the same time one can hear the Artillerie of the Castel San. Angela go off there being constantly some to observe the pulling down of the Wall then all the Soldiers give their Vollies the Drums beat the Trumpets sound and all the Bells in town ring Assoon as the people hear who is chosen they run to his Palace and Plunder it it being the custom so to do but those Cardinals who are likely to be chosen before they go to the Conclave have removed the best things they have The Ceremony at the window of the Balcone being ended all the Cardinals wait upon the new Pope to his Palace in the Vatican whence every one goes home in the mean time the Pope receives no publick visits only private ones from his relations if they be at Rome and those who have been his friends in the Conclave who come to receive the effects of the promises he made to them to get their assistance for usually they engage upon such conditions of interest and preferment about a fortnight's time is allowed to prepare things in order of his being carried in a Chair on mens shoulders to St. Peters Church to take possession of the Popedom which is done with much pompe and magnificence and about a fortnight after he goes in a Cavalcata to do the same at the Church of St. John of Lateran but from the first day of his Election he begins to give his Orders about the Goverment of all his Dominions 'T is usual with every Pope to take an Oath before the Cardinals about several things the chief whereof are 1. To labour to keep peace between all Christian Princes 2ly They will promote to the dignity of Cardinals none but those who are worthy of it 3ly To call to an account all the Officers of the State of the Church when their time is expired 4ly They will not make two Brothers Cardinals which was the Decree of Julius the Second 5ly Not to alienate any thing belonging to the Church which things all the World knows how well they are observed but if Popes may as they think dispence others from their oathes why not themselves too so that after this Principle of the Popes Infallibility men who believe it must not complain against him for if he be infallible he can do nothing amiss these were the words of the late Duke Cezarini to two Jesuits who complained to him that the Pope Alexander the 7th had perswaded Father Oliva their General to fell to him land for 100000 Crowns I thought it would not be amiss to mention so much about the Election of a Pope it being seasonable now in the time of a Conclave for those who have a mind to be informed of their wayes about it for as to many other practices of that Court I wholly wave it off as are their Formalities in visits their change of cloths creation of Cardinals and things depending therefrom of their Jubilees Indulgences Blessing ofSwords Agnus Dei's and Roses Cavalcataes and Processions Washing of the Feet Beatification Canonization and so many other things which we account to be vain or Superstitious I judge it unnecessary to mention the order setled in the Popes Court and Family but withal think it not amiss to say few words about their great Courts and Offices which I will only mention they being not material for any Protestant State who have nothing to do there by way of Publick Ministers All businesses there are managed by certain Councels or Commitees which they call Congregationi to the number of sixteen The First is that Del Sant Officio or Inquisition which as all the rest hath a Secretary by whom are given all dispatches which he seals also with the seal of the Cardinal who is the President of it in it are treated Matters of Religion conducing to what they call Heresie Prophanation Blasphemy c. This ever is Governed by the Dominicans and meets three times a week on Monday at the Palace del sant Officio on Wednesday at the Dominicans Church called La Minerva and the Thursday before the Pope The 2d is that which takes cognizance of affaires concerning Bishops and Regular Priests or other of their Diocess's of this as of all the rest a Cardinal is the Head into it enter 24 Cardinals which is the greatest number of any yet never under six in any other whensoever Friars have any falling out with Bishops they presently threaten to bring them before this Congregation which meets every Friday in the House of the Cardinal President of it The 3d. is del concilio the jurisdiction of which is to give interpretation to the Text of the Council of Trent it meets every Sunday in the House of the Cardinal President of it or a Thursday if he hath a mind to it The 4th is della immunita Ecclesiastica instituted by Urban the 8th to judge of Ecclesiastical Priviledges which is kept every Thursday at one of the Popes Palaces a Cardinal being the Head of it for which the Camera allowes him 1000 Crowns a year The 5th is di stato which handles matters of State all the Cardinals who have been Nuncios and Ambassadours come in to it and the Secretary of State there is no prefixed day but it depends upon the pleasure of the Pope