The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz Volume II Part 3

Divine Service is perform'd with very great Pomp in all the Churches, but particularly in the Pope's Chapel. Were I to give you an Account of all the Ceremonies therein observ'd, it wou'd take me up another Day. I will, in due Time and Place, give you a Narrative of the Ceremonies of the Holy Week, which, tho' I was present at once before, during the Pontificate of _Clement_ XI. I am very desirous of seeing again, that I may be the better enabled to relate them to you hereafter. I am, _&c._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

LETTER x.x.xII.

_SIR_, _Rome, June 15, 1731._

Tho' the first Promotion of Cardinals by _Clement_ XII. was made the Close of the last Year, yet I had so many other Matters to entertain you with, that I deferr'd giving you an Account of that Ceremony till now. This Promotion was made in Favour of three _Nuncios_, (who, by the way, never quit their Nunciatures, but for the sake of being made Cardinals) I mean the _Nuncios_ in _Germany_, _France_, and _Spain_, and Signior _Ruspoli_, the Pope's Kinsman. The latter might have had the Hat during the Pontificate of _Benedict_ XIII. his Father having obtain'd it for him of Cardinal _Coscia_, on the Promise of thirty thousand Crowns; but being appriz'd of the Bargain, which his Father had made with _Coscia_, he went to _Corsini_, then a Cardinal, and now Pope, who was his Father's Friend and Kinsman, and having told him what had pa.s.s'd betwixt his Father and _Coscia_, intreated him to frustrate the Contract, saying, that he wou'd never accept of a Hat, unless he had it from the Pope's mere Good-will.

Cardinal _Corsini_ being charm'd with the generous Temper of young _Ruspoli_, took Care to vacate the Bargain; and now that he is seated in St. _Peter_'s Throne, he has preferr'd _Ruspoli_ over the Heads of many Prelates, who have grown grey in the Service of the Holy See.

This Promotion was made at _Monte-Cavallo_. The Pope had declar'd in a private Consistory, that he was resolv'd to make five Cardinals, _viz._ the three _Nuncios_ above-mention'd, Signior _Ruspoli_, and a Fifth, whom he reserv'd in _Petto_. The Cardinal Secretary of State, for want of a Cardinal Nephew, immediately dispatch'd Couriers to the _Nuncios_ to carry them the News of their Promotion, and likewise sent to acquaint _Ruspoli_ of what had pa.s.s'd. This Prelate, who waited for the good News in the Apartment of the Cardinal Secretary of State, went immediately up the Back-Stairs to the Pope, and thank'd him for the Favour he had just done him, and then return'd to his Palace, where he receiv'd the Compliments of all the n.o.bility. In the Afternoon he went and paid a Visit to Signior _Neri Corsini_, _Clement_ XIIth's Nephew, the Man whom the Holy Father had reserv'd in _Petto_. On the _Thursday_ following there was a public Consistory, in which the new Cardinal, who, till that Day, had, according to the Ceremonial, been oblig'd to keep his Chamber, and to be dress'd in Purple, receiv'd the Hat from the Pope's own Hand. His Eminency repair'd in the Morning to the Chapel of _Monte-Cavallo_, while the Cardinals were a.s.sembled in the Chamber of the Consistory. He was join'd in the Chapel by these Cardinals, _viz. Barberini_, who represented the Dean of the Sacred College; _Ottoboni_, the Great Chancellor; _Albano_, the Chamberlain; and _Cienfuegos_, Treasurer of the Chapel. Their Eminencies, after great Compliments, led their new Collegue towards the Altar, and gave him the usual Oath of Fidelity to the Holy See. They return'd from thence into the Hall of the Consistory, and the new Cardinal was left alone in the Chapel, with his _Caudataire_, or Train-bearer, and a Master of the Ceremonies.

During this, the Cardinals went, and made their Obedience to the Pope, by kissing his Hand; after which two of the Cardinal Deacons went to fetch Cardinal _Ruspoli_, and introduced him into the Hall of the Consistory. As he enter'd within the Bar, he made a low Bow to the Pope, who was seated at the other End on his Throne; he made a second Obeisance in the Middle of the Hall, and a third at the Foot of the Throne; after which he fell on his Knees, and kiss'd both the Foot and Hand of the Holy Father, who rais'd him from the Ground, and embraced him. The new Cardinal went afterwards, and embraced his Collegues, according to the Order of their Seniority, and then return'd and fell on his Knees again to the Pope. A Master of the Ceremonies drew the Cowl over his Head, and the Pope put on his Hat, which was taken off in a Moment by the Master of the Ceremonies.

The new Cardinal now kiss'd the Holy Father's Foot and Hand a second Time; and the Pope, rising from his Throne, retired to his Chamber, whither _Ruspoli_ followed him, and after having thank'd him for the Honour he had done him, went and rejoin'd the Cardinals in the Hall of the Consistory.

This done, they went in Procession, with the Pope's Music playing before them, to the Chapel, where _Te Deum_ was sung; after which the Cardinals went into the great Room that is before the Chapel, call'd the _Royal Hall_. There they form'd a Circle, where the new Cardinal thank'd his Collegues for the Honour they had done him, by admitting him for a Brother, and then they all retir'd. When _Ruspoli_ came home, he there found a Gentleman of the Pope's Privy-chamber, who brought him the Hat, which the Pope had just before put upon his Head, in a Silver Bason. When Dinner was over, the new Cardinal repair'd with a great Train to St.

