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the village of Valle, with a considera. confusion, with the loss of his library ble degree of obstinacy; after which, and his baggage. Having with some he retired with about six thousand difficulty assembled a few of his faithmen to the top of a mountain, sur- ful followers, among whom was his mounted with a Turkish mosque, own brother, he repaired to the seaoriginally built by the Saracens, and side, and being accompanied by these since converted into a Christian on board an armed vessel, bearing church, dedicated to St. Peter. As the English flag, which had been prothis commanded the four adjacent vided for his reception, he was landed valleys, and was considered as the in Italy. last and chief defence of the island, After remaining a short time at every thing depended on keeping Leghorn, he repaired to England, possession of it. But the Corsicans where he had many friends and adwere equally overpowered by num- mirers. Indeed, it was but a few days

a bers and by skill ; and fifteen hundred before his final retreat, that he had of them having been nearly cut off, in received a liberal subscription, from an attempt against the French army a number of private individuals, for at Ponte Nuovo, the final subjugation the express purpose of enabling him of the natives was now unhappily ac- to continue the war against France.* complished.

Immediately on his arrival, the paDumourier, who served on this oc- triots, at the eastern extremity of the casion, with the rank of adjutant ge- metropolis transmitted a formal invineral, is liberal enough, in the Me- tation to the general, to repair to the moirs of his own Life, to pay the city, where an entertainment had highest compliments both to the Cor- been provided for him. Alderman sicans and their chief. In respect to Beckford, Mrs. Macaulay, alderman the former, he observes as follows: Fecothick, and a number of his

" It is astonishing, that this hand- friends and admirers were all present ful of islanders, destitute of artillery, on this occasion, and expected his fortifications, magazines, and money, appearance with impatience : but the should have kept France at bay during general, having received an intimation two campaigns, although she had no from the patriots of the west end of other enemies to cope with. But li- the town, that his presence would berty doubles the valour and strength give offence to the court, he felt him. of man."

self suddenly indisposed, and sent his “ Paoli,” says he, in another place, secretary with an excuse. has rendered his name illustrious, Meanwhile Paoli was presented to in

consequence of the vigour with his majesty, at St. James's, and most which he supported the cause of pub- graciously received. He was at the lick liberty among the Corsicans; but same time gratified with a pensiont in truth, it was a little at the expense for himself, while a liberal provision of their individual freedom. In the was made for his brother, signor Clecourse of this war, he displayed great mente Paoli, and also for his nephew, genius, and a noble consistency. Had signor Barbaggio, the latter of whom he been endowed with military ta- had accompanied him to England, lents; had he known how to have in- while the former resided in Italy. structed his countrymen in that spe

From this time forward, the excies of hostility best suited to the na- general remained chiefly in London, tural bent of their genius, he would leading the quiet life of a private genhave destroyed our little army in 1768, and done us much more harm * The aldermen Beckford and Feco. than we experienced in 1769." thick, together with Samuel Vaughan,

This celebrated chief had the good esq. were the trustees. fortune to escape during the general + Twelve hundred pounds per annum.

VOL. II.

R

tleman, keeping a hospitable table, a carriage, and every thing appertain ing to a man of fortune. Having been waited upon, soon after his arrival, by Mr. Boswell, the latter presented Dr. Johnson to him, on the 10th day of October, 1769. "They met with a manly ease," says Mr. B.* "mutually conscious of their own abilities, and of the abilities of each other. The general spoke Italian, and Dr. Johnson English, and understood one another very well, with a little aid of interpretation from me, in which I compared myself to an isthmus, that joins two great continents."

During the space of twenty-three years, Paoli enjoyed an honourable and secure asylum in Great Britain, where he, of course, expected to end his days. But the extraordinary. events of the French revolution at length induced him to embark anew in the storms of civil strife.

No sooner had the constituting as sembly proclaimed liberty to the nation, than the fate of Corsica appeared to be meliorated, and a people so long oppressed, received a glimpse of freedom. On perceiving that his native country had become one of the departments of France, her ancient chief transmitted a letter to his fellow citizens, in which he expressed his congratulations on this event, but lamented, at the same time, that he could not rejoin them consistently with his gratitude and attachment to the British nation.

Notwithstanding this, he took leave of his friends here, and repaired to Paris in 1792; having been well received by the party then in power, he pronounced a speech at the bar of the assembly, in which he observed, "that after a painful exile of more than twenty years, he now rejoiced to behold his country restored to the possession of her rights and privileges, by the generosity of the French

* Life of Samuel Johnson, L. L. D. vol. ii. p. 76.

nation." He, at the same time, expressed his readiness" to contribute, as much as it was in his power, to the happiness of his fellow citizens." These sentiments, being highly popular at that period, experienced general applause; and Paoli having taken the oath of fidelity in the face of the nation, was thus enabled to reinstate himself in all his former power and authority. Soon after this, he embarked for Corsica, where he was received with an extraordinary degree of attachment and respect. In consequence of this, he was elected mayor of Bastia, commander in chief of the national guard, and president of the department. In fine, he soon acquired more authority in the island than before its subjugation by the French.