or his Nephew Cardinal in whose presence it meets The 6th is de propaganda fide instituted by Gregory the 15th it consults about all manner of wayes how to promote the Roman Faith throughout all parts of the World all their Emissaries depend upon this so that what Jesuits and Priests soever we have here have their mission from this Congregation whereof Cardinal Francesco Barberini is President it meets usually once a moneth upon a Munday either in the presence of the Pope or in the Colledge called de propaganda fide which is in Piazza d' Ispagna The 7th is de' Riti which judges of all differences about Ceremonies Formalities Places Canonizations c. it sits once a month and more if needs be in the House of the Cardinal President of it who is ever the Senior of the Deputies who is to summon it as do all other Cardinals Presidents of other Congregations The 8th is del acqua wherein are treated Matters concerning Rivers Channels Bridges and the like there is no certain day to meet but when occasion requires it the Cardinal who is the Head of it sends out his summons about it The 9th is delle Strade whereof the Camerlengo is the chief all things relating to the necessaries and ornament of Streets is treated of in 't under its jurisdiction are matters of Aqueducts and Fountains the distribution whereof is made by this Congregation as they think fit and convenient and meet only upon occasion The 10th is della consulta per governo dello stato di S. chiesa is of a great concernment it takes cognizance of any thing relating to the Government of the whole State of the Church all Legats
in the way to Puzzuola when one is at it and at Baya as the Elysian fields and those other things so often mentioned in the Poets nor the mount Vesuvius now la Montagne di Somma these things are out of my purpose I return to Naples and say that the Virtuosi there are called some Ardenni others Intronati and 't is to be observed that when these Societies take a name 't is either a Title of imperfection which betokens a privation or of a moral Virtue or of some habit of the Intellect and all this to shew that they esteem and study the perfection contrary to the defect signified by the name Their great Offices of the Kingdome are either given or sold according to the Kings pleasure but the last rather than the first and this for life They are the High-Constable now a Rom an Prince of the Family Colonna the high Judge high Admiral high-Chamberlain Gran Pronotario a kind of a Principal Secretary Gran Sinisculco or high-Steward and high-Chancellour all which are given some to Italians some to Spaniards All the High-Courts do sit in the City of Naples for there are the Seggi which are the Assemblies of the Nobility of the whole Kingdom divided into five Classes The first is Seggio Capoano The second Di Nido the third Di Montagna The fourth Di Porta and the fifth Di Porta nuova so that except one be admitted into one of those Seats he cannot pass for a Nobleman or Gentleman the Nobility and Gentry there differing only in Degree and not in Order now some enter into several Seggi so that to be admited in he must be past 20 years of age and have the greater part of the Votes of all the Nobles of the Seggio Out of these 3 Seggi are chosen 3 Gentlemen who with one chosen by the people make up the Body called the Magistrate of the City through whose hands do pass all manner of Taxes and Impositions which the Vice-Roy hath a mind to lay upon City and whole Kingdom they also finde out means how to bring it about There is also in Naples that Tribunal so much talked of called La Vicaria which matters of the greatest importance are brought unto and receive appeals from all parts of the Kingdom The greatest of all is also kept there called it Collaterale whereof the Consigliere or Counsellors have the Title of Regenti and for distinction-sake they wear a long gown this under the King is the Supreme Court of Justice treating of several important matters these Regenti are chosen by the King part Napolitans and part Spaniards and 't is for life It also hath a Councel of State which judges of things concerning War composed of six persons whereof three are Spaniards and three Italians half Souldiers and half gown-men chosen by the King over this as all the rest is the Vice-King whose authority is very great and the profit arbitrary I am loath to omit speaking of a custome of the Napolitans for all their reserved temper once a year at Vintage-time they allow themselves a very great liberty of jesting one with another the meanest person is then allowed to jear the Noblest man of the Land who use to begin with them they give one another all the bad names which their Language doth afford whereof the least at another time would cause murthers and stabbings This calls to my mind a singular custome they have at Rome when there is fallen some snow at which time the most reserved and vertuous men and women throw Balls one at another the Princes and their Wives