Part 8

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_.

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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_.

The Princess made some resistance, and refused to obey this his order; saying in her defence, That _he had liberty to banish his Nephews_, _as much as he pleased_, _but not the Roman Princesses_. Neither would she depart the City, the same day her Husband left it; but some time after she followed, saying, that it was not to obey the Pope, but to go to her Husband.

There was no body in Court or City, who did not pity this Ladies case, and tax the Pope not only of ingratitude towards a princess, who had refused great Princes to marry his Nephew, but also layed brutishness and dulness to his charge, as one who could not see the infinite advantages this match did bring to his family; and to say true, there was nothing in this alliance, that could with any reason move the Popes indignation against his Nephew, who was the only support of the family, and who for his natural defects and incapacity of business, ought rather to have been excused, then reproached with this so advantagious a change of condition; where the fortune, the beauty, the youth, and the parts of the Lady were incomparable qualities, which might be sufficient to make a Queen, besides fecundity, which soon after she shewed.

Yet for all this, the Pope did stop his eares to all reason, and guided, or rather miss-led by his own fancy, and the perswasions of _Donna Olympia_, continued his severity towards this new married couple.

If we may guess at the reasons of this so extraordinary a proceeding, I believe the chiefest was, because, that this Pope by an extravagant capriccio had resolv’d to introduce his Sister in Law, in the place of the other Popes Nipotismo’s; and he accordingly gave to _Donna Olympia_, an absolute authority, not only over the Church and State, but over his own person, not daring to take any resolution without this Ladies leave.

And this was a thing without Example; for if _Alexander_ the sixth gave himself up to _Vanoccia_ the _Roman_ Courtisan, by whom he had many bastards, yet he never suffer’d her to have any hand in the Government, but would divert himself in his houres of recreation with her. Whereas _Donna Olympia_ was called to the _Vatican_, not to serve _Innocentius_, but to command him, which she did with so much authority, that she seemed to be the Pope, and he to be neither a man, nor a Pope.

If ever the Church was shamefully set out, and satyrically painted by the Hereticks, it was in this time; for there was not any place where the publick discourse was not about this extravagant fancy of the Popes to renounce his own Nephew, and give himself and the Popedome, into the hands of a Woman, heretofore—and now grown ambitious and covetous.

Catholicks and Hereticks together were astonish’d, and did murmure to see, that he who called himself the head of the Church, should be subject to the appetite of a woman; and that to her ambitious desires, he should be content to sacrifice his own Nephew, and deprive himself of that help and succour, which according to the example of his predecessors, he might have expected from him.

If there were any Offices vacant, or places empty in the Court, nothing was to be determin’d about them, without the advice of _Donna Olympia_; nay, if there were Benefices to be conferr’d, the Officers of the _Datary_ or _Chancery_ durst not expediate the Bulls for them, having receiv’d an express order from his holiness, to suspend the expedition of all business, ’till his sister in Law was instructed of it, and gave her consent. If any Bishopricks were to be provided with able Pastors; all the competitors made it their business to Court her; and that which was worst, was, that they ordinarily carried it, who offered most money, and not they that had greatest deserts; though it were true, That the more the person was unfit, the more was he fain to give to be admitted.

But this Womans pride, carried her to that point of insolence, that not thinking it enough to have had a Cardinals Cap for one of her young Nephews, altogether unworthy of so high a Dignity, but pretended besides, that in all promotions, her voyce and consent should be expected, and followed: From hence proceeded that the Courtiers, seeing her exercise this power, either, out of fear, or hope, did frequent her Palace, and daily go to wait upon her, not daring to put any end to business already begun, or begin any other, before they had acquainted her with every particularity of it.

_Cardinal Panzirolo_ himself, Secretary of State to _Innocentius_, and oppressed with multitude of affairs, and the indisposition of his body, was not free from this base Courtship; but that he might humour his master, who was infinitely pleased to see _Donna Olympia_ obeyed, was fain to go in person very often to wait upon her, and give her an account of all the secret negotiations of the Court, and of every thing that passed through his hands: after which she would from time to time, go to the _Vatican_, followed with a numerous company of Coaches, and her hands full of Papers, which she had already drawn up, as she would have them pass, and there stay whole houres with the Pope, in discussing, and ripening other business that was next to fall in order.

The wits of the Court seeing this, could not forbear so good a subject for _Pasquins_, but made them with all sharpness, yet as secretly as they could, they being well inform’d of the danger, oft exposing the defects of those that Rule: and though every body were mov’d with indignation to see the Pope so much mistake himself, as to preferre the company of a Woman to that of his Nephew, and the Princess of _Rossana_ his Wife, the only prop of the Family of _Pomphilio_; yet _Innocent_ was so prepossessed against them, that he would not hear of his Nephewes submissions and excuses.

