till the year 1738, that Genoa made 
 an edidl againft this moft dreadful abufe. 
 
 M. De Montefquieu thus writes concerning it,' 
 with that calm dignity which becomes fo great a 
 matter : ' Une republique d'ltalie tenoit des infu- 
 ' laires fous fon obeiflance; mais fon droit politique 
 
 * et civil a leur egard etoit vicieux. On fe fouvient 
 
 * de cet a6le d'amniflie, qui porte qu'on ne les con- 
 ' damneroit plus a des peines afflidlives fur la con- 
 
 * fcience informee du gouverneur. On a vu fou- 
 
 * vent des peuples demander des privileges ; ici le 
 
 * fouverain accorde ledroitde toutesles nations ftjj. 
 
 * A republick in Italy held a nation of i (landers 
 
 (<?) Efprit des Loix, edit. Edin. liv. x. cap, 8» 
 
 F 
 
114 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 * under her obedience. But her political, and ci- 
 ' vil conftitution among them, was bad. We re- 
 ' member that a6l of amnefty, which bears, that 
 ' they fhould no more be condemned to afflictive. 
 ' pains, upon the informed confcience of the go- 
 ' vernour. We have often leen people afking pri- 
 ' vileges. Here, the fovereign is pleafed to grant 
 ' the common right of all nations.* 
 
 During this oppreffion, it was common to con- 
 demn multitudes to the galleys, for frivolous offen- 
 ces, that they might purchafe their liberty at a high 
 price ; and it is hardly poITible to conceive greater 
 barbarity, than what thefe illanders now endured. 
 
 The Genoefe fent to Corfica a commifTary ge-; 
 neral, or governour over the whole ifland •, whofe 
 office continued for two years. He was generally a 
 nobleman of defperate fortune, who by fhameful 
 extortions, returned home in opulence ; and by his 
 intereft in the fenate, prevented any inquiry being 
 made into his conduct. For although the unhap- 
 py Corficans offered many complaints to the re- 
 publick, they were inftantly ftifled j which was 
 not difficult to do, as the Corficans were confider- 
 ed to be fo turbulent and mutinous, that no ad- 
 minifuration could pleafe them j and as every fena- 
 tour who was to give his vote, did not know, but 
 
O F C O R S IC A. 115 
 
 by extravagance, he himfelf might one day be 
 obliged to have recourfe to the fame expedient. 
 
 The comm.iflary general had his refidence at 
 Baftia. There were alio other commifTaries at Cal- 
 vi, Ajaccio and Bonifaccioi and Lieirtenants, and 
 inferiour officers, difperfed over the ifland •, who 
 all in their feveral ftations, contributed to rob, and 
 to ruin the country ; while they triumphed in a 
 mean fecurity, that asCorfica was overlooked, and, 
 as it were, hid in a corner of Europe, their inju- 
 rious proceedings v/ere not known to the world. 
 
 During this period of fecret, and cruel oppref- 
 fion, there happened a very curious event, th& 
 eftablifhment of a colony of Greeks in Corfica •, 
 of which I Ihall now give an account. 
 
 After Mahomet and his fucceflburs had fubdued 
 almoft the whole of ancient Greece, and Scander- 
 beg, who fo glorioufly defended his country, was 
 dead -, there ftill remained a few brave fouls who 
 inhabited a part of Peloponnefus of old, now the 
 kingdom of Morea. This part was, what is cal- 
 led a branch of the Maina, the very fpot where 
 Lacedemon flood. 
 
 Here, covered by inripafiable mountains, with 
 only a fmall entrance, they refilled the Ottoman 
 empire, as Leonidas formerly refilled the millions 
 of Xerxes, 
 
 F 2 
 
ii6 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 But when the Turks got pofTeflion of the iflc 
 of Candia, in 1669, they came by fea, and made 
 a defcent upon Maina, penetrated into the heart 
 of the territory, and foon became mailers of it ; 
 and then, the unfortunate pofterity of the Spar- 
 tans, were reduced to a ftate, little better than fla- 
 very. Exorbitant taxes were impofed upon them ; 
 their fineft women were forced away to the fera- 
 gliosj and towers were built in different parts of the 
 country, where troops were garrifoned, to keep 
 them in awe •, fo that they had no hope of delive- 
 rance. Their fpirits gradually funk, and many of 
 them embraced the faith of the Koran. 
 
 Still, however, a fpark of the ancient fire was 
 preferved amongft thofe, who dwelt at Porto Vi- 
 tilo ; who, defpairing to fee any change in their 
 dejefled country, came to the refolution of aban- 
 doning it altogether, and of feeking an eftablifh- 
 ment fomewhere elfe. 
 
 With this view, they fent to Italy, deputies who 
 had fome acquaintance with the different Hates, 
 and who were intruded by the community to look 
 out for a convenient fettlement, and to conclude 
 the terms of a convention. 
 
 The Genoefe fent them over to Corfica, where 
 they were fhewn a trad of ground, belonging to 
 the chamber of the ftate, on the weftern fide of 
 
OF CORSICA. 117 
 
 the iiland, about three miles from the fea. The 
 deputies were very well pleafed with it , and, on 
 their return to Genoa, they entered into an agree- 
 ment with the republick. 
 
 They then went home to Greece, and having 
 made a report to their countrymen, the plan was 
 approved of; and, in the month of Oftober, 
 1676, thefe ' Trifles reliquiae Danaum, Sad re- 
 mains of the Greeks,' embarked, in all about 
 1000 fouls. The family of Stefanopoli was the 
 moft diftinguifhed among them, and condudled 
 the whole enterprife. 
 
 They arrived at Genoa, in the month of Janu- 
 ar)% 1677, where they remained, till the month 
 of March. The republick paid all the expencc 
 of their freight, and afforded them lodging and 
 fubfiflence, till they were fafely landed in Corfica. 
 
 The conventions entered into, were, that the 
 Genoefe granted to the Greeks, the territories of 
 Paomia, Ruvida and Salogna, in perpetual fief. 
 They furnifhed them with houfes, with grain, 
 and with cattle j and engaged to maintain a body 
 of Genoefe foldiers to defend them againfl all in- 
 fults, for the firfl years of their refidence, They 
 alfo appointed a Genoefe gentleman, with the 
 title of Diredtour, as judge over them,whofe office 
 was to be biennial, fo that it fhould go by rotati- 
 
ii8 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 on, among the Genoefe nobility ; and they agreed 
 to fupport, at the expence of the republick, a vi- 
 car, fkilled in the Greek language, who fliould 
 inftrLKfl their children in different lludies ; and, at 
 the fame time, celebrate mafs, and preach in the 
 chapel of the diredour. 
 
 On the other hand, the Greeks obhged them- 
 felves to cultivate the lands, and with all expedi- 
 tion, to difcharge the debts they (hould incur to 
 the republick, forfupplying them with every ne- 
 ceffary, in the infancy of their colony. They alfo 
 obhged themfelves, to pay to the republick, a tax 
 of five livrcs, for every family, befides a tenth of 
 all their produdions, and to be ready to ferve the 
 republick, either by fea, or land, whenever their 
 fervice fliould be required. 
 
 Thus, was this colony fettled. They enjoyed 
 the free exercife of their own rites of religion, 
 according to the Greek church, having brought 
 with them the bifliop of Porto Vitilo. 
 
 They had alfo brought with them, fome re- 
 ligious, of the order of St. Banl, the only order 
 in their church j who eftablifhed a convent in a 
 wild and romantick valley. But the Genoefe did 
 not approve of thefe fathers j and, in a Ihort time^ 
 theij: convent wag fhut up. 
 
Of CORSICA. 119 
 
 The Greeks found themfelves very eafy and 
 happy, for a good many years. By their induf- 
 try and aftiviiy, they beautified and enriched 
 their poiTefilcns, and built very good houfes, 
 doing every thing with a tafte, altogether new in 
 Corfica. 
 
 But their neighbours, the natives of the ifland, 
 did not live in great harmony with them. Per- 
 haps, in this, envy may have had fome Ihare ; for 
 their vines and their olives, their herds and their 
 flocks, were, by care and fkill, much fuperiour 
 to thofe of the Corficans. But befidcs, the ifland^ 
 ders looked upon the Greeks as auxiliaries of the 
 Genoefe, to whom they, from time to time, fwore 
 fidelity ; and were ever ready to give their aflif- 
 tance. They alfo knew, that the Greeks were 
 well fupplied with arms ; and therefore, there 
 were frequent fkirmifhes between them and the 
 peafants of the province of Vico, of which their 
 territories had formerly made a part ; and in the 
 year I/29, when the nation rofe againft the Ge- 
 noefe, the Greeks were ferioufly attacked ; and 
 many a defperate battle they fought with great 
 bravery. The Genoefe formed three regular 
 companies of them, to whom they gave pay; 
 and they were always employed in the moft dif- 
 ficult enterprifes. In particular, they were de- 
 
 F 4 
 
120 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 tached to attempt taking the caftle of Cortc from 
 the patriots •, on which occafion, they were forely 
 defeated, and a great number of them were kil- 
 led. 
 
 After various ftruggles, which the plan of this 
 work does not allow me to relate, the Greeks 
 were forced to leave their pofTeflions, and retire 
 to Ajaccio, where they now fupport themfelves 
 tolerably by their labour : and being convinced 
 of the tyranny of the Genoefe, wait with im- 
 patience for their total expulfion from the ifland ; 
 and hope from the generofity of Paoli and the 
 Corficans, that protedion and encouragement 
 which they deferve. 
 
 This colony has been fober, virtuous and in- 
 duftrious ; and if they have afled in a hoftile man- 
 ner againft the nation, it was from a good prin- 
 ciple ', from the fidelity which they owed to the 
 republick that had granted them an afylum ; 
 which fidelity they would ever have preferved, 
 had not the republick included them in the gene- 
 ral oppreflion. I muft obferve of this colony, that 
 it hath had the honour of producing an excellent 
 phyfician, Signor Giovanni Stefanopoli, the firfl 
 who hath had the wifdom and the fpirit to bring 
 inoculation into pradtice in Corfica, by which he 
 preferves multitudes of lives ; and may therefore 
 
OF CORSICA; 121 
 
 be juflly reckoned a diftinguiflied benefaflor to 
 the ftate. 
 
 Long defpifed, plundered and opprefled, the 
 Corficans again revived in 1729, when the war 
 commenced, which, with Ibme intervals, has con- 
 tinued till now •, and after fo many changes, mif- 
 fortunes and flruggles, will probably fix on a fo- 
 lid bafis the Corfican liberty. 
 
 It is wonderful to fee how great events are 
 produced by little caufes. A late authour (a) hath 
 given us an entertaining feleftion of fuch inftan- 
 ces, from the hiftories of different nations. The 
 rife of the Corficans in 1729, was occafioned 
 by a fingle paolo, a piece worth about five pence 
 Englilh. A Genoefe colleftor, went to the houfe 
 of a poor old woman, and demanded this trifling 
 fum, as the money for which Ihe was affeffed. 
 Being in extreme penury, Ihe had not wherewithal 
 to fatisfy the demand. Upon which, the colledor 
 began to abufe her, and to feize fome of her fur- 
 niture. She begged him to have patience, and 
 faid, Ihe hoped in a few days to be able to pay 
 him. He perfifted in his feverity, and the poor 
 woman made a great lamentation. Two or three 
 people hearing the noife, entered the houfe, took 
 the part of the woman, and exclaimed againft the 
 barbarity of the colle6tor. He threatened then) 
 
 (<?) Monlieur Richer, 
 
122 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 with piinilhment, for having hindered him in thc 
 execution of his office. This provoked the vil- 
 lagers, and they drove him away with ftones. 
 The Genoefe fent troops to fupport their collec- 
 tor, and the Corficans affembled in large bodies 
 to defend themfelves. The tumult encreafed. 
 A fpark was fufficient to kindle the generous 
 flame, in a people, who had To often glowed with 
 the enthufiafm of liberty •, and in a very fliort 
 time, the whole iOand v/as in motion. 
 
 The Corficans immediately ruflied upon the 
 capital, which they took almoft without refiftance ; 
 and they would have been mailers of the caftle of 
 Corte, had they been a little better regulated. 
 
 They faw it was necefiary to put themfelves 
 under the diredion of certain chiefs. They there- 
 fore chofe Signor Andrea Geccaldi, one of the 
 higheft nobility in the kingdom, and Signor Luiggi 
 Giafferi, not indeed of the firft rank, but who had 
 a number of relations, a Ipirit, warm to a degree 
 of fanaticifm, againfc the republick, and the moil 
 ileady and undaunted refolution. To thefe wa3 
 joined, Signor Domenico Raffalii, a worthy and, 
 learned ecclefiaftick, as a fort of prefident of 
 jullice, whole wifdom might preferve order in their 
 adminiftration, and whole religion might temper 
 the violence of their meafures, by principles of 
 confcience. 
 
OF CORSICA. 123 
 
 The Genoefe at firft endeavoured to overcome 
 the Corficans by the fole force of the republick ; 
 but finding themfelves altogether unable for it, 
 while the Corficans were every day growing 
 flronger, cutting to pieces the poor reinforce- 
 ments of Genoefe troops, and thereby fupplying 
 themfelves with more arms ; the republick was 
 under the neceflity of feeking foreign afllflance. 
 
 They applied to the emperour, Charles the 
 fixth, who fent to Corfica, a body of auxiliaries, 
 under the command of general Wachtendonck. 
 Thefe harrafled the ifland, without being power- 
 ful enough to overawe it. They had continual 
 rencounters with the Corficans, who, in one 
 adion, killed 1200 of them. The emperour 
 then fent a ftrong army of Germans, with the 
 prince of Wirtemberg at their head+ The Cor- 
 ficans were not in condition to refift fuch a force. 
 They laid down their arms, upon condition 
 that a treaty Ihovid be made between them and 
 the Genoefe, having for guarantee the em- 
 perour. 
 
 To this the republick having acceded, the 
 Corficans confented that their three chiefs, toge- 
 ther with Signor Aiteili, a pievano of great in^ 
 fluence, lliould go to Genoa as hoftap;e3. 
 
124 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Thefe were accordingly condufbed thither, 
 dreading no violation of the promife of fafety 
 which had been made to them. The Ligurians 
 however, inclined to put them to death -, and 
 their minifler at Vienna, had almoft obtained the 
 emperour's confent j but the prince of Wirtem- 
 berg, who was afterwards killed at the battle of 
 Guaftalla, a prince of a brave and gallant fpirit, 
 fent an exprefs to the emperour, with a very 
 flrong letter, reprefenting how much the honour 
 of Caefar would fuffer, fhould he confent to the 
 death of thofe who had furrendered themfelves 
 upon the faith of his facred proteftion. This was 
 feconded by the generous interpofition of the 
 great prince Eugene of Savoy •, and inftrudtions 
 were fent to Genoa, that the hoftages Ihould be 
 releafed. 
 
 Giafferi and Aitelli went home to Corfica. 
 Ceccaldi went to Spain, where he died with the 
 rank of colonel j and Raffalli went to Rome, 
 where he remained till he became very old. He 
 then returned to end his days in his native coun- 
 try, where he ftili lives, regarded with venera- 
 tion. 
 
 The treaty which had been formally concluded 
 between the Corficans and the Genoefe, having 
 been broken by the latter, there was a very fhort 
 
OF CORSICA. 325 
 
 fofpenfion of hoftilities ; and in 17349 the Cor- 
 ficans rofe anew. 
 
 GiafFeri was again elefted a general, and got 
 for his collegue Signor Giacinto Paoli, father of 
 the prefent General. 
 
 Giacinto Paoli, was a Corfican gentleman of 
 a good family. But his merit diftinguillied him 
 more than his rank. He was a man of learning* 
 religion and bravery -, well qualified to ferve his 
 country, either in politicks, or in war. Thefe 
 chiefs were afiifted by a variety of prefidents of 
 juftice, eleded one after another. 
 
 The Genoefe had paid very dear for their 
 viftory, in their ftruggles. It was computed, 
 that it had coft them above thirty millions of 
 livres, befides coftly prefents to the prince of 
 Wirtemberg, and to the other general officers. 
 
 The Marquis d' Argens very pleafantly applies 
 to the Genoefe, the French fable of a gardener, 
 who complained to a gentleman in the neigh- 
 bourhood, that a hare came every day into his 
 garden, and eat his cabbages j and begged the 
 gentleman would be fo good, as drive her out 
 for him. The Gentleman comes with a pack of 
 hounds, and half-a-dozen huntfmen, and does 
 more mifchief in five minutes, than the hare 
 could have done in feven years. After a prodi- 
 
126 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 gious chace, the hare made her efcape through 
 a hole in the wall. Upon which the gentleman 
 congratulated the gardener on getting rid of his 
 enemy, and advifed him to flop up the hole (a). 
 So the Genoefe, ^fter having expended a great 
 deal more upon foreign auxiliaries, than any 
 advantage they can ever derive from Corfica •, 
 upon the departure of thcfe auxiliaries, have 
 the mortification to find themfelves juft as they 
 were. 
 
 Genoa again tried her force againft Corlica ; 
 but fhe only fhewed her weaknefs, and bad po- 
 liticks. So much fallen was ihe from that ad- 
 venturous flate, which had formerly extended 
 her influence fo far. Genoa indeed, was unhap- 
 pily adminiflered. They relate, that the city of 
 Savona having rebelled feveral times, it was de- 
 liberated in the fenate, whether they ought not 
 to deflroy it altogether. When a witty fenator 
 of the Doria family, rofe, and faid, ' If that 
 be your intention, ■ gentlemen, you need only 
 fend them fuch another governour, as the two 
 lafl were ; you cannot fall on a better expe- 
 dient.' 
 
 The Corficans on this occafion, difplayed their 
 refolution afrefh, in the caufe of liberty. They 
 
 (a) Lettres Juiv. Ictt. 34. 
 
OF CORSICA. 127 
 
 were well condudled, and had many fuccefsful 
 engagements with the Genoefe. 
 
 Their noble enthurialm always continued, and, 
 notwithflanding many unlucky divifions among 
 themfelves, there were Hill, in different parts, of 
 the ifland, intrepid bands, animated by the ex- 
 ample of diftinguilhed leaders, 
 
 I muft here take notice of count Domenico 
 Rivarola. His family was a branch of the houle 
 of Roffi, at Parma, one of the moft ancient 
 and confpicuous of the Italian nobility. His an- 
 ceftor had left his fief of Rivarola, in the ter- 
 ritory of Mantua, on account of the wars be- 
 tween the emperour, and the countefs Matilda, 
 and had fettled in the Genoefe (late, where h© 
 quitted the name of Rofii, and took that of Ri-J 
 varola. This family of Rivalora, greatly in- 
 creafed. In the fifteenth century, Francis Riva- 
 rola was, on account of long fervices, raifed 
 to the dignity of a count Palatine, by the empe- 
 rour Maximilian ; from which period, the title 
 has fince been in the family. Several defcendants 
 of Rivarola were eftabhfhed in Spr.in, Sicily, 
 and the dominions of Sardinia, and three were 
 eftablifhed in Corfica, one in Calvi, one in 
 Ajaccio, and one in Baftia j of which lafl:, 
 
128 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 count Domenico Rivarola was the reprefenta- 
 tive. 
 
 This gentleman had the lands of Chiaveri, 
 on the river of Genoa j was confidered as a friend 
 of the republick, and was intrufted by her, with 
 the office of commiflary in Balagna ; a fingular 
 honour for a Corfican. 
 
 He endeavoured, at this time, to make a rea- 
 fonable accommodation between the Corficans 
 and Genoefe, which having proved ineffeftual, 
 he was convinced, that the republick was de- 
 termined to perfevere in tyranny ; he therefore 
 embraced the patriotick party, and was ever 
 after, moll firm and zealous, in the great caufe 
 of liberty. He quitted the ifland, and went over 
 to Leghorn, that he might be at full liberty 
 to negotiate upon the continent, in behalf of his 
 country. 
 
 The Genoefe immediately confifcated his lands 
 of Chiaveri. He had flill the lands of Oletta, 
 in Corfica ; to which, he made his family re- 
 move from Baftia. But, he had foon a very fe- 
 vere trial of his conflancy. For, the fame 
 year, his fon Antonio, who was ftudying at the 
 academy of Siena, went home, to bring with 
 him his brother Nicholas ; and, as they were 
 crofling over to Leghorn, in a little Tufcan 
 
O F CORSICA. 129 
 
 velTel, with a Britifh paflport, they were taken 
 by the republick, and carried to Genoa, where 
 they were thrown into prifon. 
 
 The republick thought this would certainly 
 prevent count Domenico, the father, from con- 
 tinuing with the patriots. They offered to re- 
 ftore him his poIfefTions, to releafe his fons, and 
 to make him general of the Corfican troops in 
 their fervice, if he would return to their fide. 
 But he anfwered with refolucion and magnani- 
 mity; ' I miei figliuoli me ii daranno a lor dif- 
 
 * petto ; e tutte le altre offerte le ftimo un nul- 
 ' la a paragone del giufto impegno che ho pre- 
 ' fo e che feguitero fin che ho vita. My fons 
 
 * they fhall be obliged to give me, whether they 
 ' will or no ; and all their other offers I confider 
 ' as nothing, in comparifon of the jufl enterpriie 
 
 * in which I am engaged, and in which I will 
 ' perfevere while I have life.' Such inftances of 
 patriotick fpirit deferve to be recorded. The 
 annals of Corfica will furnifh many of them. 
 
 When the Aultrian troops entered Genoa, 
 the young counts Rivarola were fet at liberty. 
 Count Antonio, the eldeft, my very good 
 friend, is a major, in the fervice of the king of 
 Sardinia, and conful general for that fovereio;n in 
 Tufcany. Count Nicholas, the other, lives at 
 
 G 
 
130 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Olctta in Corfica, but is of fo delicate a confti- 
 tution, that he cannot ferve his country as he 
 would wifh to do. Both the brothers have the 
 fpirit of their father. 
 
 Count Domenico Rivarola obtained a regi- 
 ment in the Sardinian fervice, and by his influ- 
 ence at Turin, procured fuch afliftance, that he 
 would have been able to free his country, had 
 it not been for the houfe of Matra in Corfica, 
 which flood by the republick, and had intereft 
 enough to make a ftrong party in the illand. 
 
 In the mean time, the Corlican war went on 
 with fpirit. Sometimes it was expeded, that 
 the king of Spain would ftrike in on one fide 
 or other. But that prince did not choofe to in- 
 terfere. Probably he forefaw, that it would in- 
 volve him in a quarrel with France. 
 
 While the Genoefe and the Corficans were 
 thus keenly engaged, and the politicians of Eu- 
 rope were forming various conjedures, a moft 
 extraordinary circumflance occurred, to the a- 
 mazement of every body. This was the appear- 
 ance of Theodore, whofe fingular llory has made 
 fo much noife. 
 
 As many inconfiftent reports have been cir- 
 culated, with regard to this man, I have been 
 at great pains to obtain authentick accounts con- 
 
OF C O RS I C A. 131 
 
 cerning him, which, I am perfuaded, will be very- 
 acceptable to my readers. 
 
 Theodore Baron NewhofF, in the county of 
 La Marc in Weflphalia, was the perfonage who 
 afpired to the fovereignty of Corlica. He had 
 his education in the French fervice. He after- 
 wards went to Spain, where he received fome 
 marks of regard from the duke of Riperda and 
 cardinal Alberoni. But beins; of a ft-rang-e unfet- 
 tied projefting difpofition, he quitted Spain, and 
 went and travelled into Italy, England and Hol- 
 land •, ever in fearch of fome new adventure. He 
 at laft fixed his attention on Corfica, and formed 
 a fcheme of making himfelf a king. 
 
 He was a man of abilities and addrefs -, and, 
 after having fully informed himfelf of every thing 
 relating to the ifland, he went to Tunis, where he 
 -fell upon means to procure fome money and arms ; 
 and then came to Leghorn, from whence he 
 wrote a letter to the Corfican chiefs, GiafFeri and 
 Paoli, offering confiderable afTiftance to the nati - 
 on, if they would eledl him as their fovereign. 
 
 This letter was configned to count Domenico 
 Rivarola, who a6led as Corfican plenipotentiary, 
 in Tufcany -, and he gave for anfwer, that if Theo- 
 dore brought the afliflance he promifed to the 
 
 G 2 
 
132 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Corficans, they would very willingly make him 
 king. 
 
 Upon this he, without lofs of time, fet fail and 
 landed at Tavagna in fpring, 1736. He was a 
 man of a very {lately appearance j and the Tur- 
 kifh drefs which he wore, added to the dignity 
 of his mien. He had a few attendants with him. 
 His manners were fo engaging, and his offers (6 
 plaufible, that he was proclaimed king of Corfica, 
 before count Rivarola's difpatches arrived to in- 
 form the chiefs of the terms upon which he had 
 agreed. He brought with him about a thoufand 
 zechins of Tunis, befides fome arms and ammu- 
 nition, and made magnificent promifes of foreign 
 alliftance •, fo that the Corficans, who were glad 
 of any fupport, willingly gave into his fchemes ; 
 and it mull be confidered, that there could be no 
 great harm in allowing a man the name of king, 
 fmce they had always the power of reflraining his 
 authority. 
 
 Theodore alTumed every mark of royal dig- 
 nity. He had his guards, and his officers of ftate. 
 He conferred titles of honour, and he ftruck mo - 
 ney, both of lilver and copper. The filver pieces 
 were few in number, and can now liardly be 
 met with. I have one of his copper coins, on one 
 fide of it is 'T. R. fTheodorus Rex) King Theo- 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 133 
 
 dore,'Avith a double branch croffed, and round it 
 this infcripdon, ' Pro bono publico Re. Co. (Reg- 
 ni Corficae) For the public good of the kingdom 
 of Corfica.* On the other fide, is the value of 
 the piece, ' cinque foldi, five fous.' There was fuch 
 a curiofity over all Europe to have king Theo- 
 dore's coins, that his filver pieces were fold at four 
 zechins each ; and when the genuine ones were 
 exhaufted, imitations of them were made at Na- 
 ples, and, like the imitations of antiques, were 
 bought up at a high price, and carefully preferved 
 in the cabinets of the virtuofi. 
 
 Theodore immediately blocked up the Gc- 
 noefe fortified towns •, and he ufed to be fome- 
 times at one fiege, fometimes at another, Handing 
 with a telefcope in his hand, as if he fpied the 
 afTiilance which he find he expeded. He ufed 
 alfo the artifice of making large packets be con- 
 tinually brought to him from the continent, which 
 he gave out to be from the difi^eient fovereigns of 
 Europe, acknowledging his authority, and promif- 
 ing to befriend him. 
 
 The Genoefe were not a little confounded 
 with this unexpedbed adventurer. They publillied 
 a violent manifeflo againfl: Theodore, treating him 
 with great contempt, but at the fame time fhew- 
 ing, that they were alarmed at his appearance. 
 Theodore replied, in a manifefto, with all the 
 
134 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 calmnefs and dignity of a monarch, exprefled his 
 indifference as to the injurious treatment of .the 
 republick, and appeared firm in the hopes of vic- 
 tory. 
 
 The Genoefc minifler at London, made ftrons 
 intereft againft the CorHcans -, and on the 24th of " 
 July, 1736, her majefly, the queen regent of 
 Great Britain, iffued out her royal proclamation, 
 prohibiting any of his majeily's fubjecls from fur- 
 nifhing provifions or afTiiiance to the malecontents 
 of Corfica. 
 
 After having been about e'lg-ht months in Cor- 
 fica, Theodore perceived, that the people began 
 to cool in their affections towards him, and did 
 not a(5l v/ith the fame relblution as before. He 
 therefore wifely determined, to leave them for a 
 little, and try his fortune again upon the continent. 
 So, after having laid down a plan of adminiftra- 
 tion, to be obferved in his abfence, he quitted the 
 ifland, in the month of November. 
 
 He went to Holland, and there he was fuc- 
 cefsful enough to get credit to a great extent, 
 from feveral rich merchants, particularly Jews, 
 who trufled him with cannon, and other warlike 
 {lores, to a great value, under the charge of a fu- 
 percargo. With thefe, he returned to Corfica, in 
 1739; ^"^' ^" ^'-^ arrival, he put to death hi^ 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 135 
 
 fupercargo, that he might not have any trouble 
 from demands being made upon him. 
 
 By this time, as fhall be afterwards fhewn, the 
 French had become fo powerful in the ifland, 
 that, although Theodore threw in his fupply of 
 warlke llores, he did not incline to venture his 
 perfon, the Genoefe having fet a high price upon 
 his head. 
 
 He therefore chofe to relinquifh his throne, 
 and give up his views of ambition for fafety, hav- 
 ing furnilhed a remarkable example, how far a 
 daring and defperate fpirit may go. Had Theo- 
 dore had a little more prudence, and fome better 
 fortune, he, and his pofterity, might have worn the 
 crown of Corfica, upon the generous title of hav- 
 ing delivered the ifland from opprefTion. 
 
 It has often been faid, that Theodore was fe- 
 cretly fupported by fome of the European pow- 
 ers. But, from all that I can learn, there is no 
 foundation whatever, for this conje«51;ure. It is, 
 indeed, a rare thing, to find a private gentleman 
 embarking on his own bottom, in an enterprife 
 of fuch a nature. But the truth is, Theodore was 
 a moll Angular man, and had been fo beaten a- 
 bout, by change of fortune, that he had loft the 
 common fentiments of mankind, and viewed things 
 as one who is mad, or drunk, or in a fever. He 
 had nothing to lofe, and a great deal to win. His 
 
136 AN AC COUNT 
 
 fcheme was, to amiife the Corficans with hope* 
 of foreign aid ; and, by the force of hope, to car- 
 ry them foreward. This might have fucceeded, 
 in which cafe, he could very eafily have faid, that 
 the foreign aid would have come, had there been 
 occafion for it ; but they had behaved with fuch 
 fpirit, as to require no help. And, had he been 
 fortunate, it is probable, fome of the powers of 
 Europe might have, in reality, ftood by him. 
 
 The Corficans now, talk differently of king 
 Theodore. Some of them, who had molt faith in 
 his fine fpeeches. Hill extoll him to tlie fkies, to 
 fupport their own judgment ; others, who looked 
 upon him as an impoftour, and never joined hear- 
 tily in his meafures, reprefent him as a kind of 
 Wat Tyler, a king of a rabble ; but the moft know- 
 ing and judicious, and the General himfelf, confi- 
 der him in the moderate light in which he has 
 now been reprefented, and own, that he was of 
 great fervice in reviving the fpirit of the nation, 
 which, after a good many years of conilant war, 
 was beginning to droop, but which, Theodore 
 reftored, while he rekindled the facred fire of li- 
 ■ berty. 
 
 They, indeed, are fenfiblc, that his wretched 
 fate has thrown a fort of ridicule on the nation, 
 fince their king was confined in a jail at London, 
 which was aflually the cafe of poor Theodore ^ 
 
OF CORSICA. 137 
 
 who, after experiencing the moft extraordinary 
 viciflltudes of fortune, chofe to end his days in 
 our ifland of liberty ; but was reduced to the 
 wretched Itate of a prifoner, for debt. 
 
 Mr. Horace Walpole generoufly exerted him- 
 felf for Theodore. He wrote a paper in the 
 World, with great elegance and humour, foliciting 
 a contribution for the monarch in diftrefs, to be 
 paid to Mr. Robert Dodfley, bookfeller, as lord 
 high treafurer. This brought him a very hand- 
 fome fum. He was allowed to get out of prifon. 
 Mr. Walpole has the original deed, by which 
 Theodore made over the kingdom of Corfica, in 
 fecurity to his creditors. He has alfo the great 
 feal of the kingdom. 
 
 Mr. Walpole has told me, that he had the 
 curiofity to fee king Theodore, and was accord- 
 ingly in company with him, at a lady's of his 
 acquaintance. But whether from dulnefs, or from 
 pride, he did not open his mouth. 
 
 I fuppofe he has been fo much dejedled, and 
 fo much hurt by his misfortunes, that he was 
 become fullen and indifferent. He died very foon 
 after he got out of prifon, and was buried in St. 
 Anne's church-yard, Weftminfter ; where a fimple, 
 unadorned monument is erected to him, with the 
 following infcription ; 
 
13S AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Near this place, is interred 
 
 Theodore, king of Corfica ; 
 
 Who died in this parifh, Dec. 1 1, 
 
 1756, 
 
 Immediately after leaving 
 
 The king's bench prifon, 
 
 By die benefit of the aft of infolvency : 
 
 In confequence of which. 
 
 He regiflered his kingdom of Corfica 
 
 For the ufe of liis creditors. 
 
 The grave, great teacher, to a level brings. 
 Heroes, and beggars, galley-flaves, and kings ; 
 But Theodore, this moral learn'd, e'er dead ; 
 Fate pour'd its lefTon on his living head, 
 Beftow'd a kingdom, and deny'd him bread. 
 
 1 
 
 To return to the affairs of the ifland. The 
 Genoefe, eager to reprefs the rife in 1734, hir- 
 ed fome Swifs and Grifons, who from being 
 gccuftomed to fuch a country at home, might 
 fcour the mountains of Corfica. But thefe fol- 
 diers found it no eafy matter to fcour moun- 
 tains, where the natives were continually firing 
 upon them, and had numberlefs ways of efcap- 
 ing. They foon faw that they had made a bad 
 bargain, and that they gave the Genoefe too 
 much blood for their money, 
 
 Genoa had alfo recourfe to the defperate expe- 
 dient of Marius and Sylla. She publiflied an 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 139 
 
 indemnity to all her afTaffins, and outlaws of 
 every fort, on condition that they fhould fight 
 for the republick, in Corfica. The robbers and 
 alfaiTins of Genoa, are no inconfiderable propor- 
 tion of her people. Thefe wretches flocked 
 together, from all quarters, and wxre formed into 
 twelve companies, who were joined with the Swifs 
 and Grifons. 
 
 It may well be believed, that venal flipen- 
 diaries, and abandoned criminals, could not op- 
 pofe an army of brave men, who were fighting iri 
 the great caufe of liberty, and had every thing 
 that was dear to them, at ftake. 
 
 But France, who has ever had an eye to this 
 ifland, now began to be apprehenfive that the 
 Corficans might entirely throw ofi^ the yoke of 
 Genoa, in which cafe, they would either become 
 a free ftate, which the powers of Europe would, 
 from a mutual jealoufy, prote6t, or perhaps, would 
 put themfelves under the fovereignty of fome great 
 nation. She refolved then to force them back 
 under the dominion of Genoa ; for, by conftant 
 negotiations with that republick, France has fuch 
 an afcendancy, that fhe may command, when fhe 
 pleafes, whatever belongs to it. 
 
 A treaty was therefore made at Verfailles, by 
 which, ' his moft Chriftian Majefty engaged to re- 
 
140 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 duce the Corficans to obedience ; and it was con- 
 trived with fuch addrefs, as to appear done at the 
 earnefl defire of Genoa •, though in reality, the 
 republick had too recently experienced the danger 
 of calling in the aid of a great ftate, to wifh for a 
 repetition of the fame expedient. 
 
 In the month of March, 1738, the count de 
 Boifieux was fent with a detachment of French 
 troops to Corfica. This general was a good offi- 
 cer, but of no great enterprife. He was attended 
 on this expedition, by M. de Contades, fince, 
 marefchal of France, who commanded the French 
 army, at the battle of Minden. After feveral con- 
 ferences with the chiefs of the Corficans, GiafFeri 
 and Paoli, with whom we may alfo mention Lu- 
 ca di Ornano, a collateral branch of the great 
 family, which Sampiero di Baftelica formerly re- 
 prefented, M. de BoifTeux finding that the Corfi^ 
 cans would not fubmit to their old opprefTours, 
 beo-an his hoftilities. 
 
 The people of Corfica remonftrated to his 
 mofl: Chriftian Majefty in a very affeding memo- 
 rial, in which they enumerated at great length 
 their grievances, and as France had formerly af- 
 forded them proteftion, they hoped fhe would 
 not now compel them to yield to the worft of 
 tyranny. To the memorial were fubjoined articles- 
 
OF C O RS I C A. 141 
 
 of accomodation, which they fubmitted to the 
 French king. 
 
 Thefe articles were thought too bold for a 
 people in the fttuation of the Corficans ; and ar- 
 ticles formed by the Genocfe were approved by 
 France : fo that no accommodation could be 
 brought about. Giafferi and Paoli publifhed a fpi- 
 rited manifefto to their countrymen, concluding 
 it with the noble fentiment of Judas Maccabeus : 
 ' Melius eft mori in bello quam videre mala gen- 
 ' tis noftrae (a). It is better for us to die in bat- 
 ' tie, than to behold the calamities of our people.' 
 
 M. de Boiflet^x did confiderable hurt to the 
 Corficans ; for, although his operations were flow, 
 they were well conduced. He had even recourfe 
 to art ; for he had a part of his troops dreft exa6t- 
 ly like the people of the country, and, by that 
 device, they deftroyed multitudes, and occafioned 
 a ftrange confufion and difmay among the Corfi- 
 cans, in fo much, that till they came very near 
 parties, who appeared upon the mountains and in 
 the woods, they could not be certain whether 
 they were friends or enemies. Meanwhile, more 
 troops being fent from France, the tranfports 
 were overtaken with a terrible ftorm, and fome 
 of them wrecked on the Corfican coafts, where 
 
 (.') I Maccabees, chap. iii. vcr. 59. 
 
142 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 the patriots took the foldiers prifoners, and feized 
 their arms. M. de BoifTeux did not live to fee the 
 Hiccefs of his operations. He was taken ill, and 
 died at Baftia, in February 1739. 
 
 The Genoefe, much elated with the fuccefs 
 that the monarchy of France had againft the 
 Corficans, publifhed a long memorial. The be- 
 ginning of it, is truly pleafant : 'AH the world 
 ' knows fo well, the mildnefs and love, v^ith 
 ' which the republick of Genoa governs her 
 
 * people •, and above all, with what goodnefs and 
 
 * afFedion fhe hath ever regarded thofe of Corfi- 
 
 * ca, &c. (a).' They really intended this fhould 
 pafs in Europe, as a ferious truth. 
 
 Still fupported by the goodnefs of their caufe, 
 the Corficans remained inflexible, nor would they 
 ever have given way, but to fuch a fuperiourity of 
 force, as it was impoflible for them to withftand. 
 
 In March, 1739, the French fent to Corfica, 
 the marquis de Maillebois, a commander eve- 
 ry way fitted for fuch an cxpeditioh, being an 
 officer of great penetration, and uncommon fire. 
 He faw, that the Corficans had long been trifled 
 with by Genoa, and that even the French had 
 not aded againft them with fufficient vigour. He 
 faw, that it was neceflary to flrike a bold flroke, 
 
 {a) JauiTin, tom. i. p. 35S. 
 
OF CORSICA. 143 
 
 if he wanted to make any impreflion on the va- 
 liant iflanders, fo long accuftomed to fcenes of 
 blood ♦, and fince his fovereign had committed to 
 him the charge of conquering this people, he re- 
 folved to do it effe6lually. 
 
 Every thing therefore, was provided for the 
 enterprife. He had 16 battalions of the beft 
 troops of France, befides fome arquebufiers, and 
 Bearnois, expert in climbing the mountains. 
 
 Having formed two great corps, and feveral 
 fmall parties, all compleatly furnifhed with am- 
 munition, and whatever elfe was neceffary, or 
 convenient ; he pierced into the innermoft parts 
 of the country, while his grenadiers carried hea- 
 vy cannon acrofs the rudeft paffes. He cut down 
 the ftanding corn, the vines, the olives, fet fire 
 to the villages, and fpread terrour and defolacion 
 in every quarter. He hanged numbers of monks, 
 and others, who were keeneft in the revolt, and 
 at the fame time, publifhed, wherever he v*ent, 
 his terms of capitulation, which had the beft 
 chance to be accepted, amidft fo general a de- 
 ftrudion. Notwithftanding the ungenerous 
 caufe, in which they were difplayed, one cannot 
 but admire the martial abilities of M. de Maille- 
 bois. 
 
144 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 We have feen, that Theodore durfl: not land; 
 The fiiccours which he left, were not of much 
 avaih Such unprecedented, and terrible flaugh- 
 ter, as now took place, with the dread of Hill 
 greater vengeance, from fo formidable a nation as 
 France, obliged the Corficans to lay down their 
 arms, at the end of the campaign, 1739, which 
 was indeed a hot one. Of thefe arms, a thoufand 
 were found to have the Genoefe mark. The 
 republick demanded to have them reftored, a cir- 
 cumftance little to their honour. 
 
 The generals, Giafferi and Paoli, left the 
 ifland, and went to Naples ; where they were 
 both made colonels, which charader, they enjoy- 
 ed till their death. 
 
 There were ftill fome few enthufiaftick pa- 
 triots, who fkulked in the wildeft parts of the 
 ifland ; but thefe were all reduced before the end 
 of the year 1740, as was alfo the young ba- 
 ron Newhoff, the nephew of Theodore, who 
 with a fmall party of defperadoes, had long 
 efcaped the utmoO; diligence of the French com- 
 mander. Fie furrendered, on condition, that he 
 and his attendants, fhould be landed in fafety 
 on the' continent, which was faithfully per- 
 formed. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 145 
 
 In this manner was Corfica totally vanquilh- 
 ed by France, of which the Genoefe were as 
 proud, as if it had been their own atchieve- 
 ment. They gave in propofals to M. de Maille- 
 bois, for keeping the iQand in perpetual quiet. 
 Thefe propofals are preferved by M. Jauflin (a) -, 
 and they are fuch, as any ftate fhould be afhamed 
 of. Amongft many other barbarous fchemes, 
 one was, to tranfport a confiderable number of 
 the inhabitants, and make them over to the 
 king of France, to people his diftant colonies. 
 Could there be a m.ore harlli, or a more abfurd 
 meafure, than this ? Jauffin is much on the fide 
 of Genoa, and through the whole of his two 
 volumes, does not feem to have felt one fpark 
 of true liberty, or at all to have entered into the 
 fpirit of what the Corficans were fighting for; 
 yet when he recites this propofal, he cannot 
 help faying : * II fembloit par la qu'ils auroient 
 ' ete contens d' etre foverains des feuls rochers 
 ' de Corfe fans fujets {h). It would thence ap- 
 ' pear, that the Genoefe would have been fatisfied 
 * to be fovereigas of the bare rocks of Corfica, 
 without fubjeds.' 
 
 («) Jauflin, torn. i. p. 468. {h) lb. p. 481. 
 
 H 
 
146 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 France being engaged with more important 
 objedis than Corfica, or any thing concerning the 
 Genocfe, was no longer at leilure to employ her 
 attention on that ifland. All Europe being now 
 in agitation, fhe thought proper to recall her 
 troops from Corfica. They accordingly quitted 
 the ifland, in the end of the year 1741, leaving 
 it in perfe6l fubmiflion and quietnefs j as was faid 
 of the Romans by Galgacus, the ancient Scottiih 
 chief, in his famous fpeech, upon the Grampian 
 mountains : ' Ubi folitudinem faciunt, pacem ap- 
 pellant (a). Where they make adefart, they call 
 it peace/ 
 
 The French, indeed, knew the Corficans toa 
 well, to believe, that they would fubmit to Ge- 
 noa, when left to themfelves. The event hap- 
 pened accordingly •, for the French were hardly 
 gone, before the Corficans were again as much in 
 motion as ever. Several of their countrymen, 
 who were fettled in different towns in Italy, 
 furnifhed them with arms ; and, as they had 
 formerly done, they took a good many arms 
 from the Genoefe. From having been long 
 depreffed, like a ftrong bow recovering its ela- 
 fticity, they rofe with renewed vigour. Man, 
 
 (^) Tacit, de vit. Agric. cap. 30. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. hV 
 
 woman and child, may be laid to have engaged ♦, 
 for very young boys took the field •, and even 
 fome of their vvoinen, like thofe of Sparta, (liew- 
 ed their valour in battle. Many of the religious 
 aifo carried arms ; and, as if actuated by a kind of 
 univerfal inipiration, every foul was ardent againft 
 the tyrant. 
 
 Gaffori and Matra, now obtained the govern- 
 ment of Corfica, under the title of Proteclours of 
 the kingdom. Gaffori was a man of diilinguifhed 
 talents. His eloquence was moft remarkable j and 
 the Corficans fliil talk with admiration of his ha- 
 rangues to them. He heard once, that a band of 
 alTairms were coming againll him. He went our, 
 and met them with a ferene dignity, which aflo- 
 nifhed them. He begged they would only hear 
 him a little ; and he gave them fo pathetick a pic- 
 ture of the diftrelTes of Corfica, and roufed their 
 fpirits to fuch a degree againft thofe, who caufcd 
 the opprefTion, that the affalTins threw themfelves 
 at his feet, intreated his forgivenefs, and inflantly 
 joined his banners. 
 
 The Genoefe being in poiTefTion of the caflie 
 of Corte, it was befieged with great vigour by the 
 Corficans, commanded by Gaffori. By a flrancre 
 want of thought, the nurfe, who took care of 
 Gaffori's eldefl fon, then an infant, wandered a- 
 
148 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 way, at a little diflance from the camp. The 
 Genoefe perceived it, and making a fudden fally, 
 they got hold of the nurfc and the child, and 
 carried them into the caftle. The General Ihew- 
 ed a decent concern at this unhappy accident, 
 which ftruck a damp into the whole army. The 
 Genoefe thought they could have Gaffori upon 
 their own terms, fince they were poflefled of fo 
 dear a pledge. When he advanced to make 
 fome cannon play, they held up his fon, dired:ly 
 over that part of the wall, againft which his ar- 
 tillery was levelled. The Corficans ftopt, and be- 
 gan to draw back ; but Gaffori, with the refoluti- 
 on of a Roman, Hood at their head, and ordered 
 them to continue the fire. Luckily, his firmnefs 
 was not broken by lofing his child, who efcaped 
 unhurt. I had the pleafure of knowing the young 
 gentleman, who inherits his father's cftate. He 
 related to me himfelf, from the beft authority, 
 this llory, which does fo much honour to his fa- 
 ther. I had it alfo vouched, by fuch as had no 
 particular intereft in it. 
 
 Matra, the other general or protedlour, was 
 always fufpefled, as fecretly favouring the views 
 of Genoa, and was rather a promoter of divi- 
 fion, than a patron of liberty. Indeed, the great 
 misfortune of the Corficans, was their want of 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 149 
 
 union ; which made particular animofities take 
 up their attention, and divert their zeal from the 
 great caufe. 
 
 In 1 745, Count Domenico Rivarola, arrived 
 at Baflia, along with fome Englfh fhiips of war. 
 Great Britain had forbidden her fubjedls to give 
 any afliftance to the Corficans -, but, by the 
 changeful fchemes of political connexions, flie 
 confented to fend fome Ihips againft the Genoefe j 
 not, as if from herfelf, but, as complying with 
 the requefl of her ally, the king of Sardinia, 
 who had taken the caufe of Corlica much to 
 heart. Thefe Ihips bombarded Ballia, and San 
 Fiorenzo, both of which they delivered into the 
 hands of the Corficans. The force of the Bri- 
 tifh men of war, and the great fervice done by 
 us to their caufe, are never forgotten, by the 
 brave iflanders. 
 
 Count Rivarola, was proclaimed Generaliffi- 
 mo of the kingdom. Gaffori and Matra, were 
 not prefent at this eledion, and did every thing 
 in their power to oppofe it ; fo that there was no- 
 thing but heart-burnings, and miferable diflen- 
 fions ; and the Britifh went away with an idea of 
 this people, as if they had been a parcel of 
 half-barbarians. 
 
ISO AN ACCOUNT 
 
 As our information, with regard to Cornea, 
 has been very imperfedt, thefe unhappy impref- 
 fions have continued ever fince, and have had too 
 much influence in Great Britain. 
 
 Rivarola, Gaffori and Matra, having at length 
 come to a tolerable agreement, matters went on 
 a little better, though the Genoefe loon recovered 
 Baftia and San Fiorenzo. 
 
 In 1 746, the Corficans fent two envoys, with 
 propofais to the Earl of Briftol, then his Britan- 
 niok Majefly's ambaffadour, at the court of Tu- 
 rin. The intention of thefe propofais was, that 
 Corfica Ihould put herfelf entirely under the pro- 
 tedion of Great Britain. The envoys waited at 
 Turin, till My Lord Briftol had a return from 
 the miniftry at London, fignifying their fatisfac- 
 tion at what had been communicated, hoping the 
 Corficans would preferve the fame obliging fen- 
 timents -, but that it was not then the time to 
 enter into any treaty with them. 
 
