11
VERS
r± ... AVELS
-Mm
i1E?.Tr.;-K NATION Ul ii.i: *.YORLD.
BY JONATHAN SWIFT. D.D.
• Hr • .' a«uT - ,;S4 I?1 andPtrry; -<
Vy; ' 4 per *v;j GJe, Curtis,
. Kotriroau:
.,We*Vidgfc, Surrey.


Imag. Voy.


GULLIVER'S
TRAVELS
INTO SEVERAL
REMOTE NATIONS OF THE WORLD.
BY JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D.
DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN.
WITH A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
LONDON:
Printed for J. Walker and Co.;
J. Richardson; F. C. and J. Rivington; Law and
Whittaker; J. Nunn; Newman and Co.; Lacking-
ton, Allen, and Co.; Longman, Hurst,Rees, Orme,
and Brown; Cadell and Davies; Black and Parry;
Sherwood, Neely, and Jones; R. Scholey; Bald-
win, Cradock, and Joy; J* Asperae; Gale, Curtis,
and Fenner; and J. Robinson:
By S. Hamilton, Weybridge, Surrey.
1815.
CONTENTS-
Sketch of the Life of Swift.
Preface to Gulliver's Travels . . p. iii
The Publisher to. the Reader . . . p. vii
A Letter from Captain Gulliver to his Cousin Symp-
son . .... . . . p.ix
PART I.
A VOYAGE TO L1LLIPUT.
y*^^Chap. 1. The Author gives some account of himself
^ and family; his first inducements to travel. He is
, shipwrecked, and swims for his life; gets safe on
shore in the country of Lilliput; is made a pri-
4 sonelv and carried up the country . . p. 15
Chap. 2. The Emperor of Lilliput, attended by se-
veral of the nobility, comes to see the Author in
* his confinement. The Emperor's person and habit
^ described. Learned men appointed to teach the
Author their language. He gains favour by his
t ' mild disposition. His pockets are searched, and
his sword and pistols taken from him . p. 27
^Jf Chap. 3. The Author diverts the Emperor, and his
_ nobility of both sexes, in a very uncommon man-
\ ner. The diversions of the Court of Lilliput de-
scribed. The Author has his liberty granted him
■< upon certain conditions . . . p. 38
. Chap. 4. Mildeado, the metropolis of Lilliput, de-
*- ^ scribed, together with the Emperor's palace. A
iv COOTENTS.
conversation between the Author and a principal
secretary, concerning the affairs of lhat Empire.
The Author's offers to serve the Emperor in his
wars p. 47
Chap. 5. The Author,by an extraordinary stratagem,
prevents an invasion. A high title of honour is
conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive from
the Emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace. The
Empress's apartments on fire by accident; the
Author instrumental in saving the rest of the pa-
lace p. 52
Chap. 6. Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learn-
ing, laws, and customs; the manner of educating
their children. The Author's way of living in that
country. His vindication of a great lady . p. 59
Chap* 7. The Author, being informed of a design to
accuse him of high-treason, makes his escape to
Blefuscu. His reception there . . p. 70
Chap. 8. The Author, by a lucky accident, finds
means to leave Blefuscu; and, after some difficul-
ties, returns safe to his native country . p. 80
PART II.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
Chap. 1. A great storm described, the long-boat sent
to fetch water, the Author goes with it to discover
the country. He is left on shore, is seized by one
of the natives, and carried to a farmer's house.
His reception, with several accidents that happen-
ed there. A description of the inhabitants p. 87
Chap.2. A description of the fanner's daughter. The
Author carried to a market-town, and then to the
metropolis. The particulars of his journey p, 101
Chap. 3. The Author sent for to court. The Queen
buys him of his master the Fanner, and presents
him to the King. He disputes with his majesty's
great scholars. An apartment at court provided for
CONTENTS.
v
the Author. He is in high favour with the Queen.
He stands up for the honour of his own country.
His quarrels with the Queen's dwarf . . p. 107
Chap. 4. The country described. A proposal for
correcting modern maps. The King's palace, and
some account of the metropolis. The Author's way
of travelling. The chief temple described p. 119
Chap. 5. Several adventures that happened to the
Author. The execution of a criminal. The Author
shows his skill in navigation . . .p. 124
Chap. 6. Several contrivances of the Author to
please the King and Queen. He shows his skill
in music. The King inquires into the state of
England, which the Author relates to him. The
King's observations thereon . . .p. 135
Chap. 7. The Author's love of his country. He
makes a proposal of much advantage to the King,
which is rejected. The King's great ignorance in
politics. The learning of that country very imper-
fect and confined. The laws, and military affairs,
and parties in the state . . . . p. 144
Chap.Q. The King and Queen make a progress to the
frontiers. The Author attends them. The manner
in which he leaves the country very particularly
related. He returns to England . . y. 151
PART III.
VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, LXJGG-
NAGG, GLUBBDUBDRIB, AND JAPAN.
Chap. 1. The Author sets out on his third voyage.
Is taken by pirates. The malice of a Dutchman.
His arrival at an island. He is received into La-
puta ........ p. 165
Chap. 2. The humours and dispositions of the La-
putians described. An account of their learning.
Of the King, and his court. The Author's reception
vi
CONTENTS.
there. The inhabitants subject to fear and dis-
quietudes. An account of the women . p. 171
Chap. 3. A phenomenon solved by modern philoso-
phy and astronomy. The Laputians' great im-
provements in the latter. The King's method of
suppressing insurrections . . . p. 181
Chap. 4. The Author leaves Laputa, is conveyed to
Balnibarbi, arrives at the metropolis. A descrip-
tion of the metropolis, and the country adjoining.
The Author hospitably received by a great Lord.
His conversation with that Lord . . p. 186
Chap. 5. The. Author permitted to see the grand
academy of Lagado. The academy largely de-
scribed. The arts wherein the professors employ
themselves p. 193
Chap. 6. A further account of the academy. The
Author proposes some improvements, which are
honourably received . p. 201
Chap. 7. The Author leaves Lagado, arrives at Mai
donada. No ship ready. He takes a short voy-
age to Glubbdubdrib. His reception by the go-
vernor ....... p. 207
Chap. 8. A further account of Glubbdubdrib. An-
cient and modern history corrected . . p. 212
Chap. 9. The Author returns to Maldonada. Sails
to the kingdom of Luggnagg. The Author con-
fined. He is sent for to court. The manner of
his admittance. The King's great lenity to his
subjects .p. 218
Chap. 10. The Luggnagians commended. A parti-
cular description of the Struldbrugs, with many
conversations, between the Author and some emi-
nent persons, upon that subject » .. p. 222
Chap. 11. The Author leaves Luggnagg, and sails to
Japan. From thence he returns in a Dutch ship
to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to Eng-
land ...... « , p. 232
CONTENTS.
vii
PART IV.
A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE
HOUYHNHNMS.
Chap. l. The Author sets out as captain of a ship.v
His men conspire against him, confine him a long
time to his cabin. Set him on shore in an unknown
land. He travels up into the country. The Ya-
hoos, a strange sort of animal; described. The
Author meets two Houyhnhnms . . p. 236
Chap. 2. The Author conducted by a Houyhnhnm
to his house. The house described. The Author's
reception. The food of the Houyhnhnms. The
Author in distress for want of meat. Is at last
relieved. His manner of feeding in this coun-
try ........ p. 244
Chap. 3. The Author studies to learn the language.
The Houyhnhnm, his master, assists in teaching
him. The language described. Several Houyhn-
hnms of quality come out of curiosity to see the
Author. He gives his master a short account of
his voyage p. 250
Chap. 4. The Houyhnhnm's notion of truth and
falsehood. The Author's discourse disapproved
by his master. The Author gives a more particu-
lar account of himself, and the accidents of his
voyage p. 257
Chap. 5. The Author, at his master's command, in-
forms him of the state of England. The causes of
war among the princes of Europe. The Author
begins to explain the English constitution p. 263
Chap. 6. A continuation of the state of England un-
der Queen Anne. The character of a first minister
of state in European courts ... p. 270
Chap. 7. The Author's great love of his native
country. His master's observations upon the con-
stitution and administration of England, as de-
scribed by the Author, with parallel cases and
viii
CONTENTS.
comparisons. His master's observations upon hu-
man nature p. 278
Chap. 8. The Author relates several particulars of
the Yahoos. The great virtues of the Houyhn-
hnms. The education and exercise of their youth.
Their general assembly . . . .p. 286
Chap. 9. A grand debate at the general assembly of
the Houyhnhnms, and how it was determined.
The learning of the Houyhnhnms. Their build-
ings. Their manner of burials. The defectiveness
of their language p. 293
Chap, 10. The Author's economy, and happy life,
among the Houyhnhnms. His great improvement
in virtue by conversing with them. Their conver-
sations. The Author has notice given him by his
master, that he must depart from the country. He
falls into a swoon for grief; but submits. He con-
trives and finishes a canoe by the help of a fellow-
servant, and puts to sea at a venture . p. 299
Chap. 11. The Author's dangerous voyage. He ar-
rives at New Holland, hoping to settle there. Is
wounded with an arrow by one of the natives. Is
seized and carried by force into a Portuguese ship.
The great civilities of the captain. The Author
arrives at. England p. 307
Chap. 12. The Author's veracity. His design in pub-
- lishing this work. His censure of those travellers
who swerve from the truth. The Author clears
himself from any sinister ends in writing. An ob-
jection answered. The method of planting colo-
nies. His native country commended. The right
of the crown to those countries described by the
Author, is justified. The difficulty of conquering
them. The Author takes his last leave of the
Reader; proposes his manner of living for the fu-
ture; gives good advice, and concludes . p. $16
SKETCH OF THE LIFE
OF
DR. JONATHAN SWIFT,
'HIS very ingenious and extraordinary man was
born on the 30th of November, 166T, in Hoey's
court, Dublin. He was descended from an ancient
family in Yorkshire. His father (the son of the Rev.
Thomas Swift, whose fortune was lost in the civil
wars by his adherence to Charles I.) went to Ireland
in pursuit of employment, where he died about two
years after his marriage to a Leicestershire lady, and
seven months before the birth of his only son, who
became the celebrated Dean of St. Patrick's.
When young Swift was but a year old, he was ear-
ned away by his nurse, without the knowledge of
his mother, to Whitehaven, where the woman kept
him nearly three years, tending him with great af-
fection, and teaching him to read. On his being re-
covered and brought back to Ireland, he was sent to
the school of Kilkenny, and in his fourteenth year
to Trinity College, Dublin. Here his course of study
was so desultory and irregular, that on application
for his first degree, he was set aside for insufficiency^
DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN.

A
SKETCH OF THE
and at last was permitted to take it speciali gratia,
a kind of disgraceful indulgence, which he immedi-
ately resolved to efface, by a severe and regular ap-
plication for nearly seven years to the requisite sci-
ences. During this time it is allowed that he made
a proficiency answerable to his future fame.
In 1688 he went to England to see his mother, who
was now settled at Leicester, and was introduced to
Sir William Temple, who behaved to him with great
kindness, and afforded him opportunities of fre-
quently seeing king William, whose notions being
entirely military, he offered to make Swift a captain
of horse. Our author, however, preferring the
church, was admitted to his master's degree at Ox-
ford, in 1692, and took orders. His hopes of pro-
motion, from the interest of Sir William Temple, not
being so soon gratified, as he thought he had reason
to expect, a quarrel took place about the year 1694,
and they parted probably with mutual dissatisfaction.
There was, however, enough of respect or friendship
left to promote a reconciliation, which took place
spon after, and in the mean time Swift obtained the
prebend of Kilroot in the diocese of Connor, worth
about lOCtf. a year, and on Sir William Temple's
death in 1700 he received a legacy from him, and
the copy-right of his posthumous works, which he
published with a short life.
Soon after the loss of Sir William, he went as se-
cretary and chaplain to Lord Berkeley, one of the
lords justices of Ireland. From this new patron he
was induced to hope for the deanery of Derry, but
LIFE OF SWIFT,
it was given to another, and Swift was obliged to be
content with the livings of Laraeor and Rathbeggin.
At Laraeor he fixed his residence, aiid this place
became remarkable for his acquaintance with Miss
Johnson, the daughter of the steward of Sir William
Temple, but afterwards better known by the name of
Stella. She and her friend Mrs. Dingley lived here
in the closest intimacy with Swift, but guardedly,
and withqut reproach: in his absence they resided at
the parsonage-house, and on his return they went to
other lodgings. The affection which subsisted be-
tween Swift and Stella appears to have been warm
and sincere, and on the part of the lady, at least
irrevocable. Why it did not terminate in marriage is
a question which none of his biographers have been
able to solve in a satisfactory manner.
In 1701, having taken his doctor's degree, he began
to pay frequent visits to England, and associated
with political characters in hopes of rising by their
interest, and repaying their favours by the strength
of his judgment and the vigour of his pen. He be-
came accordingly acquainted with Harley and other
eminent public men, and certainly was trusted and
consulted by them in such a manner, and with so
little reserve, as to show they had the highest opi-
nion of his talents. But, notwithstanding this, he
received no preferment until the year 1713, when
he was made Dean of St. Patrick's; and after the
death of Queen Anne, his connexion with the Eng-
lish ministers in a great measute ceased.
However disappointed in his English connexions*
SKETCH OF THE
an unexpected incident afforded him the means of
rising to an uncommon degree of popularity in Ire-
land. One Wood had obtained a patent to coin cop-
per money for the use of that country, a measure
which Dean Swift considered as ruinous to the work-
ing people, and represented the mischiefs likely to
arise from it in a series of letters signed the Drapier.
In consequence of this the scheme failed, the dean
was hailed as the saviour of his country, and became
such a favourite oracle, that nothing could be under
taken in Ireland without consulting him.
Amidst all this popularity, however, he was fast
becoming an object rather of sympathy than envy.
In 1736 he lost his memory, and this was accom-
panied with an irascibility of temper, soured by fre-
quent disappointments, and exasperated by disease,
and he gradually sunk into a state which rendered
conversation and society no longer possible. In this
deplorable state, with few intervals of sanity, he
lingered till the year 1745, when he was happily re-
leased in the month of October, and in his 78th year.
His works occupied a considerable part of his
vigorous days: most of them were published without
his name, and since his death they have been aug
mented by the discovery of his letters and miscel-
laneous pieces, first collected and edited by Dr.
Hawkesworth, afterwards by Mr. Sheridan, and since
in two valuable and correct editions by Mr. Nichols.
They consist of an uncommon variety of political
poetical, religious, critical, and miscellaneous pieces,
written upon the whole in an elegant style, and with
LIFE OF SWIFT,
such facility of pen, and such apposite and judicious
reflections, interspersed with wonderful humour, as
has justly procured him the character of one of the
first writers of his age. His humour indeed appears
to have been inexhaustible, there being scarcely any
species of wit of which he has not left many ex-
amples; and as a correspondent, he probably was
never excelled for elegance, vivacity, and original
turns of thought.
Among his many productions, none has been re-
ceived with so much avidity as that now before the
reader. It was first published in 1727, 'a produc-
tion/ says Dr. Johnson, 'so new and strange, that
it filled the reader with a mingled emotion of merri-
ment and amazement. It was received with such
avidity, that the price of the first edition was raised
before the second could be made: it was read by the
high and the low, the learned and illiterate. Criti-
cism was for a while lost in wonder; no rules of
judgment were applied to a book written in open de-
fiance of truth and regularity.'
Notwithstanding the obvious intention of the au-
thor, which was to ridicule ambition, false politics,
and the general follies of nations and individuals,
when it was first published, tire vulgar, who seldom
enter very heartily into the nature of satire, took it
up *as a book of travels. Dr. Arbuthnot informs
us, that Lord Scarborough fell in company with a
master of a ship, who told him that he was very well
acquainted with Gulliver, but that the printer had
mistaken, that he lived in Wapping, and not at
A3
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SWIFT.
Hotherhithe; and the Doctor himself lent the book
to an old gentleman, who went immediately to his
map to search for Lilliput!
The only serious objection that has been made to
this work as a legitimate satire, respects the fourth
part, or The Voyage to the Houyhnhnms. It has
been represented as a design to depreciate human
nature, to fill the mind with misanthropy, and to in-
jure virtue and the social qualities, by rendering a
man dissatisfied, suspicious, and crafty. How far,
however, these consequences have, followed, or are
likely to follow, has never been ascertained. The
question has been ably argued by Mr. Sheridan in
his very copious Life of Swift j and perhaps the deci-
sion will always be made according to the peculiar
temper and feelings of him who enters into the con-
troversy. In one respect, indeed, all may be allowed
to blame this part, as being far more extravagant
than the others, and presenting images more gross
and indelicate than just satire requires. Although,
therefore, it may be read without injury, it is pro-
bable that it is seldom read without some portion of
disgust, while the other voyages afford a mixture of
instruction and entertainment, which has not been
equalled by any work of the kind in any language*
TRAVELS
INTO SEVERAL REMOTE NATIONS OF THEL
WORLD,
BY LEMUEL GULLIVER.
PART I.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
B
PREFACE
TO
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
rpH£ first part of these Travels appeared in 17f6;
the second early in 1727.—Bishop Alterbury, ia
ft letter from Paris to Mr. Morice, December 24,
1726, having seen the work advertised, expresses his
impatience to see it:—' I shall long,' he says, * till
it is with meand March 31, 1727, adds, 'T had
th« first part of Gulliver, but not the second; how-
ever, it has been sent ine here,, and I have had the
pleasure of reading it. Both parts are translating
here, though the French will not be able to relish
the humour of that piece, nor understand the mean-
ing of it.'—The Bishop was perfectly right. Nei*
ther Gulliver nor John Bull can properly be either
relished or understood by our volatile neighbours.
Gulliver, however, was immediately translated by
the Abbe Des Fontaines, and had an extensive
sale*.
'These voyages are considered as a mere political
romance,—to correct Vice, by showing its deformity
in opposition to Virtue, and to amend the false sys-
tems of philosophy, by pointing out the errors, and.
applying salutary means to amend them.' Orrery.
• See a correspondence on this translation, be-
tween the Abbe and the Bean, in July and August
1727, in vol. xi.—N.
iv PREFACE TO GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
* This important year [1727] sent into the world
"Gulliver's Travels," a production so new and so
strange, that it filled the reader with a mingled
emotion of merriment and amazement. It was re-
ceived with such avidity, that the price of the first
edition was raised before the second could be made;
it was read by the high and the low, the learned
and illiterate. Criticism was for a while lost in won-
der. No rules of judgement were applied to a book
written in open defiance of truth and regularity.
But when distinctions came to be made, the part
which gave least pleasure was that which describes
the Flying Island, and that which gave most dis-
gust must be the history of the Houyhnhnms*
Whilst Swift was enjoying the reputation of his new
•work, the news of the king's death arrived, and he
kissed the hands of the new king and queen three
days after their accession.' Johnson.
'« Gulliver's Travels" and the " Tale of a Tub"
are indisputably the two most capital Works of
Swift.' War ton.
* From the whole of those two voyages to Lilliput
and Brobdingnag arises one general remark, which,
however obvious, has been overlooked by those who
consider them as little more than the sport of a wan-
ton imagination. When human actions are ascribed
to pigmies and giants, there are few that do not ex-
cite either contempt, disgust, or horror; to ascribe
them therefore to such beings, was perhaps the most
probable method of engaging the mind to examine
them with attention, and judge of them with impar-
tiality, by suspending the fascination of habit, and
exhibiting familiar objects in a new light. The use
of the fable then is not less apparent, than important
and extensive; and that this use was intended by
the author, can be doubted only by those who are
disposed to affirm, that order and* regularity are the
effects of chance.
PREFACE TO GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, v
- 'To mortify pride, which indeed was not made
for man, and produces not only the most ridiculous
follies, but the most extensive calamity, appears to
have been one general view of the author in every
part of these Travels. Personal strength and beauty,
the wisdom and the virtue of mankind, become ob-
jects not of pride but of humility, in the diminutive
stature and contemptible weakness of the Lillipu-
tians, in the horrid deformity of the Brobdingna-
gians, in the learned folly of the Laputians, and in
the parallel drawn between our manners and those
of the Houyhnhnms.' Hawkesworth.
'The Lilliputians of Swift may pass for probable
beings, not so much because we know that a belief in
pigmies was once current in the world (for the true
ancient pigmy was at least thrice as tall as those
whom Gulliver visited), but because we find that
every circumstance relating to them accords with
itself, and their supposed character. It is not the
size of the people only that is diminutive; their
country, seas, ships, and towns are all in exact pro-
portion: their theological and political principles,
their passions, manners, customs, and all the parts
of their conduct, betray a levity and littleness per-
fectly suitable: and so simple is the whole narra-
tion, and apparently so artless and sincere, that I
should not wonder if it had imposed (as I have been
told it has) upon some persons of no contemptible
understanding. And some degree of credit may,
perhaps for the same reason, be due to the giants.
'When Swift grounds his narrative upon a con-
tradiction to nature; when he presents us with ra-
tional brutes, and irrational men; when he tells
us of horses building houses for habitation, milk-
ing cows for food, riding in carriages, and holding
conversations on the laws and policies of Europe;
not all his genius (and'he there exerts it to the
utmost) is able to reconcil« us to so monstrous a
vi PREFACE TO GULLIVMt'S TRAVELS,
fiction: we may smile at some of his absurd ex-
aggerations; we may be pleased with the energy
•f style, and accuracy of description, in particu*
lar places; and a malevolent heart may triumph in
the satire: but we can never relish it as a fable,
because it is at once unnatural and self-contra-
dictory.' Beattie.
THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
*HE author of these Travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver,
is my ancient and intimate friend; there is like-
wise some relation between us on the mother's side.
About three years ago, Mr. Gulliver, growing weary
©f the concourse of curious people coming to him
at his house in RedrifF, made a small purchase of
land, with a convenient house, near Newark, in Not-
tinghamshire, his native country; where he now
lives retired, yet in good esteem among his neigh-
bours.
Although Mr. Gulliver was born in Nottingham-
shire, where his father dwelt, yet I have heard him
say his family came from Oxfordshire; to confirm
which, I have observed in the churchward at Ban-
bury in that county, several tombs and monuments
of the Gullivers.
Before he quitted RedrifF, he left the custody of
the following papers in my hands, with the liberty
to dispose of them as I should think fit. I have
carefully perused them three times: the style is very
plain and simple; and the only fault I find is, that
the author, after the manner of travellers, is a little
too circumstantial. There is an air of truth appa-
rent through the whole; and indeed the author was
so distinguished for his veracity, that it became a
sort of proverb among his neighbours at RedrifF,
when any one affirmed a thing, to say, 'it was as true
as if Mr. Gulliver had spoken it.'
By the advice of several worthy persons, to whom
with the author's permission I communicated these
papers, I now venture to send them into the world,

viii THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
hoping they may be, at least for some time, a better
entertainment to our young noblemen, than the com-
mon scribbles of politics and party.
This volume would have been at least twice as
large, if I had not made bold to strike out innume-
rable passages relating to the winds and tides, as
well as to the variations and bearings in the several
voyages, together with the minute descriptions of
the management of the ship in storms, in the style
of sailors; likewise the account of longitudes and
latitudes; wherein I have reason to apprehend, that
Mr. Gulliver may be a little dissatisfied: but I was
resolved to fit the work as much as possible to the
general capacity of readers. However, if my own
ignorance in sea affairs shall have led me to commit
some mistakes, I alone am answerable for them:
and if any traveller has a curiosity to see the whole
work at large, as it came from the hands of the au-
thor, I will be ready to gratify him.
As for any further particulars relating to the au-
thor, the reader will receive satisfaction from the
first pages of the book.
RICHARD SYMPSO-lSr.
A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN GULLIVER
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON.
Written in the Year 1727.
IHOPE you will be ready to own publicly, when-
ever you shall be called to it, that by your great
and frequent urgency you prevailed on me to pub-
lish a very loose and unconect account of my tra-
vels, with direction to hire some young gentleman of
either university to put them in order, and correct
the style, as my cousin Dampier did, by my advice,
in his book called 'A Voyage round the World.'
But I do not remember I gave you power to con-
sent that any thing should be omitted, and much
less that any thing should be inserted: therefore, as
to the latter, I do here renounce every thing of that
kind; particularly a paragraph about her majesty
queen Anne of most pious and glorious memory;
although I did reverence and esteem her more thap.
any of human species. But you, or your interpo^-
lator, ought to have considered, that as it was not
my inclination, so was it not decent to praise anj
animal of our composition before my master Hou-
yhnhnm: And besides, the fact was altogether
false; for to my knowledge, being in England during
some part of her majesty's reign, she did govern by
a chief minister; nay even by two successively , the
first whereof was the lord of Godolphin, and the
second the lord of Oxford; so that you have made
me say the thing that was not. Likewise in the
account of the academy of projectors, and several
passages of my discourse to my master Houyhnhnm,
B S
A LETTER FROM GULLIVER
you have either omitted some material circum-
stances, or minced or changed them in such a man-
ner, that I do hardly know my own work. When I
formerly hinted to you something of this in a letter,
you were pleased to answer,' That you were afraid
of giving offence; that people in power were very
watchful over the press, and apt not only to inter-
pret, but to punish every thing which looked like
an inuendo' (as I think you call it). But, pray how
could that which I spoke so many years ago, and at
above five thousand leagues distance, in another
reign, be applied to any of the Yahoos, who now
are said to govern the herd; especially at a time
when I little thought, or feared, the unhappiness of
living under them? Have not I the most reason to
complain, when I see these very Yahoos carried by
Houyhnhnms in a vehicle, as if they were brutes,
and those the rational creatures? And indeed to
avoid so monstrous and detestable a sight was one
principal motive of my retirement hither.
Thus much I thought proper to tell you in rela-
tion to yourself, and to the trust I reposed in you.
I do in the next place complain of my own great
want of judgement, in being prevailed upon by the
entreaties and false reasonings of you and some
others, very much against my own opinion to suffer
my travels to be published. Pray bring to your
mind how often I desired you to consider, when you
insisted on the motive of public good, that the
Yahoos were a species of animals utterly incapable
of amendment by precepts or example: and so it has
proved; for, instead of seeing a full stop put to all
abuses and corruptions, at least in this little island,
as I had reason to expect; behold, after above six
months warning, I cannot learn that my book has
produced one single effect according to my inten-
tions. I desired you would let me know, by a letter,
•when party and faction were extinguished; judges
learned and upright; pleaders honest and modest,
with some tincture of common sense, and Smithfield
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON. xi
blazing with pyramids of law books; the young no-
bility's education entirely changed; the physicians
banished; the female Yahoos abounding in-virtdfi,
honour, truth, and good sense; courts and levees of
great ministers thoroughly weeded and swept; wit,
merit, and learning rewarded; all disgracers of the
press in prose and verse condemned to eat nothing
but their own cotton, and quench their thirst with
their own ink. These, and a thousand other refor-
mations, I firmly counted upon by your encourage-
ment; as indeed they were plainly deducible from
the precepts delivered in my book. And it must be
owned, that seven months were a sufficient time to
correct every vice and folly to which Yahoos are
subject, if their natures had been capable of the least
disposition to virtue or wisdom. Yet, so far have
you been from answering my expectation in any of
your letters; that on the contrary you are loading
our carrier every week with libels, and keys, and
reflections, and memoirs, and second parts ; wherein
I see myself accused of reflecting upon great state
folks; of degrading human nature (for so they have
still the confidence to style it), and of abusing the
female sex. I find likewise that the writers of those
bundles are not agreed among themselves; for some
of them will not allow me to be the author of my
own travels; and others make me author of books,
to which I am wholly a stranger.
I find likewise that your printer has been so care-
less as to confound the times, and mistake the dates>
of my several voyages and returns; neither assign-
ing the true year, nor the true month, nor day of
the month *: and 1 hear the original manuscript is
* -That the original copy of these Travels was al-
tered by the person through whose hands it was
conveyed to the press, is a fact; but the passages
of which Mr. Gulliver complains in this letter are
to be found only in the first editions; for the Dean
A LETTER FROM GULLIVER
all destroyed since the publication of my book;
neither have I any copy left; however, I have sent
yam some corrections, which you may insert, if ever
there should be a second edition: and yet I cannot
stand to them; but *hall leave that matter to my
judicious and candid readers to adjust it as they
please.
I hear some of our sea Yahoos find fault with my
sea-lartguage, as not proper in many parts, nor now in
use. I cannot help it. In my first voyages, while I
was young, I was instructed by the oldest mariners,
and learned to speak as they did. But I have since
found that the sea Yahoos are apt, like the land
ones, to become newfangled in their words, which
the latter change every year; insomuch, as I re*
member upon each return to my own country, their
old dialect was so altered, that I could hardly un-
derstand the new. And I observe, when any Ya-
hoos come from London out of curiosity to visit
me at my home, we neither of us are able to deli-
ver pv conceptions in a manner intelligible to the
other.
If the censure of the Yahoos could any way affect
me, I should have great reason to complain, that
some of them are so bold as ft think my book of tra-
havmg restored the text -wherever it had beea al-
tered, sent the copy* to the late Mr. Motte by the
hands of Mr. Charles Ford. This copy has been
exactly followed in every subsequent edition, except
that printed in Ireland by Mr. Faulkner; the editor
of which, supposing the Bean to be serious when he
mentioned the corruptions of dates, and yet finding
them unaltered, thought fit to alter them himself;
there is however scarce one of these alterations in
which he lias not committed a Manlier: though
while lie was thus basy in defacing the parts that
were perfect, he suffered the accidental blemish**
of others to reiaaia. H.
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON.
vets» mere fiction out of mine own brain ; and have
gone so fer as to drop hints, that the Houyhnhnms
and Yahoo* have no more existence than the inha-
bitants of Utopia.
Indeed I must confess, that as to the people of
Lilliput, Brobdingrag (for so the word should have
been spelt, and not erroneously Brobdingnag) and
Laputa, I have never yet heard of any Yahoo so
presumptuous as to dispute their being, or the facts
I have related concerning them; because the truth
immediately strikes every reader with conviction.
And is there less probability in my account of the
Houyhnhnms or Yahoos, when it is manifest as to
the laiter, there are so many thousands even in this
country, who only differ from their brother brutes
in Houyhn hnm-land, because they use a sort of
jabber, and do not go naked? I wrote for their
amendment, and not their approbation. The united
praise of the whole race would be of less consequence
to me, than the neighing of those two degenerate
Houyhnhnms I keep in my stable; because from
these, degenerate as they are, I still improve in some
virtues without any mixture of vice.
Do these miserable animals presume to think, that
I am so degenerated as to defend my veracity?
Yahoo as I am, it is well known through all Hou-
yhnhnm-landy that, by the instructions and exam-
ple of my illustrious master, I was able in the com
pass of two years (although I confess with the ut-
most difficulty) to remove that infernal habit of ly-
ing, shuffling, deceiving, and equivocating, so deeply
rooted in the very souls of all my species; especially
the Europeans. J"
I have other complaints to make upon this vexa-
tious occasion; but I forbear troubling myself or you
any further. I must freely confess, that since my
last, some corruptions of my Yahoo nature have re-
vived in me by conversing with a few of your spe-
cies, and particularly those of my own family, by an-
xiv A LETTER FROM GULLIVER, &c.
unavoidable necessity; else I should never have at-
tempted so absurd a project as that of reforming the
Yahoo race in this kingdom: But I have now done
with all such visionary schemes for ever.
April 2,1727.
A
VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
PART I.
CHAPTER I.
The Author gives some account of himself and
family: his first inducements to travel. He is
shipwrecked, and swims for his life; gets safe
on shore in the country of Lilliput; is made a
prisoner, and carried up the country.
TIT Y Father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire;
I was the third of five sons. He sent me to
Emanuel-college in Cambridge, at fourteen years
old, where I resided three years, and applied myself
close to my studies; but the charge of maintaining
me, although I had a very scanty allowance, being
too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound appren-
tice to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in
London, with whom I continued four years; and
my father now and then sending me small sums of
money, T laid them out in learning navigation, and
other parts of the mathematics, useful to those who
intend to travel, as I always believed it would be,
some time or other, my fortune to do. When I
left Mr. Bates, I went down to my Father; where,
by the assistance of him and my uncle John, and
some other relations, I got forty pounds, and.a-pro-
16
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
mise of thirty pounds a year to maintain me at
Leydenj there I studied physic two years and
seven months, knowing it would be useful in long
Toyages.
Soon after my return from Ley den, I was recom-
mended by my good master, Mr. Bates, to be sur-
geon to the Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannell,
commander: with whom I continued three years and
a half, making a voyage or two into the Levant, and
some other parts. When I came back I resolved to
settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master,
encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to
several patients. I took part of a small house in
the Old Jewry; and being advised to alter my con-
dition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton, second daugh-
ter to Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier, in Newgate-
street, with whom I received four hundred pounds
for a portion.
But my good master Bates dying in two years
after, and I having few friends, my business began
to fail; for my conscience would not suffer me to
imitate the bad practice of too many among" my
brethren. Having therefore consulted with my wife,
and some of my acquaintance, I determined to go
again to sea. I was surgeon successively in two
ships, and made several voyages, for six years, to
the East and West Indies, by which I got some ad-
dition to my fortune. My hours of leisure I spent
io reading the best authors, ancient and modern,
being always provided with a good number of books;
and when I was ashore, in observing the manners
and dispositions of the people, as well as learning
their language; wherein I had a great facility, by
Ibe strength of my memory.
The last of these voyages not proving very for-
t»nafte, I grew weary of the sea, asd intended to
stay at home with my wife and family. I removed
from the Old Jewry to Fetter-laae, and from thence
to Wapping, hoping to get business among the sail-
ors, but it would not turn to account. After thre«
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 17
years* expectation that things would mend, I ac-
cepted an advantageous offer from Captain William
Prichard, master of the Antelope, who was making
a voyage to the South Sea. We set sail from Bris-
tol, May 4,1699, aQd our voyage at first was very
prosperous.
It would not be proper, for some reasons, to trou-
ble the reader with the particulars of our adven-
tures in those seas; let it suffice to inform him, that
in our passage from thence to the East-Indies, we
were driven by a violent storm to the north-west of
Van Diemen's Land. By an observation, we found
ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees 2 minutes
south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immode-
rate labour and ill food; the rest were in a very
weak condition. On the 5th of November, which
was the beginning of summer in those parts, the
weather being very hazy, the seamen spied a rock
within half a cable's length of the ship; but the
wind was so strong, that we were driven directly
upon it, and immediately split. Six of the crjsw, of
whom I \*fets one, having let down the boat into the
sea, made a stiift to get clear of the ship and the
rock. We rowed, by my computation, about three
leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being
already spent with labour while we were in the ship.
We therefore trusted ourselves to-.the mercy of the
waves, and in about half an hour the boat was
overset by a sudden flurry from the north. What
became of my companions in the boat, as well as of
those who escaped on the rock, or were left in the
vessel, I cannot tell; but conclude they were all
lost. For my own part, I swam as fortune directed
me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide. I
pften let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom;
bfit when 1 was almost gone, and able to struggle
po longer, I found myself within my depth; and by
this time the storm was much abated. The declivity
was so small, that I walked near a mile before I got
18 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight
o'clock in the evening. 1 then advanced forward
near half a mile, but could not discover any sign of
houses or inhabitants; at least I was in so weak a
condition, that I did not observe them. I was ex-
tremely tired, and with that, and the heat of the,
weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I
drank as T left the ship, I found myself much in-
clined to sleep. I lay down on the grass, which was
very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever
I remembered to have done in my life, and, as I
reckoned, about nine hours; for when I awaked, it
was just day-light. I attempted to rise, but was
not able to stir: for as I happened to lie on my
back, I found my arms and legs were Strongly fas-
tened on each side to the ground; and my hair,
which was long and thick, tied down in the same
manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures
across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I
could only look upwards, the sun began to grow hot,
and the light offended my eyes. I heard a confused
noise about me; but in the posture I lay, could see
nothing except the sky. In a little time I felt some-
thing alive moving on my left leg, which advancing
gently forward over my breast came almost up to
my chin; when bending my eyes downward as much
as I could, I perceived it to be a human creature
not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his
bands, and a quiver at his back. In the mean time,
I felt at least forty more of the same kind (as I
conjectured) following the first. I was in the ut-
most astonishment, and roared so loud, that they
all ran back in a fright; and some of them, as I was
afterwards told, were hurt with the falls they got by
leaping from my sides upon the ground. However,
they soon returned, and one of them, who ventured
so far as to get a fall sight of my face, lifting up
his bands and eyes by way of admiration, cried out
in a shrill but distinct voice, hekinah degul; the
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 19
others repeated the same words several times, but I
then knew not what they meant. I lay all this
while, as the reader may believe, in great uneasiness;
at length, struggling to get loose, I had the fortune
to break the strings, and wrench out the pegs that
fastened my left arm to the ground; for, by lifting it
up to my faee, I discovered the methods they had
taken to bind me, and at the same time with a vio-
lent pull, which gave me excessive pain, I a little
loosened the strings that tied down my hair oil the
left side, so that I was just able to turn my head
about two inches. lJut the creatures ran off a se-
cond time, before I could seize them; whereupon
there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, and
after it ceased 1 heard one of them cry aloud, tolgo
phonac; "when in an instant I felt above a hundred
arrows discharged on my left hand, which, pricked
me like so many needles; and besides, they shot
smother flight into the air, as we do bombs in Eu-
rope, whereof many, I suppose, fell on my body,
(though I felt them not) and some on my face,
which I immediately covered with my left hand.
When this shower of arrows was over, I fell a groan-
ing with grief and pain, and then striving again to
get loose, they discharged another volley larger than
the first, and some of them attempted with spears
to stick me in the sides; but by good luck I had on
me a buff jerkin, which they could not pierce. I
thought it the most prudent method to lie still, and
my design was to continue so till night, when, my
left hand being already loose, I could easily free
myself: and as for the inhabitants, I had reason to
believe I might be a match for the greatest army they
could bring against me, if they were all of the same
ske with him that I saw. But fortune disposed
otherwise of me. When the peaple observed I was
quie*, they discharged no more arrows; but, by the
nois.e r heard, 1 knew their numbers increased; and
about four yards from me, over-agahist my right ear,
1 heard a knocking tor above an hour, like that of
20 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
people at work ; when turning my head that way, a*
well as the pegs and strings would permit me, I saw
a stage erected about a foot and half from the ground,
capable of holding four of the inhabitants, with two
or three ladders to mount it: from whence one of
them, who seemed to be a person of quality, made
me a long speech, whereof J understood not one syl-
lable. But I should have mentioned, that before the
principal person began his oration, he cried out three
times, Langro dehuL san; (these words and the for-
mer were afterwards repeated and explained to me.)
Whereupon, immediately about fifty of the inhabit-
ants came and cut the strings that fastened the left
side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turn-
ing it to the right, and of observing the person and
gesture of him that was to speak. He appeared to
be of a middle age, and taller than any of the other
three who attended him, whereof one was a page
that held up his train, and seemed to be somewhat
longer than my middle finger; the other two stood
one on each side to support him. He acted every
part of an orator, and I could observe many periods
of threatenings, and others of promises, pity, and
kindness. I answered in a few words, but in the
most submissive manner, lifting up my left hand and
both my eyes to the sun, as calling him for a wit-
ness; and being almost famished with hunger, hav-
ing not eaten a morsel for some hours before I left
the ship, I found the demands of nature so strong
upon me that I could not forbear showing my im-
patience (perhaps against the strict rules of decency)
by putting my finger frequently to my mouth, to sig-
nify that I wanted food. J he hurgo (for so they
call a great lord, as I afterwards learnt) understood
me very well. He descended from the stage, and
commanded that several ladders should be applied
to my sides, on which above a hundred of the inha-
bitants mounted, and walked towards my' mouth,
laden with baskets full of meat, which had been pro-
vided and sent thither by the king's orders, upon
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 21
the first intelligence he received of me. I observed
there was the flesh of several animals, but could not
distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders,
legs, and loins, shaped like those of mutton, and very
well dressed, but smaller than the wings of a lark.
I ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took
three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket
bullets. They supplied me as fast as they could,
showing a thousand marks of wonder and astonish-
ment at my bulk and appetite. 1 then made another
sign, that I wanted drink. They found by my eating
that a small quantity would not suffice me; and being
a most ingenious people, they slung up, with great
dexterity, one of their largest hogsheads, then rolled
it towards my hand, and beat out the top; I drank
it off at a draught, which I might well do, for it did
not hold half a pint, and tasted like a small wine of
Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought
me a second hogshead, which I drank in the same
manner, and made signs for more: but. they had
none to give me. When I had performed these won-
ders, they shouted for joy, and danced upon my
breast, repeating several times as they did at first,
Hekinah degul. They made me a sign that I should
throw down the two hogsheads, but first warning the
people below to stand out of the way, crying aloud,
Borach mcoolah; and when they saw the vessels in
the air, there was a universal shout of Hekinah
degul. I confess I was often tempted, while they
were passing backwards and forwards on my body,
to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my
reach, and dash them against the ground. But the
remembrance of whatl had felt,which probably might
not be the worst they could do, and the promise of
honour I made them, for so I interpreted my sub-
missive behaviour, soon drove out these imagina-
tions. Besides, I now considered myself as bound
by the laws of hospitality, to a people who had treat-
ed me with so much expense and magnificence.
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS;
However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently
wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mor-
tals, who durst venture to mount and walk upon my
body, while one of my hands was at liberty, withoufc
trembling at the very sight of so prodigious a crea-
ture as I must appear to them. After some time*
when they observed that I made no more demands
for meat, there appeared before me a person of higk
rant from his imperial majesty. His excellency, hav-
ing mounted on the small of my right leg* advanced
forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his
retinue; and producing his credentials under the
signet royal, which he applied close to my eyes,
spoke about ten minutes without any signs of anger,
but with a kind of determinate resolution; often
pointing forwards, which, as I afterwards found, wa$
towards the capital city* about half a mile distant;
whither it was agreed by his majesty in council^ that
I must be conveyed. I answered in few words, but
to no purpose, and made a sign with my hand that
■was loose, putting it to the other, (but over his ex.-
cellency's head for fear of hurting him or hia train)
and then to my own head and body, to signify that
I desired my liberty. It appeared that he under-
stood me well enough, for he shook his head by way
of disapprobation, and held his hand in a pasture
to show that I must be carried as a prisoner. How-
ever, he made other signs to let me understand, that
I should have meat and drink enough, and very
good treatment. Where«poii I once more thought
of attempting to break my bonds; but again, wben I
felt- the smart of their arrows upon my faceahd hands,
which were all in blisters, and many of the darts still
Sticking in them, and observing likewise that the
number of my enemies increased, I gave tokens to
let them know feat they might do with me what
they pleased. Upon this, the hurgo and his train
withdrew, with m«eh civility and cheerful counte-
nances. Soon after I heard a general shout, with
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
23
frequent repetitions of the words, Peplom $elan;
and I felt great numbers of people on my left side
relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able
to turn upon my right, and to ease myself with ma-
king water; which I very plentifully did, to the great
astonishment of the people; who, conjecturing by my
motion what I was going to do, immediately opened
to the right and left on that side, to avoid the tor-
rent, which fell with such noise and violence from
me. But before this, they had daubed my face and
both my hands, with a sort of ointment, very plea-
sant to the smell, which, in a few minutes, removed
all.the smart of their arrows. These circumstances,
added to the refreshment I had received by their
victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, dis-
posed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours, as I
was afterwards assured; and it was no wonder, for
the physicians, by the emperor's order, had mingled
a sleepy potion in the hogsheads of wine.
It seems, that upon the first moment I was disco-
vered sleeping on the ground, after my landing, the
emperor had early notice of it by an express; and
determined in council, that I should be tied in the
ta*nner I have related, (which was done in the night
while I slept;) that plenty of meat and drink should
lie sent me, and a machine prepared to carry me to
the capital city.,
This resolution perhaps may appear very bold and
dangerous, and I am confident would not be imitated
by any prince in Europe on the like occasion. How-
ever* in my opinion, it was extremely prudent, as
wtli as generous; for,supposing these people had en-
deavoured to kill me with their spears and arrows^
while I was asleep, I should certainly have awaked
trith the first sense of smart, which might sos far have
roused my rage and strength, as to have enabled me
to break the strings wherewith I w»s tied; after
which> as they were not able to make resistance, so
th#y could expect no mercy.
24 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
These people are most excellent mathematicians,
and ajnrived to a great perfection in mechanics by the
countenance and encouragement of the emperor, who
is a renowned patron of learning. This prince has
several machines fixed on wheels, for the carriage, of
trees and other great weights. He often builds his
largest men of war, whereof some are nine feet long,
in the woods where the timber grows, and has them
carried on these engines three or four hundred yards
to the sea. Five hundred carpenters and engineers
were immediately set at work to prepare the greatest
engine they had. It was a frame of wood raised
three inches from the ground, about seven feet long,
and four wide, moving upon twenty-two wheels. The
shout I heard was upon the arrival of this engine,
which it seems set out in four hours after my land-
ing. It was brought parallel to me, as I lay. But
the principal difficulty was to raise and place me in
this vehicle. Eighty poles, each of one foot high,
were erected for this purpose, and very strong cords,
of the bigness of packthread, were fastened by hooks
to many bandages, which the workmen had girt
round my neck, my hands, my body, and my legs.
Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed
to draw up these cords, by many pulleys fastened on
the poles, and thus, in less than three hours, I was
raised and slung into the engine, and there tied fast.
All this I was told; for, while the operation was per-
forming, I lay in a profound sleep, by the force of
that soporiferous medicine infused into my liquor.
Fifteen hundred of the emperor's largest horses, each
about four inches and a half high, were employed to
draw me towards the metropolis, which, as I said,
was half a mile distant.
About four hours after we began our journey, I
awaked by a very ridiculous accident; for the car-
riage being stopped a while, to adjust something that
was out of order, two or three of the young natives
had the curiosity to see how I looked when I was
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 25
asleep; they climbed up into the engine, and advan-
cing very softly to my face, one of them, an officer in
the guards, put the sharp end of his half-pike a good
way up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose
like a straw, and made me sneeze violently*; where-
upon they stole off unperceived, and it was three
weeks before I knew the cause of my waking so sud-
denly. "We made a long march the remaining part
of the day, and rested at night with five hundred
guards on each side of me, half with torches, and
half with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me if I
should offer to stir. The next morning at sun-rise
we continued our march, and arrived within two
hundred yards of the city-gates about noon. The
emperor, and all his court, came out to meet us,
but his great officers would by no means suffer his
majesty to endanger his person, by mounting on my
body.
At the place where the carriage stopped there
stood an ancient temple, esteemed to be the largest
in the whole kingdom ; which, having been polluted
some years before by an unnatural murder, was,
according to the zeal of those people, looked upon
as prophane, and therefore had been applied to
common use, and all the ornaments and furniture
carried away. In this edifice it was determined I
* It has been remarked, that courage, in whatever
cause, though it sometimes excites indignation, is
never the object of contempt; but this appears to
be true, only because courage is supposed to imply
superiority; for this officer in. the guards becomes
extremely ridiculous and contemptible by an act of
the most daring curiosity, which sets him in com-
parison with Gulliver, to whom he was so much in-
ferior, that a bla3t of the man-mountain!* nostrils
would have endangered his life; and if heroism it-
self is not proof against ridicule, they surely are
Lilliputians in philosophy, who consider ridicule as
the test of truth.—H.
C
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
should lodge. The great gate fronting to the north
was about four feet high, and almost two feet wide,
through which I could easily creep. On each side
of the gate was a small window, not above six
inches from the ground: into that on the left side,
the king's smith conveyed fourscore and eleven
chains, like those that hang to a lady's watch in
Europe, and almost as large, which were locked to
my left leg with six and thirty padlocks. Over-
against this temple, on the other side of the great
highway, at twenty feet distance, there was a turret
at least five feet high. Here the emperor ascended,
With many principal lords of his court, to have an
Opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I
could not see them. It was reckoned that above a
Ifandred thousand inhabitants came out of the town
upon the same errand; and in spite of my guards, I
believe there could not be fewer than ten thousand
at several times, who mounted my body by the help
of ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued, to
forbid it upon pain of death. When the workmen
fottsd it was impossible for me to break loose, they
tf&t all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose
up, with as melancholy a disposition as ever I had
in my life. But the noise and astonishment of the
people, at seeing me rise and walk, are not to be
expressed. The chains that held my left leg were
about two yards long, and gave me not only the
liberty of walking backwards and forwards in a se-
iSicirele; but, being fixed within four inches of
the gate* allowed me to creep in, and lie at my full
length iu the tempk.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 27
CHAPTER II.
The Emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of
the nobility, comes to see the Author in his con-
finement. The Emper or's person and habit de-
scribed. Learned men appointed tb teach the
Author their language. He gains favour by
his mild disposition. His pockets are searched,
and his sword and pistols taken from him.
"117HEN I found myself on my feet, I looked about
* * me, and must confess I never beheld a more en-
tertaining prospect. The country around appeared
like a continued garden, and the enclosed fields,
Which were generally forty feet square, resembled
so many beds of flowers. These fields were inter-
mingled with woods of half a stung*, and the tallest
trees, as I could judge, appeared to be seven feet high.
I viewed the town on my left hand, which looked
like the painted scene of a city in a theatre.
I had been for some hours extremely pressed by
the necessities of nature; which was no wonder, it
being almost two days since I had last disburdened
myself. I was under great difficulties between ur-
gency and shame. The best expedient I could
think t on, was to creep into my house, which I
accordingly did; and shutting the gate after me, I
went as far as the length of my chain would suffer,
and discharged my body of that uneasy load. But
this was the only time I was ever guilty of so un-
cleanly an action; for which I cannot but hope the
candid reader will give some allowance, after he has
maturely and impartially considered my case, and
* A stang is a pole or perch; sixteen feet and a
half.—Original.
t The author is singular in the use of this phrase,
as think of, not think on, is the usual mode.
28 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the distress I was in. Fronj this time my constant
practice was, as soon as I rose, to perform that
business in open air, at the full extent of my chain;
and due care was taken every morning before com-
pany came, that the offensive matter should be
carried off in wheelbarrows, by two servants ap-
pointed for that purpose. I would not have dwelt
so long upon a circumstance that, perhaps, at first
sight, may appear not very momentous, if I had
not thought it necessary to justify my character, in
point of cleanliness, to the world; which, I am told,
some of my maligners have been pleased, upon this
and other occasions, to call in question.
When this adventure was at an end, I came back
out of my house, having occasion for fresh air. The
emperor was already descended from the tower, and
advancing on horseback towards me, which had like
to have cost him dear; for the beast, though very
well trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight,
which appeared as if a mountain moved before him,
reared up on his hinder feet: but that prince, who is
an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till his attend-
ants ran in, and held the bridle, while his majesty
had time to dismount. When he alighted, he sur-
veyed me round with great admiration; but kept
beyond the length of my chain. He ordered his
cooks and butlers, who were already prepared, to
give me victuals and drink, which they pushed for
ward in a sort of vehicles upon wheels, till I could
reach them. I took these vehicles, and soon emptied
them all; twenty of them were filled with meat, and
ten with liquor; each of the former afforded me two
or three good mouthfuls; and. I emptied the liquor
of ten vessels, which was contained in earthen vials,,
into one vehicle, drinking it off at a draught; and
so I did with the rest. The empress, and young
princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by
many ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs;
but upon the accident that happened to the empe-
ror's horse, they alighted, and came near his p©r»oa,
A VOYAGE TO LTLLIPUT.
29
which I am now going to describe. He is taller, by
almost the breadth of my nail, than any of hi3
court; which alone is enough to strike an awe into
the beholders. His features are strong and mas-
culine, with an Austrian lip and arched nose, his
complexion olive, his countenance erect, his body
and limbs well proportioned, all his motions grace-
ful, and his deportment majestic. He was then past
his prime, being twenty-eight years and three quar-
ters old, of which he had reigned about seven in
great felicity, and generally victorious. For the
better convenience of beholding him, I lay on my
side, so that my face was parallel to his, and he
stood but three yards off: however, I have had him
since many times in my hand, and therefore cannot
be deceived in the description. His dress was very
plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the
Asiatic and the European : but he had on his head a
light helmet of gold, adorned with jewels, and. a
plume on the crest. He held his sword drawn in
his hand to defend himself, if I should happen to
break loose*: it was almost three inches long; the
hilt and scabbard were gold enriched with diamonds.
His voice was shrill, but very clear and articulate;
and I could distinctly hear it when I stood up. The
ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently
clad; so that the spot they stood upon seemed to re-
semble a petticoat spread on the ground, embroi-
dered with figures of gold and silver. His imperial
* The masculine strength of features, which Gul-
liver could not see till he laid his face upon the
ground, and the awful superiority of stature in a
being, whom he held in his hand; the helmet, the
plume, and the sword, are a fine reproof of human
pride; the objects of which are trifling distinctions,
whether of person or rank; the ridiculous parade and
ostentation of a pigmy, which derive not only their
origin but their use from the folly, weakness, and
imperfection, of ourselves and others.—H,
SO GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers:
but neither of us could understand a syllable. There
were several of his priests and lawyers present (as I
conjectured by their habits), who were commanded
to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them
in as many languages as I had the least smattering
of, which were High and Low Dutch, Latin, French,
Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca, but all to no
purpose. After about two hours the court retired,
and I was left with a strong guard, to prevent the
impertinence, and probably the malice of the rab-
ble; who were very impatient to crowd about me as^
near as they durst; and some of them had the im-
pudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I sat on the
ground by the door of my house, whereof one very
narrowly missed my left eye. But the colonel or-
dered six of the ringleaders to be seized, and
thought no punishment so proper, as to deliver them
bound into my hands; which some of his soldiers
accordingly did, pushing them forwards with the
butt-ends of their pikes into my reach. I took them
all in my right hand, put five of them into my coat-
pocket, and as to the sixth, I made a countenance
as if T would eat him alive. The poor man squalled
terribly, and the colonel and his officers were in
much pain, especially when they saw me take out
my penknife: but I soon put them out of fear; for,
looking mildly, and immediately cutting the strings
he was bound with, I set him gently on the ground,
and away he ran. I treated the rest in the same
manner, taking them one by one out of my pocket;
and I observed both the soldiers and people were
highly delighted at this mark of my clemency,
which was represented very much to my advantage
at court.
Towards night I got with some difficulty into ray
house, where J lay on the ground, and continued to
do so about a fortnight; during which time, the em-
peror gave orders to have- a bed prepared for me.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 31
Six hundred beds* of the common measure were
brought in carriages, and worked up in my house; a
hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn together,
made up the breadth and length; and these were
four double; which, however, kept me but very in-
differently from the hardness of the floor, that was
of smooth stone. By the same computation, they
provided me with sheets, blankets, and coverlets,
tolerable enough for one who had been so long in-
ured to hardships.
As the news of my arrival spread through the
kingdom, it brought prodigious numbers of rich,
idle, and curious people to see me; so that the vil-
lages were almost emptied; and great neglect of til-
lage and household affairs must have ensued, if his
imperial majesty had not provided, by several pro-
clamations and orders of state, against this ineonve-
niency. He directed, that those who had already
beheld me should return home, and not presume to
come within fifty yards of my house, without licence
from the court; whereby the secretaries of state got
considerable fees.
In the mean time the emperor held frequenfc coun-
cils, to debate what course should be taken with
me; and I was afterwards assured, by a particular
friend, a person of great quality, who was as much
in the secret as any, that the court was under many
difficulties concerning me. They apprehended ray
breaking loose; that my diet would be very expen-
sive, and might cause a famine. Sometimes they de-
termined to starve me, or at least to shoot me in
the face and hands with poisoned arrows, which
would soon dispatch me; but again they considered,
that the stench of so large a carcass might produce
a plague in the metropolis, and probably spread
through the whole kingdom. In the midst of these
* Gulliver has observed great exactness in the just
proportion and appearance of the objects thus Jess-
«ned.—Orrery.
32
GULLIVER'S TRAYELS:
consultations, several officers of the army went to
the door of the great council-chamber, and two of
them being admitted, gave an account of my be-
haviour to the six criminals above-mentioned; which
made so favourable an impression in the breast of
his majesty, and the whole board, in my behalf,
that an imperial commission was issued out, obliging
all the villages, nine hundred yards round the city,
to deliver in every morning six beeves, forty sheep,
and other victuals for my sustenance; together with
a proportionable quantity of bread, and wine, and
other liquors; for the due payment of which, his
majesty gave assignments upon his treasury :—for
this prince lives chiefly upon his own demesnes; sel-
dom, except upon great occasions, raising any sub-
sidies upon his subjects, who are bound to attend
him in his wars at their own expense. An establish-
ment was also made of six hundred persons to be
my domestics, who had board-wages allowed for
their maintenance, and tents built for them very
conveniently on each side of my door. It was like-
wise ordered, that three hundred tailors should
make me a suit of clothes, after the fashion of the
country: that six of his majesty's greatest scholars
should be employed to instruct me in their lan-
guage: and lastly, that the emperor's horses, and
those of the nobility and troops of guards, should
be frequently exercised in my sight, to accustom
themselves to me. All these orders were duly put
in execution; and in about three weeks I made a
great progress in learning their language; during
which time the emperor frequently honoured me
with his visits, and was pleased to assist my masters
in teaching me. We began already to converse to-
gether in some sort; and the first words I learnt,
were to express my desire ' that he would please to
give me my liberty;' which I every day repeated on
my knees. His answer, as I could apprehend it,
was, ' that this must be a work of time, not to be
thought on without the advice of his council, and
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPITT. 33
thai first I must lumos kelmin pesso desmar Ion
empo$o / that is, swear a peace with him and his
kingdom. However, that I should be used with all
kindness. And he advised me to ' acquire by my
patience and discreet behaviour, the good opinion of
himself and his subjects.' He desired 'I would
not take it ill, if he gave orders to certain proper
officers to search me; for probably I might carry
about me several weapons, which must needs be
dangerous things, if they answered the bulk of so
prodigious a person.' I said, ' His majesty should
be satisfied; for I was read}' to strip myself, and
turn up my pockets before him.' This I delivered,
part in words, and part in signs. He replied, ' that,
by the laws of the kingdom, I must be searched by
two of his officers; that he knew this could not be
done without my consent and assistance; and he had
so good an opinion of my generosity and justice, as
to trust their persons in my hands: that whatever
they took from me, should be returned when I left
the country, or paid for at the rate which I would
set upon them.' I took up the two officers in my
hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and then
into every other pocket about me, except my two
fobs, and another secret pocket, which I had no
mind should be searched, wherein I had some little
necessaries that were of no consequence to any but
myself. In one of my fobs there was a silver watch,
and in the other a small quantity of gold in a purse.
These gentlemen, having pen, ink, and paper, about
them, made an exact inventory of every thing they
saw; and when they had done, desired I would set
them down, that they might deliver it to the em-
peror. This inventory I afterwards translated into
English, and is word for word as follows:
* Imprimis, In the right coat-pocket of the great
man-mountain (for so I interpret the words quinbus
fle&tHn), after the strictest search, we found only
one great piece of coarse cloth, large enough to be a
foot-cloth for yoar maj«sty's chief room of state. In
C 2
34 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a
cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers,
were not able to lift. We desired it should be open-
ed, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up
to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof
flying up to our faces, set us both a-sneezing for
several times together. In his right waistcoat-pocket
we found a prodigious bundle of white thin sub-
stances, folded one over another, about the bigness
of three men, tied with a strong cable, and marked
with black figures; which we humbly conceive to be
writings, every letter almost half as large as the
palm of our hands. In the left there was a sort of
engine, from the back of which were extended
twenty long poles, resembling the pallisados before
your majesty's court: wherewith we conjecture the
man-mountain combs his head; for we did Hot always
trouble him with questions, because we found it a
great difficulty to make him understand us. In the
large pocket, on the right side of his middle cover
(so I translate the word ranfu-lo, by which they
meant my breeches), we saw a hollow pillar of iron,
about the length of a man, fastened to a strong
piece of timber larger than the pillar; and upon one
side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking
out, cut into strange figures, which we know not
what to make of. In the left pocket, another engine
of the same kind. In the smaller pocket on the
right side, were.several round flat pieces of white
and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white,
which seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy,
that my comrade and I could hardly lift them. In
the left pocket were two black pillars irregularly
shaped: we could not, without difficulty, reach the
top of them, as we stood mt the bottom of his pocket.
One of them was covered, and seemed all of a piece:
but at the upper end of the other there appeared a
white round substance, about twice the bigness of
our heads. Within each of these was enclosed a
prodigious plate of steel; which, by our orders, wfe
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 35
obliged him to show us, because we apprehended
they might be dangerous engines. He took them out
of their cases, and told us, that in his own country
his practice was to shave his beard with one of these,
and cut his meat with the other. There were two
pockets which we could not enter: these he called
his fobs; they were two large slits cut into the top
of his middle cover, but squeezed close by the pres-
sure of his belly. Out of the right fob hung a great
silver chain, with a wonderful kind of engine at the
bottom. We directed him to draw out whatever
was at the end of that chain; which appeared to be
a globe, half silver, and half of some transparent
metal; for, on the transparent side, we saw certain
strange figures circularly drawn, and thought we
could touch them, till we found our fingers stopped
by that lucid substance. He put this engine to our
ears, which made an incessant noise, like that of a
water-mill: and we conjecture it is either some un-
known animal, or the god that he worships ; but we
are more inclined to the latter opinion, because he
assured us (if we understood him right, for he ex-
pressed himself very imperfectly) that he seldom
did any thing without consulting it. He called it
his oracle, and said, it pointed out the time for
every action of his life*. From the left fob he took
out a net almost large enough for a fisherman, but
contrived to open and shut like a purse, and served
him for the same use: we found therein several
massy pieces of yellow metal, which, if they be real
gold, must be of immense value.
* Having thus, in obedience to your majesty's
commands, diligently searched all his pockets, we
observed a girdle about his waist, made of the hide
* Perhaps the author intended to expose the pro-
bable fallacy of opinions derived from the relations
of travellers, by showing how little truth need to
be misunderstood to make falsehood specious.—H.
36 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
of some prodigious animal, from which, on the left
side, hung a sword of the length of five men; and
on the right, a bag or pouch divided into two cells,
each cell capable of holding three of your majesty's
Subjects. In one of these cells were several globes,
or balls, of a most ponderous metal, about the big-
ness of our heads, and required a strong hand to lift
them: the other cell contained a heap of certain
black grains, but of no great bulk or weight, for we
could hold above fifty of them in the palms of x>\ir
hands.
'This is an exact inventory of what we found
about the body of the man-mountain, who used us
with great civility, and due respect to your majes-
ty's commission. Signed and sealed on the fourth
day of the eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's au-
spicious reign.
'Clefrin Frelock, Mar&i Frclock.'
