THE SCARLET GOWN, Or the HISTORY Of all the present CARDINALS OF ROME.  
Wherein is set forth the LIFE, BIRTH, Interest, Possibility, rich Offices, Dignities, and charges of every Cardinal now living.  
Also their Merits, Virtues, and Vices; Together with the carriage of the POPE and Court of ROME.  
Written originally in Italian, and translated into English by H. C. Gent.  
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop at the Prince's Arms in Saint Paul's Churchyard. 1653.   

 cardinal in habit  
A CARDINAL in his HABIT as he sits in the CONSISTORY.  
J. Cross Sculpsit.   

To the Right Honourable, and every way Noble Lord, John EARL OF RUTLAND, Lord Rosse of Hamlake, Trusbut and Belvoire.  
My LORD,  
THis small Treatise, which I have presumed to recommend unto the world under your Honour's Patronage, besides the novelty of the subject, so little, or not at all touched upon in any Book, at leastwise that I have seen, speaking our Tongue, cannot be but well received, as I conceive, by all such as any way pretend to the knowledge of foreign affairs, both for that it treats of so principal and active a body and society of men, as that of the College of Cadinalls, Prince's Fellows, as they are reputed, and the great Council, and Consistory of that mysterious Head, the Pope of Rome; as also because it discovers many particularities of the practic as well in the elections of the said Cardinals, as likewise of their several interests, and hopes they may conceive to themselves of arriving one day at Peter's Chair; and also what kind of Pope each of them is like to prove, in case he should attain to that honour. Moreover I make no question but that it will be a very pleasing thing to most men, to have such a lively character by them, as my Author bear gives, of every one of those Arch-politicians, and Councillors, who have such an influence into all the debates and results of that pragmatique Superintendent Court, and Consistory: which Lords and Laws it, or would willingly do so, over the whole world. Of no less satisfaction too, suppose I, it will be to see so clearly chalked out all the several applications of all the Popish Princes and States, especially of the two great Kings of France and Spain, by their Ministers, ever Ledger about this Court, to the most politic, and powerful of these Cardinals; outvying each other in the offer of pensions, or indeavoring by the gift of spiritual dignities and preferments unto them, to insure and engage them as much as possible they may, to the espousing the interests of that Crown, for which they serve; and yet what poor hold notwithstanding, either of these Princes hath of them; and how apt they are upon very slight motives to range themselves on the quite contrary faction, is a matter not unworthy of observation. These and several other remarks touching the now Cardinals, the Pope at this day regnant, and his particular family, are presented in this little Tract, which, I would willingly make myself believe, will be as delightful to the judicious, as it was pleasing to me in the translating thereof. As for common and perfunctory Readers, I shall say as Antimachus Clarius said, when in the very interim, as he was reciting a piece which he had made, all but Plato left him, unus mihi Plato instar multorum; for, so as your Honour be pleased to approve of, and favorablely receive it, the pains I have taken therein are abundantly satisfied, what reception soever it may find of others; as having attained the main end I proposed to myself in the publishing of it; which was, that it might be as acceptable to your Lordship, as it is hearty desired it should be, by him, who in all himble affection is,  
My Lord, Your Honours most devoted Servant Henry Cogan.   

THE JUST WEIGHT OF THE Scarlet Gowns.  

I. Giovanni Carlo de Medici.  
THE Prince Giovanni Carlo de Medici is Brother to the great Duke of Toscan, and Nephew to the Cardinal Carlo de Med ci, at this day called the Cardinal of Toscan. He was promoted by Innocent the tenth in the first Promotion, together with his Holiness Nephew, at the instance of the great Duke, and the Cardinal aforesaid. He is a Prince of no mean Understanding, and an expert Soldier, but more at Sea than on Land, because he was for some time employed in the charge of Generalissimo at Sea, commanding the Catholic Fleets; for which cause he always hath been, and will be, most devoted to the House of Austria; besides the open profession all his House makes thereof, which live under the protection of that Crown. He is a jovial Lord, and loves Women a little too much. He is by nature Covetous, nothing Bountiful, but rather Niggardly. All the House of Medici is no great friend of the Family of the Barbarini, for divers public, and private causes, and in particular for the War made with those Princes, to all the world known.   

II. Domenico Cecchini.  
DOmenico Cecchini, a Roman Gentleman, about fifty three years of age: He hath been long a Prelate, and always held good correspondence with the Cardinal Pamphilio, who coming to be Pope promoted him jointly, though he did not name him in the first Promotion; but he was the first named in the second. Before he was Cardinal, his Holiness conferred upon him the charge of Datarie Apostolical; an Office verily of great profit, which he exercises still now that he is Cardinal. He is a Learned man, and well versed in the matters of the Court. It is said, that this Cardinal was promoted by his Holiness, to gratify him for some services he had done him in divers occurrences, and particularly in the suit depending between the Marquis Giustiniano, and his Father; for that he had twice pronounced Sentence in favour of the Marquis, Nephew to his Holiness; besides several other causes, for which he merited the Pope's grace. This personage is old, but not enough for the Papacy. He is a man Affable, Prudent, and  with Virtuous qualities. In the time of his Prelateship he was always accounted Just, no notable defect being known in him. When he was young he took some recreation, but without scandal; howbeit now that he is Cardinal, he shows himself more lascivious, although he thinks his secrets & intelligences are not penetrated into, whilst he is very much pleased with women. He pretends enough unto the Papacy, is well looked upon in the Court, being loved, and reverenced of all, and maintains himself neutral.   

III. Nicolò Albergati.  
NIcolò Albergati of the Bolognese Nobility, forty years of age: He was Archbishop of Bologna, which dignity was resigned unto him in the beginning of the Papacy of Innocent the tenth by the Cardinal Colonna, being so charged with Pensions, that of the great Revenues of that Church the poor Lord could hardly receive two thousand Crowns a year. The Prince Lodovisio, who took to Wife the Pope's Niepce, was desirous to have a Cardinal in his House for the new raising up the memory of his decayed Family; but because he had no Brothers, nor other Kinsmen, he besought his Holiness to grant him the grace to make the said Nicolò Albergati, his Cousin by a Feminine line, Cardinal, and with a Brieve declare him Brother to his Excellency, upon condition that he should call himself the Cardinal Lodivisio, as accordingly his Holiness vouchsafed to gratify him. The said Prince is since dead without Heirs, so that the Lodovisian Family remains extinct. The Cardinal aforesaid is very poor, and therefore is now relieved, and lodged, as the Prince's Brother, in his house. When as he was going to the residence of his Church, the Pope ordained him to pass by Florence, with the title of Legate Apostolical, and there in the name of his Holiness to christian a Son that was born to the great Duke; in which voyage he was by him sumptuously entertained, and afterwards, at his departure from that City, he was by his Highness presented with very fair, and rich Hang of Tapestry; and his servants also with great gifts; but when his Eminency would in some sort have recompensed the same to his Highness' Courtiers, they were expressly forbidden by him from taking of any thing. This Cardinal is of great understanding, rarely qualified, and of an holy conversation, never omitting any Function which is to be performed by him in his Church; and being of an Exemplary life, he is much esteemed of by all the City. I am persuaded, that he will continually maintain himself in that conceit, which he hath at this present, that at length he may become Pope; and that happening, he would make the Church happy. He is affected to the Crown of Spain, for that the Prince Lodovisio was much interessed with that Majesty, in regard all his Estate lay in the Kingdom of Naples. The French will much oppose him for divers respects; the chief are, because he is of the Spanish Faction; and that which is of greater consequence, for that the said French have deprived the Prince Lodovisio his Brother, of the Principality of Piombino, which his Excellency bought of King Philip the fourth for the sum of five hundred thousand Crowns; and now it is said, that they will confer it on the Father of the Cardinal Mazarino.   

iv Horatio Ginstiniano.  
HOratio Giustiniano, seventy years of age, and Father of the Congregation of the Lord Philippo Neri: He is by birth a Genovese, and Cousin to the deceased Marquis, Giustiniano, whom he persuaded to make the present Prince his heir, at such time as he served him in the place of his Chamberlain, though he were far from that Line, seeing the Prince is a native of Sicilia, and the deceased Marquis was a Genovese. In the beginning of the Papacy of Innocent the tenth, it was held for an undoubted matter of every one, that the Prince would demand the Scarlet Gown, either for his Father, or his Brother; howbeit they were not only not promoted, but by an Order, ore tenus, of his Holiness, they were banished from Rome, with a Declaration that they should return into Sicilia, their country: And what was the occasion of these motives could not be truly penetrated into; but for so much as I can understand, it was, because the Father of the said Prince having commenced a suit against his Son, upon pretence that he was to administer the goods which the Marquis had left behind him, against the will of his Holiness, who, in the time when he was Cardinal, had with reiterated instances prayed him to desist from his pretention, but with much arrogance he went peevishly on in his obstinate purpose. The Prince, as it is said, out of his gratitude to his benefactors, demanded the Scarlet Gown for Giustiniano, who had besides been an intimate friend of his Holiness whilst he was Cardinal. He is a man old in years, of good conversation, affable of access, and of an exemplary life, but of mean understanding, and pretends not much to the Papacy; wherefore he declares not himself of any Faction, remaining independent and neutral. He seldom cuts his Beard, it may be for that he would seem older than he is. He is a poor Cardinal, having nothing else, than that his poor Patrimony, which he enjoys in his Congregation, and what he comes to be supplied with by his Holiness. He is Bishop of Nocera in Umbria. He would not be any good Pope, either for the poor, or for the people, since, as a Genovese, he would increase Taxes and Impositions. This Cardinal is not much favoured in the sacred College; and although he shows himself neutral, yet is he inwardly much devoted to the Catholic King, but outwardly is French. Our holy Father hath declared him grand Penitentiary.   

V Cibò.  
CIbò, thirty five years of age: He was a Prelate, and Son to the Prince of Massa & Canara, and as soon as the Cardinal Pamphilio was made Pope, his Holiness declared him Steward of the Apostolical Palace; and because the said Cibò his Palace was near unto that of his Holiness, he made him a liberal tender thereof, to the end he might enlarge it with his, but the Pope refused to accept of it as a gift, but took it by way of sale; the rather, because that Palace was subject to a strict Feoffment in trust. The said Cibò held great correspondence of friendship and confidence with the abovesaid Pamphilio, who knowing his merit, did in contemplation of Innocent the eighth, of the most noble Family of the Cibòes in Genova, that was the original of the greatness of the Pamphilian. House, by exalting that Family unto Ecclesiastical dignities and Prelatures, promote him the said Cibò to the Scarlet Gown; and for that cause also took upon him the name of Innocent the tenth. This young Cardinal is of much integrity, virtue, and goodness of life. He hath in all the time of his Prelateship always imitated the behaviour and carriage of the Cardinal Pamphilio, retiring himself not only from universal commerce, but also from that of Prelates, except it be in urgent occasions. He is by nature Studious, and little given to Mirth, but is much delighted with hearing of Music. He is devoted to the House of Austria, for that his Progenitors lived under the protection of that Crown. He is loved, and well regarded, as well by the Pope, as by all the sacred College. He pretends enough to the Papacy, for which end, it is believed, he lives so retired.   

VI Pier Luigi Caraffa.  
PIer Luigi Caraffa was by Urban the eighth made Bishop of Tricario in Rego; and afterwards by the same Pope sent Nuntio into Germany, and to Liege in Elanders; at which time Sachetti, the Bishop of Gravina, was by him also sent into Spain, with a purpose to promote both of them to the Scarlet Gown; but at the instance of the Colonnesi, Caraffa remained excluded, Sachetti being only promoted: And after he had abode a long time in that his employment of Nuntio he was recalled to the Court, where the poor Lord thought to receive the due reward of his labours; And being arrived at Rome, after his continuance there some weeks, he resolved cunningly to try his fortune, by craving leave, as he did, to go unto his Residence, to the end that by the answer the Pope should give him, he might conjecture what his good, or bad disposition was towards him, and so might afterwards direct his life accordingly: But Urban, not only gave him his benediction with both hands, but 〈…〉 said unto him, My Lord, go the more cheerfully, because we will not forget your deserts; Which Caraffa hearing, absented himself from the Court, and arriving at his Residence, he never went from it, until his Holiness, after some ten or eleven years passed of his Papacy, caused him to be called to the Court in the year 1642. so as all the world was persuaded, that it was to promote him unto the Scarlet Gown; but being arrived there, it was published, that he was come to visit the Temple of the Apostles; and not called by his Holiness; and the occasion thereof was, because the Colonnesi, foreseeing that the Scarlet Gown was designed for him, upon his arrival, returned anew to press the Pope, that he should not promote him; and among the rest Donna Anna Barbarina, Wife to Don Tadeo, went unto him, and with reiterated prayers, and much weeping, persuaded Urban not to make him Cardinal, as indeed he did not. But Urban himself repent him of it, for he was heard one day to utter these precise words, God forgive him, who was the cause, that I did not make Pier Luigi Caraffa Cardinal; and this he said many times, according to report: howsoever he was fain to go away from Rome, as he came: but Innocent the tenth, when as in the second Promotion he promoted his Nephew, gave him the Scarlet Gown, because he knew him worthy of that dignity; and Caraffa himself expected it from his hands, as soon as he heard of his Holiness assumption to the Papacy; for he well remembered these words which he spoke to him, when as in the time of Urban he was departing towards the Residence of his Church; My Lord, it grieves me much, that your Lordship goes from Court with so little satisfaction, not having received the deserved reward of your labours. Unto whom Caraffa answered, I will pray our Lord God, that he will make me worthy to receive it from your hands; to this Pamphilio replied, I have no such pretention, but be assured if it should happen to be so, you shall be one of the first I will think upon; as indeed it fell out; for after the promotion of his Nephew, he was the next that he gave the Hat unto, being at that time in his bishopric of Tricaria: and besides his Merits, there was a certain obligation of kindred between them; for whilst Innocent was a Prelate, and Nuntio at Naples, having brought along with him thither all his Family, together with his brother and his wife, his Nephew, called Camillo Pamphilio, the now Husband of the Princess Rossano, was born in the said city of Naples, and the Prince Don Tiberio Caraffa, this Cardinal's brother, was his Godfather. This person is most deserving, both for his own good qualities, and the services he hath done to the Apostolic Sea. He is exceeding well versed in all matters of the Consistories and Congregations; his Votes are held in great esteem, and the Pope makes much account of him; so doth the sacred College, and every one else. He is a man of approved goodness of life, and hath always shunned conversations for the avoiding of scandals; he seeks, as much as may be, to live retired, devoutly reverencing God, and making all his Family to do the like; and it is held for certain, by them which know him, that he is still a Virgin. This Cardinal hath in the sacred College no Enemies, either secret or open, unless it be the Colonnesi, who, as before, would not have had him Cardinal, so do they not now for certain desire he should rise to the Papacy, but will use all their force and power to keep him from it. He would be a good Pope, for the benefit, not only of the Roman Church, but of all Christendom. He hath many, and divers Nephews, but the most beloved, and nearest to him, are the Sons of the Count Celano, of the House of Piccolomini; and those of the Marquis of Ansé: Howbeit if ever he should come to be Pope, Teatino would be the reigning Cardinal, unto whom he hath resigned the Bishopric of Tricario; a man Learned, of good Life, and great Authority. The Prince of Bisignano, Don Tiberio Caraffa, his Brother, is Knight of the Golden-Fleece. He is courteous, affable, of an exemplary life, and very charitable, so that for his noble qualities he is well looked upon, and universally beloved of all the City of Naples, which calls him Pater Patriae, for that he favours the poor so much.   

VII. Federico Sforza.  
FEderico Sforza, four and forty years of age, a Roman Nobleman, and Brother to the Duke of that Surname. He was a Prelate in the College of the participating Protonotaries in the time of Urban, and had no other employment than to be Vice-Legat in Avignon, being sent thither by the Cardinal Antonio the Legate, with an intent to promote him also to the Cardinalship, but it did not follow for some private interests. Innocent the tenth, for that he would not see a House so renowned, and so well affected unto him, to be without the Scarlet Gown, made him Cardinal. He is a man of good understanding, but not very rich, and therefore somewhat miserable. His Holiness after the flight of the Cardinal Antonio made him Vicechamberlain of the holy Church. He is a jovial Lord, loves Comedies and Feasts; and in particular when he was a Prelate, he delighted much in company. His Inclination is French for two reasons; the first, because he was Vice-Legat at Avignon; and the second, for that there is continually seen in his Palace great store of French; but he seems to be neutral, except it be for the Pope: Others say, that he will become Spanish, in regard of the feudes, and estates, which Duke Sforza, his brother, possesseth in the State of Milan; being lately too left heir of many Gastles by the death of a Milanese Lord, his Kinsman. He is no great friend of Cardinal Antonio, because he caused him, upon hope of making him Cardinal; to sell him at a very low rate the Palace of Sforza's Court, since called Cardinal Antonio's; but being afterwards given by the said Antonio to the Queen of France, it is now named the Royal Palace, where the Ambassador of the most Christian King resides; and where also the Princes and Lords that come out of France do usually lodge.   

