Part 7
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.
Naturally _Urban_ was averse from making of Cardinals; and if some urgent 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.