Swift's inherent cynicism speaks here, and doubtless with some amount of truth. But a little reflection shews that the mere power of oratory has rarely, if ever, given a large share either of party direction or of administrative influence to a politician in England. As a fact, not one of those who were responsible for the factious and virulent proceedings attacked by Swift in this treatise, ever attained to any long or considerable influence in the politics of the day. And of the Ministers who, successively, during his life, obtained the largest share of power — Godolphin, Harley, Walpole — not one owed any of his influence to oratorical power, or to the arts of the tribune.