(Vol. iii., pp. 321. 376.)
Though your correspondent MR. SYDNEY SMIRKE has brought to our notice
the existence of the republic of San Marino, and informed us of many
facts in connexion therewith, and though F. C. B. has enlightened us on
several points of interest in the history of this state, still I do not
find in either of these communications the following particulars of its
foundation, which are in Addison's _Remarks on Italy_, pp. 62, 63. (ed.
Talboys, 1830), and which may interest some of your readers.
"San Marino was its founder, a Dalmatian by birth and by trade a
mason. He was employed above thirteen hundred years ago in the
reparation of Rimini, and after he had finished his work, retired
to this solitary mountain as finding it very proper for the life
of a hermit, which he led in the greatest rigours and austerities
of religion. He had not been long here before he wrought a reputed
miracle, which, joined with his extraordinary sanctity, gained him
so great an esteem that the princess of the country made him a
present of the mountain, to dispose of at his own discretion. His
reputation quickly peopled it, and gave rise to the republic which
calls itself after his name.... The best of their churches is
dedicated to the saint, and holds his ashes. His statue stands
over the high altar, with the figure of a mountain in its hands
crowned with three castles, which is likewise the arms of the
commonwealth. They attribute to his protection the long duration
of their state, and look on him as the greatest saint next the
blessed Virgin. I saw in their statute book a law against such as
speak disrespectfully of him, who are to be punished in the same
manner as those who are convicted of blasphemy."