[R Everett 45.
FEX LIBRIS
CAPTAIN
LEMUEL
GULLIVER
LUCIUS LEE HUBBARD
Hubbard
:
IMAS Vay,
PR
3724
17270
CAPTAIN LEMUEL GULLIVER
of Redriff, Etat fuæ LVIII.
Compositum jus, fasque animi, sanctosque receffus
mentis, & incoctum generoso pectus honesto.
TRAVELS
INTO SEVERAL
Remote NATIONS
OF THE
WORLD.
By Capt. LEMUEL GULIVER,
Faithfully Abridged.
LONDON:
Printed for J. STONE, againſt Bedford Row, and
R. KING, at the Prince's-Arms in St. Paul's
Church-Yard. MDCCXXVII,
Res
Lucius L. Hubbard
10927-192
10-27-1922
409730
THE
Publiſher of the Abridgment, -
TO THE
READER.
A
S the Original of Capt. Gulli-
ver's Travels, is generally com
plain'd of, as too expensive,
and may, without Injury to the
celebrated Author, be reduced into a nar--
rower Compass; the Undertakers of the
prefent Edition, were led to think, that
a
faithful Abridgment of this Hiftcry, as
it would leffen the Expence, might meet
with Acceptance. It must be confeffea,
that Undertakings of this Nature are:
liable to Exceptions, and are frequently
charg'd with depriving the Original of
thofe Ornaments which recommend it to.
A 2
ther
PREFAC E.
the Judicious; because many of them,
through ill Management, have neither
answered the Intention of the Author, or
Satisfaction of the Reader: But we hope
this under Confideration, will anſwer the
Ends of both. It is true, that fome Paf-
fages in the Original, which the Gene-
rality of Mankind have thought immo.
deft and indecent, are entirely omitted,
and many trivial Circumſtances contra-
Eted into a very narrow Compass : But,
at the fame Time, we may truly ſay, that
Care hath been taken to make the Hifto-
ry as uniform, and the Connexion as just
and Smooth, as the Nature of the Per-
formance would allow.
N. B. We think it neceſſary, to take
Notice in this Place, That, since the be-
ginning of this Work, the Proprietor of
the Original, having_conceiv'd himſelf
injur'd by the Undertaking, has
made feveral indirect Attempts to put
a Stop to it, upon a wild Suppofition
that it was the very Copy, and not an
Abridgment, ( tho' he had not ſeen a
Twelfth Part of the Work) even
contrary to his own Aſſurances, that he
would refer it to Arbitration, and wish
it
PREFA C E.
it Success, if it should prove to be
an Abridgment; and having pleaded
fuch Exemptions in his own Favour, that
he himself, in like Cafes, never thought
any Body elfe intitled to; we shall briefly
enumerate a few of the many Instances,
wherein the Practice of Abridgments
has been follow'd, and, as it were, esta-
bliſh'd, by Cuſtom and the Example of
feveral confiderable Men in the "Book-
felling Trade, Viz.
The Philofophical Tranfactions, for
20 Years, abridg'd by Mr. B. Motte.
Mr. Locke's Effay on Human Under-
ftanding.
The Statutes at large.
The State Tryals.
Collier's Dictionary.
Cambden's Britannia.
L'Eftrange's Fofephus.
Religion of Nature delineated.
Bp. Burnet's History of his own Times.
Mr. Bingham's Antiquities.
Dugdale's Monafticon Anglicanum.
The Hiftory of England, in 4 Vols.
Kettlewell of Obedience.
Coggeshall's Art of Meaſuring.
Robinson Crufoe's Adventures.
Many
PREFA C E..
Many others might be added, but thoſe
above are thought fufficient to convince
any young Bookfeller, what the Practice
has been, where the Books have been put
at an extraordinary Price to the Publick,
either from the Bulk of the Work, or the
Art and Avarice of the Proprietor.
THE
99606
THE
CONTENTS.
CHAP. I.
The Author's Account of himself and Family,
His first Inducements to Travel. After being
Shipwreck'd, he gets fafe on Shore in Lilli
put, &c.
CHAP. II.
The Emperor of Lilliput comes to fee the Au-
thor, &c. Learned Men appointed to teach
him the Language. He gains Favour ly his
Mildness. His Pockets fearched, &c.
CHAP. III.
He diverts the Emperor in an uncommon Man-
ner. The Diversions of the Court defcrib'd.
Liberty granted him upon certain Condi-
tions, &c,
SHAP
CONTENT S.
CHA P. IV.
The Metropolis of Lilliput defcrib'd, with the
Imperial Palace. A Converfation concern-
ing the Affairs of that Empire. He offers
to ſerve the Emperor in kis Wars.
CHAP, V.
By a Stratagem he prevents an Invafion. A
Title is conferr'd on him. The Emperor of
Blefufcu fues for Peace. The Auther inftru-
mental in extinguishing a Fire in the Empress's
Apartment.
CHAP. VI.
The Learning, Lars, and Customs, of Lilli-
put. The Education they give their Chil-
dren. The Author's Way of living. He
vindicates a great Lady.
CHAP. VII.
A Defign being form'd against the Author, be
fcapes to Blefufcu. His Reception there.
CHAP. VIII.
After Jome Difficulties ke returns to his own
Country.
THE
TRAVELS.
PART I.
A Voyage to LILLIPUT.
CHA P. I.
The Author's Relation of Himfelf and Family.
His first Inducements to Travel. After
being Shipwreck'd, be fwims for bis Life;
gets fafe on Shore in the County of Lilliput.
Made Prifoner, and carry'd up the Country.
કું
M
Y Father, though a Man of no
great Fortune, in Notttingham-
fire, had that Care in the Edu-
cation of his Children, that at
the Age of Fourteen he fent me to Emanuel
College in Cambridge, where I continued,
till, through fome Alteration in his Affairs,
he thought proper to remove me to Lon-
B
don
2
A VOYAGE
don. I was there bound Apprentice to a
Surgeon, Mr. James Bates, for the Space
of Four Years; at the Expiration of
which, for Three Years, I improv'd my
felf in the Study of Phyfick, at Leyden.
On my return Home, I obtain❜d to be
Surgeon of the Swallow Man of War, and
made feveral Voyages in her to the Le-
vant, and other Parts: But marrying as
foon as I came from Abroad, I refolv'd to
fettle and follow my Profeffion; this I did,
till Buſineſs failing through lofs of Friends,
eſpecially my Mafter, I was oblig'd, a
fecond time, to go to Sea, and made fe-
veral Voyages to the Eaft and left-Indies.
The Hopes I had of Bufinefs, from my
Acquaintance among the Seamen, made
me fettle in Il'apping at my return Home :
But this not anfwering Expectation, I
undertook a Voyage to the South-Seas,
which prov'd profperous for fome Time.
It is not proper, for fome Reafons, to be
particular in our Adventures in thoſe Seas.
We fet fail thence to the East-Indies, and,
in our Paffage, after the Lofs of many of
our Crew, we found our felves to the
North-Weft of Van Diemen's Land, in the
Latitude 30° 2' South.
On the 5th of November, the Begin-
ning of Summer, in that Country, we split
on a Rock, and but Six of the Crew, of
whom
to LILLIPUT.
3
whom I was one, made fhift to get in the
Boat. We row'd till hard Labour had fo
exhauſted our Strength, that we fubmitted
to the Mercy of the Waves. Half an
Hour was ſcarce expired, but the Boat was
over-fet, and every Man obliged to fhift
for himfelf. What became of my Compa-
nions I know not, but, as good Fortune
would have it, as I was almoft ſpent with
fwimming, I found my felf within my
Depth. Being thus happily landed, I
walk'd a Mile before I reach'd the Shore,
and then finding no Signs of Houfes or In-
habitants, and being thoroughly fatigued,
I flept on the Ground till next Morning :
When I awaked, I was furprized to find
my felf fo faſtened to the Ground that I
could not rife. Atlentgh I heard a con-
fufed Noife about me, but in the Pofture
I lay, being on my Back, could fee no-
thing. In a little time, I felt fomething
come up to my Chin, in the Shape of an
Haman Creature, not fix Inches long,
with a Bow and Arrow in his Hand, and
a Quiver at his Back. Immediately I felt
fo many of the fame Species upon me,
that in Confternation roaring out, they
leapt from me upon the Ground. One
more bold than the reft ventur'd to return,
and loɔking me full in the Face, cry'd,
with a fhrill Accent, Hekinah Degul: the
others
B 2
4
A VOYAGE
others repeated the fame. In ftruggling
I got my left Arm loofe, which they no
fooner perceiv'd, than one of them cry'd,
Tolgo Phonac, and prefently follow'd fuch
a Volley of ſmall Darts, that pricked like
fo many Needles upon my Hands and
Face. Some attempted to thrust Spears
into my Sides, but they would not pierce
my Buff Jerkin. I thought it moſt pru-
dent to lie ftill till Night, before I at-
tempted to get loofe, but Fortune dif-
pofed otherwife of me. At a little Di-
ftance from me they erected a Stage, capa-
ble of holding four of the Inhabitants; it
was about a Foot and an Half from the
Ground This they mounted with Lad-
ders, from whence a Principal amongſt
them cry'd out, three times, Langro De-
bul fan. Whereupon they immediately
loofened my Head, which gave me an Op-
portunity of turning to view the Perfon
on the Stage, who appear'd to be a Perfon
of good Grace and Deportment. He made
an Oration, in which I could perceive, by
his Geſtures, fome Marks of Threats,
others of Pity and Compaffion. I anfwer'd
with all the Signs of Submiffion I could, and
fignified that I wanted Food. The Hurgo,
for fo they called the Lord, underſtanding
me, order'd Ladders to be fet to my
Sides, by which means the Inhabitants
7
brought
to LILLIPUT.
5
brought Baskets of Provifion to my
Mouth. It was the Fleſh of different Ani-
mals, well dress'd, but exceeding ſmall,
as was the Bread alfo: They ſeem'd much
furprized at my Bulk and Appetite. I
then made a Sign for fomething to drink:
They flung me one of their largeſt Hog-
fheads, which I drank off at a Draught, and
then a fecond, for they ſcarce held half a
Pint each. The Wine was delicious, and
I could have drank more of it if they had
brought it me. They made me a Sign to
throw down the empty Hogfheads after
they had warned the People to ſtand out
of the Way. I had often a Mind to ſeize
Forty or Fifty of them as they paffed
backward and forward upon my Body,
had not the Remembrance of the Darts,
and Submiffion I had made, and their Ho-
ſpitality towards me, prevented it: How-
ever, I could not fufficiently wonder at the
Intrepidity of thefe diminutive Mortals,
who durft venture to walk on the Body of
a Creature ſo prodigious as I muſt appear
to them. After fome time there appear'd
a Perſon of the firſt Rank, ſent by his
Imperial Majefty, who mounting on the
Sinall of my Right Leg, with his Retinue,
advanced up to my Face, and producing
his Credentials, made a fhort Speech, fig-
nifying my Removal to the Capital City.
B 3
I
6
A VOYAGE
I made Signs that I fhould be glad of my
Liberty; but he ſhook his Head, and held
his Hand in a Pofture to fhew that I muſt
be carry'd Prlfoner, but fhould be civilly
treated. The Smart I felt from the Ar-
rows, on my Hands and Face, made me
fear to rifque attempting my Efcape. I
therefore gave Tokens of Submiffion to
their Power: Upon this the Hurgo, and
his Train withdrew. Soon after I heard
a general Shout, with thefe Words, Pe-
plom Selan, and I felt great Numbers of
People loofing the Cords on my Left Side,
fo that I was able to eaſe my ſelf by turn-
ing on the Right: But before this, they
had dawbed my Face and Hands with
an Ointment, which foon removed the
Smart occafioned by the Arrows. This
Circumſtance, added to the Refreſhment I
had taken, difpofed me to fleep: I flept
about eight Hours, as I was afterwards
told, and it was no Wonder, for, by the
Emperor's Order, the Phyficians had min-
gled a fleepy Potion with the Wine I had
drank. It feems that from the very Mo-
ment they firft difcover'd me, all that had
paffed was refolved in Council, and that I
ſhould be removed, in a Machine, to the
Capital City.
This Refolution, perhaps, may appear
very bold and dangerous, and, I am con-
fident,
to LILLIPUT.
7
fident, would not be imitated by any
Prince in Europe on the like Occafion;
however, in my Opinion, it was prudent
as well as generous: For had they endea-
deavour'd to kill me with their Darts and
Spears, the Effects of the Pain would fo
far have rowzed my Rage and Strength as
to have been able to break the Ties, after
which, as they were unable to refift, fo
they could expect no Mercy.
The Emperor is fo great an Encourager
of Learning, that the People are arrived
to great Perfection in the Mathematicks
and Mechanicks; they have Machines for
the Carriage of Trees, and great Weights,
and often build their largeſt Men of War
in the Woods, whereof fome are Ninc
Feet in Length, and convey them by En-
gines to Sea.
Five Hundred Men were at
Work to prepare the Engine I was to be
carry 'd on: It was Seven Feet long, Four
wide, and Three Inches high. It was
brought Parallel to me as I lay, and with
much Difficulty, by the Affiftance of 900
Men, and a valt Number of Pullies, I
was at laft raiſed and flung into the En-
gine, which was drawn by 1500 of the
Emperor's largeſt Horſes. After Four
Hours Journey I awaked; for the fopori-
ferous Medicine had continued its Effect
all the Time of my being removed into
B 4
the
8
A VOYAGE
the Carriage, by the oddeft Accident ima-
ginable. Two or three of the young Na-
tives having the Curiofity to fee how I
look'd when I was afleep, one of them,
an Officer of the Guard, thruſt the End
of his Half-Pike up my Nofe, and made
me fneeze violently; this, I was told, was
the Caufe of my waking fo fuddenly. We
made a long March that Day, and reſted
at Night, with a ftrong Guard furround-
ing me. The next Day the Emperor,
and his Court, came to meet us, with-
in a
fmall Diſtance of the Town.
At the Place where the Carriage ftopt,
there ftood a Temple, which had been
applied to common Ufe, fince its having
been polluted by an unnatural Murder:
In this it was determined I fhould lodge.
The North Gate was Four Foot high, and
two Foot wide, near which I was faftned
by my Left Leg, with a large Number
of fmall Chairs. When they found I was
fo faſt that I could not get loofe, they
cut the Cords that tied me, and imme-
diately 1 roſe up, to the Aftoniſhment of
the People about me.
CHA P.
to LILLIPUT.
9
CHA P. II.
The Emperor of Lilliput, with his Nobility,
come to ſee the Author. His Perfon and
Habit defcribed. Learned Men are ap-
pointed to teach him the Language; who
gains Favour by his mild Difpofition. His
Pockets are fearched, and Sword and
Piftols taken from him.
L
Ooking around me as I ftood, I
beheld a moſt entertaining Pro-
fpect, from the Beauty and Re-
gularity of the Fields and Gar-
dens, which were agreeably bedeck'd with
Flowers. The City, on my Left Hand,
appear'd like the painted Scene of a City
in a Theatre. Due Care was taken to
keep my Apartment free from any Filth
that might be occafion'd by the Neceffities
of Nature, which daily employ'd two of
the Servants. As I was taking Air at the
Gate, the Emperor, who was already de-
fcended from a Tower juft by, and advancing
towards me, had like to have been thrown
from his Horfe, which was affrighted at fo
unufual a Sight, had not his Attendants
ran in and held the Bridle while he dif
mounted. When he alighted he furveyed.
B 5.
me
10
A VOYAGE
me with Admiration, and order'd his Ser-
vants to give me Victuals and Drink,
which was brought in Wheel Machines,
within my Reach. I foon emptied Twenty,
which were fill'd with Meat, and Ten with
Liquor. The Emprefs, with the reft of
the Royal Family, fat at fome Diſtance,
in their Chairs, but alighted on Account
of the Accident which happened to the
Emperor's Horfe, and came to him; whom
I am now going to defcribe. He is taller
than the reft of his Court, by the Length
of my Nail, which ftrikes an Awe into
his Beholders. His Features are ftrong,
with an Auftrian Lip, and arch'd Nofe:
His Complexion Olive; his Countenance
erect, his Body, and Limbs, well propor-
tion'd; his Motions, and Deportment,
graceful and majeſtick. He was then
Twenty-eight Years old, and had reign'd
Seven fucceſsfully. I lay down, that I
might the better fee him: However, I
have had him fince often in my Hand, and,
therefore, cannot be deceiv'd in the De-
fcription. His Drefs between the Afiatick
and European, with a Golden Helmet
and Plume on the Creft. His Sword was
in his Hand, whofe Hilt and Scabbard
was Gold, enrich'd with Diamonds. The
Ladies and Courtiers were magnificently
clad. His Majefty often fpoke to me, and
he
to LILLIPUT.
It
he commanded his Priefts and Lawyers (as I
guefs'd by their Habits) to fpeak alfo, but
I could not anſwer in any Language to be
underſtood.
When the Court retired, a ſtrong
Guard was left to prevent the Infolence
of the Rabble; one of whom narrowly
miffed hitting my left Eye with an Arrow.
Six of thofe, who fhot at me, were or-
der'd to be brought bound to me to be
puniſh'd; I put Five of them in my
Pocket, and the Sixth I threatned to eat.
He was terribly affrighted, efpecially when
I pulled out my Penknife, which I made
no other ufe of, than to cut the Strings
which tied them, and then let them go
one after the other. This Mark of Cle-
mency was reprefented much to my Ad-
vantage at Court.
At Night I went into my Houfe, where
I had lain a Fortnight on the Ground:
During which Time, by the Emperor's
Order, they had prepared me a Bed, com-
pofed of fome Hundreds of their own,
with proper Coverlets to it. Although it
indifferently kept me from the Hardness of
Stones, it was tolerable for one enured to
Hardſhips as I was. The News of my
Arrival fpreading, his Majefty, by Procla-
mation, order'd all thofe who had feen
me, to return Home to their Affairs, and
not
12
A VOYAGE
rot to come within Fifty Yards of my
Houſe, without Licence from the Secretary
of State, which confiderably encreaſed his
Fees. The Emperor, and Court, in the
mean Time, were under great Difficulties
how they fhould act concerning me, as I was
afterwards affured by a particular Friend.
The Fear of my breaking loofe, the Appre-
henfions of a Famine, from the Expence
of my Diet, occafion'd Refolutions either
to kill or ſtarve me. But they apprc-
hended the Stench of my Carcafe might
occafion a Plague, and probably infe&
the whole Kingdom. During theſe De-
bates, two Officers of the Army, who
were admitted into the Council Chamber,
gave an Account of my Clemency to the Pri-
foners deliver'd up to me, which made fuch
an Impreffion, that his Imperial Majeſty,
iffued out a Commiffion, obliging all the
Villages 900 Yards round the City, to
bring in, every Morning, Six Beeves, Forty
Sheep, and other Food, for my Sufte-
nance, with proportionate Quantities of
Bread, Wine, and other Liquors; and
give Affignments on his Treafury for the
Payment: For this Prince lives chiefly up-
on his own Demefncs, unless it be upon
great Occafions, and his Subjects attend
him in War at their own Expence. An
Eſtabliſhment of 600 Domeſticks was
made
1
to LILLIPUT.
13
made, who had Tents built on each Side
of my Door; and 300 Taylors were or-
der'd to make me a Suit of Cloaths after
the Faſhion of the Country; and fix of the
beſt Scholars to teach me the Language :
And, laſtly, that the Horſes of the Em-
peror, and Nobility, fhould be exerciſed
in my Sight, to accuftom themſelves to me.
Theſe Orders were duly executed. In
three Weeks I made a great Progrefs in
that Language, and was honoured fome-
times by the Emperor's Inftructions in it.
The first of my Converfation began by
craving my Liberty, which I daily re-
peated on my Knees. His Anfwer was,
It could not be without the Advice of his
Council, and that Peace muſt be firſt
fworn to him and his Kingdom. He ad-
vifed me, in the mean time, to be pa-
tient, and to acquire his good Opinion,
and that of his Subjects, by my Conduct.
He defired I would not take it ill if he fent
Officers to fearch me, urging, That proba-
bly a Man of my Bulk might carry dan-
gerous Weapons, if they anfwer'd my
Stature. I told his Majefty I was ready
to fatisfy him. He replied, That by the
Laws of the Kingdom, I muſt be fearched
by two Officers, which could not be done
without my Confent and Affiftance; that
he had that Opinion of my Juftice, and
Generofity,
14
A VOYAGE
Generoſity, as to truſt their Perfons in my
Hands; that whatſoever they took ſhould
be return'd, or paid for at my own Price.
I took the Officers in my Hand, and put
them into all my Pockets, except my two
Fobs, where I had a Watch, and a little
Money; and they having Pen, Ink, and
Paper, took the following Inventory, which
I afterwards tranflated into Engliſh.
Imprimis. In the right Coat-Pocket of
the Great Man Mountain (for fo I tran-
flate the Words Quintus Flefrin) we found
one great Piece of coarfe Cloth, large
enough to be a Foot-cloth for your Ma-
jeſty's chief Room of State. In the left,
a huge Silver Cheft, which was Knee deep,
full of Duft, which, flying up to our
Faces, fet us a fheezing. In the right
Waiſtcoat Pocket, a large Bundle of thin
Subſtances, folded one over another, and
tied with a Cable, mark'd with black Fi-
gures like Writing, every Letter almoſt half
as large as the Palm of our Hands. In the
left, an Engine, from the Back of which
were extended Twenty long Foles, refem-
bling Pallifado's, wherewith he combs his
Head. In the long Pocket, on the Right-
Side of his Breeches, an hollow Pillar of
Iron, of a Man's Length, faftned to a ftrong
Fiece
to LILLIPUT.
15
Piece of Timber larger than the Pillar;
and upon one Side of the Pillar were huge
Pieces of Iron fticking out in different Fi-
gures. In the left Pocket, another of the
fame. In the fmaller Pocket on the right
Side, were feveral round Pieces of white
and red Metal, fome whereof appeared to
be Silver, and fo large, that we could
hardly lift them. Out of the right Pocket,
clofe to his Belly, hung a great Silver
Chain; we directed him to draw out
whatfoever was faften'd to it, which ap-
pear'd to be a Globe, half Silver, half
transparent Metal, under which are Fi-
gures circularly drawn. It makes an in-
ceffant Noife when put to the Ear. We
fuppofe it to be his God, for this, he tells
us, points out Time for all his Actions.
Out of the left, he took a Net, large enough
for a Fisherman, but ferv'd for a Purfe
in this were feveral yellow maffy Pieces,
which are of immenfe Value, if they
are Gold. Having, thus in Obedience to
your Majefty's Commands, fearch'd all his
Pockets, we difcover'd a Belt about his
Waift, made of the Hide of fome large
Animal, to which hang a Sword of the
Length of Five Men and a Boy; and a
Pouch, which contain'd a Number of
Globes, of a heavy Metal, of Two diffe-
rent Sizes.
This
16
A VOYAGE
This is an exact Inventory of what was
found upon the Man Mountain. Sign'd
and feal'd, on the 4th Day of the 89th
Moon of your Majeſty's glorious Reign.
Clefren Frelock, Marfi Frelock.
The Emperor having firſt order'd Three
Thouſand of his choiceft Troops, with
Bows and Arrows, to furround me, direct-
ed me to deliver up the Farticulars of the
Inventory. First, I drew my Scymiter,
then return'd it into the Sabbard, and
threw it on the Ground, at a little Diſtance
before me. The next was one of the
Pocket Piftols, which I drew out, and,
to fhew him the Ufe of it, charg'd it with
a little Powder, which happen'd to eſcape
the Wet. I firſt caution'd the Emperor
not to be afraid, and then fir'd it in the
Air. Their Aftonifhment was fo great at
the Report, that Hundreds fell down as
if they had been kill'd; even the Empc-
ror could not recover himfelf in fome time,
tho' he ſtood his Ground. Then I deli-
ver'd my Piſtols up, and the Fouch, giving
him a Caution of the Gunpowder. After-
wards I gave them all the rest of my
Goods; but he return'd me all but my
Scymiter,
to LILLIPUT.
17
Scymiter, Piſtols, and Watch: The laſt
of which he was amaz'd at, both from
the Noife, and the Motion of the Hand,
which he obferv'd. Two of the ſtrongeſt
Men carry'd it upon a Pole on their Shoul-
ders; and my Scymiter and Piſtols were
convey'd in Carriages. I had a Pair of
Spectacles, and Pocket Perfpective, in a
private Pocket, and a few other Conve-
niencies, which I did not difcover, appre-
hending they might be fpoiled, if I ven-
tur'd them out of my Poffeffion.
اری بانه
CHAP.
18
A VOYAGE
S
CHA P. III.
The Author becomes familiar with the
Natives. He defcribes the Diversions of
the Court of LILLIPUT; and diverts
the Emperor and Nobility in a very un-
common Manner. The Author bas bis
Liberty on certain Conditions.
M
Y Gentleness and good Beha-
viour had fo far gain'd on the
Emperor and his People, that
they were under no Apprehen-
fions of Danger from me; the very Chil-
dren would frequently come and play
about me, and dance in my Hand. I had
now made a good Progrefs in fpeaking the
Language.
The Emperor had a Mind to divert
me with the Shows of the Country, in
which they exceed all other Nations in the
World, for Dexterity and Magnificence.
They are particularly famous for Rope-
dancing, which Diverfion is only practis'd
by thoſe who ſtand Candidates for high
Employ-
to LILLIPUT.
19
Employments. They are train'd up to it
from their Youth, and are not always of
high Birth or Extraction: And whofoever
of the Candidates excells in this Art, fuc-
ceeds in the vacant Office. The chief Mi-
nifters are often commanded to fhew their
Skill, to convince the Emperor they retain
their Faculty. Flimmap, the Treaſurer, I have
feen perform Wonders. Reldrefal, the Se-
cretary of State for private Affairs, is fecond
to him; and the reſt of the great Officers
are much upon a Par. Thefe Diverfions
are often attended with broken Limbs,
eſpecially upon the Emulation amongſt the
Prime Minifters. The dexterous Flimnap
had once broke his Neck, had he not fell
upon one of the King's Cushions, which
accidentally lay on the Ground. There is
another Diverfion, which is fhewn only
before the Emperor, the Empreſs, and the
first Minifter, when his Majefty has a
Mind to give fome peculiar Mark of his
Favour. The Prizes are Three Silken
Threads, One Purple, One Yellow, and
the Third White. The Candidates are to
ſhew their Dexterity, by leaping over,
and creeping under a Stick, which the
Emperor holds in his Hand, parallel to the
Horizon. Sometimes the Prime Minifter
holds one End of it; fometimes he has it
entirely to himfelf. The moft active is
rewarded
20
A VOYAGE
rewarded with the Purple, the next with
the Yellow, and the Third with the
White, which they all wear girt twice
round the Middle. You fee few Perfons
of Diftinction about the Court who are
not adorn'd with one of thefe Girdles.
The Horfes of the Army were no longer
fhy; the Riders would leap them over my
Hand, as I held it on the Ground.
I had the good Fortune one Day to di-
vert the Emperor in an extraordinary Man-
ner. I defir'd ſeveral Sticks, Two Foot
high, fhould be brought me; which was
accordingly done next Morning. I took
Nine of them, which I fix'd in the Ground
in a Quadrangular Form, on the Tops of
which I extended my Handkerchief, very
tight, making a Ledge with Four other
Sticks, rifing about Five Inches above the
Handkerchief: This done, I defir'd the
Emperor to let a Troop of his beſt Horſe
exerciſe upon this Plain. He confented;
and I lifted them up one after the other,
ready mounted and arm'd, with proper
Officers to exercife them; and I may fay
I never faw better military Difcipline in
any Part of the World. The Sticks above
the Handkerchief fecur'd them from fall-
ing; and but one Accident happen'd,
which proceeded from an Officer's Horfe
pawing a Hole in my Handkerchief, which
threw
T
to LILLIPUT.
2 I
threw him down; the Horfe ftrain'd his
Shoulder, but the Rider got no Hurt. The
Emperor had this Diverſion repeated, and
was once pleas'd to give the Word of Com-
mand himſelf. As I was entertaining the
Court with thefe Kind of Exploits, an Ex-
preſs was brought, that a great black Sub-
ſtance was found lying near the Place where
.I was firſt diſcover'd; its Edges extending
very wide, and rifing up in the Middle a
Man's Heighth, or more; that having got
to the Top, they found it even, but found-
ed hollow under Foot: This they imagin'd
belong'd to the Man Mountain; and, if
his Majefty pleas'd, would undertake to
bring it. I knew what they meant, and
rejoic'd heartily at the Intelligence; for I
thought it had been loft at Sea, though I
remember it was faftened with a String to
my Head, as I was rowing; but by what
Accident I loft it, when I came on Shore,
I was in fuch Confufion, that I know not:
I intreated his Majefty that it might be
brought me, and defcrib'd to him the Ufe
of it. The next Day it arriv'd, but in
no good Condition; for they had bored
Holes in the Brim, and faften'd it to a
Cord, by which it was dragg'd along the
Ground above half a Mile. Two Days
after this Adventure, the Emperor having
order'd that Part of his Troops quarter'd
about
22
A VOYAGE
about his Metropolis, confifting of Three
Thouſand Foot, and One Thouſand Horſe,
to be in Readinefs, diverted himſelf by
making them march between my Legs,
whilft I ftood like a Coloffus. They were
order'd to march with the ftricteft De-
cency, upon Pain of Death; which, how-
ever, did not prevent fome young Officers
from looking upwards as they paffed un-
der me; and, to tell you the Truth, my
Breeches were in fo ill a Condition at that
Time, that they afforded fome Opportu-
nities of Laughter and Admiration.~`I had
preſented fo many Memorials for my Li-
berty, that at length his Majeſty open'd
the Matter to his Council, where it was
oppos'd only by Skyref Bolgolam, who
was Admiral of the Realm, and a Man
well vers'd in Fublick Affairs, but of a
morofe Temper: However, he was at
Jength perfuaded to comply, and drew up
the Conditions upon which I was to have
my Freedom. Thefe Articles he brought
to me himself, attended by Two Under-
Secretaries, and feveral Perfons of Diftin-
ction. After they were read, I fwore to
them, in the Manner of my own Country,
and afterwards, according to their Laws,
which was by holding my Right-foot in
my Left-hand, to place the Middle-finger
of my Right-hand on the Crown of my
Head,
to LILLIPUT.
23
Head, and my Thumb on the Tip of my
Right-ear. But, to give you an Idea of
the Stile, and Manner of Expreſſion pecu-
liar to that People, and the Articles of my
Liberty; I have tranflated the whole,
which I here offer to the Publick.
Golbafto Momaren Evlame Gurdillo She-
fin Mully Ully Gue, Delight and Terror of
the Univerſe, whofe Dominions extend to
the Extremities of the Globe, at whofe
Nod the Princes of the Earth tremble;
his moſt fublime Majefty propoſeth the
following Articles to the Man Mountain,
which by folemn Oath he ſhall be oblig'd
to perform.
1. He ſhall not depart our Dominions
without Leave, under our great Seal.
II. He fhall not enter our Metropolis
without Order.
III. He fhall confine his Walks to the
High Roads.
IV. As he walks, he fhall take Care
that he trample not on our loving
Subjects, or wharfoever belongeth to
them, or handle them, without their
own Confent.
V. If
24
A VOYAGE
V. If an Expreſs requires Diſpatch, he
ſhall be oblig'd to carry the Meffen-
ger and Horſe Six Days Journey once
a Month, and return him fafe, if fo
requir❜d.
VI. He fhall be our Ally againſt the
People of Blefufcu, and defend us to
the Utmoſt of his Might.
VII. That he fhall be aflifting to our
Workmem, in carrying Stones for
our high Walls, and other Buildings.
VIII. That the faid Man Mountain fhall
in Two Months Time deliver in an
exact Survey of the Circumference of
our Dominions, by a Computation of
his own Paces round the Coaſt.
Laftly, That upon his folemn Oath to
obferve theſe Articles, he fhall have
daily Proviſion, fufficient for One
Thousand, Seven Hundred, Twenty
Four of our Subjects; and other
Marks of Favour.
Given at our Falace, at
Belfaborac, the 12th
Day of the 91ft M0013
of our Reign.
I fwore
to LILLIPUTUT25
.
.
I fwore, and fubfcrib'd to theſe Ar-
ticles, whereupon I was immediately fet
at Liberty in the Prefence of the Em-
peror, at whofe Feet I proftrated my-
felf; but he commanded me to rilè, and
added, after many kind Expreffions, that
he hoped fhould continue to deferve
his Favours.
The Reaſon why Food fufficient for
One Thousand, Seven Hundred, Twenty
Four of the Natives was allotted me, for
my daily Subfiftence, proceeded from an
exact Survey the Mathematicians made of
my Body, which they found to be in Fro-
portion to one of theirs, as One I houſand,
Seven Hundred, Twenty Four is to One:
So great is the Ingenuity of this People, as
well as the prudent and exact OEconomy
of the Prince.
C
CHAP
26
A VOYAGE
EXCHODRO BLBSD
CHA P. IV.
MILDENDO, the Metropolis of LILLIPUT,
and the Emperor's Palace, defcribed. The
Author's Conversation with the Principal
Secretary concerning EUROPE: And
bis Offers to ferve the Emperor in his
Wars.
W
HEN I firft had my Liberty, I
obtain'd Leave to fee Mildendo,
the Metropolis, with ftrict Charge
not to hurt the Inhabitants or
their Houſes. The People had Notice of
my coming, by Proclamation. The Walls
of the City are Two Foot and Half high,
and Eleven Inches broad, flank'd with
ftrong Towers, at Ten Foot Diſtance. I
ftept over the Weſtern Gate, and paſs'd
fideways along the Two principal Streets in
my Waiſtcoat, left I fhould damage the
Houſes with the Skirts of my Coat. Strict
Orders had been given, that nobody ſhould
ftir out of their Doors. It appear❜'d to
be a populous Place, by the Number of
Inhabitants
to LILLIPUT.
27
Inhabitants I faw at the Windows and
Tops of the Houſes. The City is Five
Hundred Foot fquare, and is divided in-
to Quarters by the Two great Streets;
abundance of Alleys and Lanes go from
them, too narrow for me to enter. The
Houfes are from Three to five Stories:
The Shops and Markets well provided.
At the Meeting of the great Streets is
the Emperor's Palace, furrounded by a
Wall, which I had the Liberty to ſtep
over, but could not fee his Majeſty's Apart-
ment, the Gates being very low, without
ſtepping over the Houfes into another
Court; but was prevented, by the Heighth
of the Houfes, which were Five Foot, till
by means of Two Stools, which I maa
on purpoſe, I could ftep over from one
Stool to the other. By this Contrivance
I got into the inmoft Court, and lying
down on my Side, I difcover'd the moft
magnificent Apartments imaginable: I faw
the Royal Family, and had the Honour
of kiffing her Imperial Majefty's Hand
out of the Window. I fhall not trouble
the Reader with farther Particulars, de-
figning in a fhort Time to publish a gene-
ral Deſcription of this Empire. I come
now to relate the Tranſactions which hap-
pened
C 2
28
A VOYAGE
pened during my Nine Months Reſidence
in that Empire.
About a Fortnight after I had obtain'd
my Liberty, I had a Vifit from the prin-
cipal Secretary Reldrefal, who compliment-
ed me on my Liberty, and faid he might
pretend to fome Merit in it; and added,
that it was occafion'd by the prefent Situa-
tion of Affairs at Court: For, faid he,
tho' our Condition appears flouriſhing to
Foreigners, we labour under Two Evils;
Faction at Home, and Danger of Inva-
fion from Abroad. As to the Firſt, for
Seventy Moons we have had contending
Parties, under the Names of Trameckfan
and Slameckfan, from the different Heighth
of the Heels of their Shoes. It's faid,
that high Heels are the moſt agreeable to
our ancient Conftitution; but his Ma-
jefty admits only of low Heels in the Ad-
miniſtration of Government, and the Of
fices of the Crown. You may particu-
larly obferve that his Majefty's Imperial
Heels are lower than the reft of the Court.
All Society between the Two Parties is
loft by theſe Animofities; tho' we have
the high Heels exceed us
We imagine, his Imperial
Heir to the Crown, tends
the Power,
in Number
Highness, the
to-
to LILLIPUT.
29
towards the high Heels, for we can dif-
cover one of his Heels higher than the
other, which makes him limp in his Gait.
Now, in the midſt of theſe Diſcontents,
we are threaten'd with an Invafion from
the Island of Blefufcu, the other large
and powerful Empire; for our Philofo-
phers give no Credit to what you tell
us of other Parts of the World inhabi-
ted by Feople of your Size; neither do
our oldeft Hiftories mention any other
great Empires than Lilliput and Blefuſcu;
which Two Powers have been engag'd
in War for Six and Thirty Moons paſt,
which happen'd on this Occafion.
The primitive Way of breaking Eggs
before we eat them, was on the larger
End;
but his prefent Majefty's Grand-
father, when he was a Boy, cutting one
of his Fingers by breaking an Egg the
old Way, the Emperor, his Father, pub-
lifh'd an Edict, commanding all his Sub-
jects, upon great Penalties, to break the
fmalleft End of their Eggs. This Law
was fo refented by the People, that Six
Rebellions have been rais'd on that Ac-
count, in which one Emperor has loſt his
Life, and another his Crown. Thefe
Commotions have always been fomented
C 3
by
30
A VOYAGE
by the Monarchs of Blefufcu, which Coun-
try is a Place of Refuge for the Exiles.
Eleven Thouſand have fuffer'd Death ra-
ther than ſubmit to the new Way of
breaking their Eggs. Many Hundred
Volumes have been publifh'd in this Con-
troversy; but thofe of the Big-Endians
are prohibited, and themfelves render'd
incapable, by Law, of holding Employ-
ments. The Emperor of Blefufcu has
accus'd us, by his Embaffadors, of ma-
king a Schifm in Religion, by offend-
ing, in a fundamental Point, againſt the
Doctrine of Luftrog, in the 54th Chap-
tcr of the Brundecral, which is their
Alcoran: But the Text is ftrain'd, for
the Words are; All true Believers fhall
break their Eggs at the convenient End
and which that is, fhould be left to eve-
ry Man's Confcience, or to the chief
Magiftrate, to determine. The Big-En-
dian Exiles have gain'd fo much Cre-
dit at the Court of Blefufcu, as to have
been able, by their Infinuations, to
raife a War, which hath lafted Thirty
Six Moons. Great Loffes have been
fuftain'd on both Sides; but that of the
Enemy is reckon❜d greateft. However,
as they threaten a Defcent with a nu-
;
merous
to LILLIPUT.
за
merous Fleet, his Majefty, from the Con-
fidence he has in your Valour and Strength,
order'd me to lay this Account before
you.
I defir'd, that, with my humble Du-
ty to his Majefty, he would affure him
I was ready to hazard my Life againſt
any Invaders of his Empire.
C 4
CHAP.
}
A VOYAGE
32
REVENGERSONAL) DSO
CHA P. V.
The Author, by an extraordinary Stratagem,
prevents an Invasion: For which he is
bonour'd with an high Title. Embaſſa-
dors are fent from Blefufcu to fue for
Peace. The Emprefs's Apartment being
on Fire, the Author faves the rest of the
Palace.
T
HE Ifland of Blefufcu is fitua-
ted to the North-East of Lil-
liput; from whence it is fepa-
rated only by a fmall Channel,
whofe greateſt Depth, in the Middle, at
High-Water, is about Six Foot, in other
Flaces Five. As they had receiv'd no Ac-
count of me, all Intercourfe between the
Two Empires being forbidden, I com-
municated to his Majefty a Project of
feizing the Enemy's whole Fleet. I went
and took a View of it from behind a
Hill, with my Perfpective Glafs; and
when
1
E
to LILLIPUT.
33
when I came home, obtain'd a Warrant
for a Quantity of Cables and Iron Bars.
The Cables were like Packthread, and
the Bars of Iron of the Size of Knit-
ting Needles; but this I made fit for
my Purpoſe, by twifting Three of them
together, and bent the End of the Wire
into a Hook.
1 provided Fifty Hooks,
faften'd to as many Cables, which an-
fwer'd the Number of the Enemy's Fleet;
then pulling off my Coat, Shoes, and
Stockings, I waded till I came near the
Middle, and with little fwimming I foon
came to the Fleet. At my Approach,
the Enemy foon left their Ships: I then
took my Tackling, and faften'd a Hook
to the Prow of each Ship, and tied the
Ends of all the Cords together. But,
during the Time of this Employment,
the Enemy fo pefter'd my Hands and
Face with their Arrows, that my Eyes
were in Danger, till I bethought myfelf
of a Pair of Spectacles I had in my Pocket,
which prov'd an excellent Shield for my
Eyes, againſt thofe fmall Arrows. I had
now faften'd all my Hooks, and taking
the Knot in my Hand, began to pull,
but could not ftir a Ship; because of the
Anchors. I refolucely cut all the Cables
with my Knife, that faften'd the Anchors,
C 5
and
34
AVOYAGE
and then, with the greateſt Eafe, drew
Fifty of their largeſt Men of War after
me. The Blefufcudians, aftonifh'd at what
I was doing, only imagin'd my Defign
was to let the Ships run a-drift; but
when they perceiv'd the whole Fleet mo-
ving after me, 'tis impoffible to conceive
their Marks of Grief and Deſpair. When
I was out of the Reach of their Arrows,
I ſtopp'd, and pick'd out thoſe which
Stuck in my Hands and Face, and anoint-
ed them with fome Ointment that was
given me at my firft Arrival; and wait-
ing till it was Low-Water, I waded over
with my Cargo, and arriv'd fafe at the
Royal Port of Lilliput. The Emperor
and the whole Court, who ftood on the
Shore, expecting the Event of this Ad-
venture, were much much in Pain whilſt
I was up to the Chin in Water. They
faw the Ships move forward, without
difcerning me, and concluded the Fleet
was failing in an hoftile Manner, and
that I was drowned. But their Fears
foon diffipated as I drew nigh, and when
I came within Hearing, I cry'd in a
loud Voice, Long live the moft Puiffant
Emperor of Lilliput. The Prince re-
ceiv'd me on Shore with the greateſt
Encomiums, and gave me the higheſt
Title
to LILLIPUT.
35
Title of Honour among them.
So vaft
is the Ambition of Princes, that his Ma-
jefty defir'd I would take an Opportu-
nity of bringing the reft of the Enemy's
Ships; and then propos'd to reduce that
Kingdom into a Province, and deſtroy
the Big-Endian Exiles, By many Ar-
guments, drawn from the Topicks of Po-
licy and Juftice, I endeavour'd to divert
his Defign; and told him I would not
be an Inſtrument of bringing a free and
brave People to Slavery.
After ferious Debates in Council, my
Opinion was agreed to by the wifeft Part
of the Miniſtry. This Declaration of mine
agreed fo ill with his Majefty's Politicks,
that he frequently mention'd it, by Way
of Reflection, which was farther ftrength.
ned by fome Infinuations of my private
Enemies
And from this Time, his Ma-
jefty and a Junto of Minifters form'd
an Intrigue, which in Two Months had
like to have ended in my Deſtruction.
Of fo little Weight are the greateſt Ser-
vices done to Princes, when balanc'd
againſt a Refuſal to gratify their Paf-
fions. About Three Weeks after, Six
Embaffadors were fent from Blefaron, with
humble Offers of Feace, which was foon
concluded, to the Advantage of our Em-
perox
36
A VOYAGE
peror. When the Treaty was ended,
wherein I ufed what Intereft I had at
Court in their Favour, I receiv'd a for-
mal Vifit from their Excellencies, who
made me many Compliments on my Va-
lour and Generofity, and defir'd me to
give them fome Proof of my Strength,
in which I readily oblig'd them.
After I had given Proof of my Strength
to their Satisfaction and Surprize, I de-
fired they would do me the Honour to
preſent my moft humble Refpects to the
Emperor, their Mafter, whofe Virtues
had fo juftly fhone, to the Admiration
of Mankind, and whofe Royal Perfon I
refolv❜d to attend, before I return'd to
my own Country. Accordingly, the firſt
'Time I had the Honour to ſee our Em-
peror, he granted me Leave, at my Re-
queft, to wait on the Blefufcudian Mo-
narch; but with that Indifference, that
I could not guess the Reafon, till it
was whiſper'd to me by a certain Per-
fon, that Flimmap and Bolgolam had re-
prefented my Intercourfe with the Am-
baffadors as a Mark of Difaffection: Hence
I began to have an imperfect Idea of
Courts and Minifters. It is to be re-
mark'd, that thefe Ambaffadors ſpoke
to me by an Interpreter; the Languages
of
to LILLIPUT.
37
1
of both Empires differing as much from
each other, as any two in Europe, and
each Nation valuing itfelf on the Beauties
and Antiquity of its own. However, thro'
the Trade and Commerce between them,
together with the Cuſtom of each Empire's
fending their young Nobility to poliſh
themſelves in the Underſtanding of Men
and Manners, there are Perfons of Diftin-
ction that can hold Converfation in both
Tongues, as I found after; which, in
the midst of my Misfortunes, through
the Malice of my Enemies, prov'd of
fingular Service.
It was not long before I had an Oppor-
tunity of being uſeful to his Majefty, oc-
cafion'd by a Fire which broke out in her
Imperial Majefty's Apartment, which was
occafion'd thro' the Neglect of a Chamber-
maid. I was alarm'd at Midnight by the
People, to come to their Affiftance, who
had already apply'd Ladders to the Walls
of the Apartment, and were well provi-
ded with Buckets, but the Water was at
fome Diſtance. I was fupply'd with what
Water they had; but, thro' the Smallneſs
of the Buckets, it did little good. In this
Exigency, if I had not thought of an
Expedient, the whole Palace had been
burnt to the Ground. I had, the Night
before,
38
A VOYAGE
before, drank plentifully of a Sort of
Wine which prov'd very diuretick, and
luckily happening to operate at this Time,
I voided it in fuch Quantity, that in Three
Minutes the Fire was extinguifh'd. I went
home, without waiting to congratulate with
his Majefty, left he ſhould refent the Man-
ner by which I perform'd it; for no body
is permitted to make Water within the
Precincts of the Palace, on Pain of Capi-
tal Punishment. The Emperor would
freely have pardon'd me, had not the Em-
preſs conceiv'd fuch an Abhorrence at the
Action, that fhe remov'd to the moſt di-
ſtant Part of the Court, and refolv'd thofe
Buildings fhould never be repair'd for her
Ufe.
CHAP.
to LILLIPUT.
39
1
CHAP. VI.
Of the Inhabitants of Lilliput. Their Learn-
ing, Laws, and Customs. The Manner
of Educating their Children. The Author's
Way of Living in the Country. His Vin-
dication of a great Lady.
A
Ltho' I intend to defer giving
a particular Hiſtory of this Em-
pire, I fhall however make fome
general Obfervations upon it.
As the common Size of the Natives is
under Six Inches high, the fame Propor-
tion extends throughout all other Animals
and Vegetables of the Empire, and Na-
ture has adapted the Eyes of the Lillipu-
tians proportionate to the Objects before
them. As an Inftance of this Symmetry,
I cant help obferving, that I faw a Cook
pulling a Lark not fo large as a common
Fly, and a young Girl threading a Needle,
inviſible to me, with invifible Silk. Í
could juſt reach to the Tops of their
higheft Trees. Learning has flouriſh'd for
many Ages among them, in all its Bran-
ches; but their Manner of Writing is very
peculiar,
40
A VOYAGE
{
peculiar, being neither from left to right,
or right to left, or from upwards down,
or from downward up; but from one
Corner of the Paper to the other, like La-
dies in England. They bury their Dead
with their Heads downwards, from an Opi-
nion that the Earth in Eleven Thouſand
Moons will tnrn upſide down, by which
means they will be found ftanding on their
Feet at the Refurrection. Which Doctrine
is rejected by the Learned, though the
Practice continues in Compliance to the
Vulgar. There are feveral Laws, though
contrary to thofe of my own Country, I
wiſh were as well executed. The firft re-
lates to Informers. All Enemies againſt
the State are punuifh'd here with the ut-
moſt Severity: But if the Perfon accuſed
appears innocent upon his Trial, the Ac-
cufer is put to Death, and full Compen-
fation made to the innocent Perfon for
his Hardſhip and Charges, and his Inno-
cence proclaimed throughout the City.