Notwithstanding this, he appears to have been still ambitious of its entire independence, and an epoch soon arrived, when he imagined that so desirable an event might be effected with impunity. This was the execution of Louis XVI. which divided the French nation into two parties, rendered a civil war exceedingly probable, and animated the enemies of the new republick with new hopes.

The convention having been informed of his secret practices, immediately issued orders to Paoli, to repair to their bar, and defend himself against the accusations of his enemies: but he pleaded his age and infirmities, with a view of gaining time, and assured that assembly he would never be found defective in respect to his duty. To a second decree, more peremptory than the first, he replied in a different manner, and with more frankness: after which he repaired to Corte, the ancient capital, situate in the centre of the island, where, surrounded by his friends and adhe rents, he laughed at the proclamation which had been issued, declaring him a traitor, and setting a price on his head.

On this occasion, however, a number of the most powerful families in

Corsica declared against him; and evacuated, Bastia and Calvi, also, Saliceti, Arena, Gentili, Casa Bianca, yielded to the victors. together with many of those who had Immediately after this, a general sworn fidelity to the new constitu- consulta was assembled at Corte; and tion, and like himself subscribed the Paoli having been elected president, civick oath, publickly declared, that the representatives of the nation unathey could not assist in subverting nimously voted the union of Corsica those regulations, in favour of which with the British crown. This propothey had taken so solemn a vow, in sition having been readily accepted, the face of Heaven and of mankind. on the part of sir Gilbert Elliot (now

On the other hand, the whole body lord Minto) then his majesty's comof the clergy, disgusted at the late missioner, he was immediately inreforms, which had deprived them of vested with the dignity of viceroy. a large portion of their revenues, A new constitution was soon after sided with their ancient chief; and formed, which, if not exactly suitable to these adhered all such as were to the genius of the nation, must be eminently devoted to the church of allowed to have been exceedingly faRome, a numerous and powerful vourable to liberty ; for these subjects class of men, who assumed to them. now received as a boon, many of selves the appellation of the sacred those very privileges which the inhaband. But as Paoli knew from long bitants of England had long demand. experience, that it was impossible to ed in vain as a right, particularly resist the power of France, alone and short parliaments, and an equal reunsupported, he determined to call in presentation of the people. the assistance of England, which at It might have been supposed, that this period occupied Toulon, and the triumph of Paoli was complete, waged war, with a degree of vigour and his happiness placed on such a and of bitterness, hitherto unexam- permanent basis, as never to be either pled in the annals of that kingdom. ruffled or disturbed during the reHe accordingly invited the British mainder of his life. Bui the fact, admiral,* who had been recently foil. which proved directly the reverse, ed in an expedition against his native tends not a little to demonstrate the country, to invade it anew, with a mutability of human happiness. A fleet, accompanied by a body of jealousy, how justly founded we are troops, to whom he was prepared to unable to determine, soon after took give every possible succour, having place between the British viceroy, been once more elected generalissimo, and the Corsican chief, the result of in a grand council of the nation. which was undoubtedly connected That officer, having first despatched with the future fate of the island. colonel, now general sir John Moore. Paoli, however, on this occasion, together with the late major Kohler, cheerfully yielded to the force of to examine into the prospects and circumstances, and generous resources of the insurgents, an expe- enough before his departure, to addition sailed from the bay of Hieras, dress a valedictory letter to his counJanuary 24, 1795, for the express trymen, in which he exhorted them purpose of driving the French out of to cultivate the friendship of the Enthe island. A body of troops having glish, and remain firm in their alle. been landed under lieutenant general giance to his majesty George III. Dundas, the tower of Mortella was These loyal effusions, however, taken with some difficulty ; after during his absence, were attended which, Fornelli was attacked with with but little effect ; for the natives, success, and St. Fiorenzo having been naturally inconstant, soon became

disgusted with their new allies and * Lord Hood.

protectors. Dazzled, also, at the same + Lately killed at the battle of Corunna. time, perhaps, with the splendous

was

of the victories of their countryman Buonaparte, in Italy, and determined, above all things, on a reunion with France, it was at length deemed necessary, on the part of the English troops, to evacuate an island which has always proved destructive to every nation connected with it, either by friendship or by enmity.

Meanwhile, a sad reverse of fortune attended on Paoli; for, by the failure of a commercial house at Leghorn, he lost the sum of five thousand pounds, which was all that he possessed in the world. In addition to this, the payments of his pension had been suspended; and on his arrival in England, he was not received at court with so much attention, as heretofore.

About this period, he was visited by the author of this article, who found him in an obscure lodging, above a shop in Oxford road, whence he at length removed into a small house in Edgeware road, on the right hand side, a little beyond the turnpike. The remainder of his life is one entire blank, totally devoid of incidents, until his death, which had been preceeded by a lingering illness, on Thursday, February 5, 1807, in the 81st year of his age.

