Italy The length of it is a Thousand miles or thereabouts beginning from Susa a Town cited at the foot of the Alpes at the coming into Piemont and ending at Reggio in the furthest parts of Calabri in the Kingdom of Naples As to the breadth 't is more or less according to the places it being not full four hundred any where nor less than sixteen Parts of France and Savoy lay on the West of it parts of Germany namely Tyrot and Swisserland on the North and the Mediteranian Sea on the East and South though for distinction some call the one Jonian and Adriatick and the other Tirrenean most passages into Italy are hard and difficult The whole Country which we call Italy is by the Italians themselves divided into Italy the Kingdom and Lombardy Italy comprehends the dominions of the Pope of the grand Duke and of Luca. Naples is that which they call the Kingdom and Lombardy contains great part of the State of Venice the Dukedoms of Milan Mantua Parma Monferrat Piemont and the State of Genoa But to make use of the ancient Division and to descend to particulars I say that in Italy some are great Princes considering the Extend of their Dominions and others of an inferiour Orb may be called petty Princes The former sort come to the number of seven and with the four Republicks to eleven The Pope King of Spain Dukes of Savoy Tuscany Mantoa Parma Modena for though some do reckon the Bishop of Trent which stands between the Venetians and Tyrol yet being a Prince of the Empire having a perpetual alliance with the House of Austria and often of the same Family He may be taken for a German more than for an Italian Prince and seeing little can be said concerning him we shall pass it by to come to the Republicks which are Venice Genoa Luca and San Marino For the order of precedency Venice hath place after Spain Genoa after Tuscany though they pretend to be used as Crowned heads being Masters of Corcica formerly a Kingdom the other two Republicks take place after all the forenamed Princes who also do not agree amongst themselves about Precedency Tuscany pretends it from Savoy though he be much inferiour in antiquity and extent of Dominions and Mantoa from Tuscany neither will Modena yield it to some named before him I should also say that France having acquired Pignorolo a door into Italy and a strong place from the Duke of Savoy that King having an Interest in Italy is to be reckoned amongst the Princes of it The State of Rome THE Pope hath great Dominions conveniently seated to disturb others specially Naples for all from Ostia upon the Coasts of the Mediterranean Sea to Loretto Ancona c. is his All the Lands together are called Lo Stato Della Chiesa in particular old Latium now Campagna Romana il Patrimonio di San Pietro of which the chief City is Viterbo part of ancient Tuscany Terra Sabina Umbria ducato di spoletto la Marca di Ancona la Romagna il ducato di Urbino ducato di ferrara Perugia Orvieto and Bolognese he is Soveraign of Naples and Sicily which he gives the investiture of and receives homage for as he doth for the Dukedoms of Parma and Piacenza pretending the same over the Islands of Sardegna and Corcica He is in possession of the Dukedom and City of Benevento in the Kingdom of Naples and he pretends that in time of minority of the Kings of Spain he hath right to Govern that Kingdom by a Legat He also enjoyes the County of Avignon in France and Ceneda within the state of Venice These Countries I mean those who are united together especially from Ancona to Ravenna and Ferrara all along the Coasts of the Gulfe of Venice do afford good Souldiers which upon case of an urging necessity may be gathered to about the number of 60000 though 20000 foot and 3000 horse as had Clement the 8th in the War of Ferrara were much to be kept on foot any long while Urban the 8th in the War of Parma had 30000 but if the whole Countrey was in Armes then 't would be upon 400000. The Pope indeed may be accounted as he is really a strong Prince which strength consists in the extent of his Territories in their Scituation being all united and there being no safe nor convenient places towards the Mediterranean to make any landing and towards the Gulf they trust to the Venetians who are to keep it clear upon which condition they are acknowledged to be the Lords of these Seas further all along the Coasts of the Mediterranean and the whole Campagna Romana there is a bad air which would soon work upon any Army either in Spring Summer or Autumn This strength further consists in the temper of his Subjects and Soldiers who are esteemed to be the best Foot in Italy The Italian Proverb calls them The best of Soldiers but the worst of Subjects so this strength consists in his strong holds as Ferrara Bologna Fortezza Urbana c. in his Arsenals or Magazeens of Arms the Vatican or St. Peter hath for 5000 men in the Castle St. Angelo for 15000 in Ancona for 10000 in Ravenna for 5000 in Ferrara 25000 and Bologna for 10000 and a new one a making at Tivoly by the late Don Morto's Order for 16000 men with 80. pieces of Ordnance where he employed continually above 300 men so that they are spread up and down the Countrey to arme the People upon occasion to the number of 100000 men Upon the Mediterranean he keeps five Gallies which harbour in Civita Vecchia they are not handsome nor very good but are well maned But that which another way strengthens much the Pope is that Respect and Devotion which Popish Princes and States bear him acknowledging him though falsly to be the Vicary of Christ God on Earth and the head of their Religion so that if a Prince had seized upon any of his Dominions the Pope who had provoked him to make War being dead it would be restored to the new Elected all of them being perswaded that it were a Sacriledge to detain from that Church that which did belong to it besides that every Prince of that Religion intending any such thing would find it to be a hard work for the Pope hath ever an Army quartered upon their Land which are that vast number of Secular Priests and Regular Friars who depend on the Pope upon several accounts who having all sworn an Obedience to their Generals who usually kept at Rome they would act according to the Orders sent them from thence So that having their Pulpits Confessions and Introduction into houses of all ranks they could make strange worke Hence to me doth appear the happiness of those Princes who having shaken off that Roman yoke and turned out those Emissaries are freed of those dangers which those of that Religion are exposed to though often they are liable to their private attempts Another
of Piemont and Dukes of Savoy and of late from the Duke of Mantoa they have gotten Trin and Alba in Monferr at by the Treaty of Chierasco so that besides Piemont with its Vallies and Savoy the Duke hath upon the Sea-coasts Villa Franca Oneglia and Nizza di provinza with as strong a Castle as any in Europe his Dominions indeed are large though to speak the truth Savoy is a barren and a mountainous Countrey which defect is somewhat made up by the indefatigable laboriousness of the people and by the populousness and plenty of Piemont His Court is for certain the Ornament of Italy not composed of a vast number of persons nor solitary neither there is in it a variety without confusion well compacted consisting of choice persons well qualified for a Court in a handsome and orderly way In it the French and Italian languages are commonly spoken and the free French manner of life is practised in it These Princes have been and are still very Honourable in Europe for this long while Emperors and Kings have given them the Title of Serenissime when some other Princes of Italy did not so much as pretend to it but it happened in the days of Pope Urban the 8th that he it may be to please his Nephews gave a higher title to Cardinals than they had before the title of Illustrissime was changed into that of Eminentissime this obliged some Princes to take the title Serenissime and of Highness upon which account still to keep a distinction between them and other Princes the Dukes of Savoy added Reale to Altezza to make up Royal Highness which they pretend to as being Titular Kings of Cyprus and so by vertue of a match with France the French did not oppose it and this Duke is now in hopes that the King or Prince Regent of Portugal being now himself own'd to be a Crowned Head by reason of the late Marriage or that which is to be made with that Prince Regent and the Dutchesse's Sister will approve of it but upon what grounds I dispute not This Duke is Vicar of the Empire in Italy he could not yet obtain from the Emperour the Investiture of what he hath in Montferrat however of late the Electoral Colledge at the Sollicitation of the House of Bavaria whose present Elector married his Sister did something on his behalf to wit made a Decree that his not being invested by the Emperour shall be no prejudice to his Right seeing he had used his diligence to obtain it 'T is a thing which raises much the Glory of this Prince that he hath several of his Subjects descended from Emperours of East and West Kings other Sovereign Princes and of the Chief Families of Italy in Piemont alone are above fifty Earles fifteen Marquesses at least this makes him the more Considerable and adds something to his strength which on the other side doth consist in the largeness of his Dominions the Number Affection and Fidelity of his Subjects and in his strong places of which the Castle of Montmelian though taken by the French is one of the chief in Savoy they use to say that their Prince hath a City which is 300 miles about to shew how thick Towns are in it and how populous it is in Piemont alone are 8 Episcopal Cities and 130 very populous places Another thing is that the Duke is as absolute as any Prince in Europe 'T is said of Charles Emanuel this Dukes Grand-Father that one day discoursing with Henry the fourth of France and the King having asked which of the two Pistols pieces of Gold the French or Spanish he accounted the heaviest his answer was That which I shall give my grain to meaning that of the two Kings he whom he would assist should be the strongest His Riches I will not mention his yearly income is said to amount to one Million and Eight Hundred Thousand Crowns out of which Savoy and the Vallies yeild him but Four Hundred Thousand all which is Nobly spent I must say however that Gold and Silver are scarce in his Dominions which on the other side afford him a great plenty of all things whereby all manner of provisions are at a low rate Upon consideration of this two several proposals were made to the present Duke by a judicious person the first and less important was to settle a fixed and a constant Office for the conveniencie of Travellers so that giving so much they should be defrayed for their Diet and should be provided with Horses to this effect a Correspondencie was to be setled at Lyon as this had been convenient for strangers and safe so it had made the moneys of all those who enter Italy that ways to pass through the hands of the Dukes Officers and these sums had been very considerable seeing all those who go by land into Italy out of Spain in time of peace out of France and pats of Germany come by the way of Lyon this would have encouraged many to go that way who do not helpt the sale of provisions and brought Moneys into the Countrey but this Proposal though approved yet wanting a further encouragement came to nothing The second is to make Nizza or Villa Franca a Free port any of these lies convenient for ships this would bring in Trade and consequently Moneys and would help the sale of the Lands Commodities but I omit the reasons which are given to inforce this proposal for I must come to other things Turin is the Metropolis of Piemont and the ordinary place of the Dukes Residence when he is not at his houses of pleasure of which he hath as great a number of fine and convenient ones as any other Prince This City is well seated in a plain the Rivers Po and Doire running not far from it in the Court is an Office of the Admiralty as they call it of the Po which is more for formality-sake than for any benefit In Turin are to be seen the Old and New Palaces with the Garden from the place to the New Palace to that of St. Garloe is on both sides a row of fine Houses all uniform I shall say nothing of Churches there nor of the Countrey-houses as Rivoli Moncallier le Valentin Millefleur and la Venerea which is the present Dukes delight but I must take notice that there is as good a Citadel as any in Europe in which there is a Well into which one may go down to water a Horse and at the same time one can come up thence and not see one another There are also Armes for 40000 men Many things I omit here to tell that Carlo Emanuele the present Duke is a Prince well made of his person of a middle stature full face with that natural red which only doth embelish it his sight is none of the best as may be observed when he eats or reads he loves hunting with some kinde of excess the scorching heat nor the foulness of weather being not
