with an appearance of good, by giving the poor the remains of their
superfluities; and not suffer them to clamour at their Palace doors, from
whence they are so often driven by the violence of their servants.
But the truth is, the _Romans_ give so little credit to the good they
should do, having been witnesses themselves to so much of their ill; that
it is not possible for them to believe that what they give in Alms
proceeds from a good and charitable heart, but from hypocrisie and
design.
If there was ever a charitable Cardinal in _Rome_, certainly ’tis
Cardinal _Francisco_, who is indeed the most Eleemosynary person in the
world: which I know, as not only having seen his publick, but his private
Alms. And yet notwithstanding, there is not a _Roman_ but believes this
to be a meer design, to gain the hearts of those who may be able to
advance him to the Papacy. And to say the truth, The principal vertue
that shined in _Alexander_, when he was Cardinal, was the great charity
he shewed to the poor, giving them almost his whole Revenue; which was
mention’d in design of his advantage in the Conclave. But he was no
sooner chosen _Pope_ but that humour left him, and ever after he held for
the height of Charity, what he did to enrich his Kindred, who were
indifferently poor, and stood in need enough of the Alms of the
_Vatican_.
I conclude this Book with affirming, that the mischiefs which the
_Nipotismo_ have occasion’d, and still do continue to the Church, are
more easie to be seen with the Eye, than writ with the Pen; and therefore
those who have been at _Rome_ will have more satisfaction in the reading
it, than those to whom it will be very difficult to be believ’d, nay,
even to be conceiv’d in their imagination.
* * * * *
The THIRD BOOK.
The Contents.
_OF the difficulty which the Ministers of Princes meet with in treating
with the Nephews of the_ Pope. _Of those things that prevail most in
the_ Nipotismo. _Of the policy of the Church-men_. _Of the way the
Court of_ Rome _useth to make others to conform to their designs_. _What
Graces are hard to be found in_ Rome. _Of what they ought to be provided
of_, _that would dispatch their business well with the_ Pope. _Of the_
Roman _Climate_, _subject to variation_. _Of the causes why some
Ministers lose themselves in_ Rome. _Of the manner how the_ Pope _calls
the Cardinals_. _Of the_ Popes, _who understand not Court-affairs_. _Of
the Papacy of_ Gregory _the fifteenth_, _troublesome to those who were to
negotiate with him_. _Of __some Ministers_, _who play their
State-affairs at hazard_. _Of the Assembly of the Cardinals_, _which
serves the_ Pope _for false pretext_. _Of the intricacy that was found
in the time of_ Urban _the eighth_. _Of the manner of the_ Pope’s
_Negotiations with the Ministers of Princes_. _Of Negotiations never to
be concluded_. _Of the Answer of_ Seigneur de Lion _to his Friend_. _Of
the Policies of the_ Barbarini. _Of the disgust_, _the Republick of_
Venice _receiv’d from the_ Barbarini. _Of the dissatisfaction of the_
Lucheses, _the Crown of_ Poland, _and the_ Bollougneses. _Of the cheats
put upon the two Crowns of_ Spain _and_ France. _How the_ Barbarini
_serv’d the King of_ Portugal, _in reference to the Bishop of_ Lamego
_his Embassadour_. _Of some Examples of the Contrivances of_ Pope
Innocent. _Of the Duke of_ Parma’s _Army going into the Field_. _Of the
humour of_ Urban _the eighth_, _to deny favours to all_. _Of the
affronts_, _which Princes do receive from the Court of_ Rome. _Of the
nature of the Ecclesiasticks_. _Of the Catholick Crown_, _that admits in
their State none but of the_ Roman _Faith_. _Of the damage_ the
Spaniards _receive_, _by suffering themselves to be governed by the Court
of_ Rome. _Of the displeasures that do arise betwixt_ Rome _and_ Spain.
_Of the Northern Policy_, _and of_ Italy, _which laughs at the Spanish
Zeal_. _How many Princes are disgusted_, _to see the_ Spaniards _humble
themselves so to the_ Pope. _How many Ministers are deceiv’d_, _who
confide in Cardinals_. _Of the effect of the Protection of Cardinals to
Princes_. _Of the interest of the Cardinals to advance the Papacy_. _Of
the Corruption of the Colledge of Cardinals_. _What qualified persons
they chuse to be Cardinals_. _Of the_ Pope, _how he shews himself a
Monarch_, _when he __pleaseth_, _and Head of a Commonwealth when he
listeth_. _Of_ Alexander _the seventh’s applying himself to publick
business_. _Of his Ambition to undertake more than his constitution
could endure_. _Of the answers which Embassadours receive from the
Cardinal_ Padrone. _Of the secresie and craft of the Court of_ Rome.
