necessity did not force him, could hardly be brought to it; and yet for
his family, he made no difficulty of breaking the precedent Popes
Decrees, and the Laws of the Church, which forbid to make two brothers
Cardinals, while they are both alive: but he did this only to satisfie
his Nephews; and at last, was brought by them to make great numbers of
other Cardinals; for they, being towards the end of the Pontificat weary
of heaping together, began to think, how they should preserve their
treasure and power; and therefore, to fortifie their party, they obliged
their Uncle, to make a numerous promotion of their Creatures.
If ever the _Romans_ murmured and made Pasquins, it was in the time of
his _Nipotismo_; for when the _Barbarines_ took away from the Church
called the _Rotunda_, that excellent piece of workmanship of _Bronze_,
(for which we have no name but Bell-metal) to make that piece of
Architecture and Pillars, which adorns the Altar in Saint _Peters_
Church, which is one of the most noble and magnificent Works that ever
was undertook, all the people cryed in the streets, _Quod non fecerunt
Barbari_, _secerunt Barbarini_; and they thought they had a great deal of
reason to exclaim thus against them, because it was certainly affirmed,
that the _Barbarines_ had diverted above half the metal to their private
use in their Palace; and some say, that they made racks for their
Chimneys of it, but I scarce believe it.
But that Pasquin, which was made in the time that _Gustave Adolse_, King
of _Swede_, invaded _Germany_, was fuller of curiosity; for there were
certain Images in paper, that represented the Church of God, all naked
upon a little bed, and full of the wounds she had received from
_Gustave_, and covered over with Flies or Bees, which were the
_Barbarines_ Armes; near the bed, was the Emperour upon his knees,
craving aid from the Church, that he might fight for the Church; from
whom he did receive this answer; _I have nothing to give thee_, _O my
Defender_, _for the Flies have sucked me even to the very bones_, making
allusion to the _Barbarines_ Armes.
Another time were found in the streets of _Rome_, a great quantity of
Pictures; in every one of which was drawn a poor Prelate, asking Alms
from the Church to content himself withall; to whom the Church made
answer, _For my part_, _I have not a farthing_, _the_ Barbarines _have
taken all from me_.
Almost at the same time, was seen a Medal, which represented _Pasquin_,
loaden with Swords, Musquets, Daggers, and other Weapons, with an
inscription that said,
_To drive away the Flies_;
which thing displeased the Barbarines beyond measure, conceiving that all
this was nothing but a design to make the people rise in Armes against
them; so that though they set a good face upon it, yet secretly they
disposed things to their defence, in case of a sedition.
And certainly had it not been, that the _Romans_ did every day look for
the Popes death, there would have happened some revolution, for the
hatred of the people to the _Barbarines_ encreased more and more the
longer the Pope lived; one thing particularly exciting publick envy and
jealousie, which was, that the _Barbariens_ did every day plant their
Armes in some place or another of the City, to eternize their Name and
Family.
One of my friends had the curiosity, to reckon all the Bees (that is, the
_Barbarines_ Armes) that the _Barbarines_ had placed here and there, as
well in the City, as in the State of the Church, and found their number
to be above ten thousand, in Painting, Stone and Marble.
The _Barbarines_ tryed to make themselves great Princes; and trusting to
the great sums of money which they had got together, thought they might
make themselves Masters of a good part of _Italy_: Their first design
was, to put themselves in possession of the Dutchy of _Urbin_, which in
the year 1631. was fallen to the Church, by the death of _Francisco Maria
della Rovere_; but they found the Cardinals very averse, and resolved not
to consent to the alienation of so considerable a part of the Popedom;
they thought therefore that it was better to let it alone, considering
the injuries they had already done to _Venice_, and the great Duke of
_Tuscany_, who without doubt would have crossed their design.
But to be at once revenged of their Enemies, and draw respect from their
Friends, they fram’d a design of driving the _Spaniards_ out of the
Kingdom of _Naples_, and giving the Crown of that Kingdom to _Don Tadeo_;
this they thought, by reason of the decaying State that the House of
_Austria_ was then in, that they might bring to pass with little or no
trouble; but when the business came to be weighed, and discussed, in the
presence of a Prelate, of great esteem and credit, of their party, he
told them, _That the_ Neapolitans _had received such ill impressions of
the Pope and his Family_, _that they would sooner give themselves to the_
Turk, _then to the Barbarines_.
