Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/110

 72 Readings in European History 245. Hutten appeals to the elector of Saxony. the economic forces then at work in Germany may prof- itably be compared with Luther's treatment of the same matters in his Address to the German Nobility. . . . We see that there is no gold and almost no silver in our German land. What little may perhaps be left is drawn away daily by the new schemes invented by the council of the most holy members of the Roman curia. What is thus squeezed out of us is put to the most shameful uses. Would you know, dear Germans, what employment I have myself seen that they make at Rome of our money ? It does not lie idle ! Leo the Tenth gives a part of it to his nephews and rela- tives (these are so numerous that there is a proverb at Rome, " As thick as Leo's relations "). A portion is con- sumed by a host of most reverend cardinals (of which the holy father created no less than one and thirty in a single day), as well as in supporting innumerable referendaries, auditors, prothonotaries, abbreviators, apostolic secretaries, chamberlains, and a variety of officials forming the elite of the great head church. These in turn draw after them, at untold expense, copyists, beadles, messengers, servants, scullions, mule drivers, grooms, and an innumerable army of prostitutes and of the most de- graded followers. They maintain dogs, horses, monkeys, long-tailed apes, and many more such creatures for their pleasure. They construct houses all of marble. They have precious stones, are clothed in purple and fine linen, and dine sumptuously, frivolously indulging themselves in every species of luxury. In short, a vast number of the worst of men are supported in Rome in idle indulgence by means of our money. . . . Does not your Grace now clearly perceive how many bold robbers, how many cunning hypocrites, are engaged con- stantly in committing the greatest crimes under cover of the monk's cowl, and how many crafty hawks feign the simplicity of doves, and how many ravening wolves simulate the inno- cence of lambs ? And although there be a few truly pious