LUCIUS L
HUBBARD
HOUGHTON
MICHIGAN
Hubbard
Imag. Voy.
PR
3720
1823
V. 2
THE
SELECT WORKS
ОР
JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D.
DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN.
CONTAINING
THE WHOLE OF HIS POETICAL WORKS,
THE TALE of a tub,
BATTLE OF THE BOOKI,
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS,
DIRECTIONS TO SERVANTS,
POLITE CONVERSATION,
ART OF PUNNING,
MISCELLANEOUS PIECES IN-
PROSE, &c.
IN FIVE VOLUMES,
EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR HECTOR MCLEAN
1823.
TRAVELS
INTO SEVERAL
REMOTE NATIONS
OF THE
WORLD.
·00000
BY LEMUEL GULLIVER,
First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of several Skips.
IN FOUR PARTS.
PART 1-A VOYAGE TO LILLIput.
PART II.—A VOYAGE TO BRORDINGNAG,
PART III.—A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, BALNARBI, LUGGNAGG,
GLUBBDUADRIB, AND JAPAN,
PART II -A YOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE
HOUYANHNMS.
EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR HECTOR MCLEAN
1823.
Res
Lucius L. Hubbard
qt:
10 31-1922
409938
CONTENTS.
•
Page
i.
PREFACE to Gulliver's Travels
The Publisher to the Reader ·
A Letter from Captain Gulliver to his Cousin
Syimpson
vii.
PART I.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
Chap. 1. The Author gives some account of him.
selfand family; his first inducements to travel.
He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life; gets
safe on shore in the country of Lilliput; is
made a prisoner, and carried up the country. 15
Chap. 2. The Emperor of Lilliput, attended by
several of the nobility, comes to see the Au-
thor in his confinement. The Emperor's person
and habit described. Learned men appointed
to teach the Author their language. He gains
favour by his mild disposition. His pockets
are searched, and his sword and pistols taken
from him.
Chap. 3. The Author diverts the Emperor, and
his nobility of both sexes, in a very uncommon
inanner. The diversions of the court of Lilli-
put described. The Author has his liberty
granted him upon certain conditions. ...
Chap 4. Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput,
described, together with the Emperor's pa-
lace. A conversation between the Author
and a principal secretary, concerning the af-
fairs of that Empire. The Author's offers to
serve the Emperor in his wars.
30
45
56
CONTENTS.
Page.
Chap. 5. The Author, by an extraordinary stra-
tagem, prevents an invasion. A high title of
honour is conferred upon him. Ambassadors
arrive from the Emperor of Blefuscu, and sue
for peace. The Emperor's apartments on fire
by accident; the Author instrumental in sav
ing the rest of the palace.
Chap. 6. Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their
learning, laws, and customs; the manner of
educating their children. The Author's way
of living in that country. His vindication of a
great lady.
Chap. 7. The Author, being informed of a de-
sign to accuse him of high-treason, makes bis
escape to Blefuscu. His reception there
Chap. 8. The Author, by a lucky accident, Ends
means to leave Blefuscu; and, after some dif-
ficulties, returns safe to his native country. .
63
73
67
95
PART II.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
Chap. 1. A great storm described; the long-
boat sent to fetch water; the Author goes with
it to discover the country. He is left on shore
is seized by one of the natives, and carried to
a farmer's house. His reception, with several
accident that happened there. A description
of the inhabitants.
Chap. 2. A description of the farmer's daugh.
ter. The Author carried to a market-town,
and then to the metropolis. The particulars
of his journey.
109
197
Chap. 3. The Author sent for to court. The
Queen buys him of his master the farmer, and
presents him to the King. He disputes with
his majesty's great scholars. An apartment
at court provided for the Author. He is in
high favour with the Queen. He stands up
for the honour of his own country. His quar-
rels with the Queen's dwarf
• 186
Chap. 4, The country described. A proposal
for correcting modern maps. The King's pa-
CONTENTS.
•
Page.
151
158
lace, and some account of the metropolis. The
Author's way of travelling. The chief temple
described.
Chap. 5. Several adventures that happened to
the Author. The execution of a criminal. The
Author shews his skill in navigation.
Chap. 6. Several contrivances of the Author to
please the King and Queen. He shows his
skill in music. The King enquires into the
state of England, which the Author relates to
him. The King's observations thereon.. 172
Chap. 7. The Author's love of his country. He
makes a proposal of much advantage to the
King, which is rejected. The King's great
ignorance in politics. The learning of that
country very imperfect and confined. The
laws, and military affairs, and parties in the
•
state.
Chap. 8. The King and Queen make a progress
to the frontiers. The Author attends them.
The manner in which he leaves the country
very particularly related. He returns to
England.
185
195
PART III.
VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, LUGG
NAGG, GLUBDUBDRIB, AND JAPAN.
•
Chap. 1. The Author sets out on his third voy-
age. Is taken by pirates. The malice of a
Dutchman. His arrival at an island. He is
received into Laputa.
Chap. 2. The humours and dispositions of the
Laputians described. An account of their
learning. Of the King and his court. The
Author's reception. The inhabitants subject
to fear and disquietudes. An account of the
women.
213
221
Chap. 3. A phenomenon solved by modern
philosophy and astronomy. The Laputians'
great improvements in the latter. The King's
method of suppressing insurrection. . . . . . 234
CONTENTS.
Page.
Chap. 4. The Author leaves Laputa; is con-
veyed to Balnibarbi; arrives at the metro-
polis. A description of the metropolis, and
the country adjoining. The Author hospitably
received by a great Lord. His conversation
with that Lord.
Chap. 5. The Author permitted to see the
grand academy of Lagado. The academy
largely described. The arts wherein the
professors employ themselves. ・ ・ ・ ・ . . .
Chap. 6. A further account of the academy.
The Author proposes some improvements,
which are honourably received
Chap. 7. The Author leaves Lagado, arrives at
Maldonado. No ship ready. He takes a short
voyage to Glubdubdrib. His reception by the
governor.
•
241
250
260
208
Chap. 8. A further account of Glubdubdrib.
Ancient and modern history corrected.... 275
Chap. 9. The Author returns to Maldonado.
Sails to the kingdom of Luggnagg. The Au-
thor confined. He is sent for to court. The
manner of his admittance. The King's great
lenity to his subjects...
283
Chap. 10. The Luggnaggians commended. A
particular description of the Struldbrugs, with
many conversations between the Author and
some eminent persons upon that subject,
Chap. 11. The Author leaves Luggnagg, and
sails to Japan. From thence he returns in a
Dutch ship to Amsterdam, and from Amster-
dam to England.
•
259
• 303
PART IV.
A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE
HOUYHNHNMS.
Chap. 1. The Author sets out as captain of a
ship. His men conspire against him, confiue
him a long time to his cabin, and set him on
shore in an unknown land. He travels up into
the country. The Yahoos, a strange sort of
animal, described. The Author meets two
Houyhnhnms. .
•
307
CONTENTS.
3
#
Page.
Chap. 9. The Author conducted by a Houyhn-
ham to his house. The house described. The
Author's reception. The food of the Houyhn-
hnms. The Author in distress for want of meat.
Is at last relieved. His manner of feeding in
this country.
317
Chap. 3. The Author studies to learn the lan-
guage. The Houyhnhnm, his master, assists
in teaching him. The language described
Several Houyhnhnms of quality come out of
curiosity to see the Author. He gives his mas-
ter a short account of his voyage.
Chap. 4. The Houyhnhnm's notion of truth and
falsehood. The Author's discourse disap-
proved by his master. The Author gives a
more particular account of himself, and the
accidents of his voyage.
·
Chap. 5. The Author, at his master's command,
informs him of the state of England. The
causes of war among the princes of Europe.
The Author begins to explain the English
constitution..
•
Chap. 6. A continuation of the state of England
under Queen Anne. The character of a first
minister of state in European courts..
Chap. 7. The Author's great love of his native
country. His master's observations upon the
constitution and administration of England,
as described by the Author, with parallel cases
and comparisons. His master's observations
upon human nature,
Chap. 8. The Author relates several particulars
of the Yahoos. The great virtues of the
Houyhnhnms. The education and exercise of
their youth. Their general assembly....
Chap. 9. A grand debate at the general assem-
bly of the Houyhnhnms, and how it was deter-
mined. The learning of the Houyhnhnms.
Their buildings. Their manner of burials.
he defectiveness of their language.
Chap. 10. The Author's economy, and happy life
among the Houyhnhums. His great improve-
ment in virtue by conversing with them.
Their conversations. The Author has notice
given him by his master, that he must depart
from the country. He falls into a swoon for
น
325
334
341
851

361
372
381
CONTENTS.
Page.
389
• 400
grief; but submits. He contrives and finishes
a canoe by the help of a fellow-servant, and
puts to sea at a venture.
Chap. 11. The Author's dangerous voyage. He
arrives at New Holland, hoping to settle there
Is wounded with an arrow by one of thể nà-
tives. Is seized and carried by force into a
Portuguese ship. The great civilities of the
captain. The Author arrives at England ·
Chap. 12. The Author's veracity. His design in
publishing this work. His censure of those.
traxellers who swerve from the truth. The
Author clears himself from any sinister ends
in writing. An objection answered. The
method of planting colonies. His native
country cominended. The right of the crown
to those countries described by the Author,is
justified. The difficulty of conquering them.
The Author takes his last leave of the reader;
proposes his manner of living for the future;
gives good advice, and concludes
410
*
*
વધુ
,
414
PREFACE
TO
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
THE first part of these Travels appeared in
1726; the second early in 1727. Bishop
Atterbury, in a letter from Paris to Mr.
Morice, December 24, 1726, having seen the
work adveritsed, expresses his impatience to
see it :-' I shall long,' he says, 'till it is with
me;' and March 31, 1727, adds, 'I had the
first part of Gulliver, but not the second; how-
ever, it has been sent me here, and I have
had the pleasure of reading it.
Both parts
are translating here, though the French will
not be able to relish the humour of that piece,
nor understand the meaning of it.'-The
bishop was perfectly right. Neither Gulliver
nor John Bull can properly be either relished
or understood by our volatile neighbours.
Gulliver, however, was immediately trans-
lated by the Abbé Des Fontaines, and had
an extensive sale.*
'These voyages are considered as a mere
political romance,-to correct Vice, by show-
} • See a correspondence on this translation, between
the Abbe and the Dean, in July and August 1727, in
vol XL-N.
li
PREFACE TO GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
ing its deformity in opposition to Virtue, and
to amend the false systems of philosophy, by
pointing out the errors, and applying salutary
means to amend them.'
Orrery.
amazement.
This important year [1727] sent into the
world “Gulliver's Travels," a production so
new and so strange, that it filled the reader
with a mingled emotion of merriment and
It was received with such avi-
dity, that the price of the first edition was
raised before the second could be made; it
was read by the high and the low, the learne
and illiterate. Criticism was for a while lost
in wonder. No rules of judgment were ap-
plied to a book written in open defiance of
truth and regularity. But when distinctions
came to be made, the part which gave least
pleasure was that which describes the Flying
Island, and that which gave most disgust
must be the history of the Houyhnhnms.
Whilst Swift was enjoying the reputation of
his new work, the news of the king's death
arrived, and he kissed the hands of the new
king and queen three days after their acces-
sion.'
Johnson.
"Gulliver's Travels" and the "Tale of a
Tub" are indisputably the two most capital
works of Swift.'
Warton.
From the whole of those two voyages to
Lilliput and Brobdingnag arises one general
remark, which, however obvious, has been
overlooked by those who consider them as
little more than the sport of a wanton imagi-
nation. When human actions are ascribed to
PREFACE TO GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
111
pigmies and giants, there are few that do not
excite either contempt, disgust, or horror; to
ascribe them therefore, to such beings, was
perhaps the most probable method of en-
gaging the mind to examine them with atten-
tion, and judge of them with impartiality, by
suspending the fascination of habit, and ex-
hibiting familiar objects in a new light. The
use of the fable then is not less apparent than
important and extensive; and that this use
was intended by the author, can be doubted
only by those who are disposed to affirm,
that order and regularity are the effects of
chance.
?
To mortify pride, which indeed was not
made for man, and produces not only the most
ridiculous follies, but the most extensive ca-
lamity, appears to have been one general
view of the author in every part of these
Travels. Personal strength and beauty, the
wisdom and the virtue of mankind, become
objects not of pride but of humility, in the
diminutive stature and contemptible weak-
ness of the Lilliputians, in the horrid defor-
mity of the Brobdingnagians, in the learned
folly of the Laputians, and in the parallel
drawn between our manners and those of the
Houyhnhnms.'
Hawkesworth.
The Lilliputians of Swift may pass for
probable beings, not so much because we
know that a belief in pigmies was once curs
rent in the world (for the true ancient pigmy
was at least thrice as tall as those whom Gul-
liver visited), but because we find that every

iv ´PREFACE TO GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
circumstance relating to them accords with
itself and their supposed character. It is not
the size of the people only that is diminutive ;
their country, seas, ships, and towns are all
in exact proportion: their theological and
political principles, their passions, manners,
customs, and all the parts of their conduct,
betray a levity and littleness perfectly suit-
able and so simple is the whole narration,
and apparently so artless and sincere, that I
should not wonder if it had imposed (as I have
been told it has) upon some persons of no
contemptible understanding. And some de-
gree of credit may, perhaps for the same rea-
son, be due to the giants.
When Swift grounds his narrative upon a
contradiction to nature; when he presents us
with rational brutes, and irrational men;
when he tells us of horses building houses for
dabitation, milking cows for food, riding in
carriages, and holding conversations on the
laws and policies of Europe; not all his genius
(and he there exerts it to the utmost) is able
to reconcile us to so monstrous a fiction: we
may smile at some of his absurd exaggera-
tions; we may be pleased with the energy of
style, and accuracy of description, in particu-
lar places; and a malevolent heart may
triumph in the satire: but we can never re-
lish it as a fable, because it is at once unna-
tural and self-contradictory.' Beattie.
THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
THE author of these Travels, Mr. Lemuel
Gulliver, is my ancient and intimate friend;
there is likewise some relation between us on
the mother's side. About three years ago,
Mr. Gulliver, growing weary of the concourse
of curious people coming to him at his house
in Redriff, made a small purchase of land,
with a convenient house, near Newark, in
Nottinghamshire, his native country; where
he now lives retired, yet in good esteem
among his neighbours.
Although Mr. Gulliver was born in Not-
tinghamshire, where his father dwelt, yet I
have heard him say his family came from
Oxfordshire; to confirm which, I have ob-
served in the church-yard at Banbury in that
county, several tombs and monuments of the
Gullivers.
Before he quitted Redriff, he left the cus-
tody of the following papers in my hands,
with the liberty to dispose of them as I should
think fit. I have carefully perused them
three times; the style is very plain and sim-
ple; and the only fault I find is, that the au-
thor, after the manner of travellers, is a little
too circumstantial. There is an air of truth
apparent through the whole; and indeed the
author was so distinguished for his veracity,

Vİ THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
that it became a sort of proverb among his
neighbours at Redriff, when any one affirmed
a thing, to say, 'it was as true as if Mr. Gul-
liver had spoken it.'
By the advice of several worthy persons,
to whom, with the author's permission, I com-
municated these papers, I now venture to
send them into the world, hoping they may
be, at least for some time, a better entertain-
ment to our young noblemen, than the com-
mon scribbles of politics and party.
This volume would have been at least twice
as large, if I had not made bold to strike out
innumerable passages relating to the winds
and tides, as well as to the variations and
bearings in the several voyages, together with
the minute descriptions of the management of
the ship in storms, in the style of sailors;
likewise the accounts of longitudes and lati-
tudes; wherein I have reason to apprehend,
that Mr. Gulliver may be a little dissatisfied:
but I was resolved to fit the work as much as.
possible to the general capacity of readers."
However, if my own ignorance in sea affairs
shall have led me to commit some mistakes, I
alone am answerable for them: and if any
traveller has a curosity to see the whole work
at large, as it came from the hands of the
author, I will be ready to gratify him,
}
As for any further particulars relating to
the author, the reader will receive satisfac-
tion from the first pages of the book.
RICHARD SYMPSON.'
A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN GULLIVER
}
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON,
Written in the Year 1727.
I HOPE you will be ready to own publicly,
whenever you shall be called to it, that by
your great and frequent urgency you pre-
vailed on me to publish a very loose and un-
correct account of my travels, with direction
to hire some young gentleman of either uni-
versity to put them in order, and correct the
style, as my cousin Dampier did, by my ad-
vice, in his book called 'A Voyage round the
World.' But I do not remember I gave you
power to consent that any thing should be
omitted, and much less that any thing should
be inserted therefore, as to the latter, I do
here renounce every thing of that kind; par-
ticularly a paragraph about her majesty queen
Anne of most pious and glorious memory;
although I did reverence and esteem her more
than any of human species. But you, or your
interpolator, ought to have considered, that
as was not my inclination, so was it not de-
cept to praise any animal of our composition
before my master Houyhnhnm: And besides,
the fact was altogether false; for to my know-
ledge, being in England during some part of
her majesty's reign, she did govern by a chief
viii
A LETTER FROM GULLIVER
minister; nay even by two successively, the
first whereof was the lord of Godolphin, and
the second the lord of Oxford; so that you
have made me say the thing that was not.
Likewise in the account of the academy of
projectors, and several passages of my dis-
course to my master Houyhnhnm, you have
either omitted some material circumstances,
or minced or changed them in such a manner,
that I do hardly know my own work. When
I formerly hinted to you something of this in
a letter, you were pleased to answer, 'That
you were afraid of giving offence; that people
in power were very watchful over the press,
and apt not only to interpret, but to punishı
every thing which looked like an inuendo, (as
I think you call it). But, pray how could
that which I spoke so many years ago, and at
above five thousand leagues distance, in ano-
ther reign, be applied to any of the Yahoos,
who now are said to govern the herd; espe-
cially at a time when I little thought, or
feared, the unhappiness of living under them
Have not I the most reason to complain,
when I see these very Yahoos carried by
Houyhnhnms in a vehicle, as if they were
brutes, and those the rational creatures? And
indeed to avoid so monstrous and detestable
a sight was one principal motive of my retire-
ment hither.
Thus much I thought proper to tell you in
relation to yourself, and to the trust, I reposed
in you.
I do in the next place complain of my own
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON.`
ix
I
great want of judgment, in being prevailed
upon by the entreaties and false reasonings of
you and some others, very much against my
own opinion to suffer my travels to be pub-
lished. Pray bring to your mind how often
I desired you to consider, when you insisted
on the motive of public good, that the Yahoos
were a species of animals utterly incapable of
amendment by precepts or example: and so
it has proved; for, instead of seeing a full
stop put to all abuses and corruptions, at least
in this little island, as I had reason to expect;
behold, after above six months warning, I
cannot learn that my book has produced one
single effect according to my intentions.
desired you would let me know, by a letter,
when party and faction were extinguished;
judges learned and upright; pleaders honest
and modest, with some tincture of common
sense, and Smithfield blazing with pyramids
of law books; the young nobility's education
entirely changed; the physicians banished;
the female Yahoos abounding in virtue, ho-
nour, truth, and good sense; courts and
levees of great ministers thoroughly weeded
and swept; wit, merit, and learning reward-
ed; all disgracers of the press in prose and
verse condemned to eat nothing but their own
cotton, and quench their thirst with their own
ink. These, and a thousand other reforma-
tions, I firmly counted upon by your encou-
ragement; as indeed they were plainly de-
ducible from the precepts delivered in my
book And it must be owned, that seven
X
A LETTER FROM GULLIVER
months were a sufficient time to correct every
vice and folly to which Yahoos are subject, if
their natures had been capable of the least
disposition to virtue or wisdom. Yet, so far
have you been from answering my expecta-
tion in any of your letters; that on the con-
trary you are loading our carrier every week
with libels, and keys, and reflections, and
memoirs, and second parts; wherein I see
myself accused of reflecting upon great state
folks; of degrading human nature (for so they
have still the confidence to style it), and of
abusing the female sex. I find likewise that
the writers of those bundles are not agreed
among themselves; for some of them will not
allow me to be the author of my own travels;
and others make me author of books, to which
I am wholly a stranger.
I find likewise that your printer has been
so careless as to confound the times, and mis-
take the dates, of my several voyages and
returns; neither assigning the true year, nor
the true month, nor day of the month*: and
4
That the original copy of these Travels was altered
by the person through whose hands it was conveyed to
the press, is a fact; but the passages of which Mr. Gul-
liver complains in this letter are to be found only in the
first editions; for the Dean having restored the text
wherever it had been altered, sent the copy to the late
Mr. Motte by the hands of Mr. Chaules Ford. This
copy has been exactly followed in every subsequent
edition, except that printed in Ireland by Mr. Faulkner
the editor of which, supposing the Dean to be serious
when he mentioned the corruptions of dates, and yet
finding them unaltered, thought fit to alter them him,
self; there is however scarce one of these alterations in
which he has not committed a blunder: though while
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON.
xi
I hear the original manuscript is all destroyed
since the publication of my book; neither have
I any copy left; however, I have sent you
some corrections, which you may insert, if
ever there should be a second edition: and
yet I cannot stand to them; but shall leave
that matter to my judicious and candid rea-
ders to adjust it as they please.
In
I hear some of our sea Yahoos find fault
with my sea language, as not proper in many
parts, or now in use. I cannot help it.
my first voyages, while I was young, I was
instructed by the oldest mariners, and learned
to speak as they did. But I have since
found that the sea Yahoos are apt, like
the land ones, to become new-fangled in their
words, which the latter change every year;
insomuch, as I remember upou each return to
my own country, their old dialect was so al-
tered, that I could hardly understand the
new. And I observe, when any Yahoos
come from London out of curiosity to visit me
at my house, we neither of us are able to de-
liver our conceptions in a manner intelligible
to the other.
If the censure of the Yahoos could any
way affect me, I should have great reason to
complain, that some of them are so bold as to
think my book of travels a mere fiction out of
mine own brain; and have gone so far as to
drop hints, that the Houyhnhnms and Yahoos
ว
he was, thus busy in defacing the parts that were per-
fect, he suffered the accidental blemishes of others to
remain.
H.
xii
A LETTER FROM GULLIVER
have no more existence than the inhabitants
of Utopia.
Indeed I must confess, that as to the peo-
ple of Lilliput, Brobdingrag, (for so the
word should have been spelt, and not errone-
ously Brobdingnag) and Laputa, I have
never yet heard of any Yahoo so presumptu-
ous as to dispute their being, or the facts I
have related concerning them; because the
truth immediately strikes every reader with
conviction. And is there less probability in
my account of the Houyhnhnms or Yahoos,
when it is manifest as to the latter, there are
so many thousands even in this country, who
only differ from their brother brutes in Hou-
yhnhnm-land, because they use a sort of jab-
ber, and do not go naked? I wrote for their
amendment, and not their approbation. The
united praise of the whole race would be of
less consequence to me, than the neighing of
those two degenerate Houynhnhnms I keep
in my stable; because from these, degenerate
as they are, I still improve in some virtues
without any mixture of vice.
Do these miserable animals presume to
think, that I am so degenerated as to defend
my veracity? Yahoo as I am, it is well known
through all Houhynhnm-land, that, by the
instructions and example of my illustrious
master, I was able in the compass of two
years (although I confess with the utmost dif-
ficulty) to remove that infernal habit of lying,
shuffling, deceiving, and equivocating, so
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON.
xiii
deeply rooted in the very souls of all my spe-
cies; especially the Europeans.
I have other complaints to make upon this
vexatious occasion; but I forbear troubling
myself or you any further. I must freely
confess, that since my last, some corruptions
of my Yahoo nature have revived in me by
conversing with a few of your species, and
particularly those of my own family, by an
unavoidable necessity; else I should never
have attempted so absurd a project as that of
reforming the Yahoo race in this kingdom:
But I have now done with all such visionary
schemes for ever.
April 2, 1727.
**
दु
VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
PART I.
CHAPTER I.
The Author gives some account of himself and
family; his first inducements to travel. He
is shipwrecked, and swims for his life; gets
safe on shore in the country of Lilliput; is
made a prisoner, and curried up the country.
My father had a small estate in Nottingham-
shire; I was the third of five sons. He sent
ine to Emanuel-college in Cambridge, at four-
teen years old, where I resided three years,
and applied myself close to my studies; but
the charge of maintaining me, although I had
a very scanty allowance, being too great for
a narrow fortune, I was bound apprentice to
Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in
London, with whom I continued four years;
and my father now and then sending me small
sums of money, I laid them out in learning
navigation, and other parts of the mathema-
tics, useful to those who intend to travel, as
I always believed it would be, some time or
16
GULLIVER'S Travels.
other, my fortune to do. When I left Mr.
Bates, I went down to my father; where, by
the assistance of him and my uncle John, and
some other relations, I got forty pounds, and
a promise of thirty pounds a year to maintain
me at Leyden; there I studied physic two
years and seven months, knowing it would be
useful in long voyages.
Soon after my return from Leyden, I was
recommended by my good master, Mr. Bates,
to be surgeon to the Swallow, Captain Abra-
ham Pannell, commander; with whom I
continued three years and a half, making a
voyage or two into the Levant, and some
other parts. When I came back I resolved
to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my
master, encouraged me, and by him I was
recommended to several patients. I took
part of a small house in the Old Jewry; and
being advised to alter my condition, I married
Mrs. Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr.
lmund Burton, hosier, in Newgate-street,
with whom I received four hundred pounds
for a portion.
But my good master Bates dying in two
years after, and I having few friends, my bu-
siness began to fail; for my conscience would
not suffer me to imitate the bad practice of
too many among my brethren. Having there-
fore consulted with my wife, and some of my
acquaintance, I determined to go again to sea,
I was surgeon successively in two ships, and
made several voyages, for six years, to the
East and West Indies, by which I got some
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
17
addition to my fortune. My hours of leisure
I spent in reading the best authors, ancient
and modern, being always provided with a
good number of books; and when I was
ashore, in observing the manners and dispo-
sitions of the people, as well as learning their
language; wherein I had a great facility, by
the strength of my memory.
The last of these voyages not proving very
fortunate, I grew weary of the sea, and in-
tended to stay at home with my wife and
family. I removed from the Old Jewry to
Fetter-lane, and from thence to Wapping,
hoping to get business among the sailors, but
it would not turn to account. After three
years' expectation that things would mend, I
accepted an advantageous offer from Captain
William Prichard, master of the Antelope,
who was making a voyage to the South Sea.
We set sail from Bristol, May 4, 1699, and
our voyage at first was very prosperous.
}
It would not be proper, for some reasons,
to trouble the reader with the particulars of
our adventures in those seas; let it suffice to
inform him, that in our passage from thence
to the East-Indies, we were driven by a vio-
lent storm to the north-west of Van Diemen's
Land. By an observation, we found ourselves
in the latitude of 30 degrees 2 minutes south.
Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate
labour and ill food; the rest were in a very
weak condition. On the 5th of November,
which was the beginning of summer in those
parts, the weather being very hazy, the sea-
18
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
men spied a rock within half a cable's length
of the ship; but the wind was so strong, that
we were driven directly upon it, and immedi-
ately split. Six of the crew, of whom I was
one, having let down the boat into the sea,
made a shift to get clear of the ship and the
rock. We rowed, by my computation, about
three leagues, till we were able to work no
longer, being already spent with labour while
we were in the ship. We therefore trusted
ourselves to the mercy of the waves, and in
about half an hour the boat was overset by a
sudden flurry from the north. What became
of my companions in the boat, as well as of
those who escaped on the rock, or were left
in the vessel, I cannot tell; but conclude they
were all lost. For my own part, I swam as
fortune directed me, and was pushed forward
by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop,
and could feel no bottom; but when I was
almost gone, and able to struggle no longer,
I found myself within my depth; and by this
time the storm was much abated. The decli-
vity was so small, that I walked near a mile
before I got to the shore, which I conjectured
was about eight o'clock in the evening. I then
advanced forward near half a mile, but could
not discover any sign of houses or inhabitants;
at least I was in so weak a condition, that I
did not observe them. I was extremely tired,
and with that, and the heat of the weather,
And about half a pint of brandy that I drank
as I left the ship, I found myself much incli-
ned to sleep. I lay down on the grass, which
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
19
/
was very short and soft, where I slept sounder
than ever I remembered to have done in my
life, and, as I reckoned, about nine hours;
for when I awaked, it was just day-light. I
attempted to rise, but was not able to stir:
for as I happened to lie on my back, I found
my arms and legs were strongly fastened on
each side to the ground; and my hair, which
was long and thick, tied down in the same
manner. I likewise felt several slender liga-
tures across my body, from my arm-pits to
my thighs. I could only look upwards, the
sun began to grow hot, and the light offended
my eyes. I heard a confused noise about
me; but in the posture I lay, could see nothing
except the sky. In a little time I felt some-
thing alive moving on my left leg, which
advancing gently over my breast, came almost
up to my chin; when bending my eyes down-
ward as much as I could, I perceived it to be
a human creature not six inches high, with a
bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at
his back. In the mean time, I felt at least
forty more of the same kind (as I conjectured)
following the first. I was in the utmost as-
tonishment, and roared so loud, that they all
ran back in a fright; and some of them, as
was afterwards told, were hurt with the falls
they got by leaping from my sides upon the
ground. However, they soon returned, and
one of them, who ventured so far as to get a
full sight of my face, lifting up his hands and
eyes by way of admiration, cried out in a
shrill but distinct voice, hekinah degul: the
20
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
others repeated the same words several times,
but I then knew not what they meant. I lay
ail this while, as the reader may believe, in
great uneasiness; at length, struggling to get
loose, I had the fortune to break the strings,
and wrench out the pegs that fastened my
left arm to the ground; for, by lifting it up
to my face, I discovered the methods they had
taken to bind me, and at the same time with
a violent pull, which gave me excessive pain,
I a little loosened the strings that tied down
my hair on the left side, so that I was just
able to turn my head about two inches. But
the creatures ran off a second time, before I
could seize them; whereupon there was a
great shout in a very shrill accent, and after
it ceased I heard one of them cry aloud, tolgo
phonac; when in an instant I felt above a
hundred arrows discharged on my left hand,
which pricked me like so many needles; and,
besides, they shot another flight into the air,
as we do bombs in Europe, whereof many, I
suppose, fell on my body, (though I felt them
not) and some on my face, which I immedi-
ately covered with my left hand. When this
shower of arrows was over, I fell a groaning
with grief and pain, and then striving again
to get loose, they discharged another volley
larger than the first, and some of them at-
tempted with spears to stick me in the sides;
but by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin,
which they could not pierce. I thought it the
most prudent method to lie still, and my de-
sign was to continue so till night, when, my
1
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
21
left hand being already loose, I could easily
free myself: and as for the inhabitants, I had
rcason to believe I might be a match for the
greatest army they could bring against me, if
they were all of the same size with him that
I saw. But fortune disposed otherwise of me.
When the people observed I was quiet, they
discharged no more arrows; but, by the noise
I heard, I knew their numbers increased; and
about four yards from me, over against my
right ear, I heard a knocking for above an
hour, like that of people at work; when turn-
ing my head that way, as well as the pegs
and strings would permit me, I saw a stage
erected about a foot and half from the ground,
capable of holding four of the inhabitants,
with two or three ladders to mount it: from
whence one of them, who seemed to be a per-
son of quality, made me a long speech, where-
of I understood not one syllable. But I
should have mentioned, that before the prin-
cipal person began his oration, he cried out
three times, Langro dehul san; (these words
and the former were afterwards repeated and
explained to me.) Whereupon, immediately
about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the
strings that fastened the left side of my head,
which gave me the liberty of turning it to the
right, and of observing the person and gesture
of him that was to speak. He appeared to
be of a middle age, and taller than any of the
other three who attended him, whereof one
was a page that held up his train, and seemed
to be somewhat longer than my middle finger;
22
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the other two stood one on each side to sup-
port him. He acted every part of an orator
and I could observe many periods of threat-
enings, and others of promises, pity, and
kindness. I answered in a few words, but
in the most submissive manner, lifting up my
left hand and both my eyes to the sun, as
calling him for a witness; and being almost
famished with hunger, having not eaten a
morsel for some hours before I left the ship,
I found the demands of nature so strong upon
me that I could not forbear showing my im-
patience (perhaps against the strict rules of
decency) by putting my finger frequently to
my mouth, to signify that I wanted food.
The hurgo (for so they call a great lord, as I
afterwards learnt) understood me very well.
He descended from the stage, and commanded
that several ladders should be applied to my
sides, on which above a hundred of the inha-
bitants mounted, and walked towards my
mouth, laden with baskets full of meat, which
had been provided and sent thither by the
king's orders, upon the first intelligence he
received of me. I observed there was the
flesh of several animals, but could not distin-
guish thein by the taste. There were should-
ers, legs, and loins, shaped like those of
mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller
than the wings of a lark. I ate them by two
or three at a mouthful, and took three loaves
at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets.
They supplied me as fast as they could, show-
ing a thousand marks of wonder and astonish
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
23
ment at my bulk and appetite. I then made
another sign, that I wanted drink. They
found by my eating that a small quantity
would not suffice me; and being a most inge.
nious people, they slung up, with great dex-
terity, one of their largest hogsheads, then
rolled it towards my hand, and beat out the
top; I drank it off at a draught, which I
might well do, for it did not hold half a pint,
and tasted like a small wine of Burgundy,
but much more delicious. They brought me
a second hogshead, which I drank in the same
manner, and made signs for more: but they
had none to give me. When I had performed
these wonders, they shouted for joy, and
danced upon my breast, repeating several
times as they did at first, Hekinah degul.
They made me a sign that I should throw
down the two hogsheads, but first warning
the people below to stand out of the way, cry-
ing aloud, Borach mevolah; and when they
saw the vessels in the air, there was a uni-
versal shout of Hekinah degul. I confess I
was often tempted, while they were passing
backwards and forwards on my body, to
seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my
reach, and dash them against the ground.
But the remembrance of what I had felt,
which probably might not be the worst they
could do, and the promise of honour I made
them, for so I interpreted my submissive be-
haviour, soon drove out these imaginations.
Besides, I now considered myself as bound
by the laws of hospitality, to a people who
24
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
had treated me with so much expense and
magnificence. However, in my thoughts L
could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity
of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture
to mount and walk up my body, while one of
my hands was at liberty, without trembling at
the very sight of so prodigious a creature as I
must appear to them. After some time,
when they observed that I made no more
demands for meat, there appeared before me
a person of high rank from his imperial ma-
jesty. His excellency, having mounted on
the small of my right leg, advanced forwards
up to my face, with about a dozen of his reti-
nue; and producing his credentials under the
signet royal, which he applied close to my
eyes, spoke about ten minutes without any
signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate
resolution; often pointing forwards, which,
as I afterwards found, was towards the capi-
tal city, about half a mile distant; whither it
was agreed by his majesty in council, that I
must be conveyed. I answered in few words,
but to no purpose, and made a sign with my
hand that was loose, putting it to the other,
(but over his excellency's head for fear of
hurting him or his train) and then to my own
head and body, to signify that I desired my
liberty. It appeared that.he understood me
well enough, for he shook his head by way of
disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture
to show that I must be carried as a prisoner.
However, he made other signs to let me un-
derstand, that I should have meat and drink

A VOYAGE TO lilliput.
25
enough, and very good treatment. Where-
upon I once more thought of attempting to
break my bonds; but again, when I felt the
smart of their arrows upon my face and hands,
which were all in blisters, and many of the
darts still sticking in them, and observing
likewise that the number of my enemies in-
creased, I gave tokens to let them know
that they might do with me what they pleased.
Upon this, the hurgo and his train withdrew,
with much civility and cheerful countenances,
Soon after I heard a general shout, with fre-
quent repetitions of the words Peplom selan;
and I felt great numbers of people on my left
side relaxing the cords to such a degree, that
I was able to turn upon my right, and to ease
himself by making water; which I very plen-
tifully did, to the great astonishment of the
people; who, conjecturing by my motion what
I was going to do, immediately opened to the
right and left on that side, to avoid the torrent,
which fell with such noise and violence from
nie. But before this, they had daubed my
face and both my hands with a sort of oint-
ment, very pleasant to the smell, which, in a
few minutes, removed all the smart of their
arrows. These circumstances, added to the
refreshment I had received by their victuals
and drink, which were very nourishing, dis-
posed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours,
as I was afterwards assured; and it was no
wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's
order, had mingled a sleepy potion in the
hogsheads of wine.

D
26
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
It seems that upon the first moment I was
discovered sleeping on the ground, after my
landing, the emperor had early notice of it by
by an express; and determined in council,
that I should be tied in the manner I have
related, (which was done in the night while I
slept;) that plenty of meat and drink should
be sent me, and a machine prepared to carry
me to the capital city.
This resolution perhaps may appear very
bold and dangerous, and I am confident, would
not be imitated by any prince in Europe on
the like occasion. However, in my opinion,
it was extremely prudent, as well as generous;
for, supposing these people had endeavoured
to kill me with their spears and arrows, while
I was asleep, I should certainly have awaked
with the first sense of smart, which might so
far have rouzed my rage and strength, as to
have enabled me to break the strings where-
with I was tied; after which, as they were
not able to make resistance, so they could
expect no mercy.
These people are most excellent mathema-
ticians, and arrived to a great perfection in
mechanics by the countenance and encourage-
ment of the emperor, who is a renowned
patron of learning. This prince has several
machines fixed on wheels, for the carriage of
trees and other great weights. He often
builds his largest men of war, whereof some
are nine feet long, in the woods where the
timber grows, and has them carried on these
engines three or four hundred yards to the
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
27
sea.
It was a frame of
from the ground,
Five hundred carpenters and engineers
were immediately set at work to prepare the
greatest engine they had.
wood raised three inches
about seven feet long, and four wide, moving
upon twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard
was upon the arrival of this engine, which it
seems set out in four hours after my landing.
It was brought parallel to me, as I lay. But
the principal difficulty was to raise and place
me in this vehicle. Eighty poles, each of one
foot high, were erected for this purpose, and
very strong cords, of the bigness of pack-
thread, were fastened by hooks to many
bandages, which the workmen had girt round
my neck, my hands, my body, and my legs.
Nine hundred of the strongest men were em-
ployed to draw up these cords, by many pul-
leys fastened on the poles, and thus, in less
than three hours, I was raised and slung into
the engine, and there tied fast. All this I
was told; for, while the operation was per-
forming, I lay in a profound sleep, by the
force of that soporiferous medicine infused
into my liquor. Fifteen hundred of the em-
peror's largest horses, each about four inches
and a half high, were employed to draw me
towards the metropolis, which, as I said, was
half a mile distant.
f
About four hours after we began our jour-
ney, I awaked by a very ridiculous accident;
for the carriage being stopped awhile, to ad-
just something that was out of order, two or
three of the young natives had the curiosity to
28
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
see how I looked when I was asleep, they climb-
ed up into the engine, and advancing very soft-
ly to my face, one of them, an officer in the
guards, put the sharp end of his half-pike a
good way into my left nostril, which tickled
my nose like a straw, and made me sneeze
violently*; whereupon they stole off unper-
ceived, and it was three weeks before I knew
the cause of my waking so suddenly. We
made a long march the remaining part of the
day, and rested at night with five hundred
guards on each side of me, half with torches,
and half with bows and arrows, ready to
to shoot me if I should offer to stir. The
next morning at sun-rise we continued our
march, and arrived within two hundred yards
of the city gates about noon.
The emperor,
and all his court, came out to meet us; but
his great officers would by no means suffer
his majesty to endanger his person, by mount-
ing on my body.
At the place where the carriage stopped
there stood an ancient temple, esteemed to be
the largest in the whole kingdom; which,
* It has been remarked, that courage, in whatever
cause, thongh it sometimes excites indignation, is never
the object of contempt; but this appears to be true,
only because courage is supposed to imply superiority;
for this officer in the guards becomes extremely ridi-
culous and contemptible by an act of the most daring
curiosity, which sets him in comparison with Gulliver,
to whom he was so much inferior, that a blast of the
man-mountain's nostrils would have endangered his
life; and if heroism itself is not proof against ridicule,
they surely are Lilliputians in philosophy who consi
der ridicule as the test of truth.-H.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
29
having being polluted some years before by
an unnatural murder, was, according to the
zeal of those people, looked upon as profane,
and therefore had been applied to common
use, and all the ornaments and furniture car-
ried away.
In this edifice it was determined
I should lodge. The great gate fronting to
the north, was about four feet high, and al-
most two feet wide, through which I could
easily creep. On each side of the gate was
a small window, not above six inches from
the ground: into that on the left side, the
king's smith conveyed fourscore and eleven
chains, like those that hang to a lady's watch
in Europe, and almost as large, which were
locked to my left leg with six-and-thirty pad-
locks. Over against this temple, on the other
side of the great highway, at twenty feet
distance, there was a turret at least five feet
high. Here the emperor ascended, with
many principal lords of his court, to have an
opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I
could not see them. It was reckoned that
above a hundred thousand inhabitants came
out of the town upon the same errand; and
in spite of my guards, I believe there could
not be fewer than ten thousand at several
times, who mounted my body by the help of
ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued,
to forbid it upon pain of death. When the
workmen found it was impossible for me to
break loose, they cut all the strings that bound
me; whereupon I rose up, with as melancholy
disposition as ever I had in my life. But
→
30
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the noise and astonishment of the people, at
seeing me rise and walk, are not to be expres-
sed. The chains that held my left leg were
about two yards long, and gave me not only
the liberty of walking backwards and for-
wards in a semicircle; but, being fixed with-
in four inches of the gate, allowed me to
creep in, and lie at my full length in the
temple.
CHAPTER II.
The Emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of
the nobility, comes to see the Author in his con-
finement. The Emperor's person and habit de-
scribed. Learned men appointed to teach the
Author their language. He gains favour by
his mild disposition. His pockets are searched,
and his sword and pistols taken from him.
WHEN I found myself on my feet, I looked
about me, and must confess I never beheld a
a more entertaining prospect. The country
around appeared like a continued garden, and
the enclosed fields, which were generally forty
feet square, resembled so many beds of flow-
These fields were intermingled with
woods of half a stang*, and the tallest trees,
as I could judge, appeared so be seven feet
high. I viewed the town on my left hand,
ers.
A stang is a pole or perch; sixteen feet and a half.
-Original.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
31
which looked like the painted scene of a city
in a theatre.
I had been for some hours extremely pres-
sed by the necessities of nature; which was
no wonder, it being almost two days since I
had last disburdened myself. I was under
great difficulties between urgency and shame.
The best expedient I could think on,† was to
creep into my house, which I accordingly did;
and shutting the gate after me, I went as far
as the length of my chain would suffer, and
discharged my body of that uneasy load. But
this was the only time I was ever guilty of so
uncleanly an action; for which I cannot but
hope the candid reader will give some allow-
ance, after he has maturely and impartially
considered my case, and the distress I was in.
From this time my constant practice was, as
soon as I rose, to perform that business in
open air, at the full extent of my chain; and
due care was taken every morning before
company came, that the offensive matter
should be carried off in wheelbarrows, by two
servants appointed for that purpose. I would
not have dwelt so long upon a circumstance
that, perhaps, at first sight, may appear not
very momentous, if I had not thought it neces-
sary to justify my character, in point of clean-
liness, to the world; which, I am told, some
of my maligners have been pleased, upon this
and other occasions, to call in question.
• The author is singular in the use of this phrase, as
think of, not think on, is the usual mode.
32
GULLIVER'S TRAVELJ.
When this adventure was at an end, I came
back out of my house, having occasion for
fresh air. The emperor was already descen-
ded from the tower, and advancing on horse-
back towards me, which had like to have cost
him dear; for the beast, though very well
trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight,
which appeared as if a mountain moved be-
fore him, reared up on his hinder feet: but
that prince, who is an excellent horseman,
kept his seat, till his attendants ran in, and
held the bridle, while his majesty had time to
dismount. When he alighted, he surveyed
me round with great admiration; but kept
beyond the length of my chain. He ordered
his cooks and butlers, who were already pre-
pared, to give me victuals and drink, which
they pushed forward in a sort of vehicles upon
wheels, till I could reach them. I took these
vehicles, and soon emptied them all; twenty
of them were filled with meat, and ten with
liquor; each of the former afforded me two or
three good mouthfuls; and I emptied the li-.
quor of ten vessels, which was contained in
earthen vials, into one vehicle, drinking it off
at a draught; and so I did with the rest.
The empress, and young princes of the blood
of both sexes, attended by many ladies, sat
at some distance in their chairs; but upon the
accident that happened to the emperor's horse,
they alighted, and came near his person,
which I am now going to describe. He is
taller, by almost the breadth of my nail, than
any of his court; which alone is enough to
>
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
33
strike an awe into his beholders.
His feu-
tures are strong and masculine, with an Aus-
trian lip and arched nose, his complexion
olive, his countenance erect, his body and
limbs well proportioned, all his motions grace-
ful, and his deportment majestic. He was
then past his prime, being twenty-eight years
and three quarters old, of which he had
reigned about seven in great felicity, aud
generally victorious. For the better conve-
nience of beholding him, I lay on my side, so
that my face was parallel to his, and he stood
but three yards off: however, I have had him
since many times in my hand, and therefore
cannot be deceived in the description.
dress was very plain and simple, and the
fashion of it between the Asiatic and Euro-
pean: but he had on his head a light helmet
of gold, adorned with jewels, and a plume on
the crest. He held his sword drawn in his
hand to defend himself, if I should happen to
break loose*: it was almost three inches long;
the hilt and scabbard were gold enriched with
diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very
clear and articulate; and I could distinctly
hear it when I stood up. The ladies and
His
The masculine strength of features, which Gulliver
could not see till he laid his face upon the ground, and
the awful superiority of stature in a being, whom he
held in his hand; the helmet, the plume, and the sword,
are a fine reproof of human pride; the objects of which
are trifling distinctions, whether of person or rank; the
ridiculous parade and ostentation of a pigmy, which
derive not only their origin but their use from the
tolly, weakness, and imperfection, of ourselves and
others,—H、
31
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
courtiers were all most magnificently clad; So
that the spot they stood upon seemed to re-
semble a petticoat spread on the ground, em-
broidered with figures of gold and silver.
His imperial majesty spoke often to me, and
I returned answers: but neither of us could
understand a syllable. There were several
of his priests and lawyers present (as I con-
jectured by their habits), who were com-
manded to address themselves to me; and I
spoke to them in as many languages as I had
the least smattering of, which were high and
low Dutch, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian,
and Lingua Franca, but all to no purpose.
After about two hours the court retired, and
I was left with a strong guard, to prevent the
impertinence, and probably the malice of the
rabble, who were very impatient to crowd
about me as near as they durst; and some of
them had the impudence to shoot their arrows
at me, as I sat on the ground by the door of
my house, whereof one very narrowly missed
my left eye. But the colonel ordered six of
the ringleaders to be seized, and thought no
punishment so proper as to deliver them
bound into my hands; which some of his sol-
diers accordingly did, pushing them forwards
with the butt-ends of their pikes into my
reach. I took them all in my right hand, put
five of them into my coat pocket, and as to
the sixth, I made a countenance as if I would
eat him alive. The poor man squalled terri-
bly, and the colonel and his officers were in
much pain, especially when they saw me take
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
35
-
out my penknife: but I soon put them out of
fear; for, looking mildly, and immediately
cutting the strings he was bound with, I set
him gently on the ground, and away he ran.
I treated the rest in the same manner, taking
them one by one out of my pocket; and I
observed both the soldiers and people were
highly delighted at this mark of my clemency,
which was represented very much to my
advantage at court.
Towards night I got with some difficulty
into my house, where I lay on the ground,
and continued to do so about a fortnight;
during which time, the emperor gave orders
to have a bed prepared for me. Six hundred
beds of the common measure were brought
in carriages, and worked up in my house; a
hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn toge-
ther, made up the breadth and length; and
these were four double; which, however,
kept me but very indifferently from the hard-
ness of the floor, that was of smooth stone.
By the same computation, they provided me
with sheets, blankets, and coverlets, tolerable
enough for one who had been so long inured
to hardships.
As the news of my arrival spread through
the kingdom, it brought prodigious numbers
of rich, idle, and curious people to see me;
so that the villages were almost emptied, and
great neglect of tillage and household affairs.
* Gulliver has observed great exactness in the just
proportion and appearance of the objects thus lessened.
-Orrery.
36
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
must nave ensued, if his imperial majesty had
not provided, by several proclamations and
orders of state, against this inconveniency.
He directed, that those who had already
beheld me should return home, and not pre-
sume to come within fifty yards of my house,
without licence from the court; whereby the
secretaries of state got considerable fees.
In the mean time the emperor held fre-
quent councils, to debate what course should
be taken with me; and I was afterwards
assured, by a particular friend, a person of
great quality, who was as much in the secret
as any, that the court was under many dif-
ficulties concerning me. They apprehended
my breaking loose, that my diet would be
very expensive, and might cause a famine.
Sometimes they determined to starve me, or
at least to shoot me in the face and hands
with poisoned arrows, which would soon
dispath me; but again they considered, that
the stench of so large a carcass might produce
a plague in the metropolis, and probably
spread through the whole kingdom. In the
midst of these consultations, several officers
of the army went to the door of the great
council-chamber, and two of them being ad-
mitted, gave an account of my behaviour to
the six criminals above-mentioned; which
made so favourable an impression in the
breast of his majesty, and the whole board,
in my behalf, that an imperial commission was
issued out, obliging all the villages, nine
hundred yards round the city, to deliver in
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
37
every morning six beeves, forty sheep, and
other victuals for my sustenance; together
with a proportionable quantity of bread, and
wine, and other liquors; for the due payment
of which, his majesty gave assignments upon
his treasury: for this prince lives chiefly upon
his own demesnes; seldom, except upon great
occasions, raising any subsidies upon his sub-
jects, who are bound to attend him in his
wars at their own expense. An establish-
ment was also made of six hundred persons
to be my domestics, who had board-wages
allowed for their maintenance, and tents built
for them very conveniently on each side of
my door. It was likewise ordered, that three
hundred tailors should make me a suit of
clothes after the fashion of the country: that
six of his majesty's greatest scholars should
be employed to instruct me in their language:
and lastly, that the emperor's horses, and
those of the nobility and troops of guards,
should be frequently exercised in my sight, to
accustom themselves to me. All these orders
were duly put in execution; and in about
three weeks I made a great progress in
learning their language; during which time
the emperor frequently honoured me with his
visits, and was pleased to assist my masters
in teaching me. We began already to con-
verse together in some sort; and the first
words I learnt, were to express my desire
'that he would please to give me my liberty;'
which I every day repeated on my knees.
His anwer, as I could apprehend it, was,
-
2
E
38
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
'that this must be a work of time, not to be
thought on without the advice of his council,
and that first I must lumos kelmin pesso
desmar lon emposo;' that is, swear a peace
with him and his kingdom. However, that 1
should be used with all kindness. And he
advised me to acquire, by my patience and
discreet behaviour, the good opinion of him-
self and his subjects.' He desired 'I would
not take it ill, if he gave orders to certain
proper officers to search me; for probably I
might carry about me several weapons, which
must needs be dangerous things, if they
answered the bulk of so prodigious a person.'
I said, 'His majesty should be satisfied; for
I was ready to strip myself, and turn up my
pockets before him.' This I delivered, part
in words, and part in signs. He replied,
'that, by the laws of the kingdom, I must be
searched by two of his officers; that he knew
this could not be done without my consent
and assistance; and he had so good an opinion
of my generosity and justice, as to trust their
persons in my hands: that whatever they
took from me, should be returned when I
left the country, or paid for at the rate which
I would set upon them.' I took up the two
officers in my hands, put them first into my
coat-pockets, and then into every other pocket
about me, except my two fobs, and another
secret pocket, which I had no mind should be
searched, wherein I had some little necessa-
ries that were of no consequence to any but
myself. In one of my fobs there was a
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
39
silver watch, and in the other a small quan-
tity of gold in a purse.
These gentlemen,
having pen, ink, and paper, about them, made
an exact inventory of every thing they saw;
and when they had done, desired I would set
them down, that they might deliver it to the
emperor. This inventory I afterwards trans-
lated into English, and is word for word as
follows;
Imprimis, In the right coat-pocket of the
great man-mountain (for so I interpret the
words quinbus flestrin), after the strictest
search, we found only one great piece of coarse
cloth, large enough to be a foot-cloth for your
majesty's chief room of state. In the left
pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a
cover of the same metal, which we, the search-
ers, were not able to lift. We desired it
should be opened, and one of us stepping into
it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of
dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces,
set us both a-sneezing for several times toge-
ther. In his right waistcoat-pocket we found
a prodigious bundle of white thin substances,
folded one over another, about the bigness of
three men, tied with a strong cable, and
marked with black figures; which we humbly
conceive to be writings, every letter almost
half as large as the palm of our hands. In
the left there was a sort of engine, from the
back of which were extended twenty long
poles, resembling the pallisados before your
majesty's court: wherewith we conjecture the
Iman-mountain combs his head; for we did
40
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
not always trouble him with questions, becausc
we found it a great difficulty to make him
understand us. In the large pocket, on the
right side of his middle cover (so I translate
the word ranfu-lo, by which they meant my
breeches), we saw a hollow pillow of iron,
about the length of a man, fastened to a
strong piece of timber larger than the pillar;
and upon one side of the pillar, were huge
pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange
figures, which we know not what to make of.
In the left pocket, another engine of the same
kind. In the smaller pocket on the right side,
were several round flat pieces of white and
red metal, of different bulk; some of the white,
which seemed to be silver, were so large and
heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly
lift them. In the left pocket were two black
pillars irregularly shaped: we could not,
without difficulty, reach the top of them, as
we stood at the top of his pocket. One of
them was covered, and scemed all of a piece:
but at the upper end of the other three ap-
peared a white round substance, about twice
the bigness of our heads. Within each of
these was enclosed a prodigious plate of steel;
which, by our orders, we obliged him to show
us, because we apprehended they might be
dangerous engines. He took them out of their
cases, and told us, that in his own country his
practice was to shave his beard with one of
these, and cut his meat with the other. There
were two pockets which we could not enter:
these he called his fobs; they were two larga
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
41
slits cut out into the top of his middle cover,
but squeezed close by the pressure of his belly.
Out of the right fob hung a great silver chain,
with a wonderful kind of engine at the bottom.
We directed him to draw out whatever was
at the end of that chain; which appeared to
be a globe, half silver, and half of some trans-
parent metal; for, on the transparent side,
we saw certain strange figures circularly
drawn, and thought we could touch them, till
we found our fingers stopped by that lucid
substance. He put this engine to our ears,
which made an incessant noise, like that of a
water-mill: and we conjecture it is either
some unknown animal, or the god that he
worships; but we are more inclined to the
latter opinion, because he assured us (if we
understand him right, for he expressed him-
self very imperfectly) that he seldom did any
thing without consulting it. He called it his
oracle, and said it pointed out the time for
every action of his life. From the left fob
he took out a net almost large enough for a
fisherman, but contrived to open and shut like
a purse, and served him for the same use: we
found therein several massy pieces of yellow
metal, which, if they be real gold, must be of
immense value.
Having thus, in obedience to your majes-
ty's commands, diligently searched all his
* Perhaps the author intended to expose the proba
ble fallacy of opinions derived from the relations of
travellers, by showing how little truth need to be inis-
understood to make falsehood specious.-II.
きっ
​42
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
pockets, we observed a girdle about his waist
made of the hide of some prodigious animal,
from which, on the left side, hung a sword of
the length of five men; and on the right, a
bag or pouch divided into two cells, each cell
capable of holding three of your majesty's
subjects. In one of these cells were several
globes, or balls, of a most ponderous metal,
about the bigness of our heads, and required
a strong hand to lift them: the other cell
contained a heap of certain black grains, but
of no great bulk or weight, for we could hold
above fifty of them in the palms of our hands.
This is an exact inventory of what we
found about the body of the man-mountain,
who used us with great civility, and due res-
pect to your majesty's commission. Signed
and sealed on the fourth day of the eighty-
ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign.
Clefrin Frelock, Marsi Frelock"
! When this inventory was read over to the
emperor, he directed me, although in very
gentle terms, to deliver up the several parti-
culars. He first called for my scimitar, which
I took out, scabbard and all. In the mean
time he ordered three thousand of his choicest
troops (who then attended him) to surround
me at a distance, with their bows and arrows
just ready to discharge; but I did not observe
it, for mine eyes were wholly fixed upon his
majesty. He then desired me to draw my
scimitar, which, although it had got some rust
by the sea water, was, in most parts, exceed-
ng bright. I did so, and immediately all the

GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
Stothard d
Stalker sculp!
The Lilliputtons taking an Inventory of the
things found upon Gullivers person.
Page 42
LONDON
PRINTED FOR HECTOR M LEAN,
1823.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
43
troops gave a shout between terror and sur-
prise; for the sun shone clear, and the reflec-
tion dazzled their eyes, as I waved the scimi-
tar to and fro in my hand. His majesty, who
is a most magnanimous prince, was less
daunted than I could expect: he ordered me
to return it into the scabbard, and cast it on
the ground as gently as I could, about six
feet from the end of my chain. The next
thing he demanded was one of the hollow
iron pillars; by which he meant my pocket
pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as
well as I could, expressed to him the use of
it; and charging it only with powder, which,
by the closeness of my pouch, happened to
escape wetting in the sea (an inconvenience
against which all prudent mariners take spe-
cial care to provide,) I first cautioned the
emperor not to be afraid, and then I let it off
in the air. The astonishment here was much
greater than at the sight of the scimitar.
Hundreds fell down as if they had been struck
dead; and even the emperor, although he
stood his ground, could not recover himself
for some time. I delivered up both my pis-
tols in the same manner as I had done my
scimitar, and then my pouch of powder and
bullets; begging him that the former might
be kept from fire, for it would kindle with
* He who does not find himself disposed to honour
this magnanimity, should reflect, that a right to judge
of moral and intellectual excellence is, with great ab-
surdity and injustice, arrogated by him who admires,
in a being six feet high, any qualities that he despises i
one whose stature does not exceed six inches.-H
44
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the smallest spark, and blow up his imperial
palace into the air. I likewise delivered up
my watch, which the emperor was very cu-
rious to see, and commanded two of his tallest
yeomen of the guards to bear it on a pole
upon their shoulders, as draymen in England
do a barrel of ale. He was amazed at the
continual noise it made, and the motion of the
minute-hand, which he could easily discern;
for their sight is much more acute than ours:
he asked the opinions of his learned men
about it, which were various and remote, as
the reader may well imagine without my
repeating; although indeed I could not very
perfectly understand them. I then gave up
my silver and copper money, my purse with
nine large pieces of gold, and some smaller
ones; my knife and razor, my comb and sil-
ver snuff-box, my handkerchief and journal-
book. My scimitar, pistols, and pouch, were
conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores;
but the rest of my goods were returned me.
I had, as I before observed, one private
pocket, which escaped their scarch, wherein
there was a pair of spectacles (which I some-
times use for the weakness of mine eyes) a
pocket perspective, and some other little con-
veniences; which, being of no consequence to
the emperor, I did not think myself bound in
honour to discover, and I apprehended they
might be lost or spoiled, if I ventured them
out of my possession.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
45
CHAPTER III.
The Author diverts the Emperor, and his nobi-
lity of both sexes, in a very uncommon manner.
The diversions of the Court of Lilliput de-
scribed. The Author has his liberty granted
him upon certain conditions.
My gentleness and good behaviour had gained
so far on the emperor and his court, and in-
deed upon the army and people in general,
that I began to conceive hopes of getting my
liberty in a short time. I took all possible
methods to cultivate this favourable disposi-
tion. The natives came, by degrees, to be
less apprehensive of any danger from me. I
would sometimes lie down, and let five or
six of them dance on my head; and at last
the boys and girls would venture to come and
play at hide and seek in my hair. I had now
made a good progress in understanding and
speaking the language. The emperor had a
mind one day to entertain me with several of
the country shows, wherein they exceeded all
nations I have known, both for dexterity and
magnificence. I was diverted with none so
much as that of the rope-dancers, performed
upon a slender white thread, extended about
two feet, and twelve inches from the ground;
upon which I shall desire liberty, with the
reader's patience, to enlarge a little.
This diversion is only practised by those
persons who are candidates for great employ-
46
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
ments, and high favour at court. They are
trained in this art from their youth, and are
not always of noble birth, or liberal educa
tion. When a great office is vacant, either
by death or disgrace (which often happens,)
five or six of those candidates petition the
emperor to entertain his majesty and the
court with a dance on the rope; and whoever
jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds
in the office. Very often the chief ministers
themselves are commanded to show their
skill, and to convince the emperor that they
have not lost their faculty. Flimnap, the
treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the
straight rope, at least an inch higher than any
other lord in the whole empire. I have seen
him do the summerset* several times together,
upon a trencher fixed on a rope which is no
thicker than a common pack thread in England.
My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for
private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not
partial, the second after the treasurer; the
rest of the great officers are much upon a
par.
These diversions are often attended with
fatal accidents, whereof great numbers are on
record. I myself have seen two or three
candidates break a limb. But the danger is
much greater, when the ministers themselves
are commanded to show their dexterity! for,
by contending to excel themselves and their
* Summersct or summersault, a gambol of a tumb-
ler, in which he springs up, turns heels over head in
the air, and comes down upon his feet.-Original.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
47
fellows, they strain so far that there is hardly
one of them who has not received a fall, and
some of them two or three. I was assured,
that, a year or two before my arrival, Flimnap
would infallibly have broke his neck, if one of
the king's cushions, that accidentally lay on
the ground, had not weakened the force of
his fall.
There is likewise another diversion, which
is only shown before the emperor and em-
press, and first minister, upon particular
occasions. The emperor lays on the table
three fine silken threads of six ¡inches long;
one is blue, the other red, and the third green.
These threads are proposed as prizes for those
persons whom the emperor has a mind to dis-
tinguish by a peculiar mark of his favour.
The ceremony is performed in his majesty's
great chamber of state, where the candidates
are to undergo a trial of dexterity, very dif
ferent from the former, and such as I have
not observed the least resemblance of in any
other country of the new or old world. The
emperor holds a stick in his hands, both ends
parallel to the horizon, while the candidates
advancing, one by one, sometimes leap over
the stick, sometimes creep under it, backward
and forward, several times, according as the
stick is advanced or depressed. Sometimes
the emperor holds one end of the stick, and
his first minister the other; sometimes the
minister has it entirely to himself. Whoever
performs his part with most agility, and holds
out the longest in leaping and creeping, is
48
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
rewarded with the blue-coloured silk; the red
is given to the next and the green to the third,
which they all wear girt twice round about
the middle; and you see few great persons
about this court who are not adorned with one
of these girdles.
