Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/143

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OF CORSICA.
133

dore, with a double branch crossed, and round it this inscription, 'Pro bono publico Re. Co. (Regni Corsicae) For the public good of the kingdom of Corsica.' On the other side, is the value of the piece, 'cinque soldi, five sous.' There was such a curiosity over all Europe to have king Theodore's coins, that his silver pieces were fold at four zechins each; and when the genuine ones were exhausted, imitations of them were made at Naples, and, like the imitations of antiques, were bought up at a high price, and carefully preserved in the cabinets of the virtuosi.

Theodore immediately blocked up the Genoese fortified towns; and he used to be sometimes at one siege, sometimes at another, Handing with a telescope in his hand, as if he spied the assistance which he said he expected. He used also the artifice of making large packets be continually brought to him from the continent, which he gave out to be from the different sovereigns of Europe, acknowledging his authority, and promising to befriend him.

The Genoese were not a little confounded with this unexpected adventurer. They published a violent manifesto against Theodore, treating him with great contempt, but at the fame time shewing, that they were alarmed at his appearance. Theodore replied, in a manifesto, with all the