Part 9
As soon as this news was spread through _Rome_, the Politicians following the humor of the Town, began to discourse of what would follow, and endeavoured to penetrate the secret causes of the Popes aversion to his Kindred, that should move him thus to set up a counterfeit Nephew: In the mean time, the true _Nipotismo_ were all met in _Donna Olympia’s_ house, there to condole with one another, upon this affront and shame which had befallen them.
_Donna Olympia_, who above all was enraged at this so strange a mutation of government, and who doubted not, as it was true, but that Cardinal _Panzirollo_ was the Author of it, went to him, and shewed her resentment in menaces and threats, with all the passion a woman was capable of. The Cardinal being satisfied, that he had obtained his desire, was not much moved at her reproaches, and those of her kindred, but answering her with his ordinary gravity and flegm, told her, _That things did not_, _as she might think_, _depend upon his councels_, _but upon the Popes inclinations_, _who lov’d to do what he pleased_, _and nothing else_.
All this while _Rome_ was in a perpetual vicissitude of tears and joy; of joy, to hear the new counterfeit _Nipotismo’s_ transports; of grief and sorrow, to hear the complaints of the old and real _Nipotismo_.
Ambassadours came laughing and merry from one Visit, to go sad and full of tears to another. The Priests, adherents to the old _Nipotismo_, said Mass, and implored patience from Heaven for them in their sufferings; and the flatterers of the new, offered thanksgivings, and prayed for help from Heaven for the continuation of its power: while the new and false _Nipotismo_ went triumphant through _Rome_, and received the respects of every one, the true and real one was fain to sculk and lye close in the shadow of its afflictions and disgrace.
The Railleries, the Pasquins, and the Discourses about this new way of enriching the Church with a _Nipotismo_, were infinite, there being no body that could imagine, from what Wits could spring so many different Conceits, bad and good, as were publish’d upon this new subject.
The Cardinal _Sforza_, who had alwayes assum’d to himself the liberty of saying any thing; as soon as he heard the news of this resolution of the Popes, was the first that began to make _Pasquins_, for the next day, in presence of four of the chiefest Cardinals of the Colledge, he said these very words, _Now that the Pope_ Innocent _hath introduced the custome of making false Nephews_, _the other Popes will never fail of Nephews_, _for they will make whole Regiments of them_, _and fill with such a generation our Colledge of Cardinals_.
But the words of a certain Prelate of _Parma_ were more sharp and biting, which were these, _I foresee_, said he, _that one day the Popes will throw Dice for their_ Nipotismo, _and take what comes uppermost_, _and so the affairs of the Church will be managed at an adventure_.
Yet for all this, the new Nephew had all the interest of the Church and State put into his hands, though with some limitation, for the Pope communicated all things to him, and particularly matters of State; not so much to lay the weight of them upon him, as to instruct him how he should mannage them, for he durst not yet trust to his small experience, for fear of being deceiv’d. Thus _Astalli_ had properly nothing but the name and honour of Cardinal _Padrone_, subscribing to all the Nuntioes, Legates and Governours Commissions, and receiving Embassadours, when the Pope was indisposed, though still with the obligation of reporting every thing to his Holiness.
As long as Cardinal _Panzirollo_ liv’d, _Astalli’s_ fortune was prosperous and good, because that the Popes kindred durst not by any means go about to supplant him, though they hated him perfectly, knowing that the Cardinals perswasions would still prevail with their Uncle more then their credit; whereupon they dissembled their design, and, according to the custom of _Rome_, seem’d to rejoyce for that thing which they most abhorr’d.
But no sooner had Cardinal _Panzirollo_ yeilded up his last breath, but _Astalli_ began to perceive the decay of his fortune, and to mistrust that which afterwards befell him; for no sooner had this Cardinal shut his eyes, but the Popes kindred went about to undo him, and easily compass’d their intention, the Pope beginning to revive that affection, which he had formerly born to his Sister in law. One morning then, as the Cardinal _Padrone_ was rising out of his bed, he receiv’d a Message from the Pope, whereof the bearer told him, _That by his Holinesses Order he was banished from_ Rome, _and forbidden the Popes presence for ever_; _that he should lay aside the title of Cardinal_ Padrone, _and renounce the name of Nephew as well as that of_ Pamphilio. And in a word, not only all his Revenue was seised on, but he could not get leave to transport any thing of his houshold-stuffe or moveables. So that the poor Cardinal was fain to forsake _Rome_, seeing that all _wayes_ to justifie himself were shut up, and all the favour he could obtain was, that he might depart in the night, to avoid the derision and mocking of the people.