practise it one with another within their Palaces Neighbours throw it through the windows into the Chambers one of another if one hath any kindness for another 't is the fashion to go under the window and throw in some as they receive some if they go by the door of any of their acquaintances and this is amongst them a token of civility and favour and so much observed that if any Gentleman or friend of mine comes to me the most vertuous woman that happens to be my Neighbour can shew me no greater respect nor kindness than to throw at him snow balls Before I speak of the secrets of State which the Spaniards have in relation to this Kingdom 't will not be amiss to speak few words of some Maximes they have in general relating to the rest of their State-Dominions in Italy At Madrid for the affairs of Italy there is a particular Council consisting of six Counsellours whereof two are Napolitans two Sicilians and two of Milan besides the President who ever is a Spaniard and now the Marquess of Vellada by name This Council was instituted by Philip the Second no other affairs but those of Italy are treated of in it which formerly belonged to the congnizance of the Council of Aragon When first of all the Spaniards came to Italy and had gotten footing in it they went about by fair means to insinuate themselves into the affection of the Nation to turn it upon occasion to their own advantage but the Italians who as they say of themselves Dormono Co'll Occhio aperto who are constantly awake stood upon their guards and observed the Spanish motion which being taken notice of by the House of Austria Charls the 5th then the Council I spake of just now under his Son Philip the second took another course and went about to terrifie them with their Arms to draw some to them with fair promises to threaten others to sow divisions amongst them but above all they lookt upon the Republick of Venice as a great let to their designs having ever appeared to be the Champion of the Liberties of Italy the troubles which this raised in those parts sometimes against Mantoa other times against Savoy c. are well known but now a constant maxime they hold is to get at Rome as many Cardinals as they can to be their friends that if possible they may every time have a friend of theirs chosen Pope the truth is they are potent in the Conclave because of several Napolitans and Milaneses who are in it the several means they have to gratifie Church-men by conferring Benefices on them within their Dominions in Italy and by selling Lands and States to others within the same besides the many pensions which they allow to several of them so that whilst the French hath but eight or ten of his side namely D' Este Ursini Antonio Grimaldi Mancini Maldachini de Rets Bouillon the greater number of them are for the Spaniard 't is true 't is very chargeable for them to keep this party and a Spanish States-Man had reason to say It were better for his King to buy Popes ready made than to make them But now in few words Spaniards do govern Naples with these few rules the first is to hold good correspondencie with the Pope not only because they do him homage for it but because he is a next neighbour much able
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
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
Governours of Cities and Provinces give an account of what things of concernment happens in their Government to this Congregation who orders them to act as they think fit yet by especial priviledge the Legats of Avignon Ceneda Benevento and the Governor of Fermo and Spoleti are free from her jurisdiction The Cardinal Padron for the time who is ever a nigh relation of the Pope and who rules all under him is the head of it at whose pleasure it usually meets in his Lodgings The 11th is dell indice into it are brought Matters of Books Printed or to be Printed to be examined Corrected and Licensed it usually meets once a month or seldomer as the Cardinal President of it is pleased to order The 12th is degli Syravii or grievances otherwise De buono Regimine 't is a Court of redress and equity this particular subjects and whole Corporations apply themselves to when they are wronged or oppressed by their Governours this Cardinal Padron is the Head of who orders it to meet at his house when he hath a mind to 't The 13th is Soprale Zecche about the mint sees all monies to be coyned and sets the price of forreign Coyns and all currrent moneys This Congregation upon occasion meets at the house of the Cardinal head of it The 14th is Dell Essame All they who are to be promoted to any Bishopricks in Italy and not one of it are to be examined by these it is usually done in the Popes presence and at his pleasure for the time he who is examined kneeling all the while upon a stool opposite to the Pope the Cardinals only are free from this examen The 15th is de negotii consistoriali about consistorial affairs of which the Cardinal Docano Senior or Eldest as to Election is the