When this inventory was read over to the emperor,
he directed me, although in very gentle terms, to
deliver up the several particulars. He first called
for my cimeter, which I took out, scabbard and all,
In the mean time he ordered three thousand of his
choicest troops (who then attended him) to surround
me at a distance, with their bows and arrows just
ready to discharge; but I did not observe it, for
mine eyes were wholly fixed upon his majesty. He
then desired me to draw my cimeter, which, al-
though it had got some rust by the sea-water, was,
in most parts, exceeding bright. I did so, and im-
mediately all the troops gave a shout between terror
and surprise; for the sun shone clear, and the re-
flection dazzled their eyes, as I waved the cimeter
to and fro in my hand. His majesty, who is a most
magnanimous prince*, was less daunted than I could
* He who does not find himself disposed to ho-
nour this magnanimity, should reflect, that a right
to judge of moral and intellectual excellence is, with
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPTJT. 87
expect; he ordered me to return it into the scabbard,
and cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about
six feet from the end of my chain. The next thing
he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars ; by
which he meant my pocket pistols. I drew it out,
and at his desire, as well as I could, expressed to
him the use of it; and charging it only with powder,
which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to
escape wetting in the sea (an inconvenience against
which all prudent mariners take special care to pro-
vide), I first cautioned the emperor not to be afraid,
and then I let it off in the air. The astonishment
here was much greater than at the sight of the cime-
ter. Hundreds fell down as if they had been struck
dead; and even the emperor, although he stood his
ground, could not recover himself for some time. I
delivered up both my pistols in the same manner as
I had done my cimeter, and then my pouch of pow-
der and bullets ; begging him that the former might
be kept from fire, for it would kindle with the small-
est spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the
air. I likewise delivered up my watch, which the
emperor was very curious to see, and commanded
two of his tallest yeomen of the guards to bear it
on a pole upon their shoulders, as draymen in Eng-
land do a barrel of ale. He was amazed at the con-
tinual noise it made, and the motion of the minute-
hand, which he could easily discern; for their sight
is much more acute than ours: he asked the opinions
of his learned men about it, which were various and
remote, as the reader may well imagine without my
repeating; although indeed I could not very per-
fectly understand them. I then gave up my silver
and copper money, my purse with nine large pieces
of gold, and some smaller ones; my knife and razor,
great absurdity and injustice, arrogated by him who
admires, in a being six feet high, any qualities that
he despises in one whose stature does not exceed
six inches.—H.
38 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
my comb and silver snuff-box, my handkerchief and
journal-book. My cimeter, pistols, and pouch, were
conveyed in carriages to bis majesty's stores; but
the rest of my goods were returned me.
I had, as I before observed, one private pocket,
which escaped their search, wherein there was a pair
of spectacles (which I sometimes use for the weak-
ness of mine eyes), a pocket perspective, and some
other little conveniences; which, being of no con-
sequence to the emperor, I did not think myself
bound in honour to discover, and I apprehended
they might be lost or spoiled, if I ventured them
out of my possession.
CHAPTER III.
The Author diverts the Emperor; and his nobility
of both sexes, in a very uncommon manner.
The diversions of tfre Court of Lilliput de-
scribed. The Author has his liberty granted
him upon certain conditions.
TV/TY gentleness and good behaviour had gained so
far on the emperor and his court, and indeed
upon the army and people in general, that I began
to conceive hopes of getting my liberty in a short
time. I took all possible methods to cultivate this
favourable disposition. The natives came, by de-
grees, to be less apprehensive of any danger from
me. I would sometimes lie down, and let five or
six of them dance on my hand j and at last the boys
and girls would venture to come and play at hide
and seek in my hair. I had now made a good pro-
gress in understanding and speaking the language.
The emperor had a mind one day to entertain me
with several of the country shows, wherein they ex-
ceed all nations I have known, both for dexterity
and magnificenee. I was diverted with none so
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 39
much as that of the rope-dancers, performed upon a
slender white thread, extended about two feet, and
twelve inches from the ground. Upon which I shall
desire liberty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge
a little.
This diversion is only practised by those persons,
who are candidates for great employments, and high
favour at court. They are trained in this art from
their youth, and are not always of noble birth, or
liberal education. When a great office is vacant,
either by death or disgrace (which often happens),
five or six of those candidates petition the emperor
to entejrtain his majesty and the court with a dance
on the rope; and whoever jumps the highest,without
falling, succeeds in the office. Very often the chief
ministers themselves are commanded to show their
skill, and to convince the emperor that they have
not lost their faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is
allowed to cut a caper on the straight rope, at least
an inch higher than any other lord in the whole em-
pire. I have seen him do the summerset* several
times together, upon a trencher fixed on a rope
which is no thicker than a common packthread in
England. My friend Reldresal, principal secretary
for private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not par-
tial, the second after the treasurer; the rest of the
great officers are much upon a par.
These diversions are often attended with fatal
accidents, whereof great numbers are on record. I
myself have seen two or three candidates break a
limb. But the danger is much greater, when the
ministers themselves are commanded to show their
dexterity! for, by contending to excel themselves
and their fellows, they strain so far that there is
hardly one of them who has not received a fall, and
some of them two or three. I was assured that, a
* Summerset or summersault, a gambol of a
tumbler, in which he springs up, turns heels over
head in the air, and comes down upon his feet.-Orzg*
40 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
year or two before myarrival, Flimnap would infalli-
bly have broke his neck, if one of the king's cushions,
that accidentally lay on the ground, had not weak-
ened the force of his fall.
There is likewise another diversion, which is only
shown before the emperor and empress, and first
minister, upon particular occasions. The emperor
lays on the table three fine silken threads of six
inches long; one is blue, the other red, and the third
green, These threads are proposed as prizes for
those persons whom the emperor has a mind to dis-
tinguish by a peculiar mark of his favour. The ce-
remony is performed in his majesty's great chamber
of state, where the candidates are to undergo a trial
of dexterity, very different from the former, and
such as I have not observed the least resemblance of
in any other country of the new or old world. The
emperor holds a stick in his hands, both ends parallel
to the horizon, while the candidates advancing, one
by one, sometimes leap over the stick, sometimes
creep under it, backward and forward, several times,
according as the stick is advanced or depressed.
Sometimes the emperor holds one end of the stick,
and his first minister the other; sometimes the mi-
nister has it entirely to himself. Whoever performs
his part with most agility, and holds out the longest
in leaping and creeping, is rewarded with the blue-
coloured silk; the red is given to the next, and the
green to the third, which they all wear girt twice
round about the middle; and you see few great per-
sons about this court who are not adorned with one
of these girdles. •
The horses of the army, and those of the royal
stables, having been daily led before me, were no
longer shy, but would come up to my very feet with-
out starting. The riders would leap them over my
hand, as I held it on the ground; and one of the
emperor's huntsmen, upon a large courser, took my
foot, shoe and all; which was indeed a prodigious
leap. I had the good fortune to divert the emperor
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 41
one day after a very extraordinary manner. I de-
sired he would order several sticks of two feet high,
and the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought
me; whereupon his majesty commanded the master
of his woods to give directions accordingly; and the
next morning six woodmen arrived with as many car-
riages, drawn by eight horses to each. I took nine
of these sticks, and fixing them firmly in the ground
in a quadrangular figure, two feet and a half square,
I took four other sticks, and tied them parallel at
each corner about two feet from the ground; then I
fastened my handkerchief to the nine sticks that
stood erect; and extended it on all sides, till it was
tight as the top of a drum; and the four parallel
sticks, rising about five inches higher than the hand-
kerchief, served as ledges on each side. When I had
finished my work, I desired the emperor to let a
troop of his best horse, twenty-four in number, come
and exercise upon this plain. His majesty approved
of the proposal, and I took them up, one by one, in
my hands, ready mounted and armed, with the pro-
per officers to exercise them. As soon as they got
into order, they^ divided into two parties, performed
mock skirmishes,'discharged blunt arrows, drew their
swords, fled and pursued, attacked and retired, and
in short discovered the best military discipline I
ever beheld. The parallel sticks secured them and
their horses from falling over the stage; and the em-
peror was so much delighted, that he ordered this
entertainment to be repeated several days, and once
was pleased to be lifted up and give the word of
command; and with great difficulty persuaded even
the empress herself to let me hold her in her close
chair within two yards of the stage, when she was
able to take a full view of the whole performance.
It was my good fortune, that no ill accident hap-
pened in these entertainments; only once a fiery
horse, that belonged to one of the captains, pawing
with his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and
his foot slipping, he overthrew his rider and himself;
At GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
but I immediately relieved them both, and covering
the hole with one hand, I set down the troop with
the other, in the same manner as I took them up.
The horse that fell was strained in the left shoulder,
but the rider got no hurt; an4 I repaired my hand-
kerchief as well as I could: however, I would not
trust to the strength of it any more, in such danger-
ous enterprises.
About two or three days before I was set at li-
berty, as I was entertaining the court with this kind
of feats, there arrived an express to inform his ma-
jesty, that some of his subjects, riding near the place
where I was first taken up, had seen a great black
substance lying on the ground, very oddly shaped,
extending its edges round, as wide as his majesty's
bedchamber, and rising u*p in the middle as high as
a man; that it was no living creature, as they at first
apprehended, for it lay on the grass without motion j
and some of them had walked round it several times j
that, by mounting upon each other's shoulders, they
had got to the top, which was flat and even, and,
stamping upon it, they found that it was hollow
within; that they humbly conceived it might be
something belonging to the man-mountain; and if
his majesty pleased, they would undertake to bring
it with only five horses. I presently knew what
they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this
intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the
shore after our shipwreck, I was in such confusion,
that before I came to the place where I went to
sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string to
my head while I was rowing, and had stuck on ali
the time I was swimming, fell off after I came to
land; the string, as I conjecture, breaking by some
accident, which I never observed, but thought nay
hat had been lost at sea. I entreated his imperial
majesty to give orders it might be brought to me as
soon as possible, describing to him the use and the
nature of it: and the next day the waggoners arrived
with it, but not in a very good condition; they had
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
45
bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and half
of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes;
these hooks were tied by a long cord to the harness,
and thus my hat was dragged along for above half aa
English mile; but, the ground in that country being
extremely smooth and level, it received less damage
than I expected.
Two days after this adventure, the emperor,having
ordered that part of his army which quarters in and
about his metropolis, to be in readiness, took a fancy
of diverting himself in a very singular manner. He
desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my legs
as far asunder as 1 conveniently could. He then
commanded his general (who was an old experienced
leader, and a great patron of mine) to draw up the
troops in close order, and march them under me; the
foot by twenty-four a-breast, and the horse by six-
teen, with drums beating, colours flying, and pikes
advanced. This body consisted of three thousand
foot, and a thousand horse. His majesty gave or-
ders, upon pafn of death, that every soldier in his
march should observe the strictest decency with re-
gard to my person; which however could not pre-
vent some of the younger officers from turning up
their eyes, as they passed under me : and, to confess
the truth, my breeches were at that time in so ill a
condition, that they afforded some opportunities for
laughter and admiration.
I had sent so many memorials and petitions for
my liberty, that his majesty at length mentioned the
matter, first in the cabinet, and then in a full council;
where it was opposed by none, except Skyresh Bol-
golam, who was pleased, without any provocation,
to be my mortal enemy. But it was carried against
him by the whole board, and confirmed by the em-
peror. That minister was galbct, or admiral of the
realm, very much in his master's confidence, aad a
person well versed in affairs, but of a morose and
sour complexion. However, he was at length per-
suaded to comply; but prevailed that the articles
44 GU LLIVETL'S TRAVELS:
and conditions upon which I should be set free, and
to which I must swear, should be drawn up by him-
self. These articles were brought to me by Skyresh
Bolgolam in person, attended by two under-secre-
taries, and several persons of distinction. After they
were read, I was demanded to swear to the perform-
ance of them; first in the manner of my own country,
and afterwards in the method prescribed by their
laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my left
hand, and to place the middle finger of my right
hand on the crown of my head, and my thumb on
the tip of my right ear. But because the reader may
be curious to have some idea of the style and manner
of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to
know the articles ujjon which I recovered my liberty,
I have made a translation of the whole instrument,
word for word, as near as I was able, which I here
offer to the public.
'Golbasto Momarem Evlame Gurdilo Shefin
Mully Ully Gue, most mighty emperor of Lilliput,
delight and terror of the universe, whose dominions
extend five thousand, blustrugs (about twelve miles
in circumference) to the extremities of the globe;
monarch of all monarchs, taller than the sons of
men; whose feet press down to the centre, and
whose head strikes against the sun; at whose nod
the princes of the earth shake their knees; pleasant
as the spring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful
as autumn, dreadful as winter. His most sublime
majesty proposes to the man-mountain, lately arrived
at our celestial dominions, the following articles,
which, by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged to
perform.
'ls^ The man-mountain shall not depart from our
dominions, without our licence under our great seal.
'2d,'He shall not presume to come into our me
tropolis, without our express order; at which time,
the inhabitants shall have two hours' warning to
keep within dodrs.
'3d, The said man-mountain shall confine his
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 45
walks to our principal high roads, and not offer to
walk, or lie down, in a meadow or field of corn.
'4th. As he walks the said roads, he shall take
the utmost care not to trample upon the bodies of
any of our loving subjects, their horses, or carriages,
nor take any of our subjects into his hands without
their own consent.
'5th, If an express requires extraordinary dis-
patch, the man-mountain shall be obliged to carry,
in his pocket, the messenger and horse a six days'
journey, once in every moon, and return the said
messenger back (if so required) safe to our imperial
presence.
'6th, He shall be our ally against our enemies
in the island of Blefuscu*, and do his utmost to
destroy their fleet, which is now preparing to in-
vade us.
'7th, That the said man-mountain shall, at his
time of leisure, be aiding and assisting to our work-
men, in helping to raisecertain great stones,towards
covering the wall of the principal park, and other
our royal buildings.
* 8th, That the said man-mountain shall, in two
moons' time, deliver in an exact survey of the cir-
cumference of our dominions, by a computation of
his own paces round the coast.
'Lastly, That, upon his solemn oath to observe
all the above articles, the said man-mountain shall
have a daily allowance of meat and drink sufficient
for the support of 1724 of our subjects, with free
access to our royal person, and other marks of
our favour. Given at our palace at Belfaborac,
the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our
reign.*
I swore and subscribed to these articles with great
* In his description of Lilliput, he seems to have
had England more immediately in view. In his
description of Blefuscu, he seems to intend the
people and kingdom of France.—Orrery.
46 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
cheerfulness and content, although some of them
were not so honourable as I could have wished;
which proceeded wholly from the malice of Skyresh
Bolgolam, the high-admiral; whereupon my chains
were immediately unlocked, and I was at full liberty.
The emperor himself, in person, did me the honour
to be by at the whole ceremony. I made my ac-
knowledgments by prostrating myself at his majesty's
feet: but he commanded me to rise ; and after many
gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of
vanity, I shall not repeat, he added,4 that he hoped
I should prove a useful servant, and well deserve all
the favours he had already conferred upon me, or
might do for the future.'
The reader may please to observe, that, in the last
article of the recovery of my liberty, the emperor
stipulates to allow me a quantity of meat and drink
sufficient for the support of1724 Lilliputians. Some
time after, asking a friend at court how they came
to fix on that determined number, he told me that
his majesty's mathematicians,having taken the height
of my body by the help of a quadrant, and finding it
to exceed theirs in the proportion of twelve to one,
they concluded from the similarity of their bodies,
that mine must contain at least 17£4 of theirs, and
consequently would require as much food as was
necessary to support that number of Lilliputians.
By which the reader may conceive an idea of the
ingenuity of that people, as well as the prudent and
exact economy of so great a prince.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
47
CHAPTER IV.
Mild end o, the metropolis of Lilliput, described,
together with the Emptror's palace. A conver-
sation between the Author and a principal se-
cretary, concerning the affairs of that empire.
The Author's offers to serve the Emperor in his
wars.
HHHE first request I made, after I had obtained my
liberty, was, that I might have licence to see
Mildendo, the metropolis; which the emperor easily
granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt
either to the inhabitants or their houses. The peo-
ple had notice, by proclamation, of my design to
visit the town. The wall, which encompassed it, is
two feet and a half high, and at least eleven inches
broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very
safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers
at ten feet distance. I stept over the great western
gate, and passed very gently and sideling through
the two principal streets only in my short waistcoat,
for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the
houses with the skirts of my coat. I walked with
the utmost circumspection, to avoid treading on any
stragglers who might remain in the streets; although
the orders were very strict, that all people should
keep in their houses, at their own peril. The garret
windows and tops of houses were so crowded with
spectators, that I thought in all my travels I had
Dot seen a more populous place. The city is an
exact square, each side of the wail being five hun-
dred feet long.. The two great streets, which run
across and divide it into four quarters, are five feet
wide. The lanes and alleys, which I could not enter,
but only viewed them as I passed, are from twelve
to eighteen inches. The town is capable of holding
five hundred thousand souls: the houses are from

48 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
three to five stories: the shops and markets well
provided.
The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city
where the two great streets meet. It is enclosed by
a wall of two feet high, and twenty feet distance
from the buildings. 1 had his majesty's permission
to step over this wall; and the space being so wide"
between that and the palace, I could easily view it
on every side. The outward court is a square of
forty feet, and includes two other courts: in the in-
most are the royal apartments, which I was very de-
sirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for
the great gates, from one square into another, were
but eighteen inches high, and seven inches wide.
Now the buildings of the outer court were at least
five feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride
over them without infinite damage to the pile, though
the walls were strongly built of hewn stone, and four
inches thick. At the same time the emperor had a
great desire that I should see the magnificence of
his palace; but this I was not able to do till three
days after, which I spent in cutting down with my
knife some of the largest trees in the royal park,
about a hundred yards' distance from the city. Of
these trees I made two stools, each about three feet
high, and strong enough to bear my weight. The
people having received notice a second time, I went
again through the city to the palace with my two
stools in my hands. When I came to the side of the
outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took the
other in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and
gently set it down on the space between the first
and second court, which was eight feet wide. I
then stept over the building very conveniently from
one stool to the other, and drew up the first after
me with a hooked stick. By this contrivance I got
into the inmost court; and, lying down upon my side,
I applied my face to the windows of the middle sto^
ries, which were left open on purpose, and discovered
the most splendid apartments that can be imagined.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 49
There I saw the empress and the young princes, in
their several lodgings, with their chief attendants
about them. Her imperial majesty was pleased to
smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of
the window her hand to kiss.
But I shall not anticipate the reader with further
descriptions of this kind, because f reserve them for
a greater work, which is now almost ready for the
press; containing a general description of this em-
pire, from its first erection, through a long series of
princes; with a particular account of their wars and
politics, laws, learning, and religion; their plants and
animals; their peculiar manners and customs, with
other mat ters very curious and useful; my chief de-
sign at present being only to relate such events and
transactions as happened to the public or to myself
during a residence of about nine months in that
empire.
One morning, about a fortnight after I had ob-
tained my liberty, Reldresel, principal secretary (as
they style him) for private affairs, came to my house
attended only by one servant. lie ordered his coach
to wait at a distance, and desired I would give him
an hour's audience; which I readily consented to, on
account of his quality, and personal merits, as well
as of the many good offices he had done me during
my solicitations at court. I offered to lie down, that
he might the more conveniently reach my -ear; but,
he chose rather to let me hold him in my hand during,
our conversation. He began with compliments on
my liberty; said, < he might pretend to some merit
in itbut however added,' that if it had not been
for the present situation of things at court, perhaps
I might not have obtained it so soon. For,' said he,
* as flourishing a condition as we may appear to be
in to foreigners, we labour under two mighty evils;
a violent faction at home, and the danger of an in-
vasion, by a most potent enemy, from abroad. As
to the first, you are to understand, that for above
seventy tnoons past there have been two struggling
D
50 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
parties in this empire, under the names of Tramcck-
san and Slamecksan *, from the high and low heels of
their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves.
It is alleged, indeed, that the high heels are most
agreeable to our ancient constitution; but, however
this be, his majesty has determined to make use
only of low heels in the administration of the go-
vernment, and all offices in the gift of the crown, as
you cannot but observe; and particularly that his
majesty's imperial heels are lower at least by a
drurr, than any of his court: drurr is a measure
about the fourteenth part of an inch. The animo-
sities between these two parties run so high, that
tiiey will neither eat, nor drink, nor talk with each
other. We compute the Tramecksan, or high heels,
to exceed us in number; but the power is wholly on
our side. We apprehend his imperial highness, the
heir to the crown, to have some tendency towards
the high heels ; at least, we can plainly discover that
one of his heels is higher than the other, which
gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst
of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened with
an invasion from the island of Elefuscu, w;hich is
the other great empire of the universe, almost as
large and powerful as this of his majesty. For as
to what we have heard you affirm, that there are
other kingdoms and states in the world, inhabited by
human creatures as ]arge as yourself, our philoso-
phers are in much doubt, and would rather con-
jecture that you dropped from the moon, or one of
the stars; because it is certain, that a hundred mor-
tals of your bulk would in a short time destroy ail
* High-church and low-church, or whig and tory.
As every accidental difference between man and
man in person and circumstances is by this work
rendered extremely contemptible; so speculative
differences are shown to be equally ridiculous,
when the zeal with which they are opposed and de»
fended too much exceeds their importance.—H.
A VOYAGE TO XILLIPUT. 51
the fruits and cattle of his majesty's dominions : be-
sides, our histories of six thousand moons make no
mention of any other regions than the two great em-
pires of Lilliput and Blefuscu. "Which two mighty
powers have, as I was going to tell you, been en-
gaged in a most obstinate war for six-and-thirty
moons past. It began upon the following occasion:
it is allowed on all hands, that the primitive way
of breaking eggs, before we eat them, was upon the
larger end; but his present majesty's grandfather,
while he was a boy, going to eat an egg, and break-
ing it according to the ancient practice, happened to
cut one of his fingers. Whereupon, the emperor his
father published an edict, commanding all his sub-
jects, upon great penalties, to break the smaller end
of their eggs. The people so highly resented this
law, that our histories tell us, there have been six
rebellions raised on that account; wherein one em-
peror lost his life, and another his crown. These
civil commotions were constantly fomented by the
monarchs of Blefuscu; and when they were quelled,
the exiles always fled for refuge to that empire. It
is computed that eleven thousand persons have at
several times suffered death, rather than submit to
break their eggs at the smaller end. Many hundred
large volumes have been published upon this contro-
versy: but the books of the Big-endians have been
long forbidden, and the whole party rendered inca-
pable by law of holding employments. During the
course of these troubles, the emperors of Blefuscu
"did frequently expostulate by their ambassadors, ac-
cusing us of making a schism in religion, by offending
against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet
Lustrog, in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blunde-
cral, which is their Alcoran. This however is thought
to be a mere strain upon the text; for the words are
these: that all true believers break their eggs at the
convenient end. And which is the convenient end,
seems, in my humble opinion, to be left to every
man's conscience, or at least in the power of the
chief magistrate to determine. Now, the Big-endian
52
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
exiles have found so much credit in the emperor of
Blefuscu's court, and so much private assistance and
encouragement from their party here at home, that
a bloody war has been carried on between the two
empires for six-and-thirty moons, with various suc-
cess; during which time we have lost forty capital
ships, and a much greater number of smaller vessels,
together with thirty thousand of our best seamen
and soldiers; and the damage received by the ene-
my is reckoned to be somewhat greater than ours.
However, they have now equipped a numerous fleet,
and are just preparing to make a descent upon us;
and his imperial majesty, placing great confidence
in your valour and strength, has commanded me to
lay this account of his arfairs before yoa.'
I desired the secretary to present my humble
duty to the emperor; and to let him know, ' that
I thought it would not become me, who was a fo-
reigner, to interfere with parties; but I was ready,
with the hazard of my life, to defend his person and
state against all invaders *.'
CHAPTER V.
The Author, by an extraordinary stratagem*
prevents an invasion. A high title of honour is
conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive from
the Emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace.
The Emperor's apartments on fire by accident;
the Author instrumental in saving the rest of
the palace. *
PT1HE empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to
the north-east of Lilliput, from which it is part-
* Gulliver, without examining the subject of dis-
pute, readily engaged to defend the emperor against
invasion; because he knew that no such monarch
had a right to invade the dominions of another, for
the propagation of truth.—51.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 53
ed only by a channel of eight hundred yards wide.
I had not yet seen it, and upon this notice of an in-
tended invasion, I avoided appearing on that side of
the coast, for fear of being discovered by some of the
enemy's ships, who had received no intelligence of
me; all intercourse between the two empires having
been strictly forbidden during the war, upon pain of
death, and an embargo laid by our emperor upon all
vessels whatsoever. I communicated to his majesty a
project I had formed, of seizing the enemy's whole
fleet; which, as our scouts assured us, lay at anchor
in the harbour, ready to sail with the first fair wind.
I consulted the most experienced seamen upon the
depth of the channel, which they had often plumbed;
who told me, that in the middle at high-water it
was seventy glumglvffs deep, which is about six
feet of European measure; and the rest of it fifty
glumglvffs at most. I walked towards the north-
east coast, over-against Blefuscu; where, lying down
behind a hillock, I took out my small perspective
glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, con-
sisting of about fifty men of war, and a great num-
ber of transports: I then came back to my house,
and gave orders (for which 1 had a warrant) for a
great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of
iron. The cable was about as thick as packthread,
and the bars of the length and size of a knitting-
needle. I trebled the cable to make it stronger, and
for the same reason I twisted three of the iron
bars together, bending the extremities into a hook.
Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables, I
went back to the north-east coast, and putting off
my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked into the sea,
in my leathern jerkin, about half an hour before high
water. I waded with what haste I could, and swam
in the middle about thirty yards, till I felt ground.
I arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour. The
enemy was so frighted when they saw me, that they
leaped out of their ships, and swam to shore, where
there could not be fewer thau thirty thousand souls:
54 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
I then took my tackling, and, fastening a hook to the
hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords toge-
ther at the end. While I was thus employed, the
enemy discharged several thousand arrows, many of
which stuck in my hands and face; and, beside the
excessive smart, gave me much disturbance in my
work. My greatest apprehension was for mine eyes,
which I should have infallibly lost, if I had not sud-
denly thought of an expedient. I kept, among other
little necessaries, a pair of spectacles in a private
pocket, which, as I observed before, had escaped the
emperor's searchers. These I took out and fastened
as strongly as I could upon my nose, and thus arn>
ed went on boldly with my work, in spite of the
enemy's arrows; many of which struck against the
glasses of my spectacles, but without any other ef-
fect, further than a little to discompose them. I
had now fastened all the hooks, and, taking the knot
in my hand, began to pull; but not a ship would
stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors,
so that the boldest part of my enterprise remained.
I therefore let go the cord, and leaving the hooks
fixed to the ships, I resolutely cue with my knife
the cables that fastened the anchors, receiving about
two hundred shots in my face and hands; then I
took up the knotted end of the cables, to which my
hooks were tied, and with great ease drew fifty of
the enemy's largest men of war after me.
The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagi-
nation of what I intended, were at first confounded
with astonishment. They had seen me cut the cables,
and thought my design was only to let the ships run
a-drift, or fall foul on each other: but when they
perceived the whole fleet moving in order, and saw
me pulling at the end, they set up such a scream of
grief and despair, as it is almost impossible to de-
scribe or conceive. When I had got out of danger,
I stopped a while to pick out the arrows that stuck
in my hands and face; and rubbed on some of the
same ointment that was given me at my first arrival,
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 55
as I have formerly mentioned. I then took off my
spectacles, and waiting about an hour, till the tide
was a little fallen, I waded through the middle
with my cargo, and arrived safe at the royal port of
Lilliput.
The emperor and his whole court stood on the
shore, expecting the issue of this great adventure.
They saw the ships move forward in a large half-
moon, but could not discern me, who was up to my
breast in water. When I advanced to themiddle of
the channel, they were yet more in pain, because I
was under water to my neck. The emperor con-
cluded me to be drowned, and that the enemy's fleet
was approaching in a hostile manner: but he was
soon eased of his fears; for the channel growing
shallower every step I made, I came in a short time
within hearing, and holding up the end of the cable,
by which the fleet was fastened, I cried in a loud
voice, ' Long live the most puissant king of Lilli-
put!' This great prince received me at my landing
with all possible encomiums, and created me a nar-
dac upon the spot, which is the highest title of ho-
nour among them.
His majesty desired I would take some other op-
portunity of bringing all the rest of his enemy's ships
into his ports. And so immeasurable is the ambi-
tion of princes, that he seemed to think of nothing
less than reducing the whole empire of Blefuscu
into a province, and governing it by a viceroy; of
destroying the Big-endian exiles, and compelling
that people to break the smaller end of their eggs,
by which he would remain the sole monarch of the
whole world. But I endeavoured to divert him
from this design, by many arguments drawn from
the topics of policy as well as justice; and I plainly
protested, 'that I would never be an instrument of
bringing a free and brave people into slavery.' And,
when the matter was debated in council, the wisest
part of the ministry were of my opinion.
This open bold declaration of mine was so opposite
£6 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
to the schemes and politics of his imperial majesty,
that he could never forgive me. He mentioned it in
a very artful manner at council, where I was told
that some of the wisest appeared at least, by their
silence, to be of my opinion; but others, who were
my secret enemies, could not forbear some expres-
sions which by a side-wind reflected on me. And
from this time began an intrigue between his ma-
jesty, and a junto of ministers, maliciously bent
against me, which broke out in less than two
months, and had like to have ended in my utter
destruction. Of so little weight are the greatest
services to princes, when put into the balance with
a refusal to gratify their passions.
About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived
a solemn embassy from Blefuscu, with humble offers
of a peace; which was soon concluded, upon condi-
tions very advantageous to our emperor, wherewith
I shall not trouble the reader. There was six am-
bassadors, with a train of about live hundred per-
sons: and their entry was very magnificent, suitable
to the grandeur of their master, and the importance
of their business. When their treaty was finished,
wherein I did them several good offices by the credit
I now had, or at least appeared to have, at court,
their excellencies, who were privately told how much
I had been their friend, made me a visit in form.
They began with many compliments upon my valour
and generosity, invited me to that kingdom in the
emperor their master's name, and desired me to show
them some proofs of my prodigious strength, of which
they had heard so many wonders; wherein I readily
obliged them, but shall not trouble the reader with
the particulars.
When I had for some time, entertained their excel-
lencies, to their infinite satisfaction and surprise, I
desired they would do me the houour to present my
most humble respects to the emperor their master,
the renown of whose virtues had so justly filled the
whole world with admiration, and whose royal per-
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 57
son I resolved to attend, before I returned to my
own country. Accordingly, the nexttime I had the
honour to see our emperor, I desired his general li-
cence to wait on the Blefuscudian monarch, which
he was pleased to grant me, as I could perceive, in
a very cold manner; but could not guess the reason,
till 1 had a whisper from a certain person, ' that
Flimnap and Bolgolam had represented my inter-
course with those ambassadors, as a mark of disaffec-
tion from which I am sure my heart was wholly
free. And this was the first time 1 began to con-
ceive some imperfect idea of courts and ministers.
It is to be observed, that these ambassadors spoke
to me by an interpreter, the languages of both em-
pires differing as much from each other as any two
in Europe, and each nation priding itself upon the
antiquity, beauty, and energy of their own tongues,
with an avowed contempt of that of their neighbour:
yet our emperor, standing upon the advantage he
had got by the seizure of their fleet, obliged them to
deliver their credentials, and make their speech, in
the Lilliputian tongue. Ajid it must be confessed,
that from the great intercouse of trade and com-
merce between both realms, from the continual re-
ception of exiles which is mutual among them, and
from the custom, in each empire, to send their young
nobility and richer gentry to the other, in order to
polish themselves by seeing the world, and under-
standing men and manners; there are few persons
of distinction, or merchants, or seamen, who dwell
in the maritime parts, but what can hold conversa-
tion in both tongues; as I found some weeks after,
when I went to pay my respects to the emperor of
Blefuscu, which, in the midst of great misfortunes
through the malice of my enemies, proved a very
happy adventure to me, as I shall relate in its pro-
per place.
The reader may remember, that when I signed
those articles upon which I recovered my liberty,
there were some which I disliked, upon account of
D 2
58 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
their being too servile : neither could any thing but
an extreme necessity have forced me to submit. But
being now a nardac of the highest rank in that em-
pire, such offices were looked upon as below my dig-
nity, and the emperor (to do him justice) stever once
mentioned them to me. However, it was not long
before I had an opportunity of doing his majesty, at
least as I then thought, a most signal service. I was
alarmed at midnight with the cries of many hundred
people at my door; by which, being suddenly
awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I heard the
word bur glum repeated incessantly: several of the
emperor's court, making their way through the
crowd, entreated me to come immediately to the
palace, where her imperial majesty's apartment was
on fire, by the carelessness of a maid of honour, who
fell asleep while she was reading a romance. I got
up in an instant; and orders being given to clear the
way before me, and it being likewise a moonshine
night, I made a shift to get to the palace without
trampling on any of the people. I found they had
already applied ladders to the walls of the apart-
ment, and were well provided with buckets, but the
water was at some distance. These buckets were
about the size of a large thimble, and the poor
people supplied me with them as fast as they could;
but the flame was so violent that they did little
good. I might easily have stifled it with my coat,
which I unfortunately left behind me for haste, and
came away only in my leathern jerkin. The case
seemed wholly desperate and deplorable; and this
magnificent palace would have infallibly been burnt
down to the ground, if, by a presence of mind un-
usual to me, I had not suddenly thought of an ex-
pedient. I had, the evening before, drunk plenti-
fully of a most delicjous wine called glimigrim (the
Blefuscudians call it Jlunec, but ours is esteemed
the better sort), which is very diuretic. By the
luckiest chance in the world, I had not discharged
myself of any part of it. The heat I had contracted
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 59
by coming very near the flames, and by labouring to
quench them, made the wine begin to operate by
urine; which I voided in such a quantity, and ap-
plied -so well to the proper places, that in three
minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and the
rest of that noble pile, which had cost so many ages
in erecting, preserved from destruction.
It was now day-light, and I returned to my house
without waiting to congratulate with the emperor;
because, although I had done a very eminent piece
of service, yet I could not tell how his majesty
might resent the manner by which I had performed
it: for, by the fundamental laws of the realm, it is
capital in any person, of what quality soever, to
make water within the precincts of the palace. But
I was a little comforted by a message from his ma-
jesty, «that he would give orders to the grand jus-
ticiary for passing my pardon in form which, how-
ever, I could not obtain. And I was privately as-
sured, 4 that the empress, conceiving the greatest
abhorrence of what I had done, removed to the
most distant side of the court, firmly resolved that
those buildings should never be repaired for her
use; and, in the presence of her chief confidents,
could not forbear vowing revenge.
CHAPTER VI.
Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their teaming,
laws, and customs; the manner of educating
their children, The Author's way of living in
that country. His vindication of a great lady,
A LTHOUGH I intend to leave the description of
this empire to a particular treatise, yet, in the
mean time, I am content to gratify the curious reader
with some general ideas. As the common size of the
natives is somewhat under six inches high, so there is
60
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
an exact proportion in all other animals, as well as
plants and trees: for instance, the tallest horses and
oxen are between four and five inches in height, the
sheep an inch and half, more or less; their geese
about the bigness of a sparf ow, and so the several
gradations downwards, till you come to the smallest,
which, to my sight, were almost invisible; but na-
ture has adapted the eyes of the Lilliputians to all
objects proper for their view: they see with great
exactness, but at no great distance. And, to show
the sharpness of their sight towards objects that are
near, I have been much pleased with observing a
cook pulling a lark, which was not so large as a
common fly; and a young girl threading an invisible
needle with invisible silk. Their tallest trees are
about seven feet high: I mean some of those in the
great royal park, the tops whereof I could but just
reach with my fist clenched. The other vegetables
are in the same proportion; but this I leave to the
reader's imagination.
I shall say but little at present of their learning,
which, for many ages, lias flourished in all its
branches among them: but their manner of writing
is very peculiar, being neither from the left to the
right, like the Europeans; nor from the right to the
left, like the Arabians; nor from up to down, like
the Chinese; but aslant, from one corner of the pa-
per to the other, like ladies in England.
They bury their dead with their heads directly
downward, because they hold an opinion, that in
eleven thousand moons they are all to rise again;
in which period the earth (which they conceive to be
flat) will turn upside down, and by this means they
shall, at their resurrection, be found ready standing
on their feet. The learned among them confess the
absurdity of this doctrine; but the practice still
continues, in compliance to the vulgar.
There are some laws and customs in this empire
very peculiar; and if they were not so directly con-
trary to those of my own dear country, I should be
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 61
tempted to say a little in their justification. It is
only to be wished they were as well executed. The
first I shall mention, relates to informers. All crimes
against the state, are punished here with the utmost
severity; but, if the person accused makes his inno-
cence plainly to appear upon his trial, the accuser
is immediately put to an ignominious death; and
out of his goods or lands the innocent person is qua-
druply recompensed for the loss of his time, for the
danger he underwent, for the hardship of his im-
prisonment, and for all the charges he has been at
in making his defence. Or, if that fund be deficient,
it is largely supplied by the crown. The emperor
also confers on him some public mark of his favour,
and proclamation is made of his innocence through
the whole city.
They look upon fraud as a greater crime than
theft, and therefore seldom fail to punish it with
death; for they allege, that care and vigilance, with
a very common understanding, may preserve a man's
goods from thieves, but honesty has no fence against
superior cunning; and since it is necessary that
there should be a perpetual intercourse of buying
and selling, and dealing upon credit; where fraud is
permitted and connived at, or has no law to punish
it, the honest dealer is always undone, and the
knave gets the advantage. I remember, when I was
once interceding with the king for a criminal who
had wronged his master of a great sum of money,
which he had received by order, and ran away with;
and happening to tell his majesty, by way of exte-
nuation, that it was only a breach of trust/the em-
peror thought it monstrous in me to offer as a de-
fence the greatest aggravation of the crime; and
truly I had little to say in return, farther than the
common answer, that different nations had different
customs; for, I confess, I was heartily ashamed *.
* An act of parliament has been since passed, bj
which some breaches* of trust have been made capi-
tal.—Original.
62 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
Although we usually call reward and punishment
the two hinges upon which all government turns,
yet I could never observe this maxim to be put in
practice by any nation, except that of Lilliput.
"Whoever can there bring sufficient proof, that he has
strictly observed the laws of his country for seventy-
three moons, has a claim to certain privileges, ac-
cording to his quality or condition of life, with a
proportionable sum of money out of a fund appro-
priated for that use: he likewise acquires the title
of snilpall, or legal, which is added to his name,
but does not descend to his posterity. And these
people thought it a prodigious defect of policy
among us, when I told them that our laws were en-
forced only by penalties, without any mention of re-
ward. It is upon this account that the image of Jus-
tice, in their courts of judicature, is formed with six
eyes, two before, as many behind, and on each side
one, to signify circumspection; with a bag of gold
open in her right hand, and a sword sheathed in her
left, to show she is more disposed to reward than to
punish.
In choosing persons for all employments, they
have more regard to good morals than to great abili-
ties; for, since government is necessary to mankind,
they believe that the common size of human under-
standing is fitted to some station or other; and that
Providence never intended to make the management
of public affairs a mystery to be comprehended only
by a few persons of sublime genius, of which there
seldom are three born in an age: but they suppose
truth, justice, temperance, and the like, to be in
every man's power; the practice of which virtues,
assisted by experience and a good intention, would
qualify any man for the service of his country, ex-
cept where a course of study is required. But they
thought the want of moral virtues was so far from
being supplied by superior endowments of the mind,
that employments could never be put into such dan-
gerous hands as those of persons so qualified; and
at least, that the mistakes committed by ignorance,
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 63
in a virtuous disposition, would never be of such
fatal consequence to the public weal, as the prac-
tices of a man, whose inclinations led him to be cor-
rupt, and who had great abilities to manage, to mul-
tiply, and defend his corruptions.
In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine Provi-
dence renders a man incapable of holding any public
station; for, since kings avow themselves to be the
deputies of Providence, the Lilliputians think nothing
can be more absurd than for a prince to employ such
men as disown the authority under which he acts.
In relating these and the following laws, I would
only be understood to mean the original institutions,
and not the most scandalous corruptions, into which
these people are fallen by the. degenerate nature of
man. For, as to that infamous practice of acquiring
great employments by dancing on the ropes, or
badges of favour and distinction by leaping over
sticks and creeping under them, the reader is to
observe, that they were first introduced by the
grandfather of the emperor now reigning, and grew
to the present height by the gradual increase of
party and faction.
Ingratitude is among them a capital crime, as we
read it to have been in some other countries; for
they reason thus, that whoever makes ill returns to
his benefactor, must needs be a common enemy to
the rest of mankind, from whom he has received no
obligation, and therefore such a man is not fit to
live.
Their notions relating to the duties of parents and
children, differ extremely from ours. For, since the
conjunction of male and female is founded upon the
great law of nature, in order to propagate and con-
tinue the species, the Lilliputians will needs have it,
that men and women are joined together, like other
animals, by the motives of concupiscence j and that
their tenderness towards their young proceeds from
the like natural principle: for which reason, they
will never allow that a child is under any obligation
64 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
to his father for begetting him, or to his mother for
bringing him into the world; which, considering the
miseries of human life, was neither a benefit in it-
self, nor intended so by Iris parents, whose thoughts,
in their love encounters, were otherwise employed.
Upon these, and the like reasonings, their opinion
is, that parents are the last of all others to be trusted
with the education of their own children; and
therefore they have in every town public nurseries,
where all parents, except cottagers and labourers,
are obliged to send their infants of both sexes to be
reared and educated, when they come to the age of
twenty moons, at which time they are supposed to
have some rudiments of docility. These schools are
of several kinds, suited to different qualities, and
both sexes. They have certain professors well skilled
in preparing children for such a condition of life as
befits the rank of their parents, and their own capa-
cities, as well as inclinations. I shall first say
something of the male nurseries, and then of the
female.
The. nurseries for males of noble or eminent birth,
are provided with grave and learned professors, and
their several deputies. The clothes and food of the
children, are plain and simple. They are bred up in
the principles of honour, justice, courage, modesty,
clemency, religion, and love of their country; they
are always employed in some business, except in the
times of eating and sleeping, which are very short,
and two hours for diversions consisting of bodily ex-
ercises. They are dressed by men till four years of
age, and then are obliged to dress themselves, al-
though their quality be ever so great; and the wo-
men attendants, who are aged proportionably to ours
at fifty, perform only the most menial offices. They
are never suffered to converse with servants, but go
together in smaller or greater numbers to take their
diversions, and always in the presence of a pro-
fessor, or one of his deputies; whereby they avoid
those early bad impressions of folly and vice, to
A VOYAGE TO LTLLTPUT. 65
which our children are subject. Their parents are
suffered to see them only twice a-year; the visit is to
last but an hour; they are allowed to kiss the child
at meeting and parting; but a professor, who always
stands by on those occasions, will not suffer them
to whisper, or use any fondling expressions, or bring
any presents of toys, sweetmeats, and the like.
The pension from each family for the education
and entertainment of a child, upon failure of due
payment, is levied by the emperor's officers.
The nurseries for children of ordinary gentlemen,
merchants, traders, and handicrafts, are managed
proportion ably after the same manner; only those
designed for trades are put out apprentices at eleven
years old ; whereas those of persons of quality con-
tinue in their exercises till fifteen, which answers to
Jtwenty-one with us: but the confinement is gra-
dually lessened for the last three years.
In the female nurseries, the young girls of quality
are educated much like the males, only they are
dressed by orderly servants of their own sex; but
always in the presence of a professor or deputy, till
they come to dress themselves, which is at five years
old. And if it be found that these nurses ever pre-
sume to entertain the girls with'frightful or foolish
stories, or the common follies practised by chamber-
maids among us, they are publicly whipped thrice
about the city, imprisoned for a year, and banished
for life to the most desolate part of the country.
Thus the young ladies there are as much ashamed
of being cowards and fools, as the men; and despise
all personal ornaments, beyond decency and cleanli-
ness: neither did I perceive any difference in their
education, made by their difference of sex, only that
the exercises of the females were not altogether so
robust j and that some rules were given them re-
lating to domestic life, and a smaller compass of
learning was enjoined them: for their maxim is, that
among people of quality, a wife should be always a
reasonable and agreeable companion, because she
66 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
cannot always be young. When the girls are twelve
years old, which among them is the marriageable
age, their parents or guardians take them home, with
great expressions of gratitude to the professors, and
seldom without tears of the young lady and her com-
panions.
In the nurseries of females of the meaner sort, the
children are instructed in all kinds of works proper
for their sex, and their several degrees: those in-
tended for apprentices are dismissed at seven years
old, the rest are kept to eleven.
The meaner families who have children at these
nurseries, are obliged, besides their annual pension,
which is as low as possible, to return to the steward
of the nursery a small monthly share of their get-
tings, to be a portion for the child; and therefore all
parents are limited in their expenses by the law.
For the Lilliputians think nothing can be more un-
just, than for people, in subservience to their own
appetites, to bring children into the world, and
leave the burthen of supporting them on the public.
As to persons of quality, they give security to ap-
propriate a certain sum for each child, suitable to
their condition; and these funds are always managed
with good husbandry, and the most exact justice.
The cottagers and labourers keep their children at
home, their business being only to till and cultivate
the earth, and therefore their education is of little
consequence to the public : but the old and diseased
among them, are supported by hospitals; for begging
13 a trade unknown in this empire.
And here it may, perhaps, divert the curious
reader, to give some account of my domestics, and
my manner of living in this country, during a resi-
dence of nine months and thirteen days. Having a
head mechanically turned, and being likewise forced
by necessity, I had made for myself a table and
chair convenient enough, out of the largest trees in
the royal park. Two hundred sempstresses were
employed to make me shirts, and linen for my bed
A VOYAGE TO LILLTPUT. 67
and table, all of the strongest and coarsest kind
they could get; which, however, they were forced
to quilt together in several folds, for the thickest
was some degrees finer than lawn. Their linen is
usually three inches wide, and three feet make a
piece. The sempstresses took my measure as I lay
on the ground,one standing at my neck, and another
at my mid-leg, with a strong cord extended, that
each held by the end, while a third measured the
length of the cord with a rule of an inch long. Then
they measured my right thumb, and desired no
more; for by a mathematical computation, that
twice round the thumb is once round the wrist, and
so on to the. neck and the waist, and by the help of
my old shirt, which 1 displayed on the ground be-
fore them for a pattern, they fitted me exactly.
Three hundred tailors were employed in the same
manner to make me clothes; but they had another
contrivance for taking my measure. I kneeled down,
and they raised a ladder from the ground to my
neck; upon this ladder one of them mounted, and
let fall a plumb-line from my collar to the floor,
which just answered the length of my coat: but my
waist and arms I measured myself. When ray
clothes were finished, which was done in my house
(for the largest of theirs would not have been able
to hold them), they looked like the patchwork made
by the ladies in England, only that mine were all
of a colour.
I had three hundred cooks to dress my victuals, in
little convenient huts built about my house, where
they and their families lived, and prepared me two
dishes a-piece. I took up twenty waiters in my
hand, and placed them on the table: a hundred
more attended below on the ground, some with
dishes of meat, and some with barrels of wine and
other liquors slung on their shoulders; all which the
waiters above drew up, as I wanted, in a very in-
genious manner by certain cords, as we draw the
bucket up a well in Europe. A dish of their meat
68 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
was a good mouthful, and a barrel of their liquor a
reasonable draught. Their mutton yields to ours,
but their beef is excellent. I have had a surloin so
large, that I have been forced to make three bits of
it; but this is rare. My servants were astonished to
see me eat it, bones and all, as in our country we
do the leg of a lark. Their geese and turkeys I
usually eat at a mouthful, and I confess they far
exceed ours. Of their smaller fowl I could take up
twenty or thirty at the end of my knife.
One day his imperial majesty, being informed of
my, way of living, desired * that himself and his
rpyal consort, with the young princes of the blood
of both sexes, might have the happiness,' as he was
pleased to call it, ' of dining with me.' They came
accordingly, and I placed them in chairs of state,
upon my table, just over against me, with their
guards about them. Flimnap, the lord high treasur-
er, attended there likewise with his white staff; and
I observed he often looked on me with a sour coun-
tenance, which I would not seem to regard, but eat
more than usual, in honour to my dear country, as
well as to fill the court with admiration. 1 have
some private reasons to believe, that this visit from
his majesty gave Flimnap an opportunity of doing
me ill offices to his master. That minister had al-
ways been my secret enemy, though he outwardly
caressed me more than was usual to the moroseness
of his nature. He represented to the emperor ' the
lpw condition of his treasury; that he was forced to
take up money at a great discount; that exchequer
bills would not circulate under nine per cent, below
par; that X had cost his majesty above*a million and
a half of sprugs (their greatest gold coin, about the
bigness of a spangle); and, upon the whole, that it
would be adviseable in the emperor to take the first
fair occasion of dismissing me.'
I am here obliged to vindicate the reputation of
an excellent lady, who was an innocent sufferer
upon my account. The treasurer took a fancy to be
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 69
jealous of his wife, from the malice of some evil
tongues, who informed him that her grace had taken
a violent affection for my person; and the court
scandal ran for some time, that she once came pri-
vately to my lodging. This I solemnly declare to be
a most infamous falsehood, without any grounds,
further than that her grace was pleased to treat me
with all innocent marks of freedom and friendship.
I own she came often to my house, but always pub-
licly, nor ever without three more in the coach, who
were usually her sister and young daughter, and
some particular acquaintance : but this was common
to many other ladies of the court. And I still ap-
peal to my servants round, whether they at any time
saw a coach at my door, without knowing what per-
sons were in it. On those occasions, when a servant
had given me notice, my custom was to go imme-
diately to the door; and, after paying my respects,
to take up the coach and two horses very carefully
in my hands (for, if there were six horses, the pos-
tillion always unharnessed four), and placed them
on a table, where I had fixed a moveable rim quite
round, of five inches high, to prevent accidents.
And I have often had four coaches and horses at
once on my table, full of company, while I sat in my
chair, leaning my face towards them; and when I
was engaged with one set, the coachmen would
gently drive the others round my table. I have
passed many an afternoon very agreeably in these
conversations. But I defy the treasurer, or his two
informers (I will name them, and let them make the
best of it) Clustril and Drunlo, to prove that any
person ever came to me incognito, except the secre-
tary Reldresal, who was sent by express command
of his imperial majesty, as I have before related. I
should hot have dwelt so long upon this particular,
if it had not been a point wherein the reputation of
a great lady is so nearly concerned, to say nothing
of my own; though I then had the ho»our to be a
riardac, which the treasurer himself is not; for all
70 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the world knows, that he is only a glumglum, a
title inferior by one degree, as that of a marquis is to
a duke in England; yet I allow he preceded me in
right of his post. These false informations, which I
afterwards came to the knowledge of by an accident
not proper to mention, made the treasurer show his
lady for some time an ill countenance, and me a
worse; and although he was at last undeceived and
reconciled to her, yet I lost all credit with him, and
found my interest decline very fast with the emperor
himself, who was, indeed, too much governed by
that favourite.
CHAPTER VII.
The Author, being informed of a design to accuse
him, of high-treason, makes his escape to Ble-
fuscu. His reception there*
TDEFORE I proceed to give an account of my
leaving this kingdom, it may be proper to inform'-
the reader of a private intrigue, which had been for
two months forming against me.
I had been hitherto, all my life, a stranger to
courts, for which I was unqualified by the meanness
of my condition. I had indeed heard and read
enough of the dispositions of great princes and mi-
nisters; but never expected to have found such ter
rible effects of them, in so remote a country, go-
verned, as I thought, by very different maxims from
those in Europe.
When I was just preparing to pay my attendance
on the emperor of Blefuscu, a considerable person
at court (to whom I had been very serviceable, at a
time when he lay under the highest displeasure of
his imperial majesty) came to my house, very pri-
vately at night, in a close chair, and, without fend-
ing his name, desired admittance, The chairmen
A VOYAGE1?0 ULLIPUT. 71
were dismissed; I put thechair> with his lordship in
it, into my coat-pocket: aril* ^^'^S orders to a
trusty servant, to say I was ini^Jpbsed and gone to
sleep, I fastened the door of my house, placed the
chair on the table, according to my usual custom,
and sat down by it. After the common salutations
were over, observing his lordship's countenance full
of concern, and inquiring into the reason, he desired
'I would hear him with patience, in a matter that
highly concerned my honour and my life.' His
speech was to the following effect, for I took notes-
of it as soon as he left me.
* You are to know,' said he, 'that several commit-
tees of council have been lately called, in the most
private manner, on your account; and it is but two
days since his majesty came to a full resolution.
* You are very sensible that Skyresh Bolgolam
(galbet, or high-admiral) has been your mortal ene-
my, almost ever since your arrival. His original rea-
sons I know not; but his hatred is increased since
your great success against Blefuscu, by which his
glory as admiral is much obscured. This lord, in
eonjunction with Flimnap the high-treasurer, whose
enmity against you is notorious on account of his
lady, Limtoc the general, Lalcon the chamberlain,
and Balmuff the grand justiciary, have prepared ar-
ticles of impeachment against you, for treason and
other capital crimes.'
This preface made me so impatient, being con-
scious of my own merits and innocence, that I was
going to interrupt him; when he entreated me to be
silent, and thus proceeded.
'Out of gratitude for the favours you have done
me, I procured information of the whole proceed-
ings, and a copy of the articles; wherein 1 venture
my head for your service.
n GULLIVER'SlTRAV£LS.
ARTICLES 4>F WpEACHMENT AGAINST
QUINBUS FlSJSTRIN, THE MAN-MOUN-
TAIN.
ARTICLE I.
'Whereas, by a statute made in the reign of his
imperial majesty Calin Deffar Plune, it is enacted,
that, whoever shall make water within the precincts
of the royal palace, shall be liable to the pains and
penalties of high-treason; notwithstanding, the said
Quinbus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law,
under colour of extinguishing the fire kindled in the
apartment of his majesty's most dear imperial con-
sort, did maliciously, traitorously, and devilishly,
by discharge of his urine, put out the said fire
kindled in the said apartment, lying and being
within the precincts of the said royal palace, against
the statute in that case provided, etc. against the
duty, etc.
ARTICLE IT.
* That the said Quinbus Flestrin, having brought
the imperial- fleet of Blefuscu into the royal port,
and being afterwards commanded by his imperial
majesty to seize all the other ships of the said em-
pire of Blefuscu, and reduce that empire to a pro-
vince, to be governed by a viceroy from hence, and
to destroy and put to death, not only all the Big-
endian exiles, but likewise all the people of that
empire who would not immediately forsake the
Big-endian heresy; he, the said Flestrin, like a false
'traitor against his most auspicious, serene, imperial
majesty, did petition to be excused from the said
service, upon pretence of unwillingness to force the
consciences, or destroy the liberties and lives of an
innocent people*.
* A lawyer thinks himself honest, if he does the
best he can for his client; and a statesman, if he
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 75
ARTICLE III.
'That, whereas certain ambassadors arrived from
the court of Blefuscu, to sue for peace in his ma-
jesty's court; he, the said Flestrin, did, like a false
traitor, aid, abet, comfort, and divert, the said am-
bassadors, although he knew them to be servants to
a prince who was lately an open enemy to his im-
perial majesty, and in an open war against his said
majesty.
ARTICLE IV.
'That the said Quinbus Flestrin, contrary to the
duty of a faithful subject, is now preparing to make
a voyage to the court and empire of Blefuscu, for
which he has received only verbal license from his
imperial majesty; and under colour of the said li-
cense, does falsely and traitorously intend to take
the said voyage, and thereby to aid, comfort, and
abet the emperor of Blefuscu, so lately an enem3T,
and in open war with his imperial majesty aforesaid.
'There are some other articles; but these are the
most important, of which I have read you an abs-
tract.
'In the several debates upon this impeachment,
it must be confessed that his majesty gave many
marks of his great lenity; often urging the services
you had doue him, and endeavouring to extenuate
your crimes. The treasurer and admiral insisted
that you should be put to the most painful and ig-
nominious death, by setting fire on your house at
night; and the general was to attend with twenty
thousand men, armed with poisoned arrows, to shoot
promotes the interest of his country ; but the Dean
here inculcates a higher notion of right and wrong,
and obligations to a larger community.—H.
E
74 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
you on the face and hands. Some of your servants
were to have private orders to strew a poisonous
juice on your shirts and sheets, which would soon
make you tear your own flesh, and die in the utmost
torture. The general came into the same opinion;
so that for a long time there was a majority against
you; but his majesty resolving, if possible, to spare
your life, at last brought off the chamberlain.
'Upon this incident, Reldresal, principal secre-
ttary for private affairs, who always approved himself
your true friend, was commanded by the emperor to
deliver his opinion, which he accordingly did; and
therein justified the good thoughts you have of him.
He allowed your crimes to be great, but that still
there was room for mercy, the most commendable
virtue in a prince, and for which his majesty was so
justly celebrated. He said, the friendship between
you and him was so well known to the world, that
perhaps the most honourable board might think him
partial: however, in obedience to the command he
had received, he would freely offer his sentiments.
That if his majesty, in consideration of your services,
and pursuant to his own merciful disposition, would
please to spare your life, and only give orders to put
out both your eyes, he humbly conceived, that by
this expedient justice might in some measure be
satisfied, and all the world would applaud the lenity
of the emperor, as well as the fair and generous pro-
ceedings of those who have the honour to be his
counsellors. That the loss of your eyes would be no
impediment to your bodily strength, by which you
might still be useful to his majesty: that blindness
is an addition to courage, by concealing dangers
from us: that the fear you had for your eyes, was
the greatest difficulty in bringing over the enemy's
fleet; and it would be sufficient for you to see by
the eyes of the ministers, since the greatest princes
do no more.
This proposal was received with the utmost dis-
approbation by the whole board. Bolgolam the ad-
A VOYAGE TO LTLLIPUT. 75
miral could not preserve his temper; but rising up
in fury, said, he wondered how the secretary durst
presume to give his opinion for preserving the life of
a traitor: that the services you had performed were,
by all true reasons of state, the great aggravation of
your crimes; that you, who was able to extinguish
the fire by discharge of urine in her majesty's apart-
ment (which he mentioned with horror), might, at
another time, raise an inundation by the same means,
to drown the whole palace; and the same strength,
which enabled you to bring over the enemy's fleet,
might serve, upon the first discontent, to carry it
back : that he had good reasons to think you were
a Big-endian in your heart; and as treason begins
in the heart, before it appears in overt acts, so he ac-
cused you as a traitor on that account, and therefore
insisted yau should be put to death.
'The treasurer was of the same opinion: he
showed to what straits his majesty's revenue was
reduced, by the charge of maintaining you, which
would soon grow insupportable: that the secretary's
expedient of putting out your eyes, was so far from
being a remedy against this evil, that it would pro-
bably increase it, as is manifest from the common
practice of blinding some kind of fowls, after which
they fed the faster, and grew sooner fat; that his
sacred majesty and the council, who are your judges,
were, in their own • consciences, fully convinced of
your guilt, which was a sufficient argument to con-
demn you to death, without the formal proofs re-
quired by the strict letter of the law*.
* There is something so odious in whatever is
wrong, that even those whom it does not subject to
punishment, endeavour to colour it with an appear-
ance of right; but the attempt is always unsuccess-
ful, and only betrays a consciousness of deformity
by showing a desire to hide it. Thus the Lillipu-
tian court pretended a right to dispense with the
strict letter of the law to put Gulliver to death,
76 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
'But his imperial majesty, fully determined
against capital punishment, was graciously pleased to
say, that since the council thought the loss of your
eyes too easy a censure, some other way may be
inflicted hereafter. And your friend the secretary,
humbly desiring to be heard again, in answer to what
the treasurer had objected, concerning the great
charge his majesty was at in maintaining you, said,
that his exceLlency, who had the sole disposal of the
emperor's revenue, might easily provide against that
evil, by gradually lessening your establishment; by
which, for want of sufficient food, you will grow
weak and faint, and lose your appetite, and consume
in a few months; neither would the stench of your
carcass be then so dangerous, when it should become
more than half diminished; and immediately upon
your death five or six thousand of his majesty's sub-
jects might, in two or three days, cut your flesh
from your bones, take it away by cart-loads, and
bury it in distant parts to prevent infection, leaving
the skeleton as a monument of admiration to pos-
terity.
'Thus, by the great friendship of the secretary,
the whole affair was compromised. It was strictly
enjoined, that the project of starving you by degrees
should be kept a secret; but the sentenceof putting
out your eyes was^ entered on the books ; none dis-
senting, except Bolgolam the admiral, who, being a
creature of the empress, was perpetually instigated
by her majesty to insist upon your death, she hav-
ing borne perpetual malice against you, on accc int
of that infamous and illegal method you took to ex-
tinguish the fire iu her apartment.
4 In three days your friend the secretary will be
directed to come to your house, and read before you
though by the strict letter of the law only he
could be convicted of a crime; the intention of the
statute not being to suffer the palace rather to be
burnt than pissed upon,—H.
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
77
the articles of impeachment; and then to signify the
great lenity and favour of his majesty and council,
whereby you are only condemned to the loss of your
eyes, which his majesty does not question you will
gratefully and humbly submit to; and twenty of
iris majesty's surgeons will attend, in order to see
the operation well performed, by discharging very
sharp-pointed arrows into the balls of your eyes, as
you lie on the ground.
'I leave to your prudence what measures 5Tou
will take; and to avoid suspicion, I must immedi-
ately return, in as private a manner as I came.'
His lordship did so; and I remained alone, under
many doubts and perplexities of mind.
It was a custom introduced by this prince and his
ministry (very different, as I have been assured,
from the practice of former times), that after the
court had decreed any cruel execution, either to
gratify the monarch's resentment, or the malice of a
favourite, the emperor always made a speech to his
whole council, expressing his great lenity and ten-
derness, as qualities known and confessed by all the
world. This speech was immediately published
throughout the kingdom; nor did any thing terrify
the people so much, as those encomiums on his ma-
jesty's mercy; because it was observed, that the
more these praises were enlai ged and insisted on,
the more inhuman was the punishment, and the suf-
ferer more innocent. Yet, as to myself, T must con-
fess, having never been designed for a courtier,
cither by my birth or education, I was so ill a judge
of things, that I could not discover the lenity and
favour of this sentence, but conceived it (perhaps
erroneously) rather to be rigorous than gentle. I
sometimes thought of standing my trial; for, al-
though I could not deny the facts alleged in the se-
veral articles, yet I hoped they would admit of some
extenuation. But ^having in my life perused many
state-trials, which I ever observed to terminate as
78 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the judges thought fit to direct, I durst not rely on
so dangerous a decision, in so critical a juncture,
and against such powerful enemies. Once, I was
strongly bent upon resistance: for, while I had
liberty, the whole strength of that empire could
hardly subdue me, and I might easily with stones
pelt the metropolis to pieces; but I soon rejected
that project with horror, by remembering the oath
I had made to the emperor, the favours I received
from him, and the high title of nardac he conferred
upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gra-
titude of courtiers, to persuade myself, that his ma-
jesty's present severities acquitted me of all past
obligations.
