5] You and
I, Erskine, are, to be sure, somewhat vain. We have some reason too. The
Reviewers gave great applause to your Odes to Indolence and Impudence;
and they called my poems "agreeable light pieces," which was the very
character I wished for. Had they said less, I should not have been
satisfied; and had they said more, I should have thought it a burlesque.

[Footnote 65: Walpole always expressed the greatest contempt for
Boswell. In one of his letters he says that "he is the ape of most of
Johnson's faults, without a grain of his sense." In another letter he
writes about "a jackanapes who has lately made a noise here, one
Boswell, by anecdotes of Dr. Johnson." Improbable though it was that
Boswell should catch a little true poetic inspiration, it was still more
improbable that he should ever have a single one of his works printed at
The Strawberry Press.--ED.]

What a fine animated prospect of life now spreads before me! Be assured,
that my genius will be highly improved, and please yourself with the
hopes of receiving letters still more entertaining. I ever am,

Your affectionate friend,

JAMES BOSWELL.

THE JOURNAL

OF

A TOUR

TO

CORSICA.

INTRODUCTION.

The following sketch of the Corsican War of Independence may, perhaps,
enable the reader better to follow Boswell in his narrative, and in his
description of Paoli's character. I have founded it chiefly on Boswell's
own account, though I have, at the same time consulted other
authorities. As an historical writer, in theory at least, he would
scarcely satisfy the exact school of historians that has sprung up since
his day. "I confess I am not," he says in his second chapter, "for
humouring an inordinate avidity for positive evidence." He is speaking,
however, about the origin of nations, and not about the wars of Corsica,
which he describes at some length.

From about the beginning of the fourteenth century Corsica had belonged
to the Republic of Genoa. The islanders had proved restive under the
yoke of their hard masters, and more than once had risen in revolt. The
Government of the Republic was, indeed, the worst of despotisms. A
succession of infamous Governors--men who came to Corsica poor, and,
after their two years of office, returned to Genoa rich--had cruelly
oppressed the people. By their ill-gotten wealth, and by their interest
in the Senate, they were able on their return to secure themselves
against any inquiry into t