The horses of the army, and those of the
royal stables, having been daily led before
me, were no longer shy, but would come up
to my very feet without starting. The riders
would leap them over my hand, as I held it
on the ground; and one of the emperor's
huntsmen, upon a large courser, took my foot,
shoe and all; which was indeed a prodigious
leap. I had the good fortune to divert the
emperor one day after a very extraordinary
manner. I desired he would order several
sticks of two feet high, and the thickness of an
ordinary cane, to be brought me; whereupon
nis majesty commanded the master of his
woods to give directions accordingly; and the
next morning six woodmen arrived with as
many carriages, drawn by eight horses to each.
I took nine of these sticks, and fixing them
firmly in the ground in a quadrangular figure,
two feet and a half square. I took four other
sticks, and tied them parallel at each corner
about two feet from the ground; then I fas-
tened my handkerchief to the nine sticks that
stood erect; and extended it on all sides, till
it was tight as the top of a drum; and the
four parallel sticks, rising about five inches
higher than the handkerchief, served as
ledges on each side. When I had finished
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
49
my work, I desired the emperor to let a
troop of his best horse, twenty-four in num-
ber, come and exercise upon this plain. Hiz
majesty approved of the proposal, and I took
them up, one by one, in my hands, ready
mounted and armed, with the proper officers
to exercise them. As soon as they got into
order, they divided into two parties, perform-
ed mock skirmishes, discharged blunt arrows,
drew their swords, fled and pursued, attacked
and retired, and in short discovered the best
military discipline I ever beheld. The paral-
lel sticks secured them and their horses from
falling over the stage; and the emperor was
so much delighted, that he ordered this enter-
tainment to be repeated several day, and once
was pleased to be lifted up and give the word
of command; and with great difficulty per-
suaded even the empress herself to let me
hold her in her close chair within two yards
of the stage when she was able to take a full
view of the whole performance. It was my
good fortune, that no ill accident happened in
these entertainments; only once a fiery horse,
that belonged to one of the captains, pawing
with his hoof, struck a hole in my handker-
ch ef, and his foot slipping, he overthrew his
rider and himself; but I immediately relieved
them both, and covering the hole with one
hand, I set down the troop with the other, in
the same manner as I took them up. The
horse that fell was strained in the left shoul-
der, but the rider got no hurt; and I repair-
ed my handkerchief as well as I could: how-
2
F
50
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
ever, I would not trust to the strength of it
any more in such dangerous enterprises.
About two or three days before I was set
at liberty, as I was entertaining the court
with this kind of feats, there arrived an ex-
press to inform his majesty, that some of his
subjects, riding near the place where I was
first taken up, had seen a great black sub-
stance lying on the ground, very oddly shaped,
extending its edges round, as wide as his
majesty's bedchamber, and rising up in the
middle as high as a man; that it was no
living creature, as they at first apprehended,
for it lay on the grass without motion; and
some of them had walked round it several
times; that, by mounting upon each other's
shoulders, they had got to the top, which
was flat and even, and, stamping upon it,
they found that it was hollow within; that
they humbly conceived it might be some-
thing belonging to the man-mountain; and if
his majesty pleased, they would undertake
to bring it with only five horses. I presently
knew what they meant, and was glad at heart
to receive this intelligence. It seems, upon
my first reaching the shore after our ship-
wreck, I was in such confusion, that before I
came to the place where I went to sleep, my
hat, which I had fastened with a string to
my head while I was rowing, and had stuck
on all the time I was swimming, fell off after
I came to land; the string, as I conjecture,
breaking by some accident, which I never
observed, but thought my hat had been lost
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
51
at sea. I entreated his imperial majesty to
give orders it might be brought to me as soon
as possible, describing to him the use and the
nature of it: and the next day the waggoners
arrived with it, but not in a very good con-
dition; they had bored two holes in the brim,
within an inch and half of the edge, and
fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks
were tied by a long cord to the harness, and
thus my hat was dragged along for above half
an English mile; but, the ground in that
country being extremely smooth and level, it
received less damage than I expected.
Two days after this adventure, the em-
peror, having ordered that part of his army
which quarters in and about his metropolis,
to be in readiness, took a fancy of diverting
himself in a very singular manner. He de-
sired I would stand like a Colossus, with my
legs as far asunder as I conveniently could.
He then commanded his general (who was
an old experienced leader, and a great patron
of mine) to draw up the troops in close order,
and march them under me; the foot by
twenty-four a-breast, and the horse by six-
teen, with drums beating, colours flying, and
pikes advanced. This body consisted of
three thousand foot, and a thousand horse.
His majesty gave orders, upon pain of death,
that every soldier in his march should observe
the strictest decency with respect to my per-
son; which however could not prevent some
of the younger officers from turning up their
eyes, as they passed under me; and, to con-
52
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
fess the truth, my breeches were at that time
in so ill a condition, that they afforded some
opportunities for laughter and admiration.
I had sent so many memorials and peti-
tions for my liberty, that his majesty at
length mentioned the matter, first in the
cabinet, and then in a full council; where it
was opposed by none, except Skyresh Bol-
golam, who was pleased, without any provo-
cation, to be my mortal enemy. But it was
carried against him by the whole board, and
confirmed by the emperor.
by the emperor. That minister
was galbet, or admiral of the realm, very
much in his master's confidence, and a person
well versed in affairs, but of a morose and
sour complexion. However, he was at length
persuaded to comply; but prevailed that the
articles and conditions upon which I should
be set free, and to which I must swear, should
be drawn up by himself. These articles
were brought to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in
person, attended by two under-secretaries,
and several persons of distinction. After
they were read, I was demanded to swear
to the performance of them; first in the man-
ner of my own country, and afterwards in
the method prescribed by their laws; which
was, to hold my right foot in my left hand,
and to place the middle finger of my right
hand on the crown of my head, and my thumb
on the tip of my right ear. But because the
reader may be curious to have some idea of
the style and manner of expression peculiar
to that people, as well as to know the articles
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
53
upon which I recovered my liberty, I have
made a translation of the whole instrument,
word for word, as near as I was able, which
I here offer to the public.
'Golbasto Momarem Evalme Gurdilo Shefin
Mully Ully Gue, most mighty emperor of
Lilliput, delight and terror of the universe,
whose dominions extend five thousand blust-
rugs (about twelve miles in circumference)
to the extremities of the globe; monarch of
all monarchs, taller than the sons of men;
whose feet press down to the centre, and
whose head strikes against the sun; at whose
nod the princes of the earth shake their
knees; pleasant as the spring, comforable as
the summer, fruitful as autumn, dreadful as
winter. His most sublime majesty proposes
to the man-mountain, lately arrived at our
celestial dominions, the following articles,
which, by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged
to perform.
1st, The man-mountain shall not depart
from our dominions, without our licence under
our great seal.
'2d, He shall not presume to come into our
metropolis, without our express order; at
which time, the inhabitants shall have two
hours' warning to keep within doors.
'3d, The said man-mountain shall confine
his walks to our principal high roads, and not
offer to walk, or lie down, in a meadow or
field of corn.
< 4th, As he walks the said roads, he shall
take the utmost care not to trample upon the
54
GULLIVER TRAVELS.
bodies of any of our loving subjects, their
horses, or carriages, nor take any of our
subjects into his hands without their own
consent.
'5th, If an express requires extraordinary
dispatch, the man-mountain shall be obliged
to carry, in his pocket, the messenger and
horse a six days' journey, once in every
moon, and return the said messenger back (if
so required) safe to our imperial presence.
'6th, He shall be our ally against our ene-
mies in the island of Blefuscu*, and do his
utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now
preparing to invade us.
'7th, That the said man-mountain shall, at
his time of leisure, be aiding and assisting to
our workmen, in helping to raise certain great
stones, towards covering the wall of the prin-
cipal park, and other our royal buildings.
'8th, That the said man-mountain shall, in
two moons' time, deliver in an exact survey
of the circumference of our dominions, by a
computation of his own paces round the coast.
'Lastly, That, upon his solemn oath to
observe all the above articles, the said man-
mountain shall have a daily allowance of
of meat and drink sufficient for the support
of 1724 of our subjects, with free access to
our royal person, and other marks of our
favour. Given at our palace at Belfaborac,
In his description of Lilliput he seems to have had
England more immediately in view. In his descrip-
tion of Blejuscu, he seems to intend the people and
kingdom of France.-Orrcry.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
55
the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of
our reign.'
I swore and subscribed to these articles
with great cheerfulness and content, although
some of them were not so honourable as I
could have wished; which proceeded wholly
from the malice of Skyresh Bolgolam, the
high-admiral; whereupon my chains were
immediately unlocked, and I was at full li-
berty. The emperor himself, in person, did
me the honour to be by at the whole cere-
mony. I made my asknowledgments by
prostrating myself at his majesty's feet: but
he commanded me to rise; and after many
gracious expressions, which, to avoid the
censure of vanity, I shall not repeat, he
added, 'that he hoped I should prove a use-
ful servant, and well deserve all the favours
he had already conferred upon me, or might
do for the future.'
The reader may please to observe, that, in
the last article of the recovery of my liberty,
the emperor stipulates to allow me a quantity
of meat and drink sufficient for the support
of 1724 Lilliputians. Some time after, asking
a friend at court how they came to fix on
that determinate number, he told me that his
majesty's mathematicians, having taken the
height of my body by the help of a quadrant,
and finding it to exceed theirs in the propor-
tion of twelve to one, they concluded from
the similarity of their bodies, that mine must
contain at least 1724 of theirs, and conse-
quently would require as much food as was
56
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
necessary to support that number of Lillipu-
tians. By which the reader may conceive an
idea of the ingenuity of the people, as well as
the prudent and exact economy of so great a
prince.
CHAPTER IV.
Mildendo, the metropolis of Lilliput, described,
together with the Emperor's palace. A con-
versation between the Author and a principal
secretary, concerning the affairs of that em-
pire. The Author's offers to serve the Emperor
in his wars.
THE first request I made, after I had obtained
my liberty, was, that I might have licence to
see Mildendo, the metropolis; which the
emperor easily granted me, but with a special
charge to do no hurt either to the inhabitants
or their houses. The people had notice, by
proclamation, of my design to visit the town.
The wall, which compassed it, is two feet and
a half high, and at least eleven inches broad,
so that a coach and horses may be driven very
safely round it; and it is flanked with strong
towers at ten feet distance. I stepped over
the great western gate, and passed very gent-
ly and sideling through the two principal
streets only in my short waistcoat, for fear of
damaging the roofs and eaves of the houses
with the skirts of my coat. I walked with
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
57
the utmost circumspection, to avoid treading
on any stragglers who might remain in the
streets; although the orders were very strict,
that all people should keep in their houses,
at their own peril. The garret windows and
tops of houses were so crowded with specta-
tors, that I thought in all my travels I had
not seen a more populous place. The city is
an exact square, each side of the wall being
five hundred feet long. The two great streets,
which run across and divide it into four quar-
ters, are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys,
which I could not enter, but only viewed them
as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen inches.
The town is capable of holding five hundred
thousand souls: the houses are from three to
five stories: the shops and markets well
provided.
The emperor's palace is in the centre of the
city where the two great streets meet. It is
enclosed by a wall of two feet high, and twen-
ty feet distance from the buildings. I had
his majesty's permission to step over this wall;
and the space being so wide between that and
the palace, I could easily view it on every
side. The outward court is a square of forty
feet, and includes two other courts: in the
inmost are the royal apartments, which I was
very desirous to see, but found it extremely
difficult; for the great gates, from one square
into another, were but eighteen inches high,
and seven inches wide. Now the buildings
of the court were at least five feet high, and
it was impossible for me to stride over them
ខ
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
without infinite damage to the pile, though
the walls were strongly built of hewn stone,
and four inches thick. At the same time the
emperor had a great desire that I should see
the magnificence of his palace; but this I was
not able to do till three days after, which I
spent in cutting down with my knife some of
the largest trees in the royal park, about a
hundred yards distance from the city. Of
these trees I made two stools, each about
three feet high, and strong enough to bear
my weight. The people having received no-
tice a second time, I went again through the
city to the palace with my two stools in my
hands. When I came to the side of the outer
court, I stood upon one stool, and took the
other in my hand; this I lifted over the roof.
and gently set it down on the space between
the first and second court, which was eight
feet wide. I then stepped over the building
very conveniently from one stool to the other,
and drew up the first after me with a hooked
stick. By this contrivance I got into the in-
most court; and, lying down upon my side, I
applied my face to the windows of the middle
stories, which were left open on purpose, and
discovered the most splendid apartments that
can be imagined. There I saw the empress
and the young princes, in their several lodg-
ings, with their chief attendants about them.
Her imperial majesty was pleased to smile
very graciously upon me, and gave me out of
the window her hand to kiss.
But I shall not anticipate the reader with
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
59
further descriptions of this kind, because I
reserve them for a greater work, which is now
almost ready for the press; containing a ge-
neral description of this empire, from its first
erection, through a long series of princes;
with a particular account of their wars and
politics, laws, learning, and religion; their
plants and animals; their peculiar manners
and customs, with other matters very curious
and useful; my chief design at present being
only to relate such events and transactions as
happened to the public or to myself during a
residence of about nine months in that empire.
One morning, about a fortnight after I had
obtained my liberty, Reldresal, principal se-
cretary (as they stile him) for private affairs,
came to my house attended only by one ser-
vant. He ordered his coach to wait at a
distance, and desired I would give him an
hour's audience; which I readily consented
to, on account of his quality and personal
merits, as well as of the many good offices he
had done me during my solicitations at court.
I offered to lie down, that he might the more
conveniently reach my ear; but he chose
rather to let me hold him in my hand during
our conversation. He began with compliments
on my liberty; said he might pretend to
some merit in it;' but however added, that
if it had not been for the present situation of
things at court, perhaps I might not have
obtained it so soon. For, 'said he, as
flourishing a condition as we may appear to
be in to foreigners, we labour under two
60
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
mighty evils; a violent faction at home, and
the danger of an invasion, by a most potent
enemy, from abroad. As to the first, you
are to understand, that for above seventy
moons past there have been two struggling
parties in this empire, under the names of
Tramecksan and Slamecksan,* from the high
and low heels of their shoes, by which they
distinguish themselves. It is alleged, indeed,
that the high heels are most agreeable to our
ancient constitution; but, however this be,
his majesty has determined to make use only
of low heels in the administration of the go-
vernment, and all offices in the gift of the
crown, as you cannot but observe; and par-
ticularly that his majesty's imperial heels are
lower at least by a drurr than any of his
court: drurr is a measure about the fourteenth
part of an inch. The animosities between
these two parties run so high, that they will
neither eat, nor drink, nor talk with each
other. We compute the Tramecksan, or
high heels, to exceed us in number; but the
power is wholly on our side. We apprehend
his imperial highness, the heir to the crown,
to have some tendency towards the high heels;
at least we can plainly discover that one of
his heels is larger than the other, which gives
* High-church and low-church, or whig and tory.
As every accidental difference between man and man
in person and circumstances is by this work rendered
extremely contemptible; so speculative differences
are shown to be equally ridiculous, when the zeal with
which they are opposed aud defended too much exceeds
their importance.--H.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
61
him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst
of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened
with an invasion from the island of Blefusca,
which is the other great empire of the uni-
verse, almost as large and powerful as this of
his majesty. For as to what we have heard
you affirm, that there are other kingdoms
and states in the world inhabited by humar
creatures as large as yourself, our philoso-
phers are in much doubt, and would rather
conjecture that you dropped from the moon,
or one of the stars; because it is certain, that
a hundred mortals of your bulk would in a
short time destroy all the fruits and cattle of
his majesty's dominions: besides, our histories
of six thousand moons make no mention of
any other regions than the two great empires
of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Which two mighty
powers have, as I was going to tell you, been
engaged in a most obstinate war for six-and-
thirty moons past. It began upon the fol-
lowing occasion: it is allowed on all hands,
that the primitive way of breaking eggs, be-
fore we eat them, was upon the larger end;
but his present majesty's grandfather, while
he was a boy, going to eat an egg, and break-
ing it according to the ancient practice, hap-
pened to cut one of his fingers; whereupon,
the emperor his father published an edict,
commanding all his subjects, upon great pe-
nalties, to break the smaller end of their
eggs. The people so highly resented this
law, that our histories tell us, there have been
six rebellions raised on that account; wherein
2
G
62
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
one emperor lost his life; and another his
crown. These civil commotions were con-
stantly fomented by the monarchs of Ble-
fuscu; and when they were quelled, the
exiles always fled for refuge to that empire.
It is computed that eleven thousand persons
have at several times suffered death, rather
than submit to break their eggs at the smaller
end. Many hundred large volumes have
been published upon this controversy: but
the books of the Big-endians have been long
forbidden, and the whole party rendered
incapable by law of holding employments.
During the course of these troubles, the em-
perors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate
by their ambassadors, accusing us of making
a schism in religion, by offending against a
fundamental doctrine of our great prophet
Lustrog, in the fifty-fourth chapter of the
Blundeeral, which is their Alcoran. This
however is thought to be a mere strain upon
the text; for the words are these: that all
true believers break their eggs at the con-
venient end; and which is the convenient
end, seems, in my humble opinion, to be left
to every man's conscience, or at least in the
power of the chief magistrate to determine.
Now, the Big-endian exiles have found so
much credit in the emperor of Blefuscu's
court, and so much private assistance and
encouragement from their party here at home,
that a bloody war has been carried on be-
tween the two empires for six-and-thirty
moons, with various success; during which
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
63
time we have lost forty capital ships, and a
much greater number of smaller vessels, to-
gether with thirty thousand of our best sea-
men and soldiers; and the damage received
by the enemy is reckoned to be somewhat
greater than ours. However, they have now
equipped a numerous fleet, and are just pre-
paring to make a descent upon us; and his
imperial majesty, placing great confidence in
your valour and strength, has commanded me
to lay this account of his affairs before you.'
I desired the secretary to present my hum-
ble duty to the emperor; and to let him know,
'that I thought it would not become me, who
was a foreigner, to interfere with parties;
but I was ready, with the hazard of my life,
to defend his person and state against all in-
vaders*.'
CHAPTER V.
The Author, by an extraordinary stratagem,
prevents an invasion. A high title of honour
is conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive
from the Emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for
peace. The Emperor's apartments on fire by
accident; the Author instrumental in saving
the rest of the palace.
THE empire of Blefuscu is an island situated
to the north-east of Lilliput, from which it is
* Gulliver, without examining the subject of dispute,
readily engaged to defend the emperor against invasion;
because he knew that no such monarch had a right to
invade the dominious of another, for the propagation of
truth.-H.
64
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
parted only by a channel of eight hundred
yards wide. I had not yet seen it, and upon
this notice of an intended invasion, I avoided
appearing on that side of the coast, for fear
of being discovered by some of the enemy's
ships, who had received no intelligence of
me; all intercourse between the two empires
having been strictly forbidden during the
war, upon pain of death, and an embargo
laid by our emperor upon all vessels whatso-
ever. I communicated to his majesty a pro-
ject I had formed, of seizing the enemy's
whole fleet; which, as our scouts assured us,
hay at anchor in the harbour, ready to sail
with the first fair wind. I consulted the
most experienced seamen upon the depth of
the channel, which they had often plumbed;
who told me, that in the middle at high-water
it was seventy glumgluffs deep, which is
about six feet of European measure; and the
rest of it fifty glumgluffs at most. I walked
towards the north-east coast, over against
Blefuscu; where, lying down behind a hillock,
I took out my small perspective glass, and
viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, consisting
of about fifty men of war, and a great num-
ber of transports: I then came back to my
house, and gave orders (for which I had a
warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest
cable and bars of iron. The cable was about
as thick as pack thread, and the bars of the
length and size of a knitting-needle. I
trebled the cable to make it stronger, and for
the same reason I twisted three of the iron
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
65
bars together, bending the extremities into a
hook. Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as
many cables, I went back to the north-east
coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and
stockings, walked into the sea, in my leathern
jerkin, about half an hour before high water.
I waded with what haste I could, and swam
in the middle about thirty yards, till I felt
ground. I arrived at the fleet in less than
half an hour. The enemy was so frightened
when they saw me, that they leaped out of
their ships, and swam to shore, where there
could not be fewer than thirty thousand souls:
I then took my tackling, and, fastening a hook
to the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the
cords together at the end. While I was thus
employed, the enemy discharged several
thousand arrows, many of which stuck in my
hands and face; and, beside the excessive
smart, gave me much disturbance in my
work. My greatest apprehension was for
mine eyes, which I should have infallibly
lost, if I had not suddenly thought of an
expedient. I kept, among other little ne-
cessaries, a pair of spectacles in a private
pocket, which, as I observed before, had
escaped the emperor's searchers. These I
took out and fastened as strongly as I could
upon my nose, and thus armed, went on,
boldly with my work, in spite of the enemy's
arrows, many of which struck against the
glasses of my spectacles, but without any
other effect, further than a little to discom-
pose them. I had now fastened all the
•
66
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand,
began to pull; but not a ship would stir, for
they were all too fast held by their anchors,
so that the boldest part of my enterprise
remained. I therefore let go the cord, and
leaving the hooks fixed to the ships, I reso-
lutely cut with my knife the cables that fas-
tened the anchors, receiving about two hun-
dred shots in my face and hands; then I took
up the knotted end of the cables, to which
my hooks were tied, and with great ease
drew fifty of the enemy's largest men of war
after me.
The Blefuscudians, who had not the least
imagination of what I intended, were at first
confounded with astonishment. They had
seen me cut the cables, and thought my de-
sign was only to let the ships run adrift, or
fall foul on each other: but when they per-
ceived the whole fleet moving in order, and .
saw me pulling at the end, they set up such
a scream of grief and despair as it is almost
impossible to describe or conceive. When I
had got out of danger, I stopped awhile to
pick out the arrows that stuck in my hands
and face; and rubbed on some of the same
ointment that was given me at my first arrival,
as I have formerly mentioned. I then took
off my spectacles, and waiting about an hour,
till the tide was a little fallen, I waded
through the middle with my cargo, and ar-
rived safe at the royal port of Lilliput.
The emperor and his whole court stood on
the shore, expecting the issue of this great
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
67
adventure. They saw the ships move for-
ward in a large half-moon, but could not dis-
cern me, who was up to my breast in water.
When I advanced to the iniddle of the chan-
nel, they were yet more in pain, because I
was under water to my neck.
The emperor
concluded me to be drowned, and that the
enemy's fleet was approaching in a hostile
manner: but he was soon eased of his fears;
for the channel growing shallower every step.
I made, I came in a short time within hear-
ing, and holding up the end of the cable, by
which the fleet was fastened, I cried in a loud
voice, 'Long live the most puissant king of
Lilliput!' This great prince received me at
my landing with all possible encomiums, and
created me a nardac upon the spot, which is
the highest title of honour among them.
His majesty desired I would take some.
other opportunity of bringing all the rest of
his enemy's ships into his ports.
And so
unmeasurable is the ambition of princes, that
he seemed to think of nothing less than re-
ducing the whole empire of Blefuscu into a
province, and governing it by a viceroy; of
destroying the Big-endian exiles, and com..
pelling that people to break the smaller end
of their eggs, by which he would remain the
sole monarch of the whole world. But I
endeavoured to divert him from this design,
by many arguments drawn from the topics of
policy as well as justice; and I plainly pro-
tested, 'that I would never be an instrument
of bringing a free and brave people into
68
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
slavery;' and, when the matter was debated
in council, the wisest part of the ministry
were of my opinion.
me.
This open bold declaration of mine was so
opposite to the schemes and politics of his
imperial majesty, that he could never forgive
He mentioned it in a very artful manner
at council, where I was told that some of the
wisest appeared at least, by their silence, to
be of my opinion; but others, who were my
secret enemies, could not forbear some ex-
pressions which by a side-wind reflected on
me; and from this time began an intriguo
between his majesty, and a junto of ministers,
maliciously bent against me, which broke out
in less than two months, and had like to have
ended in my utter destruction. Of so little
weight are the greatest scrvices to princes,
when put into the balance with a refusal to
gratify their passions.
About three weeks after this exploit, there
arrived a solemn embassy from Blefuscu, with
humble offers of a peace; which was soon
concluded, upon conditions very advantageous
to our emperor, wherewith I shall not trouble
the reader. There were six ambassadors,
with a train of about five hundred persons:
and their entry was very magnificent, suitable
to the grandeur of their master, and the im-
portance of their business. When their treaty
was finished, wherein I did them several good
offices by the credit I now had, or at least
appeared to have, at court, their excellencies,
who were privately told how much I had
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
69
been their friend, made me a visit in form.
They began with many compliments upon my
valour and generosity, invited me to that
kingdom in the emperor their master's name,
and desired me to show them some proofs of
my prodigious strength, of which they had
heard so many wonders; wherein I readily
obliged them, but shall not trouble the read-
er with the particulars.
When I had for some time entertained their
excellencies, to their infinite satisfaction and
surprise, I desired they would do me the
honour to present my most humble respects
to the emperor their master, the renown of
whose virtues had so justly filled the whole
world with admiration, and whose royal per-
son I resolved to attend, before I returned to
my own country. Accordingly, the next
time I had the honour to see our emperor, I
desired his general licence to wait on the
Blefuscudian monarch, which he was pleased
to grant me, as I could perceive, in a very
cold manner; but could not guess the reason,
till I had a whisper from a certain person,
that Flimnap and Bolgolam had represented
my intercourse with those ambassadors as a
mark of disaffection;' from which I am sure
my heart was wholly free. And this was the
first time I began to conceive some imperfect
idea of courts and ministers.
It is to be observed, that these ambassa-
dors spoke to me by an interpreter, the lan-
guages of both empires differing as much from
each other as any two in Europe, and each
70
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
nation priding itself upon the antiquity, beauty
and energy of their own tongues, with an
avowed contempt of that of their neighbour:
yet our emperor, standing upon the advantage
he had got by the seizure of their fleet, obliged
them to deliver their credentials, and make
their speech, in the Lilliputian tongue. And
it must be confessed, that from the great
intercourse of trade and commerce between
both realms, from the continual reception of
exiles which is mutual among them, and from
the custom, in each empire, to send their
young nobility and richer gentry to the other,
in order to polish themselves by seeing the
world, and understanding men and manners;
there are few persons of distinction, or mer-
chants, or seamen, who dwell in the maritime
parts, but what can hold conversation in both
tongues; as I found some weeks after, when
I went to pay my respects to the emperor of
Blefusca, which, in the midst of great misfor-
tunes, through the malice of my enemies,
proved a very happy adventure to me, as I
shall relate in its proper place.
The reader may remember, that when I
signed those articles upon which I recovered
my liberty, there were some which I disliked,
upon account of their being too servile: nei-
ther could any thing but an extreme necessity
have forced me to submit. But being now a
nardac of the highest rank in that empire,
such offices were looked upon as below my
dignity, and the emperor (to do him justice)
never once mentioned them to me. However,
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
71
it was not long before I had an opportunity
of doing his majesty, at least as I then thought
a most signal service. I was alarmed at
midnight with the cries of many hundred peo-
ple at my door; by which, being suddenly
awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I
heard the word burglum repeated incessantly:
several of the emperor's court, making their
way through the crowd, entreated me to
come immediately to the palace, where her
imperial majesty's apartment was on fire, by
the carelessness of a maid of honour, who fell
asleep while she was reading a romance. I
got up in an instant; and orders being given
to clear the way before me, and it being like-
wise a moonshine night, I made a shift to get
to the palace without trampling on any of the
people. I found they had already applied
ladders to the walls of the apartment, and
were well provided with buckets, but the
water was at some distance. These buckets
were about the size of a large thimble, and
the poor people supplied me with them as
fast as they could; but the flame was so vio-
lent that they did little good. I might easily
have stifled it with my coat, which I unfortu-
nately left behind me for haste, and came
away only in my leathern jerkin. The case
seemed wholly desperate and deplorable; and
this magnificent palace would have infallibly
been burnt down to the ground, if, by a pre-
sence of mind unusual to me, I had not sud-
denly thought of an expedient. I had, the
evening before, drunk plentifully of a most
72
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
delicious wine called glimigrim (the Blefus-
cudians call it flunec, but ours is esteemed
the better sort,) which is very diuretic. By
the luckiest chance in the world, I had not
discharged myself of any part of it. The heat
I had not contracted by coming very near the
flames, and by labouring to quench them,
made the wine begin to operate by urine;
which I voided in such a quantity, and applied
so well to the proper places, that in three
minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and
the rest of that noble pile, which had cost so
many ages in erecting, preserved from de-
struction.
It was now day-light, and I returned to
my house without waiting to congratulate
with the emperor; because, although I had
done a very eminent piece of service, yet I
could not tell how his majesty might resent
the manner by which I had performed it: for,
by the fundamental laws of the realm, it is
capital in any person, of what quality soever,
to make water within the precincts of the
palace. But I was a little comforted by a
message from his majesty, 'that he would
give orders to the grand justiciary for passing
my pardon in form;' which, however, I could
not obtain; and I was privately assured, that
the empress, conceiving the greatest abhor-
rence of what I had done, removed to the
most distant side of the court, firmly resolved
that those buildings should never be repaired
for her use; and, in the presence of her chief
confidents, could not forbear vowing revenge.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
73
CHAPTER II.
Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learning.
laws, and customs; the manner of educating
their children. The Author's way of living
in that country. His vindication of a great
lady.
ALTHOUGH I intend to leave the description
of this empire to a particular treatise, yet, in
the mean time, I am content to gratify the
curious reader with some general ideas. As
the common size of the natives is somewhat
under six inches high, so there is an exact
proportion in all other animals, as well as
plants and trees: for instance, the tallest
horses and oxen are between four and five
inches in height, the sheep an inch and a half,
more or less; their geese about the bigness of
a sparrow, and so the several gradations
downwards, till you come to the smallest,
which, to my sight, were almost invisible; but
nature has adapted the eyes of the Lillipu-
tians to all objects proper for their view:
they see with great exactness, but at no great
distance. And, to show the sharpness of
their sight towards objects that are near, I
have been much pleased with observing a
cook pulling a lark, which was not so large as
a common fly; and a young girl threading an
invisible needle with invisible silk. Their
tallest trees are about seven feet high: I
mean some of those in the great royal park,
2
K
74
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the tops whereof I could but just reach with
my fist clenched. The other vegetables are
in the same proportion; but this I leave to
the reader's imagination.
I shall say but little at present of their
learning, which, for many ages, has flourished
in all its branches among them: but their
manner of writing is very peculiar, being nei-
ther from the left to the right, like the Euro-
peans; nor from the right to the left, like the
Arabians; nor from up to down, like the
Chinese; but aslant, from one corner of th
paper to the other, like ladies in England.
They bury their dead with their heads
directly downward, because they hold an opi-
nion, that in eleven thousand moons they are
all to rise again; in which period the earth
(which they conceive to be flat) will turn
upside down, and by this means they shall, at
their resurrection, be found ready standing
on their feet. The learned among them con-
fess the absurdity of this doctrine; but the
practice still continues, in compliance to the
vulgar.
There are some laws and customs in this
empire very peculiar; and if they were not
so directly contrary to those of my own dear
country, I should be tempted to say a little in
their justification. It is only to be wished
they were as well executed. The first I
shall mention, relates to informers.
crimes against the state, are punished here
with the utmost severity; but, if the person
accused makes his innocence plainly to appear
All
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
75
upon his trial, the accuser is immediately put
to an ignominious death; and out of his goods
or lands the innocent person is quadruply
recompensed for the loss of his time, for the
danger he underwent, for the hardship of his
imprisonment, and for all the charges he has
becn at in making his defence; or, if that
fund be deficient, it is largely supplied by the
crown. The emperor also confers on him
some public mark of his favour, and procla、
mation is made of his innocence through the
whole city.
They look upon fraud as a greater crime
than theft, and therefore seldom fail to pu-
nish it with death; for they allege, that care
and vigilance, with a very common under-
standing, may preserve a man's goods from
thieves, but honesty has no fence against
superior cunning; and since it is necessary
that there should be a perpetual intercourse
of buying and selling, and dealing upon cre-
dit; where fraud is permitted and connived
at, or has no law to punish it, the honest dea-
ler is always undone, and the knave gets the
advantage. I remember, when I was once
interceding with the king for a criminal who
had wronged his master of a great sum of
money, which he had received by order, and
ran away with; and happening to tell his
majesty, by way of extenuation, that it was
only a breach of trust, the emperor though it
monstruous in me to offer as a defence the
greatest aggravation of the crime; and truly
I had little to say in return, farther this the
76
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
common answer, that different nations had
different customs; for, I confess, I was
heartily ashamed.*
Although we usually call reward and pu-
nishment the two hinges upon which all
government turns, yet I could never observe
this maxim to be put in practice by any na-
tion, except that of Lilliput. Whoever can
there bring sufficient proof, that he has strictly
observed the laws of his country for seventy-
three moons, has a claim to certain privileges
according to his quality or condition of life,
with a proportionable sum of money out of a
fund appropriated for that use: he likewise
acquires the title of snillpall, or legal, which
is added to his name, but does not descend to
his posterity. And these people thought it
a prodigious defect of policy among us, when
I told them that our laws were enforced only
by penalties, without any mention of reward.
It is upon this account that the image of Jus-
tice, in their courts of judicature, is formed
with six eyes, two before, as many behind,
and on each side one, to signify circumspec-
tion; with a bag of gold open in her right
hand, and a sword sheathed in her left, to
shew she is more disposed to reward than to
punish.
In choosing persons for all employments,
the have more regard to good morals than to
great abilities; for, since government is
An act of parliament has been since passed, by
which some breaches of trust have been made capital.
-Original
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
77
is necessary to mankind, they believe that
the common size of human understanding is
fitted to some station or other; and that Pro-
vidence never intended to make the manage-
ment of public affairs a mystery to be com-
prehended only by a few persons of sublime
genius, of which there seldom are three born
in an age: but they suppose truth, justice,
temperance, and the like, to be in every
man's power; the practice of which virtues,
assisted by experience and a good intention,
would qualify any man for the service of his
country, except where a course of study is
required. But they thought the want of
moral virtues was so far from being supplied
by superior endowments of the mind, that
employments could never be put into such
dangerous hands as those of persons so quali-
fied-; and at least, that the mistakes committed
by ignorance in a virtuous disposition, would
never be of such fatal consequence to the
public weal, as the practices of a man, whose
inclinations led him to be corrupt, and who
had great abilities to manage, to multiply,
and defend his corruptions.
In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine
Providence renders a man incapable of hold-
ing any public station; for, since kings avow
themselves to be the deputies of Providence,
the Lilliputians think nothing can be more
absurd than for a prince to employ such men
as disown the authority under which he acts.
In relating these and the following laws, I
would only be understood to mean the origi-
78
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
nal institutions, and not the most scandalous
corruptions, into which these people are fallen
by the degenerate nature of man. For, as to
that infamous practice of acquiring great em-
ployments by dancing on the ropes, or badges
of favour and distinction by leaping over
sticks and creeping under them, the reader
is to observe, that they were first introduced
by the grandfather of the emperor now reign-
ing, and grew to the present height by the
gradual increase of party and faction.
Ingratitude is among them a capital crime,
as we read it to have been in some other
countries: for they reason thus; that whoever
makes ill returns to his benefactor, must needs
be a common enemy to the rest of mankind,
from whom he has received no obligation,
and therefore such a man is not fit to live.
Their notions relating to the duties of pa-
rents and children, differ extremely from ours.
For, since the conjunction of male and female
is founded upon the great law of nature, in
order to propagate and continue the species,
the Lilliputians will needs have it, that men
and women are joined together, like other
animals, and by the motives of concupiscence;
and that their tenderness towards their young
proceeds from the like natural principle: for
which reason, they will never allow that a
child is under any obligation to his father for
begetting him, or to his mother for bringing
him into the world; which, considering the
miseries of human life, was neither a benefit
in itself, nor intended so by his parents, whose
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
79
thoughts, in their love encounters, were other-
wise employed. Upon these, and the like
reasonings, their opinion is, that parents are
the last of all others to be trusted with the
education of their own children; and there-
fore they have in every town public nurseries,
where all parents, except cottagers and la-
bourers, are obliged to send their infants of
both sexes to be reared and educated, when
they come to the age of twenty moons, at
which time they are supposed to have some
rudiments of docility. These schools are of
several kinds, suited to different qualities,
and both sexes. They have certain pro-
fessors well skilled in preparing children for
such a condition of life as befits the rank of
their parents, and their own capacities, as
well as inclinations. I shall first say some-
thing of the male nurseries, and then of the
female.
The nurseries for males of noble or eminent
birth, are provided with grave and learned
professors, and their several deputies. The
clothes and food of the children are plain and
simple. They are bred up in the principles
of honour, justice, courage, modesty, cle-
mency, religion, and love of their country;
they are always employed in some business,
except in the times of eating and sleeping.
which are very short, and two hours for di-
versions consisting of bodily exercises. They
are dressed by men till four years of age, and
then are obliged to dress themselves, although
thei quality be ever so great; and the women
80
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
attendants, who are aged proportionably to
ours at fifty, perform only the most menial
offices. They are never suffered to converse
with servants, but go together in smaller or
greater numbers to take their diversions, and
always in the presence of a professor, or one
of his deputies; whereby they avoid those
early bad impressions of folly and vice, to
which our children are subject. Their pa-
rents are suffered to see them only twice a
year; the visit is to last but an hour; they are
allowed to kiss the child at meeting and part-
ing; but a professor, who always stands by
on those occasions, will not suffer them to
whisper, or use any fondling expressions, or
bring any presents of toys, sweetmeats, and
the like.
Thé pension from each family for the edu-
cation and entertainment of a child, upon
failure of due payment, is levied by the em-
peror's officers.
The nurseries for children of ordinary gen-
tlemen, merchants, traders, and handicrafts,
are managed proportionably after the same
manner; only those designed for trades are
put out apprentices at eleven years old;
whereas those of persons of quality continue
in their exercises till fifteen, which answers
to twenty-one with us: but the confinement
is gradually lessened for the last three years.
In the female nurseries, the young girls of
quality are educated much like the males,
only they are dressed by orderly servants of
their own sex; but always in the presence of
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
81
a professor or deputy, till they come to dress
themselves, which is at five years old. And
if it be found that these nurses ever presume
to entertain the girls with frightful or foolish
stories, or the common follies practised by
chamber-maids among us, they are publicly
whipped thrice about the city, imprisoned for
a year, and banished for life to the most de-
solate part of the country. Thus the young
ladies there are as much ashamed of being
cowards and fools, as the men, and despise
all personal ornaments, beyond decency and
cleanliness: neither did I perceive any dif-
ference in their education made by their dif-
ference of sex, only that the exercises of the
females were not altogether so robust; and
that some rules were given them relating to
domestic life, and a smaller compass of learn-
ing was enjoined them: for their maxim is,
that among people of quality, a wife should
be always a reasonable and agreeable com-
panion, because she cannot always be young.
When the girls are twelve years old, which
among them is the marriageable age, their
parents or guardians take them home, with
great expressions of gratitude to the profes-
sors, and seldom without tears of the young
lady and her companions.
In the nurseries of females of the meaner
sort, the children are instructed in all kinds
of works proper for their sex, and their seve-
ral degrees: those intended for apprentices
are dismissed at seven years old, the rest are
kept to eleven.
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
The meaner families who have children at
these nurseries, are obliged, beside their an-
nual pension, which is as low as possible, to
return to the steward of the nursery a small
monthly share of their gettings, to be a por-
tion for the child; and therefore all parents
are limited in their expenses by the law. For
the Lilliputians think nothing can be more
unjust, than for people, in subservience to
their own appetites, to bring children into the
world, and leave the burthen of supporting
them on the public. As to persons of quality,
they give security to appropriate a certain
sum for each child, suitable to their condition;
and these funds are always managed with
good husbandry and the most exact justice..
The cottagers and labourers keep their
children at home, their business being only to
till and cultivate the earth, and therefore
their education is of little consequence to the
public: but the old and diseased among them,
are supported by hospitals; for begging is a
trade unknown in this empire.
And here it may, perhaps, divert the cu-
rious reader, to give some account of my do-
mestics, and my manner of living in this coun-
try, during a residence of nine months and
thirteen days. Having a head mechanically
turned, and being likewise forced by neces-
sity, I had made for myself a table and chair
convenient enough, out of the largest trees in
the royal park. Two hundred sempstresses
were employed to make me shirts, and linen
for my bed and table, all of the strongest and
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
83
coarsest kind they could get; which, however,
they were forced to quilt together in several
folds, for the thickest was some degrees finer
than lawn. Their linen is usually three in-
ches wide, and three feet make a piece. The
sempstresses took my measure as I lay on the
ground, one standing at my neck, and another
at my mid-leg, with a strong cord extended,
that each held by the end, while a third mea-
sured the length of the cord with a rule of an
inch long. Then they measured my right
thumb, and desired no more; for by a mathe-
matical computation, that twice round the
thumb is once round the wrist, and so on to
the neck and the waist, and by the help of
my old shirt, which I displayed on the ground
before them for a pattern, they fitted me ex-
actly. Three hundred tailors were employed
in the same manner to make me clothes; but
they had another contrivance for taking my
measure. I kneeled down, and they raised
a ladder from the ground to my neck; upon
this ladder one of them mounted, and let fall
a plumb-line from my collar to the floor,
which just answered the length of my coat:
but my waist and arms I measured myself.
When my clothes were finished, which was
done in my house (for the largest of theirs
would not have been able to hold them), they
looked like the patch-work made by the
ladies in England, only that mine were all of
a colour.
I had three hundred cooks to dress my
victuals, in little convenient huts built about
84
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
my house, where they and their families lived,
and prepared me two dishes a-piece. I took
up twenty waiters in my hand, and placed
them on the table: a hundred more attended
below on the ground, some with dishes of
meat, and some with barrels of wine and
other liquors slung on their shoulders; all
which the waiters above drew np, as I want-
ed, in a very ingenious manner by certain
cords, as we draw the bucket up a well in
Europe. A dish of their meat was a good
mouthful, and a barrel of their liquor a rea-
sonable draught. Their mutton yields to ours,
but their beef is excellent. I have had a
surloin so large, that I have been forced to
make three bits of it; but this is rare. My
servants were astonished to see me eat it,
bones and all, as in our country we do the leg
of a lark. Their geese and turkeys I usually
ate at a mouthful, and I confess they far ex-
ceed ours.
Of their smaller fowl I could
take up twenty or thirty at the end of my
knife.
One day his imperial majesty, being in-
formed of my way of living, desired that
himself and his royal consort, with the young
princes of the blood of both sexes, might have
the happiness,' as he was pleased to call it,
' of dining with me.' They came accordingly,
and I placed them in chairs of state, upon my
table, just over against me, with their guards
about them. Flimnap, the lord high trea-
surer, attended there likewise with his white
staff; and I observed he often looked on me
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
85
with a sour countenance, which I would not
seem to regard, but ate more than usual, in
honour to my dear country, as well as to fill
the court with admiration. I have some pri-
vate reasons to believe, that this visit from
his majesty gave Flimnap an opportunity of
doing me ill offices to his master. That mi-
nister had always been my secret enemy,
though he outwardly caressed me more than
was usual to the moroseness of his nature.
He represented to the emperor 'the low con-
dition of his treasury; that he was forced to
take up money at a great discount; that ex-
chequer bills would not circulate under nine
per cent. below par; that I had cost his
majesty above a million and a half of sprugs
(their greatest gold coin, about the bigness of
a spangle); and, upon the whole, that it would
be adviseable in the emperor to take the first
fair occasion of dismissing me.'
I am here obliged to vindicate the reputa-
tion of an excellent lady, who was an innocent
sufferer upon my account. The treasurer took
a fancy to be jealous of his wife, from the
malice of some evil tongues, who informed
him that her grace had taken a violent affec-
tion for my person; and the court scandal ran
for some time, that she once came privately
to my lodging. This I solemnly declare to
be a most infamous falsehood, without any
grounds, further than that her grace was
pleased to treat me with all innocent marks
of freedom and friendship. I own she came
often to my house, but always publicly, nor
1
86
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
ever without three more in the coach, who
were usually her sister and young daughter,
and some particular acquaintance: but this
was common to many other ladies of the
court: and I still appeal to my servants
round, whether they at any time saw a coachi
at my door, without knowing what persona
were in it. On those occasions, when a ser-
vant had given me notice, my custom was to
go immediately to the door; and, after paying
my respects, to take up the coach and two
horses very carefully, in my hands (for, if
there were six horses, the postillion always
unharnessed four), and placed them on a
table, where I had fixed a moveable rin
quite round, of five inches high, to prevent
Accidents; and I have often had four coaches
and horses at once on my table, full of com-
pany, while I sat in my chair, leaning my
face towards them; and when I was engaged
with one set, the coachmen would gently
drive the others round my table. I have
passed many an afternoon very agreeably in
these conversations. But I defy the trea-
surer, or his two informers (I will name them,
and let them make the best of it) Clustril and
Drunlo, to prove that any person ever came
to me incognito, except the secretary Rel-
dresal, who was sent by express command of
his imperial majesty, as I have before related.
I should not have dwelt so long upon this
particular, if it had not been a point wherein
the reputation of a great lady is so nearly
concerned, to say nothing of my own; though
کی
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
87
I then had the honour to be a nardac, which
the treasurer himself is not; for all the world
knows, that he is only a glumglum, a title
inferior by one degree, as that of a marquis
is to a duke in England; yet I allow he pre-
ceded me in right of his post. These false
informations, which I afterwards came to the
knowledge of by an accident not proper to
tention, made the treasurer show his lady
for some time an ill countenance, and me a
worse; and although he was at last unde-
ceived and reconciled to her, yet I lost all
credit with him, and found my interest de-
cline very fast with the emperor himself, who
was, indeed, too much governed by that fa-
vourite.
CHAPTER VII.
The Author, being informed of a design to ac-
cuse him of high-treason, makes his escape to
Blefuscu. His reception there.
BEFORE I proceed to give an account of my
leaving this kingdom, it may be proper to
inform the reader of a private intrigue, which
had been for two months forming against me.
I had been hitherto, all my life, a stranger
to courts, for which I was unqualified by the
meanness of my condition. I had, indeed
heard and read enough of the dispositions of
great princes and ministers; but never ex-
86
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
pected to have found such terrible effects of
them, in so remote a country, governed, as I
thought, by very different maxims from those
in Europe.
When I was just preparing to pay my at-
tendance on the emperor of Blefuscu, a con-
siderable person at court (to whom I had
been very serviceable, at a time when he lay
under the highest displeasure of his imperial
majesty) came to my house privately at night,
in a close chair, and, without sending his
name, desired admittance. The chairmen
were dismissed; I put the chair, with his
lordship in it, into my coat pocket: and, giv-
ing orders to a trusty servant, to say I was
indisposed and gone to sleep, I fastened the
door of my house, placed the chair on the
table, according to my usual custom, and sat
down by it. After the common salutations
were over, observing his lordship's counte-
nance full of concern, and inquiring into the
reason, he desired 'I would hear him with
patience, in a matter that highly concerned
my honour and my life.' His speech was to
the following effect, for I took notes of it as
soon as he left me.
'You are to know,' said he, 'that several
committees of council have been lately called,
in the most private manner, on your account;
and it is but two days since his majesty came
to a full resolution.
'You are very sensible that Skyresh Bol-
golam (galbet, or high admiral) has been your
mortal enemy, almost ever since your arrival.
#
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
89
His original reasons I know not; but his ha-
tred is increased since your great success
against Blefuscu, by which his glory as admi-
ral is much obscured. This lord, in conjunc-
tion with Flimnap the high-treasurer, whose
enmity against you is notorious on account of
his lady, Limtoc the general, Lalcon the
chamberlain, and Balmuff the grand justicia-
ry, have prepared articles of impeachment
against you, for treason and other capital
crimes.'
This preface made me so impatient, being
conscious of my own merits and innocence,
that I was going to interrupt him; when he
entreated me to be silent, and thus proceeded.
'Out of gratitude for the favours you have
done me, I procured information of the whole
proceedings, and a copy of the articles;
wherein I venture my head for your service.
ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST QUIN-
BUS FLESTRIN, THE MAN-MOUNTAIN.
ARTICLE I.
Whereas, 'by a statute made in the reign of
his imperial majesty Calin Deffar Plune, it is
enacted, that, whoever shall make water
within the precincts of the royal palace, shall
be liable to the pains and penalties of high-
treason; notwithstanding, the said Quinbus
Flestrin, in open breach of the said law, un-
der colour of extinguishing the fire kindled
in the apartment of his majesty's most dear
90
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
imperial consort, did maliciously, traitorously,
and devilishly, by discharge of his urine, put
out the said fire kindled in the said apart-
ment, lying and being within the precincts of
of the said royal palace, against the statute in
that case provided, etc. against the duty, etc.
ARTICLE II.
'That the said Quinbus Flestrin, having
brought the imperial fleet of Blefuscu into
the royal port, and being afterwards com-
manded by his imperial majesty to seize all
the other ships of the said empire of Blefuscu,
and reduce that empire to a province, to be
governed by a viceroy from hence, and to
destroy and put to death, not only all the
Big-endian exiles, but likewise all the people
of that empire who would not immediately
forsake the Big-endian heresy; he, the said
Flestrin, like a false traitor against his most
auspicious, serene, imperial majesty, did pe-
tition to be excused from the said service,
upon pretence of unwillingness to force the
consciences, or destroy the liberties and lives
of an innocent people.*
ARTICLE III.
"That, whereas certain ambassadors arrived
from the court of Blefuscu, to sue for peace
A lawyer thinks himself honest, if he does the best
he can for his client; and a statesman, if he promotes
the interest of his country; bnt the Dean bere incul-
cates a higher notion of right and wrong, and obliga-
tions to a larger community.-II
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
01
in his majesty's court; he, the said Flestrin,
did, like a false traitor, aid, abet, comfort,
and divert, the said ambassadors, although
he knew them to be servants to a prince who
was lately an open enemy to his imperial
majesty, and in an open war against his said
majesty.
ARTICLE IV.
'That the said Quinbus Flestrin, contrary
to the duty of a faithful subject, is now pre-
paring to make a voyage to the court and
empire of Blefuscu, for which he has received
only verbal licence from his imperial majesty ;
and under colour of the said licence, does
falsely and traitorously intend to take the
said voyage, and thereby to aid, comfort, and
abet the emperor of Blefuscu, so lately an
enemy, and in open war with his imperial
majesty aforesaid.
There are some other articles; but these
are the most important, of which I have read
you an abstract.
In the several debates upon this impeach-
ment, it must be confessed that his majesty
gave many marks of his great lenity; often
urging the services you had done him, and
endeavouring to extenuate your crimes. The
treasurer and admiral insisted that you should
be put to the most painful and ignominious
death, by setting fire to your house at night;
and the general was to attend with twenty
92
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
Some
thousand men, armed with poisoned arrows,
to shoot you on the face and hands.
of your servants were to have private orders
to strew a poisonous juice on your shirts and
sheets, which would soon make you tear your
own flesh, and die in the utmost torture. The
general came into the same opinion; so that
for a long time there was a majority against
you; but his majesty resolving, if possible, to
spare your life, at last brought off the cham-
berlain.
Upon this incident, Reldresal, principal
secretary for private affairs, who always
approved himself your true friend, was com-
manded by the emperor to deliver his opinion,
which he accordingly did; and therein justi-
fied the good thoughts you have of him. He
allowed your crimes to be great, but that still
there was room for mercy, the most commend-
able virtue in a prince, and for which his
majesty was so justly celebrated.
He said,
the friendship between you and him was so
well known to the world, that perhaps the
most honourable board might think hin par-
tial however, in obedience to the command
he had received, he would freely offer his
sentiments. That if his majesty, in consider-
ation of your services, and pursuant to his
own merciful disposition, would please to
spare your life, and only give orders to put
out both your eyes, he humbly conceived,
that by this expedient justice might in some
measure be satisfied, and all the world would
applaud the lenity of the emperor, as well as
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
93
•
the fair and generous proceedings of those
who have the honour to be his counsellors.
That the loss of your eyes would be no impe-
diment to your bodily strength, by which you
might still be useful to his majesty: that
blindness is an addition to courage, by con-
cealing dangers from us: that the fear you
had for your eyes, was the greatest difficulty
in bringing over the enemy's fleet; and it
would be sufficient for you to see by the eyes
of the ministers, since the greatest princes do
no more.
"This proposal was received with the ut-
most disapprobation by the whole board.
Bolgolam the admiral could not preserve his
temper; but rising up in fury, said, he won-
dered how the secretary durst presume to
give his opinion for preserving the life of a
traitor: that the services you had performed
were, by all true reasons of state, the great
aggravation of your crimes; that you, who
was able to extinguish the fire by discharge of
urine in her majesty's apartment (which he
mentioned with horror,) might at another
time, raise an inundation by the same means,
to drown the whole palace; and the same
strength, which enabled you to bring over the
enemy's fleet, might serve, upon the first
discontent, to carry it back: that he had good
reasons to think you were a Big-endian in
your heart; and as treason begins in the
heart, before it appears in overt acts, so he
accused you as a traitor on that account, and
therefore insisted you should be put to death.
94
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
The treasurer was of the same opinion:
he showed to what straits his majesty's reve-
nuc was reduced, by the charge of maintain-
ing you, which would soon grow insupportable:
that the secretary's expedient of putting out
your eyes, was so far from being a remedy
against this evil, that it would probably in-
crease it, as is manifest from the common
practice of blinding some kind of fowls, after
which they fed the faster, and grew the
sooner fat; that his sacred majesty and the
council, who are your judges, were, in their
own consciences, fully convinced of your guilt,
which was a sufficient argument to condemn
you to death, without the formal proofs re-
quired by the strict letter of the law.
'But his imperial majesty, fully determined
against capital punishment, was graciously
pleased to say, that since the council thought
the loss of your eyes too easy a censure, some
other way may be inflicted hereafter. And
your friend the secretary, humbly desiring to
be heard again, in answer to what the trea-
surer had objected, concerning the great
charge his majesty was at in maintaining you,
* There is something so odious in whatever is wrong,
that even those whom it does not subject to punishment,
endeavour to colour it with an appearance of right;
but the attempt is always unsuccessful, and only betrays,
a consciousness of deformity by showing a desire to
hide it. Thus the Lilliputian court pretended a right
to dispense with the strict letter of the Law to put
Gulliver to death, though by the strict letter of the law
ouly be could be convicted of a crime; the intention
of the statute not being to suffer the palace rather to be
burnt than pissed upon.-H.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
95
Said, that his excellency, who had the sole
disposal of the emperor's revenue, might
easily provide against that evil, by gradually
lessening your establishment; by which, for
want of sufficient food, you will grow weak
and faint, and lose your appetite, and consume
in a few months; neither would the stench of
your carcass be theu co dangerous, when it
should become more than half diminished;
and inimediately upon your death five or six
thousand of his majesty's subjects night, in
two or three days, cut your flesh from your
bones, take it away by cart-loads, and bury
it in distant parts to prevent infection, leaving
the skeleton as a monument of admiration to
posterity.
"Thus, by the great friendship of the secre-
tary, the whole affair was compromised. It
was strictly enjoined, that the project of
starving you by degrees should be kept a se-
cret; but the sentence of putting out your
eyes was entered on the books; noue dis-
senting, except Bolgolam the admiral, who,
being a creature of the empress, was perpe-
tually instigated by her majesty to insist upon
your death, she having borne perpetual malice
against you, on account of that infamous and
illegal method you took to extinguish the fire
in her apartment.
"In three days your friend the secretary will
be directed to come to your house, and read
before you the articles of impeachment; aud
then to signify the great lenity and favour of
his majesty and council, whereby you are only
96
GULLIVERS' RAVELS.
condemned to the loss of your eyes, which
his majesty does not question you will gráte-
fully and humbly submit to; and twenty of
his majesty's surgeons will attend, in order to
see the operation well performed, by dis-
charging very sharp pointed arrows into the
balls of your eyes, as you lie on the ground.
I leave to your prudence what measures
you will take; and to avoid suspicion, I must
immediately return in as private a manner
as I came.'
His Lordship did so, and I remained alone,
under many doubts and perplexities of mind.
It was a custom introduced by this prince
and his ministry (very different, as I have
been assured, from the practice of former
times), that after the court had decreed any
cruel execution, either to gratify the monarch's
resentment, or the malice of a favourite, the
einperor always made a speech to his whole
council, expressing his great lenity and ten-
derness, as qualities known and confessed by
all the world. This speech was immediately
published throughout the kingdom; nor did
any thing terrify the people so much, as those
encomiums on his majesty's mercy; because
it was observed, that the more these praises
were enlarged and insisted on, the more inhu-
man was the punishment, and the sufferer
more innocent. Yet as to myself, I must
confess, having never been designed for a
courtier, either by my birth or education, I
was so ill a judge of things, that I could not
discover the lenity and favour of this send‣
1
རྗ
}
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
97
tence, but conceived it (perhaps erroneously)
rather to be rigorous than gentle. I some-
times thought of standing my trial; for, al-
though I could not deny the facts alleged
in the several articles, yet I hoped they would
admit of some extenuation. But having in
my life perused many state trials, which I
ever observed to terminate as the judges
thought fit to direct, I durst not rely on so
dangerous a decision, in so critical a juncture,
and against such powerful enemies. Once I
was strongly bent upon resistance: for, while
I had liberty, the whole strength of that em-
pire could hardly subdue me, and I might
easily with stones pelt the metropolis to
pieces; but I soon rejected that project with
horror, by remembering the oath I had made
to the emperor, the favours I received from
him, and the high title of nardac he confer-
red upon me. Neither had I so soon learned
the gratitude of courtiers, to persuade myself,
that his majesty's present severities acquitted
me of all past obligations.
At last, I fixed upon a resolution, for which
it is probable I may incur some censure, and
not unjustly; for I confess I owe the pre-
serving of mine eyes, and consequently my
liberty, to my own great rashness and want
of experence; because, if I had then known
the nature of princes and ministers, which
I have since observed in many other courts,
and their methods of treating criminals less
obnoxious than myself, I should, with great
alacrity and readiness, have submitted to so
K
98
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
easy a punishment. But hurried on by the
precipitancy of youth, and having his impe-
rial majesty's licence to pay my attendance
upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I took this op-
portunity, before the three days were elapsed,
to send a letter to my friend the secretary,
signifying my resolution of setting out that
morning for Blefascu, pursuant to the leave
I had got; and, without waiting for an an-
swer, I went to that side of the island where
our fleet lay. I seized a large man of war,
tied a cable to the prow, and, lifting up the
anchors, I stripped myself, put my clothes
(together with my coverlet, which I carried
under my arm) into the vessel, and drawing
it after me, between wading and swimming
arrived at the port of Blefuscu, where the
the people had long expected me: they lent
me two guides to direct me to the capital city,
which is of the same name. I held them in
my hands, till I came within two hundred
yards of the gate, and desired them to sig-
nify my arrival to one of the secretaries, and
let him know, I there waited his majesty's
command.' I had an answer in about an
hour, 'that his majesty, attended by the royal
family, and great officers of the court, was
ooming out to receive me.' I advanced a
hundred yards. The emperor and his train
alighted from their horses, the empress and
ladies from their coaches, and I did not per-
ceive they were in a fright or concern.
I lay
on the ground to kiss his majesty's and the
empress's hands. I told his majesty, that I
A VOYAGE TO LILILPUT.
99
was come according to my promise, and with
the licence of the emperor my master, to have
the honor of seeing so mighty a monarch, and
to offer him any service in my power, consist-
ent with my duty to my own prince;' not
mentioning a word of my disgrace, because I
I had hitherto no regular information of it,
and might suppose myself wholy ignorant of
any such design; neither could I reasonably
conceive that the emperor would discover the
secret, while I was out of his power; wherein,
however, it soon appeared I was deceived.
I shall not trouble the reader with the par-
ticular account of my reception at this court,
which was suitable to the generosity of so
great a prince; nor of the difficulties I was
in for want of a house and bed, being forced
to lie on the ground, wrapped up in my co-
verlet.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Author by a lucky accident finds means to
leave Blefuscu; and, after some difficulties,
returns safe to his native country.
THREE days after my arrival, walking out of
curiosity to the north-eat coast of the island,
I observed, about half a league off in the sea,
somewhat that looked like a boat overturned.
I pulled of my shoes and stockings, and, wad-
ing two or three hundred yards, I found the
object to approach nearer by force of the
tide and then plainly saw it to be a real
100
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
boat, which I supposed might by some tem-
pest have been driven from a ship: where-
upon I returned immediately towards the
city, and desired his imperial majesty to lend
me twenty of the tallest vessels he had left,
after the loss of his fleet, and three thousand
men, under the command of his vice-admiral.
This fleet sailed round, while I went back the
shortest way to the coast, where I first dis-
covered the boat. I found the tide had
driven it still nearer. The seamen were all
provided with cordage, which I had before-
hand twisted to a sufficient strength. When
the ships came up, I stripped myself, and
waded till I came within a hundred yards of
the boat, after which I was forced to swim
till I got up to it. The seamen threw me the
end of the cord, which I fastened to a hole
in the fore-part of the boat, and the other
end to a man of war; but I found all my la-
bour to little purpose; for, being out of my
depth, I was not able to work. In this ne-
cessity I was forced to swim behind, and
push the boat forward, as often as I could,
with one of my hands; and the tide favour-
ing me, I advanced so far that I could just
hold up my chin and feel the ground. I rested
two or three minutes, and then gave the boat
another shove, and so on, till the sea was no
higher than my arm pits; and now the most
laborious part being over, I took out my other
cables, which were stowed in one of the ships,
and fastened them first to the boat, and then
to nine of the vessels which attended me; the
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
101
wind being favourable, the seamen towed,
and I shoved until we arrived within forty
yards of the shore; and waiting till the tide
was out, I got dry to the boat, and by the
assistance of two thousand men, with ropes
and engines, I made a shift to turn it on its
bottom, and found it was but ättle damaged.
I shall not trouble the reader with the
difficulties I was under, by the help of certain
paddles, which cost me ten days making, to
get my boat to the royal port of Blefuscu,
where a mighty concourse of people appeared
upon my arrival, full of wonder at the sight
of so prodigious a vessel. I told the emperor
'that my good fortune had thrown this boat in
my way, to carry me to some place whence I
might return into my native country; and
begged his majesty's orders for getting ma-
terials to fit it up, together with his licence
to depart; which after some kind expostu-
lations, he was pleased to grant.
I did very much wonder, in all this time,
not to have heard* of any express relating to
me from ou ermperor to the court of Blefuscu.
