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diff --git a/old/17157-8.txt b/old/17157-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c8891e4..0000000 --- a/old/17157-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5599 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift, Edited -by Thomas M. Balliet - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net - - - - - -Title: Gulliver's Travels - Into Several Remote Regions of the World - - -Author: Jonathan Swift - -Editor: Thomas M. Balliet - -Release Date: November 26, 2005 [eBook #17157] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULLIVER'S TRAVELS*** - - -E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Chuck Greif, and the Project -Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 17157-h.htm or 17157-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/1/7/1/2/17157/17157-h/17157-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/1/7/1/2/17157/17157-h.zip) - - - - - -GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - -Into Several Remote Regions of the World - -by - -JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. - -Edited with Introduction and Notes by Thomas M. Balliet -Superintendent of Schools, Springfield, Mass. - -With Thirty-Eight Illustrations and a Map - - -PART I - -A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT - - -PART II - -A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG - - - - - - - -[Illustration: "HE COMMANDED HIS GENERALS TO DRAW UP THE TROOPS." P. 42.] - - - - -D.C. Heath & Co., Publishers -Boston New York Chicago - -1900 - - - - -PREFACE. - - And lo! the book, from all its end beguiled, - A harmless wonder to some happy child. - - LORD LYTTON. - - -Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726; and, although it was by no -means intended for them, the book was soon appropriated by the children, -who have ever since continued to regard it as one of the most delightful -of their story books. They cannot comprehend the occasion which provoked -the book nor appreciate the satire which underlies the narrative, but -they delight in the wonderful adventures, and wander full of open-eyed -astonishment into the new worlds through which the vivid and logically -accurate imagination of the author so personally conducts them. And -there is a meaning and a moral in the stories of the Voyages to Lilliput -and Brobdingnag which is entirely apart from the political satire they -are intended to convey, a meaning and a moral which the youngest child -who can read it will not fail to seize, and upon which it is scarcely -necessary for the teacher to comment. - -For young children the book combines in a measure the interest of -_Robinson Crusoe_ and that of the fairy tale; its style is objective, -the narrative is simple, and the matter appeals strongly to the childish -imagination. For more mature boys and girls and for adults the interest -is found chiefly in the keen satire which underlies the narrative. It -appeals, therefore, to a very wide range of intelligence and taste, and -can be read with profit by the child of ten and by the young man or -woman of mature years. - -This edition is practically a reprint of the original (1726-27). The -punctuation and capitalization have been modernized, some archaisms -changed, and the paragraphs have been made more frequent. A few passages -have been omitted which would offend modern ears and are unsuitable for -children's reading, and some foot-notes have been added explaining -obsolete words and obscure expressions. - -As a reading book in school which must be adapted to the average mind, -these stories will be found suitable for classes from the fifth or sixth -school year to the highest grade of the grammar school. - -THOMAS M. BALLIET. - - - - -CONTENTS. - -VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. - - -CHAPTER I. - -The Author gives some account of himself and family--His first -inducements to travel--He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life--Gets -safe on shore in the country of Lilliput--Is made a prisoner, and -carried up the country - -CHAPTER II. - -The emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the nobility, comes to -see the Author in his confinement--The emperor's person and habits -described--Learned men appointed to teach the Author their language--He -gains favor by his mild disposition--His pockets are searched, and his -sword and pistols taken from him - -CHAPTER III. - -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 has his liberty granted him upon certain -conditions - -CHAPTER IV. - -Mildendo, 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 offers to -serve the emperor in his wars - -CHAPTER V. - -The Author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion--A high -title of honor is conferred upon him--Ambassadors arrive from the -emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace - -CHAPTER 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 -country--His vindication of a great lady - -CHAPTER VII. - -The Author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high treason, -makes his escape to Blefuscu--His reception there - -CHAPTER VIII. - -The Author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and -after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country - - * * * * * - -LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. - - "He commanded his generals to draw up the troops" - Map of Lilliput and Blefuscu - "I lay all this while ... in great uneasiness" - "Producing his credentials" - "These gentlemen made an exact inventory" - "Her imperial majesty was pleased to smile very graciously upon me" - "And created me a _nardac_ upon the spot" - "Three hundred tailors were employed" - "The happiness ... of dining with me" - "He desired I would hear him with patience" - "I set sail ... at six in the morning" - -AND TWENTY-THREE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT. - - - - -CONTENTS - -A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. - -CHAPTER I. - -A great storm described; the long-boat sent to fetch water, the Author -goes with it to discover the country--He is left on shore, is seized by -one of the natives, and carried to a farmer's house--His reception -there, with several accidents that happened there--A description of the -inhabitants - -CHAPTER II. - -A description of the farmer's daughter--The Author carried to a -market-town, and then to the metropolis--The particulars of his journey - -CHAPTER III. - -The Author sent for to court--The queen buys him of his master the -farmer, and presents him to the king--He disputes with his majesty's -great scholars--An apartment at court provided for the Author--He is in -high favor with the queen--He stands up for the honor of his own -country--He quarrels with the queen's dwarf - -CHAPTER IV. - -The country described--A proposal for correcting modern maps--The king's -palace, and some account of the metropolis--The Author's way of -travelling--The chief temple described - -CHAPTER V. - -Several adventures that happened to the Author--The execution of a -criminal--The Author shows his skill in navigation - -CHAPTER VI. - -Several contrivances of the Author to please the king and queen--He -shows his skill in music--The king inquires into the state of Europe, -which the Author relates to him--The king's observations thereon - -CHAPTER VII. - -The Author's love of his country--He makes a proposal of much advantage -to the king, which is rejected--The king's great ignorance in -politics--The learning of that country very imperfect and -confined--Their laws, and military affairs, and in the state - -CHAPTER VIII. - -The king and queen make a progress to the frontiers--The Author attends -them--The manner in which he leaves the country very particularly -related--He returns to England - -NOTE - - * * * * * - -LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. - - "They concluded I was only Relplum Sealcath" - Map of Brobdingnag - "A huge creature walking ... on the sea" - "Whereupon the huge creature trod short" - "I drew my hanger to defend myself" - "I called her my Glumdalclitch" - "Flourished after the manner of fencers in England" - "This gracious princess held out her little finger" - "She carried me to the king" - "I could only revenge myself by calling him brother" - "The smaller birds did not appear to be at all afraid of me" - "Gave me a gale with their fans" - "The most violent exercise I ever underwent" - "You have made an admirable panegyric" - "She had some foreboding" - "Somebody calling in the English tongue" - "My daughter kneeled, but I could not see her" - -AND TWELVE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT. - - - - -THE FIRST PUBLISHER TO THE READER. - - -The author of these travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my ancient and -intimate friend; there is likewise some relation between us on the -mother's side. About three years ago, Mr. Gulliver, growing weary of the -concourse of curious people coming to him at his house in Redriff,[1] -made a small purchase of land, with a convenient house, near Newark, in -Nottinghamshire, his native county, where he now lives retired, yet in -good esteem among his neighbors. - -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 churchyard 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 a sort of proverb among his neighbors at -Redriff, when any one affirmed a thing, to say it was as true as if Mr. -Gulliver had spoken it. - -By the advice of several worthy persons, to whom, with the author's -permission, I communicated these papers, I now venture to send them into -the world, hoping they may be, at least for some time, a better -entertainment than the common scribbles about politics and party. - -This volume would have been at least twice as large if I had not made -bold to strike out innumerable passages relating to the winds and tides, -as well as to the variations and bearings in the several voyages; -together with the minute description of the management of the ship in -the storms, in the style of sailors; likewise the account of longitudes -and latitudes; wherein I have reason to apprehend that Mr. Gulliver may -be a little dissatisfied; but I was resolved to fit the work as much as -possible to the general capacity of readers. However, if my own -ignorance in sea affairs shall have led me to commit some mistakes, I -alone am answerable for them, and if any traveller hath a curiosity to -see the whole work at large, as it came from the hand of the author, I -will be ready to gratify him. - -As for any farther particulars relating to the author, the reader will -receive satisfaction from the first pages of the book. - - RICHARD SYMPSON. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -TRAVELS. - -PART I. - - -_A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT_. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - THE AUTHOR GIVES SOME ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND FAMILY: HIS FIRST - INDUCEMENTS TO TRAVEL. HE IS SHIPWRECKED, AND SWIMS FOR HIS LIFE; - GETS SAFE ASHORE IN THE COUNTRY OF LILLIPUT; IS MADE A PRISONER, - AND CARRIED UP THE COUNTRY. - - -My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the third of five -sons. He sent me to Emmanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, -where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my studies; -but the charge of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty -allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound apprentice -to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued -four years; and my father now and then sending me small sums of money, I -laid them out in learning navigation, and other parts of the mathematics -useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be, -some time or other, my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down -to my father, where, by the assistance of him, and my uncle John and -some other relations, I got forty pounds,[2] and a promise of thirty -pounds a year, to maintain me at Leyden. There I studied physic two -years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages. - -Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master, -Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the "Swallow," Captain Abraham Pannell, -commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage -or two into the Levant,[3] and some other parts. When I came back I -resolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master, encouraged -me, and by him I was recommended to several patients. I took part of a -small house in the Old Jewry; and, being advised to alter my condition, -I married Mrs. Mary Burton,[4] 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 Indies, 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 ashore, in observing the 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 wife and family. I removed -from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to -get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account. After -three years' expectation that things would mend, I accepted an -advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the -"Antelope," who was making a voyage to the South Sea.[5] 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 northwest of Van Diemen's Land.[6] - -By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees and -2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labor 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 spied a rock within half -a cable's length of the ship;[7] 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 computation, about -three leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent -with labor, 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 those who escaped on the rock, or were left in -the vessel, I cannot tell, but conclude they were all lost. - -For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward -by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom; -but, when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found -myself within my depth; and, by this time, the storm was much abated. - -The declivity was so small that I walked near a mile before I got to the -shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening. I -then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign -of houses or inhabitants; at least, I was in so weak a condition, that I -did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the -heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I -left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the -grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I -remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine -hours; for, when I awaked, it was just daylight. 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 my eyes. - -I heard a confused noise about me; but, in the posture I lay, could see -nothing except the sky. In a little time, I felt something alive moving -on my left leg, which, advancing gently forward over my breast, came -almost up to my chin; when, bending my eyes downward, as much as I -could, I perceived it to be a human creature, not six inches high, with -a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the meantime -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, cried 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 discovered the methods they had taken to -bind me, and, at the same time, with a violent pull, which gave me -excessive pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down my hair -on the left side, so that I was just able to turn my head about two -inches. - -But the creatures ran off a second time, before I could seize them; -whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, and after it -ceased, I heard one of them cry aloud, _Tolgo phonac_; when, in an -instant, I felt above 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 -volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted with spears to -stick me in the sides; but by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin,[8] -which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie -still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand -being already loose, I could easily free myself; and as for the -inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the -greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the same -size with him that I saw. - -[Illustration: "I LAY ALL THIS WHILE IN GREAT UNEASINESS" P. 8.] - -But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the people observed I was -quiet, they discharged no more arrows: but, by the noise I heard, I knew -their numbers increased; and about four yards from me, over against my -right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like that of people at -work; when, 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. - -[Illustration] - -But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began his -oration, he cried out three times, _Langro debul san_ (these words, and -the former, were afterwards repeated, and explained to me). Whereupon -immediately about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the strings that -fastened the left side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning -it to the right, and of observing the person and gesture of him that was -to speak. He appeared to be of a middle age, and taller than any of the -other three who attended him, whereof one was a page that held up his -train, and seemed to be somewhat longer than my middle finger; the other -two stood one on each side, to support him. He acted every part of an -orator, and I could observe many periods of threatenings, and others of -promises, pity, and kindness. - -I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting up -my left hand, and both my eyes, to the sun, as calling him for a -witness: and, being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a -morsel for some hours before I left the ship, I found the demands of -nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear showing my impatience -(perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my finger -frequently to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The _hurgo_ (for -so they call a great lord, as I afterwards learned) understood me very -well. He descended from the stage, and commanded that several ladders -should be applied to my sides; on which above a hundred of the -inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets -full of meat, which had been provided and sent thither by the king's -orders, upon the first intelligence he received of me. - -I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not -distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins, -shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the -wings of a lark. I ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took -three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets. They -supplied me as they could, showing 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[9] wine of Burgundy, but -much more delicious. They brought me a second hogshead, which I drank in -the same manner, and made signs for more; but they had none to give me. - -When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced -upon my breast, repeating, several times, as they did at first, _Hekinah -degul_. They made me a sign, that I should throw down the two hogsheads, -but first warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying -aloud, _Borach nevola_; 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 remembrance of what -I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the -promise of honor I made them--for so I interpreted my submissive -behavior--soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered -myself as bound, by the laws of hospitality, to a people who had treated -me with so much expense 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. - -[Illustration: "PRODUCING HIS CREDENTIALS." P. 14.] - -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 forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue: and, -producing his credentials under the signet-royal,[10] which he applied -close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, -but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing forwards, -which, as I afterwards found, was towards the 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 show 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 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 -increased, I gave tokens to let them know, that they might do with me -what they pleased. Upon this the _hurgo_ and his train withdrew, with -much civility, and cheerful countenances. - -Soon after, I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the -words, _Peplom selan_, and I felt great numbers of people on my left -side, relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn upon -my right, and to get a little ease. But, before this, they had daubed 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, disposed me to sleep. I -slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured; and it was no -wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, had mingled a sleepy -potion in the hogsheads of wine. - -It seems that, upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the -ground after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it, by an -express; and determined in council, that I should be tied in the manner -I have related (which was done in the night, while I slept), that plenty -of meat and drink should be sent to 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 endeavored to kill me with -their spears and arrows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have -awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused my -rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings wherewith -I was tied; after 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 mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the -emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. The 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 -feet long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried on -these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea. Five hundred -carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work, to prepare the -greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood, raised three inches -from the ground, about seven feet long and four wide, moving upon -twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard was upon the arrival of this -engine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after my landing. It was -brought parallel to me, as I lay. But the principal difficulty was, to -raise and place me in this vehicle. - -Eighty poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and -very strong cords, of the bigness of packthread, were fastened by hooks -to many bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my -body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to -draw up these cords by many pulleys fastened on the poles; and thus, in -less than three hours, I was raised and slung into the engine, and tied -fast. - -[Illustration] - -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 a half high, were employed to draw me -towards the metropolis, which, as I said, was half a mile distant. - -About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked, by a very -ridiculous accident; for, the 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, 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[11] a good way -up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made me -sneeze violently; whereupon they stole off, unperceived, and it was -three weeks before I knew the cause of my awaking so suddenly. - -We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and rested at night -with five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches, and half -with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me, if I should offer to stir. The -next morning, at sunrise, we continued our march, and arrived within two -hundred yards of the city gates about noon. The emperor, and all his -court, came out to meet us; but his great officers would by no means -suffer his majesty to endanger his person, by mounting on my body. - -At the place where the carriage 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, looked upon as profane, and therefore had been -applied to common use, 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 feet high, and almost two feet -wide, through which I could easily creep. On each side of the gate was a -small window, not above six inches from the ground; into that on the -left side the king's smith conveyed four score 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. - -[Illustration] - -Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at -twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here -the emperor ascended, with many principal lords of his court, to have an -opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I could not see them. It -was reckoned that above an hundred thousand inhabitants came out of the -town upon the same errand; and, in spite of my guards, I believe there -could not be fewer than ten thousand, at several times, who mounted my -body, by the help of ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued, to -forbid it, upon pain of death. - -When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they cut -all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up, with as melancholy 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 semi-circle, -but, being fixed within four inches of the gate, allowed me to creep in, -and lie at my full length in the temple. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - THE EMPEROR OF LILLIPUT, ATTENDED BY SEVERAL OF THE NOBILITY, COMES - TO SEE THE AUTHOR IN HIS CONFINEMENT. THE EMPEROR'S PERSON AND - HABIT DESCRIBED. LEARNED MEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE AUTHOR THEIR - LANGUAGE. HE GAINS FAVOR BY HIS MILD DISPOSITION. HIS POCKETS ARE - SEARCHED, AND HIS SWORD AND PISTOLS TAKEN FROM HIM. - - -When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and must confess I -never beheld a more entertaining prospect. The country around, appeared -like a continued garden, and the enclosed fields, which were generally -forty feet square, resembled so many beds of flowers. These fields were -intermingled with woods of half a stang,[12] and the tallest trees, as I -could judge, appeared to be seven feet high. I viewed the town on my -left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a theatre. - -The emperor was already descended from the tower, and advancing on -horseback towards me, which had like to have cost him dear; for the -beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight, -which appeared as if a mountain moved before him, reared up on his hind -feet. But that prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till -his attendants ran in and held the bridle, while his majesty had time to -dismount. - -When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great admiration, but kept -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 reach them. I -took these vehicles, and soon emptied them all; twenty of them were -filled with meat; each afforded me two or three good mouthfuls. The -empress and young princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by many -ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs;[13] 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 -graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then past his prime, being -twenty-eight years and three-quarters old, of which he had reigned about -seven in great felicity, 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. - -[Illustration] - -His dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the -Asiatic and the European; but he had on his head a light helmet of gold, -adorned with jewels, and a plume an the crest.[14] He held his sword -drawn in his hand, to defend himself, if I should happen to break loose; -it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard were gold, -enriched with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very clear and -articulate, and I could distinctly hear it, when I stood up. - -The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; so that the -spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread on the -ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His imperial -majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers, but neither of us -could understand a syllable. There were several of his priests and -lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), who were commanded -to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them in as many languages as -I had the least smattering of, which were, High and Low Dutch, Latin, -French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca;[15] but all to no purpose. - -After about two hours the court retired, and I was left with a strong -guard, to prevent the impertinence, and probably the malice of the -rabble, who were very impatient to crowd about me as near as they durst; -and some of them had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I sat -on the ground by the door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed -my left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the 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 butt-ends of their pikes into my reach. I took them -all on my right hand, put five of them into my coat-pocket; and as to -the sixth, I made a countenance as if I would eat him alive. The poor -man squalled terribly, and the colonel and his officers were in much -pain, especially when they saw me take out my penknife; but I soon put -them out of fear, for, looking mildly, and immediately cutting the -strings he was bound with, I set him gently on the ground, and away he -ran. I treated the rest in the same manner, taking them one by one out -of my pocket; and I observed both the soldiers and people were highly -delighted at this mark of my clemency, which was represented very much -to my advantage at court. - -[Illustration] - -Towards night, I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay on -the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight, during which time -the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. Six hundred beds, -of the common measure, were brought in carriages and worked up in my -house; an hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn together, made up the -breadth and length; and these were four double, which, however, kept me -but very indifferently from the hardness of the floor, which was of -smooth stone. By the same computation, they provided me with sheets, -blankets, and coverlets, which were tolerable enough for one who had -been so long inured 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 -household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had not -provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against this -inconvenience. 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 meantime, 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 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 despatch 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 behavior to the six criminals -above-mentioned, which made so favorable an impression in the breast of -his majesty, and the whole board, in my behalf, that an imperial -commission was issued out, obliging all the villages nine hundred yards -round the city to deliver in, every morning, six beeves, forty sheep, -and other victuals, for my sustenance; together with a proportionable -quantity of bread and wine, and other liquors; for the due payment of -which his majesty gave assignments upon his treasury. For this prince -lives chiefly upon his own demesnes, seldom, except upon great -occasions, raising any subsidies upon his subjects, who are bound to -attend him in his wars at their own expense. An establishment was also -made of six hundred persons, to be my domestics, who had board-wages -allowed for their maintenance, and tents built for them very -conveniently on each side of my door. - -It was likewise ordered that three hundred tailors should make me a suit -of clothes, after the fashion of the country; that six of his majesty's -greatest scholars should be employed to instruct me in their language; -and lastly, that the emperor's horses, and those of the nobility and -troops of guards, should be frequently exercised in my sight, to -accustom themselves to me. - -All these orders were duly put in execution, and in about three weeks I -made a great progress in learning their language; during which time the -emperor frequently honored 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 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 _lumos kelmin pesso desmar lon 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 behavior, 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 should set upon them. I took up the two officers in my -hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into every other -pocket about me, except my two fobs and another secret pocket, which I -had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little necessaries -that were of no consequence to any but myself. In one of my fobs there -was a silver watch, and in the other a small quantity of gold in a -purse. - -[Illustration: "THESE GENTLEMEN MADE AN EXACT INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING -THEY SAW" P. 30.] - -These gentlemen having pen, ink, and paper about them, made an exact -inventory of everything 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_,[16] 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 waistcoat pocket we -found a prodigious number 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 palisadoes 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 so heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift -them. In the left pocket, were two black pillars irregularly shaped; we -could not without difficulty reach the top of them, as we stood at the -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 and -round substance, about twice the bigness of our heads. Within each of -these was enclosed a prodigious plate of steel, which, by our orders, we -obliged him to show us, because we apprehended they might be dangerous -engines. He took them out of their cases, and told us that in his own -country his practice was to shave his beard with one of these, and to -cut his meat with the other. There were two pockets which we could not -enter: these he called his fobs. Out of the right fob hung a great -silver chain, with a wonderful kind of engine at the bottom. We directed -him to draw out whatever was at the end of that chain, which appeared to -be a globe, half silver, and half of some transparent metal; for on the -transparent side we saw certain strange figures, circularly drawn, and -thought we could touch them till we found our fingers stopped by that -lucid substance.[17] He put this engine to our ears, which made an -incessant noise, like that of a water-mill; and we conjecture it is -either some unknown animal, or the god that he worships; but we are more -inclined to the latter opinion, because he assured us (if we understood -him right, for he expressed himself very imperfectly), that he seldom -did anything 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 a most ponderous metal, about the bigness of our heads, and required -a strong hand to lift them; the other cell contained a heap of certain -black grains, but of no great bulk or weight, for we could hold about -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 sealed, on the fourth day of the -eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign. - - CLEFRIN FRELOC. - MARSI FRELOC. - -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 scimitar, which I took out, scabbard and all. In -the meantime, he ordered three thousand of his choicest troops (who then -attended him) to surround me at a distance, with their bows and arrows -just ready to discharge; but I did not observe it, for mine eyes were -wholly fixed upon his majesty. He then desired me to draw my scimitar, -which, although it had got some rust by the sea-water, was in most parts -exceedingly bright. I did so, and immediately all the troops gave a -shout between terror and surprise; for the sun shone clear, and the -reflection dazzled their eyes, as I waved the scimitar to and fro in my -hand. His majesty, who is a most magnanimous prince, was less daunted -than I could expect; he ordered me to return it into the scabbard, and -cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about six feet from the end -of my chain. - -The next thing he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars, by which -he meant my pocket-pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as -I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only with -powder, which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape wetting -in the sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent mariners take -special care to provide), I first cautioned the emperor not to be -afraid, and then let it off in the air. - -The astonishment here was much greater than at the sight of my scimitar. -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 scimitar, and then my pouch of powder and bullets, begging him that -the former might be kept from fire, for it would kindle with the -smallest spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the air. - -[Illustration] - -I likewise delivered up my watch, which the emperor was very curious to -see, and commanded two of his tallest yeomen of the guards[18] to bear -it on a pole upon their shoulders, as draymen in England do a barrel of -ale. He was amazed at the continual noise it made and the motion of the -minute-hand, which he could easily discern; for their sight is much more -acute than ours. He asked the opinions of his learned men about it, -which were various and remote, as the reader may well imagine without my -repeating; although, indeed, I could not very perfectly understand them. - -I then gave up my silver and copper money, my purse, with nine large -pieces of gold, and some smaller ones; my knife and razor, my comb and -silver snuffbox, my handkerchief and journal-book. My scimitar, pistols, -and pouch were conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores; but the -rest of my goods were returned to 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,[19] and some other -little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the emperor, I -did not think myself bound in honor to discover; and I apprehended they -might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my possession. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - 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 HAS HIS LIBERTY GRANTED HIM UPON CERTAIN - CONDITIONS. - - -My gentleness and good behavior 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 favorable 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 one 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 -feet, and twelve inches from the ground. Upon which I shall desire -liberty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge a little. - -[Illustration] - -This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for -great employments and high favor at court. They are trained in this art -from their youth, and are not always of noble birth or liberal -education. When a great office is vacant, either by death or disgrace -(which often happens) five or six of those candidates petition the -emperor to entertain his majesty, and the court, with a dance on the -rope, and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the -office. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show -their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their -faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the -straight rope, at least an inch higher than any lord in the whole -empire. I have seen him do the summersault several times together upon a -trencher,[20] fixed on a rope, which is no thicker than a common -packthread in England. My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for -private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second -after the treasurer; the rest of the great officers are much upon a par. - -These diversions are often attended with fatal accidents, whereof great -numbers are on record. I myself have seen two or three candidates break -a limb. But the danger is much greater when the ministers themselves are -commanded to show their dexterity! for, by contending to excel -themselves and their 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 before 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 shown before the -emperor and empress and first minister, upon particular occasions. The -emperor lays on the table three fine silken threads, of six inches long; -one is 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 favor. The ceremony is performed -in his majesty's great chamber of state, where the candidates are to -undergo a trial of dexterity very different from the former, and such as -I have not observed the least resemblance of in any other country of the -old or 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 blue-colored silk; the yellow is given to -the next, and the green to the third, which they all wear girt twice -about the middle; and you see few great persons round about this court -who are not adorned with one of these girdles. - -The horses of the army, and those of the royal stables, having been -daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very -feet without starting. The riders would leap them over my hand as I held -it on the ground; and one of the emperor's huntsmen, upon a large -courser, took my foot, shoe and all, which was indeed a prodigious leap. - -I had the good fortune to divert the emperor one day after a very -extraordinary manner. I desired he would order several sticks of two -feet high, and the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought me; -whereupon 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 feet and a half square, I took four other -sticks and tied them parallel at each corner, about two feet from the -ground; then I fastened my handkerchief to the nine sticks that stood -erect, and extended it on all sides, till it was 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 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 -entertainments; only once a fiery horse, that belonged to one of the -captains, pawing with his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and -his foot slipping, he overthrew his rider and himself; 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 enterprises. - -About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was -entertaining the court with feats of this kind, 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 oddly 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 had at first apprehended, for it -lay on the grass without motion; and some of them had walked round it -several times; that, by mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had -got to the top, which was flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they -found it was hollow within; that they humbly conceived it might be -something belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majesty pleased, -they would undertake to bring it with only five horses. - -[Illustration] - -I presently knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this -intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the shore after our -shipwreck, I was in such confusion that, before I came to the place -where I went to sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string to my -head while I was rowing, and had stuck on 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, describing to him the use and nature -of it; and the next day the wagoners arrived with it, but not in a very -good condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and -a half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks -were tied by a long cord to the harness; and thus my hat was dragged -along for above half an English mile; but the ground in that country -being extremely smooth and level, it received less damage than I -expected. - -Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that part of -the army which quarters in and about his metropolis to be in readiness, -took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular manner. He desired -I would stand like a colossus, with my legs as far asunder as I -conveniently could. He then commanded his general (who was an old, -experienced leader and a great patron of mine) to draw up the troops in -close order and march under me; the foot by twenty-four abreast and the -horse by sixteen, with drums beating, colors flying, and pikes advanced. -This body consisted of three thousand foot and a thousand horse. - -I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his -majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and then -in full council; where it was opposed by none, except Skyrris 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 complexion. However, he was at length persuaded to -comply; but prevailed, that the articles and conditions upon which I -should be set free, and to which I must swear, should be drawn up by -himself. - -These articles were brought to me by Skyrris Bolgolam in person, -attended by two under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. -After they were read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of -them, first in the manner of my own country, and afterwards in the -method prescribed by their laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my -left hand, and to place the middle finger of my right hand on the crown -of my head, and my thumb on the tip of my right ear. - -But because the reader may be curious to have some idea of the style and -manner of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to know the -articles upon which I recovered my liberty, I have made a translation of -the whole instrument, word for word, as near as I was able, which I here -offer to the public. - -_Golbasto 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 extremities of the globe; monarch of all monarchs, taller than the -sons of men; whose feet press down to the centre, and whose head strikes -against the sun; at whose nod the princes of the earth shake their -knees; pleasant as the spring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful as -autumn, dreadful as winter. His most sublime majesty proposeth to the -man-mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following -articles, which by a solemn oath he shall be obliged to perform. - -First. The man-mountain shall not depart from our dominions without our -license under our great seal. - -Second. He shall not presume to come into our metropolis, without our -express order, at which time the inhabitants shall have two hours -warning to keep within doors. - -Third. 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.[21] - -Fourth. As he walks the said roads, he shall take the utmost care not to -trample upon the bodies of any of our loving subjects, their horses or -carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his hands without their own -consent. - -Fifth. If an express requires extraordinary despatch, 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. - -Sixth. He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of -Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now -preparing to invade us. - -Seventh. 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. - -Eighth. That the said man-mountain shall, in two moons time, deliver in -an exact survey of the circumference of our dominions, by a computation -of his own paces round the coast. - -Lastly. That upon his solemn oath to observe all the above articles, the -said man-mountain shall have a daily allowance of meat and drink -sufficient for the support of 1724 of our subjects, with free access to -our royal person, and other marks of our favor. Given at our palace at -Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign. - -I swore and subscribed to the articles with great cheerfulness and -content, although some of them were not so honorable as I could have -wished; which proceeded wholly from the malice of Skyrris Bolgolam, the -high admiral; whereupon my chains were immediately unlocked, and I was -at full liberty. The emperor himself in person did me the honor to be by -at the whole ceremony. I made my acknowledgments, by prostrating myself -at his majesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many -gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of vanity, I shall not -repeat, he added, that he hoped I should prove a useful servant, and -well deserve all the favors 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 me a quantity of -meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 Lilliputians. Some -time after, asking a friend at court, how they came to fix on that -determinate number, he told me, that his majesty's mathematicians having -taken the height of my body by the help of a quadrant,[22] and finding -it to exceed theirs in the proportion of twelve to one, they concluded, -from the similarity of their bodies, that mine must contain at least -1724 of theirs, and consequently would require as much food as was -necessary to support that number of Lilliputians. By which the reader -may conceive an idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the -prudent and exact economy of so great a prince. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - MILENDO, 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 OFFERS - 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 Milendo, the metropolis; which the emperor -easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt, either to -the inhabitants or their houses. The people had notice, by proclamation, -of my design to visit the town. - -The wall, which encompassed it, is two feet and a half high, and at -least eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very -safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet -distance. I stept over the great western gate, and passed very gently, -and sideling, through the two principal streets, only in my short -waistcoat, for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the houses with -the skirts[23] of my coat. I walked with the utmost circumspection, to -avoid treading on any stragglers who might remain in the streets; -although the orders were very strict, that all people should keep in -their houses at their own peril. The garret-windows and tops of houses -were so crowded with spectators, that I thought in all my travels I had -not seen a more populous place. - -The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being five hundred -feet long. The two great streets, which run across and divide it into -four quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys, which I could -not enter, but only viewed them as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen -inches. The town is capable of holding five hundred thousand souls; the -houses are from three to five stories; the shops and markets well -provided. - -The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city, where the two great -streets meet. It is enclosed by a wall of two 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 feet, and includes two other -courts; in the inmost are the royal apartments, which I was very -desirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for the great gates -from one square into another were but eighteen inches high, and seven -inches wide. Now the buildings of the outer court were at least five -feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride over them without -infinite damage to the pile, though the walls were strongly built of -hewn stone, and four inches thick. - -At the same time, the emperor had a great desire that I should see the -magnificence of his palace; but this I was not able to do till three -days after, which I spent in cutting down, with my knife, some of the -largest trees in the royal park, about an hundred yards distance from -the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each about three feet high, -and strong enough to bear my weight. - -[Illustration: "HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY WAS PLEASED TO SMILE VERY GRACIOUSLY -UPON ME" P. 50.] - -The people having received notice a second time, I went again through -the city to the palace, with my two stools in my hands. When I came to -the side of the outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took the other -in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and gently set it down on the -space between the first and second court, which was eight feet wide. I -then stept over the building very conveniently, from one stool to the -other, and drew up the first after me with a hooked stick. By this -contrivance I got into the inmost court; and, lying down upon my side, I -applied my face to the windows of the middle stories, which were left -open on purpose, and discovered the most splendid apartments that can be -imagined. There I saw the empress and the young princes in their several -lodgings, with their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty -was pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of the -window her hand to kiss. - -But I shall not anticipate the reader with farther descriptions 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 politics, laws, learning, and -religion, their plants and animals, their peculiar manners and customs, -with other matters very curious and useful; my chief design, at present, -being only to relate such events and transactions as happened to the -public, or to myself, during a residence of about nine months in that -empire. - -One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, -Reldresal, principal secretary (as they style him) for 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 of the many good offices he had done me during my -solicitations at court. I offered to lie down, that he might the more -conveniently reach my ear; but he chose rather to let me hold him in my -hand during our conversation. - -He began with compliments on my liberty; said he might pretend to some -merit in it. But however, added, that if it had not been for the present -situation of things at court, perhaps I might not have obtained it so -soon. For, said he, as flourishing a condition as we may appear to be in -to foreigners, we labor 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 seventy -moons past, there have been two struggling parties in this empire, under -the names of _Tramecksan_ and _Slamecksan_, from the high and low heels -of their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, -indeed, that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient -constitution; but, however this may be, his majesty hath determined to -make use only of 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, at least by a -_drurr_, than any of his court (_drurr_ is a measure about the -fourteenth part of an inch). The animosities between these two parties -run so high, that they will neither eat nor drink nor talk with each -other. We compute the _Tramecksan_, or high heels, to exceed us in -number; but the power is wholly on our side. We apprehend his imperial -highness, the heir to the crown, to have some tendency towards the high -heels; at least, we can plainly discover that one of his heels is higher -than the other, which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst -of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from -the island of 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 -dropped 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 cattle of his majesty's dominions. Besides, our histories of -six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions than the two -great empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Which two mighty powers have, as -I was going to tell you, been engaged in a most obstinate war for -six-and-thirty moons past. It began upon the 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 eleven thousand persons have, at several times, suffered -death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many -hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy, but the -books of the Big-endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party -rendered incapable, by law, of holding employments. During the course of -these troubles, the Emperors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate, by -their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, by -offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, -in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is their -Alcoran)[24] This, however, is thought to be a mere strain upon the -text; for the words are these: That all true believers break their eggs -at the convenient end. And which is the convenient end, seems, in my -humble opinion, to be left to every man's conscience, or, at least, in -the power of the chief magistrate to determine. Now, the Big-endian -exiles have found so much credit in the emperor of Blefuscu's court, and -so much private assistance and encouragement from their party here at -home, that a bloody war 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 valor and strength, hath commanded me to lay -this account of his affairs before you. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - THE AUTHOR, BY AN EXTRAORDINARY STRATAGEM, PREVENTS AN INVASION. A - HIGH TITLE OF HONOR IS CONFERRED UPON HIM. AMBASSADORS ARRIVE FROM - THE EMPEROR OF BLEFUSCU, AND SUE FOR PEACE. THE EMPRESS'S APARTMENT - ON FIRE, BY ACCIDENT; THE AUTHOR INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING THE REST OF - THE PALACE. - - -The empire of Blefuscu is an island, situate to the north northeast 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 enemy's ships, who had received no -intelligence of me, all intercourse between the two empires having been -strictly forbidden during the war, upon the pain of death, and an -embargo[25] laid by our emperor upon all vessels whatsoever. - -I communicated to his majesty a project I had formed, of seizing the -enemy's whole fleet; which, as our scouts assured us, lay at anchor in -the harbor, ready to sail with the first fair wind. I consulted the most -experienced seamen upon the depth of the channel, which they had often -plumbed; who told me, that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy -_glumgluffs_ deep, which is about six feet of European measure; and the -rest of it fifty _glumgluffs_ at most. I walked towards the northeast -coast, over against Blefuscu; where, lying down behind a hillock, I took -out my small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, -consisting of about fifty men-of-war, and a great number of transports; -I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for which I had a -warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of iron. -The cable was about as thick as 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 -northeast coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked -into the sea in my leathern jerkin, about half an hour before -high-water. I waded with what haste I could, and swam in the middle -about thirty yards, till I felt ground; I arrived at the fleet in less -than half an hour. The enemy were so frightened, when they saw me, that -they leaped out of their ships, and swam to shore, where there could not -be fewer than thirty thousand souls: I then took my tackling, and -fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords -together at the end. - -While I was thus employed, the enemy discharged several thousand arrows, -many of which stuck in my hands and face; and, 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 escaped the emperor's searchers. These I took out, -and fastened as strongly as I could upon my nose, and thus armed, went -on boldly with my work, in spite of the enemy's arrows, many of which -struck against the glasses of my spectacles, but without any other -effect, farther than a little to discompose them.[26] I had now fastened -all the hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand, began to pull: but not a -ship would stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors; so -that the boldest part of my enterprise remained. I therefore let go the -cord, and, leaving the hooks fixed to the ships, I resolutely cut with -my knife the cables that fastened 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 tied, and, with great ease, drew -fifty of the enemy's largest men-of-war after me. - -The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagination of what I intended, -were at first confounded with astonishment. They had seen me cut the -cables, and thought my design was only to let the ships run adrift, or -fall foul on each other: but when they perceived the whole fleet moving -in order, and saw me pulling at the end, they set up such a scream of -grief and despair as it is almost impossible to describe or conceive. -When I had got out of danger, I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows -that stuck in my hands and face: and rubbed on some of the same ointment -that was given me at my first arrival, as I have formerly mentioned. I -then took off my spectacles, and waiting about an hour, till the tide -was a little fallen, I waded through the middle with my cargo, and -arrived safe at the royal port of Lilliput. - -The emperor and his whole court stood on the shore, expecting the issue -of this great adventure. They saw the ships move forward in a large -half-moon, but could not discern me, who was up to my breast in water. -When I advanced to 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 an hostile -manner: but he was soon eased of his fears; for the channel growing -shallower every step I made, I came in a short time within hearing; and -holding up the end of the cable, by which the fleet was fastened, I -cried in a loud voice, Long live the most puissant[27] 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 honor 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 immeasurable 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 viceroy; of destroying the Big-endian exiles, and compelling that -people to break the smaller end of their eggs, by which he would remain -the sole monarch of the whole world. But I endeavored to divert him from -this design, by many arguments, drawn from the topics of policy, as well -as justice. And I plainly protested, that I would never be an instrument -of bringing a free and brave people into slavery. And when the matter -was debated in council, the wisest part of the ministry were of my -opinion. - -[Illustration: "AND CREATED ME A _NARDAC_ UPON THE SPOT." P. 58.] - -This open, bold declaration of mine was so opposite to the schemes and -politics of his imperial majesty, that he could never forgive me; he -mentioned it, in a very artful manner, at council, where, I was told, -that some of the wisest appeared, at least by their silence, to be of my -opinion; but others, who were my secret enemies, could not forbear some -expressions, which by a side-wind reflected on me. And, from this time -began an intrigue between his majesty and a junto[28] of ministers -maliciously bent against me, which broke out in less than two months, -and had like to have ended in my utter destruction. Of so little weight -are the greatest services to princes, when put into the balance with a -refusal to gratify their passions. - -About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived a solemn embassy -from Blefuscu, with humble offers of peace; which was soon concluded, -upon conditions very advantageous to our emperor, wherewith I shall not -trouble the reader. There were six ambassadors, with a train of about -five hundred persons; and their entry was very magnificent, suitable to -the grandeur of their master, and the 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 valor -and generosity, invited me to that kingdom, in the emperor their -master's name, and desired me to show some proofs of my prodigious -strength, of which they had heard so many wonders; wherein I readily -obliged them, but shall not trouble the reader with the particulars. - -[Illustration] - -When I had for some time entertained their Excellencies, to their -infinite satisfaction and surprise, I desired they would do me the honor -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 country. Accordingly, the next time I had the honor -to see our emperor, I desired his general license to wait on the -Blefuscudian monarch, which he was pleased to grant me, as I could -plainly perceive, in a very cold manner; but could not guess the reason, -till I had a whisper from a certain person, that Flimnap and Bolgolam -had represented my intercourse with those ambassadors as a mark of -disaffection, from which, I am sure, my heart was wholly free. And this -was the first time I began to conceive some imperfect idea of courts and -ministers. - -It is to be observed, that these 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 its own tongue, with an avowed contempt -for that of its neighbor; yet our emperor, standing upon the advantage -he had got by the seizure of their fleet, obliged them to deliver their -credentials, and make their speech in the Lilliputian tongue. - -And it must be confessed, that, from the great intercourse of trade and -commerce between both realms; from the continual reception of exiles, -which is mutual among them; and from the custom in each empire, to send -their young nobility, and richer gentry, to the other, in order to -polish themselves, by seeing the world, and understanding men and -manners; there are few persons of distinction, or 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 anything but an extreme necessity -have forced me to submit. But, being now a _nardac_ of the highest rank -in that empire, such offices were looked upon as below my dignity, and -the emperor, to do him justice, never once mentioned them to me. -However, it was not long before I had an opportunity of doing his -majesty, at least as I then thought, a most signal service. I was -alarmed at midnight with the cries of many hundred people at my door, by -which, being suddenly awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I heard the -word _burglum_ repeated incessantly. - -Several of the emperor's court, making their way through the crowd, -entreated me to come immediately to the palace, where her imperial -majesty's apartment was on fire, by the carelessness of a maid of honor, -who fell asleep while she was reading a romance. I got up in an instant; -and orders being given to clear the way before me, and it being likewise -a moonshine night, I made a shift to get to the palace, without -trampling on any of the people. I found they had already applied ladders -to the walls of the apartment, and were well provided with buckets, but -the water was at some distance. These buckets were about the size of a -large thimble, and the poor people supplied me with them as fast as they -could; but the flame was so violent that they did little good. I might -easily have stifled it with my coat, which I unfortunately left behind -me for haste, and came away only in my leathern jerkin. The case seemed -wholly desperate and deplorable, and this magnificent palace would have -infallibly been burnt down to the ground, if, by a presence of mind -unusual to me, I had not suddenly thought of an expedient by which in -three minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and the rest of that -noble pile, which had cost so many ages in erecting, preserved from -destruction. - -[Illustration] - -It was now daylight, and I returned to my house, without waiting to -congratulate with the emperor; because, although I had done a very -eminent piece of service, yet I could not tell how his majesty might -resent the manner by which I had performed it: for, by the fundamental -laws of the realm, it is capital in any man, of what quality soever, to -even touch the empress or the royal princesses without invitation. But I -was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, that he would give -orders to the grand justiciary for passing my pardon in form, which, -however, I could not obtain. And I was privately assured that the -empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of me, and, in the presence -of her chief confidants, could not forbear vowing revenge. - - - - -CHAPTER 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 COUNTRY. - - -Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a -particular treatise, yet, in the meantime, 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 with observing a cook pulling[29] a lark, -which was not so large as a common fly; and a young girl threading an -invisible needle with invisible silk. - -Their tallest trees are about seven feet high; I mean some of those in -the great royal park, the tops whereof I could but just reach with my -fist clenched. The other vegetables are in the same proportion; but this -I leave to the reader's imagination. - -I shall say but little at present of their learning, which, for many -ages, 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, but aslant, from one corner of -the paper to the other, like ladies in England. - -They bury their dead with their heads directly downwards, 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 the 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 country, I -should be tempted to say a little in their justification. It is only to -be wished they were as well executed. The first I shall mention relates -to informers. 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 trial, the accuser is immediately put to an -ignominious death; and, out of his goods, or lands, the innocent person -is quadruply recompensed for the loss of his time, for the danger he -underwent, for the hardship of his imprisonment, and for all the charges -he hath been at in making his defence, or, it that fund be deficient, -it is largely supplied by the crown. The emperor also confers on him -some public mark of his favor, and proclamation is made of his innocence -through the whole city. - -They look upon fraud as a greater crime than theft, and therefore seldom -fail to punish it with death; for they allege, that care and vigilance, -with a very common understanding, may preserve a man's goods from -thieves, but honesty has no fence against superior cunning; and, since -it is necessary that there should be a perpetual intercourse of buying -and selling, and dealing upon credit, where fraud is permitted and -connived at, or 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 run 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 -practice 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 out -of a fund appropriated for that use; he likewise acquires the title of -_snillpall_, or _legal_, which is added to his name, but doth 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 sheath in her left, to show she was more disposed to reward -than to punish. - -In choosing 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 understanding is -fitted to some station or other, and that Providence never intended to -make the management of public affairs a mystery, to be comprehended only -by a few persons of sublime genius, of which there seldom are three born -in an age; but they suppose truth, justice, temperance, and the like, to -be in every man's power, the practice of which virtues, assisted by -experience, and a good intention, would qualify any man for the service -of his country, 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 consequences to the public -weal as the practices of a man whose inclinations led him to be corrupt, -and who had great abilities to manage, to multiply, and defend his -corruptions. - -In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine Providence renders a man -incapable of holding any public station; for, since kings avow -themselves to be the deputies of Providence, the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more absurd than for a prince to employ such men as -disown the authority under which he acts. - -In relating these and the following laws, I would only be understood to -mean the original institutions, and not the most scandalous corruptions -into which these people are fallen, by the degenerate nature of man. -For, as to that infamous practice of acquiring great employments by -dancing on the ropes, or badges of favor and distinction by leaping over -sticks, and creeping under them, the reader is to observe, that they -were first introduced by the grandfather of the emperor, now reigning, -and grew to the present height by the gradual increase of party and -faction. - -Ingratitude is, among them, a capital crime, as we read it to have been -in some other countries; for they reason thus, that whoever makes ill -returns to his benefactor, must needs be a common enemy to the rest of -mankind, from whom he 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. Their opinion is, that parents are the last of all -others to be trusted with the education of their own children; and, -therefore, they have, in every town, public nurseries, where all -parents, except cottagers and laborers, 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 and simple. They are bred up in the -principles of honor, justice, courage, modesty, clemency, religion, and -love of their country; they are always employed in some business, except -in the times of eating and sleeping, which are very short, and two hours -for diversions, consisting of bodily exercises. They are dressed by men -till four years of age, 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 smaller or greater numbers to take their diversions, and -always in the presence of a professor, or one of his deputies; whereby -they avoid those early bad impressions of folly and vice, to which our -children are subject. Their parents are suffered to see them only twice -a year; the visit to last but an hour; they are allowed to kiss the -child at meeting and parting; but a professor, who always stands by on -those occasions, will not suffer them to whisper, or use any fondling -expressions, or bring any presents of toys, sweetmeats, and the like. - -The pension from each family, for the education and entertainment of a -child, upon failure of due payment, is levied by the emperor's officers. - -The nurseries for children of ordinary gentlemen, merchants, traders, -and handicrafts, are managed proportionally after the same manner; only -those designed for trades are put out apprentices at eleven years old, -whereas those persons of quality continue in their exercises till -fifteen, which answers to twenty-one with us; but the confinement is -gradually lessened for the last three years. - -In the female nurseries, the young girls of quality are educated much -like the males, only they are dressed by orderly servants of their own -sex; but always in the presence of a 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 the chambermaids -among us, they are publicly whipped thrice about the city, imprisoned -for a year, and banished for life to the most desolate part of the -country. Thus, the young ladies there are as much ashamed of being -cowards and fools as the men, and despise all personal ornaments beyond -decency and cleanliness: neither did I perceive any difference in their -education, made by their difference of sex, only that the exercises of -the women were not altogether so robust, and that some rules were given -them relating to domestic life, and a smaller compass of learning was -enjoined them: for their maxim is that, among people of quality, a wife -should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she -cannot always be young. When the girls are twelve years old, which -among them is the marriageable age, their parents or guardians take -them home, with great expressions of gratitude to the professors, and -seldom without tears of the young lady and her 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 seven years -old, the rest are kept to eleven. - -The meaner[30] 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[31] for the child; and, therefore, all parents -are limited in their expenses by the law. For the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more unjust than for people to leave the burden of -supporting their children on the public. As to persons of quality, they -give security to appropriate a certain sum for each child, suitable to -their condition; and these funds are always managed with good husbandry -and the most exact justice. - -The cottagers and laborers keep their children at home, their business -being only to till and cultivate the earth, and therefore their -education is of little consequence to the public; but the old and -diseased among them are supported by hospitals; for begging is a trade -unknown in this empire. - -And here it may perhaps divert the curious reader to give some account -of my domestic,[32] and my manner of living in this country, during a -residence of nine months and thirteen days. Having a head for -mechanics, 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 seamtresses were employed 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 feet make a piece. - -The seamtresses took my measure as I lay on the ground, one standing at -my neck, and another at my mid-leg, with a strong cord extended that -each held by the end, while a third measured the length of the cord with -a rule of an inch long. Then they measured my right thumb, and desired -no more; for, by a mathematical computation, that twice round the thumb -is once round the wrist, and so on to the neck and the waist, and by the -help of my old shirt, which I displayed on the ground before them for a -pattern, they fitted me exactly. Three hundred tailors were employed in -the same manner to make me clothes; but they had another contrivance for -taking my measure. I kneeled down, and they raised a ladder from the -ground to my neck; upon this ladder one of them mounted, and let fall a -plumb-line from my collar to the floor, which just answered the length -of my coat; but my waist and arms I measured myself. When my clothes -were finished, which was done in my house (for the largest of theirs -would not have been able to hold them), they looked like the patchwork -made by the ladies in England, only that mine were all of a color. - -[Illustration: "THREE HUNDRED TAILORS WERE EMPLOYED TO MAKE ME CLOTHES" -P. 74.] - -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, flung on their shoulders; all of 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 sirloin -so large that I have been forced to make three bites of it; but this is -rare. My servants were astonished to see me eat it, bones and all, as in -our country we do the leg of a lark. Their geese and turkeys I usually -eat at a mouthful, and I 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 young princes of -the blood of both sexes, might have the happiness, as he was pleased to -call it, of dining with me. They came accordingly, and I placed them in -chairs of state upon my table, just over against me, with their guards -about them. Flimnap, the lord high treasurer, attended 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 honor to my dear country, 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 a great discount; that exchequer -bills[33] would not circulate under nine per cent, below par; that I had -cost his majesty above a million and a half of _sprugs_ (their greatest -gold coin, about the bigness of a spangle); and, upon the whole, that it -would be advisable in the emperor to take the first fair occasion of -dismissing me. - -[Illustration: "THE HAPPINESS ... OF DINING WITH ME." P. 76.] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - THE AUTHOR, BEING INFORMED 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 -country, 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,[34] and without sending his name, desired admittance. The -chairmen were dismissed; I put the chair, with his lordship in it, into -my coat-pocket; and, 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, according to my usual custom, and sat down by -it. After the common salutations were over, observing his lordship's -countenance full of concern, and inquiring into the reason, he desired I -would hear him with patience, in a matter that highly concerned my honor -and my life. His speech was to the following effect, for I took notes of -it as soon as he left me:-- - -You are to know, said he, that several committees of council have been -lately called in the most private manner on your account; and it is but -two days since his majesty came to a full resolution. - -You are very sensible that Skyrris Bolgolam (_galbet_ or high-admiral) -hath been your mortal enemy almost ever since your arrival: his original -reasons I know not; but his hatred is increased since your great success -against Blefuscu, by which his glory, as admiral, is much obscured. This -lord, in conjunction with Flimnap the high treasurer, whose enmity -against you is notorious, 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. - -[Illustration: "HE DESIRED I WOULD HEAR HIM WITH PATIENCE." P. 80.] - -Out of gratitude for the favors you have done for 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. - - Whereas, by a statute made in the reign of his Imperial Majesty - Calin Deffar Plune, it is enacted, That whoever shall lay hands - upon the empress, or upon any of the royal children, shall be - liable to the pains and penalties of high treason. Notwithstanding, - the said Quinbus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law, under - color of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his - Majesty's most dear imperial consort, did maliciously, and - traitorously, pull her by the arms, and lift her high in the air in - both his hands, against the statute in that case provided, &c., - against the duty, &c. - - ARTICLE II. - - 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 viceroy from hence, and to destroy and put to death, - not only all the Big-endian exiles, but likewise all the people of - that empire who would not immediately forsake the Big-endian - heresy. He, the said Flestrin, like a false traitor against his - most auspicious, serene, imperial majesty, did petition to be - excused from the said service, upon pretence of unwillingness to - force the consciences or destroy the liberties and lives of an - innocent people. - - ARTICLE III. - - That, whereas certain ambassadors arrived from the court of - Blefuscu, to sue for peace in his majesty's court; he, the said - Flestrin, did, like a false traitor, aid, abet, comfort, and divert - the said ambassadors, although he knew them to be servants to a - prince who was lately an open enemy to his imperial majesty, and in - open war against his said majesty. - - ARTICLE IV. - - That the said Quinbus Flestrin, contrary to the duty of a faithful - subject, is now preparing to make a voyage to the court and empire - of Blefuscu, for which he hath received only verbal license from - his imperial majesty; and under color of the said license, doth - falsely and traitorously 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 endeavoring 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 and sheets, which would soon make you tear your own flesh, and -die in the utmost torture. The general came into the same opinion; so -that for a long time there was a majority against you: but his majesty -resolving, if possible, to spare your life, at last brought off the -chamberlain. - -Upon this incident, Reldresal, principal 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 great, but that still there was room for mercy, the most commendable -virtue in a prince, and for which his majesty was so justly celebrated. -He said, the friendship between you and him was so well known to the -world, that perhaps the most honorable board might think him partial; -however, in obedience to the command he had received, he would freely -offer his sentiments; that if his majesty, in consideration of your -services, and pursuant to his own merciful disposition, would please to -spare your life, and only give orders to put out both your eyes, he -humbly conceived that, by this expedient, justice might in some measure -be satisfied, and all the world would applaud the lenity of the emperor, -as well as the fair and generous proceedings of those who have the honor -to be his counsellors: that the loss of your eyes would be no impediment -to your bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his -majesty: that blindness is an addition to courage, by concealing dangers -from us: that the fear you had for your eyes was the greatest difficulty -in bringing over the enemy's fleet: and it would be sufficient for you -to see by the eyes of the ministers, since the greatest princes do no -more. - -[Illustration] - -This proposal was received with the utmost disapprobation 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 you, who extinguished the fire in that unprincipled -manner, might at another time inundate and drown the whole palace; and -the same strength, which enabled you to bring over the enemy's fleet, -might serve, upon the first discontent, to carry it back: that he had -good reasons to think you were a Big-endian in your heart; and, as -treason begins in the heart, before it appears in overt acts, so he -accused you as a traitor on that account, and therefore insisted you -should be put to death. - -The treasurer was of the same opinion. He showed to what straits his -majesty's revenue was reduced, by the charge of maintaining you, which -would soon grow insupportable. That the secretary's expedient of putting -out your eyes was so far from being a remedy against this evil, that it -would probably increase it, as is manifest from the common practice of -blinding some sort of fowls, after which they fed the faster, and grew -sooner fat. That his sacred majesty, and the council, who are your -judges, were to their own consciences 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 pleaded to say, that since the council thought the loss -of your eyes too easy a censure, some other might 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 consume in a few months; neither would the stench of -your carcase be then so dangerous when it should become more than half -diminished; and, immediately upon your death, five or six thousand of -his majesty's 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 monument of admiration to -posterity. - -Thus, by the great friendship of the secretary, the whole affair was -compromised. It was strictly enjoined that the project of starving you -by degrees should be kept a secret, but the 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 borne -perpetual malice against you, on account of that illegal method you took -to remove her and her children the night of the fire. - -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 favor of his majesty and council, whereby -you are only condemned to the loss of your eyes, which his majesty doth -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 resentment or the malice of a favorite, the emperor always -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 anything -terrify the people so much as those encomiums on his majesty's mercy; -because it was observed that, the more these praises were enlarged and -insisted on, the more inhuman was the punishment, and the sufferer more -innocent. Yet, as to myself, I must confess, having never been designed -for a courtier, either by my birth or education, I was so ill a judge of -things that I could not discover the lenity and favor of this sentence, -but conceived it (perhaps erroneously) rather to be rigorous than -gentle, I sometimes thought of standing my trial; for although I could -not deny the facts alleged in the several articles, yet I hoped they -would admit of some extenuation. But having in my life perused many -state-trials, which I ever observed to terminate as the judges thought -fit to direct, I durst not rely on so dangerous a decision, in so -critical a juncture, and against such powerful enemies. Once I was -strongly bent upon resistance, for, while I had liberty, the whole -strength of that empire could hardly subdue me, and I might easily with -stones pelt the metropolis to pieces; but I soon rejected that project -with horror, by remembering the oath I had made to the emperor, the -favors I received from him, and the high title of _nardac_ he conferred -upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of courtiers as to -persuade myself that his majesty's present seventies acquitted me of all -past obligations. - -At last I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is probable I may incur -some censure, and not unjustly; for I confess I owe the 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 submitted to so easy a punishment. -But, hurried on by the precipitancy of youth, and having his imperial -majesty's license to pay my attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I -took this opportunity, before the three days were elapsed, to send a -letter to my friend the secretary, signifying my resolution of setting -out that morning for Blefuscu pursuant to the leave I had got; and, -without waiting for an answer, I went to that side of the island where -our fleet lay. I seized a large man-of-war, tied a cable to the prow, -and lifting up the anchors, I stript myself, put my clothes (together -with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) into the vessel, and -drawing it after me, between wading and swimming arrived at the 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 until I came within two hundred yards of the -gate, and desired them to signify my arrival to one of the secretaries, -and let him know I there waited his majesty's command. I had an answer -in about an hour, that his majesty, attended by the royal family and -great officers of the court, was coming out to receive me. I advanced a -hundred yards. The emperor and his train alighted from their horses, the -empress and ladies from their coaches, and I did not perceive they were -in any fright or concern. I lay on the ground to kiss his majesty's and -the empress's hand. - -[Illustration] - -I told his majesty that I was come, according to my promise, and with -the license of the emperor, my master, to have the honor of seeing so -mighty a monarch, and to offer him any service in my power consistent -with my duty to my own prince, not mentioning a word of my disgrace, -because I had hitherto no regular information of it, and might suppose -myself wholly ignorant of any such design; neither could I reasonably -conceive that the emperor would discover the secret while I was out of -his power, wherein however it soon appeared I was deceived. - -I shall not trouble the reader with the particular account of my -reception at this court, which was suitable to the generosity of so -great a prince; nor of the difficulties I was in for want of a house and -bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped up in my coverlet. