I would pardon the _Roman_ Princes all their Vanity, if they enjoy'd any solid Prerogatives; but at their Estates they are no more than plain Gentlemen, and whenever the Pope pleases, he sends the _Sbirri_ to arrest them, as well as the meanest of his Subjects. The Thing which puffs up this Gentry to such a Degree, is, that Gentlemen of good Families make no Scruple to wait on them, the Poverty among the n.o.bility being very great, and there being but a very indifferent Chance for Gentlemen of the Sword, because the greatest Part of the _Roman_ Gentry are so much degenerated from their Ancestors, that they have no Taste for Arms; while their Fondness for ROME, and the Notion they have, that there is not such a delightful Place in the World, hinders them from going abroad, and puts them under a Necessity of being Slaves to People, who are very often their Inferiors in Birth.

Nor do the _Roman_ Princes distinguish themselves either by their Air, or their Manner of Living. They have a great Number of Footmen indeed, some no less than two dozen; but they live very meanly, so that not one of them keeps an open Table, or has any thing to treat with but Ice, and at most a Dish of Chocolate. The Evening is the Time to converse with them; for as soon as the _Angelus_ has sounded, all Ceremonies at ROME are over, the Abbats and Priests go in the Lay Habit to the Cardinals, and all Compliments at meeting are set aside.

The Princes and the Cardinals give their Domestics such sorry Wages, that their Livery Servants are continually mumping. The first Time one comes to a House, the Domestics accost you for something to drink, which is what they call _Lucky Handsel_; they mump again at New-Years Tide, and in the Month of _August_, which is what they call _la Ferra Gusta_, and again when the Mistress of the House is brought to bed of a Son; in short, they find out so many Pretences, that they are perpetually teizing People for Money.

The Princesses have the Privilege of being lighted to the public Spectacles by eight Flambeaux of white Wax; but I have known some of them, who, for saving their Wax, never burnt any till they came within four or five hundred Paces of the Theatre, when they stopp'd to give their Lacqueys Time to light their Flambeaux, in order that they might arrive at the Opera in Pomp. And when they went out, they stopp'd at the very same Place for the Lacqueys to put out their Flambeaux, from which Place all the Light the Princesses had to go home by was no more than a couple of little dark Lanthorns, which are here made use of commonly. This way of going with eight Flambeaux puts me in mind of a certain _English_ Dutchess, who having travell'd in that manner at ROME, would fain have introduced the Fashion at _Paris_ too; but she was forbid to make that Parade there, because the first two or three times that she went abroad with so much Splendor, every body fell on their Knees, and thought the Holy Sacrament was carrying to some sick Person.

Most of the Ladies, as well as Princesses, have very magnificent Coaches, but seldom make use of them. The Marquis _Sudarini_, who has lately match'd his Son, has made his Daughter-in-law a Present of a Coach, for which he gave 7000 _Roman_ Crowns, and there are many others that cost more Money; but these Coaches are terrible Machines, and 'tis as much as a Pair of Horses can do to drag them along: Besides, these stately portable Houses have an Attendance on them, which is by no means suitable; they are generally accompany'd by half a score, or a dozen shabby Footmen, who, with the Swords that they wear, look more like Catchpoles than Footmen.

Their Liveries in general are Scarecrows, and I do not think that there are any in the whole World more fantastical: The Lacqueys are for the most part old, dirty, unshapable Fellows, because, when once a poor Wretch has a Livery put upon his Back, he never throws it off, and does not so much as attain to the Honour of being a _Valet de Chambre_. When he is past his Service his Master _jubilees_ him, that is to say, puts him upon Half-pay, and he serves no longer. The Appearance or Neatness of a Servant are Things that are not regarded here; and provided they have but the Number, what matters it, say they, how they look?

This Maggot of keeping so many Lacqueys has infected even the Citizens; they who are in such mean Circ.u.mstances, that they cannot afford to maintain them the whole Year round, covenant with them only for _Sundays_ and Saints Days. Thus a Journeymen Shoemaker, or a Chimney sweeper, who has but that very Day put a Scrub Livery on his Back, and that often borrow'd of a Tallyman, shall walk gravely before young Master, or pretty Miss, to and from Church, with his greasy Hair turn'd up behind his Ears, and a long Sword by his Side. For it would be reckon'd indecent here to see a Woman or a Miss go abroad alone, and the most abandon'd Prost.i.tutes are always attended with a Matron.

The Funerals of Persons of Quality are perform'd here with very great Pomp; all the Dead are carried to Interment with their Faces bare. I saw the Funerals of Cardinal _Buoncompagno_, Archbishop of _Bologna_, and the Prince _Ruspoli_. The former was carried by Night in one of his Coaches to the Church of St. _Andrew de Laval_, which was hung all over with Black.

