dral and
the Episcopal and Piccolomini palaces--is frequently cited by way of
establishing the young prelate's dissolute ways. It is a letter at once
stern and affectionate, and it certainly leaves no doubt as to what
manner of man was the Cardinal Vice-Chancellor in his private life, and
to what manner of unecciesiastical pursuits he inclined. It is difficult
to discover in it any grounds upon which an apologist may build.

"BELOVED SON,

"When four days ago, in the gardens of Giovanni de Bichis, were
assembled several women of Siena addicted to worldly vanity, your
worthiness, as we have learnt, little remembering the office which you
fill, was entertained by them from the seventeenth to the twenty-second
hour. For companion you had one of your colleagues, one whom his years
if not the honour of the Holy See should have reminded of his duty. From
what we have heard, dancing was unrestrainedly indulged, and not one of
love's attractions was absent, whilst your behaviour was no different
from that which might have been looked for in any worldly youth.
Touching what happened there, modesty imposes silence. Not only the
circumstance itself, but the very name of it is unworthy in one of your
rank. The husbands, parents, brothers, and relations of these young
women were excluded, in order that your amusements should be the more
unbridled. You with a few servants undertook to direct and lead those
dances. It is said that nothing is now talked of in Siena but your
frivolity. Certain it is that here at the baths, where the concourse
of ecclesiastics and laity is great, you are the topic of the day. Our
displeasure is unutterable, since all this reflects dishonourably upon
the sacerdotal estate and office. It will be said of us that we are
enriched and promoted not to the end that we may lead blameless lives,
but that we may procure the means to indulge our pleasures. Hence the
contempt of us entertained by temporal princes and powers and the daily
sarcasms of the laity. Hence also the reproof of our own mode of life
when we attempt to reprove others. The very Vicar of Christ is involved
in this contempt, since he appears to countenance such things. You,
beloved son, have charge of the Bishopric of Valencia, the first of
Spain; you are also Vice-Chancellor of the Church; and what renders your
conduct still more blameworthy is that you are among the cardinals, with
the Pope, one of the counsellors of the Holy See. We submit i