Rome to have none but those who be his friends chosen Popes for the great'st stormes he is afraid of are from thence for knowing how matter is combustible at home he fears least Popes would encourage and assist his people to recover that liberty which they are so much longing after and there hath been some Popes who were born his Subjects as one of the Clements and lately Urban the 8th who have given him or his Ancestours trouble enough Of his Family Prince Matthias his Brother died lately Governour of Siena and now Prince Leopold is created Cardinal his Son the Grand Prince his Heir Apparent is called Cosmo who hath married the Princess of Voalis of the French Royal blood for a long while there hath been an unhappy falling out between them but now all differences are composed by some the fault was laid upon one and by others upon the other 't is not fit for men to search into the causes of falling out between Husband and Wife specially when they are Princes some particular ones I heard which I doe not minde onely one may say that the retired manner of life practised in Florence differs very much from that which is lead at Paris so that an Italian may happen to require a thing which a French Woman will have no mind to grant I know in Toscany there are still some Noble and Ancient Families but as the Grand Dukes have been very jealous of their Aurhority they have either rooted out or brought very low the Chief and those of whom they were the most jealous The state of Mantoa THe Family Gonzaga hath possessed the State of Mantoa since the year 1328. at which time Roberto Gonzaga having expelled some petty Usurpers he made himself Master of it they enjoyed it without any Title till the year 1432. when the Emperour Sigismond Created Giovanni Francesco Marquesse and Charles the 5th in the year 1530. made Federico Duke of it this Married Margarita Paleologa Heir to the Marquesate of Monferrat The Titles of this Prince are these Duke of Mantoa Marquess of Monferrat Prince and perpetual Vicar of the Empire in Italy Marquess of Gonzaga Viadane Gozzolo Dozzolo Earle of Rodiga and Lord of Luzara These Dukes could formerly live in as great a splendour as any Prince in Italy their equal specially since Monferrat was united to their State but since the late Warre made against the Duke Charles the first in the year 1630. by the House of Austria under pretence that he had not done homage to the Emperour nor acknowledged him for his Soveraign though the true reason was because being born in France he was by them suspected to be wholly inclined that way and by the Duke of Savoy who would have stript him of Monferrat which is joyning to Piemont their Strength is so weakned and their Revenue and yearly Income so lessened that without the help of other Princes they cannot maintain their Garisons as it is in the case of Cazal that strong place so that from above 300000 Crowns they had a year they are brought to 80000. which yet are not clear Mantoa formerly a most flourishing and very populous City hath at present but few Inhabitants and is full of misery not caused by their Princes who have been the meekest of all Italy but they could not rise up again since they were taken and plundered by the Imperial Army The best Ornament of that City was and is still the Dukes Palace where they reckon at least 550. Chambers very richly furnished with hangings and bedding there are 1000. Beds and many rich Statues but before the taking of the City 't was as they say more stately and rich then the Mills only of the City were worth 10000. Sterling a year Upon occasion this Duke can raise 10000. Foot but not to keep them very long and 800. Horse now the Mantoan Horse is esteemed the best of Italy There are more Sovereign Princes of this Family than of any other in Italy because Duke Alfonso having many Sons would make every one of them a Sovereign therefore by the Emperours consent some Lands he separated from the Jurisdiction of Mantoa and others he bought so that the Eldest Sonne was Duke of Mantoa another Prince of Bozzolo a third Prince of Sabionetta another Duke di Guastalda a fifth Duke of Novellara and a sixth Marquesse of Castiglione della Stivere but now Sabionetta as a Doury hath been alienated by a Marriage to the House Caraffa in Naples and since the Princess of Stigliano of this last Family being married to the Duke Medina de las torres los Velez brought this State into his Family The late Duke Charles the 2d to unite himself the more to the House of Austria for the late Emperour had already married a Princess of his Family took one of the Princesses of Insprack to his Wife but for all this he neither was much trusted to or rewarded the truth is he was affected to France whose interests he would not have separated from if he had not thought himselfe slighted at Paris and less respected then was the Duke Francis of Modena This Duke of Mantoa died not long since in the flower of his Age leaving only a Son of 12 or 13. years old who hath succeeded him He was generally inclined to Women but in particular to the Countess Margarita di Cazale He was a great Gamester and lost much money at Venice Upon all occasions he was supplyed by a Jew of Mantua who almost ruled the Dukes Affairs to his own advantage and to the Princ's loss Jews are tollerated in Mantoa to the number of above 5000. for which they pay 20000. crowns or 5000. Sterling a year the more willingly because they are obliged to no marks of distinction as they are in all other places The City of Mantoa as all others that are consideralile in Italy hath some Virtuosi called Invaghiti It hath been a maxime of State of these Princes to be united to France where they had the Dukedoms of Nevers Rethel and Mayene which Cardinal Mazarine bought the last for himself the other two for one of his Nepews and also to be united to the Venetians to the first because that King could fall heavy upon the Duke of Savoy the perpetual and unreconcileable Enemy of his Family to the last because being his next Neighbours they could assist him upon any occasion The Friendship which seems to be between this Duke and those of Parma and Modena is not real by reason some State-differences which happened formerly between them With the Grand Duke he hath had fallings out about the Precedency of their Ministers though the Grand Duke hath larger dominions the others Family hath been more Noble and is more Antient besides the other reason of the enmity is that the Grand Duke hath several Goods of his for the portion of the Princess Catharina di Medici married to Duke Ferdinando But the greatest Enmity of this House is against that
is to punish more rigourously the faults of the Nobles than those of the people to the end that the former do not grow insolent nor these last discontented Further they are careful to maintain their priviledges to Provinces and Cities that they may continue in their Loyalty and affection Lastly 't is a part of their Justice as of their policy not to punish the crime of the Fathers upon the Children nor e Converso the person only which is guilty suffering I have one thing more to say before I leave it Of all States in Italy this of Venice hangs loose from the Pope most of all therefore they meddle not in the Court of Rome neither do they care to bestow Pensions upon Cardinals to have a favourable Election indeed 't is not much material to them seeing they extend their Jurisdiction upon all Regular Ecclesiastical persons within their Dominions notwithstanding the endeavours of several Popes to the contrary and they have good Laws to bridle the power of Popes within their State as I will instance only in two Cases the first is though the Inquisition be amongst them yet they have taken away its sting there being constantly three of the wisest and more moderate Senators named to be present at their Consultations and it is further ordered that nothing shall be resolved in it except there be present one of these Senators who qualifies things reduces them to moderation and in case of extremity telling the Senate must be acquainted with such and such things The Second Case is the nomination which Popes make of whom they think fit to some Church-livings and benefices within their State the Pope pretends he hath right so to do which they deny however because they will not openly cross him they have found out an indirect way which is this there is an Order that no man whosoever shall be put in possession of any Benefice by virtue of any Grant or Nomination from the Pope except the same be first approved of by the Council so that the Patent being brought to the Council there it lies till either the person who had it or the Pope who granted it be dead which maxime now being known none of their Subjects will be at the charges and trouble to Sue at Rone for any such thing The wisest amongst them laugh at the pretended Authority and Jurisdiction which Popes arrogate to themselves within the limits of their Republick he may say they play Rex at Rome and have his Patriarchal Churches namely St. Peter representing the Patriarch of Constantinople St. Paul of Alexandria St. Mary the greater of Antiochia St. Laurance without the walls of Jerusalem and set over these four St. John of Lateran representing the Pope who is over all but say they such liberty is not allowed him in the States of other Princes From time to time there hath been Quarrels between Popes and this Republick Paul the fifth's Excommunication is not yet forgotten there nor the Principles of padre Paolo and padre Fulgentio rooted out though the Gospel be not taught there in publick one may hear it sometimes in private 'T is true of late the Jesuites were re-admitted there but meer necessity of State obliged them to it though their re-admission was carried on but by few Balls or Votes the late Popes Letter earnestly entreating them to do it and saying that if he could have gone in person to ask it he