After this, they began to molest _Odoardo Farneze_, Duke of _Parma_, a
Prince who had deserved better from the Church; and their design was, to
deprive him absolutely of _Parma and Placentia_, and give them to _Don
Tadeo_; but they met with greater obstacles then they expected, for the
_Italian_ Princes, his Neighbours, being allarm’d at the _Barbarines_
greatness, opposed them smartly; and the Duke himself, being a noble
couragious Prince, not only made a stout resistance, but drove them and
their Army back to _Rome_; from which place he might have chased and
expelled the _Barbarines_ themselves, if he had been as malicious as
they.
This Enterprise having thus failed, they fell to courting the Republick
of _Luca_; but in their courtship they were a little preposterous, by
shewing their desire of Empire, before they had gained their Mistresses
affections; for having excommunicated her, the _Lucheses_, being
advertised of their good intentions, prevented, by timely remedies, the
execution of them: And thus the _Barbarines_ were, fain to give over with
shame that which they had begun with rashness.
Perceiving at last, that none of these Ambitious plots would hit, and
that all Princes and the Cardinals themselves began to be weary of their
long tyranny; they conceived a thought of making the Popedome hereditary
in their family, which thing seemed at first feasible, because that most
of the Cardinals that had been created at their recommendation, had a
very good opinion of Cardinal _Francisco_; and besides, they had a secret
way of compassing this their design, which, though very wicked, was yet
well enough invented; and that was, to give to every Cardinal of their
creatures, who were much above the two thirds of the Colledge; some one
City of the Popedome, which they should enjoy for their lifetime, as
Soveraign Princes, and so make as many Princes as Cardinals, but above
all, they had resolved to present Cardinal _Richelieu_, with the whole
state of _Avignon_, that they might have assistance from the _French_, in
the rest of their enterprize.
They had betwixt them, divers conferences and meetings upon this new
project, and _Don Tadeo_ made every thing so easie, that it was a great
pleasure to hear him discourse upon it; but Cardinal _Francesco_, who
judged according to the rules of conscience and true policy, laughed it
out of doors, and order’d there should be no more mention made of it.
This design being thus crushed in the Cradle, to the great displeasure of
those that had conceived it, the _Barbarines_ layed aside all thoughts of
becoming Princes, and continued in their wonted way of gathering riches,
in which they met with all success and facility, by reason of the great
experience they had of the interests and business of the Church. And
certainly there scarce ever was a more able and capable Nipotismo then
this, for no sooner were they in possession of the management of the
affairs of _Europe_, but they shewed themselves master Politicians.
And indeed the authority which _Urban_ gave to Cardinal _Francesco_ was
not ordinary; and though the precedent Popes, had in effect given all
power to their Nephewes, yet were they contented with the substance of
the thing, and did not affect new names, and titles. But _Urban_
thought, it was not enough to give the power, except he gave with it the
vanity, and appearance of honour; therefore his Nephew _Francesco_, to be
Cardinal _Padroen_, that is, Cardinal, Master, and Lord, a title never
heard of before in _Rome_; for the Popes his Predecessors, when they
spoke of their Nephewes would say, for example, _the Cardinal_ Ludovisio
_our Nephew_, _the Cardinal_ Borghese _our Nephew_: but _Urban_ from
morning to evening, had nothing in his mouth, but the Cardinal _Padrone_,
as, _call the Cardinal_ Padrone, _where is the Cardinal_ Padrone, _spake
to the Cardinal Padrone_, _&c._ so that nothing was heard up and down,
but Cardinal _Padrone_, to the astonishment of the Embassadours of
Christian Princes, who thought themselves honoured enough, to call
themselves the Popes Sons, and own him as Father, while he in the
presence of their Embassadours, gives the title of _Padrone_ to his
Nephew; nay, in the presence of some Princes themselves, he used this
Title, as it happened to the Duke of _Parma_, which occurrence, as
memorable, I shall here relate.
_Odoardo Farneze_, Duke of _Parma_, was come in the year 1626, into his
little state of _Caprarola_, for the giving of some Orders which requir’d
his presence; there he received an invitation by a letter from the Pope,
brought by _Monsignor Fausto_, the Popes Steward, who waited upon him
with the Popes Coaches.
