UNIVERSITY OF
ICltlH CAROUNft
ft«ift«*4
J H 18^23
Swift
Gulliver's Travels
/
J
A
UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL
10000217169
DATE DUE
OCT 01
IQQJ
ft
m
DEC n q
I.QQ7
!F
TO 1
H994
JUN i
1 1994
JUN 2
21994
OCTO
31995
SEP 2
91995
r
26 1-2500
in USA
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
http://archive.org/details/travelsintoseverOOswif
GULLIVERS TRAVELS
MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited
LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA • MADRAS
MELBOURNE
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO
DALLAS • SAN FRANCISCO
THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd.
TORONTO
Three Great Scholars.
Page 114,
TRAVELS
INTO SEVERAL REMOTE NATIONS
OF THE
WORLD
LEMUEL GULLIVER
FIRST A SURGEON, AND THEN A CAPTAIN OF SEVERAL SHIPS
WITH A PREFACE BY HENRY CRAIK
AND ONE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS BY
CHARLES E. BROCK
MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED
ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON
T922
cf
First Edition 1894
Reprinted 19 10, 1922
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
Library, Univ. of
North Carolii
1 those who read Gulliver's Travels apart from the other works
of Swift, the question will probably present itself What had been
the life and experience of the man who could write such a book ?
It is not the work most typical of his genius : but it has achieved
a popularity which none of his other works has approached. What,
then, had been the course of his life when he produced a book
which takes its place without question amongst the few which have
become familiar as household words wherever books are either read
or known ?
When, in 171 4, Swift came to settle permanently in Irelatid, he
was a man of forty -seven, who had passed through an experience so
varied as falls to the lot of few literary men. With a character in-
domitably i?nperious, born to control all with whom he came in contact,
Swift had passed his childhood and his youth under the shadow of
poverty and dependence, and had spent his early ma?ihood in the
household of Sir William Temple, where he beca?tie familiar
with those who ivere ?naking history, and had made his power
vin INTRODUCTION
felt by them, even though he had been compelled to school his pride
into the humility of subordination. As the henchman of his patron,
he had entered the lists in a great literary controversy, and in
The Battle of the Books had contributed to that controversy its
one immortal monument. Entering the Church with no con-
suming enthusiasm, but not until he could do so without any
suspicion of compulsion^ he -had become thenceforth her faithful
servant, per??iitting to himself no deviation from her discipli?ie, and
compelling a ??iind of unexampled freedom to a strict obedience to
her creed: an obedience which he demanded from others less in a
spirit of dogmatism than from a haughty contempt for any possible
liberty which human reason might assume. In the Tale of a
Tub he discussed with a freedom which he himself scarcely
recognised, much as it alarmed the more timid of his contemporaries,
the largest questions of the day — the pretensions of rising science,
the impotence of human reason, the inwieasurable follies of man-
kind : and he did so ivith an almost apathetic disregard for
conventional modes of thought, and habits of reverence. At first,
by accident and connexions, he had found himself the ally of the
Whigs : but his loyalty to the Church, his impatience of party
shibboleths, and the pervading influence of personal resentment, as
well as anger at personal neglect, had all combined to drive him
into the arms of their opponents. Received with ready welcome by
his new allies, he had found his p?ide flattered by their confidence,
and became their chief defender. The intimate adviser of ??iinisters,
deeply concerned in political schemes which were felt by some to
be the prelude to great and far-i'eaching cha?iges, and possibly the
ha?-bi?igers of high ideals, he was drawn into bonds of ever-
increasing strength and closeness : and personal attachment, satisfied
pride, the consciousness of poiver, the irresistible attraction of a
great scene of action, riveted these bonds with the intensity of
conviction. To him the schemes of the Tory Ministry of Queen
Anne's last years, although they were not rarely degraded by
INTRODUCTION IX
dishonesty, faction, intrigue, and vacillation, seemed to embody all
that was best in politics, to provide a way of safety for the
country, and to promise an escape from the vanity of political
pretenders, and from the selfishness of party wire-pullers. When
that Ministry fell, all his hopes for his country were gone : he saw
nothing before him but the conti?iued triumph of those who, as he
deemed, pursued only narrow, petty, and factious aims. In the
days of his power, he had half despised reward because he knew
how it was obtained, and half sought it, as a means of influence,
and because his sarcastic insight taught him how insincere was
the commonplace assumption of indifference to personal advance-
ment. When the Deanery of St. Patrick's fell to him, he
regarded it as a recompense ill-proportioned to his deserts, and as
a provision uncongenial to his taste : but he accepted it as a refuge
after the wreck of all his hopes.
He came to Ireland, then, filled with that hatred for her soil
which made him, in spite of the accident of Irish birth, ever cling
to his English parentage : disappointed zuith the result of all his
efforts, his weapon of satire sharpened by the bitterness of political
strife ; and hopeless of the future. The one element of his genius
which now overshadowed all others was its saj-castic force :
and that sarcasm found abundant food amidst his new sur-
roundings. The glaring wrongs of Ireland : the contemptuous
indifference of English statesmen: the pettiness of the circle routid
him : the waste, the misery, the oppression — all these burned into a
spirit only loo ready to lash itself itito rage, and to wreak its
anger on the nearest victim. During all these earlier years of
Irish banishment, he was in constant correspondence with those in
England whose genius was the one redeeming feature of the time
to him, but zvho, like 'himself looked on the new world around
them with profound disgust.
The first subject that drew hi?n back to activity was the wrong
suffered by Ireland. He saw her commerce crippled, her finances
X INTRODUCTION
disordered, her independence scoffed at, and her government a hot-
bed of intrigue : a?id what roused him most of all, was the slavish
and abject submission with zvhich all this was suffered, and the
despicable tyranny which the landlords wielded over their tenants,
with whom they might at least have had the sympathy of suffering
under a common yoke. His indignation first found voice in a
pamphlet on the Use of Irish Manufactures : and it presently
seized on a still more available topic, presented by a scandalous
job in connexion with the copper coinage of Ireland. This gave
rise to the famous Drapier Letters. Swift did not measure his
words : he hesitated at no exaggeration : he left his victims with
no shred of defence or excuse : out of their subterfuges he wrested
new and more damnatory charges : he rang the changes on this
one topic through every note of fierce denunciation and contemptu-
ous sarcasm : and for the first time he roused, in all its fury,
the envenomed bitterness of a wrath that embraced at once the
racial antipathy of ages and the political jealousy of the English
colonists against their brethren across the sea.
But this fight, however fierce and exciting, could not employ
the whole force of Swiff s genius. In his comparative loneliness and
isolation, other objects engaged him. His chief attack must be on
human nature and the human race, against which he waged an
undying war : and ill-health, melancholy, discontent, long absence
from friends, all combined to embitter the hatred with which he re-
garded it. Even the more tender feelings of Szvift added fuel to
this intensity of hate. Despising the "animal called man," Szvift
yet clung, with warm affection, to individuals: and this very affection,
in every instance, was now deepening his gloom. Amongst his Irish
friends, he could count the astute and witty Delany : but Delany
was an object of suspicion to the Whig intriguers. The gentle
unworldliness and ready humour of Sheridan formed a resting-
place for Swiff s troubled spirit, and soothed him, we are told, as
David's harp soothed Saul : but Sheridan was pursued by faction,
INTRODUCTION xi
and Swift affects to defend even his scholarship from a suspicion of
Tory proclivities. Had he found only afezv more Arbuthnots, he
would, he tells us, have burned his travels: but Arbuthnot was
wearing into old age while Szvift zvas banished from the literary
circle in which he fonnerly took delight. And last of all, the one
devotion of his life — the one ray of a woman's tenderness that
shone upon it — was not only clouded by the mystery that had
gathered round his relation to Esther Johnson, and by the abiding
misery which its complications caused, but worse still, the shadow of
illness and the fear of her impe?iding death were darkening his life
zvith gloom. It was in such surroundings, and amid such feelings,
that the Travels of Gulliver were composed ; and their publication,
in 1726, followed inwiediately upon Swiff s last visit to London,
and preceded by a few months the death of Stella.
The book bears upon it in every line the vivid i7npress of
Swiff s deepest feeling, and is instinct zvith his saeva indignatio :
and this lessens the interest for the general reader of the literary
question as to the special circumstances of its genesis. These are,
indeed, somewhat obscure. In earlier days, Swift, Pope, Arbuthnot,
and Gay had formed plans for a series of sketches illustrating the
whims and vagaries of pedantic folly, zvhich zvere to be strung together
under the name of Martinus Scriblerus. This gave rise to the as-
sumption by the little coterie of the name of the " Scriblerus Club."
Arbuthnot alone was capable of dealing with the scientific side of
the picture : and he did execute some of the designs in the Memoirs
of Scriblerus. Gulliver seems to have been conceived as a part of
the scheme, and was talked of and discussed on that footing by the
friends. Its general plan zvas long known amongst them, and it
was doubtless read in part by them before its publication. But,
save in the Laputa, it is difficult to see how the Travels conform
in any way to the scheme as originally conceived.
Another question, which has been much discussed, is that of
the amount of suggestion zvhich Szvift may have had from other
xn INTRODUCTION
tales modelled on the same plan. Models with a certain kind of
resembla?ice may be adduced almost without number: and without
attempting to gauge with any assurance the amount of Swiff s
indebtedness, it may be sufficient to repeat here, once again, the 7nore
obvious models 'which may have been present to his mind. The
first of these is the True History of Lucian : a book which Swift
had almost certainly read: which, in its direct simplicity of narra-
tion, combined tvith extravagance of marvellous episodes, bears a
strong resemblance to Gulliver : but which is chiefly designed, as
Gulliver is not, to ridicule the absurdities of historians. Cyrano
de Bergerac, in the previous century, had ivritten Voyages to the
Sun and Moon, which had been translated into English, and
which, also, was certainly known to Swift, as he borrows certain
episodes from it — such as the exhibition of the hero for money, as
Gulliver is exhibited in Brobdingnag : the comparison behveen the
hero and the apes {just as Gulliver is compared to the Yahoo) :
and some incidental remarks. The Gerania of Joshua Barnes, of
Cambridge (1675), describes a people called Pygmies, who, it is
suggested, may have given to Sivift the idea of the Lilliputians.
The Voyages i?i Rabelais have frequently been co?7ipared with those
of Gulliver : but there is really much more of contrast than of
parallel in the comparison between Rabelais 's extravagant fancy,
and the calm and merciless satire for which Swiff s story is merely
a convenient dress. Voltaire's Micromegas only shows that the
idea of representing an imaginary country in which the ordinary
proportions of size were transmogrified, was no unfamiliar one
when Swift was writing Gulliver.
Those to whom Swiff s genius is an object of the most profound
admiration may feel sometvhat jealous of the popularity which has
been universally accorded to the Travels of Gulliver. They may
be disposed to agree with Johnsons verdict, in which {zvhile paradox-
ically doubting Swiff s authorship) he pronounces the Tale of a
Tub to be without question the greatest of the zvorks that swell his
INTRODUCTION xni
fame, a?id finds little to admire i?i the machinery of Gulliver.
They will probably agree that though the Tale yields its treasures only
to repeated and careful study, yet after such study, it takes its place
without question amongst the greatest products of human genius.
They may even doubt whether in perfection of style, in eloque?ice
which produces its effects by absolute simplicity, and in keen logic,
and quick rapier-play, some of his political pieces do not take a place
higher than Gulliver. They may miss in that the consummate grace
of his lighter verse, and the fiery energy by which, in his more
serious poems, he enthrals and captivates us. But mixed with
jealousy of that popularity there may also be some amusement. It
is strange indeed that a book animated by consuming hatred of
mankind, lenient, where it is lenient, only because contempt some-
limes prevails over hatred, should have been largely read for the
pvtertainment of children. But this is really a homage to the
greatness of Swiff s genius. Imagination was not the distinguishing
feature of Swiff s power. Rarely indeed can that be combined with a
consuming satire : he whom (to parody Swiff s own words) " Phoebus
in his ire Has blasted with satiric fire," rarely joins to that the
gift of cotistructive imagination. But Gulliver has captivated the
fancy by means of that gift of vivid reality — as different as
possible from what modern jargon styles realism — which was the
special attribute of Swiff s age, a?id was shared to the full by him.
In spite of all extravagance, and although all is presented to us
through a medium of inverted proportions, we never cease to feel the
personages in the book real from begimzing to end. We follow
their fortunes with interest ; we sympathise with their mishaps ; we
feel the inevitableness of their actions. The very inconsistencies of
the book are proofs of his genius. Neither the inhabitants of
Lilliput nor those of Brobdingnag are in all things good or in all
things bad. Both have their good traits — both have their inherent
weaknesses — all portrayed, not (we are made to fancy) with the
formed design of the satirist, but ivith the fidelity of the faithful
xiv INTRODUCTION
narrator. It is not the invention of the machinery, but its co?i-
summate management, that proves Swifts greatness.
Of the four parts, the first hvo, Lilliput and Brobdingnag, are
the most simple in their plan, the most easy and natural in their
narrative, and the most direct in their effect upon the reader.
Laputa was Swift s favourite : and though it has never attained
the acceptance achieved by those that precede it, the cause of his
prefere7ice is not difficult to trace. In it, Swift comes nearest to the
subject of the Tale of a Tub : he attacks those foibles of intellectual
complacency and of pedantic folly which most moved his ire. Nor
can we forget that in the Struldbrugs we have perhaps the most
tragic passage in the whole book, as well as one of the finest
specimens of his style. In the Houyhnhnms he gives the most free
rein to his consuming indignation against his fellow-men. He
revels in admiration of the race, because it has least relation to
mankind. In that part the picture has no relief from modulated
colours : it is all fierce contrast of light and shadow : the calm
wisdom, self-control, and dignity of the Houyhnhnm is always
in the most striking contrast with the unmitigated brutality and
degradation of the Yahoo.
Critics and moralists have condemned the book, and have
ascribed its unflattering picture of human nature either to the
perversity of morbid fancy, or to the e?icroachment of incipient
madness. But readers of every generation and of every country
have found it irresistible in interest : and children have found in it
an unfailing store of enjoyment. WJio shall say that Swift has
not driven home a lesson and a moral in its pages ? And if
its writer is condemned for the gloom of the picture he has drawn,
we must yet re?nember that the fierceness of that saeva indignatio
which inspired it, lacerated his own heart more than any other.
H. C.
THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER
The Author of these Travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my
antient and intimate Friend ; there is likewise some Relation
between us by the Mother's Side. About three Years ago,
Mr. Gulliver growing weary of the Concourse of curious
People coming to him at his House in Redriff, made a small
Purchase of Land, with a convenient House, near Newark
in Nottinghamshire, his Native Country ; where he now lives
retired, yet in good Esteem among his Neighbours.
Although Mr. Gulliver was born in Nottinghamshire, where
his Father dwelt, yet I have heard him say, his Family came
from Oxfordshire ; to confirm which, I have observed in the
Church- Yard at Banbury, 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 apparent through the Whole ; and indeed the
Author was so distinguished for his Veracity, that it became
xvi PUBLISHER'S NOTE
a sort of Proverb among his Neighbours at Redriff, when any
one affirm'd a Thing, to say, it was as true as if Mr. Gulliver
had spoke 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, hoping they may be
at least, for some time, a better Entertainment to our young
Noblemen, than the common Scribbles of Politicks and Party.
This Volume would have been at least twice as large, if
I had not made bold to strike out innumerable Passages
relating to the Winds and Tides, as well as to the Variations
and Bearings in the several Voyages ; together with the
minute Descriptions of the Management of the Ship in
Storms, in the Style of Sailors : Likewise tne Account of the
Longitudes and Latitudes ; wherein I have Reason to appre-
hend 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 hath
a Curiosity to see the whole Work at large, as it came from
the Hand of the Author, I shall be ready to gratify him.
As for any further Particulars relating to the Author, the
Reader will receive Satisfaction from the first Pages of the
Book.
Richard Sympson.
PART I
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
CHAP. I
The Author gives some Account of himself and Family. His first Induce*
ments to travel. . He is shipwrecked, and swims for his Life, gets safe
on Shoar in the Country of Lilliput, is made a Prisoner, and carried
up the Country ..... Page I
CHAP. II
The Emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the Nobility, come 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 mild Disposition. His Pockets are searched,
and his Sword and Pistols taken from him . . .15
CHAP. Ill
The Author diverts the. Emperor and his Nobility of both Sexes, in a
very uncommon Manner. The Diversions of the Court of Lilliput
described. The Author hath his Liberty granted him, upon certain
Conditions . „ , . . . .27
b
CONTENTS
CHAP. IV
Mildenclo the Metropolis of Lilliput descried, together with the Emperor's
Palace. A Conversation between the Author and a principal Secretary •,
concerning the Affairs of that Empire. The Author's Offers to serve
the Emperor in his Wars .... Page 38
CHAP. V
The Author by an extraordinary Stratagem, prevents an Invasion. A
high Title of Honour is conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive
from the Empei'or of Blefuscu, and sue for Peace . . 46
CHAP. VI
Of the Inhabitants of Lilliput, their Learning, Laws and Customs, the
Manner of educating their Children. The Author's way of living in
that Cottntrey. His Vindication of a great Lady . . 53
CHAP. VII
The Author being informed of a Design to accuse him of High-Treason,
makes his Escape to Blefuscu. His Reception there . . 66
CHAP. VIII
The Author, by a lucky Accident, finds Means to leave Blefuscu ; and, after
some Difficulties, returns safe to his native Cottntrey . . J 6
CONTENTS
PART II
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
CHAP. I
A great Storm described ; the Long-boat sent to fetch Water; the Author
goes with it to discover the Countrey. He is left on Shoar ; is seized
by one of the Natives, and carried to a Farmer's House. His
Reception there, with several Accidents that happened to him. A
Description of the Inhabitants . . . Page 87
CHAP. II
Description of the Farmer's Daughter. The Author carried to a
Market-Town, and then to the Metropolis. The Particulars of his
Journey . . . . . . .102
CHAP. Ill
The Author sent for to Court. The Queen buys him of his Master, the
Fanner, attd presents him to the King. He disputes with his
Majesty's great Scholars. An Apartment at Court provided for the
Author. He is i?i high Favour with the Queen. He stands up
for the Honour of his own Countrey. His Quarrels with the Queen's
Dwarf . . . . . . .110
CHAP. IV
The Countrey described. A Proposal for correcting modem Maps. The
King's Palace, and some Account of the Metropolis. The Author s
way of travelling. 77ie chief Temple described . .124
CHAP. V
Several Adventures that happened to the Author. The Execution of a
Criminal. The Author shews his Skill in A T avigation . 130
XX CONTENTS
CHAP. VI
Several Contrivances of I he Author to please the King and Queen. He
shews his Skill in Mustek. The King enquires into the State of
Europe, which the Author relates to him. The King s Observations
thereon ...... Page 143
CHAP. VII
The Author 's Love of his Countrey. He makes a Proposal of much
advantage to the King, which is rejected. The King^s great Ignorance
in Politicks. The Learning of that Countrey very imperfect and
confined. The Laws, and military Affairs, and Parties in the
State . . . . . . .154
CHAP. VIII
The King and Queen make a Progress to the Frontiers. The Author
attends them. The manner in which he leaves the Countrey very
particularly related. He returns to England . .163
PART III
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
CHAP. I
The Author sets out on his Third Voyage, is taken by Py rates. The
Malice of a Dutchman. His arrival at an Island. He is received
into Laputa ...... 182
CHAP. II
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 Fears and Disquietudes. An
account of the Women . , . . .190
CONTENTS xxi
CHAR III
A Phenomenon solved by modern Philosophy and Astronomy. The
Laputians' great Improvements in the latter. The King's method of
suppressing Insurrections .... Page 204
CHAP. IV
The Author leaves Laputa, is conveyed to Balnibarbi, arrives at the
Metropolis. A Description of the Metropolis and the Country
adjoining. The Author hospitably received by a great lord. His
Conversation with that lord . . . . .213
CHAP. V
The Author permitted to see the grand Academy of Lagaclo. The
Academy largely described. The Arts wherein the Professors employ
themselves . . . . . . .221
CHAP. VI
A further Account of the Academy. The Author proposes some Improve-
ments which are honourably received . . . .232
CHAP. VII
The Author leaves Lagado, arrives at Maldonada. No Ship ready.
rile takes a short Voyage to Glubbdubdrib. His Reception by the
CHAP. VIII
A further account of Glubbdubdrib. Ancient and Modern History
corrected . . . . . . .245
CONTENTS
CHAP. IX
The Authors Return 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 . Page 253
CHAP. X
The Luggnuggians commejtded. A particular description of the Struldbrugs,
with many conversations between the Author and some eminent persons
upon that subject . . . . . .259
CHAP. XI
The Author leaves Luggnagg and sails to Japan. From thence he
returns in a Dutch Ship to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to
England ....... 270
PART IV
A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF
THE HOUYHNHNMS
CHAP. I
The Author sets out as Captain of a Ship. His Men conspire against
him, confijie him a long Time to his Cabbin, set him on shoar in an
unknown Land. He travels up in the Country. The Yahoos,
a strange Sort of Animal, described. The Author meets two
Houyhnhnms . . . . . . 280
CONTENTS xxin
CHAP. II
The Author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his House. The House
described. The Author's Reception. The Food of the Houyhnhnms.
The Author in Distress for want of Meat, is at last relieved. His
Manner of feeding in this Country . . . Page 289
CHAR III
The Author studious to learn the Language, the Houyhnhnm his
Master assists in teaching him. The Language described. Several
Houyhnhnms of Quality came out of Curiosity to see the Author.
He gives his Master a short Account of his Voyage . . 297
CHAP. IV
The Houyhnhnms Notion of Truth and Falshood. The Author's Dis-
course disapproved by his Master. The Author gives a more particular
Account of himself and the Accidents of his Voyage . . 304
CHAP. V
The Author at his Master s Commands informs him of the State of
England. Lhe Causes of War among the Princes of Europe. The
Author begins to explain the English Constitution . . 310
CHAP. VI
A Continuance of the State of England, so zvell governed by a Queen as to
need no first Minister. The Character of such an one in some
European Courts ...... 320
XXiv CONTENTS
CHAP. VII
The Author's great Love of his Native Country. His Masters Observa-
tions tipon the Constitution and Administration of England, as
described by the Author, with parallel Cases and Comparisons. His
Master's Observations upon Human Nature . . Page 330
CHAP. VIII
The Author relates several Particulars of the Yahoos. The great Virtues
of the Houyhnhnms. The Ediication and Exercise of their Youth.
Their general Assembly ..... 338
CHAP. IX
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 Lan-
guage ....... 346
CHAP. X
The Author's Oeconomy and happy Life among the Houyhnhnms. His
great Improvement in Virtue, by conversing with them. Their
Conversations. The Author has notice given hi?n by his Master
that he must depart from the Country. He falls into a Stvoon for
Grief, but submits. He contrives and finishes a Canoo, by the help
of a Fellow-Servant, and puts to Sea at a venture . . 353
CHAP. XI
The Author's dangerous Voyage. He arrives at New- Holland, hoping
to settle there. Is wounded with an Arrow by one of the Natives.
Is seized and carried by Force into a Portugueze Ship. The great
Civilities of the Captain. The Author arrives at England . 362
CONTENTS
CHAP. XII
The Author's Veracity. His Design in publishing this Work. His
Censure of those Travellers who swerve from the Truth. The Author
clears himself from any sinister Ends in writing. An Objection
answered. The Method of planting Colonies. His Native Country
commended. The Right of the Crown to those Countries described by
the Author, is justifed. The Difficulty of conquering them. The
Author t-^es his last leave of the Reader: proposeth his Manner of
Living for the future, gives good Advice, and cottcludes . Page 374
hi
'ST or
p pistt&fj
PAGE
' Three Great Scholars '"..■*.»•.. Frontispiece
Heading to Introduction
vii
Heading to Contents ....
xvii
Heading to List of Illustrations
xxvii
Heading to Part I. .
I
' I roared ' . . .
5
' Many Periods of Threatnings '
7
1 To draw me towards the Metropolis '
12
1 Whereupon I rose up '
13
' Reared up on his hinder Feet '
16
' Pushing them forwards into my reach '
18
' To deliver victuals for my sustenance :
20
1 We saw certain strange Figures '
23
' A Tryal of Dexterity '
29
' The Emperor took a fancy of diverting himself in
a very
singular
manner '
• 33
' I made my Acknowledgments ' .
36
' I walked with the utmost circumspection ' .
" 39
' Gave me her Hand to kiss ' .
4i
' Happened to cut one of his Fingers '
44
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
' Drew P^ifty of the Enemies largest Men of War after me
' A solemn Embassy ' .
' And always in the presence of a Professor '
' Let fall a Plum line ' .
• I eat more than usual '
' You are to know, said he ' .
' Rising up in Fury ' .
' By the assistance of Two thousand men '
' Grazing in a Bowling-Green at Greenwich '
Heading to Part II. .
' I made a low Bow towards the farmer '
' I walked with Intrepidity ' .
' Got my Plead in his Mouth '
' The other made his escape ' .
' I could not forbear laughing very heartily '
' She often took me out of my Box ' .
' Put the tip of it, with the utmost respect, to my Lip
' Turning to his First Minister '
' A scurvy trick '
' Came flying into the room ' .
' The People were very curious '
' One of them hit me on the back '
' Broke my Right shin against the shell of a Snail
' Gave me a Gale with their Fans '
' The Frog climbed up '
' He dragged me out '
' The King had frequent Consorts at court '
' His Majesty proposed many Doubts '
' I have perused many of their Books '
• A Cavalier mounted on a large Steed '
' Forced to let me drop '
1 1 was taken into the Ship in a very weak condition
' A Footman's Tooth '
' I stooped lower than her Knees '
' He plainly invited me '
' I made the Captain a very low bow '
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
A vast opake body ' .
Wrapped up in cogitation ' .
He was then deep in a Problem '
We sat together four Hours '
Very ill made '
The first Question is about the Sun's Health
Always so rapt in speculation '
A Load-stone of a prodigious size
He took me in his Chariot to see the Town '
He complained that his Stock was low '
: Taught them to distinguish by feeling and smelling
A Device of plowing the Ground with Hogs '
He then led me to the frame '
Conversation '
To prevent forgetfulness '
I had the honour to dine with the Governour '
In good Intelligence with each other '
I was not able to get down a second Spoonful '
I could plainly discover from whence one Family
Chin'
: Corruption ' .
I was examined very strictly upon my landing
; More than matter of form ' .
; I cryed out as in a Rapture '
; Desired I would give them Slumskudask ' .
: They knew the Seal '
1 Twenty strokes on the Shoulders '
: Binding me Hand and Foot '
: Kept them off, by waving my Hanger '
: The Grey steed rubbed my Hat all round ' .
' The beast and I were brought close together '
: Often looking on me '
' It cost me much trouble to explain ' .
' Used to all kind of Drudgery till they died '
1 Double Fee ' .
1 A sort of Liquid which made us merry :
XXIX
PAGE
l8 7
191
193
195
197
20I
202
der
a lorn
XXX
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
' Skill at Prognosticks ' ... 325
' Would take the Advantage, and carry it away from them both ' . 334
' I once caught a young Male '..... 339
' They are ordered to leap into a Pond or River ' . . 344
' They milk their Cows '...-... 350
' I fell to imitate their Gate and Gesture ' . . . . 356
' He did me the honour to raise it gently to my Mouth' . .361
' Discharged an Arrow '...... 364
' At last they found me '...... 366
' The Captain forced me to cover myself with his cloak ' . . 370
' I converse with them '...... 372
' At the farthest End of a long Table ' 380
Tailpiece . . ..... 381
MAPS
Lilliput and Blefuscu . . . . . . . xxxii
Brobdingnag ........ 86
Lugnagg and Balnibarbi, with Islands of Laputa and Glubdrubdrib . 180
The Country of Balnibarbi, with floating Island of Laputa . . 207
Houyhnhnms Land ....... 278
PART I
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
*V-Jogs I
P.OYd
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I
Str**
Blefi
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'efuscu
LILLIPUT
'Discovered, AD.ibgg
in
^WaCker JrlBoutatf scufpserunt-
t^^xt *
rsj&H^.ifefc*
CHAR I
7/$£ Author gives some Account of himself and Family. His first Induce-
ments to travel. He is shipwrecked, and swims for his Life, gets safe
on Shoar in tlie Country <?/" Lilliput, is made a Prisoner, and carried
up the Cotinlry.
Y Father had a small estate in Nottingham-
shire ; 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 applyed
myself close to my Studies : But the
Charge of maintaining me (although I
had a very scanty Allowance) being too great for a narrow
Fortune, I was bound Apprentice to Mr. James Bates, an
eminent Surgeon in London, with whom I continued four
years ; and my Father now and then sending me small sums
IS B
2 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
of Money, I laid them out in learning Navigation, and other
parts of the Mathematicks, 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 promise
of thirty Pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden : There I
studied Physick two Years and seven Months, knowing it
would be useful in long Voyages.
Soon after my Return from Leyden, I was recommended,
by my good Master Mr. Bates, to be Surgeon to the Swallow,
Captain Abraha?n 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-Jury ; and being advised
to alter my condition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton, second
Daughter 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-Lndies, by which I got some Addition to my Fortune.
My hours of Leisure I spent in reading the best Authors
ancient and modern, being always provided with a good
number of Books ; and when I was ashoar, in observing the 3
Manners and Dispositions of the People, as well as learning
their Language, wherein I had a great Facility by the strength
of my Memory.
The last of these Voyages not proving very fortunate, I <
grew weary of the Sea, and intended to stay at home with my
chap. I A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 3
Wife and Family. I removed from the Old-Jury to Fetter-
Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to get Business
among the Sailors ; but it would not turn to account. After
three years expectation that things would mend, I accepted an
advantageous Offer from Captain William Prichard, Master
of the Antelope, who was making a Voyage to the Soicth-Sea.
We set sail from Bristol May 4, 1699, and our Voyage at
first was very prosperous.
It would not be proper, for some reasons, to trouble the
Reader with the Particulars of our adventures in those Seas :
Let it suffice to inform him, that in our Passage from thence
to the East-Indies, we were driven by a violent Storm to the
Northward of Van Diemens Land. By an Observation, we
found ourselves in the Latitude of 30 Degrees 2 Minutes
South. Twelve of our Crew were dead by immoderate Labour
and ill Food, the rest were in a very weak condition. On the
fifth of November, which was the beginning of Summer in
those parts, the Weather being very hazy, the Seamen spyed 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 Crew, of whom I was one,
having let down the Boat into the Sea, made a shift to get
clear of the Ship, and the Rock. We rowed by my Com-
putation 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 push'd forward by Wind and Tide. I often let my
Legs drop, and could feel no bottom : But when I was almost
gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found myself within my
depth ; and by this time the Storm was much abated. The
Declivity was so small, that I walked near a Mile before I got
to the shore, which I conjectur'd was about eight a-clock in
4 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
the Evening. I then advanced forward near half a Mile, but
could not discover any sign of Houses or Inhabitants ; at
least I was in so weak a condition, that I did not observe
them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the Heat of
the weather, and about half a pint of Brandy that I drank as
I left the Ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay
down on the Grass, which was very short and soft, where I
slept sounder than ever I remember to have done in my life,
and as I reckoned, above Nine hours ; for when I awaked, it
was just Day-light. I attempted to rise, but was not able to
stir : For, as I happened to lie on my back, I found my Arms
and Legs were strongly fastened on each side to the ground ;
and my Hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the
same manner. I likewise felt several slender 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
mine 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 something alive moving on my left Leg, which
advancing gently forward over my Breast, came almost up to
my Chin ; when bending mine Eyes downwards as much as I
could, I perceived it to be a Human creature not Six inches
high, with a Bow and Arrow in his Hands, and a Quiver at
his Back. , In the mean time, I felt at least forty more of the
same kind (as I conjectured) following the first. I was in the
utmost 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 full sight of my Face,
lifting up his hands and eyes by way of Admiration, cryed out
in a shrill but distinct voice, Hekinah Degul : The 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 Face, I discover'd the methods
vr^
11
6 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
they had taken to bind me ; and, at the same time,
with a violent Pull, which gave me excessive pain, I a
little loosened the Strings that tied down my Hair on
the Left side, so that I was just able to turn my Head
about Two inches. But the Creatures ran off a second time,
before I could seize them ; whereupon there was a great
Shout in a very shrill accent, and after it ceased, I heard one
of them cry aloud, Tolgo Phpnac ; when in an instant I felt
above an Hundred Arrows discharged on my Left hand, which
pricked me like so many Needles ; and besides they shot
another Flight into the Air, as we do Bombs in Europe, whereof
many, I suppose, fell on my Body (though I felt them not)
and some on my Face, which I immediately covered with my
Left hand. When this shower of Arrows was over, I fell a
groaning with Grief and Pain, and then striving again to get
loose, they discharged another Volly 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 Armies they could bring against
me, if they were all of the same size with him that I saw.
But Fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the People
observed I was quiet, they discharged no more Arrows : But
by the Noise I heard, I knew their numbers encreased ; and
about Four yards from me, over-against my Right ear, I heard
a knocking for above an hour, like that of people at work ;
when turning my head that way, as well as the Pegs and
Strings would permit me, I saw a Stage erected about a Foot
and a 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 I understood not one
Syllable. But I should have mentioned, that before the
Principal person began his oration, he cryed out Three times
Langro Dehul san : (these words and the former were after-
chap. I A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 7
wards repeated and explained to me.) Whereupon im-
mediately about Fifty of the Inhabitants came, and cut the
Strings that fastened the Left side of my head, which gave
me the liberty of turning it to the Right, and of observing the
Many Periods of Threatnings:
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.
8 A VOYAGE TO LILL1PUT part i
He acted every part of an Orator, and I could observe many
Periods of Threatnings, 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 mine
Eyes to the Sun, as calling him for a Witness ; and being
almost famished with Hunger, having not eaten a Morsel for
some hours before I left the Ship, I found the Demands of
nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear shewing my
Impatience (perhaps against the strict Rules of Decency) by
putting my finger frequently on my mouth, to signify that I
wanted Food. The Hurgo (for so they call a great Lord, as
I afterwards learnt) understood me very well. He descended
from the Stage, and commanded that several Ladders should
be applyed to my Sides, on which above an Hundred of the
Inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my Mouth, Jaden
with Baskets full of Meat, which had been provided, and sent
thither by the King's Orders upon the first Intelligence he
received of me. I observed there was the Flesh of several
Animals, but could not 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 eat them by Two or Three at a mouthful, and took Three
Loaves at a time, about the bigness of Musket Bullets. They
supplyed me as they could, shewing a thousand marks of
Wonder and Astonishment at my Bulk and Appetite. I then
made another sign that I wanted Drink. They found by my
eating that a small quantity would not suffice me, and being a
most 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 perform'd these Wonders, they shouted for
joy, and danced upon my breast, repeating several times as
they did at first, Hekinah Degul. They made me a sign that
I should throw down the two Hogsheads, but first warned the
chap, l A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 9
people below to stand out of the way, crying aloud, Borach
Mivola, and when they saw the Vessels in the air, there was
an 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 re-
membrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be
the worst they could do, and the Promise of Honour I made
them, for so I interpreted my submissive behaviour, soon
drove out these Imaginations. Besides, I now consider'd
myself as bound by the Laws of Hospitality to a People who
had treated me with so much Expence and Magnificence.
However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the
Intrepidity of these diminutive Mortals, who durst venture to
mount and walk upon my Body, while one of my Hands was
at liberty, without trembling at the very sight of so prodigious
a Creature as I must appear to them. After some time,
when they observed that I made no more demands for Meat,
there appeared before me a Person of high Rank from his
Imperial Majesty. His Excellency having mounted on the
small of my Right Leg, advanced forward up to my Face,
with about a Dozen of his Retinue. And, producing his
Credentials under the Signet Royal, which he applyed close to
mine Eyes, spoke about Ten minutes, without any signs of
Anger, but with a kind of determinate Resolution ; often
pointing forwards, which, as I afterwards found, was towards
the 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 Excellency's Head, for fear of hurting him or his
Train) and then to my own Head and Body, to signify that
I desired my Liberty. It appeared that he understood me
well enough, for he shook his head by way of disapprobation,
and held his hand in a posture to shew that I must be carried
as a Prisoner. However, he made other Signs to let me
understand that I should have Meat and Drink enough, and
very good Treatment. Whereupon I once more thought of
io A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
attempting to break my Bonds, but again, when I felt the
smart of their Arrows upon my Face and Hands, which were
all in Blisters, and many of the Darts still sticking in them,
and observing likewise that the number of my Enemies en-
creased, I gave tokens to let them know that they might do
with me what they pleased. Upon this the Hurgo and his
Train withdrew with much Civility and chearful Countenances.
Soon after I heard a general Shout, with frequent repetitions
of the words, Peplom Selan, and I felt great numbers of the
people on my Left side relaxing the cords to such a degree,
that I was able to turn upon my Right. But before this,
they had dawbed my Face and both my Hands with a sort
of Ointment very pleasant to the Smell, which in a few
minutes removed all the smart of their arrows. These
Circumstances, added to the Refreshment I had received by
their Victuals and Drink, which were very nourishing, dis-
posed me to sleep. I slept about Eight hours, as I was after-
wards 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 discovered sleep-
ing on the ground after my Landing, the Emperor had early
notice of it by an Express, and determined in Council that I
should be tyed in the manner I have related (which was done
in the Night while I slept), that Plenty of Meat and Drink
should be sent me, and a Machine prepared to carry me to
the Capital City.
This Resolution perhaps may appear very bold and
dangerous, and I am confident would not be imitated by any
Prince in Europe on the like occasion; however, in my
opinion it was extremely Prudent as well as Generous. For
supposing these People had endeavour'd to kill me with
their Spears and Arrows while I was asleep, I should cer-
tainly have awaked with the first Sense of Smart, which might
so far have rouzed my Rage and Strength, as to have en-
abled me to break the Strings wherewit^ I was tied ; after
chap. I A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT n
which, as they were not able to make Resistance, so they
could expect no Mercy.
These people are most excellent Mathematicians, and
arrived to a great perfection in Mechanicks by the counte-
nance and encouragement of the Emperor, who is a renowned
Patron of Learning. This Prince hath 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 foot 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 w r as a Frame of Wood raised
Three inches from the ground, about Seven foot long and
Four wide, moving upon Twenty-two wheels. The Shout I
heard was upon the arrival of this Engine, which it seems set
out in Four hours after my Landing. It was brought
parallel to me as I lay. But the principal Difficulty was to
raise and place me in this Vehicle. Eighty Poles, each of
One foot high, w r ere 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 fastned on the Poles, and thus in less than
Three hours, I was raised and slung into the Engine, and there
tyed fast. All this I was told, for while the whole operation
was performing, 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 an half high, were imployed 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 Carriage being stopt 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
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
PART 1
when I was asleep ; they climbed up into the Engine, and
advancing 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 : whereupon they stole off unper-
' To draw me towards the Metropolis*
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &• Co.
ceived, and it was Three weeks before I knew the cause of my
awaking so suddenly. We made a long March the remaining
part of that 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
' Whereupon I rose up:
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan & Co.
i 4 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
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 stopt, 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, look'd on as Prophane, and therefore had been
applied to common Uses, and all the Ornaments and Furniture
carried away. In this Edifice it was determined I should
lodge. The great Gate fronting to the North was about Four
foot high, and almost Two foot 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 Smiths 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 t'other side of the
great Highway, at Twenty foot distance, there was a Turret at
least Five foot 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 an Hundred-Thousand Inhabitants came out of the
town upon the same errand ; and in spight of my Guards, I
believe there could not be fewer than Ten thousand, at several
times, who mounted upon my body by the help of ladders.
But a Proclamation was soon issued to forbid it upon pain of
death. When the Workmen found it was impossible for me
to break loose, they cut all the Strings that bound me ; where-
upon 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 Semicircle ; but being fixed within Four inches of the gate,
allowed me to creep in, and lie at my full length in the Temple.
CHAP. II
The Emperor <?/"Lilliput, attended by several of the Nobility \ come to see the
Author in his Confinement. The Emperor 's Person and Habit
described. Learned Men appointed to teach the Azithor their Language.
He gains Favour by his mild Disposition. His Pockets are search 'd,
and his Sword and Pistols taken from him.
When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and
must confess I never beheld a more entertaining Prospect.
The Countrey round appeared like a continued Garden, and
the inclosed Fields, which were generally Forty foot square,
resembled so many Beds of Flowers. These Fields were
intermingled with Woods of half a Stang, and the tallest Trees,
as I could judge, appeared to be Seven foot high. I viewed
the Town on my Left hand, which looked like the painted
Scene of a City in a Theatre.
The Emperor was already descended from the Tower, and
advancing on Horse-back towards me, which had like to have
cost him dear ; for the Beast, though very well trained, yet
wholly unused to such a Sight, which appeared as if a
Mountain moved before him, reared up on his hinder Feet :
But that Prince, who is an excellent Horseman, kept his Seat,
till his Attendants ran in, and held the Bridle, while his
Master had time to dismount. When he alighted, he surveyed
me round with great admiration, but kept without the length
of my Chain. He ordered his Cooks and Butlers, who were
already prepared, to give me Victuals and Drink, which they
pushed forward in a sort of Vehicles upon Wheels till I could
i6
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
PART 1
reach them. I took those 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
Reared up on his hinder Feet.
of the Blood, of both Sexes, attended by many Ladies, sate at
some distance in their Chairs ; but upon the Accident that
happened to the Emperor's Horse, they alighted, and came
near his Person, which I am now going to describe. He is
taller by almost the breadth of my Nail, than any of his Court,
which alone is enough to strike an Awe into the Beholders.
His Features are strong and masculine, with an Austrian Lip
and arched Nose, his Complexion olive, his Countenance
erect, his Body and Limbs well proportioned, all his Motions
chap. II A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 17
graceful, and his Deportment majestick. He was then past
his Prime, being Twenty-eight years and three quarters 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 Asiatick 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 magnifi-
cently clad, so that the Spot they stood upon seemed to
resemble a Petticoat spread on the ground, embroidered with
Figures of Gold and Silver.^Hls Imperial Majesty spoke
often to me, and I returned answers, but neither of us could
understand a syllable. There were several of his Priests and
Lawyers present (as I 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, F?'ench, Spanish,
Italian, and Lingua Franca ; but all to no purpose. After
about Two hours the Court retired, and I was left with a
strong Guard, to prevent the Impertinence, and probably the
Malice of the Rabble, who were very impatient to croud about
me as near as they durst, and some of them had the impu-
dence to shoot their Arrows at me as I sate on the ground by
the Door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed my
Left eye. But the Colonel ordered Six of the Ring-leaders 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 But-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
c
18
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
PART I
made a Countenance as if I 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,
' Pushing them forwards into my reach.'
and I observed both the Soldiers and People were highly
obliged at this mark of my Clemency, which was represented
very much to my advantage at Court.
Towards night I got with some difficulty into my House,
where I lay on the ground, and continued so to do about a
Fortnight ; during which time the Emperor gave orders to have
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 19
a Bed prepared for me. Six hundred Beds of the common
Measure were brought in Carriages, and worked up in my house;
an hundred and fifty of their Beds sown together made up the
Breadth and Length, and these were Four double, which how-
ever kept me but very indifferently 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 enured to Hardships as I.
As the news of my arrival spread through the Kingdom, it
brought prodigious numbers of rich, idle, and curious People to
see me ; so that the Villages were almost emptied, and great
neglect of Tillage and Houshold Affairs must have ensued, if
his Imperial Majesty had not provided, by several Proclama-
tions and Orders of State, against this Inconveniency. He
directed that those who had already beheld me, should return
home, and not presume to come within Fifty yards of my
House without License from Court ; whereby the Secretaries
of State got considerable Fees.