would have done it was not so efficacious as the promise of keeping 3000 men at his own charges in Dalmatia for theservice of the Republick and upon occasion the use of his Gallies with some other advantages however they are still odious in that City to all sorts of people and a small matter will send them out again In a private Conversation between the late Popes and a Venetian Ambassadour then at Rome upon the question moved by the Pope Where was their Title to the Soveraignty of the Gulf the other answered him smartly 'T is upon the back of Constamines donation this shews somthing in the bottom of the Venetian hearts not favourable to Rome whence they have received so many grounds of displeasure We have seen of late how much trouble a Nuncio of the Popes at Venice was like to have raised between the Duke and Senate about the Barigello who had seized certain of the Nuncio's Servants when they had done some insolencies though he said he knew not they were his Servants and though things had been composed so that the Barigello should not appear in the Church of St. Mary where the Nuncio was to be till the last holy day of Christmass yet upon that very day against the agreement within the Church the Nuncio prevailed with the Duke to order him to go out whereat the whole Senate were highly incensed that the Duke would do such a thing without their advice and now the late grudge about the turning of the Channel of the Po another way might produce somthing were it not for the War of Candia however there remains a cause of falling out hereafter The state of Genoa BUt 't is time to speak of Genoa formerly the dangerous Rivall of Veuice History shews us the several great Revolutions of Government in this City it was by Charles the Great made an Earldom and under one of their Earls won the Island Corfica from the Saracens ' afterwards they became a Republick they asked the Protection of Charles the sixth King of France and having rejected this they submitted to the Duke of Millan and then would have withdrawn from his Obedience but he being too hard for them they were kept under till the days of Andrea Doria who having pacified the intestine divisions instead of making himself Prince of it as some think he might have done he got them the liberty wherein they stand at present This Republick is no more now what it hath been that Genoa which hath formerly been so potent at Sea as to beat the Venetians take one of their Dukes prisoners as they did in 1258. run victorious up and down taking several Cities belonging to them and block up Venice it self Furthermore in the year 1337. they Conquered the Kingdome of Cyprus took the King and Queen prisoners but restored them upon certain conditions the reason is because though the Countrey be the same yet that people hath exceedingly degenerated in those days every one minded the publick good and the honour of the Nation but now every one seeks his private ends and interests let what will become of the publick which is a meer folly for when the publick goes to wrack particular men cannot thrive very long but if all particular men strive together to promote the publick as they are members of that body so they will find the benefit of it when we have seen in the Roman Commonwealth men sacirfice States Friends Relations and Lives for the Republick when nothing was so dear to them but they could part with
Caserta who for an unhappy business was obliged to fly from Rome where he was lookt upon as the best qualified of all other Princes as to his personal worth Pope Clement the 8th a Florentine in the year 1595 bought the Marquesate of Meldola and gave it to his Nephew Ottavio Aldobrandini which is a Sovereignty this family hath lived at Rome with great pomp and much splendour where they have three or four fair Palaces now there being no Males the great Heir of that family is the Princess of Rossano married first to the late Prince Borghese his Father that now is and after to Prince Panfilio Nephew to Innocent the 10th of which she is now a widow this match with those two families is like in time to cause great clashings between them about a clause in the contract of marriage with the former both are very potent for Borghese hath 300000 Crowns a year and Pansilio little less So we are now come to late families raised at Rome by Popes Urbanus the 8th subject born to the Grand Duke by the means of his long Reign had time enough to settle his family Barberini he had three Nephews Francesco whom he made Cardinal Padrone that is Master Antonio who for a while was the head of the Family but desired at last to be made a Cardinal and Don Thaddeo Francesco was made Arciprete of St. Peters Church Antonio of St. Mary the greater and High Chamberlain and Don Thaddeo Prefetto or General of the Church this last being made the head of the family they bought him the principality of Palestrina formerly Praeneste which is now in the hands of his younger Son the eldest having voluntarily resigned his Birth right to his brother to be made a Cardinal who at present is called Cardinal Carlo Barberini he is the third of the family who hath that Dignity which is very rare at the same time and that which is the more to be admired is that he was Elected by Innocent the 10th who made it his task to persecute and destroy this family but this was the work of Donna Olympia who recollecting her self and being affraid least the next Pope might prove a friend of the Barbarines whose faction was then potent and so retaliate the Panfilio's what they had done to the Barbarines she thought it fit to reconcile both families and this Cardinals Cap was the Seal of that Reconciliation though this family was persecuted by Innocent it is still flourishing the Prince of Palestrina being already in possession of a vast Estate and in expectation of a great addition to it after the death of his Uncle Francesco who is very rich and at present the Dean of the Colledge of Cardinals and titular Protectour of the English Interest at Rome but how much more would he get if he were made a Pope as he pretends to it in case of a Sede Vacante this Princes Palace is in as good air and as pleasant a seat as any in Rome nigh to Monte Cavallo which Innocent was upon taking from them had not Cardinal Grimaldi prevented it by setting the Armes of France over the Gate But we must come to the late reignning family of the Ghigi's that Pope at first was seemingly unwilling to do any thing for his relations but at last he was as busie as any of his Predecessours had been to raise them up to this purpose he bought as we said before the Principality Farneze but afterwards he parted with it for the reasons before expressed He perswaded Father Oliva the General of the Jesuites to enduce those of their Colledge who had Authority to sell him the best land belonging to it to the summ of 100000 Crowns under pretence of getting monies to pay their debts and this was bought for Don Augustino whereat the Jesuites were much grieved when they saw their fault at a distance then did he secretly tamper to get those of San Marino to receive a Prince over them then did he proffer to Duke Muti for his principality of Rignano a Cardinals Cap and a great summe of money and after the death of Duke Cezarini he offered the Cardinals Cap to his brother and heir with 200000 Crown if he would give one of his Neeces that are in the Cloister to Don Sigismond the youngest of his Nephews and resign the principality but he not willing to marry nothing of this could take effect however the head of his family is provided for because the Noble Family of Prince Savelli being exceedingly decayed want of monies obliged him who now is to hearken after the proposals made by the Popes Agents to sell his principality of la Rizza and Albano which he did not absolutely reserving for many years to come for himself and his heirs having already a fine young Son to enter again into his right and possession paying the summe received which there is no great probability as yet to effect except in case of some very great match or of a Popedom in their family which yet is not very probable though at present there be a Cardinal of the family who had some things left him by Cardinal Mont ' alto however the Pope is dead and Don Maria who at Rome ruled the rost hath soon followed him and a spend-thrist of no parts is left after them the prsent Pope as yet hath gotten no principality for his Nephews and he hath hardly had time to do it what he will do hereafter time will reveal All Princes and Republicks in Italy do homage or pay tribute either to the Pope or to the Emperour except the Venetians who yet for some Islands pay a tribute to the Turk Namely first the King of Spain is Feudatario of the Pope for the Kingdom of Naples and of the Emperour for the Dukedom of Milan The Duke of Savoy depends from the Emperour of Piemont and Monferrat by virtue of which last he is Vicar of the Empire The Grand Duke acknowledges the Pope for Radicosans the King of Spain for Siena and the Emperour for Florence and the rest The Republick of Genoa doth homage to the Emperour for her whole state the Duke of Mantoa who is also Vicar of the Empire by reason of Monferrat to the Emperour for what he hath of Moferrat and for the Mantoan The Duke of Parma to the Pope for Parmas Piacenza Castro and Riociglione The Duke of Modena to the Emperour for his whole state so doth the Republick of Luca. The Prince of Monaco doth homage to the French King for what he hath in Fance The Duke Della Mirandola the Princes di Piorulino and all those of the family Gonzaga with the Marquesses di Massa and Torreglia depend from the Empire as due from the Pope the Republick of San Marino the Prince di Massarano the Duke di Itracciano and Earl di Petigliano the Marquesses di Moldota and di Monte and the Princes di Palestrina di Pagliano and di Farneze Now the difference of those Papal
