There remained in
fact but one impediment in his way: the expectation of the Padre's speedy
return to Venice, by whom he knew such malpractices would not be ap-
proved.
fact but one impediment in his way: the expectation of the Padre's speedy
return to Venice, by whom he knew such malpractices would not be ap-
proved.
Sarpi - 1868 - Life of Fra Paolo Sarpi
" Again, " Gratian, as well as the other old collectors
of the canons, made a collection of all he thought might most contribute
to the aggrandizing the Papal authority, even to the changing, vitiating,
and even falsifying the places from whence he drew the decision. By
which means he thought he had done his utmost to exalt this power to
the highest pitch it could possibly 'bg_r, and according to the state of
those times he was not mistaken; but a change of circumstances in affairs
made this compilation no longer seasonable; and so to thie decree, or
Decretum of Gratian, which was called after him, succeeded the Decretals,
but neither of which in process of time grew to signify much, the Popes,
as they grew in authority, establishing still new Orders and regulations, so
that neither the Decretum, the Decretal, nor the Sextus were any longer
1 Calendar. R. Brown, Pref. p. 16.
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? . 51'. 30-33;] FRA PAOLO SARPI 51 '
of use as to benefioes; but other rules and methods came in request, as
will appear hereafter. " '
The death of one of the Servi demands attention, the reader will recall
to mind Capella of Cremona, the early instructor of Fra Paolo, a lover of
peace, he faithfully discharged his public duties, and learned in the Holy
Scriptures, he left behind him several theological works, one of which was
on the sacrifice of Christ. He had lived to see his pupil distinguished and
beloved, and like himself devoting many hours to the perusal of the
sacred volume.
The decease of another of Fra Paolo's patrons, the Cardinal Borromeo
gave much regret to the Pope, who exclaimed: " Extincta est lucerna in
Israel. " A few lupins and a plank on which to sleep were all that latterly
the Cardinal had allowed himself, his austerities had so undermined 'his
constitution that at the early age of forty seven he died, and was carried
to the tomb with extraordinary pomp, and afterwards canonized.
Affairs at Rome continued in an agitated state, on the fifth of May
Pope Gregory died, and was succeeded by Sixtus V, who had been ex-
pelled from Venice when Inquisitor General for witholding absolution
from those who had copies of works named in the Index Expurgatorius.
His severity was not laid aside as Pope, but he wished to be on good
terms with Venice; he doubtless remembered her summary treatment of
him. He opened his eyes to many abuses at home and abroad, he renoun-
ced several claims, remodelled the Bull In Coena Domini, and abolished
the Congregation for ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Deceived by various
reforms, Venice appeared content with the new Pope whom she had more
cause to dread, because he was too fond of power. It would be however
unjust to overlook his great talents both in civil and ecclesiastical admi-
nistration, or to omit that he required the Cardinals to participate in the
general amendment. -
Fra Paolo had now attained too great reputation to he suffered to
remain in peace in his Convent. In a general Chapter he was elected
Procurator General of his Order, and during his residence of three years
at Rome, he attracted much notice. His office was to defend the suits of
the Servi, to offer prayers before the Pope, to be employed by him in the
Congregations, and to read a public lecture. At one of these assemblies
Fra Paolo met Bellarmine, and a friendship ensued which does honor
to both. Neither made any compromise as to what he considered truth,
and when the hour did come when they stood opposed to each other,
the noble conduct of Bellarmine cast a deathless lustre around the
character of the Jesuit who dared, even in spite of the opinions of
Possevin and others of his Order, to warn Sarpi that his life was in danger.
Bellarmine was ten years his senior, and learned himself, he appreciated the
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? 52 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1585.
learning of Fra Paolo. In youth he was distinguished for his superior talents,
and in after years as a controversialist. Although short in stature, in letters
he was no dwarfish nephew of Pope Marcellus. He joined the society of the
Jesuits when only eighteen, but he differed materially from that body
as to the doctrine of justification by faith, and in this particular leant to
the opinions of Saint Augustine. He was the first of his Order who
professed theology at the University of Lonvain, and his sermons were
listened to everywhere with marked attention and applause. Although
his countenance was not prepossessing, his manners were courteous and
fascinating: he loved peace, and never joined in harsh measures against
those who differed from him; saying that he valued an ounce of
peace more than a pound of victory. He was remarkable for patience
and great perspicuity of language, both in conversation and in his
Writings, with the exception of those of 1607. He was in great
favor with the Court of Rome where his strict life did not pass unob-
served, and he might have risen to the Pontificate had not the Jesuits
been distasteful to the other Orders. He was employed by Gregory
to instruct the students in the-vast college which the Pope had esta-
blished in Rome, but although he held very exalted views of the Pa-
pacy, yet Sixtus was not satisfied that Bellarmine affirmed (which he did
at one time), that the temporal power of the Pope was indirectly given
by the Holy Saviour to the Pope. Its advocates were still on the increase.
The papal Nuncios at Paris and at Venice approved of the attempt on
the life of Queen Elizabeth of England, and Cardinal Allen advocated
the regicide of an excommunicated prince, contending that it was lawful.
Such were the opinions against- which Fra Paolo had to strive, but it
must have been consolatory to him to know, that they were unwelcome at
Venice and at Rome, where he Was still detained. He was happy in the so-
ciety of the pious and learned Spanish Canonist Novarro, who at upwards
of ninety had left his country to plead the cause of the injured Carranga
Archbishop of Toledo. Notwithstanding the extraordinary severity of
'the Cardinal San Severina, on his return to Rome, Paolo found him as
before well pleased with himself, but still wont to tell others who did
not contradict him, " that they were flatterers, and those who opposed
him and boldly gave their reasons for their opposition, that they were too
free and daring. "
But of 'all the friends of Fra Paolo at Rome, to none was his society
more acceptable than to the Cardinal Castagna, afterwards Pope Ur-
ban VII, whose life and similarity of disposition were the probable cause
of their amity. The Cardinal ever Welcomed Fra Paolo with a smile,
and the more frequent Were his visits, the more was the Cardinal well
satisfied. '
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? 81'. 33. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 53
From him Fra Paolo obtained information as to his History of the
Council of Trent; the Cardinal Castagna had been President at the forma-
tion of the decrees of that Council. "But the decrees," wrote Sarpi,
" do not agree with what the Congregation of Cardinals dictated as to the
Council. "
Paolo listened to all he heard concerning this subject, and made notes
on it, but this was not his only occupation, he appears usually to have
followed out some scientific pursuit when called to any city for the affairs
of the Servi, and thus we find that on the occasion of his going to Naples to
attend a Chapter of his Order, he became acquainted with della Porta, to
whom the discovery of the Camera Obscura is attributed. A meeting of
learned and scientific persons was held at his house, of which no one could
be a member unless he had made some new discovery; of all the members,
Sarpi was he who made the greatest research on the properties of the
magnet.
Besides da Porta of Naples, another associate also of Fra Paolo at
Rome demands notice. It is uncertain which of the original Jesuits he
met at Rome, but Fra Fulgenzio believed that he was Bobadilla, of whose
holy simplicity Fra Paolo spoke with pleasure, and it must have been
very gratifying to his devout mind to have seen this aged man at prayer
in places remote from the haunts of man. They frequently conversed, and
Bobadilla told Fra Paolo freely, " That had Ignatius returned to earth,
he would have found his Order in such 'a state that he would not have
recognized it as that Order which he had founded. " Bobadilla was one
of the seven persons who, at the instigation of Ignatius Loyola, took
a solemn vow at the Church of Montmartre, that after they had finis-
hed a course of theology, they would renounce the world, live in
poverty, labor for the glory of God and the good of souls, preach the
gospel to -the infidel, and if unable to fulfil this vow, they agreed
to offer their services to the Pope,_Ir-ivice in two years they renewed
their vows at Montmartre. Bobadilla remained steadfast to Loyola,
and when the latter summoned the ten (the seven had increased
to this number) to Venice, 1537, Bobadilla accompanied the others
habited as a pilgrim, all his worldly 'goods in a knapsack on his
back, and his Bible, breviary and rosary suspended around his neck.
He had intended to accompany Loyola and the little company to
Jerusalem, but he was hindered by the war between Turkey and
Venetia, and the ten went to Rome, 1538, Where they met with
great opposition from the Cardinal Giudici on account of the vast
increase of new Orders. At length Paul III approved the Society of
Jesuits by a bull dated the 27th of September 1540, but with this
proviso, that their number should not exceed sixty persons. The Jesuits
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? 54 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1585.
professed poverty, but their profession and practice were at variance.
Loyola was created General of the Order on the 14th of March 1541,
and by a second bull of Paul III, the Society was allowed to be
composed of unlimited numbers, with liberty not only to make any
additions to the former constitutions, but also to change them ad
Mbitum. Many other privileges were also granted to Loyola, who
demanded and enforced a stricter obedience than had ever been re-
quired or exacted from any members of any monastic body. Pope
Julius III confirmed the privileges of the Jesuits, on the 22nd of
October 1552. In lb55 Loyola died, but not before he liad seen
his Society overspread the world. Roderigo and Xavier had the
Indies for their province; Faber, Germany; Aranez, Spain; Lainez Pas-
quier and Bobadilla, Italy; the seventh was sent with some youths to
France; Salmeron to Great Britain and Ireland, and several to Ame-
rica. In 1543 there were only eighty eight Jesuits, in 1545 they had
ten religious houses, in 1549 they had two provinces, one in Portugal,
and twenty two houses, in 1556 twelve provinces.
