ountry. "I defy
Rome, Sparta, or Thebes," he would say, "to show me thirty years of such
patriotism as Corsica can boast!" Availing himself of the respite which
the inactivity of the French and the weakness of the Genoese allowed,
he prosecuted his plans of civilising the people. He used to say, that
though he had an unspeakable pride in the prospect of the fame to which
he aspired; yet if he could but render his countrymen happy, he could
be content to be forgotten. His own importance he never affected to
undervalue. "We are now to our country," said he, "like the prophet
Elisha stretched over the dead child of the Shunamite,--eye to eye, nose
to nose, mouth to mouth. It begins to recover warmth, and to revive: I
hope it will yet regain full health and vigour."

But when the four years were expired, France purchased the sovereignty
of Corsica from the Genoese for forty millions of livres; as if the
Genoese had been entitled to sell it; as if any bargain and sale could
justify one country in taking possession of another against the will of
the inhabitants, and butchering all who oppose the usurpation! Among the
enormities which France has committed, this action seems but as a
speck; yet the foulest murderer that ever suffered by the hand of the
executioner has infinitely less guilt upon his soul than the statesman
who concluded this treaty, and the monarch who sanctioned and confirmed
it. A desperate and glorious resistance was made, but it was in vain;
no power interposed in behalf of these injured islanders, and the French
poured in as many troops as were required. They offered to confirm Paoli
in the supreme authority, only on condition that he would hold it under
their government. His answer was, that "the rocks which surrounded him
should melt away before he would betray a cause which he held in common
with the poorest Corsican." This people then set a price upon his
head. During two campaigns he kept them at bay: they overpowered him
at length; he was driven to the shore, and having escaped on shipboard,
took refuge in England. It is said that Lord Shelburne resigned his
seat in the cabinet because the ministry looked on without attempting to
prevent France from succeeding in this abominable and important act of
aggrandizement. In one respect, however, our country acted as became
her. Paoli was welcomed with the honours which he deserved, a pension of
L1200 was immediately granted him, and provision was liberally m