At last, I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is
probable I may incur some censure, and not un-
justly ; for I confess I owe the preserving of mine
eyes, and consequently my liberty, to my own great
rashness and want of experience; because, if I had
then known the nature of princes and ministers,
which I have since observed in many other courts,
and their methods of treating criminals less obnox-
ious than myself, I should, with great alacrity and
readiness, have submitted to so easy a punishment.
But hurried on by the precipitancy of youth, and
having his imperial majesty's license to pay my
attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I took
this opportunity, before the three days were elapsed,
to send a letter to my friend the*secretary, signify-
ing my resolution of setting out that morning for
Blefuscu, pursuant to the leave I had got; and,
without waiting for an answer, I went to that side
of the island wiiere our fleet lay. I seized a large
man of war, tied a cable to the prow, and, lifting up
the anchors, I stripped myself, put my clothes (to-
gether with my coverlet, which I carried under my
arm) into the vessel, and, drawing it after me, be-
tween wading and swimming arrived at the royal
port of Blefuscu, where the people had long expect-
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 79
ed me: they lent me two guides to direct me to the
capital city, which is of the same name. I held them
in my hands, till I came within two hundred yards
of the gate, and desired them ' to signify my arrival
to one of the secretaries, and let him know, I there
waited his majesty's command.' I had an answer
in about an hour, 'that his majesty, attended by
the royal family, and great officers of the court, was
coming out to receive me.' I advanced a hundred
yards. The emperor and his train alighted from
their horses, the empress and ladies from their
coaches, and I did not perceive they were in any
fright or concern. I lay on the ground to kiss his
majesty's and the empress's hands. 1 told his ma-
jesty, * that I was come according to my promise,
and with the license of the emperor my master, to
have the honour of seeing so mighty a monarch, and
to offer him any service in my power, consistent
with my duty to my own prince;' not mentioning
a word of my disgrace, because I had hitherto no
regular information of it, and might suppose myself
wholly ignorant of any such design; neither could I
reasonably conceive that the emperor would discover
the secret, while I was out of his power; wherein,
however, it soon appeared I was deceived.
I shall not trouble the reader with the particular
account of my reception at this court, which was
suitable to the generosity of so great a prince; nor
of the difficulties I was in for want of a house and
bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped up
in my coverlet.
80
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
CHAPTER VIII.
The Author, by a lucky accident, finds means to
leave Blefuscu; and, aj'ter some difficulties, re-
turns safe to his native country.
[REE days after my arrival, walking out of cu-
riosity to the north-east coast of the island, 1 ob-
served, about half a league off in the sea, somewhat
that looked like a boat overturned. I pulled off my
shoes and stockings, and, wading two or three hun-
dred yards, I found the object to approach nearer
by force of the tide: and then plainly saw it to be a
real boat, which I supposed might by some tempest
have been driven from a ship : whereupon I returned
immediately towards the city, and desired his impe-
rial majesty to lend me twenty of the tallest vessels
he had left, after the loss of his fleet, and three thou-
sand seamen, under the command of his vice-admi-
ral. This fleet sailed round, while I went back the
shortest way to the coast, where I first discovered
the boat. I found the tide had driven it still nearer.
The seamen were all provided with cordage, which
I had beforehand twisted to a sufficient strength.
When the ships came up, I stripped myself, and
waded till I came within a hundred yards of the
boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got up
to it. The seamen threw me the end of the cord,
which I fastened to a hole in the fore-part of the
boat, and the other end to a man of war; but I found
all my labour to little purpose; for, being out of my
depth, I was not able to work. In this necessity I
was forced to swim hehind, and push the boat for-
ward, as often as I could, with one of my hands;
and the tide favouring me, I advanced so far that I
could just hold up my chin and feel the ground. I
rested two or three painutes, and then gave the boat

A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 81
another shove, and so on, till the sea was no higher
than my arm-pits; and now the most laborious part
being over, I took out my other cables, which were
stowed in one of the ships, and fastened them first
to the boat, and then to nine of the vessels which
attended me; the wind being favourable, the sea-
men towed, and I shoved until we arrived within
forty yards of the shore; and waiting till the tide
was out, I got dry to the boat, and by the assistance
of two thousand men, with ropes and engines, I
made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and found it
was but little damaged.
I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties
I was under, by the help of certain paddles, which
cost me ten days making, to get my boat to the
royal port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse of
people appeared upon my arrival, full of wonder at
the sight of so prodigious a vessel. I told the em-
peror 'that my good fortune had thrown this boat
in my way, to carry me to some place whence I
might return into my native country; and begged
his majesty's orders for getting materials to fit^t up,
together with his license to departwhich, after
some kind expostulations, he was pleased to grant.
I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to
have heard* of any express relating to me from our
emperor to the court of Blefuscu. But I was after-
ward given privately to understand, that his impe-
rial majesty, never imagining I had the least notice
of his designs, believed I was only gone to Blefuscu
in performance of my promise, according to the li-
cense he had given me, which was well known at
our court, and would return in a few days, when
the ceremony was ended. But he was at last in
pain at my long absence; and after consulting with
* 'I did very much wonder not to have heard,'
&c. This sentence is ungrammatical; it should
have been, « I did very much wonder, in all this
time> at not having heard of any express,' &c—S.
E 2
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the treasurer and the rest of that cabal, a person of
quality was dispatched with the copy of the articles,
against me. This envoy had instructions to repre-
sent to the monarch of Blefuscu, ' the great lenity
of his master, who was content to punish me no
further than with the loss of mine eyes; that I had
fled from justice; and if I did not return in two
hours, I should be deprived of my title of ?mrdac,
axid, declared a traitor.' The envoy further added,
* that in order to maintain the peace and amity be-
tween both empires, his master expected that his
brother of Blefuscu would give orders to have me
sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be
punished as a traitor.'
The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days
to consult, returned an answer consisting of many
civilities and excuses. He said, ' that, as for send-
ing me bound, his brother knew it was impossible;
that although I had deprived him of his fleet, yet he
owed great obligations to me for many good offices
I had done him in making the peace. That, how-
ever, both their majesties would soon be made easy;
for I ftad found a prodigious vessel on the shore,
able to carry me on the sea, which he had given
orders to fit up, with my own assistance and direc-
tion; and he hoped, in a few weeks, both empires
would be freed from so insupportable an incum-
brance.'
With this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput;
and the monarch of Blefuscu related to me all that
had past; offering me at the same time (but under
the strictest confidence) his gracious protection, if I
would continue in his service: wherein although I
believed him sincere, yet I resolved never more to
put any confidence in princes, or ministers, where I
could possibly avoid it; and therefore, with all due
acknowledgements for his favourable intentions, I
humbly begged to be excused. I told him, « that
since fortune, whether good or evil, had thrown a
vessel in my way, I was resolved to venture myself
A VOYAGE TO LIIXIPUT. 83
on the ocean, rather than be an occasion of differ-
ence between two such mighty monarchs.' Neither
did I find the emperor at all displeased; and I dis-
covered by a certain accident, that he was very glad
of my resolution, and so were most of his ministers.
These considerations moved me to hasten my de-
parture somewhat sooner than I intended; to which
the court, impatient to have me gone, very readily
contributed. Five hundred workmen were employ-
ed to make two sails to my boat, according to my di-
rections, by quilting thirteen folds of their strongest
linen together. I was at the pains of making ropes
and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, or thirty, of the
thickest and strongest of theirs. A great stone that
I happened to find, after a long search, by the sea-
shore, served me for an anchor. I had the tallow of
three hundred cows, for greasing my boat, and other
uses. I was at incredible pains in cutting down
some of the largest timber-trees, for oars and masts,
wherein I was however much assisted by his ma-
jesty's ship-carpenters, who helped me in smoothing
them, after I had done the rough work.
In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent
to receive his majesty's commands, and to take my
leave. The emperor and royal family came out of
the palace; I lay down on my face to kiss his hand,
which he very graciously gave me: so did the em-
press and fbung princes of the blood. His majesty
presented me with fifty purses of two hundred sprugs
a-piece, together with his picture at full length,
which I put immediately into one of my gloves, to
keep it from being hurt. The ceremonies at my de-
parture were too many ta trouble the reader with
at this time.
I stored the boat witlf the carcasses of a hundred
oxen, and three hundred sheep, with bread and drink
proportionable, and as much meat ready dressed as
four hundred cooks could provide. I took with me
six cows and two bulls alive* with as many ewes and
rams, intending to carry them int? my-own country,
84 GULLLVER'S TRAVELS:
and propagate the breed. And to feed them on
board, I had a good bundle of hay, and a bag of corn.
I would gladly have taken a dozen of the natives,
but this was a thing the emperor would by no means
permit; and, besides a diligent search into my
pockets, his majesty engaged my honour 'not to
carry away any of his subjects, although with their
own consent and desire.' ^
Having thus prepared all things as well as I was
able, I set sail on the twenty-fourth day of Septem
ber 1701, at six in the morning; and when I had
gone about four leagues to the northward, the wind
being at south-east, at six in the evening I descried
a small island, about half a league to the north-west.
I advanced forward, and cast anchor on the lee-side
of the island, which seemed to be uninhabited. I
then took some refreshment, and went to my rest.
I slept well, and as I conjecture at least six hours,
for I found the day broke in two hours after I
awaked. It was a clear night. I ate my breakfast
before the sun was up; and heaving anchor, the
wind being favourable, I steered the same course
that I had done the day before, wherein I was di-
rected by my pocket compass. My intention was to
reach, if possible, one of those islands which I had
reason to believe lay to the north-east of Van Die-
men's Land. I discovered nothing all that day; tmt
upon the next, about three in the aftern^pn, when I
had by my computation made twenty-four leagues
from Blefuscu, I descried a sail steering to the
south-east; my course was due east. I hailed her,
but could get no answer; yet I found I gained upon
her, for the wind slackened. I made all the sail I
could, and in half an hour she spied me, then hung
out her ancient and discharged a gun. It is not easy
to express the joy I was in, upon the unexpected,
hope of once more seeing my beloved country, and
the dear pledges I left in it. The ship slackened her
bails, and I came up with her between five and six
in the evening, September 26, but my heart leapt
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 85
within me to see her English colours, I put my
cows and sheep into my coat-pockets, and got on
board with all my little cargo of provisions. The
vessel was an English merchantman, returning from
Japan by the North and South seas; the captain,
Mr. John Biddel of Deptford, a very civil man, and
an excellent sailor. We were now in the latitude of
30 degrees south; there were about fifty men in the
ship; and here I met an old comrade of mine, one
Peter Williams, who gave me a good character to
the captain. This gentleman treated me with kind-
ness, and desired I would let him know what place
I came from last, and whither I was bound; which
I did in a few words, but he thought I was raving,
and that the dangers I had underwent* had disturb-
ed my head; whereupon I took my black cattle and
sheep out of my pocket, which, after great astonish-
ment, clearly convinced him of my veracity. I then
showed him the gold given me by the emperor of
Blefuscu, together with his majesty's picture at full
length, and some other rarities of that country. I
gave him two purses of two hundred sprugs each,
"and promised, when we arrived in England, to make
him a present of a cow and a sheep big with young.
I shall not trouble the reader with a particular ac-
count of this voyage, which was very prosperous for
the most part. We arrived in the Downs on th<e 13th
of April,|j702. I had only one misfortune, that th«
rats on board carried away one of my sheep; I
found her bones in a hole, picked clean from the
flesh. The rest of my cattle I got saM ashore, and
set them a-grazing in a bowling-green at Greenwich,
where the fineness of the grass made them feed very
heartily, though I had always feared the contrary:
nti$th$r could I possibly have preserved them in so
long a voyage, if the captain had not allowed me-
some of . his best biscuit, which, rubbed to powder,
* ' I had underwent,' is not English; it should
have been 41 had undergone,' or,* I underwent.'—S»
86
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
and mingled with water, was their constant food.
The short time I continued in England, I made a
considerable profit by showing my cattle to many
persons of quality and others: and before I began
my second voyage, I sold them for six hundred
pounds. Since my last return I find the breed is
considerably increased, especially the sheep, which
I hope will prove much to the advantage of the
woollen manufacture, by the fineness of the fleeces.
I stayed but two months with my wife and family;
for my insatiable, desire of seeing foreign countries,
would suffer me to continue no longer. I left fifteen
hundred pounds with my wife, and fixed her in a
good house at Redriff. My remaining stock I carried
with me, part in money and part in goods, in hopes
to improve my fortunes. My eldest uncle John had
left me an estate in land, near Epping, of about
thirty pounds a-year; and 1 had a long lease of the
Black Bull in Fetter-Lane, which yielded me as
much more; so that 1 was not in any danger of
leaving my family upon the parish. My son Johnny,
named so after his uncle, was at the grammar-
school, and a towardly child. My daughter Betty
(who is now well married, and has children) was
then at her needle-work. I took leave of my wife,
and boy and girl, with tears on both sides, and went
on board the Adventure: a merchant-ship of three
hundred tons, bound for Surat, captain John Nicho-
las, of Liverpool, commander. But my account of
this voyage must be referred to the second part of
my travels.
A
VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
PART ir.
CHAPTER I.
A great storm described; the long-boat sent to fetch
water; the Author goes with it to discover the
country. Be is left on shore, is seized by one of
the natives, and carried to a farmer's house.
His reception, with several accidents that hap-
pened there, d description of the inhabitants.
HAVING been condemned, by nature and fortune,
to active and restless life, in two months after
ray return, I again left my native country, and took
shipping in the Downs on the 20th day of June 1702,
in the Adventure, captain John Nicholas, a Cornish
man, commander, bound for Surat. We had a very
prosperous gale, till we arrived at the Cape of Good
Hope, where we landed for fresh water: but disco-
vering a leak, we unshipped our goods, and wintered
there; for the captain falling sick of an ague, we
could not leave the Cape till the end of March. We
then set sail, and had a good voyage till we passed
the Straits of Madagascar; but having got northward
of that island, and to about five degrees south lati-
tude, the winds, which in those seas are observed to
blow a constant equal gale between the north and
88 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
■west, from the beginning of December to the begin-
ning of May, cm the 19th of April began to blow with
much greater violence, and more westerly than usual,
continuing so for twenty days together: during which
time, we were driven a little to the east of the Mo-
lucca Islands, and about three degrees northward of
the line, as our captain found by an observation he
took the 2d of May, at which time the wind ceased,
and it was a perfect calm, whereat 1 was not a little
rejoiced. But he, being a man well experienced in
the navigation of those seas, bid us all prepare against
a storm, which accordingly happened the day follow-
ing: for the southern wind, called the southern
monsoon, began to set in.
Finding it was likely to overblow, we took in our
sprit-sail, and stood by to hand the fore-sail; but,
•making foul weather, we looked the guns were all
fast, and handed the mizen. The ship lay very broad
off", so we thought it better spooning before tbe sea,
than trying or hulling. "We reefed the fore-sail and
set him, and hauled aft the fore-sheet; the helm was
hard a-weather. The ship wore bravely. We belayed
the fore down-haul ; hut the sail was split, and we
hauled down the yard, and got the sail into the ship,
and unbound all the things clear of it. It was a very
^fierce storm; the sea broke strange and dangerous.
We hauled off upon the laniardof the whip-staff, and
helped the man at the helm. We would not get down
our top^nast, but let all stand, because she scudded
before the sea very well, and we knew that the top-
mast being aloft the ship was the wholesomer, and
made better way through the sea, seeing we had sea-
room. When the storm was over, we set fore-sail and
main-sail, and brought the ship to. Then we set the
mizerf, main-top-sail, and the fore-topsail. Our course
was east-north-east, the wind was at south-west. We
got the starboard tacks aboard, we cast off our wea-
ther-braces and lifts; we set-m the lee-braces,\nd
hauled forward by the weather-bowlings, and hauled
them tight, and belayed them, and hauled over the
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGN AG. 89
mizen-tack to windward, and kept her full and by as
near as she would lie.
During this storm, which was followed by a strong
wind west-south-west, we were carried, by my com-
putation, about five hundred leagues to the east, so
that the oldest sailor on board could not tell in what
part of the world we were. Our provisions held out
well, our ship was staunch, and our crew all in good
health; but we lay in the utmost distress for water.
We thought it best to hold on the same course,rather
than turn more northerly, which might have brought
us to the north-west part of Great Tartary, and into
the Frozen Sea.
On the l6th day of June, 1703, a boy on the top-
mast discovered land. On the 17th, we came in full
view of a great island, or continent (for we knew not
whether); on the south side wheKeof was a small
neck of land jutting out into the sea, and a creek too
shallow to hold a ship of above one hundred tons.
We cast anchor within a league of this creek, and
our captain sent a dozen of his men well armed in
the long-boat, with vessels for water, if any could be
found. I desired his leave to go with them, that I
might see the country, and make what discoveries I
could. When we came to land, we saw no river or
spring, nor any sign of inhabitants. Our men there-
fore wandered on the shore to find out some fresh
water near the sea, and 1 walked alone about a mile
on the other side, where I observed the country all
barren and rocky. 1 now began to be weary, and
seeing nothing to entertain my curiosity, I returned
gently down towards the creek; and the sea being
fall in my view, I saw our men already got into the
boat, and rowing for life to the ship. I was going to
hoUa after them, although it had been to little pur-
pose, Ttfhen 1 observed a huge creature walking after
them in the sea, as fast as he could: he waded not
much deeper than his knees, and took fMS^Kgious
strides: bat out men had the start of him half a
90 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
league, and, the sea thereabouts being full of sharp
pointed rocks, the monster was not able to overtake
the boat. This I was afterwards told, for I durst not
stay to see the issue of the adventure; but ran as
fast as I could the way I first went, and then climbed
up a steep hill, which gave me some prospect of the
country. I found it fully cultivated ; but that which
first surprised me was the length of the grass, which,
in those grounds that seemed to be kept for hay, was
about twenty feet high.
I fell into a high road, for so I took it to be, though
it served to the inhabitants only as a foot-path through
a field of barley. Here I walked on for some time,
but could see little on either side, it being now near
harvest, and the corn rising at least forty feet. I
•was an hour walking to the end of this field, which
was fenced in with a hedge of at least one hundred
and twenty feet high, and the trees so lofty that I
could make no computation of their altitude. There
was a stile to pass from this field into the next. It
had four steps, and a stone to cross over when you
came to the uppermost. It was impossible for me to
climb this stile, because every step was six feet high,
and the upper stone about twenty. I was endea-
vouring to find some gap in the hedge, when I dis-
covered one of the inhabitants in the next field, ad-
vancing towards the stile, of the same size with him
whom I saw in the sea pursuing our boat. He ap-
peared as tall as an ordinary spire steeple, and took
about ten yards at every stride, as near as I could
guess. I was struck witli the utmost fear and asto-
nishment, and ran to hide myself in the corn, whence
I saw him at the top of the stile looking back into
the next field on the right hand, and heard hira call
in a voice many degrees louder than a speaking-
trumpet; but the noise was so high in the air, that
at first I certainly thought it was thunder. Where-
upon seven monsters, like himself, came towards him
with reaping-hooks in their hands, each hook about
A VOYAGE TO BKOBDINGNAG. 91
the largeness of six scythes. These people were not
so well clad^as the first, whose servants or labourers
they seemed to be; for, upon some words he spoke,
they went to reap the corn in the field where I lay.
I kept from them at as great a distance as 1 could,
but was forced to move with extreme difficulty, for
the stalks of the corn were sometimes not above a
foot distant, so that I could hardly squeeze my body
betwixt them. However I made a shift to go for-
ward, till I came to a part of the field where the corn
had been laid by-the rain and wind. Here it was
impossible for me to advance a step; for the stalks
were so interwoven, that 1 could not creep through,
and the beards of the fallen ears so strong and
pointed, that they pierced through my clothes into
my flesh. At the same time I heard the reapers not
above a hundred yards behind me. Being quite
dispirited with toil, and wholly overcome by grief
and despair, I lay down between two ridges, and
heartily wished I might there end my days. I be-
moaned my desolate widow and fatherless children.
I lamented my own folly and wilfulness, in attempt-
ing a second voyage, against the advice of all my
friends and relations. In this terrible agitation of
mind, I could not forbear thinking of Lilliput, whose
inhabitants looked upon me as the greatest prodigy
that ever appeared in the world; where I was able
to draw an imperial fleet in my hand, and perform
those other actions, which will be recorded for ever
in the chronicles of that empire, while posterity shall
hardly believe them, although attested'by millions.
I reflected what a mortification it must prove to me,
to appear as inconsiderable in this nation, as one
single Lilliputian would be among us. But this I
conceived was to be the least of m# misfortunes; for,
as'human creatures are observed to be more savage
and cruel in proportion to their bulk, what could I
expect but to be a morsel in the mouth of the first
among these enormous barbarians that should happen
m GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
to seize me? Undoubtedly philosophers are in the
right, when they tell us that nothing is great or little
otherwise than by comparison. It might have pleased
fortune, to have let the Lilliputians find some nation,
where the people were as diminutive with respect to
them, as they were to me. And who knows but that
even this prodigious race of mortals might be equally
overmatched in some distant part of the world,where-
of we have yet no discovery.
Scared and confounded as I was, I could not for-
bear going on with these reflections, when one of the
reapers, approaching within ten yards of the ridge
where I lay, made me apprehend that with the next
step I should be squashed to death under his foot, or
cut in two with his reaping-hook. And therefore,
when he was again about to move, I screamed as
loud as fear could make me: whereupon the huge
creature trode short, and, looking round about un-
der him for some time, at last espied me as 1 lay on
the ground. He considered a while, with the cau-
tion of one who endeavours to lay hold on a small
dangerous animal in such a manner that it shall not
be able either to scratch or bite him, as I myself
have sometimes done with a weasel in England. At
length he ventured to take me behind, by the middle,
between his fore-finger and thumb, and brought me
within three yards of his eyes, that he might behold
my shape more perfectly. I guessed his meaning,
and my good fortune gave me so much presence of
mind, that I resolved not to struggle in the least as
he held mein the air above sixty feet from the ground,
although he grievously pinched my sides, for fear I
should slip through his fingers. All I ventured was
to raise mine eyes towards the sun, and place my
hands together in a supplicating posture,andto speak
some words in an humble melancholy tone, suitable
to the condition I then was in: for I apprehended
every moment that he would dash me against the
ground, as we usually do any little hateful animal,
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
93
which we have a mind to destroy*. But my good
star would have it, that he appeared pleased"with my
voice and gestures, and began to look upon me as a
curiosity, much wondering to hear me pronounce
articulate words, although he could not understand
them. In the mean time I was not able to forbear
groaning and shedding tears, and turning my head
towards my sides; letting him know, as well as I
could, how cruelly 1 was hurt by the pressure of his
thumb and finger. He seemed to apprehend my
meaning; for, lifting up the lappet of his coat, he put
me gently into it, and immediately ran along with
me to his master, who was a substantial farmer, and
the same person I had first seen in the field.
The farmer having (as I suppose by their talk) re-
ceived such an account of me as his servant could
give him, took a piece of a small straw, about the
size of a walking-staff, and therewith lifted up the
lappets of my coat; which it seems he thought to be
some kind of covering that nature had given me. He
blew my hairs aside to take a better view of my face-
He called his hinds about him, and asked them, as
I afterwards learned,' Whether they had ever seen
in the fields any little creature that resembled me?'
He then placed me softly on the ground upon all
fours, but I got immediately up, and walked slowly
backward and forward, to let those people see I had
no intent to run away. They all sat down in a circle
about me, the better to observe my motions. I pull-
ed off my hat, and made a low bow towards the far-
mer. I fell on my knees, and lifted up my hands and
* Our inattention to the felicity of sensitive be-
ings, merely because they are small, is here forcibly
reproved: many have wantonly crushed an insect,
who would shudder at cutting the throat Of a dog;
but it should always be remembered, that the least
of these
'la mortal sufferance feels a pang as great
As when a giant dies.'—H.
94 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
eyes, and spoke several words as loud as I could : I
took a purse of gold out of my pocket, and humbly
presented it to him. He received it on the palm of
his hand, then applied it close to his eye to see what
it was, and afterwards turned it several times with
the point of a pin (which he took out of his sleeve),
but could make nothing of it. Whereupon T made a
sign that he should place his hand on the ground. I
then took the purse, and, opening it, poured all the
gold into his palm. There were six Spanish pieces
of four pistoles each, beside twenty or thirty smaller
coins. I saw him wet the tip of his little finger upon
his tongue, and take up one of my largest pieces, and
then another; but he seemed to be wholly ignorant
what they were. He made me a sign to put them
again into my purse, and the purse again into my
pocket, which, after offering it to him several times,
I thought it best to do.
The farmer, by this time, was convinced I must
be a rational creature. He spoke often to me; but
the sound of his voice pierced my ears like that of a
water-mill, yet his words were articulate enough. I
answered as loud as I could in several languages, and
he often laid his ear within two yards of me: but all
in vain, for we were wholly unintelligible to each
other. He then sent his servants to their work, and
taking his handkerchief out of his pocket, he doubled*
and spread it on his left hand, which he placed flat
on the ground with the palm upward, making me a
sign to step into it, as I could easily do, for it was
not above a foot in thickness. 1 thought it my part
to obey, and, for fear of falling, laid myself at full
length upon the handkerchief, with the remainder of
which he lapped me up to the head for further secu-
rity, and in this manner carried me home to his
house. There he called his wife, and showed me to
her; but she screamed and ran back, as women in
England do at the sight of a toad or a spider. How-
ever, when she had awhile seen my behaviour, and
how well I observed the signs her husband made, she
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 95
was soon reconciled, and by degrees grew extremely
tender of me.
It was about twelve at noon, and a servant brought
in dinner. It was only one substantial dish of meat
(fit for the plain condition of a husbandman), in a
dish of about four-and-twenty feet diameter. The
company were, the farmer and his wife, three chil-
dren, and an old grandmother. When they were sat
down, the farmer placed me at some distance from
him on the table, which was thirty feet high from the
floor. I was in a terrible fright, and kept as far as I
could from the edge, for fear of falling. The wife
minced a bit of meat, then crumbled some bread on
a trencher, and placed it before me. I made her a
low bow, took out my knife and fork, and fell to eat,
which gave them exceeding delight. The mistress
sent her maid for a small dram cup, which held
about two gallons, and filled it with drink; I took
up the vessel with much difficulty in both hands,
and in a most respectful manner drank to her lady-
ship's health, expressing the words as loud as I could
in English, which made the company laugh so
heartily, that I was almost deafened with the noise.
This liquor tasted like a small cider, and was not
unpleasant. Then the master made me a sign to
come to his trencher side; but as I walked on the
table, being in great surprise all the time, as the
indulgent reader will easily conceive and excuse, I
happened to stumble against a crust, and fell flat on
my face, but received no hurt. I got up imme-
diately, and observing the good people to be in
much concern, I took my hat (which I held tinder
my arm out of good manners), and waving it over
my head, made three huzzas, to show I had got no
mischief by my fall. But advancing forward to-
wards my master (as I shall henceforth call him),
his youngest son, who sat next to him, an arch boy
of about ten years old, took me up by the legs, and
held me so high in the air, that I trembled every
limb: but his father snatched me from him, and at
the same time gave him such a box on the left ear,
96 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
as would have felled an European troop of horse to
the earth, ordering him to be taken from the table.
But being afraid the boy might owe me a spite,
and well remembering how mischievous all children
among us naturally are to sparrows, rabbits, young
kittens, and puppy-dogs, I fell on my knees, and
pointing to the boy, made my master to understand,
as well as I could, that I desired his son might be
pardoned. The father complied, and the lad took
his seat again, whereupon I went to him, and kissed
his hand, which my master took, and made him
stroke me gently with it.
In the midst of dinner, my mistress's favourite
cat leaped into her lap. I heard a noise behind me
like that of a dozen stocking-weavers at work; and
turning my head, I found it proceeded from the pur-
ring of that animal, who seemed to be three times
larger than an ox, as I computed by the view of her
head, and one of her paws, while her mistress was
feeding and stroking her. The fierceness of this
creature's countenance altogether discomposed me;
though I stood at the further end of the table, above
fifty feet off; and although my mistress held her
fast, for fear she might give a spring, and seize me
in her talons. But it happened there was no danger;
for the cat took not the least notice of me, when my
master placed me within three yards of her. And as
I have been always told, and found true by experi-
ence in my travels, that flying or discovering fear
before a fierce animal, is a certain way to make it
pursue or attack you, so I resolved, in this dangerous
juncture, to show no manner of concern. I walked
with intrepidity five or six times before the very head
of the cat, and came within half a yard of her;
whereupon; she drew herself back, as if she were
more afraid of me: I had less apprehension concern-
ing the dogs, whereof three or four came into the
room as it is usual in farmers' houses; one of which
was a mastiff, equal in bulk to four elephants, and
a greyhound, somewhat taller than the mastiff, hut
not so large.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
97
"When dinner was almost done, the nurse came in
with a child of a year old in her arms, who imme-
diately spied me, and began a squall that you might
have heard from London-Bridge to Chelsea, after the
usual oratory of infants, to get me for a plaything.
The mother, out of pure indulgence, took me up,
and put me towards the child, who presently seized
me by the middle, and got my head into his mouth,
where I roared so loud that the urchin was frighted,
and let me drop, and I should infallibly have broke
my neck, if the mother had not held her apron under
me. The nurse, to quiet her babe, made use of a
rattle, which was a kind of hollow vessel filled with
great stones, and fastened by a cable to the child's
waist: but all in vain; so that she was forced to af-
ply the last remedy by giving it suck. I must con-
fess no object ever disgusted me so much as the
sight of her monstrous breast, which I cannot tell
what to compare with, so as to give the curious
reader an idea of its bulk, shape, and colour. It
stood prominent six feet, and could not be less than
sixteen in circumference. The nipple was about half
the -bigness of my head, and the hue both of that
and the dug, so varied with spots, pimples, and
freckles, that nothing could appear more nauseous:
for I had a near sight of her, she sitting down, the
more conveniently to give suck, and I standing on
the table. This made me reflect upon the fair skins
of ou,r English ladies, who appear so beautiful to us,
only becausqthey are of our own size, and their de-
fects not to Jbe seen but through a magnifying-glass;
where we find by experiment that the smoothest
ami whitest skins look rough, and coarse, and ill-co.
loured.
I remember, when I was at Iilliput, the complex-
ions of those diminutive people appeared to roe the
fairest in the world; and talking upon this subject
with a person of learning there, who was an intimate
friend of mine, lie said that my face appeared much
fairer and smoother when he looked on m* from the
F
98 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
ground, than it did upon a nearer view, when I took
him up in my hand, and brought him close, which
he confessed was at first a very shocking sight. He
said, 'he could discover great holes in my skin;
that the stumps of my beard were ten times stronger
than the bristles of a boar, and my complexion made
up of several colours altogether disagreeable al-
though I must beg leave to say for myself, that I am
as fair as most of my sex and country, and very little
sun-burnt by all my travels. On the other side, dis-
coursing of the ladies in that emperor's court, he
used to tell me,' one had freckles, another too wide
a mouth, a third too large a nosenothing of which
I was able to distinguish. I confess, this reflection
(was obvious enough; which, however, I could not
forbear, lest the reader might think those vast crea-
tures were actually defonned: for I must do them
the justice to say, they are a comely race of people;
and particularly the features of my master's coun-
tenance, although he were but a farmer, when I be-
held him from the height of sixty feet, appeared
very well proportioned.
When dinner was done, my master went out to his
labourers, and, as I could discover by his voice and
gesture, gave his wife a strict charge to take care of
me. I was very much tired, and disposed'to sleep,
which my mistress perceiving, she put me on her
own bed, and covered me with a clean white hand-
kerchief, but larger and coarser than the main-sail of
a man of war.
I slept about two hours, and dreamt I was at home
with my wife and children, which aggravated my
sorrows whea I awaked*, and found myself alone
in a vast room, between two and three hundred feet
wide, and above two hundred high, lying in a bed
twenty yards wide. My mistress was gpne about
* This ought \to have been * awoke,' the preterit
of the verb neuter, not * awaked,' the preterit of the
verb active.—S.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 9$
her household affairs, and had locked me in., The
bed was eight yards from the floor. Some natural
necessities required me to get down: I durst not
presume to call; and if I had, it would have been in
vain, with such a voice as mine, at so great a dis-
tance as from the room where I lay to the kitchen
where the family kept *. While I was under these
circumstances, two rats crept up the curtains, and
ran smelling backwards and forwards on the bed.
One of them came up almost to my face, whereupon
I rose in a fright, and drew out my hanger to defend
myself. These horrible animals had the boldness to
attack me on both sides, and one of them held his
fore-feet at my collar; but I had the good fortune to
rip up his belly, before he could do me any mischief.
He fell down at my feet; aud the other, seeing the
fate of his comrade, made his escape, but not with-
out one good wound on the back, which I gave him
as he fled, and made the blood run trickling from
him. After this exploit, I walked gently to and fro
on the bed, to recover my breath and loss of spirits.
These creatures were of the size of a large mastiff,
but infinitely more nimble and fierce j so that if I
had taken off my belt before I went to sleep, I must
have infallibly been torn to pieces and devoured. I
measured the tail of the dead rat, and found it to
be two yards long, wanting an inch; but it went
against my stomach to drag the carcass off the bed,
where it lay still bleeding; I observed it had yet
some life, but with a strong slash across the neck, I
thoroughly dispatched it.
Soon after my mistress came into the room, who
Seeing me all bloody, ran and took me up in her
hand. I pointed to the dead rat, smiling, and ma-
king other signs to show I was hot hurt; whereat she
was extremely rejoiced, calling the maid to take up
the dead rat with a pair of tongs, and throw it out
of the window. Then she set rare on a table, where
* This is a Liscostustim provincialism.—X.
100 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
I showed her my hanger ali bloody, and wiping it on
the lappet of my coat, returned it to the scabbard.
I was pressed to do more than one thing which an-
other could not do for me, and therefore endeavour-
ed to make my mistress understand, that I desired to
be set down on the floor; which after she had done,
my bashfulness would not suffer me to express my-
self farther, than by pointing tc the door, and bow-
ing several times. The good woman, with much dif-
ficulty, at last perceived what I would be at, and
taking me up again in her hand, walked into the
garden, where she set me down. I went on one side
about two hundred yards, and beckoning to her not
to look or to follow me, I hid myself between two
leaves of sorrel, and there discharged the necessities
of nature.
I hope the gentle reader will excuse me for dwell-
ing on these and the like particulars, which, however
insignificant they may appear to groveling vulgar
minds, yet will certainly help a philosopher to en-
large his thoughts and imagination, and apply them
to the benefit of public as well as private life, which
was my sole design in presenting this, and other ac-
counts of my travels, to the world; wherein I have
been chiefly studious of truth, without affecting any
ornaments of learning or of style. But the whole
scene of this voyage made so strong an impression
en my'mind, and is so deeply fixed in my memory,
that in committing it to paper I did not omit one
material circumstance: however, upon, a strict re-
view, I blotted out several passages of less moment
which were in my first copy, for fear of being cen-
sured as tedious and trifling, whereof travellers are
often, perhaps not without justice, accused.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 101
CHAPTER II.
A description of the Farmer's Daughter. The
Author carried to a market-toun, and then to
the metropolis. The particulars of his Jour-
ney,
~\/TY mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a
child of towardly parts for her age, very dexte-
rous at her needle, and skilful in dressing her baby.
Her mother and she contrived to fit up the baby's
cradle for me against night: the cradle was put into
a small drawer of a cabinet, and the drawer placed
upon a hanging shelf for fear of the rats. This was
my bed all the time I staid with those people, though
made more convenient by degrees, as I began to
learn their language, and make my wants known.
This young girl was so handy, that after I had once
or twice pulled off my clothes before her, she was
able to dress and undress me, though I never gave
her that trouble when she would let me do either
myself. She made me seven shirts, and some other
linen, of as fine cloth as could be got, which indeed
was coarser than sackcloth; and these she constantly
washed for me with her own hands. She was like-
wise my school-mistress, to teach me the language:
when I pointed to any thing, she told me the name
of it in her own tongue, so that in a few days I was
able to call for whatever I had a mind to. She was
very good-natured, and not above forty feet high,
being little for her age. She gave me the name of
Orildrig, which the family took up, and afterwards
the whole kingdom. The word imports what the
Latins call ranunculus, the Italians homunce-
letion, and the English mannikin. To her I chiefly
owe my preservation in that country: we never
parted while I was there; I called her my Glutn-
102
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
dalclitch, or little nurse; and should be guilty of
great ingratitude, if I omitted this honourable men-
tion of her care and affection towards me, which I
heartily wish it lay in my power to requite as she
deserves, instead of being the innocent, but unhappy
instrument of her disgrace, as I have too much rea-
son to fear.
It now began to be known and talked of in the
neighbourhood, that my master had found a strange
animal in the field, about the bigness of a spLacnuck,
but exactly shaped in every part like a human crea-
ture; which it likewise imitated in all its actions;
seemed to speak in a little language of its own, had
already learned several words of theirs, went erect
upon two legs, was tame and gentle, would come
when it was called, do whatever it was bid, had the
finest limbs in the world, and a complexion fairer
than a nobleman's daughter of three years old.
Another farmer, who lived hard by, and was a par-
ticular friend of my master, came on a visit on pur-
pose to inquire into the truth of this story. I was
immediately produced, and placed' upon a table,
where I walked as I was commanded, drew my
hanger, put it up again, made my reverence to my
master's guest, asked him in his own language how
he did, and told him he was welcome, just as my
little nurse had instructed me. This man, who was
old and dim-sighted, put on his spectacles to behold
me better; at which I could not forbear laughing
very heartily, for his eyes appeared like the full
moon shining into a chamber at two windows. Our
people, who discovered the cause of my mirth, bore
me company in laughing, at which the old fellow
was fool enough to be angry and out of counte-
nance. He had the character of a great miser;
and, to my misfortune, he well deserved it, by the
cursed advice he gave my master, to show me as a
sight uoon a market-day in the next town, which
miles from our house. I guessed there was some

A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 103
mischief contriving, when I observed my master
and his friend whispering long together, sometimes
pointing at me; and my fears made me fancy that I
overheard and understood some of their words.
But the next morning Glumdalclitch, my little
nurse, told me the whole matter, which she had
cunningly picked out from her mother. The poor
girl laid me on her bosom, and fell sweeping with
shame and grief. She apprehended some mischief
would happen to me from rude vulgar folks, who
might squeeze me to death, or break one of my
limbs by taking me in their hands. She had also
observed how modest 1 was in my nature, how nicely
I regarded my honour, and what an indignity I
should conceive it, to be exposed for money as a
public spectacle, to the meanest of the people. She-
said, her papa and mamma had promised that Gril-
drig should be hers; but now she found they meant
to serve her as they did last year, when they pre-
tended to give her a lamb, and yet, as soon as it was
fat, sold it to a butcher. For my own part, I may
truly affirm, that I was less concerned than my
nurse. I had a strong hope, which never left me,
that I should one day recover my liberty: and as to
the ignominy of being carried about for a monster,
I considered myself to be a perfect stranger in the
country, and that such a misfortune could never be
charged upon me as a reproach, if ever I should
return to England; since the king of Great Britain
himself, in my condition, must have undergone the
same distress.
My master, pursuant to the advice of his friend,
carried me in a box the next market-day to the
neighbouring town, and took along with him his lit-
tle daughter, my nurse, upon a pillion behind him.
The box was close on every side, with a little door
for me to go in and out, and a few gimlet-holes to
let in air. The girl had been so careful as to put
the quilt of her baby's bed into it, for me to lie
down on. However, I was terribly shaken and dis-
104 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
composed in this journey, though it were* but of
half an hour: for the horse went about forty feet at
every step, and trotted so high, that the agitation
was equal to the rising and falling of a ship in a
great storm, but much more frequent. Our jour-
ney was somewhat further than from London to St.
Alban's. My master alighted at an inn which he
used to frequent; and after consulting awhile with
the inn-keeper, and making some necessary prepa-
rations, he hired the grultrud, or crier, to give
notice through the town of a strange creature to
be seen at the sign of the Green Eagle, not so big
as a splacnuvk (an animal in that country very
finely shaped, about six feet long,) and in every part
of the body resembling a human creature, could
speak several words, and perform a hundred di-
verting tricks.
I was placed upon a table in the largest room of
the inn, which might be near three hundred feet
square. My little nurse stood on a low stool close
to the table, to take care of me, and direct what I
should do. My master, to avoid a crowd, would
suffer only thirty people at a time to see me. I
walked about on the table as the girl commanded:
she asked me questions, as far as she knew my un-
derstanding of the language reached, and I answered
them as loud as I could. I turned about several
times to the company, paid my humble respects, said
they were welcome, and used some other speeches
I had been taught. I took up a thimble filled with
liquor, which Glumdalclitch had given me for a cup,
and drank their health. I drew out my hanger, and
flourished with it after the manner of fencers in
England. My nurse gave me a part of a straw,
which I exercised as a pike, having learnt the art in
my youth. I was that day shown to twelve sets of
* The subjunctive mood is improperly used here;
it should have been the indicative, 'though it was,'
iusfcead of * though it were/-—S.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 105
company, and as often forced to act over again the
same fopperies, till I was half dead with weariness
and vexation; for those who had seen me made
such wonderful reports, that the people were ready
to break down the doors to come in. My master,
for his own interest, would not suffer any one to
touch me except my nurse; and to prevent danger,
benches were set round the table, at such a distance
as to put me out of every body's reach. However,
an unlucky school-boy aimed a hazel-nut directly at
my head, which very narrowly missed me; otherwise
it came with so much violence, that it would have
infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almost
as large as a small pumpion; but I had the satis-
faction to see the young rogue well beaten, and
turned out of the room.
My master gave public notice that he would show
me again the next market-day; and in the mean
time he prepared a more convenient vehicle for me,
which he had reason enough to do; for I was so
tired with my first journey, and with entertaining
company for eight hours together, that I could hardly
stand upon my legs, or speak a word. It was at
least three days before I recovered my strength; and
that I might have no rest at home, all the neigh-
bouring gentlemen from a hundred miles round,
hearing of my fame, came to see me at my master's
own house. There could not be fewer than thirty
persons with their wives and children (for the coun-
try is very populous); and my master demanded the,
rate of a full room whenever het showed me at
home, although it were only to a single family; so
that for some time I had but little ease every day of
the week (except Wednesday, which is their sabbath),
although I were not carried to the town.
My master, finding how profitable I was likely to
be, resolved to carry me to the most considerable
cities of the kingdom. Having therefore provided
himself with all things necessary for a long journey,
and settled his affairs at home, he took leave of his
F2
106 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
wife, and upon the 17th of August 1703, about two
months after my arrival, -we set out for the metro-
polis, situate near the middle of that empire, and
about three thousand mites' distance from our house.
My master made his daughter Glumdalclitch ride
behind him. She carried me on her lap, in a box
tied about her waist. The girl had lined it on all
sides with the softest cloth she could get, well
quilted underneath, furnished it with her baby's bed,
provided me with linen and other necessaries, and
made every thing as convenient as she could. We
had no other company but a boy of the house, who
rode after us with the luggage.
My master's design was to show me in all the
towns by the way, and to step out of the road, for
fifty or a hundred miles, to any village or person of
quality's house, where he might expect custom. We
made easy journeys, of not above seven or eight
score miles a-day: for Glumdalclitch, on purpose
to spare me, complained she was tired with the trot-
ting of the horse. She often took me out of my box,
at my own desire, to give me air, and show me the
country, but always held me fast by a leading-string.
We passed over five or six rivers, many degrees
broader and deeper than the Nile or the Ganges:
and there was hardly a rivulet so small as the
Thames at London-Bridge. We were ten weeks in
our journey, and I was shown in eighteen large
towns, besides many villages, and private families.
On the 26th day of October, we arrived at the me-
tropolis, called in their language Lorbrulgrud, or
Pride of the Universe. My master took a lodging
in the principal street of the city, not far from the
royal palace, and put out bills in the usual form,
containing an exact description of my person and
parts. He hired a large room between three and
four hundred feet wide. He provided a table sixty
feet in diameter, upon which I was to act my part,
aod pallisadoed it round three feet from the edge,
and as many high,to prevent my falling over. I was
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 10?
shown ten times a-day, to the wonder and satisfac-
tion of ail people. I could now speak the language
tolerably well, and perfectly understood every word
that was spoken to me. Besides, I had learnt their
alphabet, and could make a shift to explain a sen-
tence here and there; for Glumdalclitch had been
my instructor, while we were at home, and at leisure
hours during our journey. She carried a little book
in her pocket, not much larger than a Sanson's Atlas;
it was a common treatise for the use of young girls,
giving a short account of their religion: out of this
she taught me my letters, and interpreted the
words.
CHAPTER III.
The Author sent for to court. The Queen buys
him of his master the Farmer, and presents
him to the King- He disputes with his majesty's
great scholars. An apartment at court pro-
vided for the Author* He is in high favour
with the Queen. He stands up for the honour
of his own country. His quarrels with the
Queen's Dwarf.
HPHE frequent labours I underwent every day,
*■ made, in a few weeks, a very considerable change
in my health: the more my master got by me, the
more insatiable he grew. I had quite lost my sto-
mach, and was almost reduced to a skeleton. The
farmer observed it, and coacluding I must soon die,
resolved to make as good a hand of me as he could.
While he was thus reasoning and resolving with
himself, a sardral, or gentleman-usher, came from
court, commanding my master to carry me imme-
diately thither for the diversion of the queen and
her ladies. Some of the latter had already been to
see me, and reported strange things of my beauty,
108 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
behaviour, and good sense. Her majesty, and those
who attended her, were beyond measure delighted
with my demeanour. I fell on my knees, and beg-
ged the honour of kissing her imperial foot; but this
gracious princess held out her little finger towards
me, after I was set on the table, which I embraced
in both my arms, and put the tip of it with the ut-
most respect to my lip. She made me some general
questions about my country and my travels, which I
answered as distinctly, and in as few words as I
could. She asked, ' whether I would be content to
live at court r" I bowed down to the board of the
table, and humbly answered ' that I was my mas-
ter's slave: but, if I were at my own disposal, I
should be proud to devote my life to her majesty's
service.' She then asked my master, 'whether he
was willing to sell me at a good price?' He, who
apprehended I could not live a month, was ready
enough to part with me, and demanded a thousand
pieces of gold, which were ordered him on the spot,
each piece being about the bigness of eight hundred
moidoresj but allowing for the proportion of all
things between that country and Europe, and the
high price of gold among them, was hardly so great
a sum as a thousand guineas would be in England.
I then said to the queen, ' since I was now her ma-
jesty's most humble cieature and vassal, I must beg
the favour, that Glumdalclitch, who had always
tended me with so much care and kindness, and un-
derstood to do it so well, might be admitted into her
service, and continue to be my nurse and in-
structor.'
Her majesty agreed to my petition, and easily got
the farmer's consent, who was glad enough to have
his daughter preferred at court, and the poor girl
herself was not able to hide her joy. My late mas-
ter withdrew, bidding me farewel, and gfeying he had
left me in a good service; to which I replied not a
word, only making him a slight bow.
The queen observed my coldness; and, when the
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGtf AG. 109
farmer was 'gone out of the apartment, asked me
the reason. I made bold to tell her majesty,< that
I owed no other obligation to my late master, than
his not dashing out the brains of a poor harmless'
creature, found by chance in his fields; which ob-
ligation was amply recompensed, by the gain he had
made in showing me through half the kingdom,, and
the price he had now sold me for. That the life I
had since led, was laborious enough to kill an animal
of ten times my strength. That my health was
much impaired, by the continual drudgery of enter-
taining the rabble every hour of the day; and that,
if my master had not thought my life in danger, her
majesty would not have got so cheap a bargain. But
as I was out of all fear of being ill treated, under
the protection of so great and good an empress, the
ornament of nature, the darling of the world, the
delight of her subjects, the phoenix of the creation;
so, I hoped my late master's apprehensions would
appear to be groundless; for I already found my spi-
rits revive, by the influence of her most august
presence.'
This was the sum of my speech, delivered with
great improprieties and hesitation. The latter part
was altogether framed in the style peculiar to that
people, whereof I learned some phrases from Glunv
dalclitch, while she was carrying me to court.
The queen, giving great allowance for my de-
fectiveness in speaking, was, however, surprised at
so much wit and good sense, in so diminutive an
animal. She took me in her own hand, and carried
me to the king, who was then retired to his cabinet.
His majesty, a prince of much gravity and austere
countenance, not well observing my shape at first
view, asked the queen after a cold manner * ho'fe
long it was since she grew fond of a splacnuck ?*
for, such it seems he took me to be, as I lay upon my
breast in her majesty's right hand. But this princess,
who has an infinite deal of wit and humour, set me
gently oh my feet upon the scrutoire, and com-.
1 tO GU LLI VER»S TRAVELS:
raanded me to give his majesty an account of myself,
which I did in a very few words: and Glumdalclitch,
who attended at the cabinet door, and could not en-
dure I should be out of her sight, being admitted,
confirmed all that had passed from my arrival at her
father's house.
The king, although he be as learned a person as
any in his dominions, had been educated in the study
of philosophy, and particularly mathematics; yet
when he observed my shape exactly, and saw me
walk erect, before I began to speak, conceived I
might be a piece of clock-work (which is in that
country arrived to a very great perfection) contrived
by some ingenious artist. But when he heard my
voice, and found what I delivered to be regular and
rational, he could not conceal his astonishment. He
was by no means satisfied with the relation I gave
him of the manner I came into his kingdom, but
thought it a story concerted between Glumdalclitch
and her father, who had taught me a set of words to
make me sell at a better price. Upon this imagina-
tion, he put several other questions to me, and still
received rational answers: no otherwise defective,
than by a foreign accent, and an imperfect know-
ledge in the language, with some rustic phrases which
I had learned at the farmer's house, and did not suit
the polite style of a court.
His majesty sent for three great scholars, who
were then in the weekly waiting, according to the
custom in that country. These gentlemen; after
they had awhile examined my shape with much
nicety, were of different opinions concerning me.
They all agreed, that I could not be produced ac-
cording to the regular laws of nature, because I was
not framed with a capacity of preserving my life,
either by swiftness, or climbing ef trees, or digging
holes in the earth. They observed by my teeth,
which they viewed with great exactness, that I was
a carnivorous animal; yet most quadrupeds being an
overmatch for me, and field-mice, with some others,
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. HI
too nimble, they could not imagine how I should be
able to support myself, unless I fed upon snails and
other insects, which they offered, by many learned
arguments, to evince that I could not possibly do*.
One of these virtuosi seemed to think that I might
he an embryo, or abortive birth. But this opinion
was rejected by the other two, who observed my
limbs to be perfect and finished; and that I had lived
several years, as it was manifest'from my beard, the
stumps whereof they plainly discovered through a
magnifying-glass. They would not allow me to be a
dwarf, because my littleness was beyond all degrees
of comparison; for the queen's favourite dwarf, the
smallest ever known in that kingdom, was near
thirty feet high. After much debate, they concluded
unanimously, that I was only relplum scalcath,
which is interpreted literally lusus natures; a de-
termination exactly agreeable to the modern philoso-
phy of Europe, whose professors, disdaining the old
evasion of occult causes, whereby the followers of
Aristotle endeavoured in vain to disguise their igno-
rance, have invented this wonderful solution of all
difficulties, to the unspeakable advancement of hu-
man knowledge.
After this decisive conclusion, I entreated to be
heard a word or two. I applied myself to the king,
and assured his majesty,' that I came from a coun-
try which abounded with several millions of both
sexes, and of my own stature; where the animals,
trees, and houses, were all in proportion, and where,
by consequence, I might be as able to defend myself,
* By this reasoning the author probably intended
to ridicule the pride of those philosophers, who have
thought fit to arraign the wisdom of Providence in
the creation and government of the world; whose
cavils are specious, like those of the Brobding-
nagian sages, only in proportion to the ignorance
of those feo whom they are proposed.-—H.
112
GULLTVER'S TRAVELS:
and to find sustenance, as any of his majesty's sul>
jects could do here; which I took for a full answer
to those gentlemen's arguments.' To this they only
replied with a smile of contempt, saying, ' that the
farmer had instructed me very well in my lesson*.'
The king, who had a much better understanding, dis-
missing his learned men,-sent for the farmer, who by
good fortune was not yet gone out of town. Having
therefore first examined him privately, and then con-
fronted him with me and the young girl, his majesty
began to think that what we told him might possibly
be true. He desired the queen to order that a par-
ticular care should be taken of me; and was of opi-
nion that Glumdalclitch should still continue in her
office of tending me, because he observed we had a
great affection for each other. A convenient apart-
ment was provided for her at court; she had a sort
of governess appointed to take care of her education,
a maid to dress her, and two other servants for me-
nial offices; but the care of me was wholly appro-
priated to herself. The queen commanded her own
cabinet-maker to contrive a box, that might serve
me for a bed-chamber, after the model that Glum-
dalclitch and I should agree upon. This man was
a most ingenious artist, and according to my direc-
tion in three weeks finished for me a wooden cham-
ber of sixteen feet square, and twelve high, with
sash-windows, a door, and two closets, like a Lon-
don bed-chamber. The board, that made the ceiling,
was to be lifted up and down by two hinges to put
in a bed ready furnished by her majesty's uphol-
sterer, which Glumdalclitch took out every day to
air, made it with her own hands, and letting it down
at night, locked up the roof over me. A nice work-
* This satire is levelled against all who reject
those facts for which they cannot perfectly account,
notwithstanding the absurdity ofgrejecting the tes-
timony by which they are supported.—H.
A VOYAGE TO BUOBDINGNAG. 113
man, who was famous for little curiosities, under-
took to make me two chairs, with backs and frames,
of a substance not unlike ivory, and two tables, with
a cabinet to put my things in. The room was quilted
on all sides, as well as the floor and the ceiling, to
prevent any accident from the carelessness of those
who carried me, and to break the force of a jolt,
when I went in a coach. I desired a lock for my
door, to prevent rats arid mice from coming in. The
smith, after several attempts, made the smallest that
ever was seen among them, for I have known a larger
at the gate of a gentleman's house in England. I
made a shift to keep the key in a pocket of my own,
fearing Glumdalcliteh might lose it. The queen like-
wise ordered the thinnest silks that could be gotten,
to make me clothes, not much thicker than an Eng-
lish blanket, very cumbersome till I was accustomed
to them. They were after the fashion of the king-
dom, partly resembling the Persian, and partly the
Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit.
The queen became so fond of my company, that
she could not dine without me. I had a table placed
upon the same at which her majesty ate, just at her
elbow, and a chair to sit. on. Glumdalcliteh stood
on a stool on the floor near my table, to assist and
take care of me. I had an entire set of silver dishes
and plates, and other necessaries, which, in propor-
tion to those of the queen, were not much bigger
than what I have seen in a London toy-shop, for the
furniture of a baby-house: these my little nurse kept
in her pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals
as I wanted them, always cleaning them herself.
No person dined with the queen but the two prin-
cesses royal, the elder sixteen years old, and the
younger at that time thirteen and a month. Her
majesty used to put a bit of meat upon one of my
dishes, out of which I carved for myself, and her di-
version was to see me eat in miniature; for the queen
(who had indeed but a weak stomach) took up, ac
one mouthful, as much as a dozen English farmers
114 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
could eat at a meal, which to me was for some time
a very nauseous sight*. She would craunch the
wing of a lark, bones and all, between her teeth, al-
though it were nine times as large as that of a full-
grown turkey; and put a bit of bread in her mouth,
as big as two twelve-penny loaves. She drank out
of a golden cup, above a hogshead at a draught. Her
knives were twice as long as a scythe, set straight
upon the handle. The spoons, forks, and other in-
struments, were all in the same proportion. I re-
member when Glumdalclitch carried me, out of cu-
riosity, to see some of the tables at court, where ten
or a dozen of those enormous knives and forks were
lifted up together, I thought I had never till then
beheld so terrible a sight.
It is the custom, that every Wednesday (which, as
I have observed, is their sabbath) the king and queen,
with the royal issue of both sexes, dine together in
the apartment of his majesty, to whom I was now be-
come a great favourite; and at these times, my little
chair and table were placed at his left hand, before
one of the salt-cellars. This prince took a pleasure
in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners,
* Among other dreadful and disgusting images
which custom has rendered familiar, are those which
arise from eating animal food: he who has ever
turned with abhorrence from the skeleton of a beast
which has been picked whole by birds or vermin,
must confess that habit only could have enabled him
to endure the sight of the mangled bones and flesh
of a dead carcass which every day cover his table:
and he who reflects on the number of lives.that have
been sacrificed to sustain his own, should inquire by
what the account has been balanced, and whether
his life is becoiie proportionably of more value by
the exercise of virtue and piety, by the superior hap-
piness which he has communicated to reasonable
beings, and by the glory which his intellect has
ascribed to God.—U,
A VOYAGE TO BROBMNGNAG. J 15
religion, laws, government, and learning of Europe;
wherein I gave him the best account I was able. His
apprehension was so clear, and his judgement so
exact, that he made very wise reflections and obser-
vations upon all I said. But I confess, that after I
had been a little too copious in talking of my own
beloved country, of our trade and wars by sea and
land,/>f our schisms in religion, and parties in the
state; the prejudices of his education prevailed so
far, that he could not forbear taking me up in his
right hand, and stroking me gently with the other,
after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me, * whether I
was a whig*5 or tory r' Then turning to his first mini-
ster who waited behind him with a white staff,
near as tall as the mainmast of the Royal Sovereign,
he observed,i how contemptible a thing was human
grandeur, which could be mimicked by such diminu-
tive insects as I: and yet/ says he,' I dare engage,
these creatures have their titles and distinctions of
honour; they contrive little nests and burrows, that
they call houses and cities; they make a figure in
dress and equipage; they love, they fight, they dis-
pute, they cheat, they betray. And thus he conti-
nued on, while my colour came and went several
times, with indignation, to hear our noble country,
the mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France,
the arbitress of Europe, the seat of virtue, piety,
honour, and truth, the pride and envy of the world,
so contemptuously treated.
But as I was not in a condition to resent injuries,
so. upon mature thoughts I began to doubt whether
I was injured or no*. For, after having been ac-
• * ' Whether I was injured or no.'—This vulgar
and ungrammatical mode of expression has become
almost universal, but instead of ' no,' the particle
'not,' should be used. The absurdity of the former
will appear by only repeating the word to which it
refers, and annexing it to it, as thus—' whether I
were injured, or no injured,' whereas,' whether I
were injured, or not injured,' is good grammar.—S.
116 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
customed several months to the sight and converse
of this people, and observed every object upon which
I cast mine eyes to be of proportionable magnitude,
the horror I had at first conceived from their bulk
and aspect was so far worn off, that if I had then be-
held a company of English lords and ladies in their
finery and birth-day clothes, acting their several parts
in the most courtly manner of strutting, and bowing,
and prating; to say the truth, I should have been
strongly tempted to laugh as much at them, as the
king and his grandees did at me. Neither indeed
could I forbear smiling at myself, when the queen
used to place me upon her hand towards a looking-
glass, by which both our persons appeared before me
in full view together; and there could be nothing
more ridiculous than the comparison: so that I real-
ly began to imagine myself dwindled many degrees
below my usual size.
Nothing angered and mortified me so much as the
queen's dwarf; who being of the lowest stature that
was ever in that country (for I verily think he was
not full thirty feet high), became so insolent at see-
ing a creature so much beneath him, that he would
always afreet to swagger and look big as he passed
by me in the queen's antechamber, while I was stand-
ing on some table talking with the lords or ladies of
the court, and he seldom failed of a smart word or
two upon my littleness; against which I could only
revenge myself by calling him brother, challenging
him to wrestle, and such repartees as are usually
in the mouths of court pages. One day, at dinner,
this malicious little cub was so nettled with some-
thing I fcad said to him, that, raising himself upon
the frame of her majesty 's chair, he took me up by
the middle, as I was sitting down, not thinking any
harm, and let me drop into a large silver bowl of
cream, and then ran away as fast as he could, I fell
over head and ears, and, -if I had not been a good
swimmer, it might have gone very hard with me;
for Glumdalclitch in that instant happened to be at
the other end of the room, and the queen was in such
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 117
st fright, that she wanted presence of mind to assist
me. Bat my little nurse ran to my relief, and took
me out, after I had swallowed above a quart of
cream. I was put to bed: however, I received no
other damage than the loss of a suit of clothes,
which was utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly
whipped, and as a farther punishment forced to
drink up the bowl of cream into which he had thrown
me: neither was he ever restored to favour; for
soon after the queen bestowed him on a lady of high
quality, so that I saw him no more, to my very great
satisfaction; for I could not tell to what extremity
such a malicious urchin might have carried his re*
sentment.
He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set
the queen a-laughiag, although at the same time she
was heartily vexed, and would have immediately
cashiered him, if I had not been so generous as to
intercede. Her majesty had taken a marrow-bone
upon her plate, and, after knocking out the marrow,
placed the bone again in the dish erect, as it stood
before; the dwarf, watching his opportunity while
Glumdalclitch was gone to the sideboard, mounted
the stool that she stood on to take care of me at
meals, took me up in both hands, and squeezing my
legs together, wedged them into the marrow-bone
above my waist, where 1 stuck for some time, and
wade a, very ridiculous figure. I believe it was near
a minute before any one knew what was become of
me; for I thought it below me to cry out- But, as
princes seldom get their meat hot, my legs were not
scalded, only my stockings and breeches in a sad
condition. The dwarf, at my entreaty, bad no other
punishment than a sound whipping.
I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account
of my fearfulness; and she used to ask me whether
the people of my country were as great cowards as
myself ? The occasion was this; the kingdom is much
pestered with flies in summer; and these odious in-
sects, each of them as big as a Dunstable lark, hard*
118 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
ly gave me any rest while I sat at dinner, with their
continual humming and buzzing about mine ears.
They would sometimes alight upon my victuals, and
leave their loathsome excrement or spawn behind,
which to me was very visible, though not to the na-
tives of that country, whose large optics were not so
acute as mine, iu viewing smaller objects. Some-
times they would fix upon my nose or forehead,
where they stung me to the quick, smelling very of-
fensively; and I could easily trace that viscous mat-
ter, which, our naturalists tell us,, enables those crea-
tures to walk with their feet upwards upon a ceil-
ing. I had much ado to defend myself against these
detestable animals, and could not forbear starting
when they came on my face. It was the common
practice of the dwarf, to catch a number of these in-
sects in his hand, as schoolboys do among us, and
let them out suddenly under my nose, on purpose to
frighten me, and divert the queen. My remedy
was to cut them in pjgpes with my knife, as they
flew in, the air, wherein my dexterity was much ad-
mired.
I remember, one morning,when Glumdalclitch had
set me in a box upon a window, as she usually did
in fair days to give me air (for I durst not venture
to let the box be hung on a nail out of the window,
as we do with cages in England), after I had lifted
up one of my sashes, and sat down at my table to eat
a piece of sweet cake for my breakfast, above twenty
wasps, allured by the smell, came flying into the
room humming loucter than the drones of as many
bagpipes. Some of them seized my cake, and carried
it piece-meal away; others flew about my head and
face, confounding me with the noise, and putting me
in the utmost terror of their stings. However, I had
the courage to rise and draw my hanger, and attack
them in the air. I dispatched four of them, but the
rest got away, and I presently shut my: window.