_How Cardinals use to reveal secrets to Princes their Friends_. _How
little the_ Pope _trusts the Cardinals_. _Of Papal Excommunications_.
_Of the fear of the Church-men_. _Of the Title of_ Universal Father _in
the person of the_ Pope. _Of a pleasant Example of_ Paschal _the
second_, _applied to his Successors_. _How_ Popes _treat Leagues with
Princes_. _Of the sudden change of the Nephews of the_ Pope, _from a low
to a high degree_. _Of the effects which that produceth_. _What the
Kindred of_ Alexander _did in_ Sienna. _Of the disgust which Ministers
receive by treating with unexpert persons_. _Of the time that is lost in
studying the nature of the_ Nipotismo. _Of a strange example which befel
an Embassador who negotiated with Cardinal_ Capaccino, _Brother to_ Urban
_the eighth_. _Of a_ burlesque _and biting Answer_, _given by the same
Embassadour_, _to the same Cardinal_. _Of the answer of the Embassadour_
Justiniani, _made to one who asked him_, _if he went to negotiate with
Cardinal_ Astalli. _Of some Examples of the Covetousness of_ Pope
Boniface, _prejudicial to the Negotiators of the Court_. _Of_ Clement
_the seventh_. _Of_ Paul _the fourth_. _Of_ Sixtus _the fifth_. _Of_
Urban _the eighth_. _Of the names_, _the Nephews give the hours they
spend in publick business_. _Of a Reproof that_ Gregory _the fourteenth
gave to his Nephew_. _Of that Peevish way wherewith the_ Pope’s _Nephews
negotiate with Embassadours_. _Of the __Reason_, _why the Family of the_
Popes _do not continue long in Grandeur_. _Of a similitude of Trees
applied to the Nephews of the_ Pope. _Of the wonder that ariseth in the
world_, _to see the houses of the_ Popes _decay_. _Of some Families that
are yet in being_. _Of the difference between those Families that give
being to_ Popes, _and those that receive their being from them_. _Of
the_ Popes _which came out of the house of_ Colonna. _Of the Glory of
the House of_ Rovere, _how it failed in_ Urbino, _how long it continued
in its Grandeur_. _Of two_ Popes _that came from the House of_ Cibo _in_
Genoa. _How that Family despised the being citizens of_ Rome. _Of the
Family of_ Alexander _the sixth_. _How it was divided into two
branches_; _one in_ Italy, _the other in_ Spain. _Why that in Italy
failed before that of_ Spain. _Of the Family of_ Picolomini. _Of the
force of_ Leo _the tenth_, _used to render the House of_ Medici _potent_.
_Of the time that the Familie of_ Medici _supported themselves in
Grandeur before_ Clement _the seventh_. _How they are deceiv’d_, _who
believe the Grandeur of the house of_ Medici _proceeds from the papacy_.
_Of the destruction of the Commonwealth of_ Florence _necessary to the
Ecclesiastical State_. _The example of this Family ought not to serve
for a pattern to those who discourse of the ruine of the Families of the_
Popes. _Of the Family of_ Farnese. _How they first came into_ Italy.
_Of valiant men in the world_. _Of services performed by the House of_
Farnese. _Some examples concerning the same_. _A notable saying of_
Eugenio _the fourth concerning the_ Farnese. _Of the Ambition the_ Popes
_had to be served by them_. _Of the ingratitude of_ Urban _the eighth_,
_and_ Innocent _the tenth_, _towards the Family of_ Farnese. _Of the
__interest that moved_ Paul _the third_, _to make them great_. _Of the
great persecution it hath receiv’d_, _for above these forty years_. _Of
the Government of_ Parma _and_ Piacenza, _how it came to the hands of
the_ Farnesi. _Of the house of_ Monte, _how little a while it lasted in
great splendor_, _although raised by_ Julius _the third_. _Of the House
of_ Caraffa. _Of its fall_; _how near to the birth of its good fortune_.
_Of the disdain of_ Paul _the fourth_, _and_ Pius _the fourth_, _to the
Caraffies_. _Of the glory in which the House of_ Caraffa _shines now in_
Naples. _Of the House of_ Buon Compagnii _of_ Gregory _the thirteenth_.
