This epistle is dated July 17th, 1861.
Petrarch quitted Milan during this year, a removal for which various reasons are alleged by his biographers, though none of them appear to me quite satisfactory.
He had now a new subject of grief to descant upon.

The Marquis of Montferrat, unable to contend against the Visconti, applied to the Pope for assistance.

He had already made a treaty with the court of London, by which it was agreed that a body of English troops were to be sent to assist the Marquis against the Visconti.

They entered Italy by Nice.

It was the first time that our countrymen had ever entered the Saturnian land.