Trigge, with expressions of great regret, transmitted the Viceroy's command, that Moore should leave the island in eight-andforty hours.

This expeditious departure was impracticable; he, however, sailed for Leghorn in a week. Before setting off, he went to Corte, to take an affectionate leave of the 51st regiment, who declared towards him their unalterable esteem. The Corsican battalion which was quartered there waited upon him in a body, and the supreme council also paid him a respectful visit, to intimate their deep concern at his departure.

But an act more unjustifiable, even than the above, quickly succeeded. An intimation was sent to General Paoli, that he also should immediately leave the country. Moore, in his journal, observes on this most impolitic exilement, that* The great object of Sir Gilbert 'for a long time has been to bring this about. 'But I fear the consequence will be the 'reverse of what he expects. I think Gene* Journal, MS., vol. ii. p. 69.

'ral Paoli's presence curbed his countrymen, and prevented their acting with the violence to which they were inclined from ‹ their dislike to the Viceroy and his mea6 sures. I think it probable that, upon Paoli's departure, there will be immediate confu'sion,'

The above prediction was soon fulfilled. Tumults and revolt broke out in various places, as reverence for government was reversed. Sir Gilbert in vain issued proclamations, and marched troops to suppress them. The good-will that the Corsicans felt for the British made them unwilling to proceed to open hostilities; but their abhorrence of the Viceroy surmounted that regard, and even their hatred to the French. The whole island soon rose in insurrection; a few French troops landed, and the combined forces surrounded Bastia. In conclusion, Sir Gilbert was driven from Corsica, and the island was lost to Great Britain, and gained by France, precisely in one year from the expulsion of Paoli.

CHAPTER VI.

UNIV. OF

MOORE REPELS AN ACCUSATION-IS PROMOTED
TO THE RANK OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL.

A YOUNG Lieutenant-Colonel who is dismissed from his employment abroad, and ordered home on a charge of misconduct, is in an embarrassing predicament; and this was augmented in Moore's case by his accuser being a Viceroy, and a friend of the Secretary of State, to whom the cognizance of the business officially belonged. Yet it has been shown that he braved the Viceroy; positively denied the charge, and defied him to the proof. In this defence it was not his military abilities that were to be exerted, but others of a different description. His feelings on the occasion were manifested in the following letter written to his father.

102

LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE.

[1795.

Florence, 13th October, 1795.

'My dear Father,

'If you have received the letter which 'I wrote to you from Bastia some days ago, 'it will prevent your surprise at the date of this. I have reason, however, to doubt if you will receive it.

'In consequence of a representation from 'Sir Gilbert Elliot to the Secretary of State,

that I had taken a part in the politics of 'Corsica hostile to him, I received the 'King's order to return home; there to re'ceive his Majesty's further pleasure. I left 'Bastia accordingly upon the 9th, landed at Leghorn on the 10th, and arrived here yesterday. I hope the day after to-morrow to 'be able to proceed to Cuxhaven, and expect 'to be in London the first or second week in • November.

'I can enter into no particulars in a letter 'which goes by post. I have written to 'General Stuart. Be so good as to call upon

him, and endeavour to be quiet till I see 'you. Do not commit me, for my line is

my life I ever did an action unworthy of you or of myself, and least of all does my 'conscience tell me that I deserve blame in the affair which occasions my return. I " can say no more. Remember me affectionately to my mother, &c., and believe me, 'my dear father, your affectionate son,

'J. MOORE.'

In travelling over the mountains of the Tyrol, Moore was much amused, and impressed favourably with the character of the Tyrolese. The remarks in his journal on passing over a part of Germany, which he had not before seen, indicated perfect composure of mind. At Cuxhaven, being detained by a contrary wind, he was joined by his banished friend Paoli, who informed him that, to shun Bastia, he had taken shipping at Fiorenza; but that Sir Gilbert had visited him there twice, and poured out upon him much soothing flattery.

On the 20th of November, the wind be