arrived--on the new Phocæans--with astonishment. Possibly they despised men who seemed not to love their country, since they had forsaken it; without doubt they found it a highly unpleasant reflection that these intruders had been thrust in upon their property in such an altogether unceremonious manner. The poor Greeks were destined to thrive but indifferently in their new rude home. CHAPTER II. INSURRECTION AGAINST GENOA. For half a century the island lay in a state of exhaustion--the hatred of Genoa continuing to be fostered by general and individual distress, and at length absorbing into itself every other sentiment. The people lived upon their hatred; their hatred alone prevented their utter ruin. Many circumstances had been meanwhile combining to bring the profound discontent to open revolt. It appeared to the sagacious Dodici--for this body still existed, at least in form--that a main source of the miseries of their country was the abuse in the matter of licensing fire-arms. Within thirty years, as was noticed above, twenty-eight thousand assassinations had been committed in Corsica. The Twelve urgently entreated the Senate of the Republic to forbid the granting of these licenses. The Senate yielded. It interdicted the selling of muskets, and appointed a number of commissaries to disarm the island. But as this interdict withdrew a certain amount of yearly revenue from the exchequer, an impost of twelve scudi was laid upon each hearth, under the name of the _due seini_, or two sixes. The people paid, but murmured; and all the while the sale of licenses continued, both openly and secretly. In the year 1724, another measure was adopted which greatly annoyed the Corsicans. The Government of the country was divided--the lieutenant of Ajaccio now receiving the title of Governor--and thus a double burden and twofold despotism henceforth pressed upon the unfortunate people. In the hands of both governors was lodged irresponsible power to condemn to the galleys or death, without form or procedure of any kind; as the phrase went--_ex informata conscientia_ (from informed conscience). An administration of justice entirely arbitrary, lawlessness and murder were the results. Special provocations--any of which might become the immediate occasion of an outbreak--were not wanting. A punishment of a disgraceful kind had been inflicted on a Corsican soldier in a small town of Liguria. Condemned to ride a wooden horse, he was surrounded by a jeering crowd who made mirth of his shame. His comrades, feeling their national honour insulted, attacked the mocking rabble, and killed some. The authorities beheaded them for this. When news of the occurrence reached Corsica, the pride of the nation was roused, and, on the day for lifting the tax of the _due seini_, a spark fired the powder in the island itself.