_Venice_, that with so great prudence in State-affairs foresees the future, never sends any Embassadour to _Rome_, that hath not first been tried, and rendered an incomparable Politician by the experience he hath gotten in the Courts of the chiefest Monarchies of the Universe: yet notwithstanding I my self have heard these words said by an Embassadour sent to _Rome_ from thence: _Sin hora sono stato nell Ambasciate scabrose_, _hora entro nelle pericolose_, _dio me la mandi buona conquel Nipotismo_: Till now I have been in rugged Treaties, now I enter into a dangerous one: God send me good luck with the _Nipotismo_. He, who can live five years in the Court of _Rome_ without a stumble, will not find it hard to pass an Age or two (if nature would give him leave) in any other place with reputation and credit. Yet we know very well by every daies experience, that many Politicians and expert Statesmen, who, for many years together in the management of several Treaties, had rendered themselves as it were immortal by the no small reputation obtained in the several Courts they had been formerly employed in, no sooner came to _Rome_, but speedily they lost it. And indeed they all come thither swell’d with the Titles of most eminent and able Statesmen, but depart from thence with very little credit. And the reason of this is, because as the Sea Coast, which encompasses the Ecclesiastick State, is subject to the usual Tempests of the Ocean; so the _Roman_ Havens are very subject to their sudden variations and changes: From whence it happens, that both without and within _Rome_ is so subject to perils and ship-wracks. They therefore who go for succour to that Climate, that is not understood by those themselves that are born under it, cannot but meet with storms and tempests. Where affairs put on every day a several face and shape, the difficulty must needs be very great; And many Ministers lose themselves in the Court of _Rome_ by this means. For when they believe they Negotiate with a Monarchy, they find they have to do with a Republick; and when they think they treat with a Commonwealth, they find they are ingaged with a Monarchy full of Monarchs, whilst there is not one of the Papal Nephews that doth not expect to be treated, with as a Soveraign. Yet because the _Pope_ is chosen by the Cardinals, many would believe that these have the same Authority with the _Pope_, not only to treat, but conclude; as the Electors have with the Emperour in Affairs of great importance. And indeed, to hear his Holiness call them Fellows, Companions, and Brethren, makes a strange impression in the Citizens, Strangers, Subjects, and Princes, of I know not what greatness in favour of the Cardinals, every one imagining that they cannot chuse but have a share in the privatest concerns of the Government of the Church.