Cardinal
Buon-Campagno being elected, assumed the papal crown and the name of
Gregory XIII.

As for Montalto, he grew more meek, modest, and humble every day. He lived
frugally, even meanly, considering his rank, and gave the residue of his
income to the poor. He submitted patiently to all sorts of insults and
injuries, and not only forgave his enemies, but treated them with the
utmost tenderness. At this time a change appeared to take place in his
health. Violent internal pains destroyed his repose; and, although he
consulted all the doctors in Rome, and took physic from them all, he got
no better. His disease was not the less lamentable that it was nameless.
He grew thin and pale. Some said he took too much medicine. He leaned
heavily on his staff. His body was bent toward the ground: he seemed like
a man who was looking for his grave. Public prayers were offered up in the
churches for his recovery: and sometimes with so much effect, that he
appeared to be a little convalescent. At such intervals, being humble
himself, he delighted to converse with humble persons--such as the
domestics of cardinals and embassadors; and, above all things, auricular
confession, if it had not been the sick man's duty, would have been called
his hobby. He confessed every body he could bring to his knees: his mind
became a sink through which constantly poured all the iniquities of Rome.
His brother cardinals smiled at these weaknesses. The poor man was
doubtless sinking into premature dotage. They gave him in ridicule a name,
taken from the muddy wastes of Ancona, in the midst of which he had been
picked up by the stray Franciscan: they called him THE ASS OF LA MARCA.

III. The Pope.

Time wore on in this way, till at length Gregory XIII. died. The event
took place at a perplexing moment, for never had the College of Cardinals
been so completely torn asunder by conflicting interests. There were three
powerful parties so singularly well-balanced, that each felt sure of being
able to elect the new Pope, and the poor Ass of La Marca, who was once
more obliged to join the conclave, was half-distracted with their various
claims. All they cared about was his vote; but that was important. They
were compelled, however, by tradition, to go through the form of
consulting him from time to time; and the cardinal, though never giving
way to impatience, was pathetic in his entreaties to be let alone.
According to the custom of this solemn council, eac