 Count Domenico Rivarola, finding that he 
 could be of moft fervice to his country, when at 
 a diftance, returned to Turin, where he con- 
 ftantly improved t:he 'benevolent intentions of his 
 Sardinian Majefby towards Corfica. He died 
 with the rank of colonel, in April 1748, and 
 
OF CORSICA. 151 
 
 k£t behind him the character of an honeft man, 
 and a gallant patriot. 
 
 In the fame month and year, the Britifh Ihip, 
 the Naflaii, commanded by captain Holcomb, 
 together witli fome tranfports, carried over to 
 Coifica, two battalions, one of the king of 
 Sardinia's troops, and one of Auftrians, in or- 
 der to aid the Corficans ; but the general peace 
 being concluded, at Aix la Chapelle, no foreign 
 ftates could any longer interfere, and the Corfi- 
 cans and Genoefe, v;ere again left to them- 
 felves. 
 
 My Lord Hailes has, among his valuable col- 
 ledtion of hiftorical manufcripts, two pieces re- 
 lating to Corfica. The one entitled, * Informa- 
 tion de I'etat dans leqel fe trouve prefentement la 
 Corfe, & de ce qu'il faudroit pour la delivrer de 
 I'efclavage du gouvernement Genois, traduit de 
 ritalien,' is written by Count Domenico Riva- 
 rola. The other, is an account of the flate of 
 Corfica, in the original Italian ; drawn up by 
 one, who appears to have been well acquainted 
 with the fubjedt. Both of thefe papers fet 
 forth, the advantages to be derived to a maritime 
 power, from an alliance with Corfica. They 
 were communicated by M. Carret de Gorregne, 
 the Sardinian minifter, to general Wentworth, 
 the Britifh ambalTadour, at the court of Turin j 
 
152 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 and, I believe, they had confidcrable influence, 
 in procuring the interpofition of Sardinia and 
 Great Britain, in favour of the Corficans. 
 
 Matra, in the end of the year 1748, went .to 
 thefervice of Piedmont, and left GafFori fole ge- 
 neral of the ifland. A repetition of the fame de- 
 fperate aflions continued, till on the 3d of Oc- 
 tober, 1753, Gaffori was aflTaffinated by a band 
 of murderers, fet on by the republick. At leaft, 
 it is a faft that fome of thefe wretches have ftill a 
 miferable penfion to fupport them, in the terri- 
 tory of Genoa. There is a pillar of infamy 
 eredled at Corte, on the place, where flood the 
 houfe of the principal adlour in this bloody villa- 
 ny. The houfe was burnt, and razed from the 
 foundation. 
 
 The Corficans, from their family connexions, 
 and violent parties, differ in their accounts of 
 Gaffori. Some of them would have it believed, 
 that he was too much engrofTed by felfifh views, 
 and in order to promote his own interefl, endea- 
 voured to bring about unworthy fchemes of recon- 
 ciliation with Genoa. But, befides the reludt- 
 ance which every generous mind mull feel, to 
 give credit to injurious reports of a hero, whofe 
 greatnefs of foul fhone forth, in the manner I 
 have related, what I heard of Gaffori from thofe. 
 
O F C O R S I C A, 153 
 
 in whofe judgment and impartiality I could con- 
 fide, joined with the regard with which he is had 
 in remembrance by the majority of his country- 
 men, determine me to a perfuafion of the reality 
 of his virtues. 
 
 The adminiflratours of the ifland had been fo 
 well inftituted by general Gaffori, that Corfica 
 was able to continue for two years without any 
 chief; while the war was ftill carried on with va- 
 rious fuccefs. 
 
 The patriots did not however, fwear a folemn 
 oath, that, rather than fubmit to the republick, 
 they would throw themfelves into the fire, like 
 the Saguntines of old. This oath, which is con- 
 ceived in terms of ftrength and violence, not un- 
 like the Corfican ftile, but fomewhat exaggerated, 
 was circulated over Europe, and generally be- 
 lieved to be genuine. Doftour Smollet, who 
 difplays a generous warmth in favour of the Cor- 
 licans, was very naturally led to give this oath a 
 place in his hiftory (a) j but Paoli affures me, 
 that it was a fiftion. 
 
 I come now, to a remarkable event in the an- 
 nals of Corfica, an event, from which the hap-, 
 pinefs and glory of that ifland will principally be 
 
 (^) SmoII. hill. vol. XVI. p. 384. 
 
154 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 dated. I mean, the elefbion of Pafcal Paoli, to 
 be General of the kingdom. 
 
 Pafcal Paoli * , was fecond fon to the old 
 chief Giacinto Paoli. He had been educated 
 with great care by his father, who formed his 
 tafte for letters, and infpired him with every wor- 
 thy and noble fentiment. He was born in Corfi- 
 ca, where he remained long enough, to contradl 
 a love and attachment to his country, and to feel 
 the opprefTion under which it groaned. 
 
 When the patriots were totally crufhed by the 
 jnarquis de Maillebois, his father took young 
 Paoli to Naples, v/here he had the advantage of 
 attending the academy, got a commiffion as an 
 officer in that fervice, and was much about court. 
 
 Here he lived twelve or thirteen years, culti- 
 vating the great powers with which nature had 
 endov/ed him, and laying the foundation of thofe 
 
 * His name, in Italian, is Pafquale de' Paoli. I write 
 Pafcal, as more agreeable to an Englifli ear. I alfo avoid giv- 
 ing liim any title. I owe tliis thought to My Lord Hailes. 
 When I aflced him. Whether I fliould call Paoli, Signer, 
 or General ? his anfwer was, ' Signor is better than Gene- 
 
 * ral, but plain Pafcal is better than either. You do not 
 
 * £iy. King Alexander, but Alexander of Macedon ; no 
 
 * title adds to the dignity of Judas Maccabeus.' 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 155 
 
 grand defigns, which he had early formed, for 
 the deliverance of his country. 
 
 His reputation became fo great among the Cor- 
 ficans, that he received the {lrong;eft invitations 
 to come over and take the command. He em- 
 barked in the glorious enterprife, ftimulated by 
 generous ambition, and undifmayed by a confi- 
 deration of the dangers, tiie cares, and the un- 
 certainty which he was about to encounter. 
 
 There was fomething particularly affecting, in 
 his parting from his father j the old man, hoary 
 and gray with years, fell on his neck, and kiffed 
 him, gave him his blefling, and with a broken 
 feeble voice, encouraged him in the undertaking, 
 on which he was entering : ' My fon,' faid he, 
 ' I may, pofTibly, never fee you more ; but in 
 ' my mind, I fliall ever be prefent with you. 
 
 * Your defign is a great, and a noble one ; and 1 
 ' doubt not, but God will blefs you in it. The 
 
 * little which remains to me of life, I v/ill allot to 
 ' your caufe, in offering up my prayers and fup- 
 ' plications to heaven, for your protection and 
 ' profperity.' Having again embraced him, they 
 parted. 
 
 Pafcal Paoli no fooner appeared in the in and, 
 than he attracted the attention of evei^^ body. 
 His carriage and deportment prejudiced them in 
 his favour, and his fuperiour judgment, and pa- 
 
156 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 triotick fpirit, difplayed with all the force of elo- 
 quence, charmed their underftandings. All this, 
 heightened with condefcenfion, affability and 
 modefly, entirely won him their hearts. A way 
 was open for him to the fupreme command, and 
 he was called to it by the unanimous voice of his 
 countrymen ; upon which occafion, was iffued 
 the following manifefto. 
 
 'The Supreme, and General Council of the King- 
 dom <?/ C o R s I c A, to the Beloved people of that 
 Nation, 
 
 Beloved people and countrymen, 
 
 'THE difcords and divifions, that have begun 
 
 * to infedt the publick, as well as private tranquil- 
 
 * lity of our country, by the revival of ancient, 
 
 * and perfonal enmities arnongft thofe, who have 
 
 * very little fear of God, and are little interefted. 
 
 * and zealous, for the good of the publick, have 
 ' obliged our principal chiefs to call us together, 
 ' to this general Confulta, in order to deliberate 
 
 * on fuch necelTary meafures, as may effedlually 
 ' contribute to the eftablifhment of a commorj 
 ^ union, and to caufe the moft rigid laws to be 
 
 * put in execution, againft fuch as lliall dare tq 
 
OF CORSICA. 15; 
 
 ' difturb it by their private piques, or unruly dif- 
 ' pofitions. 
 
 The moll proper and effedual means, to fuc- 
 
 * ceed in this our defireable end, are by us feri- 
 
 * oufly thought to be, the eledling of one oeco- 
 ' nomical, political and general chief, of enlight- 
 
 * ened faculties, to command over this kingdom 
 ' with full power, except when there fhall be oc- 
 ' cafion to confult upon matters concerning the 
 ' ftate, which he cannot treat of, without the 
 ' concurrence of the people, or their refpedtive 
 ' reprelentatives. 
 
 * By the general voice is eledled for that trufl, 
 ' Pafcal Paoli ; a man, whofe virtues and abili- 
 ' ties, render him every way worthy thereof. 
 
 * After fo general an ele<5Vion, by the chiefs of 
 ' the council of war, the deputies of the pro- 
 ' vinces, and the refpe<5live reprefentatives of the 
 
 * parifhes alTembled, this gentleman was invited, 
 ' by a letter, to come; and a large committee of 
 
 * the principal members of the afiembly, was 
 
 * fent to his houfe, to defire him to accept of the 
 
 * charge, and to repair hither to be acknowledg- 
 ' ed as our chief ; and to take the folemn oath, to 
 
 * exercife the office, with which he is invefted, 
 
 * with the utmoft zeal, affection and difinterefted- 
 
158 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ' nefs ; and to receive the oath of fidelity and 
 
 * obedience from the commons. 
 
 ' Befides having given many reafons againft 
 
 * this, he has fhewn much reluclance to take up- 
 ' on him fo great a charge ; but having been in- 
 ' formed of our refolutions and determinations, in 
 ' cafe of any obftacle or refufal, he was obliged 
 ' to acquiefce, being neceflitated fo to do. He 
 ' was condu(5ted hither laft night, and hath 
 ' plighted and received the oaths above-men- 
 
 * tioned. 
 
 ' He is to take the government upon himfelf, 
 ' affifted by two counfellors of ftate, and one 
 ' of the moft reputable perfons from each p'O* 
 
 * vince, who (hall be changed every month. 
 
 ' The third day of Auguft fhall be fixed on, 
 ' for a general circuit, in order to punifh the 
 ' authours of many crimes, particularly murders, 
 ' committed lately in different parts. This cir- 
 ' cuit, to be direfted by the aforefaid General, 
 ' with the deputies. The number of armed men, 
 
 * as he fhall think fitting. 
 
 ' We hope, that thefe our refokitbns and de- 
 ' liberations, will be to the general fatisfadlion, 
 ' as it concerns the common good : and we 
 ' charge all the chiefs and commifTaries over 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 159 
 
 ' the parifhes, to co-operate, as far as lies in 
 ' their power, to promote the pubhck tranquil- 
 ' lity.' 
 
 Dated at St. Antonio of the White Houfe, 
 this 15th of July, 1755. 
 
 Though Paoli had lono; meditated on the im- 
 portance of the charge he was to enter upon, its 
 near approach ftruck him with awe ; for his ideas 
 were enlarged, his refolves were magnanimous, 
 and the office appeared more momentous to 
 him, than it could appear to one of more con- 
 fined views, and more moderate plans. 
 
 His hefitation and diffidence, when called to 
 the fupreme command, was not affedled. He 
 balanced the confequences, and he could not 
 but be ferioufly moved. For he could not di- 
 vine with certainty, the aflonifhing influence 
 which his government was to have, on the hap- 
 pinefs of his country. But the reprefentations 
 made to him, were fo earneft, and, in fome 
 meafure, fo peremptory, that he thought him- 
 felf bound in duty to accept of the arduous 
 tafk. 
 
 When he enquired into the fituation of the 
 affairs of Corfica, he found the utmoft dilbrder 
 and confufion. There was no fubordination, no 
 
i6o AN ACCOUNT 
 
 difcipline, no money, hardly any arms and am- 
 munition i and, what was worfe than all, little 
 union am^ong the people. He immediately began 
 to remedy thefe defe6ls. His perfuafion and ex- 
 ample, had wonderful force ; all ranks exerted 
 themfelves, in providing what was neceflary for 
 carrying on the war with fpirit ; whereby, in a 
 Ihort time, the Genoefe were driven to the re- 
 moteft corners of the ifland. 
 
 Having thus expelled the foe, from the bo- 
 fom of his country, he had leifure to attend to 
 the civil part of the adminiftration, in which he 
 difcovered abilities and conftancy hardly to be 
 paralleled. He reftified innumerable abufes, 
 which had infmuated themfelves, during the late 
 times of trouble and confufion. He, in a man- 
 ner, new- modelled the government, upon the 
 foundeft principles of democratical rule, which 
 was always his favourite idea. 
 
 The Corficans having been long denied legal 
 juilice, had aflumed the right of private revenge, 
 and had been accuftomed to afTafTmate each other 
 upon the moft trivial occafions. He found it ex- 
 tremely dimcult to break them of this pradlice, 
 by which it was computed, that the Itate loft 
 800 fubjcds every year. The difeafe was be- 
 
OF C ORSIC A. i6i 
 
 come fo violent, that it feemed almofb incurable. 
 However, by feafonable admonition, by repre- 
 fenting to them the ruin of this pradice to the 
 caufe of liberty, at a time when they had occa- 
 fion for all the afliftance they could lend to each 
 other, joined to a {lri6l exercife of criminal juf- 
 tice ; he gradually brought them to be convin- 
 ced, that the power of difpenfmg punifnment be- 
 longed to the publick ; and that, without a pro- 
 per lubmifTion, and a regular fyftem of admini- 
 ftration, they never could make head againfl: an 
 enemy, or, indeed, be properly fpeaking, a ftate. 
 So effedtual were the meafures he took, that a 
 law was paffed, making affaflination capital, let 
 it be committed on any pretence whatever. 
 
 The Corficans are naturally humane ; but, 
 like the Italians, and moft fouthcrn nations, are 
 extremely violent in their tempers. This is cer- 
 tainly the efFed; of a warm climate, which form.s 
 the human frame to an exquifite degree of fenfibi- 
 lity. Whatever advantages this fenfibility may 
 produce, by cherifhing the finer feelings and 
 more exalted affedtions ; it is at the fame time 
 produftive of fome difadvantages, being equally 
 the occafion of impatience, fudden pafllon, and a 
 fpirit of revenge, tending to the diforder of 
 fociety. 
 
 I 
 
i62 ANACCOUNT 
 
 Paoli, by his mafterly knowledge of human 
 nature, guided the Corficans to glory, and ren- 
 dered the impetuofity of their difpofitions, and 
 their pafTion for revenge, fubfervient to the noble 
 objefts of liberty, and of vindicating their coun- 
 try. His wife inftitutions had fo good an ejffedt, 
 that notwithftanding of their frequent lofTes in 
 acbion, it was found, that in a few years, the 
 number of inhabitants was increafed 16000. 
 
 When a proper fyftem of government was 
 formed, and fome of the moft glaring abufes rec- 
 tified, Paoli proceeded to improve and civilize the 
 manners of the Corficans. This was a very de- 
 licate ta(k. They had been brought up in anar- 
 chy, and their conftant virtue had been refiftance. 
 It therefore, required the niceft conduft, to make 
 them difcern the difference between falutary re- 
 ftraint and tyrannick oppreffion. He was no mo- 
 narch, born to rule, and who received a nation 
 as a patrimonial inheritance. It was, therefore, 
 in vain to think of afting with force, like the 
 Czar Peter towards the Ruffians. It was not, in- 
 deed, confiftent with his views of forming a free 
 nation •, but, had he been inclined to it, he could 
 not have executed fuch a plan. He was entirely 
 dependant upon the people, elefted by them, 
 and anfv/erable to them for his condudl. It was no 
 eafy matter to reftrain thofe of whom he held 
 his power. But this, Paoli accomplilhed. 
 
OF CORSICA. 163 
 
 He gradually prepared the Corficans for the 
 reception of laws, by cultivating their minds, and 
 leading them, of their own accord, to defire the 
 enaftment of regulations, of which he fhewed 
 them the benefit. He eftablilhed an univerfity at 
 Corte ; and he was at great pains to have proper 
 fchools, for the inftrudlion of children, in every 
 village of the kingdom. 
 
 The laft ftep he took was, to induce the Cor- 
 ficans to apply themfelves to agriculture, com- 
 merce, and other civil occupations. War had 
 entirely ruined induftry in the ifland. It had given 
 the Corficans a contempt for the arts of peace ; 
 fo that they thought nothing worthy of their at- 
 tention, but arms and military achievements. 
 The great and valourous aflions, which many of 
 them had performed, gave them a certain pride, 
 which difdained all meaner and more inglorious 
 occupation. Heroes could not fubmit to fink 
 down into plain peafants. Their virtue was not 
 fo perfedt, as that of the ancient Romans, who 
 could return from the triumphs of viftory, to 
 follow their ploughs. 
 
 From thefe caufes, the country was in danger 
 of being entirely uncultivated, and the people of 
 becoming a lawlefs and ungovernable rabble of 
 
 banditti, 
 
 l2 
 
164 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Paoli therefore, fet himfelf ferioufly to guard 
 againfl this ; and by degrees, brought the Cor- 
 ficans to look upon labour with lefs averfion, fo 
 as at lead to provide themfelves fufficiently in 
 food and clothing, and to carry on a little com- 
 merce. 
 
 His adminiftration, in every refpeft was fuch, 
 that, from being rent into fadlions, the nation 
 became firm and united -, and hid not France 
 again interpofed, the Corfican heroes would long 
 before this time have totally driven the Genoefe 
 from the ifland. 
 
 Feeling its own importance, the Corfican na- 
 tion refolved to give the Genoefe no quarter at lea, 
 which they had hitherto done, out of indulgence 
 to the individuals of the republick ; lamenting 
 their unhappy fituation, which obliged them to 
 live under a tyrannical government. But finding 
 that the Genoefe continually attacked, and made 
 booty of the Corfican veffels, it was thought 
 highly equitable to retaliate j preferving at the 
 fame time, all due refpedt for the other maritime 
 powers. To this effeft, a manifefto was iffued 
 in 1 760 (a). 
 
 Thefe firm and rapid advances of the Corfi- 
 can nation, filled the Genoefe with ferious con- 
 cern j and in 1761, they publifhed a m anifefto 
 ill very mild and infinuating terms, to try i 
 
 (a) Appendix N". I. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 165 
 
 they could allure the Corficans to a pacifick fub- 
 miffion (a). 
 
 Immediately upon this, a general council 
 was alTembled at Vefcovato in Cafinca, where 
 the ftrongeft refolutions were taken, never to 
 make any agreement with the republick, but on 
 condition of having Corfica fecured in its liber- 
 ties and independency (b). 
 
 A memorial was alfo publifhed by the Cor- 
 ficans, to the fovereigns of Europe (c)^ calling 
 upon them, by the rights of humanity, to in- 
 terpofe, and give peace to a nation which had 
 done lb much for freedom. 
 
 In thefe various writings, there is a fpirit of 
 eloquence, a feeling, and a refolution, which 
 does honour to the charader of this people. 
 
 But the poUticks of Verfailles did not favour 
 the Corfican caufe ; France has been alternately, 
 the fcourge and the ihield of Genoa. Paoli had 
 well nigh compleatly finifhed his great fcheme of 
 freeing every part of the iiland from the Genoefe, 
 when a treaty was concluded between France and 
 the republick, by which the former engaged to 
 fend fix battalions of troops to garrifon the forti- 
 fied towns in Corfica, for the fpace of four years. 
 
 {a) Appendix N". II. {b) Appends N''. III. 
 {c) Appendix N*. IV. 
 
i66 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 When this treaty was firft known in Europe, 
 every noble heart was affiifled •, for every body 
 believed, that France was again determined to 
 carry fire and fword into Corfica, and blaft the 
 hopes of the brave iflanders. M. Roufieau wrote 
 of it, with his ufual energy, to his friend and 
 mine, M. De Ley re, at Parma ; one of the au- 
 thours of the Encyclopedie, a man who unites 
 with fcience and genius the moll amiable heart and 
 moft generous foul : ' II faut avouer que vos 
 
 * Franfois, font un peuple bien fervile, bien ven- 
 ' du a la tyrannie, bien cruel, et bien acharne fur 
 
 * les malheureux. S'ils favoient un homme libre 
 ' a I'autre bout du monde, je crois qu'ils iroient 
 ' pour le feul plaifir de I'exter miner. It muft 
 ' be owned that your countrymen, the French, 
 *■ are a very fervile nation, wholly fold to ty- 
 ' ranny, exceedingly cruel and relentlefs in 
 
 * perfecuting the unhappy. If they knew of 
 ' a free man at the other end of the world, I 
 
 * believe they would go thither for the mere 
 
 * pleafure of extirpating him *.' 
 
 * It is difficult to give a good tranflation of a fentence fo 
 original and forcible. I am indebted for the above, to a 
 friend who does not choofe to have his name mentioned as 
 a tranflator. 
 
OF CORSICA. 167 
 
 But it turned out to be a prudent and poli- 
 tick fcheme on the part of France. She was 
 owing the Genoefe fome millions of livres. 
 Her finances were not fuch as made it very con- 
 venient for her to pay. But the French mi- 
 niilers are never at a lofs to conclude an advan- 
 tageous treaty for their monarch. They told 
 the Genoefe, ' We cannot yet let you have your 
 ' money. But we will fend you fix battallions 
 ' of auxiliaries to Corlica, and let that be a fink- 
 * ing fund for the difcharge of our debt.' The 
 Genoefe, who recalled with barbarous fatisfac- 
 tion what France had formerly done againft 
 the Corficans, never doubted, that if French 
 foldiers were again in the ifland, continual 
 fkirmiflies would enfue; France would be 
 provoked, and a bloody war would be the 
 confequence, by which the Corficans would a- 
 gain be reduced to a Hate of flavery. They were 
 therefore extremely pleafed with the fcheme. 
 
 The French, however, took care to engage 
 to act only on the defenfive, and to fix the trea- 
 ty for four years, that they might be fure of 
 having time to fink their debt. They fent the 
 troops as ftipulated in the end of the year 1764 ; 
 
i68 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 and the Count De Marboeuf was appointed com- 
 mander in chief. 
 
 M. De Marboeuf was an officer of experience 
 and temper ; and, no doubt, had his inftruc- 
 tions to condud: himfelf mildly towards the Cor- 
 Ficans. All his duty was, to take care that 
 things Ihould not become worfe for Genoa ; but, 
 that (he fhould ftill retain the garrifon towns of 
 Baflia, San Fiorenzo, Calvi, Algagliola and 
 Ajaccio. 
 
 The Corficans condu6led themfelves, upon 
 this occafion, with the greateft propriety. A 
 general council was held, and determinations 
 (a) publifhed ; from which it appears, that they 
 fhewed no diflruft of the French, who, they 
 trufled, would not begin hoftilities againft them. 
 But, for greater fecurity, it was provided, that 
 a council of war fhould be appointed by the 
 government, to be ever vigilant againft any in- 
 fractions of what they fuppofed France had ta- 
 citly promifed to them, and was bound by the 
 law of nations to obferve ; that the French troops 
 jfhould not be allowed to have accefs to the ter- 
 ritories of the nation ; that the General lliould 
 
 (a) Appendix N'^. V, 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 169 
 
 poft fufficient guards upon the frontiers-, and 
 if any French officer defired a pafsport, he 
 might grant him it •, but fhould be obliged 
 to give an account, in the firll general con- 
 fulta thereafter, of what pafsports he had grant- 
 ed ; of his motives for granting them ; and 
 of every treaty he Ihould have with the French. 
 That, as it was reported, fome new propo- 
 fals of peace with the republick would be of- 
 fered, they fhould rejecl all fuch, if they did 
 not firll grant to the nation, the preliminaries 
 refoived upon in the general council of Ca- 
 (inca. That the General fhould make a ref- 
 pe6lful remonftrance, in name of the nation, 
 to his mod Chriftian Majefty, with regard 
 to the lofs it mufl fuftain by the arrival of his 
 troops j by which, the Genoefe would be re- 
 lieved of the great expence of the Corfican 
 war, and the patriots be prevented from con- 
 tinuing their fuccefsful enterprifes, and totally 
 expelling their enemies from the ifland. That 
 this remonftrance might be more effeclual, his 
 excellency fhould, at the fame time, apply 
 to the powers favourable to Corfica, that they 
 might employ their mediation v;ith the French 
 king, in order to preferve to the nation its 
 
170 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 rights, prerogatives, liberty and independen- 
 cy. And they further ordered, that as every 
 body had, without controul, cut timber in 
 the woods of Corfica, they fhould be prohibited 
 fo to do, without the permiflion of the govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Thefe determinations were wife and mode- 
 rate. "Without giving umbrage to the French, 
 they fecured the patriots from fudden attacks, 
 or infidious wiles. The article relating to 
 the cutting of timber, was clTentially requi- 
 fite to prevent the French from carrying it 
 away to Marfeilles and Toulon ; which they, 
 probably, would have done, had it not been 
 for this edi6t, which preferved to the Corfi- 
 cans a noble fupply of wood, to be ready, either 
 for their own fervice, or for the fervice of any 
 maritime power, with whom they might make 
 an alliance. 
 
 The warlike operations of Corfica were now 
 fufpended. But Paoli improved the feafon 
 of tranquillity to the beft purpofe, in pre- 
 paring for future fchemes of viftory, and in 
 giving perfedlion and liability to the civil 
 conftitution of his country •, effedtuating what 
 ^ges had not been able to produce, and ex- 
 
OF CORSICA. 171 
 
 hibiting an illuftrious inflance of what was faid 
 of Epaminondas : ' Unum hominem pluris 
 ' fuiflfe quam civitatem (a). That one man 
 * has been of more confequence than a whole 
 ' nation.* 
 
 (a) Corn. Nep. vit. Epam. in fin. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 'The Prefent State of Corsica, with refpe5} to 
 Government^ Religion^ Arms, Commerce, Learn- 
 ing, the Genius and Chara5ier of its Inhabi- 
 tants. 
 
 A F T E R running over the revolutions of an 
 "*• ^ ifland, which has experienced fo many vi- 
 ciflitudes, it will be agreeable to confider the re- 
 fult of thefe vigorous exertions in the caufe of 
 liberty. I ihall, therefore, with much pleafure, 
 prefent my readers with the flate of Corfica as it 
 now 13. 
 
 The Government of Corfica is, as follows. 
 Every paefe or village, elefts, by majority of 
 votes, a Podefta and other two magiftrates, who 
 have the refpe<5bable name of ' Padri del Com- 
 mune ; Fathers of the Community.' Thefe ma- 
 giftrates are chofen annually. They may be con- 
 tinued in office for feverai years, at the will of 
 the community ; but there muft be a new elec- 
 tion everv vear. 
 
174 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 The Podefta, by himfelf, may determine 
 caufes to the value of ten livres ; and united with 
 the Padri del Commune, may finally determine 
 caufes to the value of thirty livres. The Podefta 
 is the reprefentative of the government, and to 
 him are addreffed all the orders of the fupreme 
 council. The Padri del Commune fuperintend 
 the ceconomy and police of the village, call the 
 people together, and confult with them on every 
 thing that concerns their intereft. In fome vil- 
 lages, the inhabitants join with the Podefta and 
 Padri del Commune, twelve honeft men, in 
 whom they can confide, and to whom they dele- 
 gate their power of fettling the afi^airs of the pu- 
 blick. Thefe are called counfellors, and fit as 
 afieflTors with the three magiftrates of the village. 
 The names of thefe Magiftrates, as foon as eledl- 
 ed, muft be tranfmitted to the magiftrates of the 
 province, who have it in their power to oppofe 
 the choice, and order a new eledtion ; but this 
 never happens when the people have been unani- 
 mous. Sometimes they choofe two Podeftas and 
 one Padre del Commune, and fometimes more 
 and fometimes fewer counfellors. Thefe irre- 
 gularities are permitted, to humour the caprices 
 of different villages in an infant ftate, and are of 
 no confequence ; for the fame degree of power 
 
OF C ORS I C A. 175 
 
 remains to each office, whether jt be held by 
 a lefler or a greater number •, as in the ftates of 
 Holland, thofe who fend two or three reprefen- 
 tatives, have but an equal voice with thofe who 
 iend only one. In fome of the more confiderable 
 towns, the Podefta is not fubjeft to the provin^ 
 cial magiflrates, but is confidered as having equal 
 authority with them. 
 
 Once a year, all the inhabitants of each vil- 
 lage allemble themfelves and choofe a Procura- 
 tour, to reprefent them in the general confulta 
 or parliament of the nation, which is held an- 
 nually in the month of May, at the city of 
 Corte. This procuratour is eleded by the ma- 
 jority of the voices. He muft have a mandate, 
 attefled by a notary publick, which, on his ar- 
 rival at Corte, he prefents to the great chancel- 
 lor of the kingdom, by whom it is regiftered. 
 Each procuratour has, from his community, a 
 livre a day, to bear his charges from the time of 
 his fetting out till his return home. This al- 
 lowance 13 too fmall, and muft foon be in- 
 creafed. 
 
 Sometimes the procuratours of all the villages, 
 contained in the fame pieve, choofe from among 
 themfelves one who goes as reprefentative of the 
 pieve, which faves fome expence to the villages. 
 
176 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 But this is an abufe, and wh.en matters of any 
 confequence are deliberating, it renders the num- 
 ber of thofe who are to confult too fmall. A 
 little expence fhould be defpifed, in comparifon 
 of having a voice in making the laws, and fettling 
 the moft ferious affairs of the country -, and the 
 greater the number of voices, the more does the 
 affembly approach to the idea of a Roman 
 comitia. 
 
 The general confulta is, indeed, a great and 
 numerous affembly; for, befides the ordinary 
 procuratours, it is ufual to call in feveral of thofe 
 who have formerly been members of the fupreme 
 council, and feveral of thofe who have loft their 
 fathers or near relations in the fervice of their 
 country, that the blood of heroes may be diftin- 
 guifhed by publick honours. 
 
 The magiftrates of each province alfo fend a 
 procuratour to the general confulta ; and when 
 all the procuratours are affembled at Corte, in 
 prefence of the General and the fupreme council 
 of ftate, it is recommended to the procuratours of 
 each province, to choofe two of their number, 
 who, together with the procuratour of their ma- 
 giftrates, may proceed to the eledion of the pre- 
 fident and oratour of the general confulta. The 
 procuratours of each province accordingly choofe 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 177 
 
 two of their numbei^ by votes viva voce, if they 
 are unanimous ; and if not unanimous, by bal- 
 lot. 
 
 Thefe two, with the procuratour of the ma- 
 giftrates of each province, come before the fu- 
 preme council, to whom every one of them gives 
 in a fealed note, containing the name of the perfon 
 who, he thinks, fhould be prefident : thefe notes 
 are confidered by the fupreme council, and the 
 three who have moft notes infcribed with their 
 names, are put to a ballot j and he who carries 
 two thirds of the votes in his favour, is made 
 prefident. 
 
 In the fchedule or note, a procuratour may in- 
 lert the name of his relation, or of one who has 
 been ftrongly recommended to him ; but by bal- 
 lot, he can freely give his vote for the perfon 
 whom he thinks moft deferving ; fo that it often 
 happens, that the perfon among the three, who 
 had the feweft notes for him, will be made pre- 
 fident by a great majority. This appears to me 
 another abufe •, for a procuratour, by inferting 
 in the fchedule the name of one of whom he 
 does not approve, runs a rifk of having the man 
 whom he thinks moft deferving, thrown out al- 
 toc^ether. Befides, he ought not to be moved by 
 confiderations of connexion or of recommenda- 
 
 K 
 
178 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 tion. The members of the fupreme council 
 
 have alfo their votes in this ballot for the prefi- 
 
 dent. The oratour is chofen exactly in the fam6 
 
 manner. 
 
 The prefident governs during the fitting of the 
 general confulta. The oratour reads the different 
 papers fubjected to deliberation. Propofitions 
 from the government are addrefled to the prefi- 
 dent. Thofe from the people are addrefled to 
 the oratour. If a propofition from the govern- 
 ment is approved of by a majority of voices, it is 
 immediately pafled into a law. But a propofition 
 from the people, though approved of, may be 
 fufpended by the government, without afligning 
 their reafons •, which, however, they are ftriflly 
 obliged to do at the next general confulta. 
 
 This fufpending power was greatly agitated in 
 the Corfican parliament ; and the people oppofed 
 it fo much, that it was thought it would not 
 take place. But Paoli, ever ready to enlighten 
 his countrymen, Ibewed them, that in the prefent 
 ftate of affairs, the government may have many 
 defigns, not mature enough for being commu- 
 nicated to the publick, but of effential advan- 
 tage to the nation ; fo that it is highly proper they 
 fhould have the privilege of delaying for a while, 
 any propofition which might interfere with thefe 
 
OF CORSICA. 179 
 
 defigns. Befides, the fiipreme council, as the 
 grand procuratoiirs of the nation, and poflefied 
 of their greatefl confidence, ought to be fpeci- 
 ally heard ; and if they think a proportion im- 
 portant and critical, may well be allowed to put 
 it off, till it fhall be fully confidered by all the 
 fubje6ts of the ftate. And this can be attended 
 with no bad confequences •, fince the people may, 
 at an after period, pafs their proportion into a 
 law. 
 
 The procuratours of each province next af- 
 femble themfelves, in prefence of the prefident 
 of the general confulta, or a prefident deputed 
 by him ; and each province appoints its repre- 
 fentative in the fupreme council, for the enluing 
 year ; and one of thefe is ele6led into the office 
 of Great Chancellor. The fupreme council, for 
 the time being, may remonftrate againft this 
 eledion •, and the eledtion of each province muft 
 be confirmed by a majority of the other provin- 
 ces ; becaufe thefe counfellors, with the General 
 of the kingdom, are to form the executive pow- 
 er of the whole nation -, the general confulta or 
 legiflative power devolving upon them that high 
 commifTion. 
 
 The General holds his office for life. He is 
 perpetual prefident of the fupreme council of nine. 
 
 K2 
 
i8o AN ACCOUNT 
 
 He votes in ail quellions j and in cafe of an equa- 
 lity, he has a calling vote. He is abfolute com- 
 mander of the troops or militia of the idand. 
 His office much refembles that of the Stadtholder 
 of Holland. 
 
 The procuratours of each province alfo choofe 
 the provincial magiftrates for the enfuing year. 
 This magiftracy is regularly compofed of a preli- 
 dent, two confultors, an auditour and a chancel- 
 lor : but the number is varied in different pro- 
 vinces, in the fame manner as the magiftracy in 
 different villages. The auditour and chancel- 
 lor have fmall falaries •, and the magiftracy have 
 their table kept at the publick expence, with a 
 guard of foldiers in pay. The provincial ma- 
 giftrates can try criminals, and pronounce len- 
 ience againft them ; but a fentence for capital 
 puniftiment cannot be put in execution, till it is 
 approved by the fupreme council. In civil cau- 
 fes, they can determine finally to the extent of 
 fifty livres •, in caufes exceeding that fum, parties 
 may appeal to the Rota Civile, which is a tri- 
 bunal confifting of three dodtours of laws, cho- 
 fcn by the fupreme council, and continued at 
 their pleafure. This tribunal judges according 
 to the civil and canon laws, and according 
 to the particular laws of Corfica. Thefe laft 
 were partly formed in old times, and afterwards 
 
OF C OR S IC A. i8i 
 
 augmented and improved by the Genoefe, who 
 publifhed them under the title of, ' Statuti Civili 
 ' et Criminali del Ifola di Corfica.' They are be- 
 come very fcarce. I have a copy of them, a thin 
 folio, printed at Baftia, in 1694. It is a very 
 good little code, and does credit to Genoa. * Fe- 
 ' lix fi fic omnia. Happy would it have been 
 ' had fhe Ihewn the fame equity in all refpecls.* 
 There are alfo a few modern laws. Although 
 the judgment, both of the magiftrates of the 
 villages, and of the provincial magiftrates, be 
 final to the extent of the values I have mentioned, 
 yet if any perfon is manifeftly aggrieved, he may 
 obtain redrefs by applying to the fupreme coun- 
 cil, or to the court of fyndicato, another excel- 
 lent inftitution, v.'hich is conducted in the fol- 
 lowing m^anner. 
 
 In the general confulta, befides the ele clicns 
 of which I have given an account, the procura- 
 tours alfo choofe fome perfons of high credit and 
 refpeft, as fyndicatori. Thefe make a tour 
 through the different provinces, as our judges 
 in Britain go the circuits. They hear complaints 
 againft the different magiftrates -, and if any of 
 them have tranfgreffed their duty, they are pro- 
 perly cenfured. Thefe fyndicators are exceed- 
 ingly beneficial. The General himfelf is for the 
 moft part one of them. They fave poor people the 
 
iSz AN ACCOUNT 
 
 trouble and expence of going to Corte to lay 
 their grievances before the fupreme council. 
 They examine into every thing concerning the 
 provinces, reconcile the people to the wholefome 
 feverity of law, encourage induftry and every 
 good undertaking, and diffufe a fpirit of order 
 and civilization in all corners of theifland. 
 
 Such is the government of Corfica ; which ex- 
 hibits a compleat and well ordered democracy. 
 From the Podefla and Padri del Commune, up 
 to the fupreme council, there is a gradual pro- 
 greffion of power, flowing from the people, which 
 they can refume, and difpofe of at their pleafure, 
 at the end of every year ; fo that no magiftrate 
 or fervant of the publick, of whatever degree, 
 will venture, for fo Ihort a time, to encroach 
 upon his conftituents ; knowing that he muft 
 foon give an account of his adminiflration -, and 
 if he fhould augment the authority of his office, 
 he is only wreathing a yoke for his own neck, as 
 he is immediately to return to the fituation of an 
 ordinary fubje£l. Nay, if a magiftrate is not to- 
 tally loft to every manly feeling, he will not even 
 allow himfeif to reft in fupine negligence -, but 
 will exert his powers for the good of the country, 
 that he may recommend himfeif to his fellow ci- 
 tizens, and be honoured with farther marks of 
 their confidence. 
 
OF CORSICA. 183 
 
 In the general confulta held in the year 1 764, 
 feveral wife regulations were made with regard to 
 the government, of which I fhall give the fub- 
 fiance. 
 
 No propofitions made to the general confulta, 
 fhall acquire the force of laws, if they be not ap- 
 proved by two thirds of the voices. 
 
 Propofitions approved by one half of the voices, 
 may be propofed in the fame feflion, a fecond or 
 third time : thofe which are not approved by one 
 Iialf of the voices, cannot be propofed again, in 
 the fame feflion ; but may be brought in, with 
 confent of the government, in fome future fef- 
 lion. 
 
 The fupreme council of flate fhall confifl of nine 
 counfellors, fix of this fide, and three of the other 
 fide of the mountains, one for each province. 
 Three of them fhall refide at Corte, during the firfl 
 four months ; three during the fecond, and three 
 during the third: that is to fay, during each fpace, 
 there fhall be two of this fide, and one of the other 
 fide of the mountains -, and the three in refidence 
 fhall have the authority of all the nine. But it fhall 
 be lawful for the General, to call the whole nine to 
 the refidence, whenever he fhall think it neceffary 
 on account of any important affair. 
 
 None of the three refiding counfellors of flate 
 fhall be abfent from the refidence, for any caufc 
 
j84 an account 
 
 whatever, without having firft obtained leave in 
 writing, from the General ; and this leave fhall 
 not be granted for a longer time than eight days, 
 and but upon the weightieft motives. In cafe of 
 the General's abfence from the refidence, at the 
 fame time that one of the three counfellors is 
 alfo abfent, all judicial proceedings Ihall be fuf- 
 pended. 
 
 No man fhall be defied a counfellor of ftate, 
 who is not above thirty five years of age, and 
 who has not held with approbation, the office of 
 prefident in a provincial magiftracy, or the of- 
 fice of Podefta in fome principal town. Notwith- 
 ftanding which, however, any perfon of fmgular 
 merit, who has fuftained with approbation, other 
 refpedable charges, in the fervice of his country^ 
 thouo;h he hath not borne the offices above-men- 
 tioned, may be eleded a counfellor, provided he 
 be of the age prefcribed by law. 
 
 No man Ihali be appointed to the office of prC'- 
 fident of a provincial magiflracy, who is under 
 thirty years of age, and who has not twice held 
 the office of confultor in the faid magiftracy, or 
 fome other refpedlable employment in the fervice 
 of his country ; and who has not the proper 
 knowledge neceffary for that office. 
 
OF CORS IC A. 185 
 
 The office of PodeflLi, in the towns not fubjeft 
 tb the provincial magiftracy, fhall be conferred 
 by the fame regulations. 
 
 The charge of General of the kingdom, being 
 vacated by death, by refignation, or by any other 
 means, the whole of the fuprcme authority jfliall 
 then remain in the adlual counfellors of ftate, the 
 eldeft of whom fhall prefide at the council, by 
 which in the fpace of a month after the vacancy, 
 intimation muft be made for a Confulta to be 
 held, for electing a new general. 
 
 The counfellors of ftate, the prefidents of ma- 
 giftracies, and other officers and judges, iliali re- 
 main in their refpeflive charges, and have the 
 full exercife of their authority, till they are re- 
 lieved by their lawful fucceflburs. 
 
 The counfellors of ftate, the prefidents of pro- 
 vincial magiftracies, and the Podeftas of the larger 
 towns fnall not be re-eleded to the fame charge, 
 without having been two years out of office, and 
 without producing credentials from the fupreme 
 fyndicators, attefting their good and laudable con- 
 dud in the employment which they have exerci- 
 fed. 
 
 Paoli has fuccceded wonderfully in fettling the 
 claims of the feudal fignors. Thefe fignors made 
 feveral applications to the government, praying 
 for the reftitution of their ancient rights. Thi.-; 
 
i86 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ■was a very delicate queftion. To allow to thefe 
 fignors the ample privileges which they enjoyed 
 of old, would have been to eftablifh indepen- 
 dent principalities in Corfica, and miift have 
 tended to fubvert the enlarged and free confti- 
 tution, which Paoli had formed, for the perma- 
 nent felicity of the ftate. 
 
 The fignors had not been foremoft in the glo- 
 rious war. They had much to lofe ; and hefi- 
 tated at taking arms againft the republick of Ge- 
 noa, left they fhould forfeit their domains. 
 
 The peafants, on the contrary, had plunged 
 at once into danger. Thefe had nothing to lofe 
 but their lives ; and a life of flavery is not be 
 fee prized. If they fliould be fuccefsful, they 
 were fired with the hopes of a double deliverance, 
 from the diftant tyranny of the republick, and 
 ■from the more intimate oppreflion of their feudal 
 lords. This was become fo grievous, that 4 
 very fenfible Corfican owned to me, that fuppO" 
 fing the republick had abandoned its preten- 
 fions over Corfica, fo that the peafants fhould 
 not have been obliged to rife againft the Genoefe, 
 they would have rifen againft the fignors. 
 
 The peafants therefore, would not now con- 
 feat, to return under the arbitrary power, from 
 which they had freed themfelves, in confequence 
 of their bravery. T propofe fuch a meafure to 
 
OF CORSICA; 187 
 
 them, would have been enough to excite a re- 
 volt, to break the nation anew into parties, and 
 give their enemies an opportunity, of again fo- 
 menting difcord, and hatred, and affaflinations ; 
 till the Corficans fhould themfelves do, what all 
 the ftratagem and force of Genoa had attempted 
 in vain. 
 
 On the other hand, the fignors were not to be 
 offended, fo as to make them become malecon- 
 tents, and difturb the operations of the govern- 
 ment. The motto of the fagaeious Hollanders, 
 ' Frangimur fi collidimur. We fhall go to pieces 
 if we dafh againft each other,' ftiould be impref- 
 fed on the minds of the different orders of men, 
 in every nation ; but is doubly important in an 
 infant flate. 
 
 Paoli indulged the fignors fo far, that they 
 themfelves Ihould not be perfonally amenable be- . 
 fore the magiftrates of the provinces in which 
 their refpe6livejurifdi6lions lie. That they Ihould 
 have the power of determining caufes between the 
 peafants upon their fiefs, without being refpon- 
 lible for their fentences, to the provincial ma- 
 giftrates ; but that they (liould be fubjed to the 
 review of the fupreme council, and of the court 
 c^ fyndicato. 
 
i88 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 In this manner, the fignors have the flat- 
 tering diftindtion of a certain degree of authority, 
 while, in reality, they are difcharging the united 
 duties of fathers of the community, Podeftas, 
 and provincial magiftrates. And as they are, 
 like them, fubjedt to the cognizance of higher 
 judicatories, they cannot abufe their powers ; 
 but while they enjoy a pre-eminence over the 
 other nobles, they juft afford the ftate, at no 
 expence, an additional number of judges to pro- 
 mote civilization among a rude and unpoliflied 
 people. 
 
 Thus have the hereditary feudal jurifdiftions 
 been moderated in Corfica, by a fortunate con- 
 currence of accident and wifdom •, partly by the 
 tumults of a fpirited war, partly by the prudent 
 difpofitions of an able legiflatour. And a fyflem 
 traniplanted from the north, by robufl Barbarians, 
 into moll countries of Europe, where having 
 taken deep root, and fpread wide its branches, 
 the utmoft violence has been required to extir- 
 pate it, has, by a ftorm falutary to the ifland, and 
 by fl<.ilful management, been brought under 
 comn^and, and even rendered ufeful in Cor- 
 fica. 
 
 When the government lliall have arrived at 
 greater maturity, and time lliall have abated the 
 
OF C O RS IC A. 189 
 
 ardour of rule, the fignors will be difpofed to re- 
 fign a diftinftion attended with more trouble than 
 advantage. 
 
 In this manner is the Corfican government 
 carried on, and, no doubt, they will be able to 
 render it ftill more perfedt •, though as it now is, 
 I look upon it as the beft model that hath ever 
 exifted in the democratical form. 
 
 Sparta, indeed, was a nervous conftitution ; 
 but with reverence to the memory of immortal 
 Lycurgus, Sparta was deficient in gentlenefs and 
 humanity. That total inverfion of the human af- 
 fedions, that extindlion of every finer feeling, 
 was a fituation fo forced, and fo void of pleafure, 
 that it is not to be envied. We mull indeed ad- 
 mire the aftonifhing influence of their legiflatour. 
 But we may be allowed to think that all he ob- 
 tained by it, was only the preiervation of a flate ; 
 and preiervation is nothing, without happinefs. 
 Sir James Steuart is of opinion, that, ' had the 
 Lacedemonians adhered to the principles of their 
 government, and fpirit of their conftitution, they 
 might have perhaps fubfiiled to this very day 
 C^^.' I believe it might have been fo. But, 
 
 («) Inquiry into the Principles of Political Oecoaomy, 
 ¥ook II. chap. 14. 
 
19© AN ACCOUNT 
 
 could Lycurgus have changed his Spartans into 
 
 men of ftone, they would have lafted flill 
 
 longer. 
 
 In the conftitution of Corfica, while proper 
 meafures are taken for the continuation of the 
 Hate, individuals have the full enjoyment of all 
 the comforts of life. They are men, as well as 
 citizens •, and when once they fhall have entirely 
 freed themfelves from theGenoefe, I cannot ima- 
 gine a country more happy. Animated with this 
 |)rofpe6l, Paoli fways the hearts of his coiintry- 
 men. Their love for him is fuch, that although 
 the power of the General is properly limited, the 
 power of Paoli knows no bounds. It is high 
 Treafon fo much as to fpeak againft, or calum- 
 niate him ; a fpecies of defpotifm, founded, con- 
 trary to the principles of Montefquieu, on the af- 
 fedlion of love. I (hall finilh my account of the 
 government of this ifland, with a very remarka- 
 ble anecdote. 
 