The Dukes intention was not to go to _Rome_, not that he had any aversion
to the Pope but because that he was well informed of the teacherous
proceedings of the _Barbarines_ towards many Princes, and particularly
towards himself.
Nevertheless, for fear, least a denial should be interpreted, as a
disrespect to the Popes Majesty; (particularly, having been once before
as far as the Gates of _Rome_, without going into the City) and seeing
himself so fairly invited, he resolved to go as he was in the habit of a
Travellor, and with a slender Court.
The Pope indeed received him with all demonstrations of kindness, but the
_Barbarines_ using their wonted dissimulation, after they had given him
some publike signes of respect and civility, did likewise afford him some
occasion of complaint; of which the Duke being much offended, thought he
could do no less, then signifie it to the Pope at his departure, and
complain of the proceedings of the Cardinal _Padrone_ towards a Prince of
his quality; but he did not give him the Title of _Padrone_, but only of
Cardinal _Barbarino_.
The Pope was displeased, to see the Duke thus angred, and went about to
appease him, but in vain; for having said that he knew that the Cardinal
_Padrone_ had a very great esteem for his person, the Duke interrupted
him, and said, _Most Holy Father_; _for my part_, _I know no other
Padrone than your holiness_.
This answer was quick, and biting, having been made to the Pope himself,
who thereby saw his Title of _Padrone_ laughed at; and indeed the Duke
had a great deal of reason to mortifie thus the _Barbarines_, who
pretended to treat him more like their subject, then like a Prince.
But the _Barbarines_ ambition stayed not in the Title of Cardinal
_Padrone_; they took exceptions against the quality of _Illustrissime_,
with which hitherto the Cardinals had been content for so many Ages, but
pretending higher, strove to find out some terme that should not be
inferiour to the Title of excellency, which Soveraign Princes in _Italy_,
and other places, did then take.
This important point was often discussed, and canvassed by _Urban_, and
the _Barbarines_, and more then four or five singular Titles came into
their fancies; at last they pitched upon the word _Eminency_, which in
effect he gave to the Cardinals, not so much for their sake, as for his
Nephews. The Princes no sooner heard of it, but that they might be even
with him, they took the Title of _Highness_, the _Barbarines_ remaining
much mortifyed at it.
But the best of it was, that at first _Urban_ had no mind that any of the
Cardinals should use the Title of _Eminency_, except those of his family;
but afterwards foreseeing that the world would laugh at him, he made his
decree general for all the Cardinals.
All this while it seemed as if the _Barbarines_ had chained good fortune
to their desires, all things succeeding according to their wishes; and
indeed they were become so high in their commands, that they despised
every body, and could hardly brook that any Crown in _Europe_ should
oppose, or not condescend to the satisfying of their insatiable
inclinations.
Never Prince was more absolute in a conquest, then the _Barbarines_ were
in their administration of the Church and City of _Rome_; they laughed at
any body; let those that would talke and prate; but nothing but derision
and scorn was the share of those that went about to contradict them.
’Tis true, they had the good fortune to meet with little or no
opposition, for in the whole consistory of the Cardinals, there were but
five, who were not their Creatures, _viz. Medici_, _Savelli_, _Carassa_,
_Lauci_, and _Capponial_, creatures of _Paul_ the fifth, and these too
being of a quiet spirit, and not undertaking, durst never oppose them
stifly: The others who had been made Cardinals by them did nothing but
subscribe to the _Barbarines_ pleasure whatever it was, so they lorded it
over the Church and State, nay, over all Christendome, as absolute
Monarchs of the World.
This uncontrouled power having lasted three and twenty years, _Urban_
their Uncle died, leaving the Church in disorder, the State in debt, and
his family in possession of such vast riches, that even the Stewards that
managed them, could hardly believe the truth of their accounts. Two
hundred and seven and twenty Governments, Dignities, Offices, Abbies, and
Benefices of the richest sort, were then in the family of the
_Barbarines_; the Revenue of which was so great, that I believe the
_Barbarines_ never computed it, though they receiv’d it.
The Catholick King, who is master of so many Provinces, and who takes a
pride in filling whole sheets of Paper with his Titles, could not produce
halfe so many as the _Barbarines_ could have done after the death of
their Uncle.