_Peter_'s Church; after which he went and paid his Respects to the Pretender to the Crown of _England_, and to the Princess his Wife; he also made a Visit to the Cardinal Dean; and on the Days following he visited the whole Sacred College, without regard to their Rank.

A Week after the public Consistory the Pope held a private one, in which he both shut and open'd the Mouth of Cardinal _Ruspoli_. At the former Ceremony, the new Pope kneeling at the Holy Father's Feet, his Holiness laid two Fingers on the Cardinal's Mouth, and strictly injoin'd him not so reveal to any body what shou'd pa.s.s in the Consistories at which he shou'd be present. This closing up of the Mouth formerly depriv'd the Cardinals of either speaking or voting, whenever it happened that they enter'd the Conclave before the Pope had open'd their Mouths; which might sometimes be the Case, because the Popes generally left an interval of some Days between the Ceremony of shutting the Mouth, and that of opening it. But _Pius_ V. declar'd by a Bull which he publish'd the 26th of _January_ 1571, that the shutting of the Mouth being a mere Ceremony, it shou'd not exclude the new Cardinals from giving their Votes, or speaking.

Cardinal _Ruspoli_ being now upon his Legs before the Pope went and took his Place among the Cardinals: At the same time the Holy Father p.r.o.nounc'd the Words _extra omnes_, which are repeated by a Master of the Ceremonies, and oblige all but the Cardinals to turn out. Then the secret Consistory was held, after which the Doors were set open, and every body re-enter'd the Room. The new Cardinal went again, and threw himself at the Pope's Feet, who open'd his Mouth, by giving him the Power both of Voting and Speaking. At the same time he nominated the Church of which he was to bear the t.i.tle, and this he did by putting on his Finger a Gold Ring adorn'd with an oriental Saphir, for which the Cardinal, according to a Custom establish'd by _Gregory_ XV. is to pay five hundred Crowns of Gold to the College _de propaganda fide_. With that the Ceremony ended. In the Evening the Palaces of the Cardinals, the Princes and the Foreign Ministers, and those likewise of the other Persons of Quality, were illuminated as they had been on the Day of the Promotion.

There are, as I have observ'd, two Sorts of Consistories, the one Public, the other Secret, and they are both notify'd to the Cardinals by two of the Pope's Ushers, who receive the Order directly from the Holy Father himself. These Ushers give previous Notice also of all the public Chapels to be held, of all Processions, Cavalcades, and other Ceremonies. They wear Gowns of purple Cloth, and carry a black Wand. They speak to the Cardinals on the Knee, in these Terms, _Eminentissime Domine, Crastina Die, Hora, &c. in Palatio Apostolico erit Consistorium secretum_, or, _fiat Processio._ They have this Privilege, that the Cardinals must not let them wait a Moment; but are oblig'd to admit them, in what Plight soever they are, to receive their Messages standing, and to veil their Bonnet to them. These Ushers have the Privilege also, that when they find a Cardinal at Table, they may carry off the best Dish, unless the Cardinal chuses rather to give them a Couple of Pistoles.

This Consistory is in a proper Sense the Pope's Council of State, wherein he deliberates secretly with the Cardinals on the most important Affairs of the Holy See. After the Pope has therein given a particular Audience to each Cardinal, the Bishops are therein nominated to vacant Sees, and the Palls conferr'd upon the Archbishops. Every thing that has been treated of in the consistorial Congregations, is there determin'd, as is, in short, every thing whatsoever relating to the Welfare of the Church, both in Spirituals and Temporals: And this is what is call'd the Secret Consistory. In the Public Consistory, the Pope receives the Amba.s.sadors that come from Tributary Countries, and delivers the Hat to the new Cardinals. The Pope has the Power of a.s.sembling the Consistory as often as he thinks fit, and on that Day all other Congregations are suspended. In this Public Consistory, the Pope's Throne is rais'd much higher than ordinary, and the Cardinals sit on high Benches, with their Train-bearers plac'd at their Feet. The Constable _Colonna_, in Quality of first Prince of the Throne, stands on the Right-hand of it, which is a Post of Honour that he yields to none but the Pope's Nephews. The Amba.s.sador of _Bologna_, and the Conservators of ROME, in Robes of Gold Tissue, are plac'd on both Sides of the Throne, about which are also the Pope's great Officers. The Holy Father is supported by two Cardinals, one on the Right, the other on the Left of the Throne, sitting on Stools.

When the Pope declares he has a Cardinal in _Petto_, tho' he names him not, he is always sure to be a Cardinal, and walks even at the Head of all those that are to receive the Hat before him. When it happens that the Pope dies ere he has declar'd him in Public, 'tis sufficient if the Holy Father leaves a Note behind him, wherein he says, that the Person whom he declar'd a Cardinal in _Petto_, is such a one; or if two Cardinals attest that they heard the deceased Pope say, who was the Man that he had nominated in _Petto_.

