The Sun. — 1834-10-15 (London, England)

CORSICAN ASSIZES.  The inhabitants of Orezzo, and particularly the muleteers, 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 interfered, nothing more serious occurred than very high words on both sides. However, in the course of the evening there were manifestations of irritation among the muleteers—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 muleteers approached, than they broke into a chorus of insinuations 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 arrested, 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 remarkable fact which he had stated previously, the President inquired 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 verdict of " Guilty of Murder without provocation, but with extenuating circumstances." The prisoner was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment.—Gazette des Tribunaux.