Fraud is puniſh'd with Death here, as
being a Crime againſt which Honeſty has
no Fence, whilft Care and Vigilancy is Se-
curity againſt common Theft: For fince
Credit is neceffary in Trade, where Fraud
is permitted and connived at, or hath no
Law to punish it, the honeſt Dealer is kept
under,
to LILLIPUT.
41
A
under, and the Knave gets the Advan-
tage. I once interceded with the King for
a Criminal who had run away with his
Maſter's Money, which he had received
upon Order, and, to extenuate his Crime,
faid it was a Breach of Truſt only; he
was furprized that I fhould offer that in
Defence which was the greateft Aggrava-
tion of that Crime; which made me hear-
tily afham'd. Although Rewards and Pu-
niſhments are the Hinges of Government,
no Nation puts this Maxim in Practice but
that of Lilliput: Where, if a Man can
bring fufficient Proof that he has ftrictly
obſerved the Laws of his Country Seventy-
three Moons, he has feveral Privileges grant-
ed him, with a Sum of Money. When I
told them our Laws were inforc'd by Pe-
nalties only, they thought it a great Defect.
It is on this Account that the Image of
Juftice, in their Courts of Judicature,
is formed with fix Eyes, two before, as
many behind, and one of each Side, to
fignify Circumfpection; with a Bag of
Gold in the right Hand; in the Left, a
Sword undrawn, to fhew fhe is more dif-
poſed to reward than punish. In chufing
Perfons for Employments, more Regard is
had to their Morals than Abilities, and
believing that Providence never intended
the
42
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the Management of publick Affairs a My-
ftery, imagine they are adapted to the Ca-
pacity of common Underſtandings; and as
Truth, Juftice, and Temperance, are in
every Man's Power, the Practice of thofe
Virtues, affifted by Experience, may qua-
lify a Man to ferve his Country except
where a Courfe of Study is requir'd. But
they think the want of Moral Virtues, fo
far from being fupply'd by fuperior En-
dowments of the Mind, that Employments
cannot be put into more dangerous Hands;
and, at leaſt, that an ignorant Miſtake, in
a virtuous Mind, can never be of fuch
fatal Confequences as the corrupt Practices
of a Man able to multiply and defend his
Corruptions. In like manner the disbelieving
a Divine Providence incapacitates a Man
of holding any publick Station: For fince
Kings are the Deputies of Providence,
they think it very abfurd in a Prince to
employ a Man who difowns the Authority
under which he acts: I mean here only
the Laws originally inſtituted, and free
from the Corruptions that have ſince crept
in amongſt them. As to the acquiring
great Offices, by the infamous Practice of
Rope-dancing, it was introduc'd by his
prefent Majefty's Grandfather, and height-
ned by the Increaſe of Party and Faction.
Ingratitude,
1
to LILLIPUT.
43
Ingratitude is punifh'd with Death, for,
they fay, whoever makes ill Returns to
his Benefactor, muſt be an Enemy to the
reſt of Mankind to whom he is not oblig'd,
and therefore not fit to live. The Lilli-
putians differ from us in their Notions of
the Duty of Parents and Children; and
hold, that the great Law of Nature acts in
us, as in other Animals, by the Motives
of Concupifcence, to propagate our own
Species, and that the Tenderneſs towards
the Young proceeds from the fame Princi-
ple. They, therefore, think the Child
is under no Obligation to its Parents for
bringing it into the World. For thefe
Reafons the Parents ought leaſt to be
truſted in the Education of their Chil-
dren, and therefore they have publick
Nurferies for their Education from Twen-
ty Moons old, to the Age of Fif
teen Years. Thefe Schools are fuited
to the different Qualities and Con-
ditions of the Parents, for both Sexes.
The Nurferies, for Males of noble Birth,
are provided with learned Profeffors, under
whom they are bred in the Principles of
Honour, Juftice, Religion, and Love of
their Country. All their Time is employ'd
in Study, except that of eating, and two
Hours Diverſion, which is daily allow'd
them
44
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them in Bodily Exercife. At four Years
of Age they drefs themfelves, and have
aged Women to perform their menial
Offices. To avoid the early bad Impreffi-
ons of Folly and Vice, they are not fuffer'd
to converfe with Servants, and take their
Diverſions in the Prefence of the Profeffor,
or one of his Deputies. Their Parents
are allow'd to ſee them twice a Year, and
then but an Hour: They may kifs them
at mecting and parting, but are not fuf-
fer'd to whiſper, or ufe any fondling Ex-
preffions. The Penfion, for the Education
of a Child, upon failure of Payment, is
levy'd by the Emperor's Officers. The
Nurſeries for Children, of an inferior Rank,
are manag'd after the fame Manner, only
thoſe deſign'd for Trades are put out Ap-
prentices at Eleven Years Old, which an-
fwers to One and Twenty with us. In
the Female Nurferies, the Manner of Edu-
cation is almoſt the fame, only they are
attended by Servants of their own Sex,
and have a fmaller Compafs of Learning
injoyn'd them. And if it be found that
thefe Nurſes entertain the Girls with fright-
ful Stories, too common among us, they
are publickly whipt through the City, im-
prifon'd for a Year, and baniſh'd to the moſt
remote Part of the Country. Thus the
young
to LILLIPUT.
45
young Ladies there are as much afham'd
of appearing Cowards and Fools, as the
Men, and defpife all perfonal Ornaments
beyond Cleanlinefs and Decency. When
they are Twelve Years of Age, or mar-
riageable, they arc taken Home by their
Parents with Expreffions of Gratitude to
the Profeffors for their Care. In the Nur-
feries of Females, of the meaner Sort, they
are inftructed in Works proper for their
Sex. The moft mean, who have Chil-
dren at theſe Nurfcries, pay a Share of
what they get monthly, befides the an-
nual Penfion, which ferves afterward to
be a Portion for the Child: For they think
it moſt unjuft, that People ſhould have
Children to be a Burthen to the Publick.
Labourers and Cottagers Children are
kept at Home to cultivate the Earth.
The infirm are fupported in Hofpitals:
For no Beggars are allow'd in the King-
dom. It may divert the Reader to give
fome Account of my Manner of Living in
this Country. I made my felf a Table
and Chair, out of the largeft Trees I could
get. Two Hundred Sempftreffes were em-
ploy'd in making me a Shirt, Sheets, and
Table Linnen. They took Meaſure of
the Length of my Body with a Cord, and
then of the Thicknefs of my right Thumb,
by
46
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+
by which Means they computed the Big-
neſs of the reſt of my Body. The Three
Hundred Taylors, who were employ'd to
make me Cloaths, contrived otherwife;
they raiſed a Ladder againſt me as I was
kneeling, upon which one of them mount-
ed, and let fall a Plumb-Line from my
Collar to the Floor, which anſwered the
Length of my Coat; but my Waift and
Arms I meafured my felf. When they
were finish'd, which was done at my
Houfe; they look'd like Patch-work, only
they were all of a Colour. Three Hun-
dred Cooks, who had convenient Huts
about my Houfe, drefs'd my Victuals,
and prepared two Diſhes a piece. I took
up Twenty Waiters on the Table; the
reſt attended below, to fling the Diſhes of
Meat and Liquors I wanted, which the
others drew up by Cords. The Meat was
fo fmall, that a Surloin of Beef ferved
only for three Bits, the reſt in Proportion.
His Imperial Majefty had the Curiofity
of feeing me dine, attended by his Trea-
furer Flimmap, who look'd at me with a
four Countenance, which I feem'd not to
regard, but eat more than'ufual, to fill his
Majefty with Admiration. I have Reafon
to believe this Vifit from his Majefty gave
Flimmap an Opportunity of doing me ill
Offices.
to LILLIPUT.
47
{
er
his
Offices. He had always been my fecret
Enemy, though he outwardly carefs'd me,
and repreſented to the Emperor, the low
Condition of the Treafury; the Diſcount
in circulating Exchequer Bills; the vaſt
Sums I had coft him, for which Reafons
he adviſed him to diſmiſs me. 1 am here
obliged to vindicate the Reputation of an
excellent Lady, who was an innocent uf-
ferer upon my Account. The Trea
took it in his Head to be jealo s
Wife: Some malicious Tongues F ng
informed him, that he had anti-
on to my Perfon, and that the once pa d me
a private Vifit. This I folemnly declare to
be a moſt infamous Falfhood, but muſt ſay
fhe was pleafed to treat me with all inno-
cent Marks of Freedom and Friendship.
I own the often came publickly, but not
without her Sifter and young Daughter,
and fome other Acquaintance, as other
Ladies did. I appeal to my Servants,
whether, when a Coach ftopt at my Door,
they were ignorant who were in it. On
thefe Occafions, upon my Servants No-
tice, I went and paid my Refpects, and
then took up the Coach and Horfes, and
fet them upon my Table. I have had
four Coaches at once upon it, full of Com-
pany, and have paffed the Afternoon very
agreeably
48
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agreeably in their Converfations. But I
defy the Treaſurer, and his Informers,
Cluftril and Drunlo, to prove I have re-
ceiv'd any Perfon Incognito, except Reldre-
fal, who was fent by his Majefty's Com-
mand. I had not dwelt fo long upon
this, if the Lady's Reputation was not
nearly concern'd, to fay nothing of my
own, though I had the Honour to be a
Nardac, and the Treafurer only a Clum-
glum, a Title a Degree inferior, but has
the Precedence in the Right of his Poft.
Thefe Informations occafion'd Flimnep to
fhew his Lady an ill Face, and me a
worfe; he was at laft reconcil'd to her,
but from that Time my Intereſt declin'd,
the Emperor being over-rul'd by his Fa-
vourite.
CHAP.
to LILLIPUT. 49
SANOHAVICE CONTAC
CHAP. VII
The Auther being inform'd of a Deſign to
accufe him of High Treafon efcapes to
Blefufcu. His Reception there.
Efore I give an Account of my
leaving this Kingdom, I muit
inform you of a private In-
trigue which had been carried
on against me for two Months. I had in-
deed heard of the Difpofition of Princes,
and Courts, but from the Meannefs of my
Condition was unqualified for them:
Neither could I have thought to find fuch
terrible Effects of them in a foreign Coun-
try. As I was preparing to wait on the
Emperor of Blefufcu, a confiderable Per-
fon, whom I had ferv'd when under Dif-
grace, came privately to my Houſe in a
Chair, and defired Admittance, without
fending his Name. The Chairmen were
difmiffed: I put the Chair, with his Lord-
fhip, into my Pocket, and gave Orders to
day I was indifpos'd, and gone to Bed. Ifet
D
the
50
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the Chair upon the Table, and obferving
his Lordship full of Concern, I inquired
into the Reaſon, and he defired me to
hear him in a Matter that concern'd my
Honour and Life. Several Committees of
Council have been held on your Account,
and two Days fince his Majefty came to a
Refolution. You are fenfible that Skeyris
Bolgolam, the High Admiral, is your
Enemy, whofe Glory you have obſcur'd as
Admiral, by your Succefs againſt Blefufcu.
This Lord, in Conjunction with Flimnap,
Limloc the General, Lalcon the Chamber-
lain, and Balmuft the Grand Jufticiary,
have prepared Articles of Impeachment
against you for Treafon, and other Crimes.
Confcious of my Innocence, I was going
to interrupt him, but he defir'd my Si-
lence, and faid, that, in Gratitude for
paſt Favours, he had got a Copy of the
whole Proceedings, at the Hazard of his
Head. The Four principal Articles in
Subſtance are theſe,
First, That according to a Statute,
made in the Reign of Calin Deffar
Plune, you are liable to the Penalties
of High Treafon, for making Water
within the Precincts of the Royal
Palace; moſt maliciouſly, traiterouſly,
and
to LILLIPUT.
5¢
and devilishly, under Colour of ex-
tinguiſhing the Fire in her Imperial
Majeſty's Apartment.
Secondly, That like a falfe Traitor to
his Serene Imperial Majefty, you re-
fuſed to ſeize the other Ships of the
Empire of Blefufcu, and reduce it
to a Province, by which Means an
End might have been put to the Big
Endian Herefy in that Iſland; upon
Pretence of being unwilling to Force
the Confciences, or deftroy the Lives
and Liberties of an innocent People.
Thirdly, That you did aid, abet, comfort,
and divert, the Embaffadors of Ble-
fufcu, who came to fue for Peace,
although you knew them to be Ser-
vants to a Prince who had lately been
in open War againſt his Imperial
Majefty.
Fourthly, That contrary to the Duty
of a faithful Subject, you are now
preparing to make a Voyage to the
Court of Blefufcu, only upon verbal
Licence from his Majefty; and, un-
der Colour of the faid Licence, do
falfly and traiteroufly intend to take
D 2
the
52
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the faid Voyage, with a Defign to
aid, comfort, and abet, the Empe-
ror of Blefufcu, fo lately in open War
with his Imperial Majefty.
There are fome other Articles, but
theſe are the moſt important. I affure
you his Majefty gave feveral Marks of his
Lenity in the Debates upon this Impeach-
ment, often urging the Services you had
done him, and endeavouring to extenuate
your Crimes: But the Treaſurer and Ad-
miral infifted that you ſhould be put to
the moſt painful and ignominious Death,
by fetting your Houfe on Fire by Night,
and the General to attend with Twenty
Thouſand Men, armed with poifoned Ar-
rows, to fhoot you on the Face and Hands.
Some of your Servants were to have pri-
vate Orders to ftrew a poiſonous Juice on
your Shirts, which would make you tear
your own Fleſh, and die in the greateſt
Agonies. The General came into this
Opinion: But his Majeſty brought off the
Chamberlain, refolving to fave your Life,
if poffible. Reldrefal, the principal Se-
cretary for private Affairs, was command-
ed to give his Opinion, which he did, and
therein juftified the good Thoughts you
entertain'd of him. He allowed your
Crimes
to LILLIPUT.
53
Crimes were great, but that there was ſtill
Room for Mercy, the moſt commendable
Virtue in Princes, and for which his Ma-
jefty was fo juftly renown'd. He faid,
the Friendſhip between you was fo well
known, that he might be thought partial;
however, in Obedience to his Majefty's
Command, he would offer his Sentiments:
That if his Majefty, from his Merciful Dif-
polition, would fpare your Life, in Con-
fideration of paſt Services, and only order
your Eyes to be put out, that, in his
humble Opinion, Justice would be fa-
tisfy'd in fome meafure, and Mankind
would extol the Lenity of his Majeſty,
and the generous Proceedings of his Coun-
fellors. That you might be uſeful to his
Majefty by your Strength, after the Lofs
of your Eyes. That Blindneſs is an Ad-
dition to Courage, by concealing Danger
from us. That in the Enterprize againſt
the Enemy's Fleet, the Fear of your Eyes
was the greateſt Difficulty, and that it
you faw by the Eyes of the Minifters it
was fufficient, fince the greateſt Princes do
no more. This Propofal was rejected by
the whole Board. The Admiral rofe in
a Paffion, and faid, He wondered how the
Secretary durft give his Opinion for faving
the Life of a Traytor, whofe very Ser-
vices
D 3.
54
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vices were Aggravations of his Crimes;
urging, that you who are able to extin-
guish fuch Fires by Difcharge of Urine,
might raiſe an Inundation, and drown the
whole Palace; and that the fame Strength,
which enabled you to bring the Enemy's
Fleet, might ferve, upon the leaſt Diſcon-
tent, to carry it back. That he had Rea-
fons to think you was a Big-Endian in your
Heart; and, as Treafon begins in the
Heart, before it appears in Övert Acts;
fo he accuſed you as a Traytor, and there-
tore infifted you ſhould be put to Death.
The Treaſurer, who was of the fame Opi-
nion, fet forth the Streights his Majefty's
Revenue was reduced to by the Charge
of maintaining you: That the Secretary's
Expedient of putting out your Eyes, fo
far from being a Remedy, would increaſe
that Evil; as is manifeft from that Practice
of blinding Fowl that they may feed faſter,
and be the fooner fat: That his Majefty
and Council, who are your Judges, being
fully convinc'd of your Guilt, was fuf-
ficient to condemn you without formal
Proofs. But his Majefty, determin'd againſt
Capital Punishment, was pleas'd to ſay,
that fince the Lofs of your Eyes was
thought too eafy, fome other might
be inflicted hereafter. Your Friend the
Secre-
to LILLIPUT.
55
Secretary humbly defiring to be heard
again, anfwer'd to what the Treaſurer had
faid concerning the great Charge his
Majefty was at in maintaining you, by
telling him, as he had the fole Difpofal
of the Emperor's Revenue, he might
gradually leffen your Eſtabliſhment; by
which means, for want of Food, you
would decay in few Months, and that the
Stench of your Carcafs then would not be
fo dangerous: That your Flesh might be
cut from the Bones, and Five or Six
Thouſand Men take it away in two or
three Days, leaving the Skeleton as a Mo-
nument of Admiration to Pofterity. Thus
the Affair was com-promifed, by your
Friend the Secretary. The Project of
ftarving you was ftrictly enjoin'd to be
kept fecret: But the other Sentence was
entered on the Books, none diffenting but
Bolgolam, who, being a Creature of the
Emprefs's, was continually initigated by
her to infift on your Death, her Malice
having begun from the Time you took
that infamous Method of extinguiſhing the
Fire in her Apartment. In three Days
the Secretary will be order'd to come and
read the Articles to you, and then fignify
the Lenity of his Majefty, and the Puniſh-
ment to be inflicted, which his Majefty
D 4
doth
56
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doth not queftion you will humbly fub-
mit to. Twenty of his Majefty's Sur-
geons will attend to fee the Operation well
perform'd, which will be by fharp Arrows
difcharg'd into the Balls of your Eyes
as you lie down. Take what Meaſures
your Prudence directs; and, to avoid Su-
fpicion, I must return immediately as pri-
vately as I came. He did fo, and left
me alone under many Doubts and Per-
plexities of Mind. It was a Cuſtom in-
troduc'd by this Prince and Miniftry
(different from the Practices of former
Times) that after the Decree of any cruel
Execution, to gratify the Monarch's Re-
fentment, or the Malice of a Favourite,
the Emperor made a Speech to his Court,
expreffing his I.enity and Tenderness con-
fefs'd by all the World. This Speech
was immediately publifh'd through the
Kingdom. The more thefe Encomiums
were enlarged, or infifted on, the People
obferv'd, the more inhuman was the Pu-
niſhment, and the Perfon more innocent.
As to my felf, I was fo little a Courtier
that I could not difcover the Lenity of
the Sentence, but thought it rather rigo-
rous than gentle : I fometimes thought
of ſtanding my Trial; for, though I could
not deny the Facts, I hoped they would
admit
to LILLIPUT.
57
admit of fome Extenuation. But having
obferv'd, in many State Trials, that
they always terminated as the Judge di-
rected, I would not rely on fo dange-
rous a Decifion against fuch powerful
Enemies. Once I was bent upon Re-.
fiftance, knowing I could eafily fubdue:
the whole Empire, and deſtroy the Me--
tropolis with Stones; but remembring the
Oath I had made to the Emperor, and
the Title of Nardac, which he had ho-
nour'd me with, I rejected that Project
with Horror.. At laft, I fixed upon a
Refolution, for which I may probably
incur fore Cenfure, and not unjustly,
for, I confefs, I owe the preferving my
Eyes and Liberty to my own Rafhneſs,
becauſe had I known then the Nature
of Princes and Minifters, I have fince
obferv'd at other Courts, and their Me-
thods of treating Criminals, lefs obnoxi-
ous than my felf, I fhould here fully
have fubmitted to the Punishment. But,
hurry'd on by my Youth, and having
his Majefty's Licence to go to Blefufiu,
I took this Opportunity, before the three
Days elapfed, to acquaint my Friend the
Secretary with my Refolution of fetting
out to Blefufcu that Morning; and with-
out waiting an Anfwer, went to the
D 5
Side
58
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Side of the Inland where the Fleet lay.
1 feized a large Man of War, and faſt-
ning a Cable to the Prow, I ftripp'd, and
put my Cloaths and Coverlet (which I
brought under my Arm) into the Veffel,
and drawing it after me, got fafe to the
Royal Port of Blefufcu, where they expected
me. I had two Guides to the Capital City,
which is of the fame Name. I held them
in my Hands, till I came near the Gates of
the City, and defired they would fignify
my Arrival to the Secretary, and let him
know I waited his Majefty's Commands.
I had Anſwer, That in an Hour, his
Majefty, attended by the Royal Family,
was coming to receive me. I advanced
to meet the Emperor, and his Train,
who alighted from their Coaches, with-
out any Concern. I kiffed his Majefty's
and the Emprefs's Hand as I lay on
the Ground; and, told him, I came ac-
eording to my Promife, and with the
Licence of the Emperor my Mafter, to
have the Honour of feeing fo great a
Monarch, to offer what Service was
confiftent with the Duty to my Prince.
I mention'd nothing of my Difgrace, nei-
ther could I reafonably conceive the Em-
peror would diſcover the Secret when I
was not in his Power but herein I
;
foon
to LILLIPUT.
59
foon found my felf deceived. I fhall
not trouble my Reader with a particu-
lar Account of my Reception, which
was fuitable to the Generoſity of the
Prince, nor of the Difficulties I under-
went for want of Houſe and Bed; being
forced to lie on the Ground, wrapt up
in my Coverlet.
CHA P.
60
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CHAP. VIII.
The Author luckily finds Means to leave
BLEFUSCU: And, after fome Diffi-
culties, returns to his native Country.
HREE Days after my Arri-
val, my Curiofity leading me
to view the Coaft, I obfer-
ved, about a League off at
I
Sea, fomewhat like a Boat overſet.
pulled off my Shoes and Stockings, and
wading Two or Three Hundred Yards,
I found the Tide drove the Object nigher,
and then found it was a real Boat; which,
1 fuppos'd, might have been driven from
a Ship by a Storm. Whereupon I re-
turn'd, to the City and obtain'd Leave
to have Twenty of the largeſt. Veffels
of the Fleet left, and Three Thoufand
Seamen, under the Command of a Vice-
Admiral. The Fleet fail'd round, while
I went the neareſt Way to the Coaft:
1 found it was driven nearer; and when
the Ships came up, I ftripp'd and fwam
up
to LILLIPUT.
61
up to it. The Seamen threw me Cord-
age, which I had provided before: This
I faften'd to the Head of the Boat, and
the other End to a Man of War, but
was ftill forc'd to fwim behind, and puſh
it forward as often as I could. The
Tide favouring me, I advanc'd till I
could feel Ground. I waited to reſt a
little, and faſtening the Boat to Nine
of the Ships, the Wind being fair, we
brought her near the Shore; where, when
the Tide was out, by the Affiftance of
Two Thousand Men, we turn'd her, and
found her but little damag'd. I fhall not
trouble the Reader with the Difficulties
I had of getting the Boat to the Royal
Port of Blefufcu, where a vaft Concourfe
of People appear'd, full of Wonder, to
fee a Veffel to large. I told the Emperor,
good Fortune had thrown this in my Way,
that I might return Home; and begg'd
proper Materials to fit it up, and his
Leave to depart; which, after fome kind
Expoftulations, he granted. I wonder'd
no Exprefs had been fent, relating to me,
from our Emperor to the Court of Ble-
fufcu; but afterwards underſtood his Im-
perial Majefty only thought I was gone
to Blefufcu in Performance of my Pro-
mife, but finding I did not return, he
at
62
A VOYAGE
at length confulted the Treaſurer, and
the reſt of the Cabal, who advis'd him
to fend a Perfon of Diftinction, with a
Copy of the Articles, againft me. The
Envoy had Inftructions to repreſent the
Lenity of his Mafter in the Punishment
affign'd; that I had fled from Juſtice;
and if I did not return in Two Hours,
fhould be depriv'd of my Title, and de-
clar'd a Traitor. And farther added,
that in order to maintain the Peace and
Amity between the Two Nations, he
expected I fhould be fent back to Lil-
liput, bound Hand and Foot, to be pu-
nifh'd as a Traitor.
The Emperor of Blefufcu, after Three
Days Confideration, return'd this Anfwer:
That as for fending me bound, his Bro-
ther knew it was impoffible; that altho'
I had depriv'd him of his Fleet, he was
ftill oblig'd to me for my good Offices
in making the Peace; that both their
Majefties would foon be made eafy, for
I had found a prodigious Veffel on Shore,
able to carry me to Sea, which was
fitting up, by his own Direction; and
that both Empires would foon be freed
from fo infupportable an Incumbrance.
The Envoy return'd to Lilliput with
this Anſwer, and the Monarch of Ble-
fujou
to LILLIPUT.
63
{
1
fufcu told me all that had pafs'd, offer-
ing his gracious Protection (but with the
ftricteft Confidence) if I would ſtay in
his Service. I thank'd him, and begg'd
to be excus'd; refolving never more to
place any Confidence in Princes and Mi-
nifters, when I could avoid it. I told
him, that fince Fortune, whether good
or bad, had thrown this Veffel in my
Way, I refolv'd to venture on the Ocean,
rather than be the Occafion of Difference
between Two fuch mighty Monarchs. I
diſcover'd afterwards that he was very
glad of my Refolution, and fo were moſt
of his Minifters. Upon theſe Confide-
rations, I haften'd my Departure, to
which the Court, impatient to have me
gone, readily contributed. Five Hun-
dred Workmen were employ'd to make
me Sails; Cables and Ropes I made my-
felf, by twifting Twenty or Thirty of
the ſtrongeſt of theirs together; a large
Stone I found on the Sea Shore, ferv'd
me for an Anchor; I had the Tallow
of Three Hundred Cows to greaſe my
Boat ; and was at incredible Pains in
cutting down the largeſt Trees for Oars
and Mafts, wherein I was affiſted by his
Majefty's Ship - Carpenter in fmoothing
the Work. All being ready in about a
Month,
64
A VOYAGE
Month, I fent to receive his Majefty's
Commands, and take Leave. The Em-
peror, with his Family, came out of the
Palace, and graciously gave me his Hand
to kifs, as I lay down; fo did the Em-
prefs, and the Princes of the Blood.
His Majefty made me a Prefent of Fifty
Purfes, of Two Hundred Sprugs each,
with his Picture at Length, which I put
into my Glove to preferve it. The Cere-
monies at parting are too many to trouble
the Reader with. I took Provifion, con-
fifting of an Hundred Oxen, and Three
Hundred Sheep, with Bread and Drink
proportionable, and as much Meat as
Four Hundred Cooks could provide. I
took Six Cows and Two Bulls alive, in-
tending to propagate the Breed, and had
Hay and Corn to feed them. I would
have taken fome of the Natives, but his
Majeſty had engag'd my Honour not to
carry away any of his Subjects, altho'
with their own Confent. All Things be-
ing prepar'd, I fet fail on the 24th of
September, 1701; and being about Four
Leagues to the Northward, the Wind
at South-Eaſt, I defcry'd a fmall Iſland
about Half a League to the North-Weft.
1 caft Anchor on the left Side of the
lfland, which feem'd uninhabited; took
fome
to LILLIPUT.
65
i
fome Refreſhment, and went to reft. I
flept well, till within Two Hours of Day-
break; I eat my Breakfaſt before Sun-
rife; and the Wind being fair, I hea-
ved Anchor, and fteer'd my Courſe the
fame as the Day before, wherein I was
directed by a Pocket Compafs. My In-
tention was to reach one of thoſe Iſlands,
which I had Reafon to believe lay North-
Eaft of Van Diemen's Land. I difcover'd
nothing that Day, but the next in the
Afternoon, being about Twenty Four
Leagues from Blefufcu, by Computation,
I defcry'd a Sail, fteering to the South-
Eaft: My Courfe was due Eaft; I hail'd
her, but had no Anſwer; the Wind flack-
ning, I gain'd upon her, and in Half
an Hour fhe efpy'd me, and hung out
her Ancient, and difcharg'd a Gun. My
Joy was inexpreffible, at the Hopes I
had of feeing my native Country, but
more when I perceiv'd fhe had Engli
Colours. I put my Cows and Sheep into
my Pockets, and got on Board with my
fmall Cargo of Provifions. It was an
English Veffel returning from Japan by
the North and South Seas, the Captain
Mr. John Biddel, of Deptford, a civil
Man, and a good Sailor. We were in
32° South Latitude, and here I met with
an
66
A VOYAGE
an old Comrade, Peter Williams, who
gave me a good Character to the Cap-
tain. He us'd me kindly, and defired
to know whence I came, and whither I
was bound. I told him in few Words,
but he thought me diſtracted, till I pro-
duc'd the fmall Cattle, which convinc'd
him of my Veracity: I fhew'd him the
Money given me by the Emperor of
Blefufcu, with his Majefty's Picture: I
gave Two Purſes, of Two Hundred Sprugs
each, and promis'd him a Cow, and
Sheep, big with Young, when we came
to England. I fhall not trouble the Rea-
der with the Particulars of this Voyage,
which was profperous for the moſt Part.
We arriv'd in the Downs the 13th of
April, 1702. I had only one Misfor-
tune, that the Rats run away with one
of my Sheep, which I found in a Hole,
the Fleſh pick'd from the Bones.
reft of my Cattle I got fafe on Shore,
which fed heartily upon the Graſs in Green-
wich Bowling-Green. I could not have
preferv'd them fo long a Voyage, had
not the Captain allow'd me fome fine.
Bisket, which I mix'd with Water for
their conftant Food. I made a confi-
derable Profit of them, the fhort Time
I ftay'd in England, by fhewing them
The
to
to LILLIPUT.
67
to Perfons of Quality, and fold them
at laft for Six Hundred Pounds. The
Breed is much encreas'd, efpecially the
Sheep, which, I hope, will prove advan-
tageous to the Woollen Manufactory, from
the Fineneſs of the Fleece. Iftay'd but
Two Months with my Wife and Family;
my inſatiable Defire of feeing foreign
Countries would not fuffer me to continue
longer. I left Fifteen Hundred Pounds
with my Wife, and fix'd her in a Houſe at
Redriff; the Remainder I carry'd with
me, to improve it. I had, befides this,
an Eſtate of Thirty Pounds a Year left me
by my Uncle, and a Leaſe of the Black-
Bull in Fetter-Lane; fo that my Family
was provided for. My Boy and Girl were
both at School, but I took my Leave of
them and my Wife, and went on Board the
Adventure, a Merchant Man, bound to
Surat, Captain John Nicholas, of Liverpool,
Commander. But fhall refer my Account
of this Voyage to the Second Part of my
Travels.
The End of the First Part.
TRAVELS
TRAVELS
F
INTO SEVERAL
Remote NATIONS
OF THE
WORLD.
By Capt. LEMUEL GULLIVER.
PART II.
A Voyage to BROBDINGNAG.
LONDON:
Printed in the Year MDCCXXVII.
[71]
THE
CONTENTS.
A
CHA P. I.
Great Storm happen'd. The
long Boat fent to fetch Water.
The Author goes to difcover
the Country. Is left on Shore,
and feiz'd by one of the Natives, and
carry'd to a Farmer's Houfe. His Re-
ception: With feveral Accidents.
Defcription of the Inhabitants.
A
CHAP.
72
CONTENT S.
CHA P. II.
A Defcription of the Farmer's Daughter.
The Author is carry'd to a Market-
Town; and then to the Metropolis. The
Particulars of bis Journey.
CHA P. III.
The Author is fent for to Court. The
Queen buys him, and prefents him to
the King. He difputes with his Ma-
jefty's great Scholars. An Apartment
at Court provided for him. He is in
Favour with the Queen. He maintains
the Honour of his own Country, and quar
rels with the Queen's Dwarf.
CHA P. IV.
The Country defcrib'd. A Propofal for cor-
recting modern Maps. The King's Pa-
lace, and fome Account of the Metro-
polis. The Author's Way of travelling.
The chief Temple defcrib'd.
CHAP.
CONTENTS.
73
CHAP. V.
Several Adventures of the Author. The
Execution of a Criminal.
fhews bis Skill in Navigation.
CHAP. VI.
The Author
The Author's Contrivances to please the
King and Queen. He fhews his Skill
in Mufick. The King enquires into the
State of Europe; which the Author re-
lates. The King's Obfervations.
CHA P. VII.
The Author's Love of his Country.
makes a Propofal of much Advantage
to the King, which is rejected.
King's Ignorance in Politicks.
He
The
The
Learning of the Country. Their Laws.
Military Affairs. And Parties.
E
CHAP.
74
CONTENT S.
CHA P. VIII.
The King and Queen make a Progress
to the Frontiers. The Author attends
them. The Manner in which he leaves
the Country. He returns to England.
TRAVEL S.
I
TRAVELS.
PART II.
A Voyage to Brobdingnag.
CHAP. I.
A Great Storm happen'd. The long Boat
fent to fetch later.
The Author goes
to diſcover the Country. Is left on Shore,
and feiz'd by one of the Natives, and
carry'd to a Farmer's Houfe. His Re-
ception: With feveral Accidents.
Defcription of the Inhabitants.
B
A
EING condemn'd by Nature
and Fortune to an active and
reſtlefs Life, I left my native
Coun ry, and went on Board
the Ship formerly mention'd, on the zoth
E 2
of
776
A VOYAGE
of June, 1702. We had a profperous
Gale, till we arriv'd at the Cape of Good
Hope, where we landed to take in freſh
Water, but difcovering a Lake, and the
Captain falling fick, we ftay'd till the End
of March. We fet Sail, and had fair
Weather till we paft the Streights of Ma-
dacgafcar. But having got Northward of
that Ifland, and to about Five Degrees
South Latitude, the Wind began to Blow
with greater Violence, and more Weſterly
than ufual, and continued fo for Twenty
Days, till we were driven to the Eaſt of
the Molucca Iſlands, and about Three De-
grees Northward of the Line, as we found
by Obfervation; at which Time it was a
perfect Calm. I was rejoyced till the Cap-
tain, who was an experienced Man, bid
us prepare for a Storm, which according-
ly happened the next Day. I fhall not
trouble the Reader with the Particulars
of our Management at Sea during this
Storm, which was followed by a strong
Weſt South-Weft Wind. We were car-
ried, by Computation, about Five Hun-
dred Leagues to the Eaſt, ſo that our old-
eſt Sailors knew not in what Part of the
World we were. Our Provifions held out
well, our Ship was ftaunch, and Crew in
good Health, but we lay in the utmost
Diftreis
to BROBDINGNAG.
77
I
Diftrefs for Water. We chofe to hold the
fame Courſe, rather than turn Northerly,
which might have brought us into the frozen
Seas. On the 16th Day of June 1703, a
Boy on the Top-maft difcover'd Land.
On the 17th we came in full View of it;
on the South Side, whereof was a ſmall
Neck of Land, jutting into the Sea, and
a Creek too fhallow for a Ship of above
One Hundred Tun. We caft Anchor,
and the Captain fent the Boat, with a
Dozen Men armed, to feek for Water.
defired to go along with them that I
might fee the Country. When we came
ahoar, we faw no River or Spring, or
Sign of Inhabitants. Our Men wandred
about for Water, but I walked alone,
about a Mile another Way, to obferve
the Country, which was barren and rocky.
I had fatisfy'd my Curiofity, and was re-
turning towards the Creek, when I per-
ceived our Men in the Boat rowing for
Life to the Ship. I was going to hallow
after them, when I obferv'd a huge Crea-
ture walking towards them as fast as he
could: He waded not much deeper than
his Knees, and took vaſt Strides: But our.
Men having the Start of him, and the
Bottom being rocky, he could not over-
take the Boat. I ran back the Way I
E 3
firſt
78
1
AVOYAGE
1
first went, and getting upon a ſteep Hill,
had fome Profpect of the Country. It
was well cultivated, but I was furprized
at the Length of the Grafs for Hay, which
was above Twenty Foot high. I found
a high Road, for fo I thought, though
it ferved the Inhabitants for a Foot Path,
through a Field of Barley. Here I walk-
ed about, but could fee nothing for the
Height of the Corn, it being at leaſt For-
ty Foot high. I was an Hour walking to
the End of this Field, which was fenced
with a Hedge a Hundred and Twenty
Foot high; the Height of the Trees I
could not compute. At the End of this
Field there was a Stile to pafs into the
next, which I could not climb. It had
four Steps fix Foot diſtance each, with a
Stone at the Top, twenty Foot high. I
was endeavouring to find a Gap in the
Hedge, when I diſcover'd one of the In-
habitants of the Size with him I had feen
follow our Boat. He feemed as tall as an
ordinary Church Steeple, and took about
ten Yards at a Stride. Being in the ut-
moſt Aſtoniſhment, I ran to hide my ſelf
among the Corn, where I faw him at the
Top of the Stile, and looking back, he
called in a Voice like the Noife of Thun-
der: Whereupon feven Monſters like him-
felf
to BROBDINGNAG. 79
felf came towards him with reaping Hooks
in their Hands, each as large as fix
Scythes. Thefe, by their Cloaths, feem'd
to be Labourers to the first, and upon
fome Words he spoke, they began to reap
the Corn in the Field where I lay. I kept
at as great a Diſtance as I could, but was
forced to move with great Difficulty, the
Stalks of the Corn growing fo cloſe that I
could hardly fqueeze between. I went on
forward till I came to a Place where the
Corn was fo interwoven with the Rain
and Wind, that I could go no farther;
at the fame Time the Reapers were with-
in a Hundred Yards of me. Being difpi-
rited with Toil, and overcome with Grief
and Defpair, I lay down between two
Ridges, and heartily wifh'd I might end
my Days there. I bemoan'd my deſolate
Widow, and fatherless Children, and la-
mented my Folly in attempting another
Voyage. In this Dilemma I reflected on
Lilliput, whofe Inhabitants look'd on me
as the greateſt Prodigy in the World,
where I was able to draw an Imperial
Fleet in my Hand, with other Actions
which will be recorded for ever in that
Empire, and hardly believed by Poſterity,
though atteſted by Millions. What Mor-
tification muft it be to appear to them now
E 4
as
80
A VOYAGE
as inconfiderable as a Lilliputian among us?
This was not the greateft of my Misfor-
tune, for as Human Creatures are ob-
ferved to be cruel in Proportion to their
Bulk, I expected to be a Mouthful to the
firſt who ſhould lay hold on me. Philofo-
phers rightly obferve, That nothing is
great or little but by Compariſon: And
perhaps the Lilliputians might find a Peo-
ple as diminutive to them as they were
to me, and this huge Race of Mortals
even be over-match'd in fome unknown
Part of the World. Amazed and con-
founded as I lay, I could not forbear theſe
Reflections: But one of the Reapers be-
ing within ten Yards of me, I apprehend-
ed that I fhould be crush'd to Death by
his next Step, or cut in two with his
Reaping-Hook: Therefore, when I per-
ceiv'd him going to move, I cry'd out as
loud as Fear could make me, whereupon
he trod fhort, and looking round him,
at laſt efpied me on the Ground. He
pauſed a while like one who endea-
vours to take hold of a fmall dangerous
Animal in fuch manner that it cannot
bite him. At length he ventur'd to take
me up behind, by the Middle, between
his Fore-finger and Thumb, and brought
me within Three Yards of his Eyes, that.
he
to BROBDINGNAG. 81
he might view me diftinctly: And hold--
ing me Sixty Foot from the Ground, I re-
folved not to ſtruggle, though he pinched
my Sides, for fear of flipping between his
Fingers. All I ventur'd was, to lift up my
Eyes toward the Sun, and my Hands in
a fupplicating Poſture, and to utter fome-
thing in a Tone fuitable to my Condition::
For I apprehended every Moment he
would daſh me to the Ground, as we do›
hateful Animals we have a Mind to de---
ftroy. But as good Fortune would have
it, he appear'd much pleas'd with my
Voice and Geſtures, and feemed to won-
der at my Words, though he did not un--
derſtand them. In the mean time, by.
my Groans and Tears, and other Signs,
I let him know how much I was hurt by
the Preffure of his Finger and Thumb':
He feem'd to apprehend me, and lifting
up the Lappet of his Coat, he put me into
it, and ran immediately with me to his
Maſter the Farmer, who was the fame
Perfon I had firſt ſeen in the Field. The
Farmer, who had receiv'd fome Account
of me from his Servants, took a Piece of
fmall Straw, and lifted up the Lappets of
my Coat with it, which it ſeems he thought
was a natural Covering; and blew my
Hairs afide the better to ſee my Face.
E $
4
He
น
82
A VOYAGE
He called his Hinds about him, and
asked them (as I was afterward told)
Whether they had ever feen in the Fields
a fmall Creature that refembled me? He
then placed me gently on the Ground
upon all Four, but I immediately got up
and walked flowly about, to fhew I had
no Intent of running away: They all fat
round me the better to obferve my Acti-
ons. I pulled off my Hat to the Farmer,
and bowed: I fell on my Knees, and
lifted up my Hands and Eyes, and fpoke
feveral Words as loud as I could. I took
u Purfe of Gold out of my Pocket, which
1 prefented to him. He received it in
the Palm of his Hand, looked nearly at
it, and turn'd it about with a Pin he took
from his Sleeve, but could make nothing
of it: Whereupon I made a Sign that
he ſhould put his Hand on the Ground,
which he did, and I poured the Money
into his Hand; they were Spanish Pi-
ftoles But he wetted his Finger with the
Tip of his Tongue, and took up one of
the largeſt Pieces, but feem'd not to know
what they were. He made Signs that I
might put them in my Pocket, which I
thought was beft, after I had offer'd them
feveral times. The Farmer feem'd con-
vinc'd I was a rational Creature, and
fpoke
to BROBDINGNAG. 83
ſpoke to me; but the Sound of his Voice,
though articulate, pierced my Ears con-
fufedly I anfwer'd him, but to no Pur-
pofe. He then fent his Men to Work,
and taking his Handkerchief, he ſpread it
on his Hand, and made Signs for me
to ſtep into it. I obeyed him, and he
wrapt me up fo that I could not fall
out, and carry'd me Home to his Houſe,
He call'd his Wife to fhew me to her, but
fhe ſcream'd, and ran back, like the Wo-
men in England at the Sight of a Mouſe.
But ſhe was foon reconcil'd to me, when
ſhe had ſeen my Behaviour to her Hus-
band. About Twelve at Noon, a Servant
brought in Dinner, which was one fub-
ſtantial Piece of Meat, brought in a Diſh,
about Four and Twenty Foot Diameter.
The Company were the Farmer, and his
Wife, and three Children, and a Grand-
mother. When they were fat, the Far-
mer placed me upon the Table, fome Di-
ftance from him. The Height of the
Table being Thirty Foot, I kept as far
from the Edge as I could, for fear of fal-
ling. The Wife minced me fome Meat,
and crumbled fome Bread upon it, and
placed it before me on a Trencher. I
made them a low Bow, took out my
Knife and Fork, and fell to eat, which
gave
84
A VOYAGE
gave them great Satisfaction.
great Satisfaction. A finall
Dram Cup was brought to me, fill'd with
Drink, which held Three Gallons. 1 took
it up, with much Difficulty, in both
Hands, and in English drank to their good
Healths, which made the Company laugh
fo loud, that I was ftunn'd at the Noife.
The Liquor was pleaſant, and taſted like
Cyder. The Maſter made me a Sign to
come to the Edge of his Trencher, but
walking with Surprize, I ftumbled at a
Cruft, and fell on my Face, without re-
ceiving any Hurt. I got up, and find-
ing the good People concern'd, I took
off my Hat and gave three Huzza's, to
hew I had got no Miſchief.
But ad-
vancing toward my Mafter (as I fhall
hereafter call him) his youngeſt Son took
me by the Legs and lifted me fo high,
that every Limb of me trembled, but
his Father fnatching me from him, gave
him a Box on the Ear fufficient to fell an
European Troop of Horfe. I was afraid
the Boy ſhould refent my being the Occa-
fion of the Blow, and therefore made
Signs to his Father to pardon him. The
Father complied, whereupon I went and
kiffed his Hand, and he made his Son
ſtroke me gently. In the midſt of the
Dinner, the Cat jump'd upon my Miftrefs's
Lap;
to BROBDINGNAG. 85
!
Lap; I heard a Noife behind me like
Stocking-Weavers at Work, which after-
ward I found was only the Purring of the
Cat. She appear'd three times bigger
than an Ox, with a Countenance fo fierce,
that it altogether difcompofed me, though
fhe was Fifty Foot from me: But it hap-
pened there was no Danger, for when my
Maſter placed me very near her, ſhe took
no Notice of me, and I walked without
Fear five or fix times before the Head of
the Cat, and came within half a Yard of.
her, whereupon fhe drew back, as if ſhe
was moſt afraid of me. I had lefs Ap-
prehenſion of the Dogs which came into
the Room, as is ufual in Farmer's Houfes,
one of which, a Maftiff, was equal in
Bulk to four Elephants, and a Greyhound
fomewhat taller than the Maftiff, but not
fo large. We had no fooner dined, than
the Nurſe brought in a Child, about a
Year old, who fo fqualled at the Sight of
me, that it might be heard from London-
Bridge to Chelsea, to get me for a Play-
thing. The Mother took me up, and
put me toward the Child, who prefently
feiz'd me by the Middle, and got my
Head in his Mouth; but I roar'd fo loud,
that the Urchin let me drop, and had in-
fallibly broke my Neck, if the Mother
had
86
A VOYAGE
had not held her Apron under me. The
Nurſe, to quiet the Babe, made ufe of a
Rattle, which was a hollow Veffel with
large Stones in it, and faſtened about the
Child's Middle with a Cable.
This not
The
anfwering, ſhe was obliged to give it
fuck: And, I must confefs, I never was
more difgufted than at the Sight of her
Breaſt, which ſtood prominent Six Foot,
and was Sixteen in Circumference.
Nipple was half as big as my Head, but
of that Hue, as well as the Dug, with
Pimples and Freckles, that nothing could
appear more naufeous. This made me
reflect on the fair Skins of our English
Ladies, which appear beautiful to the naked
Eye, but through a magnifying Glafs
coarſe and uneven. I remember when I
was at Lilliput, the Complexions of thoſe
diminutive People appear'd to me the
faireſt in the World; and talking upon
this Subject with a Man of Learning,
who was my intimate Friend, he told me,
I look'd much ſmoother when he faw me
from the Ground, than when I had him.
in my Hand, and confeffed, that at firſt
Sight I was fhocking to him: On the
other Hand, difcourfing of the Ladies in
that Country, he told me of Imperfecti-
ons which I could not diftinguiſh with
my
to BROBDINGNAG.
87
my Eyes I confefs this Reflection was
obvious enough, which however I could
not forbear, left the Reader might think
theſe vaft Creatures actually deformed:
For to do them Juftice, they are a come-
ly People, and my Mafter, although a
Farmer, when I beheld him from the
Height of Sixty Foot, appear'd very well
proportion'd. When Dinner was over,
my Mafter went out to his Labourers,
and left ftrict charge with his Wife, to
take Care of me. My Miftrefs perceiv-
ing I was fleepy, put me to Bed, and
cover'd me with a clean white Hand-
kerchief, larger and coarfer than the
Main-fail of a Man of War. I flept and
dreamed I was at Home with my Fami-
ly, which encreafed my Sorrows when I
waked and found my felf alone, in a
Room of a vaft Extent and Height, and
in a Bed Twenty Yards wide, and Eight
Yards high from the Floor. I was
preffed, by fome natural Neceffities which
required me to get down, but durft not
prefume to call; it would have been in
vain if I had, the Kitchen, where the
Family was, being at a great Diſtance
from the Room where I lay. While I
was under theſe Circumftances
of the Size of a large Maftiff,
two Rats,
crept up-
on
88
A VOYAGE
on the Bed, one of them came up to.
my Face; whereupon I rofe, and drew.
out my Hanger, to defend my felf: 1.
apprehended fo much Danger from them,
that I ripped up the Belly of one who
held his Fore-feet at my Collar: The:
other feeing this, ran away, but not
without a large Cut on his Back. Theſe
Creatures were fo nimble and fierce, that.
