It was a thing worth the observing, to see how the Embassadours laboured both with bodies and mind, sometimes on this, sometimes on that side; now with the Nephews, then with the _Pope_; from one drawing this Answer, _Speak to our Uncle_: From the other, _Go to our Nephew_. So that very often when they concluded any thing with the Nephew, they were in doubt whether or no the Uncle would be contented: And so it hapned on the other side, if they treated any thing with the Uncle, they were ever fearful least the other, being displeased at it, should cross the whole design; so that though matters were concluded by either of these, they were still uncertain whether the result would be for good or evil. This Nephew, who did every thing without the knowledge of his Uncle, gave out, he could do nothing without participating to others; and particularly in the beginning the Papacy he alwaies answered, in affairs of greatest concernment, _We will see_, _We will do_, _We will speak_, _We will procure_, _We will consent_, and such like dilatory expressions. And the Embassadours were most mortified with this manner of proceedings of the _Pope_ and his Nephews, who knew very well how to agree amongst themselves to the prejudice of those who treated with them. And when things did not go on according to their pleasures, or they found themselves unable to resist the perswasions and arguments of the Embassadours, they would both sing in the same tune: The holy Colledge of Cardinals must be acquainted with the affair, without whom there was never any thing concluded. And yet those Ministers themselves knew very well, that was but a false pretext; for although the Cardinals were in _Rome_, yet they were not in the Court, and never knew of the designs of the _Pope_, nor the Treaties of his Nephew. In _Urban’s_ time there were other Labyrinths in the Court, although this _Pope_ was a far greater Politician than _Gregory_, and the _Barbarins_ much more expert in Government than the abovesaid Cardinal _Ludovisio_. At that time, before any thing could be done, all the Nephews favours must be purchased; for he was resolved not to treat with any that was not dependent on his Family. And not only _Francesco_, the Cardinal _Patrone_, was to be courted, but Cardinal _Antonio_, and _Don Tadeo_, and his Wife likewise, who so aspired at the Visits of the Ministers of Princes, that the _Pope_ would not give Audience to any that had not first paid his devoir to that Lady: which was the Reason, why the Duke of _Parma_ had such ill success in all his business.