VIII. Tiberio Cenci.  
TIberio Cenci, a Roman, fifty five years old; he was a Bishop, and promoted to the Scarlet Gown at the instance of the Prince Borghese, Nephew to Paul the fifth, as the nearest of his Kinsmen that was capable of that dignity, for that there was none other of the house of Borghese which was fit, and of age to receive the Hat. He was poor, and therefore was assisted with a good sum of money by the said Prince, who offered him for his habitation the lodgings of the Cardinal Borghese in his own Palace; but he was thanked by Cenci, without accepting thereof, saying, that he would make use of his favour upon occasion; nevertheless the said Prince bestowed on him several suits of Tapestry hang, and furnitures for chambers. The said Cenci is Nephew to Cardinal Lanti, in whose house he remained some time after he had reeeived the Scarlet Gown, but now he is removed into the house where Cardinal Pio dwelled, in the Cesarinies street. He is a person capable of being Pope, of some value, and well looked upon by the Court, but he is of no credit with the Princes, though he be a good man, as having been a long time exercised in the Congregation of the Lord Philippo Neri in the new Church. He hath no defect in him, and if he should live to a Conclave, he might likewise pretend to the Papacy, and the great Duke of Toscan would aid him much, in regard he is the Kinsman of his Kinsmen; but I am persuaded, that whosoever shall go about to raise him, will labour in vain, for that the memory is yet fresh of that cruel and infamous success happening unto the House of the Cenci, which I will not leave unrecounted. There were three children of the said House, one Daughter and two Sons, most noble Romans: whose Father being very rich, and well stricken in years, was so wretchedly covetous that he would allow his Sons in a manner nothing, nor marry his Daughter; who for her beauty was much desired, & sued unto by the best Nobility of Rome, because he would not part with money. This old man too was somewhat cracked brained, so that he would oftentimes play many odd pranks; in regard whereof the Daughter one day calling her Nurse, said unto her, that they should do well to take her Father, and throw him out of the window, for so he being dead they should be masters of all. The Nurse, together with one of the Sons, gave consent to her motion, and having accordingly put it in execution, they fell a weeping & crying out as soon as the deed was done, that the old man in one of his frantic fits had cast himself out of the window. This coming to the ears of the Magistrates, they were all three, together with the younger Son, committed to prison; and diligent inquisition being made on the body of the deceased, to see whither by force he had been thrown out by others, or that he had precipitated himself, there were signs found sufficient to put the delinquents to torture. Whereupon being examined, and coming to be racked, the young maid, that was some sixteen years of age, suddenly confessed ever thing, which being acknowledged by the other two, they were condemned to death; and afterwards being brought to to the place of execution, the Maid and her Brother were both beheaded; and the other brother, that was in a manner but a child, and not reputed any way guilty, was only made to stand under the Scaffold all the while. Now in regard of all this, I should think it a strange matter that ever this Cardinal should attain to the Papacy: howsoever he is a man affable, courteous in his deal, and of a good disposition. He hath not declared himself of any party, but professeth to be neutral.   

VI Benedetto Odeschalco.  
BEnedetto Odeschalco, a Nobleman of the City of Milan, 45 years of age; he was a rich Prelate, and a long time courted Barbarino, out of a desire he had to be Clerk of the Chamber; which Don Barbarino promised unto him, having to that effect received the money for it before hand; yet for all that he could never obtain his intent. But after the death of Urban, he fell to courting the Lady Olimpia, Sister-in-law to his Holiness, who reigneth at this present; and having divers times presented her with gifts, he at length got into her favour, and in particular by an action used by him, which is worthy to be noted; and it was this. Going one day, about the beginning of the Assumption of Innocent the tenth, to the house of the said Lady Olimvia, a Goldsmith came and shown her a Cupboard of very fair Plate to sell; which she having viewed very well, in the presence of the said Odeschalco, and other Lords, she said, that it was a curious and goodly Cupboard of Plate, but that she was a poor Widow, and was not able to buy it; and saying so, passed into her chamber. Whereupon Odeschalco calling the Goldsmith unto him, asked him what the price of it was; and being agreed, he paid him down eight thousand Crowns for it; then, without saying any thing else, he sent it in as a present from him to the said Lady Olimpia: who seeing so noble a gift, was so taken with it, that she went to the Pope, and begged of him for Odeschalco not only the Clerkship of the Chamber, but afterwards also the Scarlet Gown. This Cardinal is of mean understanding, and though he hath spent much, yet he is rich, splendid, affable in his speech, and well affected to all the Pamphilian House. Whilst he was a Prelate he was much given to Sports, Comedies, and Feasts; now he abstains both from common commerce, and conversation. He is a vassal to the Catholic King, and therefore will be always of the Austrian Faction, unless it be when his Country shall change its Master.  
Innocent the tenth hath in these Promotions created eleven Cardinals, and two Hats remained vacant; but by the death of the Cardinal Borgia in Spain, of the Cardinal Capucino in Rome, and also of the Cardinal Farnese, there comes to be five Hats vacant in the sacred College.   

X. Fabritio Savelli.  
FAbritio Savelli, a Roman, and the son of Prince Savelli, Ambassacor in this Court for the Emperor's Majesty. He is old in years, having served in the Wars of Germany with the title of General: He hath been oftentimes made a prisoner by the Swissers, and the last time that he was so, he corrupted his guard, and fled together with them to Rome; where rewarding them, he gave them a house and means to live withal. In the time of the War that Urban the eighth waged against the Princes of Italy, he was declared General of the Army that opposed the great Duke of Toscan, wherein he carried himself somewhat slackly, for that he might have damnified the enemy, and did it not; the reason of it was, because he considered the decrepit age of Urban, and the little time that he was likely to live; so that he held it no wisdom to make so potent a Prince, as he was, his enemy; wherefore he was called home from the Camp, and Don Taeo Barbarino, his Holiness Nephew, was sent thither as Generalissimo. This Family, both for the Antiquity and Nobility of it, enjoys divers prerogatives and privileges; amongst the which one is, that in the time of the vacancy of the Apostolic Sea, he keeps the Keys of the Conclave, and may for the guard of his person raise soldiers at the charge of the Chamber, so far forth as need shall require: And he may also execute Justice on the lives, not only of private men, but likewise of those of quality; and in that of Urban the eighth, he committed to prison certain Registers, that by secret ways carried Letters into the Conclave to some Cardinals; and, it is said, that he sent them afterwards into the Galleys, having also threatened to hang them: Signior Giulca Donati, Auditor to Cardinal Antonio, was beheaded in the Castle of St. Angelo, for going about without leave to speak with the said Cardinal his Master; and to that effect are Gallows erected in St. Peter's Piatza. This Family hath had two Popes, and a great many Cardinals; and it was verily believed, a little before Urban the eighths' death, that the deceased Cardinal Savelli would have been Pope, because he was a man of an approved good life, charitable, and endued with all the qualities appertaining to an high Bishop; and it was the rather so believed, for that in certain mountainous places, as one goes towards the Seashore of Sienna, there was a Marble stone found with an Epitaph upon it, which said, that in the year 1645. there should be a Pope of the house of Savelli, and in the very same stone were the arms of Savelli engraven. This Fabritio, whilst his Uncle the Cardinal lived, was called the Abbot Savelli; but his said Uncle being Archbishop of Salerno, obtained leave to resign his Archbishopric, to the end it might be conferred on his said Nephew Fabritio, as accordingly it was; and going afterwards to his Residence there, he carried himself in such sort, as he was well regarded by the people of that place: In process of time he began to grow so covetous, and desirous of gain, that he would not have stuck to have made away half a score men for money. It is not many months since he returned to the Court, where he abode till such time as he was promoted; for Innocent being as ardent in raising the Roman Nobility, as Urban was intent in depressing it, he held it inconvenient, that so renowned a House should remain deprived of those honours, with which in times past they always superabounded; wherefore his Holiness made this Fabritio a Cardinal; who is a man of good conversation, amiable, grateful, and very understanding; but with all he is proud, making little account of other Families. These Savelli are altogether Austrian, and are of near of kin to the Cardinal Montalto, whose heirs they shall be after his decease; they are also allied to the Orsini and Cesarini. This Cardinal is no great friend to the Ambassador of France, who affronted him by denying him audience, because he went first to visit the Ambassador of Spain.   

XI. Francisco Cherubino.  
FRancesco Cherubino da monte Bodio nella Marca; this man came privately to Rome, and served the Cardinal Pamphilio, at this present Pope; a long time, with great satisfaction to his Holiness: afterwards finding himself able for it, he put himself into the Prelacy, and having exercised divers charges in the Ecclesiastical state, it fortuned that Don Pamphilio was made Pope, who out of gratitude to reward him, received him anew into his service in the Apostolical Palace, and declared him his secret Auditor: After some time of residence in the Apostolical Palace, he was promoted to the dignity of Cardinal, with five others. This person is a man of ripe years, prudent, and affable; divers will have him to be somewhat a kin to his Holiness. He hath great Pensions, is of a good disposition, and a friend to the poor: He is not much for the Princes, because he is a private man, but if he live, his Holiness, no doubt will confer on him some Apostolical, or Provincial Legateship, to the end he may give a proof of his abilities.   

XII. Christoffero Vidman.  
CHristoffero Vidman, a native of the City of Venice; some will have him descended of base parentage; and the truth is, his Ancestors were but mean persons, that in Venice made profession of Merchant's Factors, who in process of time attaining to some wealth, began to trade in Merchandise themselves; whereby Giovanni Vidman, the Father of the now reigning Sons, got no ordinary riches, in such sort as he bought divers Castles and Lands in Carinthia and Ortenburg: His Sons were in number five, that is, Giovanni Paolo, which is dead, Lodovico, Martin, David, and Christofforo, the present Cardinal; who together with his brother David came to Rome in the time of Urban, where Christoffero, putting himself into the Prelacy, bought the Clerk of the Chambers place, and so began to make show of the Talon which God had given him. Afterwards the Auditor of the same Chambers place being void, by Urbans promoting him that enjoyed it to the Scarlet Gown, the said Christofforo received that charge also, upon paying the usual price for it. But within a while Urban the eighth died, and Pamphilio, Innocent the tenth, was created Pope: who seeing the want the Chamber was in, supplied it after the wont manner, by selling the Offices of the Clerk and Auditor of the Apostolical Chamber, which Vidman possessed, who was therefore promoted to the Scarlet Gown, together with the Lord Raggi, Treasurer General of the holy Church, and four other persons, the seventh of October in the year 1647. This Cardinal is of a goodly presence, of a lusty complexion, young, and one that loves the world. His Brother David is of the same condition he is of, delighting in Sports, Comedies, and Feasts, and that not without Women. They are now Gentlemen of Venice, to which Nobility they attained by paying down an hundred thousand ducats for it, according to the Decree made by that Republic in the time of their necessities, occasioned by their War against the Turk. This Cardinal is of a good disposition, merry, facetious, amiable, friendly, and courteous, respecting every one, and honouring them that honour him; he is also very splendid, so that he may well be said to be derived of the noble Germane and Venetian Nation.   

XIII. Lorenzo Raggi.  
LOrenzo Raggi, a Nobleman of Genova of the new Nobility, Nephew to the deceased Cardinal of the same surname; which deceased Cardinal putting himself into the Prelacy in the time of Urban the eighth, bought the place of Clerk of the Chamber, as also that afterwards of Auditor of the same: And because he was not only simple, but altogether ignorant, he was every where known to be such; for he never employed himself in any other thing but in giving public audience pro forma: His ignorance was openly discovered in all occasions, and in particular in a suit depending before him, where the Proctor of the one side, desiring to defend his Client's cause, found that the Auditor Raggi adhered to the adverse party, and therefore began to demonstrate unto his honourable Lordship many lively reasons for the maintenance thereof, alleging divers Authors, and in particular said, that the Codice in such a Law made good his Plea. My Lord Raggi, in regard that which the Proctor affirmed was prejudicial to the party he favoured, conceived according to his ignorant opinion, that the Codice was some witness to be produced in judgement, and therefore said unto the Proctor these precise words, I will throughly chastise this Codice; and then demanded of him where he was, because he would have him apprehended and sent to the Galleys. The Proctor answered that he was to be found in his Clients Advocates house; whereupon he commanded a Notary to send some Officers along with the Proctor to the said Advocate's house, to apprehend the Codice; which being accordingly performed, the Codice was delivered unto them, who thought it was some prohibited book, and that therefore they were ordered to seize upon it; so they carried it to my Lord Raggi, who was then Auditor of the Chamber; and the Proctor being arrived there with them, opened the book, and found out the Law by him before cited; which Raggi seeing, remained like a statue, quite besides himself. Now the sport and pastime that was made of this matter throughout the City came to the ears of Urban the eighth, who was ready to burst with laughing at it. Another time it happened, that another Proctor came before him to defend another cause at his house, which was just opposite to the Capranick College, where were divers mad wags, who as often as they saw him look out of his window, cried out, Bragone, bragone, that is, great breeches or slops; so that after he was made Cardinal, the common people ever after called him, as they had done, Bragone. Now whilst the Proctor was attentive in pleading of his cause, he answered the Scholars of the said College, saying, the Galleys, the Galleys. The Proctor believing that he spoke in that manner against his Client, answered, My honourable Lord, the poor man, my Client, deserves not the punishment of the Galleys; but in the mean time Raggi, seeing those too insolent Scholars continue on still mocking him, cried out with a loud voice, Not the Galleys, but the Gallows; which the Proctor hearing, said, as it were vexed, My Lord, since you will needs send to the Galleys, and hang one that no ways deserves it, you may do as you please; and so went away from him. Before he was made Cardinal, he caused a Cardinal's garments to be made for him, and putting them on, he walked up and down his house, and asked of his friends how they became him, and whether he did not walk gravely enough in them: And out of the great desire he had to be a Cardinal, he went one day to the Pope, who loved him for his harmless simplicity, and after he had kissed his foot, he said, Holy Father, make me a Cardinal, and so give satisfaction to the poor old man my Father. After he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown, he went to thank his Holiness, and embracing him said, I cannot choose but hug and kiss you, for joy that you have made me a Cardinal. Pope Urban the eighth delighted so much in this man, as can hardly be expressed, the truth whereof doth appear by the effects; for he not only made him a Cardinal, but also at his instance gave the Treasurorship General to Lorenzo Raggi, his Nephew; unto whom, for a closing up of all other his extravagancies, he said openly; Nephew, if you will arrive unto that which I have attained unto, you must labour to carry yourself, and do as I have done. Whereat, not only all the standers by, but even his Nephew himself, could not forbear laughing. Not long after the Treasurorship was conferred on Lorenzo, the Cardinal his Uncle died, and made his Brother, the marquis Raggi, his heir; for which cause there hath been a good while some distaste between the two brothers, the Treasurer and the Marquis. The said Lorenzo Raggi was in the time of Urban Superintendant of the Impositions laid upon the State Ecclesiastical; during which charge of his, there fell out many disorders; for in the Barbarini War, the Soldiers could not have their pay; so that two days after Innocent the tenth was assumed to the Papacy, those Soldiers that were appointed for the guard of the Conclave began to mutiny, because his Holiness having ordained that every one of them should have four months pay, and so be dismissed, Raggi would give them but two; wherewith they being very much incensed, fell furiously to assaulting the house he was in, which they sacked, and plundered all the money they found in it; chase the said Raggi into Don Tadeos' Palace, where he shut up himself for fear of his life; but the soldiers besieged him in it, and were bringing two pieces of Cannon to beat down the gates, had not Innocent the tenth, newly elected, with his prudence given remedy thereunto. Howsoever his Holiness was much offended with him for this business, and every body thought, that he would have deprived him of his charge, and made him resign up his Treasurors place; but afterwards, at the intercession of divers persons, the matter went no further, and in the end he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown in the secret consistory of the fourth of October 1647. This Cardinal is young, about some five and twenty years of age, and of a good conversation, but ambitious, and covetous: He is not over-learned, nor ignorant, but holds the mean betwixt both.   

XIV. Francisco Maidalchini.  
FRancesco Maidalchini, a native of the City of Viterbo, and Nephew by her Brother to the Lady Olimpia, the Sister-in-law of Pope Innocent the tenth. This Cardinal was a youth void of all manner of conversation, not being able to carry himself with any civility; and therefore he was kept in a College, to learn not only humane letters, but also good manners. Suddenly, upon the making of Innocent the tenth Pope, the Lady Donna Olimpia, his Aunt, procured an Abbot's place for him; with which he lived reasonably well, but altogether unknown to the world. Afterwards, the Lord Camillo Pamphilio, Son to the same Lady Donna Olimpia, and the Pope's only Nephew, being promoted to the Scarlet Gown, it happened, that by the death of the Prince Don Paolo Borghese, the Lady Donna Olimpia Aldobrandina, Princess of Rossana, his Wife, became a Widow, with whose beauty and riches the Cardinal Pamphilio was so taken, as he abandoned the Scarlet Gown, and married her. But the poor Prince Don Camillo was much troubled thereupon, for that by the Papal Bulls it was ordered, that the Cardinals which renounced their Hats, and took Wives, should not enter into the Roman Court for a certain prefixed time of some months: Howbeit he obeyed, in hope he should obtain of the Pope his Uncle a dispensation for his return unto the Court. But Donna Olimpia, his Mother, considering, that if he and his Wife should come to abide in the Court, the authority and power which she had with the Pope might be disturbed, laboured with all her endeavour to keep the Pope from permitting their return thither; saying, that it was not fit to have so many Olympian Ladies in the Court, because one alone (meaning herself) was enough. This coming to the ears of the Princess, Don Camillo's Wife, she, as a Lady extracted of so illustrious an House, could not choose but very much resent it, insomuch as she imparted it to many Cardinals of the Court; and the like did also the Prince Don Camillo her Husband, with threatening revenge. Which being understood by the widow Mother, Donna Olimpia, who being of a manlike, bitter, and vindicative nature, was so provoked therewith, that hearing how his Holiness was minded to promote to the Scarlet Gown one of the House of Pamphilio, she went and so conjured him, as she diverted him from that purpose, and withal drew him to promise to make the aforesaid Francisco Maidalchini Cardinal, as accordingly he did in the Consistory of the seventh of October 1647. At which promotion, not only the Court stood amazed, but all the foreign Princes likewise, who mightily blamed it: But it was brought to pass by the cunning of Donna Olimpia, to the end she might introduce him into the same command of the State Ecclesiastical, which Barbarino had enjoyed under Vrban the eighth; and having given a beginning unto it, in regard he was unfit for business, she, with the consent of his Holiness, put him under the schooling of the Cardinals Panzirolo and Cherubino, that he might be instructed by them in the affairs of the Court; and not contented herewith, she oftentimes solicited the Pope, because he had no Cardinal Nephew, to declare him for such, to no other end but to take away all hope from the Prince, her Son, and his Wife, of future authority and adherence, & his Holiness was inclined to condescend thereunto. But it coming to the ears of the Nuns his Sisters, they all joined together, with the Princess Lodovisia, the Prince Camillo's Sister, and going in great fury to the Pope, they with much resentment gave him to understand, that it was very inconvenient for him to declare any person of a strange Family Cardinal Nephew; and that yielding thereunto, he would give all the world occasion to talk of it: and in this manner they drew his Holiness to promise them, that he would never permit any such thing. About the same time the Pope fell sick of a retention of urine, so that it was thought he would have died: whereupon the Prince Camillo went in secret to visit his Uncle, who received him very lovingly, and calling Cardinal Panziroli to him, he willed him to deliver unto the said Prince his Nephew the money that was in his keeping, which amounted unto two millions and an half; and then to keep the Mother from being distasted at his coming to the Court, he caused it to be given out, that he was gone to Caprarola, whilst in the mean time he lay close in a private house unknown. But Donna Olimpia, understanding that the money was consigned unto the Prince her Son, took on so exceedingly at it, that she remained some days sick therewith; for she verily believed that it should have come unto her hands, according to the hope his Holiness had given her of it; and they continue still with great disturbance amongst themselves, in the terms whereof I have before given some hint. It is held for certain, that our Lord the Pope very much repent the promoting of Maidalchini, in regard it is universally known how ignorant he is, being scarce able to talk; and therefore he is of so little esteem with the other Cardinals, that they make, as it were, a gaming stock of him. Besides, he himself never humour's any one, nor returns a courtesy to any that honours him; and therefore he is accounted of according to his breeding.  
Urban the eighth in divers promotions created the following Cardinals, besides many others which died, before and after the assumption of Innocent the tenth; but especially he gave the Scarlet Gown to the Cardinal Francisco Barberino, his Nephew, in the first Consistory that he held.   

