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The VIII. ADVERTISEMENT.
A great controversie arising in point of Precedency, between the Prince of Bisagnano, and Dr. Juliano Corbelli of St. Marino. Apollo refers the consideration thereof to the Congregation of Ceremonies, by which it is decided.
A Difference arose a while ago in point of Precedency, between the Prince of Bisagnano, and Iuliano Corbelli, Doctor of Law at S. Marino, a little Castle in Romania, but very famous for the great Pre-eminency of liberty which it enjoys, for it is governed like a Com∣mon-wealth: and though the Doctors pretensions were so despised by the Neapolitan Barons, as it was thought presumptuous, yet was not Corbelli any whit discouraged; but appealing to Apollo, his Majestie re∣ferred the business to the Congregation of Ceremonies in Parnassus; be∣fore whom the Prince scorned to appear, complaining, that in a cause which was so clear on his side, he should be made to appear in judge∣ment against a man born in so base a Countrey, as produced nothing but Swine-herds, he himself being an illustrious Neapolitan Baron. Yet lest sentence might be given against him for his contumacy, he was forced to acquaint the Congregation with what he had to alledge for himself; who having very diligently perused the evidences produced by both parties, gave judgement six days since on the Doctors side, who being born in a Free-Countrey; was (as they said) to walk hand in hand with Kings; much more to be preferred before a Neapolitan Ba∣ron. Then, as for the Fee or Tribute which the Prince possest in Bisag∣nano; they said, that it was declared by a decree made long before by his Majestie, that he did truly deserve the name of Prince, who obeyed no King; not he who in anothers Lordship, commanded over poor vas∣sals, by vvhom he might be daily accused, abused and persecuted in Court Leet, and other Tribunals; in which case the titles of Prince, Duke or Marquis was no real thing, but a kind of false Alchimy, which was very like those glass eyes which squint eyed people wear to honest the ill-favouredness of their faces, not to make them see; then, as for his noble blood, upon which the Prince, being descended from the noble family of Sanceverini, did ground his best pretension, they said, that the Congregation did not at all consider it, the clear Testimony of the Anatomists being produced by the contrary party; wherein it being clearly proved, that the bones, nerves, flesh and bowels of men were all made after the same manner, it denoted evidently that true Nobility vvas placed in the brains, not in veins.