The Dignity of a Cardinal is look'd upon here as the greatest Thing in the World. There are no Cabals nor Intrigues of any kind, which the Prelates of this Court don't form to obtain it; and a Family at ROME never thinks its Fortune made, if it has not some Cardinal of its own Name. This is so true, that one of the first Princes in ROME, who did not want a Hat in his Family, for the sake of ill.u.s.trating it, did nevertheless, during the Pontificate of _Benedict_ XIII. purchase one for his Son, of the Cardinal _Coscia_, at the Price of eighty thousand Crowns. But 'tis mere Ambition only that can make a Man wish to be a Cardinal; for the Life which those purple Gentry lead, is, as 'tis here said, the most melancholy in the World; every thing they do at home is by Compa.s.s and Measure; they are continually under Uneasiness and Constraint, oblig'd almost every Day to be present at Chapels, Congregations, and Consistories, must give and receive Visits of Ceremony, a.s.sist at the Festivals of the Church, at the taking of Habits, granting of Audiences; in short, a Cardinal who minds his Profession, has not an Hour in the Day that he can call his own. 'Tis true, that an infinite deal of Respect is paid to them; but what signify such empty Honours, attended with a perpetual Constraint, to a rational Man, who is moreover a n.o.bleman by Birth, and does not forget that he is but a Man? I am sure, there are above four Cardinals to whom their Grandeur is a Burden.

When a Cardinal goes abroad with a great Train, which is here call'd _in Fiochi_, he must have three Coaches. That in which he rides himself goes foremost, preceded by all his Livery Servants, and a Footman carrying an Umbrella under his Arm. All that meet him, tho' they are Princes, must stop for him; and when two Cardinals meet one another riding out after this manner in State, they must both stop their Coaches, and compliment each other, and then the oldest pa.s.ses on first. When the Cardinals thus ride out with this Ceremony, they are dress'd in long Robes of Scarlet, except in Time of _Lent_, when they are of Purple. Their common Dress is that of an Abbat, with a red Bonnet and Stockings; and 'tis in this Habit they make their familiar Visits, without any Retinue, and with the Curtains of their Coach drawn. The best way of seeing them, after a Person has been once introduc'd to them, is to attend in their Train, when they go to any public Function, or to make any Visit of Ceremony. The Cardinal, when he takes Coach, salutes those who are to ride with him. The most honourable Place in it is by the Side of the Cardinal, the second upon a Seat in the Boot or the Coach, next to his Eminency, and so of the rest.

As to the vehement Outcry in our Part of the World against the Luxury of the Cardinals, I really think it unjust; for I can't see wherein it consists. Their Houshold is not over and above numerous. Their Domestics are generally a _Maitre de Chambre_, an Officer who they say is tantamount to the great Chamberlain of our Electors; a Cupbearer; a Train-bearer; one or two Gentlemen; two or three Priests; as many _Valets de Chambre_; eight or ten Lackeys; three Coachmen; eight Horses, and three Coaches. Their Furniture is red Damask very plain. They keep so frugal a Table, that they commonly allow their Cook but one or two Testoons a Day to defray the Expence of it, exclusive of the Bread, Wine and Fruit; for they always eat alone. None but the Cardinal Ministers keep an open Table at any time; and of these, not one does it at present, but the Cardinal _de Polignac_, the Minister[7] of _France_: For the Cardinal _Cienfuegos_, the Emperor's Amba.s.sador, has retrench'd his Table, by reason of his great Age; as has the Cardinal[8] _Bentivoglio_, on account of his Infirmities.

I can't help thinking there's much more Reason to exclaim against the ridiculous Pretension of the Cardinals to an Equality with crown'd Heads, and to take Place of Sovereigns, tho' a Cardinal is often but an ordinary Man at first, only rais'd to the Purple by good Fortune, and the Favour of the Pope; of which we have living Instances in two Creatures of the last Pontificate, the Cardinals _Fini_ and _Coscia_. That such Cardinals shou'd presume to have the Precedency of an Elector of _Bavaria_, or of _Cologne_, of a Duke of _Lorain_, and in short, of every Prince whatsoever, is what, notwithstanding all my Respect to the Sacred College, I must own to be an Absurdity. That these Cardinals have conceiv'd such a high Opinion of their Dignity, is owing to the excessive Complaisance of the Princes of _Italy_, who every-where give them the upper Hand; and a Cardinal takes so much State upon himself, that he refuses the Precedency in his own House, to a Sovereign Prince of _Italy_. Our Princes on the other Side of the Mountains are perhaps as staunch Catholics, and as much devoted to the Holy See, as the _Italian_ Princes are; yet they don't pay this Homage to the Cardinals. And indeed, what Reason is there for it? We have seen Cardinals in the Service of Sovereigns; and I dare affirm, there are very few of 'em that wou'd refuse to be Pensioners to an Elector of the Empire.

When one Cardinal makes a Visit to another, the latter receives the Visitant at the Coach-door, and conducts him into the Chamber of Audience, where they both place themselves in Arm-chairs, under a Canopy; and after having been a few Minutes by themselves, the Gentlemen of the Cardinal that receives the Visit, bring them Ice, Chocolate, and Sweetmeats. When the Stranger goes away, the other waits on him to the Coach, lends him a Hand to put him into it, and even shuts the Coach-door. They give one another the t.i.tle of Eminency, but in all their Interviews there's a great Air of Constraint.