Next Day the Corpse was laid upon a Bed of State in the Middle of the Nave of the Church, dress'd in the Sacerdotal Vestments, with the Head turn'd towards the Choir, and the Cardinal's Hat at the Feet: Four _Valets de Chambre_ stood at the Corners of the Bed, and each held a Banner of black Taffeta, with the Arms of the Deceas'd: There were an hundred great Tapers or Torches of White Wax in large Iron Candlesticks round the Bed: The high Ma.s.s was sung with Music, and the whole Sacred College was present: When the Cardinals enter'd the Church, they made a short Prayer to the Holy Sacrament on their Knees; after which they went and kneeled at the Feet of the Deceased, where they said a _Pater_, and the Prayer _Absolve Domine, &c._ and then taking the Holy Water Brush, they sprinkled it on the Corpse: The Cardinals retir'd after the Ma.s.s, but the Corpse lay expos'd till the Evening, when the Priests Vestments were taken off of the Deceased, and he was put into a Leaden Coffin, which was inclos'd in another of Cypress Wood, and then let down into the Grave. The Prince _Ruspoli_'s Corpse was expos'd in the Church of St. _Laurence Lucini_, which had been his Parish Church, in the same manner as the Cardinal _de Buoncompagno_ was; but none of the Cardinals, nor any of the Deceased's Kindred, a.s.sisted at the Office; for the _Italians_ say, 'tis barbarous to oblige Relations to attend each other's Funerals, as is the Fashion with us.

But tho' they do not attend at the Funerals, yet they wear Mourning much more regularly, and longer than we do. A Woman's Mourning is black from Head to Foot, so that one does not see the least Bit of Linen they have, which is not a very favourable Circ.u.mstance to those of a brown Complexion. The Pope's Nieces never wear Mourning, not even for their nearest Relations; for the _Romans_ reckon it so great a Happiness for a Family to have a Pope of it, that they say nothing ought to afflict the Kindred of a Pope.

They bury People here twenty-four Hours after they are dead, and sometimes sooner. 'Tis surprizing to see how quick they dress their Churches, whether for Funerals or Festivals, which it must be allow'd is always done with extraordinary Magnificence and Elegance. Most of the Churches have their own Suits of Hangings. Upon solemn Festivals they are commonly hung with Crimson Damask, with a Border of Velvet of the same Colour, adorn'd throughout with Lace and Fringe of Gold. All these Festivals of the Church are celebrated with very great Pomp and Bustle; all the Houses of the adjacent Quarters are illuminated in the Eve of the Festival, as well as in the Night itself; which always concludes with a Firework play'd off in the most s.p.a.cious Part of the Quarter where it is celebrated, at the Expence of the Parishioners. The _Romans_ have a singular Taste for all Holidays, and are great Admirers of Spectacles: They are at least as mere c.o.c.kneys as the _Parisians_, and every little Novelty makes them run to it, as if they had never seen the like in their Lives, tho' all that they see is but the same Thing over again: They erect a Firework in the Twinkling of an Eye; these are very high Machines made of Reeds cover'd with Paper, which makes a very great Shew at little Expence: There's scarce a Week that pa.s.ses in the Summer-time, but they have one or two of these Fireworks.

The Tribunal of the _Rota_ is, next to the Congregations of the Cardinals, the chief Tribunal in ROME, if not of the whole World; for its Authority extends over all the Kingdoms and Dominions that acknowledge the Holy See.

It consists of a dozen Prelates, who have the t.i.tle of Auditors; _viz._ one _German_, one _French_, two _Spaniards_, one _Bolognese_, one _Ferrarese_, one _Venetian_, one _Tuscan_, one _Milanese_, and three _Romans_. They have four Notaries under them, and the oldest Auditor is President; they meet twice a Week in the Palace where the Pope resides.

Appeals in all Catholic Countries for Causes relating to Benefices are made to the Tribunal of the _Rota_.

The Governor of ROME is always a Prelate, and commonly an Archbishop _in partibus_; his Post gives him the Rank immediately after the Cardinals, and he challenges Precedency of the Amba.s.sadors of crown'd Heads[15]; tho'

I cannot positively say whether these yield it to him, because I never yet saw them appear at any public Ceremony. This Governor is the Sovereign Judge of Criminal Causes, and takes Cognisance of all Civil Causes, that require a speedy Issue: He has under him a Lieutenant and an Auditor Civil, a Lieutenant and two Judges Criminal, with a Mult.i.tude of Subaltern Officers; and the Provost, who is call'd the _Barrigello_, with 300 Sergeants, or _Sbirri_. When he goes abroad, he is attended by his Guards, who are ten or a dozen old Halbardiers, more ragged than any that you ever saw; he causes his Horses to wear Tufts of black Feathers; for you must know, that there are four Sorts of Plumes; the Cardinals who are Princes by Birth, or the Amba.s.sadors, have them of Red and Gold; those of the Cardinals, who are not Princes, are plain Red; the Princes have theirs of Gold Colour: The Governor of ROME, and the other Prelates, as the _Major Domo_, cause their Horses to wear black ones: The Governor always goes abroad with two Coaches, and has an Umbrella carried before him as the Cardinals have: He goes twice a Week to an Audience of the Holy Father, to give him an Account of what pa.s.ses, but particularly to make a Report of the condemn'd Malefactors; and he must never be absent from ROME: One of the n.o.blest Prerogatives belonging to his Office, is, that he never quits it but to be made a Cardinal.

