You would hardly find it possible.

Could you do without your private secretaries?
Would you know enough of what is going on, if you did not discuss matters with others?
A man cannot be both private and public at the same time." "And therefore one has to be chopped up, like 'a reed out of the river,' as the poet said, 'and yet not give sweet music afterwards.'" The Duke of St.Bungay said nothing in answer to this, as he did not understand the chopping of the reed.

"I'm afraid I've been wrong about this collection of people down at Gatherum," continued the younger Duke.

"Glencora is impulsive, and has overdone the thing.
Just look at that." And he handed a letter to his friend.

The old Duke put on his spectacles and read the letter through,--which ran as follows: Private.
MY LORD DUKE,-- I do not doubt but that your Grace is aware of my position in regard to the public press of the country, and I beg to assure your Grace that my present proposition is made, not on account of the great honour and pleasure which would be conferred upon myself should your Grace accede to it, but because I feel assured that I might so be best enabled to discharge an important duty for the benefit of the public generally.
Your Grace is about to receive the whole fashionable world of England and many distinguished foreign ambassadors at your ancestral halls, not solely for social delight,--for a man in your Grace's high position is not able to think only of a pleasant life,--but in order that the prestige of your combined Ministry may be so best maintained.