to it by the earnest solicitations and constant importunities of Cardinals and publick Ministers yet it is well known how indulgent to them he hath been all along therefore said the Romans Alexander was as good as his word that he would not receive his Relations at Rome for he went to do it at Castle Gandolfo a house of pleasure 12. miles from it but the present Pope sent for his immediately after his Election and would make no new Creation as they call it of Cardinals nor distribute several favours till his Nephew was come back to Rome that others might have to him the Obligation of it The other thing he hath done is that he hath suppressed in part those heavy Taxes which his Predecessour or Don Mario hath laid on the people this hath much gotten him the love of his Subjects Should I now go about to give a character of Don Camillo his Brother his Nephews and other Relations it would be too much like a relation therefore I forbear it and indeed I have been so long upon this particular that I must be shorter in what follows In Rome are still some Noble and Ancient Families as Colonna which do possess three Principalities Ursini hath two more Savelli whereof the chief is perpetual Marshal of the Church and Prince of La Rizza bought by the late Pope and of Albano Muti Duke of that name and Prince of Rignano Cezarini Prince of Jansano and Ardea Conti of which is the present Duke Pauli Caetanis of which is the Prince of Caserta Son to the Duke of Sermonetta Frangipani which is extinct for the late Marquess left out one Daughter who hath been married to one of the name who lives in Hungary The others are Bentivogli Baglioni Peppuli Vitelli c. The new Families to begin with that which now Rules are Rospigliosi Ghigi Pansilio Barberini Ludovisio Borghese Altemps Cezi Farneze Aldobrandini Buoncompagnio c. raised by Popes of thâ—ir family as now Rospigliosi of Clement the 9th Ghigi of Alexander the 7th c. Matthei also and Lanti both Dukes in Rome are both of good Famiies But now Clement the 9th is dead after somewhat above two years Reign he was old and weak but the loss of Candia hath probably hastened his death his Relations had no time to rise very high and they must leave the place to his kinsman who is now to be chosen Pope about whose Election the Conclave is now much divided the Factions being great and stiff every one driving on her Interest and advantage The Cardinals amongst themselves being divided into four parties because they are all the creatures of so many Popes Urban the 8th Innocent the 10th Alexander the 7th and Clement the 9th besides the Grand Dukes Interest is great in the Conclave the Spanish is considerable in number by reason of many of his Subjects in 't but as Cardinals mind themselves more than the Crowns and as Spain is not mony'd very probably many will fall off on the other side the French having some of the best head-pieces in the Conclave and ready monys will go very far and because the last time they were disappointed and could not raise Farnese to the Popedome they will strive very hard for it The Emperour and King of Poland have also their Parties among the Cardinals but not considerable in themselves only they may joyn with others These Princes as the French and Spanish Crowns Interests are managed by those Cardinals who are their Protectors and the Ambassadours who are at Rome of late the Crown of Portugal is also come in There are also those Cardinals called Neutrals of those who pretending to the Popedome declare themselves at least not openly for no party Cardinals first of all were called Roman Priests sent by Popes to Preach and do other offices in the Churches who owned their Authorities There were but six upon their first Institution Calpurnius Poncinus in the year 231. raised their number to 10 so by degrees they were 70. but as Popes may alter the orders of their Predecessors so they have lessened or increased this number They were very inferiour in dignity to Bishops to whom and to the people the Election belonged formerly but Innocent the 2d gave it wholly and only to Cardinals in the year 1135. yet left it at their liberty to choose one of their number or another Prelate But in the year 1464. Paul the 2d ordered that none but a Cardinal should be chosen Pope Innocent the 4th was the man who in the year 1242. altered the precedency between Bishops and Cardinals to the advantage of the last the same gave them the red Hat Bonifacius the 9th the Habite and Paul the 2d the Cap of Scarlet to shew as they say how ready they are to shed their blood for the Service of the Church though I think that this colour and Purple which they use too are to set forth their Pomp and Magnificence These Cardinals are chosen by the Pope according to his intimation and some few upon the commendation of the Emperour and the King of France Spain and Poland out of the German French c. Nations according to the choice of those Princes who have liberty to commend one two or three of what Nation they please All these Cardinals are divided into three Orders six Bishops 50 Priests fourteen Deacons every one of them takes place of all Embassadours whatsoever and pretend the hand from all Princes except Crowned Heads Thus much I thought fit to speak of Cardinals especially now upon the occasion of the Sede vacante for they are met to make a new Election of which 't is necessary to say something The Pope being dead Nine days are employed towards his Funeral and other formalities depending thereupon On the ninth day after Mass is said a speech is made in commendation of the deceased the Cardinal Padrone that is Master a Title introduced by Paul the 5th but fully confirmed by Urban the 8th who is a nigh relation of the late Pope acqaints all Cardinals abroad with his â—eath who thereupon make all possible haste to come to Rome On the 10th day after the Popes death all the Cardinals who are able meet at St. Peters Church where the Mass of the Holy Ghost as they call it is sung by the Dean of Cardinals he who is of a longest standing or the next to him if he be not well there is also made a speech upon the subject of the Election of a new Pope with a great concourse of people to hear it after this all the Cardinals go in a Procession towards the Conclave following a Priest who carries the Cross the Musicians singing their Veni Creator Spiritus This Conclave is a place in the Vatican near St. Peters Church all made a new by order of the Cardinal Chamberlain or Chamerlengho all of wood which after the Election is disposed of by the said Chamberlain where a small Lodging is made for every
to trouble it and to foment and assist Insurrections in it The second is to foment Divisions between the Nobility and the people and between the Nobility themselves who being all together united could for certain drive them out and though the Napolitans Horse's back be much gall'd if he could gather his strength together he would be able to shake off the Rider The third Maxime is as much as they can doe to make great States fall into the hands of women whom they marry afterwards to Spanish Noble-Men The Chief Families of that Kingdom are at present Caraccioli where of the Duke of Auelina is the Head Caraffa of which Family is the Duke Matalone Pignatelle who had the title of Duke of Monteleone Monaldesqui Aquaviva Brancaccio and several others who have the name of Princes as Marana c. The antient family of the Princes of Salerno is extinct as to the name and their Palace at Naples which was very stately hath these several years been possessed by the Jesuites I shall not say much of Sicily 't is governed by a Vice-King at present the Duke of Albuquerque as Don Pedro d' Arragon is he of Naples This Island is known to be plentiful and as formerly it was the Granary of Italy so 't is still of part of it but specially of Maltha for the Gallies of the Order come almost every week to transport Corn cut of it Messina drives a great Trade of Silks the Inhabitants have still their est non est that is when any thing is proposed by the Vice-King or his Order after a debate had thereupon to satisfie the people they cry out non est if it be not contrary to their Priviledges if it be they say est then every one gets to his Arms. This City hath several priviledges but cannot get them confirmed at Madrid neither do the Vice-Kings dare to trust themselves amongst them therefore they reside at Palermo which was the landing place of Don Pedro d' Arragon when the moneys he had received from Lewis the 9th of France to make war against the Infidels in Affrica he went to drive Charles d' Anjou Lewis's Brother out of the Kingdome whereof he was lawful Sovereign The peoople of this Island speak a very corrupt Italian Language mixed with some words of corrupt Greek as their Luanguage is so are their manners and nature which how treacherous it is let the Sicilian Vesspers bear witness by which action they are become not only odious but also a proverb to Italy having thereby been the author of all the disturbances where-with the Spanish Nation have since afflicted those parts of the world it had been something in withdrawing from the subjection of one who though he was their lawful Prince yet he was of a Forein Nation they had gotten their liberty yet Princes may see of how dangerous a consequence is this president but to leave the bad for the worse 't is to find a pain wherein they look't for a pleasure that is to be no more reasonable than were the Frogs who rejected the Reed to have the Stork to rule over them they should have learned of the Fish how it is better to keep in the Pan though amidst boyling water than to leap out and fall into the burning flames and fire Mount Aetna now Gibello with some of his flames is still to be seen its horrid late casting up stones flames cinders as far as Catania and the running of Rivers as it were of fire and brimstone are known to all Europe Such as we cannot read ever there was the like Syracusa is not very far from it which is much decay'd they shew some old standing ruines of a Castle as they say of Dyonisius they affirm 't was in the shape of a shell in the Centre of which was the Tyrants Closet whence by the means of some pipes which conveyed the voice he heard if we believe the Tradition every word spoken by the prisoners 't is probable that such a thing may be there being things of that nature in several parts though these prisoners were at a great distance from the Closet The Spaniards govern this Land almost by the same Maximes which they use in Naples only they let them have some few Priviledges in consideration of their withdrawing from the French and giving themselves up to them nevertheless the Spaniards are much odious to them by reason of the great and many oppressions they suffer from them for the which no body pities them since they brought it upon themselves however 't is the division of the two Chief Cities Messina and Palermo about precedencie and other things which upholds the Spaniards authority in the Island for when one of these Cities stands up the other stoops and they do every thing in opposition one to another the Spaniard therefore knoweth how much it imports to his interest to see these differences continue he foments it with the best of his skill and to the utmost of his power It were in vain to speak of Sardegna seeing the people in it are become Spaniards in every thing There hapned in it not long since a great division caused by falling out between two of the Chief persons of the Island but having been both transported into Spain the Factions were dispersed and gave way to a general tranquility This is a Kingdome and therefore is Governed by a Vice-King who was lately Prince Ludovisio Of late they have stirred very much having killed a Vice-Roy for which act some have been executed which their Friends and Relations highly rescenting are causing new Disturbances so that the present Vice-King not thinking himself strong enough hath desired more Forces out of Spain specially his Enemies being potent in Cagliari hereby are laid the foundations of an eternal hatred for their Children inherit of the quarrels and desire of vengeance as of the states of their parents this had been a fair occasion for any forrein Enemy of the Spaniard This Island as that of Sicily and Naples maintain a number of Gallies which of late is much diminished for put them altogether with the squadron of the Duke of Tursi they do not come to above twenty The state of Milan VVEsterly it borders with Piemont and Monferrat Sur Southerly with the Republick of Genoa Westerly with the Duke of Parma with the Republick of Venice and the Duke of Mantoa and Northerly with the Valtoline The Dukedome of Milan is as good and as plentiful a Countrey as any in Italy full 300 miles about plain and even ground in it are many Lakes full of Fish and is watered by considerable Rivers which make it pleasant plentiful and strong Po runs by Cremona the Tanaro by Alessandria and the Bormia which is a little one not far off Adda nigh to Lodi and Ticcino by the walls of Pavia by Milan run two Channels one of which is of great use and this goes through it and both for watering of grounds whence it
