Spheres of influence.

And statesmen at her council met Who knew the seasons when to take Occasion by the hand, and make The bounds of freedom wider yet.

And lives to clutch the golden keys, To mould a mighty state's decrees, And shape the whisper of the throne.

If one has no better method of enticement to offer, the cordial agreement seems to us to be the best compromise. [Fr., Si l'on n'a pas de meilleurs moyen de seduction a lui offrir, l'entente cordiale nous parait fort compromise.]

An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the commonwealth. [Lat., Legatus est vir bonus peregre missus ad mentiendem rei publicae causae.]

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation?--Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground?--Why by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humour or caprice?