Having said so much of the genius and character of the Corsicans, I must
beg leave to present my readers with a very distinguished Corsican
character, that of Signor Clemente de' Paoli, brother of the General.
This gentleman is the eldest son of the old General Giacinto Paoli. He
is about fifty years of age, of a middle size and dark complexion; his
eyes are quick and piercing, and he has something in the form of his
mouth which renders his appearance very particular. His understanding is
of the first rate, and he has by no means suffered it to lie neglected.
He was married, and has an only daughter, the wife of Signor Barbaggi,
one of the first men in the island.
For these many years past, Signor Clemente, being in a state of
widowhood, has resided at Rostino, from whence the family of Paoli
comes. He lives there in a very retired manner. He is of a saturnine
disposition, and his notions of religion are rather gloomy and severe.
He spends his whole time in study, except what he passes at his
devotions. These generally take up six or eight hours every day; during
all which time he is in church, and before the altar, in a fixed
posture, with his hands and eyes lifted up to heaven with solemn fervor.
He prescribes to himself an abstemious, rigid course of life, as if he
had taken the vows of some of the religious orders. He is much with the
Franciscans, who have a convent at Rostino. He wears the common coarse
dress of the country, and it is difficult to distinguish him from one of
the lowest of the people.
When he is in company he seldom speaks, and except upon important
occasions, never goes into public, or even to visit his brother at
Corte. When danger calls, however, he is the first to appear in the
defense of his country. He is then foremost in the ranks, and exposes
himself to the hottest action; for religious fear is perfectly
consistent with the greatest bravery, according to the famous line of
the pious Racine,--
"I fear my God, and know no other fear."
In the beginning of an engagement he is generally calm; and will
frequently offer up a prayer to heaven for the person at whom he is
going to fire; saying he is sorry to be under the necessity of depriving
him of life, but that he is an enemy to Corsica, and Providence has sent
him in his way in order that he may be prevented from doing any further
mischief; that he hopes God will pardon his crimes and take him to
Himself. After he has seen two or three of his countrymen fall at his
side, the case alters. His eyes flame with grief and indignation, and he
becomes like one furious, dealing vengeance everywhere around him. His
authority in the council is not less than his valor in the field. His
strength of judgment and extent of knowledge, joined to the singular
sanctity of his character, give him great weight in all the public
consultations; and his influence is of considerable service to his
brother the General.