These insects were as large as partridges: I took out
their stings, found them an inch and a half long, and
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 119
as sharp as needles. I carefully perserved them all;
and having since shown them, with some other cu-
riosities, in several parts of Europe, upon my return
to England I gave three of them to Gresham College,
and kept the fourth for myself.
CHAPTER IV.
The Country described. A proposal for correct-
ing modern maps. The King's palace, and some
account of the metropolis. The Author's way
of travelling. The chief temple described.
T NOW intend to give the reader a short descrip-
tion of this country, as far as I travelled in it, which
was not above two thousand miles round Lorbrul-
grud, the metropolis. For the queen, whom I always
attended, never went further when she accompanied
the king in his progresses, and there staid till his
majesty returned from viewing his frontiers. The
whole extent of this prince's dominions reaches about
six thousand miles in length, and from three to five
in breadth: whence I cannot but conclude, that our
geographers of Europe are in a great error, by sup-
posing nothing but sea between Japan and Califor-
nia; for it was ever my opinion, that there must be
a balance of earth to counterpoise the great con-
tinent of Tartary; and therefore they ought to cor-
rect their maps and charts, by joining this vast tract
of land to the north-west parts of America, wherein
I shall be ready to lend them my assistance.
The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to the
north-east by a ridge of mountains thirty miles high,
which are altogether impassable, by reason of the
volcanoes upon the tops: neither do the most learn-
ed know what sort of mortals inhabit beyond those
mountains, or whether they be inhabited at all. On
the three other sides, it is bounded by the ocean.
There is not one seaport in the whole kingdom; and
nO GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
those parts of the coasts into which the rivers issue,
are so full of pointed rocks, and the sea generally
so rough, that there is no venturing with the sinall-
JBst of their boats; so that these people are wholly
excluded from any commerce with the rest of the
world. But the large rivers are full of vessels, and
abound with excellent fish; for they seldom get any
from the sea, because the sea-fish are of the same
size with those in Europe, and consequently not
worth catching; whereby^it is manifest, that nature,
in the production of plants and animals of so extra-
ordinary a bulk, is wholly confined to this continent,
of which I leave the reasons to be determined by
philosophers. However, now and then they take a
whale that happens to be dashed against the rocks,
which the common people feed on heartily. These
whales I have known so large, that a man could
hardly carry one upon his shoulders; and sometimes,
for curiosity, they are brought in hampers to Lor-
brulgrud: I saw one of them in a dish at the kiag^s
table, which passed for a rarity, but I did not ob-
serve he was fond of it; for I think, indeed, the big-
ness disgusted him, although I have seen one some-
what larger in Greenland.
The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-
one cities, near a hundred walled towns, and a great
number of villages. To satisfy my curious reader, it
may be sufficient to describe Lorbrulgrud. This city
stands upon almost two equal parts, on each side the
river that passes through. It contains above eighty
thousand houses, and about six hundred thousand
inhabitants. It is in length three glomglungs (which
make about fifty-four English miles), and two and a
ualf in breadth; as I measured it myself in the royal
map made by the king's order, which was laid on
the ground on purpose for me, and extended a hun-
dred feet: I paced the diameter and circumference
several times bare-foot, and computing by the scale,
measured it pretty exactly.
The king's palace is no regular edifice, but a heap
of building, about seven, miles round: the chief
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 121
rooms are generally two hundred and forty feet high,
and broad and long in proportion. A coach was al-
lowed to Glumdalciitch and me, wherein her go-
verness frequently took her out to see the town, or
go among the shops; and I was always of the party,
carried in my box; although the girl, at my own de-
sire, would often take me out, and hold me in her
hand, that I might more conveniently view the
houses and the people, as we passed along the
streets. I reckoned our coach to be about a square
of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so high: how-
ever, I cannot be very exact. One day the governess
ordered our coachman to stop at several shops, where
the beggars, watching their opportunity, crowded to
the sides of the coach, and gave me the most hor-
rible spectacle that ever a European eye beheld.
There was a woman with a cancer in her breast,
swelled to a monstrous size, full of holes, in two or
three of which I could have easily crept, and co-
vered my whole body. There was a fellow with a
wen in his neck, larger than five woolpacks; and
another, with a couple of wooden legs, each about
twenty feet high. But the most hateful sight of all,
was the lice crawling on their clothes. I could see
distinctly the limbs of these vermin with my naked
eye, much better than those of an European louse
through a microscope, and their snouts with which
they rooted like swine. They were the first I had
ever beheld, and Ijhould have been curious enough
to dissect one of tnem, if I had had proper instru;
meats, which I unluckily left behind me in the ship,
although, indeed, the sight was so nauseous, that it
perfectly turned my stomach.
Beside the large box in which I was usually car-
ried, the queen ordered a smaller one to be made for
me, of about twelve feet square, and ten high, for
the convenience of travelling; because the other was
somewhat too large for Glumdalclitch's lap, and
cumbersome in the coach; it was made by the same
artist, whom T directed in the whole contrivance.
G
122 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
This travelling-closet was an exact square, with a
window in the middle of three of the squares, and
each window was latticed with iron wire on the out-
side, to prevent accidents in long journeys. On the
fourth side, which had no window, two strong sta-
ples were fixed, through which the person that car-
ried me, when I had a mind to be on horseback, put
a leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This
was always the office of some grave trusty servant,
in whom I could confide, whether I attended the
king and queen in their progresses, or were disposed
to see thetegardens, or pay a visit to some great lady
or minister of state in the court, when Glumdal-
clitch happened to be out of order; for I soon began
to be known and esteemed among the greatest offi-
cers, I suppose more upon account of their majesties'
favour, than any merit of my own. In journeys,
when I was weary of the coach, a servant on horse-
back would buckle on my box, and place it upon
a cushion before him; and there I had a full pro-
spect of the country on three sides, from my three
windows. I had, in this closet, a field-bed and a
hammock hung from the ceiling, two chairs and a
table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being
tossed about by the agitation of the horse or the
coach. And having been long used to sea-voyages,
those motions, although sometimes very violent, did
not much discompose me.
Whenever I had a mind to aat the town, it was
always in my travelling-close* which Glumdal-
clitch held in her lap in a kind of open sedan, after
the fashion of the country, borne by four men, and
attended by two others in the queen's livery. The
people, who had often heard of me, were very cu-
rious to crowd about the sedan, and the girl was
complaisant enough to make the bearers stop, and to
take me in her hand that I might he more con-
veniently seen.
I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and
particularly th© tower belonging to it, which ii
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 123
reckoned the highest in the kingdom. Accordingly
one day my nurse carried me thither, but I may
truly say I came back disappointed; for the height
is not above three thousand feet, reckoning from the
ground to the highest pinnacle top; which, allowing
for the difference between the size of those people
and us in Europe, is no great matter for admiration,
nor at all equal in proportion (if I rightly remember)
to Salisbury steeple. But, not to detract from a na-
tion, to which, during my life, I shall acknowledge
myself extremely obliged, it must be allowed, .that
whatever this famous tower wants in bl^ht, is amply
made up in beauty and strength. For the walls are
near a hundred feet thick, built of hewn stcne,
whereof each is about forty feet square, and adorned
on all sides with statues of gods and emperors, cut
in marble, larger than the life, placed in their se-
veral niches. I measured a little finger which had
fallen down from one of these statues, and lay un-
perceived among some rubbish, and found it exactly <
four feet and an inch in length. Glumdalclitch
wrapped it up in her handkerchief; and carried it
home in her pocket, to keep among other trinkets,
of which, the girl was very fond, as children at her
age usually are.
The king's kitchen^ is, indeed, a noble building,
vaulted at top, and about six hundred feet high.
The great oven is not so wide, by ten peaces, as the
cupola at St. BjjpiV. for I measured the latter on
purpose, after my return. But if I should describe
the kitchen-grate, the prodigious pots and kettles,
the joints of meat turning on the spits, with many
other particulars, perhaps I should be hardly be-
lieved; at least a severe critic would be apt to think
I enlarged a little, as travellers are often suspected
to do. To avoid which censure I fear I have run
too much into the other extreme; and that if this
treatise should happen to be translated into the lan-
guage of B^robdingnag (which is the general name of
that kingdom), and transmitted thither, the king and
124 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
his people would have reason to complain that I
had done them an injury, by a false and diminutive
representation.
His majesty seldom keeps above six hundred
horses in his stables: they are generally from fifty-
four to sixty feet high. But, when he goes abroad
on solemn days, he is attended, for state, by a
militia guard of five hundred horse, which, indeed,
I thought was the most splendid sight that coujd
be ever beheld, till I saw part of his army in bat-
talia, whereof I shall find another occasion to speak.
CHAPTER V.
Several adventures that happened to the Author.
The execution of a criminal. The Author shows
his skill in navigation.
ISHOULD have lived happy enough in that
country, if my littleness had not exposed me to
several ridiculous and troublesome accidents; some
of which I shall venture to relate. Glumdalclitch
often carried me into the gardens of the court in my
smaller box, and would sometimes take me out of
it, and hold me in her hand, or set me down to
walk. I remember, before the dwarf left the queen,
he followed us one day- into tho&e gardens, and my
nurse having set me down, he and I being close to-
gether, near some dwarf apple-trees, I must needs
show my wit, by a silly allusion between him and
the trees, which happens to hold in their language
as it does in ours. Whereupon, the malicious rogue,
watching his opportunity, when I was walking under
one of .them, shook it directly over my head, by
which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as
a Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one
of them hit me on the back as I chanced to stoop,
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 125
and knocked me down flat on my face; but I re--
ceived no other hurt, and the dwarf was pardoned
at my desire, because I had given the provocation.
Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth
grassplot to divert myself, while she walked at some
distance with her governess. In the mean-time,
there suddenly fell such a violent shower of hail,
that I was immediately, by the force of it, struck to
the ground: and when I was down, the hailstones
gave me such cruel bangs all over the body, as if I
had been pelted with tennis-balls; however, I made
a shift to creep on all fours, and shelter myself, by
lying flat on my face, on the lee-side of a border of
lemon-thyme; but so bruised from head to foot, that
I could not go abroad in ten days. Neither is this
at all to be wondered at, because nature, in that
country, observing the same proportion through all
her operations, a hailstone is near eighteen hundred
times as large as one in Europe; which I can assert
upon experience, having been so curious * to weigh
and measure them.
But a more dangerous accident happened to me
in the same garden, when my little nurse, believing
she had put me in a secure place (which I often
entreated her to do, that I might enjoy my own
thoughts), and having left my box at home, to avoid
the trouble of carrying it, went to another part df
the garden with her governess and some ladies of
her acquaintance. While she was absent, and out of
hearing, a small white spaniel that belonged to one
of the chief gardeners, having got by accident into
the garden, happened to range near the place where
I lay: the dog, following the scent, came directly
up, and taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his
master wagging his tail, and set me gently on the
ground. By good fortune he had been so well
taught, that I was carried between his teeth without
* The particle, " as," is here improperly omitted;
it should b«, so curious 'as' to weigh, etc.—S.
126 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the least hurt, or even tearing my clothes. But the
poor gardener, who knew me well, and had a great
kindness for me, was in a terrible fright: he gently
took me up in both his hands, and asked me how I
did; but I was so amazed and out of breath, that I
could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came
to myself, and he carried me safe to my little nurse,
who, by this time, had returned to the place where
she left me, and was in cruel agonies when I did
not appear, nor answer when she called. She se-
verely reprimanded the gardener on account of his
dog. But the thing was hushed up, and never
known at court, for the girl was afraid of the queen's
anger; and truly, as to myself, I thought it would
not be for my reputation, that such a story should
go about.
This accident absolutely determined Glumdal-
clitch never to trust me abroad for the future out
of her sight. I had been long afraid of this resolu-
tion, and therefore concealed irom her some little
unlucky adventures, that happened in those times
when I was left by myself. Once a kite, hovering
over the garden, made a stoop at me, and if I had
not resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a
thick espalier, he would have certainly carried me
away in his talons. Another time, walking to the
top of a fresh molehill, I fell to my neck in the
hole, through which that animal had cast up the
earth, and coined some lie, not worth remembering,
to excuse myself for spoiling my clothes. I likewise
broke my right -shin against the shell of a snail,
which I happened to stumble over, as I was walking
alone and thinking on poor England.
I cannot tell whether I were more pleased or
mortified to observe, in those solitary walks, that the
smaller birds did not appear to be at all afraid of
me, but would hop about within a yard's distance,
- looking for worms and other food, with as much in-
difference and security as if no creature at all were
near them. I remember, a thrush had the confidence
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 127
to snatch out of my hand, with his bill, a piece of
cake that Glumdalclitch had just given me for my
breakfast. When I attempted to catch any of these
birds, they would boldly turn against me, endea-
vouring to peck my fingers, which I durst not ven-
ture within their reach; and then they would hop
back unconcerned, to hunt for worms or snails, as
they did before. But one day, I took a thick cudgel,
and threw it with all my strength so luckily, at a
linnet, that I knocked him down, and seizing him
by the neck with both my hands, ran with him in
triumph to my nurse. However, the bird, who had
only been stunned, recovering himself, gave me so
many boxes with his wings, on both sides of my
head and body, though I held him at arm's-length,
and was out of the reach of his claws, that I was
twenty times thinking to let him go. But I was
soon relieved by one of our servants, who wrung off
the bird's neck, and I had him next day for dinner,
by the queen's command. This linnet, as near as I
can remember, seemed to be somewhat larger than
an English swan.
The maids of honour often invited Glumdalclitch
to their apartments, and desired she would bring
me along with her, on purpose to have the pleasure
of seeing and touching me. They would often strip
me naked from top to toe, and lay me at full length
in their bosoms; wherewith I was much disgusted;
because, to say the truth, a very offensive smell
came from their skins; which I do not mention, or
intend, to the disadvantage of those excellent ladies,
for whom I have all manner of respect; but I con-
ceive that my sense was more acute in proportion to
my littleness, and that those illustrious persons
were no more disagreeable to their lovers, or to
each other, than people of the same quality are
with us in England. And, after all, I found their
natural smell was much more supportable, than
when they used perfumes, under which I immedi-
128 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
ately swooned away. I cannot forget, that an inti-
mate friend of mine in Lilliput, took the freedom
in a warm day, when I had used a good deal of
exercise, to complain of a strong smell about me,
although I am as little faulty that way, as most of
my sex: but I suppose his faculty of smelling was
as nice with regard to me, as mine was to that of
this people. Upon this point, I cannot forbear do-
ing justice to the queen my mistress, and Glumdal-
clitch my nurse, whose persons were as sweet as
those of any lady in England.
That which gave me most uneasiness among these
maids of honour (when my nurse carried me to visit
them) was, to see them use me without any manner
of ceremony, like a creature who had no sort of con-
cupiscence: for they would strip themselves to the
skin, and put their smocks on in my presence, while
I was placed on their toilet, directly before their
naked bodies, which I am sure to me was very far
from being a tempting sight, or from giving me any
other emotion than those of horror and disgust:
their skins appeared so coarse and uneven, so va-
riously coloured, when I saw them near, with a mole
here and there as broad as a trencher, and hairs
hanging from it thicker than packthreads, to say
nothing farther concerning the rest of their persons.
Neither did they at all scruple, while I was by, to
discharge what they had drank, to the quantity of
at4east two hogsheads in a vessel, that held above
three tuns. The handsomest among these maids of
honour, a pleasant frolicksome girl of sixteen, would
sometimes set me astride upon one of her nipples,
with many other tricks, wherein the reader will ex-
cuse me for not being over particular. But I was
so much displeased, that I entreated Glumdalclitch
to contrive some excuse for not seeing that young
lady any more.
One day, a young gentleman, who was nephew to
my nurse's governess, came and pressed them both
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 129
to see an execution. It was of a man, who had
murdered one of that gentleman's intimate acquaint-
ance. Glumdalclitch was prevailed on to be of the
company, very much against her inclination, for she
was naturally tender-hearted: and as for myself,
although I abhorred such kind of spectacles, yet my
curiosity tempted me to see something that I thought
must be extraordinary. The malefactor was fixed
in a chair upon a scaffold erected for that purpose,
and his head cut off at one blow, with a sword of
about forty feet long. The veins and arteries spouted
up such a prodigious quantity of blood, and so high
in the air, that the great jet- d'eau at Versailles was
not equal * for the time it lasted: and the head,
when it fell on the scaffold floor, gave such a bounce
as made me start, although I were "at least half an
English mile distant.
The queen, who often used to hear me talk of my
sea-voyages, and took all occasions to divert me
when I was melancholy, asked me whether I under-
stood how to handle a sail or an oar, and whether a
r "tie exercise of rowing might not be convenient for
my health? I answered, that I understood both very
well: for although my proper employment had been
to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, upon
a pinch, I was forced to work like a common mariner.
But I could not see how this could be done in their
country, where the smallest wherry was equal to a
first-rate man of war among us ; and such a boat as I
could manage would never live in any of their rivers.
Her majesty said, * if 1 would contrive a boat, her
own joiner should make it, and she would provide a
place for me to sail in.' The fellow was an inge-
nious workman, and by my instructions, in ten days,
finished a pleasure-boat, with all its tackling, able
conveniently to hold eight Europeans. When it
was finished, the queen was so delighted, that slws
♦ It should be—-* was not equal to it,' &c—S,
G 2
130 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
ran with it in her lap to the king, who ordered it to
be put into a cistern full of water, with me in it, by
way of trial; where I could not manage my two
sculls, or ^little oars, for want of room. But the
queen had before contrived, another project. She or-
dered the joiner to make a wooden trough of three
hundred feet long, fifty broad, and eight deep;
which being well pitched, to prevent leaking, was
placed on the floor, along the wall, in an outer room
of the palace. It had a cock near the bottom to
let out the water, when it began to grow stale; and
two servants could easily fill it in half an hour.
Here I often used to row for my own diversion, as
well as that of the queen, and her ladies, who
thought themselves well entertained with my skill
and agility. Sometimes I would put up my sail,
and then my business was only to steer, while the
ladies gave me a gale with their fans j and, when
they were weary, some of their page^> would blow
my sail forward with their breath, while I showed
my art by steering starboard or larboard as I pleas-
ed. When I had done, Glumdalclitch always car-
ried back my boat into her closet, and hung it on a
nail to dry.
In this exercise I once met an accident, which
had like to have cost me my life; for, one of the
pbges having put my boat into the trough, the go-
verness who attended Glumdalclitch verjr officiously
lifted me up, to place me in the boat; but I hap-
pened to slip through her#ingers, and should infal-
libly have fallen down forty feet, upon the floor, if,
by the luckiest chance in the world, I had not been
stopped by a corking-pin that stuck in the good
gentlewoman's stomacher; the head of the pin pass-
ed between my shirt and the waistband of my
breeches, and thus I was held by the middle in the
air, till Glumdalclitch ran to my relief.
Another time, one of the servants, whose office it
was to fill my trough every third day with fresh
A VOYAGE TO BKOBDINGNAG. 131
water, was so careless * to let a huge frog (not per-
ceiving it) slip out of his pail. The frog lay con-
cealed till I was put into my boat, but then, seeing
a resting-place, climbed up, and made it lean so
much on one side, that I was forced to balance it
with all my weight on the other, to prevent over-
turning. When the frog was got in, it hopped at
once half the length of the boat, and then over my
head, backward and forward, daubing my face and
•lothes with its odious slime. The largeness of its
features made it appear the most deformed animal
that can be conceived. However, I desired Glum-
dalclitch to let me deal with it alone. I banged it
a good while with one of my sculls, and at last forced
it to leap out of the boat.
But the greatest danger I ever underwent in that
kingdom, was from a monkey, who belonged to one
of the clerks of the kitchen. Glumdalclitch had
locked me up in her closet, while she went some-
where upon business, or a visit. The weather being
very warm, the closet-window was left open, as well
as the windows and the door of my bigger box, in
which I usually lived, because of its largeness and
eonveniency. As I sat quietly meditating at my
table, I heard something bounce in at the closet-
window, and skip about from one side to the other:
whereat, although I was much alarmed, yet I ven-
tured to look out, but not stirring from my seat;
and then I saw this frolicksome animal frisking and
leaping up and down, till at last he came to my box,
which he seemed to view with great pleasure and
curiosity, peeping in at the door and every window,
I retreated to the farther corner of my room, or
box; but the monkey looking in at every side put
me into such a fright, that I wanted presence of
mind to conceal myself under the bed, as I might
easily'have done. After some time spent in peeping,
* It should be—*was so careless as to let,' See.—S.,
132 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
grinning, and chattering, he at last espied me; and
reaching one of his paws in at the door, as a eat
does when she plays with a mouse, although I often
shifted place to avoid him, he at length seized the
lappet of my coat (which being made of that coun-
try silk, was very thick and strong), and dragged me
out. He took me up in his right fore-foot and held
me as a nurse does a child she is going to suckle,
just as I have seen the same sort of creature do with
a kitten in Europe; and when I offered to struggle
he squeezed me so hard, that I thought it more pru-
dent to submit. I have good reason to believe, that
he took me for a young one of his own species, by
his often stroking my face very gently with his other
paw. In these diversions he was interrupted by a
noise at the closet-door, as if somebody were open-
ing it: whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the
window, at which he had come in, and thence upon
the leads and gutters, walking upon three legs, and
holding me in the fourth, till be clambered up to a
roof that was next to ours. I heard Glumdalclitch
give a shriek at the moment he was carrying me out.
The poor girl was almost distracted: that quarter of
the palace was all in an uproar; the servants ran
for ladders: the monkey was seen by hundreds in
the court, sitting upon the ridge of a building, hold-
ing me like a baby in one of his fore-paws, and feed-
ing me with the other, by cramming into my mouth
some victuals he had squeezed out of the bag on
one side of his chaps, and patting me when T would
not eat; whereat many of the rabble below could
not forbear laughing; neither do I think they justly
ought to be blamed, for, without question, the sight
was ridiculous enough to every body but myself.
Some of the people threw up stones, hoping to drive
the monkey down; but this was strictly forbidden,
or else, very probably, my brains had been flashed
out.
tithe ladders were now applied, and mounted by
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 133
several men; whieh the monkey observing, and find-
ing himself almost encompassed, not being able to
make speed enough with his three legs, let me drop
on a ridge tile, and made his escape. -Here I sat for
some time, five hundred yards from the ground, ex-
pecting every moment to be blown down by the
wind, or to fall by my own giddiness, and come tum-
bling over and over from the ridge to the eaves: but
an honest lad, one of my nurse's footmen,, climbed
up, and putting me into his breeches-pocket, brought
me down safe.
I was almost choaked with the filthy stuff the
monkey had crammed down my throat: but my dear
little nurse picked it out of my mouth with a small
needle, and then I fell a-vomiting, which gave me
great relief. Yet I was so weak and bruised in the
sides with the squeezes given me by this odious ani-
mal, that I was forced to keep my bed a fortnight.
The king, queen, and all the courts sent every day to
inquire after my health; and her majesty made me
several visits during my sickness. The monkey was
killed, and an order made, that no such animal
should be kept about the palace.
When I attended the king after my recovery, to
return him thanks for his favours, he was pleased to
rally me a good deal upon .this adventure. He ask-
ed me, * what my thoughts and speculations were,
while I lay in the monkey's paw'; how I liked the
victuals he gave me; his manner of feeding; and
whether the fresh air on the roof had sharpened my
stomach.' He desired to know, * what I would have
done upon such an occasion in my own country.'
I told his majesty, ' that in Europe we had no mon-
keys except such as were brought for curiosities
from other places, and so small, that I could deal
with a dozen of them together, if they presumed to
attack me. And as for that monstrous animal, with
whom I was so lately engaged (it was indeed as
large as an elephant), if my fears had suffered me to
134 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
think so far, as to make use of my hanger (looking
fiercely, and clapping my hand upon the hilt, as I
spoke) when he poked his paw into my chamber,
perhaps I should have given him such a wound, as
would have made him glad to withdraw it, with
more haste than he put it in.' This I delivered in
a firm tone, like a person who was jealous lest his
courage should be called in question. However, my
speech produced nothing else beside a loud laugh-
ter, which all the respect due to his majesty from
those about him could not make them contain. This
made me reflect, how vain an attempt it is for a man
to endeavour to do himself honour among those who
are out of all degree of equality or comparison with
him. And yet I have seen the moral of my own
behaviour very frequent in England since my re-
turn; where a little contemptible varlet, without
the least title to birth, person, wit, or common
sense, shall presume to look with importance, and
put himself upon a foot with the greatest persons of
the kingdom.
I was every day furnishing the court with some
ridiculous story; and Glumdalclitch, although she
loved me to excess, yet was arch enough to inform
the queen, whenever I committed any folly that she
thought would be diverting to her majesty. The
girl, who had been out of order, was carried by her
governess to take the air about an hour's distance,
or thirty miles from town. They alighted out of the
coach near a small foot-path in a field, and Glum-
dalclitch setting down my travelling box, I went out
of it to walk. There was a cow-dung in the path,
and I must need try my activity by attempting to
leap over it. I took a run, but unfortunately jumped
short, and found myself just in the middle, up to
my knees. I waded through with some difficulty,
and one of the footmen wiped me as clean as he
could with his handkerchief, for I was filthily be-
mired; and my nurse confined me to my box, till
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 155
we returned home; where the queen was soon in-
formed of what had passed, and the footmen spread
it about the court; so that all the mirth for some
days was at my expense.
CHAPTER VI.
Several contrivances of the Author, to please the
King and Queen. He shows his skill in music.
The King inquires into the state of England,
which the Author relates to him. The King's
observations thereon.
T USED to attend the king's levee once or twice
■*• a-week, and had often seen him under the bar-
ber's hand, which indeed was at first very terrible
to behold: for the razor was almost twice as long
as an ordinary scythe. His majesty, according to
the custom of the country, was only shaved twice
a-week. I once prevailed on the barber to give me
some of the suds or lather, out of which I picked
forty or fifty of the strongest stumps of hair. I then
took a piece of fine wood, and cut it like the back
of a comb, making several holes in it at equal dis-
tances with as small a needle as I could get from
Glumdalclitch. I fixed in the stumps so artificially,
scraping and sloping them with my knife toward the
points, that I made a very tolerable comb; which
was a seasonable supply, my own being so much
broken in. the teeth, that it was almost useless:
neither did I know any artist in that country so
nice and exact, as would undertake to make me
another.
And this puts me in mind of an amusement,
wherein I spent many of my leisure hours. I de-
sired the queen's woman to save for me the comb-
ings of her majesty's hair, whereof in time I got a
good quantity} and consulting with my friend the
136 ♦ GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
cabinet-maker, who had received general orders to
do little jobs for me, I directed him to make two
chair-frames, no larger than those I had in my box,
and to bore little holes with a fine awl, round those
parts where I designed the backs and seats; through
these holes I wove the strongest hairs I could pick
out, just after the manner of cane chairs in England.
When they were finished, I,made a present of them
to her majesty; who kept them in her cabinet, and
used to show them for curiosities, as indeed they
were the wonder of every one that beheld them.
The queen would have had me sit upon one of these
chairs, but I absolutely refused to obey her, pro-
testing I would rather die a thousand deaths, than
place a dishonourable part of my body on those pre-
cious hairs, that once adorned her majesty's head.
Of these hairs (as I had always a mechanical ge-
nius) I likewise made a neat little purse, about
five feet long, with her majesty's name deciphered
in gold letters, which I gave to Glumdalclitch by
the queen's consent. To say the truth, it was more
for show than use, being not of strength to bear the
weight of the larger coins, and therefore she kept
nothing in it but some little toys that girls are
fond of.
The king, who delighted in music, had frequent
concerts at court, to which I was sometimes carried,
and set in my box on a table to hear them; but the
noise was so great that I could hardly distinguish
the tunes. I am confident that all the drums and
trumpets of a royal army, beating and sounding
together just at your ears, could not equal it. My
practice was to have my box removed from the
place where the performers sat, as far as I could,
then to shut the doors and windows of it, and draw
the window curtains; after which I found their mu-
sic not disagreeable.
I had learned in my yputh to play a little upon
the spinet. Glumdalclitch kept one in her chamber,
and a master attended twice a-week to teach her: I
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 137
called it a spinet, because it somewhat resembled
that instrument, and was played upon in the same
manner. A fancy came into my head, that I would
enlertain the king and queen with an English tune
upon this instrument. But this appeared extremely
difficult: for the spinet was near sixty feet long,
each key being almost a fqpt wide, so that with my
arms extended I could not reach to above five keys,
and to press them dowfi required a good smart
stroke with my fist, which would be too great a
labour, and to no purpose. The method I contrived
was this: I prepared two round sticks, about the
bigness of common cudgels; they were thicker at
one end than the other, and I covered the thicker
ends with pieces of a mouse's skin, that by rapping
on them I might neither damage the tops of the
keys, nor interrupt the sound. Before the spinet a
bench was placed, about four feet below the keys,
and I was put upon the bench. I ran sideling upon
it, that way and this, as fast as I could, banging the
proper keys with my two sticks, and made a shift
to play a jig, to the great satisfaction of both their
majesties; but it was the most violent exercise I
ever underwent; and yet I could not strike above
sixteen keys, nor consequently play the bass and
tre%le together, as other artists do; -which was a
great disadvantage to my performance.
The king, who, as I before observed, was a prince
of excellent understanding, would frequently order
that I should be brought in my box, and set upon
the table in his closfct: he would then command me
to bring one of my chairs out of the box, and sit
down within three yards' distance upon the top of
the cabinet, which brought-me almost to a level with
his face. In this manner I had several conversations
with him. I one day took the. freedom to tell his
majesty, ' that the contempt he discovered towards
Europe, and the rest of the world, did not seem an-
swerable to those excellent qualities of mind that hfc
was master of: that reason did not extend itself with
138 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the bulk of the body; on the contrary, we observed
in our country, that the tallest persons were usually
the least provided with it: that among other animals,
bees and ants had the reputation of more industry,
art, and sagacity, than many of the larger kinds;
and that, as inconsiderable as he took me to be, I
hoped I might live to do his majesty some signal ser-
vice.' The king heard me with attention, and began
to conceive a much better opinion of me than he had
ever before. He desired «I would give him as exact
an account of the government of England as I pos-
sibly could; because, as fond as princes commonly
are of their own customs (for so he conjectured of
other monarchs by my former discourses), he should
be glad to hear of any thing that might deserve imi-
tation.'
Imagine with thyself, courteous reader, how often
I then wished for the tongue of Demosthenes or Ci-
cero, that might have enabled me to celebrate the
prajse of my own dear native country, in a style equal
to its merits and felicity.
I began my discourse by informing his majesty,
that our dominions consisted of two islands, which
composed three mighty kingdoms, under one sove-
reign, beside our plantations in America. I dwelt
long upon the fertility of our soil, and the tempera-
ture of our climate. I then spoke at large upon the
constitution of an English parliament; partly made
up of an illustrious body, called the house of peers;
persons of the noblest blood, and of the most ancient
and ample patrimonies. I described that extraordi-
nary care always taken of their education in arts and
arms, to qualify them for being counsellors both to
the king and kingdom; to have a share in the legis-
lature; to be members of the highest court of judi-
cature, whence there can be no appeal; and to be
champions always ready for the defence of their
prince and country, by their valour, conduct, and
fidelity. That these were the ornament and bulwark
of the kingdom, worthy followers of their»most re-
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 159
nowned ancestors, whose honour had been the re-
ward of their virtue, from which their posterity were
never once known to degenerate. To these were
joined several holy persons, as part of that assembly,
under the title of bishops; whose peculiar business
it is to take care of religion, and of those who in-
struct the people therein. These were searched and
sought out through the whole nation, by the prince
and his wisest counsellors, among such of the priest-
hood as were most deservedly distinguished by the
sanctity of their lives, and the depth of their erudi-
tion; who were indeed the spiritual fathers of the
clergy and the people.
That the other part of the parliament consisted of
an assembly, called the house of commons, who were
all principal gentlemen, freely picked and culled out
by the people themselves, for their great abilities and
love of their country, to represent the wisdom of the
whole nation. And that these two bodies made up
the most august assembly in Europe; to whom, in
conjunction with the prince, the whole legislature
is committed.
I then descended to the courts of justice; over
which, the judges, those venerable sages and inter-
preters of the law, presided, for determining the dis-
puted rights and properties of men, as well as for
the punishment of vice, and protection of innocence.
I mentioned the prudent management of our trea-
sury; the valour and achievements of our forces, by
sea and land. I computed the number of our peo-
ple, by reckoning how many millions there might be
of each religious sect, or political party among us.
I did not omit even our sports and pastimes, or any
other particular which I thought might redound to
the honour of my country. And I finished all with
a brief historical account of affairs and events in Eng-
land for about a hundred years past.
This conversation was not ended under five audi-
ences, each of several hours ; and the king heard the
whole with great attention, frequently taking notes
140 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
of what I spoke, as well as memorandums of what
questions he intended to ask me.
When I had put an end to these long discourses,
his majesty, in a sixth audience, consulting his notes,
proposed many doubts, queries, and objections, upon
every article. He asked, 'what methods were used
to cultivate the minds and bodies of our young no-
bility, and in what kind of business they commonly
spent the first and teachable part of their lives?
What course was taken to supply that assembly,
when any noble family became extinct? What quali-
fications were necessary in those who are to be cre-
ated new lords: whether the humour of the prince,
a sum of money to a court lady, or a design of
strengthening a party opposite to the public interest,
ever happened to be the motives in those advance-
ments ? What share of knowledge these lords had in
the laws of their country, and how they came by it,
so as to enable them to decide the properties of their
fellow-subjects, in the last resort ? Whether they were
always so free from avarice, partialities, or want, that
a bribe, or some other sinister view, could have no
place among them ? Whether those holy lords I spoke
of, were always promoted to that rank upon account
of their knowledge in religious matters, and the
sanctity of their lives j had never been compliers
with the times, while they were common priests ; or
slavish prostitute chaplains to some nobleman, whose
opinions they continued servilely to follow, after they
were admitted into that assembly?
He then desired to know, * what arts were prac-
tised in electing those whom I called commoners:
whether a stranger, with a strong purse, might not
influence the vulgar voters, to choose him before
their own landlord, or the most considerable gentle-
man in the neighbourhood? How it came to pass,
that people were so violently bent upon getting into
this assembly, which I allowed to be a great trouble
and expense, often to the ruin of their families, with-
out any salary or pension; because this appeared
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGFAG. 141
such an exalted strain of virtue and public spirit,
that his majesty seemed to doubt it might possibly
not be always sincere?' And he desired to know,
'whether such zealous gentlemen could have any
views of refunding themselves for the chafges and
trouble they were at by sacrificing the public good
to the designs of a weak and vicious prince, in con-
junction with a corrupted mhiistry?' He multiplied
his questions, and sifted me thoroughly upon every
partof this head,proposing numberless inquiries and
objections, which I think it not prudent or conve-
nient to repeat.
Upon what I said in relation to our courts of jus-
tice, his majesty desired to be satisfied in several
points: and this I was the better able to do, having
been formerly almost ruined by a long suit in chan-
cery, which was decreed for me with costs. He ask-
ed ' what time was usually spent in determining be-
tween right and wrong, and what degree of expense?
Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead
in causes manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious,
or oppressive ? Whether party, in religion or politics,
were observed to be of any weight in the scale of
justice? Whether those pleading orators were per-
sons educated in the general knowledge of equity,
or only in provincial, national, and other local cus-
toms? Whether they or their judges had any part in
penning those laws, which they assumed the liberty
of interpreting, and glossing upon at their pleasure?
Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for
and against the same cause, and cited precedents to
prove contrary opinions? Whether they were a rich
or a poor corporation? Whether they received any
pecuniary reward for pleading, or delivering their
opinions ? And particularly, whether they were ever
admitted as members in the lower senate?
He fell next upon themanagement of ourtreasury;
and said, ' he thought my memory had failed me, be-
cause I computed our taxes at about five or six mil-
lions a-year, and when I came to mention the issues,
142 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
he found they sometimes amounted to more than
double; for the notes he had taken were very parti-
cular in this point, because he hoped, as he told
me, that the knowledge of our conduct might be use-
ful to him, and he could not be deceived in his cal-
culations. But, if what I told him were true, he
was still at a loss how a kingdom could run out of
its estate, like a private person.' He asked me,
* who were our creditors; and where we found
money to pay them?' He wondered to hear me talk
of such chargeable and expensive wars; * that cer-
tainly we must be a quarrelsome people, or live
among very bad neighbours, and that our generals
must needs be richer than our kings.' He asked,
* what business we had out of our own islands, un-
less upon the score of trade, or treaty, or to defend
the coasts with our fleet?' Above all, he was amazed
to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army, in the
midst of peace, and among a free people. He said,
'if we were governed by our own consent, in the
persons of our representatives, he could not imagine
of whom we were afraid,'or against whom we were
to fight; and would hear my opinion, whether a pri-
vate man's house might not be better defended by
himself, his children, and family, than by half a do-
zen rascals, picked up at a venture in the streets for
small wages, who might get a hundred times more
by cutting their throats?'
He laughed at my * odd kind of arithmetic,' as
he was pleased to call it, ' in reckoning the num-
bers of our people, by a computation drawn from the
several sects among us, in religion and politics.' He
said, ' he knew no reason why those, w4io entertain
opinions prejudicial to the public, should be obliged
to change, or should not be obliged to conceal them.
And as it was tyranny in any government to require
the first, so it was weakness not to enforce the se-
cond: for a man may be allowed to keep poisons
%. bis closet, but not to vend them about for cor-
dials'
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 143
He observed, < that among the diversions of our
nobility and gentry,I had mentioned gaming: he de-
sired to know at what age this entertainment was
usually taken up, and when it was laid down; how-
much of their time it employed : whether it ever went
so high as to affect their fortunes; whether mean
vicious people, by their dexterity in that art, might
not arrive at great riches, and sometimes keep our
very nobles in dependence, as well as habituate them
to vile companions ; wholly take them from the im-
provement of their minds, and force them, by the
losses they received *, to learn and practise that in-
famous dexterity upon others.'
He was perfectly astonished with the historical ac-
count I gave him of our affairs during the last cen-
tury; protesting, 'it was only a heap of conspira-
cies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, ba-
nishments, the very worst effects that avarice, fac-
tion, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, cruelty, rage, mad-
ness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could
produce.'
His majesty, in another audience, was at the pains
to recapitulate the sum of all I had spoken; com-
pared the questions he made, with the answers I had
given; then taking me into his hands, and stroking
me gently, delivered himself in these words, which
I shall never forget, nor the manner he spoke them
in: ' My little friend Grildrig, you have made a most
admirable panegyric upon your country; you have
clearly proved, that ignorance, idleness, and vice,
are the proper ingredients for qualifying a legislator;
that laws are best explained, interpreted, and ap-
plied, by those whose interest and abilities liejn per-
verting, confounding, and eluding them. I observe
among you some lines of an institution, which i$ its
original might have been tolerable, but these half
* Receiving a loss, is jcertamly not a good expres-
sion: it should he,' the losses they sustained.'—S.
144 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
erased, and the rest wholly blurred and blotted by
corruptions. It does not appear, from all you have
said, how any one perfection is required, toward the
procurement of any one station among you; much
less, that men are ennobled on account of their
virtue; that priests are advanced for their piety
or learning; soldiers, for their conduct or valour;
judges, for their integrity; senators, for the love of
their country; or counsellors for their wisdom. As
for yourself,' continued the king, ' who have spent
the greatest part of your life in travelling, I am well
disposed to hope you may hitherto have escaped
many vices of your country. But by what I have
gathered from your own relation, and the answers I
have with much pains wringed* and extorted from
you, I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives
to be, the most pernicious race of little odious ver-
min that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the sur-
face of the earth.'
CHAPJTER VII.
The Author's love of his country. He makes a
proposal of much advantage to the King, which
is rejected. The King's great ignorance in poli-
tics. The learning of that country very im-
perfect and confined. The laws, and military
affairs, and parties in the state.
"VTOTHING but an extreme love of truth could
have hindered me from concealing this part of my
story. It was in vain to discover my resentments,
whiqh were always turned into ridicule; and I was
forced to rest with patience, while my noble and be-
* Instead of 'wringed,' it should have been
'wrung.'—S.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 145
loved country was so injuriously treated. I am as
heartily sorry as any of my readers can possibly be,
that such an occasion was given: but this prince
happened to be so curious and inquisitive upon
every particular, that it could not consist either
with gratitude or good manners, to refuse giving
him what satisfaction I was able. Yet thus much
I may be allowed to say in my own vindication,
that I artfully eluded many of his questions, and
gave to every point a more favourable turn, by
many degrees, than the strictness of truth would
allow. For I have always borne that laudable par-
tiality to my own country, which Dionysius Hali-
carnassensis, with so much justice, recommends to
an historian: I would hide the frailties and defor-
mities of my political mother, and place her virtues
and beauties in the most advantageous light. This
was my sincere endeavour in those many discourses
I had with that monarch, although it unfortunately
failed of success.
But great allowances should be given to a king,
who lives wholly secluded from the rest of the world,
and must therefore be altogether unacquainted with
the manners and customs that most prevail in other
nations: the want of which knowledge will ever
produce many prejudices, and a certain narrowness
of thinking, from which we, and the politer countries
of Europe, are wholly exempted. And it would be
Jiard indeed, if so remote a prince's notions of vir-
tue and vice were to be offered as a standard for all
mankind.
To confirm what I have now said, and further to
show the miserable effects of a confined education, I
shall here insert a passage, which will hardly obtain
belief. In hopes to ingratiate myself further into
his majesty's favour, I told him of ' an invention,
discovered between three and four hundred years
ago, to make a certain powder, into aheap of which,
the smallest spark of fire falling, would kindle the
whole in a moment, although it were as big as a
H
146 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
mountain, and make it all fly up in the air together,
with a noise and agitation greater than thunder.
That a proper quantity of this powder,rammed into
a hollow tube of brass or iron, according to its big-
ness, would drive a ball of iron or , lead, with, such
violence and speed, as nothing was able to sustain
its force. That the largest halls thus discharged,
would not only destroy whole .ranks of an army at
once, but batter the strongest walls to the ground;
sink down ships, with a thousand men in each, to .the
bottom of the sea; and when linked together by a
chain, would cut through masts and rigging, divide
hundreds of bodies in the middle, and lay all waste
before them, lhat we often put this powder into
large hollow balls of iron, and discharged them by
an engine into some city we were besieging, which
would rip up the pavements, tear the houses to
pieces, burst and throw splinters on every side, dash-
ing out the brains of all who came near. That I
knew the ingredients very well, which were cheap
and common; I understood the manner of com-
pounding them, and could direct his workmen how
to make those tubes, of a size proportionable to all
other thing* in his majesty's kingdom, and the largest
need not be above a hundred feet long; twenty or
thirty of which tubes, charged with the proper quan-
tity of powder and balls, would batter down the walls
of the strongest town in his dominions, in a few hours,,
or destroy the whole metropolis, if ever it should
pretend.to dispute his absolute commands. This I
humbly offered to his majesty, as a small tribute of
acknowledgment, in return for so many marks that I
had received, of his royal favour and protection.'
The king was struck with horror at the description
I had given of those terrible engines, and the pro-
posal I had made., 'He was amazed, how so impo-
tent and groveling an insect as I' (these were his
expressions) 4 could entertain such inhuman ideas,
and in so familiar a manner, as to appear wholly
unmoved at all the scenes of blood, and detojation,
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 147
which I had painted, as the common effects of those
destructive machines; whereof,' he said,' some evil
genius, enemy to mankind, must have been the first
contriver. As for himself, lie protested, that al-
though few things delighted him so much as new
discoveries in art or in nature, yet he would rather
lose half his kingdom, than be privy to such a se-
cret; which he commanded me, as I valued my life,
never to mention any more.'
A strange effect of narrow principles and views!
that a prince possessed of every quality wThich pro-
cures veneration, love, and esteem; of strong parts,
great wisdom, and profound learning, endowed with
admirable talents, and almost adored by his subjects,
should, from a nice unnecessary scruple, whereof in
Europe we can have no conception, let slip an oppor-
tunity put into his hands, that would have made him
absolute master of the lives, the liberties, and the
fortunes of his people. Neither do I say this, with
the least intention to detract from the many virtues
of that excellent king, whose character, I am sensible,
will, on this account, be very much lessened in the
opinion of an English reader: but I take this defect
among them to have risen from their ignorance, by
not having hitherto reduced politics into a science,
as the more acute wits of Europe have done. For,
I remember very well, in a discourse one day with
the king, when I happened to say*' there were seve-
ral thousand books among us written upon the art of
government,' it gave him (directly contrary to my
intention) a very mean opinion of our understand-
ings. He professed both to abominate and despise
all mystery, refinement, and intrigue, either in a
prince or a minister. He could not tell what I meant
by secrets of state, where an enemy, or some rival
nation, were not in the case. He confined the know-
ledge of governing within very narrow bounds, to
commen^senae and reason, to justice and lenity, to
the speedy determination of civil and criminal
causes y with some other obvious topics, which are
aot worth considering. And he gave it for his opi-
148 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
nion,' that whoever could make two ears of corn, or
two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground;
where only one grew before, would deserve better of
mankind, and do more essential service to his coun-
try, than the whole race of politicians put together.'
The learning of this people is very defective: con-
sisting only in morality, history, poetry, and mathe-
matics, wherein they must be allowed to excel. But
the last of these is wholly applied to what may be
useful in life, to the improvement of agriculture, and
all mechanical arts; so that among us, it would be
little esteemed. And as to ideas, entities, abstrac-
tions, and transcendentals, I could never drive the
least conception* into their heads.
No law of that country must exceed in words the
number of letters in their alphabet, which consists
only of two-and-twenty. But indeed few of them
extend even to that length. They are expressed in
the most plain and simple terms, wherein those peo-
ple are not mercurial enough to discover above one
interpretation: and to write a comment upon any
law, is a capital crime. As to the decision of civil
causes, or proceedings against criminals, their pre-
cedents are so few, that they have little reason to
boast of any extraordinary skill in either.
They have had the art of printing, as well as the
Chinese, time out of mind: but their libraries are
not very large; for that of the king, which is reckon-
ed the largest, does not amount to above a thousand
volumes, placed in a gallery of twelve hundred feet
long, whence I had liberty to borrow what books I
pleased. The queen's joiner had contrived in one of
Glumdalclitch's rooms, a kind of wooden machine
five-and-twenty feet high, formed like a standing
ladder; the steps were each fifty feet long: it was
indeed, a moveable pair of stairs, the lowest end
placed at ten feet distance from the wall of the
chamber. The book I had a mind to read, was put
* It should be,' I could never drive the least con>
ception ' of them' into their heads.'—S.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 149
up leaning against the wall: I first mounted to the
upper step of the ladder,and turning my face towards
the book, began at the top of the^page, and so walk-
ing to the right and left about eight or ten paces,
according to the length of the lines, till I had gotten
a little below the level of mine eyes, and then de-
scending gradually till I came to the bottom: after
which I mounted again, and began the other page
in the same manner, and so turned over the leaf,
which I could easily do with both my hands, for it
was as thick and stiff as a pasteboard, and in the
largest folios not above eighteen or twenty feet long.
Their style is clear, masculine, and smooth, but
not florid; for they avoid nothing more than multi-
plying unnecessary words, or using various expres-
sions. I have perused many of their books, especially
those in history and morality. Among the rest, I
was much diverted with a little old treatise, which
always lay in Glumdalclitch's bedchamber, and be-
longed to her governess,, a grave elderly gentlewo-
man, who dealt in writings of morality and devotion.
The book treats of the weakness of human-kind, and
is in little esteem, except among the women and the
vulgar. However, I was curious to see what an
author of that country could say upon such a sub-
ject. This writer went through all the usual topics
of European moralists, showing 'how diminutive,
contemptible, and helpless an animal was man in his
own nature; how unable to defend himself from in-
clemencies of the air, or the fury of wild beasts: how
much he was excelled by one creature in strength,
by another in speed, by a third in foresight, by a
fourth in industry.' He added,' that nature was de-
generated in these latter declining ages of the world,
arid could now produce only small abortive births,
in comparison of those in ancient times.' He said,
* it was very reasonable to think, not only that the
species of men were originally much larger, but also
that there must have been giants in former ages;
which, as it is asserted by history and tradition, so it
has been confirmed by huge bones and skulls, casju»
150 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
ally dug up in several parts of the kingdom, far ex*
ceeding the common dwindled race of men in our
days.' He argued, ' that the very laws of nature
absolutely required we should have been made, in the
beginning, of a size more large and robust; not so
liable to destruction from every little accident, of a
tile falling from a house, or a stone cast from the
hand of a boy, or being drowned in a little brook.'
From this way of reasoning, the author drew several
moral applications, useful in the conduct of life, but
needless here to repeat. For my own part, I could
not avoid reflecting how universally this talent was
spread, of drawing lectures in morality, or indeed
rather matter of discontent and repining, from the
quarrels we raise with nature. And I believe, upon
a strict inquiry,those quarrels might be shown as ill-
grounded among us, as they are among that people*.
As to their military affairs, they boast that the
king's army consists of a hundred and seventy-six
thousand foot, and thirty two thousand horse: if that
may be called an army, which is made up of trades-
men in the several cities, and farmers in the country,
whose commanders are only the nobility and gentry,
without pay or reward. They are indeed perfect
enough in their exercises, and under very good dis-
cipline, wherein I saw no great merit; for how
should it be otherwise, where every farmer is tinder
the command of his own landlord, and every citizen
under that of the principal men in his own city,
chosen after the manner of Venice, by ballot?
I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud,
drawn out to exercise in a great field near the city
of twenty miles square. They were in all not above
* The author's zeal to justify Providence has i»e-
forebeen remarked; and these quarrels with nature,
or in other words with God; could not have been
more forcibly reproved than by showing that the
complaints, upon which they are founded, would to&
equally specious among beings of such astonishing
superiority of stature and strength.-*-!!.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDrNGNAG. 15£
twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse;-
but it was impossible for me to compute their num-
ber, considering the space of ground they took tip.
A cavalier,mounced on a large steed, might be about
ninety feet high. I have seen this whole body of
horse, upon a word of command, draw their swords
at once, and brandish them in the air. Imagination
can figure nothing so grand, so surprising, and so
astonishing! it looked as if ten thousand flashes of
lightning were darting at the same time from every
quarter of the sky.
I was curious to know how thisp rince, to whose
dominions there is no access from any other country,
came to think of armies, or to teach his people the
practice of military discipline. But I was soon in-
formed, hoth by conversation, and reading their nis
tories- for, in the course of many ages, they have
been troubled with the same disease to which the
whole race of mankind is subject; the nobility often
contending for power, the people for liberty, and the
king for absolute dominion. All which, however
happily tempered by the laws of that kingdom/have
been sometimes violated by each of the three parties,
and have more than once occasioned civil wars; the
last whereof was happily put an end to, by this
prince's grandfather, in a general composition; and
the militia, then settled with common consent, ha*
been ever since kept in the strictest duty.
CHAPTER VIII.
The King and Queen make a progress-to the fron-
tier*. The Author attend* them. The manner
in which he leaves the country very particu'
larly related. He returns to England*
T HADaJ-ways a strong impulse, that I should some
■*• time recover my liberty, though it was iropos-
152 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
sible to conjecture by what means, or to form any
project with the least hope of succeeding. The ship
in which I sailed, was the first ever known to be
driven within sight of that coast, and the king had
given strict orders,' that if at any time another ap-
peared, it should be taken ashore, and with all its
crew and passengers brought in a tumbril to Lorbrul-
grud.' He was strongly bent to get me a woman of
my own size, by whom I might propagate the breed:
but I think I should rather have died, than undergone
the disgrace of leaving a posterity to be kept in
cages, like tame canary-birds, and perhaps, in time,
sold about the kingdom, to persons of quality, for
curiosities. I was indeed treated with much kind-
ness: I was the favourite of a great king and queen,
and the delight of the whole court; but it was upon
such a foot as ill became the dignity of human-kind.
I could never forget those domestic pledges I had
left behind me. I wanted to be among people, with
whom I could converse upon even terms, and walk
about the streets and iields without being afraid of
being trod to death like a frog or a young puppy.
But my deliverance came sooner than I expected,
and in a manner not very common: the whole story
and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate.
I had now been two years in this country; and
about the beginning of *the third, Glumdalclitch and
I attended the king and queen, in a progress to the
south coast of the kingdom. I was carried, a&
usual, in my travelling-box, which, as I have already
described, was a very convenient closet, of twelve
feet wide. And I had ordered a hammock to be
fixed, by silken ropes, from the four corners at the
top, to break the jolts, when a servant carried me
before him on horseback, as I sometimes desired;
and would often sleep in my hammock, while we
were upon the road. On the roof of my closet, not
directly over the middle of the hammock, I ordered
the joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square, to give
me air in hot weather, as I slept; which hole I shut
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 153
at pleasure with a board that drew backward aad
forward through a groove.
"When we came to our journey's end, the,king
thought proper to pass a few days at a palace he has
near Flanflasnic, a city within eighteen English
miles of the sea-side Glumdalclitch and I were
much fatigued: J had gotten a small cold, but the
poor girl was so ill as to be confined to her chamber.
I longed to see the ocean, which must be the only
scene of my escape, if ever it should happen. I
pretended to be worse than I really was, and de-
sired leave to take the fresh air of the sea, with a
page, whom I was very fond of, and who had some-
times been trusted with me. I shall never forget
with what unwillingness Glumdalclitch consented,
nor the strict charge she gave the page to be care-
ful of me, bursting at the same time into a flood of
tears, as if she had some foreboding of what was to
happen. The boy took me out in my box, about
half an hour's walk from the palace, towards the
rocks on the sea-shore. I ordered him to set me
down, and, lifting up one of my sashes, cast many a
wistful melancholy look towards the sea. I found
myself not very well, and told the page that I had
a mind to take a nap in my hammock, which I hoped
would do me good. I got in, and the boy .shut the
window close down, to keep out the cold, I soon
fell asleep, and all I can conjecture is, while I slept,
the page, thinking no danger could happen^ went
among the rocks to look for birds' eggs, haying be-
fore observed him from my window searching.about,
and .picking up one or two in the clefts. Be that as
it will* I found myself suddenly awaked with a vio-
lent pull upon the ring, which was fastened at the
top of my box for the conveniency of carriage. I
felt-my box raised very high in the air, and then
boraeforward with prodigious speed. The first jolt
had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but
afterward the motion was easy enough. I called out
several times, as loud as I could raise my .vpic% but
H 2
154 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
all to no purpose. I looked towards my windows,
and could see nothing but the clouds and sky. I
heard a noise just over my head, like the clapping
of wings, and then began to perceive the woful con-
dition I was in; that some eagle had got the ring
of my box in his beak, with an intent to let it fall on
a rock, like a tortoise in a shell, and then pick out
my body, and devour it: for the sagacity and smell
of this bird enables him to discover his quarry at a
great distance, though better concealed than I could
be within a two-inch board.
In a little time, I observed the noise and flutter
of wings to increase very fast, and my box was tossed
up and down, like a sign in a windy day. I heard
several bangs or buffets, as I thought, given to the
eagle (for such I am certain it must have been that
held the ring of my box in his beak), and then, all
on a sudden, felt myself falling perpendicularly
down, for above a minute, but with such incredible
swiftness, that I almost lost my breath. My fall
was stopped by a terrible squash, that sounded loud-
er to my ears than the cataract of Niagara*; after
which, I was quite in the dark for another minute,
and then my box began to rise so high, that I could
see light from the tops of the windows. I now per-
ceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, by the
weight of my body, the goods that were in, and the
broad plates of iron fixed for strength at the four
corners of the top and bottom, floated about five feet
deep in water. I did then, and do now suppose*
that the eagle which flew away with my box was
pursued by two or three others, and forced to let
me drop, while he defended himself against the rest,
* This cataract is produced by the fall of a con-
flux of water (formed of the four vast lakes of Ca-
nada} from a rocky precipice, the perpendicular
height of which is one hundred and thirty-seven
feet; and it is said to have been heard fifteen
leagues.—H.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGtf AG. 155
who hoped to share in the prey. The plates of iron
fastened at the bottom of the box (for those were
the strongest) preserved the balance while it fell,
and hindered it from being broken on the surface of
the water. Every joint of it was well grooved; and
the door did not move on hinges, but up and down
like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very
little water came in. I got with much difficulty out
of my hammock, having first ventured to draw back
the slip-board on the roof already mentioned, con-
trived on purpose to let in air, for want of which I
found myself almost stifled.
How often did I then wish myself with my dear
Glumdalclitch, from whom one single hour had so
far divided me! And I may say with truth, that in
the midst of my own misfortunes I could not for-
bear lamenting my poor nurse, the grief she would
suffer for my loss, the displeasure of the queen, and
the ruin of her fortune. Perhaps many travellers
have not been under greater difficulties and distress
than I was at this juncture, expecting every moment
to see my box dashed to pieces, or at least overset
by the first violent blast, or rising wave. A breach
in one single pane of glass would have been imme-
diate death: nor could any thing have preserved the
windows, but the strong lattice wires placed on the
outside, against accidents in travelling. I saw the
water ooze in at several crannies, although the leaks
were not considerable, and I endeavoured to stop
them as well as I could. I was not able to lift up
the roof of my closet, which otherwise I certainly
should have done, and sat on the top of it; where
I might at least preserve myself some hours longer,
than by being shut up (as I may call it) in the hold.
Or if I escaped these dangers for a day or two, what
could I expect, but a miserable death of cold and
hunger? I was four hours under these circumstances,
expecting, and indeed wishing, every moment to be
ray last.
156 GULLIVER'S TR AVELS:
1 have already told the reader that there were
two strong staples fixed upon that side of my box
which had no window, and into which the servant,
who used to carry me on horseback, would put a
leathern belt, and buckle it about his waist. Being
in this disconsolate state, I heard, or at least thought
I heard, some kind of ►grating noise on that side of
my box where the staples were fixed; and soon after
I began to fancy that the box was pulled or towed
along the sea; for 1 now and then felt a sort of
tugging, which made the waves rise near the tops of
my windows, leaving me almost in the dark. This
gave me some faint hopes of relief, although I was
not able to imagine how it could be brought about.
I ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were
always fastened to the floor; and having made a
hard shift to screw it down again, directly under
the siipping-board that I had lately opened, I mount-
ed on the chair, and putting my mouth as near as I
could to the hole, I called for help in a loud voice,
and in all the languages I understood. I then fast-
ened my handkerchief to a stick I usually carried,
and, thrusting it up the hole, waved it several times
in the air, that if any boat or ship were near, the
seamen might conjecture some unhappy mortal to be
shut up in the box.
1 found no effect from all I could do, but plainly
perceived my closet to be moved along; and in the
space of an hour, or better, that side of the box
where the staples were, and had no windows, struck
against something that was hard. I apprehended it
to be a rock, and found myself tossed more than
ever. I plainly heard a noise upon the eover of my
closet, like that of a cable, and the grating of it as
it passed through the ring. I then found myself
hoisted up, by degreees, at least three feet higher
than I was toefore. Whereupon I *gain thrust op
ray stick and handkerchief, calling for help till I was
almost hoarse. In return to which, I heard a great
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 157
shout repeated three times, giving ine such trans-
ports of joy, as are not to be conceived but by those
who feel them. I now heard a trampling over my
head, and somebody calling through the hole with a
loud voice, in the English tongue, 'If there be any
body below, let them speak,' i answered, 'I was
an Englishman, drawn by ill fortune into the great-
est calamity that ever any creature underwent, and
begged, by all that was moving, to be delivered out
of the dungeon I was in.' The voice replied, ' I
was safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; and
the carpenter should immediately come and saw a
hole in the cover, large enough to pull me out.' I
answered, ' that was needless, and would take up
too much time; for there was no more to be done,
but let one of the crew put his finger into the ring,
and take the. box out of the sea into the ship, and
so into the captain's cabin *. Some of them, upon
hearing me talk so w-ildly, thought I was mad;
others laughed; for indeed it never eame into my
head, that I was now got among people of my own
stature and strength. The carpenter came, and in a
few minutes sawed a passage about four feet square,
then let down a small ladder, upon which I mount-
ed, and thence was taken into the ship in a very
weak condition.
The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me
a thousand questions, which I had no inclination to
answer. I was equally confounded at the sight of
* There are several little incidents which show
the author to have^had a deep knowledge of human
nature; and I think this is one. Although the
principal advantages enumerated by Gulliver in the
beginning of this chapter, of mingling again among
his-countrymen, depended on their being of the*
same-size with himself, yet this is* forgotten in his
ardour- to be delivered: and he is afterwards be-
trayed into the same absurdity, by his zeal to pre-
we his furiaftare.—H.
158 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
so many pigmies, for such I took them to be, after
having so long accustomed mine eyes to the mon-
strous objects I had left. But the captain, Mr. Tho-
mas Wilcocks, an honest worthy Shropshire man,
observing I was ready to faint, took me into his ca-
bin, gave me a cordial to comfort me, and made me
turn in upon his own bed, advising me to take a lit-
tle rest, of which I had great need. Before I went
to sleep, I gave him to understand that I had some
valuable furniture in my box, too good to be lost; a
fine hammock, a handsome field-bed, two chairs, a
table, and a cabinet. That my closet was hung on
all sides, or rather quilted, with silk and cotton:
that if he would let one of the crew bring my closet
into his cabin, I would open it there before him, and
show him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter
these absurdities, concluded I was raving; however
(I suppose to pacify me) he promised to give order
as I desired, and going upon deck sent some of
his men down into my closet, whence (as I after-
wards found) they drew up all my goods, and strip-
ped off the quilting; but the chairs, cabinet, and
bedstead, being screwed to the floor, were much
damaged by the ignorance of the seamen, who tore
them up by force. Then they knocked off some
of the boards for the use of the ship, and when they
had got all they had a mind for, let the hull drop
into the stea, which, by reason of many breaches
made in the bottom and sides, sunk to rights. And,
indeed, I was glad not to have been a spectator of
the havock they made; because I am confident it
would have sensibly touched me, by bringing former
passages into my mind, which I would rather have
forgot.
I slept some hours, but perpetually disturbed with
dreams of the place I had left, and the dangers I
had escaped. However, upon waking, I found my-
self much recovered. It was now about eight o'clock
at night, and the captain ordered supper imme-
diately, thinking I had already fasted too long. He
A VOYAGE TO BROBDTNGNAG. 159
entertained me with great kindness, observing me
not to look wildly, or talk inconsistently; and, when
we were left alone, desired I would give him a re-
lation of my travels, and by what accident I came
to be set adrift, in that monstrous wooden chest.