The complete Number of Cardinals is Seventy. They are the Pope's Counsellors in ordinary, and have the Right of electing him. They are distinguish'd into three Orders, _viz._ Six Cardinal Bishops, fifty Priests, and fourteen Deacons. Their Number was fix'd by Pope _Sixtus_ the Vth. The first Cardinal Bishop is styl'd Dean of the Sacred College. He that is so now is Cardinal _Pignatelli_, Archbishop of _Naples_. This Dean, the first Cardinal Priest, and the first Cardinal Deacon, are styl'd _Chiefs of the Order_; and as such they have the Prerogative of giving Audience to Amba.s.sadors, and to the Magistrates of the Ecclesiastical State, during the Vacancy of the Holy See. _Innocent_ the IVth, while the Council was held at _Lyons_, made a Rule that the Cardinals Hat shou'd be red, to denote that they were always ready to shed their Blood for the Liberties of the Church. _Boniface_ the VIIIth order'd that they shou'd wear scarlet Robes. _Paul_ III. requir'd that their Bonnets shou'd be of the same Colour; and _Urban_ the VIIIth granted them the t.i.tle of Eminency, which before that was only given to the Ecclesiastical Electors of the Empire, and to the Grand Master of _Malta_. The Council of _Trent_ own'd it to be the Right of all Nations, to put in for the Dignity of Cardinal; but those who push for it with the greatest Success, are the Kindred of the reigning Pope, the _Nuncios_ in _Germany_, _France_ and _Spain_, the Auditors of the Rota, the Clerks of the Chamber; and in fine, many of the Pope's Great Officers.

There are few Examples in History of Cardinals that have quitted the Hat.

The first that had a mind to do it, was the Cardinal _Ardicinio_; but Pope _Innocent_ VIII. refus'd to consent to it, at the Remonstrance of the Cardinals, who represented to him, that the Church ought by no Means to be depriv'd of so good a Subject. Some time after this, Cardinal _Borgia_ resign'd his Dignity to _Alexander_ VI. The Cardinal _Henry_ of _Portugal_ quitted his too, for the sake of succeeding to his Brother,[9] the King _Don Sebastian_. After him, _Ferdinand de Medicis_, upon the Death of his Brother _Francis de Medicis_, without Issue Male, preferr'd the Sovereignty of _Tuscany_ to the red Hat, which he restor'd to Pope _Sixtus_ V. There are also several Instances of Persons who have preferr'd an austere Retirement to the vain Grandeur of the Purple, particularly Cardinal _Maurice_ of _Savoy_, _Ferdinand_ and _Vincent Gonzague_, _Francis_ of _Lorain_, _Camillus Pamphili_, _John Casimir_ of _Poland_; and _Gabriel Filippuci_ of _Macerata_, so lately as in the Pontificate of _Clement_ XI. This Resignation of the Hat cannot be made without the Pope's Consent to it; and when this is done, the Cardinal who renounces it must pay the Officers of the Apostolical Palace the same Sum, as his Heirs wou'd be oblig'd to pay, if he was dead.

There being a Hat vacant by the Exaltation of every Pope, they commonly honour one or other of the Pope's Family with it who advanc'd them to the Purple; which is what they here call _Rest.i.tution_; and when they omit this Piece of Respect, they are accus'd of Ingrat.i.tude. _Clement_ XII. has not yet made this _Rest.i.tution_ to the _Albano_[10] Family, tho' he has promoted half a score Cardinals. He thought it was more natural to confer that Dignity on his Kindred and Friends; and at the last Promotion which he made, he contented himself with making an Apology to the _Albani_, because he did not restore their Hat to them for that time, a.s.suring them, that he wou'd take care to satisfy them, at the very next Promotion. The _Albani_ were oblig'd to set a good Face on a bad Game; but I would not give them much for the Hat they are like to have of _Clement_ XII. for you are to take Notice, that the Pope is fourscore Years of Age; that he is afflicted with the Gout and other Ailments; that there is not one Hat vacant, and yet the Holy Father hopes to live to make another Promotion, and then to satisfy the _Albani_.

The Pope pretends to the Prerogative of deposing the Cardinals, but they deny it. Be this as it will, there's hardly an Instance that the Popes ever exercis'd this Act of Authority. _Clement_ XI. had an Intention indeed to haue depriv'd Cardinal _Alberoni_ of his Hat, because when the Cardinal was the Minister of _Spain_, he employ'd that Money against the Emperor, which the Pope had permitted him to levy upon the Clergy for the War against the _Turks_. But _Clement_ XI. met with so much Opposition from the Sacred College, that he cou'd not accomplish it, and died.

Whether _Clement_ XII. will succeed better, and whether he will ever be able to deprive _Coscia_ of his Hat, which is what he seems to be very much set upon, I know not; for he too is thwarted under-hand by a great many of the Cardinals, who, as unworthy as Cardinal _Coscia_ is of the Purple, are not willing that he shou'd serve as an Example for the future.

The Pope is also too old to see the Issue of this Process, which, tho' it has been fifteen Months depending, is not yet very far advanc'd. Cardinal _Coscia_ is retir'd to _Naples_. He has been very much blam'd for quitting ROME, and People who know the Tricks of this Court, have a.s.sur'd me that he might have stay'd here safe enough. As for my own Part, if I had been the unfortunate Cardinal _Coscia_, I wou'd have retir'd, but not in the Manner that he did. Moreover I promise you, that were I in the Case that he is now, they shou'd cite me long enough before I wou'd be seen at ROME; and I think, whoever advis'd him to the contrary, was in the wrong[11].