Another Magistrate of Note at ROME is the _Senator_: The _Romans_ pretend that he represents the ancient Senate of ROME; if so, 'tis but a poor Epitome of it. He lives in the Capitol, and must always be born out of ROME. He holds his Office by Patent from the Pope, and has it for his Life. He has under him several Subaltern Officers; two Lieutenants Civil, styl'd Collaterals; a Judge, int.i.tled Captain of the Appeals; a Lieutenant Criminal, or _Fiscal_, who pa.s.ses Sentences of Death; and he has a Right to take Cognisance of all Causes Civil and Criminal, that happen to arise between the Citizens and Inhabitants of ROME: For this End he has also under him 30 Notaries or Commissaries, and the Prisons of the Capitol are at his Disposal: When he appears at any public Ceremony, he is dress'd in a long Robe of Gold Brocade lin'd with red Taffeta, and a Cap of black Velvet: He has a Seat to himself in the Pope's Chapel, and goes, like the Governor of ROME, twice a Week, to give an Account to the Pope and the Cardinal Nephew of what has pa.s.s'd at his Bar; he is then dress'd in a long Simar, or Robe of Velvet, or black Mohair. When he enters into his Office, he takes an Oath to the Pope, and his Holiness gives him the Staff of Command, which is a Sceptre of Ivory; he is afterwards conducted with great Ceremony to the Capitol, guarded by all the n.o.bility of Rome on Horseback, and by all the Militia of the City.

Their Manner of executing Criminals is very singular. They have but two Sorts of Punishments here, _viz._ the _Strappa Corda_, and the Gibbet. The first, tho' 'tis not mortal, seems to my Mind more terrible than Death itself; the Malefactor being ty'd with his two Hands together to a Rope, by which he is hoisted 15 or 16 Feet from the Ground, and then let fall on a sudden, so that he generally becomes a Cripple for Life. When a Man is to be hang'd, they talk of it a Week beforehand, as if it was the finest Holiday in the World: The Night before the Execution, several Prelates, Princes, and others of Quality admitted into the Confraternity of Comforters, repair at Midnight to the Prison. When they come near the Dungeon, they make a great Noise, and with a loud Voice ask the Gaoler, _Where is such a one?_ naming the Criminal that is to be condemn'd. _Here he is_, says the Man, loud enough to be heard by the Criminal. _Open the Doors to us_, say the Comforters; _he is in a bad State there, we will remove him to a Place where he shall be better_. The Turnkey opens the Dungeon, and lets in the Comforters, who exhort the Criminal to go along with them; and being guarded by a Company of the _Sbirri_, they put him in the middle, and carry him thro' several Galleries and Turnings towards the Door of a Chapel, before which is hung a Piece of black Cloth. Just as the Criminal is preparing to enter it, the Fiscal, calling him by his Name, says to him, _You--there is your Sentence_; and at the same time throws him a Paper, in which the Sentence is written: The Criminal reads it, or else one of the Comforters does that Office for him: That very Moment the _Sbirri_ withdraw, and the Comforters remain alone with the Criminal: Then the Cloth hung before the Chapel Door is lifted up, and the Patient is led to an Altar at the End of it, with a Crucifix upon it, in the middle of six lighted Wax Candles, where the Question is put to him, _If he is willing to confess_: If he says, Yes, as very few _Italians_ die willingly without Confession, a Confessor is allotted him, who gives him the best Advice that he can.

The _Italians_ generally make their _Exit_ like good Christians, but 'tis with very great Reluctance. A Man, who was condemn'd to die some Years ago for the Crime which brought down Fire from Heaven upon _Sodom_, would not hear any Talk of Confession; upon which Cardinal _Banchieri_, at that time only a Prelate, being one of his Comforters, and exhorting him to beg of G.o.d to pardon his Sins; _What!_ said the Criminal to him, _Would you have me die for a Crime, of which you Priests are all guilty to a Man? I don't know_, said the Cardinal, _of any Priests that are so unhappy as to commit such a Crime; but if there are, they don't plead guilty in the Face of Justice_. Another Malefactor being very loth to die, a Comforter said to him, that Kings and Popes must all submit to Death. _True_, reply'd the Convict, _but they are not all hang'd_.

