Page:Diplomacy and the Study of International Relations (1919).djvu/259

 6. Miscellaneous Considerations:

(a) Qu'un Ambassadeur doit estre sobre, & s'abstenir des mets exquis: Qu'il se devoit abstenir de boire du vin aux banquets: 'L'Ambassadeur peut bien banqueter aux occasions convenables, comme aussi se trouver aux banquets des autres, mais sur tout, ie luy conseillerois de s'accoustumer à ne point boire de vin, ou pour le moins qu'il s'en abstint en ces rencontres là; mais s'il y a des incommoditez particulieres qui le requierent, on use auidurd'huy fort communément de certains breuvages composez de simples si admirables, que le vin ne peut pas causer un meilleur effet aux parties necessiteuses de sa vertu. I] y a plusieurs exemples qui nous apprennent que le vin a esté le moyen par où beaucoup d'Ambassadeurs se sont perdus, & par qui les ennemis ont beaucoup gagné.'

(b) Whether Clergymen are proper for Embassies: 'The Author of the Idea of the perfect Embassador, declares for the affirmative, and backs his Opinion with several Examples taken out of the Bible, and from History. … I shall not enquire into the Justness of the Examples; but I think I may say, he alledges very few that square with his Intention … I cannot conceive how a Bishop, who is able to make himself respected at the Court of a Christian Potentate, can submit to be employ'd in that of Constantinople, and that to an Infidel, who ought to be his abomination. … Formerly, while Superstition and Ignorance reign'd, the Religious were respected; but the Habit, and demure Mien, have long since lost their Influence, and the World will be no longer deceived thereby: on the contrary, it is not without scruple, they are at present treated with; and there is a continual Distrust of their equivocal Meanings, as well as of the Intention of those Princes that employ them. They have not the Quality of Embassadors, because the Representation would participate of the Ridicule: But whether they have Letters of Credence, or that they are credited on their bare Word; if they are negotiated with, tho' they have not the Character of publick Ministers, they nevertheless enjoy the Protection of the Law of Nations: as