37. Every traveller must recollect the face of Lombardy (see
Fontenelle, tom. v. p. 279), which is often tormented by the
capricious and irregular abundance of waters. The Austrians
before Genoa were encamped in the dry bed of the Polcevera.
"Ne sarebbe" (says Muratori) "mai passato per mente a que'
buoni Alemanni, che quel picciolo torrente potesse, per cosi
dire, in un instante cangiarsi in un terribil gigante."
(Annal. d'Italia tom. xvi. p. 443, Milan, 1753, 8vo. edit.)