I fhould have been infallibly kill'd, if I
had taken my Belt off before I went to
Sleep. I meaſured the Tail of the dead
Rat, and found it two Yards long, want-
ing an Inch. My Miftrefs, who came pre-
fently after into the Room, was fur-
prized to fee me bloody : But taking me
up in her Hand, I pointed to the dead
Rat, and fhe immediately called the Maid.
to take it up with a Pair of Tongues,
and throw it out of the Window.
preffed to do what another could not do
for me, and endeavour'd to make my
Miftrefs underſtand me, which, after ufing
many Signs, I effected at laft. The good
Woman took me up in her Hand, and
going into the Garden with me, fet me
upon the Ground. I went a good Di-
ſtance from her, and hiding my ſelf be-
hind two Leaves of Sorrel, I there dif
I was
charged
to BROBDINGNAG.
89
charged the Superfluities of Nature. I
hope the Reader will excufe my dwel-
ling fo long on fuch Particulars, which,
though they may appear low to a vulgar
Mind, may be applied by a Philofopher
to the Benefit of Mankind; which has
been my fole Deſign in the Publication
of thefe Travels, wherein I have chiefly
confulted Truth, without affecting any
Ornaments of Learning or Style.
CHAP
90
A VOYAGE
LO
य
CHA P. II.
A Defcription of the Farmer's Daughter.
The Author is carried to a Market Town,
and then to the Metropolis. The Parti-
culars of his Journey.
M
OY Miftrefs had a Daughter of
Nine Years old, dextrous at her
Needle, and dreffing a Baby.
Her Mother and fhe contriv'd
to fet up Doll's Cradle for me againſt
Night. This they put into a Cabinet
Drawer, and placed it upon a Hanging-
Shelf for fear of the Rats. I had no other
Bed during my ſtay there, though it was
made more convenient, as I could make
my Wants known. This Girl would drefs
and undrefs me after fhe had once feen
me do it; but I never troubled her when
ſhe would fuffer me to do either my felf.
She was likewife my School-miſtreſs, to
teach me the Language, very good-
natur'd, and not above Forty Foot high,
being little of her Age. She gave me the
Name
to BROBDINGNAG.
91
Name of Grildrig, which the Family took
up, and afterwards the reft of the King-
dom. The Word imports what the Eng-
lifh call Mannikin. I call'd her Glumdal-
clitch, or little Nurfe, and ſhould be un-
grateful in omitting this honourable men-
tion of her Care and Tendernefs, which I
wifh I could requite, inſtead of being
the unhappy, though innocent, Inftru-
ment of her Difgrace, which I have too
much Reaſon to fear. It began to be
known that my Mafter had found a ſtrange
Animal in the Fields, of Human Shape,
which feemed to fpeak in a Language of
his own, and had learned feveral Words
of theirs, performed all the Actions of an
Human Creature, was fine ſhaped, and
had the ſmootheft Complexion imagina-
ble. This Talk induced a Neighbour,
who lived juft by, to vifit my Maſter, on
purpoſe to inquire into the Truth of the
Story. I was produced, and fet upon the
Table, where I did as I was commanded.
This Man, who was old and dim-fighted,
put on his Spectacles to view me the
better, at which I could not forbear laugh-
ing, for his Eyes looked like a Full Moon
fhining into a Room at two Windows.
Our People diſcovering the Occafion of
my Laughter, bore me Company, at
which,
92
A VOYAGE
which, the old Fellow was Fool enough
to be angry. He had the Character of a
Mifer; and I believe he was, by the Ad-
vice he gave my Mafter, to fhew me as a
Sight the next Market-Day, at a Town,
which was half an Hour's Ride, being about
Two and Twenty Milcs off. I gueffed there
was fome Miſchief hatching, by my Ma-
fter and his Friend whispering together,
which my little Nurfe difcovered to me
next Morning; and laying me on her Bo-
fom, fell a weeping, with Shame and Grief.
She apprehended I fhould be hurt, by the
Rudeness of the vulgar People; and know-
ing how modeſt I was, and of what nice
Honour, fhe thought I fhould conceive it
an Indignity to be expofed, as a publick
Spectacle, for Money to the meaneſt Sort
of People. For my Part, I was lefs con-
cern'd than my Nurfe; hoping, one Day,
to recover my Liberty; and as to the Dif
grace of being carried about for a Monſter,
I confidered, I was a Stranger in the
Country, and that No-body could charge
me with it, when I returned to England.
My Maſter took his Friends Advice; and`
next Market-day, carried me in a Box,
with my Nurfe behind him, on a Pillion:
The Box was clofe, with a little Door for
me to go in and out, and a few Gimblet-
holes
to BROBDINGNAG. 93
holes to let in Air.
The Girl had taken
Care, to put the Quilt of her Baby's Bed
into it, for me to lie down upon: How-
ever, I was violently fhaken, and difor-
dered, by the Pace of the Horſe, who
went about Forty Foot at every Step.
My Mafter alighted at the Inn he fre-
quented; and, confulting with the Inn-
keeper, he hired the common Cryer to give
Notice, that a ftrange Creature was to be
feen, at the Sign of the Green-Eagle, not
fo big as a Splacknuck, (an Animal in that
Country finely fhaped, and about Six Foot
high) refembling an human Creature;
could ſpeak ſeveral Words, and perform a
Hundred diverting Tricks. I was fet upon
a Table, near Three hundred Foot fquare,
in a large Room, with my little Nurfe
ftanding by me, upon a low Stool. I
walked about, as the Girl commanded me,
and answered, what Queftions fhe asked
me, as loud as I could. I addreſſed my-
felf to the Company, to whom I paid my
Refpects, and told them, they were well-
come. I took up a Thimble-full of Li-
quor, which Glumdalclitch gave me, and
drank to their Health, and flourish'd my
Hanger, after the Manner of an Engliſh
Gladiator. I was, that Day, fhewn to
Twelve different Companies, and repeated
the
1
94
A VOYAGE
the tome Fopperies to each, till I was half
dead with Fatigue and Vexation. My
Matter foffered No-body to touch me,
but my Nurfe, and had fet Benches round
the Table, to keep me out of every Body's
Reach. However, an unlucky School-
boy, threw a Hazle Nut at my Head, as
big as a Pompion, which came with that
Force, as to have knocked out my Brains,
if it had hit me. But he was well beaten,
and turned out of the Room. Publick
Notice was given, that I ſhould be fhewn
the next Market-day; and, in the mean
time, my Maſter prepared a more conve-
nient Vehicle for me, which he had Reafon
to do; for I was fo tired with my firſt
Journey, and entertaining the Company,
that I could hardly stand or ſpeak for
Three Days. I had no Reft at home,
from the neighbouring Gentry's continu-
ally flocking to fee me, (except Wedneſday,
which is their Sabbath) although I was
not carried to the Town. My Mafter,
finding me ſo profitable to him, refolved
to carry me, to the moft confiderable Ci-
ties in the Kingdom; and accordingly,
provided Things neceffary for a long Jour-
ney. Upon the 17th of August, 1703,
about Two Months after my Arrival, we
fet out for the Metropolis, fituated near
the
to BROBDINGNAG. 95
the Middle of the Empire, and about
Three Thouſand Miles diftant from us.
Glumdalclitch rode behind her Father, and
carried me on her Lap, in a Box tyed
about her Waift, which fhe had made as
eafy for me as he could. We had no
other Company, but a Boy of the Houſe,
who carried the Luggage. My Maſter
defigned to fhew me in all the Towns by
the Way; therefore, we made ſhort
Journeys, of not above Seven or Eight-
ſcore Miles a Day. My Nurfe often took
me out of the Box to give me Air, and
fhew me the Country; but always held
me faft by the Leading-ttring. We paft
over Five or Six Rivers, as large as the
Nile and the Ganges; and there was hardly
a Rivulet fo fmall as the Thames at London-
Bridge. Our Journey lafted Ten Weeks;
and I was fhewn in Eighteen large Towns,
beſides Villages and private Families. We
reach'd the Metropolis, call'd Lorbrulgrud;
or, The Pride of the Univerfe, on the
26th of October. My Mafter took a
Lodging in the principal Street in the
City, and put out Bills, containing a De-
fcription of my Perfon and Parts; and
hired a Room proper for the Entertain-
ment I was to give. I was ſhewn Ten
Times a Day, to the Satisfaction and Ad-
miration
*-
96
A VOYAGE
miration of the People. My Nurfe had
carried a little Book in her Pocket, not
much larger than Saufon's Atlas, out of
this, at our Leifure-Hours, fhe fo far in-
ftructed me in the Language, that, in
fome Places, I could explain a Sentence.
CHA P.
to BROBDINGNAG. 97
CHAP. IV.
The Author is fent for to Court. The
Queen buys him, and prefents him to
the King. He difputes with his Ma-
jefty's great Scholars. An Apartment
at Court provided for him.
He is in
Favour with the Queen. He maintains
the Honour of his own Country, and quar-
rels with the Queen's Dwarf.
T
HE frequent Labours I daily
underwent, had fo impair'd my
Health, that I was almoft re-
duced to a Skeleton; which the
Farmer obferving, was refolved to make
as good a Hand of me as he could. While
he was thus Reafoning, a Slardral, or Gen-
tleman-Uſher, came from Court, com-
manding my Mafter to bring me thither
immediately, for the Diverfion of the
Queen, and Ladies; fome of whom hav-
ing feen me before, had reported ſtrange
Things of my Behaviour, and good Senſe.
F
Her
98
A VOYAGE
Her Majefty and Attendants, were de-
lighted with my Demeanor; I fell on my
Knees, and begg'd the Honour of kiffing
her Imperial Foot, but fhe graciouſly of-
fered her little Finger, which I embraced
with both Arms, and put the Tip of it to
my Lip with the utmoſt Reſpect. She
asked me feveral Queſtions, which I an-
fwered in as few Words as I could; and,
among others, Whether I ſhould be content
to live at Court? I anfwered, That, if I was
at my own Diſpoſal, I would gladly de-
vote myſelf to her Majefty's Service. She
then asked my Mafter, Whether he would
fell me at a good Price? he, thinking I
could not live long, demanded a Thou-
fand Pieces of Gold, which was immedi-
ately paid him; which, though it was in
very large Pieces, was, allowing the Pro-
portion of all Things in that Country, to
thofe in Europe, about the Value of
a Thouſand Guineas. I then faid, that
fince I was her Majefty's humble Slave, I
beged the Favour, that Glumdalclitch, who
had always tended me fo carefully, might
be admitted into her Majefty's Service, and
continue to be my Nurfe, and Inftructor.
Her Majeſty agreed, and the Farmer con-
fented, in hopes of his Daughter's Prefer-
ment. The Girl was overjoy'd, and my
late
F
to BROBDINGNAG. 99
late Mafter withdrew, bidding me fare-
well; and faying, he left me in good Ser-
vice: I made no Anfwer, but returned
him a flight Bow. The Queen, when he was
gone, having obſerved my Coldneſs, ask-
ed me the Reaſon. I faid, I was only oblig'd
to him, for ſparing the Life of an inno-
cent Creature, for which he was fufficient-
ly recompenfed by fhewing me, and the
Price he had fold me at: That the Life I
had led, by continually entertaining the
Rabble, had fo altered my Health, that
if he had not thought my Life in Danger,
her Majefty would not have bought me fo
cheap; but hoped, fince I was under the
Protection of fo good an Empreſs, his Ap-
prehenfions would prove groundleſs; for
I already found my Spirits revive, by the
Influence of her auguft Prefence. The
Queen, allowing for my Defect in fpeaking,
was furprized at fo much Wit and good
Senfe, in fo diminutive an Animal. She
took me in her Hands, and carried me to.
the King, who being a Prince of much
Gravity, and not well obferving my Shape,
asked her, how long fhe had been fond of
a Splacknuck, for fuch he took me to be,
as I lay upon her Hand. But this Princefs,
who has abundance of Wit and Good-hu-
mour, fet me on my Feet, upon the Scru-
tore,
F 2
100
A VOYAGE
tore, and commanded me to give an Ac-
count of my felf, which, after I had done,
was confirmed by Glumdalclitch, with all
that had paffed fince my first coming. The
King, though a Man of Learning in Phi-
loſophy and Mathematicks, when he faw
me walk, and view'd my Shape, con-
ceiv'd I might be a Piece of Clockwork
(which is arrived to great Perfection in
that Country) contrived by fome inge-
nious Artiſt: But, when he heard me
fpeak, he could not conceal his Aſtoniſh-
ment. He was not fatisfied with the Ac-
count I had given of my coming into his
Kingdom, but thought they had taught
me a fet of Words to make me fell at a
higher Price: Upon which he asked ſeve-
ral Queſtions, and ftill received rational
Anſwers, defective only by a foreign Ac-
cent, and the want of knowing the Lan-
guage. His Majefty fent for three great
Scholars; who all agreed, after they had
ftrictly examin'd me, that I was not pro-
duced according to the regular Laws of
Nature, as being incapable of preferving
my Life, either by Swiftnefs, or climb-
ing of Trees, or digging Holes in the
Earth. They obferved me to be a car-
nivorous Animal by my Teeth, yet moſt
Quadrupeds being an Over-match for me,
they
to BROBDINGNAG.
ΙΟΙ
they could not imagine how I fupported
my felf unleſs I fed upon Snails, which,
by many learned Arguments they offered
to evince, was impoffible. One of theſe
Virtuofo's feemed to think I might be an
Embrio, or abortive Birth. But this Opi-
nion was rejected, from the compleat For-
mation of my Limbs, and my having
lived feveral Years, which appeared by
my Beard, the Stumps whereof they
plainly diſcover'd by a magnifying Glafs,
They allow'd me to be too little for a
Dwarf, the fmalleft ever known in that
Kingdom, being Thirty Foot high. Af
ter long Debate, they concluded I was on-
ly a Relplum Scalcath, which literally in-
terpreted is Lufus Natura; a Determina-
tion agreable to the modern Philofophy
of Europe: Whofe Profeffors, to avoid
the occult Qualities of Ariftotle, have en-
deavour'd to hide their Ignorance by this
wonderful Solution. After this decifive
Conclufion, I defir'd to be heard, and ad-
dreffing my felf to his Majefty, affured
him that I came from a Country, which
abounded with Millions of my own Sta-
ture, in both Sexes, and with Animals
and Trees in Proportion; and where I
could confequently get Suftenance, and
defend
my felf
felf as well as any of his Ma-
F 3
jeſty's
102 AVOYAGE
jeſty's Subjects could do here: And this I
thought a full Anſwer to thoſe Gentle-
mens Arguments. To this they reply'd
with Contempt, That the Farmer had
taught me my Leffon well. The King,
who had a better Underſtanding, difmiffed
theſe learned Men, and fent for the Far-
mer, who was ſtill in Town, and having
confronted him, the Girl, and my felf,
began to think it might poffibly be true,
and defir'd the Queen to order that par-
ticular Care ſhould be taken of me, and
Glumdalclitch ftill continue in her Office.
A convenient Apartment was provided
for her at Court, with a Governeſs to
take care of her Education: A Maid to
drefs her, and two Servants for menial
Offices. The Care of me was left wholly
to her felf. The Queen order'd her own
Cabinet-maker, an ingenious Artiſt, to
make me a Box for a Bed-chamber as
Glumdalclitch and I ſhould direct, which
was furniſhed in three Weeks, and a Bed
put in it by her Majeſty's Upholſter. A
nice Workman, famous for little Curiofi-
ties, undertook to make me two Chairs
with Backs and Frames of a Subſtance
like Ivory; and two Tables, with a Ca-
binet to put my Things in.
was quilted on all Sides, to
The Room
prevent my
being
to BROBDINGNAG. 103
being hurt by any Jolt when I went in a
Coach. I had a Lock to my Door, which,
though the ſmalleſt ever ſeen in that
Country, was fuch as we have to the
Gates of a Gentleman's Houfe in Eng-
land. I kept the Key my felf, for fear
Glumdalclitch fhould lofe it. I was or-
der'd a Suit of Cloaths of the thinneft
Silk that could be had, which was not
much thicker than a Blanket. They were
made after the Faſhion of the Country,
and are a very grave decent Habit. The
Queen grew fo fond of me, that I was
always placed upon the Table, at her left
Elbow, while fhe dined, with a Table
and Chair for my felf; my Nurſe ſtand-
ing by, to affift and take care of me.
I had an entire fet of Silver Dishes and
Plates, which were like thofe in a Toy-
fhop, for the Furniture of a Baby-houfe,.
if compar'd with the Queen's. Theſe my
Nurſe kept in a Box in her Pocket, and
always clean'd them her felf. No-body
dined with the Queen but the two Prin
ceffes Royal, the elder fixteen Yeats old,
and the younger Thirteen. Her Majefty
ufed to put a Bit of Meat upon one of
my Diſhes, out of which I carved for my
felf, and delighted to fee me eat. The
Queen, who had but a weak Stomach,
F 4
made
I
104
A VOYAGE
made but one Mouthful of as much as
would ferve a Dozen English Farmers.
She would craunch the Bones of the Wing
of a Lark, though fix times bigger than
an English Turkey, and put a Bit of
Bread in her Mouth as big as two Twelve-
penny Loaves. She drank out of a Gol-
den Cup, above a Hogfhead at a Draught.
Her Knives were two Yards long, and
Spoons, and other Inftruments, in Pro-
portion. Every Wednesday, (which was
their Sabbath, as I obferv'd before) the
King and Queen, with the Royal Iffue,
dine together in his Majefty's Apartment,
to whom I was now become a Favourite.
At thefe Times my little Chair and Table
were placed at his left Hand. He took a
Pleaſure in enquiring into the Manners,
Religion, Laws, and Government, of Eu-
rope, wherein I gave him the beſt Account
I could, who made admirable Reflections,
and Obfervations, upon all I faid. In
talking of my own beloved Country; of
our Trade and Wars by Sea and Land,
our Schifms in Religion, and Parties in
State; he took me up in his right Hand,
and gently ftroaking me with the other,
after a violent Fit of Laughter, he ask'd
me whether I was Whig or Tory? Then
turning to his prime Minifter who waited
behind
to BROBDINGNAG. 105
behind him, obferved how contemptible
Human Grandeur was, which could be
mimicked by fuch diminutive Mortals as
I; And yet, faid he, I dare
ſaid he, I dare engage theſe
Creatures have their Titles of Honour,
their Houſes and Cities, and make a Fi-
gure in Drefs and Equipage: They Love,
Fight, Cheat, and Betray; and thus
he went on, while my Colour came and
went with Indignation, to hear our
Country, the Miftrefs of Arts, and Arms;
the Scourge of France; the Arbitreſs of
Europe; the Seat of Piety, Honour, and
Truth, fo contemptibly treated. But not
being in a Condition to refent Injuries,
upon mature Deliberation, I doubted whe
ther I was injured or no: For I had
been fo long accuſtomed to the Conver-
fation and Magnitude of this People, that
if I had beheld a Company of Englifla
Lords and Ladies, in their Birth-day
Cloaths, bowing and prating to one ano-
ther, to fay the Truth, I fhould have
been tempted to laugh at them, as much
as the King, and his Grandees, did ar
me. Neither could I forbear laughing
when I compar'd my felf with the Queen
in a Looking-glafs, and began really to
imagine I was dwindled feveral Degrees
below my ufual Size. Nothing mortified
F $
me
106
AVOYAGE
me fo much as the Infolence of the
Queen's Dwarf, who would fwagger
and look big as he pafs'd by me, and
feldom failed of reflecting upon my Lit-
tleneſs, againſt which I had no other
Revenge than to call him Brother.
One Day, at Dinner, this little Chub
was fo angry at fomething I had faid,
that, raifing himſelf upon the Frame of
the Queen's Chair, he took me up by
the Middle, and let me drop into a
large Silver Bowl of Cream, and then
ran away. It might have gone hard
with me if I had not been a good
Swimmer, for my Nurfe was at the
other End of the Room, and the Queen
fo affrighted fhe could not affift me: At
laft my little Nurfe ran and took me
out after I had fwallow'd a Quart of
Cream. I was put to Bed, but receiv'd
no other Damage than the fpoiling my
Cloaths. The Dwarf was feverely whip'd,
and was forced to drink up the Cream as
a farther Puniſhment: And her Majefty
foon after gave him to a Lady of Quality,
fo that I faw him no more, to my great
Satisfaction. He had ferved me a fcurvy
Trick once before, which fet the Queen
a laughing, although fhe was heartily
vexed at the fame time. Her Majefty
having
1
f
->
to BROBDINGNAG. 107
+
அ
having emptied a Marrow-bone upon her
Plate, fet the Bone upright in the Difh
as it ftood before; the Dwarf taking
his Opportunity, while my Nurfe was
gone to the Side-board, got upon the
Stool ſhe ſtood on to take care of me at
Meals; took me up in both Hands, and
fqueezing my Legs together, wedged them:
into the Marrow-bone, above my Waift,
where I ſtuck for a Minute, before they
knew what was become of me; but, as
Princes feldom get their Victuals hot, I had
no other Damage than a greafy Pair of
Breeches and Stockings. The Dwarf, at
my Entreaty, had no other Puniſhment:
than a found Whipping. The Queen
frequently reproached me of my Fear-
fulneſs, and asked me, Whether the Peo-
ple of my Country were as great Cow-
ards as my felf? This was occafion'd by
my ſtarting at the Flies when they came
upon my Face, each of them as big ass
a Dunstable Lark. They would fome-
times fettle upon my Victuals, and leave
their Excrement, or Spawn, hehind;,
which was vifible to me, though not to
the Natives of the Country. I could
eafily trace the vifeous Matter, which
our Naturalifts tell us enables thofe Crea--
tures to walk with their Feet upwards, up-
1
?
1
#
!
on
108
A VOYAGE
on a Ceiling. My only Remedy againſt
theſe deteftable Animals 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, as
my Box was fet upon the Window to give
me Air, I lifting up one of my Safhes, and
fitting down to eat a Piece of fweet Cake
for my Breakfaſt, above Twenty Wafps
came into my Room humming louder
than the Drones of as many Bagpipes.
Some feized my Cake, and carried it Piece-
meal away; others flew about my Head
and Face: At length I rofe and drew my
Hanger, and attack'd them as they flew:
I killed Four, and the reft got away,
upon which I prefently fhut my Window.
They were as large as Partridges, with
Stings an Inch and Half long. I carefully
preferved them, and when I came to
England prefented three to Gresham Col-
lege, and kept the Fourth for my felf.
CHA P.
to BROBDINGNAC. 109
CHA P. IV.
The Country defcrib'd. A Propofal for cor-
recting modern Maps. The King's Pa-
lace, and fome Account of the Metro-
polis. The Author's Way of travelling.
The chief Temple defcrib'd.
Intend to give the Reader a ſhort
Deſcription of this Country as
far as I travell'd in it, which
was not above Two Thouſand
Miles from the Metropolis. The whole
Extent of that Princes Dominions is Six
Thouſand Miles in Length, and from
Three to Five in Breadth: Whence, I
conclude, our Geographers miſtake, by
fuppofing nothing but Sea between Japan
and California, but I was always of Opi-
nion, that there muſt be a Ballance of
Earth to counterpoife the great Continent
of Tartary, and their Maps fhould be cor-
rected by adding this vaft Tract of Land
to the N. W. Parts of America. The King-
dom
110
A VOYAGE
dom is a Peninfula, bounded by the Ocean
on all Sides, except the North-Eaſt, where
it is terminated by a Ridge of Moun-
tains Thirty Miles high, which are im-
paffible by reaſon of the Vulcanoes. And
thofe Parts of the Coafts, where the Ri-
vers iffue, are fo very rocky, and the
Sea fo rough, that there is no venturing.
in their ſmalleft Boats, fo that this Na-
tion is excluded all Commerce with the
reft of the World. But the large Rivers
are cover'd with Veffels, and have great
plenty of Fiſh.
For they feldom have
any from the Sea, becauſe the Sea-Fiſh are
of the fame Size with thofe in Europe;
hence it is manifeft, that Nature is en-
tirely confin'd to this Continent in the
Production of Plants and Animals of fo
extraordinary a Bulk: However, they
fometimes take a Whale which happens
to be dafhed against the Rocks, which
the common People feed very heartily on:
They are fometimes fo large, that a Man
can hardly carry onc upon his Shoulders;
I faw one in a Difn, at the King's Table,
which paffed for a Rarity, but his Ma-
jefty was difgufted at the Bignefs of it,
although I have feen larger in Greenland.
The Country is well inhabited, and con-
tains One and Fifty Cities, near One Hun-
dred
to BROBDINGNAG. 111
dred wall'd Towns, befides Villages. It
may be fufficient to fatisfy the Reader to
defcribe Lorbrulgrud. Almoft two equal
Parts of this City ſtand on each Side a
River, which runs through it. There are
Eighty Thouſand Houſes, and above Six
Hundred Thouſand Inhabitants; it is a-
bout Fifty-four English Miles in Length,
and Two and a Half in Breadth, as Í
meaſured it my ſelf from a Map, which
was laid on the Ground on purpoſe for
me.
The Royal Palace is no regular Edifice,
but an Heap of Building, about Seven
Miles round. The chief Rooms are Two
Hundred and Forty Foot high, and long
and broad in Proportion. My Nurſe and
I had a Coach allow'd us, wherein her
Governefs often took her to fee the Town,
who always carry'd me with her in my
Box, although the fometimes, at my own
Defire, would take me upon her Hand,
that I might fee the Houfes and People
more conveniently. Our Coach was about
the Square of Westminster-Hall, but not
fo high. One Day the Governeſs order-
ing the Coach to ftop, the Beggars watch-
ing their Opportunity, came to the Sides.
of the Coach, and difcovered fuch horrid
Spectacles, that. I fhall avoid defcribing
for
112
A VOYAGE
1
for the Sake of my Reader, left he
fhould find them Naufeous. Befides the
large Box, in which I was carried, the
Queen ordered a ſmaller one to be made,
of about Twelve Foot fquare, and Ten
high, with a Window to Three of the
Sides, latticed with Iron Wire on the
Out-fide, to prevent Accidents in a long
Journey; on that Side which had no
Window were fixed two ftrong Staples,
through which, when I had a Mind to go
on Horfeback, the Servant put his Belt
and 'buckled me to his Waift. This was
the Office of fome grave trufty Servant,
whom I could confide in, whether I at-
tended the Queen, or paid a Viſit to
fome great Man of the Kingdom, among
whom I began to be efteem'd; but more,
I fuppofe, upon his Majefty's Account,
than any real Merit of my own. When
I had a Mind to fee the Town, Glumdal-
clitch carried me on her Lap, in my tra-
velling Clofet, in an open Sedan, born
by Four Men, and attended by two others
in the Queen's Livery. The Girl would
often make the Bearers ftop, to fatisfy the
Curiofity of the People, who crowded to
fee me. I was very defirous to fee the
chief Temple, and particularly the Tower
belong-
to BROBDINGNAG. 113
belonging to it, which was reckoned the
higheſt in the Kingdom. Accordingly one
Day my Nurfe carried me, but I came
back diſappointed; for although it be
Three Thouſand Foot high from the
Ground to the higheſt Pinnacle, yet al-
lowing the Difference between the Size of
thoſe People and us, the Steeple at Salis-
bury is higher in Proportion ; but it hath
that in Beauty and Strength, which it
wants in Height; for the Walls are near
a Hundred Foot thick, made with hewn
Stone Forty Foot fquare, and adorned with
Statues of Gods and Emperors on all Sides.
I meaſured the little Finger of one which
I happened to find below among the Rub-
bifh, and found it exactly Four Foot and
an Inch in length. My Nurfe carried it
Home, to put among other Trinkets, of
which Children are fond at her Age. The
King's Kitchen is a noble Building, vault-
ed at Top, and about Six Hundred Foot
high. The great Oven is not quite fo
wide as the Cupola of St. Paul's, by Ten
Paces, having meaſured it fince my Re-
turn. But was I to defcribe the Grate,
Pots, Kettles, and other Utenfils, a Cri-
tick would be apt to fay I talked like a
Traveller. To avoid which Cenfure, I
fear
114
A VOYAGE
fear I have run into the other Extreme
and if this Treatife fhould happen to be
tranflated into the Language of Brobding-
nag, and tranfmitted thither, they would
charge me with having given a falfe and
diminutive Reprefentation.
CHA P.
to BROBDINGNAG. 115
RAGMANIARDAS
CHAP. V.
Several Adventures that happened to the
Author. The Execution of a Criminal
The Author fhews bis Skill in Naviga-
tion.
Should have lived happily e-
nough in that Country, had
not my Stature made me liable
to feveral ridiculous Accidents,
fome of which I fhall venture to relate.
My Nurſe, who often carried me into the
Gardens of the Court, in my fmaller Box
would fometimes take me out and hold me
in her Hand, or fet me down to walk; fhe
did fo once a little before the Dwarf left
the Queen; he followed us into the Gar-
dens, and as we happened to be together
under fome dwarf Apple-Trees, I, to fhew
my Wit, made fome Allufion between him
and the Trees, which he happened to take;
whereupon the unlucky Rogue watching
his
116
A VOYAGE
his Opportunity, when I was immediately
under one of them, fhook it directly over
my Head, and one of the Apples, as I
fſtoop'd, hit me on the Back, and knock'd
me flat to the Ground, but I received no
other hurt. Another Day Glumdalclitch
fet me upon a Grafs-plat, while fhe was
walking with her Governeſs at fome Di-
ſtance. In the mean Time, a Shower of
Hail happen'd, which ftruck me to the
Ground, and when I was down, I crawl'd
to a Border of Lemon-Thyme, and fhel-
ter'd my felf; but fo bruifed from Head
to Foot, that I cou'd not go abroad in
Ten Days. Neither is it a Wonder, fince
Nature obferving the fame Proportion in
all her Actions, a Hail-ftone is near Eigh-
teen Hundred Times larger in that Coun-
try, than in Europe.
But a more dangerous Accident hap-
pened to me in the fame Garden, when I
thought my ſelf in a very fecure Place,
which my Nurſe had chofen for me, and
went to another part of the Garden with
her Governeſs, and fome Ladies of her
Acquaintance.
While fhe was gone, a
Spaniel, belonging to the Gardeners, hap-
pened to range near the Place where I
lay, and following his Scent, at laft came
to me, and taking me up in his. Mouth,
ran
to BROBDINGNAG. 117
ran with me to his Mafter; he did me no
harm, or even my Cloaths.
The poor
Gardener, who knew me, and had a
Kindness for me, took me up, and asked
me how I did, but I was fo affrighted, I
could not ſpeak a Word. I came to my
felf in a little Time, and he carried me
fafe to my Nurſe, who had been at the
Place where fhe left me, and was in cruel
Agonies that I did not appear, or anfwer
when ſhe call'd. She reprimanded the
Gardener on account of his Dog; but the
thing was hufh'd,and never known at Court,
for the Girl was afraid of the Queen's
Anger, and it was not for my Reputation
that fuch a Story fhould go about. This
Accident abfolutely determined my Nurſe
never to truſt me out of her Sight for the
future. I had been long afraid of this Re-
folution, and therefore conceal'd feveral
unlucky Accidents, which happen'd to me
when I was alone. I cannot tell whether
I was moſt pleaſed or mortify'd, to ob-
ferve, in thoſe folitary Walks, that the
finalleſt Birds were not afraid of me, and
would eat their Food as if no Body was
near them. A Thruſh once had the Con-
fidence to take a Piece of Cake out of
my Hand, which my Nurfe had given
me for Breakfaſt; and when I attempted
to
118
A VOYAGE
to catch any of them, they would pick at
my Fingers, and turn back to look for
Worms or Snails, as they did before. But
one Day I took a Stick, and threw it at a
Linnet with all my Strength, fo luckily,
that I knocked it down, and feizing it
with both Hands, ran with it in Triumph
to my Nurſe. The Bird being only ſtun'd
recovered himſelf, and fo boxed me about
the Head with his Wings, though I held
him out at Arms-length, that I had a
Mind to let him go; but one of the Ser-
vants came and wrung his Head off, and
I had him next Day for Dinner. This
Linnet was as large as an Engliſh Swan.
The Ladies of Honour often invited my
Nurſe to their Apartments, and deſired
ſhe would bring me along with her. They
would often ftrip me, and lay me naked
upon their Bofoms; at which I was dif
gufted from the offenfive Smell that came
from them. I would not be thought to
mention this to the Difadvantage of the
Ladies, (for whom I have a great Refpect)
but conceive my Senfe was acute in Pro-
portion to my Size, and that thoſe Per-
fons were as agreeable to each other there,
as we are in England. To prove what I
fuppos'd, I remember when I was at Lil-
liput, an intimate Friend, one warm Day,
complain'd
to BROBDINGNAC. 119
complain'd I had a ftrong Smell about me,
although I am as little Faulty that way
as most of my Sex. What gave me the
greateſt Uneafinefs, when I went to vifit
thefe Ladies of Honour, with my Nurſe,
was to fee them ſtrip and ſhift themſelves
before me, as if I was of no manner of
Confequence, which gave me no other
Emotions than thofe of Horror and Dif
guft. Neither did they fcruple to diſcharge
before me what they had drank, to the
Quantity of Two Hogfheads at leaſt, in
a Veffel that held above Three Tuns.
The handſomeſt among theſe Maids of
Honour, was a frolickfome Girl of Six-
teen, who would fet me aftride upon one
of her Nipples, with many other Tricks,
which fo difpleafed me, that I entreated
Glumdalclitch to contrive an Excufe for
not ſeeing that young Lady any more.
One Day a young Gentleman, who was
Nephew to my Nurfe's Governeſs, came
and preffed them both to fee the Execu-
tion of a Man who had murdered one of
his intimate Acquaintance. Glumdalclitch,
though averſe to fuch Sights, was prevail'd
on to go; and as for my felf, although I
abhorr'd fuch Spectacles, my Curiofity
tempted me to fee fomething extraordina-
ry. The Malefactor was fixed in a Chair,
upon
1
1
120
A VOYAGE
upon a Scaffold, and his Head cut off at
a Blow, with a Sword about Forty Foot
long. The Blood fpouted fo high from
the Veins and Arteries, that the great
Fette d'Eau at Verſailles was not equal to
it for the Time it lafted.
The Queen, who had often heard me
talk of Sea Voyages, asked me, whether
I underſtood how to handle 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, but thought it impoffible
to be done in their Country, where the
ſmalleſt Boat is as large as a Firſt-Rate
Man of War among us, and that fuch
a Boat as I could manage, would not
live in their Rivers. Her Majeſty ſaid,
if I would contrive a Boat, her Joyner
ſhould make it. I fet him to work, and
by my Inſtructions he finiſhed it in Ten
Days. The Queen was fo delighted when
fhe faw it, that fhe ran with it to his Ma-
jefty, who ordered me to try it in a Ci-
ftern of Water, but here I could not ma-
nage my Oars for want of room; but the
Queen had ordered the Joyner to make
a Trough a Hundred Foot long, Fifty
Foot broad, and Eight deep, with a Cock
towards the Bottom, to let out the Wa-
}
ter
to BROBDINGNAG.
121
ter when we thought fit. In this I uſed
often to row for my Diverfion, and the
Entertainment of the Queen, and her La-
dies. Sometimes I put up my Sail, and
the Ladies afforded me a Gale of Wind
with their Fans, or fome of the Pages
would blow my Sail forward with their
Breath, while I flew'd my Art by fteer-
ing as I pleaſed. In this Exercife I once
met an Accident, which had like to have
coft me my Life. As Glumdalclitch's Go-
vernefs very officiouſly lifted me up, to
place me in my Boat, I happened to
flip between her Fingers, and fhould
have fallen to the Ground if a large Pin,
which ſtuck in her Stomacher, had not
luckily catch'd hold of my Cloaths, where
I hung till my Nurfe ran to my Relief.
Another time the Servant, whofe Bufi-
neſs it was to fill my Trough, happened
to let a huge Frog flip out of his Pail
into my Boat, which, as I was rowing,
leap'd into it, and then over my Head
backwards and forwards, making my Face
and Cloaths in a dirty Condition with his
Slime; till at length I bang'd him about
fo with my Oars, that he was forced to
leap out of the Boat: But the greateſt
Danger I was ever in, was from a Mon-
key, who belong'd to the Kitchen. My
G
Nurfe
122
A VOYAGE
Nurfe being gone out upon fome Bufi-
nefs, had lock'd me up in her Clofet, and
the Weather being very warm, had left
the Window open, as well as the Door
and Window of my Box. As I was fit-
ting quietly, I heard fomething bounce in
at the Cloſet Window, and skip about
from one Side to the other. I ventur'd
to look, without rifing from my Seat, and
faw this frolickfome Creature, who ſeem'd
to admire my Box, and peep'd in at the
Door, and every Window. I retir'd to
the Corner of my Room, but after peep-
ing, and chattering a while, he efpied
me, and reaching one of his Paws in at
the Door, as a Cat does when the plays
with a Mouſe, he caught hold of the Lap-
pet of my Coat, and dragg'd me out,
and held me as a Nurfe doth a fucking
Child. I had Reaſon to believe he took
me for a young one of his own Species,
by his ſtroaking my Face very gently with
his other Paw. He was interrupted in his
Diverfions by a Noife at the Door, and
fuddenly jumped to the Window, and
thence upon the Leads to the Roof of the
Houſe: I heard my Nurfe fhriek, and
that Quarter of the Palace was all in an
Uproar. The Monkey was feen by Hun-
dreds of People holding me like an In-
fant,
to BROBDINGNAG.
123
fant, and cramming Victuals into my
Mouth, which he fqueezed out of his
Pouch, at which ridiculous Sight every
Body laughed but my felf. Some threw
Stones to drive him down, but this was
forbidden, or elfe, very probably, my
Brains had been dafh'd out. By this
time Ladders were fet, and the Servants
came up, ſo that Pug finding himſelf be-
fet, let me drop upon a Ridge-Tyle, and
made his Eſcape. Here I fat trembling
Three Hundred Yards from the Ground,
expecting to be blown down, or fall by
my own Giddinefs, till an honeft Lad,
one of my Nurfe's Footmen, got up to
me, and putting me in his Breeches Pocket,
brought me down fafe. I was almoſt
choak'd with the Monkey's cramming;
but my dear little Nurfe picked it out
of my Mouth with a fmall Needle, and
then I vomited, which gave me great Re-
lief; yet was fo bruifed by the Squeez-
ing this Animal had given me, that I
kept my Bed for a Fortnight. The King
and Queen fent every Day to enquire after
my Health, and her Majefty made me
feveral Vifits while I was ill. The Mon-
key was kill'd, and an Order given, that
none fhould be kept about the Palace.
After my Recovery, I went to return his
G 2
Majefty
124
A VOYAGE
Majefty my hearty Thanks for his Fa-
vours, who was pleafed to banter me, by
asking how I liked the Victuals the Mon-
key gave me, and the Air at the Top of
the Houſe? He asked me, What I would
have done, in my own Country, upon
fuch an Occafion? I told him we had no
Monkeys but what were brought from other
Countries, out of Curiofity; but were fo
fmall, that I could deal with a Dozen of
them if they attack'd me: And as to
this, (though he was as big as an Ele-
phant) had I made ufe of my Hanger
when he firft put his Paws into my Cham-
ber, perhaps I fhould have given him fuch
a Wound as would have made him glad to
withdraw it with more Haft than he put
it in. This I fpoke in fuch a Tone, clap-
ping my Hand upon the Hilt of my
Sword at the fame Time, that the Com-
pany, notwithſtanding the Refpect due to
his Majefty, could not refrain laughing.
This made me reflect how vain it is for
a Man to attempt doing himſelf Honour
among thoſe who are out of all Degrees of
Compariſon with him: And yet in Eng-
land, fince my Return, I have ſeen a little
contemptible Varlet, without the leaft
Title to Birth, Perfon, Wit, or common
Senfe, prefume to put himself upon a
Foot
to BROBDINGNAG.
125
9
Foot with the greatest Perfons of the
Kingdom. I furnished the Court every
Day with fome ridiculous Story or other,
and my Nurſe, though fhe was very fond
of me, was cunning enough to tell what
fhe thought would be diverting to her
Majefty. The Girl, who had been out
of Order, was carried out into the
Fields, by her Governeſs, to take the Air;
they alighted, and Glumdalclitch fetting
me down, I went out of my Box to
walk. I happened to fee a Cows-Dung
in the Path, as I was walking, and to
fhew my Activity ran to jump over it,
but leaping fhort, found my felf in the
Middle, and waded through with fome
Difficulty; the Footman wiped me clean,
and my Nurfe confined me to my Box
till we went Home. The Queen was foon
informed of what had paffed, and the
whole Mirth at Court, for fome Days,
was at my Expence.
G 3
CHAP
126
A VOYAGE
CHAP. VI.
Several Contrivances of the Author, to
pleaſe the King and Queen. He fhews
bis Skill in Mufick. The King enquires
into the State of EUROPE, which the Au-
thor relates: With the King's Obſerva-
tions.
A
S I went once or twice a Week
to his Majefty's Levee, I had
feen him fhaved, which from
the Length of the Razor, was
terrible to behold. I once perfuaded the
Barber to give me fome of the Suds, out
of which I picked Forty or Fifty Hairs,
and ſhaping a Piece of Wood like the
Back of a Comb, I made feveral Holes
in it with a Needle I got from my Nurſe,
and fixed in the Stumps of Hair fo artifi-
cially ſhaping the Points with my Knife,
that I made a tolerable Comb; for mine
was almoſt worn out, and there was no
Artiſt in the Country could make me an-
other.
to BROBDINGNAG. 127
;
I
other. This puts me in Mind of an
Amuſement, wherein I have ſpent many
Hours. I defir'd the Queen's Woman to
fave the Combings of her Majefty's Hair
for me, which, in Time, came to a good
Quantity; I then employed the Cabinet-
Inaker to make me two Chair Frames, no
longer than thoſe I had in my Box, and
bore, with a fine Awl, round thoſe Parts
which I defigned for the Backs and Seats
through theſe Holes I wove fome of the
ſtrongeſt Hairs I could pick, in the man-
ner of Cane - Chairs in England.
made a Prefent of thefe Chairs to her
Majefty, who look'd upon them as a great
Curiofity. I abfolutely refuſed to fit upon
thefe Chairs when her Majefty defired me,
and proteſted I would rather die than
place a diſhonourable Part of my Body up-
on what had been an Ornament to her
Head. I likewife made a Purſe of about
Five Foot long, with fome of the fame
Hairs, with her Majefty's Name in a Gold
Cypher; this I gave to Glumdalclitch, by
the Queen's Confent, for it was not big
enough to bear the large Coin of the
Country
The King being a Lover of Mufick,
had frequent Conforts at Court, to which
I was carried in my Box, but was oblig-
G4
cd
728
A VOYAGE
ed to remove as far as I could from the
Performers, and then ſhut the Doors and
Windows of it, till I found the Mufick
not difagreeable. I had learned to play
on the Spinnet in my Youth, and my
Nurfe having a Maſter to inftruct her on
that Inftrument, a Fancy came into my
Head, to divert their Majefties with an
English Tune; but the Largeneſs of the
Inftrument, which was Sixty Foot long,
and the Diſtance of the Keys being a
Foot, made it fo difficult, that I made uſe
of the following Contrivance: I prepar'd
two Sticks, fo covered at the End with
Mouſe-skins, that the Spinnet could not
be damaged, or the Sound interrupted,
and having a Bench conveniently placed
for me, with thefe two Sticks, I made
Shift to play a Jigg to the Satisfaction of
their Majeftics; but never underwent a
harder Exercife in my Life.
The King, who, as I obferved before,
was a Prince of admirable Underſtanding,
frequently ordered that I fhould be brought
to him in his Clofet, where I have had
feveral Converfations with him; and one
Day I took the Freedom to tell his Ma-
jefty, that his Contempt of Europe, and
the reft of the World, did not feem an-
ſwerable to thoſe excellent Qualities of
the
to BROBDINGNAG. 129
the Mind he was Maſter of.
That the Ex-
tent of Reaſon was not proportion'd to that
of the Body; and that in our Country
we obferv'd it to be contrary. That among
other Animals, Bees and Ants are allowed
to have more Induſtry and Sagacity
than larger Animals; and that as inconfi-
derable as he took me to be, I hoped to
live to be of fignal Service to his Majefty.
The King heard me with Attention, and
began to conceive a better Opinion of me,
than he had before, and defired I would
give him as exact an Account of the Go-
vernment of England as I poffibly could.
Imagine then, Courteous Reader, how of
ten I wiſh'd for the Tongue of Demofthe-
nes or Cicero, to utter the Praife of my
own dear Country, in a Style fuitable to
its Merits and Felicity. I began my Dif-
courſe, by informing his Majefty, that our
Dominions confifted of two Iflands, which
compoſed three mighty Kingdoms, under
one Sovereign, befides our Plantations in
America, and dwelt long upon the Fertili-
ty of the Soil, and Temperature of
the Climate. I then fpake of the Confti-
tution of the Parliament, partly compofed
of an illuſtrious Body, called the Houſe
of Peers, who were of the moſt noble and
ancient Families in the Kingdom. I de-
fcribed
G 5
}
130
A VOYAGE
ſcribed the Care always taken in their E-
ducation, to qualify them to be Members
of the higheſt Court of Judicature, and
Champions, for the Defence of their Prince
and Country. That theſe were the Orna-
ments and Bulwark of the Kingdom, wor-
thy Followers of their renowned Ance-
ftors, whofe Honour had been the Re-
ward of their Virtues, from which their
Poſterity were never known to degenerate.
To thefe were joined feveral holy Perfons,
chofe among thofe of the Priesthood, who
are diftinguiſh'd by the Sanctity of their
Lives, and profound Erudition, whofe
Buſineſs is to take Care of Religion, and
be the ſpiritual Fathers of Clergy and Peo-
ple. That the other Part of the Parlia-
ment confifted of an Affembly, called, The
Houfe of Commons, who were all princi-
pal Gentlemen, freely elected, by the Peo-
ple themſelves, for their great Abilities.
and Love of their Country, to reprefent
the Wiſdom of the whole Nation. And
that to theſe Two Bodies, in Conjunction
with the Prince, the whole Legiſlature is
committed. I then defcended to the Courts
of Judicature, where the Interpreters of
the Laws fit to determine the Rights and
Properties of Men, as well for the Pu
nifhment of Vice, as Protection of In-
nocence.
to BROBDINGNAG, 131
nocence. I mentioned the prudent Ma-
nagement of our Treafury, and Power
of our Arms, by Sea and Land. I com-
puted the Number of People, by reckon-
ing that of each Sect in Religion, and
Party in Politicks. I omitted nothing that
might redound to the Honour of my
Country; and finiſhed, by giving the Hi-
ftory of England, for One Hundred Years
paft. I had five Audiences of the King
before this Converſation was finiſh'd, who
took Notes of what I had faid, and Memo-
randums of what Queſtions he intended to
ask me.
When theſe Difcourfes were end-
ed, his Majefty, in a Sixth Audience,
propoſed many Queries upon each Ar-
ticle. He asked firft, What Methods
were taken to cultivate the Minds and
Bodies of our young Nobility, and in what
Manner they ſpent the firſt Part of their
Lives? How that Affembly was fupply'd
when a Family was extinct? And what
Qualifications were neceffary in thofe pro-
moted to the Peerage? Whether the Hu-
mour of the Prince, or a Sum of Money
rightly apply'd, or the Defign of Strength-
ening a Party oppofite to the Publick
Intereft, were ever Motives of Advance-
ment? Whether thefe Lords were fufficiently
Knowing in the Laws, to enable them to
decide
132
A VOYAGE
decide the Properties of their Fellow-
Subjects? Whether Partiality and Bribes
had no Place among them? And whether
thofe holy Lords were always promoted
for their Knowledge in Religion, and
Sanctity of their Lives? And lastly,
whether, when they were only Priefts,
they had not been Compliers with the
Times, and proſtitute Chaplains to fome
Noblemen, whofe Opinions they meanly
follow'd when they were admitted into
that Affembly? He then asked me, Whe-
ther any Arts were practifed in the Ele-
ction of the Commoners? Whether a
Stranger, with a long Purfe, could not
be elected before a worthy Gentleman of
the Neighbourhood? How it happened.
that Gentlemen, at a great Expence, were
refolutely bent to get into this Affembly,
which is only a Trouble, without any
Penfion or Salary? Becauſe this appeared
fo exalted a Strain of Publick Spirit, that
his Majeſty doubted its Sincerity, and de-
fired to know, whether thefe zealous Gen-
tlemen had no ways of refunding them-
felves, by facrificing the Publick Good to
the Deſigns of a vicious Prince, and cor-
rupt Miniſtry? He multiplied his Objecti-
ons and Enquiries to that Degree, that I
think it not prudent to repeat them. His
Majefty
to BROBDINGNAG.
