_Julius_ the third, he also failed not to do his part towards the raising of his Family, which was of the _De Montes_, by giving them several offices, and sums of money, by which means in a short time they became very great; but half an age was not past, but it began by degrees to decay and shrink into that mediocrity it is in at this day: which is but small in respect of the condition it was in after the death of _Julius_, who saw them advanc’d, but did not live to see their declension; it being a general Maxime amongst all the _Popes_ Nephews, that they see them advanc’d but to the highest pitch of honour, but live not to see them fall to the lowest point of disgrace. But the greatest Family of all was the _Caraffi_, rais’d to that height by _Paul_ the fourth, though of it self for several Ages before, very illustrious: The authority they had in _Rome_, with the command of several Lands and Castles belonging to the Church, made this name like to be eternal, and being fortified with such strong banks, not at all subject to the injury of time. But if ever any Family of the _Popes_ were in a short time precipitated from the greatest height to the lowest of meanness, it was this of the _Caraffi_ from _Paul_ the fourth, which continued not four year in that Splendour and Eminence the _Pope_ had plac’d it, he himself having laid the foundation of their greatness and ruine. Notwithstanding _Paul_ the fourth left his Nephews no small store of Riches, although they were banisht from _Rome_: which they enjoyed till _Pius_ the fourth was preferr’d to the Chair; who being _Pope_, and not able to endure their insolencies, he got them into his hands; and forming a Process against them, he hang’d some of them, beheaded others, and sequestred their Estates, destroying in that manner the House of the _Caraffi_, with no small gust to the Romans, who frequently declared their dissatisfaction with the behaviour of the _Caraffi_. But some will object, that the House of Caraffi, do at this present flourish in _Naples_ in great honour and wealth, and may be reckoned amongst the Principal there as well for Splendour and Magnificence, as Wealth, of which they enjoy not a little. To this may be answered with the same reason I have alledged before, where I spake of the house of _Borgia_, divided into two Branches, one in _Spain_, the other in _Naples_; for the House of the _Caraffi_, when _Paul_ the fourth was made _Pope_, was divided also into two Branches, one of them remaining in _Rome_ by the acquisition of a new Estate, the other in _Naples_ in possession of what they had got before.