be justly reckoned a distinguished benefactor to the state.
Long despised, plundered and oppressed, the Corsicans again revived in 1729, when the war commenced, which, with some intervals, has continued till now; and after so many changes, misfortunes and struggles, will probably fix on a solid basis the Corsican liberty.
It is wonderful to see how great events are produced by little causes. A late authour[1] hath given us an entertaining selection of such instances, from the histories of different nations. The rife of the Corsicans in 1729, was occasioned by a single paolo, a piece worth about five pence English. A Genoese collector, went to the house of a poor old woman, and demanded this trifling sum, as the money for which she was assessed. Being in extreme penury, she had not wherewithal to satisfy the demand. Upon which, the collector began to abuse her, and to seize some of her furniture. She begged him to have patience, and said, she hoped in a few days to be able to pay him. He persisted in his severity, and the poor woman made a great lamentation. Two or three people hearing the noise, entered the house, took the part of the woman, and exclaimed against the barbarity of the collector. He threatened them
- ↑ Monsieur Richer
