that he was forced to fly to _Modena_, and leave _Ferrara_ to the Pope;
and the Cardinal _Aldobrandino_, after some Articles agreed on between
his Uncle and _Don Cesar_, entred the place, and took possession of it in
the name of the Church, with little joy to the Inhabitants, who lost a
good Master to fall into the hands of Church-men, who change every day
their Governours.
As soon as the news of the rendition of _Ferrara_ came to the Popes ears,
he began, by all means, to procure the investiture for his Nephew
_Octavio_, for whom he thought the Marquisat of _Meldola_ but
inconsiderable.
But he met with a strange repugnancy in all the Cardinals for his design;
they having, by a common consent and union, resolved to oppose the Popes
desire, and not endure, that the Church should be depriv’d of so
considerable a City, which it had but newly acquired.
The Pope foreseeing, by this reluctancy of the Cardinals, that it was a
business hardly to be carried in a publick Consistory, forbore to speak
of it there, but took another course; for calling the Cardinals one by
one into his chamber, he there signified to them his desire; but they all
refused to consent, or be any wayes accessary to the alienating so
considerable a piece of the Popedome. So that the Pope thought it was
not safe to do it without them, and by force, for fear of leaving his
Nephew involv’d in a continual War, against all the succeeding Popes, and
_Don Cesar_: and therefore he resolv’d to go in person, and take
possession in the name of the Church.
A little after, he made another of his Nephews Cardinal, who was
_Silvestro Aldobrandino_, Prior of _Rome_, to whom he gave an infinite
number of Benefices. Thus _Clement_ did every day do his endeavour to
procure riches for his Family, either in lands or moveables, who of their
side were as ready to receive, as their Uncle could be to give,
particularly when it was ready money.
* * * * *
_Leo_ the eleventh, who succeeded to _Clement_, had not the same good
fortune; for being chosen in the year 1665. he liv’d but five and twenty
dayes: In which time he projected much, but executed little; amongst
other things, he gave out, that his design was not to advance his
kindred, but only to continue them in their quality, and make their
Estates plentiful and easie; which is a certain moderation, which most of
the Popes do affect to shew in their first administration of the Popedom;
for even _Sixtus_ the fourth, who gave with so profuse a hand, did still
pretend, that he did nothing but what was lawful, and to the advantage of
the Church.
This Pope had many Relations in the Family of the _Medici_, but in that
branch which was not come to be Princes; but his Darling amongst them,
was _Alexander Medici_, son to his brother _Bernardetto_, which
_Alexander_ had a son of twenty years old, called _Octaviano_, which was
the Popes Fathers name: Whereupon the Pope sent for him, with an
intention to make him Cardinal, and keep him by him: but the very same
day that he came to _Rome_, the Pope dyed, without being able to promote
him to that degree of honours which was a great affliction to all the
kindred.
* * * * *
Now let us speak of _Paul_ the fifth, of the Family of _Borghese_, made
Pope in 1605. who in an instant filled _Rome_ with _Borgheses_.
The Pope was of a most kind nature, and particularly to his kindred;
amongst whom, while he was Cardinal, he was wont to spend all his
Revenue; but his greatest passion was for _Scipion Carafelli_, his
Sisters son, whom he had brought up from a child; and him he made
Cardinal, as soon as he was made Pope himself, giving him the name of
Cardinal _Borghese_; by which name he was ordinarily called, and did
subscribe himself.
This Cardinal, was the interpreter of his Uncles mind, the Mediator of
his favours, and the Coadjutor in all weighty matters of the State and
Church: They that expected any kindnesses from the Pope, were not to
purchase them any other way, then by the means of him, who commanded and
governed the Pope and all things.
The Pope, desiring to follow his Predecessours steps, and employ his
private riches to the publick ornament of the City, took care to provide
his Ecclesiastical Nephews of Benefices and Church lands; and his secular
Kinsmen of Places and Dignities, as they became vacant.
The plenty, into which this Pope brought his Family, was such, that they
themselves did scarce know how to dispose of it, there flowing in upon
them, every day, vast sums of money from all parts of the world, to
procure, by their means, the Popes favour: Whereupon they, seeing no end
of their riches, began, out of a complacence to the Popes humour (who
delighted in the ornament of the City) to build certain publick Edifices,
so noble and stately, that the King of _France_, who hath a Kingdom so
rich, and powerful, and hereditary, would scarce have undertaken the
like, at the expence of his whole Kingdom.
