The Sun.
London, England, 1834-10-15 00:00:00

CORSICAN ASSIZES.

The inhabitants of Orezzo, and particularly the mule-
teers, pique themselves upon their w;:„ and readiness at
repartee. When excited by wine, th.ey crack their jokes
upon whoever they happen to meet on the road, and very
often throw out hints against the rsiharacter of females. In
April, 1833, several of these muleteers were conducting
their animals (which were laden with potash) near to the
Commune of lavas:7,la ; and were amusing themselves by
giving way to their inclination for raillery. The wife of a
man named Orsini was the subject of their jests ; but it so
happened that the husband was working in a vineyard hard
by and overheard them ; a violent quarrel ensued, but the
mayor and some of the inhabitants of lavagna having in-
terfered, nothing more serious occurred than very high
words on both sides. However, in the course of the even-
ing there were manifestations of irritation among the mule-
teers—one of whom, named Antonio-Mateo Cippriani, was
observed to be loading his gun. On being questioned as to
what use he meant to make of it, he answered, " I am
going to shoot blackbirds ;" at the same time treading
slightly upon the foot of one of his companions. This
movement was significative of what was to take place the
next day.

Their road lay by the side of the vineyard where Orsini
was working with several others. Scarcely had the mule-
teers approached, than they broke into a chorus of insinu-
ations against the woman, followed by insulting expressions
towards the viczerons—such as, " Now is the time to show
your courage if you have any." " Who among you has
heart enough to attack the mountaineers ?" "If you were
not cowards, you would already have come forward ; but,
above all, you are the man we are waiting for," they said,
addressing the husband. Upon this, the latter threw down
his spade, ran to his hut, took his gun, and advanced
towards the point of the road where the muleteers were
stationed. His companions endeavoured to stop him, but
it was too late—he fell dead from a shot before he had time
to make use of his own gun. Cipriani (the muleteer who
was seen getting his gun ready the eveninc, before) was ar-
rested, and put upon his trial for the murder. One of the
witnesses was the brother of the deceased. The prisoner,
addressing himself to the Jury, said, " His deposition is
false : he has lost his brother, and wishes to avenge his
death." At these words the witness turned towards the
prisoner with a look of contempt, and replied, " If I had
wished to avenge my brother's death personally, I should
not have been here. Had I not a flint and a cartridge ?
I look to the Jury for prompt justice. If my expectation
should not be realised, no doubt it would become my duty
to take personal vengeance."
Another witness having omitted to testify to a remark-
able fact which he had stated previously, the President in-
quired the cause ?—" I have been threatened with death,
M. le President."—" But you should not believe such a
threat."—" I beg your pardon, M. le President ; if these
people promise you a thousand crowns, don't reckon upon
them ; but if you are threatened to have your brains blown
out, I recommend you to be upon your guard—the promise
will be kept."

The Jury after an hour's deliberation, brought in a ver-
dict of " Guilty of Murder without provocation, but with
extenuating circumstances." The prisoner was sentenced
to ten years' imprisonment.—Gazette des Tribunaux.