Ambassadours came laughing and merry from one Visit, to go sad and full of tears to another. The Priests, adherents to the old _Nipotismo_, said Mass, and implored patience from Heaven for them in their sufferings; and the flatterers of the new, offered thanksgivings, and prayed for help from Heaven for the continuation of its power: while the new and false _Nipotismo_ went triumphant through _Rome_, and received the respects of every one, the true and real one was fain to sculk and lye close in the shadow of its afflictions and disgrace. The Railleries, the Pasquins, and the Discourses about this new way of enriching the Church with a _Nipotismo_, were infinite, there being no body that could imagine, from what Wits could spring so many different Conceits, bad and good, as were publish’d upon this new subject. The Cardinal _Sforza_, who had alwayes assum’d to himself the liberty of saying any thing; as soon as he heard the news of this resolution of the Popes, was the first that began to make _Pasquins_, for the next day, in presence of four of the chiefest Cardinals of the Colledge, he said these very words, _Now that the Pope_ Innocent _hath introduced the custome of making false Nephews_, _the other Popes will never fail of Nephews_, _for they will make whole Regiments of them_, _and fill with such a generation our Colledge of Cardinals_. But the words of a certain Prelate of _Parma_ were more sharp and biting, which were these, _I foresee_, said he, _that one day the Popes will throw Dice for their_ Nipotismo, _and take what comes uppermost_, _and so the affairs of the Church will be managed at an adventure_. Yet for all this, the new Nephew had all the interest of the Church and State put into his hands, though with some limitation, for the Pope communicated all things to him, and particularly matters of State; not so much to lay the weight of them upon him, as to instruct him how he should mannage them, for he durst not yet trust to his small experience, for fear of being deceiv’d. Thus _Astalli_ had properly nothing but the name and honour of Cardinal _Padrone_, subscribing to all the Nuntioes, Legates and Governours Commissions, and receiving Embassadours, when the Pope was indisposed, though still with the obligation of reporting every thing to his Holiness. As long as Cardinal _Panzirollo_ liv’d, _Astalli’s_ fortune was prosperous and good, because that the Popes kindred durst not by any means go about to supplant him, though they hated him perfectly, knowing that the Cardinals perswasions would still prevail with their Uncle more then their credit; whereupon they dissembled their design, and, according to the custom of _Rome_, seem’d to rejoyce for that thing which they most abhorr’d.