XV. Francisco Barberino.  
FRancesco Barberino, a Florentine, and Nephew to the deceased Pope Urban the eighth, the Son of his brother. He was a man, during his Uncle's being a Prelate, and a Cardinal, which one would hardly have vouchsafed to salute if he had met him in the streets of Rome; in so poor, and ill a plight he was; he went to school in the College, where he was no better esteemed of then any one mean Artificers Son; so that he would have taken it for a great injury if any man had told him that he should have been the Pope's Nephew: yet afterwards Fortune, which hath no measure in her do, lifted him up so high, as to think of it only makes people amazed, and besides themselves. The Cardinals stood in the Conclave questioning about the making of a Pope, and after they had continued there a long time, being much wearied, they resolved to elect such a person, as not only was not capable of the Papacy, in regard of his young years, but also that was not known to be of too stirring and high a spirit; insomuch as they all unanimously confessed, that when they were in the Conclave they never thought, nor ever came it into their minds, to assume such a person to the Papacy: and after he was elected, that old wise Cardinal Crescentio cried out in the same Conclave so loud, that every one might hear him, saying, we have elected a piece of a Pope: which words verily were worthy of consideration, and how they were afterwards made good in the time of his Papacy, every one may Imagine. At such time as Urban the eighth was elected, Francisco and Antonio were in the schools, when as a great clamour of voices were heard crying out, long live Pope Urban Barberino, and at the very same instant came many Princes, and a world of Caroches to take them from the schools, giving them the title of Excellency, and reverencing them with great honours. Francisco in the first Consistory, which his Holiness held, was created Cardinal, and in regard his young age was too unapt for the government, the Pope gave him my Lord Filomarini for his Governor, but with the title of Master of his Chamber, in which place he had served before the same Urban. Barberino as soon as soon as he saw himself to have attained to the credit of managing affairs, he abhorred the conversation of Filomarini, insomuch that he utterly declined it, and began to govern of himself, so far forth that out of his absolute arrogance and pride he usurped the Title of Cardinale Patron, a Title verily which was never heard, nor ever will be heard, to be assumed by any Pope's Nephew. Some months after, Urban promoted Antonio to the Scarlet Gown, and then sent both of them Legates à Latere, Francisco into Spain, and Antonio into France; and one of them took upon him the protection of the one Kingdom, and the other of the other. Francisco afterwards had a large pension from the Catholic King, and made profession of obeying the commands of that Majesty. Urban for ten years together governed absolutely, in which time Francisco had not the power, as one may say, to raise up a straw from the ground, but those ten years once past, Urban fell to decline through age, and sickness, and then began he to lift up his head. This Cardinal had nothing else good in him but the gratifying a poor man, that in tomporibus had paid for a pot of Wine for him at the Tavern, whom he made Yeoman of his Horse. In the time of his Empire he disstasted all the Princes; and inprimis I may begin with the Emperor Ferdinand the second, who upon his election to that State, sent the Prince of Egenberg to Rome for his Ambassador of obedience to the Pope, where being arrived, that which ensued thereupon is known to every one. The King of Spain was so affronted by him and his Uncle, as more could not be: for what greater affront can be done to a Crown, then to give for money, and not otherwise, the Scarlet Gown to a deserveing person; such a one as the Abbot Pereti was, unto whom they denied it, out of the inward hate that they bore him. They lent money to the French, to the end they might make and continue War on the House of Austria; they gave aid against the State of Milan; used notable deceit in the disposing of Mantova and Casale; caused the Marquis de los Velez, the Catholic Ambassador, to be assaulted by the French, and the Bishop of Amega the Portugal, who by force would have been acknowledged by the Ambassador, that reputed him a Rebel; and gave a world of disgusts besides, which to recount would take up a whole year. The King of France too, notwithstanding all the House of Barberini seem to be well affected to that Crown, hath had his share of disgusts from them; by delaying the demand of the Hat for the Cardinal Mazzarino; by the dishonour which Antonio did to his Majesty's Ambassador, in getting his daughter with child under colour of friendship, and afterwards poisoning her, as it is verily believed, at Caprarola; insomuch that the poor Lord not knowing else how to be revenged, was fain to serve under the command of the Duke of Parma in the War against the said Barberini. Then the distaste which they gave not only to the Ambassador Coure, but even to the most Christian King himself, by causing the head of Monsieur de Ronti, the said Ambassadors Kinsman, to be strucken of by the hangman; and lastly the betraying of that Majesty in the Conclave, by helping to promote Pamphilio to the Papacy, whom the King desired to exclude. Moreover the Internal and External disgusts, known to all, which they gave to the great Duke of Toscan, to the Duke of Parma, to the Duke of Modena, and to the Republic of Venice; by offering to take Borgo-sansepolcro from the great Duke; by taking from the Duke of Parma, Castro, Capralo, Ronaglione, and other States, as also endeavouring to take from him likewise Parma, and Placentia, because he would not match with them; by making War on the Duke of Modena, upon their pretention to Comachio; and on the Republic of Venice, for to make them remove out of their Ducal Chamber the ancient pictures of their Naval fight and Victory for the restitution of Pope Alexander the sixth to his former Estate. They denied the King of Polana the Hat for Monsieur Vicconti; they suffered the Cardinal Orsino to affront the deceased Queen Mother of France in the person of her Agent; in Rome they annihilated the Nobility; heheaded the Marquis Manzioli, alias Bentivoglio, who having been prime Clerk of the Chamber, had resigned that office, and married a wife, upon pretext that he had made a book against the Court of Rome; they put to death the Marquis Centini d' Ascoli in Campo de fiore, alleging that he had complotted against the life of the Pope, only to disable his Uncle for the Papacy; they sent Anarea Casale to the Galleys, to the end his Wealth might come to the Cardinal Spada, and other their well-willers, causing him in fifteen days to be bastinadoed to death; they banished the Duke of Cerinto the State of Avignon, upon pretence that he had framed infamous libels against the old deceased Cardinal Verospi; they kept Mario Frangipano a long time in prison, although he was a Cavalier of quality, very old, and in a manner decrepit, and exposed him to the torture, upon pretence that he had given order for the putting of a fellow to death, that was found hanged in the prison of a certain Castle, notwithstanding that they which had committed the fact confessed publicly at the Gallows, how the said Lord was altogether innocent thereof; and this they did to no other end, but to force him to leave his estate unto them, with this reservation, that he should enjoy it so long as he lived, and then it should fall unto the Church; but he would never consent thereunto, saying always thus, If I be innocent let me be freed, if I be not innocent let me be punished; and had not the War with the Princes of Italy happened, the poor Lord had been made an end of; for than they set him at liberty upon condition that he should engage himself in the war against the said Princes. Furthermore they sought to ruin the House of Borghese, because they had concluded matrimony with Donna Olimpia Aldobrandina, unto whom the Pope's eldest Nephew was a suitor, and for that reason they disgraced them all that ever they could. They deprived Vittaleschi, General of the Jesuits, and Ridolsi General of the Dominicans, of their General ships, under pretext of sundry misdemeanours committed by them. They most unjustly bereft the said Princes Borghesi of the state of Meldola; and caused Don Paolo Borghese, the Prince his Son, and husband to the said Donna Aldobrandina, to be basely affronted by a common Captain of the watch. They drove a world of poor people, not only from Rome, but also out of all the state Ecclesiastical, and made them go and live in other parts, by reason of the grievous taxes and impositions which they laid upon them. They caused many thousands of men, that served under their ensigns, to perish for hunger, whilst they gave them no pay, and that bread too, which they provided to relieve them, was mixed with chalk, which fretted out the soldiers guts, and made them die like dogs. Innocent the tenth, in the beginning of his Papacy, was so tired with Petitions and complaints against Francisco for his injustice and extortions, that he caused him to be cited to render an account of his administration, which he satisfied with his flight into France. This Cardinal enjoyed under Urban above forty seven Abbacies, and Benefices, with other revenues, the least of which yielded two or three thousand crowns a year; besides those that came to thirty thousand, and forty thousand, as also the Vicechancellorship of the Holy Church, which hath eighteen protections of Monasteries of Nuns, and Convents of Friars. In sum he was become a wardrobe of Ecclesiastical Benefices; and in the Court of Rome things were grown to that pass, as no man took a servant, were it for never so vile an Office, unless he were preferred by this Cardinal Barberino; and this he did out of a diabolical policy; for by this means he held correspondency with all those, which he had placed as spies upon their Masters, and so came to discover whatsoever they said, or did. He hath made show of being a wondrous honest man, and under colour thereof hath deceived I know not how many women. I think now the world will confess there was never any Cardinal that so much tyrannised over the Church, and Christendom: & hoc sufficit.   

XVI. Ernesto Adalberto d' Arach.  
ERnesto Adalberto d' Arach, is a rich Lord, of the Germane Nation: He was a Priest, and promoted by Urban the eighth to the Scarlet Gown, at the instance of the Emperor, in the place of Pier Luigi Caraffa, Bishop of Tricario. This person is a man of great parts, & of good life, in regard whereof he was advanced to the Archbishopric of Prague, where he hath behaved himself much to his own commendation, and the satisfaction of all the people there, being highly esteemed for his good disposition and qualities; howbeit I cannot say much of him, because he resides not in the Court, but continues always at his Church in Prague, and therefore not without reason was it said, when last he came to Rome a little before the death of Urban the eighth, that it was an ill Omen, and a bad sign, when the Consi were seen to approach the City, meaning that Arach not being wont to come unto Rome, his coming now thither was a foretoken of the Pope's ensuing death, as accordingly it fell out. This Cardinal is well regarded of Caesar, and as his subject, he is, and always will be at his devotion. He is very Charitable, Bountiful, Courteous, Affable, and Friendly.   

XVII. Giulio Sachetti.  
GIulio Sachetti, a Florentine, the Son of a Merchant, who was partner with the Father of Urban the eighth, whilst they traded together, being thought to be of kin a far off. The said Giulio was made Bishop of Gravina, whether he never went, because he was suddenly sent by Urban Nuncio into Spain, where all the time that he exercised that charge, he carried himself very worthily, and to the great satisfaction of that Crown; wherefore he was promoted by Urban to the Scarlet Gown, as likewise were all the other Nuntios, except Caraffa. He was much esteemed of by Urban, who conferred on him many benefits and graces, making him also Keeper of the Seal of Justice, which he still exerciseth. He is a Lord of great merit, and the Barberini thought without all doubt to have created him in the past Conclave Pope; but they failed in their purpose, whilst by the power of the Spanish faction he was excluded, not because he was not a deserving person, but in regard he was too much affected and obliged to the said Barberini: Others say he was excluded, for that upon the assembly of a Congregation touching the receiving of the Ambassador of the King of Portugal, he had showed himself inclined to receive him; as also by reason he was too great a friend to Mazzarino, who had been a follower of his, so as necessarily he would have been an Enemy and depressor of the Spaniards, and would have followed the steps of Urban. He is of an exemplary life, Charitable, Pleasant, and Rich, but not very Liberal, for, as a Florentine, he is somewhat penurious, and niggardly. He hath two Brothers, Mattheo and Alessandro, whereof the first hath to wife a Lady of the House of Rocellai, a Family amongst the Florentines sufficiently French; and he hath many Sons: the second hath served in the Wars of Flanders under the Catholic King. Mattheo; at such time as the Sea was vacant, was qualified with a title of the Church by Barberino, who held Sachetti certainly for Pope, as in like manner did Mattheo, insomuch that he caused the Cellar of his Palace to be set open for every body to drink as much Wine as he would for joy: whereupon, after they had well drunk, they cried out publicly, long live Pope Sachetti; but when as afterwards he saw that Pamphilio was made Pope, for very spite and rage he fell mad: And thus may every one judge, if Sachetti had been Pope, what a confusion there would have been in the Roman Court, and in what a condition the State Ecclesiastical would have been; for through their avarice they would have ruined all. The greatest confident Sachetti hath, is thought to be the Cardinal Falconieri, now Legate of Bologna, who was promoted by Urban at the instance of the said Sachetti, after his return from being Nuncio in Flanders, from whence he was excluded by the Cardinal Infante, for that he knew him to be too much French. Sachetti hath divers times murmured against the Government of Monarchy; whence he was held by the Regal Ministers to be alienated from desiring the felicity of the Austrian Family, which hath done him but little good. The greatest obstacle he hath had, and hath, is the great Duke, who having found Pope Barberino little available to him, seeks with all his power to keep any Vassal of his from coming to the Papacy, and therefore Sachetti will never attain unto it, although the Spaniards should concur with him; which is unlikely, notwithstanding he seems to be devoted to Spain, whereas indeed he is contrary unto it; but I should judge the Catholic King to be directly out of his wits, if ever he concur with him more, seeing he was the confident Counsellor first of Antonio's, and afterwards Francesco's and Tadeo's flight into France. At the end of the Conclave a writing came forth, entitled the passion of Sachetti, beginning thus, Passio Domini nostri secundum Matthaeum; which to avoid prolixity I will omit, the rather too because it serves not for our purpose. Another writing also came forth, which said, He that entered Pope, came out Cardinal.   

XVIII. Bernardino Spada.  
BErnardino Spada, a native of Brisighella, of an ordinary Family, being descended of Colliers. He put himself into the Prelacy, and was by Urban the vl exercised in many Charges, and then sent into France, where he resided a good while, and spent there a great part of his Patrimony. Urban, knowing his merits, promoted him to the Scarlet Gown, the rather because in his Nuntios place he had carried himself to the satisfaction of both parts. He is a person of great abilities, is well versed in all manner of Negotiations, and is an excellent Statesman. He was picked out and chosen by Uban the eighth, as a man of Authority and worth, to compose the differences depending between him and the Duke of Parma, who was come with a great Army to the confines of the Ecclesiastical State. and had seized on divers Lands and Castles of the Apostolic Sea, and in particular Aquapendente, where the said Duke had entrenched himself: In front of whom stood Antonio with an Army of twelve thousand foot, and four thousand horse to keep him from overrunning the Ecclesiastical State; and Spada was sent with the title of Plenipotentiary, to conclude an agreement: He went, acted, and returned, but was by Urban very ill rewarded; for after he had concluded, and signed the Capitulations of the accord, wherein the great Duke of Toscan, the Republic of Venice, and the Duke of Modena, intervened as mediators, Urban, seeing the Duke departed, and gone to his States of Parma and Placentia, declared the said Capitulations null, and invalid; saying that Spada motu proprio, and without his consent, had signed them. Herewith the aforesaid Princes held themselves justly offended, and seeing the Pope levy soldiers to send against the Duke of Parma, each of those Princes took up arms to defend him. But Cardinal Spada, beholding his reputation blemished in this sort, without any fear at all published a Manifest of his Reasons, saying, that all that he had done, and capitulated, was with his Holiness, goodwill and approbation. When the world plainly saw that the poor Cardinal had no way faulted, but had exactly observed the commandments of the Pope, he was by all men pitied: but the War which ensued thereupon with the spilling of so much blood, was that which cleared the business, and brought the Cardinal into greater credit than before; for in process of time the Pope was fain with the damage of the holy Church, and his own reputation, to make a peace, with giving full satisfaction to the pretendants, which had made War in divers places; and in particular the great Duke of Toscan on Perugia side, and the Duke of Parma, the Republic of Venice, and the Duke of Modena, in the Bolognese. This Cardinal is no great friend to the House of the Barberini, for the causes . Spada is obstinately devoted o the Crown of France, quite contrary to the Cardinal Rocci his Kinsman, who is altogether for the Spaniard. In the past Conclave he laboured much for the election of Innocent the tenth, and therefore is well regarded of him. This Cardinal is a great person, hath a wise head, and is full of high thoughts. He is a Poet, an Historian, and a Politician, so that he will leave all the pastime of the world for to study. He was one that inherited the greatest part of the state of Andrea Casale the Bolognose, and was also the principal instrument of his ignominious death in the Galleys; but God, as a just Judge, will not leave such a wickedness unpunished. Now because there are many that have not been made acquainted with this doubtful History, & may be desirous to know it, I will not omit the relation of it as succinctly as I can. Andrea Casale, the Son of a rich and Noble Senator of Bologna, his Father being dead, remained a child under the Government of his Mother, together with two Sisters which were made Nuns. This Andrea, being come to man's Estate, and full of generosity and spirit, thought it too base a thing for him to live drowned in idleness and delights; wherefore he resolved, though against his Mother's will, to go into Hungary, and there for the acquiring of fame to serve the Emperor in his Wars against the Turk, as accordingly he did: And being arrived in Hungary, had the Charge of a Captain of a Troop of Horse conferred on him. Now it happened certain months after, that the Turks gave the Emperor's forces a great defeat, wherein many Lords were slain, and many were made prisoners, and in particular the said Signior Andrea Casale. The report of this defeat being spread over all Italy, they that pretended to the inheritance of Andrea's estate were very desirous to know whither he we alive, or dead; whereupon divers Bolognese soldiers being returned to Bologna, whether it were that they were suborned with money, as for some other end, they gave out that the said Andrea Casale was dead; and further they made Affidavit, that they had seen him dead, and also had buried him with their own hands. In the mean time the poor Cavalier remained in the hands of the Turks, and continually wrote letters unto his Mother, to send money for the ransoming of him; which letters for the most part fell into the hands of those, that pretended to the inheriting of his estate, and were still by them secretly burnt: Nevertheless it could not choose but that some of them should come unto his Mother, who with great joy imparted them to their kindred, by whom she was condemned for a foolish and imprudent old woman, telling her that her Son Andrea was dead, and that those letters were forged by some one, that meant to cheat her; so the good Lady; being put of in this manner, at length died with grief, and, after many years, it was the will of God, that the poor Signior was redeemed by the holy Company of the Trinity, with many other men, and women, who were, as it were in triumph, all clad in white, conducted after a Procession manner to Rome; where being arrived, the poor Cavalier knew not which way to turn himself: but God, which never abandons any, made him call to mind, how one Giovanni Antonio, who had formerly received many courtesies from him at Bologna, was at that instant Captain of the watch in Rome; wherefore he went unto him, and having acquainted him with his fortunes, the Captain, moved with pity to see a person of that quality reduced to such terms; and very well knowing him to be the true Andrea Casale, assigned him a Caroche, with two Lackeys, and forty Crowns a month; which after he had continued unto him for the space of seven or eight weeks, he brought him to the presence of the Pope, who received him very graciously, and shown to be glad of his recovered liberty; little thinking then that he himself should be he, that afterwards should not only deprive him of liberty, but of his life also. Andrea having informed his Holiness, how all his estate had been seized upon, and was wrongfully possessed by others, humbly besought him to do him that grace and justice, as to restore him to his own again; which the Pope had a good intention to grant: whereupon he commenced a suit against them that had gotten his estate, who came running with all speed to the Court, to oppose him, and proved that Andrea Casale was dead, and that this was a mere counterfeit, and an impostor; wherefore Signior Andrea was constrained to become a prisoner, and so to defend himself, and prove, that he was the true Andrea Casale. His Holiness caused a process thereof to be framed in the City of Bologna, where the nurse that gave him suck then lived, who upon her examination averred that he had a certain mark upon his left shoulder, which upon search was accordingly found there; besides divers other testimonies, that manifested, he was the true Andrea. Cardinal Spada, seeing the matter go so ill on his side, sought with fraud to beguile him, and gave him to understand, that if he would desist from his suit, and revoke all his pretensions, he would assign him a Caroche with four servants, and revenues yearly, able to maintain him like a Cavalier, as long as he lived: Which Andrea hearing, cried out publicly, saying: Either I am Andrea Casale, and will have all that is mine; or I am not he, and will have nothing. This coming to the knowledge of Spada, he went as it were in a desperate mood to the Pope, and so earnestly besought him not to suffer his, and many other Families, amongst whom the inheritance of Andrea Casale was distributed, to be undone by takeing the same from them, that his Holiness, I know not how, did most unjustly, not only not put him in Possession of his estate, but wickedly sent him to the Galleys; where, lest upon change of the Pope he might set a foot his claim anew, Cardinal Spada wrought in such sort with the Commanders of the Galleys, that in the space of fifteen days he was bastinadoed to death. A case verily worthy of compassion, and the mishap of this poor infortunate Cavalier deserves for example sake to be published to all the World; his death being bewailed not only by the common people, but by all the Nobility of Rome, and Bologna.   

