Swift here shews that, in his view, no stipulation or bargain was a safeguard against popular encroachments, if these encroachments were once allowed free course. To him, as to Hobbes, the 'balance' or 'mixture' is a piece of 'subordinate' contrivance, something which 'imposes' but is not real. But none the less he feels the urgent duty of maintaining the balance as long as possible. The 'imposition' should be supported, however hollow it may be.