A Lady's Tour in Corsica, Vol. 1 (of 2) by Gertrude Forde

Author:Gertrude Forde [Forde, Gertrude]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, New Age, Religion & Spirituality, History, Fiction & Literature
ISBN: 9781465625595
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Published: 2021-02-24T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XI.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS AT CORTE.

A good deal of historical interest is attached to Corte. From the earliest times it has been the seat of the national government, and the centre of the more important popular demonstrations. The old town and citadel have undergone more sieges and been worn by more numerous assaults than even Calvi or Bonifacio.

Here Paoli lived, and, from his modest home, regulated the government of his country; and here was the home of the patriot Gaffori.

An anecdote is told in connection with the latter which is truly Corsican in its Spartan-like heroism.

It was in 1746, during one of the ceaseless conflicts with Genoa, and Gaffori was storming the city. He had already made much progress, and the Genoese commander was beginning to tremble for the fate of his fort. Suddenly the Corsican firing ceased, and every gun was silent, whilst the islanders gazed horror-struck on the walls. Upon them was bound the young son of Gaffori, who had been taken prisoner, and whom the Genoese general had commanded to be placed there in order to deter the successful storming party, or as a mark for his father's guns.

Gaffori paused a moment; but only a moment. In another minute he gave the order, and the assault continued.

But the heroic father had his reward. The breach was made, Corte fell, and Gaffori's son was rescued unhurt from his perilous situation.

Corte abounds in pointer dogs. Paoli had his six canine friends, who kept house with him at Corte; but tradition tells not whether they, too, were pointers or no.

The men of Corte struck me as being a finer race physically than any other in the island. They are tall and well-made, with upright figures.

Corsicans, in face and figure, are more akin to the English than the Italians: there is none of the soft roundness of the Italian about them; they are bony, manly, and muscular.

But the Cortéans appeared to me to excel even their other compatriots in idleness. As one of themselves said, "The young men of Corte do nothing but walk the streets from morning till night, and all they have to occupy them is to think of evil."

The Corsican women, however, at Corte as elsewhere, are essentially domestic and retiring. Flaunting and finery have not yet become the fashion among these simple-hearted daughters of Eve; and as long as their lords require it of them, they will probably remain the same light-hearted, energetic, hard-working family supporters that they now are.

To them may be applied, with great accuracy, the old rhyme:—

"Good wives, like city clocks, should be

Exact with regularity;

Yet not, like city clocks so loud,

Be heard by all the vulgar crowd.

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