After a Criminal has confess'd, he receives the Sacraments, and the Comforters continue with him till the next Day. At Ten o'Clock, which is the Hour of Execution, he is convey'd in a Cart to the Gallows, to which he rides backwards, attended by two Priests, and two Comforters. When they are come to the fatal Place, they set him down out of the Cart before a Chapel to say his Prayers; and then they make him walk backwards to the Foot of the Ladder, which he always mounts with his Back to it; when the Hangman, who is at the Top of it, fastens the Rope about his Neck, and then leans with all his Weight upon his Shoulders, to put him out of his Pain. After he is expir'd, Ma.s.ses are said in all the Churches, and even in the Pope's Chapel, for the Repose of his Soul; and for this End a Collection is made, to which the poorest People contribute something; at length, after he has hung four or five Hours, he is bury'd like another Man.

You'll excuse me, Sir, for concluding my Letter with such a dismal Subject: The Post is just going off, and I have many other Letters to write, so that I hope you won't take it ill that I add no more to this. I am, &c.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

LETTER x.x.xIV.

_SIR_, _Rome, October 10, 1731._

This being in all Appearance the last Letter I shall write to you from ROME, I shall now give you the best Answer I can to the Questions you put to me in your last.

You desire, _Sir_, that I should give you a faithful Character of the Holy Father; but do you consider well what it is you require? Is it likely that such a private Man as I, who only see the Pope thro' a Perspective in all his Glory and Grandeur, shou'd be able to paint him? No, Sir, the Successors of St. _Peter_ are not like other Princes: None but such of their Domestics as are their most intire Confidents can know them thoroughly; and these, either out of their Zeal or Policy, paint them always, if not as they are, at least as they ought to be. You will tell me, that in all Courts 'tis the same Case; and that, notwithstanding this, one may judge of Princes by their Actions. 'Tis very true, yet this gives us but an imperfect Idea of Princes, who often do Good or Harm without meaning either.

To judge by outward Appearances, _Clement_ XII. may be rank'd among the greatest Popes that ever the Church had: He had always, even before he was Pope, the Reputation of an honest Man, and all his Pride is to merit that Character: He is rigid; and, if I may venture to say it, sometimes blunt in his Answers: His earnest Application to the retrieving of the Finances, which were very much disorder'd by the Ministers of _Benedict_ XIII.

renders him an conomist, perhaps more than suits with his Dignity: He has the Interests of the Holy See very much at heart; but is accus'd of being more troubled for the Loss of the Duchy of _Parma_, (which they give out here was devolv'd to the Holy See by the death of the Duke _Francis Farnese_) than for the Disturbances owing to the Affair of the Const.i.tution in _France_: He is a great Admirer of Persons of Quality, but he does them little good: His good Husbandry extends even to his Nephews, whom he has loaded with Honours and t.i.tles; but he has. .h.i.therto given them very little Money. When he was a Cardinal, his House was open to every body; he liv'd magnificently, and it was expected he would rather be a prodigal Pope, than a _saving_ one: He was civil and affable, but not very ready to do Services; for if he made his Friends welcome, he thought that was enough; Business was what took up little of his Time, and he bent his Thoughts more to n.o.ble Living than to Affairs of State. And the _Romans_, who had other Reasons not to be pleas'd with his Election, said he rose to the Pontificate from a Game at Picquet.

Since he is become a Pope, he is quite another sort of a Man: He is desirous to know every thing that pa.s.ses, and is fond of being his own Minister. But 'tis his Misfortune, that his Memory begins to fail him, and he is almost blind; besides which, as he never was employ'd in State Affairs, he knows them not so much by Experience as Theory: Yet for all this it were to be wish'd, for the sake of the Ecclesiastical State, that he had been chose Pope in the place of _Benedict_ XIII. But 'tis the Unhappiness of this Country, that its Princes are commonly more hara.s.s'd with their bodily Infirmities, than with the Cares of Government: 'Tis pity that the Pope is so old; for he has the very Qualities that const.i.tute a great Prince. Notwithstanding his great Age, he has had the good Luck to make ten Cardinals, tho' he has not been sixteen Months in the Pontificate; but his last Promotion of five Cardinals was not generally approv'd of. Among other coa.r.s.e _Pasquinades_ that were utter'd upon that Occasion, this Inscription was affix'd to several Gates of the Pontifical Palace, _Nostro Signora fa una bella Promotione, quatro Matti, ed un Minchione, +i. e.+ Our Lord, has made a fine Promotion, four Madmen and one Fool_. Those five Cardinals were Signior _Guadagno_, the Pope's Nephew, formerly a barefooted _Carmelite_; Signior _Doria Maestro di Camera_, Archbishop of _Benevento_; Signior _Gentili_, a _Datary_, who had been formerly _Secretary of the Congregation of the Bishops, and the Regular Clergy_, a Post which, tho' the very next Step to a Cardinal's Cap, the Pope had made him resign for the Office of a _Datary_, which is but a mean Commission; Signior _Ferrayo_, and Signior _Bichi_, both Nuncios in _Portugal_.