head at whose house 't is kept but very seldome because it treats only about matters referred to it by the Pope as are resigning of Bishopricks Abbeys Ecclesiastical Taxes and Impositions Having already mentioned Consistorial Affairs one is to know that the Consistory is the Assembly of all Cardinals then at Rome whereat the Pope is ever present it being kept at Monte Cavallo on Mundays Wednesdays or Frydays where more general and serious Affairs are treated of and what things the Pope is pleased to lay to their consideration upon a consistory day no Congregation is kept except it had been summoned before the Pope had intimated the Consistory and in such a case the Congregation is put off till the afternoon for Consistories are ever held betimes in the morning Of Consistories some are publick when by example hats are bestowed upon Cardinals after a publick Cavalcata or when Audience is given to Ambassadors and forraign Ministers or else private according to the Affairs they are to treat of and this last sort are kept more often than the former That which they call Collegio is the whole body of Cardinals among whom ever is one Camerlengo of the Sacro Collegio to distinguish it from the Popes Chamberlain and is but for a year there is also a Secretary a Clerk and Controllerâ— the Secretary is ever an Italian but the Clerk is one year a German another a French man and then a Spaniard But there is the 16th and last Congregation Della visita Apostolica whose care it is to see all Churches Chappels and places of devotion in and about Rome that nothing be wanting in 't tending to the necessaries ornaments and decorum thereof and to cause every thing to be duely and orderly performed in 't Besides all these Courts there is a considerable one called la Ruota composed of twelve Prelates whereof there is one German one French-man two Spaniards one of Bologna one of Ferrara one Venetian one Toscan one Milanese and three Romans They judge of all causes about Benefices whether they be in those Countries which own the Popes authority or else-where About which they use to meet in the Apostolical Palace twice a week on Mondayes and Fridayes and although the place of Auditori di Ruota be not very beneficial in it self it being not worth much above one Thousand Crowns by the year yet the Pope bestowing upon them other Ecclesiastical preserments it makes it very considerable the more as to honour that sometimes some of the Auditory are made Cardinals There is also the Camera Apostolica or Apostolick-Chamber consisting of the Cardinal-Chamberlain the Governor of Rome in quality of Vice-Chamberlain the Treasurer-general the Auditor and the President of the Chamber the Advocate of the poor the Solicitor-general and Attorney-general the Commissary o twelve Chierici or Clerks whereof four ever are Over-seers or Prefetti the one dell Annona of all manner of Corn and price the other della grajua over the price of all sorts of Flesh and Fish the third over all the Prisons which he visits with others every Thursday and the fourth is to oversee the Streets The Jurisdiction of this Court is extended upon every thing relating to the Church in the way of Bonds Leases In-comes Expences matters of Rights Customes Impositions and all Rights Possessions and Priviledges in a word when Popes were not so absolute as they are now these Camera was as the Guardian of the State of the Church to see that it should not be imbeciled wronged or a lienated so that 't is indeed the true Treasury of the Church all Tributes due to it being paid here There is also another Office called Diataria which is administred usually by a Cardinal who hath one under him called Sotto Datario throughout whose hands pass the vacancies of all benefices which bring yearly very great In-comes to the Pope who allows 2000 Crowns to the Datario and 1000 to the Sotto Datario This Office is not the same as that of the Secretary of the Pope as some do imagine for he who is properly the Secretary of State is the Popes Nephew or Nephews sometimes who hath several under him to him all Ambassadors publick Ministers make their addresses This writes and subscribes by the Popes orders all Letters to Kings Princes Nuncioes and others and signs the Patents of several Governours and other Officers of the State of the Church yet the Patents and Commissions of Legats Vice-Legats Governors of great Cities c. are signed by the Pope himself and sealed sub annalo piscatoris But there are other great Offices granted for life First The Popes Vicar now Cardinal Gimetti above 84 years of age a coveteous man who hath many Kinsmen which two things have made him lose the hopes of ever being chosen Pope His Jurisdiction is extended upon regular Priests Nunneries the Jews and deboist women which in Rome are publickly allowed for which toleration 't is the common opinion they pay a Tribute and certainly there is more than opinion in 't because every one who is a House-keeper a known Whore must have her name registred at the Office of the Vice-Gerent who is one of
