as a present
from Mr. Boswell to his friend, the General; and, when that unfortunate
chief was obliged to abandon his country, fell, with other of his
effects, into the hands of the Swiss officer in the French service, who
made a present of the Homer to this library."--"A View of Society and
Manners in France," &c., by John Moore, M.D., vol. i., p. 307.--ED.]

He convinced me how well he understood our language; for I took the
liberty to shew him a Memorial which I had drawn up on the advantages to
Great Britain from an alliance with Corsica, and he translated this
memorial into Italian with the greatest facility. He has since given me
more proofs of his knowledge of our tongue by his answers to the letters
which I have had the honour to write to him in English, and in
particular by a very judicious and ingenious criticism on some of
Swift's works.

He was well acquainted with the history of Britain. He had read many of
the parliamentary debates, and had even seen a number of the "North
Briton."[106] He shewed a considerable knowledge of this country, and
often introduced anecdotes and drew comparisons and allusions from
Britain.

[Footnote 106: John Wilkes began the publication of the "North Briton"
in June, 1762.--ED.]

He said his great object was to form the Corsicans in such a manner that
they might have a firm constitution, and might be able to subsist
without him. "Our state," said he, "is young, and still requires the
leading strings. I am desirous that the Corsicans should be taught to
walk of themselves. Therefore when they come to me to ask whom they
should chuse for their Padre del Commune, or other Magistrate, I tell
them, 'You know better than I do the able and honest men among your
neighbours. Consider the consequence of your choice, not only to
yourselves in particular, but to the island in general.' In this manner
I accustom them to feel their own importance as members of the state."

After representing the severe and melancholy state of oppression under
which Corsica had so long groaned, he said, "We are now to our country
like the prophet Elishah 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 shall yet regain full health and vigour."

I said that things would make a rapid progress, and that we should soon
see all the arts and sciences flourish in Corsica. "Patience, Sir," said
he. "If you saw a man