[40] In olden times the _caporals_ were the leaders chosen by the
Corsican communes when they rebelled against the feudal lords. To-day
the name is sometimes given to a man who, by reason of his property,
his alliances, and his clientage, exerts a certain influence and acts
as a sort of magistrate in a _pieve_ or a canton. The Corsicans, by an
ancient custom, divide themselves into _gentlemen_ (some of whom are
_magnificoes_, others _signori_), _caporali_, _citizens_, _plebeians_,
and _foreigners_.
[41] The word is in this instance synonymous with outlaw.
[42] A corps levied within a few years by the government and employed
on police duty, concurrently with the gendarmerie.
[43] The uniform of the voltigeurs consisted of a brown coat with a
yellow collar.
[44] A leather girdle used as cartridge-box and as wallet.