 A Corfican who had been formerly in the fer- 
 vice of the French king, and had obtained the 
 crofs of St. Louis, upon his return to his native 
 country, had entered into fome pra<^ices which 
 were contrary to the liberty of it. He was alfo 
 fufpefled to have a defign againft the General's 
 life. Upon this he was fent to prifon, from 
 
OF CORSICA. 191 
 
 whence, however, after fome time, he was, at 
 the interceflion of the French general then in the 
 ifland, fet at liberty. Not long after, he was 
 a fecond time caught in other fecret and treafon- 
 able pra6lices, and was again fent to prifon. His 
 life was again afked, together with his freedom, 
 by the French comm.ander ; who being rcfufed 
 this requeft, defired to know of Paoli what he 
 intended to do with the prifoner ? ' Sir,' faid Pa- 
 oli, ' I will tell you. When I Ihall have per- 
 ' fedled the liberty of rriy country, and fhall have 
 
 * fixed it upon that eftablifhment which I think 
 ' moft likely to maintain it •, I will then call to- 
 ' gether the ftates of the ifland, and will produce 
 
 * the man. I will fhew him that liberty^ that 
 
 * form of government, that happinefs which he 
 
 * wanted to defbroy. After which, I will banifh 
 
 * him from the ifland, for ever.' Such is tlie 
 manner of thinking of this illuftrious chief. 
 
 The religion of Corfica is the Roman Catho- 
 lick faith, in which thefe iflanders are very zea- 
 lous. Perhaps they have a degree of fuperftition ; 
 which is the beft extreme. No nation can profper 
 without piety ; for when that fails, publick fpirit 
 and every noble fentiment will decay. The doc- 
 trine of looking up to an all-ruling Providence, 
 and that of a future ftate of rewards and punifh- 
 
192 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ments, rendered the Roman people virtuous and 
 great. In proportion as thefe dodlrines were 
 weakened, by the falfe philofophy of Epicurus, 
 the minds of the Romans were impoverillied, and 
 their manly patriotifm was fucceeded by effemi- 
 nate felfiihnefs, which quickly brought them to 
 contempt and ruin. 
 
 Although firmly attached to their religion, as 
 the revelation fent from God, the Corficans pre- 
 ferve in ecclefiaflical matters, the fame fpirit of 
 boldnefs and freedom, for which they are diftin- 
 guiflied in civil affairs. They are fworn enemies 
 to the temporal power of the church. Indeed 
 the late violent differences between the national 
 government and the bifhops, has pretty well di- 
 minifhed their prejudices with relpedt to the per- 
 fons of the clergy. 
 
 TheCorfican bifhops, who are five in num- 
 ber, and fuffragans of the archbiihop of Pifa, 
 were warmly attached to Genoa ; for on Genoa 
 they depended for promiotion. They thought fit 
 to preach up the molt flavifh doftrines of fub- 
 miffion, and fligmatized the patriots as rebels. 
 The government defired that they might refide 
 in the territories of the nation, and promifed 
 them a guard, to proteft them from any infult. 
 But the bifhops knew well, that in the territories 
 
OF CO RSI C A. 193 
 
 cf the nation, they could not preach the doclrines 
 of tyranny, and therefore refufed to refide there. 
 Upon which, the government prohibited the pa- 
 triots from having any intercourfe with the bi- 
 Ihops ; with which they moll readily complied. 
 
 The Pope, forry to fee the Corficans like 
 Iheep without a fhepherd, refolved to fend them 
 an apoftolick Vifiter, to officiate in place of the 
 bifhops. 
 
 The Genoefe, confidering this as in fome mea- 
 fure taking part with the malecontsnts, gave in a 
 long remonftrance to the Pope, letting forth, 
 ' That they were fenfible of the reftitude of the 
 ' intentions of his holinefs, and were ever ready 
 ' to fhew their unalterable devotion towards, the 
 ' holy fee : but they begged leave to fay, that no 
 ' provifion he Ihould make againft the fpiritual 
 ' evils of Corfica, could be effeftual, without the 
 ' concurrence of the republick.' 
 
 The Corficans, happy to receive fuch counte- 
 nance from the church, laughed at this laboured 
 and artful remonftrance. ' Ecco la ftatua di Na- 
 ' bucco, il capo d'oro e piedi di creta. Si comin- 
 ' cia dal complimento, e fi termina nella minac- 
 ' cia. Behold the ftatue of Nebuchadnezar ! the 
 ' head of gold, and the feet of clay. It begins 
 L 
 
194 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 * with a compliment, and ends with a threaten* 
 
 * ing.' 
 
 The court of Naples thought proper to inter- 
 pofe, in behalf of Genoa. Cardinal Orfmi, the 
 Neapolitan minifter at the court of Rome, gave 
 alio in rcmonftrances •, and fome very plodding 
 and heavy Genoefe Canon, publifhed a very long 
 Difcorfo 1 heologico-Canonico-Politico, full of 
 quotations from innumerable authorities, and no 
 doubt afiured himfelf, that his performance was 
 unanfwerable. But the Pope adhered to his refo- 
 lution, and fent Monfignore Cefare Crefcenzio de 
 Angelis, bifhop of Segni, as apoftolick Vifiter 
 over all Corfica. 
 
 The Corficans accepted of his miflion, with 
 the greateft cordiality and joy. Signor Barbaggi, 
 who is married to the niece of Paoli, welcomed 
 him to the ifland, in a polite oration. He was 
 not only to perform the fundtions of the bifhops, 
 but was to be general of all the Religious in Cor- 
 Tica, appointing under him a provincial vicar. 
 He was a man of fo much piety, good fenfe, and 
 engaging condud, that the people conceived an 
 univerfal love and regard for him. 
 
 The Genoefe no longer continued their Ligu- 
 rian deceit, but threw off the mafk. They pu- 
 
OF CORSICA. 195 
 
 blirtied a manifeflo, prohibiting all their fubjeas 
 in Corfica, under the heavieft penalties, to com- 
 ply with the orders of the apoftolick Vifiter, and 
 offering fix thoufand Roman crowns, to any per- 
 fon v;ho fhould bring him prifoner to any of their 
 fortreffes. 
 
 This audacious edi6l the Pope very gravely 
 annulled, with great folemnity. Some ages ago, 
 he would have performed a more dreadful cere- 
 mony. The government of Corfica again, pu- 
 blickly proclaimed their difpleafure, at the fcanda- 
 lous temerity of the republick of Genoa, 'who,' faid 
 they, ' have fent forth an edidt, by which they 
 ' have not only offended againfl the refpeft due 
 
 * to the holy fee ; but have prefumed to meddle 
 ' in the affairs of this kingdom, which no longer 
 ' acknowledges them as fovereign. Therefore we 
 ' declare the faid edidl, to be deftruflive of reli- 
 ' gion, and of the apoftolick authority •, offenfive 
 ' to the majefty of the vicar of Chrift -, feditious, 
 ' and contrary to the fecurity and tranquillity of 
 
 * our ftate, and tending to corrupt our laws and 
 ' good cuftoms. And we have condemned it to 
 
 * be publickly torn, and burnt, by the hands of 
 ' the common hangman : and this to prevent fuch 
 
 * unworthy memorials from Genoa, in time com- 
 
 ' ing.' 
 
 L 2 
 
196 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 This fentence was put in execution, by beat 
 of drum, below the gallows, in the city of Corte, 
 upon the fpot where flood the houfe of the wretch 
 who aflaffinated GafFori. 
 
 It was a moft political ftep in the Corficans. 
 They recommended themfelves to the Pope j they 
 appeared firm, and authoritative -, and they put 
 contempt upon their enemies. 
 
 Hashing thus got rid of their tyrannical bilhops, 
 the Corficans very wifely began to confider, that, 
 as thefe dignified churchmen refufed to refide and 
 perform the duties of their offices, there was no 
 occafion for fending them confiderabie fums, to 
 enable them to live in idlenefs and luxury, when 
 the money might be much better employed. 
 They therefore thought it highly reafonable, that 
 the bifhops tithes Ihould go to the publick cham- 
 ber of the Hate ; and accordingly it was fo de- 
 creed. 
 
 A prodigious outcry was raifed againft this. 
 But the Corficans defended their ,condu6t with 
 great force and fpirit. 
 
 ' Hanno ufurpate le decime, ed occupati i be- 
 
 * ni dei vefcovi. They have ufurped the tithes, 
 
 * and fcized upon the goods of the bifhops,' faid 
 the Genoefe. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. J97 
 
 • Replied the Corficans, ' Ufurpate e mal detto. 
 ' Noi confefferemo la vcrita fenza corda ; perche 
 ' qui ambulat fimpliciter ambulat confidenter. II 
 ' governo ha prefo una porzione delle decime, e 
 ' dei beni de' vefcovi ; ed ecco peixhe. Primo, 
 ' perche ne ha avuta neceffita •, e queilo e un di- 
 ' ritto fuperiore ad ogni altro. Nello ftato in cui 
 ' liamo, per noi non vi e mezzo. O liberta, o 
 ' fchiavitu la piti orribile. Per non cadere nella 
 ' fchiavitu, e neceflaria la guerra : per foftenere la 
 ' guerra, e neceflaria la truppa ; ma per pagarla, 
 ' non bailando le tafle dei fecolari, fu flabilito in 
 ' una confulta, di prendre un fuflidio dagli eccle- 
 ' fiaftici ; full' efempio di S. Pietro, e di tutti i 
 ' principi. Ma i principi, fi dice, non alimentano 
 ' una truppa ribelle. Una truppa che difende la 
 ' liberta, la vita, I'onore, elapatria, dallapiuini- 
 ' qua di tutti le opprefTioni, e piu facra, venerabi- 
 ' le, e pia, di quella di una C«)ciata. Secondo, 
 ' perche appunto per difcacciare i Genovefi da 
 
 * quefto regno, Benedetto XL concefl!e a Giacomo 
 ' re di Arragona, per tre anni, le decime. Ora, 
 
 * fe il cafo e lo fteflTo, il bifogno maggiore, piu 
 ' preflanti le circonftanze, perche non fara lecito 
 ' adefl'o quel che fu conceduto allora ? Terzo, 
 
 * perche niuno e piu obligate dei noftri vefcovi. 
 
198 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 di contribuire alle fpefc di quefta guerra^ da cui, 
 elTi foli finora hanno ricavato profitto •, ottenen- 
 do una facra mitra, che non avrebber ottenuta, 
 in milk anni di pace. Come ? 1 fecolari hanno 
 verfato un fiume di fangue, per procurar loro un 
 fi bel capitale, ed efli fi faranno fentire per par- 
 ticiparne qiialche frutto •, tanto piu dovendo im- 
 piegarfi, per confervare alia nazione lo fteffo 
 vantaggio, e procurargliene dei maggiori? Quar- 
 to, perche i noftri vefcovi, in vece di farla da 
 paftori e da padri, fi portan da nemeci. Han 
 difertato dalle loro diocefi; fi fon ritirati prefib a 
 nemici •, hanno loro impreftate gran fomme, 
 perche ci facciano guerra ; cela fanno eglino 
 ftefli orribilmente, colle armi fpirituali, e fi fono 
 oftinati a non volerfi reflituire al fuo gregge. II 
 noftro governo, per obligarli al ritorno, fi e fer- 
 vito del lipiego, di cui fi valfe AlTalonne, per 
 ridurre al doverre Gioab. Or fe efTi fono di Gi- 
 oab piu caparbii, chi li compatira? chi del noftro 
 governo riprendera la condotta ? Si aggiunga, che 
 i frutti di chi non rifiede, di chi non ferve PAl- 
 tare, e molto piu di chi lo tradifce, fon devoluti 
 a' poveri. Ora, chi piu povera della noftra 
 truppa, della noftra finanza ? 
 ' Ufurped is ill faid. We will confefs the truth, 
 * without difguife -, fince he who walketh fimply, 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 199 
 
 * walketh furely. The government hath taken a 
 ' portion of the tithes, and of the goods of the 
 ' bilhops. And the reafons for it, are thefe, firft, 
 
 * becaufe we are under a necefllty to do fo, which 
 
 * is a right fuperiour to every other. In the fitu- 
 
 * ation in which we are, there is no medium ; or 
 ' liberty, or the moft horrible (lavery. Not to 
 ' fall into flavery, it is necelTary for us to make 
 ' war. To fuftain the war it is neceflary for us 
 ' to have troops. And when we found, that the 
 
 * taxes of the feculars were not fufficient to pay the 
 ' troops, it was decreed in a Confulta, that we 
 ' Ihould take fubfidy from the ecclefiafticks, after 
 ' the example of St. Peter, and of all princes, 
 ' But, fay the Genoefe, * Princes do not fupport a 
 ' rebel army.* An army which defends their 
 ' liberty, their life, their honour and their coun- 
 
 * try, from the moft unjuft of all oppreflions, 
 ' is more facred, more venerable, more pious 
 ' than that of a croifade. Secondly, becaufe Be- 
 
 * nedidl the XL granted the tithes, for three years, 
 ' to James king of Arragon, on purpofe that he 
 ' might drive the Genoefe from this kingdom. 
 « And if the cafe is the fame, the neceffity ftill 
 ' greater, and the circumftances more prefling, 
 ' Ihall not what was lawful then, be granted 
 
20O AN ACCOUNT 
 
 now ? Thirdly, becaufe nobody is under a 
 greater obligation to contribute to the expence 
 of this war, than our bilhops ; as they alone 
 have hitherto derived any profit from it ; hav- 
 ing obtained the facred mitre, which they 
 would not have obtained in a thoufand years 
 of peace. How ? The feculars have fhed a 
 river of blood, to procure them fo noble a ca- 
 pital, of v/hich they have enjoyed the fruits, 
 and are they not in duty bound, to do every 
 thing to preferve to the patriots, what advan- 
 tage they have gained, and to aid them in get- 
 ting more ? Fourthly, becaufe our biHiops, in- 
 flead of being grateful, inftead of acting like 
 pafrours and fathers, have behaved themfelves 
 as enemies. They have deferted their dioce- 
 fes, and retired into the territory of our foes. 
 They have lent large fums of money, to car- 
 ry on the war : nay they h^ve themfelves 
 fhewn a dreadful hofdlity by their fpiritual 
 arms, and have obftinately refufed to return 
 to their flocks. To oblige them to return, our 
 government hath tried the fame remedy which 
 Abfalom employed, to bring Joab back to his 
 duty. If they are m.ore froward than Joab, 
 who will feel for them .? who will find fault 
 
OF CORSICA. 201 
 
 * with the condud of our government ? To 
 ' conclude, the tithes of thofe who do not re- 
 ' fide, who do not ferve at the altar, and much 
 
 * more of thofe who betray it, fall to the poor. 
 ' Now what can be poorer than our troops, than 
 ' our finances ?' 
 
 The tithes in Corfica are, in general, about 
 a twentieth part of every produdlion. The go- 
 vernment has at prefent a pretty good fhare of 
 them ; as it not only takes the revenues of the 
 bifhops, but alfo thofe of nominal benefices, 
 where there is no care of fouls, and all the pen- 
 fions which the Pope ufed to grant to foreign ec- 
 clefiailicks, out of the rich livings. When the 
 affairs of the ifland Ihall be fettled, no doubt the 
 government will rellore the bifhops rents. But 
 application will be made to the Pope, to have 
 the number of bifliops increafed, in order that 
 the epifcopal funftions may be better adminiflred, 
 and that the fpirit of equality may be more pre- 
 ferved \ for the bifliops, when in polTefTion of 
 their large revenues, would be like princes in 
 the ifland. 
 
 Several of the inhabitants of Corfica, have 
 made a compofition with the church, for their 
 tithes i and the defcendiints of tlie Caporali, who 
 
202 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 were of fuch fervice to Hugo Colonna, in ex- 
 pelling the Saracens, are, by fpecial privilege, 
 exempted from paying any tithes. This privi- 
 lege is fuppofed to have been granted to them, 
 very anciently by the Pope, in whofe caufe it 
 was, that they Ihewed their zeal. The clergy of 
 Corfica, in general, are not as yet very learned ; 
 as the barbarous policy of Genoa to keep the 
 ifland in ignorance, and the many years of con- 
 fufion and war, have prevented the cultivation 
 of letters. There are, however, here and there, 
 fome priefts, who have had an education upon 
 the continent, and are very well inftrufted, and 
 they are all very pious, and of irreproachable 
 morals. 
 
 There are in Corfica, 6^ convents of Men- 
 dicant Friars ; viz. 34 of Obfervants, and 14 
 of Reformed, of the order of St. Francis, and 
 1 7 of Capuchins. Every one of thefe convents, 
 has only a wood for retired walks, a garden and 
 a fmall vineyard. They depend altogether on 
 the charity of the people. There are two col- 
 leges of Jefuits, two convents of Dominicans, 
 five of Servites, and one of Miflionaries ; all of 
 whom have very good pofTeflions. There are 
 alfo fome lands belonging to other religious 
 
OF CORSICA. 203 
 
 orders, particularly to the Carthufians of Pifa, 
 the fevere fandity of whom, muft fecure them 
 the veneration of every body, and preferve their 
 rights inviolated even in times of the greateft 
 dillra(5tion. 
 
 It would be expedted, that in this ifland, the 
 monafleries for women Ihould bear fome pro- 
 portion to the convents for men ; yet, in fadt, 
 there is not a fmgle nunnery in all Corfica, To 
 account for this, it muft be confidered that the 
 monaftick inftitution has been frequently per- 
 verted to fecular purpofes ; fo that the nobility 
 in catholick countries, who are defirous to ag- 
 grandize their families, make their daughters take 
 the veil, folely that their portions may be faved 
 for the eldeft fon. The Genoefe, who wanted to 
 keep the Corficans in continual fubje6bion, devi- 
 fed every method to prevent any of the nobles in 
 the ifland from becoming confiderable. They 
 therefore prohibited monafteries, in order to cut 
 them off from one method of growino- richer. 
 Friars they rather encouraged, in order to lefTen 
 population, and to leave upon families, a num- 
 ber of unmarried women, than which nothing can 
 be a greater burden, as is fadly experienced in 
 proteftant countries. 
 
204 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Convents fhould be laid under fuch reftridli- 
 ons, that what is intended as a folemn religious 
 inftitution, may not become fo common as to lofe 
 its effect, and be reckoned a profeffion for the 
 dull or the indolent. 
 
 Under proper reftri(5tions, it muft be for the 
 advantage of religion, to have a few venerable 
 fan6tuaries, for the reception of thole, who hav- 
 ing done their duty to fociety, are fo much raifed 
 above the world, that they would choofe entirely 
 to devote the evening of life, to pious contem- 
 plation and prayer ; not to mention thofe, whofe 
 paflions have hurried them into offences, for 
 which they fmcerely refolve, by a courfe of ab- 
 ftradlion, of penitance and of voluntary aufleri- 
 ties (a), to make expiation to the eternal jiiftice 
 of the Divinity. 
 
 From Paoli's care and attention to the good of 
 his country, it is probable the number of convents 
 in Corfica will be reduced. The prefent fathers 
 indeed, are well entitled to a peaceable poflef- 
 fion, during their lives j but regulations may be 
 
 [a) See that majeftick teacher of moral and i-eligious wif- 
 dom, the Rambler, number iio. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. * 205 
 
 made to prevent many noviciates, efpecially of 
 very young perfons. 
 
 The Corfican clergy, and particularly the 
 monks, have been warmly interefted for the 
 patriots. Padre Leonardo, a Francifcan, and 
 one of the profefiTours of the univerfity of Corte, 
 hath publiihed a little traft, a ' Difcorfo Sacro-Ci- 
 vile,' teaching that thofe who fall in battle for 
 their country, are to be confidered as martyrs. 
 This difcourfe hath had great effeft. We know 
 what force of mind that doflrine hath given to the 
 Turks and to the Ruffians. Indeed, that patro- 
 tifm is a virtue which merits heaven, was held by 
 Cicero : ' Omnibus qui patriam confervaverinr, 
 *■■ adjuverint, auxerint, certus ell in coelo et defi- 
 ' nitus locus, ubi beati aevo fempiterno fruantur 
 ' (a). For thofe who have preferved, affifted 
 ' and aggrandized their country, there is a certain 
 ' and fixed place in heaven, where they are blell 
 ' with the enjoyment of eternal life.' 
 
 The warlik force of Corfica principally con- 
 fifts in a bold and refolute militia : every Corfi- 
 can has a mufket put into his hand, as foon as he 
 is able to carry it •, and as there is a conftant 
 
 (^) Cic. Somn. Scip. 
 
206 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 emulation in fhooting, they become excellent 
 markfmen, and will hit with a fmgle bullet a 
 very fmall mark at a great diftance. 
 
 There is in every village a Capitano d'anriC ; 
 and in every pieve, a Commiflario d'arme, who 
 has the command over all the Capitani d'arme of 
 his diftridt. Thefe officers are chofen by the 
 General, with the approbation of the people. They 
 are ever ready to receive his orders, and to call 
 out fuch a number of men, as he ihall at any time 
 require for the publick fervice. 
 
 There are in Corfica, but 500 foldiers who 
 have pay -, 300 for a guard to the General, and 
 200 to furnifh guards for the magiftrates of the 
 feveral provinces, and to garrifon a few fmall forts 
 at particular places in the ifland. 
 
 A militia is indeed the true ftrength of a free 
 nation. Rome had no foldiers in pay till the 
 347 year after the building of the city ; and 
 then they were introduced by the patricians, to 
 ingratiate themfelves with the people, at a time 
 when the fenate was embarrafled with the great 
 influence of the Tribunes (a). 
 
 (<?) Liv. lib. iv. cap. 59. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 207 
 
 Paoli devifed a lingular and excellent method 
 of promoting bravery among his countrymen. 
 He wrote a circular letter to the priefts of every 
 parifh in the ifland, defiring a lift to be made out 
 of all thofe who have fallen in battle for their 
 country. The letter was in thefe terms. 
 
2o8 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 PAS Q^U ALE D e' P a O L I 
 
 Generde del Regno di Corsica. 
 
 MOLTO REVERENDO SIGNOR RETTORE, 
 
 ' PER rendere al publico nota, la virtu e la pieta 
 ' di coloro, che hanno fparfo il fangue per difen- 
 ' dere i diritte e la liberta della patria, e per con- 
 ' tradiflinguere il loro merito, e fame provare la 
 ' benigna influenza alle loro famiglie, abbiamo 
 ' ftabilito fame un efatto e compito catalog;©, da 
 ' darfi alle flampe, quale ficcome potra giovare 
 * ancora alia ftoria della nazione. Ella come ret- 
 ' tore dovendo piu d'ogni altro eflere al fatto delle 
 ' cofe della fua parrocchia, fi prendera volentieri 
 ' I'incommodo di coadiuvarci in quefto difegno, e 
 ' fara cotenta info'rmandofi dai pii> vecchi affen- 
 ' nati del paefe, fegnarci i nomi e la famiglia di 
 ' coloro che vi fono morti, o reftati feriti in fer- 
 ' vizio della patria, dal 1729 a quefta parte, no- 
 ' tando coUa maggior precifione il luogo, il mefe 
 ' e'l anno &c. 
 
OF CORSICA. 209 
 
 PASCAL PAOLI 
 
 General cf the Kingdom of C ok sic a, 
 
 VERY REVEREND RECTOUR, 
 
 'TO make known to the publick, the bravery 
 
 * and piety of thofe, who have fhed their blood 
 ' in defending their rights and the liberty of our 
 ' country, and to diftinguifli their merit, and 
 ' make their families prove its benign influence, 
 
 * we have refolved to make an exad and compleat 
 ' catalogue of thofe heroes, and have it printed, 
 ' fo that it may alfo be of ufe towards compofmg 
 ' a hiftory of our nation. You, Sir, as Redlour, 
 ' being better acquainted than any body elle, with 
 
 * the affairs of your own parifh, it is expefted 
 ' that you will willingly take the trouble to aflift 
 
 * us in this defign •, and for that purpofe you will 
 ' inform yourfelf of the oldeft and moft judicious 
 
 * in the village, and get them to tell you the 
 
 * names and families of fuch as have been killed or 
 
 * wounded in the fervice of their country, from 
 
 * 1729 to the prefent time •, and you will mark 
 ' with the greateft precifion, the place, the month 
 ' and the year, &c.' 
 
 M 
 
210 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 The priefts have been very regular in making 
 returns in confequence of this letter. No infti- 
 tution was ever better contrived. It might be 
 adopted by every nation, as it would give double 
 courage to foldiers, who would have their fame 
 preferved, and at the fame time leave to their re- 
 lations the valuable legacy of a claim to the kind- 
 nefs of the ftate. 
 
 I have often wondered how the love of fame 
 carries the common foldiers of our armies, in- 
 to the midft of the greateft dangers ; when all 
 that they do is hardly known even to their re^ 
 lations, and never heard of in any publick man^ 
 ner. 
 
 The Corficans are not yet much trained, as 
 they have been adling chiefly upon the defenfive, 
 and carrying on a fort of irregular war. But now 
 that they are advancing fail to a total victory over 
 their enemies, a certain degree of difcipline l?e* 
 comes neceflary. 
 
 A Corfican is armed with a gun, a piftol and 
 a ftiletto. He wears a Ihort coat, of a very coarfc 
 dark cloth, made in the ifland, with waiftcoat 
 and breeches of the fame, or of French or Italian 
 cloth, efpecially fcarlet. He h^s a cartridge-box 
 or pouch for his ammunition, fixed round his mid- 
 dle, by a belt. Into this pouch his ftiletto is 
 
OF CORSICA. 211 
 
 ftuck ; and on the kft fide of his belt he hangs 
 his piftoL His gun is flung acrofs his llioulder. 
 He wears black leather fpatterdafties, and a fort 
 of bonnet of black ck>th, lined with red freeze, 
 and ornamented on the front, with a piece of fome 
 finer llufi neatly lewed about. This bonnet is 
 peculiar to the Corficans, and is a very ancient 
 piece of drefs : it is doubled up on every fide, 
 and when let down, is precifely the figure of a 
 helmet, like thofe we fee on Trajan's pillar. 
 The Corfican drefs is very convenient for tra- 
 verfing the woods and mountains \ and gives a 
 man an a<51;ive and warlike appearance. 
 
 The foldiers have no uniform -, nor have the 
 Corficans any drums, trumpets, fifes, or any in- 
 ftrument of warlike mufick, except a large Tri- 
 ton Ihell pierced in the end, with which they 
 make a found loud enough to be heard at a great 
 diftance. The fiiell would more properly be ufed 
 atfea. Virgil reprefents Triton, 
 
 cperula concha 
 Exterrens freta. 
 
 ^neid. lib. x. 1. 2C9 
 
 Frowning he feems his crooked (hell to found, 
 And at the blafl the billows dance around. 
 
 M 2 
 
212 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Colonel Montgomery has told me, that the 
 Ihcll is ufed in America, particularly in Carolina. 
 Its found is not fhrill, but rather flat like that of 
 a large horn. It has however fome refemblance 
 to that of the Roman Lituus. Sir John Cuning- 
 hame of Caprinton has Ihewn me a Lituus in his 
 pofTeflion, of which mention is made in Blaeu's 
 Atlas (a). It was dug up in an ancient field of 
 battle at Coilsfield in Ayrefliire, and ferved the 
 old barons of Caprinton to call together their fol- 
 lowers. 
 
 As the Corficans advance in improvement, they 
 will certainly adopt the pradlice of having war- 
 like inflruments of mufick, the effeds of which 
 have been very great in ancient times, as we are 
 afTuredby Polybius, a judicious and grave hifto- 
 rian, a careful obferver of human nature, and a 
 man not too much given to credulity. Even in 
 modern armies we find confiderable efFedls pro- 
 duced by them. 
 
 The Corficans make a good many guns and 
 piftols, moft of which are of excellent workman- 
 Ihip. They alfo make great quantities of pow- 
 der ; but they have as yet no foundery for can- 
 non. Thefe they have either taken from their 
 enemies, or purchafed from abroad, or filhed from 
 
 (a) Blaeu's Atlas, p. 71. Province de Aire, 
 
OF CORSICA. 213 
 
 the wrecks of veflels loft in their feas. Neither 
 do they yet make their own bullets •, they bring 
 them from the continent, or take them from the 
 Genoefe, at whofe expence they have contrived to 
 carry on the war. A Corfican told me that they 
 did not ufe a great many bullets, becaufe, faid 
 he, * II Corfo non tira, fe non e ficuro del fuo col- 
 po. A Corfican does not fire, if he is not fure of 
 his aim.' 
 
 They are certainly defigned by nature to be 
 ftrong at fea, having fo many good harbours, and 
 fo much excellent timber : but they are not yet 
 fyfficiently fkilled in the art of Ihipbuilding i nor 
 have they money fufficient to defray the expence , 
 of employing proper artificers. They have how- 
 ever a number of fmall fhips, and fome of a tole- 
 rable fize J and their naval affairs are condud:ed 
 with great prudence and fpirit, by Count Peres, 
 who may be ftiled High Admiral of Corfica. 
 
 W.e have feen how rich Corfica naturally is in 
 many produdlions ; fo that there is no queftion 
 but this ifland might carry on a pretty extenfive 
 commerce, in oil, wine, honey, bees-wax, fait, 
 cheftnuts, filk, rofin, boxwood, oak, pine, por- 
 phyry, marble of various kinds, lead, iron, cop* 
 per, filver and coral. At prefent, commerce is but 
 beginning to flourifh among them. They find in 
 
214 AN A ceo UN T 
 
 their feas confiderable quantities of coral, of all 
 the three kinds, red, white and black. The Jews 
 of Leghorn, who have eftabliilied there a coral 
 manufaftory, have a fort of exclufive privilege, 
 from the Corficans, to this trade ; and in return 
 are very ferviceable to the nation, by advancing 
 tJiem money, and fupplying them with cannon. 
 
 The Corlicans may make plenty of admirable 
 wines, for their grapes are excellent. They make 
 in Capo Corfo two very good white wines -, one 
 of them has a great refemblance to Malaga. A 
 deal of it is annually exported to Germany, and 
 fold as fuch ; and fome of it is bought up at 
 Leghorn, and carried to England, where it pafles 
 equally well for the produftion of Spain. The 
 other of thefe white wines is fomething like Fron- 
 tignac. 
 
 At Furiani they make a white wine very like 
 Syracufe, not quite fo lufcious, and upon the 
 whole, preferable to it. Furiani is famous in the 
 Corfican annals, for a violent fiege, where 500 
 Genoefe were repulfed and defeated by 300 Cor- 
 ficans. 
 
 In fome villages, they make a rich fwect wine 
 much refembling Tokay. At Vefcovato and at 
 Campoloro, they make wine very like Burgundy j 
 imd over the whole ifland there are wines of dif- 
 
OF CORSICA. 215 
 
 ferent forts. It is indeed wonderful, what a dif- 
 ference a little variation of foil or expofure, even 
 ifi the fame vineyard, will make in the tafte of 
 wine. The juice of the Corfican grapes is fo ge- 
 nerous, that although unlkilfully manufa6tured, 
 it will always pleafe by its natural flavottr. 
 
 I think there might be a wine made in Cor- 
 fica of a good found moderate quality, fome- 
 thing between Claret and Burgundy, which would 
 be very proper for this country. But the Corfi- 
 cans have been (b harralTed for a number of 
 years, that they have had no leifure to improve 
 themfelves in any art or manufadlure. I am how- 
 ever afllired, that the exportation of oil has a- 
 mounted in one year to 2,500,000 French livres, 
 and that of cheftnuts to 100,000 crowns of the 
 fatne money. 
 
 We may expeft to fee the Corficans diftinguifh 
 themfelves as a commercial nation. Trade has al- 
 ways flourilhed moft in republican governments, 
 as in Tyre, Sydon and Carthage, in ancient times ; 
 Venice, Genoa, Lucca and the United Provinces, 
 in modern times. This is fully illuftrated by the 
 great John de Witt, penfioner of Holland (a), 
 
 {a) De Witt's Intereft of Holland, part III. chap. 3. 
 
2i6 AN A C C O UN T 
 
 u hofe refledions were the refult of the foundeft 
 fenle and a long experience. 
 
 Nothing has call a greater damp upon the im- 
 provements of Corfica, than the King of Great 
 Britain's proclamation after the late peace, forbid- 
 ding his fubjedls to have any intercourfe with 
 that nation. What may have been the reafons 
 of flate for fuch a proclamation, I cannot take 
 upon me to fay. It does not become me to look 
 behind the veil, and pry into the fecrets of go- 
 vernment. This much I may venture to aflert, 
 that a good correfpondence with Corfica would 
 be of no fmall advantage to the commercial in^ 
 tereft of this country, were it only on account of 
 our fifh trade and our woollen manufadlures ; not 
 to mention the various other articles of traffick 
 which would turn out to our mutual profit. 
 
 I know that if it had not been for this pro- 
 clamation, the Corficans would, at the clofe of 
 the laft war, have had feveral of our ftouteft pri- 
 vateers in their fervice, which would have effec- 
 tually overawed the Genoefe, and given the brave 
 iflanders an authority at fea, which could nop 
 have failed to make them very refpedable. And 
 furely it would be worthy of a people whom the 
 felicity of freedom has rendered generous, to af' 
 ford their countenance to a race of heroes, who 
 
OF CORSICA. 214 
 
 have done fo much to fecure to themfelves the fame- 
 bleflings, efpecially when our Ihe wing this genero- 
 firy would greatly coincide with the commercial 
 interells of thefe kingdoms. 
 
 It has been faid, that it was the Duke de Niver- 
 nois, who had interefl enough with our minifters, 
 to obtain the proclamation in favour of the Geno- 
 efe. Some politicians have expreft their furprife, 
 that Great Britain ihould have favoured Genoa, 
 which is always attached to the French ; and when 
 it is notorious, that without its affiftance, the 
 French could not have fitted out that fleet at Tou- 
 lon, which enabled them to take Minorca •, that 
 the Genoefe continued building ihips for them, 
 during the whole of the laft v/ar, and conftantly 
 fupplied them with feamen : whereas the Corfi- 
 cans, as lovers of liberty, muft naturally have a 
 refpedl for the Britilh, as indeed is the cafe. 
 
 We may hope that other views will prevail in 
 the councils of this nation. A Sovereign pofieflcd 
 of every virtue, who is animated with genuine 
 fentiments of liberty, and who feels the joy of 
 making his own people happy, would naturally 
 wifh to extend his beneficence. 
 
 Agriculture is as yet in a very imperfed ftate 
 in Corfica. Their inftruments of hufbandry arc 
 ill made ; and they do not make the befl ufe of 
 
2i8 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 what they have. Their plowing is but fcratching 
 the furface of the earth -, and they hardly know 
 any thing of the advantages of manure, though 
 they can be at no lofs for fufficient quantities of it. 
 This general obfcrvation is not incompatible with 
 the large produce of feveral parts of the ifland, 
 where a greater degree of fertility, and fome more 
 induftry and attention to culture than ufual are to 
 be found. 
 
 The fupreme council appoints two or more pcr- 
 fons in each province, to fuperintend the cultiva- 
 tion of the lands, and to take the mod effedual 
 mcafurcs for promoting it -, and in particular, to 
 encourage the planting of mulberry trees, as it is 
 certain, that Cornea may be made to produce a 
 great deal of filk. As gardening has been almoft 
 totally neglc6ted, there is a late ordinance by 
 which every man who pofTefles a garden, or other 
 enclofure, is obliged to fow every year, peafe, 
 beans and all forts of garden-ftufF, and not lefs 
 than a pound qf each, under the penalty of four 
 livrcs, to be exafted by the Podefta. 
 
 The Ripreme council alfo appoints two confuls, 
 to infpe6t the kind and the price of the various 
 forts of merchandife in the ifland ; and to watch 
 pver every thing that can tend towards the ad- 
 vancement of commerce. 
 
OF CORSIC A. 419 
 
 Provifions are not dear in Corfica. Their prices 
 At a medium are as follows. 
 
 A labouring ox, about 80 livres. 
 
 A cow, from 20 to 30 livres. 
 
 A horfe of the belt quality, from 100 to 140 
 livres. 
 
 A mare, from 70 to 80 livres. 
 
 J\.n afs, from 20 to 25 livres, 
 
 A Iheep, about 4 livres. 
 
 A partridge, 4 fous. 
 
 Thruihcs and blackbirds, 2 fbus each. 
 
 Beef, 2 fous a pound. 
 
 Mutton, 2 thirds fous a pound. 
 
 The bell fifli, 2 fous a pound. 
 
 Ordinary fiih, i fou a pound. 
 
 Wine, 4 fous a flafk of 6 lib. wt. 
 
 The money of Corfica is of the fame value as 
 that of Tufcany. 
 
 Oil is fold in barrels valued from 40 to 50 
 livres. A barrel contains 20 pints. A pint con- 
 tains 4 quarts. 
 
 Wine is fold in barrels of 12 zuchas. The 
 zucha contains 9 large Florence flafks. 
 
 Grain is fold by the bulhel. The bufhel con- 
 tains 12 bacini. The bacino weighs about 2Q 
 pounds. The lack or bulhel fells at j8 livres. 
 
220 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 The Corfican pound weight is alfo the fame 
 with that of Tufcany. 
 
 The government is gradually taking care to 
 eflablifli an uniformity in weights and meafures. 
 
 The wages of a tradefman, or of a day labour- 
 er, arc a livre a day, and victuals and drink. 
 
 If a tradefman is particularly ingenious in his 
 profeflion, he has fomething more. 
 
 Reapers have no wages in money •, but befides 
 their viftuals, each gets a bacino of the grain which 
 he cuts down. 
 
 The manufaftures of Corfica are as yet very 
 rude. I have obferved that their wool is exceed- 
 ingly coarfe, and generally black, and that of this 
 they make but a thick heavy cloth. The pure 
 black is the moft valuable : when a little white 
 wool is mixed with it, the cloth is not fo much 
 cfteemed, being of a ruflet grey, or brown dufky 
 colour. They import all their fine cloth ; for be- 
 fides that there is not a fufficient quantity of wool 
 for the fervice of the ifland, the Corficans have 
 not learned to make any thing elf^ of ;t, but the 
 coarfe cloth I have mentioned. 
 
 In Sardinia they make coverings for beds and 
 carpets of various colours, befides many different 
 fluffs for clothes. When the Corficans have more 
 leifure, they will probably imitate their neighbours. 
 
OF CORSICA. 221 
 
 in thofe arts. Indeed over the greateft part of Ita- 
 ly, none but the very peafants wear home-made 
 cloth ; and if in fome places they make cloth of a 
 finer kind, it is made of foreign wool imported 
 from different countries. 
 
 A good deal of flax grows in Corfica ; and no 
 doubt abundance of it might be raifed. I expect- 
 ed to have found there, if not the fine webs of 
 Holland, Ireland and Scotland, at leaft plenty of 
 good, ftrong, houfehold linen. But, in reality, the 
 Corficans are as yet fo backward, that they hardly 
 make any linen at all, which occafions a very ex- 
 penfive importation. 
 
 A Corfican gentleman obferved to me, ' If we 
 
 * had in our kingdom fuch an inflitution as the 
 *■ Dublin Society, and a Doftour Samuel Madden 
 
 * to give praemiums to thofe who diflinguilh them- 
 ' felves in manufadtures, as is done in the capital 
 ' of Ireland, we might foon bring our linen to 
 ' fome perfedtion as well as other branches.' 
 
 The Corficans have plenty of oil for their lamps, 
 which is the light they generally ufe. They alfo 
 make wax candles, and a few tallow ones ; for, as 
 I have formerly remarked, their cattle do not 
 yield much fat. 
 
 There is plenty cff leather in the ifland. Many 
 of the peafants juft harden the hides in the air. 
 
222 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 particularly the wild- boar fkins, and have their 
 Ilioes made of them without being tanned. This 
 they are under no temptation of doing, but that 
 of poverty and lazinefs, for the art of tanning is 
 very well underftood in Corfica, and the materi- 
 als for it are in fuch abundance, that a great deal 
 of bark is carried over to Italy, The Corficans 
 have a method of tanning with the leaves of wild 
 laurel, dried in the fun, and beaten into a powder. 
 This gives a fort of a greenifh colour to the leather. 
 Certainly various expedients may be ufed, to ferve 
 the purpofe of tanning. In the ifland of St. Kil- 
 da, they tan with the tormentil root [a). 
 
 The ftate of learning in Corfica may well be 
 imagined at a very low ebb, fmce it was the de- 
 termined purpofe of Genoa to keep the inhabi- 
 tants of this ifland in the groffeft ignorance ; and 
 the confufions and diftreffes of war have left them 
 no leifure to attend to any kind of ftudy. ' Inter 
 ' arma filent leges. Laws are filent amidft the din 
 ' of arms,* is an old obfervation i and it may be 
 juftly applied to the mufes, whom war frightens 
 away from every country. 
 
 Paoli and the wifeft of the nation, with whom 
 he confults, very foon confidered, that to bring 
 the people of Corfica to fuch a ftate as it might 
 
 {a) M^AuIay's Hiftory of St. Kilda, p. zH- 
 
OF CORSICA. 223 
 
 be hoped their freedom would laft, and be carried 
 down pure and generous to pofterity, it would be 
 neceiTary to enlarge their minds with the partici- 
 pation of true fcience, and to furniih them with 
 found and rational principles, by which the con- 
 ftirution might be held together in firmneis. 
 
 Therefore, after long deliberation, it was at laft 
 refolved in the year 1764, to eftablifh an univerfi- 
 ty in the city of Corte ; upon which occafion a 
 manifefto (a) was publiihed, recalling to the peo- 
 ple of Corfica, the barbarous policy of Genoa, in 
 iceeping them in ignorance ; and informing them 
 of the eftablifhments, which the parental care of 
 thf government had formed for their inftrucSlion. 
 
 This manifefto was no vain difplay of what 
 could not be performed. Paoli had been at the 
 greateft pains to coUeft the moft knowing men in 
 the iflandj and many learned Corficans eftablifli- 
 €d in foreign ftates, were difinterefted and patrio- 
 tick enough, to accept of the fmall emoluments 
 which Corte could afford. They thought them- 
 felves amply rewarded, in having an opportunity 
 to contribute to the happinefs of their native coun- 
 try, by refcuing it from the Genoefe darknefs, 
 which was worfe than that of the Goths, and ee- 
 («) Appeodix, No. VI. 
 
224 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 lightening thofe heroes whofe untutored patrio- 
 tifm had fhone with fuch luftre. 
 
 The profeflburs in the univerfity of Corte, are 
 moftly fathers of different religious orders. They 
 are indefatigable in their labours, and the youth 
 of Corfica difcover the fame keennefs of fpirit in 
 their lludies, which charafterifes them in arms. 
 There are at Corte, fome pretty good halls, where 
 the profeflburs give their ledures. But it cannot 
 be expected that they lliould as yet have any thing 
 like the regular buildings of a college. The flu- 
 dents are boarded in the town. 
 
 Under the head of learning I mufl obferve, that 
 there is a printing houfe at Corte, and a bookfel- 
 ler's fhop, both kept by aLuccefe, a man of fome 
 capacity in his bufinefs. He has very good types ; 
 but he prints nothing more than the publick ma- 
 nifefloes, calendars of feafl days, and little, prac- 
 tical devotional pieces, as alfo the Corfican Ga- 
 zette, which is publifhed by authority, from time 
 to time, juft as news are collefted ♦, for it contains 
 nothing but the news of the ifland. It admits no 
 foreign intelligence, nor private anecdotes; fo 
 that there will fometimes be an interval of three 
 months during which no news-papers are publifli- 
 ed» 
 
 • 
 
OF CORSICA. 225 
 
 It will be long before the Corficans arrive at 
 the refinement in condufling a news-paper, of 
 which London affords an unparalleled perfeftion ; 
 for, I do believe, an Englifh news-paper is the 
 moft various and extraordinary compofition that 
 mankind ever produced. An Englifli news-paper, 
 while it informs the judicious of what is really 
 doing in Europe, can keep pace with the wildeft 
 fancy in feigned adventures, and amufe the moft 
 defultory tafte with effays on all fubjects, and in 
 every ftile. 
 
 There are in Corfica, feveral treatifes of poli- 
 tical controverfy, faid in the title to be printed at 
 Corte : but they are in reality printed at Lucca, 
 or at Leghorn. In fome of thele treatifes, of which 
 I have a pretty numerous colleflion, the authours, 
 with much care and thought, labour to prove to 
 a demonftration, that the Corficans muft be free. 
 Their writings are a good deal in the ftile of the 
 profound trafts for and againft the hereditary and 
 indefeafible right of kings, with which all the li- 
 braries in this country were filled in the laft age. 
 Authorities are heaped upon authorities, to efta« 
 blifti the plaineft propofitions ; and as the poet fays, 
 they 
 
 quote the Stagyrite 
 To prove that fmoke afcends and (how is wliite. 
 
 Mallet. 
 N 
 
225 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 The natural and divine prerogatives of liberty 
 need not the aid of logick, which has been fo fuc- 
 cefsfiiUy employed by the advocates for flaver)', 
 * To darken counfel by words without knov/- 
 ledge.* 
 
 The genius and charafterof the inhabitants of 
 Corfica <delerve to be particularly confidered, be- 
 caufe fome authours in ancient times, and the 
 emiffaries of Genoa in modern times, have re- 
 prefented them in the moft unfavourable light. 
 
 In Muratori Rerum Italicarum Scriptores, vol. 
 xxiv. We find ' Petrus Cyrnaeus de Rebus Corfi- 
 cis,* in four books. This Petrus was a prieft of 
 the diocefe of Aleria, in the fifteenth century. 
 His family name was Filice -, but he chofe to 
 take to himfelf, the learned defignation of Cyr- 
 naeus, from Cyrnus the Greek name of his native 
 ifland. He was very poor, and fought a liveli- 
 hood, in different parts of Italy, as a fort of pe- 
 dagogue, and fojourned long at Venice as a cor- 
 redour of the prefs. At la.ft having returned to his 
 mother country, he very pioufly compofed its 
 hiftory, which he brings down to the year 1516. 
 
 The only manufcript of this little work is in 
 the King of France's library ; and Muratori pu- 
 bliflies it in 1738, when, fays he, ' Corfi fero- 
 ' cium atque agreftium hominum genus, et in fc- 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 227 
 
 ' ditionem facile pronum, fereniffimae Genuenfi- 
 ' um republicae, converfis in rebellionem animis, 
 ' a multo tempore negotium non leve facefTunt. 
 ' The Corficans a ruflick ferocious race of men, 
 •' and very prone to fedition, having turned their 
 ' minds to rebelHon, have now of a long timegi- 
 ' ven no fmall trouble to the mofl ferene repubiick 
 ' of Genoa/ And he adds, ' Qualem Petrus 
 ' Cyrnaeus gentem fuam defcribit, perpetuis con- 
 
 * tentionibus ac turbis flu6tuantem, talem praefens 
 ' quoque aetas agnofcit ac fentit. Such as Petrus 
 ' Cyrnaeus defcribes his nation fluftuating with 
 ' perpetual contefts and tumults, fuch the prefent 
 ' ao;e fees and acknowledges them.' 
 
 Petrus Hands greatly up for the honour of the 
 ifland. He infifts that a fon of Hercules reigned 
 there. Strabo (a) tells us that a fon of Hercu- 
 les fettled in Sardinia, which I fuppofe has given 
 occafion to the fame report concerning Corfica, 
 As Livy fays, ' Datur haec venia antiquitati ut 
 ' primordia urbium auguftiora faciat (I?). Anti ' 
 
 * quity is indulged with a privilege of rendering 
 ' the beginnings of ftates more auguft.' 
 
 (rt) Strabo, lib. v. cap. 225. 
 (^) Liv. in Prooem. 
 
 N 2 
 
428 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Pctrus is a moft enthufiallick patriot. He has 
 no patience with Strabo, who notwithftanding 
 the fiwourable account given of Corfica by Dio- 
 dorus Siculus, hath chofen to convey the worft 
 idea both of the country and of its inhabitants. 
 Petrus declares, that one principal reafon for his 
 writing is, ' quia Strabonis mendacia vulgata efle 
 ' video, becaufe I find Strabo's lies are gone a- 
 ' broad.' And exclaims with all the fury of a true 
 Ton of Hercules j ' Quum totam infulam laceraye- 
 ' rit, non expoftulemus ? non accufemus ? non 
 ' graviter feramus ? * * * Quod fi ego tacerem, 
 ' nonne parietes domus ubi natus fum, nonne ci- 
 ' vitas ubi educatus fum exclamarent ? When he 
 ' hath torn to pieces the whole ifland, fliall we 
 ' not expoftulate ? Shall we not accufe ? Shall 
 ' we not be provoked ? * * * But if I lliould be 
 * filent, would not the walls of the houfc where 
 ' I was born, woiUd not the city where I \yas edu- 
 ' cated cry out ?' 
 
