A French army sent to them by land would have to force its way through the passes of the Alps, through Piedmont, through Tuscany, and through the Pontifical States, in opposition probably to great German armies.

A French fleet would run great risk of being intercepted and destroyed by the squadrons of England and Holland.

Of all this Lewis was perfectly aware.

He repeatedly declared that he should consider the kingdom of the Two Sicilies as a source, not of strength, but of weakness.

He accepted it at last with murmurs; he seems to have intended to make it over to one of his younger grandsons; and he would beyond all doubt have gladly given it in exchange for a thirtieth part of the same area in the Netherlands.