You know that immediately after the Death of Pope _Benedict_ XIII. the Populace ran to _Coscia_'s Palace, plunder'd it, and wou'd have torn the Cardinal Limb from Limb, if he had not escap'd by a Back-door; after which, he disguis'd himself, and left the City. He ought not to have come back again, or else he shou'd have got a safe Conduct from his Collegues, whereby he might have been sure of a Permission to retire to his Archbishop.r.i.c.k of _Benevento_, after the Election of the new Pope; but he did not take this Precaution. He came and a.s.sisted at the Conclave, and afterwards went to live in his Palace. The new Pope threaten'd him with the Castle of _St. Angelo_; whereupon he was frighten'd, and march'd out of the Country; which is charg'd upon him as a Crime, because a Bull of _Innocent_ X. of the _Pamphili_ Family, publish'd the 19th of _February_, 1646, injoins, that no Cardinal shall depart out of the Dominions of the Holy See, without Leave of the Pope; with this Clause moreover, that the Cardinal who disobeys it shall be summon'd three times in the s.p.a.ce of fifteen Months, _viz._ once at the End of each six Months, and the last Time at the End of three Months after the second Citation; and if then the Cardinal be still obstinate, and does not return, he shall be depriv'd of the Hat. _Coscia_ has as yet been cited but once, and does not seem inclin'd to return, tho' his Acquaintance don't stick to affirm that he will. Mean time, he has been depriv'd of the Archbishop.r.i.c.k of _Benevento_, which the Pope has conferr'd on[12] M. _Doria_, the first Gentleman of his Bed-chamber; a Thing so unusual, that Cardinal _Coscia_ complain'd of it bitterly, tho' to no manner of Purpose. I question whether the Cardinal will ever come hither again, even tho' the Pope were to give him his Pa.s.sport: And really, what happen'd to M. _Targa_, his Brother, is enough to deter him; for this _Prelate_ coming to _Venice_, after he had been at _Vienna_, soliciting the Emperor's Protection for himself and his Brother in vain, the Pope order'd him to return to ROME; which, after having desir'd, and obtain'd Promise of a Safeguard for his Person, he did accordingly, and took up his Lodging in a Convent. But two Days after this, the Pope sent him an Order to remove to another, and not to stir out of it without his Leave. _Targa_ yields Obedience, and the Monks, to whose Guard he was committed, watch him narrowly; yet for all this, there came certain Soldiers one Night, who carry'd him off to the Castle of _St. Angelo_; which seems to be the very Safeguard that the Pope intended by his Promise; for there he is closely confin'd, and can speak to n.o.body. These severe Acts of Justice are frequent in the Pontificate of _Clement_ XII. who taking a Fancy to undo every thing that was done by his Predecessor, on Pretence that the said Pope alienated the Rights of the Holy See, we hear of nothing but Writs and Attachments. The wisest Men, or, if you will, the greatest Criminals, get out of the Way, while others suffer themselves to be arrested, as did Signior _Sardini_, who was impeach'd of having put the late Pope upon making a Treaty with the King of _Sardinia_, by which the Holy Father granted that Prince the Nomination to all the Bishop.r.i.c.ks and Benefices in his Kingdom. This Prelate was arrested in his House in the Night-time, and committed to the Castle of _St. Angelo_, where he is kept a Prisoner of State[13]. Not many Days before he was arrested, all his Papers were seiz'd, which he desir'd to have again for the Vindication of his Conduct, but they were refus'd. Some Days ago the Pope sent to tell him, that he had his Leave to justify himself, if he cou'd; to which _Sardini_ made Answer, That he had nothing to say; that the Pope shou'd be his Judge, and Cardinal _Corsini_, his Holiness's Nephew, shou'd be his Advocate: But all this has stood him in no stead; he is still in Prison, and 'tis said, that the Pope will either behead or pardon him.

Some time ago Cardinal _Ottoboni_ made Interest for one _Nocera_, a Canon, who was in Trouble also upon _Sardini_'s Account; and he desir'd the Pope that he wou'd please to call in the Writ issued for attaching the Person of _Nocera_, who was retir'd to a Sanctuary at _Albano_. The Pope made Answer to the Cardinal, That he was sorry he cou'd not grant him his Request; but that he wou'd not charge his Conference with the Sin of having suffer'd Iniquity to pa.s.s with Impunity. 'We are old, _said the Holy Father_; and our Age tells us, that it can't be long before we shall appear at G.o.d's Tribunal; therefore we are desirous of so behaving, that we may hope there to find Mercy; but this is what we dare not expect, if we don't let Justice take its Course. Who knows, my dear Cardinal, whether we shall live till To-morrow?' 'Your Holiness, _reply'd the Cardinal_, ought not to think of dying so soon: For G.o.d generally grants to great Princes two Stages of Life, one wherein to display their Justice, and the other their Mercy. He has permitted your Holiness to finish the Career of Justice, and 'tis to be hop'd, that he will also permit you to run that of Mercy.'