 It is indeed ftranp;e to find two fuch authours 
 as Strabo and Diodorus, differing fo widely, and 
 feemingly contradiding each other. Strabo fays, 
 'H Si Kvpvo? UTTO Tcoi/'Pwjtcai'a-f xaAsn-at Koptrinx OIx.e7- 
 rxi Si (faJXw?, r^Oi^iioi n outroc, nca To7g irXiTfotg f^ionry 
 o-Jo-caTcj, TBXiug cotTTs T«f ytxTi^QVTUi Ta o^vi Kxl ocTTo Xn- 
 
OF CORSICA. 529 
 
 y-riTutrii/ ot rccv Pooy.a.ioov l.ToxTnyot v.xi Tr^otnna-ovTE? 
 
 i f i'v Iv t^'F a [ji.y}, accl ^oi,'JixoiC,£tv ocov lu^xtvirxi to S/i^io,'- 
 (Tff xait TO |3&a-xnaaTaJ!?£? £i/ auVor?. ■» ^«^ »% u^O|ulvsc-t 
 ^^v r) ^wvr£? ocTraOsra xxt a'paia-Ontn'* tsj mnaxuiv^z 
 iTrnpi^ao-iV utts ■nxlitio to Tup^ov xjiTaSaAAou(r»v i- 
 7r£^ auTW!/, o/^w; |!>ieT«ja£A£ii'. Stfabo. lib. V. cap. 
 
 224. ' But Cyrnus is by the Romans called 
 ' Corfica. It is ill inhabited, being rugged, and 
 ' in moft places difficult of accefs ; fo that thofc 
 
 * who dwell on the mountains, and live by rob- 
 ' beries, are wilder than even wild beafts. There- 
 
 * fore when the Roman generals make irrupti- 
 ' ons into their country, and falling upon' their 
 ' ftrong-holds, carry off numbers of thefe people, 
 ' and bring them to Rome, it is wonderful to fee 
 ' what wildnefs and brutality the creatures difco- 
 
 * ver. For, they either are impatient of life, and 
 ' lay violent hands on themfelves ; or if they do 
 ' live, it is in fuch a ftate of ftupefadion and infen- 
 ' Ability, that thofe who purchafe them for (laves 
 ' have a very bad bargain, though they pay very 
 ' little money for them, and forely regret their hap- 
 
 * pening to fall into their hands.' So far Strabo. 
 
 Diodorus on the other hand fays, Ta Si aV- 
 
230 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 xara tov (^lov P(^f£iW, (pvtrixrii TXVTY\g rrij ISioTviroi 
 'n-x^oiX.oXa^iia-rig * * * * -j-e^ J^e^ tt^oj aXAn'Xa? Piacrtu I- 
 
 ^oiP^dpag * * * *, f'y x£ ra?? a.K\oiq -rou^ Iv (Si'u xaras 
 jM,eco? oixoi/ojM.<«j? GojUjLtarw? Trpnri^ufTi ro SlaaicTroa.'ysiv. 
 
 Diod. Sicul. lib. v. cap. 225. ' The CoiTican 
 ' flaves feem to differ from all others, in their uti- 
 ' lity for the offices of life, for which they are fit- 
 * ted by a peculiar gift of nature. * * * * Thefe 
 ' iflanders live among themfelves with a humanity 
 ' and juftice beyond all other barbarians. * * * * 
 ' In every part of the oeconomy of life, they fliew 
 ' a remarkable regard to equity.' 
 
 Mr. Burnaby thinks thefe very different accounts 
 may be reconciled, by fuppofing the authours to 
 fpeak of the Corficans, under different points of 
 view -, Strabo as of enemies, Diordorus as of 
 friends -, and then they will not only be found re- 
 concileable, but will exaftly correfpond with the 
 character of the Corficans "at prefent. In war, 
 they are furious as lions. Death is efteemed no- 
 thing, nor is any power fufficient to make them 
 yield againft their inclination -, they become 
 irritated, and will not brook reftraint (a). Where- 
 
 (fl) What Mr. Burnaby fays of the Corficans puts me in 
 mind of an admirable obfervation of Sir Thomas Blount : 
 
OF COR S IC A. 231 
 
 as in peace, and in civil life, they are mild and 
 juft to the greateft degree, and have all thofe a- 
 miable qualities which Diodorus afcribes to them. 
 Where there fervice is voluntary too, or they are 
 attached to their mailers, by kind and gentle treat- 
 ment, they have the other perfections which he al- 
 lows them. 
 
 My Lord Hailes thinks that there is properly 
 no contradidion between thefe illuftrious authours; 
 fmce Strabo has not thrown any abufe upon thd 
 Corficans in general. He has only talked in fbrong 
 terms, of the barbarity of fuch of them, as inha- 
 bit the mountains and live by robberies, juft aS 
 if writing concerning Scotland in former lawlefs 
 times, he had faid, the Highlanders there are a 
 very wild fet of men. 
 
 My Lord Monboddo thinks, there is nothing 
 more required to reconcile thefe different charac- 
 ters of the Corfican flaves, but to fuppofe that 
 thofe which Diodorus had occafion to obferve, 
 were well treated, and thofe which Strabo had 
 occafion to obferve, were ill treated. For, good 
 or bad treatment was fufEcient to make the Corfi- 
 cans appear either of the one character, or of the 
 
 ' You may flroke the lion into tamenefs ; but you ftiall fooner 
 hew liim into pieces, than beat him into a chain,' Sir 
 Tho. Pope Blount's Eflays, edit. Lond. 1697, p. 65. 
 
232 AN ACCOUN T 
 
 other ; as we may fee in many barbarous nations 
 at this day. 
 
 But I Ihall fuppofe an univerfal ferocioufnefs in 
 the Corficans, and I think it may well be juftified, 
 confidering the treatment which that brave people 
 have met with from theiroppreflburs. For, itisjuil- 
 ly faid by the philofopher of Malmfbury, ' Prop- 
 
 * ter malorum pravitatem, recurrendum etiam 
 ' bonis eft, fi fe tueri volunt, ad virtutes bellicas, 
 ' vim et dolum, id eft ad ferinam rapacitatem (a), 
 ' By reafon of the wicked oppreflion of the bad, 
 
 * even a good people, muft in felf-defence, have 
 ' recourfe to the qualities of war, force and fraud, 
 ' nay to a kind of favage rapacity, 
 
 Petrus Cyrnaeus lays it down as a fixed princi- 
 ple, ' Univerfi Corfi liberi funt, et propriis vi- 
 vunt legibus. All Corficans are free, and live 
 by their own laws.' And he gives this noble 
 eulogium to his country, ' Corfica femper alumna 
 ' paupertatis, hofpes virtutis, mifericors erga om- 
 ' nes, quam afcivit a fevera difciplina quam ufur- 
 ' pat * et paupertatem tuetur et liberalitatem. Cor- 
 
 (<z) Hobbcs de Cive. Epift. Dedic. 
 
 * Muratori has it ' ufurpant,' which will not make fenle. 
 The text has certainly been corrupted. I am obliged to a 
 learned friend for correding it to ^ ufurpat.' 
 
OF CORSICA. 233 
 
 * fica ever nurtured by poverty, to whom virtue is 
 
 * a welcome gueft, companionate to all, maintains 
 
 * that poverty and generofity which flie hath learn- 
 
 * ed from the hardy difcipline to which Ihe is in- 
 
 * Ured.* A FRIEND/ 
 
 The fourth book of Petrus Cyrnaeus is entirely 
 taken up with an account of his own wretched va- 
 gabond life, full of ftrange, whimfical anecdotes* 
 He begins it very gravely, ' Quoniam ad hunc lo- 
 ' cum perventum eft, non alienum videtur, de Pe- 
 ' tri qui haec fcripfit, vita et moribus proponere. 
 
 * Since we are come thus far, it will not be amifs, 
 ' to fay fomething of the life and manners of Pe- 
 
 * trus who writeth this hiftory.' He gives a very 
 excellent charadler of himfelf ; and I dare fay a 
 very faithful one. But fo minute is his narration, 
 that he takes care to inform pofterity, that he was 
 very irregular in his method of walking, and that 
 he preferred fweet wine to hard. In fhort he was 
 a man of confiderable parts, with a great fimpli* 
 city and oddity of charafter. 
 
 I fhall now take leave of honeft Petrus ; with 
 whom perhaps fome of my readers will choofe to 
 cultivate a farther acquaintance. 
 
 The Corficans are naturally quick and lively, 
 4ind have a particular turn for eloquence. Hie- 
 
234 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ronymus de Marinis (a) gives them this chara6ler: 
 ' Montes apum cxaminibus abundant, et lade ac 
 ' melle manant : apte etiam ad Corforum ingeni- 
 ' um, qui fub lingua, cum lade et melle, habent 
 
 * aculeum adeoque foro nati funt. Their moun- 
 ' tains abound in fwarms of bees, and flow with 
 ' milk and honey ; like the genius of the Corficans, 
 ' who while they have milk and honey under their 
 ' tongues, have alfo a fting, and are therefore born 
 
 * for the forum.* 
 
 I have in my pofleflion two Corfican difcourfes, 
 of popular harangues, which afford fpecimens of 
 their eloquence. The one is entitled ' La Corfi- 
 ca a fuoi Figli, Corfica to her Sons :' the other 
 
 * La Corfica a fuoi Figli Sleah, Corfica to her Dif- 
 loyal Sons.' 
 
 In the firfl: of thefe harangues, the patriots are 
 thus encouraged to proceed in the glorious caufe : 
 ' Seguitate voi dunque I'efempio dei falvatori del- 
 ' la lor patria, e fiate ficuri, che la liberta fara il pre- 
 
 * mio delle vollre fatiche -, e che all ombra amena 
 
 * della liberta, racoglierete i foavi frutti di lieu- 
 
 * rezza, e di pace, di abondanza, e di contentez- 
 
 * za ; di avanzamento, e di gloria. Frutti, che 
 ' vi riufceranno tanto piu dolci, quanto piu lun- 
 
 * gamente ne fiete ftati fuor di raggione privati 
 
 {(i) Graev. TheHiur. Antiq. vol, i. p. 1410. 
 
OF CORSICA, 235 
 
 ' dalla malignita dei voftri opprelTori. Follow 
 
 * then the example of the faviours of their coun- 
 ' try ; and be affured that liberty will be the re- 
 ' ward of your toils ; and that under the pleafing 
 ' fhade of liberty, you will gather the agreeable 
 ' fruits of fecurity, of peace, of abundance and of 
 ' contentment, of exaltation and of glory. Fruits 
 ' which will be thefweeter to you, the longer you 
 
 * have been unreafonably deprived of them, by 
 ' the malignity of your opprefTours.* 
 
 In the fecond of thefe harangues, fuch of the 
 nation as fhewed any wavering or timidity, arc 
 thus roufed againft the Genoefe: ' Ecco la po- 
 ' tenza che fi vorrebbe indurvi a temere. Voi 
 ' I'avete fprezzata, e ne avete trionfato nel tempo 
 ' della voftra maggior debolezza, nel tempo ch* 
 ' eravate fproveduti d'armi, di munizioni, di ba- 
 ' flimenti, di porti, di finanze, e di truppa paga- 
 ' ta i nel tempo che i voftri capi erano novizii nel 
 ' govern© militare e politico, civile ed economico, 
 ' e che tutti quefti governi riufcivano loro gravi e 
 5 difpendiofi -, nel tempo che i partiti alzavano ar- 
 
 * ditamente la crefta, e da per tutto alia fcoperta 
 
 * feminavano la zizania •, che la parte oltramontana 
 ' era dalla cifmontana independente e divifa ; che 
 ^ dominio della nazione era mal ficuro e mal no- 
 
236 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ' to. Ora poi, che con un cambiamento felice, 
 ' fiete proveduti a foprabbondanza, d'armi e mu- 
 ' nizioni ; a fufficienza, di baftimenti e di porti ; 
 ' che avete ftabilita la truppa ed i fondi per 
 
 * la fua fuffiftenza •, liberi percio dagrincom- 
 ' modi di moke fpedizioni, e da i difordini che 
 ' la truppa collettiva portava feco ; che avete in- 
 
 * ftituite le voflre finanze ; che i voftri capi fi tro- 
 ' vano molto meglio iftruite •, che i governi piu 
 
 * non fono difpendiofi j che i partiti fono tutti ab- 
 
 * batuti, che il governo nazionale e ubidito da 
 ' tutt' i ceti della nazione, e temuto dagli ftefli 
 ' nemici, e ci comincia a riconofcer dagli efberi ; 
 ' che le parti cifmontane ed oltramontane fon tut- 
 
 * te unite fotto a un fol Capo ; e lotto ad un Capo 
 ' (lo diro ad onta della malignita e dell' invidia) 
 ' che per faviezza e antivedimento, per zelo e di- 
 ' fmtereffe, per coraggio e valore, per rettitudine 
 ' d'intenzione, di fini, e di maflime, non cede ad 
 ' alcuno de' piu celcbri eroi : ora, difll, in uno 
 ' ftato che per voi non fu mai fi forte e fi florido, 
 ' e che vi promette, fe farete nel voflro impegno 
 < coftanti, una gloria immortale, una indipenden- 
 
 * za totale, una perpetua felicita temerete voi del- 
 
 * la republica la vana, la deplorabile, la mefchina 
 
 * potenza ? 
 
 ' Behold the power which they would have 
 
 * you to fear. You have defpiled, you have tri- 
 
OF CORSICA. 237 
 
 ' umphed over it, in the time of your greateft 
 ' weaknefs •, in the time that you were unprovid- 
 
 * cd with arms, with ammunition, with fliips, with 
 ' harbours, with finances and with troops. At 
 
 * a time when your chiefs were novices in govern- 
 ' ment, whether military or political, and when 
 ' all thefe branches of government were heavy 
 
 * and expenfive to them. At a time when fa6li- 
 ' ons audacioully held high their crefts, and in 
 
 * every quarter openly fowed fedition. When 
 
 * the country beyond the mountains was indepen- 
 ' dent, and divided from the country on this fide 
 ' of the mountains •, when the dominion of the 
 ' nation was infecure and little known. And, 
 
 * when by a happy change in afi'airs, you are a* 
 ' bundantly provided with arms and ammunition, 
 ' and are fufficiently accommodated with fhips 
 ' and harbours •, when you have eftablifhed troops, 
 ' and funds for their fubfiftence ; when you have 
 ' regulated your finances, when your chiefs find 
 ' themfelves much better inftru(5ted, when go- 
 
 * vernment is no longer fo expenfive j when all 
 ^ the faftions are quelled •, when the national go- 
 
 * vernment is obeyed by all ranks in the king- 
 
 * dom, feared by our very enemies, and begin- 
 
 * ning to be acknowledged by foi-eign dates : when 
 I t]ie countries both on this, and on the other fide 
 
238 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ' of the mountains are all united under one chief, 
 ■t and under a chief, (I will fay it to the lliame of 
 ' malignity and of envy) who for wifdom and fore- 
 ' fight, for zeal and difmtereftednefs, for courage 
 ' and valour, for the reftitnde of his intentions, 
 ' views and maxims, does not yield to any of the 
 ' moft famous heroes. Nov/, 1 fay, when you 
 ' are in a fituation more ftrong and flourifliing 
 
 * than ever, and which, if you are conftant in your 
 ' undertakings, promifes you immortal glory, a 
 ' total independence and a perpetual felicity j fhall 
 
 * you be afraid of the vain, the pitiful, the con- 
 
 * temptible power of the republick ?' 
 
 The language of the Corficans is remarkably 
 good Italian, tinflured a little with fome remains 
 of the dialeds of the barbarous nations, and with 
 a few Genoefe corruptions, but much purer than 
 in many of the Italian ftates. Their pronunci- 
 ation however is fomewhat coarfe. They give in 
 particular a broad found to the vowel e which 
 difpleafed me a good deal. That the Corficans 
 v/rite Italian in a great degree of perfedion may 
 be feen from fome quotations in the covirfe of this 
 account, as well as from the manifeftoes fubjoin- 
 ed in the Appendix. 
 
 The Corficans have all a turn for the arts. I 
 cannot indeed fay that painting has yet flouriih- 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 239 
 
 ed among them -, but they fucceed well in mufick 
 and poetry. There are few of them who do not 
 play upon the citra, an old Moorifh inftrument, 
 which they are pleafed to think the ancient cytha- 
 ra. It has a fweet and romantick found, and 
 many of their airs are tender and beautiful. 
 
 They have not yet produced any large and 
 finiflied poem. But they have many little pieces 
 exceedingly pretty, moft of them on war or on 
 love. Old Giacinto Paoli, father to the prefent 
 general, has left feveral fonnets compofed with 
 great fpirit. I have a good many of them •, and 
 Iliall infert one, of which I have attempted a 
 tranflation. It was compofed in praife of his bro- 
 ther-commander General GiafFeri, upon occalion 
 of a vidory obtained by him over the Genoefe, 
 at the ficge of Cordone ; and while it gives a 
 fpecimcn of the talents of the venerable chief, it 
 at the fame time fhews his generous fatisfadlion 
 at the fuccefs of another engaged in the fame glo- 
 rious caule. 
 
 S O N E T T O. 
 
 A coronar I'Eroe di Cirno invitto, 
 Morte dillenda, e fe I'mchini il fato; 
 E li folpiri del Ligure fconfitto 
 Diano alia tromba della Fama U fiato. 
 
240 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Fatto appcna di Goto il bel tragitto, 
 Del nemjco plpugna forte (leccato ; 
 Sprezzo perigli ; e al difugual conflitto. 
 Virtu prevalfe, ov' ci comparve armato. 
 
 Cjrno lo fcelfe, e'l fuo deftin I'arrife ; 
 E'l gran litigio a cui I'Europa e attenta 
 Al fuo valor, al brando fuo, commife, 
 
 II brando, ch'anche il deftin fpaventa. 
 
 Air ingrata Liguria il crin recife ; 
 
 E a Cirno il fcetro la fua man prefenta. 
 
 SONNET. 
 
 To crown thy hero, Cyrnus, from the flues 
 
 Lo Fate with joy inclines, defcends fierce death ! 
 
 While vanquifh'd Genoa's dcfpairing fighs 
 
 Give to Fame's glorious-founding trumpet breath. 
 
 Scarce was the Golo pafh with courage bright. 
 The pallifadoed hoftile fort to ftorm, 
 
 Dangers he reck'd not in the unequal fight ; 
 Virtue prevail'd when feen in armed form. 
 
 His country chofe him, and celeftial Fate 
 Pleas'd to behold the Corfick fire reftor'd. 
 
 The mighty ftrife on which the nations wait, 
 Entrufted to his valour^ to his fword. 
 
 That fvvoid, at which ev'n Fate recoils with dread^ 
 The vaunting trelTes cut with vigour brave. 
 
 From the ingrate Ligurian's faithlefs head. 
 Cyrnus, to thee his hand the fceptre gave. 
 
OF CORSICA. 241 
 
 They have alfo many little ballads and madri- 
 gals, full of drollery and keen fatire againft the 
 Genoefe ^ and they have their eflays of grave hu- 
 mour, and various allegories refpedling themfelvcs 
 and their enemies. They have in particular a cu- 
 rious paraphrafe of the Lord's Prayer, where all 
 the petitions are ftrangely turned into fevere accu- 
 fations againft the Genoefe. 
 
 The charafter of the Corficans has been al- 
 ready touched, in the comparifon between Strabo 
 and Diodorus Siculus. They are no doubt a 
 people of ftrong pafTions, as well as of lively and 
 vigorous minds. Thefe are the materials, of 
 which men are to be formed either good or bad 
 in a fuperiour degree. I always remember an 
 obfervation which M. RoufTeau made to me, one 
 day, in the Val de Travers, when we were talk- 
 ing of the characters of different nations ; faid he, 
 ' J'aime ces caradleres ou il y a de I'etoffe.' It 
 was well faid. A poor feeble fpirit is unable to 
 lupport the weight of great virtues. It is only 
 where there is ftrength and fire, that we can hope 
 to form chara£lers of worth and dignity. 
 
 Thefe iilanders have abilities for any thing : 
 but their fourtune has been fuch, that they have 
 been confpicuous only for the hard and refolute 
 qualities. Abandoned by the nations around to 
 
 O 
 
242 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 the oppreifion of a tyrannical republick, they have 
 had no opportunity of fhewing their g.aiv.s for 
 learning and the arts, their hofpitality, their coiir- 
 teoufnefs, and their other amiable virtues in civi- 
 lized life. What they have had an opportunity 
 to fhew, they have fhewn with diftinguilhed glory. 
 
 The authours of the Encyclopedie fay, ' Les 
 * Corfes font remuans, vindicatifs, et belhqueux. 
 ' The Corficans are tumultuous, vindictive and 
 ' warlike.' Their ftruggles againft the tyrant 
 could fhew them in no other light. 
 
 A writer of the higheft clafs thus charafterifes 
 them : ' Les Corfes font une poignee d'hommes 
 ' aufli braves et auffi deliberes que les Anglois. 
 ' On ne lefs domptera, je crois, que par la pru- 
 ' dence et ia bonte. On peut voir par leur ex- 
 ' emple, quel courage et quelle vertu, donne 
 ' aux hommes I'amour de la iiberte, et qu'il eft 
 ' dangereux et injufte de I'opprimer (ci). The 
 ' Corficans are a handful of men, as brave and as 
 ' determined as the Englifh. I believe they will 
 ' not be fubdued but by prudence and good 
 ' treatment. We may fee by their example, what 
 ' courage and what virtue the love of liberty gives 
 ' to men ; and how dangerous as well as unjuft 
 ' it is to opprefs it.* 
 
 {(i) Eflai de Crit. fiir le Prince de Machiavcl. p. 114. 
 
OF CO RSICA. 243 
 
 The manners of the Corficans have a great fi- 
 milarity with thofe of the ancient Germans, as 
 defcribed by Tacitus. They have not however 
 the fame habit of drinking •, for they are extreme- 
 ly temperate. Their morals are ftricl and chaue 
 to an uncommon degree, owing in part to good 
 principles unhurt by luxury ; and partly to the 
 exercife of private revenge againft fuch as violate 
 the honour of their women* 
 
 This lafl may to fome appear rude and barba- 
 rous i but I hold it to be wife and noble. Better 
 occafional murders than frequent adulteries. Bet- 
 ter cut off a rotten branch now and then, than 
 that the while of the fociety fhould be corrupted.' 
 When morals are intimately conne6led with ideas 
 of honour, and crimes of an alluring nature are 
 not committed v/ith impunity, we may expect 
 that m.ankind will retain a proper awe, and be 
 kept within the bounds of their duty : and if we 
 have not the frivolous embellifhments and tranfi- 
 ent pleafures of licentious gallantry, we are free 
 from its effeminate difquiets, its feverilh pafllons, 
 its falfenefs and diffimulation -, while honeft prin- 
 ciples and manly and generous affedions are kept 
 in full vigour. 
 
 They who think duelling neceffary to preferve 
 the nice decorum of pclitenefs, ought not to c^n.- 
 O z 
 
244 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 fure private revenge, the rough guardian of that 
 virtue which is the fupport of every community. 
 "What Tacitus fays of ancient Germany we may 
 fay of Corfica : ' Nemo illic vitia ridet ; nee cor- 
 ' rumpere et corrumpifaeculumvocatur('«;. No- 
 ' body there laughs at vice ; nor is corrupting and 
 
 * being corrupted called the way of the world.' 
 
 The Corficans like the Germans of old, are 
 extremely indolent. The women do the greateft 
 part of the drudgery work (b)^ as is alfo the cuf- 
 tom among the Scots Highlanders. Yet they arc 
 very adlive in war, like the fame Germans, of 
 whom Tacitus fays, ' Mira diverfitate naturae 
 
 * cum iidem homines fic ament inertiam ct ode- 
 ' rint quietem (c). By a wonderful variety of na- 
 ' ture the fame men are fond of indolence and 
 ' impatient of reft.' Notwithftanding all that 
 Paoli has done, the Corficans are ftill indolent 
 and averfe to labour. Every year 800 or 1000 
 Sardinians and Luccefe are employed as artificers 
 and day-labourers in the ifland. 
 
 M. De Montefquieu obferves, that all indolent 
 nations are alfo proud. This is indeed the cafe 
 of the Corficans, to which, as I have formerly ob- 
 ferved, their fuccefs in war has contributed. 
 
 {a) Tacit, de Mor. Germ. {b) lb. {c) lb. 
 
OF CORSICA. 245 
 
 M. De Montefquieu propofcs a very good re- 
 medy for this : ' On purroit tourner I'effet contre 
 ' la caufe, et detruire la pareffe par I'orgueil. Dans 
 ' le midi de I'Europe, ou les peuples font fi fort 
 
 * frappes par le point d'honneur, il feroit bon de 
 ' donner des prix aux laboureurs qui auroient 
 ' porte plus loin leur induftrie. Cette pratique 
 ' a reufli de nos jours en Irlande ; elle y a etabli 
 ' une des plus importantes manufadures de toilc 
 
 * qui foit en Europe (a). 
 
 ' One might turn the efFcdl againft the caufe, 
 ' and deftroy indolence by pride. In the fouth 
 ' of Europe, where the people are fo much ftruck 
 ' with the point of honour, it would be right to 
 
 * give premiums, to the labourers who have beft 
 
 * cultivated their fields, or to artificers who have 
 ' carried their induftry the greateft length. This 
 ' practice hath fucceeded in our days, in Ireland : 
 ' it hath there eftablifhed one of the moft impor- 
 
 * tant linen manufa6hircs in Europe.' 
 
 The Corficans love much to lie round a fire. 
 This praftice feems peculiar to rude nations. The 
 Indians in north America do it, and the ancient 
 Germans did it. ' Totos dies juxta focum atque ig- 
 nem agunt (h). They pafs whole days by the fire.* 
 The Scythians too had this cuftom. 
 
 (a) Efprit des Loix, liv. xiv, chap. 9. (^) Tacit, de Mor.Germ. 
 
246 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Ipfi in defollis fpecubus lecura fub alta 
 
 Otia agant terra, congeftaque robora, totafque 
 
 Advolvcre focis ulfnos, igniquc dcdere. 
 
 ViRG. Georg, iii. 1. 376. 
 
 In caverns deep with oaks uppil'd, they railc. 
 And many a branching elm, the crackling blaze i 
 From cold fecure, around the flaming hearth, 
 Wafte the long dreary night in focial mirth. 
 
 Wartok. 
 
 There have been many very flrange culloms 
 in Corfica. Diodorus tells us, that after the wo- 
 men were brought to bed, the men Immediately 
 took care of the children, laying themfelves down 
 as if they were fick, and fondling the infants, fo 
 that the mothers had no farther trouble than ta 
 give them fucK (a). So great attention to a wo- 
 man after Ihe has fuffered fo much for the good 
 of fociety, had really fomething humane in it; 
 though we muft fmile at fuch fimplicity. We 
 may fay that it has never been paralleled by all 
 the complaifance of modern gallantry. But this 
 equitable cuftom 'is no longer in ufe. 
 
 Petrus Cyrnaeus fays, that in his time marriage 
 was fo much honoured among the Corficans, that 
 if any young v/oman was fo poor that nobody 
 allced her, the neighbours raifed a contribution to 
 
 [a) Died. Sicul. WefTeling. p. 34T. 
 
OF CORS I C A. 247 
 
 help her to a hufband. Generofity could never 
 be more properly exercifed. Epaminondas uled 
 to exerciie his generofity in that way (a). 
 
 There are fome extraordinary cuftoms which 
 ftill llibrift in Corfica. In particular they have fe- 
 veral ftrange ceremonies at the death of their re- 
 lations. When a man dies, efpecially if he has 
 been airafiinated, his widow with all the married 
 women in the village accompany the corpfe to the 
 grave, where after various howlings, and other 
 exprefllons of forrow, the women fall upon the 
 widow, and beat and tear her in a mofl miferable 
 manner. Having thus fatisfied their grief and 
 paffion, they lead her back again, covered with 
 blood and bruifes, to her own habitation. This 
 I had no opportunity of feeing, while I was in 
 the id and -, but I have it from undoubted autho- 
 rity. 
 
 Having faid fo much of the genius and charac- 
 ter of the Corficans, I muft beg leave to prefent 
 my readers with a very diflinguifhed Corfican 
 character, that of Signor Clemente de' Paoli, bro- 
 ther of the General. 
 
 This gentleman is the eldeft ion of the old 
 General Giacinto Paoli. He is about fifty years 
 of age, of a middle fize and dark complexion, his 
 
 (^) Corn. Nep. in vit. Epam. 
 
248 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 eyes are quick and piercing, and he has fomething 
 in the form of his mouth, which renders his ap- 
 pearance vtij particular. His underftanding is 
 of the firll rate ; and he has by no means fnfFered 
 it to lie neglcdted. He was married, and has an 
 only daughter, the wife of Signor Barbaggi one 
 of the firfl men in the ifland. 
 
 For thefe many years paft, Signor Clemente, 
 being in a flate of widowhood, has refided at 
 Roftino, from whence the family of Paoli comes. 
 He lives there in a very retired manner. He is 
 of a Saturnine difpofition, and his notions of re- 
 ligion are rather gloomy and fevere. He fpends his 
 whole time in ftudy, except what he pafTes at his 
 devotions. Thefe generally take up fix or eight 
 hours every day ; during all which time he is in 
 church, and before the altar, in a fixed pofture, 
 with his hands and eyes lifted up to heaven, with 
 folemn fervour. 
 
 He prefcribes to himfelf, an abftemious, rigid 
 courfe of life •, as if he had taken the vows of 
 fome of the religious orders. He is much with 
 the Francifcans, wlio have a convent at Roftino. 
 He wears the common coarfe drefs of the coun- 
 tr)% and it is difficult to diftinguifh him from one 
 of the loweft of the people. 
 
OF CORSICA. 249 
 
 When he is in company he fcldom fpeaks, and 
 except upon important occafions, never goes into 
 pnblick, or even to vifit his brother at Corte. 
 When danger calls, however, he is the firft to 
 appear in the defence of his country. He is then 
 foremoft in the ranks, and expofes himfeif to the 
 hottefl aftion ; for religious fear is perfedlly con- 
 fiftent with the greatefh bravery -, according to 
 the famous line of the pious Racine, 
 
 Je crains Dieu, cher Abner ; ct n'ai point d* autre 
 
 crainte. 
 J fear my God ; and Him alone I fear, 
 
 A FRIEKD. 
 
 In the beginning of an engagement, he is ge- 
 nerally calm ; and will frequently offer up a 
 prayer to heaven, for the perfon at whom he is 
 going to fire : faying he is forry to be under the 
 neceffity of depriving him of life •, but that he is 
 an enemy to Corfica, and providence has fent him 
 in his way, in order that he may be prevented 
 from doing any father mifchief •, that he hopes 
 God will pardon his crimes, and take him to him- 
 feif. After he has feen two or three of his coun- 
 trymen fall at his fide, the cafe alters. His eyes 
 flame with grief and indignation, and he becomes 
 
250 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 like one furious, dealing vengeance every where 
 around him. 
 
 His authority in the council is not lefs than his 
 valour in the field. His ftrength of judgment 
 and extent of knowledge, joined to t!ie fingular 
 fanftity of his charaifler, give him great weight in 
 all the publick confultations j and his influence 
 is of confiderable fervice to his brother the Ge- 
 neral. 
 
 When v/e thus view the Corficans glorioufly 
 ftriving for the bell rights pf humanity, and un- 
 der the guidance of an illuftrious commander and 
 able flatefman, eflablilliing freedom, and form- 
 ing a virtuous and happy nation, can we be in- 
 different as to their fuccefs ? Can we Britons 
 forbear to admire their bravery, and their wif- 
 dom ? One Englifli Poet hath celebrated Corfi- 
 ca. I know not who he is. But I would thank 
 him for the fpirit he hath {hewn ; and I woulc^ 
 t)eg leave to leleft a few of his verfes. 
 
 Hail Corsica! than whofe recorded name 
 None e'er ftood fairer on the rolls of fame ! 
 Rapt at the found, my foul new ardour fires. 
 Each thought impalllons, and each ftrain infpircs. 
 Pity, to injur'd honour that is due. 
 Pleads in my heart, and bids me pity you ; 
 For worth like thine, one honeft wifh receive j 
 'Tis all the mufe, and all the friend can give. 
 
O F C O RSICA. 251 
 
 Ye who are flaves of pow'r, or drones of peace. 
 Ambition's tools, or votaries of cafe, 
 If not quite ahjecl, nor quite loft to fhame. 
 Your hearts can feel one particle of fame. 
 Stand forth; on Corsica reflefV, and fee 
 Not what you arc, but what you ought to be. 
 The general good's their aim ; no flavilh awe 
 Marks man from man, but Liberty is Law ; 
 No venal fenatcs publick credit drain. 
 No king enflav'd by creatures of his reign. 
 Of publick honours merit is the teft. 
 And thofe obtain them who deferve them bell. 
 
 In this vile age, no virtue now rcver'd. 
 No godlike patriot prodigy appear'd, 
 'Till one fmallfpot, (for in th'ALMlGHTY's Book, 
 The fmalleft fpot is never overlook'd) 
 Held forth the wonder to all Europe's fhame, 
 Produc'd the man, and Paoli his name. 
 Go on immortal man ! the path purfue 
 Mark'd out by heav'n, and deftin'd but for you ; 
 Fix your firm hope on this, on this \'our truft. 
 Your arms muft conquer as your cauie is juft. 
 Py heav'n ! it makes my life's beft blood run cold. 
 Then glow to madnefs when tliy ftory's told ; 
 On tliofe vile flaves be heav'n's choice thunder hurl'd. 
 Who chain'd themfclves, would gladly chain a world. 
 
 Prxde, a Poem, 
 
252 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 The Corficans are in general of fmall ftaturc, 
 and rather hard-favoured, much like the Scots 
 Highlanders •, though as we find among thele, fo 
 we alfo find among the Corficans many of a good 
 fize, and comely countenances. 
 
 The number of inhabitants in Corfica has not 
 been exadtly taken of late, but they may be reck- 
 oned 220,000 fouls i for, previous to the rife in 
 L729, there were 40,000 families who payed tax 
 to Genoa, and reckoning five to each family, the 
 inhabitants were then 200,000. 
 
 Now although it may appear a paradox, it is 
 certain that the number of inhabitants has in- 
 creafed during the war ; as will appear from the 
 following confiderations. 
 
 Father Cancellotti a Jefuit mifTionary, who 
 travelled over Corfica, and informed himfelf with 
 great exadnefs, made a computation, that in thirty 
 years of Genoefe government, the ifland loft by 
 affaflinations and other caufes 28,000 people. 
 
 Whereas in the thirty feven years of war, the 
 ifland has not loft above 10,000 people, including 
 thofe who have fled from the confufions of their 
 country, to follow fortune upon the continent. 
 
 And therefore this calculation of the number 
 ©f inhabitants at prefent, is a juft one. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 253 
 
 The number of Corficans is however much lefs 
 than it was in ancient times. It is well obferved 
 by an able writer (a), * That the depopulation of 
 * many countries feems to have been firft occafion- 
 ' ed by the havock the Romans made among the 
 ' fmaller ftates and cities, before they could fully 
 ' eltablilh their fovereign power.' In no flate 
 could this caufe of depopulation take place, more 
 than in Corfica ; for in no flate were the natives 
 harder to be fubdued. When to the Roman ha- 
 vock we add the reiterated turmoils, which dur- 
 ing a courfe of ages, have fhaken this ifland, 
 we need be at no lofs to account why the number 
 of its inhabitants is diminifhed. 
 
 Of the 220,000 people computed to be in Cor- 
 fica, there may be 10,000 in Baflia, and in all 
 25,000 in the territories of the Genoefe ; fo that 
 I reckon there are about 200,000 of the patriotick 
 nation, and of thefe Paoli can bring 40,000 armed 
 men into the field. 
 
 It is therefore by no means probable, that the 
 Genoefe fliould reduce to abjeft fubmiffion fo con* 
 fiderable a nation, and a nation of fuch men ; 
 moft of whom have been born in the troublous 
 times, and been brought up with fentiments of 
 
 (a) Wallac* on the Numbers of Mankind; p. 106. 
 
254 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 the mod violent hatred againd the republick. 
 There is not a Corfican child who can procure a 
 little gun-powder, but he immediately fets fire to 
 it, huzzas at the explofion, and as if he had 
 blown up the enemy, calls out, ' Ecco i Geno- 
 ' vefi. There go the Genoefe.' 
 
 I believe the wifefb and beft nobles of Genoa 
 are now of opinion, that the republick fhould re- 
 nounce her pretenfions of dominion, over a peo- 
 ple whom long experience has proved to be un- 
 conquerable by the Genoefe arms, who have baf- 
 fled every attempt that the republick has made a- 
 gainft them, and who are at laft formed into a 
 ftate that has a folid claim to independency. But 
 the wifeft and bed of Genoa, like the wifell and 
 belt of other flates, are over-ruled by the majori- 
 ty i and the republick has hitherto continued to 
 drain her treafury, and facrifice her foldiers, in 
 fruitlefs attempts to recover Corfica. 
 
 The Abbe Richard (a) hath given a very juft 
 and lively account of this : ' Le royaume de 
 ' Corfe dont la republique pofiede quelques places 
 ' maritimes lui coute prodigieufement ; elle n'en 
 ' retire aucun avantage reel, et elle a toujours a 
 ' combattre un peuple indifciplinc armc pour la li- 
 ' berte. 
 
 (rf) Richard Dercrip. Hift. et Crit. de I'ltal. torn. I. p. n8. 
 
OF CORSICA. 255 
 
 * Mais comme les nobles Gcnois fe regardent 
 ' tous comme folidairement rois de Corfe, cettc 
 ' railbnqui eft tres forte fur leur efprit, les determi- 
 ' nera toujours a ne rien epargner pour conferver 
 
 * ail moins ce titre. C'eft robjet d'ambition qui 
 
 * les touche le plus. Rien n'eft aufTi intereffant pour 
 ' eux, que les nouvelles de ce pais -, fur tout quand 
 ' la ballance paroit pancher du cote des rebelLes.* 
 
 ' Une dame Genoife fort inquiete de quelques 
 ' fucces qui fembloient annoncer une revolution 
 ' totale en faveur des infulaires, apprenant que les 
 ' efperances de la republique fe retablilToient, dit 
 
 * dans un tranfport de joie, " Dieu merci nou^ 
 ' fommes done encore un peu reines." 
 
 ' The kingdom of Corfica, of which the repu- 
 ' blick poflefTes fome maritime ftrong places, cofts 
 ' her a prodigious expence. She derives no real ad- 
 ' vantage from it, and fhc hath always to combate 
 ' an undifciplined people armed for liberty. 
 
 ' But as the Genoefe nobles look upon them- 
 ' felves to be all joint kings of Corfica, this confi- 
 ' deration which is very ftrong upon their minds, 
 ' will ever determine them, to fpare nothing in or- 
 ' der to preferve at leaft the title. It is the point 
 ' of ambition which touches them the moft. No- 
 
 * He flioulJ not call thoHi ' rebelles' whom lie lutli be- 
 fore reprefeuted as ^ armei pour !a liberte.' 
 
256 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 * thing is fo interefling to them as the news from 
 ' that country, efpecially when the bahmce feems 
 
 * to lean to the fide of the rebels (patriots j. 
 
 ' A Genoefe lady who was very uneafy, on ac- 
 ' count of fome fuccefles which feemed to an- 
 
 * nounce a total revolution in favour of the iflan- 
 
 * ders, hearing that the hopes of the republick be- 
 
 * gan to be re-eftablifhed, cried in a tranfport of 
 
 * joy, " Thank God then, we are yet fomewhat 
 
 * queens.'* 
 
 "While I was employed in writing this Account 
 of Corfica, the brave iflanders refolved on ftrik- 
 ing a bold ftroke, and making a conqueft of the 
 ifland of Capraja. 
 
 Capraja or Caprara lies to the eaft of Corfica, 
 about five and twenty miles off Capo Corfo, over 
 againft the coaft of Tufcany. This ifland was 
 formerly annexed to the kingdom of Corfica, be- 
 ing a portion of the feudal territory of the noble 
 family of Damari who were deprived of it by the 
 Genoefe. 
 
 Capraja is about fifteen miles in circumference. 
 The whole of it is exceedingly mountainous, and 
 of a dry craggy furface. It is all around fo pointed 
 with rocks, that it is inaccefTible almoll on every 
 quarter, except at one habour, which is a pretty 
 good one, and where numbers of vefiels pafTing 
 
OF CORSICA; 257 
 
 the Mediterranean ufe to take Ihelter, It hath 
 upwards of 3000 inhabitants, all of whom are af- 
 fembled in a town at the extremity of the ifland 
 jufl above the harbour. 
 
 The men of Capraja are ftrong and robufl. 
 They all go to fea, and are reckoned the hardieft 
 and moll expert failors in that part of the world. 
 The women employ themfelves chiefly in cultiva- 
 ting vines, in which the ifland is pretty fertile. 
 There is here a ftrong citadel built on a high rock, 
 fo that it commands the town and harbour. It is 
 well furniihed with artillery, and the Genoefe kept 
 there a garrifon. There are alfo two other towers 
 at the two extremities of the ifland, built rather 
 in order to defcry the Barbary corfairs, than to 
 defend a country fo well fortified by nature*. 
 
 In the month of December 1766, Signor Paul 
 Mattei of Centuri having gone to France to tran- 
 faft fome private afi^airs, in his paflTage home he 
 went aihore at Capraja, where he was at great 
 
 * I know Capraja well, for I was driven into it by ftrels 
 of weather in my return from Corfica. I was detained there 
 fix days, and was lodged in a Francifcan convent, where the 
 worthy fathers entertained me very hofpitably. I employed 
 my time in writing a minute detail of every thing in the 
 ifland, which I ftill have by me, and often amuie myfelf with 
 it, at a vacant hour. 
 
 P 
 
258 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 pains to inform himfelf with regard to the fituation 
 of their garriibn, their harbour and their coafts, 
 the fcarcity of provifions, and the little attention 
 with which the ifland was defended. 
 
 On his return to Corfica, he propofed to Paoli 
 to make a defcent upon Capraja. His propofal 
 was immediately approved, and the conduft of the 
 cnterprife was committed to Signor Achilles Mu- 
 rati, commandant at Erbalonga, and Signor John 
 Baptift Riftori, commandant at Furiani, who on 
 the evening of the i6th of February 1 767, fet fail 
 from the port of Macinajo, accompanied by Signor 
 Mattei and fevcral gallant young gentlemen of the 
 principal families in the provinces of Capo Corfo 
 and Nebbio, who chofe to go as volunteers. 
 They had alfo a few Capraefe to ferve as guides. 
 
 They landed on Capraja that night. The Cor- 
 lican commanders fignified to the Capraefe, that 
 they were come with no hoflilc intentions againft 
 them -, but only to expel from their country, the 
 Genoefe, that the inhabitants of Capraja might 
 participate the happy fruits of liberty, in common 
 with their ancient friends the Corlicans : and there- 
 fore they hoped that inflead of meeting with op- 
 pofition, they would be received with cordiality. 
 Upon this, a number of the inhabitants immediate- 
 ly joined them, and they laid fiege to the citadel. 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 259 
 
 The Genoefe were piqued to the greatefl de- 
 gree, to find that thofe iflanders, whom they gave 
 out to be a fet of rebels under the awe of a French 
 guard, were boldly fallying forth, and wrefting 
 from them the fovereignty of another ifland in the 
 Mediterranean ; an event which could not fail to 
 blaze abroad over Europe, and equally contribute 
 to the glory of the Corficans and to the difgrace 
 of the republick. They therefore fpared no ex- 
 pence or care to defeat the enterprife. 
 
 They fent out a confiderable armament under 
 the command of Signor Auguftino Pinello, a mart 
 of tried adivity and valour, and an adlual fena- 
 tour of Genoa. 
 
 They alfo fent colonel Antonio Matra, with a 
 body of chofen men, who by the affiftance of aCa- 
 praefe galley-flave cfFe6tuated a landing, at a 
 place negledled by the Corficans as inaccefTible. 
 
 While Matra attacked the Corficans by land, 
 Signor Pinello attaked them from the fea, on two 
 different quarters -, fo that they had a very hot 
 and difficult adlion to maintain. Notwithftand- 
 ing all which, Pinello was beaten off, and Ma- 
 tra*s detachment was totally routed. 
 
 I could willi to relate the various particulars of 
 this expedition. I have materials fufficient for it ; 
 but the plan of my work does not permit mc. 
 
 P2 
 
26o AN ACCOUNT 
 
 The citadel of Capraja furrendered on the 29th of 
 May. 
 
 The Corficans have by this conqueft added 
 confiderably to their dominion. They have acquir- 
 ed an increafe of moft ufeful people ; and they 
 are in condition to prevent, or at leaft render ex- 
 remely difficult, the communication between 
 Genoa and her garrifons in Corfica. 
 
 Sir James Steuart hath placed the Corficans in 
 rather an unfavourable light. His words are, 'The 
 ' Corficans have exported, that is, fold the belt 
 
 * part of their ifland to Genoa •, and now, after 
 having fpent the price in wearing damafk and 
 
 * velvet, they want to bring it back, by confifca- 
 
 * ting the property of the Genoefe, who have both 
 ' paid for the ifland, and drawn back the price 
 ' of it, by the balance of their trade againft thefe 
 « iflanders (a)* 
 
 With this refpedable writer's permiffion, it was 
 not a balance of trade, but a ballance of bad for- 
 tune, which fubjeded Corfica to the Genoefe ; and 
 the greateft part, if not all the property of the no- 
 bles of the republick in that ifland, was acquired 
 only by force or by fraud. The expenfivenefs of the 
 Corficans in wearing damaflc and velvet, is merely 
 
 (a) Inquiry into the Principles of Political Oeconomy. 
 Book II. Chap. 29. 
 
OF CORSICA. 261 
 
 ideal. Corfica is perhaps the only country upon 
 the face of the globe, where luxury has never 
 once been introduced. The Genoefe cannot 
 pretend to have made themfelves mafters of Cor- 
 fica, by commercial fuperiority ; for thofe repu- 
 blicans have been fupplied from that fertile ifland, 
 with a great many of the neceflaries of life, which 
 their own narrow dominions could not furnilh in 
 fufEcient quantities. 
 
 I have thought myfelf called upon to reflify this 
 miftake in a book which may afford many impor- 
 tant leffons to free nations, and among the reft to 
 the brave Corficajis themfelves. 
 
 It is in vain for the Genoefe to pretend any lon- 
 ger that the Corficans are to be looked upon as re- 
 bels. It is nobly oppofed by a Corfican writer ; 
 with whofe words I fhaU conclude my Account of 
 Corfica. 
 
 ' Rebelli ! come non hanno vergogna di dar a 
 ' noi quefto titolo ? a noi che facciamo la guerra 
 
 * con tanto fpirito di lenita e di dolcezza, che non 
 ' altro fi ftudia che rifparmiare il fangue, i beni, c 
 « r onore de' noftri concittadini ? a noi che non 
 
 * cercando fe non di liberare la patria della piu ini- 
 ' qua di tutte le cattivita, altro titolo non conviene 
 ' che quello di falvatori. E poiche lode a Dio da- 
 ' tor d'ogni bene, abbiamo gia confeguito 1' inten- 
 ' to ; poiche abbiamo gia formato in fequela un 
 
262 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ' governo lovrano libero, independentc, aflbluto, 
 
 * padrone della vita e della morte di tante migliaja 
 
 * di fudditi, che lo riconofcono, ed ubidifcono con 
 ' fedelta e con preftczza. Avendo ftabilito fuc- 
 ' cefTivamcnte rota e tribunal! ; giiidjci e magif- 
 
 * trati ; miniftri ed elecutori di giullizia ; fecrete- 
 ' rie e cancellerie; aperte ftamperie ; compoftc 
 
 * leggi e flatuti ; truppe e finanze •, poiche fotto 
 ' al noftra dominio abbiamo torri e prefidi •, caf- 
 
 * telli e carceri ; armi e cannoni j porti e baftimen- 
 ' ti, poiche afiblviamo e condanniamo per via di 
 
 * procefli e fentenze ; imponiamo tafle e contribu- 
 
 * zioni j improntiamo i noftri figilli ; fventoliamo 
 
 * le nollre bandiere ; concediamo tratte e licenze ; 
 
 * creiamo notari ; intimiamo guerre ; formiamo 
 
 * afledi ; capitoliamo refe ed armiftizi ; contraf- 
 
 * fegni tutti difovranita, e di dominio ? come pof» 
 
 * Ion piu appellarci gente privata ? (a) 
 
 * Rebels ! are they not aihamed to give to i]s 
 
 * that title ? to us, who make war with fuch a fpi- 
 ' rit of lenity and mildnefs, that our only ftudy 15 
 ' to fpare the blood, the efFedls and the honour of 
 
 * our fellow-citizens ? to us, who feek for nothing 
 ' but to free our country from the moll iniquitous 
 ' of all captivities, and therefore well deferve the 
 
 * title of faviours. And thanks to God the Giver 
 
 * of all good, we have now obtained our purpofe : 
 
 (a) Minifeft. di Gen. Colle Rifpoft. di un CorC p. 23, 
 
O F C O R S I C A. 263 
 
 < for we have now formed a government fovereign, 
 
 * free and independent, with the power of life and 
 
 * death over fo many thoufand fubjeds, who ac- 
 
 * knowledge it, and obey it with fidelity and with 
 ' alacrity. We have now fucceflively eftablilhed a 
 ' rota and tribunals, judges and magiftrates, admi- 
 
 * niftratours and executers of juftice. We have fe- 
 ' cretaries offices, and publick archives i open print- 
 ' ing-houfes,laws and ftatutes, troops and finances. 
 
