between the family of _Don Agostino_, and that of _Don Mario_, to the
Popes great discontent, who to sweeten a little the bitterness of this
Pill, gave _Don Mario_ leave to call his Daughters, and their husbands to
_Rome_; where he desir’d they should be respected as his Relations, and
he accorded to _Don Agostino_, that his brother _Sigismond_ might also be
sent for, to whom he gave good Church Revenues. This seem’d to have
pleased them all, and exteriourly they shewed content and satisfaction,
but secretly, and in their hearts, they do like right _Italians_, that
is, preserve the memory of their injuries, and a desire to be reveng’d.
And to begin; The Cardinal _Flavio_ little cares to get riches; and if he
do get, he spends it most prodigally, being resolved to leave _Don
Agostino_ as little as he can.
This dissipation which the Cardinal makes of his revenue, cannot choose
but displease _Don Agostino_, seeing that it is not so much the Cardinals
inclinations, as a desire to offend him that causes this prodigality;
whereupon he infers likewise, that that vast heap of treasure which _Don
Mario_ hath got together, will not be for him, but for his Daughters, who
are married into others Families; and I believe in this he is not
mistaken, for _Don Mario’s_ affection to his Daughters is very great.
The Pope in the mean time can scarce show any kindness to any one of
them; but it is presently taken ill by the others. _Doth my Cozen_,
sayes _Don Agostino_, _think it so inconsiderable a thing to be Cardinal_
Padrone, _and mannage all State affairs_, _to have the disposal of all
favours at Court_, _to treat with Embassadours_, _to have the keyes of
the Popes Closet_, _to govern the Chancery and Secretary at his
pleasure_? _What can he desire more then to be a second Pope_!
But the Cardinal answers all this by saying, that the care of business,
and the Title of _Padrone_ are not things given him out of a design to
honour him, for they are his perpetual torment, and keep him from rest in
the day time, and sleep in the night. _But doth my Cozen_, sayes the
Cardinal, _think it little to have been made Prince of a Principality
hereditary to his Family_, _to have married a lovely Princess_, _with the
enjoyment of all pleasures_, _the applause of the Court_, _and the
liberty of living as he pleases_? _are these things to be compared to the
weight of a Cardinals employment_, _in whose death all dyes with him_,
_and hath not the satisfaction to see himself re-produced in this world_?
In these duels of competition is the present Nipotismo perpetually
engaged; depriving themselves of the enjoyment of that happiness which
their good fortune hath so liberally bestowed upon them. ’Tis true, that
these complaints are made but to their neerest friends and confidents.
_Don Agostino_, to say true, is much more in the right, then the
Cardinal, the Pope being much more oblig’d to advance him then any of
them; for he is Son to that _Augusto_, brother of the Pope, who
maintain’d the Pope at his expenses in the University, supplying him
afterwards with good summes of mony from time to time, without which he
had undoubtedly been stopt in his course, and never been able to arrive
to that pitch of Grandeur he is now in: Therefore _Don Mario_ is unjust,
and _Don Agostino_ very just in his complaints; for the kindness which
the Pope receiv’d from his Father, can expect no less then a Noble
retribution to the Son, whereas all that the Pope doth for _Don Mario_
and his Son, ’tis out of pure favour, without any desert.
These jealousies, however they may be prejudicial to the Popes Family,
yet are they very advantagious to the Church; for if they were all
agreed, woe would be to _Rome_, and the Church: such would be sucked by
them all, like so many Bees; but being divided, they stand in fear of one
another, and dare not do unbeseeming actions: for while _Don Mario_ would
have all to himself, and leave nothing for his Nephew, and that on the
other side, the Nephew would have all for himself, and deprive his Uncle
and Cozen of their share, they hinder one another, and _Rome_ and the
Church fare the better for it.
The second demonstration of singular affection, which the Pope bears to
_Don Agostino_, is his Marriage: for as soon as he saw him, he liked him
so well, that he resolv’d to match with the greatest fortune of Rome,
which was then the Princess _Borghese_, daughter to the Princess of
_Rossano_, very rich, and having but one sickly brother, and therefore
looked upon as an heiress; but however, her portion was two hundred
thousand crowns in mony, besides the hereditary estate, which was in her
brothers hands.
