Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/75

Rh 'According to the institution of Lycurgus, the Spartans were not allowed to have any fortifications; but were to rely for their defence upon their own valour. Towards the decline of the Grecian liberty however, they erected walls in the plainer and more open avenues; Locis patentibus plerisque objecerunt murum, says Livy. The remainder was still confided to the valour of its citizens. However, notwithstanding this, there was sufficient likeness to form a comparison between Corte and Lacedemon; especially as the Acropolis was built upon; the temple of Minerva being placed there. We could not help imagining, that yonder was the Taygetus, here the Eurotas; and what made the comparison more striking, was the resemblance, we fancied, between Lycurgus and Paoli .'

Corsica is extremely well watered. Its principal lakes, are those of Ino and Crena, about two miles from each other; both situated on the highest mountain in the island, called by the ancients Mons Aureus, and now Gradaccio or Monte Rotondo. It is of an amazing height, and may equal any of the Alps. From the top of it there