The Contents.
In which is treated, of the election of Urban the eighth to the Popedome. Of the creation and disposition of Cardinal Barbarino a Capucin. Of the Places and Offices given to Don Tadeo. Of the promotion of the two Brothers, Francesco and Antonio Barbarini, to be Cardinals. Of their avidity in getting money. Of some Prelates offended and moved to indignation, to see that their services were so little recompenced by the Pope. Of the Cardinal Filomarini, made Arch-Bishop of Naples. Of the inclination of the Barbarini, to carry all things with a high hand. Of some Pasquins made against them. Of the great hatred the Romans did bear them. Of the design of the Barbarini to make themselves great Princes. Of the Title of Cardinal Padrone given to Francesco Barbarino. Of the Duke of Parma his journey to Rome. Of the title of Eminency given to the Cardinal. Of the great riches the Barbarini were in possession of after the death of Urban. Of the reasons, why Cardinal Francesco Barbarini might hope to be Pope. Of there being three Cardinals of this name all at a time. How Innocentius the tenth was Urban’s Successour. Of all that passed about the Cardinalship, marriage and banishment of the Prince Pamphilio, the Popes Nephew. Of the authority and government of Donna Olympya: and of her may treating affairs. Of Innocentius’s nearest Relatives. Of the promotion of Astalli to the Cardinalship. Of the Railleries, Pasquins, and Discourses, that were held about this promotion. Of Astalli his banishment, and the promotion of Azzolini. Of Innocentius, and the assumption of Alexander to the Popedome. Of Don Mario’s journey towards Rome, stopped by an express order from the Pope. Of the affront that Don Mario received, in being forced to return to Siena. Of the honour that the Popes kindred did receive in Siena. Of the respect showed them by the State of Venice, and the great Duke of Tuscany. Of the Popes resolution to receive none of his kindred in Rome. Of some presents sent to Don Mario and Don Agostino, in Siena. Of the Popes design and purpose to call all his Relations to Rome: and of all that past in the execution of it. Of an Event full of curiosity, about the History of the Council of Trent, made by Father Palavicino, a Jesuite. Of the murmurs and Pasquins of the Romans too, when they saw the Nipotismo in possession of the Church and City. Of the number of the Popes Relations. Of the Offices, charges and places that they possess, and by what means they grow rich. Of the jealousie that is between them. Of Don Agostino his marriage. Of the great affection the Pope bears him. And of some other particularities full of curiosity and policy.
All that we have hitherto related, is nothing but the Vigil or Eve of the Nipotismo; now begins the Festival day, in the time of Urban the eighth, of the Family of the Barbarini, who succeeded Gregory the fifteenth, contrary to every bodies expectation, in the year 1623. in the month of August.
As soon as the news of his Elevation came to Florence, those few remnants of the Family, who were then under the protection of the great Duke, flew, like so many Bees to Rome (and the Bees are the Barbarini’s Coat of Armes) to suck the Honey of the Church, but they left not behind them their Stings, wherewithall in sucking it, they stung it most bitterly.
Urban in the beginning, shewed not much tenderness for his kindred, though he did openly own, that he would call them about him: And indeed, in this his beginning, and as it were the blossom of his Popedom, he did one of the worthiest actions of his life, which was the giving of a Cardinals Cap to Francesco Barbarini, his Nephew, a Personage truly worthy so great an honour being endowed with the singular qualities of an exemplary life and integrity, which made him worthy, and more then worthy, of the Popedom it self.
The year after, which was 1624. he made Cardinal, his brother, that was a Capucin, and went by the name of brother Antony Barbarin, whom the Pope loved entirely; he gave him the title of Cardinal of Saint Oposrius, but he had been so accustomed to the strictness of a Capucines life, that being raised to this great dignity, he demeaned himself with the same meanness as before; he had much ado to custom himself to that great Cope which the Cardinals wear; neither would their wide large Sleeves agree with him, and he had given order to have them made close and streight, after the Capucins fashion: But that that was most ridiculous was, that when he saluted any body, instead of putting off his Hat, he would only put it back with a nod, as the Monks do their Hoods; so that once, in the presence of the Venetian Ambassadour it fell backwards; to the ground, with no small laughter of the Assistants: Thus he was the diversion of the whole Colledge of Cardinals.
Don Tadeo, the Popes other brother, was made General of the Churches Forces, Prefect of Rome and in the long reign of his brother, had so many Civil and Military Offices conferr’d upon him, that he could not remember them himself; the rather, because that he never car’d to exercise the functions of them, so he might receive the revenue, which he forgot not to put up carefully; that is, in a word, he took a good account of the profit, but could give none of the satisfying the obligation those Offices laid upon him.
In the year 1668. the seventh of February, the Pope, that he might more and more fortifie the Family of the Barbarines, created another Cardinal of that name, viz. Antonio Barbarino, Francesco’s brother, under the title of Santa Maria in Aquino.
These two brothers, though elevated to the same dignity, were nevertheless of a different humour; for one made it his business, to edifie the publick by good actions; and the other, did nothing but scandalize all the world by his vicious deportments; insomuch, that whosoever will weigh the vertues of the one against the vices of the other, shall see, that the ill actions of Cardinal Antonio, are far heavier then the good ones of his brother, though his brothers piety be very great.
’Tis true, that when once Cardinal Antonio began to frequent the French, that he changed, as it were his nature, for of a covetous hater of Learning, he became a generous promoter of Ingenuity, and very officious to all sorts of persons; so that now we may say, that he is a noble Prince, and a good Cardinal, whereas before he was esteemed an ill bred Gentleman, and a wicked Cardinal, and as much blame and dishonour as he contracted then, so much reputation and credit hath he now gained.