This match did not at first succeed with that easiness that was imagin’d,
though the Pope employed in the compassing of it, the Jesuites Rhetorick;
for the Prince Uncle, to the young Lady, had a greater inclination for
the Son of the Great Constable _Colonna_, an accomplish’d young
Gentleman, and already much in the Ladies favour. Therefore to avoid the
match, he pretended, that indeed he did take it as a great honour to have
his Neece so allyed to his Holiness, but did desire to see _Don Agostino_
better provided for, and in possession of some eminent rank in the world,
that his neece might still maintain the degree of Princess she had
already. Upon this the Pope did every day straine himself to make his
Nephew appear greater and greater, giving places of great profit and
honour, and endeavouring to buy him a Principality, which at last he
effected; and though it were some disgust to him to see the Prince stand
thus upon his termes, and make no other account of the honour of his
Alliance; yet seeing that there was not in _Rome_ such another match to
be found out, he did continually keep some Irons in the fire. Above all
others, Father _Palavicinio_ a Jesuite did bestir himself in it, and as
he was one day pressing the Prince, who told him, that _Don Agostino_ was
not yet sufficiently provided for; he answer’d, _If the Pope should dye
to day_ Don Agostino _would have ready money enough_, _to buy ten
Principalities_.
While things were thus treating, the Prince _Borghese_, Tutour to the
young Lady, died suddenly, so that she fell into the Tutelage of the
Princess her Grandmother, a Lady of incomparable Piety, and one who
shames by her good life, even the Nuns themselves, she does so much
outdoe them.
The Princess of _Rossano_ is her Daughter, and Mother to the young Lady,
and she to get the Popes favour, and have some part in the _Vatican_,
which she hath alwayes been ambitious of, accepted the Propositions, and
contributed much to the Conclusion of the Match, which was almost broke
off, in which _Don Agostino_ hath a great deal of reason to be happy,
having a lovely, handsome Lady, with two hundred thousand Crowns to her
portion.
The Pope was transported with joy; and being naturally generous, he
resolv’d that the wedding should be kept with all the magnificence
imaginable, having assigned to _Don Agostino_ a hundred thousand Crowns
for the expences of it, which he accordingly layed out most nobly.
Besides this summe which was spent in Bals, Feastings, and Banquets, he
presented the Bride with Diamonds, Pearls, and the Rose, which every year
is given to some Princess to the value of 20000 Crowns, and yet in this
very time the Catholick Religion was much endanger’d in _Germany_.
_Don Agostino_ after his wedding was over became so arrogant, that not
being able to contain his passion, he was heard to say these words, _That
he had a greater joy to have got the better of his Rival_ Colonna, _then
to have obtain’d so great a Princess for Wife_: which coming to the
_Colonnesses_ Ears, the Constable the Father made answer, That _his Son
had reason to have desir’d the Princess_, _because he had merit enough to
obtain her_; _but that_ Don Agostino _was beholding to his Uncles
authority_, _without which he had never had her_.
And indeed the young _Colonna_ lost nothing by staying; three or four
year after he married Cardinal _Mazarines_ Neece, the Princess _Maria
Mancini_, a most accomplish’d Lady, and one who brought him above a
hundred thousand Crowns to her portion.
As for the third demonstration of the Popes love to _Don Agostino_, it
appear’d in the great ardour and desire he showed to make him a Prince;
’tis true, that the articles of Marriage carried, that out of the Ladies
portion there should be bought a Principality, as if _Don Agostino_ had
not so much deserv’d the Princess as the Popes Nephew, as in the
consideration of his being a Prince which was a little infamous to the
Pope.
And yet for all this the Pope would not suffer that the Principality
should be bought out of the Princesse’s portion, but with a new
generosity gave to _Don Agostino_ seventy thousand Crowns, with which he
bought the Principality of _Farneze_, in the Patrimony of St. _Peter_,
and was declared Prince, not only by the Pope, but by the Emperour, the
said Principality being a feef of the Empire.
To these three effects of kindness adde the desire that the Pope hath to
gather riches for _Don Agostino_, for whom he knowes that none of the
rest will provide, and certainly you will conclude him to be a very
loving Uncle.