As for summes of ready mony it is not to be imagined how great they are
that they have. ’Tis believed, that Cardinal _Francesco_ alone hath
under ground, above two millions of Crowns in Gold; Besides what the
Cardinal _Antonio_ hath hidden and spent in his long Exile; And besides
what _Don Tadeo_ sent to _Palestrina_, to be buried in a new vault under
ground; and it is very certain, that about two months before _Urban_
dyed, there were met in two nights above threescore and ten Mules, loaden
with mony, going to _Palestrina_, where _Don Tadeo_ was to receive them.
But we have another argument of the _Barbarines_ prodigious riches. For
if _Sixtus_ the Fifth, in five years time, could spend five Millions of
Crowns, in buildings and founding of Colledges, and leave five millions
more to the Church, and yet give away three Millions at least to his
kindred. And if _Gregory_ the Fifteenth in two years time spent vast
summs, for the succour of the _Valteline_ and the _Emperour_, and in the
embelishing of _Rome_, and yet left to his Relations the value of above
three Millions of Crowns. Then I say, let any body judge what riches the
Family of the _Barbarines_ are in possession of. They that for the space
of three and twenty year have had the whole Popedome at their
disposition; and who in all that time never spent for the Church, or in
publick Edifices, above four Millions of Crowns in Gold; and yet the
people was never more oppressed: therefore we must conclude, That their
riches are immense; and if we may calculate them by comparison of what
the other Popes Nephews have got, they must have above thirty Millions of
Crowns; and they that judge well, will not think it too much.
The power of this Nipotismo expired not with their Uncle; and though
under his Successor they suffered a sharp Persecution, yet are they even
now at this time so recovered of it, that they still deserve the Title of
the Nipotismo _Di Roma_, there being three Cardinals of them alive, a
thing which was never seen before, and will scarce be seen hereafter in
_Rome_, that there should be three Cardinals of the same Name and Family;
and that which is most considerable is, that they are now in great esteem
with the _Romans_. _Francesco_, who is the Elder Brother, being
respected as a Saint; and if he be alive when the Sea of _Rome_ shall be
vacant, he will go near to get the Popedome once more into his family,
and the Cardinals ought to choose him for three reasons.
First, Because of the purity of his life, neither can it be said, that he
Counterfits Piety, and feigns devotion, as many others have done.
Because, it is not possible, that a man shall equally deceive the World
in his Infancy, his youth, his riper years, and his old age; therefore,
certainly, since this Cardinal hath appear’d, even from his youth, to be
what he now is, we ought to conclude him to be of an unfeigned integrity.
The second reason, for which Cardinal _Francesco_ deserves to be Pope, is
his great experience in Ecclesiastick and Civil affairs, there being no
Cardinal now alive, that is half so well instructed in them as he: so
that upon this score Christendome would be sure to be well provided of a
Pope.
The third reason is, That the _Barbarines_ being already exceedingly
rich, they would not now be so subject to that great avidity of heaping
treasure upon treasure as they were at first. But I reckon without mine
host, and would do better to leave these thoughts to the Cardinals, who
will have time enough to examine them, since _Alexander_ hath of late
taken new forces, and is not like to dye yet.
The second Cardinal of this Family, that is _Antonio_, hath by his change
of life, wiped away that scandalous impression, which his first
demeanours, under the Pontificat of his Uncle, had given of him. And
indeed, in that time he did lead a life too full of liberty and
debauchery, and did not only scandalize all _Europe_, but by his proud
carriage disobliged the Embassadours of many Princes, and made the
_Romans_ hate him so, that at midnight they would cry out in the streets,
_il Cardinal Antonio serve in Roma di demonio_: but as I have said
already, After he once began to frequent the _French_, and follow their
humour, he changed his nature, and the _Romans_ changed their note to his
advantage, seeing him become generous, full of affability and civility,
and much enclin’d to promote learning, so that now they cry _Antonio
Barbarino_, _sembra un angelo divino_. But for the Popedome, he need not
expect it; for all the Miracles in the World, will not take away
altogether an ill impression from the _Italians_, when once it hath had a
foundation in their minds.
_Charles Barbarino_, who is the third, is very obsequious to his Uncle
_Francesco_, who does with a great deal of care give him such
instructions, as may breed Vertue and Piety in him. Many think that most
of his good qualities are feigned; but for my part, I think, we ought to
judg well of exteriour probity, and leave the secret of dissimulation to
him that knowes the heart; though most say, That he is _Cardinal_ Antonio
_within_; _and Cardinal_ Francesco _without_.
