have been openly caressed by the people
Note by H Craik to 'Dissensions in Athens and Rome'

The credit of the House of Commons had perhaps fallen, and that of the House of Lords risen. But Swift seems to some extent to have been deceived by associating with the Whigs, whose adherent he now was, and whose views would naturally impress him. It is difficult to trace any symptoms of popular leaning towards Somers and his friends: and, as a fact, the next election went for the Tories. The 'fear of their persons from popular rage,' which he attributes to the Tories, seems to be equally an exaggeration.