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - THE AUTHOR, BY A LUCKY ACCIDENT, FINDS MEANS TO LEAVE BLEFUSCU, AND - AFTER SOME DIFFICULTIES, RETURNS SAFE TO HIS NATIVE COUNTRY. - - -Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the northeast -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 immediately towards the city, and desired -his imperial majesty to lend me twenty of the tallest vessels he had -left after the loss of his fleet, and three thousand seamen under the -command of his 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 stripped myself, and waded till I came within -a hundred yards of the boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got -up to it. The seamen threw me the end of the cord, which I fastened to a -hole in the forepart of the boat, and the other end to a man-of-war. But -I found all my labor 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 one of my hands, -and, the tide favoring me, I advanced so far, that I could just hold up -my chin and feel the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and then -gave the boat another shove, and so on till the sea was no higher than -my arm-pits; and now, the most laborious part being over, I took out my -other cables, which were stowed in one of the ships, and fastened them -first to the boat, and then to nine of the vessels which attended me; -the wind being favorable, the seamen towed, and I shoved, till we -arrived within forty yards of the shore, and waiting till the tide was -out, I got dry to the boat, and, by the assistance of two thousand men, -with ropes and engines, I made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and -found it was but little damaged. - -I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties I was under, by the -help of certain paddles, which cost me ten days making, to get my boat -to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse of people -appeared upon my arrival, full of wonder at the sight of so prodigious a -vessel. I told the 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 country, and begged his majesty's orders for getting materials to -fit it up, together with his license to depart, which, after some kind -expostulation, he was pleased to grant. - -I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any -express relating to me from our emperor to the court of Blefuscu. But I -was afterwards given privately to understand 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 -license he had given me, which was well known at our court, and would -return in a few days when the ceremony was ended. But he was at last in -pain at my long absence; and, after consulting with the treasurer and -the rest of that cabal,[35] a person of quality was despatched 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 farther than 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 _nardac_ and declared a traitor. The envoy -farther added that, in order to maintain the peace and amity between -both empires, his master expected that his brother of Blefuscu would -give orders to have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be -punished as a traitor. - -The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, returned an -answer consisting of many civilities and excuses. He said that, as for -sending me bound, his brother knew it was impossible. That, although I -had deprived him of his fleet, yet he owed great obligations to me for -many good offices I had done him in making the peace. That, 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 orders to fit up with my own assistance and direction; and he -hoped in a few weeks both empires would be freed from so insupportable -an incumbrance. - -With this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput, and the monarch of -Blefuscu related to me all that had passed; offering me at the same time -(but under the strictest confidence) his gracious protection if I would -continue in his service; wherein, although I believed him sincere, yet I -resolved never more to put any confidence in princes or ministers where -I could possibly avoid it; and, therefore, with all due acknowledgments -for his favorable 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 folds -of their strongest linen together. I was at the pains of making ropes -and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, or thirty of the thickest and -strongest of theirs. A great stone, that I happened to find after a long -search by the sea-shore, served me for an anchor. I had the tallow of -three hundred cows for greasing my boat, and other uses. I was at -incredible pains in cutting down some of the largest timber-trees for -oars and masts, wherein I was, however, much assisted by his majesty's -ship-carpenters, who helped me in smoothing them after I had done the -rough work. - -In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to receive his majesty's -commands, and to take my leave. The emperor and royal family came out of -the palace. I lay down on my face to kiss his hand, which he very -graciously gave me; so did the empress and young princes of the blood. -His majesty presented me with fifty purses of two hundred _sprugs_ -a-piece, together with his picture at full length, which I put -immediately into one of my gloves, to keep it from being hurt. The -ceremonies at my departure were too many to trouble the reader with at -this time. - -[Illustration: "I SET SAIL AT SIX IN THE MORNING" P. 98.] - -I stored the boat with the carcases of a hundred oxen, and three hundred -sheep, with bread and drink proportionable, and as much meat ready -dressed as four hundred cooks could provide. I took with me six cows and -two bulls alive, with as many ewes and lambs, 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 honor 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 -southeast, at six in the evening I descried a small island about half a -league to the northwest I advanced forward, and cast anchor on the lee -side[36] of the island, which seemed to be uninhabited. I then took some -refreshment, and went to my rest. I slept well, and, as I conjecture, at -least six hours, for I found the day broke two hours after I awaked. It -was a clear night. I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving -anchor, the wind being favorable, 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 northeast of Van Diemen's Land. I -discovered nothing all that day; but upon the next, about three o'clock -in the afternoon, when I had, by my computation, made twenty-four -leagues from Blefuscu, I descried a sail steering to the southeast: my -course was due east. I hailed her, but could get no answer; yet I found -I gained upon her, for the wind slackened. I made all the sail I could, -and in half-an-hour she spied me, then hung out her ancient,[37] and -discharged a gun. - -It is not easy to express the joy I was in, upon the unexpected hope of -once more seeing my beloved country, and the dear pledges I left in it. -The ship slackened her sails, and I came up with her, between five and -six in the evening, September twenty-sixth; but my heart leaped within -me to see her English colors. I put my cows and sheep into my -coat-pockets, and got on board with all my little cargo of provisions. -The vessel was an English merchantman returning from Japan by the North -and South Seas; the captain, Mr. John 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 had underwent had disturbed my head; whereupon I took my black -cattle and sheep out of my pocket, which, after great astonishment, -clearly convinced him of my veracity. I then showed him the gold given -me by the emperor of Blefuscu, together with his majesty's picture at -full length, and some other rareties of that country. I gave him two -purses of two hundred _sprugs_ each, and promised, when we arrived in -England, to make him a present of a cow and a sheep. - -[Illustration] - -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[38] -on the thirteenth of April, 1702. I had only one misfortune, that the -rats on board carried away one of my sheep; I found her bones in a hole, -picked clean from the flesh. I got the rest of my cattle safe ashore, -and set them a-grazing in a bowling-green at Greenwich, where the -fineness of the grass made them feed very heartily, though I had always -feared the contrary: neither could I possibly have preserved them in so -long a voyage, if the captain had not allowed me some of his best -biscuits, which, rubbed to powder, and mingled with water, was their -constant food. The short time I continued in England, I made a -considerable profit by showing my cattle to many persons of quality and -others: and before I began my second voyage I sold them for six hundred -pounds. - -Since my last return, I find the breed is considerably increased, -especially the sheep, which I hope will prove much to the advantage of -the woollen manufacture, by the fineness of the fleeces. - -[Illustration] - -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 fortune. My eldest -uncle, John, had left me an estate in land, near Epping, of about thirty -pounds a year; and I had a long lease of the "Black Bull[39]," 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[40] child. My -daughter Betty (who is now well married, and has children), was then at -her needlework. I took leave of my wife and boy and girl, with tears on -both sides, and went on board the "Adventure," a merchant ship of three -hundred tons, bound for Surat, Captain John Nicholas, of Liverpool, -commander. But my account of this voyage must be referred to the second -part of my travels. - -THE END OF THE FIRST PART. - -[Illustration: "THEY CONCLUDED ... THAT I WAS ONLY _Relplum -Scalcath_," P. 37.] - -[Illustration] - -TRAVELS. - - * * * * * - - - - -PART II. - -_A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG_. - - * * * * * - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - A GREAT STORM DESCRIBED; THE LONG-BOAT SENT TO FETCH WATER; THE - AUTHOR GOES WITH IT TO DISCOVER THE COUNTRY. HE IS LEFT ON SHORE, - IS SEIZED BY ONE OF THE NATIVES, AND CARRIED TO A FARMER'S HOUSE. - HIS RECEPTION, WITH SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED THERE. A - DESCRIPTION OF THE INHABITANTS. - - -Having been condemned by nature and fortune to an active and restless -life, in two months after my return I again left my native country, and -took shipping in the Downs on the twentieth 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 wintered there: for, the captain falling sick of -an ague, we could not leave the Cape till the end of March. We then set -sail, and had a good voyage till we passed the Straits of -Madagascar;[41] but having got northward of that island, and to about -five degrees south latitude, the winds, which in those seas are observed -to blow a constant equal gale, between the north and west, from the -beginning of December to the beginning of May, on the nineteenth of -April began to blow with much greater violence and more westerly than -usual, continuing so for twenty days together, during which time we were -driven a little to the east of the Molucca Islands, and about three -degrees northward of the line,[42] 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 rejoiced. But, he, -being a man well experienced in the navigation of those seas, bid us all -prepare against a storm, which accordingly happened the day following: -for the southern wind, called the southern monsoon, began to set in, and -soon it was a fierce storm. - -Finding it was like to overblow, we took in our sprit-sail, and stood by -to hand the foresail; but making foul weather, we looked the guns were -all fast, and handed the mizzen. - -[Illustration] - -The ship lay very broad off, so we thought it better spooning before -the sea, than trying, or hulling. We reefed the foresail and set him, we -hauled aft the foresheet: the helm was hard-a-weather. The ship wore -bravely. We belayed the fore down-haul; but the sail was split, and we -hauled down the yard, and got the sail into the ship, and unbound all -the things clear of it. It was a very fierce storm; the sea broke -strange and dangerous. We hauled off the laniard of the whipstaff, and -helped the man at the helm. We could not get down our topmast, but let -all stand, because she scudded before the sea very well, and we knew -that the topmast being aloft, the ship was the wholesomer, and made -better way through the sea, seeing we had sea-room. When the storm was -over, we set foresail and mainsail, and brought the ship to. Then we set -the mizzen, main-top-sail, and the fore-top-sail. Our course was east -north east, the wind was at southwest. We got the starboard tacks -aboard, we cast off our weather braces and lifts; we set in the lee -braces, and hauled forward by the weather bowlings, and hauled them -tight and belayed them, and hauled over the mizzen tack to wind-ward and -kept her full and by, as near as she could lie. - -During this storm, which was followed by a strong wind, west southwest, -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 crew all in good health; but we lay in the utmost distress for -water. We thought it best to hold on the same course, rather than turn -more northerly, which might have brought us to the northwest parts of -Great Tartary, and into the Frozen Sea. - -On the sixteenth day of June, 1703, a boy on the topmast discovered -land. On the seventeenth, we came in full view of a great island or -continent (for we knew not which), 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 tons. We cast anchor within a league of this -creek, and our captain sent a dozen of his men well armed in the -long-boat, with vessels for water, if any could be found. I desired his -leave to go with them, that I might see the country, and make what -discoveries I could. - -When we came to land, we saw no river or spring, nor any sign of -inhabitants. Our men therefore wandered on the shore to find out some -fresh water near the sea, and I walked alone about a mile on the other -side, where I observed the country all barren and rocky. I now began to -be weary, and seeing nothing to entertain my curiosity, I returned -gently down toward the creek; and the sea being full in my view, I saw -our men already got into the boat, and rowing for life to the ship. I -was going to holla after them, although it had been to little purpose, -when I observed a huge creature walking after them in the sea, as fast -as he could; he waded not much deeper than his knees, and took -prodigious strides; but our men had the start of him about half a -league, and the sea thereabouts being full of pointed rocks, the monster -was not able to overtake the boat. This I was afterwards told, for I -durst not stay to see the issue of the adventure; but ran as fast as I -could the way I first went, and then climbed up a steep hill, which gave -me some prospect of the country. I found it fully cultivated; but that -which first surprised me was the length of the grass, which, in those -grounds that seemed to be kept for hay, was about twenty feet high. - -[Illustration: "A HUGE CREATURE WALKING ... IN THE SEA." P. 6.] - -I fell into a high road, for so I took it to be, though it served to the -inhabitants only as a footpath through a field of barley. Here I walked -on for some time, but could see little on either side, it being now near -harvest, and the corn rising at least forty feet. I was an hour walking -to the end of this field, which was fenced in with a hedge of at least -one hundred and twenty feet high, and the trees so lofty that I could -make no computation of their altitude. There was a stile to pass from -this field into the next. It had four steps, and a stone to cross over -when you came to the uppermost. It was impossible for me to climb this -stile because every step was six feet high, and the upper stone above -twenty. - -I was endeavoring 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. These people were not so well clad -as the first, whose servants or laborers 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 distance, 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 through, and the beards of the fallen -ears so strong and pointed that they pierced through my clothes into my -flesh. At the same time I heard the reapers not above a hundred yards -behind me. - -Being quite dispirited with toil, and wholly overcome by grief and -despair, I lay down between two ridges, and heartily wished I might -there end my days. I 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 forever 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 among 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 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, approaching within ten yards of -the ridge where I lay, made me apprehend that with the next step I -should be squashed to death under his foot, or cut in two with his -reaping-hook. And, therefore, when he was again about to move, I -screamed as loud as fear could make me. Whereupon the huge creature trod -short, and looking round about under him for some time, at last espied -me as I lay on the ground. He considered awhile, with the caution of one -who endeavors to lay hold on a small dangerous animal in such a manner -that it shall not be able either to scratch or to bite him, as I myself -have sometimes done with a weasel in England. - -[Illustration: "WHEREUPON THE HUGE CREATURE TROD SHORT." P. 10.] - -At length he ventured to take me up between his forefinger 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 feet from the ground, although he -grievously pinched my sides, for fear I should slip through his fingers. -All I ventured was to raise my 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 meantime I was not able to forbear groaning and shedding -tears, and turning my head towards my sides; letting him know, as well -as I could, how cruelly I was hurt by the pressure of his thumb and -finger. He seemed to apprehend my meaning; for, lifting up the lappet of -his coat, he put me gently into it, and immediately ran along with me to -his master, who was a substantial farmer, and the same person I had -first seen in the field. - -The farmer, having (as I suppose by their talk) 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 hair aside, to take a better view of my -face. He called his hinds[43] about him, and asked them (as I afterwards -learned) whether they had ever seen in the fields any little creature -that resembled me. He then placed me softly on the ground upon all -fours, but I got immediately up, and walked slowly backwards and -forwards to let those people see that I had no intent to run away. - -They all sat down in a circle about me, the better to observe my -motions. I pulled off my hat, and made a low bow towards the farmer. I -fell on my knees, and lifted up my hands and eyes, and spoke several -words as loud as I could: I took a purse of gold out of my pocket, and -humbly presented it to him. He received it on the palm of his hand, then -applied it close to his eye to see what it was, and afterwards turned it -several times with the point of a pin (which he took out of his sleeve), -but could make nothing of it. Whereupon I made a sign that he should -place his hand on the ground. I then took the purse, and opening it, -poured all the gold into his palm. There were six Spanish pieces, of -four pistoles[44] 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 it to him several -times, I thought it best to do. - -The farmer by this time was convinced I must be a rational creature. He -spoke often to me, but the sound of his voice pierced my ears like that -of a water-mill, yet his words were articulate enough. I answered as -loud as I could in several languages, and he often laid his ear within -two yards of me; but all in vain, for we were wholly unintelligible to -each other. He then sent his servants to their work, and taking his -handkerchief out of his pocket, he doubled and spread it on his left -hand, which he placed flat on the ground, with the palm 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 -full length upon the handkerchief, with the remainder of which he lapped -me up to the head for farther security, and in this manner carried me -home to his house. There he called his wife, and showed me to her; but -she screamed and ran back, as women in England do at the sight of a toad -or a spider. However, when she had awhile seen my behavior, 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 -husbandman) in a dish of about four-and-twenty feet diameter. The -company were the farmer and his wife, three children, and an old -grandmother. When they were sat down, the farmer placed me at some -distance from him on the table, which was thirty feet high from the -floor. I was in a terrible fright, and kept as far as I could from the -edge for fear of falling. The wife minced a bit of meat, then crumbled -some bread on a trencher,[45] 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 deafened by -the noise. This liquor tasted like a small cider, and was not -unpleasant. Then the master made me a sign to come to his trencher-side; -but as I walked on the table, being in great surprise all the time, as -the indulgent reader will easily conceive and excuse, I happened to -stumble against a crust, and fell flat on my face, but received no hurt. -I got up immediately, and observing the good people to be in much -concern, I took my hat (which I held under my arm out of good manners), -and, waving it over my head, made three huzzas, to show that I had got -no mischief by my fall. - -But advancing forwards towards my master (as I shall henceforth call -him), his youngest son, who sat 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 in every limb; but his father snatched me from him, and at the -same time gave him such a box in 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 spite, and well -remembering how mischievous all children among us naturally are to -sparrows, rabbits, young kittens, and puppy dogs, I fell on my knees, -and, pointing to the boy, made my master to understand as well as I -could, that I desired his son might be pardoned. The father complied, -and the lad took his seat again; whereupon I went to him and kissed his -hand, which my master took, and made him stroke me gently with it. - -In the midst of dinner, my mistress's favorite 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 that -animal, who seemed to be three times larger than an ox, as I computed by -the view of her head and one of her paws, while her mistress was feeding -and stroking her. The fierceness of this creature's countenance -altogether discomposed me, though I stood at the further end of the -table, above fifty feet off, and although my mistress held her fast, for -fear she might give a spring and seize me in her talons. - -But it happened there was no danger; for the cat took not the least -notice of me, when my master placed me within three yards of her. And as -I have been always told, and found true by experience in my travels, -that flying or discovering[46] fear before a fierce animal is a certain -way to make it pursue or attack you, so I resolved in this dangerous -juncture to show no manner of concern. I walked with intrepidity five or -six times before the very head of the cat, and came within half a yard -of her; whereupon she drew herself back, as if she were more afraid of -me. I had less apprehension concerning the dogs, whereof three or four -came into the room, as it is usual in farmers' houses; one of which was -a mastiff equal in bulk to four elephants, and a greyhound somewhat -taller than the mastiff, but not so large. - -When dinner was almost done, the nurse came in with a child of a year -old in her arms, who immediately spied me, and began a squall that you -might have heard from London Bridge to Chelsea,[47] after the usual -oratory of infants, to get me for a plaything. The mother out of pure -indulgence took me up, and put me towards the child, who presently -seized me by the middle and got my head in its mouth, where I roared so -loud that the urchin was frighted, and let me drop, and I should -infallibly have broke my neck if the mother had not held her apron -under me. The nurse, to quiet her babe, made use of a rattle, which was -a kind of hollow vessel filled with great stones, and fastened by a -cable to the child's waist. As she sat down close to the table on which -I stood, her appearance astonished me not a little. This made me reflect -upon the fair skins of our English ladies, who appear so beautiful to -us, only because they are of our own size, and their defects not to be -seen but through a magnifying glass, where we find by experiment that -the smoothest and whitest skins look rough, and coarse and ill-colored. - -I remember, when I was at Lilliput, 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 colors altogether -disagreeable: although I must beg leave to say for myself that I am as -fair as most of my sex and country, and very little sunburnt by my -travels. On the other side, discoursing of the ladies of 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 feet, appeared very well proportioned. - -When dinner was done my master went out to his labors, and, as I could -discover by his voice and gestures, gave his wife a strict charge to -take care of me. I was very much tired and disposed to sleep, which, my -mistress perceiving, she put me on her own bed, and covered me with a -clean white handkerchief, but larger and coarser than the mainsail 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 feet wide, and above -two hundred high, lying in a bed twenty yards wide. My mistress was gone -about her household affairs, and had locked me in. The bed was eight -yards from the floor. - -[Illustration: "I ... DREW MY HANGER TO DEFEND MYSELF." P. 18.] - -Presently two rats crept up the curtains, and ran smelling backwards and -forwards on my bed. One of them came almost up to my face; whereupon I -rose in a fright, and drew out my hanger to defend myself. The horrible -animals had the boldness to attack me both sides, and one of them held -his forefeet at my collar; but I killed him 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 infallibly have 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 draw the carcase off the bed, where it still lay bleeding. I -observed it had yet some life; but, with a strong slash across the neck, -I thoroughly despatched it. - -I hope the gentle reader will excuse me for dwelling on these and the -like 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 -public as well as private life, which was my sole design in presenting -this and other accounts of my travels to the world; wherein I have been -chiefly studious of truth, without affecting any ornaments of teaming or -style. But the whole scene of this voyage made so strong an impression -on my mind, and is so deeply 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. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - A DESCRIPTION OF THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER. THE AUTHOR CARRIED TO A - MARKET-TOWN, AND THEN TO THE METROPOLIS. THE PARTICULARS OF THIS - JOURNEY. - - -My mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a child of toward parts -for her age, very dexterous 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 cabinet, and the -drawer placed upon a hanging shelf for fear of the rats. This was my bed -all the time I stayed with these people, though made more convenient by -degrees, as I began to learn their language and make my wants known. - -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 anything, -she told me the name of it in her own tongue, so that in a few days I -was able to call for whatever I had a mind to. She was very -good-natured, and not above forty feet high, being little for her age. -She gave me the name of Grildrig, which the family took up, and -afterwards the whole kingdom. The word imports what the Latins call -_nanunculus_, the Italians _homunceletino_, and the English _mannikin_. -To her I chiefly owe my preservation in that country. We never parted -while I was there; I called her my Glumdalclitch, or little nurse; and -should be guilty of great ingratitude if I omitted this honorable -mention of her care and affection towards me, which I heartily wish it -lay in my power to requite as she deserves. - -It now began to be known and talked of in the neighborhood, that my -master had found a strange animal in the field, about the bigness of a -_splacnuck_, but exactly shaped in every part like a human 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 inquire into the truth of this story. I -was immediately produced and placed upon a table, where I walked as I -was commanded, drew my hanger, put it up again, made my reverence to my -master's guest, asked him in his own language how he did, and told him -_he was welcome_, just as my little nurse had instructed me. This man, -who was old and dim-sighted, put on his spectacles to behold me better, -at which I could not forbear laughing very heartily, for his eyes -appeared like the full moon shining into a chamber at two windows. Our -people, who discovered the cause of my mirth, bore me company in -laughing, at which the old fellow was fool enough to be angry and out of -countenance. He had the character of a great miser; and, to my -misfortune, he well deserved it by the cursed advice he gave my -master, to show me as a sight upon a market-day in the next town, which -was half an hour's riding, about two-and-twenty miles from our house. I -guessed there was some mischief contriving, when I observed my master -and his friend whispering long together, sometimes pointing at me; and -my fears made me fancy that I overheard and understood some of their -words. - -[Illustration: "I CALLED HER MY GLUMDALCLITCH." P. 22.] - -But the next morning, Glumdalclitch, my little nurse, told me the whole -matter, which she had cunningly picked out from her mother. The poor -girl laid me on her bosom, and fell 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 honor, and what an indignity conceive it to be -exposed for money, as a public spectacle, to the meanest of the people. -She said her papa and mamma had promised that Grildrig should be hers, -but now she found they meant to serve 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 left me, that I -should one day recover my liberty; to the ignominy of being carried -about for a monster, I considered myself to be a perfect stranger in the -country, and that such a misfortune could never be charged upon me as a -reproach if ever I should return to England; since the king of Great -Britain himself, in my condition, must have undergone the same distress. - -My master, pursuant to the advice of his friend, carried me in a box -the next market-day, to the neighboring town, and took along with him -his little daughter, my nurse, upon a pillion[48] behind him. The box -was close on every side, with a little door for me to go in and out, and -a few gimlet holes to let in air. The girl had been so careful as to put -the quilt of her baby's bed into it, for me to lie down on. However, I -was terribly shaken and discomposed in this journey, though it were but -of half an hour. For the horse went about forty feet at every step, and -trotted so high that the agitation was equal to the rising and falling -of a ship in a great storm, but much more frequent; our journey was -somewhat farther than from London to St. Alban's. My master alighted at -an inn which he used to frequent; and after consulting a while with the -innkeeper and making some necessary preparations, he hired the -_grultrud_, or crier, to give notice through the town, of a strange -creature to be seen at the sign of the Green Eagle, not so big as a -_splacnuck_ (an animal in that country, very finely shaped, about six -feet long), and in every part of the body resembling a human creature, -could speak several words, and perform a hundred diverting tricks. - -I was placed upon a table in the largest room of the inn, which might be -near three hundred feet square. My little nurse stood on a low stool -close to the table, to take care of me, and direct what I should do. My -master, to avoid a crowd, would suffer only thirty people at a time to -see me. I walked about on the table as the girl commanded. She asked me -questions, as far as she knew my 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 a thimble filled with -liquor, which Glumdalclitch had given me for a cup, and drank their -health. I drew out my hanger, and flourished with it, after the manner -of fencers in England. My nurse gave me part of a straw, which I -exercised as a pike, having learnt the art in my youth. I was that day -shown to twelve sets of company, and as often forced to act over again -the same fopperies, till I was half dead with weariness and vexation. -For those who had seen me made such wonderful reports, that the people -were ready to break down the doors to come in. - -My master, for his own interest, would not suffer any one to touch me -except my nurse, and, to prevent danger, benches were set round the -table at such a distance as to put me out of everybody's reach. However, -an unlucky school-boy aimed a hazel-nut directly at my head, which very -narrowly missed me: otherwise, it came with so much violence, that it -would have infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almost as large -as a small pumpion,[49] but I had the satisfaction to see the young -rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room. - -[Illustration: "FLOURISHED IT AFTER THE MANNER OF FENCERS IN ENGLAND." -P. 26.] - -My master gave public notice that he would show me again the next -market-day, and in the meantime he prepared a more convenient vehicle -for me, which he had reason enough to do; for I was so tired with my -first journey, and with entertaining company for eight hours together, -that I could hardly stand upon my legs or speak a word. It was at least -three days before I recovered my strength; and that I might have no rest -at home, all the neighboring gentleman, from a hundred miles round, -hearing of my fame, came to see me at my master's own house. There could -not be fewer than thirty persons with their wives and children (for the -country was very populous); and my master demanded the rate of a full -room whenever he showed me at home, although it were only to a single -family; so that for some time I had but little ease every day of the -week (except Wednesday which is their Sabbath), although I was not -carried to the 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 -seventeenth of August, 1703, about two months after my arrival, we set -out for the metropolis, situated the middle of that empire, and about -three thousand miles distance from our house. My master made his -daughter Glumdalclitch ride behind him. She carried me on her lap, in a -box tied about her waist. The girl had lined it on all sides with the -softest cloth she could get, well quilted underneath, furnished it with -her baby's bed, provided me with linen and other necessaries, and made -everything as conveniently as she could. We had no other company but a -boy of the house, who rode after us with the luggage. - -My master's design was to show me in all the towns by the way, and to -step out of the road for fifty or a hundred miles, to any village, or -person of quality's house, where he might expect custom. We made easy -journeys of not above seven or eight score miles a day; for -Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, complained she was tired with -the trotting of the horse. She often took me out of my box at my own -desire, to give me air and show me the country, but always held me fast -by a leading-string. We passed over five or six rivers, many degrees -broader and deeper than the Nile or the Ganges; and there was hardly a -rivulet so small as the Thames at London Bridge. We were ten weeks in -our journey, and I was shown in eighteen large towns, besides many -villages and private families. - -[Illustration] - -On the twenty-sixth 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.[50] He hired a large room between -three and four hundred feet wide. He provided a table sixty feet in -diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and palisadoed it round three -feet from the edge, and as many high, to prevent my falling over. I was -shown ten times a day, to the wonder and satisfaction of all people. I -could now speak the 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 -Glumdalclitch had been my instructor while we were at home, and at -leisure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her -pocket, not much larger than a Sanson's Atlas;[51] it was a common -treatise for the use of young girls, giving a short account of their -religion; out of this she taught me my letters, and interpreted the -words. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - THE AUTHOR SENT FOR TO COURT. THE QUEEN BUYS HIM OF HIS MASTER THE - FARMER, AND PRESENTS HIM TO THE KING. HE DISPUTES WITH HIS - MAJESTY'S GREAT SCHOLARS. AN APARTMENT AT COURT PROVIDED FOR THE - AUTHOR. HE IS IN HIGH FAVOR WITH THE QUEEN. HE STANDS UP FOR THE - HONOR OF HIS OWN COUNTRY. HE QUARRELS WITH THE QUEEN'S DWARF. - - -The frequent labors I underwent every day, made in a few weeks a very -considerable change in my health; the more my master got by me, the more -insatiable he grew. I had quite lost my stomach, and was almost reduced -to a skeleton. The farmer observed it, and, concluding I must soon die, -resolved to make as good a hand of me[52] 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, -behavior, 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 honor 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 country, and my travels, -which I answered as distinctly, and in as few words, as I could. She -asked whether I would be content to live at court. I bowed down to the -board of the table, and humbly answered that I was my master's slave; -but if I were at my own disposal, I should be proud to devote my life to -her majesty's service. She then asked my 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 the -bigness of eight hundred moidores[53]; but, for the proportion of all -things between that country and Europe, and the high price of gold among -them, was hardly so great a sum as a thousand guineas[54] 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 favor, that Glumdalclitch, -who had always attended me with so much care and kindness, and -understood 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 good service, to -which I replied not a word, only making him a slight bow. - -[Illustration: "THIS GRACIOUS PRINCESS HELD OUT HER LITTLE FINGER." -P. 32.] - -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 recompensed by the gain he had -made in showing me through half the kingdom, and the price he had now -sold me for. That the life I had since led was laborious enough to -kill an animal of ten times my strength. That my health was much -impaired by the continual drudgery of entertaining the rabble every -hour of the day, and that, if my master had not thought my life in -danger, her majesty would not have got so cheap a bargain. But as I -was out of all fear of being ill-treated under the protection of so -great and good an empress, the ornament of nature, the darling of the -world, the delight of her subjects, the phoenix[55] 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 carrying 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. - -[Illustration: "SHE ... CARRIED ME TO THE KING." P. 36.] - -She took me in her own hand, and carried me to the king, who was then -retired to his cabinet.[56] 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 -_splacnuck_; for such it seems he took me to be, as I lay upon my breast -in her majesty's right hand. But this princess, who hath an infinite -deal of wit and humor, set me gently on my feet upon the scrutoire,[57] -and commanded me to give his majesty an account of myself, which I did -in a very few words; and Glumdalclitch, who attended at the -cabinet-door, and could not 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, -had been educated in the study of philosophy, and particularly -mathematics; yet, when he observed my shape exactly, and saw me walk -erect, before I began to speak, conceived I might be a piece of -clockwork (which is in that country arrived to a very great perfection) -contrived by some ingenious artist. But when he heard my voice, and -found what I delivered to be regular and rational, he could not conceal -his astonishment. He was by no means satisfied with the relation I gave -him of the manner I came into his kingdom, but thought it a story -concerted between Glumdalclitch and her father, who had taught me a set -of words, to make me sell at a better price. Upon this imagination he -put several other questions to me, and still received rational answers, -no otherwise defective than by a foreign accent, and an imperfect -knowledge in the language, with some rustic phrases, which I had learned -at the farmer's house, and did not suit the polite style of a court. - -His majesty sent for three great scholars, who were then in their weekly -waiting[58] according to the custom in that country. 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. They would not allow me to be a dwarf, because my -littleness was beyond all degrees of comparison; for the queen's -favorite dwarf, the smallest ever known in that kingdom, was nearly -thirty feet high. After much debate, they concluded unanimously that I -was only _relplum scalcath_, which is interpreted literally, _lusus -naturae_;[59] a determination exactly agreeable to the modern philosophy -of Europe: whose professors, disdaining the old evasion of occult -causes, whereby the followers of Aristotle endeavored 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 -country which abounded with several millions of both sexes, and of my -own stature; where the animals, trees, and houses were all in -proportion, and where, by 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 gentlemen's arguments. -To this they only replied with a smile of contempt, saying, that the -farmer had instructed me very well in my lesson. The king, who had a -much better understanding, 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 had 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 Glumdalclitch should -still continue in her office of tending me, because he observed that 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 Glumdalclitch and I -should agree upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and, according -to my directions, in three weeks finished to me a wooden chamber of -sixteen feet square and twelve high, with sash-windows, a door, and two -closets, like a London bed-chamber. The board that made the ceiling was -to be lifted up and down by two hinges, to put in a bed ready furnished -by her majesty's upholsterer, which Glumdalclitch took out every day to -air, made it with her own hands, and, letting it down at night, locked -up the roof over me. A nice workman, who was famous for little -curiosities, undertook to make me two chairs, with backs and frames, of -a substance not unlike ivory, and two tables, with a cabinet to put my -things in. The room was quilted on all sides, as well as the floor and -the ceiling, to prevent any accident from the carelessness of those who -carried me, and to break the force of a jolt when I went in a coach. I -desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats and mice from coming in: the -smith, after several attempts, made the smallest that ever was seen -among them; for I have known a larger at the gate of a gentleman's house -in England. I made a shift to keep the key in a pocket of my own, -fearing Glumdalclitch might lose it. The queen likewise ordered the -thinnest silks that could be gotten to make me clothes, not much thicker -than an English blanket, very cumbersome, till I was accustomed to them. -They were after the fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the -Persian, and partly the Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit. - -The queen became so fond of my company that she could not dine without -me. I had a table placed upon the same at which her Majesty ate, just at -her left elbow, and a chair to sit on. Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on -the floor, near my table, to assist and take care of me. I had an entire -set of silver dishes and plates, and other necessaries, which, in -proportion to those of the queen, were not much bigger than what I have -seen in a London toy-shop for the furniture of a baby-house: these my -little nurse kept in her pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals -as I wanted them, always cleaning them herself. No person dined with the -queen but the two princesses 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 -twelve-penny loaves. She drank out of a golden cup, above a hogshead at -a draught. Her knives were twice as long as a scythe, set straight upon -the handle. The spoons, forks, and other instruments, were all in the -same proportion. I remember when Glumdalclitch 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, -is their Sabbath) the king and queen, with the royal issue of both sexes -dine together in the apartment of his majesty, to whom I was now become -a great favorite; and, at these times, my little chair and table were -placed at his left hand, before one of the salt-cellars. This prince -took a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners, -religion, taws, 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 reflections and observations -upon all I said. But I confess that after I had been a little too -copious in talking of my own beloved country, of our trade, and wars by -sea and land, 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, stroking me gently with the other, -after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me, whether I was a whig or a -tory? Then turning to his first minister, who waited behind him with a -white staff, near as tall as the mainmast of the "Royal Sovereign[60]," -he observed how contemptible a thing was human grandeur, which could be -mimicked by such diminutive insects as I: and yet, says he, I dare -engage these creatures have their titles and distinctions of honor; 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 -color came and went several times with indignation, to hear our noble -country, the mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France, the -arbitress of Europe, the seat of virtue, piety, honor, and truth, the -pride and envy of the world, so contemptuously treated. - -But, as I was not in a condition to resent injuries, so upon mature -thoughts, I began to doubt whether I was injured or no. For, after -having been accustomed, several months, to the sight and converse of -this people, and observed every object upon which I cast mine eyes to be -of proportionable magnitude, the horror I had at first conceived from -their bulk and aspect was so far worn off, that, if I had then beheld a -company of English lords and ladies in their finery, and birthday -clothes, acting their several parts in the most courtly manner of -strutting and bowing and prating, to say the truth, I should have been -strongly tempted to laugh as much at them as the king and his grandees -did at me. Neither, indeed, could I forbear smiling at myself, when the -queen used to place me upon her hand towards a looking-glass, by which -both our persons appeared before me in full view together; and there -could nothing be more ridiculous than the comparison; so that I really -began to imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size. - -Nothing angered and mortified me so much, as the queen's dwarf, who -being of the lowest stature that ever in that country (for I verily -think he was not full thirty feet high) became so insolent at seeing a -creature so much beneath him, that he would always affect to swagger, -and look big, as he passed by me in the queen's ante-chamber, while I -was standing on some table, talking with the lords or ladies of the -court, and he seldom failed of a smart word or two upon my 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 cub was -so nettled with something I had said to him, that, raising himself upon -the frame of her majesty's chair, he took me up, as I was sitting down, -not thinking any harm; and let me drop into a large silver bowl of -cream, and then ran away as fast as he could. I fell over head and ears, -and, if I had not been a good swimmer, it might have gone very hard with -me; for Glumdalclitch, in that instant, happened to be at the other -end of the room, and the queen was in such a fright, that she wanted -presence of mind to assist me. But my little nurse ran to my relief, and -took me out, after I had swallowed above a quart of cream. I was put to -bed; however, I received no other damage than the loss of a suit of -clothes, which was utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly whipped, and, -as a farther punishment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream into which -he had thrown me; neither was he ever restored to favor; for, soon -after, the queen bestowed him on a lady of high quality, so that I saw -him no more, to my very great satisfaction; for I could not tell to what -extremity such a malicious urchin might have carried his resentment. - -[Illustration: "I COULD ONLY REVENGE MYSELF BY CALLING HIM BROTHER." -P. 42.] - -He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the queen a-laughing, -although, at the same time she was heartily vexed, and would have -immediately cashiered him, if I had not been so generous as to -intercede. Her majesty had taken a marrow-bone upon her plate and, after -knocking out the marrow, placed the bone on the dish erect, as it stood -before. The dwarf watching his opportunity, while Glumdalclitch was gone -to the sideboard, 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 waist, where I stuck for some -time, and made a very ridiculous figure, I believe it was near a minute -before any one knew what was became of me; for I thought it below me to -cry out. But, as princes seldom get their meat hot, my legs were not -scalded, only my stockings and breeches in a sad condition. The dwarf, -at my entreaty, had no other punishment than a sound whipping. - -I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account of my fearfulness; -and she used to ask me, whether the people of my country were as great -cowards as myself? The occasion was this; the kingdom is much pestered -with flies in summer; and these odious insects, each of them as big as a -Dunstable lark,[61] hardly gave me any rest, while I sat at dinner, with -their continual humming and buzzing about my ears. They would sometimes -alight upon my victuals. Sometimes they would fix upon my nose or -forehead, where they stung me to the quick, and 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-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. - -[Illustration] - -I remember, one morning, when Glumdalclitch 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[62] of as many bag-pipes. 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 despatched 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 shown them, with some other curiosities, in several parts -of Europe, upon my return to England, I gave three of them to Gresham -College,[63] and kept the fourth for myself. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - THE COUNTRY DESCRIBED. A PROPOSAL FOR CORRECTING MODERN MAPS. THE - KING'S PALACE, AND SOME ACCOUNT OF THE METROPOLIS. THE AUTHOR'S WAY - OF TRAVELLING. THE CHIEF TEMPLE DESCRIBED. - - -I now intend to give the reader a short description of this country, as -far as I travelled in it, which was not above two thousand miles round -Lorbrulgrud, the metropolis. For the queen, whom I always attended, -never went farther 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 reacheth 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 northwest -parts of America, wherein I shall be ready to lend them my assistance. - -The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to the northeast by a ridge of -mountains, thirty miles high, which are altogether impassable, by reason -of the volcanoes upon the tops: neither do the most learned know what -sort of mortals inhabit beyond those mountains, or whether they be -inhabited at all. On the three other sides it is bounded by the ocean. -There is not one sea-port in the whole 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 a -hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages. To satisfy my -curious reader, it may be sufficient to describe Lorbrulgrud. This city -stands upon almost two equal parts on each side the river that passes -through. It contains above eighty thousand houses, and about six hundred -thousand inhabitants. It is in length three _glomglungs_ (which make -about fifty-four English miles) and two and a 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 a hundred feet: I -paced the diameter and circumference several times barefoot, and, -computing by the scale, measured it pretty exactly. - -The king's palace is no regular edifice, but a heap of buildings, about -seven miles round: the chief rooms are generally two hundred and forty -feet high, and broad and long in proportion. A coach was allowed to -Glumdalclitch and me, wherein her governess frequently took her out to -see the town, or go among the shops; and I was always of the party, -carried in my box; although the girl, at my own desire, would often take -me out, and hold me in her hand, that I might more conveniently view the -houses and the people as we passed along the streets, I reckoned our -coach to be about the square of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so -high: however, I cannot be very exact. - -Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen ordered -a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet square and ten -high, for the convenience of 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,[64] with a window in the middle -of three of the squares, and each window was latticed with iron wire on -the outside, to prevent accidents in long journeys. On the fourth side, -which had no window, two strong staples were fixed, through which the -person who carried me, when I had a mind to be on horseback, put a -leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This was always the -office of some grave, trusty servant, in whom I could 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; for I soon began to be known and esteemed among the greatest -officers, I suppose more on account of their majesties' favor than any -merit of my own. - -In journeys, when I was weary of the coach, a servant on horseback would -buckle on my box, and place it upon a cushion before him; and there I -had a full prospect of the country on three sides from my three windows. -I had in this closet a field-bed, and a hammock hung from the ceiling, -two chairs and a table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being -tossed about by the agitation of the horse or the coach. And having been -long used to sea voyages, those motions, although sometimes very -violent, did not much discompose me. - -Whenever I had a mind to see the town, it was always in my travelling -closet, which Glumdalclitch held in her lap, in a kind of open sedan, -after the fashion of the country, borne by four men, and attended by two -others in the queen's livery. The people, who had often heard of me, -were very curious to crowd about the sedan, and the girl was complaisant -enough to make the bearers stop, and to take me in her hand, that I -might be more conveniently seen. - -I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and particularly the tower -belonging to it, which is reckoned the highest in the kingdom. -Accordingly, one day my nurse carried me thither, but I must truly say -I came back disappointed; for the height is not above three thousand -feet, reckoning from the ground to the highest pinnacle top; which, -allowing for the difference between the size of those people and us in -Europe, is no great matter for admiration, nor at all equal in -proportion (if I rightly remember) to Salisbury steeple.[65] 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 nearly a hundred feet thick, built of hewn stone, whereof each -is about forty feet square, and adorned on all sides with statues of -gods and emperors, cut in marble larger than life, placed in their -several niches. I measured a little finger which had fallen down from -one of these statues, and lay unperceived among some rubbish, and found -it exactly four feet and an inch in length. Glumdalclitch wrapped it up -in her handkerchief and carried it home in her pocket, to keep among -other trinkets, of which the girl was very fond, as children at her age -usually are. - -The king's kitchen is indeed a noble building, vaulted at top, and about -six hundred feet high. The great oven is not so wide by ten 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 -critic would be apt to think I enlarged a little, as travellers are -often suspected to do. To avoid which censure, I fear I have run too -much into the other extreme; and that if this treatise should happen to -be translated into the 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 feet high. But when he goes -abroad on solemn days, he is attended for state by a militia guard of -five hundred horse, which indeed I thought was the most splendid sight -that could be ever beheld, till I saw part of his army in battalia,[66] -whereof I shall find another occasion to speak. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - SEVERAL ADVENTURES THAT HAPPENED TO THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR SHOWS - HIS SKILL IN NAVIGATION. - - -I should have lived happily enough in that country, if my littleness had -not exposed me to several ridiculous and troublesome accidents, some of -which I shall venture to relate. Glumdalclitch often carried me into the -gardens of the court in my smaller box, and would sometimes take me out -of it, and hold me in her hand, or set me down to walk. I remember, -before the dwarf left the queen, he followed us one day into those -gardens, and my nurse having set me down, he and I being close together, -near some dwarf apple-trees, I must needs show my wit by a silly -allusion between him and the trees, which happens to hold in their -language, as it doth in ours. Whereupon the malicious rogue, watching -his opportunity, when I was walking under one of them, shook it directly -over my head; by which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a -Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the -back as I chanced to stoop, 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. - -[Illustration] - -Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth grass-plot to divert -myself, while she walked at some distance with her governess. In the -meantime there suddenly fell such a violent shower of hail, that I was -immediately, by the force of it, struck to the ground; and when I was -down, the 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 fours, and shelter myself by lying flat on my face on the lee-side -of a border of lemon-thyme, but so bruised from head to foot that I -could not go abroad in ten days. Neither is this at all to be wondered -at, because nature, in that country, observing the same proportion -through all her operations, a 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 governess and some ladies of her acquaintance, -she was absent and out of hearing, a small white belonging to one of the -chief gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to -place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, came directly up, and -taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his master, wagging his tail, -and set me gently on the ground. By good fortune, he had been so well -taught, that I was carried between his teeth without the least hurt, or -even tearing my clothes. But the poor gardener, who knew me well, and -had a great kindness for me, was in a terrible fright: he gently took me -up in both his hands, and asked me how I did; but I was so amazed and -out of breath, that I could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came to -myself, and he carried me safe to my little nurse, who by this time had -returned to the place where she left me, and was in cruel agonies when I -did not appear nor answer when she called. She severely reprimanded the -gardener on account of his dog, but the thing was bushed 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 Glumdalclitch 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 over the garden, made a stoop at me; and if I had not -resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a thick espalier,[67] 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. I likewise broke my right shin -against the shell of a snail, which I happened to stumble over as I was -walking alone and thinking on poor England. - -I cannot tell whether I were more pleased or mortified to observe in -those solitary walks that the smaller birds did not appear to be at all -afraid of me, but would hop about within a yard's distance, looking for -worms and other food, with as much 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, endeavoring to pick my fingers, which I durst not venture -within their reach; and then they would hop back unconcerned to hunt for -worms and 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 of letting him -go. But I was soon relieved by one of our servants, who wrung off the -bird's neck, and I had him next day for dinner by the queen's command. -This linnet, as near as I can remember, seemed to be somewhat larger -than an English swan. - -The 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 sail or an oar, and whether a little exercise -of rowing might not be convenient for my health. I answered, that I -understood both very well; for, although nay proper employment had been -to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, upon a pinch, I was -forced to work like a common mariner. But I could not see how this could -be done in their country, where the smallest wherry was equal to a -first-rate man-of-war among us, and such a boat as I could manage would -never live in any of their rivers. - -[Illustration: "THE SMALLER BIRDS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AT ALL AFRAID OF -ME." P. 57.] - -Her majesty said, if I could contrive a boat, her own joiner should make -it, and she would provide a place for me to sail in. The fellow was an -ingenious workman, and, by my instructions, in ten days finished a -pleasure-boat, with all its tackling, able conveniently to hold eight -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 trial; where I could not -manage my two sculls,[68] or little oars, for want of room. - -But the queen had before contrived another project. She ordered the -joiner to make a wooden trough of three hundred feet long, fifty broad, -and eight deep; which, 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 their pages would blow my sail forward with their -breath, while I showed my art by steering starboard[69] or larboard, as -I pleased. When I had done, Glumdalclitch always carried back my boat, -into her closet, and hung it oh 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 Glumdalclitch, very officiously lifted me up to -place me in the boat, but I happened to slip through her fingers, and -should infallibly have fallen down forty feet upon the floor, if, by the -luckiest chance in the world, I had not been stopped by a -corking-pin[70] that stuck in the good gentlewoman's stomacher;[71] the -head of the pin passed between my shirt and the waistband of my -breeches, and thus I held by the middle in the air, till Glumdalclitch -ran to my relief. - -[Illustration: "GAVE ME A GALE WITH THEIR FANS." P. 60.] - -Another time, one of the servants, whose office it was to fill my trough -every third day with fresh water, was so careless as to let a huge frog -(not perceiving it) slip out of his pail. The frog lay concealed till I -was put into my boat, but then seeing a resting-place, climbed up, and -made it lean so much on one side that I was forced to balance it with -all my weight on the other to prevent 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. 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 the 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 not stirring from my -seat; and then I saw this frolicsome 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. - -[Illustration] - -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 espied me, and reaching one of his paws in at the door, as a cat -does when she plays with a mouse, although I often shifted place to -avoid him, he at length seized the lappet of my coat (which, being made -of that country silk, was very thick and strong), and dragged me out. He -took me out in his right fore-foot, and held me as a nurse does a child, -just as I have seen the same sort of creature do with a kitten in -Europe: and, when I offered to struggle, he squeezed me so hard that I -thought it more prudent to submit. I have good reason to believe that he -took me for a young one of his own species, by his often stroking my -face very gently with his other paw. - -In these diversions he was interrupted by a noise at the closet door, as -if somebody were opening it; whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the -window, at which he had come in, and thence upon the leads and gutters -walking upon three legs, and holding me in the fourth, till he clambered -up to a roof that was next to ours. I heard Glumdalclitch give a shriek -at the moment he was carrying me out. The poor girl was almost -distracted. That quarter of the palace was all in an uproar; the -servants ran for ladders; the monkey was seen by hundreds in the court, -sitting upon the ridge of a building, holding me like a baby in one of -his fore-paws: 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 tile, -and made his escape. Here I sat for some time, five 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 eaves; but an honest lad, one of my nurse's footmen, climbed up, -and putting me into his breeches-pocket, brought me down safe. - -I was so weak and bruised in the sides with the squeezes given me by -this odious animal, that I was forced to keep my bed a fortnight. The -king, queen, and all the court, sent every day to inquire after my -health, and her majesty made me several visits during my sickness. The -monkey was killed, and an order made that no such animal should be kept -about the palace. - -When I attended the king, after my recovery, to return him thanks for -his favors, 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. He desired to know what I would have done upon such an -occasion in my own country. I told his majesty that in Europe we had no -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. - -However, 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 endeavor to do himself honor among those who are out of all degree of -equality or comparison with him. And yet I have seen the moral of my own -behavior very frequent in England since my return, where a little -contemptible varlet,[72] without the least title to birth, person, wit, -or common-sense, shall presume to look with importance, and put himself -upon a foot with the greatest persons of the kingdom. - -I was every day furnishing the court with some ridiculous story; and -Glumdalclitch, although she loved me to excess, yet was arch enough to -inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would -be diverting to her majesty. The girl, who had been out of order, was -carried by her governess to take the air about an hour's distance, or -thirty miles from town. They alighted out of the coach near a small -footpath in a field, and, Glumdalclitch setting down my travelling-box, -I went out of it to walk. There was a pool of mud 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 handkerchief, for I was -filthily bemired; and my nurse confined me to my box till we returned -home, when the queen was soon informed of what had passed, and the -footman spread it about the court; so that all the mirth for some days -was at my expense. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - SEVERAL CONTRIVANCES OF THE AUTHOR TO PLEASE THE KING AND QUEEN. HE - SHOWS HIS SKILL IN MUSIC. THE KING INQUIRES INTO THE STATE OF - ENGLAND, WHICH THE AUTHOR RELATES TO HIM. THE KING'S OBSERVATIONS - THEREON. - - -I used to attend the king's levee[73] 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 country, -was only shaved twice a week. I once prevailed on the barber to give me -some of the suds or lather, out of which I picked forty or fifty of the -strongest stumps of hair, I then took a piece of fine wood and cut it -like the back of a comb, making several holes in it at equal 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 country so nice and exact -as would undertake to make me another. - -And this puts me in mind of an amusement wherein I spent many of my -leisure hours. I desired the queen's woman to save for me the combings -of her majesty's hair, whereof in time I got a good quantity; and -consulting with my friend the cabinet-maker, who had received general -orders to do little jobs for me, I directed him to make two -chair-frames, no larger than those I had in my box, and 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. Of these hairs (as I had -always a mechanical genius) I likewise made a neat little purse, about -five feet long, with her majesty's name deciphered in gold letters, -which I gave to Glumdalclitch, by the queen's consent. To say the truth, -it was more for show than use, being not of strength to bear the weight -of the larger coins, and therefore she kept nothing in it, but some -little coins that girls are fond of. - -The king, who delighted in music, had frequent concerts at court, to -which I was sometimes carried, and set in my box on a table to hear -them; but the noise was so great that I could hardly distinguish the -tunes. I am confident that all the drums and trumpets of a royal army -beating and sounding together just at your ears, could not equal it. My -practice was to have my box removed from the place where the performers -sat, as far as I could, then to shut the doors and windows of it, and -draw the window-curtains, after which I found their music not -disagreeable. - -[Illustration] - -I had learnt in my youth to play a little upon the spinet.[74] -Glumdalclitch kept one in her chamber, and a master attended twice a -week to teach her. I called it a spinet, because it somewhat resembled -that instrument, and was played upon in the same manner. - -A fancy came into my head that I would entertain the king and queen -with an English tune upon this instrument. But this appeared extremely -difficult; for the spinet was nearly sixty feet long, each key being -almost a foot wide, so that with my arms extended I could not reach to -above five keys, and to press them down required a good smart stroke -with my fist, which would be too great a labor, and to no purpose. The -method I contrived was this: I prepared two round sticks, about the -bigness of common cudgels; they were thicker at one end than the other, -and I covered the thicker ends with a piece of mouse's skin, that by -rapping on them I might neither damage the tops of the keys nor -interrupt the sound. Before the spinet a bench was placed about four -feet below the keys, and I was put upon the bench. I ran sideling upon -it that way and this as fast as I could, banging the proper keys with my -two sticks, and made a shift to play a jig to the great satisfaction of -both their majesties; but it was the most violent exercise I ever -underwent, and yet I could not strike above sixteen keys, nor -consequently play the bass and 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.[75] He would then command me -to bring one of my chairs out of the box, and sit down within three -yards distance upon the top of the cabinet, which brought me almost to a -level with his face. In this manner I had several conversations with -him. I one day took the freedom to tell his majesty that the contempt -he discovered towards Europe and the rest of the world did not seem -answerable to those excellent qualities of mind that he was master of; -that reason did not extend itself with the bulk of the body; on the -contrary, we observed in our country that the tallest persons were -usually 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[76] 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 he conjectured of other -monarchs by my former discourses), he should be glad to hear of anything -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 praise of my own dear native country, in a style equal to its merits -and felicity. - -[Illustration: "THE MOST VIOLENT EXERCISE I EVER UNDERWENT." P. 71.] - -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 plantations 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 both 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 -country, by their valor, conduct, and fidelity. That these were the -ornament and bulwark of the kingdom, worthy followers of their most -renowned ancestors, whose honor 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 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 assembly, called -the House of Commons, who were all principal gentlemen, _freely_ picked -and culled out by the people themselves, for their great abilities and -love of their country, to represent the wisdom of the whole nation. And -that these two bodies made up the most august assembly in Europe, to -whom, in conjunction with the prince, the whole legislature is -committed. - -I then descended to the courts of justice, over which the judges, those -venerable sages and 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 valor and achievements of our forces by sea and -land. I computed the number of our people, by reckoning how many -millions there might be of each religious 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 honor of my country. -And I finished all with a brief historical account of affairs and events -in England for about a 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 what questions -he intended to ask me. - -When I had put an end to these long discourses, his majesty, in a sixth -audience, consulting his notes, proposed many doubts, queries, and -objections, upon every article. He asked what methods were used to -cultivate the minds and bodies of our young 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 -are to be created new lords; whether the humor of the prince, a sum of -money to a court lady as a prime minister, or a design of strengthening -a party opposite to the public interest, ever happened to be motives in -those advancements? What share of knowledge these lords had in the laws -of their country, and how they came by it, so as to enable them to -decide the properties of their fellow-subjects in the last resort? -Whether they were always so free from avarice, partialities, or want, -that a bribe or some other sinister view could have no place among them? -Whether those holy lords I spoke of were always promoted to that rank -upon account of their knowledge in religious matters and the sanctity of -their lives; had never been compilers with the times while they were -common priests, or slavish prostitute chaplains to some noblemen, whose -opinions they continued servilely to follow, after they were admitted -into that assembly? - -He then desired to know what arts were practised in electing those whom -I called commoners; whether a stranger, with a strong purse, might not -influence the vulgar voters to choose him before their own landlord, or -the most considerable gentleman in the neighborhood? How it came to pass -that people were so violently bent upon getting into this assembly, -which I allowed to be a great trouble and expense, often to the ruin of -their families, without any salary or pension: because this appeared -such an exalted strain of virtue and public spirit, that his majesty -seemed to doubt it might possibly not be 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 -public 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 inquiries -and objections, which I think it not prudent or convenient to repeat. - -Upon what I said in relation to our courts of justice, his majesty -desired to be satisfied in several points; and this I was the better -able to do, having been formerly almost ruined by a long suit in -chancery,[77] which was decreed for me with costs. He asked what time -was usually spent in determining between right and wrong, and what -degree of expense? Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead in -causes, manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive? Whether -party in religion or politics was 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[78] upon at their pleasure? Whether they had ever, at different -times, pleaded for or 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 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 particular 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 found to pay -them. He wondered to hear me talk of such chargeable and expensive wars; -that certainly we must be a quarrelsome people, or live among very bad -neighbors and that our generals must needs be richer than our kings. He -asked what business we had out of our own islands, unless upon the score -of trade or treaty, or to defend the coasts with our fleet. Above all, -he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst -of peace and among a free people. He said if we were governed by our 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 a hundred -times more by cutting their throats? - -He laughed at my odd kind of arithmetic (as he was pleased to call it), -in reckoning the numbers of our people by a computation drawn from the -several sects among us, in religion and politics. He said, he knew no -reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should -be obliged to change, or should not be obliged to conceal them. And as -it was tyranny in any government to require the first, so it was -weakness not to enforce the 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 -dependence, as well as habituate them to vile companions, wholly take -them from the improvement of their minds, and force them, by the losses -they received, to learn and practise that infamous dexterity upon -others? - -He was perfectly astonished with the historical account I gave him of -our affairs during the last century, protesting it was only a heap of -conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, -the very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, -cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could -produce. - -His majesty, in another audience, was at the pains to recapitulate the -sum of all I had spoken; compared the questions he made with the answers -I had given; then taking me into his hands, and stroking me gently, -delivered himself in these words which I shall never forget, nor the -manner he spoke them in: "My little friend Grildrig, you have made a -most admirable panegyric upon your country; you have clearly proved that -ignorance, idleness, and vice are the proper ingredients for qualifying -a legislator; that laws are best explained, interpreted, and applied by -those whose interest and abilities lie 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 perfection is required towards the -procurement of any one station among you; much less that men are -ennobled on account of their virtue, that priests are advanced for their -piety or learning, soldiers for their conduct or valor, judges for their -integrity, senators for the love of their country, or counsellors for -their wisdom. As for yourself, continued the king, who have spent the -greatest part of your life in travelling, I am well disposed to hope you -may hitherto have escaped many vices of your country. But by what I have -gathered from your own relation, and the answers I have with much pains -wrung 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." - -[Illustration: "YOU HAVE MADE A MOST ADMIRABLE PANEGYRIC." P. 79.] - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - THE AUTHOR'S LOVE OF HIS COUNTRY. HE MAKES A PROPOSAL OF MUCH - ADVANTAGE TO THE KING, WHICH IS REJECTED. THE KING'S GREAT - IGNORANCE IN POLITICS. THE LEARNING OF THAT COUNTRY VERY IMPERFECT - AND CONFINED. THE LAWS, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS, AND PARTIES IN THE - STATE. - - -Nothing but an extreme love of truth could have hindered me from -concealing this part of my story. It was in vain to discover my -resentments, which were always turned into ridicule; and I was forced to -rest with patience, while my noble and beloved country was so -injuriously treated. I am as heartily sorry as any of my readers can -possibly be, that such an occasion was given: but this prince happened -to be so curious and 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 this 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 favorable turn, by many degrees, than the -strictness of truth would allow. For I have always borne that laudable -partiality to my own country, which Dionysius Halicarnassensis[79] 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 endeavor, -in those many discourses I had with that monarch, although it -unfortunately failed of success. - -But great allowances should be given to a king who lives wholly secluded -from the rest of the world, and must therefore be altogether -unacquainted with the manners and customs that most prevail in other -nations: the want of which knowledge will ever produce many prejudices, -and a certain narrowness of thinking, from which we and the politer -countries of Europe are wholly exempted. And it would be 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 farther to show the miserable -effects of a confined education, I shall here insert a passage which -will hardly obtain belief. In hopes to ingratiate myself farther into -his majesty's favor, I told him of an invention discovered between three -and four hundred years ago, to make a certain powder into a heap, on -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 agitation greater than thunder. That a -proper quantity of this powder rammed into a hollow tube of brass or -iron, according to its bigness, would drive a ball of iron or lead with -such violence and speed as nothing was able to sustain its force. That -the largest balls thus discharged would not only destroy whole ranks of -an army at once, but batter the strongest walls to the ground, sink -down ships with a thousand men in each to the bottom of the sea; and, -when linked together by a chain, would cut through masts and 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 workman -how to make those tubes of a size proportionable to all other things in -his majesty's kingdom, and the largest need not to be above a hundred -feet 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 for so many marks that I had received of his -royal favor and protection. - -The king was struck with horror at the description I had given him of -those terrible engines, and the proposal I had made. He was amazed, how -so impotent and grovelling an insect as I (these were his expressions), -could entertain such inhuman ideas, and in so familiar a manner, as to -appear wholly unmoved at all 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 although few things -delighted him so much as new discoveries in art or in nature, yet he -would rather lose half his kingdom than be privy to such a secret, which -he commanded me, as I valued my life, never to mention any more. - -A strange effect of narrow principles and short views! that a prince -possessed of every quality which procures veneration, love, and esteem; -of strong parts, great wisdom, and profound learning, endowed 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 them to have arisen -from their ignorance, by not having hitherto reduced politics into a -science, as the more acute wits of Europe have done. For I remember very -well, in a discourse one day with the king, when I happened to say there -were 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 I 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 bounds, to common sense and -reason, to justice and lenity, to the speedy determination of civil and -criminal causes, with some other obvious topics, which are not worth -considering. And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two -ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground, -where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more -essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put -together. - -The learning of this people is very defective, consisting only in -morality, history, poetry, and mathematics, wherein they must be allowed -to excel. But the last of these is wholly applied to what may be useful -in life, to the improvement of agriculture, and all mechanical arts; so -that among us it would be little esteemed. And as to ideas, entities, -abstractions, and transcendentals,[80] I could never drive the least -conception into their heads. - -No law of that country must exceed in words the number of letters in -their alphabet, which consists only 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[81] enough to -discover above one interpretation; and to write a comment upon any law -is a capital crime. As to the decision of civil causes, or proceedings -against criminals, their precedents are so few, that they have little -reason to boast of any extraordinary skill in either. - -They have had the art of printing, as well as the Chinese, time out of -mind: but their libraries are not very large; for that of the king, -which is reckoned the largest, doth not amount to above a thousand -volumes, placed in a gallery of twelve hundred feet long, from whence I -had liberty to borrow what books I pleased. The queen's joiner had -contrived in one of Glumdalclitch's rooms, a kind of wooden machine, -five-and-twenty feet high, formed like a standing ladder; the steps were -each fifty feet long: it was indeed a movable pair of stairs, the lowest -end placed at ten feet distance from the wall of the chamber. The book I -had a mind to read was put 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 paste-board, and in the largest folios not above eighteen or -twenty feet long. - -Their style is clear, masculine, and smooth, but not florid; for they -avoid nothing more than multiplying unnecessary words, or using various -expressions. I have perused many of their books, especially those in -history and morality. Among the rest, I was much diverted with a little -old treatise, which always lay in Glumdalclitch's 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 country -could say upon such a subject. - -[Illustration] - -This writer went through all the usual topics of European moralists, -showing how diminutive, contemptible, and helpless an animal was man in -his own nature; how unable to defend himself from inclemencies of the -air, or the fury of wild beasts; how much he was excelled by one -creature in strength, by another in speed, by a third in foresight, by a -fourth in industry. He added, that nature was degenerated in these -latter declining ages of the world, and could now produce only small -births, in comparison to 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 skulls, 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 a house, or a stone cast from the hand of a boy, or being drowned -in a little brook. From this way of reasoning the author drew several -moral applications, useful in the conduct of life, but needless here to -repeat. For my own part, I could not avoid reflecting, how universally -this talent was spread, of drawing lectures in morality, or, indeed, -rather matter of discontent and repining, from the quarrels we raise -with nature. And I believe, upon a strict inquiry, those quarrels might -be shown as ill-grounded among us as they are among that people. - -As to their military affairs, they boast that the king's army consists -of a hundred and seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty-two thousand -horse: if that may be called an army which is made up of tradesmen in -the several cities, and farmers in the country, whose commanders are -only the nobility and gentry, without pay or reward. They are indeed -perfect enough in their exercises, and under very good discipline, -wherein I saw no great merit; for how should it be otherwise, where -every farmer is under the command of his own landlord, and every citizen -under that of the principal men in his own city, chosen after the manner -of Venice, by ballot? - -I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud drawn out to exercise in a -great field, near the city, of twenty miles square. They were in all not -above twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse: but it was -impossible for me to compute their number, considering the space of -ground they took up. A cavalier, mounted on a large steed, might be -about ninety feet high. I have seen this whole body of horse, upon a -word of command, draw their swords at once, and brandish them in the -air. Imagination can figure nothing so grand, so surprising, and so -astonishing! it looked as if ten thousand flashes of lightning were -darting at the same time from every quarter of the sky. - -I was curious to know how this prince, to whose dominions there is no -access from any other country, came to think of armies, or to teach his -people the practice of military discipline. But I was soon 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 the -whole race of mankind is subject; the nobility often contending for -power, the people for liberty, and the king for absolute dominion. All -which, however, happily tempered by the laws of that kingdom, have been -sometimes violated by each of the three parties, and have more than once -occasioned civil wars, the last whereof was happily put an end to by -this prince's grandfather, in a general composition;[82] and the -militia, then settled with common consent, hath been ever since kept in -the strictest duty. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - THE KING AND QUEEN MAKE A PROGRESS[83] TO THE FRONTIERS. THE AUTHOR - ATTENDS THEM. THE MANNER IN WHICH HE LEAVES THE COUNTRY VERY - PARTICULARLY RELATED. HE RETURNS TO ENGLAND. - - -I had always a strong impulse that I should sometime recover my liberty, -though it was impossible to conjecture by what means, or to form any -project with the least hope of succeeding. The ship in which I sailed -was the first ever known to be driven within sight of the 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 tumbrel[84] to Lorbrulgrud. I was treated with much kindness: I was -the favorite of a great king and queen, and the delight of the whole -court; but it was upon such a footing as ill became the dignity of human -kind. I could never forget those domestic pledges I had left behind me. -I wanted to be among people with whom I could converse upon even terms, -and walk about the streets and fields, without being afraid of being -trod to death like a frog or a young puppy. But my deliverance came -sooner than I expected, and in a manner not very common: the whole story -and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate. - -[Illustration: "SHE HAD SOME FOREBODING." P. 94.] - -I had now been two years in this country; and about the beginning of -the third, Glumdalclitch and I attended the king and queen in a progress -to the south coast of the kingdom. I was carried, as usual, in my -travelling-box, which, as I have already described, was a very -convenient closet of twelve feet wide. And I had ordered a hammock to be -fixed by silken ropes from the four corners at the top, to break the -jolts, when a servant carried me before him on horseback, as I sometimes -desired, and would often sleep in my hammock while we were upon the -road. On the roof of my closet, not directly over the middle of the -hammock, I ordered the joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square, to -give me air in hot weather as I slept, which hole I shut 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 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[85] 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, 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 windows 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 fastened at -the top of my box for the conveniency of carriage. I felt my box raised -very high in the air, and then borne forward with prodigious speed. The -first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterwards -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 enabled him to discover his quarry[86] at a great -distance, though better concealed than I could be within a two-inch -board. - -[Illustration] - -In a little time I observed the noise and flutter of wings to increase -very fast, and my box was tossed up and down like a sign in a windy day. -I heard several bangs or buffets, as I thought, given to the eagle (for -such I am certain it must have been, that held the ring of my box in his -beak), and then all on a sudden felt myself falling perpendicularly down -for above a minute, but with such incredible swiftness, that I almost -lost my breath. My fall was stopped by a terrible squash,[87] that -sounded louder to my ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which I -was quite in the dark for another minute, and then my box began to rise -so high that I could see light from the tops of the windows. I now -perceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, by the weight of my body, -the goods that were in, and the broad plates of iron fixed for strength -at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated about five feet deep -in the water. I did then, and do now suppose, that the eagle which flew -away with my box was pursued by two or three others, and forced to let -me drop while he defended himself against the rest, who hoped to share -in the prey. The plates of iron fastened at the bottom of the box (for -those were the strongest) preserved the balance while it fell, and -hindered it from being broken on the surface of the water. Every joint -of it was well grooved, and the door did not move on hinges, but up and -down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very little water -came in. I got with much difficulty out of my hammock, having first -ventured to draw back my 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 Glumdalclitch, from whom -one single hour had so far divided me. And I may say with truth that in -the midst of my own misfortunes I could not 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 juncture, -expecting every moment to see my box dashed to pieces, or at least -overset by the first violent blast or rising wave. A breach in one -single pane of glass would have been immediate death; nor could anything -have preserved the windows but the strong lattice-wires placed on the -outside against accidents in travelling. I saw the water ooze in at -several crannies, although the leaks were not considerable, and I -endeavored to stop them as well as I could, I was not able to lift up -the roof of my closet, which otherwise I certainly should have done, and -sat on the top of it, where I might at least preserve myself some hours -longer, than by being shut up (as I may call it) in the hold. Or, if I -escaped these dangers for a day or two, what could I expect but a -miserable death of cold and hunger? I was four hours under these -circumstances, expecting, and indeed wishing, every moment to be my -last. - -I have already told the reader that there were two strong staples fixed -upon that side of my box which had no window, and into which the servant -who used to carry me on horseback would put a leathern belt, and buckle -it about his waist. Being in this 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 the waves rise near the tops of my windows, -leaving me almost in the dark. This gave me some faint hopes of relief, -although I was not able to imagine how it could be brought about. I -ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were always fastened to the -floor, and having made a hard shift to screw it down again directly -under the slipping board that I had lately opened, I mounted on the -chair, and putting my mouth as near as I could to the hole, I called for -help in a loud voice and in all the languages I understood. I then -fastened my handkerchief to a stick I usually carried, and thrusting it -up the hole, waved it several times in the air, that if any boat or ship -were near, the seamen might conjecture some unhappy mortal to be shut up -in the box. - -I found no effect from all I could do, but plainly perceived my closet -to be moved along; and in the space of an hour or better, that side of -the box where the staples were and had no 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 feet -higher than I was before. Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and -handkerchief, calling for help till I was almost hoarse. In return to -which I heard a great shout repeated three times, giving me such -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 anybody -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 was moving to be delivered out of the dungeon I was -in. The voice replied I was safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; -and the carpenter should immediately come and saw a hole in the cover, -large enough to pull me out. I answered that was needless, and would -take up too much time, for there was no more to be done, but let one of -the crew put his finger into the ring, and take the box out of the sea -into the ship, and so into the captain's cabin. Some of them upon -hearing me talk so wildly thought I was mad; others laughed; for indeed -it never came into my head that I was now got among people of my own -stature and strength. The carpenter came, and in a few minutes sawed a -passage about four feet square, then let down a small ladder upon which -I mounted, and from thence was taken into the ship in a very weak -condition. - -[Illustration: "SOMEBODY CALLING ... IN THE ENGLISH TONGUE." P. 99.] - -The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a thousand questions, -which I had no inclination to answer. I was equally confounded at the -sight of so many pygmies, 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 cabin, gave me a -cordial to comfort me, and made me turn in upon his own bed, advising me -to take a little rest, of which I had great need. Before I went to -sleep, I gave him to understand that I had some valuable furniture in my -box, too good to be lost; a fine hammock, a handsome two chairs, a -table, and a cabinet. That my closet was hung on all sides, or rather -quilted, with silk and cotton: that if he would let one of the crew -bring my closet into his cabin, I would open it there before him, and -show him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter these absurdities, -concluded I was raving: however (I suppose to pacify me), he promised -to give orders 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 bedstead, being screwed to the floor, were much damaged by the -ignorance of the seamen, who tore them up by force. Then they knocked -off some of the boards for the use of the ship, and when they had got -all they had a mind for, let the hull drop into the sea, which, by -reason of so many breaches made in the bottom and sides, sunk to -rights.