Page:On papal conclaves (IA a549801700cartuoft).djvu/86

 in after Conclaves. Down to the time of Alexander VII. (1655) the sacking of the newly-elected Pope's cell seems to have been the rule. It appears that its contents are now the perquisites of his Cameriere, an individual who stands in the position of familiar menial. The Conclavists are at present in the enjoyment of perquisites seemed by Papal rescripts,-conclusive evidence of the peculiar influence possessed by this body of men. Fifteen thousand scudi (about £3000) are allotted as a fee after election, to be divided amongst the Conclavists, who besides are allowed the privilege of becoming full citizens in any town within the Pope's dominions, are admitted to the rank of nobility, and, if members of a religious order (every Cardinal must have one ecclesiastical Conclavist), are empowered to bequeath, by will, away from their brotherhood. It is intelligible how active secretaries of this stamp, thoroughly conversant with the inner minds of the Sacred College, often should have had great influence in deciding Papal elections.

On one occasion the slyness of the Conclavist Torres all but deprived Pius IV. of his election. Torres was in attendance on Cardinal Cueva. Clandestinely he