Itinerary through Corsica | Page 4

supply
being procured from goats. It is excellent, and has no rank flavour.

The only remarkable creature is the mouflon, a species of sheep,
resembling that almost extinct animal the bouquetin or ibex of the Alps.
It inhabits the highest mountains, and though very wild is easily tamed.
The best red wines are grown about Ajaccio, Tallano, Cervione and
Sartene, and the best white wines in Sari and in the valleys of Cape
Corso. They improve up to twenty years, and even up to fifty.
The temperature of the climate of Corsica varies according to the
elevation. Along the coast the sun is warm even in January. After
January the temperature rises rapidly. The climate of the zone 2000 ft.
above the sea is considerably colder and snow generally appears there
in December. The olive ripens its fruit up to an elevation of 2000 ft.
and the chestnut to 3000, where it gives place to oaks, box trees,
junipers, firs and beeches. The greater part of the population inhabits
the region of the chestnut trees, in villages scattered over the mountain
slopes, valleys and tablelands.
[Headnote: STEAMBOATS.]
Steamers to Corsica.--For invalids the easiest way is by the large
weekly Tunis steamer of the Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 12
R. de la Republique, which on its way from and to Marseilles, touches
at Ajaccio, 211 m. S., in 16 to 19 hrs., fare including meals, 38 frs. The
Compagnie Insulaire, 29 R. Cannebière, have boats every week for
Ajaccio and Propriano, 38 frs., Calvi and Ile Rousse, 28 frs., Bastia and
Leghorn, 32 frs., and Nice, Bastia and Leghorn. Weekly steamers
between Genoa, Leghorn and Bastia. The boats of the Compagnie
Insulaire being smaller, come within a few yards of the mole. The
luggage is landed from the steamers by the company free of expense
and is delivered at the custom-house to the proprietor on presentation
of the bulletin de baggage. Passengers are taken ashore and to their
hotels for 2 frs. each.
The Navigazione Generale Italiana, Piazza Marini, Genoa, have a
steamer every week for Portotorres, at the north-west extremity of
Sicily, calling at Bastia. Also from Leghorn to Bastia. Distance 72
miles, fare 20 frs., time 7 hrs.

Small steamer between Ajaccio and Propriano twice weekly.

AJACCIO.
Hotels.--On an eminence, in its own grounds, rising gently from the sea,
is the *Grand Hotel, with sea and fresh water baths and every
convenience; opened at the end of the present year. A skilled English
physician on the premises.
There are besides three good family hotels, charging from 8 to 12 frs.;
in the Course Grandval, the H. Continental, wine 1½ fr., carpeted brick
floors, garden; near it, with south exposure and full view of the bay, the
*H. Suisse or Schweizerhof, wine 1 fr., smooth wood floors, partially
carpeted, garden; at the top of the Course Grandval, the H. Bellevue,
wine 1¼ fr., partially carpeted wood floors, garden.
These prices include coffee or tea in the morning, meat breakfast and
dinner and service, but neither candles nor wine, of which the lowest
price per bottle is given above. In the Place Bonaparte is the H. de
France, a good French hotel, pension 8 to 12 frs.
Bankers and Money-changers.--The bank Bozzo-Costa and the bank
Lanzi, both near each other in the Boulevard Roi Jerome.
The office of the Compagnie Transatlantique is in the same Boulevard;
the office of the Compagnie Insulaire is in the Place du Marché.
Cabs.--The course 1½ fr., the hour 2 frs., the day 25 frs.
Tariff of return drives, with 2 frs. extra for every hour of repose.
West from Ajaccio: Scudo, 5 frs.; Vignola 1114 ft., 15 frs.; Vignola
village, 10 frs.; Lisa, 15 frs.; Iles Sanguinaires, 10 frs.; St. Antoine, 5
frs.; Salario, 5 frs. North from Ajaccio: Castelluccio, 4 frs.; Mezzavia,
5 frs.; Alata and Col Carbinica, 25 frs.; Afa, 20 frs.
East from Ajaccio: the Campo dell' Oro, or the plain at the mouth of

the Gravona, 5 frs.; the Baths of Caldaniccia, 5 frs.; Bastelicaccia, 5 frs.;
Pisciatella, 6 frs. Three frs. gratuity for a whole day. The horses cover
on an average about thirty miles a day.
AJACCIO, pop. 19,050, the capital of Corsica, is situated on the
extremity of a small gulf 677 miles from Paris and 15 to 20 hours' sail
from Marseilles. Founded in 1492 by the Bank of St. George of Genoa,
a commercial association similar to the East India Company, it was
raised in 1811 through the influence of Madame Letitia and Cardinal
Fesch to the dignity of capital of the island, and became accordingly
the residence of the Préfet and the seat of the civil and ecclesiastical
Courts. Ajaccio has a handsome Episcopal chapel built by Miss
Campbell, of Moniack Castle, Scotland, an accomplished lady, the
authoress