hurricane
been directed over the city, filled with houses and inhabitants,
instead of proceeding among oaks and elms, or small and thinly scattered
dwellings, it would have been such a scourge as the mind, with all its
ideas of horror, could not have conceived. But the Almighty desired
that this slight example should suffice to recall the minds of men to a
knowledge of himself and of his power.

To return to our history. King Alfonso was dissatisfied with the peace,
and as the war which he had unnecessarily caused Jacopo Piccinino to
make against the Siennese, had produced no important result, he resolved
to try what could be done against those whom the conditions of the
League permitted him to attack. He therefore, in the year 1456, assailed
the Genoese, both by sea and by land, designing to deprive the Fregosi
of the government and restore the Adorni. At the same time, he ordered
Jacopo Piccinino to cross the Tronto, and attack Gismondo Malatesti,
who, having fortified his territories, did not concern himself, and this
part of the king's enterprise produced no effect; but his proceedings
against Genoa occasioned more wars against himself and his kingdom than
he could have wished. Piero Fregoso was then doge of Genoa, and doubting
his ability to sustain the attack of the king, he determined to give
what he could not hold, to some one who might defend it against his
enemies, in hope, that at a future period, he should obtain a return for
the benefit conferred. He therefore sent ambassadors to Charles VII. of
France, and offered him the government of Genoa. Charles accepted the
offer, and sent John of Anjou, the son of King Rene, who had a short
time previously left Florence and returned to France, to take possession
with the idea, that he, having learned the manners and customs of Italy,
would be able to govern the city; and also that this might give him an
opportunity of undertaking the conquest of Naples, of which Rene, John's
father, had been deprived by Alfonso. John, therefore, proceeded to
Genoa, where he was received as prince, and the fortresses, both of the
city and the government, given up to him. This annoyed Alfonso, with the
fear that he had brought upon himself too powerful an enemy. He was not,
however, dismayed; but pursued his enterprise vigorously, and had led
his fleet to Porto, below Villamarina, when he died after a sudden
illness, and thus John and the Genoese were relieved from the war.
Ferrando,