XIX. Federico Carnaro.  
FEderico Cornaro, a Noble man of Venice; he was Bishop of Vicenza in Lombardie, and afterwards was made Bishop of Pardon. He was promoted to the Scarlet Gown at the instance of his Rebublique, as a man deserving, and of a good life. He is sixty years of age, or thereabout; wherefore he pretends much to Peter's Chair, and it will not be hard for him to attain thereunto, being devoted as he is to the House of Austria; whereof not only he, but his whole Family makes open profession; his Country alone may be contrary, and an obstacle unto him: He is a person of no mean understanding, Affable and Courteous, and is therefore much esteemed of by the sacred College. He hath divers Nephews, who are little seen in the Court; but the eldest of them, at such time as his Uncle was Bishop of Padua, led a most wicked & dissolute life in Rome, which was accompanied with so infinite a pride, that it was able, as one may say, to cause another fall of Angels from Heaven; And this alone will be enough to keep Cornaro fare from the Papacy; otherwise he hath no defects of any consideration, being charitable, and worthy of all Honor. The Family of the Cornari is one of the principal of that Republic, having had many Dukes, and Senators issued from it, as also a Queen of Cyprus, who gave that Kingdom to the Venetians, by which donation they held it a long time. He resigned the Bishopric of Padua, and had the Patriarchship of Venice, which after some years he also resigned. He is much esteemed of his Republic, although there hath passed some disgusts between them.   

XX. Martio Ginetti.  
MArtio Ginetti, born in the City of Veletri, of vile descent, the Son of a common Artificer: He came to Rome in the beginning of the creation of Urban the eighth, where he courted divers Cardinals, and in the end putting himself into the Prelacy, he got into the favour of the Cardinal Francisco Barberino, who brought him into such credit with the Pope his Uncle, that he held him in great esteem, and promoted him to the Scarlet Gown, to the end he should acknowledge no other dependency, then that of the house of Barberini. His holiness enriched him with many benefices, and made him Vicar of the Papacy; which Office is during life; he made him also Protector of the whole order of the Carmelites, and caused him to lodge continually in the Apostolical Palace. Now because he was altogether unknown to Princes, and was of no account abroad, the Barberini resolved to illustrate him in the sight of the World, and so sent him Legate into Germany to treat of a universal peace, to the end all Christendom might acknowledge him for the principal instrument of the public good; but the unhappy issue of that his charge shown his ignorance rather, and imprudence, rendering himself ridiculous in so sublime an employment, whereby he no way profited Christendom, but exceedingly profited himself and his House; for living very sparingly, he pursed up the most part of that great entertainment which was assigned him for his Legateship: In his return back towards Rome, and as he was upon the way, there was sent him by an express post to Ferrara a Grant of the Legates place of that City, where he heaped up no little riches; and after his arrival at Rome, Cardinal Capucino paid him all the profits accrueing of his Vicarshish by him administered in his absence. This Cardinal hath given to his Kinsmen all the Offices and Dignities that possibly he can: He is not very learned, although he hath taken great pains in studying. The Barberini will never nominate him in the Conclave, for they are sure it will not succeed, in regard he is known to be too much their partial obligee. He is but little respected in the sacred College, though by reason of his age he is capable of being Pope. Whosoever looks upon the house of this Cardinal, will always behold it void of all resort, none going thither but those which have business appertaining to the Vicarship, and that are of necessity to pass through his hands; so that one shall never see any visitant Coaches there, he being no otherwise accounted of, then as of a forelorn Cardinal. He shows himself to be no way depending on any of the Princes, out of the pretention he hath to the Papacy; and albeit he was Lagate à Latere with the Emperor for the universal peace, as aforesaid, yet is he not for all that devoted to the House of Austria; because he, being wholly dependant on the Barberini, will, as such, be always French, if not openly, at leastwise secretly. His behaviour is familiar and phlegmatic, seeming to favour every one, and is of an indifferent good nature, but melancholic.   

XXI. Don Antonio Barberino.  
DON Antonio Barberino, the crook-back, Nephew to Urban the eighth, and the brother of Francisco and Tadeo; he was born in Rome, and therefore entitles himself a Roman. He was by the Pope created Prior of the great Cross of Malta, with an intention not to make him a Cardinal, it seeming sufficient unto him, that he had already promoted to that dignity Francisco his eldest Nephew, and the Capuchin his brother; but Antonio so importuned his Uncle, that at length he promoted him also to the Scarlet Gown, which above all things he he was ambitious of. This Cardinal was even from his birth ever bountiful, and hath with donatives and magnanimity drawn many to his devotion, insomuch that although he hath committed some errors and excesses, yet is he not therefore so rigorously envied, whilst being possessed of the goods of fortune he hath also made others partakers thereof, and hath prodigally spent his own. He hath not been a little taken with the beauties of women, on whom he hath wasted great sums of Gold: Lafoy Checa Buffona in temporibus was his Mistress, who out of the confidence that she had in the protection of the Cardinal Antonio, went up and down masked in the Carneval time, for which the Governor of Rome caused her without any respect at all to be whipped through the City. He got with child the Daughter of the Marquis of Couré, Ambassador of France: To a Neapolitan Courtesan, which dwelled in the Giulian street, he gave for the first time a thousand crowns: but, not to say more, this alone shall serve for a closing up of so many indignities this Cardinal hath committed, that to a Pedant, which had the charge of a very fair boy, the Son of a Gentleman, whom he let him enjoy several times, he gave for a reward thereof a Bishopric, nella Marca di Marc-antonio. I will not speak of his bardache, whom being but the Son of a barber, he hath reduced to such a pass, as not content with having enriched him, he hath caused him to be adorned with the title of a Marquis. The said Cardinal was sent Legate Apostolical, and Generalissimo, into the States of Bologna, Ferrara, and Romagna, against the Princes of Italy, where he carried himself valiantly, and with the satisfaction not only of all those people, but also of the soldiery; and if any one hath traduced his good name, saying, that he was privy to the death of the convert Nuns of magdalen's in Bologna, he lies; for Antonio was not of Council with that fact; but indeed after the Delinquents were discovered, in stead of chastising, he favoured and protected them, the one being Carlo Poscente, and the other Manente his Secretary; nay more, he sent Carlo Poscente for his Vice-Duke into the state of Segni, and also kept the Archbishop of Bologna from proceeding against them, enjoining him to speak no more thereof. I cannot deny but Antonio committed an error in having so little regard to his reputation; for as Legate Apostolical à Latere, as General, and as the Pope's Nephew, he might with all rigour have taken information of the matter, and then arraigned and condemned them to the punishment, which the heinousness of their offence requited, and afterwards he might graciously have pardoned them; for so he had showed himself a just Judge, and they too, as if they had been sufficiently chastised, had not incurred that, which after the death of the Pope his Uncle, arrived unto them; being both of them first confined unto his Palace, and after that sent prisoners to Bologna, where they were put to death; & Antonio himself was necessitated to fly into France, very much pitied by most men, whereas every one wished all the mischief they could devise to Francisco, and Tadeo. This Cardinal is Chamberlain of the holy Church, Archpriest della Basilica disanta Maria Maggiore, hath many Abbacies and Protections, and will always be at the devotion of the French King, by whom he is defended, and protected in these his misfortunes; but it is believed, that he is now returned again into the Pope's favour by the mediation of the Crown of France.   

XXII. Girolamo Colonna.  
GIrolamo Colonna, of the Title di Santo Eustachio, and of a most ancient and noble Roman family, which hath had many Popes, and a world of Cardinals. He was promoted to the Scarlet Cown by Urban the eighth, together with Cardinal Antonio, at the instance of the Prince Perfect, of Donna Anna Barberina, and of the Constable, in regard of the affinity, that was contracted between them. This Cardinal is richly furnished with the goods of fortune, and estates; he is understanding, prudent; well esteemed of in the Court, and reverenced in the sacred College, both for his blood, and wisdom: And his carriage doth not displease, although he goes proudly, and stately through the City, like another Martin the fifth; but withal he is courteous, honours every one, is exceeding liberal, and well affected to the Pope, who therefore loves him, as also for that he was very partial in his election. Urban the eighth made him Archbishop of Bologna, which Archbishopric, after he had held it certain years, he resigned in the time of Innocent the tenth unto my Lord Albergati, a Bolognese Gentleman, who is now a Cardinal, by the name of Lodovisio Colonna. Albeit the Colonesi and the Barberini have matched together, yet have there no effects of friendship passed betwixt them for divers private interests: Neither are the Colonesi any great friends to the House of the Gaetani, also a most ancient and noble Roman family; for that Don Gregorio Gaetano, the brother of the Duke of Sermoneta, and Uncle of the Prince of Caserta, was in a manner treacherously killed by Don Carlo Colonna; who for that fact was by Urban the eighth condemned to death, and afterwards pardoned, to the end no future Pope should take any further cognizance of that cause; and to save his life, that was in danger by reason of that enmity, he made himself a friar of the order of Saint Benedict, and then was by Urban the eighth preferred to be Archbishop in partibus infidelium. The said House of Colonna likewise doth not much love the House of the Cesarini, although the occasion of Don Gregorio Gaetanoe's death proceeded from Don Carlo his defending the reputation of the Duke Cesarino his Nephew, who being under age, pretended that he had received an affront from the said Gregorio Gaetano, in making him by force to stay in his way, that his Caroche might have the precedence. The House of the Constable Colonna holds little correspondence with the house of the Prince of Galliclano, and of the Prince of Carbognano, alias Duke of Bassanella, all of the house of Colonna; who though they be all sprung out of one stock, yet doth each of them pretend to be better, than the other, for the pre-eminence: the truth is, that the house of the Prince of Carbognano is the right family, derived from Sciano Colonna; and therefore with reason is the Piatza, where his Palace is scitunted, called the Piatza of Sciana. These Lords at first were all for the Catholic Crown, but upon the matching of the Constable Colonnaes' House with the Pope, the Spaniards for their own interest honoured them with such Titles, and States, as the Duke of of Bassanello, of a differing House, was therewith to distasted, that he set up the ames of the most Christian King, and took to wife the base daughter of the Duke of Parma. The Prince of Gallieano was made a prisoner at Naples, upon pretext of rebellion, a little before the rising of that people, for that there were many saddles, arms, and much ammunition found in his Castles, which he possessed in the Province of Abruzzo: and whilst all things seemed to be composed, and that he was ready to be absolved, and set at liberty, a new conspiracy of divers Princes and Barons of the Kingdom of Naples against the Catholic King was discovered, amongst whom the Prince of Gallicano was included; for a certain Neapoletan Apostate Theatin, named Andrea Paolucci, being intercepted and apprehended with letters about him to several Neapolitan Lords from France, and put to the torture, named many, and in particular the said Prince of Gallicano. The Constable also, brother to the Cardinal, was not long since, at such time as Gallicano was a prisoner, summoned by the Viceroy to come to Naples, and he put himself in the way to have gone thither, but in the midst of his journey he returned, and in his stead sent a gentleman of his family to feign that he was so indisposed in his health, as he could not come himself: for had he gone in person, I am persuaded he likewise would have fallen into the same labyrinth. This House hath ever been devoted to that of Austria, and the present Cardinal will always be of the Spanish faction, if disgusts do not arise from new discoveries. He is a haughty Lord, and very sensible, insomuch as he was for a good while distasted with the old Cardinal de Medici about precedence; but the differences between them were composed by Innocent the tenth, immediately upon his creation.   

XXII. Cirriaco Rocci.  
CIrriaco Rocci, a Roman, his Original descent was from the City of Cremona in the state of Milan; He was a Prelate, & sent Nuntio by Urban the eighth to the Emperor's Majesty, after which he promoted him to the Scarlet Gown. This Cardinal in not very intelligent, but seems to know much; he is an old man, pretends greatly to the Papacy, and is not ashamed to speak of it to every one, promising in that case, Dignities, Graces, and Favours. In the last Conclave he endeavoured much for his exaltation thereunto, reposing all his hopes in the hands of Cardinal Spada, his kinsman; but for all that he would not propound him, knowing full well, that for his respect he would have been excluded, and so he should have had his fortune discomposed for the future, as the Barberini did in the person of Sachetti: and the reason of it is, that if Rocci were Pope, the said Cardinal Spada would command all; who is not much desired of any, and in particular abhorred of the Barberini, because they know him to be of a too stirring, and fantastical a humour. He hath one Nephew, that is the Abbot Rocci, who would be he, that should reign; but in regard of his young years he would not be fit for the Government. He is a very affable Lord, of a good life, and most devoted to the House of Austria, making open profession thereof; wherefore he will always be Spanish, though he be the Barberinies creature. He is well regarded of the present Pope Innocent the tenth.   

XXIV. Giovanni Battista Palotta.  
GIovanni Battista Palotta, is of an honest family of the little Country of Calderola nella Marca: He is Nephew to the late Cardinal Palotta, unto whom he is no way inferior, and is well accommodated with the goods of fortune; for the Cardinal his Uncle left him a great estate. Having put himself into the Prelacy, he was by Urban the eighth exercised in divers Charges, and in particular was made Lord Governor of Rome, wherein he carried himself with much integrity, and to the great satisfaction of the people, being severe, and so upright, that in point of justice he made no reckoning of his Holiness Nephews. For whereas it was the custom a little before the Carnival time to make proclamation, that no woman whatsoever should during the said Carnival go through the Course masked, on pain of being whipped, or suffering some such other punishment, as to the Governor should seem meet, the famous Checa Buffona was seen going in that time through the Course masked; and albeit she was oftentimes admonished to forbear doing so, yet would she not desist. Whereat Palotta being displeased, caused her suddenly to be imprisoned, and then having ordained that she should be publicly whipped through the City, to avoid the intercessions, that might be made to him in her behalf, he shut himself up in his Cabinet, and gave order to his servants not to come at him, or disturb him, during the space of two hours, for any cause, or message whatsoever, but that they should in the mean time entertain those that came to speak with him; whereupon arrived a Gentleman from Cardinal Antonio, who kept a great coil to speak with the said Palotta, the Governor; but he was put of with good words until the prefixed time was past, and then he was admitted to the presence of the Governor, unto whom he brought an order from Cardinal Antonio, for the speedy setting at liberty of the said Checa Buffona. Palotta answered, that his Eminency should be obeyed, and presently made a Warrant for the releasing of her out of prison; but when it came thither, Checa had already been whipped through the City; which Antonio understanding, took on like a mad man, and mightily threatened to be revenged. Palotta, foreseeing the danger he was likely to incur, acquainted the Pope with the business, who commended him for that he had done; but his Holiness, knowing well, that Antonio was wreakful, and vindicative, to take away the inconvenience, that might arise upon that occasion, deprived Palotta of his Government, and sent him Collector into the Kingdom of Portugal; where having remained some months; he took upon him to maintain certain Eccesiastical jurisdictions, and excommunicated all the Royal Council of the City of Lisbon, for which he was forced to leap out of a window to save himself by flight towards Rome; and there being arrived, he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown for divers respects. The first was, for the merit of his labours, his Holiness knowing him to be a man of great abilities and knowledge; and the second, for to shield him from the malice of Antonio, who for all that, together with his brother Francisco, hath given him hundreds of disgusts, continually contrarying him in the cause and suit depending between the General of the Augustinian Order, and the said Palotta, who desired to have chastised him for divers misdemeanours committed by him in his place; and Antonio, to cross Palotta, protected and defended him, and in the end to despite him, got him by an Apostolical brieve to be confirmed in the Generalship for seven years more, besides many other abuses no way deserved by the said Cardinal, who is a person capable of the Papacy, and Rome would be happy if he should come to be Pope, that so it might see the pride of the Barberini brought down. If he lives to some vacant Sea, he may attain thereunto; for he is much esteemed of, and reputed very deserving by all the Princes, unto whom his virtues, merits, and excellent qualities are well known; besides, he is highly regarded by Innocent the tenth, the now reigning Pope; but for his too free speech no small hatred was conceived against him by some of his Holiness principal kindred; for he was one day desired by the Pope, to tell him, what was said of him in Rome; and Palotta answered, Blessed Father, all the City murmurs at your Sister-in-law the Lady Olimpia 's too frequent coming to, and abiding in the Palace; whereunto the Pope replied, well, we will remedy it; and the next time Donna Olimpia came to him, he told her what Palotta had said, and therefore desired her to forbear coming so often to the Apostolical Palace. Hereupon Donna Olimpia took such a spleen against the said Palotta, that meeting him upon a time, she drew the Curtain of her Caroche against the very face of him; which Palotta seeing, begged leave of his Holiness to go unto Calderola his Country, about some affairs that he had there, and gave it out in the Court, that he went to visit the Fortress of Marina nella Marca. His Votes, as well in the Congregations, as in the Consistory, are greatly esteemed: He hath no Enemy, nor any that is contrary to him: He honours all, and where he can do any service, he doth it willingly: he is affable in entertainment, leads an holy and retired life, loves not light conversations, and is very studious. He hath many Nephews, whereof one is in Flanders, another was a student in Bologna ', where he slew a scholar that was his Rival, for which his Uncle cares not much for him; but his darling is he that is in the English College, who is a youth reasonably well learned, and that in case he should become Pope, would be he that shall reign. This Cardinal is not of any faction, but he is thought to be devoted to the House of Austria.   

