XII
RULES FOR REDUCING A GREAT EMPIRE TO A SMALL ONE
PRESENTED TO A LATE MINISTER
An ancient sage valued himself upon this, that,
though he could not fiddle he knew how to make a
great city of a little one. The science that I, a modern
 simpleton, am about to communicate, is the very
reverse.
I address myself to all ministers who have the management
 of extensive dominions, which from their
very greatness have become troublesome to govern,
because the multiplicity of their affairs leaves no time
for fiddling.
1. In the first place, gentlemen, you are to consider
 that a great empire, like a great cake, 1s most
easily diminished at the edges. Turn your attention,
therefore, first to your remotest provinces; that, as
you get rid of them, the next may follow in order.
2. That the possibility of this separation may
always exist, take special care the provinces are
never incorporated with the mother country; that they
do not enjoy the same common rights, the same
privileges in commerce; and that they are governed
by severer laws, all of your enacting, without allowing
 them any share in the choice of the legislators.
By carefully making and preserving such distinctions,
* Supposed to be the Earl of Hillsborough.

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