The other two Nephews are, as I have said, Sons to one of the Popes
sisters, married in the Family of _Bichi_; one of whom is Cardinal and
Bishop of _Osimo_; and the other Knight of _Malta_, and General of the
Popes Gallies.
The Cardinal at his first coming to _Rome_ was not very acceptable to the
Pope; as well because he thought he had done enough in promoting him to
the dignity of Cardinal, as, because he wanted capacity for any high
employment. ’Tis true, that he had not been long at Court, but he began
to lay aside a certain simplicity, which seemed natural to him, and with
which he govern’d very well his Bishoprick, and endeavour’d to learn the
Arts of Government and Negotiation, whereupon his Cozen _Floro_ gave a
good Character of him to the Pope, not out of any design to oblige him,
but out of a lazy principle which made him glad to find out any body upon
whom he might lay a part of his burden, and this recommendation was not
without good effects for Cardinal _Bichi_, for since that time the Pope
hath admitted him into divers particular Congregations, and does make use
of him in some occurrences, but very seldome the said Cardinal, being not
in truth a man of any great wisdome.
The other Brother, who is Prior of his Order, and General of the Popes
Galleys seems to be more favourably looked upon for the Pope; often calls
him to him, and grants him many more favours then to the other.
This Gentleman hath got a great reputation in the World of a very
ingenious person, and well versed in all Sciences, but for my part I
could never find out the root, whence did spring so much desert, for he
never did any thing in the world worthy an applause: he hath been sent
above four times with his Galleys to the help of the _Venetians_ in
_Candia_, where he never did any thing like a Knight of _Malta_; for he
was alwayes afraid of fighting, even when he was cover’d by the
_Venetian_ Galleys, who alwayes were the first that engaged their lives
and honour.
And all this proceeded, because he did not trust his people that he had
aboard; and he did not trust them, because he knew they had reason to
hate him, as having defrauded them of their pay; for he did appropriate
to himself most of that mony which the Pope allowed for the entertaining
of his Soldiers and Stewes, who never were worse provided for then under
this Noble Gentlemans command.
But I think that it is the complements which the prior _Bichi_ makes to
every body that deceives them, and they are so taken with his Civility as
naturally the _Romans_ are, that they in revenge give him those qualities
which he is far from possessing.
His intention is to be Cardinal, whereupon every time he goes to see his
brother he puts on his Brothers red Hat, and tryes it, to see how it sits
upon his head. But I am afraid he will loose his longing; for the
Nipotismo of the _Chigi_ are much against it; and the Pope himself hath
declar’d that he will not make two Brothers Cardinals at the same time.
Withall this the Prior Courts his Cozens with the profoundest respect,
and the greatest submission that the lowest Courtier in _Rome_ would
employ, and all to no purpose; for they all see that he aimes at the red
Cap, which they are resolv’d to hinder him from attaining. And the
reason why they are so averse to his promotion is, because they know him
to be humorous, and apt to sow discord and dissention amongst them, which
I believe he would go neer to do, if he had the liberty of talking, which
a Cardinal hath.
Now if we will say something of the Women, who also serve to make up the
Nipotismo, we must begin with the Lady _Berenice Don Mario’s_ Wife.
This Lady is of the Noble Family of _La Civia_, one of the considerablest
of the City of _Siena_, but ill provided for by Fortune. Her husband
loves her, and indeed she hath qualities that do deserve his love, being
very witty, and civil, she had not been two year in _Rome_, but she was
mistress of all the Court Arts, and way of living, to the great
satisfaction of Embassadors, and Princes; who according to the custome of
the Court go to wait upon her sometimes, where they are not a little
surpriz’d to hear her discourse so well and easily of things which they
only which have been bred all their life amongst Queens and Princesses
can talk of, and they are the more pleased, because she does shew amidst
all this capacity a great deal of modesty, which gaines the affection and
respect of those that have occasion to treat with her.
