Untitled

'J , PLAN
OF THE CHAHAR MAQALA
s Now of the servants essential to kings^are the Secretary, the
Poet, the Astrologer and- the Physician, with whom he can in
no wise dispense. For the maintenance of the administration is
b,v the Secretary; the perpetuation of knmortal renown by the
Poet the ; ordering of affairs by the Astrologer and the health
;
of the body by the Physician. These four arduous functions and
noble arts are a'mongst th'e branches of the Science of Philosophy ;
the functions of the Scribe and the Poet being brancnes of the
Science of Logic that of the ; Astrologer, one of the principal
subdivisions of Mathematics ; while the Physician's Art is amongst
the branches of Natural Science. This book, therefore, comprises
Four Discourses, to wit : r f .
First Discourse, on the essence of the Secretarial Art, and the
nature of the eloquent and perfect Secretary.
Second Discourse, on the essence of the Poetic Art, and the
aptitude of the Poet.
Third Discourse, on the essence of the Science of Astrology,
and the competence of the Astrologer in that tScience.
Fourth Discourse, on the essence of the Science of Medicine,
and the direction and disposition of the Physician.
Such philosophical considerations as are germane to this Book
will therefore be advanced at the beginning of each Discourse ;
au'd thereafter ten pleasing anecdotes, of the choicest connected
with that subject and the rarest appropriate to that topic, of what
hath befallen persons of the class under discussion, wjll be
adduced, in order that it may become plainly known to the King
that the Secretarial Ofjice is not a trivial matter ; that the Poetic
Calling is no mean occupation ; that Astrology is a necessary
Sciende ; that Medicine is an indispensable Art ; and that the
wise King cannot do without these four persons, the Secretary,
the Poet, the. Astrologer, and the Physician. p
(tv) FIRST DISCOURSE. e
< i
On the essence of the Secretarial A rt, and the nature of the perfect
Secretary and what \s connected therewith. ,
The Secretarial Function is an art comprising analogical
methods of rhetoric and communication, and teaching the forms of
address employed amongst men in correspondence, consuftation,
contention, eulogy, condemnation, diplomacy, conciliation ancl
provocation, as well as in magnifying matters or minimising them ;
contriving means of excuse or censure;* imposing* covenants;
recording precedents ; and displaying in every case orderly
arrangement of the subject matter, so that all may be enunciated
in the best and most suitable manner.