There can be no doubt ofthe honesty of Ignatius Loyola, his er-
rors were the result of a neglected education and a heated imagination,
usurping command over a weaker judgment. This is very evident in
his work called" Spiritual Exercises. " Sarpi never charged Loyola
with the intrigues and errors of his followers, but he did not hesitate
to condemn his theology. It was opposed to the theology of the Holy
Scriptures and of Saint Augustine.
Devotion to Ignatius appeared to be the mainspring of the obedience of
his followers, and the world witnessed= a self-abnegation founded on the
observation of the Spiritual Exercises which was a just cause of astonish-
ment. Ignatius aimed at nothing less than the spread of his Society, and
an entire subjugation of the will, understanding, and affection of each
member to him and to each successive General. The Jesuits were not a
body of which the members were actuated by separate impulse, one pulse
vibrated through the whole. The General could command the whole body
or the least member, equally certain that his command was law that
must be implicitly obeyed. The constitutions enlarged and recast (it is
believed by Lainez) certainly tended to the absolute bondage of the
conscience, it was made over to another, in strict parlance that so-
vereign was hurled from his throne, and the man was led captive
by another, until the hour when that dethroned sovereign asserted
its forgotten rights, and demanded to be reinstated in its high place.
But by long habitude and training, the conscience Was oftimes lul-
led to sleep, and the Jesuits were almost unconsiously slaves and ac-
customed by degrees to a novel and farlulty svstem of morals and of
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? ET. 33. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 55
theologynjhey did what once they would have been loath to do,
not because they judged it to be right, but because it was their
duty to obey their superior, when for the weal of the Pope or of the
Church. Men 'so sworn to the interests of the Court of Rome were
justly feared by Fra Paolo Sarpi, and this is the reason why their rise
and progress have been entered into here. They formed an important
feature of his times, and the reader will mark the different path of
these Reformers and of Sarpi. To a lover of free thought, of liberty of
conscience, of integrity, and of justice like him the Jesuits were op'-
POSe(l,'IlTB sighed for true reform within the Church of Rome, and
saw the Jesuits assume the name of Reformed when he knew they had
no right to such a title. Any reform which would tend to an abroga-
tion of their novel doctrines was distasteful to an Order who were the
servants of the Popes, or rather of the Papacy, for some of the Pon-
tiffs did not approve of the Jesuits, and in later times the Order was
abolished by Clement XIV ' who partook largely of the opinions of
Sarpi as to the reform of the Church of Rome. Of the reformed Church
and its members whom the Jesuits deemed "heretics" they were the
opponents, and as they ignored all human ties, their hearts were steeled
against the voice of supplication. Sarpi, both in his letters and other
writings, complains bitterly of their obduracy. They were strict obser-
vers of human nature, and were distinguished for their tact, address,
and good manners. They were generally of pleasing exterior, and to
this " letter of recommendation" ' they added considerable power of
bending those whom they addressed to their purpose.
About the year 1556, the Jesuits had obtained such knowledge
of state affairs at Venice through the confessional, that it was se-
riously mooted that they should be banished from the city; but they
used all their talents and skill in persuasion to remain, and effected
their purpose, the Senators contenting themselves' with forbidding their
wives and daughters to confess to them, though unfortunately some of
the Senators at a later period had recourse themselves to these attrac-
tive but unsafe teachers. We shall have occasion to notice their pro-
gress from time to time, their first introduction to Venice was sin-
gular. Duriug the infancy of Fra Paolo, Trevisano was Doge, he was
a good but superstitious man, and many years previous to his holding
the highest office in the state he lived in' S. Marco. It is said that he
dreamed that a saint stood at his door. He awoke, went to it, and
found Loyola. Trevisano sheltered him, presented him to the Doge
1 Restored by Pius VII.
2 Lord Bacon.
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? 56 THE LIFE OF [A. E. 1587.
Gritti, who gave him a free passage to Palestine, but Trevisano did
not know the effect of that introduction, it was not long before the
Jesuits made Venice a stronghold. The genius and intelligence of
the Venetians would be a powerful instrument to the Society, and it
was not neglected, but they never Won Fra Paolo to be one of their
number.
The heart of Fra Paolo was_deeply touched by the war against the
Reformed in Germany and in France. How would he have been glad-
dened had Henry III remembered the parting advice given to him by
the Doge and Senate, to sheath his sword against his subjects, whose
only demand was in liberty of conscience to serve their God. It is a
spot of earth on which the eye loves to rest, that where the tolerant
Servite craved of Heaven's High King, thatfi would permit a gen-
tler rule, and it may well be believed that all the persecutions and
misery that Fra Paolo either saw or heard of for the sake of religion,
not only awakened his deepest sympathy, but nerved him for the con-
test which he was one day to wage against papal aggression and
wrong.
He had many objects of interest; books and rare MSS. which few
saw were open to him/for example, he was at Rome when the Codex
Amiatinus, was borrowed for the correction of the Sixtine Bible. ' Fra
Paolo speaks of the readings of Sixtus, but not in commendation; the
edition of the Scriptures published by this Pope. was too much in ac-
cordance with the papal interpretation of the volume to be approved by
an unprejudiced scholar. Sixtus published not only an edition of the
Vulgate, but a Bible in the Italian language against the wishes of the
Cardinals. To the people the Sacred Book was still prohibited, which was
a source of regret to Fra Paolo because there were Bibles of Venice 1471,
1477, and 1481, and Brucciolo's of 1541, and it must never be lost sight of
in his biography, that the Holy Scriptures were his guide in life, his con-
solation in afiiiction, his refuge in danger, his support in death.
Sixtus had made large additions to the Library of the Vatican, which
at the end of the sixteenth century was esteemed the richest public library
in the world, and Fra Paolo availed himself of its treasures, Ilia chief
families of Rome had also amassed many volumes, and the learned honor-
ed him by presents of books. His eagerness to see works lately published,
or that he had not previously met with, is apparent throughout his let-
ters, and as his reputation increased, authors were ambitions to send their
1 The New Testament of this valuable Copy of the Latin Vulgate was published
by Dr. Tischendorf, and the whole is about to be prepared for publication by
Dr. Heyse an accurate German scholar for Brockhaus Leipzig. The Codex was
restored A. D. 1590, and is now in the Laurentian Library.
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? A? '1'. 35. ] ERA PAOLO SARPI 57
'-wwwm
works to him, and to await his opinion of them before they were sent to
the press.
When the usual term of his office as Procurator was completed, Fra
Paolo retraced his steps to Venice. Poor he had entered the vast city
of Rome, poor he quitted it, but he had gained deep insight into the
policy of Sixtus V, he had seen that although there were men of deep
religious thought at his Court yet there was scarcely any advancement
but through intrigue, the liberality of his sentiments was even then sus-
pected, as the issue proved, notwithstanding his silence and prudence. He
was little likely to follow the faulty precepts of those desirous of place, he
had early shown that a Court was uncongenial to him, and the Court of
Rome partook too much of the nature of other Courts to be relished by a
man whose highest ambition was to follow the steps of a King whose
kingdom is not of this world. " Regnum meum non est de hoc mondo, "
was often repeated by him. Nor could his non-reception of the doctrines
of the Jesuits pass unnoticed at Romejhey had the power by means of
constant confession as well as otherwise, of discovering the most hidden
secrets, and as Fra Paolo was acquainted with Bobadilla and Bellarmine,
either they or other members of their Society knew his opinion of it.
It has been well observed that among those who dwelt within the walls
of convents and monasteries, " religion was usually either all or nothing, "
/issuredly, that in such institutions there have been reared many of su-
perior talent and vast acquirements, of great and varied science and
extensive erudition, men of whom human nature might be justly proud, is
a fact which needs no proof, but it is equally true, that within these walls
have been found others in whom that life of seclusion has fostered the
worst passions; who first corrupted by idleness have brooded over mis-
chievous designs from which they would once have recoiled, until carried
on from step to step by ambition, love of gain, or other evil incentives
they have come to feel no compunction even in jeopardizing the life of an
innocent person. '
But lest the reader suppose from this that in the narrative which follows
concerning Gabriello there is any desire to overcharge the failings of an
enemy of Fra Paolo, we quote from the faithful pen of Fra Fulgenzio.
" The latter part of the charge of Fra Paolo as Procurator at Rome was
during the early part of the Pontificate of Sixtus V, who having been
himself a Friar, knew those among the Friars who were remarkable for
their talents. And knowing the Padre's genius, he eniployed him in the
Congregations and in other affairs more than had been usually done. On one
occasion when the Pope was being carried on his litter through the streets,
he summoned P. Paolo to him and conversed with him for some time.