The motive of this so severe a sentence, with which _Astalli_ was treated, as if he had been guilty of high Treason, was this; The _Barbarines_ having been recall’d and reconcil’d to the Pope, were now great with him, and at their perswasion, _Innocent_ had begun to think of taking the Kingdom of _Naples_ from the _Spaniard_; upon which subject there were often Conferences held between him, the _Barbarines_, and his Kindred, excluding still from their Counsels the Cardinal _Astalli_; who thereby perceiving, that the Popes Kindness for him did begin to abate, thought it would be prudently done, to provide in time some other protection, that so his fall might be less, and he might have something to hang by, which might hinder him from falling to the bottom of that precipice, which was digging for him.
Having therefore penetrated into these secret designs of the Pope, he gave the _Spaniards_ notice of them closely, and the advice came no sooner to the Catholick Kings ears, but he immediately gave such Orders in the Kingdom of _Naples_, as quite disappointed the _Barbarines_ plot, by shutting that door, which was to give an entrance to the execution of their design.
_Azzolini_, a Confident and Spy of _Donna Olympia’s_, took upon him to discover who it was that had betrayed them, and after an exact search found, that it could be no body but _Astalli_; whereupon the Pope banish’d him, and made _Azzolini_ Cardinal for his recompence.
This sudden fall of the false Nephew opened all the mouthes in _Rome_, who did not know of the reason of it, to exclaim against the Popes inconstancy: but no sooner was the _Nipotismo_ down, but that _Donna Olympia_ raised her self upon its ruines; for the Pope a weary of being alone, call’d his Sister in Law once more to him, and gave her back again all her former power, and more, if more could be, the true _Nipotismo_ remaining neglected, and despised in all these changes; for except some Offices and Places which they got, they were little more advanced in the Popes favour; and in those places, they had, it is true, a liberty of getting money by all Arts, but still with the condition of dependance upon _Donna Olympia_.
The avidity of the _Barbarines_ was but a shadow of what this Lady perform’d in reallity; for under her government, Cardinalships, Bishopricks, Abbies, Canonicates, and generally, all Church revenues were sold, as in a Market, to him that bid most: She little cared how full the Town was of murmurs, if her purse were full of Gold; and that which was most intollerable was, that not only the meritorious and deserving people were neglected, but banished from _Rome_.
There was no more talk then of the Pope, all the discourse was of _Donna Olympia_, many taking occasion to say, _That it were fit likewise to introduce the women to the administration of the Sacrament_, _since that_ Donna Olympia _was Pope_.
At last it pleased Almighty God to deliver the Church from so great a scandal, and so unheard of one before this age, which gave so fair an occasion to the Hereticks of inveighing against the Church of _Rome_, with a great deal of reason.
_Innocent_ dyed in the year 1655. having reigned ten years, four months, and some dayes; so that then the Sister in law, and the _Nipotismo_, were fain to leave the _Vatican_ to the Pope that should be chosen, who was _Alexander_ the seventh, who now lives and rules the Church.
The Cardinals thought of little less then of making _Alexander Pope_, who went by the name of _Fabio Chigi_ of _Siena_, not that he was destitute of those qualities which make a Cardinal worthy of that Elevation, but because that he was newly made Cardinal, and too young to be a Competitour for such a place; with all this, after three moneths time employed in the Conclave, he was at last chosen, when he thought least of it.
As soon as the news was spread in the Town, people began to discourse about the new _Nipotismo_, which was to govern the City, the State, and the Church; and there many began to reckon up such a number of kindred, that they affirm’d, there would not be room for them in _Rome_ it self, much less was the Popedom sufficient to enrich such a company of hungry Relations, and raise a family, which, though of antient Nobility, was nevertheless very poor.
