Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/60

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50
AN ACCOUNT

tus[1], The most famous port of this island.' The only objection I ever heard made to it, was by a French Gentleman, who told me, that the bottom of it was full of sharp rocks, which were apt to cut the cables of ships which entered it: and he instanced one of the transports, which had landed some of the French troops in the year 1764. He however was under a mistake; for I have been at pains to enquire very particularly concerning this, and am informed from the best authority, that there is nothing to fear from rocks at Calvi, and that the French transport which suffered a little there, happened to be run foul of, by some of the rest, which was the occasion of any damage it sustained.

Ajaccio is a wide and commodious harbour, with a good mole, and perfectly safe. It wants only to have a small rock in front of the mole removed, which might be done at no great charge.

Corsica hath also in this quarter several smaller havens, which are useful for the reception of little vessels.

    between the English word Calves and the Italian word Calvi? Perhaps he intended it as wit. If so, how clumsy are the jests of this Lexicographer!

  1. Cluver. Corsic. Antiq.