[88] And indeed I was glad not to have been a spectator of the -havoc they made; because I am confident it would have sensibly -touched me, by bringing former passages into my mind, which I had rather -forgotten. - -I slept some hours, but was 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 o'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 o'clock at noon, as he was looking through his -glass, he spied it at a distance, and thought it was a sail, which he -had a mind to make[89], being not much out of his course, in hopes of -buying some biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That upon coming -nearer and finding his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what -it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing they had seen a -swimming-house. That he laughed at their folly, and went himself in the -boat, 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 wire-lattices that defenced 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 fastening a cable -to one of the staples, ordered them to tow my chest (as they called it) -towards the ship. When it was there, he gave directions to fasten -another cable to the ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest -with pulleys, which all the sailors were not able to do above two or -three feet. He said they saw my stick and handkerchief thrust out of the -hole, and concluded that some unhappy man must be shut up in the cavity. -I asked whether he or the crew had seen any prodigious birds in the air -about the time he first discovered me? to which he answered, that, -discoursing this matter with the sailors while I was asleep, one of them -said he had observed three eagles flying towards the north, but remarked -nothing of their being larger than the usual size, which I suppose must -be imputed to the great height they were at; and he could not guess the -reason of my question. I then asked the captain how far he reckoned we -might be from land? - -He said, by the best computation he could make, we were at least a -hundred leagues. I assured him that he must be mistaken by almost half, -for I had not left the country 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 cabin he had provided. I assured him I was well refreshed with his -good entertainment and company, and as much in my senses as ever 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 by the command of some prince, by exposing me in that -chest, as great criminals in other countries have been forced to sea in -a leaky vessel without provisions; for 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 ashore in the first port where we arrived. He added that his -suspicions were much increased by some very absurd speeches I had -delivered, at first to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in -relation to my closet chest, as well as by my odd looks and behavior -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, farther 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 seamen disposed of my closet). I opened it in -his own presence, and showed him the small collection of rarities I made -in the country from whence I had been so strangely delivered. There was -the comb I had contrived out of the stumps of the king's beard. There -was a collection of needles and pins, from a foot to half a yard long; -four wasps' stings, like joiners' tacks; some combings of the queen's -hair; a gold ring, which one day she made me a present of in a most -obliging manner, taking it from her 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. Lastly I -desired him to see the breeches I had then on, which were made of a -mouse's skin. - -I could force nothing upon 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 -Glumdalclitch's men, who was affected with the toothache, but it was as -sound as any in his head. I got it cleaned, and put it in my cabinet. It -was about a foot long, and four inches in diameter. - -The captain was very well satisfied with this plain relation I had given -him, and said he hoped when we returned to England I would oblige the -world by putting it on paper, and making it public. My answer was, that -I thought we were already overstocked with books of travels; that -nothing could now pass which was not extraordinary; wherein I doubted -some authors less consulted truth than their own vanity, or interest, or -the diversion of ignorant readers, that my story could contain little -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 country were thick -of hearing. I told him it was what I had been used to for above two -years past, and that I wondered as much at the voices of him and his -men, who seemed to me only to whisper, and yet I could hear them well -enough. But when I spoke in that country, it was like a man talking in -the street to another looking out from the top of a steeple, unless when -I was placed on a table, or held in any person's hand. I told him I had -likewise observed another thing, that when I first got into the ship, -and the sailors stood all about me, I thought they were the most -contemptible little creatures I had ever beheld. For indeed, while I was -in that prince's country, I could never endure to look in a glass, after -my eyes had been accustomed to such prodigious objects, because the -comparison gave me so despicable a conceit of myself. The captain said -that while we were at supper he observed me to look at 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 threepence, -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 household stuff 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 that 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 a hundred -pounds to have seen my closet in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its -fall from so great a height into the sea; which would certainly have -been a most astonishing object, worthy to have the description of it -transmitted to future ages: and the comparison of Phaeton[90] was so -obvious, that he could not forbear applying it, although I did not much -admire the conceit. - -[Illustration: "MY DAUGHTER KNEELED BUT I COULD NOT SEE HER" P. 109.] - -The captain having been at Tonquin, was, in his return to England, -driven northeastward, 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 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-boat for provisions and fresh water, but I never -went out of the ship till we came into the Downs, which was on the third -day of June, 1706, about nine months after my escape. I offered to leave -pay goods in security for payment of my freight, but the captain -protested he would not receive one farthing. We took a kind leave of -each other, and I made him promise he would come to see me at my house -in Redriff. I hired a horse and guide for five shillings, which I -borrowed of the captain. - -As I was on the road, observing the littleness of the houses--the trees, -the cattle, and the people, I began to think myself in Lilliput. I was -afraid of trampling on every traveller I met, and often called aloud to -have them stand out of the way, so that I had like to have gotten one or -two broken heads for my impertinence. - -When I came to my own house, for which I was forced to inquire, one of -the servants opened the door, I bent down to go in (like a goose under a -gate), for fear of striking my head. My wife ran out to embrace me, but -I stooped lower than her knees, thinking she could otherwise never be -able to reach my mouth. My daughter kneeled to ask my blessing, but I -could not see her till she arose, having been so long used to stand with -my head and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and then I went to take her -up with one hand by the waist. I looked down upon the servants, and one -or two friends who were in the house, as if they had been pygmies, 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 meantime I here conclude -the second part of my unfortunate voyages. - -[Illustration] - - - - -NOTE. - - -Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1667, and died in 1745. -His parents were English. His father died before he was born, and his -mother was supported on a slender pittance by his father's brother. He -was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and all through his early life -was dependent on the generosity of others. His college career was not -highly creditable, either from the point of view of manners, morals, or -learning. After leaving college, he travelled through England on foot, -and found employment with a relative of his mother's, Sir William -Temple, in whose house was a noble library; and for two years Swift made -up for some of his shortcomings by studying diligently therein. He went -to Oxford in 1692, took a degree and was ordained in 1694. He was given -a parish in Ireland, which he soon resigned, returning to the home of -Sir William Temple, where he remained until the death of the latter in -1699. - -Temple left Swift a legacy, and confided to him the editing and -publishing of his works. This task completed, Swift went again to -Ireland to another parish, and threw himself into political -pamphleteering with great effect, one of the results of his exertions -being the securing of freedom from taxation for the Irish clergy. He -subsequently became Dean of St. Patrick's in Dublin, and for a period -achieved great popularity owing to his powerful political writings. - -While in what he called his "exile" he wrote _Gulliver's Travels_, which -was at first published anonymously, the secret of the authorship being -so closely guarded that the publisher did not know who was the author. -Dr. Johnson characterized it as "A production so new and strange that it -filled the reader with admiration and amazement. It was read by the high -and low, the learned and the illiterate." In this work, Jonathan Swift -appears as one of the greatest masters of English we have ever had; as -endowed with an imaginative genius inferior to few; as a keen and -pitiless critic of the world, and a bitter misanthropic accounter of -humanity at large. Dean Swift was indeed a misanthrope by theory, -however he may have made exception to private life. His hero, Gulliver, -discovers race after race of beings who typify the genera in his -classification of mankind. Extremely diverting are Gulliver's adventures -among the tiny Lilliputians; only less so are his more perilous -encounters with the giants of Brobdingnag.... By a singular dispensation -of Providence, we usually read the _Travels_ while we are children; we -are delighted with the marvellous story, we are not at all injured by -the poison. Poor Swift! he was conscious of insanity's approach; he -repeated annually Job's curse upon the day of his birth; he died a -madman. - -There are numerous biographies of Swift; but probably the best -characterization of the man and his life, rather than of his books, is -to be found in Thackeray's _English Humorists_, and a closer study of -the man and his works in Leslie Stevenson's "Swift," in Morley's -_English Men of Letters_. The other biographies of him are: Lord Orrery -_Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift_, 1751; Hawkes, -on his life, 1765; Sheridan's life, 1785; Forster's life, 1875 -(unfinished); Henry Craik's life (1882). The best edition of Swift's -writings and correspondence is that edited by Scott, 1824. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] _Redriff Rotherhithe_: then a Thames side village, now part of -London. - -[2] _Pound_: nearly five dollars. - -[3] _Levant_: the point where the sun rises. The countries about the -eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and its adjoining waters. - -[4] _Mrs._: it was formerly the custom to call unmarried women Mrs. - -[5] _The South Sea_: the Pacific Ocean. - -[6] _Van Diemen's Land_: N.W. from Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and in -latitude 30 degrees 2 minutes would be in Australia or off the West -Coast. - -[7] _Cable's length_: about six hundred or seven hundred feet. - -[8] _Buff jerkin_ a leather jacket or waistcoat. - -[9] _Small_: weak, thin. - -[10] _Signet-royal_: the king's seal. - -[11] _Half-pike_ a short wooden staff, upon one end of which was a -steel head. - -[12] _Stang_: an old word for a perch, sixteen feet and a half, also -for a rood of ground. - -[13] _Chairs_: a sedan chair is here meant. It held one person, and -was carried by two men by means of projecting poles. - -[14] _Crest_: a decoration to denote rank. - -[15] _Lingua Franca_: a language--Italian mixed with Arabic, Greek, -and Turkish--used by Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Italians trading with -Arabs, Turks, and Greeks. It is the commercial language of -Constantinople. - -[16] _Imprimis_: in the first place, (pr.) im pri' mis. - -[17] _Lucid_: shining, transparent. - -[18] _Yeomen of the guards_: freemen forming the bodyguard of the -sovereign. - -[19] _Pocket perspective_: a small spy-glass or telescope. - -[20] _Trencher_: a wooden plate or platter. - -[21] _Corn_: such grains as wheat, rye, barley, oats. - -[22] _Quadrant_: an instrument long used for measuring altitudes. - -[23] _Skirt_: coat-tail. - -[24] _Alcoran_ the Koran or Mohammedan Bible. - -[25] _Embargo_: an order not to sail. - -[26] _Discompose them_: displace them. - -[27] _Puissant_: powerful. - -[28] _Junto_: a body of men secretly united to gain some political -end. - -[29] _Pulling_: plucking and drawing, preparatory to cooking, - -[30] _Meaner_: of lower rank. - -[31] _Portion_: the part of an estate given to a child. - -[32] _Domestic_: the household and all pertaining thereto. - -[33] _Exchequer bills_: bills of credit issued from the exchequer by -authority of parliament. - -[34] _Close chair_: sedan chair. - -[35] _Cabal_: a body of men united for some sinister purpose. - -[36] _Lee side_: side sheltered from the wind. - -[37] _Ancient_: flag, corrupted from ensign. - -[38] _Downs_: A famous natural roadstead off the southeast coast of -Kent, between Goodwin Sands and the mainland, south of the Thames -entrance. - -[39] _Black Bull_: inns in England are often named after animals with -an adjective descriptive of the color of the sign; as, _The Golden -Lion, The White Horse_. - -[40] _Towardly_: apt, docile. - -[41] _Straits of Madagascar_: Mozambique Channel. - -[42] _The line_: the equator. - -[43] _Hinds_: peasants; rustics. - -[44] _Pistoles_: about three dollars and sixty cents. - -[45] _Trencher-side_: up to his trencher or wooden plate. - -[46] _Discovering_: Showing. - -[47] _From London Bridge to Chelsea_: about three miles as the birds -fly. - -[48] _Pillion_: a cushion for a woman to ride on behind a person on -horseback. _From London to St. Alban's_: about twenty miles. - -[49] _Pumpion_: pumpkin. - -[50] _Parts_: accomplishments. - -[51] _Sanson's Atlas_: a very large atlas by a French geographer in -use in Swift's time. - -[52] _As good a hand of me_: as much money of me. - -[53] _Moidore_: a Portuguese gold piece worth about six dollars. - -[54] _Guineas_: an obsolete English gold coin, of the value of five -dollars. - -[55] _Phoenix_: a bird of fable said to live for a long time and rise -anew from its own ashes. - -[56] _Cabinet_: a private room. - -[57] _Scrutoire_: a writing-desk. - -[58] _Waiting_: attendance on the king. - -[59] _Lusus naturae_: a freak of nature. - -[60] _Royal Sovereign_: one of the great ships of Swift's time. - -[61] _Dunstable lark_: large larks are caught on the downs near -Dunstable between September and February, and sent to London for -luxurious tables. - -[62] _Drone_: the largest tube of a bag-pipe, giving forth a dull -heavy tone. - -[63] _Gresham College_, in London, is named after the founder, an -English merchant, who died in 1579. - -[64] _The square of_: as large as the square of. - -[65] _Salisbury Steeple_: this is about four hundred feet high. - -[66] _Battalia_: the order of battle. - -[67] _Espalier_: a lattice upon which fruit-trees or shrubs are -trained. - -[68] _Scull_: a short oar. - -[69] _Starboard or larboard_: right or left. - -[70] _Corking-pin_: a larger-sized pin. - -[71] _Stomacher_: a broad belt. - -[72] _Varlet_: knave. - -[73] _Levee_: a ceremonious visit received by a distinguished person -in the morning. - -[74] _Spinet_: a stringed instrument, a forerunner of out piano. - -[75] _Closet_: private room. - -[76] _Signal_: memorable. - -[77] _Chancery_: a high court of equity. - -[78] _Glossing_: commenting. - -[79] _Dionysius of Halicarnassus_ was born about the middle of the -first century, B.C.; he endeavored in his history to relieve his Greek -countrymen from the mortification they had felt in their subjection to -the Romans, and patched up an old legend about Rome being of Greek -origin and therefore their "political mother." - -[80] _Ideas, entities, abstractions, transcendentals_, words used in -that philosophy which deals with thinking, existence, and things -beyond the senses. - -[81] _Mercurial_: active, spirited. - -[82] _Composition_: compact, agreement. - -[83] _Progress_: an old term for the travelling of the sovereign to -different parts of his country. - -[84] _Tumbrel_: a rough cart. - -[85] _Page_: a serving-boy, and especially one who waits on a person -of rank. - -[86] _Quarry_: prey. - -[87] _Squash_: shock, concussion. - -[88] _To rights_ speedily. - -[89] _To make_ To get alongside. - -[90] _Phaeton_ a son of Apollo who was dashed into the river Endanus -for his foolhardiness in attempting to drive the steeds of the sun for -one day. - - - -ADVERTISEMENTS - -Heath's Home and School Classics. - - -FOR GRADES I AND II. - -Mother Goose: A Book of Nursery Rhymes, arranged by C. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.net - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/17157.txt b/old/17157.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 01504b8..0000000 --- a/old/17157.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5599 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift, Edited -by Thomas M. Balliet - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net - - - - - -Title: Gulliver's Travels - Into Several Remote Regions of the World - - -Author: Jonathan Swift - -Editor: Thomas M. Balliet - -Release Date: November 26, 2005 [eBook #17157] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULLIVER'S TRAVELS*** - - -E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Chuck Greif, and the Project -Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 17157-h.htm or 17157-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/1/7/1/2/17157/17157-h/17157-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/1/7/1/2/17157/17157-h.zip) - - - - - -GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - -Into Several Remote Regions of the World - -by - -JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. - -Edited with Introduction and Notes by Thomas M. Balliet -Superintendent of Schools, Springfield, Mass. - -With Thirty-Eight Illustrations and a Map - - -PART I - -A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT - - -PART II - -A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG - - - - - - - -[Illustration: "HE COMMANDED HIS GENERALS TO DRAW UP THE TROOPS." P. 42.] - - - - -D.C. Heath & Co., Publishers -Boston New York Chicago - -1900 - - - - -PREFACE. - - And lo! the book, from all its end beguiled, - A harmless wonder to some happy child. - - LORD LYTTON. - - -Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726; and, although it was by no -means intended for them, the book was soon appropriated by the children, -who have ever since continued to regard it as one of the most delightful -of their story books. They cannot comprehend the occasion which provoked -the book nor appreciate the satire which underlies the narrative, but -they delight in the wonderful adventures, and wander full of open-eyed -astonishment into the new worlds through which the vivid and logically -accurate imagination of the author so personally conducts them. And -there is a meaning and a moral in the stories of the Voyages to Lilliput -and Brobdingnag which is entirely apart from the political satire they -are intended to convey, a meaning and a moral which the youngest child -who can read it will not fail to seize, and upon which it is scarcely -necessary for the teacher to comment. - -For young children the book combines in a measure the interest of -_Robinson Crusoe_ and that of the fairy tale; its style is objective, -the narrative is simple, and the matter appeals strongly to the childish -imagination. For more mature boys and girls and for adults the interest -is found chiefly in the keen satire which underlies the narrative. It -appeals, therefore, to a very wide range of intelligence and taste, and -can be read with profit by the child of ten and by the young man or -woman of mature years. - -This edition is practically a reprint of the original (1726-27). The -punctuation and capitalization have been modernized, some archaisms -changed, and the paragraphs have been made more frequent. A few passages -have been omitted which would offend modern ears and are unsuitable for -children's reading, and some foot-notes have been added explaining -obsolete words and obscure expressions. - -As a reading book in school which must be adapted to the average mind, -these stories will be found suitable for classes from the fifth or sixth -school year to the highest grade of the grammar school. - -THOMAS M. BALLIET. - - - - -CONTENTS. - -VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. - - -CHAPTER I. - -The Author gives some account of himself and family--His first -inducements to travel--He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life--Gets -safe on shore in the country of Lilliput--Is made a prisoner, and -carried up the country - -CHAPTER II. - -The emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the nobility, comes to -see the Author in his confinement--The emperor's person and habits -described--Learned men appointed to teach the Author their language--He -gains favor by his mild disposition--His pockets are searched, and his -sword and pistols taken from him - -CHAPTER III. - -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 has his liberty granted him upon certain -conditions - -CHAPTER IV. - -Mildendo, 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 offers to -serve the emperor in his wars - -CHAPTER V. - -The Author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion--A high -title of honor is conferred upon him--Ambassadors arrive from the -emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace - -CHAPTER 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 -country--His vindication of a great lady - -CHAPTER VII. - -The Author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high treason, -makes his escape to Blefuscu--His reception there - -CHAPTER VIII. - -The Author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and -after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country - - * * * * * - -LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. - - "He commanded his generals to draw up the troops" - Map of Lilliput and Blefuscu - "I lay all this while ... in great uneasiness" - "Producing his credentials" - "These gentlemen made an exact inventory" - "Her imperial majesty was pleased to smile very graciously upon me" - "And created me a _nardac_ upon the spot" - "Three hundred tailors were employed" - "The happiness ... of dining with me" - "He desired I would hear him with patience" - "I set sail ... at six in the morning" - -AND TWENTY-THREE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT. - - - - -CONTENTS - -A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. - -CHAPTER I. - -A great storm described; the long-boat sent to fetch water, the Author -goes with it to discover the country--He is left on shore, is seized by -one of the natives, and carried to a farmer's house--His reception -there, with several accidents that happened there--A description of the -inhabitants - -CHAPTER II. - -A description of the farmer's daughter--The Author carried to a -market-town, and then to the metropolis--The particulars of his journey - -CHAPTER III. - -The Author sent for to court--The queen buys him of his master the -farmer, and presents him to the king--He disputes with his majesty's -great scholars--An apartment at court provided for the Author--He is in -high favor with the queen--He stands up for the honor of his own -country--He quarrels with the queen's dwarf - -CHAPTER IV. - -The country described--A proposal for correcting modern maps--The king's -palace, and some account of the metropolis--The Author's way of -travelling--The chief temple described - -CHAPTER V. - -Several adventures that happened to the Author--The execution of a -criminal--The Author shows his skill in navigation - -CHAPTER VI. - -Several contrivances of the Author to please the king and queen--He -shows his skill in music--The king inquires into the state of Europe, -which the Author relates to him--The king's observations thereon - -CHAPTER VII. - -The Author's love of his country--He makes a proposal of much advantage -to the king, which is rejected--The king's great ignorance in -politics--The learning of that country very imperfect and -confined--Their laws, and military affairs, and in the state - -CHAPTER VIII. - -The king and queen make a progress to the frontiers--The Author attends -them--The manner in which he leaves the country very particularly -related--He returns to England - -NOTE - - * * * * * - -LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. - - "They concluded I was only Relplum Sealcath" - Map of Brobdingnag - "A huge creature walking ... on the sea" - "Whereupon the huge creature trod short" - "I drew my hanger to defend myself" - "I called her my Glumdalclitch" - "Flourished after the manner of fencers in England" - "This gracious princess held out her little finger" - "She carried me to the king" - "I could only revenge myself by calling him brother" - "The smaller birds did not appear to be at all afraid of me" - "Gave me a gale with their fans" - "The most violent exercise I ever underwent" - "You have made an admirable panegyric" - "She had some foreboding" - "Somebody calling in the English tongue" - "My daughter kneeled, but I could not see her" - -AND TWELVE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT. - - - - -THE FIRST PUBLISHER TO THE READER. - - -The author of these travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my ancient and -intimate friend; there is likewise some relation between us on the -mother's side. About three years ago, Mr. Gulliver, growing weary of the -concourse of curious people coming to him at his house in Redriff,[1] -made a small purchase of land, with a convenient house, near Newark, in -Nottinghamshire, his native county, where he now lives retired, yet in -good esteem among his neighbors. - -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 churchyard 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 a sort of proverb among his neighbors at -Redriff, when any one affirmed a thing, to say it was as true as if Mr. -Gulliver had spoken it. - -By the advice of several worthy persons, to whom, with the author's -permission, I communicated these papers, I now venture to send them into -the world, hoping they may be, at least for some time, a better -entertainment than the common scribbles about politics and party. - -This volume would have been at least twice as large if I had not made -bold to strike out innumerable passages relating to the winds and tides, -as well as to the variations and bearings in the several voyages; -together with the minute description of the management of the ship in -the storms, in the style of sailors; likewise the account of longitudes -and latitudes; wherein I have reason to apprehend that Mr. Gulliver may -be a little dissatisfied; but I was resolved to fit the work as much as -possible to the general capacity of readers. However, if my own -ignorance in sea affairs shall have led me to commit some mistakes, I -alone am answerable for them, and if any traveller hath a curiosity to -see the whole work at large, as it came from the hand of the author, I -will be ready to gratify him. - -As for any farther particulars relating to the author, the reader will -receive satisfaction from the first pages of the book. - - RICHARD SYMPSON. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -TRAVELS. - -PART I. - - -_A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT_. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - THE AUTHOR GIVES SOME ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND FAMILY: HIS FIRST - INDUCEMENTS TO TRAVEL. HE IS SHIPWRECKED, AND SWIMS FOR HIS LIFE; - GETS SAFE ASHORE IN THE COUNTRY OF LILLIPUT; IS MADE A PRISONER, - AND CARRIED UP THE COUNTRY. - - -My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the third of five -sons. He sent me to Emmanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, -where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my studies; -but the charge of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty -allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound apprentice -to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued -four years; and my father now and then sending me small sums of money, I -laid them out in learning navigation, and other parts of the mathematics -useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be, -some time or other, my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down -to my father, where, by the assistance of him, and my uncle John and -some other relations, I got forty pounds,[2] and a promise of thirty -pounds a year, to maintain me at Leyden. There I studied physic two -years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages. - -Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master, -Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the "Swallow," Captain Abraham Pannell, -commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage -or two into the Levant,[3] and some other parts. When I came back I -resolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master, encouraged -me, and by him I was recommended to several patients. I took part of a -small house in the Old Jewry; and, being advised to alter my condition, -I married Mrs. Mary Burton,[4] 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 Indies, 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 ashore, in observing the 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 wife and family. I removed -from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to -get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account. After -three years' expectation that things would mend, I accepted an -advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the -"Antelope," who was making a voyage to the South Sea.[5] 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 northwest of Van Diemen's Land.[6] - -By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees and -2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labor 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 spied a rock within half -a cable's length of the ship;[7] 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 computation, about -three leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent -with labor, 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 those who escaped on the rock, or were left in -the vessel, I cannot tell, but conclude they were all lost. - -For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward -by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom; -but, when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found -myself within my depth; and, by this time, the storm was much abated. - -The declivity was so small that I walked near a mile before I got to the -shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening. I -then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign -of houses or inhabitants; at least, I was in so weak a condition, that I -did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the -heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I -left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the -grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I -remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine -hours; for, when I awaked, it was just daylight. 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 my eyes. - -I heard a confused noise about me; but, in the posture I lay, could see -nothing except the sky. In a little time, I felt something alive moving -on my left leg, which, advancing gently forward over my breast, came -almost up to my chin; when, bending my eyes downward, as much as I -could, I perceived it to be a human creature, not six inches high, with -a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the meantime -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, cried 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 discovered the methods they had taken to -bind me, and, at the same time, with a violent pull, which gave me -excessive pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down my hair -on the left side, so that I was just able to turn my head about two -inches. - -But the creatures ran off a second time, before I could seize them; -whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, and after it -ceased, I heard one of them cry aloud, _Tolgo phonac_; when, in an -instant, I felt above 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 -volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted with spears to -stick me in the sides; but by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin,[8] -which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie -still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand -being already loose, I could easily free myself; and as for the -inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the -greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the same -size with him that I saw. - -[Illustration: "I LAY ALL THIS WHILE IN GREAT UNEASINESS" P. 8.] - -But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the people observed I was -quiet, they discharged no more arrows: but, by the noise I heard, I knew -their numbers increased; and about four yards from me, over against my -right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like that of people at -work; when, 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. - -[Illustration] - -But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began his -oration, he cried out three times, _Langro debul san_ (these words, and -the former, were afterwards repeated, and explained to me). Whereupon -immediately about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the strings that -fastened the left side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning -it to the right, and of observing the person and gesture of him that was -to speak. He appeared to be of a middle age, and taller than any of the -other three who attended him, whereof one was a page that held up his -train, and seemed to be somewhat longer than my middle finger; the other -two stood one on each side, to support him. He acted every part of an -orator, and I could observe many periods of threatenings, and others of -promises, pity, and kindness. - -I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting up -my left hand, and both my eyes, to the sun, as calling him for a -witness: and, being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a -morsel for some hours before I left the ship, I found the demands of -nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear showing my impatience -(perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my finger -frequently to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The _hurgo_ (for -so they call a great lord, as I afterwards learned) understood me very -well. He descended from the stage, and commanded that several ladders -should be applied to my sides; on which above a hundred of the -inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets -full of meat, which had been provided and sent thither by the king's -orders, upon the first intelligence he received of me. - -I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not -distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins, -shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the -wings of a lark. I ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took -three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets. They -supplied me as they could, showing 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[9] wine of Burgundy, but -much more delicious. They brought me a second hogshead, which I drank in -the same manner, and made signs for more; but they had none to give me. - -When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced -upon my breast, repeating, several times, as they did at first, _Hekinah -degul_. They made me a sign, that I should throw down the two hogsheads, -but first warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying -aloud, _Borach nevola_; 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 remembrance of what -I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the -promise of honor I made them--for so I interpreted my submissive -behavior--soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered -myself as bound, by the laws of hospitality, to a people who had treated -me with so much expense 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. - -[Illustration: "PRODUCING HIS CREDENTIALS." P. 14.] - -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 forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue: and, -producing his credentials under the signet-royal,[10] which he applied -close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, -but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing forwards, -which, as I afterwards found, was towards the 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 show 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 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 -increased, I gave tokens to let them know, that they might do with me -what they pleased. Upon this the _hurgo_ and his train withdrew, with -much civility, and cheerful countenances. - -Soon after, I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the -words, _Peplom selan_, and I felt great numbers of people on my left -side, relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn upon -my right, and to get a little ease. But, before this, they had daubed 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, disposed me to sleep. I -slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured; and it was no -wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, had mingled a sleepy -potion in the hogsheads of wine. - -It seems that, upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the -ground after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it, by an -express; and determined in council, that I should be tied in the manner -I have related (which was done in the night, while I slept), that plenty -of meat and drink should be sent to 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 endeavored to kill me with -their spears and arrows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have -awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused my -rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings wherewith -I was tied; after 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 mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the -emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. The 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 -feet long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried on -these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea. Five hundred -carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work, to prepare the -greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood, raised three inches -from the ground, about seven feet long and four wide, moving upon -twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard was upon the arrival of this -engine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after my landing. It was -brought parallel to me, as I lay. But the principal difficulty was, to -raise and place me in this vehicle. - -Eighty poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and -very strong cords, of the bigness of packthread, were fastened by hooks -to many bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my -body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to -draw up these cords by many pulleys fastened on the poles; and thus, in -less than three hours, I was raised and slung into the engine, and tied -fast. - -[Illustration] - -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 a half high, were employed to draw me -towards the metropolis, which, as I said, was half a mile distant. - -About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked, by a very -ridiculous accident; for, the 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, 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[11] a good way -up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made me -sneeze violently; whereupon they stole off, unperceived, and it was -three weeks before I knew the cause of my awaking so suddenly. - -We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and rested at night -with five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches, and half -with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me, if I should offer to stir. The -next morning, at sunrise, we continued our march, and arrived within two -hundred yards of the city gates about noon. The emperor, and all his -court, came out to meet us; but his great officers would by no means -suffer his majesty to endanger his person, by mounting on my body. - -At the place where the carriage 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, looked upon as profane, and therefore had been -applied to common use, 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 feet high, and almost two feet -wide, through which I could easily creep. On each side of the gate was a -small window, not above six inches from the ground; into that on the -left side the king's smith conveyed four score 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. - -[Illustration] - -Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at -twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here -the emperor ascended, with many principal lords of his court, to have an -opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I could not see them. It -was reckoned that above an hundred thousand inhabitants came out of the -town upon the same errand; and, in spite of my guards, I believe there -could not be fewer than ten thousand, at several times, who mounted my -body, by the help of ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued, to -forbid it, upon pain of death. - -When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they cut -all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up, with as melancholy 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 semi-circle, -but, being fixed within four inches of the gate, allowed me to creep in, -and lie at my full length in the temple. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - THE EMPEROR OF LILLIPUT, ATTENDED BY SEVERAL OF THE NOBILITY, COMES - TO SEE THE AUTHOR IN HIS CONFINEMENT. THE EMPEROR'S PERSON AND - HABIT DESCRIBED. LEARNED MEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE AUTHOR THEIR - LANGUAGE. HE GAINS FAVOR BY HIS MILD DISPOSITION. HIS POCKETS ARE - SEARCHED, AND HIS SWORD AND PISTOLS TAKEN FROM HIM. - - -When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and must confess I -never beheld a more entertaining prospect. The country around, appeared -like a continued garden, and the enclosed fields, which were generally -forty feet square, resembled so many beds of flowers. These fields were -intermingled with woods of half a stang,[12] and the tallest trees, as I -could judge, appeared to be seven feet high. I viewed the town on my -left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a theatre. - -The emperor was already descended from the tower, and advancing on -horseback towards me, which had like to have cost him dear; for the -beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight, -which appeared as if a mountain moved before him, reared up on his hind -feet. But that prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till -his attendants ran in and held the bridle, while his majesty had time to -dismount. - -When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great admiration, but kept -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 reach them. I -took these vehicles, and soon emptied them all; twenty of them were -filled with meat; each afforded me two or three good mouthfuls. The -empress and young princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by many -ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs;[13] 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 -graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then past his prime, being -twenty-eight years and three-quarters old, of which he had reigned about -seven in great felicity, 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. - -[Illustration] - -His dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the -Asiatic and the European; but he had on his head a light helmet of gold, -adorned with jewels, and a plume an the crest.[14] He held his sword -drawn in his hand, to defend himself, if I should happen to break loose; -it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard were gold, -enriched with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very clear and -articulate, and I could distinctly hear it, when I stood up. - -The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; so that the -spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread on the -ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His imperial -majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers, but neither of us -could understand a syllable. There were several of his priests and -lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), who were commanded -to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them in as many languages as -I had the least smattering of, which were, High and Low Dutch, Latin, -French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca;[15] but all to no purpose. - -After about two hours the court retired, and I was left with a strong -guard, to prevent the impertinence, and probably the malice of the -rabble, who were very impatient to crowd about me as near as they durst; -and some of them had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I sat -on the ground by the door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed -my left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the 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 butt-ends of their pikes into my reach. I took them -all on my right hand, put five of them into my coat-pocket; and as to -the sixth, I made a countenance as if I would eat him alive. The poor -man squalled terribly, and the colonel and his officers were in much -pain, especially when they saw me take out my penknife; but I soon put -them out of fear, for, looking mildly, and immediately cutting the -strings he was bound with, I set him gently on the ground, and away he -ran. I treated the rest in the same manner, taking them one by one out -of my pocket; and I observed both the soldiers and people were highly -delighted at this mark of my clemency, which was represented very much -to my advantage at court. - -[Illustration] - -Towards night, I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay on -the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight, during which time -the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. Six hundred beds, -of the common measure, were brought in carriages and worked up in my -house; an hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn together, made up the -breadth and length; and these were four double, which, however, kept me -but very indifferently from the hardness of the floor, which was of -smooth stone. By the same computation, they provided me with sheets, -blankets, and coverlets, which were tolerable enough for one who had -been so long inured 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 -household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had not -provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against this -inconvenience. 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 meantime, 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 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 despatch 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 behavior to the six criminals -above-mentioned, which made so favorable an impression in the breast of -his majesty, and the whole board, in my behalf, that an imperial -commission was issued out, obliging all the villages nine hundred yards -round the city to deliver in, every morning, six beeves, forty sheep, -and other victuals, for my sustenance; together with a proportionable -quantity of bread and wine, and other liquors; for the due payment of -which his majesty gave assignments upon his treasury. For this prince -lives chiefly upon his own demesnes, seldom, except upon great -occasions, raising any subsidies upon his subjects, who are bound to -attend him in his wars at their own expense. An establishment was also -made of six hundred persons, to be my domestics, who had board-wages -allowed for their maintenance, and tents built for them very -conveniently on each side of my door. - -It was likewise ordered that three hundred tailors should make me a suit -of clothes, after the fashion of the country; that six of his majesty's -greatest scholars should be employed to instruct me in their language; -and lastly, that the emperor's horses, and those of the nobility and -troops of guards, should be frequently exercised in my sight, to -accustom themselves to me. - -All these orders were duly put in execution, and in about three weeks I -made a great progress in learning their language; during which time the -emperor frequently honored 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 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 _lumos kelmin pesso desmar lon 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 behavior, 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 should set upon them. I took up the two officers in my -hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into every other -pocket about me, except my two fobs and another secret pocket, which I -had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little necessaries -that were of no consequence to any but myself. In one of my fobs there -was a silver watch, and in the other a small quantity of gold in a -purse. - -[Illustration: "THESE GENTLEMEN MADE AN EXACT INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING -THEY SAW" P. 30.] - -These gentlemen having pen, ink, and paper about them, made an exact -inventory of everything 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_,[16] 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 waistcoat pocket we -found a prodigious number 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 palisadoes 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 so heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift -them. In the left pocket, were two black pillars irregularly shaped; we -could not without difficulty reach the top of them, as we stood at the -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 and -round substance, about twice the bigness of our heads. Within each of -these was enclosed a prodigious plate of steel, which, by our orders, we -obliged him to show us, because we apprehended they might be dangerous -engines. He took them out of their cases, and told us that in his own -country his practice was to shave his beard with one of these, and to -cut his meat with the other. There were two pockets which we could not -enter: these he called his fobs. Out of the right fob hung a great -silver chain, with a wonderful kind of engine at the bottom. We directed -him to draw out whatever was at the end of that chain, which appeared to -be a globe, half silver, and half of some transparent metal; for on the -transparent side we saw certain strange figures, circularly drawn, and -thought we could touch them till we found our fingers stopped by that -lucid substance.[17] He put this engine to our ears, which made an -incessant noise, like that of a water-mill; and we conjecture it is -either some unknown animal, or the god that he worships; but we are more -inclined to the latter opinion, because he assured us (if we understood -him right, for he expressed himself very imperfectly), that he seldom -did anything 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 a most ponderous metal, about the bigness of our heads, and required -a strong hand to lift them; the other cell contained a heap of certain -black grains, but of no great bulk or weight, for we could hold about -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 sealed, on the fourth day of the -eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign. - - CLEFRIN FRELOC. - MARSI FRELOC. - -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 scimitar, which I took out, scabbard and all. In -the meantime, he ordered three thousand of his choicest troops (who then -attended him) to surround me at a distance, with their bows and arrows -just ready to discharge; but I did not observe it, for mine eyes were -wholly fixed upon his majesty. He then desired me to draw my scimitar, -which, although it had got some rust by the sea-water, was in most parts -exceedingly bright. I did so, and immediately all the troops gave a -shout between terror and surprise; for the sun shone clear, and the -reflection dazzled their eyes, as I waved the scimitar to and fro in my -hand. His majesty, who is a most magnanimous prince, was less daunted -than I could expect; he ordered me to return it into the scabbard, and -cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about six feet from the end -of my chain. - -The next thing he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars, by which -he meant my pocket-pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as -I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only with -powder, which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape wetting -in the sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent mariners take -special care to provide), I first cautioned the emperor not to be -afraid, and then let it off in the air. - -The astonishment here was much greater than at the sight of my scimitar. -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 scimitar, and then my pouch of powder and bullets, begging him that -the former might be kept from fire, for it would kindle with the -smallest spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the air. - -[Illustration] - -I likewise delivered up my watch, which the emperor was very curious to -see, and commanded two of his tallest yeomen of the guards[18] to bear -it on a pole upon their shoulders, as draymen in England do a barrel of -ale. He was amazed at the continual noise it made and the motion of the -minute-hand, which he could easily discern; for their sight is much more -acute than ours. He asked the opinions of his learned men about it, -which were various and remote, as the reader may well imagine without my -repeating; although, indeed, I could not very perfectly understand them. - -I then gave up my silver and copper money, my purse, with nine large -pieces of gold, and some smaller ones; my knife and razor, my comb and -silver snuffbox, my handkerchief and journal-book. My scimitar, pistols, -and pouch were conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores; but the -rest of my goods were returned to 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,[19] and some other -little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the emperor, I -did not think myself bound in honor to discover; and I apprehended they -might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my possession. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - 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 HAS HIS LIBERTY GRANTED HIM UPON CERTAIN - CONDITIONS. - - -My gentleness and good behavior 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 favorable 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 one 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 -feet, and twelve inches from the ground. Upon which I shall desire -liberty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge a little. - -[Illustration] - -This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for -great employments and high favor at court. They are trained in this art -from their youth, and are not always of noble birth or liberal -education. When a great office is vacant, either by death or disgrace -(which often happens) five or six of those candidates petition the -emperor to entertain his majesty, and the court, with a dance on the -rope, and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the -office. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show -their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their -faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the -straight rope, at least an inch higher than any lord in the whole -empire. I have seen him do the summersault several times together upon a -trencher,[20] fixed on a rope, which is no thicker than a common -packthread in England. My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for -private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second -after the treasurer; the rest of the great officers are much upon a par. - -These diversions are often attended with fatal accidents, whereof great -numbers are on record. I myself have seen two or three candidates break -a limb. But the danger is much greater when the ministers themselves are -commanded to show their dexterity! for, by contending to excel -themselves and their 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 before 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 shown before the -emperor and empress and first minister, upon particular occasions. The -emperor lays on the table three fine silken threads, of six inches long; -one is 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 favor. The ceremony is performed -in his majesty's great chamber of state, where the candidates are to -undergo a trial of dexterity very different from the former, and such as -I have not observed the least resemblance of in any other country of the -old or 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 blue-colored silk; the yellow is given to -the next, and the green to the third, which they all wear girt twice -about the middle; and you see few great persons round about this court -who are not adorned with one of these girdles. - -The horses of the army, and those of the royal stables, having been -daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very -feet without starting. The riders would leap them over my hand as I held -it on the ground; and one of the emperor's huntsmen, upon a large -courser, took my foot, shoe and all, which was indeed a prodigious leap. - -I had the good fortune to divert the emperor one day after a very -extraordinary manner. I desired he would order several sticks of two -feet high, and the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought me; -whereupon 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 feet and a half square, I took four other -sticks and tied them parallel at each corner, about two feet from the -ground; then I fastened my handkerchief to the nine sticks that stood -erect, and extended it on all sides, till it was 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 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 -entertainments; only once a fiery horse, that belonged to one of the -captains, pawing with his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and -his foot slipping, he overthrew his rider and himself; 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 enterprises. - -About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was -entertaining the court with feats of this kind, 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 oddly 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 had at first apprehended, for it -lay on the grass without motion; and some of them had walked round it -several times; that, by mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had -got to the top, which was flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they -found it was hollow within; that they humbly conceived it might be -something belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majesty pleased, -they would undertake to bring it with only five horses. - -[Illustration] - -I presently knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this -intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the shore after our -shipwreck, I was in such confusion that, before I came to the place -where I went to sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string to my -head while I was rowing, and had stuck on 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, describing to him the use and nature -of it; and the next day the wagoners arrived with it, but not in a very -good condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and -a half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks -were tied by a long cord to the harness; and thus my hat was dragged -along for above half an English mile; but the ground in that country -being extremely smooth and level, it received less damage than I -expected. - -Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that part of -the army which quarters in and about his metropolis to be in readiness, -took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular manner. He desired -I would stand like a colossus, with my legs as far asunder as I -conveniently could. He then commanded his general (who was an old, -experienced leader and a great patron of mine) to draw up the troops in -close order and march under me; the foot by twenty-four abreast and the -horse by sixteen, with drums beating, colors flying, and pikes advanced. -This body consisted of three thousand foot and a thousand horse. - -I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his -majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and then -in full council; where it was opposed by none, except Skyrris 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 complexion. However, he was at length persuaded to -comply; but prevailed, that the articles and conditions upon which I -should be set free, and to which I must swear, should be drawn up by -himself. - -These articles were brought to me by Skyrris Bolgolam in person, -attended by two under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. -After they were read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of -them, first in the manner of my own country, and afterwards in the -method prescribed by their laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my -left hand, and to place the middle finger of my right hand on the crown -of my head, and my thumb on the tip of my right ear. - -But because the reader may be curious to have some idea of the style and -manner of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to know the -articles upon which I recovered my liberty, I have made a translation of -the whole instrument, word for word, as near as I was able, which I here -offer to the public. - -_Golbasto 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 extremities of the globe; monarch of all monarchs, taller than the -sons of men; whose feet press down to the centre, and whose head strikes -against the sun; at whose nod the princes of the earth shake their -knees; pleasant as the spring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful as -autumn, dreadful as winter. His most sublime majesty proposeth to the -man-mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following -articles, which by a solemn oath he shall be obliged to perform. - -First. The man-mountain shall not depart from our dominions without our -license under our great seal. - -Second. He shall not presume to come into our metropolis, without our -express order, at which time the inhabitants shall have two hours -warning to keep within doors. - -Third. 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.[21] - -Fourth. As he walks the said roads, he shall take the utmost care not to -trample upon the bodies of any of our loving subjects, their horses or -carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his hands without their own -consent. - -Fifth. If an express requires extraordinary despatch, 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. - -Sixth. He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of -Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now -preparing to invade us. - -Seventh. 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. - -Eighth. That the said man-mountain shall, in two moons time, deliver in -an exact survey of the circumference of our dominions, by a computation -of his own paces round the coast. - -Lastly. That upon his solemn oath to observe all the above articles, the -said man-mountain shall have a daily allowance of meat and drink -sufficient for the support of 1724 of our subjects, with free access to -our royal person, and other marks of our favor. Given at our palace at -Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign. - -I swore and subscribed to the articles with great cheerfulness and -content, although some of them were not so honorable as I could have -wished; which proceeded wholly from the malice of Skyrris Bolgolam, the -high admiral; whereupon my chains were immediately unlocked, and I was -at full liberty. The emperor himself in person did me the honor to be by -at the whole ceremony. I made my acknowledgments, by prostrating myself -at his majesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many -gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of vanity, I shall not -repeat, he added, that he hoped I should prove a useful servant, and -well deserve all the favors 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 me a quantity of -meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 Lilliputians. Some -time after, asking a friend at court, how they came to fix on that -determinate number, he told me, that his majesty's mathematicians having -taken the height of my body by the help of a quadrant,[22] and finding -it to exceed theirs in the proportion of twelve to one, they concluded, -from the similarity of their bodies, that mine must contain at least -1724 of theirs, and consequently would require as much food as was -necessary to support that number of Lilliputians. By which the reader -may conceive an idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the -prudent and exact economy of so great a prince. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - MILENDO, 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 OFFERS - 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 Milendo, the metropolis; which the emperor -easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt, either to -the inhabitants or their houses. The people had notice, by proclamation, -of my design to visit the town. - -The wall, which encompassed it, is two feet and a half high, and at -least eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very -safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet -distance. I stept over the great western gate, and passed very gently, -and sideling, through the two principal streets, only in my short -waistcoat, for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the houses with -the skirts[23] of my coat. I walked with the utmost circumspection, to -avoid treading on any stragglers who might remain in the streets; -although the orders were very strict, that all people should keep in -their houses at their own peril. The garret-windows and tops of houses -were so crowded with spectators, that I thought in all my travels I had -not seen a more populous place. - -The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being five hundred -feet long. The two great streets, which run across and divide it into -four quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys, which I could -not enter, but only viewed them as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen -inches. The town is capable of holding five hundred thousand souls; the -houses are from three to five stories; the shops and markets well -provided. - -The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city, where the two great -streets meet. It is enclosed by a wall of two 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 feet, and includes two other -courts; in the inmost are the royal apartments, which I was very -desirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for the great gates -from one square into another were but eighteen inches high, and seven -inches wide. Now the buildings of the outer court were at least five -feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride over them without -infinite damage to the pile, though the walls were strongly built of -hewn stone, and four inches thick. - -At the same time, the emperor had a great desire that I should see the -magnificence of his palace; but this I was not able to do till three -days after, which I spent in cutting down, with my knife, some of the -largest trees in the royal park, about an hundred yards distance from -the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each about three feet high, -and strong enough to bear my weight. - -[Illustration: "HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY WAS PLEASED TO SMILE VERY GRACIOUSLY -UPON ME" P. 50.] - -The people having received notice a second time, I went again through -the city to the palace, with my two stools in my hands. When I came to -the side of the outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took the other -in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and gently set it down on the -space between the first and second court, which was eight feet wide. I -then stept over the building very conveniently, from one stool to the -other, and drew up the first after me with a hooked stick. By this -contrivance I got into the inmost court; and, lying down upon my side, I -applied my face to the windows of the middle stories, which were left -open on purpose, and discovered the most splendid apartments that can be -imagined. There I saw the empress and the young princes in their several -lodgings, with their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty -was pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of the -window her hand to kiss. - -But I shall not anticipate the reader with farther descriptions 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 politics, laws, learning, and -religion, their plants and animals, their peculiar manners and customs, -with other matters very curious and useful; my chief design, at present, -being only to relate such events and transactions as happened to the -public, or to myself, during a residence of about nine months in that -empire. - -One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, -Reldresal, principal secretary (as they style him) for 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 of the many good offices he had done me during my -solicitations at court. I offered to lie down, that he might the more -conveniently reach my ear; but he chose rather to let me hold him in my -hand during our conversation. - -He began with compliments on my liberty; said he might pretend to some -merit in it. But however, added, that if it had not been for the present -situation of things at court, perhaps I might not have obtained it so -soon. For, said he, as flourishing a condition as we may appear to be in -to foreigners, we labor 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 seventy -moons past, there have been two struggling parties in this empire, under -the names of _Tramecksan_ and _Slamecksan_, from the high and low heels -of their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, -indeed, that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient -constitution; but, however this may be, his majesty hath determined to -make use only of 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, at least by a -_drurr_, than any of his court (_drurr_ is a measure about the -fourteenth part of an inch). The animosities between these two parties -run so high, that they will neither eat nor drink nor talk with each -other. We compute the _Tramecksan_, or high heels, to exceed us in -number; but the power is wholly on our side. We apprehend his imperial -highness, the heir to the crown, to have some tendency towards the high -heels; at least, we can plainly discover that one of his heels is higher -than the other, which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst -of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from -the island of 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 -dropped 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 cattle of his majesty's dominions. Besides, our histories of -six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions than the two -great empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Which two mighty powers have, as -I was going to tell you, been engaged in a most obstinate war for -six-and-thirty moons past. It began upon the 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 eleven thousand persons have, at several times, suffered -death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many -hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy, but the -books of the Big-endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party -rendered incapable, by law, of holding employments. During the course of -these troubles, the Emperors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate, by -their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, by -offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, -in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is their -Alcoran)[24] This, however, is thought to be a mere strain upon the -text; for the words are these: That all true believers break their eggs -at the convenient end. And which is the convenient end, seems, in my -humble opinion, to be left to every man's conscience, or, at least, in -the power of the chief magistrate to determine. Now, the Big-endian -exiles have found so much credit in the emperor of Blefuscu's court, and -so much private assistance and encouragement from their party here at -home, that a bloody war 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 valor and strength, hath commanded me to lay -this account of his affairs before you. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - THE AUTHOR, BY AN EXTRAORDINARY STRATAGEM, PREVENTS AN INVASION. A - HIGH TITLE OF HONOR IS CONFERRED UPON HIM. AMBASSADORS ARRIVE FROM - THE EMPEROR OF BLEFUSCU, AND SUE FOR PEACE. THE EMPRESS'S APARTMENT - ON FIRE, BY ACCIDENT; THE AUTHOR INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING THE REST OF - THE PALACE. - - -The empire of Blefuscu is an island, situate to the north northeast 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 enemy's ships, who had received no -intelligence of me, all intercourse between the two empires having been -strictly forbidden during the war, upon the pain of death, and an -embargo[25] laid by our emperor upon all vessels whatsoever. - -I communicated to his majesty a project I had formed, of seizing the -enemy's whole fleet; which, as our scouts assured us, lay at anchor in -the harbor, ready to sail with the first fair wind. I consulted the most -experienced seamen upon the depth of the channel, which they had often -plumbed; who told me, that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy -_glumgluffs_ deep, which is about six feet of European measure; and the -rest of it fifty _glumgluffs_ at most. I walked towards the northeast -coast, over against Blefuscu; where, lying down behind a hillock, I took -out my small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, -consisting of about fifty men-of-war, and a great number of transports; -I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for which I had a -warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of iron. -The cable was about as thick as 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 -northeast coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked -into the sea in my leathern jerkin, about half an hour before -high-water. I waded with what haste I could, and swam in the middle -about thirty yards, till I felt ground; I arrived at the fleet in less -than half an hour. The enemy were so frightened, when they saw me, that -they leaped out of their ships, and swam to shore, where there could not -be fewer than thirty thousand souls: I then took my tackling, and -fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords -together at the end. - -While I was thus employed, the enemy discharged several thousand arrows, -many of which stuck in my hands and face; and, 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 escaped the emperor's searchers. These I took out, -and fastened as strongly as I could upon my nose, and thus armed, went -on boldly with my work, in spite of the enemy's arrows, many of which -struck against the glasses of my spectacles, but without any other -effect, farther than a little to discompose them.[26] I had now fastened -all the hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand, began to pull: but not a -ship would stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors; so -that the boldest part of my enterprise remained. I therefore let go the -cord, and, leaving the hooks fixed to the ships, I resolutely cut with -my knife the cables that fastened 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 tied, and, with great ease, drew -fifty of the enemy's largest men-of-war after me. - -The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagination of what I intended, -were at first confounded with astonishment. They had seen me cut the -cables, and thought my design was only to let the ships run adrift, or -fall foul on each other: but when they perceived the whole fleet moving -in order, and saw me pulling at the end, they set up such a scream of -grief and despair as it is almost impossible to describe or conceive. -When I had got out of danger, I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows -that stuck in my hands and face: and rubbed on some of the same ointment -that was given me at my first arrival, as I have formerly mentioned. I -then took off my spectacles, and waiting about an hour, till the tide -was a little fallen, I waded through the middle with my cargo, and -arrived safe at the royal port of Lilliput. - -The emperor and his whole court stood on the shore, expecting the issue -of this great adventure. They saw the ships move forward in a large -half-moon, but could not discern me, who was up to my breast in water. -When I advanced to 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 an hostile -manner: but he was soon eased of his fears; for the channel growing -shallower every step I made, I came in a short time within hearing; and -holding up the end of the cable, by which the fleet was fastened, I -cried in a loud voice, Long live the most puissant[27] 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 honor 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 immeasurable 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 viceroy; of destroying the Big-endian exiles, and compelling that -people to break the smaller end of their eggs, by which he would remain -the sole monarch of the whole world. But I endeavored to divert him from -this design, by many arguments, drawn from the topics of policy, as well -as justice. And I plainly protested, that I would never be an instrument -of bringing a free and brave people into slavery. And when the matter -was debated in council, the wisest part of the ministry were of my -opinion. - -[Illustration: "AND CREATED ME A _NARDAC_ UPON THE SPOT." P. 58.] - -This open, bold declaration of mine was so opposite to the schemes and -politics of his imperial majesty, that he could never forgive me; he -mentioned it, in a very artful manner, at council, where, I was told, -that some of the wisest appeared, at least by their silence, to be of my -opinion; but others, who were my secret enemies, could not forbear some -expressions, which by a side-wind reflected on me. And, from this time -began an intrigue between his majesty and a junto[28] of ministers -maliciously bent against me, which broke out in less than two months, -and had like to have ended in my utter destruction. Of so little weight -are the greatest services to princes, when put into the balance with a -refusal to gratify their passions. - -About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived a solemn embassy -from Blefuscu, with humble offers of peace; which was soon concluded, -upon conditions very advantageous to our emperor, wherewith I shall not -trouble the reader. There were six ambassadors, with a train of about -five hundred persons; and their entry was very magnificent, suitable to -the grandeur of their master, and the 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 valor -and generosity, invited me to that kingdom, in the emperor their -master's name, and desired me to show some proofs of my prodigious -strength, of which they had heard so many wonders; wherein I readily -obliged them, but shall not trouble the reader with the particulars. - -[Illustration] - -When I had for some time entertained their Excellencies, to their -infinite satisfaction and surprise, I desired they would do me the honor -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 country. Accordingly, the next time I had the honor -to see our emperor, I desired his general license to wait on the -Blefuscudian monarch, which he was pleased to grant me, as I could -plainly perceive, in a very cold manner; but could not guess the reason, -till I had a whisper from a certain person, that Flimnap and Bolgolam -had represented my intercourse with those ambassadors as a mark of -disaffection, from which, I am sure, my heart was wholly free. And this -was the first time I began to conceive some imperfect idea of courts and -ministers. - -It is to be observed, that these 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 its own tongue, with an avowed contempt -for that of its neighbor; yet our emperor, standing upon the advantage -he had got by the seizure of their fleet, obliged them to deliver their -credentials, and make their speech in the Lilliputian tongue. - -And it must be confessed, that, from the great intercourse of trade and -commerce between both realms; from the continual reception of exiles, -which is mutual among them; and from the custom in each empire, to send -their young nobility, and richer gentry, to the other, in order to -polish themselves, by seeing the world, and understanding men and -manners; there are few persons of distinction, or 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 anything but an extreme necessity -have forced me to submit. But, being now a _nardac_ of the highest rank -in that empire, such offices were looked upon as below my dignity, and -the emperor, to do him justice, never once mentioned them to me. -However, it was not long before I had an opportunity of doing his -majesty, at least as I then thought, a most signal service. I was -alarmed at midnight with the cries of many hundred people at my door, by -which, being suddenly awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I heard the -word _burglum_ repeated incessantly. - -Several of the emperor's court, making their way through the crowd, -entreated me to come immediately to the palace, where her imperial -majesty's apartment was on fire, by the carelessness of a maid of honor, -who fell asleep while she was reading a romance. I got up in an instant; -and orders being given to clear the way before me, and it being likewise -a moonshine night, I made a shift to get to the palace, without -trampling on any of the people. I found they had already applied ladders -to the walls of the apartment, and were well provided with buckets, but -the water was at some distance. These buckets were about the size of a -large thimble, and the poor people supplied me with them as fast as they -could; but the flame was so violent that they did little good. I might -easily have stifled it with my coat, which I unfortunately left behind -me for haste, and came away only in my leathern jerkin. The case seemed -wholly desperate and deplorable, and this magnificent palace would have -infallibly been burnt down to the ground, if, by a presence of mind -unusual to me, I had not suddenly thought of an expedient by which in -three minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and the rest of that -noble pile, which had cost so many ages in erecting, preserved from -destruction. - -[Illustration] - -It was now daylight, and I returned to my house, without waiting to -congratulate with the emperor; because, although I had done a very -eminent piece of service, yet I could not tell how his majesty might -resent the manner by which I had performed it: for, by the fundamental -laws of the realm, it is capital in any man, of what quality soever, to -even touch the empress or the royal princesses without invitation. But I -was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, that he would give -orders to the grand justiciary for passing my pardon in form, which, -however, I could not obtain. And I was privately assured that the -empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of me, and, in the presence -of her chief confidants, could not forbear vowing revenge. - - - - -CHAPTER 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 COUNTRY. - - -Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a -particular treatise, yet, in the meantime, 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 with observing a cook pulling[29] a lark, -which was not so large as a common fly; and a young girl threading an -invisible needle with invisible silk. - -Their tallest trees are about seven feet high; I mean some of those in -the great royal park, the tops whereof I could but just reach with my -fist clenched. The other vegetables are in the same proportion; but this -I leave to the reader's imagination. - -I shall say but little at present of their learning, which, for many -ages, 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, but aslant, from one corner of -the paper to the other, like ladies in England. - -They bury their dead with their heads directly downwards, 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 the 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 country, I -should be tempted to say a little in their justification. It is only to -be wished they were as well executed. The first I shall mention relates -to informers. 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 trial, the accuser is immediately put to an -ignominious death; and, out of his goods, or lands, the innocent person -is quadruply recompensed for the loss of his time, for the danger he -underwent, for the hardship of his imprisonment, and for all the charges -he hath been at in making his defence, or, if that fund be deficient, -it is largely supplied by the crown. The emperor also confers on him -some public mark of his favor, and proclamation is made of his innocence -through the whole city. - -They look upon fraud as a greater crime than theft, and therefore seldom -fail to punish it with death; for they allege, that care and vigilance, -with a very common understanding, may preserve a man's goods from -thieves, but honesty has no fence against superior cunning; and, since -it is necessary that there should be a perpetual intercourse of buying -and selling, and dealing upon credit, where fraud is permitted and -connived at, or 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 run 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 -practice 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 out -of a fund appropriated for that use; he likewise acquires the title of -_snillpall_, or _legal_, which is added to his name, but doth 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 sheath in her left, to show she was more disposed to reward -than to punish. - -In choosing 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 understanding is -fitted to some station or other, and that Providence never intended to -make the management of public affairs a mystery, to be comprehended only -by a few persons of sublime genius, of which there seldom are three born -in an age; but they suppose truth, justice, temperance, and the like, to -be in every man's power, the practice of which virtues, assisted by -experience, and a good intention, would qualify any man for the service -of his country, 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 consequences to the public -weal as the practices of a man whose inclinations led him to be corrupt, -and who had great abilities to manage, to multiply, and defend his -corruptions. - -In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine Providence renders a man -incapable of holding any public station; for, since kings avow -themselves to be the deputies of Providence, the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more absurd than for a prince to employ such men as -disown the authority under which he acts. - -In relating these and the following laws, I would only be understood to -mean the original institutions, and not the most scandalous corruptions -into which these people are fallen, by the degenerate nature of man. -For, as to that infamous practice of acquiring great employments by -dancing on the ropes, or badges of favor and distinction by leaping over -sticks, and creeping under them, the reader is to observe, that they -were first introduced by the grandfather of the emperor, now reigning, -and grew to the present height by the gradual increase of party and -faction. - -Ingratitude is, among them, a capital crime, as we read it to have been -in some other countries; for they reason thus, that whoever makes ill -returns to his benefactor, must needs be a common enemy to the rest of -mankind, from whom he 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. Their opinion is, that parents are the last of all -others to be trusted with the education of their own children; and, -therefore, they have, in every town, public nurseries, where all -parents, except cottagers and laborers, 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 and simple. They are bred up in the -principles of honor, justice, courage, modesty, clemency, religion, and -love of their country; they are always employed in some business, except -in the times of eating and sleeping, which are very short, and two hours -for diversions, consisting of bodily exercises. They are dressed by men -till four years of age, 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 smaller or greater numbers to take their diversions, and -always in the presence of a professor, or one of his deputies; whereby -they avoid those early bad impressions of folly and vice, to which our -children are subject. Their parents are suffered to see them only twice -a year; the visit to last but an hour; they are allowed to kiss the -child at meeting and parting; but a professor, who always stands by on -those occasions, will not suffer them to whisper, or use any fondling -expressions, or bring any presents of toys, sweetmeats, and the like. - -The pension from each family, for the education and entertainment of a -child, upon failure of due payment, is levied by the emperor's officers. - -The nurseries for children of ordinary gentlemen, merchants, traders, -and handicrafts, are managed proportionally after the same manner; only -those designed for trades are put out apprentices at eleven years old, -whereas those persons of quality continue in their exercises till -fifteen, which answers to twenty-one with us; but the confinement is -gradually lessened for the last three years. - -In the female nurseries, the young girls of quality are educated much -like the males, only they are dressed by orderly servants of their own -sex; but always in the presence of a 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 the chambermaids -among us, they are publicly whipped thrice about the city, imprisoned -for a year, and banished for life to the most desolate part of the -country. Thus, the young ladies there are as much ashamed of being -cowards and fools as the men, and despise all personal ornaments beyond -decency and cleanliness: neither did I perceive any difference in their -education, made by their difference of sex, only that the exercises of -the women were not altogether so robust, and that some rules were given -them relating to domestic life, and a smaller compass of learning was -enjoined them: for their maxim is that, among people of quality, a wife -should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she -cannot always be young. When the girls are twelve years old, which -among them is the marriageable age, their parents or guardians take -them home, with great expressions of gratitude to the professors, and -seldom without tears of the young lady and her 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 seven years -old, the rest are kept to eleven. - -The meaner[30] 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[31] for the child; and, therefore, all parents -are limited in their expenses by the law. For the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more unjust than for people to leave the burden of -supporting their children on the public. As to persons of quality, they -give security to appropriate a certain sum for each child, suitable to -their condition; and these funds are always managed with good husbandry -and the most exact justice. - -The cottagers and laborers keep their children at home, their business -being only to till and cultivate the earth, and therefore their -education is of little consequence to the public; but the old and -diseased among them are supported by hospitals; for begging is a trade -unknown in this empire. - -And here it may perhaps divert the curious reader to give some account -of my domestic,[32] and my manner of living in this country, during a -residence of nine months and thirteen days. Having a head for -mechanics, and being likewise forced by necessity, I had made for myself -a table and chair, convenient enough, out of the largest trees in the -royal park. Two hundred sempstresses were employed to make me shirts, -and linen for my bed and table, all of the strongest and coarsest kind -they could get; which, however, they were forced to quilt together in -several folds, for the thickest was some degrees finer than lawn. Their -linen is usually three inches wide, and three feet make a piece. - -The sempstresses took my measure as I lay on the ground, one standing at -my neck, and another at my mid-leg, with a strong cord extended that -each held by the end, while a third measured the length of the cord with -a rule of an inch long. Then they measured my right thumb, and desired -no more; for, by a mathematical computation, that twice round the thumb -is once round the wrist, and so on to the neck and the waist, and by the -help of my old shirt, which I displayed on the ground before them for a -pattern, they fitted me exactly. Three hundred tailors were employed in -the same manner to make me clothes; but they had another contrivance for -taking my measure. I kneeled down, and they raised a ladder from the -ground to my neck; upon this ladder one of them mounted, and let fall a -plumb-line from my collar to the floor, which just answered the length -of my coat; but my waist and arms I measured myself. When my clothes -were finished, which was done in my house (for the largest of theirs -would not have been able to hold them), they looked like the patchwork -made by the ladies in England, only that mine were all of a color. - -[Illustration: "THREE HUNDRED TAILORS WERE EMPLOYED TO MAKE ME CLOTHES" -P. 74.] - -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, flung on their shoulders; all of 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 sirloin -so large that I have been forced to make three bites of it; but this is -rare. My servants were astonished to see me eat it, bones and all, as in -our country we do the leg of a lark. Their geese and turkeys I usually -eat at a mouthful, and I 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 young princes of -the blood of both sexes, might have the happiness, as he was pleased to -call it, of dining with me. They came accordingly, and I placed them in -chairs of state upon my table, just over against me, with their guards -about them. Flimnap, the lord high treasurer, attended 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 honor to my dear country, 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 a great discount; that exchequer -bills[33] would not circulate under nine per cent, below par; that I had -cost his majesty above a million and a half of _sprugs_ (their greatest -gold coin, about the bigness of a spangle); and, upon the whole, that it -would be advisable in the emperor to take the first fair occasion of -dismissing me. - -[Illustration: "THE HAPPINESS ... OF DINING WITH ME." P. 76.] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - THE AUTHOR, BEING INFORMED 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 -country, 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,[34] and without sending his name, desired admittance. The -chairmen were dismissed; I put the chair, with his lordship in it, into -my coat-pocket; and, 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, according to my usual custom, and sat down by -it. After the common salutations were over, observing his lordship's -countenance full of concern, and inquiring into the reason, he desired I -would hear him with patience, in a matter that highly concerned my honor -and my life. His speech was to the following effect, for I took notes of -it as soon as he left me:-- - -You are to know, said he, that several committees of council have been -lately called in the most private manner on your account; and it is but -two days since his majesty came to a full resolution. - -You are very sensible that Skyrris Bolgolam (_galbet_ or high-admiral) -hath been your mortal enemy almost ever since your arrival: his original -reasons I know not; but his hatred is increased since your great success -against Blefuscu, by which his glory, as admiral, is much obscured. This -lord, in conjunction with Flimnap the high treasurer, whose enmity -against you is notorious, 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. - -[Illustration: "HE DESIRED I WOULD HEAR HIM WITH PATIENCE." P. 80.] - -Out of gratitude for the favors you have done for 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. - - Whereas, by a statute made in the reign of his Imperial Majesty - Calin Deffar Plune, it is enacted, That whoever shall lay hands - upon the empress, or upon any of the royal children, shall be - liable to the pains and penalties of high treason. Notwithstanding, - the said Quinbus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law, under - color of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his - Majesty's most dear imperial consort, did maliciously, and - traitorously, pull her by the arms, and lift her high in the air in - both his hands, against the statute in that case provided, &c., - against the duty, &c. - - ARTICLE II. - - 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 viceroy from hence, and to destroy and put to death, - not only all the Big-endian exiles, but likewise all the people of - that empire who would not immediately forsake the Big-endian - heresy. He, the said Flestrin, like a false traitor against his - most auspicious, serene, imperial majesty, did petition to be - excused from the said service, upon pretence of unwillingness to - force the consciences or destroy the liberties and lives of an - innocent people. - - ARTICLE III. - - That, whereas certain ambassadors arrived from the court of - Blefuscu, to sue for peace in his majesty's court; he, the said - Flestrin, did, like a false traitor, aid, abet, comfort, and divert - the said ambassadors, although he knew them to be servants to a - prince who was lately an open enemy to his imperial majesty, and in - open war against his said majesty. - - ARTICLE IV. - - That the said Quinbus Flestrin, contrary to the duty of a faithful - subject, is now preparing to make a voyage to the court and empire - of Blefuscu, for which he hath received only verbal license from - his imperial majesty; and under color of the said license, doth - falsely and traitorously 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 endeavoring 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 and sheets, which would soon make you tear your own flesh, and -die in the utmost torture. The general came into the same opinion; so -that for a long time there was a majority against you: but his majesty -resolving, if possible, to spare your life, at last brought off the -chamberlain. - -Upon this incident, Reldresal, principal 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 great, but that still there was room for mercy, the most commendable -virtue in a prince, and for which his majesty was so justly celebrated. -He said, the friendship between you and him was so well known to the -world, that perhaps the most honorable board might think him partial; -however, in obedience to the command he had received, he would freely -offer his sentiments; that if his majesty, in consideration of your -services, and pursuant to his own merciful disposition, would please to -spare your life, and only give orders to put out both your eyes, he -humbly conceived that, by this expedient, justice might in some measure -be satisfied, and all the world would applaud the lenity of the emperor, -as well as the fair and generous proceedings of those who have the honor -to be his counsellors: that the loss of your eyes would be no impediment -to your bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his -majesty: that blindness is an addition to courage, by concealing dangers -from us: that the fear you had for your eyes was the greatest difficulty -in bringing over the enemy's fleet: and it would be sufficient for you -to see by the eyes of the ministers, since the greatest princes do no -more. - -[Illustration] - -This proposal was received with the utmost disapprobation 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 you, who extinguished the fire in that unprincipled -manner, might at another time inundate and drown the whole palace; and -the same strength, which enabled you to bring over the enemy's fleet, -might serve, upon the first discontent, to carry it back: that he had -good reasons to think you were a Big-endian in your heart; and, as -treason begins in the heart, before it appears in overt acts, so he -accused you as a traitor on that account, and therefore insisted you -should be put to death. - -The treasurer was of the same opinion. He showed to what straits his -majesty's revenue was reduced, by the charge of maintaining you, which -would soon grow insupportable. That the secretary's expedient of putting -out your eyes was so far from being a remedy against this evil, that it -would probably increase it, as is manifest from the common practice of -blinding some sort of fowls, after which they fed the faster, and grew -sooner fat. That his sacred majesty, and the council, who are your -judges, were to their own consciences 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 pleaded to say, that since the council thought the loss -of your eyes too easy a censure, some other might 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 consume in a few months; neither would the stench of -your carcase be then so dangerous when it should become more than half -diminished; and, immediately upon your death, five or six thousand of -his majesty's 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 monument of admiration to -posterity. - -Thus, by the great friendship of the secretary, the whole affair was -compromised. It was strictly enjoined that the project of starving you -by degrees should be kept a secret, but the 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 borne -perpetual malice against you, on account of that illegal method you took -to remove her and her children the night of the fire. - -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 favor of his majesty and council, whereby -you are only condemned to the loss of your eyes, which his majesty doth -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 resentment or the malice of a favorite, the emperor always -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 anything -terrify the people so much as those encomiums on his majesty's mercy; -because it was observed that, the more these praises were enlarged and -insisted on, the more inhuman was the punishment, and the sufferer more -innocent. Yet, as to myself, I must confess, having never been designed -for a courtier, either by my birth or education, I was so ill a judge of -things that I could not discover the lenity and favor of this sentence, -but conceived it (perhaps erroneously) rather to be rigorous than -gentle, I sometimes thought of standing my trial; for although I could -not deny the facts alleged in the several articles, yet I hoped they -would admit of some extenuation. But having in my life perused many -state-trials, which I ever observed to terminate as the judges thought -fit to direct, I durst not rely on so dangerous a decision, in so -critical a juncture, and against such powerful enemies. Once I was -strongly bent upon resistance, for, while I had liberty, the whole -strength of that empire could hardly subdue me, and I might easily with -stones pelt the metropolis to pieces; but I soon rejected that project -with horror, by remembering the oath I had made to the emperor, the -favors I received from him, and the high title of _nardac_ he conferred -upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of courtiers as to -persuade myself that his majesty's present seventies acquitted me of all -past obligations. - -At last I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is probable I may incur -some censure, and not unjustly; for I confess I owe the 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 submitted to so easy a punishment. -But, hurried on by the precipitancy of youth, and having his imperial -majesty's license to pay my attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I -took this opportunity, before the three days were elapsed, to send a -letter to my friend the secretary, signifying my resolution of setting -out that morning for Blefuscu pursuant to the leave I had got; and, -without waiting for an answer, I went to that side of the island where -our fleet lay. I seized a large man-of-war, tied a cable to the prow, -and lifting up the anchors, I stript myself, put my clothes (together -with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) into the vessel, and -drawing it after me, between wading and swimming arrived at the 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 until I came within two hundred yards of the -gate, and desired them to signify my arrival to one of the secretaries, -and let him know I there waited his majesty's command. I had an answer -in about an hour, that his majesty, attended by the royal family and -great officers of the court, was coming out to receive me. I advanced a -hundred yards. The emperor and his train alighted from their horses, the -empress and ladies from their coaches, and I did not perceive they were -in any fright or concern. I lay on the ground to kiss his majesty's and -the empress's hand. - -[Illustration] - -I told his majesty that I was come, according to my promise, and with -the license of the emperor, my master, to have the honor of seeing so -mighty a monarch, and to offer him any service in my power consistent -with my duty to my own prince, not mentioning a word of my disgrace, -because I had hitherto no regular information of it, and might suppose -myself wholly ignorant of any such design; neither could I reasonably -conceive that the emperor would discover the secret while I was out of -his power, wherein however it soon appeared I was deceived. - -I shall not trouble the reader with the particular account of my -reception at this court, which was suitable to the generosity of so -great a prince; nor of the difficulties I was in for want of a house and -bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped up in my coverlet. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - THE AUTHOR, BY A LUCKY ACCIDENT, FINDS MEANS TO LEAVE BLEFUSCU, AND - AFTER SOME DIFFICULTIES, RETURNS SAFE TO HIS NATIVE COUNTRY. - - -Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the northeast -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 immediately towards the city, and desired -his imperial majesty to lend me twenty of the tallest vessels he had -left after the loss of his fleet, and three thousand seamen under the -command of his 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 stripped myself, and waded till I came within -a hundred yards of the boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got -up to it. The seamen threw me the end of the cord, which I fastened to a -hole in the forepart of the boat, and the other end to a man-of-war. But -I found all my labor 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 one of my hands, -and, the tide favoring me, I advanced so far, that I could just hold up -my chin and feel the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and then -gave the boat another shove, and so on till the sea was no higher than -my arm-pits; and now, the most laborious part being over, I took out my -other cables, which were stowed in one of the ships, and fastened them -first to the boat, and then to nine of the vessels which attended me; -the wind being favorable, the seamen towed, and I shoved, till we -arrived within forty yards of the shore, and waiting till the tide was -out, I got dry to the boat, and, by the assistance of two thousand men, -with ropes and engines, I made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and -found it was but little damaged. - -I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties I was under, by the -help of certain paddles, which cost me ten days making, to get my boat -to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse of people -appeared upon my arrival, full of wonder at the sight of so prodigious a -vessel. I told the 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 country, and begged his majesty's orders for getting materials to -fit it up, together with his license to depart, which, after some kind -expostulation, he was pleased to grant. - -I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any -express relating to me from our emperor to the court of Blefuscu. But I -was afterwards given privately to understand 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 -license he had given me, which was well known at our court, and would -return in a few days when the ceremony was ended. But he was at last in -pain at my long absence; and, after consulting with the treasurer and -the rest of that cabal,[35] a person of quality was despatched 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 farther than 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 _nardac_ and declared a traitor. The envoy -farther added that, in order to maintain the peace and amity between -both empires, his master expected that his brother of Blefuscu would -give orders to have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be -punished as a traitor. - -The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, returned an -answer consisting of many civilities and excuses. He said that, as for -sending me bound, his brother knew it was impossible. That, although I -had deprived him of his fleet, yet he owed great obligations to me for -many good offices I had done him in making the peace. That, 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 orders to fit up with my own assistance and direction; and he -hoped in a few weeks both empires would be freed from so insupportable -an incumbrance. - -With this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput, and the monarch of -Blefuscu related to me all that had passed; offering me at the same time -(but under the strictest confidence) his gracious protection if I would -continue in his service; wherein, although I believed him sincere, yet I -resolved never more to put any confidence in princes or ministers where -I could possibly avoid it; and, therefore, with all due acknowledgments -for his favorable 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 folds -of their strongest linen together. I was at the pains of making ropes -and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, or thirty of the thickest and -strongest of theirs. A great stone, that I happened to find after a long -search by the sea-shore, served me for an anchor. I had the tallow of -three hundred cows for greasing my boat, and other uses. I was at -incredible pains in cutting down some of the largest timber-trees for -oars and masts, wherein I was, however, much assisted by his majesty's -ship-carpenters, who helped me in smoothing them after I had done the -rough work. - -In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to receive his majesty's -commands, and to take my leave. The emperor and royal family came out of -the palace. I lay down on my face to kiss his hand, which he very -graciously gave me; so did the empress and young princes of the blood. -His majesty presented me with fifty purses of two hundred _sprugs_ -a-piece, together with his picture at full length, which I put -immediately into one of my gloves, to keep it from being hurt. The -ceremonies at my departure were too many to trouble the reader with at -this time. - -[Illustration: "I SET SAIL AT SIX IN THE MORNING" P. 98.] - -I stored the boat with the carcases of a hundred oxen, and three hundred -sheep, with bread and drink proportionable, and as much meat ready -dressed as four hundred cooks could provide. I took with me six cows and -two bulls alive, with as many ewes and lambs, 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 honor 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 -southeast, at six in the evening I descried a small island about half a -league to the northwest I advanced forward, and cast anchor on the lee -side[36] of the island, which seemed to be uninhabited. I then took some -refreshment, and went to my rest. I slept well, and, as I conjecture, at -least six hours, for I found the day broke two hours after I awaked. It -was a clear night. I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving -anchor, the wind being favorable, 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 northeast of Van Diemen's Land. I -discovered nothing all that day; but upon the next, about three o'clock -in the afternoon, when I had, by my computation, made twenty-four -leagues from Blefuscu, I descried a sail steering to the southeast: my -course was due east. I hailed her, but could get no answer; yet I found -I gained upon her, for the wind slackened. I made all the sail I could, -and in half-an-hour she spied me, then hung out her ancient,[37] and -discharged a gun. - -It is not easy to express the joy I was in, upon the unexpected hope of -once more seeing my beloved country, and the dear pledges I left in it. -The ship slackened her sails, and I came up with her, between five and -six in the evening, September twenty-sixth; but my heart leaped within -me to see her English colors. I put my cows and sheep into my -coat-pockets, and got on board with all my little cargo of provisions. -The vessel was an English merchantman returning from Japan by the North -and South Seas; the captain, Mr. John 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 had underwent had disturbed my head; whereupon I took my black -cattle and sheep out of my pocket, which, after great astonishment, -clearly convinced him of my veracity. I then showed him the gold given -me by the emperor of Blefuscu, together with his majesty's picture at -full length, and some other rareties of that country. I gave him two -purses of two hundred _sprugs_ each, and promised, when we arrived in -England, to make him a present of a cow and a sheep. - -[Illustration] - -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[38] -on the thirteenth of April, 1702. I had only one misfortune, that the -rats on board carried away one of my sheep; I found her bones in a hole, -picked clean from the flesh. I got the rest of my cattle safe ashore, -and set them a-grazing in a bowling-green at Greenwich, where the -fineness of the grass made them feed very heartily, though I had always -feared the contrary: neither could I possibly have preserved them in so -long a voyage, if the captain had not allowed me some of his best -biscuits, which, rubbed to powder, and mingled with water, was their -constant food. The short time I continued in England, I made a -considerable profit by showing my cattle to many persons of quality and -others: and before I began my second voyage I sold them for six hundred -pounds. - -Since my last return, I find the breed is considerably increased, -especially the sheep, which I hope will prove much to the advantage of -the woollen manufacture, by the fineness of the fleeces. - -[Illustration] - -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 fortune. My eldest -uncle, John, had left me an estate in land, near Epping, of about thirty -pounds a year; and I had a long lease of the "Black Bull[39]," 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[40] child. My -daughter Betty (who is now well married, and has children), was then at -her needlework. I took leave of my wife and boy and girl, with tears on -both sides, and went on board the "Adventure," a merchant ship of three -hundred tons, bound for Surat, Captain John Nicholas, of Liverpool, -commander. But my account of this voyage must be referred to the second -part of my travels. - -THE END OF THE FIRST PART. - -[Illustration: "THEY CONCLUDED ... THAT I WAS ONLY _Relplum -Scalcath_," P. 37.] - -[Illustration] - -TRAVELS. - - * * * * * - - - - -PART II. - -_A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG_. - - * * * * * - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - A GREAT STORM DESCRIBED; THE LONG-BOAT SENT TO FETCH WATER; THE - AUTHOR GOES WITH IT TO DISCOVER THE COUNTRY. HE IS LEFT ON SHORE, - IS SEIZED BY ONE OF THE NATIVES, AND CARRIED TO A FARMER'S HOUSE. - HIS RECEPTION, WITH SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED THERE. A - DESCRIPTION OF THE INHABITANTS. - - -Having been condemned by nature and fortune to an active and restless -life, in two months after my return I again left my native country, and -took shipping in the Downs on the twentieth 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 wintered there: for, the captain falling sick of -an ague, we could not leave the Cape till the end of March. We then set -sail, and had a good voyage till we passed the Straits of -Madagascar;[41] but having got northward of that island, and to about -five degrees south latitude, the winds, which in those seas are observed -to blow a constant equal gale, between the north and west, from the -beginning of December to the beginning of May, on the nineteenth of -April began to blow with much greater violence and more westerly than -usual, continuing so for twenty days together, during which time we were -driven a little to the east of the Molucca Islands, and about three -degrees northward of the line,[42] 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 rejoiced. But, he, -being a man well experienced in the navigation of those seas, bid us all -prepare against a storm, which accordingly happened the day following: -for the southern wind, called the southern monsoon, began to set in, and -soon it was a fierce storm. - -Finding it was like to overblow, we took in our sprit-sail, and stood by -to hand the foresail; but making foul weather, we looked the guns were -all fast, and handed the mizzen. - -[Illustration] - -The ship lay very broad off, so we thought it better spooning before -the sea, than trying, or hulling. We reefed the foresail and set him, we -hauled aft the foresheet: the helm was hard-a-weather. The ship wore -bravely. We belayed the fore down-haul; but the sail was split, and we -hauled down the yard, and got the sail into the ship, and unbound all -the things clear of it. It was a very fierce storm; the sea broke -strange and dangerous. We hauled off the laniard of the whipstaff, and -helped the man at the helm. We could not get down our topmast, but let -all stand, because she scudded before the sea very well, and we knew -that the topmast being aloft, the ship was the wholesomer, and made -better way through the sea, seeing we had sea-room. When the storm was -over, we set foresail and mainsail, and brought the ship to. Then we set -the mizzen, main-top-sail, and the fore-top-sail. Our course was east -north east, the wind was at southwest. We got the starboard tacks -aboard, we cast off our weather braces and lifts; we set in the lee -braces, and hauled forward by the weather bowlings, and hauled them -tight and belayed them, and hauled over the mizzen tack to wind-ward and -kept her full and by, as near as she could lie. - -During this storm, which was followed by a strong wind, west southwest, -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 crew all in good health; but we lay in the utmost distress for -water. We thought it best to hold on the same course, rather than turn -more northerly, which might have brought us to the northwest parts of -Great Tartary, and into the Frozen Sea. - -On the sixteenth day of June, 1703, a boy on the topmast discovered -land. On the seventeenth, we came in full view of a great island or -continent (for we knew not which), 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 tons. We cast anchor within a league of this -creek, and our captain sent a dozen of his men well armed in the -long-boat, with vessels for water, if any could be found. I desired his -leave to go with them, that I might see the country, and make what -discoveries I could. - -When we came to land, we saw no river or spring, nor any sign of -inhabitants. Our men therefore wandered on the shore to find out some -fresh water near the sea, and I walked alone about a mile on the other -side, where I observed the country all barren and rocky. I now began to -be weary, and seeing nothing to entertain my curiosity, I returned -gently down toward the creek; and the sea being full in my view, I saw -our men already got into the boat, and rowing for life to the ship. I -was going to holla after them, although it had been to little purpose, -when I observed a huge creature walking after them in the sea, as fast -as he could; he waded not much deeper than his knees, and took -prodigious strides; but our men had the start of him about half a -league, and the sea thereabouts being full of pointed rocks, the monster -was not able to overtake the boat. This I was afterwards told, for I -durst not stay to see the issue of the adventure; but ran as fast as I -could the way I first went, and then climbed up a steep hill, which gave -me some prospect of the country. I found it fully cultivated; but that -which first surprised me was the length of the grass, which, in those -grounds that seemed to be kept for hay, was about twenty feet high. - -[Illustration: "A HUGE CREATURE WALKING ... IN THE SEA." P. 6.] - -I fell into a high road, for so I took it to be, though it served to the -inhabitants only as a footpath through a field of barley. Here I walked -on for some time, but could see little on either side, it being now near -harvest, and the corn rising at least forty feet. I was an hour walking -to the end of this field, which was fenced in with a hedge of at least -one hundred and twenty feet high, and the trees so lofty that I could -make no computation of their altitude. There was a stile to pass from -this field into the next. It had four steps, and a stone to cross over -when you came to the uppermost. It was impossible for me to climb this -stile because every step was six feet high, and the upper stone above -twenty. - -I was endeavoring 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. These people were not so well clad -as the first, whose servants or laborers 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 distance, 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 through, and the beards of the fallen -ears so strong and pointed that they pierced through my clothes into my -flesh. At the same time I heard the reapers not above a hundred yards -behind me. - -Being quite dispirited with toil, and wholly overcome by grief and -despair, I lay down between two ridges, and heartily wished I might -there end my days. I 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 forever 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 among 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 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, approaching within ten yards of -the ridge where I lay, made me apprehend that with the next step I -should be squashed to death under his foot, or cut in two with his -reaping-hook. And, therefore, when he was again about to move, I -screamed as loud as fear could make me. Whereupon the huge creature trod -short, and looking round about under him for some time, at last espied -me as I lay on the ground. He considered awhile, with the caution of one -who endeavors to lay hold on a small dangerous animal in such a manner -that it shall not be able either to scratch or to bite him, as I myself -have sometimes done with a weasel in England. - -[Illustration: "WHEREUPON THE HUGE CREATURE TROD SHORT." P. 10.] - -At length he ventured to take me up between his forefinger 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 feet from the ground, although he -grievously pinched my sides, for fear I should slip through his fingers. -All I ventured was to raise my 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 meantime I was not able to forbear groaning and shedding -tears, and turning my head towards my sides; letting him know, as well -as I could, how cruelly I was hurt by the pressure of his thumb and -finger. He seemed to apprehend my meaning; for, lifting up the lappet of -his coat, he put me gently into it, and immediately ran along with me to -his master, who was a substantial farmer, and the same person I had -first seen in the field. - -The farmer, having (as I suppose by their talk) 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 hair aside, to take a better view of my -face. He called his hinds[43] about him, and asked them (as I afterwards -learned) whether they had ever seen in the fields any little creature -that resembled me. He then placed me softly on the ground upon all -fours, but I got immediately up, and walked slowly backwards and -forwards to let those people see that I had no intent to run away. - -They all sat down in a circle about me, the better to observe my -motions. I pulled off my hat, and made a low bow towards the farmer. I -fell on my knees, and lifted up my hands and eyes, and spoke several -words as loud as I could: I took a purse of gold out of my pocket, and -humbly presented it to him. He received it on the palm of his hand, then -applied it close to his eye to see what it was, and afterwards turned it -several times with the point of a pin (which he took out of his sleeve), -but could make nothing of it. Whereupon I made a sign that he should -place his hand on the ground. I then took the purse, and opening it, -poured all the gold into his palm. There were six Spanish pieces, of -four pistoles[44] 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 it to him several -times, I thought it best to do. - -The farmer by this time was convinced I must be a rational creature. He -spoke often to me, but the sound of his voice pierced my ears like that -of a water-mill, yet his words were articulate enough. I answered as -loud as I could in several languages, and he often laid his ear within -two yards of me; but all in vain, for we were wholly unintelligible to -each other. He then sent his servants to their work, and taking his -handkerchief out of his pocket, he doubled and spread it on his left -hand, which he placed flat on the ground, with the palm 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 -full length upon the handkerchief, with the remainder of which he lapped -me up to the head for farther security, and in this manner carried me -home to his house. There he called his wife, and showed me to her; but -she screamed and ran back, as women in England do at the sight of a toad -or a spider. However, when she had awhile seen my behavior, 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 -husbandman) in a dish of about four-and-twenty feet diameter. The -company were the farmer and his wife, three children, and an old -grandmother. When they were sat down, the farmer placed me at some -distance from him on the table, which was thirty feet high from the -floor. I was in a terrible fright, and kept as far as I could from the -edge for fear of falling. The wife minced a bit of meat, then crumbled -some bread on a trencher,[45] 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 deafened by -the noise. This liquor tasted like a small cider, and was not -unpleasant. Then the master made me a sign to come to his trencher-side; -but as I walked on the table, being in great surprise all the time, as -the indulgent reader will easily conceive and excuse, I happened to -stumble against a crust, and fell flat on my face, but received no hurt. -I got up immediately, and observing the good people to be in much -concern, I took my hat (which I held under my arm out of good manners), -and, waving it over my head, made three huzzas, to show that I had got -no mischief by my fall. - -But advancing forwards towards my master (as I shall henceforth call -him), his youngest son, who sat 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 in every limb; but his father snatched me from him, and at the -same time gave him such a box in 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 spite, and well -remembering how mischievous all children among us naturally are to -sparrows, rabbits, young kittens, and puppy dogs, I fell on my knees, -and, pointing to the boy, made my master to understand as well as I -could, that I desired his son might be pardoned. The father complied, -and the lad took his seat again; whereupon I went to him and kissed his -hand, which my master took, and made him stroke me gently with it. - -In the midst of dinner, my mistress's favorite 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 that -animal, who seemed to be three times larger than an ox, as I computed by -the view of her head and one of her paws, while her mistress was feeding -and stroking her. The fierceness of this creature's countenance -altogether discomposed me, though I stood at the further end of the -table, above fifty feet off, and although my mistress held her fast, for -fear she might give a spring and seize me in her talons. - -But it happened there was no danger; for the cat took not the least -notice of me, when my master placed me within three yards of her. And as -I have been always told, and found true by experience in my travels, -that flying or discovering[46] fear before a fierce animal is a certain -way to make it pursue or attack you, so I resolved in this dangerous -juncture to show no manner of concern. I walked with intrepidity five or -six times before the very head of the cat, and came within half a yard -of her; whereupon she drew herself back, as if she were more afraid of -me. I had less apprehension concerning the dogs, whereof three or four -came into the room, as it is usual in farmers' houses; one of which was -a mastiff equal in bulk to four elephants, and a greyhound somewhat -taller than the mastiff, but not so large. - -When dinner was almost done, the nurse came in with a child of a year -old in her arms, who immediately spied me, and began a squall that you -might have heard from London Bridge to Chelsea,[47] after the usual -oratory of infants, to get me for a plaything. The mother out of pure -indulgence took me up, and put me towards the child, who presently -seized me by the middle and got my head in its mouth, where I roared so -loud that the urchin was frighted, and let me drop, and I should -infallibly have broke my neck if the mother had not held her apron -under me. The nurse, to quiet her babe, made use of a rattle, which was -a kind of hollow vessel filled with great stones, and fastened by a -cable to the child's waist. As she sat down close to the table on which -I stood, her appearance astonished me not a little. This made me reflect -upon the fair skins of our English ladies, who appear so beautiful to -us, only because they are of our own size, and their defects not to be -seen but through a magnifying glass, where we find by experiment that -the smoothest and whitest skins look rough, and coarse and ill-colored. - -I remember, when I was at Lilliput, 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 colors altogether -disagreeable: although I must beg leave to say for myself that I am as -fair as most of my sex and country, and very little sunburnt by my -travels. On the other side, discoursing of the ladies of 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 feet, appeared very well proportioned. - -When dinner was done my master went out to his labors, and, as I could -discover by his voice and gestures, gave his wife a strict charge to -take care of me. I was very much tired and disposed to sleep, which, my -mistress perceiving, she put me on her own bed, and covered me with a -clean white handkerchief, but larger and coarser than the mainsail 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 feet wide, and above -two hundred high, lying in a bed twenty yards wide. My mistress was gone -about her household affairs, and had locked me in. The bed was eight -yards from the floor. - -[Illustration: "I ... DREW MY HANGER TO DEFEND MYSELF." P. 18.] - -Presently two rats crept up the curtains, and ran smelling backwards and -forwards on my bed. One of them came almost up to my face; whereupon I -rose in a fright, and drew out my hanger to defend myself. The horrible -animals had the boldness to attack me both sides, and one of them held -his forefeet at my collar; but I killed him 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 infallibly have 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 draw the carcase off the bed, where it still lay bleeding. I -observed it had yet some life; but, with a strong slash across the neck, -I thoroughly despatched it. - -I hope the gentle reader will excuse me for dwelling on these and the -like 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 -public as well as private life, which was my sole design in presenting -this and other accounts of my travels to the world; wherein I have been -chiefly studious of truth, without affecting any ornaments of teaming or -style. But the whole scene of this voyage made so strong an impression -on my mind, and is so deeply 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. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - A DESCRIPTION OF THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER. THE AUTHOR CARRIED TO A - MARKET-TOWN, AND THEN TO THE METROPOLIS. THE PARTICULARS OF THIS - JOURNEY. - - -My mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a child of toward parts -for her age, very dexterous 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 cabinet, and the -drawer placed upon a hanging shelf for fear of the rats. This was my bed -all the time I stayed with these people, though made more convenient by -degrees, as I began to learn their language and make my wants known. - -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 anything, -she told me the name of it in her own tongue, so that in a few days I -was able to call for whatever I had a mind to. She was very -good-natured, and not above forty feet high, being little for her age. -She gave me the name of Grildrig, which the family took up, and -afterwards the whole kingdom. The word imports what the Latins call -_nanunculus_, the Italians _homunceletino_, and the English _mannikin_. -To her I chiefly owe my preservation in that country. We never parted -while I was there; I called her my Glumdalclitch, or little nurse; and -should be guilty of great ingratitude if I omitted this honorable -mention of her care and affection towards me, which I heartily wish it -lay in my power to requite as she deserves. - -It now began to be known and talked of in the neighborhood, that my -master had found a strange animal in the field, about the bigness of a -_splacnuck_, but exactly shaped in every part like a human 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 inquire into the truth of this story. I -was immediately produced and placed upon a table, where I walked as I -was commanded, drew my hanger, put it up again, made my reverence to my -master's guest, asked him in his own language how he did, and told him -_he was welcome_, just as my little nurse had instructed me. This man, -who was old and dim-sighted, put on his spectacles to behold me better, -at which I could not forbear laughing very heartily, for his eyes -appeared like the full moon shining into a chamber at two windows. Our -people, who discovered the cause of my mirth, bore me company in -laughing, at which the old fellow was fool enough to be angry and out of -countenance. He had the character of a great miser; and, to my -misfortune, he well deserved it by the cursed advice he gave my -master, to show me as a sight upon a market-day in the next town, which -was half an hour's riding, about two-and-twenty miles from our house. I -guessed there was some mischief contriving, when I observed my master -and his friend whispering long together, sometimes pointing at me; and -my fears made me fancy that I overheard and understood some of their -words. - -[Illustration: "I CALLED HER MY GLUMDALCLITCH." P. 22.] - -But the next morning, Glumdalclitch, my little nurse, told me the whole -matter, which she had cunningly picked out from her mother. The poor -girl laid me on her bosom, and fell 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 honor, and what an indignity conceive it to be -exposed for money, as a public spectacle, to the meanest of the people. -She said her papa and mamma had promised that Grildrig should be hers, -but now she found they meant to serve 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 left me, that I -should one day recover my liberty; to the ignominy of being carried -about for a monster, I considered myself to be a perfect stranger in the -country, and that such a misfortune could never be charged upon me as a -reproach if ever I should return to England; since the king of Great -Britain himself, in my condition, must have undergone the same distress. - -My master, pursuant to the advice of his friend, carried me in a box -the next market-day, to the neighboring town, and took along with him -his little daughter, my nurse, upon a pillion[48] behind him. The box -was close on every side, with a little door for me to go in and out, and -a few gimlet holes to let in air. The girl had been so careful as to put -the quilt of her baby's bed into it, for me to lie down on. However, I -was terribly shaken and discomposed in this journey, though it were but -of half an hour. For the horse went about forty feet at every step, and -trotted so high that the agitation was equal to the rising and falling -of a ship in a great storm, but much more frequent; our journey was -somewhat farther than from London to St. Alban's. My master alighted at -an inn which he used to frequent; and after consulting a while with the -innkeeper and making some necessary preparations, he hired the -_grultrud_, or crier, to give notice through the town, of a strange -creature to be seen at the sign of the Green Eagle, not so big as a -_splacnuck_ (an animal in that country, very finely shaped, about six -feet long), and in every part of the body resembling a human creature, -could speak several words, and perform a hundred diverting tricks. - -I was placed upon a table in the largest room of the inn, which might be -near three hundred feet square. My little nurse stood on a low stool -close to the table, to take care of me, and direct what I should do. My -master, to avoid a crowd, would suffer only thirty people at a time to -see me. I walked about on the table as the girl commanded. She asked me -questions, as far as she knew my 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 a thimble filled with -liquor, which Glumdalclitch had given me for a cup, and drank their -health. I drew out my hanger, and flourished with it, after the manner -of fencers in England. My nurse gave me part of a straw, which I -exercised as a pike, having learnt the art in my youth. I was that day -shown to twelve sets of company, and as often forced to act over again -the same fopperies, till I was half dead with weariness and vexation. -For those who had seen me made such wonderful reports, that the people -were ready to break down the doors to come in. - -My master, for his own interest, would not suffer any one to touch me -except my nurse, and, to prevent danger, benches were set round the -table at such a distance as to put me out of everybody's reach. However, -an unlucky school-boy aimed a hazel-nut directly at my head, which very -narrowly missed me: otherwise, it came with so much violence, that it -would have infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almost as large -as a small pumpion,[49] but I had the satisfaction to see the young -rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room. - -[Illustration: "FLOURISHED IT AFTER THE MANNER OF FENCERS IN ENGLAND." -P. 26.] - -My master gave public notice that he would show me again the next -market-day, and in the meantime he prepared a more convenient vehicle -for me, which he had reason enough to do; for I was so tired with my -first journey, and with entertaining company for eight hours together, -that I could hardly stand upon my legs or speak a word. It was at least -three days before I recovered my strength; and that I might have no rest -at home, all the neighboring gentleman, from a hundred miles round, -hearing of my fame, came to see me at my master's own house. There could -not be fewer than thirty persons with their wives and children (for the -country was very populous); and my master demanded the rate of a full -room whenever he showed me at home, although it were only to a single -family; so that for some time I had but little ease every day of the -week (except Wednesday which is their Sabbath), although I was not -carried to the 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 -seventeenth of August, 1703, about two months after my arrival, we set -out for the metropolis, situated the middle of that empire, and about -three thousand miles distance from our house. My master made his -daughter Glumdalclitch ride behind him. She carried me on her lap, in a -box tied about her waist. The girl had lined it on all sides with the -softest cloth she could get, well quilted underneath, furnished it with -her baby's bed, provided me with linen and other necessaries, and made -everything as conveniently as she could. We had no other company but a -boy of the house, who rode after us with the luggage. - -My master's design was to show me in all the towns by the way, and to -step out of the road for fifty or a hundred miles, to any village, or -person of quality's house, where he might expect custom. We made easy -journeys of not above seven or eight score miles a day; for -Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, complained she was tired with -the trotting of the horse. She often took me out of my box at my own -desire, to give me air and show me the country, but always held me fast -by a leading-string. We passed over five or six rivers, many degrees -broader and deeper than the Nile or the Ganges; and there was hardly a -rivulet so small as the Thames at London Bridge. We were ten weeks in -our journey, and I was shown in eighteen large towns, besides many -villages and private families. - -[Illustration] - -On the twenty-sixth 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.[50] He hired a large room between -three and four hundred feet wide. He provided a table sixty feet in -diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and palisadoed it round three -feet from the edge, and as many high, to prevent my falling over. I was -shown ten times a day, to the wonder and satisfaction of all people. I -could now speak the 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 -Glumdalclitch had been my instructor while we were at home, and at -leisure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her -pocket, not much larger than a Sanson's Atlas;[51] it was a common -treatise for the use of young girls, giving a short account of their -religion; out of this she taught me my letters, and interpreted the -words. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - THE AUTHOR SENT FOR TO COURT. THE QUEEN BUYS HIM OF HIS MASTER THE - FARMER, AND PRESENTS HIM TO THE KING. HE DISPUTES WITH HIS - MAJESTY'S GREAT SCHOLARS. AN APARTMENT AT COURT PROVIDED FOR THE - AUTHOR. HE IS IN HIGH FAVOR WITH THE QUEEN. HE STANDS UP FOR THE - HONOR OF HIS OWN COUNTRY. HE QUARRELS WITH THE QUEEN'S DWARF. - - -The frequent labors I underwent every day, made in a few weeks a very -considerable change in my health; the more my master got by me, the more -insatiable he grew. I had quite lost my stomach, and was almost reduced -to a skeleton. The farmer observed it, and, concluding I must soon die, -resolved to make as good a hand of me[52] 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, -behavior, 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 honor 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 country, and my travels, -which I answered as distinctly, and in as few words, as I could. She -asked whether I would be content to live at court. I bowed down to the -board of the table, and humbly answered that I was my master's slave; -but if I were at my own disposal, I should be proud to devote my life to -her majesty's service. She then asked my 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 the -bigness of eight hundred moidores[53]; but, for the proportion of all -things between that country and Europe, and the high price of gold among -them, was hardly so great a sum as a thousand guineas[54] 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 favor, that Glumdalclitch, -who had always attended me with so much care and kindness, and -understood 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 good service, to -which I replied not a word, only making him a slight bow. - -[Illustration: "THIS GRACIOUS PRINCESS HELD OUT HER LITTLE FINGER." -P. 32.] - -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 recompensed by the gain he had -made in showing me through half the kingdom, and the price he had now -sold me for. That the life I had since led was laborious enough to -kill an animal of ten times my strength. That my health was much -impaired by the continual drudgery of entertaining the rabble every -hour of the day, and that, if my master had not thought my life in -danger, her majesty would not have got so cheap a bargain. But as I -was out of all fear of being ill-treated under the protection of so -great and good an empress, the ornament of nature, the darling of the -world, the delight of her subjects, the phoenix[55] 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 carrying 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. - -[Illustration: "SHE ... CARRIED ME TO THE KING." P. 36.] - -She took me in her own hand, and carried me to the king, who was then -retired to his cabinet.[56] 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 -_splacnuck_; for such it seems he took me to be, as I lay upon my breast -in her majesty's right hand. But this princess, who hath an infinite -deal of wit and humor, set me gently on my feet upon the scrutoire,[57] -and commanded me to give his majesty an account of myself, which I did -in a very few words; and Glumdalclitch, who attended at the -cabinet-door, and could not 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, -had been educated in the study of philosophy, and particularly -mathematics; yet, when he observed my shape exactly, and saw me walk -erect, before I began to speak, conceived I might be a piece of -clockwork (which is in that country arrived to a very great perfection) -contrived by some ingenious artist. But when he heard my voice, and -found what I delivered to be regular and rational, he could not conceal -his astonishment. He was by no means satisfied with the relation I gave -him of the manner I came into his kingdom, but thought it a story -concerted between Glumdalclitch and her father, who had taught me a set -of words, to make me sell at a better price. Upon this imagination he -put several other questions to me, and still received rational answers, -no otherwise defective than by a foreign accent, and an imperfect -knowledge in the language, with some rustic phrases, which I had learned -at the farmer's house, and did not suit the polite style of a court. - -His majesty sent for three great scholars, who were then in their weekly -waiting[58] according to the custom in that country. 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. They would not allow me to be a dwarf, because my -littleness was beyond all degrees of comparison; for the queen's -favorite dwarf, the smallest ever known in that kingdom, was nearly -thirty feet high. After much debate, they concluded unanimously that I -was only _relplum scalcath_, which is interpreted literally, _lusus -naturae_;[59] a determination exactly agreeable to the modern philosophy -of Europe: whose professors, disdaining the old evasion of occult -causes, whereby the followers of Aristotle endeavored 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 -country which abounded with several millions of both sexes, and of my -own stature; where the animals, trees, and houses were all in -proportion, and where, by 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 gentlemen's arguments. -To this they only replied with a smile of contempt, saying, that the -farmer had instructed me very well in my lesson. The king, who had a -much better understanding, 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 had 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 Glumdalclitch should -still continue in her office of tending me, because he observed that 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 Glumdalclitch and I -should agree upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and, according -to my directions, in three weeks finished to me a wooden chamber of -sixteen feet square and twelve high, with sash-windows, a door, and two -closets, like a London bed-chamber. The board that made the ceiling was -to be lifted up and down by two hinges, to put in a bed ready furnished -by her majesty's upholsterer, which Glumdalclitch took out every day to -air, made it with her own hands, and, letting it down at night, locked -up the roof over me. A nice workman, who was famous for little -curiosities, undertook to make me two chairs, with backs and frames, of -a substance not unlike ivory, and two tables, with a cabinet to put my -things in. The room was quilted on all sides, as well as the floor and -the ceiling, to prevent any accident from the carelessness of those who -carried me, and to break the force of a jolt when I went in a coach. I -desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats and mice from coming in: the -smith, after several attempts, made the smallest that ever was seen -among them; for I have known a larger at the gate of a gentleman's house -in England. I made a shift to keep the key in a pocket of my own, -fearing Glumdalclitch might lose it. The queen likewise ordered the -thinnest silks that could be gotten to make me clothes, not much thicker -than an English blanket, very cumbersome, till I was accustomed to them. -They were after the fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the -Persian, and partly the Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit. - -The queen became so fond of my company that she could not dine without -me. I had a table placed upon the same at which her Majesty ate, just at -her left elbow, and a chair to sit on. Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on -the floor, near my table, to assist and take care of me. I had an entire -set of silver dishes and plates, and other necessaries, which, in -proportion to those of the queen, were not much bigger than what I have -seen in a London toy-shop for the furniture of a baby-house: these my -little nurse kept in her pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals -as I wanted them, always cleaning them herself. No person dined with the -queen but the two princesses 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 -twelve-penny loaves. She drank out of a golden cup, above a hogshead at -a draught. Her knives were twice as long as a scythe, set straight upon -the handle. The spoons, forks, and other instruments, were all in the -same proportion. I remember when Glumdalclitch 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, -is their Sabbath) the king and queen, with the royal issue of both sexes -dine together in the apartment of his majesty, to whom I was now become -a great favorite; and, at these times, my little chair and table were -placed at his left hand, before one of the salt-cellars. This prince -took a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners, -religion, taws, 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 reflections and observations -upon all I said. But I confess that after I had been a little too -copious in talking of my own beloved country, of our trade, and wars by -sea and land, 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, stroking me gently with the other, -after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me, whether I was a whig or a -tory? Then turning to his first minister, who waited behind him with a -white staff, near as tall as the mainmast of the "Royal Sovereign[60]," -he observed how contemptible a thing was human grandeur, which could be -mimicked by such diminutive insects as I: and yet, says he, I dare -engage these creatures have their titles and distinctions of honor; 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 -color came and went several times with indignation, to hear our noble -country, the mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France, the -arbitress of Europe, the seat of virtue, piety, honor, and truth, the -pride and envy of the world, so contemptuously treated. - -But, as I was not in a condition to resent injuries, so upon mature -thoughts, I began to doubt whether I was injured or no. For, after -having been accustomed, several months, to the sight and converse of -this people, and observed every object upon which I cast mine eyes to be -of proportionable magnitude, the horror I had at first conceived from -their bulk and aspect was so far worn off, that, if I had then beheld a -company of English lords and ladies in their finery, and birthday -clothes, acting their several parts in the most courtly manner of -strutting and bowing and prating, to say the truth, I should have been -strongly tempted to laugh as much at them as the king and his grandees -did at me. Neither, indeed, could I forbear smiling at myself, when the -queen used to place me upon her hand towards a looking-glass, by which -both our persons appeared before me in full view together; and there -could nothing be more ridiculous than the comparison; so that I really -began to imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size. - -Nothing angered and mortified me so much, as the queen's dwarf, who -being of the lowest stature that ever in that country (for I verily -think he was not full thirty feet high) became so insolent at seeing a -creature so much beneath him, that he would always affect to swagger, -and look big, as he passed by me in the queen's ante-chamber, while I -was standing on some table, talking with the lords or ladies of the -court, and he seldom failed of a smart word or two upon my 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 cub was -so nettled with something I had said to him, that, raising himself upon -the frame of her majesty's chair, he took me up, as I was sitting down, -not thinking any harm; and let me drop into a large silver bowl of -cream, and then ran away as fast as he could. I fell over head and ears, -and, if I had not been a good swimmer, it might have gone very hard with -me; for Glumdalclitch, in that instant, happened to be at the other -end of the room, and the queen was in such a fright, that she wanted -presence of mind to assist me. But my little nurse ran to my relief, and -took me out, after I had swallowed above a quart of cream. I was put to -bed; however, I received no other damage than the loss of a suit of -clothes, which was utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly whipped, and, -as a farther punishment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream into which -he had thrown me; neither was he ever restored to favor; for, soon -after, the queen bestowed him on a lady of high quality, so that I saw -him no more, to my very great satisfaction; for I could not tell to what -extremity such a malicious urchin might have carried his resentment. - -[Illustration: "I COULD ONLY REVENGE MYSELF BY CALLING HIM BROTHER." -P. 42.] - -He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the queen a-laughing, -although, at the same time she was heartily vexed, and would have -immediately cashiered him, if I had not been so generous as to -intercede. Her majesty had taken a marrow-bone upon her plate and, after -knocking out the marrow, placed the bone on the dish erect, as it stood -before. The dwarf watching his opportunity, while Glumdalclitch was gone -to the sideboard, 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 waist, where I stuck for some -time, and made a very ridiculous figure, I believe it was near a minute -before any one knew what was became of me; for I thought it below me to -cry out. But, as princes seldom get their meat hot, my legs were not -scalded, only my stockings and breeches in a sad condition. The dwarf, -at my entreaty, had no other punishment than a sound whipping. - -I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account of my fearfulness; -and she used to ask me, whether the people of my country were as great -cowards as myself? The occasion was this; the kingdom is much pestered -with flies in summer; and these odious insects, each of them as big as a -Dunstable lark,[61] hardly gave me any rest, while I sat at dinner, with -their continual humming and buzzing about my ears. They would sometimes -alight upon my victuals. Sometimes they would fix upon my nose or -forehead, where they stung me to the quick, and 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-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. - -[Illustration] - -I remember, one morning, when Glumdalclitch 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[62] of as many bag-pipes. 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 despatched 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 shown them, with some other curiosities, in several parts -of Europe, upon my return to England, I gave three of them to Gresham -College,[63] and kept the fourth for myself. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - THE COUNTRY DESCRIBED. A PROPOSAL FOR CORRECTING MODERN MAPS. THE - KING'S PALACE, AND SOME ACCOUNT OF THE METROPOLIS. THE AUTHOR'S WAY - OF TRAVELLING. THE CHIEF TEMPLE DESCRIBED. - - -I now intend to give the reader a short description of this country, as -far as I travelled in it, which was not above two thousand miles round -Lorbrulgrud, the metropolis. For the queen, whom I always attended, -never went farther 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 reacheth 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 northwest -parts of America, wherein I shall be ready to lend them my assistance. - -The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to the northeast by a ridge of -mountains, thirty miles high, which are altogether impassable, by reason -of the volcanoes upon the tops: neither do the most learned know what -sort of mortals inhabit beyond those mountains, or whether they be -inhabited at all. On the three other sides it is bounded by the ocean. -There is not one sea-port in the whole 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 a -hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages. To satisfy my -curious reader, it may be sufficient to describe Lorbrulgrud. This city -stands upon almost two equal parts on each side the river that passes -through. It contains above eighty thousand houses, and about six hundred -thousand inhabitants. It is in length three _glomglungs_ (which make -about fifty-four English miles) and two and a 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 a hundred feet: I -paced the diameter and circumference several times barefoot, and, -computing by the scale, measured it pretty exactly. - -The king's palace is no regular edifice, but a heap of buildings, about -seven miles round: the chief rooms are generally two hundred and forty -feet high, and broad and long in proportion. A coach was allowed to -Glumdalclitch and me, wherein her governess frequently took her out to -see the town, or go among the shops; and I was always of the party, -carried in my box; although the girl, at my own desire, would often take -me out, and hold me in her hand, that I might more conveniently view the -houses and the people as we passed along the streets, I reckoned our -coach to be about the square of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so -high: however, I cannot be very exact. - -Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen ordered -a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet square and ten -high, for the convenience of 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,[64] with a window in the middle -of three of the squares, and each window was latticed with iron wire on -the outside, to prevent accidents in long journeys. On the fourth side, -which had no window, two strong staples were fixed, through which the -person who carried me, when I had a mind to be on horseback, put a -leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This was always the -office of some grave, trusty servant, in whom I could 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; for I soon began to be known and esteemed among the greatest -officers, I suppose more on account of their majesties' favor than any -merit of my own. - -In journeys, when I was weary of the coach, a servant on horseback would -buckle on my box, and place it upon a cushion before him; and there I -had a full prospect of the country on three sides from my three windows. -I had in this closet a field-bed, and a hammock hung from the ceiling, -two chairs and a table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being -tossed about by the agitation of the horse or the coach. And having been -long used to sea voyages, those motions, although sometimes very -violent, did not much discompose me. - -Whenever I had a mind to see the town, it was always in my travelling -closet, which Glumdalclitch held in her lap, in a kind of open sedan, -after the fashion of the country, borne by four men, and attended by two -others in the queen's livery. The people, who had often heard of me, -were very curious to crowd about the sedan, and the girl was complaisant -enough to make the bearers stop, and to take me in her hand, that I -might be more conveniently seen. - -I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and particularly the tower -belonging to it, which is reckoned the highest in the kingdom. -Accordingly, one day my nurse carried me thither, but I must truly say -I came back disappointed; for the height is not above three thousand -feet, reckoning from the ground to the highest pinnacle top; which, -allowing for the difference between the size of those people and us in -Europe, is no great matter for admiration, nor at all equal in -proportion (if I rightly remember) to Salisbury steeple.[65] 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 nearly a hundred feet thick, built of hewn stone, whereof each -is about forty feet square, and adorned on all sides with statues of -gods and emperors, cut in marble larger than life, placed in their -several niches. I measured a little finger which had fallen down from -one of these statues, and lay unperceived among some rubbish, and found -it exactly four feet and an inch in length. Glumdalclitch wrapped it up -in her handkerchief and carried it home in her pocket, to keep among -other trinkets, of which the girl was very fond, as children at her age -usually are. - -The king's kitchen is indeed a noble building, vaulted at top, and about -six hundred feet high. The great oven is not so wide by ten 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 -critic would be apt to think I enlarged a little, as travellers are -often suspected to do. To avoid which censure, I fear I have run too -much into the other extreme; and that if this treatise should happen to -be translated into the 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 feet high. But when he goes -abroad on solemn days, he is attended for state by a militia guard of -five hundred horse, which indeed I thought was the most splendid sight -that could be ever beheld, till I saw part of his army in battalia,[66] -whereof I shall find another occasion to speak. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - SEVERAL ADVENTURES THAT HAPPENED TO THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR SHOWS - HIS SKILL IN NAVIGATION. - - -I should have lived happily enough in that country, if my littleness had -not exposed me to several ridiculous and troublesome accidents, some of -which I shall venture to relate. Glumdalclitch often carried me into the -gardens of the court in my smaller box, and would sometimes take me out -of it, and hold me in her hand, or set me down to walk. I remember, -before the dwarf left the queen, he followed us one day into those -gardens, and my nurse having set me down, he and I being close together, -near some dwarf apple-trees, I must needs show my wit by a silly -allusion between him and the trees, which happens to hold in their -language, as it doth in ours. Whereupon the malicious rogue, watching -his opportunity, when I was walking under one of them, shook it directly -over my head; by which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a -Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the -back as I chanced to stoop, 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. - -[Illustration] - -Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth grass-plot to divert -myself, while she walked at some distance with her governess. In the -meantime there suddenly fell such a violent shower of hail, that I was -immediately, by the force of it, struck to the ground; and when I was -down, the 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 fours, and shelter myself by lying flat on my face on the lee-side -of a border of lemon-thyme, but so bruised from head to foot that I -could not go abroad in ten days. Neither is this at all to be wondered -at, because nature, in that country, observing the same proportion -through all her operations, a 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 governess and some ladies of her acquaintance, -she was absent and out of hearing, a small white belonging to one of the -chief gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to -place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, came directly up, and -taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his master, wagging his tail, -and set me gently on the ground. By good fortune, he had been so well -taught, that I was carried between his teeth without the least hurt, or -even tearing my clothes. But the poor gardener, who knew me well, and -had a great kindness for me, was in a terrible fright: he gently took me -up in both his hands, and asked me how I did; but I was so amazed and -out of breath, that I could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came to -myself, and he carried me safe to my little nurse, who by this time had -returned to the place where she left me, and was in cruel agonies when I -did not appear nor answer when she called. She severely reprimanded the -gardener on account of his dog, but the thing was bushed 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 Glumdalclitch 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 over the garden, made a stoop at me; and if I had not -resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a thick espalier,[67] 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. I likewise broke my right shin -against the shell of a snail, which I happened to stumble over as I was -walking alone and thinking on poor England. - -I cannot tell whether I were more pleased or mortified to observe in -those solitary walks that the smaller birds did not appear to be at all -afraid of me, but would hop about within a yard's distance, looking for -worms and other food, with as much 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, endeavoring to pick my fingers, which I durst not venture -within their reach; and then they would hop back unconcerned to hunt for -worms and 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 of letting him -go. But I was soon relieved by one of our servants, who wrung off the -bird's neck, and I had him next day for dinner by the queen's command. -This linnet, as near as I can remember, seemed to be somewhat larger -than an English swan. - -The 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 sail or an oar, and whether a little exercise -of rowing might not be convenient for my health. I answered, that I -understood both very well; for, although nay proper employment had been -to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, upon a pinch, I was -forced to work like a common mariner. But I could not see how this could -be done in their country, where the smallest wherry was equal to a -first-rate man-of-war among us, and such a boat as I could manage would -never live in any of their rivers. - -[Illustration: "THE SMALLER BIRDS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AT ALL AFRAID OF -ME." P. 57.] - -Her majesty said, if I could contrive a boat, her own joiner should make -it, and she would provide a place for me to sail in. The fellow was an -ingenious workman, and, by my instructions, in ten days finished a -pleasure-boat, with all its tackling, able conveniently to hold eight -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 trial; where I could not -manage my two sculls,[68] or little oars, for want of room. - -But the queen had before contrived another project. She ordered the -joiner to make a wooden trough of three hundred feet long, fifty broad, -and eight deep; which, 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 their pages would blow my sail forward with their -breath, while I showed my art by steering starboard[69] or larboard, as -I pleased. When I had done, Glumdalclitch always carried back my boat, -into her closet, and hung it oh 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 Glumdalclitch, very officiously lifted me up to -place me in the boat, but I happened to slip through her fingers, and -should infallibly have fallen down forty feet upon the floor, if, by the -luckiest chance in the world, I had not been stopped by a -corking-pin[70] that stuck in the good gentlewoman's stomacher;[71] the -head of the pin passed between my shirt and the waistband of my -breeches, and thus I held by the middle in the air, till Glumdalclitch -ran to my relief. - -[Illustration: "GAVE ME A GALE WITH THEIR FANS." P. 60.] - -Another time, one of the servants, whose office it was to fill my trough -every third day with fresh water, was so careless as to let a huge frog -(not perceiving it) slip out of his pail. The frog lay concealed till I -was put into my boat, but then seeing a resting-place, climbed up, and -made it lean so much on one side that I was forced to balance it with -all my weight on the other to prevent 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. 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 the 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 not stirring from my -seat; and then I saw this frolicsome 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. - -[Illustration] - -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 espied me, and reaching one of his paws in at the door, as a cat -does when she plays with a mouse, although I often shifted place to -avoid him, he at length seized the lappet of my coat (which, being made -of that country silk, was very thick and strong), and dragged me out. He -took me out in his right fore-foot, and held me as a nurse does a child, -just as I have seen the same sort of creature do with a kitten in -Europe: and, when I offered to struggle, he squeezed me so hard that I -thought it more prudent to submit. I have good reason to believe that he -took me for a young one of his own species, by his often stroking my -face very gently with his other paw. - -In these diversions he was interrupted by a noise at the closet door, as -if somebody were opening it; whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the -window, at which he had come in, and thence upon the leads and gutters -walking upon three legs, and holding me in the fourth, till he clambered -up to a roof that was next to ours. I heard Glumdalclitch give a shriek -at the moment he was carrying me out. The poor girl was almost -distracted. That quarter of the palace was all in an uproar; the -servants ran for ladders; the monkey was seen by hundreds in the court, -sitting upon the ridge of a building, holding me like a baby in one of -his fore-paws: 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 tile, -and made his escape. Here I sat for some time, five 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 eaves; but an honest lad, one of my nurse's footmen, climbed up, -and putting me into his breeches-pocket, brought me down safe. - -I was so weak and bruised in the sides with the squeezes given me by -this odious animal, that I was forced to keep my bed a fortnight. The -king, queen, and all the court, sent every day to inquire after my -health, and her majesty made me several visits during my sickness. The -monkey was killed, and an order made that no such animal should be kept -about the palace. - -When I attended the king, after my recovery, to return him thanks for -his favors, 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. He desired to know what I would have done upon such an -occasion in my own country. I told his majesty that in Europe we had no -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. - -However, 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 endeavor to do himself honor among those who are out of all degree of -equality or comparison with him. And yet I have seen the moral of my own -behavior very frequent in England since my return, where a little -contemptible varlet,[72] without the least title to birth, person, wit, -or common-sense, shall presume to look with importance, and put himself -upon a foot with the greatest persons of the kingdom. - -I was every day furnishing the court with some ridiculous story; and -Glumdalclitch, although she loved me to excess, yet was arch enough to -inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would -be diverting to her majesty. The girl, who had been out of order, was -carried by her governess to take the air about an hour's distance, or -thirty miles from town. They alighted out of the coach near a small -footpath in a field, and, Glumdalclitch setting down my travelling-box, -I went out of it to walk. There was a pool of mud 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 handkerchief, for I was -filthily bemired; and my nurse confined me to my box till we returned -home, when the queen was soon informed of what had passed, and the -footman spread it about the court; so that all the mirth for some days -was at my expense. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - SEVERAL CONTRIVANCES OF THE AUTHOR TO PLEASE THE KING AND QUEEN. HE - SHOWS HIS SKILL IN MUSIC. THE KING INQUIRES INTO THE STATE OF - ENGLAND, WHICH THE AUTHOR RELATES TO HIM. THE KING'S OBSERVATIONS - THEREON. - - -I used to attend the king's levee[73] 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 country, -was only shaved twice a week. I once prevailed on the barber to give me -some of the suds or lather, out of which I picked forty or fifty of the -strongest stumps of hair, I then took a piece of fine wood and cut it -like the back of a comb, making several holes in it at equal 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 country so nice and exact -as would undertake to make me another. - -And this puts me in mind of an amusement wherein I spent many of my -leisure hours. I desired the queen's woman to save for me the combings -of her majesty's hair, whereof in time I got a good quantity; and -consulting with my friend the cabinet-maker, who had received general -orders to do little jobs for me, I directed him to make two -chair-frames, no larger than those I had in my box, and 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. Of these hairs (as I had -always a mechanical genius) I likewise made a neat little purse, about -five feet long, with her majesty's name deciphered in gold letters, -which I gave to Glumdalclitch, by the queen's consent. To say the truth, -it was more for show than use, being not of strength to bear the weight -of the larger coins, and therefore she kept nothing in it, but some -little coins that girls are fond of. - -The king, who delighted in music, had frequent concerts at court, to -which I was sometimes carried, and set in my box on a table to hear -them; but the noise was so great that I could hardly distinguish the -tunes. I am confident that all the drums and trumpets of a royal army -beating and sounding together just at your ears, could not equal it. My -practice was to have my box removed from the place where the performers -sat, as far as I could, then to shut the doors and windows of it, and -draw the window-curtains, after which I found their music not -disagreeable. - -[Illustration] - -I had learnt in my youth to play a little upon the spinet.[74] -Glumdalclitch kept one in her chamber, and a master attended twice a -week to teach her. I called it a spinet, because it somewhat resembled -that instrument, and was played upon in the same manner. - -A fancy came into my head that I would entertain the king and queen -with an English tune upon this instrument. But this appeared extremely -difficult; for the spinet was nearly sixty feet long, each key being -almost a foot wide, so that with my arms extended I could not reach to -above five keys, and to press them down required a good smart stroke -with my fist, which would be too great a labor, and to no purpose. The -method I contrived was this: I prepared two round sticks, about the -bigness of common cudgels; they were thicker at one end than the other, -and I covered the thicker ends with a piece of mouse's skin, that by -rapping on them I might neither damage the tops of the keys nor -interrupt the sound. Before the spinet a bench was placed about four -feet below the keys, and I was put upon the bench. I ran sideling upon -it that way and this as fast as I could, banging the proper keys with my -two sticks, and made a shift to play a jig to the great satisfaction of -both their majesties; but it was the most violent exercise I ever -underwent, and yet I could not strike above sixteen keys, nor -consequently play the bass and 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.[75] He would then command me -to bring one of my chairs out of the box, and sit down within three -yards distance upon the top of the cabinet, which brought me almost to a -level with his face. In this manner I had several conversations with -him. I one day took the freedom to tell his majesty that the contempt -he discovered towards Europe and the rest of the world did not seem -answerable to those excellent qualities of mind that he was master of; -that reason did not extend itself with the bulk of the body; on the -contrary, we observed in our country that the tallest persons were -usually 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[76] 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 he conjectured of other -monarchs by my former discourses), he should be glad to hear of anything -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 praise of my own dear native country, in a style equal to its merits -and felicity. - -[Illustration: "THE MOST VIOLENT EXERCISE I EVER UNDERWENT." P. 71.] - -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 plantations 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 both 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 -country, by their valor, conduct, and fidelity. That these were the -ornament and bulwark of the kingdom, worthy followers of their most -renowned ancestors, whose honor 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 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 assembly, called -the House of Commons, who were all principal gentlemen, _freely_ picked -and culled out by the people themselves, for their great abilities and -love of their country, to represent the wisdom of the whole nation. And -that these two bodies made up the most august assembly in Europe, to -whom, in conjunction with the prince, the whole legislature is -committed. - -I then descended to the courts of justice, over which the judges, those -venerable sages and 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 valor and achievements of our forces by sea and -land. I computed the number of our people, by reckoning how many -millions there might be of each religious 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 honor of my country. -And I finished all with a brief historical account of affairs and events -in England for about a 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 what questions -he intended to ask me. - -When I had put an end to these long discourses, his majesty, in a sixth -audience, consulting his notes, proposed many doubts, queries, and -objections, upon every article. He asked what methods were used to -cultivate the minds and bodies of our young 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 -are to be created new lords; whether the humor of the prince, a sum of -money to a court lady as a prime minister, or a design of strengthening -a party opposite to the public interest, ever happened to be motives in -those advancements? What share of knowledge these lords had in the laws -of their country, and how they came by it, so as to enable them to -decide the properties of their fellow-subjects in the last resort? -Whether they were always so free from avarice, partialities, or want, -that a bribe or some other sinister view could have no place among them? -Whether those holy lords I spoke of were always promoted to that rank -upon account of their knowledge in religious matters and the sanctity of -their lives; had never been compilers with the times while they were -common priests, or slavish prostitute chaplains to some noblemen, whose -opinions they continued servilely to follow, after they were admitted -into that assembly? - -He then desired to know what arts were practised in electing those whom -I called commoners; whether a stranger, with a strong purse, might not -influence the vulgar voters to choose him before their own landlord, or -the most considerable gentleman in the neighborhood? How it came to pass -that people were so violently bent upon getting into this assembly, -which I allowed to be a great trouble and expense, often to the ruin of -their families, without any salary or pension: because this appeared -such an exalted strain of virtue and public spirit, that his majesty -seemed to doubt it might possibly not be 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 -public 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 inquiries -and objections, which I think it not prudent or convenient to repeat. - -Upon what I said in relation to our courts of justice, his majesty -desired to be satisfied in several points; and this I was the better -able to do, having been formerly almost ruined by a long suit in -chancery,[77] which was decreed for me with costs. He asked what time -was usually spent in determining between right and wrong, and what -degree of expense? Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead in -causes, manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive? Whether -party in religion or politics was 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[78] upon at their pleasure? Whether they had ever, at different -times, pleaded for or 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 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 particular 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 found to pay -them. He wondered to hear me talk of such chargeable and expensive wars; -that certainly we must be a quarrelsome people, or live among very bad -neighbors and that our generals must needs be richer than our kings. He -asked what business we had out of our own islands, unless upon the score -of trade or treaty, or to defend the coasts with our fleet. Above all, -he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst -of peace and among a free people. He said if we were governed by our 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 a hundred -times more by cutting their throats? - -He laughed at my odd kind of arithmetic (as he was pleased to call it), -in reckoning the numbers of our people by a computation drawn from the -several sects among us, in religion and politics. He said, he knew no -reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should -be obliged to change, or should not be obliged to conceal them. And as -it was tyranny in any government to require the first, so it was -weakness not to enforce the 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 -dependence, as well as habituate them to vile companions, wholly take -them from the improvement of their minds, and force them, by the losses -they received, to learn and practise that infamous dexterity upon -others? - -He was perfectly astonished with the historical account I gave him of -our affairs during the last century, protesting it was only a heap of -conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, -the very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, -cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could -produce. - -His majesty, in another audience, was at the pains to recapitulate the -sum of all I had spoken; compared the questions he made with the answers -I had given; then taking me into his hands, and stroking me gently, -delivered himself in these words which I shall never forget, nor the -manner he spoke them in: "My little friend Grildrig, you have made a -most admirable panegyric upon your country; you have clearly proved that -ignorance, idleness, and vice are the proper ingredients for qualifying -a legislator; that laws are best explained, interpreted, and applied by -those whose interest and abilities lie 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 perfection is required towards the -procurement of any one station among you; much less that men are -ennobled on account of their virtue, that priests are advanced for their -piety or learning, soldiers for their conduct or valor, judges for their -integrity, senators for the love of their country, or counsellors for -their wisdom. As for yourself, continued the king, who have spent the -greatest part of your life in travelling, I am well disposed to hope you -may hitherto have escaped many vices of your country. But by what I have -gathered from your own relation, and the answers I have with much pains -wrung 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." - -[Illustration: "YOU HAVE MADE A MOST ADMIRABLE PANEGYRIC." P. 79.] - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - THE AUTHOR'S LOVE OF HIS COUNTRY. HE MAKES A PROPOSAL OF MUCH - ADVANTAGE TO THE KING, WHICH IS REJECTED. THE KING'S GREAT - IGNORANCE IN POLITICS. THE LEARNING OF THAT COUNTRY VERY IMPERFECT - AND CONFINED. THE LAWS, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS, AND PARTIES IN THE - STATE. - - -Nothing but an extreme love of truth could have hindered me from -concealing this part of my story. It was in vain to discover my -resentments, which were always turned into ridicule; and I was forced to -rest with patience, while my noble and beloved country was so -injuriously treated. I am as heartily sorry as any of my readers can -possibly be, that such an occasion was given: but this prince happened -to be so curious and 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 this 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 favorable turn, by many degrees, than the -strictness of truth would allow. For I have always borne that laudable -partiality to my own country, which Dionysius Halicarnassensis[79] 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 endeavor, -in those many discourses I had with that monarch, although it -unfortunately failed of success. - -But great allowances should be given to a king who lives wholly secluded -from the rest of the world, and must therefore be altogether -unacquainted with the manners and customs that most prevail in other -nations: the want of which knowledge will ever produce many prejudices, -and a certain narrowness of thinking, from which we and the politer -countries of Europe are wholly exempted. And it would be 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 farther to show the miserable -effects of a confined education, I shall here insert a passage which -will hardly obtain belief. In hopes to ingratiate myself farther into -his majesty's favor, I told him of an invention discovered between three -and four hundred years ago, to make a certain powder into a heap, on -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 agitation greater than thunder. That a -proper quantity of this powder rammed into a hollow tube of brass or -iron, according to its bigness, would drive a ball of iron or lead with -such violence and speed as nothing was able to sustain its force. That -the largest balls thus discharged would not only destroy whole ranks of -an army at once, but batter the strongest walls to the ground, sink -down ships with a thousand men in each to the bottom of the sea; and, -when linked together by a chain, would cut through masts and 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 workman -how to make those tubes of a size proportionable to all other things in -his majesty's kingdom, and the largest need not to be above a hundred -feet 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 for so many marks that I had received of his -royal favor and protection. - -The king was struck with horror at the description I had given him of -those terrible engines, and the proposal I had made. He was amazed, how -so impotent and grovelling an insect as I (these were his expressions), -could entertain such inhuman ideas, and in so familiar a manner, as to -appear wholly unmoved at all 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 although few things -delighted him so much as new discoveries in art or in nature, yet he -would rather lose half his kingdom than be privy to such a secret, which -he commanded me, as I valued my life, never to mention any more. - -A strange effect of narrow principles and short views! that a prince -possessed of every quality which procures veneration, love, and esteem; -of strong parts, great wisdom, and profound learning, endowed 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 them to have arisen -from their ignorance, by not having hitherto reduced politics into a -science, as the more acute wits of Europe have done. For I remember very -well, in a discourse one day with the king, when I happened to say there -were 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 I 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 bounds, to common sense and -reason, to justice and lenity, to the speedy determination of civil and -criminal causes, with some other obvious topics, which are not worth -considering. And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two -ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground, -where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more -essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put -together. - -The learning of this people is very defective, consisting only in -morality, history, poetry, and mathematics, wherein they must be allowed -to excel. But the last of these is wholly applied to what may be useful -in life, to the improvement of agriculture, and all mechanical arts; so -that among us it would be little esteemed. And as to ideas, entities, -abstractions, and transcendentals,[80] I could never drive the least -conception into their heads. - -No law of that country must exceed in words the number of letters in -their alphabet, which consists only 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[81] enough to -discover above one interpretation; and to write a comment upon any law -is a capital crime. As to the decision of civil causes, or proceedings -against criminals, their precedents are so few, that they have little -reason to boast of any extraordinary skill in either. - -They have had the art of printing, as well as the Chinese, time out of -mind: but their libraries are not very large; for that of the king, -which is reckoned the largest, doth not amount to above a thousand -volumes, placed in a gallery of twelve hundred feet long, from whence I -had liberty to borrow what books I pleased. The queen's joiner had -contrived in one of Glumdalclitch's rooms, a kind of wooden machine, -five-and-twenty feet high, formed like a standing ladder; the steps were -each fifty feet long: it was indeed a movable pair of stairs, the lowest -end placed at ten feet distance from the wall of the chamber. The book I -had a mind to read was put 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 paste-board, and in the largest folios not above eighteen or -twenty feet long. - -Their style is clear, masculine, and smooth, but not florid; for they -avoid nothing more than multiplying unnecessary words, or using various -expressions. I have perused many of their books, especially those in -history and morality. Among the rest, I was much diverted with a little -old treatise, which always lay in Glumdalclitch's 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 country -could say upon such a subject. - -[Illustration] - -This writer went through all the usual topics of European moralists, -showing how diminutive, contemptible, and helpless an animal was man in -his own nature; how unable to defend himself from inclemencies of the -air, or the fury of wild beasts; how much he was excelled by one -creature in strength, by another in speed, by a third in foresight, by a -fourth in industry. He added, that nature was degenerated in these -latter declining ages of the world, and could now produce only small -births, in comparison to 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 skulls, 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 a house, or a stone cast from the hand of a boy, or being drowned -in a little brook. From this way of reasoning the author drew several -moral applications, useful in the conduct of life, but needless here to -repeat. For my own part, I could not avoid reflecting, how universally -this talent was spread, of drawing lectures in morality, or, indeed, -rather matter of discontent and repining, from the quarrels we raise -with nature. And I believe, upon a strict inquiry, those quarrels might -be shown as ill-grounded among us as they are among that people. - -As to their military affairs, they boast that the king's army consists -of a hundred and seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty-two thousand -horse: if that may be called an army which is made up of tradesmen in -the several cities, and farmers in the country, whose commanders are -only the nobility and gentry, without pay or reward. They are indeed -perfect enough in their exercises, and under very good discipline, -wherein I saw no great merit; for how should it be otherwise, where -every farmer is under the command of his own landlord, and every citizen -under that of the principal men in his own city, chosen after the manner -of Venice, by ballot? - -I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud drawn out to exercise in a -great field, near the city, of twenty miles square. They were in all not -above twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse: but it was -impossible for me to compute their number, considering the space of -ground they took up. A cavalier, mounted on a large steed, might be -about ninety feet high. I have seen this whole body of horse, upon a -word of command, draw their swords at once, and brandish them in the -air. Imagination can figure nothing so grand, so surprising, and so -astonishing! it looked as if ten thousand flashes of lightning were -darting at the same time from every quarter of the sky. - -I was curious to know how this prince, to whose dominions there is no -access from any other country, came to think of armies, or to teach his -people the practice of military discipline. But I was soon 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 the -whole race of mankind is subject; the nobility often contending for -power, the people for liberty, and the king for absolute dominion. All -which, however, happily tempered by the laws of that kingdom, have been -sometimes violated by each of the three parties, and have more than once -occasioned civil wars, the last whereof was happily put an end to by -this prince's grandfather, in a general composition;[82] and the -militia, then settled with common consent, hath been ever since kept in -the strictest duty. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - THE KING AND QUEEN MAKE A PROGRESS[83] TO THE FRONTIERS. THE AUTHOR - ATTENDS THEM. THE MANNER IN WHICH HE LEAVES THE COUNTRY VERY - PARTICULARLY RELATED. HE RETURNS TO ENGLAND. - - -I had always a strong impulse that I should sometime recover my liberty, -though it was impossible to conjecture by what means, or to form any -project with the least hope of succeeding. The ship in which I sailed -was the first ever known to be driven within sight of the 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 tumbrel[84] to Lorbrulgrud. I was treated with much kindness: I was -the favorite of a great king and queen, and the delight of the whole -court; but it was upon such a footing as ill became the dignity of human -kind. I could never forget those domestic pledges I had left behind me. -I wanted to be among people with whom I could converse upon even terms, -and walk about the streets and fields, without being afraid of being -trod to death like a frog or a young puppy. But my deliverance came -sooner than I expected, and in a manner not very common: the whole story -and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate. - -[Illustration: "SHE HAD SOME FOREBODING." P. 94.] - -I had now been two years in this country; and about the beginning of -the third, Glumdalclitch and I attended the king and queen in a progress -to the south coast of the kingdom. I was carried, as usual, in my -travelling-box, which, as I have already described, was a very -convenient closet of twelve feet wide. And I had ordered a hammock to be -fixed by silken ropes from the four corners at the top, to break the -jolts, when a servant carried me before him on horseback, as I sometimes -desired, and would often sleep in my hammock while we were upon the -road. On the roof of my closet, not directly over the middle of the -hammock, I ordered the joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square, to -give me air in hot weather as I slept, which hole I shut 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 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[85] 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, 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 windows 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 fastened at -the top of my box for the conveniency of carriage. I felt my box raised -very high in the air, and then borne forward with prodigious speed. The -first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterwards -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 enabled him to discover his quarry[86] at a great -distance, though better concealed than I could be within a two-inch -board. - -[Illustration] - -In a little time I observed the noise and flutter of wings to increase -very fast, and my box was tossed up and down like a sign in a windy day. -I heard several bangs or buffets, as I thought, given to the eagle (for -such I am certain it must have been, that held the ring of my box in his -beak), and then all on a sudden felt myself falling perpendicularly down -for above a minute, but with such incredible swiftness, that I almost -lost my breath. My fall was stopped by a terrible squash,[87] that -sounded louder to my ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which I -was quite in the dark for another minute, and then my box began to rise -so high that I could see light from the tops of the windows. I now -perceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, by the weight of my body, -the goods that were in, and the broad plates of iron fixed for strength -at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated about five feet deep -in the water. I did then, and do now suppose, that the eagle which flew -away with my box was pursued by two or three others, and forced to let -me drop while he defended himself against the rest, who hoped to share -in the prey. The plates of iron fastened at the bottom of the box (for -those were the strongest) preserved the balance while it fell, and -hindered it from being broken on the surface of the water. Every joint -of it was well grooved, and the door did not move on hinges, but up and -down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very little water -came in. I got with much difficulty out of my hammock, having first -ventured to draw back my 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 Glumdalclitch, from whom -one single hour had so far divided me. And I may say with truth that in -the midst of my own misfortunes I could not 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 juncture, -expecting every moment to see my box dashed to pieces, or at least -overset by the first violent blast or rising wave. A breach in one -single pane of glass would have been immediate death; nor could anything -have preserved the windows but the strong lattice-wires placed on the -outside against accidents in travelling. I saw the water ooze in at -several crannies, although the leaks were not considerable, and I -endeavored to stop them as well as I could, I was not able to lift up -the roof of my closet, which otherwise I certainly should have done, and -sat on the top of it, where I might at least preserve myself some hours -longer, than by being shut up (as I may call it) in the hold. Or, if I -escaped these dangers for a day or two, what could I expect but a -miserable death of cold and hunger? I was four hours under these -circumstances, expecting, and indeed wishing, every moment to be my -last. - -I have already told the reader that there were two strong staples fixed -upon that side of my box which had no window, and into which the servant -who used to carry me on horseback would put a leathern belt, and buckle -it about his waist. Being in this 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 the waves rise near the tops of my windows, -leaving me almost in the dark. This gave me some faint hopes of relief, -although I was not able to imagine how it could be brought about. I -ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were always fastened to the -floor, and having made a hard shift to screw it down again directly -under the slipping board that I had lately opened, I mounted on the -chair, and putting my mouth as near as I could to the hole, I called for -help in a loud voice and in all the languages I understood. I then -fastened my handkerchief to a stick I usually carried, and thrusting it -up the hole, waved it several times in the air, that if any boat or ship -were near, the seamen might conjecture some unhappy mortal to be shut up -in the box. - -I found no effect from all I could do, but plainly perceived my closet -to be moved along; and in the space of an hour or better, that side of -the box where the staples were and had no 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 feet -higher than I was before. Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and -handkerchief, calling for help till I was almost hoarse. In return to -which I heard a great shout repeated three times, giving me such -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 anybody -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 was moving to be delivered out of the dungeon I was -in. The voice replied I was safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; -and the carpenter should immediately come and saw a hole in the cover, -large enough to pull me out. I answered that was needless, and would -take up too much time, for there was no more to be done, but let one of -the crew put his finger into the ring, and take the box out of the sea -into the ship, and so into the captain's cabin. Some of them upon -hearing me talk so wildly thought I was mad; others laughed; for indeed -it never came into my head that I was now got among people of my own -stature and strength. The carpenter came, and in a few minutes sawed a -passage about four feet square, then let down a small ladder upon which -I mounted, and from thence was taken into the ship in a very weak -condition. - -[Illustration: "SOMEBODY CALLING ... IN THE ENGLISH TONGUE." P. 99.] - -The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a thousand questions, -which I had no inclination to answer. I was equally confounded at the -sight of so many pygmies, 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 cabin, gave me a -cordial to comfort me, and made me turn in upon his own bed, advising me -to take a little rest, of which I had great need. Before I went to -sleep, I gave him to understand that I had some valuable furniture in my -box, too good to be lost; a fine hammock, a handsome two chairs, a -table, and a cabinet. That my closet was hung on all sides, or rather -quilted, with silk and cotton: that if he would let one of the crew -bring my closet into his cabin, I would open it there before him, and -show him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter these absurdities, -concluded I was raving: however (I suppose to pacify me), he promised -to give orders 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 bedstead, being screwed to the floor, were much damaged by the -ignorance of the seamen, who tore them up by force. Then they knocked -off some of the boards for the use of the ship, and when they had got -all they had a mind for, let the hull drop into the sea, which, by -reason of so many breaches made in the bottom and sides, sunk to -rights.[88] And indeed I was glad not to have been a spectator of the -havoc they made; because I am confident it would have sensibly -touched me, by bringing former passages into my mind, which I had rather -forgotten. - -I slept some hours, but was 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 o'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 o'clock at noon, as he was looking through his -glass, he spied it at a distance, and thought it was a sail, which he -had a mind to make[89], being not much out of his course, in hopes of -buying some biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That upon coming -nearer and finding his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what -it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing they had seen a -swimming-house. That he laughed at their folly, and went himself in the -boat, 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 wire-lattices that defenced 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 fastening a cable -to one of the staples, ordered them to tow my chest (as they called it) -towards the ship. When it was there, he gave directions to fasten -another cable to the ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest -with pulleys, which all the sailors were not able to do above two or -three feet. He said they saw my stick and handkerchief thrust out of the -hole, and concluded that some unhappy man must be shut up in the cavity. -I asked whether he or the crew had seen any prodigious birds in the air -about the time he first discovered me? to which he answered, that, -discoursing this matter with the sailors while I was asleep, one of them -said he had observed three eagles flying towards the north, but remarked -nothing of their being larger than the usual size, which I suppose must -be imputed to the great height they were at; and he could not guess the -reason of my question. I then asked the captain how far he reckoned we -might be from land? - -He said, by the best computation he could make, we were at least a -hundred leagues. I assured him that he must be mistaken by almost half, -for I had not left the country 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 cabin he had provided. I assured him I was well refreshed with his -good entertainment and company, and as much in my senses as ever 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 by the command of some prince, by exposing me in that -chest, as great criminals in other countries have been forced to sea in -a leaky vessel without provisions; for 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 ashore in the first port where we arrived. He added that his -suspicions were much increased by some very absurd speeches I had -delivered, at first to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in -relation to my closet chest, as well as by my odd looks and behavior -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, farther 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 seamen disposed of my closet). I opened it in -his own presence, and showed him the small collection of rarities I made -in the country from whence I had been so strangely delivered. There was -the comb I had contrived out of the stumps of the king's beard. There -was a collection of needles and pins, from a foot to half a yard long; -four wasps' stings, like joiners' tacks; some combings of the queen's -hair; a gold ring, which one day she made me a present of in a most -obliging manner, taking it from her 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. Lastly I -desired him to see the breeches I had then on, which were made of a -mouse's skin. - -I could force nothing upon 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 -Glumdalclitch's men, who was affected with the toothache, but it was as -sound as any in his head. I got it cleaned, and put it in my cabinet. It -was about a foot long, and four inches in diameter. - -The captain was very well satisfied with this plain relation I had given -him, and said he hoped when we returned to England I would oblige the -world by putting it on paper, and making it public. My answer was, that -I thought we were already overstocked with books of travels; that -nothing could now pass which was not extraordinary; wherein I doubted -some authors less consulted truth than their own vanity, or interest, or -the diversion of ignorant readers, that my story could contain little -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 country were thick -of hearing. I told him it was what I had been used to for above two -years past, and that I wondered as much at the voices of him and his -men, who seemed to me only to whisper, and yet I could hear them well -enough. But when I spoke in that country, it was like a man talking in -the street to another looking out from the top of a steeple, unless when -I was placed on a table, or held in any person's hand. I told him I had -likewise observed another thing, that when I first got into the ship, -and the sailors stood all about me, I thought they were the most -contemptible little creatures I had ever beheld. For indeed, while I was -in that prince's country, I could never endure to look in a glass, after -my eyes had been accustomed to such prodigious objects, because the -comparison gave me so despicable a conceit of myself. The captain said -that while we were at supper he observed me to look at 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 threepence, -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 household stuff 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 that 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 a hundred -pounds to have seen my closet in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its -fall from so great a height into the sea; which would certainly have -been a most astonishing object, worthy to have the description of it -transmitted to future ages: and the comparison of Phaeton[90] was so -obvious, that he could not forbear applying it, although I did not much -admire the conceit. - -[Illustration: "MY DAUGHTER KNEELED BUT I COULD NOT SEE HER" P. 109.] - -The captain having been at Tonquin, was, in his return to England, -driven northeastward, 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 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-boat for provisions and fresh water, but I never -went out of the ship till we came into the Downs, which was on the third -day of June, 1706, about nine months after my escape. I offered to leave -pay goods in security for payment of my freight, but the captain -protested he would not receive one farthing. We took a kind leave of -each other, and I made him promise he would come to see me at my house -in Redriff. I hired a horse and guide for five shillings, which I -borrowed of the captain. - -As I was on the road, observing the littleness of the houses--the trees, -the cattle, and the people, I began to think myself in Lilliput. I was -afraid of trampling on every traveller I met, and often called aloud to -have them stand out of the way, so that I had like to have gotten one or -two broken heads for my impertinence. - -When I came to my own house, for which I was forced to inquire, one of -the servants opened the door, I bent down to go in (like a goose under a -gate), for fear of striking my head. My wife ran out to embrace me, but -I stooped lower than her knees, thinking she could otherwise never be -able to reach my mouth. My daughter kneeled to ask my blessing, but I -could not see her till she arose, having been so long used to stand with -my head and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and then I went to take her -up with one hand by the waist. I looked down upon the servants, and one -or two friends who were in the house, as if they had been pygmies, 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 meantime I here conclude -the second part of my unfortunate voyages. - -[Illustration] - - - - -NOTE. - - -Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1667, and died in 1745. -His parents were English. His father died before he was born, and his -mother was supported on a slender pittance by his father's brother. He -was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and all through his early life -was dependent on the generosity of others. His college career was not -highly creditable, either from the point of view of manners, morals, or -learning. After leaving college, he travelled through England on foot, -and found employment with a relative of his mother's, Sir William -Temple, in whose house was a noble library; and for two years Swift made -up for some of his shortcomings by studying diligently therein. He went -to Oxford in 1692, took a degree and was ordained in 1694. He was given -a parish in Ireland, which he soon resigned, returning to the home of -Sir William Temple, where he remained until the death of the latter in -1699. - -Temple left Swift a legacy, and confided to him the editing and -publishing of his works. This task completed, Swift went again to -Ireland to another parish, and threw himself into political -pamphleteering with great effect, one of the results of his exertions -being the securing of freedom from taxation for the Irish clergy. He -subsequently became Dean of St. Patrick's in Dublin, and for a period -achieved great popularity owing to his powerful political writings. - -While in what he called his "exile" he wrote _Gulliver's Travels_, which -was at first published anonymously, the secret of the authorship being -so closely guarded that the publisher did not know who was the author. -Dr. Johnson characterized it as "A production so new and strange that it -filled the reader with admiration and amazement. It was read by the high -and low, the learned and the illiterate." In this work, Jonathan Swift -appears as one of the greatest masters of English we have ever had; as -endowed with an imaginative genius inferior to few; as a keen and -pitiless critic of the world, and a bitter misanthropic accounter of -humanity at large. Dean Swift was indeed a misanthrope by theory, -however he may have made exception to private life. His hero, Gulliver, -discovers race after race of beings who typify the genera in his -classification of mankind. Extremely diverting are Gulliver's adventures -among the tiny Lilliputians; only less so are his more perilous -encounters with the giants of Brobdingnag.... By a singular dispensation -of Providence, we usually read the _Travels_ while we are children; we -are delighted with the marvellous story, we are not at all injured by -the poison. Poor Swift! he was conscious of insanity's approach; he -repeated annually Job's curse upon the day of his birth; he died a -madman. - -There are numerous biographies of Swift; but probably the best -characterization of the man and his life, rather than of his books, is -to be found in Thackeray's _English Humorists_, and a closer study of -the man and his works in Leslie Stevenson's "Swift," in Morley's -_English Men of Letters_. The other biographies of him are: Lord Orrery -_Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift_, 1751; Hawkes, -on his life, 1765; Sheridan's life, 1785; Forster's life, 1875 -(unfinished); Henry Craik's life (1882). The best edition of Swift's -writings and correspondence is that edited by Scott, 1824. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] _Redriff Rotherhithe_: then a Thames side village, now part of -London. - -[2] _Pound_: nearly five dollars. - -[3] _Levant_: the point where the sun rises. The countries about the -eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and its adjoining waters. - -[4] _Mrs._: it was formerly the custom to call unmarried women Mrs. - -[5] _The South Sea_: the Pacific Ocean. - -[6] _Van Diemen's Land_: N.W. from Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and in -latitude 30 degrees 2 minutes would be in Australia or off the West -Coast. - -[7] _Cable's length_: about six hundred or seven hundred feet. - -[8] _Buff jerkin_ a leather jacket or waistcoat. - -[9] _Small_: weak, thin. - -[10] _Signet-royal_: the king's seal. - -[11] _Half-pike_ a short wooden staff, upon one end of which was a -steel head. - -[12] _Stang_: an old word for a perch, sixteen feet and a half, also -for a rood of ground. - -[13] _Chairs_: a sedan chair is here meant. It held one person, and -was carried by two men by means of projecting poles. - -[14] _Crest_: a decoration to denote rank. - -[15] _Lingua Franca_: a language--Italian mixed with Arabic, Greek, -and Turkish--used by Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Italians trading with -Arabs, Turks, and Greeks. It is the commercial language of -Constantinople. - -[16] _Imprimis_: in the first place, (pr.) im pri' mis. - -[17] _Lucid_: shining, transparent. - -[18] _Yeomen of the guards_: freemen forming the bodyguard of the -sovereign. - -[19] _Pocket perspective_: a small spy-glass or telescope. - -[20] _Trencher_: a wooden plate or platter. - -[21] _Corn_: such grains as wheat, rye, barley, oats. - -[22] _Quadrant_: an instrument long used for measuring altitudes. - -[23] _Skirt_: coat-tail. - -[24] _Alcoran_ the Koran or Mohammedan Bible. - -[25] _Embargo_: an order not to sail. - -[26] _Discompose them_: displace them. - -[27] _Puissant_: powerful. - -[28] _Junto_: a body of men secretly united to gain some political -end. - -[29] _Pulling_: plucking and drawing, preparatory to cooking, - -[30] _Meaner_: of lower rank. - -[31] _Portion_: the part of an estate given to a child. - -[32] _Domestic_: the household and all pertaining thereto. - -[33] _Exchequer bills_: bills of credit issued from the exchequer by -authority of parliament. - -[34] _Close chair_: sedan chair. - -[35] _Cabal_: a body of men united for some sinister purpose. - -[36] _Lee side_: side sheltered from the wind. - -[37] _Ancient_: flag, corrupted from ensign. - -[38] _Downs_: A famous natural roadstead off the southeast coast of -Kent, between Goodwin Sands and the mainland, south of the Thames -entrance. - -[39] _Black Bull_: inns in England are often named after animals with -an adjective descriptive of the color of the sign; as, _The Golden -Lion, The White Horse_. - -[40] _Towardly_: apt, docile. - -[41] _Straits of Madagascar_: Mozambique Channel. - -[42] _The line_: the equator. - -[43] _Hinds_: peasants; rustics. - -[44] _Pistoles_: about three dollars and sixty cents. - -[45] _Trencher-side_: up to his trencher or wooden plate. - -[46] _Discovering_: Showing. - -[47] _From London Bridge to Chelsea_: about three miles as the birds -fly. - -[48] _Pillion_: a cushion for a woman to ride on behind a person on -horseback. _From London to St. Alban's_: about twenty miles. - -[49] _Pumpion_: pumpkin. - -[50] _Parts_: accomplishments. - -[51] _Sanson's Atlas_: a very large atlas by a French geographer in -use in Swift's time. - -[52] _As good a hand of me_: as much money of me. - -[53] _Moidore_: a Portuguese gold piece worth about six dollars. - -[54] _Guineas_: an obsolete English gold coin, of the value of five -dollars. - -[55] _Phoenix_: a bird of fable said to live for a long time and rise -anew from its own ashes. - -[56] _Cabinet_: a private room. - -[57] _Scrutoire_: a writing-desk. - -[58] _Waiting_: attendance on the king. - -[59] _Lusus naturae_: a freak of nature. - -[60] _Royal Sovereign_: one of the great ships of Swift's time. - -[61] _Dunstable lark_: large larks are caught on the downs near -Dunstable between September and February, and sent to London for -luxurious tables. - -[62] _Drone_: the largest tube of a bag-pipe, giving forth a dull -heavy tone. - -[63] _Gresham College_, in London, is named after the founder, an -English merchant, who died in 1579. - -[64] _The square of_: as large as the square of. - -[65] _Salisbury Steeple_: this is about four hundred feet high. - -[66] _Battalia_: the order of battle. - -[67] _Espalier_: a lattice upon which fruit-trees or shrubs are -trained. - -[68] _Scull_: a short oar. - -[69] _Starboard or larboard_: right or left. - -[70] _Corking-pin_: a larger-sized pin. - -[71] _Stomacher_: a broad belt. - -[72] _Varlet_: knave. - -[73] _Levee_: a ceremonious visit received by a distinguished person -in the morning. - -[74] _Spinet_: a stringed instrument, a forerunner of out piano. - -[75] _Closet_: private room. - -[76] _Signal_: memorable. - -[77] _Chancery_: a high court of equity. - -[78] _Glossing_: commenting. - -[79] _Dionysius of Halicarnassus_ was born about the middle of the -first century, B.C.; he endeavored in his history to relieve his Greek -countrymen from the mortification they had felt in their subjection to -the Romans, and patched up an old legend about Rome being of Greek -origin and therefore their "political mother." - -[80] _Ideas, entities, abstractions, transcendentals_, words used in -that philosophy which deals with thinking, existence, and things -beyond the senses. - -[81] _Mercurial_: active, spirited. - -[82] _Composition_: compact, agreement. - -[83] _Progress_: an old term for the travelling of the sovereign to -different parts of his country. - -[84] _Tumbrel_: a rough cart. - -[85] _Page_: a serving-boy, and especially one who waits on a person -of rank. - -[86] _Quarry_: prey. - -[87] _Squash_: shock, concussion. - -[88] _To rights_ speedily. - -[89] _To make_ To get alongside. - -[90] _Phaeton_ a son of Apollo who was dashed into the river Endanus -for his foolhardiness in attempting to drive the steeds of the sun for -one day. - - - -ADVERTISEMENTS - -Heath's Home and School Classics. - - -FOR GRADES I AND II. - -Mother Goose: A Book of Nursery Rhymes, arranged by C. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.net - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/old-2025-04-04/17157-0.txt b/old/old-2025-04-04/17157-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9920da8..0000000 --- a/old/old-2025-04-04/17157-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5572 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Gulliver’s Travels - Into Several Remote Regions of the World - -Author: Jonathan Swift - -Editor: Thomas M. Balliet - -Release Date: November 26, 2005 [eBook #17157] -[Most recently updated: October 15, 2021] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Juliet Sutherland, Chuck Greif, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULLIVER’S TRAVELS *** - - - - -GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - -Into Several Remote Regions of the World - -by - -JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. - -Edited with Introduction and Notes by Thomas M. Balliet -Superintendent of Schools, Springfield, Mass. - -With Thirty-Eight Illustrations and a Map - - -PART I - -A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT - - -PART II - -A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG - - - - - - - -[Illustration: "HE COMMANDED HIS GENERALS TO DRAW UP THE TROOPS." P. 42.] - - - - -D.C. Heath & Co., Publishers -Boston New York Chicago - -1900 - - - - -PREFACE. - - And lo! the book, from all its end beguiled, - A harmless wonder to some happy child. - - LORD LYTTON. - - -Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726; and, although it was by no -means intended for them, the book was soon appropriated by the children, -who have ever since continued to regard it as one of the most delightful -of their story books. They cannot comprehend the occasion which provoked -the book nor appreciate the satire which underlies the narrative, but -they delight in the wonderful adventures, and wander full of open-eyed -astonishment into the new worlds through which the vivid and logically -accurate imagination of the author so personally conducts them. And -there is a meaning and a moral in the stories of the Voyages to Lilliput -and Brobdingnag which is entirely apart from the political satire they -are intended to convey, a meaning and a moral which the youngest child -who can read it will not fail to seize, and upon which it is scarcely -necessary for the teacher to comment. - -For young children the book combines in a measure the interest of -_Robinson Crusoe_ and that of the fairy tale; its style is objective, -the narrative is simple, and the matter appeals strongly to the childish -imagination. For more mature boys and girls and for adults the interest -is found chiefly in the keen satire which underlies the narrative. It -appeals, therefore, to a very wide range of intelligence and taste, and -can be read with profit by the child of ten and by the young man or -woman of mature years. - -This edition is practically a reprint of the original (1726-27). The -punctuation and capitalization have been modernized, some archaisms -changed, and the paragraphs have been made more frequent. A few passages -have been omitted which would offend modern ears and are unsuitable for -children's reading, and some foot-notes have been added explaining -obsolete words and obscure expressions. - -As a reading book in school which must be adapted to the average mind, -these stories will be found suitable for classes from the fifth or sixth -school year to the highest grade of the grammar school. - -THOMAS M. BALLIET. - - - - -CONTENTS. - -VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. - - -CHAPTER I. - -The Author gives some account of himself and family--His first -inducements to travel--He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life--Gets -safe on shore in the country of Lilliput--Is made a prisoner, and -carried up the country - -CHAPTER II. - -The emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the nobility, comes to -see the Author in his confinement--The emperor's person and habits -described--Learned men appointed to teach the Author their language--He -gains favor by his mild disposition--His pockets are searched, and his -sword and pistols taken from him - -CHAPTER III. - -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 has his liberty granted him upon certain -conditions - -CHAPTER IV. - -Mildendo, 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 offers to -serve the emperor in his wars - -CHAPTER V. - -The Author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion--A high -title of honor is conferred upon him--Ambassadors arrive from the -emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace - -CHAPTER 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 -country--His vindication of a great lady - -CHAPTER VII. - -The Author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high treason, -makes his escape to Blefuscu--His reception there - -CHAPTER VIII. - -The Author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and -after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country - - * * * * * - -LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. - - "He commanded his generals to draw up the troops" - Map of Lilliput and Blefuscu - "I lay all this while ... in great uneasiness" - "Producing his credentials" - "These gentlemen made an exact inventory" - "Her imperial majesty was pleased to smile very graciously upon me" - "And created me a _nardac_ upon the spot" - "Three hundred tailors were employed" - "The happiness ... of dining with me" - "He desired I would hear him with patience" - "I set sail ... at six in the morning" - -AND TWENTY-THREE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT. - - - - -CONTENTS - -A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. - -CHAPTER I. - -A great storm described; the long-boat sent to fetch water, the Author -goes with it to discover the country--He is left on shore, is seized by -one of the natives, and carried to a farmer's house--His reception -there, with several accidents that happened there--A description of the -inhabitants - -CHAPTER II. - -A description of the farmer's daughter--The Author carried to a -market-town, and then to the metropolis--The particulars of his journey - -CHAPTER III. - -The Author sent for to court--The queen buys him of his master the -farmer, and presents him to the king--He disputes with his majesty's -great scholars--An apartment at court provided for the Author--He is in -high favor with the queen--He stands up for the honor of his own -country--He quarrels with the queen's dwarf - -CHAPTER IV. - -The country described--A proposal for correcting modern maps--The king's -palace, and some account of the metropolis--The Author's way of -travelling--The chief temple described - -CHAPTER V. - -Several adventures that happened to the Author--The execution of a -criminal--The Author shows his skill in navigation - -CHAPTER VI. - -Several contrivances of the Author to please the king and queen--He -shows his skill in music--The king inquires into the state of Europe, -which the Author relates to him--The king's observations thereon - -CHAPTER VII. - -The Author's love of his country--He makes a proposal of much advantage -to the king, which is rejected--The king's great ignorance in -politics--The learning of that country very imperfect and -confined--Their laws, and military affairs, and in the state - -CHAPTER VIII. - -The king and queen make a progress to the frontiers--The Author attends -them--The manner in which he leaves the country very particularly -related--He returns to England - -NOTE - - * * * * * - -LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. - - "They concluded I was only Relplum Sealcath" - Map of Brobdingnag - "A huge creature walking ... on the sea" - "Whereupon the huge creature trod short" - "I drew my hanger to defend myself" - "I called her my Glumdalclitch" - "Flourished after the manner of fencers in England" - "This gracious princess held out her little finger" - "She carried me to the king" - "I could only revenge myself by calling him brother" - "The smaller birds did not appear to be at all afraid of me" - "Gave me a gale with their fans" - "The most violent exercise I ever underwent" - "You have made an admirable panegyric" - "She had some foreboding" - "Somebody calling in the English tongue" - "My daughter kneeled, but I could not see her" - -AND TWELVE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT. - - - - -THE FIRST PUBLISHER TO THE READER. - - -The author of these travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my ancient and -intimate friend; there is likewise some relation between us on the -mother's side. About three years ago, Mr. Gulliver, growing weary of the -concourse of curious people coming to him at his house in Redriff,[1] -made a small purchase of land, with a convenient house, near Newark, in -Nottinghamshire, his native county, where he now lives retired, yet in -good esteem among his neighbors. - -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 churchyard 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 a sort of proverb among his neighbors at -Redriff, when any one affirmed a thing, to say it was as true as if Mr. -Gulliver had spoken it. - -By the advice of several worthy persons, to whom, with the author's -permission, I communicated these papers, I now venture to send them into -the world, hoping they may be, at least for some time, a better -entertainment than the common scribbles about politics and party. - -This volume would have been at least twice as large if I had not made -bold to strike out innumerable passages relating to the winds and tides, -as well as to the variations and bearings in the several voyages; -together with the minute description of the management of the ship in -the storms, in the style of sailors; likewise the account of longitudes -and latitudes; wherein I have reason to apprehend that Mr. Gulliver may -be a little dissatisfied; but I was resolved to fit the work as much as -possible to the general capacity of readers. However, if my own -ignorance in sea affairs shall have led me to commit some mistakes, I -alone am answerable for them, and if any traveller hath a curiosity to -see the whole work at large, as it came from the hand of the author, I -will be ready to gratify him. - -As for any farther particulars relating to the author, the reader will -receive satisfaction from the first pages of the book. - - RICHARD SYMPSON. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -TRAVELS. - -PART I. - - -_A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT_. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - THE AUTHOR GIVES SOME ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND FAMILY: HIS FIRST - INDUCEMENTS TO TRAVEL. HE IS SHIPWRECKED, AND SWIMS FOR HIS LIFE; - GETS SAFE ASHORE IN THE COUNTRY OF LILLIPUT; IS MADE A PRISONER, - AND CARRIED UP THE COUNTRY. - - -My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the third of five -sons. He sent me to Emmanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, -where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my studies; -but the charge of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty -allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound apprentice -to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued -four years; and my father now and then sending me small sums of money, I -laid them out in learning navigation, and other parts of the mathematics -useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be, -some time or other, my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down -to my father, where, by the assistance of him, and my uncle John and -some other relations, I got forty pounds,[2] and a promise of thirty -pounds a year, to maintain me at Leyden. There I studied physic two -years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages. - -Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master, -Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the "Swallow," Captain Abraham Pannell, -commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage -or two into the Levant,[3] and some other parts. When I came back I -resolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master, encouraged -me, and by him I was recommended to several patients. I took part of a -small house in the Old Jewry; and, being advised to alter my condition, -I married Mrs. Mary Burton,[4] 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 Indies, 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 ashore, in observing the 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 wife and family. I removed -from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to -get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account. After -three years' expectation that things would mend, I accepted an -advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the -"Antelope," who was making a voyage to the South Sea.[5] 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 northwest of Van Diemen's Land.[6] - -By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees and -2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labor 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 spied a rock within half -a cable's length of the ship;[7] 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 computation, about -three leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent -with labor, 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 those who escaped on the rock, or were left in -the vessel, I cannot tell, but conclude they were all lost. - -For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward -by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom; -but, when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found -myself within my depth; and, by this time, the storm was much abated. - -The declivity was so small that I walked near a mile before I got to the -shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening. I -then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign -of houses or inhabitants; at least, I was in so weak a condition, that I -did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the -heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I -left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the -grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I -remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine -hours; for, when I awaked, it was just daylight. 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 my eyes. - -I heard a confused noise about me; but, in the posture I lay, could see -nothing except the sky. In a little time, I felt something alive moving -on my left leg, which, advancing gently forward over my breast, came -almost up to my chin; when, bending my eyes downward, as much as I -could, I perceived it to be a human creature, not six inches high, with -a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the meantime -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, cried 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 discovered the methods they had taken to -bind me, and, at the same time, with a violent pull, which gave me -excessive pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down my hair -on the left side, so that I was just able to turn my head about two -inches. - -But the creatures ran off a second time, before I could seize them; -whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, and after it -ceased, I heard one of them cry aloud, _Tolgo phonac_; when, in an -instant, I felt above 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 -volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted with spears to -stick me in the sides; but by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin,[8] -which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie -still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand -being already loose, I could easily free myself; and as for the -inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the -greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the same -size with him that I saw. - -[Illustration: "I LAY ALL THIS WHILE IN GREAT UNEASINESS" P. 8.] - -But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the people observed I was -quiet, they discharged no more arrows: but, by the noise I heard, I knew -their numbers increased; and about four yards from me, over against my -right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like that of people at -work; when, 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. - -[Illustration] - -But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began his -oration, he cried out three times, _Langro debul san_ (these words, and -the former, were afterwards repeated, and explained to me). Whereupon -immediately about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the strings that -fastened the left side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning -it to the right, and of observing the person and gesture of him that was -to speak. He appeared to be of a middle age, and taller than any of the -other three who attended him, whereof one was a page that held up his -train, and seemed to be somewhat longer than my middle finger; the other -two stood one on each side, to support him. He acted every part of an -orator, and I could observe many periods of threatenings, and others of -promises, pity, and kindness. - -I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting up -my left hand, and both my eyes, to the sun, as calling him for a -witness: and, being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a -morsel for some hours before I left the ship, I found the demands of -nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear showing my impatience -(perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my finger -frequently to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The _hurgo_ (for -so they call a great lord, as I afterwards learned) understood me very -well. He descended from the stage, and commanded that several ladders -should be applied to my sides; on which above a hundred of the -inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets -full of meat, which had been provided and sent thither by the king's -orders, upon the first intelligence he received of me. - -I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not -distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins, -shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the -wings of a lark. I ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took -three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets. They -supplied me as they could, showing 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[9] wine of Burgundy, but -much more delicious. They brought me a second hogshead, which I drank in -the same manner, and made signs for more; but they had none to give me. - -When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced -upon my breast, repeating, several times, as they did at first, _Hekinah -degul_. They made me a sign, that I should throw down the two hogsheads, -but first warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying -aloud, _Borach nevola_; 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 remembrance of what -I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the -promise of honor I made them--for so I interpreted my submissive -behavior--soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered -myself as bound, by the laws of hospitality, to a people who had treated -me with so much expense 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. - -[Illustration: "PRODUCING HIS CREDENTIALS." P. 14.] - -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 forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue: and, -producing his credentials under the signet-royal,[10] which he applied -close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, -but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing forwards, -which, as I afterwards found, was towards the 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 show 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 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 -increased, I gave tokens to let them know, that they might do with me -what they pleased. Upon this the _hurgo_ and his train withdrew, with -much civility, and cheerful countenances. - -Soon after, I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the -words, _Peplom selan_, and I felt great numbers of people on my left -side, relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn upon -my right, and to get a little ease. But, before this, they had daubed 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, disposed me to sleep. I -slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured; and it was no -wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, had mingled a sleepy -potion in the hogsheads of wine. - -It seems that, upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the -ground after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it, by an -express; and determined in council, that I should be tied in the manner -I have related (which was done in the night, while I slept), that plenty -of meat and drink should be sent to 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 endeavored to kill me with -their spears and arrows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have -awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused my -rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings wherewith -I was tied; after 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 mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the -emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. The 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 -feet long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried on -these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea. Five hundred -carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work, to prepare the -greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood, raised three inches -from the ground, about seven feet long and four wide, moving upon -twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard was upon the arrival of this -engine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after my landing. It was -brought parallel to me, as I lay. But the principal difficulty was, to -raise and place me in this vehicle. - -Eighty poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and -very strong cords, of the bigness of packthread, were fastened by hooks -to many bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my -body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to -draw up these cords by many pulleys fastened on the poles; and thus, in -less than three hours, I was raised and slung into the engine, and tied -fast. - -[Illustration] - -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 a half high, were employed to draw me -towards the metropolis, which, as I said, was half a mile distant. - -About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked, by a very -ridiculous accident; for, the 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, 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[11] a good way -up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made me -sneeze violently; whereupon they stole off, unperceived, and it was -three weeks before I knew the cause of my awaking so suddenly. - -We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and rested at night -with five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches, and half -with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me, if I should offer to stir. The -next morning, at sunrise, we continued our march, and arrived within two -hundred yards of the city gates about noon. The emperor, and all his -court, came out to meet us; but his great officers would by no means -suffer his majesty to endanger his person, by mounting on my body. - -At the place where the carriage 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, looked upon as profane, and therefore had been -applied to common use, 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 feet high, and almost two feet -wide, through which I could easily creep. On each side of the gate was a -small window, not above six inches from the ground; into that on the -left side the king's smith conveyed four score 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. - -[Illustration] - -Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at -twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here -the emperor ascended, with many principal lords of his court, to have an -opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I could not see them. It -was reckoned that above an hundred thousand inhabitants came out of the -town upon the same errand; and, in spite of my guards, I believe there -could not be fewer than ten thousand, at several times, who mounted my -body, by the help of ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued, to -forbid it, upon pain of death. - -When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they cut -all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up, with as melancholy 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 semi-circle, -but, being fixed within four inches of the gate, allowed me to creep in, -and lie at my full length in the temple. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - THE EMPEROR OF LILLIPUT, ATTENDED BY SEVERAL OF THE NOBILITY, COMES - TO SEE THE AUTHOR IN HIS CONFINEMENT. THE EMPEROR'S PERSON AND - HABIT DESCRIBED. LEARNED MEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE AUTHOR THEIR - LANGUAGE. HE GAINS FAVOR BY HIS MILD DISPOSITION. HIS POCKETS ARE - SEARCHED, AND HIS SWORD AND PISTOLS TAKEN FROM HIM. - - -When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and must confess I -never beheld a more entertaining prospect. The country around, appeared -like a continued garden, and the enclosed fields, which were generally -forty feet square, resembled so many beds of flowers. These fields were -intermingled with woods of half a stang,[12] and the tallest trees, as I -could judge, appeared to be seven feet high. I viewed the town on my -left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a theatre. - -The emperor was already descended from the tower, and advancing on -horseback towards me, which had like to have cost him dear; for the -beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight, -which appeared as if a mountain moved before him, reared up on his hind -feet. But that prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till -his attendants ran in and held the bridle, while his majesty had time to -dismount. - -When he alighted, he surveyed me round with great admiration, but kept -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 reach them. I -took these vehicles, and soon emptied them all; twenty of them were -filled with meat; each afforded me two or three good mouthfuls. The -empress and young princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by many -ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs;[13] 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 -graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then past his prime, being -twenty-eight years and three-quarters old, of which he had reigned about -seven in great felicity, 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. - -[Illustration] - -His dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the -Asiatic and the European; but he had on his head a light helmet of gold, -adorned with jewels, and a plume an the crest.[14] He held his sword -drawn in his hand, to defend himself, if I should happen to break loose; -it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard were gold, -enriched with diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very clear and -articulate, and I could distinctly hear it, when I stood up. - -The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; so that the -spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread on the -ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His imperial -majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers, but neither of us -could understand a syllable. There were several of his priests and -lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), who were commanded -to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them in as many languages as -I had the least smattering of, which were, High and Low Dutch, Latin, -French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca;[15] but all to no purpose. - -After about two hours the court retired, and I was left with a strong -guard, to prevent the impertinence, and probably the malice of the -rabble, who were very impatient to crowd about me as near as they durst; -and some of them had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I sat -on the ground by the door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed -my left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the 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 butt-ends of their pikes into my reach. I took them -all on my right hand, put five of them into my coat-pocket; and as to -the sixth, I made a countenance as if I would eat him alive. The poor -man squalled terribly, and the colonel and his officers were in much -pain, especially when they saw me take out my penknife; but I soon put -them out of fear, for, looking mildly, and immediately cutting the -strings he was bound with, I set him gently on the ground, and away he -ran. I treated the rest in the same manner, taking them one by one out -of my pocket; and I observed both the soldiers and people were highly -delighted at this mark of my clemency, which was represented very much -to my advantage at court. - -[Illustration] - -Towards night, I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay on -the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight, during which time -the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. Six hundred beds, -of the common measure, were brought in carriages and worked up in my -house; an hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn together, made up the -breadth and length; and these were four double, which, however, kept me -but very indifferently from the hardness of the floor, which was of -smooth stone. By the same computation, they provided me with sheets, -blankets, and coverlets, which were tolerable enough for one who had -been so long inured 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 -household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had not -provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against this -inconvenience. 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 meantime, 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 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 despatch 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 behavior to the six criminals -above-mentioned, which made so favorable an impression in the breast of -his majesty, and the whole board, in my behalf, that an imperial -commission was issued out, obliging all the villages nine hundred yards -round the city to deliver in, every morning, six beeves, forty sheep, -and other victuals, for my sustenance; together with a proportionable -quantity of bread and wine, and other liquors; for the due payment of -which his majesty gave assignments upon his treasury. For this prince -lives chiefly upon his own demesnes, seldom, except upon great -occasions, raising any subsidies upon his subjects, who are bound to -attend him in his wars at their own expense. An establishment was also -made of six hundred persons, to be my domestics, who had board-wages -allowed for their maintenance, and tents built for them very -conveniently on each side of my door. - -It was likewise ordered that three hundred tailors should make me a suit -of clothes, after the fashion of the country; that six of his majesty's -greatest scholars should be employed to instruct me in their language; -and lastly, that the emperor's horses, and those of the nobility and -troops of guards, should be frequently exercised in my sight, to -accustom themselves to me. - -All these orders were duly put in execution, and in about three weeks I -made a great progress in learning their language; during which time the -emperor frequently honored 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 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 _lumos kelmin pesso desmar lon 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 behavior, 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 should set upon them. I took up the two officers in my -hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into every other -pocket about me, except my two fobs and another secret pocket, which I -had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little necessaries -that were of no consequence to any but myself. In one of my fobs there -was a silver watch, and in the other a small quantity of gold in a -purse. - -[Illustration: "THESE GENTLEMEN MADE AN EXACT INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING -THEY SAW" P. 30.] - -These gentlemen having pen, ink, and paper about them, made an exact -inventory of everything 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_,[16] 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 waistcoat pocket we -found a prodigious number 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 palisadoes 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 so heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift -them. In the left pocket, were two black pillars irregularly shaped; we -could not without difficulty reach the top of them, as we stood at the -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 and -round substance, about twice the bigness of our heads. Within each of -these was enclosed a prodigious plate of steel, which, by our orders, we -obliged him to show us, because we apprehended they might be dangerous -engines. He took them out of their cases, and told us that in his own -country his practice was to shave his beard with one of these, and to -cut his meat with the other. There were two pockets which we could not -enter: these he called his fobs. Out of the right fob hung a great -silver chain, with a wonderful kind of engine at the bottom. We directed -him to draw out whatever was at the end of that chain, which appeared to -be a globe, half silver, and half of some transparent metal; for on the -transparent side we saw certain strange figures, circularly drawn, and -thought we could touch them till we found our fingers stopped by that -lucid substance.[17] He put this engine to our ears, which made an -incessant noise, like that of a water-mill; and we conjecture it is -either some unknown animal, or the god that he worships; but we are more -inclined to the latter opinion, because he assured us (if we understood -him right, for he expressed himself very imperfectly), that he seldom -did anything 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 a most ponderous metal, about the bigness of our heads, and required -a strong hand to lift them; the other cell contained a heap of certain -black grains, but of no great bulk or weight, for we could hold about -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 sealed, on the fourth day of the -eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign. - - CLEFRIN FRELOC. - MARSI FRELOC. - -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 scimitar, which I took out, scabbard and all. In -the meantime, he ordered three thousand of his choicest troops (who then -attended him) to surround me at a distance, with their bows and arrows -just ready to discharge; but I did not observe it, for mine eyes were -wholly fixed upon his majesty. He then desired me to draw my scimitar, -which, although it had got some rust by the sea-water, was in most parts -exceedingly bright. I did so, and immediately all the troops gave a -shout between terror and surprise; for the sun shone clear, and the -reflection dazzled their eyes, as I waved the scimitar to and fro in my -hand. His majesty, who is a most magnanimous prince, was less daunted -than I could expect; he ordered me to return it into the scabbard, and -cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about six feet from the end -of my chain. - -The next thing he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars, by which -he meant my pocket-pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as -I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only with -powder, which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape wetting -in the sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent mariners take -special care to provide), I first cautioned the emperor not to be -afraid, and then let it off in the air. - -The astonishment here was much greater than at the sight of my scimitar. -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 scimitar, and then my pouch of powder and bullets, begging him that -the former might be kept from fire, for it would kindle with the -smallest spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the air. - -[Illustration] - -I likewise delivered up my watch, which the emperor was very curious to -see, and commanded two of his tallest yeomen of the guards[18] to bear -it on a pole upon their shoulders, as draymen in England do a barrel of -ale. He was amazed at the continual noise it made and the motion of the -minute-hand, which he could easily discern; for their sight is much more -acute than ours. He asked the opinions of his learned men about it, -which were various and remote, as the reader may well imagine without my -repeating; although, indeed, I could not very perfectly understand them. - -I then gave up my silver and copper money, my purse, with nine large -pieces of gold, and some smaller ones; my knife and razor, my comb and -silver snuffbox, my handkerchief and journal-book. My scimitar, pistols, -and pouch were conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores; but the -rest of my goods were returned to 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,[19] and some other -little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the emperor, I -did not think myself bound in honor to discover; and I apprehended they -might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my possession. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - 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 HAS HIS LIBERTY GRANTED HIM UPON CERTAIN - CONDITIONS. - - -My gentleness and good behavior 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 favorable 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 one 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 -feet, and twelve inches from the ground. Upon which I shall desire -liberty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge a little. - -[Illustration] - -This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for -great employments and high favor at court. They are trained in this art -from their youth, and are not always of noble birth or liberal -education. When a great office is vacant, either by death or disgrace -(which often happens) five or six of those candidates petition the -emperor to entertain his majesty, and the court, with a dance on the -rope, and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the -office. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show -their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their -faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the -straight rope, at least an inch higher than any lord in the whole -empire. I have seen him do the summersault several times together upon a -trencher,[20] fixed on a rope, which is no thicker than a common -packthread in England. My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for -private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second -after the treasurer; the rest of the great officers are much upon a par. - -These diversions are often attended with fatal accidents, whereof great -numbers are on record. I myself have seen two or three candidates break -a limb. But the danger is much greater when the ministers themselves are -commanded to show their dexterity! for, by contending to excel -themselves and their 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 before 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 shown before the -emperor and empress and first minister, upon particular occasions. The -emperor lays on the table three fine silken threads, of six inches long; -one is 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 favor. The ceremony is performed -in his majesty's great chamber of state, where the candidates are to -undergo a trial of dexterity very different from the former, and such as -I have not observed the least resemblance of in any other country of the -old or 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 blue-colored silk; the yellow is given to -the next, and the green to the third, which they all wear girt twice -about the middle; and you see few great persons round about this court -who are not adorned with one of these girdles. - -The horses of the army, and those of the royal stables, having been -daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very -feet without starting. The riders would leap them over my hand as I held -it on the ground; and one of the emperor's huntsmen, upon a large -courser, took my foot, shoe and all, which was indeed a prodigious leap. - -I had the good fortune to divert the emperor one day after a very -extraordinary manner. I desired he would order several sticks of two -feet high, and the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought me; -whereupon 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 feet and a half square, I took four other -sticks and tied them parallel at each corner, about two feet from the -ground; then I fastened my handkerchief to the nine sticks that stood -erect, and extended it on all sides, till it was 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 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 -entertainments; only once a fiery horse, that belonged to one of the -captains, pawing with his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and -his foot slipping, he overthrew his rider and himself; 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 enterprises. - -About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was -entertaining the court with feats of this kind, 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 oddly 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 had at first apprehended, for it -lay on the grass without motion; and some of them had walked round it -several times; that, by mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had -got to the top, which was flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they -found it was hollow within; that they humbly conceived it might be -something belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majesty pleased, -they would undertake to bring it with only five horses. - -[Illustration] - -I presently knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this -intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the shore after our -shipwreck, I was in such confusion that, before I came to the place -where I went to sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string to my -head while I was rowing, and had stuck on 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, describing to him the use and nature -of it; and the next day the wagoners arrived with it, but not in a very -good condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and -a half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks -were tied by a long cord to the harness; and thus my hat was dragged -along for above half an English mile; but the ground in that country -being extremely smooth and level, it received less damage than I -expected. - -Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that part of -the army which quarters in and about his metropolis to be in readiness, -took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular manner. He desired -I would stand like a colossus, with my legs as far asunder as I -conveniently could. He then commanded his general (who was an old, -experienced leader and a great patron of mine) to draw up the troops in -close order and march under me; the foot by twenty-four abreast and the -horse by sixteen, with drums beating, colors flying, and pikes advanced. -This body consisted of three thousand foot and a thousand horse. - -I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his -majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and then -in full council; where it was opposed by none, except Skyrris 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 complexion. However, he was at length persuaded to -comply; but prevailed, that the articles and conditions upon which I -should be set free, and to which I must swear, should be drawn up by -himself. - -These articles were brought to me by Skyrris Bolgolam in person, -attended by two under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. -After they were read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of -them, first in the manner of my own country, and afterwards in the -method prescribed by their laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my -left hand, and to place the middle finger of my right hand on the crown -of my head, and my thumb on the tip of my right ear. - -But because the reader may be curious to have some idea of the style and -manner of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to know the -articles upon which I recovered my liberty, I have made a translation of -the whole instrument, word for word, as near as I was able, which I here -offer to the public. - -_Golbasto 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 extremities of the globe; monarch of all monarchs, taller than the -sons of men; whose feet press down to the centre, and whose head strikes -against the sun; at whose nod the princes of the earth shake their -knees; pleasant as the spring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful as -autumn, dreadful as winter. His most sublime majesty proposeth to the -man-mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following -articles, which by a solemn oath he shall be obliged to perform. - -First. The man-mountain shall not depart from our dominions without our -license under our great seal. - -Second. He shall not presume to come into our metropolis, without our -express order, at which time the inhabitants shall have two hours -warning to keep within doors. - -Third. 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.[21] - -Fourth. As he walks the said roads, he shall take the utmost care not to -trample upon the bodies of any of our loving subjects, their horses or -carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his hands without their own -consent. - -Fifth. If an express requires extraordinary despatch, 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. - -Sixth. He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of -Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now -preparing to invade us. - -Seventh. 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. - -Eighth. That the said man-mountain shall, in two moons time, deliver in -an exact survey of the circumference of our dominions, by a computation -of his own paces round the coast. - -Lastly. That upon his solemn oath to observe all the above articles, the -said man-mountain shall have a daily allowance of meat and drink -sufficient for the support of 1724 of our subjects, with free access to -our royal person, and other marks of our favor. Given at our palace at -Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign. - -I swore and subscribed to the articles with great cheerfulness and -content, although some of them were not so honorable as I could have -wished; which proceeded wholly from the malice of Skyrris Bolgolam, the -high admiral; whereupon my chains were immediately unlocked, and I was -at full liberty. The emperor himself in person did me the honor to be by -at the whole ceremony. I made my acknowledgments, by prostrating myself -at his majesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many -gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of vanity, I shall not -repeat, he added, that he hoped I should prove a useful servant, and -well deserve all the favors 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 me a quantity of -meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 Lilliputians. Some -time after, asking a friend at court, how they came to fix on that -determinate number, he told me, that his majesty's mathematicians having -taken the height of my body by the help of a quadrant,[22] and finding -it to exceed theirs in the proportion of twelve to one, they concluded, -from the similarity of their bodies, that mine must contain at least -1724 of theirs, and consequently would require as much food as was -necessary to support that number of Lilliputians. By which the reader -may conceive an idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the -prudent and exact economy of so great a prince. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - MILENDO, 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 OFFERS - 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 Milendo, the metropolis; which the emperor -easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt, either to -the inhabitants or their houses. The people had notice, by proclamation, -of my design to visit the town. - -The wall, which encompassed it, is two feet and a half high, and at -least eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very -safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet -distance. I stept over the great western gate, and passed very gently, -and sideling, through the two principal streets, only in my short -waistcoat, for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the houses with -the skirts[23] of my coat. I walked with the utmost circumspection, to -avoid treading on any stragglers who might remain in the streets; -although the orders were very strict, that all people should keep in -their houses at their own peril. The garret-windows and tops of houses -were so crowded with spectators, that I thought in all my travels I had -not seen a more populous place. - -The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being five hundred -feet long. The two great streets, which run across and divide it into -four quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys, which I could -not enter, but only viewed them as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen -inches. The town is capable of holding five hundred thousand souls; the -houses are from three to five stories; the shops and markets well -provided. - -The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city, where the two great -streets meet. It is enclosed by a wall of two 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 feet, and includes two other -courts; in the inmost are the royal apartments, which I was very -desirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for the great gates -from one square into another were but eighteen inches high, and seven -inches wide. Now the buildings of the outer court were at least five -feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride over them without -infinite damage to the pile, though the walls were strongly built of -hewn stone, and four inches thick. - -At the same time, the emperor had a great desire that I should see the -magnificence of his palace; but this I was not able to do till three -days after, which I spent in cutting down, with my knife, some of the -largest trees in the royal park, about an hundred yards distance from -the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each about three feet high, -and strong enough to bear my weight. - -[Illustration: "HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY WAS PLEASED TO SMILE VERY GRACIOUSLY -UPON ME" P. 50.] - -The people having received notice a second time, I went again through -the city to the palace, with my two stools in my hands. When I came to -the side of the outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took the other -in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and gently set it down on the -space between the first and second court, which was eight feet wide. I -then stept over the building very conveniently, from one stool to the -other, and drew up the first after me with a hooked stick. By this -contrivance I got into the inmost court; and, lying down upon my side, I -applied my face to the windows of the middle stories, which were left -open on purpose, and discovered the most splendid apartments that can be -imagined. There I saw the empress and the young princes in their several -lodgings, with their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty -was pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of the -window her hand to kiss. - -But I shall not anticipate the reader with farther descriptions 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 politics, laws, learning, and -religion, their plants and animals, their peculiar manners and customs, -with other matters very curious and useful; my chief design, at present, -being only to relate such events and transactions as happened to the -public, or to myself, during a residence of about nine months in that -empire. - -One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, -Reldresal, principal secretary (as they style him) for 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 of the many good offices he had done me during my -solicitations at court. I offered to lie down, that he might the more -conveniently reach my ear; but he chose rather to let me hold him in my -hand during our conversation. - -He began with compliments on my liberty; said he might pretend to some -merit in it. But however, added, that if it had not been for the present -situation of things at court, perhaps I might not have obtained it so -soon. For, said he, as flourishing a condition as we may appear to be in -to foreigners, we labor 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 seventy -moons past, there have been two struggling parties in this empire, under -the names of _Tramecksan_ and _Slamecksan_, from the high and low heels -of their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, -indeed, that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient -constitution; but, however this may be, his majesty hath determined to -make use only of 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, at least by a -_drurr_, than any of his court (_drurr_ is a measure about the -fourteenth part of an inch). The animosities between these two parties -run so high, that they will neither eat nor drink nor talk with each -other. We compute the _Tramecksan_, or high heels, to exceed us in -number; but the power is wholly on our side. We apprehend his imperial -highness, the heir to the crown, to have some tendency towards the high -heels; at least, we can plainly discover that one of his heels is higher -than the other, which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst -of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from -the island of 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 -dropped 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 cattle of his majesty's dominions. Besides, our histories of -six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions than the two -great empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Which two mighty powers have, as -I was going to tell you, been engaged in a most obstinate war for -six-and-thirty moons past. It began upon the 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 eleven thousand persons have, at several times, suffered -death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many -hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy, but the -books of the Big-endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party -rendered incapable, by law, of holding employments. During the course of -these troubles, the Emperors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate, by -their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, by -offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, -in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is their -Alcoran)[24] This, however, is thought to be a mere strain upon the -text; for the words are these: That all true believers break their eggs -at the convenient end. And which is the convenient end, seems, in my -humble opinion, to be left to every man's conscience, or, at least, in -the power of the chief magistrate to determine. Now, the Big-endian -exiles have found so much credit in the emperor of Blefuscu's court, and -so much private assistance and encouragement from their party here at -home, that a bloody war 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 valor and strength, hath commanded me to lay -this account of his affairs before you. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - THE AUTHOR, BY AN EXTRAORDINARY STRATAGEM, PREVENTS AN INVASION. A - HIGH TITLE OF HONOR IS CONFERRED UPON HIM. AMBASSADORS ARRIVE FROM - THE EMPEROR OF BLEFUSCU, AND SUE FOR PEACE. THE EMPRESS'S APARTMENT - ON FIRE, BY ACCIDENT; THE AUTHOR INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING THE REST OF - THE PALACE. - - -The empire of Blefuscu is an island, situate to the north northeast 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 enemy's ships, who had received no -intelligence of me, all intercourse between the two empires having been -strictly forbidden during the war, upon the pain of death, and an -embargo[25] laid by our emperor upon all vessels whatsoever. - -I communicated to his majesty a project I had formed, of seizing the -enemy's whole fleet; which, as our scouts assured us, lay at anchor in -the harbor, ready to sail with the first fair wind. I consulted the most -experienced seamen upon the depth of the channel, which they had often -plumbed; who told me, that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy -_glumgluffs_ deep, which is about six feet of European measure; and the -rest of it fifty _glumgluffs_ at most. I walked towards the northeast -coast, over against Blefuscu; where, lying down behind a hillock, I took -out my small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, -consisting of about fifty men-of-war, and a great number of transports; -I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for which I had a -warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of iron. -The cable was about as thick as 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 -northeast coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked -into the sea in my leathern jerkin, about half an hour before -high-water. I waded with what haste I could, and swam in the middle -about thirty yards, till I felt ground; I arrived at the fleet in less -than half an hour. The enemy were so frightened, when they saw me, that -they leaped out of their ships, and swam to shore, where there could not -be fewer than thirty thousand souls: I then took my tackling, and -fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords -together at the end. - -While I was thus employed, the enemy discharged several thousand arrows, -many of which stuck in my hands and face; and, 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 escaped the emperor's searchers. These I took out, -and fastened as strongly as I could upon my nose, and thus armed, went -on boldly with my work, in spite of the enemy's arrows, many of which -struck against the glasses of my spectacles, but without any other -effect, farther than a little to discompose them.[26] I had now fastened -all the hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand, began to pull: but not a -ship would stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors; so -that the boldest part of my enterprise remained. I therefore let go the -cord, and, leaving the hooks fixed to the ships, I resolutely cut with -my knife the cables that fastened 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 tied, and, with great ease, drew -fifty of the enemy's largest men-of-war after me. - -The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagination of what I intended, -were at first confounded with astonishment. They had seen me cut the -cables, and thought my design was only to let the ships run adrift, or -fall foul on each other: but when they perceived the whole fleet moving -in order, and saw me pulling at the end, they set up such a scream of -grief and despair as it is almost impossible to describe or conceive. -When I had got out of danger, I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows -that stuck in my hands and face: and rubbed on some of the same ointment -that was given me at my first arrival, as I have formerly mentioned. I -then took off my spectacles, and waiting about an hour, till the tide -was a little fallen, I waded through the middle with my cargo, and -arrived safe at the royal port of Lilliput. - -The emperor and his whole court stood on the shore, expecting the issue -of this great adventure. They saw the ships move forward in a large -half-moon, but could not discern me, who was up to my breast in water. -When I advanced to 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 an hostile -manner: but he was soon eased of his fears; for the channel growing -shallower every step I made, I came in a short time within hearing; and -holding up the end of the cable, by which the fleet was fastened, I -cried in a loud voice, Long live the most puissant[27] 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 honor 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 immeasurable 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 viceroy; of destroying the Big-endian exiles, and compelling that -people to break the smaller end of their eggs, by which he would remain -the sole monarch of the whole world. But I endeavored to divert him from -this design, by many arguments, drawn from the topics of policy, as well -as justice. And I plainly protested, that I would never be an instrument -of bringing a free and brave people into slavery. And when the matter -was debated in council, the wisest part of the ministry were of my -opinion. - -[Illustration: "AND CREATED ME A _NARDAC_ UPON THE SPOT." P. 58.] - -This open, bold declaration of mine was so opposite to the schemes and -politics of his imperial majesty, that he could never forgive me; he -mentioned it, in a very artful manner, at council, where, I was told, -that some of the wisest appeared, at least by their silence, to be of my -opinion; but others, who were my secret enemies, could not forbear some -expressions, which by a side-wind reflected on me. And, from this time -began an intrigue between his majesty and a junto[28] of ministers -maliciously bent against me, which broke out in less than two months, -and had like to have ended in my utter destruction. Of so little weight -are the greatest services to princes, when put into the balance with a -refusal to gratify their passions. - -About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived a solemn embassy -from Blefuscu, with humble offers of peace; which was soon concluded, -upon conditions very advantageous to our emperor, wherewith I shall not -trouble the reader. There were six ambassadors, with a train of about -five hundred persons; and their entry was very magnificent, suitable to -the grandeur of their master, and the 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 valor -and generosity, invited me to that kingdom, in the emperor their -master's name, and desired me to show some proofs of my prodigious -strength, of which they had heard so many wonders; wherein I readily -obliged them, but shall not trouble the reader with the particulars. - -[Illustration] - -When I had for some time entertained their Excellencies, to their -infinite satisfaction and surprise, I desired they would do me the honor -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 country. Accordingly, the next time I had the honor -to see our emperor, I desired his general license to wait on the -Blefuscudian monarch, which he was pleased to grant me, as I could -plainly perceive, in a very cold manner; but could not guess the reason, -till I had a whisper from a certain person, that Flimnap and Bolgolam -had represented my intercourse with those ambassadors as a mark of -disaffection, from which, I am sure, my heart was wholly free. And this -was the first time I began to conceive some imperfect idea of courts and -ministers. - -It is to be observed, that these 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 its own tongue, with an avowed contempt -for that of its neighbor; yet our emperor, standing upon the advantage -he had got by the seizure of their fleet, obliged them to deliver their -credentials, and make their speech in the Lilliputian tongue. - -And it must be confessed, that, from the great intercourse of trade and -commerce between both realms; from the continual reception of exiles, -which is mutual among them; and from the custom in each empire, to send -their young nobility, and richer gentry, to the other, in order to -polish themselves, by seeing the world, and understanding men and -manners; there are few persons of distinction, or 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 anything but an extreme necessity -have forced me to submit. But, being now a _nardac_ of the highest rank -in that empire, such offices were looked upon as below my dignity, and -the emperor, to do him justice, never once mentioned them to me. -However, it was not long before I had an opportunity of doing his -majesty, at least as I then thought, a most signal service. I was -alarmed at midnight with the cries of many hundred people at my door, by -which, being suddenly awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I heard the -word _burglum_ repeated incessantly. - -Several of the emperor's court, making their way through the crowd, -entreated me to come immediately to the palace, where her imperial -majesty's apartment was on fire, by the carelessness of a maid of honor, -who fell asleep while she was reading a romance. I got up in an instant; -and orders being given to clear the way before me, and it being likewise -a moonshine night, I made a shift to get to the palace, without -trampling on any of the people. I found they had already applied ladders -to the walls of the apartment, and were well provided with buckets, but -the water was at some distance. These buckets were about the size of a -large thimble, and the poor people supplied me with them as fast as they -could; but the flame was so violent that they did little good. I might -easily have stifled it with my coat, which I unfortunately left behind -me for haste, and came away only in my leathern jerkin. The case seemed -wholly desperate and deplorable, and this magnificent palace would have -infallibly been burnt down to the ground, if, by a presence of mind -unusual to me, I had not suddenly thought of an expedient by which in -three minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and the rest of that -noble pile, which had cost so many ages in erecting, preserved from -destruction. - -[Illustration] - -It was now daylight, and I returned to my house, without waiting to -congratulate with the emperor; because, although I had done a very -eminent piece of service, yet I could not tell how his majesty might -resent the manner by which I had performed it: for, by the fundamental -laws of the realm, it is capital in any man, of what quality soever, to -even touch the empress or the royal princesses without invitation. But I -was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, that he would give -orders to the grand justiciary for passing my pardon in form, which, -however, I could not obtain. And I was privately assured that the -empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of me, and, in the presence -of her chief confidants, could not forbear vowing revenge. - - - - -CHAPTER 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 COUNTRY. - - -Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a -particular treatise, yet, in the meantime, 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 with observing a cook pulling[29] a lark, -which was not so large as a common fly; and a young girl threading an -invisible needle with invisible silk. - -Their tallest trees are about seven feet high; I mean some of those in -the great royal park, the tops whereof I could but just reach with my -fist clenched. The other vegetables are in the same proportion; but this -I leave to the reader's imagination. - -I shall say but little at present of their learning, which, for many -ages, 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, but aslant, from one corner of -the paper to the other, like ladies in England. - -They bury their dead with their heads directly downwards, 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 the 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 country, I -should be tempted to say a little in their justification. It is only to -be wished they were as well executed. The first I shall mention relates -to informers. 