My final word to diplomatists, young and old, is that in normal times they may reasonably expect that where they have given proof of sterling merit in negotiation, their services will be recognised and honours conferred upon them, and in such matters the higher honour is undoubtedly to find oneself entrusted with ever more important affairs of state. But if the diplomatist should lack such recognition, he may find his own recompense in the satisfaction of having faithfully and efficiently discharged the duties laid upon him. It has often been said that the public service is an ungrateful task in which a man must find his chief recompense within himself. If I am held to agree to this, I cannot allow it to be used as a discouragement to young men of good birth and ability from entering my own profession. Disappointment awaits us in all walks of life, but in no profession are disappointments so amply outweighed by rich opportunities as in the practice of diplomacy. Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty at the Edinburgh University Press Transcriber’s Notes In this file, text in _italics_ is indicated by underscores, and text in SMALL CAPS is in uppercase. The following alterations were made to the text as printed: Page 79: “ceremonial vists” changed to “ceremonial visits” 80: “whereever insult is offered” changed to “wherever insult is offered” 81: “illicit traffic The privileges” changed to “illicit traffic. The privileges” 101: “tranferred his confidence” changed to “transferred his confidence” 105: “Craft at the Card Table” changed to “Craft at the Card-table” 133: There was not originally a paragraph break on this page; one was introduced by the transcriber so that the sidenote could be correctly positioned.