Final : a small town on the gulf of Genoa

18. Albéroni (1664-1752) was born in Italyand educated for the church. Sent to Madrid by the Duke of Parma as his minister, he gained the affection of Philip V., was created a cardinal, and soon became all-powerful in Spain. His ambitious schemes threatened at one moment to involve the whole of Europe in war ; but England and France having united against him, Philip V. felt obhged to dismiss him in 1720.

20. le politique, ' politician ' ; la politique, 'politics,' 'policy.' Cf. note, p. 16 1. 6.

le duc de Savoie: Victor Amadeus II., famous for his tortuous policy. Before the war of the Spanish Succession he had signed a treaty with Louis XIV., but after the beginning of hostilities he sided with Austria and lost the greater part of his dominions. They were, however, restored to him by the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), and he received in addition part of the duchy of Milan and the island of Sicily, with the title of King ; but he was compelled in 1720 to give up Sicily to Austria in exchange for Sardinia.