But I was afterwards given privately to un-
derstand, that his imperial majesty, never
imagining I had the least notice of his designs,
believed I was only gone to Blefuscu in per-
formance of my promise, according to the li-
cence he had given me, which was well known
*‘I did very much wonder not to have heard.' &e.
This sentence is ungrammatical; it should have been,
'1 did very much wouder, în all this time at not hav-
ing heard of any express,' &c. —S.
102
GULLIVER S TRAVELS.
at our court, and would return in a few days,
when the ceremony was ended. But he was
at last in pain at my long absence; and after
consulting with the treasurer and the rest of
that cabal, a person of quality was dispatched
with the copy of the articles against me.
This envoy had instructions to represent to
the monarch of Blefuscu, the great lenity of
his master, who was content to punish me no
further than with the loss of mine eyes; that
I had fled from justice; and if I did not re-
turn in two hours, I should be deprived of
my title of nardac, and declared a traitor.
The envoy further added, that in order to
maintain the peace and amity between both
empires, his master expected that his brother
of Blefuscu would give orders to have me
sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot,
to be punished as a traitor.'
The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken
three days to consult, returned an answer
consisting of many civilities and excuses. He
said, 'that as for sending me bound, his bro-
ther knew it was impossible; that although I
had deprived him of his fleet, yet he owed
great obligations to me for many good offices
I had done him in making the peace. That,
however, both their majesties would soon be
made easy; for I had found a prodigious ves-
sel on the shore, able to carry me or. the sea,
which he had given orders to fit up, with my
own assistance and direction; and he hoped,
in a few weeks, both empires would be freed
from so insupportable an incumberance.'
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
103
With this answer the envoy returned to
Lilliput ;
and the monarch of Blefuscu re
ated to me all that had passed; offering
me at the same time (but under the strict-
est confidence) his gracious protection, if
I would continue in his service; wherein
although I believed him sincere, yet I re-
solved never more to put any confidence in
princes or ministers, where I could possibly
avoid it; and therefore with all due acknow-
ledgments for his favourable intentions, I
humbly begged to be excused. I told him,
'that since fortune, whether good or evil, had
thrown a vessel in my way, I was resolved to
venture myself on the ocean, rather than be
an occasion of difference between two such
mighty monarchs.' Neither did I find the
emperor at all displeased; and I discovered
by a certain accident, that he was very glad
of my resolution, and so were most of his
ministers.
These considerations moved me to hasten
my departure somewhat sooner than I intend-
ed; to which the court, impatient to have me
gone, very readily contributed. Five hun-
dred workmen were employed to make two
sails to my boat, according to my directions,
by quilting thirteen folds of their strongest
linen together. I was at the pains of mak-
ing ropes and cables, by twisting ten, twenty
or thirty, of the thickest and strongest of
theirs. A great stone that I happened to
find, after a long search, by the sea-shore,
served me for an anchor. I had the tallow
101
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
of three hundred cows, for greasing my boat,
and other uses. I was at incredible pains in
cutting down some of the largest timber-trees,
for oars and masts, wherein I was, however,
much assisted by his majesty's ship-carpen-
ters, who helped me in smoothing them, after
I had done the rough work.
In about a month, when all was prepared,
I sent to receive his majesty's commands,
and to take my leave. The emperor and
royal family came out of the palace; I lay
down on my face to kiss his band, which he
very graciously gave me: so did the emprest
and young princes of the blood. His majes-
ty presented me with fifty purses of two hun-
dred sprugs a-piece, together with his picture
at full length, which I put immediately into
one of my gloves, to keep it from being hurt.
The ceremonies at my departure were too
Many to trouble the reader with at this time.
I stored the boat with the carcases of a
hundred oxen, and three hundred sheep, with
read and drink proportionable, and as much
meat ready dressed as four hundred cooks
could provide. I took with me six cows and
two bulls alive, with as many ewes and rams,
intending to carry them into my own country,
and propagate the breed; and to feed them
on board, I had a good bundle of hay, and a
bag of corn. I would gladly have taken a
dozen of the natives, but this was a thing the
emperor would by no means permit; and,
besides a diligent search into my pockets, his
majesty engaged my honour 'not to carry
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
105
away any of his subjects, although with their
own consent and desire."
Having thus prepared all things as well as
I was able, I set sail on the twenty-fourth
day of September 1701, at six in the morn-
ing; and when I had gone about four leagues
to the northward, the wind being at south-
east at six in the evening, I descried a small
island, about half a league to the north-west.
I advanced forward, and cast anchor on the
lee-side of the island, which seemed to be
uninhabited. I then took some refreshment,
and went to my rest. I slept well, and as I
conjecture at least six hours, for I found the
day broke in two hours after I awaked. It▾
was a clear night. I ate my breakfast before
the sun was up; and heaving anchor, the
wind being favourable, I steered the same
course that I had done the day before, where-
in I was directed by my pocket compass. My
intention was to reach, if possible, one of
those islands which I had reason to believe
lay to the north-east of Van Dieman's Land,
I discovered nothing all that day; but upon
the next, about three in the afternoon, when
I had by my computation made twenty-four
leagues from Blefuscu, I descried a sail steer-
ing to the south-east; my course was due
east. I hailed her, but could get no answer;
yet I found I gained upon her, for the wind
slackened. I made all the sail I could, and
in half an hour she spied me, then hung out*
her ancient and discharged a gun. It is not
easy to express the joy I was in, upon the
106
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
unexpected hope of once more seeing my
beloved country, and the dear pledges I left
in it. The ship slackened her sails, and I
came up with her between five and six in the
evening, September 26; but my heart leap-
ed within me to see her English colours. I
put my cows and sheep into my coat-pocket,
and got on board with all my little cargo of
provisions. The vessel was an English mer-
chantman, returning from Japan by the
North and South seas; the captain, Mr. John
Biddel of Deptford, a very civil man, and an
excellent sailor. We were now in the lati-
tude of 30 degrees south; there were about
fifty men in the ship; and here I met an old
comrade of mine, one Peter Williams, who
gave me a good character to the captain.
This gentleman treated me with kindness,
and desired I would let him know what place
I came from last, and whither I was bound;
which I did in a few words, but he thought I
was raving, and that the dangers I had under-
went* had disturbed my head; whereupon I
took my black cattle and sheep out of my
pocket, which, after great astonishment,
clearly convinced him of my veracity. I then
showed him the gold given me by the empe-
ror of Blefuscu, together with his majesty's
picture at full length, and some other rarities
of that country. I gave him two purses of
two hundred sprugs each, and promised, when
* I had underwent,' is not English; it should have
been 'I had undergone,' or, ' I underwent.'-S.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
107
we arrived in England, to make a present of
a cow and a sheep big with young.
I shall not trouble the reader with a parti-
cular account of this voyage, which was very
prosperous for the most part. We arrived
in the Downs on the 13th of April, 1702. I
had only one misfortune, that the rats on
board carried away one of my sheep; I found
her bones in a hole, picked clean from the
flesh. The rest of my cattle I got safe ashore,
and set them a grazing in a bowling-green at
Greenwich, where the fineness of the grass
made them feed very heartily, though I had
always feared the contrary: neither could I
possibly have preserved them in so long a
voyage, if the captain had not allowed me
some of his best biscuit, which rubbed to
powder, and mingled with water, was their
constant food. The short time I continued
in England, I made a considerable profit by
showing my cattle to many persons of quality
and others and before I began my second
voyage, I sold them for six hundred pounds.
Since my last return I find the breed is con-
siderably increased, especially the sheep,
which I hope will prove much to the advan-
tage of the woollen manufacture, by the fine-
ness of the fleeces.
:
I stayed but two months with my wife and
family, for my insatiable desire of seeing
foreign countries, would suffer me to continue
no longer. I left fifteen hundred pounds
with my wife, and fixed her in a good house
at Redriff. My remaining stock I carried
108
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
with me, part in money and part in goods, in
hopes to improve my fortunes. My eldest
uncle John had left me an estate in land,
near Epping, of about thirty pounds a year;
and I had a long lease of the Black Bull in
Fetter-Lane, which yielded me as much more ;
so that I was not in any danger of leaving my
family upon the parish. My son Johnny
named so after his uncle, was at the grani-
mar-school, and a towardly child. My daugh-
ter Betty (who is now well narried, and has
children) was then at her needlework. I
took leave of my wife, and boy and girl, with
tears on both sides, and went on board the
Adventure, a merchant-ship of three hundred
tons, bound for Surat, Captain John Nichc-
las, of Liverpool, commander.
But my
account of this voyage must be referred to
the second part of my travels
VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
PART II.
CHAPTER I.
A great storm described; the long boat sent to
fetch water; the Author goes with it to discover
the country. He is left on shore, is seized by
one of the natives, and carried to a farmer's
house. His reception, with several accidents
that happened there. A description of the
inhabitants.
HAVING been condemned, by nature and
fortune, to active and restless life, in two
months after my return, I again left my na-
tive country, and took shipping in the Downs,
on the 20th day of June, 1702, in the Adven-
ture, captain John Nicholas, a Cornish man,
commander, bound for Surat. We had a
very prosperous gale, till we arrived at the
Cape of Good Hope, where we landed for
fresh water: but discovering a leak, we un-
shipped our goods, and wintered there; for
the captain falling sick of an ague, we could
not leave the Cape till the end of March.
L
110
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
We then set sail, and had a good voyage till
we passed the Straits of Madagascar; but
having got northward of that island, and to
about five degrees south latitude, the winds,
which in those seas are observed to blow a
constant equal gale between the north and
west, from the beginning of December to the
beginning of May, on the 19th of April began
to blow with much greater violence, and more
westerly than usual, continuing so for twenty
days together: during which time, we were
driven a little to the east of the Molucca
Islands, and about three degrees northward
of the line, as our captain found by an obser-
vation he took the 2d of May, at which time
the wind ceased, and it was a perfect calm,
whereat I was not a little rejoiced. But he,
being a man well experienced in the naviga-
tion of those seas, bid us all prepare against a
storm, which accordingly happened the day
following: for the southern wind, called the
southern monsoon, began to set in.
F
Finding it was likely to overblow, we took
in our sprit-sail, and stood by to hand the
fore-sail; but, making foul weather, we looked
the guns were all fast, and handed the mizen.
The ship lay very broad off, so we thought it
better spooning before the sea, than trying
or hulling. We reefed the fore-sail and set
him, and hauled aft the fore-sheet; the helm
was hard a-weather. The ship wore bravely.
We belayed the fore down-haul; but the sail
was split, and we hauled down the yard, and
got the sail into the ship, and unbound all the
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
111
sea-room.
things clear of it. It was a very fierce storm,
the sea broke strange and dangerous.
We
hauled off upon the laniard of the whip-staff,
and helped the man at the helm. We would
not get down our top-mast, but let all stand,
because she scudded before the sea very
well, and we knew that the top-mast, being
aloft, the ship was the wholesomer, and made
better way through the sea, seeing we had
When the storm was over, we
set fore-sail and main-sail, and brought the
ship to.
Then we set the mizen, main-top-
sail, and the fore-top-sail. Our course was
east-north-east, the wind was at south-west.
We got the starboard tacks aboard, we cast
off our weather-braces and lifts; we set in
the lee-braces, and hauled forward by the
weather-bowlings, and hauled them tight,
and belayed them, and hauled over the mizen
tack to windward, and kept her full and by
as near as she would lie.
During this storm, which was followed by
a strong wind west-south-west, we were car-
ried, by my computation, about five hundred
leagues to the east, so that the oldest sailor
on board could not tell in what part of the
world we were. Our provisions held out
well, our ship was staunch, and our crew all
in good health; but we lay in the utmost dis-
tress for water. We thought it best to hold
on the same course, rather than turn more
northerly, which might have brought us to
the north west part of Great Tartary, and
into the Frozen Sea.
112
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
On the 16th day of June, 1703, a boy on
the top-mast discovered land. On the 17th,
we came in full view of a great island, or con-
tinent (for we knew not whether); on the
south side whereof was a small neck of land
jutting out into the sea, and a creek too shal-
low to hold a ship of above one hundred tons.
We cast anchor within a league of this creek,
and our captain sent a dozen of his men well
armed in the long-boat, with vessels for water,
if any could be found. I desired his leave to
go with them, that I might see the country, and
make what discoveries I could. When we
came to land, we saw no river or spring, nor
any sign of inhabitants. Our men therefore
wandered on the shore to find out some fresh
water near the sea, and I walked alone about
a mile on the other side, where I observed
the country all barren and rocky. I now
began to be weary, and seeing nothing to
entertain my curosity, I returned gently down
towards the creek; and the sea being full in
my view, I saw our men already got into the
boat, and rowing for life to the ship. I was
going to holla after them, although it had
been to little purpose, when I observed a
huge creature walking after them in the sea,
as fast as he could: he waded not much
deeper than his knees, and took prodigious
strides but our men had the start of him half
a league, and, the sea thereabouts being fall
of sharp-pointed rocks, the monster was not
able to overtake the boat. This I was after-
wards told, for I durst not stay to see the
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
113
:
issue of the adventure; but ran as fast as I
could the way I first went, and then climbed
up a steep hill, which gave me some prospect
of the country. I found it fully cultivated
but that which first surprised me was the
length of the grass, which, in those grounds
that seemed to be kept for hay, was about
twenty feet high.
I fell into a high road, for so I took it to
be, though it served to the inhabitants only
as a foot-path through a field of barley. Her
I walked on for some time, but could see lit
tle on either side, it being now near harvest
and the corn rising at least forty feet.
I wa
an hour walking to the end of this field, which
was fenced in with a hedge of at least one
hundred and twenty feet high, and the trees
so lofty that I could make no computation of
their altitude. There was a stile to pass
from this field into the next. It had four
steps, and a stone to cross over when you
came to the uppermost. It was impossible
for me to climb this stile, because every step
was six feet high, and the upper stone about
twenty. I was endeavouring to find some
gap in the hedge, when I discovered one of
the inhabitants in the next field, advancing
towards the stile, of the same size with him
whom I saw in the sea pursuing our boat.
He appeared as tall as an ordinary spire
steeple, and took about ten yards at every
stride, as near as I could guess. I was struck
with the utmost fear and astonishment, and
ran to hide myself in the corn, whence I saw
114
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
him at the top of the stile looking back into
the next field on the right hand, and heard
him call in a voice many degrees louder than
a speaking-trumpet; but the noise was so
high in the air, that at first I certainly thought
it was thunder. Whereupon seven monsters,
like himself, came towards him with reaping-
hooks in their hands, each hook about the
largeness of six scythes. These people were
not so well clad as the first, whose servants
or labourers they seemed to be; for, upon
some words he spoke, they went to reap the
corn in the field where I lay. I kept from
them at as great a distance as I could, but
was forced to move with extreme difficulty,
for the stalks of the corn were sometimes not
above a foot distant, so that I could hardly
squeeze my body betwixt them. However I
made a shift to go forward, till I came to a part
of the field where the corn had been laid by
the rain and wind. Here it was impossible for
me to advance a step: for the stalks were so in-
terwoven, that I could not creep through, and
the beards of the fallen ears so strong and
pointed, that they pierced through my clothes
into my flesh.
flesh. At the same time I heard the
reapers not above a hundred yards behind
me. Being quite dispirited with toil, and
wholly overcome by grief and despair, I lay
down between two ridges, and heartily wish-
ed I might there end my days. I bemoaned
my desolate widow and fatherless children.
I lamented my own folly and wilfulness, in
attempting a second voyage, against the
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 115
advice of all my friends and relations. In
this terrible agitation of mind, I could not
forbear thinking of Lilliput, whose inhabitants
looked upon me as the greatest prodigy that
ever appeared in the world; where I was
able to draw an imperial fleet in my hand,
and perform those other actions, which will
be recorded for ever in the chronicles of that
empire, while posterity shall hardly believe
them, although attested by millions.
I re-
flected what a mortification it must prove to
me, to appear as inconsiderable in this nation,
as one single Lilliputian would be among us.
But this I conceived was to be the least of
my misfortunes; for, as human creatures are
observed to be more savage and cruel in
proportion to their bulk, what could I expect
but to be a morsel in the mouth of the first
among these enormous barbarians that should
happen to seize me? Undoubtedly philoso-
phers are in the right, when they tell us that
nothing is great or little otherwise than by
comparison. It might have pleased fortune,
to have let the Lilliputians find some nation,
where the people were as diminutive with
respect to them, as they were to me.
who knows but that even this prodigious
race of mortals might be equally overmatched
in some distant part of the world, whereof
we have yet no discovery.
And
Scared and confounded as I was, I could
not forbear going on with these reflections,
when one of the reapers, approaching within
ten yards of the ridge where I lay, made me
ì16
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
apprehend that with the next step I should
be squashed to death under his foot, or ent
in two with his reaping-hook. And therefore,
when he was again about to move, I scream-
ed as loud as fear could make me: whereupon
the huge creature trod short, and, looking
round about under him for some time, at last
espied me as I lay on the ground. He con-
sidered awhile, with the caution of one who
endeavours to lay hold on a small dangerous
animal in such a manner that it shall not be
able either to scratch or bite him, as I myself
have sometimes done with a weasel in En-
gland. At length he ventured to take me
behind, by the middle, between his fore-finger
and thumb, and brought me within three
yards of his eyes, that he might behold my
shape more perfectly. I guessed his meaning,
and my good fortune gave me so much pre-
sence of mind, that I resolved not to struggle
in the least as he held me in the air above
sixty feet from the ground, although he griev-
ously pinched my sides, for fear I should slip
through his fingers. All I ventured was to
raise mine eyes towards the sun, and place
my hands together in a supplicating posture,
and to speak some words in an humble me-
lancholy tone, suitable to the condition I then
was in: for I apprehended every moment
that he would dash me against the ground,
as we usually do any little hateful animal,
which we have a mind to destroy. But my
• Our inattention to the felicity of sensitive beings,
merely because they are small, is here forcibly re
+
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
117
good star would have it, that he appeared
pleased with my voice and gestures, and be-
gan to look upon me as a curiosity, much
wondering to hear me pronounce articulate
words, although he could not understand them.
In the mean time I was not able to forbear
groaning and shedding tears, and turning my
head towards my sides; letting him know, as
well as I could, how cruelly I was hurt by
the pressure of his thumb and finger. He
seemed to apprehend my meaning; for, lift-
ing up the lappet of his coat, he put me gent-
ly into it, and immediately ran along with me
to his master, who was a substantial farmer,
and the same person I had first seen in the
field.
The farmer having (as I suppose by their
talk) received such an account of me as his
servant could give him, took a piece of a
small straw, about the size of a walking-
staff, and therewith lifted up the lappets of
buy coat; which it seems he thought to be
some kind of covering that nature had given
me. He blew my hairs aside to take a bet-
ter view of my face. He called his hinds
about him, and asked them, as I afterwards
learned, whether they had ever seen in the
fields any little creature that resembled me?'
He then placed me softly on the ground upon
C
proved: many have wantonly crushed an insect, who
would shudder at entting the throat of a dog; but it
should always be remembered, that the least of these
In mortal sufferance feels a pang as great
As when a giant dies.'-H..
2
118
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
all fours, but I got immediately up, and
walked slowly backward and forward, to let
those people see I had no intent to run away.
They all sat down in a circle about me, the
better to observe my motions. I pulled off
my hat, and made a low bow towards the
farmer. I fell on my knees, and lifted up my
hands and eyes, and spoke several words as
loud as I could: I took a purse of gold out
of my pocket, and humbly presented it to
him. He received it on the palm of his hand,
then applied it close to his eye to see what
it was,
and afterwards turned it several times
with the point of a pin (which he took out of
his sleeve,) but could make nothing of it.
Whereupon I made a sign that he should
place his hand on the ground. I then took
the purse, and, opening it, poured all the
gold into his palm. There were six Spanish
pieces of four pistoles each, beside twenty
or thirty smaller coins. I saw him wet the
tip of his little finger upon his tongue, and
and take up one of my largest pieces, and
then another; but he seemed to be wholly
ignorant what they were. He made me a
sign to put them again into my purse, and
the purse again into my pocket, which, after
offering it to him several times, I thought it
best to do.
The farmer, by this time, was convinced I
must be a rational creature. He spoke often
to me; but the sound of his voice pierced my
ears like that of a water-mill, yet his words
were articulate enough. I answered as loud

Wood pinx!
Page 118
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
LONDON.
Printed for Hector M. Lean,
1823.
Noble sculp!
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
119
as I could in several languages, and he often
laid his ear within two yards of me: but all
in vain, for we were wholly unintelligible to
each other. He then sent his servants to
their work, and taking his handkerchief out
of his pocket, he doubled and spread it on
his left hand, which he placed flat on the
ground with the palm upward, making me a
sign to step into it, as I could easily do, for
it was not above a foot in thickness. I thought
it my part to obey, and, for fear of falling,
laid myself at full length upon the handker-
chief, with the remainder of which he-lapped
me up to the head for further security, and
in this manner carried me home to his house.
There he called his wife, and showed me to
her; but she screamed and ran back, as wo-
men in England do at the sight of a toad or
a spider. However, when she had awhile
seen my behaviour, and how well I observed
the signs her husband made, she was soon
reconciled, and by degrees grew extremely
tender of me.
It was about twelve at noon, and a servant
brought in dinner. It was only one substan-
tial dish of meat (fit for the plain condition
of a husbandman,) in a dish of about four-
and-twenty feet diameter.
The company
were, the farmer and his wife, three children,
and an old grandmother. When they were
sat down, the farmer placed me at some dis-
tance from him on the table, which was thirty
feet high from the floor. I was in a terrible
fright, and kept as far as I could from the
120
GULLIVER´S TRAVELS.
edge, for fear of falling. The wife minced a
bit of meat, then crumbled some bread on a
trencher, and placed it before me. I made
her a low bow, took out my knife and fork,
and fell to eat, which gave them exceeding
delight. The mistress sent her maid for a
small dram cup, which held about two gal-
lons, and filled it with drink; I took up the
vessel with much difficulty in both hands, and
in a most respectful manner drank to her
ladyship's health, expressing the words as loud
as I could in English, which made the com-
pany laugh so heartily, that I was almost
deafened with the noise. This liquor tasted
like a small cider and was not unpleasant.
Then the master made me a sign to come to
his trencher side; but as I walked on the
table, being in great surprise all the time, as
the indulgent reader will easily conceive and
excuse, I happened to stumble against a
crust, and fell flat on my face, but received
no hurt. I got up immediately, and observing
the good people to be in much concern, I took
my hat (which I held under my arm out of
good manners), and waving it over my head,
made three huzzas, to show I had got no mis-
chief by my fall. But advancing forward
towards my master (as I shall henceforth
call him), his youngest son who sat next to
him, an arch boy of about ten years old, took
me up by the legs, and held me so high in
the air, that I trembled every limb: but his
father snatched me from him, and at the
same time gave him such a box on the left
A VOYAGE TO BROBDING NAG. 121
ear, as would have felled an European troop
of horse to the earth, ordering him to be
taken from the table. But being afraid the
boy might owe me a spite, and well reinem-
bering how mischievous all children among
us naturally are to sparrows, rabbits, young
kittens, and puppy-dogs, I fell on my knees,
and pointing to the boy, made my master to
understand, as well as I could, that I de-
sired his son might be pardoned. The father
complied, and the lad took his seat again,
whereupon I went to him, and kissed his hand,
which my master took, and made him stroke
me gently with it.
In the midst of dinner, my mistress's fa-
vourite cat leaped into her lap. I heard a
noise behind me like that of a dozen stocking-
weavers at work; and turning my head, I
found it proceeded from the purring of that
animal, who seemed to be three times larger
than an ox, as I computed by the view of her
head and one of her paws, while her mistress
was feeding and stroking her. The fierce-
ness of this creature's countenance altogether
discomposed me; though I stood at the fur-
ther end of the table, above fifty feet off;
and although my mistress held her fast, for
fear she might give a spring, and seize me in
her talons. But it happened there was no
danger, for the cat took not the least notice
of me, when my master placed me within
three yards of her. And as I have been
always told, and found true by experience in
my travels, that flying or discovering fear
2
M
122
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS,
before a fierce animal, is a certain way to
make it pursue or attack you, so I resolved,
in this dangerous juncture, to show no man-
ner of concern. I walked with intrepidity
five or six times before the very head of the
cat, and came within half a yard of her;
whereupon she drew herself back, as if she
were more afraid of me: I had less appre-
hension concerning the dogs, whereof three
or four came into the room as it is usual in
farmers' houses; one of which was a mastiff,
equal in bulk to four elephants, and a grey-
hound, somewhat taller than the mastiff, but
not so large.
When dinner was almost done, the nurse
came in with a child of a year old in her arms,
who immediately spied me, and began a
squall that you might have heard from Lon-
don-Bridge to Chelsea, after the usual oratory
of infants, to get me for a plaything. The
mother, out of pure indulgence, took me up,
and put me towards the child, who presently
seized me by the middle, and got me into his
mouth, where I roared so loud that the urchin
was frighted, and let me drop, and I should in-
fallibly have broke my neck, if the mother had
not held her apron under me. The nurse, to
quiet her babe made use of a rattle, which was
a kind of hollow vessel filled with great stones
and fastened by a cable to the child's waist:
but all in vain ; so that she was forced to apply
the last remedy by giving it suck. I must
confess no object ever disgusted me so much
as the sight of her monstrous breast, which 1
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
123
cannot tell what to compare with, so as to
give the curious reader an idea of its bulk,
shape, and colour. It stood prominent six
feet, and could not be less than sixteen in
circumference. The nipple was about half
the bigness of my head, and the hue both of
that and the dug, so varied with spots, pim-
ples, and freckles, that nothing could appear
more nauseous: for I had a near sight of her,
she sitting down, the more conveniently to
give suck, and I standing on the table. This
made me reflect upon the fair skins of our Eng
lish ladies, who appear so beautiful to us,
only because they are of our own size, and
their defects not to be seen but through a
magnifying glass; where we find by experi-
ment that the smoothest and whitest skins
look rough, and coarse, and ill-coloured.
I remember when I was at Lilliput, the
complexions of those diminutive people ap-
peared to me the fairest in the world; and
talking upon this subject with a person of
learning there, who was an intimate friend of
mine, he said that my face appeared much
fairer and smoother when he looked on me
from the ground than it did upon a nearer
view, when I took him up in my hand, and
brought him close, which he confessed was at
first a very shocking sight. He said, 'he
could discover great holes in my skin: that
the stumps of my beard were ten times strong-
er than the bristles of a boar, and my com-
plexion made up of several colours altogether
disagreeable: although I must beg leave to
124
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
say for myself, that I am as fair as most of
my sex and country, and very little sun-burnt
by all my travels. On the other side, dis-
coursing of the ladies in that emperor's court,
he used to tell me, 'one had freckles, another
too wide a mouth, a third too large a nose;'
nothing of which I was able to distinguish.
I confess this reflection was obvious enough;
which, however, I could not forbear, lest the
reader might think those vast creatures were
actually deformed: for I must do them the
justice to say, they are a comely race of peo-
ple; and particularly the features of my
master's countenance, although he were but
a farmer, when I beheld him from the height of
sixty feet, appeared very well proportioned.
When dinner was done, my master went
out to his labourers, and, as I could discover
by his voice and gesture, gave his wife a
strict charge to take care of me. I was very
much tired, and disposed to sleep, which my
mistress perceiving she put me on her own
bed, and covered me with a clean white
handkerchief, but larger and coarser than
the main-sail of a man of war.
I slept about two hours, and dreamt I was
at home with my wife and children, which
aggravated my sorrows when I awaked* and
found myself alone in a vast room, between
two and three hundred feet wide, and above
two hundred high, lying in a bed twenty
This ought to have been awoke,' the preterit of
the verb ncuter, not 'uwaked,' the preterit of the verb
active.-S.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
125
yards wide. My mistress was gone about
her household affairs, and had locked me in.
The bed was eight yards from the floor.
Some natural necessities required me to get
down: I durst not presume to call; and if I
had, it would have been in vain, with such
a voice as mine, at so great a distance as
from the room where I lay to the kitchen
where the family kept*. While I was under
these circumstances, two rats crept up the
curtains, and ran smelling backwards and
forwards on the bed. One of them came up
almost to my face, whereupon I rose in a
fright, aud drew out my hanger, to defend
myself. These horrible animals had the
boldness to attack me on both sides, and one
of them held his fore feet at my collar; but
I had the good fortune to rip up his belly,
before he could do me any mischief.
fell down at my feet; and the other, seeing
the fate of his comrade, made his escape, but
not without one good wound on the back,
which I gave him as he fled, and made the
blood run trickling from him. After this ex-
ploit, I walked gently to and fro on the bed,
to recover my breath and loss of spirits.
These creatures were of the size of a large
mastiff, but infinitly more nimble and fierce;
so that if I had taken off my belt before I
went to sleep, I must have infallibly been
torn to pieces and devoured. I measured
the tail of the dead rat and found it to be
• This is a Liscostustim provincialism.-N.
He
126
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
two yards long, wanting an inch; but it went
against my stomach to drag the carcase off
the bed, where it lay still bleeding; I ob-
served it had yet some life, but with a strong
slash across the neck, I thoroughly dis-
patched it.
Soon after my mistress came into the room,
who seeing me all bloody, ran and took me
up in her hand. I pointed to the dead rat,
smiling and making other signs to show I
was not hurt; whereat she was extremely
rejoiced, calling the maid to take up the dead
rat with a pair of tongs, and throw it out of the
window. Then she set me on a table, where
I showed her my hanger all bloody, and
wiping it on the lappet of my coat, returned
it to the scabbard. I was pressed to do
more than one thing which another could not
do for me, and therefore endeavoured to
make my mistress understand, that I desired
to be set down on the floor; which after she
had done, my bashfulness would not suffer me
to express myself farther, than by pointing
to the door, and bowing several times.
good woman, with much difficulty, at last per-
ceived what I would be at, and taking me
up in her hand, walked into the garden,
where she set me down. I went on one side
about two hundred yards, and beckoning to
her not to look or to follow me, I hid myself
between two leaves of sorrel, and there dis-
charged the necessities of nature.
The
I hope the gentle reader will excuse me
for dwelling on these and the like particulars,
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
127
which, however insignificant they may appear
to groveling younger minds, yet will certainly
help a philosopher to enlarge his thoughts
and imagination, and apply them to the bene-
fit of public as well as private life, which
was my sole design in presenting this, and
other accounts of my travels, to the world;
wherein I have been chiefly studious of truth,
without affecting any ornaments of learning
or of style. But the whole scene of this voy-
age made so strong an impression on my mind,
and is so deeply fixed in my memory, that in
committing it to paper I did not omit one ma-
terial circumstance: however, upon a strict
review, I blotted out several passages of less
moment which were in my first copy, for fear
of being censured as tedious and trifling,
whereof travellers are often, perhaps not
without justice, accused.
CHAPTER II.
A description of the Farmer's Daughter. The
Author carried to a market-town, and then
to the metropolis. The particulars of his
journey.
My mistress had a daughter of nine years
old, a child of towardly parts for her age,
very dexterous at her needle, and skilful in
dressing her baby. Her mother and she con-
trived to fit up the baby's cradle for me
128
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
This
against night: the cradle was put into a small
drawer of a cabinet, and the drawer placed
upon a hanging shelf for fear of the rats.
This was my bed all the time I staid with
those people, though made more convenient
by degrees, as I began to learn their lan-
guage and make my wants known.
young girl was so handy, that after I had
once or twice pulled off my clothes before
her, she was able to dress and undress me,
though I never gave her that trouble when
she would let me do either myself. She
made me seven shirts, and some other linen,
of as fine cloth as could be got, which indeed
was coarser than sackcloth; and these she
constantly washed for me with her own hands.
She was likewise my school-mistress, to teach
me the language: when I pointed to any
thing, she told me the name of it in her own
tongue, so that in a few days I was able to
call for whatever I had a mind to.
She was
very good-natured, and not above forty-feet
high, being little for her age. She gave me
the name of Grildrig, which the family took
up, and afterwards the whole kingdom. The
word imports what the Latins call nonuncu-
lus, the Italians homunceletion, and the
English mannikin. To her I chiefly owe
my preservation in that country: we never
parted while I was there; I called her my
Glumdalclitch, or little nurse; and should be
guilty of great ingratitude, if I omitted this
honourable mention of her care and affection
towards me, which I heartily wish it lay in
A VOYAGE TO BROBDING NAG.
129
my power to requite as she deserves, instead
of being the innocent, but unhappy instru-
ment of her disgrace, as I have too much
reason to fear.
It now began to be known and talked of in
the neighbourhood, that my master had found
a strange animal in the field, about the big-
ness of a splacnuck, but exactly shaped in
every part like a human crreature; which it
likewise imitated in all its actions; seemed
to speak in a little language of its own, had
already learned several words of theirs, went
erect upon two legs, was tame and gentle,
would come when it was called, do whatever
it was bid, had the finest limbs in the world,
and a complexion fairer than a nobleman's
daughter of three years old. Another far-
mer, who lived hard by, and was a particular
friend of my master, came on a visit on pur-
pose to enquire into the truth of this story. I
was immediately produced, and placed upon
a table, where I walked as I was commanded,
drew my hanger, put it up again, made my
reverence to my master's guest, asked him in
his own language how he did and told him
he was welcome, just as my little nurse had
instructed me. This man, who was old and
dim-sighted, put on his spectacles to behold
me better; at which I could not forbear
laughing very heartily, for his eyes appeared
like the full moon shining into a chamber at
two windows. Our people, who discovered
the cause of my mirth, bore me company in
laughing, at which the old fellow was fool
130
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
enough to be angry and out of countenance.
He had the character of a great miser; and,
to my misfortune, he well deserved it, by the
cursed advice he gave my master, to show me
as a sight upon a market-day in the next
town, which was half an hour's riding, abont
two-and-twenty miles from our house. I
guessed there was some mischief contriving,
when I observed my master and his friend
whispering long together, sometimes pointing
at me; and my fears made me fancy that I
overheard and understood some of their
words. But the next morning Glumdalclitch,
my little nurse, told me the whole matter,
which she had cunningly picked out from her
mother. The poor girl laid me on her bosor,
and fell a weeping with shame and grief. She
apprehended some mischief would happen to
me from rude vulgar folks, who might squeeze
me to death, or break one of my limbs by
taking me in their hands. She had also ob-
served how modest I was in my nature, how
nicely I regarded my honour, and what an
indignity I should conceive it, to be exposed
for money as a public spectacle, to the meanest
of the people. She said, her papa and mamma
had promised that Grildrig should be hers;
but now she found they meant to serve ber
as they did last year, when they pretended
to give her a lamb, and yet, as soon as it was
fat, sold it to a butcher. For my own part,
I may truly affirm, that I was less concerned
than my nurse. I had a strong hope, which
never left me, that I should one day recover
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
131
my liberty: and as to the ignominy of being
carried about for a monster, I considered
myself to be a perfect stranger in the country,
and that such a misfortune could never be
charged upon me as a reproach, if ever I
should return to England; since the king of
Great Britain himself, in my condition, must
have undergone the same distress.
My master, pursuant to the advice of his
friend, carried me in a box the next market-
day to the neighbouring town, and took along
with him his little daughter, iny nurse, upon
a pillion behind him. The box was close on
every side, with a little door for me to go in
and out, and a few gimlet holes to let in air.
The girl had been so careful as to put the
quilt of her baby's bed into it, for me to lie
down on.
However, I was terribly shaken
and discomposed in this journey, though it
were but of half an hour: for the horse went
about forty feet at every step, and trotted so
high, that the agitation was equal to the rising
and falling of a ship in a great storm, but
much more frequent. Our journey was some-
what further than from London to St. Alban's.
My master alighted at an inn which he used
to frequent; and after consulting awhile with
the inn-keeper, and making some necessary
preparations, he hired the grultrud, or crier,
to give notice through the town of a strange
creature to be seen at the sign of the Green
The subjunctive mood is improperly used here; it
should have been the indicative, though it was,' instead
of though it were.'-S.
132
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
Eagle, not so big as a splacnuck (an animal
in that country very finely shaped, about six
feet long,) and in every part of the body re-
sembling a human creature, could speak se-
veral words, and perform a hundred divert-
ing tricks.
I
I was placed upon a table in the largest
room of the inn, which might be near three
hundred feet square. My little nurse stood
on a low stool close to the table, to take care
of me, and direct what I should do. My
master, to avoid a crowd, would suffer only
thirty people at a time to see me. I walked
about on the table as the girl commanded:
she asked me questions, as far as she knew
my understanding of the language reached,
and I answered them as loud as I could.
turned about several times to the company,
paid my humble respects, said they were wel-
come, and used some other speeches I had
been taught. I took up a thimble filled with
liquor, which Glumdalelitch had given me for
a cup, and drank their health, I drew out my
hanger, and flourished with it after the man-
ner of fencers in England. My nurse gave
me a part of a straw, which I exercised as a
pike, having learnt the art in my youth.
was that day shown to twelve sets of com-
pany, and as often forced to act over again
the same fopperies, till I was half dead with
weariness and vexation; for those who had
seen me made such wonderful reports, that
the people were ready to break down the
doors to come in. My master, for his own
I
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
133
interest, would not suffer any one to touch
me except my nurse, and to prevent danger,
benches were set round the table at such a
distance as to put me out of every body's
reach. However, an unlucky school-boy aim-
ed a hazel nut directly at my head, which
very narrowly missed me; otherwise it came
with so much violence, that it would have in-
fallibly knocked out my brains, for it was
almost as large as a small pumpion; but I had
the satisfaction to see the young rogue well
beaten, and turned out of the room.
My master gave public notice that he would
show me again the next market-day; and in
the mean time he prepared a more convenient
vehicle for me, which he had reason enough
to do; for I was so tired with my first journey,
and with entertaining company for eight hours
together, that I could hardly stand upon my
legs, or speak a word. It was at least three
days before I recovered my strength; and
that I might have no rest at home, all the
neighbouring gentlemen from a hundred miles
round, hearing of my fame, came to see me
at my master's own house. There could not
be fewer than thirty persons with their wives
and children (for the country is very populous);
and my master demanded the rate of a full
room whenever he showed me at home, al-
though it were only to a single family; so
that for some time I had but little ease every
day of the week (except Wednesday, which
is their sabbath), although I were not carried
to the town.
2
N
134
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
1
My master, finding how profitable I was
likely to be, resolved to carry me to the most
considerable cities of the kingdom, Having
therefore provided himself with all things ne-
cessary for a long journey, and settled his
affairs at home, he took leave of his wife, and
upon the 17th of August, 1703, about two
months after my arrival, we set out for, the
metropolis, situate near the middle of that
empire, and about three thousand miles' dis-
tance from our house. My master made his
daughter Glumdalclitch ride behind him. She
carried me on her lap, in a box tied about
her waist. The girl had lined it on all sides
with the softest cloth she could get, well
quilted underneath, furnished it with her
baby's bed, provided me with linen and other
necessaries, and made every thing as con-
venient as she could. We had no other com-
pany but a boy of the house, who rode after
us with the luggage.
My master's design was to show me in all
the towns by the way, and to step out of the
road, for fifty or a hundred miles, to any vil-
lage or person of quality's house, where he
might expect custom. We made easy jour-
neys, of not above seven or eight score miles
a-day: for Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare
me, complained she was tired with the trot-
ting of the horse. She often took me out of
my box, at my own desire, to give me air, and
show me the country, but always held me fast
by a leading-string. We passed over five or
six rivers, many degrees broader and deeper

A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 135
than the Nile or the Ganges: and there was
hardly a rivulet so small as the Thames at
London-bridge. We were ten weeks in our
journey, as I was shown in eighteen large
towns, besides many villages, and private
families.
On the 26th day of October we arrived at
the metropolis, called in their language Lor-
brulgrud, or Pride of the Universe. My
master took a lodging in the principal street
of the city, not far from the royal palace, and
put out bills in the usual form, containing an
exact description of my person and parts.
He hired a large room between three and
four hundred feet wide. He provided a
table sixty feet in diameter, upon which I
was to act my part, and pallisadoed it round
three feet from the edge, and as many high,
to prevent my falling over. I was shown ten
times a-day, to the wonder and satisfaction
of all people. I could now speak the lan-
guage tolerably well, and perfectly under-
stood every word that was spoken to me.
Besides, I had learnt their alphabet, and
could make a shift to explain a sentence here
and there for Gluindalclitch had been my
instructor while we were at home, and at lei-
sure hours during our journey. She carried
a little book in her pocket, not much larger
than a Sanson's Atlas; it was à common trea.
tise for the use of young girls, giving a short
account of their religion: out of this she
taught me my letters, and interpreted the
word's.
136
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
CHAPTER III.
The Author sent for to court. The Queen buys
him of his master the Farmer, and presents
him to the King. He disputes with his ma-
jesty's great scholars. An apartment at court
provided for the Author. He is in high favour
with the Queen. He stands up for the honour
of his own country. His quarrels with the
Queen's dwarf.
THE frequent labours I underwent every
day, made, in a few weeks, a very consider-
able change in my health: the more my mas-
ter got by me, the more insatiable he grew.
I had quite lost my stomach, and was almost
reduced to a skeleton. The farmer observed
it, and concluding I must soon die, resolved
to make as good a hand of me as he could.
While he was thus reasoning and resolving
with himself, a sardral, or gentleman-usher,
came from court, commanding my master to
carry me immediately thither for the diver-
sion of the queen and her ladies. Some of
the latter had already been to see me, and
reported strange things of my beauty, be-
haviour, and good sense. Her majesty, and
those who attended her, were beyond mea-
sure delighted with my demeanour. I fell on
my knees, and begged the honour of kissing
her imperial foot; but this gracious princess
held out her little finger towards me, after I
was so on the table, which I embraced in
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 137
both my arms, and put the tip of it with the
utmost respect to my lip. She made me
some general questions about my country and
travels, which I answered as distinctly, and
in as few words as I could. She asked,
whether I could be content to live at court?'
I bowed down to the board of the table, and
humbly answered 'that I was my master's
slave: but, if I were at my own disposal, I
should be proud to devote my life to her
majesty's service.' She then asked my mas-
ter, 'whether he was willing to sell me at a
good price?' He, who apprehended I could
not live a month, was ready enough to part
with me, and demanded a thousand pieces of
gold, which were ordered him on the spot,
each piece being about the bigness of eight
hundred moidores; but allowing for the pro-
portion of all things between that country and
Europe, and the high price of gold among
them, was hardly so great a sum as a thou-
sand guineas would be in England. I then
said to the queen, since I was now her ma-
jesty's most humble creature and vassal, I
must beg the favour, that Glumdalclitch, who
had always tended me with so much care and
kindness, and understood to do it so well,
might be admitted into her service, and con-
tinue to be my nurse and instructor.'
Her majesty agreed to my petition, and
easily got the farmer's consent, who was glad
enough to have his daughter preferred at
court, and the poor girl herself was not able
to hide her joy. My late master withdrew,
1
138
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
bidding me farewell, and saying he had left
me in a good service; to which I replied not
a word, only making him a slight bow.
The queen observed my coldness; and,
when the farmer was gone out of the apart-
ment, asked me the reason. I made bold to
tell her majesty, 'that I owed no other obli-
gation to my late master, than his not dashing
out the brains of a poor harmless creature,
found by chance in his fields; which obligation
vas amply recompensed, by the gain he had
made in showing me through half the kingdom,
and the price he had now sold me for. That
the life I had since led, was laborious enough
to kill an animal of ten times my strength.
That my health was much impaired, by the
continual drudgery of entertaining the rabble
every hour of the day; and that, if my master
had not thought my life in danger, her ma-
jesty would not have got so cheap a bargain.
But as I was out of all fear of being ill treated,
under the protection of so great and good an
empress, the ornament of nature, the darling
of the world, the delight of her subjects, the
phoenix of the creation; so, I hoped my late
master's apprehensions would appear to be
groundless; for I already found my spirits
revive, by the influence of her most august
presence.'
This was the sum of my speech, delivered
with great improprieties and hesitation. The
latter part was altogether framed in the style
peculiar to that people, whereof I learned
some phrases from Glumdalclitch, while she
was carrying me to court.
}
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 139
The queen, giving great allowance for my
defectiveness in speaking, was, however, sur-
prised at so much wit and good sense in so
diminutive an animal. She took me in her
own hand, and carried me to the king, who
was then retired to his cabinet. His majesty,
a prince of much gravity and austere coun-
tenance, not well observing my shape at first
view, asked the queen after a cold manner
'how long it was since she grew fond of a
splacnuck? for such it seems he took me to
be, as I lay upon my breast in her majesty's
right hand. But this princess, who has an
infinite deal of wit and humour, set me gently
on my feet upon the scrutoire, and command-
ed me to give his majesty an account of myself,
which I did in a very few words: and Glum-
dalclitch, who attended at the cabinet door,
and could not endure I should be out of her
sight, being admitted, confirmed all that had
passed from my arrival at her father's house.
The king, although he be as learned a per-
son as any in his dominions, had been educa-
ted in the study of philosophy, and particularly
mathematics; yet when he observed my shape
exactly, and saw me walk erect, before I be-
gan to speak, conceived I might be a piece of
clock-work (which is in that country arrived
to a very great perfection) contrived by some
ingenious artist. But when he heard my
voice, and found what I delivered to be regu-
lar and rational, he could not conceal his
astonishment. He was by no means satisfied
with the relation I gave him of the manner I
140
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
came into his kingdom, but thought it a story
concerted between Glumdalclitch and her
father, who had taught me a set of words to
make me sell at a better price. Upon this
imagination, he put several other questions to
me, and still received rational answers: no
otherwise defective, than by a foreign accent,
and an imperfect knowledge in the language,
with some rustic phrases which I had learned.
at the farmer's house, and did not suit the
polite style of a court.
His majesty sent for three great scholars,
who were then in the weekly waiting, accord-
ing to the custom in that country. These
gentlemen, after they had awhile examined
my shape with much nicety, were of different
opinions concerning me. They all agreed
that I could not be produced according to the
regular laws of nature, because I was not
framed with a capacity of preserving my life,
either by swiftness, or climbing of trees, or
digging holes in the earth. They observed
by my teeth, which they viewed with great
exactness, that I was a carnivorous animal;
yet most quadrupeds being an overmatch for
me, and field mice, with some others, too
nimble, they could not imagine how I should
be able to support myself, unless I fed upon
snails and other insects, which they offered,
by many learned arguments, to evince that I
could not possiby do.* One of these virtuosi
* By this reasoning the author probably intended to
ridicule the pride of those philosophers, who have
thought fit to arraign the wisdom of providence in the
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
141
seemed to think that I might be an embryo,
or abortive birth. But this opinion was re-
jected by the other two, who observed my
limbs to be perfect and finished; and that i
had lived several years, as it was manifest
from my beard, the stumps whereof they
plainly discovered through a magnifying-glass.
They would not allow me to be a dwarf, be-
cause my littleness was beyond all degrees
of comparison; for the queen's favourite
dwarf, the smallest ever known in that king.
dom, was near thirty feet high. After much
debate, they concluded unanimously, that I
was only relplum scalcath, which is inter-
preted literally lusus natura; a determina-
tion exactly agreeable to the modern philoso-
phy of Europe, whose professors, disdaining
the old evasion of occult causes, whereby
the followers of Aristotle endeavoured in
vain to disguise their ignorance, have invented
this wonderful solution of all difficulties, to
the unspeakable advancement of human know-
ledge.
<
After this decisive conclusion, I entreated
to be heard a word or two. I applied myself
to the king, and assured his majesty, that I
came from a country which abounded with
several millions of both sexes, and of my own
stature; where the animals, trees, and houses,
were all in proportion, and where, by couse-
creation and government of the world; whose cavila
are specious like those of the Brobdingnagian sages,
only in proportion to the ignorance of those to whom
they are proposed.—11.
142
GULLIVER'S TRAVEL S.
quence, I might be as able to defend myself,
and to find sustenance, as any of his majes-
ty's subjects could do here; which I took for
a full answer to those gentlemen's arguments.'
To this they only replied with a smile of con-
tempt, saying, 'that the farmer had instructed
me very well in my lesson*.' The king, who
had a much better understanding, dismissing
his learned men, sent for the farmer, who by
good fortune was not yet gone out of town.
Having therefore first examined him private-
ly, and then confronted him with me and the
young girl, his majesty began to think what
we told him might possibly be true.
He de-
sired the queen to order that a particular
care should be taken of me; and was of
opinion that Glumdalclitch should still con-
tinue in her office of tending me, because he
observed we had a great affection for each
other. A convenient apartment was pro-
vided for her at court; she had a sort of
governess appointed to take care of her
education, a maid to dress her, and two other
servants for menial offices; but the care of
me was wholly appropriated to herself. The
queen commanded her own cabinet-maker to
contrive a box, that might serve me for a bed-
chamber, after the model that Glumdalclitch
and I should agree upon. This man was a
most ingenious artist, and according to my
This satire is levelled against all who reject those
facts for which they cannot perfectly account, notwith-
standing the absurdity of rejecting the testimony by
which they are supported.-H.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
143
direction, in three weeks finished for me a
wooden chamber of sixteen feet square, and
twelve high, with sash windows, a door, and
two closets, like a London bed-chahber. The
board, that made the ceiling, was to be lifted
up and down by two hinges to put in a bed
ready furnished by her majesty's upholsterer,
which Glumdalclitch took out every day to
air, made it with her own hands, and letting
it down at night, locked up the roof over me.
A nice workman, who was famous for little
curiosities, undertook to make me two chairs,
with backs and frames, of a substance not
unlike ivory, and two tables, with a cabinet
to put my things in. The room was quilted
on all sides, as well as the floor and the ceil-
ing, to prevent any accident from the care-
lessness of those who carried me, and to break
the force of a jolt, when I went in a coach.
I desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats
and mice from coming in. The smith, after
several attempts, made the smallest that ever
was seen among them, for I have known a
larger at the gate of a gentleman's house in
England. I made a shift to keep the key in
a pocket of my own, fearing Glumdalclitch
might lose it. The queen likewise ordered
the thinnest silks that could be gotten, to
make me clothes, not much thicker than an
English blanket, very cumbersome till I was
accustomed to them. They were after the
fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the
Persian, and partly the Chinese, and are a
very grave and decent habit.
144
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
The queen became so fond of my company,
that she could not dine without me. I had
a table placed upon the same at which her
majesty are, just at her elbow, and a chair to
sit on.
Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on
the floor near my table, to assist and take
care of me. I had an entire set of silver
dishes and plates, and other necessaries,
which, in proportion to those of the queen,
were not much bigger than what I have seen
in a London toy-shop, for the furniture of a
baby-house: these my little nurse kept in her
pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals
us I wanted them, always cleaning them her-
self. No person dined with the queen but
the princesses royal, the eldest sixteen years
old, and the younger at that time thirteen
and a month. Her majesty used to put a bit
of meat upon one of my dishes, out of which I
carved for myself, and her diversion was to
see me eat in miniature; for the queen (who
had indeed but a weak stomach) took up, at
one mouthful, as much as a dozen English
farmers could eat at a meal, which to me was
for some time a very nauseous sight*. She
• Among other dreadful and disgusting images which
custom has rendered familiar, are those which arise
from eating animal food: he who has ever turned with
abhorrence from the skeleton of a beast which has been
picked whole by birds or vermin, must confess that
habit only could have enabled him to endure the sight
of the mangled bones and flesh of a dead carcass which
every day cover his table; and he who reflects on the
number of lives that have been sacrificed to sustain his
own, should inquire by what the account has been ba
lanced, and whether his life is become proportionably of
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
145
would crannch the wing of a lark, bones and
all, between her teeth, although it were nine
times as large as that of a full-grown turkey;
and put a bit of bread in her mouth, as big as
two twelve-penny loaves. She drank out of
a golden cup, above a hogshead at a draught.
Her knives were twice as long as a scythe,
set straight upon the handle. The spoons,
forks, and other instruments, were all in the
same proportion. I remember when Glum-
dalclitch carried me, out of curiosity, to see
some of the tables at court, where ten or a
dozen of those enormous knives and forks
were lifted up together, I thought I had never
till then beheld so terrible a sight.
It is the custom, that every Wednesday
(which, as I have observed, is their sabbath)
the king and queen, with the royal issue of
both sexes, dine together in the apartment of
his majesty, to whom I was now become a
great favourite; and at these times, my little
chair and table were placed at his left hand,
before one of the salt-sellars. This prince took
a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring
into the manners, religion, laws, government,
and learning of Europe; wherein I gave him
the best account I was able. His apprehen-
sion was so clear, and his judgment so exact,
that he made very wise reflections and obser-
vations upon all I said. But I confess, that
more value by the exercise of virtue and piety, by the
Eu erior happiness which he has communicated to rea-
sonable beings, and by the glory which bis intellect has
ascribed to God.-H.
2
0
146
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
after I had been a little too copious in talking
of my own beloved country, of our trade and
wars by sea and land, of our schisms in reli-
gion, and parties in the state; the prejudices
of his education prevailed so far, that he
could not forbear taking me up in his right
hand, and stroking me gently with the other,
after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me,
whether I was a whig or tory? Then turning
to his first minister, who waited behind him
with a white staff, near as tall as the main-
mast of the Royal Sovereign, he observed 'how
contemptible a thing was human grandeur,
which could be mimicked by such diminutive
insects us I: and yet,' says he, 'I dare engage
these creatures have their titles and distinc-
tions of honour; they contrive little nests and
burrows, that they call houses and cities;
they make a figure in dress and equipage;
they love, they fight, they dispute, they
cheat, they betray.' And thus he continued
on, while my colour came and went several
times, with indignation, to hear our noble
country, the mistress of arts and arms, the
scourge of France, the arbitress of Europe,
the seat of virtue, piety, honour, and truth,
the pride and envy of the world, so con-
temptuously treated.
But as I was not in a condition to resent
injuries, so upon mature thoughts I began to
doubt whether I was injured or no*. For,
• 'Whether I was injured or no.'-This vulgar and
angrammatical mode of expression has become almost
universal; but, instead of ' no,' the particle 'not' should
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
147
after having been accustomed several months
to the sight and converse of this people, and
observed every object upon which I cast mine
eyes to be of proportionable magnitude, the
horror I had at first conceived from their bulk
and aspect was so far worn off, that if I had
then beheld a company of English lords and
ladies in their finery and birth-day clothes,
acting their several parts in the most courtly
manner of strutting, and bowing, and prating;
to say the truth, I should have been strongly
tempted to laugh as much at them, as the
king and his grandees did at me. Neither,
indeed, could I forbear smiling at myself,
when the queen used to place me upon her
hand towards a looking-glass, by which both
our persons appeared before me in full view
together; and there could be nothing more
ridiculous than the comparison; so that I
really began to imagine myself dwindled
many degrees below my usual size.
Nothing angered and mortified me so much
as the queen's dwarf; who being of the lowest
stature that was ever in that country (for I
verily think he was not full thirty feet high),
became so insolent at seeing a creature so
much beneath him, that he would always
affect to swagger and look big as he passed
by me in the queen's antechamber, while I
be used. The absurdity of the former will appear by
only repeating the word to which it refers, and annex-
ing it to it, as thus-whether 1 were injured or no
injured,' whereas, whether I were injured, or not in
jured,' is good grammar.-S
118
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
was standing on some table talking with the
lords or ladies of the court, and he seldom
failed of a smart word or two upon my little-
ness; against which I could only revenge my-
self by calling him brother, challenging him
to wrestle, and such repartees as are usually
in the mouths of court pages. One day, at
dinner, this malicious little cub was so nettled
with something I had said to him, that, raising
himself upon the frame of her majesty's chair,
he took me up by the middle, as I was sitting
down, not thinking any harm, and let me
drop into a large silver bowl of cream, and
then ran away as fast as he could. I fell
over head and ears, and if I had not been a
good swimmer, it might have gone very hard
with me; for Glumdalclitch in that instant
happened to be at the other end of the room,
and the queen was in such a fright, that she
wanted presence of mind to assist me. But
my little nurse ran to my relief, and took me
out, after I had swallowed above a quart of
cream. I was put to bed: however, I received
no other damage than the loss of a suit of
clothes, which was utterly spoiled. The dwarf
was soundly whipped, and as a farther punish-
ment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream
into which he had thrown me: neither was he
ever restored to favour; for soon after the
queen bestowed him on a lady of high quality,
so that I saw him no more, to my very great
satisfaction; for I could not tell to what ex-
tremity such a malicious urchin might have
carried his resentment.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
149
He had before served me a scurvy trick,
which set the queen a laughing, although at
the same time she was heartily vexed, and
would have immediately cashiered him, if I
had not been so generous as to intercede. Her
majesty had taken a marrow-bone upon her
plate, and, after knocking out the marrow
placed the bone again in the dish erect, a
it stood before; the dwarf watching his op
portunity while Glumdalchitch was gone to
the sideboard, mounted the stool that sho
stood on to take care of me at meals, too!
me up in both hands, and squeezing my leg
together, wedged them into the marrow-bone
above my waist, where I stuck for some time,
and made a very ridiculous figure. I believe
it was near a minute before any one knew
what was become of me; for I thought it be-
low me to cry out. But, as princes seldom
get their meat hot, my legs were not scalded,
only my stockings and breeches in a sad con-
dition. The dwarf, at my entreaty, had no
other punishment than a sound whipping.
I was frequently rallied by the queen
upon account of my fearfulness; and she
used to ask me whether the people of my
country were as great cowards as myself?
The occasion was this: the kingdom is much
pestered with flies in summer; and these
odious insects, each of them as big as a Dun-
stable lark, hardly gave me any rest while I
sat at dinner, with their continual humming
and buzzing about mine ears. They would
sometimes alight upon my victuals, and leave
150
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
their loathsome excrement or spawn behind,
which to me was very visible, though not to
the natives of that country, whose large op-
tics where not so acute as mine, in viewing
smaller objects. Sometimes they would fix
upon my nose or forehead, where they stung
me to the quick, smelling very offensively;
and I could easily trace that viscous matter,
which, our naturalists tell us, enables those
creatures to walk with their feet upwards
upon a ceiling. I had much ado to defend
myself against these detestable animals, and
could not forbear starting when they came on
my face. It was the common practice of the
dwarf to catch a number of these insects in
his hand, as schoolboys do among us, and let
them out suddenly under my nose, on pur-
pose to frighten me, and divert the queen.
My remedy was to cut them in pieces with
my knife, as they flew in the air, wherein my
dexterity was much admired.
I remember, one morning, when Glumdal-
clitch had set me in a box upon a window,
as she usually did in fair days to give me air
(for I durst not venture to let the box be hung
on a nail out of the window, as we do with
cages in England), after I had lifted up one
of my sashes and sat down at my table to eat
a piece of sweet cake for my breakfast, above
twenty wasps, allured by the smell, came
flying into the room humming louder than the
drones of as many bagpipes. Some of them
seized my cake and carried it piece-meal
away; others flew about my head and face,
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
151
confounding me with the noise, and putting
me in the utmost terror of their stings. How-
ever I had the courage to rise and draw my
hanger and attack them in the air. I dis-
patched four of them, but the rest got away,
and I presently shut my window. These
insects were as large as partridges: I took
out their stings, found them an inch and a
half long, and as sharp as needles. I care-
fully preserved them all; and having since
shown them, with some other curiosities, in
several parts of Europe, upon my return to
England I gave three of them to Gresham
College, and kept the fourth for myself.
CHAPTER IV.
The country described. A proposal for correct-
ing modern maps. The king's palace, and
ome account of the metropolis. The Author's
way of travelling. The chief temple de-
scribed.
I NOW intend to give the reader a short de-
scription of this country, as far as I travelled
in it, which was not above two thousand
miles round Lorbrulgrud, the metropolis.
For the queen, whom I always attended,
never went further when she accompanied
the king in his progresses, and there staid
till his majesty returned from viewing his
frontiers
The whole extent of this prince's
152
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
dominions reaches about six thousand miles
in length, and from three to five in breadth:
whence I cannot but conclude, that our geo·
graphers of Europe are in a great error, by
supposing nothing but sea between Japan
and California; for it was ever my opinion,
that there must be a balance of earth to
counterpoise the great continent of Tartary;
and therefore they ought to correct their maps
and charts, by joining this vast tract of land
to the north-west parts of America, wherein
I shall be ready to lend them my assistance.
The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to
the north-east by a ridge of mountains thirty
miles high, which are altogether impassable,
by reason of the volcanoes upon the tops:
neither do the most learned know what sort
of mortals inhabit beyond those mountains,
or whether they be inhabited at all. On the
three other sides, it is bounded by the ocean.
There is not one sea-port in the whole king-
dom; and those parts of the coasts into which
the rivers issue, are so full of pointed rocks,
and the sea generally so rough, that there is
no venturing with the smallest of their boats;
so that these people are wholly excluded
from any commerce with the rest of the
world. But the large rivers are full of ves-
sels, and abound with excellent fish; for they
seldom get any from the sea, because the
sea-fish are of the same size with those in
Europe, and consequently not worth catch-
ing; whereby it is manifest, that nature, in
the production of plants and animals of so
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
153
extraordinary a bulk, is wholly confined to
this continent, of which I leave the reasons
to be determined by philosophers. How-
*
ever, now and then they take a whale that
happens to be dashed against the rocks,
which the common people feed on heartily.
These whales I have known so large, that a man
could hardly carry one upon his shoulders ;
and sometimes, for curiosity, they are brought
in hampers to Lorbrulgrud: I saw one of
them in a dish at the king's table, which
passed for a rarity, but I did not observe he
was fond of it; for I think, indeed, the bigness
disgusted him, although I have seen one
somewhat larger in Greenland.
The country is well inhabited, for it con-
tains fifty-one cities, near a hundred walled
towns, and a great number of villages. To
satisfy my curious reader, it may be sufficient
to describe Lorbrulgrud. This city stands
upon almost two equal parts, on each side the
river that passes through. It contains above
eighty thousand houses, and about six hun-
dred thousand inhabitants. It is in length
three glomglungs (which make about fifty-
four English miles), and two and a half in
breadth; as I measured it myself in the roy-
al map made by the king's order, which was
laid on the ground on purpose for me, and
extended a hundred feet: I paced the di-
ameter and circumference several times bare-
foot, and computing by the scale, measured
it pretty exactly
The king's palace is no regular edificc,
154
GULLIEVR'S TRAVELS.
but a heap of building, about seven miles
round the chief rooms are generally two
hundred and forty feet high, and broad and
long in proportion. A coach was allowed to
Glumdalclitch and me, wherein her governess
frequently took her out to see the town, or
go among the shops; and I was always of
the party, carried in my box; although the
girl, at my own desire, would often take me
out, and hold me in her hand, that I might
more conveniently view the houses and the
people, as we passed along the streets. I
reckoned our coach to be about a square of
Westminster-hall, but not altogether so high:
however, I cannot be very exact. One day the
governess ordered our coachman to stop at se-
veral shops, where the beggars, watching
their opportunity, crowded to the sides of the
coach, and gave me the most horrible specta-
cle that ever a European eye beheld. There
was a woman with a cancer in her breast,
swelled to a monstrous size, full of holes,
in two or three of which I could have ea-
sily crept, and covered my whole body.