 * We have moreover under our dominion towers 
 ' and'garrifons, caftles and prifons, arms and can- 
 ' non, harbours and Ihipping. Befides, we abfolve 
 
 * and condemn in the regular form of procefles and 
 
 * fentences •, we impofe taxes and contributions, 
 ' we adhibit our feals, we difplay our colours, we 
 ' declare wars, we form fieges, we capitulate for 
 
 * truces and ceiTations of arms. Are not all thefe the 
 ' marks of fovereignty and dominion ? How then 
 
 * can they any longer call us a private hand ?* 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 CORSICAN STATE PAPERS. 
 
APPENDIX. 267 
 
 N° I. page 164. 
 
 MANIFESTO 
 
 DEL GENERALE, 
 
 E SUPREMO CONSIGLIO DI STATO 
 
 DEL REGNO DI CORSICA. 
 
 LA giuftizia dell a noftra guerra contro la repubblica di Geneva 
 e tanto nota al mondo, tjuanto la necedita che ci ha indotti 
 a prender le armi per fottrarci dalla piuobbrobiiofa, ed infofFri- 
 bile tii-annia degl' ingiuili occupatori della noftra ilola, e de ne^ 
 mici della noftra liberta. La moderazione, cio non oftante, 
 coUa quale ci fiamo fempre diportati in qucfto si giufto, e lode- 
 vole impegno, avendo viepiu riempiti d' orgoglio, e fatti ogni 
 giorno piu arditi a noftro danno i Signori di Genova, rende a 
 noi indifpenfabile il doverc nel punto che fiamo per cambiar di 
 condotta a lor riguardo, manifeftarne al pubblico li niotivi, e le 
 ragioni, onde ognuno fia perfuafo della rcttitudine delle noftre 
 determinazioni, e di quella equita, che forma il carattere della 
 noftra nazione. 
 
 Da trenta anni che noi fofteniamo la prefente guerra per ifhi- 
 dare afFato dalla noftra ifola la repubblica di Genova, mai in al- 
 cun modo avevamo tentato fraftornare il commercio di mare & 
 fudditi di quella fignoria, compaftionando di quelli piuttofto I'in- 
 felice fituazione, che I'obligava a vivere fotto un governo, che 
 per la iftelTa fua coftituzione non pud fe non eller tiranno. Ma 
 vedendo ora con quanta oftinazione, ed efficacia la predetta re- 
 pubblica s'afFatichi per interdire, e precludere ogni ftrada al com?^^ 
 mercio marittimo nel noftro regno, prendendo non folamente co' 
 fuoi Baftimenti armati in Corfo quelli che loro riefce incontrare 
 di noftra bandiera, ma per anche con felice ardimento finora ab- 
 brugiando, ed infultando quelli delle altre nazioni piu rifpetta- 
 bili dell* Europa, che per ragion di traffico fi portino ad appro- 
 dare, o partano da porti, e fcali a noi foggetti della noftra ilbxa. 
 E vedendo in fine, che quefta noftra lenita, e contegno iiiente e 
 cprriipofto dalli fiadditi Genovefi, e che anche efli jnftigano ii 
 
26s ;A P P E N D I X. 
 
 loro principc a privarci del beneficio del commercio con qualun- 
 que bandicra, lufingandofi con quefto mezzo vedere afFatto la 
 noftra nazione foifrir nelle loro mani il menopolo delle fue fo- 
 ftanze, colic quali fi fono obbligati provedere quei prefidi, chc 
 noi tenianio bloccati. Per non maacar quindi di riguardo a noi 
 medefimi, per toglier gli oftacoli, e proteggere il noftro com- 
 mercio, e per render fenfibile il noftro rifentimento a coloro, 
 che ful mare impunemente finora ci hanno infultati con tanto 
 noftro pregiudizio ; prevalendoci del dritto, che ci compete, e 
 perche e infeparabile da quella liberta, che il cielo ha concefla al 
 noftro valore, abbiamo deliberato conceder la facolta a qua- 
 iunque de' noftri nazionali, che volefle armar baftimenti daCorfo 
 contro deGenovefl noftri nemici, e lor bandiera, d' inalberare il 
 noftj*o padiglione dopo aver prefo pero da noi il paftaporto, e 
 le iftriKioni opportune ; la quale facolta nell' ifteflb modo, 
 e forma, volentieri accorderemo ancora a qualunque ftraniere, 
 che volefTe fervirfene contro de' medefimi noftri nemici, e lor 
 bandiera, bonificandogli, ed afficurandogli tutti que' privilegi, 
 che in uguali circoftanze fogliono accordarfi agli armatori. 
 
 Coftretti per tanto da cosi preflanti motivi, e fode ragioni 
 a far la guerra anche per mare alia repubblica noftra nemica, 
 ci proteftiamo nondimeno voler ufare il maggior rifpetto, ed i 
 riguardi polTibili a tutti i prencipi dell* Europa, e di voler pra- 
 ticare, ed ofTervare le leggi, e confuetudini introdotte, ed am- 
 mefte nelle guerre marittime anche verfo de Genovefi, quando i 
 medefimi coUe folite loro irregolari, ed inumane procedure non 
 ci coftringano ad appartarcene. 
 
 Cafinci, 20 Maggio, 1760. 
 
APPENDIX. 262 
 
 N*^ II. page 165. 
 
 DOGE 
 
 GOVERNATORI, 
 
 E PROCURATORI 
 
 DELLA REPUBBLICA DI GENOVA. 
 
 NELLA determinazione, in cul fiamo di dare a' noftri po- 
 poli della Corfica i contrafTegni piu indubitati, ed auten- 
 tici della paterna noftra amorevolezza, e del fincero defiderio 
 che abbiamo di renderli tranquilli e felici ; eflendoci fatte pre- 
 fenti le inllanza di una gran parte de detti popoli, abbiamo 
 deliber to di fpedire in quel noftro regno luia eccellentiflima 
 deputazione mur.ita di tutte le opportune facolta, ed autoriz- 
 zata in nome della iereniflima noftra repubblica a promovervi 
 efficaceme.'ite. ed a fiiFare i mezzi di quella ftabile pacificazione, 
 che fu da tanto tempo I'oggetto delle piu vive noftre premure, 
 
 Notifichiamo quindi col mezzo delle prefenti a' lopraddettl 
 noftri popoli, che faranno elTi, niuno efclufo, pienamente ri- 
 melli nella grazia e favore della prefata noftra repubblica col 
 generale indulto di tutto cio che puo eflere accaduto in occafione 
 de' moti trafcorli : gli accertiamo inoltre della immancabile 
 noftra dilpofizione ad alTicurare la traTiquillita, e la fecilita loro 
 col mezzo di tutte quelle graziofe concellioni, che fervano non 
 Iblo a confermare, e fpiegare le precedenti, e particolarmente 
 quelle, che furono accordate in tempo dell' illuftrifTImo Pietro 
 Maria Giuftiniano, ma ancora la ferma intenzione, in cui fia- 
 mo, di concedcre alia r.azione Ccrfa diftinzioni maggiori, fta- 
 bilire una retta, ed invariabile amminiftrazione della giuftizia 
 civile e criminale, favorire ed ampliare il commercio, e procu- 
 rare in fomma alia predetta nazione col bene della pace ogni 
 altro pofTibile vantaggio. 
 
 A quefti giuftiiTimi fini la prefata eccellentilTima deputazione 
 impieghera ogni fua cura e penfiero ; ed invitiamo percio non 
 meno tutti i foggetti piii rigua.rdevoli^ che qualunque altro par- 
 
270 APPENDIX. 
 
 ticolare del regno a contribuirvi per parte loro con quella ftefla 
 afFezione, impegno, e buona fade, che per parte noftra, e dell' 
 eccellentiilima deputazione vi faranno certamcnte apportati, 
 procurando altresi il piu pronto generate concorfo di tutte Ic 
 pievi, e provincie, onde pofia colla maggior follecitudine, Con- 
 cordia, ed unanimita perfezionarii un' opera, che dev' eflere per 
 i iuddetti noftri popoli di fommo interefTe, ed importanza. 
 
 In vifta di quanto fopra proibiamo elpreflanaente a chi avrJ 
 cara la noftra grazia il recare qualunque danno alle perfbne, e 
 bene di chiunque Had de' fuddetti noftri popoli ; e liccome ci 
 promettiamo, che I'opera, e lo zelo di ognuno (I adopereranna 
 efficacemente per un oggetto, che tanto interefla la repubblica, 
 e'l vero bene del regno, cosi avremo noi prelcnte il merito di 
 quelli, che con piu di attivita, e d'impegno contribuiranno a pro- 
 muoverlo, e ftabilirlo. 
 
 Dat. in Geneva nel noftroReal Palazzo li 9 Maggio, 1761. 
 
 Domenico Maria Tat is Segretario diStato. 
 
A A P P E N D I X. 271 
 
 N^ III. page 165. 
 
 RISULTATO DEL CONGRESSO TENUTO DA* CORSI IN 
 CASINCA, IN OCCASIONE DELLA GIUNTA SPEDITA 
 IN CORSICA DA* GENOVESI. 
 
 IL GENERAL E, 
 
 ED IL SUPREMO CONSIGLIO DI STATO 
 DEL REGNO DI CORSICA. 
 
 LA repubblica di Genova conofciute infufficienti le proprie 
 fue forze, non che per fottometterci all' aborrito di lei do- 
 minio, ma ben anche per far piu lunga refillenza a quelle, che 
 ci fornifce la noftra unione, ed il noftro invincibile attacca- 
 mento alia liberta da qualche tempo a quefta parte, ma fempre 
 invano non ha mai ceflato di tentare con tutta la maggior effi.- 
 cacia delle fue impofture d' indiiporre contra di noi, e ricever 
 foccorfo da qualche gran Corte d' Europa. 
 
 Vedendofi ora delufa in quefto fuo difegno, e fapendo beniC- 
 Cmo riputarfi da ogn' uno un dritto dell' umanita il dare una 
 volta quiete a quefta na2uone, fortementc ella teme, che nel 
 future congrefib di pace confiderata, e la giuftizia della noftra 
 caufa colle noftre folenni determinazioni, e 1' incompatibilita 
 del fuo governo col genio dei noftri popoli, i principi d' Eu- 
 ropa per non lafciare accefa in feno all' Italia una fcintilla di 
 guerra non penfino a farla defiftere dalle pretenfioni che oftenta, 
 e che ad altro fine non vorrebbe far valere fopra quefto regno, 
 che per riempirlo di miferie, e d' orrore. In tale ftato di cofe 
 feguendo l' impulfo della fua paffione predominante di ftragi, c 
 di vendette, ella ha creduto non poterli meglio opporre alle no- 
 ftre intraprefe, che animando coUa profufione di molto danaro, 
 e coll* ofFerta di gradi militari, e ftipendi alcuni uomini vili, e 
 mercenari, efuli dalla lor patria per le enormita de' loro delitti, 
 ad introdurvifi furrettiziamente per eccitarvi il tumulto, e la dif- 
 
272 APPENDIX. 
 
 iinione ; onde in apprenfione, o diftratti noi in una guerra ci- 
 vile, avc/Te piu commodo di far valere il giro de' fiioi artifizi, e 
 nelle Corti, e nel congrefTo di pace. Ed ella tanto piu volen- 
 tieri ha adottato quefto progetto, quanto che nel congrefTo di 
 Aquifgrana, allorche i miniftri delle potenze penfarono a met- 
 ter le mani anche agli aflari di Corfica, aftutamente feppe elu- 
 derne la premura coll* aflertiva, che in poco tempo avrebbe 
 quietati i rumori di quefto regno. CoU' iftefla induftria volen- 
 do ora prevenire 1' attenzione dei gabinetti per mezzo de' fuoi 
 inviati, e con manifefti, impudentemente aflerifce, e divulga, a- 
 vere finalmente ritrovato il mezzo di ridurre alia quiete le cofe 
 di Corfica, ed avere a tale oggetto I'uUe richiefte dclla maggior 
 parte de' popoli, e de'principali dclla nazione deftinatauna giunta 
 di fei foggetti dell' ordine fenatorio munita di ample facolta, e 
 per attirarfi la confidenza, ed il concorfo delle pievi nella citta 
 di Baftia, e per ultimarvi il trattato di pacilicazione. 
 
 Noi amatillimi compatribtti quali per raggione del noftro 
 miniftero colla maggiore Ibllecitudine, ed indefefTa attenzione 
 ftamo continuamente applicati, e vegliamo alia confervazione 
 dell a voftra interna tranquillita, ed a fconcertare i progetti, e 
 refpingere i tentativi de' nemici della noftra liberta, avendo 
 penetrato quefto piano cd idea della repubblica di Genova, non 
 credemmo poter piu lungamente difFerire la citazione del folito 
 annuale congrefTo, efpediente fperimentato efficacilTimo in tren- 
 ta, e piu anni di guerra per confondere I'orgoglio, e fraftornar 
 le mifure de' Genovefi. Fu intimato, e notificato a tutti quel- 
 H, che hanno voce, ed autorita fu' i pubblici afFari, e fu tenuto 
 col maggior concorfo di tutti gli ordini, e vapprelentanti della 
 nazione nel convento di S. Francefco della picve di Cafinca 
 nelle feftivita di pentecofte. Previddero il colpo fatale della 
 lor macchina i noftri nemici, e fecero ogni sforza per farlo ca- 
 dere a vuoto. D. Filippo Grimaldi alia tefta de' banditti, e 
 facinorofi fatti venire appoftatamente da Geneva in Baflia coll' 
 intelligenza del Martinetti, e coll' apparato di molti baftimenti 
 fece uno fcalo in Fiumorbo, e ftabiliili a cafa di Sardo, da dove 
 con minaccie e luilnghe, e colla propofizione di Icvare un reggi- 
 mcnto in quella commarca, fi perfuafe fpaventare i buoni patri- 
 otti, e tirare a fe il concorfo di molti partiti nel difegno d'inter- 
 rompere, occupandoci altrove, il citato congrefTo, e privarci 
 COS! della congiuntura piu propria d'illuminare i noftri popoli, 
 e d' eflerc aiUftiti dal loro zelo, e generofita nel commune bi- 
 ■fogno. L'iftantaneo provedimento, che s' oppofe a quefto pri- 
 mo tentitivo degli avverfari, e la prontezza con cui prefe Far- 
 mi per difefa della propria liberta tutta quella comarca, vi fo- 
 no egualmente noti alia iconfitta de' traditori della patria, c 
 ddle truppe^Qenovefi. Continuo dunque il congrefTo colla piu 
 
APPENDIX, 273 
 
 defiderabile unanimita di fentimenti, e colla piu matlira ponde- 
 razione delle cole le I'ue leflloni, nclle quali furono prele le qui 
 fotto notatc deliberazioni, quali perche fiano a notizia d' ogn' 
 uno, e per la loro intiera ollervanza, vogliamo ed ordiniamo 
 che fiano lette, e pubblicate, ed affilTata copia ne' luoghi Ibliti, 
 € conl'ueti, rii'erbandoci Ibpra alcuni punti ad emanar fuori piu 
 circoftaiiziato dettaglio per ibddisfazione, ed intelllgenza de' 
 noftri amatilTimi popoli. 
 
 I. E' ftato decretato cbe (1 faccia un manifefto per mezzo di 
 cui fmentire quelli della repubblica di Geneva, proteftando nel 
 medefimo, che in alcun tempo niai noi non faremo per dare o- 
 recchio a veruna propolizione d' accordo con i Genovefl, le que- 
 fti per preliminari non riconoi'cono la noflra liberta, I'indipen- 
 denza del noftro governo, e non cedono al medefimo le poche 
 piazze che ancor tengono nel i-egno* Quali preliminari accor- 
 dati, ed efeguiti, la nazione Corfa, ed il fuo governo adottera 
 le mifure piu proprie e decenti, e fara fpiccare la natural fua e- 
 quita, e moderazione per indennizare il decoro, e grinterefll 
 della repubblica di Genova. 
 
 II. Nella piu probabile fuppofizione, che i Genovefi accie- 
 cati dal loro orgoglio non faranno per aderire a quefti prelimi- 
 nari di pace, per metterci maggiormente in iftato di fargli con 
 .piu fuccefTo, e vigorofa la guerra in conibguenza del piano fta- 
 bilito per 1' anno corrente, e ilato penfato, ed a pieni voti de- 
 terminato, che (i levi una contribuzione ftraordinaria, in virtu 
 della quale determiaazione, ciafcuno che avra beni ftabili, mo- 
 bili, o femoventi fruttiferi nel regno dovra pagare una lira per 
 ogiii mille che ne polTedera in detti efFetti per una ibl volta. 
 Per fare quefta efigenza li fignori intendenti generali, o altri 
 preddenti della camera con una particolare iftruzione fi mette- 
 ranno in giro nel proflimo venture mefe d' AgoHo. 
 
 III. Per la piu pronta fpedizione degli affari, e per eflere nel 
 luogo il piu a portata d' invigilare all' interna tranquillita del 
 regno e ftato conchiufo, e ftabilito, che il governo fupremo 
 faccia filTa la fua reEdcuza nella citta di Corte, e che vi ft deb- 
 ba trasferire ne' primi giorni dell' entrante Giugno, col permefib 
 pero al Sig. Generale di poterlene appartare quando lo giudi- 
 chi a propofito, o per 1' efecuzione del piano ftabilito delle o- 
 perazioni di guerra in queft' anno, o per mantenerli alia fronte 
 del nemico, ed opporfl alii di lui tentativi. Nel qual cafo re- 
 fteranno a di lui carico, e di fua inipezione particolare il co- 
 mando, e la direzione dell' armi, la guarnigione de' prefidi, 
 torri, e poftamenti, ed ogni altro alFare appartenente alia guer- 
 ra, e nel reftante delle pubbliche incombenze proctdera il Jli- 
 premo coniiglio colla Iblita fua fuprema autorita, 
 
 O 
 
274 APPENDIX. 
 
 IV. Inerendo al defiderio de' veri amatori della libertJ, 
 quale in ogni cofa vorrebbero che aveflTe uguale influenza, ed 
 ardentemente foUecitano per 1' abolimento di ogni qualunque 
 refiduo deir antica fervitu : ficcome ancora per averne quel 
 profitto die ne ritraggono gli altri ftati, fi e ftabilito di far co- 
 niare colle armi del regno una quantita proporzionata di mo- 
 neta di rame, e d' argento, per fervire agli ufi correnti dentro 
 il regno. La quale moneta non potra efTer rifiutata da alcuno, e 
 nella quale folamente la camera, ed i tribunali riceveranno i pa- 
 gamenti, i dazi, letafle ordinarie, e ftraordinarie, condanne, o al- 
 tro&c. Per maggior comodo de'popoli in ogni provincia, e forfe 
 anche in ogni pieve fara deputata una perfona, a cui potra ricor- 
 rere chiunque per far qualche pagamento pubblico, per cui avr^ 
 bifogno di cambiar moneta foraftiera colla corrcnte del regno, 
 o di quelle colla foraftiera per il commercio, ed ufi fuori di 
 ftato. 
 
 V. E per viepiu fare fpiccare I'lndependenza dei noftri tribu- 
 nali, e fupplire in parte alle fpefe della loro manutenzione, e 
 ftato rifoluto, die il fupremo governo penfi a far boUare colle 
 armi del regno una quantita di carta, confegnandola agl' inten- 
 denti generali delle finanze, coll' incarico ai medefimi di diftri- 
 buirne per ciafcuna pieve a proporzione, perche venga comprata 
 a foldi due, e denari otto il foglio da chiunque ne avra bifogno. 
 Poiche dal momento che fara diftribuita per le pievi, quefta 
 carta cosi boUata, e fara notificato a tutti per mezzo d'una cir- 
 colare, non fara ricevuto come iftromento, o fcrittura pubblica, 
 ma fara confiderato ne' noftri tribunali come di niun vigore qua- 
 lunque atto in avvenire non fcritto fopra quefta carta. 
 
 VI. E ad oggetto di far piii fenfibile, e manifefto il giufto no- 
 ftro rifentimento contro Don Filippo Grimaldi, capo e direttore 
 de' facinorofi felloni, ed emifTari, le di cui malvagie inclinazioni 
 lo condulTcro al remo nella fua gioventu, ed a cui la frequenza 
 de' piu enormi delitti contro la patria ha fervito di Icala per 
 arrivare al grado di colonnello della repubblica di Genova, 
 della quale or gode la maggior confidenza, fi e ordinato, che 
 debba conftruirli la figura d'un uomo di paglia rapprefentante ellb 
 Don Filippo Grimaldi, per eflere dal miniftro di giuftizia alle 
 forche pifcaine pubblicamente impiccato, affinche venendo in 
 qualunque tempo nelle noftre forze, 11 debba efeguire il mede- 
 fimo fupplicio nella di lui propria perfona. 
 
 VII. Ed attefe le prefenti emergenze, fi e penlato incaricare 
 colle piu elHcaci premure i commilfari, i capitani delle armi, ed 
 altri pubblici uffiziali della nazione d' arreftare, e confegnare 
 alia giuftizia tutte le perfone fofpette, o cbe terranno difcorfi 
 fediziofi, ficcome d' invigilare agli andamenti, e forprendere gU 
 
APPENDIX. 275 
 
 emilTari del Genovefi nelle loro reljjettive pievi, e parrocchie, 
 alia qual premurola difpofizione contravenendo fi efeguiranno 
 rigorofameate contro di lord le leggi ftabilite nel congrelTo di 
 Santo Pietro. 
 
 VIII. Si fono prefe inoltre le mifure piu propria per mante- 
 nere il bilon ordine nell' amminiftrazione della giuftizia, e iiella 
 perdezione, e maneggio del danaro pubblico, ciocche noi fcrupo- 
 lofamente adempiremo in quanto per ragion del noftro impiego 
 a noi fpetta, ed alTiduamente invigileremo, che gli altri ancora 
 efeguil'cano coUa maggior diligenza, ed efattezza le loro com- 
 miflioni, e incombenze. 
 
 Noi per ultimo, amatiflimi compatriotti, non ftimiamo neni- 
 meno opportune d' efortarvi ad unire alia noftra fdllecitudine la 
 voftra coftanza, mentre nell' ultimo memorabile congrefTo H 
 e troppo manifeftamente contradiftinto il voftro zelo per la 
 commune patria, e nel concorrere in tanto numero, e con tanto 
 ardore ad abbattere, e punire 1' indegno ribelle Martinetti, a- 
 vere abbaftanza fatta vedere la voftra fermezza in difendere, e 
 mantenere la noftra liberta ; onde noi fiamo pieni di riconof- 
 cenza,e di gratitudine per la voftra fedelta e valore, e 1' Europa 
 tutta fara quindi perfuafa della inalterabile noftra unione, medi- 
 ante la quale noi allicureremo la noftra felicita, ed aumente- 
 remo fempre la gloria della patria. 
 
 Vefcovato, 24 Maggie, 1761, 
 
 Giufeppe Maria Massesi Gran>CancelIiere. 
 
 a-- 
 
27^ APPENDIX. 
 
 N*? IV. page 165. 
 
 M E M O R I A 
 
 A I SOVRANI 
 
 D I E U R O P A. 
 
 No N dovrebbe certamente lagnarfi la repubblica dl Ge- 
 neva, fe dai Coi-fi non fi e preftato orreccliio alie iufing- 
 hcvoli, e genericlie efpreflioni d' alTicurare la tranquillita, e la 
 felicita loro contenute nell' editto dei 9 Maggio, fparfo artifi- 
 ciofamente in piu mani dai Corfi medefimi. Chiunque fia per 
 poco informato delle circoftanze foriere di qucfto editto, fara 
 aftretto a confefTare, che o la repubblica non ebbe lumi bafte- 
 voli per ben intraprenderTimpegno dipiegar I'animo dei Corfi, 
 oppure che le di lei mire erano a tutt' altro dirette, che a ren- 
 derli tranquilli e felici, Lo sbafco clandeftino di diverfi uo- 
 mini facinorofi gia sbanditi dalla Corfica ; la fedizione interna 
 tentata in piu parti del regno ; 1' aver obligati alcuni ufEziali 
 Corfi, che fono al foldo dei Genovefi, a girare per i luoghi, 
 affine di ammutinar gente ; il non aver fatto il minimo capi- 
 tale del regno, ma foltanto del popolo meno illuminato, fono 
 forfe mezzi adattati per dar principio alia tranquillita, e felicit^ 
 dei Corfi, ovvero ad eccitare fra efli lo fpargimento del langue, 
 e tutto r orrore di una guerra civile ? Le maflime pre/enti del- 
 la repubblica niente diflimili fono da quelle che per 1' avanti 
 hanno animato il di lei governo, refo tan to odiofo ai Corfi, 
 quanto e ftato il compatimento, con cui ogni fovrano ha ri- 
 guardato le di loro vicende. Ne accade che piu fi penfi a ri- 
 fogettargli una nazione, la quale ficcome dalla repubblica rico- 
 nofce r avvilimento di tutto il regno, e 1' abiezione de* popo- 
 li ; cosi eleggera una morte generofa, piuttofto che fottoporre 
 di nuovo ill collo all' antica fcliiavitu. 
 
 Dalla violenza, e dalla forza che potefi^e accorrere in ajuto 
 della repubblica, potrebbe, non vi e dubbio, abbatterfi il va- 
 lore dei Corfi, ma non per tanto fi otterrebbe dai Genovefi 1' 
 intento, perche il cuore di quegli non perderebbe percio quella 
 connaturale liberta, con cui [i nafce, ed in vcce di fcemarfi. 
 
APPENDIX. 277 
 
 magglormente fi aumenterebbe quella antipatia, che dividera 
 per fempre le due nazioni. E non e da crederfi, che vermi fov- 
 rano voglia continuamente tenere in Corfica un' armata iii piedi 
 per foftenere i dritti di una repubblica^ che eccetto V invafione, 
 non ha titoJo, che pofia contrapporfl a quelli che vi hanno gli 
 altri potentati d' Europa. O fia 1' impero per rapporto alia 
 Tofcana, o fia la Francia a cui altre volte fu incorporata, o fia 
 la Spagna per i re d' Aragona, o fia la Santa Sede Apoftolica 
 di cui fu tributaria. 
 
 Intanto pero neppure e da porfi in dubbio che i re moderni, 
 ai troni de' quali gia pervennero i giufti clamori dei Corfi, vo- 
 gliano ti-afandare quel dritto d' umanita, che puo iftillare nei 
 di lore animi augufti il penfiero di dare una volta la quiete alia 
 Corfica, col lafciarle godere la Ilia liberta, per cui in ogni tem- 
 po ha dimoftrato tanto attaccamento, e per cui ha foftenuta 
 con tanta coftanza una guerra cosi difaftrofa, o mettendola fot- 
 to la protezione di qualche principe, che la riguardi come fi- 
 glia, e che invigli ed influifca colla minor gelofia degl' altri 
 (lati nella conftituzione del fuo governo ; oppure adattando 
 qualche altro Ipediente poco meno analogo alia naturale incli- 
 nazione de* fuoi popoli, e che coU' indennita de* loro privilegi, 
 meno anche s' opponga alle mire politiche, ed alle pretenzioni 
 delle potenze interefl!ate. 
 
278 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO V. page i68. 
 
 DETERMINAZIONI 
 
 PRESE NEL CONGRESSO 
 DI TUTTI I CAPI PRINCIPAL! DEL REGNO 
 
 Tenuto in Corte II 23, 24, e 25, di Ottobi'e 
 deir Anno corrente i 764. 
 
 ATTESE le continuate notizie, die fi hanno da tutte le 
 parti, fembra, che npn vi fia piu luogo a dubitare dell' 
 imminente venuta in Corfica delle truppe Francefi, leggendofi 
 perfino nelle pubblichc gazzette il minuto dettaglio del numero 
 di efle truppe, de' lucghi che dovranno occupare in Corfica, del 
 tempo, cKe dovrajino reftarvi, ed alcuni altri articoli concer- 
 nenti a quefta fpedizione. Qviindi e che il ^overno fi c crcduto 
 nella indifpenfabile necelTita di convocare un particolare con- 
 grelTo di tutti i foggetti, che hanno occupata la carica di con- 
 liglieri di ftato nel ilipremo governo, dc' prefidenti delle pro- 
 vincie, de' commillari delle pievi, e di tutti gli altri capi prin- 
 cipali del regno ad oggetto di confultare intorno alle determi- 
 nazioni da prenderfi in rapportq a quefto incidente troppo in- 
 terelTante per la nazione. 
 
 E febbene vi fia luogo a credere, che le intenzioni di S. Ma- 
 cfta Chriftianifllma non tendano con quefta fpedizione a fare 
 direttamente la guerra ad una nazione, che fempre fi e fatta 
 preggio del piu fincero olTequiofo attaccamepto alia corona di 
 Francia, e per cui altre volte fi merito la fpeciale protezione de* 
 di lui gloriofi predecelTori ; efiendo pero deftinate le truppe 
 Francefi a munire, e difendere i prefidi, che ancora ritengono 
 in Corfica j Genovefi, non poflbno i Corfi rilguardarle, ch.e co- 
 me una Ipecie di truppe aufiliarie della repubblica, finche fpe- 
 cialmente non vengano loro a notizia tutti gli articoli del trat- 
 tato di frefco conchiufo coUa (tefia repubblipa relative a quefta 
 fpedizione. 
 
APPENDIX. 279 
 
 . AflliTie pertanto di udire di tutta la pofUbile precauzione, e di 
 prendere le mirure piu convenevoli alia pubblica ficurezza, (1 
 fono prefe unanimemente alcune determinazioni contenute ne' 
 fegueuti articoli. 
 
 rrhno. Si formera una giuuta di guerra compofta di vari 
 foggetti dJ tv.tte le provincie, da nominarfi dal fupremo gover- 
 no, la quale ura incaricata d' invigilare per la elatta, e rigo- 
 rofa oilervanza dell' articolo 3^^. dell' ultima general conililta, 
 rifguardante la proibizione di qualunque forta di commercio co' 
 prelidi nemici, tauto in riguardo all' accellb dei nazionali ai 
 detti prefidi, quanto de prefidiani agli fcali della nazione, ad 
 oggctto di garantire i popoli dalle anguftie di una vicina care- 
 ftia conllmile a quella dell' anno fcorlb, per mantenere, ed au- 
 mentare il commercio introdotto negli fcali della nazione, e 
 provvedere nel tempo ftelTo alia fufliftenza delle pubbliche fi- 
 nanze. Dandofi percio piena autorita a detta giunta di punire 
 irrcmilTibilmentc i delinquent!. 
 
 Secondo. Quantunque pofla crederfi, che le truppe Francefi 
 deftinate ora in Corfica non fiano per intraprendere cola alcuna 
 in pregiudizio dei diritti della nazione, e rinnovarvi alcuno degli 
 attentati altre volte commeffi con manifefto abufo della confi- 
 denza, e buona fede de' Corli nella inafpettata forprela della 
 paludcUa, e di alziprato, e nella refa del Caftello di Sanfio- 
 renzo in mano de' nemici ; contuttocio per maggiormente ab- 
 bondare in precauzioni, fara loro onninamente vietato l' accel- 
 fo ai paefi fotto qualunque pretefto. Sara percio ifpezione di S. 
 Ecc. il Sig. Generale di tener muniti i poftamenti di frontiera, 
 anche per far valere la giuridizione, e il dominio della nazione 
 fbpra i territori degli fteifi prefidi confifcati a favore della pub- 
 blica camera, come e ftato praticato finora. Potra pero il 
 fupremo governo accordare il paflaporto a qualche officiale 
 Francefe, che lo chiedefTe, con obbligo di manifeftare nella pri- 
 ma generale conlulta da tenerfi i motivi della richielta, e della 
 conceiEone di tali pafTaporti, e di quanto fi folle trattato con 
 efli Francefi. 
 
 Terzo. Precorrendo voce, che poffa eflere fatta qualche pro- 
 pofizione di pace, o di accomodamento colla repubblica, dovra 
 quella aflblutamente rigettarfi, fe prima non fiano accordati, 
 ed efeguiti i preliminari propofti nella general confulta di Ca- 
 finca deir anno 1761. 
 
 Quarto. S'incarica S. Ecc, il Sig. Generale di fare a nome 
 della nazione una rifpettola, ed efficace rimoftranza a fua Ma- 
 efta Chriftianiffima in rapporto ai danni, che viene a rifentire 
 la nazione fuddetta per la miflione in Corfica delle fue truppe 
 in un tempo, che profittando i Corfi della eftrema debolezza 
 de' lor nemici, erano ful punto di cfpellerli intieramente dali' 
 
i96 APPENDIX- 
 
 ifola, reftando percio preclufa loro la ftrada ad ulterior! pro» 
 grefli, e vantaggiata al contrario la repubblica, che viene con 
 quefto mezzo a rinfrancarfi delle graviflime fpefe, che era te^- 
 nuta fare in Corfica, e a metterfi cosi maggiormente in iflato 
 di continuare la guerra contro la nazione. Mettera in vifta nel 
 teinpo fteffo a S. Maefta il grave torto fatto anni adietro alia 
 nazione colla refa in mano de' Genovefi della importante piazza 
 di Sanfiorenzo, confegnata dai Corfi alle fue truppe affine di 
 cuftodirla, chiedendo di tutto la convenevole indennizzazione. 
 
 Qtiinto. E perche quefta rimoftranza abbia maggiormente il 
 fuo effetto, fara pure incombenza di eflb Sig. Generale d'indin 
 rizzaHi alle potenze protettrici, ed amiche della nazione, fup- 
 plicandole a volerla coadiuvare colla loro mediazione preflb fua 
 Maefta Chriftianiffima, e a continuare alia nazione ftefla 1' alto 
 loro Padrocinio per la confervazione de' fuoi diritti, e preroga- 
 tive di liberta, e indipendenza. 
 
 Sejlo. ElTendo venuto a notizia del fupremo governo, che. 
 qualunque privato indifFerentemente fi faccia lecito di devaftare 
 i pubblici bofchi, erigendovi fabbriche a fuo talento di qualun- 
 que forta di legnami, nell' avvenire fi proibifce rigorolamente a 
 chiunque ogni nuova erezione di dette fabbriche, ed il taglio di 
 quallivoglia forta di alberi ne' bofchi liiddetti, fe prima non ne 
 avT3 ottenuta la licenza in ifcritto da concederfi dal folo fupre-? 
 ilio governo. 
 
 Gjufeppe Maria Massesi Gran-Cancelliere, 
 
APPENDIX, ?8f 
 
 N^ VI. page 223. 
 
 GENERAL E, 
 
 E SUPREMO CONSIGLIO 
 D I S T A T O 
 JDEL REGNO DI CORSICA, 
 AI NOSTRI DILETTI POPOLI. 
 
 FR A le incefTanti graviiUme occupazioni, che leco porta il 
 governo de' popoli alia noftra cura commefli, una delle 
 principali noflre applicazioni maifempre e ftata quella di pro- 
 curare alia gioventu del noftro regno un pubblico comodo onde 
 poterla iftruire negli ftudi delle fcienze divine ed uinane, ad 
 oggetto di renderla maggiormente utile al fervizio di Dio, e 
 della patria. 
 
 II governo Genovefe tra le maflime della barbara deteftabil 
 politica con cui reggeva quefti popoli, fopra ogni altra, (i ati 
 tenne invariabilmente a quella di mantenergli nell' incoltura, e 
 nella ignoranza ; e per quanto fioriflero le fcienze, e foflero in 
 pregio preflb le vicine nazioni, ed anche alcuni de* noftri nazi'- 
 onali dalla generofita de' principi d' Italia foflero prefceiti a 
 loftenere con alta riputazion di dottrina le cattedre piu rag- 
 guardevoli nelle univerfita di Roma, di Pifa, e di Padova, noi 
 pero eravamo miferamente coftretti a vedere in Corfica i piu 
 fublimi e perfpicaci ingegni, che la natura ha dati in ogni tem- 
 po, ed in gran numero nel noftro clima, o a languire fenza 
 cultura, e confumarfi nella ofcuritii, e nell* ozio, o a procacr 
 ciar con grave difpendio oltremare, e per le contrade d' Europa 
 quel comodo di coltivarfi che non era loro pcrmefTo di rinve? 
 nire nella lor patria. 
 
 La Provvidenza pero, che in tante maniere ha manifeftati 
 fopra di noi i piu fenfibili contrallegni della fua protezione, ha 
 dilTipata in gran parte quella nuvola di ofcurita, che cotant^ 
 
282 APPENDIX. 
 
 ingiuriofamente ci coprlva, e noi fiamo a portata di difingaiiT 
 nare il mondo, che non era la Corfica quel barbaro paele, che 
 voleafi far credere da' Genovefi, nemico dei buoni ftudi, e delle 
 Icienze. 
 
 L' oggetto pertanto di quefto noftro editto e quelle di far 
 noto ai noftri amatiflimi popoli, che 1' imiverfita degli ftudi 
 ideata da gran tempo, e fraftornata fin qui dalle circoftanze 
 inopportune dei tempi, fi aprira il giorno tre del prollimo fu- 
 ture Gennajo in quefta citta di Corte, luogo prefcelto nell' ul- 
 tima general coniulta dello fcaduto Maggio, come il piu como- 
 do a tutta la nazione. Queft' opera tanto falutare, e general- 
 mente bramata dai noftri popoli, non avra per avventura nel 
 luo cominciamento tutta quella perfezione, a cui (come tutte 
 le altre noftre cofe, che nate da piccoli principij, perche guidate 
 dal zelo e dalla giuftizia, hanno avuti notabiliflimi accrefcimen- 
 ti) potra pervenire con qualche tratto di tempo, baftando ora a 
 noi, che vi fiano le fcuole piu necelTarie, e le piu proporzionate 
 al prefente bifogno de' noIW popoli. 
 
 A tale efFetto abbiamo prefcelti i piu valenti ed accreditati 
 profefTori, che oltre 1' ellere benemeriti della nazione per molti 
 ^Itri titoli, non per avidita di lucro, o per allettamenti di var 
 ^ita, ma portati da un puro e fincero zelo del pubblico bene, 
 jmpiegheranno ora di buon animo le loro ftudiofe fatiche ad 
 iftruire nella maniera piu defiderabile la gioventu, inlegnando 
 giornalmente nelle pubbliche fcuole dell' univerfita le fegncnti 
 facolta, e fcienze. 
 
 I. La Teologia Scolaftica Dommatica, ove i principii della 
 rellgione, e le dottrine della cattolica chiefa faranno fpiegate 
 con Jjrevita e fodezza, e il profeftbre fara altresi una lezione fra 
 fettjmana di Storia Ecclefiaftica. 
 
 il. La Teologia Morale, in cui 11 daranno i precetti, e le 
 regole piu ficure della Criftiana morale, e in un giorno della 
 fettimana 11 fara la conferenza di un Cafo pratico relativamente 
 alle materie infegnate, 
 
 IIL Le Iftitute Civile e Canonica, ove fi moftrera 1' origine 
 p il vero fpirito delle leggi, per il miglior ufo delle medefime. 
 
 IV. L' Etica, fcienza utililTima per apprenderp le regole del 
 buon cuftome, e la maniera di ben guidarfi nei differenti im- 
 pieghi della focieta civile, e comprendera altresi la cognizione 
 del Diritto della Natura, e delle Genti. 
 
 V. La Filolbfia f^^condo i fiftemi piu plaufibili dei modern! 
 filofofanti, e il profeflbre dara altresi i principii della Mate- 
 matica. 
 
 VI. LaRettorica. 
 
 VII. Vi fara inoltre II comodo di iftrulrll in lingua volgare 
 neiia Pratica tanto Civile che Crimicale. 
 
APPENDIX. 283 
 
 Le ore per le difFerenti fcuole faranno diflribuite in maniera, 
 che clii vorra potra intervenire lo ftefTo giorno a diverfe lezioni, 
 e fara tale il inetodo che terraiino i profefTori nell' infegnai-e, 
 che baftera una mediocre cognizione della lingua Latina per !• 
 intelligenza delle materie, alle quali \ orranno applicare. 
 
 Invitiamo pertanto tutti i glovani lludiofi del uoflro regno, 
 tanto ecclefiaftici che fecolari, a profittare di una occaCone si 
 vantaggiofa, che loro prefentiamo : e ibpratutto vogliamo per- 
 fuaderci, che con piu ardore, ed in maggior numero vorranno 
 concorrervi i giovani delle famiglie piu ragguardevoli e facol- 
 tofe, alia coltura dei quali efTendo principalmente dirette le no- 
 ftre Ibllecitudini, avremo cura fpeciale, che vi fiano per loro 
 (cuole proporzionate, ad oggetto di fornirli delle necefTarie cog- 
 nizioni per abilitarli alle pubbliche cariche di configlieri di ftato, 
 di prcfidenti, auditori, e confultori delle giurifdizioni e provin- 
 cie, e agli altri ragguardevoli impieghi della nazione, ai quali 
 avendo elTi fpeciale diritto di alpirare, devono moflrare nel 
 tempo ftelTo un maggiore impegno di contradiftinguerfi nella 
 coltura de' buoni ftudii, per rendcrft atti a foftencrli con digni-p 
 ta : oltrediche ritrovandofi efli in vicinanza del fupremo gover- 
 yio, e prefTo fua eccellenza il Sig, Gcnerale faranno altresl a 
 portata di dar faggio del loro valore, e bravura in tutti gli incon- 
 tri, che ne faranno loro prefentati per fervizio della loro patria. 
 
 Ed affine di maggiormente eccitare la loro emulazione, per 
 viepiu aumentare e proteggere i pubblici ftiidii, e favorire chi 
 gli coltiva, feguendo in cio la ma/Hma di tutti i faggi governi, 
 fi prenderanno da noi le piu efficaci mifuj-e perche alle cariche 
 tanto civili che eccleliafliche del noftro regno fiano fempre pre-- 
 feriti quelli che avranno Icdevolmente fatto, o faranno attual- 
 mente il corfo dei loro ftudii in quefta noftra univerfita. E poi- 
 che fiamo rimafti gravemente commofli in vedere ogni anno ul- 
 cire dal regno un numero troppo grande de* noftri ecclefiaftici 
 per paflare in Terraferma a titolo di farvi i loro ftudii, reftando 
 ora evacuato quefto pretefto, facciamo loro fapere, che in 1' av- 
 venire non fi concederanno piu paflaporti per Terraferma. 
 
 Si daranno finalmente gli opportuni provvedimenti per age- 
 volare ai giovani ftudenti tutti i maggiori comodi in quefta cit- 
 ta, ed il minor difpendio, che fia pollibile tanto in riguardo agli 
 allogiamenti, che ai viveri, ed applicheremo a rintracciare i mez- 
 zi piu proprii, onde fupplire in qualche parte alia fuiliftenza dc- 
 gli ftudenti piu poveri. 
 
 E perche quefto noftro editto per\'enga a notizia di tutti, vogli- 
 amo che fe ne trafmetta copia a tutti i Podefta maggiori del reg- 
 po, ordinando loro di pubblicarlo, ed affiggerlo ne' luoghi foliti, 
 
 Dato in Corte, ai 25Novembre, 1764. 
 
 Giufeppe Maria Masse si Gran-Cancelliere. 
 
THE 
 
 JOURNAL 
 
 O F A 
 
 T O U K / 
 
 T O 
 
 CORSICA; 
 
 AND 
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 o F 
 
 PASCAL P A O L T. 
 
 OHm memenifle juvabit. 
 
 ViRC. 
 
THE 
 
 J O U R N A L 
 
 O F A 
 
 TOUR 
 
 T O 
 
 CORSICA. 
 
 T TAVING refolved to pafs fome years abroad, 
 for my inftruftion and entertainment, I 
 conceived a defign of vifiting the ifland of Cor- 
 fica. I wilhed for fomething more than juft the 
 common courfe of what is called the tour of Eu- 
 rope ; and Corfica occurred to me as a place 
 which no body elfe had feen, and where I fhould 
 find what was to be feen no where elfe, a people 
 actually fighting for liberty, and forming them- 
 felves from a poor inconfiderable opprefTed na- 
 tion, into a flourifhing and independent ftate. 
 
 When I got into Switzerland, I went to fee 
 M. RoufTeau. He was then living in romantick 
 retirement, from whence, perhaps, it had been 
 better for him never to have defcended. While 
 he was at a diftance, his fingular eloquence filled 
 
288 A TOUR 
 
 our minds with high ideas of the wild philofo- 
 pher. When he came into the walks of men, 
 we know alas ! how much thefe ideas fuffered. 
 
 He entertained me very courteoufly ; for I 
 was recommended to him by my honoured friend 
 the Earl Marifchal, with whom I had the happi- 
 nefs of travelling through a part of Germany. 
 I had heard that M. RouiTeau had fome corref- 
 pondence with the Corficans, and had been de- 
 fired to aflift; them in forming their laws. I told 
 him my fcheme of going to vifit them, after I 
 had compleated my tour of Italy ; and I infifted 
 that he ihould give me a letter of introdudbion. 
 He immediately agreed to do fo, whenever 1 
 fhould acquaint him of my time of going thi- 
 ther ; for he faw that my enthufiafm for the 
 brave iflanders was as warm as his own. 
 
 I accordingly wrote to him from Rome, in 
 April 1765, that 1 had fixed the month of Sep- 
 tember for my Corfican expedition, and therefore 
 begged of him to fend me the letter of introduc- 
 tion, which if he refufed, I fhould certainly go 
 without it, and probably be hanged as a fpy. 
 So let him anfwer for the confequences. 
 
 The wild philofopher was a man of his word ; 
 and on my arrival at Florence in Auguft, I re- 
 ceived the following letter : 
 
TO CORSICA. 289 
 
 A MONSIEUR, MONSIEUR BOSWELL, &c. 
 
 A MoTiERS, le 30 May, 1765. 
 
 * LA crife orageufe 011 je me trouve, Monfieur, 
 
 * depuis votre depart d' ici, m'a ote le tems de re- 
 
 * pondre a votre premiere lettre, et me laifTe a 
 ' peine celui de repondre en peu de mots a la fe- 
 
 * conde. Pour m'en tcnir a ce qui prefTe pour le 
 ' moment, favoir la recommendation que vous de- 
 ' firez en Corfe -, puifque vous avez le defir de vi- 
 ' fiter ces braves infulaires, vous pourrez vous in- 
 
 * former a Baftia, de M. Buttafoco capitaine au 
 ' Regiment Royal Italien j il a fa maifon a Vef- 
 ' covado, ou il fe tient afifez fouvent. C'eft un 
 ' tres-galant homme, qui a des connoiffances et 
 ' de I'efprit •, il fuffira de lui montrer cette lettre, 
 ' et je fuis fur qu'il vous recevra bien, et contri- 
 
 * buera a vous faire voir I'ifle et fes habitants avec 
 ' fatisfadbion. Si vous ne trouvez pas M. Butta- 
 
 * foco, et que vous vouliez aller tout droit a M. 
 ' Pafcal de Paoli general de la nation, vous pou- 
 ' vez egalement lui montrer cette lettre, et je fuis 
 ' fur, connoiffant la nobleife de fon caraftere, que 
 
 * vous ferez tres-content de fon accueil: vous 
 
 * pourrez lui dire meme que vous etes aime de 
 _' Mylord Marefchal d'Ecofie, et que Mylord Ma- 
 
 R 
 
290 A T O U R 
 
 ' refchal eft un des plus zeles partizans de la na- 
 
 * tion Corfe. Au refte vous n'avez befoin d'autre 
 
 * recommendation pres de ces MelTieurs que votre 
 
 * propre merite, la nation Corfe etant naturelle- 
 ' ment ft accueillante ct fi hofpitaliere, que tous 
 
 * les etrangers y font bien venus et carefTes. 
 