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 trial, the accuser is immediately put to an -ignominious death; and, out of his goods, or lands, the innocent person -is quadruply recompensed for the loss of his time, for the danger he -underwent, for the hardship of his imprisonment, and for all the charges -he hath been at in making his defence, or, it that fund be deficient, -it is largely supplied by the crown. The emperor also confers on him -some public mark of his favor, and proclamation is made of his innocence -through the whole city. - -They look upon fraud as a greater crime than theft, and therefore seldom -fail to punish it with death; for they allege, that care and vigilance, -with a very common understanding, may preserve a man's goods from -thieves, but honesty has no fence against superior cunning; and, since -it is necessary that there should be a perpetual intercourse of buying -and selling, and dealing upon credit, where fraud is permitted and -connived at, or 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 run 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 -practice 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 out -of a fund appropriated for that use; he likewise acquires the title of -_snillpall_, or _legal_, which is added to his name, but doth 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 sheath in her left, to show she was more disposed to reward -than to punish. - -In choosing 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 understanding is -fitted to some station or other, and that Providence never intended to -make the management of public affairs a mystery, to be comprehended only -by a few persons of sublime genius, of which there seldom are three born -in an age; but they suppose truth, justice, temperance, and the like, to -be in every man's power, the practice of which virtues, assisted by -experience, and a good intention, would qualify any man for the service -of his country, 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 consequences to the public -weal as the practices of a man whose inclinations led him to be corrupt, -and who had great abilities to manage, to multiply, and defend his -corruptions. - -In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine Providence renders a man -incapable of holding any public station; for, since kings avow -themselves to be the deputies of Providence, the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more absurd than for a prince to employ such men as -disown the authority under which he acts. - -In relating these and the following laws, I would only be understood to -mean the original institutions, and not the most scandalous corruptions -into which these people are fallen, by the degenerate nature of man. -For, as to that infamous practice of acquiring great employments by -dancing on the ropes, or badges of favor and distinction by leaping over -sticks, and creeping under them, the reader is to observe, that they -were first introduced by the grandfather of the emperor, now reigning, -and grew to the present height by the gradual increase of party and -faction. - -Ingratitude is, among them, a capital crime, as we read it to have been -in some other countries; for they reason thus, that whoever makes ill -returns to his benefactor, must needs be a common enemy to the rest of -mankind, from whom he 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. Their opinion is, that parents are the last of all -others to be trusted with the education of their own children; and, -therefore, they have, in every town, public nurseries, where all -parents, except cottagers and laborers, 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 and simple. They are bred up in the -principles of honor, justice, courage, modesty, clemency, religion, and -love of their country; they are always employed in some business, except -in the times of eating and sleeping, which are very short, and two hours -for diversions, consisting of bodily exercises. They are dressed by men -till four years of age, 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 smaller or greater numbers to take their diversions, and -always in the presence of a professor, or one of his deputies; whereby -they avoid those early bad impressions of folly and vice, to which our -children are subject. Their parents are suffered to see them only twice -a year; the visit to last but an hour; they are allowed to kiss the -child at meeting and parting; but a professor, who always stands by on -those occasions, will not suffer them to whisper, or use any fondling -expressions, or bring any presents of toys, sweetmeats, and the like. - -The pension from each family, for the education and entertainment of a -child, upon failure of due payment, is levied by the emperor's officers. - -The nurseries for children of ordinary gentlemen, merchants, traders, -and handicrafts, are managed proportionally after the same manner; only -those designed for trades are put out apprentices at eleven years old, -whereas those persons of quality continue in their exercises till -fifteen, which answers to twenty-one with us; but the confinement is -gradually lessened for the last three years. - -In the female nurseries, the young girls of quality are educated much -like the males, only they are dressed by orderly servants of their own -sex; but always in the presence of a 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 the chambermaids -among us, they are publicly whipped thrice about the city, imprisoned -for a year, and banished for life to the most desolate part of the -country. Thus, the young ladies there are as much ashamed of being -cowards and fools as the men, and despise all personal ornaments beyond -decency and cleanliness: neither did I perceive any difference in their -education, made by their difference of sex, only that the exercises of -the women were not altogether so robust, and that some rules were given -them relating to domestic life, and a smaller compass of learning was -enjoined them: for their maxim is that, among people of quality, a wife -should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she -cannot always be young. When the girls are twelve years old, which -among them is the marriageable age, their parents or guardians take -them home, with great expressions of gratitude to the professors, and -seldom without tears of the young lady and her 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 seven years -old, the rest are kept to eleven. - -The meaner[30] 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[31] for the child; and, therefore, all parents -are limited in their expenses by the law. For the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more unjust than for people to leave the burden of -supporting their children on the public. As to persons of quality, they -give security to appropriate a certain sum for each child, suitable to -their condition; and these funds are always managed with good husbandry -and the most exact justice. - -The cottagers and laborers keep their children at home, their business -being only to till and cultivate the earth, and therefore their -education is of little consequence to the public; but the old and -diseased among them are supported by hospitals; for begging is a trade -unknown in this empire. - -And here it may perhaps divert the curious reader to give some account -of my domestic,[32] and my manner of living in this country, during a -residence of nine months and thirteen days. Having a head for -mechanics, 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 seamtresses were employed 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 feet make a piece. - -The seamtresses took my measure as I lay on the ground, one standing at -my neck, and another at my mid-leg, with a strong cord extended that -each held by the end, while a third measured the length of the cord with -a rule of an inch long. Then they measured my right thumb, and desired -no more; for, by a mathematical computation, that twice round the thumb -is once round the wrist, and so on to the neck and the waist, and by the -help of my old shirt, which I displayed on the ground before them for a -pattern, they fitted me exactly. Three hundred tailors were employed in -the same manner to make me clothes; but they had another contrivance for -taking my measure. I kneeled down, and they raised a ladder from the -ground to my neck; upon this ladder one of them mounted, and let fall a -plumb-line from my collar to the floor, which just answered the length -of my coat; but my waist and arms I measured myself. When my clothes -were finished, which was done in my house (for the largest of theirs -would not have been able to hold them), they looked like the patchwork -made by the ladies in England, only that mine were all of a color. - -[Illustration: "THREE HUNDRED TAILORS WERE EMPLOYED TO MAKE ME CLOTHES" -P. 74.] - -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, flung on their shoulders; all of 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 sirloin -so large that I have been forced to make three bites of it; but this is -rare. My servants were astonished to see me eat it, bones and all, as in -our country we do the leg of a lark. Their geese and turkeys I usually -eat at a mouthful, and I 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 young princes of -the blood of both sexes, might have the happiness, as he was pleased to -call it, of dining with me. They came accordingly, and I placed them in -chairs of state upon my table, just over against me, with their guards -about them. Flimnap, the lord high treasurer, attended 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 honor to my dear country, 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 a great discount; that exchequer -bills[33] would not circulate under nine per cent, below par; that I had -cost his majesty above a million and a half of _sprugs_ (their greatest -gold coin, about the bigness of a spangle); and, upon the whole, that it -would be advisable in the emperor to take the first fair occasion of -dismissing me. - -[Illustration: "THE HAPPINESS ... OF DINING WITH ME." P. 76.] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - THE AUTHOR, BEING INFORMED 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 -country, 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,[34] and without sending his name, desired admittance. The -chairmen were dismissed; I put the chair, with his lordship in it, into -my coat-pocket; and, 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, according to my usual custom, and sat down by -it. After the common salutations were over, observing his lordship's -countenance full of concern, and inquiring into the reason, he desired I -would hear him with patience, in a matter that highly concerned my honor -and my life. His speech was to the following effect, for I took notes of -it as soon as he left me:-- - -You are to know, said he, that several committees of council have been -lately called in the most private manner on your account; and it is but -two days since his majesty came to a full resolution. - -You are very sensible that Skyrris Bolgolam (_galbet_ or high-admiral) -hath been your mortal enemy almost ever since your arrival: his original -reasons I know not; but his hatred is increased since your great success -against Blefuscu, by which his glory, as admiral, is much obscured. This -lord, in conjunction with Flimnap the high treasurer, whose enmity -against you is notorious, 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. - -[Illustration: "HE DESIRED I WOULD HEAR HIM WITH PATIENCE." P. 80.] - -Out of gratitude for the favors you have done for 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. - - Whereas, by a statute made in the reign of his Imperial Majesty - Calin Deffar Plune, it is enacted, That whoever shall lay hands - upon the empress, or upon any of the royal children, shall be - liable to the pains and penalties of high treason. Notwithstanding, - the said Quinbus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law, under - color of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his - Majesty's most dear imperial consort, did maliciously, and - traitorously, pull her by the arms, and lift her high in the air in - both his hands, against the statute in that case provided, &c., - against the duty, &c. - - ARTICLE II. - - 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 viceroy from hence, and to destroy and put to death, - not only all the Big-endian exiles, but likewise all the people of - that empire who would not immediately forsake the Big-endian - heresy. He, the said Flestrin, like a false traitor against his - most auspicious, serene, imperial majesty, did petition to be - excused from the said service, upon pretence of unwillingness to - force the consciences or destroy the liberties and lives of an - innocent people. - - ARTICLE III. - - That, whereas certain ambassadors arrived from the court of - Blefuscu, to sue for peace in his majesty's court; he, the said - Flestrin, did, like a false traitor, aid, abet, comfort, and divert - the said ambassadors, although he knew them to be servants to a - prince who was lately an open enemy to his imperial majesty, and in - open war against his said majesty. - - ARTICLE IV. - - That the said Quinbus Flestrin, contrary to the duty of a faithful - subject, is now preparing to make a voyage to the court and empire - of Blefuscu, for which he hath received only verbal license from - his imperial majesty; and under color of the said license, doth - falsely and traitorously 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 endeavoring 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 and sheets, which would soon make you tear your own flesh, and -die in the utmost torture. The general came into the same opinion; so -that for a long time there was a majority against you: but his majesty -resolving, if possible, to spare your life, at last brought off the -chamberlain. - -Upon this incident, Reldresal, principal 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 great, but that still there was room for mercy, the most commendable -virtue in a prince, and for which his majesty was so justly celebrated. -He said, the friendship between you and him was so well known to the -world, that perhaps the most honorable board might think him partial; -however, in obedience to the command he had received, he would freely -offer his sentiments; that if his majesty, in consideration of your -services, and pursuant to his own merciful disposition, would please to -spare your life, and only give orders to put out both your eyes, he -humbly conceived that, by this expedient, justice might in some measure -be satisfied, and all the world would applaud the lenity of the emperor, -as well as the fair and generous proceedings of those who have the honor -to be his counsellors: that the loss of your eyes would be no impediment -to your bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his -majesty: that blindness is an addition to courage, by concealing dangers -from us: that the fear you had for your eyes was the greatest difficulty -in bringing over the enemy's fleet: and it would be sufficient for you -to see by the eyes of the ministers, since the greatest princes do no -more. - -[Illustration] - -This proposal was received with the utmost disapprobation 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 you, who extinguished the fire in that unprincipled -manner, might at another time inundate and drown the whole palace; and -the same strength, which enabled you to bring over the enemy's fleet, -might serve, upon the first discontent, to carry it back: that he had -good reasons to think you were a Big-endian in your heart; and, as -treason begins in the heart, before it appears in overt acts, so he -accused you as a traitor on that account, and therefore insisted you -should be put to death. - -The treasurer was of the same opinion. He showed to what straits his -majesty's revenue was reduced, by the charge of maintaining you, which -would soon grow insupportable. That the secretary's expedient of putting -out your eyes was so far from being a remedy against this evil, that it -would probably increase it, as is manifest from the common practice of -blinding some sort of fowls, after which they fed the faster, and grew -sooner fat. That his sacred majesty, and the council, who are your -judges, were to their own consciences 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 pleaded to say, that since the council thought the loss -of your eyes too easy a censure, some other might 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 consume in a few months; neither would the stench of -your carcase be then so dangerous when it should become more than half -diminished; and, immediately upon your death, five or six thousand of -his majesty's 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 monument of admiration to -posterity. - -Thus, by the great friendship of the secretary, the whole affair was -compromised. It was strictly enjoined that the project of starving you -by degrees should be kept a secret, but the 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 borne -perpetual malice against you, on account of that illegal method you took -to remove her and her children the night of the fire. - -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 favor of his majesty and council, whereby -you are only condemned to the loss of your eyes, which his majesty doth -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 resentment or the malice of a favorite, the emperor always -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 anything -terrify the people so much as those encomiums on his majesty's mercy; -because it was observed that, the more these praises were enlarged and -insisted on, the more inhuman was the punishment, and the sufferer more -innocent. Yet, as to myself, I must confess, having never been designed -for a courtier, either by my birth or education, I was so ill a judge of -things that I could not discover the lenity and favor of this sentence, -but conceived it (perhaps erroneously) rather to be rigorous than -gentle, I sometimes thought of standing my trial; for although I could -not deny the facts alleged in the several articles, yet I hoped they -would admit of some extenuation. But having in my life perused many -state-trials, which I ever observed to terminate as the judges thought -fit to direct, I durst not rely on so dangerous a decision, in so -critical a juncture, and against such powerful enemies. Once I was -strongly bent upon resistance, for, while I had liberty, the whole -strength of that empire could hardly subdue me, and I might easily with -stones pelt the metropolis to pieces; but I soon rejected that project -with horror, by remembering the oath I had made to the emperor, the -favors I received from him, and the high title of _nardac_ he conferred -upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of courtiers as to -persuade myself that his majesty's present seventies acquitted me of all -past obligations. - -At last I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is probable I may incur -some censure, and not unjustly; for I confess I owe the 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 submitted to so easy a punishment. -But, hurried on by the precipitancy of youth, and having his imperial -majesty's license to pay my attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I -took this opportunity, before the three days were elapsed, to send a -letter to my friend the secretary, signifying my resolution of setting -out that morning for Blefuscu pursuant to the leave I had got; and, -without waiting for an answer, I went to that side of the island where -our fleet lay. I seized a large man-of-war, tied a cable to the prow, -and lifting up the anchors, I stript myself, put my clothes (together -with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) into the vessel, and -drawing it after me, between wading and swimming arrived at the 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 until I came within two hundred yards of the -gate, and desired them to signify my arrival to one of the secretaries, -and let him know I there waited his majesty's command. I had an answer -in about an hour, that his majesty, attended by the royal family and -great officers of the court, was coming out to receive me. I advanced a -hundred yards. The emperor and his train alighted from their horses, the -empress and ladies from their coaches, and I did not perceive they were -in any fright or concern. I lay on the ground to kiss his majesty's and -the empress's hand. - -[Illustration] - -I told his majesty that I was come, according to my promise, and with -the license of the emperor, my master, to have the honor of seeing so -mighty a monarch, and to offer him any service in my power consistent -with my duty to my own prince, not mentioning a word of my disgrace, -because I had hitherto no regular information of it, and might suppose -myself wholly ignorant of any such design; neither could I reasonably -conceive that the emperor would discover the secret while I was out of -his power, wherein however it soon appeared I was deceived. - -I shall not trouble the reader with the particular account of my -reception at this court, which was suitable to the generosity of so -great a prince; nor of the difficulties I was in for want of a house and -bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped up in my coverlet. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - THE AUTHOR, BY A LUCKY ACCIDENT, FINDS MEANS TO LEAVE BLEFUSCU, AND - AFTER SOME DIFFICULTIES, RETURNS SAFE TO HIS NATIVE COUNTRY. - - -Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the northeast -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 immediately towards the city, and desired -his imperial majesty to lend me twenty of the tallest vessels he had -left after the loss of his fleet, and three thousand seamen under the -command of his 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 stripped myself, and waded till I came within -a hundred yards of the boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got -up to it. The seamen threw me the end of the cord, which I fastened to a -hole in the forepart of the boat, and the other end to a man-of-war. But -I found all my labor 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 one of my hands, -and, the tide favoring me, I advanced so far, that I could just hold up -my chin and feel the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and then -gave the boat another shove, and so on till the sea was no higher than -my arm-pits; and now, the most laborious part being over, I took out my -other cables, which were stowed in one of the ships, and fastened them -first to the boat, and then to nine of the vessels which attended me; -the wind being favorable, the seamen towed, and I shoved, till we -arrived within forty yards of the shore, and waiting till the tide was -out, I got dry to the boat, and, by the assistance of two thousand men, -with ropes and engines, I made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and -found it was but little damaged. - -I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties I was under, by the -help of certain paddles, which cost me ten days making, to get my boat -to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse of people -appeared upon my arrival, full of wonder at the sight of so prodigious a -vessel. I told the 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 country, and begged his majesty's orders for getting materials to -fit it up, together with his license to depart, which, after some kind -expostulation, he was pleased to grant. - -I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any -express relating to me from our emperor to the court of Blefuscu. But I -was afterwards given privately to understand 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 -license he had given me, which was well known at our court, and would -return in a few days when the ceremony was ended. But he was at last in -pain at my long absence; and, after consulting with the treasurer and -the rest of that cabal,[35] a person of quality was despatched 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 farther than 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 _nardac_ and declared a traitor. The envoy -farther added that, in order to maintain the peace and amity between -both empires, his master expected that his brother of Blefuscu would -give orders to have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be -punished as a traitor. - -The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, returned an -answer consisting of many civilities and excuses. He said that, as for -sending me bound, his brother knew it was impossible. That, although I -had deprived him of his fleet, yet he owed great obligations to me for -many good offices I had done him in making the peace. That, 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 orders to fit up with my own assistance and direction; and he -hoped in a few weeks both empires would be freed from so insupportable -an incumbrance. - -With this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput, and the monarch of -Blefuscu related to me all that had passed; offering me at the same time -(but under the strictest confidence) his gracious protection if I would -continue in his service; wherein, although I believed him sincere, yet I -resolved never more to put any confidence in princes or ministers where -I could possibly avoid it; and, therefore, with all due acknowledgments -for his favorable 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 folds -of their strongest linen together. I was at the pains of making ropes -and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, or thirty of the thickest and -strongest of theirs. A great stone, that I happened to find after a long -search by the sea-shore, served me for an anchor. I had the tallow of -three hundred cows for greasing my boat, and other uses. I was at -incredible pains in cutting down some of the largest timber-trees for -oars and masts, wherein I was, however, much assisted by his majesty's -ship-carpenters, who helped me in smoothing them after I had done the -rough work. - -In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to receive his majesty's -commands, and to take my leave. The emperor and royal family came out of -the palace. I lay down on my face to kiss his hand, which he very -graciously gave me; so did the empress and young princes of the blood. -His majesty presented me with fifty purses of two hundred _sprugs_ -a-piece, together with his picture at full length, which I put -immediately into one of my gloves, to keep it from being hurt. The -ceremonies at my departure were too many to trouble the reader with at -this time. - -[Illustration: "I SET SAIL AT SIX IN THE MORNING" P. 98.] - -I stored the boat with the carcases of a hundred oxen, and three hundred -sheep, with bread and drink proportionable, and as much meat ready -dressed as four hundred cooks could provide. I took with me six cows and -two bulls alive, with as many ewes and lambs, 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 honor 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 -southeast, at six in the evening I descried a small island about half a -league to the northwest I advanced forward, and cast anchor on the lee -side[36] of the island, which seemed to be uninhabited. I then took some -refreshment, and went to my rest. I slept well, and, as I conjecture, at -least six hours, for I found the day broke two hours after I awaked. It -was a clear night. I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving -anchor, the wind being favorable, 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 northeast of Van Diemen's Land. I -discovered nothing all that day; but upon the next, about three o'clock -in the afternoon, when I had, by my computation, made twenty-four -leagues from Blefuscu, I descried a sail steering to the southeast: my -course was due east. I hailed her, but could get no answer; yet I found -I gained upon her, for the wind slackened. I made all the sail I could, -and in half-an-hour she spied me, then hung out her ancient,[37] and -discharged a gun. - -It is not easy to express the joy I was in, upon the unexpected hope of -once more seeing my beloved country, and the dear pledges I left in it. -The ship slackened her sails, and I came up with her, between five and -six in the evening, September twenty-sixth; but my heart leaped within -me to see her English colors. I put my cows and sheep into my -coat-pockets, and got on board with all my little cargo of provisions. -The vessel was an English merchantman returning from Japan by the North -and South Seas; the captain, Mr. John 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 had underwent had disturbed my head; whereupon I took my black -cattle and sheep out of my pocket, which, after great astonishment, -clearly convinced him of my veracity. I then showed him the gold given -me by the emperor of Blefuscu, together with his majesty's picture at -full length, and some other rareties of that country. I gave him two -purses of two hundred _sprugs_ each, and promised, when we arrived in -England, to make him a present of a cow and a sheep. - -[Illustration] - -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[38] -on the thirteenth of April, 1702. I had only one misfortune, that the -rats on board carried away one of my sheep; I found her bones in a hole, -picked clean from the flesh. I got the rest of my cattle safe ashore, -and set them a-grazing in a bowling-green at Greenwich, where the -fineness of the grass made them feed very heartily, though I had always -feared the contrary: neither could I possibly have preserved them in so -long a voyage, if the captain had not allowed me some of his best -biscuits, which, rubbed to powder, and mingled with water, was their -constant food. The short time I continued in England, I made a -considerable profit by showing my cattle to many persons of quality and -others: and before I began my second voyage I sold them for six hundred -pounds. - -Since my last return, I find the breed is considerably increased, -especially the sheep, which I hope will prove much to the advantage of -the woollen manufacture, by the fineness of the fleeces. - -[Illustration] - -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 fortune. My eldest -uncle, John, had left me an estate in land, near Epping, of about thirty -pounds a year; and I had a long lease of the "Black Bull[39]," 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[40] child. My -daughter Betty (who is now well married, and has children), was then at -her needlework. I took leave of my wife and boy and girl, with tears on -both sides, and went on board the "Adventure," a merchant ship of three -hundred tons, bound for Surat, Captain John Nicholas, of Liverpool, -commander. But my account of this voyage must be referred to the second -part of my travels. - -THE END OF THE FIRST PART. - -[Illustration: "THEY CONCLUDED ... THAT I WAS ONLY _Relplum -Scalcath_," P. 37.] - -[Illustration] - -TRAVELS. - - * * * * * - - - - -PART II. - -_A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG_. - - * * * * * - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - A GREAT STORM DESCRIBED; THE LONG-BOAT SENT TO FETCH WATER; THE - AUTHOR GOES WITH IT TO DISCOVER THE COUNTRY. HE IS LEFT ON SHORE, - IS SEIZED BY ONE OF THE NATIVES, AND CARRIED TO A FARMER'S HOUSE. - HIS RECEPTION, WITH SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED THERE. A - DESCRIPTION OF THE INHABITANTS. - - -Having been condemned by nature and fortune to an active and restless -life, in two months after my return I again left my native country, and -took shipping in the Downs on the twentieth 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 wintered there: for, the captain falling sick of -an ague, we could not leave the Cape till the end of March. We then set -sail, and had a good voyage till we passed the Straits of -Madagascar;[41] but having got northward of that island, and to about -five degrees south latitude, the winds, which in those seas are observed -to blow a constant equal gale, between the north and west, from the -beginning of December to the beginning of May, on the nineteenth of -April began to blow with much greater violence and more westerly than -usual, continuing so for twenty days together, during which time we were -driven a little to the east of the Molucca Islands, and about three -degrees northward of the line,[42] 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 rejoiced. But, he, -being a man well experienced in the navigation of those seas, bid us all -prepare against a storm, which accordingly happened the day following: -for the southern wind, called the southern monsoon, began to set in, and -soon it was a fierce storm. - -Finding it was like to overblow, we took in our sprit-sail, and stood by -to hand the foresail; but making foul weather, we looked the guns were -all fast, and handed the mizzen. - -[Illustration] - -The ship lay very broad off, so we thought it better spooning before -the sea, than trying, or hulling. We reefed the foresail and set him, we -hauled aft the foresheet: the helm was hard-a-weather. The ship wore -bravely. We belayed the fore down-haul; but the sail was split, and we -hauled down the yard, and got the sail into the ship, and unbound all -the things clear of it. It was a very fierce storm; the sea broke -strange and dangerous. We hauled off the laniard of the whipstaff, and -helped the man at the helm. We could not get down our topmast, but let -all stand, because she scudded before the sea very well, and we knew -that the topmast being aloft, the ship was the wholesomer, and made -better way through the sea, seeing we had sea-room. When the storm was -over, we set foresail and mainsail, and brought the ship to. Then we set -the mizzen, main-top-sail, and the fore-top-sail. Our course was east -north east, the wind was at southwest. We got the starboard tacks -aboard, we cast off our weather braces and lifts; we set in the lee -braces, and hauled forward by the weather bowlings, and hauled them -tight and belayed them, and hauled over the mizzen tack to wind-ward and -kept her full and by, as near as she could lie. - -During this storm, which was followed by a strong wind, west southwest, -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 crew all in good health; but we lay in the utmost distress for -water. We thought it best to hold on the same course, rather than turn -more northerly, which might have brought us to the northwest parts of -Great Tartary, and into the Frozen Sea. - -On the sixteenth day of June, 1703, a boy on the topmast discovered -land. On the seventeenth, we came in full view of a great island or -continent (for we knew not which), 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 tons. We cast anchor within a league of this -creek, and our captain sent a dozen of his men well armed in the -long-boat, with vessels for water, if any could be found. I desired his -leave to go with them, that I might see the country, and make what -discoveries I could. - -When we came to land, we saw no river or spring, nor any sign of -inhabitants. Our men therefore wandered on the shore to find out some -fresh water near the sea, and I walked alone about a mile on the other -side, where I observed the country all barren and rocky. I now began to -be weary, and seeing nothing to entertain my curiosity, I returned -gently down toward the creek; and the sea being full in my view, I saw -our men already got into the boat, and rowing for life to the ship. I -was going to holla after them, although it had been to little purpose, -when I observed a huge creature walking after them in the sea, as fast -as he could; he waded not much deeper than his knees, and took -prodigious strides; but our men had the start of him about half a -league, and the sea thereabouts being full of pointed rocks, the monster -was not able to overtake the boat. This I was afterwards told, for I -durst not stay to see the issue of the adventure; but ran as fast as I -could the way I first went, and then climbed up a steep hill, which gave -me some prospect of the country. I found it fully cultivated; but that -which first surprised me was the length of the grass, which, in those -grounds that seemed to be kept for hay, was about twenty feet high. - -[Illustration: "A HUGE CREATURE WALKING ... IN THE SEA." P. 6.] - -I fell into a high road, for so I took it to be, though it served to the -inhabitants only as a footpath through a field of barley. Here I walked -on for some time, but could see little on either side, it being now near -harvest, and the corn rising at least forty feet. I was an hour walking -to the end of this field, which was fenced in with a hedge of at least -one hundred and twenty feet high, and the trees so lofty that I could -make no computation of their altitude. There was a stile to pass from -this field into the next. It had four steps, and a stone to cross over -when you came to the uppermost. It was impossible for me to climb this -stile because every step was six feet high, and the upper stone above -twenty. - -I was endeavoring 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. These people were not so well clad -as the first, whose servants or laborers 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 distance, 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 through, and the beards of the fallen -ears so strong and pointed that they pierced through my clothes into my -flesh. At the same time I heard the reapers not above a hundred yards -behind me. - -Being quite dispirited with toil, and wholly overcome by grief and -despair, I lay down between two ridges, and heartily wished I might -there end my days. I 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 forever 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 among 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 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, approaching within ten yards of -the ridge where I lay, made me apprehend that with the next step I -should be squashed to death under his foot, or cut in two with his -reaping-hook. And, therefore, when he was again about to move, I -screamed as loud as fear could make me. Whereupon the huge creature trod -short, and looking round about under him for some time, at last espied -me as I lay on the ground. He considered awhile, with the caution of one -who endeavors to lay hold on a small dangerous animal in such a manner -that it shall not be able either to scratch or to bite him, as I myself -have sometimes done with a weasel in England. - -[Illustration: "WHEREUPON THE HUGE CREATURE TROD SHORT." P. 10.] - -At length he ventured to take me up between his forefinger 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 feet from the ground, although he -grievously pinched my sides, for fear I should slip through his fingers. -All I ventured was to raise my 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 meantime I was not able to forbear groaning and shedding -tears, and turning my head towards my sides; letting him know, as well -as I could, how cruelly I was hurt by the pressure of his thumb and -finger. He seemed to apprehend my meaning; for, lifting up the lappet of -his coat, he put me gently into it, and immediately ran along with me to -his master, who was a substantial farmer, and the same person I had -first seen in the field. - -The farmer, having (as I suppose by their talk) 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 hair aside, to take a better view of my -face. He called his hinds[43] about him, and asked them (as I afterwards -learned) whether they had ever seen in the fields any little creature -that resembled me. He then placed me softly on the ground upon all -fours, but I got immediately up, and walked slowly backwards and -forwards to let those people see that I had no intent to run away. - -They all sat down in a circle about me, the better to observe my -motions. I pulled off my hat, and made a low bow towards the farmer. I -fell on my knees, and lifted up my hands and eyes, and spoke several -words as loud as I could: I took a purse of gold out of my pocket, and -humbly presented it to him. He received it on the palm of his hand, then -applied it close to his eye to see what it was, and afterwards turned it -several times with the point of a pin (which he took out of his sleeve), -but could make nothing of it. Whereupon I made a sign that he should -place his hand on the ground. I then took the purse, and opening it, -poured all the gold into his palm. There were six Spanish pieces, of -four pistoles[44] 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 it to him several -times, I thought it best to do. - -The farmer by this time was convinced I must be a rational creature. He -spoke often to me, but the sound of his voice pierced my ears like that -of a water-mill, yet his words were articulate enough. I answered as -loud as I could in several languages, and he often laid his ear within -two yards of me; but all in vain, for we were wholly unintelligible to -each other. He then sent his servants to their work, and taking his -handkerchief out of his pocket, he doubled and spread it on his left -hand, which he placed flat on the ground, with the palm 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 -full length upon the handkerchief, with the remainder of which he lapped -me up to the head for farther security, and in this manner carried me -home to his house. There he called his wife, and showed me to her; but -she screamed and ran back, as women in England do at the sight of a toad -or a spider. However, when she had awhile seen my behavior, 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 -husbandman) in a dish of about four-and-twenty feet diameter. The -company were the farmer and his wife, three children, and an old -grandmother. When they were sat down, the farmer placed me at some -distance from him on the table, which was thirty feet high from the -floor. I was in a terrible fright, and kept as far as I could from the -edge for fear of falling. The wife minced a bit of meat, then crumbled -some bread on a trencher,[45] 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 deafened by -the noise. This liquor tasted like a small cider, and was not -unpleasant. Then the master made me a sign to come to his trencher-side; -but as I walked on the table, being in great surprise all the time, as -the indulgent reader will easily conceive and excuse, I happened to -stumble against a crust, and fell flat on my face, but received no hurt. -I got up immediately, and observing the good people to be in much -concern, I took my hat (which I held under my arm out of good manners), -and, waving it over my head, made three huzzas, to show that I had got -no mischief by my fall. - -But advancing forwards towards my master (as I shall henceforth call -him), his youngest son, who sat 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 in every limb; but his father snatched me from him, and at the -same time gave him such a box in 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 spite, and well -remembering how mischievous all children among us naturally are to -sparrows, rabbits, young kittens, and puppy dogs, I fell on my knees, -and, pointing to the boy, made my master to understand as well as I -could, that I desired his son might be pardoned. The father complied, -and the lad took his seat again; whereupon I went to him and kissed his -hand, which my master took, and made him stroke me gently with it. - -In the midst of dinner, my mistress's favorite 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 that -animal, who seemed to be three times larger than an ox, as I computed by -the view of her head and one of her paws, while her mistress was feeding -and stroking her. The fierceness of this creature's countenance -altogether discomposed me, though I stood at the further end of the -table, above fifty feet off, and although my mistress held her fast, for -fear she might give a spring and seize me in her talons. - -But it happened there was no danger; for the cat took not the least -notice of me, when my master placed me within three yards of her. And as -I have been always told, and found true by experience in my travels, -that flying or discovering[46] fear before a fierce animal is a certain -way to make it pursue or attack you, so I resolved in this dangerous -juncture to show no manner of concern. I walked with intrepidity five or -six times before the very head of the cat, and came within half a yard -of her; whereupon she drew herself back, as if she were more afraid of -me. I had less apprehension concerning the dogs, whereof three or four -came into the room, as it is usual in farmers' houses; one of which was -a mastiff equal in bulk to four elephants, and a greyhound somewhat -taller than the mastiff, but not so large. - -When dinner was almost done, the nurse came in with a child of a year -old in her arms, who immediately spied me, and began a squall that you -might have heard from London Bridge to Chelsea,[47] after the usual -oratory of infants, to get me for a plaything. The mother out of pure -indulgence took me up, and put me towards the child, who presently -seized me by the middle and got my head in its mouth, where I roared so -loud that the urchin was frighted, and let me drop, and I should -infallibly have broke my neck if the mother had not held her apron -under me. The nurse, to quiet her babe, made use of a rattle, which was -a kind of hollow vessel filled with great stones, and fastened by a -cable to the child's waist. As she sat down close to the table on which -I stood, her appearance astonished me not a little. This made me reflect -upon the fair skins of our English ladies, who appear so beautiful to -us, only because they are of our own size, and their defects not to be -seen but through a magnifying glass, where we find by experiment that -the smoothest and whitest skins look rough, and coarse and ill-colored. - -I remember, when I was at Lilliput, 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 colors altogether -disagreeable: although I must beg leave to say for myself that I am as -fair as most of my sex and country, and very little sunburnt by my -travels. On the other side, discoursing of the ladies of 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 feet, appeared very well proportioned. - -When dinner was done my master went out to his labors, and, as I could -discover by his voice and gestures, gave his wife a strict charge to -take care of me. I was very much tired and disposed to sleep, which, my -mistress perceiving, she put me on her own bed, and covered me with a -clean white handkerchief, but larger and coarser than the mainsail 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 feet wide, and above -two hundred high, lying in a bed twenty yards wide. My mistress was gone -about her household affairs, and had locked me in. The bed was eight -yards from the floor. - -[Illustration: "I ... DREW MY HANGER TO DEFEND MYSELF." P. 18.] - -Presently two rats crept up the curtains, and ran smelling backwards and -forwards on my bed. One of them came almost up to my face; whereupon I -rose in a fright, and drew out my hanger to defend myself. The horrible -animals had the boldness to attack me both sides, and one of them held -his forefeet at my collar; but I killed him 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 infallibly have 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 draw the carcase off the bed, where it still lay bleeding. I -observed it had yet some life; but, with a strong slash across the neck, -I thoroughly despatched it. - -I hope the gentle reader will excuse me for dwelling on these and the -like 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 -public as well as private life, which was my sole design in presenting -this and other accounts of my travels to the world; wherein I have been -chiefly studious of truth, without affecting any ornaments of teaming or -style. But the whole scene of this voyage made so strong an impression -on my mind, and is so deeply 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. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - A DESCRIPTION OF THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER. THE AUTHOR CARRIED TO A - MARKET-TOWN, AND THEN TO THE METROPOLIS. THE PARTICULARS OF THIS - JOURNEY. - - -My mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a child of toward parts -for her age, very dexterous 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 cabinet, and the -drawer placed upon a hanging shelf for fear of the rats. This was my bed -all the time I stayed with these people, though made more convenient by -degrees, as I began to learn their language and make my wants known. - -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 anything, -she told me the name of it in her own tongue, so that in a few days I -was able to call for whatever I had a mind to. She was very -good-natured, and not above forty feet high, being little for her age. -She gave me the name of Grildrig, which the family took up, and -afterwards the whole kingdom. The word imports what the Latins call -_nanunculus_, the Italians _homunceletino_, and the English _mannikin_. -To her I chiefly owe my preservation in that country. We never parted -while I was there; I called her my Glumdalclitch, or little nurse; and -should be guilty of great ingratitude if I omitted this honorable -mention of her care and affection towards me, which I heartily wish it -lay in my power to requite as she deserves. - -It now began to be known and talked of in the neighborhood, that my -master had found a strange animal in the field, about the bigness of a -_splacnuck_, but exactly shaped in every part like a human 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 inquire into the truth of this story. I -was immediately produced and placed upon a table, where I walked as I -was commanded, drew my hanger, put it up again, made my reverence to my -master's guest, asked him in his own language how he did, and told him -_he was welcome_, just as my little nurse had instructed me. This man, -who was old and dim-sighted, put on his spectacles to behold me better, -at which I could not forbear laughing very heartily, for his eyes -appeared like the full moon shining into a chamber at two windows. Our -people, who discovered the cause of my mirth, bore me company in -laughing, at which the old fellow was fool enough to be angry and out of -countenance. He had the character of a great miser; and, to my -misfortune, he well deserved it by the cursed advice he gave my -master, to show me as a sight upon a market-day in the next town, which -was half an hour's riding, about two-and-twenty miles from our house. I -guessed there was some mischief contriving, when I observed my master -and his friend whispering long together, sometimes pointing at me; and -my fears made me fancy that I overheard and understood some of their -words. - -[Illustration: "I CALLED HER MY GLUMDALCLITCH." P. 22.] - -But the next morning, Glumdalclitch, my little nurse, told me the whole -matter, which she had cunningly picked out from her mother. The poor -girl laid me on her bosom, and fell 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 honor, and what an indignity conceive it to be -exposed for money, as a public spectacle, to the meanest of the people. -She said her papa and mamma had promised that Grildrig should be hers, -but now she found they meant to serve 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 left me, that I -should one day recover my liberty; to the ignominy of being carried -about for a monster, I considered myself to be a perfect stranger in the -country, and that such a misfortune could never be charged upon me as a -reproach if ever I should return to England; since the king of Great -Britain himself, in my condition, must have undergone the same distress. - -My master, pursuant to the advice of his friend, carried me in a box -the next market-day, to the neighboring town, and took along with him -his little daughter, my nurse, upon a pillion[48] behind him. The box -was close on every side, with a little door for me to go in and out, and -a few gimlet holes to let in air. The girl had been so careful as to put -the quilt of her baby's bed into it, for me to lie down on. However, I -was terribly shaken and discomposed in this journey, though it were but -of half an hour. For the horse went about forty feet at every step, and -trotted so high that the agitation was equal to the rising and falling -of a ship in a great storm, but much more frequent; our journey was -somewhat farther than from London to St. Alban's. My master alighted at -an inn which he used to frequent; and after consulting a while with the -innkeeper and making some necessary preparations, he hired the -_grultrud_, or crier, to give notice through the town, of a strange -creature to be seen at the sign of the Green Eagle, not so big as a -_splacnuck_ (an animal in that country, very finely shaped, about six -feet long), and in every part of the body resembling a human creature, -could speak several words, and perform a hundred diverting tricks. - -I was placed upon a table in the largest room of the inn, which might be -near three hundred feet square. My little nurse stood on a low stool -close to the table, to take care of me, and direct what I should do. My -master, to avoid a crowd, would suffer only thirty people at a time to -see me. I walked about on the table as the girl commanded. She asked me -questions, as far as she knew my 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 a thimble filled with -liquor, which Glumdalclitch had given me for a cup, and drank their -health. I drew out my hanger, and flourished with it, after the manner -of fencers in England. My nurse gave me part of a straw, which I -exercised as a pike, having learnt the art in my youth. I was that day -shown to twelve sets of company, and as often forced to act over again -the same fopperies, till I was half dead with weariness and vexation. -For those who had seen me made such wonderful reports, that the people -were ready to break down the doors to come in. - -My master, for his own interest, would not suffer any one to touch me -except my nurse, and, to prevent danger, benches were set round the -table at such a distance as to put me out of everybody's reach. However, -an unlucky school-boy aimed a hazel-nut directly at my head, which very -narrowly missed me: otherwise, it came with so much violence, that it -would have infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almost as large -as a small pumpion,[49] but I had the satisfaction to see the young -rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room. - -[Illustration: "FLOURISHED IT AFTER THE MANNER OF FENCERS IN ENGLAND." -P. 26.] - -My master gave public notice that he would show me again the next -market-day, and in the meantime he prepared a more convenient vehicle -for me, which he had reason enough to do; for I was so tired with my -first journey, and with entertaining company for eight hours together, -that I could hardly stand upon my legs or speak a word. It was at least -three days before I recovered my strength; and that I might have no rest -at home, all the neighboring gentleman, from a hundred miles round, -hearing of my fame, came to see me at my master's own house. There could -not be fewer than thirty persons with their wives and children (for the -country was very populous); and my master demanded the rate of a full -room whenever he showed me at home, although it were only to a single -family; so that for some time I had but little ease every day of the -week (except Wednesday which is their Sabbath), although I was not -carried to the 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 -seventeenth of August, 1703, about two months after my arrival, we set -out for the metropolis, situated the middle of that empire, and about -three thousand miles distance from our house. My master made his -daughter Glumdalclitch ride behind him. She carried me on her lap, in a -box tied about her waist. The girl had lined it on all sides with the -softest cloth she could get, well quilted underneath, furnished it with -her baby's bed, provided me with linen and other necessaries, and made -everything as conveniently as she could. We had no other company but a -boy of the house, who rode after us with the luggage. - -My master's design was to show me in all the towns by the way, and to -step out of the road for fifty or a hundred miles, to any village, or -person of quality's house, where he might expect custom. We made easy -journeys of not above seven or eight score miles a day; for -Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, complained she was tired with -the trotting of the horse. She often took me out of my box at my own -desire, to give me air and show me the country, but always held me fast -by a leading-string. We passed over five or six rivers, many degrees -broader and deeper than the Nile or the Ganges; and there was hardly a -rivulet so small as the Thames at London Bridge. We were ten weeks in -our journey, and I was shown in eighteen large towns, besides many -villages and private families. - -[Illustration] - -On the twenty-sixth 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.[50] He hired a large room between -three and four hundred feet wide. He provided a table sixty feet in -diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and palisadoed it round three -feet from the edge, and as many high, to prevent my falling over. I was -shown ten times a day, to the wonder and satisfaction of all people. I -could now speak the 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 -Glumdalclitch had been my instructor while we were at home, and at -leisure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her -pocket, not much larger than a Sanson's Atlas;[51] it was a common -treatise for the use of young girls, giving a short account of their -religion; out of this she taught me my letters, and interpreted the -words. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - THE AUTHOR SENT FOR TO COURT. THE QUEEN BUYS HIM OF HIS MASTER THE - FARMER, AND PRESENTS HIM TO THE KING. HE DISPUTES WITH HIS - MAJESTY'S GREAT SCHOLARS. AN APARTMENT AT COURT PROVIDED FOR THE - AUTHOR. HE IS IN HIGH FAVOR WITH THE QUEEN. HE STANDS UP FOR THE - HONOR OF HIS OWN COUNTRY. HE QUARRELS WITH THE QUEEN'S DWARF. - - -The frequent labors I underwent every day, made in a few weeks a very -considerable change in my health; the more my master got by me, the more -insatiable he grew. I had quite lost my stomach, and was almost reduced -to a skeleton. The farmer observed it, and, concluding I must soon die, -resolved to make as good a hand of me[52] 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, -behavior, 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 honor 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 country, and my travels, -which I answered as distinctly, and in as few words, as I could. She -asked whether I would be content to live at court. I bowed down to the -board of the table, and humbly answered that I was my master's slave; -but if I were at my own disposal, I should be proud to devote my life to -her majesty's service. She then asked my 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 the -bigness of eight hundred moidores[53]; but, for the proportion of all -things between that country and Europe, and the high price of gold among -them, was hardly so great a sum as a thousand guineas[54] 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 favor, that Glumdalclitch, -who had always attended me with so much care and kindness, and -understood 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 good service, to -which I replied not a word, only making him a slight bow. - -[Illustration: "THIS GRACIOUS PRINCESS HELD OUT HER LITTLE FINGER." -P. 32.] - -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 recompensed by the gain he had -made in showing me through half the kingdom, and the price he had now -sold me for. That the life I had since led was laborious enough to -kill an animal of ten times my strength. That my health was much -impaired by the continual drudgery of entertaining the rabble every -hour of the day, and that, if my master had not thought my life in -danger, her majesty would not have got so cheap a bargain. But as I -was out of all fear of being ill-treated under the protection of so -great and good an empress, the ornament of nature, the darling of the -world, the delight of her subjects, the phoenix[55] 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 carrying 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. - -[Illustration: "SHE ... CARRIED ME TO THE KING." P. 36.] - -She took me in her own hand, and carried me to the king, who was then -retired to his cabinet.[56] 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 -_splacnuck_; for such it seems he took me to be, as I lay upon my breast -in her majesty's right hand. But this princess, who hath an infinite -deal of wit and humor, set me gently on my feet upon the scrutoire,[57] -and commanded me to give his majesty an account of myself, which I did -in a very few words; and Glumdalclitch, who attended at the -cabinet-door, and could not 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, -had been educated in the study of philosophy, and particularly -mathematics; yet, when he observed my shape exactly, and saw me walk -erect, before I began to speak, conceived I might be a piece of -clockwork (which is in that country arrived to a very great perfection) -contrived by some ingenious artist. But when he heard my voice, and -found what I delivered to be regular and rational, he could not conceal -his astonishment. He was by no means satisfied with the relation I gave -him of the manner I came into his kingdom, but thought it a story -concerted between Glumdalclitch and her father, who had taught me a set -of words, to make me sell at a better price. Upon this imagination he -put several other questions to me, and still received rational answers, -no otherwise defective than by a foreign accent, and an imperfect -knowledge in the language, with some rustic phrases, which I had learned -at the farmer's house, and did not suit the polite style of a court. - -His majesty sent for three great scholars, who were then in their weekly -waiting[58] according to the custom in that country. 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. They would not allow me to be a dwarf, because my -littleness was beyond all degrees of comparison; for the queen's -favorite dwarf, the smallest ever known in that kingdom, was nearly -thirty feet high. After much debate, they concluded unanimously that I -was only _relplum scalcath_, which is interpreted literally, _lusus -naturae_;[59] a determination exactly agreeable to the modern philosophy -of Europe: whose professors, disdaining the old evasion of occult -causes, whereby the followers of Aristotle endeavored 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 -country which abounded with several millions of both sexes, and of my -own stature; where the animals, trees, and houses were all in -proportion, and where, by 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 gentlemen's arguments. -To this they only replied with a smile of contempt, saying, that the -farmer had instructed me very well in my lesson. The king, who had a -much better understanding, 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 had 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 Glumdalclitch should -still continue in her office of tending me, because he observed that 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 Glumdalclitch and I -should agree upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and, according -to my directions, in three weeks finished to me a wooden chamber of -sixteen feet square and twelve high, with sash-windows, a door, and two -closets, like a London bed-chamber. The board that made the ceiling was -to be lifted up and down by two hinges, to put in a bed ready furnished -by her majesty's upholsterer, which Glumdalclitch took out every day to -air, made it with her own hands, and, letting it down at night, locked -up the roof over me. A nice workman, who was famous for little -curiosities, undertook to make me two chairs, with backs and frames, of -a substance not unlike ivory, and two tables, with a cabinet to put my -things in. The room was quilted on all sides, as well as the floor and -the ceiling, to prevent any accident from the carelessness of those who -carried me, and to break the force of a jolt when I went in a coach. I -desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats and mice from coming in: the -smith, after several attempts, made the smallest that ever was seen -among them; for I have known a larger at the gate of a gentleman's house -in England. I made a shift to keep the key in a pocket of my own, -fearing Glumdalclitch might lose it. The queen likewise ordered the -thinnest silks that could be gotten to make me clothes, not much thicker -than an English blanket, very cumbersome, till I was accustomed to them. -They were after the fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the -Persian, and partly the Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit. - -The queen became so fond of my company that she could not dine without -me. I had a table placed upon the same at which her Majesty ate, just at -her left elbow, and a chair to sit on. Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on -the floor, near my table, to assist and take care of me. I had an entire -set of silver dishes and plates, and other necessaries, which, in -proportion to those of the queen, were not much bigger than what I have -seen in a London toy-shop for the furniture of a baby-house: these my -little nurse kept in her pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals -as I wanted them, always cleaning them herself. No person dined with the -queen but the two princesses 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 -twelve-penny loaves. She drank out of a golden cup, above a hogshead at -a draught. Her knives were twice as long as a scythe, set straight upon -the handle. The spoons, forks, and other instruments, were all in the -same proportion. I remember when Glumdalclitch 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, -is their Sabbath) the king and queen, with the royal issue of both sexes -dine together in the apartment of his majesty, to whom I was now become -a great favorite; and, at these times, my little chair and table were -placed at his left hand, before one of the salt-cellars. This prince -took a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners, -religion, taws, 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 reflections and observations -upon all I said. But I confess that after I had been a little too -copious in talking of my own beloved country, of our trade, and wars by -sea and land, 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, stroking me gently with the other, -after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me, whether I was a whig or a -tory? Then turning to his first minister, who waited behind him with a -white staff, near as tall as the mainmast of the "Royal Sovereign[60]," -he observed how contemptible a thing was human grandeur, which could be -mimicked by such diminutive insects as I: and yet, says he, I dare -engage these creatures have their titles and distinctions of honor; 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 -color came and went several times with indignation, to hear our noble -country, the mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France, the -arbitress of Europe, the seat of virtue, piety, honor, and truth, the -pride and envy of the world, so contemptuously treated. - -But, as I was not in a condition to resent injuries, so upon mature -thoughts, I began to doubt whether I was injured or no. For, after -having been accustomed, several months, to the sight and converse of -this people, and observed every object upon which I cast mine eyes to be -of proportionable magnitude, the horror I had at first conceived from -their bulk and aspect was so far worn off, that, if I had then beheld a -company of English lords and ladies in their finery, and birthday -clothes, acting their several parts in the most courtly manner of -strutting and bowing and prating, to say the truth, I should have been -strongly tempted to laugh as much at them as the king and his grandees -did at me. Neither, indeed, could I forbear smiling at myself, when the -queen used to place me upon her hand towards a looking-glass, by which -both our persons appeared before me in full view together; and there -could nothing be more ridiculous than the comparison; so that I really -began to imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size. - -Nothing angered and mortified me so much, as the queen's dwarf, who -being of the lowest stature that ever in that country (for I verily -think he was not full thirty feet high) became so insolent at seeing a -creature so much beneath him, that he would always affect to swagger, -and look big, as he passed by me in the queen's ante-chamber, while I -was standing on some table, talking with the lords or ladies of the -court, and he seldom failed of a smart word or two upon my 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 cub was -so nettled with something I had said to him, that, raising himself upon -the frame of her majesty's chair, he took me up, as I was sitting down, -not thinking any harm; and let me drop into a large silver bowl of -cream, and then ran away as fast as he could. I fell over head and ears, -and, if I had not been a good swimmer, it might have gone very hard with -me; for Glumdalclitch, in that instant, happened to be at the other -end of the room, and the queen was in such a fright, that she wanted -presence of mind to assist me. But my little nurse ran to my relief, and -took me out, after I had swallowed above a quart of cream. I was put to -bed; however, I received no other damage than the loss of a suit of -clothes, which was utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly whipped, and, -as a farther punishment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream into which -he had thrown me; neither was he ever restored to favor; for, soon -after, the queen bestowed him on a lady of high quality, so that I saw -him no more, to my very great satisfaction; for I could not tell to what -extremity such a malicious urchin might have carried his resentment. - -[Illustration: "I COULD ONLY REVENGE MYSELF BY CALLING HIM BROTHER." -P. 42.] - -He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the queen a-laughing, -although, at the same time she was heartily vexed, and would have -immediately cashiered him, if I had not been so generous as to -intercede. Her majesty had taken a marrow-bone upon her plate and, after -knocking out the marrow, placed the bone on the dish erect, as it stood -before. The dwarf watching his opportunity, while Glumdalclitch was gone -to the sideboard, 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 waist, where I stuck for some -time, and made a very ridiculous figure, I believe it was near a minute -before any one knew what was became of me; for I thought it below me to -cry out. But, as princes seldom get their meat hot, my legs were not -scalded, only my stockings and breeches in a sad condition. The dwarf, -at my entreaty, had no other punishment than a sound whipping. - -I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account of my fearfulness; -and she used to ask me, whether the people of my country were as great -cowards as myself? The occasion was this; the kingdom is much pestered -with flies in summer; and these odious insects, each of them as big as a -Dunstable lark,[61] hardly gave me any rest, while I sat at dinner, with -their continual humming and buzzing about my ears. They would sometimes -alight upon my victuals. Sometimes they would fix upon my nose or -forehead, where they stung me to the quick, and 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-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. - -[Illustration] - -I remember, one morning, when Glumdalclitch 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[62] of as many bag-pipes. 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 despatched 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 shown them, with some other curiosities, in several parts -of Europe, upon my return to England, I gave three of them to Gresham -College,[63] and kept the fourth for myself. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - THE COUNTRY DESCRIBED. A PROPOSAL FOR CORRECTING MODERN MAPS. THE - KING'S PALACE, AND SOME ACCOUNT OF THE METROPOLIS. THE AUTHOR'S WAY - OF TRAVELLING. THE CHIEF TEMPLE DESCRIBED. - - -I now intend to give the reader a short description of this country, as -far as I travelled in it, which was not above two thousand miles round -Lorbrulgrud, the metropolis. For the queen, whom I always attended, -never went farther 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 reacheth 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 northwest -parts of America, wherein I shall be ready to lend them my assistance. - -The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to the northeast by a ridge of -mountains, thirty miles high, which are altogether impassable, by reason -of the volcanoes upon the tops: neither do the most learned know what -sort of mortals inhabit beyond those mountains, or whether they be -inhabited at all. On the three other sides it is bounded by the ocean. -There is not one sea-port in the whole 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 a -hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages. To satisfy my -curious reader, it may be sufficient to describe Lorbrulgrud. This city -stands upon almost two equal parts on each side the river that passes -through. It contains above eighty thousand houses, and about six hundred -thousand inhabitants. It is in length three _glomglungs_ (which make -about fifty-four English miles) and two and a 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 a hundred feet: I -paced the diameter and circumference several times barefoot, and, -computing by the scale, measured it pretty exactly. - -The king's palace is no regular edifice, but a heap of buildings, about -seven miles round: the chief rooms are generally two hundred and forty -feet high, and broad and long in proportion. A coach was allowed to -Glumdalclitch and me, wherein her governess frequently took her out to -see the town, or go among the shops; and I was always of the party, -carried in my box; although the girl, at my own desire, would often take -me out, and hold me in her hand, that I might more conveniently view the -houses and the people as we passed along the streets, I reckoned our -coach to be about the square of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so -high: however, I cannot be very exact. - -Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen ordered -a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet square and ten -high, for the convenience of 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,[64] with a window in the middle -of three of the squares, and each window was latticed with iron wire on -the outside, to prevent accidents in long journeys. On the fourth side, -which had no window, two strong staples were fixed, through which the -person who carried me, when I had a mind to be on horseback, put a -leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This was always the -office of some grave, trusty servant, in whom I could 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; for I soon began to be known and esteemed among the greatest -officers, I suppose more on account of their majesties' favor than any -merit of my own. - -In journeys, when I was weary of the coach, a servant on horseback would -buckle on my box, and place it upon a cushion before him; and there I -had a full prospect of the country on three sides from my three windows. -I had in this closet a field-bed, and a hammock hung from the ceiling, -two chairs and a table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being -tossed about by the agitation of the horse or the coach. And having been -long used to sea voyages, those motions, although sometimes very -violent, did not much discompose me. - -Whenever I had a mind to see the town, it was always in my travelling -closet, which Glumdalclitch held in her lap, in a kind of open sedan, -after the fashion of the country, borne by four men, and attended by two -others in the queen's livery. The people, who had often heard of me, -were very curious to crowd about the sedan, and the girl was complaisant -enough to make the bearers stop, and to take me in her hand, that I -might be more conveniently seen. - -I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and particularly the tower -belonging to it, which is reckoned the highest in the kingdom. -Accordingly, one day my nurse carried me thither, but I must truly say -I came back disappointed; for the height is not above three thousand -feet, reckoning from the ground to the highest pinnacle top; which, -allowing for the difference between the size of those people and us in -Europe, is no great matter for admiration, nor at all equal in -proportion (if I rightly remember) to Salisbury steeple.[65] 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 nearly a hundred feet thick, built of hewn stone, whereof each -is about forty feet square, and adorned on all sides with statues of -gods and emperors, cut in marble larger than life, placed in their -several niches. I measured a little finger which had fallen down from -one of these statues, and lay unperceived among some rubbish, and found -it exactly four feet and an inch in length. Glumdalclitch wrapped it up -in her handkerchief and carried it home in her pocket, to keep among -other trinkets, of which the girl was very fond, as children at her age -usually are. - -The king's kitchen is indeed a noble building, vaulted at top, and about -six hundred feet high. The great oven is not so wide by ten 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 -critic would be apt to think I enlarged a little, as travellers are -often suspected to do. To avoid which censure, I fear I have run too -much into the other extreme; and that if this treatise should happen to -be translated into the 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 feet high. But when he goes -abroad on solemn days, he is attended for state by a militia guard of -five hundred horse, which indeed I thought was the most splendid sight -that could be ever beheld, till I saw part of his army in battalia,[66] -whereof I shall find another occasion to speak. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - SEVERAL ADVENTURES THAT HAPPENED TO THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR SHOWS - HIS SKILL IN NAVIGATION. - - -I should have lived happily enough in that country, if my littleness had -not exposed me to several ridiculous and troublesome accidents, some of -which I shall venture to relate. Glumdalclitch often carried me into the -gardens of the court in my smaller box, and would sometimes take me out -of it, and hold me in her hand, or set me down to walk. I remember, -before the dwarf left the queen, he followed us one day into those -gardens, and my nurse having set me down, he and I being close together, -near some dwarf apple-trees, I must needs show my wit by a silly -allusion between him and the trees, which happens to hold in their -language, as it doth in ours. Whereupon the malicious rogue, watching -his opportunity, when I was walking under one of them, shook it directly -over my head; by which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a -Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the -back as I chanced to stoop, 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. - -[Illustration] - -Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth grass-plot to divert -myself, while she walked at some distance with her governess. In the -meantime there suddenly fell such a violent shower of hail, that I was -immediately, by the force of it, struck to the ground; and when I was -down, the 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 fours, and shelter myself by lying flat on my face on the lee-side -of a border of lemon-thyme, but so bruised from head to foot that I -could not go abroad in ten days. Neither is this at all to be wondered -at, because nature, in that country, observing the same proportion -through all her operations, a 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 governess and some ladies of her acquaintance, -she was absent and out of hearing, a small white belonging to one of the -chief gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to -place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, came directly up, and -taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his master, wagging his tail, -and set me gently on the ground. By good fortune, he had been so well -taught, that I was carried between his teeth without the least hurt, or -even tearing my clothes. But the poor gardener, who knew me well, and -had a great kindness for me, was in a terrible fright: he gently took me -up in both his hands, and asked me how I did; but I was so amazed and -out of breath, that I could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came to -myself, and he carried me safe to my little nurse, who by this time had -returned to the place where she left me, and was in cruel agonies when I -did not appear nor answer when she called. She severely reprimanded the -gardener on account of his dog, but the thing was bushed 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 Glumdalclitch 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 over the garden, made a stoop at me; and if I had not -resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a thick espalier,[67] 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. I likewise broke my right shin -against the shell of a snail, which I happened to stumble over as I was -walking alone and thinking on poor England. - -I cannot tell whether I were more pleased or mortified to observe in -those solitary walks that the smaller birds did not appear to be at all -afraid of me, but would hop about within a yard's distance, looking for -worms and other food, with as much 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, endeavoring to pick my fingers, which I durst not venture -within their reach; and then they would hop back unconcerned to hunt for -worms and 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 of letting him -go. But I was soon relieved by one of our servants, who wrung off the -bird's neck, and I had him next day for dinner by the queen's command. -This linnet, as near as I can remember, seemed to be somewhat larger -than an English swan. - -The 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 sail or an oar, and whether a little exercise -of rowing might not be convenient for my health. I answered, that I -understood both very well; for, although my proper employment had been -to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, upon a pinch, I was -forced to work like a common mariner. But I could not see how this could -be done in their country, where the smallest wherry was equal to a -first-rate man-of-war among us, and such a boat as I could manage would -never live in any of their rivers. - -[Illustration: "THE SMALLER BIRDS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AT ALL AFRAID OF -ME." P. 57.] - -Her majesty said, if I could contrive a boat, her own joiner should make -it, and she would provide a place for me to sail in. The fellow was an -ingenious workman, and, by my instructions, in ten days finished a -pleasure-boat, with all its tackling, able conveniently to hold eight -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 trial; where I could not -manage my two sculls,[68] or little oars, for want of room. - -But the queen had before contrived another project. She ordered the -joiner to make a wooden trough of three hundred feet long, fifty broad, -and eight deep; which, 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 their pages would blow my sail forward with their -breath, while I showed my art by steering starboard[69] or larboard, as -I pleased. When I had done, Glumdalclitch always carried back my boat, -into her closet, and hung it oh 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 Glumdalclitch, very officiously lifted me up to -place me in the boat, but I happened to slip through her fingers, and -should infallibly have fallen down forty feet upon the floor, if, by the -luckiest chance in the world, I had not been stopped by a -corking-pin[70] that stuck in the good gentlewoman's stomacher;[71] the -head of the pin passed between my shirt and the waistband of my -breeches, and thus I held by the middle in the air, till Glumdalclitch -ran to my relief. - -[Illustration: "GAVE ME A GALE WITH THEIR FANS." P. 60.] - -Another time, one of the servants, whose office it was to fill my trough -every third day with fresh water, was so careless as to let a huge frog -(not perceiving it) slip out of his pail. The frog lay concealed till I -was put into my boat, but then seeing a resting-place, climbed up, and -made it lean so much on one side that I was forced to balance it with -all my weight on the other to prevent 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. 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 not stirring from my -seat; and then I saw this frolicsome 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. - -[Illustration] - -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 espied me, and reaching one of his paws in at the door, as a cat -does when she plays with a mouse, although I often shifted place to -avoid him, he at length seized the lappet of my coat (which, being made -of that country silk, was very thick and strong), and dragged me out. He -took me out in his right fore-foot, and held me as a nurse does a child, -just as I have seen the same sort of creature do with a kitten in -Europe: and, when I offered to struggle, he squeezed me so hard that I -thought it more prudent to submit. I have good reason to believe that he -took me for a young one of his own species, by his often stroking my -face very gently with his other paw. - -In these diversions he was interrupted by a noise at the closet door, as -if somebody were opening it; whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the -window, at which he had come in, and thence upon the leads and gutters -walking upon three legs, and holding me in the fourth, till he clambered -up to a roof that was next to ours. I heard Glumdalclitch give a shriek -at the moment he was carrying me out. The poor girl was almost -distracted. That quarter of the palace was all in an uproar; the -servants ran for ladders; the monkey was seen by hundreds in the court, -sitting upon the ridge of a building, holding me like a baby in one of -his fore-paws: 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 tile, -and made his escape. Here I sat for some time, five 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 eaves; but an honest lad, one of my nurse's footmen, climbed up, -and putting me into his breeches-pocket, brought me down safe. - -I was so weak and bruised in the sides with the squeezes given me by -this odious animal, that I was forced to keep my bed a fortnight. The -king, queen, and all the court, sent every day to inquire after my -health, and her majesty made me several visits during my sickness. The -monkey was killed, and an order made that no such animal should be kept -about the palace. - -When I attended the king, after my recovery, to return him thanks for -his favors, 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. He desired to know what I would have done upon such an -occasion in my own country. I told his majesty that in Europe we had no -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. - -However, 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 endeavor to do himself honor among those who are out of all degree of -equality or comparison with him. And yet I have seen the moral of my own -behavior very frequent in England since my return, where a little -contemptible varlet,[72] without the least title to birth, person, wit, -or common-sense, shall presume to look with importance, and put himself -upon a foot with the greatest persons of the kingdom. - -I was every day furnishing the court with some ridiculous story; and -Glumdalclitch, although she loved me to excess, yet was arch enough to -inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would -be diverting to her majesty. The girl, who had been out of order, was -carried by her governess to take the air about an hour's distance, or -thirty miles from town. They alighted out of the coach near a small -footpath in a field, and, Glumdalclitch setting down my travelling-box, -I went out of it to walk. There was a pool of mud 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 handkerchief, for I was -filthily bemired; and my nurse confined me to my box till we returned -home, when the queen was soon informed of what had passed, and the -footman spread it about the court; so that all the mirth for some days -was at my expense. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - SEVERAL CONTRIVANCES OF THE AUTHOR TO PLEASE THE KING AND QUEEN. HE - SHOWS HIS SKILL IN MUSIC. THE KING INQUIRES INTO THE STATE OF - ENGLAND, WHICH THE AUTHOR RELATES TO HIM. THE KING'S OBSERVATIONS - THEREON. - - -I used to attend the king's levee[73] 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 country, -was only shaved twice a week. I once prevailed on the barber to give me -some of the suds or lather, out of which I picked forty or fifty of the -strongest stumps of hair, I then took a piece of fine wood and cut it -like the back of a comb, making several holes in it at equal 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 country so nice and exact -as would undertake to make me another. - -And this puts me in mind of an amusement wherein I spent many of my -leisure hours. I desired the queen's woman to save for me the combings -of her majesty's hair, whereof in time I got a good quantity; and -consulting with my friend the cabinet-maker, who had received general -orders to do little jobs for me, I directed him to make two -chair-frames, no larger than those I had in my box, and 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. Of these hairs (as I had -always a mechanical genius) I likewise made a neat little purse, about -five feet long, with her majesty's name deciphered in gold letters, -which I gave to Glumdalclitch, by the queen's consent. To say the truth, -it was more for show than use, being not of strength to bear the weight -of the larger coins, and therefore she kept nothing in it, but some -little coins that girls are fond of. - -The king, who delighted in music, had frequent concerts at court, to -which I was sometimes carried, and set in my box on a table to hear -them; but the noise was so great that I could hardly distinguish the -tunes. I am confident that all the drums and trumpets of a royal army -beating and sounding together just at your ears, could not equal it. My -practice was to have my box removed from the place where the performers -sat, as far as I could, then to shut the doors and windows of it, and -draw the window-curtains, after which I found their music not -disagreeable. - -[Illustration] - -I had learnt in my youth to play a little upon the spinet.[74] -Glumdalclitch kept one in her chamber, and a master attended twice a -week to teach her. I called it a spinet, because it somewhat resembled -that instrument, and was played upon in the same manner. - -A fancy came into my head that I would entertain the king and queen -with an English tune upon this instrument. But this appeared extremely -difficult; for the spinet was nearly sixty feet long, each key being -almost a foot wide, so that with my arms extended I could not reach to -above five keys, and to press them down required a good smart stroke -with my fist, which would be too great a labor, and to no purpose. The -method I contrived was this: I prepared two round sticks, about the -bigness of common cudgels; they were thicker at one end than the other, -and I covered the thicker ends with a piece of mouse's skin, that by -rapping on them I might neither damage the tops of the keys nor -interrupt the sound. Before the spinet a bench was placed about four -feet below the keys, and I was put upon the bench. I ran sideling upon -it that way and this as fast as I could, banging the proper keys with my -two sticks, and made a shift to play a jig to the great satisfaction of -both their majesties; but it was the most violent exercise I ever -underwent, and yet I could not strike above sixteen keys, nor -consequently play the bass and 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.[75] He would then command me -to bring one of my chairs out of the box, and sit down within three -yards distance upon the top of the cabinet, which brought me almost to a -level with his face. In this manner I had several conversations with -him. I one day took the freedom to tell his majesty that the contempt -he discovered towards Europe and the rest of the world did not seem -answerable to those excellent qualities of mind that he was master of; -that reason did not extend itself with the bulk of the body; on the -contrary, we observed in our country that the tallest persons were -usually 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[76] 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 he conjectured of other -monarchs by my former discourses), he should be glad to hear of anything -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 praise of my own dear native country, in a style equal to its merits -and felicity. - -[Illustration: "THE MOST VIOLENT EXERCISE I EVER UNDERWENT." P. 71.] - -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 plantations 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 both 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 -country, by their valor, conduct, and fidelity. That these were the -ornament and bulwark of the kingdom, worthy followers of their most -renowned ancestors, whose honor 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 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 assembly, called -the House of Commons, who were all principal gentlemen, _freely_ picked -and culled out by the people themselves, for their great abilities and -love of their country, to represent the wisdom of the whole nation. And -that these two bodies made up the most august assembly in Europe, to -whom, in conjunction with the prince, the whole legislature is -committed. - -I then descended to the courts of justice, over which the judges, those -venerable sages and 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 valor and achievements of our forces by sea and -land. I computed the number of our people, by reckoning how many -millions there might be of each religious 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 honor of my country. -And I finished all with a brief historical account of affairs and events -in England for about a 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 what questions -he intended to ask me. - -When I had put an end to these long discourses, his majesty, in a sixth -audience, consulting his notes, proposed many doubts, queries, and -objections, upon every article. He asked what methods were used to -cultivate the minds and bodies of our young 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 -are to be created new lords; whether the humor of the prince, a sum of -money to a court lady as a prime minister, or a design of strengthening -a party opposite to the public interest, ever happened to be motives in -those advancements? What share of knowledge these lords had in the laws -of their country, and how they came by it, so as to enable them to -decide the properties of their fellow-subjects in the last resort? -Whether they were always so free from avarice, partialities, or want, -that a bribe or some other sinister view could have no place among them? -Whether those holy lords I spoke of were always promoted to that rank -upon account of their knowledge in religious matters and the sanctity of -their lives; had never been compilers with the times while they were -common priests, or slavish prostitute chaplains to some noblemen, whose -opinions they continued servilely to follow, after they were admitted -into that assembly? - -He then desired to know what arts were practised in electing those whom -I called commoners; whether a stranger, with a strong purse, might not -influence the vulgar voters to choose him before their own landlord, or -the most considerable gentleman in the neighborhood? How it came to pass -that people were so violently bent upon getting into this assembly, -which I allowed to be a great trouble and expense, often to the ruin of -their families, without any salary or pension: because this appeared -such an exalted strain of virtue and public spirit, that his majesty -seemed to doubt it might possibly not be 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 -public 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 inquiries -and objections, which I think it not prudent or convenient to repeat. - -Upon what I said in relation to our courts of justice, his majesty -desired to be satisfied in several points; and this I was the better -able to do, having been formerly almost ruined by a long suit in -chancery,[77] which was decreed for me with costs. He asked what time -was usually spent in determining between right and wrong, and what -degree of expense? Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead in -causes, manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive? Whether -party in religion or politics was 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[78] upon at their pleasure? Whether they had ever, at different -times, pleaded for or 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 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 particular 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 found to pay -them. He wondered to hear me talk of such chargeable and expensive wars; -that certainly we must be a quarrelsome people, or live among very bad -neighbors and that our generals must needs be richer than our kings. He -asked what business we had out of our own islands, unless upon the score -of trade or treaty, or to defend the coasts with our fleet. Above all, -he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst -of peace and among a free people. He said if we were governed by our 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 a hundred -times more by cutting their throats? - -He laughed at my odd kind of arithmetic (as he was pleased to call it), -in reckoning the numbers of our people by a computation drawn from the -several sects among us, in religion and politics. He said, he knew no -reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should -be obliged to change, or should not be obliged to conceal them. And as -it was tyranny in any government to require the first, so it was -weakness not to enforce the 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 -dependence, as well as habituate them to vile companions, wholly take -them from the improvement of their minds, and force them, by the losses -they received, to learn and practise that infamous dexterity upon -others? - -He was perfectly astonished with the historical account I gave him of -our affairs during the last century, protesting it was only a heap of -conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, -the very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, -cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could -produce. - -His majesty, in another audience, was at the pains to recapitulate the -sum of all I had spoken; compared the questions he made with the answers -I had given; then taking me into his hands, and stroking me gently, -delivered himself in these words which I shall never forget, nor the -manner he spoke them in: "My little friend Grildrig, you have made a -most admirable panegyric upon your country; you have clearly proved that -ignorance, idleness, and vice are the proper ingredients for qualifying -a legislator; that laws are best explained, interpreted, and applied by -those whose interest and abilities lie 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 perfection is required towards the -procurement of any one station among you; much less that men are -ennobled on account of their virtue, that priests are advanced for their -piety or learning, soldiers for their conduct or valor, judges for their -integrity, senators for the love of their country, or counsellors for -their wisdom. As for yourself, continued the king, who have spent the -greatest part of your life in travelling, I am well disposed to hope you -may hitherto have escaped many vices of your country. But by what I have -gathered from your own relation, and the answers I have with much pains -wrung 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." - -[Illustration: "YOU HAVE MADE A MOST ADMIRABLE PANEGYRIC." P. 79.] - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - THE AUTHOR'S LOVE OF HIS COUNTRY. HE MAKES A PROPOSAL OF MUCH - ADVANTAGE TO THE KING, WHICH IS REJECTED. THE KING'S GREAT - IGNORANCE IN POLITICS. THE LEARNING OF THAT COUNTRY VERY IMPERFECT - AND CONFINED. THE LAWS, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS, AND PARTIES IN THE - STATE. - - -Nothing but an extreme love of truth could have hindered me from -concealing this part of my story. It was in vain to discover my -resentments, which were always turned into ridicule; and I was forced to -rest with patience, while my noble and beloved country was so -injuriously treated. I am as heartily sorry as any of my readers can -possibly be, that such an occasion was given: but this prince happened -to be so curious and 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 this 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 favorable turn, by many degrees, than the -strictness of truth would allow. For I have always borne that laudable -partiality to my own country, which Dionysius Halicarnassensis[79] 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 endeavor, -in those many discourses I had with that monarch, although it -unfortunately failed of success. - -But great allowances should be given to a king who lives wholly secluded -from the rest of the world, and must therefore be altogether -unacquainted with the manners and customs that most prevail in other -nations: the want of which knowledge will ever produce many prejudices, -and a certain narrowness of thinking, from which we and the politer -countries of Europe are wholly exempted. And it would be 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 farther to show the miserable -effects of a confined education, I shall here insert a passage which -will hardly obtain belief. In hopes to ingratiate myself farther into -his majesty's favor, I told him of an invention discovered between three -and four hundred years ago, to make a certain powder into a heap, on -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 agitation greater than thunder. That a -proper quantity of this powder rammed into a hollow tube of brass or -iron, according to its bigness, would drive a ball of iron or lead with -such violence and speed as nothing was able to sustain its force. That -the largest balls thus discharged would not only destroy whole ranks of -an army at once, but batter the strongest walls to the ground, sink -down ships with a thousand men in each to the bottom of the sea; and, -when linked together by a chain, would cut through masts and 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 workman -how to make those tubes of a size proportionable to all other things in -his majesty's kingdom, and the largest need not to be above a hundred -feet 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 for so many marks that I had received of his -royal favor and protection. - -The king was struck with horror at the description I had given him of -those terrible engines, and the proposal I had made. He was amazed, how -so impotent and grovelling an insect as I (these were his expressions), -could entertain such inhuman ideas, and in so familiar a manner, as to -appear wholly unmoved at all 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 although few things -delighted him so much as new discoveries in art or in nature, yet he -would rather lose half his kingdom than be privy to such a secret, which -he commanded me, as I valued my life, never to mention any more. - -A strange effect of narrow principles and short views! that a prince -possessed of every quality which procures veneration, love, and esteem; -of strong parts, great wisdom, and profound learning, endowed 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 them to have arisen -from their ignorance, by not having hitherto reduced politics into a -science, as the more acute wits of Europe have done. For I remember very -well, in a discourse one day with the king, when I happened to say there -were 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 I 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 bounds, to common sense and -reason, to justice and lenity, to the speedy determination of civil and -criminal causes, with some other obvious topics, which are not worth -considering. And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two -ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground, -where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more -essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put -together. - -The learning of this people is very defective, consisting only in -morality, history, poetry, and mathematics, wherein they must be allowed -to excel. But the last of these is wholly applied to what may be useful -in life, to the improvement of agriculture, and all mechanical arts; so -that among us it would be little esteemed. And as to ideas, entities, -abstractions, and transcendentals,[80] I could never drive the least -conception into their heads. - -No law of that country must exceed in words the number of letters in -their alphabet, which consists only 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[81] enough to -discover above one interpretation; and to write a comment upon any law -is a capital crime. As to the decision of civil causes, or proceedings -against criminals, their precedents are so few, that they have little -reason to boast of any extraordinary skill in either. - -They have had the art of printing, as well as the Chinese, time out of -mind: but their libraries are not very large; for that of the king, -which is reckoned the largest, doth not amount to above a thousand -volumes, placed in a gallery of twelve hundred feet long, from whence I -had liberty to borrow what books I pleased. The queen's joiner had -contrived in one of Glumdalclitch's rooms, a kind of wooden machine, -five-and-twenty feet high, formed like a standing ladder; the steps were -each fifty feet long: it was indeed a movable pair of stairs, the lowest -end placed at ten feet distance from the wall of the chamber. The book I -had a mind to read was put 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 paste-board, and in the largest folios not above eighteen or -twenty feet long. - -Their style is clear, masculine, and smooth, but not florid; for they -avoid nothing more than multiplying unnecessary words, or using various -expressions. I have perused many of their books, especially those in -history and morality. Among the rest, I was much diverted with a little -old treatise, which always lay in Glumdalclitch's 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 country -could say upon such a subject. - -[Illustration] - -This writer went through all the usual topics of European moralists, -showing how diminutive, contemptible, and helpless an animal was man in -his own nature; how unable to defend himself from inclemencies of the -air, or the fury of wild beasts; how much he was excelled by one -creature in strength, by another in speed, by a third in foresight, by a -fourth in industry. He added, that nature was degenerated in these -latter declining ages of the world, and could now produce only small -births, in comparison to 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 skulls, 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 a house, or a stone cast from the hand of a boy, or being drowned -in a little brook. From this way of reasoning the author drew several -moral applications, useful in the conduct of life, but needless here to -repeat. For my own part, I could not avoid reflecting, how universally -this talent was spread, of drawing lectures in morality, or, indeed, -rather matter of discontent and repining, from the quarrels we raise -with nature. And I believe, upon a strict inquiry, those quarrels might -be shown as ill-grounded among us as they are among that people. - -As to their military affairs, they boast that the king's army consists -of a hundred and seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty-two thousand -horse: if that may be called an army which is made up of tradesmen in -the several cities, and farmers in the country, whose commanders are -only the nobility and gentry, without pay or reward. They are indeed -perfect enough in their exercises, and under very good discipline, -wherein I saw no great merit; for how should it be otherwise, where -every farmer is under the command of his own landlord, and every citizen -under that of the principal men in his own city, chosen after the manner -of Venice, by ballot? - -I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud drawn out to exercise in a -great field, near the city, of twenty miles square. They were in all not -above twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse: but it was -impossible for me to compute their number, considering the space of -ground they took up. A cavalier, mounted on a large steed, might be -about ninety feet high. I have seen this whole body of horse, upon a -word of command, draw their swords at once, and brandish them in the -air. Imagination can figure nothing so grand, so surprising, and so -astonishing! it looked as if ten thousand flashes of lightning were -darting at the same time from every quarter of the sky. - -I was curious to know how this prince, to whose dominions there is no -access from any other country, came to think of armies, or to teach his -people the practice of military discipline. But I was soon 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 the -whole race of mankind is subject; the nobility often contending for -power, the people for liberty, and the king for absolute dominion. All -which, however, happily tempered by the laws of that kingdom, have been -sometimes violated by each of the three parties, and have more than once -occasioned civil wars, the last whereof was happily put an end to by -this prince's grandfather, in a general composition;[82] and the -militia, then settled with common consent, hath been ever since kept in -the strictest duty. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - THE KING AND QUEEN MAKE A PROGRESS[83] TO THE FRONTIERS. THE AUTHOR - ATTENDS THEM. THE MANNER IN WHICH HE LEAVES THE COUNTRY VERY - PARTICULARLY RELATED. HE RETURNS TO ENGLAND. - - -I had always a strong impulse that I should sometime recover my liberty, -though it was impossible to conjecture by what means, or to form any -project with the least hope of succeeding. The ship in which I sailed -was the first ever known to be driven within sight of the 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 tumbrel[84] to Lorbrulgrud. I was treated with much kindness: I was -the favorite of a great king and queen, and the delight of the whole -court; but it was upon such a footing as ill became the dignity of human -kind. I could never forget those domestic pledges I had left behind me. -I wanted to be among people with whom I could converse upon even terms, -and walk about the streets and fields, without being afraid of being -trod to death like a frog or a young puppy. But my deliverance came -sooner than I expected, and in a manner not very common: the whole story -and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate. - -[Illustration: "SHE HAD SOME FOREBODING." P. 94.] - -I had now been two years in this country; and about the beginning of -the third, Glumdalclitch and I attended the king and queen in a progress -to the south coast of the kingdom. I was carried, as usual, in my -travelling-box, which, as I have already described, was a very -convenient closet of twelve feet wide. And I had ordered a hammock to be -fixed by silken ropes from the four corners at the top, to break the -jolts, when a servant carried me before him on horseback, as I sometimes -desired, and would often sleep in my hammock while we were upon the -road. On the roof of my closet, not directly over the middle of the -hammock, I ordered the joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square, to -give me air in hot weather as I slept, which hole I shut 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 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[85] 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, 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 windows 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 fastened at -the top of my box for the conveniency of carriage. I felt my box raised -very high in the air, and then borne forward with prodigious speed. The -first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterwards -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 enabled him to discover his quarry[86] at a great -distance, though better concealed than I could be within a two-inch -board. - -[Illustration] - -In a little time I observed the noise and flutter of wings to increase -very fast, and my box was tossed up and down like a sign in a windy day. -I heard several bangs or buffets, as I thought, given to the eagle (for -such I am certain it must have been, that held the ring of my box in his -beak), and then all on a sudden felt myself falling perpendicularly down -for above a minute, but with such incredible swiftness, that I almost -lost my breath. My fall was stopped by a terrible squash,[87] that -sounded louder to my ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which I -was quite in the dark for another minute, and then my box began to rise -so high that I could see light from the tops of the windows. I now -perceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, by the weight of my body, -the goods that were in, and the broad plates of iron fixed for strength -at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated about five feet deep -in the water. I did then, and do now suppose, that the eagle which flew -away with my box was pursued by two or three others, and forced to let -me drop while he defended himself against the rest, who hoped to share -in the prey. The plates of iron fastened at the bottom of the box (for -those were the strongest) preserved the balance while it fell, and -hindered it from being broken on the surface of the water. Every joint -of it was well grooved, and the door did not move on hinges, but up and -down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very little water -came in. I got with much difficulty out of my hammock, having first -ventured to draw back my 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 Glumdalclitch, from whom -one single hour had so far divided me. And I may say with truth that in -the midst of my own misfortunes I could not 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 juncture, -expecting every moment to see my box dashed to pieces, or at least -overset by the first violent blast or rising wave. A breach in one -single pane of glass would have been immediate death; nor could anything -have preserved the windows but the strong lattice-wires placed on the -outside against accidents in travelling. I saw the water ooze in at -several crannies, although the leaks were not considerable, and I -endeavored to stop them as well as I could, I was not able to lift up -the roof of my closet, which otherwise I certainly should have done, and -sat on the top of it, where I might at least preserve myself some hours -longer, than by being shut up (as I may call it) in the hold. Or, if I -escaped these dangers for a day or two, what could I expect but a -miserable death of cold and hunger? I was four hours under these -circumstances, expecting, and indeed wishing, every moment to be my -last. - -I have already told the reader that there were two strong staples fixed -upon that side of my box which had no window, and into which the servant -who used to carry me on horseback would put a leathern belt, and buckle -it about his waist. Being in this 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 the waves rise near the tops of my windows, -leaving me almost in the dark. This gave me some faint hopes of relief, -although I was not able to imagine how it could be brought about. I -ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were always fastened to the -floor, and having made a hard shift to screw it down again directly -under the slipping board that I had lately opened, I mounted on the -chair, and putting my mouth as near as I could to the hole, I called for -help in a loud voice and in all the languages I understood. I then -fastened my handkerchief to a stick I usually carried, and thrusting it -up the hole, waved it several times in the air, that if any boat or ship -were near, the seamen might conjecture some unhappy mortal to be shut up -in the box. - -I found no effect from all I could do, but plainly perceived my closet -to be moved along; and in the space of an hour or better, that side of -the box where the staples were and had no 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 feet -higher than I was before. Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and -handkerchief, calling for help till I was almost hoarse. In return to -which I heard a great shout repeated three times, giving me such -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 anybody -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 was moving to be delivered out of the dungeon I was -in. The voice replied I was safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; -and the carpenter should immediately come and saw a hole in the cover, -large enough to pull me out. I answered that was needless, and would -take up too much time, for there was no more to be done, but let one of -the crew put his finger into the ring, and take the box out of the sea -into the ship, and so into the captain's cabin. Some of them upon -hearing me talk so wildly thought I was mad; others laughed; for indeed -it never came into my head that I was now got among people of my own -stature and strength. The carpenter came, and in a few minutes sawed a -passage about four feet square, then let down a small ladder upon which -I mounted, and from thence was taken into the ship in a very weak -condition. - -[Illustration: "SOMEBODY CALLING ... IN THE ENGLISH TONGUE." P. 99.] - -The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a thousand questions, -which I had no inclination to answer. I was equally confounded at the -sight of so many pygmies, 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 cabin, gave me a -cordial to comfort me, and made me turn in upon his own bed, advising me -to take a little rest, of which I had great need. Before I went to -sleep, I gave him to understand that I had some valuable furniture in my -box, too good to be lost; a fine hammock, a handsome two chairs, a -table, and a cabinet. That my closet was hung on all sides, or rather -quilted, with silk and cotton: that if he would let one of the crew -bring my closet into his cabin, I would open it there before him, and -show him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter these absurdities, -concluded I was raving: however (I suppose to pacify me), he promised -to give orders 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 bedstead, being screwed to the floor, were much damaged by the -ignorance of the seamen, who tore them up by force. Then they knocked -off some of the boards for the use of the ship, and when they had got -all they had a mind for, let the hull drop into the sea, which, by -reason of so many breaches made in the bottom and sides, sunk to -rights.[88] And indeed I was glad not to have been a spectator of the -havoc they made; because I am confident it would have sensibly -touched me, by bringing former passages into my mind, which I had rather -forgotten. - -I slept some hours, but was 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 o'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 o'clock at noon, as he was looking through his -glass, he spied it at a distance, and thought it was a sail, which he -had a mind to make[89], being not much out of his course, in hopes of -buying some biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That upon coming -nearer and finding his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what -it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing they had seen a -swimming-house. That he laughed at their folly, and went himself in the -boat, 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 wire-lattices that defenced 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 fastening a cable -to one of the staples, ordered them to tow my chest (as they called it) -towards the ship. When it was there, he gave directions to fasten -another cable to the ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest -with pulleys, which all the sailors were not able to do above two or -three feet. He said they saw my stick and handkerchief thrust out of the -hole, and concluded that some unhappy man must be shut up in the cavity. -I asked whether he or the crew had seen any prodigious birds in the air -about the time he first discovered me? to which he answered, that, -discoursing this matter with the sailors while I was asleep, one of them -said he had observed three eagles flying towards the north, but remarked -nothing of their being larger than the usual size, which I suppose must -be imputed to the great height they were at; and he could not guess the -reason of my question. I then asked the captain how far he reckoned we -might be from land? - -He said, by the best computation he could make, we were at least a -hundred leagues. I assured him that he must be mistaken by almost half, -for I had not left the country 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 cabin he had provided. I assured him I was well refreshed with his -good entertainment and company, and as much in my senses as ever 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 by the command of some prince, by exposing me in that -chest, as great criminals in other countries have been forced to sea in -a leaky vessel without provisions; for 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 ashore in the first port where we arrived. He added that his -suspicions were much increased by some very absurd speeches I had -delivered, at first to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in -relation to my closet chest, as well as by my odd looks and behavior -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, farther 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 seamen disposed of my closet). I opened it in -his own presence, and showed him the small collection of rarities I made -in the country from whence I had been so strangely delivered. There was -the comb I had contrived out of the stumps of the king's beard. There -was a collection of needles and pins, from a foot to half a yard long; -four wasps' stings, like joiners' tacks; some combings of the queen's -hair; a gold ring, which one day she made me a present of in a most -obliging manner, taking it from her 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. Lastly I -desired him to see the breeches I had then on, which were made of a -mouse's skin. - -I could force nothing upon 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 -Glumdalclitch's men, who was affected with the toothache, but it was as -sound as any in his head. I got it cleaned, and put it in my cabinet. It -was about a foot long, and four inches in diameter. - -The captain was very well satisfied with this plain relation I had given -him, and said he hoped when we returned to England I would oblige the -world by putting it on paper, and making it public. My answer was, that -I thought we were already overstocked with books of travels; that -nothing could now pass which was not extraordinary; wherein I doubted -some authors less consulted truth than their own vanity, or interest, or -the diversion of ignorant readers, that my story could contain little -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 country were thick -of hearing. I told him it was what I had been used to for above two -years past, and that I wondered as much at the voices of him and his -men, who seemed to me only to whisper, and yet I could hear them well -enough. But when I spoke in that country, it was like a man talking in -the street to another looking out from the top of a steeple, unless when -I was placed on a table, or held in any person's hand. I told him I had -likewise observed another thing, that when I first got into the ship, -and the sailors stood all about me, I thought they were the most -contemptible little creatures I had ever beheld. For indeed, while I was -in that prince's country, I could never endure to look in a glass, after -my eyes had been accustomed to such prodigious objects, because the -comparison gave me so despicable a conceit of myself. The captain said -that while we were at supper he observed me to look at 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 threepence, -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 household stuff 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 that 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 a hundred -pounds to have seen my closet in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its -fall from so great a height into the sea; which would certainly have -been a most astonishing object, worthy to have the description of it -transmitted to future ages: and the comparison of Phaeton[90] was so -obvious, that he could not forbear applying it, although I did not much -admire the conceit. - -[Illustration: "MY DAUGHTER KNEELED BUT I COULD NOT SEE HER" P. 109.] - -The captain having been at Tonquin, was, in his return to England, -driven northeastward, 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 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-boat for provisions and fresh water, but I never -went out of the ship till we came into the Downs, which was on the third -day of June, 1706, about nine months after my escape. I offered to leave -pay goods in security for payment of my freight, but the captain -protested he would not receive one farthing. We took a kind leave of -each other, and I made him promise he would come to see me at my house -in Redriff. I hired a horse and guide for five shillings, which I -borrowed of the captain. - -As I was on the road, observing the littleness of the houses--the trees, -the cattle, and the people, I began to think myself in Lilliput. I was -afraid of trampling on every traveller I met, and often called aloud to -have them stand out of the way, so that I had like to have gotten one or -two broken heads for my impertinence. - -When I came to my own house, for which I was forced to inquire, one of -the servants opened the door, I bent down to go in (like a goose under a -gate), for fear of striking my head. My wife ran out to embrace me, but -I stooped lower than her knees, thinking she could otherwise never be -able to reach my mouth. My daughter kneeled to ask my blessing, but I -could not see her till she arose, having been so long used to stand with -my head and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and then I went to take her -up with one hand by the waist. I looked down upon the servants, and one -or two friends who were in the house, as if they had been pygmies, 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 meantime I here conclude -the second part of my unfortunate voyages. - -[Illustration] - - - - -NOTE. - - -Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1667, and died in 1745. -His parents were English. His father died before he was born, and his -mother was supported on a slender pittance by his father's brother. He -was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and all through his early life -was dependent on the generosity of others. His college career was not -highly creditable, either from the point of view of manners, morals, or -learning. After leaving college, he travelled through England on foot, -and found employment with a relative of his mother's, Sir William -Temple, in whose house was a noble library; and for two years Swift made -up for some of his shortcomings by studying diligently therein. He went -to Oxford in 1692, took a degree and was ordained in 1694. He was given -a parish in Ireland, which he soon resigned, returning to the home of -Sir William Temple, where he remained until the death of the latter in -1699. - -Temple left Swift a legacy, and confided to him the editing and -publishing of his works. This task completed, Swift went again to -Ireland to another parish, and threw himself into political -pamphleteering with great effect, one of the results of his exertions -being the securing of freedom from taxation for the Irish clergy. He -subsequently became Dean of St. Patrick's in Dublin, and for a period -achieved great popularity owing to his powerful political writings. - -While in what he called his "exile" he wrote _Gulliver's Travels_, which -was at first published anonymously, the secret of the authorship being -so closely guarded that the publisher did not know who was the author. -Dr. Johnson characterized it as "A production so new and strange that it -filled the reader with admiration and amazement. It was read by the high -and low, the learned and the illiterate." In this work, Jonathan Swift -appears as one of the greatest masters of English we have ever had; as -endowed with an imaginative genius inferior to few; as a keen and -pitiless critic of the world, and a bitter misanthropic accounter of -humanity at large. Dean Swift was indeed a misanthrope by theory, -however he may have made exception to private life. His hero, Gulliver, -discovers race after race of beings who typify the genera in his -classification of mankind. Extremely diverting are Gulliver's adventures -among the tiny Lilliputians; only less so are his more perilous -encounters with the giants of Brobdingnag.... By a singular dispensation -of Providence, we usually read the _Travels_ while we are children; we -are delighted with the marvellous story, we are not at all injured by -the poison. Poor Swift! he was conscious of insanity's approach; he -repeated annually Job's curse upon the day of his birth; he died a -madman. - -There are numerous biographies of Swift; but probably the best -characterization of the man and his life, rather than of his books, is -to be found in Thackeray's _English Humorists_, and a closer study of -the man and his works in Leslie Stevenson's "Swift," in Morley's -_English Men of Letters_. The other biographies of him are: Lord Orrery -_Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift_, 1751; Hawkes, -on his life, 1765; Sheridan's life, 1785; Forster's life, 1875 -(unfinished); Henry Craik's life (1882). The best edition of Swift's -writings and correspondence is that edited by Scott, 1824. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] _Redriff Rotherhithe_: then a Thames side village, now part of -London. - -[2] _Pound_: nearly five dollars. - -[3] _Levant_: the point where the sun rises. The countries about the -eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and its adjoining waters. - -[4] _Mrs._: it was formerly the custom to call unmarried women Mrs. - -[5] _The South Sea_: the Pacific Ocean. - -[6] _Van Diemen's Land_: N.W. from Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and in -latitude 30 degrees 2 minutes would be in Australia or off the West -Coast. - -[7] _Cable's length_: about six hundred or seven hundred feet. - -[8] _Buff jerkin_ a leather jacket or waistcoat. - -[9] _Small_: weak, thin. - -[10] _Signet-royal_: the king's seal. - -[11] _Half-pike_ a short wooden staff, upon one end of which was a -steel head. - -[12] _Stang_: an old word for a perch, sixteen feet and a half, also -for a rood of ground. - -[13] _Chairs_: a sedan chair is here meant. It held one person, and -was carried by two men by means of projecting poles. - -[14] _Crest_: a decoration to denote rank. - -[15] _Lingua Franca_: a language--Italian mixed with Arabic, Greek, -and Turkish--used by Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Italians trading with -Arabs, Turks, and Greeks. It is the commercial language of -Constantinople. - -[16] _Imprimis_: in the first place, (pr.) im pri' mis. - -[17] _Lucid_: shining, transparent. - -[18] _Yeomen of the guards_: freemen forming the bodyguard of the -sovereign. - -[19] _Pocket perspective_: a small spy-glass or telescope. - -[20] _Trencher_: a wooden plate or platter. - -[21] _Corn_: such grains as wheat, rye, barley, oats. - -[22] _Quadrant_: an instrument long used for measuring altitudes. - -[23] _Skirt_: coat-tail. - -[24] _Alcoran_ the Koran or Mohammedan Bible. - -[25] _Embargo_: an order not to sail. - -[26] _Discompose them_: displace them. - -[27] _Puissant_: powerful. - -[28] _Junto_: a body of men secretly united to gain some political -end. - -[29] _Pulling_: plucking and drawing, preparatory to cooking, - -[30] _Meaner_: of lower rank. - -[31] _Portion_: the part of an estate given to a child. - -[32] _Domestic_: the household and all pertaining thereto. - -[33] _Exchequer bills_: bills of credit issued from the exchequer by -authority of parliament. - -[34] _Close chair_: sedan chair. - -[35] _Cabal_: a body of men united for some sinister purpose. - -[36] _Lee side_: side sheltered from the wind. - -[37] _Ancient_: flag, corrupted from ensign. - -[38] _Downs_: A famous natural roadstead off the southeast coast of -Kent, between Goodwin Sands and the mainland, south of the Thames -entrance. - -[39] _Black Bull_: inns in England are often named after animals with -an adjective descriptive of the color of the sign; as, _The Golden -Lion, The White Horse_. - -[40] _Towardly_: apt, docile. - -[41] _Straits of Madagascar_: Mozambique Channel. - -[42] _The line_: the equator. - -[43] _Hinds_: peasants; rustics. - -[44] _Pistoles_: about three dollars and sixty cents. - -[45] _Trencher-side_: up to his trencher or wooden plate. - -[46] _Discovering_: Showing. - -[47] _From London Bridge to Chelsea_: about three miles as the birds -fly. - -[48] _Pillion_: a cushion for a woman to ride on behind a person on -horseback. _From London to St. Alban's_: about twenty miles. - -[49] _Pumpion_: pumpkin. - -[50] _Parts_: accomplishments. - -[51] _Sanson's Atlas_: a very large atlas by a French geographer in -use in Swift's time. - -[52] _As good a hand of me_: as much money of me. - -[53] _Moidore_: a Portuguese gold piece worth about six dollars. - -[54] _Guineas_: an obsolete English gold coin, of the value of five -dollars. - -[55] _Phoenix_: a bird of fable said to live for a long time and rise -anew from its own ashes. - -[56] _Cabinet_: a private room. - -[57] _Scrutoire_: a writing-desk. - -[58] _Waiting_: attendance on the king. - -[59] _Lusus naturae_: a freak of nature. - -[60] _Royal Sovereign_: one of the great ships of Swift's time. - -[61] _Dunstable lark_: large larks are caught on the downs near -Dunstable between September and February, and sent to London for -luxurious tables. - -[62] _Drone_: the largest tube of a bag-pipe, giving forth a dull -heavy tone. - -[63] _Gresham College_, in London, is named after the founder, an -English merchant, who died in 1579. - -[64] _The square of_: as large as the square of. - -[65] _Salisbury Steeple_: this is about four hundred feet high. - -[66] _Battalia_: the order of battle. - -[67] _Espalier_: a lattice upon which fruit-trees or shrubs are -trained. - -[68] _Scull_: a short oar. - -[69] _Starboard or larboard_: right or left. - -[70] _Corking-pin_: a larger-sized pin. - -[71] _Stomacher_: a broad belt. - -[72] _Varlet_: knave. - -[73] _Levee_: a ceremonious visit received by a distinguished person -in the morning. - -[74] _Spinet_: a stringed instrument, a forerunner of our piano. - -[75] _Closet_: private room. - -[76] _Signal_: memorable. - -[77] _Chancery_: a high court of equity. - -[78] _Glossing_: commenting. - -[79] _Dionysius of Halicarnassus_ was born about the middle of the -first century, B.C.; he endeavored in his history to relieve his Greek -countrymen from the mortification they had felt in their subjection to -the Romans, and patched up an old legend about Rome being of Greek -origin and therefore their "political mother." - -[80] _Ideas, entities, abstractions, transcendentals_, words used in -that philosophy which deals with thinking, existence, and things -beyond the senses. - -[81] _Mercurial_: active, spirited. - -[82] _Composition_: compact, agreement. - -[83] _Progress_: an old term for the travelling of the sovereign to -different parts of his country. - -[84] _Tumbrel_: a rough cart. - -[85] _Page_: a serving-boy, and especially one who waits on a person -of rank. - -[86] _Quarry_: prey. - -[87] _Squash_: shock, concussion. - -[88] _To rights_ speedily. - -[89] _To make_ To get alongside. - -[90] _Phaeton_ a son of Apollo who was dashed into the river Endanus -for his foolhardiness in attempting to drive the steeds of the sun for -one day. - - - -ADVERTISEMENTS - -Heath's Home and School Classics. - - -FOR GRADES I AND II. - -Mother Goose: A Book of Nursery Rhymes, arranged by C. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Gulliver’s Travels<br /> -  Into Several Remote Regions of the World</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Jonathan Swift</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Editor: Thomas M. Balliet</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 26, 2005 [eBook #17157]<br /> -[Most recently updated: October 15, 2021]</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Juliet Sutherland, Chuck Greif, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</div> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULLIVER’S TRAVELS ***</div> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="COMMANDED" id="COMMANDED"></a> - <img src="images/01.jpg" - alt=""HE COMMANDED HIS GENERALS TO DRAW UP THE TROOPS."" title=""HE COMMANDED HIS GENERALS TO DRAW UP THE TROOPS."" /> -<p class="caption">"HE COMMANDED HIS GENERALS TO DRAW UP THE TROOPS."</p> -</div> - -<h1>Gulliver’s Travels</h1> - -<h2>INTO SEVERAL REMOTE REGIONS OF THE WORLD</h2> - -<h3>BY</h3> - -<h2>JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D.</h2> - -<h3>EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES</h3> - -<h4>BY THOMAS M. BALLIET</h4> - -<h4>SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, SPRINGFIELD, MASS.</h4> - -<h5><i>WITH THIRTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS AND A MAP</i></h5> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" - alt="Book Cover" title="Book Cover" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<h2>PART I</h2> - -<h2><i>A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT</i></h2> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<h2>PART II</h2> - -<h2><i>A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG</i></h2> - -<h3>D.C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS</h3> - -<h4>BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO</h4> - -<h3>1900</h3> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span style="margin-left: 10em;">And lo! the book, from all its end beguiled,<br /></span> -<span style="margin-left: 10em;">A harmless wonder to some happy child.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span style="margin-left: 25em;">LORD LYTTON.</span><br /> -</div></div> - -<p>Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726; and, although it was by no -means intended for them, the book was soon appropriated by the children, -who have ever since continued to regard it as one of the most delightful -of their story books. They cannot comprehend the occasion which provoked -the book nor appreciate the satire which underlies the narrative, but -they delight in the wonderful adventures, and wander full of open-eyed -astonishment into the new worlds through which the vivid and logically -accurate imagination of the author so personally conducts them. And -there is a meaning and a moral in the stories of the Voyages to Lilliput -and Brobdingnag which is entirely apart from the political satire they -are intended to convey, a meaning and a moral which the youngest child -who can read it will not fail to seize, and upon which it is scarcely -necessary for the teacher to comment.</p> - -<p>For young children the book combines in a measure the interest of -<i>Robinson Crusoe</i> and that of the fairy tale; its style is objective, -the narrative is simple, and the matter appeals strongly to the childish -imagination. For more mature boys and girls and for adults the interest -is found chiefly in the keen satire which underlies the narrative. It -appeals, therefore, to a very wide range of intelligence and taste, and -can be read with profit by the child of ten and by the young man or -woman of mature years.</p> - -<p>This edition is practically a reprint of the original (1726-27). The -punctuation and capitalization have been modernized, some archaisms -changed, and the paragraphs have been made more frequent. A few passages -have been omitted which would offend modern ears and are unsuitable for -children's reading, and some foot-notes have been added explaining -obsolete words and obscure expressions.</p> - -<p>As a reading book in school which must be adapted to the average mind, -these stories will be found suitable for classes from the fifth or sixth -school year to the highest grade of the grammar school.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 20em;">THOMAS M. BALLIET.</span><br /> -</p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<h2>VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.</h2> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>The Author gives some account of himself and family—His first -inducements to travel—He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life—Gets -safe on shore in the country of Lilliput—Is made a prisoner, and -carried up the country.</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>The emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the nobility, comes to -see the Author in his confinement—The emperor's person and habits -described—Learned men appointed to teach the Author their language—He -gains favor by his mild disposition—His pockets are searched, and his -sword and pistols taken from him.</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>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 has his liberty granted him upon certain -conditions.</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>Mildendo, 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 offers to -serve the emperor in his wars.</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>The Author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion—A high -title of honor is conferred upon him—Ambassadors arrive from the -emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace.</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learning, laws, and customs; the -manner of educating their children—The Author's way of living in that -country—His vindication of a great lady.</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>The Author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high treason, -makes his escape to Blefuscu—His reception there.</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>The Author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and -after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country.</p></div> - -<h3>LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.</h3> -<div class="center"> -<a href="#COMMANDED">"He commanded his generals to draw up the troops"</a><br /> -<a href="#MAP1">"Map of Lilliput and Blefuscu</a><br /> -<a href="#LAY">"I lay all this while ... in great uneasiness"</a><br /> -<a href="#PRODUCING">"Producing his credentials"</a><br /> -<a href="#GENT">"These gentlemen made an exact inventory"</a><br /> -<a href="#MAJESTY">"Her imperial majesty was pleased to smile very graciously upon me"</a><br /> -<a href="#CREATED">"And created me a <i>nardac</i> upon the spot"</a><br /> -<a href="#THREE">"Three hundred tailors were employed"</a><br /> -<a href="#HAPPINESS">"The happiness ... of dining with me"</a><br /> -<a href="#DESIRED">"He desired I would hear him with patience"</a><br /> -<a href="#SAIL">"I set sail ... at six in the morning"</a><br /> -</div> - -<h4>AND TWENTY THREE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT.</h4> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<h2>A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG.</h2> - -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IA">CHAPTER I.</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>A great storm described; the long-boat sent to fetch water, the Author -goes with it to discover the country—He is left on shore, is seized by -one of the natives, and carried to a farmer's house—His reception -there, with several accidents that happened there—A description of the -inhabitants</p></div> -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IIA">CHAPTER II.</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>A description of the farmer's daughter—The Author carried to a -market-town, and then to the metropolis—The particulars of his journey</p></div> -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IIIA">CHAPTER III</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>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 favor with the queen—He stands up for the honor of his own -country—He quarrels with the queen's dwarf</p></div> -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IVA">CHAPTER IV.</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>The country described—A proposal for correcting modern maps—The king's -palace, and some account of the metropolis—The Author's way of -travelling—The chief temple described</p></div> -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VA">CHAPTER V.</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>Several adventures that happened to the Author—The execution of a -criminal—The Author shows his skill in navigation</p></div> -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VIA">CHAPTER VI.</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>Several contrivances of the Author to please the king and queen—He -shows his skill in music—The king inquires into the state of Europe, -which the Author relates to him—The king's observations thereon</p></div> -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VIIA">CHAPTER VII</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>The Author's love of his country—He makes a proposal of much advantage -to the king, which is rejected—The king's great ignorance in -politics—The learning of that country very imperfect and -confined—Their laws, and military affairs, and in the state</p></div> -<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIA">CHAPTER VIII</a></h3> -<div class="blockquot"><p>The king and queen make a progress to the frontiers—The Author attends -them—The manner in which he leaves the country very particularly -related—He returns to England</p></div> - -<h3><a href="#NOTE">NOTE.</a></h3> - -<h3>LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.</h3> - -<div class="center"> -<a href="#RELPLUM">"They concluded I was only Relplum Sealcath"</a><br /> -<a href="#MAP2">Map of Brobdingnag</a><br /> -<a href="#HUGE">"A huge creature walking ... on the sea"</a><br /> -<a href="#TROD">"Whereupon the huge creature trod short"</a><br /> -<a href="#HANGER">"I drew my hanger to defend myself"</a><br /> -<a href="#CALLED">"I called her my Glumdalclitch"</a><br /> -<a href="#FENCERS">"Flourished after the manner of fencers in England"</a><br /> -<a href="#PRINCESS">"This gracious princess held out her little finger"</a><br /> -<a href="#KING">"She carried me to the king"</a><br /> -<a href="#BROTHER">"I could only revenge myself by calling him brother"</a><br /> -<a href="#BIRDS">"The smaller birds did not appear to be at all afraid of me"</a><br /> -<a href="#GALE">"Gave me a gale with their fans"</a><br /> -<a href="#EXERCISE">"The most violent exercise I ever underwent"</a><br /> -<a href="#PANEGYRIC">"You have made an admirable panegyric"</a><br /> -<a href="#FOREBODING">"She had some foreboding"</a><br /> -<a href="#TONGUE">"Somebody calling in the English tongue"</a><br /> -<a href="#DAUGHTER">"My daughter kneeled, but I could not see her"</a><br /> -</div> - -<h4>AND TWELVE SMALLER ONES IN THE TEXT.</h4> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<h2>THE FIRST PUBLISHER TO THE READER.</h2> -<p>The author of these travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my ancient and -intimate friend; there is likewise some relation between us on the -mother's side. About three years ago, Mr. Gulliver, growing weary of the -concourse of curious people coming to him at his house in Redriff,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> -made a small purchase of land, with a convenient house, near Newark, in -Nottinghamshire, his native county, where he now lives retired, yet in -good esteem among his neighbors.</p> - -<p>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 churchyard 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 a sort of proverb among his neighbors at -Redriff, when any one affirmed a thing, to say it was as true as if Mr. -Gulliver had spoken it.</p> - -<p>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 than the common scribbles about politics and party.</p> - -<p>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 description of the management of the ship in -the storms, in the style of sailors; likewise the account of longitudes -and latitudes; wherein I have reason to apprehend that Mr. Gulliver may -be a little dissatisfied; but I was resolved to fit the work as much as -possible to the general capacity of readers. However, if my own -ignorance in sea affairs shall have led me to commit some mistakes, I -alone am answerable for them, and if any traveller hath a curiosity to -see the whole work at large, as it came from the hand of the author, I -will be ready to gratify him.</p> - -<p>As for any farther particulars relating to the author, the reader will -receive satisfaction from the first pages of the book.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 20em;">RICHARD SYMPSON.</span><br /> -</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="MAP1" id="MAP1"></a> - <img src="images/map01.jpg" - alt="f" title="f" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/02.jpg" - alt="illustration" title="illustration" /> -</div> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> - -<h2>TRAVELS.</h2> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> -<h2>PART I.</h2> - -<h2><i>A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT</i>.</h2> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE AUTHOR GIVES SOME ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND FAMILY: HIS FIRST - INDUCEMENTS TO TRAVEL. HE IS SHIPWRECKED, AND SWIMS FOR HIS LIFE; - GETS SAFE ASHORE IN THE COUNTRY OF LILLIPUT; IS MADE A PRISONER, - AND CARRIED UP THE COUNTRY.</p></div> - -<p>My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the third of five -sons. He sent me to Emmanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, -where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my studies; -but the charge of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty -allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound apprentice -to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued -four years; and my father now and then sending me small sums of money, I -laid them out in learning navigation, and other parts of the mathematics -useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be, -some time or other, my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down -to my father, where, by the assistance of him, and my uncle John and -some other relations, I got forty pounds,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> and a promise of thirty -pounds a year, to maintain me at Leyden. There I studied physic two -years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages.</p> - -<p>Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master, -Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the "Swallow," Captain Abraham Pannell, -commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage -or two into the Levant,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> and some other parts. When I came back I -resolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master, encouraged -me, and by him I was recommended to several patients. I took part of a -small house in the Old Jewry; and, being advised to alter my condition, -I married Mrs. Mary Burton,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> second daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton, -hosier in Newgate Street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a -portion.</p> - -<p>But my good master, Bates, dying in two years after, and I having few -friends, my business began to fail; for my conscience would not suffer -me to imitate the bad practice of too many among my brethren. Having, -therefore, consulted with my wife, and some of my acquaintance, I -determined to go again to sea. I was surgeon successively in two ships, -and made several voyages, for six years, to the East and West Indies, by -which I got some addition to my fortune. My hours of leisure I spent in -reading the best authors, ancient and modern, being always provided with -a good number of books; and, when I was ashore, in observing the manners -and dispositions of the people, as well as learning their language, -wherein I had a great facility, by the strength of my memory.</p> - -<p>The last of these voyages not proving very fortunate, I grew weary of -the sea, and intended to stay at home with my wife and family. I removed -from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to -get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account. After -three years' expectation that things would mend, I accepted an -advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the -"Antelope," who was making a voyage to the South Sea.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> We set sail -from Bristol, May 4, 1699; and our voyage at first was very prosperous.</p> - -<p>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 northwest of Van Diemen's Land.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> - -<p>By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees and -2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labor and -ill food; the rest were in a very weak condition.</p> - -<p>On the fifth of November, which was the beginning of summer in those -parts, the weather being very hazy, the seamen spied a rock within half -a cable's length of the ship;<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> 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 computation, about -three leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent -with labor, 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 those who escaped on the rock, or were left in -the vessel, I cannot tell, but conclude they were all lost.</p> - -<p>For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward -by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom; -but, when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found -myself within my depth; and, by this time, the storm was much abated.</p> - -<p>The declivity was so small that I walked near a mile before I got to the -shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening. I -then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign -of houses or inhabitants; at least, I was in so weak a condition, that I -did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the -heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I -left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the -grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I -remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine -hours; for, when I awaked, it was just daylight. 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 my eyes.</p> - -<p>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 my eyes downward, as much as I -could, I perceived it to be a human creature, not six inches high, with -a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the meantime -I felt at least forty more of the same kind (as I conjectured) following -the first.</p> - -<p>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, cried out in a shrill, but distinct voice—<i>Hekinah degul!</i> -the others repeated the same words several times, but I then knew not -what they meant.</p> - -<p>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 discovered the methods they had taken to -bind me, and, at the same time, with a violent pull, which gave me -excessive pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down my hair -on the left side, so that I was just able to turn my head about two -inches.</p> - -<p>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, <i>Tolgo phonac</i>; 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.</p> - -<p>When this shower of arrows was over, I fell a-groaning with grief and -pain, and then striving again to get loose, they discharged another -volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted with spears to -stick me in the sides; but by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> -which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie -still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand -being already loose, I could easily free myself; and as for the -inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the -greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the same -size with him that I saw.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="LAY" id="LAY"></a> - <img src="images/03.jpg" - alt="I LAY ALL THIS WHILE IN GREAT UNEASINESS" title="I LAY ALL THIS WHILE IN GREAT UNEASINESS" /> -<p class="caption">"I LAY ALL THIS WHILE IN GREAT UNEASINESS"</p> -</div> - -<p>But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the people observed I was -quiet, they discharged no more arrows: but, by the noise I heard, I knew -their numbers increased; and about four yards from me, over against my -right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like that of people at -work; when, 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.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/04.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began his -oration, he cried out three times, <i>Langro debul san</i> (these words, and -the former, were afterwards repeated, and explained to me). Whereupon -immediately about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the strings that -fastened the left side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning -it to the right, and of observing the person and gesture of him that was -to speak. He appeared to be of a middle age, and taller than any of the -other three who attended him, whereof one was a page that held up his -train, and seemed to be somewhat longer than my middle finger; the other -two stood one on each side, to support him. He acted every part of an -orator, and I could observe many periods of threatenings, and others of -promises, pity, and kindness.</p> - -<p>I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting up -my left hand, and both my eyes, to the sun, as calling him for a -witness: and, being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a -morsel for some hours before I left the ship, I found the demands of -nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear showing my impatience -(perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my finger -frequently to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The <i>hurgo</i> (for -so they call a great lord, as I afterwards learned) understood me very -well. He descended from the stage, and commanded that several ladders -should be applied to my sides; on which above a hundred of the -inhabitants mounted, and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets -full of meat, which had been provided and sent thither by the king's -orders, upon the first intelligence he received of me.</p> - -<p>I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not -distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins, -shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the -wings of a lark. I ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took -three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets. They -supplied me as they could, showing a thousand marks of wonder and -astonishment at my bulk and appetite. I then made another sign that I -wanted drink.</p> - -<p>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<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced -upon my breast, repeating, several times, as they did at first, <i>Hekinah -degul</i>. They made me a sign, that I should throw down the two hogsheads, -but first warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying -aloud, <i>Borach nevola</i>; and, when they saw the vessels in the air, there -was an universal shout of <i>Hekinah degul</i>.</p> - -<p>I confess, I was often tempted, while they were passing backwards and -forwards on my body, to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in -my reach, and dash them against the ground. But the remembrance of what -I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the -promise of honor I made them—for so I interpreted my submissive -behavior—soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered -myself as bound, by the laws of hospitality, to a people who had treated -me with so much expense 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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="PRODUCING" id="PRODUCING"></a> - <img src="images/06.jpg" - alt="PRODUCING HIS CREDENTIALS." title="PRODUCING HIS CREDENTIALS." /> -<p class="caption">"PRODUCING HIS CREDENTIALS."</p> -</div> - -<p>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 forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue: and, -producing his credentials under the signet-royal,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> which he applied -close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, -but with a kind of determinate resolution, often pointing forwards, -which, as I afterwards found, was towards the 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.</p> - -<p>It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head by -way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to show that I -must be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other signs, to let me -understand that I should have meat and drink enough, and very good -treatment. Whereupon I once more thought of attempting to break my -bonds; but again, when I felt the smart of their arrows upon my face and -hands, which were all in blisters, and many of the darts still sticking -in them, and observing, likewise, that the number of my enemies -increased, I gave tokens to let them know, that they might do with me -what they pleased. Upon this the <i>hurgo</i> and his train withdrew, with -much civility, and cheerful countenances.</p> - -<p>Soon after, I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the -words, <i>Peplom selan</i>, and I felt great numbers of people on my left -side, relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn upon -my right, and to get a little ease. But, before this, they had daubed 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, disposed me to sleep. I -slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured; and it was no -wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, had mingled a sleepy -potion in the hogsheads of wine.</p> - -<p>It seems that, upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the -ground after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it, by an -express; and determined in council, that I should be tied in the manner -I have related (which was done in the night, while I slept), that plenty -of meat and drink should be sent to me, and a machine prepared to carry -me to the capital city.</p> - -<p>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 endeavored to kill me with -their spears and arrows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have -awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused my -rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings wherewith -I was tied; after which, as they were not able to make resistance, so -they could expect no mercy.</p> - -<p>These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great -perfection in mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the -emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. The 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 -feet long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried on -these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea. Five hundred -carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work, to prepare the -greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood, raised three inches -from the ground, about seven feet long and four wide, moving upon -twenty-two wheels. The shout I heard was upon the arrival of this -engine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after my landing. It was -brought parallel to me, as I lay. But the principal difficulty was, to -raise and place me in this vehicle.</p> - -<p>Eighty poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and -very strong cords, of the bigness of packthread, were fastened by hooks -to many bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my -body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to -draw up these cords by many pulleys fastened on the poles; and thus, in -less than three hours, I was raised and slung into the engine, and tied -fast.</p> -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/05.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>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 a half high, were employed to draw me -towards the metropolis, which, as I said, was half a mile distant.</p> - -<p>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, 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 name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> a good way -up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made me -sneeze violently; whereupon they stole off, unperceived, and it was -three weeks before I knew the cause of my awaking so suddenly.</p> - -<p>We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and rested at night -with five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches, and half -with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me, if I should offer to stir. The -next morning, at sunrise, we continued our march, and arrived within two -hundred yards of the city gates about noon. The emperor, and all his -court, came out to meet us; but his great officers would by no means -suffer his majesty to endanger his person, by mounting on my body.</p> - -<p>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, looked upon as profane, and therefore had been -applied to common use, 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 feet high, and almost two feet -wide, through which I could easily creep. On each side of the gate was a -small window, not above six inches from the ground; into that on the -left side the king's smith conveyed four score 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.</p> -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/07.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at -twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here -the emperor ascended, with many principal lords of his court, to have an -opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I could not see them. It -was reckoned that above an hundred thousand inhabitants came out of the -town upon the same errand; and, in spite of my guards, I believe there -could not be fewer than ten thousand, at several times, who mounted my -body, by the help of ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued, to -forbid it, upon pain of death.</p> - -<p>When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they cut -all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up, with as melancholy 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 semi-circle, -but, being fixed within four inches of the gate, allowed me to creep in, -and lie at my full length in the temple.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/08.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE EMPEROR OF LILLIPUT, ATTENDED BY SEVERAL OF THE NOBILITY, COMES - TO SEE THE AUTHOR IN HIS CONFINEMENT. THE EMPEROR'S PERSON AND - HABIT DESCRIBED. LEARNED MEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE AUTHOR THEIR - LANGUAGE. HE GAINS FAVOR BY HIS MILD DISPOSITION. HIS POCKETS ARE - SEARCHED, AND HIS SWORD AND PISTOLS TAKEN FROM HIM.</p></div> - -<p>When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and must confess I -never beheld a more entertaining prospect. The country around, appeared -like a continued garden, and the enclosed fields, which were generally -forty feet square, resembled so many beds of flowers. These fields were -intermingled with woods of half a stang,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> and the tallest trees, as I -could judge, appeared to be seven feet high. I viewed the town on my -left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a theatre.</p> - -<p>The emperor was already descended from the tower, and advancing on -horseback towards me, which had like to have cost him dear; for the -beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight, -which appeared as if a mountain moved before him, reared up on his hind -feet. But that prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat, till -his attendants ran in and held the bridle, while his majesty had time to -dismount.</p> - -<p>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 reach them. I -took these vehicles, and soon emptied them all; twenty of them were -filled with meat; each afforded me two or three good mouthfuls. The -empress and young princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by many -ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs;<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> 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 -graceful, and his deportment majestic. He was then past his prime, being -twenty-eight years and three-quarters old, of which he had reigned about -seven in great felicity, 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.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/09.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>His dress was very plain and simple, and the fashion of it between the -Asiatic and the European; but he had on his head a light helmet of gold, -adorned with jewels, and a plume an the crest.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; so that the -spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread on the -ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His imperial -majesty spoke often to me, and I returned answers, but neither of us -could understand a syllable. There were several of his priests and -lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), who were commanded -to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them in as many languages as -I had the least smattering of, which were, High and Low Dutch, Latin, -French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca;<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> but all to no purpose.</p> - -<p>After about two hours the court retired, and I was left with a strong -guard, to prevent the impertinence, and probably the malice of the -rabble, who were very impatient to crowd about me as near as they durst; -and some of them had the impudence to shoot their arrows at me, as I sat -on the ground by the door of my house, whereof one very narrowly missed -my left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the 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 butt-ends of their pikes into my reach. I took them -all on my right hand, put five of them into my coat-pocket; and as to -the sixth, I made a countenance as if I would eat him alive. The poor -man squalled terribly, and the colonel and his officers were in much -pain, especially when they saw me take out my penknife; but I soon put -them out of fear, for, looking mildly, and immediately cutting the -strings he was bound with, I set him gently on the ground, and away he -ran. I treated the rest in the same manner, taking them one by one out -of my pocket; and I observed both the soldiers and people were highly -delighted at this mark of my clemency, which was represented very much -to my advantage at court.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/10.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>Towards night, I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay on -the ground, and continued to do so about a fortnight, during which time -the emperor gave orders to have a bed prepared for me. Six hundred beds, -of the common measure, were brought in carriages and worked up in my -house; an hundred and fifty of their beds, sewn together, made up the -breadth and length; and these were four double, which, however, kept me -but very indifferently from the hardness of the floor, which was of -smooth stone. By the same computation, they provided me with sheets, -blankets, and coverlets, which were tolerable enough for one who had -been so long inured to hardships as I.</p> - -<p>As the news of my arrival spread through the kingdom, it brought -prodigious numbers of rich, idle, and curious people to see me; so that -the villages were almost emptied; and great neglect of tillage and -household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had not -provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against this -inconvenience. 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.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, 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 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 despatch 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.</p> - -<p>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 behavior to the six criminals -above-mentioned, which made so favorable an impression in the breast of -his majesty, and the whole board, in my behalf, that an imperial -commission was issued out, obliging all the villages nine hundred yards -round the city to deliver in, every morning, six beeves, forty sheep, -and other victuals, for my sustenance; together with a proportionable -quantity of bread and wine, and other liquors; for the due payment of -which his majesty gave assignments upon his treasury. For this prince -lives chiefly upon his own demesnes, seldom, except upon great -occasions, raising any subsidies upon his subjects, who are bound to -attend him in his wars at their own expense. An establishment was also -made of six hundred persons, to be my domestics, who had board-wages -allowed for their maintenance, and tents built for them very -conveniently on each side of my door.</p> - -<p>It was likewise ordered that three hundred tailors should make me a suit -of clothes, after the fashion of the country; that six of his majesty's -greatest scholars should be employed to instruct me in their language; -and lastly, that the emperor's horses, and those of the nobility and -troops of guards, should be frequently exercised in my sight, to -accustom themselves to me.</p> - -<p>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 honored 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 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 <i>lumos kelmin pesso desmar lon emposo</i>; 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 behavior, the good opinion of himself and his subjects.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 should set upon them. I took up the two officers in my -hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into every other -pocket about me, except my two fobs<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> and another secret pocket, which I -had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little necessaries -that were of no consequence to any but myself. In one of my fobs there -was a silver watch, and in the other a small quantity of gold in a -purse.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="GENT" id="GENT"></a> - <img src="images/11.jpg" - alt="THESE GENTLEMEN MADE AN EXACT INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING -THEY SAW." title="THESE GENTLEMEN MADE AN EXACT INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING -THEY SAW." /> -<p class="caption">"THESE GENTLEMEN MADE AN EXACT INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING THEY SAW."</p> -</div> - -<p>These gentlemen having pen, ink, and paper about them, made an exact -inventory of everything 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:—</p> - -<p><i>Imprimis</i>,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain (for -so I interpret the words <i>quinbus flestrin</i>), 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 waistcoat pocket we -found a prodigious number 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 palisadoes 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 <i>ranfu-lo</i>, 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 so heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift -them. In the left pocket, were two black pillars irregularly shaped; we -could not without difficulty reach the top of them, as we stood at the -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 and -round substance, about twice the bigness of our heads. Within each of -these was enclosed a prodigious plate of steel, which, by our orders, we -obliged him to show us, because we apprehended they might be dangerous -engines. He took them out of their cases, and told us that in his own -country his practice was to shave his beard with one of these, and to -cut his meat with the other. There were two pockets which we could not -enter: these he called his fobs. Out of the right fob hung a great -silver chain, with a wonderful kind of engine at the bottom. We directed -him to draw out whatever was at the end of that chain, which appeared to -be a globe, half silver, and half of some transparent metal; for on the -transparent side we saw certain strange figures, circularly drawn, and -thought we could touch them till we found our fingers stopped by that -lucid substance.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> He put this engine to our ears, which made an -incessant noise, like that of a water-mill; and we conjecture it is -either some unknown animal, or the god that he worships; but we are more -inclined to the latter opinion, because he assured us (if we understood -him right, for he expressed himself very imperfectly), that he seldom -did anything 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.</p> - -<p>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 a most ponderous metal, about the bigness of our heads, and required -a strong hand to lift them; the other cell contained a heap of certain -black grains, but of no great bulk or weight, for we could hold about -fifty of them in the palms of our hands.</p> - -<p>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 sealed, on the fourth day of the -eighty-ninth moon of your majesty's auspicious reign.</p> - -<div class="blockquot">CLEFRIN FRELOC.<br /> -MARSI FRELOC.</div> - -<p>When this inventory was read over to the emperor, he directed me, -although in very gentle terms, to deliver up the several particulars.</p> - -<p>He first called for my scimitar, which I took out, scabbard and all. In -the meantime, he ordered three thousand of his choicest troops (who then -attended him) to surround me at a distance, with their bows and arrows -just ready to discharge; but I did not observe it, for mine eyes were -wholly fixed upon his majesty. He then desired me to draw my scimitar, -which, although it had got some rust by the sea-water, was in most parts -exceedingly bright. I did so, and immediately all the troops gave a -shout between terror and surprise; for the sun shone clear, and the -reflection dazzled their eyes, as I waved the scimitar to and fro in my -hand. His majesty, who is a most magnanimous prince, was less daunted -than I could expect; he ordered me to return it into the scabbard, and -cast it on the ground as gently as I could, about six feet from the end -of my chain.</p> - -<p>The next thing he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars, by which -he meant my pocket-pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as -I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only with -powder, which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape wetting -in the sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent mariners take -special care to provide), I first cautioned the emperor not to be -afraid, and then let it off in the air.</p> - -<p>The astonishment here was much greater than at the sight of my scimitar. -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 scimitar, and then my pouch of powder and bullets, begging him that -the former might be kept from fire, for it would kindle with the -smallest spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the air.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/12.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>I likewise delivered up my watch, which the emperor was very curious to -see, and commanded two of his tallest yeomen of the guards<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> to bear -it on a pole upon their shoulders, as draymen in England do a barrel of -ale. He was amazed at the continual noise it made and the motion of the -minute-hand, which he could easily discern; for their sight is much more -acute than ours. He asked the opinions of his learned men about it, -which were various and remote, as the reader may well imagine without my -repeating; although, indeed, I could not very perfectly understand them.</p> - -<p>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 snuffbox, my handkerchief and journal-book. My scimitar, pistols, -and pouch were conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores; but the -rest of my goods were returned to me.</p> - -<p>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,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> and some other -little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the emperor, I -did not think myself bound in honor to discover; and I apprehended they -might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my possession.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/13.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>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 HAS HIS LIBERTY GRANTED HIM UPON CERTAIN - CONDITIONS.</p></div> - -<p>My gentleness and good behavior 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 favorable 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.</p> - -<p>The emperor had a mind, one day, to entertain me with one 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 -feet, and twelve inches from the ground. Upon which I shall desire -liberty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge a little.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/14.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for -great employments and high favor at court. They are trained in this art -from their youth, and are not always of noble birth or liberal -education. When a great office is vacant, either by death or disgrace -(which often happens) five or six of those candidates petition the -emperor to entertain his majesty, and the court, with a dance on the -rope, and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the -office. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show -their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their -faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the -straight rope, at least an inch higher than any lord in the whole -empire. I have seen him do the summersault several times together upon a -trencher,<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> fixed on a rope, which is no thicker than a common -packthread in England. My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for -private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second -after the treasurer; the rest of the great officers are much upon a par.</p> - -<p>These diversions are often attended with fatal accidents, whereof great -numbers are on record. I myself have seen two or three candidates break -a limb. But the danger is much greater when the ministers themselves are -commanded to show their dexterity! for, by contending to excel -themselves and their fellows, they strain so far that there is hardly -one of them who hath not received a fall, and some of them two or three. -I was assured that a year or two before 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.</p> - -<p>There is likewise another diversion, which is only shown before the -emperor and empress and first minister, upon particular occasions. The -emperor lays on the table three fine silken threads, of six inches long; -one is 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 favor. The ceremony is performed -in his majesty's great chamber of state, where the candidates are to -undergo a trial of dexterity very different from the former, and such as -I have not observed the least resemblance of in any other country of the -old or new world.</p> - -<p>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 blue-colored silk; the yellow is given to -the next, and the green to the third, which they all wear girt twice -about the middle; and you see few great persons round about this court -who are not adorned with one of these girdles.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>I had the good fortune to divert the emperor one day after a very -extraordinary manner. I desired he would order several sticks of two -feet high, and the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought me; -whereupon 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.</p> - -<p>I took nine of these sticks, and fixing them firmly in the ground in a -quadrangular figure, two feet and a half square, I took four other -sticks and tied them parallel at each corner, about two feet from the -ground; then I fastened my handkerchief to the nine sticks that stood -erect, and extended it on all sides, till it was 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.</p> - -<p>When I had finished my work, I desired the emperor to let a troop of his -best horse, twenty-four in number, come and exercise upon this plain. -His majesty approved of the proposal, and I took them up one by one in -my hands, ready mounted and armed, with the 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.</p> - -<p>It was my good fortune that no ill accident happened in these -entertainments; only once a fiery horse, that belonged to one of the -captains, pawing with his hoof, struck a hole in my 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 enterprises.</p> - -<p>About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was -entertaining the court with feats of this kind, 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 oddly 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 had at first apprehended, for it -lay on the grass without motion; and some of them had walked round it -several times; that, by mounting upon each other's shoulders, they had -got to the top, which was flat and even, and, stamping upon it, they -found it was hollow within; that they humbly conceived it might be -something belonging to the man-mountain; and if his majesty pleased, -they would undertake to bring it with only five horses.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/15.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>I presently knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this -intelligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the shore after our -shipwreck, I was in such confusion that, before I came to the place -where I went to sleep, my hat, which I had fastened with a string to my -head while I was rowing, and had stuck on 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, describing to him the use and nature -of it; and the next day the wagoners arrived with it, but not in a very -good condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and -a half of the edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks -were tied by a long cord to the harness; and thus my hat was dragged -along for above half an English mile; but the ground in that country -being extremely smooth and level, it received less damage than I -expected.</p> - -<p>Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that part of -the army which quarters in and about his metropolis to be in readiness, -took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular manner. He desired -I would stand like a colossus, with my legs as far asunder as I -conveniently could. He then commanded his general (who was an old, -experienced leader and a great patron of mine) to draw up the troops in -close order and march under me; the foot by twenty-four abreast and the -horse by sixteen, with drums beating, colors flying, and pikes advanced. -This body consisted of three thousand foot and a thousand horse.</p> - -<p>I had sent so many memorials and petitions for my liberty, that his -majesty at length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet, and then -in full council; where it was opposed by none, except Skyrris 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 <i>galbet</i>, or admiral of the realm, very much -in his master's confidence, and a person well versed in affairs, but of -a morose and sour complexion. However, he was at length persuaded to -comply; but prevailed, that the articles and conditions upon which I -should be set free, and to which I must swear, should be drawn up by -himself.</p> - -<p>These articles were brought to me by Skyrris Bolgolam in person, -attended by two under-secretaries, and several persons of distinction. -After they were read, I was demanded to swear to the performance of -them, first in the manner of my own country, and afterwards in the -method prescribed by their laws; which was, to hold my right foot in my -left hand, and to place the middle finger of my right hand on the crown -of my head, and my thumb on the tip of my right ear.</p> - -<p>But because the reader may be curious to have some idea of the style and -manner of expression peculiar to that people, as well as to know the -articles upon which I recovered my liberty, I have made a translation of -the whole instrument, word for word, as near as I was able, which I here -offer to the public.</p> - -<p><i>Golbasto Momaren Evlame Gurdilo Shefin Mully Ully Gue</i>, Most Mighty -Emperor of Lilliput, delight and terror of the universe, whose dominions -extend five thousand <i>blustrugs</i> (about twelve miles in circumference) to -the extremities of the globe; monarch of all monarchs, taller than the -sons of men; whose feet press down to the centre, and whose head strikes -against the sun; at whose nod the princes of the earth shake their -knees; pleasant as the spring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful as -autumn, dreadful as winter. His most sublime majesty proposeth to the -man-mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following -articles, which by a solemn oath he shall be obliged to perform.</p> - -<p>First. The man-mountain shall not depart from our dominions without our -license under our great seal.</p> - -<p>Second. He shall not presume to come into our metropolis, without our -express order, at which time the inhabitants shall have two hours -warning to keep within doors.</p> - -<p>Third. 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.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> - -<p>Fourth. As he walks the said roads, he shall take the utmost care not to -trample upon the bodies of any of our loving subjects, their horses or -carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his hands without their own -consent.</p> - -<p>Fifth. If an express requires extraordinary despatch, 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.</p> - -<p>Sixth. He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of -Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now -preparing to invade us.</p> - -<p>Seventh. 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.</p> - -<p>Eighth. 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.</p> - -<p>Lastly. That upon his solemn oath to observe all the above articles, the -said man-mountain shall have a daily allowance of meat and drink -sufficient for the support of 1724 of our subjects, with free access to -our royal person, and other marks of our favor. Given at our palace at -Belfaborac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign.</p> - -<p>I swore and subscribed to the articles with great cheerfulness and -content, although some of them were not so honorable as I could have -wished; which proceeded wholly from the malice of Skyrris Bolgolam, the -high admiral; whereupon my chains were immediately unlocked, and I was -at full liberty. The emperor himself in person did me the honor to be by -at the whole ceremony. I made my acknowledgments, by prostrating myself -at his majesty's feet: but he commanded me to rise; and after many -gracious expressions, which, to avoid the censure of vanity, I shall not -repeat, he added, that he hoped I should prove a useful servant, and -well deserve all the favors he had already conferred upon me, or might -do for the future.</p> - -<p>The reader may please to observe, that, in the last article for the -recovery of my liberty, the emperor stipulates to allow me a quantity of -meat and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 Lilliputians. Some -time after, asking a friend at court, how they came to fix on that -determinate number, he told me, that his majesty's mathematicians having -taken the height of my body by the help of a quadrant,<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> and finding -it to exceed theirs in the proportion of twelve to one, they concluded, -from the similarity of their bodies, that mine must contain at least -1724 of theirs, and consequently would require as much food as was -necessary to support that number of Lilliputians. By which the reader -may conceive an idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the -prudent and exact economy of so great a prince.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>MILENDO, 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 OFFERS - TO SERVE THE EMPEROR IN HIS WARS.</p></div> - -<p>The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, that I -might have license to see Milendo, the metropolis; which the emperor -easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt, either to -the inhabitants or their houses. The people had notice, by proclamation, -of my design to visit the town.