The ambitious, and those that desir’d to be in favour with these new Masters, rid post to _Siena_, not only to carry this happy news, but also to have the priviledge of offering their service first.
_Don Mario_, the Popes brother, as soon as he heard of his exaltation, immediately, without so much as putting on new clothes, as his Wife would have had him, caused a Horse to be sadled, and with two servants took his journey towards _Rome_; having first receiv’d from one and the other a number of submissive complements, not without the title of Excellence.
He was thus going on, and making Castles in the Air; insomuch that he did scarce see those that came to meet him on his way, seeming a man in an extasie, and a body without a soul, which without doubt was gone before to take possession of his future greatness; when at some miles distance from _Siena_, he met a Gentleman, from the Pope, with Letters to him, in which his Holiness did most strictly command, that neither he, nor any of his Relations should stir from _Siena_ to go towards _Rome_, under pain of incurring their brothers indignation for ever.
At this news, the poor _Don Mario_ was as if he had been thunder-struck; so that if at first he seemed a body without a soul, it was almost true now, for all his blood retired to his heart, and left him pale, like a Ghost, though otherwise corpulent enough; he was in doubt whether he should infringe these so severe commands, and continue on his way, or else obey and go home again; the first seemed dangerous, the second shameful; but at last, after some reluctancy within himself, he resolv’d to return by night to _Siena_, being asham’d to enter the City by day.
Being come home he communicated his Letter to all the kindred; and though it seemed a very severe one to them, yet had they some little glimpse of hope in the ambiguous sense of these words, _Do not stir from_ Siena, _in no wise_, _till you receive a new Order from us_: from this they took occasion, not to despair of their fortune, guessing, that this proceeding was not a defect of kindness in the Pope, but some new politick trick.
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The Great Duke of _Florence_, in the mean time, forgot not to send a Gentleman to visit _Don Mario_, and to present him with such things, as he thought they might need in that occasion; and by his example, many Cardinals and Princes did the same thing; particularly, all the persons of quality of _Tuscany_ failed not, every one of them, to wait upon the family of the _Chigi_. ’Tis true, that the Popes Order carried, _that they should not change their way of living_, _nor receive visits as his Relations_; but that was too hard to be executed, since it was not in their power, to hinder those that had a mind to it, from doing them that honour.
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The Republick of _Venice_, whose maxime it is to keep the Popes for friends (though they often have been so ungrateful, and so little sensible of the service that this State does to the Church and all _Christendom_, as to trouble its quiet) having receiv’d the news of the election, assembled the Senate, to deliberate of the demonstrations of joy, which they should shew to the Pope.
There it was resolved unanimously, _That the House of_ Chigi _should be declared Noble of_ Venice, _with all the Prerogatives that the Senate uses to bestow on such occasions_; which was done accordingly, and the Letters Patent were sent to the Pope and his kindred in _Siena_, with the usual formes, being followed immediately after by a solemn and stately Embassie.
Thus the Popes kindred did receive continually great honour in _Siena_, though it were some mortification to them, to see themselves depriv’d of that command and authority, which they thought did belong to them, _de jure_, as being a Popes Relations.
In the mean time, this neglect and denial, which the Pope seem’d to make of his dearest Kindred, got him such a reputation through the world, that nothing was more discoursed of, then of his holiness and purity of life; the vulgar did expect no less then miracles from him; and hearing say, that he had alwayes upon his table a dead mans Scull, and under his bed his Coffin, they could not choose, but be confirmed in the opinion of his holiness.
But the wiser sort, and the judicious, were not so easily deceiv’d; but reckoning, that it was either policy, or a particular melancholy, which had flown into the Popes head, but had not root in his heart, they alwayes said, _Let us see what the end will be_.