Although the subject of this conversation was nothing more than some me-
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? as THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1587-
morials against the Generals of the Order of the Servi, this unusual oc-
currence was remarked by the whole Court, and it was quickly rumoured
how much the Padre was in favor with the Pontiff. Idle gossip had already
created him a Cardinal. But the flattering incident, which he had never
sought or coveted, entailed on him a long and harassing persecution. On
first leaving Venice, he had commended his friends to the counsel and
direction of Gabriello Colissoni, who had formerly been associated with
him in the removal of certain abuses from the Provinces. But it often
happens that what we condemn in others we justify in ourselves, and as
Gabriello's ruling, principal passion was self interest, he carried on a
system of extortion during the Padre's absence from his Province to such
excess, as to acquire there an almost absolute power.
There remained in
fact but one impediment in his way: the expectation of the Padre's speedy
return to Venice, by whom he knew such malpractices would not be ap-
proved. He therefore thought his safest course would be to endeavour to
persuade him to remain at Rome, and to this object he at once 'applied
himself, and procured some of the Padre's best friends to advise him that
by a further sojourn his credit at the Court of Rome might probably ad-
vance his fortunes. But the Padre, not only reproved him for the advice,
but to cut short the correspondence, answered him once for all by a letter
written in cypher (the same which was usually employed between them)
in these words; " Would you have me place confidence in Rome, where"
only " Cenedi " and other ministers of pleasure or of gain prosper? "
This unfortunate letter and the cypher with it were carefully treasured
up by Gabriello, and when at the end of three years the Padre returned
to his Convent, he found the extortions of Gabriello throughout the Pro-
vince had been carried to such an excess as he could not possibly sanc-
tion. A venal countenance of them was however obtained with some diffi-
culty, and at a cost of no less than 20,000 . Ducats, part of the accumu-
. lated plunder, from some who were paying court to the Cardinal S. Se-
verina; and when at last the Padre expressed his disapproval, Gabriello
at once came to an open rupture with him. Then it was, that to save
himself and carry his point, Gabriello, who was already in favor with
the Court, and, which is yet more surprising, especially With the Car-
dinal Protector, at that time Head of the Holy Office, presented to
that Court the letter of the Padre and its cypher above mentioned.
On this the Cardinal, though he did not venture to cite the Padre
before the Inquisition, evinced the most implacable anger, and as the
multitude always veer with the wind as it changes, although Fra Paolo,
seeing the abuses in his Province were now incurable, withdrew from all
further concern in its government to the privacy of his cell, he became
from this time a constant mark for persecution, if not in his own person
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? ar. 35. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 69
(where it was difiicult to find a vulnerable point), yet in the person of his
friends, who were not only excluded from degrees and honors on the
most trifling pretences, but every fault, even the most venial, was ma-
gnified into a mortal sin. " '
No doubt, this letter and cypher were never forgotten at the Court of
Rome. The resentment of such a spirit as that of the Cardinal S. Seve-
rina was no light matter, but he had not at present declared himself
openly against Fra Paolo. Perhaps conscience might have admonished
him how strictly true had been the stricture against Rome expressed in
the Padre's letter, whom all her blandishments had not been able to
seduce from the path of honor and rectitude. '
At all events, the tide of public opinion was not wholly against him.
He had still many friends, friends even within the " Council of the Ten,"
friends within the Senate, friends among the nobles, friends among the
merchants, citizens and people. Free and independant Venice was still
proud of Fra Paolo, and had any ventured to carry that letter before the
Inquisition at Venice, the charge would have fallen utterly powerless,
for the Republic still required three of her patricians to be present
there to see justice done, and to control the papal officials. In all
Venice there never was found one noble capable of dragging Fra
Paolo before the Inquisition. Rome reserved to herself the shame of de-
manding his presence before that most iniquitous tribunal, a tribunal
against which the outraged people of Naples, Mantua and many others
towns of Italy had often risen, but were powerless till modern times to
effect its destruction.
The Republic, or more properly speaking the Doge and Senate, knew all
that was going on at Rome, and the treachery of Gabriello had doubtless
been communicated to them by their Ambassador at that city, but it had
created no prejudice in their minds against Fra Paolo, and he was still
welcomed as usual by his friends at the Ridotto Morosini, an interesting
association which is thus described by one who frequented it. " This con-
versazione had become numerous, not only as men of Worth and letters
made it their resort, some of whom have since become distinguished Sena-
tors and stars in the firmament of the most serene Republic, but all vir-
tuosi, seculars and men of religious orders were admitted, as well as all
lovers of literature who came to Venice from Italy or from any other
country. . . Ceremony which in our times is so much affected, and yet is so
superfluous, was debarred: because it wearies the brains of the most quick
sighted and consumes time by an artificial method of telling untruths,
unmeaning because it means so much. But politeness, freedom and confi-
1 MS.
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? 60 _ THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1588.
dence prevailed, each person was permitted to introduce his own subject,
without any restriction as to passing from one topic to another, thus
there was always new matter, the object in discussion being the discovery
of truth.
Whatever subject was introduced, Paolo could not only discourse on
it without premeditation, but was equally ready to maintain a proposition,
or to impugn it, after the manner of the schools. This he did to the sur-
prise of all present, and if in his riper years any one recalled these thing
to his remembrance, he smiled and treated them as trifles. "
The illustrious Andrea Morosini and Sarpi had been school-fellows as
well as companions in their maturer years, and the courteous manners, as
well as the learning of the Servite, could not fail to ensure respect under
the roof of the future senator and historian of Venice. The calm dignified
and grave but not morose expression, which pervades the portrait of
Morosini is but a faithful mirror of the mind of that eloquent and distin-
guished patriot. Deep thought dwells in that steadfast eye, and the whole
countenance as well as the bearing of the head bespeak, not only high birth,
but noble qualities.
Another member of the society was Leonardo Donato, he too
had been the school-fellow of Fra Paolo, and had studied at Bologna
and at Padua. He was a man of prudent and upright character, loyal
to his God and to his country. He had beensent on several embassies
to foreign powers, had given promise of the wisdom of his future career,
and no one could so well inform the society at the Morosini of the
state of affairs at the Court of Rome as Donato, who had resided
there officially. His countenance although solemn was agreeble , to
some he appeared severe, but he was not so; his head, like his hand-
writing, was peculiarly small. Sir Henry Wotton remarks, " I call not
impertinently to mind that one of my time in Venice had wit enough
to become the civil head of that grave Republic who yet was called, il
Donato Testolina. " '
Sarpi held frequent discussions on grave subjects with Donato at the
Morosini, thus the future Doge had ample opportunity of discovering the
development of his talents. And well had it been if these two great men
could both have acted in future with equal fearlessness of the Court of
Spain. But while Paolo Sarpi and the company at the Morosini lamented
the growing power of Philip, and the assumptions of the Pope, all valued
these meetings, not only as a union of wise heads and indefatigable
students both of the abstruse and the lesser sciences, but of hearts Which
beat high for the weal of their country.
\,_I Letter. Arch. Ven. = Survey of Education, p. 81.
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? anr. 36. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI - 61
One of these was Mocenigo, afterwards Bishop of Ceneda, who to
qualify him for the discharge of the duties of his Bishopric studied
canon law under Fra Paolo, and took him with him to Ferrara when he
went there to meet the Pope. Marc Trevisano, an old friend of Fra
Paolo, also attended the Morosini, besides several of the Contarini, whose
ancestry not only held place amongst the most ancient nobles of Venice,
but were like themselves emulous of distinction in the world of letters.
Of Nicolo Contarini, Fra Paolo expressed himself in warm terms; that
senator shielded the Servite on many occasions from wrong.
Ottavio Buono, a distinguished citizen who declined the honor of nobi-
lity, was also a friend of Fra Paolo, and the guest of the Morosini as well
as the noble Veniero: in the latter pages of this work is the last sad
tribute to their friendship from his truthful pen. _
It is no easy task to draw the character of Domenico Molino. No one
' can look on his portrait, and not be attracted by the countenance of this
wise and accomplished senator in his state robes of crimson, and ample
ruff. Of tender nature, this great and good man was much beloved, and
his praise is to be found in many volumes. That he was known and
valued beyond the Alps, bespoke his liberality of sentiment, which was a
strong bond of union between him and Fra Paolo, who took great pleasure
in his society, not only at the Morosini but at his Convent. He was a man
of elegant manners,. a patron of letters, and highly esteemed not only by
Vortius but also by Pereisc. The Senator Antonio Quirini, a distinguished
noble who afterwards wrote in favor of the Republic, as well as Marcello,
a relation of Molino and of similar tastes, Marini Zane and Sebastian
Veniero whom Galileo classes with Agostino da Mula and Fra Paolo Sarpi
for their skill in mathematics, ' Jacopo Morosini, Leonardo Giustiniani,
Bodoaro, Antonio Malpietro, the Secretaries Dolce, Giambattista Padavino,
and others formed the society at the Morosini.
Attired in the habit of his Order, although scrupulusly nice in his person
and dress, his garments formed a strong contrast to those of the company;
but they looked deeper than the surface, it was by the stature of his mind
that they measured Fra Paolo. The patricians of the Senate wore gorgeous
robes of crimson on state occasions, but in private the nobles were more
conspicuous for the costliness than the vivid color of their dress, and
beneath the ample folds of their cloaks they often wore rich apparel
and jewels of great value. The Secretaries of state were attired in blue,
the Knights in black, long sleeves, red caps and collars of lawn, their
hose and doublets of black satin or brocade.