The Cardinal begun the Fabrick of that _Palazzo Borghese_, in the _Campo
Martio_, which is not yet ended; and to perfect it, according to the
first design, it would require the value of half the Churches
Territories; nay, it is said, that in the foundation alone, were spent
above two hundred thousand Crowns, for they were fain to demolish great
numbers of houses, and level hills, before they could bring the ground to
that true evenness, which the design required.
The Popes brothers began two Country houses of pleasure at the same time,
one hard by _Rome_, and a little without the _Porta Ponciana_; the other
at _Frascati_, in the little hills called _Mendragone_: and we may easily
conclude what treasure was expended in these, by what the _Spanish_
Ambassadour said one day to a Gentleman of the Family of _Borghese_, who
waited upon him thither; for the Gentleman having shewed one of these
houses, asked his opinion of it? and had for answer these words, _My King
would not have undertaken in such calamitous times as these are_, _so
great a fabrick for his diversion in_ Madrid.
His Holiness was so overjoyed, to see such princely inclinations in his
kindred, that he did nothing but study night and day, how he should
enrich them more and more. ’Tis true, he needed not to trouble himself
much; for his Cardinal _Borghese_; who had the Popedom at his
disposition, took all the incomes for himself, and the Family of the
_Borgheses_, allowing the Pope a small matter, to please himself with the
mending of a Street, or a Church, or some publick Edifice; this Pope
having surpassed all his Predecessors, in erecting new Edifices, and
procuring by all wayes the ornament of the City.
In those dayes the _Nipotismo_ was most triumphant, all the former Popes
Nephews having never been invested with so absolute an authority, as that
of the Cardinal _Borghese_, and the rest of his Nephews.
_Paul_ lived sixteen years in the Chair of the Popes, so that the
_Nipotismo_ had time to give root and foundation to their greatness, as
indeed they did, but forgot to strike a nail into the Wheel of Fortune,
to hinder it from turning about; and therefore not long after, it began
to slide downwards, as we shall declare in time and place.
At last, in the year 1621. _Paul_ dyed, to the great grief of the
_Romans_, who lamented very much his loss; and indeed he was a very good
Pastour, though he were a little too liberal of the Wool of his Flock to
his Kindred; for he left to the Prince of _Salmona_ alone his Nephew,
above a hundred thousand Crowns yearly revenue; to the Cardinal as much,
besides the vast sums of money layed out in those Buildings we have
mentioned; they were thought also, to have vast sums of ready money,
unknown to their Uncle; the Cardinal alone being supposed to have above a
million in _specie_: So that _Paul_ left not a farthing to the Church.
* * * * *
His Successour was _Gregory_ the fifteenth, of _Bologna_, of the noble
Family _Ludovisio_, pretty rich, but very abundant in Relations and
Kindred.
This Pope, before he began to mannage the publick Affairs of
_Christendom_, resolved first to establish the particular Interest of his
House and Family; therefore having seen the example of _Leo_ the tenth,
who by reason of the shortness of his life, could not bestow the dignity
of Cardinal upon any of his Relations; three dayes after his creation, he
made _Ludovico Ludovisio_, his brothers son, Cardinal; and the same day
he made _Ocatio Ludovisio_, his brother, General of the Church, though he
were absent; and as soon as he came to _Rome_, he made him Duke of
_Fiano_, and assigned him other Lands bought with the Churches money.
The same day he distributed amongst some other Nephews, many considerable
Offices, both within and without _Rome_, though most of those, upon whom
they were conferred were absent, so that it may be said of the
_Nipotismo_ of this Pope that it was great almost before it was born, or
at least in its cradle, entring into power and command before it entred
into _Rome_.
The Cardinal _Ludovisio_ was he that governed the weighty Affairs, his
Uncle depending upon him most absolutely; so that often of Negotiations,
and Court business, he would communicate little or nothing to the Pope;
and when his Uncle, out of curiosity, would sometimes go about to inform
himself how things stood; his Nephew would presumptuously answer him, and
say, _What need you trouble your head_, _eat and drink_, _and let me
alone to serve you_.