the Kingdom may not send upon any occasion an Agent or Deputy into Spain without a special License from the Vice-King which he grants very seldome Neither are the Nobility free from oppressions being dragg'd into Prisons or driven into Exile upon the least suspicion that they grow too potent or are any ways disaffected The insolencies of the Spanish Souldiers and others of that Nation are not at all punished the very High-way-men and other Rogues who are as thorns in the sides of the people and who vex disturb and plague them are winked at except it be upon a jealousie of State So that that formerly flourishing Kingdom and full of all manner of necessary and delightful things is at this day brought to an utmost misery that Nation not being allowed so much as liberty of trading with strangers on selling their Inland Commodities but upon certain Conditions and a Licence well paid for and all the Gold which can be gathered there is sent into Spain which doth amount to vast sums The Duke Medina delas torres los volez told one day the Cavaliero Damenico Zane then Embassadour at the Spanish Court from Venice that in six years of his Government of that Kingdome he raised 44 Millions of Crowns to supply the occasions of the Dukedome of Milan and of Flanders Moneys are drawn from thence with a number of Souldiers to serve in the wars that are made in the forenamed Countteys These and many other intollerable oppressions caused the great and many insurrections that have been there which cost so much blood not only in the times of troubles but long after it being the custome of Spaniards to punish to the Tenth Generation those faults which have been committed against the State For all this the Nobility of that Kingdom triumphing over their miseries and boasting of their slavery are high and proud and yet gentle and courteous in their carriage though they insult over the common people they spend beyond their estates are splendid in an outward shew but frugal at home loyal to the King Enemies to the people slaves of Royal Ministers and very hard to their Vassals whom they pinch to the very bones with all this they hate the Spanish Nation Out of this one may judge of that enmity which is between the Napolitans specially the people and the Spaniards there is never a year but hundreds of these last are killed by others either at night in the streets of Naples or in the fields when Fruits and Grapes grow ripe this people and so those of Milan are grieved to see how those same Spaniards who come to them in a low and poor condition and with Capatos de Cuerda within a year or two do live very high out of the blood and substance of the Countrey So that the Spaniards being so hard Masters they keep what they have in this Kingdom only by the means of the division which is in it so they keep all what they have in Italy only because the Italians suffer them to enjoy it for fear of falling into the hands of worse Masters not that they can have worse but because they are not so sensible at injuries received from Spaniards as those which they have suffered from some other Nations not as to the things but as to the manner of doing them the Spaniard layes heavy burthens and impoverishes them and upon suspicions and jealousies of State takes away mens lives nay he attempts upon the Honor of families but he carries it with more secresie and circumspection than other lighter Nations whose manner of proceeding seems more insolent besides that the Spanish haughtiness and gravity is more sutable to the Italian temper Further Spain and other Dominions belonging to it being remote from Italy the Italians do not account them altogether so dangerous as other Martial Nations who are at hand However if the late Duke of Guise had play'd his game well in Massanillo's time and well used that conjuncture he could have given them a great check in that Kingdom but unadvisedly he left the City which was at his Devotion and he kept a number of insolent persons about him which ever undid the French affairs in Italy There goes a story of this Duke that several persons of Quality and Interest to the number of 2000 appointed a Marquess to go in their name and tell him they were unanimously resolved to stand by him and settle the Crown upon his head if he would come to them but he was fast asleep when that Person came to his Palace Who said he had matters of great concernment to impart to him but his people being loath to awaken him he was forced to stay a long while at last being awaken'd the other was called in but before he was come to the Chamber the Duke had began to Dance a Courante and would not speak with him till he had Danced which the other being arnazed at and offended said to him afterwards in few words I was come to you upon such an Errand But said he by my so long waiting here the time and opportunity are lost therefore know that Co'l balare non se quadagnano li Regni Kingdoms