133
Majeſty defired to be fatisfy'd in relation
to our Courts of Juſtice, in which I was
the better able to fatisfy him, having been
formerly almoſt ruined by a Suit in Chan-
cery, which was decreed for me with Cofts.
He asked, What Time was spent in the
Determination of thefe Suits, and what
was the Degree of Expence? Whether
Advocates had the Privilege of pleading
in Caufes known to be unjuft and oppref-
five? Whether Party, in Religion and
Politicks, was obferved to be of any
Weight in the Scale of Juftice? Whe-
ther thoſe concerned in the Pleadings were
educated in the general Knowledge of
Equity, or only in Provincial, National,
or other Local Cuftoms? Whether they,
or the Judges, had any Share in the
making thofe Laws they have the Liberty
of interpreting and gloffing upon at their
Pleafure? Whether they had ever plead-
ed for and againſt the fame Cauſe, and
cited Precedents to prove contrary Opi-
nions? Whether they were rich or poor,
or received a pecuniary Reward for their
Opinions, and particularly whether they
were admitted as Members of the Senate?
He came next to the Management of our
Treafury, and faid, He thought I was
miſtaken in computing our Taxes at about
Five
134
A VOYAGE
Five or Six Millions; but when I men-
tioned the Iffues, he found they were
fometimes double; for as he had taken
particular Notes, hoping that the Know-
ledge of our Conduct might be uſeful to
him; he could not be deceived in his Cal-
culations. He thought it ſtrange, if what
I told him was true, how a Kingdom
could run out of its Eftate, like a pri-
vate Perſon; and asked me, Who gave
us Credit? And how we propoſed to pay
them? He wondered to hear me talk of
long and expenfive Wars, adding, that we
muft live in a bad Neighbourhood, or be
a quarrelsome People, and that our Ge-
nerals muſt needs be richer than our Kings.
He asked me, What Bufinefs we had from
our own Iflands, unlefs it was upon Trade,
fome Treaty, or the Defence of our
Coafts? Above all, he was furprized to
hear me talk of a ftanding Army in
Time of Peace, and among a free People.
He faid, if we were governed by our
Confent, in the Perfons of our Reprefen-
tatives, he could not fee any Room for
Fear; and left it to my Opinion, whe-
ther a private Man's Houfe could not be
better defended by himſelf and Family,
than by picking up Knaves in the Streets
for fmall Wages, who would get an Hun-
dred
to BROBDINGNAG. 135
dred Times more by cutting their Throats.
He laughed at my calculating the Number
of People, by a Computation drawn from
the different Sects in Religion and Poli-
ticks, and ſaid, he knew no Reaſons why
thofe, who entertain'd Opinions contrary
to the Intereft of the Publick, ſhould be
obliged to change, or fhould not be oblig-
ed to conceal them, and as it was Tyran-
ny to require the Firft, fo it was Weak-
nefs not to inforce the Latter, left they
ſhould ſpread thofe Poifons under the
Name of Cordials. He obferved that
Gaming was a Diverfion among the No-
bility, and defired to know at what Age
they began it, and whether it ever affect-
ed their Fortunes? And whether mean
vicious People did not, by their Dexteri-
ty, fleece the Nobility, and force them,
by the Loffes they have fuftained, to pra-
etife the fame infamous Arts upon others?
He was amazed at the Hiftory I had gi-
ven him of our laft Century, and faid it
was only a Heap of Confpiracies, Rebel-
lions, Murders, Maffacres, Revolutions,
and Baniſhments; the very worſt Effects,
the worſt Vices could produce. His
Majeſty, in another Audience, took the
Trouble to recapitulate what I had told
him, and taking me by the Hand, deli-
vered
I
136
A VOYAGE
vered himſelf in the following Manner
My little Friend Grildrig, you have made
a moſt admirable Panegyrick on your own
Country. You have prov'd that Ignorance,
Sloth, and Vice, may be the only Ingre-
dients in qualifying a Legiflator; that
Laws are beft explain'd by thoſe who
have Abilities to confound and elude
them. I obferve among you fome Lines
of an Inſtitution originally tolerable; but
half eraſed and blotted out by Corrup-
tions. It does not appear, by all you
have faid, that any one Virtue is required
to the Advancement of any one to a high
Station, much leſs that Priefts are ad-
vanc'd for their Piety, Soldiers for their
Valour, or Judges for their Integrity, Se-
nators for the Love of their Country, or
Counfellors for their Wifdom. As for
your own Part, (continued the King) who
have ſpent your Time in travelling, I
hope you have efcaped the Vices of your
Country; but from what I have obſerved
in your whole Relation, I muſt conclude
the Bulk of your Natives, to be the moſt
pernicious Race that Nature ever fuffered
to live upon the Face of the Earth.
CHA P.
to BROBDINGNAG. 137
1
ENECHINELODY
CHAP. VII.
The Author's Love of his Country.
makes a Propofal of much Advantage
He
The
to the King, which is rejected.
King's great Ignorance in Politicks. The
Learning of that Country very imperfect
and confin'd. Their Laws. Military
Affairs. And Parties in State.
N
Othing but an extreme Love of
Truth could have hindered me
from concealing this Part of my
Story. My Refentments were
ridicul'd, and I was forced to be patient
while my Country was fo injurioufly
treated. I am heartily forry, as any of
my Readers can be, that fuch an Occa-
fion was given; but the Curiofity of this
Prince made him fo particular in his En-
quiries, that in Gratitude and good Man-
ners I was obliged to fatisfy him as well
as I could: Yet this I may fay, in my own
Vindica-
J
138
A VOYAGE
Vindication, that I artfully eluded many
of his Queſtions, and gave a more fa-
vourable Turn than the Strictneſs of
Truth would admit: For I always bore
that Partiality to my Country which Dio-
nyfius Halicarnaffenfis recommends to an
Hiftorian, willing to hide the Frailties.
of it, and place its Virtues in the ſtrongeſt
Light. This must be faid in favour of
that Prince, that, as he lived fecluded
from the reft of the World, he could
not be acquainted with the Manners and
Cuſtoms of other Nations; and it would
be hard, indeed, if fo remote a Prince's
Notion fhould be offered as a Standard
for all Mankind. To confirm the miſera-
ble Effects of a confin'd Education, I fhall
here infert a Paffage which will hardly
obtain Belief. In Hopes of ingratiating
my felf with his Majefty, I told him of
an Invention to make a certain Powder,
one Grain of which, being fet on Fire,
would kindle the Whole, though as big
as a Mountain, and make it fly up into
the Air, with a Noife like Thunder. I
then took notice of the vaſt Force this
Power had when put into a hollow Tube
of Braſs or Iron, in throwing a Ball of
Iron or Lead with that Violence, that no-
thing could withſtand it. That I knew
*
the
7
to BROBDINGNAĠ. 139
the Ingredients very well, which were
cheap and common, and underſtood the
Manner of compounding them, and could
direct his Workmen how to make thofe
Tubes of a Size, proportion'd to all
other Things in his Majefty's Domini-
ons; Twenty or Thirty whereof would
batter down the ſtrongeſt Walls in his
Majeſty's Dominions. This I offer'd as
an Acknowledgment in Return of fo
many Marks of Favour and Protection re-
ceived from his Majefty. The King was
ftruck with Horror at the Defcription and
Propofal, and was amazed that fo grove-
ling an Infect as I (thefe were his Ex-
preffions) could entertain fuch inhuman
Ideas, and feem unconcerned at the
Thoughts of fo much Blood and Defo-
lation; and that it muſt be ſome Enemy
to Mankind who was the firft Contriver
of thofe Machines; and that, as to his own
Part, he would fooner loſe half his King-
dom, than be privy to a fuch Secret which
he commanded me, as I valued my Life,
never to mention any more. A Strange
Effect of narrow Principles and fhort
Views! that a Prince poffeffed of fo ma-
ny good Qualities, and admirable Talents.
for Government, and almoſt adored by
his People, fhould, from a nice unneceffary
Scruple,
1
140
A VOYAGE
Scruple, whereof in Europe we have no
Conception, let flip an Opportunity of
making himſelf Mafter of the Lives, Li-
berties, and Fortunes of his People. Nei-
ther do I ſay this with the leaft Intention
to detract from the many Virtues of fo
excellent a King; but take it as a Defect
among them from their Ignorance in Po-
liticks For I remember, in a Difcourfe
I had with the King, when I happened
to mention ſeveral Thoufand Books among
us written upon the Art of Government,
it gave him a mean Opinion of our Un-
derſtandings. He profeffed both to abo-
minate and defpife all Myſtery, Refine-
ment, and Intrigue in Prince or Minifter:
That he did not underſtand what we
meant by Secrets of State; that the Know-
ledge of Governing being founded upon
common Senfe and Reafon, whoever could
make two Ears of Corn grow where only
one grew before, would deferve better
of Mankind, and do more Service to his
Country, than the whole Race of Politici-
ans together. The Learning of this People
is very defective, confifting only in Mora-
lity, Hiſtory, Poetry, and Mathematicks,
wherein they muſt be allow'd to excel:
But the laft of thefe is wholly applied
to what may be uſeful in Life; fo that
among
to BROBDINGNAG. 141
among us it would be little eſteem'd ;
and as to Metaphyficks, I could never
make them in the leaft conceive. No
Law of that Country muft exceed in
Words, the Number of Letters in their
Alphabet, which confifts only of Two
and Twenty. They are written in the
moſt eaſy Terms, wherein thoſe People
cannot diſcover above one Interpretation,
and it is a Capital Crime to comment
upon any Law. They have had the
Art of Printing, as well as the Chinese,
Time out of Mind; but their Libra-
ries are not very large: The King's,
which is the biggeft, has a Thoufand
Volumes, placed in a Gallery Twelve
Hundred Foot long. As 1 had the Li-
berty of borrowing what Books I pleaſed,
the Queen's Joyner contriv'd me a Ma-
chine, like a moveable Pair of Stairs, by
mounting and defcending of which, I
made ſhift to read fome of the largeſt
Folio's. Their Stile is Clear, Mafculine,
and Smooth, but not Florid, for they
avo'd multiplying unneceffary Words, or
ufing various Expreffions. I have pe-
rufed feveral of them, and among the
reft, was much diverted with one which
belongs to my Nurfe's Governefs. This
treats
142
A VOYAGE
treats of the Weakneſs of Human-Kind,
and is little eſteemed, except among the
Women, and the Vulgar. The Author
goes through the ufual Topicks of Eu-
ropean Moralifts, fhewing how diminutive.
and helpleſs a Creature Man is, incapable
of defending himfelf from the Incle-
mencies of the Air, or the Fury of
wild Beaſts And added, That in thoſe
latter Ages, the Race of Mankind was not
to be compared to that of ancient Times,
which was much larger; that the Truth
of this did not only appear from Hiſtory
and Tradition, but confirmed by huge
Bones and Sculls cafually dug in feveral
Parts of the Kingdom. He argued, That
the very Laws of Nature requir'd that
we ſhould have been made more robuſt
in the Beginning, and not fo liable to
Deſtruction from every little Accident.
From this Way of Reafoning, the Author
drew feveral moral Applications, which
are needlefs to repeat. As to their Mili-
tary Affairs, they boaft that the King's
Army confifts of a Hundred and Seventy
Six Thouſand Foot, and Thirty Two
Thouſand Horfe; if that may be call'd
an Army which is made up of Tradefmen
and Farmers, whofe Nobility and Gen-
try command them, without Pay or Re-
ward.
to BROBDINGNAG. 143
ward. Their Exercife and Diſcipline was
perfect enough, confidering that every
Farmer is under the Command of his
Landlord, and every Citizen under that
of the principal Men in his own City,
chofen by Ballot, after the Manner of
Venice. I have often feen the Militia of
Lorbrulgrud exercife in a great Field
near the City. They were not in all
above Twenty-Five Thouſand Foot,
and Six Thoufand Horfe. A Cavalier,
mounted on a large Steed, gave the Word
of Command, upon which they drew
their Swords, and brandifh'd them in the
Air. Imagination can figure nothing fo
grand or furprizing: It look'd as if Ten
Thouſand Flaſhes of Lightning were dart-
ing at the fame Time from every Quarter
of the Sky. I was curious to know how
this Prince came to think of Armies, into
whofe Dominions there is no Accefs from
any other Country: But was foon in-
form'd by reading their Hiftories, that,
for many Ages, they have been troubled
with the fame Difeafe, common to many
other Governments; the Nobility often
contending for Power, the People for
Liberty, and the King for abfolute Domi-
nion; which had once, or more, occa-
fion'd
144 A VOYAGE
fion'd civil Wars, the laſt of which was
happily put an End to by this Prince's
Grandfather by a general Compofition,
and the Militia, then fettled by common
Confent, hath ever fince been kept in the
ſtrictest Duty.
DAY
CHAP.
to BROBDINGNAG. 145
CHAP. VIII.
The King and Queen make a Progreſs
to the Frontiers. The Author attends
them.
The Manner in which he leaves
the Country, particularly related. He
returns to England.
Had always a ſtrong Impulfe
that I fhould one Day recover
my Liberty, but by what Means,
or how to contrive it, was im-
poffible. The Ship in which I failed was
the first ever driven within Sight of that
Coaſt, and the King had given Orders if
another appear'd, it fhould be brought to
the Metropolis, with all its Crew. He
was ſtrongly bent to get me a Woman
of my own Size, by whom I might pro-
pagate the Breed: But, I think, I fhould
rather have died than undergone the Dif
grace of leaving a Pofterity to be kept
in Cages, and fold to the Nobility for Cu-
riofities. I cannot fay but I was kindly
H
treated
:
146
A VOYAGE
treated, though not upon a Foot becoming
the Dignity of Human Kind. I wanted
to be among thofe I could freely converfe
with, and walk about the Streets without
Fear of being trod upon like a young
Puppy. But my Deliverance came fooner
than I expected, the Circumftances where-
of I fhall faithfully relate. I had been
Two Years in this Country, and about
the Beginning of the Third, my Nurſe
and I attended the King and Queen in a
Progress to the South Coaſt of the King-
dom. I was carried in my travelling Box
as ufual, and had ordered a Hammock
to be fixed in it to prevent my being
jolted when a Servant carried me on
Horfeback. On the Roof of my Cloſet,
not directly over the Middle of my Ham-
mock, I order'd the Joyner to cut a Hole,
of a Foot fquare, to let in Air, while Í
flept in hot Weather; which Hole I could
open and ſhut at Pleaſure. When we
came to our Journey's End, the King
had a Mind to pafs a few Days at a Pa-
lace he hath, not many Miles from the
Sea-fide. Glumdalolitch and I were much
fatigu'd, but the Poor Girl was oblig'd
to keep her Chamber. I pretended to be
worfe than I was, from an Inclination I
had to fee the Ocean, which I knew muft
be
to BROBDINGNAG. 147
be the Scene of my Efcape, happen when
it would; and defired leave to take the
Air of the Sea, with a Page who had
fometimes been entruſted with me. Glum
dalclitch parted from me, as if what was
to happen had been foretold. The Boy
took me in my Box to the Sea-fhore,
where I order'd him to fet it down, and
lifting up one of my Safhes, caft many
a wifhful melancholy Eye to the Sea. I
told the Boy I was not very well, and
would therefore try to take a Nap in my
Hammock. I foon fell aſleep, and the
Page, who imagin'd no Danger could
happen, went to look for Birds Eggs in
the Clefts of the Rocks; this I conjecture,
having feen him, from my Window, pick
up one or two before. I found my felf
awak'd on a fudden, by a violent Pull
upon the Ring faftned to the Top of the
Box, which had almoſt tofs'd me out of
my Hammock. I perceiv'd my Box
rais'd into the Air, and moving with an
eaſy though a fwift Motion. I called
out feveral times, but to no purpoſe: I
look'd towards my Windows, but could
fee nothing but Sky and Clouds. I heard
a Noife like the flapping of Wings over
my Head, which made me certain that
fome Eagle had got the Ring of my
H 2
Box
148
A VOYAGE
Box in his Beak, and would let it fall
upon a Rock, like a Tortoife, and pick
out my Body to devour it. In a little
time the Noife and Flutter of Wings en-
creaſed, and I found my felf toffed up
and down, till on a fudden I fell per-
pendicularly down for the Space of a Mi-
nute, with that incredible Velocity, that
I almoſt loft my Breath. My Fall was
ftopp'd by a terrible Squaſh, which found-
ed louder to me than the Cataract of
Niagara; after which, I was in the Dark
for another Minute, and then could fee
Light through the Tops of my Windows.
I perceived now that I was fallen into
the Sea, and that my Box floated Five
Foot deep in Water. The Plates of
Iron, faftened to the Bottom of it, pre-
ferved it from breaking on the Surface
of the Water. Every Joint was well
grooved, and the Door moving up and
down, like a Safh, was fo tight, that
very little Water came in. I got out
of my Hammock with much Difficulty,
having firſt opened the Hole at the Top
of my Box to let in Air, for want of
which I found my felf almoſt ſtifled.
Although, in the midſt of theſe Misfor-
tunes, I could not forbear reflecting on
the Condition of my poor Gludalclitch,
whofe
to BROBDINGNAG. 149
whofe Ruin muſt confequently happen
from this Accident. Many Travellers
have not been in greater Diftrefs than I
was at this Time, under Apprehenſions of
feeing my Box dafh'd to Pieces, or over-
fet; even the Breach of one fingle Pane
of Glafs would have been immediate
Death; nor could any thing have pre-
ferv'd my Windows but the Iron Wire,
which was placed on the Outfide to pre-
vent Accidents in Travelling. I was four
Hours, thus expecting every Moment
would be my laft. The Reader, in a
former Defcription of this Box, may re-
member there were two ftrong Staples
fixed to the Side which had no Window,
into which a Servant put a Leathern
Belt, and buckled it about his Waiſt
when he carried me on Horſeback; I
heard a Noiſe on that Side, and began to
fancy my Box pulled, or towed, along in
the Sea This gave me fome faint Hopes,
and I ventur'd to unfcrew one of my
Chairs, which was faſtened to
to the
Floor, by which means I got up to the
Hole at the Top, and called out for Help
in every Language I understood; and
faftening my Handkerchief to a Stick, I
thruft it through the Hole, and waved
it in the Air, that if any Ship or Boat
H 3
,
was
150
A VOYAGE
f
1
was near, they might come to my Relief.
I found no Effect from what I had done,
but, in about the Space of an Hour, that
Part of the Box where the Staples were
fix'd, ftruck againſt fomething that was
hard, which I apprehended to be a Rock:
At Length I heard a Noife, at the Top
of my Clofet, like the grating of a Cable
paffing through the Ring, and found my
1elf hoisted up, whereupon I thruſt up
my Stick and Handkerchief, calling for
Help, till I was almoft hoarfe; in Return
to which I heard a great Shout, which
gave me inexpreffible Joy. I now heard
a trampling over my Head, and fome-
bcdy calling, through the Hole, in the
English Tongue; If there be any Body
below, let them fpeak. I anfwered, I
was an Englishman, drawn by ill Fortune
into the greateſt Calamity ever Mortal
underwent, and defired to be deliver'd
cut of the Dungeon I was in, The Voice
replied, I was fafe, and that the Car-
penter fhould faw a Hole in the Cover
large enough to take me out. I, not
thinking I had got among People of my
own Stature and Strength, anfwer'd, That
one of them might put his Finger in the
Ring, and take the Box out of the Sea,
and fo into the Captain's Cabbin. Some
of
to BROBDINGNAG. 151
of them hearing me talk fo wildly, thought
I was mad, and others laughed. The
Carpenter foon came and made a Hole,
through which I was taken into the Ship,
in a very weak Condition. The Sailors
amaz'd, ask'd mc a Thoufand Queſtions,
and I was equally confounded at the Sight
of fo many Pigmies, for fo they appear'd
to me after the monftrous Objects I had
fo lately feen: But the Captain, Mr. Tho-
mas Wilcox, an honeft Shropshire-Man,
obferving I was ready to faint, took me
into his Clofet, and gave me a Cordial to
comfort me, and adviſed me to take a
little Reft upon it. Before I went to fleep,
I told him the Furniture of my Box was
too good to be loft, and if he would let
one of the Crew bring it into his Cabbin,
I would fhew him the Goods. The Cap-
tain thought I was raving by my Dif
courfe; however, to pacify me, he pro-
mis'd it fhould be done, and, going upon
Deck, order'd fome of the Men to go
down into my Clofet, which they ftript,
but not without Damage to the Bedſted,
Chairs, and Cabinet, which were ſcrew'd
to the Floor, and let the Hulk fink into:
the Sea. I am glad I was not a Spectator-
of the Havock they made, being confi--
dent;
H 4.
152
A VOYAGE
dent it would have brought fome Paffages
to my Mind, which I was willing to for-
get. I flept fome Hours, and found my
felf much refreſhed when I awaked. The
Captain thinking I had fafted too long,
order'd Supper, and entertain'd me very
kindly. When we were alone, he de-
fir'd a Relation of my Travels, and by
what Accident I came adrift in that mon-
ftrous wooden Cheft. He faid, when he
firſt ſpied it, he thought it a Sail, which
he had a Mind to make, in hopes of buy-
ing fome Biſcuit, his own beginning to
fall fhort That coming nearer, he found
his Error, and order'd his Long-boat out
to diſcover what I was, and his Men
came back in a Fright, fwearing they had
feen a fwimming Houfe. He laughed at
them, and went into the Boat himſelf,
ordering his Men to take fome Cables
with them. That rowing round me he
diſcover'd the two Staples, and order'd
his Men to faften a Cable to one of
them, and tow my Cheft (as he called it)
to the Ship. When it was there, he or-
der'd them to raife it up with Pullies,
which all the Sailors were not able to do
above two or three Foot.
I
!
!
He
to BROBDINGNAG. 153
He ſaid they faw my Stick and Hand-
kerchief, and concluded fome unhappy
Man muſt be ſhut up in that Cavity. I
enquired, whether any of his Crew had
obferved any prodigious Birds in the Air,
about the Time they diſcovered me? He
told me, one of his Men faid he had feen
Three Eagles, flying towards the North,
but were fo high, that they did not ſeem
extraordinary large. I then asked the
Captain, How far he reckoned we might
be from Land? He faid, by the beſt
Computation he could make, we were, at
leaft, a Hundred Leagues. I affured
him, he was miſtaken, for I had not left
the Country I came from above Two
Hours, before I dropp'd into the Sea.
He again thought me diſtracted, and ad-
vifed me to go to reft. I affured him,
I was as much in my Senfes, as ever 1 was
in my Life; upon which, he ſeriouſly
asked me, Whether my being expofed in
that Cheft, was not defigned as a Puniſh-
ment for fome Crime I had committed ?
for although he ſhould be forry to have
taken fuch a Man into his Ship, he pro-
mifed to fet me fafe on Shore at the firſt
Port. He added, his Sufpicions were in-
creaſed by my abfurd Speeches to the
Sailors, as well as by my Looks and Be-
haviour
154
A VOYAGE
haviour at Supper. 1 begg'd his Patience
to hear my Story, which I related faith-
fully, from the Moment I left England, to
his firſt diſcovering me; and as Truth
foon prevails on rational Minds, he was
foon convinc'd of my Candour and Ve-
racity; but to confirm what I faid, I
opened my Cabinet, and fhew'd him fome
Rarities I had collected in the Country
from whence I came. There was the
Comb, which I had made of the Stumps.
of the King's Beard, and another of the
fame Materials, but fixed into the Parings
of her Majefty's Thumb-Nail, which ferv-
ed for the Back. A Collection of Pins
and Needles, from a Foot to half a Yard
long; Four Wafps Stings, like Joyners
Tacks; fome Combings of the Queen's
Hair; a Gold Ring, which the Queen
took off her little Finger, and put it over
my Head, like a Collar. I' offer'd to
make him a Prefent of the Ring, but he
abfolutely refuſed it.
it. I fhew'd him a
Corn I cut from a Maid of Honour's Toe,
as big as a Kentif Pippin, which I after-
wards made into a Cup, and fet in Silver.
I could perfuade him to accept of nothing
among my Curiofities, but a Footman's
Tooth, which he received with abundance
of Thanks. It was drawn by an unskil-
ful
to BROBDINGNAG. 155
ful Surgeon from one of my Nurfe's Foot-
men, but was as found as any in his Head.
This I kept as a Rarity, it being about a
Foot long, and Four Inches in diameter.
The Captain was very well fatisfied with
this plain Relation, and faid, he hop'd I
would oblige the World with it, by mak-
ing it Publick. I anfwered him, That I
thought there was too great a Number of
Books on Travels; that nothing paffed
but what was extraordinary, wherein I
doubted, fome Authors lefs confulted
Truth, than the Intereft or Diverfion of
ignorant Readers. That my Hiſtory
could contain nothing more than common
Events, except the ftrange Products of
the Country, and Cuſtoms of the People,
with which moft Writers abound. How-
ever, I thanked him for his good Opinion,
and promiſed to think of his Propofal.
Obferving that I fpoke very loud, he ask-
ed me, Whether the King and Queen of
that Country were thick of Hearing? I
told him, The Height of the People, a-
mong whom I had been for above Two
Years paft, occafion'd my ſpeaking fo
loud; and that I admired as much at the
Voices of him and his Men, who feemed
to me only to whiſper, and yet I could
hear them well enough. I told him, that
I
156
A VOYAGE
¡
1
I likewife obferv'd, when I firſt entered
the Ship, his Sailors appeared to me the
moft minute, contemptible Creatures, I
had ever beheld; for indeed, while I
was in that Prince's Country, I could not
endure to look in a Glafs, becauſe the
Compariſon between the Inhabitants and
my ſelf, gave me a deſpicable Conceit of
my Stature. The Captain faid, he ob-
ferv'd, that while we were at Supper, I
feem'd amazed at every thing, and could
hardly forbear Laughter, which he knew
not well how to take, but imputed it to
fome Diſorder in my Brain. I anfwered
it was very true, and that well I might,
when his Diſhes ſeemed to me of the Size
of a Silver Three-pence, a Leg of Pork,
but a Mouthful, and a Cup not fo big
as a Nut-fhell; and fo I went on defcrib-
ing the rest of his Houfhold-Stuff, and
Proviſions after the fame Manner. For
although the Queen had furniſhed me
with a little Equipage of all Things ne-
ceffary, my Ideas were wholly employ'd
in what I faw about me, and I winked
at my own Littlenefs, as People do at their
own Faults. The Captain underſtanding my
Raillery, reply'd, with the old English Pro-
verb, That he doubted my Eyes were big-
ger than my Belly; for he did not obferve
my
to BROBDINGNAG. 157
my Stomach extraordinary, though I had
fafted all Day. And continuing his Mirth,
vow'd, he would have given an Hundred
Pounds to have feen my Cloſet in the
Eagle's Beak, and its Fall into the Sea,
which would have been an Object worthy
of having the Defcription of it tranfmit-
ted to Poſterity: And the Compariſon of
Phaeton was fo obvious, that he could not
forbear applying it, although I did not
much admire the Conceit. The Captain
having been at Tonquin, was, in his Return
Home, driven North-Eastward to the
Latitude of 44°, and of Longitude 143.
But meeting a Trade-wind, we failed South-
ward a long Time, and coafting New Hol-
land, kept our Courfe Weft-South-Weft,
and then South-South-Weft, till we doubled
the Cape of Good Hope. We had a pro-
fperous Voyage, but I fhall not trouble
the Reader with a Journal of it. The
Captain called in at one or two Ports, and
took in Provifions and freſh Water. But
I never left the Ship, till we arriv'd in the
Downs, which was on the 3d of June,
1706. being Nine Months after my Ef
cape. I offered to leave my Goods in Se-
curity for Payment of my Freight; but
he refufed to take any thing. We took
kind Leave of each other, and I made
him
158
A VOYAGE
him promiſe he would come to fee me at
my Houſe. I took Horfe for London, and
as I was on the Road, obferving the Lit-
tleneſs of the Trees, Cattle and People,
began to think I was at Lilliput; and be-
ing afraid of trampling on every Travel-
ler I met, had like to have had my Head
broke, for calling aloud to them to ftand
out of the way. When I came to my
own Houſe, one of the Servants opening
the Door, I ſtooped to go in (like a Gooſe
under a Gate) for fear of ftriking my
Head. My Wife ran out to embrace me,
but I ftoop'd lower than her Knees, think-
ing fhe could not otherwife reach my
Mouth. My Daughter kneeled to ask
Bleffing, but I could not fee her till fhe
rofe, having been uſed to Objects above
Sxity Foot high, and look'd down upon
every Body in the Houfe, 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. In fhort, I behav'd my felf in fuch
a Manner, that they concluded I had loft
my Senfes. This I mention as an Inſtance
of the great Power of Habit and Preju-
dice. In a little Time my Family and I
came to a right Underſtanding, and my
Wife proteſted I fhould go to Sea no
more;
to BROBDINGNAG.
159
more; but my evil Fate fo ordered it,
that ſhe had no Power to prevent it, as
the Reader may know hereafter. In the
mean Time, I here conclude the Second
Part of my unfortunate Voyages.
· The END of the SECOND PART.
TRAVELS.
PART III.
A Voyage to LAPUTA, BALNI-
BARBI, LUGGNAGG, Glubb-
DUBDRIB, and JAPAN.
CHAP. I.
The Author undertakes a third Voyage; is taken
by the Pirates. The Malice of a Dutch-
man. His Arrival at an Iland. He is re-
ceived into Laputa.
I
Had not been long at home
before Captain Robinfen, Com-
mander of the Hopewell, a
Ship of three hundred Ton,
came to make me a Vifit.
He complimented me on my Arrival, ask-
B
ing
2
A VOYAGE
ing, whether I was refolved to fettle for
Life? Adding, that he intended a Voyage
to the East-Indies in two Months. He in-
vited me at laſt, not without fome Apolo-
gy, to be Surgeon to his Ship, with un-
common Advantages; that, knowing my
Experience in Sea Affairs, he would fol-
low my Advice, as if I had a Share in the
Command. I was fo thoroughly acquaint-
ed with the Honefty of the Man, that I
could not reject his Propoſals. Nothing
was wanting but my Wife's Confent,
which I obtained by the Profpect of the Ad-
vantage it might be to her Children. We
failed the 5th Day of August 1706, and
arriv'd at Fort St. George the 11th of A-
pril 1707, and refresh'd our Crew, many
of whom were fick. Thence we went to
Tonquin, where the Captain was reſolved
to ſtay till the Goods were ready that he
was to take on Board, which could not be
in fome Months. To defray his Expen-
ces, during his Stay, he bought a Sloop
loaded with Goods, in which the Tonqui-
nefe trade to the neighbouring Ilands; and,
putting fourteen Men on Board, appoint-
ed me Mafter, with Power to traffick,
while he tranfacted his Affairs. After
three Days Sail a Storm, arifing, drove
us for five Days, North North Eaft, and
then
to LAPUTA, Ve.
3
then Eaſt, when we had better Weather.'
The tenth Day we were chafed by two
Pirates, who overtook and boarded us,
our Sloop being deep laden; and find-
ing us on our Faces, for fo I gave Order,
they pinioned us and fet a Guard, while
they fearched the Sloop. There was a-
mong them a Dutchman, of fome Autho-
rity, though not the Commander of the
Ship, who, knowing us to be Englishmen,
fwore we fhould be tied Back to Back, and
caft overboard. I anfwered him in Dutch,
which I fpoke pretty well, telling him
who we were, and begging him, that as
we were of the fame Religion, Neighbours,
and in ftrict Alliance, he would prevail on
the Captains to treat us with Compaf
fion But this only inflamed his Rage,
for he spoke with Indignation in the Ja-
panese Language, often ufing the Word
Chriftianos. One of the Pirate Ships was
under the Commard of a Japaneſe Cap-
tain, who, after fome Difcourfe with me,
in broken Dutch, faid we fhould not die.
Having faluted him, turning to the Dutch-
man, I faid, I was forry to find more Pity
from a Heathen than a Chriftian: But this
malicious Reprobate gave me Cauſe to
repent thofe rafh Words; for, though he
B 2
could
4
A VOYAGE
could not perfuade the Captains, in
Breach of their Promife, to take away my
Life, he, notwithſtanding, moved them
to inflict on me a feverer Puniſhment.
My Men were fent into the Pirate Ships;
and, as to my felf, it was agreed on, that
I fhould be fet a-drift in a ſmall Canoe,
with only four Days Provifions, which
the Captain was pleafed to double, not
permitting any Man to fearch me. Ha-
ving got down into the Cance, the Dutch-
man, being on Deck, loaded me with Im-
precations. A little before we faw the
Pirates, I had obferved that we were in
the Latitude of 46 N. and of Longitude
183, and, being at fome Diſtance from
them, by my Pocket-Perſpective, I diſco-
ver'd feveral Islands to the South-Eaſt,
the neareſt of which I reach'd in about
three Hours Sail. On this Ifland, though
rocky, I got Birds-Eggs, and kindled fome
Heath and dry Sea-Weed, to roaft them,
eating no other Supper, that I might
fpare my Provifions; and, ftrowing fome
Heath under me, I flept pretty well un-
der the Shelter of a Rock. The next
Day I arrived at another Ifland, and
thence failed to others, until at length I
reached the laſt in my View, which lay
South
to LAPUTA, Oc.
5
1
South South Eaft of the former, though
not in less than five Hours. I found, af
ter failing almoft round it, a fmall Creek
to land in, and obferved the liland to be
all rocky, only that here and there were
Tufts of Grafs and Sweet-Herbs. Ha-
ving refresh'd my felf, I fecur'd the Re-
mainder of my Provifions in a Cave, and
gathered many Eggs, with fome Sea-Weed
and parched Grafs, to roaſt them the next
Day, for I was furnished with a Flint,
Steel, Match, and Burning-Glaſs, to kin-
dle a Fire. I ſpent the Night in a Cave,
and made my Bed with Grafs and Sea-
Weed, bat flept very little; for though
I was weary, the Difquiets of my Mind
kept me awake. I reflected on the mi-
ferable Condition I was in; and think-
it defperate, I had not the Heart to rife
before the Day was far advanced. Walk-
ing among the Rocks, the Sky being very
clear, and the Sun fo hot that I was obli-
ged to turn my Back to it, I obferved it
became obfcured, though, methought, in
a very odd and extraordinary Manner. I
perceived a vaft dark Body between me
and the Sun, that moved towards the
Ifland, which appear'd to be two Miles
high, and obfcured the Sun feveral Mi-
B 3
nutes;
6 AVOYAGE
nutes; but the Air was not much cold-
er, nor the Sky more darken'd, than if
I had been under the Shade of a Moun-
tain. Approaching nearer to me, it ſeem-
ed to be a folid Subftance, the Bottom
flat, fmooth, and very bright, from the
Reflexion of the Sea. About two hundred
Yards from the Shore, I ftood upon a
Height, and faw this great Body deſcend-
ing almoſt to a Parallel with me, at leſs
than a Mile's Diſtance. By my Pocket-
Glafs, I plainly difcovered many People
moving on the Sid s of it; but, what
they were doing, I could not difcern. The
Love of Life gave me fome Motions of
Joy, and I was inclined to hope, that this
Adventure might help to deliver me from
my defolate Condition: But, at the fame
Time, I was inconceivably aftonish'd to
view an Ifland in the Air, inhabited by
Men, who could (as it ſeemed) make it rife
or fall, or put it in progreffive Motion, at
their Pleaſure. Being then not difpofed to
examine into the Nature of this Phenomenon,
I choſe to obferve which Way it would
move, for it feem'd for a while to ftand
ftill. When it advanced nearer, I beheld
its Sides, furrounded with Gradations of
Galleries and Stairs, at certain Intervals,
defcend-
to LAPUTA, Oc.
7
•
defcending from one to the other. In the
loweſt of theſe I ſaw People fishing, and
others looking on. Waving my Cap and
Handkerchief towards the Ifland, and,
upon its nearer Approach, calling to them
as loudly as I could; I obferved a Croud
gather to that Side which faced me, and
found, by their Behaviour, that they faw
me, though they made no Anſwer to
my Shouting; for four or five Men ran
haftily up to the Top of the Ifland, to
receive Orders from fome Perfon in Au-
thority on this Occafion. The Crowd
increafing, in lefs than half an Hour
the lowest Gallery appeared in a Paral-
lel of lefs than an hundred Yards Di-
ftance from me; and I addrefs'd them in
the moft fuppliant Manner, but received
no Anſwer. Thoſe who were next me
feemed, by their Drefs, to be Men of
Diftinction, who, conferring together
earneftly, gaz'd often upon me. At laft
one of them called out to me in a beau-
tiful Dialect, in Sound like the Itali-
an; and I anfwered him in that Lan-
guage, hoping, at leaft, that the Ca-
dence would be more pleafing to his
Ears. My Meaning was eafily gueffed
at, though we did not underftand each
other;
B 4
8
A VOYAGE
other; for the People faw my Diftrefs,
and made Signs for me to go towards
the Shoar, which I did. The Island be-
ing raiſed to a proper Heighth, the
Verge directly over me, they let down
a Chain, with a Seat fixed to the Bot-
tom, in which they drew me up by
Pullies.
t
CHAP.
་
to LAPUTA, Sc. 9
CHAP. II.
The Humours of the Laputians defcribed.
An Account of their Learning. Of the
King and his Court. The Author's Recep-
tion there. The Inhabitants liable to Fears
and Perturbations. An Account of the
Women.
S foon as I alight, many People
flock'd about me, fome of whom
feem'd to be of better Quality.
They beheld me with Attonifh-
ment, as I did them, becauſe I had never
before feen any Perfons fo fingular in their
Shapes, Dreffes, and Complexions; having
their Heads all reclined, one of their
Eyes inward, and the other directly to
the Zenith, and their upper Garments
adorn'd with the Figures of Suns, Moons,
and Stars, interwoven with thofe of many
mufical Inftruments, fome of which are
unknown to us Europeans. Several among
the Crowd were cloath'd like Servants,
B 5
with
10
A VOYAGE
with a blown Bladder, fix'd like a Flail
to the End of a fhort Stick, which they
had in their Hands, in each of which
Bladders were a few dried Peafe or ſmall
Pebbles. I obſerv'd them to flap the
Mouths and Ears of one another with
theſe Bladders, which at firft, I thought
to be an unaccountable Practice: But I
foon learned, that their Minds are fo in-
tenfely fixed on fpeculative Subjects, that
they can neither fpeak themſelves, nor
hear others, unlefs rouzed by an outward
Touch on the Mouth and Ears.
On this
Account, they ufually keep a Flapper in
their Families (in the Original Climenole)
whofe Office it is, in Company, gently to
ftrike the Mouth of the Speaker, and
right Ear of the Hearer; and attend his
Mafter alfo in his Walks, now and then
flapping him on the Eyes, left, being
wrapp'd in Thought, he fhould fall down
a Precipice, hit his Head against a Poft,
or, in the Streets, joftle others, or be
joftled himself into the Kennel. By what
has been faid, the Reader may underſtand
the Proceedings of thofe People, as they
conducted me to the Top of the Ifland,
and thence to the King's Palace; for, in
our Way thither, they often forgot what
they were doing, leaving me to my felf,
neither
to LA PUTA, Oc.
I I
neither the Sight of my ftrange Habit
and Countenance, nor the Shouts of the
unthinking Vulgar, being able to move
them, until they were rouzed by their
Flappers. At length, arriving at the Pa-
lace, I enter'd into the Prefence-Chamber,
and beheld the King on his Throne, at-
tended by Perfons of the prime Nobility.
Near the Throne was a large Table full of
Globes and all Sorts of mathematical Inftru-
ments; but, notwithſtanding the Noiſe
of our Entrance, and the Hurry of the
Court, His Majesty took no Notice of
us; for being intent on a Problem, we
waited an Hour, before he had folved it.
As foon as the King was at Leifure, two
young Pages, ftanding by him with Flaps
in their Hands, gently ftruck him, the one
his Mouth, and the other his right Ear;
which made him ftart like one fuddenly
awak'd, obferve us, and recollect the Oc-
cafion of our Attendance. Upon his
ſpeaking to me, I was flapp'd alfō, tho' I
made Signs that I had no need of fuch an
Inftrument; which gave the King and
the whole Court a very low Opinion of
my Underſtanding. His Majefty, I ap-
prehended, ask'd me feveral Queſtions,
which I answered as well as I could :
But when he found that I was a Stran
gel
12
A VOYAGE
ger to their Language, being a Prince
very remarkable for Hofpitality; I was,
by his Order, allowed an Apartment in
his Palace, and two Servants to attend
me. Four Perfons of Diftinction, belong-
ing to the Court, honoured me with their
Company at Dinner, and we were ferv'd
with two Courſes, of three Difhes each.
In the firft Courfe, we had a Shoulder
of Mutton, cut in the Form of a Tri-
angle; a Piece of Beef into a Rhomboides,
with a Pudding into a Cycloid. The fe-
cond Courſe was a couple of Ducks,
trufs'd up like Fiddles; Sauſages and
Puddings in the Shape of Flutes and
Haut-boys,and a Breaft of Veal reſembling
a Harp; our Bread being cut into Cones,
Cylinders, and other mathematical Fi
gures. I at this Time prefumed to ask
the Names of many Things in their Lan-
guage, which the Perfons of Quality, by
the Means of their Flappers, were delighted
in anfwering, thereby to increaſe my Ad-
miration of their Abilities, when I fhould
be able to converfe with them. My Com-
pany withdrawing after Dinner, a Perſon,
attended by a Flapper, came, by the King's
Order, to teach me their Language, who
brought with him Books, and all other
Neceffaries, for that Purpofe. I took a
Lift
to LAPUTA, Uc. 13
Lift of many Words in Writing, pla-
cing the Tranflations in Columns over
against them, and, by the Care of my
Tutor, I learn'd feveral fhort Sentences,
which I alfo writ down. The Figures
of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, the Zodiack,
Tropicks, and Polar Circles, with thoſe of
many Planes and Solids, were likewife
fhewn me; and he taught me the Names
of all the mufical Inftruments, deſcribing
the general Terms of Art, by playing
on each of them. Upon his leaving me,
I rang'd all my Words and their Inter-
pretations alphabetically; and thus, hav-
ing a good Memory, I foon became ac-
quainted with their Language. Laputa,
which I have tranflated the Flying or
Floating Iſland, is a Word, whereof I could
not learn the genuine Etymology: They
fay that Laputa is a Corruption of La-
puntuh, which is derived from Lap, in the
ancient obfolete Language, fignifying
High, and Untuh a Governor But, this
Derivation feeming to be ftrain'd, I rather
think that Laputa was quafi Lap, outed, Lap
fignifying frictly the Dancing of the
Sun-Beams in the Ocean, and outed a
Wing; and this Conjecture I ventured to
propofe to the Learned among them. My
Cloths being obferved to be very indif
ferent,
14
A VOYAGE
ferent, a Taylor was fent for to take my
Meaſure for a new Suit, who did his Of-
fice in a different Manner from the Tay-
lors in Europe. He took my Height by a
Quadrant, and deſcribed the Dimenfions
of my Body with a Rule and Compaſſes;
but, notwithſtanding, by miftaking a Fi-
gure in the Calculation, my Cloths were
wretchedly made, which is an Accident
too frequent here to be much regarded.
Being confined to my Chamber fome
Days for want of Cloths, and by an In-
difpofition, I made my Dictionary much
larger; and, when I next waited on the
King, understood many of his Words,
and, after a Sort, returned him Anſwers.
His Majefty having given Orders that
the Inland fhould move North-Eaft and
by Eaſt, to the vertical Point of Lagado,
the Metropolis of his Dominions below up-
on the firm Earth, which was about ninety
Leagues diftant; we reached it in four
Days and an half, tho' I was altogether
infenfible of the progreffive Motion made
in the Air by the Ifland. On the fecond
Morning, the King himlelf, and the whole
Court, having prepared all their mufical
Inftruments, played on them for three
Hours together, and quite ftunned me
with their Noife. My Tutor, finding that
I was
1
1
15
to LAPUTA, U'c.
I was ignorant of the Meaning of this
Performance, told me, that the People of
this Ifland had their Ears adapted to.
hear the Mufick of the Spheres, which
always played at certain Times; and that
the Court was now ready to bear their
Part in whatever Inftrument they moit
excelled. In our Voyage towards Lagade,
by the King's Order, the Ifland ftopp'd
over feveral Towns and Villages, that
from thence he might receive the Peti-
tions of his Subjects. To this Purpoſe,
Packthreads were let down by fmall
Weights at the Bottom, on which the
People ftrung their Petitions, and fo they
mounted up into the Air, like the Scraps
of Paper faſtened by School-Boys at the
End of the String that holds their Kite ;
and Wine and Victuals, from below, were
fometimes drawn up by Pullies.
My mathematical Knowledge was of
great Ufe to me, in acquiring their Phra-
feology, as well as my Skill in Muſick;
for their Language depends very much
upon both thefe Sciences, and their Minds
are perpetually employed about Lines and
Figures. If they, for Inftance, praile the
Beauty of a Woman, or any other Ani-
mal, they deſcribe it by geometrical or
mufical Terms; and. I obferved, that the
very
16
A VOYAGE
very Joints, which were ferv'd to the
King's Table, were mathematically dif
fected. Their Houſes are very ill built,
the Walls Bevil, having not fo much as
a right Angle in any Apartment; for as
they defpife practical Geometry as vul-
gar and Mechanical, fo, their Inftructions
to their Work-men being too refin'd for
their Capacities, they commit perpe-
tual Blunders and Miftakes. They are
dextrous enough, indeed, in the Manage-
ment of the Rule, the Pencil, and the
Divider, but, in the common Actions of
Life, they are very awkward, and un-
handy; and the floweft and moſt per-
plexed in their Conceptions on all Sub-
jects, except Mathematicks and Mufick,
of any People that I have feen. They
reafon very badly, and are extreamly
given to Contradiction, unless they chance
to be in the right, which is not often
their Cafe. They are utter Strangers to
Wit, Fancy, and Invention; nor have
they any Words in their Language, to
exprefs thoſe Ideas, the forefaid Sciences
engroffing the whole Compaſs of their
Thoughts. Moft of them, and eſpecially
their Aftronomers, are much devoted to
judicial Aftrology, altho' they are afham'd
to own it publickly: But their ftrong
Dif-
to LAPUTA, UC.
17
3.
Difpofition towards News and Politicks,
always enquiring into publick Affairs, I
chiefly admired. The fame Difpofition I
have obferv'd among the greateſt Part
of the Mathematicians I have known in
Europe, tho' there doth not ſeem to be
the leaſt Analogy between the two Sci-
ences; unless they fuppofe, that, becaufe
the finalleft Circle contains as many De-
grees as the largest, the Government of
the World requires no more Abilities,
than the handling or turning of a Globe.
