Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/173

 He gradually prepared the Corſicans for the reception of laws, by cultivating their minds, and leading them, of their own accord, to deſire the enactment of regulations, of which he ſhewed them the benefit. He eſtabliſhed an univerſity at Corte; and he was at great pains to have proper ſchools, for the inſtruction of children, in every village of the kingdom.

The laſt ſtep he took was, to induce the Corſicans to apply themſelves to agriculture, commerce, and other civil occupations. War had entirely ruined induſtry in the iſland. It had given the Corſicans a contempt for the arts of peace; ſo that they thought nothing worthy of their attention, but arms and military achievements. The great and valourous actions, which many of them had performed, gave them a certain pride, which diſdained all meaner and more inglorious occupation. Heroes could not ſubmit to ſink down into plain peaſants. Their virtue was not ſo perfect, as that of the ancient Romans, who could return from the triumphs of victory, to follow their ploughs.

From theſe cauſes, the country was in danger of being entirely uncultivated, and the people of becoming a lawleſs and ungovernable rabble of banditti. Rh