is that they have so good pastures hence it is that this Dukedom doth furnish with Cheese all Italy and other places the best sort of that which goes under the name of Parmesan is made at Lodi one of the Cities of the Dukedome and its Territory This Countrey doth also produce abundance of all manner of Corn good Fruits and good Wines this goodness of the Soyle joyned to the industry of the people makes it very rich it contains many Cities as Milano Pavia Tortona Alessandria Della Paglia Novarra Mortara Vigevana Cremona Lodi Como and Lomellina every one strong and except Mortara the head of a Territory which borrows its name from the Town This Dukedome is Governed by one sent from Spain and hath the name of Governour who was Don Lewis de Gusman ponce de Leon And now the Marquess de Los Balbases These Governours improve well their time which as I said in the case of Naples is for three years or thereabouts except they be confirmed and this makes part of the misery of that people that every three years they have new and greedy Ministers who make haste to be rich and when they begin to be full they are gone to give place to one who is as hungry as they were The King of Spain raises here one Millions ofCrowns a year but it goes all for the necessities of the State In time of peace there are kept 5000 men there was a strong hold called the Fort Sandoval which commanded the way into one of the Gates of Vercelli which is but a Cannon-shot off and 't was raised to bridle that place but the Spaniards after the taking of Vercelli demolished it not long since as a thing chargeable and nor necessary but by the late Treaty of Peace with France they restored Vercelli to the Duke of Savoy The City of Milan is called the great for 't is of a large circumference full of people to the number of about 300000 and of handy-craft-men almost of all fort in so good repute amongst the Italians that when any sumptuous clothes or furnitures are to be bought or any considerable equipage is to be made to the very Liveries they send thither to have it done They work much in Silks Gold and Silver thread and make admirable good Gun-barils all this maintains abundance of weak and poor people In this place is a Castle esteemed one of the strongest in Europe well provided with Ammunition and Artillery there is a particular Governour of it who doth not depend upon the Governor of the Dukedome but hath his Orders immediately from Spain In this City is a very great number of stately Churches specially the Domo all built with white Marble they say about it are 600 Statues which cost 1000 Crowns a piece if this Church be once finished according to the design none but St. Peter in Rome will be able to compare to it till then this last will be the fairest in Europe and I believe of the world for all the great commendations given to that of Santa Sophia in Constantinople I returnto Milan and say not only there are in 't fair Churches but also sumptuous Cloysters Hospitals Palaces and other Noble Buildings A Church-man there hath a fine Cabinet full of Rarities most of his own invention and making Virtuosi in Milan have the name of Nascosti but I must not omit to say that the house which the Cartusians have fifteen miles from Milan and five from Pavia is the best of their Order Notwithstanding the Proverb thaâ— the King of Spain governs Sicily in meekness or Dolcezza Naples by fraud or con Inganno and Milan by Authority con Authorita which may be understood in relation to the strong holds he hath in it 'T is his maxime of State to Rule this Dukedome with more gentleness than the rest of his Dominions in Italy This practice is inforced by the temper of the people who are nor so willing nor so apt as others to suffer abuses burthens exceedingly heavy nor other great opresfions their spirits can hardly bear it they are of an humour free open plain and as they call it Rozzo being usually called the Lombarad's temper That which makes further the Spaniards more circumspect in this is that many Neighbour Princes would willingly receive and assist them if they came to have a pull for their liberty for they joyn with the Duke of Mantoa the Venetians with Parma Genoa Piemont and with the Grisons by the Ualteline therefore the Spaniards who knew the importance of that passage to them struggled so hard for it and set all Europe in an uproar about it yet for all this gentleness of theirs used to the Milenesi that people is not free from grievances and oppressions That Countrey which for a long while together hath been the seat of War hath been obliged to maintain in a good measure the Spanish Germans French Savoy Modena and Mantoan Forces the perpetual lodging quartering and contributing for the Souldiers hath wasted them and all this hath been a pretence for the Spanish Ministers to oppress them The Italian Proverb saith that the Spanish Ministers in Sicily Rodono they Gnaw in Naples Mangiano they eat but in Milan Divorano they devour but they bear it seeing that excepting the Republicks the Subjects of other Princes are used no better than they At first the Sforzi got this Countrey from the Visconti and the House of Austria hath gotten it from these yet the Venetians have of it Brescia Bergamo and Crema I will not shew whose right it is to have it if the Heirs of Valentina have it not The Chief Families of it are now Borromeo Trivultio Stampa Trotti Sforza Homodei Litta c. Finale is a Town well fortisied of great concernment to the Spaniard for 't is the only door they have to get into Milan from Spain Naples Sicily c. It is also a bridle to the Genoesi Portolongone and Orbitelle are also upon the Coasts the one on the Continent the other close by upon a Rock in the Sea of great importance to bridle the Grand Duke Viareggio belonging to Luea and the Genaesi The state of the Duke of Savoy THe Duke of Savoy is the most considerable Prince of Italy after the Crowned Heads He comes from Humbert a younger Brother of Saxony and a man of fortune Amede the great or le Comte Verd or Green Earl so called because usually his Clothes were of that colour as were those of his Followers by his merits and good fortune raised himself to a great credit he did great Services against Infidels specially at the taking of Rhodes from the Infidels and then he took the Motto about the Coat of Arms which to this day that Family retains F. E. R. T. signifying Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit His History is in Fresco at the pleasure-house of the Dukes at Rivoli This Family was first Earls of Moriene then by Marriage and favour of some Emperour Princes
able to divert him from it and by this constant course he hath brought himself into a capacity to endure any hardship yet this passion doth not take him off his important businesses which he is vigorous in and follows it very close He hath set days to give Publick Audience at which time the least of his Subjects may speak to him without any disturbance at all and he hears them very patiently as he is an active man so he takes cognizance of every thing and imparts all to his Lady who being a judicious Princess and exceedingly complying with his Highness she ever hath a place in his Closet as in his Bed He is a Prince very civil to Strangers and now frugal at home for he finds his Ancestors have been too free so he hath been himself but now says for a reason of his alteration that as to Frugality he cannot imitate a greater Monarch than the King of France with whom he hath a conformity of temper joyned to a natural affection His inclination to Women hath been discovered by his actings with the Marchioness of Cahours and is daily observed by those who follow his Court His first Minister of State is the Marquess of Pianezza of the Family d' Allie and Brother to Count Philip a great Polititian he is and a greater Enemy to the Protestants of the Vallies of Piemont His Son the Marquess of Livorno kept the place when he was lately retired for some distasts though under pretence of Devotion The Marquess San Germano Governour of Turin is of the same Family The Marquess Palavesin Successor to the Marquess de Fleury who was turned out for his privacies with the Marchioness de Cabours Captain of the Guards is also much in favour so is the Old Marquess of Voghera whose Lady hath the oversight of the Maids of Honour but none can boast of being his special Favourite The Princes of the Blood are few the Young Prince of Piemont Son to the Duke by this Wife and Prince Philibert with the Earl of Soissons Sons to the late Prince Thomas There is at Court a Princess the Dukes Sister unmarried there is a Natural Uncle of the Dukes Don Antonio Governour of Villa Franca and a Natural Son of the late Victor Amedeo who lives privately in France This Princes Countrey is much exposed to the French power whereby they have been stript twice and therefore his interest is to agree with France for fear of bringing himself into the sad condition which the Duke of Lorrain is in for the 18 or 20000 men which without any great inconveniencie he can keep on foot could hardly save him he is withal as handsomely as he can to prevent the French from setling in Milan for then he would be shut up by them every way The State of the Grand Duke THe Family of Medici of which are the Grand Dukes of Toscany hath not been very long possessed of that Dignity neither is it so antient as are many others in Italy when Florence was a Republick 't was one of the Chief but no more than the Strozzi Pitty and some others were Alexander began the work but was quickly dispatched by his Cousin Lorenzo then came Cosmo who was the first named Crowned Grand Duke by Pope Pio Quinto of his Family Ferdinand who left off the Cardinals Cap after the death of his Elder Brother Cosmo 2d and Ferdinand 2d who is the present Grand Duke who married Donna Vittoria della Rovere last heir of the late Duke of Urbino Some say a Physician was the first who raised that Family and that in token of it they took the Pile but 't is the Balls or Globes for their Armes they were raised by Charles the 5th the Emperor who gave Margarita his Natural Daughter to Alessandro and so forced the Florentines to submit to him The Grand Dukes are Creatures of Clement the 7th and of Charles the 5th Emperour with whose arms and countenancing they became Masters of Florence at present they are in possession of three formerly potent Republicks to wit Florence Pisa and Siena they have all antient Toscany except Luca and Sarzana hence is the Proverb which saith If the Grand Duke had Luca and Sarzana Sarebbe Re di Toscana for he hath also the Cities of Pistoias Volterra Cortona Arezzo Montepulciano and several other lands and Castles of a lesser importance besides part of the Island Alba where is Cosmopoli and Porto Ferrario When the Dukes came to the Government the Florentines had subdued Pisa wherefore the condition of that City is the worst of the three for being a conquer'd Countrey they are under the Jurisdiction of Florence but Siena is Governed in the same way as when it was a Republick owning none but the Grand Duke or the Governour sent by him thus they have nothing to do at Florence even they are used better than the Florentines who being look't upon at sactiout men and desirous of liberty are not only disarmed as all other Subjects are but are more bridled too A further reason is that the Duke doth homage for it to the Crown of Spain as he doth for Radicofany to the Pope therefore he dares not take altogether the same liberty there which he uses in other places Pisa is void of inhabitants but well seated and hath in it several things worthy to be seen the Grand Duke delights to be in 't therefore he comes to it having the conveniencie of a Forrest which lies not far from it Siena is a fineCity in a good Air with good store of people in it the Italian tongue is well spoken the Virtuosi that are there are called Intronati Florence the place of the Courts ordinary residence is a stately City and very populous there being accounted to be 100000 souls in it the Gentry in it doth not think it below themselves to follow trade which is specially of Silks so that it may pass for a rich town there are in it 10 or 12 Families accounted to be worth one Million of Crowns There are three Castles fine Churches specially the Domo which on the outside is all of white and black Marble and that incomparable Chapel of San Lorenzo for the which Marble is not rich enough to enter as one of the Materials but Jasper Agatha Porphiry c. There are further rare Palaces and the Dukes Galleries exceedingly rich the River Arno runs through it there is that learned Society called la Crusca The Grand Duke trading much underhand as its thought and being very frugal must be very rich not to mention those rich Galleries of his esteemed worth above three Millions but he draws to himself the best of his Dominion there being hardly in the World a Countrey more oppressed with Customes and Taxes than this is hence it is that except Florence where trade doth flourish and Siena where is still some rest of liberty the whole Country is the Grand Dukes very little inhabited and full of poverty
