CERIGOTTO, is a small island to the eastward of Cerigo, which was known to the ancients by the name of digiala. Its history has attracted little attention ; but, from a medal still preserved, and belonging to very remote antiquity, it is supposed to have participated in some important naval events.
Cerigotto has, in modern times, been a constant recep tacle for pirates from the continent, or other islands ; and its own scanty population may be said to subsist almost entirely on plunder. It is composed of Greeks and Turks expelled from their native country ; and, if the inhabitants find themselves in greater force than their visitors, they overpower them,nd divide the spoil. Whenever a merchant vessel appears off their coast, which they think may prove a capture, they immediately arm their boats, and endeavour to cut her off. Some years ago, their depredations had become so obnoxious, that the Turkish government complained to that of Venice; and an order was, in consequence, issued to the governor general of the islands to extirpate the offen ders. This, however, was never carried into execu
tion. Though they acknowledge no laws or superiority 19ut those of force, the inhabitants live in good unde• standing with the people of Cerigo, who entrust sonic Rocks to pasture under their care on Cerigotto. What ever the conduct of the inhabitants may have been to other nations, they treated a number of distressed Eng lishmen, whom casualties had directed to their island in 1807, with great humanity. At that time they dwelt in huts, gnerally built against the side of a rock, and containing one or two apartments on the same floor. The walls consisted of clay and straw, and the roof was supported by a tree in the centre of the dwelling. Their food was a coarse kind of bread, made of boiled pease and flour, and they had a scanty portion of kids' flesh. From corn they prepared a sort of strong liquor, which had an agreeable flavour. (c)