Let them not do as _Gregory_ the 15th. who had given to the Cardinal _Ludovisio_ his Nephew, so great an Authority of doing and saying what he pleased, without so much as consulting his Uncle, that he was really become _Pope_, and the _Pope_ as if he had been the Nephew; and if ever he come and give him part of any secret negotiation, it was because the thing was so intricate, that he either could not, or durst not undertake to come to execution, without being first fortified with his Uncle’s advice and approbation.
But the best was, that the _Pope_ himself did not dare to ask him any questions about business, or inform himself otherwise; but sometimes would be whole weeks together without so much as seeing the face of an Ambassadour, or publick Minister: his Nephew in the mean time giving Audience, and concluding all business with them.
And the _Pope_ was so customed to this usage, that it never came into his minde to be offended at it; but would very contentedly make amends for those faults which his Nephew did often commit in his administration: and whensoever he did see his Nephew come into his presence, he would say, _Nephew_, _I am sure ’tis some very hard and intricate business that brings you hither_, _for else we should scarce be repaired to for counsel_. And he had a great deal of reason to say so, for his Nephew did never communicate to him any negotiation, except he had first spoiled it, and brought himself to a _non-plus_; and then the _Pope_ would oblige the Congregations of the Cardinals to take the business into their care, and set right again that which had been spoiled by his inability.
The second reason for the _Nipotismo_ is, that the _Popes_ may be able to govern with more care and affection. There is nothing that forces more a Prince to answer the ends of Government, and to oblige his people, than when he considers that the Government is to descend to his Heirs; for a Prince without a Successor does often dissipate and spoil that which he would preserve, if he had any body to leave it to.
The State of _Venice_ which never established any Law without having first deliberated upon it, and sifted it in their Council of _Pregadi_, does think fit to oblige the kindred of the dead Duke to answer for their Kinsman’s misdemeanours and miscarriages; fining them in great summes of money for a reparation of his faults: so that often they are fain to endure for the dead Duke those punishments, which his Dignity when he was alive, and his death, have preserved him from.