These murmurs and satyrical Discourses were all this while, either concealed from the Pope, or at least dissembled by him; as being unresolved of the means that should bridle so many tongues, and stop the mouthes of all Christendome; particularly, of the Protestants, who made very good sport with this female Government, not only laughing at the Pope, who by the assistance of the holy Ghost could not discern that which was the ruin of his reputation and family, but also by immodest representations, and contumehous pictures, giving the world to understand, that they were fully informed of the disorders of the Church of _Rome_.

But at last the Pope, not being able to endure any longer the secret reproofs, and publick affronts which he received from Embassadours, and Princes themselves, as well as from the greatest part of the Cardinals; resolv’d to dismiss from the Court this ambitious sister in Law, whose unbridled licence he had hitherto countenanced, and to take away from her all sort of command and power.

Thus _Donna Olympia_ being banished from Court, and the _Vatican_ purged of her corruptions, the Pope bethought himself of introducing a Nipotismo, that the Church might not loose its prescription.

But before we begin to discourse of the particularities of this new Nipotismo, it will not be amiss to give an account of all the Popes kindred & relations, and begin with his nearest. He had one Nephew, and two Neeces, besides a sister, of whom we shall say but little as, well because she led a Nuns life in a Convent, as, because that _Donna Olympia_, out of a natural jealousie between Women, took care to keep her from receiving any kindnesses or favours from the Pope.

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The Prince _Camillo Pamphilio_, though after three years banishment, he were at last recall’d to _Rome_ with his Lady, was nevertheless in so ill a predicament with his Uncle, who never was able to forget those tales which _Donna Olympia_ had continually entertained him with, to his Nephews disadvantage, that he was in _Rome_, as if he had been at the _Indies_, never coming neer the Pope or Court, at which he was not much troubled, as one who cared not to be concern’d in business, and thought himself happy enough in all private enjoyment of so lovely a Lady as his was.

Of the two sisters, the Popes Neeces, the eldest was married to _D. Andrea Giustiniani_, who himself was a great favourite of fortune: For the Marquess _Giustiniani_, a person of great quality and estate, seeing himself without any heirs of his family and name, cast his Eyes by chance upon this Gentleman who was then very poor and low, and though, as it afterwards proved, he was of the same branch of the _Giustiniani_ with the Marquess; yet it was at such a distance, that neither of them did believe themselves at all a-kin; he was then thus fortunately instituted Heir to a very great estate, by which means the way to _Grandeur_ being made easie to him, he found no difficulty in obtaining in marriage the neece of Cardinal _Pamphilio_, who being immediatly after chosen Pope, the Prince _Giustiniani_ saw himself of a sudden become a part of the _Roman_ Nipotismo, enjoying those honours and prerogatives which the _Romans_ do use to observe towards persons of that quality.

But the Pope had no real kindness for him, and having given him some profitable offices, refused to introduce him into the management of business, but left him to play the good husband in his own estate. And indeed employments of another nature had been lost upon him, for besides that he had alwayes retain’d something of his meanness when he was poor; there was nothing laudable in him but a natural bounty; and the Pope being well inform’d, did abstain from using his service in any thing of importance.

The other sister was married to _Don Nicolo Ludovisio_, Prince of _Piombino_, Nephew of _Gregory_ the fifteenth, and brother to that Cardinal _Ludovisio_, who in _Gregory’s_ time govern’d all things. This prince had enclin’d to this match, out of an opinion of making great advantages by it, as seeing at that time that Cardinal _Camillo_ was made Cardinal, and altogether unfit for business, so that he flattered himself with an opinion of being the only Nephew, and governing the Pope and Church.

But when it came to the push, he found he had misreckoned; for _Donna Olympia_, his mother in law, disappointed all his ambition by hers, not being dispos’d to suffer that any body should rule but her self: So that the Prince was reduced to a meer complacence and obedience to her commands. Neither was it to any purpose that sometimes he would complain of the difficulties he found to be admitted to the Popes audience, and receive those marks of kindness which seem’d due to so neer a relation, for _Donna Olympia_ answer’d him in a haughty manner, That _it was honors enough for him that he had been preferr’d to marry her Daughter before so many competitors of as great a quality as himself_. Whereupon the Prince being unwilling to come to a rupture with one who had so great an influence upon the Pope, would hold his tongue and be quiet.

Yet from time to time he was forced amongst his private friends, to give a vent to his grief by telling them, That the Popes Alliance had brought him into the disgrace of the _French_; whereupon his principality of _Piombino_ was by them made a Theater of their fury, for not being able to do the Pope mischeif openly, as they would have wished, they did content their spight in ruining a place belonging to so neer a relation as he was to the Pope. So that the loss and dammage he receiv’d, by being thus allyed was certain; whereas the advantages were uncertain and inconsiderable, consisting only in some incomes from his place of General of the Galleys, and some such offices which he little esteemed.