In the mean time, the Emperor held frequent Councils to
debate what course should be taken with me ; and I was
afterwards assured by a particular Friend, a Person of great
Quality, who was looked upon to be as much in the Secret as
any, that the Court was under many difficulties concerning me.
They apprehended my breaking loose, that my Diet would be
very expensive, and might cause a Famine. Sometimes they
determined to starve me, or at least to shoot me in the face
and hands with poisoned arrows, which would soon dispatch
me : But again they considered, that the Stench of so large a
carcase might produce a Plague in the Metropolis, and
probably spread through the whole Kingdom. In the midst
of these consultations, several Officers of the Army went to
the door of the great Council-Chamber; and two of them
being admitted, gave an account of my behaviour to the Six
Criminals above-mentioned, which made so favourable an
impression in the breast of his Majesty and the whole Board
in my behalf, that an Imperial Commission was issued out,
20
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
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 proportion-
able 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
' To deliver victuals for my sustenance. '
Demesnes, seldom except upon great occasions raising any
Subsidies upon his Subjects, who are bound to attend him in
his Wars at their own expence. An Establishment was also
made of Six hundred persons to be my Domesticks, who had
Board-wages allowed for their maintenance, and Tents built
for them very conveniently on each side of my door. It was
likewise ordered, that Three hundred Taylors should make me
a Suit of Cloaths after the fashion of the Countrey : That Six
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 21
of his Majesty's greatest Scholars should be employed to
instruct me in their Language : And, lastly, that the Emperor's
Horses, and those of the Nobility and Troops of Guards should
be frequently exercised in my sight, to accustom themselves to
me. All these Orders were duly put in execution, and in
about Three weeks I made a great progress in learning their
Language ; during which time, the Emperor frequently
honoured me with his Visits, and was pleased to assist my
Masters in teaching me. We began already to converse
together in some sort ; and the first Words I learnt were to
express my desire that he would please to give me my
Liberty, which I every day repeated on my knees. His
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 that first I must Lwnos Kelmi?i pesso desmar Ion
Emposo ; 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 ready to strip myself, and
turn up my Pockets before him. This I delivered part in
Words, and part in Signs. He replied, that by the Laws of
the Kingdom I must be searched by Two of his Officers ;
that he knew this could not be done without my Consent and
Assistance ; that 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.^itook 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 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
22 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
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 Emperor. 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 Flestrin) after
the strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse
Cloth, large enough to be a Foot-cloth for your Majesty's chief
Room of State. In the Left Pocket, we saw a huge Silver
Chest, with a Cover of the same Metal, which we the Searchers
were not able to lift. We desired it should be opened, and
One of us stepping into it, found himself up to the mid leg in
a sort of Dust, some part whereof flying up to our Faces, set
us both a sneezing for several times together. In his Right
Wastcoat-pocket, we found a prodigious bundle of white thin
Substances, folded one over another, about the bigness of
Three men, tied with a strong Cable, and marked with black
Figures ; which we humbly conceive to be Writings, every
Letter almost half as large as the Palm of our Hands. In the
Left, there was a sort of Engine, from the Back of which were
extended Twenty long Poles, resembling the Pallisado's before
your Majesty's Court ; wherewith we conjecture the Man
Mountain combs his head, for we did not 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,
chap. ii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 23
that my Comrade and I could hardly lift them. In the Left
pocket were Two black Pillars irregularly shaped : We could
not, without difficulty, reach the top of them as we stood at
the 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 big-
' We saw certain strange Figures.'
ness of our Heads. Within each of these was enclosed a pro-
digious Plate of Steel ; which, by our orders, we obliged him
to shew 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 to 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
24 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
middle Cover, but squeezed close by the pressure of his Belly.
Out of the Right Fob hung a great Silver Chain, with a
wonderful kind of Engine at the bottom. We directed him
to draw out whatever was fastened to that Chain ; which
appeared to be a Globe, half Silver, and half of some trans-
parent Metal : For on the transparent side we saw certain
strange Figures circularly drawn, and thought we could touch
them, till we found our Fingers stopped by that lucid
Substance. He put this Engine to our Ears, which made an
incessant Noise like that of a Water-mill : And we conjecture
it is either some, unknown Animal, or the God that he
worships ; but we are more inclined to the latter Opinion,
because he assures us, (if we understood him right, for he
expressed 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 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 the most ponderous Metal, about the bigness of our Heads,
and required a strong Hand to lift them : The other Cell con-
tained a heap of certain black Grains, but of no great bulk or
weight, for we could hold above Fifty of them in the palms of
our Hands.
This is an exact Inventory of what we found about the
body of the Man-Mountain, who used us with great civility,
and due respect to your Majesty's Commission. Signed and
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 25
Sealed on the Fourth cay of the Eighty-ninth moon of your
Majesty's auspicious Reign.
Clefren Frelock, Marsi Frelock.
When this Inventory was read over to the Emperor, he
directed me, although in very gentle terms, to deliver up the
several Particulars. He first called for my Scymiter, 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 Scymiter, which, although it had got
some Rust by the Sea-water, was in most parts exceeding
bright. I did so, and immediately all the Troops gave a Shout
between Terror and Surprize ; for the Sun shone clear, and
the Reflexion dazled their Eyes as I waved the Scymiter to and
fro in my hand. His Majesty, who is a most magnanimous
Prince, was less daunted than I could expect ; he ordered me
to return it into the Scabbard, and cast it on the ground as
gently as I could, about Six foot 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 close-
ness of my Pouch happened to scape wetting in the Sea (an
inconvenience against which all prudent Mariners take special
care to provide) I first cautioned the Emperor not to be
afraid, and then I let it off in the Air. The Astonishment
here was much greater than at the sight of my Scymiter.
Hundreds fell down as if they had been struck dead ; and even
the Emperor, although he stood his ground, could not recover
himself in some time. I delivered up both my Pistols in the
same manner as I had done my Scymiter, and then my Pouch
of Powder and Bullets ; begging him that the former might be
kept from the Fire, for it would kindle with the smallest
Spark, and blow up his Imperial Palace into the Air. I like-
wise delivered up my Watch, which the Emperor was very
26 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
curious to see, and commanded Two of his tallest Yeomen of
the Guards to bear it on a Pole upon their Shoulders, as Dray-
men in England do a Barrel of Ale. He was amazed at the
continual Noise it made, and the Motion of the Minute-hand,
which he could easily discern ; for their Sight is much more
acute than ours ; and asked the Opinions of his learned Men
about him, which were various and remote, as the Reader may
well imagine without my repeating ; although indeed I could
not very perfectly understand them. I then gave up my
Silver and Copper Money, my Purse with Nine large pieces of
Gold, and some smaller ones ; my Knife and Razor, my Comb
and Silver Snuff-box, my Handkerchief and Journal-book.
My Scymiter, Pistols, and Pouch, were conveyed in Carriages
to his Majesty's Stores ; but the rest of my Goods were
returned me.
I had, as I before observed, one private Pocket which
escaped their search, wherein there was a pair of Spectacles
(which I sometimes use for the weakness of mine eyes), a
Pocket Perspective, and several other little Conveniencies \
which being of no consequence to the Emperor, I did not
think myself bound in Honour to discover, and I apprehended
they might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my
possession.
CHAP. Ill
The Author diverts the Emperor and his Nobility of both Sexes, in a very
uncommon Manner. The Diversions of the Court of Lilliput described.
The Author hath his Liberty granted him, upon certain Conditions.
My 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
degrees to be less apprehensive of any Danger from me. I
would sometimes lie down, and let Five or Six of them dance
on my hand. And at last the Boys and Girls would venture
to come and play at Hide and Seek in my hair. I had now
made a good progress in understanding and speaking their
Language. The Emperor had a mind one day to entertain
me with several of the Country Shows, wherein they exceed all
Nations I have known, both for Dexterity and Magnificence.
I was diverted with none so much as that of the Rope-dancers,
performed upon a slender white Thread, extended about Two
foot, 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
28 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
Office is vacant either by Death or Disgrace (which often
happens) Five or Six of those Candidates petition the
Emperor to entertain his Majesty and the Court with a Dance
on the Rope, and whoever jumps the highest without falling
succeeds in the Office. Very often the Chief Ministers them-
selves are commanded to shew 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 strait Rope, at
least an Inch higher than any other Lord in the whole
Empire. I have seen him do the Summerset several times
together upon a Trencher fixed on the Rope, which is no
thicker than a common Pack-thread in England. My Friend
Reldresal, Principal Secretary for private Affairs, is, in my
opinion, if I am not partial, the second after the Treasurer ;
the rest of the Great Officers are much upon a Par.
These Diversions are often attended with fatal Accidents,
whereof great numbers are on record. I myself have seen
Two or Three Candidates break a Limb. But the Danger is
much greater when the Ministers themselves are commanded
to shew their Dexterity ; for by contending to excel them-
selves and their Fellows, they strain so far, that there is
hardly One of them who hath not received a Fall, and some of
them Two or Three. I was assured that a Year or Two be-
fore my arrival, Flimnap would have infallibly broke his Neck,
if One of the King's Cushions, that accidentally lay on the
ground, had not weakened the force of his Fall.
There is likewise another Diversion which is only shewn
before the Emperor and Empress, and First Minister, upon
particular Occasions. The Emperor lays on a Table Three
fine silken Threads of Six inches long. One is Purple, the
other Yellow, and the Third White. These Threads are
proposed as Prizes for those persons whom the Emperor hath
a mind to distinguish by a peculiar mark of his Favour. The
Ceremony is performed in his Majesty's great Chamber of
State, where the Candidates are to undergo a Tryal of
Dexterity very different from the former, and such as I have
^*«l-_^<p?
3 o A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
not observed the least resemblance of in any other Countrey
of the old or the new 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 backwards and forwards
several times, according as the Stick is advanced or depressed.
Sometimes the Emperor holds one end of the Stick, and his
First Minister the other; sometimes the Minister has it
entirely to himself. Whoever performs his part with most
Agility, and holds out the longest in leaping and creeping, is
rewarded with the Purple coloured Silk ; the Yellow is given
to the next, and the White to the Third, which they all wear
girt twice round about the middle ; and you see few great
Persons about this Court who are not adorned with one of
these Girdles. , |
The Horses of the Army, and those of the Royal Stables,
having been daily led before me, were no longer shy, but
would come up to my very feet without starting. The Riders
would leap them over my hand as I held it on the ground,
and One of the Emperor's Huntsmen, upon a large Courser,
took my Foot, Shoe and all ; which was indeed a prodigious
Leap. I had the good fortune to divert the Emperor One
day after a very extraordinary manner. I desired he would
order several Sticks of Two foot 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 Wood-men arrived
with as many Carriages, drawn by Eight Horses to each.
I took Nine of these Sticks, and fixing them firmly in the
ground in a Quadrangular Figure, Two foot and a half square,
I took four other Sticks, and tycd them parallel at each
Corner, about Two foot from the ground ; then I fastned
my Handkerchief to the Nine Sticks that stood erect, and
extended it on all sides till it was as tight as the top of a
Drum ; and the Four parallel Sticks rising about Five inches
higher than the Handkerchief, served as Ledges on each side.
When I had finished my Work, I desired the Emperor to let
chap, in A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 31
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 proper 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 Emperor 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, from whence she
was able to take a full view of the whole performance. It was
my good fortune that no ill Accident happened in these Enter-
tainments, 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; 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, and I repaired my Handkerchief as well as
I could ; however, I would not trust to the strength of it any
more in such dangerous Enterprizes.
About Two or Three days before I was set at liberty, as I
was enteitaining the Court with these kind of Feats, there
arrived an Express to inform his Majesty 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 odly
shaped, extending its Edges round as wide as his Majesty's
Bed-chamber, and rising up in the middle as high as a Man ;
that it was no living Creature, as they at first apprehended,
for it lay on the grass without motion, and some of them had
walked round it several times : That by mounting upon each
32 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part I
others Shoulders, they had got to the top, which was flat and
even, and stamping upon it they found it was hollow within jj
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 fastned with a String to my Head while I was rowing,
and had stuck on all the time I was swimming, fell off after
I came to land ; the String, as I conjecture, breaking by some
accident which I never observed, but thought my Hat had
been lost at sea. I intreated his Imperial Majesty to give
orders it might be brought to me as soon as possible, describ-
ing 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 bored two Holes in the Brim, within an Inch and
half of the Edge, and fastned Two Hooks in the Holes ]
these Hooks were tyed by a long Cord to the Harness, and
thus my Hat was dragged along for above half an English
Mile : But the Ground in that country being extremely
smooth and level, it received less damage than I expected.
Two days after this Adventure, the Emperor having
ordered that part of his Army which quarters in and about
his Metropolis to be in a 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 I con-
veniently 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 in a breast, and the Horse by
Sixteen, with Drums beating, Colours flying, and Pikes ad-
vanced. This Body consisted of Three thousand Foot, and a
Thousand Horse.
I had sent so many Memorials and Petitions for my
The Emperor took a fancy of divert big himself in a very singular manner.''
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &■ Co.
34 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
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 Bolgolam, 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 Emperor. That Minister was Galbet, or Admiral of
the Realm, very much in his Master's Confidence, and a
Person well versed in affairs, but of a morose and sour Com-
plexion. However, he was at length persuaded to comply;
but prevailed that the Articles and Conditions upon which I
should be set free, and to which I must swear, should be
drawn up by himself. These Articles were brought to me by
Skyresh Bolgolam in person, attended by Two Under-Secre-
taries, and several Persons of Distinction. After they were
read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of them ;
first in the manner of my own countrey, and afterwards in
the method prescribed by their Laws ; which was to hold my
Right foot in my Left hand, 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 per-
haps be curious to have some idea of the Style and Manner
of expression peculiar to that People, as well as to know the
Articles upon which I recovered my Liberty, I have made a
Translation of the whole Instrument word for word, as near
as I was able, which I here offer to the publick.
GOLBASTO MOMAREN 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 Ex-
tremities of the Globe ; Monarch of all Monarchs, taller than the
Sons of Men ; whose Feet press down to the Center, 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 proposeth to the Man-Mountain, lately
arrived to our Celestial Dominions, the following Articles,
which by a solemn Oath he shall be obliged to perform.
chap, in A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 35
First, The Man- Mountain shall not depart from our
Dominions, without our License under our Great Seal.
2d, He shall not presume to come into our Metropolis,
without our express Order ; at which time the Inhabitants shall
have Two hours warning to keep within their Doors.
3d, The said Man-Mountain shall confine his Walks to
our principal High Roads, and not offer to walk or lie down
in a Meadow or Field of Corn.
4th, As he walks the said Roads, he shall take the utmost
care not to trample upon the bodies of any of our loving
Subjects, their Horses, or Carriages, nor take any of our said
Subjects into his hands, without their own consent.
5th, If an Express requires extraordinary Dispatch, the
Man-Mountain shall be obliged to carry in his pocket the
Messenger and Horse a Six days Journey once in every
Moon, and return the said Messenger back (if so required)
safe to our Imperial Presence.
6th, He shall be our Ally against our Enemies in the Island
of Btefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their Fleet, which is
now preparing to invade Us.
7 th, That the said Man-Mountain shall, at his times of
leisure, be aiding and assisting to our Workmen, in helping to
raise certain 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 Circumference of our
Dominions by a Computation of his own Paces round the
Coast.
Lastly, That upon his solemn Oath to observe all the above
Articles, the said Man-Mountain shall have a daily Allowance
3<>
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
of Meat and Drink sufficient for the Support of 1728 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 Chearful-
ness and Content, although some of them were not so honour-
able 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
1 1 made my Ac7tnovuledgtuents.
liberty ; the Emperor himself in person did me the Honour to
be by at the whole Ceremony. I made my Acknowledgments
by prostrating myself at his Majesty's Feet : But he com-
manded me to rise ; and after many gracious expressions,
which, to avoid the censure of Vanity, I shall not repeat,
he added, that he hoped I should prove a 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
for the recovery of my Liberty the Emperor stipulates to allow
chap, in A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 37
me a quantity of meat and drink sufficient for the support of
1728 Lilliputians. Some time after, asking a Friend at
Court how they came to fix on that determinate number ; he
told me, that his Majesty's Mathematicians, having taken the
Height of my Body by the help of a Quadrant, and finding it
to exceed theirs in the proportion of Twelve to One, they con-
cluded from the Similarity of their bodies, that mine must
contain at least 1728 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 Oeconomy of so great a Prince.
CHAP. IV
Mildenclo the Metropolis of Lilliput described, together with the Emperor's
Palace. A Conversation between the Author and a principal Secretary ,
concerning the Affairs of that Empire. The Author's Offei's to serve
the Emperor in his Wars.
The First request I made after I had obtained my Liberty,
was, that I might have license to see Mildendo, the Metro-
polis ; which the Emperor easily granted me, but with a
special charge to do no hurt, either to the Inhabitants, or
their Houses. The People had notice by Proclamation of my
design to visit the Town. The Wall which encompassed it, is
Two foot and an 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 foot 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
Eves of the Houses with the Skirts of my Coat. I walked
with the utmost circumspection, to avoid treading on any
Stragglers, that 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 not seen a more populous place. The
City is an exact Square, each side of the Wall being Five
hundred foot long. The two great Streets which run cross
and divide it into Four Quarters, are Five foot wide. The
' I walked with the utmost circumspection.
Copyright 1804 by Macmilla.11 &• Co.
4 o A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
Lanes and Alleys which I could not enter, but only viewed
them as I passed, are from Twelve to Eighteen inches. The
Town is capable of holding Five hundred thousand Souls.
The Houses are from Three to Five Stories. The Shops and
Markets well provided.
The Emperor's Palace is in the Center of the City, where
the Two great Streets meet. It is inclosed by a Wall of Two
foot high, and Twenty foot distant from the Buildings. I
had his Majesty's permission to step over this Wall ; and the
Space being so wide between that and the Palace, I could
easily view it on every side. The outward Court is a Square
of Forty foot, and includes Two other Courts : In the inmost
are the Royal Apartments, which I was very desirous to see,
but found it extremely difficult ; for the great Gates, from one
Square into another, were but Eighteen inches high, and
Seven inches wide. Now the Buildings of the outer Court
were at least Five foot 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 an Hundred yards distant from the City.
Of these Trees I made Two Stools, each about Three foot
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 foot wide. I
then stept over the Buildings 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 Stories, which were left open or
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
4i
purpose, and discovered the most splendid Apartments that
can be imagined. There I saw the Empress, and the young
Princes in their several Lodgings, with their chief Attendants
' Gave me her Hand to kiss.
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 farther Descrip-
42 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
tions of this kind, because I reserve them for a greater Work,
which is now almost ready for the Press, containing a general
Description of this Empire, from its first Erection, through
a long Series of Princes, with a particular Account of their
Wars and Politicks, Laws, Learning, and Religion; their Plants
and Animals, their peculiar Manners and Customs, with other
Matters very curious and useful ; my chief design at present
being only to relate such Events and Transactions as happened
to the publick, or to myself, during a Residence of about Nine
months in that Empire.
One morning, about a Fortnight after I had obtained my
liberty, Reldresal, Principal Secretary (as they style him) of
private Affairs, came to my House, attended only by one
Servant. He ordered his Coach to wait at a distance, and
desired I would give him an hour's Audience ; which I readily
consented to, on account of his Quality and personal Merits,
as well as the many good Offices he had done me during my
Solicitations at Court. I offered to lie down, that he might
the more conveniently reach my Ear ; but he chose rather to let
me hold him in my hand during our conversation. He began
with Compliments on my Liberty, said he might pretend to
some Merit in it ; but, however, added, that if it had not been
for the present Situation of things at Court, perhaps I might
not have obtained it so soon. For, said he, as flourishing a
Condition as we may appear to be in to Foreigners, we labour
under Two mighty Evils ; a violent Faction at home, and the
danger of an Invasion by a most potent Enemy from abroad.
As to the first, you are to understand, that for above Severity
moons past, there have been Two struggling Parties in this
Empire, under the Names of Tramecksan, and Slamecksan,
from the high and low Heels on their Shoes, by which they
distinguish themselves. It is alledged indeed, .that the high
Heels are most agreeable to our ancient Constitution : But
however this be, his Majesty hath determined to make use of
only low Heels in the Administration of the Government, and
all Offices in the gift of the Crown, as you cannot but observe ;
and particularly, that his Majesty's Imperial Heels are lower
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 43
at least by a Drurr than any of his Court ; {Drurr is a
Measure about the Fourteenth part of an inch.) The
Animosities between these Two parties run so high, that they
will neither eat nor drink, nor talk with each other. We
compute the Tramecksan, or High-heels, to exceed us in
number ; but the Power is wholly on our side. We apprehend
his Imperial Highness, the Heir to the Crown, to have some
Tendency towards the High-heels ; at least, we can plainly
discover one of his Heels higher than the other, which
gives him a Hobble in his Gait. Now, in the midst of
these intestine Disquiets, we are threatned with an Invasion
from the Island of Blefuscu, which 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 large as yourself, our Philosophers are in
much doubt, and would rather conjecture that you dropt from
the Moon, or One of the Stars ; because it is certain, that an
hundred Mortals of your Bulk would, in a short time, destroy
all the Fruits and Cattel of his Majesty's Dominions. Besides,
our Histories of Six thousand Moons make no mention of
any other Regions, than the Two great Empires of Lilliput and
Blefuscu. Which Two mighty Powers have, as I was going
to tell you, been engaged in a most obstinate War for Six and
thirty Moons past. It began upon the 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 breaking it according to the ancient practice,
happened to cut one of his Fingers. Whereupon the Emperor
his Father published an Edict, commanding all his Subjects,
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 Emperor 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
44
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
TART I
Eleven thousand Persons have, at several times, suffered
Death, rather than submit to break their Eggs at the smaller
End. Many hundred large Volumes have been published
upon this Controversy : But the Books of the Big-Endians
have been long forbidden, and the whole Party rendred
incapable by Law of holding Employments. During the
Happened to cut one of his Fingers.
Course of these Troubles, the Emperors of Blefuscu did
frequently expostulate by their Ambassadors, accusing us of
making a Schism in Religion, by offending against a funda-
mental Doctrine of our great Prophet Lustrog, in the Fifty-
fourth Chapter of the Bnmdecral (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 shall break
their Eggs at the convenient End : And which is the Con-
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 45
venient end, seems, in my humble opinion, to be left to every
man's Conscience, or at least in the power of the Chief
Magistrate to determine. Now the Big-Endian Exiles have
found so much credit in the Emperor of Blefustu's Court,
and so much private Assistance and Encouragement from
their Party here at home, that a bloody War hath been carried
on between the Two Empires for Six and thirty moons with
various Success ; 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 Enemy 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, hath com-
manded Me to lay this account of his Affairs before You.
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 Foreigner, to interfere with Parties ;
but I was ready, with the hazard of my Life, to defend his
Person and State against all Invaders.
CHAP. V
The Author by an extraordinary Stratagem, prevents an Invasion. A
high Title of Honour is conferred tipon him. Ambassadors arrive
from the Emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for Peace.
The Empire of Blefuscu is an Island situated to the North-
North-East side of Lilliput, from whence it is parted only by
a Channel of Eight hundred yards wide. I had not yet seen
it, and upon this notice of an intended Invasion, I avoided
appearing on that side of the Coast, for fear of being discovered
by some of the Enemies Ships, who had received no Intelli-
gence 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 what-
soever. 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 plummed, who told me, that in the middle at High-
water it was Seventy Glumgluffs deep, which is about Six foot
of European measure ; and the rest of it Fifty Glumgluffs at
most. I walked towards the North-East Coast over-against
Blefuscu, and lying down behind a Hillock, took out my
small Pocket Perspective-Glass, and viewed the Enemy's Fleet
at anchor, consisting of about Fifty Men of War, and a great
number of Transports : I then came back to my House, and
gave order (for which I had a Warrant) for a great quantity
chap, v A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 47
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 Stock-
ings, 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 than Thirty thousand Souls. I then took
my Tackling, and fastning a Hook to the hole at the Prow
of each, I tied all the Cords together at the End. While I
was thus employed, the Enemy discharged several thousand
Arrows, many of which stuck in my Hands and Face ; and
besides the excessive smart, gave me much disturbance in my
Work. My greatest Apprehension was for mine Eyes, which
I should have infallibly lost, if I had not suddenly thought of
an Expedient. I kept among other little Necessaries a pair
of Spectacles in a private Pocket, which, as I observed before,
had scaped the Emperor's Searchers. These I took out and
fastned as strongly as I could upon my Nose, and thus
armed went on boldly with my Work in spight of the Enemies
Arrows, many of which struck against the Glasses of my
Spectacles, but without any other effect, further than a little to
discompose them. I had now fastned 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 Enterprize remained. I there-
fore let go the Cord, and leaving the Hooks fixed to the Ships,
I resolutely cut with my Knife the Cables that fastned the
Anchors, receiving above Two hundred Shots in my Face and
Hands ; then I took up the knotted end of the Cables to
which my Hooks were tyed, and with great ease drew Fifty of
the Enemies largest Men of War after me.
chap, v A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 49
The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagination of
what I intended, were at first confounded with astonishment.
They had seen me cut the Cables, and thought my 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, that it is almost impossible to describe or con-
ceive. When I had got out of danger, I stopt 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, 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 ex-
pecting 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 the middle of the Channel, they were yet more
in pain because I was under Water to my Neck. The
Emperor concluded me to be drowned, and that the Enemy's
Fleet was approaching in a hostile manner : But he was soon
eased of his Fears, for the Channel growing shallower every
step I made, I came in a short time within hearing ; and
holding up the end of the Cable by which the Fleet was
fastned, I cried in a loud Voice, Long live the most puissant
Emperor of Lilliput ! This great Prince received me at my
landing with all possible Encomiums, and created me a
Nardac upon the spot, which is the highest Title of Honour
among them.
His Majesty desired I would take some other Opportunity
of bringing all the rest of his Enemy's Ships into his Ports.
And so unmeasurable is the Ambition of Princes, that he
seemed to think of nothing less than reducing the whole
Empire of Blefuscu into a Province, and governing it by a
Vice-Roy ; of destroying the Big-Endian Exiles, and com-
E
50 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
pelling that People to break the smaller end of their Eggs, by
which he would remain the sole Monarch of the whole World.
But I endeavoured to divert him from this Design, by many
Arguments drawn from the Topicks 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 to
the Schemes and Politicks of his Imperial Majesty, that he
could never forgive it ; 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
Expressions, which by a side-wind reflected on me. And
from this time began an Intrigue between his Majesty, and
a Junto of Ministers maliciously bent against me, which broke
out in less than Two months, and had like to have ended in
my utter Destruction. Of so little weight are the greatest
Services to Princes, when put into the ballance with a Refusal
to gratify their Passions.
About Three weeks after this Exploit, there arrived a
solemn Embassy from Blefuscu, with humble Offers of a Peace ;
which was soon concluded upon Conditions very advantage-
ous to our Emperor, wherewith I shall not trouble the Reader.
There were Six Ambassadors, with a Train of about Five
hundred Persons, and their Entry was very magnificent, suitable
to the Grandeur of their Master, and the 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 shew them
some Proofs of my prodigious Strength, of which they had
CHAP. V
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
5i
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 Excellencies
to their infinite Satisfaction and Surprize, I desired they
would do me the Honour to present my most humble respects
to the Emperor their Master, the Renown of whose Virtues
had so justly filled the whole World with Admiration, and whose
Royal Person I resolved to attend before I returned to my
own Countrey : Accordingly, the next time I had the honour
to see our Emperor, I desired his general Licence to wait on
the Blcfuscudian Monarch, which he was pleased to grant me,
as I could plainly perceive, in a very cold manner ; but could
52 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
not guess the Reason, till I had a Whisper from a certain
person, that Flimnap and Bolgolam had represented my
Intercourse with those Ambassadors as a mark of Disaffection,
from which I am sure my heart was wholly free. And this
was the first time I began to conceive some imperfect Idea of
Courts and Ministers.
It is to be observed, that these Ambassadors spoke to me
by an Interpreter, the Languages of both Empires 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 for that of
their Neighbour ; yet our Emperor, standing upon the ad-
vantage he had got by the seisure of their Fleet, obliged them
to deliver their ' Credentials, and make their Speech in the
Lilliputian Tongue. And it must be confessed, that from the
great Intercourse of Trade and Commerce between both
Realms, from the continual Reception of Exiles, which is
mutual among them, and from the Custom in each Empire to
send their young Nobility and richer Gentry to the other, in
order to polish themselves, by seeing the World, and 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 conversation 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
proper place.
The Reader may remember, that when I signed those
Articles upon which I recovered my Liberty, there were some
which I disliked upon account of their being too servile, neither
could any thing but an extreme Necessity have forced me to
submit. But being now a JVardac, of the highest Rank in
that Empire, such Offices were looked upon as below my
dignity, and the Emperor (to do him justice) never once
mentioned them to me.
CHAP. VI
Of the Inhabitants of Lilliput, their Learning, Laws and Customs, the
Manner of edzicati?ig their Children. The Atdhor's way of living in
that Countrey. His Vindication of a great Lady.
Although I intend to leave the Description of this Empire
to a particular Treatise, yet in the mean time I am content to
gratify the curious Reader with some general Ideas. As the
common size of the natives is somewhat under Six inches
high, so there is an exact Proportion in all other Animals, as
well as Plants and Trees : For instance, the tallest Horses
and Oxen are between Four and Five inches in height, the
Sheep an Inch and a half, more or less ; their Geese about
the bigness of a Sparrow, and so the several Gradations
downwards, till you come to the smallest, which, to my sight,
were almost invisible ; but Nature hath 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 in 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 foot 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.
54 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
I shall say but little at present of their Learning, which for
many Ages hath 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 ; nor from down to up, like the Cascagiaiis ;
but aslant from one corner of the paper to the other, like
Ladies in England.
They bury their Dead with their Heads directly down-
wards, 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 contrary to those of
my own dear Countrey, I should be tempted to say a little in
their justification. It is only to be wished, that 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 maketh his
Innocence plainly to appear upon his Tryal, the Accuser is
immediately put to an ignominious Death ; and out of his
Goods or Lands, the innocent Person is quadruply re-
compensed for the Loss of his Time, for the Danger he
underwent, for the Hardship of his Imprisonment, and for all
the Charges he hath been at in making his Defence. Or, if
that Fund be deficient, it is largely supplied by the Crown.
The Emperor does also confer on him some publick 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
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 55
alledge, that Care and Vigilance, with a very common Under-
standing, may preserve a man's Goods from Thieves, but
Honesty has no fence against superior Cunning : and since it
is necessary that there should be a perpetual Intercourse of
Buying and Selling, and dealing upon Credit, where Fraud is
permitted or connived at, or hath 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
extenuation, that it was only a Breach of trust ; the Emperor
thought it monstrous in me to offer, as a Defence, 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.
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 practise by any Nation
except that of Lilliput. Whoever can there bring sufficient
proof that he hath strictly observed the Laws of his Country
for Seventy-three moons, hath a claim to certain Privileges,
according to his Quality and Condition of Life, with a
proportionable Sum of Money out of a Fund appropriated 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
enforced only by Penalties without any mention of Reward.
It is upon this account that the Image of Justice, 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 shew she is more disposed to Reward
than to Punish.
56 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
In chusing Persons for all Employments, they have more
regard to good Morals than to great Abilities ; for, since
Government is necessary to Mankind, they believe that the
common size of Human Understandings is fitted to some
Station or other, and that Providence never intended to make
the Management of publick Affairs a Mystery, to be com-
prehended only by a few Persons of sublime Genius, of which
there seldome 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 Countrey, except where a Course of Study is required.
But they thought the want of Moral Virtues was so far from
being supplied by superior Endowments of the mind, that
Employments could never be put into such dangerous hands
as those of Persons so qualified ; and at least, that the
Mistakes committed by Ignorance in a virtuous Disposition,
would never be of such fatal consequence to the Publick
Weal, as the Practices of a Man whose Inclinations led him to
be Corrupt, and had great Abilities to manage, and multiply,
and defend his Corruptions.
In like manner, the Disbelief of a Divine Providence
renders a Man uncapable of holding any Publick 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.
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 57
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
hath 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 Con-
junction of Male and Female is founded upon the great Law
of Nature, in order to propagate and continue the Species,
the Lilliputians will needs have it, that Men and Women are
joined together like other Animals, by the Motives of Con-
cupiscence ; and that their Tenderness towards their Young
proceeds from the like natural Principle : For which reason
they will never allow, that a Child is under any obligation to
his Father for begetting him, or his Mother for bringing him
into the World ; which, considering the Miseries of human
Life, was neither a Benefit in itself, or intended so by his
Parents, whose Thoughts in their Love-Encounters were other-
wise employed. Upon these, and the like Reasonings, their
Opinion is, that Parents are the last of all others to be trusted
with the Education of their own Children : And therefore
they have in every town publick 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
to 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 Capacities 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
5§
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
and simple. They are bred up in the principles of Honour,
Justice, Courage, Modesty, Clemency, Religion, and Love of
their Countrey ; 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
Exercises. They are dressed by Men till Four years of age
And always in the presence of a Professor.'
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &• Co.
and then are obliged to dress themselves, although their
Quality be ever so great ; and the Women 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 small or greater numbers to take
their Diversions, and always in the presence of a Professor, or
one of his Deputies ; whereby they avoid those early bad
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 59
Impressions of Folly and Vice to 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, Sweet-meats, 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 propor-
tionably after the same manner ; only those designed for
Trades, are put out Apprentices at Eleven years old, whereas
those of Persons of Quality continue in their Nurseries till
Fifteen, which answers to One and twenty with us : But the
Confinement is gradually lessened for the last Three years.
In the Female Nurseries, the young Girls of Quality are
educated much like the Males, only they are dressed by
orderly Servants of their own Sex, but always in the presence
of a Professor or Deputy, till they come to dress themselves,
which is at Five years old. And if it be found that these
Nurses ever presume to entertain the Girls with frightful or
foolish Stories, or the common Follies practised by Chamber-
maids among us, they are publickly whipped thrice about the
City, imprisoned for a Year, and banished for life to the most
desolate part of the countrey. Thus the young Ladies there
are as much ashamed of being Cowards and Fools, as the
Men, and despise all personal Ornaments beyond Decency
and Cleanliness : Neither did I perceive any Difference in
their Education, made by their Difference of Sex, only that
the Exercises of their Females were not altogether so robust,
and that some Rules were given them relating to domestick
Life, and a smaller compass of Learning was enjoined them :
For the Maxim is, that among People of Quality, a Wife
should be always a reasonable and agreeable Companion,
60 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
because she cannot always be young. When the Girls are
Twelve years old, which among them is the marriageable Age,
their Parents or Guardians take them home, with great ex-
pressions of Gratitude to the Professors, and seldom without
Tears of the young Lady and her Companions. «
In the Nurseries of Females of the meaner sort, the
Children are instructed in all kinds of Works proper for their
Sex, and their several degrees : Those intended for Apprentices
are dismissed at Nine years old, the rest are kept to Thirteen.
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 Gettings, to be a Portion for the child ;
and therefore all Parents are limited in their Expences by the
Law. For the Lilliputians think nothing can be more unjust,
than for people, in subservience to their own Appetites, to
bring Children into the World, and leave the Burthen of
supporting them on the Publick. As to Persons of quality,
they give Security to appropriate a certain Sum for each Child,
suitable to their Condition ; and these Funds are always
managed with good Husbandry, and the most exact Justice.
The Cottagers and Labourers keep their children at home,
their Business being only to till and cultivate the Earth, and
therefore their Education is of little consequence to the
Publick ; but the Old and Diseased among them are sup-
ported by Hospitals : For Begging is a Trade unknown in this
Kingdom.
And here it may perhaps divert the curious Reader, to
give some account of my Domesticks, and my manner of living
in this Countrey, during a Residence 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 em-
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 61
ployed to make me Shirts, and Linen for my Bed 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 foot 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 the
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 I displayed
on the ground before them for a Pattern, they fitted me
exactly. Three hundred Taylors were employed in the same
manner to make me Clothes ; but they had another Contriv-
ance 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 Plumline from
my Collar to the Floor, which just answered the length of my
Coat ; but my Waist and Arms I measured myself. When
my Clothes were finished, which was done in my house (for the
largest of theirs would not be 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, an 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 ingenious
manner, by certain Cords, as we draw the Bucket up a Well
in Europe. A Dish of their Meat was a good Mouthful, and
a Barrel of their Liquor a reasonable Draught. Their Mutton
yields to ours, but their Beef is excellent. I have had a
62
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
Sirloin so large, that I have been forced to make Three bits
of it ; but this is rare. My Servants were astonished to see
1374"
' Let fall a Plumline. '
Copyright 1894 by Mac-millan &• Co.
me eat it Bones and all, as in our Countrey we do the Leg of a
Lark. Their Geese and Turkeys I usually eat at a Mouthful, and
CHAP. VI
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
63
I must 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 Royal Consort, with the
f I eat more than usual'
Copyright 1894 by Macmilla.11 &• Co.
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 'em upon Chairs of
State on my Table, just over-against me, with their Guards
about them. Flimnap the Lord High Treasurer attended
64 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
there likewise, with his White Staff; and I observed he often
looked on me with a sour Countenance, which I would not
seem to regard, but eat more than usual, in honour to my dear
Countrey, as well as to fill the Court with admiration. I 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 always been my secret
Enemy, though he outwardly caressed me more than was usual
to the Moroseness of his Nature. He represented to the
Emperor the low Condition of his Treasury ; that he was
forced to take up Money at great Discount ; that Exchequer
Bills would not circulate under Nine per Cent, below Par ; that
in short I had cost his Majesty above a Million and a half
of Sprugs (their greatest Gold Coin, about the bigness of a
Spangle ;) and upon the whole, that it would be adviseable in
the Emperor to take the first fair occasion of dismissing me.
I am here obliged to vindicate the Reputation of an
excellent Lady, who was an innocent Sufferer upon my
account. The Treasurer took a fancy to be jealous of his
Wife, from the Malice of some evil tongues, who informed
him that her Grace had taken a violent Affection for my
Person, and the Court-Scandal ran for some time, that she
once came privately to my Lodging. This I solemnly declare
to be a most infamous Falshood, without any grounds,
farther 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 publickly, 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
appeal to my Servants round, whether they at any time saw a
Coach at my door without knowing what Persons were in it.
On those occasions, when a Servant had given me notice, my
Custom was to go immediately to the door ; and after paying
my respects, to take up the Coach and Two horses very care-
fully in my hands (for if there were Six horses, the Postillion
always unharnessed Four) and place them on a Table, where
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 65
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 sate in
my Chair leaning my Face towards them ; and when I was
engaged with one Sett, the Coachman 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
'em make their best of it) Clustril and Drunlo, to prove that
any Person ever came to me incognito, except the Secretary
Reldresal, who was sent by express Command of his Imperial
Majesty, as I have before related. I should not have dwelt
so long upon this Particular, if it had not been a Point wherein
the Reputation of a great Lady is so nearly concerned, to say
nothing of my own ; though I had then the Honour to be a
Nardac, which the Treasurer himself is not ; for all the World
knows he is only a Chwighim, a Title inferiour by one degree,
as that of a Marquiss is to a Duke in England, although 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 Flimnap the
Treasurer shew 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.
CHAR VII
The Author being inform 'd of a Design to accuse him of High-Treason^
makes his Escape to Blefuscu. His Reception there.
Before I proceed to give an account of my leaving this
Kingdom, it may be proper to inform the Reader of a private
Intrigue which had been for Two months forming against
me.
I had been hitherto all my life a stranger to Courts, for
which I was unqualified by the Meanness of my condition.
I had indeed heard and read enough of the Dispositions of
great Princes and Ministers ; but never expected to have
found such terrible effects of them in so remote a Countrey,
governed, 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 privately at night in a close Chair, and
without sending his Name, desired admittance : The Chair-
men were dismissed ; I put the Chair, with his Lordship in
it, into my Coat-pocket ; and giving orders to a trusty Servant
to say I was indisposed and gone to sleep, I fastened the
Door of my house, placed the Chair on the Table, accord-
ing to my usual custom, and sate down by it. After the
CHAP. VII
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
67
common Salutations were over, observing his Lordship's
countenance full of concern ; and enquiring 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
' You are to know, said he'
to the following effect, for I took notes of it as soon as he
left me.
You are to know, said he, that several Committees of
Council have been lately called in the most private manner
on your account : And it is but Two days since his Majesty
came to a full Resolution.
68 A VOYAGE. TO LILLIPUT part i
You are very sensible that Skyris Bolgola7n (Galbet, or
High Admiral) hath been your mortal Enemy almost ever since
your Arrival. His original Reasons I know not, but his
hatred is much encreased since your great Success against
Blefuscu, by which his Glory, as Admiral, is obscur'd. This
Lord, in conjunction 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 Articles of
Impeachment against you, for Treason, and other Capital
crimes.
This Preface made me so impatient, being conscious of
my own Merits and Innocence, that I was going to interrupt ]
when he entreated me to be silent, and thus proceeded.
Out of Gratitude for the favours you have done me, I
procured Information of the whole Proceedings, and a Copy
of the Articles, wherein I venture my Head for your service.
Articles of Impeachment against Quinbus Flestrin
(the Man-Mountain).
ARTICLE I
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 Empire of Blefuscu,, and reduce
that Empire to a Province, to be governed by a Vice-Roy
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.
CHAr. vii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 69
ARTICLE II
That, whereas certain Ambassadors arrived from the
Court of Blefuscu to sue for Peace in his Majesty's Court :
He, the said Flestri?i, did, like a false Traitor, aid, abet,
comfort, and divert the said Ambassadors, although he knew
them to* be Servants to a Prince who was lately an open
Enemy to his Imperial Majesty, and in open War against his
said Majesty.
ARTICLE III
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 hath received
only verbal Licence from his Imperial Majesty ; and under
Colour of the said Licence, doth falsely and traiterously intend
to take the said Voyage, and thereby to aid, comfort, and
abet the Emperor of Blefuscu, so late an Enemy, and in open
War with his Imperial Majesty aforesaid.
There are some other Articles, but these are the most
important, of which I have read you an Abstract.
In the several Debates upon this Impeachment, it must be
confessed, that his Majesty gave many marks of his great
Lenity, often urging the Services you had done him, and
endeavouring to extenuate your Crimes. The Treasurer and
Admiral insisted, that you should be put to the most painful and
ignominious Death, by setting fire on your House at night, and
the General was to attend with Twenty thousand men armed
with poisoned Arrows to shoot you on the Face and Hands.
Some of your Servants were to have private orders to strew a
poisonous Juice on your Shirts, 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.
7o
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
Upon this Incident, Reldresal Principal Secretary 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
' Rising Jip in Fiery.
great, but that still there was room for Mercy, the most com-
mendable 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
CHAr. vii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 71
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 order 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 Proceedings of those who have the Honour to be
his Counsellors. That the loss of your Eyes would be no im-
pediment 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 Disappro-
bation by the whole Board. Bolgolam, the Admiral, 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 the same Strength which
enabled you to bring over the Enemy's Fleet, might serve,
upon the first Discontent, to carry it back : That he had
good Reasons to think you were a Big-Endian in your heart ;
and as Treason begins in the Heart before it appears in
Overt-Acts, so he accused you as a Traitor on that account,
and therefore insisted you should be put to death.
The Treasurer was of the same opinion ; he shewed to
what streights his Majesty's Revenue was reduced by the
charge of maintaining you, which would soon grow insupport-
able : That the Secretary's Expedient of putting out your
Eyes was so far from being a Remedy against this Evil, it
would probably encrease it, as it is manifest from the common
practice of blinding some kind of Fowl, 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 Con-
72 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
sciences fully convinced of your Guilt, which was a sufficient
Argument to condemn you to death, without the formal
Proofs required by the strict Letter of the Law.
