---

Legacy Roots - Caraccioli Branch

---

Caraccioli History

CARACCIOLI BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

Please watch the updates section on the Caraccioli Home page and/or sign the guest book and request to be added to the e-mail list for updates.

"About seven o'clock at night, we landed safely in the harbour of Centuri. I learnt that Signor Giaccomini of this place, to whom I was recommended by Count Rivarola, was just dead. He had made a handsome fortune in the East Indies; and having had a remarkable warmth in the cause of liberty during his whole life, he shewed it in the strongest manner in his last will. He bequeathed a considerable sum of money, and some pieces of ordnance, to the nation. He also left it in charge to his heir, to live in Corsica, and be firm in the patriotick interest; and if ever the island should again be reduced under the power of the Genoese, he ordered him to retire with all his effects to Leghorn. Upon these conditions only, could his heir enjoy his estate.

I was directed to the house of Signor Giaccomini's cousin, Signor Antonio Antonetti at Morsiglia, about a mile up the country. The prospect of the mountains covered with vines and olives, was extremely agreeable; and the odour of the myrtle and other aromatick shrubs and flowers that grew all around me, was very refreshing. As I walked along, I often saw Corsican peasants come suddenly out from the cover; and as they were all armed, I saw how the frightened imagination of the surgeon's mate had raised up so many assassins. Even the man who carried my baggage was armed, and had I been timorous might have alarmed me. But he and I were very good company to each other. As it grew dusky, I repeated to myself these lines from a fine passage in Ariosto:

E pur per selve oscure e calli obliqui Insieme van, senza sospetto aversi.
Ariost. Canto I.

Together through dark woods and winding ways They walk, nor on their hearts suspicion preys.

I delivered Signor Antonetti the letter for his deceased cousin. He read it and received me with unaffected cordiality, making an apology for my frugal entertainment, but assuring me of a hearty welcome. His true kindly hospitality was also shewn in taking care of my servant, an honest Swiss, who loved to eat and drink well.

I had formed a strange notion that I should see every thing in Corsica totally different from what I had seen in any other country. I was therefore much surprised to find Signor Antonetti's house quite an Italian one, with very good furniture, prints, and copies of some of the famous pictures. In particular, I was struck to find here a small copy from Raphael, of St. Michael and the Dragon. There was no necessity for its being well done. To see the thing at all was what surprised me.

Signor Antonetti gave me an excellent light repast, and a very good bed. He spoke with great strength of the patriotick cause, and with great veneration of the General. I was quite easy, and liked much the opening of my Corsican tour.

The next day, being Sunday, it rained very hard; and I must observe that the Corsican with all their resolution, are afraid of bad weather, to a degree of effeminacy. I got indeed a droll but a just enough account of this, from one of them. 'Sir, said he, if you were as poor as a Corsican, and had but one coat, so as that after being wet, you could not put on dry cloaths, you would be afraid too,' Signor Antonetti would not allow me to set out while it rained, for, said he, 'Quando si trova fuori, patienza; ma di andare fuori e cattivo. If a man finds himself abroad," there is no help for it. But to go deliberately out, is too much.'

When the day grew a little better, I accompanied Signor Antonetti and his family, to hear mass in the parish church, a very pretty little building, about half a quarter of a mile off.

Signor Antonetti's parish priest was to preach to us, at which I was much pleased, being very curious to hear a Corsican sermon.

Our priest did very well. His text was in the Psalms: 'Descendunt ad infernum viventes. They go down alive into the pit.'

After endeavouring to move our passions with a description of the horrours of hell, he told us, Saint Catharine of Siena wished to be laid on the mouth of this dreadful pit, that she might stop it up, so as no more unhappy souls should fall into it. I confess, my brethren, I have not the zeal of holy Saint Catharine. But I do what I can; I warn you how to avoid it.' He then gave us some good practical advice, and concluded.

The weather being now cleared up, I took leave of the worthy gentleman to whom I had been a guest."

James Boswell, An Account of Corsica, the Journal of a Tour to that Island, Memoirs of Pascal Paoli (New York, NY: Oxford Press, 2006). 165-167