e remedied by a proper cultivation of their
island, and by engaging a little in commerce. But I bid them remember,
that they were much happier in their present state than in a state of
refinement and vice, and that therefore they should beware of
luxury.[98]

[Footnote 97: "For my part I like very well to hear honest Goldsmith
talk away carelessly." Boswell, as reported by himself. "Life of
Johnson." Date of April 11, 1772.--ED.]

[Footnote 98: "I give admirable dinners, and good claret; and the moment
I go abroad again, I set up my chariot."--Boswell, in a letter to
Temple, May 14, 1768.--ED.]

What I said had the good fortune to touch them, and several of them
repeated the same sentiments much better than I could do. They all
expressed their strong attachment to Paoli, and called out in one voice
that they were all at his command. I could with pleasure have passed a
long time here.

At Ornano I saw the ruins of the seat where the great Sampiero[99] had
his residence. They were a droll enough society of monks in the convent
at Ornano. When I told them that I was an Englishman, "Aye, aye," said
one of them, "as was well observed by a reverend bishop, when talking of
your pretended reformation, 'Angli olim angeli nunc diaboli. The
English, formerly angels now devils.'" I looked upon this as an honest
effusion of spiritual zeal. The Fathers took good care of me in
temporals.

[Footnote 99: Sampiero had been the leader of a revolt which broke out
in 1564. He was assassinated three years later.--ED.]

When I at last came within sight of Sollacaro, where Paoli was, I could
not help being under considerable anxiety. My ideas of him had been
greatly heightened by the conversations I had held with all sorts of
people in the island, they having represented him to me as something
above humanity. I had the strongest desire to see so exalted a
character; but I feared that I should be unable to give a proper account
why I had presumed to trouble him with a visit, and that I should sink
to nothing before him. I almost wished yet to go back without seeing
him.[100] These workings of sensibility employed my mind till I rode
through the village and came up to the house where he was lodged.

[Footnote 100: Compare Boswell's introduction to Johnson.--ED.]

Leaving my servant with my guides, I past through the guards, and was
met by some of the General's people, who conducted me into an
antichamber, where were several gentlemen i