_Cardinal Azzolin_ (Vol. iii., pp. 370. 371.).--Cardinal Azzolini was
appointed by Alexander VII. Intendant to Queen Christina on her
receiving a pension of 12,000 scudi from that Pope. On the withdrawal of
this grant by Innocent XI., her majesty wrote a furious letter to the
Cardinal, which is one of the most curious pieces contained in a
_Collection of Letters_, edited by M. Matter (Paris, chez Amiot). That a
close intimacy existed between the Queen and the Cardinal appears from
some allusions in contemporary letters (1685-1687). See M. Valéry's
_Correspondence de Mabillon et de Montfaucon avec l'Italie_ (Paris,
1846), vol. i. p. 99.: "La Reine de Suède, grande amie du Cardinal
Azzolin" ... vol. ii. p. 83.:
"Il n'y a plus de différend qu'entre le marquis Del Monte et le
Cardinal Azzolin [_sic_], à qui aura meilleure _part dans les
bonnes grâces de la Reine pendant sa vie_, et dans son testament
après sa mort."
The editor adds (vol. iii. p. 298.):
"Le Cardinal Azzolini fut _le principal héritier de Christine_."