There was a fellow with a wen in his neck,
larger than five wool-packs; and another,
with a couple of wooden legs, each about
twenty feet high. But the most hateful sight
of all, was the lice crawling on their clothes.
I could see distinctly the limbs of these ver-
min with my naked eye, much better than
those of an European louse through a micros-
cope, and their snouts with which they rooted
like swine. They were the first I had ever
$
F
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
155
beheld, and should have been curious enough
to dissect one of them, if I had had proper
instruments, which I unluckily left behind me
in the ship, although, indeed, the sight was so
nauseus, that it perfectly turned my stomach.
Beside the large box in which I was usually
carried, the queen ordered a smaller one to
be made for me, of about twelve feet square,
and ten high, for the convenience of travel-
ling; because the other was somewhat too
large for Glumdalclitch's lap, and cumbersome
in the coach; it was made by the same artist,
whom I directed in the whole contrivance.
This travelling-closet was an exact square,
with a window in the middle of three of the
squares, and each window was latticed with
iron wire on the outside, to prevent accidents
in long journeys. On the fourth side, which
had no window, two strong staples were fixed,
through which the person that carried me,
when I had a mind to be on horseback, put
a leathern belt, and buckled it about his
waist. This was always the office of some
grave trusty servant, in whom I could con-
fide, whether 1 attended the king and queen
in their progresses, or were disposed to see
the gardens, or pay a visit to some great lady
or minister of state in the court, when Glum-
dalclitch happened to be out of order; for I
soon began to be known and esteemed among
the greatest officers, I suppose more upon
account of their majesties' favour, than any
merit of my own. In journeys, when I was
weary of the coach, a servant on horseback
156
GULLVER'S TRAVELS.
would buckle on my box, and place it upon a
cushion before him; and there I had a full
prospect of the country on three sides, from
my three windows. I had, in this closet, a
field-bed and a hammock hung from the ceil-
ing, two chairs and a table, neatly screwed
to the floor, to prevent being tossed about by
the agitation of the horse or the coach.
And having been long used to sea-voyages,
those motions, although sometimes very vio-
lent, did not much discompose me.
Whenever I had a mind to see the town,
it was always in my travelling-closet; which
Glumdalclitch held in her lap in a kind of
open sedan, after the fashion of the country,
borne by four men, and attended by two
others in the queen's livery. The people,
who had often heard of me, were very curi-
ous to crowd about the sedan, and the girl
was complaisant enough to make the bearers
stop, and to take me in her hand that I might
be more conveniently seen.
I was very desirous to see the chief tem-
ple, and particularly the tower belonging to
it, which is reckoned the highest in the king-
dom. Accordingly one day my nurse carried
me thither, but I may truly say I came back
disappointed; for the height is not above
three thousand feet, reckoning from the
ground to the highest pinnacle top; which
allowing for the difference between the size
of those people and us in Europe, is no great
matter for admiration, nor at all equal in pro-
portion (if I rightly remember) to Salisbury
A AOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
157
steeple. But, not to detract from a nation,
to which, during my life, I shall aknowledge
myself extremely obliged, it must be allowed,
that whatever this famous tower wants in
height, is amply made up in beauty and
strength for the walls are near a hundred
feet thick, built of hewn stone, whereof each
is about forty feet square, and adorned on
all sides with statues of gods and emperors,
cut in marble, larger than the life, placed in
their several niches. I measured a little
finger which had fallen down from one of
these statues, and lay unperceived among
some rubbish, and found it exactly four feet
and an inch in length. Glumdalclitch wrap-
ped it up in her handkerchief; and carried it
home in her pocket, to keep among other
trinkets, of which the girl was very fond, as
children at her age usually are.
The king's kitchen is, indeed, a noble
building, vaulted at top, and about six hun-
dred feet high. The great oven is not so
wide, by ten paces, as the cupola at St. Paul's :
for I measured the latter on purpose, after
my return. But if I should describe the
kitchen grate, the prodigious pots and ket-
tles, the joints of meat turning on the spits,
with many other particulars, perhaps I should
be hardly believed; at least a severe critic
would be apt to think I enlarged a little, as
travellers are often suspected to do. To
avoid which censure I fear I have run too
much into the other extreme; and that if
this treatise should happen to be translated
2
P
158
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
into the language of Brobdingnag (which is
the general name of that kingdom), and
transmitted thither, the king and his people
would have reason to complain that I had
done them an injury, by a false and dimin
tive representation.
His majesty seldom keeps above six hun-
dred horses in his stables: they are generally
from fifty-four to sixty feet high. But, when
he goes abroad on solemn days, he is attended,
for state by a militia guard of five hundred
horse, which, indeed, I thought was the
most splendid sight that could be ever be-
held, till I saw part of his army in battalia,
whereof I shall find another occasion to
speak.
CHAPTER V
The Author
Several adventures that happened to the Author.
The execution of a criminal.
shows his skill, in navigation.
I SHOULD have lived happy enough in that
country, if my littleness had not exposed me
to several ridiculous and troublesome acci-
dents; some of which I shall venture to relate.
Glumdalclitch often carried me into the gar-
dens of the court in my smaller box, and
would sometimes take me out of it, and hold
me in her hand, or set me down to walk.
remember, before the dwarf left the queen,
I

Drawn by T.Stothard. R.A.
Page 159.
Engraved by J. Stalker.
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
LONDON,
Printed for Hector M Lean.
1828
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
159
he followed us one day into those gardens,
and my nurse having set me down, he and I
being close together, near some dwarf apple
trees, I must needs show my wit, by a silly
allusion between him and the trees, which
happens to hold in their language as it does
in ours. Whereupon, the malicious rogue,
watching his opportunity, when I was walk-
ing under one of them, shook it directly over
my head, by which a dozen apples, each of
them near as large as a Bristol barrel, came
tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me
on the back as I chanced to stoop, and
knocked me down flat on my face; but I
received no other hurt, and the dwarf was
pardoned at my desire, because I had given
the provocation.
Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a
smooth grass-plot to divert myself, while she
walked at some distance with her governess.
In the mean time, there suddenly fell such a
violent shower of hail, that I was immediately
by the force of it, struck to the ground: and
when I was down, the hailstones gave me
such cruel bangs all over the body, as if I
had been pelted with tennis-balls; however,
I made a shift to creep on all fours, and
shelter myself, by lying flat on my face, on
the lee-side of a border of lemon-thyme; but
so bruised from head to foot, that I could not
go abroad for ten days. Neither is this at
all to be wondered at, because nature, in
that country, observing the same proportion
through all her operations, a hailstone is near
160
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
eighteen hundred times as large as one in
Europe; which I can assert upon experience,
having been so curious* to weigh and measure
them.
But a more dangerous accident happened
to me in the same garden, when my little
nurse, believing she had put me in a secure
place (which I often entreated her to do, that
I might enjoy my own thoughts), and having
left my box at home, to avoid the trouble of
carrying it, went to another part of the gar-
den with her governess and some ladies of
her acquaintance. While she was absent,
and out of hearing, a small white spaniel that
belonged to one of the chief gardeners, having
got by accident into the garden, happened to
range near the place where I lay: the dog,
following the scent, came directly up, and
taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his
master wagging his tail, and set me gently on
the ground. By good fortune he had been
so well taught, that I was carried between
his teeth without the least hurt, or even
tearing my clothes. But the poor gardener,
who knew me well, and had a great kindness
for me, was in a terrible fright: he gently
took me up in both his hands, and asked me
how I did; but I was so amazed and out of
breath, that I could not speak a word. In a
few minutes I came to myself, and he carried
me safe to my little nurse, who, by this time,
had returned to the place where she left me,
• The particle, 'as,' is here improperly omitted; it
should be, so curious as' to weigh, &c.-S
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 161
and was in cruel agonies when I did not
appear, nor answer when she called. She
severely reprimanded the gardener on ac-
count of his dog. But the thing was hushed
up, and never known at court, for the girl
was afraid of the queen's anger; and truly,
as to myself, I thought it would not be for
my reputation, that such a story should go
about.
This accident absolutely determined Glum-
dalclitch never to trust me abroad for the
future out of her sight. I had been long
afraid of this resolution, and therefore con-
cealed from her some little unlucky adven-
tures, that happened in those times when I
was left by myself. Once a kite, hovering
over the garden, made a stoop at me, and if
I had not resolutely drawn my hanger, and
run under a thick espalier, he would have
certainly carried me away in his talons. Ano-
ther time, walking to the top of a fresh mole-
hill, I fell to my neck in the hole, through
which that animal had cast up the earth, and
coined some lie, not worth remembering, to
excuse myself for spoiling my clothes. I like-
wise broke my right shin against the shell of
a snail, which I happened to stumble over,
as I was walking alone and thinking on poor
England.
I cannot tell whether I were more pleased
or mortified to observe, in those solitary
walks, that the smaller birds did not appear
to be at all afraid of me, but would hop
about within a yard's distance, looking for
162
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
worms and other food, with as much indif-
ference and security as if no creature at all
were near them. I remember, a thrush had
the confidence to snatch out of my hand, with
his bill, a piece of cake that Glumdalclitch
had just given me for my breakfast. When
I attempted to catch any of these birds, they
would boldly turn against me, endeavouring
to peck my fingers, which I durst not venture
within their reach; and then they would hop
back unconcerned, to hunt for worms or
snails, as they did before. But one day, I
took a thick cudgel, and threw it with all my
strength so luckily, at a linnet, that I knocked
him down, and seizing him by the neck with
both my hands, ran with him in triumph to
my nurse. However, the bird, who had only
been stunned, recovering himself, gave me so
many boxes with his wings, on both sides of
my head and body, though I held him at armn's
length, and was out of the reach of his claws,
that I was twenty times thinking to let him
go. But I was soon relieved by one of our
servants, who wrung off the bird's neck, and
I had him next day for dinner, by the queen's
command. This linnet, as near as I can re-
member, seemed to be somewhat larger than
an English swan.
The maids of honour often invited Glum-
dalclitch to their apartments, and desired she
would bring me along with her, on purpose
to have the pleasure of seeing and touching
They would often strip me naked from
top to toe, and lay me at full length in their
me.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 163
bosoms; wherewith I was much disgusted;
because, to say the truth, a very offensive
smell came from their skins; which I do not
mention, or intend, to the disadvantage of
those excellent ladies, for whom I have all
manner of respect; but I conceive that my
sense was more acute in proportion to my
littleness, and that those illustrious persons
were no more disagreeable to their lovers, or
to each other, than people of the same quality
are with us in England And, after all, I found
their natural smell was much more support-
able, than when they used perfumes, under
which I immediately swooned away. I can-
not forget, that an intimate friend of mine in
Lilliput, took the freedom in a warm day,
when I had used a good deal of exercise, to
complain of a strong smell about me, although
I am as little faulty that way as most of my
sex: but I suppose his faculty of smelling was
as nice with regard to me, as mine was to
that of this people. Upon this point, I can-
not forbear doing justice to the queen my
mistress, and Glumdalclitch my nurse, whose
persons were as sweet as those of any lady in
England.
That which gave me most uneasiness among
these maids of honour (when my nurse carried
me to visit them) was to see them use me
without any manner of ceremony, like a crea-
ture who had no sort of concupiscence: for
they would strip themselves to the skin, and
put their smocks on in my presence, while I
was placed on their toilet, directly before
164
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
their naked bodies, which I am sure to me
was very far from being a tempting sight, or
from giving me any other emotion than those
of horror and disgust: their skins appeared
so coarse and uneven, so variously coloured,
when I saw them near, with a mole here and
there as broad as a trencher, and hairs hang-
ing from it thicker than packthreads, to say
nothing farther concerning the rest of their
persons. Neither did they at all scruple,
while I was by, to discharge what they had
drank, to the quantity of at least two hogs-
heads, in a vessel that held above three tuns.
The handsomest among these maids of honour,
a pleasant frolicksome girl of sixteen, would
sometimes set me astride upon one of her
nipples, with many other tricks, wherein the
reader will excuse me for not being over
particular. But I was so much displeased,
that I entreated Glumdalclitch to contrive
some excuse for not seeing that young lady
any more.
One day, a young gentleman, who was
nephew to my nurse's governess, came and
pressed them both to see an execution. It
was of a man, who had murdered one of that
gentlemen's intimate acquaintance. Glum-
dalclitch was prevailed on to be of the com-
pany, very much against her inclination, for
she was naturally tender-hearted: and as for
myself, although I abhorred such kind of
spectacles, yet my curiosity tempted me to
see something that I thought to be extraordi-
The malefactor was fixed in a chair
nary.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
165
upon a scaffold erected for that purpose,
and his head cut off at one blow, with a
sword of about forty feet long. The veins
and arteries spouted up such a prodigious
quantity of blood, and so high in the air, that
the great jet d'eau at Versailles was not
equal* for the time it lasted: and the head,
when it fell on the scaffold floor, gave such a
bounce that made me start, although I were
at least half an English mile distant.
The queen, who often used to hear me
talk of my sea-voyages, and took all occa-
sions to divert me when I was melancholy,
asked me whether I understood how to han-
dle a sail or an oar, and whether a little
exercise of rowing might not be convenient for
my health? I answered, that I understood both
very well for although my proper employ-
ment had been to be surgeon or doctor to the
ship, yet often, upon a pinch I was forced to
work like a common mariner. But I could
not see how this could be done in their coun-
try, where the smallest wherry was equal to
a first-rate man of war among us; and such
a boat as I could manage would never live in
any of their rivers. Her majesty said, "if
I would contrive a boat, her own joiner
should make it, and she would provide a
place for me to sail in.' The fellow was an
ingenious workman, and by my instructions,
in ten days, finished a pleasure-boat, with all
its tackling, able conveniently to hold eight
• It should be➡' was not equal to it,' &c.-S.
166
GULLVER'S TRAVELS.
Europeans. When it was finished, the queen
was so delighted, that she ran with it in
her lap to the king, who ordered it to be
put into a cistern full of water, with me in
it, by way of trial; where I could not man-
age my two sculls, or little oars, for want of
room. But the queen had before contrived
another project. She ordered the joiner to
make a wooden trough of three hundred feet
long, fifty broad, and eight deep; which be-
ing well pitched, to prevent leaking, was
placed on the floor, along the wall, in an
outer room of the palace. It had a cock near
the bottom to let out the water, when it be-
gan to grow stale; and two servants could
easily fill it in half an hour. Here I of-
ten used to row for my own diversion, as
well as that of the queen and her ladies, who
thought themselves well entertained with my
skill and agility. Sometimes I would put up.
my sail, and then my business was only to
steer, while the ladies gave me a gale with
their fans; and, when they were weary, some
of their pages would blow my sail forward
with their breath, while I showed my art by
steering starboard or larboard as I pleased.
When I had done, Glumdalclitch always car-
ried back my boat into her closet, and hung
it on a nail to dry.
In this exercise I once met an accident,
which had like to have cost me my life; for,
one of the pages having put my boat into the
trough, the governess who attended Glum-
dalclitch very officiously lifted me up, to place
A AOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG, 167
.ne in the boat; but I happened to slip
through her fingers, and should infallibly
have fallen down forty feet, upon the floor,
it, by the luckiest chance in the world, I had
not been stopped by a corking-pin that stuck
in the good woman's stomacher; the head of
the pin passed between my shirt and the
waistband of my breeches, and thus I was
held by the middle in the air, till Glumdal-
clitch ran to my relief.
Another time, one of the servants, whose
office it was to fill my trough every third day
with fresh water, was so careless* to let a
huge frog (not perceiving it) slip out of his
pail. The frog lay concealed till I was put
into my boat, but then, seeing a resting-place,
climbed up, and made it lean so much on one
side, that I was forced to balance it with all
my weight on the other, to prevent overturn-
ing. When the frog was got in, it hopped
at once half the length of the boat, and then
over my head, backward and forward, daub-
ing my face and clothes with its odious slime.
The largeness of its features made it appear
the most deformed animal that can be con-
ceived. However, I desired Glumdalclitch
to let me deal with it alone. I banged it a
good while with one of my sculls, and at last
forced it to leap out of the boat.
But the greatest danger I ever underwent
in that kingdom, was from a monkey, who
belonged to one of the clerks of the kitchen.
* It should be was so careless as to let,' &c.-S.)
168
GULLIVER & TRAVELS.
Glumdalclitch had locked me up in her closet,
while she went somewhere upon business, or
a visit. The weather being very warm, the
closet-window was left open, as well as the
windows and the door of my bigger box, in
which I usually lived, because of its largeness
and conveniency. As I sat quietly meditat-
ing at my table, I heard something bounce in
at the closet window, and skip about from
one side to the other: whereat, although I
was much alarmed, yet I ventured to look
out, but not stirring from my seat; and then
I saw this frolicksome animal frisking and
leaping up and down, till at last he came to
my box, which he seemed to view with great
pleasure and curiosity, peeping in at the door
and every window. I retreated to the far-
ther corner of my room, or box; but the mon-
key looking in at every side, put me into such
a fright, that I wanted presence of mind to
conceal myself under the bed, as I might
easily have done. After some time spent in
peeping, grinning, and chattering, he at last
espied me; and reaching one of his paws in
at the door, as a cat does when she plays
with a mouse, although I often shifted place
to avoid him, he at length seized the lappet
of my coat (which being made of that coun-
try silk, was very thick and strong), and
dragged me out. He took me up in his right
fore-foot and held me as a nurse does a child
she is going to suckle, just as I have seen
the same sort of creature do with a kitten in
Europe; and when I offered to struggle he
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
169
ours.
squeezed me so hard, that I though it more
prudent to submit. I have good reason to
believe, that he took me for a young one of
his own species, by his often stroking my face
very gently with his other paw. In these
diversions he was interrupted by a noise at
the closet-door, as if somebody were opening
it; whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the
window, at which he had come in, and thence
upon the leads and gutters, walking upon
three legs, and holding me in the fourth, till
he clambered up to a roof that was next to
I heard Glomdalclitch give a shriek
at the moment he was carrying me out. The
poor girl was almost distracted: that quar-
ter of the palace was all in an uproar; the
servants ran for ladders: the monkey was
seen by hundreds in the court, sitting upon
the ridge of a building, holding me like a
baby in one of his fore-paws, and feeding me
with the other, by craming into my mouth
some victuals he had squeezed out of the bag
on one side of his chaps, and patting me
when I would not eat; whereat many of the
rabble below could not forbear laughing;
neither do I think they justly ought to be
blamed, for, without question, the sight was
ridiculous enough to every body but myself.
Some of the people threw up stones, hoping
to drive the monkey down; but this was
strictly forbidden, or else very probably, my
brains had been dashed out.
The ladders were now applied, and mounted
by several men; which the monkey observing,
Q
170
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
and finding himself almost encompassed, not
being able to make speed enough with his
three legs, let me drop on a ridge tile, and
made his escape. Here I sat for some time,
five hundred yards from the ground, expect-
ing every moment to be blown down by the
wind, or to fall by my own giddiness, and
come tumbling over and over from the ridge
to the eaves: but an honest lad, one of my
nurse's footmen, climbed up, and putting me
into his breeches-pocket, brought me down
safe.
Yet
I was almost choked with the filthy stuff
the monkey had crammed down my throat;
but my dear little nurse picked it out of my
mouth with a small needle, and then I fell a-
vomiting, which gave me much relief.
I was so weak and bruised in the sides with
the squeezes given me by this odious animal,
that I was forced to keep my bed a fortnight.
The king, queen, and all the court, sent every
day to inquire after my health; and her ma-
jesty made me several visits during my sick-
ness. The monkey was killed, and an order
made, that no such animal should be kept
about the palace.
When I attended the king after my reco-
very, to return him thanks for his favours, he
was pleased to rally me a good deal upon this
adventure. He asked me, 'what my thoughts
and speculations were, while
while I lay in the
monkey's paw; how I liked the victuals he
gave me; his manner of feeding; and whether
the fresh air on the roof had sharpened my
stomach.' He desired to know, 'what I
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 171
would have done upon such an occasion in
my own country.' I told his majesty, 'that
in Europe we had no monkeys except such as
were brought for curiosities from other places,
and so small, that I could deal with a dozen
of them together, if they presumed to attack
me. And as for that monstrous animal, with
whom I was so lately engaged (it was indeed
ás large as an elephant,) if my fears had suf-
fered me to think so far, as to make use of
my hanger (looking fiercely, and clapping my
hand upon the hilt, as I spoke) when he poked
his paw into my chamber, perhaps I should
have given hin such a wound, as would have
made him glad to withdraw it, with more
haste than he put it in.' This I delivered in
a firm tone, like a person who was jealous
lest his courage should be called in question.
However, my speech produced nothing else
beside a loud laughter, which all the respect
due to his majesty from those about him could
not make them contain. This made me re-
flect, how vain an attempt it is for a man to
endeavour to do himself honour among those
who are out of all degree of equality or com-
parison with him. And yet I have seen the
moral of my own behaviour very frequent in
England since my return; where a little con-
temptible varlet, without the least title to
birth, person, wit, or common sense, shall
presume to look with importance, and put
himself upon a foot with the greatest persons
of the kingdom.
I was every day furnishing the court with
some ridiculous story; and Glumdalclitch, al-
172
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
though she loved me to excess, yet was arch
enough to inform the queen, whenever I com-
mitted any folly that she thought would be
diverting to her majesty. The girl, who had
been out of order, was carried by her go-
verness to take the air about an hour's dis-
tance, or thirty miles from town. They
alighted out of the coach near a small foot-
path in a field, and Glumdalclitch setting
down my travelling box, I went out of it to
walk. There was a cow-dung in the path,
and I must need try my activity by attemp-
ing to leap over it. I took a run, but unfor-
tunately jumped short, and found myself just
in the middle, up to my knees. I waded
through with some difficulty, and one of the
footmen wiped me as clean as he could with
his handkerchief, for I was filthily bemired;
and my nurse confined me to my box, till we
returned home; where the queen was soon in-
formed of what had passed, and the footmen
spread it about the court; so that all the
mirth for some days was at my expense.
CHAPTER VI.
Several contrivances of the Author, to please the
King and Queen. He shows his skill in mu-
sic. The King inquires into the state of
England, which the Author relates to him.
The King's observations thereon.
I USED to attend the king's levee once or
twice a week, and had often seen him ander
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 173
the barber's hand, which indeed was at first
very terrible to behold: for the razor was
almost twice as long as an ordinary scythe.
His majesty, according to the custom of the
country, was only shaved twice a-week. I
once prevailed on the barber to give me some
of the suds or lather, out of which I picked
forty or fifty of the strongest stumps of air. I
then took a piece of fine wood, and cut it like
the back of a comb, making several holes in
it at equal distances with as small a needle
as I could get from Glumdalclitch. I fixed
in the stumps so artificially, scraping and
sloping them with my knife toward the points,
that I made a very tolerable comb; which
was a seasonable supply, my own being so
much broken in the teeth, that it was almost
useless: neither did I know any artist in that
country so nice and exact, as would undertake
to make me another.
And this puts me in mind of an amusement,
wherein I spent many of my leisure hours. I
desired the queen's woman to save for me the
combings of her majesty's hair, whereof in
time I got a good quantity; and consulting
with my friend the cabinet-maker, who had
received general orders to do little jobs for me,
I directed him to make two chair-frames, no
larger than those I had in my box, and to
bore little holes with a fine awl, round those
parts where I designed the backs and seats;
through these holes I wove the strongest hairs
I could pick out, just after the manner of cane
chairs in England. When they were finished,
174
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
I made a present of them to her majesty;
who kept them in her cabinet, and used to
show them for curiosities, as indeed they
were the wonder of every one that beheld
them. The queen would have had me sit
upon one of these chairs, but I absolutely
refused to obey her, protesting I would ra-
ther die a thousand deaths, than place a dis-
honourable part of my body on those precious
hairs, that once adorned her majesty's head.
Of these hairs (as I had always a mechanical
genius) I likewise made a neat little purse,
about five feet long, with her majesty's name
deciphered in gold letters, which I gave to
Glumdalclitch by the queen's consent. To
say the truth, it was more for show than use,
being not of strength to bear the weight of
the larger coins, and therefore she kept no-
thing in it but some little toys that girls are
fond of.
The king, who delighted in music, had fre-
quent concerts at court, to which I was some-
times carried, and set in my box on a table
to hear them; but the noise was so great that
I could hardly distinguish the tunes.
I am
confident that all the drums and trumpets of
a royal army, beating and sounding together
just at your ears, could not equal it. My
practice was to have my box removed from
the place where the performers sat, as far as
I could, then to shut the doors and windows
of it, and draw the window curtains; after
which I found their music not disagreeable.
I had learned in my youth to play a little
A VOYAGE TO BROBDING NAG.
175
upon the spinet. Glumdalclitch kept one in
her chamber, and a master attended twice
a-week to teach her: I called it a spinet, be-
cause it somewhat resembled that instrument,
and was played upon in the same marmer.
A fancy came into my head, that I would
entertain the king and queen with an English
tune upon this instrument. But this appeared
extremely difficult: for the spinet was near
sixty feet long, each key being almost a foot
wide, so that with my arms extended I could
not reach to above five keys, and to press
tnem down required a good smart stroke with
my fist, which would be too great a labour,
and to no purpose. The method I contrived
was this: I prepared two round sticks, about
the bigness of common cudgels; they were
thicker at one end than the other, and I co-
vered the thicker ends with pieces of a
mouse's skin, that by rapping on them I
might neither damage the tops of the keys
nor interrupt the sound. Before the spinet
a bench was placed, about four feet below
the keys, and I was put upon the bench. I
ran sideling upon it, that way and this, as
fast as I could, banging the proper keys with
my two sticks, and made a shift to play a jig,
to the satisfaction of both their majesties; but
it was the most violent exercise I ever under-
went; and yet I could not strike above six-
teen keys, nor consequently play the bass
and treble together, as other artists do; which
was a great disadvantage to my performance.
The king, who, as I before observed, was
176
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
?
a prince of excellent understanding, would
frequently order that I should be brought in
my box, and set upon the table in his closet:
he would then command me to bring one of
my chairs out of the box, and sit down within
three yards' distance upon the top of the
cabinet, which brought me almost to a level
with his face. In this manner I had several
conversations with him. I one day took the
freedom to tell his majesty, that the contempt
he discovered towards Europe, and the rest
of the world, did not seem answerable to
those excellent qualities of mind that he was
master of; that reason did not extend itself
with the bulk of the body; on the contrary,
we observed in our country, that the tallest
persons were usually the least provided with
it: that among other animals, bees and ants
had the reputation of more industry, art and
sagacity, than many of the larger kinds; and
that, as inconsiderable as he took me to be, I
hoped I might live to do his majesty some
signal service.' The king heard me with
attention, and began to conceive a much bet-
ter opinion of me than he had ever before.
He desired I would give him as exact an ac-
count of the government of England as I
possibly could; because, as fond as princes
commonly are of their own customs (for so
he conjectured of other monarchs by my for-
mer discourses), he should be glad to hear of
any thing that might deserve imitation,'
Imagine with thyself, courteous reader,
bow often I then wished for the tongue of
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
177
Demosthenes or, Cicero, that might have
enabled me to celebrate the praise of my
own dear native country, in a style equal to
its merits and felicity.
I began my discourse by informing his
majesty, that our dominions consisted of two
islands, which composed three mighty king-
doms, under one sovereign, beside our plan-
tations in America. I dwelt long upon the
fertility of our soil, and the temperature of
our climate. I then spoke at large upon the
constitution of an English parliament; partly
made up of an illustrious body, called the
house of peers; persons of the noblest blood,
and of the most ancient and ample patrimo-
nies. I described that extraordinary care
always taken of their education in arts and
arms, to qualify them for being counsellors
both to the king and kingdom; to have a share
in the legislature; to be members in the high-
est court of judicature, whence there can be
no appeal; and to be champions always ready
for the defence of their prince and country,
by their valour, conduct, and fidelity. That
these were the ornament and bulwark of the
kingdom, worthy followers of their most re-
nowned ancestors, whose honour had been
the reward of their virtue, from which their
posterity were never once known to degene-
rate. To these were joined several holy per-
sons, as part of that assembly, under the title
of bishops, whose peculiar business it is to take
care of religion, and of those who instruct the
people therein. These were searched and
178
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
sought out through the whole nation, by the
prince and his wisest counsellors, among
such of the priesthood as were most deserv-
edly distinguished by the sanctity of their
lives, and the depth of their erudition; who
were indeed the spiritual fathers of the clergy
and the people.
That the other part of the parliament con-
sisted of an assembly, called the house of
commons, who were all principal gentlemen,
freely picked and culled out by the people
themselves, for their great abilities and love
of their country, to represent the wisdom of
the whole nation. And that these two bo-
dies made up the most august assembly in
Europe; to whom, in conjunction with the
prince, the whole legislature is committed.
I then descended to the courts of justice;
over which the judges, those venerable sages
and interpreters of the law, presided, for
determining the disputed rights and proper-
ties of men, as well as for the punishment of
vice and protection of innocence. I men-
tioned the prudent management of our trea-
sury; the valour and achievements 'of our
forces, by sea and land. I computed the
number of our people, by reckoning how many
millions there might be of each religious
ect, or political party among us. I did not
omit even our sports and pastimes, or any
other particular which I thought might re-
dound to the honour of my country. And I
finished all with a brief historical account
of affairs and events in England for about a
hundred years past.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG, 179
This conversation was not ended under
five audiences, each of several hours; and
the king heard the whole with great atten-
tion frequently taking notes of what I spoke,
as well as memorandums of what questions
he intended to ask me.
When I had put an end to these long dis-
courses, his majesty, in a sixth audience,
consulting his notes, proposed many doubts,
queries, and objections, upon every article.
He asked, 'what methods were used to cul-
tivate the minds and bodies of our young
nobility, and in what kind of business they
commonly speut the first and teachable part
of their lives? What course was taken to
supply that assembly, when any noble family
became extinct? What qualifications were
necessary in those who are to be created new
lords: whether the humour of the prince, a
sum of money to a court lady, or a design of
strengthening a party opposite to the public in-
terest,ever happened to be the motives in those
advancements? What share of knowledge
these lords had in the laws of their country,
and how they came by it, so as to enable
them to decide the properties of their fellow-
subjects, in the last resort? Whether they
were always so free from avarice, partialities,
or want, that a bribe, or some other sinister
view, could have no place among them?
Whether those holy lords I spoke of were
always promoted to that rank upon account
of their knowledge in religious matters, and
the sanctity of their lives; had never been
180
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
compliers with the times, while they were
common priests; or slavish prostitute chap-
lains to some nobleman, whose opinions they
continued servilely to follow, after they were
admitted into that assembly?
He then desired to know, 'what arts were
practised in electing those whom I called
commoners: whether a stranger, with a strong
purse, might not influence the vulgar voters
to choose him before their own landlord, or
the most considerable gentleman in the neigh-
bourhood? How it came to pass, that people
were so violently bent upon getting into this
assembly, which I allowed to be a great
trouble and expense, often to the rnin of
their families, without any salary or pension;
because this appeared such an exalted strain
of virtue and public spirit, that his majesty
seemed to doubt it might possibly not be al-
ways sincere?” And he desired to know,
'whether such zealous gentlemen could have
any views of refunding themselves for the
charges and trouble they were at by sacri-
ficing the public good to the designs of a
weak and vicious prince, in conjunction with
a corrupted ministry? He multiplied his ques-
tions, and sifted me thoroughly upon every
part of this head, proposing numberless in-
quiries and objections, which I think it not
prudent or convenient to repeat.
Upon what I said in relation to our courts
of justice, his majesty desired to be satisfied
in several points: and this I was better able
to do having been formerly almost ruined by
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 181
a long suit in chancery, which was decreed
for me with costs. He asked, 'what time
was usually spent in determining between
right and wrong, and what degree of expense ?
Whether advocates and orators had liberty
to plead in causes manifestly known to be
unjust, vexatious, or oppressive? Whether
party, in religion or politics, were observed
to be of any weight in the scale of justice?
Whether those pleading orators were persons
educated in the general knowledge of equity,
or only in provincial, national, and other lo-
cal customs? Whether they or their judges
had any part in penning those laws, which
they assumed the liberty of interpreting, and
glossing upon at their pleasure? Whether
they had ever, at different times, pleaded
for and against the same cause, and cited
precedents to prove contrary opinions? Whe-
ther they were a rich or a poor corporation?
Whether they received any pecuniary reward
for pleading, or delivering their opinions?
And particularly, whether they were ever
admitted as members in the lower senate?
He fell next upon the management of our
treasury; and said, 'he thought my memory
had failed me, because I computed our taxes
at about five or six millions a-year, and when
I came to mention the issues, he found they
sometimes amounted to more than double;
for the notes he had taken were very par-
ticular in this point, because he hoped, as he
told me, that the knowledge of our conduct
might be useful to him, and he could not be
*
R
.82
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
deceived in his calculations. But, if what I
told him were true, he was still at a loss how
a kingdom could run out of its estate, like a
private person.' He asked me, 'who were
our creditors; and where we found money to
pay theL?' He wondered to hear me talk of
such chargeable and expensive wars; that
certainly we must be a quarrelsome people,
or live among very bad neighbours, and that
our generals must needs be richer than our
kings.' He asked, 'what business we had
out of our own islands, unless upon the score of
trade, or treaty, or to defend the coasts with
our fleet? Above all, he was amazed to hear
me talk of a mercenary standing army, in the
midst of peace and among a free people. He
said, 'if we were governed by our consent, in
the persons of our representatives, he could
not imagine of whom we were afraid, or
against whom we were to fight; and would
hear my opinion, whether a private man's
house might not be better defended by hinı-
self, his children, and family, than by half a
dozen rascals, picked up at a venture in the
streets for small wages, who might get a hun-
dred times more by cutting their throats?
He laughed at my odd kind of arithmetic,'
as he was pleased to call it, 'in reckoning
the numbers of our people by a computation
drawn from the several sects among us, i
religion and politics.' He said, 'he knew
no reason why those, who entertain opinions
prejudical to the public, should be obliged to
change, or should not be obliged to conceal
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
183
them. And as it was tyranny in any govern-
ment to require the first, so it was weakness
not to enforce the second: for a man may be
allowed to keep poisons in his closet, but not
to vend them about for cordials.'
He observed, that among the diversions
of our nobility and gentry, I had mentioned
gaming: he desired to know at what age this
entertainment was usually taken up, and
when it was laid down; how much of their
time it employed: whether it ever went so
high as to affect their fortunes; whether
mean vicious people, by their dexterity in
that art, might not arrive at great riches, and
sometimes keep our very nobles in dependance
as well as habituate them to vile companions;
wholly take them from the improvement of
their minds, and force them, by the losses
they received, to learn and practise that
infamous dexterity upon others.
He was perfectly astonished with the his-
torical account I gave him of our affairs
during the last century; protesting it was
only a heap of conspiracies, rebellions, mur-
ders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, the
very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypo-
crisy, perfidiousness, cruelty, rage, madness,
hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition,
could produce.
His majesty, in another audience, was at
the pains to recapitulate the sum of all I had
spoken; compared the questions he made
• Receiving a loss, is certainly not a good expres
son: it should be, the losses they sustained.'~S.
184
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
with the answers I had given; then taking
me into his hands, and stroking me gently,
delivered himself in these words, which I
shall never forget, nor the manner he spoke
them in My little friend Grildrig, you have
made a most admirable panegyric upon your
country; you have clearly proved, that igno-
norance, idleness, and vice, are the proper
ingredients for qualifying a legislator; that
laws are best explained, interpreted, and ap-
plied, by those whose interest and abilities lie
in perverting, confounding, and eluding them.
I observe among you some lines of an institu-
tion, which in its original might have been
tolerable, but these half erased, and the rest
wholly blurred and blotted by corruptions.
It does not appear, from all you have said,
how any one perfection is required toward
the procurement of any one station among
you; much less, that men are ennobled on
account of their virtue; that priests are
advanced for their piety or learning; soldiers,
for their conduct or valour; judges, for their
integrity; senators, for the love of their
country; or counsellors for their wisdom. As
for yourself,' continued the king, who have
spent the greatest part of your life in travel-
ling, I am well disposed to hope you may
hitherto have escaped many vices of your
country. But by what I bave gathered from
your own relation, and the answers I have
with much pains wringed* and extorted from
• Instead of "wringed' it should have been 'wrung,
-S..
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
155
you, I cannot but conclude the bulk of your
natives to be the most pernicious race of little
odious vermin that nature ever suffered to
crawl upon the surface of the earth
CHAPTER IV.
He makes ‹
The Author's love of his country.
proposal of much advantage to the King
which is rejected. The King's great ignoranc
in politics. The learning of that country ver
imperfect and confined. The laws, and mili-
tary affairs, and parties in the state.
NOTHING but an extreme love of truth could
have hindered me from concealing this part of
my story. It was in vain to discover my
resentments, which were always turned into
ridicule; and I was forced to rest with pa-
tience, while my noble and beloved country
was so injuriously treated.
I am as heartily
sorry as any of my readers can possibly be,
that such an occasion was given: but this
prince happened to be so curious and inqui-
sitive upon every particular, that it could not
consist either with gratitude or good manners,
to refuse giving him what satisfaction I was
able. Yet thus much I may be allowed to
say in my vindication, that I artfully eluded
many of his questions, and gave to every
point a more favourable turn, by many de-
grees, than the strictness of truth would allow,
186
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
For I have always borne that laudable parti-
ality to my own country, which Dionysius
Halicarnassensis, with so much justice, recom-
mends to an historian: I would hide the
frailties and deformities of my political mo-
ther, and place her virtues and beauties in the
most advantageous light. This was my sin-
cere endeavour in those many discourses I
had with that monarch, although it unfortu-
nately failed of success.
But great allowances should be given to a
king, who lives wholly secluded from the rest
of the world, and must therefore be altogether
unacquainted with the manners and custom s
that most prevail in other nations: the wau
of which knowledge will ever produce many
prejudices, and a certain narrowness of think -
ing, from which we, and the politer countries
of Europe, are wholly exempted. And it
would be hard indeed, if so remote a prince's
notions of virtues and vice were to be offered
as a standard for all mankind.
To confirm what I have now said, and fur-
ther to show the miserable effects of a con-
fined education, I shall here insert a passage,
which will hardly obtain belief. In hopes to
ingratiate myself further into his majesty's
favour, I told him of an invention, discover-
ed between three and four hundred years ago,
to make a certain powder, into a heap o
which, the smallest spark of fire falling, would
kindle the whole in a moment, although it
were as big as a mountain, and make it all fly
up in the air together, with a noise and agi-
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
187
tation greater than thunder. That a proper
quantity of this powder rammed into a hol-
low tube of brass or iron, according to its
bigness, would drive a ball of iron or lead,
with such violence and speed, as nothing was
able to sustain its force. That the largest
balls thus discharged, would not only destroy
whole ranks of an army at once, but batter
the strongest walls to the ground, sink down
ships, with a thousand men in each, to the
bottom of the sea; and when linked together
by a chain, would cut through masts and rig-
ging, divide hundreds of bodies in the middle,
and lay all waste before them. That we
often put this powder into large hollow balls
of iron, and discharged them by an engine
into some city we were besieging, which
would rip up the pavements, tear the houses
to pieces, burst and throw splinters on every
side, dashing out the brains of all who came
near. That I knew the ingredients very well,
which were cheap and common; I understood
the manner of compounding them, and could
direct his workmen how to make those tubes,
of a size proportionable to all other things in
his majesty's kingdom, and the largest need
not be above a hundred feet long; twenty or
thirty of which tubes, charged with the pro-
per quantity of powder and balls, would bat-
ter down the walls of the strongest town in
his dominions, in a few hours, or destroy the
whole metropolis, if ever it should pretend to
dispute his absolute commands. This I hum-
bly offered to his majesty, as a small tribute
188
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
of acknowledgement, in turn for so many
marks that I had received, of his royal favour
and protection.'
The king was struck with horror at the
description I had given of those terrible
engines, and the proposal I had made. He
was amazed, how so impotent and grovelling
an insect as I (these were his expressions)
'could entertain such inhuman ideas, and in
so familiar a manner, as to appear wholly
unmoved at all scenes of blood and desolation,
which I had painted, as the common effects of
those destructive machines; whereof,' he said,
some evil genius, enemy to mankind, must
have been the first contriver. As for him-
self, he protested, that although few things
delighted him so much as new discoveries in
art or in nature, yet he would rather lose half
his kingdom, than be privy to such a secret;
which he commanded me, as I valued my life,
never to mention any more.'
A strange effect of narrow principles and
views! that a prince possessed of every qua-
lity which procurcs veneration, love, and
esteem; of strong parts, great wisdom, and
profound learning, endowed with admirable
talents, and almost adored by his subjects,
should, from a nice unnecessary scruple,
whereof in Europe we can have no conception,
let slip an opportunity put into his hands that
would have made him absolute master of the
lives, the liberties, and the fortunes of his
people. Neither do I say this, with the least
intention to detract from the many virtues of
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
189
that excellent king, whose character, I am
sen ible, will, on this account, be very much
lessened in the opinion of an English reader:
but I take this defect among them to have
aisen from their ignorance, by not having hi-
the to reduced politics into a science, as the
more acute wits of Europe have done. For,
I remember very well, in a discourse one day
with the king, when I happened to say, ' there
were several thousand books among us written
upon the art of government,' it gave him (di-
rectly contrary to my intention) a very mean
opinion of our understandings. He professed
both to abominate and despise all mystery,
refinement, and intrigue, either in a prince
or a minister. He could not tell what I
meant by secrets of state, where an enemy,
or some rival nation, were not in the case.
He confined the knowledge of governing with-
in very narrow bounds, to common sense and
reason, to justice and lenity, to the speedy
determination of civil and criminal causes;
with some other obvious topics, which are not
worth considering. And he gave it for his
opinion, that whoever could make two ears
of corn, or two blades of grass to grow upon
a spot of ground, where only one grew before,
would deserve better of mankind, and do
more essential service to his country, than
the whole race of politicians put together.'
The learning of this people is very defec-
tive; consisting only in morality, history,
poetry, and mathematics, wherein they must
be allowed to excel. But the last of these is
190
PILLIVER'S TRAVELS.
wholly applied to what may be useful in life,
to the improvement of agriculture, and all
mechanical arts; so that among us, it would
be little esteemed. And as to ideas, entities,
abstractions, and transcendentals, I could
never drive the least conception* into their
heads.
No law of that country must exceed in
words the number of letters in their alphabet,
which consists only of two and twenty. But
indeed few of them extend even to that length.
They are expressed in the most plain and
simple terms, wherein those people are not
mercurial enough to discover above one inter-
pretation: and to write a comment upon any
law, is a capital crime. As to the decision of
civil causes, or proceedings against criminals,
their precedents are so few, that they have
little reason to boast of any extraordinary
skill in either.
They have had the art of printing, as well
as the Chinese, time out of mind: but their
libraries are not very large; for that of the
king, which is reckoned the largest, does not
amount to above a thousand volumes, placed
in a gallery of twelve hundred feet long,
whence I had liberty to borrow what books
I pleased. The queen's joiner had contrived
in one of Glumdalclitch's rooms, a kind of
wooden machine five-and-twenty feet high,
formed like a standing ladder; the steps were
each fifty feet long: it was indeed a movea-
• It should be, I could never drive the least con-
ception of them,' into their heads.'-S.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 191
ble pair of stairs, the lowest end placed at
ten feet distance from the wall of the cham-
ber. The book I had a mind to read, was
put up leaning against the wall: I first
mounted to the upper step of the ladder, and
turning my face towards the book, began at
the top of the page, and so walking to the
right and left about eight or ten paces, ac-
cording to the length of the lines, till I had
gotten a little below the level of mine eyes,
and then descending gradually till I came to
the bottom: after which I mounted again,
and began the other page in the same man-
ner, and so turned over the leaf, which I
could easily do with both my hands, for it
was as thick and stiff as a pasteboard, and in
the largest folios not above eighteen or twen-
ty feet long.
Their style is clear, masculine, and smooth
but not florid; for they avoid nothing more
than multiplying unnecessary words, or using
various expressions. I have perused many
of their books, especially those in history and
morality. Among the rest, I was much di-
verted with a little old treatise, which always
lay in Glumdalclitch's bedchamber, and be-
longed to her governess, a grave elderly gen-
tlewoman, who dealt in writings of morality
and devotion. The book treats of the weak-
ness of human kind, and is in little esteem,
except among the women and the vulgar.
However, I was curious to see what an au-
thor of that country could say upon such a
subject. This writer went through all the
192
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
usual topics of European moralists, showing
'how diminutive, contemptible, and helpless
an animal was man in his own nature; how
unable to defend himself from inclemencies
of the air, or the fury of wild beasts: how
much he was excelled by one creature in
strength, by another in speed, by a third in
foresight, by a fourth in industry.' He added,
<
that nature was degenerated in these latter
declining ages of the world, and could now
produce only small abortive births, in com-
parison of those in ancient times.' He said,
'it was very reasonable to think, not only
that the species of men were originally much
larger, but also that there must have been
giants in former ages; which, as it is asserted
by history and tradition, so it has been con-
firmed by huge bones and skulls, casually
dug up in several parts of the kingdom, far
exceeding the common dwindled race of men
in our days.' He argued, that the very laws
of nature absolutely required we should have
been made, in the beginning, of a size more
large and robust; not so liable to destruction
from every little accident, of a tile falling
from a house, or a stone cast from the hand
of a boy, or being drowned in a little brook.'
From this way of reasoning, the author drew
several more applications, useful in the con-
duct of life, but needless here to repeat. For
my own part, I could not avoid reflecting how
universally this talent was spread, of drawing
lectures in morality, or indeed rather matter
of discontent and repining, from the quarrels
A VOYAGE TO BROBDING NAG. 193
we raise with nature. And I believe, upon
a strict inquiry, those quarrels might be
shown as ill-grounded among us as they are
among that people.*
As to their military affairs, they boast that
the king's army consists of a hundred and
seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty-two
thousand horse: if that may be called an
army, which is made up of tradesmen in the
several cities, and farmers in the country,
whose commanders are only the nobility and
gentry, without pay or reward. They are
indeed perfect enough in their exercises, and
under very good discipline, wherein I saw no
great merit; for how should it be otherwise,
where every farmer is under the command of
his own landlord, and every citizen under
that of the principal men in his own city,
chosen after the manner of Venice, by ballot?
I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud
drawn out to exercise, in a great field near
the city of twenty miles square. They were
in all not above twenty-five thousand foot,
and six thousand horse; but it was impossible
for me to compute their number, considering
the space of ground they took up. A cava-
lier, mounted on a large steed, might be about
ninety feet high. I have seen this whole
* The author's zeal to justify Providence has before
been remarked; and these quarrels with nature, or in
other words with God, could not have been more for-
cibly reproved than by showing that the complaints
upon which they are founded would be equally specious
among beings of such astonishing superiority of stature
and strength.-H.
2
S
194
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
body of horse, upon a word of command,
draw their swords at once, and brandish
them in the air. Imagination can figure
nothing so grand, so surprising, and so as-
tonishing! it looked as if ten thousand flashes
of lightning were darting at the same time
from every quarter of the sky.
I was curious to know how this prince, to
whose dominions there is no access from
any other country, came to think of ar-
mies, or to teach his people the practice of
military discipline. But I was soon informed,
both by conversation and reading their his-
tories; for, in the course of many ages, they
have been troubled with the same disease to
which the whole race of mankind is subject;
the nobility often contending for power, the
people for liberty, and the king for absolute
dominion. All which, however happily tem-
pered by the laws of that kingdom, have been
sometimes violated by each of the three par-
ties, and bave more than once occasioned
civil wars; the last whereof was happily put
an end to, by this prince's grandfather, in a
general composition; and the militia, then
settled with common consent, has been ever
since kept in the strictest duty.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNA G. 195
CHAPTER VIII.
The King and Queen make a progress to the
frontiers. The Author attends them. The
manner in which he leaves the country
very particularly related. He returns to
Lngland.
I HAD always a strong impulse that I should
sometime recover my liberty, though it was
impossible to conjecture by what means, or
to form any project with the least hope of
succeeding. The ship in which I sailed, was
the first ever known to be driven within
sight of that coast, and the king had given
strict orders,' that if at any time another ap-
peared it should be taken ashore, and with
all its crew and passengers brought in a tuin-
bril to Lorbrulgrud.' He was strongly bent
to get me a woman of my own size, by whom
I might propagate the breed: but I think I
should rather have died than undergone the
disgrace of leaving a posterity to be kept in
cages, like tame canary-birds, and perhaps,
in time, sold about the kingdom, to persons
of quality, for curiosities. I was indeed
treated with much kindness: I was the fa-
vorite of a great king and queen, and the
delight of the whole court; but it was upon
such a foot as ill became the dignity of human-
kind. I could never forget those domestic
pledges I had left behind me. I wanted to
be among people, with whom I could con-
196
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS,
verse u pon even terms, and walk about the
streets and fields without being afraid of
being trod to death like a frog or a young
puppy. But my deliverance came sooner
than I expected, and in a manner not very
common; the whole story and circumstances
of which I shall faithfully relate.
-
I had now been two years in this country:
and about the beginning of the third, Glum-
dalclitch and I attended the king and queen,
in a progress to the south coast of the king-
dom. I was carried, as usual, in my travel-
ing-box, which as I have already described,
was a very convenient closet, of twelve feet
wide. And I had ordered a hammock to be
fixed, by silken ropes from the four corners
at the top, to break the jolts, when a servant
carried me before him on horseback, as I
sometimes desired; and would often sleep
in my hammock, while we were upon the
road. On the roof of my closet, not directly
over the middle of the hammock, I ordered
the joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square,
to give me air in hot weather, as I slept;
which hole I shut at pleasure with a board
that drew backward and forward through a
groove.
When we came to our journey's end, the king
thought proper to pass a few days at a palace
he has near Flanflasuic, a city within eighteen
English miles of the sea-side. Glumdalclitch
and I were much fatigued: I had gotten a
small cold, but the poor girl was so ill as to
be confined to her chamber. I longed to see
A VOYAGE TO BROEDINGNAG. 197
the ocean, which must be the only scene of
my escape, if ever it should happen. I pre-
tended to be worse than I really was, and
desired leave to take the fresh air of the
sea, with a page, whom I was very fond of,
and who had sometimes been trusted with
me. I shall never forget with what unwil-
lingness Glumdalclitch consented, nor the
strict charge she gave the page to be careful
of
me, bursting at the same time into a flood
of tears, as if she had some foreboding of
what was to happen. The boy took me out
in my box, about half an hour's walk from
the palace, towards the rocks on the sea-shore.
I ordered him to set me down, aud lifting up
one of my sashes, cast many a wistful melan-
choly look towards the sea. I found myself
not very well, and told the page that I had
a mind to take a nap in my hammock, which
I hoped would do me good. I got in, and the
boy shut the window close down, to keep out
the cold. I soon fell asleep, and all I can
conjecture is, while I slept, the page, think-
ing no dauger could happen, went among the
rocks to look for birds' eggs, having before
observed him from my window searching
about, and picking up one or two in the
clefts. Be that as it will, I found myself
suddenly awaked with a violent pull upon
the ring, which was fastend at the top of my
box for the conveniency of carriage. I felt
my box raised very high in the air, and then
borne forward with prodigious speed. The
first jolt had like to have shaken me out of
198
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
my hammock, but afterward the motion was
easy enough. I called out several times, as
loud as I could raise my voice, but all to no
purpose. I looked towards my windows,
and could see nothing but the clouds and sky.
I heard a noise just over my head, like the
clapping of wings, and then began to per-
ceive the woful condition I was in ; that
some eagle had got the ring of my box in his
beak, with an intent to let it fall on a rock,
like a tortoise in a shell, and then pick out
my body, and devour it: for the sagacity and
smell of this bird enables him to discover his
quarry at a great distance, though better con-
cealed than I could be within a two-inch
board.
In a little time I observed the noise and
flutter of wings to increase very fast and my
box was tossed up and down, like a sign in a
windy day. I heard several bangs or buffets,
as I thought, given to the eagle (for such I
am certain it must have been that held the
ring of my box in his beak), and then, all on
a sudden, felt myself falling perpendicularly
down, for above a minute, but with such
incredible swiftness, that I almost lost my
breath. My fall was stopped by a terrible
squash, that sounded louder to my ears than
the cataract of Niagara*; after which, I was
This cataract is produced by the fall of a conflux
of water (formed of the four vast lakes of Canady) from
a rocky precipice, the perpendicular height of which is
one hundred and thirty-seven fect; and is said to have
been heard filteen leagues.-11. ·
VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
199
quite in the dark for another minute, and
then my box began to rise so high, that I
could see light from the tops of the windows.
I now perceived I was fallen into the sea.
My hox, by the weight of my body, the goods
that were in, and the broad plates of iron
fixed for strength at the four corners of the
top and bottom, floated about five feet deep
in water. I did then, and do now suppose,
that the eagle which flew away with my box
was pursued by two or three others, and
forced to let me drop, while he defended
himself against the rest, who hoped to share
in the prey.
The plates of iron fastened at
the bottom of the box (for those were the
strongest) preserved the balance while it fell,
and hindered it from being broken on the
surface of the water. Every joint of it was
well grooved; and the door did not move on
hinges, but up and down like a sash, which
kept my closet so tight that very little water
came in. I got with much difficulty out of
my hammock, having first ventured to draw
back the slip-board on the roof already men-
tioned, contrived on purpose to let in air, for
want of which I found myself almost stifled.
How often did I then wish myself with my
dear Glumdalelitch, from whom one single hour
had so far divided me! And I may say with
truth, that in the midst of my own misfor-
tunes I could not forbear lamenting my poor
nurse, the grief she would suffer for my loss,
the displeasure of the queen, and the ruin of
her fortune. Perhaps 'nany travellers have
200
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
not been under greater difficulties and distress
than I was at this juncture, expecting every
moment to see my box dashed to pieces, or at
least overset by the first violent blast, or
rising wave.
A breach in one single pane of
glass would have been immediate death: nor
could any thing have preserved the windows,
but the strong lattice wires placed on the
ontside, against accidents in travelling. I
saw the water ooze in at several crannies,
although the leaks were not considerable, and
I endeavoured to stop them as well as I could.
I was not able to lift up the roof of my closet,
which otherwise I certainly should have done,
and sat on the top of it; where I might at
least preserve myself some hours longer, than
by being shut up (as I may call it) in the hold.
Or if I escaped these dangers for a day or
two, what could I expect, but a miserable
death of cold and hunger? I was four hours
under these circumstances, expecting, and
indeed wishing, every moment to be my last.
I have already told the reader that there
were two strong staples fixed upon that side
of my box which had no window, and into
which the servant, who used to carry me on
horseback, would put a leathern belt, and
buckle it about his waist. Being in this dis-
consolate state, I heard, or at least thought I
heard, some kind of grating noise on that
side of my box where the staples were fixed;
and soon after I began to fancy that the box
was pulled or towed along the sea; for I now
and then felt a sort of tugging, which made
A TOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
201
the waves rise near the tops of my windows,
leaving me almost in the dark. This gave me
some faint hopes of relief, although I was not
able to imagine how it could be brought about.
I ventured to unscrew one of my chairs,
which were always fastened to the floor; and
having made a hard shift to screw it down
again, directly under the slipping board that
I had lately opened, I mounted on the chair,
and putting my mouth as near as I could to
the hole, I called for help in a loud voice, and
in all the languages I understood. I then
fastened my handkerchief to a stick I usually
carried, and, thrusting it up the hole, waved
it several times in the air, that if any boat or
ship were near, the seamen might conjecture
some unhappy mortal to be shut up in the
box.
I found no effect from all I could do, but
plainly perceived my closet to be moved
along; and in the space of an hour, or better,
that side of the box where the staples were,
and had no windows, struck against soine-
thing that was hard. I apprehended it to be
a rock, and found myself tossed more than
ever. I plainly heard a noise upon the cover
of my closet, like that of a cable, and the gra-
ting of it as it passed through the ring. I
then found myself hoisted up, by degrees, at
least three feet higher than I was before.
Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and
handkerchief, calling for help till I was almost
hoarse. In return to which, I heard a great
shout repeated three times, giving me such
202
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
transports of joy, as are not to be conceived
but by those who feel them. I now heard a
trampling over my head, and somebody calling
through the hole with a loud voice in the
English tongue, 'If there be any body below,
let them speak.' I answered, I was an
Englishman, drawn by ill fortune into the
greatest calamity that ever any creature un-
derwent, and begged, by all that was moving,
to be delivered out of the dungeon I was in.'
The voice replied, 'I was safe, for my box
was fastened to their ship; and the carpenter
should immediately come and saw a hole in
the cover, large enough to pull me out.' I
answered, that was needless, and would
take up too much time; for there was no
more to be done, but let one of the crew put
his finger into the ring, and take the box out
of the sea into the ship, and so into the cap-
tain's cabin.* Some of them, upon hearing
me talk so wildly, thought I was mad; others
laughed; for indeed it never came into my
head, that I was now got among people of
my own stature and strength. The carpenter
came, and in a few minutes sawed a passage
about four feet square, then let down a small
ladder, upon which I mounted, and thence
• There are several little incidents which show the
author to have had a deep knowledge of buman nature;
and I think this is one. Although the principal advan-
tages enumerated by Gulliver in the beginning of this
chapter, of mingling again among his countrymen, de-
pended on their being of the same size with himself, yet
this is forgotten in his ardour to be delivered: and he is
afterward betrayed into the came absurdity, by his zeal
to preserve his furniture.-H.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
203
was taken into the ship in a very weak con-
dition,
The sailors were in amazement, and asked
me a thousand questions, which I had no in-
clination to answer. I was equally con-
founded at the sight of so many pigmies, for
such I took them to be, after having so long
accustomed mine eyes to the monstrous ob-
jects I had left. But the captain, Mr. Tho-
mas Wilcocks, an honest worthy Shropshire
man, observing I was ready to faint, took me
into his cabin, gave me a cordial to comfort
me, and made me turn in upon his own bed,
advising me to take a little rest, of which I had
great need. Before I went to sleep, I gave
him to understand that I had some valuable
furniture in my box, too good to be lost; a
fine hammock, a handsome field-bed, two
chairs, a table, and a cabinet; that my closet
was hung on all sides, or rather quilted, with
silk and cotton: that if he would let one of
the crew bring my closet into his cabin, I
would open it there before him, and show
him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter
these absurdities, concluded I was raving;
however (I suppose to pacify me) he promi-
sed to give order as I desired, and going upon
deck, sent some of his men down into my
closet, whence (as I afterwards found) they
drew up all my goods, and stripped off the
quilting; but the chairs, cabinet, and bed-
stead, being screwed to the floor, were much
damaged by the ignorance of the seamen,
who tore them up by force. Then they
201
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
knocked off some of the boards for the use of
the ship, and when they had got all they had
a mind for, let the hull drop into the sea,
which, by reason of many breaches made in
the bottom and sides, sunk to rights. And,
indeed, I was glad not to have been a spec-
tator of the havock they made; because 1 am
confident it would have sensibly touched me,
by bringing former passages into my mind,
which I would rather have forget.
I slept some hours, but perpetually dis-
turbed with dreams of the place I had left,
and the dangers I escaped. However, upon
waking, I found myself much recovered. It
was now about eight o'clock at night, and the
captain ordered supper immediately, think-
ing I had already fasted too long. He enter-
tained me with great kindness, observing me
not to look wildly, or talk inconsistently; and,
when we were left alone, desired I would
give him a relation of my travels, and by what
accident I came to be set adrift, in that mon-
strous wooden chest. He said that about
twelve o'clock at noon, as he was looking
through his glass, he spied it at a distance,
and thought it was a sail, which he had a
mind to make, being not much out of his
course, in hopes of buying some biscuit, his
own beginning to fall short.
That upon
coming nearer, and finding his error, he sent
out his long-boat to discover what it was;
that his men came back in a fright, swearing
that they had seen a swimming house. That
he laughed at their folly, and went himself in
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 205
the boat, ordering his men to take a strong
cable along with them. That the weather
being calin, he rowed round me several times,
observed my windows and wire lattices that
defended them. That he discovered two sta-
ples upon one side, which was all of boards,
without any passage for light. He then com-
manded his men to row up to that side, and
fastening a cable to one of the staples, order-
ed them to tow my chest, as they called it,
toward the ship. When it was there, he gave
directions to fasten another cable to the ring
fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest
with pulleys, which all the sailors were not
able to do above two or three feet. He said
they saw my stick and handkerchief thrust
out of the hole, and concluded that some
unhappy man must be shut up in the cavity.'
I asked, 'whether he or the crew had seen
any prodigious birds in the air, about the
time he first discovered me.' To which he
answered, that discoursing this matter with
the sailors while I was asleep, one of them
said, he had observed three eagles flying
towards the north, but remarked nothing of
their being larger than the usual size: which
I suppose must be imputed to the great height
they were at; and he could not guess the
reason of my question. I then asked the
captain, 'how far he reckoned we might be
from land? He said, 'by the best computa-
tion he could make, we were at least a hun-
dred leagues.' I assured him, 'that he must
be mistaken by almost half, for I had not left
2
T
206
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the country whence I came above two hours
before I dropped into the sea.' Whereupon
he began again to think that my brain was
disturbed, of which he gave me a hirt, and
advised me to go to bed in a cabin he had
provided. I assured him, 'I was well
refreshed with his good entertainment and
company, and as much in my senses as ever 1
was in my life. He then grew serious, and
desired to ask me freely, whether I were
not troubled in my mind by the consciousness
of some enormous crime, for which I was
punished at the command of some prince, by
exposing me in that chest; as great criminals,
in other countries, have been forced to sea in
a leaky vessel, without provisions: for al-
though he should be sorry to have taken so
ill a man into his ship, yet he would engage
his word to set me safe ashore, in the first
port where we arrived.' He added, 'that
his suspicions were much increased by some
very absurd speeches I had delivered at first
to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in
relation to my closet or chest, as well as by
my odd looks and behaviour, while I was at
supper.
