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powers necessary to a successful diplomatist ; premising that , though the perfection may be unattainable , yet aim at its attainment is nevertheless indispensable . His following advice to the small diplomatists of our day , such as Lord Westmoreland , Stuart de

Uedcliffe , and others—indeed , we have no great ones— -ought to be framed and glazed for the special meditation of those worthies , equally as the sarcastic reflections of Swift upon the sacrifice of one ' s country to self-interest should be diligently perused by ministerial and episcopal jobbers in patronage and promotion . Our author thus speaks of the art of negotiating : —

'' Whatever be the line of policy an ambassador is directed to pursue , he should always endeavour to remain personally popular . He should thoroughly understand how to put a good face on a bad business . He should have a perfect command of temper and countenance . He should never allow a single personal feeling to interfere with his public duties . He must be careful to distinguish between the language and intentions of those with whom he treats . He will find that people very often talk themselves into a complying mood ; and even ministers are sometimes more anxious to be heard and admired for new and brilliant theories than

desirous to enforce them . It is as well to give people credit for honesty of purpose if you wish them really to show it ; for if we evince a vulgar disposition to suspect evil , our irritated adversaries will feel less scruple in verifying our suspicions . On the other hand , a wholesome vanity renders men desirous of proving themselves worthy of our good opinion . A negotiator should not only be a sound and logical reasoner , but also a pleasant and a graceful one . His dissent should never carry a sting with it . He should be invulnerable to the very weapons he uses against others , and never suffer himself to be talked away from his point .

He should be especially careful of suggesting objections for the purpose of refuting them , as such are sometimes eagerly caught at when the argument against him had been otherwise exhausted . This is giving ammunition to the enemy . Facts and logic from pleasant lips—these should be his strongest weapons . People cannot and should not be wheedled out of improper concessions . Unhappily , however , public men as well as private ones are led more by their interests and passions than by their reason , so that a keen insight into human nature will always be necessary to the success of a negotiator in the best sense of the word .

" Perhaps one of the most -finished arts of negotiation is to endeavour to instil our ideas drop by drop with happy carelessness into the minds of others , and get them to adopt our views unconsciously . A man will always give what he fancies are his own opinions a warmer welcome than those of other people . Many persons also shrink from a new idea when introduced to them too abruptly ; and a man once startled in this way is not easily dealt with afterwards . Ci

One of the first qualifications for success is to have a clear practical idea of the point to be obtained . It is as well , then , to remember that people are not to he moved by any advantages or disadvantages to you , but that they will have a marvellously quick ear for their own . If you can once convince any people that what you desire is really for their benefit , you will have small difficulty in carrying your point . Now those things which are right in themselves are always most for the true interests of all parties concerned . Success or failure in a good cause .

therefore , solely , wholly , and absolutely depends on the abilities of the negotiator . It is the fault undoubtedly ; and it is the disgrace of any diplomatist who fails in a mission with justice on his side . u ! this Russian business , what a weary and shameful series of blunders it

has been J If one man employed had understood his duty , this war would have been impossible . Such a statement as this may smack of presumption , perhaps of impertinence ; but it is true , and , by the living God , I know it ! I have watched that dreadful game played out by hands bo nerveless , and with lips so pale yet rash , that I have shuddered with impatience and disgust . Any man indeed who