He said, 'that about twelve o'clock at noon, as he
was looking through his glass, he spied it at a dis-
tance, and thought it was a sail, which he had a
mind to make, being not much out of his course, in
hopes of buying some biscuit, his own beginning to
fall short. That upon coming nearer, and finding
his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what
it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing
they had seen a swimming house. That he laughed
at their folly, and went himself in the boat, order-
ing his men to take a strong cable along with them.
That the weather being calm, he rowed round me
several times, observed my windows and wire lat-
tices that defended them. That he discovered two
staples upon one side, which was all of boards, with-
out any passage for light. He then commanded his
men to row up to that side, and fastening a cable to
one of the staples, ordered them to tow my chest,
as they called it, toward the ship. When it was
there, he gave directions to fasten another cable to
the ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest
with pulleys, which all the sailors were not able to
do above two or three feet. He said, they saw my
stick and handkerchief thrust out of the hole, and
concluded that some unhappy man must be shut up
in the cavity.' I asked, 4 whether he or the crew
had seen any prodigious birds in the air, about the
time he first discovered me.' To which he answered,
'that discoursing this matter with the sailors while
I was asleep, one of them said, he had observed
three eagles flying towards the north, but remarked
nothing of their being larger than the usual size.'
Which I suppose, must be imputed to the great
height they were at; and he could not guess the
reason of my question. I then asked the captain,
160 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
'how far hereckoned we.might be from land,?' He
said, 'by the best computation he could makeF we
were at least a hundred, leagues.' I assured him,
'that he must be mistaken by almost half, for,I had
not left the country whence I came above two hours
before I dropped into the sea.' Whereupon he be-
gan again to think that my brain was disturbed, of
which he gave me a hint, and advised me to go to
bed in a cabin he had provided. I assured him, * I
was well refreshed with his good entertainment aud
company, and as much in my senses as ever I was
in my life.' He then grew serious, and desired to
ask me freely, ' whether I were not troubled in my
mind by the consciousness of some enormous crime,
for which I was punished, at the command of some
prince, by exposing me in that chest; as great cri-
minals, in other countries, have been forced to sea
in a leaky vessel, without provisions: for althQugh
he should be sorry to have taken so ill a man. into
his ship, yet he would engage his word to set me
safe ashore, in the first port where we arrived.' He
added, 4 that Iris suspicions were much increased by
some very absurd speeches 1 had delivered at first
to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in relation
to my closet or chest, as well as by my odd looks
and behaviour while I was at supper.'
I begged his patience to hear me tell my story,
which I faithfully did, from the last time I left Eng-
land, to the moment he first discovered me. And
as truth always forces its way into rational minds, so
this honest worthy gentleman, who had some tinc-
ture of learning, and very good sense, was imme-
diately convinced of my candour and veracity. But,
further to confirm all I had said, I entreated him to
give order that my cabinet should be brought, of
which I had the key in my pocket; for he had al-
ready informed me how the seamen disposed of my
closet. I opened it in his own presence, and showM
him the . small collection of rarities I made in the
country from which I had been so strangely de«
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 101
livered. There was the comb I had contrived out
of the stumps of the king's beard, and another of
the same materials, but fixed into a paring of her
majesty's thumb-nail, which served for the back.
There was a collection of needles and pins, from a
foot, to half a yard long; four wasp stings, like
joiners' tacks; some combings of the queen's hair;
a gold ring, which one day she made me a present
of, in a most obliging manner, taking it from her lit-
tle finger, and throwing it over my head like a col-
lar. I desired the captain would please to accept
this ring in return of his civilities; which he abso-
lutely refused. I showed him a corn that I had cut
off, with my own hand, from a maid of honour's
toe; it was about the bigness of a Kentish pippin,
and grown so hard, that when I returned to Eng-
land, I got it hollowed into a cup, and set in silver.
Lastly, I desired him to see the breeches I had then
on, which were made of a mouse's skin.
I could force nothing on him but a footman's
tooth, which I observed him to examine with great
curiosity, and found he had a fancy for it. He re-
ceived it with abundance of thanks, more than such
a trifle could deserve. It was drawn by an unskil-
ful surgeon, in a mistake, from one of Glumdal
clitch's men, who was afflicted with the tooth-ach,
but it was as sound as any in his head. I got it
cleaned, and put it into my cabinet. It was about
a foot long, and four inches in diameter.
. The captain was very well satisfied with this plain
relation I had given him, and said, ' he hoped,
when we returned to England, I would oblige the
world by putting it on paper, and making it public'
My answer was, 4 that I thought we were over-
stocked with books of travels: that nothing could
now pass which was not extraordinary; wherein I
doubted some authors less consulted truth, than
their own vanity, or interest, or the diversion of ig-
norant readers; that my story could contain little
beside common events, without those ornamental
162 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
descriptions of strange plants, i^rees, birds, and
other animals; or of the barbarous customs and ido-
latry of savage people, with which most writers
abound. However, I thanked him for his good
opinion, and promised to take the matter into my
thoughts.'
He said < he wondered at one thing very much,
which was, to hear me speak so loud;' asking me
'whether the king or queen of that country were
thick of hearing?' I told him, * it was what I had
been used to for above two years past, and that I
admired as much at the voices of him and his men,
who seemed to me only to whisper, and yet I could
hear them well enough. But, when I spoke in that
country, it was like a man talking in the streets, to
■another looking out from the top of a steeple, unless
when I was placed on a table, or held in any per-
son's hand.' I told him, ' I had likewise observed
another thing, that when I first got into the ship,
and the sailors stood all about me, I thought they
were the most little contemptible creatures I had
ever beheld.' For indeed, while I was in that
prince's country, I could never endure to look in a
glass after mine eyes had been accustomed to such
prodigious objects, because the comparison*gave me
so despicable a conceit of myself. The captain said,
'that while we were at supper, he observed me to
look at every thing with a sort of wonder, and that
I often seemed hardly able to contain my laughter,
which he knew not well how to take, but imputed it
to some disorder in my brain.' 1 answered, * it
was very true; and I wondered how I could forbear,
when I saw his dishes of the size of a silver three-
pence, a leg of pork hardly a mouthful^ a cup not
so big as a nut-shell;' and soT went on, describing
the rest of his household-stutf and provisions, after
the same manner. For, although the queen had or-
dered a little equipage of all things necessary for
roe, while I was in her service, yet my ideafr were
wholly taken up with what I saw on every side of
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.
163
me, and I winked at my own littleness, as people do
at their own faults. The captain understood my
raillery very well, and merrily replied with the old
English proverb, ' that he doubted mine eyes were
bigger than my belly, for he did not observe my sto-
mach so good, although I had fasted all dayand,
continuing in his mirth, protested 'he would have
gladly given a hundred pounds, to have seen my
chest in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its fall
from so great a height into the sea; which would
certainly have been a most astonishing object, worthy
to have the description of it transmitted to future
ages:' and the comparison of Phaeton was so obvi-
ous, that he could not forbear applying it, although
I did not much admire the conceit.
The captain, having been at Jdnquin, was, in his
return to England, driven north-eastward to the
latitude of 44 degrees, and longitude of 143. But
meeting a trade-wind two days after I came on
board him, we sailed southward a long time, and
coasting }iew-Holland, kept our course west-south-
west, and then south-south-west, till we doubled the
Cape of Good Hope. Our voyage was very pros-
perous, but I shall not trouble the reader with a
journal of it. The captain called in at one or two
ports, and sent in his long-boat for provisions and
fresh water; but I never went out of the ship, till
we came into the Downs, which was on the third
day ©£ June, 1706, about nine months after my -es-
cape. I offered to leave my goods in security for
payment of my freight; but the captain protested
he would not receive one farthing. We took a kind
leave of each other, and I made him promise he
would come to see me at my house in RedrifF. I
hired a horse and guide for five shillings, which I
borrowed of the captain.
As I was on the road, observing the littleness of
the houses, tire trees, the cattle, and the people, I
began to think myself in Lilliput. I was afraid of
trampling on every traveller I met, and often called
164 GULtTVE&'S TRAVELS,
aloud to have them stand out of the way, so that I
had like to have gotten one or two broken heads for
my impertinence.
When I came to my own house, for which I was
forced to inquire, one of the servants opening the
door, I bent down to go in, (like a goose under a
gate,) for fear of striking my head. My wife ran
out to embrace me, but I stooped lower than her
knees, thinking she could otherwise never be able
to reach my mouth. My daughter kneeled to ask
my blessing, but I could not see her till she arose,
having been so long used to stand with my head
and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and then I went
to take her up with one hand by the waist. I looked
down upon the servants, and one or two friends who
were in the house, as if they had been pigmies and
I a giant. I told my wife ' she had been too thrifty,
for I found she had starved herself and her daugh-
ter to nothing.' In short I behaved myself so unac-
countably, that they were all of the captain's opinion
when he first saw me, and concluded I had lost my
wits. This I mention as an instance of the great
power of habit and prejudice.
In a little time, I and my family and friends came
to a right understanding: but my wife protested 41
should never go to sea any more;' although my evil
destiny so ordered, that she had not power to hinder
me, as the reader may know hereafter. In the mean
time, I here conclude the second part of my unfor-
tunate voyages.
A
VOYAGE
TO LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, LUGGNAGG,
GLUBBDUBDRIB, AND JAPAN*.
PART III.
CHAPTER I.
The Author sets out on his third voyage. Is
taken by pirates. The malice of a Dutchman.
His arrival at an island. He is received into
Laputa.
T HAD not been at home above ten days, when
-"- captain William Robinson, a Cornish man, com-
mander of the Hopewell, a stout ship of three hun-
dred tons, came to my house. I had formerly been
surgeon of another ship, where he was master and a
fourth part owner, in a voyage to the Levant. He
* Dr. Swift seems to have borrowed several hints,
in his Voyage to Laputa, from a novel written by
the learned Dr. Francis Godwin, Bishop of Landaff,
called 1 Man in the Moon, or a Discourse of a Voyage
thither, by Domingo Gonsales, 1638,' 8vo. This
philosophic romance, which has been several times
printed, shows that Bishop Godwin had a creative
genius. His ' Nuncius Inanimatus,' which contains
instructions to convey secret intelligence, is very
scarce. He died in April 1633.— N.
166 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS;
had always treated me more like a brother, than an
inferior officer; and hearing of my arrival, made me
a visit, as I apprehended only out of friendship, for
nothing passed more than what is usual after long
absences. But repeating his visits often, expressing
his joy to find me in good health, asking, ' whether
I were now settled for life,' adding 'that he in-
tended a voyage to the East Indies in two months,'
at last he plainly invited me, though with some apo-
logies, to be surgeon of the ship; 'that I should
have another surgeon under me, beside our two
mates • that my salary should be double to the usual
pay; and that having experienced my knowledge in
sea-affairs, to be at least equal to his, he would enter
into any engagement to follow my advice, as mucli
as if I had shared in the command.'
He said so many other obliging things, and I knew
him to be so honest a man, that I could not reject
his proposal; the thirst I had of seeing the world,
notwithstanding my past misfortunes, continuing as
violent as ever. The only difficulty that remained,
was to persuade my wife, whose consent however I
at last obtained, by the prospect of advantage she
proposed to her children.
We set out the 5th day of August, 1706, and arri-
ved at Fort St. George the 11th of April, 1707- We
staid there three weeks to refresh our crew, many
of whom were sick. From thence we went to Ton-
quin, where the captain resolved to continue some
time, because many of the goods he intended to-
buy, were not ready, nor could he expect to be dis-
patched in several months. Therefore, in hopes to
defray some of the charges he must be at, he bought
a sloop, loaded it with several sorts of goods, where-
with the Tonquinese usually trade to the neighbour-
ing islands, and putting fourteen men on board,
whereof three were of the country, he appointed me
master of the sloop, and gave me power to traffic,
while he transacted his affairs at Tonquin.
We had not sailed above three days, when a great
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 167
fttorm arising, we were driven five days to the
north-north-east, and then to the east: after which
we had fair weather, but still with a pretty strong
gale from the west. Upon the tenth day we were
chased by two pirates^ who soon overtook us; for
my sloop was so deep laden, that she sailed very
slow, neither were we in a condition to defend our-
selves.
We were boarded about the same time by both
the pirates, who entered furiously aj the head of
their men; but finding us all prostrate upon our
faces (for so I gave order), they pinioned us with
strong ropes, and setting a guard upon us, went to
search the sloop.
I observed among them a Dutchman, who seemed
to be of some authority, though he was not com-
mander of either ship. He knew us by our coun-
tenances to be Englishmen, and jabbering to us in
his own language, swore we should be tied back to
back and thrown into the sea. I spoke Dutch tole-
rably well; I told him who we were, and begged
him, in consideration of our being Christians and
Protestants, of neighbouring countries in strict alli-
ance, that he would move the captains to take some
pity on us. This inflamed his rage; he repeated his
threatenings, and turning to his companions, spoke
with great vehemence in the Japanese language, as
I suppose, often using the word Christianos.
The largest of the two pirate ships was commanded
by a Japanese captain, who spoke a little Dutch, but
very imperfectly. He came up to me, and after
several questions, which I answered in great humi-
lity, he said, 'we should not die.' I made the
captain a very low bow, and then, turning to the
Dutchman, said,.' I was sorry to find more mercy
in a Heathen, than in a brother Christian.' But I
had soon reason to repent those foolish words: for
that malicious reprobate, having often endeavoured
in vain to persuade both the -captains that I might
be thrown into the sea (which they would not yield
168 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
to, after the promise made me that I should not
die), however prevailed so far, as to have a punish-
ment inflicted on me, worse, in all human appear-
ance, than death itself. My men were sent by an
equal division into both the pirate ships, and my
sloop new manned. As to myself, it was determined
that I should be set adrift in a small canoe, with
paddles and a sail, and four days' provisions ; which
last, the Japanese captain was so kind to double out
of his own stores, and would permit no man to
search me. I got down into the canoe, while the
Dutchman, standing upon the deck, loaded me with
all the curses and injurious terms his language could
afford.
About an hour before we saw the pirates, I had
taken an observation, and found we were in the la-
titude of 46 N. and longitude of 183. When I was
at some distance from the pirates, I discovered, by
my pocket-glass, several islands to the south-east. I
set up my sail, the wind being fair, with a design to
reach the nearest of those islands, which I made a
shift to do, in about three hours. It was all rocky:
however I got many birds' eggs; and striking fire, I
kindled some h«ath and dry sea-weed, by which I
roasted my eggs. I ate no other supper, being re-
solved to spare my provisions as much as I could,
I passed the night under the shelter of a rock,
strewing some heath under me, and slept pretty
well.
The next day I sailed to another island, and
thence to a third and fourth, sometimes using my
sail, and sometimes my paddles. But, not to trou-
ble the reader with a particular account of my dis-
tresses, let it suffice, that on the fifth day I arrived
at the last island in my sight, which lay south
south-east to the former.
This island was at a greater distance than I
expected, and I did not reach it in less than five
hours. I encompassed it almost round, before I
could find a convenient place to land in; which was
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 169
ft small creek, about three times the wideness of my
canoe. I found the island to be all rocky, only a
little intermingled with tufts of grass, and sweet-
smelling herbs. I took out my small provisions,
and after having refreshed myself, I secured the
remainder in a cave, whereof there were great num-
bers; I gathered plenty of eggs upon the rocks, and
got a quantity of dry sea-weed, and parched grass,
which I designed to kindle the next day, and roast
my eggs as well as I could, for I had about me my
flint, steel, match, and burning-glass. I lay all night
in the cave where I had lodged my provisions. My
bed was the same dry grass and sea-weed which I
intended for fuel. I slept very little, for the dis-
quiets of my mind prevailed over my weariness,
and kept me awake. I considered how impossible
it was to preserve my life in so desolate a place, and
how miserable my end must be: yet found myself
so listless and desponding, that I had not the heart
to rise: and before I could get spirits enough to
creep out of my cave, the day was far advanced. I
walked a while among the rocks: the sky was per-
fectly clear, and the sun so hot, that I was forced to
turn my face from it: when all on a sudden it be-
came obscure, as I thought, in a manner very diffe-
rent from what happens by the interposition of a
cloud. I turned back, and perceived a vast opaque
body between me and the sun moving forwards to-
wards the island: it seemed to be about two miles
high, and hid the sun six or seven minutes; but I
did not observe the air to be much colder, or the
sky more darkened, than if I had stood under the
shade of a mountain. As it approached nearer over
the place where I was, it appeared to be a firm sub-
stance, the bottom flat, smooth, and shining very
bright, from the reflection of the sea below. I stood
upon a height about two hundred yards from the
shore, and saw this vast body descending almost to
a parallel with me, at lew than an Bnglish mile dis
I
170 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
tance. I tpok out my pocket perspective, and could
plaiuly discover numbers of people moving up and
down the sides of it, which appeared to be sloping;
but what those people were doing I was not able to
distinguish.
The natural love of life gave, me some inward
motion of joy, and I was ready to entertain a hope
that this adventure might, some way or other, help
to deliver me from the desolate place and condition
I was in. But at the same time the reader can
hardly conceive my astonishment, to behold an island
in the air, inhabited by men, who were able (as it
should seem) to raise or sink, or put it into progres-
sive motion, as they pleased. But not being at that
time in a disposition to philosophise upon this phe-
nomenon, I rather chose to observe what course the
island would take, because it seemed for a while to
stand still. Yet soon after, it advanced nearer, and
I could see the sides of it encompassed with several
gradations of galleries, and stairs, at certain inter-
vals, to descend from one to the other. In the low-
est gallery, I beheld some people fishing with long
angling-rods, and others looking on. I waved my
cap (for my hat was long since worn out) and my
handkerchief toward the island; and upon its nearer
approach, I called and shouted with the utmost
strength of my voice; and then looking circum-
spectly, I beheld a crowd gather to that side which
was most in my view. I found by their pointing
toward me and to each other, that they plainly dis-
covered me, although they made no return to my
shouting. But I could see four or five men running
in great haste, up the stairs, to the top of the island,
who then disappeared. I happened rightly to con-
jecture, that these were sent for orders, to some per-
son in authority, upon this occasion.
The number of people increased, and, in less than
half an hour, the island was moved and raised in
s,uch a manner, that the lowest g*Uery appeared in
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c« 171
a parallel of less than a hundred yards' distance
from the height where I stood. I then put myself
in the most supplicating postures, and spoke in the
humblest accent, but received no answer. Those
who stood nearest over-against me, seemed to be
persons of distinction, as I supposed by their habit.
They conferred earnestly with each other, looking
often irpon me. At length one of them called out in
a clear, polite, smooth dialect, not unlike in sound to
the Italian : and therefore 1 returned an answer in
that language, hoping at least that the cadence
might be more agreeable to his ears. Although nei-
ther of us understood the other, yet my meaning
was easily known, for the people saw the distress I
was in.
They made signs for me to come down from the-
rock, and go towards the shore, which I accordingly
did; and the flying island being raised to a conve-
nient height, the verge directly over me, a chain was
let down from the lowest gallery, with a seat fasten-,
ed to the bottom, to which I fixed myself, and waa
drawn up by pulleys.
The humours and dispositions of the Laputians
described. An account of their learning. Of
the King and his Court. The Author's recep-
tion there. The inhabitants subject to fear and
disquietudes. An account of the women.
A T my alighting, I was surrounded with a crowd
of people, but those who stood nearest seemed
to be of better quality. They beheld me with all the
marks and circumstances of wonder, neither indeed
was I much in their debt; having never till then
seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes,
CHAPTER II,

172 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
habits, and countenances. Their heads were all re-
clined, either to the right, or the left; one of their
eyes turned inward, and the other directly up to the
zenith*. Their outward garments were adorned
with the figures of suns, moons, and stars; inter-
woven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets,
guitars, harpsichords, and many other instruments of
music, unknown to us in Europe. I observed, here
and there, many in the habit of servants, with a
blown bladder, fastened like a flail to the end of a
stick, which they carried in their hands. In each
bladder was a small quantity of dried peas, or little
pebbles, as I was afterwards informed. With these
bladders, they now and then flapped the mouths and
ears of those who stood near them, of which practice
I could not then conceive the meaning. It seems
the minds of these people are so taken up with in-
tense speculations, that they neither can speak, nor
attend to the discourses of others, without being
roused by -some external taction upon the organs of
speech and hearing; for which reason, those persons
who are able to afford it always keep a flapper (the
original is climenole) in their family, as one of their
domestics; nor ever walk -abroad, or make visits,
without him. And the business of this officer is,
when two, three, or more persons are in company,
gently to strike with his bladder the mouth of him
who is to speak, and the right ear of him or them lo
whom the speaker addresses himself. This flapper is
likewise employed diligently to attend his master in
his walks, and upon occasion to give him a soft flap
on his eyes; because he is always so wrapped up in
cogitation, that he is in manifest danger of falling
down every precipice, and bouncing his head against
* By this description the author intended to ridi-
cule those who waste life in speculative sciences,
the powers of whose minds are as absurdly employ-
ed as the eyes of the Laputians.—H.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 173
every post; and in the streets, of justling others* or
being justled himself into the kennel.
It was necessary to give the reader this informa-
tion, without which he would be at the same loss
with me to understand the proceedings of these peo-
ple, as they conducted me up the stairs to the top
of the island, and from thence to the royal palace.
While we were ascending, they forgot several times
what they were about, and left me to myself, till
their memories were again roused by their flappers;
for they appeared altogether unmoved by the sight
of my foreign habit and countenance, and by the
shouts of the vulgar, whose thoughts and minds
were more disengaged.
At last we entered the palace, and proceeded into
the chamber of presence, where I saw the king seat-
ed on bis throne, attended on each side by persons
of prime quality. Before the throne, was a large
table filled with globes and spheres, and mathema-
tical instruments of all kinds. His majesty itook not
the least notice of us, although our entrance was
not without sufficient noise, by the concourse of all
persons belonging to the court. But he was then
deep in a problem; and we attended at least an
hour, before he could solve it. There stood by him,
on each side, a young page with flaps in their hands,
and when they saw he was at leisure, one of them
gently struck his mouth, and the other his right ear;
at which he startled like one awaked on the sudden,
and looking towards me and the company I was in,
recollected the occasion of our coming, whereof he
had been informed before. He spoke some words,
whereupon immediately a young man with a flap
came up to my side, and flapped me gently on the
right ear; but I made signs, as well as I could, that
I had no occasion for such an instrument; which, as
I afterwards found, gave his majesty, and the whole
court, a very mean opinion of my understanding.
The king, as far as I could conjecture, asked-me sf^
174 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
veral questions, and I addressed myself to him in
all the languages I had. When it was found I could
neither understand nor be understood, I was con-
ducted by his order to an apartment in his palace
(this prince being distinguished above all his prede-
cessors for his hospitality to strangers), where two
servants were appointed to attend me. My dinner
was brought, and four persons of quality, whom I
remembered to have seen very near the king's per-
son, did me the honour to dine with me. We had
two courses, of three dishes each. In the first
course, there was a shoulder of mutton cut into an
equilateral triangle, a piece of beef into a rhom-
boides, and a pudding into a cycloid. The second
course was two ducks trussed up in the form of fid-
dles ; sausages and puddings resembling flutes and
hautboys, and a breast of veal in the shape of a
harp. The servants cut our bread into cones, cylin-
ders, parallelograms, and several other mathemati-
cal figures.
While we were at dinner, I made bold to ask the
names of several things in their language, and those
noble persons, by the assistance of their flappers,
delighted to give me answers, hoping to raise my
admiration of their great abilities, if I could be
brought to converse with them. I was soon able
to call for bread and drink, or whatever else I
wanted.
After dinner my company withdrew, and a person
was sent to me by the king's order, attended by a
flapper. He brought with him pen, ink, and paper,
and three or four books, giving me to understand by
signs, that he was sent to teach me the language.
We sat together four hours, in which time I wrote
down a great number of words in columns, with the
translations over-against them: ^likewise made a
shift to learn several short sentences. For my tutor
would order one of my servants to fetch something,
to turn about, to make a bow, to sit, or to stand,
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 175
or walk, and the like. Then I took down the sen-
tence in writing. He showed me also, in one of his
books, the figures of the sun, moon, aii$v stars, thft
zodiac, the tropics, and polar circlesj together with
the denominations of many planes and solids. He
gave me the names and descriptions of all the musi-
cal instruments, and the general terms of art in
playing on each o£ tb€m. After he had left me, t
placed all my words, with their interpretations, in
alphabetical order. And thus, in a few days, by the
help of a very faithful memory, I got some insight
into their language.
The word, which I interpret the flying or floating
island, is in the original Laputa, whereof I could
never learn the true etymology. Lap, in the old
obsolete language, signifies high; and untuh, a go-
vernor; from which they say, by corruption, was
derived Laputa, from Lapuntah. But I do not ap-
prove of this derivation, which seems to be a little
strained. I venture to offer to the learned among
them a conjecture of my own, that Laputa was quasi
lap outed; lap, signifying properly, the dancing of
the sun-beams in the sea, and outed, a wing; which,
however, I shall not obtrude, but submit to the judi-
cious reader.
Those to whom the king had entrusted me, ob-
serving how ill I was clad, ordered a tailor to come
next morning, and take measure for a suit of clothes.
This operator did his office after a different manner
from those of his trade in Europe. He first took my
altitude by a quadrant, and then, with rule and com-
passes, described the dimensions and outlines of my
whole body, all which he^ entered upon paper; and
in six days brought ray clothes very ill made, and
quite out of shape, by happening to mistake a figure
in the calculation. But iny comfort was, that I ob-
served such accidents very frequent, and little re-
garded.
During my confinement for want of clothe*, *nd
176 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
by an indisposition that held me some days longer,
I much enlarged my dictionary; and when I went
next to court, was able to understand many things
the king spoke, and to return him some kind of
answers. His majesty had given orders, that the
island should move north-east and by east, to the
vertical point over Lagado, the metropolis of the
whole kingdom below, upon the firm earth. It was
about ninety leagues distant, and our voyage lasted
four days and a half. I was not in the least sensible
of the progressive motion made in the air by the
island. On the second morning, about eleven o'clock,
the king himself in person, attended by his nobility,
courtiers, and officers, having prepared all their
musical instruments, played on them for three hours
without intermission, so that I was quite stunned
with the noise; neither could I possibly guess the
meaning, till my tutor informed me. He said,' that
the people of their island had their ears adapted to
hear the music of the spheres, which always played
at certain periods, and the court was now prepared
to bear their part, in whatever instrument they most
excelled.'
In our journey towards Lagado, the capital city,
his majesty ordered that the island should stop over
certain towns and villages, from whence he might
receive the petitions of his subjects. And to this
purpose, several packthreads were let down, with
small weights at the bottom. On these packthreads
the people strung their petitions, which mounted
up directly, like the scraps of paper fastened by
school-boys at the end of the string that holds their
kite. Sometimes we received wine and victuals from
below, which were drawn up by pulleys*
The knowledge I had in mathematics, gave me
great assistance in acquiring their phraseology,
which depended much upon that science, and music;
and in the latter I was not unskilled. Their ideas are
perpetually conversant in lines and figures. If they
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 177
would, for example, praise the beauty of a woman,
or any other animal, they describe it by rhombs, cir-
cles, parallelograms, ellipses, and other geometrical
terms, or by words of art drawn from music, needless
here to repeat. I observed in the king's kitchen all
sorts of mathematical and musical instruments, after*
the figures of which they cut up the joints that were
served to his majesty's table.
Their houses are very ill built, the walls bevil,
without one right angle in any apartment: and this
defect arises from the contempt they bear to practi-
cal geometry, which they despise as vulgar and me-
chanic: those instructions theygivebeing too refined
for the intellects of their workmen, which occasions
perpetual mistakes. And although they are dextrous
enough upon a piece of paper, in the management of
the rule, the pencil, and the divider, yet in the com-
mon actions and behaviour of life, I have not seen a
more clumsy, awkward, and unhandy people, nor so
slow and perplexed in their conceptions upon all
other subjects, except those of mathematics and mu-
sic. They are very bad reasoners, and vehemently
given to opposition, unless when they happen to be
of the right opinion, which is seldom their case.
Imagination, fancy, and invention, they are wholly
strangers to, nor have any words in their language,
by <which those ideas can be expressed; the whole
compass of their thoughts and mind being shut up
within the two forementioned sciences.
Most of them, and especially those who deal in
the astronomical part, have great faith in judicial
astrology, although they are ashamed to own it pub-
licly. But what I chiefly admired, and thought al-
together unaccountable, was the strong disposition
I observed in them towajpds news and politics, per-
petually inquiring into public affairs, giving their
judgments in matte^.<»f state, and passionately dis-
puting every inch of afprty ofjjtaton. I have indeed
observed the same dispositionImfong most of the

I 2
178 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
mathematicians I have known in Europe, although I
could never discover the least analogy between the
two sciences; unless those people suppose, that be-
cause the smallest circle has as many degrees as the
largest, therefore the regulation and management of
the world require no more abilities than the hand-
ling and turning of a globe: but I rather take this
quality to spring from a very common infirmity of
human nature, inclining us to be most curious and
conceited in matters where we have least concern,
and for which we are least adapted by study or
nature.
These people are under continual disquietudes,
never enjoying a minute's peace of mind; and their
disturbances proceed from causes which very little
affect the rest of mortals. Their apprehensions arise
from several changes they dread in the celestial
bodies. For instance, that the earth, by the con-
tinual approaches of the sun towards it, must, in
course of time, be absorbed,_or swallowed up. That
the face of the sun, will, by degrees, be encrusted
with its own effluvia, and give no more light to the
world. That the earth very narrowly escaped a
brush from the tail of the last comet, which would
have infallibly reduced it to ashes; and that the
next, which they have calculated for one-and-thirty
years hence, will probably destroy us. For if, ia its
perihelion, it should approach within a certain de-
gree of the sun (as by their calculations they have
reason to dread) it will receive a degree of heat ten
thousand times more intense than that of red hot
glowing iron; and, in its absence from the sun, car-
rying a blazing tail ten hundred thousand and four-
teen miles long; through which, if the earth should
pass at the distance of one hundred thousand miles
from the nucleus, or main body of the comet, it must
in its passage be set on lire, and reduced to ashes.
That the sun, daily spending its rays without any
nutriment to supply them, will at last be wholly con-
A VOYAGJE TO LAPUTA, &c. 179
sumed and annihilated; which must be attended
with the destruction of this earth, and of all the pla-
nets that receive their light from it*.
They are so perpetually alarmed with the appre-
hensions of these, and the like impending dangers,
that they can neither sleep quietly in their beds, nor
have any relish for the common pleasures and amuse-
ments of life. When they meet an acquaintance in
the morning, the first question is about the sun's
health, how he looked at his setting and rising, and
what hopes they have to avoid the stroke of the ap-
proaching comet. This conversation they are apt to
run into with the same temper that boys discover
in delighting to hear terrible stories of spirits and
hobgoblins, which they greedily listen to, and dare
not go to bed for fear.
The women of the island have abundance of viva-
city; they contemn their husbands, and are exceed-
ingly fond of strangers; whereof there is always a
considerable number from the continent below, at-
tending at court, either upon affairs of the several
towns and corporations, or their own particular oc-
casions, but are much despised, because they want
the same endowments. Among these, the ladies
choose their gallants : but the vexation is, that they
act with too much ease and security; for the hus-
band is always so rapt in speculation, that the mis-
tress and lover may proceed to the greatest fami-
liarities before his face, it" he be but provided with
paper and implements, and without his flapper at his
side.
The wives and daughters lament their confinement
to the island, although I think it the most delicious
spot of ground in the world; and although they live
here in the greatest plenty and magnificence, and are
allowed to do whatever they please, they long to see
the world, and take the diversions of the metropolis,
* All these were suppositions of persons eminent
in their time for mathematical knowledge.—H.
180 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
which they are not allowed to do without a particu-
lar license from the king; and this is not easy to be
obtained, because the people of quality have found,
by frequent experience, how hard it is to persuade
their women to return from below. I was told, that
a great court lady, who had several children,—is
married to the prime minister, the richest subject in
the kingdom, a very graceful person, extremely fond
of her, and lives in the finest palace of the island,—
went down to Lagado on the pretence of health,
there hid herself for several months, till the king
sent a warrant to search for her; and she was found
in an obscure eating-house all in rags, having pawn-
ed her clothes to maintain an old deformed footman,
who beat her every day, and in whose company she
was taken, much against her will. And although
her husband received her with all possible kindness,
and without the least reproach, she soon after con-
trived to steal down again, with all her jewels, to
the same gallant, and has not been heard of since.
This may perhaps pass with the reader rather for a
European or English story, than for one of a country
so remote. But he may please to consider, that the
caprices of womenkind are not limited by any cli-
mate or nation, and that they are much more uni-
form than can be easily imagined.
In about a month's time, I had made a tolerable
proficiency in their language, and was able to answer
most of the king's questions, when I had the honour
to attend him. His majesty discovered not the least
curiosity to inquire into the laws, government, his-
tory, religion, or manners of the countries where I
had been; but confined his questions to the state of
mathematics, and received the account I gave him,
with great contempt and indifference, though often
rp^ped by his flapper pa each side.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTAf&c. 181
CHAPTER III.
A phenomenon solved by modern philosophy and
astronomy. The Laputians1 great improvements
in the latter. The King's method of suppressing
insurrections.
T DESIRED leave of this prince to see the curio-
-V si ties of the island, which he was graciously
pleased to grant, and ordered my tutor to attend
me. I chiefly wanted to know, to what cause in art
or in nature it owed its several motions, whereof I
will now give a philosophical account to the reader.
The flying or floating island is exactly circular,
its diameter 7837 yards, or about four miles and a
half, and consequently contains ten thousand acres.
It is three hundred yards thick. The bottom, or
under surface, which appears to those who view it
below, is one even regular plate of adamant, shoot-
ing up to the height of about two hundred yards.
Above it lie the several minerals in their usual order,
and over all is a coat of rich mould, ten or twelve
feet deep. The declivity of the upper surface, from
the circumference to the centre, is the natural cause
why all the dews and rains, which fall upon the
island, are conveyed in small rivulets toward the
middle, where they are emptied into, four large ba-
sins, each of about half a mile in circuit, and two
hundred yards distant from the centre. From these
basins the water is continually exhaled by the sun>
in the daytime, which effectually prevents their
overflowing. Besides, as it is in the power of the
monarch to raise the island above the region of
clouds and vapours, he can prevent the falling of
dews and. rain whenever he pleases. For the highest
clouds cannot rise above two miles, as naturalists
agree, at least they were never known to do so in
that country.
182 <?ULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
At the centre of the island there is a chasm about
fifty yards in diameter, whence the astronomers de-
scend into a large dome, which is therefore called
flandona gagnole, or the astronomer's cave, situated
at the depth of a hundred yards beneath the upper
surface of the adamant. In this cave are twenty-
lamps continually burning, which, from the reflection
of the adamant, cast a strong light into every part.
The place is stored with great variety of sextants,
quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes, and other astrono-
mical instruments. But the greatest curiosity, upon
which the fate of the island depends, is a loadstone
of a prodigious size, in shape resembling a weaver's
shuttle. It is in length six yards, and in the thickest
part at least three yards over. This magnet is sus-
tained by a very strong axle of adamant passing
through its middle, upon which it plays, and is
poised so exactly that the weakest hand can turn
it. It is hooped round with a hollow cylinder of
adamant, four feet deep, as many thick, and twelve
yards in diameter, placed horizontally, and support-
ed by eight adamantine feet, each six yards high. In
the middle of the concave side, there is a groove
twelve inches deep, in which the extremities of the
axle are lodged, and turned round, as there is oc-
casion.
The stone cannot be moved from its place by any
force, because the hoop and its feet are one con-
tinued piece with that body of adamant which con-
stitutes the bottom of the island.
By means of this loadstone, the island is made to
rise and fall, and move from one place to another.
For» with respect to that part of the earth over which
the monarch presides, the stone is endued at one of
its sides with an attractive power, and at the other
with a repulsive. Upon placing the magnet erect,
with its attracting end towards the earth, the island
descends; but when the repelling extremity points
downwards, the island mounts directly upwards.
When the position of the stone is oblique, the motion
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 183
of the island is so too: for, in this magnet, the forces
always act in lines parallel to its direction.
By this oblique motion, the island is conveyed t»
different parts of the monarch's dominions. To ex-
plain the manner of its progress, let A B represent a
line drawn cross the dominions of Balnibarbi, let the
line c d represent the loadstone, of which let d be
the repelling end, and c the attracting end, the island
being over C: let the stone be placed in position c d,
with its repelling end downwards; then the island
will be driven upwards obliquely towards D. When
it is arrived at D, let the stone be turned upon its
axle, till its attracting entl points towards E, and
then the island will be carried obliquely towards £;
"where, if the stone be again turned upon its axle till
it stands in the position E F, with its repelling point
downwards, the island will rise obliquely towards F,
where, by directing the attracting end towards G,
the island may be carried to G, and from G to H,
by turning the stone so as to make its repelling ex-
tremity point directly downward. And thus, by
changing the situation of the stone, as often as there
is occasion, the island is made to rise and fall by
turns in an oblique direction, and by those alternate
risings and fallings (the obliquity being not consi-
derable) is conveyed from one part of the dominions
to the other.
But it must be observed, that this island cannot
move beyond the extent of the dominions below, nor
can it rise above the height of four miles. For which
the astronomers (who have written large systems
concerning the stone) assign the following reason:
that the magnetic virtue does not extend beyond the
distance of four miles, and that the mineral, which
acts upon the stone in the bowels of the earth, and
in the sea about six leagues distant from the shore,
is not diffused through the whole globe, but termi-
nated with the limits of the kiog's dominions; and
it was easy, from the great advantage of such a
184 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
superior situation, for a prince to bring under hi*
obedience whatever country lay within the attraction
of that magnet.
When the stone is put parallel to the plane of the
horizon, the island stands still; for in that case the
extremities of it, being at equal distance from the
earth, act with equal force, the one in drawing
downwards, the other in pushing upwards, and con-
sequently no motion can ensue.
This loadstone is under the care of certain astro-
nomers, who, from time to time, give it such po-
sitions as the monarch directs. They spend the
greatest part of their lives' in observing the celestial
bodies, which they do by the assistance of glasses,
far excelling ours in goodness. For, although their
largest telescopes do not exceed three feet, they
magnify much more than those of a hundred with
us, and show the stars with greater clearness. This
advantage has enabled them to extend their disco-
veries much further than our astronomers in Europe;
for they have made a catalogue of ten thousand
fixed stars, whereas the largest of ours do not con-
tain above one third part of that number. They
have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or satel-
lites, which revolve about Mars; whereof the inner-
most is distant from the centre of the primary planet
exactly three of his diameters, and the outermost,
five; the former revolves in the space of ten hours,
and the latter in twenty-one and a half; so that the
squares of their periodical times are very near in the
same proportion with the cubes of their distance,
from the centre of Mars; which evidently shows
them to be governed by the same law of gravitation,
that influences the other heavenly bodies.
They have observed ninety-three different comets,
and settled their periods with great exactness. If
this be true (and they affirm it with great confi-
dence) it is much to be wishedt that their observe
turns were made public, whereby the theory of
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 185
comets, -which at present is very lame and defective,
might be brought to the same perfection with other
parts of astronomy.
The king would be the most absolute prince in the
universe, if he could but prevail on a ministry to
join with him; but these having their estates below
on the continent, and considering that the office of
a favourite has a very uncertain tenure, would never
consent to the enslaving of their country.
If any town should engage in rebellion or mutiny,
fall into violent factions, or refuse to pay the usual
tribute, the king has two methods of reducing them
to obedience. The first, and the mildest, course is,
by keeping the island hovering over such a town,
and the lands about it, whereby he can deprive them
of the benefit of the sun and the rain, and conse-
quently afflict the inhabitants with dearth and dis-
eases. And if the crime deserve it, they are at the
same time pelted from above with great stones,
against which they have no defence but by creeping
into cellars or caves, while the roofs of their houses
are beaten to pieces. But if they still continue obs-
tinate, or offer to raise insurrections, he proceeds to
the last remedy, by letting the island drop directly
upon their heads, which makes an universal destruc-
tion both of houses and men. However, this is an
extremity to which the prince is seldom driven,
neither indeed is he willing to put it in execution;
nor dare his ministers advise him to an action,
which, as it would render them odious to the people,
so it would be a great damage to their own estates,
which lie all below; for the island is the king's de-
mesne.
But there is still indeed a more weighty reason,
why the kings of this country have been always
averse from executing so terrible an action, unless
upon the utmost necessity. For, if the town in-
tended to be destroyed should have in it any tall
rocks, as it generally falls out in the larger cities, a
situation probably chosen at first with a view to pre*
186 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
vent such a catastrophe; or if it abound in high
spires, or pillars of stone, a sudden fall might en-
danger the bottom or under surface of the island,
which, although it consist, as I have said, of one
entire adamant, two hundred yards thick, might
happen to crack by too great a shock, or burst by ap-
proaching too near the fires from the houses below,
as the backs, both of iron and stone, will often do
in our chimneys. Of all this the people are well ap-
prised, and understand how far to carry their obs.
tinacy, where their liberty or property is concerned.
And the king, when he is highest provoked, and
most determined to press a city to rubbish, orders
the island to descend with great gentleness, out of
a pretence of tenderness to his people, but, indeed,
for fear of breaking the adamantine bottom ; in which
case, it is the opinion of all their philosophers, that
the loadstone could no longer hold it up, and the
whole mass would fall to the ground.
By a fundamental law of this realm, neither the
king, nor either of his two eldest sons, are permitted
to leave the island; nor the queen, till she is past
child-bearing.
CHAPTER IV.
The Author leaves Laputa, is conveyed to Balni-
borbi, arrives at the metropolis. A description
of the metropolis, and the country adjoining.
The Author hospitably received by a great Ijord.
His conversation with that Lord.
A LTHOUGH I cannot say that I was ill treated
in this island, yet I must confess I thought my-
self too much neglected, not without some degree of
contempt. For neither prince nor people appeared
to be curious in any part of knowledge, except ma-'
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 187
thematics and music, wherein I was far their infe-
rior, and upon that account very little regarded.
On the other side, after having seen all the cu-
riosities of the island, I was very desirous to leave
it, being heartily weary of those people. They were
indeed excellent in two sciences, for which I have
great esteem, and wherein I am not unversed; but,
at the same time, so abstracted and involved in spe-
culation, that I never met with such disagreeable
companions. I conversed only with women, trades-
men, flappers, and court-pages, during two months
of my abode there; by which, at last, I rendered
myself extremely contemptible; yet these were the
only people from whom I could ever receive a rea-
sonable answer.
I had obtained, by hard study, a good degree of
knowledge in their language: I was weary of being
confined to an island, where I received so little
countenance, and resolved to leave it with the first
opportunity.
There was a great lord at court, nearly related to
the king, and for that reasou alone, used with re-
spect. He was universally reckoned the most ig-
norant and stupid person among them. He had
performed many eminent services for the crown, had
great natural and acquired parts, adorned with in-
tegrity and honour; but so ill an ear for music, that
his detractors reported, 4 he had been often known
to beat time in the wrong placeneither could his
tutors, without extreme difficulty, teach him to de-
monstrate the most easy proposition in the mathema-
tics. He was pleased to show me many marks of
favour, often did me the honour of a visit, desired
to be informed in the affairs of Europe, the laws and
customs, the manners and learning of the several
countries, where I had travelled. He listened to me
with great attention, and made very wise observa-
tions on all I spoke. He had two flappers attending
him for state, but never made use of them, except
at court and in visits of ceremony; and would al-
188 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
ways command them to withdraw, when we were
alone together.
I entreated thi3 illustrious person, to intercede in
my behalf with his majesty, for leave to depart;
which he accordingly did, as he was pleased to
tell me, with regret: for indeed he had made me
several offers very advantageous, which however
I refused, with expressions of the highest acknow-
ledgement.
On the 16th of February I took leave of his ma-
jesty and the court. The king made me a present
to the value of about two hundred pounds English,
and my protector his kinsman as much more; toge-
ther with a letter of recommendation to a friend
of his in Lagado, the metropolis: the island being
then hovering over a mountain about two miles from
it, I was let down from the lowest gallery, in the
same manner as I had been taken up.
The continent, as far as it is subject to the mo-
narch of the flying island, passes under the general
name of Balnibarbi; and the metropolis, as I said
before, is called Lagado. I felt some little satisfac-
tion in^fmding myself on firm ground. I walked to
the city without any concern, being clad like one of
the natives, and sufficiently instructed to converse
with them. I soon found out the person's house to
whom I was recommended, presented my letter from
his friend the grandee in the island, and was re-
ceived with much kindness. This great lord, whose
name was Munodi, ordered me an apartment in his
own house, where I continued during my stay, and
was entertained in a most hospitable manner.
The next morning after my arrival, he took me
in his chariot to see the town, which is about half
the bigness of London; but the houses very
strangely built, and most of them out of repair.
The people in the streets walked fast, looked wild,
their eyes fixed, and were generally in rags. We
passed through one of the town gates, and went about
three miles into the country, -where I saw many la-
A VOYAGE TO LAPITTA, &c.
189
bourers working with several sorts of tools in the
ground, but was not able to conjecture what they
were about; neither did I observe any expectation
either of corn or grass, although the soil appeared
to be excellent. I could not forbear admiring at
these odd appearances, both in town and country;
and I made bold to desire my conductor, that he
would be pleased to explain to me, what could be
meant by so many busy heads, hands, and faces,
both in the streets and the fields, because I did not
discover any good effects they produced; but, on the
contrary, I never knew a soil so unhappily culti-
vated, houses so ill contrived and se ruinous, or a
people whose countenances and habit expressed so
much misery and want.
This lord Munodi was a person of the first rank,
and had been some years governor of Lagado; but,
by a cabal of ministers, was discharged for insuffi-
ciency. However, the king treated him with ten-
derness, as a well-meaning man, but of a low con-
temptible understanding.
When I gave that free censure of the country ajjd
its inhabitants, he made no further answer than by
telling me, 'that I had not been long enough
among them to form a judgement; and that the dif-
ferent nations of the world had different customs
with other common topics t» the same purpose.
But, when we returned to his palace, he asked me
'how I liked the building, what absurdities I ob-
served, and what quarrel I had with the dress or
looks of his domestics.' This he might safely do;
because every thing about him was magnificent, re-
gular, and polite. I answered, 'that his excel-
lency's prudence, quality, and fortune, had exempted
him from those defects, which folly and beggary had
produced in others.' He said, 4 if I would go with
him to his county-house, about twenty miles distant,
where his estate lay, there would be more leisure
for this Mnd of conversation.' I told his excellency
190 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
• that I was entirely at his disposaland accord-
ingly we set out next morning.
During our journey he made me observe the se-
veral methods used by farmers in managing their
lands ; which to me were wholly unaccountable; for,'
except in some very few places, I could not discover
one ear of corn, or blade of grass. But, in three
hours' travelling, the scene was wholly altered; we
came into a most beautiful country: farmers' houses,
at small distances, neatly built; the fields enclosed,
containing vineyards, corn-grounds, and meadows.
Neither do I remember to have seen a more delight-
ful prospect. His excellency observed my counte-
nance to clear up; he told me with a sigh, 'that
there his estate began, and would continue the same,
till we should come to his house. That his coun-
trymen ridiculed and despised him, for managing
his affairs no better, and for setting so ill an exam-
ple to the kingdom; which, however, was followed
by very few, such as were old, and wilful, and weak
like himself.
We came at length to the house, which was indeed
a noble structure, built according to the best rules
of ancient architecture. The fountains, gardens,
walks, avenues, and groves, were all disposed with
exact judgement and taste. I gave due praises to
every thing I saw, whereof his excellency took not
the least notice till after supper ; when, there being
no third companion, he told me with a very melan-
choly air ' that he doubted he must throw down his
houses in town and country, to rebuild them after
the present mode; destroy all his plantations, and
cast others into such a form as modern usage required*,
and give the same directions to all his tenants, un-
less he would submit to incur the censure of pride,
singularity, affectation, ignorance, caprice, and per
haps increase his majesty's displeasure. That the
admiration I appeared to be under would cease or
diminish, when he had informed me of some parti*
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 191
culars which probably I never heard of at court;
the people there being too much taken up in their
own speculations, to have regard to what passed
here below.'
The sum of his discourse was to this effect:
'that about forty years ago, certain persons went
up to Laputa, either upon business or diversion,
and, after five months' continuance, came back with
a very little smattering in mathematics, but full of
volatile spirits acquired in that airy region. That
these persons, upon their return, began to dislike the
management of every thing below, and fell into
schemes of putting all arts, sciences, languages, and
mechanics, upon a new foot. To this end, they pro-
cured a royal patent for erecting an academy of pro-
jectors in Lagado; and the humour prevailed so
strongly among the people, that there is not a town
of any consequence in the kingdom without such an
academy. In these colleges, the professors contrive
new rules and methods of agriculture and building,
and new instruments and tools for all trades and
manufactures; whereby, as they undertake, one man
shall do the work of ten; a palace may be built in
a week, of materials so durable as to last for ever
without repairing. All the fruits of the earth shall
come to maturity at whatever season we think fit to
choose, and increase a hundi ed fold more than they
do at present; with innumerable other happy pro-
posals. The only inconvenience is, that none of
these projects are yet brought to perfection; and in
the mean time, the whole country lies miserably
waste, the houses in ruins, and the people without
food or clothes. By all which, instead of being dis-
couraged, they are fifty times more violently bent
upon prosecuting their schemes, driven equally on
by hope and despair: that as for himself, being not
of an enterprising spirit, he was content to go on in
the old forms, to-live in the houses his ancestors had
built, and act as they did, in every part of life, with-
192 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
out innovation. That some few other persons of qua-
lity and gentry had done the same, but were looked
on with an eye of contempt and ill-will, as enemies
to art, ignorant, and ill-common-wealth's men, pre-
ferring their own ease and sloth before the general
improvement of their country.'
His lordship added * that he would not, by any
further particulars, prevent the pleasure I should
certainly take in viewing the grand academy, whi-
ther he was resolved I should go.' He only desired
me to observe a ruined building, upon the side of a
mountain about three miles distant, of which he gave
me this account: 'that he had a very convenient
mill within half a mile of his house, turned by a
current from a large river, and sufficient for his own
family, as well as a great number of his tenants.
That about seven years ago, a club of those projectors
came to him with proposals to destroy this mill, and
build another on the side of that mountain, on the
long ridge whereof a long canal must be cut, for a
repository of water, to be conveyed up by pipes and
engines to supply the mill; because the wind and
air upon a height agitated the water, and thereby
made it fitter for motion; and because the water,
descending down a declivity, would turn the mill
with half the current of a river, whose course is
more upon a level.' He said, 'that being then
not very well with the <;ourt, and pressed by many
of his friends, he complied with the proposal; and
after employing a hundred men for two years, the
work miscarried, the projectors went off, laying the
blame entirely upon him, railing at him ever since,
and putting others upon the same experiment, with
equal assurance of success, as well as equal disap-
pointment.'
In a few days we came back to town j and his
excellency, considering the bad character he had in
the academy, would not go with me himself, but
recommended me to a friend of his, to bear me com-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 193
pany thither. My lord was pleased to represent ra«
as a great admirer of projects, and a person of much
curiosity and easy belief; which, indeed, was not
without truth; for I had myself been a sort of pro-
jector in my younger days.
CHAPTER V.
The Author permitted to $ee the grand academy
of Lag ado. The academy largely described.
The arts wherein the professors employ them-
selves.
THIS academy is not an entire single building,
but a continuation of several houses on both
sides of a street, which growing waste, was pur-
chased and applied to that use.
I was received very kindly by the warden, and
went for many days to the academy. Every room
has in it one or more projectors; and I believe I
could not be in fewer than five hundred rooms.
The first man I saw was of a meagre aspect, with
sooty hands and face, his hair and beard long, rag.
g«d, and singed in several places. His clothes, shirt,
and skin, were all of the same colour. He had been
eight years upon a project for extracting sun-beams
out of cucumbers, which were to be put in phials
hermetically sealed, and let out to warm the air in
raw inclement summers. He told me, he did not
doubt, that, in eight years more, he should be able
to supply the governor's gardens with sunshine, at a
reasonable rate; but he complained that his stock
was low, and entreated me 'to .give him something
as an encouragement to ingenuity> especially since
this had been a very dear season for cucumbers.' I
made him a small present, for my lord had furnished
K
194 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.-
me with money on purpose, because he knew their
practice of begging from all who go to see them.
I went into another chamber, but was ready to
hasten back, being almost overcome with a horrible
stink. My conductor pressed me forward, conjuring
me in a whisper' to give no offence, which would be
highly resented;' and therefore I durst not so much
as stop my nose. The projector of this cell was the
most ancient student of the academy; his face and
beard were of a pale yellow; his hands and clothes
daubed over with filth. When I was presented to
him, he gave me a close embrace; a compliment T
could well have excused. His employment, from his
first coming into the academy, was an operation to
reduce human excrement to its original food, by
separating the several parts, removing the tincture
which it receives from the gall, making the odour
exhale, and scumming off the saliva. He had a week-
ly allowance, from the society, of a vessel filled with
human ordure, about the bigness of a Bristol barrel.
I saw another at work to calcine ice into gun-
powder; who likewise showed me a treatise he had
written concerning the malleability of fire, which he
intended to publish.
There was a most ingenious architect, who had
contrived a new method for building houses, by be-
ginning at the roof, and working downward to the
foundation; which he justified to me, by the like
practice of those two prudent insects, the bee and
the spider.
There was a man born blind, who had several ap-
prentices in his own condition: their employment
was to mix colours for painters, which their master
taught them to distinguish, by feeling and smelling.
It was indeed my misfortune to find them at that
time not very perfect in their lessons, and the pro-
fessor himself happened to be generally mistaken.
This artist is much encouraged and esteemed by the
whole fraternity.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 195
In another apartment, I was highly pleased with
a projector who had found a device of ploughing the
ground with hogs, to save the charges of ploughs,
cattle, and labour. The method is this: in an acre
of ground you bury, at six inches' distance and eight
deep, a quantity of acorns, dates, chesnuts, and
mother mast or vegetables, whereof these animals are
fondest; then you drive six hundred or more of them
into the field, where, in a few days, they willToot up
the whole ground in search of their feed, and make
it fit for sowing, at the same time manuring it with
their dung: it is true, upon experiment, they found
the charge and trouble very great, and they had lit-
tle or no crop. However it is not doubted, that this
invention may be capable of great improvement.
I went into another room, where the walls and
ceiling were all hung round with cobwebs, except a
narrow passage for the artist to go in and out. At
my entrance, he called aloud to me,' not to disturb
his webs.' He lamented ' the fatal mistake the world
had been so long in, of using silk-worms, while we
had euch plenty of domestic insects, who infinitely
excelled the former, because they understood how to-
weave, as well as spin.' And he proposed further,
* that by employing spiders, the charge of dyeing
silks should be wholly savedwhereof I was fully
convinced, when he showed me a vast number of
flies most beautifully coloured, wherewith he fed
his spiders, assuring us ' that the webs would take a
tincture from them; and as he had them of all hues,
be hoped to fit every body's fancy, as soon as he
could find proper food for the flies, of certain gums,
oils, and other glutinous matter, to give a strength
and consistence to the threads.'
There was an astronomer, who had undertaken to
place a sun dial upon the great weathercock on the
town-house, by adjusting the annual and diurnal
motions of the earth and sun,* so as to answer and
coincide with all accidental turnings of the wind.
I was complaining of a small fit of the colic, upon.
196 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
which my conductor led me into a room where a
great physician resided, who was famous for curing
that disease, by contrary operations from the same
instrument. He had a large pair of bellows, with a
long slender muzzle of ivory: this he conveyed eight
inches up the anus, and drawing in the wind, he
affirmed he could make the guts as lank as a dried
bladder. But when the disease was more stubborn
and violent, he let in the muzzle while the bellows
were full of wind, which he discharged into the
body of the patient; then withdrew the instrument
to replenish it, clapping his thumb strongly against
the orifice of the fundament; and this being repeat-
ed three or four times, the adventitious wind would
rush out, bringing the noxious along with it (like
water put into a pump), and the patient recovered.
I saw him try both experiments upon a dog, but
could not discern any effect from the former. After
the latter the animal was ready to burst, and made
so violent a discharge as was very offensive to me
and my companion. The dog died on the spot, and
we left the doctor endeavouring to recover him, by
the same operation.
I visited many other apartments, but shall not
trouble my reader with all the curiosities I observed,
being studious of brevity.
I had hitherto seen only one side of the academy,
the other being appropriated to the advancers of
speculative learning, of whom 1 shall say something,
when I have mentioned one illustrious person more,
who is called among them * the universal artist.*
He told us * he had been thirty years employing his
thoughts for the improvement of human life.' He
bad two large rooms full of wonderful curiosities,
and fifty men at work. Some were condensing air
into a dry tangible substance, by extracting the nitre,
and letting the aqueous or fluid particles percolate;
others softening marble, for pillows and pincushions;
others petrifying the hoofs of a living horse, to pre-
serve them from foundering. The artist himself was
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
197
at that time busy upon two great designs; the first,
to sow land with chaff, wherein he affirmed the true
seminal virtue to be contained, as he demonstrated
by several experiments, which I was not skilful
enough to comprehend. The other was, by a certain
composition of gums, minerals, and vegetables, out-
wardly applied, to prevent the growth of wool upon
two young lambs; and he hoped, in a reasonable
time, to propagate the breed of naked sheep, all
over the kingdom.
We crossed a walk to the other part of the aca-
demy, where, as I have already said, the projectors
in speculative learning resided.
The first professor I saw, was in a very large room,
with forty pupils about him. After salutation, ob-
serving me to look earnestly upon a frame, which
took up the greatest part of both the length and
breadth of the room, he said, < Perhaps I might won-
der to see him employed in a project for improving
speculative knowledge, by practical and mechanical
operations. But the world would soon be sensible of
its usefulness; and he flattered himself, that a more
noble exalted thought, never sprang in any other
man's head. Every one knew how laborious the
usual method is of attaining to arts and sciences;
whereas, by his contrivance, the most ignorant per-
son, at a reasonable charge, and with a little bodily
labour, might write books in philosophy, poetry, po-
litics, laws, mathematics, and theology, without the
least assistance from genius or study.' He then led
ttle to the frame, about the sides whereof all his
pupils stood in ranks. It was twenty feet square,
placed in the middle of the room. The superficies
Was composed, of several bits of wood, about the
bigness of a die, but some larger than others. They
were all linked together by slender wires. These
bits of wood were covered, on every square, with
paper pasted on them; and on these papers were
written all the words of their language, in their se-
veral moods, tenses, and declensions j but without
198 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
any order. The professor then desired me ' to ob*
serve; for he was going to set his engine at work.'
The pupils, at his command, took each of them hold
of an iron handle, whereof there were forty fixed
round the edges of the frame; and giving them a
sudden turn, the whole disposition of the words was
entirely changed. He then commanded six-and-
thirty of the lads, to read the several lines softly,
as they appeared upon the frame; and where they
found three or four words together that might make
part of a sentence, they dictated to the four remain-
ing boys, who were scribes. This work was repeated
three or four times; and at every turn, the engine
was so contrived, that the words shifted into new
plaees, as the square bits of wood moved upside
down.
Six hours a day the young students were employed
in this labour; and the professor showed me several
volumes in large folio, already collected, of broken
sentences, which he intended to piece together, and
out of those rich materials, to give the world a com-
plete body of all arts and sciences; which, however,
might be still improved, and much expedited, if the
public would raise a fund for making and employing
five hundred such frames in Lagado, and oblige the
managers to contribute in common their several col-
lections.
He assured me ' that this invention had employed
all his thoughts from his youth; that he had emptied
the whole vocabulary into his frame, and made the
strictest computation of the general proportion there
is in books between the numbers of particles, nouns,
and verbs, and other parts of speech.'
I made my humblest acknowledgment to this il-
lustrious person, for his great communicativeness;
and promised,' if ever I had the good fortune to re-
turn to my native country, that I would do him jus-
tice, as the sole inventor of this wonderful machine;'
the form and contrivance of which I desired leave
to delineate on paper, as in the figure here annexed.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 199
I told him, * although it were the custom of oor
learned in Europe to steal inventions from each
other, who had thereby at least this advantage, that
it became a controversy which was the right owner;
yet I would take such caution, that he should have
the honour entire, without a rival.'
We next went to the school of languages, where
three professors sat in consultation upon improving
that of their own country.
The first project was, to shorten discourse, by cut-
ting polysyllables into one, and leaving out verbs and
participles; because, in reality, all things imaginable
are but nouns.
. The other project was, a scheme for entirely abo-
lishing all words whatsoever; and this was urged as
a great advantage in point of health, as well as bre-
vity. For it is plain, that every word we speak is,
in some degree, a diminution of our lungs by corro-
sion; and consequently contributes to the shortening
of our lives. An expedient was therefore offered,
* that since words are only names for things, it would
be more convenient for all men to carry about them
such things as were necessary to express a particular
business they are to discourse on.' And this inven-
tion would certainly have taken place, to the great
ease as well as health of the subject, if the women,
in conjunction with the vulgar and illiterate, had
not threatened to raise a rebellion, unless they might
be allowed the liberty to speak with their tongues,
after the manner of their forefathers; such constant
irreconcileable enemies to science are the common
people. However, many of the most learned and
wise adhere to the new scheme of expressing them-
selves by things; which has only this inconvenience
attending it, that if a man's business be very great,
and of various kinds, he must be obliged, in propor-
tion, to carry a greater bundle of things upon his
back, unless he can afford one or two strong servants
to attend him. I have often beheld two of those
sages almost sinking under the weight of their packs,
200 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS;
like pedlars among us; who, when they met in the
street, would lay down their loads, open their sacks,
and hold conversation for an hour together; then
put up their implements, Jielp each other to resume
their burthens, and take their leave.
But for short conversations, a man may carry im-
plements in his pockets, and under his arms, enough
to supply him; and in his house, he cannot be at a
loss. Therefore the room where company meet who
practise this art, is full of all things, ready at hand,
requisite to furnish matter for this kind of artificial
converse.
Another great advantage proposed by this inven-
tion was, that it would serve as a universal language,
to be understood in all civilised nations, whose
goods and utensils are generally of the same kind,
or nearly resembling, so that their uses might easily
be comprehended. And thus ambassadors would be
qualified to treat with foreign princes, or ministers
of state, to whose tongues they were utter strangers.
I was at the mathematical school, where the
master taught his pupils after a method scarce ima*
gjjaable to us in Europe. The proposition, and de-
monstration, were fairly written on a thin wafer,
with ink composed of a cephalic tincture. This, the
student was to swallow upon a fasting stomach, and
for three days following eat nothing but bread and
water. As the wafer digested, the tincture mounted
to his brain, bearing the proposition along with it,
But the success has not hitherto been answerable,
partly by some error in thequantum or composition,
and partly by the perverseness of lads, to whom this
bolus is so nauseous, that they generally steal aside,
and discbarge it upwards, before it can operatej
neither have they been yet persuaded to use so long
an abstinence, as the prescription requires.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 201
CHAPTER VI.