Every step of this Cardinal was towards the advancement of his Family;
and the Pope, not only did let him alone, but would often exhort him to
make hast, least of a sudden he should be depriv’d of the means: which
fell out; for the Pope liv’d but seven and twenty moneths; in which time,
the _Ludovisi_ minded their business so well, that at their Uncles
decease they had amongst them, two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns
yearly revenue, besides ready money, and that which they spent in publick
buildings: So that this _Nipotismo_ does deserve the title, of the most
subtle & diligent of all the precedent _Nipotismo’s_, if we consider the
proportion of their riches, and measure the shortness of the time that
they were purchased in.
With all this they much studied publick applause, and to gain to
themselves the good will of the people, and _Roman_ Nobility; shewing
great respect for them, and offering their service willingly upon all
occasions. ’Tis true, there was not much credit given to these
demonstrations, because that the _Romans_ were already accustomed to see
such Scenes of dissimulation: But nevertheless, their Uncle, neither
alive nor dead was not prosecuted with _Pasquinades_; his government, or
rather his Nephews, having not been so tyrannical as covetous. And since
the _Romans_ leave them in peace, so will we too, and conclude this book
with the death of _Gregory_ the fifteenth.
The THIRD BOOK.
The Contents.
_IN which is treated_, _of the election of_ Urban _the eighth to the
Popedome_. _Of the creation and disposition of Cardinal_ Barbarino _a_
Capucin. _Of the Places and Offices given to_ Don Tadeo. _Of the
promotion of the two Brothers_, Francesco _and_ Antonio Barbarini, _to be
Cardinals_. _Of their avidity in getting money_. _Of some Prelates
offended and moved to indignation_, _to see that their services were so
little recompenced by the Pope_. _Of the Cardinal_ Filomarini, _made
__Arch-Bishop_ of Naples. _Of the inclination of the_ Barbarini, _to
carry all things with a high hand_. _Of some Pasquins made against
them_. _Of the great hatred the_ Romans _did bear them_. _Of the design
of the_ Barbarini _to make themselves great Princes_. _Of the Title of
Cardinal_ Padrone _given to_ Francesco Barbarino. _Of the Duke of_ Parma
_his journey to_ Rome. _Of the title of Eminency given to the Cardinal_.
_Of the great riches the_ Barbarini _were in possession of after the
death of_ Urban. _Of the reasons_, _why Cardinal_ Francesco Barbarini
_might hope to be Pope_. _Of there being three Cardinals of this name
all at a time_. _How_ Innocentius _the tenth was_ Urban’s _Successour_.
_Of all that passed about the Cardinalship_, _marriage and banishment of
the Prince_ Pamphilio, _the Popes Nephew_. _Of the authority and
government of_ Donna Olympya: _and of her may treating affairs_. _Of_
Innocentius’s _nearest Relatives_. _Of the promotion of_ Astalli _to the
Cardinalship_. _Of the Railleries_, _Pasquins_, _and Discourses_, _that
were held about this promotion_. _Of_ Astalli his banishment, and _the
promotion of_ Azzolini. _Of_ Innocentius, _and the assumption of_
Alexander _to the Popedome_. _Of Don_ Mario’s _journey towards Rome_,
_stopped by an express order from the Pope_. _Of the affront that_ Don
Mario _received_, _in being forced to return to_ Siena. _Of the honour
that the Popes kindred did receive in Siena_. _Of the respect showed
them by the State of_ Venice, _and the great Duke of_ Tuscany. _Of the
Popes resolution to receive none of his kindred in_ Rome. _Of some
presents sent to_ Don Mario _and_ Don Agostino, _in_ Siena. _Of the
Popes design and purpose to call all his Relations to_ Rome: _and of all
that past in the execution of it_. _Of an Event full of curiosity_,
_about the History of the Council of_ Trent, _made by Father_ Palavicino,
_a Jesuite_. _Of the murmurs and Pasquins of the_ Romans _too_, _when
they saw the_ Nipotismo _in possession of the Church and City_. _Of the
number of the Popes Relations_. _Of the Offices_, _charges and places
that they possess_, _and by what means they grow rich_. _Of the
jealousie that is between them_. _Of_ Don Agostino _his marriage_. _Of
the great affection the Pope bears him_. _And of some other
particularities full of curiosity and policy_.
ALL that we have hitherto related, is nothing but the Vigil or Eve of the
_Nipotismo_; now begins the Festival day, in the time of _Urban_ the
eighth, of the Family of the _Barbarini_, who succeeded _Gregory the_
fifteenth, contrary to every bodies expectation, in the year 1623. in the
month of _August_.