But, in my Opinion, this Quality fprings
from that natural Inclination in Mankind
to be more curious and conceited in Af-
fairs where they are leaft concerned, and
for which they are leaft qualified, either
by Art or Nature. Theſe People labour
under continual Difquietudes, which arife
from the various Changes they dread in
the celeftial Bodies: e. g. that the Earth,
by the conftant Approaches of the Sun
towards it, will, in Procefs of Time, be
abſorb'd; that the Face of the Sun muft,
at length, be incrufted with its own Ef
fluvia, and give no more Light; that
the Earth very narrowly efcap'd a Bruſh
from the Tail of the laft Comet, which
would elfe have infallibly confum'd it;
and that the next, which is to appear
one
18
A VOYAGE
one and thirty Years hence, will in al
Probability deſtroy us; for if, in its Pe
rihelion, it should approach within a
certain Degree of the Sun (as according
to their Calculations they find Reafon to
dread) its Heat will become ten thouſand
Times greater than that of red-hot glow-
ing Iron; and, in its Aphelion, carry a
blazing Tail ten hundred Thoufand and
fourteen Miles in Length; fo that if the
Earth fhould pafs within one hundred
thouſand Miles of the Nucleus, or main
Body of the Comet, it must, of course,
be ſet on Fire, and reduced to Aſhes;
that the Sun daily wafting its Rays, with-
out any Nourishment to fupply them,
will, in Time, be wholly confumed and
annihilated; upon which must follow the
Deſtruction of this Earth, and of all the
other Planets that borrow their Light
from the Sun. Such Apprehenfions, as
theſe, do fo perpetually alarm them,
that they can neither fleep with Comfort,
nor have a Tafte for the common Plea-
fures of Life. Upon their meeting an
Acquaintance in the Morning, they, in
the firft Place, enquire concerning the
Sun's Health and Afpect, and whether
there be any Hopes of avoiding the fa-
tal Influence of the approaching Comet.
This
to LAPUTA, Sc.
19
This Kind of Converfation they enter in-
to, with the fame Diſpoſition that Chil-
dren exprefs, who delight in Stories of
Apparitions and Hobgoblins, attend to
them with Greedineſs, and yet dare not
go to Bed for Fear.
The Women of Laputa have a great
Deal of Vivacity; they defpife their Huf-
bands, and are very fond of Strangers,
whereof many, from the Continent below,
attend at Court, either about the Buſineſs
of the feveral Towns and Corporations,
or their own private Affairs, altho' they
are much contemned, for the Want of the
fame Endowments. Out of theſe, the La-
dies chufe Lovers; but what's moft vex-
ing is, that they act with too much Eafe
and Safety, for, the Husband being al-
ways rapt in Thought, if he be but fur-
nish'd with Paper and Inftruments, and
without his Flapper, the Miftrels and her
Gallant may proceed, even to Enjoyment,
before his Face. Tho' this lfland be the
most delicious Tract of Ground in the
World, and the Wives and Daughters live
here in the most magnificent and plentiful
Manner, being allowed to do whatever
they pleafe; yet they look upon their
Abode in it as a Confinement, and long
to fee the Metropolis, which is not to
be
20
A VOYAGE
be done without a ſpecial Licenſe from
the King; and this is not to be had with-
out Difficulty, becauſe the Perfons of Qua-
lity have often found it hard to prevail
on their Women to return from below.
I was informed, that a great Court-Lady,
who had feveral Children, being Wife
to the prime Minifter, the wealthieft Sub-
ject in the Kingdom, a very comely Per-
fon, exceedingly fond of her, and dwells
in the fineft Palace of the whole Ifland,
under the Pretence of Health, went to
Lagado, and abfconded there feveral
Months, till the King, fending a Warrant
to fearch for her, fhe was diſcovered in
an obfcure Eating-houſe all in Rags, hav-
ing pawn'd her Cloths to fupport an old
deform'd Footman, who daily beat her,
and in whofe Company fhe was appre-
hended much against her Will: But, al-
though her Husband received her with all
imaginable Kindnefs, not in the leaft re-
proaching her, fhe foon found an Oppor-
tunity of returning, with all her Jewels,
to the fame Gallant, and hath not been
heard of fince. The Reader may, poffibly,
take this to be an European or English
Story, rather than one of Laputa;
he ought to confider, that the Caprices
of Womenkind are not confined to any
but
parti-
to LAPUTA, Sc. 21
particular Climate, but that they are
much more uniform than can eaſily be
conceived. In a Month's Time, I made
a pretty good Proficiency in the Lan-
guage, and, when I was admitted to wait
on the King, could anfwer moſt of his
Queftions. His Majefty was not in the
leaft inquifitive about the Laws, Religion,
Government, Hiftory, or Manners of the
Countries where I had travelled, his
Queſtions altogether turning upon the
State of Mathematicks; and he received
the Accounts I gave him, with no ſmall
Contempt and Indifferences, tho' often
rouz'd by his Flappers.
CHAP.
22
A VOYAGE
ZEIN ZEZE ZIJN KLAS
GA
CHA P. III.
A Phanomenon accounted for by modern Phi-
lofophy and Aftronomy. The great Improve-
ments of the Laputians in the latter. The
King's Method of fuppreffing Infurrections.
Asked Leave of the King to fee
the Curiofities of the Ifland, who
was graciouſly pleafed to grant it,
and appointed my Tutor to attend me.
I was moft defirous to learn the Caufe of
its feveral Motions, which I fhall now phi-
loſophically relate to the Reader.
The flying or floating Iſland is exactly
circular, and, being 7837 Yards in Dia-
meter, or about four Miles and a halt,
contains ten thouſand Acres. It is three
hundred Yards in Thicknefs; and the un-
der Surface, which is viewed from be-
low, is an even regular adamantine Plate,
about two hundred Yards high, over
which lie the feveral Minerals in their
uſual Order, and, above all, is a rich
Mould ten or twelve Feet deep. The
Decli-
to LAPUTA, Sc.
23
Declivity of the upper Surface is the
1 atural Caufe why all the Dews and Rains
that fall on the Iland, are conveyed in
fmall Rivulets to the Middle, where they
are emptied into four large Bafons, each
of which is about half a Mile in Circuit,
and two hundred Yards from the Cen-
ter. The perpetual Exhalations of the
Sun in the Day-time, effectually hinder
the Overflowing of the Water in thofe
Bafons; and befides, the Prince can, at
any Time, by raifing the Ifland above the
Region of Clouds and Vapours, prevent
the falling of Dews and Rains, for the
higheſt Clouds cannot afcend higher than
two Miles, according to the Naturalifts,
and, at leaft, never were known to rife
above that Heighth in Laputa. At the
Center of this Ifland, there is a Chaſm a-
bout fifty Yards in Diameter, which leads
into a large Dome, therefore called Flan-
dona Gagnole, or the Aftronomner's Cave, fi-
tuated a hundred Yards beneath the up-
per Surface of the Adamant. In this Cave
are twenty Lamps always burning, which
being reflected by the Adamant, enlight-
ten every Part of it. This Place is the
Repofitory for a vaft Variety of Sextants,
Quadrants, Teleſcopes, Aftrolabes, and o-
ther Aftronomical Inftruments. But the
mont
24
A VOYAGE
moft furpriſing Curiofity, on which the
Fate of the Ifland has a Dependance, is
a Loadſtone of prodigious Bulk, not un-
like a Weaver's Shuttle, being fix Yards
long, and in the thickest Part at leaſt three
Yards over. It is fuftained by an Axle
of Adamant paffing through its Middle,
and is poiſed fo truly, that a very weak
Hand can turn it; it is alfo hooped round
with an hollow Cylinder of Adamant,
four Feet in Depth and Thickneſs, and
twelve Yards in Diameter, placed Hori-
zontally, and upheld by eight adamantine
Feet, each fix Yards high; and in the
Middle of the concave Side there is a
Groove twelve Inches deep, wherein the
Extremities of the Axle are lodged, and
turned round when there is Occafion.
This Magnet is immoveable, for the Hoop
and its Feet are of a Piece with the Body
of Adamant, which conftitutes the Bot-
tom of the Ifland. The Ifland rifes and
finks, and moves from Place to Place, by
Means of the Loadſtone; for, as to that
Part of the Earth over which the King
prefides, it is endued at one Side with an
attractive, and at the other with a repul-
five Power. If the Magnet be placed e-
rect, with its attracting Extremity to-
wards the Earth, the Ifland falls; but
when
to LAPUTA, &c.
25
L
[
when the repelling End points downwards,
it directly afcends, and if its Pofition be
oblique, the Motion of the Iſland is fo
too, the Forces of the Loadftone always
acting in Lines parallel to its Direction.
By this oblique Motion the Iſland is con-
veyed to different Parts of the King's
Dominions, but it cannot move beyond
the Extent of them below, nor afcend
above the Heighth of four Miles;
becauſe, as the Aftronomers alledge, the
magnetick Virtue does not extend farther
than four Miles, and that the Mineral,
which acts upon the Stone in the Bowels
of the Earth, and in the Sea about fix
Leagues from the Shore, is confined with-
in the Bounds of the Monarch's Domini-
ons, and the mighty Advantage of fuch
a fuperior Situation rendered it eafy for
a Prince, to reduce under his Obedience
all Countries lying within the Attracti
on of that Magnet. When the Stone is
placed parallel to the Plane of the Ho-
rifon, the Iſland ftandeth ftill, for, its
Ends being equally diſtant from the Earth,
acting with equal Force, the one in pul-
ling downwards, the other in pushing up-
wards, it can have no other Motion
at all.
C
This
26
A VOYAGE
This Magnet is under the Direction
of certain Aftronomers, who place it in
whatever Poſition his Majefty pleaſes, and
employ the greateſt Part of their Lives,
in making Obſervations upon the heaven-
ly Bodies, wherein they are affifted by
Glaffes much better than ours.
By
means of this Advantage, they have made
many more Diſcoveries than our European
Aftronomers; for their Catalogue of
fix'd Stars contains ten Thoufand, tho'
in the largeſt of ours we have not above
a third Part of that Number. They
have alſo diſcovered two ſmaller Stars,
or Satellites, that revolve about Mars, the
innermoft of which is diftant from the
primary Planet three of his Diameters,
and the outermoft five, the former re-
volving in ten Hours, and the latter in
twenty One and a half; fo that the
Squares of their periodical Times are very
near proportional to the Cubes of their
Distance from the Center of Mars; from
which it evidently appears, that they are
under the Influence of that Law of Gra-
vitation, by which are governed the other
celeftial Bodies. It is confidently affirm-
ed, that they have obferved no lefs than
ninety three Comets, and exactly fettled
their feveral Periods; if this be Fact, it
is
to LAPUTA, Si.
27
3
1
+
is much to be wifh'd, that their Obſerva-
tions were publish'd, which might bring
the prefent defective Theory of Comets
to as great Perfection as any other Parts
of Aſtronomy.
The King would be the moſt abſolute
Prince in the World, if his Miniftry
could be prevailed on to join with him;
but theſe, being poffefs'd of Eftates below
on the Continent, and reflecting upon
the Uncertainty of a Court-Favourite's
Office, would never confent that their
Country fhould be enflaved. When any
Town engages in a Rebellion or Mutiny,
becomes factious, or will not pay the
uſual Tribute, the Monarch hath two
Ways of bringing them to Obedience.
The milder Method is, by letting the
Iſland hover over fuch a Town, and the
Lands adjacent, which deprives the In-
habitants of the Benefit of the Sun and
Rain, and of Courſe afflicts them with
Death and Diſeaſes; befides, if the Crime
deferves it, they are pelted from above
with large Stones, to avoid which, they
creep into Cellars or Caves, whilst the
Roofs of their Houfes are beaten to
Pieces: But if, notwithſtanding all this,
they perfift in their Obftinacy, he then
has Recourfe to the laſt and fevereft Re-
medy,
C 2
28
A VOYAGE
J
medy, by letting the Ifland fall directly
upon their Heads, which makes an uni-
verfal Havock both of Houſes and Men:
The Monarch is feldom driven to this
Extremity, being himſelf unwilling to
put it in Execution; and, fhould his Mi-
nifters adviſe him to fuch an Action, it
would not only expofe them to the Ha-
tred of the People, but would be of great
Prejudice to their own Eftates, which
are all below, for the Ifland is the King's
Demefn; but the moft weighty Reaton
of the Prince's Averſeneſs to fuch a ter-
rible Puniſhment, unleſs compell'd by
the laft Neceffity, is, that if the Town to
be deftroy'd have in it any tall Rocks,
or abound in high Spires or Pillars of
Stone, it might endanger the under Sur-
face of the Ifland, tho' it be one conti-
nued Piece of Adamant of vaft Thickneſs,
by either cracking, through too great a
Choque, or burfting, by too near an Ap-
proach to the Fires from the Houfes be-
low, as the Backs both of Iron and Stone
often do in our Chimnies. The People,
being appriz'd of this, know how far to
proceed in their Obftinacy, where their
Liberty or Property is concern'd
う
​and
the Prince, when moft provok'd, inſtead
of laying a City in Rubbish, orders the
Iland
to LAPUTA, &c. 29
Iiland to defcend very gently, pretend-
ing therein a Tendernefs for his Sub-
jects, but in Reality for Fear of break-
ing the adamantine Bottom; for, in this
Cafe, it is thought, by all their Philofo-
phers, that the Magnet could no longer
fuftain it, but the whole Mafs muft fall
into Confufion. It is a fundamental Law
of this Kingdom, that reither the King,
his two elder Sons, nor the Queen, till
he is paft Child-bearing, fhall leave the
Ifland.
CHAP.
C 3
30
AVOYAGE
@@@@@@dexaexdex@
CHAP. IV.
The Author, leaving Laputa, is convey'd to
Balnibarbi, and arrives at the Metropolis.
A Defcription of the Metropolis, and the
Country adjacent. The Author hoſpitably
entertained by a great Lord. His Conver-
fation with him.
HO' I was not ill ufed in this
Ifland, yet I thought my felf too
much neglected, and in fome Mea-
fure defpifed; for, neither Prince nor
People being verfed in any Branch of
Knowledge, befides Mathematicks and
Mufick, I was much their inferior in
thefe Sciences, and therefore very little
reſpected. On the other Hand, as I had
feen all the Curiofities of the Ifland, I
was extreamly willing to leave it, being
heartily weary of its Inhabitants; for
the People, being rapt in abftra&t Specu-
lations, were very difagreeable Compani-
ons, and I had none to converfe with,
but
to LAPUTA, Uc.
31
but Women, Mechanicks, Flappers, and
Court-Pages, during two Months that I
refided here, which rendered me very
contemptible; and yet from thoſe Perfons
alone I received reaſonable Anfwers. There
was a great Lord at Court, who, becauſe
he was a near Relation of the King's,
met with Refpect, but was generally
reckon'd the moft unthinking and ftupid
Perfon among them. Though he had
perform'd many important Services for
the Crown, had uncommon natural and
acquired Parts, and was a Perſon of Inte-
grity and Honour; yet, 'tis reported by
his Detractors, that he has often beat
Time improperly, and that his Tutors
could not, without great Pains, teach hinr
to demonftrate the most obvious Propo-
fitions in the Mathernaticks. This Noble-
man, who gave me many Proofs of his
Friendship, would often, in his Vifits,
enquire about the Affairs of Europe, and
liften to me very attentively, making
alfo the wifeft Remarks on what was
faid. He kept, indeed, two Flappers for
State, who never attended him, except at
Court or in Vifits of Ceremony, for they
always withdrew, when we were toge-
ther alone. This illuftrious Perfonage I
made ufe of, to obtain Leave of the
King
C 4
32
A VOYAGE
King for my Departure, which he did,
with Regret; for he had made feveral
advantageous Propoſals to me, which I
refuted.
On the 16th of February, I took
Leave of the Prince and his Court, his
Majefty making me a Prefent to the
Value of about two hundred Pounds En-
glish, and my Protector as much more,
with a Letter to a Friend of his in the
Metropolis; and, the Ifland then hover-
ing about two Miles from it, I was let
down in the fame Manner as I had been
taken up. That Part of the Continent,
which belongs to the Monarch of Laputa,
is called Barnibarbi, and the Metropolis,
Lagado. I was fomewhat fatisfied to find
my felf on Terra firma, and went to the
City without any Concern, being cloath'd
like the Natives, and able to converſe
with them. Having foon found out the
Perfon's Houſe, to whom I was recom-
mended, I delivered him the Letter from
his Friend in the Ifland, and he gave
me a very kind Reception; for this Lord,
whoſe Name was Munodi, allowed me an
Apartment in his own Houſe, where I
remain'd, during my Stay in Lagado, and
was treated in the moft obliging Manner.
The
to LAPUTA, Sc.
33
The next Morning, he took me in his
Chariot to ſee the City, which is about
half as large as London, but the Houſes
are ftrangely built, and the greateſt Part
of them want to be repaired. The People
in the Streets walk'd faft, had a wild
Afpect, their Eyes being fixed, and were
moft of them in Rags. Paffing through
one of the City-Gates, we went three Miles
into the Country, where I obferved many
Labourers at Work, with feveral Sorts
of Tools in the Ground, but could not
guess what they were doing, nor did I
lee the leaft Hopes either of Corn or
Grafs, tho' the Soil feem'd to be excel-
lent. Theſe odd Sights, both in Town
and Country, fill'd me with Admiration;
and I made bold to defire my Con-
ductor, that he would explain to me the
Meaning of fo many buſy Heads, Hands,'
and Faces, becauſe I did not find that
they produced any good Effects; but,
on the other Hand, I never faw a Soil
to
10 wretchedly cultivated, Houfes fo ill
contrived and ruinous, or any People,
whofe Looks and Habit expreffed fo
much Want and Mifery.
The Lord Munodi was a Grandee
of the firft Rank, and had been fome
Years Governor of Lagado, but, by a Ca-
C 5
Dal
34
A VOYAGE
bal of Minifters, was removed for Infuf-
ficiency; tho' the King treated him with
Tenderneſs, as an honeft Man, but of a
flender Capacity. In Anſwer to my En-
quiry, my Lord told me, that I had not
been long enough in the Country, to
form a right Judgment of the Manners
of its Inhabitants; that different Nations.
had different Cuſtoms, with other Things
to the fame Purpoſe. When we return'd
to his Palace, he ask'd my Opinion about
the Buildings, and how I lik'd the Drefs
and Countenances of his Domefticks ;
which he might with Safety do, becauſe
all Things about him were magnificent,
uniform, and polite? I answered, that the
Defects, occafioned by the Folly and Po-
verty of others, were prevented by his
Lordship's Wifdom, Quality, and For-
tune. He faid, if I would go with him
to his Country - Houſe, about twenty
Miles from the Town, where his Eſtate
lay, we ſhould have more Time for fuch
Converfation (as this; and when I had
gratefully accepted this kind Invitation,
it was determined that we fhould fet
out the next Morning. As we proceeded
in our Journey, he let me into the Me-
thods ufed by the Farmers in managing
their Lands, which to me were altogether
unac-
1
to LAPUTA, Sc. 35
ค
1
unaccountable, for in very many Places
I could not obſerve ſo much as a fingle
Ear of Corn or Blade of Grafs: But, in
the Space of three Hours, we came into
a delightful Country, the Farmers Houſes
at ſmall Diſtances, neatly built, the Land
fenced, containing Vineyards, Cornfields,
and Meadows, nor did I ever fee a more
beautiful Profpect. His Excellency, ob-
ferving my Countenance clear up, told.
me with a Sigh, that here his Eſtate be-
gan, and would continue the fame, until
we came to his Houſe ; that his Coun-
trymen defpifed him for managing his
Affairs fo ill, and for giving fo bad an
Example to the Kingdom; which, how-
ever, was follow'd but by a very few,
that were old, weak, and wilful, like
himſelf.. At length we came to his
Lordship's Houſe, a magnificent Structure,
built according to the beft Rules of an-
cient Architecture. The Fountains, Gar-
dens, Walks, Avenues, and Groves, did
all diſcover a nice Judgment, and ele-
gant Tafte. Tho' I praifed every Thing I
faw, his Lordfhip did not in the leaft
take Notice of what I fpoke, until we
were alone after Supper; when he told
me with Concern, that he fear'd he mufl
be obliged to demolifh his Houfes, both
in
36
A VOYAGE
in Town and Country, to rebuild them
after the modern Mode, root up all his
Plantations, and caft them into the ufual
Form, and order his Tenants to do the
fame, unleſs he would be cenfur'd as
proud, fingular, affected, ignorant, capri-
cious, and, perhaps, increaſe the King's
Diſpleaſure. He affured me, that my
Admiration would ceafe, or abate, when
I fhould be inform'd of fome Particulars,
which in all Probability I never was told
at Court, the People there little regard-
ing what happens below.
The Sum of his Difcourfe was, as fol-
lows, viz. That, forty Years ago, fome
Perfons went up to Laputa, either on Bu-
nefs or for Pleafure, who, being feveral
Months there, at length return'd with a
very ſmall fmattering of Mathematicks,
altho' full of volatile Spirits acquir'd in
that airy Region. That theſe Perſons,
dilliking the Management of every Thing
below, advanc'd Schemes for fetting all
Arts, Sciences, Languages, and Mecha-
nicks on a new Foot; and for this Pur-
pofe obtained the King's Patent,for Found-
ing an Academy of PROJECTORS
in Lagado, the Humour taking fo very
much with the People, that there is not
a confiderable Town in the Kingdom with-
out
to LAPUTA, Sc.
37
out an Academy. In thefe Colleges the
Profeffors invent new Rules and Methods-
of Agriculture and Building, as alfo new
Tools for all Trades and Manufactures,
whereby one Man fhall do the Work
of Ten, and a Palace may be fo built in
a Week's Time, as to laft for ever, with-
out repairing. They undertake likewiſe,
to contrive a Method, by which the
Fruits of the Earth fhall ripen, when we
pleaſe, and produce an hundred Fold
more than it does at preſent, with num-
berleſs other great Propofals, tho' none
of thoſe Projects are yet brought to Ma-
turity, and the Country all the while
lies wafte, the Houfes are ruinous, and
the Inhabitants ftarving and in Rags.
Thefe Things, inftead of being Diſcou-
ragements to them, make them fifty Times
more eager in the Purfuit of their
Schemes, Hope and Defpair equally urg-
ing them. My Lord further told me,
that, for his own Part, being not of a
projecting Spirit, he was content to tread
in the Steps of his Anceſtors, live as they
did, and act like them in every Particular;
that a few others among the Quality and
Gentry had done the fame, but were de-
ſpiſed and hated, as Enemies to Art, ig-
norant and regardleſs of their Country,
pre
38
A VOYAGE
preferring their own Eafe and Indolence
to the publick Good. His Excellency
being unwillnig to prevent the Pleaſure
I ſhould have, in feeing the grand Aca-
demy, concluded his Difcourfe, with de-
firing me to obferve a ruinous Building
on the Side of a Mountain, about three
Miles diftant, of which he gave me the
following Account: That he had a very
ufeful Mill, within half a Mile of his
Houfe, and turned by a Current from a
large River, which not only ferved his
own Family, but many of his Tenants:
That, about feven Years ago, a Sett of
thoſe Projectors propos'd to deſtroy this
Mill, and build another on the Side of
that Mountain, on the long Ridge where-
of a large Canal muft be cut for a Refer-
voir of Water, to be convey'd by Pipes
and Engines to fupply the Mill; becauſe
the Wind and Air upon a Height agi-
tated the Water, and fo made it fitter for
Motion; and becauſe the Water, defcend-
ing from an Height, would turn the Mill
with half the Current of a River, which
runs more upon a Level: He faid, that
not being at this Time very well with
the Court, and prefs'd by many of his
Friends, he fell in with the Propofal;
and, tho' he had employ'd an hundred
Men
to LAPUTA, Sc.
39
In a
Men, for two Years, the Defign mifcar-
ried, the Projectors going off, laying the
whole Blame on him, in abufing him ever
fince, and putting others on the fame
Project, with as great Affurance of Suc-
cefs, and equal Difappointment.
few Days we return'd to Lagado; and
his Lordship, not caring to go with me
to the Academy himſelf, where he was
deſpis'd and hated, prevail'd upon a Friend
of his to accompany me thither; and his
Excellency was pleas'd to tell him, that
I was a great Admirer of new Schemes,
and a Perfon very curious and credulous,
which was far from being falſe, for in
my Youth I my felf had been a kind of
a Projector.
CHAP.
40
A VOYAGE
CHAP. V.
The Author admitted to fee the Grand Aca-
demy of Lagado. The Academy defcribed
at large. The Arts wherein the Profeſſors
employ themselves.
T
HIS Academy is a Continuation
of feveral Houfes on both Sides
of the Street, which, becoming
wafte, were purchaſed and applied to that
Ufe. The Warden received me kindly,
and I went for many Days to the Aca-
demy. There is not a fingle Room without
one or more Projectors, tho' I believe there
are at leaſt five hundred Rooms. The firſt
Projector I faw had a meagre Afpe&t, footy
Hands and Face, with his Hair and Beard
long, ragged, and fing'd in many Places;
and his Cloths, Shirt, and Skin were all
of a Colour. He had been eight Years
labouring to extract Sun-Beams out of
Cucumbers, which were to be kept in
Vials hermetically fealed, towarm the Air
1
in
+
to LAPUTA, 5c. 41
}
in inclement Seafons. He affured me, that,
in eight Years more, he fhould be able
to ſupply the Governor's Gardens with
Sun-fhine at a reafonable Rate; but in
the mean time he complained, that his
Stock was near exhaufted, and intreated
me to give him fomething, as an Encou-
ragement to Ingenuity, and the rather,
becauſe Cucumbers had been very dear
this Seafon. I made him a fmall Prefent,
his Lordship having furnished me with
Money on Purpofe, becauſe he knew that
they beg from all that go to fee them.
Paffing into another Chamber, I could
hardly forbear running back, being al-
moft overcome with an horrible Stink ;
but my Guide forced me forward, and
conjured me in a Whifper not to give
them the leaft Offence, which they would
highly refent, fo that I durft not fo
much as ftop my Nofe: This Cell
belong'd to the moft ancient Student of
the Academy, whofe Face and Beard
were of a pale Yellow, his Hands and
Cloths being dawb'd over with Filth.
When I was prefented to him, he em-
braced me very clofely; (which Compli-
ment I could have very well fpared. )
This Projector, has been employed, ever.
fince his Admiffion into the Academy,
about
42
A VOYAGE
about an Experiment to reduce human
Ordure to its original Food, by feparating
its feveral Parts, taking off the Tincture
it receives from the Gall, caufing the
Odour to exhale, and Scumming of the
Saliva; and he is allowed every Week by
the Society a Veffel of human Ordure, as
big as a Bristol Barrel.
Another I faw at work, to calcine Ice
into Gunpowder, who fhew'd me a Trea-
tife he had compos'd on the Malleability of
Fire, which he defign'd to publiſh. There
was a very ingenious Architect, who had
projected a new Method of building Hou-
fes, by beginning at the Roof and ending
at the Foundation, wherein, he told me,
he followed the prudent Examples of
the Bee and the Spider. There was like-
wife a Projector born blind, who had fe-
veral Apprentices in the fame Condition:
Their Bufinefs was to mix Colours for
Painters, which they were taught by their
Mafter to diftinguifh by the Senfes of
Feeling and Smelling. I found them at
this Time not very expert in their Lef
fons, and their Profeffor himſelf was ge-
nerally miſtaken; but, this Artift is, not-
withstanding, encouraged and refpected
by the whole Society. I was extreamly
pleas'd with a Man in another Apart-
ment,
to LA PUTA,
43
c.
ment, who had invented a Device, of
ploughing Land with Hogs, to fave the
Expence of Plows, Cattle, and Labour.
If you would ufe his Method, in an
Acre of Ground bury, at fix Inches Dif-
tance, and eight in Depth, a Quantity of
Acorns, Dates, Chefnuts, and other
Things of which Hogs are fondeft; then
drive fix Hundred or more of theſe Ani-
mals into the Field, and in a little Time
they will root up the Land, and make
it fit for fowing, manuring it alſo with
their Dung. It is certain, upon Trial,
they found the Charge and Trouble very
confi lerable, and the Crop very ſmall; yet
it is not queftion'd but this Invention may
admit of great Improvements. I obferv'd,
in another Room, all the Walls and Ciel-
ing hung round with Cobwebs, except a
narrow Paffage left for the Artiſt to go
in and out at: No fooner had I enter'd,
than he loudly call'd to me, not to diſor-
der his Webs. He was concern'd that
the World had fo long given Way to a
fatal Error, in ufing Silk-worms, when
we abound fo much in Spiders, which in-
finitely excel them, becauſe they know
how to weave as well as fpin. He pro-
pos'd further, that, by employing thoſe
domeftick Animals, the Charge of dying
Silks
44
A VOY A GE
Silks would be wholly faved, which he
made evident to me, by fhewing us a
vaft Variety of Flies most beautifully co-
lour'd, with which he fed his Spiders,
affuring us that the Webs would derive
a Tincture from them; and, as he was
furniſh'd with Flies of all Colours, he
hop'd to pleaſe every one's Fancy, as foon
as he should difcover proper Food for
them of certain Gums, Oils, and other
glutinous Matter, to give a Strength and
Confiftence to the Threads. I faw an
Aftronomer, who propos'd to fix a Sun-
Dial upon the Weather-cock on the
Town-houſe, by adjusting the annual and
diurnal Motions of the Earth and Sun to
the accidental Turnings of the Wind.
Upon my complaining of a Fit of the
Cholick, I was led into the Room of a
Phyfician, who was famous for curing this
Diftemper by contrary Operations from
the fame Inftrument. He was furniſh'd
with a large Pair of Bellows, that had
a long, flender, ivory Muzzle, which he
convey'd eight Inches up the Anus; and,
drawing in the Wind, he faid he could
render the Guts as lank as a dried Blad-
der. But if the Diſeaſe was more obftinate
and violent, he put in the Muzzle, while
the Bellows were full of Wind, which he
dif
to LA PUTA, Uc.
45
་
>
diſcharged into the Patient's Body, and
then withdrew the Inftrument to repleniſh
it, clapping his Thumb ftrongly againſt
the Orifice of the Fundament; and this
Operation being three or four times re-
peated, the adventitious Wind, rufhing
out, would bring the noxious along with
it (like Water put into a Pump) and fo
cure the Patient. Having feen him try
both theſe Experiments on a Dog, I did
not obſerve any Effect from the former.
After the latter, the Animal was ready
to burft, making a violent Diſcharge that
was very offenfive to us. The Dog died
on the Spot, and we left the Doctor at-
tempting to recover him by the fame O-
peration. We vifited many other Apart-
ments, but, being ftudious of Brevity, I
fhall not enter into an Account of all the
Curiofities I obferv'd in them.
As yet I had only feen one Side of the
Academy, the other belonging to the Im-
provers of fpeculative Learning, whom I
fhall defcribe, as foon as I have taken No-
tice of an illuftrious Perfon, who is call'd
among them, The univerfal Artist. He told
us, he had been for thirty Years employ-
ing his Mind, for the Benefit of Mankind.
He had as many Curiofities as fill'd two
large Rooms, and fifty Men at Work.
Some
46
A VOYAGE
Some were condenfing Air into a dry tan-
gible Subſtance, by extracting the Nitre,
and percolating the aqueous or fluid Par-
ticles; others foftening Marble for Pil-
lows and Pincushions; whilft others were
petrifying the Hoofs of a living Horſe, to
keep them from foundering. The Artift
himſelf was now very intent upon two
important Defigns; the one to fow Land
with Chaff, which, in his Opinion, con-
tain'd the true feminal Virtue, as he de-
monftrated by feveral Experiments, which
were above my Comprehenfion. The o-
ther was, by a Compofition of certain
Gums, Minerals, and Vegetables, to hin-
der the Growth of Wooll upon two young
Lambs; and he hop'd, in Time, to pro-
pagate the Breed of naked Sheep over
all Parts of the Kingdom. Having crofs'd
a Walk to the other Side of the Academy,
where the Projectors of fpeculative Learn-
ing refide; the firft I faw was a Profef
for in a very large Room, with forty Pu-
pils about him. After Salutation, he ob-
ferv'd me to take particular Notice of a
Frame, which almoſt fill'd the Room, and
told me that I might, perhaps, wonder at
his Project for improving fpeculative
Knowledge by practical and mechanical
Operations; but that the World would
foon
to LAPUTA,
47
c.
foon be convinc'd of its Ufefulness;
and he was fo vain as to fancy, that a
fublimer Thought was never conceiv'd by
any other Man. The Difficulty of attain-
ing to Arts and Sciences, by the common.
Method, he faid, was notorious to all;
whereas, by his Contrivance, the moſt ig-
norant, ac moderate Charge, and with
a little boa ly Labour, may write in Phi-
lofophy, Poetry, Politicks, Law, Mathe-
maticks, and Divinity, having no Occa-
fion for Genius or Study. Upon this he
led me to theFrame,about the Sides where-
of his Scholars ftood in Ranks, which was
twenty Foot ſquare, plac'd in the Middle
of the Room. The Superficies confifted
of feveral Bits of Wood, about the Bulk
of a Dye, tho' not all of a Size. Theſe
were link'd together by flender Wires,
and cover'd on every Square with Paper
pafted on them, on which Papers were
written all the Words of their Language,
tho' without any Order, in their feveral
Moods, Tenfes, and Declenfions.
The
Profeffor, juft going to fet his Engine at
Work, defir'd me to obferve it: The Pu
pils, by his Direction, took each of them
hold of an Iron Handle, there being for-
ty Handles plac'd round the Edges of the
Frame, and, upon giving them a fudden
Turn,
48
A VOYAGE
Turn, the Difpofition of the Words was
entirely tranfpos'd. Six and thirty Boys
were appointed to read the Lines foftly,
as they appeared upon the Frame; and,
when they obferved three or four Words
together, that might make Part of a Sen-
tence, they dictated to the other four
Lads who were Scribes. This Work was
repeated ſeveral Times, and at every Turn
the Machine was fo managed, that the
Words fhifted into different Places, as
the fquare Bits of Wood mov'd upfide
down. Six Hours a-day the Pupils were
thus employ'd; and the Profeffor fhew'd
me a Collection of broken Sentences, in
feveral Volumes in Folio, which he de-
fign'd to join together, and out of fuch
valuable Materials to give the Publick a
compleat Body of all Arts and Sciences;
which yet might be farther improv'd,
and fooner difpatch'd, if a Fund were rai-
fed to fet up five hundred fuch Frames in
Lagado, and the Managers obliged to con-
tribute, in common, what they had feve-
rally collected. He told me, that this
Invention had, from his Youth, taken up
all his Thoughts; that the whole Vocabu
lary was employ'd into his Frame, and
that he had, with the utmoft Strictnefs,
computed the general Proportion there
is
to LAPUTA, Sc.
49
is in the Book, between the Numbers of
Particles, Nouns, Verbs, and other Parts
of Speech. I, in the moſt reſpectful
Manner, acknowledged the great Com-
municativeneſs of this illuftrious Projector,
and affured him, that, whenever it was
my good Fortune to return to my na-
tive Country, I would repreſent him as
the fole Inventor of this wonderful En-
gine, a Draught of which I had Leave to
delineate on Paper; and that, altho' the
Learned in Europe frequently fteal Inven-
tions one from another, I would take par
ticular Care to do him fo much Justice,
that he fhould have the Honour to hime
felf, without a Rival.
We next vifited the School of Lane
guage, where three Profeffors fat confult-
ing, how to improve that of their own
Country, for the doing of which two Pro
jects were propofed. The first was to
thorten Difcourfe, by contracting Poly-
fyllables into one, and throwing out Verbs
and Participles, becauſe, properly fpeak-
ing, all Things are but Nouns. The o-
ther Scheme was contrived to aboliſh ail
Words whatſoever; and this was argued
to be no fmall Advantage, in refpe&t of
Health as well as Brevity; for every
Word we ſpeak does, in fome Degree,
D
50
A VOYAGE
corrode, and thereby diminish our Lungs,
and confequently contributes to fhorten
our Days. An Expedient was therefore
offer'd, that fince Words are no more than
the Names of Things, it would be better
for all Men to carry about with them fuch
Things as were requifite to express what
they are to difcourfe on. This Invention
would certainly have prevailed, if theWo-
men, joined with the Vulgar and Illiterate,
had not threatened to raiſe a Rebellion,
if they ſhould be denied the fame Liber-
ty of ſpeaking with their Tongues, which
was allow'd to their Anceſtors; fuch ob-
ftinate implacable Enemies to Science are
the common People. Many of the wifeft
and moſt learned, notwithſtanding, com-
plied with this new Scheme, which hath
in it only one Inconvenience, that if a
Man's Buſineſs be very great, and of ſe-
veral Kinds, he is obliged to carry a pro-
portionable Burthen of Things on his Back,
unless he can afford one or two tout
Servants to attend him. I have often
feen two of thofe Sages ready to fink un-
der the Weight of their Packs, like our
Pedlars; who, meeting in the Streets,
would lay down their Loads, open their
Saddles, and converfe for an Hour toge-
ther; then put up their Implements, af-
fift
to LAPUTA, &c.
fift each other in refuming their Bur-
thens, and take their Leave. A Man
may carry Implements in his Pockets and
under his Arms, fufficient to ferve for
fhort Converſations, and at Home he can
never be at a Lofs; therefore the Room,
where Company meet that practiſes this
Art, is furnish'd with all Things neceffary
for this Sort of artificial Converſe. There
was another great Advantage propos'd by
this Expedient, that it might ferve as
an univerfal Language in all civiliz'd
Nations, whoſe Utenfils are generally of
the fame Kind, or fo much alike, that
their Uſes would be eafily understood;
by this Means alfo Ambaffadors might
treat with foreign Courts, tho' they were
utter Strangers to their Tongues. When
I was at the Mathematical School, I
found the Mafter taught his Scholars, af-
ter a Method ſcarce imaginable to us Eu-
ropeans. The Propofition and Demonftra-
tion were plainly written on a thin Wa-
fer, with fuk made of a Cephalick Tin-
Eture, which the Pupil was to fwallow up-
on a fafting Stomach, and, for three Days
after, live upon nothing but Bread and
Water. As the Wafer digefts, the Tinc-
ture mounts to the Student's Brain, car-
rying the Propofition along with it: But
D 2
as
52
A VOYAGE
as yet the Succefs hath not been anfwer-
able, partly by fome Miftake in the
Quantity, and partly by the Perverſe-
nefs of the Boys, to whom this Bolus is
fo naufeous, that they commonly dif
charge it upwards, before it can have any
Influence, nor have they been hitherto
prevailed with to abftain fo long as the
Prefcription directs.
CHAP.
to LAPUTA, c.
53
MAAAAIA JANA AYA
CHAP. VI.
A further Account of the Academy. The
Author propofeth fome Improvements which
are honourably received.
N the School of Political Pro
jectors, I met with but little E-
tertainment, the Profeffors being,
in my Opinion, entirely mad, which is
a Scene that always makes me melan-
choly. Theſe unhappy Men were advan--
cing Projects for perfuading Princes to
chufe none for their Favourites, but fuch
as were furniſh'd with Wiſdom, Capacity,
and Vertue; for inftructing Minifters to
confult the Good of the Publick; for re--
warding Merit; and teaching Monarchs
to ftudy their own Intereft, by placing it
on the fame Bottom with that of their
Subjects, and to fix none in any Offices
that were not qualified to diſcharge them;
with many other extravagant Chimera's,
that never before enter'd into the Mind
of Man to conceive, and eſtabliſh'd the
D 3
old
54
A VOYAGE
old Obfervation, that there is nothing fo
wild and irrational which fome Philofo-
phers have not afferted for Truth. But
it muſt be confeffed, that all the Profef-
fors of this Academy were not ſo vifio-
mary; for among them there was a very
ingenious Doctor, who feem'd perfectly to
underſtand the whole Nature and Syftem
of Government. This excellent Perfon
was very uſefully employ'd in finding out
proper Remedies for all Difeafes, incident
to the various Kinds of publick Admini-
ftration, whether they proceed from the
Vices and Infirmities of the Governors
themſelves, or from the Licentiouſneſs of
their Subjects. For Example; fince it is
allowed by all Writers and Reafoners,
that there is a ftrict and univerfal Re-
femblance between the natural and the
political Body; Can any Thing be more
manifeft, than that the Diſeaſes of both
must be cured by the fame Medicines?
It will not be denied, that Senates and
great Councils are frequently troubled
with redundant, ebullient, and other vi-
cious Humours, with many Maladies of
the Head, but more of the Heart; with
violent Contractions of the Nerves and
Sinews in both Hands, but eſpecially in
the Right; with Spleen, Flatus, Verti-
goes,
to LAPUTA, Uc.
55
goes, and Deliriums; with fcrophulous
Tumours fill'd with fœtid Corruption;
with canine Appetites, and Crudeneſs of
Digeftion, befides feveral others that need
not be mention'd. The Doctor therefore
laid down this Prefcription, that, upon
the Meeting of a Senate, fome Phyfici-
ans fhould attend them, on the three
first Days of their Sitting, and, at the
Cloſe of each Day's Debate, feel the Pul-
fes of every Senator; then, having ma-
turely confulted upon the Nature of the
feveral Diſeaſes, aud Method of Cure,
they should on the fourth Day return to
the Senate Houfe, accompanied by their
Apothecaries provided with effectual Me-
dicines, and, before the Members fat,
administer to them, feverally, Lenitives,
Aperitives, Abftorfives, Corrofives, Re-
ftringents, Laxatives, Cephalalgicks, Ite-
ricks, Apophlegmaticks, &c. as each of
their Cafes required, and, as you find
theſe Medicines operate, repeat, vary, or
omit them at the next Meeting. This
Project would be very little expenſive to
the Publick, and would be of great Ser
vice for the Diſpatch of Bufinefs, in
Countries where Senates have a Share in
the legislative Power, by begetting Una-
nimity, fhortening Debates, opening a
few
D 4
56
A VOYAGE
1
few Mouths, which are, at prefent, clo-
fed, and clofing many more that are
now open; reftraining the Petulancy of
the Young, and correcting the Pofitive-
nefs of the Old; rouzing the Stupid, and
damping the Pert.
Again, it being a common Complaint,
that the Favourites of Princes have de-
fective Memories, the Doctor adviſed, that
whoever waited on a prime Miniſter,
having told his Bufinefs with the utmoſt
Brevity and Plainnefs, fhould, at his De-
parture, give him a Tweak by the Nofe,
or a Kick on the Belly, tread on his
Corns, lug him thrice by the Ears, ſtick
a Pin in his Breech, or pinch his Arm,
and, on every Levee-Day, repeat the
fame Operation, until either his Bufinefs
were done, or he had received an abſo-
folute Refufal. He farther prefcribed,
that every Senator, when he had given
his Opinion in the Senate-Houle, and
defended it by Argument, fhould be
obliged to vote directly contrary; be-
cauſe, by this Means, the Reſult would
infallibly iffue in the Good of the Pub-
lick. To reconcile violent Partymen in
a State, he offer'd an admirable Contri-
vance; viz. Take an hundred Leaders of
each Party, difpofing of them into
Couples
to LAPUTA, Sc.
57
Couples of fuch whofe Heads are neareft
of a Size; then let two curious Artifts
faw off the Occiput of each Couple at
the fame time, that the Brain may be
divided into equal Parts. When the Oc-
ciputs are thus cut off, let them be in-
terchanged, applying each to the Head
of his oppofite Partyman. This feemas
indeed, to be a Work that requires
fome Nicety; but the Profeffor declar'd,
that, provided it were perform'd with
Exactness, the Cure would be infallible;
for he argued, that the two half Brains,
being left to debate the Point, within
the Space of one Scull, would foon come
to an Agreement, and produce Modera-
tion and Regularity of thinking, in the
Heads of thoſe, who fancy they are born
only to watch and govern the Motion
of the World: And the Difference of
Brains, either in Quantity or Quality,
the Doctor affured us from his own
Knowledge, was a meer Trifle. I heard
a very warm Difpute between two Pro-
feffors, about the moft proper and con-
venient Ways of raifing Money, without
oppreffing the Subject. The one affirm'd
the fairest Method would be to lay a
Tax upon Vices and Folly, and the Sum,
which every Man fhould pay, to be rated
D5
by
58
A VOYAGE
by a Jury of his Neighbours. The o
ther was for taxing thofe Qualities of
Body and Mind, for which Men chiefly
value themſelves, and would have the
Rate to bear Proportion to the Degrees
of Excellency, the Decifion of which
should be left entirely to their own
Judgment.
The greateſt Tax was upon
Men that are moſt in Favour with the
female Sex, and the Affeffments accord-
ing to the Quantity and Quality of the
Favours they have received, for which
they are permitted to be their own
Vouchers. Wit, Courage, and Politeneſs
were alfo propos'd to be highly taxed,
and collected in the fame Manner: But
Honour, Juftice, Wifdom, and Learning
were not to be taxed at all, being Quali-
fications of fuch an extraordinary Na-
ture, that no Man will either allow his
Neighbour to have them, or value them-
in himſelf.
The Women were to be taxed, in
Proportion to their Beauty and Skill in
Drefs, which was to be determined by
themfelves: But Conftancy, Chafity,
good Senfe, and good Nature, were not
rated, becauſe they would not anfwer
the Charge of collecting. To keep Se-
nators in the Intereft of the Govern-
ment,
to LAPUTA, 5c.
59
ment, it was propoſed that the Mem-
bers should raffle for Employments, each
of them firft taking an Oath, and giving
Security that he would vote on the
Side of the Court, whether he won or
loft; and afterwards the Lofers, in their
Turns, had the Privilege of raffling on
the next Vacancy. This Method would
keep alive the Hopes of all, for none
would complain of broken Promifes, but
impute their Difappointments to For-
tune alone, whofe Shoulders are broader
than thoſe of a Miniſtry.
7
Another Profeffor was pleafed to fhew
me a Paper of Inftructions, for detecting
Plots and Confpiracies againſt the Go-
vernment. He directed Stateſmen to look
into the Diet of all fufpected Perfons
examine their Times of eating; how they
lay in Bed, whether on the right or
left Side; with which Hand they wip'd
their Pofteriors; make a ftrict Search
into their Excrements, and from the Co-
lour, Smell, and Tafte, the Confiftence,
the Crudeness, or Maturity of Digeſtion,
judge of their Intention; becauſe Men
are never fo thoughtful, as when at Stool,
which he learn'd by repeated Experi-
ments; for when he ufed, purely as a
Trial,
60
A VOYAGE
Trial, to confider about the beſt Way
of murdering the King, his Ordure had
a Tincture of Green, but quite the re-
verfe, when he defign'd only to raiſe
an Infurrection, or fet Fire to the Me-
tropolis. The whole Difcourfe was very
ingeniouſly written, and contain'd many
curious Obfervations, uſeful for Politici-
ans; but, in my Ópinion, was not a
finifh'd Piece, as I freely told the Au-
thor, offering, if he pleaſed to make it
more compleat by fome Additions.
He
accepted of my Propofal with more Com-
pliance than is common among Writers,
particularly Projectors, declaring he
would be glad to hear what I had to
fay. I told him, that fhould I live in a
Kingdom, where Plots and Confpiracies
were in Vogue, either from the turbu
lent Tempers of the meaner People, or
might be improv'd to the Service and
Advantage of the higher Rank among
them, it would be my firft Care to coun-
tenance and encourage the Fry of Difco-
verers, Witneffes, Informers, Accufers,
Profecutors, Evidences, Swearers, and all
their fubaltern Inftruments; when I had
a fufficient Number of them, of all Sorts
and Capacities, I would place them un-
der
to LAPUTA, Sc.
6 1
der the Conduct of fome dextrous Poli-
ticians, able both to protect and reward
them. Men, thus qualified and empow-
ered, might render Plots extreamly ufe-
ful and advantageous; they might raiſe
their own Characters, and paſs for moſt
profound Stateſmen; they might give
new Life to a crazy Adminiſtration;
ftifle or divert general Difcontents; load
their Pockets with Forfeitures, and ad-
vance or fink publick Credit, as either
beft answered their own private Ends.