_Of the House of_ Perotti _of_ Sixtus _the fifth_. _To what greatness
raised_. _How long it continued in that state_. _Of its failing_. _Of
the House of_ Sfondrata _of_ Gregory _the fourteenth_. _Of its rise_,
_and fall_. _Of the house of_ Aldobrandina, _what it was_, _and what it
is_. _Of the Family of_ Burghesi, _and_ Ludovisi, _and of some other
particulars touching the failing of the Pontificial Families_.
THE difficulties, which the Ministers of Princes meet with in their
treaties with the _Pope’s_ Nephews, are so great, that the most refined
Wits and politick Heads of the Universe cannot easily fathom them; every
one losing himself in an Abyss of wonder to see the Court of _Rome_, in
all her own concerns, and with all persons, so selfish and singular,
whilst she alone glories in the Title of Universal.
It would be no great matter, if the Nephews would rest satisfied with
embroyling and discomposing the minds only of the Principal Ministers of
State; and did not likewise make themselves the unhappy instruments of
bringing Treaties and Negotiations of the greatest weight to irreparable
confusion: the ruine whereof must necessarily draw the consequence of
damage to the Pontifical State, disorder to Christianity, and perpetual
distaste to those Princes, who know themselves obliged to send their
Agents to a Court, where they shall rather receive occasion of disgust
than profit. For the Church-men cannot treat with any Prince, without
wounding his reputation with secret reproaches and back-biting language.
There are two things, Ignorance and malice (the usual Patrimony of
_Popes_ Nephews) which are predominant in the _Nipotismo_, which subvert
and drown even those appearances of good, that might otherwise be found
in the Court of _Rome_: And the mischief of it is, that these two are
inseparable, and go alwaies hand in hand together in the _Nipotismo_;
their ignorance is not accompanied with that honest simplicity which
often is seen in some of weak understanding; but quite contrary, an
ignorant Nephew no sooner marches into the _Vatican_ (which thing God
knows too often happens) but Artificial Malice displaies her Banners; and
if by chance within the Camp there happens to be found out any one that’s
good and vertuous, she doth her utmost to make him pass for an ignorant
lackwit. Whence the Church, Christendom, and the Court do all suffer by
the malice and ignorance of those Lordly Nephews, who matter not by which
of these two abject qualities they govern.
There have been several Princes in our Age, who finding themselves
deluded in some of their affairs, have blam’d their own Officers, judging
the errors which occasioned their damage, and were indeed committed by
the _Nipotismo_, to be caused by the inability of their Ministers; as if
it had been in their power to overwhelm the Course of nature, and thwart
a malicious Ignorance.
_Odoardo Farnese_, Duke of _Parma_, a Prince truly worthy of a Crown,
seeing the business of _Castro_, and his other Affairs with the Church,
not to succeed according to his desire, rebuked his Minister who was at
_Rome_, believing him a person of very slender experience in the
management of the matters committed to his charge.
But when it hapned that his occasions drew himself thither, and
consequently oblig’d him to treate personally with the Nephews of _Pope
Urban_, he speedily reform’d the ill impression made in his mind against
his Ministers, knowing then very well, by his own experience, that all
the damages, he sustain’d in that affair, were derived from the ill-will
was borne him by the _Barberini_: Whereupon as he went from _Rome_ he let
these words fall, _That the Church indeed is a holy body_, _of which the
Princes are the Members_, _and the_ Pope _the Head_; _but the Nephews by
their ill management do daily discompose the Members_, _not at all
regarding how thereby they prejudiced the Head_.
And to say the truth, the _Pope’s_ Nephews cannot oftentimes distinguish,
what difference there is betwixt a Prince and his Minister; nor what
respect the Court ought to shew to them which come to honour it.
The Church-mens understanding, to accommodate the Church so well to the
benefit of their proper interest, makes many believe the subtilty of them
in politick affairs to be very great. And truly, the conceipt is not
ordinary, which most men have of the politick understanding of the
Ecclesiasticks; every one knowing that the City of _Rome_, in the Art of
Governing and making others reasons conform to its will, hath ever been
in all times and ages the truest School of Policy, and almost, if not
altogether, the Mistris of all Nations: as she who, at her birth from the
belly of the rest by a special gift of nature, brought with her into the
world the most polite Endowments and refined Customs she could bestow
upon her.