Such was the company, and such the outward guise of the members of
06'.
1 Difesa Galileo, p. 183.
-A
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? 62 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1588.
the Morosini, and happy was it for Fra Paolo that he had such a resort
where he could enjoy social intercourse and friendship, which was one
of the great charms of his existence. He had the true Socratic art of
drawing forth others in conversation, and thus discovering the depths of
their minds, which was perhaps to be attributed to his faculty of being
able to discourse on every subject that might arise. If he met with any one
preeminent in any art or science, he questioned him with peculiar suavity,
till he had gained all the information he could, and this he did without
either importunity or troublesome curiosity. His greatest pleasure was
to listen to travellers, who could describe other lands, their inhabitants,
religion and manners; and this information he could acquire at the Nave
d'Oro, the house of the Signor Sechini, who had studied at the university
of Lonvain/ and was very superior to his position in life. For one and
twenty years he welcomed Fra Paolo to his home, especially when there
were foreigners present whom Paolo loved to question, and when in later
years the family was calumniated because the elder and younger Se-
chini were his friends, and Paolo would therefore have withdrawn from
their society, the Sechini, with the true nobility of disinterested friendship,
would not consent to his absence, preferring his company to any pecu-
niary loss.
At the Nave d'Oro Fra Paolo met M. Perrot, who on his return from
Constantinople with the Ambassador Aramont remained in Italy, where
his amiable manners and great candor gained him general esteem. Although
he was of the Reformed Church and wrote on the Bull of Sixtus against
the King of Navarre, these were no obstacles to his acquaintance with Fra
Paolo, and the author of " L'aviso piacevole dato alla bclla Italia,"
had such regard for Paolo that their friendship continued through
life,Il_1us the genial presence of Fra Paolo- was not only agreeable to
those Venetians he met at the Nave d'Oro, but to those foreigners who
formed part of the company; and boasted/that they "had seen the greatest
genius of his time. " He was well known to Europe before the year
1606; if he was too modest to proclaim his abilities they had not
escaped observation, and the Friar who was honored by " Popes, Princes
and their Nobility, Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, and by the
universities of Italy, " could not be unknown.
Little has been said as to Fra Paolo's health; he had throughout life
grave disorders; about this period he suffered from derangement of the
whole system, and violent pains in the head.
As in childhood he was small in body, and his stature short, thus he
had little strength to combat with infirmity. Notwithstanding, he bore
pain with serenity, nay even hilarity, and never intruded his sufferings in
time of illness upon others. "He looked on it as a mark of divine favor
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? arr. 36. ] - FRA PAOLO SARPI 63
giving warning of death, and was impressed with the idea that he would
not live. His weakness did not however interfere with his division of the
day into three parts, the service of God, study and conversation. He was
always present at the church services. The furniture of his room was very
simple; its only ornament was a picture which pourtrayed Christ in the
- garden of Gethsemane, a crucifix with a human skull beneath it, as
his peculiar mirror, and three hour glasses to measure the time. He had
no wish, therefore he felt no want, he was rich in his poverty, although
without income or possessed of any source whence he could obtain
money, of Which he had only sufficient for the day, and that but little.
He had no books but what were given or lent to him by his friends,
but as he remembered all he read, no Prince ever had a greater library. " 1
" Fra Paolo was a man of the most lively sensibility, discerning objects
of which others were quite insensible. It was wonderful how quickly he
perceived of what meats were composed, whether compounded or mixed,
good or injurious, and as at certain times and for certain reasons he had
great cause to guard against poison that faculty was not superfluous. Not
that he was fastidious in his food, but because he knew that what God
keeps is well kept, he felt sure that by his exquisite taste He would
warn him whenever there was danger, and as the peril was greatest in
what he drank, he was then still more upon his guard. His passibility was
ve_ry great, every thing made a lasting impression upon him, and it was
wonderful how long these impressions remained in his mind. The form of
every place which he had seen was graven on his memory, and his friends
would question him thousands of times how it was possible to remember
such minutia. If he read a book (and he read every book of any note
which issued from the press), he knew the whole work, even the place in
a page where he had read, and as he was so easily impressed, it was more
surprising that it was as difficult to efface the impression; and such was
his deep humility that if one praised him for this, he would say they only
praised a great imperfection and a great weakness which was injurious to
him; that his great passibility was the cause of it, that it gave him no
trouble, and that his memory being so retentive, so far from being a
perfect virtue or quality, only showed that his affections were moved, which
evinced passion, and therefore every little idea or relic of the object continued
it. His constant study of the canon law and decrees, prior and subsequent
to the time when he relinquished his office as provincial, was such
that he not only knew their date, but the cause for which they had been
enacted, the source from whence they were taken, and every particular
connected with their observance and nonobservance, as well as with the
1 MS.
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? 64 THE LIFE OF [. a. n. 1588.
intricate history of all beneficiary matters and the controversies concerning
them. To theory he now added the practice of the Congregations of the
tribunals at Rome, their formula and method of procedure. "
But what was most wonderful was that he retained the remembrance
of every place, site, figure, or statue that he had seen. From this passi-
bility, according to Fra Paolo from this impressible temperament, but ac-
cording to others from his great intellectual powers, and not so far as we
know from any study of physiognomy, " he had greater knowledge, of cha-
racter, " Fra Fulgenzio proceeds to say, " than any one I ever saw, and I
could relate how only from one conversation with certain persons he formed
an opinion of them as correct as if that little window, so coveted by
Momus, was actually in their hearts. If I told of his penetration into their
nature, habits, inclinations and deportment, I fear that my statement of
the truth would bring my writing into discredit. The necessity of minute
though unwilling observation so refined his judgment, that in his latter
years especially some of the friars thought he had a familiar spirit, an idea
which needs no refutation, he was but like a skilful performer, who judges
of an instrument by one touch. I remember several virtuosi coming to see
him in his cell, when one who had made a very accurate study of the
properties of the magnet, believing with good reason that he knew as
much on this subject as any one, was introduced to the Padre and entered
into conversation with him; but on finding that there was. no sp-eculation
or experiment which the Friar was unacquainted with or could not prove,
he was overcome by surprise. Remarkable inventions of instruments, en-
gines for measurement of weight or time, or for mathematical or military
purposes, all these were brought for his inspection. He immediately perceiv-
ed the design, and gave his opinion as to any one of these articles being
likely to serve the intended purpose or not. Many men of great genius
(still alive) communicated their inventions of any new instrument to him,
and if it was of value, he would show in what manner it could be im-
proved. " 1 .
Fra Paolo continued to make Padua a favorite resort; besides meeting
with Acquapendente and Santorio, he had long enjoyed the society of
Pinelli, whose house was the assembly of many savans. He was there intro-
duced to Ghetaldo the mathematician, who espressed much surprise at
the acqnirements of Fra Paolo in mathematics, and subsequently became
his friend. Pinelli was rich, and distributed his Wealth with a liberal,
hand, ' and many a student was cheered by his generosity when need would
have driven him from the University. This learned Genoese had a keen
3 Life of Pinelli, Guaido (Latin).
1 MS.
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? E1'. 36. ]
FRA PAOLO SARPI 65
love of study, and versed in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin tongues, as well
as Spanish, French, and Italian, he was no less master of mathematics,
philosophy, jurisprudence, and medicine; music was one of his recreations
as also was botany, his knowledge of which would recommend him to
Fra Paolo who laid out the first botanic garden at Padua.
From the time Pinelli fixed his abode there (1558), he began to collect
books, and his library was one of the finest in Europe. His cabinet of
antiquities, maps, medals, minerals, mathematical and astronomical instru-
ments were at the service of all; and although of weakly constitution and
unable to leave his home except to attend church, he made all welcome
to his hospitality. His mien was graceful and modest, and his eye, despite
its weakness, was indicative of a mind of no common calibre. In letters he
found a kindred spirit in Fra Paolo, but there was yet a deeper union not
only with Pinelli, Donato, De Thou, Molino, Du Plessis Mornay, and
De Ferrier, in religion which diffused its harmony through this circle of
learned men on earth , binding them together in the harmony of
heaven.
When Fra Paolo returned from Padua, he found to his grief that one
of the first objects of 'San Severina's ill treatment was Fra Giulio, an aged
man of irreprehensible life. When Paolo entered the Order of the Servi,
Fra Giulio had supplied him with clothes, travelling expenses and books,
" as to clothes, he only had one suit, if he had fallen into the water, he
must have remained in bed till his habit was dried. " 1 This appears but
a slender stock of clothing, but small as it was if it had not been that
Fra Paolo had supplies from the Convent, it would have been still more
limited, since from great age and loss of memory Fra Giulio forgot what
he had undertaken to supply. Fra Paolo was little disturbed by this, he
contented himself with what the Convent gave him, " one might as well
think of altering a square as of disturbing Paolo. " He heard that poor as
his allowance was, both he and Fra Giulio were to be deprived of that,
and Giulio was banished from Venice under pretext of his having excited
the nobles against the Patriarch. Hitherto Fra Paolo had submitted, but
this last act of injustice roused him; he went to Rome, pleaded for the
aged friar's return to Venice, and won his cause. The slanders of the foes
of Fra Paolo and Giulio sank as sinks the darkness of night before the
sun of morn.