But his Imperial Majesty fully determined against capital
Punishment, was graciously pleased to say, that since the
Council thought the loss of your Eyes too easy a Censure,
some other 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
would grow weak and faint, and lose your Appetite, and
consequently decay 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 immedi-
ately upon your death, Five or Six thousand of his Majesty's
Subjects 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 Monu-
ment of Admiration to Posterity.
Thus by the great Friendship of the Secretary, the whole
Affair was compromised. It was strictly enjoin'd, that the
Project of starving you by degrees should be kept a Secret,
but the Sentence of putting out your Eyes was entered on the
books ; none dissenting except Bolgolam the Admiral, who
being a Creature of the Empress, was perpetually instigated
by her Majesty to insist upon your Death, she having born
perpetual malice against you.
In Three days your Friend the Secretary will be directed to
come to your house, and read before you 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 doth
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 73
not question you will gratefully and humbly submit to ; and
Twenty of his 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 you will take ;
and to avoid suspicion, I must immediately return in as
private a manner as I came.
His Lordship did so, and I remained alone, under many
Doubts and Perplexities of Mind.
It was a Custom introduced by this Prince and his
Ministry (very different, as I have been assured, from the
Practices of former times) that after the Court had decreed
any cruel Execution, either to gratify the Monarch's Re-
sentment, or the Malice of a Favourite, the Emperor made a
Speech to his whole Council, expressing his great Lenity and
Tenderness, as Qualities known and confessed by all the
World. This Speech was immediately published through the
Kingdom ; nor did any thing terrify the people so much as
those Encomiums on his Majesty's Mercy ; because it was
observ'd, that the more these Praises were enlarged and
insisted on, the more inhuman was the Punishment, and the
Sufferer more innocent. And as to myself, I must confess,
having never been designed for a Courtier either by my Birth
or Education, I was so ill a Judge of things, that I could not
discover the Lenity and Favour of this Sentence, but con-
ceived it (perhaps erroneously) rather to be rigorous than
gentle. I sometimes thought of standing my Tryal, for
although I could not deny the Facts alledged in the several
Articles, yet I hoped they would admit of some Extenuations.
But having in my Life perused many State-Tryals, which I
ever observed to terminate as the Judges thought fit to direct,
I durst not rely on so dangerous a Decision, in so critical a
Juncture, and against such powerful Enemies. Once I was
strongly bent upon Resistance, for while I had liberty, the
whole Strength of that Empire could hardly subdue me, and
74 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
I might easily with Stones pelt the Metropolis to pieces ; but
I soon rejected that Project with Horror, by remembring 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 Gratitude of Courtiers, to
persuade myself that his Majesty's present Severities quitted
me of all past Obligations.
At last I fixed upon a Resolution, for which it is probable
I may incur some Censure, and not unjustly ; for I confess I
owe the preserving 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 obnoxious than
myself, I should with great alacrity and readiness have sub-
mitted to so easy a punishment. But hurry'd on by the
Precipitancy of Youth, and having his Imperial Majesty's
Licence to pay my attendance upon the Emperor of Blefiiscu,
I took this Opportunity, before the Three days were elapsed,
to send a Letter to my Friend the Secretary, signifying my
Resolution of setting out that morning for Blefuscn pursuant
to the leave I had got ; and without waiting for an answer, I
went to that side of the Island where our Fleet lay : I seized
a large Man of War, ty'd a Cable to the Prow, and lifting up
the Anchors, I stript myself, put my Cloaths (together with my
Coverlet, which I brought under my Arm) into the Vessel,
and drawing it after me between wading and swimming,
arrived at the Royal Port of Blefuscu, where the People had
long expected me ; they lent me two Guides to direct me to
the Capital City, which is of the same name. I held them
in my hands till I came within Two Hundred Yards of the
Gate, and desir'd them to signify my Arrival to one of the
Secretaries, and let him know, I there waited his Majesty's
Commands. 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 an
Hundred yards. The Emperor and his train alighted from
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 75
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
Hand. I told his Majesty that I was come according to my
Promise, and with the Licence 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, wrapt up in my Coverlet.
CHAP. VIII
The Author, by a lucky Accident, finds Means to leave Blefuscu ; and, after
some Difficulties, returns safe to his native Countrey.
Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the
North-East Coast of the Island, I observed, 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 hundred 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 im-
mediately towards the City, and desired his Imperial Majesty
to lend me Twenty of the tallest Vessels he had left after the
loss of his Fleet, and Three thousand Seamen under the
Command of the Vice-Admiral. 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 stript myself, and waded till I came within
an 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 fastned 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
behind, and push the Boat forwards as often as I could, with
CHAP. VIII
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
77
one of my hands ; and the Tide favouring me, I advanced so
far, at I could just hold up my Chin and feel the Ground.
I r< ced Two or Three minutes, and then gave the Boat
another shove, and so on till the Sea was no higher than my
Arm-pits; and now the most laborious part being over, 1
took out my other Cables which were stowed in one of the
my*.
' By the assistance of Two thousand men.'
Ships, and fastning them first to the Boat, and then to Nine
of. the Vessels which attended me ; the Wind being favourable,
the Seamen towed, and I shoved till we arrived wnthin 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
78 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part ;
under by the help of certain Paddles, which cost me Ten days
making, to get my Boat to the Royal Port of Blefuscu* here
a mighty concourse of people appeared upon my arrive full
of wonder at the sight of so prodigious a Vessel. I tola! the
Emperor that my good fortune had thrown this Boat in my way,
to carry me to some place from whence I might return into
my native Countrey, and begged his Majesty's orders for getting
Materials to fit it up, together with his Licence to depart ;
which, after some kind expostulations, he was pleased to
grant.
I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heart
of any Express relating to me from our Emperor to the Court
of Blefuscu. But I was afterwards given privately to under-
stand, that his Imperial 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
Licence he had given me, which was well known at our Court,
and would return in a few days when that Ceremony was
ended. But he was at last in pain at my long absence; and,
after consulting with the Treasurer, and the rest of that
Cabal, a Person of Quality was dispatched with the copy of
the Articles against me. This Envoy had Instructions to
represent to the Monarch of Blefuscu, the great Lenity of his
Master, who was content to punish me no further than with
the loss of mine Eyes ; that I had fled from Justice, and if
I did not return in Two hours, I should be deprived of my
Title of JVardac, and declared a Traitor. The Envoy further
added, that in order to maintain the Peace and Amity
between both Empires, his Master expected, that his Brother
of Blefuscu would give orders to have me sent back \.o Lillipwf
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. Lie said, that as for sending me boun.d,
his Brother knew it was impossible ; that although I had
deprived him of his Fleet, yet he owed great Obligations to
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 79
me for many good Offices I had done him in making the
Peace. That however both their Majesties would soon be
made easy ; for I had found a prodigious Vessel on the
Shore, able to carry me on the Sea, which he had given
order to fit up with my own Assistance and Direction, and
he hoped in a few weeks both Empires would be freed from
so insupportable an Incumbrance.
With this Answer the Envoy returned to Lilliput, and the
Monarch of Blefuscu related to me all that had past, offer-
ing 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 acknow-
ledgments for his favourable Intentions, I humbly begged to
be excused. I told him, that since Fortune, whether good
or evil, had thrown a Vessel in my way, I was resolved to
venture myself in the Ocean, rather than be an occasion of
difference between two such mighty Monarchs. Neither did
I find the Emperor at all displeased ; and I discovered by a
certain Accident, that he was very glad of my Resolution,
and so were most of his Ministers.
These considerations moved me to hasten my departure
somewhat sooner than I intended ; to which the Court,
impatient to have me gone, very readily contributed. Five
hundred Workmen were employed to make two Sails to my
Boat, according to my directions, by quilting Thirteen fold 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, how-
ever, much assisted by his Majesty's Ship -Carpenters, who
8o A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT part i
helped me in smoothing them, after I had done the rough
work.
In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to re-
ceive 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 Empress, and young Princess 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 Departure
were too many to trouble the reader with at this time.
I stored the Boat with the carcasses of an Hundred oxen,
and Three hundred sheep, with Br^ead and Drink proportion-
able, 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 yews and rams, intending to carry
them into my own country, and propagate the breed. And
to feed them on board, I had a good bundle of Hay, and a
bag of Corn. I would gladly have taken a Dozen of the
natives, but this was a thing the Emperor would by no means
permit ; and besides a diligent search into my Pockets, his
Majesty engaged my Honour not to carry away any of his
Subjects, although with their own consent and desire.
Having thus prepared all things as well as I was able, I
set sail on the Twenty-fourth day of September 1701, at Six in
the morning ; and when I had gone about Four leagues to
the Northward, the Wind being at South-East, at Six in the
evening, I descryed 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 I conjecture at least Six hours, for I found the day
broke in Two hours after I awaked. It was a clear night. I
eat my breakfast before the Sun was up ; and heaving anchor,
chap, vin , A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 81
the Wind being favourable, I steered the same course that I
had done the day before, wherein I was directed by my
Pocket-Compass. My intention was to reach, if possible, one
of those Islands, which I had reason to believe lay to the
North-East of Van Diemeris Land. I discovered nothing all
that day ; but upon the next, about Three in the afternoon,
when I had, by my computation, made Twenty-four leagues
from Blefuscu, I descryed 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
slackned. I made all the sail I could, and in Half an hour
she spied me, then hung out her Antient, 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 Countrey,
and the dear Pledges I had left in it. The Ship slackned
her Sails, and I came up with her between Five and Six in
the evening ; Septe?7iber 2 6 ; but my heart leapt 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 Merchant-Man,
returning from Japan by the North and South Seas; the
Captain, Mr. John Biddle 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 kindness, and desired I would
let him know what place I came from last, and whither I was
bound ; which I did in few words, but he thought I was
raving, and that the dangers I underwent had disturbed my
head ; whereupon I took my black Cattle and Sheep out
of my Pocket, which, after great astonishment, clearly con-
vinced him of my Veracity. I then shewed 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 countrey. 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.
G
82
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
I shall not trouble the reader with a particular account
of this voyage, which was very prosperous for the most part.
We arrived in the Downs on the 13th of April 1702. I had
m T.
Grazing in a Bowling-Green at Greenwich.'
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &• Co.
only one misfortune, that the Rats on board carried away
one of my Sheep ; I found her Bones in a hole, picked clean
from the flesh. The rest of my Cattle I got safe on shore,
and set them a grazing in a Bowling-Green at Greenwich, where
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 83
the Fineness of the Grass made them feed very heartily,
though I had always feared the contrary : neither could I
possibly have preserved them in so long a Voyage, if the
Captain had not allowed me some of his best Bisket, which
rubbed to Powder, and mingled with Water, was their con-
stant food. The short time I continued in England, I made
a considerable profit by shewing 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
TJncle John had left me an Estate in Land, near Epping, of
about Thirty pounds a Year ; and I had a long Lease of the
Black Bull in Fetter-Lane, which yielded me as much more :
so that I was not in any danger of leaving my Family upon
the Parish. My Son Johnny, named so after his Uncle, was
at the 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 Sural, Captain John Nicholas of Leverpool Commander.
But my Account of this Voyage must be referred to the
Second Part of my Travels.
The End of the First Part.
PART II
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
s^VaCker &-Doutatf scufyserMrU*.
p^tvt ii
CHAP. I
A great Storm described ; the Long-boat sent to fetch Water ; the Author
goes with it to discover the Countrey. He is left on Shoar ; is seized
by one of the Natives , and carried to a Farmer's House. His
Reception there, with several Accidents that happened to him. A
Description of the Inhabitants.
'AVING been condemned by nature and
fortune to an active and restless Life, in
Two months after my Return, I again left
my native Countrey, 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 discovering a Leak
we unshipped our Goods, and winter'd there ; for the Captain
88 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part n
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 Streights of Madagascar ; but having got North-
ward of that Island, and to about five Degrees South Latitude,
the Winds, which in those Seas are observed to blow a
constant equal Gale between the North and West from the
beginning of December to the beginning of May, on the i glA
of April began to blow with much greater Violence, and
more Westerly than usual, continuing so for Twenty days
together, during which time we were driven a little to the
East of the Molucca Islands, and about Three Degrees North-
ward of the Line, as our Captain found by an observation he
took the Second of May, at which time the Wind ceased, and
it was a perfect Calm, whereat I was not a little rejoyced.
But he, being a Man well experienc'd in the Navigation of
those Seas, bid us all prepare against a Storm, which accord-
ingly happen'd the day following: For a Southern Wind,
called the Southern Monsoon, began to set in.
Finding it was like to overblow, we took in our Sprit-
sail, and stood by to hand the Fore-sail ; but making foul
Weather, we look'd the Guns were all fast, and handed the
Mizen. The Ship lay very broad off, so we thought it better
spooning before the Sea, than trying or hurlling. We reeft
the Fore-sail and set him, we hawl'd aft the Fore-sheet ; the
Helm was hard a Weather. The Ship wore bravely. We
belay'd the Fore-down-hall; but the Sail was split, and we
hawl'd 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 hawl'd
off upon the Lanniard of the Whipstaff, and helped the Man at
Helm. We would not get down our Top-Mast, but let all
stand, because she scudded before the Sea very well, and we
knew that the Top-Mast being aloft, the Ship was the whole-
somer, 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 Mizen, Main-
top-sail, and the Foretop-sail. Our Course was East North-
chap. I A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 89
east, the Wind was at South-west. We got the Star-board Tacks
aboard, we cast off our Weather-braces, and Lifts ; we set in
the Lee-braces, and hawl'd forward by the Weather-bowlings,
and hawl'd them tight, and belayed them, and hawled over
the Mizen-Tack to Windward, and kept her full and by as
near as she would lye.
During this storm, which was followed by a strong Wind
West-south-west, we were carried by my computation about
Five hundred leagues to the East, so that the oldest Sailor on
board could not tell in what part of the world we were. Our
Provisions held out well, our Ship was staunch, and our
Cre.w 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 parts of Great Tartary, and into the
Frozen Sea.
On the 16th Day of June, 1703, a Boy on the Top-mast
discovered Land. On the 17 th we came in full view of a
great Island or Continent (for we knew not whether) on the
South side whereof was a small Neck of Land jutting out into
the . Sea, and a Creek too shallow to hold a Ship of above
One hundred tuns. 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 countrey, and make what discoveries I could. When
we came to land, we saw no River or Spring, nor any sign of
Inhabitants. Our men therefore wander'd on the shore to
find out some fresh Water near the sea ; and I walked alone
about a Mile on the other side, where I observed the countrey
all barren and rocky. I now began to be weary, and, seeing
nothing to entertain my curiosity, I returned gently down
towards the Creek; and, the Sea being full in my view, I saw
our men already got into the Boat, and rowing for life to the
Ship. I was going to hollow after them, although it had been
to little purpose, when I observed a huge Creature walking after
9 o A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
them in the sea, as fast as he could : He waded not much
deeper than his knees, and took prodigious strides : But our
men had the start of him Haifa 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 that 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 countrey. I found
it fully cultivated ; but that which first surprized me was the
length of the Grass, which in those grounds that seemed to
be kept for Hay, was above Twenty foot 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 foot. I was an Hour walking to this
end of the field, which was fenced in with a Hedge of at
least One hundred and twenty foot 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 foot high, and the upper Stone
above Twenty. I was endeavouring to find some Gap in the
hedge, when I discovered one of the Inhabitants in the next
field advancing towards the stile, of the same size with him
whom I saw in the sea pursuing our Boat. He appeared as
tall as an ordinary Spire-steeple, and took about Ten yards
at every stride, as near as I could guess. I was struck with
the utmost fear and astonishment, and ran to hide myself in
the corn, from whence I saw him at the top of the stile,
looking back into the next field on the right hand, and heard
him call in a voice many degrees louder than a Speaking
Trumpet ; but the Noise was so high in the air, that at first
I certainly thought it was Thunder. Whereupon Seven
Monsters like himself came towards him with Reaping-hooks
in their hands, each Hook about the largeness of Six Scythes.
chap. I A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 91
These people were not so well clad as the first, whose servants
or labourers they seemed to be. For, upon some words he
spoke, they went to reap the corn in the field where I lay.
I kept from them at as great a distance as I could, but was
forced to move with extreme difficulty, for the Stalks of the
corn were sometimes not above a Foot distant, so that I could
hardly squeeze my body betwixt them. However, I made a shift
to go forward till I came to a part of the field where the corn
had been laid by the Rain and Wind. Here it was impossible
for me to advance a step ; for the Stalks were so interwoven
that I could not creep thorough, 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 an 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 bemoaned my desolate Widow, and
Fatherless Children. I lamented my own folly and wilfulness
in attempting 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 my misfortunes : For, as human Creatures are
observed to be more savage and cruel in proportion to their
Bulk, what could I expect but to be a Morsel in the mouth of
the first among these enormous Barbarians that should happen
to seize me? Undoubtedly 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 let
the Lilliputians find some nation, where the people were as
Diminutive with respect to them, as they were to me. And
92 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
who knows but that even this prodigious Race of Mortals
might be equally overmatched in some distant part of the
world, whereof we have yet no discovery ?
Scared and confounded as I was, I could not forbear going
on with these reflections, when one of the reapers approach-
ing 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
trod short, and looking round about under him for some time,
at last espied me as I lay on the ground. He considered a while
with the caution of one who endeavours to lay hold on a small
dangerous animal in such a manner that it should not be able
either to scratch or to bite him, as I myself have sometimes
done with a Weasel in England. At length he ventured to
take me up behind by the Middle between his Fore-finger and
Thumb, and brought me within Three yards of his eyes, that
he 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
me in the Air above Sixty foot 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, and
to 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 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 I was hurt by the
Pressure of his Thumb and Finger. He seemed to apprehend
chap. I A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 93
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 supposed by their talk) received
such an account of me as his servant could give him, took
a piece of a small Straw, about the size of a Walking-staff,
and therewith lifted up the Lappets of 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 four, but
I got immediately up, and walked slowly backwards and
forwards, to let those people see I had no intent to run
away. They all sate down in a Circle about me, the better
to observe my motions. I pulled off my hat, and made a low
Bow towards the farmer, I fell on my Knees, and lifted up my
Hands and Eyes, and spoke several words, as loud as I could :
I took a Purse of Gold out of my pocket, and humbly
presented it to him. He received it on the Palm of his
Hand, then applied it close to his eye, to see what it was, and
afterwards turned it several times with the point of a Pin
(which he took out of his Sleeve) but could make nothing of it.
Whereupon I made a sign that he should place his Hand on
the ground. I took the Purse, and opening it, poured all the
Gold into his Palm. There were Six Spanish pieces of Four
Pistoles each, besides 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 to him several times, I
thought it best to do.
The Farmer by this time was convinced I must be a
94
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
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
is^^f-
' I made a lo%v Bow towards the farmer.' 1
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
chap. I A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 95
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 upwards, making me a sign to step into it, as
I could easily do, for it was not above a Foot in thickness.
I thought it my part to obey, and for fear of falling, laid myself
at length upon the Handkerchief, with the remainder of which
he lapped me up to the Head for further security, and in this
manner carried me home to his house. There he called his
Wife, and shewed me to her ; but she screamed and ran
back, as Women in England do at the sight of a Toad or a
Spider. However, when she had a while seen my behaviour,
and how well I observed the signs her Husband made, she was
soon reconciled, and by degrees grew extremely tender of me.
It was about Twelve at noon, and a servant brought in
Dinner. It was only One substantial dish of Meat (fit for
the plain condition of an Husband-man) in a Dish of about
Four and twenty foot Diameter. The company were
the Farmer and his Wife, Three Children, and an old
Grandmother : When they were sat down, the Farmer
placed me at some distance from him on the Table, which
was Thirty foot 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 Three 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
Ladyship's Health, expressing the words as loud as I could in
English, which made the company laugh so heartily, that I was
almost deafned with the noise. This liquor tasted like a small
Cyder, 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 surprize 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.
96 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
I got up immediately, and observing the good people to be
in much concern, I took my Hat (which I held under my
arm out of good manners) and waving it over my head, made
Three Huzza's to shew I had got no mischief by my fall. But
advancing forwards toward my Master (as I shall henceforth
call him) his youngest Son who sate next 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, 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 spight, and
well remembring how mischievous all Children among us
naturally are to Sparrows, Rabbets, 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 stroak me
gently with it.
In the midst of dinner my Mistress's favourite Cat leapt
into her lap. I heard a Noise behind me like that of a
Dozen Stocking-Weavers at work ; and turning my Head I
found it proceeded from the purring of this 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 stroaking her. The Fierceness of
this Creature's Countenance altogether discomposed me ;
though I stood at the further end of the Table, above Fifty
foot off, and although my Mistress held her fast for fear she
might give a spring, and seize me in her talons. But it
happened there was no danger ; for the Cat took not the
least notice of me when my Master placed me within Three
yards of her. And as I have been always told, and found
true by experience in my travels, that flying, or discovering
Fear before a fierce animal, is a certain way to make it pursue
or attack you ; so I resolved in this dangerous juncture to
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
97
shew 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
concerning the Dogs, whereof Three or Four came into the
room, as it is usual in Farmers houses ; one of which was a
' / walked with Intrepidity.
Mastiff equal in bulk to Four Elephants, and a Grey-hound
somewhat taller than the Mastiff, but not so large.
When dinner was almost done, the Nurse came in with a
Child of a Year old in her arms, who immediately spy'd 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 Play-thing. The Mother out of pure indulgence
took me up, and put me towards the Child, who presently
H
98 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG . part 11
seized me by the Middle, and got my Head in 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
' Got my Head in'his Mouth.'
quiet her babe, made use of a Rattle, which was a kind of
hollow Vessel filled with great stones, and fastned by a Cable
to the Child's wast : But all in vain, so that she was forced to
apply the last remedy by giving it suck. I must confess no
Object ever disgusted me so much as the sight of her
chap, i A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 99
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. I had a near sight of her, she sitting down the more
conveniently to give suck, and I standing on the table. This
made me reflect upon the fair skins of our Eiiglish Ladies,
who appear so beautiful to us, only because they are of our own
size, and their Defects not to be seen but through a Magnify-
ing-Glass, where we find by experiment that the smoothest
and whitest skins look rough and coarse, and ill coloured.
I remember when I was at Lillifint, the Complexions of
those diminutive people appeared to me the Fairest in the
world, and talking upon this subject with a person of Learning
there, who was an intimate friend of mine, he said that my
Face appeared much fairer and smoother when he looked on
me from the ground, than it did upon a nearer view when I
took him up in my hand, and brought him close, which he
confessed was at first a very shocking sight. He said he
could discover great Holes in my skin, that the Stumps of my
beard were Ten times stronger than the Bristles of a Boar,
and my Complexion made up of several colours altogether
disagreeable : Although I must beg leave to say for myself,
that I am as fair as most of my Sex and Countrey, and very
little sunburnt by all my travels. On the other side,
discoursing of the Ladies in that Emperor's Court, he used
to tell me, one had freckles, another too wide a mouth, a
third too large a nose, nothing of which I was able to
distinguish. I confess this reflection was obvious enough ;
which however I could not forbear, lest the Reader might
think those vast Creatures were actually deformed : For I
must do them justice to say they are a comely Race of people;
and particularly the Features of my Master's Countenance,
although he were but a Farmer, when I beheld him from the
height of Sixty foot, 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
ioo A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
perceiving, she put me on her own bed, and covered me
with a clean white Handkerchief, but larger and coarser
than the Main-sail of a Man of War.
I slept about Two hours, and dreamed I was at home
with my Wife and Children, which aggravated my sorrows
when I awaked and found myself alone in a vast room,
between Two and Three hundred foot wide, and above Two
hundred high, lying in a bed Twenty yards wide. My
Mistress was gone about her houshold affairs, and had
locked me in. The bed was eight yards from the floor.
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, where-
upon 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, and
the other, seeing the fate of his Comrade, made his escape,
but not without one good Wound on the Back, which I gave
him as he fled, and made the blood run trickling from him.
After this 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, 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 cross 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 making other signs to shew I
was not hurt, whereat she was extremely rejoyced, calling the
Maid to take up the dead Rat with a pair of tongs, and
throw it out of the window. Then she set me on a table
CHAP. I
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
where I shewed her my Hanger all bloody, and wiping it on
the Lappet of my Coat, returned it to the Scabbard.
I hope the gentle reader will excuse me from dwelling on
Particulars, which however insignificant they may appear to
grovelling vulgar minds, yet will certainly help a Philosopher
to enlarge his thoughts and imagination, and apply them to
the Benefit of Publick as well as Private life, which was my
sole design in presenting this and other accounts of my
Travels to the world ; wherein I have been chiefly studious of
Truth, without affecting any ornaments of Learning or of
Style. But the whole Scene of this voyage made so strong
an Impression on my mind, and is so deeply fixed in my
memory, that, in committing it to Paper, I did not omit one
material circumstance : However upon a strict review, I
blotted out several Passages of less moment which were in
my first Copy, for fear of being censured as tedious and
trifling, whereof Travellers are often, perhaps not without
justice, accused.
ex(rb
The other made his escape.
CHAP. II
A Description of the Farmer's Daughter. The Author carried to a
Market- Town, and then to the Metropolis. The Particulars of his
Joicrney.
My Mistress had a Daughter of Nine years old, a child of
forward Parts for her age, very dextrous 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 stay'd 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
cloaths before her, she was able to dress and undress me,
though I never gave her that trouble when she would let
me do either myself. She made me Seven shirts, and some
other Linen of as fine Cloth as could be got, which indeed
was coarser than Sackcloth ; and these she constantly washed
for me with her own hands. She was likewise my School-
mistress to teach me the Language : When I pointed to any
thing, she told me the name of it in her own tongue, so
that in a few days I was able to call for whatever I had a
mind to. She was very good-natur'd, and not above Forty
foot high, being little for her age. She gave me the name
of Grildrig, which the Family took up, and afterwards the
whole Kingdom. The Word imports what the Latins call
CHAr. ii A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 103
Nanunculus, the Italians Homunceletino, and the English
Mannikin. To her I chiefly owe my Preservation in that
countrey : We never parted while I was there ; I called her
my Glumdalclitch, or little Nurse : And I should be guilty
of great Ingratitude if I omitted this honourable mention
of her Care and Affection towards me, which I heartily wish
it lay in my power to requite as she deserves, instead of being
the innocent but unhappy Instrument of her Disgrace, as
I have too much reason to fear.
It now began to be known and talked of in the
neighbourhood, that my Master had found a strange Animal
in the field about the bigness of a Splacknuck, but exactly
shaped in every part like a human creature ; 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 particular friend of
my Master, came on a visit on purpose to enquire into the
Truth of this story. I was immediately produced, and
placed upon a Table, where I walked as I was commanded,
drew my Hanger, put it up again, made my reverence to my
Master's Guest, asked him in his own language how he did,
and told him he was welcome, just as my little Nurse had
instructed me. This Man, who was old and dim-sighted,
put on his Spectacles to behold me better, at which I could
not forbear laughing very heartily, for his Eyes appeared
like the Full-Moon shining into a chamber at Two windows.
Our people, who discovered the cause of my Mirth, bore
me company in Laughing, at which the old Fellow was fool
enough to be angry and out of countenance. He had the
character of a great Miser, and, to my misfortune, he well
deserved it by the cursed advice he gave my Master to shew
me as a Sight upon a Market-Day in the next town, which
was Half an hour's riding, about Two and twenty miles from
io4
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
PART II
our house. I guessed there was some mischief contriving,
when I observed my Master and his Friend whispering long
together, sometimes pointing at me ; and my Fears made
me fancy that I overheard and understood some of their
words. But, the next morning Glumdalclitch my little Nurse
told' me the whole matter, which she had cunningly picked
' / could notforbea?- laughing very heartily, .'
out from her Mother. The poor Girl laid me on her bosom,
and fell a weeping with shame and grief. She apprehended
some mischief would happen to me from rude vulgar
folks, who might squeeze me to death or break one of my
Limbs by taking me in their hands. She had also observed
how modest I was in my nature, how nicely I regarded my
Honour, and what an Indignity I should conceive it to be
Chap, ii A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 105
exposed for Money as a publick Spectacle to the meanest
of the people. She said, her Papa and Mamma had promised
that Grildrig should be hers, but now she found they meant
to serve her as they did last year, when they pretended to
give her a Lamb, and yet, as soon as it was fat, sold it to
a butcher. For my own part, I may truly affirm that I was
less concerned than my Nurse. I had a strong hope which
never left me, that I should one day recover my Liberty ;
and as to the Ignominy of being carried about for a Monster,
I considered myself to be a perfect Stranger in the Countrey,
and that such a Misfortune could never be charged upon
me as a Reproach if ever I should return to England ; since
the King of Great Britain himself, in my condition, must
have undergone the same Distress.
My Master, pursuant to the advice of his Friend, carried
me in a Box the next Market-day to the neighbouring Town,
and took along with him his little daughter 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 to put the Quilt
of her baby's bed into it, for me to lye down on. However,
I was terribly shaken and discomposed in this journey,
though it were but of Half an hour. For the Horse went
about Forty foot at every step, and trotted so high, that the
Agitation was equal to the rising and falling of a Ship in a
great storm, but much more frequent : Our Journey was
somewhat further than from London to St. Albans. My
Master alighted at an Inn which he used to frequent ;
and after consulting a while with the Inn - keeper, and
making some necessary Preparations, he hired the Grnl-
trud, or Oyer, 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 Splacknuck (an Animal in that Countrey
very finely shaped, about Six foot long) and in every
part of the body resembling an human creature, could
speak several words, and perform an hundred diverting
tricks.
106 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
I was placed upon a Table in the largest room of the Inn,
which might be near Three hundred foot 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
croud, would suffer only Thirty People at a time to see me.
I walked about on the table as the Girl commanded ; she
asked me Questions as far as she knew my Understanding of
the language reached, and I answered them as loud as I
could. 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 Glumdalditch 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 part of a Straw, which I exercised as a
Pike, having learned the art in my youth. I was that day
shewn to Twelve Sets of company, and as often forced to go
over again with 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 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 ; other-
wise, 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 satisfaction to see the
young Rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room.
My Master gave publick notice, that he would shew me
again the next Market-day, and in the mean time he pre-
pared 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
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 107
strength ; and that I might have no rest at home, all the
neighbouring Gentlemen from an 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 Countrey was very
populous ;) and my Master demanded the rate of a full room
whenever he shewed 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 their town.
My Master finding how profitable I was like 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 Wife, and upon the 17th of August 1703,
about Two months after my arrival, we set out for the
Metropolis, situated near the middle of that Empire, and
about Three thousand miles distance from our house : My
Master made his Daughter Glumdalditch ride behind him.
She carried me on her Lap in a Box tyed about her Wast.
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 shew me in all the towns by
the way, and to step out of the road for Fifty or an Hundred
miles, to any Village or Person of Quality's house where he
might expect custom. We made easy journies of not above
Seven or Eightscore miles a Day : For Glumdalditch, on
purpose to spare me, complained she was tired with the
trotting of the Horse. She often took me out of my Box at
my own desire, to give me Air, and shew me the Countrey,
but always held me fast by a Leading-string. We passed
over Five or Six Rivers many degrees broader and deeper than
io8
A VOYAGE TO BROBDlNGNAG
PART 11
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 shewn in Eighteen large Towns
besides many Villages and private Families.
She often took mc out of )>iy Box.''
On the 26th Day of October, we arrived at the Metropolis,
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
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 109
hundred foot wide. He provided a Table Sixty foot in
diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and palisadoed
round Three foot from the Edge, and as many high, to
prevent my falling over. I was shewn Ten times a day to
the Wonder and Satisfaction of all people. I could now
speak the language tolerably well, and perfectly understood
every word that was spoken to me. Besides, I had learned
their Alphabet, and could make a shift to explain a Sentence
here and there ; for Glumdalditch had been my Instructer
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.
CHAR 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 provided for the
Author. He is in high Favour with the Queen. He stands up
for the Honour of his own Countrey. His Qicarrels with the Queen's
Dwarf.
The 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 unsatiable he grew. I had
quite lost my Stomach, and was almost reduced to a
Skeleton. The Farmer observed it, and concluding I soon
must dye, resolved to make as good a hand of me as he
could. While he was thus reasoning and resolving with
himself, a Slardral, or Gentleman Usher came from Court,
commanding my Master to carry me immediately 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, Behaviour, and good Sense. Her
Majesty and those who attended her were beyond Measure
delighted with my Demeanor. I fell on my knees, and
begged the honour of kissing her Imperial Foot ; but this
Gracious Princess held out her little Finger towards me
(after I was set on a Table) which I embraced in both my
Arms, and put the tip of it, with the utmost respect, to my
Lip. She made me some general questions about my
Countrey and my Travels, which I answer'd as distinctly
and in as few words as I could. She asked whether I
Put the tip of it, with the -utmost respect, to my Lip.
Copyright 1894 by MacmUlan &■ Co.
ii2 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
would be content to live at Court. I bowed down to the board
of the Table, and humbly answered, that I was my Master's
Slave, bat 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 were 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
Moydores ; but, allowing for the proportion of all things
between that Countrey 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 Majesty's most humble Creature and
Vassal, I must beg the favour, that Glumdalclitch, who had
always tended me with so much care and kindness, and under-
stood to do it so well, might be admitted into her service,
and continue to be my Nurse and Instructor. Her Majesty
agreed to my Petition, and easily got the Farmer's consent,
who was glad enough to have his Daughter preferred at
Court ; and the poor Girl herself was not able to hide her
Joy : My late Master withdrew, bidding me farewell, and
saying he had left me in a good Service ; to which I replied
not a word, only making him a slight bow.
The Queen observed my coldness, and when the Farmer
was gone out of the 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
field ; which Obligation was amply recompenced by the
gain he had made in shewing me through half the Kingdom,
and the price he had now sold me for. That the Life I
had since led, was laborious enough to kill an Animal of
ten times my strength. That my Health was much impaired
by the continual drudgery of entertaining the Rabble every
hour of the day, and that if my Master had not thought my
life in danger, her Majesty, perhaps, would not have got
chap, in A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 113
so cheap a bargain. But as I was out of all fear of being
ill treated under the protection of so great and good an
Empress, the Ornament of Nature, the Darling of the World,
the Delight of her Subjects, the Phoenix of the Creation ;
so, I hoped my late Master's apprehensions would appear
to be groundless, for I already found my Spirits to revive by
the Influence of her most August Presence.
This was the sum of my Speech, delivered with great
Improprieties and Hesitation ; the latter part was altogether
framed in the Style peculiar to that people, whereof I learned
some Phrases from Glumdalclitch, while she was carying me
to Court.
The Queen giving great allowance for my Defectiveness
in speaking, was however surprised at so much Wit and
good Sense in so diminutive an Animal. She took me in her
own hands, 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, how long it was
since she grew fond of a Splack?iuck? 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 hath an infinite
deal of Wit and Humour, set me gently on my feet upon
the scrutore, and commanded me to give His Majesty an
account of myself, which I did in a very few words ; and
Glumdalditch, who attended at the Cabinet door, and could
not endure I should be out of her sight, being admitted,
confirmed all that had passed from my Arrival at her Father's
House.
The King, although he be as learned a Person as any
in his Dominions, and had been educated in the study of
Philosophy, and particularly Mathematicks ; 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 countrey arrived to a very great
1
ii 4 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
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 Glumdaklitch and her Father, who
had taught me a Sett of words to make me sell at a higher
price. Upon this imagination he put several other Questions
to me, and still received rational Answers, no otherwise
defective than by a foreign Accent, and an imperfect
Knowledge in the language, with some rustick 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 their weekly waiting (according to the custom in
that countrey). These Gentlemen, after they had a while
examined my Shape with much nicety, were of different
opinions concerning me. They all agreed, that I could not
be produced according to the regular laws of Nature, because
I was not framed with a capacity of preserving my life, either
by Swiftness, or climbing of Trees, or digging Holes in the
Earth. They observed by my Teeth, which they viewed
with great Exactness, that I was a carnivorous Animal ; yet
most Quadrupeds being an Overmatch for me, and Field-
Mice, with some others, too nimble, they could not imagine
how I should be able to support myself, unless I fed upon
Snails and other Insects, which they offered by many learned
arguments to evince that I could not possibly do. One
of these Virtuosi seemed to think that I might be an Embry,
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 manifested 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 foot high.
chap, in A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 115
After much debate, they concluded unanimously that I was
only Relplum Scalcatk, which is interpreted literally, Lusus
Matura ; a Determination exactly agreeable to the Modern
Philosophy of Europe, whose Professors, disdaining the old
evasion of occult Causes, whereby the Followers of Aristotle
endeavour in vain to disguise their ignorance, have invented
this wonderful Solution of all Difficulties to the unspeakable
advancement of human 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 countrey 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, and to find sustenance, as any of his Majesty's
Subjects could do here ; which I took for a full Answer to
those Gentlemens' 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, dismissing 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 confronted 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 particular
care should be taken of me, and was of opinion, that
Glumdalditch should still continue in her office of tending
me, because he observed we had a great affection for each
other. A convenient Apartment 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 menial offices ; but, the care of me was wholly
appropriated to herself. The Queen commanded her own
Cabinet-maker to contrive a Box that might serve me for
a Bed-chamber, after the Model that Glumdalditch and I
should agree upon. This Man was a most ingenious Artist,
and according to my directions, in Three weeks finished for
n6 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
me a wooden Chamber of Sixteen foot square, and Twelve
high, with Sash Windows, a Door, and Two Closets, like a
London Bed-chamber. The Board that made the Cieling
was to be lifted up and down by Two Hinges, to put in a
Bed ready furnished by her Majesty's Upholsterer, which
Glumdalditch took out every day to air, made it with her own
hands, and letting it down at night, locked up the Roof over
me. A nice Workman, who was famous for little curiosities,
undertook to make me Two Chairs, with Backs and Frames,
of a Substance not unlike Ivory, and Two Tables, with a
Cabinet to put my things in. The Room was quilted on all
sides, as well as the Floor and the Cieling, 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 and Mice from
coming in : The Smith after several Attempts made the
smallest that was ever 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
Glumdalditch might lose it. The Queen likewise ordered the
thinnest Silks that could be gotten, to make me Cloaths, not
much thicker than an English Blanket, very cumbersome till
I was accustomed to them. They were after the fashion of
the Kingdom, partly resembling the Persian, and partly the
Chinese, and are a very grave 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 eat, just at her Left elbow, and
a Chair to sit on. Glumdalditch stood upon a Stool on
the Floor, near my Table, to assist and take care of me. I
had an entire Set of Silver Dishes and Plates, and other
Necessaries, which in proportion to those of the Queen, were
not much bigger than what I have seen of the same kind 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 Princesses
chap, in A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 117
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 diversion was to see me eat in Miniature.
For the Queen (who had indeed but a weak stomach) took
up at one mouthful, as much as a dozen English Farmers
could eat at a meal, which to me was for some time a very
nauseous sight. ■ She would craunch the Wing of a Lark,
bones and all, between her teeth, although it were Nine
times as large as that of a full grown Turkey ; and put a bit
of Bread in her mouth, as big as Two Twelvepenny Loaves.
She drank out of a golden Cup, above a Hogshead at a
draught. Her Knives were twice as long as a Scythe set
strait upon the handle ; the Spoons, Forks, and other
Instruments were all in the same proportion. I remember
when Glumdalditch carried me out of curiosity to see some
of the Tables at Court, where Ten or a Dozen of these
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
before observed, was their Sabbath) the King and Queen,
with the Royal Issue of both sexes, dine together in the
apartment of his Majesty, to whom I was now become a
great Favourite ; and at these Times my little Chair and
Table were placed at his Left hand before one of the Salt-
sellers. This Prince took a pleasure in conversing with me,
enquiring into the Manners, Religion, Laws, Government,
and Learning of Europe, wherein I gave him the best
account I was able. His Apprehension was so clear, and his
Judgment so exact, that he made very wise Reflexions and
Observations upon all I said. But, I confess, that after I
had been a little too copious in talking of my own beloved
Countrey, of our Trade, and Wars by Sea and Land, of 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 stroaking me gently with
the other, after an hearty Fit of laughing, asked me whether I
n8
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
were a Whig or a Tory. Then turning to his First Minister,
who waited behind him with a White staff, near as tall as the
' Twning to his First Minister.'
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &• Co.
Main-mast of the Royal Soverain ; he observed how con-
temptible a Thing was human Grandeur, which could be
mimicked by such diminutive insects as I : And yet, said he,
chap, in A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 119
I dare engage, these Creatures have their Titles and Distinc-
tions of Honour, they contrive little Nests and Burrows, that
they call Houses and Cities ; they make a figure in Dress
and Equipage ; they love, they fight, they dispute, they
cheat, they betray. And thus he continued on, while my
colour came and went several times with indignation to hear
our noble Countrey, 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 were
injured or no. For, after having been accustomed several
months to the sight and converse of this people, and
observed every object upon which I cast mine eyes to be of
proportionable Magnitude, the Horror I had first conceived
from their Bulk and Aspect was so far worn off, that if I
had then beheld a company of English Lords and Ladies in
their Finery and Birth-day Cloaths, 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 this 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 nothing be
more ridiculous than the Comparison : So that I really began
to imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size.
Nothing angred and mortified me so much as the
Queen's Dwarf, who being of the lowest stature that was ever
in that countrey (for I verily think he was not full Thirty foot
high) became insolent at seeing a Creature so much beneath
him, that he would always affect to swagger and look big as
he passed by me in the Queen's Antichamber, while I was
standing on some Table talking with the Lords or Ladies of
the Court, and he seldom failed of a small word or two upon
120 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
my Littleness ; against which I could only revenge myself by
calling him Brother, challenging him to wrestle, and such
Repartees as are usual in the mouths of Court Pages. One
day at dinner this malicious little Cubb was so nettled with
something I had said to him, that raising himself upon the
Frame of her Majesty's Chair, he took me up by the middle,
as I was sitting down, not thinking any harm, and let me
drop into a large Silver Bowl of Cream, and then ran away as
fast as he could. I fell over head and ears, and if I had not
been a good swimmer, it might have gone very hard with
me ; for Glumdalditch in that instant happened to be at the
other end of the room, and the Queen was in such a Fright
that she wanted Presence of mind to assist me. But my
little Nurse ran to my relief, and took me out, after I had
swallowed above a Quart of Cream. I was put to bed ;
however I received no other damage than the loss of a Suit of
Cloaths, which was utterly spoiled. The Dwarf was soundly
whipped, and as a further 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 to 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 resentment.
He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the
Queen a laughing, although at the same time she were
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
Glu?ndalclitch was gone to the side-board, mounted upon the
Stool 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 Waste, where I stuck for
some time, and made a very ridiculous figure. I believe it
was near a minute before any one knew what was become of
CHAP. Ill
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
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 had no other punishment than a sound
Whipping.
I was frequently rallied by the Queen upon account of my
' A scurvy trick.'
Fearfulness, and she used to ask me whether the People of
my countrey were as great Cowards as myself. The occasion
was this. The Kingdom is much pestered with Flies in
summer, and these odious Insects, each of them as big as a
Dunstable Lark, hardly gave me any rest while I sat at dinner,
with their continual humming and buzzing about mine ears.
They would sometimes alight upon my victuals. Sometimes
122 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
they would fix upon my Nose or Forehead, where they
stung me to the quick, smelling very offensively, and I could
easily trace that viscous matter, which our Naturalists tell us
enables those Creatures to walk with their feet upwards upon
Came flying into the room.'
a cieling. I had much ado to defend myself against these
detestable Animals, and could not forbear starting when they
came on my face. It was the common practice of the Dwarf
to catch a number of these Insects in his hand, as School-
chap, in A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 123
boys 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 pieces with my Knife as they flew in the
air, wherein my Dexterity was much admired.
