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 woman and child, may be laid to have engaged; for very young boys took the field; and even some of their women, like those of Sparta, shewed their valour in battle. Many of the religious also carried arms; and, as if actuated by a kind of universal inspiration, every foul was ardent against the tyrant.

Gaffori and Matra, now obtained the government of Corfica, under the title of Protectours of the kingdom. Gaffori was a man of distinguished talents. His eloquence was most remarkable; and the Corsicans still talk with admiration of his harangues to them. He heard once, that a band of assassins were coming against him. He went our, and met them with a serene dignity, which astonished them. He begged they would only hear him a little; and he gave them so pathetick a picture of the distresses of Corsica, and roused their spirits to such a degree against those, who caused the oppression, that the assassins threw themselves at his feet, intreated his forgiveness, and instantly joined his banners.

The Genoese being in possession of the castle of Corte, it was besieged with great vigour by the Corsicans, commanded by Gaffori. By a strange want of thought, the nurse, who took care of Gaffori's eldest son, then an infant, wandered