Such were alwaies the Customs of _Rome_, who for the space of more than
twelve Ages past, knew very well to frame conformable maximes to their
own designs. But after that the _Nipotismo_ began to take possession of
an Authority, not limited otherwise than by their own passions, every
thing began to put on a new countenance. And having renounced the true
and ancient Rules of Government, and found new methods of deport to those
who make addresses to them, the Agents and Ministers of Foraign Princes,
who come thither to negotiate their Masters affairs, mistake the way that
others use to walk in with so much reputation.
From whence it happens, that there are very few return from their
Negotiations there without just occasion of complaint; not only that they
have not met with due civilities, but that they have likewise been
deluded in all their transactions.
The Court of _Rome_ indeed, whilst the _Popes_ liv’d without the
_Nipotismo_, were instrumental in the world to resolve the greatest
intricacies of Christendom: but after they were introduced, they served
only to confound and entangle the easiest matters; who interposing in
things not at all concerning them, they ruin’d others business and
affairs, besides their own. For they will do nothing now in _Rome_
without pretence of perfect Zeal unto Religion; and yet that Zeal hath
certainly the least shew in any of their concerns. Good serves them only
for the shadow, but Evil for the substance. Kindnesses from them, as
honey from Bees, being seldom got without the sting of prejudice.
There are some that have fansied the Courting and flattering the
_Nipotismo_ to be the only way to arrive at the end of their unbridled
designs, but these found themselves deceived; for all the merit or other
insinuation in the world is not able to move the obstinacy of those who
(except it proceed from some capricious fancie or other inclination of
their own) have no regard to remunerate or gratifie either Subject,
Prince, or Prelate.
Yet it is more easie to obtain, than keep their favours: But he that
doth, had better be without them: since ’tis so hard to judge whether the
Tap they draw their favours from be sweet or sower.
’Tis hard to express the difficulties the Ministers of Princes meet with
in their treating with the Nephews; which are so great, that some of them
have caused an infinitie of Masses to be celebrated to the Holy Ghost,
before they began their Negotiations with them. I my self knew one, who
vowed to make himself a _Capuchin Frier_, if he could effect a certain
business with them; but I believe he had no great intention to put on
that habit, because his demand was for his own advantage, and the Nephews
are never wont to grant any thing to any one, but what is to their
prejudice.
’Tis my opinion, that to be well prepared to treate in _Rome_, one ought
to be well provided of that double spirit, which _Elisha_ so earnestly
desired of _Elijah_, whilst double dealing and hypocrisie are the
chiefest rudiments of their Policy, I will not say that now do, but, for
the space of two Ages past, have reigned in _Rome_.
Let the Agents and Ministers of Princes therefore lay their heads
together in _Rome_, and say Masses to obtain new waies of managing
Political Affairs, let them arm themselves with a double spirit; for the
Pontificial Negotiations will try the skill of the most experienced
Statesmen.
_Venice_, that with so great prudence in State-affairs foresees the
future, never sends any Embassadour to _Rome_, that hath not first been
tried, and rendered an incomparable Politician by the experience he hath
gotten in the Courts of the chiefest Monarchies of the Universe: yet
notwithstanding I my self have heard these words said by an Embassadour
sent to _Rome_ from thence: _Sin hora sono stato nell Ambasciate
scabrose_, _hora entro nelle pericolose_, _dio me la mandi buona conquel
Nipotismo_: Till now I have been in rugged Treaties, now I enter into a
dangerous one: God send me good luck with the _Nipotismo_.
He, who can live five years in the Court of _Rome_ without a stumble,
will not find it hard to pass an Age or two (if nature would give him
leave) in any other place with reputation and credit.
Yet we know very well by every daies experience, that many Politicians
and expert Statesmen, who, for many years together in the management of
several Treaties, had rendered themselves as it were immortal by the no
small reputation obtained in the several Courts they had been formerly
employed in, no sooner came to _Rome_, but speedily they lost it. And
indeed they all come thither swell’d with the Titles of most eminent and
able Statesmen, but depart from thence with very little credit.
And the reason of this is, because as the Sea Coast, which encompasses
the Ecclesiastick State, is subject to the usual Tempests of the Ocean;
so the _Roman_ Havens are very subject to their sudden variations and
changes: From whence it happens, that both without and within _Rome_ is
so subject to perils and ship-wracks. They therefore who go for succour
to that Climate, that is not understood by those themselves that are born
under it, cannot but meet with storms and tempests. Where affairs put on
every day a several face and shape, the difficulty must needs be very
great; And many Ministers lose themselves in the Court of _Rome_ by this
means. For when they believe they Negotiate with a Monarchy, they find
they have to do with a Republick; and when they think they treat with a
Commonwealth, they find they are ingaged with a Monarchy full of
Monarchs, whilst there is not one of the Papal Nephews that doth not
expect to be treated, with as a Soveraign.