I remember one morning when Glumdaklitch had set me
in my box upon a Window, as she usually did in fair days to
give me air (for I durst not venture to let the Box be hung
on a Nail out of the Window, as we do with Cages in
England) after I had lifted up one of my Sashes, and sat
down at my table to eat a piece of Sweet Cake for my
Breakfast, above Twenty Wasps, allured by the smell, came
flying into the room, humming louder than the Drones of as
many Bagpipes. Some of them seized my Cake, and carried
it piece-meal away, others flew about my Head and Face,
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 Creatures were as large
as Partridges, I took out their Stings, found them an Inch
and a Half long, and as sharp as Needles. I carefully
preserved them all, and having since shewn them with some
other curiosities in several parts of Europe ; upon my return
to England I gave Three of them to Greskam College, and
kept the Fourth for myself.
CHAP. IV
The Countrey 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.
I now intend to give the reader a short Description of this
countrey, as far as I travelled in it, which was not above
Two thousand miles round Lorbrulgrud the Metropolis. For,
the Queen, whom I always attended, never went further
when she accompanied the King in his Progresses, and there
staid till his Majesty returned from viewing his Frontiers.
The whole Extent of this Prince's dominions reaching about
Six thousand miles in Length, and from Three to Five in
Breadth. From whence I cannot but conclude that our
Geographers of Europe are in a great error, by supposing
nothing but Sea between Japan and California ; for it was
ever my opinion, that there must be a balance of earth to
counterpoise the great Continent of Tartary ; and therefore
they ought to correct their Maps and Charts, by joining this
vast Tract of Land to the North-west parts of America,
wherein I shall be ready to lend them my assistance.
The Kingdom is a Peninsula, terminated to the North-
east by a Ridge of Mountains Thirty miles high, which are
altogether impassable by reason of the Volcanoes upon the
tops. Neither do the most Learned know what sort of
mortals inhabit beyond those mountains, or whether they be
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 125
inhabited at all. On the Three other sides it is bounded by
the Ocean. There is not one Seaport in the whole Kingdom,
and those Parts of the Coasts into which the Rivers issue are
so full of pointed Rocks, and the Sea generally so rough, that
there is no venturing with the smallest of their Boats, so
that these people are wholly excluded from any Commerce
with the rest of the world. But the large Rivers are full of
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 extraordinary 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 Lorbrulgrud : I saw one of them in a
Dish at the King's Table, which passed for a Rarity, but I
did not observe he was fond of it ; for I think indeed the
Bigness disgusted him, although I have seen one somewhat
larger in Greenland.
The Country is well inhabited, for it contains Fifty-one
Cities, near an 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 Glongluns (which make about Fifty-four English Miles)
and Two and a half 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 an Hundred
Feet ; I paced the Diameter and Circumference several times
barefoot, and computing by the Scale, measured it pretty
exactly.
126 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
The King's Palace is no regular Edifice, but an heap of
Buildings about Seven miles round : The chief Rooms are
generally Two hundred and Forty foot high, and broad and
long in proportion. A Coach was allowed to Ghwidalclitch
and me, wherein her Governess frequently took her out to see
the town, or go among the shops ; and I was always of the
party, carried in my Box ; although the Girl at my own desire
would often take me out, and hold me in her hand, that I
might more conveniently view the Houses and the People
as we passed along the Streets. I reckoned our Coach to
be about a Square of Westminster-Hall, but not altogether
so high ; however, I cannot be very exact. One day the
Governess ordered our Coachman to stop at several Shops,
where the Beggars, watching their opportunity, crouded to
the sides of the Coach, and gave me the most horrible
Spectacles that ever an English Eye beheld.
Beside the large Box in which I was usually carried, the
Queen ordered a smaller one to be made for me, of about
Twelve foot 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 I directed in the whole
contrivance. This travelling Closet was an exact Square with
a Window in the middle of Three of the Squares, and each
Window was latticed with Iron Wire on the outside, to
prevent accidents in long journies. On the fourth side,
which had no Window, two strong Staples were fixed,
through which the Person that carried me, when I had a
mind to be on horseback, put in a Leathern Belt, and
buckled it about his Waste. 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 the Gardens, or pay a visit to some great
Lady or Minister of State in the Court, when Glumdalclitch
happened to be out of order : For I soon began to be known
and esteemed among the greatest Officers, I suppose more
upon account of their Majesty's Favour than any Merit of
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
127
my own. In journies, when I was weary of the Coach, a
Servant on horseback would buckle my Box, and place it on
a Cushion before him ; and there I had a full Prospect of the
Countrey on Three Sides from my Three Windows. I had
in this Closet a Field-bed and a Hammock hung from the
Cieling, 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-
' The People were very curious.'
Voyages, those Motions, although sometimes very violent, did
not much discompose me.
Whenever I had a mind to see the Town, it was always
in my Travelling-Closet, which Glumdalditch held in her Lap
in a kind of open Sedan, after the fashion of the countrey,
born by Four Men, and attended by Two others in the
128 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
Queen's Livery. The People who had often heard of me,
were very curious to croud about the Sedan, and the Girl
was complaisant enough to make the Bearers stop, and to
take me in her hand that I might be more conveniently
I was very desirous to see the chief Temple, and particu-
larly the Tower belonging to it, which is 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 foot, and 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 Nation to which during my life I shall
acknowledge myself extremely obliged, it must be allowed
that whatever this famous Tower wants in Height is amply
made up in Beauty and Strength. For the Walls are near an
Hundred foot thick, built of hewn Stone, whereof each is
about Forty foot square, and adorned on all sides with Statues
of Gods and Emperors cut in Marble larger than the Life,
placed in their several Niches. I measured a Little finger
which had fallen down from one of these Statues, and lay
unperceived among some rubbish, and found it exactly Four
foot and an inch in length. Glumdalclitch wrapped it up in
a 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 foot high. The great Oven is not
so wide by Ten paces as the Cupola at St. Paul's : For I
measured the latter on purpose after my return. But if I
should describe the Kitchen-grate, the prodigious Pots and
Kettles, the joints of Meat turning on the Spits, with many
other particulars, perhaps I should be hardly believed ■ at
least a severe Critick would be apt to think I enlarged a little,
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 129
as Travellers are often suspected to do. To avoid which
censure, I fear I have run too much into the other extream ;
and that if this Treatise should happen to be translated into
the Language of Brobdingnag (which is the general name of
that Kingdom) and transmitted thither, the King and his
People would have reason to complain that I had done them
an injury by a false and diminutive Representation.
His Majesty seldom keeps above Six hundred Horses in his
Stables : They are generally from Fifty-four to Sixty foot high.
But, when he goes abroad on solemn days, he is attended for
state by a Militia Guard of five hundred Horse, which indeed
I thought was the most splendid Sight that could be ever
beheld, till I saw part of his Army in Battalia, whereof I shall
find another occasion to speak.
CHAR V
Several Adventures that happened to the Author. The Execution of a
Criminal. The Author shews his Skill in Navigation.
I should have lived happy enough in that countrey, 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 those Gardens, and my Nurse having set me
down, he and I being close together, near some Dwarf Apple-
trees, I must need shew my Wit by a silly Allusion between
him and the Trees, which happens to hold in their language
as it doth in ours. Whereupon, the malicious Rogue watch-
ing 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, and knocked me down flat on my face ; but I
received no other hurt, and the Dwarf was pardoned at my
desire, because I had given the Provocation.
Another day Gktfn'dalclitch left me on a smooth Grass-plot
to divert myself while she walked at some distance with her
Governess. In the mean time there suddenly fell such a
violent shower of Hail, that I was immediately by the force
CHAP. V
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
131
of it struck to the ground : And when I was down, the Hail-
stones 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 Four, and shelter myself by lying flat on my face
' One of them hit me on the back.'
on the Lee -side of a border of Lemmon 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 Countrey observing the same proportion
1 32 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
through all her operations, a Hail-stone 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
of the Garden with her Governess and some Ladies of her
acquaintance. While she was absent and out of hearing, a
small white Spaniel belonging to one of the chief Gardiners,
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 strait to his
Master, wagging his tail, and set me gently on the ground.
By good fortune he had been so well taught, that I was carried
between his Teeth without the least hurt, or even tearing
my clothes. But, the poor Gardiner, 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 re-
turned to the Place where she left me, and was in cruel agonies
when I did not appear, nor answer when she called ; she
severely reprimanded the Gardiner 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 Glumdalditch never
to trust me abroad for the future out of her sight. I had
been long afraid of this Resolution, and therefore concealed
from her some little unlucky Adventures that happened in
those times when I was left by myself. Once a Kite hovering
CHAP. V
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
over the Garden made a stoop at me, and if I had not resol-
utely 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 Mole-hill, I fell to my neck
in the hole through which that Animal had cast up the earth,
and coined some Lye not worth remembring, to excuse my-
' Broke my Right shin against the shell of a Snail.'
self for spoiling my cloaths. 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 distance, looking for worms, and other food with
m
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
as much Indifference and Security as if no creature at all were
near them. I remember, a Thrush had the confidence to
snatch out of my hand with his Bill a piece of Cake that
Glumdalclitch had just given me for my breakfast. When I
attempted to catch any of these Birds, they would boldly turn
against me, endeavouring to pick my fingers, which I durst
not venture within their reach ; and then they would turn
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.
One day, a young Gentleman who was Nephew to my Nurse's
Governess, came and pressed them both to see an Execution.
It was of a Man who had' murdered one of that Gentleman's
intimate acquaintance. 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 the purpose, and his Head cut off at a blow with a Sword
of about Forty foot long. The Veins and Arteries spouted
up such a prodigious quantity of blood, and so high in the
air, that the great Jett 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.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
135
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 understood how to handle a
' Gave me a Gale with their Fans.
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &• Co.
Sail or an Oar, and whether a little exercise of Rowing might
not be convenient for my health. I answered, that I under-
stood both very well. For although my proper Employment
had been to be Surgeon or Doctor to the Ship, yet often
136 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG tart ii
upon a pinch, I was forced to work like a common Mariner.
But, I could not see how this could be done in their countrey,
where the smallest Wherry was equal to a First rate Man of War
among us, and such a Boat as I could manage would never
live in any of their Rivers : Her Majesty said, if I would con-
trive a Boat, her own Joyner should make it, and she would
provide a place for me to sail in. The Fellow was an
ingenious Workman, and by my instructions in Ten days
finished a Pleasure-boat with all its Tackling, able conveniently
to hold Eight Europeans. When it was finished, the Queen
was so delighted, that she ran with it in her Lap to the King,
who ordered it to be put in a Cistern full of Water, with me in
it, by way of tryal, where I could not manage my two Sculls
or little Oars for want of room. But, the Queen had before
contrived another Project. She ordered the Joyner to make a
wooden Trough of Three hundred foot 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 ; and when they were weary, some of the Pages would
blow my Sail forward with their breath, while I shewed my
Art by steering Starboard or Larboard as I pleased. When. I
had done, Glnmdaklitch always carried back my Boat into her
Closet, and hung it on a Nail to dry.
In this exercise I once met an accident which had like to
have cost me my life. For, one of the Pages having put my
Boat into the Trough, the Governess who attended Glwndal-
ditch, very officiously lifted me up to place me in the Boat, but
I happened to slip through her Fingers, and should have infal-
libly fallen down Forty foot upon the Floor, if by the luckiest
chance in the world, I had not been stopp'd by a Corking-
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
137
pin that stuck in the good Gentlewoman's Stomacher ; the
Head of the Pin passed between my Shirt and the Waste-band
of my Breeches, and thus I was held by the middle in the air
till Glwndahiitch ran to my relief.
' The Frog climbed up.''
Another time, one of the Servants, whose Office it was to
fill my Trough every Third day with fresh Water, was so
careless to let a huge Frog (not perceiving it) slip out of his
Pail. The Frog lay concealed till I was put into my Boat,
but then seeing a resting Place, climbed up, and made it lean
138 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
so much on one side, that I was forced to balance it with all
my weight on the other, to prevent overturning. When the
Frog was got in, it hopped at once Half the length of the Boat,
and then over my Head, backwards and forwards, dawbing
my Face and Clothes with its odious Slime. The largeness
of its Features made it appear the most deformed Animal
that can be conceived. However, I desired Glumdalclitch to
let me deal with it alone. I banged it a good while with one
of my Sculls, and at last forced it to leap out of the Boat.
But, the greatest Danger I ever underwent in that kingdom,
was from a Monkey, who belonged to one of the Clerks
of the Kitchen. Glumdalclitch had locked me up in . her
Closet, while she went somewhere upon business or a visit.
The Weather being very warm, the Closet Window was left
open, as well as the Windows and the Door of my bigger
Box, in which I usually lived, because of its Largeness and
Conveniency. As I sat quietly 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 ventured to look out, but stirred not 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,
grinning, and chattering, he at last espyed me, and reaching
one of his paws in at the door, as a Cat does when she plays
with a Mouse, although I often shifted place to avoid him, he
at length caught hold of the Lappet of my Coat (which being
made of that Countrey Cloth, 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
CHAP. V
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
139
hard, that I thought it more prudent to submit. I have good
reason to believe that he took me for a young one of his own
Species, by his often stroaking my Face very gently with his
other paw. In these Diversions he was interrupted by a
II e dragged me ozet.'
Noise at the Closet Door, as if some body were opening it ;
whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the Window at which
he had come in, and thence upon the Leads and Gutters,
walking upon Three Legs, and holding me in the fourth, till
he clamber'd up to a Roof that was next to ours. I heard
140 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part 11
Glumdalclitch give a shreek 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, holding me like a Baby
in one of his Fore-paws, and feeding 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 I
would not eat ; whereat many of the Rabble below could not
forbear laughing ; neither do I think they justly ought to be
blamed, for without question the Sight was ridiculous enough
to everybody but myself. Some of the people threw up
Stones, hoping to drive the Monkey down ; but this was
strictly forbidden, or else very probably my Brains had been
dashed out.
The Ladders were now applied, and mounted by several
Men, which the Monkey observing, and finding himself almost
encompassed ; not being able to make speed enough with his
Three legs, let me drop on a ridge Tyle, and made his
escape. Here I sat for some time Three hundred Yards
from the ground, expecting every moment to be blown
down by the Wind, or to fall by my own Giddiness, and come
tumbling over and over from the Ridge to the Eeves. 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 Animal, that I was forced to keep my bed a Fortnight.
The King, Queen and all the Court sent every day to enquire
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.
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
141
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 asked 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 sharpned my Stomach.
He desired to know what I would have done upon such an
occasion in my own Countrey. I told his Majesty, that in
Europe we had no Monkeys, except such as were brought for
Curiosities from other places, and so small, that I could deal
with a dozen of them together, if they presumed to attack me.
And as for that monstrous Animal with whom I was so lately
engaged (it was indeed as large as an Elephant) if my Fears
had suffered me to think so far as to make use of my Hanger
(looking fiercely and clapping my Hand upon the Hilt as I
spoke) when he poked his Paw into my Chamber, perhaps I
should have given 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. How-
ever, my Speech produced nothing else besides a loud
Laughter, 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
doing 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 return, 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 Glumdalditch, 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
142 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
miles from town. They alighted out of the Coach near a
small Foot-path in a Field, and G'himdalditch setting down
my Travelling box, I went out of it to walk. There was a
Cow-dung in the path, and I must needs 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 Hand-
kerchief ; for I was filthily bemired, and my Nurse confined
me to my Box till we returned home ; where the Queen was
soon informed of what had passed, and the Footmen spread
it about the Court, so that all the Mirth, for some days, was
at my expence.
CHAP. VI
Several Contrivances of the Author to please the King and Queen. He
shews his Skill in Mustek. The King enquires into the State of
Europe, which the Author relates to him. The King s Observations
thereon.
I used to attend the King's Levee once or twice a week, and
had often seen him under the Barber's hand, which indeed
was at first very terrible to behold. For, the Razor was
almost twice as long as an ordinary Scythe. His Majesty
according to the custom of the countrey 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 distance 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 towards
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 countrey so nice and exact, as would undertake
to make me another.
And this puts me in mind of an Amusement wherein I
spent many of my leisure hours. I desired the Queen's
Woman to save for me the Combings of her Majesty's
Hair, whereof in time I got a good quantity, and consulting
144 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
with my Friend the Cabinet-maker, who had received
general orders to do little jobbs for me ; I directed him to
make Two Chair-frames, no larger than those I had in my
Box, and then 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 shew them for
Curiosities, as indeed they were the wonder of every one that
beheld them. The Queen would have had me sit upon one of
these Chairs, but I absolutely refused to obey her, protesting
I would rather die a thousand deaths than place a dis-
honourable part of my body on those precious Hairs that
once adorned her Majesty's Head. Of these Hairs (as I had
always a Mechanical Genius) I likewise made a neat little
Purse about Five foot long, with her Majesty's Name de-
cyphered in Gold Letters, which I gave to Glumdalditch, by
the Queen's consent. To say the truth, it was more for
Shew 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 Musick, had frequent Con-
sorts 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 places 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 Musick not disagreeable.
I had learned in my youth to play a little upon the
Spinet. Glumdalditch kept one in her chamber, and a
Master attended Twice a week to teach her : I call it a
Spinet, because it somewhat resembled that Instrument, and
CHAP. VI
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
145
was play'd upon in the same manner. A fancy came into my
head that I would entertain the King and Queen with an
English Tune upon this Instrument. But this appeared
extremely difficult : For, the Spinet was near Sixty foot long,
' The King had/7-equent Consorts at court.'
each Key being almost a Foot wide, so that, with my Arms
extended, I could not reach to above Five keys, and to press
them down required a good smart stroak 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
i 4 6 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
about the bigness of common Cudgels, they were thicker at
one end than the other, and I covered the thicker ends with
a piece 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
foot 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 Jigg, 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 Treble 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 Closet.
He would then command me to bring one of my Chairs out
of the Box, and sit down within Three yards distance upon
the top of the cabinet, which brought me almost to a level
with his face. In this manner I had several conversations
with him. I one day took the freedom to tell his Majesty,
that the Contempt he discovered towards Europe^ and the
rest of the world, did not seem answerable to those excellent
Qualities of the Mind he was Master of. That, Reason did
not extend itself with the bulk of the Body : On the contrary,
we observed in our countrey that the Tallest persons were
usually least provided with it. That among other Animals,
Bees and Ants had the reputation of more Industry, Art, and
Sagacity than many of the larger kinds. And that, as
inconsiderable as he took me to be, I hoped I might live to
do his Majesty some signal service. The King heard me
with attention, and began to conceive a much 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
possibly could ; because, as fond as Princes commonly are of
their own Customs (for so he conjectured of other Monarchs
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 147
by my former discourses) he should be glad to hear of any
thing that might deserve imitation.
Imagine with thyself, courteous Reader, how often I then
wished for the tongue of Demosthenes or Cicero, that might
have enabled me to celebrate the Praises of my own dear
native Countrey in a Stile 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 Sovereign, besides our Plant-
ations in America. I dwelt long upon the Fertility of our
Soil, and the Temperature of our Climate. I then spoke at
large upon the Constitution of an English Parliament, partly
made up of an illustrious Body called the House of Peers,
Persons of the noblest Blood, and of the most ancient and
ample Patrimonies. I described that extraordinary Care
always taken of their Education in Arts and Arms, to qualify
them for being Counsellors born to the King and Kingdom,
to have a share in the Legislature, to be Members of the
highest Court of Judicature from whence there could be no
Appeal ; and to be Champions always ready for the defence
of their Prince and Countrey by their Valour, Conduct and
Fidelity. That these were the Ornament and Bulwark of
the kingdom, worthy Followers of their most renowned
Ancestors, whose Honour had been the Reward 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 instruct the people therein. These were searched and
sought out through the whole Nation, by the Prince and his
wisest Counsellors, among such of the Priesthood as were
most deservedly distinguished by the Sanctity of their Lives,
and the Depth of their Erudition ; who were indeed the
spiritual Fathers of the Clergy and the People.
That, the other part of the Parliament consisted of an
148 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part 11
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
Countrey, to represent the Wisdom of the whole Nation.
And, these Two Bodies make up the most august Assembly
in Europe, to whom, in conjunction with the Prince, the
whole Legislature is committed.
I then descended to the Courts of Justice, over which the
Judges, those venerable Sages and Interpreters of the Law,
presided, for determining the disputed Rights and Properties
of Men, as well as for the Punishment of Vice, and Protection
of Innocence. I mentioned the prudent Management of
our Treasury ; the Valour and Atchievements of our Forces
by Sea and Land. I computed the Number of our People,
by reckoning how many Millions there might be of each
Religious 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 Countrey.
And, I finished all with a brief historical account of Affairs
and Events in England for about an Hundred years past.
This Conversation was not ended under Five Audiences,
each of several hours, and the King heard the whole with
great attention, frequently taking Notes of what I spoke, as
well as Memorandums of several 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 Nobility, 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 Qualifications
were necessary in those who were to be created new Lords ?
Whether the Humour of the Prince, a Sum of Money to a
aifhRKiif ;■-
\i §!vgi,> - ■-' I Vr-' 'if. ;
-fiT/j Majesty proposed 'many Doubts.
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &■ Co.
iSo A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
Court-Lady, or a Prime Minister, or a Design of strengthning
a Party opposite to the publick Interest, ever happened to
be motives in those Advancements ? What Share of Know-
ledge these Lords had in the Laws of their Countrey, and
how they came by it, so as to enable them to decide the
Properties of their Fellow-subjects in the last Resort ? Whether
they were always so free from Avarice, Partialities, or Want,
that a Bribe, or some other sinister View, could have no
place among them ? Whether those holy Lords I spoke of
were always promoted to that Rank upon account of their
Knowledge in religious Matters, and the Sanctity of their
Lives, had never been Compilers 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 practised in
electing those whom I called Commoners : Whether, a
Stranger with a strong Purse might not influence the vulgar
Voters to chuse him before their own Landlord, or the most
considerable Gentleman 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
Expence, often to the Ruin of their Families, without any
Salary or Pension ? Because this appeared such an exalted
strain of Virtue and publick 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 Charges and
Trouble they were at, by sacrificing the publick Good to the
Designs of a weak and vicious Prince in conjunction with a
corrupted Ministry. He multiplied his Questions, and sifted
me thoroughly upon every part of this Head, proposing
numberless Enquiries and Objections, which I think it not
prudent or convenient to repeat.
Upon what I said in relation to our Courts of Justice, his
Majesty desired to be satisfied in several points : And, this I
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 151
was the better able to do, having been formerly almost ruined
by a long Suit in Chancery, which was decreed for me with
Costs. He asked, What Time was usually spent in deter-
mining between Right and Wrong, and what degree of Expence.
Whether Advocates and Orators had liberty to plead in
Causes manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive.
Whether Party in Religion of Politicks were observed to be of
any weight in the Scale of Justice. Whether those pleading
Orators were persons educated in the general Knowledge of
Equity, or only in provincial, national, and other local Customs.
Whether they or their Judges had any part in penning
those Laws which they assumed the Liberty of interpreting
and glossing upon at their pleasure. Whether they had
ever at different times pleaded for and against the same
Cause, and cited Precedents to prove contrary Opinions.
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 the Management of our Treasury ; and
said, he thought my Memory had failed me, because I computed
our Taxes at about Five or Six millions a year, and when I came
to mention the Issues, he found they sometimes amounted to
more than double ; for, the notes he had taken were very par-
ticular in this point, because he hoped, as he told me, that the
Knowledge of our Conduct might be useful to him, and he could
not be deceived in his Calculations. But, if what I told him
were true, he was still at a loss how a Kingdom could run out
of its Estate like a private Person. He asked me, who were
our Creditors ? and, where we should find money to pay them ?
He wondred to hear me talk of such chargeable and extensive
Wars ; that, certainly we must be a quarrelsome People, or
live among very bad Neighbours, and that our Generals must
needs be richer than our Kings. He asked what business
we had out of our own Islands, unless upon the Score of
Trade or Treaty, or to defend the Coasts with our Fleet.
Above all, he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary
152 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
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 private Man's House
might not better be defended by himself, his Children, and
Family, than by half a dozen Rascals picked up at a venture
in the Streets, for small Wages, who might get an Hundred
times more by cutting their Throats.
He laughed at my odd kind of Arithmetick (as he was
pleased to call it) in reckoning the Numbers of our people
by a Computation drawn from the several Sects among us in
Religion and Politicks. He said, he knew no reason, why
those who entertain Opinions prejudicial to the Publick,
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
second : For, a Man may be allowed to keep Poisons in his
closet, but not to vend them about for Cordials.
He observed, that among the Diversions of our Nobility
and Gentry, I had mentioned Gaming. He desired to know at
what Age this entertainment was usually taken up, and when it
was laid down. How much of their Time it employed, whether
it ever went so high as to affect their Fortunes. Whether
mean vicious People by their Dexterity in that Art might not
arrive at great Riches, and sometimes keep our very Nobles
in Dependance, as well as habituate them to vile Companions,
wholly take them from the Improvement of their minds, and
force them by the Losses they have received, to learn and
practise that infamous Dexterity upon others.
He was perfectly astonished with the historical Account I
gave him of our Affairs during the last Century, protesting it
was only an heap of Conspiracies, Rebellions, Murders,
Massacres, Revolutions, Banishments, the very worst Effects
that Avarice, Faction, Hypocrisy, Perfidiousness, Cruelty,
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 153
Rage, Madness, Hatred, Envy, Lust, Malice, or Ambition
could produce.
His Majesty in another Audience was at the pains to
recapitulate the Sum of all I had spoken, compared the
Questions he made with the Answers I had given ; then
taking me into his hands, and stroaking 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 Panegyrick upon your Countrey :
You have clearly proved that Ignorance, Idleness and Vice
may be sometimes the only Ingredients for qualifying a
Legislator ; that Laws are best explained, interpreted, and
applied, by those whose Interest and Abilities lye in perverting,
confounding, and eluding them. I observe among you some
Lines of an Institution, which in its Original might have been
tolerable, but these half erased, and the rest wholly blurred
and blotted by Corruptions. It doth not appear from all you
have said, how any one Virtue is required towards the pro-
curement 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 Countrey, 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
Countrey. 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
Vermin that Nature ever suffered to crawl upon the Surface
of the Earth.
CHAP. VII
The Author's Love of his Countrey. He makes a Proposal of much
advantage to the King, which is j'ejected. The King's great Ignorance
in Politicks. The Learning of that Countrey very imperfect and
confined. The Laws, and military Affairs, and Parties in the
State.
Nothing but an extreme Love of Truth could have hindred
me from concealing this part of my story. It was in vain to
discover my Resentments, which were always turned into
ridicule ; and I was forced to rest with patience while my
noble and most beloved Countrey was so injuriously treated.
I am 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 born that laudable
Partiality to my own Countrey, which Dionysius Halicarnassensis
with so much justice recommends to an Historian. I would
hide the Frailties and Deformities 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.
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 155
But, great allowances should be given to a King who lives
wholly secluded from the rest of the world, and must there-
fore 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
hard indeed, if so remote a Prince's Notions of Virtue and
Vice were to be offered as a Standard for all Mankind.
To confirm what I have now said, and further to shew the
miserable Effects of a confined Education, I shall here insert
a Passage which will hardly obtain Belief. In hopes to
ingratiate myself farther 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 an heap of which
the smallest spark of Fire falling, would kindle the whole in
a Moment, although it were as big as a Mountain, and make
it all fly up in the air together, with a Noise and Agita-
tion greater than Thunder. That, a proper quantity of
this Powder rammed into an hollow Tube of Brass or Iron,
according to its Bigness, would drive a Ball of Iron or Lead
with such a Violence and Speed as nothing was able to
sustain its Force. That the largest Balls thus discharged,
would not only destroy whole Ranks of an Army at once, but
batter the strongest Walls to the ground, sink down Ships
with a Thousand Men in each, to the bottom of the Sea;
and when linked together by a Chain, would cut through
Masts and Rigging, divide Hundreds of Bodies in the middle,
and lay all waste before them. That we often put this
Powder into large hollow Balls of Iron, and discharged them
by an Engine into some City we were besieging, which would
rip up the Pavements, tear the Houses to pieces, burst and
throw Splinters on every side, dashing out the Brains of all
who came near. That I knew the Ingredients very well,
which were cheap, and common ; I understood the manner
of compounding them, and could direct his Workmen how to
make those Tubes of a Size proportionable to all other things
156 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
in his Majesty's Kingdom, and the largest need not to be
above an Hundred foot long ; Twenty or Thirty of which
Tubes charged with the proper quantity 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 of so many Marks that I had
receiv'd of his Royal Favour and Protection.
The King was struck with Horror at the description I had
given of those terrible Engines, and the Proposal I had made.
He was amazed how so impotent and groveling an Insect as
I (these were his Expressions) could entertain such inhuman
Ideas, and in so familiar a manner as to appear wholly
unmoved at all the Scenes of Blood and Desolation, which I
had painted as the common Effects of those destructive
Machines, whereof he said, some evil Genius, Enemy to
Mankind, must have been the first Contriver. As for himself,
he protested, that altho' few things delighted him so much as
new Discoveries in Art or in Nature, yet he would rather lose
half his Kingdom than be privy to such a Secret, which he
commanded me, as I valued my life, never to mention any
more.
A strange Effect of narrow Principles and short Views!
that a Prince possessed of every Quality which procures
Veneration, Love and Esteem ; of strong Parts, great Wisdom
and profound Learning, endued with admirable Talents' for
Government, and almost adored by his Subjects, should from
a nice unnecessary Scruple, whereof in Europe we can have no
conception, let slip an Opportunity put into his hands, that
would have made him absolute Master of the Lives, the
liberties, and the Fortunes of his People. Neither do I say
this with the • least Intention to detract from the many
Virtues of 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
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO BROBUINGNAG 157
them to have risen from their Ignorance, they not having
hitherto reduced Politicks into a Science, as the more acute
Wits of Europe have done. For, I remember very well, in a
Discourse one day with the King, when I happened to say
there were several Thousand Books among us written upon
the Art of Government, it gave him (directly contrary to my
intention) a very mean opinion of our Understandings. He
professed both to abominate and despise all Mystery,
Refinement, and Intrigue, either in a Prince or a Minister.
He could not tell what L meant by Secrets of State, where an
Enemy or some rival Nation were not in the Case. He
confined the Knowledge of governing within very narrow
Boimds ; to common Sense and Reason, to Justice and
Lenity, to the speedy Determination of civil and criminal
Causes ; with some other obvious Topicks which are not
worth considering. And, he gave it for his Opinion, that
whoever could make Two Ears of Corn, or Two Blades of
Grass to grow upon a Spot of ground where only one grew
before, would deserve better of Mankind, and do more
essential Service to his Countrey, than the whole Race of
Politicians put together.
The Learning of this people is very defective, consisting
only in Morality, History, Poetry and Mathematicks, wherein
they must be allowed to excel. But, the last of these is
wholly applied to what may be useful in life, to the improve-
ment of Agriculture and all mechanical Arts ; so that among
us it would be little esteemed. And as to Ideas, Entities,
Abstractions and Transcendentals, I could never drive the
least Conception into their heads.
No Law of that Countrey must exceed in Words the
number of Letters in their Alphabet, which consists only in
Two and twenty. But indeed, few of them extend even to
that Length. They are expressed in the most plain and
simple terms, wherein those People are not mercurial enough
to discover above one Interpretation. And to write a
Comment upon any Law is a capital Crime. As to the
158 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part 11
Decision of civil Causes, or Proceedings against Criminals,
their Precedents are so few, that they have little reason to
boast of any extraordinary Skill in either.
They have had the Art of Printing, as well as the Chinese,
time out of mind. But their Libraries are not very large ;
for that of the King's, which is reckoned the biggest, doth
not amount to above a Thousand Volumes, placed in a
Gallery of Twelve hundred foot long, from whence I had
liberty to borrow what books I pleased. The Queen's
Joyner had contrived in one of GlumdalclitcKs rooms a kind
of wooden Machine Five and twenty foot high, formed like a
standing Ladder, the Steps were each Fifty foot long : It was
indeed a moveable pair of Stairs, the lowest end placed at
Ten foot distance from the Wall of the Chamber. The book
I had a mind to read was put up leaning against the Wall.
I first mounted to the upper Step of the Ladder, and turning
my face towards the Book, began at the top of the Page, and
so walking to the Right and Left about Eight or Ten paces
according to the Length of the lines, till I had gotten a little
below the level of mine eyes, and then descending gradually
till I came to the bottom : After which I mounted again, and
began the other Page in the same 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 Past- board, and in the
largest Folios not above Eighteen or Twenty foot long.
Their Stile is clear, masculine, and smooth, but not
florid, for they avoid nothing more than multiplying un-
necessary Words, or using various Expressions. 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 GlnmdalclitcJis Bed-chamber,
and belonged to her Governess, a grave elderly Gentlewoman,
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 Countrey could
CHAP. VII
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
159
say upon such a Subject. This Writer went through all the
usual Topicks of European Moralists, shewing how diminutive,
contemptible, and helpless an Animal was Man in his own
nature ; how unable to defend himself from the Inclemencies
: / have perused many of their Books.'
of the Air, or the Fury of wild Beasts. How much he
was excelled by one Creature in Strength, by another in
Speed, by a third in Foresight, by a fourth in Industry. He
added, that Nature was degenerated in these latter declining
Ages of the world, and could now produce only small
160 A VOYAGE TO BROBDL\ T GNAG part n
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 hath been confirmed by huge
Bones and Sculls casually dug up in several parts of the
Kingdom, far exceeding the common dwindled Race of Man
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 an
House, or a Stone cast from the Hand of a Boy, or of being
drowned in a little Brook. From this way of Reasoning the
Author drew several more 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 Enquiry,
those Quarrels might be shewn 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 an Hundred and Seventy-six thousand foot,
and Thirty-two thousand Horse : If that may be called an
Army which is made up of Tradesmen in the several Cities,
and Farmers in the Countrey, whose Commanders are only
the Nobility and Gentry without Pay or Reward. They are
indeed perfect enough in their Exercises, and under very
good Discipline, wherein I saw no great Merit ; for, how
should it be otherwise, where every Farmer is under the
Command of his own Landlord, and every Citizen under that
of the principal Men in his own City, chosen after the
manner of Ve?iice by Ballot ?
I have often seen the Militia of Lorbmlgrud drawn out- to
Exercise in a great Field near the City, of Twenty miles
square. They were in all not above Twenty-five thousand
'A Cavalier mounted on a large Steed;
M
162 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
Foot, and Six thousand Horse ; but it was impossible for me
to compute their Number, considering the space of Ground
they took up. A Cavalier mounted on a large Steed might
be about an Hundred foot 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 this Prince, to whose
Dominion there is no access from any other Countrey, came
to think of Armies, or to teach his People the practice of
military Discipline. But I was soon informed, both by
Conversation, and reading their Histories. For, in the
Course of many ages they have been troubled with the same
Disease to which so many other Governments are 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 the Kingdom,
have been sometimes violated by each of the Three Parties,
and have once or more occasioned Civil Wars, the last
whereof was happily put an end to by this Prince's Grand-
father by a general Composition ; and the Militia then settled
with common Consent hath been ever since kept in the
strictest Duty.
CHAP. VIII
The King and Queen make a Progress to the Frontiers. The Author
attends them. The manner in which he leaves the Countrey very
particularly related. He returns to England.
I had always a strong impulse that I should sometime re-
cover my Liberty, though it was impossible to conjecture by
what means, or to form any Project with the least hope of
succeeding. The Ship in which I sailed was the first ever
known to be driven within sight of that Coast, and the King
had given strict Orders, that if at any time another appeared,
it should be taken ashore, and with all its Crew and
Passengers brought in a Tumbril to Lorbntlgrud. He was
strongly bent to get me a Woman of my own size, by whom
I might propagate the Breed : But I think I should rather
have died than undergone the Disgrace of leaving a Posterity
to be kept in cages like tame Canary Birds, and perhaps in
time sold about the kingdom to Persons of Quality for
Curiosities. I was indeed treated with much kindness ; I
was the 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 for-
get those domestick 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 Fields without fear 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 Circurru
stances of which I shall faithfully relate.
1 64 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
I had now been Two years in this Countrey ; 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 as usual in my Travelling-Box,
which, as I have already described, was a very convenient
Closet of Twelve foot 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 Joyner to cut out a Hole of a Foot square to
give me air in hot weather as I slept, which Hole I shut at
pleasure with a Board that drew backwards and forwards
through a Groove.
When we came to our Journey's end, the King thought
proper to pass a few days at a Palace he hath near Flanflasnic,
a City within Eighteen English miles of the Sea -side.
Glumdalclitch and I were much fatigued ; I had gotten a
small Cold, but the poor Girl was so ill as to be confined to
her chamber. I longed to see 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 desired leave
to take the fresh air of the Sea, with a Page whom I was
very fond of, and who had sometimes been trusted with me.
I shall never forget with what Unwillingness Glumdalclitch
consented, nor the strict Charge she gave the Page to be
careful of me, bursting at the same time into a flood of tears,
as if she had some foreboding of what was to happen. The
Boy took me out in my Box about Half an hour's walk from
the Palace towards the Rocks on the Sea-shore. I ordered
him to set me down, 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,
chap, vin A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 165
that while I slept, the Page thinking no danger could happen,
went among the Rocks to look for Birds-eggs, having before
observed him from my window searching about, and picking
up One or Two in the Clefts. Be that as it will, I found
myself suddenly awaked with a violent Pull upon the Ring
which was fastned at the top of my Box for the conveniency
of carriage. I felt my Box raised very high in the air, and
then born forward with prodigious speed. The first Jolt
had like to have shaken me out of my Hammock, but after-
wards the Motion was easy enough. I called out several
times as loud as I could raise my voice, but all to no purpose.
I looked towards my Windows, and could see nothing but
the Clouds and Sky. I heard a noise just over my head like
the clapping of Wings, and then began to perceive the
woful condition I was in ; that some Eagle had got the
Ring of my Box in his Beak, with an intent to let it fall on a
Rock like a Tortoise in a Shell, and then pick out my Body
and devour it. For the Sagacity and Smell of this Bird
enable 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 nutter of Wings
to encrease very fast, and my Box was tossed up and down
like a Sign-post 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 perpen-
dicularly down for above a Minute, but with such incredible
Swiftness that I almost lost my Breath. My Pall was stopped
by a terrible Squash, that sounded" louder to mine 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 my Windows.
I now perceived that 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 foot deep in water.
I did then, and do now suppose that the Eagle which flew
1 66
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
PART II
away with my Box was pursued by Two or Three others, and
forced to let me drop while he was defending himself against
the rest, who hoped to share in the Prey. The Plates of
Iron fastned at the bottom of the Box (for those were
the strongest) preserved the Balance while it fell, and
1 Forced to let me drofi.'
Copyright 1894 by Macmillan &• Co.
hindred 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
chap, vni A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 167
ventured to draw back the Slip-board on the Roof already
mentioned, contrived on purpose to let in Air, for want of
which I found myself almost stifled.
How often did I then wish myself with my dear Glumdal-
clitck, 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 forbear lamenting my poor Nurse,
the Grief she would suffer for my loss, the Displeasure of
the Queen, and the Ruin of her Fortune. Perhaps many
Travellers have not been under greater Difficulties and
Distress than I was at this juncture, expecting every moment
to see my Box dashed in pieces, or at least overset by the
first violent Blast, or a rising Wave. A Breach in one single
Pane of Glass would have been immediate Death : Nor could
any thing have preserved the Windows but the strong
Lettice 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 sate 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 circum-
stances, expecting and indeed wishing every moment to be
my last.
I have already told the Reader, that there were Two
strong Staples fixed upon that side of my Box which had no
Window, and into which the Servant who used to carry me
on horseback would put a leathern Belt, and buckle it about
his Waste. 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 in the
Sea ; for I now and then felt a sort of tugging which made
1 68 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part 11
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
fastned to the Floor; and having made a hard shift to screw
it down again directly under the Slipping-board that I had
lately opened, I mounted on the Chair, and putting my mouth
as near as I could to the hole, I called for help in a loud
voice, and in all the languages I understood. I then fastned
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 this Box.
I found no effect from all I could do, but plainly perceived
my Closet to be moved along ; and in the space of an Hour
or better, that side of the Box where the Staples were, and
had no Window, 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 Cover 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 degrees
at least Three Foot higher than I was before. Whereupon, I
again thrust up my Stick and Handkerchief, calling for help
till I was almost hoarse. In return to which, I heard a great
Shout repeated Three times, giving me such Transports of
joy as are not to be conceived but by those who feel them. I
now heard a trampling over my head, and somebody calling
through the Hole with a loud voice in the English Tongue ;
if there be any body below let them speak. I answered, I
was an Englishman^ drawn by ill fortune into the greatest
Calamity that ever any creature underwent, and begged, by
all that is moving, to be delivered out of the Dungeon I was
in. The Voice replied, I was safe, for my Box was fastned
to their Ship ; and the Carpenter should immediately come,
and saw an hole in the Cover, large enough to pull me
out. I answer'd, that was needless, and would take up
too much time, for there was no more to be done.
' I iv as taken into the SkiJ> in a very weak condition.
170 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part ii
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 Cabbin. Some of them upon hearing me talk so
wildly thought I was mad ; others laughed ; for indeed it
never came into my head that I was now got among People
of my own Stature and Strength. The Carpenter came, and
in a few minutes sawed a Passage about Four foot square,
then let down a small Ladder, upon which I mounted, and
from thence was taken into the Ship in a very weak condition.
The Sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a Thou-
sand Questions, which I had no inclination to answer. I was
equally confounded at the Sight of so many Pigmies, for such
I took them to be, after having so long accustomed mine
eyes to the monstrous Objects I had left. But the Captain,
Mr. Thomas Wilcocks, an honest worthy Shropshire man,
observing I was ready to faint, took me into his Cabbin, gave
me a Cordial to comfort me, and made me turn in upon his
own bed, advising me to take a little rest, of which I had
great need. Before I went to sleep I gave him to understand
that I had some valuable Furniture in my Box too good to be
lost ; a fine Hammock, an 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 Cabbin, I would open
it there before him, and shew 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, from whence (as I afterwards found) they drew
up all my Goods, and stripped off the Quilting; but the Chairs,
Cabinet and Bed-sted 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 Hulk drop into the Sea, which by reason of many Breaches
made in the bottom and sides, sunk to rights. And indeed
I was glad not to have been a Spectator of the Havock they
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 171
made ; because I am confident it would have sensibly touched
me, by bringing former Passages into my mind, which I had
rather forget.
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 myself much recovered. It
was now about Eight a clock at night, and the Captain ordered
Supper immediately, thinking I had already fasted too long.
He 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 relation of my Travels, and
by what accident I came to be set adrift in that monstrous
wooden Chest. He said, that about Twelve a clock at noon,
as he was looking through his Glass, he spied it at a distance,
and thought it was a Sail, which he had a mind to make,
being not much out of his course, in hopes of buying some
Biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That upon coming
nearer, and finding his error, he sent out his Long-boat to
discover what I 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, ordering
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 the wire Lettices that defended
them. That he discovered two Staples upon one side, which
was all of Boards, without any passage for Light. He then
commanded his men to row up to that side, and fastning a
Cable to one of the Staples, ordered them to tow my Chest
(as he called it) towards the Ships. 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 Pullies, which all
the Sailors were not able to do above Two or Three foot.
He said, they saw my Stick and Handkerchief thrust out of
the Hole, and concluded, that some unhappy Men must be
shut up in the Cavity. I asked whether he or the Crew had
seen any prodigious Birds in the Air about the time he first
discovered me. To which he answered, that discoursing this
172 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part if
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 could not guess the reason of my Question. I
then asked the Captain how far he reckon'd we might be
from Land ; he said, by the best computation he could make,
we were at least an Hundred Leagues. I assured him, that
he must be mistaken by almost Half, for I had not left the
Countrey from whence I came above Two hours before I
dropt into the Sea. Whereupon he began again to think
that my brain was disturbed, of which he gave me a hint, and
advised me to go to bed in a Cabbin he had provided. I
assured him I was well refreshed with his good Entertainment
and 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 mind by the Consciousness of
some enormous Crime, for which I was punished at the Com-
mand of some Prince, by exposing me in that Chest, as great
, Criminals in other Countries have been forced to Sea in a leaky
Vessel without Provisions : For, although he should be sorry
to have taken so ill a man into his Ship, yet he would engage
his word to set me safe on shore in the first Port where we
arrived. He added, that his Suspicions were much increased
by some very absurd Speeches I had delivered at first to the
Sailors, and afterwards to himself, in relation to my Closet or
Chest, as well as by my odd Looks and Behaviour while I
was at supper.
