of these islanders, who had gone over to the continent, made a distinguished figure in most of the European states, both in learning, and in arms.
About the 1550, Corsica revived under the conduct of a great hero, who arose for the deliverance of his country. This was Sampiero di Bastelica. He early discovered extraordinary parts and spirit; and had the advantage of being educated in the houfe of cardinal Hypolitus de Medicis, the nephew of pope Clement the seventh. He was created colonel of the Corsicans in France, and distinguished himself in almost every one of the great actions of that nation in his time.
After the death of Francis the first, he went home to his native country; where he married Vannina, heiress of the house of Ornano, of the most ancient and rich of the Corsican nobility; and from this time, he was generally called Sampiero di Ornano.
Being moved with the miserable state of his countrymen, he resolved to procure them relief; and for this, a very favourable opportunity then prefented itself.
Here history begins again to open upon us. The clouds of antiquity, and barbarism are dis-