But when _Donna Olympia_ fell once from that heighth of favour, then this Prince being very sure, that the Pope could not subsist without some body to help him in so great a charge; and knowing himself to be in as neer a degree as any body, and as fit for the employment, began to conceive hopes of being called to Court, and admitted to the management of business. And here again, The poor Prince was deceived; for _Innocent_ had all along conceived such an ill opinion, and received from _Donna Olympia_ such disadvantagious impressions of him, that he would never see him, but when he had a mind to be merry, making the Prince serve as a Buffoon to his diversion, and never so much as mentioning any serious matter in his presence.

For all this the Popes relations were fully perswaded, That the Pope must of necessity bestow the Title of Nephew upon some body; and seeing that among his kindred none would please him, they went insinuating sometimes one, sometimes another into the Popes affections. Innocent of his side was in perpetual conferences with Cardinal _Pantiallo_ about the same business, so that every hour of the day they were examining the good qualities of one or other to choose the most deserving.

In this scarcity of subjects fit for the employment, the Prince _Ludovisio_ thought, that the honour might fall upon the person of Cardinal _Albergati_, who went by the name of _Ludovisio_, but he soon found an exclusion in the Popes mind, as being ignorant and uncapable of such a place.

The Jesuite _Fabio Albergati_, brother to the said Cardinal, was the fitter man, as being endowed with learning, experience, and great wisdome in the managing of business; but the Pope declar’d, That he would not make two brothers of the same family Cardinals.

So that at last, of all those that had been brought upon the Stage, there remained none but he that Cardinal _Panzirolo_ brought on, who was a prodigious off-spring of fortune, and the wonder of Christendome, which was astonish’d to see a Pope so averse from his relations as to declare a supposed Nephew for Cardinal, and Padrone: but before we engage in the particularities of this singular event, we will say something to instruct the Reader about it.

There never was acted upon the Theater of the Court of _Rome_ so unexpected and strange a Scene, which therefore deserves to be reckoned amongst the prodigious effects of Fortune; for the Pope having no consanguinity with him, and he being without deserts, experience, or any remarkable quality that might make him conspicuous, nay, being scarce known, or at least not familiarly to the Pope; he was nevertheless of a sudden exalted and promoted to the degree of Cardinal, Nephew, and Padrone, as if he had been the head of the _Pamphilian_ Family: And to deserve all this, there was no quality but that, being born of a Noble Family, which nevertheless at that time was so far indebted and decayed, that he was not to expect any assistance in his fortune from them.

His name, not to hold the _Lector_ any longer in suspense, was _Camillo Astalli_, a young Gentleman of about seven and twenty years old, of a comely aspect, and a handsome winning carriage, though guilty sometimes of too many complements, and in a word accomplish’d, as they ordinarily are, whose highest ambition carries them no further in _Rome_ then some Office or Prelature.

And that which most surprized the Court, was to see one exalted thus, under pretence of serving and helping the Pope in the administration of State Affairs; one who was an absolute novice to all negotiations and policy, by reason of the few occasions he had had to learn any thing of that nature.

But the occasion of his coming to court and making himself known, was, the alliance which the Marquess his brother had contracted with a Neece of _Donna Olympia’s_, for she being ambitious had alwayes embrac’d the occasions of marrying her relations into noble families, as having a design to honour, by such props, her own family of _Maldachini_, to whom that flower of nobility was denyed, which was an affliction to a Popes sister in Law, and a sister in Law that govern’d with an absolute authority.

As it fell out, it was very fortunate for the house of _Astalli_, that they were allyed with her; because that they wanted riches to maintain their gentility the more, since they had at the invitation of _Donna Olympia_ bought the place of Clerk of the Apostolick chamber, which office had absorb’d the greatest part of their Patrimony; so that, if by chance the possessor of it did fail to make a fortune, or did dye suddenly, the whole family did run the hazard of being begger’d for ever.

But all fell out luckily; for _Astalli_, having by meanes of his office and alliance got an entrance into the Court, addicted himself particularly to worship and court Cardinal _Panzirollo_, the Secretary of State, who had a great Empire over the Pope; and that which was most fortunate, was, that this Cardinal answer’d the young mans affection with the like on his side, being gained by his obsequious carriage; at which all the Court was much surprized, considering that Cardinal _Panzirollo_ had alwayes discovered an inveterate hatred against any one that was in favour with _Innocent_.

Here the contrary fell out, for _Panzirollo_ made it his task, to insinuate this young Gentleman into the Popes affections, which at last he did so far, that the Pope was infinitely pleased with his comely garb and handsome carriage; and when it came to be debated, whom he should choose to ease him of a part of those cares and fatigues which accompany the Popedom, seeing none of his own Relations qualified for the Employment, he followed Panzirollo’s directions, and preferr’d this young man before all the other pretendants; so without any more to do, he was created Cardinal, declared Nephew, proclaim’d _Padrone_, and had the name of _Pamphilio_ given him, together with the key of the Popes Closet, to go out and in when he pleased.