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? 66
CHAPTER V.
A. D.
of the canons, made a collection of all he thought might most contribute
to the aggrandizing the Papal authority, even to the changing, vitiating,
and even falsifying the places from whence he drew the decision. By
which means he thought he had done his utmost to exalt this power to
the highest pitch it could possibly 'bg_r, and according to the state of
those times he was not mistaken; but a change of circumstances in affairs
made this compilation no longer seasonable; and so to thie decree, or
Decretum of Gratian, which was called after him, succeeded the Decretals,
but neither of which in process of time grew to signify much, the Popes,
as they grew in authority, establishing still new Orders and regulations, so
that neither the Decretum, the Decretal, nor the Sextus were any longer
1 Calendar. R. Brown, Pref. p. 16.
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? . 51'. 30-33;] FRA PAOLO SARPI 51 '
of use as to benefioes; but other rules and methods came in request, as
will appear hereafter. " '
The death of one of the Servi demands attention, the reader will recall
to mind Capella of Cremona, the early instructor of Fra Paolo, a lover of
peace, he faithfully discharged his public duties, and learned in the Holy
Scriptures, he left behind him several theological works, one of which was
on the sacrifice of Christ. He had lived to see his pupil distinguished and
beloved, and like himself devoting many hours to the perusal of the
sacred volume.
The decease of another of Fra Paolo's patrons, the Cardinal Borromeo
gave much regret to the Pope, who exclaimed: " Extincta est lucerna in
Israel. " A few lupins and a plank on which to sleep were all that latterly
the Cardinal had allowed himself, his austerities had so undermined 'his
constitution that at the early age of forty seven he died, and was carried
to the tomb with extraordinary pomp, and afterwards canonized.
Affairs at Rome continued in an agitated state, on the fifth of May
Pope Gregory died, and was succeeded by Sixtus V, who had been ex-
pelled from Venice when Inquisitor General for witholding absolution
from those who had copies of works named in the Index Expurgatorius.
His severity was not laid aside as Pope, but he wished to be on good
terms with Venice; he doubtless remembered her summary treatment of
him. He opened his eyes to many abuses at home and abroad, he renoun-
ced several claims, remodelled the Bull In Coena Domini, and abolished
the Congregation for ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Deceived by various
reforms, Venice appeared content with the new Pope whom she had more
cause to dread, because he was too fond of power. It would be however
unjust to overlook his great talents both in civil and ecclesiastical admi-
nistration, or to omit that he required the Cardinals to participate in the
general amendment. -
Fra Paolo had now attained too great reputation to he suffered to
remain in peace in his Convent. In a general Chapter he was elected
Procurator General of his Order, and during his residence of three years
at Rome, he attracted much notice. His office was to defend the suits of
the Servi, to offer prayers before the Pope, to be employed by him in the
Congregations, and to read a public lecture. At one of these assemblies
Fra Paolo met Bellarmine, and a friendship ensued which does honor
to both. Neither made any compromise as to what he considered truth,
and when the hour did come when they stood opposed to each other,
the noble conduct of Bellarmine cast a deathless lustre around the
character of the Jesuit who dared, even in spite of the opinions of
Possevin and others of his Order, to warn Sarpi that his life was in danger.
Bellarmine was ten years his senior, and learned himself, he appreciated the
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? 52 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1585.
learning of Fra Paolo. In youth he was distinguished for his superior talents,
and in after years as a controversialist. Although short in stature, in letters
he was no dwarfish nephew of Pope Marcellus. He joined the society of the
Jesuits when only eighteen, but he differed materially from that body
as to the doctrine of justification by faith, and in this particular leant to
the opinions of Saint Augustine. He was the first of his Order who
professed theology at the University of Lonvain, and his sermons were
listened to everywhere with marked attention and applause. Although
his countenance was not prepossessing, his manners were courteous and
fascinating: he loved peace, and never joined in harsh measures against
those who differed from him; saying that he valued an ounce of
peace more than a pound of victory. He was remarkable for patience
and great perspicuity of language, both in conversation and in his
Writings, with the exception of those of 1607. He was in great
favor with the Court of Rome where his strict life did not pass unob-
served, and he might have risen to the Pontificate had not the Jesuits
been distasteful to the other Orders. He was employed by Gregory
to instruct the students in the-vast college which the Pope had esta-
blished in Rome, but although he held very exalted views of the Pa-
pacy, yet Sixtus was not satisfied that Bellarmine affirmed (which he did
at one time), that the temporal power of the Pope was indirectly given
by the Holy Saviour to the Pope. Its advocates were still on the increase.
The papal Nuncios at Paris and at Venice approved of the attempt on
the life of Queen Elizabeth of England, and Cardinal Allen advocated
the regicide of an excommunicated prince, contending that it was lawful.
Such were the opinions against- which Fra Paolo had to strive, but it
must have been consolatory to him to know, that they were unwelcome at
Venice and at Rome, where he Was still detained. He was happy in the so-
ciety of the pious and learned Spanish Canonist Novarro, who at upwards
of ninety had left his country to plead the cause of the injured Carranga
Archbishop of Toledo. Notwithstanding the extraordinary severity of
'the Cardinal San Severina, on his return to Rome, Paolo found him as
before well pleased with himself, but still wont to tell others who did
not contradict him, " that they were flatterers, and those who opposed
him and boldly gave their reasons for their opposition, that they were too
free and daring. "
But of 'all the friends of Fra Paolo at Rome, to none was his society
more acceptable than to the Cardinal Castagna, afterwards Pope Ur-
ban VII, whose life and similarity of disposition were the probable cause
of their amity. The Cardinal ever Welcomed Fra Paolo with a smile,
and the more frequent Were his visits, the more was the Cardinal well
satisfied. '
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? 81'. 33. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 53
From him Fra Paolo obtained information as to his History of the
Council of Trent; the Cardinal Castagna had been President at the forma-
tion of the decrees of that Council. "But the decrees," wrote Sarpi,
" do not agree with what the Congregation of Cardinals dictated as to the
Council. "
Paolo listened to all he heard concerning this subject, and made notes
on it, but this was not his only occupation, he appears usually to have
followed out some scientific pursuit when called to any city for the affairs
of the Servi, and thus we find that on the occasion of his going to Naples to
attend a Chapter of his Order, he became acquainted with della Porta, to
whom the discovery of the Camera Obscura is attributed. A meeting of
learned and scientific persons was held at his house, of which no one could
be a member unless he had made some new discovery; of all the members,
Sarpi was he who made the greatest research on the properties of the
magnet.
Besides da Porta of Naples, another associate also of Fra Paolo at
Rome demands notice. It is uncertain which of the original Jesuits he
met at Rome, but Fra Fulgenzio believed that he was Bobadilla, of whose
holy simplicity Fra Paolo spoke with pleasure, and it must have been
very gratifying to his devout mind to have seen this aged man at prayer
in places remote from the haunts of man. They frequently conversed, and
Bobadilla told Fra Paolo freely, " That had Ignatius returned to earth,
he would have found his Order in such 'a state that he would not have
recognized it as that Order which he had founded. " Bobadilla was one
of the seven persons who, at the instigation of Ignatius Loyola, took
a solemn vow at the Church of Montmartre, that after they had finis-
hed a course of theology, they would renounce the world, live in
poverty, labor for the glory of God and the good of souls, preach the
gospel to -the infidel, and if unable to fulfil this vow, they agreed
to offer their services to the Pope,_Ir-ivice in two years they renewed
their vows at Montmartre. Bobadilla remained steadfast to Loyola,
and when the latter summoned the ten (the seven had increased
to this number) to Venice, 1537, Bobadilla accompanied the others
habited as a pilgrim, all his worldly 'goods in a knapsack on his
back, and his Bible, breviary and rosary suspended around his neck.
He had intended to accompany Loyola and the little company to
Jerusalem, but he was hindered by the war between Turkey and
Venetia, and the ten went to Rome, 1538, Where they met with
great opposition from the Cardinal Giudici on account of the vast
increase of new Orders. At length Paul III approved the Society of
Jesuits by a bull dated the 27th of September 1540, but with this
proviso, that their number should not exceed sixty persons. The Jesuits
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? 54 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1585.
professed poverty, but their profession and practice were at variance.
Loyola was created General of the Order on the 14th of March 1541,
and by a second bull of Paul III, the Society was allowed to be
composed of unlimited numbers, with liberty not only to make any
additions to the former constitutions, but also to change them ad
Mbitum. Many other privileges were also granted to Loyola, who
demanded and enforced a stricter obedience than had ever been re-
quired or exacted from any members of any monastic body. Pope
Julius III confirmed the privileges of the Jesuits, on the 22nd of
October 1552. In lb55 Loyola died, but not before he liad seen
his Society overspread the world. Roderigo and Xavier had the
Indies for their province; Faber, Germany; Aranez, Spain; Lainez Pas-
quier and Bobadilla, Italy; the seventh was sent with some youths to
France; Salmeron to Great Britain and Ireland, and several to Ame-
rica. In 1543 there were only eighty eight Jesuits, in 1545 they had
ten religious houses, in 1549 they had two provinces, one in Portugal,
and twenty two houses, in 1556 twelve provinces.
