The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1866-11-07
A Quoor Littlo Ropuhlio,

A correspondent of tho London Ucrol1
givcs an interesting account Of II visit to the
Httle Republic Of San Marlno in August. He
says:
III Is especially singular that this little
ierritory, containing only about eight thou.
sand inhabitants, should havo remained
intact for moro than fifteen centuries, and
shat new, whilo all It's powerful nciyhbors
havc become merged into ono great state,
this tiny Republic should be tho sole ror
tion Of Italian soil possessing scpcratc
autonomy. 1t was founded by San Mnrino.
whc was native Of Dalmalia, and came
over and settled in Rimin. Soon after The
prosecutions Of tho Christians by the En-
poror Dioclotian commenced, and Gniinr
that 1t was impossible to remain inRimihi
San Marino, lod his Hitchcock out from tho
city, and established Christian colony at
tho summit of tho highest and most rugged
mountain in this part Of tho country, and
which was at that time probably surrounded
by untrodden forest and from that dny TO
this tho little state thus founded has re-
maincd soporato and distinct from the
ncighboring countries.
"lmmndiately We got into the open coun
try my driver pointed out tho mountain of
San Marino, rising far above all tho hills in
Ats ncighborhood, and distant from Rimini
nearly fifteen mites. rhc road led across
on undula,ing and very richly cultivated
country. Tho peasants were engaged in
picking the grape harvest, which, by the
way, Is this yoar ono Of tho worst ever
known, from tho extreme dryncss of tbc
early part Of tho season. They were also
occupied In picking the maize, which forms
30 important on item Of tho Italian farmcr's
sroP;,,
"When about six miles from tho noun.
tain We crossed little stream, and nv
driver told mo that wc were nowSin tho
hepupho OF San Marino. Tho circumfcr-
onoo of the State is thirtynino mlcs thc
mountain, or crag as 1t should he rather
oallod,. rising nearly in its ccutre. The
ground, with the exception of the rock it.
self, Is everywhere very fcrtilo and we'll
cultivated, and It's valuo is considerably
more than that of similar ground in ihc
surrounding country, from the absence Of
taxation and other advantages peculiar 10
$he republic, chief among which is The FREQ.
dom from military CONSUMPTION, Every
Maie In San Marino is, il is true, soldier.
put this is very minor evil whom soldier.
ing involves m" ighting or absence from
nome. Although all are liable 10 be called
apon 10 servo in case of necessity, only
those under o certain ago arc ON oriinnry
occasions called out, and tho strength Of
tMs regular army Of the republic 80 eight
hundred men. Ofthcso scyen hundrod forn,
the National Guard, tho remaining hundred
the body guard Of tho President Tho
uniform Of all is bluo. Tho facines Of tho
National Guard are red, Il, $50 ofthe bodv
guard yellew, and Of tho band whito. Tho
national hag Is blue and whito. Tho polise
ss administered by chief and lyo oarhi.
ncers, whose uniform is dark blue, with
white oross belts and gray trousers, and is
ySry similar to that of tho carbnccrs Of tho
tS.lian service. These five carbinccrs are,
" salaried police.
I'm old times affairs wero administered
~ o grand. council, composed of the heads