ry
to get rid of the heads of Administration; but it is of the heads only.
As there always are many rotten members belonging to the best
connections, it is not hard to persuade several to continue in office
without their leaders. By this means the party goes out much thinner
than it came in; and is only reduced in strength by its temporary
possession of power. Besides, if by accident, or in course of changes,
that power should be recovered, the Junto have thrown up a retrenchment
of these carcases, which may serve to cover themselves in a day of
danger. They conclude, not unwisely, that such rotten members will
become the first objects of disgust and resentment to their ancient
connections.

They contrive to form in the outward Administration two parties at the
least; which, whilst they are tearing one another to pieces, are both
competitors for the favour and protection of the Cabal; and, by their
emulation, contribute to throw everything more and more into the hands of
the interior managers.

A Minister of State will sometimes keep himself totally estranged from
all his colleagues; will differ from them in their counsels, will
privately traverse, and publicly oppose, their measures. He will,
however, continue in his employment. Instead of suffering any mark of
displeasure, he will be distinguished by an unbounded profusion of Court
rewards and caresses; because he does what is expected, and all that is
expected, from men in office. He helps to keep some form of
Administration in being, and keeps it at the same time as weak and
divided as possible.

However, we must take care not to be mistaken, or to imagine that such
persons have any weight in their opposition. When, by them,
Administration is convinced of its insignificancy, they are soon to be
convinced of their own. They never are suffered to succeed in their
opposition. They and the world are to be satisfied, that neither office,
nor authority, nor property, nor ability, eloquence, counsel, skill, or
union, are of the least importance; but that the mere influence of the
Court, naked of all support, and destitute of all management, is
abundantly sufficient for all its own purposes.

When any adverse connection is to be destroyed, the Cabal seldom appear
in the work themselves. They find out some person of whom the party
entertains a high opinion. Such a person they endeavour to delude with
various pretences. They teach him first to distrust, and t