_and indeed_, _with what can I season it_, _or what Ingredients have I left to compound it withall_? _If I praise my own work_, _I shall incur the censure of an interested Judge_; _if I dispraise it_, _I shall do my self an injury_. _To tell thee that this Book comes from_ Rome _is in vain_, _because the very Title of it discovers the place of its birth_; _and to entreat thee to read it_, _would be just the way to stifle thy curiosity_; _for now adayes_, _every body desires the reading of those Books which are prohibited_; _and I am certain_, _that it were a good way_, _to incite the publick curiosity of the world __for any Books_, _to intreat them that they would be pleased to let them alone_, _for that_, _without doubt_, _would encrease their desire of seeing it_. _I think I had best do as those Hunters_, _who for fear of raising the Partridge too soon_, _talk to one another so softly_, _and so low_, _that they scarce hear themselves speak_. _Therefore_, _Reader_, _take notice_, _this is that famous_ Nipotismo di Roma, _so much desired and wished for by all the ingenious of_ Europe, _before it was brought forth by the Author_. _I give thee warning to read it in private_, _and keep it to thy self_; _for if the news of thy reading it come to the_ Inquisitors _ears_, _without doubt thou runnest the hazard of an Excommunication_; _for they have sworn_, _to indure no Books in_ Italy, _but those that shall flatter the_ Court of Rome. _It is indeed a good policy for them_, _and for those Church men_, _who having pretensions to the highest Ecclesiastical Honours_, _stand all day before the_ Nipotismo _with their Caps in their hands_. _I know_, _that in_ Rome _this History will produce the same effect that our Nails do upon a Sore_, _that is_, _the more they scratch it_, _the worse they make it_: _Yet the itching pleases every body_, _and the more we scratch_, _the more we have a mind to scratch still_. _Neither do I doubt_, _but that there will be some __flatterers and false friends of the_ Nephews _of the_ Popes, _who will express their dislike of this Treatise_; _but it will be only in appearance_, _and not from their hearts_, _which may be forgiven them_, _for seldome in_ Rome _do the Tongue and the Heart correspond_.