 ****** 
 
 * Bons et heureux voyages, fante, gaiete et 
 ' promt retour. Je vous embrafle, Monfieur, de 
 ' tout mon coeur 
 
 J. J. Rousseau, 
 
 To Mr. B O S W E L L, &c. 
 
 MoTiERS, the 30 May, 1765. 
 
 ' THE ftormy crifis in which I have found my- 
 ' felf, fince your departure from this, has not al- 
 ' lowed me any leifure to anfwer your firft let- 
 ' ter, and hardly allows me leifure to reply in a 
 
 * few words to your fecond. To confine myfelf 
 
 * to what is immediately prefTing, the recommen- 
 ' dation which you afk for Corfica j fmce you 
 *■ have a defire to vifit thofe brave iflanders, you 
 
 * may inquire at Baftia fQr M. Buttafoco*, cap- 
 
 * This man's planfibility impofed upon M. Roufleau and me. 
 But he has (hewn himfelf to be mean and treacherous j having 
 
TO CORSICA: 291 
 
 * tain of the Royal Italian Regiment -, his houfe is 
 ' at Vefcovado, where he refides pretty often. He 
 ' is a very worthy man, and has both knowledge 
 ' and genius ; it will be fufficient to fhew him 
 ' this letter, and I am fure he will receive you 
 ' well, and will contribute to let you fee the if- 
 
 * land and its inhabitants with latisfaftion. If you 
 ' do not find M. Buttafoco, and will go diredlly 
 ' to M. Pafcal Paoli General of the nation, you 
 ' may in the fame manner fhew him this letter, 
 
 * and as I know the noblenefs of his character, 
 ' I am fure you will be very well pleafed at your 
 
 * reception. You may even tell him that you are 
 
 * liked by My Lord Marifchal of Scotland, and 
 ' that My Lord Marifchal is one of the moll zea- 
 ' lous partifans of the Corfican nation. You need 
 
 * no other recommendation to thefe gentlemen but 
 
 * your own merit, the Corficans being naturally 
 
 * fo courteous and hofpitable, that all ftrangers 
 
 * who come among them, are made welcome and 
 
 ' carelTed. 
 
 ****** 
 
 betrayed Cifinca to the French ; for which his memory will 
 ever be infamous. They who are pofTefled of tlae former 
 editions of this book, are intreated to erafe what I have laid 
 of him, nrft edit, pages 360 and 361. and fecond edit, pages 
 562 and 363. 
 
 0,2 
 
392 A T O U R 
 
 ' I wifh you agreeable and fortunate travels, 
 
 * health, gaiety, and a fpeedy return. 1 embrace 
 
 * you, Sir, with all my heart 
 
 John James Rousseau. 
 
 Furnilhed with thefe credentials, I was impa- 
 tient to be with the illuftrious Chief. The 
 charms of fweet Siena detained me longer than 
 they Ihould have done. I required the hardy air 
 of Corfica to brace me, after the delights of Tuf- 
 cany. 
 
 I recoiled with aftonilhment how little the real 
 ftate of Corfica was known, even by thofe who 
 had good accefs to know it. An officer of rank 
 in the Britifli navy, who had been in feveral ports 
 of the illand, told me that I run the rilk of my 
 life in going among thefe barbarians ; for, that 
 his furgeon's mate went alhore to take the diver- 
 fion of Ihooting, and every moment was alarmed 
 by fome of the natives, who llarted from the 
 buflies with loaded guns, and if he had not been 
 protected by Corfican guides, would have cer- 
 tainly blown out his brains. 
 
 Nay at Leghorn, which is within a day's failing 
 of Corfica, and has a conftant intercourfe with it. 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 29J 
 
 I found people who diffuaded me from going thi- 
 ther, becaufe it might be dangerous. 
 
 I was however under no apprehenfion in going to 
 Corfica, Count Rivarola the Sardinian conful, who 
 is himfelf a Corfican, alTuring me that the ifland 
 was then in a very civilized ftate •, and befides, 
 that in the rudeft times no Corfican would ever 
 attack a flranger. The Count was fo good as to 
 give me moft obliging letters to many people 
 in the ifland. I had now been in feveral foreign 
 countries. I had found that I was able to accom- 
 modate myfelfto my fellow-creatures of different 
 languages and fentiments. I did not fear that it 
 would be a difficult talk for me to make myfelf 
 eafy with the plain and generous Corficans. 
 
 The only danger I faw was, that I might be 
 taken by fome of the Barbary corfairs, and have 
 a tryal of flavery among the Turks at Algiers. I 
 fpoke of it to commodore Harrifon, who com- 
 manded the Britifh fquadron in the Mediterra- 
 nean, and was then lying with his Ihip the Centu- 
 rion, in the bay of Leghorn. He affured me, that 
 if the Turks did take me, they fhould not keep 
 me long ; but in order to prevent it, he was fo 
 good as to grant me a very ample and particular 
 pafsport ; and as it could be of no ufe if I did not 
 meet the corfairs, he faid very pleafantly when he 
 
294 A T O U R 
 
 gave it me, * I hope, Sir, it fhall be of no ufc 
 
 * to you.' 
 
 Before I left Leghorn, I could obferve, that 
 my tour was looked upon by the Italian politici- 
 ans in a very ferious light, as if truly I had a com- 
 miffion from my Court, to negotiate a treaty with 
 the Corficans. The more I difclaimed any fuch 
 thing, the more they perfevered in affirming it ; 
 and I was confidered as a very clofe young man, 
 I therefore juft allowed them to make a minifter 
 of mc, till time fhould undeceive them. 
 
 I failed from Leghorn in a Tufcan vefiel, 
 •which was going over to Capo Corfo for wine. 
 I preferred this to a veffel going to Baftia, becaufe 
 as I did not know how the French general was 
 affefted towards the Corficans, I was afraid that 
 he might not permit me to go forward to Paoli. 
 I therefore refolved to land on the territories of 
 the nation, and after I had been v;ith the illuf- 
 trious Chief, to pay my refpefts to the French if 
 I ihould find it fafe. 
 
 ■ Though from Leghorn to Corfica, is ufually 
 but one day's failing, there was fo dead a calm 
 that it took us two days. The firfl day was the 
 mofl tedious. However there were two or three 
 Corficans aboard, and one of them played on the 
 litra, which amufed me a good deal, Ac fun- 
 
TO CORSICA. 295 
 
 fet all the people in the fhip fung the Ave Maria, 
 with great devotion and fome melody. It was 
 pleafing to enter into the fpirit of their religion, 
 and hear them offering up their evening orifons. 
 
 The fecond day we became better acquainted, 
 and more lively and cheerful. The worthy Cor- 
 licans thought it was proper to give a moral 
 lefTon to a young traveller juft come from Italy. 
 They told me that in their country I fhould be 
 treated with the greateft hofpitality •, but if I at- 
 tempted to debauch any of their women, I might 
 expe6t inftant death. 
 
 I employed myfelf feveral hours in rowing, 
 which gave me great fpirits. I relilhed fully my 
 approach to the iQand, which had acquired an un- 
 ufual grandeur in my imagination. As long as I 
 can remember any thing, I have heard of ' The 
 ' malecontents of Corfica, with Paoli at their 
 ' head.' It was a curious thought that I was juft 
 going to fee them. 
 
 About feven o'clock at night, we landed fafely 
 in the harbour of Centuri. I learnt that Signer 
 Giaccomini of this place, to whom I was recom- 
 mended by Count Rivarola, was juft dead. He 
 had made a handfome fortune in the Eaft Indies ; 
 and having had a remarkable warmth in the caufe 
 of liberty during his whole life, he Ihewed it in 
 
2g6 A T O U R 
 
 the ftrongeft manner in his laft will. He bequeath- 
 ed a confiderable fum of money .i and fome pieces 
 of ordnance, to the nation. He alfo left it in 
 charge to his heir, to live in Corfica, and be firm 
 in the patriotick intereft -, and if ever the ifland 
 fhoiild again be reduced under the power of the 
 Genoefe, he ordered him to retire with all his ef- 
 fefls to Leghorn. Upon thefe conditions only, 
 could his heir enjoy his eftate. 
 . I was diredled to the houfe of Signor Giacco- 
 mini's coufin, Signor Antonio Antonetti at Mor- 
 figlia, about a mile up the country. The prof' 
 pedl of the mountains covered with vines and olives, 
 was extremely agreeable ; and the odour of the 
 myrtle and other aromatick fhrubs and flowers- 
 that grew all around me, was very refrefliing. As 
 I walked along, I often faw Corfican peafants 
 come fuddenly out from the covert •, and as they- 
 wcre all armed, I faw how the frightened imagina- 
 tion of the furgeon's mate had raifed up fo many 
 affafllns. Even the man who carried my baggage 
 was armed, and had I been timorous might have 
 alarmed me. But he and I were very good com- 
 pany to each other. As it grew dufl^y, I repeated 
 to myfelf tliefe lines from a fine pafTage in Ari- 
 ofto; 
 
TO CORSICA. 297 
 
 E pur per felve ofcure e calli obliqui 
 Infieme van, fenza fofpetto averfi. 
 
 Ariost. Canto I. 
 
 Together through dark woods and winding ways 
 They walk, nor on their hearts fufp icion preys. 
 
 I delivered Signor Antonetti the letter for his 
 deceafed coufin. He read it, and received mc 
 with unafiedted cordiality, making an apology for 
 my frugal entertainn:ent, but affuring me of a 
 hearty welcome. His true kindly hofpitalit)' was 
 alfo {hewn in taking care of my fervant, an ho- 
 neft Swifs, who loved to eat and drink well. 
 
 I had formed a ftrange notion that I fhould fee 
 every thing in Corfica totally different from what I 
 had feen in any other country. I was therefore 
 much furpriied to find Signor Antonetti's houfc 
 quite an Italian one, with very good furniture, 
 prints, and copies of fome of the famous pictures. 
 In particular, I was ftruck to find here a fmall 
 copy from Raphael, of St. Michael and the Dra- 
 o-on. There was no necefllry^ for its beinor well 
 done. To fee the thing at all was what furprifed 
 me. 
 
 Sisnor Antonetti gave me an excellent lig-ht re- 
 paft, and a very good bed. He fpoke with great 
 ftrength of the patriotick caufe, and with great 
 
298 A TOUR 
 
 veneration of the General. I was quite cafy, and 
 liked much the opening of my Corfican tour. 
 
 The next day, being Sunday, it rained very 
 hard -, and I muft obferve that the Corficans with 
 all their refolution, are afraid of bad weather, to a 
 degree of effeminacy. I got indeed a droll 
 but a juft enough account of this, from one of 
 them : ' Sir, faid he, if you were as poor as a 
 * Corfican, and had but one coat, fo as that after 
 ' being wet, you could not put on dry cloths, 
 ' you would be afraid too.' Signor Antonetti 
 would not allow me to fet out while it rained, for, 
 faid he, ' Quando fi trova fuori, patienza -, ma 
 ' di andare fuori e cattivo. If a man finds him- 
 ' felf abroad, there is no help for it. But to ga 
 ' deliberately out, is too much.* 
 
 When the day grew a little better, I accom- 
 panied Signor Antonetti and his family, to hear 
 mafs in the parilh church, a very pretty little 
 building, about half a quarter of a mile off. 
 
 Signor Antonetti's parifh prieft was to preach 
 to us, at which I was much pleafed, being very 
 curious to hear a Corfican fermon. 
 
 Our prieft did very well. His text was in the 
 Pfalms : ' Defcendunt ad infernum viventes, 
 ' They go down alive into the pit.* 
 
TO CORSICA. 299 
 
 After endeavouring to move our paflions with 
 a defcription of the horroiirs of hell, he told us, 
 
 * Saint Catharine of Siena wifhed to be laid on 
 ' the moutJi of this dreadful pit, that fhe might 
 ? flop it up, fo as no more unhappy fouls fhould 
 
 * fall into it. I confefs, my brethren, I have 
 ' not the zeal of holy Saint Catharine. But I do 
 ' what I can •, I v/arn you how to avoid it.' He 
 then gave us fome good practical advice, and con- 
 cluded. 
 
 The weather being now cleared up, I took 
 leave of the worthy gentleman to whom I had been 
 a gueft. He gave me a letter to Signor Damiano 
 Tomafi, Padre del Commune at Pino, the next 
 village. I got a man with an afs to carry my bag- 
 gage. But fuch a road I never faw. It was ab- 
 folutely fcrambling along the face of a rock over- 
 hanging the fea, upon a path fometimes not above 
 a foot broad. I thought the afs rather retarded 
 me i fo I prevailed with the man^ to take my 
 portmanteau and other things on his back. 
 
 Had I formed my opinion of Corfica from what 
 I faw this morning, I might have been in as bad 
 humour with it, as Seneca was, whofe refleftions 
 in profe are not inferiour to his epigrams : ' Quid 
 ' tarn nudum inveniri poteft, quid tam abrup- 
 f turn undique quam hoc faxum ? quid ad copi- 
 
300 A T O U R 
 
 ' as, refpicienti jejimius? quid ad homines im- 
 ' manfuetius ? quid ad ipfum loci fitum horri- 
 
 * dius ? Plures tamen hie peregrini quam cives 
 ' confiflunt ? ufque eo ergo commutatio ipfa lo- 
 
 * corum gravis non eft, ut hie quoque locus a 
 
 * patria quofdam abduxeric (a). What can be 
 ' found fo bare, wliat fo rugged all around as this 
 ' rock? what, more barren of provifions ? what 
 
 * more rude as to its inhabitants ? what in 
 ' the very fituation of the place more horrible ? 
 ' what in climate more intemperate ? yet there arc 
 ' more foreigners than natives here. So far then 
 ' is a change of place from being difagreeable, 
 ' that even this place hath brought fome people 
 
 * away from their country.' 
 
 At Pino I was furprifed to find myfelf met by 
 fome brifli young fellows dreft like Englifh fail- 
 ors, and fpeaking Englifh tolerably well. They 
 had been often with cargoes of wine at Leghorn, 
 where they had picked up what they knew of our 
 language, and taken clothes in part of payment 
 for fome of their merchandife. 
 
 I was cordially entertained at Signor Tomafi's. 
 Throughout all Corfica, except in garrifon towns, 
 there is hardly an inn . I met with a fingle one, 
 
 (^) Seneca de Confolatlone. 
 
TO CORSICA. . 301 
 
 about eight miles from Corte. Before I was ac- 
 cuflomed to the Corfican hofpitality, I fometimes 
 forgot myfclf, and imagining I was in a publick 
 houfe, called for what I wanted, with the tone 
 which one ufes in calling to the waiters at a ta- 
 vern. I did fo at Pino, allying for a variety of 
 things at once ; when Signora Tomafi perceiving 
 my miftake, looked in my face and fmiled, fay- 
 ing with much calmnefs and good nature, ' Una 
 * cofa dopo un altra, Signore. One thing after 
 ' another. Sir.* 
 
 In writing this Journal, I fhall not tire my 
 readers, with relating the occurences of each par- 
 ticular day. It will be much more agreeable to 
 them, to have a free and continued account of 
 what I faw or heard, moft worthy of obferva- 
 tion. 
 
 For fome time, I had very curious travelling, 
 moflly on foot, and attended by a couple of 
 ftout women, who carried my baggage upon 
 their heads. Every time that I prepared to fet 
 out from a village, I could not help laughing, to 
 fee the good people eager to have my equipage in 
 order, and roaring out, ' Le Donne, Le Donne. 
 The Women, T?ie Women.* 
 
 I had full leifure and the beft opportunities to 
 obferve every thing, ir\ my progrefs through the 
 
302 A T O U R 
 
 illand. I was lodged Ibmetimes in private houfes, 
 fometimes in convents, being always well recom- 
 mended from place to place. The firft convent 
 in which I lay, was at Canari. It appeared a 
 little odd at firft. But I foon learnt to repair to 
 my dormitory as naturally as if I had been a friar 
 for feven years. 
 
 The convents were fmall decent buildings, fuit- 
 cd to the fober ideas of their pious inhabitants. 
 The religious who devoutly endeavour to ' walk 
 with God,* are often treated with raillery, by 
 thofe whom pleafure or bufinefs prevents from 
 thinking of future and more exalted objefts. A 
 little experience of the fcrenity and peace of mind 
 to be found in convents, would be of ufe to 
 temper the fire of men of the world. 
 
 At Patrimonio I found the feat of a provincial 
 magiftracy. The chief judge was there, and en- 
 tained me very well. Upon my arrival, the cap- 
 tain of the guard came out, and demanded who 
 I was ? I replied ' Inglefe, Englifb.' He looked 
 at me ferioufly, and then faid in a tone between 
 regret and upbraiding, ' Inglefe, c'erana i noftri 
 ' amici ; ma non le fono piu. The Englilh ; they 
 ' were once our friends ; but they are fo no 
 ' more.' I felt for my country, and was abaflied 
 before this honeft foldier. 
 
T O C O R S 1 C A. 303 
 
 At Oletta I vifited Count Nicholas Rivarola, 
 brother to my friend at Leghorn. He received 
 me with great kindnefs, and did every thing in his 
 power to make me eafy. I found here a Corfican 
 who thought better of the Britifh, than the captain 
 of the guard at Patrimonio. He talked of our 
 bombarding San Fiorenzo, in favour of the pa- 
 triots, and willingly gave me his horfe for the af- 
 ternoon, which he faid he would not have done 
 to a man of any other nation. 
 
 When I came to Morato, I had the pleafure of 
 being made acquainted with Signor Barbaggi, 
 who is married to the niece of Paoli. I found 
 him to be a fenfible intelligent well-bred man. 
 The mint of Corfica was in his houfe. I got fpe- 
 cimens of their different kinds of money in filver 
 and copper, and was told that they hoped in a 
 year or two to ftrike fome gold coins. Signor 
 Barbaggi's houfe was repairing, fo I was lodged 
 in the convent. But in the morning returned to 
 breakfaft, and had chocolate ; and at dinner we 
 had no lefs than twelve well-dreft difhes, ferved on 
 Drefden china, with a defert, different forts of 
 wine, and a liqueur, all the produce of Corfica. 
 Signor Barbaggi was frequently repeating to me, 
 that the Corficans inhabited a rude uncultivated 
 country, and that they lived like Spartans. I 
 
304 A T O U R 
 
 begged leave to afk him in what country he could 
 could fhew me greater luxury than I had fecn 
 in his houfe ; and I faid I fhould certainly tell 
 wherever I went, what tables the Corficans kept, 
 notwithftanding their pretenfions to poverty and 
 temperance. A good deal of pleafantry pafled 
 upon this. His lady was a genteel woman, and 
 appeared to be agreeable, though very referved. 
 
 From Morato to Corte, I travelled through a 
 wild mountainous rocky country, diverfified with 
 Ibme large valleys. I got little beafts for me and 
 my fervant, fometimes horfes, but oftner mules 
 or alTes. We had no bridles, but cords fixed 
 round their necks, with which we managed them 
 as well as we could. 
 
 At Corte I waited upon the fupreme council, 
 to one of whom, Signor Boccociampe, I had 
 a letter from Signor Barbaggi. I was very politely 
 received, and was conduced to the Francifcan 
 convent, where I got the apartment of Paoli, 
 who was then fome days journey beyond the 
 mountains, holding a court of fyndicato at a vil- 
 lage called Sollacaro. 
 
 As the General refided for fome time in this 
 convent, the fathers made a better appearance 
 than any I faw in the iQand. I was principally 
 attended by the Priour, a refolute divine, who 
 
T O C O R S I C A. S05 
 
 had formerly been in the army, and by Padre Giu- 
 lio, a man of much addrefs, who ftill favours 
 me with his correipondence, 
 
 Thefe fathers have a good vineyard and an excel- 
 lent garden. They have between 3 o and 40 bee-hives 
 in long wooden cafes or trunks of trees, with a co- 
 vering of the bark of the cork tree. When they 
 want honey, they burn a little juniper- wood, the 
 fmoak of which makes the bees retire. They then 
 take an iron inftrument with a lliarp-edged 
 crook at one end of it, and bring out the greateft 
 part of the honey-comb, leaving only a little for 
 the bees, who work the cafe full again. By tak- 
 ing the honey in this way, they never kill a bee. 
 They feemed much at their eafe, living in peace 
 and plenty. I often joked with them on the text 
 which is applied to their order : ' Nihil habentes 
 ' et omnia poflidentes. Having nothing, and yet 
 * poflefling all things.* 
 
 c.: I went to the choir with them. The fervice was 
 condufted with propriety, and Padre Giulio play- 
 ed on the organ. On the great altar of their church 
 is a tabernacle carved in wood by a Religious. It 
 is a piece of exquifite workmanfhip. A Genoefe 
 gentleman offered to give them one in filver for 
 it i but they would not make the exchange, 
 
 S 
 
So6 A T O U R 
 
 Thefe fathers have no library worth mention- 
 ing ; but their convent is large and v^^ell built. 
 I looked about with great attention, to fee if I 
 could find any infcriptions •, but the only one I 
 found was upon a certain ufeful edifice : 
 
 Sine neceflitate hue non intratCj 
 Quia necelTaria fumus. 
 
 A ftudied, rhiming, Latin conceit marked upon 
 fuch a place was truly ludicrous. 
 
 I chofe to flop a while at Corte, to repofe my- 
 felf after my fatigues, and to fee every thing a- 
 bout the capital of Corfica. 
 
 The morning after my arrival here, three 
 French deferters defired to fpeak with me. The 
 foolifh fellows had taken it into their heads, that 
 I was come to raife recruits for Scotland, and fo 
 they begged to have the honour of going along 
 with me ; I fuppofe with intention to have the 
 honour of running off from me, as they had done 
 from their own regiments. 
 
 I received many civilities at Corte from Signor 
 Boccociampe, and from Signor Mafitfi the Great 
 Chancellor, whofe fon Signor Luigi a young 
 gentleman of much vivacity, and natural polite- 
 nefs, was fo good as to attend me conltantly as 
 my condudour. I ukd to call him my gover- 
 
TO CORSICA. 307 
 
 nour. I liked him much, for as he had never been 
 out of the ifland, his ideas were entirely Corfican. 
 
 Such of the members of the fupreme council 
 as were in refidence during my flay at Corte, I 
 found to be folid and fagacious, men of penetra- 
 tion and ability, well calculated to affifl the Gene- 
 ral in forming his political plans, and in turning 
 to the bell advantage, the violence and enterprifes 
 of the people. 
 
 The univerfity was not then fitting, fo I could 
 only fee the rooms, which were fliewn me by the 
 Abbe Valentini, procuratour of the univerfity. 
 The profeflburs were all abfent except one Capu- 
 chin father whom I vifited at his convent. It is 
 a tolerable building, with a pretty large colledlion 
 of books. There is in the church here a taber- 
 nacle carved in wood, in the manner of that at 
 the Francifcans, but much inferiour to it. 
 
 I went up to the callle of Corte, The com- 
 mandant very civilly fhewed me every part of it. 
 As I wifhed to fee all things in Corfica, I defired 
 to fee even the unhappy crimiinals. There were 
 then three in the caflle ; a man for the murder 
 of his wife •, a married lady who had hired one of 
 her fervants to flrangle a woman of whom fhe 
 was jealous •, and the fervant who had actually 
 perpetrated this barbarous action. They were 
 S 2 
 
3o8 A TOUR 
 
 brought out from their cells, that 1 might talk 
 with them. The murderer of his wife had a 
 ftupid hardened appearance, and told me he did it 
 at the infligation of the devil. The fervant was 
 a poor defpicable wretch. He had at firil accufed 
 his miftrefs, but was afterwards prevailed with to 
 deny his accufation, upon which he was put to 
 the torture, by having lighted matches held be- 
 tween his fingers. This made him return to 
 what he had formerly faid, fo as to be a ftrong 
 evidence againft his miftrefs. His hands were fo 
 miferably fcorched, that he was a piteous objedl. 
 I afked him why he had committed fuch a crime, 
 he faid, * Perche era fenza fpirito, Becaufe I 
 was without underftanding.' The lady feemed of 
 a bold and refolute fpirit. She fpoke to me with 
 great firmnefs, and denied her guilt, faying with 
 a contemptuous fmile, as ftie pointed to her fer- 
 vant, ' They can force that creature to fay what 
 they pleafe.* 
 
 The hangman of Corfica was a great curiofity. 
 Being held in the utmoft deteftation, he durft not 
 live like another inhabitant of the ifland. He 
 was obliged to take refuge in the caftle, and there 
 he was kept in a little corner turret, where he had 
 juft room for a miferable bed, and a little bit of 
 fire to drefs fuch victuals for himfelf as were fuf- 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 309 
 
 iicient to keep him alive ; for nobody would have 
 any intercourfe with him, but all turned their 
 backs upon him. I went up and looked at him. 
 And a more dirty rueful fpe6lacle I never beheld. 
 He feemed fenfible of his fituation, and held down 
 his head like an abhorred outcaft. 
 
 It was a long time before they could get a 
 hangman in Corfica, fo that the punifbment of 
 the gallows was hardly known, all their criminals 
 being fhot. At laft this creature whom I faw, 
 who is a Sicilian, came with a meflage to Paoli. 
 The General who has a wonderful talent for phy- 
 fiognomy, on feeing the man, faid immediately to 
 fome of the people about him, ' Ecco il boia. 
 Behold our hangman.' He gave orders to alk 
 the man if he would accept of the office, and his 
 anfwer was, ' My grandfather was a hangman, 
 my father was a hangman. I have been a hang- 
 man myfelf, and am willing to continue fo.* He 
 was therefore immediately put into office, and the 
 ignominious death diipenled by his hands, hath 
 had more effefl than twenty executions by fire 
 arms. 
 
 It is remarkable that no Corfican would upon 
 any account confent to be hangman. Not the 
 greateft criminals, who might have had their lives 
 upon that condition. Even the wretch, who for 
 
3IO A TOUR 
 
 a paultiy hire, had ftrangled a woman, would ra- 
 ther fubmit to death, than do the fame aftion, as 
 the executioner of the law. 
 
 When I had leen every thing about Corte, I 
 prepared for my journey over the mountains, that 
 I might be with Paoli. The nio-ht before I fet 
 out, I recolleded that I had forgotten to get a 
 paflport, which, in the prefent fituation of Corfi- 
 ca, is flill a neceflary precaution. After fupper 
 therefore the Priour walked with me to Corte, to 
 the houfe of the Great Chancellor, who ordered 
 the paflport to be made out immediately, and 
 while his fecretary was writing it, entertained me 
 by reading to me fome of the minutes of the ge- 
 neral confulta. When the pajQport was finilhed, 
 and ready to have the feal put to it, I was much 
 pleafed v/ith a beautiful, fimple incident. The 
 Chancellor defired a little boy who was playing in 
 the room bv us, to run to his mother, and brinor 
 the great feal of the kingdom. I thought myfelf 
 fitting in the houfe of a Cincinnatus. 
 
 Next morning I fet out in very good order, 
 having excellent mules, and acftive clever Corl^can 
 guides. The v^orthy fathers of the convent who 
 treated me in the kindeft manner while I was 
 their gueft, would alfo give me fome provifions 
 for my journey j fo they put up a gourd of their 
 
TO CORSICA. 311 
 
 beft wine, and fome delicious pomegranates. My 
 Corfican guides appeared fo hearty, that I often 
 got down and walked along with them, doing jufl 
 what I faw them do. When we grew hungry, we 
 threw {tones among the thick branches of the 
 cheftnut trees which overfhadowed us, and in that 
 manner we brought down a fhower of cheftnuts 
 with which we filled our pockets, and went on 
 eating them with great relifh ; and when this 
 made us thirfty, we lay down by the fide of the 
 firft brook, put our mouths to the ftream, and 
 drank fufficiently. It was jufl: being for a Httle 
 while, one of the ' prifca gens mortalium, the 
 primitive race of men,* who ran about in the 
 woods eating acorns and drinking water. 
 
 While I flopped to refrelh my mules at a little 
 village, the inhabitants came crouding about me 
 as an ambafladour going to their General. When 
 they were informed of my country, a ftrong black 
 fellow among them faid, ' Inglefe ! fono barbari ; 
 ' non credono in Dio grande. Englilh ! they are 
 * barbarians ; they don't believe in the great 
 ' God.' I told him, Excufe me. Sir. We do 
 believe in God, and in Jefus Chrift too. ' Um, 
 ' faid he, e nel Papa ? and in the Pope ?' No. 
 ' E perche P And why ?* This was a puzzling 
 quellion in thefe circumftances ; for there was a 
 
312 A TOUR 
 
 great audience to the controverfy. I thought I 
 would try a method of my own, and very gravely 
 replied, ' Perche fiamo troppo lontani. Becaufe 
 ' we are too far off.' A very new argument a- 
 gainft the univerfal infallibility of the Pope. It 
 took however j for my opponent mufed a while, 
 and then faid, ' Troppo lontani ! La Siciha e 
 
 * tanto lontana che Tlnghilterra j e in Sicilia fi 
 
 * crpdono nel Papa. Too far off! Why Sicily is 
 
 * as far off as England. Yet in Sicily they be- 
 ' lieve in the Pope. O, faid I, noi fiamo dieci 
 ' volte piu lontani che la Sicilia ! We are ten 
 ' rimes farther off than Sicily. Aha !' faid he i 
 and feemed quite fatisfied. In this manner I got 
 off very well. I queftion much whether any of 
 the learned reafonings of our proteilant divines 
 would have had fo good an effed. 
 
 My journey over the mountains was very enter- 
 taining. I paft fome immenfe ridges and vaft 
 woods. I was in great health and fpirits, and 
 fully able to enter into the ideas of the brave. 
 rude men whom I found in all quarters. 
 
 At Baftelica where there is a (lately fpiritedr 
 race of people, I had a large company to attend 
 me in the convent. I liked to fee their natural 
 /ranknefs and eafe -, for why fhould men be afraid 
 of their own fpecies ? They juft came in making 
 
TOCORSICA. 31a 
 
 an eafy bow, placed tliemfelves round the room 
 where I was fitting, refted themfelves on their 
 muilvets, and immediately entered into converfa- 
 tion with me. They talked very feelingly of the 
 miferies that their country had endured, and 
 complained that they were ftill but in a flate of 
 poverty. I happened at that time to have an 
 unufual flow of fpirits j and as one who finds 
 himfelf amongft utter ftrangers in a diftant coun- 
 try, has no timidity, I harangued the men of 
 Baftelica with great fluency. I expatiated on the 
 bravery of the Corficans, by which they had pur- 
 chafed liberty, the moft valuable of all pofTeflions, 
 and rendered themfelves glorious over all Europe. 
 Their poverty, I told them, might be remedied by 
 a proper cultivation of their ifland, and by enga- 
 ging a little in commerce. But I bid them re- 
 member, that they were much happier in their 
 prefent flate than in a (late of refinement and vice-, 
 and that therefore they fhould beware of luxury. 
 What I faid had the good fortune to touch 
 them, and fcveral of them repeated the fame fen- 
 timents much better than I could do. They all 
 expreffed their flrong attachment to Paoli, and 
 called out in one voice that they were all at his 
 command. I could with pleafure, have paffed a 
 long- time here. 
 
314 A TOUR 
 
 At Ornano I faw the ruins of the feat where 
 the great Sampiero had his refidence. They 
 were a pretty droll fociety of monks in the con- 
 vent at Ornano. When I told therri that I was 
 an Englifliman, ' Aye, aye, faid one of them, as 
 * was well obferved by a reverend bilhop, when 
 ' talking of your pretended reformation, Angli 
 ' olim angeli nunc diaboli. The Englifh formerly 
 ' angels now devils.' I looked upon this as an 
 honeft efFufion of fpiritual zeal. The fathers 
 took good care of me in temporals. 
 
 "When I at lail came within fight of Sollacaro, 
 where Paqli was, I could not help being under 
 confiderabie anxiety. My ideas of him had been 
 greatly heightened by the converfations I had held 
 with all forts of people in the ifland, they having 
 reprefented him to me as fomething above hu- 
 manity. I had the ftrongeft defire to fee fo ex- 
 alted a character •, but I feared that I fhould be 
 unable to give a proper account why I had pre- 
 fumed to trouble him with a vifit, and that I 
 iliould fmk to nothing before him. I almoft 
 wilhed yet to go back without feeing him. Thefe 
 workings of fenfibility employed my mind till I 
 rode through the village, and came up to the 
 houfe where he was lodged. 
 
TO CORSICA. 315 
 
 Leaving my fervant with my guides, I pafl 
 through the guards, and was met by fome of the 
 General's people, who conduced me into an anti- 
 chamber, where were feveral gentlemen in waiting. 
 Signer Boccociampe had notified my arrival, and 
 I was fhewn into Paoli's room. I found him 
 alone, and was ftruck with his appearance. He 
 is tall, ftrong, and well made •, of a fair complex- 
 ion, a fenfible, free, and open countenance, and a 
 manly, and noble carriage. He was then in his 
 fortieth year. He was drefl in green and gold. 
 He ufed to wear the common Corfican habit, but 
 on the arrival of the French, he thought a little 
 Cisternal elegance might be of ufe, to make the 
 government appear in a more refpedlable light. 
 
 He aPKed me what were my commands for 
 him. I prefented him a letter from count Riva- 
 rola, and when he had read it, I (hewed him my 
 letter from Roufleau. He was polite, but very 
 referved. I had flood in the prefence of many a 
 prince, but I never had fuch a trial as in the pre- 
 fence of Paoli. I have already faid, that he is a 
 great phyfiognomift. In confequence of his be- 
 ing in continual danger from treachery and afiafll- 
 nation, he has formed a habit of ftudioufly ob- 
 ferving every new face. For ten minutes we 
 walked backwards and forwards through the 
 
3i6 A TOUR 
 
 room, hardly faying a word, while he looked at 
 me, with a lledfaft, keen and penetrating eye, as 
 if he fearched my very foul. 
 . This interview was for a while very fevere upon 
 me. I was much relieved when his referve wore 
 off, and he began to fpeak more. I then ventur- 
 ed to addrefs him with this compliment to the 
 Corficans : ' Sir, I am upon my travels, and 
 'have lately vifited Rome. I am come from 
 ' feeing the ruins of one brave and free people : 
 'I now fee the rife of another.* 
 
 He received my compliment very gracioufly ; 
 but obferved that the Corficans had no chance of 
 being like the Romans, a great conquering nation, 
 who lliould extend its empire over half the globe. 
 Their fituation, and the modern political fyftems, 
 rendered this impofTible. But, faid he, Corfica 
 may be a very happy country. 
 
 He exprefled a high admiration of M. RoufTeau, 
 whom Signor Buttafoco had invited to Corfica, 
 to aid the nation in forming its laws. 
 
 It feems M. de Voltaire had reported, in his ral- 
 lying manner, that the invitation was merely a 
 trick which he had put upon Rouffeau. Paoii 
 told me that when he underftood this, he himfelf 
 wrote to RoufTeau, enforcing the invitation. Of 
 this affair I fhall give a full account in an after 
 part of my Journal. 
 
TO CORSI C A. 317 
 
 Some of the nobles who attended him, came 
 into the room, and in a little we were told that 
 dinner was ferved np. The General did me the 
 honour to place me next him. He had a table 
 of fifteen or fixteen covers, having always a good 
 many of the principal men of the iHand with him. 
 He had an Italian cook who had been Ions: in 
 France ; but he chofe to have a few plain fub- 
 ftantial dilhes, avoiding every kind of luxury, 
 and drinking no foreign wine. 
 
 I felt myfelf under fome conftraint in fuch a 
 circle of heroes. The General talked a great deal 
 on hiftory and on literature. I foon perceived 
 that he was a fine clafllcal fcholar, that his mind 
 was enriched with a variety of knowledge, and 
 that his converfation at meals was inflrudlive and 
 entertaining. Before dinner he had fpoken French. 
 He now fpoke Italian, in which he is very elo- 
 quent. 
 
 We retired to another room to drink coffee. 
 My timidity wore off. I no longer anxioufly 
 thought of myfelf; my whole attention was em- 
 ployed in liftening to the illuflrious commander 
 of a nation. 
 
 He recommended me to the care of the Abbe 
 Roftini, who had lived many years in France. 
 Signor Colonna, the lord of the manor here, be- 
 
3i8 A TOUR 
 
 ing from home, his houfe was afligned for me to 
 live in. I was left by myfelf till near fupper time, 
 when I returned to the General, whofe converfa- 
 tion improved upon me, as did the fociety of 
 thofe about him, with whom I gradually formed 
 an acquaintance. 
 
 Every day I felt myfelf happier. Particular 
 marks of attention were fliewn me as a fubjeft of 
 Great Britain, the report of which went over to 
 Italy, and confirmed the conjedures that I was 
 really an envoy. In the morning I had my cho- 
 colate ferved up upon a filvcr falver adorned with 
 the arms of Corfica. I dined and fupped conftant- 
 ly with the General. I was vifited by all the no- 
 bility, and whenever I chofe to make a little tour, 
 I was attended by a party of guards. I begged 
 of the General not to treat me with fo much ce- 
 remony ; but he infilled upon it. 
 
 One day when I rode out, I was mounted on 
 Paoli's own horfe, with rich furniture of crimfon 
 velvet, with broad gold lace, and had my guards 
 marching along with me. I allowed myfelf to 
 indulge a momentary pride in this parade, as I 
 was curious to experience what could really be 
 the pleafure of Hate and diftindtion with which 
 mankind are fo ftrangely intoxicated. 
 
TO C ORSIC A. 319 
 
 When I returned to the continent after all this 
 greatnefs, I ufed to joke with my acquaintance, 
 and tell them that I could not bear to live with 
 them, for they did not treat me with a proper re- 
 fpea. 
 
 My time pafled here in the moft agreeable man- 
 ner. I enjoyed a fort of luxury of noble fenti- 
 ment. Paoli became more affable with me. I 
 made myfelf known to him. I forgot the great 
 diftance between us, and had every day fome hours 
 of private converfation with him. 
 
 From my firfl fetting out on this tour, I wrote 
 down every night what I had obferved during the 
 day, throwing together a great deal, that I might 
 afterwards make a felection at leifure. 
 
 Of thefe particulars, the moll valuable to my 
 readers, as well as to myfelf, muft furely be the 
 memoirs and remarkable fayings of Paoli, which 
 I am proud to record. 
 
 Talking of the Corfican war, ' Sir, faid he, if 
 the event prove happy, we Ihall be called great 
 defenders of liberty. If the event Ihall prove un- 
 happy, we Ihall be called unfortunate rebels.* 
 
 The French objedled to him that the Corfican 
 nation had no regular troops. We v;ould not 
 have them, faid Paoli. We fhould then have the 
 bravery of this and the other regiment. At pre- 
 fent every fingle man is as a regiment himfelf. 
 
320 A TOUR 
 
 Should the CoiTicans be formed into regular troops, 
 we fhould lofe that perfonal bravery which has 
 produced fuch aftions among us, as in another 
 country would have rendered famous even a Ma- 
 rifchal. 
 
 I afked him how he could pofiTibly have a foul 
 fo fuperiour to intereft. ' It is not fuperiour, faid 
 he ; my intereft is to gain a name. I know well 
 that he who does good to his country will gain 
 that : and I expeft it. Yet could I render this 
 people happy, I would be content to be forgot- 
 ten. I have an unfpeakable pride, " Una fuper- 
 bia indicibile." The approbation of my own 
 heart is enough.' 
 
 He faid he would have great pleafure in feeing 
 the world, and enjoying the fociety of the learned 
 and the accompliflied in every country. I aflced 
 him how with thefe difpofitions, he could bear to 
 be confined to an ifland yet in a rtide uncivilized 
 ftate •, and inftead of participating Attick even- 
 ings, ' no6tes coenaeque Deum,' be in a conti- 
 nual courfe of care and of danger. He replied 
 in one line of Virgil : 
 
 't>* 
 
 Vincet amor patriae laudumque immenfa cupulo. 
 
TO CORSICA. 321 
 
 This uttered with the fine open Italian pronunci- 
 ation, and the graceful dignity of his manner, was 
 very noble, I willied to have a ilatue of him 
 taken at that moment. 
 
 I aflced him if he underflood Englilh. He im- 
 mediately began and fpoke it, which he did tole- 
 rably well. When at Naples, he had known fe- 
 veral Irilh gentlemen who were officers in that fer- 
 vice. Having a great facility in acquiring lan- 
 guages, he learnt Englifh from them. But as he 
 had been now ten years without ever Ipeaking it, 
 he fpoke very flow. One could fee that he was 
 pofielTed of the words, but for want of what I 
 may call mechanical pradlice, he had a difficulty 
 in expreffing himfelf. 
 
 I was diverted with his Englifh library. It con- 
 fifted of 
 
 Some broken volumes of the Spedatour and 
 Tattler. 
 
 Pope's EfTay on Man. 
 
 Gulliver's Travels. 
 
 A Hiflory of France, in old Englifh. 
 And 
 
 Barclay's Apology for the Quakers. 
 I promifed to fend him fome Englifh books*. 
 
 * I have fcnt him the Workj of Harrington, of Sidney, of 
 Addifon, of Trenchard, of Gordon, and of other writers in 
 favour of libertv. I have alfo fent liim fome of our befl 
 
 T 
 
322 A T O U R 
 
 He convinced me how well he underftood onr 
 language ; for I took the liberty to fhew him a 
 Memorial which I had drawn up on the advan- 
 tages to Great Britain from an alliance wiih Cor- 
 fica, and he tranflated this memorial into Italian 
 with the greateft facility. He has fmce given me 
 more proofs of his knowledge of our tongue by his 
 anfwers to the letters which I have had the ho- 
 nour to write to him in Englifh, and in particular 
 by a very judicious and ingenious criticifm on 
 fome of Swift's works. 
 
 He was well acquainted with the hiftory of 
 Britain. He had read many of the parliamentary 
 debates, and had even feen a number of the North 
 Briton. He Ihewed a confiderable knowledge of 
 this country, and often introduced anecdotes and 
 drew comparifons and allufions from Britain. 
 
 He faid his great obje6l was to form the Corfi- 
 cans in fuch a manner that they might have a firm 
 conftitution, and might be able to fubfill without 
 him. ' Our ftate, faid he, is young, and ftill re- 
 quires the leading ftrings. I am defirous that the 
 
 books of morality and entertainment, in particular the 
 Works of Mr. Samuel Johnfon, with a compleat fet of the 
 Speftatour, Tattler and Guardian ; and to the Univerfity of 
 Corte, I have fent a few of the Greek and Roman ClafTicks, 
 of the beautiful editions of the MefTieurs Foulia at Glafgow. 
 
TO CORSICA. 323 
 
 Corficans fliould be taught to walk of themfelves. 
 Therefore when they come to me to afic whom 
 they fnould choofe for their Padre del Commune, 
 or other Magiftrate, I tell them, You know bet- 
 ter than I do, the able and honeft men among 
 your neighbours. Confider the confcquence of 
 your choice, not only to yourfelves in particular, 
 but to the ifland in general. In this manner I ac- 
 cuftom them to feel their own importance as 
 members of the ftate.' 
 
 After reprefenting the fevere and melancholy 
 ftate of oppreffion under which Corfica had fo 
 long groaned, he faid, ' We are now to our coun- 
 try like the prophet Elilhah ftretched over the 
 dead child of the Shunamite, eye to eye, nofe to 
 nofe, mouth to mouth. It begins to recover 
 warmth, and to revive. I hope it Ihall yet regain 
 full health and vigour.* 
 
 I faid that things would make a rapid progrefs, 
 and that we fliould foon fee all the arts and fcien- 
 ces fiourifh in Corfica. ' Patience, Sir, faid he. If 
 you faw a man who had fought a hard battle, 
 who was much wounded, who was beaten to the 
 ground, and who with difficulty cOiflHTift himfelf 
 up, it would not be reafonable to afk him to get 
 his hair well dreft, and to put on embroidered 
 clothes. Corfica has fought a hard battle, has been 
 T2 
 
324 A TOUR 
 
 much wounded, has been beaten to the ground, 
 and with difficulty can lift herfelf up. The arts 
 and fciences are like drefs and ornament. You 
 cannot exped them from us for fome time. But 
 come back twenty or thirty years hence, and we'll 
 Ihew you arts and fciences, and concerts and af- 
 femblies, and fine ladies, and we'll make you fall 
 in love among us. Sir.' 
 
 He fmiled a good deal, when I told him that 
 I was much furprifed to find him fo amiable, ac- 
 comphfhed, and polite ; for although I knew I 
 was to fee a great man, I expefted to find a rude 
 charader, an Attila king of the Goths, or a Luit- 
 prand king of the Lombards. 
 
 I obferved that although he had often a placid 
 fmile upon his countenance, he hardly ever laugh- 
 ed. Whether loud laughter in general fociety 
 be a fign of weaknefs or rufticity, I cannot fay ; 
 but I have remarked that real great men, and 
 men of finifhed behaviour, feldom fall into it. 
 
 The variety, and I may fay verfatility, of the 
 mind of this great man is amazing. One day when 
 I came to pay my refpeds to him before dinner, 
 I found him in much agitation, with a circle of 
 his nobles around him, and a Corfican Handing 
 before him like a criminal before his judge. Pa- J 
 oli immediately turned to mc, * I am glad you J 
 
TO CORSICA. 325 
 
 are come. Sir. You proteftants talk much againft 
 our dodrine of tranfubftantiation. Behold here 
 the miracle of tranfubftantiation, a Corfican tran- 
 fubftantiated into a Genoefe. That unworthy- 
 man who now ftands before me is a Corfican, who 
 has been long a lieutenant under the Genoefe, in 
 Capo Corfo. Andrew Doria and all their greateil 
 heroes could not be more violent for the republick 
 than he has been, and ail againft his country.* 
 Then turning to the man, * Sir, faid he, Corfica 
 makes it a rule to pardon the moft unworthy of 
 her children, when they furrender themfelves, 
 even when they are forced to do fo, as is your 
 cafe. You have now efcaped. Btit take care. 
 I fhall have a ftridt eye upon you ; and if ever 
 you make the lead attempt to return to your trai^ 
 terous pra6tices, you know I can be avenged of 
 you.' He fpoke this with the fiercenefs of a lion, 
 and from the awful darknefs of his brow, one 
 could fee that his thoughts of vengeance were 
 terrible. Yet when it was over, he all at once re- 
 fumed his ufual appearance, called out ' andiamo, 
 come along •,' went to dinner, and was as cheerful 
 and gay as if nothing had happened. 
 
 His notions of morality are high and refined, 
 fuch as become the Father of a nation. Were, he 
 a libertine, his influence would foon vanilh ; for 
 
326 A TOUR 
 
 men will never truft the important concerns of 
 fociety to one they know will do what is hurtful 
 to fociety for his own pleafures. He told me that 
 his father had brought him up with great ftridl- 
 nefs, and that he had very feldom deviated from the 
 paths of virtue. That this was not from a defccEl; 
 of feeling and pafTion, but that his mind being 
 filled with important obje6ls, his pafllons were 
 employed in more noble purfuits than thofe of 
 licentious pleafure. I faw from Paoli's example 
 the great art of preferving young men of fpirit 
 fiom the contagion of vice, in which there is often 
 a fpecies of fentiment, ingenuity and enterprlfe 
 nearly allied to virtuous qualities. 
 
 Shew a young man that there is more real fpi- 
 rit in virtue than in vice, and you have a furer 
 hold of him, during his years of impetuofity and 
 paflion, than by convincing his judgment of all 
 the reftitude of ethicks. 
 
 One day at dinner, he gave us the principal 
 arguments for the being and attributes of God. 
 To hear thefe arguments repeated with graceful 
 energy by the illuftrious Paoli in the midft of his 
 heroick nobles, was admirable, I never felt my 
 rnind more elevated. 
 
