The device took well, for the greedy Nephew believing it true, receiv’d him with a very good countenance: and the Embassadour fail’d not to usher in his publick business with a Preface about resigning the foresaid Benefice or Abbey, although the Prince his Master knew no more of any such thing than I; and so got a fair reception. ’Twere good, that all publick Agents would put the same tricks upon those avaricious Nephews, and not be so scrupulous as they are; since the Nephews make no scruple to slight their addresses, to breake off all Negotiations, and to confound whatsoever is offer’d to them. Without such inventions they are like to get little good from the visits to the Nephews, who consider nothing but their own Interests, and are indifferent to those of Princes; whence ’tis easie to judge they will do little good in those matters, in which they are engag’d with an ill will. This may serve concerning the difficulties which Princes Ministers meet with in their affairs with the _Popes_ and their Nephews, and how to avoid the same. Let us now proceed to the Enquiry, _Why the Families of_ Popes _continue not long in Grandeur_. Some compare the _Nipotismo_ to a Tree which is guarded by all, whilst laden with fruit; but as soon as it happens to be deprived thereof, either by the hands of men, or progress of time, every body forsakes it, and nature her self leaves it barren, dry, and hateful, even to the eye of the beholders. I do not altogether like this comparison, because Trees bear fruit for others; whereas the good Nephews of _Popes_ take all to themselves: and I should rather compare them to Pismires, which all day long go from place to place, seeking provisions wherewith to fill their Nests, and stop not a moment till they see them full. There is no body but wonders to behold how the Families of _Popes_ daily decline, there being scarce two found that have continued one intire Age, or which remain in the same splendour wherein they were seen to shine, not only during the Reign of the _Popes_ their Kinsmen, but for some lustres after; and although some may seem at present to be found great, yet my Observation cannot therefore be decry’d as false, in regard of other reasons to be alledged concerning this matter. There is no doubt, but many Families are found at this day in _Rome_ of good quality and esteem, who have had _Popes_ descended from them before _Sixtus_ the fourth; as the Family of _Conti_ hath had two _Popes_ in the _Vatican_, _Innocent_ the third, and _Gregory_ the ninth; The Family of _Fiesco_, reputed at present the chief Family of _Genoa_, hath likewise afforded two _Popes_, _Innocent_ the fourth, and _Adrian_ the fifth; And so that of _Orsini_, hath had _Nicholas_ the third; That of _Savelli_, _Honorius_ the fourth; _La Gaettana_, hath had _Boniface_ the eighth; _Picolomini_, _Pius_ the Second; _Colonna_, _Martin_ the fifth; not to mention others, that have had their _Popes_ too.