DOI chapter:
Chap. XIV: Leghorn - Medusa Frigate - Portus Veneris - Delphini Portus - Harbor of Genoa - Its appearance - Palaces - Churches - Ramparts, and History
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62268#0501
Ch. XIV. THROUGH ITALY. 491
been applicable to the ancient, it is not fair to
conclude from thence, that it is equally so to the
modern Ligurians.
The character of a nation is the result of cli-
mate, soil, religion, government, and numberless
other circumstances, most of which are liable to
various modifications, and consequently not al-
ways regular in their effects. Now of all these
causes the two first alone remain unaltered. The
Ligurians still live under the same genial sky,
and still inhabit the same rugged mountains; in
every other respect they differ essentially from
their forefathers. These had long struggled with
enemies more powerful, more numerous and bet-
ter disciplined than themselves. Art and strata-
gem became their principal weapons, and the
fastnesses of the mountains were their only re-
treats. Thus, necessity first broke, and long
habit inured them, both to patience and to de-
ceit, and made these two qualities the prominent
features of their national character. The modern
Ligurians enriched by commerce smile at the ste-
rility of their soil, and blest for ages in the enjoy-
ment of liberty, they have defended it as it de-
serves to be defended, with courage and open
force. They have met their enemies in array,
and obtained many a glorious victory by skill and
intrepidity. Stratagem does not seem to have
2
been applicable to the ancient, it is not fair to
conclude from thence, that it is equally so to the
modern Ligurians.
The character of a nation is the result of cli-
mate, soil, religion, government, and numberless
other circumstances, most of which are liable to
various modifications, and consequently not al-
ways regular in their effects. Now of all these
causes the two first alone remain unaltered. The
Ligurians still live under the same genial sky,
and still inhabit the same rugged mountains; in
every other respect they differ essentially from
their forefathers. These had long struggled with
enemies more powerful, more numerous and bet-
ter disciplined than themselves. Art and strata-
gem became their principal weapons, and the
fastnesses of the mountains were their only re-
treats. Thus, necessity first broke, and long
habit inured them, both to patience and to de-
ceit, and made these two qualities the prominent
features of their national character. The modern
Ligurians enriched by commerce smile at the ste-
rility of their soil, and blest for ages in the enjoy-
ment of liberty, they have defended it as it de-
serves to be defended, with courage and open
force. They have met their enemies in array,
and obtained many a glorious victory by skill and
intrepidity. Stratagem does not seem to have
2