XXV. Theodoro Trivultio.  
THeodoro Trivultio, of a most noble family of the City of Milan; he was a Prince, and had a wife, by whom he had children; but after her death he resigned his Principality to his eldest Son, and went to Rome, where putting himself into the Prelacy, he bought the Clerk of the Chambers place, and after some years he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown by Urban the eighth, both to make money by the sale of that Office, and also to show that he would promote a vassal of the Catholic King. This Cardinal merited the Hat as he was a Prince, yet was he fain to make use of the Prelacy before he could attain unto it. He is a good soldier, and is much beloved and reverenced by the King of Spain, being reputed the most faithful Italian Vassal, that he hath; for when he sees that his Majesty's Ministers in the State of Milan do not behave themselves with that fidelity as they ought, he speedily advertises the Catholic King of it. He is not very rich, but is always supplied as he hath occasion by his said Majesty. At such time as he lived in the Court, after the assumption of Innocent the tenth, he shown himself very bountiful, so fare as he was able; but he contracted many debts, which before his departure from the Court he satisfied very punctually. He used to go up and down the City with a great and stately train, but to speak without passion, there was much boast, but little roast. He could not part from the Court so soon, as he purposed to have done, for want of money, and therefore he was fain to stay the coming of four thousand crowns from Naples which were sent him by the Viceroy: It is thought he will not return again to the Court, before he hath established some good revenue for the maintaining of himself there. He is a Lord indifferently well esteemed of in the Roman Court, full of resentment, very stirring, and will talk enough, especially when the interest of Kings is in question; wherefore he is much favoured by their Ministers. He always keeps his promise, being never worse than his word; he is very well accomplished, and lacks nothing but the possibility of money.   

XXVI. Steffano Durazzo.  
STeffano Durazzo, a Noble man of Genova, of the new Nobility; he put himself into the Prelacy, and bought one after another both the Clerk of the Chambers, and the Apostolical General Treasurors place, which he possessed but a little time, for that he was promoted by Urban to the Scarlet Gown. His holiness employed him in many Charges, and in particular, before the War, he sent him Legate to the City of Ferrara; which Government he left, when as Antonio came thither to the assistance of the Army, and went to his Archbishopric of Genova, from whence he never parted, but at such time, as upon the vacancy of the Sea he repaired to the Conclave. He had a great deal of controversy about the getting of that Archbishopric, but it was Urbans pleasure, that, in spite of his competitors, he should enjoy it. In his Legateship of Ferrara he carried himself very wisely, and to the satisfaction of those people, as the Citizens themselves say, but he was not much Courted by the Nobility. He is a rich Cardinal, because he is a Genovese, whose Wealth doth multiply with Merchandising. Whilst he was a Prelate he gamed away no small sums of money, and spent little less upon Women. He is purblind, and squints with one eye. In negotiating he is exceeding affable, but when the humour takes him, one must leave off negotiating with him. He seems to be devoted to the House of Austria, but indeed is wholly French, and holds but little esteem in the Court.   

XXVII. Marc' Antonio Franciotti,  
MArc' Antonio Franciotti, a principal Gentleman of the Commonwealth of Lucca; he came to Rome, where putting himself into the Prelacy, he bought the Clerk of the Chambers place, and afterwards that also of the Auditor thereof; but within a while he was by Urban promoted to the Scarlet Gown, and honoured with many worthy Charges, and in particular was created Bishop of Lucca, his Country. He was sent Legate to Ravenna, and Romagna, where he was very well regarded by that Nobility, and people. He grievously afflicted his Country, for the cause which I will here now deliver. The brother of this Cardinal, being one of the Ministers in the Government of the Commonwealth, was discovered to have plotted some such thing against his Country, as to have made himself Master of it; and in particular, there were found in his house a great many of Arms, not only common, but also prohibited; and the suspicion grew so much the greater, by how much they are in that City exceeding vigilant, and careful, to see that no man enters armed into it, not so much as with a knife: Now the transgressors of this Law being always rigorously punished, the said Cardinal's brother was, together with his servants, committed to prison, where being thoroughly examined and sifted, the treason which they had contrived was made manifest in such manner, as they purposed within a short time to put them all to death. The Cardinal finding no other way to repair the ruin of his Family, had recourse unto Pope Urban, unto whom he recounted the matter, quite otherwise, then as indeed it was, saying, that his brother was made a prisoner, out of the hatred, and enmity, that the Nobles and Magistrates of Lucca bore unto him; and that they had charged him with rebellion, because some of the servants of the Bishop's Palace were found Armed. Hereupon the Pope dispatched away an express post with letters, that commanded them to set the Delinquents at liberty; but the Commonwealth refusing to obey, his Holiness, seeing their contumacy, interdicted, and excommunicated them; so that for a long time the exercise of the Divine Offices were not used, the Church doors remaining continually shut up. The Commonwealth published many protestations, and writings, whereof they caused copies to be presented to all Christian Princes, but it nothing availed them; wherefore in the end they were constrained to yield unto the Pope's power, and in this manner was the said Cardinal's brother, and all his complices set free. This Cardinal hath good abilities, is intelligent, and capable of the Papacy, but is not ripe enough for it. He is poor, and much affected to the Crown of Spain, both he and all his House living under the protection thereof. He is a wise man, and experimented in matters of the Court; he is well esteemed of by the present Pope; in the sacred College he hath no Enemies of consideration, and is friend enough to the Barberini: he may also with time break his Lance in Peter's chair.   

XXVIII. Federico Carpegna.  
FEderico Carpegna, a Noble man of the City of Urbin: He was a poor Prelate; but Barberino having made use of him in some affairs of his, was so pleased with his carriage therein, that he took an affection to him, and at his instance he was by the Pope promoted to the Scarlet Gown, and therefore he is, and always will be faithful and affected to them. The Count Carpegna, his brother, continually assisted in the War of Urban against the Princes of Italy. This Cardinal's endowments are mean, but he is able for business, and he may one day have some hope in the common pretensions of the Scarlet Gowns, if the Barberini do not spoil his promotion, because he is too much their servant. His vote will ever be, as that of the Barberini is, and therefore in time to come he will always be French; besides the affection he hath still born to that Crown, although he makes no open profession thereof. He is a man studious, melancholic, and somewhat charitable. He hath many brothers, whereof the Count is one, and another is a Canon of Santa Maria in Via lata.   

XXIX. Frencesco Maria Brancaccio.  
FRancesco Maria Brancaccio, a Neapolitan Cavalier; he was Bishop of the City of Capuccio in the Kingdom of Naples, where by reason of certain Ecclesiastical jurisdictions, he fell into some difference with a Spanish Captain of foot, who was sent unto that City by the Viceroy of Naples, and passing from words to blows, he caused him to be killed by a bardash of his with a musket shot; for which Brancaccio was cited to appear  the Viceroy, to render an account of the manslaughter committed by him. Brancaccio obeying, went to Naples; but the very same night he came thither, that he might not put himself into the secular power of the Royal Court, he stole away in a felouque, and fled towards Rome; where being arrived, he imparted the whole matter unto Urban the eighth, who for the hate that he bore to the Spaniards, not only commended him for that he had done, but also defended him. Which the Viceroy seeing, caused all his goods, and the revenues of his Bishopric to be sequestered; so that this Prelate remained in Rome in such necessity and misery, as he could hardly make shift to live; but after that his process was compiled, and that the Pope had absolved him, he craved leave to return unto the residence of his Church, although the King's Ministers had expressly forbidden him so to do, saying, that his Catholic Majesty desired of the Pope another Prelate for that City, & had withal ordained, that the inhabitants thereof should not permit him to enter into the possession of it, upon pain of rebellion. It was the fortune of this Lord, that whilst he was leaving the Court, and departing to his residence, the Pope was upon the point of promoting Cardinals, with an intent to give the Hat unto my Lord Pier Luigi Caraffa, Bishop of Tricario; and to my Lord Caraffa, Bish, of Aversa, but both their promotions were hindered by the Colonnesi; the Barberini too pressed their Uncle to confer the Scarlet Gown on Serlupi their Cousin; but his holiness being molested and vexed with these controversies, would needs make the proverb good: Inter duos litigantes tertius gaudet, and in stead of the rest made Brancaccio Cardinal. Others say, that he promoted him to despite the Spaniards, by whom he was exceedingly hated, to the end that as a Prince of the holy Church he might be honoured, and upon restoring of him to his Bishopric, he might also be reverenced. A little after his departure to the residence of his said Church, and upon his arrival at Naples, he found two other Cardinals there, namely Aldobrandino, and Boncompagno; the one of them being come thither to have his part in the tiltings, hunting, and other festivals, which in that City were to be made for some victories of Spain, and for the birth of a Son of the Kings; and the other was Archbishop of Naples. Brancaccio having continued there some months, the Count of Monterei, at that time Viceroy of that Kingdom, presented him with a paper from his Catholic Majesty, whereby he enjoined him to departed with all speed, not only from Naples, but also quite out of the whole Kingdom; insomuch that the poor Cardinal was forced to get him away in all haste towards Rome, with all his family: Which Urban seeing, moved with indignation against the Spaniards, and with compassion to the Cardinal, he conferred the Bishopric of Viterbo on him, and giving him many Pensions, he not long after bestowed on his Vicar the Bishopric of Aramo in Regno. This Cardinal is much obliged to the Barberini; but in the Conclave, that he might not damnify his kinsmen, he shown himself affected to the Crown of Spain, and gave his vote to the Albernoz; with which stratagem, and to free himself from his obligation, he doth seek to draw unto him his kinsmen, and Nephews, and accordingly hath already begun so to do, having married one of them to one of the house of the Ursini. He is not well looked upon by Innocent the tenth, nor the Pamphilian family, for that he hath inconsiderately manifested himself too much interressed in certain differences about territories, between some of his Church, and others, the creatures of Donna Olimpia, in the City of Vitenbo. His Nephew, being Governor of Spoleti, was deprived thereof, and never since hath had any charge at all. To conclude, this Cardinal is poor, and proud.   

XXX. Rinaldo d'Este.  
RInaldo d'Este, a Modenese, and brother to the Duke of Modena: This Prince was promoted to the Scarlet Gown at the instance of the Emperor by Vrban the eighth; after which promotion the war of Italy fell out between the Duke of Parma, and the Barberini; in regard whereof, though all differences were wholly composed, yet hath he still shown himself an enemy to the Barberini, and therefore in all the time that they reigned, he would never come to take the Hat, which afterwards he received from the hands of Innocent the tenth, being present in the conclave at his election. Some months being past, the said Cardinal took notice, that the Austrians made divers Congregations about the interest of that Crown in the Palace of Albernoz, whereunto his Eminency was never called nor invited, as if they accounted him altogether indiffident: now one day there was a consistory to be held concerning the interest of Portugal, wherein some course was to be taken for the provision of those Churches in the name of that King; and the Spanish Ministers had by the Catholic King's order forbidden all the Cardinals of their faction from going to it: especially the Cardinal of Este was by the Duke of Savelli, the Emperor's Ambassador, advised by no means to come at it; but he would not obey giving him this for an answer; That as the Spaniards had esteemed his person of no consideration in their Congregations, so his presence would be of as little consideration in the Consistory, & therefore he would go unto it. Upon this occasion than he openly declared himself distasted with the Spaniards, and he had a brieve granted to him for the protection of the Kingdom of France; whereupon this Cardinal of Este published a manifest, containing the reasons he had for his declaring himself French, which was answered by the Spaniards, and replied unto by the Cardinal; who took down the Austrian Arms from his Palace, and in the place thereof set up the most Christian Kings. This Este began to defend the interest of the Barberini, because they had offered him the abbacy of Honantala, whereunto he made some claim; wherefore the Pope said one day unto him these words: My Lord, I see you labour much to protect the Barberini, and I do not know the cause of such a mutation, for you always contraried them heretofore, and now you stand for them; but I veri●y believe you do it out of interest, for that they will resign unto you the abbacy, whereunto you have so long pretended, or for some other end; howsoever know, that though it be in them to resign it, the passing of the Brieve thereof is in us. Este hearing this, thus answered; I do not pretend, blessed Father, to defend the Barberini for any interest of mine, but to supplicate your Holiness for just things: wherefore when as my abiding at court shall be displeasing unto you, to give you satisfaction I will be gone. To this the Pope said without any other reply, Be you blessed; which in plain terms is as much as to say, God be with you; and at the same instant the Cardinal getting into a Caroche with six horses went to Caprarola, and from thence to Modena his Country. Afterwards Este understanding that the Admiral of Castille was come to Rome as Ambassador extraordinary from the Catholic King, to yield obedience to the Pope, and that he had declared he would visit all the Cardinals, except him the said Este, he repaired again to the Court; where, by reason of divers differences that fell out between him and that Ambassador, they came to arms, and waged, what on the one side, and what on the other, above six hundred persons; so that there was a great combustion in Rome, and some daily slain, as is more amply delivered in a little printed relation thereof: but the Pope raised men to suppress this tumult, and so it was quieted by the means of certain interposing Princes; but first this poor Lord, for the maintaining of his soldiers, was fain to pawn his jewels to the Cardinal Queva for the sum of two and twenty thousand crowns, by reason the money which he expected from France came not time enough to him, and for that the Duke his brother could not supply him sufficiently, in regard his state was much exhausted by the former war with the Barberini. This Cardinal is bountiful enough, but his purse fails him, and will not permit him to do as he would do: he is of a good life, very conversable, merry, and friendly.   

XXXI. Francisco Peretti.  
FRancesco Peretti, alias Cardinal Montalto, he is the Nephew's Son of Sixtus quintus of happy memory. This Lord was the only son of the Prince Perétti, who, being old, proposed to give a wife to Francisco, that was in love with a Lady of the House of Cesi, wherewith he acquainted his father, who put him in good hope, and accordingly went, treated and concluded the marriage, not for his Son, but for himself, for the old dotard being infinitely taken with the Angelical sight of a most beautiful Lady, thought her more fit for himself, than for his son. Francisco, seeing he was in this sort betrayed, and ill entreated by his Father, departed in a manner desperate, and secretly, from the Court, and made himself a Priest; by which means the father deceasing not long after without heirs, and all his States falling to Francisco, upon his death the family of the Peretti will be extinct. This Lord used much diligence to get the Scarlet Gown, but could not attain it, because Urban was displeased with him, for that he would neither give, nor sell unto him the delicious Villa of Mentana. Montalto would not give it unto him, lest the World should say, that so deserving a person as himself attained to the Hat by bribery; and so was contented rather to be without it. The most part of the States he possesseth, are situated in the Kingdom of Naples; for which cause he is devoted to the Catholic Crown, and hath many times supplied that Majesty with money for the service of his Wars. His is Prince of the City of Venafro, and Count of Celano, enjoying also many places in the State of the Church: The King of Spain did oftentimes desire the Scarlet Gown of Pope Urban for this Lord, but was by him continually refused; at length being earnestly pressed by the King of France, who demanded it also for Giulio Mazzarini, the Pope, that he might not seem to be too much affected to the French, did at one and the same time promote both Mazzarino, and Montalto, as declared Nationals, and nominated by France and Spain. He is a rich Lord, and bountiful, keeps a Royal Court, and little cares what he spends, knowing well that after his decease his estate is to fall unto divers Families, and in part cular to the Savelli, as his nearest kindred. Sixtus quintus made a Bull, wherein he declared, that the Scarlet Gown should be given to his descendants without any demand or instance at all; and indeed the Roman Church can owe no less to that blood of his, seeing it hath received so many benefits from that worthy high Bishop of eternal memory. All the Popes endeavoured, but Sixtus quintuses alone settled the Papal power, reduced unto obedience all the Barons, how great and potent soever they were, rooted the Banditi, and thiefs out of the Ecclesiastical State, bridled the Christian Princes, in a few years adorned Rome with sumptuous fabrics, and enriched the Adrian Mole with a huge sum of Gold, intending to perform some great enterprise, which succeeded not by reason of his ensuing death. This Cardinal holds good correspondence with all the sacred College, except it be with the Cardinal Trivultio his kinsman; for there fell aught some difference between them in the past Conclave, because the said Trivultio had heard, that Montalto was united with the French faction; but now, it is thought, they are reconciled. He is much esteemed of by the Pope, is well conditioned, studious, learned, and worthy of the Papacy for his goodness, and excellent qualities. He is of kin to very near all the Roman Nobility, and was not long since honoured by the Catholic King with the charge of conducting the Emperor's Daughter, his new Spouse, out of Germany into Spain; in which employment the Cardinal stood not upon expense, but shown himself exceeding splendid and liberal.   