This might be done by firft determi-
ning among themfelves, what ſuſpected
Perfons fhould be accufed of a Plot;
then particular Care is taken to fecure
all their Letters and Papers, and put
the Criminal in fafe Cuftody. Theſe
Papers might be committed to the Ma-
nagement of a Sett of Artifts, of Pene-
tration, fufficient to diſcover the myfti-
cal Meanings of Words, Syllables, and
Letters. They fhould be allow'd to in-
terpret them, as they pleaſed, give them
a Senfe not only foreign, but directly
contrary to their true Intent and Mean-
ing: As, for Inftance, they may inter-
pret, if it fuit their Fancies, a Sieve
to fignify a Court-Lady, a lame Dog an
Invader,
62
AVOYAGE
Invader, the Plague a standing Army, a
Buzzard a great Politician, the Gout a
High-Prieft, a Chamber-pot a Committee of
Noblemen, a Broom a Revolution, a Moufe-
trap an Office, a Bottomless-pit a Treasury,
Sink a Court, a Cap and Bells a Favourite,
a broken Reed a Court of Justice, an emp-
ty Tun a General, a running Sore an Ad-
miniſtration.
But, if this Method fhould fail, there
are others more effectual ftill behind, by
the Learned called Acrofticks and Ana-
grams. First, might be found skilful
and penetrating Men, who can difcern
that all initial Letters have political
Meanings. Thus N fhall mean a Plot,
B a Regiment of Horfe, La Fleet at
Sea. Or fecondly, who, by tranfpo-
fing the Letters of the Alphabet, in
any fufpected Paper, can find out the
deepeſt Deſigns of a difcontented Par-
ty. e. g. If I fhould write in a Letter
to Friend, Our Brother Tom has just got
the Piles, an Artift, this Way, could
analyfe the Letters of that Sentence in-
to the following Words; Refift,
A Plot is brought Home.
The
Tower. Which is the anagrammatick
Method. The Profeffor made me thank-
ful
to LAPUTA, Sc.
63
ful Acknowledgments for communicating
thefe Obfervations, and promiſed to
take honourable Notice of me in his
Treatife; and, feeing nothing that could
invite me to a longer Continuance in
this Country, I entertained Thoughts of
returning to England.
CHAP.
64
A VOYAGE
CHAP. VII.
The Author, leaving Lagado,
Maldonada. No Ship ready.
a Trip to Glubbdubdrib.
tion by the Governor.
arrives at
He takes
His Recep-
HE Continent, of which this
Kingdom is a Part, extends it
felf Eaftward to that unknown
Tract of America, Weftward of Califor-
nia, North to the pacifick Ocean, which
is about an hundred and fifty Miles
from Lagado, where there is a conveni-
ent Port and much Traffick, with the
great Ifland of Luggnagg, fituated to the
North-Weft about 29 Degrees North
Latitude, and 140 Longitude.
Iland of Luggnagg lies South-Eastwards
of Japan, about an hundred Leagues Dif-
tance. There being a ſtrict Alliance be-
tween the Japanese Emperor and the
King of Luggnagg, the People of both
The
theſe
to LAPUTA, Sc.
65
theſe Iſlands have frequent Occafions of
Sailing from one to the other. I re-
folved, therefore, to return this Way
to Europe; and hired two Mules, with
a Guide to conduct me, and carry my
Baggage. I took Leave of his Excellency,
my Protector, who had been fo gene-
rous to me, and made me a handfome
Prefent, at my Departure. I met with
nothing remarkable in my Journey;
and when I arrived at the Port of Mal-
donada, there was no Ship in the Har-
bour bound for Luggnagg, nor like to be
for fome Time. The Town is about the
Bignefs of Portſmouth; and I foon fell
into fome Acquaintance, and was very
kindly received. A Perfon of Diſtincti-
on told me, that feeing it would be,
at leaſt, a Month, before the Ships
bound for Luggnagg could be ready, it
might be an agreeable Amuſement for
me to take a Trip to the Inland of
Glubbdubdrib, about five Leagues off to
the South-Weft. He offered himſelf
and a Friend to be my Companions,
and that I fhould be furnished with a
convenient Barque for the Voyage.
Glubb-
+
66
A VOYAGE
Glubbdubdrib, as nearly as I can tranf-
late the Word, fignifies the Iſland of
Sorcerers or Magicians. It is, in Extent,
about one Third of the Isle of Wight,
and very fruitful. It is governed by
the Head of a particular Tribe, who
are all Magicians. This Tribe marries.
only among each other, and the eldeſt
in Succeffion is Prince or Governor,
who hath a magnificent Palace, and a
Park of three thouſand Acres, furround-
ed by a Wall of hewn Stone, twenty
Feet high, in which are ſmaller Inclo-
fures for Cattle, Corn, and Gardening.
The Prince and his Family are attend-
ed by Domefticks of an extraordinary
Kind; for, by his Skill in Necromancy,
he can call whom he pleaſeth from the
Dead, and command their Service for
twenty four Hours, but no longer; nor
can he raise the fame Perfons again, in
lefs than three Months, unleſs upon
very unuſual Occafions. Arriving at the
Ifland, about Eleven in the Morning,
one of my Companions waited on the
Governor, to defire Admittance for a
Stranger, who came on Purpoſe to have
the Honour of attending on his High-
nefs. This being granted, we all three
enter'd the Palace-Gate, between two
Ranks
to LA PUTA, Sc.
67
Ranks of Guards, arm'd and drefs'd af--
ter an antick Manner, whofe very Coun-
tenances made my Flefh creep with an
inexpreffible Horror. Having pafs'd
thro' feveral Apartments between Ser-
vants of the fame Sort, placed in Rows,
as before, we at laft came to the Pre-
fence-Chamber, where, after three pro-
found Obey fances, and fome general
Queftions, we were allowed to fit on
three Stools near the loweft Step of the
Governor's Throne. His Highneſs under-
ftood the Language of Balnibarbi, tho' it
differs from that of Glubbdubdrib, and
defired me to give him an Account of
my Travels; and, to convince me that
1 fhould be treated without Ceremony,
he difmifs'd his whole Retinue with a
Turn of his Finger, at which, to my
Amazement, they vanished in an Inftant,
like Vifions in a Dream, when we awake
on a fudden. It was fome Time before
I could recover my Spirits; but when
the Prince allured me that I was in no
Danger, and I obferved my Companions,
who had often been entertaine in the
like Manner, not in the leaft concerned,
I took a little Courage, and related to
his Highness a brief Hiftory of my va-
rious Adventures, tho' not without fome
Hefi-
68
A VOYAGE
Hefitation, and frequently turning my
Eyes to the Place where I had feen
the domeftick Spectres. I, after this,
had the Honour to dine with the Go-
vernor, where another Sett of Ghofts
ferved up the Meat, and waited at Table;
and found my felf to be les terrified
now, than I was in the Morning. Iftay-
ed until Sun-fet, but humbly intreated
the Governor to excufe my not accept-
ing of his Invitation of lodging in the
Palace. My two Friends and I lay at a
private Houfe in the Town adjacent,
which is the Metropolis of this little
Iſland; and, the next Morning, purſuant
to the Prince's Command, we returned
to pay him our Duty.
Thus, we continued in the Ifland for
ten Days, the greateft Part of every
Day with the Governor, and at Night
in our Lodging. I foon became familiar
to the Sight of Apparitions; fo that, a
ter three or four Times, they did not give
me any Emotion at all; or if I had
fome Apprehenfions ftill remaining, my
Curiofity over-ruled them: For the Go-
vernor ordered me to call up whatever
Perfons or Numbers among all the Dead,
from the Beginning of the World unto
the preſent Time, I fhould think fit to
name,
to LAPUTA, Sc.
69
E
name, and command them to anſwer
whatever Queſtions I would ask them;
provided my Queftions were limited
within the Compafs of the Times they
lived in And he faid I might entirely
depend upon their Veracity, for that
Lying was a Talent of no Service in the
lower World. I made my humbleft Ac-
knowledgements to the Governor for fo
remarkable a Favour. We were in an
Apartment, from whence there was a
fine Profpect into the Park; and, be-
ing firft inclin'd to be amus'd with
Scenes of Pomp and Magnificence, I de-
fired to fee Alexander the Great, at the
Head of his Army, juft after the Battle
of Arbela; which upon a Motion of his
Highneſs's Finger inftantly appeared in a
Field under the Window, where we
ftood. Alexander was called up in the
Chamber: It was not without much
Difficulty that I underſtood his Greek,
and had but a little of my own. He
alfured me, upon his Honour, that he was
not poifoned, but died of a Fever by
hard Drinking. Next I beheld Hannibal
paffing the Alps, who told me he had
not fo much as a Drop of Vinegar in
his Camp. Cafar and Pompey appeared to
my View at the Head of their Troops
pre-
7༠
A VOYAGE
prepared for an Engagement; and I faw
the former in his laft great Triumph.
I defired to fee the Roman Senate in one
large Chamber, and an Affembly of a
more modern Date in another. The firſt
ſeemed to be compoſed of Heroes and
Demi-Gods ; but the other of Pedlars,
Pick-pockets, Robbers, and Bullies. The
Governor, at my Requeft, ordered Ca-
far and Brutus to move towards us. The
Sight of Brutus ftruck me with a pro-
found Admiration, and I at once dif
covered the moft confummate Vertue,
Intrepidity, and Steddinefs of Mind, the
trueft Love of his Country, and Bene-
volence to all Mankind, in every Fea-
ture of his Countenance. I, with no
fmall Pleaſure obferved, that thofe two
Perfons kept a good
good Understanding
with each other, and Cafar freely own'd
to me, that the moft illuftrious Actions
of his Life were vaftly inferior to the
Glory of taking it away. Brutus very
often honoured me with his Company;
and he told me, that his Anceſtors Ju-
nius, Socrates, Epaminondas, Cato Junior,
Sir Thomas More, and himſelf were al-
ways together: A Setemvirate to which
no Age of the World can add a Se-
venth. It would be tedious to relate
what
to LAPUTA, Sc.
71
what a vaft Multitude of great Men
were called up, to gratify my Defire
of feeing the World in every Period of
Antiquity in one View: But I had an
inexpreffible Satisfaction in beholding
the Deſtroyers of Tyrants and Ufur-
pers, and the Reftorers of Liberty to
oppreffed Nations.
С НА Р.
72
A VOYAGE
CHAP. VIII.
A more particular Account of Glubbdub-
drib. Antient and Modern Hiftory cor-
rected.
Aving an Inclination to fee thoſe
Ancients, who were moft famous
for Wit and Learning, I defired
that Homer and Ariftorle might appear at
the Head of all their Commentators; but
thoſe were ſo numerous, that fome Hun-
dreds were obliged to wait in the Court
and outward Apartments of the Palace.
I knew thofe two Heroes, at first View,
and could diftinguish them not only from
the Crowd, but from each other. Ho-
mer was the taller and more comely Per-
fon of the two, walk'd very erect, con-
fidering his Years, and I never faw any
Eyes more quick and piercing than his
Ariftotle ftooped much, and carried a
Staff in his Hand; having a meagre Com-
plexion, lank and thin Hair, and an
hollow
to LAPUTA,
73
c.
hollow Voice. They were both perfect Stran-
gers to the rest of the Company, and I was
informed in Whiſper by a Ghoft, that thefe
Commentators kept at the greatest Distance
from their Principals in the lower World,
becauſe they were confcious of Shame and
Guilt, in bafely misinterpreting the Senfe of
thoſe Authors. I introduced Didymus and
Euftathius to Homer, who, on my Account,
ufed them better than they deferved, for he
foon discover'd their Want of Genius to en-
ter into the Spirit of a Poet. But Ariftotle
could not bear the Sight of Scotus and Ra-
mus, being out of all Patience when I gave
him their Character; and he ask'd them,
whether the reſt of their Tribe were as great
Dunces as themſelves. I then defired, that
Defcartes and Gaffendi might be called up,
whom I perfuaded to explain their Syftems to
Ariftotle. This renowned Philofopher inge-
nuoufly confefs'd his own Errors in Natural
Philofophy, becauſe he proceeded in many
Cales upon Conjecture, as all Men muſt do
and finding that Gaffendi, who had labour'd
with all Skill to recommend the Doctrine of
Epicurus, and the Vortices of Defcartes, were
both of them exploded, he predicted the
fame Fate to Attraction, which is fo much in
Vogue at prefent. He faid, that Syftems of
Nature were like Faſhions, which would vary
in every Age; and that even thoſe who pre-
dten to demonftrate them from Mathematical
E
Prin-
74
A VOYAGE
Principles, would flourish but for a ſhort
time. I employed five Days in Converfation
with others of the ancient Learned, and be-
held moſt of the firft Roman Emperors, Helio-
gebalus's Cooks were called up to drefs a
Dinner, but for want of Materials, they did
not fhew much of their Skill. An Helot of
Agefilaus prepar'd us a Difh of Spartan Broth,
but I could not fup a fecond Spoonful. My
Companions were obliged to return in three
Days, which I spent in taking a View of the
modern Dead, who had made the greateſt
Figure in England, and other Countries of
Europe; and having always admired old il-
luftrious Families, I defired the Prince would
call up a Dozen or two of Kings with their
Anceſtors in Order, for eight or nine Gene-
rations. But my Difappointment was great
and unexpected; for, inftead of a numerous
Train of crowned Heads, I faw in one Fa-
mily two Fidlers, three brifk Courtiers, and
an Italian Prelate; in another, a Barber, an
Abbot, and two Cardinals. I have too much
Reverence for Monarchs to dwell any longer
on fo nice a Point; but as to Counts, Mar-
queffes, Dukes, Earls, &c. I was not fo fcru-
pulous. I confefs, I had fome Pleaſure, in
finding my felt able to trace the Lineaments
by which certain Families are diftinguished,
up to their Originals. I could evidently dif
cover, whence one Family derives a long
Chin, and a fecond hath been ſtock'd with
Knaves
to LAPUTA, 'c.
75
Knaves for two Generations; why a third was
crack-brain'd, and a fourth Sharpers; whence
happen'd what Polydore Virgil fays of a certain
great Houle, Nec vir fortis, nec fœmina cafta;
how fome Families are diſtinguiſh'd by Cruelty,
Falfhood, and Cowardife, as by their Coat of
Arms; who firft brought the Pox into a noble
Houfe, which hath lineally deſcended to their
Pofterity. All which I could eafily accoun: for,
when I faw fuch an Interruption of Lineages,
by Pages, Lacquies, Valets, Coachmen, Game-
fters, Captains, and Pick-pockets.
I was
chiefly offended at Modern Hiftory: For hav-
ing examined all the Perfons most famous
in the Courts of Princes, for an Hundred
Years past, I found how the World had been
mifled by disingenuous Writers, to afcribe
the bravest Actions in War to Cowards, the
fageſt Counſel to Fools, Integrity to Parafites,
Roman Virtue to Villains, Piety to Atheiſts,
Charity to Sodomites, Veracity to Informers;
how many innocent and deferving Perfons had
been condemned to Death or Banifhment, by
Influence of great Minifters upon the Corrup
tion of Judges, and the Malice of Faction;
how many Knaves had been advanced to the
higheſt Offices of Truft, Power, Dignity,
and Profit; how great fhare in the Motions
of Courts, Councils, and Senates, might be
claim'd by Bawds, Whores, Pimps, Flatter
crs, and Buffoons; how mean an Opinion I had
of human Wisdom and Sincerity, when I was
let into the true Springs and Motives of great
*
76
A VOYAGE
Enterprizes and Revolutions, and of the tri-
fling Accidents to which they owed their
Success. Here I found out the Roguery and
Ignorance of the Writers of Anecdotes, or
Secret Hiſtory, who ſend ſo many Princes to
their Graves with a Draught of Poyfon; will
relate the Dialogue between a King and his
fift Minifter, where no Witneſs was by; un-
lock the Thoughts and Cabinets of Ambaſſa-
dors and Secretaries of State, and always have
the Misfortune of being mistaken. Here I
diſcover'd the fecret Caufes of many great
and furprizing Events; how a Whore can
govern the Back-ftairs, the Back-ftairs a
Council, and the Council a Senate. A Ge-
neral told us himself, that he got a Victory,
merely by the Dint of Cowardife and ill Con-
duct: And an Admiral, that for want of In-
telligence, he conquer'd the Enemy, to whom
he defign'd to betray the Fleet. Three Kings
affured me, that, in their whole Reigns,
they did never prefer any Perfon of Merit,
unleſs by Miftake or Treachery: Neither
would they do it, if they were to live again;
and they prov'd with great Force of Reafon,
that the royal Throne could not be fupported
without Corruption, becaufe that pofitive,
reftive Temper, which Virtue infuled into
Man, was a conftant Clogg to publick Bufi.
nefs. I enquir'd particularly, how many had
procur'd to themſelves high Titles of Ho-
nour, and vaft Eftates; and I confin'd my
Enqui-
to LAPUTA,
77
c.
4:4
Enquiry to a very modern Period; however,
without grating upon prefent Times, becaufe
I would by no means give Offence, even to
Foreigners (for I hope it need not be told, that
I do not, in the leaft, intend my native Coun-
try in what I abhor on this Occafion) a great
Number of Perfons concern'd were call'd up,
and, upon a very flight Examination laid open
fuch a Scene of Infamy, that I cannot reflect
upon it without Serioufnefs. Perjury, Op-
preffion, Subornation, Fraud, Pandarifm, and
the like Infirmities, were fome of the moſt ex-
cufable they had to mention, for which, as it
were reaſonable, I gave great Allowance. But
when fome declared that they ow'd their Ho-
nours and Riches to Sodomy or Incefts;
others to the Proſtitution of their Wives and
Daughters; fome to the betraying their Prince
or Country; others to poisoning, and more
to the perverting of Juftice, to destroy the In-
nocent: I hope I may be pardon'd, if I abate a
little of that profound Respect I am natural-
ly inclin'd to bear to Perfons of Rank and
Dignity. Having often read of great Servi
ces done to Princes and States, I defired a Sight
of the Perfons by whom they were perform-
ed. Upon Enquiry, I was inform'd that their
Names were not to be found in Records, ex-
cept a few whom Hiftory hath fet forth to be
the bafeft Rogues and Traitors; but, as to the
reft, I had never, fo much as once, heard of
them. They all appear'd with dejected Looks,
E 3
and
78
A VOYAGE
and in a very mean Habit, most of them have
ing died in Poverty and Difgrace, and the reft
on a Scaffold or a Gibbet. There was, a-
mong the reft, one Perfon, whofe Cafe feem'd
to be ſomewhat extraordinary. A Youth, a-
bout Eighteen Years old, ftood by his Side.
He faid he had, for many Years, the Com-
mand of a Ship, and, in the Sca-fight at Actium,
had the Fortune to break the Enemy's great
Line of Battle, fink three of their belt Ships,
and take a fourth, which was the fole Caufe
of Anthony's Flight, and of the following
Victory. He farther told me, that, this War
being ended, he went to Rome, and follicited
at the Court of Auguftus, to be preferred to
a larger Ship, whole Commander had been
kill'd; but, without any Regard to his Merit,
it was difpos'd of to a Youth, that had never
been at Sea, the Son of Libertina, who wait-
ed on one of the Emperor's Miltreffes. Re-
turning back to his own Veffel, he was
charged with Neglect of Duty, and the Ship
given to a Page of Publicola the Vice-admiral';
upon which he retired to a poor Farm, at a
great Diſtance from Rome, and there ended
his Days, Being curious to know the Truth
of this Story, I defired Agrippa might be call'd
up, who was Admiral in that Fight; who
confirm'd the whole Account, but with much
more Advantage to the Captain, whofe Mo-
defty had leffen'd or conceal'd a great Part of
his Merit. I was aftonifh'd to find Corruption
grown
=
to LAPUTA, Sc.
79
grown to fuch a Height, in that Empire, by
the force of Luxury fo lately introduced
which made me lefs admire at many parallel
Cafes in other Countries, where all forts of
Vices have prevail'd fo much longer, and
where the whole Praife as well as Pillage hath
been engrols'd by the chief Commander, who,
perhaps had the leaft Right to either. As eve-
ry Perfon call'd up, appear'd exactly, in the
fame manner, he had done in the World, it
gave me melancholly Reflections, to obſerve,
how much the Race of Mankind had dege-
nerated among us, for thefe Hundred Years
paft: How the Pox had alter'd every Feature
of an English Countenance, contracted the
Size of Bodies, unbraced the Nerves, relaxed
the Sinews and Mufcles, introduced a fallow
Vifage, and rendered the Flesh looſe and
rancid. I defir'd at length, that fome Eng-
lish Yoemen of the old Stamp might be cal-
led up, who, were once fo famous for the Sim-
plicity of their Manners, Diet, and Habit,
for Juſtice in all their Dealings, for their Spi-
rit of Liberty, for their Courage, and Love
of their Country. Nor could I be altogether
unconcerned, upon comparing the Living
with the Dead, to find how all theſe pure
Native Virtues were proftituted by their
Grand-Children, who, by felling their Votes,
and managing at Elections, have acquir'd eve-
ry Vice and Corruption that can poffibly be
learned in a Court,
CHAP. IX.
E 4
80
AVOYAGE
CHAP. IX.
The Author's Return to Maldonada. He fails
to the Kingdom of Luggnagg. Is confin'd.
Is fent to Court. The Manner of his Ad-
mittance. The King's great Clemency to his
Subjects.
HE Day of our Departure being
come, I took Leave of the Gover
nour of Glubbdubdrib, and we retur-
ned to Maldonada, where, after a
Fortnight's Waiting, a Ship was ready to
fail to Luggnagg. My two Companions, and
fome others, were fo kind as to fupply me
with Proviſions, and fee me on board. I was
a Month in this Voyage. We had one vio-
lent Storm, which obliged us to fleer Weft-
ward, to get into the Trade Wind, which
holds for above fixty Leagues. On the 21st
of April 1711, we failed in the River Clumeg-
nig, a Sea-port Town at the South-Eaſt Point
of Luggnagg, and caft Anchor within a League
of the Town, making a Signal for a Pilot.
Two of them came on board, in less than
Half an Hour, who guided us between fome
very dangerous Shoals and Rocks, in a Paf-
fage to a large Bafin, where a Fleet may ride
in Safety within a Cable's Length of the
Town Wall, Some of the Sailors had told
the
to LAPUTA, Sc.
81
the Pilots, that I was a Stranger, and a great
Traveller, who gave Notice of it to a Cu-
ſtom-houſe Officer, by whom I was examined
very ſtrictly upon my Landing. This Offi-
cer fpoke to me in the Language of Balni-
barbi; which, by reafon of much Commerce,
is underſtood in that Town, eſpecially by
Seamen, and thofe concerned in the Cuſtoms.
I gave him a fhort Account of my Story,
and made it as plaufible and confiftent as I
could; but I thought adviſable to call myſelf
an Hollander, becauſe I intended for Japan,
and the Dutch were the only Europeans al-
low'd to enter into that Kingdom. I there-
fore told the Officer, that having been ſhip-
wreck'd on the Coaft of Balibarbi, I was
received up into Laputa, or the Flying Ifland,
(which he had often heard of) and was now
in my Way to Japan, from whence I might
find an Opportunity of returning to my own.
Country. The Officer faid, I must be con-
fin'd till he could receive Orders from Court,
for which he would write immediately, and
hoped to have an Anſwer in a Fortnight. I
was conducted to a commodious Lodging,
with a Centry placed at the Door; tho' I had
the Liberty of a large Garden, and was uſed
with Humanity, being maintain'd all the
Time at the King's Charge. I had Invita-
tions from ſeveral Perfons, chiefly out of Cu-
riofity, becauſe it was reported, that I came
from Countries very remote, of which they
Es
never
82
A VOYAGE
never heard. I hir'd a Youth, who came in
the fame Ship with me to be my Interpreter;
he was born at Luggnagg, but had lived fome
time at Maldonada, and was a compleat Ma-
fter of both Languages. By his Affiftance,
I could hold a Converfation with thoſe that
made me Vifits; but this confifted only of
their Queſtions and my Anſwers. The Dif
patch came from Court at the Time we ex-
pected, and contained a Warrant for bring-
ing me and my Retinue to Traldragdabh, or
Trildrogdrib, by a Party of Ten Horfc. My
whole Retinue was that poor Lad for an In-
terpreter, and, at my Requeft, we had each
of us a Mule to ride on. A Meffenger was
diſpatch'd before us, to give the King Notice
of my coming, and to defire that he would ap
point a Day and Hour, when it would be hist
Royal Pleaſure, that I might be admitted to
lick the Dull before his Foot-flool. This Court
Style I found to be more than a Matter of
Form; for, upon my Admittance, I was com-
manded to crawl on my Belly, and lick the
Floor as I advanced; but, becauſe I was a
Stranger, it was fwept fo clean, that the Duft
did not offend me. This was a peculiar Fa-
vour, not allowed to any but Perfons of the
firft Rank. Nay, fometimes the Floor is
flrew'd with Duft on purpoſe, if the Perfon
to be admitted has powerful Enemies at Court;
and I have ſeen a great Lord with his Mouth
fo cramm'd, that when he crept to the pro-
per
to LAPUTA, &c.
83
per Diſtance from the Throne, he could not
Ipeak a Word. Nor is there any Remedy,
it being capital for thoſe who receive an Au-
dience to fpit, or wipe their Mouths before
his Majefty. There is, indeed, another Cu-
ftom, which I cannot entirely approve of,
when the King is inclin'd to put any of his
Nobles to Death in a gentle Manner, the
Floor is ftrew'd with brown Powder, of a
deadly Compofition, which, being lick'd up,
infallibly kills him in Twenty four Hours.
But, in Juftice to this Prince's Clemency,
(wherein it cou'd be wiſh'd the Monarchs of
Europe would imitate him) it muſt be men-
tion'd, that ftri& Orders are given to have
the infected Parts of the Floor well wash'd,
after every ſuch Execution; which, if his
Servants neglect, they incur his royal Dif-
pleaſure. In my Hearing, he ordered one of
his Pages to be whipt, for maliciouſly omit-
ting his Duty in this Particular; by which
Neglect, a young Lord, of great Hopes,
coming to an Audience, was poilon'd, altho'
the King had then no Deſign againſt his Life.
But this Prince was fo good, as to forgive
the Page his Whipping, upon Promile of
doing fo no more, without efpecial Orders.
But to return from this Digreffion; when [
crept within four Yards of the Throne, I
railed my felf gently upon my Knees; and
then, ftriking my Forehead feven times upon
the Ground, I pronounced the following
Words,
84
A VOYAGE
Words, as they had been taught me; Ickpling
Glaffthnobb Squutferumm blbiop Mlafhnalt,
Zwin tnodbalkguffh Slhiophad Gurdlubb Aſht.
This Compliment is appointed by the Laws
of the Land to be ufed by all Perfons admit-
ted to the King's Prefence. It may be tran-
flated thus: May your celeftial Majefty outlive
the Sun eleven Moons and a Half. To this the
King returned an Anſwer, to which I re-
plied, as I had been inſtructed; Fluft drin
Yalerick Dwaldom praftrad mirpush; which
properly fignifies, My Tongue is in the Mouth
uf my Friend, i.e. an Interpreter; upon which
my young Man was introduced, by whole
Help I anfwer'd as many Queſtions as the
Prince could propofe in more than an Hour.
What I spoke in the Balnibarbian Tongue,
my Interpreter explained in that of Luggnagg.
The King being highly pleaſed with my Com-
pany, ordered his Bliffmarklub, or High-
Chamberlain, to appoint a Lodging in the
Court for me and my Interpreter, with a
daily Allowance for my Board, and a large
Purle of Gold for my other Expences. I
stayed here three Months out of Obedience
to the King, who made me feveral very great
Offers: But I thought it more agreeable to
Prudence and Juftice, that I fhould spend the
Remainder of my Days with my own Family.
CHAP.
to LA PUTA, Uc. 85
I
CHAP. X.
The Luggnuggians commended. A particular
Defcription of the Struldbruggs; with many
Converfations between the Author and fome
eminent Perfons concerning them.
One
HE Luggnuggians are polite and gene-
rous; and altho' they be not without
a Tincture of Eaftern Pride, yet
they are courteous to Strangers, efpecially
fuch as are countenanced by the Court. I
was acquainted with many of them of the
beſt Fashion, and by means of my Interpre-
ter, our Converfation was pleaſant.
Day in Company, I was afked by a Perfon
of Quality, whether I had feen any of their
Struldbruggs, or Immortals? I anfwer'd not,
and intreated him to explain to me what they
were. He told me, that fometimes, tho'
very feldom, a Child was born in a Family
with a red circular Spot in the Forehead,
directly over the left Eye-brow, which was
a fure Sign of its Immortality. The Spot
he defcribed to be about the Compaſs of a
filver Three-pence, which in time grew lar-
ger, and changed its Colour; for, at Twelve
Years of Age, it became green, but at Five
and Twenty a deep Blue, and at Five and
Forty it turned to a Coal black, and as large
as
86
A VOYAGE
as an English Shilling, never admitting any
farther Alteration. He faid thefe Births were
fo rare, that there were not above Eleven
Hundred Struldbruggs of both Sexes in the
Kingdom, of which about Fifty lived in the
Metropolis, and among the reft, a Girl born
about three Years ago: That thofe Births
were the mere Effects of Chance, and the
Children of the Struldbruggs were equally
mortal with thofe of others. This Account,
I must confefs, ftruck me with inexpreffible
Tranfport; and the Relater underſtanding
the Balnibarbian Language, I broke out in
Expreffions, perhaps, too extravagant. I
cry'd out in a rapturous manner, Happy Na-
tion! where every Child hath, at leaft, a
Chance for Immortality! Happy People!
who have fo many living Patterns of ancient
Virtue, and Mafters to teach them the Wif
dom of all former Ages! But infinitely hap-
py are thole Struldbruggs! who have their
Minds free and undifturb'd, without any of
thofe Fears and Depreffions caufed by the
conftant Apprehenfion of Death. I expref-
fed my Admiration, that I had not feen any
of thefe excellent Perfons at Court, the black
Spot on their Forehead being fo remarkable,
that I could not have eafily overlook'd it;
and it was impoffible fo judicious a Prince as
his Majefty fhould be without fuch wife
Countellois. Yet perhaps the Virtue of thofe
Sages was too rigid for the Libertine Man-
ners
to LA PUTA, UC.
87
ners of a Court; and we often find, that
young Men are too volatile, to be guided by
the prudent Dictates of their Seniors. How-
ever, fince the King was pleafed to allow me
Access to his Royal Perfon, I was determin-
ed, upon the next Opportunity, to deliver
my Sentiments to him freely, and at large,
by the Help of my Interpreter; and whether
he would fall in with my Advice, or no, I
was refolved to accept with Thankfulneſs the
kind Offer his Majefty had made me, of an
Establishment in this Country, that I might
fpend my Life in the Company of thoſe il-
luftrious Struldbruggs, if they would pleaſe
to admit me. The Gentleman to whom I
addrefs'd my Difcourfe, faid to me with a fort
of Smile, that he was glad of any Occafion
to keep me among them, and defir'd he might
explain to the Company what I had spoke.
He did fo, and they difcourfed together for
fome time in their own Language; but I un-
derstood not a Syllable of what they faid, nor
could I learn from their Looks, how my Dif-
courfe had affected them. After a fhort Si-
lence, the fame Perfon told me, that his
Friends and mine (for fo he call'd the Com-
pany) were exceedingly pleas'd with my Rc.
marks on the Happinefs and Advantages of
immortal Life, and were defirous to be par-
ticularly informed what Scheme of Living
I fhould have propoſed to myſelf, had I been
born a Struldbrugg. I replied, it was eafy to
be
88
A VOYAGE
be eloquent on fo fruitful and pleaſant a Sub-
ject, especially to me, who had often amus'd
my
felf with Vifions of what I ſhould do,
were I a great Man; and had often run over
the Method of Life I ſhould chufe, were I
fure to live for ever. Had I been born a
Struldbrugg, as foon as I could difcover my
own Happineſs, I would make uſe of all
Arts and Means whatſoever to be rich. In
the Purſuit of this Defign, by good Manage-
ment I might expect, in Two Hundred Years,
to be the wealthieſt Man in the Kingdom;
then I would, from my earlieſt Youth, fet
myſelf to the Study of Arts and Sciences,
and fo, in time, excel all others in Learning.
Laſtly, I would exactly fet down every re-
markable Action and Event that happened in
the Publick, impartially draw the Characters
of the feveral Succeffions of Princes, and the
chiet Miniſters of State, with my own Re-
marks on cach Point. I would carefully re-
cord the various Charges in Cuſtoms, Lan-
guages, Habit, Diet and Diverfions; by all
which Acquirements, I fhould become the
Oracle of the Nation. I would never marry
after Sixty, but live in an hofpitable manner,
yet still within due Bounds. I would enter-
tain myſelf in giving Inftructions to hopeful
young Men, by proving, from my own Re-
membrance, Experience and Obfervation,
enforced by many Examples, the Uſefulneſs
of Virtue in publick and private Life: But,
for,
i
1
to LAPUTA, Uc.
89
for my intimate and conftant Companions, I
would chufe a Dozen from the most ancient
down to my Contemporaries, of my owr
immortal Fraternity. If any of theſe were
indigent, I would furnish them with com-
modious Lodges round my own Eſtate, and
have fome of them daily at my Table, only
mingling a few of the most deferving among
you Mortals, whom Length of Time would
teach me to lofe with little or no Regret,
and treat your Pofterity after the fame man-
ner, juft as a Man diverts himself with the
annual Succeffion of Pinks and Tulips in his
Garden, regardleſs that he has loft thoſe which
withered the preceding Year. Theſe Struld
bruggs and I would impart to each other our
Obfervations and Memorials thro' the Courfe
of Time, take Notice of the feveral Steps
by which Corruption fteals into the World,
and oppofe it in every Gradation, by perpe-
tually warning and inftructing Mankind;
which, fortified by our own Example, might
prevent that Degeneracy of human Nature
to juftly lamented in all Ages. To all this
might be added the Pleaſure of beholding
the various Revolutions of States and Em-
pires, the Changes in the lower and upper
World, ancient Cities buried in Ruines, and
fmall Villages become the Seats of Monarchs;
deep Rivers leffening into fhallow Brooks;
the Sea leaving one Coaſt dry, and over-
whelming another; the Diſcovery of Coun-
tries
90
A VOYAGE
}
tries not yet known; Barbarity spreading
over the politeft Nations, and the most bar-
barous becoming civiliz'd. I fhould then
obferve the Difcovery of the Longitude, Per-
petual Motion, Univerfal Medicine, and many
others, brought to the greateſt Perfection.
We fhould likewife make wonderful Difco-
veries in Aftronomy, by ourliving and con-
firming our own Predictions, by difcerning
the Progrels and Returns of Comets, with
the Changes of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. I
difcourfed upon many other Topicks, which
my Love of Immortality and earthly Happi-
nefs naturally fupplied me with. When I had
done, the Company conferred together in
their own Language, laughing at my Ex-
pence. At length, the Gentleman abovemen-
tion'd told me, that he was defired by the rett
to correct a few Miftakes I had fallen into
thro' the Weakuefs of human Nature, that
there were no Struldbruggs any where but in
this Country; for he found, when he was
Ambaſſador to Balnibarbi and Japan, that the
Natives look'd upon his Account of them as
incredible as I did my felf, upon the firft
Mention of it; that he obſerved in both
thofe Places Long Life to be the univerfal
Defire of Mankind; that they, who had one
Foot in the Grave, were fure, as ftrongly as
was poffible, to hold back the other; that
the eldeſt regarded Death as the greateſt Evil,
but in Luggnagg the Appetite of Living was not
fo
to LAPUTA, Sc.
91
fo eager from the Example of the Struldbrugg',
which they had daily in their View. He told
me, that my Scheme of Living was irratio-
nal, becauſe it fuppofed a perpetual Conti-
nuance of Youth, Health, and Vigour, which
none could be fo vain as to expect; that the
Queftion ought to be thus ftated, Whether,
and how a Man would chufe to live for ever,
under all the Diſadvantages that uſually attend
Old Age? For altho' few would defire Im-
mortality on thofe hard Conditions, yet in
Balnibarbi and Japan, every Man would fain
put off Death for fome Time longer, let it
approach ever fo late; and I feldom heard of
any one that died willingly, unless he labour'd
under extreme Grief and Torture. And he
appeal'd to me, whether, in the Courſe of
my Travels, I had not obferv'd the fame ge-
neral Difpofition. As for the Struldbruggs,
he faid they usually acted like Morials, un-
til they were Thirty Years of Age, and then
by Degrees, they grew melancholy and de-
jected, until they come to Eighty. This he
learnt from their own Coniefion; for other-
wife there being not above Two of Three
of them born in an Age, it was impoflible
to form a general Obfervation. When they
arrive at Eighty Years, the utmoft Period of
Living in this Country, befides the common
Infirmitics of other Men, they have many
more arifing from the difmal Profpect of ne-
ver dying. They were not only opinionative,
pcevith,
92
A VOYAGE
peevish, covetous, furly, vain, talkative, but
incapable of Friendſhip, and dead to all na-
tural Affection, which never defcended be-
low their Grandchildren. Envy and impo-
tent Inclinations are their prevailing Paffi
ons. Their Envy is chiefly directed to the
Vices of the Young, and the Deaths of
the Old. By reflecting on the former,
they find themfelves cut off from the very
Poffibility of Pleafure; and, as often as
they fee a Funeral, they repine that others
are gone to an Harbour of Reft, to which
they must never arrive. They Remember no-
thing but what happen'd in their Youth and
middle Age, and that very imperfectly; and
for the Truth or Particulars of any Fact, its
fafer to depend on common Tradition, than
their beft Recollections. The leaft miferable
among them ſeem to be thoſe who turn to Do-
tage; theſe meet with more Pity and Relief,
becauſe they wart many ill Qualities that pre-
vail in others. If a Struldbrugg marry one of
his own Species, the Marriage is diffolv'd of
Courfe, as foon as the younger of the Parties.
comes to be Eighty; for the Law thinks it
reaſonable that thofe, who are condemned,
without any Fault of their own, to live for
ever in the World, fhould not have their Mi-
fery doubled by the Incumbrance of a Wife.
When they have compleated their eightieth
Year, they are look'd upon as dead in Law,
their Heirs fucceeding to their Eſtates: only
a ſmall
to LAPUTA, Sc.
93
a fmall Pittance is referv'd for their Maintain-
ance, and the poor ones are ſupported, by
the Publick. After that Term of Years, they
are held incapable of any Office of Truft or
Profit, they cannot purchaſe Lands nor take
Leafes, neither can they be Witneſſes in any
Cauſe, no not even for the Decifion of Meers
and Bounds. At Ninety, they lofe their Teeth
and Hair; and, having no Tafte, they can nei-
ther eat nor drink with Relish or Appetite,
their Diſeaſes ſtill continuing without encrea-
fing or diminiſhing. In Difcourfe, they for-
get the common Apellations of Things and
the Names of Perſons, even thoſe of their
nearest Friends and Relations. On the fame
account, they cannot amuſe themselves with
Reading, becauſe their Memory will not car-
ry them from the Beginning of a Sentence to
the End, tho' this be the only Entertainment
whereof they might, otherwife, be capable.
The Language of this Country being in a per-
petual Flux, the Struldbruggs of one Age, do
not underſtand thefe of another, nor can they,
in two Hundred Years Time, converfe at all,
unless by a few general Words, with their
Neighbours the Mortals, and fo they live like
Foreigners in their native Country. I after-
wards faw five or fix Struldbruggs of different
Ages, the youngeſt about two Hundred Years
Old; but altho' they were inform'd, that I
was a great Traveller, they were not fo curi-
ous as to afk me a Question; only defired I
would
94
A VOYAGE
would give them fome Slumfkudafk, or a To-
ken of Remembrance, another Word for beg-
ging, to evade the Law that ftrictly forbids
it, becaule they have an Allowance, tho' a ve-
ry fcanty one, from the Publick. They are
defpis'd and hated by all People; when one
of them is born, it's esteemed Ominous; and
their Birth is fo particularly recorded, that
you may know then Age by confulting the
Registry, which hath not been kept above a
Hundred Years, or at least hath been deftroy'd
by Time or publick Commotions. But the
common way of computing their Age is, by
afking them what Kings or great Perfons they
can remember, and then confulting Hiftory;
for, to be fure, the laft Prince in their Mind
did not enter upon his Reign, after they were
eighty. They were the most mortifying
Sight Lever faw, and the Women more hor-
rible than the Men. Befides the ufual Defor-
mities in extream Old-age, they acquir'd a pe-
culiar inexpreflible Ghaftliness, in proportion
to their Years; and, among half a dozen, I
could cafily diſcover the eldeſt, altho' there
was not above a Century or two between
them. My Reader, by this time, will con-
clude, that my Appetite for Immortality
was much abated. I grew not a little afham'd
of the pleafing Vifions I had indulged, and
could chufe the moſt torturing Death rather
than the Life of a Struldbrugg. The King,
hearing of what paſt on this Occafion, ralli-
ed
3
to LAPUTA,
95
c.
ed me very pleaſantly, and wiſh'd I would
fend a Couple of thofe People to England,
to fortify my Country-men againſt the Fear
of Death; but, this is forbidden by the fun-
damental Laws of the Country, or elfe I
fhould have fent them. I could not but think
that the Laws of this Kingdom, concerning
the Struldbruggs, where highly reaſonable;
for as Avarice is the neceflary Attendant of
Old-age, they muft, otherwife, in time be-
come Proprietors of the whole Nation, and
engroſs the Civil Power, which muſt end in
the Ruin of the Publick.
t
CHAP.
[
{
!
96
A VOYAGE
CHAP. XI.
The Author, leaving of Luggnagg, fails to
Japan. From Japan, he returns in a Dutch
Ship to Amfterdam, and thence to England.
As
Thought this Account of the Struld-
bruggs might be fomewhat entertain-
ing, becauſe it feems a little extraordi-
nary; at least I cannot recollect that I have
ſeen the like in any Book of Travels that hath
come in my way: And if I am miſtaken, my
Apology muſt be, that it's neceffary for Tra-
vellers, who defcribe the fame Country, ve-
ry frequently to infift on the fame Particulars,
without incurring the Cenfure of having bor-
row'd or tranſcribed from other Writers.
there is a conftant Commerce between this
Kingdom and that of Japan, it is not im-
probable that the Japanese may have given
fome Account of the Struldbruggs; but ftay-
ing only a fhort Time in Japan, and being
an entire Stranger to their Language, I could
not make any Enquiries. However, I hope
the Dutch, on this Hint, will be curious and
able enough to fupply my Defects. The
Prince having often made me confiderable
Offers, and finding me fully determin'd to
return to my own Country, was pleafed to
give me his Licence to depart, with a Letter
in
I
97
to LAPUTA, &c.
in my Favour, under his own Hand, to the
Emperor of Japan. He likewife made me
a Preſent of Four Hundred and Forty Four
large Pieces of Gold (this Nation being very
fond of even Numbers) and a red Diamond,
which I fold in England for above Eleven
Hundred Pounds. On the 6th of May 1709,
I took Leave of his Majefty and all my
Friends. The King ordered a Guard to con-
duct me to Glanguenſtald, a Royal Port, to
the Southweft Part of the Inland. In fix
Days, a Veffel was ready to carry me to
Japan, and I spent Fifteen Days in the Voy-
age. We landed at Xamofchi, a Port-Town
on the South-Eaft Part of Japan; the Town
lyes on the Weſtern Point, where there is a
narrow Streight, leading Northward into a
long Arm of the Ocean, upon the North-
Eaft Part of which, ledo, the Metropolis,
ftands. When I landed, I fhewed the Cu❤
fton-house Officers my Letter from the King
of Luggagg to the Emperor. They knew
the Seal, which was as broad as the Palm of
my Hand.
The Impreflion was, A King
lifting up a lame Beggar from the Earth. The
Magiftrates of the Town received me as a
publick Minifter, provided me with Carria-
ges and Servants, and bore my Charges to
ede, where being admitted to an Audience,
I deliver'd my Letter, which was explained
to the Emperor by an Interpreter, who di-
rected me, by the Prince's Order, to fignify
F
my
98
A VOYAGE
my Requeſt, and whatever it was, it fhould
be granted for the fake of the King of Lugg
nagg. This Interpreter was employ'd to tranf-
act Affairs with the Hollanders; he foon guefs'd
by my Afpect, that I was an European, and
therefore repeated his Majefty's Command in
Low Dutch. I anſwer'd, that I was a Dutch
Merchant, fhipwreck'd in a very remote
Country, from whence I travelled to Lugg-
nagg, and then to Japan, where I understood
my Countrymen often traded, hoping to get
an Opportunity of returning into Europe. I
therefore intreated his royal Favour, that I
might be fafely conducted to Nangafac; and
that, for the fake of my Patron, he would
excufe the Ceremony of Trampling upon the
Crucifix, becauſe I had been driven into his
Kingdom by Misfortunes, without any De-
tign of Trading. When this latter Petition.
was interpreted to his Majefty, he, in a little
Surprize, faid, he believed I was the firft
Dutchman that ever made a Scruple in this
Point, and that he queftioned whether I was
an Hollander or no, but rather fufpected me
to be a Christian. However, for the Reaſons
I had offer'd, but chiefly to gratify the King
of Luggnagg, he confented to grant me this
fingular Mark of his Favour; but the Mat-
ter must be managed with Caution, and his
Officers commanded to let me país, as it were
by Forgetfulness; for he affured me, that if
this Secret fhould be known by my Country-
men,
1
to LAPUTA, Sc.
99
Throat
men, the Dutch, they would cut my
in the Voyage. Having returned my Thanks
for this extraordinary Favour, fome Troops
being then on their March to Nangafar, the
commanding Officer had Orders to conduct
me thither, with fpecial Instructions about
the Ceremony of the Crucifix On the 9th
of June 1709, I arrived at Nangafac, after a
fatiguing Journey, and foon became acquint-
ed with fome Dutch Sailors belonging to the
Amboyna ot Amfterdam, a Ship of 450 Tons.
Having lived long at Leyden, puriuing my
Studies, I fpoke Dutch well. The Seamen
at once knew from whence I came lait, and
were inquifitive about my Travels and Courfe
of Life. I told them a Story as brief and
plaufible as I could, concealing the greateft
Part. As I knew many Perfons in Holland,
it was caly for me to invent Names for my
Parents, whom I reprefented to be obfcure
People in the Province of Gelderland. I
would have given the Captain, Theodorus Van
Grult, what he pleaſed to demand for my
Voyage; but finding I was a Surgeon, he
was willing to take half the ufual Rate, pro-
vided I would ferve him in that Capacity.
Before we went on board, fome of the Crew
often afk'd me, whether I had complied with
the Ceremony above-mention'd. I evaded
the Queſtion, by telling them in general
Terms, that I had given Satisfaction to the
Emperor and Court in all Particulars. How-
F 2
ever,
100
A VOYAGE
ever, a Rogue of a Skipper inform'd an Of-
ficer, that I had not yet Trampled on the Cru-
cifix; but the other having received Orders
to let me pafs, gave the Rafcal twenty Strokes
on the Shoulders with a Bamboo. which put
a Stop to all fuch Enquiries. Nothing re-
markable happened in this Voyage; we fail-
ed with a fair Wind to The Cape of Good
Hope, where we took in fresh Water. On
the 16th of April, we arrived at Amfterdam,
having loft only four Men in the Voyage.
From Amfterdam I foon after fet Sail for Eng-
Jand, and on the 10th of April we put in at
the Downs. I landed next Morning, after I
had been abfent from my native Country five
Years and fix Months compleat. I fet out
immediately for Rotherhithe, where I arrived
at Two in the Afternoon, and found my Wife
and Children in good Health.
TRA-
1
1
L
IOL
Parnallig
TRAVELS.
PART IV.
A Voyage to the Country of the
HOUYHNH NM S.
CHAP. I.
0%.:.
The Author goes as Captain of a Ship. 13
Men mutiny, and confine him to his Cabbin,
and fet him on shore in an unknown Land.
He travels up the Country. The Yahoo's, a
Arange Sort of Animal defcrib'd. The Au-
thor meets two Houyhnhnms.
