The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-07-11
BASTELICA.

This historic little village, composed Of
several tiny hamlets united in one Com
mune, lies just twenty-five miles distant
from Ajaccio, up in the cool mountain
lands.
1t is much frequented in summer on &C.
count of its temperature and extremely
healthy climate, and abundance of good
spring water. Bastelica has popula-
ton of 1888.
The ascent of Monte Renoso, TITS it.,
to the south of the Col de Vizzavona, is a
favorite excursion from Bastelica.
The carriage drive from Ajaccio, via
Cauro, with return by Tolla, is one of the
loveliest on the island. 1t generally re-
quires two days, but can easily be done
in one by urging the only too willing
fiery little Corsican horses, which being
both wiry and active are such splendid
hill climbers.
1t is advisable, however, to take an
early start from Ajaccio. We left, &C.
cordingly, at $50 a. M, on delightful
morning in June, one of those rare clear
days when the perfect beauty of the
scene engraves itself upon the mind, in a
way not easily forgotten.
We traversed the already familiar road
as far as Cauro, and then crossed the
Col de SAINT Alberto through the maquis
and fragrant woods of pine, oak and
chestnut, with, now and then, most en-
chanting glimpses of the Bay of Ajaccio
glimmering far beneath us.
The bells tingled gaily upon the necks
of our ever-faithful Rosa, Robert, and
Bichette, to whom we eve so much of
our pleasure in our various driving tours
through Corsica. These noble animals
know no fear and have an absolute sense
of duty which added not little to the
zest and freedom of our different outings.
At the Zipitoli bridge we all refreshed
ourselves at bubbling fountain of icy
cold spring water. From here EDWARDS
the road takes a decided upward turn.
Our congenial quartette decided to walk
few miles for health as we'll as for en-
joyment. The route now lay through an
immense pine forest, interspersed with
holly. 1t made me wish that holly might
be planted in our Maine woods. l am
sure it would prove a lucrative invest
ment as we'll as joy to the eye. The
climates are similar, for in the regions
round about Bastelica there is snow for
six months of the year. A few miles
more, and we see Monte Renoso, its head
still covered with winters white crown.
The coachman bids US get into the car
riage again as we are to make BETTING
entry into the natal place of the great
Sampiero Corso de Bastelica.
The six hamlets which compose Bastel-
lea are Vassalacci, Santo, Costa, Truce
lacci, Stazzona and Dominicacci. 1t was
at the last named that was born on JAN
uary 8, 1897. of obscure parents, the
brave Sampiero, one of the national
heroes of this fair land of Corsica. His
youth was adventurous. He went early
to Italy, fought under John of Medicis,
became colonel of the Corsicans, under
Francis l, and covered himself with glory
at the siege of Perpignan in 1912, at
Landrecies in 1913, and at Vitry lie Fran
co.'s in 1914.
Returning to Corsica he took to wife
the virtuous and beautiful Vannina dor
nano. Then continued his lifelong war;
fare against the domination of the hated
Genoese. This heroic old man, the de-
fender of Corsican Independence, was
finally assassinated, at the age of seven
ty, on the 18th of January, 1867, by
Vittolo, who was in the employ of the
Genoese, and had private reasons of his
own for hating Sampiero.
At Bastelica there is spirited statue
of Sampiero, or the square in front of
the village church. 1t is the work of
Vital Dubray, and was erected on q Sep
TENDER, 1890.
The house where Sampiero was born
was set on fire by the Genoese, in the
XVI century, but upon this historic site
another house now stands. which bears
the following inscription:
ITO the greatest of all Corsicans
Sampiero.
Hero, among innumerable heroes which love
of country, (superb mother of all manly vir-
tues), has nourished in these mountains and
among these torrents.
William Wyse,
Irish Catholic
Nephew of Napoleon the Great,
Full of Admiration
Dedicates this marble,