The Cardinal at his first coming to _Rome_ was not very acceptable to the Pope; as well because he thought he had done enough in promoting him to the dignity of Cardinal, as, because he wanted capacity for any high employment. ’Tis true, that he had not been long at Court, but he began to lay aside a certain simplicity, which seemed natural to him, and with which he govern’d very well his Bishoprick, and endeavour’d to learn the Arts of Government and Negotiation, whereupon his Cozen _Floro_ gave a good Character of him to the Pope, not out of any design to oblige him, but out of a lazy principle which made him glad to find out any body upon whom he might lay a part of his burden, and this recommendation was not without good effects for Cardinal _Bichi_, for since that time the Pope hath admitted him into divers particular Congregations, and does make use of him in some occurrences, but very seldome the said Cardinal, being not in truth a man of any great wisdome. The other Brother, who is Prior of his Order, and General of the Popes Galleys seems to be more favourably looked upon for the Pope; often calls him to him, and grants him many more favours then to the other. This Gentleman hath got a great reputation in the World of a very ingenious person, and well versed in all Sciences, but for my part I could never find out the root, whence did spring so much desert, for he never did any thing in the world worthy an applause: he hath been sent above four times with his Galleys to the help of the _Venetians_ in _Candia_, where he never did any thing like a Knight of _Malta_; for he was alwayes afraid of fighting, even when he was cover’d by the _Venetian_ Galleys, who alwayes were the first that engaged their lives and honour. And all this proceeded, because he did not trust his people that he had aboard; and he did not trust them, because he knew they had reason to hate him, as having defrauded them of their pay; for he did appropriate to himself most of that mony which the Pope allowed for the entertaining of his Soldiers and Stewes, who never were worse provided for then under this Noble Gentlemans command. But I think that it is the complements which the prior _Bichi_ makes to every body that deceives them, and they are so taken with his Civility as naturally the _Romans_ are, that they in revenge give him those qualities which he is far from possessing.