I
Continued at Home in a happy
Condition with my Wife and
Family, for the Space of five
Months, had I known when I
was well. But having an ad-
vantageous Offer, of being Cap-
tain of the Adventure, a Mer-
chant-man of 350 Tons, I accepted of it:
For I underſtood Navigation; and being
F 3
weary
DA
VOYAGE
F
I
weary of a Surgeon's Employment at Sea, I
took a fkilful young Man in that Calling in-
10 my Ship. We failed from Portſmouth on
the 2d of August 1710, and met Capt. Pocock
of Briſtol, at Teneriff, who was going to the
Bay of Campechy. On the 16th, a Storm
parted us, and I heard fince, that his Ship
was loft by his own Obftinacy, and none
eſcaped but one Cabbin-Boy. I had feveral
Men died in my Ship of Calentures, fo that
I was obliged to recruit at Berbadoes and the
Leeward Islands, where I was ordered to
touch, but had Reaſon to repent, for I found
that most of them had been Buccancers.
had fifty Hands on board, and had Orders to
trade with the Indians in the South-fea, and
make what Diſcoveries I could. Thefe Rogues
I had pick'd up corrupted my other Men,
and confpired together to feize the Ship,
which they executed one Morning, and bound
me Hand and Foot, with Threats of throw-
ing me over-board, if I offered to ftir. They
forced me to fwear Submiffion to them, and
then left me faften'd only by one Leg with a
Chain, and a Centinel at my Door with his
Piece charged, who was commanded to fhoot
me, if I attempted my Liberty. They fent
me down Victuals and Drink, and took the
Government of the Ship upon themſelves;
but could not turn Pyrates, as they defign'd,
without more Hands. They fold the Goods
of the Ship, and having loft many of the Crew,
refol-
I
3
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 103
refolved to go to Madagascar for Recruits.
They failed many Weeks, but what Courſe
they took, I know not, being all that time
under Confinement. On the 9th Day of May
1711, one James Welch came and told me,
he had Orders to fet me on Shore. I expo-
ftulated with him, but in vain, neither would
he tell me who was their new Captain. They
forced me into the Long Boat, letting me
take my best Cloaths, a Bundle of Linnen,
but no Arms except my Hanger, and indeed
were fo civil, as not to fearch my Pockets:
They row'd about a League, and then fet
me down on a Strand. I afk'd what Country
it was? They all fwore they were as ignorant-
of it as myſelf, and puſh'd off immediately,
adviſing me to make hafte, for fear of the
Tide. I walked forward in this defolate Con-
dition, till I came to firm Ground, where I
fat down to confider what I thould do. Be-
ing a little refresh'd, I went up into the Coun-
try, refolving to deliver my felf to the firit
Savages met, and purchaſe my Life with
what Toys I had about me. The Land was.
divided by long Rows of Trees growing ir-
regularly; there was Plenty of Graſs, and ſe-
veral Fields of Oats. I walked very circum-
fpectly, for fear of being fuddenly hot, and
at length came into a beaten Road, where I
perceived the Tracks of human Feet, fome
of Cows, but moſt of Horfes. A lift, I
obſerved ſeveral Animals in a Field, and fome
F 4
of
104
AVOYAGE
of the fame kind upon Trees; their Shape
was very fingular and deformed, which a lit-
le difcompofed me; fo that I lay down be-
hind a Hedge to obferve them the better.
Some of them coming nigher me, I obferved
their Heads and Breatts were covered with a
thick Hair, with Beards like Goats, and a
long Ridge of Hair down their Backs, and
the Foreparts of their Legs and Feet; but the
reft of their Bodies were bare, and their Skins
of a brown Colour. They had no Tails, nor
any Hair upon their Buttocks, but on the Place.
where they fit, which Nature had provided
to defend them from the Ground; for this
Pofture they uſed as much as any other. They
could climb Trees like a Squirrel, and had
sharp crooked Claws before and behind. The
Females were not fo large as the Malcs, their
Dugs hung between their Fore-feet, and of
ten reach'd the Ground as they walk'd. Up-
on the whole, I never faw fo difagreeable a
Creature in my Life, nor one against which
I naturally conceived a greater Antipathy.
So that, thinking I had feen enough, I got
up and purſued my Way along the Road, in
hopes of meeting with fome Indian's Cabbin.
I had not gone far, when I met one of those
ugly Creatures coming directly to me. The
ugly Moniter approaching me, diftorted his
Fetures, and lift up his Forc-paw, but whe-
ther out of Curiofity or Mifchief, I could
not tell. I therefore drew my Hanger, and
gave
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
105
gave him a Blow with the flat Side, fearful
of ſtriking with the Edge, left it might in-
cenfe the Inhabitants againſt me, for killing
or laming any of their Cattle. When the
Beaſt felt the Smart, he roared fo loud, that
a Herd of them came howling about me,
making odious Faces: But I ran to a Tree,
and leaning my Back againft it, kept them
off with my Hanger. Several of the curfed
Brood leapt upon the Tree, and difcharged
their Excrements upon my Head, till I was
almoft ftifled with Filth. In the midst of
this Diſtreſs, I obferved them all to run away,
at which I purſued the Road, wondering at
the Reaſon of their Flight. But looking on
my left Hand, I law a Horfe walking foftly
in the Field, which, as I afterwards found,
was the Caufe of thofe Animals leaving me
fuddenly. The Horfe ftared at the fi ft Sight
of me, but recovering himself, looked in my
Face with fome Marks of Wonder, and walk-
ed round me feveral times. I would have
purfued my Journey, but he ftood in my way,
looking mildly upon me, without offering
the leaft Violence. We gazed at each other
for fome time; at laft I put out my Hand to
ftroke him, and ufed him as we do, when we
are going to handle a ftrang: Horfe. But he
fhook his Head at me with Dildain, and bent
his Brows, gently railing his Fore-foot to re-
move my Hand, and then neighed in fuch a
manner, that I thought he was fpeaking to
F5
him.
་
106
AVOYAGE
himſelf in a Language of his own. While
he and I were thus employ'd, another Horie
came up, and applying himſelf to the for-
mer, they gently ftruck each other's right
Hoof, and neigh'd alternatively with a va-
rious Sound, which feemed almoſt articulate.
They walked from me Side by Side, like Per-
fons conferring together, often turning their
Eyes towards me, as it were to watch, that
I might not make my Eſcape. I was amazed
to fee fuch Actions in brute Beafts, and con-
cluded, that if the Inhabitants were endued
with a proportionable Degree of Reaſon,
they muſt needs be wife People. Encourag'd
with this Thought, I refolved to go forward,
till I could diſcover fome Houfe, or meet with
any of the Natives, and leave the two Horfes
to difcourfe together as they pleafed. But the
firſt, which was a dapple grey, perceiving
me to fteal away, neigh'd after me in fo ex-
preffive a Tone, that I fancied I knew what
he meant. Whereupon Iturn'd back to wait
his Commands, but not without fome fear
from this Adventure, as the Reader must eafi-
ly believe, confidering my prefent Conditi-
on. The two Horfes advanc'd to me, and
look'd earnestly at my Hands and Face. The
grey Steed fo difcompofed my Hat, by rub-
bing it with his right Forefoot, that I took
it off, to put it better upon my Head; where-
at, both he and the brown Bay (which was
the other's Colour) appeared furprized. The
latter
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
107
I
latter felt the Lappet of my Coat, and find-
ing it to hang loofe about me, they both look'd
with Signs of Wonder. He ftroak'd my righa
Hand, and feem'd to admire its Softnefs and
Colour, but ſqueezed it fo hard between his
Hoof and his Paftern, that I was forc'd to
cry out; after which they uſed me more ten-
derly. They neigh'd to each other at the
Sight of my Shoes and Stockings, which they
often felt, and ufed various Geftures, not un-
like thofe of a Philofopher, when he is about
to folve ſome difficult Phænomenon. In fhort,
the Behaviour of theſe Animals was fo rational
and judicious, that I concluded there muft
needs be fome magical Metamorphofis of them-
felves upon fome extraordinary Defign, or
they were really furprized to fee a Man fo
different from the natural Complexion and
Habit of the Country. The Power of this
Reflection made me venture to addreſs myſelf
to them in the following manner. Gentlemen,
If ye are Sorcerers, as I have reafon to believe,
you can understand any Language; I therefore
make bold to let your l'orſhips know, that I am a
poor distress'd Englishman, drove by Misfortunes
upon this Coaft, and intreat the Favour of riding on
one of your Backs to the next Village. In re-
turn of which Favour, (taking my Knife and
Bracelet out of my Pocket) I will make you
this Preſent. The two Creatures were filent,
but ſeemed to liſten attentively; and when Í
had done, they neigh'd to each other, as if
they
108
A VOYAGE
I
they were engaged in ferious Converſation.
obferved that their Language expreffed the
Paffions very well; and the Words might be
refolved into an Alphabet more eafy than the
Chinefe. They often repeated the Word Ya-
boo; and tho' I could not guefs at the Mean-
ing of it, I endeavour'd to practiſe the Sound,
and as foon as they were filent, I boldly pro-
nounc'd Yahoo, imitating the Neigh of a Horſe
at the fame time. At which, in a Surprize,
they repeated the fame, as if they meant to
teach me the right Accent. Ifpoke after them
as well as I could, and found my felf fome-
what improv'd. The Bay tried me with ano-
ther Word, which reduced to our English
Orthography, may be fpelt thus, Houyhnhnm.
By repeated Tryals, I fucceeded fo well in this,
that they both appear'd furprized at my Ca-
pacity. After their Difcourfe was ended, the
two Friends parted with the fame Compliment
of ſtriking Hoofs, and made Signs for me to
walk before; when flackened, one cry'd,
Ilbuun, Hbuun, and I guefling his Meaning,
made Signs, that I was weary, upon which
he allow'd me to ftand a while to rett.
CHAP.
to the HOUYHNHNMs.
109
CHAP. II.
The Author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his
Houfe. The Houfe defcrib'd. The Author's
Reception. The Food of the Houyhnhnms.
The Author is distress'd for want of Victuals.
And his manner of feeding in this Country.
uſe
Aving travelled about three Miles,
we came to along Timber Building,
whole Roof was low, and covered
with Straw. At the Sight of which, I began
to be comforted, and took out my Toys, in
hopes they would encourage the People of the
Houfe to ule me kindly. The Horfe made
me a Sign to go in first; the Room had a
Imooth Clay Floor, and a Rack and Manger
the whole length of it on one Side. There
were three Naggs, and a Mare fitting down
upon their Hams, and others employ'd in do-
meftick Bufinefs. They feem'd but ordinary
Cattle; however this confirm'd my former
Opinion of the Wiſdom of that People, who
could fo far civilize brute Animals. The Grey
came in foon after, and neighed feveral times
to them in a Style of Authority, and receiv-
ed Anſwers. Beyond this Room were three
others, to which you paffed through three
Doors, oppofite to each other. We went to
the laft, and here the Gray walk'd in firſt,
beck-
110 A VOYAGE
beckoning me to attend him. I waited in the
fecond Room, and prepared my Prefents for
the Maſters and Miftreffes of the Houfe, The
Horſe neigh'd three or four times, and I wait-
ed to hear fome human Voice, but obferved
no other Returns, than a fhriller Voice in the
fame Dialect, and began to think it must be
fome great Perfon's Houfe, from the Difficul
ty of Admittance: But that a Man of Qua-
lity ſhould be ferv'd only by Horfes, I could
not comprehend. I began to think my Brain
was diſturb'd, and look'd about the Room,
which I found furniſhed after the manner of
the first, but more elegantly. In fhort Iab-
folutely concluded it muſt be all Necroman-
cy; but had not time to purfue my Reflecti
ons, for the grey Horfe came and made me a
Sign to follow him into the third Room,
where I faw a handfome Mare, Colt and Foal,
fitting on their Haunches, on Matts artfully
made, and perfectly neat and clean. The Mare
role up, and after obferving my Hands and
Face, look'd contemptuously at me, and turn-
ing to the Horfe, I heard the word Taboo men-
tion'd between them, which tho' I did not
underſtand, was foon better inform'd to my
Mortification. For the Horfe beckoning to
me with his Head, and repeating the Word
Hluun Hhuun, he led me thro' a Court to a
Building at fome diftance, where were three
of thofe deteftable Creatures I had feen be-
fore, feeding upon the Flesh of Animals and
Roots,
to the HOUYHNhNms.
I I I
$
Roots. They were faftened by the Neck,
with ftrong Withes to a Beam, and held the
Fleſh between their Claws, while they tore
it with their Teeth. The Mafter Horfe order-
ed a forrel Nagg, one of his Servants, to untye
the largeſt of theſe Animals, and take him in-
to the Yard; where they compared us toge-
ther, and repeated the Word Taboo. My Hor-
ror and Surprize were great, when lobferv'd
a perfect human Figure. The Face was flat
and broad, the Nofe depreffed, the Lips large,
and Mouth wide; but thefe Differences are
common to all favage Nations, whofe Natives
lye groveling on the Earth, or are carried on
their Mothers Backs. The Fore-feet of the
Yaboo differed from my Hands, only in the
Length of the Nails, Coaifenels of the Palms,
and Hairinefs on the Back. Their Feet reſem-
bled ours, and every part of the Body, except
as to the Hairinefs and Colour. What feem'd
moſt ſtrange to the two Horfes, was to fee the
reft of my Body, fo different from a Yahoo,
which was occafion'd by my Cloaths; but this
they did not conceive. The forrel Nagg offer-
ed me a Root, which he held beetween his
Hoof and Paftern; this I fmelt to, and re-
turn'd it as civilly as I could. He brought
me a Piece of Affe's Flefh, which fmelt fo of
fenfively, that I could not bear it; he then
threw it to a Yahoo, who devoured it greedi-
ly. He afterwards thewed me Hay and Oats,
which I fignified was not Food for me; and
indeed
112
A VOYAGE
indeed began to apprehend that I muſt abfo-
lutely ftarve, if I could not meet with fome
of my own Species. The Mafter Horſe, ob-
ferving how deteftable the Taboo appear'd to
me by my Behaviour, fent him back to his
Kennel. He then made Signs, by putting
his Fore-hoof to his Mouth, to know what I
would eat. But I could not anfwer him, to
make him underftand me; and altho' he had,
I ſaw no poffible way of contriving to get
Nouriſhment. At this Juncture Ifaw a Cow
going by, and expreffed a Defire of milking
her. This anfwered my End, for he ordered
a Mare Servant, to open a Room, where was
good ſtore of Milk, in earthen and wooden
Veffels, in an orderly and cleanly Manner.
She gave me a large Bowl-full, which I drank
off, and found myſelf refreſhed. About Noon
Ifaw a Vehicle, drawn like a Sledge, by four
Yahoo's, coming towards the Houle. There
was in it an old Steed of Quality, who alight-
ed with his Hind-foot forward, having hurt
his left Fore-foot. He came to dine with our
Horte, who received him very civilly. They
dined in the beſt Room, and had Oats boil'd
in Milk, for the fecond Courfe, which they
warmed for the old Horfe, but the reſt eat
them cold. Their Mangers were placed round
in the middle of the Room, in which were fe-
veral Partitions, round which they fat upon
Truffes of Straw. Thus they dined with
much Decency and Regularity, having eve-
ry
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
113
ry one his Mefs. The young Colt and Foal
appeared very modeft, and the Mafter and
Mistress very gay and complaifant to their
Guest: The Grey ordered me to ftand by him,
and much Difcourfe paffed between them con-
cerning me, as I perceiv'd by their Looks,
and frequent Repetition of the word Yahoo.
I happened to wear my Gloves, which fo per-
plexed the Maſter Grey, that he put his Hoof
feveral times to them, fignifying that I should
pull them off, which I did, and put them in-
to my Pocket. Ifoon found the good Effects
of this Behaviour, and was ordered to ſpeak
thofe Words I understood; and while they
were at Dinner, the Mafter taught me the
Names for Oats, Milk, Fire, and Water, &c.
which i pronounced after him, having a great
Facility in learning Languages. When they
had dined, the Mafter Horfe by many Signs,
express'd a Concern, that I had nothing to
cat. I pronounced the word Hluanh (which
fignifies Oats in their Language) two or three
times; for tho' I had refuſed them before,
I confidered that I could make a Sort of Bread
with them, which would keep me from ftary-
ing. The Horle immediately ordered a Mare
Servant, to give me a good Quantity of Oats.
Thefe dried before the Fire, then rubb'd
them to loosen the Hufks, which I winnow'd
from the Grain. I ground them between
two Stones, and made them into a Paſte with
Water, which I toafted by the Fire, and eat
with
114 A VOYAGE
with warm Milk. It was at first an infipid
Diet, though common enough in fome parts.
of Europe; but grew tolerable in time, e pe-
cially to one who had been under Neceffitics
fo often. And I cannot but obferve, that I
had not one Hour's Sickness while I ftaid in
this lfland. 'Tis true I made fhift to catch a
Rabbet or Bird with Gins made of Taboo's
Hairs, and gathered wholeſome Herbs, which
Iboil'd or eat like Sallet, with my Bread, and
now and then made Butter, and drank the
Whey. I was at a lofs for Salt at firft, but
Cuſtom reconciled the want of it, and I am
confident its Ufe is the Effect of Luxury a-
mong us; and that it is only neceffary in the
preferving of Fleſh; for we obferve no Ani
mals to be fond of it but Man; and for my
part, I could not endure the Tafte of it for
fome time after I had left this Country. I
have faid enough upon the Subject of my
Diet; but thought it neceffary to mention
this, left the World fhould think it impoffi-
ble, I could find Suftenance in fuch a Coun-
try for three Years together. When it grew
towards Evening, the Mafter Horfe ordered
me a Place to lye in; it was very near the
Houſe, and feparated from the Stable of the
Taboo's. Here I got fome Straw, and cover-
ing my felf with my own Cloaths, flept very
found. But was in a fhort time better accom-
modated, as the Reader fhall know hereaf
ter.
CHAP.
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 115
CHA P. III.
The Author ftudies the Language, by the Affift-
ance of his Mafter the Houyhnhnm. The
Language defcribed. Several Houyhnhnms
of Quality come to fee the Author. He gives
his Mafter a ſhort Account of his Voyage.
M
Y principal Endeavour was to learn
the Language, in which my Mafter
(for fo I fhall henceforth call him) his
Children and Servants inftructed me. For
they look'd upon it as a Prodigy, that fo
much Reaſon fhould appear in a brute Ani-
mal. I enquired the Name of every thing,
and corrected my bad Accent, by hearing the
Words often pronounced, in which a forrel
Nagg principally aflifted me. In fpeaking,
they pronounce thro' the Nofe like the High
Dutch, but their Language is more graceful
and fignificant. The Emperor Charles V.
made almoft the fame Obfervation, when he
faid, that if he was to speak to his Horſe, it
fhould be in High Dutch. My Matter, whole
Curiofity of knowing what Animal I was,
and from whence I came, fpent many leifure
Hours to inftruct me, and hoped, by the Pro-
ficiency I had made, I fhould foon be capa-
ble of answering his Expectation. To help
my Memory, I formed all I learn'd into the
English
116
A VOYAGE
English Alphabet, and writ the Words down
with the Tranflations. And as I ventured to
do this in my Maſter's Prefence, it cost me a
great deal of Pains to explain to him what I
was about; for the Inhabitants have not the
leaft Idea of Books or Learning. In about
ten Weeks, I began to underſtand his Quefti-
ons, and in three Months could give fome to-
lerable Anſwers. He was extremely defirous
of knowing from what Part of the Country
I came, and how I came to imitate à rational
Creature, becauſe the Yahoo's (whom I refem-
bled in thofe Parts he could fee) with fome
Appearance of Cunning and mifchievous Dil-
pofition, were the moſt unteachable of all
Brutes. I told him, that I came over in a
hollow Veffel made of Trees, and how my
Companions had ferv'd me. But he replied,
I muſt be miſtaken, or faid the thing which
was not, they having no Word to exprefs
Falfhood or Lying, for it was impoffible that
there could be a Country where I had faid,
or that Brutes could make a Veffel to move
where they pleafed upon the Water. That
no Houyhnhnm could make fuch a Veffel, or
would trust Yahoo's to manage it. The Word
Houyhnhnm, in their Tongue, fignifies a Horfe,
and, in its Etymology, the Perfection of Na-
ture. I told my Mafter, I was at a Lofs to
exprefs myſelf, but hoped to be able to tell
him Wonders in a fhort time. He ordered
all his Family to inftruct me, spent two or
three
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
117
เ
three Hours a Day himself for that Purpoſe.
Several Horfes and Mares of Quality came to
fee me, upon the Report that there was a
wonderful Yahoo, who could fpeak like a
Houyhnhnm, and feemed to difcover fome
Glimmering of Reaſon. Theſe aſked me ma-
ny Queſtions, and received fuch Anſwers as I
could return; by which Advantages, in five
Months, I underſtood all that was ſpoke, and
could exprefs myſelf tolerably well.
The
;
Houyhnhnms, who came to fee me, could
hardly believe me to be a Yahoo, from my Bo-
dy being differently covered, and were afto-
nished to obferve me without the ufual Hair
or Skin, except on my Head, Face, or Hands
but I discovered that Secret to my Mafter,
about a Fortnight before. As it was my Cu-
ftom every Night, when the Family was gone
to Bed, to strip and cover my felf with my
Cloaths, my Maſter ſent for me by his forrel
Nagg one Morning, as I was faft afleep; my
Cloaths fallen off, and my Shirt lying difor-
derly, I awaked at the Noife, and obferved
him to deliver his Meffage in Confufion; af-
ter which, he went to his Mafter, and told
him all he had diſcovered. When I was
dreffed, I went to pay my Attendance upon
his Honour, who afked the Meaning of what
his Servant had reported; that I was different
afleep and awake, and that my Body was
whiter then than at another Time. I had
hitherto concealed the Secret of my Drefs,
to
118
A VOYAGE
to be diftinguiſhed from that curfed Race of
Yahoo's; but finding it in vain to do fo any
longer, I therefore told my Mafter, that in
our Country we kept our Bodies from Heat
and Cold, as well as to avoid the Inclemen-
cies of the Air, by covering them with the
Hairs of certain Animals artfully prepared for
that Ufe; that if he pleafed to give me his
Command, I would foon convince him; he
told me I might do as I pleafed. Whereupon
I undreſs'd my ſelf before him, having a Re-
gard to all neceffary Decency. He took my
Cloaths one Piece after another, and looked
diligently at them; then walked round me,
and ftroak'd my Body gently; after which,
he ſaid, I muſt be a raboo, tho' I differed ve-
ry much from the reit of ny Species. in the
Softneſs and Whitenefs of my Skin. and my
Want of Hair on feveral Parts of my Body
the Shape and Shortnels of my Claws, and
my continual walking upright. He defired
to fee no more, and gave me Leave to put on
my Cloaths. I expreffed an Uncatinefs at his
calling me by the Name of that odious Ani-
mal, and begg'd he would not apply it to
me, and give the fame Order to his Family
of Friends who were fuffered to fee me; and
defired he would keep the Knowledge of my
falfe Covering to himself, at leaft, as long as
my preſent Cloathing laited, and command
his forrel Nagg to conceal it. All this he
confented to, which was kept fecret till my
Cloaths
to the HouYMNHNMS.
119
Cloaths began to wear out, which I was for-
ced to ſupply by feveral Contrivances. In
the mean time, he defired me to apply my
utmoſt Diligence in learning the Language,
adding, that he had long waited with Impa-
tience to hear the Wonders which I had to
tell him. From thenceforward he took more
Pains to inſtruct me, and brought me into all
Company, whom he defired to treat me ci-
villy, that I might be more diverting. Eve-
ry Day when I waited on him, he would aſk
me feveral Queftions concerning myſelf, and
had already conceived by my Anfwers, fome
general Ideas, tho' imperfect. It would be
tedious to relate the particular Steps we made
in Converſation; but the firft Account that
I gave of myſelf in any Order or Length,
was to the following Purpofe. That I came
from a diſtant Country, as I had told him be-
fore, in Company with Fifty of my own Spe-
cies; that we travelled in a large hollow Vef-
fel made of Wood, and larger than his Ho-
nour's Houfe. I defcrib'd the Ship to him as
well as I could, and with my Handkerchief
explained the Manner how it was driven for-
ward by the Wind. That a Quarrel arifing
among us, I was fet on Shore, and walked
on without knowing whither, till he delive-
red me from the Perfecution of thoſe detefta-
ble Yahoo's. He afked me who made the Ship,
and how it was poffible, that the Houyhnhnms
of any Country would leave the Management
of
120
A VOYAGE
of it to Brutes. I told him, I would proceed
no farther in my Relation, unleſs I had his
Promile that he would not be offended. He
agreed, and I went on, affuring him that the
Ship was made by Creatures of my own Spe-
cies, who, in all Countries where I had tra-
velled were the only rational Creatures. That
at my coming into this Country, I was as
much furprized at their Rationality, as they
were at mine. I ſaid farther, that if good
Fortune ever reſtored me to my native Coun-
try, and I fhould relate my Travels hither,
every body will think that I faid the thing:
which was not; and that with all poffible Re-
fpect to himself and Family, and under his
Promiſe of not being offended, our Coun-
trymen would think it improbable, that a
Houyhnhnm fhould be the prefiding Creature
in a Country, and a Taboo the Brute.
のど
​{
CHAP.
!
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 121
C
CHAP. IV.
The Houyhnhnms Notion of Truth and Falfhood.
The Author's Difcourfe difapprov'd by his Ma-
fler. He gives a farther Account of himself,
and the Accidents of his Voyage.
Y Mafter heard me with Marks of Un-
Meafinefs in his Countenance; bec.ufe
doubting, and not believing, are fo
little known in this Country, that in
fuch Circumstances, the Inhabitants are at a
lofs how to behave themſelves. And I remem-
ber, in fome Difcourfes concerning Manhood,
in other parts of the World, I mentioned Ly-
ing and falfe Mifreprefentation, which were
Terms he comprehended with Difficulty, al-
tho' he had an acute Judgment. And this
was his Argument: That by the Ufe of Speech
we understood one another, and received
Information of Facts; now, if any one faid
the thing which was not, thofe Ends are de-
ftroyed; becauſe it cannot be properly faid,
I underſtand him; being fo far from receiv-
ing Information, that he leaves me worfe than
in Ignorance; for I am induced to believe,
that Black is White, and Short, Long. Thefe
were his Notions of Lying, fo perfectly un-
derstood among human Creatures. To return
from this Digreffion. My Mafter could not
G
con
4:22
A VOYAGE
•
conceive the raboo's to be governing Animals
in my Country, and defired to know whether
we had any Houyhnhnms among us, and in
what manner they liv'd. I told him, they
grazed in Summer, and in Winter were kept
in Houſes, when Taboo Servants were employ'd
in feeding, keeping them clean, and making
their Beds. I underſtand from all you have
faid, reply'd my Mafter, that whatever Share
of Reafon the Taboo's have, the Houyhnhnms
are Maſters; and I heartily with our Taboo's
were ſo tractable. I begg'd his Honour to
excufe my proceeding any farther, left I ſhould
fay fomething very difpleafing. But he infift-
•
ed that I ſhould tell him the best and woift.
To obey him, I faid I muft own, that the
Houyhnhnms among us, whom we called
Horfes, were the most generous and comely
Animal we had, and excelled in Strength and
Swittnefs. That when they belong'd to great
Men, they were employ'd in Travelling, Ra-
cing, and Drawing of Chariots; and were
well uled as long as they were found; but if
otherwife, were fold, and labour'd hard till
they died; after which, they were ftript of
their Skins, and their Bodies devoured by
Dogs and Birds of Prey. I deſcribed, as
well as I could, our Manner of Riding, the
Shape and Ufe of a Bridle, Saddle, a Spur
and Whip, Harneſs and Wheels. I added,
that we placed a fort of hard Subſtance to the
Bottoms of their Feet, called Iron, to preferve
1
t
1
1
L
their
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 123
their Hoofs from being hurt. My Mafter,
after ſome Expreffions of Indignation, won-
dered how we durft venture on the Back of
a Houyhnhnm; for he was fure, that the mean-
eft Servant of his was able to shake off the
ftrongeſt Taboo, and fqueeze him to Death.
I antwered, that our Hories were trained up,
when young, to the Ufes we intended them.
That if they proved vicious, we uſed ſevere
Methods to tame them; That we caftrated
the Males, to make them more gentic; that
they were fenfible of Rewards and Punith-
ments, but have as little Reafon as the Ta-
boo's of this Country. I had fome Difficulty
to make him underſtand what I faid, their
Language not being fo copious as ours, be-
cauſe their Wants and Paffions are fewer. But
Ican hardly exprefs his Refentment, at our
favage Treatment of the Houyhnhnms, parti-
cularly when I had explained the manner of
caftrating Horles among us. He faid, if it
were poffible there could be a Country, where
Yahoo's alone were the governing Animals,
they must be rational, becaufe Reafon will,
in time, always prevail against brutal Strength.
But confidering the Frame of our Bodies,
efpecially mine, he thought no Creature ſo ill
contriv'd, to employ reafon in the Offices of
Life. Whereupon he defired to know, whe
ther they refen.bled me, or the Taboo's of his
Country. I affured him, that I was as well
fhap'd as moſt of my Age; but that the younger,
G 2
and
#24
A VOYAGE
:
and the Females were fofter and whiter, efpe-
cially the latter. He faid I differ'd in my
Cleanliness from other Yahoo's; but in Point
of real Advantage he thought I differ'd for
the worſe. That the Nails of my Hinder-
feet were of no Ufe, and as to my Fore-feet,
he could not properly fo call them, having
not feen me walk upon them, and thought
they were too tender for the Ground. He
then began to find Fault with other Parts of
my Body; as, the Flatnefs of my Face, the
Prominence of my Nofe, the Polition of my
Eyes, with which I could not look fide-
ways, without turning my Head. He knew
not, what could be the Ufe of thofe feveral
Clefts in my Feet behind; that they were too
foft to bear the Hardness of Stones; and that
my Body wanted a Fence against Heat and
Cold, which I had the Trouble of putting
on and off every Day. And lastly, that he
obferv'd every Animal in this Country, natu
rally abhorred the Taboo's, whom the weaker
avoided, and the ftronger purlucd: So that,
fuppofing us reafonable, he could not fee it
was poffible to cure that Antipathy, which
other Creatures had againit us; nor confe-
quently, how we could tame, and make them
erviceable. However, he faid he would de-
bate the Matter no farther, being willing to
hear the Hiftory of my Country, and Actions
of my Life, before I came thither. Laflured
him, I was defirous he should be fatisty'd;
but
to the HOUYнNHNMS
125
but doubted, whether I could explain myſelf
to his Conception, promifing I would do my
beft, to express myſelf by Similitudes, defiring.
his Affiftance, if I wanted Words. I faid my
Birth was of honeft Parents in England, a
Country remote from this, by as many Days
Journey, as the ftrongest of his Honour's Ser-
vants could travel in the Annual Courſe of the
Sun. That I was bred a Surgeon, whofe Em--
ployment is to cure Wounds or Hurts got by
Accident. That my Country was governed by
a Female Man, whom we call'd Queen, which
I left to get Riches, that I might maintain
my Family better, at my Return. That I
was Commander of the Ship, with fifty re-
hoo's under me, many of whom dying, I was
forced to fupply them by others from feve-
ral Nations; That our Ship was twice in
Danger of finking, firft by a Storm, and fince,
by ftriking againft a Rock. Here my Ma-
fter interrupted me, by afking, how I could
perfwade Strangers to venture, after the Lof
fes I had fuftained, and the Hizards I had rur..
I faid, they were Men of defperate Fortunes,
forced on account of their Poverty, or Crimes,
to leave their native Country; fome were ru-
in'd by Law-Suits, others fquandered away
all they had, in Drinking, Whoring, and
Gaming; fome fled for Treafon; many for
Murder, Robbery, Perjury, &c. and that
none of theſe durft return home, for fear of
Punishment; and therefore were under a Ne-
G 3
ceffity
126 A VOYAGE
ceffity of feeking a Livelihood in other
Places. During this Difcourfe, my Mafter
interrupted me often, to explain the Nature,
of the different Crimes I had mentioned ;
And this Tafk took up feveral Days Conver-
fation, before he could comprehend me. He
was entirely at a lots to know, what could
be the Ufe or Neceffity, of practising fuch
Vices. To clear which, I endeavour'd to
give him fome Ideas of the Defire of Wealth
and Power, and of the terrible Effects of
Luft, Malice, and Intemperance. All this I
was forced to defcribe, by putting Cafes, and
making Suppofitions. After which, he lift-
ed up his Eyes with Amazement and Indig-
nation; and defired I would give him fome
particular Account of Europe, and efpecially
of my own Country.
СНАР.
1
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 127
CHAP.
V.
The Author, at his Mafter's Command, informs
him of the State of England. The Caufes of
War among the Princes of Europe. And
explains the Engliſh Conftitution.
E reader may pleaſe to obferve, that
the following is an Extract of feve
ral Difcourfes I had with my Maſter,
containing the most material Points of our
Converſation; his Honour often defiring ful-
ler Satisfaction, as I improved in the Lan-
guage. I gave him an Account of the State
of Europe, as well as I could, as to Trade,
Manufactures, Arts, and Sciences, and I an-
fwered him, as Opportunity ferved, from the
Subject of our Converfation; But fhall here.
only take Notice of the Subftance of what
paffed, without any Regard to Time or Cir-
cumftances. My only Fear is, that I hall
not be able to do Juftice to my Malter's Ar---
guments and Expreflions, for want of a due
Capacity, as well as by a Tranflation, into
our barbarous English. In Obedience there-
fore to his Honour's Commands, I related the
Revolution under the Prince of Orange, The
long War with France, entered into by that
Prince, and renew'd by his Succeffor, the
Queen; wherein, the chief Powers of Chrift-
GA 4
endom:
128
AVOYAGE
*
endom, were engag'd at this time. I com
puted, that a Million of Taboo's might have
been killed, a hundred Cities taken, and thrice
as many Ships loft. He afk'd me, what were
the ufual Motives of War among us? I an-
fwer'd, many were the Motives, but fhould
mention a few of the Chief. Sometimes the
Ambition of Princes, to extend their Domi-
nions: Sometimes the Policy of corrupt Mi-
nitters, who engage their Mafters in a War,
to divert the Clamour of the People againtt
rheir Male Adminiftration. Difference in O-
pinions, hath coft many Million of Lives:
For inftance, whether Fief be Bread, or Bread
Flef; whether the Juice of a certain Fruit be
Blood or Wine; whether Whiffling be a Vice,
or a Vertue; whether it is better to kiss a Poft,
or throw it in the Fire; and what is the beſt
Colour for a Coat, whether Black, White,
Red, or Grey; and whether it ſhould be long
or ſhort, narrow or wide, dirty or clean, with
many more. And there are no Wars fo bloo-
dy or lafting, as thofe occafioned by Differ-
ence in Opinion; efpecially if it be in trivial
Matters. Sometimes two Princes quarrel,
who fhall take Poffeffion of the Dominions
of a third, where neither of them have any
Pretenfion of Right. Sometimes one Prince
quarrels with another, for fear the other ſhould
quarrel with him. Sometimes they enter in-
to a War, becauſe the Enemy is too strong;
and another time, becauſe he is too weak.
Some-
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
129
Sometimes our Neighbours want the things
we have; or have the things we want, and we:
fight till they take ours, or give us theirs. It
is a juftifiable Cauie of War, to invade a Coun-
try, when the People have been deſtroy'd by
Peftlience or Famine, or in Faction among
themielves. And fo it is, to enter into War
againft our Ally, when one of his Towns
lyes convement for us, or a Territory of Land,
that would make our Dominions compleat. If
a Prince fends Forces into a Nation, where
the People are poor and ignorant, he may
lawfully kill one half, and enflave the reft,
to reduce them from their barbarous Cuftoms.
It is an honourable and frequent Practice,
when one Prince defires the Affiftance of an-
other, to fecure his Dominions againſt Inva-
fion, that the Affiftant, when he hath driven
out the Invader, fhould poffefs himſelf of the
Dominion, and kill or banish the Prince,
whom he came to defend. Alliances by Blood,
or Intermarriages, is a frequent Cauſe of War
between Princes, and the nearer they are re-
lated, the greater the Difpofition to quarrel.
Poor Nations are Hungry, and Rich ones Proud;
and Pride and Hunger will never agree. For
thefe Reafons, the Trade of a Soldier is held
the most honourable: A Soldier being a ra•
boo hired to kill as many of his own Species
as he can, who have never offended him.
There are likewiſe another kind of Princes,
in the Northern part of Europe, who not able
G S
to
.
130
I
AVOYAGE
to make War themſelves, hire their Troops
to other Nations, which is the beſt part of
their Maintenance. What you have faid up-
on the Subject of War, reply'd my Maſter,
diſcovers the admirable Effects of that Rea-
fon you pretend to. However, it is happy
that the Shame is greater than the Danger;
and that Nature hath made you incapable of
doing much Miſchief. For your Mouths ly-
ing flat to your Faces, you can hardly bite
each other; then as to your Claws, they are
fo fhort, that one of our Taboo's will drive
a dozen of yours before him. And therefore,
as to the Number flain in Battle, I cannot
but think, that you have faid the thing which
is not. Ifmil'd at his Ignorance in fuch Af-
fairs, and fhaking my Head, gave him a De-
fcription of Cannons, Mortars, Swords,
Powder and Ball, and other warlike Prepara-
tions and Machines, with the terrible Slaugh-
ter they occafion'd, and the difmal Conte-
quences they produc'd. And to fet forth the
Valour of my Countrymen, I affured him, I
had feen a Hundred Enemies blown up at
once, and beheld the Pieces of dead Bodies
fall, to the great Diverfion of the Specta-
tors. I was going on, but my Mafter com-
manded my Silence, and faid, Whoever un-
derstood the Nature of Taboo's, might be-
lieve it poffible for fo vile an Animal to be
capable of the Actions I had mentioned; but
as my Difcourfe had increafed his Abhorrence
of
ļ
1
f
E
to the HOUYHNHNMS,
131
of them, fo it gave him a Diſturbance in his
Mind, to which he was a Stranger before.
That altho' he hated a Taboo, yet he no
more blamed them for their ill Qualities, than
he did a Gnnayh (a Bird of Prey) for its
Cruelty, or a fharp Stone for cutting his Hoof,
But when a rational Creature could be ca•
pable of fuch Enormities, he feared that the
Corruption of that Faculty was worſe than
Brutality it felf. He feemed confident there-
fore, that inſtead of Reaſon, we had only
fome Quality, adapted to encreaſe our natu-
ral Vices; as the Reflection from a troubled
Stream returns the Image of an ill fhaped
Body, not only larger, but more diftorted.
He added, that he had heard too much up-
on the Subject of War, and defired to be in-
formed, how fome of our Crew, whom I
faid were ruined by Law, came to be ruined
by that, which was intended for every Man's
Prefervation. Therefore he defired to know
what I meant by Law, and what fort of Peo-
ple were Difpenfers thereof, by whofe Practi-
ces, a Perfon's Property could be loft, instead
of being preferv'd. And added, he faw no
Occaſion for this thing call'd Law, fince all
the Intentions and Purpoſes of it may be an-
fwered, by following the Dictates of Nature
and Reaſon. I aſſured his Honour, that Law
was a Science I had not been converfant in,
any more than by employing Advocates in.
vain, upon fome Injuftices done me, by con-
verling
:.
132
A VOYAGE
verfing with others, who had loft their For-
tunes by the fame means, and had left their
Country, under the Mortification of fuch
Difappointments; however I would give him
all the Satisfaction I was able. I faid, that
thoſe who made Profeffion of this Science,
were as numerous as Caterpillars; that they
were of different Degrees, Diſtinctions, and
Denominations. The Number of thoſe in
this Profeffion was fo great, that the fair
Income of the Profeffion was not fufficient
for the Maintainance of the Multitudes who
follow'd it. Hence it was found neceffary,
to ſupply that by Artifice and Cunning, which
could not be obtain'd by juft and honeft Me-
thods. To bring which to pafs, many of our
Youth were bred up in the Art of proving
by Words, multiply'd for that Purpole, that
White is Black, and Black bite, according
as they are paid. The Greatness of their Al-
furance gain'd upon the Vulgar, of whom
they made Slaves, and got into their Hands.
the largeſt ſhare of the Practice of their Pro-
feffion. That theſe Practitioners were call'd
Pettifoggers, (that is, Confounders or Defroy-
ers of Right) as my Acquaintance and I
were convinc'd, by being engag'd only with
this Species of the Profeflion. I defired his
Honour to understand, that the Ruin I com-
plained of, and Defeription I had to give, re-
lated to thoſe Sectaries only; and how thefe
Misfortunes were brought upon us, I could
not
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 133
not better explain, than by giving an Exam-
ple
My Neighbour, faid I, I will fuppoſe,
has a Mind to my Cow, and hires one of theſe
Advocates to prove he ought to have her
from me. I must then have another to de-
fend my Right; no Man, according to the
Rules of Law, being allow'd to speak for
himielf. Now, in this Cafe, though I am
the right Owner, I lie under two Difadvan-
tages. First my Advocate being used to the
defending of Faithood, is quite out of his
Element, when he would argue for Right.
The fecond is, that he muft proceed with
Caution; for fince the Maintenance of fo ma-
ny depends upon keeping up the Bufinefs,
fhould he proceed too fummarily, he would
incur the Hatred and Difpleafure of his Bre-
thren, and be efteem'd a Leffener of the Pra-
tice of the Law. This being the Cafe, I have
but two Methods to preferve my Cow. The
first is, to gain my Adverfary's Advocate over,
by a double Fee: And the fecond, tor my
Advocate not to infift on the Juftice of my
Caufe, by allowing the Cow to belong to my
Adverlary; for it hath been cbferved, that
under the Management of fuch Practitioners,
the wrong Side has the fairer Chance for Suc-
cels; elpecially when it h ppens, as it did
in mine and my Friend's Cale, and may have
done fince, that the Perfon appointed to de-
cide Controverfics of Property, or Tryals of
Criminals, who fhould be chofen from the
most
134 A VOYAGE
moſt knowing of his Profeffion, by the Re-
commendation of a Favourite, or Court-Mi-
ftrefs, is taken out of the Sect aforemention'd;
and befides, thro' Age and Infirmity, grown
unactive and unattentive, and thereby incapa-
ble of performing the Duty of his Office. In
fuch Cafes, Decifions and Determinations may
with reafon be expected on the wrong Side;
fince thofe, who can take a long Harangue
and great Noife for Reaſoning, are not much
to be wondered at, if they infer the Weight
of the Argument from the Heaviness of the
Pleading. It is a Maxim among thofe Men,
that whatever has been done before, may
lawfully be done again; and therefore they
take special Care, to record all Decifions for-
merly made, even thofe, which, thro' Igno-
rance and Corruption, have contradicted the
common Rules of Justice, and Reaſon of
Mankind. Thefe, under the Name of Pre-
cedents, they produce as Authorities, to juſti-
fy their inequitable Opinions. In pleading,
they care not to enter into the Merits of the
Caufe, but are loud, violent, and tedious,
in dwelling upon Circumftances not to the Pur-
pofe. For Inftance, in the Cafe juft menti-
oned, they never defire to know, what Ti-
tle my Adverſary hath to the Cow, but en-
quire into the Colour and Length of her Horns,
and whether the grazed in a fquare or round
Field, whether he was milk'd at home, or
abroad, &c. after which, they confult Pre-
cedents,
་
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
135
cedents, adjourn the Cauſe from time to time,
and in twenty or thirty Years it comes to an
Iffue. It is likewife to be obſerved, that this
Society has a particular Jargon, that nobody
underſtands but themſelves, wherein all their
Laws are written, which they take care to
multiply; by which means, they have almoft
confounded the very Effence of Truth and
Falfhood, of Right and Wrong; fo that it
may take thirty Years to decide, whether
the Field left me by my Anceſtors, for fix
Generations, belongs to me or a Stranger.
In the Tryals of Perfons accuſed of Crimes
against the State, the Method is more fhort
and commendable; for if thoſe in Power take
care to recommend one of this Clan, his Me-
thod of Education and Practice makes it ea
fy to him to condemn or acquit a Criminal,
and at the fame time, ftrictly preferve all due
Forms of Law. Here my Mafter interpo-
fing, faid it was pity that Creatures of fuch
prodigious Abilities of Mind, as thofe Advo-
cates must be, were not employ'd to inſtruct
others in Wisdom and Knowledge.
In an-
fwer to which, I affur'd his Honour, that the
Buſineſs and Study of their Profeflion, took
up all their Thoughts and Time, and that
therefore, in all Points out of their own
Trade, many of them were fo ftupid and
ignorant, that it was hard to pick out of any
Profeffion, a Set of Men more deſpicable in
common Converfation, or greater Enemies.
το
136
A VOYAGE
to Knowledge and Learning, being equally
dilpofed to pervert the general Reaton of
Mankind, in every Subject of Converfation,
as in that of their own Calling.
CHAP. VI.
The State of England continued. So well go-
vern'd by a Queen, as to need no firft Mini-
fter. The Character of one in fome Euro-
pean Courts.
Y Mafter could not underſtand what
M incited thefe Lawyers to perplex and
weary themselves, and engage in a
Confederacy of Injuftice, only for the fake of
injuring their Fellow Creatures; or what I
meant by their doing it for Hire. This put
me to a great deal of Pains, to defcribe the
Uſe of Money, and Value of Metals: i told
him, that when a Taboo had Store of this
Subilance, he was able to purchaſe the no-
bleſt Houſes, and most delicious Meats, and
have his Choice of the most beautiful Fe-
males. Therefore, fince Money alone could
perform all this, our Taboo's thought they
could not have enough, either to spend or
fave, as they found themfelves inclined, from
their natural Profufion or Avarice. That the
Rich reaped the Fruits of the poor Man's
Labour, the latter of which were a Thou-
fand
to the HOUYHNHNмS.
137
-
fand to one of the former. That the Bulk
of our People labour'd hard every Day for
fmall Wages, to make a few live plentifully.
I enlarged much on theſe Particulars, but his
Honour was ftill to feek: For he went upon
a Suppofition, that all Animals had a Title
to fhare of the Productions of the Earth;
and eſpecially thoſe who prefided over the
reft. Therefore he defired to know what
theſe coftly Meats were. Whereupon I men-
tion'd various Sorts, and the Method of dref-
fing them, which could not be done, with-
out fending Ships to every Part of the World,
as well for Liquors to drink, as for Sauces
and other Conveniences. I affured him the
whole Globe of Earth must be three times.
gone round, before one of our better Female
Taboo's could get her Breakfast, or a Cup to
put it in. He faid, it must be a miferable
Country indeed, which could not furniſh its
Inhabitants with Food; and what he moſt
wondered at, how fuch vaft Tracts of Land
could be without Water, and the People obli-
ged to fend over Sea for Drink. I reply'd,
that England, (the Place of my Nativity)
was reckoned to produce three times more.
than the Inhabitants can confume, of all forts
of Neceffaries for Life; but theſe were fent
to other Countries, from whence, in Return -
we brought the Materials of Difeafes, Folly
and Vice, to feed our own Luxury. Hence
it followed, that vaft Numbers are. compelled
to
138
A VOYAGE
to feek their Livelihood by Begging, Rob-
bing, Cheting, Forfwearing, &c. every one
of which Terms I took much Pains to make
him underſtand. That Wine was not brought
from other Countries, to fupply the Want
of Drinks, but becaule it made us merry by
deftroying our Senles; it raiſed our Hopes,
and banished our Fears, and fupended every
Office of Reafon for a time, and deprived us
of the Ule of our Limbs, till we flept; al-
though it must be confeffed, that we always
awak'd fick and difpirited; and that the Ufc
of this Liquor filled us with Difeafes, and
rendered our Lives uncomfortable and short.
That befides, the greateſt Part of our People
ſupported themſelves by furniſhing Necefla.
ries for the Rich, and for each other. For
Inſtance, when I am at Home, and dreſſed,
I carry the Workmanship of an Hundred
Tradefmen upon my Back, and my Wife
thereof five times as many. I was going on
to tell him, that we had a Sort of People
among us, who got their Livelihood by at-
tending the Sick, and with much Difficulty
bought him to apprehend what I meant.