I begged his patience to hear me tell my Story, which I
faithfully did from the last time I left England to the moment
he first discovered me. And, as Truth always forceth its
way into rational minds ; so, this honest worthy Gentleman,
who had some tincture of Learning, and very good Sense,
was immediately convinced of my Candor 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 already informed me how
CHAP. VIII
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
173
the Seamen disposed of my Closet), I opened it in his
presence, and shewed him the small Collection of Rarities I
made in the Countrey from whence I had been so strangely
delivered. There was the Comb I had contrived out of the
Stumps of the King's Beard, and another of the same
Material, 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
A Footman s Tooth.
Wasp Stings, like Joyner's Tacks : Some Combings of the
Queen's Hair : A gold Ring which one day she made me a
Present of in a most obliging manner, taking it from her Little
finger, and throwing it over my Head like a Collar. I desired
the Captain would please to accept this Ring in return of
his Civilities, which he absolutely refused. I shewed him a
Corn that I had cut off with my own hand from a maid of
Honour's Toe, it was about the bigness of a Kentish Pippin,
and grown so hard, that when I returned to England^ I got it
174 A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG part 11
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 received it with abundance
of thanks, more than such a Trifle could deserve. It was
drawn by an unskilful Surgeon in a mistake from one of
GlumdalclitcKs Men, who was afflicted with the Toothach,
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
in Paper, and making it publick. My Answer was, that I
thought we were already 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 ignorant
Readers. That my Story could contain little besides
common Events, without those ornamental Descriptions of
strange Plants, Trees, Birds, and other Animals, or of the
barbarous Customs and Idolatry of savage People, with
which most Writers abound. However, I thanked him for
his good Opinion, and promised to take the matter into my
thoughts.
He said he wondered at one thing very much, which was
to hear me speak so loud, asking me whether the King or
Queen of that Countrey 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 Countrey, it was
like a man talking in the Street to another looking out from
the top of a Steeple, unless when I was placed on a Table,
chap, vin A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 175
or held in any Person's Hand. I told him I had likewise
observed another thing, that when I first got into the Ship,
and the Sailors stood 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 Countrey, I could never
endure to look in a Glass after mine eyes had been ac-
customed 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 everything with a sort of wonder, and that I often seemed
hardly able to contain my laughter, which he knew not well
how to take, but imputed it to some Disorder in my brain.
I answered, it was very true, and I wondered how I could
forbear, when I saw his Dishes of the size of a silver Three-
pence, a Leg of Pork hardly a Mouthful, a Cup not so big as
a Nut-shell : and so I went on, describing the rest of his
Houshold-stufT and Provisions after the same manner. For
although the Queen had ordered a little Equipage of all
things necessary for me while I was in her service, yet my
Ideas were wholly taken up with what I saw on every side of
me, and I winked at my own Littleness as People do at their
own Faults. The Captain understood 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 Stomach so good, although I had fasted all day ;
and continuing in his mirth, protested he would have gladly
given an Hundred Pounds to have seen my Closet in the
Eagle's Bill, and afterwards in its Fall from so great an 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 obvious, that he could not forbear applying it, although
I did not much admire the Conceit.
The Captain having been at Tonquin, was in his return
to England driven North eastward to the Latitude of 44
Degrees, and of Longitude 143. But meeting a Trade Wind
Two days after I came on board him, we sailed Southward
i;6
A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
PART II
a long time, and coasting New-Holland kept our Course
West-south-west, and then South-south-west till we doubled
the Cape of Good-hope. Our Voyage was very prosperous,
but I shall not trouble the reader with a Journal of it. The
Captain called in at One or Two Ports and sent in his Long-
' / stooped lower than her Knees:''
boat for Provisions and fresh Water, but I never went out of
the Ship till we came into the Downs, which was on the 3d
Day of June 1706, about Nine months after my Escape. 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 kind leave of each other, and I
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG 177
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, the Trees, the Cattle and the People, I began to
think myself in Lilliput. I was afraid of trampling on every
Traveller I met, and often called aloud to have them stand out
of the way, so that I had like to have gotten One or Two
broken Heads for my Impertinence.
When I came to my own House, for which I was forced
to enquire, 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 foot ; and then I went to take her up with One hand,
by the Waste. 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 Daughter
to nothing. In short, I behaved myself so unaccountably,
that they were all of the Captain's opinion when he first saw
me, and concluded I had lost my Wits. This I 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 I should never
go to Sea any more ; although my evil Destiny so ordered
that she had not Power to hinder me, as the reader may
know hereafter. In the mean time I here conclude the
Second Part of my unfortunate Voyages.
The End of the Second Part.
N
PART III
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC
''WaCker Sr'BoutaCC ScuCpserunt^.
JPS=KFOT th
j^ff * = \0^m.
m
^<3> e )|ggW^
M
He plainly invited me. '
CHAR I
The Author sets out on his Third Voyage, is taken by Pyrates. The
Malice of a Dutchman. His arrival at an Island. He is received
into Laputa.
HAD not been at home above ten days,
when Captain William Robinson, a Cornish
Man, Commander of the Hope-well, a stout
Ship of Three Hundred Tuns, 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 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 intended a voyage to the East-
Indies, in two months ; at last he plainly invited me, though
with some apologies, to be Surgeon of the Ship ; that I should
have another Surgeon under me besides our two Mates ; that
my Sallary should be double to the usual pay; and that
having experienced my knowledge in Sea-Affairs to be at least
equal to his, he would enter into any engagement to follow
my advice, as much as if I had shared in the 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 how-
ever I at last obtained by the prospect of advantage she
proposed to her Children.
We set out the 5th of August 1706, and arrived at Fort
chap, i A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 183
Saint George, the nth of April 1707, stayed there three weeks
to refresh our Crew, many of whom were sick. From thence
we went to Tonquin, 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 dispatched in some
Months. Therefore in hopes to defray some of the charges
he must be at, he bought a Sloop, loaded it with several sorts
of Goods, wherewith the Tonquinese usually trade to the
neighbouring Islands, and putting Fourteen Men on board,
whereof three were of the Country, he appointed me Master
of the Sloop, and gave me power to traffick for two months,
while he transacted his affairs at Tonquin.
We had not sailed above three days, when a great Storm
arising, we were driven five days to the North-North-East, and
then to the East ; after which we had fair weather, but still
with a pretty strong gale from the West. Upon the tenth
day we were chased by two Pyrates, who soon overtook us ;
for my Sloop was so deep loaden, that she sailed very slow,
neither were we in a condition to defend ourselves.
We were boarded about the same time by both the Pyrates,
who enter'd furiously at the head of their Men, but finding us
all prostrate upon our faces, (for so I gave order) they
pinioned us with strong ropes, and setting a guard upon us,
went to search the Sloop.
I observed among them a Dutch-man, who seemed to be of
some authority, though he was not Commander of either Ship.
He knew us by our countenances to be Englishmen, and
jabbering to us in his own language, swore we should be tyed
back to back, and thrown into the Sea. I spoke Dutch
tolerably well ; I told him who we were, and begged him in
consideration of our being Christians and Protestants, of
neighbouring Countries, in strict alliance, that he would move
the Captains to take some pity on us. This inflamed his
Rage, he repeated his Threatnings, and turning to his
1 84 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
Companions, spoke with great vehemence, in the Japanese
language, as I suppose, often using the word Christianos.
' I made the Captain a very low 5ow.'
The largest of the two Pyrate Ships was commanded by a
Japanese Captain, who spoke a little Dutch, but very imper-
chap, i A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 185
fectly. He came up to me, and after several questions, which
I answered in great humility, he said we should not dye. I
made the Captain a very low bow, and then turning to the
Dutch-man, said, I was sorry to find more mercy in a Heathen,
than in a brother Christian. But I had soon reason to repent
those foolish words : For that malicious Reprobate, having
often endeavoured in vain to persuade both the Captains that
I might be thrown into the Sea (which they would not yield to
after the promise made me, that I should not dye) however
prevailed so far as to have a punishment inflicted on me,
worse in all human appearance than death itself. My men
were sent by an equal division into both the Pyrate Ships,
and my Sloop new manned. As to myself, it was determined
that I should be set a drift, 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 Dutch-man standing upon the deck, loaded
me with all the curses and injurious terms his language could
afford.
About an hour before we saw the Pyrates, I had taken an
observation, and found we were in the Latitude of 46 N.
and of Longitude 183. When I was at some distance from
the Pyrates, 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 Heath and
dry Sea-weed, by which I roasted my Eggs. I eat no other
Supper, being resolved to spare my Provisions as much as I
could. I passed the night under the shelter of a Rock,
strowing some Heath under me, and slept pretty well.
The next day I sailed to another Island, and thence to a
third and fourth, sometimes using my Sail, and sometimes my
Paddles. But not to trouble the reader with a particular
account of my Distresses, let it suffice that on the fifth day,
1 86 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
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 encom-
passed it almost round before I could find a convenient
Place to land in, which was a small Creek, about three times
the wideness of my Canoe. I found the Island to be all
rocky, only a little 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 numbers. I gathered plenty
of Eggs upon the rocks, and got a quantity of dry Sea-weed,
and parched Grass, which I designed to kindle the next day,
and roast my Eggs as well as I could. (For I had about me
my Flint, Steel, Match, and Burning-glass.) I lay all night
in the Cave where I had lodged my provisions. My Bed was
the same dry Grass and Sea-weed which I intended for fewel.
I slept very little, for the Disquiets 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 I 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 perfectly clear, and the Sun so hot, that
I was forced to turn my face from it : When all on a sudden
it became obscured as I thought, in a manner very different
from what happens by the interposition of a Cloud. I
turned back, and perceived a vast opake body between me
and the Sun, moving forwards towards 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 darkned, than if I had stood under the shade
of a Mountain. As it approached nearer over the place
where I was, it appeared to me a firm substance, the bottom
flat, smooth, and shining very bright from the reflexion of the
Sea below. I stood upon a height about two hundred Yards
CHAP. I
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
187
from the Shoar, and saw this vast body descending almost
to a parallel with me, at less than an English Mile distance.
I took out my Pocket-Perspective, and could plainly discover
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.
A vast opake body.
The natural love of Life gave me some inward motions
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 a
1 88 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
progressive motion, as they pleased. But not being at that
time in a disposition to philosophise upon this Phcenomenon,
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, en-
compassed with several gradations of Galleries and Stairs, at
certain Intervals, to descend from one to the other. In the
lowest 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
towards the Island ; and upon its nearer approach, I called
and shouted with the utmost strength of my Voice ; and then
looking circumspectly, I beheld a crowd gathered to that
side which was most in my View. I found by their pointing
towards me and to each other, that they plainly discovered
me, although they made no return to my shouting. But I
could see four or five Men running in great haste up the
Stairs to the top of the Island, who then disappeared. I
happened rightly to conjecture, that these were sent for
Orders to some Person in authority upon this occasion.
The number of People encreased, and in less than half an
hour, the Island was moved and raised in such a manner,
that the lowest Gallery appeared in a Parallel of less than an
hundred Yards distance from the height where I stood. I
then put myself into 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 upon me.
At length one of them called out in a clear, polite, smooth
Dialect, not unlike in sound to the Italian; and therefore I
returned an answer in that Language, hoping at least that
the cadence might be more agreeable to his Ears. Although
neither of us understood the other, yet my meaning was
easily known, for the People saw the distress I was in.
They made Signs for me to come down from the Rock,
chap, i A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC 189
and go towards the Shoar, which I accordingly did ; and the
flying Island being raised to a convenient height, the Verge
directly over me, a Chain was let down from the lowest
Gallery, with a Seat fastned to the bottom, to which I fixed
myself, and was drawn up by Pullies.
CHAP. II
The Humours and Dispositions of the Laputians described. An account 4
their Learning. Of the King and his Court. The Author's Recep
tion there. The Inhabitants szibject to Fears and Disquietudes. At
account of the Women.
At my alighting 1 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 oi
wonder, neither indeed was I much in their debt ; having
never till then seen a race of Mortals so singular in their
Shapes, Habits, and Countenances. Their heads were all
reclined 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, interwoven with those of Fiddles, Flutes,
Harps, Trumpets, Guittars, Harpsicords, and many more
Instruments of Musick, unknown to us in Europe. I observed
here and there many in the habit of Servants, with a blown
Bladder fastned like a Flayl to the end of a short Stick, which
they carried in their Hands. In each Bladder was a small
quantity of dryed Pease or little Pebbles (as I was afterwards
inform'd). With these Bladders they now and then flapped
the Mouths and Ears of those who stood near them, of which
practice I could not then conceive the meaning ; it seems, the
Minds of these People are so taken up with intense Specula-
tions, that they neither can speak, nor attend to the Dis-
courses of others, without being rouzed by some external
Taction upon the Organs of Speech and Hearing ; for which
Wrapped up in cogitation.'
1 92 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
reason, those Persons who are able to afford it always keep a
Flapper (the original is Climenole) in their Family, as one of
their Domesticks, nor ever walk abroad or make Visits with-
out him. And the business of -this Officer is, when two or
three 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 to whom the Speaker addresseth 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 every Post, and in
the Streets, of justling others or being justled himself into the
Kennel.
It was necessary to give the reader this information, with-
out which he would be at the same loss with me, to under-
stand the proceedings of these People, 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 rouzed 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 entred the Palace, and proceeded into the
chamber of Presence, where I saw the King seated on his
Throne, attended on each side by Persons of prime Quality.
Before the Throne, was a large Table filled with Globes and
Spheres, and Mathematical Instruments of all kinds. His
Majesty took not the least notice of us, although our 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 iheir Hands, and when they saw he was at leisure, one of
them gently struck his Mouth, and the other his right Ear, at
' He was then deep in a Problem. '
Copyright 1894 by Maanillan <3- Co.
194 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part ill
which he started 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 flapt me gently on the
right Ear, but I made Signs as well as I could, that I had no
occasion for such an instrument ; which as I afterwards found
gave his Majesty and the whole Court a very mean Opinion
of my Understanding. The King, as far as I could conjecture,
asked me several Questions, and I addressed myself to him
in all the Languages I had. When it was found, that I could
neither understand nor be understood, I was conducted
by the King's order to an Apartment in his Palace (this
Prince being distinguished above all his Predecessors 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 Person, did me the honour to dine with me. We
had two Courses, of three Dishes each. In the first Course,
there was a Shoulder of Mutton, cut into an Equilateral
Triangle, a piece of Beef into a Rhomboides, and a Pudding
into a Cycloid. The second Course was two Ducks, trussed
up into the form of Fiddles ; Sausages and Puddings resem-
bling Flutes and Haut-boys, and a breast of Veal in the shape
of a Harp. The Servants cut our Bread into Cones,
Cylinders, Parallelograms, and several other Mathematical
Figures.
While we were at Dinner, I made bold to ask the Names
of several things in their 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
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. i 95
Books, giving me to understand by Signs, that he was sent to
teach me the Language. We sat together four Hours, in
We sat together four Hours.
which time I wrote down a great number of words in Columns,
with the Translations over against them ; I likewise made a
196 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
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 stand, or walk, and the like.
Then I took down the Sentence in writing. He shewed me
also in one of his Books, the Figures of the Sun, Moon, and
Stars, the Zodiack, the Tropics, and Polar Circles, together
with the Denominations of many Figures of Planes and Solids.
He gave me the Names and Descriptions of all the musical
Instruments, and the general Terms of Art in playing on each
of them. After he had left me, I placed all my Words with
their Interpretations in alphabetical Order. And thus in a
few days, by the help of a very faithful Memory, I got some
insight into their Language.
The word, which I interpret the Flying or Floating Island,
is in the Original, Laputa, whereof I could never learn the
true Etymology. Lap in the old obsolete Language signifieth
High, and Untuh a Governor, from which they say by Corrup-
tion was derived Laputa from Lapuntuh. But I do not
approve of this Derivation, which seems to be a little strained.
I ventured 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
judicious reader.
Those to whom the King had entrusted me, observing
how ill I was clad, ordered a Taylor to come next
Morning, and take my measure for a suit of Cloths. This
Operator did his Office after a different manner from those of
his Trade in Europe. He first took my Altitude by a Quad-
rant, and then with Rule and Compasses, described the
Dimensions and Out-Lines of my whole Body, all which he
entred upon Paper, and in Six Days brought my Cloths
very ill made, and quite out of shape, by happening to mis-
take a figure in the Calculation. But my comfort was,
that I observed such accidents very frequent and little
regarded.
CHAP. II
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
197
During my Confinement for want of Cloths, and by an
Indisposition that held me some days longer, I much en-
larged 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
' Very ill made.'
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 an 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 a
198 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
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 Inter-
mission, 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 Musick 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 fastned
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 Pullies.
The knowledge I had in Mathematicks gave me great
assistance in acquiring their Phraseology, which depended
much upon that Science and Musick ; and in the latter I was
not unskilled. Their Ideas are perpetually conversant in
lines and figures. If they would, for example, praise the
beauty of a woman or any other animal, they describe it by
Rhombs, Circles, Parallelograms, Ellipses, and other Geo-
metrical Terms, or by words of Art drawn from Musick,
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 Joynts that were served to
his Majesties Table.
Their Houses are very ill built, the Walls Bevil, without
one Right Angle in any Apartment, and this defect ariseth
from the Contempt they bear to practical Geometry ; which
they despise as Vulgar and Mechanick, those Instructions
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 199
they give being too refined for the Intellectuals 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 common 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 Mathematicks and Musick. 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 Astro-
nomical part, have great Faith in judicial Astrology, although
they are ashamed to own it publickly. But, what I chiefly
admired, and thought altogether unaccountable, was the strong
disposition I observed in them towards News and Politicks,
perpetually enquiring into Publick affairs, giving their Judg-
ments in matters of State ; and passionately disputing every
Inch of a Party Opinion. I have indeed observed the same
disposition among most of the Mathematicians I have known
in Europe, although I could never discover the least Analogy
between the two Sciences ; unless those People suppose, that
because the smallest Circle hath as many degrees as the
largest, therefore the regulation and management of the
World require no more Abilities than the handling 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 more curious and conceited in matters where we have
least concern, and for which we are least adapted either by
study or nature.
These People are under continual disquietudes, never
enjoying a minute's peace of mind ; and their disturbances
200 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
proceed from Causes which very little affect the rest of
Mortals. Their apprehensions arise from several Changes
they dread in the celestial Bodies. For instance ; that the
Earth by the continual approaches of the Sun towards it,
must in course of Time be absorbed or swallowed up. That
the face of the Sun will by degrees be encrusted with its own
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 in its Peri-
helion it should approach within a certain degree of the Sun
(as by their Calculations they have reason to dread) it will
conceive a degree of heat ten thousand times more intense
than that of red-hot glowing Iron ; and in its absence from
the Sun, carry a blazing tail ten hundred thousand and
fourteen 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 Fire, and reduced to Ashes. That the Sun daily
spending its Rays without any Nutriment to supply them,
will at last be wholly consumed and annihilated ; which must
be attended with the Destruction of this Earth, and of all the
Planets that receive their Light from it.
They are so perpetually alarmed with the Apprehensions
of these and the like impending Dangers, that they can
neither sleep quietly in their Beds, nor have any relish for
the common Pleasures or Amusements of Life. When they
meet an Acquaintance in the Morning, the first Question is
about the Sun's Health, how he looked at his Setting and
Rising, and what hopes they have to avoid the stroak of the
approaching Comet. This Conversation they are apt to run
into with the same Temper that Boys discover, in delighting
to hear terrible stories of Sprites and Hobgoblins, which they
greedily listen to, and dare not go to Bed for fear.
The Women of the Island have abundance of Vivacity;
CHAP. II
A. VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
they contemn their Husbands, and are exceedingly fond of
Strangers, whereof there is always a considerable number
from the Continent below, attending at Court, either upon
Affairs of the several Towns and Corporations, or their own
particular occasions,, but are much despised, because they
' The first Question is about the Sun's Health.'
want the same Endowments. Among these the Ladies chuse
their Gallants : But the Vexation is, that they act with too
much ease and security, for the Husband is always so rapt in
speculation, that the Mistress and Lover may proceed to the
greatest Familiarities before his face, if he be but provided
with paper and implements, and without his Flapper at his
side.
202 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
The Wives and Daughters lament their Confinement to
the Island, although I think it the most delicious spot of
'Always so rapt in speculation.'
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
chap, ii . A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 203
the diversions of the Metropolis, which they are not allowed
to do without a particular Licence from the King ; and this
is not easy to be obtained, because the People of quality
have found by fre,quent 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 marryed to
the Prime Minister, the richest Subject in the Kingdom, a
very graceful Person, extremely fond of her, and lives in the
finest Palace of the Island, went down to Lagado, on the
pretence of health, there hid herself for several months, till
the King sent a Warrant to search for her, and she was
found in an obscure Eating-House all in Rags, having pawned
her Cloths to maintain an old deformed Foot-man, 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 contrived to steal down again with all her
Jewels, to the same Gallant, and hath not been heard of
since.
This may perhaps pass with the Reader rather for an
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 Climate or Nation,
and that they are much more uniform than can be easily
imagined.
In about a Month's time I had made a tolerable pro-
ficiency 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 enquire
into the Laws, Government, History, Religion, or Manners
of the Countries where I had been, but confined his
Questions to the state of Mathematicks, and received the
account I gave him, with great Contempt and Indifference,
though often rouzed by his Flapper on each side.
CHAP. Ill
A Phenomenon solved by modern Philosophy and Astronomy. The
Laputians' great Improvements in the latter. The King's method op
suppressing Insurrections.
I desired leave of this Prince to see the Curiosities 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 an 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 from below, is one even regular
Plate of Adamant, shooting up to the height of about two
hundred Yards. Above it lye the several Minerals in their
usual order, and over all is a Coat of rich Mould ten or twelve
Foot deep. This Declivity of the upper Surface, from the
Circumference to the Center, is the natural course why all the
Dews and Rains which fall upon the Island, are conveyed in
small Rivulets towards the middle, where they are emptyed
into four large Basons, each of about half a Mile in Circuit,
and two hundred Yards distant from the Center. From
these Basons the Water is continually exhaled by the Sun in
the day-time, which effectually prevents their over-flowing.
CHAP. TIE
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
205
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 Rains 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.
At the Center of the Island there is a Chasm about fifty
A Load-stone of a prodigious size.
Yards in Diameter, from whence the Astronomers descend
into a large Dome, which is therefore called Flandona Gagnote,
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 Astronomical
Instruments. But the greatest Curiosity, upon which the
206 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
fate of the Island depends, is a Load-stone 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 sustained by a very strong Axle of Adamant
passing through its middle, upon which it plays, and is
poized so exactly that the weakest hand can turn it. It is
hooped round with an hollow Cylinder of Adamant, four
Foot deep, as many thick, and twelve Yards in Diameter,
placed horizontally, and supported 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 occasion.
The Stone cannot be moved from its place by any force,
because the Hoop and its Feet are one continued piece with
that body of Adamant which constitutes the bottom of the
Island.
By means of this Load-stone, 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 ex-
tremity points downwards, the Island mounts directly upwards.
When the Position of the Stone is oblique, the Motion of the
Island is so too. For in this Magnet the forces always act
in lines parallel to its direction.
By this oblique motion the Island is conveyed to different
parts of the Monarch's Dominions. To explain the manner
of its progress, let A B represent a line drawn cross the
Dominions of Balnibarbi, let the line c d represent the Load-
stone, of which let d be the Repelling end, and c the
Attracting end, the Island being over C ; let the Stone be
placed in the Position c d with its Repelling end downwards \
'MJaCker fcHoHtcttf scufpserun^
chap, in A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 209
then the Island will be driven upwards obliquely towards D.
When it is arrived at D, let the Stone be turned upon its
Axle till its Attracting end points towards E, and then the
Island will be carried obliquely towards E ; where if the
Stone be again turned upon its Axle till it stands in the
Position E E, with its Repelling point downwards, the Island
will rise obliquely towards E, where by directing the Attracting
end towards G, the Island may be carried to G, and from G
to H, by turning the Stone, so as to make its Repelling
extremity point directly downwards. 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 considerable) is conveyed from one part
of the Dominions to the other.
But it must be observed, that this Island cannot move
beyond the extent of the 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 Magnetick 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
Shoar, is not diffused through the whole Globe, but terminated
with the Limits of the King's Dominions ; and it was easy
from the great Advantage of such a superior Situation, for a
Prince to bring under his Obedience whatever Country lay
within the Attraction of that Magnet.
When the Stone is put parallel to the Plane of the
Horizon, the Island standeth still ; for in that case, the
Extremities of it being at equal distance from the Earth,
act with equal Force, the one in drawing downwards, the
other in pushing upwards, and consequently no Motion can
ensue.
This Load-stone is under the care of certain Astronomers,
210 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
who from time to time give it such Positions as the Monarch
directs. They spend the greatest part of their Lives in
observing the celestial Bodies, which they do by the assist-
ance of Glasses far excelling ours in goodness. This advan-
tage hath enabled them to extend their Discoveries much
farther than our Astronomers in Europe ; for they have made
a Catalogue of ten thousand fixed Stars, whereas the largest
of ours do not contain above one third part of that Number.
They have likewise discovered two lesser Stars, or Satellites,
which revolve about Mars, whereof the innermost is distant
from the Center of the primary Planet exactly three of the
Diameters, and the outermost five ; the former revolves in the
space of ten Hours, and the latter in twenty-one and an half;
so that the Squares of their Periodical Times are very near in
the same Proportion with the Cubes of their distance from
the Center of Mars, which evidently shews them to be
governed by the same Law of Gravitation, that influences the
other heavenly Bodies.
They have observed ninety-three different Comets, and
settled their Periods with great Exactness. If this be true
(and they affirm it with great Confidence) it is much to be
wished that their Observations were made publick, whereby
the Theory of Comets, which at present is very lame and
defective, might be brought to the same Perfection with other
parts of Astronomy.
The King would be the most absolute Prince in the
Universe, if he could but prevail on a Ministry to join with
him ; but these having their Estates below on the Continent,
and considering that the Office of a Favourite hath a very
uncertain Tenure, would never consent to the enslaving their
Country.
If any Town should engage in Rebellion or Mutiny, fall
into violent Factions, or refuse to pay the usual Tribute, the
King hath two Methods of reducing them to Obedience. The
chap, in A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 211
first and the mildest Course is by keeping the Island hovering
over such a Town, and the Lands about it, whereby he can
deprive them of the Benefit of the Sun and the Rain, and
consequently afflict the Inhabitants with Dearth and Diseases.
And if the Crime deserve it, they are at the same time pelted
from above with great Stones, against which they have no
Defence but by creeping into Cellars or Caves, while the
Roofs of their Houses are beaten to pieces. But if they still
continue obstinate, or offer to raise Insurrections, he proceeds to
the last Remedy, by letting the Island drop directly upon their
Heads, which makes an universal Destruction both of Houses
and Men. However, this is an Extremity to which the Prince
is seldom driven, neither indeed is he willing to put it in
Execution, nor dare his Ministers advise him to an Action,
which as it would render them odious to the People, so it
would be a great damage to their own Estates, which lie
all below, for the Island is the King's Demesn.
But there is still indeed a more weighty Reason, why the
Kings of this Country have been always averse from executing
so terrible an Action, unless upon the utmost Necessity. For
if the Town intended to be destroyed should have in it any
tall Rocks, as it generally falls out in the larger Cities, a Situa-
tion probably chosen at first with a View to prevent such a
Catastrophe ; or if it abound in high Spires or Pillars of Stone,
a sudden Fall might endanger the bottom or under surface of
the Island, which although it consist as I have said of one
entire Adamant two hundred Yards thick, might happen to
crack by too great a Choque, or burst by approaching too
near the Fires from the Houses below, as the backs both of
Iron and Stone will often do in our Chimneys. Of ail this
the People are well apprized, and understand how far to carry
their Obstinacy, where their Liberty or Property is concerned.
And the King, when he is highest provoked, and most deter-
mined to press a City to Rubbish, orders the Island to
descend with great gentleness, out of a Pretence of Tender-
ness to his People, but indeed for fear of breaking the
Adamantine Bottom ; in which Case it is the Opinion of
212 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
all their Philosophers, that the Load-stone 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 elder Sons are permitted to leave the
Island, nor the Queen till she is past Child-bearing.
CHAP. IV
The Author leaves Laputa, is conveyed to Balnibarbi, arrives at the
Metropolis. A Description of the Metropolis and the Country
adjoining. The Author hospitably received by a great Lord. His
Conversation with that Lord.
Although I cannot say that I was ill treated in this Island,
yet I must confess I thought myself too much neglected, not
without some degree of Contempt. For neither Prince nor
People appeared to be curious in any part of Knowledge,
except Mathematicks and Musick, wherein I was far their
inferior, and upon that account very little regarded.
On the other side, after having seen all the Curiosities 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 Speculation that I never met with such dis-
agreeable Companions. I convers'd only with Women,
Tradesmen, Flappers, and Court-Pages during Two Months of
my abode there, by which at last I render'd myself extremely
contemptible, yet these were the only People from whom I
could ever receive a reasonable 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.
214 A VOYAGE TO LA PUT A, ETC. part hi
There was a great Lord at Court, nearly related to the
King, and for that reason alone used with respect. He was
universally reckoned the most ignorant and stupid Person
among them. He had performed many eminent Services for
the Crown, had great natural and acquired Parts, adorned
with Integrity and Honour, but so ill an Ear for Musick, that
his Detractors reported he had been often known to beat
Time in the wrong place ; neither could his Tutors without
extreme difficulty teach him to demonstrate the most easy
Proposition in the Mathematicks. He was pleased to shew 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 listned to me with great Atten-
tion, and made very wise Observations on all I spoke. He
had two Flappers attending him for State, but never made
use of them except at Court, and in Visits of Ceremony, and
would always command them to withdraw when we were
alone together.
I intreated this 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-
ledgment.
On the 1 6th Day of February, I took leave of His Majesty
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, together with a Letter of Recom-
mendation 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 Monarch of
the Flying Island, passes under the general name of Bal-
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 215
nibarbi, and the Metropolis, as I said before, is called Lagado.
I felt some little Satisfaction in finding 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 received with
much Kindness/ This great Lord, whose name was Munodi,
ordered me an Apartment in his own House, where I
continued during my stay, and was entertained in a most
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 Labourers
working with several sorts of Tools in the Ground, but was
not able to conjecture what they were about, neither did I
observe any expectation either of Corn or Grass, although the
Soil appeared to be excellent. I could not forbear 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 cultivated, Houses so ill contrived and so 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 Insufficiency. However the
King treated him with Tenderness, as a well-meaning Man,
but of a low contemptible Understanding.
' //£ z'tftf/? ?;/s- ?"« /«*.y Chariot to see the Town,
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 217
When I gave that free Censure of the Country and its
Inhabitants, he made no further answer than by telling me,
that I had not been long enough among them to form a
Judgment ; and that the different Nations of the World had
different Customs, with other common Topicks to the same
Purpose. But when we returned to his Palace, he asked me
how I liked the Building, what Absurdities I observed, and
what Quarrel I had with the Dress and Looks of his
Domesticks. This he might safely do, because every thing
about him was Magnificent, regular and polite. I answered
that his Excellencies Prudence, Quality, and Fortune, had
exempted him from those defects which Folly and Beggary
had produced in others. He said if I would go with him to
his Country House about twenty Miles distant, where his
Estate lay, there would be more leisure for this kind of
Conversation. I told his Excellency that I was entirely at
his Disposal, and accordingly we set out next Morning.
During our Journey, he made me observe the several
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 delightful Prospect.
His Excellency observed my Countenance to clear up ; he
told me with a Sigh, that there his Estate began, and would
continue the same till we should come to his House. That
his Countrymen ridiculed and despis'd him for managing his
Affairs no better, and for setting so ill an Example to the
Kingdom, which however was followed by very few, such as
were old and wilful, and weak like himself.
We came at length to the House, which was indeed a
noble Structure, built according to the best Rules of ancient
Architecture. The Fountains, Gardens, Walks, Avenues, and
218 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part in
Groves were all disposed with exact Judgment and Taste. I
gave due Praises to every thing I saw, whereof his Excellency
took not the least Notice till after Supper, when there being
no third Companion, he told me with a very melancholy Air,
that he doubted he must throw down his Houses in Town
and Country, to rebuild them after the present Mode, destroy
all his Plantations, and cast others in such a Form as modern
Usage required, and give the same Directions to all his
Tenants, unless he would submit to incur the Censure of
Pride, Singularity, Affectation, Ignorance, Caprice, and per-
haps encrease His Majesties Displeasure.
That the Admiration I appeared to be under, would cease
or diminish when he had informed me of some Particulars,
which probably I never heard of at Court, the 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 Mathematicks, 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 Mechanicks upon a new Foot. To
this End they procured a Royal Patent for erecting an
Academy of Projectors in Lagado ; And the Humour pre-
vailed 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 chuse, and increase an hundred Fold more than
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 219
they do at present, with innumerable other happy Proposals.
The only Inconvenience is, that none of these Projects are yet
brought to Perfection, and in the mean time the whole
Country lies miserably wast, the Houses in Ruins, and the
People without Food or Cloths. By all which, instead of
being discouraged, they are fifty times more violently bent
upon prosecuting their Schemes, driven equally on by Hope
and Despair; That as for himself, being not of an Enter-
prizing Spirit, he was content to go on in the old Forms, to live
in the Houses his Ancestors had built, and act as they did in
every part of Life without Innovation. That, some few other
Persons of Quality and Gentry had done the same, but were
looked on with an Eye of Contempt and Ill-will, as Enemies
to Art, ignorant, and ill Common-wealths-men, preferring
their own Ease and Sloth before the general Improvement of
their Country.
His Lordship added, that he would not by any further
Particulars prevent the Pleasure I should certainly take in
viewing the grand Academy, whither he was resolved I should
go. He only desired me to observe a ruined Building upon
the side of a Mountain about three Miles distant, of which
he gave me this Account. That he had a very convenient
Mill 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 Court, and pressed by many of
his Friends, he complyed with the Proposal ; and after
employing an hundred Men for two Years, the Work mis-
220 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
carried, 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 Disappointment.
In a few Days we came back to Town, 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 company thither. My Lord was pleased to
represent me as a great Admirer of Projects, and a Person of
much Curiosity and easy Belief, which indeed was not with-
out Truth, for I had myself been a sort of a Projector in my
younger Days.
CHAP. V
The Author permitted to see the grand Academy of Lagado. The Academy
largely described. The Arts wherein the Professor's eniploy themselves.
This Academy is not an entire single Building, but a Con-
tinuation of several Houses on both sides of a Street, which
growing waste was purchased and applied to that Use.
I was received very kindly by the Warden, and went for
many Days to the Academy. Every Room hath 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 meager Aspect, with sooty
Hands and Face, his Hair and Beard long, ragged and singed
in several places. His Cloths, 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 into Vials hermetically Sealed, and let out to warm the
Air in raw inclement Summers. He told me, he did not
doubt in eight Years more, he should be able to supply the
Governor's Gardens with Sun-shine 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 me with Money on purpose, because he knew their
Practice of begging from all who go to see them.
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
PART III
I saw one at work to calcine Ice into Gun-Powder, who
likewise shewed me a Treatise he had written concerning the
Malleability of Fire, which he intended to publish.
' He complained that his Stock ivas low.'
There was a most ingenious Architect who had contrived
a new method for building Houses, by beginning at the Roof
and working downwards to the Foundation, which he justified
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
223
to me by the like practice of those two prudent Insects the
Bee and the Spider.
Taught them to distinguish by feeling and smelling.'
There was a man born blind, who had several Apprentices
in his own condition : Their Employment was to mix Colours
for Painters, which their Master taught them to distinguish by
224
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
PART III
feeling and smelling. It was indeed my misfortune to find
them at that time not very perfect in their Lessons, and the
Professor himself happened to be generally mistaken : This
; A Device of plowing- the Ground with Hogs.
, Artist is much encouraged and esteemed by the whole
Fraternity.
In another Apartment I was highly pleased with a Pro-
jector, who had found a Device of plowing the Ground with
Hogs, to save the charges of Plows, Cattle, and Labour.
chap, v A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 225
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 other Maste or Vegetables whereof these
Animals are fondest : Then you drive six hundred or more of
them into the Field, where in a few days they will root up
the whole ground in search of their Food, 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 little or no Crop. However, it is
not doubted that this invention may be capable of great
improvement.
I went into another room, where the Walls and Ceiling
were all hung round with 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 such plenty of domestick Insects, who infinitely
excelled the former, because they understood how to weave
as well as spin. And he proposed farther, that by employing
Spiders, the charge of dying silks should be wholly saved,
whereof I was fully convinced when he shewed me a vast
number of Flies most beautifully coloured, wherewith he fed
his Spiders, assuring us, that the Webs would take a Tincture
from them ; and as he had them of all hues, he hoped to fit
every body's fancy, as soon as he could find proper Food for
the Flies of certain Gums, Oyls, 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 Weather-cock 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 by the Wind.
I visited many other Apartments, but shall not trouble
my Reader with all the Curiosities I observed, being studious
of brevity.
Q
226 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
I had hitherto seen only one side of the x\cademy, the
other being appropriated to the Advancers of speculative
Learning, of whom I shall say something when I have men-
tioned one illustrious person more, who is called among them
the universal Artist. He told us he had been thirty Years
employing his Thoughts for the Improvement of human Life.
He had two large Rooms full of wonderful Curiosities, and
fifty men at work. Some were condensing Air into a dry
tangible 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 preserve them from foundring. The Artist
himself was at that time busy upon two great Designs ; the
first to sow Land with Chaff, wherein he affirmed the true
seminal virtue to be contained, as he demonstrated by several
Experiments which I was not skilful enough to comprehend.
The other was, by a certain composition of Gums, Minerals,
and Vegetables outwardly applied, to prevent the growth of
Wool upon two young Lambs ; and he hoped in a reasonable
time to propagate the breed of naked Sheep all over the
Kingdom.
We crossed a Walk to the other part of the Academy,
where, as I have already said, the Projector in Speculative
Learning resided.
The first Professor I saw was in a very large Room, with
forty Pupils about him. After Salutation, observing me to
look earnestly upon a frame, which took up the greatest part
of both the length and breadth of the Room, he said perhaps
I might wonder to see him employed in a Project for im-
proving 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 sprung 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
person at a reasonable charge, and with a little bodily labour,
CHAP. V
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
227
may write Books in Philosophy, Poetry, Politicks, Law,
Mathematicks and Theology, without the least assistance from
genius or study. He then led me to the frame, about the
sides whereof all his Pupils stood in ranks. It was twenty
foot square, placed in the middle of the room. The
: He then led vie to the frame.''
superficies was composed of several bits of wood, about the
bigness of a Dye, but some larger than others. They were
all linked together by slender Wires. These bits of wood
were covered on every square with paper pasted on them, and
on these papers were written all the words of their Language
in their several Moods, Tenses and Declensions, but without
any Order. The Professor then desired me to observe, for
228 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
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 remaining Boys who were Scribes.
This work was repeated three or four times, and at every
turn the Engine was so contrived, that the words shifted
into new places, as the square bits of wood moved upside
down.
Six hours a-day the young Students were employed in
this Labour, and the Professor shewed 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 compleat body of all Arts and Sciences ;
which however might be still improved, and much expedited,
if the Publick would raise a Fund for making and employing
five hundred such frames in Lagado, and oblige the Managers
to contribute in common their several Collections.
He assured me, that this Invention had employed all his
Thoughts from his youth, that he had employed 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 acknowledgement to this illustrious
person for his great Communicativeness, and promised if
ever I had the good fortune to return to my native Country,
that I would do him justice, as the sole Inventor of this
wonderful Machine ; the form and contrivance of which
I desired leave to delineate upon paper. I told him,
although it were the custom of our learned in Europe
chap, v A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 229
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 Language, where three
Professors sate in consultation upon improving that of their
own Country,
The first Project was to shorten Discourse by cutting
Polysyllables into one, and leaving out Verbs and Participles,
because in reality all things imaginable are but Nouns.
The other was a Scheme for entirely abolishing all words
whatsoever ; and this was urged as a great advantage in point
of Health as well as brevity. For, it is plain, that every word
we speak is in some degree a diminution of our Lungs by
Corrosion, and consequently contributes to the shortning of
our Lives. An expedient was therefore offered, that since
words are only names for Things, it would be more con-
venient for all men to carry about them, such Things as were
necessary to express the particular business they are to
discourse on. And this Invention would certainly have
taken place, to the great ease as well as health of the
Subject, if the Women in conjunction with the vulgar and
illiterate had not threatned to raise a Rebellion, unless they
might be allowed the liberty to speak with their Tongues,
after the manner of their Ancestors ; Such constant ir-
reconcileable Enemies to Science are the common people.
However, many of the most learned and wise adhere to the
new Scheme of expressing themselves by Things, which hath
only this Inconvenience attending it, that if a man's business
be very gre'at, and of various kinds, he must be obliged in
proportion 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, like Pedlers among us ; who when
they met in the Streets would lay down their Loads, open
2 3 o A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC part hi
their Sacks and hold Conversation for an hour together;
{ Conversation.'
then put up their Implements, help each other to resume
their burthens, and take their leave.
chap, v A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 231
But for short conversations a man may carry Implements
in his Pockets and under his Arms, enough to supply him,
and in his House he cannot be at a loss ; Therefore the
room where company meet who practice this Art, is full of all
Things ready at hand, requisite to furnish matter for this kind
of artificial converse.
Another great advantage proposed by this Invention, was
that it would serve as an 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 Embassadors
would be qualified to treat with foreign Princes or Ministers
of State to whose Tongues they were utter Strangers.
I was at the Mathematical School, where the Master
taught his Pupils after a method scarce imaginable to us in
Europe. The Proposition and Demonstration were fairly
written on a thin Wafer, with Ink composed of a Cephalick
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 hath not hitherto been answerable, partly by some
error in the Quantum or Composition, and partly by the
Perverseness of Lads, to whom this Bolus is so nauseous that
they generally steal aside, and discharge it upwards before it
can operate, neither have they been yet persuaded to use so
long an Abstinence as the Prescription requires.
CHAR VI
A farther Account of the Academy. The Author proposes some Improve-
ments which are honourably received.
In the School of Political Projectors I was but ill entertained,
the Professors appearing in my Judgment wholly out of their
Senses, which is a Scene that never fails to make me
melancholy. These unhappy People were proposing Schemes
for persuading Monarchs to chuse Favourites upon the Score
of their Wisdom, Capacity and Virtue • of teaching Ministers
to consult the Publick Good ; of rewarding Merit, great
Abilities and eminent Services ; of instructing Princes to
know their true Interest by placing it on the same foundation
with that of their people : Of chusing for employments
persons qualified to exercise them ; with many other wild
impossible Chimaeras, that never entred before into the
heart of man to conceive, and confirmed in me the old
Observation, that there is nothing so extravagant and ir-
rational 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 Govern-
ment. This illustrious person had very usefully employed his
studies in finding out effectual remedies for all Diseases and
Corruptions, to which the several kinds of publick Admin-
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 233
istration are subject by the Vices or Infirmities of those who
govern, as well as by the licentiousness of those who are to
obey. For instance ; whereas all Writers and Reasoners have
agreed, that there is a strict universal resemblance between the
Natural and the Political body ; can there be any thing more
evident, than that the health of both must be preserved, and
the diseases cured by the same prescription ? 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, Vertigos and Deliriums ; with Scrophulous Tumours
full of faetid purulent Matter ; with sower frothy Ructations,
with canine Appetites and crudeness of Digestion, besides
many others needless to mention. This Doctor therefore
proposed, that upon the meeting of a Senate, certain
Physicians should attend at the three first days of their
sitting, and at the close of each days debate, feel the Pulses
of every Senator ; after which having maturely considered,
and consulted upon the nature of the several Maladies, and
title 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 sate, administer
to each of them Lenitives, Aperitives, Abstersives, Corrosives,
Restringents, Palliatives, Laxatives, Cephalalgicks, Ictericks,
Apophlegmaticks, Acousticks, as their several cases required,
and according as these Medicines should operate, repeat,
alter, or omit them at the next Meeting.
