38.
Sixtus, however, while thus providing for his family, could not enjoy life without some youthful protege about his person.

Accordingly in 1463 he made his valet, a lad of no education and of base birth, Cardinal and Bishop of Parma at the age of twenty.

His merit was the beauty of a young Olympian.

With this divine gift he luckily combined a harmless though stupid character.
With all these favorites to plant out in life, the Pope was naturally short of money.

He relied on two principal methods for replenishing his coffers.