66 management of this business to me," said Innocent, "I have heard of his good conduct, and of the honours "which he has obtained in his college disputes. I consider "him as my own son, and shall, when it is least expected, "order his promotion to be made public; besides which, "it is my intention to do much more for his advance"ment than is at present supposed." The three years were however suffered to elapse, and the young cardinal was then admitted to all the honours of his rank, the investiture having been performed by Matteo Bosso, prior of the monastery at Fiesole, who has left a particular narrative of the ceremony (a). After passing a few days with his father at Florence, Giovanni hastened to Rome to pay his respects to the pope. On his approach to that city he was met and congratulated by several other cardinals, who made no hesitation in receiving into their number so young an associate. By the seriousness and propriety of his demeanor, he obviated as much as possible the unfavourable impression which a promotion so unprecedented had made on the public mind. Soon after his arrival at Rome, his father addressed to him an admonitory letter, as conspicuous for sound sense as for paternal affection; but which discovers the deep policy of Lorenzo, and the great extent of his views. This letter without may unreasonable assumpany tion, be considered as the guide of the future life and fortunes of a son, who afterwards attained the highest rank in Christendom, and supported it with a dignity which gave new lustre. (b) it Lorenzo (a) Recuperationes Fesulana. Ep. cx. As the work does not frequently occur, I shall give this letter in the Appendix No. LXV. (b) The original will be found in the Appendix No. LXVI. "Hæc Epistola," ter of Loren zo. 66 66 66 Lorenzo de' Medici, To Giovanni de' Medici, Cardinal. "You, and all of us who are interested in your welAdmonitory let- 6 fare, ought to esteem ourselves highly favoured by pro"vidence, not only for the many honours and benefits be"stowed on our house, but more particularly for having "conferred upon us in your person, the greatest dignity "we have ever enjoyed. This favour, in itself so important, is rendered still more so by the circumstances "with which it is accompanied, and especially by the con"sideration of your youth, and of our situation in the "world. The first thing that I would therefore suggest to you is, that you ought to be grateful to God, and continually to recollect that it is not through your merits, your prudence, or your solicitude, that this event has "taken place, but through his favour, which you can only repay by a pious, chaste, and exemplary life; and that your obligations to the performance of these duties are so much the greater, as in your early years you have given some reasonable expectation that your riper age may produce such fruits. It would indeed be highly disgraceful, and as contrary to your duty, as to my hopes, "if at a time when others display a greater share of rea66 son, and adopt a better mode of life, you should forget "the precepts of your youth, and forsake the path in "which you have hitherto trodden. have hitherto trodden. Endeavour there 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 "fore says Fabroni," tanquam Cycnea fuit prudentissimi hominis vox et orationis ; "paullo enim post ille mortem obivit." Fabr. in vita ii. 313. 66. "fore to alleviate the burthen of your early dignity, by "the regularity of your life, and by your perseve66 rance in those studies which are suitable to your profession. It gave me great satisfaction to learn, that "in the course of the past year, you had frequently, of your own accord, gone to communion and confession; "nor do I conceive that there is any better way of obtaining the favour of heaven, than by habituating your"self to a performance of these and similar duties. This appears to me to be the most suitable and useful advice "which, in the first instance, I can possibly give you. .06 66 66 66 66 66 "I well know, that as you are now to reside at Rome, "that sink of all iniquity, the difficulty of conducting yourself by these admonitions will be increased. The "influence of example is itself prevalent; but you will "probably meet with those who will particularly endea"vour to corrupt and incite you to vice; because, as you may yourself perceive, your early attainment to so great a dignity is not observed without envy, and those who "could not prevent your receiving that honour, will secretly endeavour to diminish it, by inducing you to forfeit "the good estimation of the public; thereby precipitating you into that gulf into which they have themselves "fallen; in which attempt the consideration of your youth will give them a confidence of success. "these difficulties you ought to oppose yourself with the greater firmness, as there is at present less virtue amongst your brethren of the college. I acknowledge indeed "that several of them are good and learned men, whose "lives are exemplary, and whom I would recommend to 66 66 66 66 Το you 66 66 you as patterns of your conduct. By emulating them you will be so much the more known and esteemed, in "proportion as your age, and the peculiarity of your situa"tion, will distinguish you from your colleagues. Avoid "however as you would Scylla or Charibdis the imputa"tion of hypocrisy; guard against all ostentation, either "in your conduct or your discourse; affect not austerity, nor even appear too serious. This advice you will I "hope in time understand and practise better than I can 66 express it. 66 "You are not unacquainted with the great importance "of the character which you have to sustain, for you well "know that all the Christian world would prosper if the "cardinals were what they ought to be; because in such a 66 case there would always be a good pope, upon which the "tranquillity of Christendom so materially depends. En"deavour then to render yourself such, that if all the rest re"sembled you, we might expect this universal blessing. To 66 give you particular directions as to your behaviour and con"versation, would be a matter of no small difficulty. I shall "therefore only recommend, that in your intercourse with "the cardinals, and other men of rank, your language be "unassuming and respectful, guiding yourself however by your own reason, and not submitting to be impelled by "the passions of others, who actuated by improper mo"tives, may pervert the use of their reason. Let it satis"fy your conscience that your conversation is without "intentional offence; and if, through impetuosity of tem 66 per any one should be offended, as his enmity is without just cause, so it will not be very lasting. On this your "first "first visit to Rome, it will however be more advisable "for you to listen to others, than to speak much your"self. "You are now devoted to God and the church, on "which account you ought to aim at being a good eccle❝siastic, and to shew that you prefer the honour and state "of the church and of the apostolic see to every other "consideration. Nor, while you keep this in view, will it "be difficult for you to favour your family, and your native "place. On the contrary, you should be the link to bind "this city closer to the church, and our family with the city; and although it be impossible to foresee what "accidents may happen, yet I doubt not but this may be "done with equal advantage to all; observing however, "that you are always to prefer the interests of the church. 66 66 66 "You are not only the youngest cardinal in the college, but the youngest person that ever was raised to that "rank, and you ought therefore to be the most vigilant and unassuming, not giving others occasion to wait "for you either in the chapel, the consistory, or upon deputations. You will soon get a sufficient insight into the 66 manners of your brethren. With those of less respectable "character, converse not with too much intimacy; not merely on account of the circumstance in itself, but for "the sake of public opinion. Converse on general topics " with all. On public occasions let your equipage and "dress be rather below than above mediocrity. A handsome house and a well ordered family, will be preferable to a great retinue and a splendid residence. Endeavour 66 66 66 to |