Yet because the _Pope_ is chosen by the Cardinals, many would believe
that these have the same Authority with the _Pope_, not only to treat,
but conclude; as the Electors have with the Emperour in Affairs of great
importance. And indeed, to hear his Holiness call them Fellows,
Companions, and Brethren, makes a strange impression in the Citizens,
Strangers, Subjects, and Princes, of I know not what greatness in favour
of the Cardinals, every one imagining that they cannot chuse but have a
share in the privatest concerns of the Government of the Church.
But for all that things appear quite otherwise, and the _Pope’s_ become
absolute Soveraign over those who chuse him; who never know any thing in
any affairs untill they are concluded on: He sends Embassadours at his
will, treats both of Peace and War at his own pleasure, and in fine, doth
whatsoever he hath a mind to, without participating it to any, but those
to whom he is guided to by his particular inclinations.
But that, which makes the treating with the Court of _Rome_ more
difficult, is, That for the most part the _Pope_ himself neither
understands the Negotiations, nor Negotiators of them. And the Ministers
of Princes sometimes as little know which is the _Pope_, for frequently
he treats as Nephew, and the Nephews treat as _Pope_. A thing indeed
enough to confound any ones understanding, to have the Pontificacy so
promiscuously made up of _Pope_ and Nephews; He for the Exteriour, and
they for the Interiour part of it.
For the _Nipotismo_, which manageth publick affairs, at whose Girdle the
Keys of business are tied, Resolves, Negotiates, and concludes any thing
without acquainting either the _Pope_ or Consistory.
Let any one judge, how it was possible for any Embassadour to make any
honourable result in the management of the interests of his Prince at
_Rome_ in the time of _Gregory_ the fifteenth; since he himself was so
fearful to displease Cardinal _Ludovisi_, his Nephew, that he suffered
him to do whatever he had a mind to: who, finding the power he had over
him, did every thing without his knowledge.
There were some Embassadours who in their ordinary Visits would in
general terms touch upon business, only to feel his Holiness his Pulse,
which way he was enclined. But so soon as ever he perceived them to
begin to ask Questions, he would immediately make this Answer; _You speak
with us_, _and our Nephew doth all things without either us or you_;
_speak with him_, _and what he doth_, _that we do_. And with such like
answers he usually entertained those Embassadors that came to him.
From hence it came to pass, that most of the Treaties did not only
confound those who managed them; but also the Ministers found themselves
obliged to put all their affairs upon Chance, Fineness and Policy
standing them in little stead, who were necessitated, as a Ship in an
unruly storm, to give themselves up altogether to Fortune.
It was a thing worth the observing, to see how the Embassadours laboured
both with bodies and mind, sometimes on this, sometimes on that side; now
with the Nephews, then with the _Pope_; from one drawing this Answer,
_Speak to our Uncle_: From the other, _Go to our Nephew_. So that very
often when they concluded any thing with the Nephew, they were in doubt
whether or no the Uncle would be contented: And so it hapned on the other
side, if they treated any thing with the Uncle, they were ever fearful
least the other, being displeased at it, should cross the whole design;
so that though matters were concluded by either of these, they were still
uncertain whether the result would be for good or evil.
This Nephew, who did every thing without the knowledge of his Uncle, gave
out, he could do nothing without participating to others; and
particularly in the beginning the Papacy he alwaies answered, in affairs
of greatest concernment, _We will see_, _We will do_, _We will speak_,
_We will procure_, _We will consent_, and such like dilatory expressions.
And the Embassadours were most mortified with this manner of proceedings
of the _Pope_ and his Nephews, who knew very well how to agree amongst
themselves to the prejudice of those who treated with them. And when
things did not go on according to their pleasures, or they found
themselves unable to resist the perswasions and arguments of the
Embassadours, they would both sing in the same tune: The holy Colledge of
Cardinals must be acquainted with the affair, without whom there was
never any thing concluded.
And yet those Ministers themselves knew very well, that was but a false
pretext; for although the Cardinals were in _Rome_, yet they were not in
the Court, and never knew of the designs of the _Pope_, nor the Treaties
of his Nephew.
In _Urban’s_ time there were other Labyrinths in the Court, although this
_Pope_ was a far greater Politician than _Gregory_, and the _Barbarins_
much more expert in Government than the abovesaid Cardinal _Ludovisio_.