This Project could not be of any great expence to the
publick, and would in my poor opinion, be of much use for
the dispatch of business in those Countries where Senates
have any share in the Legislative Power, beget Unanimity,
shorten Debates, open a few Mouths which are now closed,
and close many more which are now open ; curb the Petu-
lancy of the Young, and correct the Positiveness of the
Old ; rouze the Stupid, and damp the Pert.
234
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
PART III
Again, Because it is a general complaint that the favourites
of Princes are troubled with short and weak Memories ; the
same Doctor proposed, that whoever attended a first Minister,
after having told his business with the utmost brevity, and in the
plainest words ; should at his departure give the said Minister
a tweak by the Nose, or a kick in the Belly, or tread on his
' To prevent forgetfulness.
Corns, or lug him thrice by both Ears, or run a pin into his
Breech, or pinch his Arm black and blew, to prevent forget-
fulness : and at every Levee 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
CHAr. vi A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 235
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 Publick.
When parties in a State are violent, he offered a wonderful
contrivance to reconcile them. The method is this. You
take an hundred Leaders of each party, you dispose them
into couples of such whose heads are nearest of a size j then
let two nice Operators saw off the Occiput of each couple at
the same time, in such a manner that the brain may be
equally divided. Let the Occiputs thus cut off be inter-
changed, applying each to the head of his opposite party-man.
It seems indeed to be a work that requireth some exactness,
but the Professor assured us, that if it were dextrously per-
formed, the cure would be infallible. For he argued thus ; that
the two half brains being left to debate the matter between
themselves within the space of one Scull, would soon come to
a good understanding, and produce that Moderation as well
as Regularity of thinking, so much to be wished for in the
heads of those, who imagine they come into the world only
to watch and govern its motion : And as to the difference of
brains in quantity 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 Professors, about
the most commodious and effectual ways and means of raising
money without grieving 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
according to the number and natures of the favours they
236 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
have received ; for which they are allowed to be their own
vouchers. Wit, Valour, and Politeness were likewise pro-
posed to be largely taxed, and collected in the same manner,
by every person's giving his own word for the Quantum of
what he possessed. But as to Honour, Justice, Wisdom and
Learning, they should not be taxed at all, because they are
qualifications of so singular a kind, that no man will either
allow them in his neighbour, or value them in himself.
The Women were proposed to be taxed according to
their Beauty and skill in Dressing, wherein they had the
same privilege with the Men, to be determined by their own
judgment. But Constancy, Chastity, good Sense, and good
Nature were not rated, because they would not bear the
charge of collecting.
To keep Senators in the interest of the Crown, it was
proposed that the members should raffle for employments,
every man first taking an oath, and giving security that he
would vote for the Court, whether he won or no, after which
the losers had in their turn the liberty of raffling 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.
The whole discourse was written with great acuteness,
containing many observations both curious and useful for
Politicians, but as I conceived not altogether compleat. 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 should I happen to live in a kingdom
where Plots and Conspiracies were either in vogue from the
turbulancy of the meaner people, or could be turned to the
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 237
use and service of the higher rank of them, I first would take
care to cherish and encourage the breed of Discoverers,
Witnesses, Informers, Accusers, Prosecutors, Evidences,
Swearers, together with their several subservient and sub-
altern instruments ; and when I had got a competent number
of them of all sorts and capacities, I would put them under
the colour and conduct of some dextrous persons in sufficient
power both to protect and reward them. Men thus qualified
and thus empowered might make a most excellent use and
advantage of Plots, they might raise their own characters and
pass for most profound Politicians, they might restore new
vigour to a crazy Administration, they might stifle or divert
general Discontents ; fill their pockets with forfeitures, and
advance or sink the opinion of publick Credit, as either
might answer their private Advantage. This might be done
by first agreeing and settling among themselves what sus-
pected persons should be accused of a Plot. Then effectual
care being taken to secure all their Letters and Papers, and
put the criminal in safe and secure custody; these Papers
might be delivered to a sett of Artists of dexterity sufficient
to find out the mysterious meanings of Words, Syllables and
Letters. They should be allowed to put what interpretation
they pleased upon them, giving them a sense not only which
has no relation at all to them, but even what is quite contrary
to their true intent and real meaning ; thus for instance, they
may, if they so fancy, interpret a Sieve to signify a Court
Lady, a lame Dog an Livader, the Plague a standing Army, a
Buzzard a great Statesman, the Gout a High Priest, a Broom a
Revolution, a Mouse-trap an Imployment, a Bottomless-pit a
Treasury, a Sink a Court, a Cap and Bells a Favorite, a broke?i
Reed a Court of Justice, an empty Tu?i a General, a running Sore
an- Administration.
But should this method fail, recourse might be had to
others more effectual, by learned men called Acrosticks and
Anagrams. First, might be found men of skill and penetration
who can discern that all initial Letters have political Meanings.
Thus JV shall signify a Plot, B a Regiment of Horse, L a
238 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
Fleet at Sea. Or secondly, by transposing the Letters of the
Alphabet in any suspected Paper, who can discover 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 man of skill in this Art would discover
how the same Letters which compose that Sentence, may be
analysed in the following words ; Resist, a Plot is brought
home The Tower. And this is the Anagrammatick Method.
The Professor made me great acknowledgments for com-
municating these observations, and promised to make honour-
able mention of me in his Treatise.
I saw nothing in this Country that could invite me to a
longer continuance, and began to think of returning home to
England.
CHAP. VII
The Author leaves Lagado, arrives at Maldonada. No Ship ready. He
takes a short Voyage to Glubbdubdrib. His Receptio?i by the Governor.
The Continent of which this Kingdom is a part, extends it-
self, as I have reason to believe, Eastward to that unknown
Tract of America, Westward of California, and North to the
Pacifick Ocean, which is not above a hundred and fifty Miles
from Lagado, where there is a good Port and much Commerce
with the great Island of Luggnagg, situated to the North-
West about 29 Degrees North Latitude, and 140 Longitude.
This Island of Luggnagg stands South Eastwards of Japan,
about an hundred Leagues distant. There is a strict Alliance
between the Japanese Emperor and the King of Luggnagg,
which affords frequent opportunities of sailing from one Island
to the other. I determined therefore to direct my course this
way in order to my return to Europe. I hired two Mules
with a Guide to shew me the way, and carry my small
Baggage. I took leave of my noble Protector, who had
shewn 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 Maldonada
(for so it is called) there was no Ship in the Harbour bound
for Luggnagg, nor like to be in some time. The Town is
about as large as Portsmouth. I soon fell into some Ac-
quaintance, and was very hospitably received. A Gentleman
240 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
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 to accompany
me, and that I should be provided with a small convenient
Barque for the Voyage.
GLUBB DUB DRIB, 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 hath
a noble Palace and a Park of about three thousand Acres,
surrounded by a Wall of hewn Stone twenty Foot high. In
this Park are several small Inclosures for Cattle, Corn, and
Gardening.
The Governour and his Family are served and attended by
Domesticks of a kind somewhat unusual. By his skill in
Necromancy, he hath a power of calling whom he pleaseth
from the Dead, and commanding their service for twenty-four
hours, but no longer ; nor can he call the same persons up
again in less than three Months, except upon very extra-
ordinary Occasions.
When we arrived at the Island, which was about eleven
in the Morning, one of the Gentlemen who accompanied me,
went to the Governour, and desired admittance for a
Stranger, who 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 something in their Countenances that made my
flesh creep with a Horror I cannot express. We passed
through several Apartments between Servants of the same
sort, ranked on each side as before, till we came to the
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 241
Chamber of Presence, where after three profound Obeysances,
and a few general Questions, we were permitted to sit on
three Stools near the lowest step of his Highness's Throne.
He understood the Language of Balmbarbi, although it were
different from that of his Island. He desired me to give him
' / had the honour to dine -with the Governour'
some account of my Travels ; and to let me see that I should
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 Governour assured me that I should receive no
242 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
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 Domestick Spectres. I had
the honour to dine with the Governour, where a new sett 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 Sun-set, but humbly desired his
Highness to excuse me for not accepting his Invitation of
lodging in the Palace. My two Friends and I lay at a
private house in the Town adjoining, which is the capital of
this little Island ; and the next Morning we returned to pay
our duty to the Governour, as he was pleased to command us.
After this manner we continued in the Island for ten
Days, most part of every Day with the Governour, and at
Night in our Lodging. I soon grew so familiarized to the
sight of Spirits, that after the third or fourth time they gave
me no Emotion at all • or if I had any Apprehensions left,
my Curiosity prevailed over them. For his Highness the
Governour ordered me to call up whatever persons I would
chuse 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 Questions 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
truth, for Lying was a talent of no use in the Lower world.
I made my humble Acknowledgements to his Highness
for so great a Favour. We were in a Chamber, from whence
there was a fair Prospect into the Park. And because my
first Inclination was to be entertained with scenes of Pomp
and Magnificence, I desired to see Alexander the Great, at
the head of his Army just after the Battle of Arbela, which
upon a motion of the Governor's Finger immediately ap-
CHAP. VII
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
243
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
<fy
' In good Intelligence with each othe?'." 1
my own. He assured me upon his Honour that he was not
poisoned, but dyed of a Fever by excessive Drinking.
Next I saw Hannibal passing the Alps, who told me he
had not a drop of Vinegar in his camp.
244 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
I saw Ccesar 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 Chamber, and an Assembly of somewhat a later
Age, in Counterview in another. The first seemed to be an
Assembly of Heroes and Demy-Gods ; the other a knot of
Pedlars, Pick-pockets, High-way-men and Bullies.
The Governor at my request gave the sign for Ccesar and
Brutus to advance towards us. I was struck with a profound
Veneration at the sight of Brutus, and could easily discover
the most consummate Virtue, the greatest Intrepidity, and
firmness of Mind, the truest Love of his Country, and general
Benevolence for Mankind in every Lineament of his Coun-
tenance. I observed with much pleasure, that these two
persons were in good Intelligence with each other, and
Ccesar 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 Con-
versation with Brutus ; and was told that his Ancestor Junius,
Socrates, Epaminondas, Cato the Younger, Sir Thomas More
and himself, were perpetually together : a Sextumvirate to
which all the Ages of the World cannot add a Seventh.
It would be tedious to trouble the Reader with relating
what vast numbers of illustrious persons were called up, to
gratify that insatiable desire I had to see the World in every.
Period of Antiquity placed before me. I chiefly fed mine
Eyes with beholding the Destroyers of Tyrants and Usurpers,
and the Restorers of Liberty to oppressed and injured
Nations. But it is impossible to express the Satisfaction I
received in my own Mind, after such a manner as to make it
a suitable Entertainment to the Reader.
CHAP. VIII
A further account of Glubbdubdrib. Ancient and Modern History
corrected.
Having a desire to see those Ancients, who were most
renowned for Wit and Learning, I set apart one day on
purpose. I proposed that Homer and Aristotle might appear
at the Head of all their Commentators ; but these were so
numerous that some Hundreds were forced to attend in the
Court and outward Rooms of the Palace. • I knew and
could distinguish those two Heroes at first sight, not only
from the Croud, but from each other. Homer was the taller
and comlier 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 meager, 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
and Eustathius to. Homer, and prevailed on him to treat them
better than perhaps they deserved, for he soon found they
wanted a genius to enter into the Spirit of a Poet. But
Aristotle was out of all Patience with the account I gave him
246
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
TART III
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 Governour to call up Descartes and
Gassendi, with whom I prevailed to explain their Systems to
Aristotle. This great Philosopher freely acknowledged his
C8£> «y*
£ / was not able to get down a second Spoonful.'
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
Epicurus as palatable as he could, and the Vortices of Descartes,
were equally exploded. He predicted the same Fate to
Attraction, whereof the present learned are such zealous
Asserters. He said, that new Systems of Nature were but-
new Fashions, which would vary in every Age ; and even
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 247
those who pretend to demonstrate them from Mathematical
Principles, would flourish but a short period of time, and be
out of Vogue when that was determined.
I spent five Days in conversing with many others of the
ancient learned. I saw most of the first Roman Emperors.
I prevailed on the Governour to call up Eliogabulus's Cooks to
dress us a Dinner, but they could not shew 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 the Governour would call up a dozen or two of Kings
with their Ancestors in order for eight or nine Generations.
But my Disappointment was grievous and unexpected. For
instead of a long train with Royal Diadems, I saw in one
Family two Fidlers, 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,
Marquesses, 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 particular Features, by
which certain Families are distinguished up to their Originals.
I could plainly discover from whence one Family derives a
long Chin, why a second hath abounded. with Knaves for two
Generations, and Fools for two more ; why a third happened
to be crack-brained, and a fourth to be Sharpers. Whence it
came what Polydore Virgil says of a certain great House, Nee
Vir fortis, nee Foemina casta. How Cruelty, Falshood, and
Cowardice grew to be Characteristicks by which certain
Families are distinguished as much as by their Coat of Arms.
248
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
Neither could I wonder at all this, when I saw such an
Interruption of Lineages by Pages, Lacqueys, Valets, Coach-
men, Gamesters, Captains, and Pick-pockets.
I was chiefly disgusted with modern History. For having
' 'I could plainly discover front whence one Family derives a long Chin.''
strictly examined all the Persons of greatest Name in the
Courts of Princes for an 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, Sincerity to Flatterers, Ro7nan Virtue to Betrayers of
their Country, Piety to Atheists, Truth to Informers. How
many innocent and excellent Persons had been condemned
chap, vin A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 249
to Death or Banishment, by the practising of great Ministers
upon the corruption of Judges, and the malice of Factions.
How many Villains had been exalted to the highest places
of Trust, Power, Dignity, and Profit : How great a share in
the Motions and Events of Courts, Councils, and Senates
might be challenged by Pimps, Parasites, and Buffoons :
How low an opinion I had of human Wisdom and Integrity,
when I was truly informed of the Springs and Motives
of great Enterprizes 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 history, who send so
many Kings to their Graves with a cup of Poison ; will repeat
the Discourse between a Prince and chief Minister, where no
Witness was by ; unlock the Thoughts and Cabinets of
Embassadors and Secretaries of State, and have the perpetual
Misfortune to be mistaken. Here I discovered the secret
Causes of many great Events that have surprized the world.
A General confessed in my Presence, that he got a Victory
purely by the force of Cowardice and ill Conduct : and an
Admiral, that for want of proper Intelligence, he beat the
Enemy to whom he intended to betray the Fleet. Three
Kings protested to me, that in their whole Reigns they did
never once prefer any person of Merit, unless by Mistake or
Treachery of some Minister in whom they confided : Neither
would they do it if they were to live again ; and they shewed
with great strength of Reason, that the Royal Throne could
not be supported without Corruption, because that positive,
confident, restive Temper, which Virtue infused into Man,
was a perpetual clog to publick Business.
I had the curiosity to enquire in a particular manner, by
what Method great numbers had procured to themselves high
Titles of Honour, and prodigious Estates ; and I confined
my Enquiry to a very modern period : However without
grating upon present times, because I would be sure to give
250 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part iii
no Offence even to Foreigners (for I hope the Reader need
not be told that I do not in the least intend my own
Country in what I say upon this occasion) a great number of
persons concerned were called up, and upon a very slight
Examination, discovered such a Scene of Infamy, that I
cannot reflect upon it without some Seriousness. Perjury,
Oppression, Subornation, Fraud, Pandarism, and the like
Infirmities were amongst 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 great-
ness and wealth to vice ; others to the betraying 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 enquiry I was told that their
names were to be found on no Record, except a few of them
whom history hath represented as the vilest Rogues and
Traitors. As to the rest, I had never once heard of them.
They all appeared with dejected Looks, and in the meanest
habit, most of them telling me they died in poverty and
disgrace, and the rest on a Scaffold or a Gibbet.
Among the rest there was one person whose Case ap-
peared 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 Enemies
great line of Battle, sink three of their capital Ships, and take
a fourth, which was the sole cause of Anthony's Flight, and of
the Victory that ensued ; that the Youth standing by him, his
only Son, was killed in the Action. He added, that upon
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 251
the confidence of some Merit, this 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 without any regard to his Pretensions, it was
given to a Youth who had never seen the Sea, the son of
Libertina, who waited on one of the Emperor's Mistresses.
Returning back to his own Vessels, 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, 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
hath been engrossed by the chief Commander, who perhaps
had the least Title to either.
As every person called up made exactly the same ap-
pearance he had done in the world, it gave me melancholy
Reflections to observe how much the race of human kind
was degenerate among us, within these Hundred years past.
I descended so low as to desire that some English
Yeomen of the old stamp, might be summoned to appear,
once so famous for the simplicity of their Manners, Diet and
Dress, for Justice in their Dealings, for their true spirit of
Liberty, for their valour and love of their Country. Neither
could I be wholly unmov'd 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
252
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
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,
W/
&S8*
' Corruption.''
CHAR IX
The Author's Return to Maldonada. Sails to the Kingdom of Luggnagg.
The Author confined. lie is sent for to Court. The manner of his
admittatice. The King's great Lenity to his Subjects.
The day of our departure being come, I took leave of his
Highness the Governour of Glubbdubdrib, and returned with
my two companions to Maldonada, 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 A^oyage. We had one violent storm, and
were under a necessity of steering westward to get into the
trade-wind which holds for above sixty Leagues. On the
2 1 st of April, 1709, we sailed in the River Clumegm'g, 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 less than
half an hour, by whom we were guided between certain
Shoals and Rocks which are very dangerous in the passage to
a large Basin, where a Fleet may ride in safety within a cable's
length of the town Wall.
Some of our Sailors, whether out of treachery or in-
advertence, had informed the Pilots that I was a stranger
and a great traveller, whereof these gave notice to a custom-
house Officer, by whom I was examined very strictly upon
my landing. This Officer spoke to me in the language of
'/ Tras examined very strictly upon my landing.'
chap, ix A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 255
Balnibarbi, which by the force of much commerce is generally
understood in that Town, especially by Sea-men, and those
employed in the Customs. I gave him a short account
of some particulars, and made my story as plausible and
consistent as I could ; but I thought it necessary to disguise
my country, and call myself an 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 Officer, that having been Shipwrecked on
the coast of Balnibarbi, and cast on a Rock, I was received
up into Laputa, or the flying Island (of which he had often
heard) and was now endeavouring to get to Japan, from
whence I might find a convenience of returning to my own
country. The Officer said I must be confined till he could
receive Orders from Court, for which he would write im-
mediately, and hoped to receive an Answer in a Fortnight.
I was. carried to a convenient Lodging, with a Centry placed
at the Door ; however I had the liberty of a large Garden,
and was treated with humanity enough, being maintained
all the time at the King's charge. I was visited by several
persons, chiefly out of curiosity, because it was reported that
I came from countries very remote of which they had never
heard.
I hired a young Man who came in the same ship to be an
Interpreter ; he was a native of 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 came to visit me ; but this consisted only of their
questions, and my answers.
The dispatch came from Court about the time we ex-
pected. It contain'd a warrant for conducting me and my
retinue to Traldragdubh or Trildrogdrib, for it is pronounced
both ways as near as I can remember, by a party of ten
Horse. All my retinue was that poor lad for an Inter-
preter, whom I persuaded into my service, and at my humble
request, we had each of us a Mule to ride on. A Messenger
25 6
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
PART III
was dispatch'd 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
' More than matter offorin.
dust before his Footstool This is the Court style, and I found
it to be more than matter of form. For upon my admittance
two days after my arrival, I was commanded to crawl on my
Belly, and lick the Floor as I advanced ; but on account of
my being a stranger, care was taken to have it swept so clean
that the dust was not offensive. However, this was a
chap, ix A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 257
peculiar grace, not allowed to any but persons of the highest
rank, when they desire an admittance. Nay, sometimes the
Floor is strewed with dust on purpose, when the person to
be 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, because it is Capital for those who receive an
audience to spit or wipe their mouths in his Majesty's
Presence. There is indeed another custom, which I cannot
altogether approve of. When the King hath a mind to put
any of his Nobles to death in a gentle indulgent manner, he
commands to have the Floor strowed with a certain brown
Powder, of a deadly Composition, which being licked up
infallibly kills him in twenty-four hours. But in Justice to
this Prince's great clemency, and the care he hath of his
subjects Lives, (wherein it were much to be wished that the
Monarchs of Europe would imitate him) it must be mentioned
for his honour, that strict orders are given to have the infected
parts of the Floor well washed after every such Execution, which
if his domesticks neglect, they are in danger of incurring his
Royal displeasure. I myself heard him give directions, that one
of his Pages should be whipt, whose turn it was to give notice
about washing the Floor after an Execution, but maliciously
had omitted it, by which neglect a young Lord of great hopes
coming to an audience, was unfortunately poisoned, although
the King at that time had no design against his Life. But
this good Prince was so gracious, as to forgive the poor Page
his Whipping, upon promise that he would do so no more,
without special Orders.
To return from this Digression ; when I had crept within
four yards of the Throne, I raised myself gently upon my
Knees, and then striking my Forehead seven times on the
ground, I pronounced the following words, as they had been
taught me the night before, Ickpling Gloffthrobb Squid serumm
blhiop Mlashnalt Zwin tnodbalkguffh Slhiophad Gurdlubh Asht.
This is the compliment established by the Laws of the Land
258 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
for all persons admitted to the King's presence. It may be
rendered into English thus : May your coelestial Majesty out-live
the Sun, eleven Moons and an half. To this the King returned
some answer, which although I could not understand, yet I
replied as I had been directed ; Fluft dri?i Yalerick Dwuldom
prastrad 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; whereupon the
young Man already mentioned was accordingly introduced,
by whose Intervention I answer'd as many questions as his
Majesty could put in above an hour. I spoke in the Balni-
barbian Tongue, and my Interpreter delivered my meaning
in that of Zuggnagg.
The King was much delighted with my company, and
ordered his Bliffmarklub or high Chamberlain to appoint a
lodging in the Court for me and my Interpreter, with a daily
allowance for my table, and a large purse of gold for my
common Expences.
I stayed three months in this country out of perfect
obedience to his Majesty, who was pleased highly to favour
me, and made me very honourable Offers. But I thought
it more consistent with Prudence and Justice to pass the
remainder of my days with my Wife and Family.
CHAP. X
The Luggnuggians commended. A partictdar description of the Struldbrugs,
with many conversations between the Author and some eminent persons
upon that subject.
The Luggnuggians are a polite and generous People, and
although they are not without some share of that Pride which
is peculiar to all eastern countries, yet they shew themselves
courteous to strangers, especially such who are countenanced
by the Court. I had many acquaintance among persons of
the best fashion, and being always attended by my Inter-
preter, 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. I said I had not, and desired he would explain to
me what he meant by such an Appellation applyed to a mortal
Creature. He told me, that sometimes, though very rarely,
a child happened to be born in a Family with a red circular
spot in the Forehead, directly over the left Eye-brow, 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 farther Alteration. He said these
Births were so rare, that he did not believe there could be
2 6o A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
above eleven hundred Struldbrugs of both Sexes in the whole
Kingdom, of which he computed about fifty in the Metropolis,
and among the rest a young Girl born about three Years ago.
That these Productions were not peculiar to any Family
but a meer effect of Chance, and the Children of the Struld-
brugs themselves, were equally mortal with the rest of the
People.
I freely own myself to have been struck with inexpressible
delight upon hearing this account : and the Person who gave
it me happening to understand the Balnibarbian Language,
which I spoke very well, I could not forbear breaking out
into expressions perhaps a little too extravagant. I cryed out
as in a Rapture ; Happy Nation where every Child hath at
least a chance for being immortal ! Happy People who enjoy
so many living Examples of ancient Virtue, and have Masters
ready to instruct them in the Wisdom of all former Ages !
But, happiest beyond all comparison are those excellent
Struldbrugs, who born exempt from that universal Calamity
of human Nature, have their Minds free and disingaged,
without the weight and depression of Spirits caused by the
continual apprehension of death. I discover'd my Admiration
that I 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 most judicious Prince,
should not provide himself with a good number of such wise
and able Councellours. 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 opinionative and volatile to be guided by
the sober Dictates of their Seniors. However, since the
King was pleased to allow me access to his royal Person, I
was resolved upon the very first occasion to 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 no, yet in one thing I was determined, that his
Majesty having frequently offered me an Establishment in
chap, x A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
261
this Country, I would with great thankfulness accept the
Favour, and pass my Life here in the Conversation of those
' / cryed out as in a Rapture'
superiour Beings the Struldbmgs, if they would please to
admit me.
The Gentleman to whom I addressed my Discourse,
262 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part in
because (as I have already observed) he spoke the Language
of Balnibarbi, said to me with a sort of a Smile, which usually
ariseth from Pity to the ignorant, that he was glad of any
occasion to keep me among them, and desired my Per-
mission to explain to the company what I had spoke. He
did so, and they talked together for some time in their own
Language, whereof I understood not a Syllable, neither could
I observe by their Countenances what impression my Dis-
course 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 immortal 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 copious and
delightful a Subject, especially to me who have been often
apt to amuse myself with Visions of what I should do if I
were a King, a General, or a great Lord : And upon this very
Case I had frequently run over the whole System how I
should employ myself, and pass the time if I were sure to
live for ever.
That, if it had been my good Fortune to come into the
World a Struldbrug, as soon as I could discover my own.
Happiness by understanding the difference between Life
and Death, I would first resolve by all Arts and Methods
whatsoever to procure myself Riches. In the pursuit of
which by Thrift and 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 record every Action and Event of
Consequence that happened in the Publick, impartially draw
the Characters of the several Successions of Princes, and
chap, x A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 263
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, Dyet and Diversions.
By all which acquirements, I should be a living Treasury of
Knowledge and Wisdom, and certainly become the Oracle of
the Nation.
I would never marry after threescore, but live in an hospitable
manner, yet still on the saving side. I would entertain my-
self in forming and directing the Minds of hopeful young
Men, by convincing them from my own Remembrance,
Experience and Observation, fortified by numerous Examples,
of the usefulness of Virtue in publick and private Life. But
my choice and constant Companions should be a sett 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 my 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 communicate
our Observations and Memorials through the course of Time,
remark the several Gradations by which Corruption steals
into the World, and oppose it in every step, by giving per-
petual warning and instruction to Mankind \ which, added to
the strong influence of our own Example, would probably
prevent that continual degeneracy of human Nature so justly
complained of in all ages.
Add to all this the pleasure of seeing the various Re-
volutions of States and Empires, the Changes in the lower
and upper world, ancient Cities in Ruins, and obscure
264 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
Villages become the Seats of Kings. Famous Rivers
lessening into shallow Brooks, the Ocean leaving one Coast
dry, and overwhelming another : The Discovery of many
Countries yet unknown. Barbarity over-running the politest
Nations, and the most barbarous become civilized. I should
then see the Discovery of the Longitude, the perpetual Motion,
the Universal Medicine, and many other great Inventions brought
to the utmost Perfection.
What wonderful Discoveries should we make in As-
tronomy, by out-living and confirming our own Predictions,
by observing the- Progress and Returns of Comets, with the
changes of Motion in the Sun, Moon and Stars.
I enlarged upon many other Topicks which the natural
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
Expence. At last the same Gentleman who had been my
Interpreter said, he was desired by the rest to set me right in
a few Mistakes, which I had fallen into through the common
Imbecillity of human Nature, and upon that allowance was
less answerable for them. That this Breed of Struldbrugs
was peculiar to their Country, for there were no such People
either in Balnibarbi or Japan, where he had the honour to be
Embassador from his Majesty, and found the Natives in both
those Kingdoms very hard to believe that the Fact was pos-
sible, and it appeared from my Astonishment when he first
mentioned the matter to me, that I received it as a thing
wholly new, and scarcely to be credited. That in the two
Kingdoms above mention'd, 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
chap, x A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 265
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 continual Example of the Struldbrugs
before their Eyes.
That the System of Living contrived by me was un-
reasonable and unjust, because it supposed a Perpetuity of
Youth, Health and Vigour, which no man could be so foolish
to hope, however extravagant he may be in his Wishes.
That the question therefore was not whether a man would
chuse to be always in the prime of Youth, attended with
Prosperity and Health, but how he would pass a perpetual
Life under 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 Conditions, yet in the two
Kingdoms before-mentioned of Balnibarbi and Japan, he
observed that every Man desired to put off death for some time
longer, let it approach ever so late, and he rarely heard of
any Man who died willingly, except he were incited by the
Extremity of Grief or Torture. And he appealed to me
whether in those Countries I had travelled as well as my
own, I had not observ'd the same general 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, encreasing in
both till they came to Fourscore. This he learn'd from
their own Confession ; for otherwise there not being above
two or 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 Extremity of living in
this Country, they had not only all the Follies and Infirmities
of other old Men, but many more which arose from the
dreadful Prospects of never dying. They were not only
opinionative, peevish, covetous, morose, vain, talkative, but
uncapable of Friendship, and dead to all natural Affection,
which never descended below their Grand-children. Envy
266 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
and impotent Desires are their prevailing 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 reflecting 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 an Harbour of Rest, to which they themselves never
can hope to arrive. They have no Remembrance of any-
thing but what they learned and observ'd 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 Traditions 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 condemned without any Fault of their
own to a perpetual continuance in the World, should not
have their Misery doubled by the Load of a Wife.
As soon as they have compleated the term of eighty Years,
they are looked on as dead in Law ; their Heirs immediately
succeed to their Estates, only a small Pittance is reserved for
their support, and the poor ones are maintained at the pub-
lick Charge. After that Period they are held incapable of
any Employment of Trust or Profit, they cannot purchase
Lands or take Leases, neither are they allowed to be
Witnesses in any Cause, either Civil or Criminal, not even for
the 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 Appetite. The Diseases
chap, x A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 267
they were subject to still continue without encreasing 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, because 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 Entertainment whereof they might otherwise be
capable.
The Language of this Country being always upon the
Flux, the Struldbrugs of one age do not understand those of
another, neither are they able after two hundred Years to
hold any Conversation (farther than by a few general words)
with their Neighbours the Mortals, and thus they lie under
the disadvantage 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 several times by some of my
Friends ; but although they were told that I was a great
Traveller, and had seen all the World, they had not the least
curiosity to ask me a Question ; only desired I would give
them Slumskudask, or a Token of Remembrance, which is a
modest way of begging, to avoid the Law that strictly forbids
it, because they are provided for by the Publick, although
indeed with a very scanty Allowance.
They are despised and hated by all sorts of People \ when
one of them is born, it is reckoned ominous, and their Birth
is recorded very particularly ; so that you may know their
Age by consulting the Registry, which however hath not been
kept above a thousand Years past, or at least hath been
destroyed by time or publick Disturbances. But the usual
way of computing how old they are is by asking them what
Kings or great Persons they can remember, and then con-
Desired I would give tJiem Slumskudask.'
chap, x A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 269
suiting history, for infallibly the last Prince in their mind did
not begin his Reign after they were Fourscore years old.
They were the most mortifying sight I ever beheld, and
the women more horrible than the men. Besides 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 distin-
guished which was the eldest, although there was not above a
Century 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 all that had passed between me and my Friends
upon this occasion, and rallied me very pleasantly, wishing I
would send a couple of Struldbrugs to my own country, to
arm our people against the fear of Death • but this it seems
is forbidden by the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, or
else I should have been well content with the trouble and
expence of transporting them.
I could not but agree that the Laws of this Kingdom,
relating 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 necessary 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 Publick.
CHAR XI
The Author leaves Luggnagg and sails to Japan. From thence he returns
in a Dutch Ship to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to England.
I thought this account of the Struldbrugs might be some
Entertainment to the Reader, because 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 hath come to my hands :
And if I am deceived, my Excuse must be, that it is necessary
for Travellers, who describe the same country, very often to
agree in dwelling on the same Particulars, without deserving
the censure of having borrowed or transcribed from those who
wrote before 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 intirely a stranger to that Language, that
I was not qualified to make any Enquiries. But I hope the
Dutch upon this notice will be curious and able enough to
supply my Defects.
His Majesty having often pressed me to accept some
Employment in his Court, and finding me absolutely deter-
mined 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
A VOYAGE TO LArUTA, ETC.
27:
Japan. He likewise presented me with four hundred and
forty-four large pieces of Gold (this Nation delighting in even
Numbers) and a red Diamond which I sold in England for
eleven hundred Pounds.
On the sixth Day of May 1709, I took a solemn leave of
They knew the Seal. '
his Majesty, and all my Friends. This Prince was so gracious
as to order a Guard to conduct me to Glanguensiald, 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-
Town called Xamoschi, situated on the South- East part of
JaJ>an ; the Town lies on the Western Point where there is
272 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
a narrow Streight, leading Northward into a long Arm of the
Sea, upon the North- West part of which, Yedo the Metropolis
stands. At Landing I shewed the Custom-House Officers
my Letter from the King of Luggnagg to his Imperial
Majesty. They knew the Seal perfectly well, it was as broad
as the Palm of my Hand. The Impression was, A King
lifting up a lame Beggar from the Earth. The Magistrates of
the Town hearing of my Letter, received me as a Publick
Minister, they provided me with Carriages and Servants, and
bore my Charges to Yedo, where I was admitted to an Audience,
and delivered my Letter, which was opened with great
Ceremony, and explained to the 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
be granted for the sake of his Royal Brother of Luggnagg.
This Interpreter was a person employed to transact affairs
with the Hollanders ; he soon conjectured by my Countenance
that I was an European, and therefore repeated his Majesty's
Commands in Low-Dutch, which he spoke perfectly well. I
answered (as I had before determined) that I was a Dutch
Merchant, shipwrecked in a very remote country, from whence
I 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 returning into Europe : I therefore most humbly entreated
his Royal Favour to give order, that I should be conducted
in safety to Nangasac : 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 his Kingdom by
my Misfortunes, without any intention of trading. When
this latter Petition was interpreted to the Emperor, he seemed
a little surprized, 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
no ; but rather suspected I must be a Christian. However,
for the Reasons I had offered, but chiefly to gratify the King
CHAP. XI
A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC.
273
of Luggnagg, by an uncommon mark of his Favour, he would
comply with the singularity of my Humour • but the Affair
must be managed with Dexterity, and his Officers should be
commanded to let me pass as it were by Forgetfulness. For
he assured me, that if the secret should be discovered by my
1 Twenty strokes 071 the Sho7ilders.'
countrymen, the Dutch, they would cut my Throat in the
Voyage. I returned my Thanks by the Interpreter for so
unusual a Favour, and some Troops being at that time on
their March to Nangasac, the Commanding Officer had Orders
to convey me safe thither, with particular Instructions about
the business of the Crucifix.
274 A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. part hi
On the 9th Day of June 1709, I arrived at Nangasac,
after a very long and troublesome Journey. I soon fell into
company of some Dutch Sailors belonging to the Amboyna of
Amsterdam, a stout Ship of 450 Tuns. I had lived long in
Holland, pursuing my Studies at Leyden, and I spoke Dutch
well. The Seamen soon knew from whence I came last ;
they were curious to enquire into my Voyages and course of
Life. I made up a Story as short and probable as I could,
but concealed the greatest part. I knew many persons in
Holland, I was able to invent names for my Parents, whom
I pretended to be obscure People in the Province of Gelder-
land. I would have given the Captain (one Theodorus
Vangrult) what he pleased to ask for my Voyage to Holland ;
but understanding I was a Surgeon, he was contented to
take half the usual Rate, on condition that I would serve
him in the way of my calling. Before we took shipping, I
was often asked by some of the Crew, whether I had performed
the Ceremony above-mentioned ? I evaded the question by
general answers, that I had satisfied the Emperor and Court
in all particulars. However, a malicious Rogue of a Skipper
went to an Officer, and pointing to me, told him, I had not
yet trampled on the Crucifix: But the other, who had received
Instructions to let me pass, gave the Rascal twenty strokes
on the Shoulders with a Bamboo, after which I was no more
troubled with such questions.
Nothing happened worth mentioning in this Voyage.
We sail'd with a fair Wind to the Cape of Good Hope, where
we staid only to take in fresh Water. On the 16th of April
we arrived safe at Amsterdam, having lost only three Men by
Sickness in the Voyage, and a fourth who fell from the Fore-
mast into the Sea, not far from the Coast of Guinea. From
Amsterdam I soon after set sail for England in a small Vessel
belonging to that City.
On the 10th of April 17 10, we put in at the Downs. I
landed the next Morning, and saw once more my native
chap, xi A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, ETC. 275
Country after an Absence of five Years and six Months
compleat. I went strait to Redriff, where I arrived the same
day at two in the Afternoon, and found my Wife and Family
in good Health.
The End of the Third Part.
PART IV
A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF
THE HOUYHNHNMS
Edels Land
Lewins La
Nuyts Land
StTieter
HOUYHNHNMS
LAND
isco\/ered AD ijn
I 0\£aeCsuy£et
HOUYHNHNMS
LAND
'SSL
~Wafker tr1ioi*ta.& scufj>se
j=>j^fctjs:
j0.^\^^L<^m,
°B><§>
©f Turn, M®
m
' Binding me Hand and Foot.
CHAP. I
The Author sets out as Captain of a Ship. His Men conspire against
him, confine him a long Time to his Cabbin, set him on shoar in an
unknown Land. He travels up in the Country. The Yahoos,
a strange Sort of Animal, desc?'ibed. The Author meets two
Houyhnhnms.
CONTINUED at home with my Wife and
Children about five Months in a very
happy condition, if I could have learned
the lesson of knowing when I was well.
I left my poor Wife big with Child, and
accepted an advantagious offer made me
to be Captain of the Adventure, a stout
Merchant-man of 350 Tuns: For I under-
stood 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 Second day of August 1 7 1 o ; on
the Fourteenth, we met with Captain Pocock of Bristol, at
Tenariff, who was going to the Bay of Campechy, to cut
Logwood. On the Sixteenth, he was parted from us by a
Storm ; I heard since my return, that his ship foundered, and
none escaped, but one Cabbin-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 hath
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 I touched by the direction of the
Merchants who employed me, which I had soon too much
cause to repent; for I found afterwards that most of them
had been Bucaneers. I had Fifty hands on board, and my
chap. I A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 281
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 Cabbin, and
binding me Hand and Foot, threatning to throw me over-
board, if I offered to stir. I told them, 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 Centry 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 Pyrates, and plunder the Spaniards,
which they could not do, till they got more Men. But first
they resolved to sell the Goods in the ship, and then go to
Madagascar for Recruits, several among them having died
since my Confinement. They sailed many Weeks, and traded
with the Indians, but I knew not what course they took,
being kept a close Prisoner in my Cabbin, and expecting
nothing less than to be murdered, as they often threatned
me.
Upon the Ninth day of May 171 1, one James Welch came
down to my Cabbin ; and said he had Orders from the
Captain, to set me a-shore. I expostuled with him, but in
vain ; neither would he so much as tell me who their new
Captain was. They forced me into the Long-boat, letting me
put on my best Suit of Cloaths, which were as good as New,
and a small bundle of Linnen, 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
myself, but said, that the Captain (as they called him) was
resolved, after they had sold the Lading, to get rid of me
in the first place, where they could discover Land. They
282 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
pushed off immediately, advising me to make haste, for fear
of being overtaken by the Tide, and so bad me Farewell.
In this desolate condition I advanced forward, and soon
got upon firm ground, where I sate down on a Bank to rest
myself, and consider what I had best to 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 pur-
chase my Life from them by some Bracelets, Glass-rings,
and other Toys which Sailors usually provide themselves with
in those Voyages, and whereof I had some about me : The
Land was divided by long rows of Trees not regularly planted,
but naturally growing ; there was great plenty of Grass, and
several Fields of Oats. I walked very circumspectly for fear
of being surprized, or suddenly shot with an Arrow from be-
hind or on either side. I fell into a beaten road, where I
saw many tracks of human feet, and some of Cows, but most
of Horses. At last I beheld several animals in a Field, and
one or two of the same kind sitting in Trees. Their Shape
was very singular, and deformed, which a little discomposed
me, so that I lay down behind a Thicket to observe them
better. Some of them coming forward near the Place where
I lay, gave me an opportunity of distinctly marking their
Form. Their Heads and Breasts were covered with a thick
Hair, some frizled and others lank, they had Beards like
Goats, and a long ridge of Hair down their Backs, and the
fore-parts of their Legs and Feet, but the rest of their bodies
were bare, so that I might see their Skins, which were of a
brown buff Colour. They had no Tails, and used the sitting
Posture, as well as lying down, and often stood on their hind
Feet. They climbed high Trees, as nimbly as a Squirrel,
for they had strong extended Claws before and behind,
terminating in sharp points, and hooked. They would often
spring, and bound, and leap with prodigious Agility. The
Females were not so large as the Males, they had long lank
Hair on their Backs but none on their Faces, nor any thing
more than a sort of Down on the rest of their Bodies. The
Hair of both Sexes was of several Colours, brown, red, black
chap, i A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 283
and yellow. Upon the whole, I never beheld in all my
travels so disagreeable an Animal, nor 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 Cabbin of some Indian. I had not gone 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
Object he had never seen before ; then approaching nearer,
lifted up his Fore-paw, whether out of Curiosity or Mischief,
I could not tell. But I drew my Hanger, and gave him a
good Blow with the flat Side of it, for I durst not strike him
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, houling
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.
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. But looking on
my left-hand, I saw a Horse walking softly in the Field :
which my Persecutors having sooner discover'd, 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 a 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 stroak it, using the common style
and whistle of Jockies when they are going to handle a
284
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
PART IV
strange Horse. But this Animal seeming to receive my
Civilities with disdain, shook his head, and bent his brows,
softly raising up his right Fore-foot to remove my Hand.
' Kept them off, by waving my Hanger. '
Then he neighed three or four times, but in so different a
Cadence, that I almost began to think he was speaking to
himself in some language of his own.
While He and I were thus employed, another Horse
chap. I A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 285
came up ; who applying himself to the 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 articulate. 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 Inhabitants of this
Country were endued with a proportionable 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 untill 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-Grey, observing me to steal off, neighed after me
in so expressive a tone, that I fancied myself to understand
what he meant ; whereupon I turned back, and came near
him, to expect his farther commands. But concealing my
fear as much as I could, for I began to be in some Pain, how
this Adventure might terminate ; and the Reader will easily
believe I did not much like my present situation.
The two Horses came up close to me, looking with great
Earnestness upbn my Face and Hands. The Grey 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 setling it again ; whereat both he and
his Companion (who was a brown Bay) appeared to be much
surprized, the latter felt the Lappet of my Coat, and finding
it to hang loose about me, they both looked 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,
' The Grey steed rubbed my Hat all round. 1
chap. I A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 287
and using various Gestures, not unlike those of a Philosopher,
when he would attempt to solve some new and difficult
Phsenomenon.