and this for fear those Toscan active wits should cause some disturbance therefore he hath several strong holds with a 1000 horse commanded by strangers and about 4000 foot besides the Militia's which upon occasion ought to be ready 'T is a priviledge of the Horse-men that they may not be arrested for any debt whatsoever so that any one that 's affraid and in danger of it uses all possible means to get in amongst them This Prince for his person is a judicious man and upon all occasions carries himself very politickly besides the general genius of the Nation the particular one of the Florentines which goes beyond others and his own natural parts Having ruled these many years he hath gotten a great deal of experience therefore he knows admirably well how to far fatti Suoi to mind and do his businesses whereat he is as a Cervellone Italiians call it He carries his whole Council along with him for he hath no constant nor fixed Councellours but upon occasson he sends for whom he pleases to have their advice but all resolutions do absolutely depend upon him so that the whole manner of his Government is to be attributed to him alone He is extraordinary civil to strangers specially if they be persons of Quality and after they have had the Honour of waiting on him he sends them a Regale or a present of Fruits Wines c. But of all Nations Germans are those who have the greatest priviledges about his person and in his Dominions strangers of other Nations having any thing to do with his Searchers and the like Officers do free themselves of toyl and trouble by saying they are Germans and at present amongst those many of that Nation who are at his service there is one who is much in favour with him He is very careful to know the affairs of other States to be able the better to rule his own to that end he spares no charges that he may be well informed of it knowing it is the deepest policie of Princes to dive into the affairs of others so every year he spends great sums of moneys to maintain the Spies he keeps abroad there being no Court and hardly any considerable City but he hath some to give him intelligences of what passes in 't He will have an exact knowledge of the state of every thing within his dominions therefore in 1645 having a mind to know the yearly Income of his Clergy he caused an account to be made of it 't was found to amount to 765000 Crowns whence one may guess he doth not neglect to know his own which is thought to be of half a Million of English pounds besides Casualities of which he hardly spends the half so that he must needs have many a Million in his Coffer Indeed Legorn alone is worth a treasure to him it being the most noted Store-house of all the Mediterranean there being at it an extraordinary concourse of Ships from all parts and 't is a place well fortified there is in it the Statue of Ferdinand the first with four slaves in Brass then the which nothing better can be seen in that kind But to return to the Grand Dukes riches he daily improves them with his frugality for to save charges he hath lessened the number of his Gallies having now but four two of which are unfit for service and to get monies he hires the others to Merchants to transport their Wares formerly his Gallies lay along the Coasts to secure them from Pyrates now they have Towers along the Sea shore where they use tolight fires when any Enemies or Pyrates appear which gives a warning where the danger is This Prince gathers monies on all hands for at Florenee Legorn and other places he receives Contribution from the Cortegiane or prostitute women for the tolleration and protection he gives them so that an injury done to any of those Infamous persons shall be punished as if it had been done to the most virtuous in the world But the Grand Duke is not satisfied to be frugal himself he hath often exhorted the Grand Prince his Son to the practice of it Son saith he Non spender ' quell ' che tu hai perche chi non ha none Do not spend what thou hast for he who hath nothing is nothing Another way of this Grand Duke to get monies and wherein lies his great maxime of policy at home is to keep his Subjects low no people in the world lye under heavier Taxes and burthens than this doth every house that is Let out payes him the tenth part of the rent every Contract of Marriage Eight by the hundred of the portion and every one who will goe to Law afore he begins must pay two for the hundred out of this one may judge of the rest this usage makes that Prince to mistrust his Subjects who are active stirring and men of pregnant parts exceedingly desirous of and breathing after liberty for 't is very hard for a people who lived a long while in a way of Republick to bring themselves to live under a Monarch so absolute and so hard as this is so that upon this account the Grand Dukes strong places are all well furnished with Armes Ammunition and Provision not only to resist a forreign Enemy upon occasion but to bridle his own Subjects which is indeed a sad case when a Prince hath as many Enemies as he hath Subjects how can he think himself sure with those who hate and fear fear him seeing any one who out of despair caresnot for his life is ever the Master of anothers specially in those parts where 't is so much used and where men are so skill'd at it and the Devil who is a murtherer from the beginning omits no occasion to infuse bloody motions into his Hirelings Happy is that Prince whose strongest fortress consists in the love of his Subjects who hath not only their hands but their hearts along with him 't is certain that of all Enemies the Domestick is the most dangerous and the most to be feared Oderint dum metuant was a fit expression for such a man as Tyberius Yet though the Grand Duke keeps his people so low he hath left them a shaddow of liberty whereat they be somewhat satisfied it consists in the use of those common Laws of Justice which they had in the time of the republick Now to the maximes of State of this Prince in Relation to his Neighbours the first is apparently to be united with Spain yet in private to keep friendship and correspondency with France which the Spaniards often times have been much displeased at and had some thoughts to resent it but fearing least the remedy might prove worse than the disease they have chosen to sit still What he doth in France the same he practises with the Republick of Venice but that which he minds most of all is to have a good number of Cardinals and other useful persons of Quality his pentioners at
of Savoy about Monferrat and other things their differences are so great that no means can be found out to compose them and here I must not omit to speak of the Treaty of Chierasco in reference to these differences thereby the Duke of Savoy is put in possession of two good Cities of Monferrat but some satisfaction is to be given for them to the Duke of Mantoa therefore the French doth oblige himself to pay the Duke of Mantoa 494000. Crowns of Gold pretended by that House from Savoy for portions but for the forenamed Summe the French is put in possession of Pinarolo and yet the Duke of Mantoa never asked those Monies protesting against that Treaty so that upon occasion this may happen to be a ground of troubles in Italy The State of the Duke of Parma THe Dukedoms of Parma and Piacenze two of the best Cities of Italy have been possessed by the Family Farneze above these 122. years after several revolutions they fell to the Church and were at last by Pope Paolo tertio given to Pietro Luigi Farneze his Son born afore he was a Church-man Charles the 5th Emperour opposed it at first but after the marriage of Ottavio 2d Duke with his Natural Daughter he approved of it besides the Dukedoms of Parma and Piacenza in Lombardy he hath the Dukedome of Castro and County of Roncigliont within the Sate of the Church which the first was pawned to and for want of paying the monies in the prefixed time it was united and entailed to the Church which is the worst that a Turk or a Jew can do a Christian yet notwithstanding the sufficient reasons to the contrary given by the Duke that pretended Father of Christians played this unmerciful trick and though of late by the means of the French King this Entail was cut off as yet they could not bring the Pope to part with it as he is obliged by the Treaty of Pisa so well these Popes agree the one to get and the other to keep Besides this the Duke of Parma hath some Lands in the Kingdome of Naples for the Doury of Margarita of Austria married to Prince Ottavio This Prince is perpetual Standard bearer of the Church to which his State is to fall incase he should die without Male Issue Although he doth homage to the Church for the whole he is nevertheless absolute for that after the homage received Popes having nothing to do in his dominions Urban the 8th was a great enemy to this Family he took Castro and had it demolished he would have ruinated Odoardo then Duke and Father to this present who was a wise and a valiant Prince but Italian Princes expressing to be dissatisfied at it he was obliged to be quiet having raised upon the Frontires of Parma that strong place called la Fortezza Urbana This Family hath given the world some men of great repute specially him who was Governour of the Low-Countries the loss of Castro hath been a great prejudice to the Duke yet he hath still a matter of 400000. Crowns a year the Apennini are as a Wall to his State which joyned to many Rivers and some strong Holds makes his Countrey considerable he keeps nigh upon 5000. men but in case of necessity he could bring into the field 20000. Foot and 1000. Horse the half he can bring forth without inconveniency he hath much Nobility in his dominions and he is very jealous of them specially of those of Piacenza because the first Duke was