XXXII. Giulio Mazzarini.  
GIulio Mazzarini, the Son of Pier Mazzarini, a Sicilian, who being a Merchant, became bankrupt for certain sums of money, and therefore fled with all his family to Rome, where the said Giulio was born, as also his brother, named Michael; who made himself a Friar of the Dominican Order. Giulio served for sometime the Colonnesies Nephews, and afterwards Sachetti, who employed him in the managing of his moneys; wherewith trading for his Master, and with gaming, he got together no little sums for himself: Then he became a soldier; but returning again to the Court, he applied himself anew to the same Cardinals. The affection which Sachetti bore to this man, brought him into such esteem with the Cardinal Antonio, as he employed him in all his services, and putting himself into the Prelacy, he was, at his instance, sent by the Pope Nuncio Apostolical into Savoy, and also to take in his Holiness name, out of the hands of the French, the City of Casale, to be kept by him in deposito, till such time as the Spantards, and Germans should go out of, and leave the City of Mantova, which they had seized upon, because the Duke thereof had declared himself French, and would not acknowledge to hold of the Emperor. Mazzarini goes accordingly, and takes the City of Casale in deposito, but after he had caused the Spaniards, and Germane to issue out of Mantova, he gave Casale again unto the French; by means whereof both the Emperor, and the King of Spain remained flouted, and cheated; and from this difference sprung the bloody War in the State of Milan, and Monferrato. The said Mazzarini, by this treason done unto the Spaniards, got the favour of the Cardinal Richelieu, together with that of the most Christian King; who finding him to be a man of a wit proper for the designs of his Crown, demanded the purple Gown of the Pope for him, in reward of the betraying the King of Spain his Lord, whose Vassal he is. Urban at that time denied to give it him, because he had also deceived him, in consigning the City of Casale anew into the hands of the French, without his knowledge; and answered the most Christian King, that he would grant it unto him for any other person that he would nominate: But his Majesty persisted still with great obstinacy in that his demand; which Urban seeing, could do no less than content him, and in this manner was he promotd to the Scarlet Gown. After the decease of the Cardinal Richelieu, he had the whole Command; but his Master's favour got him much hatred with the Grandees of the Kingdom. His Majesty greatly honoured him; made him a Councillor of State, with authority to sit in Parliament; and also at his death left him one of the Executors of his Testament. This Cardinal is grown so rich, that he is held to be the wealthiest feuditary Prince that is. He had often craved leave of that King to return unto Rome, and take the Hat at such time as Urban lived, but it would never be granted to him. He hath been so high in the Court of France, that the Princes of the blood could by no means endure it; which hath been the cause of such revolutions in that Kingdom, and of such intestine Wars as have followed thereupon; but this matter is so well known to every one, that I will pass from it, to discourse of that, which further concerns him. This Cardinal is he, that, though a far off, did in the Conclave so oppose the election of Innocent the tenth; and not contented therewith, laboured also to terrify him, by sending great armies into Italy; the operations whereof hath manifested to the World, that the Cardinal had indeed other thoughts, than the sole acquisition of Piombino. The Catholic King hath declared him, and all his kindred Rebels and Traitors. At such time, as this Cardinal served in the Wars, he was a very vicious gamester, and oftentimes received many hurts about women; but now he lives with much gravity, and whosoever hath to deal with him, finds him always in appearance, gentle in speech, and grateful for benefits received, wherefore he hath openly defended Barberino, so far forth, that he hath incurred the hatred of the Parliament of Paris for it. With his authority he caused his brother, being in a manner but a youth, to be elected General of the Order of the Dominicans, made him Master of the sacred Palace, procured him the Archbishopric of Aix in France, and finally not contented herewith, he obtained the Scarlet Gown for him; with all which honours the said Michael is passed into a better life.   

XXXIII. Marc' Antonio Bragadino.  
MArc' Antonio Bragadino, a Nobleman of Venice: he was made Bishop of the City of Vicenza, upon the nomination of the Republic, which knew him to be a good man, and of great integrity. This Bishopric of his enjoys the title of Duke, marquis, and Count All the time of his residence at his Church he was held in great esteem, and lived with great reputation; I myself have often seen him in that City, as he was going with his Clergy to the Domo, and me thought, that even then he shown, and looked like a Cardinal, as within less than two years after he was made one, at the instance of the Signoria of Venice, which highly account of him. He is a Lord endowed with many excellent qualities, is very courteous in salutes, and entertainments, loves not light conversations, is a man studious, and curious; but his curiosity ceases, when matters of interest are handled. All the time, that he was at Court, he was never seen to give any alms, for which he was blamed; but it may well be, that he delights to give in secret, that he may not appear vainglorious. This Cardinal cannot be Pope in haste, for two reasons; the one is, because he is a Venetian, and the other is because he is too young. He is not devoted to any Crown, but only to his Republic, and his vote will be always at the disposing thereof.   

XXXI. Pietro Donato Cesis.  
PIetro Donato Cesis, of a most Noble Roman Family; he was Clerk of the Chamber, was also made Treasurer General of the holy Church, and afterwards promoted by Urban to the Scarlet Gown, and sent by him Legate to Perugia, at such time as the War was made against the Princes of Italy. The Apostolical Chamber, whilst he had the administration of it, was well served, and not oppressed, as it had been by so many others, which rob it. In this said Legateship he carried himself very wisely, but with rigour. He is a man of a good and sincere life, and may be one day Pope, being a Roman. He hath no hair on his Chin, so that he seems to be an Eunuch; and coming to be greyhaired, he would look like one of those ancient Popes; and not without cause was there a Pasquil made of him during the Vacancy of the Sea, which said; Cesis is made Pope, verily he will be a Pope de Malangonate. He would be no bad Pope, for that he is a lover of the poor, and a man of conscience. He is learned, and naturally merry in conversation. He was Abbot of the Abbey of Saint Angelo à Sazanella in the Kingdom of Naples. He is much devoted to the house of Austria, and in particular to the Catholic King, making open profession thereof; and having his Majesty's arms set over his gate; and is loved and esteemed of that Crown, as also of the great Duke. He is not much reckoned of in the Court, but is reverenced in the sacred College. He hath no enemies, except it be the Barberini, who fear him for the abuses they have done to the Duke of Cesis, besides other disgusts received in his own person from them. There hath some distaste also past between him and the Cardinal Theodoli, in a Chapel held by the Cardinals for the love of Lerida. His Government would be good for the holy Church; for some of his confidents have reported, that if ever he should attain to that degree, he would with all his interest make a league against the Turk; and would also, if God gave himlise, lay up as many millions of Gold in the Castle, as Sixtus quintus did, for the benefit of the Apostolic Sea. His kindred are the Orsini, the Duke Acquasparta, the Duke of Cesis, the Soovelli, and others.   

XXXV. Francisco Maria Machiavelli,  
FFrancesco Maria Machiavelli, a Noble man of Florence, and Cousin to the Barberini. He was a first but a simple Prelate, than was made Bishop of Ferrara, and afterwards promoted to the Scarlet Gown for divers reasons, but the most intimate of them was, because he was a kin to the Barberini by the mother's side; another was, for that the Cavalier Matthia Machiavelli, who was Captain of the light-horse of his Holiness guard, and had done many services for the Pope in the past War against the Princes of Italy, was an earnest suitor to him for it. This Cardinal is very affable in his demeanour, of a good disposition, courteous, and a friend to the poor, but yet spends not much upon them of his own purse. He is not disliked of by the great Duke of Toscan, though he be the Barberinies Cousin, because he hath never distasted that Prince, but hath held good correspondence with him by all manner of services, if not openly, at leastwise secretly, for otherwise he had lost the Pope's favour. He is neither Spanish nor French, feigning himself neutral, but in effect is wholly Austrian; and in the past Conclave he always sided with Albernoz against Francisco. He was not displeased to see the Barberini persecuted by the Pope, knowing their misdeanors deserved that, and worse. He is well regarded by his holiness, and is now resident at his Church of Ferara. He is a man of an indifferent understanding, hath no considerable enemies, nor any contrariety, but such as he may have by reason of his affinity with the Barberini: he is of a goodly presence, and young; he maintains himself in his Bishopric with much decorum and gravity, carrying himself with the great satisfaction of the people there, by whom he is loved, reverenced and served.   

XXXVI. Verginio Orsini.  
Verginio Orsini, a Roman, Nephew to the Duke of Bracciano, and the brother of the Duke of Santo Gemini; he was only an Abbot, and thought to have cast off his Clerical habit, and have married the Princess Lodovisia: but Urban, envying this match, and whilst it was a making up, promoted him in a Consistory to the Scarlet Gown. Others say, that the Duke of Bracciano, finding his house without the red Hat, courted the Cardinal Antonio a long time with donatives, and exorbitant expenses; and in the end, with a great sum of Gold drew him to get his Holiness to promote him: howsoever the Scarlet Gown was due to him, as a deserving Lord, and of a most ancient family, which, as one may say, hath had as many Cardinals as days; and the Roman Church is exceedingly obliged to this house, their ancestors having fought for it, and kept the Barbarians far enough from Rome; maintaining the Apostolical Sea in all security. This House, as also that of the Colonnesi alone, have a place with the Ambassadors in the Chapel, but in regard of precedency they never meet there both together. This Cardinal according to his authority is not very rich; no more than his ancestors were, who warred a long time with the Colonnesi, in such sort as they put not only the neighbouring Princes in fear, but also the very Popes themselves, who were fain to observe them; but they have now reduced them to that pass, as the Orsini may with just reason say, sastiditum in ques, & opprebrium gentibus, & abjectio plebis; howsoever this Lord is bountiful, as fare forth as his small ability will extend, carrying along with him the liberality of his race. He was much beloved and regarded of Innocent the tenth, because at such time as the assuming of Cardinal Pamphilio to the Papacy was in agitation, he being not entered into the Conclave, by reason of some indisposition of his, when there was need of his vote, he presently entered, and gave it for him; the said Orsini too were great furtherers of the match between his holiness' Niece and the Prince Lodovisio: Nevertheless at this present, the French having deprived the Prince Lodovisio of the Principality of Piombino, the said Orsini endeavour all that ever they may to obtain it, for that the Duke of Braccianoes' Wife is of the Appian house, from whom the Spaniards formerly took away the said Principality, and sold it to the Prince Lodovisio for the sum of five hundred thousand Crowns, being worth threescore thousand a year. The Orsini were heretofore devoted to the house of Austria, but now have declared themselves French, insomuch that the Duke of Bracciano and the Cardinal have set up the Arms of the most Christian King, from whom they have a Pension of two and twenty thousand Crowns a year; besides the Duke of Bracciano continually expects the Brieve of the. Investiture of Piombino: For which cause it is believed, that the friendship and familiarity, which hath been between Innocent the tenth and them, will turn into hatred and difference, and all-ready there is a beginning thereof; for his holiness hath caused the Duke of Bracciano to be cited, to make payment of his debts to the Montistis his Creditors, otherwise threatening to make sale of his goods to satisfy them. This Cardinal is a man proud enough, and for matter of precedence, he, by making stay of his Caroche, affronted & ill entreated the family of the Resident of the deceased Queen Mother, Maria de Medici. He is a Lord full of resentment, and Vindicative, and therefore is feared in the Court, and reverenced in the College.   

XXXVII. Giulio gabrieli.  
GIulio gabrieli, a Roman Nobleman: he was Clerk of the Chamber, and was promoted to the Scarlet Gown by Urban the eighth, for the making of money by sale of that Office; and afterwards was sent, as it were in exile, unto a miserable Bishopric, charged with pensions, in the City of Ascoli; the greatest part of his means he acknowledgeth from the house of Lancelloti. He hath received many disgusts from Barberino, yet can he not for all that separate himself from him. He seems to be devoted to the house of Austria, but is internally French. He is an intelligent man, studious, curious, and affable in his dealing. He is a poor Cardinal, and therefore give not much alms. He is but young, in regard whereof nothing is to be said of him concerning the Papacy. He is well qualified, leads a retired life, hath no enemies in the sacred College, and in the Court carries a good port; he hath some Nephews, which are of no ill condition. He is a kin to divers Noble Roman Families, and in particular to the Altieri, Lancelloti, and Coccini. This Cardinal hath in his Bishopric been at some variance with the people thereof, insomuch that they risen up tumultuously against him, about some taxes imposed by him upon them.   

XXXVIII. Ascanio Filomarini.  
AScanio Filomarini, a Neapolitan Cavalier, born in a little Village subject to Benevento, called Chianchisella: He was so poor, that to repair the misery he was in, he resolved to go, and serve some Cardinal in the Court of Rome; where being arrived, he addressed himself to a Cardinal, his Countryman, and friend, to the end that with his authority he might be preferred to the place of Master of the Chamber, to some person that was capable of the Papacy; but he to gull him, rather than otherwise, recommended him to Barberino, that was not in a predicament of being Pope, who entertained him for Master of his Chamber; and it was his fortune to have the same inclination, that his Lord had; both of them delighted in Astrology; for which cause Maffeo carried the greater affection unto him. In process of time Gregory the fifteenth happened to die, and after long contestation in the Conclave amongst the Cardinals of several 〈◊〉 factions they elected the said Maffeo Barberino for Pope, by the name of Urban the eighth; who after he had promoted Francisco Barberino his Nephew, to the Scarlet Gown, appointed the said Fidomarini to be his superintendent, with the Title of Master of his Chamber, and authority to wear purple; in regard Francisco was by reason of his youth too unapt, and not fit for the Government. Barberino, some time being past, not able longer to endure to see himself under the charge of the Master of his Chamber, began to withdraw himself from it with the greatest arrogancy, that might be; and had indeed driven him out of his Court, had it not been for the Pope, his Uncle, who protected him: howsoever he would not make use of him in any thing, but about the Chamber. Filomarini, having served the Pope's house for the space of ten years, resolved to try his fortune, to see if he could get the Scarlet Gown, because it had been often promised to him by his holiness, but it little availed him; wherefore when he saw that the Pope had made many promotions, and that he was still excluded, he began to fall from the hope, which continually he had of it. The truth is, that Urban had an intent to promote him; but he was by Francisco with a malicious policy kept from it; for he would say to his holiness, Father, Filomarini is to me a right hand for the Government of my affairs, and I shall not be able to meet with such another, as he is; wherefore you may be pleased to prefer him some other time; and this he did always at such time, as the promotions were to be made, more for the hate that he bore him, then for any other end, hoping that by means of this suspension, his Uncle coming to die, he should not see a servant of his exalted to the same Dignity that he was in. The Archbishopric of Naples becoming void by the death of the Cardinal Buoncompagno, Filomarini, seeing that four and twenty years were already past, and he had not been remunerated with any thing, determined to craveit for a reward of his labours, as indeed he did, saying, Blessed Father, I have long served your Holiness, and your House, and never had any occasion to demand any grace of you, till now, that the Church of Naples is void, which I humbly beseech your Holiness to bestow on me; And this he spoke even with tears in his eyes, because he had lost all hope of the Scarlet Gown: the Pope, to make himself merry with him, answered him thus; This is not a morsel for you, my Ascanio, but for a Cardinal; and we have already so destinaled it: Which Filomarini hearing, made no reply, but shrinking up his shoulders took his leave. Not long after this Urban communicated unto Francisco the promotion of the Cardinals, which he meant to make, and in particular of Filomarini; but Francisco, having used all the persuasions he might to divert him from it, and not prevailing, resolved to give him all the disgusts in the mean time, that possibly he could; and for a beginning, one day when Barberino was going forth into the City, Filomarini brought his cloak, as he was wont, to put it on him; but Francisco in a rage snatched it out of his hand, saying, you shall serve me no longer, and turning him about to another Gentleman of his there present, he gave it to him, and said, you shall serve me hereafter for the Master of my Chamber: which Filomarini seeing and hearing, remained as one dead, to find himself so disgraced by his Lord, saying in his mind; Is this my Guerdon for so many year's service, which I have done to the Pope, and his Nephews? cursed be he which trusteth in the deceitful hopes of the World. Now the monday morning came, appointed for the sitting of the Consistory, where preparation being made for things necessary thereunto, Filomarini also began to go about, as he used to do at other times; but Barberino with bitter words commanded him to get him from that place: as he did, retiring to his lodging very melancholic, and exceedingly cast down. The time of the Consistory being come, which lasted six whole hours together, his holiness in the beginning propounded the Archbishopric of Naples for Filomarim, and afterward together with many others, promoted him to the Scarlet Gown. The Consistory being finished, there was heard, according to the usual custom, crying out, long live Cardinal such a one: Filomarini, who knew nothing of that which had passed, desirous to hear somewhat, went out of his lodging, and presently met with some Prelates and Cardinals, which did all reverence unto him, saying, your Eminencies servant, my Lord Cardinal Ascanio; he thinking he was mocked, answered each of them, I had as lief be flouted by you as another: but at length Barberino himself was forced to go to him, and give him the Title of Eminency: Filomarini hearing what he, and the rest had said unto him, began to come to himself again, and call to mind the Pope's words, when he told him, that it was not a morsel for him, and that he had destinated it to a Cardinal. This Lord got the Hat with the sweat of four and twenty years' service; and in the last Conclave, he met sufficiently with Barberino, when as he told him, that his obligation for the Scarlet Gown was due to the good memory of Urban, and that he being dead, his obligation was also extinct, knowing well, that he had always opposed him in his attaining to the Hat, and that therefore he was obliged to give his vote for the Catholic King his Lord. Urban took the greater affection to this Cardinal, because when he was grievously sick in his last infirmity, he had demanded of his Physician in what state of health his holiness was, and being put in good hope thereof by him, he gave him a chain of Gold, which the Physician shown to the Pope; who thereby perceiving the love he bore to him, promoted him afterwards to the Scarlet Gown. In the time of the War of the Barberini, he sent twelve thousand Piastre to the relief of the Papal Army, for which he got no little credit with the Pope, and sacred College. He is a very intelligent man, and given to Astrology, but is exceeding proud; so that in regard thereof, there is no Cavalier how mean soever, that Courts and visits him: And I well remember, that the Countess of Saponara at such time as he was Master of the Chamber to Barberino, sent him certain letters, superscribed with the Title of my Lord, and because they had not the Title of most illustrious, he returned them back, saying, that they were not sent unto him; and as much he did, when as he was illustrious, saying, that they were not directed to him: in sum, no man knows, how to negotiate with him, and therefore every one abstaines from writing unto him.   