He eafily conceived, that a Houyhnhnm grew
weak before he died, or fometimes broke a
Limb by Accident; but thought it contradi-
ctory to the Perfection of Nature, that Pains
fhould breed in our Bodies, and defired to
know the Reaſon of fo unaccountable an Evil.
I told him, we fed upon a Thoufand things
which
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
139
which had contrary Operations; that we eat
without Hunger, and drink without Thirft,
fit up whole Nights to drink ftrong Liquors,
which difpofed us to Sloth, and ſpoil'd the
Conſtitution of our Bodies. That proſtitute
Female Taboo's corrupted the Bodies of thofe
who fell into their Embraces; that this and
many other Diftempers were hereditary to
us, there being hardly a Limb or Part of the
Body exempt from fome M lady or other. To
remedy which, I told him we had a Sort of
People who pretend to profefs curing the
Sick, and having fome Knowledge in this
Faculty, would let him into the whole My-
ftery of their Proceedings. The chief Caufe
of all Diſeaſes is Repletion, whence they con-
clude it neceſſary to evacuate the Body, either
by the natural Paffages, or upwards by the
Mouth. In the next Place, they contrive
naufeous Compofitions from the different Spe-
cies of Minerals, Vegetables, and Parts of
Animals mix'd together, which the Stomach
rejects with Loathing, and this they call a
Vomit; or elſe from the fame Store-houſe,
they make fome poifonous Addition, and or-
der us to take it at the upper or lower Ori-
fice, which relaxing the Bowels, drives all
down before it, and this is called a Purge or
a Glyfter: For Nature, as Phyſicians reaſon,
having defigned the fuperior anterior Orifice
for the Intromiffion of Solids, and the inferi-
or for Expulfion, they confider, that in all
Dif-
140
A VOYAGE
Difeafes fhe is out of her Road, and there-
fore, to bring her into it again, act in a con-
trary manner, by interchanging the Ufe of
each Orifice. But befides real Difeafes, we
are fubject to imaginary ones, for which like
Cures are invented, and with thofe our Female
Yahoo's are chiefly infefted. Our Phyficians are
fo well fkill'd in Prognofticks, that when real
Diſeaſes are very malignant, they generally
portend Death, which is always in their
Power, when Recovery is not. And there-
fore, upon unexpected Signs of Amendment,.
after they have pronounc'd Sentence, rather
than be accounted falfe Prophets, they know
how to fkreen their Ignorance, by a fea
fonable Dofe. They are likewife of Ule to
Hufbands and Wives, to Elder Sons, to
great Minifters of State, and often to Prin-
ces. I had formerly difcourfed upon the
Subje& of Government in general, and of our
own excellent Conftitution in particular; but.
having here accidentally mentioned a Minifter
of State, he defired to know what Species of
Taboo it was that went by that Name. I
told him that our She Governor or Queen.
having no Ambition to extend her Power to
the Injury of her Neighbours, or Prejudice.
of her Subjects, needed not a corrupt Miniftry
to carry on or conceal any finifter Defigns,
making the Laws of her Country the Rule
of her Actions, and fubjected the Behaviour.
of thoſe the entrusted with the Adminiftra-.
་
}
tion
to the HOUYH NHNMS. 141
tion of her Affairs, to the Cenfure and Exa-
mination of her Great Council: But I added,
when Princes grew indolent and careleſs of
their Affairs, they made Ufe of fuch an Ad-
miniftrator as I mentioned, under the Title of
Chief Minister of State, the Deſcription of
whom may be allow'd to be as follows. That
he is a Perfon exempt from Joy or Grief,
Love or Hatred, Pity or Anger, or at leaft
makes uſe of no Paffion, but the Defire of
Riches and Honour; he applies his Words to
all Ules, but the declaring his own Mind.
He never tells a Truth, but with an Intent
that you should think it a Lie, and fo,
vice verfa, he fpeaks worft of his Friends,
and flatters his Enemies, and the worſt Mark
of Friendship you can receive from him is a
Promife, especially when it is confirmed with
an Oath; after which every wife Man retires,
and abandons all Hopes. There are three Me-
thods of attaining this Honour: The first is,
by knowing prudently how to dilpole of a
Wife, Daughter, or Sifter; the next, by un-
dermining a Predeceffor, and the last by a
furious Zeal in publick Affemblies againſt the
Corruptions of the Court. That thefe Mi-
nitters having the fole Difpofal of Employ-
ments, preferve a Power of bribing the Ma-
jority of the Senate and Council; and at laſt,
by an Act of Indemnity, live fecure upon the
Spoils of the Publick. The Palace of a Chief
Minifter is a Seminary for others in the fame
Trade.
142
A VOYAGE
Trade. The Servants. become Minifters of
State, by imitating their Mafters, and practi-
fing their Arts, and accordingly have a fub-
altern Court paid to them by Perfons of Di-
ftinction; and fometines by Force of Dexte-
rity and Impudence, by Degrees become their
Mafters Succeffors. He is commonly ground-
ed by a Favourite Wench, or Footman, who
are the Channels thro' which all Favours are
convey'd My Mafter hearing me mention
the Nobility of my Country, was pleafed to
compliment me, by faying, he was fure I
was born of fome noble Family, by my diffe-
rent Shape and Cleanliness from all the Yahoo's
of his Nation, and the Faculties of Speech.
and Reafon, which I had to that Degree,
that I paffed for a Prodigy among his Ac-
quaintance. He made me obferve, that among
the Houyhnhnms, the White, the Sorrel, and
the Iron-Grey, were not fo well fhaped as
the Bay, the Dapple-Grey, and the Black,
nor born with equal Talents of Mind; and
therefore continued as Servants, and never
match'd out of their own Race. I thank'd
his Honour for the good Opinion he con-
ceived of me, and fatisfied him, that I was
born of honeft Parents, of the lower Sort,
who were juſt able to afford me a tolerable
Education; and that Nobility differed from
the Idea he had of it. That our young No-
bility were bred up in Luxury and Eafe, who,
as foon as their Years would permit, ruined
their
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
143
their Conftitutions among lewd Females, and
when their Fortunes were almoſt ſpent, they
married fome diſagreeable Perſon for take of
her Money. That a weak Body, and lean
Countenance were no uncommon Marks of
a Great Man; and a healthy, robuft Mind
was ſo far from being commendable in a Man
of Quality, that the World was apt to think
his real Father of an inferior Family, efpe-
cially when the Imperfections of his Mind
anſwer thoſe of his Body.
CHAP. VII.
The Author's great Love of his Country. His
Mafter's Obfervation on the English Confti-
tution and Administration, as defcribed by the
Author, with parallel Cafes and Comparifons.
His Mafter's Obfervations upon human Na-
ture.
HE Reader may wonder at the Repre-
fentation I gave of my own Species,
among a Race of Mortals, who con-
ceived the vileft Opinion of human Kind,
from my Reſemblance of the Yahoo's. But
I must confefs, that the many excellent Vir-
tues of thoſe Quadrupeds, placed in oppofite
View to human Corruptions, had fo far
clear'd my Understanding, that I look'd up-
on the Actions of Men in a different Light.
And
144
A VOYAGE
And to deal candidly, i mult own I had a
much fronger Motive, for the Freedom I
took in this Reprefentation. I had not been
a Year in this Country, before I contracted
fuch a Veneration for the Inhabitants, that
I refolved to pass the rest of my Days among
them, in the Contemplation and Practice of
the Virtues: But Fortune hindered my en-
joying great a Felicity. However I have
the Comfort to reflect, that I extenuated the
Fault of my Country-mcn, as much as I durft,
before fo ftrict an Exminer. For who will
not be fway'd by fome Partiality to the Place
of his Birth? When I had nfwered all his
Queitions, and his Curiofity feemed fatified,
he fent for me one Morning, and command-
ing me to fit down at fome Distance, he
faid, that, upon ferious Confideration of what
I had related of my felf and Country, he
look'd upon us a fort of Animals endued with
f me little Reafon, which we made ufe of to
encreaſe our natural Corruptions, and to ac-
quire others, which Nature had not given us.
hat we had divested our felves of the Abi-
lities fhe had given us, and feemed to fpend
our whole Lives in endeavouring to fupply
them by our own Inventions. That, as to
my fell, I had neither the Strength or Acti-
vity of a Taboo, that I walk'd infirmly on
my hinder Feet, and had found out a Con-
trivance to make my Claws of no Ufe, and
to take off the Hair of my Chin, which should
fhelter
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 145
ſhelter me from the Sun and the Weather.
That I could neither run nor climb like my
Brethren (as he call'd them) the Taboo's of
his Country. That our Defects in Govern-
ment and Law were owing to our Want of
Reafon, and confequently Virtue, becauſe Rea-
fon is fufficient to govern a rational Creature,
which was therefore a Character we could
not challenge, even from my own Account,
in which he perceiv'd I had concealed feveral
Particulars, and often faid the thing which was
And what confirm'd him moft in this
Opinion, was my Refemblance of the Taboo's
in every Feature; and that by my Account
of our Manners and Actions, he found no
Difference in the Difpofition of our Minds.
He faid, the Yahoo's were known to hate one
another more than they did any other Ani-
mals; and this they attributed to the Odiouf-
nefs of their own Shapes, which every one
could fee in others, but not in himself. He
had therefore begun to think it commenda-
ble in us to cover our Bodies, to conceal cur
Deformities from each other. But he now
found himſelf miſtaken in the Caufe of the
Quarrels among thofe Brutes, and thought
them to proceed from the fame as ours. For
if (faid he) among five Yahoo's, you throw
Food fufficient for Fifty, they will fight among
themſelves, each willing to have it all to him-
Self; and therefore when they feed abroad, a
Servant is ufually employ'd to ftand by while
H
they
146
A VOYAGE
し
​they eat. If a Cow happened to die, before
a Houyhnhnm could fecure it for his own
Taboo's, thofe in the Neighbourhood would
come in Droves to feize it; upon which a
terrible Battle would enfue, tho' they feldom
killed one another, for want of fuch Inftru-
ments of Death as I had defcribed; and if
they find their Caufe mifcarry, they return
home, and quarrel among themfelves. That
in fome Fields, there are certain fhining Stones
of different Colours, which the Taboo's are
fo fond, of, that they dig them out of the
Earth, and hide them by Heaps in their Ken-
nels, and he never could difcover the Reafon
of their extravagant Fancy for thefe Stones,
but now he believed it might proceed from
the fame Principle of Avarice I had afcribed
to Mankind. And that in thofe Fields which
abound with fuch Stones, the most frequent
Battles are fought, occafioned by the perpe-
tual Inroads of the neighbouring Taboo's. He'
faid, it was frequent, when two Yahoo's dif
covered fuch a Stone, and were contending
for it, that a third would come and carry it
away; which he would needs have refembled
our Suits at Law; in which, for our Cre-
dit, I would not undeceive him, that Deci-
fion being much more equitable than many of
our Decrees; becauſe the Plaintiff and De-
fendant there loft nothing but the Stone they
contended for; whereas our Courts of Equity
would have kept on the Caufe, while either
Lad
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 147
had any thing left. My Mafter continued his
Difcourfe, and faid that nothing rendered the
Taboo's more odious, than the voracious Ap-
petite of theſe Animals, for every thing that
came in their way; and it was peculiar to
their Temper, to be fond of what Food they
got by Stealth ac a Diftance, altho' they had
better provided for them at home. The Yahoo's
are the only Animals in this Country ſubject
to Difeafes, which are not contracted by any
ill Treatment they meet with, but by the
Naftiness and Greedinefs of that fordid Brute.
He went on with fo many malicious Infinua-
tions and Compariſons of this kind, that I
am afhamed to repeat, and at laft allowed,
that as to Learning, Government, and Arts,
he found no Refemblance between the laboo's
of his Country and ours.
CHAP. VIII.
The Author relates feveral Particulars of the
Yahoo's, and the Virtue of the Houyhnhnms,
The Education and Exercife of their Youth.
Their General Aſſembly.
SI ought to underſtand human Na-
ture better than my Mafter; to I
could more eafily apply the Chara-
Eter of the Taboo's to my felf and
Countrymen: And therefore begg'd the Fa-
H 2
your
148
A VOYAGE
vour of making my Obfervations of them
among the Herds in the Neighbourhood,
which he readily granted, and ordered me
one of his Servants to attend me, without
whofe Protection I durft not undertake the
Adventure; and I narrowly escaped falling
into their Clutches three or four times. I
had Reaſon to believe they imagined me one
of their own Species; for when I diſcovered
my naked Arms or Breafts to them, they
would imitate my Actions like Monkies, but
with the greateſt Signs of Averfion. Altho'
they are very nimble from their Infancy, I
once caught a Cub of three Years old, but
it fquauled and bit to that Degree, that a
whole Herd of old ones approached at the
Noife, upon which I let it go. I obſerved,
that it fmelt very rank and difagreeable, and
ſo bedaubed me with Filth, that I durft not
venture into my Maſter's Prefence, till I was
fufficiently aired. By what I could difcover
of theſe Animals, they feemed the moſt in-
docile Creature I had ever met with, which,
in my Opinion, proceeds from their obftinate
Difpofition. They are cunning and malici-
cious, ftrong and hardy, but of a cowardly
Spirit. It is obferved, that the red haired of
both Sexes are moft libidinous, and exceed
the rest in Strength and Activity. The
Houyhnhnms keep the rahoo's they have Oc-
cafion for in Hutts near their Houſes; but
the reft feed abroad in the Fields upon what
they
"
i
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
149
they can get. They take to the Water from
their Infancy like Frogs, where they often
catch Fith, which the Females carry home
to their Cubs. I hope the Reader will par-
don my relating an odd Adventure. As I was
bathing my felf one Day in a River, a young
Female 1aboo, who perceived me, leap'd in-
to the Water, and feeming inflamed with
Defire, embraced me in fo rude a manner,
that I was terribly affrighted, and roared out,
till my forrel Nagg, who was grazing at a
little Distance, gallop'd to my Relief; where
upon the quitted me, and ftood gazing and
howling on the Bank, all the Time I was
putting on my Cloaths. As this Adventure
was a Subject of Diverfion to my Mafter and
his Family, it was no lefs Mortification to
me; for I could no longer deny my Refem-
blance of a Yahoo, it being proved by the-
natural Propensity of the Females to me, as
one of their own Species. Having been three
Years in this Country, the Reader will expect
I ſhould give him an Account of the Man-
ners and Cuſtoms of the Inhabitants. As the
Houyhnhnms are naturally endowed with vir-
tuous Difpofitions and Reafon, this they cul-
tivate, and are wholly governed by. Neither
does Reafon there require any Solution, as
among us, but ftrikes with Conviction at
once, as it always muft, when uncompounded
with Paffion or Intereit. Controverfies are
unknown among the Houyhnhnms; and I re-
H 3
member,
150
AVOYAGE
4
remember, it was with extreme Difficulty,
that I made my Mafter understand the Mean-
ing of the Word (Opinion) becauſe he laid,
Reafon taught us to affirm or deny only what
we were certain of. In like manner, when I
explained our Syſtems of Natural Philofophy,
he laugh'd to find rational Creatures value
themselves upon a Knowledge, which, if
certain, could be of no Ufe; wherein he
agreed with the Sentiments of Socrates. And
I have often fince reflected what Havock fuch
a Doctrine would make in the European Li-
braries, and what Paths to Fame would be
fhut up by it in the learned World. Friend-
fhip and Benevolence are the two principal
Virtues of the Houyhnhnms, which extend to
all Strangers as well as Neighbours. They
obferve Decency without Ceremony. They
have no greater Fondness for their own Colts,
than thoſe of their Neighbours; but the Care
taken in their Education proceeds from the
Dictates of Reafon. And fay that Nature
teaches them to love the whole Species, and
it is Reafon only that maketh the Diftinction
of Perfons, where they excel in Virtue.
When the Matron Houyhnhnms have had one
of each Sex, they leave the Company of their
Conforts. This Caution is neceffary, to pre-
vent the Country from being too numerous.
But the inferior Race are allowed to produce
three of each Sex, to ferve as Domefticks to
the fuperior. In their Marriages, they take
ftrict
₤
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 151
Arict Care to preſerve the Beauty and Come-
linefs of the Breed from degenerating, by
chufing fuch Colours as will not make a dif
agreeable Mixture. They have no Terms to
express Love, Prefents, or Jointure, but are
joined by the mutual Confent of their Parents
and Friends. This they reckon as one of the
neceffary Actions of a rational Being: And
the married Pair pafs their Lives in inutnal
Friendship and Benevolence, which they bear
to all others of the Species, without Jea-
loufy or Difcontent. The Method of educa-
ting their Youth is admirable. They are not
fuffered to eat Oats, unless upon cert in Days,
till they are Eighteen Years old, or Milk but
rarely; they graze two Hours Morning and
Evening with their Parents, and the Servants
but an Hour, having their Grafs brought
home to eat at their leifure Time. Tempe-
rance, Industry, Exercife, and Cleanliness, are
equally enjoin'd them; and my Mafter thought
it abfurd in us to give the two Sexes different
Education, whereby one Half of our Natives
were good for nothing but bringing Children
into the World. But the Houyhnhnms train
up their, Youth in Exercife, by running Ra-
ces up and down fteep Hills, and hard ftony
Grounds. Four times a Year, the Youth
meet to fhew their Proficiency in Running
and Leaping. On this Festival, a Herd of
Taboo's are driven into the Field, laden with
Provisions for the Houyhnhnms, but are un-
loaded,
H 4
152
AVOY AGE
loaded, and fent back again immediately, for
fear of being noifome to the Company. Eve-
ry fourth Year, at the vernal Equinox, there
is a Repreſentative Council of the whole Na-
tion, who enquire into the State and Con-
dition of each Diftrict, with refpect to Ne-
ceffaries; and where there is a Want, it is
immediately ſupplied by voluntary Contribu-
tion. Here the Regulation of Children is
fettled. As for Inftance, a Houyhnhnm who
hath two Males exchanges one for a Female;
and when a Child hath been loft, and the
Mother paft Breeding, it is determined what
Family fhall breed another, to fupply the
Defect,
CHA P. IX.
A grand Debate at the General Affembly, and
how it was determin'd. The Learning of the
Houyhnhnms. Their Buildings, manner of
Burials. The Deficiency of their Language.
NE of thefe Affemblies was held in
my Time, whither my Mafter went,
as Repreſentative of our District. In
this the old Debate was revived, which was
the only one ever known in the Country;
whereof my Mafter gave me a very particu-
lar Account. The Queftion was, Whether
the Taboo's thould be exterminated from the
Face
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 153
Face of the Earth? One of the Members
brought many Arguments for the Affirmative,
alledging, that the Filthinefs, Deformity,
and Malice of that Animal, was unfupporta-
ble: That they privately fuck'd their Cows,
and destroy'd their Oats and Grafs, with a
Thouſand other Inconveniencies. He obfer-
ved, that Yahoo's had not been always in that
Country: That the two first were diſcovered
upon a Mountain, but whether produced
from Mud, or the Trafh of the Sea, was ne-
ver known. That thefe propagated the Spe-
cies, till the whole Country became fo infeft-
ed with them, that a general Hunting was
made, to deſtroy the old ones, and every
Houyhnhnm, after that, kept two young ones,
and tamed them for his own Ule. That it
feemed true, that thefe Creatures could not
be Ylnhniamſby, (or Aborigines of the Land)
from the natural Hatred the Houyhnhnms bore
to them. That the Inhabitants, to take the
Yabo's into their Service, had neglected the
Breeding of Affes, which, tho' not fo active.
an Animal, was more comely, and lefs offen-
five; and if their Braying be no agreeable
Sound, it is preferable to the Howlings of
the Taboo's. Several others fpoke to the fame
Purpoſe, when my Mafter, who had bor-
rowed the Hint from me, propofed an Expe-
dient. He agreed in the Tradition which
that Honourable Member mentioned who fpoke
before, and affirmed, that the two Yahoo's
HS
firt
154
AVOYAGE
first feen were driven over-fea, and being for-
faken by their Companions, retired to the
Mountains, and have fince degenerated from
their original Species. The Reafon of his
Affertion was founded upon his having a won-
derful raboo, which most of them had heard
of, and many of them had feen. He then
related how he found me, and defcribed my
Covering, with what Particulars I difcover'd
to him of my felf, and Cuſtoms of my own
Country; and that, among the rett, I men-
tioned a Cuſtom of Caftrating the Houyhnhums
when they were young; that it was calily
performed, and he thought it no Shame to
learn Wiſdom from Brutes. That, in the
mean time, the Breed of Affes fhould be cul-
tivated, which are more comely, and fit for
Service feven Years younger. This was all
he thought proper to tell me, and concealed
one Particular, the unhappy Effect of which
was the Chule of my fucceeding Misfortunes.
The Houyhnhnms have no Letters, and con-
fequently their Knowledge is all Traditional,
which, from the Paucity of Events, and
prudent Government of the People, is cafily
preferved, without being a Burthen to the
Memory. I have before faid, that they were
fubject to no Difcafe. They are, however,
provided with excellent Compofitions for the
Cure of accidental Hurts in any Part of the
Body. They calculate Time by the Revo-
lution of the two Luminaries, and the Know-
ledge
to the HOUYHNH NMS. 155
ledge of their Eclipfes is the utmoft Progrefs
in Aftronomy. In Poetry they must be al-
lowed to excel all other Mortals, in Juftneſs
of Similies, and Beauty in Defcriptions. The
Topicks are generally Friendship and Bene-
volence, or the Praites of Victors in Races,
and other bodily Exercifes. Their Buildings,
tho' rough and fimple, are contrived to keep
them from the Injuries of the Weather. They
are made of a fort of Tree which grows
fharp pointed, and falls at the End of Forty
Years by the leaft Storm. Theſe they ſtick
into the Ground about ten Inches alunder,
and weave Wattles and Oat Straw between.
The Roof and Doors are made after the fame
manner. The Houyhubums ufe the Hollow
of their Fore feet between the Paftern and
the Hoof, with that Dexterity, as to be able
to thread a Necdle. This I faw a white Mare
of our Family do with a Needle and Thread
I lent her on Purpoſe. They milk their own
Cows, and make their own Tools cut of a
kind of Flint Stones, with which they cut
their Corn, and do every other Part of Huf-
bandry neceffary in that Country. The Taboo's
draw home the She fs upon Carriages, and
the Servants trample out the Grain, which
they afterwards dry in the Sun. The Natives
of this Country, if they can avoid Cafualties,
die only of old Age, and are buried in the
obfcureft Places, without any Grief of their
Relations at their Departure, nor doth the
dying
156
AVOYAGE
dying Perfon diſcover the leaft Regret at his
leaving the World. My Maſter once invited
a Friend and his Family to his Houſe, and on
the Day fixed, the Miſtreſs and her Children
coming late, the excufed her felf, and ſaid,
that her Hufband happened to fhnuwnh, (that
•fignifies to retire to his first Mother) that Mor-
ning, and it was a long time before her Ser-
vants could find a convenient Place to bury
him, and behaved her felf at our Houſe as
chearfully as the rest. They generally live
to be Seventy, or Seventy Five at most, and
perceive a gradual Decay feveral Weeks be-
fore they die, during which Time, they are
vifited by their Friends, and about ten Days
before Death, they return the Visits to the
neareſt in the Neighbourhood, in a Sledge
drawn by Yahoo's, and take a folemn Leave
of their Neighbours with their ufual Eafe
and Satisfaction. It may be worth obferving,
that the Houyhnhnms have no Word to expres
any thing evil but what comes from the ill Qua-
lities of the Yahoo's; and they denote every
Fault of a Child, or Omiffion of a Servant, by
adding the Epithet Yaboo. For Inftance, bhum
Taboo Whnabolm Taboo Tullnmndwihlma Laboo
and an ill contrived Houfe, Tnholmbnmrohlnw
Taboo. I could enlarge farther upon the Man-
ners and Virtue of this People, but fhall refer
the Reader to a Volume I fhall publish on that
Subject, and proceed to relate my fad Cata-
Atrophe.
€
CHAP.
}
[
7
1
1
to the HOUYнNhnms.
157
CHAP. X.
The Author's Economy, and happy Life among
the Houyhnhnms. His Improvement in Vir-
tue by converfing with them. Their Conver-
fations. The Author's Mafter gives bim
Notice to depart the Country. He fwoons
away with Grief, but fubmits. He makes
himself a Canoo, by the Help of a Fellow-
fervant, and puts to Sea at a Venture.
Had fettled my little Economy to my
Heart's Content, having a Room a-
bout fix Yards from the Houfe, which
I had plaifter'd with Clay and Mud, to my
own Fancy. I had beaten Hemp, which
there grows wild, and made a fort of Tick-
ing, which I ftuffed with Feathers of what
Birds I had taken, and made myfelf Chairs by
the Affiſtance of the Sorrel Nagg. And when
my Cloaths were decay'd, Ilupply'd them
with the Skins of Rabbets, and thofe of a
fmall Animal call'd Nnubnoh which is very
foft. I foal'd my Shoes with Wood, and
when it was worn out, fupply'd it with the
Skins of Taboo's dried in the Sun. I often
got Honey out of hollow Trees, which I
mix'd with Water, and eat with my Bread.
I enjoy'd a perfect Health of Body, and tran-
quillity of Mind, free from the Inconftancy
of
158
A VOYAGE
of a Friend, or Injury of an Enemy. I wanted no
Flattery to court the Great, no Fence againſt
Fraud or Oppreffion. Here was no Phyſician
to deſtroy my Body,or Lawyer to ruin my For-
tune; no Highwaymen, Gamefters, or Mur-
derers, no Pride or Affectation; no Drunkard,
no Whores, or Poxes; no lew'd expenfive
Wives, no noify ranting Bullies, no Scoun-
drels raifed from Nothing by their Vices; no
Lords, Fidlers, Judges, or Dancing-Maſters.
I had the Favour of being admitted into the
Room, when there was Company, fome of
whom would often aſk me Queſtions, which
I thought was Time loft to anſwer, being
highly delighted with their Converfations,
which were fhort, but very fignificant, and
the ftrictest Decency obferved without Com-
pliment. Their Subjects are Friendship and
Benevolence, Order and Economy, and
fometimes the vifible Operations of Nature,
or Tradition, upon Virtue, or the unerring
Rules of Reaſon, and fometimes upon Poetry.
I may own without Vanity, that my Prefence
often afforded Matter of Difcourfe, by my Ma-
fter's telling his Friends the Hiftory of me
and my Country, which they commented up-
on not to my Advantage. I freely confefs, the
moſt uſeful Knowledge I ever acquired, was
from theſe Converfations, and would fooner
Jiften to them, than dictate to the wifeft Af-
fembly in Europe. I admired their Strength
and Comeliness, and had the Greateſt Vene-
ration
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
159
At first, I did not
ration for their Virtues.
feel that natural Awe which other Animals
bore to them, which increafed fo at laft, that
I was pleaſed they would diftinguish me from
the rest of my Species. When I thought
of my Countrymen, I confidered them as a-
boo's indued with Speech, but making no
other Ufe of Reafon, than to multiply and
improve their Vices. If I chanced to fee my-
felf in a Lake or Fountain, I ſtarted back
with Horror and Deteftation of my felf, and
could fooner bear the Sight of a common Ta-
buo. I was fo delighted with the Houyhnhnms,
that I began to imitate their Gait, and have
fo long uted it, that my Friends tell me I
trot like a Horfe, which I take for a great
Compliment, and fhall not diſown, that, in
Speaking, I am apt to fall into their Voice
and Manner, and hear mylelf ridiculed with-
out the leaf Mortification. In the midst of
this Happiness, when I thought myself fet-
led for Life, my Mafter fent for me one
Morning, and obferving fome Perplexity in
his. Countenance, after a fhort Silence, he
told me, that in the laft general Affembly, it
was taken as an Offence that he thould keep
a Taboo (meaning myfelf) in his Family more
like a Houybabam than à Brute, and fuffer
him to converfe with him; that it was un-
reaſonable, and what was never heard of be-
fore. That they did therefore exhort him
to employ me like the reft, or command me
to
160
E
A VOYAGE
1
to (wim back from whence I came. That the
firft Propofal was rejected, becauſe, as I had
fome Rudiments of Realon, I might be able
to feduce thoſe Animals into the Mountains,
and bring them in Troops by Night, to de-
ftroy the Cattle. He added, that he was dai-
ly preffed to put this Exhortation in Execu-
tion, and could defer it no longer; and there-
fore wished I would think of fome Contri-
vance which would carry me Over-fea. He
concluded, by faying, he would have kept
me as long as I had lived, becauſe I had cured
myſelf of ſeveral bad Difpofitions fince I had
been among the Houyhnhnins. I ſhould here
obferve to the Reader, that a Decree of the
General Affembly is call'd Hnbloayn, fignify-
ing an Exhortation; for they argue, that ara-
tional Creature can only be adviled or exhort-
ed, fince no Perſon can diſobey Reafon, with-
out quitting his Claim to Rationality. My
Maſter's Diſcourſe ftruck me with fuch unfup-
portable Grief, that I fainted at his Feet,
which made him conclude I was dead. When
I recovered myſelf, I anfwered in a faint. Voice,
that Death would have been too great a Hap-
pinefs. That altho' I could not blame the
Affembly's Exhortation, yet I thought it might
have been lefs rigorous. That I could not
fwim far, and many Materials would be want-
ing to make me a Veffel, and therefore con-
cluded myſelf devoted to Deſtruction. That
the Profpect of Death was the leaſt Evil; for
fhould
J
1
7
1
1
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
161
fhould I, by fome extraordinary Fortune, fave
my Life, how could I think of living among
Taboo's, and relapfe into former Corruptions,
for want of Examples of Virtue. That I
knew the Affembly would not be prevail'd
upon by my weak Reafons, and therefore,
after returning my humble Thanks for the
Offer of his Servants to affift me, in making
a Veſſel, and defiring a reaſonable Time, I told
him I would endeavour to preferve myſelf; and
that if ever I faw my Native Country, I
would be of uſe to my own Species, in pro-
pofing the Virtues of the Houyhnhnms, as a
Pattern to Mankind. He answered me very
graciously, and allow'd me two Months to
finiſh my Boat, which I afterward compaſſed
in Six-Weeks, by the Affiftance of the Sor-
rel Nagg. In his Company, I went first to
the Shore, where my rebellious Crew had left
me, whence looking on every Side into the
Sea, I defcry'd an Ifland with my Pocket-glaſs,
toward the Eaft, which I computed to be
about five Leagues off, which Place I refolv'd
should be the first of my Banifhment, let the
Confequence be as it would. We finiſhed
a fort of Indian Canoo, and covered it over
with Taboo's Skins ftitch'd together with
Thread of my own making. The Sails were
of the Skins of the youngest of thofe Ani-
mals, and I was provided likewife with four
Paddles, and laid in Stock of boyl'd Rabbets,
and Fowls, with two Veffels, one fill'd with
Milk,
162
A VOYAGE
Milk, and the other with Water. I tried
my Canoo in a large Pond near my Mafter's
Houfe, and made it ftaunch. It was after-
wards drawn to the Sea-fide on a Carriage,
by Taboo's, under the Conduct of the Sor-
rel Nagg and another Servant. When the
Day appointed for my Departure was come,
I took leave of my Mafter and his Family,
with the greatcft Grief imaginable. But his
Honour having the Curiofity to fee me in my
Canoo, got fome Friends to accompany him.
I waited above an Hour for the Tide, and
then obferving the Wind bearing towards the
Ifland, to which I intended to ſteer my Courſe,
I took a ſecond Leave of my Maſter, and paid
my Reſpects to the rest of the Houyhnhnms;
then getting into my Canoo, I pushed off
from the Shore.
1
CHAP.
I
(
T
1
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 163
F
CHA P. XI.
The Author's dangerous Voyage. He arrives
in New Holland, with Hopes to fettle there.
Is wounded with an Arrow by one of the
Natives. Is feized, and forced on board a
Portugucze Ship. The Civilities of the Cap-
tain. The Author comes to England.
Began this defperate Voyage on the
15th of February 1714-15, and the
Wind being favourable, I fet up my
fmall Sail, by the help of which, and the
Tide, I went at the Rate of a League and
half an Hour. My Mafter and his Compa-
-ny continued on the Shore, till I was almoft
out of Sight, and I often heard my Friend
the forrel Nagg crying out in his own Lan-
guage, Take care of thy felf, gentle Yahoo.
The terrible Idea I conceived of returning
home, to live under the Government of ra-
hoo's, made me refolve to land on the firft un-
inhabited Ifland I could difcover, and there
feek Neceffaries of Life, confidering that in
this Solitude, I could reflect on the Virtues
of the Houyhnhnms, without the Danger of
falling into the Corruptions of my own Spe-
cies. The Reader may remember, that when I
was fet on Shore by my rebellious Crew, they
folemnly fwore they knew not in what part
of
164
A VOYAGE
of the World we were; however, from
what I over-heard among them, I believed we
were about ten Degrees fouthward of the
Cape of Good Hope; and altho' this was little
more than Conjecture, I refolved to ſteer my
Courfe Eastward, the Wind being full Weft.
By Six in the Evening, I had gone about Eight-
een Leagues Eattward, when 1 fpied a fmall
Iland, which I foon reach'd, and difcover-
ed it to be only a Rock with one Creek. I
put in my Canoo, and climbing up a part
of the Rock, could difcover Land extending
from South to North. I lay all Night in my
Caroo, and continued my Voyage next
Morning, till I came to the South-East Point
of New Holland. I faw no Inhabitants where
I landed, and being unarmed, was afraid to
venture far into the Country. Here 1 con-
tinued three Days, living upon Shell-fish to
fave my Provifions, and fortunately met with
good Water.
On the fourth Day, ventur-
ing a little too far, Ifw feveral of the Na-
tives, Men, Women, and Children, ftark
naked round a Fire. One of them ſpy'd me,
and gave Notice to the reft; five of them
advancing toward me, I hafted to my Ca-
noo, and ſhoved off, but before I could get
far enough, one of them let flye an Arrow
which wounded me on the Infide my left Knee,
which I dreffed as well as I could, when I
had paddled out of their Reach. The Wind
being against me, I was at a loss what to do,
for
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 165
for I durft not venture to the fame landing
Place. As I was looking about, I ſaw a Sail
to the North North Eaft, and was in doubt,
whether I ſhould wait for them or no ; but
my Deteftation of the Yahoo Race prevailing,
I turn'd my Canoo, and got into the Creek,
from whence I fet out that Morning, and hid
myſelf behind a Stone near a Brook. The
Ship came within half a League of the Creek,
and fent out her Long-boat to take in freſh
Water. The Seamen found my Canoo, and
looking about for the Owner, at laft found
me lying on my Face behind the Stone.
They gazed a while with Admiration at the
Oddness of my Habit; at length one of the
Seamen, in Portugueze, bid me to rife, and
afk'd who I was. I understood him, and ri-
fing up, faid, I was a poor Yahoo banished
from the Houyhnhnms, and defired they would
give me my Liberty. They admired at
my answering in their own Language, but
wondered what I meant by Taboo's and
Houyhnhnms, and laughed to hear me ſpeak
in a Tone like the Neighing of a Horfe. I
trembled with Fear and Hatred, and offer'd
to get to my Canoo, but they laid hold
of me, and afked what Countryman I was.
I told them I was an Englishman, and a poor
Taboo, feeking fome Place to pass the Remain-
der of his unfortunate Life. When they be-
gan to talk, I thought nothing appeared
more unnatural, and the honest Portuguese
were
$66
A VOYAGE
were equally amazed at any Minner of utter-
ing my Words. They fpe with much Hu-
manity, and faid they would find two of the
Crew back to the Ship, to receive the Cap-
tain's Orders; and unless I gave them my
Oath not to flye, would fecure me by Force.
I comply'd, and in two Hours the Boat re-
tun'd with the Captain's Orders to bring me
on board. I begg'd for my Liberty, but in
vain; and the Men having tied me with
Cords, carried me on board the Ship into the
Captain's Cabbin. The Captain, whofe Name
was Pedro de Mendez, ufed me very courte-
oufly, and offered me his Provifions, and
what the Ship afforded, in Terms fo obliging,
that I wondered to find fo much Civility from
a Taboo. However, I remained filent and ful-
len, and was ready to faint at the Smell of
the Men. At laft, I defired fomething to
ear out of my own Canoo; but he ordered
me a Chicken and a Bottle of Wine, and
then to be put to Bed in a clean Cabbin. I
would not undrefs my felf, but lay down on
the Bed-Cloaths, and getting up when I
thought the Crew was at Dinner, I refolved
to leap into the Sea, and fwim for my Life,
fooner than live among Taboo's, but was pre-
vented by one of the Men, and afterwards
chained to my Cabbin. The Captain came
to me, and defired to know the Reafon of fo
defperate an Attempt, affuring me he was
ready to do me all the Service in his Power.
I gave
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 167
I gave him a fhort Account of my Voyage,
and my Three Years Rufidence among the
Houyhnhnms: All which he looked upon as
a Dream, at which I took great Offence, and
afked him, if it was the Cuftom in his Coun-
try, to say the thing which was not? and affured
him I had almoft forgot what Falfhood meant,
and was indifferent whether he believed me,
or no. But however, in Return for his Fa-
vours, I would give fo much Allowance to
the Corruption of his Nature, as to answer
any Objection he would make. The Cap-
tain, who endeavoured to catch me in fome
Part of my Story, at laft began to alter his
Opinion; and the rather, becauſe he had been
informed by a Dutch Skipper, who had been
afhore upon a Continent South of New Hol-
land, that he had obferved a Horfe driving
before him feveral Animals refembling thofe
I had defcribed; and added, that fince I pro-
tefs'd fo inviolable an Attachment to Truth,
I must give him my Word and Honour, not
to attempt any thing against my own Life,
or elfe he would continue me a Prifoner till
we came to Lifton. I gave him my Promiſe,
protefing at the fame time, that I would
undergo the greatett Hardfhips, rather than
Icturn to live among Tabeo's. We had a
profperous Voyage, during which, in Grati-
tude to the Captain. I concealed, as well as
I could, my Antipathy to human Kind, and
paffed the greateſt Part of my Time in my
Cabbin,
168
!
A VOYAGE
Cabbin, to avoid feeing the Crew. He of
ten entreated me, to throw off my Savage
Drefs, and would have lent me the beſt Suit
of Cloaths he had; but I abhorred to cover
myſelf with what had been upon the Back
of a raboo, and only defired him to lend me
two clean Shirts, and theſe I took care to
wash myſelf, when they were dirty. We ar-
rived at Lisbon, Nov. 5. 1715. At our land-
ing, the Captain forced me to cover myfelf
with his Cloak, to avoid the Importunities
of the Rabble, and convey'd me to his own
Houſe, and, at my Requeft, led me to the
higheſt Room backwards. I conjured him to
conceal the Story I had related, left I ſhould
be in Danger of Imprifonment, or burnt by
the Inquifition. The Captain perfwaded me
at length to accept of a new Suit of Cloaths,
and other Neceffaries, which I aired for twen-
ty four Hours, before I would ufe them. The
Captain's Family confifted only of himſelf, and
three Servants, who were fuffered to wait at
Table, and his whole Deportment was fo
obliging, that I really began to tolerate his
Company. He gain'd fo far upon me, firft
by looking at the Window, then at the Door,
that my Terror gradually decreaſed, and at
laft I was bold enough to accompany him in-
to the Street, having my Nofe well ſtopp'd
with Rue or Tobacco. In ten Days, Don
Pedro, whom I had acquainted with my Af-
fairs, put it upon a Matter of Honour and
Con-
to the HOUYHNHNMS. 169
Conſcience, that I fhould go and live with
my Wife and Children, and told me there
was an English Ship in the Port ready to fail:
And added, it was impoffible to find fuch an
Ifland as i defired to live in: But I might pafs
my Time as I pleafed at my own Houſe. I
comply'd, and left Lisbon the 24th of Novem-
ber. Don Pedro accompanied me to the Ship,
and lent me Twenty Pounds to bear my Ex-
pences. On the 5th of December 1715, we
arrived in the Downs, and the fame Day I
got fafe to Rotherhithe. My Wife and Fami-
ly received me with exceeding Joy; and as
foon as I entered the Houfe, my Wife took me
in her Arms, and kiffed me; but not being
uſed to the Touch of fuch odious Animals,
I fell in a Swoon. It is now five Years fince
my Return, and during the firit Year, I could
not endure the Prefence of my Wife or Chil-
dren. To this Hour they dare not prefume
to touch my Bread, or drink out of my Cup.
The firſt Money I laid out, was to buy two
young Stone-Horfes, which I keep in a Sta-
ble, free from Bridle or Saddle. Theſe and
the Groom are my greatest Favourites, and
they live in great Amity with me, and Friend-
ship to each other.
CHAP
170
A VOYAGE
CHAP. XII.
The Author's Veracity. His Defign in publifh-
ing this Work. His Cenfure of Travellers
who ſwerve from Truth. The Author clears
bimfelf from any finifter End in Writing.
An Objection anfwered. The Method of
planting Colonies. His native Country com-
mended. The Right of the Crown to thoſe
Countries defcribed by the Author is justified.
The Difficulty of conquering them. The Au-
thor takes Leave of the Reader, propofeth his
manner of Living for the future, gives good
Advice, and concludes.
HUS I have given the Reader a faith-
ful Hiftory of my Travels, without
aftonishing him with ftrange impro-
bable Tales, my Deſign being more to inform
than amufe, in which I think I have anfwer-
ed the true End of a Traveller. I could hear-
tily with a Law was created, to oblige every
Traveller, before he publiſhed his Voyages,
to make Oath before the Lord High Chan-
cellor, that all he intended to print was ab-
folutely true, to the beſt of his Knowledge,
which would effectually prevent the Impofi-
tion of grofs Falfities on the Reader. I have
peruſed ſeveral Books of Travels, but fince I
have been able to contradict their Accounts
by
to the HOUYHNHNMS.
171
by my own Obfervations, it has increafed my
Indignation to fee the Credulity of Mankind
fo abufed. Therefore, fince my Friends Fave
thought my Endeavours might be acceptible
to Mankind, I made this a Maxim, that I
would ftrictly adhere to Truth, neither can I
vary from it, as long as I retain the excellent
Lectures of the virtuous Houyhnbams. I know
the Fate of Travels is like that of Dictiona
ries, funk into Oblivion by the Weight and
Bulk of those who come after, and therefore
lye uppermoft. And it is highly probabie,
that hofe who vifit the Countries I have de-
feril d may make fuch Additions, as will juftle
me out of Vogue, and make the World for-
get I was ever an Author. This would be a
Motification indeed, if I wrote for Fame;
bu. as I intended only the publick Good, I
cant't be altogether difappointed. For who
can read of the Houyhnhnms Virtues, with-
out being ashamed of his own Vices? I fhall
fay nothing of thofe Nations governed by
Taboo's, among which the leaft corrupted are
the Brobdingnagians, whofe Maxims in Mo-
rality and Government it would be our Hap-
pineſs to obſerve. I am pleaſed, to think that
this Work of mine can't poffibly meet with
Cenfure, fince I relate only Matters of Fact
which happened in foreign Countries, where
we have no Intereft whatever. I have avoid-
ed the common Faults of Writers of Travels,
and have meddled with no Party, but write..
I 2
པས,
for
172
AVOYAGE
}
for the noble End of inftructing Mankind, to
which I think I may claim a Superiority,
from the Advantages I received by converfing
with the excellent Houyhnhnms. I never fuf-
fer a Word to pass, that may give the leaft
Offence; fo that I may, in Juftice think my
felf fecure against the Tribes of Reflecters or
Obfervers. I confefs it was whispered to me,
that I was bound in Duty, as a Subject of
England, to prefent a Memorial to the Secre-
tary of State, becauſe whatever Lands are
diſcovered by a Subject, belong to the Crown.
But I question whether it would be worth
while to fubdue the Lilliputians, or prudent
to attempt the Brobdinagians, or whether an
English Army would be fafe with a Flying
In and over their Heads. The Houyhnhnms
Cell
19
indeed are not to we prepareu ror vv ar, out
I ſhould never give my Advice for invading
them, were I a Miniſter of State; but ſhould
rather wish they were in a Capacity or Dif
pofition to fend a fufficient Number of their
Inhabitants, to teach us the Principles of Ho-
nour, Truth, Temperance, Benevolence and
Fidelity; the Names of which Virtues are
ftill retained among us in fome modern, as
well as ancient Authors. But I had another
Reafon, which made me lefs forward to en-
large his Majeſty's Dominions by my Difco-
very. To tell the Truth, I was fcrupulous
with relation to the diftributive Juftice of
Princes in this Cafe. For Inftance, a Crew
of
F
to the Hou YHNHNMS.
173
of Pirates are driven by Storm, they know not
whither; they diſcover Land, and go on
Shore to rob and plunder; they are kindly
entertained by the harmleſs People, give a
new Name to the Country, and take formal
Poffeffion of it for the King, and fet up a
rotten Plank, or a Stone for a Memorial.
They murder fome of the Natives, and bring
two or three home for a Sample, and get
their Pardon. And here is the beginning of
a new Dominion acquired with a Title of di-
vine Right. Ships are fent, and the Inhabi-
tants are butcher'd, and Princes tortured to
diſcover their Gold; and this execrable Crew
is a Modern Colony, fent to convert and civi-
lize an idolatrous and barbarous People. But
this Deſcription does by no means affect the
English Nation, who may be an Example to
the World for their Care in planting Colo-
nies, and fending able Paftors to propagate
Chriſtianity, and fupplying all their Colonies
with virtuous Governours, and worthy Offi-
cers, for the Adminiſtration of Juftice. But
as the Countries I have defcribed do not a-
bound with Silver, Gold, or Tobacco, I
humbly conceive they are not proper Objects
of our Valour. However, when I am law-
fully call'd, Ifhall be ready to depoſe, that no
European did ever vifit thefe Countries, before
me, if the Inhabitants may be credited: Un-
lefs a Difpute may ariſe about the two Yahoo's
found
upon the Mountain in Houyhnhnmland;
13
and
፡
174
AVOYAGE
and theſe I am apt to fufpect were English,
having fome Lines of their Pofterity's Coun-
tenances not throughly defaced. But how
far this will make a Title, I leave to the
Learned in Colony Law. Having thus an-
fwered all that can be objected againſt me
as a Traveller, I fhall take my Leave of the
courteous Reader, and enjoy my own Spe-
culations in my little Garden at Rotherhithe,
and inſtruct the Yahoo's of my own Family
in the Virtues of the Houyhnhnms, and habi-
tuate myſelf by Degrees to human Creatures,
and lament the Brutality of our Houyhnhnms,
but always treat them with refpect for the
Reſemblance they bear to my noble Maſter
and his Family. I began laſt Week to ſuffer
my Wife to dine with me; yet the Smell of
a Yahoo being ftill offenfive to me, I keep
my Noſe ftopt with fome fweet Herb or To-
bacco, and hope in time to fuffer a Neigh-
bour raboo in my Company, without Appre-
henfions from his Teeth or Claws. My Re-
concilement to the Taboo's would be more
eafy, if they would be content with thoſe
Vices and Follies only which Nature hath
entitled them to. I am not in the leaft pro-
vok'd at the fight of a Lawyer or a Phyfi-
cian: But when I behold a deform'd Lump
Imitten with Pride, my Patience is gone, be-
ing unable to comprehend how ſuch an A-
nimal, and fuch a Vice can tally together.
The Houyhnhnms, who abound in all Ex-
cllencies,
I
!
T
J
to the HOUYHNHNмS.
175
cellencies, have no Name in their Language
for this Vice, neither can they diftinguish it
among the deteftable Qualities of their Ta-
boo's, for want of underftanding human Na-
ture; but I who had more Experience, could
obferve fome Rudiments of it among the
wild Yahoo's. But the Houyhnhnms, who
are governed by Reafon, poffefs their good
Qualities, without more Pride than I fhould
have for not wanting a Limb, which no Man
would boaſt of, altho' he muſt be miferable
without them. I dwell the longer upon this
Subject, being defirous to make the Society
of an English Taboo lefs unfupportable; and
therefore defire all thofe touch'd with this
Vice to keep out of my Sight.
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