kill'd there What manner of Cities are Parma and Piacenza I will not describe nor the curiosities to be seen in them I name nothing only let this general rule be taken in every good City of Italy one is to see the Churches wherein consists their Glory their Palaces Gardens Houses of pleasure Cabinets c. all which are embelished with Statues Pictures in Oleo in Fresco and Mosaick works wherein Porphiry Marble and such rich materials are often used this I say to free my self from making descriptions which might make up a great Volume I only take notice that in Parma are some Academists called Innominati The present Duke Ranuccio a man of a fat complexion as yet hath no children his first Wife being-dead he is again married to the Sister of the late Duke of Modena he hath Prince Alessandro Farnese his Brother who hath been in the service of the Venetians and came off with some discontent at present he serves in Spain There is now at Rome Cardinal Farneze but he is not very nigh Kinsman I am sure he did not act the part of a good Kinsman when he found out some ways to sell his Principality of Farneze to the Pope for Don Mario for 80000 Crowns and a Cardinals Cap excluding thereby the Duke of Parma from that Succession in case the Branch should fail but an Entail having afterwards been found out the Pope called for his monies and restored the Principality however he is Cardinal by the bargain the best Palace in Rome is Farneze built after the direction of Michel Angelo Buonarotta and one of the best Countrey-pleasure-houses of Italy is Caprarola in the County of Ronciglione belonging to the Duke of Parma Till of late since the dayes of Charles the 5th 't was a constant maxime of State of these Princes to keep close to the House of Austria but Odoardo the late Duke being unsatisfied with the Earl and Duke of Olivares he left that Union and they have since sided with France as the fittest power to uphold them in their Quarrels against the Pope which will be a continual ground of troubles in Italy and an occasion of bringing the French into it One thing more is that these Dukes do more willingly make use of Strangers to be their Ministers when they find them qualified for it than of their own Subjects The state of the Duke of Modena THe Family D'Este though we put it here last is much more Antient and Richer than the two former yet according to that period which is set to Families of Princes and their Dominions this hath lost something of its Antient Greatness They derive their Pedigree from Atto Marquess of Este who took the Surname which now his Family keeps from the City Este which doth still belong to it This Married Alda Daughter to the Emperour Othon the First in the year 1000. and had with her Modena and Reggio Theobaldo d' Este Othon's Grand-Child had in the year 1055. Ferrara from Pope John the 12th which was in the Year 1598. taken from them by Clement the 8th after the death of Alfonso the 2d for want of Lawful Heirs Males yet there was Cesare d' Este whom Alfonso had from Laura Ferrarese who would have proved that his Father had Married his Mother and so that he was a Lawful Heir but the proofs of the Pope who had already taken possession of the place were the strongest Yet that Family still pretends to it affirming they come from
a Lawful Heir though Popes will have him to have been a Natural Son and this as to precedency wrongs that Family for other Princes will not grant them as Dukes of Modena only what they had as Dukes of Ferrara although their standing Dukes of Modena be from Barso d' Este who had the title given him by Frederick the 3d Emperour in the year 1460. The City hath been a great looser by this change for instead of the Seat of a Court 't is now made a City of War and of 80000. soules that were in it under the Dukes there 's now hardly 20000. However this Duke is still in possession of the Dukedomes of Modena and Reggio the Principalities of Carpi and Correggio the Earldome of Roli and the Lordships of Sassevil Garfagna and Frignano by the late Treaty of Pisa his dispute with the Pope about the Vallies of Gommachio was decided being to receive as he did 400000. Crowns for them 40000. more of damages and some other advantagious conditions all these lands with others which he hath still in the Dukedom of Ferrara yield him every year full 500000. Crowns all his Dominions joyning one to another makes him the more considerable his strength therefore consists in the number of his people the only Province Carfagnana is said to contain 80. places walled about he hath also several strong Holds upon extraordinary Occasions he is able to bring into the field 20000. Foot and 1000. Horse and he can without inconveniency keep the halfe of the number however his Country lies somewhat open to several neighbouring Princes not for want of good places of which he hath many seated at a proportionable and convenient distance one from another but because that Country lies upon an even ground in his Citadel of Modena are as they say Armes for 40000. men this City is not in repute with other Italians who call it Modena la pazza These Princes observe the general maximes of their Neighbours to have a good correspondency with Venice which was ever lookt upon as the Protectour of the liberties of Italy Since the loss of Ferrara they kept close to the Spaniards but of late their Interest made them change their affections for Duke Francis was in the late Italian War made General of the French and Mazarine's Neece married to Prince Almerigo his Son who hath left a young Prince to succeed him At present all things are done after the advice of Cardinal D'Este Protector of the French Interest at Rome and the promoter of the late Union of his Family to France He is a Prince very active and stirring who lives at Rome when he comes there with greater pomp and more splendour then any other Cardinal whatsoever he is zealous for the French by whose Friendship his family is much better with monies being enriched with the late Generalship So is the Country for in winter the Head Quarters were in Modena whereto resorted all the great Officers and a great number of inferiour ones this somwhat helped the poor people to pay those Taxes that are laid so heavy upon them at present there is one of their name and kinsman afar of Don Carlo D'Este if I mistake not a Subject born to the Duke of Savoy who is a Knight of the Order of the Fleece whom I have seen attending on the Empress at Alexandria Pavio c. The Duke of Modena hath this advantage above most Princes in Italy that he hath some of his Subjects who have Feudi Fiefs of the Empire we find many great Families in his Dominions as the rich Earls di San Paolo the Bentivogli-Ragoni Buoncompagni the Marquesses Spilimbergo Peppoli Gualengo di Vignola and Gualteri The Earls Caprari San Martino di Molsa di Maluisia Montecuculi Tassoni Ferrarese di Conoscia and few others the present Duke being very young we have nothing to say as to his person and though he were older we could say of him that which must be spoken of some others they are reserved and live retiredly so that strangers for any long while have not free excess to their Courts and Persons The state of Venice NOw to go on I must say something of the Republicks I do confess I am much at a stand when I see my self obliged to speak of Venice the abundance of matter is often to a man a greater hindrance then help when he must pick out that which is onely fit for his purpose to speak well of a Republick esteemed a miracle of Nature and a Prodigy of Art the tongue of an Angel is necessary 'T were too trivial to say that this Republick was founded above 1246 years ago by those who from Aqueleia Padoa c. fled from the cruelty of Attila they were governed by Tribunes till the year 697. at which time they made a Head called Doge and they chose San Marco to be their Protectour wherefore a Lyon holding a Book is their Arms with this Motto Pax tibi Marce Evangelista The Government was part Aristocracy and part Democracy but at the time when Pietro Gradenigo was Doge in the year 1280. It was resolved in the Senate that the Government should hereafter belong to the Nobility alone and to avoid oppositions all the Families that were in some esteem amongst the people were declared Nobles as it hath been practised afterwards upon urging occasions as in the Wars against Genoa and lately in the Wars against the Turk 100000. Crowns being paid by every one who is made such besides that he must be otherwise qualified for it In the Majesty and perpetuity of the Duke there is a shadow of Monarchy but the strength and the Authority resides in the Senate their Dominion is of a great extent In terra ferma they have Dogado La Marca Trevigiana Padoano Vicentino Veronese Feltrino Bellunese Bresciano Beragamasco Cremasco c. there is further il Fruili with many considerable Cities in it as Udine Palma and that strong hold Palma Nova Istria with four good Cities and many Lands and places Out of Italy they have Dalmatia with the Islands thereto belonging and the chief Cities of Zara Clissa Cataro and few other places in Albania in the Levante Corfu Cefalonia Cerigo Zante and some other Islands in the Arcipelago and the Sovereignty of all the Golfo from Venice to Otranto and to la Vallona which is seven hundred miles in length of the Kingdom of Candia they have nothing but the City It would require whole Volumes if one would insist upon the manner of their Government in general seeing they have been curious to gather the quintessence of all the good Laws and Statutes which antient and modern Republicks had which they make use of upon occasion they have above 60. Courts of Judicature such a diversity being necessary for them to employ so many Noblemen they have I will hardly mention the Gran ' Consiglio wherein are usually 1500. Votes besides other 500. Nobles who are in Offices else-where either by Land