XXXIX. Gieronimo Verospi.  
GIeronimo Verospi, a Roman Gentleman; He was Auditor della Rota, as in like manner his Uncle had been, who during the time of his being so, falling at odds with the great Duke of Toscan, madly undertaken with certain Musketeers to dispute the difference that was between them about some waters, without regarding the danger of his life, that hung over his head; after which returning to Rome, he was by Urban thought worthy of the Scarlet Gown; and having obtained it, he lived but a while, for some disgusts that were given him broke his heart, and so he died. Urban, after the death of that Cardinal, seeing his house as it were ruined & undone, and bearing a great affection to it, promoted the present Geronimo Verospi his Nephew to the Hat; he conferred also upon him the Church of Osimo nella Marca, and further confirmed the Auditor's place della Rota on his brother, besides many other benefits and graces. Francisco and Antonio both made great suit to have the Scarlet Gown as well for Verospi as for Gabrieli, because they were but small friends to Pamphilio, and as such, they shown themselves obstinate against his election; and therefore after his assumption the said Verospi hath always absented himself from the Court, to avoid those disgusts which might happen unto him, residing continually at his Bishopric. He is a poor Cardinal, and hath many brothers, who all live together with their Mother, except it be one which hath ever kept himself apart from the rest; and after the death of Urban he went to serve Cardinal Antonio in the place of Master of his Chamber, before he left the Court of Rome to go into France. This Cardinal is learned, but the Auditor della Rota his brother is more intelligent; his vote will be altogether for the Barberini, and his inclination is more to France then to Spain, although, to maintain himself in the common pretensions, he seems in appearance to be neutral. If this same Lord should be Pope, he would spoil the seat of Peter to accommodate his brothers, which are many.   

XL. Gaspare Matthei.  
GAspare Matthei, brother to the Duke of that surname; He was a Prelate of a most Noble and ancient Roman family; and was sent by Vrban the eighth Nuneio to the Emperor's Majesty; in which Charge he carried himself with much satisfaction of both parts. He was promoted to the Scarlet Gown, as other Nuntioes were: Upon his return to Rome he was presently set upon by Sachetti for the repayment of six thousand crowns, lent him at his going into Germany, causing him to be cited for it, in regard whereof he is no great friend to him, but greatly opposed his fortune in the Conclave, and behaved himself with much vigilancy, care, & affection towards the House of Austria, in favour of the Cardinal Phamphilio: And he it was also that made a great coil, saying, they would have no foreign, but Roman Popes; and in the same Conclave he defended the reputation of the house of Austria, threatening the Cardinal Rapacioli, who had spoken amiss against the Austrians; he shown himself also averse to the Cardinal Fiorenzola for the same cause. This Cardinal is poor, intelligent, opinnative, haughty, proud, full of resentment, and looks more like a soldier than a Cardinal: He speaks freely against any one whatsoever he be, when he sees things ill done, His vote is, and ever will be Austrian, and for that Crown would he shed his own blood. He is well esteemed of by the Pope, and feared of the Court, as a vindicative person. He hath allied himself with the house of Gonzaga, having given his Sister in marriage to the Prince of Pozzolo, who was heretofore Ambassador in this Court from the Emperor.   

XLI. Girolamo Grimaldi.  
GIrolamo Grimaldi, a Nobleman of Genova, and kinsman to the Prince of Montehonorato. This Girolamo was a soldier, having served the Emperor in the Wars of Germany; returning into his Country he put on the long robe, and coming to Rome, he bought the Clerk of the Chambers place, was by Urban the eighth made Governor of Rome, in which Charge he carried himself with much satisfaction of the people; at the end whereof he was sent Nuntio into France, and having remained some months in that employment, he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown for two respects; the one was to make the Clerk of the Chambers place void for the selling of it; and the other, to show the promoting of a French Nuntio. Some say that this Lord was he which caused the Prince of Monaco to fall from the Spaniards; but others more certainly say, that it was a French Cavalier, named Mounsieur Bordon, of the self same House of Grimaldi; for there are in France many of that Family, so that it cannot be denied but that the Cardinal had an hand in it. And the cause of this defection was, for that the King's Ministers would not pay the Garrison which was kept in the fortress of Monaco; in regard whereof the poor Prince, having no possibility to pay them, by reason he was not satisfied those few assignments which had been settled for it, was forced to expel the Spaniards, and introduce the French, as most profitable for him, restoring to the Catholic King his Golden Fleece again. This Cardinal is well accommodated with the goods of fortune, and yet he cannot be said to be rich, if one consider the bountifulness of his mind, which is such, as his means, though sufficient enough, is not able to answer. In his negotiating and deal he is very affable and courteous, honouring all without exception of any. He lives under the protection of the Crown of France, as all his kindred besides doth. He is intelligent enough, and studious, but much more curious. The most Christian King honoured him for some months with his comprotection of France, in default of Antonio's absence from the Court, it having been exercised before by Cardinal Brichi; and now it is exercised by the Cardinal of Este, with the Title of Legitimate Protector, for which he hath received a Brieve from his Majesty. Grimaldi got but little favour with the Pope in the time that he exercised the said comprotection, having too openly spoken overmuch in the behalf of the Barberini; in regard whereof his Holiness, before the Cardinal of Estes arrival at Rome, oftentimes denied him audience. He is very open in the expression of his sense, especially when he comes to have any business imposed upon him. He is of some account in the Court, because he is of a principal Family, and a Nobleman of the City of Genova. He is not a little glad at any loss, or misadventure happening to the Austrian Monarchy, and in particular to that of Spain. He is an amiable Lord, merry, and jovial; is well pleased with the delights of the World, and especially with fair Women. He is much esteemed of by the Crown of France.   

XLII. Cesare Fachinetti.  
CEsare Fachinetti, Nephew to Innocent the ninth, and a Nobleman of Bologna; he was a deserving Prelate, and sent Nuncio to the Catholic King; at the end of which employment he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown by Urban the eighth, and afterwards had conferred on him the Bishopric of Sinigaglia, a City of the State of Urbino. In his Church he was observed to be a good and vigilant man, behaving himself gently and charitably towards his flock. None of the Cardinals in the sacred College are enemies to him, because he is loving to them all. He is not very old, but coming to some riper age he may attain to Peter's Chair; the rather for that he is devoted to the house of Austria; he hath no vices of consideration; holds good correspondence with the Pope's Family. The Spaniards would condescend to his election, so that it might be propounded by some head of a faction; for if they should do it themselves, he might be easily excluded. He would be no bad Pope for the good of the Church. Innocent the tenth hath conferred on his brother the Charge of Governor of the Arms in Romagna; who in case of his being Pope, would be he that will reign, and hath no considerable defect, saving that he is somewhat amorous, being now in love with one Nina Barcarola, a famous Roman Dame, otherways they are both good Cavaliers. The vote of this Cardinal will be always for Spain.   

XLIII. Francisco Rapaccioli.  
FRancesco Rapaccioli, a Roman, descended from a Castle, called castle di Scepoli, situated betwixt the City of Narni and Trani, and was the Son of a Lilettaro, for so they call those in Rome which sell Shirts, Smocks, Handkerchiefs, and other kind of linen in the City. Being a Prelate, he was Clerk of the Chamber, and by Urban was against the will of the whole College made Treasurer General of the holy Church; having been first honoured with the charge of Commissary General of the Papal Army in Perugia: After sometime he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown, to make money of the Clerks place for the use of the War, and a less while did he enjoy and exercise the Treasurorship, being daily and continually employed in the said War. He is a rich Cardinal according to his quality, and is most intelligent in the Civil and Cannon Laws. He is of the Barberinies faction, and consequently French; wherefore in the Conclave he spoke amiss of the house of Austria, for which Matthei answered him as he deserved, and with threats told him, that he were best take heed in what manner he spoke of the house of Austria, for else he might be made to repent it, although he were a Cardinal. He is but little esteemed of in the Court, and in the sacred College he is reputed as a mere Scarlet Gown, and no otherwise. Innocent the tenth hath conferred on him the Church of Terni his Country.   

XLIIII. Giovannni Giacomo Panzirolo.  
GIovanni Giacomo Panzirolo, a Roman, the Son of Virgilio della valle, so surnamed, sometime a public Tailor in Rome. Giovanni Giacomo, having profited well in virtue, and proceeded Doctor in the Laws, applied himself to the Court, where he was entertained by the now Pope for his Auditor, at such time as he was a Prelate, and Nuntio at Naples; He also followed the said Pamphilio into Spain, upon his going likewise Nuntio thither. After Pamphilio was promoted to the Scarlet Gown, Panzirolo put himself into the Prelacy, and having exercised many Charges and Governments, he was at last sent Nuntio into Spain, where he carried himself very worthily, and to the great contentment of that Majesty; insomuch that the Pope finding him to be very intelligent, and deserving, promoted him to the Scarlet Gown. He is a learned man, and expert in all matters of Negotiation: He hath gotten much credit with the Crown of Spain; is greatly approved of in the Court, and is much esteemed by the sacred College, but fare more by Innocent the tenth, so that if he live, he may be Pope. He is of a sweet conversation, excellently qualified, of a good behaviour, friendly, and thankful for all benefits received. He arrived at Rome from Spain when as the Cardinals were in a manner all shut up in the Conclave, and brought along with him divers pacquets of letters written from his Catholic Majesty, to all the sacred College, in favour of the Cardinal Pamphilio, insomuch that it was he who gave the first start to his greatness; which benefit, together with the goodwill Pamphilio bore him before, caused him presently upon his assumption to place him near about him; he gave him lodgings also in the Pontifical Palace, and made him his chief Counsellor of State; so that the whole Government of the Papacy is in a manner resting upon his shoulders. He is not very rich, but with the Pensions and Benefices bestowed on him by the Pope, he is thought to be exceeding well accommodatep. He leads a very retired life, and is of a good disposition; for I remember that in the time of his Prelacy he told me one day, how he never fell out with, nor misused any servant of his house, to the end they should not have occasion to murmur at him, or his birth, and lose the respect which they owed unto him; a matter verily worthy of commendation. He is a trusty friend of the great Duke of Toscans, but he is not confided in by the Barberini for private interests, and because, as it is thought, he was one of them that Counselled the Pope to prosecute them in that sort, as he did; He received the Hat from the hands of Innocent the tenth, together with the Cardinal of Este, because they were not present in the Court at such time as Urban was living.   

XLV. Mattheo Theodoli.  
MAttheo Theodoli, a Roman, descended of a Noble family in the City of Forlin Popoli nella Romagna. He was a poor Prelate that could hardly live, but at the instance of Antonio he was by Urban the eighth made Auditor of the Chamber, and not having money enough to pay for it, the said Cardinal Antonio lenthim some, out of the affection he bore to his house: He exercised the said Auditorship but a short while, so that he could hardly recover any part of his disbursement, because he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown out of a necessity of selling that Office to make money of, for the supplying of the War against the Princes of Italy; by which means he became exceeding poor, and therefore he resolved to abandon the Spanish, and betake himself to the French party, upon promise from that Crown of money and pensions. This Cardinal is of little esteem in the sacred College, insomuch that when he meant to give himself to the French, he sent a Gentleman of his to excuse him to Cardinal Montalto, saying, that his Eminency was to pardon him for leaving the Austrian, and cleaving to the French devotion, in regard he was reduced thereunto by mere necessity; whereunto the said Montalto made answer, that his Catholic Majesty in losing him lost nothing, and the King of France by getting him got little. Not long after ensued the Conclave, where, it is said, he carried himself with little fidelity to the most Christian King; for being promised I know not what sum of money, together with the Bishopric of Imola, he falsifyed the Marquis of Sansciamont the Ambassador of France his hand to certain letters, in the behalf of the Cardinal Pamphilio, for which he was turned out of his Majesty's favour, and likewise deprived of all the benefits and revenues which he enjoyed in that Kingdom; whereupon, not being able to live as a Cardinal, he, very much dejected, absented himself from the Court and went to the marquis santo Vito his brother; where out of rage and discontent he became almost frantic, and the Pope having granted him the Church of Imola, took it away again from him, and conferred it on my Lord Cocino Romano, who was Bishop of Tursi. After he had remained some time with his said brother, he returned to the Court, where unknown he lived miserably: but at length having received some letters from France, it is said that he spoke thus publicly to the Pope; Blessed Father, the most Christian King hath vovochsased to receive me a new into his pristine favour, as much as to say, in de spite of all my i'll willers, and of such as would not have it so. There can no certain judgement be made what this Cardinal's vote will be, for he turns like a leaf with every breath of wind. Both the King of France, and the Pope make but little account of him, and yet they seem to look upon him with a good eye.   

XLVI. Fausto Poli.  
FAusto Poli, born in Cassia, a place upon the confines of Abbuozzo within the Diocese of Norcia; He was a poor man at first, and served Urban the eighth at such time as he was Bishop of Spoletto, and had the good hap to continue in his service until his exaltation to the Papacy; and then putting himself into the Prelacy, he was after some time as a confident servant of his promoted by Urban to the Scarlet Gown, together with many other servants of the Apostolical Palace. Poli hath always been much esteemed of, and loved by all the Barberini, for his serviceableness to them in the managing of their household affairs, for which he is only good, being otherwise altogether ignorant, and without any known virtue in him. The Barberini would not exclude him from the Papacy, in regard he is their creature; but he is not desired of the Austrians, and then too there are other persons of quality, and age in the sacred College, which fare excel him in all requisites appertaining to a Pope; and therefore he may set his heart at rest, and never think of it. This Cardinal is so much for the Barberini, that he will always be at their disposing, and consequently will ever side with the French. He is rich, and in case he should be Pope, the Bishop of Amelia his Nephew will be he that shall reign; who is not very intelligent, is of little esteem in the sacred College, and less regarded in the Court.   

XLVII. Lellio Falconieri.  
LEllio Falconieri, was also an assidual servant to Urban the eighth; but because he was too talkative, the Barberini did not regard him, neither did the Pope in like manner much care for him He was a poor Prelate, but his father dying, left him a great sum of money; wherefore Urban thought good to send him abroad, that he might spend some of it, and accordingly he dispatched him away Nuntio into Flanders, where the Cardinal Infante, being advertised that the said Falconieri was too much a favourer of the French, and consequently a depressor of the Spaniards, would not receive him, and so excluded him from that employment. Afterwards he was by the same Urban published for a good Prelate, especially by causing him to execute the place of Secretary of the Congregations of the Bishops & Regulars, and then was promoted by him to the Scarlet Gown, with other servants of his holiness, for two reasons; the first was, at the instance of Cardinal Sachetti, and the second, that imported most, was, because in the War of the Barberini, the said Falconieri and his brethren had lent round sums of money to the Apostolic See, for otherwise he had never had the Hat. This Cardinal is no great friend to the Barberini, and in particular to Cardinal Francisco, because when the Pope lay a dying, he opened unto him all the misdemeanours, and tyrannical actions which the said Francisco had perpetrated, for the which he hath ever since hated him to the death. He is well enough accommodated with the goods of fortune, but is very much wanting in good parts, for he can hardly read and write his own name. The present Pope, Innocent the tenth, sent him Legate to Bologna, where he hath resided a long time, and at this instant the Magistrates of that City are suitors unto his holiness for the continuing of him in that Charge, alleging that they are exceedingly well satisfied with his Government; and this they do for no other reason, but because he is altogether ignorant, and that therefore they rule all things at their pleasure, so that he is there only as it were pro forma, the whole weight of affairs resting upon the shoulders of my Lord Zeccadoro, who is said to be his holiness' kinsman. Falconieri, in regard of his age, is capable of the Papacy; but as for wisdom, and virtue he is most insufficient. In discoursing his speech is rustical, and is no way splendid, nor liberal, for it is enough to say that he is a Florentine. He is much delighted with sports, plays, and feasts, and therefore goes continually to the public Comedies, which are frequently acted in Bologna.   

XXV. Francisco Adriano Ceva.  
FRancesco Adriano Ceva, the Duke of Savoy his Subject: He was a long time an assidual servant to Urban the eighth, and after he was a Prelate, whensoever his holiness made any promotions, he was still kept back from being promoted by Francisco Barberino, so that if the Pope had died he had been excluded: for the said Barberino, in regard there was no good correspondence between them, laboured always to put him in diffidence with Urban; that he might not give him the Scarlet Gown, which notwithstanding at length he obtained. This Cardinal is rich in means, but poor in virtue and knowledge. He hath many Nephews, but the most beloved is Signior Carlo Francisco Bayla, the Son of my Lord Bayla, the Consistorial Advocate, who lives with this his Uncle, which allows him scarce a penny in his purse, such is his avarice: nevertheless, in case he should attain to the Papacy, this would be the reigning Nephew. Ceva is not much affected by the Princes of Savoy his Lords, because when there is any benefice, or abbacy void in his Country, or other places of their States, he never cares to have it demanded for any of those Princes deserving servants, but always seeks to apply it to his own, and his kinsman's benefit; neither is he greatly regarded by the Crown of France, although he was Nuntio with that Majesty, by reason he is always inclined to the Austrian devotion, & therefore I cannot see how he should ever get to Peter's Chair, because in every event of the Conclave, they would exclude him for the causes aforesaid: The Austrians too confide little in him, believing, that even as the Dukes of Savoy his Lords use to do, who play the turne-coates upon every motive according to their interest, so Ceva their subject would do the like.   