are not gotten by Dancing So he went to those who sent him and told them what he had seen so that every one went home and this person soon after forsook the Kingdom to avoid the punishment which the Spaniard would have inflicted upon him If this be true how did he strangely miscarry in 't for so he lost all the Nobility who afterwards closed with the Spaniard The City of Naples is great and populous they reckon that with the late Plague 200000 died in it Churches there are a Sanctuary to Malefactors which hath been often an occasion of falling out between the Vice-Kings and Card. Filomarini late Arch-Bishop for some of those having upon occasion caused these Malefactors to be taken by force out of these Churches he threatned and did actually excommunicate some for breaking as he pretended the priviledges of those Churches as if the House of God if such a name may be given to such places was to be a Sanctuary to and a den of Thieves There are three Castles in this City one is St. Elme upon a Mountain built by King Robert the first the other is Castel Novo in the Port which keeps communication with the Palace of the Vice-Kings nigh to it this was built by Charles brother to Lewis the 9th of France the third is Dell-Ovo which is upon a Rock in the Sea William the third of Normandy built it There are also several fair Churches embelished with rare Pictures and other ornaments so ther are two Cabinets worth seeing At the end of one of the Suburbs in the way to Puzzuola is la Grotta di Lucullo a way made through the Rock of almost a mile in lenth and broad enough for three Coaches when they are gotten in 't I shall not mention all the relicks of Antiquity which are seen
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
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
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
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
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
it for the good and safety of the Republick then were all things in a flourishing condition but when they began to seek their own and every one to set up for himself all things began to totter How can the parts be saved if the whole perish The Bees and the Ants natural instinct goes beyond some Mens reason they may be Hyerogliphicks to us and their example teach us to be publick spirited Men but it seems the Genoesi are not so This Republick is in possession of what was formerly called Liguria now 't is Riviera di Genoa from the City of Genoa to Porto di Luna is called la Riviera di Levante or of the East and from Genoa to Monaco 't is Rivieradiponente of the West which makes 150. miles in length though the breadth is hardly above 25. in any place 't is true that upon the ponente is Finale belonging to the Spaniarols and three places to Savoy but withal beyond Monaco it hath St. Remy and Ventimiglia towards Milan they have Gavi with a strong Castle and Novi not so good as the other they have also the Island Corsiea Formerly Trade did much flourish in Genoa but now Legorn hath spoiled it as Genoa had spoiled that of Savona they suffered extreamly by the late great plague that was there so that to make themselves amends and to keep up Trade they have thought fit to bring in the Jews by whose means they hope in time to bring Trading back again from Legorn but others are in expectation to hear how they will agree for between a Jew and a Genoese setting aside baptism there 's no difference and if they do 't will pass for a wonder But not to be tedious upon this I say that although the City be very fair and the Palaces stately it is inhabited by men then whom few excepted there cannot be worse this is the opinion which all other Italians have of them There goes a story which how true 't is I will not dispute that when the Grand Duke first of all made Livorno a free Port he gave leave of Trading in 't to all Nations as English French and to all Merchants even out of Turkey Anch ' ai Genoesi having named several Nations amongst whom there were Infidels those of Genoa are put the last as being the worst of all Indeed they are proud revengeful in an extraordinary way and enemies to strangers though out of that City they goe almost into all parts I do not think there is a City in Italy where more mischief is done than in this one hears of it almost every day In the way of Trade they are very skilful yet so interessed that there are those in it who could prefer one 5 s. to twenty lives their temper is such that they cannot agree with any sort of people nay not so much as amongst themselves their unsettledness appears in this from Earles they came to Consuli from these to Potesta then to Capitani to Governatori Luoghitenenti Rettori di populo Abbati di populo reformatori protectori duchi Nobili and duchi Popolari Civil Divisions ever regarded amongst them for they are no sooner come under one sort of Government but they wished for another When Francis the first heard they would desire