284 RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



nations would be safeguarded, and the bases of which 

 would be such that war itself would not affect its 

 principle, even if it had the effect of temporarily 

 suspending its application." 



The representatives of the Powers to whom the 

 Yienna Congress of 1815 attributed a diplomatic cha- 

 racter, are ambassadors, ministers plenipotentiary, 

 resident ministers, charges d'affaires. Since then, 

 this recognition has been extended to consuls-general 

 in those residences where they enjoy the title of agent, 

 as for instance, in Egypt. 



Prince Metternich, in the course of a conversation 

 which I had with him at Vienna, towards the close of 

 his life, expressed views similar to those of Talleyrand, 

 adding, " Politics are a science, diplomacy is an art." 



Prince Talleyrand, who was unquestionably an in- 

 comparable diplomatic artist, said in his speech at the 

 Institute: 



" Diplomacy is not a science of ruse and duplicity. 

 If straightforwardness is of prime value anywhere, it 

 is in political transactions, for it is that which renders 

 them solid and durable. People have confused reserve 

 and ruse. Straightforwardness is incompatible with 

 ruse, but it is not inconsistent with reserve, which, 

 indeed, strengthens the feeling of confidence." 



M. de Talleyrand died three months after making 

 these remarks at a sitting which excited considerable 

 interest. The Moniteur Universel gives the names of 

 the principal members of the Institute who were pre- 