There can be no doubt ofthe honesty of Ignatius Loyola, his er-
rors were the result of a neglected education and a heated imagination,
usurping command over a weaker judgment. This is very evident in
his work called" Spiritual Exercises. " Sarpi never charged Loyola
with the intrigues and errors of his followers, but he did not hesitate
to condemn his theology. It was opposed to the theology of the Holy
Scriptures and of Saint Augustine.
Devotion to Ignatius appeared to be the mainspring of the obedience of
his followers, and the world witnessed= a self-abnegation founded on the
observation of the Spiritual Exercises which was a just cause of astonish-
ment. Ignatius aimed at nothing less than the spread of his Society, and
an entire subjugation of the will, understanding, and affection of each
member to him and to each successive General. The Jesuits were not a
body of which the members were actuated by separate impulse, one pulse
vibrated through the whole. The General could command the whole body
or the least member, equally certain that his command was law that
must be implicitly obeyed. The constitutions enlarged and recast (it is
believed by Lainez) certainly tended to the absolute bondage of the
conscience, it was made over to another, in strict parlance that so-
vereign was hurled from his throne, and the man was led captive
by another, until the hour when that dethroned sovereign asserted
its forgotten rights, and demanded to be reinstated in its high place.
But by long habitude and training, the conscience Was oftimes lul-
led to sleep, and the Jesuits were almost unconsiously slaves and ac-
customed by degrees to a novel and farlulty svstem of morals and of
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? ET. 33. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 55
theologynjhey did what once they would have been loath to do,
not because they judged it to be right, but because it was their
duty to obey their superior, when for the weal of the Pope or of the
Church. Men 'so sworn to the interests of the Court of Rome were
justly feared by Fra Paolo Sarpi, and this is the reason why their rise
and progress have been entered into here. They formed an important
feature of his times, and the reader will mark the different path of
these Reformers and of Sarpi. To a lover of free thought, of liberty of
conscience, of integrity, and of justice like him the Jesuits were op'-
POSe(l,'IlTB sighed for true reform within the Church of Rome, and
saw the Jesuits assume the name of Reformed when he knew they had
no right to such a title. Any reform which would tend to an abroga-
tion of their novel doctrines was distasteful to an Order who were the
servants of the Popes, or rather of the Papacy, for some of the Pon-
tiffs did not approve of the Jesuits, and in later times the Order was
abolished by Clement XIV ' who partook largely of the opinions of
Sarpi as to the reform of the Church of Rome. Of the reformed Church
and its members whom the Jesuits deemed "heretics" they were the
opponents, and as they ignored all human ties, their hearts were steeled
against the voice of supplication. Sarpi, both in his letters and other
writings, complains bitterly of their obduracy. They were strict obser-
vers of human nature, and were distinguished for their tact, address,
and good manners. They were generally of pleasing exterior, and to
this " letter of recommendation" ' they added considerable power of
bending those whom they addressed to their purpose.
About the year 1556, the Jesuits had obtained such knowledge
of state affairs at Venice through the confessional, that it was se-
riously mooted that they should be banished from the city; but they
used all their talents and skill in persuasion to remain, and effected
their purpose, the Senators contenting themselves' with forbidding their
wives and daughters to confess to them, though unfortunately some of
the Senators at a later period had recourse themselves to these attrac-
tive but unsafe teachers. We shall have occasion to notice their pro-
gress from time to time, their first introduction to Venice was sin-
gular. Duriug the infancy of Fra Paolo, Trevisano was Doge, he was
a good but superstitious man, and many years previous to his holding
the highest office in the state he lived in' S. Marco. It is said that he
dreamed that a saint stood at his door. He awoke, went to it, and
found Loyola. Trevisano sheltered him, presented him to the Doge
1 Restored by Pius VII.
2 Lord Bacon.
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? 56 THE LIFE OF [A. E. 1587.
Gritti, who gave him a free passage to Palestine, but Trevisano did
not know the effect of that introduction, it was not long before the
Jesuits made Venice a stronghold. The genius and intelligence of
the Venetians would be a powerful instrument to the Society, and it
was not neglected, but they never Won Fra Paolo to be one of their
number.
The heart of Fra Paolo was_deeply touched by the war against the
Reformed in Germany and in France. How would he have been glad-
dened had Henry III remembered the parting advice given to him by
the Doge and Senate, to sheath his sword against his subjects, whose
only demand was in liberty of conscience to serve their God. It is a
spot of earth on which the eye loves to rest, that where the tolerant
Servite craved of Heaven's High King, thatfi would permit a gen-
tler rule, and it may well be believed that all the persecutions and
misery that Fra Paolo either saw or heard of for the sake of religion,
not only awakened his deepest sympathy, but nerved him for the con-
test which he was one day to wage against papal aggression and
wrong.
He had many objects of interest; books and rare MSS. which few
saw were open to him/for example, he was at Rome when the Codex
Amiatinus, was borrowed for the correction of the Sixtine Bible. ' Fra
Paolo speaks of the readings of Sixtus, but not in commendation; the
edition of the Scriptures published by this Pope. was too much in ac-
cordance with the papal interpretation of the volume to be approved by
an unprejudiced scholar. Sixtus published not only an edition of the
Vulgate, but a Bible in the Italian language against the wishes of the
Cardinals. To the people the Sacred Book was still prohibited, which was
a source of regret to Fra Paolo because there were Bibles of Venice 1471,
1477, and 1481, and Brucciolo's of 1541, and it must never be lost sight of
in his biography, that the Holy Scriptures were his guide in life, his con-
solation in afiiiction, his refuge in danger, his support in death.
Sixtus had made large additions to the Library of the Vatican, which
at the end of the sixteenth century was esteemed the richest public library
in the world, and Fra Paolo availed himself of its treasures, Ilia chief
families of Rome had also amassed many volumes, and the learned honor-
ed him by presents of books. His eagerness to see works lately published,
or that he had not previously met with, is apparent throughout his let-
ters, and as his reputation increased, authors were ambitions to send their
1 The New Testament of this valuable Copy of the Latin Vulgate was published
by Dr. Tischendorf, and the whole is about to be prepared for publication by
Dr. Heyse an accurate German scholar for Brockhaus Leipzig. The Codex was
restored A. D. 1590, and is now in the Laurentian Library.
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? A? '1'. 35. ] ERA PAOLO SARPI 57
'-wwwm
works to him, and to await his opinion of them before they were sent to
the press.
When the usual term of his office as Procurator was completed, Fra
Paolo retraced his steps to Venice. Poor he had entered the vast city
of Rome, poor he quitted it, but he had gained deep insight into the
policy of Sixtus V, he had seen that although there were men of deep
religious thought at his Court yet there was scarcely any advancement
but through intrigue, the liberality of his sentiments was even then sus-
pected, as the issue proved, notwithstanding his silence and prudence. He
was little likely to follow the faulty precepts of those desirous of place, he
had early shown that a Court was uncongenial to him, and the Court of
Rome partook too much of the nature of other Courts to be relished by a
man whose highest ambition was to follow the steps of a King whose
kingdom is not of this world. " Regnum meum non est de hoc mondo, "
was often repeated by him. Nor could his non-reception of the doctrines
of the Jesuits pass unnoticed at Romejhey had the power by means of
constant confession as well as otherwise, of discovering the most hidden
secrets, and as Fra Paolo was acquainted with Bobadilla and Bellarmine,
either they or other members of their Society knew his opinion of it.
It has been well observed that among those who dwelt within the walls
of convents and monasteries, " religion was usually either all or nothing, "
/issuredly, that in such institutions there have been reared many of su-
perior talent and vast acquirements, of great and varied science and
extensive erudition, men of whom human nature might be justly proud, is
a fact which needs no proof, but it is equally true, that within these walls
have been found others in whom that life of seclusion has fostered the
worst passions; who first corrupted by idleness have brooded over mis-
chievous designs from which they would once have recoiled, until carried
on from step to step by ambition, love of gain, or other evil incentives
they have come to feel no compunction even in jeopardizing the life of an
innocent person. '
But lest the reader suppose from this that in the narrative which follows
concerning Gabriello there is any desire to overcharge the failings of an
enemy of Fra Paolo, we quote from the faithful pen of Fra Fulgenzio.
" The latter part of the charge of Fra Paolo as Procurator at Rome was
during the early part of the Pontificate of Sixtus V, who having been
himself a Friar, knew those among the Friars who were remarkable for
their talents. And knowing the Padre's genius, he eniployed him in the
Congregations and in other affairs more than had been usually done. On one
occasion when the Pope was being carried on his litter through the streets,
he summoned P. Paolo to him and conversed with him for some time.
Although the subject of this conversation was nothing more than some me-
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? as THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1587-
morials against the Generals of the Order of the Servi, this unusual oc-
currence was remarked by the whole Court, and it was quickly rumoured
how much the Padre was in favor with the Pontiff. Idle gossip had already
created him a Cardinal. But the flattering incident, which he had never
sought or coveted, entailed on him a long and harassing persecution. On
first leaving Venice, he had commended his friends to the counsel and
direction of Gabriello Colissoni, who had formerly been associated with
him in the removal of certain abuses from the Provinces. But it often
happens that what we condemn in others we justify in ourselves, and as
Gabriello's ruling, principal passion was self interest, he carried on a
system of extortion during the Padre's absence from his Province to such
excess, as to acquire there an almost absolute power.