Upon the whole, the Behaviour of these Animals was so
orderly and rational, so acute and judicious, that I at last
concluded, they must needs be Magicians, who had thus
metamorphosed themselves upon some design, and seeing a
Stranger in the way, were 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 Climate. Upon the
strength of this Reasoning, I ventured 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 English Man, 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 Bracelet (taking
them out of my Pocket). The two creatures stood silent
while I spoke, seeming to listen with great Attention ; and
when I had ended, they neighed frequently 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 ; and altho' it was
impossible for me to conjecture what it meant, yet while the
two Horses were busy in Conversation, I endeavour'd to
practice 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 surprized, and
the Grey repeated the same Word twice, as if he meant to
288 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
teach me the right Accent, wherein 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 Orthography,
may be spelt thus, Houyhnhnm. I did not succeed in this
so well as the former, but after two or three farther Trials,
I had better fortune ; and they both appeared amazed at my
Capacity.
After some farther Discourse, which I then conjectured
might relate to me, the two Friends took their leaves, with
the same Compliment of striking each other's Hoof; and the
Grey made me signs that I should walk before him, wherein
I thought it prudent to comply, till I could find a better
Director. When I offered to slacken my Pace, he would cry
Hhuun, Hhuun ; I guessed his meaning, and gave him to
understand, as well as I could, that I was weary, and not
able to walk faster ; upon which, he would stand a while to
let me rest.
CHAP. II
The Author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his House. The House
described. The Author's Reception. The Food of the Houyhnhnms.
The Author iti Distress for want of Meat, is at last relieved. His
Manner of feeding in this Country.
Having travelled about three Miles, we came to a long kind
of Building, made of Timber, stuck in the Ground, and
wattled a-cross ; 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 wondered more to see the rest employed in domestick
business. They seemed but ordinary Cattle ; however this
confirmed my first opinion, that a People who could so far
civilize brute Animals, must needs excel in Wisdom all the
Nations of the World. The Grey came in just after, and
thereby prevented any ill treatment, which the others might
have given me. He neighed to them several times in a style
of Authority, and received Answers.
Beyond this Room there were three others, reaching the
length of the House, to which you passed through three
u
290 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
Doors, opposite to each other, in the manner of a Vista ; we
went through the second Room towards the third, here
the Grey walked in first, beckoning me to attend : I
waited in the second Room, and got ready my Presents
for the Master and Mistress of the house : They were two
Knives, three Bracelets of false Pearl, 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 observed no other Returns, than in the same Dialect,
only one or two a little shriller than his. I began to think
that this House must belong to some person of great note
among them, because there appeared so much Ceremony
before I could gain Admittance. But, that a Man of Quality
should be served all by Horses, was beyond my compre-
hension. I feared my Brain was disturbed by my suffer-
ings and misfortunes : I roused myself, and looked about
me in the Room where I was left alone ; this was furnished
like the first, only after a more elegant manner. I rubbed
my eyes often, but the same Objects still 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 Magick. But I had no Time to pursue these Reflections ;
for the Grey Horse came to the door, and made me a sign to
follow him into the third Room, where I saw a very comely
Mare, together with a Colt and Fole, sitting on their
Haunches, upon Matts of Straw, not unartfully made, and
perfectly neat and clean.
The Mare soon after my Entrance, rose from her Matt,
and coming up close, after having nicely observed my Hands
and Face, gave me a most contemptuous Look ; then
turning to the Horse, I heard the word Yahoo often re-
peated betwixt them ; the meaning of which word I could
not then comprehend, although it were the first I had learned
to pronounce ; but I was soon better informed, to my ever-
lasting Mortification : For the Horse beckning to me with
his Head, and repeating the word Hhuun, Hhuun^ as he did
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 291
upon the Road, which I understood was to attend him, led
me out into a kind of Court, where was another Building at
some Distance from the House. Here we enter'd, and I saw
three of these detestable Creatures, whom 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 accident or Disease.
They were all tyed by the Neck with strong Wyths, 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 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 observ'd 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 nations, where the
lineaments of the countenance are distorted by the natives
suffering their infants to lie groveling on the earth, or by
carrying them on their backs, nuzzling with their face against
the Mother's 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 resemblance between
our Feet, with the same differences, which I knew very well,
tho' the Horses did not, because of my Shoes and Stockings ;
the same in every Part of our Bodies, except as to hairiness
and Colour, 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 obliged to my Cloaths,
whereof they had no conception : The Sorrel Nag offered me
a Root, which he held (after their manner, as we shall describe
292 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
in its proper place) between his Hoof and Pastern ; I took it
in my hand, and having smelt it, returned it to him again as
civilly as I could. He brought out of the Yahoo's kennel a
piece of Ass's Flesh, but it smelt so offensively that I turned
from it with loathing ; he then threw it to the Yahoo, by whom
it was greedily devoured. He afterwards shewed me a Whisp
' The beast and I vuere brought close together. '
of Hay, and a Fettlock full of Oats ; but I shook my head, to
signify, that neither of these were Food for me. And indeed,
I now apprehended that I must absolutely starve, if I did not
get to some of my own species : For as to those filthy Yahoos,
although there were few greater lovers of Mankind, at that time,
than myself; yet I confess I never saw any sensitive Being
so detestable on all accounts ; and the more I came near them,
the more hateful they grew, while I stayed in that Country.
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 293
This the Master Horse observed by my behaviour, and there-
fore sent the Yahoo back to his Kennel. He then put his
Fore-hoof to his Mouth, at which I was much surprized,
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 possible to contrive any way for finding myself
nourishment. While we were thus engaged, I observed a
Cow passing by, whereupon I pointed to her, and expressed
a desire to let me go and milk her. This had its effect ; for
he led me back into the House, and ordered a Mare-servant
to open a Room, where a good store of Milk lay in earthen
and wooden vessels, after a very orderly and cleanly manner.
She gave me a large Bowl full, of which I drank very heartily,
and found myself well refreshed.
About noon I saw coming towards the House a kind of
Vehicle drawn like a Sledge by four Yahoos. There was in it
an old Steed, who seemed to be of Quality ; he alighted with
his Hind-feet forward, having by accident got a hurt in his
left Fore-foot. He came to dine with our Horse, who received
him with great Civility. They dined in the best Room, and
had Oats boiled in Milk for the second course, which the old
Horse eat warm, but the rest cold. Their Mangers were
placed circular in the middle of the Room, and divided into
several Partitions, round which they sate 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 Fole appeared very modest,
and that of the Master and Mistress extremely chearful and
complaisant to their Guest. The Grey ordered me to stand
by him, and much discourse passed between him and his
friend concerning me, as I found by the stranger's often
looking on me, and the frequent Repetition of the word
Yahoo,
294
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
PART IV
I happened to wear my Gloves, which the Master-Grey
observing, seemed perplexed, discovering signs of Wonder
what I had done to my Fore-feet ; he put his Hoof three or
four times to them, as if he would signify, that I should reduce
them to their former shape, which I presently did, pulling
off both my Gloves, and putting them into my Pocket. This
occasioned farther talk, and I saw the company was pleased
: Often looking on me. '
with my Behaviour, whereof I soon found the good Effects.
I was ordered to speak the few words I understood, and while
they were at dinner, the Master taught me the Names for
Oats, Milk, Fire, Water, and some others; which I could
readily pronounce after him, having from my youth a great
facility in learning Languages.
When dinner was done, the Master Horse took me aside,
chap, ii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 295
and by signs and words made me understand the Concern
that he was in, that I had nothing to eat. Oats in their
Tongue are called Hlunnh. This word I pronounced two or
three times ; for although I had refused them at first, yet
upon second thoughts, I considered that I could contrive to
make of them a kind of Bread, which might be sufficient with
Milk to keep me alive, till I could make my escape to some
other . country, and to Creatures of my own species. The
Horse immediately order'd a white Mare -servant of his
Family to bring me a good quantity of Oats in a sort of
wooden Tray. These I heated before the fire as well as I
could, and rubbed them till the Husks came off, which I
made a shift to winnow from the Grain ; I ground and beat
them between two Stones, then took Water, and made them
into a Paste or Cake, which I toasted at the Fire, and eat
warm with Milk. It was at first a very insipid diet, though
common enough in many parts of 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
Nature is satisfied. And I cannot but observe, that I never
had one hour's sickness, while I staid in this Island. 'Tis
true, I sometimes made a shift to catch a Rabbet, or Bird,
by springes made of Yahoo's hairs, and I often gathered
wholesome herbs, which I boiled, or eat as Salades with my
bread, and now and then, for a rarity, I made a little Butter,
and drank the Whey. I was at first at a great loss for Salt,
but custom soon reconciled the want of it ; and I am con-
fident that the frequent use of Salt among us is an effect of
luxury, and was first introduced only as a provocative to
drink • except where it is necessary for preserving of flesh in
long voyages, or in places remote from great markets. For
we observe no animal to be fond of it but Man : And as to
myself, when I left this Country, it was a great while before
I could endure the taste of it in any thing that I eat.
This is enough to say upon the subject of my Dyet,
wherewith other Travellers fill their books, as if the Readers
were personally concerned, whether we far'd well or ill. How-
296 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
ever, 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 covering myself with my own cloaths,
slept very sound. But I was in a short time better accom-
modated, as the Reader shall know hereafter, when I come to
treat more particularly about my way of living.
CHAP. Ill
The Author studiotis to learn the Language, the Houyhnhnm his
Master assists in teaching him. The Language described. Several
Houyhnhnms of Quality came out of Curiosity to see the Author.
He gives his Master a short Account of his Voyage.
My principal Endeavour was to learn the Language, which
my Master (for so I shall henceforth 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 enquired 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 ready to assist me.
In speaking, they pronounce through the Nose and
Throat, and their Language approaches nearest to the High-
Dutch or German, of any I know in Europe ; but is much
more graceful and significant. The Emperor Charles V.
made almost the same Observation, when he said, That if he
were to speak to his Horse, it should be in High-Dutch.
The Curiosity and Impatience of my Master were so great,
that he spent many hours of his leisure to instruct me. He
was convinced (as he afterwards told me) that I must be
a Yahoo, but my Teachableness, Civility and Cleanliness
astonished him; which were qualities altogether so opposite
298
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
PART IV
to those animals. He was most perplexed about my Cloaths,
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 from whence I came, how I
' // cost me much trouble to explain.'
acquired those Appearances of Reason, which I discovered in
all my actions, and to know my story from my own mouth,
which he hoped he should soon do by the great proficiency
I made in learning and pronouncing their Words and
Sentences. To help my memory, I formed all I learned in
the English Alphabet, and writ the Words down with the
chap, in A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 299
Translations. This last, after some time, I ventur'd to do in
my Master's presence. It cost me much trouble to explain
to him what I was doing ; for the Inhabitants have not the
least idea of Books or Literature.
In about ten weeks time I was able to understand most of
his questions, and in three months could give him some
tolerable answers. He was extremely curious to know from
what part of the Country I came, and how I was taught to
imitate a rational creature, because the Yahoos (whom he saw
I exactly resembled in my Head, Hands and Face, that were
only visible,) with some appearance of cunning, and the
strongest disposition to 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 difficulty,
and by the help of many Signs, that I brought him to
understand me. He replied, That I must needs be mistaken,
or that I said the thing which was not. (For they have no
Word in their Language to express Lying or Falsehood.) He
knew it was impossible 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 Vessel, nor would trust
Yahoos to manage it.
The word Houyhnhnm, in their tongue, signifies a Horse,
and in its Etymology, the Perfection of Nature. I told my
Master, that I was at a loss for Expression, but would improve
as fast as I could ; and hoped in a short time I should be
able to tell him Wonders : He was pleased to direct his own
Mare, his Colt and Fole, and the Servants of the family 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
300 A VOYA<JE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part i
1
Yahoo, that could speak like a Houyhnhnm, and seemed in
his words and actions to discover some glimmerings of
Reason. These delighted to converse with me ; they put
many questions, and received such answers, as I was able to
return. By all these advantages, I made so great a progress,
that in five months from my arrival, I understood whatever
was spoke, 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 cover-
ing from others of my kind. They were astonished to observe
me without the usual Hair or Skin, except on my Head,
Face and Hands ; but I discovered that Secret to my
Master, upon an Accident, which happened about a Fort-
night before.
I have already told the Reader, that every night when
the Family were gone to bed, it was my custom, to strip and
cover myself with my Cloaths : It happened one morning'
early, that my Master sent for me, by the Sorrel Nag, who
was his Valet ; when he came I was fast asleep, my Cloaths
fallen off on one side. I awaked at the Noise he made, and
observed him to deliver his message in some Disorder ; after
which he went to my Master, and in a great Fright gave him
a very confused Account of what he had seen : This I
presently discover'd ; for going as soon as I was dressed, to
pay my Attendance upon his Honour, he asked me the
meaning of what his Servant had reported, that I was not the
same Thing when I slept as I appeared to be at other times.
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 do so any
longer. Besides, I considered that my Cloaths 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
chai\ in A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 301
Secret would be known : I therefore told my Master, That in
the Country from whence I came, those of my kind always
covered their Bodies with the Hairs of certain Animals
prepared by Art, as well for decency, as to avoid the
inclemencies of air both hot and cold ; of which, as to my
own person, I would give him immediate conviction, if he
pleased to command me. Whereupon, I first unbuttoned
my Coat, and pulled it off. I did the same with my Waste-
coat ; I drew off my Shoes, Stockings and Breeches.
My Master observed the whole performance with great
signs of Curiosity and Admiration. He took up all my
Cloaths in his Pastern, one piece after another, and examined
them diligently ; he then stroaked 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, and 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 Cloaths again, for I was shudder-
ing with cold.
I expressed my uneasiness at his giving me so often the
appellation of Yahoo, an odious Animal, for which I had so
utter an hatred and contempt, I begged he would forbear
applying that Word to me, and take the same Order in his
Family, and among his Friends whom he suffered to see me.
I requested likewise that the Secret of my having a false
covering to my body might be known to none but Himself,
at least as long as my present cloathing should last ; for, as
to what the Sorrel Nag his Valet had observed, his Honour
might command him to conceal it.
All this my Master very graciously consented to, and thus
the Secret was kept till my Cloaths began to wear out, which
I was forced to supply by several • contrivances, that shall
302 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
hereafter be mentioned. In the mean time, he desired I
would go on with my utmost diligence to learn their Language,
because he was more astonish'd at my capacity for Speech
and Reason, than at the Figure of my Body, whether it were
covered or no ; adding, that he waited with some impatience
to hear the Wonders which I promised to tell him.
From 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 con-
cerning myself, which I answered as well as I could ; and by
these means he had already received some general ideas,
though very imperfect. It would be tedious to relate the
several steps, by which I advanced to a more regular con-
versation : But the first account I gave of 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 perse-
cution of those execrable Yahoos. He asked me, Who made
the Ship, and how it was possible that the Houyhnhnms of my
country would leave it to the Management of Brutes ? My
Answer was, That I durst proceed no farther 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
chap, in A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 303
assuring him, that the Ship was made by creatures like my-
self, who in all the countries I had travelled, as well as in my
own, were the only governing, rational animals ; and that upon
my arrival hither, I was as much astonished to see the Houyhn-
hnms 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
which 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.
CHAR IV
The Houyhnhnms Notion of Truth and Falshood. The Author s Dis-
course disapproved by his Master. The Atithor gives a more particular
Account of himself, and the Accidents of his Voyage.
My Master heard me with great appearances of uneasiness
in his Countenance, because doubting or not believing, are so
little known in this Country, that the Inhabitants cannot tell
how to behave themselves under such Circumstances. And I
remember in frequent Discourses with my Master concerning
the Nature of Manhood, in other Parts of the World, having
occasion to talk of Lying, and false representation, it was with
much difficulty that he comprehended what I meant, although
he had otherwise a most acute Judgment. For he argued
thus ; That the use of Speech was to make us understand one
another, and to receive information of Facts ; now if any one
said the Thing which was not, these Ends were defeated ;
because I cannot properly be said to understand him, and I
am so far from receiving Information, that he leaves me worse
than in Ignorance, for I am led to believe a Thing Black
when it is White, and Short when it is Long. And these were
all the notions he had concerning that faculty of Lying, so
perfectly well understood 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 Houyhnhnms among us, and
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 305
what was their Employment : I told him, we had great
numbers, that in Summer they grazed in the Fields, and in
winter were kept in Houses, with Hay and Oats, where Yahoo-
Servants were employed to rub their Skins smooth, comb
their Manes, pick their Feet, serve them with Food, and
' Used to all kind of Drudgery till they died.'
make their Beds. I understand 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 farther, because I was very
certain that the Account he expected from me would
x
306 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
be highly displeasing. But he insisted 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 comely
Animal we had, that they excelled in Strength and Swiftness ;
and when they belonged to Persons of Quality, employed in
Travelling, Racing, or drawing Chariots, they were treated
with much kindness and care, till they fell into Diseases or
became foundred in the Feet ; and then they were sold and
used to all kind of Drudgery till they died ; after which their
Skins were stripped and sold for what they were worth, and
their Bodies left to be devoured by Dogs and Birds of prey.
But the common race of Horses had not so good Fortune,
being kept by Farmers and Carriers and other mean people,
who put them to great Labour, and fed them worse. I
described as well as I could, our way of riding, the Shape and
Use of a Bridle, a Saddle, a Spur and a Whip, of Harness
and Wheels. I added, that we fastned Plates of a certain
hard Substance called Iron at the Bottom of their Feet, to
preserve their Hoofs from being broken by the stony Ways
on which we often travelled.
My Master, after some Expressions of great Indignation,
wondered how we dared to venture upon a Houyhnhnirf%
Back, for he was sure that the weakest Servant in his House
would be able to shake off the strongest Yahoo, or by lying
down, and rolling on his Back, squeeze the Brute to death. I
answered, That our Horses were trained up from three or
four years old to the several Uses we intended them for;
That if any of them proved intolerably vicious, they were
employed for Carriages ; that they were severely beaten while
they were young, for any mischievous Tricks : that they
were indeed sensible of Rewards and Punishments; but his
Honour would please to consider, that they had not the least
tincture of Reason any more than the Yahoos in this Country.
It put me to the Pains of many Circumlocutions to give
my Master a right idea of what I spoke ; for their Language
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 307
doth not abound in variety of Words, because their Wants
and Passions are fewer than among us. But it is impossible
to represent his noble Resentment at our savage Treatment
of the Houyhnhnm race. He said, if it were possible there
could be any Country where Yahoos alone were endued with
Reason, they certainly must be the governing Animal,
because Reason will in time always prevail against Brutal
Strength. But, considering the Frame of our Bodies, and
especially of mine, he thought no Creature of equal bulk was
so ill contrived, for employing that Reason in the common
Offices of Life ; whereupon he desired to know whether those
among whom I lived, 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, and the Skins of the latter generally
as white as Milk. He said, I differed indeed from other
Yahoos, being much more cleanly, and not altogether so
deformed, but in point of real Advantage, he thought I
differed for the worse. That my Nails were of no use
either to my Fore or Hinder-Feet ; as to my Fore-feet he
could not properly call them by that Name, for he never
observed me to walk upon them ; that they were too soft to
bear the Ground ; that I generally went with them uncovered,
neither was the covering I sometimes wore on them, of the
same Shape, or so strong as that on my Feet behind. That
I could not walk with any Security, for if either of my
Hinder-feet slipped, I must inevitably fall. He then began
to find fault with other parts of my Body, the Flatness of my
Face, the prominence of my Nose, mine Eyes placed directly in
front, so that I could not look on either side without turning
my Head : That I was not able to feed myself, without lifting
one of my Fore-feet to my Mouth : And therefore Nature
had placed those Joynts 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
3 o8 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
forced to put on and off every Day with Tediousness and
Trouble. And lastly, that he observed every Animal in this
Country naturally to abhor the Yahoos, whom the weaker
avoided, and the Stronger drove from them. So that
supposing us to have the Gift of Reason, he could not see
how it were possible to cure that natural Antipathy which
every Creature discover'd against us ; nor consequently, how
we could tame and render them serviceable. However, he
would (as he said) debate the matter no farther, because he
was more desirous to know my own Story, the Country where
I was born, and the several Actions and Events of my Life
before I came hither.
I assured him, how extremely desirous I was that he should
be satisfied in every Point ; but I doubted much, whether it
would be possible for me to explain myself on several
Subjects whereof his Honour could have no conception,
because I saw nothing in his Country to which I could
resemble them. That however, I would do my best, and
strive to express myself by Similitudes, humbly desiring his
Assistance when I wanted proper Words ; which he was
pleased to promise me.
I said, my Birth was of honest Parents in an island called
England, which was remote from this 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, got by accident or violence ; that my Country was
govern'd by a Female Man, called a 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 I could persuade
chap, iv A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 309
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 Law-suits ; others spent
all they had in Drinking and Gaming ; others fled for
Treason ; many for Murder, Theft, Poysoning, Robbery,
Perjury, Forgery, coining false Money, 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
Countries for fear of being hanged, or of starving in a Jail ;
and therefore were under a necessity of seeking a livelihood
in other Places.
During this Discourse, my Master was pleased to interrupt
me several times ; I had made use of many circumlocutions
in describing to him the nature of 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 him 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 .of cases, and making of
suppositions. After which, like one whose imagination was
struck with something never seen or heard of before, he
would lift up his Eyes with amazement and indignation.
Power, Government, War, Law, Punishment, and a thousand
other things had no terms, wherein that Language could
express them, which made the difficulty almost insuperable
to give my Master any conception of what I meant. But
being of an excellent understanding, much improved by
contemplation and converse, he at last arrived at a competent
Knowledge 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.
CHAP. V
The Author at his Masters Commands informs him of the State of
England. The Causes of War among the Princes of Europe. The
Author begins to explain the English Constitution.
The Reader may please to observe, that the following 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 Satisfaction as I farther improved in the
Houyhnhnm Tongue. I laid before him, as well as I could,
the whole State of Europe; I discoursed of Trade and
Manufactures, of Arts and Sciences ; and the Answers I
gave to all the Questions he made, as they arose upon several
Subjects, were a Fund of conversation not to be exhausted.
But I shall here only set down the substance of what passed
between us concerning my own Country, reducing it into
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 Oratige,
the long War with France entered into by the said Prince,
and renewed by his successor the present Queen, wherein
the greatest powers of Christendo?n were engaged, and which
chap, v A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 311
still continued : I computed at his request, that about a
Million of Yahoos might have been killed in the whole
progress of it, and perhaps a hundred or more cities taken,
and thrice as many Ships burnt or sunk.
He asked me what were the usual Causes or Motives that
made one Country go to war with another. I answered they
were innumerable, but I should only mention a few of the
chief. Sometimes the ambition of Princes, who never think
they have Land or People enough to govern : Sometimes the
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. Difference in Opinions hath 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 Virtue ;
whether it be better to kiss a Post, or throw it into the Fire ;
what is the best Colour for a Coat, whether Black, White,
Red or Gray ; and whether it should be long or short, 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 quarrelleth with another, for fear the other should
quarrel with him. Sometimes 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 Country after the
People have been wasted by Famine, destroyed by Pestilence,
or embroiled by factions among themselves. It is justifiable
to enter into War against our nearest Ally, when one of his
Towns lies convenient for us, or a Territory of Land, that
3 i2 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
would render our Dominions round and compleat. 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 frequent Practice, when one Prince
desires the assistance of another to secure him against an
Invasion, that the Assistant, when he hath driven out the
Invader, should seize on the Dominions himself, and kill,
imprison or banish the Prince he came to relieve. Allyance
by Blood or Marriage, is a sufficient frequent cause of War
between Princes, and the nearer the kindred is, the greater
is their Disposition to quarrel : Poor Nations are hungry, and
rich Nations are proud, and Pride and Hunger will ever be at
Variance. For these Reasons, the Trade of a Soldier is held
the most honourable of all others : Because a Soldier is a
Yahoo hired to kill in cold Blood as many of his own Species,
who have never offended him, as possibly he can.
There are likewise a kind of Princes in Europe, not able
to make War by themselves, who hire out their Troops to
richer Nations, for so much a Day to each Man ; of which
they keep three-fourths to themselves, and it is the best part
of their Maintenance ; such are those in many Northern Parts
of Europe.
What you have told me (said my Master) upon the
Subject of War, does indeed discover most admirably the
Effects of that Reason you pretend to : However it is happy
that the Shame is greater than the Danger ; and that Nature
hath left you utterly uncapable of doing much Mischief.
For your Mouths lying flat with your Faces, you can
hardly bite each other to any purpose, unless by Consent.
Then as to the Claws upon your Feet before and behind,
they are so short and tender, that one of our Yahoos would
drive a dozen of yours before him. And therefore in
recounting the Numbers of those who have been killed in
chap, v A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 313
Battle, I cannot but think that you have said the Thing which
is not.
I could not forbear shaking my Head and smiling a little
at his Ignorance. And being no Stranger to the Art of War,
I gave him a Description of Cannons, Culverins, Muskets,
Carabines, Pistols, Bullets, Powder, Swords, Bayonets, Sieges,
Retreats, Attacks, Undermines, Countermines, Bombard-
ments, Sea-fights ; Ships sunk with a Thousand Men, Twenty
Thousand killed on each Side ; dying Groans, Limbs flying
in the Air, Smoak, Noise, Confusion, trampling to death
under Horses Feet; Flight, Pursuit, Victory; Fields strewed
with Carcases left for Food to Dogs and Wolves, and Birds
of Prey ; Plundering, Stripping, Ravishing, Burning and
Destroying. And to set forth the Valour of my own dear
Countrymen, I assured him, that I had seen them blow up
a Hundred Enemies at once in a Siege, and as many in a
Ship, and beheld the dead Bodies come down in pieces from
the Clouds, to the great Diversion of the Spectators.
I was going on to more Particulars, when my Master
commanded me Silence. He said, Whoever understood the
Nature of Yahoos might easily believe it possible for so vile
an Animal, to be capable of every Action I had named, if
their Strength and Cunning equalled their Malice. But as
my Discourse had increased his Abhorrence of the whole
Species, so he found it gave him a Disturbance in his Mind,
to which he was wholly a Stranger before. He thought his
Ears being used to such abominable Words, might by
Degrees admit them with less Detestation. 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
314 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
Vices ; as the Reflection from a troubled Stream returns the
Image of an ill-shapen Body, not only larger, but more
distorted.
He added, That he had heard too much upon the Subject
of War, both in this, and some former Discourses. There
was another Point which a little perplexed him at present.
I had informed him, that some of our Crew left their
Country on account of being ruined by Law ; that I had
already explained the meaning of the Word ; but he was at a
Loss how it should come to pass, that the Law which was
intended for every Man's Preservation, should be any Man's
Ruin. Therefore he desired to be farther satisfied what I
meant by Law, and what sort of Dispensers thereof it could
be by whose Practices the Property of any Person could be
lost, instead of being preserved. He added, he saw not what
great Occasion there could be for this thing called Law,
since all the Intentions and Purposes of it may be fully
answered by following the Dictates of Nature and Reason,
which are sufficient Guides for a reasonable Animal, as we
pretended to be, in shewing us what we ought to do, and
what to avoid.
I assured his honour, that Law was a Science wherein I
had not much conversed, having little more Knowledge of it
than what I had obtained by employing Advocates, in vain,
upon some injustices that had been done me, and by
conversing with some others who by the same Method had
first lost their substance and then left their own country
under the Mortification of such Disappointments, however I
would give him all the Satisfaction I was able.
I said that those who made profession of this Science
were exceedingly multiplied, being almost equal to the
Caterpillars in number ; that they were of diverse Degrees,
Distinctions and Denominations. The numerousness of
those that dedicated themselves to this Profession were such
that the fair and justifiable Advantage and Income of the
chap. V A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 315
Profession was not sufficient for the decent and handsome
Maintenance of Multitudes of those who followed it. Hence
it came to pass that it was found needful to supply that by
Artifice and Cunning, which could not be procured by just
and honest Methods : The better to bring which about, very
many Men among us were 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. The Greatness of these Mens Assurance and the
Boldness of their Pretensions gained upon the Opinion of the
Vulgar, whom in a Manner they made Slaves of, and got
into their Hands much the largest share of the Practice of
their Profession. These Practitioners were by Men of
Discernment called Pettifoggers (that is, Confounders, or
rather, Destroyers of Bight), as it was my ill Hap as well as
the Misfortune of my suffering Acquaintance to be engaged
only with this Species of the Profession. I desired his
Honour to understand the Description I had to give, and the
Ruin I had complained of to relate to these Sectaries only ;
and how and by what means the Misfortunes we met with
were brought upon us by the Management of these Men,
might be more easily conceived by explaining to him their
Method of Proceeding, which could not be better done than
by giving him an Example.
My Neighbour, said I, I will suppose, has a mind to my
Cow, he hires one of these advocates to prove that he ought
to have my Cow from me. I must then hire another of
them to defend my right, it being against all rules of Law
that any man should be allowed to speak for himself. Now
in this case, I who am the right Owner lie under two great
Disadvantages. First, my Advocate, being as I said before
practised almost from his Cradle in defending Falshood, is
quite out of his Element when he would argue for Right,
which as an Office unnatural he attempts with great Awk-
wardness, if not with an Ill-will. The second disadvantage is
that my Advocate must proceed with great Caution ; for,
since the Maintenance of so many depends on the keeping
3i6
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
pArt iv
up of Business, should he proceed too summarily, if he does
not incur the Displeasure of his Superiors, he is sure to gain
the Ill-will and Hatred of his Brethren, as being by them
esteemed one that would lessen the Practice of the Law.
This being the Case, I have but two Methods to preserve my
Cow. The first is, to gain over my Adversaries Advocate
with a double Fee ; from the Manner and Design of whose
Double Fee.
Education before mentioned it is easy to expect he will be
induced to drop his Client and let the Ballance fall on my
Side. The second way is for my Advocate not to insist on
the Justice of my Cause, by allowing the Cow to belong to
my Adversary ; and this if it be dexterously and skilfully done
will go a great way towards obtaining a favourable Verdict, it
having been found, from a careful Observation of Issues and
Events, that the wrong side, under the Management of such
Practitioners, has the fairer Chance for Success, and this
chap, v A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 317
more especially if it happens, as it did in mine and my
Friend's Case, and may have done since, that the Person
appointed to decide all Controversies of Property as well as
for the Tryal of Criminals, who should be taken out of the
most knowing and wise of his Profession, is by the Recom-
mendation of a great Favourite, or Court-Mistress, chosen out
of the Sect before mentioned, and so, having been under a
strong Biass all his Life against Equity and fair dealing, lies
as it were under a fatal Necessity of favouring, shifting, double
dealing and Oppression, and besides through Age, Infirmity,
and Distempers grown lazy, unactive, and inattentive, and
thereby almost incapacitated from doing any thing becoming
the Nature of his Imployment, and the Duty of his Office.
In such Cases, the Decisions and Determinations of Men so
bred, and so qualified, may with Reason be expected on the
wrong side of the Cause, since those who can take Harangue
and Noise (if pursued with Warmth, and drawn out into a
Length) for Reasoning, are not much to be wondered at, if
they infer the weight of the Argument from the heaviness of
the Pleading.
It is a Maxim among these Men, That whatever has been
done before may legally be done again : And therefore they
take special Care to record all the Decisions formerly made,
even those which have through Ignorance or Corruption
contradicted the Rules of common Justice and the general
Reason of Mankind. These, under the name of Precedents,
they produce as Authorities, and thereby endeavour to
justify the most iniquitous Opinions ; and they are so lucky in
this Practice, that it rarely fails of Decrees answerable to
their Intent and Expectation.
In pleading, they studiously avoid entring into the Merits
of the Cause ; but are loud, violent and tedious in dwelling
upon all Circumstances which are not to the Purpose. For
instance, in the Case already mentioned : They never desire
to know what Claim or Title my Adversary hath to my Cow,
but whether the said Cow were Red or Black, her Horns
318 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
long or short ; whether the Field I graze her in be round
or square, whether she was milked at home or abroad,
what Diseases she is subject to, and the like ; after which
they consult Precedents, adjourn the Cause, from Time to
Time, and in Ten, Twenty, or Thirty Years come to an
Issue.
It is likewise to be observed that this Society hath a
peculiar Cant and Jargon of their own, that no other Mortal
can understand, and wherein all their Laws are written, which
they take special Care to multiply ; whereby they have gone
near to confound the very Essence of Truth and Falshood,
of Right and Wrong ; so that it may take Thirty Years to
decide whether the Field, left me by my Ancestors for six
Generations belongs to me or to a Stranger three hundred
Miles off.
In the Tryal of Persons accused for Crimes against the
State, the Method is much more short and commendable :
For if those in power, who know well how to choose In-
struments fit for their Purpose, take care to recommend and
promote out of this Clan a proper Person, his Method of
Education and Practice makes it easy to him, when his
Patron's Disposition is understood, without Difficulty or
Study either to condemn or acquit the Criminal, and at the
same time strictly preserve 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 Advocates by the Description I gave of them must
certainly be, were not rather encouraged to be Instructors of
others in Wisdom and Knowledge. In answer to which I
assured his Honour that the Business and Study of their own
Calling and Profession so took up all their Thoughts and en-
grossed all their Time, that they minded nothing else, and that
therefore, in all points out of their own Trade, many of them
were of so great Ignorance and Stupidity, that it was hard to
pick out of any Profession a Generation of Men more des-
chap, v A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 319
picable in common Conversation, or who were so much
looked upon as avowed Enemies to all Knowledge and
Learning, being equally disposed to pervert the general
reason of Mankind in every other Subject of Discourse, as in
that of their own Calling.
CHAP. VI
A Continuance of the State of England, so well governed by a Queen as to
need no first Minister. The Character of such an one in some
European Courts.
My Master was yet wholly at a Loss to understand what
Motives could incite this Race of Lawyers to perplex, disquiet,
and weary themselves, and engage in a Confederacy of Injustice,
merely for the sake of injuring their Fellow-Animals ; neither
could he comprehend what I meant in saying they did it for
Hire. Whereupon I was at much Pains to describe to him
the Use of Money, the Materials it was made of, and the
Value of the Metals ; that when a Yahoo had got a great
Store of this precious Substance, he was able to purchase
whatever he had a mind to, the finest Cloathing, the noblest
Houses, great Tracts of Land, the most costly Meats and
Drinks, and have his choice of the most beautiful Females.
Therefore since Money alone, was able to perforin all these
Feats, our Yahoos thought, they could never have enough of
it to spend or save, as they found themselves inclined from
their natural Bent either to Profusion or Avarice. That the
Rich Man enjoyed the Fruit of the Poor Man's Labour, and
the latter were a thousand to one in proportion to the former.
That, the Bulk of our People were forced to live miserably,
by labouring every Day for small Wages to make a few live
plentifully. I enlarged myself much on these and many
other Particulars to the same purpose : But his Honour was
still to seek : For he went upon a supposition that all
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 321
Animals had a Title to their share in the Productions of
the Earth, and especially those who presided over the rest.
Therefore he desired I would let him know, what these
costly Meats were, and how any of us happened to want
them. Whereupon I enumerated as many sorts as came into
my Head, with the various Methods of dressing them, which
could not be done without sending Vessels by Sea to every part
of the World, as well for Liquors to Drink, as for Sauces, and
innumerable other Conveniencies. 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 wondered at was how such
vast Tracts of Ground as I described should be wholly without
Fresh-water, and the People put to the Necessity of sending
over the Sea for Drink. I replied, that England (the dear
Place of my Nativity) was computed to produce three times
the quantity of Food, more than its Inhabitants are able to
consume, as well as Liquors extracted from Grain, or pressed
out of the Fruit of certain Trees, which made excellent
Drink, and the same Proportion in every other Convenience
of Life. But in order 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,
from 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, Forswearing, Flattering, Suborning, Forging, Gam-
ing, Lying, Fawning, Hectoring, Voting, Scribling, Star-
gazing, Poysoning, Canting, Libelling, Free-thinking, and the
like Occupations : Every one of which Terms, I was at much
Pains to make him understand.
That Wine was not imported among us from foreign
Countries, to supply the want of Water or other Drinks, but
because it was a sort of Liquid which made us merry, by
Y
322 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
putting us out of our Senses; diverted all melancholy
- 7/
A sort of Liquid which made us merry:
Thoughts, begat wild extravagant Imaginations in the Brain,
raised our Hopes, and banished our Fears, suspended every
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 323
Office of Reason for a Time, and deprived us of the Use of
our Limbs, till we fell into a profound Sleep ; although it
must be 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 this, the Bulk of our People supported
themselves by furnishing the Necessities or Conveniencies of
Life to the Rich, and to each other. For instance, when I
am at home and dressed as I ought to be, I carry on my
Body the Workmanship of an 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 People, 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 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 it impossible, and desired to know the reason
of so unaccountable an Evil. I told him, we fed on a
thousand Things which operated contrary to each other;
that we eat when we were not hungry, and drank without the
Provocation of Thirst • That we sate whole Nights drinking
strong Liquors without eating a Bit, which disposed us to
Sloth, enflamed our Bodies, and precipitated or prevented
Digestion. That it would be endless to give him a Catalogue
of all Diseases incident to human Bodies ; for they could not
be fewer than five or six hundred, spread over every Limb,
and Joynt ; in short, every Part, external and intestine, having
Diseases appropriated to them. 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 Faculty, I would in Gratitude to his Honour, let
324
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
him know the whole Mystery and Method by which they
proceed.
Their Fundamental is, That all Diseases arise from Re-
pletion, from whence they conclude, that a great Evacuation of
the Body is necessary, either through the natural Passage, or
upwards at the Mouth. Their next Business is, from Herbs,
Minerals, Gums, Oyls, Shells, Salts, Juices, Seaweed, Barks of
Trees, Serpents, Toads, Frogs, Spiders, dead Mens Flesh
and Bones, Beasts and Fishes, to form a Composition for
Smell and Taste the most abominable, nauseous and "de-
testable, they can possibly contrive, which the Stomach
immediately rejects with loathing ; and this they call a
Vomit ; or else from the same Store-house, with some other
poysonous Additions, they command us to take in 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.
But, besides real Diseases, we are subject to many that
are only imaginary, for which the Physicians have invented
imaginary Cures ; these have their several Names, and so have
the Drugs that are proper for them, and with these our
Female Yahoos are always infested.
One great Excellency in this Tribe is their Skill at
Prognostics, wherein they seldom fail ; their Predictions in
real Diseases, when they rise to any Degree of Malignity,
generally portending Death, which is always in their Power,
when Recovery is not : And therefore, upon any unexpected
Signs of Amendment, after they have pronounced their Sen-
tence, rather than be accused as false Prophets, they know
how to approve their Sagacity to the World by a seasonable
Dose.
They are likewise of special Use to Husbands and Wives,
who are grown weary of their Mates, to eldest Sons, to great
Ministers of State, and often to Princes.
CHAr. vi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 325
I had formerly upon occasion discoursed with my Master
$m
' Skill at Prognosticks.'
upon the Nature of. Government in general, and particularly of
our own excellent Constitution, deservedly the Wonder and
326 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
Envy of the whole World. But having here accidentally
mentioned a Minister of State ; he commanded me some
time after to inform him, what Species of Yahoo I particularly
meant by that Appellation.
I told him, that our She Governor or Queen having no
Ambition to gratify, no Inclination to satisfy of extending her
Power to the Injury of her Neighbours, or the Prejudice of
her own Subjects, was therefore so far from needing a corrupt
Ministry to carry on or cover any sinister Designs, that she
not only directs her own Actions to the Good of her People,
conducts them by the Direction, and restrains them within
the Limitation of the Laws of her own Country ; but submits
the Behaviour and Acts of those She intrusts with the
Administration of Her Affairs to the Examination of Her
great Council, and subjects them to the Penalties of the
Law ; and therefore never puts any such Confidence in any
of her Subjects as to entrust them with the whole and entire
Administration of her Affairs : But I added, that in some
former Reigns here, and in many other Courts of Europe
now, where Princes grew indolent and careless of their own
Affairs through a constant Love and Pursuit of Pleasure, they
made use of such an Administrator, as I had mentioned,
under the Title of first or chief Minister of State, the De-
scription of which, as far as it may be collected not only from
their Actions, but from the Letters, Memoirs, and Writings
published by themselves, the Truth of which has not yet
been disputed, may be allowed to be as follows : That he is a
Person 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, except to the Indication of his
Mind ; That he never tells a Truth, but with an Intent that
you should take it for a Lye ; nor a Lye, 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 your-
self, you are from that Day forlorn. The worst Mark you
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 327
can receive is a Promise, especially when it is confirmed with
an Oath ; after which every wise Man retires, and gives over
all Hopes.
There are three Methods by which a Man may rise to be
chief Minister : The first is, by knowing how with Prudence
to dispose of a Wife, a Daughter, or a Sister : The second, by
betraying or undermining his Predecessor : And the third is,
by a furious Zeal in publick Assemblies against the Cor-
ruptions of the Court. But a Wise Prince would rather
choose to employ those who practice the last of these Methods ;
because such Zealots prove always the most obsequious and
subservient to the Will and Passions of their Master. That
these Ministers having all Employments at their Disposal,
preserve themselves in Power by bribing the Majority of a
Senate or great. Council ; and at last by an Act of Indemnity
(whereof I described the Nature to him) they secured them-
selves from after Reckonings, and retired from the Publick,
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, Lacquies, and
Porter, by imitating their Master, become Ministers of State
in their several Districts, and learn to excel in the three
principal Ingredients, of Insolence, lying and Bribery. Ac-
cordingly, 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 Wrench or favourite
Footman, who are the Tunnels through which all Graces are
conveyed, and may properly be called, in the last Resort, the
Governours of the Kingdom.
One Day in Discourse my Master, having heard me
mention the Nobility of my Country, was pleased to make me
328 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
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 Houyhnhnms, the
White, the Sorrel, and the Iron-grey, were not so exactly
shaped as the Bay, the Dapple-grey, and the Black ; nor born
with equal Talents of the Mind, or a Capacity to improve
them ; and therefore continued always in the Condition of
Servants, without ever aspiring to match out of their own
Race, which in that Country would be reckoned monstrous
and unnatural.
I made his Honour my most humble Acknowledgements
for the good Opinion he was pleased to conceive of me ; but
assured him at the same time, that my Birth was of the
lower Sort, having been born of plain honest Parents, who
were just able to give me a tolerable Education : That Nobility
among us was altogether a different Thing from the Idea he
had of it ; That our Young Noblemen are bred from their
Childhood in Idleness and Luxury ; and when their Fortunes
are almost ruined, they marry some Woman of mean Birth,
disagreeable Person, and unsound Constitution, merely for the
Sake of Money, whom they hate and despise. That the
Productions of such Marriages are generally scrophulous,
ricketty, or deformed Children, by which means the Family
seldom continues above Three Generations. That a weak
diseased Body, a meager Countenance, and sallow Com-
plexion, are no uncommon Marks of a Great Man; and a
healthy robust Appearance is so far disgraceful in a Man of
Quality, that the World is apt to conclude his real Father to
chap, vi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 329
have been one of the inferiors of the Family, especially when
it is seen that the Imperfections of his Mind run parallel
with those of his Body and are little else than a Composi-
tion of Spleen, Dulness, Ignorance, Caprice, Sensuality, and
Pride.
CHAP. VII
The Author's great Love of his Native Country. His Master's Observa-
tions upon the Constitution and Administration of England, as
described by the Atdhor, with parallel Cases and Comparisons. His
Master's Observations upon Human Nature.
The Reader may be disposed to wonder how I could prevail
on myself to give so free a Representation of my own Species,
among a race of Mortals who were already too apt to conceive
the vilest opinion of human kind from that entire congruity
betwixt me and their Yahoos. But I must freely confess,
that the many Virtues of those excellent Quadrupeds placed
in opposite View to human Corruptions, had so far opened
my Eyes and enlarged my Understanding, that I began to
view the Actions and Passions of Man in a very different
Light, and to think the Honour of my own kind not worth
managing ; which, besides, it was impossible for me to do
before a Person of so acute a Judgment as my Master, who
daily convinced me of a thousand Faults in myself, whereof I
had not the least Perception before, and which among .us
would never be numbered even among human Infirmities.
I had likewise learned from his Example an utter Detesta-
tion of all Falsehood 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 P'reedom I
took in my Representation of Things. I had not been a
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 331
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
rest 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 I 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 Byass and Partiality to the
Place of his Birth ?
