agency of power or
influence was wanting. It furnished arguments for conversation, speeches
for debate, and materials for parliamentary resolutions. Yet, surely,
whoever surveys this wonder-working pamphlet with cool perusal, will
confess that its efficacy was supplied by the passions of its readers;
that it operates by the mere weight of facts, with very little
assistance from the hand that produced them.

This year (1712) he published his "Reflections on the Barrier Treaty,"
which carries on the design of his "Conduct of the Allies," and shows
how little regard in that negotiation had been shown to the interest of
England, and how much of the conquered country had been demanded by
the Dutch. This was followed by "Remarks on the Bishop of Sarum's
Introduction to his third Volume of the History of the Reformation;" a
pamphlet which Burnet published as an alarm, to warn the nation of the
approach of Popery. Swift, who seems to have disliked the bishop with
something more than political aversion, treats him like one whom he is
glad of an opportunity to insult.

Swift, being now the declared favourite and supposed confidant of the
Tory Ministry, was treated by all that depended on the Court with the
respect which dependents know how to pay. He soon began to feel part of
the misery of greatness; he that could say that he knew him, considered
himself as having fortune in his power. Commissions, solicitations,
remonstrances crowded about him; he was expected to do every man's
business; to procure employment for one, and to retain it for another.
In assisting those who addressed him, he represents himself as
sufficiently diligent; and desires to have others believe what he
probably believed himself, that by his interposition many Whigs of
merit, and among them Addison and Congreve, were continued in their
places. But every man of known influence has so many petitions which he
cannot grant, that he must necessarily offend more than he gratifies,
because the preference given to one affords all the rest reason for
complaint. "When I give away a place," said Lewis XIV., "I make a
hundred discontented, and one ungrateful."

Much has been said of the equality and independence which he preserved
in his conversation with the Ministers; of the frankness of his
remonstrances, and the familiarity of his friendship. In accounts of
this kind a few single incidents are set against the general tenour of
behaviour. No man, however, can pay