d. The Cardinal of
Lorraine had affixed above the entrance a pompous declaration, in the form
of a congratulatory notice from Charles the Ninth to Gregory and the
"sacred college of cardinals," wherein the Very Christian King renders
thanks to Heaven that, "inflamed by zeal for the Lord God of Hosts, like a
smiting angel divinely sent, he had suddenly destroyed by a single
slaughter almost all the heretics and enemies of his kingdom." The
latinity of the placard might not be above reproach; but it is certain
that its sentiments received the cordial approval of the assembled
prelates.[1153] Set forth in golden characters, and decorated with festive
leaves and ribbons,[1154] it proclaimed that the hierarchy of the Roman
Church had no qualms of conscience in indorsing the traitorous deed of
Charles and Catharine. But still more unequivocal proofs were not wanting.
A well known medal was struck in honor of the event, bearing on the one
side the head of the Pope and the words "Gregorius XIII. Pont. Max. An.
I.," and on the other an angel with cross and sword pursuing the heretics,
and the superscription, "Ugonottorum strages, 1572."[1155]

[Sidenote: Paintings by Vasari in the Vatican.]

By the order of the Pope, the famous Vasari painted in the Sala Regia of
the Vatican palace several pictures representing different scenes in the
Parisian massacre. Upon one an inscription was placed which tersely
expressed the true state of the case: "Pontifex Colinii necem
probat."[1156] The paintings may still be seen in the magnificent room
which serves as antechamber to the Sistine Chapel.[1157]

To the French ambassador, M. de Ferralz, Gregory expressed in the most
extravagant terms his satisfaction, and that of the college of cardinals,
not only with the events of Paris, but with the news daily coming to Rome
of similar massacres in progress in different cities of France. He
convinced Ferralz that no more delightful tidings could have reached the
pontifical court. The battle of Lepanto could not compare with it. "Tell
your master," said he to the envoy at the conclusion of his audience,
"that this event has given me a hundred times more pleasure than fifty
victories like that which the League obtained over the Turk last year." In
the excess of his joy he did not forget to enjoin on every one he spoke
to, especially all Frenchmen, to light bonfires in honor of the massacre,
hinting that whoever should fail to do so must be unsound in