And indeed, after some time it was observed, that the Pope did as the Traveller, who being in a small vessel, which was surpriz’d by a terrible storm at Sea, resolv’d, that he might save his life, to throw all that he had into the Sea, having then tyed his baggage with a rope, he threw it over board, but still kept in his hand, the end of the rope to which his baggage was tyed. Just thus did _Alexander_, for though it seemed to the eyes of the vulgar, that he had despised and thrown over board his Kindred, yet from time to time he would hold out his hand, and send them money, and all other things that were necessary, there passing never a day, but they had news from him, and he from them.
And once particularly (and this is a thing which I am an eye witness of; neither do I think, that _Don Mario_ himself can deny it, if he will be sincere) the Pope feigning to send them some Mules, loaden with Wax for certain Churches, sent them indeed Mules loaden with money; which cheat was so great, that the Muletiers themselves perceiv’d it, complaining of the extraordinary heaviness of their burdens; and indeed, what should they have done with so much Wax, for there would have been enough, if it had been really Wax, to have lighted the _French_ Court a whole year.
Another time, he took an occasion of sending some Silver vessels, and some Silk stuffs, to be employed in Ornaments for Churches, with order, that they should be recommended to _Don Mario_, to dispose of them according to the Popes intention; but _Don Mario_, in opening the boxes, found above four Purses full of Gold, Gold all newly coin’d, with the Stamp of the Popes-head upon them.
The Embassadours of Princes, and the Cardinals, having perceiv’d, that all this apparent aversion to his Kindred, was but jugling and hypocrisie, made it their business, to induce him by prayers and entreaties to change his resolution; particularly, having observ’d, that the Popes design was, to be thus urged and pressed, that he might gain reputation in the world, and be furnished with an excuse, whensoever, at their request, he should introduce his banished Relations. And indeed, they had gain’d so much upon him, that he did begin to hearken to their reasons with a milder countenance, and less reluctancy: Yet there was one thing which hindred him from coming to the execution of this his design, which was the Oath he had taken before the Crucifix in the beginning of his Popedom, not to receive his Kindred in _Rome_; but the Jesuites, who were his Confessors, and who are as subtle Philosophers as learned Casuists, found out an evasion, which much pleased his Holiness; for it gave him leave to comfort his kindred, to yield to the Prayers and Sollicitations of Princes, and to ease himself of a part of the weight and cares of government.
They told him then, that indeed it would have been a breach of his Oath, to receive his kind in _Rome_; but that he might, with a safe conscience, go and meet them half a dayes journey of _Rome_, and so not at all endanger his soul: was much liked, and put in execution by the _Pope_, though it seemed to the Court a ridiculous evasion, which became the subject of their laughter and drollery for a great while.
The Pope being then at last resolved, Orders were dispatch’d to _Siena_ to the _Nipotismo_, which was there assembled, in expectation of this news as if they had waited for Manna from Heaven. So _Don Mario_, his Wife and Children, and _Don Agostino_, with a numerous attendance, left _Siena_ and took their journey towards _Calstel Gandelfe_, a House of pleasure of the Popes, where they met his Holiness, who receiv’d them, and embraced them with the greatest demonstrations affection and kindness that was possible; and after some short stay there, came back to _Rome_ with them in triumph.
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In the interim, it is worth the Readers curiosity, to be inform’d of an accident that befell _Padre Pallavicino_, the Popes Confessor, a Jesuite, in hopes of obtaining a Cardinal Cap, which at last he got, had undertaken to write the Story of the Councel of _Trent_; which indeed may justly be call’d his, for the greatest part of it is not history and relation, but an abundance of words, which he endeavours to prove, that the history of _Fra. Paulo_, upon the same subject, was and is false, but he stumbles at every step he goes, and is so ill furnish’d with Arguments, that for my part I must confess, that I never believ’d _Fra. Paulo’s_ History to be real, sincere and true, but since I read the Jesuites: and he that will profit by them let him read them both with an equal disinteressment.
Now in this History, Father _Palavicino_ had taken occasion to praise the Pope _Alexander_ in divers places, and extoll him to the Skyes, as an Angel rather then a man, for denying his own blood and relations, and keeping them at such a distance from him.