There remained in
fact but one impediment in his way: the expectation of the Padre's speedy
return to Venice, by whom he knew such malpractices would not be ap-
proved. He therefore thought his safest course would be to endeavour to
persuade him to remain at Rome, and to this object he at once 'applied
himself, and procured some of the Padre's best friends to advise him that
by a further sojourn his credit at the Court of Rome might probably ad-
vance his fortunes. But the Padre, not only reproved him for the advice,
but to cut short the correspondence, answered him once for all by a letter
written in cypher (the same which was usually employed between them)
in these words; " Would you have me place confidence in Rome, where"
only " Cenedi " and other ministers of pleasure or of gain prosper? "
This unfortunate letter and the cypher with it were carefully treasured
up by Gabriello, and when at the end of three years the Padre returned
to his Convent, he found the extortions of Gabriello throughout the Pro-
vince had been carried to such an excess as he could not possibly sanc-
tion. A venal countenance of them was however obtained with some diffi-
culty, and at a cost of no less than 20,000 . Ducats, part of the accumu-
. lated plunder, from some who were paying court to the Cardinal S. Se-
verina; and when at last the Padre expressed his disapproval, Gabriello
at once came to an open rupture with him. Then it was, that to save
himself and carry his point, Gabriello, who was already in favor with
the Court, and, which is yet more surprising, especially With the Car-
dinal Protector, at that time Head of the Holy Office, presented to
that Court the letter of the Padre and its cypher above mentioned.
On this the Cardinal, though he did not venture to cite the Padre
before the Inquisition, evinced the most implacable anger, and as the
multitude always veer with the wind as it changes, although Fra Paolo,
seeing the abuses in his Province were now incurable, withdrew from all
further concern in its government to the privacy of his cell, he became
from this time a constant mark for persecution, if not in his own person
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? ar. 35. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 69
(where it was difiicult to find a vulnerable point), yet in the person of his
friends, who were not only excluded from degrees and honors on the
most trifling pretences, but every fault, even the most venial, was ma-
gnified into a mortal sin. " '
No doubt, this letter and cypher were never forgotten at the Court of
Rome. The resentment of such a spirit as that of the Cardinal S. Seve-
rina was no light matter, but he had not at present declared himself
openly against Fra Paolo. Perhaps conscience might have admonished
him how strictly true had been the stricture against Rome expressed in
the Padre's letter, whom all her blandishments had not been able to
seduce from the path of honor and rectitude. '
At all events, the tide of public opinion was not wholly against him.
He had still many friends, friends even within the " Council of the Ten,"
friends within the Senate, friends among the nobles, friends among the
merchants, citizens and people. Free and independant Venice was still
proud of Fra Paolo, and had any ventured to carry that letter before the
Inquisition at Venice, the charge would have fallen utterly powerless,
for the Republic still required three of her patricians to be present
there to see justice done, and to control the papal officials. In all
Venice there never was found one noble capable of dragging Fra
Paolo before the Inquisition. Rome reserved to herself the shame of de-
manding his presence before that most iniquitous tribunal, a tribunal
against which the outraged people of Naples, Mantua and many others
towns of Italy had often risen, but were powerless till modern times to
effect its destruction.
The Republic, or more properly speaking the Doge and Senate, knew all
that was going on at Rome, and the treachery of Gabriello had doubtless
been communicated to them by their Ambassador at that city, but it had
created no prejudice in their minds against Fra Paolo, and he was still
welcomed as usual by his friends at the Ridotto Morosini, an interesting
association which is thus described by one who frequented it. " This con-
versazione had become numerous, not only as men of Worth and letters
made it their resort, some of whom have since become distinguished Sena-
tors and stars in the firmament of the most serene Republic, but all vir-
tuosi, seculars and men of religious orders were admitted, as well as all
lovers of literature who came to Venice from Italy or from any other
country. . . Ceremony which in our times is so much affected, and yet is so
superfluous, was debarred: because it wearies the brains of the most quick
sighted and consumes time by an artificial method of telling untruths,
unmeaning because it means so much. But politeness, freedom and confi-
1 MS.
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? 60 _ THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1588.
dence prevailed, each person was permitted to introduce his own subject,
without any restriction as to passing from one topic to another, thus
there was always new matter, the object in discussion being the discovery
of truth.
Whatever subject was introduced, Paolo could not only discourse on
it without premeditation, but was equally ready to maintain a proposition,
or to impugn it, after the manner of the schools. This he did to the sur-
prise of all present, and if in his riper years any one recalled these thing
to his remembrance, he smiled and treated them as trifles. "
The illustrious Andrea Morosini and Sarpi had been school-fellows as
well as companions in their maturer years, and the courteous manners, as
well as the learning of the Servite, could not fail to ensure respect under
the roof of the future senator and historian of Venice. The calm dignified
and grave but not morose expression, which pervades the portrait of
Morosini is but a faithful mirror of the mind of that eloquent and distin-
guished patriot. Deep thought dwells in that steadfast eye, and the whole
countenance as well as the bearing of the head bespeak, not only high birth,
but noble qualities.
Another member of the society was Leonardo Donato, he too
had been the school-fellow of Fra Paolo, and had studied at Bologna
and at Padua. He was a man of prudent and upright character, loyal
to his God and to his country. He had beensent on several embassies
to foreign powers, had given promise of the wisdom of his future career,
and no one could so well inform the society at the Morosini of the
state of affairs at the Court of Rome as Donato, who had resided
there officially. His countenance although solemn was agreeble , to
some he appeared severe, but he was not so; his head, like his hand-
writing, was peculiarly small. Sir Henry Wotton remarks, " I call not
impertinently to mind that one of my time in Venice had wit enough
to become the civil head of that grave Republic who yet was called, il
Donato Testolina. " '
Sarpi held frequent discussions on grave subjects with Donato at the
Morosini, thus the future Doge had ample opportunity of discovering the
development of his talents. And well had it been if these two great men
could both have acted in future with equal fearlessness of the Court of
Spain. But while Paolo Sarpi and the company at the Morosini lamented
the growing power of Philip, and the assumptions of the Pope, all valued
these meetings, not only as a union of wise heads and indefatigable
students both of the abstruse and the lesser sciences, but of hearts Which
beat high for the weal of their country.
\,_I Letter. Arch. Ven. = Survey of Education, p. 81.
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? anr. 36. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI - 61
One of these was Mocenigo, afterwards Bishop of Ceneda, who to
qualify him for the discharge of the duties of his Bishopric studied
canon law under Fra Paolo, and took him with him to Ferrara when he
went there to meet the Pope. Marc Trevisano, an old friend of Fra
Paolo, also attended the Morosini, besides several of the Contarini, whose
ancestry not only held place amongst the most ancient nobles of Venice,
but were like themselves emulous of distinction in the world of letters.
Of Nicolo Contarini, Fra Paolo expressed himself in warm terms; that
senator shielded the Servite on many occasions from wrong.
Ottavio Buono, a distinguished citizen who declined the honor of nobi-
lity, was also a friend of Fra Paolo, and the guest of the Morosini as well
as the noble Veniero: in the latter pages of this work is the last sad
tribute to their friendship from his truthful pen. _
It is no easy task to draw the character of Domenico Molino. No one
' can look on his portrait, and not be attracted by the countenance of this
wise and accomplished senator in his state robes of crimson, and ample
ruff. Of tender nature, this great and good man was much beloved, and
his praise is to be found in many volumes. That he was known and
valued beyond the Alps, bespoke his liberality of sentiment, which was a
strong bond of union between him and Fra Paolo, who took great pleasure
in his society, not only at the Morosini but at his Convent. He was a man
of elegant manners,. a patron of letters, and highly esteemed not only by
Vortius but also by Pereisc. The Senator Antonio Quirini, a distinguished
noble who afterwards wrote in favor of the Republic, as well as Marcello,
a relation of Molino and of similar tastes, Marini Zane and Sebastian
Veniero whom Galileo classes with Agostino da Mula and Fra Paolo Sarpi
for their skill in mathematics, ' Jacopo Morosini, Leonardo Giustiniani,
Bodoaro, Antonio Malpietro, the Secretaries Dolce, Giambattista Padavino,
and others formed the society at the Morosini.
Attired in the habit of his Order, although scrupulusly nice in his person
and dress, his garments formed a strong contrast to those of the company;
but they looked deeper than the surface, it was by the stature of his mind
that they measured Fra Paolo. The patricians of the Senate wore gorgeous
robes of crimson on state occasions, but in private the nobles were more
conspicuous for the costliness than the vivid color of their dress, and
beneath the ample folds of their cloaks they often wore rich apparel
and jewels of great value. The Secretaries of state were attired in blue,
the Knights in black, long sleeves, red caps and collars of lawn, their
hose and doublets of black satin or brocade.
Such was the company, and such the outward guise of the members of
06'.