I will conclude my long Letter with a very curious Anecdote, which I had from Cardinal _Imperiali_, who has had the Purple so long, that he is actually grown grey in it. As he was talking one Day of the Bull of _Innocent_ X. which forbids the Cardinals from departing the Ecclesiastical State without the Pope's Leave, he told me, That _Innocent_ X. fulminated this Bull by reason of the Elopement of Cardinal _Astalli_, his Kinsman, when he went to deprive him of his Hat. What gave Occasion to all the Rout was this: After the _Portuguese_ had shook off the Yoke of the _Spaniards_, and restor'd the _Braganza_ Family to the Throne, the King of _Spain_, who always took the t.i.tle of King of _Portugal_, pretended that 'twas his Right to nominate to the Bishop.r.i.c.ks and Benefices that became vacant in _Portugal_. The Pope was at that time in so much Subjection to the _Spaniards_, that this Plea of their Monarch perplex'd him sadly. At last he thought of extricating himself out of this Difficulty, by referring it to a Consistory to nominate to the _Portuguese_ Bishop.r.i.c.ks, and he resolv'd to a.s.semble one with all Speed for that Purpose. He imparted his Design to no Person but the Cardinal Secretary of State, and the Cardinal _Astalli_, whom he injoin'd not to speak of it on Pain of Death. The Evening when the Consistory was to be summon'd for the next Day, the Amba.s.sador of _Spain_ made such an earnest Application for an Audience of him, that he durst not refuse it. The Minister therein told him, That he was inform'd of his Design; and at the same time protested against every thing that shou'd be done in the said Consistory, contrary to the Pretensions of the King his Master. The Pope, very much incens'd that his Secret had taken Wind, suspected that he had been betray'd by his Secretary of State, and he reproach'd him for it bitterly, threatning him with the Loss of his Head. The Minister swore, that he had not reveal'd it to the _Spaniard_; and he said moreover, That if the Amba.s.sador knew of his Holiness's Secret, it cou'd be only from Cardinal _Astalli_. He desir'd but twenty-four Hours of the Pope to prove his Innocence; and to find out where the Guilt lay. For this End he sent for one of the _Spanish_ Amba.s.sador's _Valets de Chambre_, and promis'd him five hundred Pistoles, if, after he put his Master to Bed, he wou'd search his Pockets, and take out a Letter which he said he knew there was in one of them, written in the very Hand of Cardinal _Astalli_. The _Valet de Chambre_ cou'd not stand the Temptation, but carry'd the fatal Letter to the Cardinal Secretary of State, and he made Haste with it to the Pope; whose Wrath was then wholly turn'd against _Astalli_, to such a Degree, that he forbad him his Palace, and actually intended to have him arrested the very next Day: But _Astalli_ disappointed him of that Pleasure, escap'd the same Night in a _Felucca_ from ROME, and sail'd for _Sicily_.

Then it was that _Innocent_ X. issued the Bull in Question. He caus'd _Astalli_ to be summon'd, who indeed return'd to the Dominions of the Holy See; but he stay'd in a little frontier Town of the Kingdom of _Naples_, where he was accompany'd by a Guard of two thousand _Spaniards_, who remain'd with him as long as the Pope liv'd, after whose Death _Astalli_ return'd to ROME. I have the Honour to be, _&c._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

LETTER x.x.xIII.

_SIR_, _Rome, Sept. 5, 1731._

Give me Leave to tell you, that I think the Approbation with which you honour my Narratives, favours more of Compliment than Sincerity; for all the Merit they can challenge, is, that they are written with an unaffected Simplicity. I tell you Things just as I find them, or as they are reported to me; if I accuse wrongfully, 'tis owing to my Misinformation, or my Credulity; for I do my best, and set about it heartily, and you can't define any thing more. You wish to know the Ceremonies of the Holy Week; I will now relate them to you as they pa.s.s'd this Year.

On _Palm_ Sunday, the Pope distributed Palms in the Chapel of _Monte-Cavallo_ to all the Cardinals, and others that were present.

Upon the last _Wednesday_ in _Lent_, the Cardinals went after Dinner to the Pope's Chapel, where they were present at Vespers, and the _Tenebrae_, sung by the Pope's Voices, without being accompany'd by Instruments. 'Tis perhaps one of the finest Pieces of Music that was ever compos'd, and 'tis so much valued here, that the Master of the Chapel dares not to give Copies of it, nor the others to transcribe it, on Pain of Excommunication.

The Pope being somewhat indispos'd upon _Holy Thursday_, Cardinal _Barberini_ officiated for him. The Cardinals repair'd in the Morning to the _Vatican_ in _Sixtus_'s Chapel, and a.s.sisted at High Ma.s.s; after which the Cardinal _Barberini_, preceded by the Bishops and Cardinals, all in Mitres and white Copes, carry'd the Holy Sacrament in Procession, under a Canopy held up by eight Archbishops, into _Paul_'s Chapel, which was finely illuminated. There our Lord's Body was deposited, after which the Cardinals went into a Hall, where they found thirteen Priests of divers Nations, dress'd in white woollen Robes, with square Caps of the same, all sitting on a high Bench in form of a Gradatory. Cardinal _Barberini_, who sat on a Throne erected at the End of the Hall, took off his Cope, and having put on the Chasuble, he p.r.o.nounc'd some Collects, which were answer'd by the Music. He then put off the Chasuble, took a white Napkin, and went and wash'd the Feet of the Priests, in a silver gilt Bason, which was carry'd by the Masters of the Ceremonies. Having wip'd their Feet dry, he kiss'd them, and distributed to each Priest, by the Hands of the Apostolical Treasurer, two Medals of Gold, and one of Silver. Then he reascended the Throne, and having again put on the Chasuble, he struck up the _Pater-noster_, and the Music finish'd it. This done, he went with the Cardinals his Brethren into a separate Room, where he resum'd his ordinary Habit. On the other Hand, the thirteen Priests were led by a Master of the Ceremonies into a Hall, where they seated themselves at a Table, which was elegantly serv'd. The Pope's Chamberlains of Honour waited on them, and if the Pope had been well, he wou'd have done the same himself. The Cardinals din'd also together, and their Dinner, which was one of the most sumptuous, is always provided at the Expence of their Eminencies out of certain Monies coming to them from the Rota and the Datary. The Priests Table is defray'd by the Apostolical Chamber, and the Service of both Tables is order'd by the Pope's _Major Domo_. The Cardinal's Beaufet is very neat; I have seen some that are more magnificent, but never one that is better dispos'd. The Cardinals always take their own Liquor with 'em; which, 'tis said, has been their Practice ever since the Catastrophe that happen'd to Pope _Alexander_ VI. and his Son _Caesar Borgia_, Duke _de Valentinois_, when the latter, for the Sake of having the Debris of the Cardinal _Adrian de Cornetto_, order'd Wine that was poison'd to be serv'd up at a Supper where the Pope was to be present, together with the said Cardinal, for whom he intended the poisonous Draught. But _Cornetto_ had the good Luck to escape the Snare, and only the Pope and _Caesar_ suffer'd by it: For being both thirsty, when they came into the Supper-Room, and calling for a Gla.s.s of Wine at the very Instant when the Person who was let into the Secret was gone out of the Room, another fill'd them out each a b.u.mper, of the Wine that was prepar'd, which kill'd the Pope; but _Caesar_, having caus'd himself to be wrapp'd up in the Skin of a Mule, recover'd.