his Protection Let them go to Hell said he for I am not willing to needdle with such people The Italian Proverb of them is Mare senzapesci they have Seas without Fish Montagne senzalegno Mountains and no Woods Huomini senza fede Men without faith and Donne senza vergogna women without shame yet some brave men are come out of it The Government is Aristocratical with a Doge only for two years who with the 8 Governatori is called the Signoria then the little Council of 100 men and the great of 400. they have also the Sindici Over-seers of the actions of Governours as Censors were at Rome the Doge hath a Guard which he of Venice hath not their Forces are much decayed from what they were when they reduced Venice to an extremity still they continue to be good Sea-Souldiers and keep eight Gallies which do dispute the hand with those of Maltha but they are not esteemed by Land 'T is a thing which will seem an extravagancy yet 't is a truth that there hath been persons and there are now Families in Genoa more esteemed abroad than is the Republick it self and some are as rich if not richer who keep Gallies of their own The Republick hath not above 200000 Crowns a year because part of the Dominion and of the Revenue doth belong to the company of St. George which is as it were another Republick within that yet some make the yearly Income greater but confess that it doth not exceed the Charges Silks are the Staple Commodity which they work very well in Velvet Plush Satin Taby Taffitie and the like Silk-works which they send into all the Northern parts of Europe St. George is their Champion and the Red Cross is their Coat of Armes The City as 't is usual with Republicks draws the best of the Land to it self and hath destroyed the trading of other places as Savona to advance its own In it are a sort of Virtuosi who call themselves Addormentatis the City is not strong The great secret of State of this Republick hath been to keep Herself United to and depend upon Spain since Charles the fifth and Philip the 2d of Spain to keep them to her self hath borrowed vast sums of monies and assigned Lands in Naples and Milan for the payment so that they must keep fair with the Spaniard for fear of loosing the Principal on the other side as the King of Spain hath occasion of them in relation to Finale and Milan not to loose them he allows very great use for this money so that they are even and think to have over-reached one another most of the monies which are currant being Spanish Coine it shews there hath been very great dealings between them However now the Spaniard hath much lost the Great Authority he had first amongst them for formerly they so far depended upon him that they might not receive within their City the Embassadour of any Prince but his own who might come as he did often into the Consultations of the Senate but now there is no such matter they being exposed to so many alterations there are no fixed nor constant maximes of policy among them I think 't is a Republick great by Name but small in Srtength despised by her Superiors hated of her Equals and envied by her Inferiors which doth subsist only because one Neighbour would not have another to get it the Interest of every one being to have it remain in a third hand Genoa is very jealous of two of her Neighbours Savoy and Toscany of the former who hath aimed and attempted to bring her under his Yoake of the latter by reason of his pretentions to Sarzana which formerly belonged to
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
would over-flow the banks of its just and limited power this is also the case of Italy where the French and the Spaniard have each some interest though the former not comparable to the latter as to possession of Lands but when he pleases he can pour thousands of his Subjects into it having in his hand a door into it then the differences between the houses of Savoy and Mantoa and of Parma and Modena with the Pope will be now and then an occasion for the French to meddle in Italy And although the Princes of Italy care neither for French nor Spaniard yet they care for their interest which is ever to make use of one to oppose the designs of the other So that publick persons as well as private men may learn from Italians the rules and practise of Oeconomy and Policy the greatest of Princes as the meanest of Subjects need to be frugal and saving for let their Incomes be never so great the charges of the State and their own are sometimes greater often there happens extraordinary and undispensible occasions and necessities to be supplyed or else the State will run into a palpable danger Men from the highest to the lowest have nothing but what they save and spare and let them receive never so much they will not want unnecessary occasions of laying out more then that comes to Monies are the sinews not only of war but really there cannot be any politick motion without it wherefore we use to see that of Princes he is the strongest who is the