The last is noted for the Broils that he occasion'd between the Holy See and the Court of _Lisbon_: The King of _Portugal_ being disgusted with this Nuncio for having defrauded him of the Customs, by entring Goods upon his own Account, which he sold afterwards to the Prejudice of the _Portuguese_ Merchants, and being moreover exasperated with this Prelate for a.s.suming more Authority to himself, than his Predecessors had ever done, demanded of _Clement_ XI. to recall him; and upon that Pope's Death he repeated his Instances to _Innocent_ XIII. who at length consented to his Demand: But then the King, for what Cause I know not, alter'd his Mind, and declared he was not willing that _Bichi_ should leave his Court till the Term of his Nunciature was expired. And as the Pope had nominated M. _Ferrayo_ to relieve _Bichi_, and was obstinate for the Return of the latter to ROME, the King order'd his Amba.s.sador to demand of the Pope for what Reason he recall'd _Bichi_; and in case the Holy Father should declare that it was to punish his Nuncio, He injoin'd him to say, that this Minister was intirely innocent of the Matters laid to his Charge in _Portugal_; but that if, on the contrary, the Pope should give him to understand, that he recall'd _Bichi_, to give him such an Office in the Apostolical Palace as might secure him a Cardinal's Hat, he the Amba.s.sador should then make Answer, that His _Portuguese_ Majesty was of Opinion, the Dignity of Nuncio at his Court ought to procure the Purple for all those who resided with him in that Quality; and that therefore his Majesty would never suffer M. _Bichi_ to depart from _Lisbon_, till he was declared a Cardinal.

The Pope exclaimed against the King's new Demand, repeated his Orders to _Bichi_ to return to ROME, and sent away M. _Ferrayo_ for _Portugal_. But the King would not let _Bichi_ go out of the Kingdom, nor _Ferrayo_ come into it; and _Bichi_ himself refus'd to obey the Holy Father, who threaten'd him with Excommunication, but the Prelate, being sure of the King's Protection, did not much value the Apostolical Censures. The King in short continu'd to solicit the Hat for him strenuously; but _Innocent_ XIII. would not hear it mention'd, alledging that it was not proper for him, who, in Quality of Cardinal Protector of _Portugal_, had impeach'd _Bichi_ at the Holy See, to advance him to the Purple. _Benedict_ XIII.

who was of a beneficent and pacific Disposition, no sooner came to the Pontificate, but he wrote a Letter with his own Hand to the King of _Portugal_, wherein he promis'd him the Hat for _Bichi_. The Sacred College, when they were inform'd of the Pope's Intentions, made smart Remonstrances to him, and every Cardinal in particular represented to him how unworthy _Bichi_ was of the Purple. Cardinal _Corsini_, the present Pope, was the Man that declar'd himself against that Prelate with the greatest Warmth; for he told the Pope, that notwithstanding his Respect for his Holiness, he would never consent that _Bichi_, that dishonourable, that faithless Man, (which were the Epithets wherewith he honour'd him) should be one of his Brethren. In a Word, the whole Sacred College shew'd so much Disgust at the Thoughts of this Promotion, that the Pope was oblig'd to revoke the Promise he had made to the King of _Portugal_. That Monarch, incensed to see himself made a Jest of by the Priests, recalled his Amba.s.sador and Envoy then at ROME, and ordered his Subjects to leave that City, and to have nothing more to do with the Holy See. And the Pope, in his Turn, recalled _Ferrayo_, who still continued in _Spain_, on the Frontier of _Portugal_, and summoned _Bichi_ to ROME, whither at last he was determined to return.

During this, _Benedict_ XIII. died, and _Clement_ XII. succeeding him, _Bichi_, who is his Kinsman, went to _Sienna_, the Place of his Birth.

There it was that he heard of his Promotion, which was made on the 24th of _September_ last, but not without strong Debates in the Sacred College. A great number of the Cardinals put the Holy Father in mind, that he was formerly the most zealous Stickler against _Bichi_: And in the Consistory wherein the Pope propos'd him, a Cardinal gave his Opinion, that the Prelate might be admitted into the Sacred College in Quality of a Penitent, The Pope happening to say, that he knew of no other Way to come to an Accommodation with the King of _Portugal_, than by making _Bichi_ a Cardinal; one of the Cardinals made Answer, 'I question whether the promoting of _Bichi_ will set us to Rights with _Portugal_; but let it happen as it may, 'twill be, at the worst, but one Hat more ill bestow'd.'

The _Romans_ actually pine for an Accommodation with _Portugal_; for the Amba.s.sadors of that Crown have always expended great Sums here, especially since the Accession of the present King, who has caus'd a great deal of Money to be laid out here in Statues, Pictures, and other Things of Value.

'Tis reckon'd upon the whole, that the Absence of the _Portuguese_ is a Loss to the City of ROME of above a Million of _Roman_ Crowns in a Year.