* * * * *
But now it is time to leave the _Barbarines_, and come to _Donna
Olympia’s_ brother in Law, that is _Innocentius_ the Tenth, who was
chosen in 1649, contrary to the worlds expectation; not but that he was
endowed with sufficient good qualities for so high a post: but that is
the least thing that is considered by the Nipotismo, who in the creation
of a new Pope are very careful not to advance one who should prove the
enemy of their family.
In this Conclave, the _Barbarines_ had resolved to give their votes; and
those of their party, rather to Cardinal _Medici_, then to Cardinal
_Pamphilio_; and the sooner, because, that upon the point that the
Cardinals were to go into the Conclave, there were divers Pasquins made,
and amongst the others this, _Quardateri di far Papa_ Pamphilio _che vi
Mandarebbe tutti in Esilio_; and this other, _Pamphilio Mandara le Mosche
in Esilio_: So that the chiefest aime of the Nipotismo was to procure the
exclusion of _Pamphilio_, not only by means of their creatures, but also
by a formal opposition from _France_, which the Cardinal _Antonio_ was
very earnest for in that Court; but the more he bestirred himself for
this exclusion, the more prognosticks there were of a contrary success.
_Innocentius_ being then chosen in spight of the _Barbarines_, began to
persecute them most furiously, and with so much rage and passion, that
though at first no body pittyed them, yet at last it was thought too
severe a proceeding: In the mean time _Rome_ was furnished immediately
with another Nipotismo, as if it had been a perpetual custome and
tradition of the Church not to be without one.
This Pope had but one Nephew, called _Camillo Pamphilio_; who by him was
made Cardinal in the first promotion with the Title of _Padrone_, though
he were very unfit for so weighty an Employment. But _Innocent_ did
think to instruct him by little, and shape him for business. ’Tis true,
that in his Remonstrances, he would be so sharp and crabbed, following
the Nature of his Temper, that the Cardinal, farre from learning any
thing, was put out of conceit with business, and began to hate it
extreamly; and because the Pope continued every day to reproach him with
his incapacity and dulness, the poor Cardinal was often forced to feign
sickness, and pretend some incommodity to avoyd giving of Audience to
Ambassadours, and publick Ministers; thus would he be whole dayes without
daring to appear in his Uncles presence, in which time he did nothing but
contrive how he should be rid of this yoak; which though of Gold, seemed
to him to be of Iron, looking upon himself as upon the greatest slave of
the World.
And at last he began to think, that the precedent Popes having declar’d
some one of their Nephews, Princes, and married them advantagiously, it
would not be amiss that his Uncle should do as much for him. And indeed,
when the newes was published, that _Camillo Pamphilio_ was made Cardinal,
most wise men wondred at it; Considering, that whereas, all the desires
of the precedent Popes had been to eternize their name and family, by
marriages with Princesses and persons of great quality; yet that
_Innocentius_ having but this Nephew in the World, as the only bud of the
_Pamphilian_ family, should not only condescend, but, as it were force
him, be a Cardinal, and renounce Marriage; shewing therein an avidity for
present honour, but little or no care for his posterity.
But Cardinal _Pamphilio_ considered better of it, and seeing that all the
Nipotismo consisted in him alone, resolved to act all the parts of it,
and play sometimes the Cardinal and Politician, sometimes the Prince and
the gallant, and so make up a perfect Nipotismo.
To help him in the execution of his design there happened the fairest
occasion that ever was; for at that very time, the Princess of _Rossana_,
being become a Widdow, and having the happy qualities of rich, young, and
beautiful; he thought he might gain her; and indeed it succeeded
accordingly: for this Lady, though she were demanded in Marriage by
divers Soveraign Princes, was pleased to place all her affections upon
the Cardinal _Camillo_, who courted her secretly with a resolution to
marry her.
Neither is it to be wondred at that so accomplish’d a Lady, should
encline to bestow her self upon one who was so far from being lovely: For
her end in it was ambition, supposing that by this marriage, she would
insinuate her self into the Popes favour, and by her beauty and taking
carriage, attract his kindness, and so be mistress of the Church, the
state, the Pope, and her husband.
But things fell out farre different to her expectation, for no sooner had
the Pope the newes of the match, and that they were promised to one
another, but he immediatly banish’d them both from _Rome_.