What a Minister ought to do upon his Arrival in a Foreign Court (1738) [ Practices ]
… and this he ought to accompany with Declarations of the Esteem and Friendship which his Master has for the Prince, or State, to which he is sent, and of the Desire which he himself has to be able to contribute to the happy Union that is … the next place to make it his Business to know well the Ground upon which he stands; that is, to observe carefully the State of the Court and Government. He ought especially to study the Prince, his Humour, his Inclinations, his Vertues and … their Passions, their Prejudices, and their Interests; and how far the Credit they have with the Prince, or in the State, may extend, and what Share they have in the Resolutions that are taken in Council. So soon as he is exactly …
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