I begged his patience to hear me tell my
story, which I faithfully did, from the last
time I left England, to the moment he first
discovered me. And as truth always forces
its way into rational minds, so this honest
worthy gentleman, who had some tincture of
learning, and very good sense, was immedi-
ately convinced of my candour and veracity.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
207
I
But, further to confirm all I had said, I en-
treated him to give order that my cabinet
should be brought, of which I had the key in
my pocket; for he had already informed me
how the seamen disposed of my closet.
opened it in his own presence, and showed
him the small collection of rarities I made in
the country from which I had been so strange-
ly delivered. There was the comb I had
contrived out of the stumps of the king's
beard, and another of the same materials, but
fixed in a paring of her majesty's thumb-uail,
which served for the back. There was a
collection of needles and pins, from a foot to
half a yard long; four wasp stings, like join-
ers' tacks; some combings of the queen's hair;
a gold ring, which one day she made me a
present of in a most obliging manner, taking
it from her little finger, and throwing it over
my head like a collar.
I desired the captain
would please to accept this ring in return for
his civilities; which he absolutely refused.
showed him a corn that I had cut off, with
my own hand, from a maid of honour's toe; it
was about the bigness of a Kentish pippin,
and grown so hard, that when I returned to
England, I got it hollowed into a cup, and
set in silver. Lastly, I desired him to see
the breeches I had then on, which were made
of a mouse's skin.
I
I could force nothing on him but a foot-
man's tooth, which I observed him to examine
with great curiosity, and found he had a fancy
for it. He received it with abundance of
208
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
thanks, more than such a trifle could deserve.
It was drawn by an unskilful surgeon, in a
mistake, from one of Glumdalclitch's men,
who was afflicted with the tooth-ach, but it
was as sound as any in his head. I got it
cleaned, and put it into my cabinet. It
was about a foot long, and four inches in
diameter.
The captain was very well satisfied with
this plain relation I had given him, and said,
'he hoped, when we returned to England, I
would oblige the world by putting it on paper,
and making it public.' My answer was, 'that
I thought we were overstocked with books of
travels: that nothing could now pass which
was not extraordinary; wherein I doubted
some authors less consulted truth, than their
own vanity, or interest, or the diversion of
ignorant readers; that my story could contain
little beside common events, without those
ornamental descriptions of strange plants,
trees, birds, and other animals; or of the
barbarous customs and idolatry of savage
people, with which most writers abound.
However, I thanked him for his good opinion,
and promised to take the matter into my
thoughts.'
He said he wondered at one thing very
much, which was, to hear me speak so loud,'
asking me 'whether the king or queen of that
country were thick of hearing? I told him,
"it was what I had been used to for above
two years past, and that I admired as much
at the voices of him and his men, who seemed
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG,
209
to me only to whisper, and yet I could hear
them well enough. But, when I spoke in that
country, it was like a man talking in the streets,
to another looking out from the top of a stee-
ple, unless when I was placed on a table, or
held in any person's hand.' I told him I had
likewise observed another thing, that when I
first got into the ship, and the sailors stood
ali about me, I thought they were the most
little contemptible creatures I had ever be-
held.' For indeed, while I was in that
prince's country, I could never endure to look
in a glass after mine eyes had been accustom-
ed to such prodigious objects, because the
comparison gave me so despicable a conceit
of myself. The captain said, ' that while we
were at supper, he observed me to look at
every thing with a sort of wonder, and that
I often seemed hardly able to contain my
laughter, which he knew not well how to
take, but imputed it to some disorder in my
brain.' I answered, 'it was very true; and
I wondered how I could forbear, when I saw
his dishes of the size of a silver threepence, a
leg of pork hardly a mouthful, a cup not so
big as a nut-shell;' and so I went on, describ-
ing the rest of his household-stuff and pro-
visions, after the same manner. For, although
the queen had ordered a little equipage of all
things necessary for me, while I was in her
service, yet my ideas were wholly taken up
with what I saw on every side of me, and I
winked at my own littleness, as people do at
their own faults. The captain understood
210
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
my raillery very well, and merrily replied
with the old English proverb, that he doubt-
ed nine eyes were bigger than my belly, for
he did not observe my stomach so good, al-
though I had fasted all day;' and, continuing
in his mirth, protested 'he would have gladly
given a hundred pounds, to have seen my
chest in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its
fall from so great a height into the sea; which
would certainly have been a most astonishing
object, worthy to have the description of it
transmitted to future ages:' and the com-
parison of Phaeton was so obvious, that he
could not forbear applying it, although I did
not much admire the conceit.
Our voyage
The captain having been at Tonquin, was,
in his return to England, driven north-east-
ward to the latitude of 44 degrees, and lon-
gitude of 143. But meeting a trade-wind
two days after I came on board him, we
sailed southward a long time, and coasting
New Holland, kept our course west-south-
west, and then south-south-west, till we dou-
bled the Cape of Good Hope.
was very prosperous, but I shall not trouble
the reader with a journal of it. The captain
called in at one or two ports, and sent in his
long-boat for provisions and fresh water; but
I never went out of the ship, till we came
into the Downs, which was on the third day
of June, 1706, about nine months after my
escape. I offered to leave my goods in se-
ourity for payment of my freight; but the
captain protested he would not receive one
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
211
farthing. We took a kind leave of each
other, and I made him promise he would
come to see me at my house in Redriff. I
hired a horse and guide for five shillings,
which I borrowed of the captain.
As I was on the road, observing the little-
ness of the houses, the trees, the cattle, and
the people, I began to think myself in Lilliput.
I was afraid of trampling on every traveller
I met, and often called aloud to have them
stand out of the way, so that I had like to
have gotten one or two broken heads for my
impertinence.
When I came to my own house, for which
I was forced to inquire, one of the servants
opening the door, I bent down to go in, (like
a goose under a gate,) for fear of striking my
head. My wife ran out to embrace me, but
I stooped lower than her knees, thinking she
could otherwise never be able to reach my
mouth. My daughter kneeled to ask my
blessing, but I could not see her till she arose,
having been so long used to stand with my
head and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and
then I went to take her up with one hand by
the waist. I looked down upon my servants,
and one or two friends who were in the house,
as if they had been pigmies and I a giant. I
told my wife, 'she had been too thrifty, for I
found she had starved herself and her daugh-
ter to nothing.' In short, I behaved myself
so unaccountably, that they were all of the
captain's opinion when he first saw me, and
concluded I had lost my wits. This I men-
212
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
tion as an instance of the great power of habit
and prejudice.
In a little time I and my family and friends
came to a right understanding: but my wife
protested 'I should never go to sea any
more;' although my evil destiny so ordered,
that she had not power to hinder me, as the
reader may know hereafter. In the mean
time, I here conclude the second part of my
unfortunate voyages.
VOYAGE
10 LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, LUGGNAGG,
GLUBBDUBDRIB, AND JAPAN.*
PART III.
CHAPTER I.
Is
The Author sets out on his third voyage.
taken by pirates. The malice of a Dutch-
His avriral at an island. He is re-
man.
ceived into Laputa.
1 HAD not been at home above ten days,
when captain William Robinson, a Cornish
man, commander of the Hopewell, a stout
ship of three hundred tons, came to my house.
I had formerly been surgeon of another ship,
where he was master and a fourth part owner,
Dr. Swift seems to have borrowed several hints,
in his Voyage to Laputa, from a novel written by the
learned Dr. Francis Godwin, bishop of Llandaff, called
'Man in the Moon, or a Discourse of a Voyage thither,
by Domingo Gonsales, 1638, 8vo. This philosophic
romance, which has been several times printed, shows
that Bishop Godwin had a creative genius. His Nun-
cius Inanimatas,' which contains instructions to convey
secret intelligence, is very scarce. He died in April.
1633.-N.
214
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
>
in a voyage to the Levant.
He had always
treated me more like a brother, than an in-
ferior officer; and hearing of my arrival,
made me a visit, as I apprehended only out
of friendship, for nothing passed more than
what is usual after long absences. But re-
peating his visits often, expressing his joy to
find me in good health, asking, whether I
were now settled for life, 'adding, that he
intended a voyage to the East Indies in two
months,' at last he plainly invited me, though
with some apologies, to be surgeon of the
ship; that I should have another surgeon
under me, beside our two mates; that my
salary should be double to the usual pay; and
that having experienced my knowledge in
sea-affairs to be at least equal to his, he
would enter into any engagement to follow
my advice, as much as if I had shared in the
cominand.'
He said so many other obliging things, and
I knew him to be so honest a man, that I
could not reject his proposal; the thirst I had
of seeing the world, notwithstanding my past
misfortunes, continuing as violent as ever.
The only difficulty that remained, was to per-
suade my wife, whose consent however I at
last obtained, by the prospect of advantage
she proposed to her children.
We set out the 5th of August, 1706, and
arrived at Fort St. George the 11th of April,
1707. We staid there three weeks to refresh
our crew, many of whom were sick. From
thence we went to Tonquin, where the cap-
K
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, Szc.
215
ain resolved to continue some time, because
nany of the goods he intended to buy, were
not ready, nor could he expect to be dispatched
in several months. Therefore, in hopes to
defray some of the charges he must be at, he
bought a sloop, loaded it with several sorts of
goods, wherewith the Tonquinese usually
trade to the neighbouring islands, and putting
fourteen men on board, whereof three were
of the country, he appointed me master of
he sloop, and gave me power to traffic, while
be transacted his affairs at Tonquin.
We had not sailed above three days, when
a great storm arising, we were driven five
days to the north-north-east, and then to the
east: after which we had fair weather, but
still with a pretty strong gale from, the west.
Upon the tenth day we were chased by two
pirates, who soon overtook us; for my sloop
was so deep laden, that she sailed very slow,
neither were we in a condition to defend our-
selves.
We were boarded about the same time by
both the pirates, who entered furiously at the
head of their men; but finding us all prostrate
upon our faces (for so I gave order,) they
pinioned us with strong ropes, and setting a
guard upon us, went to search the sloop.
I observed among them a Dutchman, who
seemed to be of some authority, though he
was not commander of either ship. He knew
us by our countenances to be Englishmen,
and jabbering to us in his own language,
swore we should be tied back to back and
216
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
thrown into the sea. I spoke Dutch tolera-
bly well; I told him who we were, and beg-
ged him, in consideration of our being Chris-
tians and Protestants of neighbouring countries
n strict alliance, that he would move the
captains to take some pity on us. This
inflamed his rage; he repeated his threaten-
ings, and turning to his companions, spoke
with great vehemence in the Japanese lan-
guage, as I suppose, often using the word
Christianos.
The largest of the two pirate ships was
commanded by a Japanese captain, who
spoke a little Dutch, but very imperfectly.
He came up to me, and after several questions,
which I answered in great humility, he said,
C we should not die.' I made the captain a
very low bow, and then, turning to the Dutch-
man, said, ‘I was sorry to find more mercy
in a Heathen, than in a brother Christian.'
But I had soon reason to repent those foolish
words: for that malicious reprobate, having
often endeavoured in vain to persuade both
the captains that I might be thrown into the
sea (which they would not yield to, after the
promise made me that I should not die,) how-
ever prevailed so far, as to have a punishment
inflicted on me, worse, in all human appear-
ance, than death itself. My men were sent
by an equal division into both the pirate ships,
and my sloop new manned. As to myself,
it was determined that I should be set adrift
in a small canoe, with paddles and a sail, and
four days' provisions; which last, the Japanese
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &C.
217
captain was so kind to double out of his own
stores, and would permit no man to search
ine. I got down into the canoe, while the
Dutchman, standing upon the deck, loaded
me with all the curses and injurious terms his
language could afford.
About an hour before we saw the pirates,
I had taken an observation, and found we
were in the latitude of 46 N. and longitude
of 183.
When I was at some distance from
the pirates, I discovered, by my pocket-glass,
several islands on the south-east.
I set up
my sail, the wind being fair, with a design to
reach the nearest of those islands, which I
made a shift to do, in about three hours. It
was all rocky: however I got many birds'
eggs; and striking fire, I kindled some heath
and dry sea-weed, by which I roasted my
eggs. I ate no other supper, being resolved
to spare my provisions as much as I could.
I passed the night under the shelter of a rock,
strewing some heath under me, and slept
pretty well.
The next day I sailed to another island,
and thence to a third and fourth, sometimes
using my sail, and sometimes my paddles.
But, not to trouble the reader with a par-
ticular account of my distresses, let it suffice,
that on the fifth day, I arrived at the last
island in my sight, which lay south-south-east
to the former.
This island was at a greater distance than
I expected, and I did not reach it in less than
five hours. I encompassed it almost round,
218
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
before I could find a convenient place to land
in; which was a small creek, about three
times the wideness of my canoe. I found
the island to be all rocky, only a little inter-
mingled with tufts of grass, and sweet smell-
ing herbs. I took out my small provisions,
and after having refreshed myself, I secured
the remainder in a cave, whereof there were
great numbers; I gathered plenty of eggs
upon the rocks, and got a quantity of dry sea-
weed, and parched grass, which I designed
to kindle the next day, and roast my eggs as
well as I could, for I had about me my flint,
steel, match, and burning-glass. I lay all
night in the cave where I had lodged my pro-
visions. My bed was the same dry grass and
sea-weed which I intended for fuel. I slept
very little, for the disquiets of my mind pre-
vailed over my weariness, and kept me awake.
I considered how impossible it was to preserve
my life in so desolate a place, and how mis-
erable my end must be: yet found myself so
listless and desponding, that I had not the
heart to rise; and before I could get spirits
enough to creep out of my cave, the day was
far advanced. I walked awhile among the
rocks: the sky was perfectly clear, and the
sun so hot, that I was forced to turn my face
from it: when all on a sudden it became ob-
scure, as I thought, in a manner very differ-
ent from what happens by the interposition
of a cloud. I turned back, and perceived a
vast opaque body between me and the sun
moving forwards towards the island: it

Drawn by J.Wood.
Page zip
Engraved by E. Stalker
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
LONDON,
Printed for flector ML.can
1823.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 219
seemed to be about two miles high, and hid
the sun six or seven minutes; but I did not
observe the air to be much colder, or the sky
more darkened, than if I had stood under the
shade of a mountain. As it approached
nearer over the place where I was, it ap-
peared to be a firm substance the bottom
flat, smooth, and shining very bright, from
the reflection of the sea below. I stood upon
a height of about two hundred yards from
the shore, and saw this vast body descending
almost to a parallel with me, at less than an
English mile distance. I took out my pocket
perspective and could plainly discover num-
bers of people moving up and down the sides
of it, which appeared to be slooping; but
what those people were doing I was not able
to distinguish.
The natural love of life gave me some in-
ward motion of joy, and I was ready to en-
tertain a hope that this adventure might,
some way or other, help to deliver me from
the desolate place and condition I was in.
But at the same time the reader can hardly
conceive my astonishment, to behold an island
in the air, inhabited by men, who were able
(as it should seem) to raise or sink, or put it
into progressive motion, as they pleased.
But not being at that time in a disposition to
philosophise upon this phenomenou, I rather
chose to observe what course the island would
take, because it seemed for a while to stand
still. Yet soon after, it advanced nearer,
and I could see the sides of it encompassed
220
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
with several gradations of galleries, and stairs,
at certain intervals, to descend from one to
the other. In the lowest gallary, I beheld
some people fishing with long angling rods,
and others looking on. I waved my cap (for
my hat was long since worn out) and my
handkerchief toward the island; and upon
its nearer approach, I called and shouted with
the utmost strength of my voice; and then
looking circumspectly, I beheld a crowd
gather to that side which was most in my
view. I found by their pointing toward me
and to each other that they plainly discovered
me, although they made no return to my
shouting. But I could see four or five men
running in great haste, up the stairs, to the
top of the island, who then disappeared. I
happened rightly to conjecture, that these
were sent for orders, to some person in au-
thority, upon this occasion.
The number of people increased, and, in
less than half an hour, the island was moved
and raised in such a mauner, that the lowest
gallery appeared in a parallel of less than a
hundred yards' distance from the height
where I stood. I then put myself in the
most supplicating postures, and spoke in the
humblest accent, but received no answer.
Those who stood nearest over-against me,
seemed to be persons of distinction, as I sup-
posed by their habit. They conferred earn-
estly with each other, looking often upon me.
At length one of them called out in a clear,
polite, smooth dialect, not unlike in sound to
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
221
the Italian: and I therefore returned an an-
swer in that language, hoping at least that
the cadence might be more agreeable to his
ears. Although neither of us understood
the other, yet my meaning was easily known,
for the people saw the distress I was in.
They made signs for me to come down from
the rock, and go towards the shore, which I
accordingly did; and the flying Island being
raised to a convenient height, the verge di-
reetly over me, a chain was let down from
the lowest gallery, with a seat fastend to the
bottom, to which I fixed myself, and was
drawn up by pulleys.
CHAPTER II.
The humours and dispositions of the Laputians
described. An account of their learning. Of
the King and his court. The Authors' re-
ception there. The inhabitants subject to
fear and disquietudes. An account of the
women.
Ar my alighting, I was surrounded with ´a
crowd of people, but those who stood nearest
seemed to be of better quality. They beheld
me with all the marks and circumstances of
wonder, neither indeed was I much in their
debt; having never till then seen a race of
mortals so singular in their shapes, habits,
and countenances. Their heads were all
222
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
reclined, either to the right, or the left; one
of their eyes turned inward, and the other di-
rectly up to the zenith*. Their outward gar-
inents were adorned with the figures of suns,
moons, and stars; interwoven with those of
fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harp-
sichords, and inany other instruments of mu-
sic, unknown to us in Europe. I observed,
here and there, many in the habit of servants,
with a blown bladder, fastened like a flail to
the end of a stick, which they carried in their
hands. In each bladder was a small quan-
tity of dried peas, or little pebbles, as I was
Afterwards informed. With these bladders,
they now and then flapped the mouths and
ears of those who stood near them, of which
practice I could not then conceive the meaning.
It seems the minds of these people are so
taken up with intense speculations, that they
neither can speak, nor attend to the discourses
of others, without being roused by some
external action upon the organs of specch
and hearing for which reason, those persons
who are able to afford it always keep a
flapper (the original is climenole) in their
family, as one of their domestics; nor ever
walk abroad, or make visits, without him.
And the business of this officer is, when two,
three, or more persons are in company, gently
to strike with his bladder the mouth of him
By this description the author intended to ridicule
those who waste life in speculatives ciences, the powers
of whose minds are as absurdly employed as the eyes
of the Laputians.-II.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
223
who is to speak, and the right ear of him or
them to whom the speaker addresses hin-
self. This flapper is likewise employed
diligently to attend his master in his walks,
and upon occasion to give him a soft flap on
his eyes; because he is always so wrapped
up in cogitation, that he is in manifest danger
of falling down every precipice, and bouncing
his head against every post; and in the
streets, of justling others, or being justled
himself into the kennel.
It was necessary to give the reader this
information, without which he would be at
the same loss with me to understand the
proceedings of these people, as they conduct-
ed me up the stairs to the top of the island,
and from thence to the royal palace. While
we were ascending, they forgot several times
what they were about, and left me to myself,
till their memories were again roused by
their flappers: for they appeared altogether
unmoved by the sight of my foreign habit and
countenance, and by the shouts of the vulgar
whose thoughts and minds were more disen-
gaged.
At last we entered the palace, and pro-
ceeded into the chamber of presence, where
I saw the king seated on his throne, attended
0 each side by persons of prime quality.
Before the throne, was a large table filled
with globes and spheres, and mathematical
instruments of all kinds. His majesty took
not the least notice of us, although our en-
trance was not without sufficient noise, by
224
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the concourse of all persons belonging to the
court. But he was then deep in a problem;
and we attended at least an hour, before he
could solve it. There stood by him, on each
side, a young page with flaps in their hands,
and when they saw he was at leisure, one of
them gently struck his mouth, and the other
his right ear; at which he startled like one
awaked on the sudden, and looking towards
ine and the company I was in, recollected
the occasion of our coming, whereof he had
been informed before. He spoke some words,
whereupon immediately a young man with a
flap came up to my ide, and flapped me
gently on the right ear; but I made signs, as
well as I could, that I had no occasion for
such an instrument; which, as I afterwards
found, gave his majesty, and the whole court,
a very mean opinion of my understanding.
The king, as far as I could conjecture, asked
me several questions, and I addressed myself
to him in all the languages I had. When it
was found I could neither understand nor be
understood, I was conducted by his order to
an apartment in his palace (this prince being
distinguished above all his predecessors for
his hospitality to strangers), where two ser-
vants were appointed to attend me. My
dinner was brought, and four persons of
lity, whom I remembered to have seen very
near the king's person, did me the honour to
dine with me. We had two courses, of three
dishes each. In the first course, there was a
shoulder of mutton cut into an equilateral
qua-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
225
triangle, a piece of beef into a rhomboides,
and a pudding into a cycliod. The second
course was two ducks trussed up in the form
of fiddles; sausages and puddings resembling
flutes and hautboys, and a breast of veal in
the shape of a harp. The servants cut our
bread into cones, cylinders, parallelograms,
and several other mathematical figures.
While we were at dinner, I made bold to
ask the names of several things in their lan-
guage, and those noble persons, by the assis-
tance of their flappers, delighted to give me
answers, hoping to raise my admiration of
their great abilities, if I could be brought to
converse with them. I was soon able to call
for bread and drink, or whatever else I
wanted.
We
After dinner my company withdrew, and a
person was sent to me by the king's order,
attended by a flapper. He brought with
him pen, ink, and paper, and three or four
books, giving me to understand by signs, that
he was sent to teach me the language.
sat together four hours, in which time I wrote
down a great number of words in columus,
with the translations over-against them. I
likewise made a shift to learn several short
sentences; for my tutor would order one of
my servants to fetch something, to turn about,
to make a bow, to sit, or to stand, or walk,
and the like. Then I took down the sentence
in writing. He showed me also, in one of
his books, the figures of the sun, moon, and
stars, the zodiac, the tropics, and polar circles,
226
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
together with the denominations of inany
planes and solids. He gave me the names
and descriptions of all the musical instruments,
and the general terms of art in playing ou
each of them. After he had left me, I placed
all my words, with their interpretations, in
alphabetical order. And thus, in a few days,
by the help of a very faithful memory, I got
some insight into their language.
The word, which I interpret the flying
or floating island, is in the original Laputa,
whereof I could never learn the true etymo-
logy. Lap in the old obsolete language,
signifies high; and untuh, a governor; from
which they say, by corruption, was derived
Laputa, from Lapuntuh. But I do not ap-
prove of this derivation, which seems to be a
little strained. I ventured to offer to the
learned among them a conjecture of my ownl.
that Laputa was quasi lap outed; lap, signi-
fying properly, the dancing of the sun-beams
in the sea, and outed, a wing; which, how-
ever, I shall not obtrude, but submit to the
judicious reader.
Those to whom the king had entrusted me,
observing how ill I was clad, ordered a tailor
to come next morning, and take measure for
a suit of clothes. This operator did his office
after a different manner from those of his
trade in Europe. He first took my altitude
by a quadrant, and then, with rule and com-
passes, described the dimensions and outlines
of my whole body, all of which he entered
upon paper; and in six days brought my
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 227
clothes very ill made, and quite out of shape,
by happening to mistake a figure in the calcu-
lation. But my comfort was, that I observed
such accidents very frequent, and little
regarded.
His
During my confinement for want of clothes,
and by an indisposition that held me some
days longer, I much enlarged my
much enlarged my dictionary;
and when I went next to court, was able to
understand many things the king spoke, and
to return him some kind of answers.
majesty had given orders, that the island
should move north-east and by east, to the
vertical point over Lagado, the metropolis of
the whole kingdom below, upon the firm
earth. It was about ninety leagues distant,
and our voyage lasted four days and a half.
I was not in the least sensible of the progres-
sive motion made in the air by the island.
On the second morning, about eleven o'clock,
the king himself in person, attended by his
nobility, courtiers, and officers, having pre-
pared all their musical instruments, played on
them for three hours without intermission, so
that I was quite stunned with the noise; nei-
ther could I possibly guess the meaning, till
my tator informed me. He said, 'that the
people of their island had their ears adapted
to hear the music of their spheres, which al-
ways played at certain periods, and the court
was now prepared to bear their part, in what-
ever instrument they most excelled.'
In our journey towards Lagado, the capital
city, his majesty ordered that the island should
228
GULLIVER's travelS.
stop over certain towns and villages, from
whence he might receive the petitious of his
subjects. And to this purpose, several pack-
threads were let down, with small weights at
the bottom. On these packthreads the peo-
ple strung their petitions, which mounted up
directly, like the scraps of paper fastened by
school boys at the end of the string that holds
their kite. Sometimes we received wine and
victuals from below, which were drawn up by
pulleys.
The knowledge I had in mathematics, gave
me great assistance in acquiring their phra-
seology, which much depended upon that
science, and music; and in the latter I was
not unskilled. Their ideas are perpetually
conversant in lines and figures. If they
would, for example, praise the beauty of a
woman, or any other animal, they describe
it by rhombs, circles, parallelograms, ellipses,
and other geometrical terms, or by words of
art drawn from music, needless here to re-
peat. I observed in the king's kitchen all
sorts of mathematical and musical instruments,
after the figures of which they cut up the joints
that were served to his majesty's table.
Their houses are very ill built, the walls
bevil, without one right angle in any apart-
ment: and this defect arises from the con-
tempt they bear to practical geometry, which
they despise as vulgar and mechanic: those
instructions they give being too refined for
the intellects of their workmen, which occa-
sions perpetual mistakes. And although they
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 229
are dexterous enough upon a piece of paper,
in the management of the rule, the pencil,
and the divider, yet in the common actions
and behaviour of life, I have not seen a more
clumsy, awkward, and unhandy people, nor
so slow and perplexed in their conceptoins
upon all other subjects, except those of ma-
thematics and music. They are very bad
reasoners, and vehemently given to oppo-
sition, unless when they happen to be of the
right opinion, which is seldom their case.
Imagination, fancy, and invention, they are
wholly strangers to, nor have any words in
their language, by which those ideas can
be expressed; the whole compass of their
thoughts and mind being shut up within the
two forementioned sciences.
Most of them, and especially those who
deal in the astronomical part, have great
faith in judicial astrology, although they are
ashamed to own it publicly. But what I
chiefly admired, and thought altogether un-
accountable, was the strong disposition I
observed in them towards news and politics,
perpetually inquiring into public affairs, giv-
ing their judgments in matters of state, and
passionately disputing every inch of a party
opinion. I have indeed observed the same
disposition among most of the mathematicians
I have known in Europe, although I could
never discover the least analogy between
the two sciences; unless those people sup-
pose, that because the smallest circle has as
many degrees as the largest, therefore the
2
X
230
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
regulation and management of the world re-
quire no more abilities than the handling and
turning of a globe: but I rather take this
quality to spring from a very common infir-
mity of human nature, inclining us to be
most curious and conceited in matters where
we have least concern, and for which we are
least adapted by study or nature.
These people are under continual dis-
quietudes, never enjoying a minutes' peace
of 'mind; and their disturbances proceed
from causes which very little affect the rest
of mortals. Their apprehensions arise from
several changes they dread in the celestial
bodies for instance, that the earth, by the
continual approaches of the sun towards it,
must, in course of time, be absorbed, or
swallowed up; that the face of the sun, will,
by degrees, be encrusted with its own efflu-
via, and give no more light to the world ;
that the earth very narrowly escaped a brush
from the tail of the last comet, which would
have infallibly reduced it to ashes; and that
the next, which they have calculated for one-
and-thirty years hence, will probably des-
troy us. For, if in its perihelion, it should
approach within a certain degree of the sun
(as by their calculations they have reason to
dread) it will receive a degree of heat ten
thousand times more intense than that of red
hot glowing iron; and, in its absence from
the sun, carrying a blazing tail ten hundred
thousand and fourteen miles long; through
which, if the earth should pass at the distance
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
231
of one hundred thousand miles from the mi-
cleus, or main body of the comet, it must
in its passage be set on fire, and reduced to
ashes that the sun, daily spending its rays
without any nutriment to supply them, will
at last be wholly consumed and annihilated;
which must be attended with the destruction
of this earth, and of all the planets that re-
ceive their light from it.*
They are so perpetually alarmed with the
apprehensions of these,and the like impending
dangers, that they can neither sleep quietly
in their beds, nor have any relish for the com-
mon pleasures and amusements of life. When
they meet an acquaintance in the morning,
the first question is about the sun's health,
how he looked at his setting and rising, and
and what hopes they have to avoid the stroke
of the approaching comet. This conversation
they are apt to run into the same temper
that boys discover in delighting to hear ter-
rible stories of spirits and hobgoblins which
they greedily listen to, and dare not go to
bed for fear.
The women of the island have abundance
of vivacity; they contemn their husbands,
and are extremely fond of strangers; where-
of there is always a considerable number
from the continent below, attending at court
either upon affairs of the several towns and
corporations, or their own particular occa-
*All these were suppositions of persons eminent in
their time for mathematical knowledge.-H
232
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
sions, but are much despised, because they
want the same endowments. Among these,
the ladies choose their gallants: but the vex-
ation is, that they act with too much ease
and security; for the husband is always so
rapt in speculation, that the mistress and
lover may proceed to the greatest familiarities
before his face, if he be but provided with
paper and implements, and without his flap-
per at his side.
The wives and daughters lament their con-
finement to the island, although I think it
the most delicious spot of ground in the
world; and although they live here in the
greatest plenty and magnificence, and are
allowed to do whatever they please, they
long to see the world, and take the diversions
of the metropolis, which they are not allowed
to do without a particular licence from the
king; and this is not easy to be obtained,
because the people of quality have found, by
by frequent experience, how hard it is to
persuade their women to return from below.
I was told, that a great court lady, who had
several children,-is married to the prime
minister, the richest subject in the kingdom,
a very graceful person, extremely fond of her,
and lives in the finest palace of the island,—
went down to Lagado on the pretence of
health, there hid herself for several months,
till the king sent a warrant to search for her;
and she was found in an obscure eating-house
all in rags, having pawned her clothes to main-
tain an old deformed footman, who beat her
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
234
every day, and in whose company she was
taken, much against her will. And although
her husband received her with all possible
kindness, and without the least reproach,
she soon after contrived to steal down again,
with all her jewels to the same gallant, and
has not been heard of since.
This may perhaps pass with the reader ra-
ther for an European or English story, than
for one of a country so remote.
But he may
please to consider,that the caprices of woman-
kind are not limited by any climate or nation,
and that they are much more uniform than
can be easily imagined.
In about a month's time, I had made a to-
lerable proficiency in their language, and was
able to answer most of the king's questions,
when I had the honour to attend him. His
majesty discovered not the least curiosity to
inquire into the laws, government, history,
religion or manners of the countries where I
had been; but confined his questions to the
state of mathematics, and received the ac-
count I gave him with great contempt and
indifference, though often roused by his flap-
per, on each side.
234
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
CHAPTER III.
A phenomenon solved by modern philosophy and
astronomy. The Laputians' great improve-
ments in the latter. The King's method of
suppressing insurrections.
I DESIRED leave of this prince to see the
curiosities of the island, which he was gracious-
ly pleased to grant, and ordered my tutor to
attend me. I chiefly wanted to know, to
what cause in art or in nature it owed its
several motions, whereof I will now give a
philosophical account to the reader.
The flying or floating island is exactly cir-
cular, its diameter 7837 yards, or about four
miles and a half, and consequently contains
ten thousand acres. It is three hundred yards
thick. The bottom, or under surface, which
appears to those who view it below, is one
even regular plate of adamant, shooting up
to the height of about two hundred yards.
Above it lie the several minerals in their usual
order, and over all is a coat of rich mould, ten
or twelve feet deep. The declivity of the
upper surface, from the circumference to the
centre, is the natural cause why all the dews
and rains, which fall upon the island, are
conveyed in small rivulets toward the middle,
where they are emptied into four large basins,
each of about half a mile in circuit, and two
hundred yards distant from the centre. Frou
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
235
these basins the water is continually exhaled
by the sun in the daytime, which effectually
prevents their overflowing. Besides, as it is
in the power of the monarch to raise the island
above the region of clouds and vapours, he
can prevent the falling of dews and rain when-
ever he pleases. For the highest clouds can-
not rise above two miles, as naturalists agree,
at least they were never known to do so in
that country.
At the centre of the island there is a chasm
about fifty yards in diameter, whence the
astronomers descend into a large dome, which
is therefore called flandona gagnole, or the
astronomer's cave, situated at the depth of a
hundred yards beneath the upper surface of
the adamant. In this cave are twenty lamps
continually burning, which, from the reflec-
tion of the adamant, cast a strong light into
every part. The place is stored with great
variety of sextants, quadrants, telescopes,
astrolabes, and other astronomical instru-
ments. But the greatest curiosity, upon
which the fate of the island depends, is a
loadstone of a prodigious size, in shape resem-
bling a weaver's shuttle. It is in length six
yards, and in the thickest part at least three
yards over. This magnet is sustained by a
very strong axle of adamant passing through
its middle, upon which it plays, and is poised
so exactly that the weakest hand can turn it.
It is hooped round with a hollow cylinder of
adamant, four feet deep, as many thick, and
twelve yards in diameter, placed horizontally,
236
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
and supported by eight adamantine fcet, caco
six yards high. In the middle of the concave
side, there is a groove twelve inches deep,
in which the extremities of the axle are lodged
and turned round as there is occasion.
The stone cannot be removed from its place
by any force, because the hoop and its feet
are one continued piece with that body of
adamant which constitutes the bottom of the
island.
By means of this loadstone, the island is
made to rise and fall, and move from one
place to another. For, with respect to that
part of the earth over which the monarch
presides, the stone is endued at one of its
sides with an attractive power, and at the
other with a repulsive. Upon placing the
magnet erect, with its attracting end towards
the earth, the island descends; but when the
repelling extremity points downwards, the
island mounts directly upwards. When the
position of the stone is oblique, the motion of
the island is so too: for in this magnet, the
forces always act in lines parallel to its direc-
tion.
By this oblique motion, the island is con-
veyed to different parts of the monarch's
dominions. To explain the manner of its
progress, let A B represent a line drawn
cross the dominions of Balnibarbi, let the line
c d represent the loadstone, of which let d be
the repelling end, and c the attracting end,
the island being over C: let the stone be
placed in position c d, with its repelling end
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 237
downwards; then the island will be driven
upwards obliquely towards D. When it is
arrived at D, let the stone be turned upon
its axle, till its attracting end points towards
E, and then the island will be carried ob-
liquely towards E; where, if the stone be
again turned upon its axle till it stands in the
position E F, with its repelling point down-
wards, the islands will rise obliquely towards
F, where, by directing the attracting end
towards G, the island may be carried to G,
and from G to H, by turning the stone so as
to make its repelling extremity point directly
downward. And thus, by changing the situa-
tion of the stone, as often as there is occasion,
the island is made to rise and fall by turns in
an oblique direction, and by those alternate
risings and fallings (the obliquity being not
considerable) is conveyed from one part of
the dominions to the other.
But it must be observed, that this island
cannot move beyond the extent of the domi-
nions below, nor can it rise above the height
of four miles. For which the astronomers
(who have written large systems concerning
the stone) assign the following reason: that
the magnetic virtue does not extend beyond
the distance of four miles, and that the miner-
al, which acts upon the stone in the bowels
of the earth, and in the sea about six leagues
distant from the shore, is not diffused through
the whole globe, but terminated with the
limits of the king's dominions; and it was
easy, from the great advantage of such a su-
238
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
perior situation, for a prince to bring under
his obedience whatever country lay within
the attraction of that magnet.
When the stone is put parallel to the plane
of the horizon, the island stands still; for in
that case the extremities of it, being at equal
distance from the earth, act with equal force,
the one in drawing downwards, the other in
pushing upwards, and consequently no motion
can ensue.
This loadstone is under the care of certain
astronomers, who, from time to time, give it
such positions as the monarch directs. They
spend the greatest part of their lives in ob-
serving the celestial bodies, which they do by
the assistance of glasses, far excelling ours in
goodness. For, although their largest tele-
scopes do not exceed three feet, they magnify
much more than those of a hundred with us,
and show the stars with greater clearness.
This advantage has enabled them to extend
their discoveries much further than our astro-
nomers in Europe; for they have made a
catalogue of ten thousand fixed stars, where-
as the largest of ours do not contain above
one third part of that number. They have
likewise discovered two lesser stars, or satel-
lites, which revolve about Mars; whereof the
innermost is distant from the centre of the
primary planet exactly three of his diameters
and the outermost, five; the former revolves
in the space of ten hours, and the latter in
twenty-one and a half; so that the square-
of their periodical times are very near in the
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
239
same proportion with the cubes of their dis-
tance, from the centre of Mars; which evi-
dently shows them to be governed by the
same law of gravitation that influences the
other heavenly bodies.
They have observed ninety-three different
comets, and settled their periods with great
exactness. If this be true (and they affirm
it with great confidence) it is much to be
wished, that their observations were made
public, whereby the theory of comets, which
at present is very lame and defective, might
be brought to the same perfection with other
parts of astronomy.
The king would be the most absolute prince
in the universe, if he could but prevail on a
ministry to join with him; but these having
their estates below on the continent, and
considering that the office of a favourite has
a very uncertain tenure, would never consent
to the enslaving of their country.
If any town should engage in rebellion or
mutiny, fall into violent factions, or refuse to
pay the usual tribute, the king has two me-
thods of reducing them to obedience. The
first and the mildest course is, by keeping
the island hovering over such a town, and
the lands about it, whereby he can deprive
them of the benefit of the sun and the rain,
and consequently afflict the inhabitants with
dearth and diseases: and if the crime deserve
it, they are at the same time pelted from
above with great stones, against which they
have no defence but by creeping into cellarɛ
240
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
or caves, while the roofs of their houses are
beaten to pieces. But if they still continue
obstinate, or offer to raise insurrections, he
proceeds to the last remedy, by letting the
island drop directly upon their heads, which
makes an universal destruction both of houses
and men. However, this is an extremity to
which the prince is seldom driven, neither
indeed is he willing to put it in execution;
nor dare his ministers advise him to an action,
which, as it would render them odious to the
people, so it would be a great damage to
their own estates, which lie all below; for
the island is the king's demesne.
But there is still indeed a more weighty
reason, why the kings of this country have
been always averse from executing so terrible
an action, unless upon the utmost necessity.
For, if the town intended to be destroyed
should have in it any tall rocks, as it generally
falls out in the larger cities, a situation pro-
bably chosen at first with a view to prevent
such a catastrophe; or if it abound in high
spires, or pillars of stone, a sudden fall might
endanger the bottom or under surface of the
island, which, although it consist, as I have
said, of one entire adamant, two hundred
yards thick, might happen to crack by too
great a shock, or burst by approaching too near
the fires from the houses below, as the backs,
both of iron and stone, will often do in our
chmneys. Of all this the people are well ap:
prised and understand how far to carry their
obstinacy, where their liberty or property is
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 241
concerned. And the king, when he is highest
provoked, and most determined to press a
city to rubbish, orders the island to descend
with great gentleness, out of a pretence of
tenderness to his people, but, indeed, for
fear of breaking the adamantine bottom; in
which case it is the opinion of all their phi-
losophers, that the loadstone could no longer
hold it up, and the whole mass would fall to
the ground.
By a fundamental law of this realm, nei-
ther the king, nor either of his two eldest
sons, are permitted to leave the island; nor
the queen, till she is past child-bearing..
CHAPTER IV.
The Author leaves Laputa; is conveyed to
Balnibarbi; arrives at the metropolis. A
description of the metropolis, and the country
adjoining. The Author hospitably received
by a great Lord. His conversation with that
Lord.
ALTHOUGH I cannot say that I was ill treated
in this island, yet I must confess I thought
myself too much neglected, not without some
degree of contempt: for neither prince nor
people appeared to be curious in any part of
knowledge, except mathematics and music,
wherein I was far their inferior and upon
that account very little regarded.
242
GULLIVER'S TRavels.
On the other side, after having seen all
the curiosities of the island, I was very de-
sirous to leave it, being heartily weary of
those people. They were indeed excellent in
two sciences for which I have great esteem, and
wherein I am not unversed; but at the same
time, so abstracted and involved in specula-
tion, that I never met with such disagreeable
companions. I conversed only with women,
tradesmen, flappers, and court-pages, during
two months of my abode there; by which, at
last, I rendered myself extremely contempt.
ible; yet these were the only people from
whom I could ever receive a reasonable
answer.
I had obtained, by hard study, a good de-
gree of knowledge in their language: I was
weary of being confined to an island, where
I received so little countenance, and resolved
to leave it with the first opportunity.
There was a great lord at court, nearly re-
ated to the king, and for that reason alone,
used with respect. He was, universally
reckoned the most ignorant and stupid person
among them. He had performed many emi-
nent services for the crown, had great natural
and acquired parts, adorned with integrity
and honour; but so ill an ear for music, that
his detracters reported, he had been often
known to beat time in the wrong place;'
neither could his tuitors, without extreme
difficulty, teach him to demonstrate the most
easy proposition in the mathematics. He
was pleased to show me many marks of fa-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
243
vour, often did me the honour of a visit, de-
sired to be informed in the affairs of Europe,
the laws and customs, the manners and learn-
ing of the several countries where I had
travelled. He listened to me with great at-
tention, and made very wise observations on
all I spoke. He had two flappers attending
him for state, but never made use of them,
except at court and in visits of ceremony;
and would always command them to with-
draw, when we were alone together.
I entreated this illustrious person, to in-
tercede in my behalf with his majesty, for
leave to depart; which he accordingly did, as
he was pleased to tell me, with regret: for
indeed he had made me several offers very
advantageous, which however I refused, with
expressions of the highest acknowledgment.
On the 16th of February I took leave of
his majesty and the court. The king made
me a present to the value of about two hun-
dred pounds English, and my protector his
kinsman as much more, together with a letter
of recommendation to a friend of his in La-
gado, the metropolis: the island being then
hovering over a mountain about two miles
from it, I was let down from the lowest gal-
lery in the same manner as I had been taken
up.
The continent as far as it is subject to the
monarch of the flying island, passes under
the general name of Balnibarbi; and the
metropolis, as I said before, is called Lagado.
I felt some little satisfaction in finding my-
244
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
self on firm ground. I walked to the city
without any concern, being clad like one of
the natives, and sufficiently instructed to con-
verse with them. I soon found out the per-
son's house to whom I was recommended,
presented my letter from his friend the gran-
dee in the island, and was received with
much kindness. This great lord, whose name
was Munodi, ordered me an apartment in
his own house, where I continued during my
stay, and was entertained in a most hos-
pitable manner.
The next morning after my arrival, he took
me in his chariot to see the town, which is
about half the bigness of London; but the
houses very strangely built, and most of them
out of repair. The people in the streets
walked fast, looked wild, their eyes fixed,
and were generally in rags. We passed
through one of the town gates, and went
about three miles into the country, where I
saw many labourers working with several
sorts of tools in the ground, but was not
able to conjecture what they were about;
neither did I observe any expectation either
of corn or grass, although the soil appeared
to be excellent. I could not forbear admir-
ing at these odd appearances, both in town
and country; and I made bold to desire my
conductor, that he would be pleased to ex-
plain to me, what could be meant by so many
busy heads, hands, and faces, both in the
streets and the fields, because I did not dis-
cover any good effects they produced; but,
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 245
on the contrary, I never knew a soil so un-
happily cultivated, houses so ill contrived
and so ruinous, or a people whose counte-
nances and habit expressed so much misery
and want.
This lord Munodi was a person of the first
rank, and had been some years governor of
Lagado; but, by a cabal of ministers, was
discharged for insufficiency. However, the
king treated him with tenderness, as a well-
meaning man, but of a low contemptible un-
derstanding.
When I gave that free censure of the
country and its inhabitants, he made no fur-
ther answer than by telling me, 'that I had
not been long enough among them to form a
judgment; and that the different nations of
the world had different customs;' with other
common topics to the same purpose. But,
when we returned to his palace, he asked me
'how I liked the building; what absurdities
I observed, and what quarrel I had with the
dress or looks of his domestics.' This he
might safely do; because every thing about
him was magnificent, regular, and polite. I
answered, 'that his excellency's prudence,
quality, and fortune, had exempted him from
those defects which folly and beggary had
produced in others.' He said, 'if I would go
with him to his country-house, about twenty
miles distant, where his estate lay, there
would be more leisure for this kind of con-
versation.' I told his excellency that I was
entirely at his disposal;' and accordingly we
set out next morning.
246
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
During our journey he made me observe
the several methods used by farmers in ma-
naging their lands, which to me were wholly
unaccountable; for, except in some very few
places, I could not discover oue ear of corn,
or blade of grass. But, in three hours' tra-
velling, the scene was wholly altered; we
came into a most beautiful country: far-
mers' houses, at small distances, neatly
built; the fields enclosed, containing vine-
yards, corn-grounds, and meadows. Neither
do I remember to have seen a more delight-
ful prospect. His excellency observed my
countenance to clear up; he told me with a
sigh, 'that there his estate began, and would
continue the same, till we should come to his
house that his countrymen ridiculed and
despised him, for managing his affairs no
better, and for setting so ill an example to
the kingdom; which, however, was followed
by very few, such as were old, and wilful,
and weak like himself.'
We came at length to the house, which
was indeed a noble structure, built according
to the best rules of ancient architecture.
The fountains, gardens, walks, avenues, and
groves, were all disposed with exact judg-
ment and taste. I gave due praises to every
thing I saw, whereof his excellency took not
the least notice till after supper; when, there
being no third companion, he told me with a
very melancholy air that he doubted he must
throw down his houses in town and country,
to rebuild them after the present mode; des-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 247
troy all his plantations, and cast others into
such a form as modern usage required, and
give the same directions to all his tenants,
unless he would submit to incur the censure
of pride, singularity, affectation, ignorance,
caprice, and perhaps increase his majesty's
displeasure; that the admiration I appeared
to be under would cease or diminish, when
he had informed me of some particulars which
probably I never heard of at court; the peo-
ple there being too much taken up in their
own speculations, to have regard to what
passed here below."
The sum of his discourse was to this effect;
'that about forty years ago, certain persons
went up to Laputa, either upon business or
diversion, and, after five months' continuance,
came back with a very little smattering in
mathematics, but full of volatile spirits ac-
quired in that airy region: that these per-
sons, upon their return, began to dislike the
managment of every thing below, and fell
into schemes of putting all arts, sciences, lan-
guages, and mechanics, upon a new foot. To
this end, they procured a royal patent for
erecting an academy of projectors in Laga-
do; and the humour prevailed so strongly
among the people, that there is not a town
of any consequence in the kingdom without
such an academy. In these colleges the pro-
fessors contrive new rules and methods of
agriculture and building, and new instru-
ments and tools for all trades and manufac-
tures; whereby, as they undertake, one man
248
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
P
shall do the work of ten; a palace may be
built in a week, of materials so durable as to
last for ever without repairing. All fruits of
the earth shall come to maturity at whatever
season we think fit to choose, and increase a
hundred fold more than they do at present ;
with innumerable other happy proposals.
The only inconvenience is, that none of these
projects are yet brought to perfection; and
in the mean time, the whole country lies
miserably waste, the houses in ruins, and the
people without food or clothes. By all which,
instead of being discouraged, they are fifty
times more violently bent upon prosecuting
their schemes, driven equally on by hope and
despair: that as for himself, being not of an
enterprising spirit, he was content to go on
in the old forms, to live in the houses his
ancestors had built, and act as they did, in
every part of life, without innovation: that
some few other persons of quality and gentry
had done the same, but were looked on with
an eye of contempt and ill-will, as enemies to
art, ignorant, and ill common-wealth's men,
preferring their own ease and sloth before
the general improvement of their country.'
His lordship added, ' that he would not, by
any further particulars, prevent the pleasure
I should certainly take in viewing the grand
academy, whither he was resolved I should
go.' He only desired me to observe a ruined
building, upon the side of a mountain about
three miles distant, of which he gave me this
account: 'that he had a very convenient mill
▲ VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
249
within half a mile of his house, turned by a
current from a large river, and sufficient for
his own family, as well as a great number of
his tenants; that about seven years ago, a
club of those projectors came to him with
proposals to destroy this mill, and build
another on the side of that mountain, on the
long ridge whereof a long canal must be cut,
for a repository of water to be conveyed up
by pipes and engines to supply the mill; be-
cause the wind and air upon a height agitated
the water, and thereby made it fitter for mo-
tion; and because the water, descending
down a declivity, would turn the mill with
half the current of a river, whose course is
more upon a level.' He said, 'that being
then not very well with the court, and pressed
by many of his friends, he complied with the
proposal; and after employing a hundred
men for two years, the work miscarried, the
projectors went off, laying the blame entirely
upon him, railing at him ever since, and put-
ting others upon the same experiment, with
equal assurance of success, as well as equal
disappointment."
In a few days we came back to town; and
his excellency, considering the bad charac-
ter he had in the academy, would not go with
me himself, but recommended me to a friend
of his to bear me company thither. My
lord was pleased to represent me as a great
admirer of projects, and a person of much
curiosity and easy belief; which, indeed, was
not without truth; for I had myself been a
sort of projector in my younger days.
250
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
CHAPTER V.
The Author permitted to see the grand academy
of Lagado. The academy largely described.
The arts wherein the professors employ them-
selves.
THIS academy is not an entire single building,
but a continuation of several houses on both
sides of a street, which growing waste, was
purchased and applied to that use.
I was received very kindly by the warden,
and went for many days to the academy.
Every room has in it one or more projectors;
and I believe I could not be in fewer than
five hundred rooms.
The first man I saw was of a meagre
aspect, with sooty hands and face, his hair
and beard long, ragged, and singed in several
places. His clothes, shirt, and skin, were
all of the same colour. He had been eight
years upon a project for extracting sun-beams
out of cucumbers, which were to be put in
phials hermetically sealed, and let out to
warm the air in raw inclement summers. He
told me, he did not doubt, that, in eight years
more, he should be able to supply the go-
vernor's gardens with sunshine, at a reason-
able rate; but he complained that his stock
was low, and entreated me to give him
something as an encouragement to ingenuity,
especially since this had been a very dear
season for cucumbers.' I made him a small
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
251
present for my lord had furnished me with
money on purpose, because he knew their
practice of begging from all who go to see
them.
I went into another chamber, but was
ready to hasten back, being almost overcome
with a horrible stink. My conductor pressed
me forward, conjuring me in a whisper to
give no offence, which would be highly re-
sented;' and therefore I durst not so much as
stop my nose. The projector of this cell was
the most ancient student of the academy; his
face and beard were of a pale yellow; his
hands and clothes daubed over with filth.
When I was presented to him, he gave me a
close embrace; a compliment I could well
have excused. His employment, from his
first coming into the academy, was an opera-
tion to reduce human excrement to its original
food, by separating the several parts, remov-
ing the tincture which it receives from the
gall, making the odour exhale, and scumming
off the saliva. He had a weekly allowance,
from the society, of a vessel filled with human
ordure, about the bigness of a Bristol barrel.
I saw another at work to calcine ice into
gunpowder; who likewise showed me a trea-
tise he had written concerning the malle.
ability of fire, which he intended to publish.
There was a most ingenious architect,
who had contrived a new method for build-
ing houses, by beginning at the roof, and
working downward to the foundation; which
he justified to me, by the like practice of
252
GULLIVER S TRAVELS.
those two prudent insects, the bee and the
spider.
There was a man born blind, who had
several apprentices in his own condition:
their employment was to mix colours for
painters, which their master taught them to
distinguish by feeling and smelling. It was
indeed my misfortune to find them at that
time not very perfect in their lessons, and the
professor himself happened to be generally
mistaken. This artist is much encouraged
and esteemed by the whole fraternity.
In another apartment, I was highly pleased
with a projector who had found a device of
ploughing the ground with hogs, to save the
charges of ploughs, cattle, and labour. The
method is this: in an acre of ground you bury,
at six inches' distance and eight deep, a
quantity of acerns, dates, chesnuts, and other
mast or vegetables, whereof these animals
are fondest; then you drive six hundred or
more of them into the field, where, in a few
days, they will root up the whole ground in
search of their feed, and make it fit for sow-
ing, at the same time manuring it with their
dung: it is true, upon experiment, they found
the charge and trouble very great, and they
had little or no crop. However it is not
doubted, that this invention may be capable
of great improvement.
I went into another room, where the walls
and ceiling were all hung round with cob-
webs, except a narrow passage for the artist
to go in and out. At my entrance, he called
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
253
$
He
aloud to me, 'not to disturb his webs.'
lamented the fatal mistake the world had
been so long in, of using silk-worms, while
we had such plenty of domestic insects who
infinitely excelled the former, because they
understood how to weave, as well as spin.'
And he proposed further, that by employing
spiders, the charge of dyeing silks should be
wholly saved;' whereof I was fully convinced,
when he showed me a vast number of flies
most beautifully coloured, wherewith he fed
his spiders, assuring us that the webs would
take a tincture from them; and as he had
them of all hues, he hoped to fit every body's
fancy, as soon as he could find proper food
for the flies, of certain gums, oils, and other
glutinous matter, to give a strength and cou-
sistence to the threads.'
There was an astronomer, who had under-
taken to place a sun-dial upon the great
weathercock on the town-house, by adjusting
the annual and diurnal motions of the earth
and sun, so as to answer and coincide with all
accidental turnings of the wind.
I was complaining of a small fit of the colic,
upon which my conductor led me into a room
where a great physician resided, who was
famous for curing that disease, by contrary
operations from the same instrument. He
had a large pair of bellows, with a long slen-
der muzzle of ivory: this he conveyed eight
inches up the anus, and drawing in the wind,
he affirmed he could make the guts as lank as
a dried bladder. But when the disease was
2
Z
254
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
more stubborn and violent, he let in the
muzzle while the bellows were full of wind,
which he discharged into the body of the
patient; then withdrew the instrument to
replenish it, clapping his thumb strongly
against the orifice of the fundament; and
this being repeated three or four times, the
adventitious wind would rush out, bringing
the noxious along with it (like water put into
a pump), and the patient recovered. I saw
him try both experiments upon a dog, but
could not discern any effect from the former.
After the latter the animal was ready to
burst, and made so violent a discharge as
was very offensive to me and my companion.
The dog died on the spot, and we left the
doctor endeavouring to recover him, by the
same operation.
I visited many other apartments, but shall
not trouble my reader with all the curiosities
I observed, being studious of brevity.
I had hitherto seen only one side of the
academy, the other being appropriated to the
advancers of speculative learning, of whom I
shall say something, when I have mentioned
one illustrious person more, who is called
among them 'the universal artist.' He told
us 'he had been thirty years employing his
thoughts for the improvement of human life.'
He had two large rooms full of wonderful
curiosities, and fifty men at work. Some
were condensing air into a dry tangible sub-
stance, by extracting the nitre, and letting
the aqueous or fluid particles percolate;
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 255
others softening marble, for pillows and pin-
cushions; others petrifying the hoofs of a
living horse, to preserve them from founder-
ing. The artist himself was at that time busy
upon two great designs; the first, to sow land
with chaff, wherein he affirmed the true
seminal virtue to be contained, as he demon-
strated by several experiments, which I was
not skilful enough to comprehend. The
other was, by a certain composition of gums,
minerals, and vegetables, outwardly applied,
to prevent the growth of wool upon two
young lambs; and he hoped, in a reasonable
time, to propagate the breed of naked sheep,
all over the kingdom.
We crossed a walk to the other part of the
academy, where, as I have already said, the
projectors in speculative learning resided.
The first professor I saw, was in a very
large room, with forty pupils about him.
After salutation, observing me to look earn-
estly upon a frame, which took up the great-
est part of both the length and breadth of the
room, he said 'Perhaps I might wonder to
see him employed in a project for improving
speculative knowledge, by practical and mè-
chanical operations. But the world would
soon be sensible of its usefulness; and he
flattered himself, that a more noble exalted
thought never sprang in any other man's head.
Every one knew how laborious the usual me-
thod is of attaining to arts and sciences;
whereas, by his contrivance, the most igno-
rant person, at a reasonable charge, and
256
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
with a little bodily labour, might write
books in philosophy, poetry, politics, laws,
inathematics, and theology, without the least
assistance from genius or study.' He then
led me to the frame, about the sides whereof
all his pupils stood in ranks. It was twenty
feet square, placed in the middle of the room.
The superficies was composed of several bits
of wood, about the bigness of a die, but some
larger than others. They were all linked
together by slender wires. These bits of
wood were covered, on every square, with
paper pasted on them; and on these papers
were written all the words of their language,
in their several moods, tenses, and declen-
sions; but without any order. The professor
then desired me to observe; for he was
going to set his engine at work.' The pupils,
at his command, took each of them hold of
an iron handle, whereof there were forty
fixed round the edges of the frame; and
giving them a sudden turn, the whole diş-
position of the words was entirely changed.
He then commanded six-and-thirty of the
lads, to read the several lines softly, as they
appeared upon the frame; and where they
found three or four words together that might
make part of a sentence, they dictated to the
four remaining boys, who were scribes. This
work was repeated three or four times; and
at every turn, the engine was so contrived,
that the words shifted into new places, as
the square bits of wood moved upside down.
Six hours a day the young students were
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
257
employed in this labour; and the professor
showed me several volumes in large folio,
already collected, of broken sentences, which
he intended to piece together, and out of
those rich materials, to give the world a com-
plete body of all arts and sciences; which,
however, might be still improved and much
expedited, if the public would raise a fund
for making and employing five hundred such
frames in Lagado, and oblige the managers
to contribute in common their several col-
lections.
'
He assured me that this invention had
employed all his thoughts from his youth;
that he had emptied the whole vocabulary
into his frame, and made the strictest compu-
tation of the general proportion there is in
books between the numbers of particles,
nouns, and verbs, and other parts of speech."
I made my humblest acknowledgment to
this illustrious person, for his great communi-
cativeness; and promised, "if ever I had the
good fortune to return to my native country,
that I would do him justice, as the sole in-
ventor of this wonderful machine;' the form
and contrivance of which I desired leave to
delineate on paper, as in the figure here an-
nexed. I told him, although it were the
custom of our learned in Europe to steal in-
ventions from each other, who had thereby
at least this advantage, that it became a con-
troversy which was the right owner; yet I
would take such caution, that he should have
the honour entire, without a rival.'
258
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
We next went to the school of languages,
where three professors sat in consultation
upon improving that of their own country.
The first project was, to shorten discourse,
by cutting polysyllables into one, and leaving
out verbs and participles; because, in reality,
all things imaginable are but nouns.
The other project was, a scheme for en-
tirely abolishing all words whatsoever; and
this was urged as a great advantage in point
of health, as well as brevity. For it is plain,
that every word we speak is, in some degree,
a diminution of our lungs by corrosion; and
consequently contributes to the shortening of
our lives. An expedient was therefore of-
fered, that since words are only names for
things, it would be more convenient for all
men to carry about them such things as were
necessary to express a particular business
they are to discourse on.' And this invention
would certainly have taken place, to the great
ease as well as health of the subject, if the
women, in conjunction with the vulgar and il-
literate, had not threatened to raise a rebel-
lion unless they might be allowed the liberty
to speak with their tongues, after the manner
of their forefathers; such constant irrecon-
cilcable enemies to science are the common
people. However many of the most learned
and wise adhere to the new scheme of ex-
pressing themselves by things; which has
only this inconvenience attending it, that if a
man's business be very great, and of various
kinds, he must be obliged, in proportiou, to
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
259
carry a greater bundle of things upon his
back, unless he can afford one or two strong
servants to attend him. I have often beheld
two of those sages almost sinking under the
weight of their packs, like pedlars among us;
who, when they met in the street, would
lay down their loads, open their sacks, and
hold conversation for an hour together; then
put up their implements, help each other to
resume their burthens, and take their leaves.
But for short conversations, a man may
carry implements in his pockets, and under
his arms, enough to supply him; and in his
house, he cannot be at a loss. Therefore the
room where the company meet who practice
this art, is full of all things, ready at hand,
requisite to furnish matter for this kind of
artificial converse.
Another great advantage proposed by this
invention was, that it would serve as a uni-
versal language, to be understood in all ci-
vilised nations, whose goods and utensils are
generally of the same kind, or nearly resem-
bling, so that their uses might easily be com-
prehended. And thus ambassadors would
be qualified to treat with foreign princes, or
ministers of state, to whose tongues they
were utter strangers.
I was at the mathematical school, where
the master taught his pupils after a method
scarce imaginable to us in Europe. The
proposition, and demonstration, were fairly
written on a thin wafer, with ink composed
of a cephalic tincture. This, the student was
260
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
to swallow upon a fasting stomach, and for
three days following eat nothing but bread
and water. As the wafer digested, the tinc-
ture mounted to his brain, bearing the pro-
position along with it. But the success has
not hitherto been answerable, partly by some
error in the quantum or composition, and part-
ly by the perverseness of lads, to whom this
bolus is so nauseous, that they generally steal
aside, and discharge it upwards, before it can
operate; neither have they been yet per-
suaded to use so long an abstinence, as the
prescription requires.
CHAPTER VI.
A farther account of the academy. The Au-
thor proposes some improvements, which
are honourably received.
In the school of political projectors, I was
but ill entertained; the professors appearing,
in my judgment, wholly out of their senses;
which is a scene that never fails to make me
melancholy. These unhappy people were pro-
posing schemes for persuading monarchs to
choose favourites upon the score of their
wisdom, capacity, and virtue; of teaching
ministers to consult the public good; of re-
warding merit, great abilities, and eminent
services; of instructing princes to know their
true interest, by placing it on the same fonu-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &C.
261
dation with that of their people; of choosing
for employments, persons qualified to exer-
tise them; with many other wild impossible
chimeras, that never entered before into the
heart of man to conceive; and confirmed in
me the old observation, that there is nothing
so extravagant and irrational, which some
philosophers have not maintained for truth.'
But, however, I shall so far do justice to
this part of the academy, as to acknowledge
that all of them were not so visionary. There
was a most ingenious doctor, who seemed to
be perfectly versed in the whole nature and
system of government. This illustrious per-
son had very usefully employed his studies,
in finding out effectual remedies for all dis-
eases and corrnptions, to which the several
kinds of public administration are subject, by
the vices or infirmities of those who govern,
as well as by the licentiousness of those who
are to obey. For instance; whereas all
writers and reasoners have agreed, that there
is a strict universal resemblance between the
natural and the political body; can there be
any thing more evident, than that the health of
both must be preserved, and the diseases
cured, by the same prescriptions? It is al-
lowed, that senates and great councils are
often troubled with redundant, ebullient, and
other peccant humours; with many diseases
of the head, and more of the heart; with
strong convulsions, with grievous contractions
of the nerves and sinews in both hands, but
especially the right; with spleen, flatus, ver-
262
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
tigos, and deliriums; with scrofulous tumours,
full of fetid purulent matter; with sour
frothy ructations; with canine appetites, and
crudeness of digestion, beside many others
needless to mention. This doctor therefore
proposed, that upon the meeting of the se-
nate, certain physicians should attend at the
three first days of their sitting, and at the
close of each day's debate feel the pulses of
every senator; after which, having maturely
considered and consulted upon the nature of
the several maladies, and the methods of cure,
they should on the fourth day return to the
senate house, attended by their appothecaries
stored with proper medicines; and before
the members sat, administer to each of them
lenitives, aperients, abstersives, corrosives,
restringents, palliatives, laxatives, cephalal-
gics, icterics, apophlegmatics, acoustics, as
their several cases required; and, according
as these medicines should operate, repeat,
alter, or omit them, at the next meeting.
