Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/80

70 led shelties, which are found in the highlands and islands of Scotland; though I have seen Corsican horses of a very good size. The asses and mules here, are also small, but very strong and wonderfully agile in scrambling along the deep rocky mountains; for there are hardly any made roads in the island. My worthy friend Sir Alexander Dick, whole publick spirit in promoting good roads in an approved age, is well known to all his countrymen, observed that this has been no loss to the Corsicans during the time that they have been employed only in defending themselves in a state of natural freedom. Had their country been open and accessible, they had been easily subdued by regular troops. It was in a good measure owing to her rugged hills, that ancient Scotland preserved her independency.

The black cattle are larger in proportion than the horses; but the greatest part of the island is not very proper pasture for them; so in general, they do not give much milk, and their beef is lean and tough. There is not so great occasion for milk in Corsica, as they make no butter, oil supplying its place, as in Italy, and most warm countries. They however make a good deal of cheese in some pieves.