The Pope's Nephews are like their Uncle, Men of great Sincerity, Honour and Probity; but whether 'tis owing to the Indolence of their Tempers, or to their Want of Interest with their Uncle, they serve n.o.body, and know not the Pleasure of doing Good. The Cardinal, who should naturally have the most Credit, is he that has the least: He is penurious to the last Degree[16]. Before he was made a Cardinal and Minister, People conceiv'd a high Idea of him; they believ'd that a Person who had travelled so much as he had done, and who had been many Years employ'd by the Great Duke in _France_, and at the Congress of _Cambray_, must needs be well versed in Business; therefore they apply this Verse to him,

_Tel brille au second rang, qui s'eclipse au premier._

i. e.

_He shines so much in the second Cla.s.s, as eclipses him in the first._

Every body allows he is an upright Man; but they don't look upon him as a Minister. He is so reserved, that 'tis quite disgusting; and when he grants any Favour, he does it in so strange a Manner, that they who receive it are sorry they were beholden to him. I question whether he will have very many humble Servants left, when his Uncle dies.

In the same Consistory wherein the Pope made _Bichi_ a Cardinal, the Holy Father talk'd a great deal about the Succession of _Parma_. He complain'd in general Terms of the Emperor, for arrogating to himself those Prerogatives relating to the Dominions of _Parma_, which were only due to the Holy See. He acquainted the Sacred College with every thing that he had done for maintaining the Rights of the Church; he said, that as soon as he was informed that the d.u.c.h.ess of _Parma_ was really not with Child, he ordered his _Nuncio_ at _Parma_ to take Possession of the Dominions, that were devolved to the Holy See by the Extinction of the Male Line of the _Farnese_ Family; that his _Nuncio_ had executed his Orders; but that _Stampa_, the Emperor's General and Commissary, had caus'd an Edict to be publish'd, whereby, in the Name of the Emperor, he forbad all the Subjects of _Parma_ from owning any other Sovereign, but him to whom his Imperial Majesty shou'd give the Invest.i.ture of the Duchy. The Pope said, he was sorry when he heard _Stampa_ had taken that Step; but that he expected from the Emperor's Justice and Piety, that he wou'd not approve of the Conduct of his General, and that he wou'd not do any thing contrary to the incontestable Claim of the Holy See to the Dominions of the _Farnese_ Family. The Cardinals returned a very modest Answer to the Pope, thanking him for the Endeavours he had us'd to maintain the Rights of the Holy See, and praying him to continue them. The Cardinals _Cienfuegos_ and _Bentivoglio_, being inform'd of all the Complaints which the Pope intended to make in this Consistory, took care not to be there. These Gentlemen are extremely angry with the Emperor; 'What! _said they_, to have no more Respect for the Pope and the Holy See, to invade the Estates of the Church, and dispose of them as he pleases, are these Actions becoming an Emperor, Protector of the Catholic Faith?' Really, to hear how they talk, one wou'd think the Emperor had actually taken all they had from 'em; tho' I am persuaded, that if he would but give them the Duchy of _Parma_, they wou'd consent to his being a _Jansenist_.

You desire, Sir, to be inform'd of the Reception that is given here to Amba.s.sadors. I shou'd have done this long before you desired it, if I had seen any Amba.s.sador go to an Audience of the Pope, besides the _Maltese_, who has not so grand a Reception here as the Amba.s.sadors of Crown'd Heads.

'Twas on the second _Sunday_ in _Lent_, in the Afternoon, that the Amba.s.sador of _Malta_, who has resided here six Years in Quality of Amba.s.sador of that Order, made his Entry as Tributary Amba.s.sador Extraordinary. This Minister, repairing without any Retinue to the Vineyard of Pope _Julius_, without the Gate _del Popoli_, was complimented there, on the Part of the Pope, by the _Major Domo_, and the oldest Prelate; and on the Part of the Cardinals, and princ.i.p.al n.o.bility, by their Gentlemen. After this, the Cavalcade was made with more Order than is commonly observ'd here at public Ceremonies. First came the several Coaches and Six of the Cardinals, Princes, and other Persons of Distinction, following one another without Observation of the respective Ranks of their Owners. Then came two of the Amba.s.sador's Grooms on Horseback, who were follow'd by four cover'd Waggons, and a Couple of Field Carriages, cover'd with Tapestry, that was embroidered with his Excellency's Coat of Arms. Next came the Amba.s.sador's Master of the Horse, follow'd by six led Horses, two Trumpets, with the Lackeys, _Valets de Chambre_, Pages, and Gentlemen belonging to the Amba.s.sador, all on Horseback. These were follow'd by the chief Lackeys of the Cardinals riding upon Mules, and carrying their Master's red Hats flung over their Shoulders; and after these came the Cardinals Gentlemen, who were follow'd by a Detachment of Light-horse. The Chamberlains of Honour follow'd riding upon Mules. The Knights of _Malta_ on Horseback rode just before the Amba.s.sador, who was supported by the _Major Domo_, and Signior _Colonna_, the oldest Prelate. His Excellency was preceded by twelve running Footmen in his Livery, and he walked in the Middle of a Couple of Files of the hundred _Switzers_ of the Pope's Guard. Three of the Amba.s.sador's Coaches and Six clos'd the March. The whole Train pa.s.s'd thro' the chief Streets of ROME, and accompany'd the Amba.s.sador to his Palace, where his Excellency treated all the Company with Refreshments.

