Nickel, Goswin

Nickel, Goswin a noted Jesuit, flourished as general of his order near the middle of the 17th century. He was successor to Alexander Gottefredi, who died in March, 1651. The dislike which the order cherished against the latter was considerably intensified against Nickel, who, though it cannot be said that he contemplated any radical reforms, generally speaking, was wont to insist obstinately on his own views, and in his manner and conduct was rough, repulsive, and wanting in due respect for others. By this he very soon offended the self-love of powerful members of the order so profoundly and so sensibly that the congregation general of 1661 took steps against him, such as might have been thought impossible, if we consider the monarchical character of the institute. He was finally deposed, and is seldom heard of after. For details as to the Jesuitical intrigues to bring about his deposition, see Ranke, Hist. of the Papacy, 2:247.