Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/140

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130
AN ACCOUNT

Oletta in Corsica, but is of so delicate a constitution, that he cannot serve his country as he would wish to do. Both the brothers have the spirit of their father.

Count Domenico Rivarola obtained a regiment in the Sardinian service, and by his influence at Turin, procured such assistance, that he would have been able to free his country, had it not been for the house of Matra in Corsica, which flood by the republick, and had interest enough to make a strong party in the island.

In the mean time, the Corsican war went on with spirit. Sometimes it was expected, that the king of Spain would strike in on one side or other. But that prince did not choose to interfere. Probably he foresaw, that it would involve him in a quarrel with France.

While the Genoese and the Corsicans were thus keenly engaged, and the politicians of Europe were forming various conjectures, a most extraordinary circumstance occurred, to the amazement of every body. This was the appearance of Theodore, whose singular story has made so much noise.

As many inconsistent reports have been circulated, with regard to this man, I have been at great pains to obtain authentick accounts con-