Few foreigners, however distinguished, have been so much caressed in England, as the late general Pasquale Paoli. By living in habits of familiarity with men of letters, his name and exploits acquired fresh celebri ty; and Boswell, Goldsmith, Johnson, Macaulay, Barbauld, and lord Littleton, although differing in almost every thing else, most cordially united in his praise Abroad, too, his repu tation was greatly respected; and the eulogiums of such a man as Rousseau, then in the zenith of his reputation, was alone sufficient to ensure reputation throughout the rest of Europe. While his laurels were still green, it was usual to compare Paoli to Timoleon and Epaminondas: and it was appositely remarked by an English minister, that the same thing

might have been said of him, as had been formerly uttered by the cardinal de Retz, in respect to the famous Montrose, "that he was one of those men who are no longer to be found any where, but in the lives of Plutarch."

That the Corsican chief was a great man, cannot well be denied; but it is the opinion of those, who have enjoyed an opportunity of studying his character, that he was a politician rather than a soldier; that he shone in council more than in arms; and that the leading feature of his publick conduct, was a certain degree of Italian policy, which taught him to refine and speculate on every

event.

Among his countrymen he was adored; and to support his superiority, he made use of those arts which have usually passed under the name of pious frauds. These, perhaps, appeared indispensably necessary for the government of barbarians! Accordingly, like Numa, he pretended to a direct communication with the Deity,* and also affected, on all occasions, after the manner of the heroes of old, to be surrounded by dogs of a particular breed, which were indeed necessary to preserve him from assassination.

It is not a little remarkable, that Corsica, an island which seems to have been equally despised, both by the ancients and moderns, should have produced two men, one of whom engaged the attention of all Europe, towards the middle of the last centu ry, while another seems, unhappily for the repose of mankind, destined to regulate its fate, at the beginning of the present.

*That this amiable chief should have

persuaded an uncivilized nation, that he received intimations of future events from above, is but little surprising; but that he should have also persuaded one of the inhabitants of an enlightened country, is absolutely unaccountable. Let it be recollected, however, that some of the countrymen of Mr. Boswell, at that very pe riod, actually believed in second sight.

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A brief Account of the Earliest Discovery of Diamonds in Brasil, together with some

Particulars Relative to the Quality, &c. of those Precious Stones, the Laws respecting them, &c. &c.

THERE was a time when dia- they were not the produce of the monds were found only in the Fast places wherein they were found, but Indies, principally in the lower part were brought thither by the current of of Hindoostan; and during the period the river. Nevertheless, their source when the Portuguese were powerful has not hitherto been discovered. San. in the east, the whole of the Euro- guine hopes are, however, entertainpean commerce in diamonds was car. ed on this subject; as in mining severied on through Lisbon. These pre- ral mountains adjacent to the town, cious stones were brought from Goa, innumerable particles of a hard and which is adjacent to Golconda, where beautiful species of crystal have latethe famous diamond mines of the ly been met with. east are situated. The Dutch, having The weight of the Brasil diamonds obtained the ascendency in India, de- is, ordinarily, from a grain to six caprived the Portuguese of a source of rats. There are some, however, of wealth which chance, however, soon greater size, and one has been found restored to them. In 1729, the co- which weighs no less than forty-six lonists of Brasil discovered those carats. diamond mines, which at present According to the author above nasupply the chief demand of Europe. med, in hue, solidity, and every other

Near the town of Serro do Frio, property, the Brasil diamonds are says Don Sarmento, in the govern- equal to those of the east; but there ment of the gold mines, there is a are few jewellers who hold this opi. place called by the natives Cay-The- nion. It is observable, he adds, that Meria, where, as well as in the little the diamonds found nearest to the river named do Milho Verde, they surface of the earth, being conse. have found gold for several years quently exposed to the action of the back. The miners who dig the gold air and the sun, are more strongly in. in these parts, sift the earth, and the crusted than the others, and, of sand on the river's bank, for the pur- course, lose more in the polishing. pose of separating the ore. In per- It is not absolutely certain, says Sarforming this operation, it frequently mento, that the diamonds of Brasil happened, that they found several are brought down by the torrents; stones, of which, at first, they made and such too, is the decided opinion no account; and it was not till 1728, of the author of “ L'Histoire des deux that a miner bethought himself of Indes." working or grinding the stones, the From the moment that the Porturesult of which was, that he found guese discovered diamonds in Brasil, them to be diamonds. He thence- they pursued their researches, and forward took care not to let one of with such success, that one fleet from them escape his attention, and the Rio Janiero brought home 1146 other miners, following his example, ounces. This abundant supply loweagerly sought after these valuable ered the price of the article by three gems. After having carefully search- fourths; but the Portuguese minised the earth, they had recourse to ter adopted measures which quickly the river, where they not only found restored it to its original standard. the diamonds in greater abundance, A company, with

an exclusive pribut procured them with the utmost vilege to seek for, and to vend, the facility. Experience and a little re- diamonds of Brasil, was instituted. flection led them to imagine, that the And in order to limit its cupidity, it diamonds came from a distance; that was allowed to employ no more than

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