the life of horatio lord nelson-第11节
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England。 The history of these brave people is but a melancholy tale。 The island which they inhabit has been abundantly blessed by nature； it has many excellent harbours； and though the MALARIA； or pestilential atmosphere； which is so deadly in many parts of Italy and of the Italian islands； prevails on the eastern coast； the greater part of the country is mountainous and healthy。 It is about 150 miles long； and from 40 to 50 broad； in circumference； some 320； a country large enough； and sufficiently distant from the nearest shores； to have subsisted as an independent state； if the welfare and happiness of the human race had ever been considered as the end and aim of policy。 The Moors； the Pisans； the kings of Aragon； and the Genoese； successively attempted； and each for a time effected its conquest。 The yoke of the Genoese continued longest； and was the heaviest。 These petty tyrants ruled with an iron rod； and when at any time a patriot rose to resist their oppressions； if they failed to subdue him by force they resorted to assassination。 At the commencement of the last century they quelled one revolt by the aid of German auxiliaries； whom the Emperor Charles VI。 sent against a people who had never offended him； and who were fighting for whatever is most dear to man。 In 1734 the war was renewed； and Theodore； a Westphalian baron； then appeared upon the stage。 In that age men were not accustomed to see adventurers play for kingdoms； and Theodore became the common talk of Europe。 He had served in the French armies； and having afterwards been noticed both by Ripperda and Alberoni； their example； perhaps； inflamed a spirit as ambitious and as unprincipled as their own。 He employed the whole of his means in raising money and procuring arms； then wrote to the leaders of the Corsican patriots； to offer them considerable assistance； if they would erect Corsica into an independent kingdom； and elect him king。 When he landed among them； they were struck with his stately person； his dignified manners； and imposing talents。 They believed the magnificent promises of foreign assistance which he held out； and elected him king accordingly。 Had his means been as he represented them； they could not have acted more wisely than in thus at once fixing the government of their country； and putting an end to those rivalries among the leading families； which had so often proved pernicious to the public weal。 He struck money； conferred titles； blocked up the fortified towns which were held by the Genoese； and amused the people with promises of assistance for about eight months： then； perceiving that they cooled in their affections towards him in proportion as their expectations were disappointed； he left the island； under the plea of expediting himself the succours which he had so long awaited。 Such was his address； that he prevailed upon several rich merchants in Holland； particularly the Jews； to trust him with cannon and warlike stores to a great amount。 They shipped these under the charge of a supercargo。 Theodore returned with this supercargo to Corsica； and put him to death on his arrival； as the shortest way of settling the account。 The remainder of his life was a series of deserved afflictions。 He threw in the stores which he had thus fraudulently obtained； but he did not dare to land； for Genoa had now called in the French to their assistance； and a price had been set upon his head。 His dreams of royalty were now at an end； he took refuge in London； contracted debts； and was thrown into the King's Bench。 After lingering there many years； he was released under an act of insolvency； in consequence of which he made over the kingdom of Corsica for the use of his creditors； and died shortly after his deliverance。
The French； who have never acted a generous part in the history of the world； readily entered into the views of the Genoese； which accorded with their own policy： for such was their ascendancy at Genoa； that in subduing Corsica for these allies； they were in fact subduing it for themselves。 They entered into the contest； therefore； with their usual vigour； and their usual cruelty。 It was in vain that the Corsicans addressed a most affecting memorial to the court of Versailles； that remorseless government persisted in its flagitious project。 They poured in troops； dressed a part of them like the people of the country； by which means they deceived and destroyed many of the patriots； cut down the standing corn； the vines； and the olives； set fire to the villages； and hung all the most able and active men who fell into their hands。 A war of this kind may be carried on with success against a country so small and so thinly peopled as Corsica。 Having reduced the island to perfect servitude； which they called peace； the French withdrew their forces。 As soon as they were gone； men； women； and boys rose at once against their oppressors。 The circumstances of the times were now favourable to them； and some British ships； acting as allies of Sardinia； bombarded Bastia and San Fiorenzo； and delivered them into the hands of the patriots。 This service was long remembered with gratitude： the impression made upon our own countrymen was less favourable。 They had witnessed the heartburnings of rival chiefs； and the dissensions among the patriots； and perceiving the state of barbarism to which continual oppression； and habits of lawless turbulence； had reduced the nation； did not recollect that the vices of the people were owing to their unhappy circumstances； but that the virtues which they displayed arose from their own nature。 This feeling； perhaps； influenced the British court； when； in 1746； Corsica offered to put herself under the protection of Great Britain： an answer was returned； expressing satisfaction at such a communication； hoping that the Corsicans would preserve the same sentiments； but signifying also that the present was not the time for such a measure。
These brave islanders then formed a government for themselves； under two leaders； Gaffori and Matra； who had the title of protectors。 The latter is represented as a partisan of Genoa； favouring the views of the oppressors of his country by the most treasonable means。 Gaffori was a hero worthy of old times。 His eloquence was long remembered with admiration。 A band of assassins was once advancing against him； he heard of their approach； went out to meet them； and； with a serene dignity which overawed them； requested them to hear him。 He then spake to them so forcibly of the distresses of their country； her intolerable wrongs； and the hopes and views of their brethren in arms； that the very men who had been hired to murder him； fell at his feet； implored his forgiveness； and joined his banner。 While he was besieging the Genoese in Corte； a part of the garrison perceiving the nurse with his eldest son； then an infant in arms； straying at a little distance from the camp； suddenly sallied out and seized them。 The use they made of their persons was in conformity to their usual execrable conduct。 When Gaffori advanced to batter the walls； they held up the child directly over that part of the wall at which the guns were pointed。 The Corsicans stopped： but Gaffori stood at their head； and ordered them to continue the fire。 Providentially the child escaped； and lived to relate； with becoming feeling； a fact so honourable to his father。 That father conducted the affairs of the island till 1753； when he was assassinated by some wretches； set on； it is believed； by Genoa； but certainly pensioned by that abominable government after the deed。 He left the country in such a state that it was enabled to continue the war two years after his death without a leader： the Corsicans then found one worthy of their cause in Pasquale de Paoli。
Paoli's father was one of the patriots who effected their escape from Corsica when the French reduced it to obedience。 He retired to Naples； and brought up his youngest son in the Neapolitan service。 The Corsicans heard of young Paoli's abilities； and solicited him to come over to his native country； and take the command。 He did not hesitate long： his father； who was too far advanced in years to take an active part himself； encouraged him to go； and when they separated； the old man fell on his neck； and kissed him； and gave him his blessing。 〃My son；〃 said he； 〃perhaps I may never see you more； but in my mind I shall ever be present with you。 Your design is great and noble； and I doubt not but God will bless you in it。 I shall devote to your cause the little remainder of my life in offering up my prayers for your success。〃 When Paoli assumed the command； he found all things in confusion： he formed a democratical government； of which he was chosen chief： restored the authority of the laws； established a university； and took such measures； both for repressing abuses and moulding the rising generation； that； if France had not interfered； upon its wicked and detestable principle of usurpation； Corsica might at this day have been as free； and flourishing and happy a commonwealth as any of the Grecian states in the days of their prosperity。 The Genoese were at this time driven out of their fortified towns； and must in a short time have been expelled。 France was indebted some millions of liv
