Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/429

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HANOVER, AUG. 16, 1714.

OU remember, I suppose, that I was to write you abundance of letters from Hanover; but as one of the most distinguishing qualities of a politician is secrecy, you must not expect from me any arcanas of state. There is another thing, that is necessary to establish the character of a politician; which is, to seem always to be full of affairs of state; to know the consultations of the cabinet council, when at the same time all his politicks are collected from newspapers. Which of these two causes my secrecy is owing to, I leave you to determine. There is yet one thing more, that is extremely necessary for a foreign minister, which he can no more be without, than an artisan without his tools; I mean the terms of his art. I call it an art or a science, because I think the king of France has established an academy to instruct the young Machiavelians of his country in the deep and profound science of politicks. To the end that I might be qualified for an employment of this nature, and not only be qualified myself, but (to speak in the style of sir John Falstaff) be the cause of qualifications in others, I have made it my business to read memoirs, treaties, &c. And as a dictionary of law terms is thought necessary for young beginners; so I thought a dictionary of terms of state would be no less useful for young politicians. The terms of politicks being not. XI.