This project could not be of any great ex-
pense to the public; and might in my poor
opinion, be of much use for the dispatch of
business, in those countries where senates
have any share in the legislative power; be-
get unanimity, shorten debates, open a few
mouths which are now closed, and close many
more which are now open; curb the petulancy
of the young, and correct the positiveness
of the old; rouse the stupid, and damp the
pert.
Again: because it is a general complaint,
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 203
that the favourites of princes are troubled
with short and weak memories; the same
doctor proposed, that whoever attended a
first minister, after having told his business,
with the utmost brevity and in the plainest
words, should at his departure, give the said
minister a tweak by the nose, or a kick on
the belly, or tread on his corns, or lug him
thrice by both ears, or run a pin into his
breech, or pinch his arm black and blue, to
prevent forgetfulness; and at every levee
day, repeat the same operation, till the bu
siness were done, or absolutely refused.'
He likewise directed, that every senator
in the great council of a nation, after he had
delivered his opinion and argued in the de-
fence of it, should be obliged to give his vote
directly contrary; because if that were done,
the result would infallibly terminate in the
good of the public.'
When parties in a state are violent, he
offered a wonderful contrivance to reconcile
them. The method is this: you take a hun-
dred leaders of each party; you dispose them
into couples of such whose heads are nearest
of a size; then let two nice operators saw
off the occiput of each couple at the same
time, in such a manner, that the brain may
be equally divided. Let the occiputs, thus
cut off, be interchanged, applying each to the
head of his opposite party-man. It seems
indeed to be a work that requires some ex-
actness, but the professor assured us, 'that
if it were dexterously performed, the cure
264
.
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS+
would be infallible. For he argued thus
C that the two half brains being left to debate
the matter between themselves within the
space of one skull, would soon come to a good
understanding; and produce that moderation,
as well as regularity of thinking, so much to
be wished for in the heads of those, who
imagine they come into the world only to
watch and govern its motion and as to the
difference of brains, in quantity of quality,
among those who are directors in faction,
the doctor assured us, from his own know-
ledge, that it was a perfect trifle."
I heard a very warm debate between two
professors, about the most commodious and
effectual ways and means of raising money,
without grieving the subject. The first af-
firmed, the justest method would be, to lay
a certain tax upon vices and folly; and the
sum fixed upon every man to be rated, after
the fairest manner, by a jury of his neigh-
bours. The second was of an opinion di-
rectly contrary; to tax those qualities of
body and mind, for which men chiefly value
themselves; the rate to be more or less as-
cording to the degrees of excelling; the de-
cision whereof should be left entirely to their
own breast. The highest tax was upon men
who are the greatest favourites of the other
sex, and the assessments, according to the
number and nature of the favours they have
received; for which they are allowed to be
their own vouchers. Wit, valour, and po-
liteness. were likewise proposed to be largely


}
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 265
taxed, and collected in the same manner,
by every person's giving his own word for
the quantum of what he possessed. But
as to honour, justice, wisdom, and learn-
ing, they should not be taxed at all; because
they are qualifications of so singular a kind,
that no man will either allow them in his
neighbour or value them in himself.
The women were proposed to be taxed
according to their beauty and skill in dress-
ing, wherein they had the same privilege
with the men, to be determined by their
own judgment. But constancy, chastity,
good sense, and good nature, were not rated,
because they would not bear the charge of
collecting.
To keep senators in the interest of the
crown, it was proposed that the members
should raffle for employments; every man
first taking an oath, and giving security, that
he would vote for the court, whether he won
or not; after which, the losers had, in their
turn, the liberty of raffling upon the next va-
cancy. Thus, hope and expectation would
be kept alive; none would complain of bro-
ken promises, but impute their disappoint-
ments wholly to fortune, whose shoulders
are broader and stronger than those of a
ministry.
Another professor showed me a large paper
of instructions for discovering plots and con-
spiracies against the government. He ad-
vised great statesmen to examine into the
diet of all suspected persons; their times of
2
Да
266
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
eating; upon which side they lay in bed
with which hand they wiped their posteriors;
take a strict view of the excrements, and,
from the colour, the odour, the taste, the
consistence, the crudeness, or maturity of
digestion, form a judgment of their thoughts
and designs; because men are never so se-
rious, thoughtful, and intent, as when they
are at stool, which he found by experience:
for, in such conjunctures, when he used,
merely as a trial, to consider which was the
best way of murdering the king, his ordure
would have a tincture of green: but quite
different, when he thought only of raising an
insurrection, or burning the metropolis.
The whole discourse was written with great
acuteness, containing many observations,
both curious and useful for politiciains; but,
as I conceived, not altogether complete. This
I ventured to tell the author, and offered, it
he pleased, to supply him with some addi-
tions. He received my proposition with more
compliance than is usual among writers, es-
pecially those of the projecting species; pro-
fessing 'he would be glad to receive farther
information.'
I told him, 'that in the kingdom of Tribnia,
by the natives called Langden, where I had
sojourned some time in my travels, the bulk
of the people consist in a manner wholly of
discoverers, witnesses, informers, accusers,
prosecutors, evidences, swearers, together
with their several subservient and subaltern
instruments, all under the colours, the
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
267
conduct, and the pay of ministers of state,
and their deputies. The plots, in that
kingdom, are usually the workmanship of
those persons who desire to raise their own
characters of profound politicians; to restord
new vigour to a crazy administration; to stifle
or divert general discontents; to fill their
coffers with forfeitures; and raise or sink the
opinion of public credit, as either shall best
answer their private advantage. It is first
agreed and settled among them, what sus-
pected persons shall be accused of a plot :
then, effectual care is taken to secure all
their letters and papers, and put the owners
in chains. These papers are delivered to a
set of artists, very dexterous in finding out
the mysterious meanings of words, syllables,
and letters for instance, they can discover
a close stool, to signify a privy-council; a
flock of geese, a senate; a lame dog,* an
invader; the plague, a standing army; a
buzzard, a prime minister; the gout, a high
priest; a gibbet, a secretary of state; a
chamber-pot, a committee of grandees; a
sieve, a court lady; a broom, a revolution; a
mouse trap, an employment; a bottomless
pit, a treasury; a sink, a court; a cap and
bells, a favourite; a broken reed, a court of
justice; an empty tun, a general; a running
sore, the administration.
:
"When this method fails, they have two
See the proceedings against Dr. Atterbury, Bishop
of Rochecter, in the State Trials, vol. vi.-H.
206
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
others more effectual, which the learned
among them call acrostics and anagrams.
First, they can decipher all initial letters
into political meanings. Thus N, shall sig-
nify a plot; B, a regiment of horse; L, a
fleet at sea: or, secondly, by transposing the
letters of the alphabet in any suspected pa-
per, they can lay open the deepest designs
of a discontented party. So, for example, if
I should say, in a letter to a friend, 'Our
brother Tom has just got the piles,' a skilful
decipherer would discover, that the same let-
ters which compose that sentence, may be
analysed into the following words, 'Resist,-
a plot is brought home-The tour.' And
this is the anagrammatic method.'
The professor made me great acknowledg-
ments for communicating these observations,
and promised to make honourable mention of
me in his treatise,
I saw nothing in this country that could
invite me to a longer continuance, and began
to think of returning home to England.
CHAPTER VII.
The Author leaves Lagado, arrives at Mallona-
da. No ship ready. He takes a short voy-
age to Glubbdubdribs His reception by the
governor.
་
THE continent, of which this kingdom is a
part, extends itself, as I have reason to be-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
269
lieve, eastward, to that unknown tract a
America westward of California; and north,
to the pacific oceau, which is not above a
hundred and fifty miles from Lagado; where
there is a good port, and much commerce
with the great island of Luggnagg, situated
to the north-west about 29 degrees north
latitude, and 140 longitude. This island of
Luggnagg stands south-eastward of Japan,
about a hundred leagues distant. There is a
strict alliance between the Japanese emperor
and the king of Luggnagg; which affords
frequent opportunities of sailing from one
island to the other. I determined therefore
to direct my course this way, in order to my
return to Europe. I hired two mules, with
a guide, to show me the way, and carry my
small baggage. I took leave of my noble
protector, who had shown me so much favour,
and made me a generous present at my de-
parture.
I
My journey was without any accident or
adventure worth relating. When I arrived
at the port of Maldonada (for so it is called)
there was no ship in the harbour bound for
Luggnagg, nor likely to be in some time. The
town is about as large as Portsmouth.
soon fell into some acquaintance, and was
very hospitably received. A gentleman of
distinction said to me, 'that since the ships
bound for Luggnagg could not be ready in
less than a month, it might be no disagreeable
amusement for me to take a trip to the little
island of Glubbdubdrib, about five leagues
270
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
off to the south-west.' He offered himself
and a friend to accompany me, and that I
should be provided with a small convenient
bark for the voyage.
Glubbdubdrib, as nearly as I can interpret
the word, signifies the island of sorcerers or
magicians. It is about one third as large as
the Isle of Wight, and extremely fruitful: it
is governed by the head of a certain tribe,
who are all magicians. This tribe marries
only among each other, and the eldest in
succession is prince or governor. He has a
noble palace, and a park of about three thou-
sand acres, surrounded by a wall of hewn
stone twenty feet high. In this park are
several small enclosures for cattle, corn, and
gardening.
The governor and his family are served
and attended by domestics of a kind some-
what unusual. By his skill in necromancy,
he has a power of calling whom he pleases
from the dead, and commanding their service
for twenty-four hours, but no longer; nor
can he call the same persons up again in less
than three months, except upon very extra-
ordinary occasions.
When we arrived at the island, which was
about eleven in the morning, one of the gen-
tlemen who accompanied me went to the go-
vernor, and desired admittance for a stranger,
who came on purpose to have the honour of
attending on his highness. This was imme-
diately granted, and we all three entered the
gate of the palace between two rows of guards,
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 271
armed and dressed after a very antick man-
ner, and something in their countenances that
made my flesh creep with a horror I cannot
express. We passed through several apart-
ments, between servants of the same sort,
ranked on each side as before, till we came to
the chamber of presence; where, after three
profound obeisances, and a few general ques-
tions, we were permitted to sit on three
stools, near the lowest step of his highness's
throne. He understood the language of Bal-
nibarbi, although it was different from that
of this island. He desired me to give him
some account of my travels; and, to let me
see that I should be treated without cere-
mony, he dismissed all his attendants with a
turn of his finger; at which, to my great as-
tonishment, they vanished in an instant, like
visions in a dream when we awake on a
sudden. I could not recover myself in some
time till the governor assured me, 'that I
should receive no hurt.' and observing my
two compannions to be under no concern, who
had been often entertained in the same man-
ner, I began to take courage, and related to
his highness a short history of my several
adventures; yet not without some hesitation,
and frequently looking behind me to the
place where I had seen those domestic spec-
tres. I had the honour to dine with the go-
vernor, where a new set of ghosts served up
the meat, and waited at table. I now ob-
served myself to be less terrified than I had
Leen in the morning. I stayed till sunset,
272
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
but humbly desired his highness to excuse me
for not accepting his invitation of lodging in
the palace. My two friends and I lay at a
private house in the town adjoining, which is
the capital of this little island; and the next
morning we returned to pay our duty to the
governor, as he was pleased to command us.
After this manner we continued in the
island for ten days, most part of every day
with the governor, and at night in our lodging.
I soon grew so familiarized to the sight of
spirits, that after the third or fourth time they
gave me no emotion at all; or, if I had any
apprehensions left, my curiosity prevailed
over them.
For his highness the governor
ordered me to call up whatever persons I
would choose to name, and in whatever num-
bers, among all the dead from the beginning
of the world to the present time, and com-
mand them to answer any questions I should
think fit to ask; with this condition, that my
questions must be confined within the com-
pass of the times they lived in. And one
thing I might depend upon, that they would
certainly tell me the truth, for lying was a
talent of no use in the lower world.'
I made my humble acknowledgments to his
highness for so great a favour. We were in
a chamber, from whence there was a fair
prospect into the park. And because my
first inclination was to be entertained with
scenes of pomp and magnificence, I desired
to see Alexander the Great at the head of
his army, just after the battle of Arbela;
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 273
which upon a motion of the governor's finger,
immediately appeared in a large field, under
the window where we stood. Alexander
was called up into the room; it was with
great difficulty that I understood his Greek*,
and had but little of my own. He assured
me upon his honour that he was not poi-
soned, but died of a bad fever by excessive
drinking+.'
Next, I saw Hannibal passing the Alps.
who told me he had not a drop of vinegar
in his camp‡.'
I saw Cæsar and Pompey at the head of
their troops, just ready to engage.
I saw
the former, in his last great triumph. I de-
sired that the senate of Rome might appear
before me, in one large chamber, and a modern
* A hint from Gulliver that we have lost the true
Greek idion.-Orrery.
In this passage there is a peculiar beanty, though
it is not discovered at a hasty view. The appearance
of Alexander with a victorious army immediately after
the battle of Arbela, produces only a declaration that
he died by drunkeuness:—thus inadequate and ridicu-
lous in the eye of reason is the altinate purpose for
which Alexander with his army marched into a remote
country, subverted a mighty empire, and deluged a
nation with blood: he gained no more than an epithet
to his name, which, after a few repetitions, was no
longer regarded even by himself. Thus the purpose of
his resurrection appears to be at least equally impor-
tant with that of his life, upon which it is a satire not
more bitter than just.-H.
Livy, the Roman historian, has related, that Han-
nibal burnt a great pile of wood upon a rock that
stopped his passage, and when it was thus heated pour-
ed vinegar upon it, by which it was made so soft as to
be easily cut through.-H.
274
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
representative in counterview, in another
The first seemed to be an assembly of heroe
and demi-gods; the other, a knot of pedlars,
pickpockets, highwaymen, and bullies.
nance.
The governor, at my request, gave the sign
for Cæsar and Brutus to advance towards us.
I was struck with a profound veneration at
the sight of Brutus, and could easily discover
the most consummate virtue, the greatest
intrepidity and firmness of mind, the truest
love of his country, and general benevolence
of mankind, in every lineament of his counte-
I observed, with much pleasure, that
these two persons were in good intelligence
with each other; and Cæsar freely confessed
to me, 'that the greatest actions of his own
life were not equal, by many degrees, to the
glory of taking it away.' I had the honour
to have much conversation with Brutus; and
was told, 'that his ancestor Junius, Socrates,
Epaminondas, Cato the younger,* Sir Thomas
More, and himself, were perpetually together;
a sextumvirate, to which all the ages of the
world cannot add a seventh.
It would be tedious to trouble the reader
with relating what vast numbers of illustrions
persons were called up, to gratify that insati-
able desire I had to see the world in every
I am in some doubt whether Cato the censor can
fairly claim a rank ainong so choice a group of ghosts.
-Orrery. This note of his lordship is an encomium on
the judgment of our author, who knew that Cato the
censor and Cato the younger were very different per
sons, and for good reason preferred the latter.-H.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 279
period of antiquity placed before me. I chiefly
fed mine eyes with beholding the destroyers
of tyrants and usurpers, and the restorers of
liberty to oppressed and injured nations. But
it is impossible to express the satisfaction I
received in my own mind, after such a man-
ner, as to make it a suitable entertainment to
the reader.
CHAPTER VIII.
A further account of Glubbdubdrib. Ancient
and modern history corrected.
HAVING a desire to see those ancients who
were most renowned for wit and learning. I
set apart one day on purpose. I proposed
that Homer and Aristotle might appear at the
head of all their commentators; but these
were so numerous, that some hundreds were
forced to attend in the court, and outward
rooms of the palace. I knew, and could dis-
tinguish those two heroes, at first sight, not
only from the crowd, but from each other.
Homer was the taller and comelier person of
the two, walked very erect for one of his age,
and his eyes were the most quick and pierce-
ing I ever beheld. Aristotle stooped much,
and made use of a staff. His visage was
meagre, his hair lank and thin, and his voice
hollow. I soon discovered that both of them
* This description of Aristotle is fine, and, in a few
words, represents the true nature of his works. By
276
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
were perfect strangers to the rest of the com-
pany, and had never seen or heard of them
before; and I had a whisper from a ghost
who shall be nameless, that these commen-
tators always kept in the most distant quar-
ters from their principals, in the lower world,
through a consciousness of shame and guilt,
because they had so horribly misrepresented
the meaning of those authors to posterity.'
I introduced Didymus and Eustathius to
Homer, and prevailed on him to treat them
better than perhaps they deserved, for he soon
found they wanted a genius to enter into the
spirit of a poet. But Aristotle was out of
all patience with the account I gave him of
Scotus and Ramus, as I presented them to
him; and he asked them, 'whether the rest
of the tribe were as great dunces as them-
selves?'
I then desired the governor to call up
Descartes and Gassendi, with whom I pre-
vailed to explain their systems to Aristotle.
This great philosopher freely acknowledged
his own mistakes in natural philosophy, be-
cause he proceeded in many things upon con-
jecture, as all men must do; and he found,
not having the immortal spirit of Homer, he was una-
ble to keep his body erect; and his staff, which feebly
supported him, like his commentators, made this defect
more conspicuous. He wanted not some useful quali-
ties, but these real ornaments, like his hair, were thin
and ungraceful.-Orrery. In this the noble cominen-
tator seems to be mistaken, for it cannot be believed
that Aristotle's real ornaments, however few, were
ungraceful.-II.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c..
277
that Gassendi, who had made the doctrine of
Epicurus as palatable as he could, and the
vortices of Descartes were equally to be
exploded. He predicted the same fate to
attraction, whereof the present learned are
such zealous asserters. He said, 'that new
systems of nature were but new fashions,
which would vary in every age; and even
those, who pretend to demonstrate them from
mathematical principles, would flourish but a
short period of time, and be out of vogue
when that was determined."
I spent five days in conversing with many
others of the ancient learned. I saw most
of the first Roman emperors. I prevailed on
the governor to call up Heliogabalus's cooks to
dress us a dinner, but they could not show us
much of their skill, for want of materials. A
helot of Agesilaus made us a dish of Spartan
broth, but I was not able to get down a
second spoonful.
The two gentlemen, who conducted me to
the island, were pressed by their private
affairs to return in three days, which I em-
ployed in seeing some of the modern dead,
who had made the greatest figure, for two
or three hundred years past, in our own and
other countries of Europe; and having been
always a great admirer of old illustrious fami-
lies, I desired the governor would call up a
dozen or two of kings, with their ancestors in
order for eight or nine generations. But my
disappointment was grievous and unexpected.
For, instead of a long train with royal dia-
2
B b
278
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
dems, I saw in one family two fiddlers, three
spruce courtiers, and an Italian prelate. In
another, a barber, an abbot, and two cardi-
nals. I have too great a veneration for
crowned heads, to dwell any longer on so nice
a subject. But as to counts, marquisses,
dukes, earls, and the like, I was not so scru-
pulous. And I confess, it was not without
some pleasure, that I found myself able to
trace the particular features, by which cer-
tain families are distinguished, up to their
originals. I could plainly discover wheuce
one family derives a long chin; why a second
has abounded with knaves for two genera-
tions, and fools for two more; why a third
happened to be crack-brained, and a fourth
to be sharpers; whence it came, what Poly-
dore Virgil says of a certain great house, Nec
vir fortis, nec fœmina casta; how cruelty,
falsehood, and cowardice, grew to be charac-
teristics, by which certain families are distin-
guished as much as by their coats of arms;
who first brought the pox into a noble house,
which has lineally descended in scrofulous
tumours to their posterity. Neither could I
wonder at all this, when I saw such an inter-
ruption of lineages, by pages, lackeys, valets,
coackmen, gamesters, fiddlers, players, cap-
tains, and pickpockets.
I was chiefly disgusted with modern history.
For having strictly examined all the persons
of greatest name in the courts of princes, for
a hundred years past, I found how the world
had been misled by prostitute writers, to
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c..
279
ascribe the greatest exploits in war, to cow-
ards; the wisest counsel, to fools; sincerity,
to flatterers; Roman virtue, to betrayers of
their country; piety, to atheists; chastity, to
sodomites; truth, to informers: how many
innocent and excellent persons had been con-
demned to death or banishment, by the
practising of great ministers upon the corrup-
tion of judges, and the malice of factions:
how many villains had been exalted to the
highest places of trust, power, dignity, and
profit: how great a share in the motions and
events of courts, councils, and senates, might
be challenged by bawds, whores, pimps,
parasites, and buffoons. How low an opinion
I had of human wisdom and integrity, when
I was truly informed of the springs and mo-
tives of great enterprises and revolutions in
the world, and of the contemptible accidents
to which they owed their success!
Here I discovered the roguery and igno-
rance of those who pretend to write anec-
dotes, or secret history; who send so many
kings to their graves with a cup of poison;
will repeat the discourse between a prince
and chief minister, where no witness was by;
unlock the thoughts and cabinets of ambas-
sadors and secretaries of state; and have the
perpetual misfortune to be mistaken. Here
I discovered the true causes of many great
events that have surprised the world; how a
whore can govern the back-stairs, the back-
stairs a council, and the council a senate. A
general confessed, in my presence, 'that he
280
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
>
got a victory purely by the force of cowardice
and ill conduct,' and an admiral, that, for
want of proper intelligence, he beat the
enemy, to whom he intended to betray the
Aleet. Three kings protested to me, 'that
in their whole reigns they never did once
prefer any person of merit, unless by mistake,
or treachery of some minister in whom they
confided: neither would they do it if they
were to live again:' and they showed, with
great strength of reason, that the royal
throne could not be supported without cor-
ruption, because that positive, confident,
restiff temper, which virtue infused into a
man, was a perpetual clog to public business.'
I had the curiosity to inquire in a particular
manner, by what methods great numbers had
procured to themselves high titles of honour,
and prodigious estates; and I confined my
inquiry to a very modern period: however,
without grating upon present times, because
I would be sure to give no offence even to
foreigners; for I hope the reader need not be
told, that I do not in the least intend my
own country, in what I say upon this occasion.
A great number of persons concerned were
called up; and, upon a very slight examina-
tion, discovered such a scene of infamy, that
I cannot reflect upon it without some serious-
ness. Perjury, oppression, subornation, fraud,
pandarism, and the like infirmities, were
among the most excusable arts they had to
mention; and for these I gave, as it was rea-
sonable, great allowance. But when some
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 281
confessed they owed their greatness and
wealth to sodomy, or incest; others, to the
prostituting of their own wives and daughters;
others, to the betraying of their country or
their prince; some, to poisoning; more, to the
perverting of justice, in order to destroy the
innocent: I hope I may be pardoned, if these
discoveries inclined me a little to abate of
that profound veneration, which I am na
turally apt to pay to persons of high rank,
who ought to be treated with the utmost
respect due to their sublime dignity, by us
their inferiors.
་
C
I had often read of some great services
done to princes and states, and desired to see
the persons by whom those services were
performed. Upon inquiry I was told, that
their names were to be found on no record,
except a few of them, whom history has re-
presented as the vilest of rogues and traitors.
As to the rest, I had never once heard of
them. They all appeared with dejected
looks, and in the meanest habit; most of them
telling me, 'they died in poverty and dis-
grace, and the rest on a scaffold or a gibbet.'
Among others, there was one person,
whose case appeared a little singular. He
had a youth about eighteen years old stand-
ing by his side. He told me he had for
many years been commander of a ship; and
in the sea-fight at Actium had the good for-
tune to break through the enemy's great line
of battle, sink three of their capital ships,
and take a fourth, which was the sole cause
282
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
of Antony's flight, and of the victory that
ensued; that the youth standing by him, his
only son, was killed in the action.' He added,
'that upon the confidence of some merit, the
war being at an end, he went to Rome, and
solicited at the court of Augustus to be pre-
ferred to a greater ship, whose commander
had been killed; but without any regard to
his pretensions, it was given to a boy who
had never seen the sea, the son of Libertina,
who waited on one of the emperor's mis-
tresses. Returning back to his own vessel,
he was charged with neglect of duty, and the
ship given to a favourite page of Publicola,
the vice-admiral; whereupon he retired to
a poor farm at a great distance from Romne,
and there ended his life.' I was so curious
to know the truth of this story, that I desired
Agrippa might be called, who was admiral in
that fight. He appeared, and confirmed the
whole account; but with much more advan-
tage to the captain, whose modesty had ex-
tenuated or concealed a great part of his merit.
I was surprised to find corruption grown
so high and so quick in that empire, by the
force of luxury so lately introduced; which
made me less wonder at many parallel cases
in other countries, where vices of all kinds
have reigned so much longer, and where the
whole praise, as well as pillage, has been en-
grossed by the chief commander, who perhaps
had the least title to either.
As every person called up made exactly
the same appearance he had done in the
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &C.
283
world, it gave me melancholy reflections to
observe, how much the race of human kin
was degenerated among us, within these
hundred years past; how the pox, under all
its consequences and denominations, had
altered every lineament of an English coun-
tenance; shortened the size of bodies, un-
braced the nerves, relaxed the sinews and
muscles, introduced a sallow complexion, and
rendered the flesh loose and rancid.
I descended so low, as to desire some
English yeomen of the old stamp might be
summoned to appear; once so famous for the
simplicity of their manners, diet, and dress;
for justice in their dealings; for their true
spirit of liberty; for their valour, and love of
their country.
Neither could I be wholly
unmoved, after comparing the living with
the dead, when I considered how all these
pure native virtues were prostituted for a
piece of money by their grandchildren; who,
in selling their votes and managing at elec-
tions, have acquired every vice and corrup-
tion that can possibly be learned in a court.
CHAPTER IX.
The Author returns to Maldonada. Sails to
the kingdom of Luggnagg. The Author con-
fined. He is sent for to court. The manner
of his admittance. The King's great lenity
to his subjects.
THE day of our departure being come, I took
leave of his highness, the governor of Glubb-
284
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
dubdrib, and returned with my two com-
panions to Maldonada, where, after a fort-
night's waiting, a ship was ready to sail for
Luggnagg. The two gentlemen, and some
others, were so generous and kind as to fur-
nish me with provisions, and see me on board.
I was a month in this voyage. We had one
violent storm, and were under a necessity of
steering westward to get into the trade-wind,
which holds for above sixty leagues. On the
21st of April, 1708, we sailed into the river
of Clumegnig, which is a seaport town, at the
south east point of Luggnagg. We cast an-
chor within a league of the town, and made
a signal for a pilot. Two of them came on
board in less than half an hour, by whom we
were guided between certain shoals and rocks,
which are very dangerous in the passage, to
a large basin, where a fleet may ride in safety
within a cable's length of the town-wall.
Some of our sailors, whether out of treach-
cry or inadvertence, had informed the pilots
'that I was a stranger, and a great traveller;'
whereof these gave notice to a custom-house
officer, by whom I was examined very strictly
upon my landing. This officer spoke to me
in the language of Balnibarbi, which, by the
force of much commerce, is generally under-
stood in that town, especially by seamen and
those employed in the customs. I gave him
a short account of some particulars, and made
my story as plausible and consistent as I could;
but I thought it necessary to disguise my
country, and call myself a Hollander; because
VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
285
(
ay intentions were for Japan, and I knew
the Dutch were the only Europeans permitted
to enter into that kingdom. I therefore told
the officer, that having been shipwrecked
on the coast of Balnibarbi, and cast on a rock,
I was received up into Laputa, or the flying
island (of which he had often heard,) and was
now endeavouring to get to Japan, whence I
might find a convenience of returning to iny
own country.' The officer said, 'I must be
confined till he could receive orders from
court, for which he would write immediately,
and hoped to receive an answer in a fortnight.'
I was carried to a convenient lodging, with a
sentry placed at the door; however, I had
the liberty of a large garden, and was treated
with humanity enough, being maintained all
the time at the king's charge. I was invited
by several persons, chiefly out of curiosity,
because it was reported that I came from
countries very remote, of which they had
never heard,
I hired a young man, who came in the same
ship, to be an interpreter; he was a native of
Lugguagg, but had lived some years at Mal-
donada, and was a perfect master of both
languages. By his assistance, I was able to
hold a conversation with those who came to
visit me; but this consisted only of their ques-
tions, and my answers.
The dispatch came from court about the
time we expected. It contained a warrant
for conducting me and my retinue to Tral-
dragdubh, or Trildrogdrib (for it is pronoun-
286
'GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
ced both ways as near as I can remember,)
by a party of ten horse. All my retinue was
that poor lad for an interpreter, whom I per-
suaded into my service, and, at my humble
request, we had each of us a mule to ride on.
A messenger was dispatched half a day's
journey before us, to give the king notice of
my approach; and to desire, 'that his majesty
would please to appoint a day and hour, when
it would be his gracious pleasure that I might
have the honour to lick the dust before his
footstool.' This is the court style, and I found
it to be more than matter of form: for, upon
my admittance two days after my arrival, I
was commanded to crawl upon my belly, and
lick the floor as I advanced; but, on account
of my being a stranger, care was taken to
have it made so clean, that the dust was not
offensive. However, this was a peculiar
grace, not allowed to any but persons of the
highest rank, when they desire an admittance.
Nay, sometimes the floor is strewed with
dust on purpose, when the person to be ad-
mitted happens to have powerful enemies at
court; and I have seen a great lord with his
mouth so crammed, that when he had crept
to the proper distance from the throne, he
was not able to speak a word. Neither is
there any remedy; because it is capital for
those, who receive an audience, to spit or
wipe their mouths in his majesty's presence.
There is indeed another custom, which I can-
not altogether approve of: when the king
has a mind to put any of his nobles to death
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 287
in a gentle indulgent manner, he commands
the floor to be strewed with a certain brown
powder of a deadly composition, which, being
licked up, infallibly kills him in twenty-four
hours. But in justice to this prince's great
clemency, and the care he has of his subjects'
lives (wherein it were much to be wished that
the monarchs of Europe would imitate him,}
it must be mentioned for his honour, that strict
orders are given to have the infected parts
of the floor well washed after every such
execution, which, if his domestics neglect,
they are in danger of incurring his royal dis-
pleasure. I myself heard him give directions,
that one of his pages should be whipped,
whose turn it was to give notice about wash-
ing the floor after an execution, but maliciously
had omitted it; by which neglect a young lord
of great hopes, coming to an audience, was
unfortunately poisoned, although the king at
that time had no design against his life. But
this good prince was so gracious as to forgive
the poor page his whipping, upon promise
that he would do so no more, without special
orders.
To return from this digression, when I had
crept within four yards of the throne, I raised
myself gently upon my knees, and then strik-
ing my forehead seven times against the
ground, I pronounced the following words,
as they had been taught me the night before,
Inckpling gloffthrobb squut serumm blhiop
mlashnalt zwin tnodbalkuff hslhiophad gurd-
lubh asht. This is the compliment, established
288
GULLIVER ·´IRAVELS.`
by the laws of the land, for all persons ad-
mitted to the king's presence.
It may be
rendered into English thus: May your celes-
tial majesty outlive the sun, eleven moons
and a half!' To this the king returned some
answer, which, although I could not under-
stand, yet I replied as I had been directed:
Flute drin yalerick dwuldom prastrad mir-
push, which properly signifies, 'My tongue is
in the mouth of my friend;' and by this ex-
pression was meant, that I desired leave to
bring my interpreter; whereupon the young
man, already mentioned, was accordingly in-
troduced; by whose intervention I answered
as many questions as his majesty could put
in above an hour. I spoke in the Balnibar-
bian tongue, and my interpreter delivered my
meaning in that of Luggnagg.
The king was much delighted with my
company, and ordered his bliffmarklub, or
high-chamberlain, to appoint a lodging in the
court for me and my interpreter; with a daily
allowance for my table, and a large purse of
gold for my common expenses.
I stayed three months in this country, out
of perfect obedience to his majesty; who was
pleased highly to favour me, and made me
very honourable offers. But I thought it
more consistent with prudence and justice to
pass the remainder of my days with my wife
and family.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 289
CHAPTER X.
The Luggnaggians commended.
A particular
description of the Struldbrugs, with manz
conversations between the Author and some
eminent persons upon that subject.
THE Luggnaggians are a polite and generous
people; and although they are not without
some share of that pride which is peculiar to
all Eastern countries, yet they show them-
selves courteous to strangers, especially such
who are countenanced by the court. I had
many acquaintance, and among persons of the
best fashion; and being always attended by
my interpreter, the conversation we had was
not disagreeable.
6
He
One day, in much good company, I was
asked by a person of quality, 'whether I had
seen any of their struldbrugs, or immortals?"
I said, 'I had not;' and desired he would
explain to me what he meant by such an ap-
pellation, applied to a mortal creature.
told me that sometimes, though very rarely,
a child happened to be born in a family, with
a red circular spot in the forehead, directly
over the left eyebrow, which was an infallible
mark that it should never die. The spot,' as
he described it, 'was about the compass of a
silver three-pence, but in the course of time
grew larger, and changed its colour; for at
twelve years old it became green, so conti-
nued till five-and-twenty, then turned to a
2
сс
290
Gulliver's TRAVELS.
deep blue: at five-and-forty it grew coal
black, and as large as an English shilling;
but never admitted any further alteration.'
He said, 'these births were so rare, that he
did not believe there could be above eleven
hundred struldbrugs, of both sexes, in the
whole kingdom; of which he computed about
fifty in the metropolis, and among the rest, a
voung girl born about three years ago: that
these productions were not peculiar to any
family, but a mere effect of chance; and the
children of the struldbrugs themselves were
equally mortal with the rest of the people.'
I freely own myself to have been struck
with inexpressible delight, upon hearing this
account: and the person who gave it me
happening to understand the Balnibarbian
language, which I spoke very well, I could
not forbear breaking out into expressions,
perhaps a little too extravagant. I cried out,
as in a rapture, 'Happy nation, where every
child has at least a chance for being immortal!
Happy people, who enjoy so many living ex-
amples of ancient virtue, and have masters
ready to instruct them in the wisdom of all
former ages! but happiest, beyond all com-
parison, are those excellent struldbrugs, who,
being born exempt from that universal cala-
mity of human nature, have their minds free
and disengaged, without the weight and de-
pression of spirits caused by the continual
apprehensions of death.' I discovered my
admiration, that I had not observed any of
these illustrious persons at court; the black
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 291
spot on the forehead being so remarkable a
distinction, that I could not have easily over-
looked it: and it was impossible that his
majesty, a most judicious prince, should not
provide himself with a good number of such
wise and able counsellors. Yet perhaps the
virtue of those reverend sages was too strict
for the corrupt and libertine manners of a
court: and we often find by experience, that
young men are too opinionated and volatile,
to be guided by the sober dictates of their
seniors. However, since the king was pleased
to allow me access to his royal person, I was
resolved, upon the very first occasion, to de-
liver my opinion to him on this matter freely
and at large, by the help of my interpreter;
and whether he would please to take my ad-
vice or not, yet in one thing I was determined,
that his majesty having frequently offered me
an establishment in this country, I would,
with great thankfulness, accept the favour,
and pass my life here in the conversation of
those superior beings the struldbrugs, if they
would please to admit me.'
The gentleman to whom I addressed my
discourse, because (as I have already observed)
he spoke the language of Balnibarbi, said to
me, with a sort of a smile which usually arises
from pity to the ignorant, that he was glad
of any occasion to keep me among them, and
desired my permission to explain to the com-
pany what I had spoke.' He did so, and
they talked together for some time in their
own language, whereof I understood not a
292
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
syllable, neither could I observe by their
countenances, what impression my discourse
had made on them. After a short silence,
the same person told me, that his friends and
mine (so he thought fit to express himselt)
were very much pleased with the judicious
remarks I had made on the great happiness
and, advantages of immortal life, and they
were desirous to know, in a particular man-
ner, what scheme of living I should have
formed to myself, if it had fallen to my lot
to have been born a struldbrug.'
I answered, it was easy to be eloquent on
so copious and delightful a subject, especially
to me, who had been often apt to amuse my-
self with visions of what I should do, if I were
a king, a general, or a great lord: and upon
this very case, I had frequently run over the
whole system how I should employ myself,
and pass the time, if I were sure to live for
ever.
"That, if it had been my good fortune to
come into the world a struldbrug, as soon as
I could discover my own happiness, by under-
standing the difference between life and
death, I would first resolve, by all arts and
methods whatsoever, to procure myself riches:
in the pursuit of which, by thrift and manage-
ment, I might reasonably expect, in about
two hundred years, to be the wealthiest man
in the kingdom. In the second place, I
would, from my earliest youth, apply myself
to the study of arts and sciences, by which I
should arrive in time to excel all others in
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 295
learning. Lastly, I would carefully record
every action and event of consequence, that
happened in the public, impartially draw the
characters of the several successions of princes
and great ministers of state, with my own
observations on every point. I would exactly
set down the several changes in customs,
language, fashions of dress, diet, and diver-
sions; by all which acquirements, I should
be a living treasure of knowledge and wisdom,
and certainly become the oracle of the
nation.
'I would never marry after threescore,
but live in a hospitable manner, yet still on
the saving side. I would entertain myself in
forming and directing the minds of hopeful
young men, by convincing them, from my own
remembrance, experience, and observation,
fortified by numerous examples, of the use-
fulness of virtue in public and private life.
But my choice and constant companions
should be a set of my own immortal brother-
hood: among whom, I would elect a dozen
from the most ancient, down to my own cou-
temporaries. Where any of these wanted
fortunes, I would provide them with conveni-
ent lodges round my own estate, and have
some of them always at my table; only
mingling a few of the most valuable among
you mortals, whom length of time would har-
den me to lose with little or no reluctance,
and treat your posterity after the same man-
ner; just as a man diverts himself with the
annual succession of pinks and tulips in his
294
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
garden, without regretting the loss of those
which withered the preceding year.
'These struldbrugs and I would mutually
communicate our observations and memorials,
through the course of time; remark the seve-
ral gradations by which corruption steals into
the world, and oppose it in every step, by
giving perpetual warning and instruction to
mankind; which, added to the strong in-
fluence of our own example, would probably
prevent that continual degeneracy of human
nature, so justly complained of in all ages.
Add to this, the pleasure of seeing the
various revolutions of states and empires; the
changes in the lower and upper world; an-
cient cities in ruins, and obscure villages be-
come the seats of kings; famous rivers lessen-
ing into shallow brooks; the ocean leaving
one coast dry, and overwhelming another;
the discovery of many countries yet unknown;
barbarity overrunning the politest nations,
and the most barbarous become civilized. I
should then see the discovery of the longitude,
the perpetual motion, the universal medicine,
and many other great inventions, brought to
the utmost perfection.
'What wonderful discoveries should we
make in astronomy, by outliving and confirm-
ing our own predictions; by observing the
progress and returns of comets, with the
changes of motion in the sun, moon, and
stars!"
I enlarged upon many other topics, which
the natural desire of endless life, and sublu-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 295
A
L
nary happiness, could easily furnish me with.
When I had ended, and the sum of my dis-
course had been interpreted, as before, to the
rest of the company, there was a good deal
of talk among them in the language of the
country, not without some laughter at my
expense. At last the same gentleman who
had been my interpreter, said, 'he was de-
sired by the rest to set me right in a few
mistakes, which I had fallen into through
the common imbecility of human nature, and
upon that allowance was less answerable for
them. That this breed of struldbrugs was
peculiar to their country, for there were no
such people either in Balnibarbi or Japan,
where he had the honour to be ambassador
from his majesty, and found the natives in
both those kingdoms very hard to believe that
the fact was possible: and it appeared from
my astonishment when he first mentioned the
matter to me, that I received it as a thing
wholly new, and scarcely to be credited.
That in the two kingdoms above-mentioned,
where during his residence he had conversed
very much, he observed long life to be the
universal desire and wish of mankind. That
whoever had one foot in the grave was sure
to hold qack the other as strongly as he could.
That the oldest had still hopes of living one
day longer, and looked on death as the great-
est evil, from which nature always prompted
him to retreat. Only in this island of Lugg-
nagg the appetite for living was not so eager,
from the continual example of the struld-
brugs before their eyes.
• Y
296
GULLIVER'S TRAVILS
'That the system of living contrived by me,
was unreasonable and unjust; because it
supposed a perpetuity of youth, health, and
vigour, which no man could be so foolish to
hope, however extravagant he may be in his
wishes.* That the question therefore was not,
whether a man would choose to be always in
the prime of youth, attended with prosperity
and health; but now he would pass a per-
petual life, under all the usual disadvantages
which old age brings along with it; for al-
though few men will avow their desires of
being immortal, upon such hard conditions,
yet in the two kingdoms before mentioned,
of Balnibarbi and Japan, he observed that
every man desired to put off death some time
longer, let it approach ever so late and he
rarely heard of any man who died willingly,
except he were incited by the extremity of
grief or torture. And he appealed to me,
whether in those countries I had travelled,
as well as my own, I had not observed the
same general disposition,'t
*To this it may possibly be objected, that the per-
petuity of youth, health, and vigour, would be less a
prodigy than the perpetuity of life in a body subject to
gradual decay, and might therefore be hoped without
greater extravagance of folly; but the sentiment here
expressed is that of a being to whom immortality
though not perpetual youth was familiar, and in whom
the wish of perpetual youth only would have been
extravagant, because that only appeared from facts to
be impossible.-H.
If it be said, that although the folly of desiring life
to be prolonged under the disadvantages of old age,
is here finely exposed; yet the desire of terrestrial im-
mortality, upon terms on which alone in the nature of
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
297
<
After this preface, he gave me a particular
account of the struldbrugs among them. He
said, they commonly acted like mortals till
about thirty years old; after which, by de-
grees, they grew melancholy and dejected,
increasing in both till they came to fourscore.
This he learned from their own confession :
for otherwise, there not being above two or
three of that species born in an age, they
they were too few to form a general observa-
tion by. When they came to fourscore years,
which is reckoned the extremity of living in
this country, they had not only all the follies
and infirmities of other old men, but many
more which arose from the dreadful prospect
of never dying. They were not only opinion-
ative, peevishi, covetous, morose, vain, talk-
ative; but incapable of friendship, and dead
to all natural affection, which never descend-
ed below their grandchildren. Envy, and
impotent desires are their prevailing passions.
But those objects against which their envy
seems principally directed, are the vices of
1
things it is possible, an excmption from disease, acci
dent, and decay, is tacitly allowed. It may be an.
swered, that as we grow old by imperceptible degrees,
so for the most part we grow old without repining;
and every man is ready to profess himself willing to
die, when he shall be overtaken by the decrepitude of
age in some future period: yet when every other eye
sees that this period is arrived, he is still tenacions of
life, and murmurs at the condition upon which he re-
ceived his existence. To reconcile old age therefore to
the thoughts of a dissolution, appears to be all that
was necessary in a moral writer for practical pur-
poses.-H.

298
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the younger sort, and the deaths of the old.
By reflecting on the former, they find them-
selves cut off from all possibility of pleasure;
and whenever they see a funeral, they lament
and repine that others are gone to a harbour
of rest, to which they themselves never can
hope to arrive. They have no remembrance
of any thing, but what they learned and ob.
served in their youth and middle-age, and
even that is very imperfect; and for the
truth or particulars of any fact, it is safer to
depend on common tradition, than upon their
best recollections. The least miserable
among them, appear to be those who turn to
dotage, and entirely lose their memories;
these meet with more pity and assistance,
because they want many bad qualities which
abound in others.
'If a struldbrug happen to marry one of
his own kind, the marriage is dissolved of
course, by the courtesy of the kingdom, as
soon as the younger of the two come to be
fourscore; for the law thinks it a reasonable
indulgence, that those who are condemned,
without any fault of their own, to a perpetual
continuance in the world, should not have
their misery doubled by the load of a wife.
As soon as they have completed the term
of eighty years, they are looked on as dead
in law; their heirs immediately, succeed to
their estates; only a small pittance is re-
served for their support; and the poor ones
are maintained at the public charge. After
that period, they are held incapable of any
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 299
employment of trust or profit; they cannot
purchase lands, or take leases; neither are
they allowed to be witnesses in any cause,
either civil or criminal, not even for the de-
cision of meers and bounds.
"At ninety they loose their teeth and hair;
they have at that age no distinction of taste,
but eat and drink whatever they can get,
without relish or appetite. The diseases they
were 'subject to still continue, without in-
creasing or diminishing. In talking, they
forget the common appellation of things, and
the names of persons, even of those who are
their nearest friends and relations. For the
same reason, they never can amuse them-
selves with reading, because their memory
will not serve to carry them from the begin-
ning of a sentence to the end; and by this
defect, they are deprived of the only enter-
tainment, whereof they might otherwise be
capable.
*
t
The language of this country being always
upon the flux, the struldbrugs of one age do
not understand those of another; neither are
they able, after two hundred years, to hold
any conversation (farther than by a few ge-
neral words) with their neighbours the mor-
tals; and thus they lie under the disadvantage
of living like foreigners in their own country.'
This was the account giving me of the
struldbrugs, as near as I can remember. I
afterwards saw five or six of different ages,
the youngest not above two hundred years
old, who were brought to me at several times
300
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
by some of my friends; but although they
were told, 'that I was a great traveller, and
had seen all the world,' they had not the least
curiosity to ask me a question; only desired
'I would give them slumskudask, or a token
of remembrance ; which is a modest way of
begging, to avoid the law, that strictly for-
bids it, because they are provided for by the
public, although indeed with a very scanty
allowance.
They are despised and hated by all sorts of
people. When one of them is born, it is
reckoned ominous, and their birth is recorded
very particularly so that you may know their
age by consulting the register, which, how-
ever, has not been kept above a thousand
years past, or at least has been destroyed by
time or public disturbances. But the usual
way of computing how old they are, is by
asking them what kings or great persons they
can remember, and then consulting history;
for infallibly the last prince in their mind did
not begin his reign after they were fourscore
years old.
}
They were the most mortifying sight I ever
beheld; and the women more horrible
than the men. Beside the usual deformities
in extreme old age, they acquired an ad-
ditional ghastliness, in proportion to their
number of years, which is not to be described;
and among half a dozen, I soon distinguished
which was the eldest, although there was not
above a century or two between them.
The reader will easily believe that from
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 301
what I had heard and seen, my keen appetite
for perpetuity of life was much abated. I
I grew heartily ashamed of the pleasing vi-
sions I had formed; and thought no tyrant
could invent a death, into which I would not
run with pleasure, from such a life. The
king heard of all that had passed between
me and my friends upon this occasion, and
rallied me very pleasantly; wishing I could
send a couple of struldbrugs to my own
country, to arm our people against the fear
of death;* but this, it seems, is forbidden by
the fundamental laws of the kingdom, or else
I should have been well content with the
trouble and expense of transporting them.
I could not but agree, that the laws of this
kingdom relative to the struldbrugs were
founded upon the strongest reasons, and such
as any other country would be under the ne
cessity of enacting, in the like circumstances
Otherwise, as avarice is the necessary cor.
sequent of old age, those immortals would u
time become proprietors of the whole nation,
and engross the civil power, which, for want
of abilities to manage, must end in the rnir
of the public.
A Perhaps it may not be wholly useless to remark,
That the sight of a struldbrug would no otherwis arm
those gainst the fear of death, who have no hope
beyond it, than a mau is armed against the fear of
breaking his limbs, who jumps out of a window when
his house is on fire.-H.
D d
302
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
CHAPTER XI.
The Author leaves Luggnagg, and suiis to Ja-
pan. From thence he returns in a Dutch
ship to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to
Englund.
4
I THOUGHT this account of the struldbrugs
might be some entertainment to the reader,
because it seems to be a little out of the com-
mon way; at least I did not remember to
have met the like in any book of travels that
has come to my hands: and if I am deceived,
my excuse must be, that it is necessary for
travellers who describe the same country, very
often to agree in dwelling on the same par-
ticulars, without deserving the censure of
having borrowed or transcribed from those
who wrote before them.
There is indeed a perpetual commerce be-
tween this kingdom and the great empire of
Japan and it is very probable, that the Ja-
panese authors may have given some account
of the struldbrugs; but my stay in Japan
was so short, and I was so entirely a stranger
to the language, that I was not qualified to
make any inquiries. But I hope the Dutch,
upon this notice, will be curious and able
enough to supply my defects.
His majesty having often pressed me to
accept some employment in his court, and
finding me absolutely determined to return
to my native country, was pleased to give me
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
303
his licence to depart; and honoured me with
a letter of recommendation, under his own
hand, to the emperor of Japan. He likewise
presented me with four hundred and forty-
four large pieces of gold (this nation delight-
ing in even numbers), and a red diamond,
which I sold in England for eleven hundred
pounds.
On the 6th of May, 1709, I took a solemn
leave of his majesty, and all my friends.
This prince was so gracious as to order a
guard to conduct me to Glanguenstald, which
is a royal port to the southwest part of the
island. In six days I found a vessel ready
to carry me to Japan, and spent fifteen days
in the voyage,
We landed at a small port-
town called Xamoschi, situated on the south-
east part of Japan; the town, lies on the
western point, where there is a narrow strait
leading northward into a long arm of the sea,
upon the north-west part of which, Yedo the
metropolis stands. At landing I showed the
custom-house officers my letter from the king
of Luggnagg to his imperial majesty. They
knew the seal perfectly well; it was as broad
as the palm of my hand. The impression
was, 'A king lifting up a lame beggar from
the earth.' The magistrates of the town,
hearing of my letter, received me as a pub-
lic minister; they provided me with carriages
and servants, and bore my charges to Yedo,
where I was admitted to an audience, and
delivered my letter, which was opened with
great ceremony, and explained to the em-
304
GULIIVER'S TRAVELS.
peror by an interpreter, who then gave me
notice, by his majesty's order, ' that I should
signify my request, and whatever it were, it
should be granted, for the sake of his royal
brother of Luggnagg.' This interpreter was
a person employed to transact affairs with
the Hollanders: he soon conjectured, by my
countenance, that I was a European, and
therefore repeated his majesty's commands
in Low Dutch, which he spoke perfectly well.
I answered, as I had before determined,
'that I was a Dutch merchant, shipwrecked
in a very remote country, whence I had
travelled by sea and land to Luggnagg, and
then took shipping for Japan; where I kitew
my countrynien often traded, and with some
of these I hoped to get an opportunity of
returning into Europe: I therefore most hum
bly entreated his royal favour, to give order
that I should be conducted in safety to Nan-
gasac.' To this I added another petition,
that for the sake of my patron the king of
Luggnagg, his majesty would condescend to
excuse my performing the ceremony imposed
on my countrymen, of trampling upon the
crucifix; because I had been thrown into this
kingdom by my misfortunes, without any in-
tention of trading. When this latter pe-
tition was interpreted to the emperor, he
seemed a little surprised; and said, 'he be-
lieved I was the first of my countrymen who
ever made any scruple in this point; and that
he began to doubt, whether I was a real-Hol
lander, or not; but rather suspected I must
す
​1
✔
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
305
be a Christian. However, for the reasons I
had offered, but chiefly to gratify the king of
Luggnagg by an uncommon mark of his favour,
he would comply with the singularity of my
humour; but the affair must be managed
with dexterity, and his officers should be
commanded to let me pass, as it were by for-
getfulness; for he assured me, that if the
secret should be discovered by my country-
men the Dutch, they would cut my throat in
the voyage.' I returned my thanks, by the
interpreter, for so unusual a favour; and
some troops being at that time on their march
to Nangasac, the commanding officer had
orders to convey me safe thither, with par-
ticular instructions about the business of the
crucifix.
On the 9th day of June 1709, I arrived at
Nangasac, after a very long and troublesome
journey. I soon fell into the company of
some dutch sailors belonging to the Amboyna
of Amsterdam, a stout ship of 450 tons. I
had lived long in Holland, pursuing my stu-
dies at Leyden, and I spoke Dutch well.
The seamen soon knew whence I came last:
they were curious to enquire into my voyages
and course of life. I made up a story as
short and probable as I could, but concealed
the greatest part. I knew many persons in
Holland; I was able to invent names for my
parents, whom I pretended to be obscure
people in the province of Guelderland. I
would have given the captain (one Theodorus
Vangrult) what he pleased to ask for my
306
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
voyage to Holland; but understanding I was
a surgeon, he was contented to take half the
usual rate, on condition that I would serve
him in the way of my calling. Before we
took shipping, I was often asked by some of
the crew, 'whether I had performed the
ceremony above mentioned? I evaded the
question by general answers; that I had
satisfied the emperor and court in all par-
ticulars.' However, a malicious rogue of a
skipper went to an officer, and pointing to
me, told him, 'I had not yet trampled on the
crucifix;' but the other, who had received
instructions to let me pass, gave the rascal
twenty strokes on the shoulders with a bam-
boo; after which I was no more troubled with
such questions.
Nothing happened worth mentioning in
this voyage.
We sailed with a fair wind to
the Cape of Good Hope, where we staid only
to take in fresh water. On the 10th of
April, 1710, we arrived safe at Amsterdam,
having lost only three men by sickness in the
voyage, and a fourth, who fell from the fore-
mast into the sea, not far from the coast of
Guinea. From Amsterdam I soon after set
sail for England, in a small vessel belonging
to that city.
On the 16th of April we put in at the
Downs. I landed next morning, and saw
once more my native country, after an ab-
sence of five years and six months complete.
I went straight to Redriff, where I arrived
the same day at two in the afternoon, and
found my wife and family in good health.
•
1
A VOYAGE
TO THE
COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS.
PART IV.
CHAPTER I.
The Author sets out as Captain of a ship. His
men conspire against him, confine him a long
time to his cabin, and set him on shore in un
unknown land. He travels up into the coun-
try. The Yahoos, a strange sort of animal,
described. The Author meets two Houyhnhnms.
I CONTINUED at home with my wife and
children about five months, in a very happy
condition, if I could have learned the lesson
of knowing when I was well. I left my poor
wife big with child, and accepted an advan-
tageous offer made me to be captain of the
Adventure, a stout merchautman of 350 tons:
for I understood navigation well, and being
grown weary of a surgeon's employment at
sea, which, however, I could exercise upon
occasion, I took a skilful young man of that
calling, one Robert Purefoy, into my ship.
We set sail from Portsmouth, upon the 7th
308
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
day of September, 1710; on the 14th, we met
with Captain Pocock, of Bristol, at Teneriffe,
who was going to the bay of Campechy to cut
logwood. On the 16th, he was parted from
us by a storm; I heard since my return, that
his ship foundered, and none escaped but
one cabin-boy. He was an honest man, and
a good sailor, but a little too positive in his
own opinions, which was the cause of his de-
struction, as it has been of several others: for
if he had followed my advice, he might have
been safe at home with his family at this
time, as well as myself.
I had several men died in my ship of
calentures, so that I was forced to get re-
cruits out of Barbadoes and the Leeward
Islands, where I touched, by the direction of
the merchants who employed me; which I
had soon too much cause to repent: for I
found afterwards, that most of them had
been buccaneers.* I had fifty hands on
board; and my orders were, that I should
trade with the Indians in the South Sea, and
make what discoveries I could. These rogues,
whom I had picked up, debauched my other
men, and they all formed a conspiracy to
seize the ship, and secure me; which they did
one morning, rushing into my cabin, and
binding me hand and foot, threatening to
throw me overboard, if I offered to stir. I
told them, 'I was their prisoner, and would
submit.' This they made me swear to do,
• Certain pirates, that infested the West Indies, were
#o called.—II.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 309
and then they unbound me, only fastening
one of my legs with a chain, near my bed,
and placed a sentry at my door with his piece
charged, who was commanded to shoot me
dead, if I attempted my liberty. They sent
me down victuals and drink, and took the
government of the ship to themselves. Their
design was to turn pirates, and plunder the
Spaniards, which they could not do till they
got more men. But first they resolved to
sell the goods in the ship, and then go to
Madagascar for recruits, several among them
having died since my confinement. They
sailed many weeks, and traded with the
Indians; but I knew not what course they
took, being kept a close prisoner in my cabin,
and expecting nothing less than to be mur-
dered, as they often threatened me.
Upon the 9th day of May, 1711, one James
Welch came down into my cabin, and said
'he had orders from the captain to set me
ashore.' I expostulated with him, but in
vain; neither would he so much as tell me
who their new captain was. They forced
me into the long-boat, letting me put on my
best suit of clothes, which were as good as
new, and take a small bundle of linen, but
no arms, except my hanger; and they were
so civil as not to search my pockets, into
which I conveyed what money I had, with
some other little necessaries. They rowed
about a league, and then set me down on a
strand. I desired them to tell me what
country it was. They all swore, 'that they
310
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
knew no more than myself;' but said, "that
the captain (as they called him) was resolved,
after they had sold the lading, to get rid of
me in the first place where they could dis-
cover land.' They pushed off immediately,
advising me to make haste for fear of being
overtaken by the tide, and so bade me fare-
well.
}
In this desolate condition I advanced for-
ward, and soon got upon firm ground, where
I sat down on a bank to rest myself, and con-
sider what I had best do. When I was a
little refreshed, I went up into the country,
resolving to deliver myself to the first savages
I should meet, and purchase my life from
them by some bracelets, glass rings, and other
toys, which sailors usually provide themselves
with in those voyages, and whereof I had
some about me. The land was divided by
+ long rows of trees, not regularly planted, but
naturally growing; there was great plenty of
grass, and several fields of oats. I walked
very circumspectly, for fear of being sur-
prised, or suddenly shot with an arrow from
behind, or on either side. I fell into a beaten
road, where I saw many tracks of human
feet, and some of cows, but most of horses.
At last I beheld several animals in a field,
and one or two of the same kind sitting in
trees. Their shape was very singular and
deformed, which a little discomposed me, so
that I lay down behind a thicket to observe
them better. Some of them coming forward
near the place where I lay, gave me an
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS.
311
opportunity of distinctly marking their form.
Their heads and breasts were covered with a
thick hair, some frizled, and others lank; they
had beards like goats, and a long ridge of
hair down their backs, and the fore parts of
their legs and feet; but the rest of their
bodies was bare, so that I might see their
skins, which were of a brown buff colour.
They had no tails, nor any hair at all on their
buttocks, except about the anus; which, I
presume, nature had placed there to defend
them, as they sat on the ground; for this pos-
ture they used, as well as lying down, and
often stood on their hind feet. They climbed
high trees as nimbly as a squirrel, for they
had strong extended claws before and behind,
terminating in sharp points, and hooked.
They would often spring, and bound, and
leap, with prodigious agility. The females
were not so large as the males; they had long
lank hair on their head, but none on their
faces, nor any thing more than a sort of down
on the rest of their bodies, except about the
anus and pudenda. The dugs hung between
their fore-feet, and often reached almost to
the ground as they walked. The hair of
both sexes was of several colours, brown,
red, black, and yellow. Upon the whole, I
never beheld, in all my travels, so disagree-
able an animal, or one against which I na-
turally conceived so strong an antipathy; so
that thinking I had seen enough, full of con-
tempt and aversion, I got up, and pursued
the beaten road, hoping it might direct me to
312
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the cabin of some Tudian. I had not got fáť,
when I met one of these creatures full in my
way, and coming up directly to me. The
ugly monster, when he saw me, distorted
several ways every feature of his visage, and
stared, as at an object he had never seen be-
fore; then approaching nearer, lifted up his
fore-paw, whether out of curiosity or mischief
I could not tell; but I drew my hanger, and
gave him a good blow with the flat side of it,
for I durst not strike with the edge, fearing
the inhabitants might be provoked against me,
if they should come to know that I had killed
or maimed any of their cattle. When the
beast felt the smart, he drew back, and roar-
ed so loud, that a herd of at least forty came
flocking about me from the next field, howl-
ing and making odious faces; but I ran to the
body of a tree, and leaning my back against
it, kept them off by waving my hanger.
Several of this cursed brood, getting hold of
the branches behind, leaping up into the tree,
whence they began to discharge their excre-
ments on my head: however, I escaped pret-
ty well by sticking close to the stem of the
tree, but was almost stifled with the filth,
which fell about me on every side.
In the midst of this distress, I observed
them all to run away on a sudden as fast as
they could; at which I ventured to leave the
tree, and pursue the road, wondering what it
was that could put them into this fright. Büt
looking on my left hand, I saw a horse, walk
ing softly in the field; which my persecutors
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 313
having sooner discovered, was the cause of
their flight. The horse started a little, when
he came near me, but soon recovering himself
looked full in my face with manifest tokens of
wonder. He viewed my hands and feet,
walking round me several times. I would
have pursued my journey, but he placed him-
self directly in the way, yet looking with
very mild aspect, never offering the least
violence. We stood gazing at each other for
some time; at last I took the boldness to
reach my hand towards his neck with a design
to stroke it, using the common style and whis-
tle of jockeys, when they are going to handle
a strange horse. But this animal seemed to
receive my civilities with disdain, shook his
head, and bent his brows, softly raising up
his right fore-foot to remove my hand. Then
he neighed three or four times, but in so dif-
ferent a cadence, that I almost began to think
he was speaking to himself, in some language
of his own.
While he and I were thus employed, ano-
ther horse came up; who applying himself
first in a very formal manner, they gently
struck each other's right hoof before, neigh-
ing several times by turns, and varying the
sound, which seemed to be almost articulate.
They went some paces off, as if it were to con-
fer together, walking side by side, backward
and forward, like persons deliberating upon
some affair of weight, but often turning their
eyes towards me, as it were to watch that I
might not escape. I was amazed to see such
E e
314
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
actions and behavour in brute beasts; and con-
cluded with myself, that if the inhabitants of
this country were endued with a proportion-
able degree of reason, they must needs be the
wisest people upon earth. This thought gave
me so much comfort, that I resolved to go
forward, until I could discover some house or
village, or meet with any of the natives,
leaving the two horses to discourse together
as they pleased. But the first, who was a
dapple gray, observing me to steal off, neigh-
ed after me in so expressive a tone, that I
fancied myself to understand what he meant ;
whereupon I turned back, and came near to
him to expect his farther coinmands; but con-
cealing my fear as much as I could; for I
began to be in some pain how this adventure
might terminate; and the reader will easily
believe I did not much like my present situa-
tion.
