"moft fuitable and ufeful advice which, in the "first inftance, I can poffibly give you.

"I well know, that as you are now to refide at "Rome, that fink of all iniquity, the difficulty of "conducting yourself by these admonitions will "be increased. The influence of example is it"felf prevalent; but you will probably meet with "those who will particularly endeavour to cor..

rupt and incite you to vice; because, as you may yourself perceive, your early attainment to "fo great a dignity is not obferved without envy, " and those who could not prevent your receiving "that honour will fecretly endeavour to diminish "it, by inducing you to forfeit the good efti"mation of the public; thereby precipitating you "into that gulf into which they have themselves "fallen; in which attempt the confideration of

your youth will give them a confidence of fuc"cefs. To thefe difficulties you ought to oppofe "yourself with the greater firmnefs, as there is at "present lefs virtue amongst your brethren of the "College. I acknowledge indeed that several of "them are good and learned men, whofe lives are "exemplary, and whom I would recommend "to you as patterns of your conduct. By emu

lating them you will be fo much the more "known and efteemed, in proportion as your age, "and the peculiarity of your fituation, will dis

"tinguish

tinguish you from your colleagues.

Avoid

however, as you would Scylla or Charibdis, the "imputation of hypocrify; guard against all of"tentation, either in your conduct or your dif"course; affect not aufterity, nor even appear too "ferious. This advice you will, I hope, in time "understand and practise better than I can ex"press it.

"You are not unacquainted with the great im"portance of the character which you have to "fuftain; for you well know that all the Chriftian "world would profper if the Cardinals were what "they ought to be; because in such a cafe there "would always be a good Pope, upon which the "tranquillity of Christendom fo materially de<< pends.

Endeavour then to render yourself "fuch, that if all the reft resembled you, we might "expect this univerfal bleffing. To give you "particular directions as to your behaviour and << conversation would be a matter of no finall

66

difficulty. I fhall therefore only recommend, "that in your intercourfe with the Cardinals, and "other men of rank, your language be unaffuming "and refpectful, guiding yourself however by

your own reafon, and not fubmitting to be im"pelled by the paffions of others, who, actuated "by improper motives, may pervert the use of ❝ their reafon. Let it fatisfy your confcience

"that your converfation is without intentional "offence; and if, through impetuofity of temper, "any one should be offended, as his enmity is "without juft caufe, fo it will not be very "lafting. On this your first visit to Rome, it "will however be more advisable for you to liften "to others than to speak much yourself.

"You are now devoted to God and the Church; "on which account you ought to aim at being a "good Ecclefiaftic, and to fhew that you prefer "the honour and state of the Church and of the "Apoftolic See to every other confideration. "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 impoffible to foresee what accidents may "happen, yet I doubt not but this may be done. "with equal advantage to all; observing, how"ever, that you are always to prefer the interests "of the Church.

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"You are not only the youngest Cardinal in the College, but the youngest perfon that ever

was raised to that rank; and you ought there"fore to be the moft vigilant and unaffuming, "not giving others occafion to wait for you,

either in the Chapel, the Confiftory, or upon

❝ de

"deputations. You will foon get a fufficient in"fight into the manners of your brethren. With "those of less respectable character, converse not "with too much intimacy; not merely on ac"count of the circumftance in itself, but for the fake of public opinion. Converfe on general "topics with all. On public occafions let your

equipage and drefs be rather below than above "mediocrity. A handsome houfe and a well"ordered family will be preferable to a great re"tinue and a fplendid refidence. Endeavour to

live with regularity, and gradually to bring "your expences within those bounds which in a << new establishment cannot perhaps be expected. "Silk and jewels are not fuitable for perfons in

your ftation. Your tafte will be better fhewn "in the acquifition of a few elegant remains of "antiquity, or in the collecting of handsome “books, and by your attendants being learned " and well bred rather than numerous. Invite "others to your houfe oftener than you receive "invitations. Practife neither too frequently. "Let your own food be plain, and take fufficient "exercise, for those who wear your habit are foon "liable, without great caution, to contract in"firmities. The ftation of a Cardinal is not lefs "fecure than elevated; on which account those "who arrive at it too frequently become negli

"gent, conceiving that their object is attained, "and that they can preferve it with little trouble. "This idea is often injurious to the life and "character of thofe who entertain it. Be at"tentive therefore to your conduct, and confide "in others too little rather than too much. "There is one rule which I would recommend to

your attention in preference to all others: Rife "early in the morning. This will not only con"tribute to your health, but will enable you to "arrange and expedite the bufinefs of the day; "and as there are various duties incident to your "ftation, fuch as the performance of divine "fervice, ftudying, giving audience, &c. you will "find the obfervance of this admonition pro"ductive of the greateft utility. Another very "neceffary precaution, particularly on your en"trance into public life, is to deliberate every " evening on what you have to perform the fol"lowing day, that you may not be unprepared for "whatever may happen. With respect to your "fpeaking in the Confiftory, it will be most be"coming for you at prefent to refer the matters "in debate to the judgment of his Holiness, al"ledging as a reafon your own youth and inex"perience. You will probably be defired to in"tercede for the favours of the Pope on particular "occafions. Be cautious however that you

"trouble