richest if he knows how to make use of that advantage by these means he will draw the greatest and the best Armies into the field and will keep them upon duty and in obedience and so in a fit posture for service the best experienced Officers and the stoutest and most undaunted Souldiers will ever follow an exact and a good pay he will not only secure his own places but also work within the Garisons of his Neighbours and even have influences upon their very Councils The rich Prince will tire out and consume him who is poor how much then are they concerned when present occasions of State allow it to lay up in their Coffers that which may serve for the future necessities of it that Prince who is in this condition is feared respected and admired at home and abroad if he hath learned well how to improve this advantage As to that part of a Princes policy which consists in this Not to discover the bottom of his heart nor the utmost of his Power we have it from Italians not the former for when the inclinations of a Prince come to be found out and his heart can be known then all his neighbor Princes will work upon him that way they will give him monies if he be covetous praises and flatteries if he be proud and vain they will go about to strike fear into him if he be umorous or in a contrary way to please him in that passion which they know to be predominant in him and hereby many a time he will be drawn to act or comply in those things which are contrary to his honour and interest At home he is also exposed to the attempts of Parasites and Flatterers who for their own ends ever study to please him in that which they know him to be most of all prone and given to by which compliance with him he becomes a prey unto them the latter part of this policy for a Prince not to discover the utmost of his power is to be learned from Italians as well as the former Some Princes and States do subsist and are upheld by credit and reputation more then by a real strength 't is more by the opinion which others have of them then by any true cause in themselves and 't is well for one never to do so much but to give others to think that he can do more for when 't is once found out how far one may go others will be more apt to cross him and will take courses sutable to their designs against him so that in this a Prince lies open to the attempts of others Another thing neecssary for publick and private persons to be learned from Italians as much as from any other Nation is Not to discover the utmost reach of ones capacity and of that faculty of the soul called understanding or intellect this learned men do so observe that in the solution of questions though sometimes they have said as much as they are able yet they will tell one that much more might be said to that purpose and the like for above all things they would avoid to be suspected of ignorance by others seeing they make an open profession of learning So 't is a matter of high concernment to Princes to be accounted to be men of parts judicious and understanding which are qualifications necessary to those who rule Kingdomes and Nations therefore they are so careful not to give the least grounds to make people suspect they want abilities to govern seeing nothing can be so injurious and prejudicial to them as to be accounted soft and shallow heads Solomon the wisest of Kings pronounces a woe to that land whose Princes are children not so much in years as in wisdom and understanding as was his son Rehoboam who was said to be young at 40 years of age for want of knowledge and experience a wise Prince therefore will chuse not to speak at all rather then not to speak to the purpose upon a subject hence it is also that he sits in Council not only to hear the several advices given him there but also to judge of them himself and having digested it in his mind to give them a form chuse the best and be himself the Author of his resolutions in consequence of Councils given him which thus he makes to be his own It is then a great part of wisdom to conceal his ignorance and in capacity of any things specially of those which ought to be known and to give as good opinion as one can of his abilities and rather forbear speaking of a thing then not to do it well or instead of praises which every one is desirous of one brings himself into slight and contempt for I think that one of the greatest discommendations of a man is this he was so put to it that he knew not what to say Silence also and Secreste which are qualities so essentially necessary to all sorts of persons are to be learned from the same Nation as nothing makes a man so vile and so contemptible as not to be able to hold his peace an imperfection and defect to be excused only in children fools and drunken persons so nothing argues so much the infidelity and rashness of a publick person as the revealing of secrets as I am the Master of my own secret I may declare it to a friend but my friends secret I may not tell it to another because 't