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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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STATESMANSHIP OF PIUS IV. 123<br />

very wide experience, especially in affairs relating to Germany.^<br />

He gave him, however, as little as to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r Cardinals, a<br />

decisive influence over his plans. However much <strong>the</strong> Papal<br />

court and <strong>the</strong> diplomatists might wonder, Pius IV. persisted<br />

in reserving <strong>the</strong> affairs <strong>of</strong> state to his own cool judgment.<br />

He was led to this, not only by his own self-confidence, but<br />

also by a deep distrust <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cardinals, <strong>of</strong> whom hardly one<br />

was quite independent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> foreign princes.<br />

Girolamo Soranzo thinks that <strong>the</strong> vaccillating attitude which<br />

<strong>the</strong> Pope <strong>of</strong>ten displayed is to be attributed to <strong>the</strong> fact that<br />

he did not consult with o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

" As His Holiness is <strong>of</strong> a very<br />

hasty temperament," <strong>the</strong> Venetian explains, " even with regard<br />

to <strong>the</strong> most important affairs, he comes to a decision very<br />

rapidly ; should difficulties <strong>the</strong>n arise, he shows no obstinate<br />

persistence, but alters his decisions quickly and completely."^<br />

<strong>The</strong> sense <strong>of</strong> statesmanship which, besides <strong>the</strong> great inde-<br />

pendence <strong>of</strong> his decisions, was characteristic <strong>of</strong> Pius IV.,<br />

showed itself especially in his dealings with <strong>the</strong> secular princes.<br />

In this respect he followed an exactly opposite poHcy to that<br />

<strong>of</strong> his predecessor. While Paul IV., with a strange want <strong>of</strong><br />

appreciation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> true state <strong>of</strong> public affairs, imagined that<br />

he could treat <strong>the</strong> princes, not as his sons, but as his subjects,^<br />

<strong>the</strong> shrewd Lombard believed that, in view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> great<br />

1 See MocENiGO, 40 seq. Cf. *Awise di Roma <strong>of</strong> December<br />

30, 1559, and those <strong>of</strong> January 13 and November 23, 1560, Urb.<br />

1039 (pp. 112, 117, 218, Vatican Library). See fur<strong>the</strong>r Hilliger,<br />

20 seq. Later, in <strong>the</strong> summer <strong>of</strong> 156 1, Morone retired ; Mula and<br />

Navagero <strong>the</strong>n became <strong>the</strong> confidants <strong>of</strong> Pius IV. (see Sickel,<br />

Konzil, 204). In April, 1561, however, Morone still had great<br />

influence; see <strong>the</strong> *report <strong>of</strong> Saraceni <strong>of</strong> April 11, 1561 (State<br />

Archives, Florence). Pius IV. had great confidence in Hosius<br />

in 1561, with regard to German affairs; see *letter <strong>of</strong> G. A.<br />

Caligari <strong>of</strong> to Commendone, dated Rome, September 27, 1561<br />

(Lett. id. princ, XXIII., 36, Papal Secret Archives).<br />

178.<br />

2 See GiROL. Soranzo, 74 ; Giac. Soranzo, 130 ; P. Tiepolo,<br />

* Girol. Soranzo, 75.<br />

« Cf. Vol. XIV. <strong>of</strong> this work, pp. 69, 74,<br />

^

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