As soon as the news of his Elevation came to _Florence_, those few
remnants of the Family, who were then under the protection of the great
Duke, flew, like so many Bees to _Rome_ (and the Bees are the
_Barbarini’s_ Coat of Armes) to suck the Honey of the Church, but they
left not behind them their Stings, wherewithall in sucking it, they stung
it most bitterly.
_Urban_ in the beginning, shewed not much tenderness for his kindred,
though he did openly own, that he would call them about him: And indeed,
in this his beginning, and as it were the blossom of his Popedom, he did
one of the worthiest actions of his life, which was the giving of a
Cardinals Cap to _Francesco Barbarini_, his Nephew, a Personage truly
worthy so great an honour being endowed with the singular qualities of an
exemplary life and integrity, which made him worthy, and more then
worthy, of the Popedom it self.
The year after, which was 1624. he made Cardinal, his brother, that was a
_Capucin_, and went by the name of brother _Antony Barbarin_, whom the
Pope loved entirely; he gave him the title of Cardinal of Saint
_Oposrius_, but he had been so accustomed to the strictness of a
_Capucines_ life, that being raised to this great dignity, he demeaned
himself with the same meanness as before; he had much ado to custom
himself to that great Cope which the Cardinals wear; neither would their
wide large Sleeves agree with him, and he had given order to have them
made close and streight, after the _Capucins_ fashion: But that that was
most ridiculous was, that when he saluted any body, instead of putting
off his Hat, he would only put it back with a nod, as the Monks do their
Hoods; so that once, in the presence of the Venetian Ambassadour it fell
backwards; to the ground, with no small laughter of the Assistants: Thus
he was the diversion of the whole Colledge of Cardinals.
_Don Tadeo_, the Popes other brother, was made General of the Churches
Forces, Prefect of _Rome_ and in the long reign of his brother, had so
many Civil and Military Offices conferr’d upon him, that he could not
remember them himself; the rather, because that he never car’d to
exercise the functions of them, so he might receive the revenue, which he
forgot not to put up carefully; that is, in a word, he took a good
account of the profit, but could give none of the satisfying the
obligation those Offices laid upon him.
In the year 1668. the seventh of _February_, the Pope, that he might more
and more fortifie the Family of the _Barbarines_, created another
Cardinal of that name, _viz. Antonio Barbarino_, _Francesco’s_ brother,
under the title of _Santa Maria in Aquino_.
These two brothers, though elevated to the same dignity, were
nevertheless of a different humour; for one made it his business, to
edifie the publick by good actions; and the other, did nothing but
scandalize all the world by his vicious deportments; insomuch, that
whosoever will weigh the vertues of the one against the vices of the
other, shall see, that the ill actions of Cardinal _Antonio_, are far
heavier then the good ones of his brother, though his brothers piety be
very great.
’Tis true, that when once Cardinal _Antonio_ began to frequent the
_French_, that he changed, as it were his nature, for of a covetous hater
of Learning, he became a generous promoter of Ingenuity, and very
officious to all sorts of persons; so that now we may say, that he is a
noble Prince, and a good Cardinal, whereas before he was esteemed an ill
bred Gentleman, and a wicked Cardinal, and as much blame and dishonour as
he contracted then, so much reputation and credit hath he now gained.
_Urban_ in the beginning shew’d a most exact diligence, in the government
of the Church; and in truth, Cardinal _Francesco_, and he, did take no
small pains in reforming the abuses, as well of the Clergy and Monks, as
of the Court and temporal administration; so that forraign Princes and
Nations were very much edified, by the Popes zeal, and Cardinal
_Francesco_ his sincerity, by which he did endeavour to please every
body.
But after five or six years time passed thus in the continual cares of
the Pontificat, he began to grow weary, not of doing good, but of doing
it so often; therefore leaving the mannagement of the most important
Affairs to his Nephews, he began to take his ease, and they taking
possession of business, did at the same time engross their Uncles
inclinations and intentions, that they did, as it were, bind his will to
theirs.
Then the desire of growing rich did so blind them, that night and day
they did think of nothing else, but of the means to make themselves
Princes eternize their family, and fill their Coffers with treasure.