1 Difesa Galileo, p. 183.
-A
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? 62 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1588.
the Morosini, and happy was it for Fra Paolo that he had such a resort
where he could enjoy social intercourse and friendship, which was one
of the great charms of his existence. He had the true Socratic art of
drawing forth others in conversation, and thus discovering the depths of
their minds, which was perhaps to be attributed to his faculty of being
able to discourse on every subject that might arise. If he met with any one
preeminent in any art or science, he questioned him with peculiar suavity,
till he had gained all the information he could, and this he did without
either importunity or troublesome curiosity. His greatest pleasure was
to listen to travellers, who could describe other lands, their inhabitants,
religion and manners; and this information he could acquire at the Nave
d'Oro, the house of the Signor Sechini, who had studied at the university
of Lonvain/ and was very superior to his position in life. For one and
twenty years he welcomed Fra Paolo to his home, especially when there
were foreigners present whom Paolo loved to question, and when in later
years the family was calumniated because the elder and younger Se-
chini were his friends, and Paolo would therefore have withdrawn from
their society, the Sechini, with the true nobility of disinterested friendship,
would not consent to his absence, preferring his company to any pecu-
niary loss.
At the Nave d'Oro Fra Paolo met M. Perrot, who on his return from
Constantinople with the Ambassador Aramont remained in Italy, where
his amiable manners and great candor gained him general esteem. Although
he was of the Reformed Church and wrote on the Bull of Sixtus against
the King of Navarre, these were no obstacles to his acquaintance with Fra
Paolo, and the author of " L'aviso piacevole dato alla bclla Italia,"
had such regard for Paolo that their friendship continued through
life,Il_1us the genial presence of Fra Paolo- was not only agreeable to
those Venetians he met at the Nave d'Oro, but to those foreigners who
formed part of the company; and boasted/that they "had seen the greatest
genius of his time. " He was well known to Europe before the year
1606; if he was too modest to proclaim his abilities they had not
escaped observation, and the Friar who was honored by " Popes, Princes
and their Nobility, Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, and by the
universities of Italy, " could not be unknown.
Little has been said as to Fra Paolo's health; he had throughout life
grave disorders; about this period he suffered from derangement of the
whole system, and violent pains in the head.
As in childhood he was small in body, and his stature short, thus he
had little strength to combat with infirmity. Notwithstanding, he bore
pain with serenity, nay even hilarity, and never intruded his sufferings in
time of illness upon others. "He looked on it as a mark of divine favor
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? arr. 36. ] - FRA PAOLO SARPI 63
giving warning of death, and was impressed with the idea that he would
not live. His weakness did not however interfere with his division of the
day into three parts, the service of God, study and conversation. He was
always present at the church services. The furniture of his room was very
simple; its only ornament was a picture which pourtrayed Christ in the
- garden of Gethsemane, a crucifix with a human skull beneath it, as
his peculiar mirror, and three hour glasses to measure the time. He had
no wish, therefore he felt no want, he was rich in his poverty, although
without income or possessed of any source whence he could obtain
money, of Which he had only sufficient for the day, and that but little.
He had no books but what were given or lent to him by his friends,
but as he remembered all he read, no Prince ever had a greater library. " 1
" Fra Paolo was a man of the most lively sensibility, discerning objects
of which others were quite insensible. It was wonderful how quickly he
perceived of what meats were composed, whether compounded or mixed,
good or injurious, and as at certain times and for certain reasons he had
great cause to guard against poison that faculty was not superfluous. Not
that he was fastidious in his food, but because he knew that what God
keeps is well kept, he felt sure that by his exquisite taste He would
warn him whenever there was danger, and as the peril was greatest in
what he drank, he was then still more upon his guard. His passibility was
ve_ry great, every thing made a lasting impression upon him, and it was
wonderful how long these impressions remained in his mind. The form of
every place which he had seen was graven on his memory, and his friends
would question him thousands of times how it was possible to remember
such minutia. If he read a book (and he read every book of any note
which issued from the press), he knew the whole work, even the place in
a page where he had read, and as he was so easily impressed, it was more
surprising that it was as difficult to efface the impression; and such was
his deep humility that if one praised him for this, he would say they only
praised a great imperfection and a great weakness which was injurious to
him; that his great passibility was the cause of it, that it gave him no
trouble, and that his memory being so retentive, so far from being a
perfect virtue or quality, only showed that his affections were moved, which
evinced passion, and therefore every little idea or relic of the object continued
it. His constant study of the canon law and decrees, prior and subsequent
to the time when he relinquished his office as provincial, was such
that he not only knew their date, but the cause for which they had been
enacted, the source from whence they were taken, and every particular
connected with their observance and nonobservance, as well as with the
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? 64 THE LIFE OF [. a. n. 1588.
intricate history of all beneficiary matters and the controversies concerning
them. To theory he now added the practice of the Congregations of the
tribunals at Rome, their formula and method of procedure. "
But what was most wonderful was that he retained the remembrance
of every place, site, figure, or statue that he had seen. From this passi-
bility, according to Fra Paolo from this impressible temperament, but ac-
cording to others from his great intellectual powers, and not so far as we
know from any study of physiognomy, " he had greater knowledge, of cha-
racter, " Fra Fulgenzio proceeds to say, " than any one I ever saw, and I
could relate how only from one conversation with certain persons he formed
an opinion of them as correct as if that little window, so coveted by
Momus, was actually in their hearts. If I told of his penetration into their
nature, habits, inclinations and deportment, I fear that my statement of
the truth would bring my writing into discredit. The necessity of minute
though unwilling observation so refined his judgment, that in his latter
years especially some of the friars thought he had a familiar spirit, an idea
which needs no refutation, he was but like a skilful performer, who judges
of an instrument by one touch. I remember several virtuosi coming to see
him in his cell, when one who had made a very accurate study of the
properties of the magnet, believing with good reason that he knew as
much on this subject as any one, was introduced to the Padre and entered
into conversation with him; but on finding that there was. no sp-eculation
or experiment which the Friar was unacquainted with or could not prove,
he was overcome by surprise. Remarkable inventions of instruments, en-
gines for measurement of weight or time, or for mathematical or military
purposes, all these were brought for his inspection. He immediately perceiv-
ed the design, and gave his opinion as to any one of these articles being
likely to serve the intended purpose or not. Many men of great genius
(still alive) communicated their inventions of any new instrument to him,
and if it was of value, he would show in what manner it could be im-
proved. " 1 .
Fra Paolo continued to make Padua a favorite resort; besides meeting
with Acquapendente and Santorio, he had long enjoyed the society of
Pinelli, whose house was the assembly of many savans. He was there intro-
duced to Ghetaldo the mathematician, who espressed much surprise at
the acqnirements of Fra Paolo in mathematics, and subsequently became
his friend. Pinelli was rich, and distributed his Wealth with a liberal,
hand, ' and many a student was cheered by his generosity when need would
have driven him from the University. This learned Genoese had a keen
3 Life of Pinelli, Guaido (Latin).
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? E1'. 36. ]
FRA PAOLO SARPI 65
love of study, and versed in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin tongues, as well
as Spanish, French, and Italian, he was no less master of mathematics,
philosophy, jurisprudence, and medicine; music was one of his recreations
as also was botany, his knowledge of which would recommend him to
Fra Paolo who laid out the first botanic garden at Padua.
From the time Pinelli fixed his abode there (1558), he began to collect
books, and his library was one of the finest in Europe. His cabinet of
antiquities, maps, medals, minerals, mathematical and astronomical instru-
ments were at the service of all; and although of weakly constitution and
unable to leave his home except to attend church, he made all welcome
to his hospitality. His mien was graceful and modest, and his eye, despite
its weakness, was indicative of a mind of no common calibre. In letters he
found a kindred spirit in Fra Paolo, but there was yet a deeper union not
only with Pinelli, Donato, De Thou, Molino, Du Plessis Mornay, and
De Ferrier, in religion which diffused its harmony through this circle of
learned men on earth , binding them together in the harmony of
heaven.
When Fra Paolo returned from Padua, he found to his grief that one
of the first objects of 'San Severina's ill treatment was Fra Giulio, an aged
man of irreprehensible life. When Paolo entered the Order of the Servi,
Fra Giulio had supplied him with clothes, travelling expenses and books,
" as to clothes, he only had one suit, if he had fallen into the water, he
must have remained in bed till his habit was dried. " 1 This appears but
a slender stock of clothing, but small as it was if it had not been that
Fra Paolo had supplies from the Convent, it would have been still more
limited, since from great age and loss of memory Fra Giulio forgot what
he had undertaken to supply. Fra Paolo was little disturbed by this, he
contented himself with what the Convent gave him, " one might as well
think of altering a square as of disturbing Paolo. " He heard that poor as
his allowance was, both he and Fra Giulio were to be deprived of that,
and Giulio was banished from Venice under pretext of his having excited
the nobles against the Patriarch. Hitherto Fra Paolo had submitted, but
this last act of injustice roused him; he went to Rome, pleaded for the
aged friar's return to Venice, and won his cause. The slanders of the foes
of Fra Paolo and Giulio sank as sinks the darkness of night before the
sun of morn.
1 MS.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-11 22:53 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. 31158010289923 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
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CHAPTER V.
A. D.