one Neighbour would cross another if any thing was design'd against Luca their care hath provided against open attempts they being in a readiness to oppose them all what they must do is to take heed of surprisals The state of San Marino SAn Marino is I believe the least Republick of Europe when the Empire was transferred out of Italy into Germany this City with some others made her self a Republick it lies on the West of the Dukedome of Urbino under whose Dukes protection it remained till this State fell to the Church so that now it is shut up within the Popes Lands and under their protection yet some of them specially the late Alexander the 7th have done what they could by promises and fair means to make their Nephews Princes of it but she would not part with her liberty and though the Pope could easily force them to it yet he dares not it being certain that the Venetians and the Grand Duke would oppose him in it specially now when Italian Princes do dislike Novelities and Innovations when this Republick hath written to Venice she hath called her Carissima Sorella very dear Sister a weak one indeed for having but the City and two or three Villages besides her strength and riches are but small which must be supplyed with their care of themselves and watchfulness over their Neighbours Of the Petty Principalities THis is all as I think that needs be said upon the subject of great Princes and Republicks of Italy I must therefore now speak to the Petty Princes or rather continue it for the last Republick I have mentioned may have her place amongst these rather than amongst the great ones But I desire not to be mistaken when I call some petty Princes 't is not to be understood as if they depended from others and were not Sovereignes for every way they act as such In their Lands there is no appeal from their sentence they dispose of Life and Death as well as the greatest Princes they Coyn or may Coyn monies Elect Officers make Laws and when there is occasion for it they treat of Peace and Warre I call them Petty Princes because their States are but small in comparison of those whom I call great ones 'T is true that there are very many who have the name of Princes who are not Sovereigns but are Subjects to others the number of these all Italy over is between 75 and 80 between 90 and 100 have the titles of Dukes and of Marquesses and Earls there are above 500 but I speak onely of Sovereigns The Duke of Della Mirandola is one of this sort the City La Mirandola is seated upon the confines of Modena towards the River Po the family Pico one of the most antient and famous of Italy have been Lords of it and of Concordia since the year 1110 till now that line failed in the year 1637 and therefore another was invested of it by the Emperour Of this sort are also the Princes of Bozzolo and of Sabionetta the Dukes of Guastalda and of Novellara and the Marquess of Castiglione all within the State of Mantoa as we said before they have been such for these 100 years past and are all of the family Gonzaga he of Sahionetta excepted which in the year 1540 was given with a Daughter and Heir to General Caraffa and now in the hands of a Spaniard The principality of Monaco is another this is a strong City by Nature seated upon the Mediterranean between Nizzadi Provenza and Genoa this makes the Prince more considerable than any other of his sort there is an indifferent harbour the way up to it is very steep and difficult and several Guards to speak with before one can get to it At the comming in there is a broad place with a prospect as pleasant as can be within few miles from it is another place good enough called Menton depending from the said principality there was in Monaco a Spanish Garrison but the late Prince having partly by a stratagem and partly with help from the French driven it out he desired the French protection and now there is in it a French Garrison he is Duke de Valentionis and Peer of France whose coin is currant in that Kingdom This Princes family is Grimaldi who derive their pedegree from Grimald Son of Pipin King of Austrasia and Brother to Charles Martel this Pipin as they say gave the Lordship to Grimald in the year 713. but they were declared Princes in the year 1411. Cardinal Grimaldi yet living and brother to the late Duke was in great part the occasion of the admitting in of the French induced to it by the persecution which the Barberini suffered from the Pope at the secret instigations of Spain and by the protection which the French gave to that family whose passionate creature this Grimaldi is and also by the interest he hath gotten in France to be Arch-bishop of Aix and other good benefices he enjoys He is of an active spirit therefore he hath been much spoken of at Rome their family or a branch of it is named amongst the greatest in Genoa where some of the name are admitted to the highest charges the present Prince of Monaco is not much passed twenty five he hath married Marshall Grammonts Daughter who prefers the pleasure of Paris to the Soveraignty of Monaco Massa is in Toscany seated part ' of it at the bottom of a great Mountain part upon the Mountain and highest of all is the Princes Castle yet he is a building a Palace in the lower Town and 't is almost finished this is but a Post from Sarzana The family Malaspina possessed it along while till by the marriage of Ricarda Malaspina with Lorenzo Cibo it came to this family because she was the Heir of it They were Marquesses till the year 1499. at which time Innocent the 8th of the same family being Pope Alberico Cibo was by the Emperour Maximilian made Prince of the Empire Bonifacius the 9th was of the same family which coming from Grecia where they had possessed some Islands Principalities and other Territories they seated in Genoa there is a Cardinal of the name and family Massarana is in Monferrat not far from Veroelli this Principality hath been in the hands of the family Scala but in the 1568. 't was bought from them by the Ferreri who are at present in possession of it Upon 15 miles from Genoa is another Sovereignty the Marquesate of Torreglia it was given by Charles the 5th to Andrea Doria who had left the service of Frances the first King of France and done many eminent services to the Emperour the same family doth also enjoy the principality of Melfey in the Kingdom of Naples but not in Sovereignty This family Doria hath for 500 years been esteerned in Genoa one of the most noble if not the first of that Republick The head of the family is young at present there are two branches of it flourishing in Genoa
who hath each of them a stately Palace though one is more antient and more sumptuous than the other Another principality is Piombine in the Island Alba whereof part belongs to the Grand Duke as Cosmopoli c. Prince Ludoviso hath it now it was bought for his Father by his Uncle Gregory the 15th of the same family not long since the Princes Father died in Sardegna where he was Vice-King for Spain having layed before noble and stately foundations of a Palace in Piazza Colonna at Rome This Prince underwent his Fathers displeasure unto the time of his death by reason of a strong passion he had for a mean person in the Island At present there is Cardinal Ludoviso great Penitentiere of the Roman Church which is one of the most eminent dignities of it he is of Bologna of this Family by the side of late Prince Ludovisio's Mother he is a man of no considerable parts Speaking of this sort of Princes I say nothing of Strength Riches and Policy things so inconsiderable with them that they are to be not so much as mentioned all are under the protection of those within whose dominions their principalities stand or of some other the inconsiderableness of others and the affection of their few Subjects are a security to them and happy are they if satisfied with their condition they are free of fears and of ambition as they have little so they have little to care and to answer for they have the satisfaction to command and not be commanded and enjoy what sweetness there is giving Law without being exposed to the inconveniencies of it But now we must come to those principalities which are seated within the state of the Church and first to those which belong to the family Colonna now divided into two branches one of which hath the Principality of Carbognana whose eldest Son hath married his Sister who is at present the head of the other branch whereof however the late Cardinal Colonna who died at Finale attending on the Empress and who was Protector of the Empire was the chief and with his frugality acquitted the debts and cleared the state of his family his Nephew Don Lorenzo Colonna who hath married the Mancini one of Mazarins Neeces commonly called Contestabila Colonna because he is High Constable of the Kingdome of Naples is now the head of that branch a man whose Inclination agrees better with the French than with the Spanish temper yet he must keep fair with these by reason of his place and of the Land he hath in Naples his free and frequent conversation with the Duke of Crequi Ambassadour to Rome gave the Spaniards much jealousie some think he left Rome in part upon this account but the aversion he had for the late Popes family by reason of some discontents he had received from them was a sufficient ground to oblige him to leave Rome for two years time as he did lately he is a man who lives in his pleasure yet he hath so High and so Noble a spirit that he could not stoop to the Popes Kinsmen as few others did he hath a brother called Don Domenico Colonna and is Sovereign of Pagliano and Prince of Marini the antiquity of his family is well known their Arms are a Colonna or a Pillar crowned because Stefano Colonna the Roman Senator did crown Lewis of Bavaria Emperour in the year 1260. they say they come from Columnius an antient Roman The Rival and antient Enemy of this family hath been Casa Ursini most Noble and very antient of which was that proud Nicholas the 3 d this family hath been much decayed in her state though of late 't was somewhat restored by the means of some rich Matches made with other families which yet for want of Children may at last prove disadvantagious Their Palace at Rome in Monte Jordano is very antient the eldest of the family is now Cardinal Ursini Protector of Poland Portugal and Com-protector of the French Interest at the Court of Rome a man of no extraordinary parts who not long since was obliged to take a journey to Paris to pacifie that Court angry with him for not acting according to directions in the business of Crequi at Rome and therefore had taken from him his pension of 5000 Crowns a year and bestowed it upon Cardinal Aldobrandini who being dead Ursini posts away to Paris and obtains his desire the head of this family is now the Duke of Bracciano who is also Conte di Petiglione two Soveraignties belonging to the family by an antient gift of some Popes for services done to the Church this Duke is the head of the antient Nobility of Rome as all other Roman Princes do he stands much upon the points or punctillio's of ceremonies hence it is that lately he had a kind of a Broglio or falling out with Cadinal Sforza though some think it was not so much his fault as the Cardinals he hath a younger Brother called Don lelio Ursini Prince of Vicâ—varo Another antient family is that of Cezarini Duke of the name and Prince of Fansano and of Ardea he derives his pedigree from the Cezars the family as to a Male Issue is like to be extinct the late Duke a man of 50000 crowns a year could afford his Cook 4Giulius two shillings for his dinner and no more He appeared so high for the French in the business of Crequi out of an enmity he had for the Popes Relations that he was obliged to retire into the Kingdom of Naples till the peace was made he was one of those whom Italians call Matti porta a casa he died lately and left three or four Daughters in Monasteries who had made no profession his brother the Abbot Cezarini hath succeeded him a man of a most loose and dissolute life when I came from Rome he was upon marrying a Lady of Milan without hopes on his side by reason of his former deboistness of having any Children yet with what he had before he is worth 60000 Crowns a year Rignano is a Principality belonging to the Duke Muti of a very antient family for they derive themselves from Mutius Scevola and a proof of it is the possession of Campi Mutii wherein Porsenna was encamped given by the Senate to Mutius and his posterity The present Duke is not married though he begins to be antient he hath much squandered his state with Gaming and Women he hath a brother a Prelate and another called Marquess Muti a very ingenious person to my knowledge and of good parts their Palace as that of the forenamed family is in Rome I will make no further mention of the Sovereignty of Farneze I said what was fit to be known of it speaking of the Duke of Parma the Cardinal of that name is Prince of it I will only name the Marquess di Monte another Sovereign and the Noble Family of Caetani who have a stately Palace at Rome Of this Family is the Prince of