After Dinner, the Cardinals return'd to _Sixtus_'s Chapel, where they a.s.sisted at the _Tenebrae_, and the _Miserere_. This Day's Ceremony of was.h.i.+ng Feet is a Custom of antient Standing among the Catholic Princes.

We find in the History of _France_, that _Robert_ the _Pious_, he that was call'd King of his Morals, as well as of his Subjects, constantly kept two hundred poor Men in his Retinue, and often wash'd their Feet, particularly upon Holy _Thursday_. So at _Vienna_, _Versailles_, in _Spain_, and at several other Courts, the Empress, the Queens, and other Sovereign Princesses, wash the Feet of thirteen Women upon the same Day.

Upon good _Friday_ in the Morning, the Cardinals were again present at Divine Service in _Sixtus_'s Chapel; after which, they din'd together, but they had nothing besides Roots; and one of the Pope's Chaplains read the Lecture. After their Repast, they again a.s.sisted at the _Miserere_, and then they all went down into St. _Peter_'s Church, where, having form'd a Semi-circle before the High Altar, they kneel'd down upon Cus.h.i.+ons of purple Cloth, and in that Manner reverenc'd the Reliques, which were held forth to them from a high Balcony. These were the Spear with which our Saviour's Side was pierc'd, the Holy Handkerchief, and a great Piece of the Cross on which he was crucify'd.

On _Sat.u.r.day_ the Cardinals a.s.sisted at Divine Service, in the Chapel of _Monte-Cavallo_.

Upon _Sunday_, which was the first Day of _Easter_, the Pope, dress'd in his _Pontificalibus_, was carry'd in his processional Chair to his Chapel, where he struck up the High Ma.s.s, which was sung to the End by a Cardinal Priest. Then the Pope was carry'd to the Box or Gallery facing the Great Square, where a Cardinal Deacon read the Bull _In Cna Domini_ with an audible Voice; after which the Pope fulminated the Apostolical Censures against Heretics, by throwing down a lighted Flambeau into the Square.

After this, the Holy Father, while the Cannon were fir'd from the Castles of _Monte-Cavallo_, and _St. Angelo_, gave his Benediction twice to the Populace, who were on their Knees in the Square, and in the Streets that led to the Palace. The Blessing which the Pope gives that Day is solemn, and extends to the whole Christian World. I forgot to tell you, that upon Holy _Thursday_ and Good _Friday_, while the Church is in Mourning for the Saviour of the World, the Pope's Chapel is stripp'd of all Ornaments, the Throne of the Holy Father is without a Canopy, and the Pope neither gives so much as one Blessing, nor admits any body to kiss his Foot or his Hand.

Since I am treating of Ceremonies, I will give you an Account of those that are observed at the Fabrication and Distribution of the _Agnus Dei_'s of white Wax, which on one Side represent the Saviour of the World, in the Form of a Lamb, (bearing the Standard of the Cross) according to the Attribute that was given him by his Forerunner St. _John_ the _Baptist_.

This of _Agnus Dei_ is an old Custom in the Church. St. _Augustin_ makes mention of it in his 118th Epistle. _Baronius_ a.s.sures us, in his 8th Volume, that 'twas the Custom in his Time, upon the _Quasimodo Sundays_, to distribute among the People _Agnus Dei_'s consecrated by the Pope. And Cardinal _Bellarmine_ says, that in 798, Pope _Leo_ III. gave an _Agnus Dei_ to the Emperor _Charlemain_, which was set in a Gold Frame adorn'd with precious Stones[14]. All the Popes consecrate _Agnus Dei_'s in the first Year of their Pontificate; and they perform the same Ceremony in the Jubilee Year, and every seven Years, reckoning from the first Year of their Exaltation. _Clement_ XII. perform'd the Ceremony on the _Wednesday_ after _Easter_, in the great Hall of his Apartment at _Monte-Cavallo_, which was then hung with red Damask adorned with Gold Lace. The Pope's Throne was at one End of the Hall, with an Altar on his right Hand; and between the Throne and the Altar, there was a Pew for the Pretender and his Family. Opposite to the Throne, there was a great Gallery, with Steps to it, for the Amba.s.sador of _Venice_, the Ladies, and other Persons of Distinction. Under that Gallery was an Amphitheatre for the Spectators of the second Cla.s.s. Within the Rails, which were cover'd with red Damask, there was a square Pit, and in the Middle of it four large Cisterns of solid Silver, full of Water, placed on Pedestals of Wood, silvered and gilt, Admirably carv'd by _Bernini_. When the Pope, accompanied by ten Cardinals, whom he had invited to this Ceremony, was entered into the Hall, and seated on his Throne, two Chamberlains of Honour placed a Cistern before him of the same Kind as the four that were in the Hall. The Pope, who had a Mitre upon his Head, of silver Brocade, and a Cope of the same, struck up the _Veni Spiritus Sancte_, which the Music carry'd on.

