a Consistory, wherein he recalled to mind the fact of his secret nominations, and specially enjoined the Cardinals to admit those included in them to all the privileges of their quality. In the face of this solemn injunction the Cardinals nevertheless refused to recognise the right to vote of the prelates in question, and their decision was confirmed in a constitution by Eugenius IV., the Pope next in succession. Still there is an affirmed instance of an unpromulgated Cardinal having been admitted, through special protection, to a Conclave. Frederick Sanseverino, created by Innocent VIII. in secret, obtained the privilege of voting for Alexander VI. through the intervention of Cardinal Sforza; but this occurrence is only another example of the reckless license prevailing in these times. When, in 1550, on the death of Paul III., Bernardino della Croce, named, but not promulgated, Cardinal, demanded to exercise his supposed right, the claim was absolutely repudiated; and the decision in this instance seems to have finally put a stop to the habit of going through the process of a clandestine nomination, instead of which the Pope since has adopted the practice of merely intimating to