A farther account of the academy. The Author
proposes some improvements, which are honour-
ably received.
TN the school of political projectors, I was but ill
■■- entertained; the professors appearing, in my judg-
ment, wholly out of their senses; which is a scene
that never fails to make me melancholy. These un-
happy people were proposing schemes for persuading
monarchsto choose favourites upon the score of their
wisdom, capacity, and virtue; of teaching ministers
to consult the public good; of rewarding merit,great
abilities,and eminen Services; of instructing princes
to know their true interest, by placing it on the same
foundation with that of their people; of choosing for
employments, persons qualified to exercise them;
with many other wild impossible chimeras, that never
entered before into the heart of man to conceive;
and confirmed in me the old observation, * that there
is nothing so extravagant and irrational, which some
philosophers have not maintained for truth.'
But, however, I shall so far do justice to this part
of the academy, as to acknowledge that all of them
were not so visionary. There was a most ingenious
doctor, who seemed to be perfectly versed in the
whole-nature and system of government. This illus-
trious person had very usefully employed his studies,
in finding out effectual remedies for all diseases and
corruptions, to which the several kinds of public ad-
ministration are subject, by the vices or infirmities of
those who govern, as well as by the licentiousness
of those who are to obey. For instance ; whereas all
writers and reasoners have agreed, that there is a
strict universal resemblance between the natural aud
the political body; can there be any thing more evi-
dent, than that the health of both must be preserved,
mt GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
and the diseases cured, by the same prescriptions
It is allowed, that senates and great councils are
often troubled with redundant, ebullient, and other
peccant humours; with many diseases of the head,
and more of the heart; with strong convulsions,with
grievous contractions of the nerves and sinews in
both hands, but especially the right; with spleen,
flatus, vertigoes, and deliriums; with scrofulous tu-
mours, full of fetid purulent matter; with sour frothy
ructations; with canine appetites, and crudeness of
digestion, beside many others needless to mention.
This doctor therefore proposed, 'that upon the
meeting of the senate, certain physicians should at-
tend at the three first days of their sitting, and at
the close of each day's debate feel the pulses of every
senator; after which, having maturely considered
and consulted upon the nature of the several mala-
dies, and the methods of cure, they should on the
fourth day return to the senate-house, attended by
their apothecaries stored with proper medicines; and
before the members sat, administer to each of them
lenitives, aperitives, abstersives, corrosives, restrin-
gente, palliatives, laxatives, cephalalgics, icterics,
apophlegmatics, acoustics, as their several cases re-
quired; and, according as these medicines should
operate, repeat, alter, or omit them, at the next
meeting.'
This project could not be of any great expense to
the public; and might, in my poor opinion, be of
much use for the dispatch of business, in those coun-
tries where senates have any share in the legislative
power; beget unanimity, shorten debates, open a few
mouths which are now closed, and close many more
which are now open; curb the petulancy of the
young, and correct the positiveness of the old; rouse
the stupid, and damp the pert.
Again: because it is a general complaint, that the
favourites of prinees are troubled with short and
-weak memories; the same doctor proposed, ' that
whoever attended a first minister, after having told
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 203
his business, with the utmost brevity and in the plain-
est words, should, at his departure, give the said mi-
nister a tweak by the nose, or a kick on the belly, or
tread on his corns, or lug him thrice by both ears,
or run a pin into his breech, or pinch his arm black
and blue, to prevent forgetfulness; and at every le-
vee day, repeat the same operation, till the business
were done, or absolutely refused.'
He likewise directed, 'that every senator in the
great council of a nation, after he had delivered his
opinion and argued in the defence of it, should be
obliged to give his vote directly contrary; because if
that were done, the result would infallibly terminate
in the good of the public'
When parties in a state are violent, he offered a
wonderful contrivance to reconcile them. The me-
thod is this: you take a hundred leaders of each
party ; you dispose them into couples of such whose
heads are nearest of a size; then let two nice opera*
tors saw off the occiput of each couple at the same
time, in such a manner, that the brain maybe equally
divided. Let the occiputs, thus cut off, be inter-
changed, applying each to the head of his opposite
party-man. It seems indeed to be a work that re-
quires some exactness, but the professor assured us,
'that if it were dexterously performed, the cure
would de infallible.' For he argued thus; * that
the two half brains being left to debate the matter
between themselves within the space of one skull,
would soon come to a good understanding; and pro-
duce that moderation, as well as regularity of think-
ing, so much to be wished for in the heads of those,
who imagine they come into the world only to watch
and govern its motion: and as to the difference of
brains, in quantity or quality, among those who are
directors in faction,' the doctor assured us, from his
own knowledge, that' it was a perfect trifle.'
I heard a very warm debate between two pro-
fessors, about the most commodious and effectual
ways and means of raising money, without grieving
204 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the subject. The first affirmed, < the justest method
would be, to lay a certain tax upon vices and folly;
and the sum fixed upon every man to be rated, after
the fairest manner, by a jury of his neighbours.' The
second was of an opinion directly contrary; ' to tax
those qualities of body and mind, for which men
chiefly value themselves ; the rate to be more or less,
according to the degrees of excelling; the decision
whereof should be left entirely to their own breast.'
The highest tax was upon men who are the greatest
favourites of the other sex, and the assessments, ac-
cording to the number and nature of the favours
they have received; for which, they are allowed to.
be their own vouchers. Wit, valour, and politeness,
were likewise proposed to be largely taxed, and col-
lected in the same manner, by every person's giving
his own word for the quantum of what he possessed*
But as to honour, justice, wisdom, and learning, they
should not be taxed at all; because they are qualifi-
cations of so singular a kind, that no man will either
allow them in his neighbour, or value them in himself.
The women were proposed to be taxed according
to their beauty and skill in dressing, wherein they
had the same privilege with the men, to be deter-
mined by their own judgment. But constancy,
chastity, good sense, and good nature, were not
rated, because tlxey would not bear the charge of
collecting.
To keep senators in the interest of the crown, it
was proposed that the members should raffle for
employments j every man first taking an oath, and
giving security, that he would vote for the court,
whether he won or not; after which, the losers had,
in their turn, the liberty of raffing upon the next
vacancy. Thus, hope and expectation would be kept
alive; none would complain of broken promises, but
impute their disappointments wholly to fortune,
whose shoulders are broader and stronger than
those of a ministry.
Another professor showed me a large paper of in-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 205
structions for discovering plots and conspiracies
against the government. He advised great statesmen
to examine into the diet of all suspected persons •
their times of eating; upon which side they lay in
bed; with which hand they wiped their posteriors;
take a strict view of their excrements, and, from the
colour, the odour, the taste, the consistence, the
crudeness, or maturity of digestion,form a judgment
of their thoughts and designs; because men are ne-
ver so serious, thoughtful, and intent, as when they
are at stool, which he found by experience: for, in
such conjunctures, when he used, merely as a trial,
to consider which was the best way of murdering
the king, his ordure would have a tincture of green:
but quite different, when he thought only of raising
an insurrection, or burning the metropolis.
The whole discourse was written with great acute-
ness, containing many observations, both curious and
useful for politicians; but, as I conceived, not alto-
gether complete. This I ventured to tell the author,
and offered, if he pleased, to supply him with some
additions. He received my proposition with more
compliance than is usual among writers, especially
those of the projecting species; professing 'he
would be glad to receive farther information.'
I told him, ' that in the kingdom of Tribnia, by
the natives called Langden, where I had sojourned
some time in my travels, the bulk of the people con-
sist in a manner wholly of discoverers, witnesses, in-
formers, accusers, prosecutors, evidences, swearers,
together with their several subservient and subaltern
instruments, all under the colours, the conduct, and
the pay of ministers of,state, and their deputies.
The plots, in that kingdom, are usually the work-
manship of those persons, who desire to raise their
own characters of profound politicians; to restore
new vigour to a crazy administration; to stifle or
divert general discontents; to fill their coffers with
forfeitures; and raise or sink the opinion of public
credit, as either shall best answer their private ad-
206 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
vantage. It is first agreed and settled among them,
what suspected persons shall be accused of a plot:
then, effectual care is taken to secure all their letters
and papers, and put the owners in chains. These
papers are delivered to a set of artists, very dexterous
in finding out the mysterious meanings of words,
syllables, and letters : for instance, they can discover
a closestool, to signify a privy-council; a flock of
geese, a senate; a lame dog*, an invader; the plague,
a standing army; a buzzard, a prime minister; the
gout, a high priest; a gibbet, a secretary of state; a
chamber-pot, a committee of grandees; a sieve, a
court lady; a broom, a revolution; a mouse-trap, an
employment; a bottomless pit, a treasury; a sink, a
court; a cap and bells,a favourite; a broken reed, a
court of justice; an empty tun, a general; a running
sore, the administration.
4 When this method fails, they have two others
more effectual, which the learned among them call
acrostics and anagrams. First, they can decipher all
initial letters into political meanings. Thus N, shall
signify a plot; B, a regiment of horse; L, a fleet at
sea: or, secondly, by transposing the letters of the
alphabet in any suspected paper, they can lay open
the deepest designs of a discontented party. So, for
example, if I should say, in a letter to a friend,« Our
brother Tom has just got the piles,' a skilful de
cipherer would discover, that the same letters which
compose that sentence, may be analysed into the
following words, * Resist,—a plot is brought home—
The tour.' And this is the anagrammatic method.'
The professor made me great acknowledgments
for communicating these observations, and promised
to make honourable mention of me in his treatise.
I saw nothing in this country that could invite me
to a longer continuance, and began to think of re-
turning home to England.
* See the proceedings against Dr. Atterbury, Bi-
shop of Rochester, in the State Trials, vol. vi.~H.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 207
CHAPTER VII.
The Author leaves Lagado, arrives at Maldonada.
No ship ready. He takes a short voyage to
Glubbdubdrib. His reception by the governor.
THE continent, of which this kingdom is a part,
extends itself, as I have reason to believe, east-
ward, to that unknown tract of America westward
of California; and north, to the Pacific Ocean,
which is not above a hundred and fifty miles from
Lagado; where there is a good port, and much com-
merce with the great island of Luggnagg, situated
to the north-west about 29 degrees north latitude,
and 140 longitude. This island of Luggnagg stands
south-eastward of Japan, about a hundred leagues
distant. There is a strict alliance between the Ja-
panese emperor and the king of Luggnagg; which
affords frequent opportunities of sailing from one
island to the other. I determined therefore to di-
rect my course this way, in order to my return to
Europe. I hired two mules, with a guide, to show
me the way, and carry my small baggage. I took
leave of my noble protector, who had shown me so
much favour, and made me a generous present at
my departure.
My journey was without any accident or adventure
worth relating. When I arrived at the port of Mal-
donada (for so it is called), there was no ship in the
harbour bound for Luggnagg, nor likely to be in some
time. The town is about as large as Portsmouth. I
soon fell into some acquaintance, and was very hos-
pitably received. A gentleman of distinction said to
me, * that since the ships bound for Luggnagg could
not be ready in less than a month, it might be no
disagreeable amusement for me to take a, trip to the
little island of Glubbdubdrib, about five leagues off
to the south-west.' He offered himself and a friend
208 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
to accompany me, and that T should be provided with
a small convenient bark for the voyage.
Glubbdubdrib, as nearly as I can interpret the
■word, signifies the island of sorcerers or magicians.
It is about one third as large as the Isle of Wight,
and extremely fruitful: it is governed by the head
of a certain tribe, who are all magicians. This tribe
marries only among each other, and the eldest in
succession is prince or governor. He has a noble
palace, and a park of about three thousand acres,
surrounded by a wall of hewn stone twenty feet
high. In this park are several small enclosures for
cattle, corn, and gardening.
The governor and his family are served and attend-
ed by domestics of a kind somewhat unusual. By
his skill in necromancy, he has a power of calling
whom he pleases from the dead, and commanding
their service for twenty-four hours, but no longer;
nor can he call the same persons up again in less
than three months, except upon very extraordinary
occasions.
When we arrived at the island, which was about
eleven in the morning, one of the gentlemen who ac-
companied me went to the governor, and desired ad-
mittance for a stranger, wri^came on purpose to have
the honour of attending on his highness. This was
immediately granted, and we all three entered the
gate of the palace between two rows of guards, armed
and dressed after a very antick manner, and some-
thing in their countenances that made my flesh creep
with a horror I cannot express. We passed through
several apartments, bet ween servants of the same sort,
ranked on each side as before, till we came to the
chamber of presence; where, after three profound
obeisances, and a few general questions, we were per-
mitted to sit on three stools, near the lowest step of
his highness's throne. He understood the language
of Balnibarbi, although it were different from that
of this island. He desired me to give him some ac-
count of my travels; and, to let me see that I should
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 209
be treated without ceremony, he dismissed all his
attendants with a turn of his finger; at which, to my
great astonishment, they vanished in an instant,
like visions in a dream when we awake on a sudden.
I could not recover myself in some time, till the go-
vernor assured me,' that I should receive no hurt
and observing my two companions to be under no
concern, who had been often entertained in the same
manner, I began to take courage, and related to his
highness a short history of my several adventures;
yet not without some hesitation, and frequently
looking behind me to the place where I had seen
those domestic spectres. I had the honour to dine
with the governor, where a new set of ghosts served
up the meat, and waited at table. I now observed
myself to be less terrified than I had been in the
morning. I stayed till sunset, but humbly desired
his highness to excuse me for not accepting his in-
vitation of lodging in the palace. My two friends
and I lay at a private house in the town adjoining,
which is the capital of this little island; and the
next morning we returned to pay our duty to the
governor, as he was pleased to command us.
After this manner we continued in the island fop
ten days, most part of every day with the governor,
and at night in our lodging. I st>on grew so fami-
liarized to the sight of spirits, that after the third or
fourth time they gave me no emotion at all; or, if I
had any apprehensions left, my curiosity prevailed
over them. For his highness the governor ordered
me * to call up whatever persons I would choose to
name, and in whatever numbers, among all the dead
from the beginning of the world to the present time,
and command them to answer any questions I should
think fit to ask; with this condition, that my ques-
tions must be confined within the compass of the
times they lived in. And one thing I might depend
upon, that they would certainly tell me the truth,
for lying was a talent of no use in the lower world.*
I made my humble acknowledgments to his high-
ness for so great a favour. We were in a chamber.
210 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
from whence there was a fair prospect into the park.
And because my first inclination was to be enter-
tained with scenes of pomp and magnificence, I de-
sired to see Alexander the Great at the head of his
army, just after the battle of Arbela: which, upon
a motion of the governor's finger, immediately ap-
peared in a large field, under the window where we
stood. Alexander was called up into the room ; it
was with great difficulty that I understood his
Greek*, and had but little of my own. He assured
me upon his honour, 'that he was not poisoned, but
died of a bad fever by excessive drinkingt.'
Next, I saw Hannibal passing the Alps, who told
me, < he had not a drop of vinegar in his camp J.'
I saw Caesar and Pompey at the head of their
troops, just ready to engage. I saw the former, in
his last great triumph. I desired that the senate of
Rome might appear before me, in one large cham-
* An hint from Gulliver that we have lost the
true Greek idiom.—Orrery.
t In this passage there is a peculiar beauty,
though it is not discovered at an hasty view. The
appearance of Alexander with a victorious army im-
mediately after the battle of Arbela, produces only
a declaration that he died by drunkenness;—thus in-
adequate and ridiculous in the eye of reason is the
ultimate purpose for which Alexander with his army
marched into a remote country, subverted a mighty
empire, and deluged a nation with blood: he gained
no more than an epithet to his name, which, after a
few repetitions, was no longer regarded eyen by him-
self. Thus the purpose of his resurrection appears
to be at least equally important with that of his
life, upon which it is a satire not more bitter than
just.—H.
% Livy, the Roman historian, has related, that
Hannibal burnt a great pile of wood upon a rock
that stopped his passage, and when it was thus heat-
ed poured vinegar upon it, by which it was made so
soft as to be easily cut through.—-H.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. £11
ber, and a modern representative in counterview, in
another. The first seemed to be an assembly of
heroes and demi-gods; the other, a knot of pedlars,
pickpockets, highwaymen, and bullies.
The governor, at my request, gave the sign for
Caesar and Brutus to advance towards us. I was
struck with a profound veneration at the sight of
Brutus, and could easily discover the most con-
summate virtue, the greatest intrepidity and firm-
ness of mind, the truest love of his country, and ge-
neral benevolence for mankind, in every lineament
of his countenance. I observed, with much plea-
sure, that these two persons were in good intelli-
gence with each other; and Caesar freely confessed
to me, 'that the greatest actions of his own life were
not equal, by many degrees, to the glory of taking
it away.' I had the honour to have much conversa-
tion with Brutus; and was told, 'that his ancestor
Junius, Socrates, Epaminondas, Cato the younger*,
Sir Thomas More, and himself, were perpetually to-
gether a sextumvirate, to which all the ages of the
world cannot add a seventh.
It would be tedious to trouble the reader with re-
lating what vast numbers of illustrious persons were
called up, to gratify that insatiable desire I had to
see the world in every period of antiquity placed be-
fore me. I chiefly fed mine eyes with beholding the
destroyers of tyrants and usurpers, and the restorers
of liberty to oppressed and injured nations. But it
is impossible to express the satisfaction I received
in my own mind, after such a manner, as to make it
a suitable entertainment to the reader.
* I am in some some doubt whether Cato the cen-
sor can fairly claim a rank among so choice a group
of ghosts.—Orrery. This note of his lordship is an
encomium on the judgment of our author, who knew
that Cato the censor and Cato the younger were
very different persons, and for good reason preferred
the latter,—H.
gig GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
CHAPTER VIII.
A further account ofGlubbdubdrib, Ancient and
modern history corrected.
TTAVING a desire to see those ancients who were
■*• -*■ most renowned for wit and learning, I set apart
one day on purpose. I proposed that Homer and
Aristotle might appear at the head of all their com-
mentators; but these were so numerous, that some
hundreds were forced to attend in the court, and
outward rooms of the palace. I knew, and could dis-
tinguish those two heroes, at first sight, not only
from the crowd, but from each other. Homer was
the taller and comelier person of the two, walked
very erect for one of his age, and his eyes were the
most quick and piercing I ever beheld. Aristotle
stooped much, and made use of a staff. His visage
was meagre, his hair lank and thin, and his voice
hollow*. I soon discovered that both of them were
perfect strangers to the rest of the company, and
had never seen or heard of them before. And I had
a whisper from a ghost who shall be nameless, 'that
these commentators always kept in the most distant
quarters from their principals, in the lower world,
through a consciousness of shame and guilt, because
they had so horribly misrepresented the meaning of
those authors to posterity.' I introduced Didymus
* This description of Aristotle is fine, and, in a
few words, represents the true nature of his works.
By not having the immortal spirit of Homer, he was
unable to keep his body erect; and his staff, which
feebly supported him, like his commentators, made
this defect more conspicuous. He wanted not some
useful qualities, but these real ornaments, like his
hair, were thin and ungraceful.—Orrery. In this
the noble commentator seems to be mistaken, for it
cannot be believ«d that Aristotle's real ornaments,
however few, were ungraceful*—H.
A VOYAGE TO LA^UTA, &c. f 13
and Eustathius to Homer, and prevailed on him to
treat them better than perhaps they deserved, for he
soon found they wanted a genius to enter into the
spirit of a poet. But" Aristotle was out of all pa-
tience with the account I gave him of Scotus and
Ramus, as I presented them to him; and he asked
them, * whether the rest of the tribe were as great
dunces as themselves?'
I then desired the governor to call up Descartes
and Gassendi, with whom I prevailed to explain
their systems to Aristotle. This great philosopher
freely acknowledged his own mistakes in natural
philosophy, because he proceeded in many things
upon conjecture, as all men must do; and he found,
that Gassendi, who had made the doctrine of Epi-
curus as palatable as he could, and the vortices of
Descartes, were equally to be exploded. He pre-
dicted the same fate to attraction, whereof the pre-
sent learned are such zealous assertors. He said,
* that new systems of nature were but new fashions,
which would vary in every age; and even those,
who pretend to demonstrate them from mathema-
tical principles, would flourish but a short period of
time, and be out of vogue when that was deter-
mined.'
I spent five days in conversing with many others
of the ancient learned. I saw most of the first
Roman emperors. I prevailed on the governor to
call up Eliogabalus's cooks to dress us a dinner, but
they could not show us much of their skill, for want
of materials. A helot of Agesilaus made us a dish
of Spartan broth, but I was not able to get down a
second spoonful.
The two gentlemen, who conducted me to the
island, were pressed by their private affairs to return
in three days; which I employed in seeing some of
the modern dead, who had made the greatest figure,
for two or three hundred years past, in our own and
other countries of Europe ^and having been always
a great admirer of old illustrious families, I desired
214 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
the governor would call up a dozen or two of kings,
with their ancestors in order for eight or nine gene-
rations. But my disappointment was grievous and
unexpected. For, instead of a long train with royal
diadems, 1 saw in one family two fiddlers, three
spruce courtiers, and an Italian prelate. In another,
a barber, an abbot, and two cardinals. I have too
great a veneration for crowned heads, to dwell any
longer on so nice a subject. But as to counts, mar-
quisses, dukes, earls, and the like, I was not so
scrupulous. And I confess, it was not without some
pleasure, that I found myself able to trace the par-
ticular features, by which certain families are dis-
tinguished, up to their originals. I could plainly
discover whence one family derives a long chin; why
a second has abounded with knaves for two genera-
tions, and fools for two more; why a third happen
ed to be crack-brained, and a fourth to be sharpers;
whence it came, what Polydore Vergil says of a cer-
tain great house, Necvirfortis, nec fcemina casta;
how cruelty, falsehood, and cowardice, grew to be
characteristics, by which certain families are distin-
guished as much as by their coats of arms; who first
brought the pox into a noble house, which has line-
ally descended in scrofulous tumours to their poste-
rity. Neither could I wonder at all this, when I saw
such an interruption of lineages, by pages, lackeys,
valets, coachmen, gamesters, fiddlers, players, cap-
tains, and pickpockets.
1 was chiefly disgusted with modern history. For
having strictly examined all the persons of greatest
name in the courts of princes, for a hundred years
past, I found how the world had been misled by
prostitute writers, to ascribe the greatest exploits in
war, to cowards; the wisest counsel, to fools; sin-
cerity, to flatterers; Roman virtue, to betrayers of
their country; piety, to atheists; chastity, to sodo-
mites; truth, to informers: how many innocent and
excellent persons had been condemned to death or
banishment, by the practising of great ministers up.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. $i5
©a the corruption of judges, and the malice of fac-
tions: how many villains had been exalted to the
highest places of trust, power, dignity, and profit:
how great a share in the motions and events of
courts, councils, and senates, might be challenged by
bawds, whores, pimps, parasites, and buffoons. How
low an opinion I had of human wisdom and integrity,
when I was truly informed of the springs and mo-
tives of great enterprises and revolutions in the
world, and of the contemptible accidents to which
they owed their success!
Here I discovered the roguery and ignorance of
those who pretend to write anecdotes, or secret his-
tory; who send so many kings to their graves with a
cup of poison; will repeat the discourse between a
prince and chief minister, where no witness was by;
unlock the thoughts and cabinets of ambassadors and;
secretaries of state; and have the perpetual mis-
fortune to be mistaken. Here I discovered the true
causes of many great events that have surprised the
world; how a whore can govern the back-stairs, the
back-stairs a council, and the council a senate. A
general confessed in my presence, ' that he got a
victory purely by the force of cowardice and ill con-
duct and an admiral, 'that, for want of proper in-
telligence, he beat the enemy, to whom he intended
to betray the fleet.' Three kings protested to me,
« that in their whole reigns they never did once pre-
fer any person of merit, unless by mistake, or trea-
chery of some minister in whom they confided: nei
ther would they do it if they were to live again
and they showed, with great strength of reason,
4 that the royal throne could not be supported with-*
out corruption, because that positive, confident, res-
tive temper, which virtue infused into a man, was a
perpetual clog to public business.*
I had the curiosity to inquire in a particular man-,
ner, by what method great numbers had procured to
themselves high titles of honour, and prodigious es-
tates; and I confined pay inquiry to a very modern
216 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
period: however, without grating upon present times*
because I would be sure to give no offence even to
foreigners; for I hope the reader need not to be told,
that I do not in the least intend my own country,
in what I say upon this occasion. A great number
of persons concerned were called up; and, upon a
very slight examination, discovered such a scene of
infamy, that I cannot reflect upon it without some se-
riousness. Perjury, oppression, subornation, fraud,
pandarism, and the like infirmities, were among the
most excusable arts they had to mention; and for
these I gave, as it was reasonable, great allowance.
But when some confessed they owed their greatness
and wealth to sodomy, or incest; others, to the
prostituting of their own wives and daughters;
others, to the betraying of their country or their
prince; some, to poisoning; more, to the perverting
of justice, in order to destroy the innocent: I hope I
may be pardoned, if these discoveries inclined me a
little to abate of that profound veneration, which I
am naturally apt to pay to persons of high rank, who
ought to be treated with the utmost respect due to
their sublime dignity, by us their inferiors.
I had often read of some great services done to
princes and states, and desired to see the persons by
whom those services were performed. Upon inquiry
I was told, < that their names were to be found on
no record, except a few of them, whom history has
represented as the vilest of rogues and traitors. As
to the rest, I had never once heard of them. They
all appeared with dejected looks, and in the mean-
est habit; most of them telling me, 'they died in
poverty and disgrace, and the rest on a scaffold or a
gibbet.'
Among others, there was one person, whose case
appeared a little singular. He had a youth about
eighteen years old standing by his side. He told me
* he had for many years been commander of a ship;
and in the sea-fight at Actium had the good fortune
to break through the enemy's great line of battle, sink
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 217
three of their capital ships, and take a fourth, which
was the sole cause of Antony's flight, and of the vic-
tory that ensued ; that the youth standing by him,
his only son, was killed in the action.' He added,
* that upon the confidence of some merit, the war
being at an end, he went to Rome, and solicited at
the court of Augustus to be preferred to a greater
ship, whose commander had been killed; but, with-
out any regard to his pretensions, it was given to a
boy who had never seen the sea, the son of Libertina,
who waited on one of the emperor's mistresses. Re-
turning back to his own vessel he was charged with
neglect of duty, and the ship given to a favourite
page of Publicola, the vice-admiral; whereupon he
retired to a poor farm at a great distance from
Rome, and there ended his life.' I was so curious to
know the truth of this story, that I desired Agrippa
might be called, who was admiral in that fight. He
appeared, and confirmed the whole account; but
with much more advantage to the captain, whose
modesty had extenuated or concealed a great part
of his merit.
I was surprised to find corruption grown so high
and so quick in that empire, by the force of luxury
so lately introduced-i which made me less wonder at
many parallel cases in other countries, where vices
of all kinds have reigned so much longer, and where
the whole praise, as well as pillage, has been en-
grossed by the chief commander, who perhaps had
the least title to either.
As every person called up made exactly the same
appearance he had done in the world, it gave me me-
lancholy reflections to observe,how much the race of
human kind was degenerated among us, within these
hundred years past. How the pox, under all its
consequences and denominations, had altered every
lineament of an English countenance; shortened
the size of bodies, unbraced the nerves, relaxed the
sinews and muscles, introduced a sallow complexion,
and rendered the flesh loose and rancid.
L
218 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
I descended so low, as to desire some English
yeoman of the old stamp might be summoned to ap-
pear; once so famous for the simplicity of their man-
ners, diet, and dress; for justice in their dealings;
for their true spirit of liberty; for their valour, and
love of their country. Neither could I be wholly
unmoved, after comparing the living with the dead,
when I considered how all these pure native virtues
were prostituted for a piece of money by their grand-
children; who, in selling their votes and managing
at elections, have acquired every vice and corruption
that can possibly be learned in a court.
The Author returns to Maldonada. Sails to the
kingdom of Luggnagg. The Author confined.
He is sent for to court. The manner of his
admittance. The King's great lenity to his
subjects.
rpHE day of our departure being come, T took leave
of his highness, the governor of Glubbdubdrib,
and returned with my two companions to Maldo-
nada, where, after a fortnight's waiting, a ship was
ready to sail for Luggnagg. The two gentlemen,
and some others, were so generous and kind as to
furnish me with provisions, and see me on-board.
I was a month in this voyage. We had one violent
storm, and were under a necessity of steering west-
ward to get into the trade-wind, which holds for
above sixty leagues. On the 21st of April, 1708, we
sailed into the river of Clumegnig, which is a sea-
port town, at the south-east point of Luggnagg. We
cast anchor within a league of the town, and made
a signal for a pilot. Two of them came on-board
in lees than half an hour, by whom we were guided
CHAPTER IX.

A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 219
between certain shoals and rocks, which are very
dangerous in the passage, to a large basin, where a
fleet may ride in safety within a cable's length of
the town-wall.
Some of our sailors, whether out of treachery or
inadvertence, had informed the pilots ' that I was a
stranger, and a great traveller;' whereof these gave
notice to a custom-house officer, by whom I was ex-
amined very strictly upon my landing. This officer
spoke to me in the language of Balnibarbi, which, by
the force of much commerce, is generally understood
in that town, especially by seamen and those em-
ployed in the customs. I gave him a short account
o/ some particulars, and made my story as plausible
and consistent as I could; but I thought it necessary
to disguise my country, and call myself a Hollander;
because my intentions were for Japan, and I knew
the Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to
enter into that kingdom. I therefore told the offi-
cer, ' that having been shipwrecked on the coast of
Balnibarbi, and cast on a rock, I was received up
into Laputa, or the flying island (of which he had
often heard), and was now endeavouring to get to
Japan, whence I might find a convenience of return-
ing to my own country.' The officer said, ' I must
be confined till he could receive orders from court,
for which he would write immediately, and hoped to
receive an answer in a fortnight.' I was carried to
a convenient lodging, with a sentry placed at the
door; however, I had the liberty of a large garden,
and was treated with humanity enough, being main-
tained all the time at the king's charge. I was in-
vited by several persons, chiefly out of curiosity, be-
cause it was reported that I came from countries
very remote, of which they had never heard.
I hired a young man, who came in the same ship,
to be an interpreter; he was a native of Luggnagg,
but had lived some years at Maldonada, and was a
perfect master of both languages. By his assistance,
I was able to hold a conversation with those who
§20 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
came to visit me; but this consisted only of their
questions, and my answers.
The dispatch came from court about the time we
expected. It contained a warrant for conducting me
and my retinue to Tntrldragdubh, or Trildrogdrib,
for it is pronounced both ways as near as I can re-
member, by a party of ten horse. All my retinue
was that poor lad for au interpreter, whom I per-
suaded into my service, and, at my humble request,
we had each of us a mule to ride on. A messenger
was dispatched half a day's journey before us, to
give the king notice of my approach; and to desire,
'that his majesty would please to appoint a day and
hour, when it would be his gracious pleasure, that I
might have the honour to lick the dust before his
footstool.' This is the court style, and I found it
to be more than matter of form. For, upon my ad-
mittance two days after my arrival, I was commanded
to crawl upon my belly, and lick the floor as I ad-
vanced ; but, on account of my being a stranger, care
was taken to have it made so clean, that the dust
was not offensive. However, this was a peculiar
grace, not allowed to any but persons of the highest
rank, when they desire an admittance. Nay, some-
times the floor is strewed with dust on purpose, when
the person to be admitted happens to have powerful
enemies at court. And I have seen a great lord with
his mouth so crammed, that when he had crept to
the proper distance from the throne, he was not able
to speak a word. Neither is there any remedy; be-
cause it is capital for those, who receive an audience,
to spit or wipe their mouths in his majesty's presence.
There is indeed another custom, which I cannot alto-
gether approve of: when the king has a mind to put
any of his nobles to death in a gentle indulgent man.
ner, he commands the floor to be strewed with a cer-
tain brown powder of a deadly composition, which,
being licked up, infallibly kills him in twenty-four
hours. But in justice to this prince's great clemency,
and the care he has of his subjecfcs^ives (wherein it
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c 221
were much to be wished-that the monarchs of Europe
would imitate him), it must be mentioned for his
honour, that strict orders are given to have the in-
fected parts of the floor well washed after every such
execution; which, if his domestics neglect, they are
in danger of incurring his royal displeasure. I my-
self heard him give directions, that one of his pages
should be whipped, whose turn it was to give notice
about washing the floor after an execution, but ma-
liciously had omitted it; by which neglect, a young
lord of great hopes, coming to an audience, was un-
fortunately poisoned, although the king at that time
had no design against his life. But this good prince
was so gracious as to forgive the poor page his whip-
ping, upon promise that he would do so no more,
without special orders.
To return from this digression ; when I had crept
within four yards of the throne, I raised myself
gently upon my knees, and then striking my forehead
seven times against the ground, I pronounced the
following words, as they had been taught me the
night before, lnckpli?ig gloffthrobb squut serumm
blhiop mlashnatt zmin inodbaikuffhslhiophad
gurdlubh asht. This is the compliment, established
by the laws of the land, for all persons admitted to
the king's presence. It may be rendered into Eng-
lish thus: 'May your celestial majesty outlive the
sun, eleven moons and a half!' To this the king re-
turned some answer, which although I could not
understand, yet I replied as I had been directed:
Flute drin yalerick dwvldqm pr<nt i ad mirpush,
which properly signifies,' My tongue is in the mouth
of my friend;' and by this expression was meant,
that I desired leave to bring my interpreter; where-
upon the young man, already mentioned, was ac-
cordingly introduced; by whose intervention I an-
swered as many questions as his majesty could
put in above an hour. I spoke in the Balnibarbian
tongue, and my interpreter delivered my meaning in
tUat of Luggnagg,
222 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
The king was much delighted with my company,
and ordered his bliffmdrklub, or high-chamberlain,
to appoint a lodging in the court for me and my
interpreter; with a daily allowance for my table,
and a large purse of gold for my common ex-
penses.
I stayed three months in this country, out of per-
fect obedience to his majesty; who .was pleased
highly to favour me, and made me very honourable
offers. But I thought it more consistent with pru-
dence and justice to pass the remainder of my days
with my wife and family.
The Luggnaggians commended. A particular
description of the Struldbrugs, with many con-
versations, between the Author and some emi-
nent persons, upon that subject.
HPHE Luggnaggians are a polite and generous peo-
pie; and although they are not without some
share of that pride which is peculiar to all Eastern
countries, yet thjey show themselves courteous to
strangers ; especially such who are countenanced by
the court. I had many acquaintance, and amonf
persons of the best fashion ; and being always attend-
ed by my interpreter, the conversation we had was
nOt disagreeable.
One day, in much good company, I was asked by
a person of quality, » whether I had seen any of
their struldbrugs, or immortals V I said, * I had
not;' and desired he would explain to me 1 what
he meant by such an appellation, applied to a mor-
tal creature.' He told me ' that sometimes, thouga
very rarely, a child happened to be born in^a family,
with a red circular spot in the forehead, directly
CHAPTER X.

A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 223
over the left eyebrow, which was an infallible mark
that it should never die. The spot,' as he described
it, ' was about the compass of a silver three-pence,
but in the course of time grew larger, and changed
its colour; for at twelve years old it became green,
so continued till five-and-twenty, then turned to a
deep blue: at five-and-forty it grew coal black, and
as large as an English shilling; but never admitted
any further alteration.' He said,' these births were
so rare, that he did not believe there could be above
eleven hundred struldbrvgs, of both sexes, in the
whole kingdom; of which he computed about fifty
in the metropolis, and among the rest, a young girl
born about three years ago: that these productions
were not peculiar to any family, but a mere effect of
chance; and the children of the struldbrugs them-
selves, were equally mortal with the rest of the
people.'
I freely own myself to have been struck with in-
expressible delight, upon hearing this account: and
the person who gave it me happening to understand
the Balnibarbian language, which I spoke very well,
I could not forbear breaking out into expressions,
perhaps a little too extravagant. I cried out, as in a
rapture: ' Happy nation, where every child has at
least a chance for being immoxtal! Happy people,
who enjoy so many living examples of ancient vir-
tue, and have masters ready to instruct them in the
wisdom of all former ages! but happiest, beyond all
comparison, are those excellent struldbrugs, who,
being born exempt from that universal calamity of
human nature, have their minds free and disengaged,
without the weight and depression of spirits caused
by the continual apprehensions of death!' 1 disco-
vered my admiration, 'that 1 had not observed any
of these illustrious persons at court; the black spot
on the forehead being so remarkable a distinction,
that I could not have easily overlooked it: and it
was impossible that his majesty, a motet judicious
224 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
prince, should not provide himself with a good num-
ber of such wise and able counsellors. Yet perhaps
the virtue of those reverend sages was too strict for
the corrupt and libertine manners of a court. And
we often find by experience, that young men are
too opinionated and volatile, to be guided by the
sober dictates of their seniors. However, since the
king was pleased to allow me access to his roval
person, I was resolved, upon the very first occasion,
to deliver my opinion to him on this matter freely
and at large, by the help of my interpreter; and
whether he would please to take my advice or not,
yet in one thing I was determined, that his majesty
having frequently offered me an establishment in this
country, I would, with great thankfulness, accept
the favour, and pass my life here in the conversa-
tion of those superior beings the struldbrugs, if
they would please to admit me.'
The gentleman, towhorn I addressed my discourse,
because (as I have already observed) he spoke the
language of Balnibarbi, said to me, with a sort of a
smile which usually arises from pity to the ignorant,
* that he was glad of any occasion to keep me
among them, and desired my permission to explain
to the company what I had spoke.' He did so, and
they talked together for some time in their own lan-
guage, whereof I understood not a syllable, neither
could I observe by their countenances, what impres-
sion my discourse had made on them. After a short
silence, the same person told me, ' that his friends
and mine (so he thought fit to express himself) were
very much pleased with the judicious remarks I had
made, on the great happiness and advantages of im-
mortal life, and they were desirous to know, in a
particular manner, what scheme of living I should
have formed to myself, if it had fallen to my lot to
have been born a struldbrug*
I answered,' it was easy to be eloquent on so co-
pious and delightful a subject, especially to me, who
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 225
had been often apt to amuse myself with visions of
what T should do, if I were a king, a general, or a
great lord: and upon this very case, I had frequent-
ly run over the whole system how I should employ
myself, and pass the time, if I were sure to live for
ever.
< That, if it had been my good fortune to come
into the world a struldbrug, as soon as I could dis-
cover my own happiness, by understanding the dif-
ference between life and death, 1 would first resolve,
by all arts and methods whatsoever, to procure my-
self riches. In the pursuit of which, by thrift and
management, I might reasonably expect, in about
two hundred years, to be the wealthiest man in the
kingdom. In the second place, I would, from my
earliest youth, apply myself to the study of arts and
sciences, by which I should arrive in time to excel
all others in learning. Lastly, I would carefully re-
cord every action and event of consequence, that
happened in the public, impartially draw the cha-
racters of the several successions of princes and great
ministers of state, with my own observations on
every point. I would exactly set down the several
changes in customs, language, fashions of dress, diet,
and diversions. By all which acquirements, I should
be a living treasure of knowledge and wisdom, and
certainly become the oracle of the nation.
'1 would never marry after threescore, but live
in a hospitable manner, yet still on the saving side.
I would entertain myself in forming and directing
the minds of hopeful young men, by convincing them
from my own remembrance, experience, and obser-
vation,fortified by numerous examples, of the useful-
ness of virtue in public and privatelife. Butmy choice
and constant companions should be a set of my own
immortal brotherhood; among whom, I would elect
a dozen from the most ancient, down to my own con-
temporaries. Where any of these wanted fortunes,
I would provide them with convenient lodges round
my own estate, and have some of them always at ifiy
L 2
226 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
table; only mingling a few of the most valuable
among you mortals, whom length of time would
harden me to lose with little or no reluctance, and
treat your posterity after the same manner ; just as
a man diverts himself with the annual succession of
pinks and tulips in his garden, without regretting the
loss of those, which withered the preceding year.
'These struldbrugs and I would mutually com-
municate our observations and memorials, through
the course of time; remark the several gradations by
which corruption steals iutothe world, and oppose it
in every step, by giving perpetual warning and in-
struction to mankind; which, added to the strong
influence of our own example, would probably pre-
vent that continual degeneracy of human nature, so
justly complained of in all ages.
'Add to this, the pleasure of seeing the various
revolutions of states and empires; the changes in
the lower and upper world; ancient cities in ruins,
and obscure villages become the seats of kings; fa-
mous rivers lessening into shallow brooks; the ocean
leaving one coast dry, and overwhelming another;
the discovery of many countries yet unknown; bar-
barity overrunning the politest nations, and the most
barbarous become civilised. I should then see the
discovery of the longitude, the perpetual motion, the
universal medicine, and many other great inventions,
brought to the utmost perfection.
* What wonderful discoveries should we make in
astronomy, by outliving and confirming our own pre-
dictions; by observing the progress and returns of
comets, with the changes of motion in the sun, moon,
and stars!'
I enlarged upon nrany other topics, which the na-
tural desire of endless life, and sublunary happiness,
could easily furnish me with. When I had ended,
and the sum of my discourse had been interpreted,
as before, to the rest of the company, there was a
good deal of talk among them in the language of the
country, not without some laughter at my expense.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 227
At last, the same gentleman who had been my inter-
preter, said, * he was desired by the rest to set me
right in a few mistakes, which I had fallen into
through the common imbecility of human nature, and
upon that allowance was less answerable for them.
That this breed of struldbrugs vf&s peculiar to their
country, for there were no such people either in Bal-
nibarbi or Japan, where he had the honou'r to be'am-
bassador from his majesty, and found the natives in
both those kingdoms very hard to believe that - the
fact was possible: and it appeared from my astonish-
ment when he first mentioned the matter to me, that
I received it as a thing wholly new, and scarcely to
be credited. That in the two kingdoms above-men-
tioned, where during his residence he had conversed
very much, he observed long life to be the universal
desire and wish of mankind. That whoever "had one
foot in the grave was sure to hold back the other as
strongly as he could. That the oldest had still hopes
of living one day longer, and looked on death as the
greatest evil, from which nature always prompted
him to retreat. Only in this island of Luggnagg the
appetite for living was not so eager, from the con-
tinual example of the struldbrugs before their eyes.
• That the system of living contrived by me, was
unreasonable and unjust; because it supposed a per-
petuity of youth, health, and vigour, which no man
could be so foolish to hope, however extravagant he
may be in his wishes*. That the question therefore
* To this it may possibly be objected, that the per-
petuity of youth, health, and vigour, would be less
a prodigy than the perpetuity of life in a bodv sub-
ject to gradual decay, and might therefore be hoped
without greater extravagance of folly; but the sen-
timent here expressed is that of a being to whom im-
mortality though not perpetual youth was familiar,
and in whom the wish of perpetual youth only
would have been extravagant, because that only ap-
peared from facts to be impossible.—H.
$-28 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
was not, -whether a man would choose to be always
in the prime of youth, attended with prosperity and
health; but how he would pass a perpetual life, un-
der all the usual disadvantages, which old age brings
along with it. For although few men will avow
their desires of being immortal, upon such hard con-
ditions, yet in the two kingdoms before mentioned,
of Balnibarbi and Japan, he observed that every man
desired to put off death some time longer, let it ap-
proach ever so late: and he rarely heard of any man
who died willingly, except lie were incited by the
extremity of grief or torture. And he appealed to
nie, whether in those countries I had travelled, as
well as my own, 1 had not observed the same gene-
ral disposition*.'
After this preface, he gave me a particular account
of the struldbrugs among them. He said, ' they
commonly acted like mortals till about thirty years
old; after which, by degrees, they grew melancholy
and dejected, increasing in both till they came to
fourscore. This he learned from their own confes-
sion: for otherwise, there not being above two or
* If it be said, that although the folly of desiring
life to be prolonged under the disadvantages of old
age, is here finely exposed; yet the desire of terres-
trial immortality, upon terms on which alone in the
.nature of things it is possible, an exemption from
disease, accident, and decay, is tacitly allowed. It
may be answered, that as we grow old by impercep-
tible degrees, so for the most part we grow old with-
out repining; and every man is ready to profess
himself willing to die, when he shall be overtaken
by the decrepitude of age in some future period:
yet when every other eye sees that this period is ar-
rived, he is still tenacious of life, and murmurs at
the condition upon which he received his existence,
fa jre^eincile old age therefore to the thoughts of
a dissolution, appears to be all that was necessary in
a moral writer for practical purposes.—H.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 229
three of that species born in an age, they were too
few to form a general observation by. When they
came to fourscore years, which is reckoned the ex-
tremity of living in this country, they had not only
all the follies and infirmities of other old men, but
many more which arose from the dreadful prospect
of never dying. They were not only opinionative,
peevish, covetous, morose, vain, talkative; but in-
capable of friendship, and dead to all natural affec-
tion, which never descended below their grandchild-
ren. Envy, and impotent desires, are their prevail-
ing passions. But those objects against which their
envy seems principally directed, are the vices of the
younger sort, and the deaths of the old. By reflect-
ing on the former, they find themselves cut off from
all possibility of pleasure ; and whenever they see
a funeral, they lament and repine that others are
gone to a harbour of rest, to which they themselves
never can hope to arrive They have no remem-
brance of any thing, but what they learned and ob-
served in their youth and middle-age, and even that
is very imperfect. And for the truth or particulars
of any fact, it is safer to depend on common tradi-
tion, than upon their best recollections. The least
miserable among them, appear to be those who turn
to dotage, and entirely lose their memories ; these
meet with more pity and assistance, because they
want many bad qualities which abound in others.
'If a struldbrug happen to marry one of his own
kind, the marriage is dissolved of course, by the
courtesy of the kingdom, as soon as the younger of
the two comes to be fourscore. For the law thinks
it a reasonable indulgence, that those who are con-
demned, without any fault of their own, to a perpe-
tual continuance in the world, should not have their
misery doubled by the load of a wife,
'As soon as they have completed the term of
eighty years, they are looked on as dead in law;
their heirs immediately succeed to their estates; on-
ly a small pittance is reserved for their support; and
2S0 GULLIVEJt'S TRAVELS:
the poor ones are maintained at the public charge.
After that period, they are held incapable of any em-
ployment of trust or profit; they cannot purchase
lands, or take leases; neither are they allowed to be
witnesses in any cause, either civil or criminal, not
even for the decision of meers and bounds.
'At ninety, they lose their teeth and hair; they
have at that age no distinction of taste, but eat and
drink whatever they, can get, without relish or appe-
tite. The diseases they were subject to still conti-
nue, without increasing or diminishing. In talking,
they forget the common appellation of things, and
the names of persons, even of those who are their
nearest friends and relations. For the same reason,
they never can'amuse themselves with reading, be-
cause their memory will not serve to carry them
from the beginning of a sentence to the end; and
by this defect, they are deprived of the only enter-
tainment, whereof they might otherwise be capable.
'The language of this country being always upon
the flux, the struldbrugs of one age do not under-
stand those of another; neither are they able, after
two hundred years, to hold any conversation (farther
than by a few general words) with their neighbours
the mortals; and thus they lie under the disadvan-
tage of living like foreigners in their own country.'
This was the account given me of the struldbrugs,
as near as I can remember. I afterwards saw five
or six of different ages, the youngest not above two
hundred years old, who were brought to me at seve-
ral times by some of my friends; but although they
were told, ' that I was a great tra%'eller, and had
seen all the world,' they had not the least curiosity
to ask me a question; only desired < I would give
them alumskudabk, or a token of remembrance
which is a modest way of begging, to avoid the law,
that strictly forbids it, because they are provided for
by the public, although indeed with a very scanty
allowance.
They are despised and hated by all sorts of people^
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
231
When one of them is born, it is reckoned ominous,
and their birth is recorded very particularly: so that
you may know their age by consulting the register,
which, however, has not been kept above a thousand
years past, or at least has been destroyed by time or
public disturbances. .But the usual way of com-
puting how old they are, is by asking them what
kings or great persons they can remember, and then
consulting history; for infallibly the last prince in
their mind did not begin his reign after they were
fourscore years old.
They were the most mortifying sight I ever be-
held; and the women more horrible than the men.
Beside the usual deformities in extreme old age, they
acquired an additional ghastliness, in proportion to
their number of years, which is not to be described;
and among half a dozen, I soon distinguished which
was the eldest, although there was not above a cen-
tury or two between them.
The reader will easily believe, that from what I
had heard and seen, my keen appetite for perpetuity
of life was much abated. I grew heartily ashamed
of the pleasing visions I had formed; and thought
no tyrant could invent a death, into which I would
not run with pleasure, from such a life. The king
heard of ail that had passed between me and my
friends upon this occasion, and rallied me very plea-
santly; wishing I could send a couple ofstntldbrvgs
to my own country, to arm our people against the
fear of death*; but this, it seems, is forbidden by
the fundamental laws of the kingdom, or else I should
have been well content with the trouble and expense
of transporting them.
* Perhaps it may not be wholly useless to remark,
that the sight of a struldbrvg would no otherwise
3$SP those against the fear of death, who have no
hope beyond it, than a man is armed against the
fear of breaking his limbs, who jumps out of a win-
daw wheadlis house-is on nre.—M.
23t GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
I could not but agree, that the laws of this king!-
dom relative to the struldbrugs were founded upon
the strongest reasons, and such as any other country
would be under the necessity of enacting, in the like
circumstances. Otherwise, as avarice is the neces-
sary consequent of old age, those immortals would
in time become proprietors of the whole nation, and
engross the civil power, which, for want of abilities
to manage, must end in the ruin of the public.
CHAPTER XL
The Author leaves Lvggnagg, and sails to Japan.
From thence he returns in a Dutch ship to Am-
sterdam, and from Amsterdam to England.
T THOUGHT this account of the struldbrugs
might be some entertainment to the reader, be-
cause it seems to be a little out of the common way;
at least I do not remember to have met the like in
any book of travels that has come to my hands: and
if I am deceived, my excuse must be, that it is ne-
cessary for travellers who describe the same coun-
try, very often to agree in dwelling on the same par-
ticulars, without deserving the .censure of having
borrowed or transcribed from those who wrote be-
fore them.
There is indeed a perpetual commerce between this
kingdom and the great empire of Japan; and it is
very probable, that the Japanese authors may have
given some account of the struldbrugs; but my stay
in Japan was so short, and I was so entirely a stran-
ger to the language, that I was not qualified to make
any inquiries. But I hope the Dutch, upon this no^j
tice, will be curious and able enough to supnlj^^
defects.
H» majesty having often pressed mggp accept
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c.
233
some employment in bis court, and finding me abso-
lutely determined to return to my native country,
"was pleased to give me his licence to depart; and
honoured me with a letter of recommendation, under
his own hand, to the emperor of Japan. He likewise
presented me with four hundred and forty-four large
pieces of gold (this nation delighting in even num-
bers), and a red diamond, which I sold in England
for eleven hundred pounds.
On the 6th of May, 1709, I took a solemn leave of
his majesty, and all my friends. This prince was so
gracious, as to order a guard to conduct me to Glan-
guenstald, which is a royal port to the south-west
part of the island. In six days I found a vessel
ready to carry me to Japan, and spent fifteen days
, in the voyage. We landed at a small port-towa
called Xamoschi, situated on the south-east part of
Japan; the town lies on the western point, where
there is a narrow strait leading northward into a
long arm of the sea, upon the north-west part of
which, Yedo the metropolis stands. At landing I
showed the custom-house officers my letter from the
king of Luggnagg to his imperial majesty. They
knew the seal perfectly well; it was as broad as the
palm of my hand. The impression was,* A king
lifting up a lame beggar from the earth.' The ma-
gistrates of the town, hearing of my letter, received
me as a public minister; they provided me with car-
riages and servants, and bore my charges to Yedo j
where I was admitted to an audience, and delivered
.my letter; which was opened with great ceremony^
and explained to the emperor by an interpreter;
who then gave me notice, by his majesty's order,
'that I should signify my request, and, whatever it
were, it should he granted, for the sake of his royal
brothjgp of Luggnagg.' This interpreter was a per-
son employed to transact affairs with the Hollanders:
he soon conjectured, by my countenance, that I was
a European, and therefore repeated his majesty's
commands, in Low Dutch,, which he spoke perfectly
234 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
well. I answered, as I had before determined, * that
I was a Dutch merchant, shipwrecked in a very rev
mote country, whence I had travelled by sea and
land to Luggnagg, and then took shipping for Japan;
where I knew my countrymen often traded, and with
some of these I hoped to get an opportunity of re-
turning into Europe: I therefore most humbly en-
treated his royal favour, to give order that I should
be conducted in safety to N angasac' To this I added
another petition,' that for the sake of my patron the
king of Luggnagg, his majesty would condescend to
excuse my performing the ceremony imposed on my
countrymen, of trampling upon the crucifix; because
I had been thrown into this kingdom by my misfor-
tunes, without any intention of trading.' When this
latter petition was interpreted to the emperor, he
seemed a little surprised; and said, ' he believed I
was the first of my countrymen, who ever made any
scruple in this point; and that he began to doubt,
whether I was a real Hollander, or not; but rather
suspected I must be a Christian. However, for the
reasons I had offered, but chiefly to gratify the king
of Luggnagg by _an uncommon mark of his favour,
he would comply with the singularity of my hu-
mour; but the affair must be managed with dex-
terity, and his officers should be commanded to let
me pass, as it were by forgetfulness. For he assured
me, that if the secret should be discovered by my
countrymen the Dutch, they would cut my throat in
the voyage.' I returned my thanks, by the inter-
preter, for so unusual a favour; and some troops
being at that time on their march to N angasac, the
commanding officer had orders to convey me safe
thither, with particular instructions about the busi-
ness of the crttcifix.
,Qn the 9th day of June, 1709, I arrived at Nan»
gasac, after a very long and troublesome journey.
I sodn fell into the company of some Dutch sailors
belonging to the Amboyna of Amsterdam, a stout
ship of 450 tons. I had lived long in Holland, puV-
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, &c. 235
suing my studies at Leyden, and I spoke Dutch
well. The seamen soon knew whence I came last:
they were curious to inquire into my voyages, and
course of life. I made up a story as short and pro-
bable as I could, but concealed the greatest part. I
knew many persons in Holland; I was able to in-
vent names for my parents, whom I pretended to be
obscure people in the province of Guelderland. I
would have given the captain (one Theodorus Van-
grult) what he pleased to ask for my voyage to Hol-
land; b'ut understanding I was a surgeon, he was
contented to take half the usual rate, on condition
that I would serve him in the way of my calling.
Before we took shipping, I was often asked by some
of the crew, * whether I had performed the ceremony
above mentioned?' I evaded the question by general
answers; < that I had satisfied the emperor and court
in all particulars.' However, a malicious rogue of a
skipp 3r went to an officer, and pointing to me, told
him, ' I had not yet trampled on the crucifix:' but
the other, who had received instructions to let me
pass, gave the rascal twenty strokes on the shoulders
with a bamboo; after which I was no more troubled
with such questions.
Nothing happened worth mentioning in this voy-
age. We sailed with a fair wind to the Cape of
Good Hope, where we staid only to take in fresh
water. On the 10th of April, 1?10, we arrived safe
at Amsterdam, having lost only three men by sick-
ness in the voyage, and a fourth, who fell from the
foremast into the sea, not far from the coast of
Guinea. From Amsterdam 1 soon after set sail for
England, in a small vessel belonging to that city.
On the 16th of April we put in at the Downs. I
landed next morning, and saw once more my native
country, after an absence of five years and six months
complete. I went straight to Redriff, where I ar-
rived the same day at two in the afternoon, and
found my wife and family in good health.
A VOYAGE
TO THE
COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS.
PART IV.
CHAPTER I.
The Author sets out as captain of a ship. His
men conspire against him, confine him a long
time to his cabin. Set him on shore in an un-
known land. He travels up into the country-
The Yahoos, a strange sort of animal, described.
The Author meets two Houyhnhnms.
ICONTINUED at home with my wife and children
about five months, in a very happy condition, if
I could have learned the lesson of knowing when I
was well. I left my poor wife big with child, and
accepted an advantageous offer made me to be cap-
tain of the Adventure, a stout merchantman of 350
tons: for I understood navigation well, and being
grown weary of a surgeon's employment at sea,
which, however, I could exercise upon occasion, I
took a skilful young man of that calling, one Robert
Purefoy, into my ship. We set sail from Portsmouth,
upon the 7th day of September, 1710; on the*14th,
we met with captain Pocock, of Bristol, at Teneriffe,
who was going to the bay of Campechy to cut Iqg-
wood. On the l6th; he was parted from us by a
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 23T
storm; I heard since my return, that his ship foun-
dered, and none escaped but one cabin-boy. He was
an honest man, and a good sailor, but a little too
positive in his own opinions, which was the cause of
his destruction, as it has been of several others.
For if he had followed my advice, he might have
been safe at home with his family at this time, as
well as myself.
I had several men died in my ship of calentures,
so that I was forced to get recruits out of Barbadoes
and the Leeward Islands, where 1 touched, by the
direction of the merchants who employed me; which
I had soon too much cause to repent; for I found
afterwards, that most of, them had been bucaneers*.
I had fifty hands on board; and my orders were,
that I should trade with the Indians in the South-
Sea, and make what discoveries I could. These
rogues, whom I had picked up, debauched my other
men, and they all formed a conspiracy to seize the
ship, and secure me; which they did one morning,
rushing into my cabin, and binding me hand and
foot, threatening to throw me overboard, if I offered
to stir. I told them, 4 I was their prisoner, and
would submit.' This they made me swear to do,
and then they unbound me, only fastening one of
my legs with a chain, near my bed, and placed a
-sentry at my door with his piece charged, who was
commanded to shoot me dead, if I *attempted my
liberty. They sent me down victuals and drink, and
took the government of the ship to themselves.
Their design was to turn pirates, and pi under the
Spaniards, which they could not do, till they got
more men. But first they resolved to sell the goods
in the ship, and then go to Madagascar for recruits,
several among them having died since my confine-
ment. They sailed many weeks, and traded with
the Indians; l$ut I knew not what course they took,
♦ Certain pirates, that infested the West Indies,
were so called.—H.
238 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
being kept a close prisoner in my cabin, and expect-
ing nothing less than to be murdered, as they often
threatened me.
Upon the 9th day of May, 1711, one James Welch
came down to my cabin, and said ' he had orders
from the captain to set me ashore.' I expostulated
with him, but in vain; neither would he so much as
tell me, who their new captain was. They forced
me into the longboat, letting me put on my best suit
of clothes, which were as good as new, and take a
small bundle of linen, but no arms, except my
hanger; and they were so civil as not to search my
pockets, into which I conveyed what money I had,
with some other little necessaries. They rowed
about a league, and then set me down on a strand.
I desired them to tell me what country it was. They
all swore • they knew no more than myselfbut
said,' that the captam (as they called him) was re-
solved, after they had sold the lading, to get rid of
me in the first place where they could discover
land.' They pushed off immediately, advising me
to make haste for fear of being overtaken by the
tide, and so bade me farewell.
In this desolate condition I advanced forward, and
soon got upon firm ground, where I sat down on a
bank to rest myself, and consider what I had best
do. When I was a little refreshed, I went up into
the country, resolving to deliver myself to the first
savages I should meet, and purchase my life from
them by some bracelets, glass rings, and other toys,
which sailors usually provide themselves with in
those voyages, and whereof 1 had some about me.
The land was divided by long rows of trees, not re-
gularly planted, but naturally growing; there was
great plenty of grass, and several fields of oats. I
walked very circumspectly, for fear of being sur-
prised, or suddenly shot with an arrow from behind,
or on either side. I fell into a beaten road, where I
saw many tracks of human feet, and some of cows,
but most of horses. At last I beheld several animals
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 239
in a field, and one or two of the same kind sitting
in trees. Their shape was very singular and de-
formed, which a little discomposed me, so that I lay
down behind a thicket to observe them better. Some
of them coming forward near the place where I lay,
gave me an opportunity of distinctly marking their
form. Their heads and breasts were covered with a
thick hair, some frizzled, and others lank; they had
beards like goats, and a long ridge_of hair down
their backs, and the fore parts of their legs and feet;
but the rest of their bodies was bare, so that I might
see their skins, which were of a brown buff colour.
They had no tails, nor any hair at all on their but-
tocks, except about the anus; which, I presume, na-
ture had placed there to defend them, as they sat on
the ground; for this posture they used, as well as
lying down, and often stood on their hind feet. They
climbed high trees as nimbly as a squirrel, for they
had strong extended claws before and behind, ter-
minating in sharp points, and hooked. They would
often spring, and bound, and leap, with prodigious
agility. The females were not so large as the males;
they had long lank hair on their head, but none on
their faces, nor any thing more than a sort of down
on the rest of their bodies, except about the anus
and pudenda. The dugs hung between their fore-
feet, and often reached almost to the ground as they
walked. The hair of both sexes was of several co-
lours, brown, red, black, and yellow. Upon the
whole, I never beheld, in all my travels, so disagree-
able an animal, or one against which i naturally
conceived so strong an antipathy. So that thinking
I had seen enough, full of contempt and aversion I
got up, and pursued the beaten road, hoping it
might direct me to the cabin of some Indian. I had
not got far, when I met one of these creatures full
in my way, and coming up directly to me. The ugly
monster, when he saw me, distorted several ways
every feature of his visage, and stared, as at an ob-
ject he had never seen before; then approaching
240 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
nearer, lifted up his fore-paw, whether out of cu-
riosity or mischief, I could not tell: but I drew my
hanger, and gave him a good blow with the flat side
of it, for I durst not strike with the edge, fearing
the inhabitants "might be provoked against me, if
they should come to know that I had killed or
maimed any of their cattle. When the beast felt
the smart he drew back, and roared so loud, that a
herd of at least forty came flocking about me from
the next field, howling and making odious faces;
but I ran to the body of a tree, and leaning my back
against it, kept them off by waving my hanger.
Several of this cursed brood, getting hold of the
branches behind, leapt up into the tree, whence they
began to discharge their excrements on my head:
however, I escaped pretty well by sticking close to
the stem of the tree, but was almost stifled with the
filth, which fell about me on every side.
In the midst of this distress, I observed them all
to run away on a sudden as fast as they could; at
which I ventured to leave the tree, and pursue the
road, wondering what it was that could put them
into this fright. Bat looking on my left hand, I saw
a horse walking softly in the field; which my perse-
cutors having sooner discovered, was the cause of
their flight. The horse started a little, when he
came near me, but soon recovering himself, looked
full in my face with manifest tokens of wonder. He
viewed my hands and feet, walking round me several
times. I would have pursued my journey, but he
placed himself directly in the way, yet looking with
very mild aspect, never offering the least violence.
We, stood gazing at each other for some time; at last
I took the boldness to reach my hand towards his
neck with a design to stroke it, using the common
style and whistle of jockeys, when they are going to
handle a strange horse. But this animal seemed to
receive my civilities with disdain, shook his head,
and bent his brows, softly raising jip his right fore-
foot'to remove my hand* Then he neighed three or
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. t4t
four times, but in so different a cadence, that t al-
most began_to think he was speaking to himself, in
some language of his own.'