_Don Mario_ her Husband is above eighteen years older then she, who is
not above three and fifty, and is so fresh at that age, that one would
scarce give her forty, she being subject to no infirmity at all. At her
first coming to _Rome_, the Pope declar’d, that he would see her very
seldome, giving her leave to demand any favour by her Husbands means, but
nothing by word of mouth; and he did this to show, what a horrour he had
for that impudence, with which _Donna Olympia_ used the Pope _Innocent_,
to his great dishonour, and is thought, that one of the great reasons,
that made this Pope keep his Kindred at such a distance for a great
while, was, because he was afraid of bringing his Brothers Wife into the
_Vatican_ with his Brother, the very name of a Sister in law being a most
odious thing to the _Romans_, for _Donna Olympia’s_ sake; but indeed,
_Donna Berenice_ is another sort of woman, and one who shews modesty and
reservedness in all her carriage, being unwilling to meddle with any
thing to which she is not call’d.
There is nothing to be said of this Ladies Daughters, except that the
Popedom is come in good time into the Family of the _Chigi_, for else
they and their Husbands had been brought very low; for when they were
married they had nothing, and their Husbands but very little, which was
almost consum’d by the charge of children coming on every day.
The Pope, to content the Father and Mother, gave these Ladies leave to
appear in _Rome_, where they were receiv’d and treated very obligingly,
by their brother the Cardinal _Padrone_, and were also visited by all the
_Roman_ Nobility, and by the Ambassadours and Princes.
_Don Agostino_ was also very kind to them, though with reserve, being
somewhat jealous to see them so near the Pope, whose benevolence and good
will he would fain ingross for the Masculine line of the Family: And in
publick the Pope did not give any demonstrations of particular favour to
them, that he might not increase _Don Agostino’s_ jealousies, and the
Courts murmurs; but in private he bestowed upon each of them three
thousand Crowns; and in giving them this money, he said two or three
times, That _what he did was out of charity_; _and that it was not his
design to dissipate and spend the Churches Revenue upon his Kindred_: And
these Ladies, who were born in _Siena_, and not in _Spain_, were not so
scrupulously addicted to preserve the honour of their Gentility, as to
refuse such Almes, as a _Spaniard_ would have done: And I believe,
Reader, that you would be of the same mind, and be well pleased, if any
body would give you a good sum of money, for the love of God, and out of
pure charity.
Besides this, _Don Mario_, and his Lady, have without doubt, been liberal
to them out of that heap of Treasure, which they so well know how to get
together; so that these Ladies journey to _Rome_, hath been, no doubt, a
golden journey for them, which we may conjecture, by the state they live
in now at _Siena_, having bought divers Lands and Houses.
This is all that hitherto can be said of this _Nipotismo_: But besides
these, the Pope hath another _Nipotismo_, of a remoter consanguinity; who
are so many, that they are innumerable; and the Pope hath been hitherto
averse to their coming to _Rome_, I believe, because he is unwilling to
disoblige the nearest _Nipotismo_; but if his Pontificate last, as it is
thought it may, the Pope, who is naturally inclin’d to do good, may by
little and little give them a share in his good fortune, by Employments,
Benefices, or some wayes.
Neither doth the Pope for all this, set aside his own content, which is,
to erect noble Buildings and stately Edifices, wherefore he hath doubled
the Workmen, in that vast Enterprize of Saint _Peter’s_ Church, being
very desirous to see it finished; and having often said to some
Cardinals, his Confidents, that he should not dye content, if he dyed
before that were ended.
The _Nipotismo_ is strangely displeased at this expensive humour of the
Popes, seeing him every day changing and streightning some Street, and
mending some publick Edifice, for they would that that money were spared
for them and the family of the _Chigi_. Some dayes ago, Don Mario, and
Don Agostino, went about to put some other less expensive design into the
Popes head, and particularly to oblige him, to give over the Porch of
Saint _Peter_, which is of so vast a charge: but the Pope is not to be
remov’d from his inclination, and takes it very ill, that they should
controul him in his pleasure, he, who not only doth not controul them,
but hath given them all the means they have; and he persists in this
resolution the rather, because he is resolved to have the glory of this
Enterprize, and not leave it to his Successour, who by a little addition
would perfect so great a Work, and then place his Armes in the front of
it as his.
Of late, _Alexander_ hath been fain to furnish to another expence, which
is the Legation of the Cardinal _Padrone_, to meet the Empress at
_Milan_; and the _Spaniards_ pretend, that he appear’d in greater
Splendour, then he did at the Court of _France_, as well to win their
good will, as to please his own ambition, in being seen in such pomp, in
a place where most Ambassadours of Princes were to meet, nay, and many
Princes themselves.