As soon as any Abbey was vacant, it was immediately conferr’d upon one of
them, and then as soon as any other good Benifice fell out, it was
presented to the other; so that between them, they had all that was rich
and worth speaking of, at last both Cardinals, being so full that they
could hold no more, would bestow vacant Benifices upon their little
Nephews: nay, to above five or six of _Urban’s_ little Cozens, were given
Benefices while they were yet in their Cradles; the precedent Popes
Decrees being despised, and by these proceedings, the very bread taken
out of the mouths of those Prelates, that had served the Church with zeal
and care; which was enough almost to make them desperate, seeing little
children, scarce born, preferred to them, who had so much deserts. More
then this, I think it may be said, that some Benefices were disposed of
to those that were not yet born; for in the Articles of marriage of one
of the _Barbarines_ with a Lady of the family of _Colonna_, one was,
_That a certain Abby should be given to the first-born_; so that in the
time of this good Pope, Church lands were bestowed on those, who were not
yet in the world, but by imagination; and those that had really, and with
great pains, serv’d the Church, were altogether depriv’d of their reward.
A certain Prelate of _Bologne_, who with great zeal had bestirred him in
his Ecclesiastical employment, went to _Rome_ to receive his recompence,
and having presented himself to the _Barbarines_, was desired to stay a
little while: This little while proved the space of eight years, in which
an infinity of Benefices were vacant, but the good Prelate could get none
of them, because that the _Barbarines_ divided all amongst themselves, he
seeing this, resolved to return home empty as he came; and as he was
going out of _Rome_, some body from the _Barbarines_ told him, that he
ought to expect a little longer, and take a little more patience: To
whom, with tears in his eyes, he answered, _They must be Saints_, _and
not men_, _who can see the bread eaten from their mouths by the_
Barbarines, _and not be cast into despair_.
Another, who had stayed as long to no purpose resolved at last to be
gone; and being importun’d by his friend to stay a little longer,
answered him thus, _If the Church_, _dear friend_, _had as many
Popedomes_, _as the Pope hath Nephews and Cozens_, _and that there one
that did not see some where_, _I might have some hopes_; _but since there
is but one Popedom_, _I should be a fool to expect any part of it from
those_, _who do not think it enough to divide among themselves_.
Of these examples, I believe, I could make half a dozen Volumes in folio,
and all of persons that are now living; but I will not weary the Reader
with the Lecture of them; Let it suffice for him to know, that _Urban_
never gave any thing for a recompence, to those that had served the
Church except his Nephews had first refused it; and they refused so
little, that in the end, all _Urban’s_ rewards amounted to nothing.
If any body could brag of a considerable fortune made under the
_Barbarini_, it was a sign, that such a one had serv’d them, and not the
Church.
Thus in the year 1641. the Pope made _Ascanio Filomarino_ Cardinal, and
Archbishop of _Naples_, though the service he had done the Church, did
scarce deserve him a simple Canonicat, so far was he from meriting an
Archbishoprick, yet _Urbin_ promoted him, because he had done most
eminent service to the _Barbarines_ family: And indeed, in this _Urban_
cannot but be thanked, for enriching the Church (though his design were
not such) with a person adorned with so many excellent qualities, which
made him worthy of the Popedom it self, having, since this his elevation,
edified, not only his Flock, but all _Christendome_, and rendred most
singular service to the House of _Austria_, in the revolt of _Naples_,
and the business of _Massinello_, in the year 1647.
If the _Barbarines_ pretend to the contrary, that they have advanced and
promoted those who had a true zeal for the Church, they will do well to
produce their names: But I desire my Reader to take this precaution, and
observe, that if any body was rewarded, under pretence of having served
the Church, there was the Cheat; for they that pretended most to serve
the Church, were they, that in effect did work the _Barbarines_ designs
and interests to an issue: Upon this account, in one promotion, were made
Cardinals the following Prelates, _Gio. Baptista Pamphilio_, who was
since _Innocentius_ the tenth, _Gio. Francesco Palotta_, and _Gio.
Francesco de Contiguidii da Bagno_; the first, because he had been Nuntio
in _Spain_, the second in _Germany_, and the third in _France_; yet the
Pope could never be brought to make _Monsignor Visconti_, who was Nuntio
in _Polonia_, Cardinal, for all the great instances of that King, though
the said _Visconti_ was a most worthy Prelate, and one who had done the
Church more service in his Employment, then all the other three together;
and yet for all that, he remained excluded, while the others were
admitted to that honour.
Why then was this affront done to _Visconti_? I’le tell you; while he
was in _Polonia_, he serv’d the Church, and not the _Barbarines_; and the
others, in their Nuntiatures, did the quite contrary.