 I took occafion to mention the king of Pruf- 
 fia's infidel writings, and in particular his epiftle 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 327 
 
 to Marifchal Keith. Paoli who often talks with 
 admiration of the greatnefs of that monarch, in- 
 ftead of uttering any direft cenfure of what he faw 
 to be wrong in fo diftinguilhed a hero, paufed a 
 little, and then faid with a grave and moft expref- 
 five look, ' C'eft une belle confolation pour un 
 ' vieux general mourant, " En peu de terns vous 
 " ne ferez plus." It is fine confolation for an old 
 ' general when dying, " In a little while you ihall 
 " be no more." 
 
 He obferved that the Epicurean philofophy 
 had produced but one exalted charadter, whereas 
 Stoicifm had been the feminary of great men. 
 What he now faid put me in mind of thefe noble 
 lines of Lucan : 
 
 Hi mores, haec duri immota Catonis 
 Seda fuit, fervare modum finemque tenerc, 
 Naturamque fequi, patriaeque impendere vitam. 
 Nee fibi fed toti genitum fe credere muudo. 
 
 Lucan. Pharfal. lib. ii. I. 380. 
 Thefe were the ftri<5ler manners of the man. 
 And this the ftubborn courfe in which they ran ; 
 The golden mean unchanging to purfue, 
 Conftant to keep the purpos'd end in view ; 
 Religioully to follow nature's laws. 
 And die witli pleafure in his country's caufe. 
 To think he was not for himfelf defign'd, 
 JBut born to be of ufe to all mankind, 
 
 RowE. 
 
32S A TOUR 
 
 "When he was afked if he would quit the ifland 
 of which he had undertaken the protedion, fup- 
 pofing a loreign power fhould create him a Ma- 
 rifchal, and make him governour of a province •, 
 he replied, ' I hope they will believe I am more 
 honeft, or more ambitious ; for, faid he, to ac- 
 cept of the higheft offices under a foreign power 
 would be to lerve.' 
 
 * To have been a colonel, a general or a ma- 
 rifchal, faid he, would have been fufficient for 
 my table, for my talle in drefs, for the beauty 
 whom my rank would have entitled me to attend. 
 But it would not have been fufficient for this fpi- 
 rit, for this imagination.' Putting his hand upon 
 his bofom. 
 
 He reafoned one day in the midft of his nobles 
 whether the commander of a nation fhould be 
 married or not. ' If he is married, faid he, there is 
 a riil<: that he may be diftraded by private affairs, 
 and fwayed too much by a concern for his fami- 
 ly. If he is unmarried, there is a rifk that not 
 having the tender attachments of a wife and chil- 
 dren, he may facrifice all to his own ambition.' 
 When I faid he ought to marry and have a fon 
 to fucceed him, ' Sir, faid he, what fecurity can I 
 have that my fon will think and ad: as I do ? 
 
TO CORSICA. 329 
 
 What fort ofafon had Cicero, and what had 
 Marcus Aurelius ?' 
 
 He fa id to me one day when we were alone, 
 ' I never willmarr)'. I have not the conjugal vir- 
 tues. Nothing would tempt me to marry, but a 
 woman who Ihould bring me an immenfe dowry, 
 with which I might afTift my country.* 
 
 But he Ipoke much in praife of marriage, as 
 an inftitution which the experience of ages had 
 found to be the beft calculated for the happinefs 
 of individuals, and for the good of fociety. Had 
 he been a private gentleman, he probably would 
 have married, and I am fure would have made as 
 good a hufband and father as he does a fupreme 
 magiftrate and a general. But his arduous and cri- 
 tical fituation would not allow him to enjoy do- 
 meftic felicity. He is wedded to his country, 
 and the Corficans are his children. 
 
 He often talked to me of marriage, told mc 
 licentious pleafures were delufive and tranfient, 
 that I fhould never be truly happy till I was mar- 
 ried, and that he hoped to have a letter from me 
 foon after my return home, acquainting him that 
 I had followed his advice, and was convinced from 
 experience, that he was in the right. With fuch 
 ^n engaging condefcention did this great man be- 
 
330 A TOUR 
 
 have to me. If I could but paint his manner, all 
 my readers would be charmed with him. 
 
 He has a mind fitted for philofophical fpecu- 
 lations as well as for affairs of ftate. One evening 
 at fupper, he entertained us for fome time with 
 fome curious reveries and conjedlures as to the na- 
 ture of the intelligence of bcafts, with regard to 
 which, he obferved human knowledge was as yet 
 very imperfect. He in particular feemed fond of 
 inquiring into the language of the brute creation. 
 He obferved that beafts fully communicate their 
 ideas to each other, and that fome of them, fuch 
 as dogs, can form feveral articulate founds. In 
 different ages there have been people who pre- 
 tended to underfland the language of birds and 
 beafts. * Perhaps, faid Paoli, in a thoufand years 
 v/e may know this as well as we know things 
 which appeared much more difiicult to be known.* 
 I have often fince this converfation, indulged my- 
 felf in fuch reveries. If it were not liable to ridi- 
 cule, I would fay that an acquaintance with the 
 language of beafts would be a moft agreeable ac- 
 quifition to man, as it Would enlarge the circle of 
 his focial intercourfe. 
 
 On my return to Britain, I was difappointed to 
 find nothing upon this fubjedt in Dodtour Grego- 
 ry's Comparative View of the Sate and Faculties 
 
TO CORSICA. 331 
 
 of Man with thofe of the Animal World, which 
 was then juil publifhed. My difappointment 
 however v/as in a good meafure made up, by a 
 picture of fociety, drawn by that ingenious and 
 worthy authour, which may be well applied to the 
 Corficans : ' There is a certain period in the 
 ' progrefs of fociety in which mankind appear 
 
 * to the greateft advantage. In this period, they 
 ' have the bodily powers, and all the animal 
 
 * fund:ions remaining in full vigour. They are 
 
 * bold, aftive, ileady, ardent in the love of li- 
 ' berty and their native country. Their manners 
 ' are fimple, their focial affeflions warm, and 
 ' though they are greatly influenced by the ties of 
 ' blood, yet they are generous and holpitable to 
 *• ftrangers. Religion is univerfally regarded a- 
 ' mong them, though difguifed by a variety of 
 ' fuperfcitions (a).^ 
 
 Paoli was very defirous that I Ihould fcudy the 
 charadter of the Corficans. ' Go among them, faid 
 he, the more you talk with them, you will do 
 me the greater pleafure. Forget the meannefs of 
 their apparel. Hear their fentiments. You will 
 find honour, and fenfe and abilities among thefe 
 poor men.' 
 
 (^) Frefacc to Comparative View, p. 8. 
 
532 A TOUR 
 
 His heart grew big when he fpoke of his coiin- 
 trymen. His own great qualities appeared to 
 unufual advantage, while he dcfcribed the vittues 
 of thofe for whofe happinels his whole life was 
 employed. ' If, faid he, I fhould lead into the 
 field an army of Corficans againfl an army double 
 their number, let me fpeak a few words to the 
 Corficans, to remind them of the honour of their 
 country and of their brave forefathers, I do not 
 fay that they would conquer, but I am fure that 
 not a man of them would give way. The Corfi- 
 cans, faid he, have a fteady refolution that would 
 amaze you. I wifh you could fee one of them die. 
 It is a proverb among the Genoefe, " I Corfi me- 
 jritano la furca e la fanno foffrire. The Corficans 
 deferve the gallows, and they fear not to meet it.'* 
 There is a real compliment to us in this faying.' 
 
 He told me, that in Corfica, criminals are put 
 to death four and twenty hours after fentence is 
 pronounced againfl: them. ' This, faid he, may 
 not be over catholick, but it is humane.' 
 
 He went on and gave me feveral inftances of 
 the Corfican fpirit. 
 
 ' A fergeant, faid he, wjio fell in one of our 
 defperate adions, when juft a dying, wrote tq 
 me thus : " I falute you. Take care of my aged 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 3^3 
 
 father. In two hours I fhall be with the reft who 
 have bravely died for their country." 
 
 ' A Corfican gentleman who had been taken 
 prifoner by the Genoefe, was thrown into a 
 dark dungeon, where he was chained to the 
 ground. While he was in this difmal fituation, 
 the Genoefe fent a mefiage to him, that if he 
 would accept of a commiflion in their fervice, he 
 might have it. ' No, faid he. Were I to ac- 
 
 * cept of your offer, it would be with a determin- 
 ' ed purpofe to take the firft opportunity of re- 
 ' turning to the fervice of my country. But I 
 ' will not accept of it. For I would not have my 
 
 * countrymen even fufpefl that I could be one 
 ' moment unfaithful.' And he remained in his 
 dungeon.' Paoli went on : * I defy Rome, Spar- 
 ta or Thebes to fhew me thirty years of fuch pa- 
 triotifm as Corfica can boaft. Though the affec- 
 tion between relations is exceedingly ftrong in the 
 Corficans, they will give up their neareft relations 
 for the good of their country, and facrifice fuch 
 as have deferred to the Genoefe.' 
 
 He gave me a noble inftance of a Corfican*s 
 feeling and greatnefs of mind : ' A criminal, faid 
 he, was condemned to die. His nephew came 
 to me with a lady of diftindion, that fhe might 
 folicit his pardon, ''■i. The nephew's anxiety made 
 
334 A TOUR 
 
 him think that the lady did not fpeak with fuf- 
 ficient force and earneftnefs. He therefore ad- 
 vanced, and addrefled himfelf to me : " Sir, is it 
 *' proper for me to fpeak ?" as if he felt that it was 
 unlawful to make fuch an application. I bid him 
 go on. " Sir, faid he, with the decpeft concern, 
 " may I beg the life of my uncle ? If it is grant- 
 ** ed, his relations will make a gift to the ftate of 
 *' a thoufand zechins. We will furnifh fifty fol- 
 " diers in pay during the fiege of Furiani. Wfc 
 " will agree that my uncle fhall be banifhed, and 
 " will engage that he Ihall never return to the 
 *' ifland." I knew the nephew to be a man of 
 worth, and I anfwered him. You are acquainted 
 with the circumftances of this cafe. Such is my 
 confidence in you, that if you will fay that giving 
 your uncle a pardon would be jufl, ufeful or ho- 
 nourable for Corfica, I promife you it fhall be 
 granted. He turned about, burfl into tears, and 
 left me, faying, " Non vorei vendere I'onore del- 
 " la patria per mille zechini. I would not have 
 " the honour of our country fold for a thoufand 
 •' zechins." And his uncle fuffered.' 
 
 Although the General was one of the conflituent 
 members of the court of fyndicato, he feldom 
 took his chair. He remained in his own apart- 
 ment i and if any of thofe whofe fuits were 
 
T O C O R S I C a; 235 
 
 determined by the fyndicato were not pleafed 
 with the fentence, they had an audience of Paolij 
 who never failed to convince them that juf- 
 tice had been done them. This appeared to me 
 a neceflary indulgence in the infancy of govern- 
 ment. The Corficans having been fo long in 
 a ftate of anarchy, could not all at once fubmit 
 their minds to the regular authority of juftice. 
 They would fubmit implicitly to Paoli, becaufe 
 they love and venerate him. But fuch a fub- 
 miffion is in reality being governed by their paf- 
 fions. They fubmit to one for whom they have 
 a perfonal regard. They cannot be faid to be 
 perfedly civilized till they fubmit to the determi- 
 nations of their magiftrates as officers of the ftate, 
 entrufted with the adminiftration of juftice. By 
 convincing them that the magiftrates judge with 
 abilities and uprightnefs, Paoli accuftoms the 
 Corficans to have that falutary confidence in their 
 rulers, which is neceflary for fecuring refped: and 
 ftability to the government. 
 
 After having faid much in praife of the Corfi- 
 cans, ' Come, faid he, you fhall have a proof of 
 what I tell you. There is a crowd in the next 
 room, waiting for admittance to me. I will call 
 in the firft I fee, and you fiiall hear him.' He 
 who chanced to prefent himfelf, was a venerable 
 
3^6 A T O U R 
 
 old man. The General Ihook him by the hand^ 
 and bid him good day, with an eafy kindnefs that 
 gave the aged peafant full encouragement to talk 
 to his Excellency with freedom. Paoli bid him 
 not mind me, but fay on. The old man then 
 told him that there had been an unlucky tumult 
 in the village where he lived, and that two of his 
 fons were killed. That looking upon this as a 
 heavy misfortune, but without malice On the part 
 of thofe who deprived him of his fons, he was 
 willing to have allowed it to pafs without inquiry. 
 But his wife anxious for revenge, had made an 
 application to have them apprehended and pu- 
 nilhed. That he gave his Excellency this trouble 
 to intreat that the greateft care might be taken, 
 left in the heat of enmity among his neighbours, 
 any body fhould be puniflied as guilty of the 
 blood of his fons, who was really innocent of it. 
 There was fomething fo generous in this fenti- 
 ment, while at the fame time the old man feemed 
 full of grief for the lofs of his children, that it 
 touched my heart in the moft fenfible manner. 
 Paoli looked at me with complacency and a kind 
 of amiable triumph on the behaviour of the old 
 man, who had a flow of words and a vivacity of 
 gefture which fully juftified what Petrus Cyrnaeus 
 hath faid of the Corfican eloquence : * Dicercs . 
 
TO CORSICA. 0,1,^ 
 
 ' omnes efle bonos caufidicos. You would fay 
 ' they are all good pleaders.' 
 
 I found Paoli had reafon to wifh that I fnould 
 talk much with his countrymen, as it gave me a 
 higher opinion both of him and of them. Thua- 
 nus has juftly faid, ' Sunt m.obilia Corforum in- 
 * genia. The difpofitions of the Corficans are 
 ' changeable.' Yet after ten years, their attach- 
 ment to Paoli is as ftrong as at the firll. Nay, 
 they have an enthufiaflick admiration of him, 
 ' Queflo grand' uomo mandato perDio a liberare 
 ' la patria. This great man whom God hath 
 ' fent to free our country,' was the manner in 
 which they expreffed themfelves to me concerning 
 him. 
 
 Thofe who attended on Paoli were all men of 
 fenfe and abilities in their different departments. 
 Some of them had been in foreign fervice. One 
 of them, Signor Suzzoni, had been long in Ger- 
 many. He fpoke German to me, and recalled 
 
 . to my mind, the happy days which I have pafl 
 among that plain, honeft, brave people, who of 
 all nations in the world, receive flrangers with 
 
 . the greateft cordiality. Signor Gian Qiiilico Cafa 
 Bianca, of the moft ancient Corfican nobility, w^s 
 much my friend. He inftrufled me fully with 
 regard to the Corfican government. He had 
 
 U 
 
338 A TOUR 
 
 even the patience to fit by me while I wrote 
 down an account of it, which from converfations 
 with Paoli, I afterwards enlarged and improved. 
 I received many civilities from the Abbe Roftini, 
 a man of literature, and diftinguifhed no lefs for 
 the excellency of his heart. His faying of Paoli 
 deferves to be remembered : • Nous ne craig- 
 
 * nons pas que notre General nous trompe ni qu'il 
 "• fc laifle tromper. We are not afraid that our 
 
 * General will deceive us, nor that he will let 
 
 * himfelf be deceived.* 
 
 I alfo received civilities from Father Guelfucci 
 of the order of Servites, a man whofe talents and 
 virtues, united with a fmgular decency and fweet- 
 nefs of manners, have raifed him to the honour- 
 able ftation of fecretary to the General. Indeed 
 all the gentlemen here behaved to me in the moft 
 obliging manner. We walked, rode, and went 
 a fhooting together. 
 
 The peafants and foldiers were all frank, open, 
 lively and bold, with a certain roughnefs of man- 
 ner which agrees well with their charader, and is 
 far from being difpleafing. The General gave 
 me an admirable inftance of their plain and natu- 
 ral, folid good fenfc. A young French Marquis, 
 very rich and very vain, came over to Corfica. 
 He had a fovereign contempt for the barbarous 
 
TO CORSICA. 339 
 
 inhabitants, and flrutted about (andava a pafib 
 mifurato) with prodigious airs of confequence. 
 The Corficans beheld him with a fmile of ridi- 
 cule, and faid, ' Let him alone, he is young.' 
 The Corfican peafants and foldiers are very 
 
 ;fond of baiting cattle with the large mountain 
 dogs. This keeps up a ferocity among them 
 which totally extinguifhes fear. I have feen a 
 Corfican in the very heat of a baiting, run in, 
 drive off the dogs, feize the half-frantick animal 
 by the horns, and lead it away. The common 
 people did not feem much given to diverfions. 
 I obferved fome of them in the great hall of the 
 houfe of Colonna where I was lodged, amufmg 
 themfelves with playing at a fort of draughts in 
 a very curious manner. They drew upon the 
 floor with chalk, a fufficient number of fquares, 
 chalking one all over, and leaving one open, alter- 
 nately -, and inftead of black men and white, 
 
 ' they had bits of ftone and bits of wood. It was 
 an admirable burlefque on gaming. 
 
 The chief fatisfadtion of thefe iflanders when 
 not engaged in war or in hunting, feemed to be 
 
 .that of lying at their eafe in the open air, recount- 
 ing tales of the bravery of their countrymen, and 
 finging fongs in honour of the Corficans, and a- 
 gabft the Genoefe. Even in the night they will 
 
340 A T O U R 
 
 continue this paftime in the open air, unlefs rain 
 forces them to retire into their houfes. 
 
 The ambafciadore Inglefe, The Englifh am- 
 bafTadour, as the good peafants and foldiers ufed 
 to call me, became a great favourite among them. 
 I got a Corfican drefs made, in which I walked 
 about \vith an air of true fatisfa6tion. The Ge- 
 neral did me the honour to prefent me with his 
 ov/n piilols, made in the ifland, all of Corfican 
 wood and iron, and of excellent workmanfhip. 
 I had every other accoutrement. I even got one 
 of the fhelis whicK had often founded the alarm 
 to liberty. I preferve them all with great care. 
 
 The Corfican peafants and foldiers were quite 
 free and eafy with me. Numbers of them ufed 
 to come and fee me of a morning, and juft go out 
 and in as they pleafed. I did every thing in my 
 power to make them fond of the Britifli, and bid 
 them hope for an alliance with us. They alked me 
 a thoufand queftions about my country, all which 
 I cheerfully anfwered as well as I could. 
 
 One day they would needs hear me play upon 
 my German tiute. To have told my honeft natu- 
 ral vifitants. Really gentlemen I play very ill, 
 and put on fuch airs as we do in our genteel com- 
 panies, would have been highly ridiculous. I 
 therefore immediately complied with their requeft. 
 I gave them one or two Italian airs, and then 
 
TO CORSICA. 541 
 
 fome of cur beautiful old Scots tunes, Gilderoy, 
 the Lafs of Patie's Mill, Corn riggs are Bonny. 
 The pathetick fimplicity and paftoral gaiety of 
 the Scots mufick, will always pleafe thofe who 
 have the genuine feelings of nature. The Corfi- 
 eans were charmed with the fpecimen^ I gave them, 
 though I may now fay that they were very indif- 
 ferently performed. 
 
 My good friends infilled alfo to have an En- 
 gliih fong from me. I endeavoured to pleafe 
 them in this too, and was very lucky in that 
 which occurred to me. I fung them ' Hearts of 
 ' oak are our fhips. Hearts of oak are our men.' 
 I tranflated it into Italian for them, and never did 
 I fee men fo delighted with a fong as the Corfi- 
 cans were with the Hearts of oak. ' Cuore di 
 ' quercia, cried they, bravo Inglefe.' It was 
 quite a joyous riot. I fancied myfelf to be a re- 
 cruiting fea officer. I fancied all my chorus of 
 Corficans aboard the Britifh fleet. 
 
 Paoli talked very highly on preferving the in- 
 dependency of Corfica. ' We may, faid he, have 
 foreign powers for our friends ; but they muft be 
 Amici fuori di cafa. Friends at arm's leno-th. 
 We may make an alliance, but we will not fub- 
 mit ourfelves to the dominion of the greateft na- 
 tion in Europe. This people who have done fo 
 
54* A TOUR 
 
 much for liberty, would be hewn in pieces man 
 by man, rather than allow Corfica to be funk into 
 the territories of another country. Some years 
 ago, when a falfe mmour was fpread that I had a 
 defign to yield up Corfica to the Emperour, a 
 Corfican came to me, and addreffed me in great 
 agitation : " What ! fhall the blood of fo many 
 *' heroes, who have facrificed their lives for the 
 *' freedom of Corfica, ferve only to tinge the pur- 
 *' pie of a foreign prince !'* 
 
 I mentioned to him the fcheme of an alliance 
 between Great Britain and Corfica. Paoli with 
 pohtenefs and dignity waved the fubjed, by fay- 
 ing, ' The lefs afliftance we have from allies, the 
 greater our glory.' He feemed hurt by our treat- 
 ment of his country. He mentioned the fevere 
 proclamation at the laft peace, in which the brave 
 iflanders were called the Rebels of Corfica. He 
 faid with a confcious pride and proper feeling, 
 ♦Rebels ! I did not expeft that from Great Britain.* 
 
 He however Ihewed his great refped for the 
 Britifh nation, and I could fee he wifhed much 
 to be in friendlhip with us. When I afked hirn 
 what I could pofTibly do in return for all his 
 goodnefs to me, he replied, ' Solamente difin- 
 gannate il fuo corte. Only undeceive your court. 
 Tell them what you have feen here. They will 
 
TO CORSICA. 343 
 
 be curious to afic you. A man come from Cor- 
 fica will be like a man come from the Antipodes.* 
 
 I exprefTed fuch hopes as a man of fenfibility 
 would in my fituation naturally form. He faw at 
 lead one Briton devoted to his caufe. I threw 
 out many flattering ideas of future political events, 
 imaged the Britilh and the Corficans ftriftly unit- 
 ed both in commerce and in war, and defcribed 
 the blunt kindnefs and admiration with which the 
 hearty, generous common people of England 
 would treat the brave Corficans. 
 
 I infenfibly got the better of his referve upon 
 this head. My flow of gay ideas relaxed his feve» 
 rity, and brightened up his humour. * Do you re- 
 member, faid he, the little people in Afia who 
 were in danger of being oppreflfed by the great 
 king of Aflyria, till they addreflTed themfelves to 
 the Romans : and the Romans, with the noble 
 fpirit of a great and free nation, flood forth, and 
 would not fufier the great king to defl:roy the little 
 people, but made an alliance with them ?* 
 
 He made no obfervations upon this beautiful 
 piece of hiftory. It was eafy to fee his allufion to 
 his own nation and ours. 
 
 When the General related this piece of hifto- 
 ry to me, I was negligent enough not to aflt him 
 what little people he meant. As the ftory made 
 
344 A T O U R 
 
 a ftrong impreflion \ipon me, upon my return to 
 Britain I fearched a variety of books to try if I 
 could find it, but in vain. I therefore took the 
 liberty in one of my letters to Paoli, to beg he 
 would let me know it. He told me the little 
 people was the Jews, that the ftory was related 
 by feveral ancient authours, but that I would find 
 it told with moft precifion and energy in the 
 eighth chapter of the firfl book of the Macca- 
 bees. 
 
 The firft book of the Maccabees, though not 
 received into the Proteftant canon, is allowed by 
 all the learned to be an authentic hiftory. I 
 have read Paoli's favourite flory with much fatif- 
 faftion, and, as in feveral circumftances, it very 
 well applies to Great Britain and Corfica, is told 
 with great eloquence, and furnifhes a fine model 
 for an alliance, I fhall make no apology for tran- 
 fcriblng the moft interefdng verfes. 
 
 ' Now Judas had heard of the fame of the 
 ' Romans, that they were mighty and valiant 
 ' men, and fucli as would lovingly accept all 
 ' that joined themfelvcs unto them, and make a 
 ' league of amity with all that came unto them. 
 
 ' And that they were men of great .valour. 
 Mt was told him alio of their wars and noble 
 * ads which they had done amongft the Gala- 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 345 
 
 * tians, and how they had conquered them, and 
 ' brought them under tribute. 
 
 ' And what they had done in the country ot 
 ' Spain, for the winning of the mines of the fil- 
 ' ver and gold which are there. 
 
 ' And that by their policy and patience they 
 ' had conquered all the place, though it were ve- 
 
 * ry far from them. 
 
 ' It was told him befides, how they deftroyed 
 
 * and brought under their dominion, all other 
 
 * kingdoms and illes that at any time refilled 
 
 * them. 
 
 ' But with their friends, and fuch as relied 
 ' upon them, they kept amity : and that they had 
 conquered kingdoms both far and near, info- 
 much as all that heard of their name were afraid 
 ' of them : 
 
 ' Alfo, that whom they would help to a king- 
 ' dom, thofe reign-, and whom again they 
 
 * would, they difplace : finally, that they were 
 ' greatly exalted : 
 
 ' Moreover, how they had made for themfelves 
 
 * a fenate-houfe, wherein three hundred and twen- 
 
 * ty men fat in council daily, confulting alway for 
 
 * the people, to the end that they might be well 
 ^ ordered. 
 
34^ A T O U R 
 
 ' In confideration of thefe things Judas chofe 
 ' Eupolemus the fon of John the fon of Accos, 
 
 * and Jafon the fon of Eleazar, and fent them to 
 ' Rome, to make a league of amity and confe- 
 ' deracy with them. 
 
 * And to intreat them that they would take 
 
 * the yoke from them, for they faw that the king- 
 ' dom of the Grecians did opprefs Ifrael with fer- 
 
 * vitude. 
 
 ' They went therefore to Rome, which was a 
 
 * very great journey, and came into the fenate, 
 
 * where they fpake, and faid, 
 
 * Judas Maccabeus, with his brethren, and the 
 
 * people of the Jews, have fent us unto you, to 
 ' make a confederacy and peace with you, and 
 ^ that we might be regiftered your confederates 
 
 * and friends. 
 
 ' So that matter pleafed the Romans well. 
 
 ' And this is the copy of the epiftle which the 
 
 * fenate wrote back again, in tables of brafs, 
 
 * and fent to Jerufalem, that there they might 
 
 * have by them a memorial of peace and confe- 
 
 * deracy. 
 
 * Good fuccefs be to the Romans, and to the 
 
 * people of the Jews, by fea and by land forever. 
 f The fword alfo, and enemy be far from them. 
 
TO CORSICA. 347 
 
 * If there come firft any war upon the Ro- 
 ' mans, or any of their confederates, throughout 
 ^ all their dominions, 
 
 ' The people of the Jews Ihall help them, as 
 ' the time ftiall be appointed, with all their heart. 
 
 * Neither ftiall they give any thing unto them 
 ' that make war upon them, or aid them with 
 ^ viduals, weapons, money or fliips, as it hath 
 ^ feemed good unto the Romans, but they ftiall 
 ' keep their covenant, without taking any thing 
 
 * therefore. 
 
 * In the fame manner alfo, if war come firft 
 ^ upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans ftiall 
 ' help them with all their heart, according as the 
 ' time ftiall be appointed them, 
 
 ' Neither ftiall vifhials be given to them that 
 
 * take part againft them, or weapons, or money, 
 ' or ftiips, as it hath feemed good to the Romans; 
 ' but they ftiall keep their covenants, and that 
 < without deceit. 
 
 * According to thefe articles did the Ro- 
 
 * mans make a covenant with the people of the 
 
 * Jews. 
 
 * Howbeit, if hereafter the one party or the 
 
 * other, ftiall think meet to add or diminifli any 
 ' thing they may do it at their pleafures, ^nd 
 
348 A TOUR 
 
 * whatfoever they fhall add or take away, fhall 
 
 * be ratified. 
 
 ' And, as touching the evils that Demetrius 
 *: doth to the Jews, we have written unto him, 
 ' faying, Wherefore haft thou made thy yoke 
 ' heavy upon our friends and confederates, the 
 
 * Jews ? 
 
 * If therefore they complain any more againft 
 ' thee, we will do them juftice, and fight with 
 ' thee by fea and by land.* 
 
 I will venture to aflc whether the Romans ap- 
 pear, in any one inftance of their hiftory, more 
 truly great than they do here. 
 
 Paoli faid, ' If a man would preferve the gc-p 
 nerous glow of patriotifm, he muft not reafon too 
 much. Marefchal Saxe reafoned j and carried 
 the arms of France into the heart of Germany, 
 his own country. I ad from fentiment, not from 
 reafonings.* 
 
 ' Virtuous fentiments and habits, faid he, are 
 beyond philofophical reafonings, which are not fo 
 ftrong, and are continually varying. If all the 
 profelTours in Europe were formed into one foci- 
 ety, it v/ould no doubt be a fociety very refped- 
 (ible, and we Ihould there be entertained with the 
 
TO CORSICA. 349 
 
 beft moral lefTons. Yet I believe I lliould find 
 more real virtue in a fociety of good peafants in 
 fome little village in the heart of your ifland. It 
 might be faid of thefe two focieties, as was faid 
 of Demoilhenes and Themiftocles, ' Illius didla, 
 hujus fada magis valebant, The one was power- 
 ful in words, but the other in deeds.' 
 
 This kind of converfation led me to tell him 
 how much I had fuffered from anxious fpeculati- 
 ons. With a mind naturally inclined to melan- 
 choly, and a keen defire of enquiry, I had intenfe- 
 ly applied myfelf to metaphyseal refearches, and 
 reafoned beyond my depth, on fuch fubjeds as it 
 is not given to man to know. I told him I had 
 rendered my mind a comera obfcura, that in the 
 very heat of youth I felt the ' non eft tanti,' the 
 ' omnia vanitas' of one who has exhaufted all the 
 fweets of his being, and is weary with dull repeti- 
 tion. I told him that I had almoft become for 
 ever incapable of taking a part in aftive life. 
 
 ' All this, faid Paoli, is melancholy. I have 
 alfo ftudied metaphyficks. I know the arguments 
 for fate and free-will, for the materiality and im- 
 materiality of the foul, and even the fubtile ar- 
 guments for and againft the exiftence of matter. 
 Ma lafciamo queftc difpute ai oziofi, But let us 
 leave thefc difputes to the idle. lo tengo fempre 
 
350 A T O U R 
 
 fermo un gran penfiero, I hold always firm one 
 great objeft. I never feel a moment of defpon- 
 dency.' 
 
 The contemplation of fuch a charaSier really 
 exifting, was of more fervice to me than all I had 
 been able to draw from books, from convcrfati- 
 on, or from the exertions of my own mind. I had 
 often enough formed the idea of a man continu- 
 ally fuch, as I could conceive in my beft moments. 
 But this idea appeared like the ideas we are taught 
 in the fchools to form of things which may exift, 
 but do not ; of feas of milk, and Ihips of amber. 
 But I faw my higheft idea realized in Paoli. It 
 was impoffible for me, fpeculate as I pleafed, to 
 have a little opinion of human nature in him. 
 
 One morning I remember, I came in upon 
 him without ceremony, while he was dreffing. 
 I was glad to have an opportunity of feeing him 
 in thofe teafmg moments, when according to the 
 Duke de Rochefoucault, no man is a hero to his 
 valet de chambre. That lively nobleman who 
 has a malicious pleafure in endeavouring to divefl 
 human nature of its dignity^ by exhibiting parti- 
 al views, and exaggerating faults, would have 
 owned that Paoli was every moment of his life a 
 hero. 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 3^1 
 
 Paoli told me that from his earlieft years, he 
 had in view the important ftation which he now 
 holds i fo that his fentiments muft ever have been 
 great. I alked him how one of fuch elevated 
 thoughts could fubmit with any degree of pati- 
 ence, to the unmeaning ceremonies and poor dif- 
 courfe of genteel fociety, which he certainly was 
 obliged to do while an officer at Naples. * O, faid 
 he, I managed it very eafily. Ero connofciuto 
 per una tefta fmgolare, I was known to be a lin- 
 gular man. I talked and joked, and was merry ; 
 but I never fat down to play ; I went and came 
 as I pleafed. The mirth I like is what is eafy and 
 unaffedted. Je ne puis fouffrir long temps les di- 
 fieurs de bons mots, I cannot endure long the 
 layers of good things/ 
 
 How much fuperiour is this great man's idea 
 of agreeable converfation to that of profelTed 
 wits, who are continually ftraining for fmart re- 
 marks, and lively repartees. They put them- 
 fclves to much pain in order to pleale ; and yet 
 pleafe lefs than if they would juft appear as they 
 naturally feel themfelves. A company of pro- 
 fefled wits has always appeared to me, like a 
 company of artificers employed in fome very nice 
 and difficult work, which they are under a nccefll- 
 ty of performing. 
 
352 A T O U R 
 
 Though calm and fully mafter of himfelf, 
 Paoli is animated with an extraordinary degree of 
 vivacity. Except when indifpofed or greatly fa- 
 tigued, he never fits down but at meals. He is 
 perpetually in motion, walking brifkly backwards 
 and forwards. Mr. Samuel Johnfon, whofe com- 
 prehenfive and vigourous underflanding, has by 
 long obfervation, attained to a perfed knowledge 
 of human nature, when treating of biography, 
 has this refledlion : ' There are many invifible cir- 
 ' cumflances which, whether we read as inquiries 
 
 • ' after natural or moral knowledge ; whether 
 * we intend to enlarge our fcience, or encreafe our 
 
 . ' virtue, are more important than publick occur- 
 ' rences, Thus Salluftf the great mafter of nature, 
 ' has not forgotten in his account of Catiline, to 
 
 . ' remark, that " his walk was now quick, and a- 
 *' gain flow," as an indication of a mind revolving 
 fomething with violent comm.otion (a).^ Ever 
 mindful of the wifdom of the Rambler, I have 
 accuflomed myfelf to mark the fmall peculiarities 
 ofcharadler. Paoli's being perpetually in moti- 
 tion, nay his being fo agitated that, as the fame 
 Salluft alfo fays of Catiline, ' Neque vigiliis, 
 ' neque quietibus fedari poterat. He could not be 
 ' quieted either by watching or by repofe,' are 
 
 (a) Rambler, No. 60. 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 353 
 
 indications of his being as aflive and indefati- 
 gable as Catiline, but from a very different caufe : 
 The confpiratour from fchemes of ruin and de- 
 ftru6lion to Rome ; the patriot from fchemes of 
 liberty and felicity to Corlica. 
 
 Paoli told me that the vivacity of his mind 
 was fuch, that he could not ftudy above ten mi- 
 nutes at a time. ' La tefta mi rompa, My head 
 is like to break, faid he. I can never write 
 my lively ideas with my own hand. In writing, 
 they efcape from my mind, I call the Abbe 
 Guelfucci, Allons prefto, pigliate li penfieri. 
 Come quickly, take my thoughts j and he writes 
 them.* 
 
 Paoli has a memory like thatof Themiftocles; 
 for I was aflured that he knows the names of al- 
 moft all the people in the ifland, their characters, 
 and their connexions. His memory as a man of 
 learning, is no lefs uncommon. He has the beft 
 part of the claflicks by heart, and he has a happy 
 talent in applying them with propriety, which is 
 rarely to be found. This talent is not always 
 to be reckoned pedantry. The inftances in which 
 Paoli is Ihewn to difplay it, are a proof to the 
 contrary. 
 
 X 
 
354 A TOUR 
 
 I have heard Paoli recount the revolutions of 
 one of the ancient ftates, with an energy and a 
 rapidity which Ihewed him to be mafter of the 
 fubjedl, to be perfedtly acquainted with every 
 fpring and movement of the various events. I 
 have heard him give what the French call ' Une 
 catalogue raifonnee' of the moft diftinguifhed men 
 in antiquity. His charaders of them were con- 
 cife, nervous and juft. I regret that the fire with 
 which he fpoke upon fuch occafions, fo dazzled 
 me, that I could not recolleft his fayings fo as to 
 write them down when I retired from his pre- 
 fence. 
 
 He juft lives in the times of antiquity. He 
 faid to me, ' A young man who would form his 
 mind to glory, muft not read modern memoirs ; 
 ma Plutarcho, ma Tito Livio ; but Plutarch and 
 Titus Livius.' 
 
 I have feen him fall into a fort of reverie, and 
 break out into fallies of the grandeft and nobleft 
 enthufiafm. I recolleft two inftances of this. 
 ' What a thought ? that thoufands owe their hap- 
 pinefs to you !* And throwing himfelf into an 
 attitude, as if he faw the lofty mountain of fame 
 before him : ' There is my objedl! (pointing to 
 the fummit), if I fall, I fall at leaft there fpoint- 
 ing a good way up), magnis tamen excidit aufis.* 
 
T O C O R S I C A.. s^s 
 
 I ventured to reafon like a libertine, that I 
 might be confirmed in virtuous principles by fo 
 illuftrious a Preceptour. I made light of m^oral 
 feelino-s. I argued that confcience was va^ue and 
 
 DO O 
 
 uncertain ; that there was hardly any vice but 
 what men might be found who have been guilty 
 of it without remorfe. ' But, faid he, there is no 
 man who has not a horrour at fome vice. Dif- 
 ferent vices and different virtues have tlie flrons- 
 eft imprefllon, on different men; Ma il virtu 
 in aftratto e il nutrimento dei noftri cuori. But 
 virtue in the abftra6t, is the food of our hearts.' 
 
 Talking of Providence, he faid to me with 
 that earneftnefs with which a man fpeaks who is 
 anxious to be believed : ' I tell you on the word 
 of an honeft man, it is impoflible for me not to 
 be perfuaded that God interpofes to give freedom 
 to Corfica. A people opprefled like the Corficans, 
 are certainly worthy of divine afliftance. When 
 we were in the moft defperate circumftances, I 
 never loft courage, trufting as I did in Providence.* 
 I ventured to obje(5l ; But why has not Provi-. 
 dence interpofed fooner ? He replied with a noble, 
 ferious and devout air, ' Becaufe his ways are un- 
 fearchable. I adore him for what he hath done, 
 I revere him in what he hath not done/ 
 
 X2 
 
25^ A T O U R 
 
 I gave Paoli the charader of my revered 
 friend Mr. Samuel Johnfon. I have often re<rret- 
 ed riiat illuftrioLis men, fuch as humanity produces 
 a few times in the revolution of many acres, 
 fhould not fee each other ; and when fuch arife 
 in the fame age, though at the diftance of half the 
 globe, I have been aftonifhed how they could 
 forbear to meet. 
 
 * As Heel fnarpneth fteel, fo doth a man the 
 ' countenance of his friend,' fays the wife mo- 
 narch. What an idea may we not form of an 
 interview between fuch a fcholar and philofopher 
 as Mr. Johnfon, and fuch a legiflatour and gene^ 
 ral as Paoli ! 
 
 I repeated to Paoli feveral of Mr. Johnfon's 
 fayings, fo remarkable for ftrong fenfe and origi- 
 nal humour. I now recollccfl thefe two. 
 
 When I told Mr. Johnfon that a certain au- 
 thour affefbed in converfation to maintain, that 
 there was no diftindlion between virtue and vice, 
 he faid, ' Why, Sir, if the fellow does not think 
 
 * as he fpeaks, he is lying -, and I fee not what 
 
 * honour he can propofe to himfelf from having 
 ' the character of a lyar. But if he does really 
 ' think that there is no diflinftion between virtue 
 
 * and vice, why. Sir, when he leaves our houfes 
 ' let us count our fpoons.' 
 
TO CORSICA. 357 
 
 Of modern infidels and innovatours, he faid, 
 
 * Sir, thefe are all vain men, and will gratify 
 ' themfelves at any expence. Truth will not af- 
 
 * ford fufficient food to their vanity j fo they have 
 ' betaken themfelves to errour. Truth, Sir, is 
 ' a cow which will yield fuch people no more 
 ^ milk ; and fo they are gone to milk the bull.' 
 
 I felt an elation of mind to fee Paoli delighted 
 with the fayings of Mr. Johnfon, and to hear him 
 rranflate them with Italian energy to the Corfican 
 heroes. 
 
 I repeated Mr. Johnfon's fayings as nearly as I 
 could, in his own peculiar forcible language, for 
 which, prejudiced or little criticks have taken 
 upon them to find fault with him. He is above 
 making any anfwer to them ; but I have found a 
 fufficient anfwer in a general remark in one of his 
 excellent papers : ' Diflference of thoughts will 
 produce difference of language. He that thinks 
 with more extent than another, will want words 
 of larger meaning.' (a) 
 
 I hope to be pardoned for this digrcffion, 
 wherein I pay a juft tribute of veneration and 
 gratitude to one from whofe writings and conver- 
 fation I have received inflru6lions of which I ex- 
 perience the value in every fcene of my life. 
 
 (a) Idler, No. 70, 
 
25^ A TOUR 
 
 During Paoli's adminiftration, there have been 
 few laws made in Corfica. He mentioned one 
 which he has found very efficacious in curbing 
 that vindidive fpirit of the Corficans, of which I 
 have faid a good deal in a former part of this 
 work. There was among the Corficans a moft 
 dreadful fpecies of revenge, called ' Vendetta traf- 
 verfa, Collateral revenge,' which Petrus Cyrnaeus 
 candidly acknowledges. It was this : If a man 
 had received an injury, and could not find a pro- 
 per opportunity to be revenged on his ?nemy 
 perfonally, he revenged himfelf on one of his ene- 
 my's relations. So barbarous a pradlice, was the 
 fource of innumerable afTalTmations. Paoli know- 
 ing that the point of honour was every thing to 
 the Corficans, oppofed it to the progrefs of the 
 blackefl of crimes, fortified by long habits. He 
 made a law, by which it was provided, that this 
 collateral revenge fhould not only be puniihed 
 with death, as ordinary murther, but the memory 
 of the offender fhould be difgraced for ever by a 
 pillar of infamy. He alfo had it enafted that 
 the fame ftatute fhould extend to the violatours of 
 an oath of reconciliation, once made. 
 
 By thus combating a vice fo deftrudlive, he 
 has, by a kind of fhock of oppofite pafTions, re- 
 ^juced the fiery Corficans to a flate of mildnefs, 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 359 
 
 and he aflured me that they were now all fully 
 fenfible of the equity of that law. 
 
 While I was at Sollacaro, information was re- 
 ceived, that the poor wretch who ftrangled the 
 woman at the inftigation of his miftrefs, had con- 
 fented to accept of his life, upon condition of 
 becoming hangman. This made a great noife 
 among the Corficans, who were enraged at the 
 creature, and faid their nation was now difgraced, 
 Paoli did not think fo. He faid to me, ' I am 
 glad of this. It will be of fervice. It will con- 
 tribute to form us to a jull fubordination. We 
 liave as yet too great an equality among us. As 
 we muft have Corfican taylours and Corfican Ihoe- 
 makers, we muft alfo have a Corfican hangman.' 
 
 I could not help being of a different opinion. 
 The occupations of a taylour and a fhoemaker 
 though mean, are not odious. When I afterwards 
 met M. RoufTeau in England, and made him a re- 
 port of my Corfican expedition, he agreed with me 
 in thinking that it would be fomething noble for 
 the brave iflanders, to be able to fay that there 
 was not a Corfican but who would rather fuffer 
 death, than become a hangman ; and he alfo agreed 
 with me, that it might have a good effedl to have 
 always a Genoefe fqr the hangman of Corfica. 
 
360 A T O U R 
 
 I muft however do the Genoefe the juflice to 
 obferve, that Paoli told me, that even one of them 
 had fufFered death in Corfica, rather than confent to 
 become hangman. When I, from a keennefs na- 
 tural enough in a Briton born with an abhorrence 
 at tyranny, talked with violence againft the Ge- 
 noefe, Paoli faid with a moderation and candour 
 which ought to do him honour even with the re- 
 publick, ' It is true the Genoefe are our enemies i 
 but let us not forget, that they are the defcendants 
 of thofe worthies, who carried their arms beyond 
 the Hellefpont.' 
 
 There is one circumftance in Paoli's character 
 •which I prefent to my readers with caution, know* 
 ing how much it may be ridiculed, in an age when 
 mankind are fo fond of incredulity, that they feem 
 to pique themfelves in contracting their circle of 
 belief as much as poffible. But I confider this 
 infidel rage as but a temporary mode of the human 
 underftanding, and am well perfuaded that e'er 
 long we {hall return to a more calm philofophy. 
 
 I own I cannot help thinking that though we 
 may boafl; fome improvements in fcience, and in 
 fhort, fiiperiour degrees of knowledge in things 
 where our faculties can fully reach, yet we fhould 
 not aliume to ourfelves founder judgements than 
 ^hofe of our fathers 5 I will therefore venture to 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 3^1 
 
 relate that Paoli has at times extraordinary im- 
 preflions of diftant and future events. 
 
 The v^ay in which I difcovered it, was this. 
 Being very delirous of ftudying fo exalted a cha- 
 radler, I fo far prefumed upon his goodnefs to me, 
 as to take the liberty of afking him a thoufand 
 queftions with regard to the moft minute and pri- 
 vate circumftances of his life. Having aiked him 
 one day when fome of his nobles were prefent, whe- 
 ther a mind, fo aftive as his, was not employed e- 
 yen in fleep, and if he ufed to dream much. Signor 
 Cafa Bianca faid with an air and tone which im- 
 plied fomething of importance, " Si, fi fogna. Yes, 
 he dreams." And upon my aiking him to explain 
 his meaning, he told me that the General had often 
 feen in his dreams, what afterwards came to pafs. 
 Paoli confirmed this by feveral inllances. Said he, 
 ' I can give you no clear explanation of it. I on- 
 ly tell you fadts. Sometimes I have been miftak- 
 cn, but in general, thefe vifions have proved true, 
 I cannot fay what may be the agency of invifible 
 fpirits. They certainly muft know more than 
 we do •, and there is nothing abfurd in fuppofing 
 that God Ihould permit them to communicate 
 their knowledge to us.' 
 
 He went into a moft curious and pleafing 
 difquifition, on a fubjed, which the late inge- 
 
362 A T O U R 
 
 nious Mr. Baxter has treated in a very philoro- 
 phical manner, in his Inquiry into the Nature of 
 the Human Soul j a book which may be read 
 with as much delight, and furely with more 
 advantage than the works of thofe who endea- 
 vour to deftroy our belief. Belief is favourable 
 to the human mind, were it for nothing elfe but 
 to furnilh it entertainment. An infidel I Ihould 
 think, muft frequently fuffer from ennui. 
 
 It was perhaps affeftation in Socrates to fay, 
 that all he had learned to know was that he 
 knew nothing. But furely it is a mark of wif- 
 dom, to be fenfible of the limited extent of hu- 
 man knowledge, to examine with reverence the 
 ways of God, nor prefumptuoufly rejed; any opi- 
 nion which has been held by the judicious and 
 the learned, becaufe it has been made a cloak for 
 artifice, or had a variety of fidions raifed upon it, 
 by credulity. 
 
 Old Feltham fays, ' Every dream is not to be 
 
 * counted of ; nor yet are all to be caft away with 
 ' contempt. I would neither be a Hoick, fuper- 
 
 * ftitious in all -, nor yet an epicure, confiderate 
 ^ of none *.' And after obferving how much 
 the ancients attended to the interpretation of 
 
 * Feltham's Refolves, Cent. I. Refol. 52, 
 
TO CORSICA. s^3 
 
 dreams, he adds, ' Were it not for the power 
 
 * of the Gofpel, in crying down the vains f of 
 
 * men, it would appear a wonder how a fcience fo 
 
 * pleafing to humanity, fhould fall fo quite to 
 
 * ruin J. 
 
 The myflerious circumftance in Paoli's cha- 
 rafter which I have ventured to relate, is univer- 
 fally believed in Corfica. The inhabitants of that 
 ifland like the Italians, exprefs themfelves much 
 by figns. When I afked one of them, if there 
 had been many inftances of the General's fore- 
 feeing future events, he grafped a large bunch of 
 his hair, and replied, ' Tante, Signore, So ma- 
 
 * ny. Sir/ 
 
 It may be faid that the General has induftri^ 
 oufly propagated this opinion, in order that he 
 might have more authority in civilizing a rude 
 and ferocious people, as Lycurgus pretended to 
 have the fandion of the oracle at Delphos, as Nu- 
 ma gave it out that he had frequent interviews 
 with the nymph Egeria, or as Marius perfuaded 
 the Romans, that he received divine communica- 
 tions from a hind. But I cannot allow myfelf to 
 fuppofe that Paoli ever required the aid of pious 
 frauds, 
 
 ■f He means ya-iiity* 
 
 if Feltham's Refolves, Cent, I. Hefol. 52. 
 