While he and I were thus employed, another
horse came up; who applying himself first in a very
formal manner, they gently struck each other's right
hoof before, neighing several times by turns, and
varying the sound, which seemed to be almost ar-
ticulate. They went some paces off, as if it were to
confer together, walking side by side, backward and
forward, like persons deliberating upon some affair
of weight, but often turning their eyes towards me,
as it were to watch that I might not escape. I was
amazed to see such actions and behaviour in brute
beasts; and concluded with myself, that if the inha-
bitants of this country were endued with a pro-
portionable degree of reason, they must needs be
the wisest people upon earth. This thought gave me
so much comfort, that I resolved to go forward, un-
til I could discover some house or village, or meet
with any of the natives, leaving the two horses to
discourse together as they pleased. But the first,
who was a dapple gray, observing me to steal off,
neighed after me in so -expressive a tone, that I fan*
cied myself to understand what he meant; where-
upon I turned back, and came near to him to expect
his farther commands; but concealing my fear as
much as I could; for I began to be in some pain hoir
this adventure might terminate; and the reader
will easily believe I did not much lily my present
situation.
The two horses came up close to me, looking with
great earnestness upon my face and hands. The
gray steed rubbed my hat all round with his right
fore-hoof, and discomposed it so much, that I was
forced to adjust it better by taking it off, and set-
tling it again; whereat, both he and his companion
(who was a brown bay) appeared to be much sur-
prised; the latter felt the lappet of my coat, and
finding it to hang loose about me, they b«th looked
M
242 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
with new signs of wonder. He stroked my right
hand, seeming to admire the softness and colour;
but he squeezed it so hard between his hoof and his
pastern, that I was forced to roar; after which they
both touched me with all possible, tenderness. They
were under great perplexity about my shoes and
stockings, which they felt very often, neighing to
each other, and using various gestures, not unlike
those of a philosopher, when he would attempt to
solve some new and difficult phenomenon.
Upon the whole, the behaviour of these animals
was so orderly and rational, so acute and judicious,
that I at last concluded they must needs be ma-
gicians, who had thus metamorphosed themselves
upon some design, and seeing a stranger in the way,
resolved to divert themselves with him; or, perhaps,
were really amazed at the sight of a man so very
different in habit, feature, and complexion, from
those who might probably live in so remote a cli-
mtrte. Upon the strength of this reasoning, I ven-
tured to address them in the following manner:
« Gentlemen, if you be conjurers, as I have good
cause to believe, you can understand any language;
therefore I make bold to let your worships know,
that I am a poor distressed Englishman, driven by
his misfortunes upon your coast; and I entreat one
of you to let me ride upon his back, as if he were a
real horse, to some house or village where I can be
relieved. In return of which favour, I will make
you a present of this knife and bracelettaking
them out of my pocket. The two creatures stood
silent while I spoke, seeming to listen with great
attention; and wfeen: I had ended, they neighed fre-
quently towards each other, as if they were engaged
in serious conversation. I plainly observed that
their language expressed the passions very well, and
the words might, with little pains, be resolved into
an alphabet more easily than the Chinese.
I could frequently distinguish the word Yahoo,
which was repeated by each of them several times:
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 243
and although it was impossible for mer to conjecture
what it meant, yet while the two horses were busy
in conversation, [ endeavoured to practise this word
upon my tongue; and as soon as they were silent, I
boldly pronounced Yahoo in a loud voice, imitating
at the same time, as near as I could, the neighing
of a horse; at which they were both visibly sur-
prised; and the gray repeated the same word twice,
as if he meant to teach me the right accent; where-
in I spoke after him as well as I could, and found
myself perceivably to improve every time, though
very far from any degree of perfection. Then the
bay tried me with a second word, much harder to
be pronounced; but reducing it to the English or-
thography, may be spelt thus, Houyhnhnm. I did
not succeed in this so well as in the former; but af-
ter two or three farther trials, I had better fortune;
and they both appeared amazed at my capacity.
After some further discourse, which I then con-
jectured might relate to me, the two friends took
their leaves, with the same compliment of striking
each other's hoof; and the gray made me signs that
I should walk before him: wherein I thought it pru-
denj: to comply, till I could find a better director.
When I offered to slacken my pace, he would cry
hhuun hhuun: I guessed his meaning, and gave
him to understand, as well as I could, « that I was
weary, and not able to walk faster;' upon which he
would stand awhile to let me rest.
244 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
CHAPTER II.
The Author conducted by a Houyhnhnm ta his
house. The house described. The Author's re-
ception. The food of the Houyhnhnms. The
Author in distress for want of meat. Is at
last relieved. His manner of feeding in this
country.
TTAVING travelled about three miles, we came
^-^ to a long kind of building, made of timber stuck
in the ground, and wattled across; the roof was low,
and covered with straw. I now began to be a little
comforted; and took out some toys, which travellers
usually carry for presents to the savage Indians of
America, and other parts, in hopes the people of the
house would be thereby encouraged to receive me
kindly. The horse made me a sign to go in first;
it was a large room with a smooth clay floor, and a
rack and manger, extending the whole length on one
side. There were three nags and two mares, not
eating, but some of them sitting down upon their
hams, which I very much wondered at; but won-
dered more to see the rest employed in domestic bu-
siness; these seemed but ordinary cattle; however,
this confirmed my first opinion, that a people who
could so far civilise brute animals, must needs excel
in wisdom all the nations of the world. The gray-
came in just after, and thereby prevented any ill
treatment, which the others might have given me.
He neighed to them several times in a style of au-
thority, and received answers.
Beyond this room, there were three others, reach-
ing the length of the house, to which you passed
through three doors, opposite to each other, in the
manner of a vista; we went through the second
room towards the third. Here the gray walked in
first, beckoning me to attend: I waited in the se-
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 245
cond room, and got ready my presents for the mas-
ter and mistress of the house: they were two knives,
three bracelets of false pearls, a small looking-glass,
and a bead necklace. The horse neighed three
or four times, and I waited to hear some answers
in a human voice, but I heard no other returns
than In the same dialect, only one or two a littte
shriller than his. I began to think, that this house
must belong to some person of great note among
them, because there appeared so much ceremony
before I could gain admittance. But, that a-man
of quality should be served all by horses, was be-
yond my comprehension; 1 feared my brain was
disturbed by my sufferings and misfortunes: I rous-
ed myself, and looked about me in the room where
I was left alone: this was furnished like the first,
only after a more elegant manner. I rubbed iny
eyes often, but the same objects still occurred. I
pinched my arms and sides to awake myself, hoping
I might be in a dream. I then absolutely concluded,
that all these appearances could be nothing else but
necromancy and magic. But I had no time to pur-
sue these reflections; for the gray horse came to the
door and made me a sign to follow him into the
third room, where I saw a very comely mare, toge-
ther with a colt and foal, sitting on their haunches
upon mats of straw, not unartfully made, and per-!
fectly neat and clean.
The mare soon after my entrance rose from her
mat, and coming up close, after having nicely ob-
served my hands and face, gave me a most con-
temptuous look; and turning to the horse, I heard
the word Yahoo often repeated betwixt them; the
meaning of which word I could not then compre-
hend, although it was the first I had learned to pro-
nounce; but I was soon better informed, to my everT
lasting mortification; for the horse, beckoning to me
with his head, and repeating the hhuun, hhuurti a§
he did upon the road, which I understood was to
attend him, led me out into a kind of court, where-
246 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
was another building, at some distance from the
house. Here we entered, and I saw three of those
detestable creatures, which I first met after my
landing, feeding upon roots, and the flesh of some
animals, which I afterwards found to be that of asses
and dogs, and now and then a cow, dead by acci-
dent or disease. They were all tied by the neck
with strong withes fastened to a beam; they held
their food between the claws of their fore-feet, and
tore it with their teeth.
The master horse ordered a sorrel nag, one of his
servants, to untie the largest of these animals, and
take him into the yard. The beast and I were brought
close together, and by our countenances diligently
compared both by master and servant, who thereupon
repeated several times the word Yahoo. My horror
and**astonishment are not to be described, when I
observed, in this abominable animal, a perfect human
figure: the face of it indeed was flat and broad, the
nose depressed, the lips large, and the mouth wide;
but these differences are common to all savage na-
tions, where the liueaments of the countenance are
distorted, by the natives suffering their infants to lie
grovelling on the earth, or by carrying them on their
backs, nuzzling with their face against the mothers'
shoulders. The fore-feet of the Yahoo differed from
my hands in nothing else but the length of the nails,
the coarseness and brownness of the palms, and the
hairiness on the backs. There was the same resem-
blance between our feet, with the same differences;
which I knew very well, though the horses did not,
- because of my shoes and stockings; the same in eve
ry part of our bodies except as to hairiness and co-
lour, which I have already described.
The great difficulty that seemed to stick with the
two horses, was to see the rest of my body so very
different from that of a Yahoo, for which I was obli-
ged to my clothes, whereof they had no conception .
The sorrel nag offered me a root, which he held
(after their manner, as we shall describe in its proper
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYI1NHNMS. 247
place) between his hoof and pastern: I took it in my
hand, and, having smelt it, returned it to him again
as civilly as I could. He brought out of the Yahoos1
kennel a piece of ass's flesh, but it smelt so offen-
sively that I turned from it with loathing: he then
threw it to the Yahoo, by whom it was greedily de-
voured. He afterwards showed me a wisp of hay,
and a fetlock full of oats; but I shook my head, to
signify that neither of these were food for me. And
indeed I now apprehended that I must absolutely
starve, if I did not get to some of my own species;
for as to those filthy Yahoos, although there were
few greater lovers of mankind at that time than my-
self, yet I confess I never saw any sensitive being so
detestable on all accounts; and the more I came
near them, the more hateful they grew, while I stay-
ed in that country. This the master horse observed
by my behaviour, and therefore sent the Yahoo
back to his kennel. He then put his fore-hoof to his
mouth, at which I was much surprised, although he
did it with ease, and with a motion that appeared
perfectly natural; and made other signs, to know
what I would eat; but I could not return him such
an answer as he was able to apprehend; and if he
had understood me, I did not see how it was possi-
ble to contrive any way for finding myself nourish-
ment. While we were thus engaged, I observed a
cow passing by, whereupon I pointed to her, and ex-
pressed a desire to go and milk her. This had its
effect; for he led me back into the house, and order-
ed a mare-servant to open a room, where a good
store of milk lay in earthen and wooden vessels, af-
ter a very orderly and cleanly manner. She gave
me a large bowlful, of which I drank very heartily,
and found myself well refreshed.
About noon, I saw coming towards the house a
kind of vehicle drawn like a sledge-by four Yahoos.
There was in it an old steed, who seemed to be of
quality; he alighted with his hind-feet forward, hav-
248 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS;
ing by accident got a hurt in his left fore-foot. He
came to dine with our horse, who received him with
great civility. They dined in the best room, and had
oats boiled in milk for the second course, which the
old horse eat warm, but the rest cold. Their man-
gers were placed circular in the middle of the room,
and divided into several partitions, round'which
they sat on their haunches, upon bosses of straw. In
the middle was a large rack, with angles answering
to every partition of the manger; so that each horse
and mare eat their own hay, and their own mash of
oats and milk, with much decency and regularity.
The behaviour of the young colt and foal appeared
very modest; and that of the master and mistress
egtremely cheerful and complaisant to their guest.
The gray ordered me to stand by him ; and much
discourse passed between him and his friend con-
eerning me, as I found by the stranger's often look-
ing on me, and the frequent repetition of the word
Yahoo.
I happened to wear my gloves, which the master
gray observing, seemed perplexed, discovering signs
of wonder what I had done to my fore-feet: he put
his hoof three or four times to them, as if he would
signify, that I should reduce them to their former
shape, which I presently did, pulling off both my
gloves, and putting them into my pocket. This oc-
casioned farther talk, and I saw the company was
pleased with my behaviour,, whereof I soon found
the good effects. I was ordered to speak the few
trords I understood; and while they were at dinner,
the master taught me the names for oats, milk, fire,
waier, and some others; which I could readily pro-
nounce after him, having from my youth a great fa-
cility in learning languages.
"When dinner was done, the master horse took me
aside, and by signs and words made me understand
the concern he was in that I had nothing to eat.
Oats in their tongue are called hlunnh. Thjs word
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 249
I pronounced two or three times; for although I had
refused them at first, yet, upon second thoughts, I
considered that I could contrive to make of them a
kind of bread, which might be sufficient, with milk,
to keep me alive, till T could make my escape to
some other country, and to creatures of my own
species. The horse immediately ordered a white
mare-servant of his family to bring me a good quan-
tity of oats in a sort of wooden tray. These I heat-
ed before the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed
them till the husks came off, which I made a shift to
winnow from the grain: I ground and beat them be-
tween two stones, then took water, and made them
into a paste or cake, which I toasted at the fire,
and eat warm with milk, it was at first a very in-
sipid diet, though common enough in many parts of
Europe, but grew tolerable by time; and having
been often reduced to hard fare in my life, this was
not the first experiment I had made, how easily na-
ture is satisfied. And I cannot but/)bserve, that I
never had one hour's sickness, while I staid in this
island. It is true, I sometimes made a shift to catch
a rabbit, or bird, by springes made of Yahoo's hairs;
and I often gathered wholesome herbs, which I boil-
ed, and eat as salads with my bread; and now and
then, for a rarity, I made a little butter, and drank
the whey. 1 was at first at a great loss for salt, but
custom soon reconciled me to the want of it; and I
am confident, that the frequent use of salt among us,
is an effect of luxury, and was first introduced only
as a provocative to drink, except where it is neces-
sary for preserving flesh in long voyages, or in places
remote, from great markets. For we observe no ani-
mal to be fond of it but man; and as to myself,
when I left this country, it was a great while before
I could endure the taste of it in any thing that
I eat.
This is enough to say upon the subject of my diet,
wherewith other travellers fill their books, as if the
readers were personally concerned whether we fare
M 2
250 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
well or ill. However, it was necessary to mention
this matter, lest~the world should think it impossible
that I could find sustenance for three years, in such
a country, and among such inhabitants.
"When it grew towards evening, the master horse
ordered a place for me to lodge in; it was but six
yards from the house, and separated from the stable
of the Yahoos. Here I got some straw, and cover-
ing myself with my own clothes, slept very sound.
But I was in a short time better accommodated, as
the reader shall know hereafter, when I come to
treat more particularly about my way of living.
CHAPTER III.
The Author studies to learn the language. The
Houyhnhnm, his master, assists in teaching
him. The language described. Several Houy-
hnh/tms of quality come out of curiosity to see
the Author. He gives his master a short ac-
count of his voyage.
MY principal endeavour was to learn the lan-
guage, which my master (for so I shall hence-
forth call him), and his children, and every servant
of his house, were desirous to teach me. For they
looked upon it as a prodigy, that a brute animal
should discover such marks of a rational creature.
I pointed to every thing, and inquired the name of
it, which I wrote down in my journal-book when I
was alone) and corrected my bad accent, by desiring
those of the-family to pronounce it often. In this
employment, a sorrel nag, one of the under-servants,
was very ready to assist me.
In speaking, they pronounced through the nose
and throat, and their language approaches nearest to
the High-Dutch, or German, of any I know in
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 251
Europe; but is much more graceful and significant.
The emperor Charles V. made almost the same ob-
servation, when he said,' that if he were to speak to
his horse, it should be in High-Dutch.' The curi-
osity and impatience of my master were so great,
that he spent many hours of his leisure to instruct
me. He was convinced (as he afterwards told me)
that I must be a Yahoo; but my teachableness, ci-
vility, and cleanliness, astonished him; which were
qualities altogether opposite to those animals *. He
was most perplexed about my clothes, reasoning
sometimes with himself, whether they were a part of
my body; for I never pulled them off till the family
were asleep, and got them on before they waked in
the morning. My master was eager to learn ' whence
I came; how I acquired those appearances of reason,
which I discovered in all my actions; and to know
my story from my own mouth, which he hoped he
should soon do, by the great proficiency I made in
learning and pronouncing their words and sen-
tences.' To help my memory, I formed all I learned
into the English alphabet, and writ the words dawn,
with the translations. This last, after some time, I
ventured to do in my master's presence. Itjcostme
much trouble to explain to him what I was doing j
for the inhabitants have not the least idea of books
or literature.
In about ten weeks time, I was able to understand
most of his questions; and in three month?, could
give him some tolerable answers. He was extremely
curious to know ' from what part of the country I
came, and how I was taught to imitate a rational
creature; because the Yahoos (whom he saw I ex-
actly resembled in my he.ad, hands, and face, that
* 'Qualities opposite to animals,' is a strange
mode of expression; it should be—' which -were
qualities altogether opposite to such m belonged to
those «nim»l».'~~g,
252 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
were only visible*), with some appearance of cun*
ning, and the strongest disposition to mischief, were
observed to be the most unteachable of all brutes.'
I answered, ' that I came over the sea from a far
place, with many others of my own kind, in a great
hollow vessel made of the bodies of trees: that my
companions forced me to land on this coast, and then
left me to shift for myself.' It was with some diffi-
culty, and by the help of many signs, that I brought
him to understand me. He replied, 'that I must
needs be mistaken, or that I said the thing which
was notfor they have no word in their language
to express lying or falsehood. 'He knew it was im-
possible, that there could be a country beyond the
sea, or that a parcel of brutes could move a wooden
vessel whither they pleased upon water. He was
sure no Houyhnhnm alive could make such a ves-
sel, nor would trust Yahoos to manage it.'
The word Houyhnhnm, in their tongue, signifies
a horse, and, in its etymology, the perfection of
nature. I told my master, * that I was at a loss for
expression, but would improve as fast as I could;
and hoped, in a short time, I should be able to tell
him wonders.' He was pleased to direct his own
mare, his colt and foal, and the servants of the fa-
mily, to take all opportunities of instructing me;
and every day, for two or three hours, he was at the
same pains himself: several horses and mares of
quality in the neighbourhood, came often to our
house, upon the report spread of ' a wonderful Ya-
hoo, that could speak like a Houyhnhnm, and seem-
ed, in his words and actions, to discover some glim-
merings of reason.' These delighted to converse
with me: they put many questions, and received
such answers as I was able to return. By all these
advantages I made so great a progress, that, in five
* < That were only visible'—an ambiguous phrase;
it should be,—* which only were visible,' £c—S.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHHWMS. 253
months from my arrival, I understood whatever was
spoken, and could express myself tolerably well.
The Houyhnhnms, who came to visit my master
out of a design of seeing and talking with me, could
hardly believe me to be a right Yahoo, because my
body had a different covering from others of my
kind. They were astonished to observe me without
the usual hair or skin, except on my head, face, and
hands; but 1 discovered that secret to my master
upon an accident which happened about a fortnight
before.
I have already told the reader, that every night,
when the family were gone to bed, it was my custom
to strfp, and cover myself with my clothes: it hap-
pened one morning early, that my master sent for
me by the sorrel nag, who was his valet; when he
came I was fast asleep, my clothes fallen off on one
side, and my shirt above my waist. I awaked at the
noise he made, and observed him to deliver his mes-
sage in some disorder; after which he went to my
master, and in a great fright gave him a very con-
fused account of what he had seen: this I presently
discovered; for, going as soon as 1 was dressed to
pay my attendance upon his honour, he asked me
« the meaning §f what his servant had reported, that
I was not the same thing when 1 slept, as I appeared
to be at other times j that his valet assured him,
some part of me was white, some yellow, at least
not so white, and some brown.'
I had hitherto concealed the secret of my dress,
in order to distinguish myself, as much as possible,
from that cursed race of Yahoos; but now I found
it in vain to 4p so any louger. Besides, I considered
that my clothes and shoes would soon wear out,
which already were in a declining condition, and
must be supplied by some contrivance from the hides
of Yahoos, or other brutes; whereby the whole se-
cret would be known. I therefore told my master,
'that in the country whence I came, those of my
kind always covered their bodies with the hairs of
£54 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
certain animals prepared by art, as well for decency
as to avoid the inclemencies of air, both hot and
cold; of which, as to my own person, I would give
him immediate conviction, if he pleased to command
me: only desiring his excuse, if I did not expose
those parts that nature taught us to conceal.' He
said,' my discourse was all very strange, but espe-
cially the last part; for he could not understand,
why nature should teach us to conceal what nature
had given: that neither himself nor family were
ashamed of any parts of their bodies; but, however,
I might do as I pleased.' Whereupon I first unbut-
toned my coat, and pulled it off. I did the same
with my waistcoat. I drew off my shoes, stockings,
and breeches. I let my shirt down to my waist, and
drew up the bottom, fastening it like a girdle about
my middle, to hide my nakedness.
My master observed the whole performance with
great signs of curiosity and admiration. He took up
all my clothes in his pastern, one piece after another,
and examined them diligently; he then stroked my
body very gently, and looked round me several
times; after which, he said, it was plain I must be
a perfect Yahoo; but that I differed very much
from the rest of my species, in the softness, white-
ness, and smoothness of my skin; my want of hair
in several parts of my body; the shape and shortness
of my claws behind and before; and my affectation
of walking continually on my two hinder feet. He
desired to see no more; and gave me leave to put
on my clothes again, for I was shuddering with
cold.
I expressed ray uneasiness at his giving me so
often the appellation of Yahoo, an odious animal,
for which I had so utter a hatred aud contempt: I
begged he would forbear applying that word to ine,
and make the same order in his family and among
his friends whom he suffered to see me. 1 requested
likewise, 'that the secret of my having a false cover-
ing to my body, might be known to none but him.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 255
self, at least as long as my present clothing should
last; for, as to what the sorrel nag, his valet, had
observed, his honour might command him to con-
ceal it.'
All this my master very graciously consented to,
and thus the secret was kept till my clothes began
to wear out, which I was forced to supply by several
contrivances that shall hereafter be mentioned. In
the mean time, he desired 1 I would go on with my
utmost diligence to learn their language, because he
was more astonished at my capacity for speech and
reason, than at the figure of my body, whether it
were covered or notadding,' that he waited with
some impatience to hear the wonders which I pro-
mised to tell him.'
Thenceforward he doubled the pains he had been
at to instruct me: he brought me into all company,
and made them treat me with civility; 'because,'
as he told them privately,' this would put me into
good humour, and make me more diverting.'
Every day, when I waited on him, beside the
trouble he was at in teaching, he would ask me
several questions concerning myself, which I an-
swered as well as I could; and by these means he
had already received some general ideas, though
very imperfect. It would be tedious to relate the
several steps by which 1 advanced to a more regular
conversation; but the first account I gave of myself
in any order and length was to this purpose.
'That I came from a very far country, as I already
had attempted to tell him, with about fifty more of
my own species; that we travelled upon the seas in
a great hollow vessel made of wood, and larger than
his honour's house. I described the ship to him in
the best terms I could, and explained, by the help
of my handkerchief displayed, how it was driven
forward by the wind. That upon a quarrel among
us, I was set on shore on this coast, where I walked
forward, without knowing whither, till he delivered
me from the persecution of those execrable Yahoos.''
£56 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
He asked me,' who made the ship, and how it was
possible that the Houyhnhnms of my country would
leave it to the management of brutes?' My answer
was,' that I durst proceed no further in my relation^
unless he would give me his word and honour that
he would not be offended, and then I would tell him
the, wonders I had so often promised.' He agreed;
and I went on by assuring him, that the ship was
made by creatures like myself; who, in all the coun-
tries I had travelled, as well as in my own, were the
only governing rational animals; and that upon my
arrival hither*, I was as much astonished to see the
Houyhnhnms act like rational beings, as he, or his
friends, could be, in finding some marks of reason in
a creature he was pleased to call a Yahoo; to which
I owned my resemblance in every part, but could
not account for their degenerate and brutal nature.'
I said farther, ' that if good fortune ever restored
me to my native country, to relate my travels hither,
as I resolved to do, every body would believe, that
I said the thing that was not, that I invented the
story out of my own head; and (with all possible
respect to himself, his family, and friends, and under
his promise of not being offended) our countrymen
would hardly think it probable that a Houyhnhnm
should be the presiding creature of a nation, and a
Yahoo the brute.'
* 4 It should be—' upon my arrival here,' not
'arrival hither,' which is not English.—S.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 257
CHAPTER IV.
The Houyhnhnm's notion of truth and falsehood.
The Author's discourse disapproved by his mas-
ter. The Author gives a more particular ac-
count of himself, and the accidents of his voyage*
MY master heard me with great appearances of un-
easiness in his countenance; because doubting,
or not believing, are so little known in this country,
that the inhabitants cannot tell how to behave them-
selves under such circumstances. And I remember,
in frequent discourses with my master concerning
the nature of manhood in other parts of the world,
having occasion to talk of lying and false represen-
tation, it was with much difficulty that he compre-
hended what I meant, although he had otherwise a
most acute judgment. For he argued thus: ' that
the use of speech was to make us understand one
another, and to receive information of facts; now,
if any one said the thing which was not, these ends
were defeated, because I cannot properly be said to
understand him ; and I am so far from receiving in-
formation, that he leaves me worse than in igno-
rance; for I am led to believe a thing black, when
it is white; and short, when it is long.' And these
■were all the notions he had concerning that faculty
of lying, so perfectly well understood, and so univer^
Sally practised, among human creatures.
To return from this digression. When I asserted
that the Yahoos were the only governing animals in
my country, which my master said was altogether
past his conception, he desired to know, * whether
we had Houyhnhmns among us, and what was their
employment?' I told him, 'we had great numbers;
that in summer they grazed in the fields; and in win-
ter were kept in houses With hay and oats, where
Yahoo servants were employed to rub their skins
258 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
smooth, comb their manes, pick their feet, serve
them with food, and make their beds.' £ I under-
stand you well,' said my master: 'it is now very
plain, from all you have spoken, that whatever share
of reason the Yahoos pretend to, the Houyhnhnms
are your masters; I heartily wish our Yahoos would
be so tractable.' I begged ' his honour would please
to excuse me from proceeding any further, because
I was very certain that the account he expected
from me, would be highly displeasing.' But he in-
sisted in commanding * me to let him know the best
and the worst. I told him 'he should be obeyed/
I owned 'that the Houyhnhnms among us, whom
we called horses, were the most generous and come-
ly animal we had; that they excelled in strength and
swiftness; and when they belonged to persons of
quality, were employed in travelling, racing, or
drawing chariots; they were treated with much
kindness and care, till they fell into diseases, or be-
came foundered in the feet; but then they were sold,
and used to all kind of drudgery till they died;
after which, their skins were stripped, and sold for
what they were worth, and their bodies left to be
devoured by dogs and birds of prey. But the com-
mon race of horses had not so good fortune; being
kept by farmers and carriers, and other mean people,
who put them to greater labour, and fed them worse.'
I described, as well as I could, our way of riding;
the shape and use of a bridle, a saddle, a spur, arid
a whip; of harness, and wheels. I added,' that we
fastened plates of a certain hard substance, called
iron, at the bottom of their feet, to preserve their
hoofs from being brok«n by the stony ways, on
which we often travelled.'
My master, after some expressions of great indig-
nation, wondered * how we dared to venture upon
a Houyhnhnrn's back; for he was sure, that the
♦ * Insisted In commanding,' is not English; it
should be, ' persisted in commanding,' &c.—S.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 259
weakest servant in his house would be able to shake
off the strongest Yahoo; or by lying down, and
rolling on his back, squeeze the brute to death.' I
answered, ' that our horses were trained up, from
three or four years old, to the several uses we in-
tended them for; that if any of them proved into-
lerably vicious, they were employed for carriages;
that they were severely beaten, while they were
young, for any mischievous tricks; that the males,
designed for the common use of riding or draught,
were generally castrated about two years after their
birth, to take down their spirits, and make them
more tame and gentle; that they were indeed sensi-
ble of rewards and punishments; but his honour
would please to consider, that they had not the least
tincture of reason, any more than the Yahoos in
this country.'
It put me to the pains of many circumlocutions,
to give my master a right idea of what I spoke; for
their language does not abound in variety of words,
because their wants and passions are fewer than
among us. But it is impossible to express his noble
resentment at our savage treatment of the Houyhn-
hnm race; particularly after I had explained the
manner and use of castrating horses among us, to
hinder them from propagating their kind,and to ren*
der them more servile. He said, 4 if it were possi-
ble there could be any country where Yahoos alone
were endued with reason, they certainly must be the
governing animal: because reason in time will always
prevail against brutal strength. But, considering
the frame of our bodies, and especially of mine, he
thought no creature of equal bulk was so ill-contrived
for employing that reason in the common offices of
life j* whereupon, he desired to know' whether those
among whom I lived, resembled me or the Yahoos
of his country.' I assured him, that I was as well
shaped as most of my age: but the younger, and the
females, were much more soft and tender, aud the
skins of the latter generally as white as milk.' He
260 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
said, 'I differed indeed from other Yalioot, being
much more cleanly, and not altogether so deformed;
but, in point of real advantage, he thought I differed
for the worse. That my nails were of no use either
to ray fore or hinder feet; as to my fore-feet, he
could not properly call them by that name, for he
never observed me to walk upon them; that they
were too soft to bear the ground; that I generally
w^nt with them uncovered ; neither was the covering
I sometimes wore on them of the same shape, or so
strong as that on my feet behind. That I could not
■walk with any security; for if either of my hinder
feet slipped, I must inevitably fall.' He then began
to find fault with other parts of my body : ' the flat-
ness of my face, the prominence of my nose, mine
eyes placed directly in front, so that I could not look
on either side, without turning my head: that I was
not able to feed myself, without lifting one of my
fore-feet to my mouth; and therefore nature had
placed those joints to answer that necessity. He
knew not what could be the use of those several
clefts and divisions in my feet behind; that these
were too soft to bear the hardness and sharpness of
stones, without a covering made from the skin of
some other brute; that my whole body wanted a
fence against heat and cold, which I was forced to
put on and off every day, with tediousness and trou-
ble. And lastly, that he observed every animal in
this country naturally to abhor the Yahoot, whom
the weaker avoided, and the stronger drove from
them. So that, supposing us to have the gift of rea-
son, he could not see how it were possible to cure
that natural antipathy, which every creature disco-
vered against us; nor consequently how we could
tame and render them serviceable. However, he
would/ as he said, * debate the matter no farther, be-
cause he was more desirous to know my own story,
the country where I was born, and the several ac-
tions and events of my life, before I came hither.1
I assured aim < how extremely desirous I was that
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 261
he should be satisfied on every point; but I doubted
much, whether it would be possible for me to explain
myself on several subjects, whereof his honour could
have no conception; because 1 saw nothing in his
country, to which I could resemble them : that, how-
ever, I would do my best, and strive to express my-
self by similitudes, humbly desiring his assistance
when I wanted proper wordswhich he was pleased
to promise me.
I said, 'my birth was of honest parents, in an
island called England j which was remote from his
country, as many days' journey as the strongest of
his honour's servants could travel in the annual
course of the sun. That I was bred a surgeon, whose
trade it is to cure wounds and hurts in the body,
gotten by accident or violence; that my country was
governed by a female man, whom we called queen.
That I left it to get riches,whereby I might maintain
myself and family, when I should return. That, in
my last voyage, I was commander of the ship, and
had about fifty Yahoos under me, many of which
died at sea, and I was forced to supply them by
others picked out from several nations. That our
ship was twice in danger of being sunk; the first
time by a great storm; and the second by striking
against a rock.' Here my master interposed, by
asking me, ' how T could persuade strangers, out of
different countries, to venture with me, after the
losses I had sustained, and the hazards I had run?'
I said, ' they were fellows of desperate fortunes,
forced to fly from the places of their birth on account
of their poverty or their crimes. Some were undone
by lawsuits; others spent all they had in drinking,
whoring, and gaming; others fled for treason; many
for murder, theft, poisoning, robbery, perjury, for-
gery, coining false money, for committing rapes, or
sodomy; for flying from their colours, or deserting to
the enemy; and most of them had broken prison;
none of these durst return to their native coun-
262 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
tries, for fear of being hanged, or of starving in a
jail; and therefore they were under the necessity of
seeking a livelihood in other places.'
During this discourse, ray master was pleased to
interrupt me several times. I had made use of many
circumlocutions, in describing to him the nature of
the several crimes, for which most of our crew had
been forced to fly their country. This labour took
up several days' conversation, before he was able to
comprehend me. He was wholly at a loss to know,
what could be the use or necessity of practising
those vices. To clear up which, I endeavoured to
give some ideas of the desire of power and riches; of
the terrible effects of lust, intemperance, malice, and
envy. All this I was forced to define and describe
by putting cases, and making suppositions. After
which, like one whose imagination was struck with
something never seen or heard of before, he would
lift up his eyes with amazement and indignation.
Power, government, war, law, .punishment, and a
thousand other things, had no terms, wherein that
language could express them; which made the diffi-
culty almost insuperable, to give my master any con-
ception of what I meant. But being of an'excellent
understanding, much improved by contemplation and
converse, he at last arrived at a competent know-
ledge of what human nature, in our parts of the
world, is capable to perform; and desired I would
give him some particular account of that land which
we call Europe, but especially of my own country.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 263
CHAPTER V.
The Author, at his master's command, informs
him of the state of England. The causes of war
among the princes of Europe. The Author
begins to explain the English constitution.
HPHE reader may please to observe, that the follow-
ing extract of many conversations I had with my
master, contains a summary of the most material
points, which were discoursed at several times for
above two years; his honour often desiring fuller sa-
tisfaction, as I farther improved in the Huuyhnhnm
tongue. I laid before him, as well as I could, the
whole state of Europe; 1 discoursed of trade and
manufactures, of arts and sciences ; and the answers
I gave to all the questions he made, as they arose
upon several subjects, were a fund of conversation
not to be exhausted. But I shall here only set
down the substance of what passed between us, con-
cerning my own country, reducing it in order as
well as I can, without any regard to time or other
circumstances, while I strictly adhere to truth. My
only concern is, that I shall hardly be able to do
justice to my master's arguments and expressions,
which must needs suffer by my want of capacity, as
well as by a translation into our barbarous English.
In obedience therefore to his honour's commands,
I related to him the revolution under the prince of
Orange ; the long war with France, entered into by
the said prince, and renewed by his successor, the
presentqueen; wherein the greatest powers of Christ-
endom were engaged, and which still continued: I
computed at his request, 'that about a million of Ya-
hoos might have been killed in the whole progress
of it; and perhaps a hundred or more cities taken,
and five times as many ships burnt or sunk.'
He asked me ' what were the usual causes or
264 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
motives that made one country go to war with an-
other?' I answered, ' They were innumerable; but
I should only mention a few of the chief. Some-
times the ambition of princes, who never think they
have land or people enough to govern. Sometimes
the corruption of ministers, who engage their master
in a war, in order to stifle or divert the clamour of
the subjects against their evil administration. Dif-
ference in opinions has cost many millions of lives;
for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be
flesh; whether the juice of a certain berry be blood
or wine* ; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue t;
whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into
the fire X; what is the best colour for a coat, whe-
ther black, white, red, or gray; and whether it
should be long or short, narrow or wide, dirty or
clean, with many more§. Neither are any wars so
furious and bloody, or of so long continuance, as
those occasioned by difference in opinion, especially
if it be in things indifferent.
< Sometimes the quarrel between two princes, is
to decide which of them shall dispossess a third of
his dominions, where neither of them pretend to any
right. Sometimes one prince quarrels with another,
for fear the other should quarrel with him. Some-
times a war is entered upon, because the enemy is
too strong ; and sometimes, because he is too weak.
Sometimes our neighbours want the things which we
have, or have the things which we want, and we
both fight, till they take ours, or give us theirs. It
is a very justifiable cause of a war, to invade a coun-
try after the people have been wasted by famine, de-
stroyed by pestilence, or embroiled by factious among
themselves. It is justifiable to enter into war
against our nearest ally, when one of his towns lies
* Transubstantiation.—H. t Church Music.—H.
t Kissing a Cross.—H.
§ The eolour and make of sacred vestments, and
different orders of popish ecclesiastics.
A VOYAGE TO'THE HOUYHNHNMS. g65
convenient for us, or a territory of land, that would
render our dominions round and compact. If a
prince sends forces into a nation, where the people
are poor and ignorant, he may lawfully put half of
them to death, and make slaves of the rest, in order
to civilize and reduce them from their barbarous way
of living. It is a very kingly, honourable, and fre-
quent practice, when one prince desires the assist-
ance of another, to secure him against an invasion,
that the assistant, -when he has driven out the in-
vader, should seize on the dominions himself, and
kill, imprison, or banish, the,prince he came to re-
lieve. Alliance by blood, or marriage, is a frequent
cause of war between princes; and the nearer the
Wndred is, the greater their disposition to quarrel:
poor nations are hungry, and rich nations are proud;
and pride and hunger will ever be at variance. For
these reasons, the trade of a soldier is held the most
honourable of all others ; because a soldier is a Ya-
hoo hired to kill, in cold blood, as many of his own
species, who have never offended him, as possibly
he can.
'There is likewise a kind of beggarly princes in
Europe, not able to make war by themselves, who
hire out their troops to richer natisns, for so much a
day to each man; of which they keep three-fourths
to themselves, and it is the best part of their main-
tenance; such are those in many northern parts of
Europe.'
'What you have told me,' said my master, * upon
the subject of war, does indeed discover most ad-
mirably the effects of that reason you pretend to:
however, it is happy that the shame is greater than
the danger; and that nature has left you utterly in-
capable of doing much mischief. For, your mouths
lying flat with your faces, you can hardly bite each
other to any purpose, unless by consent;. Then as to
the claws upon your feet before and behind, they are
so short and tender, that one of our Yahoos would
driven dozen of yours before him i And therefore!
N
26$ GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
m recounting the numbers of those who have been
killed in battle, I cannot but think you have said
the thing which is not.'
I could not forbear shaking my head, and smiling
a little at his ignorance. And being no stranger to
the art of war, I gave him a description of cannons,
culverins, muskets, carabines, pistols, bullets, pow-
der, swords, bayonets, battles, sieges, retreats, at-
tacks, undermines, countermines, bombardments,
sea-fights, ships sunk with a thousand men, twenty
thousand killed on each side, dying groans, limbs
flying in the air, smoke, noise, confusion, trampling
to death under horses' feet, flight, pursuit, victory;
fields strewed with carcasses, left for food to dogs
and wolves, and birds of prey; plundering, stripping,
ravishing, burning, and destroying. And to set forth
the valour of my own dear countrymen, I assured
him,' that I had seen them blow up a hundred ene-
mies at once in a siege, and as many in a ship; and
beheld the dead bodies drop down in pieces from the
clouds, to the great diversion of the spectators *.'
* It would perhaps be impossible, by the most la-
boured argument, or forcible eloquence, to show the
absurd injustice and horrid cruelty of war so effec-
tually, as by this simple exhibition of them in a new
light: with, war, including every species of iniquity
and every art of destruction, we become familiar,
by degrees, under specious terms, which are seldom
examined, because they are learned at an age in
which the mind implicitly receives and retains what-
ever is impressed: thus it happens, that when one
man murders another to gratify his lust, we shud->
ier; but when one man murders a million to gra-
tify his vanity, we approve and we admire, we envy
and we applaud. If, when this and the preceding
pages are read, we discover with astonishment, that
wfafen the same events have occurred in history we
ielt no emotion, and acquiesced in wars which we
could not but know to have been commenced for
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 2g?
I was going on to more particulars, when my mas-
ter commanded me silence. He said, * whoever un-
derstood the nature of Yahoos, might easily believe
it possible for so vile an animal to be capable of
every action I had named, if their strength and cun-
ning equalled their malice. But as my discourse
had increased his abhorrence of the whole species,
so he found it gave him a disturbance in his mind,
to which he was wholly a stranger before. He
thought his ears, being used to such abominable
words, might, by.degrees, admit them with less de-
testation: that although he hated the Yahoos of this
country, yet he no more blamed them for their
odious qualities, than he did a gnnayh (a bird of
prey) for its cruelty, or a sharp stone for cutting his
hoof. But, when a creature pretending to reason
could be capable of such enormities/he dreaded lest
the corruption of that faculty might be worse than,
brutality itself. He seemed therefore confident,
that, instead of reason, we were only possessed of
some quality, fitted to increase our natural vices;
as the reflection from a troubled stream returns th«
image of an ill-shapen body, not only larger but
more distorted.'
He added,' that he had heard too much upon the
subject of war, both in thte and some former dis-
courses. There was another point, which a little
perplexed him at present. I had informed him, that
some of our crew left their country on account of
being ruined by law; that I had already explained
the meaning of the word; but he was at a loss how
it should come to pass, that the law, which was in-
tended for every man's preservation, should be any
such causes, and carried on by such means; let not
him be censured for too much debasing his species,
who has contributed to their-felicity and preserva-
tion, by stripping off the veil of custom and preju-
dice, and holding up in their native deformity the
vices by which they become wretched, and the art*
by which they are destroyed*—H*
268 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
man's ruin. Therefore he desired to be further satis-
fied what I meant by law, and the dispensers there-
of, according to the present practice in my own
country: because he thought nature and reason were
sufficient guides for a reasonable animal, as we pre-
tended to be, in showing us what he ought to do,
and what to avoid.'
I assured his honour,' that law was a science, in
which I had not much conversed, further than by
employing advocates in vain, upon some injustices
that had been done me : however, I would give him
ail the satisfaction I was able.'
I said, 'there was a society of men among us,
bred up from their youth in the art of proving, by
words multiplied for the purpose, that white is
black, and black is white, according as they are
paid. To this society all the rest of the people are
slaves. For example, if my neighbour has a mind
to my cow, he has a lawyer to prove that he ought
to have my cow from me. I must then hire another
to defend my right, it being against all rules of law
that any man should be allowed to speak for him-
self. Now, in this case, I, who am the right owner,
lie under two great disadvantages : first, my lawyer,
being practised almost from his cradle in defending
falsehood, is quite out of his element when he would
be an advocate for justice, which is an unnatural of-
fice he always attempts with great awkwardness, if
not with ill-will. The second disadvantage is, that
my lawyer must proceed with great caution, or else
he will be reprimanded by the judges, and abhorred
by his brethren, as one that would lessen the practice
of the law. And therefore I have but two methods
to preserve my cow. The first is, to gain over my
adversary's lawyer with a double fee, who will then
betray his client by insinuating that he has justice
on his side. The second way is, for my lawyer to
make my cause appear as unjust as he can, by allow-
ing the cow to belong to my adversary : and this, if
it be skilfully done, will certainly bespeak the fa-
vour of the bench. Now your honour is to know,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 269
that these judges are persons appointed to decide all
controversies of property, as well as for the trial of
criminals, and picked out from the most dextrous
lawyers, who are grown old or lazy; and having
been biassed all their lives against truth and equity,
lie under such a fatal necessity of favouring fraud,
perjury, and oppression, that I have known some of
them refuse a large bribe from the side where justice
lay, rather than injure the faculty, by doing any
thing unbecoming their nature or their office.
'It is a maxim among these lawyers, that what-
ever has been done before, may legally be done again;
and therefore they take special care to record all the
decisions formerly made against common justice, and
the general reason of mankind. These, under the
name of precedents, they produce as authorities to
justify the most iniquitous opinions; and the judges
never fail of directing accordingly.
'In pleading, they studiously avoid entering into
the merits of the cause; but are loud, violent, and
tedious, in dwelling upon all circumstances which
are not to the purpose. For instance, in the case al-
ready mentioned; they never desire to know what
claim or title my adversary has to my cow; but whe-
ther the said cow were red or black ; her horns long
or short; whether the field I graze her in be round or
square; whether she was milked at home or abroad;
what diseases she is subject to, and the like j after
which they consult precedents, adjourn the cause
from time to time, and in ten, twenty, *qf "thirty
years come to an issue.
* It is likewise to be observed, that this vfcociety
has a peculiar cant and jargon of their own, tiiat no
other mortal van understand, and wherein ail their
laws are written, which they take special care to,
multiply; whereby they have wholly confounded the
very essence of truth and falsehood, of right and
wrong; so that it will take thirty years to decide,
whether the field, left me by my ancestors for six
generations, belongs to me, or to a stranger three
hundred miles off.
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
'In the trial of persons accused for crimes against
the state, the method is much more short and com-
mendable: the judge first sends to sound the dis-
position of those in power, after which he can easily
hang or save a criminal, strictly preserving all due
forms of law.'
Here my master interposing, said, ' it was a pity,
that creatures endowed with such prodigious abilities
of mind, as these lawyers, by the description I gave
of them, must certainly be, were not rather encou-
raged to be instructors of others in wisdom and know-
ledge.' In answer to which I assured his honour,
'that in all points out of their own trade, they were
usually the most ignorant and stupid generation
among us, the most despicable in common conver-
sation, avowed enemies to all knowledge and learn-
ing, and equally disposed to pervert the general rea-
son of mankind, in every other subject of discourse
as in that of their own profession.'
CHAPTER VI.
A continuation of the state of England under
Queen Anne. The character of a first minister
of state in European courts.
TIT Y master was yet wholly at a loss to understand
XyX what motives could incite this race of lawyers to
perplex, disquiet, and weary themselves, and engage
in a confederacy of injustice, merely for the sake ©f
injuring their fellow-animals; neither could he com-
prehend what I meant in sflying, they did it for hire.
Whereupon I was at much pains to describe to him
the use of money, the materials it was made of, and
the value of the metals; 'that when a Yahoo had
got a great store of this precious substance, he was
able to purchase whatever he had a mind to, the
finest clothing, the noblest houses, great tracts of
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 27i
land, the most costly meats and drinks ; and have his
choice of the most beautiful females. Therefore,
since money alone was able to perform all these
feats, our Yahoos thought they could never have
enough of it to spend, or to sav£, as they found
themselves inclined, from their natural bent, either
to profusion or avarice. That the rich man enjoyed
the fruit of the poor man's labour, and the latter
were a thousand to one in proportion to the former.
That the bulk of our people were forced to live mi-
serably, by labouring every day for small wages, to
make a few live plentifully.'
I enlarged myself much on these, and many other
particulars to the same purpose ; but his honour was
still to seek; for he went upon "a supposition, that
all animals had a title to their share in the produc-
tions of the earth, and especially those who presided
over the rest. Therefore he desired I would let
him know, ' what these costly meats were, and how
any of us happened to want them?' Whereupon I
enumerated as many sorts as came into my head,
with the various methods of dressing them, which
could not be done without sending vessels by sea to
every part of the world, as well for liquors to drink
as for sauces, and innumerable other conveniences.
I assured him * that this whole globe of earth must
be at least three times gone round, before one of
our better female Yahoos could get her break fast*
or a cup to put it in.' He said 'that must needs
be a miserable country, which cannot furnish food
for its own inhabitants. But what he chiefly won-
dered at was, how such vast tracts, of ground, as I
described, should be wholly without fresh-water, and
the people put to the necessity of sending over the
sea for drink.' I repliexi £ that England (the dear
place of my nativity) was computed to produce
three times the quantity of food more than its in-
habitants are able to consume, as well as liquors
extracted from grain, or pressed out of the fruit of
certain trees, which made excellent drink; and the
272 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS':
same proportion in every other convenience of life.
But, in orc|er to feed the luxury and intemperance
of the males, and the vanity of the females, we sent
away the greatest part of our necessary things to
other countries, whence in return we brought the
materials of diseases, folly, and vice, to spend among
ourselves. Hence it follows of necessity, that vast
numbers of our people are compelled to seek their
livelihood by begging, robbing, stealing, cheating,
pimping, flattering, suborning, forswearing, forging,
gaming, lying, fawning, hectoring, voting, scribbling,
star-gazing, poisoning, whoring, canting, libelling,
free-thinking, and the like occupationsevery one
of which terms I was at much pains to make hira
understand.
* That wine was not imported among us from fo-
reign countries, to supply the want of water or other
drinks, but because it was a sort of liquid, which
made us merry by putting us out of our senses, di-
verted all melancholy thoughts, begat wild extra-
vagant imaginations in the brain, raised our hopes
and banished our fears, suspended every office o
reason for a time, and deprived ua of the use of our
limbs, till we fell into a profound sleep; although it
must be confessed, that we always awaked sick and
dispirited; and that the.use of this liquor filled us
with diseases, which made our lives uncomfortable
and short.
'But beside, all tJai*, the bulk of our people sup-
ported themselves by furnishing the necessities or
conveniences of life, to the rich, and to each other.
For instance, when I am at home, and dressed as I
ought to be, I carry on my body the workmanship ©f
a hundred tradesmen; the building and furniture of
my house employ as many more, and five times the
number to adorn my wife.'
I was going on to tell him of another sort of'peo-
ple, who get their livelihood by attending the sick,
having, upon some occasions, informed his honour,
that many of my crew had died of diseases. But,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 273
here it was with the utmost difficulty that I brought
him to apprehend what I meant. 'He could easily
conceive, that a Houyhnhnm grew weak and heavy
a few days before his death, or by some accident
might hurt a limb; but that nature, who works all
things to perfection, should suffer any pains to breed
in our bodies, he thought impossible, and desired to
know the reason of so unaccountable an evil.'
I told him ' we fed on a thousand things, which
operated contrary to each other; that we eat when
we were not hungry, and drank without the provo-
cation of thirst; that we sat whole nights drinking
strong liquors, without eating a bit, which disposed
us to sloth, inflamed our bodies, and precipitated or
prevented digestion. That prostitute female Yahoos
acquired a certain malady, which bred rottenness in
the bones of those who fell into their embracesr
that this, and many other diseases, were propagated
from father to son; so that great numbers come into
the world with complicated maladies upon them:
that it would be endless to give him a catalogue of
all diseases incident to human bodies, for they would
not be fewer than five or six hundred, spread over
every limb and joint—in short, every part, external
and intestine, having diseases appropriated to itself.
To remedy which, there was a sort of people bred up
among us in the profession, or pretence, of curing
the sick. And because I had some skill in the fa-v
culty, I would, in gratitude to his honour, let him
know the whole mystery and method by which they
proceed.
'Their fundamental is, that all diseases arise from
repletion; whence they conclude, that a great eva-
cuation of the body is necessary, either through the
natural passage or upwards at the mouth. Their
next business is from herbs, minerals, gums, oils,
shells, salts, juices, seaweed, excrements, barks of
trees, serpents, toads, frogs, spiders, dead men's flesh
and bones, birds, beasts, and fishes, to form a com-
position, for smell and taste, the most abominable,
N 2 -
274 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
nauseous, and detestable, they can possibly contrive,
which the stomach immediately rejects with loath-
ing, and this they call a vomit; or else, from the
same store-house, with some other poisonous addi-
tions, they command us to take in at the orifice
above or below (just as the physician then happens
to be disposed) a medicine equally annoying and
disgustful to the bowels; which, relaxing the belly,
drives down all before it; and this they call a purge,
or a clyster. For nature (as the physicians allege)
having intended the superior anterior orifice only
for the intromission of solids and liquids, and the
inferior posterior for ejection; these artists* inge-
niously considering, that in all diseases nature is
forced out of her seat; therefore, to replace her in
it, the body must be treated in a manner directly
contrary, by interchanging the use of each orifice j
forcing solids and liquids in at the anus, and making
evacuations at the mouth.
* But, besides real diseases,*we are subject to
many that are only imaginary, for which the phy-
sicians have invented imaginary cures; these have
their several names, and so have the drugs that are
proper for them; and with these our female Yahoos
are always infested.
« One great excellency in this tribe, is their skill
at prognostics, wherein they seldom fail; their pre-
dictions in real diseases, when they rise to any de-
gree of malignity, generally portending death, which
is always in their power, when recovery is not: and
therefore,Tipon any unexpected signs of amendment,
after they have pronounced their sentence, rather
than be accused as false prophets, they know how to
approve their sagacity to the world, by a seasonable
dose.
1 They are likewise of special use to husbands
* 'These artists,' is a nominative, without any
verb to which it refers m the remainder of the sen-
tence.—S.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 275
aad wives who are grown weary of their mates; to
eldest sons, to great ministers of state, and often to
princes.'
I had formerly, upon occasion, discoursed with my
master upon the nature of government in general,
and particularly of our own excellent constitution,
deservedly the wonder and envy of the whole world.
But having here accidentally mentioned a minister
of state, he commanded me some time after to in-
form him, 'what species of Yahoo I particularly
meant by that appellation.'
T told him,' that a first or chief minister of state,
who was the person I intended to describe, was a
creature wholly exempt from joy and grief, love and
hatred, pity and anger; at least makes use of no
other passions, but a violent desire of wealth, power,
and titles; that he applies his words to all uses, ex-
cept to the indication of his mind; that he never
tells a truth but with an intent that you should take
it for a lie; nor a lie, but with a design that you
should take it for a truth; that those he speaks
worst of behind their backs, are in the surest way
of preferment; and whenever he begins to praise
you to others, or to yourself, you are from that day
forlorn. The worst mark you can receive is a pro-
mise, especially when it is confirmed with an oath;
after which, every wise man retires, and gives over
all hopes.
'There are three methods, by which a man may
rise to be chief minister. The first is, by knowing
how, with prudence, to dispose of a wife, a daughter,
or a sister: the second, by betraying or undermining
his predecessor: and the third is, by a furious zeal,
in public assemblies, against the corruptions of the
court. But a wise prince would rather choose to
employ those who practise the last of *these methods;
because such zealots prove always the most obse-
quious and subservient, to the will and passions of
their master. That these ministers, having all em-
ployments at their disposal, preserve themselves in
276 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
power, by bribing the majority of a senate or great
council; and at last, by an expedient, called an act
of indemnity (whereof I described the nature to
him), they secure themselves from after-reckonings,
and retire from the public laden with the spoils of
the nation.
'The palace of a chief minister is a seminary to
breed up others in his own trade: the pages, lackeys,
and porter, by imitating their master, become mi-
nisters of state in their several districts, and learn
to excel in the three principal ingredients, of inso-
lence, lying, and bribery. Accordingly, they have a
subaltern court paid to them by persons of the best
rank; and sometimes, by the force of dexterity and
impudence, arrive, through several gradations, to be
successors to their lord.
• He is usually governed by a decayed wench,
or favourite footman, who are the tunnels through
which all graces are conveyed, and may properly
be called, in the last resort, the governors of the
kingdom.'
One day in discourse, my master, having heard me
mention the nobility of my country, was pleased to
make me a compliment which I could not pretend
to deserve: * that he was sure I must have been
born of some noble family, because I far exceeded in
shape, colour, and cleanliness, all the Yahoos of his
nation, although I seemed to fail in strength and
agility, which must be imputed to my different way
of living from those other brutes; and besides, I was
not only endowed with the faculty of speech, but
likewise with some rudiments of reason, to a degree
that with all his acquaintance I passed for a prodigy.'
He made me observe,' that among the Houyhn~
hnms, the white, the sorrel, and the iron-gray, were
not so exactly shaped as the bay, the dapple-gray,
and the black; nor bora with equal talents of mind,
or a capacity to improve them; and therefore con-
tinued always in the condition of servants, without
ever aspiring to match out of th«ir own race, which
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. m
in that country would be reckoned monstrous and
unnatural.'
I made.his honour my most humble acknowledge-
ments for the good opinion he was pleased to con-
ceive of me; but assured him at the same time,
'that my birth was of the lower sort, having been
born of plain honest parents, who were just able to
give me a tolerable education: that nobility, among
us, was altogether a different thing from the idea he
had of it; that our young noblemen are bred from
their childhood in idleness and luxury; that as
soon as years will permit, they consume their vigour,
and contract odious diseases among lewd females;
and when their fortunes are almost ruined, they
marry some woman of mean birth, disagreeable per-
son, and unsound constitution (merely for the sake
of money), whom they hate and despise. That the
productions of such marriages are generally scrofu-
lous, ricketty, or deformed children; by which means
the family seldom continues above three generations,
unless the wife takes care to provide a healthy fa-
ther, among her neighbours or domestics, in order
to improve and continue the breed. That a weak
diseased body, a meagre countenance, and saljow
complexion, are the true marks of noble blood j and
a healthy robust appearance is so disgraceful in a
man of quality, that the world concludes his real
father to have been a groom or a coachman. The
imperfections of his mind run parallel with those of
his body, being a composition of spleen, dullness,
ignorance, caprice, sensuality, and pride.
* Without the consent of this illustrious body, no
law can be enacted, repealed, or altered: and these*
nobles have likewise the decision of all our posses-
sions, without appeal.'
278 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
CHAPTER VII.
The Author's great love of his native country.
His master's observations upon the constitution
and administration of England, as described
by the Author, with parallel cases and compa-
risons. His master's observations upon human
nature.
rflHE reader may be disposed to wonder, how I
could prevail on myself to give so free a repre-
sentation of my own species, among a race of mor*
tals, who are already too apt to conceive the vilest
opinion of human-kind, from that entire congruity
between me and their Yahoos. But I must freely
confess, that the many virtues of those excellent
quadrupeds, placed in opposite view to human cor-
ruptions, had so far opened my eyes, and enlarged
my understanding, that I began to view the actions
and passions of man in a very different light, and to
think the honour of my own kind not worth ma*
naging; which, besides, it was impossible for me to
do, before a person of so acute a judgement as my
master, who daily convinced me of a thousand faults
in myself, whereof I had not the least perception
before, and which, with us, would never be numbered
even among human infirmities. I had likewise learn-
ed, from his example, an utter detestation of all false-
hood or disguise; and truth appeared so amiable to
me, that I determined upon sacrificing every thing
to it.
Let me deal so candidly with the reader, as to
confess that there was yet a -much stronger motive
for the freedom I took in my representation of
things. I had not yet been a year in this country,
before I contracted such a love and veneration for
the inhabitants, that I entered on a firm resolution
never to return to human-kind, but to pass the res*
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 279
of my life among these admirable Houyhnhnms, in
the contemplation and practice of every virtue;
where I could have no example or incitement to
vice. But it was decreed by fortune, my perpetual
enemy, that so great a felicity should not fall to my
share. However, it is now some comfort to reflect,
that in what I said of my countrymen, I extenuated
their faults as much as-1 durst before so strict an
examiner; and upon every article gave as favourable
a turn as the matter would bear. For, indeed, who
is there alive that will not be swayed by his bias
and partiality to the place of his birth?
I have related the substance of several conversa-
tions I had with my master, during the greatest part
of the time I had the honour to be in his service;
but have indeed, for brevity sake, omitted much
more than is here set down.
When I had answered all his questions, and his
curiosity seemed to be fully satisfied, he sent for me
one morning early, and commanded me to sit down
at some distance (an honour which he had never be-
fore conferred upon me). He said,' he had been
very seriously considering my whole story, as far as
it related both to myself and my country: that he
looked upon us as a sort of animals, to whose share,
by what accident he could not conjecture, some
small pittance of reason had fallen, whereof we made
no other use, than by its assistance to aggravate our
natural corruptions, and to acquire new ones, which
nature had not given us; that we disarmed ourselves
of the few abilities she had bestowed; had been very
successful in multiplying our original wants, and
seemed to spend our whole lives in vain endeavours
to supply them by our own inventions. That as4x>
myself, it was manifest I had neither the strength
nor "agility of a common Yahoo; that I walked in-
firmly on my hinder feet; had found out a contriv-
ance to make my claws of no use or defence, and to
remove the hair from my chin, which was intended
as a shelter from the sun and the weather. Lastly,
280 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
that I could neither run with speed, nor climb trees
like my brethren,' as he called them, ' the Yahoos
in his country.
'That our institutions of government and law
were plainly owing to our gross defects in reason,
and by consequence in virtue; because reason alone
is sufficient to govern a rational creature; which
was therefore a character we had no pretence to
challenge, even from the account I had given of m-y
own people; although he manifestly perceived, that,
in order to favour them, I had concealed many par-
ticulars, and often said the thing which was not.
'He was the more confirmed in this opinion, be-
cause he observed, that as I agreed in every feature
of my body with other Yahoos, except where it was
to my real disadvantage in point of strength, speed,
and activity, the shortness of my claws, and some
other particulars where nature had no part; so from
the representation I had given him of our lives, our
manners, and our actions, he found as near a resem-
blance in the disposition of our minds.' He said,
'the Yahoos were known to hate one another, more
than they did any different species of animals; and
the reason usually assigned was, the odiousness of
their own shapes, which all could see in the rest, but
not in themselves. He had therefore begun to think
it not unwise in us to cover our bodies, and by that
invention conceal many of our deformities from each
other, which would else be hardly supportable. But
he now found he had been mistaken, and that the
dissensions of those brutes in his country, were owing
to the same cause with ours, as I had described them.
Ifor if,.' said he, « you throw among five Yahoos as
much food as would be sufficient for fifty, they will^
instead of eating peaceably, fall together by the ears,
each single one impatient to have all to itself: and
therefore a servant was usually employed to stand
by, while they were feeding abroad, and those kept
at home were tied at a distance from each other: that
if a caw died of age or accideot,before/a Houyhnhnm
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. g&t
could secure it for his own Yahoos, those in the
neighbourhood would come in herds to seize it, and
then would ensue such a battle as I had described,
with terrible wounds made by their claws on both
sides, although they seldom were able to kill one
another, for want of such convenient instruments of
death as we had invented. At other times, the like
tattles have been fought between the Yahoos of
several neighbourhoods, without any visible cause;
those of one district watching all opportunities to
surprise the next, before they are prepared. But if
they find their project has miscarried, they return
home, and, for want of enemies, engage in what I
call a civil war among themselves.
« That in some fields of his country there are cer-
tain shining stones of several colours, whereof the
Yahoos are violently fond; and when part of these
stones is fixed in the earth, as it sometimes happens,
they will dig with their claws for whole days to get
them out; then carry them away, and hide them by
heaps in their kennels j but still looking round with
great caution, for fear their comrades should find
out their treasure.'- My master said, <he could ne-
ver discover the reason of this unnatural appetite,
or how these stones could be of any use to a Ya?
hoo; but now he believed it might proceed from the
same principle of avarice, which I had ascribed to
mankind. That he had once, by way of experiment*
privately removed a heap of these stones from the
place where one of his Yahoos, hadburied it; where*
upon the sordid animal, missing his treasure, by his
loud lamenting brought the whole herd to the place,
there miserably howled, then fell to biting and tear-
ing the rest; began to pine away, would neither
eat, nor sleep, nor work, till he ordered a servant
privately to convey the stones into the same hole,
and hide them as before; which, when his Yahoo
had found, be presently recovered his spirits and
good humour, hat took good care to remove them to
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
a. better hiding-place, and has ever since been a very
serviceable brute.'
My master further assured me, which I also ob-
served myself,' that in the fields where the shining
stones abound, the fiercest and most frequent battles
are fought, occasioned by perpetual inroads of the
neighbouring Yahoos.'
He said, 'it was common, when two Yahoos dis-
covered such a stone in a field, and were contending
which of them should be the proprietor, a third
would take the advantage, and carry it away from
them bothwhich my master would needs contend
to have some kind of resemblance with our suits at
law; wherein I thought it for our credit not to un-
deceive him; since the decision he mentioned was
much more equitable than many decrees among us:
because the plaintiff and defendant there lost no-
thing beside the stone they contended for : whereas
our courts of equity would never have dismissed th6
cause, while either of them had any thing left.