I have related the Substance of several Conversations 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 commanding me to sit down at some distance (an
Honour which he had never before 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 as to myself, it
was manifest I had neither the Strength nor Agility of a
common Ya/zoo, that I walked infirmly on my hinder Feet,
had found out a Contrivance to make my Claws of no Use or
332 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
Defence, and to remove the Hair from my Chin, which was
intended as a shelter from the Sun and the Weather.
Lastly, That I could neither run with Speed, nor climb Trees
like my Brethren (as he called them) the Yahoos in this
Country.
That our Institutions of Government and Law were plainly
owing to our gross Defects in Reason, and by consequence,
in Vertue ; 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 my own People, although he manifestly perceived,
that in order to favour them, I had concealed many Particulars,
and often said the Thing ivhich zvas not.
He was the more confirmed in this Opinion, because 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 Resemblance
in the Disposition of our Minds. He said the Yahoos were
known to hate one another more than they did any different
Species of Animals ; and the Reason usually assigned, was,
the Odiousness of their own Shapes, which all could see in
the rest, but not in themselves. He had therefore begun to
think it not unwise in us to cover our Bodies, and by that
Invention, conceal many of our own Deformities from each
other, which would else be hardly supportable. But he now
found he had been mistaken, and that the Dissentions of
those Brutes in his Country were owing to the same Cause
with ours, as I had described them. For, if (said he) you
throw among Five Yahoos as much Food as would be
sufficient for Fifty, they will, instead of eating peaceably, fall
together by the Ears, each single one impatient to have all
to itself ; and therefore a Servant was usually employed to
stand by while they were feeding abroad, and those kept at
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 333
home were tied at a Distance from each other • that if a Cow
died of Age or Accident, before a Houyhnhnm 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 Battles have
been fought between the Yahoos of several Neighbourhoods
without any visible Cause : Those of one District watching all
Opportunities to surprize the next before they are prepared.
But if they find their Project hath 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 certain
shifting Stones of several Colours, whereof the Yahoos are
violently fond, and when Part of these Stones is fixed in the
Earth, as it sometimes happeneth, 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 ; but still looking
round with great Caution, for fear their Comrades should
find out their Treasure. My Master said, he could never
discover the Reason of this unnatural Appetite, or how these
Stones could be of any Use to a Yahoo ; but now he believed
it might proceed from the same 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 had buried 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 tearing 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, he presently recovered his Spirits and good
Humour, but took care to remove them to a better hiding-
place, and hath ever since been a very serviceable Brute.
334
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
PART IV
My Master farther assured me, which I also observed
myself, That in the Fields where these shining Stones abound,
the fiercest and most frequent Battles are fought, occasioned
by perpetual Inroads of the Neighbouring Yahoos.
Would take the Advantage, and carry it away from them both.
He said, it was common when two Yahoos discovered
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 both ; which my Master would
needs contend to have some kind of Resemblance with our
Suits at Law ; wherein I thought it for our Credit not to
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 335
undeceive him ; since the Decision he mentioned was much
more equitable than many Decrees among us : Because the
Plaintiff and Defendant there lost nothing beside the Stone
they contended for, whereas our Courts of Equity would
seldom have dismissed the Cause while either of them had
any thing left.
My Master continuing his Discourse, said, There was
nothing that rendered the Yahoos more odious, than their
undistinguishing Appetite to devour every thing that came
in their way, whether Herbs, Roots, Berries, the corrupted
Flesh of Animals, or all 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.
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; and it produced in them the same Effects
that Wine hath upon us. It w r ould make them sometimes
hug, and sometimes tear one another, they would howl and
grin, and chatter, and tumble, and then fall asleep in the
Dirt.
I did indeed observe, that the Yahoos w r ere 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 the Yahoo' s-Evil.
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
336 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
was in our Natures. He had heard indeed some curious
Houyhnhnms observe, that in most Herds there was a sort of
ruling Yahoo (as among us there is 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. This Favorite is hated by the whole Herd, and
therefore to protect himself, keeps always near the Person
of his Leader. He usually continues in Office till a worse
can be found; but the very Moment he is discarded, his
Successor, at the Head of all the Yahoos in that District,
Young and Old, Male and Female, come in a Body, and
attack him. But how far this might be applicable to our
Courts and Favourites, and Ministers of State, my Master said
I could best determine.
I durst make no return to this malicious Insinuation,
which debased human Understanding below the Sagacity of
a common Hound, who has Judgment enough to distinguish
and follow the Cry of the ablest Dog in the Pack, without
being ever mistaken.
My Master told me that a thing he wondred at in the
Yahoos, was their strange Disposition to Nastiness and Dirt,
whereas there appears to be a natural Love of Cleanliness in
all other Animals. As to the tv/o 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 certainly had done from my own Inclinations.
But I could have easily vindicated Human kind from the
Imputation of Singularity upon the last Article, if there had
been any Swine- in that Country (as unluckily for me there
were not), which although it may be a sweeter Quadi-uped than
a Yahoo, cannot I humbly conceive 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 the Mud.
chap, vii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 337
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 Servants 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 discover the true Seeds of Spleen, which only seizeth on
the Lazy, the Luxurious, and the Rich; who, if they were
forced to undergo the same Regimen, I would undertake for
the Cure.
CHAP. VIII
The Author relates several Particulars of the Yahoos. The great Virtues
of the Houyhnhnms. The Education and Exercise of their Youth.
Their general Assembly.
As I ought to have understood Human Nature much better
than I supposed it possible for my Master to do, so it was
easy to apply the Character he gave of the Yahoos to myself
and my Countrymen, and I believed I could yet make farther
Discoveries from my own Observation. I therefore often
begged his Favour 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
those Brutes would never suffer me to be corrupted by them ;
and his Honour ordered one of his Servants, a strong Sorrel
Nag, very honest and good-natured, to be my Guard, without
whose Protection I durst not undertake such Adventures.
For I have already told the Reader how much I was
pestered by those 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 shewing my naked Arms and Breast 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 Jack-Daw with Cap and Stockings, is
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
339
always persecuted by the wild ones, when he happens to be
got among them.
They are prodigiously nimble from their Infancy ; how-
ever, I once caught a young Male of three Years old, and
' / once caught a yoicng Male
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 ran) and
340 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
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 Rox, but
much more disagreeable.
By what I could discover, the Yahoos appear to be the
most unteachable of all animals ; their capacities never
reaching higher than to draw or carry Burthens. Yet I am
of opinion this Defect ariseth chiefly from a perverse, restive
Disposition. For they are cunning, malicious, treacherous
and revengeful. 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 mischievous than the rest, whom yet they much exceed
in Strength and Activity.
The Houyhnhnms keep the Yahoos for present use in
Huts not far from the House ; but the rest are sent abroad
to certain Fields, where they dig up Roots, eat several kinds
of Herbs, and search about for Carrion, or sometimes catch
Weasels and Luhimuhs (a sort of wild Rat) which they
greedily devour. Nature hath taught them to dig deep
Holes with their Nails on the side of a rising Ground,
wherein they lie by themselves, only the Kennels of the
Females are larger, sufficient to hold two or three Cubs.
They swim from their Infancy like Frogs, and are able
to continue long under Water, where they often take Fish,
which the Females carry home to their Young.
Having lived three Years in this Country, the Reader I
suppose will expect, that I should, like other Travellers, give
him some Account of the Manners and Customs of its
Inhabitants, which it was indeed my principal Study to
learn.
As these Noble Houyhnhnms are endowed by Nature with
a general Disposition to all Virtues, and have no Conceptions
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 341
or Ideas of what is Evil in a Rational Creature, so their
grand Maxim is, to cultivate Reason, and to be wholly
governed by it. Neither is Reason among them a Point
Problematical as with us, where Men can argue with Plausi-
bility on both sides of a Question ; but strikes you with
immediate Conviction ; as it must needs do where it is not
mingled, obscured, or discoloured by Passion and Interest.
I remember it was with extreme Difficulty that I could bring
my Master to understand the meaning of the Word Opinion,
or how a Point could be disputable ; because Reason taught
us to affirm or deny only where we are certain ; and beyond
our Knowledge we cannot do either. So that Controversies,
Wranglings, Disputes, and Positiveness in false or dubious
Propositions are Evils unknown among the Houyhnhnms. In
the like manner when I used to explain to him our several
Systems of Natural Philosophy, he would laugh that a
creature pretending to Reason, should value itself upon the
Knowledge of other peoples Conjectures, and in Things,
where that Knowledge, if it were certain, could be of no Use.
Wherein he agreed entirely with the Sentiments of Socrates,
as Plato delivers them ; which I mention as the highest
Honour I can do that Prince of Philosophers. I have often
since reflected what Destruction such a Doctrine would make
in the Libraries of Europe, and how many Paths to Fame
would be then shut up in the Learned World.
Friendship and Benevolence are the two principal Virtues
among the Houyhnhruns, 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 Foles, but the Care they take
in educating them proceeds entirely from the Dictates of
Reason. And I observed my Master to shew the same
Affection to his Neighbour's Issue that he had for his own.
They will have it that Nature teaches them to love the
342 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS Part iv
whole Species, and it is Reason only that maketh a
Distinction of Persons, where there is a superior Degree of
Virtue.
When the Matron Houyhnhnms 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 meet again,
or when the like Accident befals a Person, whose Wife is past
bearing, some other Couple bestow him one of their own
Colts. This Caution is necessary to prevent the Country
from being over-burthened with Numbers. But the Race of
inferior Houyhnhnms bred up to be Servants is not so
strictly limited upon this Article ; These are allowed to
produce three of each Sex, to be Domesticks in the Noble
Families.
In their Marriages they are exactly careful to choose such
Colours as will not make any disagreeable Mixture in the
Breed. Strength is chiefly valued in the Male, and Comeliness
in the Female, not upon the account of Love, but to preserve
the Race from degenerating ; for where a Female happens
to excell in Strength, a Consort is chosen with regard to
Comeliness. Courtship, Love, Presents, Joyntures, Settle-
ments, have no place in their Thoughts ; or Terms whereby
to express them in their Language. The young Couple meet
and are joyned, 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 Rational Being. But the Violation of Marriage, or any
other Unchastity, was never heard of: And the married Pair
pass their Lives with the same Friendship and mutual
Benevolence that they bear to all others of the same Species,
who come in their Way ; without Jealousy, Fondness,
Quarrelling, or Discontent.
In educating the Youth of both Sexes, their Method is
admirable, and highly deserves our Imitation. These are
chap, viii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 343
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
long 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 enjoyned to the young ones of both Sexes :
And my Master thought it monstrous in us to give the
Females a different kind of Education from the Males, except
in some Articles of Domestick 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.
But 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 shew their Pro-
ficiency in Running, and Leaping, and other Feats of
Strength and Agility, where the Victor is rewarded, with a
Song made in his or her Praise. On this Festival the
Servants drive a Herd of Yahoos into the Field, laden with Hay,
and Oats, and Milk for a Repast to the Houyhnhnms ; after
which, these Brutes are immediately 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 enquire into the State
and Condition of the several Districts, Whether they abound
&f%*
* They are ordered to leafi into a Pond or River.'
chap, vin A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 345
or be deficient in Hay or Oats, or Cows or Yahoos ? And
wherever there is any Want (which is but seldom) it is im-
mediately supplied by unanimous Consent and Contribution.
Here likewise the Regulation of Children is settled : As for
instance, if a Houyhnhnm hath two Males, he changeth one
of them with another that hath two Females : And when a
Child hath been lost by any Casualty, where the Mother is
past Breeding, it is determined what Family shall breed
another to supply the Loss.
CHAP. IX
A grand Debate at the General Assembly of the Houyhnhnms, and how
it was determined. The Learning of the Houyhnhnms. Their
Buildings. Their manner of Burials. The Defectiveness of their
Language.
One of these Grand Assemblies was held in my time, about
three Months before my 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 happened in that 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 offered several Arguments of
great Strength and Weight, alledging, That as the Yahoos
were the most filthy, noisome, and deformed Animal which
Nature ever produced, so they were the most restive and
indocible, mischievous and malicious : They would privately
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 that 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 Yahoos engendered,
chap, ix A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 347
and their Brood in a short time grew so numerous as to over-
run and infest the whole Nation. That the Houyhnhnms to
get rid of this Evil, made a general Hunting, and at last
enclosed the whole Herd, and destroying the elder every
Houyhnhnm kept two young ones in a Kennel, and brought
them to such a degree of Tameness, as an Animal so savage
by Nature can be capable of acquiring ; using them for
Draught and Carriage. That there seemed to be much
Truth in this Tradition, and that those 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 were a
comely Animal easily kept, more tame and orderly, 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 Expedient to the
Assembly, whereof he had indeed borrowed the Hint from
me. He approved of the Tradition, mentioned by the
Honourable Member, who spoke before, and affirmed, that the
two Yahoos said to be first seen among them had been driven
thither over the Sea ; that coming to Land, and being for-
saken by their Companions, they retired to the Mountains,
and degenerating by degrees, became in process of time,
much more savage than those of their own Species in the
Country from whence these two Originals came. The reason
of his 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
related to them, how he first found me, that my Body was
3*8 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part IV
all covered with an artificial Composure of the Skins and
Hairs of other Animals : That I had a Language of my own,
and had thoroughly learned 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 persuade him,
that in my own and other Countries the Yahoos acted as the
Governing, Rational Animal, and held the Houyhnhnms in
Servitude : That he observed in me all the Qualities of a
Yahoo, only a little more civilized by some Tincture of Reason,
which however was in a degree as far inferior to the Houyhn-
hnm Race, as the Yahoos of their Country were to me : That,
among other things, I mentioned a Custom we had of pre-
venting Houyhnhnms from propagating their kind ; 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 practiced upon the Yahoos here, which
would in an Age put an end to the whole Species without
destroying 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 Service at five Years old, which
the others are not till twelve.
This was all my Master thought fit to tell me at that time,
of what passed in the Grand Council. But he was pleased
to conceal one Particular, which related personally to myself,
whereof I soon felt the unhappy Effect, as the Reader will
know in its proper Place, and from whence I date all the
succeeding Misfortunes of my Life.
The Houyhnhnms have no Letters, and consequently, their
Knowledge is all Traditional. But there happening few
Events of any Moment among a People so well united,
naturally disposed to every Virtue, wholly governed by Reason,
and cut off from all Commerce with other Nations, the
chap, ix A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 349
Historical Part is easily preserved without burthening their
Memories. I have already observed, that they are subject to
no Diseases, and therefore can have no need of Physicians.
However, they have excellent Medicines composed of Herbs,
to cure accidental Bruises and Cuts in the Pastern or Frog of
the Foot by sharp Stones, as well as other Maims and Hurts
in the several parts of the Body.
They calculate the Year by the Revolution of the Sun
and the Moon, but use no 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 Similies, and the Minuteness, as
well as Exactness of their Descriptions, are indeed inimitable.
Their Verses abound very much in both of these, and usually
contain either some exalted Notions of Friendship and
Benevolence, or the Praises of those who were Victors in
Races, and other bodily Exercises. Their Buildings, although
very rude and simple, are not inconvenient, but well con-
trived 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 ; they grow very strait,
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 betwixt them. The Roof is
made after the same manner, and so are the Doors.
The Houyhnhnms use the hollow part between the Pastern
and the Hoof of their Fore-feet, as we do our Hands, and this
with greater Dexterity, than I could at first imagine. I have
seen a White Mare of our Family thread a Needle (which I
lent her on purpose) with that Joynt. They milk their Cows,
reap their Oats, and do all the Work which requires Hands,
in the same manner. They have a kind of hard Flints, which
35o
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
PART IV
by grinding against other Stones, they form into Instruments,
that serve instead of Wedges, Axes, and Hammers. With
Tools made of these Flints, they likewise cut their Hay, and
They milk their Cows.'
reap their Oats, which there groweth naturally in several
Fields : The Yahoos draw home the Sheaves in Carriages, and
the Servants tread them in certain covered Hutts, to get out
the Grain, which is kept in Stores. They make a rude kind
chap, ix A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 351
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 neither Joy nor Grief
at their Departure ; nor does the dying Person discover the
least Regret that he is leaving the World, any more than if
he were upon returning home from a Visit to one of his
Neighbours. I remember my Master having once made an
Appointment with a Friend and his Family to come to his
House upon some Affair of Importance, on the Day fixed,
the Mistress and her two Children came very late ; she made
two Excuses, first for her Husband, who, as she said, happened
that very Morning to Shnuwnh. The Word is strongly ex-
pressive in their Language, but not easily rendred into
English^ it signifies, to retire to his first Mother. Her Excuse
for not coming sooner was, that her Husband dying late in
the Morning, she was a good while consulting her Servants
about a convenient Place where his Body should be laid ;
and I observed she behaved herself at our House, as chear-
fully as the rest, and 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 their usual Ease and Satisfaction. However,
about ten Days before their Death, which they seldom fail
in computing, they return the Visits that have been made
them by those who are nearest in the Neighbourhood, being
carried in a convenient Sledge drawn by Yahoos, which
Vehicle they use, not only upon this Occasion, but when
they grow old, upon long Journeys, or when they are lamed
By any Accident. And therefore when the dying Houyhnhnms
return those Visits, they take a solemn leave of their Friends,
as if they were going to some remote Part of the Country,
where they designed to pass the rest of their Lives.
352 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part rv
I know not whether it may be worth observing, that the
Houyhnhnms have no Word in their Language to express
any thing that is Evil, except what they borrow from the
Deformities or ill Qualities of the Yahoos. Thus they denote
the Folly of a Servant, an Omission of a Child, a Stone that
cuts their Feet, a continuance of foul or unseasonable Weather,
and the like, by adding to each the Epithet of Yahoo. For
Instance, khnm Yahoo, Whnaholm Yahoo, Ynlhmndwihlma
Yahoo, and an ill contrived House, Ynholmhnmrohlnw Yahoo.
I could with great Pleasure enlarge farther 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.
CHAP. X
The Author's Oeconomy 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 sub?nits. He contrives and finishes a Canoo, by the help
.of a Fellow-Servant, a?id puts to Sea at a venture.
I had settled my little Oeconomy 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 plaistered with Clay, and covered with
Rush-matts 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 excellent
Food. I had worked two Chairs with my Knife, the Sorrel
Nag helping me in the grosser and more laborious Part.
When my Cloaths were worn to Rags, I made myself others
with the Skins of Rabbets, 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 soaled my Shoes with Wood which I
cut from a Tree, and fitted to the upper Leather, and when
this was worn out, I supplied it with the Skins of Yahoos
dried in the Sun. I often got Honey out of hollow Trees,
which I mingled with Water, or eat with my Bread. No
Man could more verify the Truth of these two Maxims,
That Nature is very easily satisfied ; and, That Necessity is the
2 A
354 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
Mother of Invention. I enjoyed perfect Health of Body and
Tranquility of Mind ; I did not find the treachery or in-
constancy of a Friend, nor the injuries of a secret or open
Enemy. I had no occasion of bribing or flattering 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, Pick - pockets, Highwaymen, House-
breakers, Attorneys, Buffoons, Gamesters, Politicians, Wits,
Splenaticks, tedious Talkers, Controvertists, Ravishers,
Murderers, Robbers, Virtuoso's ; no Leaders or Followers
of Party and Faction ; no encouragers to Vice, by seduce-
ment or examples : No Dungeon, Axes, Gibbets, Whipping-
posts, or Pillories : No cheating Shopkeepers or Mechanicks :
No Pride, Vanity or Affectation : No Fops, Bullies, Drunkards :
No ranting, expensive Wives : No stupid, proud Pedants :
No importunate, overbearing, quarrelsome, noisy, roaring,
empty, conceited, swearing companions : No Scoundrels,
raised from the Dust for the sake of their Vices, or Nobility
thrown into it on account of their Virtues : No Lords, Fidlers,
Judges or Dancing-Masters.
I had the favour of being admitted to several Honyhnhnms,
who came to visit or dine with my Master, where his Honour
graciously suffered me to wait in the Room, and listen to
their Discourse. Both he and his Company would often
descend to ask me Questions, and receive my Answers. I
had also sometimes the Honour of attending my Master in
his Visits to others. I never presumed to speak, except in
answer to a Question, and then I did it with inward Regret,
because it was a loss of so much Time for improving myself :
but I was infinitely delighted with the Station of an humble
Auditor in such conversations, where nothing passed but
what was useful, expressed in the fewest and most significant
Words : where the greatest Dece?icy was observed, without
the least degree of Ceremony : where no Person spoke with-
chap, x A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 355
out being pleased himself, 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 doth much improve
conversation : This I found to be true ; for during those
little Intermissions of talk, new ideas would arise in their
Thoughts, which very much enlivened the Discourse. Their
Subjects are generally on Friendship and Benevolence, on
Order and Oeconomy, 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 Determinations, to be taken at the next great Assembly ;
and often upon the various excellencies of Poetry. I may add
without vanity, that my presence often gave them sufficient
matter for discourse, because it afforded my Master an occa-
sion 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 Human Kind ; and for
that reason I shall not repeat what they said : Only I may be
allowed to observe, That his Honour, to my great Admiration,
appeared to understand the Nature of Yahoos in all Countries,
much better than myself. He went through all our Vices
and Follies, and discovered many which I had never men-
tioned to him, by only supposing what Qualities a Yahoo of
this Country, with a small proportion of Reason, might be
capable of exerting ; and concluded, with too much Proba-
bility, how vile as well as miserable such a creature must be.
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 Assembly in Europe. I
admired the Strength, Comeliness, and Speed of the Inhabit-
ants ; and such a Constellation of Virtues in such amiable
Persons produced in me the highest veneration. At first,
indeed, I did not feel that natural awe which the Yahoos and
all other Animals bear towards them, but it grew upon me by
356
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
degrees, much sooner than I imagined, and was mingled with
a respectful Love and Gratitude, that they would condescend
to distinguish me from the rest of my species.
When I thought of my Family, my Friends, my Country-
men, or Human Race in general, I considered them as they
' I fell to imitate their Gate and Gesture.'
really were, Yahoos in shape and disposition, only a little
civilized, 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 a Fountain, I
turned away my Face in horror and detestation of myself, and
chap, x A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 357
could better endure the sight of a common Yahoo, than of my
own Person. By conversing with the Houyhnhnms, and look-
ing upon them with delight, I fell to imitate their Gate and
Gesture, which is now grown into an habit, and my Friends
often tell me in a blunt way, that / trot like a Horse ; which,
however, I take for a great compliment : Neither shall I dis-
own, that in speaking I am apt to fall into the voice and
manner 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 he was in some perplexity,
and at a loss how to begin what he had to speak. After a
short silence, he told me, He did not know how I would take
what he was going to say ; that in the last general assembly,
when the Affair of the Yahoos was entered upon, the Repre-
sentatives 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, nor 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 from 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
alledged, 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
358 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
Exhortation executed, which he could not put off much longer.
He doubted it would be impossible for me to swim to another
Country, and therefore wished I would contrive some sort of
vehicle resembling those I had described to him, that might
carry me on the Sea, in which work I should have the assist-
ance of his own Servants, as well as those of his Neighbours.
He concluded, That for his own part he could have been
content to keep me in his Service as long as I lived, because
he found 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 of
the general Assembly in this Country, is expressed by the
Word Hnhloayn, which signifies an Exhortation, as near as I
can render it : For they have no conception how a rational
Creature can be compelled, but only advised, or exhorted,
because no person can disobey Reason, without giving up his
claim to be a rational creature.
I was struck with the utmost grief and despair at my
Master's Discourse, and being unable to support the Agonies
I was under, I fell into a Swoon at his Feet ; when I came
to myself, he told me, that he concluded I had been dead.
(For these People are subject to no such imbecillities of
Nature.) I answered in a faint voice, That Death would have
been too great an Happiness ; that although I could not
blame the Assembly's Exhortation, or the urgency of his
Friends ; yet in my weak and corrupt Judgment, I thought it
might consist with Reason to have been less rigorous. That
I could not swim a League, and probably the nearest Land
to theirs might be distant above an 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 unnatural Death, was the
chap, x A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 359
least of my Evils : For, supposing I should escape with Life
by some strange Adventure, how could I think with temper,
of passing my Days among Yahoos, and relapsing into my old
corruptions, for want of examples to lead and keep me
within the Paths of Virtue. That I knew too well upon
what solid Reasons all the determinations of the wise
Houyhnhmns were founded, not to be shaken by Arguments
of mine, a miserable Yahoo ; and therefore after presenting
him with my humble Thanks for the Offer of his Servants
Assistance in making a Vessel, and desiring a reasonable
Time for so difficult a Work, I told him I would endeavour
to preserve a wretched Being ; and, if ever I returned to
England, was not without Hopes of being useful to my
own Species, by celebrating the praises of the renowned
Houyhnhnms, and proposing their Virtues to the imitation of
Mankind.
My Master in a few Words made me a very gracious
Reply, allowed me the space of two Months to finish my
Boat ; and ordered the Sorrel Nag, my Fellow-Servant (for
so at this distance I may presume to call him) to follow my
instructions, 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 looked on every
side into the Sea, fancied I saw a small Island, towards the
North-East: I took out my Pocket-glass, and could then
clearly distinguish it about five Leagues off, as I computed ;
but it appeared to the Sorrel Nag to be only a blue Cloud :
For, as he had no conception of any Country beside his own,
so he could not be as expert in distinguishing remote Objects
at Sea, as we who so much converse in that Element.
After I had discovered this Island, I considered no
farther ; but resolved, it should, if possible, be the first place
of my Banishment, leaving the Consequence to Fortune.
360 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
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 fastned very artificially,
after their manner, to a wooden Handle, cut down several
Oak Wattles about the thickness of a Walking-staff, and some
larger pieces. But I shall not trouble the Reader with a
particular Description of my own Mechanicks ; 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 Canoo, 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 Paddles. I laid in
a stock of boiled Flesh, of Rabbets and Fowls, and took with
me two Vessels, one filled with Milk, and the other with
Water.
I tried my Canoo 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 stanch, and
able to bear me, and my freight. And when it was as
compleat 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 all was ready, and the Day came for my Departure,
I took leave of my Master and Lady, and the whole Family,
mine 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 Canoo, and got several of his
neighbouring Friends to accompany him. I was forced to
wait above an hour for the Tide, and then observing the
Wind very fortunately bearing towards the Island, to which I
intended to steer my Course, I took a second leave of my
Master: But as I was going to prostrate myself to kiss his
CHAP. X
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
36i
Hoof, he did me the honour to raise it gently to my Mouth.
I am not ignorant how much I have been censured for
mentioning this last Particular. For my detractors are
pleased to think it improbable, that so illustrious a Person
should descend to give so great a Mark of distinction to
a Creature so inferior as I. Neither have I forgot, how apt
'He did me the honour to raise it gently to my Mouth.'
some Travellers are to boast of extraordinary Favours they
have received. But if these censurers were better acquainted
with the noble and courteous disposition of the Houyhnhnms,
they would soon change their Opinion.
I paid my respects to the rest of the Houyhnhnms in his
Honour's Company; then getting into my Canoo, I pushed
off from Shore.
CHAP. XI
The Authors dangerous Voyage. He arrives at New-Holland, hoping to
settle there. Is wounded with an Arrow by one of the Natives. Is
seized and carried by Force into a Portugueze Ship. The great
Civilities of the Captain. The Author arrives at England.
I began this desperate Voyage on February 15, 171^, at
9 o'Clock in the Morning. The Wind was very favourable ;
however I made use at first only of my Paddles, but
considering I should soon be weary, and that the Wind
might chop about, I ventured to set up my little Sail ; and
thus, with the help of the Tide, I went at the rate of a
League and a half an hour, as near as I could guess. My
Master and his Friends continued on the Shoar, till I was
almost out of sight ; and I often heard the Sorrel 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 with my Labour to 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 Houyhnhnms, without any
opportunity of degenerating into the Vices and Corruptions
of my own species.
chap, xi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 363
The Reader may remember what I related when my Crew
conspired against me, and confined me to my Cabbin. How
I continued there several Weeks, without knowing what
course we took, and when I was put a shoar in the Long-boat,
how the Sailors told me with Oaths, whether true or false,
that they knew not in what part of the World we were.
However, I did then believe us to be about ten Degrees
Southward of the Cape of Good-Hope, or about 45 Degrees
Southern Latitude, as I gathered from some general W^ords I
overheard among them, being I supposed to the South-East
in their intended Voyage to Madagascar. And although this
were but 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
Tempests. Here I put in my Canoo, and climbing up a
part of the Rock, I could plainly discover Land to the East,
extending from South to North. I lay all Night in my
Canoo, 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 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 hath rather chosen to follow other
Authors.
.1 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 eat
them raw, not daring to kindle a Fire, for fear of being
discovered by the Natives. I continued three Days feeding
on Oysters and Limpets, to save my own Provisions, and I
364
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
fortunately found a Brook of excellent Water, which gave me
great Relief.
On the fourth Day, venturing out early a little too far, I
' Discharged an Arrow.
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 Smoak. One of them spied me, and gave notice to the
rest j five of them advanced towards me, leaving the Women
chap, xi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 365
and Children at the Fire. I made what haste I could to the
Shore, and getting into my Canoo, shoved off: The Savages
observing me retreat, ran after me ; and before I could
get far enough into the Sea, discharged an Arrow, which
wounded me deeply on the inside of my left Knee (I shall
carry the Mark to my Grave). I apprehended the Arrow
might be poisoned, and paddling out of the reach of their
Darts (being a calm Day) I made a shift to suck the Wound,
and dress it as well as I could.
I was at a Loss what to do, for I durst not return to the
same Landing-place, but stood to the Norths and was forced
to paddle ; for the Wind though very gentle was against me,
blowing North-West. As I was looking about for a secure
Landing-place, I saw a Sail to the North North-East, which
appearing every Minute more visible, I was in some Doubt,
whether I should wait for them or no, but at last my
Detestation of the Yahoo Race prevailed, and turning my
Canoo, I sailed and paddled together to the South, and got
into the same Creek from whence I set out in the Morning,
chusing rather to trust myself among these Barbarians, than
live with European Yahoos. I drew up my Canoo 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 out her Long-Boat with Vessels to take in Fresh Water
(for the Place it seems was very well known), but I did not
observe it till the Boat was almost on Shore, and it was too
late to seek another Hiding-place. The Seamen at their
landing observed my Canoo, 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 a while in admiration at my strange uncouth
Dress, my Coat made of Skins, my wooden-soaled Shoes, and
my furred Stockings ; from whence, however, they concluded
3 66
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
PART IV
I was not a Native of the Place, who all go naked. One of
the Seamen in Portugueze 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
; A t last they found me.
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 an 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
chap, xi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 367
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 Canoo ;
but they laid hold on me, desiring to know, What Country I
was of? whence I came ? with many other Questions. I
told them, I was born in England, from whence I came about
five Years ago, and then their Country and ours were at
Peace. I therefore hoped they would not treat me as an
Enemy, since I meant them no harm, but was a poor Yahoo,
seeking some desolate Place where to pass the Remainder of
his unfortunate Life.
When they began to talk, I thought I never heard or saw
any thing so unnatural ; for it appear'd to me as monstrous
as if a Dog or a Cow should speak in England, as a Yahoo
in Houyhnhnm-land. The honest Portagueze 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,
from whence I might return to my own country; that two
of the Seamen would go back to the Ship, inform the
Captain of what they had seen, and receive his Orders ; in
the mean time, unless I would give my solemn Oath not to
fly, they would secure me by Force. I thought it best to
comply with their Proposal. They were very curious to know
my Story, but I gave them very little Satisfaction ; and they
all conjectured, that my Misfortunes had impaired my
Reason. In two Hours the Boat, which went loaden 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, from whence I was
taken into the Ship, and from thence into the Captain's
Cabbin.
His Name was Pedro de Mendez, he was a very courteous
and generous Person ; he entreated me to give some account of
368 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUVHNHNMS part iv
myself, and desired to know what I would eat and drink ;
said, I should be used us 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 own Canoo ; but he
ordered me a Chicken and some excellent Wine, and then
directed that I should be put to Bed in a very clean Cabbin.
I would not undress myself, but lay on the Bed-cloaths, and
in half an Hour stole out, when I thought the Crew was at
Dinner, and getting to the side of the Ship was going to leap
into the Sea, and swim for my Life, rather than continue
among Yahoos: But one of the Seamen prevented me, and
having informed the Captain, I was chained to my Cabbin.
After Dinner Don Pedro came to me, and desired to
known 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 con-
spiracy against me by my own Men, of the Country where
they set me on Shore, and of my three 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 asked
him, Whether it were the custom in his country to say the
Thing that was not ? I assured him I had almost forgot what
he meant by Falsehood, and if I had lived a thousand Years
in Houyhnhnm-land, I should never have heard a Lye from
the meanest Servant ; that I was altogether indifferent
whether he believ'd me or no ; but however, in return for
his Favours, I would give so rrnach Allowance to the cor-
ruption of his Nature, as to answer any Objection he
would please to make, and then he might easily discover the
Truth.
chap, xi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 369
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, and the rather because
he confessed he met with a Dutch Skipper, who pretended to
have landed with Five others of his Crew upon a certain
Island or Continent South of New - Holland, where they
went for fresh Water, and observed a Horse driving before
him several Animals exactly resembling those I described
under the Name of Yahoos, with some other particulars,
which the Captain said he had forgot; because he then
concluded them all to be Lies. But he added, that since I
professed so inviolable an attachment to Truth, I must give
him my Word and Honour to bear him company in this
Voyage without attempting any thing against my Life, or else
he would continue me a Prisoner till we arrived at Lisbon. I
gave him the promise he required; but at the same time
protested that I would suffer the greatest Hardships rather
than return to live among Yahoos.
Our Voyage passed without any considerable Accident.
In Gratitude to the Captain I sometimes sate with him at his
earnest Request, and strove to conceal my Antipathy to
human Kind, although it often broke out, which he suffered
to pass without Observation. But the greatest part of the
Day, I confined myself to my Cabbin, 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 cloaths 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, 1 7 1 5. At our landing the
Captain forced me to cover myself with his cloak, to prevent
the Rabble from crouding about me. I was conveyed to his own
House, and at my earnest Request, he led me up to the highest
2 B
^The Captain forced 7iie to cover myself with his cloak
chap, xi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 371
Room backwards. I conjured him to conceal from all Persons
what I had toid him of the Houyhnhnms, because the least
hint of such a Story would not only draw numbers of People
to see me, but probably put me in Danger of being imprisoned
or burnt by the Inquisition. The Captain persuaded me to
accept a suit of cloaths newly made, but I would not suffer
the Taylor to take my Measure ; however, Don Pedro being
almost of my Size, they fitted me well enough. He ac-
coutred me with other Necessaries all new, which I aired for
twenty-four Hours before I would use them.
The Captain had no Wife, nor above three Servants,
none of which were suffered to attend at Meals, and his
whole Deportment was 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, from whence I peeped into the Street,
but drew my Head back in a Fright. In a Week's time he
seduced me down to the Door. I found my Terror gradually
lessened, but my hatred and contempt seemed to encrease.
I was at last bold enough to walk the Street in his company,
but kept my Nose well stopped with Rue, or sometimes with
Tobacco.
In ten Days Don Pedro, to whom I had given some
account of my Domestick 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 had 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
372
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
Lisbon the 24th Day of November, in an English Merchant-
Man, but who was the Master I never enquired. Don Pedro
accompanied me to the Ship, and lent me Twenty Pounds. He
took kind leave of me, and embraced me at parting, which I
bore as well as I could. During the last Voyage I had no
commerce with the Master or any of his Men, but pretending
I was sick, kept close to my Cabbin. On the Fifth of
December, 1 7 1 5, we cast Anchor in the Downs about Nine in
/ converse with them^
the Morning, and at three in the Afternoon I got safe to my
House at Rotherhith.
My Wife and Family received me with great surprize 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-'
chap, xi A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 373
pelled myself to tolerate the Sight of Yahoos ^ and to converse
with Do?i Pedro de Me?idez ; yet my Memory and Imagination
were perpetually filled with the Virtues and Ideas of those
exalted Houyhnhnms. And when I began to consider, that I
had become a Parent of more, it struck me with the utmost
Shame, Confusion and Horror.
As soon as I entered the House, my Wife took me in her
Arms, and kissed me, at which having not been used to the
Touch of that odious Animal for so many Years, I fell in 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,
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 Horses which I keep in a good
Stable, and next to them the Groom is my greatest Favourite ;
for I feel my Spirits revived by the Smell he 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.
CHAP. XII
The Author's Veracity. His Design in publishing this Work. His
Censure of those Travellers who swerve from the Truth. The Author
clears himself from any sinister Ends in writing. An Objection
answered. The Method of planting Colonies. His Native Country
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 : propose th his Manner of
Living for the future, gives good Advice, and concludes.
Thus, Gentle Reader, I have given thee a faithful History of
my Travels for Sixteen Years, and above Seven Months,
wherein I have not been so studious of Ornament as Truth.
I could perhaps like others have astonished thee with strange
improbable 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 Animals both at Sea and
Land. Whereas a Traveller's chief Aim should be to make
Men wiser and better, and to improve their Minds by the
bad as well as good Example of what they deliver con-
cerning foreign Places.
I 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
chap, xii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 375
Chancellor that all he intended to print was absolutely true
to the best of his Knowledge ; for then the World would no
longer be deceived as it usually is, while some Writers, to
make their Works pass the better upon the Publick, 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 hath given me a great Disgust against
this part of Reading, and some Indignation to see the
credulity of Mankind so impudently abused. Therefore since
my Acquaintance were pleased to think my poor Endeavours
might not be unacceptable to my country, I imposed on
myself as a Maxim, never to be swerved from, 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 Houyhnhmns, of whom I had so long the
Honour to be an humble Hearer.
. . . Nee si miserum Fortuna Sinonem
Finxit, vanum etiam, mendacemque improba finget.
I know very well how little Reputation is to be got by
Writings which require neither Genius nor Learning, nor
indeed any other Talent, except a good Memory, or an exact
Journal. I know likewise, that Writers of Travels, like
Dictionary-Makers, are sunk into Oblivion by the Weight and
Bulk of those who come after, and therefore lie uppermost.
And it is highly probable, that such Travellers who shall
hereafter visit the Countries described in this Work of mine,
may by detecting my Errors (if there be any) and adding
many new Discoveries of their own, justle me out of Vogue,
and stand in my Place, making the World forget that I was
ever an Author. This indeed would be too great a Mortifi-
cation if I wrote for Fame : But, as my sole Intention was
the Publick Good, I cannot be altogether disappointed.
For who can read of the Virtues I have mention'd in the
376 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
Glorious Houyhnhnms, 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, amongst 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 farther, and rather leave
the Judicious Reader to his own Remarks and Applications.
I am not a little pleased that this Work of mine can
possibly meet with no Censurers : For what Objections can
be made against a Writer who relates only plain Facts that
happened in such distant Countries, where we have not the
least Interest with respect either to Trade or Negotiations ?
I have carefully avoided every Fault with which common
Writers of Travels are often too justly charged. Besides, I
meddle not with any Party, but write without Passion,
Prejudice, or Ill-will against any Man or number of Men
whatsoever. I write for the noblest End, to inform and
instruct Mankind, over whom I may, without Breach of
Modesty, pretend to some Superiority from the Advantages
I received by conversing so long among the most accomplished
Houyhnhnms. I write without any view towards 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 pronounce myself an Author perfectly blameless,
against whom the Tribes of Answerers, Considerers, Observers,
Reflecters, Detecters, Remarkers, will never be able to find
Matter for exercising their Talents.
I confess, it was whispered to me, that I was bound in
Duty as a Subject of England, to have given in a Memorial
to a Secretary of State, at my first coming over; because,
whatever Lands are discovered 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 Ferdinando Cortez
over the naked Americans. The Lilliputians I think, are
chap, xil A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 377
hardly worth the charge of a Fleet and Army to reduce them,
and I question whether it might be prudent or safe to attempt
the Brobdingnagians. Or whether an English Army would be
much at their ease with the Flying Island over their Heads.
The Houyhnhnms, indeed, appear not to be so well prepared
for War, a Science to which they are perfect Strangers, and
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,
Unacquaintedness with Fear, and their Love of their Country
would amply supply all Defects in the Military Art. Imagine
Twenty thousand of them breaking into the midst of an
European Army, confounding the Ranks, overturning the
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 mag-
nanimous Nation, I rather wish they were in a Capacity or
Disposition to send a sufficient Number of their Inhabitants
for civilizing Europe, by teaching us the first Principles of
Honour, Justice, Truth, Temperance, Publick Spirit, Fortitude,
Chastity, Friendship, Benevolence, and Fidelity. The Names
of all which Virtues are still retained among us in most
Languages, and are to be met with in modern as well as
ancient Authors : which I am able to assert from my own
small Reading.
But I had another Reason which made me less forward
to enlarge his Majesty's Dominions by my Discoveries. To
say the truth, I had conceived a few Scruples with relation to
the Distributive Justice of Princes upon those Occasions.
For instance, A Crew of Pyrates are driven by a Storm they
know not whither, at length a Boy discovers Land from the
Top-mast, they go on Shore to Rob and Plunder ; they see
an harmless People, are entertained with Kindness, 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 murder two or three Dozen of the Natives,
378 A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS part iv
bring away a couple more by Force for a Sample, return
home, and get their Pardon. Here commences a new
Dominion 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 Licence 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 Expedi-
tion, is a modern Colony sent to convert and civilize an
idolatrous and barbarous People.
But this Description, I confess, doth 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 their
Mother Kingdom ; their strict regard to the Distribution of
Justice, in supplying the civil Administration through all their
Colonies with Officers of the greatest Abilities, utter Strangers
to Corruption ; and to crown all, by sending the most vigilant
and virtuous Governors, who have no other views than the
Happiness of the People over whom they preside, and the
Honour of the King their Master.
But, as those Countries which I have 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 proper 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 ever
visit these Countries before me. I mean, if the Inhabitants
ought to be believed ; unless a Dispute may arise about the
two Yahoos, said to have been seen many Ages ago in a
Mountain in Houyhnhnm-land, from whence the Opinion is,
chap, xii A VOYAGE. TO THE HOUYHNHNMS 379
that the Race of those Brutes hath descended; and these,
for any thing I know, may have been English, which indeed
I was apt to suspect from the Lineaments of their Posterity's
Countenances, although very much defaced. But, how far
that will go to make out a Title, I leave to the Learned in
Colony-Law.
But as to the Formality of taking possession in my
Sovereign's Name, it never came once into my Thoughts ;
and if it had, yet as my Affairs then stood, I should perhaps
in point of Prudence and Self-preservation, have put it off to
a better Opportunity.
Having thus answered the only objection that can ever be
raised against me as a 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 Houyhn-
hnms, to instruct 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 myself by time to
tolerate the sight of a human Creature : 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 Dinner
with me, at the farthest 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
kept my Nose well stopt 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.
3 8o
A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
My Reconcilement to the Yahoo kind in general might
not be so difficult if they would be content with those Vices
and Follies only, which Nature hath intitled them to. I am
not in the least provoked at the Sight of a Lawyer, a Pick-
pocket, a Colonel, a Fool, a Lord, a Gamester, a Politician,
A t the farthest End of a long Table.
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 Deformity, and Diseases both
in Body and Mind, smitten with Pride, it immediately breaks
all the Measures of my Patience ; neither shall I be ever able
to comprehend how such an Animal and such a Vice could
chap, xii A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
38i
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 hath
no Terms to express any thing that is evil, except those
whereby they describe the detestable Qualities of their Yahoos,
among which they were not able to distinguish this of Pride,
for want of thoroughly understanding Human Nature, as it
sheweth 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 Government 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 without 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 therefore I here
entreat those who have any Tincture of this absurd Vice, that
they will not presume to come in my Sight.
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