To say truth, the Pope deserves no small praises for his noble
inclination, in honouring sometimes one Prince, sometimes another, but
particularly for the zeal and piety he hath shewed, in the choice of
those persons that he hath promoted to be Cardinals; for in three or four
promotions he hath alwayes picked out those, who were most worthy of this
eminent Dignity, having in that little regard to any bodies
recommendation, if the Subjects themselves did not answer the expectation
conceiv’d of them; and whosoever would enquire into the life of these his
Creatures, will be satisfied of their integrity and learning, and
confess, that many of them are worthy of the Popedom, and it may be, it
may fall upon some of them, after the death of _Alexander_, who now
thinks of little less then of dying; for at his first coming to be Pope,
he thought so much of it, that now being weary of those thoughts, he
thinks of nothing but living.
All his drift now is, to oblige the Cardinals to a good correspondence
with _Don Agostino_, but he perpetually disobliging them with his haughty
carriage, ’tis thought, that after the Popes death they will little
regard his recommendations in the choice of a Successour, if things do
not much change.
I would say something of the future Conclave; but I think it is to no
purpose, for the Pope doth little think of leaving this world, though the
Cardinals pretenders do every day long for his death, that they may bring
another _Nipotismo_ in play. And some are very much convinced, that he
cannot live long, considering the augmentation of his late
indispositions; whereupon those Cardinals, that compose the flying
Squadron, have often met in secret, to agree about a Successour; but
indeed, I think that we ought to wish, that _Alexander_ may live yet, for
in the present conjuncture of affairs, his death would do no less then
bring trouble to _Italy_ and all _Christendome_, which God forbid.
The Pope doth every day endeavour to get a protection for his
_Nipotismo_, and would fain have the _Spaniards_ declare Cardinal _Chigi_
Protector of that Crown; and the Popes Nuntio in _Spain_ hath made great
instances to obtain it, that they, the Family of the _Chigi_, might be
strengthened: but I do not think he will obtain it, for the _Spaniards_
are too great lovers of themselves to protect a decaying Power, which
will rather be a burden then a help to their Monarchy.
* * * * *
_FINIS_.
* * * * *
The Second Part.
THE PRINTER TO THE READER.
_TO satisfie the curiosity of an infinite number of Persons_, _who_,
_having seen scarce any thing else of the_ Nipotismo _besides the Title_,
_do enquire after the Book with much earnestness_, _I have made hast to
Print this Second Part_, _that so you might have it compleat_; _and I
doubt not but you will be infinitely pleased with it_. _It is true_, _my
intention was_, _in conformity to the Authors_, _to have waited yet a
little longer_; _because that Affairs in_ Rome _seem inclinable to a
change_: _But it was beyond my power to keep the Rain_, _which was
already in the air_, _from falling to the ground_; _and I was forced to
yield to the curiosity of so many Inquisitive persons_. _To which the
Author was the more willing_, _because he had a desire to be rid of this_
Nipotismo, _that he might give himself up to the composing of some other
Books of no less curiosity_: _And I_, _on my side_, _have been desirous
to free my Press_, _that I might set __it on work again for a Book_,
_which no doubt will be very welcome to you_.
_It is Intituled_, Europa Morta, _and comes from an Author who is a sworn
Enemy of Flattery_. _The Subject of the Book is all Politicks_, _and
very sharply handled_, _shewing the defects of all the Kingdoms and
Republicks of_ Europe, _which they are now subject to for want of men of
that worth and vertue_, _in whom it was anciently so abounding_.
_Divers Persons_, _that have read the_ Manuscript, _are very pressing for
the publishing of it_; _which I hope will be done within this two months
at least_. _And I doubt not but I shall satisfie that expectation which
I now raise in you_; _for there you shall meet with the relation of some
Accidents which hitherto have been kept close from the ears of the
Vulgar_. _In it Praises are dispensed with measure_, _and blame with
justice_; _and so I hope this_ Nipotismo _will custom you to the Lecture
of such Books_, _and make your pleasure the greater when you shall meet
with the_ Europa Morta, _which is Universal_.
Farewel.
The FIRST BOOK.
The Contents.