THE PIRATES OF SEGNA. 343 



acts of piracy usually took place in the night, and 

 could rarely be brought home to their perpetrators, 

 although there could be no moral doubt as to the 

 identity of the latter ; but, even when proved, it was 

 found impossible to obtain any substantial redress. 

 At the time now referred to the evil was at its height. 

 Nominally at peace both with Venice and the Porte, 

 Austria, nevertheless, stimulated the Uzcoques to 

 aggressions upon the subjects of both. The Arch- 

 duke Ferdinand, a well-intentioned and virtuous 

 prince, but young and inexperienced, was completely 

 led and deceived by the wily and unprincipled poli- 

 ticians who governed in his name. He was kept 

 entirely in the dark as to the real character of the 

 Segnarese, and thus prevented from giving credence 

 to the frequent complaints made against them by 

 neighbouring States. His corrupt ministers, more- 

 over, not content with making the pirates instru- 

 mental in this tortuous policy, were not ashamed to 

 squeeze from them a portion of their illicit gains ; 

 and a lion's share of the spoil found its way into the 

 coffers of the archducal counsellors, who welcomed 

 the golden Pactolus, utterly regardless of the foul 

 channel through which it flowed. The Uzcoques, on 

 their part, who were no longer the race of brave and 

 hardy soldiers they had been some half-century before, 

 clung to the protection of Austria, conscious that, in 

 their degenerate state, and with their diminished 

 numbers, they must soon fall a prey to their numerous 

 VOL. iv. z 



