ntelligence equally ominous.
This John di Vico,--pest go with him!--who still styles himself (the
excommunicated ruffian!) Prefect of Rome, has so filled that unhappy
city with his emissaries, that we have well-nigh lost the seat of
the Apostle. Rome, long in anarchy, seems now in open rebellion.
The nobles--sons of Belial!--it is true, are once more humbled; but
how?--One Baroncelli, a new demagogue, the fiercest--the most bloody
that the fiend ever helped--has arisen--is invested by the mob with
power, and uses it to butcher the people and insult the Pontiff. Wearied
of the crimes of this man, (which are not even decorated by ability,)
the shout of the people day and night along the streets is for 'Rienzi
the Tribune.'"

"Ha!" said the Cardinal, "Rienzi's faults then are forgotten in Rome,
and there is felt for him the same enthusiasm in that city as in the
rest of Italy?"

"Alas! It is so."

"It is well, I have thought of this: Rienzi can accompany my progress--"

"My son! the rebel, the heretic--"

"By your Holiness's absolution will become quiet subject and orthodox
Catholic," said Albornoz. "Men are good or bad as they suit our purpose.
What matters a virtue that is useless, or a crime that is useful, to us?
The army of the Church proceeds against tyrants--it proclaims everywhere
to the Papal towns the restoration of their popular constitutions. Sees
not your Holiness that the acquittal of Rienzi, the popular darling,
will be hailed an earnest of your sincerity?--sees not your Holiness
that his name will fight for us?--sees not your Holiness that the
great demagogue Rienzi must be used to extinguish the little demagogue
Baroncelli? We must regain the Romans, whether of the city or whether in
the seven towns of John di Vico. When they hear Rienzi is in our camp,
trust me, we shall have a multitude of deserters from the tyrants--trust
me, we shall hear no more of Baroncelli."

"Ever sagacious," said the Pope, musingly; "it is true, we can use this
man: but with caution. His genius is formidable--"

"And therefore must be conciliated; if we acquit, we must make him ours.
My experience has taught me this, when you cannot slay a demagogue by
law, crush him with honours. He must be no longer Tribune of the People.
Give him the Patrician title of Senator, and he is then the Lieutenant
of the Pope!"

"I will see to this, my son--your suggestions please, but alarm me: he
shall at least be examined;--but if found