My master, continuing his discourse, said, 'there
was nothing that rendered the Yahoos more odious,
than their undistinguishing appetite to devour every
thing that came in their way, whether herbs, roots,
berries, the corrupted flesh of animals, or ail mingled
together: and it was peculiar in their temper, that
they were fonder of what they could get by rapine
or stealth, at a greater distance, than much better
food provided for them at home. If their prey held
out, they would eat till they were ready to burst;
after which, nature had pointed out to them a cer-
tain root that gave them a general evacuation.
< There was also another kind of root, very juicy,
but somewhat rare and difficult to be found, which
the Yahoos sought for with much eagerness, and
would suck it with great delight; it produced in
them the same effects that wine has upon us. It
would make them sometimes hug, and sometimes
tear one another) they would howl, and grin, and
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 283
chatter, and reel, and tumble^ and then fall asleep
in the mud.'
I did indeed observe that the Yahoos were the
only animals in this country subject to any diseases;
which, however, were much fewer than horses have
among us, and contracted not by any ill treatment
they meet with, but by the nastiness and greediness
of that sordid brute. Neither has their language any
more than a general appellation for those maladies,
which is borrowed from the name of the beast, and
called hnea-yahoo, or Yahoo's evil; and the cure
prescribed is a mixture of their own dung and urine,
forcibly put down the Yahoo's throat. This I have
since often known to have been taken with success,
and do here freely recommend it to my country-
men, for the public good, as an admirable specific
against all diseases produced by repletion.
* As to learning, government, arts, manufactures,
and the like,' my master confessed, ' he could find
little or no resemblance between the Yahoos of that
country and those in ours. For he only meant to
observe, what parity there was in our natures. He
had heard, indeed, some curious Houyhnhmns ob-
serve, that in most herds there was a sort of ruling
Yahoo (as among us there is generally some leading
or principal stag in a park), who was always more
deformed in body, and mischievous in disposition,
than any of the rest. That this leader had usually a
favourite as like himself as he could get, whose em-
ployment was to lick his master's feet and posteriors,
and drive the female Yahoos to his kennel *; for
which he was now and then rewarded with a piece of
ass'sfiesh. This favourite is hated by the whole herd,
and therefore, to protect himself, keeps always near
the person of his leader. He usually continues in
office, till a worse can be found; but the very mo-
ment he is discarded, his successor, at the head of
all the Yahoos in that district, young and old, male
» Flattery and pimping,—^H.
284 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
and female, come in a body*, and discharge their ex.-
crements upon him from head to foot. But how far
this might be applicable to our courts, and favour-
ites, and ministers of state, my master said I could
best determine.'
I durst make no return to this malicious insinua-
tion, which debased human understanding below
the sagacity of a common hound, who has judge-
ment enough to distinguish and follow the cry of
the ablest dog in the pack, without being ever mis-
taken.
My master told me, * there were some qualities re-
markable in the Yahoos, which he had not observed
me to mention, or at least very slightly, in the ac-
counts I had given of humankind.' He said, 'those
animals, like other brutes, had their females in com-
mon; but in this they differed, that the she Yahoo
would admit the males while she was pregnant; and
chat the hes would quarrel and fight with the fe-
males, as fiercely as with each other; both which
practices were such degrees of infamous brutality,
as no other sensitive creature ever arrived at.
* Another thing he wondered at in the Yahoos,
was their strange disposition to nastiness and dirt;
whereas there appears to be a natural love of clean-
liness in all other animals.' As to the two former
accusations, I was glad to let them pass without any
reply, because I had not a word to offer upon them
in defence of my species, which otherwise I certain-
ly had done from my own inclinations. But I could
have easily vindicated humankind from the imputa-
tion of singularity upon the last article, if there had
been any swine in that country (as unluckily for me
* This sentence is altogether ungrammatical: 'his
successor,' is the only nominative to the plural verb
'come;' it may be thus amended—' but the very
moment he is discarded, all the Yahooi in that dis-
trict, young and old, male and female, with his suc-
cessor at their head,come in a bodjyfce.'—S,
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. §85
there were not), which, although it may be a sweeter
quadruped than a Yahoo, cannot, I humbly con*
ceive, in justice, pretend to more cleanliness; and
so his honour himself must have owned, if he had
seen their filthy way of feeding, and their custom of
wallowing and sleeping in mud.
My master likewise mentioned another quality,
which his servants had discovered in several Yahoos,
and to him was wholly unaccountable. He said,' a
fancy would sometimes take a Yahoo to retire into
a corner, to lie down, and howl and groan, and spurn
away all that came near him, although he were
young and fat, wanted neither food nor water: nor
did the servant imagine what could possibly ail him.
And the only remedy they found was, to set him to
hard work, after which he would infallibly come to
himself.' To this I was silent out of partiality to
my own kind; yet here I could plainly discover the
true seeds of spleen, which only seizes on the lazy,
the luxurious, and the rich; who*, if they were
forced to undergo the same regimen, I would under-
take for the cure.
His honour had further observed, ' that a female
Yahoo would often stand behind a bank or a bush,
to gaze on the young males passing by, and then ap-
pear, and hide, using many antic gestures and grim-
aces, at which time it was observed that she had a
most offensive smell; and when any of the males
advanced, would slowly retire, looking often back, A
and with a counterfeit show of fear, run off into some
convenient place, where she knew the male would
follow her.
* At other times, if a female stranger came among
them, three or four of her own sex would pet about
her, and stare, and chatter, and grin, and smell her
all over; and then turn off with gestures, that seem-
ed to express contempt and disdain.'
* Here the word 'who,' is a nominative without
reference to any verb afterwards.—S»
285 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
Perhaps my master might refine a little in these
speculations, which he had drawn from what he ob-
served himself, or had been told him by others:
however, I could not reflect, without some amaze-
ment, and much sorrow, that the rudiments of lewd-
ness, coquetry, censure, and scandal, should have
place by instinct in womankind.
I expected every moment that my master would
accuse the Yahoo's of those unnatural appetites in
both sexes, so common among us. But Nature, it
seems, has not been so expert a school-mistress; and
these politer pleasures are entirely the productions
of Art and Reason on our side of the globe.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Author relates several particulars of the Ya-
hoos. The great virtues of the Houyhnhnms.
The education and exercise of their youth.
Their general assembly.
AS I ought to have understood human nature
much better than I supposed it possible for ray
master to do, so it was easy to apply the character
he gave of the Yahoos to myself and my country-
men; and I believed I could yet make further dis-
coveries, from my own observation. I therefore often
begged his honour to let me go among the herds of
Yahoos in the neighbourhood; to which he always
very graciously consented, being perfectly convinced,
that the hatred I bore these brutes would never suf-
fer -me to be corrupted by them; and his honour
ordered one of his servants, a strong sorrel nag, very
honest and good-natured, to be my guard; without
whose protection I durst not undertake such adven-
tures. For I have already toid the reader how much.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 287
I was pestered by these odious animals, upon my
first arrival; and I afterwards failed very narrowly
three or four times of falling into their clutches,
when I happened to stray at any distance without
my hanger. And I have reason to believe they had
some imagination that I was of their own species,
which I often assisted myself, by stripping up my
sleeves, and showing my naked arms and breasts in
their sight, when my protector was with me. At
which times they would approach as near as they
durst, and imitate my actions after the manner of
monkeys, but ever with great signs of hatred; as a
tame jackdaw with cap and stockings is always per-
secuted by the wild ones, when he happens to be got
among them.
They are prodigiously nimble from their infancy.
However, I once caught a young male of three years
old, and endeavoured, by all marks of tenderness,
to make it quiet; but the little imp fell a squalling,
and scratching-, and biting with such violence, that
I was forced to let it go; and it was high time, for
a whole troop of old ones came about us at the noise,
but finding the cub was safe (for away it run), and
my sorrel nag being by, they durst not venture near
us. I observed the young animal's flesh to smell
very rank, and the stink was somewhat between a
weasel and a fox, but much more disagreeable. I
forgot another circumstance (and perhaps I might
have the reader's pardon, if it were wholly omitted),
that while I held the odious vermin in my hands, it
voided its filthy excrements of a yellow liquid sub-
stance all over my clothes ; but by good fortune
there was a small brook hard by, where I washed my-
self as clean as I could; although I durst not come
into my master's presence, until I were sufficiently
aired.
By what I could discover, the Yahoos appear to
be the most unteachable of all animals; their capa-
cities never reaching higher than to draw or carry
f88 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
burdens. Yet I am of opinion, this defect arises
chiefly from a perverse, restive disposition. For
they are cunning, malicious, treacherous, and re-
vengeful. They are strong and hardy, but of a
cowardly spirit, and by consequence insolent, abject,
and cruel. It is observed, that the red-haired of
both sexes are more libidinous and mischievous than
the rest, whom yet they much exceed in strength
and activity.
The Ilouyhnhnms keep the Yahoos for present
use in huts not far from the house; but the rest are
sent abroad to certain fields, where they dig. up
roots, eat several kinds of herbs, and search about
for carrion, or sometimes catch weasels and luhi-
muhs (a sort of wild rat), which they greedily de-
vour. Nature has taught them to dig deep holes with
their nails on the side of a rising ground, wherein
they lie by themselves; only the kennels of the fe-
males are larger,sufficient to hold two or three cubs.
They swim from their infancy like frogs, and are
able to continue long under water, Where they often
take fish, which the females carry home to their
young. And, upon this occasion, I hope the reader
will pardon my relating an odd adventure.
Being one day abroad with my protector the sorrel
nag, and the weather exceeding hot, I entreated him
to let me bathe in a river that was near. He con-
sented, and I immediately stripped myself stark na-
ked, and went down softly into the stream. It hap-
pened that a young female Yahoo, standing behind
a bank, saw the whole proceeding, and jinflamed by
desire, as the nag and I conjectured, came running
with ail speed, and leaped into the water, within
five yards of the place where I bathed. I was never
in my life so terribly frightened. The nag was gra-
zing at some distance, not suspecting any harm. She
embraced me'after a most fulsome manner. I roared
as loud as I could, and the nag came galloping to-
wards me, whereupon she quitted her grasp, with the
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 289
utmost reluctancy, and leaped upon the opposite
bank, where she stood gazing and howling all the
time 1 was putting on my clothes.
This was a matter of diversion to my master and
his family, as well as of mortification to myself. For
now I could no longer deny that I was a real Yahoo
in every limb and feature, since the females had a
natural propensity to me, as one of their own species;
neither was the hair of this brute of a red colour
(which might have been some excuse for an. appetite
a little irregular), but black as a sloe, and her coun-
tenance did not make an appearance altogether so
hideous as the rest of her kind; for I think she
could not be above eleven years old.
Having lived three years in this country, the reader
I suppose will expect that I should, like other tra-
vellers, give him some account of the manners and
customs of its inhabitants, which it was indeed my
principal study to learn.
As these noble Houyhnhnms are endowed by na
ture with a general disposition to all virtues, and
have no conceptions or ideas of what is evil in a ra-
tional creature; so their grand maxim is, to culti-
vate reason, and to be wholly governed by it. Nei-
ther is reason among them a point problematical, as
with us, where men can argue with plausibility on
both sides of the question; but strikes you with im-
mediate conviction; as it must needs do, where it is
not mingled, obscured, or discoloured, by passion
and interest. I remember it was with extreme dif-
ficulty that I could bring my master to understand
the meaning of the word opinion, or how a point
could be disputable; because reason taught us to
affirm or deny only where we are certain; and be.
yond our knowledge we cannot, do either. So that
controversies, wrangling?, disputes, and positiveness,
in false or dubious propositions, are evils unknown
among the Houyhnhnms. In the like manner, when
I used to explain ta him our several systems of na-
O
290
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
tural philosophy, he would laugh, ' that a creature
pretending to reason, should value itself upon the
knowledge of other people's conjectures, cud in
things where that knowledge, if it were certain, could
be of no use.' Wherein he agreed entirely with the
sentiments of Socrates, as Plato delivers themj.
which I mention as the highest honour I can do that
prince of philosophers. I have often since reflected,
what destruction such doctrine would make in the
libraries of Europe; and how many paths of fame
would be then shut up in the learned world-
Friendship and benevolence are the two principal
virtues among the Hvuyhnhnms; and these not
confined to particular objects, but universal to the
whole race. For a stranger from the remotest part
is equally treated with the nearest neighbour; and
wherever he goes, looks upon himself as at home.
They preserve decency and civility in the highest
degrees, but are altogether ignorant of ceremony.
They have no fondness for their colts or foals, but
*the care they take in educating them proceeds en-
tirely from the dictates of reason. And I observed
my master to show the same affection to his neigh-
bour's issue, that he had for his own. They will
have it that nature teaches them to love the whole
species, and it is reason only that makes a distinc-
tion of persons, where there is a superior degree of
virtue.
"When the matron Hoityhnhnms have produced
one of each sex, they no longer accompany with
their consorts, except they lose one of their issue by
some casualty, which very seldom happens; but in
such a case they rrreet again; or when the like acci-
dent befals a person whose wife is past bearing,
some other couple bestow on him one of their own
colts, and then go together again until the mother
is pregnant. This caution is necessary, to prevent
the country from being overburthened with numbers .
But the race of inferior Hovyhuhnms, bred »p to
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 291
be servants, is not so strictly limited upon this arti-
cle; these are allowed to produce three of each sex,
to be domestics in the noble families.
In their marriages, they are exactly careful to
choose such colours as will not make any disagree-
able mixture in the breed. Strength is chiefly va-
lued in the male, and comeliness in the female; not
upon the account of love, but to preserve the race
from degenerating; for where a female happens to
excel in strength, a consort is chosen, with regard
to comeliness.
Courtship, love, presents, jointures, settlements,
have no place in their thoughts; or terms whereby
to express them in their language. The young cou-
ple meet, and are joined, merely because it is the
determination of their parents and friends: it is
what they see done every day, and they look upon
it as one of the necessary actions of a reasonable
being;. But the violation of marriage, or any other
unchastity, was never heard of, and the married pair
pass their lives with the same friendship, and mu-
tual benevolence, that they bear to all others of the
same species, who come in their way; without jea-
lousy,, fondness, quarrelling, or discontent.
In educating the youth of both sexes, their me-
thod is admirable, and highly deserves our imita-
tion. These are not suffered to taste a grain of
oats, except upon certain days, till eighteen years
old; nor milk, but very rarely; and in summer
they graze two hours in the morning, and as many
in the evening, which their parents likewise observe;
but the servants are not allowed above half that
time, and a great part of their grass is brought home,
which they eat at the most convenient hours, when
they can be best spared from work.
Temperance, industry, exercise, and cleanliness,
are the lessons equally enjoined to the young ones
of both sexes: and my master thought it monstrous
in us, to give the females a different kind of educa-
tion from the males, except in some articles of do-
292 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
mestic management; whereby, as he truly observed,
one half of our natives were good for nothing but
bringing children into the world: and to trust the
care of our children to such useless animals, he
said, was yet a greater instance of brutality.
Bat the Houyhnhnms train up their youth to
strength, speed, and hardiness, by exercising them
in running races up and down steep hills, and over
hard stony grounds ; and when they are all in a
sweat, they are ordered to leap over head and ears
into a pond or river. Four times a year the youth
of a certain district meet to show their proficiency
in running and leaping, and other feats of strength
and agility; where the victor is rewarded with a
song in his or her praise. On this festival, the ser-
vants drive a herd of Yahoos into the field, laden
with hay, and oats, and milk, for a repast to the
Houyhnhnms; after which, these brutes are imme-
diately driven back again, for fear of being noisome
to the assembly.
Every fourth year, at the vernal equinox, there is
a representative council of the whole nation, which
meets in a plain about twenty miles from our house,
and continues about five or six days. Here they in-
quire into the state and condition of the several
districts; whether they abound or be deficient in
hay or oats, or cows, or Yahoos; and wherever there
is any want (which is but seldom) it is immediately
supplied by unanimous consent and contribution.
Here likewise the regulation of children is settled:
as for instance, if a Houyhnhnm has two males, he
changes one of them with another that has two fe-
males: and when a child has been lost by any ca-
sualty, where the mother is past breeding, it is de
termined what family in the district shall breed
another to supply the loss.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 293
CHAPTER IX.
A grand debate at the general assembly of the
Houyhnhnms, and how it was determined. The
learning of the Houyhnhnms. Their buildings.
Their manner of burials. The defectiveness of
their language.
/^NE of these grand assemblies was held in my
^-^ time, about three months before my departure,
whither my master went as the representative of
our district. In this council was resumed their old
debate, and indeed the only debate that ever hap-
pened in their country; whereof my master, after
his return, gave me a very particular account.
The question to be debated was, ' whether the
Yahoos should be exterminated from the face of the
earth?' One of the members for the affirmative, of-
fered several arguments of great strength and weight;
alleging, ' that as the Yahoos were the most filthy,
noisome, and deformed animal, which nature ever
produced, so they were the most restive and indo-
cible, mischievous and malicious; they would pri-
vately suck the teats of the Houyhnhnms' cows,
kill and devour their cats, trample down their oats
and grass, if they were not continually watched, and
commit a thousand other extravagancies.' He took
notice of a general tradition, < that Yahoos had not
been always in their country; but that many ages
ago, two of these brutes appeared together upon a
mountain; whether produced by the heat of the
sun upon corrupted mud and slime, or from the
ooze and froth of the sea, was never known: that
these YaJtoos engendered, and their brood, in a
short time, grew so numerous as to overrun and in-
fest the whole nation; that the Houyhnhnms, to
get rid of this evil, made a general hunting, and at
last enclosed the whole herd; and destroying the
294 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
elder, every Houyhnhnm kept two young ones in a
kennel, and brought them to such a degree of tame-
ness, as an animal, so savage by nature, can be ca-
pable of acquiring; using them for draught and car-
riage: that there seemed to be much truth in this
tradition, and that those creatures could not be
ylnhniamshy (or aborigines of the land), because
of the violent hatred the Houyhnhnms, as well as
all other animals, bore them, which, although their
evil disposition sufficiently deserved, could never
have arrived at so high a degree, if they had been
aborigines; or else they would have long since been
rooted out: that the inhabitants, taking a fancy to
use the service of the Yahoos, had very imprudently
neglected to cultivate the breed of asses, which are
a comely animal, easily kept, more tame and or-
derly, without any offensive smell; strong enough
for labour, although they yield to the other in agility
of body; and if their braying be no agreeable sound,
it is far preferable to the horrible howlings of the
Yahoos*
Several others declared their sentiments to the
same purpose, when my master proposed an expe-
dient to the assembly, whereof he had indeed bor-
rowed the hint from me. * He approved of the tra-
dition mentioned by the honourable member who
spoke before, and affirmed, that the two Yahoos said
to be seen first among them, had been driven thither
over the sea; that coming to land, and being for-
saken by their companions, they retired to the moun-
tains, and degenerating by degrees, became in pro-
cess of time much more savage, than those of their
own species in the country whence these two origi-
nals came. The reason of this assertion was, that
he had now in his possession a certain wonderful
yahoo (meaning myself), which most of them had
heard of, and many of them had seen. He then re-
lated to them how he first found me; that my body
was all covered with an artificial composure of the
skins and hairs of other animals; that I spoke in a
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 295
language of my own, and had thoroughly leamed
theirs; that I had related to him the accidents which
brought me thither; that when he saw me without
my covering, I was an exact Yahoo in every part,
only of a whiter colour, less hairy, and with shorter
claws. He added, how I had endeavoured to per-
suade him, that in my own and other countries, the
Yahoos acted as the governing, rational animal, and
held the Houyhnhnms in servitude: that he ob-
served in me all the qualities of a Yahoo, only a
little more civilised by some tincture of reason;
which however was in a degree as far inferior to the
Houyhnhnm race, as the Yahoos of their country
were to me: that among other things, I mentioned a
custom we had of castrating Houyhnhnms when
they were young,in order to render them tame; that
the operation was easy and safe; that it was no shame
to learn wisdom from brutes, as industry is taught
by the ant, and building by the swallow (for so I
translate the word lyhannh, although it be a much
larger fowl): that this invention might be practised
upon the younger Yahoos here, which besides ren-
dering them tractable and fitter for use, would in an
age put an end to the whole species, without destroy -
ing life: that in the mean time the Houyhnhnms
should be exhorted to cultivate the breed of asses,
which as they are in all respects more valuable
brutes, so they have this advantage, to be fit for ser-
vice at five years old, which the others are not till
twelve.'
This was all my master thought fit to tell me, at
that time, of what passed in the grand council. But
he was pleased to conceal one particular, which re-
lated personally to myself, wberedtf I soon felt the
unhappy effect, as the reader will know in its pro-
per place, and whence I date all the succeeding mis-
fortunes of my life. --
The Houyhnhnms have no letters, and conse-
quently their knowledge is all traditional. But there
happening few eveats of any moment among a people
296 GULLTVER'S TRAVELS:
so well united, naturally disposed to every virtue,
wholly governed by reason, and cut off from all com-
merce with other nations; the historical part is easily
preserved without burthening their memories. I have
already observed that they are subject to no diseases,
and therefore can have no need of physicians. How-
ever, they have excellent medicines, composed of
herbs, to cure accidental bruises and cuts in the pas-
tern or frog of the foot, by sharp stones, as well as other
maims and hurts in the several parts of the body.
They calculate the year by the revolution of the
sun and the moon, but use no subdivisions into weeks.
They are well enough acquainted with the motions
of those two luminaries, and understand the nature
of eclipses; and this is the utmost progress of their
astronomy.
In poetry, they must be allowed to excel all other
mortals; wherein the justness of their similes, and
the minuteness as well as exactness of their descrip-
tions, are indeed inimitable. Their verses abound
very much in both of these; and usually contain
.either some exalted notions of friendship and bene-
volence, or the praises of those who were victors in
,races and other bodily exercises. Their buildings,
although very rude and simple, are not inconve-
nient, but well contrived to defend them from all
injuries of cold and heat. They have a kind of
tree, which at forty years old, loosens in the root,
and falls with the first storm; it grows very straight,
and being pointed like stakes with a sharp stone (for
the Houyhnhnms know not the use of iron), they
stick them erect in the ground, about ten inches
asunder, and then weave-in oat straw, or sometimes
wattles, betwee» them. The roof is made after the
same manner, and so are the doors.
The Houyhnhnms use the hollow part, between
the pastern and the hoof of their forefoot, as we do
our hands, and this with greater dexterity than I
could at first imagine. I have seen a white mare of
our family thread a needle (which I lent her on pur-
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHKHNMS. 297
pose) witb that joint. They milk their cows, reap
their oats, and do all the work which requires bands,
in the same manner. They have a kind of hard flints,
which, by grinding against other stones, they form
into instruments, that serve instead of wedges, axes,
and hammers. Witb tools made of these flints, they
likewise cut their hay, and reap their oats, wbich
there grow naturally in several ields; the Yahoos
draw home the sheaves in carriages, and the servants
tread them in certain covered huts to get owt the
grain, which is kept ia stores. Tbey make a rude
kind of earthen and wooden vessels, and bake the
former in the sun.
If they can avoid casualties, they die only of old
age, and are buried in the obscurest places that can
be found, their friends and relations expressing nei-
ther joy nor grief at their departure; nor does the
dying person discover the least regret that he is leav-
ing the world, any more than if he were upon re-
turning home from a visit to one of his neighbours.
I remember my master having once made an appoint-
ment with a friend and his family to come to his
house, upon some affair of importance: on the day
fixed, the mistress and her two children casae very
late; she made two excuses, first for tier husband,
who, as she said, happened that very morning to
Ihnuwnh. The word is strongly expressiveintheir
language, but not easily rendered into English; it
signifies,f to retire to his first mother.' Her eaacuse
for not coming sooner was, that her husband dying
late in the morning, she was a good while consult-
ing her servants about a convenient place where his
body should be laid; and I observed, she behaved
herself at our house as cheerfully as the rest: she
died about three months after.
They live generally to seventy, or seventy-five
years, very seldom to fourscore : some weeks before
their death, they feel a gradual decay; but without
pain. During this time they are much visited by
their friends, because they cannot go abroad with
O 2
298 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
their usual ease and satisfaction. However, about
ten days before their death, which they seldom fail
in computing, they return the visits that have been
made them by those who are nearest in the neigh-
bourhood, being carried in a convenient sledge
drawn by Yahoos; which vehicle they use, not only
upon this occasion, but when they grow old, upon
long journeys, or when they are lamed by any acci-
dent. And therefore when the dying Houyhnhnms
return those visits, they take a solemn leave of their
friends, as if they were going to some remote part
of the country, where they designed to pass the rest
of their lives.
I know not whether it may be worth observing,
that the Houyhnhnms have no word in their lan-
guage to express any thing that is evil, except what
they borrow from the deformities or ill qualities of
the Yahoos. Thus they denote the folly of a ser-
vant, an omission of a child, a stone that cuts their
feet, a continuance of foul or unseasonable weather,
and the like, by adding to each the epithet of Yahoo.
JFor instance, hhnm Yahoo, whnaholm Yahoo,
ynlhmndwihlma Yahoo, and an ill-contrived house
ynholmhnmrohlnw Yahoo.
I could, with great pleasure, enlarge further upon
the manners and virtues of this excellent people; but
intending in a short time to publish a volume by
itself, expressly upon that subject, I refer the reader
thither; and, in the mean time, proceed to relate
my own sad catastrophe.
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 299
CHAPTER X.
The Author's economy, and happy life, among the
Houyhnhnms. His great improvement in virtue
by conversing with them. Their conversations.
The Author has notice given him by his master,
that he must depart from the country. He falls
into a swoon for grief; but submits. He con-
trives and finishes a canoe by the help of a f el-
low-servant, and puts to sea at a venture.
T HAD settled my little economy to my own heart's
content. My master had ordered a room to be
made for me, after their manner, about six yards
from the house; the sides and floors of which I
plastered with clay, and covered with rush-mats of
my own contriving; I had beaten hemp, which there
grows wild, and made of it a sort of ticking; this I
filled with the feathers of several birds I had taken
with springes made of Yahoos' hairs, and * were ex-
cellent food. I had worked two chairs with my
knife, the sorrel nag helping me in the grosser and
mote laborious part. When my clothes were worn
to rags, I made myself others with the skins of rab-
bits, and of a certain beautiful animal, about the
same size, called nnuhnoh, the skin of which is
covered with a fine down. Of these I also made
very tolerable stockings. I soled my shoes with
wood, which I cut from a tree, and fitted to the up-
* It should be,—and 'which' were excellent food.
This sentence is faulty in other respects; but there,
as well as in many other passages of these Voyages,
the author has intentionally made use of inaccurate
expression, and studied negligence, in order to make
the style more like that of a seafaring man: on
which account they have been passed over in si-
lence, where such intention was obvious.—S.
300 GU LLIVER'S TRAVELS:
per-leather; and when this was worn out, I supplied
it with the skins of Yahoos dried in the sun. I often
got honey out of hollow trees, which 1 mingled with
water, or ate with my bread. No man could more
verify the truth of these two maxims, « That nature
is very easily satisfiedand,' That necessity is the
mother of invention' I enjoyed perfect health of
body, and tranquillity of mind; I did not feel the
treachery or inconstancy of a friend, nor the injuries
of a secret or open enemy. I had no occasion of
bribing, flattering, or pimping, to procure the favour
of any great man, or of his minion. I wanted no
fence against fraud or oppression : here was neither
physician to destroy my body, nor lawyer to ruin my
fortune; no informer to watch my words and actions,
or forge accusations against me for hire : here were
no gibers, censurers, backbiters, pickpockets, high-
waymen, housebreakers, attorneys, bawds, buffoons,
gamesters, politicians, wits, splenetics, tedious talk-
ers, controvertists, ravishers, murderers, robbers,
virtuosos; no leaders, or followers, of party and
faction; no encouragers to vice, by seducement or
examples; no dungeon, axes, gibbets,whipping-posts,
or pillories; no cheating shopkeepers or mechanics;
no pride, vanity, or affectation; no fops, bullies,
drunkards, strolling whores, or poxes; no ranting,
lewd, expensive wives; no stupid, proud pedants;
no importunate, overbearing, quarrelsome, noisy,
roaring, empty, conceited, swearing companions; no
scoundrels raised from the dust upon the merit of
their vices, or nobility thrown into it on account
of their virtues; no lords, fiddlers, judges, or dan-
cing-masters.
I had the favour of being admitted to several
Kouyhnhmm, who came to visit or dine^ with my
master; where his honour graciously suffered me to
wait in the room, and listen to their discourse. Both
he and his company would often descend to ask me
questions, and receive my answers. 1 had also some-
times the honour of attending my master in his visits
A VOYAGE TO THE HOIXYHNHNMS. 301
to others. I never presumed to speak, except in an-
swer to a question; and then I did it with inward
regret, because it was a loss of so much time for im-
proving myself: but I was infinitely delighted with
the station of an humble auditor in such conversa-
tions, where nothing passed but what was useful,
expressed in the fewest and most significant words:
Where, as I have already said, the greatest decency
was observed, without the least degree of ceremony;
where no person spoke without being pleased him-
self, and pleasing his companions; where there was
no interruption, tediousness, heat, or difference of
sentiments. They have a notion, that when people
are met together, a short silence does much improve
conversation: this I found to be true; for, during
those little intermissions of talk, new ideas would
arise in their minds, which very much enlivened the
discourse. Their subjects are generally on friendship
and benevolence, on order and economy; sometimes
upon the visible operations of nature, or ancient
traditions; upon the bounds and limits of virtue;
upon the unerring rules of reason, or upon some de-
terminations to be taken at the next great assembly:
and often upon the various excellencies of poetry.
I may add, without vanity, that my presence often
gave them sufficient matter for discourse, because it
afforded my master an occasion of letting his friends
into the history of me and my country, upon which
they were all pleased to descant, in a manner not
very advantageous to humankind; and for that rea-
son I shall not repeat what they said: only I may
be allowed to observe, that his honour, to my great,
admiration, appeared to understand the nature of
Yahoos much better than myself. He went through
all our vices and follies, and discovered many, which
I had never mentioned to him, by only supposing
what qualities a Yahoo of their country, with a
small proportion of reason, might be capable of
exerting; and concluded, with too much probabi-
tity, * how vile as well as miserable such a creature
must be,'
302
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
I freely confess, that all the little knowledge I have
of any value, was acquired by the lectures I received
from my master, and from hearing the discourses of
him and his friends; to which I should be prouder to
listen, than to dictate to the greatest and wisest as-
sembly in Europe. I admired the strength, comeli-
ness, and speed of the inhabitants; and such a con-
stellation of virtues, in such amiable persons, pro-
duced in me the highest veneration. At first, indeed,
I did not feel that natural awe, which the Yahoos
and all other animals bear toward them; but it grew
upon me by degrees, much sooner than I imagined,
and was mingled with a respectful love and grati-
tude, that they would condescend to distinguish me
from the rest of my species.
When I thought of my family, my friends, my
countrymen, or the human race in general, I con-
sidered them, as they really were, Yahoos in shape
and disposition, perhaps a little more civilised, and
qualified with the gift of speech; but making no other
use of reason, than to improve and multiply those
vices, whereof their brethren in this country had
only the share that nature allotted them. When I
happened to behold the reflection of my own form in
a lake or fountain, I turned away my face in horror
and detestation of myself; and could better endure
the sight of a common Yahoo, than of my own per-
son. By conversing with the Houyhnhnms, and
looking upon them with delight, I fell to imitate
their gait and gesture, which is now grown into a
habit; and my friends often tell me, in a blunt way,
« that I trot like a horsewhich, however, I take
for a great compliment: neither shall I disown, that
in speaking I am apt to fall into the voice and man-
ner of the Houyhnhnms, and hear myself ridiculed
on that account, without the least mortification.
In the midst of all this happiness, and when I
looked upon myself to be fully settled for life, my
master sent for me one morning a little earlier than
his usual hour. I observed by his countenance that
be was in some perplexity, and at a loss how to be-
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 303
gin what he had to speak. After a short silence he
told me 'he did not know how I would take what
he was going to say: that in the last general assem-
bly, when the affair of the Yahoos was entered upon,
the representatives had taken offence at his keeping
a Yahoo (meaning myself) in his family, more like
a Houyhnhnm, than a brute animal. That he was
known frequently to converse with me, as if he
could receive some advantage or pleasure in my
company: that such a practice was not agreeable to
reason or nature, or a thing ever heard of before
among them. The assembly did therefore exhort
him either to employ me like the rest of my species,
or command me to swim back to the place whence I
came. That the first of these expedients was utterly
rejected by all the Houyhnhnms who had ever seen
me at his house or their own : for they alleged, that
because I had some rudiments of reason, added to
the natural pravity of those animals, it was to be
feared I might be able to seduce them into the woody
and mountainous parts of the country, and bring them
in troops by night to destroy the Houyhnhnms*
cattle, as being naturally of the ravenous kind, and
averse from labour.'
My master added, ' that he was daily pressed by
the Houyhnhnms of the neighbourhood, to have the
assembly's exhortation executed, which he could not
put off much longer. He doubted it would be im-
possible for me to swim to another country; and
therefore wished I would contrive some sort of ve-
hicle, resembling those I had described to him, that
might carry me on the sea; in which work I should
have the assistance of his own servants, as well as
those of his neighbours^ He concluded, * that for
his own part he could have been content to keep me
in his service as long as I lived; because be found
I had cured myself of some bad habits and disposi-
tions, by endeavouring, as far as my inferior nature
was capable, to imitate the Houyhnhnms.*
I should here observe to the reader, that a decree
304 GULLTVER'S TRAVELS:
of the general assembly in this country, is expressed
by the word hnhloaynj&hich. signifies an exhortation,
as near as I can render it: for they have no concep-
tion how a rational creature can be compelled, but
only advised, or exhorted; because no person can
disobey reason, without giving up his claim to be a
rational creature.
I was struck with the utmost grief and despair at
my master's discourse; and being unable to support
the agonies I was under, I fell into a swoon at his
feet. When I came to myself, he told me * that he
concluded I had been deadfor these people are
subject to no such imbecilities of nature. I answered
in a faint voice, ' that death would have been too
great a happiness: that although I could not blame
the assembly's exhortation, or the urgency of big
friends; yet,vin my weak and corrupt judgment, I
thought it might consist with reason to have been
less rigorous: that I could not swim a league, and
probably the nearest land to theirs might be distant
above a hundred: that many materials, necessary for
making a small vessel to carry me off, were wholly
wanting in this country; which however I would
attempt, in obedience and gratitude to his honour,
although I concluded the thing to be impossible, and
therefore looked on myself as already devoted to
destruction: that the certain prospect of an unnatu-
ralaleath, was the least of my evils; for, supposing
I should escape with life by some strange adventure,
how could 1 think with temper of passing my days
among Yahoo*, and relapsing into my old corrup-
tions, for want of examples to lead and keep mo
within the paths of virtue: that I knew too well upon
what solid reasons all the determinations of the wise
Mouyhnhnms were founded, not to be shaken by
arguments of mine, a. miserable Yahoo'; and there-
fore, after presenting him with my humble thanks for
the offer of hk servants' assistance in making a vessel,
and desiring a reasonable tim* for so difficult a work,
I told him I would endeavour ta* preserve a wretched
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 305
being; and if ever I returned to England, was not
without hopes of being useful to my own species, by
celebrating the praises of the renowned Houyhn-
hnms, and proposing their virtues to the imitation
of mankind.'
. My master, in a few words, made me a very gra-
cious reply; allowed me the space of two months
to finish my boat; and ordered the sorrel nag, my
fellow-servant (for so at this distance I may presume
to call him), to follow my instruction; because I told
my master,' that his help would be sufficient, and I
knew he had a tenderness for me.'
In his company, my first business was to go to
that part of the coast where my rebellious crew had
ordered me to be set on shore. I got upon a height,
and looking on every side into the sea, fancied I saw
a small island toward the north-east: I took out my
pocket-glass, and could then clearly distinguish it
about five leagues off, as I computed; but it ap-
peared to the sorrel nag to be only a blue cloud:
for as he had no conception of any country beside
his own, so he could not be as expert in distinguish-
ing remote objects at sea, as we who so much con-
verse* in that element.
After I had discovered this island, I considered no
further; but resolved it should, if possible, be the
first place of my banishment, leaving the conse-
quence to fortune.
I returned home, and consulting with the sorrel
nag, we went into a copse at some distance, where
I with my knife, and he with a sharp flint, fastened
very artificially after their manner to a wooden
handle, cut down several oak wattles, about the
thickness of a walking-staff, and some larger pieces.
* This is an uncommon use of the word ' con-
verse:' instead of the verb, the adjective is always
employed in this sense; as thus—«as we, who are so
conversant in that element.'—S.
306 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
But J shall not trouble the reader with a particular
description of my own mechanics; let it suffice to
say, that in six weeks' time, with the help of the
sorrel nag, who performed the parts that required
most labour, I finished a sort of Indian canoe, but
much larger, covering it with the skins of Yahoos,
well stitched together with hempen threads of my
own making. My sail was likewise composed of the
skins of the same animal; but I made use of the
youngest I could get, the older being too tough and
thick; and I likewise provided myself with four pad-
dles. I laid in a stock of boiled flesh, of rabbits and
fowls; and took with me two vessels, one filled with
milk and the other with water.
I tried my canoe in a large pond, near my master's
house, and then corrected in it what was amiss;
stopping all the chinks with Yahoos' tallow, till I
found it staunch,and able to bear me and my freight;
and, when it was as complete as I could possibly
make it, I had it drawn on a carriage very gently by
Yahoos to the sea-side, under the conduct of the
sorrel nag and another servant.
When ail was ready, and the day came for my de-
parture, I took leave of my master and lady and the
whole family, my eyes flowing with tears, and my
heart quite sunk with grief. But his honour, out of
curiosity, and perhaps (if I may speak it without
vanity) partly out of kindness, was determined to see
me in my canoe; and got several of his neighbour-
ing friends to accompany him. I was forced to wait
above an hour for the tide, and then observing the
wind very fortunately bearing toward the island t»
which I intended to steer my course, I took a second
leave of my master: but as I was going to prostrate
myself to kiss his hoof, he did me the honour to
raise it gently to my mouth. I am not ignorant hbw
much I have been censured for mentioning this last
particular. Detractors are pleased to think it im-
probable, that so illustrious a person should descend
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 307
to give so great a mark of distinction to a creature
so inferior as I. Neither have I forgotten how apt
some travellers are to boast of extraordinary favours
they have received. But, if these censurers were
better acquainted with the noble and courteous dis-
position of the Hovyhnhnms, they would soon
change their opinion.
I paid my respects to the rest of the Houyhnhnms
in his honour's company; then getting into my ca-
noe I pushed off from shore.
CHAPTER XI.
The Author's dangerous voyage. He arrives at
New Holland, hoping to settle there. Is wound-
ed with an arrow by one of the native*. Is
seized and carried by force into a Portuguese
^ship. The great civilities of the captain. The
Author arrives at England.
T BEGAN this desperate voyage on February 15,
1714-15, at nine o'clock in the morning. The
wind was very favourable; however, I made use at
first only of my paddles; but considering I should
Soon be weary, and that the wiud might chop about,
I ventured to set up my little sail; and thus with
the help of the tide I went at the rate of a league
and a half an hour*, as near as I could guess. My
master and his friends continued on the shore till I
was almost out of sight; and I often heard the sor-
rel nag (who always loved me) crying out, ' Hnuy
ilia nyha majah Yahoo;' * Take care of thyself,
gentle Yahoo:
My design was, if possible, to discover some small
island uninhabited, yet sufficient by my labour to
308 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
furnish me with the necessaries of life, which I
would have thought a greater happiness, than to be
first minister in the politest court of Europe; so
horrible was the idea I conceived of returning to
live in the society, and under the government of
Yahoos. For in such a solitude as I desired, I could
at least enjoy my own thoughts, and reflect with
delight on the virtues of those inimitable Houyhn-
hnms, without any opportunity of degenerating into
the vices and corruptions of my own species.
The reader may remember what I related, when
my crew conspired against me, and confined me to
my cabin. How I continued there several weeks
without knowing what course we took; and when I
was put ashore in the long-boat, how the sailors told
me with oaths, whether true or false, ' that they
knew not in what part of the world we were.' How-
ever, I did then believe us to be about 10 degrees
southward of the Cape of Good Hope, or about 45
degrees southern latitude, as I gathered from some
general words I overheard among them, being I sup-
posed to the south-east in their intended voyage to
Madagascar. And although this were little better
than conjecture, yet I resolved to steer my course
eastward, hoping to reach the south-west coast of
New Holland, and perhaps some such island as I
desired lying westward of it. The wind was full
west, and by six in the evening I computed I had
gone eastward at least eighteen leagues; when I
spied a very small island about half a league off,
which I soon reached. It was nothing but a rock,
with one creek naturally arched by the force of tem-
pests. Here I put in my canoe, and climbing a part
of the rock, I could plainly discover land to the east,
extending from south to north. I lay ail night in
my canoe; and repeating my voyage early in the
morning, I arrived in seven hours to the south-east
point of New Holland. This confirmed me in the
opinion I have long entertained, that the maps and
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 309
charts place this country at least three degrees
more to the east than it really is; which thought I
communicated many years ago to my worthy friend,
Mr. Herman Moll, and gave him my reasons for
it, although he has rather chosen to follow other
authors.
I saw no inhabitants in the place where I landed,
and being unarmed, I was afraid of venturing far
into the country. I found some shell-fish on the
shore, and ate them raw, not daring to kindle a fire,
for fear of being discovered by the natives. I con-
tinued three days feeding on oysters and limpets,
to save my own provision; and I fortunately found
a brook of excellent water, which gave me great
relief.
On the fourth day, venturing out early a little too
far, I saw twenty or thirty natives upon a height
not above five hundred yards from me, - They were
stark naked, men, women, and children, round a fire,
as I could discover by the smoke. One of them
spied me, and gave notice to the rest; five of them
advanced toward me, leaving the women and chil-
dren at the fire. I made what haste I could to the
shore, and, getting into my canoe, shoved off: the
savages, observing me retreat, ran after me; and be-
fore I could get far enough into the sea, discharged
an arrow, which wounded me deeply on the inside
of my left knee: I shall carry the mark to my grave.
I apprehended the arrow might be poisoned, and
paddling put of the reach of their darts (being a
calm day), I made a shift to suck the wound, and
dress it as well as I could.
I was at a loss what to do, for I durst not return
to the same landing-place, but stood to the north,
and was forced to paddle; for the wind, though very
gentle, was against me, blowing north-west. As I
was looking about for a secure landing-place, I saw
a sail to thenorth-north-east, which appearing every
minute more visible, I was in some doubt whether I
should wait for them or not; but at last my detes-
310 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
tation of the Yahoo race prevailed; and turning my
canoe, I sailed and paddled towards the south, and
got into the same creek whence I set out in the
morning, choosing rather to trust myself among
these barbarians, than live with European Yahoos.
I drew up my canoe as close as I could to the
shore, and hid myself behind a stone by the little
brook, which, as I have already said, was excellent
water.
The ship came within half a league of this creek,
and sent her long-boat with vessels to take in fresh
water (for the place, it seems, was very well known);
but T did not observe it, till the boat was almost on
shore; and it was too late to seek another hiding-
place. The seamen at their landing observed my
canoe, and rummaging it all over, easily conjectured
that the owner could not be far off. Four of them,
well armed, searched every cranny and lurking-hole,
till at last they found me flat on my face behind the
stone. They gazed awhile in admiration at my
strange uncouth dress: my coat made of skins,
my wooden-soled shoes, and my furred stockings;
whence, however, they concluded, I was not a na-
tive of the place, who all go naked. One of the sea-
men, in Portuguese, bid me rise, and asked who I
was. I understood that language very well, and
getting upon my feet, said, ' I was a poor Yahoo
banished from the Houyhnhnms, and desired they
would please to let me depart.' They admired to
hear me answer them in their own tongue, and saw
by my complexion I must be a European; but were
at a loss to know what I meant by Yahoos and
Houyhnhnms; and at the same time fell a-laughing
at my strange tone in speaking, which resembled
the neighing of a horse. I trembled all the while
betwixt fear and hatred. I again desired leave to
depart, and was gently moving to my canoe: but
they laid hold of me, desiring to know,' what coun-
try I was of? whence I came?' with many other
questions. I told them, M was bom in England,
A VOYAGE TO THE IIOUYHNHNMS. 311
whence I came about five years ago* and then their
country and ours were at peace. I therefore hoped
they would not treat me as an enemy, since I meant
them no harm, but was a poor Yahoo seeking some
desolate place where to pa3S the remainder of his
unfortunate life.'
When they began to talk, I thought I never heard
or saw any thing so unnatural; for it appeared to
me as monstrous as if a dog or a cow should speak
in England, or a Yahoo in Houyhnhnmland. The
honest Portuguese were equally amazed at my
strange dress, and the odd manner of delivering my
words, which however they understood very well.
They spoke to me with great humanity, and said,
* they were sure the captain would carry me gratis
to Lisbon, whence I might return to my own coun-
try; that two of the seamen would go back to the
ship, inform the captain of what they had seen, and
receive his orders; in the mean time, unless I would
give my solemn oath not to fly, they would secure
me by force.' I thought it best to comply with their
proposal. They were very curious to know my story,
but I gave them very little satisfaction, and they all
conjectured, that my misfortunes had impaired my
reason. In two hours the boat, which went loadea
with vessels of water, returned, with the captain's
command to fetch me on-board. I fell on my knees
to preserve my liberty; but all was in vain ; and the
men, having tied me with cords, heaved me into the
boat, whence 1 was taken into the ship, and thence
into the captain's cabin.
His name was Pedro de Mendez; he was a very
courteous and generous person. He entreated me
to give some account of myself, and desired to know
what I would eat or drink; said, * I should be used
as well as himself;' and spoke so many obliging
things, that I wondered to find such civilities from
a Yahoo. However, I remained silent and sullen;
I was ready to faint at the very smell of him and his
men. At last I desired something to eat out of my
312 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
own canoe; but he ordered me a chicken, and some
excellent wine, and then directed that I should be
put to bed in a very clean cabin. I would not un-
dress myself, but lay on the bed-clothes, and in half
an hour stole out, when I thought the crew was at
dinner, and getting to the side of the ship, was going
to leap into the sea, and swim for my life, rather
than continue among Yahoos. But one of the sea-
men prevented me, and having informed the captain,
I was chained to my cabin.
After dinner Don Pedro came to me, and desired
to know my reason for so desperate an attempt;
assured me,£ he only meant to do me all the service
he was able;' and spoke so very movingly, that at
last I descended to treat him like an animal which
had some little portion of reason. I gave him a very
short relation of my voyage; of the conspiracy
against me by my own men; of the country where
they set me on shore, and of my five years' residence
there. All which he looked upon as if it were a
dream or a vision; whereat I took great offence; for
I had quite forgot the faculty of lying, so peculiar to
Yahoos, in all countries where they preside, and,
consequently, the disposition of suspecting truth in
others of their own species. I askedLhim, ' whether
it were the custom in his country to say the thing
which was not?' I assured him, ' I had almost for-
got what be meant by falsehood, and if I had lived a
thousand years in Houyhnhnmland, I should never
have heard a lie from the meanest servant; that I
was altogether indifferent whether he believed me or
not; but, however, in return for his favours, I would
give so much allowance to the corruption of his na-
ture, as to answer any objection he might please to
make, and then he might easily discover the truth.'
The captain, a wise man, after many endeavours
to catch me tripping in some part of my story, at last
began to have a better opinion of my veracity. But
he added,' that since I professed so inviolable an
attachment to truth, I must give him my word and
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 313
honour to bear him company in this voyage, with-
out attempting any thing against my life; or else he
would continue me a prisoner till we arrived at Lis-
bon.' I gave him the promise he required j but at
the same time protested, < that I would suffer the
greatest hardships, rather than return to live among
Yahoot.'
Our voyage passed without any considerable ac-
cident. In gratitude to the captain, I sometimes
sat with him at his earnest request, and strove to
conceal my antipathy against human-kind, although
it often broke out; which he suffered to pass with-
out observation. But the greatest part of the day I
confined myself to my cabin, to avoid seeing any of
the crew. The captain had often entreated me to
strip myself of my savage dress, and offered to lend
me the best suit of clothes he had. This I would
not be prevailed on to accept, abhorring to cover
myself with any thing that had been on the back of
a Yahoo. I only desired he would lend me two
clean shirts, which, having been washed since he
wore them, I believed would not so much defile me.
These I changed every second day, and washed them
myself.
We arrived at Lisbon, Nov. 5,1715. At our land-
ing the captain forced me to cover myself with his
cloak, to prevent the rabble Trom crowding about
me. I was conveyed to his own house; and at my
earnest request he led me up to the highest room
backwards. I conjured him 'to conceal from all
persons what-I had told him of the ELouyhnhnms;
because the least hint of such a story would not
only draw numbers of people to see me, but proba-
bly put me in danger of being imprisoned, or burnt
by the inquisition.' The captain persuaded me to
accept a suit of clothes newly made; but I would
not suffer the tailor to take my measure; however,
Don Pedro being almost of my size, they fitted me
well enough. He accoutred me with other neces-
P
314 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
saries, all new, which I aired for twenty-four hours,
before I would use them.
The captain had no wife, nor above three servants,
none of which were suffered to attend at meals; and
his whole deportment wa&so obliging, added to very
good human* understanding, that I really began to
tolerate his company'. He gained so far upon me
that I ventured to look out of the back window. By
degrees I was brought into another room, whence I
peeped into the street, but drew my head back in a
fright. In a week's time he seduced me down to the
door. I found my terror gradually lessened, but my
hatred and contempt seemed to increase. I was at
last bold enough to walk the street in his company,
but kept my nose well stopped with rue, or some-
times with tobacco.
In ten days, Don Pedro, to whom I had given
some account of my domestic affairs, put it upon me,
as a matter of honour and conscience,' that I ought
to return to my native country, and live at home
with my wife and children.' He told me,' there was
an English ship in the port just ready to sail, and he
would furnish me with all things necessary.' It
would be tedious to repeat his arguments, and my
contradictions. He said,it was altogether impossible
to find such a solitary island as I desired to live in;
but I might command in my own house, and pass
my time in a manner as recluse as I pleased.'
I complied at last, finding I could not do better.
I left Lisbon the 24th day of November, in an
English merchantman, but who was the master I
never inquired. Don Pedro accompanied me to the
ship, and lent me twenty pounds. He took kind
leave of me, and embraced me at parting, which I
I>ore as well as I could. During this last voyage I
had no commerce with the master or any of his
men; but, pretending I was sick, kept close in my
cabin. On the fifth of December, 1715, we cast an-
chor in the Downs, about nine in the morning, and
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 315
at three in the afternoon I got safe to my house at
Redriff.
My wife and family received me with great sur-
prise and joy, because they concluded me certainly
dead; but I must freely confess the sight of them
filled me only with hatred, disgust, and contempt;
and the more, by reflecting on the near alliance I
had to them. For although, since my unfortunate
exile from the Houyhnhnm country, I had com-
pelled myself to tolerate the sight of Yahoos, and
to converse with Don Pedro de Mendez, yet my
memory and imagination were perpetually filled
with the virtues and ideas of those exalted Houyhn-
hnms. And when I began to consider, that by co-
pulating with one of the Yahoo species I had be-
come a parent of more, it struck me with the utmost
shame, confusion, and horror.
As soon as I entered the house, my wife took me
in her arms, and kissed me; at which, having not
been used to the touch of that odious animal for so
many years, I fell into a swoon for almost an hour.
At the time I am writing, it is five years since my
last return to England: during the first year, I could
not endure my wife or children in my presence; the
very smell of them was intolerable j much less could
I suffer them to eat in the same room. To this hour
they dare not presume to touch my bread, or drink
out of the same cup, neither was I ever able to let
one of them take me by the hand. The first money
I laid out was to buy two young stone-horses, which
I keep in a good stable; and next to them, the
groom is my greatest favourite; for I feel my spirits
revivfd by the smell he contracts in the stable. My
horses understand me tolerably well; I converse
with them at least four hours every day. They *are
strangers to bridle or saddle; they live in great
amity with me, and friendship to each other.
516
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
CHAPTER XII.
The Author's veracity. His design in publishing
this work. His censure of those travellers who
swerve from the truth. The Author clears him-
self from any sinister ends in writing. An ob-
jection answered. The method of planting co-
lonies. His native country commended. The
right of the crown to those countries described
by the Author, is justified. The difficulty of
conquering them. The Author takes his last
leave of the Reader; proposes his manner of
living for the f uture; gives good advice, and
concludes.
rpHUS, gentle reader, I have given thee a faithful
history of my travels for sixteen years and
above seven months: wherein I have not been so
studious of ornament as of truth. 1 could perhaps,
like others, have astonished thee with strange im-
probable tales; but I rather chose to relate plain
matter of fact, in the simplest manner and style;
because my principal design was to inform, and not
to amuse thee.
It is easy for us who travel into remote countries,
which are seldom visited by Englishmen or other
Europeans, to form descriptions of wonderful ani-
mals both at sea and land. "Whereas a traveller's
chief aim should be to make men wiser and better,
and to improve their minds by the bad, as wall as
good example, of what they deliver concerning fo-
reign places.
J could heartily wish a law was enacted, that
every traveller, before he were permitted to publish
his voyages, should be obliged to make oath before
the Lord High Chancellor, that all he intended to
print was absolutely true to the best of^his know-
ledge 3 for then the world would no longer be de-
ft
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 3l7
ceived, as it usually is, while some writers, to make
their works pass the better upon the public, impose
the grossest falsities on the unwary reader, I have
perused several books of travels with great delight in
my younger days; but having since gone over most
parts of the globe, and been able to contradict many
fabulous accounts from my own observation, it has
given me a great disgust against this part of reading,
and some indignation to see the credulity of man-
kind so impudently abused. Therefore, since my ac-
quaintance were pleased to think my poor endeavours
might not be unacceptable to my country, I imposed
on myself as a maxim never to be swerved from, that
I would strictly adhere to truth; neither indeed can
I be ever under the least temptation to vary from it,
while I retain in my mind the lectures and example
of my noble master and the other illustrious Houy-
hnhnms, of whom I had so long the honour to be
an humble hearer.
Nec si miserum Fortuna Sinonem
Finxit, vanum etiam, mendacemque itnproba
finget.
I know very well, how little reputation is to be got
by writings, which require neither genius nor learn-
ing, nor indeed any other talent, except a good memo-
ry, or an exact journal. I know likewise, that writers
of travels, like dictionary-makers, are sunk into obli-
vion by the weight and bulk of those who come last,
and therefore lie uppermost. And it is highly pro-
bable, that such travellers, who shall hereafter visit
the countries described in this work of mine, may,
by detecting my errors (if there be any), and adding
many new discoveries of their own, justle me out of
vogue, and stand iu my place, making the world for-
get t&at ever I was an author. This indeed would be
too great a mortification, if I wrote for fame: but as
my sole intention was the public good, I cannot be
altogether disappointed. For who can read of the
virtue* I have mentioned in the glorious Houyhn-
318 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
knms, without being ashamed of his own vices, when
he considers himself as the reasoning, governing
animal of his country? I shall say nothing of those
remote nations, where Yahoos preside; among which
the least corrupted are the Brobdingnagians;
whose wise maxims in morality and government, it
would be our happiness to observe. But I forbear
descanting further, and rather leave the judicious
reader to his own remarks and application.
I am not a little pleased, that this work of mine
can possibly meet with no censurers: for what objec-
tions can be made against a writer, who relates only
plain facts, that happened in such distant countries,
where we have not the least interest, with respect
either to trade or negociations? I have carefully
avoided every fault, with which common writers
of travels are often too justly charged. Besides,
I meddle not the least with any party, but write
without passion, prejudice, or ill-will against any
man, or number of men whatsoever. I write for
the noblest end, to inform and instruct mankind;
over whom I may, without breach of modesty, pre-
tend to some superiority, from the advantages I
received by conversing so long among the most
accomplished Houyhnhnras. I Write without any
view to profit or praise. I never suffer a word to
pass that may look like reflection, or possibly give
the least offence, even to those who are most ready
to take it. So that I hope I may with justice pro-
nounce myself an author perfectly blameless; against
whom the tribes of Answerers, Considerers, Ob-
servers, Reflectors, Detecters, Remarkers, will never
be able to find matter for exercising their talents.
I confess, it was whispered to me, 'that I neas
bound in duty, as a subject of England, to have
given in a memorial to a secretary of state at my
first coming over; because, whatever lands are dis-
covered by a subject, belong to the crown.' But I
doubt, whether our conquests, in the countries I
treat of, would be as easy as those of Ferdinaado
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 319
Cortez over the naked Americans. The Lillipu-
tians, 1 think, are hardly worth the charge of a fleet
and army to reduce them; and I question whether
it might be prudent or safe to attempt the Brobding-
iiagiuns. Or whether an English army would be
much at their ease, with the Flying Island over
their heads. The Houyhnhnms indeed appear not
to be so well prepared for war, a science to which
they are perfect strangers, and especially against
missive weapons. However, supposing myself to be
a minister of state, I could never give my advice
for invading them. Their prudence, unanimity, un-
acquaintedness with fear, and their love of their
country, would amply supply all defects in the mili-
tary art. Imagine twenty thousand of them breaking
into the midst of an European army, confounding
the ranks, overturning the carriages, battering the
warriors' faces into mummy by terrible yerks from
their hinder hoofs; for they would well deserve the
character given to Augustus, Recalcitrat undique
tutus. But,instead of proposals for conquering that
magnanimous nation, I rather wish they were in a
capacity, or disposition, to send a sufficient number
of their inhabitants for civilising Europe, by teach-
ing us the first principles of honour, justice, truth,,
temperance, public spirit, fortitude, chastity, friend-
ship, benevolence, and fidelity. The names of all
which virtues are still retained among us in most
languages, and are to be met with in modern, as well
as ancient authors; which I am able to assert from
my own small reading.
But I had another reason, which made me less for-
ward to enlarge his majesty's dominions by my dis-
coveries. To say the truth, 1 had conceived a few
scruples with relation to the distributive justice of
princes upon those occasions. For instance, a crew
of pirates are driven by a storm they know not
whither; at length a boy discovers land from the
topmast; they go on shore to rob and plunder; they
see a harmless people, are entertained with kind-
320 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS:
ness; they give the country a new name; they take
formal possession of it for their king; they set up a
rotten plank, or a stone, for a memorial; they mur-
der two or three dozen of the natives, bring away a
couple more, by force, for a sample; return home,
and get their pardon. Here commences a new do-
minion acquired with a title by divine right. Ships
are sent with the first opportunity; the natives
driven out or destroyed; their princes tortured to
discover their gold; a free license given to all acts
of inhumanity and lust, the earth reeking with the
blood of its inhabitants: and this execrable crew of
butchers, employed in so pious an expedition, is a
modern colony, sent to convert and civilise an idola-
trous and barbarous people!
But this description, I confess, does by no means
affect the British nation, who may be an example to
the whole world for their wisdom, care, and justice in
planting colonies: their liberal endowments for the
advancement of religion and learning; their choice
of devout and able pastors to propagate Christianity;
their caution in stocking their provinces with people
of sober lives and conversations, from this the mother
kingdom; their strict regard to the distribution of
justice, in supplying the civil administration through
all their colonies with officers of the greatest abili-
ties, utter strangers to corruption; and, to crown
ail, by sending the most vigilant and virtuous go-
vernors, who have no other views than the happi-
ness of the people over whom they preside, and the
honour of the king their master.
But as those countries, which I have described, do
not appear to have any desire of being conquered
and enslaved, murdered or driven out, by colonies;
nor abound either in gold, silver, sugar, or tobacco;
I did humbly conceive, they were by no means pro-
per objects of our zeal, our valour, or our interest,
However, if those whom it more concerns, think fit
to be of another opinion, I am ready to depose, when
I shall be lawfully called, that no European did
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS. 321
ever visit those countries before me. I mean, if
the inhabitants ought to be believed, unless a dis-
pute may arise concerning the two Yahoos, said to
have been seen many years ago upon a mountain in
Houyhnhnmla7>d.
But, as to the formality of taking possession in
my sovereign's name, it never came once into my
thoughts; and if it had, yet, as my affairs then
stood, I should perhaps, in point of prudence and
self-preservation, have put it off to a better oppor-
tunity.
Having thus answered the only objection that can
ever be raised against me as a traveller, I here take
a final leave of all my courteous readers, and return
to enjoy my own speculations in my little garden at
Redriff; to apply those excellent lessons of virtue,
which I learned among the Hovyhnhnms; to in-
struct the Yahoos of my own family, as far as I
shall find them docible animals ; to behold my figure
often in a glass, and thus, if possible, habituate my-
self by time to tolerate the sight of a human crea-
ture; to lament the brutality of Houyhnhnms, in
my own country, but always treat their persons with
respect, for the sake of my noble master, his family,
his friends, and the whole Houyhnhnm race, whom
these of ours have the honour to resemble in all
their lineaments, however their intellectuals came
to degenerate.
I began last week to permit my wife to sit at din-
ner with me, at the furthest end of a long table;
and to answer (but with the utmost brevity) the few
questions I asked her. Yet, the smell of a Yahoo
continuing very offensive, I always keep my nose
wejl stopped with rue, lavender, or tobacco leaves.
And, although it be hard for a man late in life to
remove old habits, I am not altogether out of hopes,
in some time, to suffer a neighbour Yahoo in my
company, without the apprehensions I am yet under
of his teeth or his claws.
My reconcilement to the Yahoo kind in general
322 GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
might not be so difficult, if they would be content
with those vices and follies only, which nature has
entitled them to. I am not in the least provoked at
the sight of a lawyer, a pickpocket, a colonel, a fool,
a lord, a gamester, a politician, a whoremonger, a
physician, an evidence, a suborner, an attorney, a
traitor, or the like; this is all according to the due
course of things: but when I behold a lump of de-
formity and diseases, both in body and mind, smit-
ten with pride, it immediately breaks all the mea-
sures of my patience; neither shall I be ever able
to comprehend how such an animal, and such a
vice, could tally together. The wise and virtuous
Houyhnhnms, who abound in all excellencies that
can adorn a rational creature, have no name for this
vice in their language; which has no terms to ex-
press any thing that is evil, except those whereby
they describe the detestable qualities of their Ya-
hoos j among which they were not able to distinguish
this of pride, for want of thoroughly understanding
human nature, as it shows itself in other countries,
where that animal presides. But I, who had more
experience, could plainly observe some rudiments of
it among the wild Yahoos.
But the Houyhnhnms, who live under the go-
vernment of reason, are no more proud of the good
qualities they possess, than I should be for not
wanting a leg or an arm; which no man in his wits
would boast of, although he must be miserable with-
out them. I dwell the longer upon this subject, from
the desire I have to make the society of an English
Yahoo by any means not insupportable; and there-
fore 1 here entreat those, who have any tincture of
this absurd vice, that they will not presume to come
in my sight.
THE END.
Printed by S. Hamilton, Weybridge, Surrey.
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