364 A T O U R 
 
 Paoli though never familiar, has the moft per- 
 fc6l eafe of behaviour. This is a mark of a real 
 great charader. The diftance and referve which 
 fome of our modern nobility afFeft, is, becaufe 
 nobility is now little elfe than a name in compa- 
 rifon of what it was in ancient times. In ancient 
 times, noblemen lived at their country feats, like 
 princes, in hofpitable grandeur. They were men 
 of power, and every one of them could bring 
 hundreds of followers into the field. They were 
 then open and affable. Some of our modern no- 
 bility are fo anxious to preferve an appearance of 
 dignity which they are fenfible cannot bear an 
 examination, that they are afraid to let you come 
 near them. Paoli is not fo. Thofe about him 
 come into his apartment at all hours, wake him, 
 help him on with his clothes, are pcrfe6tly free 
 from reftraint ; yet they know their diftance, and 
 awed by his real greatnefs, never lofe their rcipec^ 
 for him. 
 
 Though thus eafy of accefs, particular care is 
 taken againft fuch attempts upon the life of the 
 illuftrious Chief, as he has good reafon to appre- 
 hend from the Genoefe, who have fo often em- 
 ployed affaffmation merely in a political view, and 
 who would gain fo much by afTafTinating Paoli, 
 A certain number of foldiers are continually on, 
 
TO CORSICA. ^65 
 
 guard upon him ; and as flill clofer guards, he 
 has fome faithful Corfican dogs. Of thefe five or 
 lix fleep, fome in his chamber, and fome at the 
 outrde of the chamber-door. He treats them with 
 great kindnefs, and they are ftrongly attached to 
 him. They are extremely fagacious, and know 
 all his friends and attendants. Were any perfon 
 to approach the General during the darknefs of 
 the night, they would inflantly tear him in pieces. 
 Having dogs for his attendants, is another cir- 
 cumftance about Paoli fimilar to the heroes of 
 antiquity. Homer reprefents Telemachus fo at- 
 tended : 
 
 Homer. OdyflT. lib. ii. 1. n, 
 Two dogs a faithful guard attend behind. 
 
 Pope. 
 
 But the defcription given of the family of Patro- 
 clus applies better to Paoli: 
 
 Evysa Tu yt uvkkti r^etfrs^ris; xuvU rxrixv. 
 
 Homer. Iliad, lib. xxiii. 1. 75. 
 nine large dogs domeftick at his board. 
 
 Po»E* 
 
 Mr. Pope in his notes on the fecond book of 
 the Odyfley, is much pleafed with dogs being in- 
 troduced, as it furnilhes an agreeable inftance of 
 
366 A T O U R 
 
 ancient fimplicity. He obferves that Virgil 
 thought this circumftance worthy of his imita- 
 tion, in defcribing old Evander. So we read of 
 Syphax general of the Numidians, ' Syphax inter 
 duos canes flans, Scipionem appellavit*, Syphax 
 {landing between two dogs called to Scipio.* 
 
 Talking of courage, he made a very juft dif* 
 tin6lion between conflitutional courage and cou- 
 rage from refleflion. * Sir Thomas More, faid 
 he, would not probably have mounted a breach 
 fo well as a fergeant who had never thought of 
 death. But a fergeant would not on a fcaffold, 
 have Ihewn the calm refolution of Sir Thomas 
 More.' 
 
 On this fubjeft he told me a very remarkable 
 anecdote, which happened during the laft war in 
 Italy. At the fiege of Tortona, the commander 
 of the army which lay before the town, ordered 
 Carew an Irifli officer in the fervice of Naples, 
 to advance with a detachment to a particular poft, 
 
 * I mention this on the authority of an excellent fcholar, 
 and one of our beft writers, Mr. Jofeph Warton in his notes 
 on the ^neid ; for I have not been able to find the pafTage in 
 Livy which he quotes. 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 367 
 
 Having given his orders, he whifpered to Carew : 
 
 * Sir, I know you to be a gallant man. I have 
 ' therefore put you upon this duty. I tell you in 
 ' confidence, it is certain death for you all. I 
 ' place you there to make the enemy fpring a 
 ' mine below you.' Carew made a bow to the 
 general, and led on his men in filence to the 
 dreadful poll. He there flood with an undaunted 
 countenance, and having called to one of the fol- 
 diers for a draught of wine, ' Here, faid he, I 
 
 * drink to all thofe who bravely fall in battle.* 
 Fortunately at that inftant Tortona capitulated, 
 and Carew efcaped. But he had thus a full op- 
 portunity of difplaying a rare inftance of deter- 
 mined intrepidity. It is with pleafure that I re- 
 cord an anecdote fo much to the honour of a 
 gentleman of that nation, on which illiberal re- 
 fieftions are too often thrown, by thofe of whom 
 it little deferves them. Whatever may be the 
 rough jokes of wealthy infolence, or the en- 
 vious farcafms of needy jealoufy, the Irifh have 
 ever been, and will continue to be, highly re- 
 garded upon the continent. 
 
 Paoli's perfonal authority among the Corfi- 
 cans ftruck me much. I have feen a crowd of 
 them with eagernefs and impetuofity, endeavour- 
 ing to approach him, as if they would have burll 
 into his appartment by force. In vam did the 
 
A TOUR 
 
 guards attempt to reftrain them ; but when htf 
 called to them in a tone of firmnefs, ' Non c'e ord, 
 ricorfo. No audience now,' they were huflied at 
 once. 
 
 He one afternoon gave us an entertaining dif- 
 fertation on the ancient art of war. He obferved 
 that the ancients allowed of little baggage, which 
 they very properly called ' impedimenta •,' where- 
 as the moderns burden themfelves with it to fuch 
 a degree, that 50,000 of our prefent foldiers are 
 allowed as much baggage as was formerly thought 
 fufficient for all the armies of the Roman empire. 
 He faid it was good for foldiers to be heavy arm- 
 ed, as it renders them proportionably robuft ; and 
 he remarked that when the Romans lightened 
 their arms, the troops became enfeebled. He 
 made a very curious obfervation with regard to the 
 towers full of armed men, which we are told were 
 borne on the backs of their elephants. He faid 
 it muft be a miftake j for if the towers were broad, 
 there would not be room for them on the backs of 
 elephants ; for he and a friend who was an able cal- 
 culatour,had meafured a very large elephant at Na- 
 ples, and made a computation of the fpace neceflary 
 to hold the number of men faid to be contained in 
 
T O C O R S I C A. s^9 
 
 thofe towers, and they found that the back ot 
 the broadefl elephant would not be fufficient, af- 
 ter making the fulleft allowance for what might 
 be hung by ballance on either fide of the animal. 
 If again the towers were high, they would 
 fall ; for he did not think it at all probable, that 
 the Romans had the art of tying on fuch mon- 
 ftrous machines at a time when they had not 
 learnt the ufe even of girths to their faddles. He 
 faid he did not give too much credit to the fi- 
 gures on Trajan's pillar, many of which were un- 
 doubtedly falfe. He faid it was his opinion, that 
 thofe towers were only drawn by the elephants ; 
 an opinion founded in probability, and free from 
 the difEculties of that which has been commonly 
 received. 
 
 Talking of various fchemes of life, fit for a 
 man of fpirit and education; I mentioned to 
 him that of being a foreign minifter. He faid 
 he thought it a very agreeable employment for 
 a man of parts and addrefs, during fome years of 
 his life. ' In that fituation, faid he, a man will 
 inlenfibly attain to a greater knowledge of men 
 and manners, and a more perfect acquaintance 
 with the politicks of Europe. He will be pro - 
 moted according to the returns which he makes 
 
 y 
 
37<5 A TOUR 
 
 to his court. They muft be accurate, diflincl:, 
 without fire or ornament. He may fubjoin his 
 own opinion, but he muft do it with great mo- 
 defty. The miniftry at home are proud.' 
 
 He faid the greateft happinefs was not in glo- 
 ry, but in goodnefs ; and that Penn in his Ame- 
 rican colony, where he had eftablifhed a people 
 in quiet and contentment, was happier than Alex- 
 ander the Great after deftroying multitudes at 
 the conqueft of Thebes. He obferved that the 
 hiftory of Alexander is obfcure and dubious -, for 
 his captains who divided his kingdom, were too 
 bufy to record his life and aftions, and would at 
 any rate wifli to render him odious to pofterity. 
 
 Never was I fo thoroughly fenfible of my 
 own defedts as while I v/as in Corfica. I felt 
 how fmall were my abilities, and how little I 
 knew. Ambitious to be the companion of Paoli, 
 and to underftand a country and a people which 
 roufed me fo much, I wifhed to be a Sir James 
 MacDonald*. 
 
 * Sir James MacDonald baronet of the ifle of Sky, who 
 at the age of one and twenty, had the learning and abilitiei 
 of a profeflTour and a ftatefman, with the accomplifliments of a 
 man of the world. Eton and Oxford will ever remember him 
 as one of their greateft ornaments. He was well known to the 
 moft di(tingui(hed in Europe, but was carried off from all 
 their expedations. He died at Frefcati, near Rome, in 1 765, 
 Had he lived a little longer, I believe I fhould have prevailed 
 with him to vifit Corfica. 
 
TO CORSICA. 371 
 
 The lad day which I fpent with Paoli, appear- 
 ed of ineitimable value. I thought him more than 
 ufually great and amiablcj when I was upon 
 the eve of parting from him. The night before 
 my departure, a little incident happened v/hich 
 ihewed him in a mod asjreeable li2:ht. When 
 the fervarits were bringing in the defert afrer 
 fupper, one of them chanced to let fall a plate 
 T)f walnuts. Inftead of flying into a pafTion at 
 what the man could not help, Paoli faid with 
 a fmile, * No matter •,' and turning to me, * It 
 is a good fign for you, Sir, Tempus eft Ipargere 
 nuces. It is time to fcatter walnuts. It is a ma- 
 trimonial omen : You muft go home to your own 
 country, and marry fome fine woman whom you 
 really like. I fhall rejoice to hear of it.' 
 
 This was a pretty allufion to the Roman ce- 
 remony at weddings, of fcattering walnuts. Sq 
 Virgil's Damon fays,' 
 
 Mopfe novas incide faces : tibi ducitur uxor. 
 Sparge marite nuces : tibi deferit Hefperus Oetam. 
 
 ViRG. Eclog. viii. 1. 30. 
 Thy bride comes forth 1 begin the feftal rites I 
 The walnuts ili ew ! prepare the nuptial lights ! 
 O envied hulband, now thy blifs is nigh ! 
 Behold for thee bright Hefper mounts the fky ! 
 
 Y 2 WARTOiT. 
 
Z-j^ A T O U R 
 
 When I again aflced Paoli if it was pofllble 
 for me in any way to lliew him my great refpe6t 
 and attachment, he replied, ' Ricordatevi che lo 
 vi fia amico, e fcrivetemi. Remember that I am 
 your friend, and write to me.' I faid I hoped 
 that when he honoured me with a letter, he would 
 write not only as a commander, but as a philofo- 
 pher and a man of letters. He took me by the 
 hand, and faid, * As a friend.' I dare not tran- 
 fcribc from my private notes the feelings which I 
 had at this interview. I fhould perhaps appear 
 too enthufiaftick. I took leave of Paoli with re- 
 gret and agitation, not without fome hopes of 
 feeing him again. From having known intimately 
 fo exalted a charader, my fentiments of human 
 nature were raifed, while, by a fort of contagion, I 
 felt an honeft ardour to diftinguifh myfelf, and be 
 ufeful, as far as my fituation and abilities would 
 allow i and I was, for the reft of my life, fet free 
 from a flavifh timidity in the prefence of great 
 men, for where fhall I find a pan greater than 
 Paoli ? 
 
 When I fet out from SoUacaro, I felt myfelf a 
 aood deal indifpofed. The old houfe of Colonna, 
 like the family of its mafter, was much decayed ; 
 fo that both wind and rain found their way into 
 my bed chamber. From this I contracted a fe- 
 
To CORSICA. 373 
 
 vere cold, which ended in a tertian ague. There 
 was no help for it. I might well fubmit to fome 
 inconveniences, where I had enjoyed fo much 
 happincfs. 
 
 I was accompanied a part of the road by a 
 great fwarthy priefl, who had never been out of 
 Corfica. He was a very Hercules for ftrength 
 and refolution. He and two other Corficans 
 took a caftle, garrifoned by no lefs than fifteen 
 Genoefe. Indeed the Corficans have fuch a con- 
 tempt for their enemies, that I have heard them 
 fay, ' Bafterebbero le donne contra i Genovefi, 
 Our women would be enough againft the Geno- 
 efe.' This prieft was a bluff, hearty, roaring fel- 
 low, troubled neitherwith knowledge nor care. He 
 was ever and anon fhewing me how ftoutly his nag 
 could caper. He always rode fome paces before 
 me, and fat in an attitude half turned round, 
 with his hand clapped upon the crupper. Then 
 he would burft out with comical fongs about the 
 devil and the Genoefe, and I don't know what all. 
 In fhort, notwithflanding my feverifhnefs, he 
 kept me laughing whether I would or no. 
 
 I was returning to Corte ; but I varied my 
 road a little from the way I had come, going 
 more upon the low country, and nearer the 
 weflern Ihore, 
 
374 A TOUR 
 
 At Cauro I had a fine view of Ajaccio and its 
 environs. My ague was fome time of forming, 
 fo I had frequent intervals of eafe, which I em- 
 ployed in obferving whatever occurred. I was 
 lodged at Cauro in the houfe of Signer Peraldi of 
 Ajaccio, who received me with great politenefs. 
 I found here another provincial magiftracy. Be- 
 fore fupper, Signor Peraldi and a young Abbe of 
 Ajaccio entertained me with fome airs on the vio- 
 lin. After they had Iliewn me their tafte in fine 
 improved mufick, they gave me fome original 
 Corfican airs, and at my defire, they brought 
 up four of the guards of the magiftracy, and 
 made them fhew me a Corfican dance. It was 
 truly favage. They thumped with their heels, 
 fprung upon their toes, brandifhed their arms, 
 wheeled and leaped with the moft violent gefticu- 
 lations. It gave me the idea of an admirable 
 war dance. 
 
 During this journey I had very bad weather, 
 I cannot forget the v/orthy reclour of Cuttoli, 
 whofe houfe afforded me a hofpitable retreat, 
 when wet to the (liin, and quite overcome by 
 the fevcrity of the ftorm, which my ficknefs 
 made me little able to refift. He was direftly 
 fuch a venerable hermit as we read of in the old 
 romances. His figure and manner intereded me 
 at firft fight, I found he was a man well re- 
 
TO CORSICA; syis 
 
 i*pe6ted in the if] and, and that the General did 
 him the honour to correfpond with him. He 
 gave me a fimple collation of eggs, cheftnuts 
 and wine, and was very liberal of his ham and 
 other more fubftantial vidluals to my fervant. 
 The honeft Swifs was by this time very well 
 pleafed to have his face turned towards the con- 
 tinent. He was heartily tired of feeing foreign 
 parts, and meeting with fcanty meals and hard 
 beds, in an ifland which he could not compre- 
 hend the pleafure of vifiting. He faid to me, 
 ' Si J'etois encore une fois retourne a mon pais 
 parmi ces montagnes de fuiffe dont monfieur fait 
 tant des plaifanteries, Je verrai qui m'engagera a 
 les quitter. If I were once more at home in my 
 own country, among thofe mountains of Swit- 
 zerland, on which you have had fo many jokes, 
 I will fee who Ihall prevail with me to quit them.* 
 The General out of his great politenefs, would 
 not allow me to travel without a couple of cho- 
 fen guards to attend me in cafe of any accidents. 
 I made them my companions, to relieve the te- 
 dioufnefs of my journey. One of them called 
 Ambrofio, was a flrange iron-couloured fearlefs 
 creature. He had been much in war ; carelefs of 
 wounds, he was coolly intent on deftroying 
 the enemy. He told me, as a good anecdote, that 
 having been fo lucky as to get a view of two 
 
376 A TOUR 
 
 Genoefe exacStly in a line, he took his aim, and 
 fhot them both through the head at once. He 
 talked of this, juft as one would talk of fhooting 
 a couple of crows. I was fure I needed be under 
 no apprehenfion •, but I don't know how, I de- 
 flred Ambrofio to march before me, that I might 
 fee him. 
 
 I was upon my guard how I treated him. 
 But as ficknefs frets one's temper, I fometimes 
 forgot myfelf, and called him ' beftia, block- 
 head ;' and once when he was at a lofs which way 
 to go, at a wild woody part of the country, I fell 
 into a paflion, and called to him ' Mi maraviglio 
 che un uomo fi bravo puo effer fi ftupido, I am 
 amazed that fo brave a man can be fo ftupid.* 
 However by afterwards calling him friend, and 
 fpeaking foftly to him, I foon made him forgec 
 my ill humoui", and we proceeded as before. 
 
 Paoli had alfo been fo good as to make me a 
 prefent of one of his dogs, a ftrong and fierce 
 animal. But he was too old to take an attach- 
 ment to me, and I loft him between Lyons and 
 Paris. The General has promifed me a young 
 one, to be a guard at Auchinleck. 
 
 At Bogognano I came upon the fame road 
 I had formerly travelled from Corte, where I ar- 
 rived fafe after all my fatigues. My good fa- 
 
TO CORSICA. 3757 
 
 thers of the Francifcan convent, received me like 
 ^n old acquaintance, and lliewed a kind concern 
 at my illnefs. I fent my refpecls to the Great 
 Chancellor, who returned me a note, of which I 
 jnfert a tranOation as a fpecimen of the hearty ci- 
 vility to be found among the higheft in Corfica. 
 
 ' iVIany congratulations to Mr. Bofwell on his 
 return from beyond the mountains, from his 
 fervent Maflefi, who is at the fame time veryfor- 
 ry for his indifpofition, which he is perfuaded has 
 been occafioned by his fevere journey. He how- 
 ever flatters himfelf, that when Mr. Bofwell has 
 repofed himfelf a little, he will recover his ufual 
 health. In the mean time he has taken the li- 
 berty to fend him a couple of fowls, which he 
 hopes, he will honour with his acceptance, as he 
 will need fome refrefhment this evening. He 
 wiflies him a good night, as does his little fervant 
 Luiggi, who will attend him to-morrow, to dif- 
 charge his duty.' 
 
 My ague diftrefled me fo much, that I was 
 confined to the convent for feveral days. I did not, 
 however, find myfelf weary. I was vifited by the 
 Great Chancellor, and feveral others of the civil 
 magiftrates, and by Padre Mariani redlour of the 
 univerfity, a man of learning and abilities, as a 
 proof of which he had been three years at Madrid 
 
37S A TOUR 
 
 in the charader of fecretary to the General of the 
 Francifcans. I remember a very eloquent ex- 
 preffion of his, on the ftate of his country. « Cor- 
 fica, faid he, has for many years paft, been bleed- 
 ing at all her veins. They are now clofed. But 
 after being fo feverely exhaufted, it will take fome 
 time before fhe can recover perfecfb llrength.' I 
 was alfo vifited by Padre Leonardo, of whofe ani- 
 matino; difcourfe I have made mention in a for- 
 mer part of this book. 
 
 Indeed I fhould not have been at f lofs though 
 my very reverend fathers had been all my fociety, 
 I was not in the leaft Icoked upon as a heretick. 
 Difference of faith was forgotten in hofpitality. 
 I went about the convent as if I had been in my 
 own houfe ; and the fathers without any impro- 
 priety of mirth, were yet as cheerful as I could 
 defire. 
 
 I had two furgeons to attend me at Corte, a 
 Corfican and a Piedmontefe ; and I got a little 
 Jefuit's bark from the fpiceria or apothecary's 
 jhop, of the Capuchin convent. I did not how- 
 ever ejipeft to be effedually cured, till I fhould 
 get to Baftia. I found it was perfedlly fafe for 
 me to go thither. There was a kind of truce be- 
 tween the Corficans and the French. Paoli had 
 held tv/o different amicable conferences with M. 
 de Marboeuf their commander in chief, and was 
 
T O C O R S 1 C A. 379 
 
 fo well with him, that he gave me a letter of re- 
 commendation to him. 
 
 Oil one of the days that my ague difturbed 
 me leaft, I walked frorn the convent to Corte, 
 purpofely to write a letter to Mr. Samuel John- 
 fon. I told my revered friend, that from a kind 
 of fuperftition agreeable in a certain degree to 
 him, as well as to myfelf, I had, during my tra- 
 vels, written to him from Loca Solennia, places 
 in fome meafure facred. That as I had written 
 to him from the Tomb of Melandhon, facred to 
 learning and piety, I new wrote to him from 
 the palace of Pafcal Paoli, facred to wifdom and 
 liberty •, knowing that however his political prin- 
 ciples may have been reprefented, he had always 
 a generous zeal for the common rights of hu- 
 manity. I gave him a fketch of the great things 
 I had feen in Corfica, and promifed him a more 
 ample relation. 
 
 Mr. Johnfon was pleafed with what I wrote 
 here -, for I received at Paris an anfwer from him 
 which I keep as valuable charter. ' When you 
 ' return, you will return to an unaltered, and 1 
 ' hope, unalterable friend. All that you have to 
 * fear from me, is the vexation of difappointing 
 ' me. No man loves to fruftrate expeftations 
 ^ which have been formed in his favour, and the 
 
sSq a tour 
 
 ^ pleafure which I promife myfelf from your jour- 
 ' nals and remarks, is fo great, that perhaps no 
 
 * degree of attention or difcernment will be fuf- 
 
 * ficient to afford it. Come home however and 
 ' take your chance. I long to fee you, and to 
 
 * hear you •, and hope that we Ihall not be fo long 
 ' feparated again. Come home, and expedl fuch 
 ' a welcome as is due to him whom a wife and 
 ' noble curiofity has led where perhaps, no native 
 ' of this country ever was before.' 
 
 I at length fet out for Baftia. I went the firft 
 night to Roltino, hoping to have found there 
 Signor Clemente de- Paoli. But unluckily he had 
 gone upon a vifit to his daughter-, fo that I had 
 not an opportunity of feeing this extraordinary 
 perfonage, of whom I have given fo full an ac- 
 count, for a great part of which I am indebted 
 to Mr. Burnaby. 
 
 Next day I reached Vefcovato, where I was 
 received by Signor Buttafoco, colonel of the Royal 
 Corficans in the fervice of France, with whom I 
 paft fome days. 
 
 As various difcourfes have been held in Eu- 
 rope, concerning an invitation given to M. Rouf- 
 feau to come to Corfica ; and as that affair was 
 conduded by Signor Buttafoco, who fhewed me 
 the whole correfpondence between him and M. 
 
TO CORSICA. 3S1 
 
 Roufieau, I am enabled to give a diftind account 
 of ic. 
 
 M. Rouffeau in his Political Treatife, entitled 
 Du Contract Social, has the following obfer- 
 vation : ' II eft encore en Europe un pays ca- 
 pable de legiflation ; c'eft Tifle de Corfe. La va- 
 leur et la conftance avec laquelle ce brave peuplc 
 a fu recouvrer et defendre fa liberte meriteroit 
 bien que quelque homme fage lui apprit a la 
 conferver. J'ai quelque prelTentiment qu'un jour 
 cette petite iQe etonnera I'Europe (a). There is 
 yet one country in Europe, capable of legiflation ; 
 and that is the ifland of Corfica. The valour 
 and the conftancy with which that brave people 
 hath recovered and defended its liberty, would 
 well deferve that fome wife man fhould teach 
 them how to preferve it. I have fome prefenti- 
 ment that one day that little ifland will aftonifli 
 Europe.* 
 
 Signor Buttafoco, upon this, wrote to M. 
 RouflTeau, returning him thanks for the honour 
 he had done to the Corfican nation, and ftrongly 
 inviting him to come over, and be that wife man 
 who ftiould illuminate their minds. 
 
 (/i) Du Contraft Social, liv. ii. chap. I©. 
 
3^2 A TOUR 
 
 I was allowed to take a copy of the wild phi- 
 lofopher's anfwer to this invitation •, it is written 
 with his ufual eloquence. 
 
 ' II eft fuperflu, Monfieiir, de chercher a exct- 
 ' ter mon zele pour I'entreprife que vous me pro- 
 
 * pofez. Sa feule idee m'eleve Tame et me tranf- 
 
 * porte. Je croirois la refte de mes jours bien 
 ' noblement, bien vertueufement et bien heureufe- 
 
 * ment employes. Je croirois meme avoir bien 
 
 * rachete Tinutilite des autres, fi je pouvois rendfc 
 
 * ce trifte refte bon en quelque chofe a vos braves 
 
 * compatriotes ; fi je pouvois concourir par quel- 
 
 * que confeil utile aux vues de votre digne Chef 
 
 * et aux votres $ de ce cote la done foyez fur de 
 
 * moi. Ma vie et mon coeur font a vous/ 
 
 * It is fuperfluous. Sir, to endeavour to excite 
 
 * my zeal for the undertaking which you propofe 
 ' to me. The very idea of it elevates my foul 
 
 * and tranlports me. I ftiould efteem the feft of 
 ' my days very nobly, very virtuoufly, and very 
 ' happily employed. I fhould even think that I 
 
 * well redeemed the inutility of many of my days 
 
 * that are paft, if I could render thefe fad re- 
 
 * mains of any advantage to your brave country- 
 ' men. If by any ufeful advice, I could con- 
 
 * cur in the views of your worthy Chief, and in 
 
TO CORSICA. 3S3 
 
 * yonrs. So far then you may be fure of me. My 
 
 * life and my heart are devoted to you.* 
 
 Such were the firft effufions of RoufTeau. Yet 
 before he concluded evert this firft letter, he made 
 a great many complaints of his adverfities and 
 perfecutions, and ftarted a variety of difficulties 
 as to the propofed enterprife. 
 
 The correfpondence was kept up for fome 
 time, but the enthufiafm of the paradoxical phi- 
 lofopher gradually fubfiding, the fcheme came to 
 nothing. 
 
 As I have formerly obferved, M. de Voltaire 
 thought proper to exercife his pleafantry upon 
 occafion of this propofal, in order to vex the 
 grave RoufTeau, whom he never could bear. I 
 remember he ufed to talk of him with a faty- 
 rical fmile, and call him, ' Ce Gar^on, That 
 Lad •,' I find this among my notes of M. de Vol- 
 taire's converfations, when I was with him at his 
 Chateau de Ferney, where he entertains with the 
 elegance rather of a real prince than of a poetical 
 one. 
 
 To have Voltaire's aflertion contradided by a 
 letter under Paoli's own hand, was no doubt ^ 
 fufficient fatisfaftion to RoufTeau. 
 
 From the account which I have attempted to 
 give of the prefent conftitution of Corfica, and of 
 
3?4 A T O U R 
 
 its illuflribus Legiflator and General, it may well 
 be conceived that the fcheme of bringing M. 
 RoufTeau into that ifland, was magnified to an 
 extravagant degree by the reports of the conti- 
 nent. It was faid, that RoufTeau was to be made 
 no lefs than a Solon by the Corficans, who 
 were implicitely to receive from him a code of 
 laws. 
 
 This was by no means the fcheme. Paoli was 
 too able a man to fubmit the legiflation of his 
 country to one who was an entire ftranger to the 
 people, the manners, and in fliort to every thing 
 in the ifland. Nay I know well that Paoli pays 
 more regard to what has been tried by the expe- 
 rience of ages, than to the moft beautiful ideal 
 fyftems. Befides, the Corficans were not all at 
 once to be moulded at will. They were to be 
 gradually prepared, and by one law laying the 
 foundation for another, a complete fabrick of 
 jurifprudence was to be formed. 
 
 Paoli's intention was to grant a generous afy- 
 lum to RoufTeau, to avail himfelf of the fhinino: 
 talents which appeared in his writings, by confult- 
 ing with him, and catching the lights of his rich 
 imagination, from many of which he might derive 
 improvements to thofe plans which his own wif- 
 dom had laid down. 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 385 
 
 But what he had principally in view, was to 
 employ the pen of Roufleau in recording the he- 
 roick adtions of the brave iflanders. It is to be 
 regretted that this projed did not take place. 
 The father cf the prefent colohel Biittafoco 
 made large colle6tions for many years back. 
 Thefe are carefully preferved, and when joined 
 to thofe made by the Abbe Roftini, would fur- 
 nilh ample materials for a Hiftory of Corfica. 
 This, adorned with the genius of RouOeau, 
 would have been one of the nobleft monuments of 
 modern times. 
 
 Sio-nor Buttafoco accompanied me to Baftia. 
 It was comfortable to enter a good warm town 
 after my fatigues. We went to the houfe of 
 Signor Morelli, a counfellor at law here, with 
 whom we fupped. I was lodged for that night 
 by a friend of Signor Buttafoco, in another part 
 
 of the town. 
 
 Next morning I waited on M. de Marboeuf. 
 Signor Buttafoco introduced me to him, and I 
 prefented him the letter of recommendation from 
 Paoli. He gave me a moft polite reception. 
 The brilliancy of his levee pleafed me •, it was a 
 fcene fo different from thofe which 1 had been 
 for feme time accuftomed to fee. It was like 
 
 Z 
 
386 A TOUR 
 
 pa0ing at once from a rude and early age, to a 
 poliflied modern age-, from the mountains of 
 Corfica, to the banks of the Seine. 
 
 My ague was now become fo violent, that it 
 got the better of me altogether. I was obliged 
 to aik the French general's permifTion to have x 
 chair fet for me in the circle. When M. de 
 Marboeuf was informed of my being ill, he had 
 the goodnefs to afk me to ftay in his houfe till I 
 iliould recover •, ' I infifl upon it, faid he -, I have 
 a warm room for you. My fervants will get you 
 bouillons, and every thing proper for a fick 
 man ; and we have an excellent phyfician.* I 
 mention all thefe circumftances to fhew the 
 goodnefs of M. de Marboeuf, to whom I Ihall 
 ever confider myfelf as under great obligations. 
 His invitation was given in fo kind and cordial 
 a manner, that I willingly accepted of it. 
 
 I found M. de Marboeuf a worthy open- 
 hearted Frenchman. It is. a common and a 
 very jufl: remark, that one of the moft agree- 
 able characters in the world is a Frenchman who 
 has ferved long in the army, and has arrived at 
 that age when the fire of youth is properly tem- 
 pered. Such a chara6ter is gay without levity, 
 and judicious without feverity. Such a charac- 
 ter was the Count de Marboeuf, of an ancient 
 
TO CORSICA. 387 
 
 family in Britanny, where there is more plainnefs 
 of charader than am'^ng the other French* He 
 had been Gentilhomme de la Chambre to the 
 worthy King Staniflaus* 
 
 He took a charge of me as if he had been my 
 near relation. He furnifhed me with books and 
 every thing he could think of to amufe me. 
 While the phyfician ordered me to be kept very 
 quiet, M. de Marboeuf would allow nobody to 
 go near me, but payed me a friendly vifit alone. 
 As I grew better, he gradually encreafed my fo- 
 ciety, bringing with him more and more of his 
 officers ; fo that I had at lall the honour of very 
 large companies in my apartment. The officers 
 were polite agreeable men : fome of them had 
 been prifoners in England, during the lad war. 
 One of them was a Chevalier de St. Louis, of 
 the name of Douglas, a defcendant of the illuf- 
 trious houfe of Douglas in Scotland, by a branch 
 fettled near to Lyons. This gentleman often 
 came and lat with me. The idea of our being 
 in fome fort countrymen, was pleafing to us 
 both. 
 
 I found here an Englifli woman of Penrith in 
 Cumberland. When the Highlanders marched 
 through that country in the year 1745, Ihe had 
 married a foldier of the French picquets in the 
 
 Z2 
 
38& A TOUR 
 
 very midft of all the confufion and danger, and 
 when Ihe could hardly underftand one word he 
 faid. Such freaks will love fometimes take. 
 
 Sic vifum Veneri ; cui placet impares 
 
 Formas atque animos fub juga ahenea 
 
 Saevo mittere cum joco. 
 
 HoRAT. lib. I. Od. 33, 
 
 So Venus wills, whofe power controuls 
 
 The fond afFedtions of our fouls ; 
 
 With fportive cruelty (he binds 
 
 Unequal forms, unequal minds. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 M. de la Chapelle was the phyfician who at- 
 tended me. He had been feveral years phyfician 
 to the army at Minorca, and had now the fame 
 office in Corfica I called him the phyfician of 
 the ides. He was indeed an excellent one. That 
 gayete de coeur which the French enjoy, runs 
 through all their profefTions. I remember the 
 phrafe of an Englifh common foldier, who told 
 me, ' that at the battle of Fontenoy, his captain 
 received a (hot in the breaft, and fell, faid the fol- 
 dier, with his fpontoon in his hand, as prettily 
 killed as ever I fee'd a gentleman.* The foldier's 
 phrafe might be ufed in talking of almoft every 
 thing which the French do. I may fay I was 
 prettily cured by M. de la Chapelle. 
 
TO CORSICA. 389 
 
 But I think myfelf bound to relate a circum- 
 ftance which fhews him and his nation in the gen- 
 teeleft IJght. Though he attended me with the 
 greated affiduity, yet, when I was going away, 
 he would not accept of a fingle Louis d'or. ' No 
 Sir, faid he, I am nobly paid by my king. I am 
 phyiician to his army here. If I can at the fame 
 time, be of fervice to the people of the country, 
 or to any gentleman who may come among us, 
 I am happy. But I muft be excufed from taking 
 money.' M. Brion the furgeon major behaved in 
 the fame manner. 
 
 As foon as I had gathered a little ftrength, I 
 walked about as well as I could ; and faw what 
 was to be feen at Baftia. Signor Morelii was re- 
 markably obliging. He made me prefents of 
 books and antiques, and of every other curiofity 
 relating to Corfica. I never faw a more generous 
 man. Signor CarafFa, a Corfican ofHcei in the 
 fervice of France, with the order of St. Louis, 
 was alfo very obliging. Having made a longer 
 ftay in Corfica than I intended, my finances were 
 exhaufted, and he let me have as much money 
 as I pleafed. M. Barle, fecretary to M. de Mar- 
 boeuf, was alfo very obliging. In fhort, I know 
 not how to exprefs my thankfulnefs to all the 
 good people whom I faw at Baftia. 
 
^go A T O U R 
 
 The French feemed to agree very well with 
 the Corficans. Of old, thofe illanders were 
 much indebted to the interpofition of France, 
 in their favour. But ftnce the days of Sampiero, 
 there have been many variances between them. 
 A fingular one happened in the reign of Lewis 
 XIV. The Pope's Corfican guards in fomc fie 
 of pafTion infulted the French ambalTadour at; 
 Rome. The fuperb monarch refolved to revenge 
 this outrage. But Pope Alexander VII. fore-. 
 feeing the confequences, agreed to the conditions 
 required by France -, which were, that the Corfi- 
 can guards fhould be obliged to depart the eccle- 
 fiaftical flate, that the nation fliould be declared 
 incapable ever to ferve the holy fee, and, that 
 oppofite to their ancient guard-houfe, jfliould be 
 ereded a pyramid infcribed with their dif- 
 graceC^;. 
 
 Le Brun, whole royal genius could magnify 
 and enrich every circumftance in honour of his 
 Jbvereign, has given this flory as a medaillon oi\ 
 one of the compartments of the great gallery 
 at Verfailles. France appears with a ftately air, 
 Hiewing to Rome the defign of the pyramid ; and 
 Rome, though bearing a (hield marked S. P. Q^R, 
 receives the defign with mofl fubmiflive humility, 
 
 (<7) Corps Diploinatique anno 1664. 
 
To CORSICA. 391 
 
 I wi(h that France had never done the Corfi- 
 .cans greater harm than depriving them of the 
 honour of being the pope's guards. Boiffeux 
 and Maillebois cannot eafily be forgotten ; nor 
 can the brave iflanders be blamed for complain- 
 ing that a powerful nation fhould interpofe to re- 
 tard their obtaining entire pofleflion of their coun- 
 try, and of undifturbed freedom, 
 
 M. de Marboeuf appeared to conduft himfelf 
 with the greateft prudence and moderation. He 
 told me tliat he wilhed to preferve peace in Cor- 
 fica. He had entered into a convention with 
 Paoli, mutually to give up fuch criminals as 
 fhould fly into each others territories. Formerly 
 not one criminal in a hundred was punifhed. 
 There was no communication between the Cor- 
 ficans and the Genoefe ; and if a criminal could 
 but efcape from the one jurifdi(5bion to the other, 
 he was fafe. This was very eafily done, fo that 
 i^crimes from impunity were very frequent. By 
 this equitable convention, juflice has been fully 
 adminiftered. 
 
 Perhaps indeed the refidence of the French in 
 Corfica, has, upon the whole, been an advantage 
 to the patriots. There have been markets twice 
 a week at the frontiers of each garrifon-town, 
 where the Corfican peafants have fold all forts of 
 
392 A TOUR 
 
 provifions, and brought in a good many French 
 crowns j which have been melted down into Cor- 
 fican money. A celTation of arms for a few years 
 has been a breathing time to the nation, to pre- 
 pare itfelf for one great effort, which will proba- 
 bly end in the total expulfion of the Genoefe. A 
 little leifure has been given for attending to civil 
 improvements, towards which the example of the 
 French has in no fmall degree contributed. Many 
 of the foldiers were excellent handi-craftfmen, 
 and could inftruft the natives in various arts. 
 
 M. de Marboeuf entertained himfelf by laying 
 out feveral elegant pieces of pleafure ground ; 
 and fuch were the humane and amicable difpofi- 
 tions of this refpeftable officer, that he was at 
 pains to obferve what things were moft wantea 
 in Corfica, and then imported them from France, 
 in order to Ihew an example to the inhabitants. 
 He introduced in particular, the culture of pota- 
 toes, of which there were none in the ifland upon 
 his arrival. This root will be of confiderable fer- 
 vice to the Corficans, it will make a wholefomc 
 variety in their food -, and as there will thereby, 
 of confequence, be lefs home confumption of 
 cheftnuts, they will be able to export a greater 
 quantity of them. 
 
TO CORSICA. 393 
 
 M. de Marboeuf made merry upon the reports 
 which had been circulated, that I was no lefs than 
 a minifter from the Britiih court. The Avignon 
 gazette brought us one day information, that the 
 En£;lifh were joiner to ellablifh Un Bureau de 
 Commerce in Corfica, ' O Sir, faid he, the fe- 
 cret is out. I fee now the motive of your defti- 
 nation to thefe parts. It is you who are to efta- 
 blifli this Bureau dc Commerce.* 
 
 Idle as thefe rumours were, it is a fadt that, 
 when I was at Genoa, Signer Gherardi, one of 
 their fecretaries of ftate, very ferioufly told me, 
 * Monfieur, vous m*avez faitt rembler quoique je 
 ne vous ai jamais vu. Sir, you have made me 
 tremble although I never faw you before.* And 
 when I fmiled and aflljred him that I was juft a 
 fimple traveller, he Ihook his head -, but faid, he 
 had very authentick information concerning me. 
 He then told me with great gravity, ' That while 
 I travelled in Corfica, I was d reft in fcarlet and 
 gold j but when I payed my refpe(Els to the Su- 
 preme Council at Corte, I appeared in a full fuit 
 of black.* Thefe important truths I fairly own- 
 ed to him, and he feemed to exult over me. 
 
 I was more and more obliged to M. de Mar- 
 boeuf. When I was allowed by my phyfician, to 
 go to his Excellency's table, where we had always 
 
394 A T O U R 
 
 a large company, and every thing in great mag- 
 nificence, he was fo careful of me, that he would 
 not fuffer me to eat any thing, or tafte a glafs of 
 wine, more than was prefcribed for me. He ufcd 
 to fay, ' I am here both phyfician and commander 
 in chief; fo you muft fubmit/ He very politely 
 preft me to make fome Itay with him, faying, 
 ' We have taken care of you when fick, I think 
 we have a claim to you for a while, when in health.' 
 His kindnefs followed me after I left him. It pro- 
 cured me an agreeable reception from M. Michel, 
 the French charge d'affaires at Genoa -, and wa? 
 the occafion of my being honoured with great 
 civilities at Paris, by M. I'Abbe de Marboeuf 
 Confeiller d'etat, brother of the Count, and pof- 
 fefTing fimilar virtues in private life. 
 
 I quitted Corfica with reludiance, when I 
 thought of the illuftrious Paoli. 1 wrote to him 
 from Baftia, informing him of my illnefs, which 
 I faid, was owing to his having made me a man 
 of fo much confequence, that inflead of putting 
 me into a fnug little room, he had lodged me in 
 the magnificent old palace, where the wind an4 
 rain entered. 
 
 His anfwer to my firft letter is written with fo 
 much fpirit, that I begged his permifTion to pub- 
 blifh it ; which he granted in the genteeleft man- 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 395 
 
 ner, faying, ' I do not remember the contents of 
 ' of the letter j but I have fuch a confidence in 
 
 * Mr. Bofwell, that I am fure, he would not pub- 
 
 * lifli it, if there was any thing in it improper for 
 
 * publick view ; fo he has my permifTion.' I am 
 thus enabled to prefent my readers with an origi- 
 nal letter from Paoli. 
 
 TO JAMES B O S W E L L, Efq-. 
 
 OF AUCHINLECK, SCOTLAND. 
 
 STIMATISSIMO SICNOR BOSWELL, 
 RICEVEI la lettera che mi favori da Baftia, e 
 mi confolo afTai colla noti^ia di eflerfi rimefla in 
 perfetta falute. Buon per lei che cadde in mano 
 di un valente medico ! Quando altra volta il dif- 
 gufto de' paefi colti, ed ameni lo prendefTe, e lo 
 portafle in queftainfelice contrada, procurero che 
 fia alloggiata in camere piu calde, e cuflodite di 
 quelle della cafo Colonna in SoUacaro ; ma ella 
 ancora dovra contentarfi di non viaggiare quando 
 la giornata, e la ftagione vogliono che fi refti in 
 cafa per attendere il tempo buono. lo refto ora 
 impaziente per la lettera che ha promeflb fcriverml 
 da Genova, dove dubito aflai che la delicatezza di 
 quelle dame non le abbia fatto fare qualche giorno 
 di quarantena. per ifpurgarfi di ogni anche piu 
 
39^ A TOUR 
 
 leggiero influlTo, che pofla avere portato feco dell' 
 aria di queflo paefe ; e molto piu, fe le fofTe ve- 
 nuto il capriccio di far vedere quell' abito di ve- 
 hito Corfo, e quel bcrrettone, di cui i Corfi vogli- 
 ono I'origine dagli elmi antichi, ed i Genovefi lo 
 dicono inventato da quelii, che, rubando alia ftra- 
 da, non vogliano efTere conolciuti : come fe in 
 tempo del loro governo aveflero mai avuta ap- 
 prenfione di caftigo i ladri pubblici ? Son ficuro 
 pero, che ella preflb avra il buon partito con quel- 
 le amabili, e delicate perfone, infinuando alle me- 
 defime, che il cuore delle belle e fatto per la com- 
 paflione, non per il difprezzo, e per la tirannia ; 
 e cofi fara rientrato facilmente nella lor grazia. lo 
 ritornato in Corte ebbi fubito la notizia del fecre- 
 to fbarco dell' Abbatucci nelle fpiaggie di Solen- 
 zara. Tutte le apparen^e fanno credere che il 
 medefimo fia vcnuto con difegni oppofti alia pub- 
 blica quiete •, pure fi e conftituito in caftello, e 
 protefta ravvedimento. Nel venire per Bocog- 
 nano fi feppe, che un capitano riformato Geno- 
 vefe cercava compagni per afTafTinarmi. Non pore 
 riovenirne e vedendofi fcoperto fi pofe alia mac- 
 chia, dove e ftato uccifo dalle fquadriglie che gli 
 tenevano dietro i magiftrati delle provincie oltra- 
 montane. Queftc infidie non fembrano buoni pre- 
 liminari del noftro accomodampnto coUa repub- 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 397 
 
 bllca di Geneva. lo fto pafTando il findicato a 
 quefta provincia di Nebbio. Verfo il lo dell' en- 
 trante andero per 1' ifteflb oggetto in quella del 
 Capocorfo, ed il mefe di Febrajo facilmente mi 
 trattenero in Balagna. Ritornero poi in Corte alia 
 primavera, per prepararmi all' apertura della con- 
 fulta generale. In ogni luogo avro prefente la fua 
 amicizia, e faro defiderofo de' continui fuoi rifcon- 
 tri. Frattanto ella mi creda 
 
 Suo afFettuofiflimo amico 
 
 PATRIMONIO, 1 
 aj Decembre, 1765. 3 
 
 PASQUALE de' PAOLI. 
 
 MUCH ESTEEMED Mr. BOSWELL, 
 I Received the letter which you wrote to me 
 from Baftia, and am much comforted by hearing 
 that you are reftored to perfeft health. It is lucky 
 for you that you fell into the hands of an able 
 phyfician. When you fhall again be feized with 
 a difguft at improved and agreeable countries, 
 and Ihall return to this ill-fated land, I will take 
 care to have you lodged in warmer and better 
 finifhed apartments than thofe of the houfe of 
 Colonna, at Sollacaro. But you again Ihould be 
 fatisfied not to travel when the weather and the 
 feafon require one to keep within doors, and 
 
398 A TOUR 
 
 wait for a fair day. I exped: with impatience the 
 letter which you promifed to write to me from 
 Genoa, where I much fufpeft that the dehcacy of 
 the ladies will have obliged you to perform fome 
 days of quarantine, for purifying you from every 
 the leaft infeftion, which you may have carried 
 with you from the air of this country : and flill 
 more fo, if you have taken the whim to fhew 
 that fuit of Corfican velvet* and that bonnet of 
 which the Corficans will have the origin to be 
 from the ancient helmets, whereas the Genoefe 
 fay it was invented by thofe who rob on the 
 highway, in order to difguife themfelves ; as if 
 during the Genoefe government, public robbers 
 needed to fear punifhment. I am fure however, 
 that you will have taken the proper method with 
 thefe amiable and delicate perfons, infinuating to 
 them, that the hearts of beauties are formed for 
 Gompafiion, and not for difdain and tyranny : 
 and fo you will have been eafily reftored to their 
 good graces. Immediately on my return to 
 Corte, I received information of the fecret land- 
 ing of Abbatuccifj on the coaft of Solenzara, 
 All appearances make us believe, that he is come 
 
 * By CorGcan velvet he means the coarfe ItufFmade in 
 the ifland, which is all that the Corficans have in ftead of the 
 fme velvet of Genoa. 
 
 f Abbatucci, a Corfican of a very fiifpicious charaiJtcr. 
 
T O C O R S I C A. 399 
 
 with defigns contrary to the public quiet. He 
 Jias however furrendered himfelf a prifoner at the 
 caftle, and protefls his repentance. As I paffed 
 by Bogognano, I learnt that adifbanded Genoefe 
 officer was feeking afibciates to affaffinate me. 
 He could not fuccced, and finding that he was 
 difcovered, he betook himfelf to the woods ; 
 where he has been (lain by the party detached 
 by the magiftrates of the provinces on the other 
 fide of the mountains, in order to intercept him* 
 Thefe ambufcades do not feem to be good preli- 
 minaries towards our accommodation with the re- 
 publick of Genoa. I am now holding the fyndi- 
 cato in this province of Nebbio. About the loth 
 of next month, I fhall go, for the fame obje<?t, 
 into the province of Capo Corfo, and during the 
 month of February, I Ihall probably fix my refi* 
 dence in Balagna. I fhall return to Corte in the 
 fpring, to prepare myfelf for the opening of the 
 General Confulta. Wherever I am, your friend- 
 Ihip will be prefent to my mind, and I fhall be 
 defirous to continue a correfpondence with you. 
 Meanwhile believe me to be 
 
 Your moft affectionate friend 
 
 P A T R I M N I o 
 
 3 N I O 1 
 
 . '765 i 
 
 7,3 December, 
 
 PASCAL PAOLL 
 
400 A TOUR TO CORSICA. 
 
 Can any thing be more condefcending, and at 
 the fame time Ihew more the firmnefs of an hero- 
 ick mind, than this letter ? With what a gallant 
 pleafantry does the Corfican Chief talk of his ene- 
 mies ! One would think that the Queens of Ge- 
 noa Ihould become rival Qweens for Paoli. If 
 they faw him^ I am fure they would^ 
 
 I take the liberty to repeat an obfervation made 
 to me by that illuflrious minifter, whom Paoli 
 calls the Pericles of Great Britain : 'It may be 
 faid of Paoli, as the Cardinal de Retz faid of the 
 great Montrofe, " C'eft un de ces hommes qu'on 
 ne trouve plus que dans les Vies de Plutarque. 
 He is one of thofe men who are no longer to be 
 found but in the lives of Plutarch." 
 
 T ?I E END. 
 
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