durate Tory, he
conversed indiscriminately with all the wits, and was yet the friend of
Steele; who, in the Tatler, which began in April, 1709, confesses the
advantage of his conversation, and mentions something contributed by him
to his paper. But he was now emerging into political controversy; for
the year 1710 produced the Examiner, of which Swift wrote thirty-three
papers. In argument he may be allowed to have the advantage: for where
a wide system of conduct, and the whole of a public character, is laid
open to inquiry, the accuser, having the choice of facts, must be very
unskilful if he does not prevail: but with regard to wit, I am afraid
none of Swift's papers will be found equal to those by which Addison
opposed him.

He wrote in the year 1711 a "Letter to the October Club," a number
of Tory gentlemen sent from the country to Parliament, who formed
themselves into a club, to the number of about a hundred, and met to
animate the zeal and raise the expectations of each other. They thought,
with great reason, that the Ministers were losing opportunities; that
sufficient use was not made of the ardour of the nation; they called
loudly for more changes, and stronger efforts; and demanded the
punishment of part and the dismission of the rest, of those whom they
considered as public robbers. Their eagerness was not gratified by the
queen, or by Harley. The queen was probably slow because she was afraid;
and Harley was slow because he was doubtful; he was a Tory only by
necessity, or for convenience; and, when he had power in his hands, had
no settled purpose for which he should employ it; forced to gratify to
a certain degree the Tories who supported him, but unwilling to make his
reconcilement to the Whigs utterly desperate, he corresponded at once
with the two expectants of the Crown, and kept, as has been observed,
the succession undetermined. Not knowing what to do, he did nothing;
and, with the fate of a double dealer, at last he lost his power, but
kept his enemies.

Swift seems to have concurred in opinion with the "October Club;" but
it was not in his power to quicken the tardiness of Harley, whom he
stimulated as much as he could, but with little effect. He that knows
not whither to go, is in no haste to move. Harley, who was perhaps not
quick by nature, became yet more slow by irresolution; and was content
to hear that dilatoriness lamented as natural, which he applauded in
himself as politic. Without the