An account of Corsica, the journal of a tour to that island ; and memoirs of Pascal Paoli

This first complete reprint of Boswell's book on Corsica since the eighteenth century is enhanced by comprehensive annotation, textual apparatus, and a critical introduction. Boswell designed his text in two parts: first, an Account of Corsica, which gives a historical, political, socio-economic, and cultural overview of the Corsican people, and second, the Journal of his tour to see the Corsican leader Pascal Paoli in 1765. This edition, unlike so many reprints of just the Journal , allows the reader to appreciate Boswell's original design. The young and adventuresome Boswell wanted to write a book that would swing public opinion, and perhaps the British government, to support the Corsicans in their struggle for independence. He was well aware that his English readers had but the haziest ideas about Corsica gleaned from but snatches of news in the papers. The first part would therefore provide the context within which to understand and appreciate his account of his journey to and meeting with Paoli. The complete text also illustrates aspects of Boswell that have received less attention than they might, namely, his sense of history, his political enthusiasm for national liberty, and his scholarship. He brings to the book a solid foundation in the Classics and the law, a facility in French and Italian, and a sensitivity to writing that, as the notes show, is evident in the reworking of his manuscript. The editors' introduction and the extensive annotation point up Boswell the scholar--assiduous, sedulous to get at the relevant sources, careful to do justice to those he disagreed with, and open about seeking and acknowledging advice. The text reveals Boswell as a serious and independent thinker and a writer committed to Corsica's independence. What he argued for and presumed was about to be achieved is still a matter of debate in Corsica and metropolitan France. "This first complete reprint of James Boswell's book on Corsica since the eighteenth century is enhanced by comprehensive annotation, textual apparatus, and a critical introduction. Boswell designed his text in two parts, first, an "Account" of Corsica, which gives a historical, political, socioeconomic, and cultural overview of the Corsican people, and second, the "Journal" of his tour to see the Corsican leader Pascal Paoli in 1765. This edition, unlike so many reprints of just the "Journal," allows the reader to appreciate Boswell's original design." "The young and adventuresome Boswell wanted to write a book that would swing public opinion, and perhaps the British government, to support the Corsicans in their struggle for independence. He was well aware that his English readers had but the haziest ideas about Corsica, gleaned from just snatches of news in the papers. The first part would therefore provide the context within which to understand and appreciate his account of his journey to and meeting with Paoli." "The complete text also illustrates aspects of Boswell that have received less attention than they might, namely, his sense of history, his political enthusiasm for national liberty, and his scholarship."--BOOK JACKET. Contents......Page 10 Illustrations......Page 12 Cue-titles......Page 14 Boswell: A Chronology, 1740–1795......Page 16 Introduction......Page 18 ‘MY LITTLE MONUMENT TO LIBERTY’......Page 54 An Account of Corsica......Page 56 Appendix Containing Corsican State Papers......Page 196 The Journal of a Tour to Corsica......Page 212 I: Extracts from the London Chronicle 1766–1767......Page 274 II: Reception: Selected Comments and Reviews......Page 280 Textual Apparatus......Page 286 In Corsica......Page 292 C......Page 293 W......Page 294 B......Page 296 C......Page 297 G......Page 298 K......Page 299 M......Page 300 R......Page 301 S......Page 302 Z......Page 303 Focusing on Corsica since the eighteenth century, this title contains a comprehensive annotation, textual apparatus, and a critical introduction. These contextualize the Corsican issue, and underline its significance as a forerunner of the American and French revolutions