On the Day of Audience, the Amba.s.sador went in his Equipage to the Palace of _Monte-Cavallo_, attended by the Coaches of the Cardinals and the n.o.bility. He was receiv'd at the Top of the Stairs by the _Major Domo_, who conducted him into that called the Prince's Apartment. The Amba.s.sador having waited there a little Time, two Masters of the Ceremonies came to acquaint him, that his Holiness was ready to admit him to an Audience in the Consistory then sitting. The Amba.s.sador went thither, conducted by the Masters of the Ceremonies; and Signior _Acquaviva_, the _Major Domo_, received him at the Entrance of the Hall of the Consistory, and conducted him to the Entrance of the Court fronting the Pope. The Amba.s.sador fell on his Knees, and made a profound Obeisance to the Pope, who gave him his Blessing. Then he fell on his Knees again in the Middle of the Court, and the third Time at the Pope's Feet, to whom he made his Speech kneeling. In this Posture he also delivered the Letter from the Grand Master to the Holy Father, who gave it to a Prelate, ordering him to read it. The Amba.s.sador arose, and having crossed the Court, saluting the Cardinals on the Right and Left, he fell on his Knees at the Entrance of the Court, opposite to the Holy Father. There he heard the Grand Master's Letter read, and afterwards a very long Speech in _Latin_, which an Abbat, who was a Knight of _Malta_, made in the Name of the Order, upon his Knees.

The Prelate had no sooner read the Letter, but he answered the Speech in _Latin_. The Amba.s.sador, who was still on his Knees, arose, after the Prelate had ended his Speech; went and kneel'd again at the Pope's Feet, which he kiss'd, and then presented to his Holiness the Knights of _Malta_, who had accompany'd him to the Audience, and who all kiss'd the Holy Father's Feet. The Pope, rising from his Seat, retir'd to his Apartment; but the Amba.s.sador stay'd in the Hall of the Consistory, till all the Cardinals were gone out. He then returned to his Palace, where he gave a grand Repast to the Knights of his Order. The next and the following Days, he made his Visits of Ceremony to the Cardinals. Their Eminencies don't give Precedence to the Amba.s.sadors; but bating that only, they treat them as their Equals.

I have been a.s.sured, that the Amba.s.sadors Extraordinary of Kings are lodged three Days in the Pontifical Palace, during which they have the Honour to dine once with the Holy Father. If I continue here till the Arrival of the Duke of _St. Aignan_, the Amba.s.sador of _France_, who is every Day expected, I will give you an Account how he is received; for tho' these Ceremonies are printed here, I shall be willing to have ocular Demonstration of the Things that I write to you.

Of all the public Functions at this Place, there is none more august, and more solemn, than the Procession with the Holy Sacrament, when 'tis carry'd by the Pope. Upon _Corpus Christi_ Day, the Holy Father was placed in an Arm-chair, without a Back to it, with a Desk before him, upon which he laid the Pyx that contained the Holy Sacrament. His Cope, which was very long, and very wide, so cover'd the Desk and the Chair, that the Pope seemed to be kneeling. His Head was uncovered, and in this Posture he was carry'd by eight Men. In my whole Life, I never saw any thing more exemplary than the Countenance of the Pope during the Ceremony, his Face being the very Picture of Contrition and Devotion. The Procession set out from St. _Peter_'s Church, attended by all the Fraternities, the Monastic Orders, the _Roman_ n.o.bility, the Conservators of ROME, the Governor of ROME, the Chapter of St. _Peter_, and all the Prelates and Bishops. Three _Tiara_'s, and as many Mitres, adorn'd with Pearls and Diamonds, were carry'd before the Holy Father. The Pope was environed with the hundred _Swiss_ of his Guards, all in Armour, and by the Officers of his Chamber; and the Procession was clos'd by the Light-horse, and Cuira.s.siers on Horseback. The Colonnade of St. _Peter_, and the Streets, were hung with Tapestry, and cover'd with Canvas, to keep off the Heat of the Sun. As the Pope pa.s.sed by the House where the Family of the _Stuarts_ liv'd, he gave to those Princes the Blessing of the Holy Sacrament. The Holy Father's Nieces were in a neighbouring House; but they did not receive that Honour, it being reserved only for Sovereigns.