Afterwards the Holy Father read some Collects, and blessed the Water that was in the Cistern before him, into which he poured Holy Oil, and Holy Chrism. Then came four Cardinals with silver Ladles, who dipp'd them into the Holy Water, and carry'd it to mix with the Water that was in the four Cisterns. This done, the Pope and the Cardinals put on great white Ap.r.o.ns, and the Cardinals sat two and two upon Joint-stools at each Cistern, while two other Cardinals supported the Pope. The _Chamberlains of Honour_, and the Prelates of the Houshold, brought the _Agnus Dei_'s in wooden Tubs, wash'd with Silver; and as fast as they threw them into the Cisterns fill'd with Holy Water, the Pope and the Cardinals fish'd them up again with great Skimmers of Silver, and put them into other Tubs, which the Prelates deliver'd to the s.e.xtons. This lasted near two Hours, till the Pope, being quite fatigued, rose up, read some more Collects, and then retired. The same Ceremony was repeated next Day, and in these two Days they made threescore thousand _Agnus Dei_'s, which they say cost the Chamber twelve thousand Crowns.

Upon _Quasimodo Sunday_, the Pope distributed the _Agnus_'s with very great Ceremony in the Chapel of _Monte-Cavallo_. He was carry'd in his Processional Chair from his Apartment to the Chapel, where, being seated on his Throne, and the _Agnus Dei_ having been perform'd by the Music, one of the Apostolical Subdeacons, carrying the _Agnus_'s in a Silver Bason, preceded by the Cross, and by the Acolytes, or a.s.sistants at Ma.s.s, bearing Wax Candles in great Silver Candlesticks, and the Censer, enter'd the Chapel, and kneeling down, said to the Pope with a loud Voice, _Pater Sancte, isti sunt Agni novelli, qui annunciaverint n.o.bis Alleluja; modo venerunt ad fontes, repleti sunt charitate; Alleluja._ To which the Choir answered, _Deo Gratias; Alleluja._ Then the Sub-deacon rose, and went and kneel'd down in the Middle of the Chapel, where he repeated the same Words as before. He did the same Thing at the Foot of the Pope's Throne, to whom he presented a Bason full of _Agnus Dei_'s, in little Packets, wrapp'd up in Cotton, which the Holy Father distributed to the Cardinals, and all the Standers-by, who receiv'd them on their Knees. I got my Share of them, and only wait for an Opportunity to send some to you.

There's a Sort of People here who carry their Pretensions very high. These are the _Roman_ Princes, who for most part are only beholden for this princely Dignity to the Happiness of their Families, in having one of them a Pope; for many of them are scarce so much as Gentlemen. They are complimented with the Style of Excellency, but this t.i.tle extends only to the First-born of the Family. They require a vast deal of Homage from their Domestics, and all affect to have Canopies and Chambers of Audience in their Palaces. They expect that a Gentleman should come to their Houses without sending Word beforehand, and wait in their Antichamber till they are pleas'd to see him. You will think that they must be very necessitous Gentlemen, who will submit to this Rule, and that their Excellencies Antichambers are only frequented by their own Domestics. When they receive Visits from one another in Ceremony, they seat themselves under a Canopy like the Cardinals; then they go abroad in State, and have two Coaches to follow their Body-Coach, in which his Excellency sits forward by himself, and his Gentlemen ride backward, and at the Boots of the Coach: A Footman carries an Umbrella before them, as is done before the Cardinals, which is a Signal of Respect that requires all Coaches, except those of the Cardinals or Priests, to give them the Way, and even to stop while they pa.s.s by.

The Princesses formerly did not use to give the Right Hand to the Ladies of Quality at their own Houses; but since the Honours annex'd to _Nepotism_ have been abolish'd, they have been oblig'd to humble themselves, and to treat the Ladies as their Equals; yet for all this they correspond together very little. Heretofore too the Pope's Nieces did not give Precedence to any body, not even to the Princesses; and all Ladies in general were oblig'd to be in a full Dress, when they paid them a Visit; nor did the Nieces go to any body's House, but enjoy'd all the Honours of Sovereigns. But all this is over now; for the Nieces of the present Pope not only give the Right Hand to Ladies of the lowest Rank, but also return their Visits. Indeed the Princesses _Corsini_ are extraordinary civil and complaisant to every body; and even at this Day, tho' the Pope has declar'd their Husbands Princes and Dukes, they are content to pa.s.s with the t.i.tle of Marchionesses, and have set up no Canopies. The n.o.bility are vastly pleas'd with their Carriage, but the Princes are much disgusted at it, and think that by such Behaviour they disparage their Dignity.

Some Days ago an _Englishman_, one _Thirems_, who has been a long time in the Service of the Great Duke of _Tuscany_, and is very much attach'd to the _Corsini_ Family, said to the Pope, with whom he is very free, that the Behaviour of the _Corsini_ Ladies was very much applauded by the n.o.bility, but as much dislik'd by the Princes. 'What! _said the Pope_, Do the Princes think that my Nephews and Nieces were not of as good Blood, when they had only the t.i.tle of Marquises and Marchionesses, as they are now they have the t.i.tle of Prince? I would have them know, that tho' I have declar'd my Nephews Princes and Dukes, it was rather to conform to an old Custom, than with any Design to enn.o.ble them.'