The two horses came up close to me, look-
ing with great earnestness upon my face and
hands. The gray steed rubbed my hat all
round with his right fore-hoof, and discom-
posed it so much, that I was forced to adjust
it better by taking it off, and settling it again;
whereat, both he and his companion (who
was a brown bay) appeared to be much sur-
prised; the latter felt the lappet of my coat,
and finding it to hang loose about me, they
both looked with new signs of wonder.
stroked my right hand, seeming to admire the
softness and colour; but he squeezed it so
hard between his hoof and his pastern, that I
He
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 315
was forced to roar; after which they both
touched me with all possible tenderness.
They were under great perplexity about my
shoes and stockings, which they felt very
often, neighing to each other, and using va-
rious gestures, not unlike those of a philoso-
pher, when he would attempt to solve some
new and difficult phenomenon.
Upon the whole, the behaviour of these
animals was so orderly and rational, so acute
and judicious, that I at last concluded they
must needs be magicians, who had thus me-
tamorphosed themselves upon some design
and seeing a stranger in the way, resolved to
divert themselves with him; or, perhaps,
were really amazed at the sight of a man so
very different in habit, feature, and complex-
iorf, from those who might probably live in so
remote a climate. Upon the strength of this
reasoning, I ventured to address them in the
following manner: 'Gentlemen, if you be con-
jurors, as I have good cause to believe, you
can understand any language; therefore I
nake bold to let your worships know that I
am a poor distressed Englishman, driven by
his misfortunes upon your coast; and I en-
treat one of you to let me ride upon his back,
as if he were a real horse, to some house or
village where I can be relieved. In return
of which favour, I will make you a present of
this knife and bracelet;' taking them out of
my pocket. The two creatures stood silent
while I spoke, seeming to listen with great
attention; and when I had ended, they
316
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
neighed frequently towards each other, as if
they were engaged in serious conversation.
I plainly observed that their language ex-
pressed the passions very well, and the words
might, with little pains, be resolved into an
alphabet more easily than the Chinese.
I could frequently distinguish the word
Yahoo, which was repeated by each of them
several times: and although it was impossible
for me to conjecture what it meant, yet while
the two horses were busy in conversation, I
endeavoured to practice this word upon my
tongue; and as soon as they were silent, I
boldly pronounced Yakoo in a loud voice,
imitating at the same time, as near as I could,
the neighing of a horse; at which they were
both visibly surprised; and the gray repeated
the same word twice, as if he meant to teach
me the right accent; wherein I spoke after
him as well as I could, and found myself per-
ceivably to improve every time, though very
far from any degree of perfection. Then the
bay tried me with a second word, much har-
der to be pronounced; but reducing it to the
English orthography, may be spelt thus,
Houyhnhnm. I did not succeed in this so
so well as in the former; but after two or
three farther trials, I had better fortune; and
they both appeared amazed at my capacity.
ན
After some further discourse, which I then
conjectured might relate to me, the two
friends, took their leaves, with the same com-
pliment of striking each other's hoof; and the
gray made me signs that I should walk before
[
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 317
lim; wherein I thought it prudent to comply,
till I could find a better director. When I
offered to slacken my pace, he would cry
hhuun hhuun: I guessed his meaning, and
gave him to understand, as well as I could,
'that I was weary, and not able to walk fast-
er;' upon which he would stand awhile to let
me rest.
CHAPTER II.
The Author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his
house. The house described. The Author's
reception. The food of the Houyhnhnms.
The Author in distress for want of meat. Is
at last relieved. His manner of feeding in
this country.
HAVING travelled about three miles, we came
to a long kind of building, made of timber
stuck in the ground, and wattled across; the
roof was low, and covered with straw. I
now began to be a little comforted; and took
out some toys, which travellers usually carry
for presents to the savage Indians of America,
and other parts, in hopes the people of the
house would be thereby encouraged to receive
me kindly. The horse made me a sign to go
in first; it was a large room with a smooth
clay floor, and a rack and manger, extending
the whole length on one side. There were
three nags and two mares, not eating, but
318
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
some of them sitting down upon their hams,
which I very much wondered at; but won-
dered more to see the rest employed in do-
mestic business; these seemed but ordinary
cattle; however, this confirmed my first
opinion, that a people who could so far civil-
ise brute animals, must needs excel in wisdom
all the nations of the world. The gray came
in just after, and thereby prevented any ill
treatment which the others might have given
me. He neighed to them several times in a
style of authority, and received answers.
Beyond this room there were three others,
reaching the length of the house, to which
you passed through three doors, opposite to
each other in the manner of a vista; we went
through the second room towards the third.
Here the gray walked in first, beckoning me
to attend I waited in the second room, and
got ready my presents for the master and
mistress of the house: they were two knives,
three bracelets of false pearls, a small look-
ing-glass, and a bead necklace. The horse
neighed three or four times, and I waited to
hear some answers in a human voice, but I
heard no other returns than in the same di-
alect, only one or two a little shriller than
his. I began to think that this house must
belong to some person of great note among
them, because there appeared so much cere-
mony before I could gain admittance. But,
that a man of quality should be served all by
horses, was beyond my comprehension; I
feared my brain was disturbed by my suf
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 319
ferings and misfortunes: I roused myself,
and looked about me in the room where I
was left alone; this was furnished like the
first, only after a more elegant manner. I
rubbed my eyes often, but the same objects
still occured. I pinched my arms and sides
to awake myself, hoping I might be in a
dream. I then absolutely concluded, that
all these appearances could be nothing else
but necromancy and magic. But I had no
time to pursue these reflections; for the gray
horse came to the door, and made me a sign
to follow him into the third room, where I
saw a very comely mare, together with a
colt and foal, sitting on their haunches upon
mats of straw, not unartfully made, and per-
fectly neat and clean.
The mare soon after my entrance rose from
her mat, and coming up close, after having
nicely observed my hands and face, gave me
a most contemptuous look; and turning to
the horse I heard the word Yahoo often re-
peated betwixt them; the meaning of which
word I could not then comprehend, although
it was the first I had learned to pronounce ;
but I was soon better informed, to my ever-
lasting mortification; for the horse, beckoning
to me with his head, and repeating the
hhuun, hhuun, as he did upon the road,
which I understood was to attend him, led
me out into a kind of court, where was
another building, at some distance from the
house, Here we entered, and I saw three of
those detestable creatures, which I first met
320
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
after my landing, feeding upon roots, and the
flesh of some animals, which I afterwards
found to be that of asses and dogs, and now
and then a cow, dead by accident or disease.
They were all tied by the neck with strong
withes fastened to a beam; they held their
food between the claws of their fore feet, and
tore it with their teeth.
The master horse ordered a sorrel nag, one
of his servants, to untie the largest of these
animals, and take him into the yard. The
beast and I were brought close together, and
by our countenances diligently compared
both by master and servant, who thereupon
repeated several times the word Yahoo. My
horror and astonishment are not to be des-
cribed, when I observed, in this abominable
animal, a perfect human figure: the face of
it indeed was flat and broad, the nósc de-
pressed, the lips large, and the mouth wide;
but these differences are common to all sa-
vage nations, where the lineaments of the
countenance are distorted, by the natives
suffering their infants to lie grovelling on the
earth, or by carrying them on their backs,
nuzzling with their face against the mothers'
shoulders. The fore-feet of the Yahoo dif-
fered from my hands in nothing else but thẻ
length of the nails, the coarseness and brown-
ness of the palms, and the hairiness on the
backs. There was the same resemblancé
between our feet, with the same differences;
which I knew very well, though the horses
did not, because of my shoes and stockings;
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNIJNMS. 321
the same in every part of our bodies except
as to hairiness and colour, which I have al-
ready described.
The great difficulty that seemed to stick
with the two horses, was to see the rest of
my body so different from that of a Yahoo,
for which I was obliged to my clothes,whereof
they had no conception. The sorrel nag of-
fered me a root, which he held (after their
manner, as we shall describe in its proper
place) between his hoof and pastern: I took
it in my hand, and, having smelt it, returned
it to him again as civilly as I could. He
brought out of the Yahoos kennel a piece of
ass's flesh, but it smelt so offensively that I
turned from it with loathing: he then threw
it to the Yahoo, by whom it was greedily
devoured. He afterwards showed me a wisp
of hay, and a fetlock full of oats; but I shook
my head to signify that neither of these were
food for me. And indeed I now apprehended
that I must absolutely starve, if I did not get
to some of my own species; for as to those
filthy Yahoos, although there were few greater
lovers of mankind at that time than myself,
yet I confess I never saw any sensitive being
so detestable on all accounts; and the more
I came near them the more hateful they grew,
while I stayed in that country. This the
master horse observed by my behaviour,
and therefore sent the Yahoo back to his
kennel. He then put his fore-hoof to his
mouth, at which I was much surprised, al-
though he did it with ease, and with a motion
322
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
that appeared perfectly natural; and made
other signs, to know what I would eat; but I
could not return him such an answer as he
was able to apprehend; and if he had under-
stood me, I did not see how it was possible
to contrive any way for finding myself nourish-
ment. While we were thus engaged, I ob-
served a cow passing by, whereupon I pointed
to her, and expressed a desire to go and milk
her. This had its effect; for he led me back
into the house, and ordered a mare-servant
to open a room, where a good store of milk
lay in earthen and wooden vessels, after a
very orderly and cleanly manner.
She gave
me a large bowlfull, of which I drank very
heartily, and found myself well refreshed.
About noon, I saw coming towards the
house a kind of vehicle drawn like a sledge
by four Yahoos. There was in it an old
steed, who seemed to be of quality; he
alighted with his hind-feet forward, having
by accident got a hurt in his left fore-foot.
He came to dine with our horse, who received
him with great civility. They dined in the
best room, and had oats boiled in milk for the
second course, which the old horse eat warın,
but the rest cold. Their mangers were
placed circular in the middle of the room, and
divided into several partitions, round which
they sat on their haunches, upon bosses of
straw. In the middle was a large rack, with
angles answering to every partition of the
manger; so that each horse and mare eat
their own hay, and their own mash of oats
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 323
and milk, with much decency and regularity.
The behavior of the young colt and foal ap-
peared very modest, and that of the master
and mistress extremely cheerful and com-
plaisant to their guest. The
The gray ordered
me to stand by him; and much discourse
passed between him and his friend concerning
me, as I found by the stranger's often look-
ing on me, and the frequent repetition of the
word Yahoo.
I happened to wear my gloves, which the
master gray observing, seemed perplexed,
discovering signs of wonder what I had done
to my fore-feet: he put his hoof three or four
times to them, as if he would signify, that I
should reduce them to their former shape,
which I presently did, pulling off both my
gloves, and putting them into my pocket.
This occasioned farther talk, and I saw the
company was pleased with my behaviour,
whereof I soon found the good effects. I
was ordered to speak the few words I under-
stood; and while they were at dinner, the
master taught me the names for oats, milk,
fire, water, and some others which I could
readily pronounce after him, having from my
youth a great facility in learning languages.
When dinner was done, the master horse
took me aside, and by signs and words made
me understand the concern he was in that I
had nothing to eat. Oats in their tongue are
called hlunnh. This word I pronounced two
or three times; for although I had refused
them at first, yet, upon second thoughts, I
324
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
considered that I could contrive to make of
them a kind of bread, which might be suffi-
cient, with milk, to keep me alive, till I could
make my escape to some other country, and
to creatures of my own species. The horse
immediately ordered a white mare servant of
his family to bring me a good quantity of oats
in a sort of wooden tray. These I heated
before the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed
them till the husks came off, which I made a
shift to winnow from the grain: I ground and
beat them between two stones, then took
water, and made them into a paste or cake,
which I toasted at the fire, and eat warm
with milk. It was at first a very insipid diet,
though common enough in many parts of Eu-
rope, but grew tolerable by time; and having
been often reduced to hard fare in my life,
this was not the first experiment I had made
how easily nature is satisfied. And I cannot
but observe, that I never had one hour's sick-
ness while I stayed in this island. It is true,
I sometimes made a shift to catch a rabbit,
or bird, by springes made of Yahoo's hairs;
and I often gathered wholesome herbs, which
I boiled, and eat as salads with my bread;
and now and then, for a rarity, I made a little
butter, and drank the whey. I was at first
at a great loss for salt, but custom soon recon-
ciled me to the want of it; and I am confident,
that the frequent use of salt among us is an
effect of luxury, and was first introduced only
as a provocative to drink, except where it is
necessary for preserving flesh in long voyages,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 325
or in places remote from great markets; for
we observe no animal to be fond of it but man,
and as to myself, when I left this country, it
was a great while before I could endure the
taste of it in any thing that I eat.
This is enough to say upon the subject of
my diet, wherewith other travellers fill their
books, as if the readers were personally con-
cerned whether we fare well or ill. However,
it was necessary to mention this matter, lest
the world should think it impossible that I
could find sustenance for three years in such
a country, and among such inhabitants.
When it grew towards evening, the master
horse ordered a place for me to lodge in; it
was but six yards from the house, and sepa-
rated from the stable of the Yahoos. Here
I got some straw, and covering myself with
my own clothes, slept very sound. But I was
in a short time better accommodated, as the
reader shall know hereafter, when I come to
treat more particularly about my way of living.
CHAPTER III.
The Author studies to learn the language. The
Houyhnhnm, his master, assists in teaching
him. The language described. Several Houy-
hnhnms of quality come out of curiosity to see
the Author. He gives his master a short ac-
count of his voyage.
My principal endeavour was to learn the
language, which my master (for so I shall
2
F f
326
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
henceforth call him,) and his children, and
every servant of his house, were desirous to
teach me; for they looked upon it as a prodi-
gy,
that a brute animal should discover such
marks of a rational creature. I pointed to
every thing, and inquired the name of it,
which I wrote down in my journal-book when
I was alone, and corrected my bad accent,
by desiring those of the family to pronounce
it often. In this employment, a sorrel nag,
one of the under-servants, was very ready to
assist me.
In speaking, they pronounced through the
nose and throat, and their language approach-
es nearest to the High-Dutch, or German, of
any I know in Europe; but is much more
graceful and significant. The emperor Charles
V. made almost the same observation, when
he said, 'that if he were to speak to his horse,
it should be in High-Dutch.' The curiosity
and impatience of my master were so great,
that he spent many hours of his leisure to in-
struct me. He was convinced (as he after-
wards told me) that I must be a Yahoo; but
my teachableness, civility, and cleanliness,
astonished him; which were qualities altoge-
ther opposite to those animals. He was
most perplexed about my clothes, reasoning
sometimes with himself, whether they were a
part of my body; for I never pulled them off
* Qualities opposite to animals,' is a strange mode
of expression; it should be 'which were qualities
altogether opposite to such as belonged to those ani-
malı.'-S.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 327
C
till the family were asleep, and got them on
before they waked in the morning. My mas-
ter was eager to learn whence I came; how
I acquired those appearances of reason, which
I discovered in all my actions; and to know
my story from my own mouth, which he hoped
he should soon do, by the great proficiency I
made in learning and pronouncing their words
and sentences.' To help my memory, I form-
ed all I learned into the English alphabet,
and writ the words down, with the transla-
tions. This last, after some time, I ventured
to do in my master's presence. It cost me
much trouble to explain to him what I was
doing; for the inhabitants have not the least
idea of books or literature.
In about ten weeks time, I was able to un-
derstand most of his questions; and in three
months, could give him some tolerable answers.
He was extremely curious to know from
what part of the country I came, and how I
was taught to imitate a rational creature ;
because the Yahoos (whom he saw I exactly
resembled in my head, hands, and face, that
were only visible,*) with some appearance of
cunning, and the strongest disposition to mis-
chief, were observed to be the most unteach-
able of all brutes.' I answered, ' that I came
over the sea from a far place, with many
others of my own kind, in a great hollow ves-
sel made of the bodies of trees: that my
• That were only visible'-an ambiguous phrase; it
'should be,—' which only were visible, &c.-S.
$28
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
་
companions forced me to land on this coast,
and then left me to shift for myself. It was
with some difficulty, and by the help of many
signs, that I brought him to understand me.
He replied, that I must needs be mistaken,
or that I said the thing which was not;' for
they have no word in their language to ex-
press lying or falsehood,
"He knew it was
impossible that there could be a country be-
yond the sea, or that a parcel of brutes could
move a wooden vessel whither they pleased
upon water. He was sure no Houyhnhnm
alive could make such a vessel, nor would
trust Yahoos to manage it.
The word Houyhnhnm, in their tongue,
signifies a horse, and, in its etymology, the
perfection of nature. I told my master,
that I was at a loss for expression, but would
improve as fast as I could; and hoped, in a
short time, I should be able to tell him won-
ders.' He was pleased to direct his own
mare, his colt, and foal, and the servants of
the family, to take all opportunities of in-
structing me; and every day, for two or three
hours, he was at the same pains himself: se-
veral horses and mares of quality in the
neighbourhood, came often to our house, upon
the report spread of a wonderful Yahoo,
that could speak like a Houyhnhnm, and
seemed, in his words and actions, to discover
some glimmerings of reason.' These delighted
to converse with me: they put many ques-
tions, and received such answers as I was
able to return. By all these advantages I
VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS.
329
made so great a progress, that, in five months
from my arrival, I understood whatever was
spoken, and could express myself tolerably
well.
The Houyhnhnms, who came to visit my
master out of a design of seeing and talking
with me, could hardly believe me to be a
right Yahoo, because my body had a different
covering from others of my kind. They were
astonished to observe me without the usual
hair or skin, except on my head, face, and
hands; but I discovered that secret to my
master upon an accident which happened
about a fortnight before.
I have already told the reader, that every
night, when the family were gone to bed, it
was my custom to strip, and cover myself
with my clothes: it happened one morning
early, that my master sent for me by the
sorrel nag, who was his valet; when he came
I was fast asleep, my clothes fallen off on
one side, and my shirt above my waist. I
awaked at the noise he made, and observed
him to deliver his message in some disorder;
after which he went to my master, and in a
great fright gave him a very confused account
of what he had seeu: this I presently dis-
covered; for, going as soon as I was dressed
to pay my attendance upon his honour, he
asked me 'the meaning of what his servant
had reported, that I was not the same thing
when I slept, as I appeared to be at other
times; that his valet assured him, some part
of me was white, some yellow, at least not so
white, and some brown.
330
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
I had hitherto concealed the secret of my
dress, in order to distinguish myself, as much
as possible, from that cursed race of Yahoos;
hut now I found it in vain to do so any louger.
Besides, I considered that my clothes and
shoes would soon wear out, which already
were in a declining condition, and must be
supplied by some contrivance from the hides
of Yahovs, or other brutes; whereby the
whole secret would be known. I therefore
told my master, 'that in the country whence
I came, those of my kiud always covered
their bodies with the hairs of certain animals
prepared by art, as well for decency as to
avoid the inclemencies of air, both hot and
cold; of which, as to my person, I would give
him immediate conviction, if he pleased to
command me: only desiring his excuse, if I
did not expose those parts that nature taught
us to conceal.' He said, 'my discourse was
all very strange, but especially the last part;
for he could not understand, why nature
should teach us to conceal what nature had
given; that neither himself nor family were
ashamed of any parts of their bodies; but,
however, I might do as I pleased.' Where-
upon I first unbuttoned my coat, and pulled
it off. I did the same with my waistcoat. I
drew off my shoes, stockings, and breeches.
I let my shirt down to my waist, and drew
up the bottom, fastening it like a girdle about
my middle, to hide my nakedness.
My master observed the whole perform-
ance with great signs of curiosity and admira-
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 331
tion. He took up all my clothes in his pas-
tern, one piece after another, and examined
them diligently; he then stroked my body
very gently, and looked round me several
times; after which, he said, it was plain I
must be a perfect Yahoo; but that I differed
very much from the rest of my species, in the
softness, whiteness, and smoothness of my
skin; my want of hair in several parts of my
body; the shape and shortness of my claws
behind and before; and my affectation of
walking continually on my two hinder feet.
He desired to see no more; and gave me
leave to put on my clothes again, for I was
shuddering with the cold.
I expressed my uneasiness at his giving me
so often the appellation of a Yahoo, au odious
aninal, for which I had so utter a hatred and
contempt: I begged he would forbear apply-
ing that word to me, and make the same
order in his family and among his friends
whom he suffered to see me. I requested
likewise, 'that the secret of my having a false
covering to my body, might be known to noue
but himself, at least as long as my present
clothing should last; for, as to what the sorrel
nag, his valet, had observed, his honour might
command him to conceal it.
All this my master very graciously con-
sented to, and thus the secret was kept till my
clothes began to wear out, which I was forced
to supply by several contrivances that shall
hereafter be mentioned. In the mean time,
he desired 'I would go on with my utmost
332
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
diligence to learn their language, because he
was more astonished at my capacity for speech
and reason, than at the figure of my body,
whether it were covered or not;' adding,
'that he waited with some impatience to hear
the wonders which I promised to tell him.'
Thenceforward he doubled the pains he
had been at to instruct me: he brought me
into all company, and made them treat me
with civility; 'because,' as he told them
privately, 'this would put me into good hu-
mour, and make me more diverting.'
Every day, when I waited on him, beside
the trouble he was at in teaching, he would
ask me several questions concerning myself,
which I answered as well as I could; and by
these means he had already received some
general ideas, though very imperfect. It
would be tedious to relate the several steps
by which I advanced to a more regular con-
versation; but the first account I gave of my-
self in any order and length was to this purpose.
"That I came from a very far country, as I
already had attempted to tell him, with about
fifty more of my own species; that we tra-
velled upon the seas in a great hollow vessel
made of wood, and larger than his honour's
house. I described the ship to him in the
best terms I could, and explained, by the
help of my handkerchief displayed, how it
was driven forward by the wind.
That upon
a quarrel among us, I was set on shore on
this coast, where I walked forward, without
knowing whither, till he delivered me from
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 333
the persecution of those execrable Yahoos.'
He asked me, 'who made the ship, and how
it was possible that the Houyhnhnms of my
country would leave it to the management of
brutes?' My answer was, 'that I durst pro-
ceed no further in my relation, unless he
would give me his word and honour that he
would not be offended; and then I would tell
him the wonders I had so often promised.'
He agreed; and I went on by assuring him,
that the ship was made by creatures like my-
self; who, in all the countries I had travelled,
as well as in my own, were the only govern-
ing rational animals; and that upon my arrival
hither,* I was as much astonished to see the
Houyhnhnms act like rational beings, as he,
or his friends, could be, in finding some marks
of reason in a creature he was pleased to call
a Yahoo; to which I owned my resemblance
in every part, but could not account for their
degenerate and brutal nature.' I said far-
ther, that if good fortune ever restored me
to my native country, to relate my travels
hither, as I resolved to do, every body would
believe, that I said the thing that was not,
that I invented the story out of my own
head; and (with all possible respect to him-
self, his family, and friends, and under his
promise of not being offended) our country-
men would hardly think it probable that a
Houyhnhnm should be the presiding crea-
ture of a nation, and a Yahoo the brute.'
• It should be—'upon my arrival here,' not ' arrival
hither,' which is not English.-S.
334
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS,
CHAPTER IV.
The Houyhnhnm's notion of truth and false-
hood. The Author's discourse disapproved
by his master. The Author gives a more
particular account of himself, and the acci-
dents of his voyage.
My master heard me with great appearances
of uneasiness in his countenance; because
doubting, or not believing, are so little known
in this country, that the inhabitants cannot
tell how to behave themselves under such
circumstances: and I remember, in frequent
discourses with my master concerning the na-
ture of manhood in other parts of the world,
having occasion to talk of lying and false re-
presentation, it was with much difficulty that
he comprehended what I meant, although he
had otherwise a most acute judgment. For
he argued thus: that the use of speech was
to make us understand one another, and to
receive information of facts; now, if any one
said the thing which was not, these ends were
defeated, because I cannot properly be said
to understand him; and I am so far from re-
ceiving information, that he leaves me worse
than in ignorance, for I am led to believe a
thing black, when it is white, and short, when
it is long." Aud these were all the notions
he had concerning that faculty of lying, so
perfectly well understood, and so universally
practised, among human creatures.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 335
"
To return from this digression. When I
asserted that the Yahoos were the only go-
veruing animals in my country, which my
master said was altogether past his concep-
tion, he desired to know, whether we had
Houyhnhnms among us, and what was their
employment? I told him, 'we had great num-
bers; that in summer they grazed in the
fields, and in winter were kept in houses with
hay and oats, where Yahoo servants were
employed to rub their skins smooth, comb
their manes, pick their feet, serve them with
food and make their beds.' 'I understand
you well,' said my master: 'it is now very
plain, from all you have spoken, that what-
ever share of reason the Yahoos pretended
to, the Houyhnhnms are your masters; I
heartily wish our Yahoos would be so tract-
able.' begged his honour would please to
excuse me from proceeding any further, be-
cause I was very certain that the account he
expected from me would be highly displeas-
ing.' But he insisted in commanding* me to
let him know the best and the worst. I told
'he should be obeyed.' I owned that the
Houyhnhnms among us, whom we called
horses, were the most generous and comely
animal we had; that they excelled in strength
and swiftness; and when they belonged to
persons of quality, were employed in travel-
ling, racing, or drawing chariots; they were
treated with much kindness and care, till
Insisted in commanding is not English; it
should be, 'persisted in commanding,' &c.-S.
336
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
they fell into diseases, or became foundered
in the feet but then they were sold, and
used to all kind of drudgery till they died;
after which their skins were stripped, and
sold for what they were worth, and their
bodies left to be devoured by dogs and birds
of prey.
But the common race of horses had
not so good fortune, being kept by farmers
and carriers, and other mean people, who
put them to greater labour, and fed them
worse.' I described, as well as I could, our
way of riding; the shape and use of a bridle,
a saddle, a spur, and a whip; of harness
and wheels.
C
I added, that we fastened
plates of a certain hard substance called iron,
at the bottom of their feet, to preserve their
hoofs from being broken by the stony ways,
on which we often travelled.'
My master, after some expressions of
great indignation, wondered how we dared
to venture upon a Houyhnhnm's back; for
he was sure, that the weakest servant in his
house would be able to shake off the strongest
Yahoo; or by lying down and rolling on his
back, squeeze the brute to death.' I an-
swered, that our horses were trained up,
from three or four years old, to the several
uses we intended them for; that if any of
them proved intolerably vicious, they were
employed for carriages; that they were se-
verely beaten, while they were young, for
any mischievous tricks that the males, de-
signed for the common use of riding or draught,
were generally castrated about two years
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYINHNMS. 337
after their birth, to take down their spirits,
and make them more tame and gentle; that
they were indeed sensible of rewards and
punishments; but his honour would please to
consider, that they had not the least tincture
of reason, any more than the Yahoos in this
country.'
It put me to the pains of many circum-
locutions, to give my master a right idea of
what I spoke; for their language does not
abound in variety of words, because their
wants and passions are fewer than among us.
But it is impossible to express his noble re-
sentment at our savage treatment of the
Houyhnhnm race; particularly after I had
explained the manner and use of castrating
horses among us, to hinder them from propa-
gating their kind, and to render them more
servile. He said, 'if it were possible there
could be any country where Yahoos alone
were endued with reason, they certainly must
be the governing animal; because reason
in time will always prevail against brutal
strength. But, considering the frame of our
bodies, and especially of mine, he thought
no creature of equal bulk was so ill-contrived
for employing that reason in the common
offices of life; whereupon he desired to know
'whether those among whom I lived resem-
bled me or the Yahoos of his country.' I as-
sured him, that I was as well shaped as most
of my age; but the younger, and the females
were much more soft and tender, and the
skins of the latter generally as white as milk.'
2
G g
338
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
He said, 'I differed indeed from other Ya-
hoos, being much more cleanly, and not
altogether so deformed; but, in point of real
advantage, he thought I differed for the
worse that my nails were of no use either
to my fore or hinder feet; as to my fore feet,
he could not properly call them by that name,
for he never observed me to walk upon them;
that they were too soft to bear the ground;
that I generally went with them uncovered;
neither was the covering I sometimes wore
on them of the same shape, or so strong as
that on my feet behind that I could not
walk with any security, for if either of my
hinder feet slipped, I must inevitably fall.'
He then began to find fault with other parts
of my body: 'the flatness of my face, the
prominence of my nose, mine eyes placed
directly in front, so that I could not look on
either side, without turning my head: that I
was not able to feed myself, without liftirg
one of my fore-feet to my mouth; and there-
fore nature had placed those joints to answer
that necessity. He knew not what could be
the use of those several clefts and divisions
in my feet behind; that these were too soft
to bear the hardness and sharpness of stones,
without a covering made from the skin of
some other brute; that my whole body
wanted a fence against heat and cold, which
I was forced to put on and off every day,
with tediousness and trouble and lastly,
that he observed every animal in this country
naturally to abhor the Yahoos, whom the
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 339
weaker avoided, and the stronger drove from
them. So that, supposing us to have the
gift of reason, he could not see how it were
possible to cure that natural antipathy, which
every creature discovered against us; nor
consequently how we could tame and render
them serviceable. However, he would,' as
he said, 'debate the matter no farther, be-
cause he was more desirous to know my own
story, the country where I was born, and the
several actions and events of my life, before I
came hither."
I assured him 'how extremely desirous I
was that he should be satisfied in every point;
but I doubted much, whether it would be
possible for me to explain myself on several
subjects whereof his honour could have no
conception; because I saw nothing in his coun-
try to which I could resemble them: that
however, I would do my best, and strive to
express myself by similitudes, humbly desiring
his assistance when I wanted proper words;'
which he was pleased to promise me.
I said 'my birth was of honest parents, in
an island called England; which was remote
from his country, as many day's journey as
the strongest of his honour's servants could
travel in the annual course of the sun that I
was bred a surgeon, whose trade it is to cure
wounds and hurts in the body, gotten by ac-
cident or violence; that my country was
governed by a female man whom we called
queen; that I left it to get riches, whereby I
might maintain myself and family, when I
340
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
should return; that, in my last voyage, I was
commander of the ship, and had about fifty
Yahoos under me, many of which died at sea,
and I was forced to supply them by others
picked out from several nations; that our ship
was twice in danger of being sunk, the first
time by a great storm, and the second by
striking against a rock.' Here my master
interposed, by asking me, 'how I could per-
suade strangers, out of different countries, to
venture with me, after the losses I had sus-
stained, and the hazards I had run.' I said,
'they were fellows of desperate fortunes,
forced to fly from the places of their birth on
account of their poverty or their crimes.
Some were undone by lawsuits; others spent
all they had in drinking, whoring, and gaming;
others filed for treason; many for murder,
theft, poisoning, robbery, perjury, forgery,
coining false money, for committing rapes,
or sodomy; for flying from their colours, or
deserting to the enemy; and most of them
had broken prison; none of these durst re-
turn to their native countries, for fear of
being hanged, or of starving in a jail; and
therefore they were under the necessity of
seeking a livelihood in other places.'
During this discourse, my master was
pleased to interrupt me several times. I had
made use of many circumlocutions in describ-
ing to him the nature of the several crimes for
which most of our crew had been forced to
fly their country. This labour took up seve-
ral days' conversation, before he was able to
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 341
comprehend me. He was wholly at a loss to
know what could be the use or necessity of
practising those vices. To clear up which, I
endeavoured to give some ideas of the desire
of power and riches; of the terrible effects of
lust, intemperance, malice, and envy. All
this I was forced to define and describe by
putting cases, and making suppositions. After
which, like one whose imagination was struck
with something never seen or heard of before,
he would lift up his eyes with amazement and
indignation. Power, government, war, law,
punishment, and a thousand other things, had
no terms, wherein that language could express
them; which made the difficulty almost insu-
perable, to give my master any conception of
what I meant. But being of an excellent
understanding, much improved by contempla-
tion and converse, he at last arrived at a
competent knowledge of what human nature,
in our parts of the world, is capable to per-
form; and desired I would give him some
particular account of that land which we call
Europe, but especially of my own country.
CHAPTER V.
The Author, at his master's commands, informs
him of the state of England. The causes of
war among the princes of Europe.
Author begins to explain the English consti-
tution
The
THE reader may please to observe, that the
following extract of many converstions I had
342
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
with my master, contains a summary of the
most material points, which were discoursed
at several times for above two years; his
honour often desiring fuller sutisfaction, as I
farther improved in the Houyhnhnm tongue.
I laid before him, as well as I could, the
whole state of Europe; I discoursed of trade
and manufactures, of arts and sciences; and
the answers I gave to all the questions he
made, as they arose upon several subjects,
were a fund of conversation not to be ex-
hausted. But I shall here only set down the
substance of what passed between us con-
cerning my own country, reducing it in order
as well as I can, without any regard to time
or other circumstances, while I strictly adhere
to truth. My only concern is, that I shall
hardly be able to do justice to my master's
arguments and expressions, which must needs
suffer by my want of capacity, as well as by
a translation into our barbarous English.
In obedience therefore to his honour's com-
mands, I related to him the revolution under
the Prince of Orange; the long war with
France, entered into by the said prince, and
renewed by his successor, the present queen;
wherein the greatest powers of Christendom
were engaged, and which still continued: I
computed at his request, 'that about a mil-
lion of Yahoos might have been killed in the
whole progress of it; and perhaps a hundred
or more cities taken, and five times as many
ships burnt or sunk.'
He asked me, 'what were the usual causes
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNIINMS. 343
or motives that made one country go to war
with another?' I answered, they were in-
numerable; but I should only mention a few
of the chief. Sometimes the ambition of
princes, who never think they have land or
people enough to govern; sometimes the cor-
ruption of ministers, who engage their master
in a war, in order to stifle or divert the cla-
mour of the subjects against their evil admi-
nistration. Difference in opinions has cost
many millions of lives; for instance, whether
flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether
the juice of a certain berry be blood or wine,⭑*
whether whistling be a vice or a virtue;†
whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw
it into the fire;‡ what is the best colour for
a coat, whether black, white, red, or gray;
and whether it should be long or short, nar-
row or wide, dirty or clean, with many more.§
Neither are any wars so furious and bloody,
or of so long a continuance, as those occa-
sioned by difference in opinion, especially if
it be in things indifferent.
"Sometimes the quarrel between two
princes is to decide which of them shall dis-
possess a third of his dominions, where nei-
ther of them pretend to any right: sometimes
one prince quarrels with another, for fear the
other should quarrel with him: sometimes a
war is entered upon, because the enemy is
Transubstantiation.-
Į Kissing a cross.
↑ Church music.-H.
The colour and make of sacred vestments, and
diller cut orders of popish ecclesiastics.
344
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
:
too strong; and sometimes, because he is too
weak sometimes our neighbours want the
things which we have, or have the things
which we want, and we both fight, till they
take ours, or give us theirs. It is a very jus-
tifiable cause of a war, to invade a country
after the people have been wasted by famine,
destroyed by pestilence, or embroiled by
factions among themselves. It is justifiable
to enter into war against our nearest ally,
when one of his towns lies convenient for us,
or a territory of land, that would render our
dominions round and compact. If a prince
sends forces into a nation, where the people
are poor and ignorant, he may lawfully put
half of them to death, and make slaves of the
rest, in order to civilise and reduce them
from their barbarous way of living. It is a
very kingly, honourable, and frequent prac-
tice, when one prince desires the assistance
of another, to secure him against an invasion,
that the assistant, when he has driven out
the invader, should seize on the dominions
himself, and kill, imprison, or banish, the
prince he came to relieve. Alliance by blood,
or marriage, is a frequent cause of war be-
tween princes; and the nearer the kindred
is, the greater their disposition to quarrel:
poor nations are hungry, and rich nations are
proud: and pride and hunger will ever be at
variance. For these reasons, the trade of a
soldier is held the most honourable of all
others; because a soldier is a Yahoo hired to
kill, in cold blood, as many of his own species,
1
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 345
who have never offended him, as possibly he
can.
"There is likewise a kind of beggarly princes
in Europe, not able to make war by them-
selves, who hire out their troops to richer
nations, for so much a day to each man; of
which they keep three-fourths to themselves,
and it is the best part of their maintenance;
such are those in many northern parts of
Europe.'
"What you have told me,' said my master,
'upon the subject of war, does indeed discover
most admirably the effects of that reason you
pretend to however, it is happy that the
shame is greater than the danger; and that
nature has left you utterly incapable of doing
much mischief. For, your mouths lying flat
with your faces, you can hardly bite each
other to any purpose, unless by consent.
Then as to the claws upon your feet before
and behind, they are so short and tender,
that one of our Yahoos would drive a dozen
of yours before him. And therefore, in re-
counting the numbers of those who have been
killed in battle, I cannot but think you have
said the thing which is not.'
I could not forbear shaking my head, and
smiling a little at his ignorance. And being
no stranger to the art of war, I gave him a
description of cannons, culverins, muskets,
carabines, pistols, bullets, powder, swords,
bayonets, battles, sieges, retreats, attacks,
undermines, countermines, bombardments,
sea-fights, ships sunk with a thousand men,
346
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
twenty thousand killed on each side, dying
groans, limbs flying in the air, smoke, noise,
confusion, trampling to death under horses'
feet, flight, pursuit, victory; fields strewed
with carcases, left for food to dogs and wolves,
and birds of prey; plundering, stripping,
ravishing, burning, and destroying. And to
set forth the valour of my own dear country-
men, I assured him, that I had seen them
blow up a hundred enemies at once in a siege,
and as many in a ship; and beheld the dead
bodies drop down in pieces from the clouds,
to the great diversion of the spectators.'
I was going on to more particulars, when
my master commanded me silence. He said,
'whoever understood the nature of the Ya-
hoos, might easily believe it possible for so
* It would perhaps be impossible, by the most la-
boured argument, or forcible eloquence, to show the
absurd injustice and horrid cruelty of war so effectually,
as by this simple exhibition of them in a new light:
with war, including every species of iniquity and every
art of destruction, we become familiar, by degrees,
under specious terms, which are seldom examined,
because they are learned at an age in which the mind
implicitly receives and retains whatever is impressed:
thus it happens, that when one man murders another
to gratify his last, we shudder; but when one man mur.
ders a million to gratify his vanity, we approve and we
admire, we envy and we applaud. If, when this and
the preceding pages are read, we discover with astonish-
ment, that when the same events have occurred in history
we felt no emotion, and acquiesced in wars which we
could not but know to have been commenced for sach
causes, and carried on by such means; let not him be
censured for too much debasing his species, who bas
contributed to their felicity and preservation, by
stripping off the veil of custom and prejudice, and
holding up in their native deformity the vices by which
they become wretched, and the arts by which they are
destroyed.-H.
A VOYAGE 10 THE HOCYHNHNMS. 347
de an animal to be capable of every action
I had named, if their strength and cunning
equalled their malice. But as my discourse
had increased his abhorrence of the whole
species, so he found it gave him a disturbance
in his mind, to which he was wholly a stran-
ger before.
He thought his ears, being used
to such abominable words, might, by degrees,
admit them with less detestation: that al-
though he hated the Yahoos of this country,
yet he no more blamed them for their odious
qualities, than he did a gnnayh (a bird of
prey) for its cruelty, or a sharp stone for cut-
ting his hoof. But, when a creature pretend-
ing to reason could be capable of such enor-
nities, he dreaded lest the corruption of that
faculty might be worse than brutality itself.
He seemed therefore confident, that, instead
of reason, we were only possessed of some
quality, fitted to increase our natural vices;
as the reflection from a troubled stream re-
turns the image of an ill-shapen body, not
only larger but more distorted.'
He added, "that he had heard too much
upon the subject of war, both in this and
some former discourses. There was another
point, which a little perplexed him at present.
I had informed him, that some of our crew
left their country on account of being ruined
by law; that I had already explained the
meaning of the word; but he was at a loss
how it should come to pass, that the law,
which was intended for every man's preser-
vation, should be any man's ruin. Therefore
348
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
he desired to be further satisfied what I meant
by law, and the dispensers thereof, accord-
ing to the present practice in my own coun-
try: because he thought nature and reason
were sufficient guides for a reasonable ani-
mal, as we pretended to be, in showing us
what we ought to do, and what to avoid.'
I assured his honour, that law was a
science, in which I had not much conversed,
further than by employing advocates in vain,
upon some injustices that had been done me:
however, I would give him all the satisfaction
I was able.'
I said, 'there was a society of men among
us, bred up from their youth in the art of
proving, by words multiplied for the purpose,
that white is black, and black is white, accord-
ing as they are paid. To this society all the rest
of the people are slaves. For example, if my
neighbour has a mind to my cow, he has a law-
yer to prove that he ought to have my cow from
me. I must then hire another to defend my
right, it being against all rules of law that
any man should be allowed to speak for him-
self. Now, in this case, I, who am the right
owner lie under two great disadvantages:
first, my lawyer, being practised almost from
his cradle in defending falsehood, is quite out
of his element when he would be an advocate
for justice, which is an unnatural office he al-
ways attempts with great awkwardness, if
not with ill-will. The second disadvantage
is, that my lawyer must proceed with great
caution, or else he will be reprimanded by the
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 349
judges and abhorred by his bretheren, as
one that would lessen the practice of the law.
And therefore I have but two methods to
preserve my cow. The first is, to gain over
my adversary's lawyer with a double fee, who
will then betray his client by insinuating that
he has justice on his side. The second way is
for my lawyer to make my cause appear as
unjust as he can, by allowing the cow to be-
long to my adversary: and this, if it be skil-
fully done, will certainly bespeak the favour
of the bench. Now your honour is to know,
that these judges are persons appointed to
decide all controversies of property, as well
as for the trial of criminals, and picked out
from the most dexterous lawyers, who are
grown old and lazy; and having been biassed
all their lives against truth and equity, lie
under such a fatal necessity of favouring
fraud, perjury, and oppression, that I have
known some of them refuse a large bribe
from the side where justice lay, rather than
injure the faculty, by doing any thing un-
becoming their nature or their office.
'It is a maxim among these lawyers, that
whatever has been done before, may legally
be done again; and therefore they take spe-
cial care to record all the decisions formerly
made against common justice, and the general
reason of mankind. These under the name
of precedents, they produce as authorities to
justify the most iniquitous opinions; and the
judges never fail of directing accordingly.
In pleading, they studiously avoid enter-
2
H h
350
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
ing into the merits of the cause; but are
loud, violent, and tedious, in dwelling upon
all circumstances which are not to the purpose.
For instance, in the case already mentioned;
they never desire to know what claim or title
my adversary has to my cow; but whether
the said cow were red or black; her horns
long or short; whether the field I graze her
in be round or square; whether she was
milked at home or abroad; what diseases she
is subject to, and the like; after which they
consult precedents, adjourn the cause from
time to time, and in ten, twenty, or thirty
years come to an issue.
'It is likewise to be observed, that this
society has a peculiar cant and jargon of their
own, that no other mortal can understand,
and wherein all their laws are written, which
they take special care to multiply; whereby
they have wholly confounded the very essence
of truth and falsehood, of right and wrong;
so that it will take thirty years to decide,
whether the field, left me by my ancestors
for six generations, belongs to me, or to a
stranger three hundred miles off.
"In the trial of persons accused for crimes
against the state, the method is much more
short and commendable: the judge first sends
to sound the disposition of those in power,
after which he can easily hang or save a cri-
minal strictly preserving all due forms of law.'
Here my master interposing, said, 'it was
a pity, that creatures endowed with such
prodigious abilities of mind, as these lawyers,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 35.
by the description I gave of them, must cer-
tainly be, were not rather encouraged to be
instructors of others in wisdom and know-
ledge.' In answer to which I assured his
honour, 'that in all points out of their own
trade, they were usually the most ignorant
and stupid generation among us, the most
despicable in common conversation, avowed
enemies to all knowledge and learning, and
equally disposed to pervent the general rea-
son of mankind, in every other subject of
discourse as in that of their own profession.'
CHAPTER VI.
A continuation of the state of England under
Queen Anne. The character of a first minis-
ter of state in European courts,
My master was yet wholly at a loss to under-
stand what motives could incite this race of
lawyers to perplex, disquiet, and weary
themselves, and engage in a confederacy of
injustice, merely for the sake of injuring their
fellow-animals; neither could he comprehend
what I meant in saying, they did it for hire.
Whereupon I was at much pains to describe
to him the use of money, the materials it was
made of; and the value of the metals; that
when a Yahoo had got a great store of this
precious substance, he was able to purchase
•
352
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
whatever he had a mind to, the finest cloth-
ing, the noblest houses, great tracts of land,
the most costly meats and drinks; and have
his choice of the most beautiful females.
Therefore, since money alone was able to
perform all these feats, our Yahoos thought
they could never have enough of it to spend,
or to save, as they found themselves inclined,
from their natural bent, either to profusion
or avarice. That the rich man enjoyed the
fruit of the poor man's labour, and the latter
were a thousand to one in proportion to the
former. That the bulk of our people were
forced to live miserably, by labouring every
day for small wages, to make a few live
plentifully.'
I enlarged myself much on these, and many
other particulars to the same purpose; but
his honour was still to seek; for he went
upon a supposition, that all animals had a
title to their share in the productions of the
earth, and especially those who presided over
the rest. Therefore he desired I would let
him know, 'what these costly meats were,
and how any of us happened to want them?'
Whereupon I enumerated as many sorts as
came into my head, with the various methods
of dressing them, which could not be done
without sending vessels by sea to every part
of the world, as well for liquors to drink
as for sauces and innumerable other con-
veniences. I assured him 'that this whole
globe of earth must be at least three times
gone round, before one of our better female
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 353
>
Yahoos could get her breakfast, or a cup to
put it in.' He said that must needs be a
miserable country, which cannot furnish
food for its own inhabitants. But what he
chiefly wondered at was, how such vast
tracts of ground as I described should be
wholly without fresh water, and the people
put to the necessity of sending over the sea for
drink.
6
I replied that England (the dear
place of my nativity) was computed to pro-
produce three times the quantity of food
more than its inhabitants are able to consume,
as well as liquors extracted from grain, or
pressed out of the fruit of certain trees, which
made excellent drink; and the same pro-
portion in every other convenience of life.
But in order to feed the luxury and intem-
perance of the males, and the vanity of the
females, we sent away the greatest part of
our necessary things to other countries,
whence in return we brought the materials
of diseases, folly, and vice, to spend among
ourselves. Hence it follows of necessity,
that vast numbers of our people are compelled
to seek their livelihood by begging, robbing,
stealing, cheating, pimping, flattering, su-
borning, forswearing, forging, gaming, lying,
fawning, hectoring, voting, scribbling, star-
gazing, poisoning, whoring, canting, libelling,
free-thinking, and the like occupations :'
every one of which terms I was at much
pains to make him understand.
'That wine was not imported among us
from foreign countries, to supply the want of
354
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
water or other drinks, but because it was a
sort of liquid, which made us merry by
putting us out of our senses, diverted all me-
lancholy thoughts, begat wild extravagant
imaginations in the brain, raised our hopes
and banished our fears, suspended every
office of reason for a time, and deprived us
of the use of our limbs, till we fell into a
profound sleep; although it must be con-
fessed, that we always awaked sick and
dispirited; and that the use of this liquor
filled us with diseases, which made our lives
uncomfortable and short.
But beside all this, the bulk of our people
supported themselves by furnishing the ne-
cessities or conveniences of life, to the rich,
and to each other. For instance, when I am
at home, and dressed as I ought to be, I
carry on my body the workmanship of a hun-
dred tradesmen; the building and furniture
of my house employ as many more, and five
times the number to adorn my wife.'
*I was going on to tell him of another sort
of people, who get their livelyhood by attend-
ing the sick, having, upon some occasions,
informed his honour that many of my crew
had died of diseases. But, here it was with
the utmost difficulty that I brought him to
apprehend what I meant. 'He could easily
conceive, that a Houyhnhnm grew weak and
heavy a few days before his death, or by
some accident might hurt a limb; but that
nature, who works all things to perfection,
should suffer any pains to breed in our bodies,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOU VHNHNMS. 355
he thought impossible, and desired to know
the reason of so unaccountable an evil.'
I told him 'we fed on a thousand things,
which operated contrary to each other; that
we eat when we were not hungry, and drank
without the provocation of thirst; that we sat
whole nights drinking strong liquors, without
eating a bit, which disposed us to sloth, in-
flamed our bodies, and precipitated or pre-
vented digestion. That prostitute female
Yahoos acquired a certain malady, which
bred rottenness in the bones of those who
fell into their embraces: that this, and many
other diseases, were propagated from father
to son; so that great numbers come into the
world with complicated maladies upon them:
that it would be endless to give him a cata-
logue of all diseases incident to human bodies,
for they would not be fewer than five or six
hundred, spread over every limb and joint-
in short, every part, external and intestine,
having diseases appropriated to itself. To
remedy which, there was a sort of people
bred up among us in the profession, or pre-
tence, of curing the sick. And because I
had some skill in the faculty, I wouid, in
gratitude to his honour, let him know the
whole mystery and method by which they
proceed.
'Their fundamental is, that all diseases
arise from repletion; whence they conclude,
that a great evacuation of the body is neces-
sary, either through the natural passage or
upwards at the mouth. Their next business
356
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
is from herbs, minerals, gums, oils, shells,
salts, juices, seaweed, excrements, barks of
trees, serpents, toads, frogs, spiders, dead
men's flesh and bones, birds, beasts, and
fishes, to form a composition, for smell and
taste, the most abominable, nauseous, and
detestable, they can possibly contrive, which
the stomach immediately rejects with loath-
ing, and this they call a vomit; or else, from
the same store-house, with some other poi-
sonous additions, they command us to take in
at the orifice above or below (just as the
physician then happens to be disposed) a
medicine equally annoying and disgustful to
the bowels; which, relaxing the belly, drives
down all before it; and this they call a purge,
or a clyster. For nature (as the physicians
allege) having intended the superior anterior
orifice only for the intromission of solids and
liquids, and the inferior posterior for ejection;
these artists* ingeniously considering, that in
all diseases nature is forced out of her seat,
therefore, to replace her in it, the body must
be treated in a manner directly contrary, by
interchanging the use of each orifice; forcing
solids and liquids in at the anus, and making
evacuations at the mouth.
'But, besides real diseases, we are subject
to many that are only imaginary, for which
the physicians have invented imaginary cures; `
these have their several names, and so have
the drugs that are proper for them; and
These artists,' is a nominative, without any verb
to which it refers in the remainder of the sentence,-S,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHN HNMS. 357
with these our female Yahoos are always
infested.
'One great excellency in this tribe, is their
skill at prognostics, wherein they seldom fail;
their predictions in real diseases, when they
rise to any degree of malignity, generally
portending death, which is always in their
power, when recovery is not: and therefore,
upon any unexpected signs of amendment
after they have pronounced their sentence,
rather than be accused as false prophets,
they know how to approve their sagacity to
the world by a seasonable dose.
"They are likewise of special use to hus-
bands and wives who are grown weary of
their mates; to eldest sons, to great ministers
of state, and often to princes.'
I had formerly, upon occasion, discoursed
with my master upon the nature of govern-
ment in general, and particularly of our own
excellent constitution, deservedly the wonder
and envy of the whole world. But having
here accidentally mentioned a minister of
state, he commanded me some time after to
inform him, 'what species of Yahoo I par-
ticularly meant by that appellation.'
I told him, that a first or chief minister of
state, who was the person I intended to
describe, was a creature wholly exempt from
joy and grief, love and hatred, pity and
anger; at least makes use of no other pas-
sions, but a violent desire of wealth, power,
and titles; that he applies his word to all
uses, except to the indication of his mind,
358
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
that he never tells a truth but with an intent
that you should take it for a lie; nor a lie,
but with a design that you should take it for
a truth; that those he speaks worst of behind
their backs are in the surest way of prefer-
ment; and whenever he begins to praise you
to others, or to yourself, you are from that
day forlorn.
The worst mark you can receive
is a promise, especially when it is confirmed
with an oath; after which, every wise man
retires, and gives over all hopes.
'There are three methods, by which a man
may rise to be chief minister. The first is,
by knowing how, with prudence, to dispose
of a wife, a daughter, or a sister; the second,
by betraying or undermining his predecessor:
and the third is, by a furious zeal, in public
assemblies, against the corruptions of the
court. But a wise prince would rather
choose to employ those who practise the last
of these methods; because such zealots prove
always the most obsequious and subservient
to the will and passions of their master. That
these ministers, having all employments at
their disposal, preserve themselves in power,
by bribing the majority of a senate or great
council; and at last, by an expedient, called
an act of indemnity (whereof I described the
nature to him), they secure themselves from
after-reckonings, and retire from the public
laden with the spoils of the nation.
"The palace of a chief minister, is a semi-
nary to breed up others in his own trade: the
pages, lackeys, and porter, by imitating their
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 359
naster, become ministers of state in their
several districts, and learn to excel in the
three principal ingredients, of insolence,
lying, and bribery. Accordingly, they have
a subaltern court paid to them by persons of
the best rank; and sometimes, by the force
of dexterity and impudence, arrive, through
several gradations, to be successors to their
lord.
'He is usually governed by a decayed
wench, or favourite footman, who are the
tunnels through which all graces are conveyed,
and may properly be called, in the last resort,
the governors of the kingdom.'
One day in discourse, my master, having
heard me mention the nobility of my country,
was pleased to make me a compliment which
I could not pretend to deserve: that he was
sure I must have been born of some noble
family, because I far exceeded in shape,
colour, and cleanliness, all the Yahoos of his
nation, although I seemed to fail in strength
and agility, which must be imputed to my
different way of living from those other
brutes; and besides I was not only endowed
with the faculty of speech, but likewise with
some rudiments of reason, to a degree that
with all his acquaintance I passed for a pro-
digy.
He made me observe, that among the
Houyhnhnms, the white, the sorrel, and the
iron-gray, were not so exactly shaped as the
bay, the dapple-gray, and the black; nor
born with equal talents of mind, or a capacity
$
360
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
to improve them; and therefore continued
always in the condition of servants, without
ever aspiring to match out of their own race,
which in that country would be reckoned
monstrous and unnatural.'
I made his honour my most humble acknow-
ledgements for the good opinion he was
pleased to conceive of me; but assured him
at the same time, that my birth was of the
lower sort, having been born of plain honest
parents, who were just able to give me a
tolerable education: that nobility, among us,
was altogether a different thing from the idea
he had of it; that our young noblemen are
bred from their childhood in idleness and
luxury; that as soon as years will permit,
they consume their vigour, and contract
odious diseases among lewd females; and
when their fortunes are almost ruined, they
marry some woman of mean birth, disagree-
able person, and unsound constitution (merely
for the sake of money,) whom they hate and
despise. That the productions of such mar-
riages are generally scrofulous, ricketty, or
deformed children; by which means the
family seldom continues above three genera-
tions, unless the wife takes care to provide a
healthy father, among her neighbours or
domestics, in order to improve and continue
the breed. That a weak diseased body, a
meagre countenance, and sallow complexion,
are the true marks of noble blood; and a
healthy robust appearance is so disgraceful in
a man of quality, that the world concludes his
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 361
man.
7
real father to have been a groom or a coach-
The imperfections of his mind run
parallel with those of his body, being a com-
position of spleen, dulness, ignorance, caprice,
sensuality, and pride.
'Without the consent of this illustrious
body, no law can be enacted, repealed, or
altered: and these. nobles have likewise the
decision of all our possessions, without appeal.'
1
CHAPTER VII.
The Author's great love of his native country.
His muster's observations upon the constitu-
tion and administration, of England, as de-
scribed by the Author, with parallel cases and
comparisons. His master's observations upon
human nature.
The reader may be disposed to wonder how
I could prevail on myself to give so free a
representation of my own species, among a
race of mortals who are already too apt to
conceive the vilest opinion of human-kind,
from that entire congruity between me and
their Yahoos, But I must freely confess,
nat the many virtues of those excellent
quadrupeds, placed in opposite view to human
corruptions, had so far opened my eyes and
enlarged my understanding, that I began
to view the actions and passions of man
362
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
in a very different light, and to think the
honour of my own kind not worth managing;
which, besides it was impossible for me to do,
before a person of so acute a judgment as my
master who daily convinced me of a thousand
faults in myself, whereof I had not the least
perception before, and which, with us, would
never be numbered even among human infir-
mities. I had likewise learned, from his
example, an utter detestation of all falsehood
or disguise; and the truth appeared so
amiable to me, that I determined upon
sacrificing every thing to it.
Let me deal so candidly with the reader
as to confess that there was yet a much
stronger motive for the freedom I took in my
representation of things. I had not yet
been a year in this country before I contracted
such a love and veneration for the inhabitants,
that I entered ou a firm resolution never to
return to human-kind, but to pass the rest of
my life among the admirable Houyhnhnms,
in the contemplation and practice of every
virtue; where I could have no example or
incitement to vice. But it was decreed by
fortune, my perpetual enemy, that so great a
felicity should not fall to my share. How-
ever, it is now some comfort to reflect, that
in what I said of my countrymen, I exten-
uated their faults as much as I durst before
so strict an examiner; and upon every ar
ticle gave as favourable a turn as the matter
would bear. For, indeed, who is there alive
that will not be swayed by his bias and par-
tiality to the place of his birth?
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 363
I have related the substance of several
conversations I had with my master, during
the greatest part of the time I had the ho-
nour to be in his service; but have, indeed,
for brevity sake, omitted much more than is
here set down.
When I had answered all his questions,
and his curiosity seemed to be fully satisfied,
he sent for me one morning early, and com-
manded me to sit down at some distance (an
honour which he had never before conferred
upon me.) He said, 'he had been very se-
riously considering my whole story, as far as
it related both to myself and my country:
that he looked upon us as a sort of animals,
to whose share, by what accident he could
not conjecture, some small pittance of reason
had fallen, whereof we made no other use,
than by its assistance to aggravate our na-
tural corruptions, and to acquire new ones,
which nature had not given us; that we dis-
armed ourselves of the few abilities she had
bestowed; had been very successful in mul-
tiplying our original wants, and seemed to
spend our whole lives in vain endeavours to
supply them by our own inventions. That
as to myself, it was manifest I had neither
the strength nor agility of a commou Yahoo ;
that I walked infirmly on my hinder feet;
had found a contrivance to make my claws of
no use or defence, and to remove the hair
from iny chin, which was intended as a shelter
from the suu and the weather. Lastly, that
I could neither run with speed, nor climb
364
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
trees like my brethren,' as he called them,
'the Yahoos in his country.
"That our institutions of government and
law were plainly owing to our gross defects
in reason, and by consequence in virtue; be-
cause reason alone is sufficient to govern a
rational creature; which was therefore a
character we had no pretence to challenge,
even from the account I had given of my own
people; although he manifestly perceived,
that, in order to favour them, I had concealed
many particulars, and often said the thing
which was not.
'He was the more confirmed in this opinion,
because he observed, that as I agreed in
every feature of my body with other Yahoo8,
except where it was to my real disadvantage
in point of strength, speed, and activity, the
shortness of my claws, and some other par-
ticulars where nature had no part; so from
the representation I had given him of our
lives, our manners, and our actions, he found
as near a resemblance in the disposition of
our minds.' He said, the Yahoos were
known to hate one another, more than they
did any different species of animals; and the
reason usually assigned was, the odiousness
of their own shapes, which all could see in
the rest, but not in themselves. He had there-
fore begun to think it not unwise in us to
cover our bodies, and by that invention con-
ceal many of our deformities from each other,
which would else be hardly supportable.
But he now found he had been mistaken, and
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 365
that the dissensions of those brutes in his
country were owing, to the same cause with
ours, as I had described them. 'For if,' said
he, 'you throw among five Yahoos as much
food as would be sufficient for fifty, they will,
instead of eating peaceably, fall together by
the ears, each single one impatient to have
all to itself: and therefore a servant was
usually employed to stand by while they were
feeding abroad, and those kept at home were
tied at a distance from each other: that if a
cow died of age or accident, before a Houy-
hnhnm could secure it for his own Yahoos,
those in the neighbourhood would come in
herds to seize it, and then would ensue such
a battle as I had described, with terrible
wounds made by their claws on both sides,
although they seldom were able to kill one
another, for want of such convenient instru-
ments of death as we had invented.
other times, the like battles have been fought
between the Yahoos of several neighbour-
hoods, without any visible cause; those of
one district watching all opportunities to sur-
prise the next, before they are prepared.
But if they find their project has miscarried,
they return home, and, for want of enemies,
engage in what I call a civil war among
themselves.
At
'That in some fields of his country there
are certain shining stones of several colours,
whereof the Yahoos are violently foud; and
when part of these stones is fixed in the earth,
as it sometimes happens, they will dig with
366
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
their claws for whole days to get them out;
then carry them away, and hide them by
heaps in their kennels; but still looking round
with great caution, for fear their comrades
should find out their treasure.' My inaster
said, 'he could never discover the reason of
this unnatural appetite, or how these stones
could be of any use to a Yahoo ; but now he
believed it might proceed from the same prin-
ciple of avarice which I had ascribed to man-
kind. That he had once, by way of experi
ment, privately removed a heap of these
stones from the place where one of his Yahoos
had buried it; whereupon the sordid animal,
missing his treasure, by his loud lamenting
brought the whole herd to the place, there
miserably howled, then fell to biting and
tearing the rest; began to pine away, would
neither eat, nor sleep, nor work, till he or-
dered a servant privately to convey the stones
into the same hole, and hide them as before;
which, when his Yahoo had found, he pre-
sently recovered his spirits and good humour,
but took good care to remove them to a better
hiding-place, and has ever since been a very
serviceable brute.'
My master further assured me, which I
also observed myself, that in the fields where
the shining stones abound, the fiercest and
most frequent battles are fought, occasioned
by perpetual inroads of the neighbouring
Yahoos.'
He said, 'it was common, when two
Yakoos discovered such a stone in a field,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 367
ད་
+
and were contending which of them should
be the proprietor, a third would take the
advantage, and carry it away from them both;'
which my master would needs contend to have
some kind of resemblance with our suits at
law; wherein I thought it for our credit not
to undeceive him; since the decision he men-
tioned was much more equitable than many
decrees among us: because the plaintiff and
defendant there lost nothing beside the stone
they contended for: whereas our courts of
equity would never have dismissed the cause,
while either of them had any thing left.
My master, continuing his discourse, said,
'there was nothing that rendered the Yahoos
more odious, than their undistinguishing ap-
petite to devour every thing that came in
their way, whether herbs, roots, berries, the
corrupted flesh of animals, or all mingled to-
gether: and it was peculiar in their temper,
that they were fonder of what they could get
by rapine or stealth, at a greater distance,
than much better food provided for them at
hoine: If their prey held out, they would
eat till they were ready to burst; after which,
nature bad pointed out to them a certain root
that gave them a general evacuation.
►
There was also another kind of root, very
juicy, but somewhat rare and difficult to be
found, which the Yahoos sought for with
much eagerness, and would suck it with great
delight; it produced in them the same effects
that wine has upon us. It would make them
: sometimes hug, and sometimes tear one ano-
-
368
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
ther; they would howl, and grin, and chatter,
and reel, and tumble, aud then fall asleep in
the mud.'