You seem, Sir, to be so much prejudiced against the holy Office of the Inquisition, that I must endeavour to convince you of the mistaken Notion, which, I presume to say, you have conceived upon that Head. Honest People have no more Reason to dread this Tribunal, than any of the other Courts of Justice. They tell a thousand Stories of it in our Part of the World, and especially among the _Protestants_, which are absolute Falsehoods. Be but an honest Man; speak of G.o.d and the Saints with all due Respect, or at least don't offer to insult them; give no public Scandal; and you have nothing to fear from the Holy Office. To speak the Truth, will not a Man in all the Christian Countries, that is notoriously impious in Word or Deed, will he not be taken to Talk by the Consistories, and by the Law? I own, for my part, that I don't see wherein that Barbarity, and that Inhumanity consists, which the Holy Office is charg'd with in _Protestant_ Countries; on the contrary, it seems to me to be the mildest Tribunal in the World. Let me be guilty of the greatest Injuries to G.o.d and Religion, in Thought, Word or Deed; if I do but go and confess my Crimes to the Holy Office, and tell them I repent of my Wickedness and Folly, the Father Commissary will represent the Horror of my Sins to me, will exhort me, for the Salvation of my Soul, to behave and think better for the future, and at last will absolve me. Where now is that _Protestant_ Tribunal, which is content with a voluntary Confession? Instead of absolving the Penitent, don't they condemn him to Imprisonment, and bodily Pains?

For these sixteen Months that I have been at ROME, I have not heard of any one's being arrested by the Holy Office; on the contrary, I have seen Acts of Clemency perform'd by this Tribunal, so much run down, which perhaps the Consistory of _Geneva_ would never have done. I had not long been here, but there came one _Pallas_, a Native of _Toulon_, and Captain in _France_, who brought a young Woman with him, whom he said he had ravish'd; he desir'd a License of the Vicar to marry her, which was granted. But some Months after, there comes a Woman, who appear'd to be the Wife of _Pallas_, and the Mother of the young Creature that he had but just married, and who was ready to lie in. _Pallas_, perceiving his Crime on the Brink of being detected, goes and reveals the whole to the Holy Office, which first gave him Protection for his Person, and in a few Days after acquitted him, injoining him at the same time to take his first Wife again. This _Pallas_ dying not many Days after, his two Wives went to Law for their Jointure. I question now whether this Officer would have been acquitted by a Parliament of _France_.

The Congregation of the Holy Office was established by Pope _Paul_ III. at the Solicitation of the Cardinal _John Peter Caraffa_, who afterwards, becoming Pope, by the Name of _Paul_ IV. made a remarkable Addition to the Authority of this Tribunal. That Holy Pontiff, _Pius_ V. reduced it to its present State. This Congregation consists of a dozen Cardinals, besides a Number of Prelates, and a great many Divines of different Orders, who are called _Consultori & Qualificatori del Santo Officio_. Among those are included a Conventual, the General of the _Dominicans_, the Master of the Sacred Palace, the Commissary of the Holy Office, the Fiscal, and the a.s.sessor, which last must always be a secular Prelate. This Tribunal takes Cognizance of the Causes of Heresy, and of such novel Opinions as are repugnant to the Soundness of the Catholic Faith; as also of Matters of Apostasy, Witchcraft, the Abuse of the Sacraments, and other wicked Actions; and it likewise takes Cognizance of prohibited Books. It sits twice a Week, _viz._ on _Wednesdays_ in the Convent of _Minerva_, and on _Thursdays_ in Presence of the Pope, who is the Head of it. The oldest Cardinal has the t.i.tle of Secretary of the Holy Office, and is the Keeper of its Seals. None but Cardinals can vote in it, and they admit of no Proposals but what they think proper.

The Palace of the Holy Office is close by St. _Peter_'s Church, and there live the a.s.sessor, the Father Commissary, the Fiscal, the Notary, and other Officers. There also the Prisoners are kept, and there they are try'd, according as the Case requires. The Officers of the Holy Office acknowledge no other Judges in the first Instance, but the a.s.sessor of the Tribunal whereof they are Members; and they appeal for the Definitive Sentence to the Cardinals who are Members of the Congregation.

I will conclude my long Letter with a Remark, which I have made upon the _Romans_ in particular, and the _Italians_ in general, I mean its to the reciprocal Hatred of the Inhabitants of the different States of _Italy_.

That the _Romans_ hate the _Florentines_, I think I have told you more than once; but that's not all, for they as heartily hate the _Neapolitans_ and the _Genoese_. They commonly say, that there must be seven _Jews_ to make one _Genoese_, and seven _Genoese_ to make one _Florentine_. 'Tis unaccountable how the People of _Italy_ can so hate one another. I can't imagine that they should be so blind as not to see the Prejudice it does them; for, in short, 'tis not barely the Hatred of one Province to another, but it diffuses its Poison to the Towns that are subject to one and the same Sovereign. These People don't consider that they form one and the same Nation; and that if they did but unite together, they would be both rich and powerful; but being jealous of one another, they only seek to ruin each other, and by that means deprive themselves of the most solid Support of their Liberty.