XLIX. Angelo Giorio.  
ANgelo Giorio, a Native of the City of Camerino, of a vile progeny, and a poor Priest in Rome; where having for some time kept a school, he left that, and put himself to serve the Cardinal Maffeo Barberino for a tutor to his Nephews, Francisco, Antonio, and Thadeo, leading them daily to the Roman College; and withal employing himself very diligently in divers other affairs of the house, he won his Master's goodwill and love. Afterwards, Maffeo being elected Pope, Ciorio entered into the Prelacy, and in a short time thrived so well, that he got together a good estate; whereupon having a long while continued, performing many good services to Urban, it seemed convenient to his holiness to do him right, and so together with other servants of his he promoted him to the Scarlet Gown. He hath brothers, and Nephews, which in regard of their rustical conditions will not let themselves be seen, nor known in the Court. He delights greatly in hunting, and for that he was much made of by the whole house of the Barberini, and particularly by the Pope. This Cardinal, because he was exalted from nothing, will always be at the disposing and command of the Barberini, and consequently will of force be for the French against the Austrians. He is a man of a lusty age, not very old, is little respected in the sacred College, and at Court is esteemed as a raking, covetous Cardinal, that for money would sell himself to do any vile thing. He hath no other good in him, but that he is not so ignorant, as the rest of Urbans servants are, because he hath been continually exercised in pedantism.   

L. Vicenzo Costaguti.  
VIcenzo Costaguti, a Nobleman of Genova He was Clerk of the Chamber, and did not hope to come so soon to the Scarlet Gown, because he was too young, and also for that the Court abounded with many other aged & deserving persons; but welfare the War of the Barberini, which made many rise, that otherwise peradventure had never been promoted. For Urban, being loath to meddle with any of the accumulated treasure, which he had buried under ground for the benefit of his Nephews, and wanting money to maintain the War, exalted many Officers of the Chamber, and then sold their places to other Prelates; in which manner Costaguti was promoted. This Cardinal, before he received the Scarlet Gown, together with his father lent a great sum of money to the Chamber, and had for security thereof the five millions which were laid up in the Castle Saint Angelo by Sixtus quintus. He is a splendid, amiable, sociable, gentle, affable and courteous Lord; he is much esteemed of by Innocent the tenth, is charitable, well qualified, and of a goodly presence: He is of no faction, but keeps himself neutral, is learned, and intelligent; and may truly be called the Cardinal of Gold, in regard he paid triple for the Hat. He is held to be very grateful; and therefore he is loved and reverenced of all, as he in like manner honours all.   

LI. Paolo Emilio Rondanino.  
PAolo Emilio Rondanino, a Roman Gentleman, and Nephew to the late Cardinal Zachia, that sought to advance his pretensions by the help of the Spanish Cardinals, who being distasted with Vrban the eighth, for that he shown himself, as in effect he was, too much French, oftentimes met together, and made divers Congregations to depose the said Urban, after he had held the Papacy thirteen years: And whilst his holiness by reason of his sickness was gone to the Castle of Gandolfo for change of air, the said Spanish Cardinals secretly assembled in a Congregation, to make Cardinal Zachia Pope instead of the said Urban, and depose him under the pretext of disability: But it did not succeed, for all was made known to his holiness, who returning privily to Rome, called a consistory, where all the Cardinals being present, Urban with an high voice, said aloud, Where is the new Pope whom you mean to adore? which the Spanish faction hearing, and perceiving they were discovered, remained as it were all dead and confounded. Hereupon it was, that Urban made the Bull, which enjoined every Cardinal, Archbishop, Bishop, and others whatsoever, that had cure of Souls, to go and reside at their Churches, upon pain of excommunication, and deprivation of their Dignities and Benefices; so that the poor Cardinal Lodovisio, who lay grievously sick of the Gout, was forced to get him away to his Church of Bologna, where not long after he died with excessive pain; and all those besides which had a hand in that conspiracy died discontented, and contemned; particularly Cardinal Zachia. Rondanino was Clerk of the Chamber, and was promoted together with the other Officers of the Chamber, as the said Costaguti was; but especially for that he had at his own charge in the time of the War raised a company of Cuirasiers, besides divers other services. This Cardinal is but of a mean understanding, and proud in the highest degree, insomuch as he deigns not to render a salute unto any person that is not his equal; a discourtesy verily worthy of blame. He is wealthy, loves his pleasure, and is taken with every Roman delight.   

LII. Giovanni Steffano Donghi.  
GIovanni Steffano Donghi, a Gentleman of Genova. He was Clerk of the Chamber, and was sent by Urban the eighth, after the unhappy success of Cardinal Spadas Negotiation, Nuntio Apostolical, with the Title of plenipotentiary, into Lombardy, for the concluding of a peace with the Princes of Italy, where he caused him to spend the second Clerkship of the Chamber, without any profit at all redounding to himself thereby. He was promoted to the Scarlet Gown for the same end, as his other fellow Clerks were. This Cardinal is a man learned, and curious; he is well respected of the Pope, who made him Legate of Ferrara, in which Charge he demeaned himself with great commendation. He hath many good parts, is affable, courteous, and also charitable. He is very rich, and spends enough, but to purpose, and not idly. He is much devoted to the Catholic King, and makes open profession thereof, having his arms set up over the Gate of his Palace. In the past Conclave he abandoned the Barberini, and followed the faction of Spain, which holds him in some esteem, all his whole house living under the protection thereof.   

LIII. Carlo Roscetti.  
CArlo Roscetti, a Nobleman of Ferrara. He came a young man to Rome, where, putting himself into the Prelacy, and being employed by Francisco Barberino in many businesses, he effected them so well to his satisfaction, that he took a great liking to him, in such sort as by his mediation he was sent Nuntio into Cermany, and returning from that Charge, he was after some years dispatched also as Nuntio into Ireland, to supply the Irish Catholics with money, and animate them to fight for their Religion against the Parliament of England. Upon his coming back from thence, he was promoted to the Scarlet Gown, at the instance of the said Francisco, to the end he might thereby oblige him to be still of his faction in all Conclaves, and other occurrences, as accordingly he hath showed himself. He was made Bishop of Faenza in Romagna, where he was highly esteemed, and commended for a worthy man, and of a Noble disposition. He is a poor Cardinal, and yet for all that he is not slack in giving of alms. He is not much devoted to the house of Austria, is but young, and of a mean understanding. The present Pope regards him well, albeit he declared himself but little affected to him in his election. He hath brothers, and many kinsmen, which are Counts, and Marquesses in Lombardy.   

LIV. Giovanni De Lugo.  
GIovanni De Lugo, a Spanish Gentleman. He was a Jesuit, and a great Divine, of whom Urban the eighth made use in divers occurrences to his no little satisfaction; wherefore he promoted him to the Scarlet Gown. This Cardinal was ever an honest man, and of an exemplary life; but his being a jesuit, is that which I cannot abide, for he was Master of the Schools of the College, & hoc sufficiat. Some say that he was assisted and supplied by his Company; others say no, because he hath showed himself as it were an enemy to the jesuits; but that he was assisted by his kindred, and had also got together some store of money to such a use, as the manner of the jesuits is to do, cum cantionibus, & aliis adminiculis. His descent was not ignoble, and he hath had many men renowned for learning in his house. This Lugo, by reason of the obligation wherein he stood fare engaged to the Barberini, made show in the Conclave of following their faction; but afterwards with a stratagem he gave his vote to the Spaniards, and when as the Pope was elected, publicly declared himself of the Austrian party: so that in him is verified the saying; As ingrateful as a jesuit.   

The promotions which were made by Paul the fifth, and Gregory the fifteenth.  

LV. Alfonso della Queva.  
ALfonso della Queva, marquis of Medmar, a Spaniard; He was sent by the Catholic King, Ledger Ambassador to the Republic of Venice; in the time of whose residence there, the Duke of Ossona, Viceroy of Naples, sent a very mighty Fleet to take that City by surprise; for holding intelligence with some traitors in it. He had made an agreement with them, that they should set the famous Arsenal thereof on fire, to the end that whilst every one was running thither for to help to quench it, the Fleet might enter at their pleasure, and seize on the most important places of the City; but the plot being discovered before it came to execution, and the Nobility believing that the marquis of Queva was privy and consenting to that treason; went to the Palace where he dwelled, to cut him and all his Family in pieces; but being forewarned thereof, he fled with all speed in a Gondola towards Rome, where a few months after he was by Gregory the fifteenth with the assent of the Catholic King promoted to the Scarlet Gown; and after some years he was by his Majesty made Governor of Flanders and the Low-Countries, where he carried himself with the little satisfaction of those people, by seeking the ruin of that Country for the enriching of himself; but the Catholic King being advertised of his ill Government, deprived him of that Charge, and disgraced him in such manner, as he was also bereft of all the revenues and profits which he enjoyed in the Kingdoms of Spain; by reason whereof he was so exhausted, that he ran mightily in debt. After the assumption of Innocent the tenth, followed the death of Cardinal Crescentio, whereby the Bishopric of Palestina became void, which by way of seniority appertained unto the said Cardinal della Queva, who therefore was desired by Cardianl Carlo de Medici to resign it unto him, to the end that remaining in that City, which bore the Title of Don Tadeos' Principality, he might cross and vex the Barberini; and this he promised Don Carlo to do, but never performed it; for the Barberini prevented this disorder by giving Queva I know not how many thousands of crowns not to resign the Bishopric, so that he was not so good as his word to the said Prince Cardinal, for which he was very much blamed of every one. He is a very learned man, and a great wit. He is somewhat esteemed in the College, but little respected in the Court, having no other train but his own Caroches, as one that is not capable of the Papacy, because he is a Spaniard: and the very Spaniards themselves too make no great reckoning of him, holding him as inconfident, although he strives with all ardour to show himself more affectionate and diligent in the King's service and affairs, than any other person whatsoever. He is of a good and exemplary life, and for his knowledge and doctrine is beloved of his holiness.   

LVI. Marcello Lanti.  
MArcello Lanti, a Roman Nobleman, Deane of the sacred College, and Nephew to Paul the fifth, being the Son of a Sister of his. He was promoted to the Scarlet Gown by the said Paul, is a very old man, of an holy conversation, of a most innocent life, and marvellous charitable. He is of kin to the greatest part of the Roman Nobility, and also to the Great Duke of Toscan. He hath enjoyed the Scarlet Gown forty years, and yet is for all that ignorant, testy, & obstinate. He was not nominated in the last Conclave, for that the Barberini durst not conside in him, by reason of his affinity with the Borghesi, and Great Duke, as aforesaid. he is head of the Congregation of the Bishops, and Regulars, and if he live to a vacant Sea, he may chance get into Peter's Chair. He makes open profession of his devotion to the house of Austria, although the marquis his brother, lately dead, was always French. This Cardinal would not be amiss for the good, and Government of the Church, for he is a peaceable man, is exceedingly well esteemed of by the Sacred College, and Roman Court, is also greatly respected by the Princes, and hath not any Cardinal his Enemy; wherefore he may very well attain to the Papacy, as is much desired of all he should; but whilst the Barberini live, he will hardly come to be Pope, for they have been sufficiently punished by the election of Innocent the tenth Pamphilio.   

LVII. Carlo de Medeci.  
CArlo de Medeci, a Florentine, Uncle to the Great Duke of Toscan, and brother to the late Queen Mother of France. He was promoted to the Scarlet Gown as a great Prince, and therefore he is in high esteem, and Authority with the sacred College, and all the Court. He was the principal Author of the election of Innocent the tenth, who out of his Obligation and Gratitude bears a great affection to this Prince. He was, and is an Enemy to all the house of the Barberini for divers occasions, but the chiefest was their War with the Great Duke. He is a Lord of a clear understanding, beloved of every one, courteous, splendid, and delighting in pleasures, and recreations. He is mightily affected to the Family of Austria, so that he could be contented, as one may say, to have even his skin plucked over his ears for the King of Spain. He is of a great age, but appears not to be so, by reason of the corpulency of his body. No more is, or aught to be said of this Cardinal, being a great Prince, and as such a one, I leave him.   

LVIII. Baldassare di Sandoval.  
BAldassare di Sandoval, a Spaniard, and Bishop of Sivil. He was promoted to the Scarlet Gown at the instance of the Catholic King, by whom he was afterwards sent Ambassador to Rome, in which Charge he carried himself with the satisfaction and commendation of both the parties. Upon the end of that employment he returned into Spain, where being kept from receiving audience of the King by the Count-Duke, he one day bastinadoed him with the same battoon, wherewith he sustained himself being lame of the gout; in revenge whereof the Count-Duke, caused the horses of his Caroche to be cudgeled whilst he was in it. Sandoval was he, that in his first Audience discovered the misdemeanours of the said Count-Duke, and also the loss of the Kingdom of Portugal, of Catalogna, and other States; whereof the King perceiving the truth, turned him out of his favour, and reduced him to those terms, that he was fain to live exiled from the Court in a Country house of his. This Cardinal is very highly esteemed, and exceedingly beloved of the King, is very old, of a good conversation, bountiful, of great authority, and well liked of every one. He is a great friend of Innocent the tenths, having held a strict correspondence with him at such time as he was Nuntioia Naples, and in Spain, which he continued with him whilst he was at Rome. He was not present in the last Conclave, by reason of the lenggth of the voyage, and his great age, which is such, as he can stand no man in any stead hereafter, because he will never be able to come into the Conclave again.   

LIX. Agostino Spinola.  
AGostino Spinola, a Genoveses of the old Nobility, and brother to the late marquis Spinola, that most famous Captain. He was promoted to the Scarlet Gown by Paul the fifth, at the instance of the Catholic King. He was Archbishop of Compostella, from which he is removed, and hath the Archbishopric of Toledo in lieu thereof conferred on him, with a pension of ten thousand Crowns a year. He is exceedingly beloved of his Catholic Majesty, for his brother's merits; is of kin to the greatest part of the Genovese Nobility, is very rich, and so old, that in regard of the length of the way he could not come to the last Conclave, nor can he be at the next, unless he sets forth two months before the death of the Pope. He is a Lord of a good disposition, splendid, and charitable. His vote, according to his obligation to the Catholic King, will always be for the Spanish faction. When he was young, he delighted in taking all the pleasure that possibly he could, never standing upon money.   

LX. Giulio Cardinal Roma.  
GIulio Cardinal Roma, of a Noble Family in the state of Milan, who having put himself into the Prelacy, was promoted to the Scarlet Gown by Paul the fifth, because he knew him to be both learned, and deserving. The City of Rome in regard of his excellent qualities expects great things from him; for being a good and conscientious man, it is believed that he will be Pope if he live; but should that come to pass, I doubt he would be too rigorous, especially when Ecclesiastical matters are concerned: for he could be contented to put not only his house, but his own life in jeopardy, for the Maintenance of the Church's decorum; being naturally stiff and obstinate in favour of the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Francisco Barberino would willingly have stickled in the last Conclave for his advancement to the Papacy, but that he could not trust him, because he was a Milanese; fearing, lest as one of that Country, he should deal with him, and all the house of the Barberini, as Pius quartus, who was likewise a Milanese, did with the Caraffeschi; and bring him to make restitution of the money taken out of Castle Angelo; as also render a strict account of his administration. This Cardinal is head of the Congregations, which are held in his own house. He is a very knowing Lord, of a good disposition, and of an exemplary life. In negotiating he shows himself very affectionate, is much respected of the sacred College, and is greatly esteemed in the Court. He is beloved of the Catholic King, and is exceedingly desired by the Great Duke, and the Republic of Venice, but little enough by the Crown of France.     

A Table of the Cardinals.  

1. GIovanni Carlo de Medici. pag. 1  
2. Domenico Cecchini. pag. 2  
3. Nicolo Albergati. pag. 4  
4. Horatio Giustiniano. pag. 7  
5. Alderano Cibo. pag. 9  
6. Pier Luigi Caraffa. pag. 11  
7. Federico Sforza. pag. 15  
8. Tiberio Cenci. pag. 17  
9 Benedetto Odescalcho, pag. 21  
10. Fabritio Savelli. pag. 23  
11. Francisco Cherubino. pag. 27  
12. Christofforo Vidman. pag. 28  
13. Lorenzo Roggi. pag. 30  
14. Francisco Maidalchini. pag. 36  
15. Francisco Barberino. pag. 41  
16. Ernesto Adalberto d'Arach. pag. 50  
17. Giulio Sachetti. pag. 51  
18. Bernardino Spada. pag. 55  
19 Fe derico Cornaro. pag. 63  
20. Martio Ginetti. pag. 65  
21. Antonio Barberino. pag. 86  
22. Girolamo Colonna. pag. 72  
23. Cirriaco Rocci. pag. 76  
24. Giovanni Battista Palotta. pag. 78  
25. Theodoro Trivultio. pag. 83  
26. Steffano Durazzo. pag. 89  
27. Marc' Antonio Franciotti. pag. 87  
28. Federico Carpegna. pag. 90  
29. Francisco Maria Brancaccio. pag. 91  
30. Rinaldo d'Este. pag. 95  
31. Francisco Peretti, alias Cardinal Montalto, pag. 99  
32. Giulio Mazzarini. pag. 102  
33. Marc' Antonio Bragadini. pag. 106  
34. Pietro Donato Cesis. pag. 108  
35. Francisco Maria Machiavelli. pag. 110  
36. Verginio Orsini. pag. 112  
37. Giulio gabrieli. pag. 115  
38. Ascanio Filomarini, pag. 117  
39 Gieronimo Verospi, pag. 124  
40. Gaspare Matthei. pag. 126  
41, Girolamo Grimaldi. pag. 127  
42. Cesare Fachinetti. pag. 131  
43. Francisco Rapaccioli, pag. 132  
44. Giovanni Giacomo Panzirolo. pag. 134  
45. Mattheo Theodoli. pag. 136  
46. Fausto Poli. pag. 139  
47. Lellio Falconieri. pag. 141  
48 Francisco Adriano Ceva. pag. 143  
49. Angelo Giorio. pag. 146  
50 Vicenzo Costaguti. pag. 146  
51. Paolo Emilio Rondanino, pag. 148  
52. Giovanni Steffano Donghi. pag. 150  
53. Carlo Roscetti. pag. 151  
54. Giovanni de lugo. pag. 152  
55. Alfonso della Queva. pag. 154  
56. Marcello Lanti. pag. 157  
57 Carlo de Medici. pag. 158  
58. Baldassare di Sandova. pag. 160  
59 Agostino Spinola. pag. 162  
60. Giulio Cardinal Roma. pag. 163   
FINIS.