The sheets were printed, and the book was coming out, when the Pope went to receive his kindred at Castle Gandolfe, and had brought them to _Rome_: This cast the Father into a strange perplexity; and the rather, because that the Pope, before he undertook his journey, had asked him his advice about the business as being his Confessour; seeing himself in a strange Labyrinth, he was mightily confounded; for if he councelled him to receive them, that was to give his book the lye; and if he exhorted him to continue in his first resolution, that was the way to offend the Pope and his Kindred, and lose all his own fortune.
At last he resolved:
Which he did, by counselling the Pope to receive his kindred, and by printing over again those sheets which made mention of the Popes alienation from all humane affections. But the Printer refused to do it at his expences; so that the good Father was fain to have recourse to some of his devout Children, who out of charity payed for the reprinting of about twenty sheets.
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No sooner had this new _Nipotismo_ taken possession of the _Vatican_, but the people began to murmur against the Pope, making Pasquins, and setting them up in every street. Thus he, who before was a Saint and an Angel, was now become an Hypocrite and a Devil; and the belief of the _Romans_, concerning the Popes infallibility, was much changed, from that which they had receiv’d before from the Divines; for now they believ’d at least, that if the Pope could not erre by himself, yet his Nephews could make him erre: The Pope, who was before ador’d by the common people, became now contemptible, insomuch, that going one day to consecrate the Church of the _Peace_, which had been rebuilt by him he receiv’d a vile affront; for the Curate of that Church, having rais’d a triumphal Arch before it, over which was the Popes Picture, with this Inscription, _Orietur in diebus nistris justitia & abundantia pacis_, some bold persons had the conscience to put an _M_ before _orietur_, and change the _C_ of _pacis_ into an _N_; so that then there was, _Monrictur __in diebus nostris justitia & abundantia ranis_. In the Academy of the Wits, they did recite and show Epigrams, which were very offensive to the Popes and his Families reputation, though all were allegorically veil’d over: In a word, they were counted the most ingenious, who could invent the sharpest sayings upon the introduction of the _Nipotismo_.
But before we go any further, it will not be amiss, to see in what persons, and how qualified, the _Nipotismo_ did consist: And I consider it in two wayes, that which is nearest in consanguinity, and another, which is related at a greater distance, and we will omit the women, that we may not be mistaken by so great a number as there would be with them.
Six Males from that _Nipotismo_, which is of a very near consanguinity to the Pope, that is, speaking of those that have at this present part in the government of _Rome_, and omitting the little children.
These are then first, _Don Mario_, the Popes eldest brother; the Cardinal _Flavio Chigi_, who is, _Don Mario’s_ Son; _Don Agostino_, and _Don Sigismond_, who are Brothers, and Sons of another of the Popes Brothers, who dyed before _Alexander’s_ exaltation to the Popedom; and two other Brothers, who are Sons to one of the Popes Sisters that was married in the family of the _Bichi_; so that in all, there are one Brother, and five Nephews, which make a pretty compleat _Nipotismo_.
_Don Mario_ is five years older then the Pope, and though by consequence he be threescore and ten, yet he is strong and lusty. The Pope and he are very different in their constitution, humour, and actions; for the first is tall, the other low; the Pope is inclin’d to learning, _Don Mario_ is strangely ignorant; the Pope is lean, and _Don Mario_ is fat; the Pope is noble and generous, and _Don Mario_ is covetous and miserable, thinking of nothing, but of gathering and heaping together of money, little troubling himself at the peoples murmurings; and yet they cry out more against him, then ever they did against _Don Tadeo_, nay, more then they did against _Donna Olympia_ her self; he hath invented so many new subtleties to get money out of those Offices which are ordinarily bestowed upon the Popes nearest Relations, that the _Barbarines_, who thought themselves masters in that Craft, do remain astonish’d to see themselves outdone by a new beginner.
The Pope shewes him the respect due to an elder Brother, and that is all; ’tis true, that of late he hath afforded him more liberty, and a greater share in the Government then he was wont to have, and he uses it to his advantage, missing no occasion to improve his fortune; nay, he is so passionately bent to getting, that he ordinarily uses to say of a thing he does not like, _There is nothing to be got there_.