Note 54 — CHAP. XXIX.
Reading edition
“That certain local causes have through all ages tainted the atmosphere of Sardinia, may be gathered from the remarks and sarcasms of a host of early authors. Martial, in mentioning the hour of death, celebrates salubrious Tibur at the expense of this pestilent isle:
‘Nullo fata loco possis excludere: cum mors Venerit, in medio Tibure Sardinia est.’
“Cicero, who hated Tigellius, the flattering musical buffoon so well described by Horace, thus lashes his country in a letter to Fabius Gallus: ‘Id ego in lucris pono non ferre hominem pestilentiorem putriâ suâ.’ Again, writing to his brother: ‘Remember,’ says he, ‘though in perfect health, you are in Sardinia.’ And Pausanias, Cornelius Nepos, Strabo, Tacitus, Silius Italicus, and Claudian, severally bear testimony to the current opinion. In later times the terse Dante sings:
‘Qual dolor fora, se degli spedali Di Valdichiana tra 'l luglio e 'l settembre E di maremma, e di Sardinia i mali Fossero in una fossa tutte insembre,’” &c. Smyth's Sardinia, p. 81.