I did indeed observe that the Yahoos were
the only animals in this country subject to
any diseases; which, however, were much
fewer than horses have among us, and con-
tracted not by any ill treatment they meet
with, but by the nastiness and greediness of
that sordid brute. Neither has their lan-
guage any more than a general appellation
for those maladies, which is borrowed from
the name of the beast, and called hnca yahoo,
or Yahoo's evil; and the cure prescribed is
a mixture of their own dung and urine, for-
cibly put down the Yahoo's throat. This I
have since often known to have been taken
with success, and do here freely recommend
it to my countrymen, for the public good, as
an admirable specific against all discases pro-
duced by repletion.
'As to learning, government, arts, manu-
factures, and the like,' my master confessed,
'he could find little or no resemblance be-
tween the Yahoos of that country and those
in ours.
For he only meant to observe what
parity there was in our natures. He had
heard, indeed, some curious Houyhnhnms
observe, that in most herds there was a sort
of ruling Yahoo (as among us there is gener-
ally some leading or principal stag in a park,)
who was always more deformed in body, and
mischievous in disposition, than any of the
rest. That this leader had usually a favourite
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYININMS. 369
as like himself as he could get, whose em-
ployment was to lick his master's feet and
posteriors, and drive the female Yahoos to
his kennel;* for which he was now and then
rewarded with a piece of ass's flesh. This
favourite is hated by the whole herd, and
therefore, to protect himself, keeps always
near the person of his leader. He usually
continues in office till a worse can be found
but the very moment he is discarded, luis suc-
cessor, at the head of all the Yahoos in that
district, young and old, male and female,
come in a body,+ and discharge their excre-
ments upon him from head to foot. But how
far this might be applicable to our courts, and
favourites, and ministers of state, my master
said I could best determine.'
I durst make no return to this malicious
insinuation, which debased human under-
standing below the sagacity of a common
hound, who has judgment enough to distin-
guish and follow the cry of the ablest dog in
the pack, without being ever mistaken.
My master told me, 'there were some qua-
lities remarkable in the Yahoos, which he
had not observed me to mention, or at
least very slightly, in the accounts I had given
of humankind.' He said,
those animals,
* Flattery and pimping.-II.
Chis
† This sentence is altogether ungrammatical:
successor,' is the only nonubative to the plural veib
come; it may be thus amended-but the very mc-
ment he is discarded, all the Yahoos in that district,
young and old, male and female, with his successor at
their head, come in a body, &c.'—S,
370
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
like other brutes, had their females in com-
mon; but in this they differed, that the she
Yahoo would admit the males while she was
preguant; and that the hes would quarrel
and fight with the females, as fiercely as with
each other; both which practices were such
degrees of infamous brutality, as no other
sensitive creature ever arrived at.
'Another thing he wondered at in the
Yahoos, was their strange disposition to nas-
tiness and dirt; whereas there appears to be
a natural love of cleanliness in all other ani-
mals.' As to the two former accusations, I
was glad to let them pass without any reply, be-
cause I had not a word to offer upou them in
defence of my species, which otherwise I cer-
tainly had done from my own inclinations.
But I could have easily vindicated human-
kind from the imputation of singularity upon
the last article, if there had been any swine
in that country (as unluckily for me there were
not), which, although it may be a sweeter
quadruped than a Yahoo, cannot, I humbly
conceive, iu justice, pretended to more clean-
liness; and so his honour himself must have
owned, if he had seen their, filthy way of
feeding, and their custom of wallowing and
sleeping in mud.
My master likewise mentioned another qua
lity, which his servants had discovered in
several Yahoos, and to him was wholly unac-
countable. He said, 'a fancy would some-
times take a Yahoo to retire into a corner, to
lie down, and howl, and groan, and spurn
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 371
away all that came near him, although he
were young and fat, wanted neither food nor
water, nor did the servant imagine what could
possibly ail him. And the only remedy they
found was, to set him to hard work, after
which he would infallibly come to himself.'
To this I was silent out of partiality to my
own kind; yet here I could plainly discover
the true seeds of spleen, which only seizes on
the lazy, the luxurious, and the rich; who,'
if they were forced to undergo the same regi-
men, I would undertake for the cure.
His honour had further observed, that a
female Yahoo would often stand behind a
bank or a bush, to gaze on the young males
passing by, and then appear, and hide, using
many antic gestures and grimaces, at which
time it was observed that she had a most
offensive smell; and when any of the males
advanced, would slowly retire, looking often
back, and with a counterfeit show of fear,
run off into some convenient place, where she
knew the male would follow her.
'At other times, if a female stranger came
among them, three or four of her own sex
would get about her, and stare, and chatter,
and grin, and smell her all over; and then
turn off with gestures, that seemed to express
contempt and disdain.'
Perhaps my master might refine a little in
these speculations, which he had drawn from
* Here the word 'who, is a nominative without
reference to any verb afterwardsys.
372
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
- what he observed himself, or had been told
him by others; however, I could not reflect
without some amazement, and much sorrow,
that the rudiments of lewdness, coquetry,
censure, and scandal, should have place by
instinct in womankind.
I expected every moment that my master
would accuse the Yahoos of those unnatural
appetites in both sexes, so common among us.
But Nature, it seems, has not been so expert
a school-mistress; and these politer pleasures
are entirely the productions of Art and Rea-
son on our side of the globe.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Author relates several particulars of the
Yahoos. The great virtues of the Houyhnhnms.
The education and exercise of their youth.
Their general assembly.
+
As I ought to have understood human nature
much better than I supposed it possible for
my master to do, so it was easy, to apply the
character he gave of the Yahoos to myself
and my countrymen; and I believed I could
yet make further discoveries, from my own
observation. I therefore often begged his
honour to let me go among the herds of Ya-
hoos in the neighbourhood; to which he al-
ways very graciously consented, being per
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 373
fectly convinced that the hatred I bore these
brutes would never suffer me to be corrupted
by them; and his honour ordered one of his
servants, a strong sorrel nag, very honest and
good-natured, to be my guard; without whose
protection I durst not undertake such adven-
tures. For I have already told the reader
how much I was pestered by these odious
animals, upon my first arrival; and I after-
wards failed very narrowly three or four
times of falling into their clutches, when I
happened to stray at any distance without my
hanger. And I have reason to believe they
had some imagination that I was of their
own species, which I often assisted myself by
stripping up my sleeves, and showing my
naked arms and breasts in their sight, when
my protector was with me. At which times
they would approach as near as they durst,
and imitate my actions after the manner of
monkeys, but ever with great signs of hatred;
as a tame jackdaw with cap and stockings is
always persecuted by the wild ones, when he
happens to be got among them.
They are prodigiously nimble from their
infancy. However, I once caught a young
male of three years old, and endeavoured, by
all marks of tenderness, to make it quiet;
but the little imp fell a squalling, and scratch-
ing, and biting with such violence, that I was
forced to let it go; and it was high time, for
a whole troop of old ones came about us at
the noise, but finding the cub was safe (for
away it ran,) and my sorrel nag being by,
2
K k
374
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
they durst not venture near us.
I observed
the young animal's flesh to smell very rank,
and the stink was somewhat between a wea-
sel and a fox, but much more disagreeable.
I forgot another circumstance (and perhaps I
might have the reader's pardon if it were
wholly omitted,) that while I held the odious
vermin in my hands, it voided it filthy excre-
ments of a yellow liquid substance all over
my clothes; but by good fortune there was a
small brook hard by, where I washed myself
as clean as I could; although I durst not
come into my master's presence until I were
sufficiently aired.
By what I could discover, the Yahoos ap-
pear to be the most unteachable of all ani-
mals their capacities never reaching higher
than to draw or carry burdens. Yet I am of
opinion, this defect arises chiefly from a per-
verse, restive disposition. For they are
cunning, malicious, treacherous, and reveng-
ful. They are strong and hardy, but of a
cowardly spirit, and by consequence insolent,
abject, and cruel. It is observed, that the
red-haired of both sexes are more libidinous
and mischievous than the rest, whom yet they
much exceed in strength and activity.
The Houyhnhnms keep the Yahoos for
present use in huts not far from the house;
but the rest are sent abroad to certain fields,
where they dig up roots, eat several kinds of
herbs, and search about for carrion, or some-
times catch weasels and luhimuhs (a sort of
wild rat,) which they greedily devour. Na-
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 375
ture has taught them to dig deep holes with
their nails on the side of a rising ground,
wherein they lie by themselves; only the
kennels of the females are larger, sufficient to
hold two or three cubs.
They swim from their infancy like frogs,
and are able to continue long under water,
where they often take fish, which the females
carry home to their young. And, upon this
occasion, I hope the reader will pardon my
relating an odd adventure.
Being one day abroad with my protector
the sorrel nag, and the weather exceeding
hot, I entreated him to let me bathe in a
river that was near. He consented, and I
immediately stripped myself stark naked, and
went down softly into the stream. It hap-
pened that a young female Yahoo, standing
behind a bank, saw the whole proceeding,
and inflamed by desire, as the nag and I
conjectured, came running with all speed,
and leaped into the water, within five yards
of the place where I bathed. I was never in
my life so terribly frightened. The nag was
grazing at some distance, not suspecting any
harm. She embraced me after a most ful-
some manner. I roared as loud as I could,
and the nag came galloping towards me,
whereupon she quitted her grasp, with the
utmost reluctancy, and leaped upon the op-
posite bank, where she stood gazing and
howling all the time I was putting on my
clothes.
This was a matter of diversion to my master
376
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
and his family, as well as of mortification to
myself. For now I could no longer deny
that I was a real Yahoo in every limb and
feature, since the females had a natural pro-
pensity to me, as one of their own species;
neither was the hair of this brute of a red
colour (which might have been some excuse
for an appetite a little irregular), but black
as a sloe, and her countenance did not make
an appearance altogether so hideous as the
rest of her kind; for I think she could not be
above eleven years old.
Having lived three years in this country,
the reader I suppose will expect that I should,
like other travellers, give him some account
of the manners and customs of its inhabitants,
which it was indeed my principal study to
learn.
As these noble Houyhnhnms are endowed
by nature with a general disposition to all
virtues, and have no conceptions or ideas of
what is evil in a rational creature; so their
grand maxim is, to cultivate reason, and to
be wholly governed by it.
Neither is reason
among them a point problematical, as with
us, where men can argue with plausibility on
both sides of the question; but strikes you
with immediate conviction; as it must needs
do, where it is not mingled, obscured, or dis-
coloured, by passion and interest. I remem-
ber it was with extreme difficulty that I could
bring my master to understand the meaning
of the word opinion, or how a point could be
disputable; because reason taught us to affirm
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYII N H NMS. 377
or deny only where we are certain; and bc-
yond our knowledge we cannot do either. So
that controversies, wranglings, disputes, and
positiveness, in false or dubious propositions,
are evils unknown among the Houyhnhnms.
In the like manner, when I used to explain
to him our several systems of natural philoso-
phy, he would laugh, that a creature pre-
tending to reason, should value itself upon
the knowledge of other people's conjectures,
and in things where that knowledge, if it
were certain, could be of no use.' Wherein
he agreed entirely with the sentiments of
Socrates, as Plato delivers them; which I
mention as the highest honour I can do that
prince of philosophers. I have often since
reflected, what destruction such doctrine
would make in the libraries of Europe; and
how many paths of fame would be then shut
up in the learned world.
Friendship and benevolence are the two
principal virtues among the Houyhnhnms;
and these not confined to particular objects,
but universal to the whole race.
For a
stranger from the remotest part is equally
treated with the nearest neighbour; and
wherever he goes, looks upon himself as at
home. They preserve decency and civility
in the highest degrees, but are altogether
ignorant of ceremony. They have no fond-
ness for their colts or foals, but the care they
take in educating them proceeds entirely from
the dictates of reason.
And I observed my
master to show the same affection to his neigh-
378
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
bour's issue, that he had for his own.
They
will have it that nature teaches them to love
the whole species, and it is reason only that
makes a distinction of persons, where there
is a superior degree of virtue.
When the matron Houyhnhnms have pro-
duced one of each sex, they no longer accom-
pany with their consorts, except they lose one
of their issue by some casualty, which very
seldom happens; but in such a case they meet
again; or when the like accident befalls a
person whose wife is past bearing, some other
couple bestow on him one of their own colts,
and then go together again until the mother
is pregnant. This caution is necessary, to
prevent the country from being overburthen-
ed with numbers. But the race of inferior
Houyhnhnms, bred up to be servants, is not
so strictly limited upon this article; these are
allowed to produce three of each sex, o be
domestics in the noble families.
In their marriages, they are exactly careful
to choose such colours as will not make any
disagreeable mixture in the breed. Strength
is chiefly valued in the male, and comeliness
in the female; not upon the account of love,
but to preserve the race from degenerating;
for when a female happens to excel in
strength, a consort is chosen, with regard to
comeliness.
Courtship, love, presents, jointures, settl
ments, have no place in their thoughts; or
terms whereby to express them in their ian-
guage. The young couple meet, and are
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 379
joined, merely because it is the determination
of their parents and friends: it is what they
see done every day, and they look upon it as
one of the necessary actions of a reasonable
being. But the violation of marriage, or any
other unchastity, was never heard of, and the
married pair pass their lives with the same
friendship and mutual benevolence, that they
bear to all others of the same species who
come in their way; without jealousy, fond-
ness, quarrelling, or discontent.
In educating the youth of both sexes, their
method is admirable, and highly deserves our
imitation. These are not suffered to taste a
grain of oats, except upon certain days, till
eighteen years old; nor milk, but very rarely;
and in summer they graze two hours in the
morning, and as many in the evening, which
their parents likewise observe; but the ser-
vants are not allowed above half that time,
and a great part of their grass is brought
home, which they eat at the most convenient
hours, when they can be best spared from
work.
Temperance, industry, exercise, and clean-
liness, are the lessons equally enjoined to the
young ones of both sexes: and my master
thought it monstrous in us, to give the females
a different kind of education from the males,
except in some articles of domestic manage-
ment; whereby, as he truly observed, one
half of our natives were good for nothing but
bringing children into the world: and to trust
the care of our children to such useless
380
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
animals, he said, was yet a greater instance
of brutality.
But the Houyhnhnms train up their youth
to strength, speed, and hardiness, by exercis-
ing them in running races up and down steep
hills, and over hard stony grounds; and when
they are all in a sweat, they are ordered to
leap over head and ears into a pond or river.
Four times a year the youth of a certain
district meet to show their proficiency in
running and leaping, and other feats of
strength and agility; where the victor is re-
warded with a song in his or her praise. On
this festival, the servants drive a herd of
Yahoos into the field, laden with hay, and
oats, and milk, for a repast to the Houy-
hnhnms; after which, these brutes are imme-
diately driven back again, for fear of being
noisome to the assembly.
Every fourth year, at the vernal equinox,
there is a representative council of the whole
nation, which meets in a plain about twenty
miles from our house, and continues about
five or six days. Here they inquire into the
state and condition of the several districts;
whether they abound or be deficient in hay
or oats, or cows, or Yahoos; and wherever
there is any want (which is but seldom) it is
immediately supplied by unanimous conseut
and contribution. Here likewise the regula-
tion of children is settled: as for instance, if a
Houyhnhnm has two males, he changes one
of them with another that has two females:
and when a child has been lost by any casualty
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHN HNMS. 381
where the mother is past breeding, it is de-
termined what family in the district shall
breed another to supply the loss.
CHAPTER IX.
A grand debate at the general assembly of the
Houyhnhnms, and how it was determined.
The learning of the Houyhnhnms. Their
buildings. Their manner of burials. The
defectiveness of their language.
ONE of these grand assemblies was held in
my time, about three months before my de-
parture, whither my master went as the re-
presentative of our district. In this council
was resumed their old debate, and indeed
the only debate that ever happened in their
country; whereof my master, after his return,
gave me a particular account.
The question to be debated was, 'whether
the Yahoos should be exterminated from the
face of the earth?' One of the members for
the affirmitive offered several arguments of
great strength and weight, alleging, 'that as
the Yahoos were the most filthy, noisome,
and deformed animal which nature ever pro-
duced, so they were the most restiff and
indocible, mischievous, and malicious; they
would privately suck the teats of the Houy-
hnhnms' cows, kill and devour their cats,
trample down their oats and grass, if they
382
GULLIVERS TRAVELS.
were not continually watched, and commit a
thousand other extravagancies.' He took
notice of a general tradition, that Yahoos
had not been always in their country; but
that many ages ago, two of these brutes ap-
peared together upon a mountain; whether
produced by the heat of the sun upon cor-
rupted mud and slime, or from the ooze and
froth of the sea, was never known: that
these Yahoos engendered, and their brood,
in a short time, grew so numerous as to over-
run and infest the whole nation; that the
Houyhnhnms, to get rid of this evil, made a
general hunting, and at last enclosed the
whole herd; and destroying the elder, every
Houyhnhnm kept two young ones in a ken-
nel, and brought them to a degree of tameness,
as an animal, so savage by nature, can be
capable of acquiring; using them for draught
and carriage that there seemed to be much
truth in this tradition, and that those crea-
tures could not be ylnhniamshy (or aborigines
of the land), because of the violent hatred
the Houyhnhnms, as well as all other ani-
mals, bore them, which, although their evil
disposition sufficiently deserved, could never
have arrived at so high a degree, if they had
been aborigines; or else they would have
long since been rooted out: that the inhabi-
tants, taking a fancy to use the service of the
Yahoos, had very imprudently neglected to
cultivate the breed of asses, which are a
comely animal, easily kept, more tame and
orderly, without any offensive smell; strong
:
A VOYAGE гo THE HOUYHNIINMS.
383
enough for labour, although they yield to the
other, in agility of body; and if their braying
be no agreeable sound, it is far preferable to
the horrible howlings of the Yahoos.
Several others declared their sentiments to
the same purpose, when my master proposed
an expedient to the assembly, whereof he had
indeed borrowed the hiut from me. 'He
approved of the tradition mentioned by the
honourable member who spoke before, and
affirmed, that the two Yahoos said to be
seen first among them, had been driven thi-
ther over the sea; that coming to land, and
being forsaken by their companions, they
retired to the mountains, and degenerating
by degress, became in process of time much
more savage than those of their own species
in the country whence these two originals
came. The reason of this assertion was, that
he had now in his possession a certain won-
derful Yahoo (meaning myself) which most
of them had heard of, and many of them had
seen. He then related to them how he first
found me; that my body was all covered
with an artificial composure of the skins and
hairs of other animals: that I spoke in a lan-
guage of my own, and had thoroughly learned
theirs; that I had related to him the acci-
dents which had brought me thither; that
when he saw me without my covering, I was
an exact Yahoo in every part, only of a
whiter colour, less hairy, and with shorter
olaws. He added, how I had endeavoured
to persuade him, that in my own and other
384
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
countries, the Yahoos acted as the governing,
rational animal, and held the Houyhnhnms
in servitude; that he observed in me all the
qualities of a Yahoo, only a little more ci-
vilised by some tincture of reason, which,
however, was in a degree as far inferior to
the Houyhnhnm race, as the Yahoos of their
country were to me; that among other things,
I mentioned a custom we had of castrating
Houyhnhnms when they were young, in
order to render them tame; that the opera-
tion was easy and safe; that it was no shame
to learn wisdom from brutes, as industry is
taught by the ant, and building by the swal-
low (for so I translate the word lyhannh,
although it be a much larger fowl); that
this invention might be practised upon the
younger Yahoos here, which besides ren-
dering them tractable and fitter for use,
would in an age put an end to the whole
species, without destroying life: that in the
mean time the Houyhnhnms should be ex-
horted to cultivate the breed of asses, which
as they are in all respects more valuable
brutes, so they have this advantage, to be fit
for service at five years old, which the others
are not till twelve.'
This was all my master thought fit to tell
me, at that time, of what passed in the grand
council. But he was pleased to conceal one
particular, which related personally to myself,
whereof I soon felt the unhappy effect, as
the reader will know in its proper place, and
whence I date all the succeeding misfortunes
of my life.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 385
The Houyhnhnms have no letters, and
consequently their knowledge is all tra-
ditional. But there happening few events
of any moment among a people so well united,
naturally disposed to every virtue, wholly
governed by reason, and cut off from all
commerce with other nations; the historical
part is easily preserved without burthening
their memories. I have already observed
that they are subject to no diseases, and
therefore can have no need of physicians.
However, they have excellent medicines, com-
posed of herbs, to cure accidental bruises and
cuts in the pastern or frog of the foot, by
sharp stones, as well as other maims and
hurts in the several parts of the body.
They calculate the year by the revolution
of the sun and the moon, but use no subdi-
visions into weeks. They are well enough
acquainted with the motions of those two
luminaries and understand the nature of
eclipses; and this is the utmost progress of
their astronomy.
In poetry, they must be allowed to excel
all other mortals; wherein the justness of
their similes, and the minuteness as well as
exactness of their descriptions, are indeed
inimitable. Their verses abound very much
in both of these, and usually contain either
some exalted notions of friendship and be
nevolence, or the praises of those who were
victors in races and other bodily exercises.
Their buildings, although very rude and simple,
are not inconvenient, but well contrived to
386
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
to defend them from all injuries of cold and
heat. They have a kind of tree, which at
forty years old loosens in the root, and falls
with the first storm; it grows very straight,
and being pointed like stakes with a sharp
stone (for the Houyhnhnms know not the
use of iron), they stick them erect in the
ground, about ten inches asunder, and then
weave-in oat straw, or sometimes wattles,
between them. The roof is made after the
same manner, and so are the doors.
The Houyhnhnms use the hollow part,
between the pastern and the hoof of their
fore-foot, as we do our hands, and this with
greater dexterity than I could at first imagine.
I have seen a white mare of our family thread
a needle (which I lent her on purpose) with
that joint. They milk their cows, reap their
oats, and do all the work which requires
hands, in the same manner. They have a
kind of hard flints, which, by grinding against
other stones, they form into instruments, that
serve instead of wedges, axes, and hammera.
With tools made of these flints, they likewise
cut their hay, and reap their oats, which
there grow naturally in several fields; the
Yahoos draw home the sheaves in carriages,
and the servants tread them in certain co-
vered huts, to get out the grain, which is kept
in stores. They make a rude kind of earthen
and wooden vessels, and bake the former in
the sun.
If they can avoid casualties, they die only
of old age, and are buried in the obscurest
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 387
places that can be found, their friends and
relations expressing neither joy nor grief at
their departure; nor does the dying person
discover the least regret that he is leaving
the world, any more than if he were upon
returning home from a visit to one of his
neighbours. I remember my master having
once made an appointment with a friend and
his family to come to his house, upon some
affair of importance: on the day fixed, the
mistress and her two children came very late;
she made two excuses, first for her husband,
who, as she said, happened that very morning
to lhnuwnh. The word is strongly expres-
sive in their language, but not easily ren-
dered into English; it signifies, 'to retire to
his first mother.' Her excuse for not coming
sooner, was, that her husband dying late in
the morning, she was a good while consulting
her servants about a convenient place where
his body should be laid; and I observed, she
behaved herself at our house as cheerfully as
the rest: she died about three months after.
They live generally to seventy, or seventy-
five years, very seldom to fourscore: some
weeks before their death, they feel a gradual
decay; but without pain. During this time
they are much visited by their friends, be-
cause they cannot go abroad with their usual
ease and satisfaction. However, about ten
days before their death, which they seldom
fail in computing, they return the visits that
have been made them by those who are
nearest in the neighbourhood, being carried
388
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
in a convenient sledge drawn by Yahoos ;
which vehicle they use, not only upon this
occasion, but when they grow old, upon long
journeys, or when they are lamed by any
accident and therefore when the dying
Houyhnhnms return those visits, they take
a solemn leave of their friends, as if they
were going to some remote part of the coun-
try, where they designed to pass the rest of
their lives.
I know not whether it may be worth ob-
serving, that the Houyhnhnms have no word
in their language to express any thing that
is evil, except what they borrow from the
deformities or ill qualities of the Yahoos.
Thus they denote the folly of a servant, an
omission of a child, a stone that cuts their
feet, a continuance of foul or unseasonable
weather, and the like, by adding to each the
epithet of Yahoo, for instance, hhnm Yahoo;
whnaholm Yahoo, ynlhmndwihlma Yahoo,
and an ill-contrived house ynholmhnmrohlnw
Yahoo.
I could, with great pleasure, cnlarge fur-
ther upon the manners and virtues of this
excellent people; but iutending in a short
time to publish a volume by itself, expressly
upon that subject, I refer the reader thither;
and, in the mean time, proceed to relate my
own sad catastrophe.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 389
CHAPTER X.
The Author's economy, and happy life, among
the Houyhnhnms. His great improvement
in virtue by conversing with them. Their
conversations. The Author has notice given
him by his master, that he must depart from
the country. He falls into a swoon for grief;
but submits. He contrives and finishes a ca-
noe by the help of a fellow-servant, and puts
to sea at a venture.
I HAD settled my little economy to my own
heart's content. My master had ordered a
room to be made for me, after their manner,
about six yards from the house: the sides
and floors of which I plastered with clay, and
covered with rush-mats of my own contriving;
I had beate nhemp, which there grows wild,
and made of it a sort of ticking; this I filled
with the feathers of several birds I had taken
with springes made of Yahoos' hair, and
*were excellent food. I had worked two
chairs with my knife, the sorrel nag helping
me in the grosser and more laborious part.
When my clothes were worn to rags, I made
*It should be,-and 'which' were excellent food.
This sentence is faulty in other respects; but there, as
well as in many other passages of these Voyages, the
author bas intentionally made use of an inaccurate ex•
pression, and studied negligence, in order to make the
style more like that of a seafaring man: on which
account they have been passed over in silence, where
such intention was obvious.-S.
390
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
myself others with the skins of rabbits, and
of a certain beautiful animal, about the same
size, called nnuhnoh, the skin of which is
covered with a fine down. Of these I also
made very tolerable stockings. I soled my
shoes with wood, which I cut from a tree,
and fitted to the upper-leather; and when
this was worn out, I supplied it with the skins
of Yahoos dried in the sun. I often got ho-
ney out of hollow trees, which I mingled with
water, or ate with my bread. No man could
more verify the truth of these two maxims,
'That nature is very easily satisfied;' and
'That necessity is the mother of invention.'
I enjoyed perfect health of body and tran-
quility of mind; I did not feel the treachery
or inconstancy of a friend, nor the injuries of
a secret or open enemy. I had no occasion
of bribing, flattering, or pimping, to pro-
cure the favour of any great man, or of his
minion. I wanted no fence against fraud or
oppression here was neither physician to
destroy my body, nor lawyer to ruin my for-
tune; no informer to watch my words and
actions, or forge accusations against me for
hire here were no gibers, censurers, back-
biters, pickpockets, highwaymen, house-
breakers, attorneys, bawds, buffoons, game-
sters, politicians, wits, splenetics, tedious
talkers, controvertists, ravishers, murderers,
robbers, virtuosos; no leaders, or followers,
of party and faction; no encouragers to vice,
by seducement or examples; no dungeon,
axes, gibbets, whipping-posts, or pillories;
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 391
no cheating shopkeepers or mechanics; no
pride, vanity, or affectation; no fops, bullies,
drunkards, strolling whores, or poxes; no
ranting, lewd, expensive wives; no stupid,
proud pedants; no importunate, overbearing,
quarrelsome, noisy, roaring, empty, conceited,
swearing companions; no scoundrels raised
from the dust upon the merit of their vices,
or nobility thrown into it on account of their
virtues; no lords, fiddlers, judges, or dancing-
masters.
I had the favour of being admitted to se-
veral Houyhnhnms, who came to visit or
dine with my master; where his honour
graciously suffered me to wait in the room,
and listen to their discourse. Both he and
his company would often descend to ask me
questions, and receive my answers. I had
also sometimes the honour of attending my
master in his visits to others. I never pre-
sumed to speak, except in answering to a
question; and then I did it with inward
regret, because it was a loss of so much time
for improving myself: but I was infinitely
delighted with the station of an humble audi-
tor in such conversations, where nothing
passed but what was useful, expressed in the
fewest and most significant words: where,
as I have already said, the greatest decency
was observed, without the least degree of
ceremony; where no person spoke without
being pleased himself, and pleasing his com-
panions; where there was no interruption,
tediousness, heat, or difference of sentiments.
392
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.,
They have a notion, that when people are
met together, a short silence does much im-
prove conversation: this I found to be true;
for during those little intermissions of talk,
new ideas would arise in their minds, which
very much enlivened the discourse. Their
subjects are generally on friendship and be-
nevolence, on order and economy; sometimes
upon the visible operations of nature, or an-
cient traditions; upon the bounds and limits
of virtue; upon the unerring rules of reason,
or upon some determinations to be taken at
the next great assembly; and often upon the
various excellencies of poetry. I may add,
without vanity, that my presence often gave
them sufficient matter for discourse, because
it afforded my master an occasion of letting
his friends into the history of me and my
country, upon which they were all pleased to
descant, in a manner not very advantageous
to humankind and for that reason I shall
not repeat what they said: only I may be
allowed to observe, that his honour, to my
great admiration, appeared to understand
the nature of Yahoos much better than my-
self. He went through all our vices and fol-
lies, and discovered many, which I had never
mentioned to him, by only supposing what
qualities a Yahoo of their country, with a
small proportion of reason, might be capable
of exerting; and concluded, with too much
probability, 'how vile as well as miserable
such a creature must be.'
I freely confess, that all the little know-
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 393
ledge I have of any value, was acquired by
the lectures I received from my master, and
from hearing the discourses of him and his
friends; to which I should be prouder to
listen, than to dictate to the greatest and
wisest assembly in Europe. I admired the
strength, comliness, and speed of the inhabi-
tants; and such a constellation of virtues, in
such amiable persons, produced in me the
highest veneration. At first, indeed, I did
not feel that the natural awe, which Ya-
hoos and all other animals bear toward them;
but it grew upon me by degrees, much sooner
than I imagined, and was mingled with a
respectful love and gratitude, that they would
condescend to distinguish me from the rest
of my species.
When I thought of my family, my friends,
my countrymen, or the human race in gene-
ral, I considered them, as they really were,
Yahoos in shape and disposition, perhaps a
little more civilised, and qualified with the
gift of speech; but making no other use of
reason, than to improve and multiply those
vices, whereof their brethren in this country
had only the share that nature allotted them.
When I happened to behold the reflection of
my own form in a lake or fountain, I turned
away my face in horror and detestation of
myself; and could better endure the sight of
a common Yahoo, than of my own person.
By conversing with the Houyhnhnms, and
looking upon them with delight, I fell to
imitate their gait and gesture, which is now
394
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
grown into a habit; and my friends often
tell me, in a blunt way, that I trot like a
horse; which however, I take for a great
compliment: neither shall I disown, that in
speaking I am apt to fall into the voice and
manners of the Houyhnhnms, and hear my-
self ridiculed on that account, without the
the least mortification.
In the midst of all this happiness, and
when I looked upon myself to be fully settled
for life, my master sent for me one morning
a little earlier than his usual hour. I observed
by his countenance that he was in some per-
plexity, and at a loss how to begin what he
had to speak. After a short silence, he told
me he did not know how I would take what
he was going to say: that in the last general
assembly, when the affair of the Yahoos was
entered upon, the representatives had taken
offence at his keeping a Yahoo (meaning my-
self) in his family, more like a Houyhnhnm
than a brute animal; that he was known fre-
quently to converse with me, as if he could
receive some advantage or pleasure in my
company; that such a practice was not agree-
able to reason or nature, or a thing ever heard
of before among them;
them; the assembly did there-
fore exhort him either to employ me like the
rest of my species, or command me to swim
back to the place whence I came: that the
first of these expedients was utterly rejected
by all the Houyhnhnms who had ever seen
me at his house or their own; for they alleged,
that because I had some rudiments of reason,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 395
added to the natural gravity of those animals,
it was to be feared I might be able to seduce
them into the woody and mountainous parts
of the country, and bring them in troops by
night to destroy the Houyhnhnms' cattle, as
being naturally of the ravenous kind, and
averse from labour.
My master added, 'that he was daily
pressed by the Houyhnhnms of the neigh-
bourhood, to have the assembly's exhortation
executed, which he could not put off much
longer. He doubted it would be impossible
for me to swim to another country; and there-
fore wished I would contrive some sort of ve-
hicle, resembling those I had described to
him, that might carry me on the sea; in which
work I should have the assistance of his own
servants, as well as those of his neighbours.'
He concluded, 'that for his own part, he
could have been content to keep me in his
service as long as I lived; because he found 1
had cured myself of some bad habits and dis-
positions, by endeavouring, as far as my infe-
rior nature was capable, to imitate the Houy-
hnhnms.
I should here observe to the reader, that a
decree of the general assembly in this country,
is expressed by the word hnhloayn, which
signifies an exhortation, as near as I can ren-
der it for they have no conception how a
rational creature can be compelled, but only
advised, or exhorted; because no person can
disobey reason, without giving up his claim to
be a rational creature.
396
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
I was struck with the utmost grief and
despair at my master's discourse; and being
unable to support the agonies I was under, I
fell into a swoon at his feet. When I came
to myself, he told me that he concluded I
had been dead;' for these people are subject
to no such imbecilities of nature. I answered
in a faint voice, that death would have been
too great a happiness: that although I could
not blaine the assembly's exhortation, or the
urgency of his friends; yet, in my weak and
corrupt judgment, I thought it might consist
with reason to have been less rigorous that
I could not swim a league, and probably the
nearest land to theirs might be distant above
a hundred: that many materials, necessary
for making a small vessel to carry me off,
were wholly wanting in this country; which,
however, I would attempt, in obedience and
gratitude to his honour, although I concluded
the thing to be impossible, and therefore
looked on myself as already devoted to de-
struction: that the certain prospect of an un-
natural death was the least of my evils; for,
supposing I should escape with life by some
strange adventure, how could I think with
temper of passing my days among Yahoos,
and relapsing into my old corruptions, for
want of examples to lead and keep me within
the paths of virtue: that I knew too well upon
what solid reasons all the determinations of
the wise Houyhnhnms were founded, not to
be shaken by arguments of mine, a miserable
Yahoo; and therefore, after presenting him
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 307
with my humble thanks for the offer of his
servants' assistance in making a vessel, and
desiring a reasonable time for so difficult a
work, I told him I would endeavour to preserve
a wretched being; and if ever I returned to
England, was not without hopes of being useful
to my own species, by celebrating the praises
of the renowned Houyhnhnms, and proposing
their virtues to the imitation of mankind.'
My master, in a few words, made me a
very gracious reply; allowed me the space of
two months to finish my boat; and ordered
the sorrel nag, my fellow-servant (for so at
this distance I may presume to call him), to
follow my instruction; because I told my mas-
ter, 'that his help would be sufficient, and I
knew he had a tenderness for me.'
In his company, my first business was to
go to that part of the coast where my rebel-
lious crew had ordered me to be set on shore.
I got upon a height, and looking on every
side into the sea, fancied I saw a small island
toward the north-east: I took out my pocket
glass, and could then clearly distinguish it
about five leagues off, as I computed; but it
appeared to the sorrel nag to be only a blue
cloud: for as he had no conception of any
country beside his own, so he could not be as
expert in distinguishing remote objects at sea,
as we who have so much converse✶ in that
element.
This is an uncommon use of the word 'converse;"
instead of the verb, the adjective is always employed in
this sense; as thus as we, who are so conversant iu
that element.'—S.
2
м m
398
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.'
After I had discovered this island, I con-
sidered no further; but resolved it should, if
possible, be the first place of my banishment,
leaving the consequence to fortune.
I returned home, and consulting with the
sorrel nag, we went into a copse at some dis-
tance, where I with my knife, and he with a
sharp flint fastened very artificially after their
manner to a wooden handle, cut down several
oak wattles, about the thickness of a walking
staff, and some larger pieces. But I shall
not trouble the reader with a particular de-
scription of my own mechanics; let it suffice
to say, that in six weeks' time, with the help
of the sorrel nag, who performed the parts
that required most labour, I finished a sort of
Indian canoe, but much larger, covering it
with the skins of Yahoos, well stitched toge-
ther with hempen threads of my own making.
My sail was likewise composed of the skins of
the same animal; but I made use of the
youngest I could get, the older being too
tough and thick; and 1 likewise provided my-
self with four paddles. I laid in a stock of
boiled flesh, of rabbits and fowls; and took
with me two vessels, one filled with milk and
the other with water.
I tried my canoe in a large pond, near my
master's house, and then corrected in it what
was amiss; stopping all the chinks with Yahoos
tallow, till I found it staunch, and able to
bear me and my freight; and, when it was
as complete as I could possibly make it, I
had it drawn on a carriage very gently by
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 399
Yahoos to the sea-side, under the conduct of
the sorrel nag and another servant.
When all was ready, and the day came for
my departure, I took leave of my master and
lady and the whole family, my eyes flowing
with tears, and my heart quite sunk with
grief. But his honour, out of curiosity, and
perhaps (if I may speak it without vanity)
partly out of kindness, was determined to
see me in my canoe; and got several of his
neighbouring friends to accompany him. I
was forced to wait above an hour for the tide,
and then observing the wind very fortunately
bearing toward the island to which I intended
to steer my course, I took a second leave of
my master: but as I was going to prostrate
myself to kiss his hoof, he did me the honour
to raise it gently to my mouth. I am not ig-
norant how much I have been censured for
mentioning this last particular. Detractors
are pleased to think it improbable, that so
illustrious a person should descend to give so
great a mark of distinction to a creature so
inferior as I. Neither have I forgotten how
apt some travellers are to boast of extraordi-
nary favours they have received. But, if
these censurers were better acquainted with
the noble and courteous disposition of the
Houyhnhnms, they would soon change their
opinion.
I paid my respects to the rest of the Houy-
hnhnms in his honour's company; then getting
into my canoc, I pushed off from shore.
¡
400
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
CHAPTER XI.
The Author's dangerous voyage. He arrives at
New Holland, hoping to settle there. Is
wounded with an arrow by one of the natives.
Is seized and carried by force into a Portu-
guese ship. The great civilities of the cap-
tain. The Author arrives at England.
I BEGAN this desperate voyage on February
15, 1714-15, at nine o'clock in the morning.
The wind was very favourable; however, I
made use at first only of my paddles; but
considering I should soon be weary, and that
the wind might chop about, I ventured to set
up my little sail; and thus, with the help of
the tide, I went at the rate of a league and a
half an hour, as near as I could guess. My
master and his friends continued on the shore
till I was almost out of sight; and I often
heard the sorrel nag (who always loved me)
crying out, Hnuyilla nyha majah Yahoo;'
"Take care of thyself, gentle Yahoo.'
*
My design was, if possible, to discover
some small island uninhabited, yet sufficient
by my labour to furnish me with the necessa-
ries of life, which I would have thought a
greater happiness, than to be first minister in
the politest court of Europe; so horrible was
the idea I conceived of returning to live in
the society, and under the government of
Yahoos. For in such a solitude as I desired,
I could at least enjoy my own thoughts, and
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 401
reflect with delight on the virtues of those
inimitable Houyhnhnms, without an oppor
tunity of degenerating into the vices and
corruptions of my own species.
The reader may remember what I related,
when my crew conspired against me, and
confined me to my cabin; how I continued
there several weeks without knowing what
course we took; and when I was put ashore
in the long-boat, how the sailors told me with
oaths, whether true or false, 'that they knew
not in what part of the world we were.'
However, I did then believe us to be about
10 degrees southward of the Cape of Good
Hope, or about 45 degrees southern latitude,
as I gathered from some general words I
overbeard among them, being I supposed to
the south east in their intended voyage to
Madagascar. And although this were little
better than conjecture, yet I resolved to steer
my course eastward, hoping to reach the
south-west coast of New Holland, and per.
haps some such island as I desired lying west
ward of it. The wind was full west, and by
six in the evening I computed I had gone
eastward at least eighteen leagues; when I
spied a very small island about half a league
off, which I soon reached. It was nothing
but a rock, with one creek naturally arched
by the force of tempests. Here I put in my
canoe, and climbing a part of the rock, I
could plainly discover land to the east, ex-
tending from south to north. I lay all night
in my canoe; and repeating my voyage early
402
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
in the morning, I arrived in seven hours to
the south-east point of New Holland. This
confirmed me in the opinion I have long en-
tertained, that the maps and charts place this
country at least three degrees more to the
east than it really is; which thought I com-
municated many years ago to my worthy
friend, Mr. Herman Moll, and gave him my
reasons for it, although he has rather chosen
to follow other authors.
I saw no inhabitants in the place where I
landed, and being unarmed, I was afraid of
venturing far into the country. I found some
shell-fish on the shore, and ate them raw, not
daring to kindle a fire, for fear of being dis-
covered by the natives. I continued three
days feeding on oysters and limpets, to save
my own provision; and 1 fortunately found
a brook of excellent water, which gave me
great relief.
On the fourth day, venturing out early a
little too far, I saw twenty or thirty natives
upon a height not above five hundred yards
from me. They were stark naked, men,
women, and children, round a fire, as I could
discover by the smoke. One of them spied
me, and gave notice to the rest; five of them
advanced toward me, leaving the women and
children at the fire. I made what haste I
could to the shore, and, getting into my canoe,
shoved off: the savages, observing me retreat,
ran after me; and before I could get far
enough into the sea, discharged an arrow,
which wounded me deeply on the inside of
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 403
my left knee: I shall carry the mark to my
grave. I apprehended the arrow might be
poisoned, and paddling out of the reach of
their darts (being a calm day,) I made a shift
to suck the wound, and dress it as well as I
could.
I was at a loss what to do, for I durst not
return to the same landing-place, but stood
to the north, and was forced to paddle; for
the wind, though very gentle, was against me,
blowing north-west. As I was looking about
for a secure landing-place, I saw a sail to
the north-north-east, which appearing every
minute more visible, I was in some doubt
whether I should wait for them or not; but
at last my detestation of the Yahoo race pre-
vailed; and turning my canoe, I sailed and
paddled towards the south, and got into the
same creek whence I set out in the morning,
choosing rather to trust myself among these
barbarians, than live with European Yahoos.
I drew up my canoe as close as I could to the
shore, and hid myself behind a stone by the
little brook, which, as I have already said,
was excellent water.
The ship came within half a league of this
creek, and sent her long-boat with vessels
to take in fresh water (for the place, it seems,
was very well known;) but I did not observe
it, till the boat was almost on shore; and it
was too late to seek another hiding-place.
The seamen at their landing observed my
canoe, and rummaging it all over, easily con-
jectured that the owner could not be far off.
404
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
Four of them, well armed, searched every
cranny and lurking-hole, till at last they found
me flat on my face behind the stone. They
gazed awhile in admiration at my strange
uncouth dress: my coat made of skins, my
wooden-soled shoes, and my furred stockings;
whence, however, they concluded, I was not
a native of the place, who all go naked. One
of the seamen, in Portuguese, bid me rise,
and asked who I was. I understood that
language very well, and getting upon my feet,
said, 'I was a poor Yahoo banished from the
Houyhnhnms, and desired they would please
to let me depart.' They admired to hear me
answer them in their own tongue, and saw by
my complexion I must be a European; but
were at a loss to know what I meant by
Yahoos and Houyhnhnms: and at the same
time fell a laughing at my strange tone in
speaking, which resembled the neighing of a
horse. I trembled all the while betwixt fear
and hatred. I again desired leave to depart
and was gently moving to my canoe: but
they laid hold of me, desiring to know, 'what
country I was of? whence I came?' with ma-
ny other questions. I told them 'I was born
in England, whence I came about five years
ago, and then their country and ours were at
peace. I therefore hoped they would not
treat me as an enemy, since I meant them no
harm; but was a poor Yahoo seeking some
desolate place where to pass the remainder
of his unfortunate life.'
When they began to talk, I thought I never
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNJINMs. 405
heard or saw any thing more unnatural; for it
appeared to me as monstruous as if a dog or
a cow should speak in England, or a Yahoo in
Houyhnhnmland. The honest Portuguese
were equally amazed at my strange dress, and
the odd manner of delivering my words,
which hwever they understood very well.
They spoke to me with great humanity, and
said, 'they were sure the captain would carry
me gratis to Lisbon, whence I might return
to my own country; that two of the seamen
would go back to the ship, inform the captain
of what they had seen, and receive his orders;
in the mean time, unless I would give my
solemn oath not to fly, they would secure me
by force.' I thought it best to comply with
their proposal. They were very curious to
know my story, but I gave them very little
satisfaction, and they all conjectured that my
misfortunes had impaired ny reason. In two
hours the boat, which went loaden with ves-
sels of water, returned, with the captain's
command to fetch me on board.
I fell on my
knees to preserve me liberty; but all was in
vain; and the men, having tied me with
cords, heaved me into the boat, whence I was
taken into the ship, and thence into the cap-
tain's cabin.
*
ל
よ
​His name was Pedro de Mendez; he was a
very courteous and generous person. He
entreated me to give some account of myself,
and desired to know what I would eat or
drink; said, 'I should be used as well as
himself;' and spoke so many obliging things,
406
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
that I wondered to find such civilities from a
Yahoo. However, I remained silent and sul-
len: I was ready to faint at the very smell of
him and his men. At last I desired some-
thing to eat out of my own canoe; but he or-
dered me a chicken, and some excellent wine,
and then directed that I should be put to
bed in a very clean cabin. I would not un-
dress myself, but lay on the bed-clothes, and
in half an hour stole out, when I thought the
crew was at dinner, and getting to the side of
the ship, was going to leap into the sea, and
swim for my life, rather than continue among
Yahoos. But one of the seamen prevented
me, and having informed the captain, I was
chained to my cabin.
After dinner, Don Pedro came to me, and
desired to know my reason for so desperate
an attempt; assured ine, 'he only meant to
do me all the service he was able;' and spoke
so very movingly, that at last I descended to
treat him like an animal which had some little
portion of reason. I gave him a very short
relation of my voyage; of the conspiracy
against me by my own men; of the country
where they set me on shore, and of my five
years' residence there; all which he looked
upon as if it were a dream or a vision; where-
at I took great offence; for I had quite forgot
the faculty of lying, so peculiar to Yahoos, in
all countries where they preside, and, conse-
quently, the disposition of suspecting truth in
others of their own species. I asked him,
'whether it was the custom in his country to
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS.
407
say the thing which was not? I assured him,
'I had almost forgot what he meant by false-
hood, and if I had lived a thousand years in
Houyhnhnmland, I should never have heard
a lie from the meanest servant; that I was
altogethor indifferent whether he believed me
or not; but, however, in return for his fa-
vours, I would give so much allowance to the
corruption of his nature, as to answer any ob-
jection he might please to make, and then he
might easily discover the truth.'
The captain, a wise man, after many en-
deavours to catch me tripping in some part of
my story, at last began to have a better opi-
nion of my veracity. But he added, 'that
since I professed so inviolable au attachment
to truth, I must give him my word and honour
to bear him company in this voyage, without
attempting any thing against my life; or else
he would continue me a prisoner till we
arrived at Lisbon.' I gave him the promise
he required; but at the same time protested,
'that I would suffer the greatest hardships,
rather than return to live among Yahoos.'
Our voyage passed without any considera-
ble accident. In gratitude to the captain, I
sometimes sat with him at his earnest request
and strove to conceal my antipathy against
human kind, although it often broke out;
which he suffered to pass without observation.
But the greatest part of the day I confined
myself to my cabin, to avoid seeing any of the
The captain had often entreated ine
to strip myself of my savage dress, and offer-
crew.
408
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
ed to lend me the best suit of clothes he had.
This I would not be prevailed on to accept,
abhorring to cover myself with any thing that
had been on the back of a Yahoo. I only
desired he would lend me two clean shirts,
which, having been washed since he wore
them, I believed would not so much defile me.
These I changed every second day, and wash-
ed them myself.
At
We arrived at Lisbon, Nov. 5, 1715.
our landing, the captain forced me to cover
myself with his cloak, to prevent the rabble
from crowding about me. I was conveyed to
his own house; and at my earnest request he
led me up to the highest room backwards. I
conjured him 'to conceal from all persons
what I had told him of the Houyhnhnms ;
because the least hint of such a story would
not only draw numbers of people to see me,
but probably put me in danger of being im-
prisoned, or burnt by the inquisition.' The
captain pursuaded me to accept a suit of
clothes newly made; but I would not suffer
the tailor to take my measure: however, Don
Pedro being almost of my size, they fitted me
well enough. He accoutred me with other
necessaries all new, which I aired for twenty
four hours before I would use them.
The captain had no wife, nor above three
servants, none of which were suffered to at-
tend at meals; and his whole deportment was
so obliging, added to very good human under-
standing, that I really began to tolerate his
company. He gained so far upon me, that I
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYINHNMS. 409
ventured to look out of the back window. By
degrees I was brought into another room,
whence I peeped into the street, but drew
my head back in a fright. In a week's time
he seduced me down to the door. I found
my terror gradually lessened, but my hatred
and contempt seemed to encrease. I was at
last bold enough to walk the street in his com-
pany, but kept my nose well stopped with
rue, or sometimes with tobacco.
In ten days, Don Pedro, to whom I had
given some account of my domestic affairs,
put it upon me, as a matter of honour and
conscience, 'that I ought to return to my na-
tive country, and live at home with my wife
and children.' He told me, 'there was an
English ship in the port just ready to sail,
and he would furnish me with all things ne-
cessary.' It would be tedious to repeat his
arguments, and my contradictions. He said,
it was altogether impossible to find such a
solitary island as I desired to live in; but I
might command in my own house, and pass
my time in a manner as recluse as I pleased.'
I complied at last, finding I could not do
better. I left Lisbon the 24th day of Novem
ber, in an English merchantmen, but who was
the master I never inquired. Don Pedro
accompanied me to the ship, and lent me
twenty pounds. He took kind leave of me,
and embraced me at parting, which I bore as
well as I could. During this last voyage I
had no commerce with the master or any of
his men; bat, pretending I was sick, kept
N 11
410
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
close in my cabin. On the fifth of December,
1715, we cast anchor in the Downs, about
nine in the morning, and at three in the after-
noon I got safe to my house at Redriff.
My wife and family received me with great
surprise and joy, because they concluded me
certainly dead; but I must freely confess the
sight of them filled me only with hatred,
disgust, and contempt; and the more, by
reflecting on the near alliance I had to them.
For although, since my unfortunate exile from
the Houyhnhnm country, I had compelled
myself to tolerate the sight of Yahoos, and to
converse with Don Pedro de Mendez, yet my
memory and imagination were perpetually
filled with the virtues and ideas of those ex-
alted Houyhnhnms. And when I began to
consider that, by copulating with one of the
Yahoo specics, I had become a parent of more,
it struck me with the utmost shame, confusion,
and horror.
As soon as I entered the house, my wife
took me in her arms, and kissed me; at which,
having not been used to the touch of that
odious animal for so many years, I fell into a
swoon for almost an hour. At the time I am
writing, it is five years since my last return
to England: during the first year, I could not
endure my wife or children in my presence;
the very smell of them was intolerable; much
less could I suffer them to eat in the same
room. To this hour they dare not presume
to touch my bread, or drink out of the same
cup, neither was I ever able to let one of
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 411
The first money
them take me by the hand.
I laid out was to buy two young stone-horses,
which I keep in a good stable; and next to
them, the groom is my greatest favourite; for
I feel my spirits revived by the smell he con-
tracts in the stable. My horses understand
me tolerably well; I converse with them at
least four hours every day. They are stran-
gers to bridle or saddle; they live in great
amity with me, and friendship to each other.
CHAPTER XII.
The Author's veracity. His design in publish -
ing this work. His censure of those travel-
lers who swerve from the truth. The Author
clears himself from any sinister ends in wri-
ting. An objection answered. The method
of planting colonies. His native country
The right of the crown to those
countries described by the Author, is justified.
The difficulty of conquering them. The Au-
thor takes his last leave of the reader; pro-
poses his manner of living for the future;
gives good advice, and concludes.
commended.
THUS, gentle reader, I have given thee a
faithful history of my travels for sixteen years
and above seven months: wherein I have not
been so studious of ornament as of truth. I
could, perhaps, like others, have astonished
thee with strange improbable tales; but I
rather chose to relate plain matter of fact, in
412
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
the simplest manner and style; because my
principal design was to inform, and not to
amuse thee.
It is easy for us who travel into remote
countries, which are seldom visited by En-
glishmen or other Europeans, to form des-
criptions of wonderful animals both at sea
and land. Whereas a traveller's chief aim
should be to make men wiser and better, and
to improve their minds by the bad, as well as
good example, of what they deliver concern-
ing foreign places.
I could heartily wish a law was enacted,
that every traveller, before he were permit-
ted to publish his voyages, should be obliged
to make oath before the Lord High Chan-
cellor, that all he intended to print was abso-
lutely true to the best of his knowledge; for
then the world would no longer be deceived,
as it usually is, while some writers, to make
their works pass the better upon the public,
impose the grossest falsities on the unwary
reader. I have pursued several books or
travels with great delight in my younger days;
but having since gone over most parts of the
globe, and been able to contradict many fabu-
lous accounts from my own observation, it
has given me a great disgust against this part
of reading, and some indignation to see the
credulity of mankind so impudently abused.
Therefore,since my acquaintance were pleased
to think my poor endeavours might not be
unacceptable to my country, I imposed on
myself as a maxim never to be swerved from,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 413
that I would strictly adhere to truth; neither
indeed can I be ever under the least tempta-
tion to vary from it, while I retain in my
mind the lectures and example of my noble
master and the other illustrious Houyhnhnms,
of whom I had so long the honour to be an
humble hearer
-Nec si miserum Fortuna Sinonem
Finxit, ranum etiam, mendacemque improba
finget.
I know very well, how little reputation is
to be got by writings, which require neither
genius nor learning, nor indeed any other
talent except a good memory, or an exact
journal. I know likewise, that writers of
travels, like dictionary-makers, are sunk into
oblivion by the weight and bulk of those who
come last, and therefore lie uppermost. And
it is highly probable, that such travellers, who
shall hereafter visit the countries described
in this work of mine, may, by detecting my
errors (if there be any) and adding many
new discoveries of their own, justle me out
of vogue, and stand in my place, making the
world forget that ever I was an author. This
indeed would be too great a mortification, if
I wrote for fame: but as my sole intention
was the public good, I cannot be altogether
disappointed. For who can read of the vir-
tues I have mentioned in the glorious Houy-
hnhnms, without being ashamed of his own
vices when he considers himself as the rea-
soning, governing animal of his country? I
shall say nothing of those remote nations
414
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
where Yahoos preside; among which the
least corrupted are the Brobdingnagians ;
whose wise maxims in morality and govern-
ment it would be our happiness to observe.
But I forbear descanting further, and rather
leave the judicious reader to his own remarks
and application.
I am not a little pleased, that this work of
mine can possibly meet with no censurers:
for what objections can be made against a
writer, who relates only plain facts, that hap-
pened in such distant countries, where we
nave not the least interest, with respect ei-
ther to trade or negociations? I have care-
fully avoided every fault, with which common
writers of travels are often too justly charged.
Besides, I meddle not the least with any
party, but write without passion, prejudice,
or ill-will against any man, or number of
men, whatsoever. I write for the noblest
end, to inform and instruct mankind; over
whom I may, without breach of modesty,
pretend to some superiority, from the advan-
tages I received by conversing so long among
the most accomplished Houyhnhnms. I write
without any view to profit or praise. I never
suffer a word to pass that may look like re-
flection, or possibly give the least offence,
even to those who are most ready to take it.
So that I hope I may with justice pronounce
myself an author perfectly blameless; against
whom the tribes of Answerers, Considerers,
Observers, Reflectors, Detecters, Remark.
ers, will never be able to find matter for
exercising their talents.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 415
The
I confess, it was whispered to me, 'that I
was bound in duty, as a subject of England,
to have given in a memorial to a secretary of
state at my first coming over; because, what-
ever lands are discovered by a subject be-
long to the crown.' But I doubt, whether
our conquests, in the countries I treat of,
would be as easy as those of Ferdinando
Cortez over the naked Americans.
Lilliputians, I think, are hardly worth the
charge of a fleet and army to reduce them;
and I question whether it might be prudent
or safe to attempt the Brobdingnagians; or
whether an English army would be much at
their ease, with the Flying Island over their
heads. The Houyhnhnms indeed appear
not to be so well prepared for war, a science
to which they are perfect strangers, and es-
pecially against missive weapons. However,
supposing myself to be a minister of state, I
could never give my advice for invading them.
Their prudence, unanimity, unacquaintedness
with fear, and their love of their country,
would amply supply all defects in the military
art. Imagine twenty thousand of them
breaking into the midst of an European army,
confounding the ranks, overturning the car-
riages, battering the warriors' faces into mum-
my by terrible yerks from their hinder hoofs ;
for they would well deserve the character
given to Augustus, Recalcitrat undique
tutus. But, instead of proposals for con-
quering that magnanimous nation, I rather
wish they were in a capacity, or disposition,

416
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
to send a sufficient number of their inhabi-
tants for civilising Europe, by teaching us the
first principles of honour, justice, truth, tem-
perance, public spirit, fortitude, chastity,
friendship, benevolence, and fidelity. The
names of all which virtues are still retained
among us in most languages, and are to be
met with in modern, as well as ancient au-
thors; which I am able to assert from my
own small reading.
But I had another reason, which made me
less forward to enlarge his majesty's do-
minions by my discoveries. To say the truth,
I had conceived a few scruples with relation
to the distributive justice of princes upon
those occasions. For instance, a crew of pi-
rates are driven by a storn they know not
whither; at length a boy discovers land from
the topmast; they go on shore to rob and
plunder; they see a harmless people, are
entertained with kindness; they give the
country a new name; they take formal pos-
session of it for their king; they set up a
rotten plank, or a stone, for a memorial;
they murder two or three dozen of the na-
tives, bring away a couple more, by force,
for a sample; return home, and get their
pardon. Here commences a new dominion
acquired with the title by divine right. Ships
are sent with the first opportunity; the na-
tives driven out or destroyed; their princes
'ortured to discover their gold; a free license
given to all acts of inhumanity and lust, the
the earth reeking with the blood of its inha-
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 417
bitants; and this execrable crew of butchers,
employed in so pious an expedition, is a mo-
dern colony, sent to convert and civilise an
idolatrous and barbarons people!
But this description, I confess, does by no
means affect the British nation, who may be
an example to the whole world for their wis-
dom, care, and justice in planting colonies:
their liberal endowments for the advancement
of religion and learning; their choice of de-
vout and able pastors to propagate Christi-
anity; their caution in stocking their provinces
with people of sober lives and converations
from this the mother kingdom; their strict
regard to the distribution of justice, in sup-
plying the civil administration through all
their colonies with officers of the greatest
abilities, utter strangers to corruption; and,
to crown all, by sending the most vigilant and
virtuous governors, who have no other views
than the happiness of the people over whom
they preside, and the honour of the king
their master.
But as those countries, which I have des-
cribed, do not appear to have any desire of
being conquered and enslaved, murdered or
driven out, by colonies; nor abound either in
gold, silver, sugar, or tobacco; I did hum-
bly conceive, they were by no means proper
objects of our zeal, our value, or our interest.
However, if those whom it more concerns,
think fit to be of another opinion, I am ready
to despose, when I shall be lawfully called,
that no European did ever visit those coun-
418
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
tries before me. I mean, if the inhabitants
ought to be believed, unless a dispute may
arise concerning the two Yahoos, said to have
been seen many years ago upon a mountain
in Houyhnhnmland.
But, as to the formality of taking possession
in my sovereign's name, it never came once
into my thoughts; and if it had, yet, as my
affairs then stood, I should perhaps, in point
of prudence and self-preservation, have put
it off to a better opportunity.
Having thus answered the only objection
that can ever be raised against me as a travel-
ler, I here take a final leave of all my courteous
readers, and return to enjoy my own specu-
lations in my little garden at Redriff; to ap-
ply those excellent lessons of virtue, which
I learned among the Houyhnhnms; to in-
struct the Yahoos, of my own family, as far as
I shall find them docible animals; to behold
my figure often in a glass, and thus, if pos-
sible, habituate myself by time to tolerate the
sight of a human creature; to lament the bru-
tality of Houyhnhnms, in my own country,
but always treat their persons with respect,
for the sake of my noble master, his family,
his friends, and the whole Houyhnhnm race,
whom these of ours have the honour to re-
semble, in all their lineaments, however their
intellectuals came to degenerate.
I began last week to permit my wife to sit
at dinner with me, at the furthest end of a
long table; and to answer (but with the ut-
most brevity) the few questions I asked her.
1
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 419
Yet, the smell of a Yahco continuing very
offensive, I always keep my nose well stop-
ped with rue, lavender, or tobacco leaves.
And, although it be hard for a man late in
life to remove old habits, I am not altogether
out of hopes, in some time, to suffer a neigh-
bour Yahco in my company, without the
apprehensions I am yet under of his teeth or
his claws.
My reconcilement to the Yahoo kind in
general might not be so difficult, if they would
be content with those vices and follies only,
which nature has entitled them to.
I am
not in the least provoked at the sight of a
lawyer, a pickpocket, a colonel, a fool, a lord,
a gamester, a politician, a whoremonger, a
physician, an evidence, a suborner, an attor-
ney, a traitor, or the like; this is all according
to the due course of things: but when I be-
hold a lump of deformity and diseases, both
in body and mind, smitten with pride, it
immediately breaks all the measures of my
patience; neither shall I be ever able to
comprehend how such an animal, and such a
vice, could tally together. The wise and
virtuous Houyhnhnms, who abound in all
excellencies that can adorn a rational creature,
have no name for this vice in their language;
which has no terms to express any thing that
is evil, except those whereby they describe
the detestable qualities of their Yahoos;
among which they were not able to distinguish
this of pride, for want of thoroughly under-
standing human nature, as it shows itself in
420
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
other countries where that animal presides
But I, who had more experience, could plain-
ly observe some rudiments of it among the
wild Yahoos.
But the Houyhnhnms, who live under the
government of reason, are no more proud of
the good qualities they posses, than I should
be for not wanting a leg or an arm; which
no man in his wits would boast of, although
he must be miserable without them. I dwell
the longer upon this subject, from the desire
I have to make the society of an English Ya-
hoo by any means not insupportable; and
therefore I here entreat those, who have
any tincture of this absurd vice, that they
will not presume to come in my sight.
THE END.
Plummer and Brewis, Printers, Little Eastchap.

:
ARTES
1837
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
LURIOUS UNGG
TUEBOR
SI-QUÆRIS PENINSULAM-AMIINAM
CIRCUMSPICE
GIFT OF
RECENT HUBBARD