</p> - -<p>The wall, which encompassed it, is two feet and a half high, and at -least eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses may be driven very -safely round it; and it is flanked with strong towers at ten feet -distance. I stept over the great western gate, and passed very gently, -and sideling, through the two principal streets, only in my short -waistcoat, for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the houses with -the skirts<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> of my coat. I walked with the utmost circumspection, to -avoid treading on any stragglers who might remain in the streets; -although the orders were very strict, that all people should keep in -their houses at their own peril. The garret-windows and tops of houses -were so crowded with spectators, that I thought in all my travels I had -not seen a more populous place.</p> - -<p>The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being five hundred -feet long. The two great streets, which run across and divide it into -four quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys, which I could -not enter, but only viewed them as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen -inches. The town is capable of holding five hundred thousand souls; the -houses are from three to five stories; the shops and markets well -provided.</p> - -<p>The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city, where the two great -streets meet. It is enclosed by a wall of two 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.</p> - -<p>The outward court is a square of forty feet, and includes two other -courts; in the inmost are the royal apartments, which I was very -desirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for the great gates -from one square into another were but eighteen inches high, and seven -inches wide. Now the buildings of the outer court were at least five -feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride over them without -infinite damage to the pile, though the walls were strongly built of -hewn stone, and four inches thick.</p> - -<p>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 distance from -the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each about three feet high, -and strong enough to bear my weight.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="MAJESTY" id="MAJESTY"></a> - <img src="images/16.jpg" - alt="HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY WAS PLEASED TO SMILE VERY GRACIOUSLY -UPON ME." title="HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY WAS PLEASED TO SMILE VERY GRACIOUSLY -UPON ME." /> -<p class="caption">HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY WAS PLEASED TO SMILE VERY GRACIOUSLY UPON ME.</p> -</div> - -<p>The people having received notice a second time, I went again through -the city to the palace, with my two stools in my hands. When I came to -the side of the outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took the other -in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and gently set it down on the -space between the first and second court, which was eight feet wide. I -then stept over the building very conveniently, from one stool to the -other, and drew up the first after me with a hooked stick. By this -contrivance I got into the inmost court; and, lying down upon my side, I -applied my face to the windows of the middle stories, which were left -open on purpose, and discovered the most splendid apartments that can be -imagined. There I saw the empress and the young princes in their several -lodgings, with their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty -was pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of the -window her hand to kiss.</p> - -<p>But I shall not anticipate the reader with farther descriptions 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 politics, laws, learning, and -religion, their plants and animals, their peculiar manners and customs, -with other matters very curious and useful; my chief design, at present, -being only to relate such events and transactions as happened to the -public, or to myself, during a residence of about nine months in that -empire.</p> - -<p>One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, -Reldresal, principal secretary (as they style him) for 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 of the many good offices he had done me during my -solicitations at court. I offered to lie down, that he might the more -conveniently reach my ear; but he chose rather to let me hold him in my -hand during our conversation.</p> - -<p>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 labor 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 seventy -moons past, there have been two struggling parties in this empire, under -the names of <i>Tramecksan</i> and <i>Slamecksan</i>, from the high and low heels -of their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, -indeed, that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient -constitution; but, however this may be, his majesty hath determined to -make use only of 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, at least by a -<i>drurr</i>, than any of his court (<i>drurr</i> 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 <i>Tramecksan</i>, or high heels, to exceed us in -number; but the power is wholly on our side. We apprehend his imperial -highness, the heir to the crown, to have some tendency towards the high -heels; at least, we can plainly discover that one of his heels is higher -than the other, which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst -of these intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from -the island of 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 -dropped 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 cattle of his majesty's dominions. Besides, our histories of -six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions than the two -great empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Which two mighty powers have, as -I was going to tell you, been engaged in a most obstinate war for -six-and-thirty moons past. It began upon the 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 eleven thousand persons have, at several times, suffered -death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many -hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy, but the -books of the Big-endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party -rendered incapable, by law, of holding employments.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/18.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>During the 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 fundamental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, -in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is their -Alcoran)<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> This, however, is thought to be a mere strain upon the -text; for the words are these: That all true believers break their eggs -at the convenient end. And which is the convenient end, seems, in my -humble opinion, to be left to every man's conscience, or, at least, in -the power of the chief magistrate to determine. Now, the Big-endian -exiles have found so much credit in the emperor of Blefuscu's court, and -so much private assistance and encouragement from their party here at -home, that a bloody war hath been carried on between the two empires fo -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 valor and strength, hath commanded me to lay -this account of his affairs before you.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/17.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE AUTHOR, BY AN EXTRAORDINARY STRATAGEM, PREVENTS AN INVASION. A - HIGH TITLE OF HONOR IS CONFERRED UPON HIM. AMBASSADORS ARRIVE FROM - THE EMPEROR OF BLEFUSCU, AND SUE FOR PEACE. THE EMPRESS'S APARTMENT - ON FIRE, BY ACCIDENT; THE AUTHOR INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING THE REST OF - THE PALACE.</p></div> - -<p>The empire of Blefuscu is an island, situate to the north northeast 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 enemy's ships, who had received no -intelligence of me, all intercourse between the two empires having been -strictly forbidden during the war, upon the pain of death, and an -embargo<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> laid by our emperor upon all vessels whatsoever.</p> - -<p>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 harbor, ready to sail with the first fair wind. I consulted the most -experienced seamen upon the depth of the channel, which they had often -plumbed; who told me, that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy -<i>glumgluffs</i> deep, which is about six feet of European measure; and the -rest of it fifty <i>glumgluffs</i> at most. I walked towards the northeast -coast, over against Blefuscu; where, lying down behind a hillock, I took -out my small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, -consisting of about fifty men-of-war, and a great number of transports; -I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for which I had a -warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of iron. -The cable was about as thick as 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.</p> - -<p>Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables, I went back to the -northeast coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked -into the sea in my leathern jerkin, about half an hour before -high-water. I waded with what haste I could, and swam in the middle -about thirty yards, till I felt ground; I arrived at the fleet in less -than half an hour. The enemy were so frightened, when they saw me, that -they leaped out of their ships, and swam to shore, where there could not -be fewer than thirty thousand souls: I then took my tackling, and -fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords -together at the end.</p> - -<p>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 escaped the emperor's searchers. These I took out, -and fastened as strongly as I could upon my nose, and thus armed, went -on boldly with my work, in spite of the enemy's arrows, many of which -struck against the glasses of my spectacles, but without any other -effect, farther than a little to discompose them.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> I had now fastened -all the hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand, began to pull: but not a -ship would stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors; so -that the boldest part of my enterprise remained. I therefore let go the -cord, and, leaving the hooks fixed to the ships, I resolutely cut with -my knife the cables that fastened 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 tied, and, with great ease, drew -fifty of the enemy's largest men-of-war after me.</p> - -<p>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 adrift, or -fall foul on each other: but when they perceived the whole fleet moving -in order, and saw me pulling at the end, they set up such a scream of -grief and despair as it is almost impossible to describe or conceive. -When I had got out of danger, I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows -that stuck in my hands and face: and rubbed on some of the same ointment -that was given me at my first arrival, as I have formerly mentioned. I -then took off my spectacles, and waiting about an hour, till the tide -was a little fallen, I waded through the middle with my cargo, and -arrived safe at the royal port of Lilliput.</p> - -<p>The emperor and his whole court stood on the shore, expecting the issue -of this great adventure. They saw the ships move forward in a large -half-moon, but could not discern me, who was up to my breast in water. -When I advanced to 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 an hostile -manner: but he was soon eased of his fears; for the channel growing -shallower every step I made, I came in a short time within hearing; and -holding up the end of the cable, by which the fleet was fastened, I -cried in a loud voice, Long live the most puissant<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> emperor of -Lilliput! This great prince received me at my landing, with all possible -encomiums, and created me a <i>nardac</i> upon the spot, which is the highest -title of honor among them.</p> - -<p>His majesty desired I would take some other opportunity of bringing all -the rest of his enemy's ships into his ports. And so immeasurable 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 viceroy; of destroying the Big-endian exiles, and compelling that -people to break the smaller end of their eggs, by which he would remain -the sole monarch of the whole world. But I endeavored to divert him from -this design, by many arguments, drawn from the topics of policy, as well -as justice. And I plainly protested, that I would never be an instrument -of bringing a free and brave people into slavery. And when the matter -was debated in council, the wisest part of the ministry were of my -opinion.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="CREATED" id="CREATED"></a> - <img src="images/19.jpg" - alt="AND CREATED ME A NARDAC UPON THE SPOT." title="AND CREATED ME A NARDAC UPON THE SPOT." /> -<p class="caption">"AND CREATED ME A <i>NARDAC</i> UPON THE SPOT."</p> -</div> - -<p>This open, bold declaration of mine was so opposite to the schemes and -politics of his imperial majesty, that he could never forgive me; he -mentioned it, in a very artful manner, at council, where, I was told, -that some of the wisest appeared, at least by their silence, to be of my -opinion; but others, who were my secret enemies, could not forbear some -expressions, which by a side-wind reflected on me. And, from this time -began an intrigue between his majesty and a junto<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> of ministers -maliciously bent against me, which broke out in less than two months, -and had like to have ended in my utter destruction. Of so little weight -are the greatest services to princes, when put into the balance with a -refusal to gratify their passions.</p> - -<p>About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived a solemn embassy -from Blefuscu, with humble offers of peace; which was soon concluded, -upon conditions very advantageous to our emperor, wherewith I shall not -trouble the reader. There were six ambassadors, with a train of about -five hundred persons; and their entry was very magnificent, suitable to -the grandeur of their master, and the 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 valor -and generosity, invited me to that kingdom, in the emperor their -master's name, and desired me to show some proofs of my prodigious -strength, of which they had heard so many wonders; wherein I readily -obliged them, but shall not trouble the reader with the particulars.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/20.jpg" - alt="f" title="f" /> -</div> - -<p>When I had for some time entertained their Excellencies, to their -infinite satisfaction and surprise, I desired they would do me the honor -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 country. Accordingly, the next time I had the honor -to see our emperor, I desired his general license to wait on the -Blefuscudian monarch, which he was pleased to grant me, as I could -plainly perceive, in a very cold manner; but could not guess the reason, -till I had a whisper from a certain person, that Flimnap and Bolgolam -had represented my intercourse with those ambassadors as a mark of -disaffection, from which, I am sure, my heart was wholly free. And this -was the first time I began to conceive some imperfect idea of courts and -ministers.</p> - -<p>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 its own tongue, with an avowed contempt -for that of its neighbor; yet our emperor, standing upon the advantage -he had got by the seizure of their fleet, obliged them to deliver their -credentials, and make their speech in the Lilliputian tongue.</p> - -<p>And it must be confessed, that, from the great intercourse of trade and -commerce between both realms; from the continual reception of exiles, -which is mutual among them; and from the custom in each empire, to send -their young nobility, and richer gentry, to the other, in order to -polish themselves, by seeing the world, and understanding men and -manners; there are few persons of distinction, or 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.</p> - -<p>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 anything but an extreme necessity -have forced me to submit. But, being now a <i>nardac</i> of the highest rank -in that empire, such offices were looked upon as below my dignity, and -the emperor, to do him justice, never once mentioned them to me. -However, it was not long before I had an opportunity of doing his -majesty, at least as I then thought, a most signal service. I was -alarmed at midnight with the cries of many hundred people at my door, by -which, being suddenly awaked, I was in some kind of terror. I heard the -word <i>burglum</i> repeated incessantly.</p> - -<p>Several of the emperor's court, making their way through the crowd, -entreated me to come immediately to the palace, where her imperial -majesty's apartment was on fire, by the carelessness of a maid of honor, -who fell asleep while she was reading a romance. I got up in an instant; -and orders being given to clear the way before me, and it being likewise -a moonshine night, I made a shift to get to the palace, without -trampling on any of the people. I found they had already applied ladders -to the walls of the apartment, and were well provided with buckets, but -the water was at some distance. These buckets were about the size of a -large thimble, and the poor people supplied me with them as fast as they -could; but the flame was so violent that they did little good. I might -easily have stifled it with my coat, which I unfortunately left behind -me for haste, and came away only in my leathern jerkin. The case seemed -wholly desperate and deplorable, and this magnificent palace would have -infallibly been burnt down to the ground, if, by a presence of mind -unusual to me, I had not suddenly thought of an expedient by which in -three minutes the fire was wholly extinguished, and the rest of that -noble pile, which had cost so many ages in erecting, preserved from -destruction.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/21.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>It was now daylight, and I returned to my house, without waiting to -congratulate with the emperor; because, although I had done a very -eminent piece of service, yet I could not tell how his majesty might -resent the manner by which I had performed it: for, by the fundamental -laws of the realm, it is capital in any man, of what quality soever, to -even touch the empress or the royal princesses without invitation. But I -was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, that he would give -orders to the grand justiciary for passing my pardon in form, which, -however, I could not obtain. And I was privately assured that the -empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of me, and, in the presence -of her chief confidants, could not forbear vowing revenge.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>OF THE INHABITANTS OF LILLIPUT; THEIR LEARNING, LAWS, AND CUSTOMS; - THE MANNER OF EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN. THE AUTHOR'S WAY OF LIVING - IN THAT COUNTRY.</p></div> - -<p>Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a -particular treatise, yet, in the meantime, 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 with observing a cook pulling<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> a lark, -which was not so large as a common fly; and a young girl threading an -invisible needle with invisible silk.</p> - -<p>Their tallest trees are about seven feet high; I mean some of those in -the great royal park, the tops whereof I could but just reach with my -fist clenched. The other vegetables are in the same proportion; but this -I leave to the reader's imagination.</p> - -<p>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, but aslant, from one corner of -the paper to the other, like ladies in England.</p> - -<p>They bury their dead with their heads directly downwards, 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 the 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.</p> - -<p>There are some laws and customs in this empire very peculiar; and, if -they were not so directly contrary to those of my own dear country, I -should be tempted to say a little in their justification. It is only to -be wished they were as well executed. The first I shall mention relates -to informers. 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 trial, the accuser is immediately put to an -ignominious death; and, out of his goods, or lands, the innocent person -is quadruply recompensed for the loss of his time, for the danger he -underwent, for the hardship of his imprisonment, and for all the charges -he hath been at in making his defence, or, it that fund be deficient, -it is largely supplied by the crown. The emperor also confers on him -some public mark of his favor, and proclamation is made of his innocence -through the whole city.</p> - -<p>They look upon fraud as a greater crime than theft, and therefore seldom -fail to punish it with death; for they allege, that care and vigilance, -with a very common understanding, may preserve a man's goods from -thieves, but honesty has no fence against superior cunning; and, since -it is necessary that there should be a perpetual intercourse of buying -and selling, and dealing upon credit, where fraud is permitted and -connived at, or 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 run 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.</p> - -<p>Although we usually call reward and punishment the two hinges upon which -all government turns, yet I could never observe this maxim to be put in -practice by any nation except that of Lilliput. Whoever can there bring -sufficient proof that he 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 out -of a fund appropriated for that use; he likewise acquires the title of -<i>snillpall</i>, or <i>legal</i>, which is added to his name, but doth 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 sheath in her left, to show she was more disposed to reward -than to punish.</p> - -<p>In choosing 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 understanding is -fitted to some station or other, and that Providence never intended to -make the management of public affairs a mystery, to be comprehended only -by a few persons of sublime genius, of which there seldom are three born -in an age; but they suppose truth, justice, temperance, and the like, to -be in every man's power, the practice of which virtues, assisted by -experience, and a good intention, would qualify any man for the service -of his country, 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 consequences to the public -weal as the practices of a man whose inclinations led him to be corrupt, -and who had great abilities to manage, to multiply, and defend his -corruptions.</p> - -<p>In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine Providence renders a man -incapable of holding any public station; for, since kings avow -themselves to be the deputies of Providence, the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more absurd than for a prince to employ such men as -disown the authority under which he acts.</p> - -<p>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 favor 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Their notions relating to the duties of parents and children differ -extremely from ours. Their opinion is, that parents are the last of all -others to be trusted with the education of their own children; and, -therefore, they have, in every town, public nurseries, where all -parents, except cottagers and laborers, 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.</p> - -<p>The nurseries for males of noble or eminent birth are provided with -grave and learned professors, and their several deputies. The clothes -and food of the children are plain and simple. They are bred up in the -principles of honor, justice, courage, modesty, clemency, religion, and -love of their country; they are always employed in some business, except -in the times of eating and sleeping, which are very short, and two hours -for diversions, consisting of bodily exercises. They are dressed by men -till four years of age, 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 smaller or greater numbers to take their diversions, and -always in the presence of a professor, or one of his deputies; whereby -they avoid those early bad impressions of folly and vice, to which our -children are subject. Their parents are suffered to see them only twice -a year; the visit to last but an hour; they are allowed to kiss the -child at meeting and parting; but a professor, who always stands by on -those occasions, will not suffer them to whisper, or use any fondling -expressions, or bring any presents of toys, sweetmeats, and the like.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The nurseries for children of ordinary gentlemen, merchants, traders, -and handicrafts, are managed proportionally after the same manner; only -those designed for trades are put out apprentices at eleven years old, -whereas those persons of quality continue in their exercises till -fifteen, which answers to twenty-one with us; but the confinement is -gradually lessened for the last three years.</p> - -<p>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 the chambermaids -among us, they are publicly whipped thrice about the city, imprisoned -for a year, and banished for life to the most desolate part of the -country. Thus, the young ladies there are as much ashamed of being -cowards and fools as the men, and despise all personal ornaments beyond -decency and cleanliness: neither did I perceive any difference in their -education, made by their difference of sex, only that the exercises of -the women were not altogether so robust, and that some rules were given -them relating to domestic life, and a smaller compass of learning was -enjoined them: for their maxim is that, among people of quality, a wife -should be always a reasonable and agreeable companion, because she -cannot always be young. When the girls are twelve years old, which -among them is the marriageable age, their parents or guardians take -them home, with great expressions of gratitude to the professors, and -seldom without tears of the young lady and her companions.</p> - -<p>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 seven years -old, the rest are kept to eleven.</p> - -<p>The meaner<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> 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<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> for the child; and, therefore, all parents -are limited in their expenses by the law. For the Lilliputians think -nothing can be more unjust than for people to leave the burden of -supporting their children on the public. As to persons of quality, they -give security to appropriate a certain sum for each child, suitable to -their condition; and these funds are always managed with good husbandry -and the most exact justice.</p> - -<p>The cottagers and laborers keep their children at home, their business -being only to till and cultivate the earth, and therefore their -education is of little consequence to the public; but the old and -diseased among them are supported by hospitals; for begging is a trade -unknown in this empire.</p> - -<p>And here it may perhaps divert the curious reader to give some account -of my domestic,<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> and my manner of living in this country, during a -residence of nine months and thirteen days. Having a head for -mechanics, and being likewise forced by necessity, I had made for myself -a table and chair, convenient enough, out of the largest trees in the -royal park. Two hundred sempstresses were employed to make me shirts, -and linen for my bed and table, all of the strongest and coarsest kind -they could get; which, however, they were forced to quilt together in -several folds, for the thickest was some degrees finer than lawn. Their -linen is usually three inches wide, and three feet make a piece.</p> - -<p>The sempstresses took my measure as I lay on the ground, one standing at -my neck, and another at my mid-leg, with a strong cord extended that -each held by the end, while a third measured the length of the cord with -a rule of an inch long. Then they measured my right thumb, and desired -no more; for, by a mathematical computation, that twice round the thumb -is once round the wrist, and so on to the neck and the waist, and by the -help of my old shirt, which I displayed on the ground before them for a -pattern, they fitted me exactly. Three hundred tailors were employed in -the same manner to make me clothes; but they had another contrivance for -taking my measure. I kneeled down, and they raised a ladder from the -ground to my neck; upon this ladder one of them mounted, and let fall a -plumb-line from my collar to the floor, which just answered the length -of my coat; but my waist and arms I measured myself. When my clothes -were finished, which was done in my house (for the largest of theirs -would not have been able to hold them), they looked like the patchwork -made by the ladies in England, only that mine were all of a color.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="THREE" id="THREE"></a> - <img src="images/22.jpg" - alt="THREE HUNDRED TAILORS WERE EMPLOYED TO MAKE ME CLOTHES" title="THREE HUNDRED TAILORS WERE EMPLOYED TO MAKE ME CLOTHES" /> -<p class="caption">"THREE HUNDRED TAILORS WERE EMPLOYED TO MAKE ME CLOTHES"</p> -</div> - -<p>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, flung on their shoulders; all of 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 sirloin -so large that I have been forced to make three bites of it; but this is -rare. My servants were astonished to see me eat it, bones and all, as in -our country we do the leg of a lark. Their geese and turkeys I usually -eat at a mouthful, and I must confess they far exceed ours. Of their -smaller fowl, I could take up twenty or thirty at the end of my knife.</p> - -<p>One day his imperial majesty, being informed of my way of living, -desired that himself and his royal consort, with the young princes of -the blood of both sexes, might have the happiness, as he was pleased to -call it, of dining with me. They came accordingly, and I placed them in -chairs of state upon my table, just over against me, with their guards -about them. Flimnap, the lord high treasurer, attended 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 honor to my dear country, 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 a great discount; that exchequer -bills<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> would not circulate under nine per cent, below par; that I had -cost his majesty above a million and a half of <i>sprugs</i> (their greatest -gold coin, about the bigness of a spangle); and, upon the whole, that it -would be advisable in the emperor to take the first fair occasion of -dismissing me.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="HAPPINESS" id="HAPPINESS"></a> - <img src="images/23.jpg" - alt="THE HAPPINESS ... OF DINING WITH ME." title="THE HAPPINESS ... OF DINING WITH ME." /> -<p class="caption">"THE HAPPINESS ... OF DINING WITH ME."</p> -</div> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/24.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/25.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE AUTHOR, BEING INFORMED OF A DESIGN TO ACCUSE HIM OF HIGH - TREASON, MAKES HIS ESCAPE TO BLEFUSCU. HIS RECEPTION THERE.</p></div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 -country, governed, as I thought, by very different maxims from those in -Europe.</p> - -<p>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,<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> and without sending his name, desired admittance. The -chairmen were dismissed; I put the chair, with his lordship in it, into -my coat-pocket; and, 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, according to my usual custom, and sat down by -it. After the common salutations were over, observing his lordship's -countenance full of concern, and inquiring into the reason, he desired I -would hear him with patience, in a matter that highly concerned my honor -and my life. His speech was to the following effect, for I took notes of -it as soon as he left me:—</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>You are very sensible that Skyrris Bolgolam (<i>galbet</i> or high-admiral) -hath been your mortal enemy almost ever since your arrival: his original -reasons I know not; but his hatred is increased since your great success -against Blefuscu, by which his glory, as admiral, is much obscured. This -lord, in conjunction with Flimnap the high treasurer, whose enmity -against you is notorious, Limtoc the general, Lalcon the chamberlain, -and Balmuff the grand justiciary, have prepared articles of impeachment -against you, for treason, and other capital crimes.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="DESIRED" id="DESIRED"></a> - <img src="images/26.jpg" - alt="HE DESIRED I WOULD HEAR HIM WITH PATIENCE." title="HE DESIRED I WOULD HEAR HIM WITH PATIENCE." /> -<p class="caption">"HE DESIRED I WOULD HEAR HIM WITH PATIENCE."</p> -</div> - -<p>Out of gratitude for the favors you have done for me, I procured -information of the whole proceedings, and a copy of the articles; -wherein I venture my head for your service.</p> - -<h3>ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST QUINBUS FLESTRIN, THE MAN-MOUNTAIN.</h3> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>ARTICLE I.</p> - -<p>Whereas, by a statute made in the reign of his Imperial Majesty - Calin Deffar Plune, it is enacted, That whoever shall lay hands - upon the empress, or upon any of the royal children, shall be - liable to the pains and penalties of high treason. Notwithstanding, - the said Quinbus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law, under - color of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his - Majesty's most dear imperial consort, did maliciously, and - traitorously, pull her by the arms, and lift her high in the air in - both his hands, against the statute in that case provided, &c., - against the duty, &c.</p> - -<p> ARTICLE II.</p> - -<p> 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 viceroy from hence, and to destroy and put to death, - not only all the Big-endian exiles, but likewise all the people of - that empire who would not immediately forsake the Big-endian - heresy. He, the said Flestrin, like a false traitor against his - most auspicious, serene, imperial majesty, did petition to be - excused from the said service, upon pretence of unwillingness to - force the consciences or destroy the liberties and lives of an - innocent people.</p> - -<p> ARTICLE III.</p> - -<p> That, whereas certain ambassadors arrived from the court of - Blefuscu, to sue for peace in his majesty's court; he, the said - Flestrin, did, like a false traitor, aid, abet, comfort, and divert - the said ambassadors, although he knew them to be servants to a - prince who was lately an open enemy to his imperial majesty, and in - open war against his said majesty.</p> - -<p> ARTICLE IV.</p> - -<p> 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 license from - his imperial majesty; and under color of the said license, doth - falsely and traitorously 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.</p></div> - -<p>There are some other articles, but these are the most important, of -which I have read you an abstract.</p> - -<p>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 endeavoring 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 and sheets, which would soon make you tear your own flesh, and -die in the utmost torture. The general came into the same opinion; so -that for a long time there was a majority against you: but his majesty -resolving, if possible, to spare your life, at last brought off the -chamberlain.</p> - -<p>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 great, but that still there was room for mercy, the most commendable -virtue in a prince, and for which his majesty was so justly celebrated. -He said, the friendship between you and him was so well known to the -world, that perhaps the most honorable board might think him partial; -however, in obedience to the command he had received, he would freely -offer his sentiments; that if his majesty, in consideration of your -services, and pursuant to his own merciful disposition, would please to -spare your life, and only give orders to put out both your eyes, he -humbly conceived that, by this expedient, justice might in some measure -be satisfied, and all the world would applaud the lenity of the emperor, -as well as the fair and generous proceedings of those who have the honor -to be his counsellors: that the loss of your eyes would be no impediment -to your bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his -majesty: that blindness is an addition to courage, by concealing dangers -from us: that the fear you had for your eyes was the greatest difficulty -in bringing over the enemy's fleet: and it would be sufficient for you -to see by the eyes of the ministers, since the greatest princes do no -more.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/27.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>This proposal was received with the utmost disapprobation 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 you, who extinguished the fire in that unprincipled -manner, might at another time inundate and drown the whole palace; and -the same strength, which enabled you to bring over the enemy's fleet, -might serve, upon the first discontent, to carry it back: that he had -good reasons to think you were a Big-endian in your heart; and, as -treason begins in the heart, before it appears in overt acts, so he -accused you as a traitor on that account, and therefore insisted you -should be put to death.</p> - -<p>The treasurer was of the same opinion. He showed to what straits his -majesty's revenue was reduced, by the charge of maintaining you, which -would soon grow insupportable. That the secretary's expedient of putting -out your eyes was so far from being a remedy against this evil, that it -would probably increase it, as is manifest from the common practice of -blinding some sort of fowls, after which they fed the faster, and grew -sooner fat. That his sacred majesty, and the council, who are your -judges, were to their own consciences 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.</p> - -<p>But his imperial majesty, fully determined against capital punishment, -was graciously pleaded to say, that since the council thought the loss -of your eyes too easy a censure, some other might 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 consume in a few months; neither would the stench of -your carcase be then so dangerous when it should become more than half -diminished; and, immediately upon your death, five or six thousand of -his majesty's 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 monument of admiration to -posterity.</p> - -<p>Thus, by the great friendship of the secretary, the whole affair was -compromised. It was strictly enjoined that the project of starving you -by degrees should be kept a secret, but the 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 borne -perpetual malice against you, on account of that illegal method you took -to remove her and her children the night of the fire.</p> - -<p>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 favor of his majesty and council, whereby -you are only condemned to the loss of your eyes, which his majesty doth -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>His lordship did so, and I remained alone, under many doubts and -perplexities of mind.</p> - -<p>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 resentment or the malice of a favorite, the emperor always -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 anything -terrify the people so much as those encomiums on his majesty's mercy; -because it was observed that, the more these praises were enlarged and -insisted on, the more inhuman was the punishment, and the sufferer more -innocent. Yet, as to myself, I must confess, having never been designed -for a courtier, either by my birth or education, I was so ill a judge of -things that I could not discover the lenity and favor of this sentence, -but conceived it (perhaps erroneously) rather to be rigorous than -gentle, I sometimes thought of standing my trial; for although I could -not deny the facts alleged in the several articles, yet I hoped they -would admit of some extenuation. But having in my life perused many -state-trials, which I ever observed to terminate as the judges thought -fit to direct, I durst not rely on so dangerous a decision, in so -critical a juncture, and against such powerful enemies. Once I was -strongly bent upon resistance, for, while I had liberty, the whole -strength of that empire could hardly subdue me, and I might easily with -stones pelt the metropolis to pieces; but I soon rejected that project -with horror, by remembering the oath I had made to the emperor, the -favors I received from him, and the high title of <i>nardac</i> he conferred -upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of courtiers as to -persuade myself that his majesty's present seventies acquitted me of all -past obligations.</p> - -<p>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 submitted to so easy a punishment. -But, hurried on by the precipitancy of youth, and having his imperial -majesty's license to pay my attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I -took this opportunity, before the three days were elapsed, to send a -letter to my friend the secretary, signifying my resolution of setting -out that morning for Blefuscu pursuant to the leave I had got; and, -without waiting for an answer, I went to that side of the island where -our fleet lay. I seized a large man-of-war, tied a cable to the prow, -and lifting up the anchors, I stript myself, put my clothes (together -with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) into the vessel, and -drawing it after me, between wading and swimming arrived at the 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 until I came within two hundred yards of the -gate, and desired them to signify my arrival to one of the secretaries, -and let him know I there waited his majesty's command. I had an answer -in about an hour, that his majesty, attended by the royal family and -great officers of the court, was coming out to receive me. I advanced a -hundred yards. The emperor and his train alighted from their horses, the -empress and ladies from their coaches, and I did not perceive they were -in any fright or concern. I lay on the ground to kiss his majesty's and -the empress's hand.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/28.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>I told his majesty that I was come, according to my promise, and with -the license of the emperor, my master, to have the honor 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.</p> - -<p>I shall not trouble the reader with the particular account of my -reception at this court, which was suitable to the generosity of so -great a prince; nor of the difficulties I was in for want of a house and -bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped up in my coverlet.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/29.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE AUTHOR, BY A LUCKY ACCIDENT, FINDS MEANS TO LEAVE BLEFUSCU, AND - AFTER SOME DIFFICULTIES, RETURNS SAFE TO HIS NATIVE COUNTRY.</p></div> - -<p>Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the northeast -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 immediately towards the city, and desired -his imperial majesty to lend me twenty of the tallest vessels he had -left after the loss of his fleet, and three thousand seamen under the -command of his 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 stripped myself, and waded till I came within -a hundred yards of the boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got -up to it. The seamen threw me the end of the cord, which I fastened to a -hole in the forepart of the boat, and the other end to a man-of-war. But -I found all my labor 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 one of my hands, -and, the tide favoring me, I advanced so far, that I could just hold up -my chin and feel the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and then -gave the boat another shove, and so on till the sea was no higher than -my arm-pits; and now, the most laborious part being over, I took out my -other cables, which were stowed in one of the ships, and fastened them -first to the boat, and then to nine of the vessels which attended me; -the wind being favorable, the seamen towed, and I shoved, till we -arrived within forty yards of the shore, and waiting till the tide was -out, I got dry to the boat, and, by the assistance of two thousand men, -with ropes and engines, I made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and -found it was but little damaged.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/30.jpg" - alt="Pulleys, capstans, and other contrivances." title="Pulleys, capstans, and other contrivances." /> -</div> - -<p>I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties I was under, by the -help of certain paddles, which cost me ten days making, to get my boat -to the royal port of Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse of people -appeared upon my arrival, full of wonder at the sight of so prodigious a -vessel. I told the emperor that my good fortune had thrown this boat in -my way, to carry me to some place from whence I might return into my -native country, and begged his majesty's orders for getting materials to -fit it up, together with his license to depart, which, after some kind -expostulation, he was pleased to grant.</p> - -<p>I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any -express relating to me from our emperor to the court of Blefuscu. But I -was afterwards given privately to understand 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 -license he had given me, which was well known at our court, and would -return in a few days when the ceremony was ended. But he was at last in -pain at my long absence; and, after consulting with the treasurer and -the rest of that cabal,<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> a person of quality was despatched 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 farther than 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 <i>nardac</i> and declared a traitor. The envoy -farther added that, in order to maintain the peace and amity between -both empires, his master expected that his brother of Blefuscu would -give orders to have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be -punished as a traitor.</p> - -<p>The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, returned an -answer consisting of many civilities and excuses. He said that, as for -sending me bound, his brother knew it was impossible. That, although I -had deprived him of his fleet, yet he owed great obligations to me for -many good offices I had done him in making the peace. That, 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 orders to fit up with my own assistance and direction; and he -hoped in a few weeks both empires would be freed from so insupportable -an incumbrance.</p> - -<p>With this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput, and the monarch of -Blefuscu related to me all that had passed; offering me at the same time -(but under the strictest confidence) his gracious protection if I would -continue in his service; wherein, although I believed him sincere, yet I -resolved never more to put any confidence in princes or ministers where -I could possibly avoid it; and, therefore, with all due acknowledgments -for his favorable 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.</p> - -<p>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 folds -of their strongest linen together. I was at the pains of making ropes -and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, or thirty of the thickest and -strongest of theirs. A great stone, that I happened to find after a long -search by the sea-shore, served me for an anchor. I had the tallow of -three hundred cows for greasing my boat, and other uses. I was at -incredible pains in cutting down some of the largest timber-trees for -oars and masts, wherein I was, however, much assisted by his majesty's -ship-carpenters, who helped me in smoothing them after I had done the -rough work.</p> - -<p>In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to receive his majesty's -commands, and to take my leave. The emperor and royal family came out of -the palace. I lay down on my face to kiss his hand, which he very -graciously gave me; so did the empress and young princes of the blood. -His majesty presented me with fifty purses of two hundred <i>sprugs</i> -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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="SAIL" id="SAIL"></a> - <img src="images/31.jpg" - alt="I SET SAIL AT SIX IN THE MORNING" title="I SET SAIL AT SIX IN THE MORNING" /> -<p class="caption">I SET SAIL AT SIX IN THE MORNING</p> -</div> - -<p>I stored the boat with the carcases of a hundred oxen, and three hundred -sheep, with bread and drink proportionable, and as much meat ready -dressed as four hundred cooks could provide. I took with me six cows and -two bulls alive, with as many ewes and lambs, 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 honor not to carry away any of his subjects, although -with their own consent and desire.</p> - -<p>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 -southeast, at six in the evening I descried a small island about half a -league to the northwest I advanced forward, and cast anchor on the lee -side<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> of the island, which seemed to be uninhabited. I then took some -refreshment, and went to my rest. I slept well, and, as I conjecture, at -least six hours, for I found the day broke two hours after I awaked. It -was a clear night. I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving -anchor, the wind being favorable, 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 northeast of Van Diemen's Land. I -discovered nothing all that day; but upon the next, about three o'clock -in the afternoon, when I had, by my computation, made twenty-four -leagues from Blefuscu, I descried a sail steering to the southeast: my -course was due east. I hailed her, but could get no answer; yet I found -I gained upon her, for the wind slackened. I made all the sail I could, -and in half-an-hour she spied me, then hung out her ancient,<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> and -discharged a gun.</p> - -<p>It is not easy to express the joy I was in, upon the unexpected hope of -once more seeing my beloved country, and the dear pledges I left in it. -The ship slackened her sails, and I came up with her, between five and -six in the evening, September twenty-sixth; but my heart leaped within -me to see her English colors.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/32.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="noindent">I put my cows and sheep into my coat-pockets, and got on board with -all my little cargo of provisions. The vessel was an English merchantman -returning from Japan by the North and South Seas; the captain, Mr. John -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 had underwent had disturbed my -head; whereupon I took my black cattle and sheep out of my pocket, -which, after great astonishment, clearly convinced him of my veracity. I -then showed him the gold given me by the emperor of Blefuscu, together -with his majesty's picture at full length, and some other rareties of -that country. I gave him two purses of two hundred <i>sprugs</i> each, and -promised, when we arrived in England, to make him a present of a cow and -a sheep.</div> - -<p>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<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> -on the thirteenth of April, 1702. I had only one misfortune, that the -rats on board carried away one of my sheep; I found her bones in a hole, -picked clean from the flesh. I got the rest of my cattle safe ashore, -and set them a-grazing in a bowling-green at Greenwich, where the -fineness of the grass made them feed very heartily, though I had always -feared the contrary: neither could I possibly have preserved them in so -long a voyage, if the captain had not allowed me some of his best -biscuits, which, rubbed to powder, and mingled with water, was their -constant food. The short time I continued in England, I made a -considerable profit by showing my cattle to many persons of quality and -others: and before I began my second voyage I sold them for six hundred -pounds.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/33.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>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 fortune. My eldest -uncle, John, had left me an estate in land, near Epping, of about thirty -pounds a year; and I had a long lease of the "Black Bull,"<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> 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<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> child. My -daughter Betty (who is now well married, and has children), was then at -her needlework. I took leave of my wife and boy and girl, with tears on -both sides, and went on board the "Adventure," a merchant ship of three -hundred tons, bound for Surat, Captain John Nicholas, of Liverpool, -commander. But my account of this voyage must be referred to the second -part of my travels.</p> - -<h3>THE END OF THE FIRST PART.</h3> - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="RELPLUM" id="RELPLUM"></a> - <img src="images/34.jpg" - alt="THEY CONCLUDED ... THAT I WAS ONLY Relplum Scalcath." title="THEY CONCLUDED ... THAT I WAS ONLY Relplum -Scalcath." /> -<p class="caption">"THEY CONCLUDED ... THAT I WAS ONLY <i>Relplum Scalcath</i>.</p> -</div> - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/35.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<h2>TRAVELS.</h2> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<h2>PART II.</h2> - -<h2><i>A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG</i>.</h2> - -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IA" id="CHAPTER_IA"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>A GREAT STORM DESCRIBED; THE LONG-BOAT SENT TO FETCH WATER; THE - AUTHOR GOES WITH IT TO DISCOVER THE COUNTRY. HE IS LEFT ON SHORE, - IS SEIZED BY ONE OF THE NATIVES, AND CARRIED TO A FARMER'S HOUSE. - HIS RECEPTION, WITH SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED THERE. A - DESCRIPTION OF THE INHABITANTS.</p></div> - -<p>Having been condemned by nature and fortune to an active and restless -life, in two months after my return I again left my native country, and -took shipping in the Downs on the twentieth 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 wintered there: for, the captain falling sick of -an ague, we could not leave the Cape till the end of March. We then set -sail, and had a good voyage till we passed the Straits of -Madagascar;<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> but having got northward of that island, and to about -five degrees south latitude, the winds, which in those seas are observed -to blow a constant equal gale, between the north and west, from the -beginning of December to the beginning of May, on the nineteenth of -April began to blow with much greater violence and more westerly than -usual, continuing so for twenty days together, during which time we were -driven a little to the east of the Molucca Islands, and about three -degrees northward of the line,<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> 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 rejoiced. But, he, -being a man well experienced in the navigation of those seas, bid us all -prepare against a storm, which accordingly happened the day following: -for the southern wind, called the southern monsoon, began to set in, and -soon it was a fierce storm.</p> - -<p>Finding it was like to overblow, we took in our sprit-sail, and stood by -to hand the foresail; but making foul weather, we looked the guns were -all fast, and handed the mizzen.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="MAP2" id="MAP2"></a> - <img src="images/map02.jpg" - alt="Map" title="Map" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /> -</div> - -<p>The ship lay very broad off, so we thought it better spooning before -the sea, than trying, or hulling. We reefed the foresail and set him, we -hauled aft the foresheet: the helm was hard-a-weather. The ship wore -bravely. We belayed the fore down-haul; but the sail was split, and we -hauled down the yard, and got the sail into the ship, and unbound all -the things clear of it. It was a very fierce storm; the sea broke -strange and dangerous. We hauled off the laniard of the whipstaff, and -helped the man at the helm. We could not get down our topmast, but let -all stand, because she scudded before the sea very well, and we knew -that the topmast being aloft, the ship was the wholesomer, and made -better way through the sea, seeing we had sea-room. When the storm was -over, we set foresail and mainsail, and brought the ship to. Then we set -the mizzen, main-top-sail, and the fore-top-sail. Our course was east -north east, the wind was at southwest. We got the starboard tacks -aboard, we cast off our weather braces and lifts; we set in the lee -braces, and hauled forward by the weather bowlings, and hauled them -tight and belayed them, and hauled over the mizzen tack to wind-ward and -kept her full and by, as near as she could lie.</p> - -<p>During this storm, which was followed by a strong wind, west southwest, -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 crew all in good health; but we lay in the utmost distress for -water. We thought it best to hold on the same course, rather than turn -more northerly, which might have brought us to the northwest parts of -Great Tartary, and into the Frozen Sea.</p> - -<p>On the sixteenth day of June, 1703, a boy on the topmast discovered -land. On the seventeenth, we came in full view of a great island or -continent (for we knew not which), 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 tons. We cast anchor within a league of this -creek, and our captain sent a dozen of his men well armed in the -long-boat, with vessels for water, if any could be found. I desired his -leave to go with them, that I might see the country, and make what -discoveries I could.</p> - -<p>When we came to land, we saw no river or spring, nor any sign of -inhabitants. Our men therefore wandered on the shore to find out some -fresh water near the sea, and I walked alone about a mile on the other -side, where I observed the country all barren and rocky. I now began to -be weary, and seeing nothing to entertain my curiosity, I returned -gently down toward the creek; and the sea being full in my view, I saw -our men already got into the boat, and rowing for life to the ship. I -was going to holla after them, although it had been to little purpose, -when I observed a huge creature walking after them in the sea, as fast -as he could; he waded not much deeper than his knees, and took -prodigious strides; but our men had the start of him about half a -league, and the sea thereabouts being full of pointed rocks, the monster -was not able to overtake the boat. This I was afterwards told, for I -durst not stay to see the issue of the adventure; but ran as fast as I -could the way I first went, and then climbed up a steep hill, which gave -me some prospect of the country. I found it fully cultivated; but that -which first surprised me was the length of the grass, which, in those -grounds that seemed to be kept for hay, was about twenty feet high.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="HUGE" id="HUGE"></a> - <img src="images/36.jpg" - alt="A HUGE CREATURE WALKING ... IN THE SEA." title="A HUGE CREATURE WALKING ... IN THE SEA." /> -<p class="caption">"A HUGE CREATURE WALKING ... IN THE SEA."</p> -</div> - -<p>I fell into a high road, for so I took it to be, though it served to the -inhabitants only as a footpath through a field of barley. Here I walked -on for some time, but could see little on either side, it being now near -harvest, and the corn rising at least forty feet. I was an hour walking -to the end of this field, which was fenced in with a hedge of at least -one hundred and twenty feet high, and the trees so lofty that I could -make no computation of their altitude. There was a stile to pass from -this field into the next. It had four steps, and a stone to cross over -when you came to the uppermost. It was impossible for me to climb this -stile because every step was six feet high, and the upper stone above -twenty.</p> - -<p>I was endeavoring 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. These people were not so well clad -as the first, whose servants or laborers 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 distance, 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 through, and the beards of the fallen -ears so strong and pointed that they pierced through my clothes into my -flesh. At the same time I heard the reapers not above a hundred yards -behind me.</p> - -<p>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 forever 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 among 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 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?</p> - -<p>Scared and confounded as I was, I could not forbear going on with these -reflections, when one of the reapers, approaching within ten yards of -the ridge where I lay, made me 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 awhile, with the caution of one -who endeavors to lay hold on a small dangerous animal in such a manner -that it shall not be able either to scratch or to bite him, as I myself -have sometimes done with a weasel in England.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="TROD" id="TROD"></a> - <img src="images/37.jpg" - alt="WHEREUPON THE HUGE CREATURE TROD SHORT." title="WHEREUPON THE HUGE CREATURE TROD SHORT." /> -<p class="caption">"WHEREUPON THE HUGE CREATURE TROD SHORT."</p> -</div> - -<p>At length he ventured to take me up between his forefinger 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 feet from the ground, although he -grievously pinched my sides, for fear I should slip through his fingers. -All I ventured was to raise my 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 meantime I was not able to forbear groaning and shedding -tears, and turning my head towards my sides; letting him know, as well -as I could, how cruelly I was hurt by the pressure of his thumb and -finger. He seemed to apprehend my meaning; for, 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.</p> - -<p>The farmer, having (as I suppose by their talk) received such an account -of me as his servant could give him, took a piece of a small straw, -about the size of a walking-staff, and therewith lifted up the lappets -of my coat, which it seems he thought to be some kind of covering that -nature had given me. He blew my hair aside, to take a better view of my -face. He called his hinds<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> about him, and asked them (as I afterwards -learned) whether they had ever seen in the fields any little creature -that resembled me. He then placed me softly on the ground upon all -fours, but I got immediately up, and walked slowly backwards and -forwards to let those people see that I had no intent to run away.</p> - -<p>They all sat down in a circle about me, the better to observe my -motions. I pulled off my hat, and made a low bow towards the farmer. I -fell on my knees, and lifted up my hands and eyes, and spoke several -words as loud as I could: I took a purse of gold out of my pocket, and -humbly presented it to him. He received it on the palm of his hand, then -applied it close to his eye to see what it was, and afterwards turned it -several times with the point of a pin (which he took out of his sleeve), -but could make nothing of it. Whereupon I made a sign that he should -place his hand on the ground. I then took the purse, and opening it, -poured all the gold into his palm. There were six Spanish pieces, of -four pistoles<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> 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 it to him several -times, I thought it best to do.</p> - -<p>The farmer by this time was convinced I must be a rational creature. He -spoke often to me, but the sound of his voice pierced my ears like that -of a water-mill, yet his words were articulate enough. I answered as -loud as I could in several languages, and he often laid his ear within -two yards of me; but all in vain, for we were wholly unintelligible to -each other. He then sent his servants to their work, and taking his -handkerchief out of his pocket, he doubled and spread it on his left -hand, which he placed flat on the ground, with the palm upwards, making -me a sign to step into it, as I could easily do, for it was not above a -foot in thickness.</p> - -<p>I thought it my part to obey, and, for fear of falling, laid myself at -full length upon the handkerchief, with the remainder of which he lapped -me up to the head for farther security, and in this manner carried me -home to his house. There he called his wife, and showed me to her; but -she screamed and ran back, as women in England do at the sight of a toad -or a spider. However, when she had awhile seen my behavior, and how well -I observed the signs her husband made, she was soon reconciled, and by -degrees grew extremely tender of me.</p> - -<p>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 -husbandman) in a dish of about four-and-twenty feet diameter. The -company were the farmer and his wife, three children, and an old -grandmother. When they were sat down, the farmer placed me at some -distance from him on the table, which was thirty feet high from the -floor. I was in a terrible fright, and kept as far as I could from the -edge for fear of falling. The wife minced a bit of meat, then crumbled -some bread on a trencher,<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>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 deafened by -the noise. This liquor tasted like a small cider, and was not -unpleasant. Then the master made me a sign to come to his trencher-side; -but as I walked on the table, being in great surprise all the time, as -the indulgent reader will easily conceive and excuse, I happened to -stumble against a crust, and fell flat on my face, but received no hurt. -I got up immediately, and observing the good people to be in much -concern, I took my hat (which I held under my arm out of good manners), -and, waving it over my head, made three huzzas, to show that I had got -no mischief by my fall.</p> - -<p>But advancing forwards towards my master (as I shall henceforth call -him), his youngest son, who sat 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 in every limb; but his father snatched me from him, and at the -same time gave him such a box in 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 spite, and well -remembering how mischievous all children among us naturally are to -sparrows, rabbits, young kittens, and puppy dogs, I fell on my knees, -and, pointing to the boy, made my master to understand as well as I -could, that I desired his son might be pardoned. The father complied, -and the lad took his seat again; whereupon I went to him and kissed his -hand, which my master took, and made him stroke me gently with it.</p> - -<p>In the midst of dinner, my mistress's favorite 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 that -animal, who seemed to be three times larger than an ox, as I computed by -the view of her head and one of her paws, while her mistress was feeding -and stroking her. The fierceness of this creature's countenance -altogether discomposed me, though I stood at the further end of the -table, above fifty feet off, and although my mistress held her fast, for -fear she might give a spring and seize me in her talons.</p> - -<p>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<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> fear before a fierce animal is a certain -way to make it pursue or attack you, so I resolved in this dangerous -juncture to show no manner of concern. I walked with intrepidity five or -six times before the very head of the cat, and came within half a yard -of her; whereupon she drew herself back, as if she were more afraid of -me. I had less apprehension concerning the dogs, whereof three or four -came into the room, as it is usual in farmers' houses; one of which was -a mastiff equal in bulk to four elephants, and a greyhound somewhat -taller than the mastiff, but not so large.</p> - -<p>When dinner was almost done, the nurse came in with a child of a year -old in her arms, who immediately spied me, and began a squall that you -might have heard from London Bridge to Chelsea,<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> after the usual -oratory of infants, to get me for a plaything. The mother out of pure -indulgence took me up, and put me towards the child, who presently -seized me by the middle and got my head in its mouth, where I roared so -loud that the urchin was frighted, and let me drop, and I should -infallibly have broke my neck if the mother had not held her apron -under me. The nurse, to quiet her babe, made use of a rattle, which was -a kind of hollow vessel filled with great stones, and fastened by a -cable to the child's waist. As she sat down close to the table on which -I stood, her appearance astonished me not a little. This made me reflect -upon the fair skins of our English ladies, who appear so beautiful to -us, only because they are of our own size, and their defects not to be -seen but through a magnifying glass, where we find by experiment that -the smoothest and whitest skins look rough, and coarse and ill-colored.</p> - -<p>I remember, when I was at Lilliput, 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 colors altogether -disagreeable: although I must beg leave to say for myself that I am as -fair as most of my sex and country, and very little sunburnt by my -travels. On the other side, discoursing of the ladies of 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 feet, appeared very well proportioned.</p> - -<p>When dinner was done my master went out to his labors, and, as I could -discover by his voice and gestures, gave his wife a strict charge to -take care of me. I was very much tired and disposed to sleep, which, my -mistress perceiving, she put me on her own bed, and covered me with a -clean white handkerchief, but larger and coarser than the mainsail of a -man-of-war.</p> - -<p>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 feet wide, and above -two hundred high, lying in a bed twenty yards wide. My mistress was gone -about her household affairs, and had locked me in. The bed was eight -yards from the floor.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="HANGER" id="HANGER"></a> - <img src="images/38.jpg" - alt="I ... DREW MY HANGER TO DEFEND MYSELF." title="I ... DREW MY HANGER TO DEFEND MYSELF." /> -<p class="caption">"I ... DREW MY HANGER TO DEFEND MYSELF."</p> -</div> - -<p>Presently two rats crept up the curtains, and ran smelling backwards and -forwards on my bed. One of them came almost up to my face; whereupon I -rose in a fright, and drew out my hanger to defend myself. The horrible -animals had the boldness to attack me both sides, and one of them held -his forefeet at my collar; but I killed him 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 infallibly have 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 draw the carcase off the bed, where it still lay bleeding. I -observed it had yet some life; but, with a strong slash across the neck, -I thoroughly despatched it.</p> - -<p>I hope the gentle reader will excuse me for dwelling on these and the -like 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 -public as well as private life, which was my sole design in presenting -this and other accounts of my travels to the world; wherein I have been -chiefly studious of truth, without affecting any ornaments of teaming or -style. But the whole scene of this voyage made so strong an impression -on my mind, and is so deeply 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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIA" id="CHAPTER_IIA"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>A DESCRIPTION OF THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER. THE AUTHOR CARRIED TO A - MARKET-TOWN, AND THEN TO THE METROPOLIS. THE PARTICULARS OF THIS - JOURNEY.</p></div> - -<p>My mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a child of toward parts -for her age, very dexterous 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 cabinet, and the -drawer placed upon a hanging shelf for fear of the rats. This was my bed -all the time I stayed with these people, though made more convenient by -degrees, as I began to learn their language and make my wants known.</p> - -<p>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 anything, -she told me the name of it in her own tongue, so that in a few days I -was able to call for whatever I had a mind to. She was very -good-natured, and not above forty feet high, being little for her age. -She gave me the name of Grildrig, which the family took up, and -afterwards the whole kingdom. The word imports what the Latins call -<i>nanunculus</i>, the Italians <i>homunceletino</i>, and the English <i>mannikin</i>. -To her I chiefly owe my preservation in that country. We never parted -while I was there; I called her my Glumdalclitch, or little nurse; and -should be guilty of great ingratitude if I omitted this honorable -mention of her care and affection towards me, which I heartily wish it -lay in my power to requite as she deserves.</p> - -<p>It now began to be known and talked of in the neighborhood, that my -master had found a strange animal in the field, about the bigness of a -<i>splacnuck</i>, 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 inquire into the truth of this story. I -was immediately produced and placed upon a table, where I walked as I -was commanded, drew my hanger, put it up again, made my reverence to my -master's guest, asked him in his own language how he did, and told him -<i>he was welcome</i>, 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 show 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 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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="CALLED" id="CALLED"></a> - <img src="images/39.jpg" - alt="I CALLED HER MY GLUMDALCLITCH." title="I CALLED HER MY GLUMDALCLITCH." /> -<p class="caption">"I CALLED HER MY GLUMDALCLITCH."</p> -</div> - -<p>But the next morning, Glumdalclitch, my little nurse, told me the whole -matter, which she had cunningly picked out from her mother. The poor -girl laid me on her bosom, and fell 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 honor, and what an indignity conceive it to be -exposed for money, as a public spectacle, to the meanest of the people. -She said her papa and mamma had promised that Grildrig should be hers, -but now she found they meant to serve 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 left me, that I -should one day recover my liberty; to the ignominy of being carried -about for a monster, I considered myself to be a perfect stranger in the -country, and that such a misfortune could never be charged upon me as a -reproach if ever I should return to England; since the king of Great -Britain himself, in my condition, must have undergone the same distress.</p> - -<p>My master, pursuant to the advice of his friend, carried me in a box -the next market-day, to the neighboring town, and took along with him -his little daughter, my nurse, upon a pillion<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> behind him. The box -was close on every side, with a little door for me to go in and out, and -a few gimlet holes to let in air. The girl had been so careful as to put -the quilt of her baby's bed into it, for me to lie down on. However, I -was terribly shaken and discomposed in this journey, though it were but -of half an hour. For the horse went about forty feet at every step, and -trotted so high that the agitation was equal to the rising and falling -of a ship in a great storm, but much more frequent; our journey was -somewhat farther than from London to St. Alban's. My master alighted at -an inn which he used to frequent; and after consulting a while with the -innkeeper and making some necessary preparations, he hired the -<i>grultrud</i>, or crier, to give notice through the town, of a strange -creature to be seen at the sign of the Green Eagle, not so big as a -<i>splacnuck</i> (an animal in that country, very finely shaped, about six -feet long), and in every part of the body resembling a human creature, -could speak several words, and perform a hundred diverting tricks.</p> - -<p>I was placed upon a table in the largest room of the inn, which might be -near three hundred feet square. My little nurse stood on a low stool -close to the table, to take care of me, and direct what I should do. My -master, to avoid a crowd, would suffer only thirty people at a time to -see me. I walked about on the table as the girl commanded. She asked me -questions, as far as she knew my understanding of the language reached, -and I answered them as loud as I could. 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 a thimble filled with -liquor, which Glumdalclitch had given me for a cup, and drank their -health. I drew out my hanger, and flourished with it, after the manner -of fencers in England. My nurse gave me part of a straw, which I -exercised as a pike, having learnt the art in my youth. I was that day -shown to twelve sets of company, and as often forced to act over again -the same fopperies, till I was half dead with weariness and vexation. -For those who had seen me made such wonderful reports, that the people -were ready to break down the doors to come in.</p> - -<p>My master, for his own interest, would not suffer any one to touch me -except my nurse, and, to prevent danger, benches were set round the -table at such a distance as to put me out of everybody's reach. However, -an unlucky school-boy aimed a hazel-nut directly at my head, which very -narrowly missed me: otherwise, it came with so much violence, that it -would have infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almost as large -as a small pumpion,<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> but I had the satisfaction to see the young -rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="FENCERS" id="FENCERS"></a> - <img src="images/40.jpg" - alt="FLOURISHED AFTER THE MANNER OF FENCERS IN ENGLAND." title="FLOURISHED IT AFTER THE MANNER OF FENCERS IN ENGLAND." /> -<p class="caption">"FLOURISHED AFTER THE MANNER OF FENCERS IN ENGLAND."</p> -</div> - -<p>My master gave public notice that he would show me again the next -market-day, and in the meantime he prepared a more convenient vehicle -for me, which he had reason enough to do; for I was so tired with my -first journey, and with entertaining company for eight hours together, -that I could hardly stand upon my legs or speak a word. It was at least -three days before I recovered my strength; and that I might have no rest -at home, all the neighboring gentleman, from a hundred miles round, -hearing of my fame, came to see me at my master's own house. There could -not be fewer than thirty persons with their wives and children (for the -country was very populous); and my master demanded the rate of a full -room whenever he showed me at home, although it were only to a single -family; so that for some time I had but little ease every day of the -week (except Wednesday which is their Sabbath), although I was not -carried to the town.</p> - -<p>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 -seventeenth of August, 1703, about two months after my arrival, we set -out for the metropolis, situated the middle of that empire, and about -three thousand miles distance from our house. My master made his -daughter Glumdalclitch ride behind him. She carried me on her lap, in a -box tied about her waist. The girl had lined it on all sides with the -softest cloth she could get, well quilted underneath, furnished it with -her baby's bed, provided me with linen and other necessaries, and made -everything as conveniently as she could. We had no other company but a -boy of the house, who rode after us with the luggage.</p> - -<p>My master's design was to show me in all the towns by the way, and to -step out of the road for fifty or a hundred miles, to any village, or -person of quality's house, where he might expect custom. We made easy -journeys of not above seven or eight score miles a day; for -Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, complained she was tired with -the trotting of the horse. She often took me out of my box at my own -desire, to give me air and show me the country, but always held me fast -by a leading-string. We passed over five or six rivers, many degrees -broader and deeper than the Nile or the Ganges; and there was hardly a -rivulet so small as the Thames at London Bridge. We were ten weeks in -our journey, and I was shown in eighteen large towns, besides many -villages and private families.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/41.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>On the twenty-sixth of October we arrived at the metropolis, called in -their language, <i>Lorbrulgrud</i>, 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.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> He hired a large room between -three and four hundred feet wide. He provided a table sixty feet in -diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and palisadoed it round three -feet from the edge, and as many high, to prevent my falling over. I was -shown ten times a day, to the wonder and satisfaction of all people. I -could now speak the 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 -Glumdalclitch had been my instructor while we were at home, and at -leisure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her -pocket, not much larger than a Sanson's Atlas;<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> 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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIIA" id="CHAPTER_IIIA"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>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 FAVOR WITH THE QUEEN. HE STANDS UP FOR THE - HONOR OF HIS OWN COUNTRY. HE QUARRELS WITH THE QUEEN'S DWARF.</p></div> - -<p>The frequent labors I underwent every day, made in a few weeks a very -considerable change in my health; the more my master got by me, the more -insatiable he grew. I had quite lost my stomach, and was almost reduced -to a skeleton. The farmer observed it, and, concluding I must soon die, -resolved to make as good a hand of me<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> as he could. While he was thus -reasoning and resolving with himself, a <i>slardral</i>, 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, -behavior, 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 honor 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.</p> - -<p>She made me some general questions about my country, and my travels, -which I answered as distinctly, and in as few words, as I could. She -asked whether I would be content to live at court. I bowed down to the -board of the table, and humbly answered that I was my master's slave; -but if I were at my own disposal, I should be proud to devote my life to -her majesty's service. She then asked my 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 the -bigness of eight hundred moidores<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a>; but, for the proportion of all -things between that country and Europe, and the high price of gold among -them, was hardly so great a sum as a thousand guineas<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> 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 favor, that Glumdalclitch, -who had always attended me with so much care and kindness, and -understood to do it so well, might be admitted into her service, and -continue to be my nurse and instructor.</p> - -<p>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 good service, to -which I replied not a word, only making him a slight bow.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="PRINCESS" id="PRINCESS"></a> - <img src="images/42.jpg" - alt="THIS GRACIOUS PRINCESS HELD OUT HER LITTLE FINGER." title="THIS GRACIOUS PRINCESS HELD OUT HER LITTLE FINGER." /> -<p class="caption">"THIS GRACIOUS PRINCESS HELD OUT HER LITTLE FINGER."</p> -</div> - -<p>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 recompensed by the gain he had made in showing me -through half the kingdom, and the price he had now sold me for. That the -life I had since led was laborious enough to kill an animal of ten times -my strength. That my health was much impaired by the continual drudgery -of entertaining the rabble every hour of the day, and that, if my master -had not thought my life in danger, her majesty would not have got so -cheap a bargain. But as I was out of all fear of being ill-treated under -the protection of so great and good an empress, the ornament of nature, -the darling of the world, the delight of her subjects, the -phoenix<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>This was the sum of my speech, delivered with great improprieties and -hesitation; the latter part was altogether framed in the style peculiar -to that people, whereof I learned some phrases from Glumdalclitch, while -she was carrying me to court.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="KING" id="KING"></a> - <img src="images/43.jpg" - alt="SHE ... CARRIED ME TO THE KING." title="SHE ... CARRIED ME TO THE KING." /> -<p class="caption">"SHE ... CARRIED ME TO THE KING."</p> -</div> - -<p>She took me in her own hand, and carried me to the king, who was then -retired to his cabinet.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> 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 -<i>splacnuck</i>; 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 humor, set me gently on my feet upon the scrutoire,<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> -and commanded me to give his majesty an account of myself, which I did -in a very few words; and Glumdalclitch, who attended at the -cabinet-door, and could not endure I should be out of her sight, being -admitted, confirmed all that had passed from my arrival at her father's -house.</p> - -<p>The king, although he be as learned a person as any in his dominions, -had been educated in the study of philosophy, and particularly -mathematics; yet, when he observed my shape exactly, and saw me walk -erect, before I began to speak, conceived I might be a piece of -clockwork (which is in that country arrived to a very great perfection) -contrived by some ingenious artist. But when he heard my voice, and -found what I delivered to be regular and rational, he could not conceal -his astonishment. He was by no means satisfied with the relation I gave -him of the manner I came into his kingdom, but thought it a story -concerted between Glumdalclitch and her father, who had taught me a set -of words, to make me sell at a better price. Upon this imagination he -put several other questions to me, and still received rational answers, -no otherwise defective than by a foreign accent, and an imperfect -knowledge in the language, with some rustic phrases, which I had learned -at the farmer's house, and did not suit the polite style of a court.</p> - -<p>His majesty sent for three great scholars, who were then in their weekly -waiting<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> according to the custom in that country. 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. They would not allow me to be a dwarf, because my -littleness was beyond all degrees of comparison; for the queen's -favorite dwarf, the smallest ever known in that kingdom, was nearly -thirty feet high. After much debate, they concluded unanimously that I -was only <i>relplum scalcath</i>, which is interpreted literally, <i>lusus -naturae</i>;<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> a determination exactly agreeable to the modern philosophy -of Europe: whose professors, disdaining the old evasion of occult -causes, whereby the followers of Aristotle endeavored in vain to -disguise their ignorance, have invented this wonderful solution of all -difficulties, to the unspeakable advancement of human knowledge.</p> - -<p>After this decisive conclusion, I entreated to be heard a word or two. I -applied myself to the king, and assured his majesty that I came from a -country which abounded with several millions of both sexes, and of my -own stature; where the animals, trees, and houses were all in -proportion, and where, by 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 gentlemen's arguments. -To this they only replied with a smile of contempt, saying, that the -farmer had instructed me very well in my lesson. The king, who had a -much better understanding, 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 had 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 Glumdalclitch should -still continue in her office of tending me, because he observed that 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 Glumdalclitch and I -should agree upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and, according -to my directions, in three weeks finished to me a wooden chamber of -sixteen feet square and twelve high, with sash-windows, a door, and two -closets, like a London bed-chamber. The board that made the ceiling was -to be lifted up and down by two hinges, to put in a bed ready furnished -by her majesty's upholsterer, which Glumdalclitch took out every day to -air, made it with her own hands, and, letting it down at night, locked -up the roof over me. A nice workman, who was famous for little -curiosities, undertook to make me two chairs, with backs and frames, of -a substance not unlike ivory, and two tables, with a cabinet to put my -things in. The room was quilted on all sides, as well as the floor and -the ceiling, to prevent any accident from the carelessness of those who -carried me, and to break the force of a jolt when I went in a coach. I -desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats and mice from coming in: the -smith, after several attempts, made the smallest that ever was seen -among them; for I have known a larger at the gate of a gentleman's house -in England. I made a shift to keep the key in a pocket of my own, -fearing Glumdalclitch might lose it. The queen likewise ordered the -thinnest silks that could be gotten to make me clothes, not much thicker -than an English blanket, very cumbersome, till I was accustomed to them. -They were after the fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the -Persian, and partly the Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit.</p> - -<p>The queen became so fond of my company that she could not dine without -me. I had a table placed upon the same at which her Majesty ate, just at -her left elbow, and a chair to sit on. Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on -the floor, near my table, to assist and take care of me. I had an entire -set of silver dishes and plates, and other necessaries, which, in -proportion to those of the queen, were not much bigger than what I have -seen in a London toy-shop for the furniture of a baby-house: these my -little nurse kept in her pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals -as I wanted them, always cleaning them herself. No person dined with the -queen but the two princesses 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 -twelve-penny loaves. She drank out of a golden cup, above a hogshead at -a draught. Her knives were twice as long as a scythe, set straight upon -the handle. The spoons, forks, and other instruments, were all in the -same proportion. I remember when Glumdalclitch 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.</p> - -<p>It is the custom that every Wednesday (which, as I have before observed, -is their Sabbath) the king and queen, with the royal issue of both sexes -dine together in the apartment of his majesty, to whom I was now become -a great favorite; and, at these times, my little chair and table were -placed at his left hand, before one of the salt-cellars. This prince -took a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners, -religion, taws, 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 reflections and observations -upon all I said. But I confess that after I had been a little too -copious in talking of my own beloved country, of our trade, and wars by -sea and land, 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, stroking me gently with the other, -after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me, whether I was a whig or a -tory? Then turning to his first minister, who waited behind him with a -white staff, near as tall as the mainmast of the "Royal Sovereign,"<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> -he observed how contemptible a thing was human grandeur, which could be -mimicked by such diminutive insects as I: and yet, says he, I dare -engage these creatures have their titles and distinctions of honor; 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 -color came and went several times with indignation, to hear our noble -country, the mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France, the -arbitress of Europe, the seat of virtue, piety, honor, and truth, the -pride and envy of the world, so contemptuously treated.</p> - -<p>But, as I was not in a condition to resent injuries, so upon mature -thoughts, I began to doubt whether I was injured or no. For, after -having been accustomed, several months, to the sight and converse of -this people, and observed every object upon which I cast mine eyes to be -of proportionable magnitude, the horror I had at first conceived from -their bulk and aspect was so far worn off, that, if I had then beheld a -company of English lords and ladies in their finery, and birthday -clothes, acting their several parts in the most courtly manner of -strutting and bowing and prating, to say the truth, I should have been -strongly tempted to laugh as much at them as the king and his grandees -did at me. Neither, indeed, could I forbear smiling at myself, when the -queen used to place me upon her hand towards a looking-glass, by which -both our persons appeared before me in full view together; and there -could nothing be more ridiculous than the comparison; so that I really -began to imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size.</p> - -<p>Nothing angered and mortified me so much, as the queen's dwarf, who -being of the lowest stature that ever in that country (for I verily -think he was not full thirty feet high) became so insolent at seeing a -creature so much beneath him, that he would always affect to swagger, -and look big, as he passed by me in the queen's ante-chamber, while I -was standing on some table, talking with the lords or ladies of the -court, and he seldom failed of a smart word or two upon my 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 cub was -so nettled with something I had said to him, that, raising himself upon -the frame of her majesty's chair, he took me up, as I was sitting down, -not thinking any harm; and let me drop into a large silver bowl of -cream, and then ran away as fast as he could. I fell over head and ears, -and, if I had not been a good swimmer, it might have gone very hard with -me; for Glumdalclitch, in that instant, happened to be at the other -end of the room, and the queen was in such a fright, that she wanted -presence of mind to assist me. But my little nurse ran to my relief, and -took me out, after I had swallowed above a quart of cream. I was put to -bed; however, I received no other damage than the loss of a suit of -clothes, which was utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly whipped, and, -as a farther punishment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream into which -he had thrown me; neither was he ever restored to favor; for, soon -after, the queen bestowed him on a lady of high quality, so that I saw -him no more, to my very great satisfaction; for I could not tell to what -extremity such a malicious urchin might have carried his resentment.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="BROTHER" id="BROTHER"></a> - <img src="images/44.jpg" - alt="I COULD ONLY REVENGE MYSELF BY CALLING HIM BROTHER." title="I COULD ONLY REVENGE MYSELF BY CALLING HIM BROTHER." /> -<p class="caption">"I COULD ONLY REVENGE MYSELF BY CALLING HIM BROTHER."</p> -</div> - -<p>He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the queen a-laughing, -although, at the same time she was heartily vexed, and would have -immediately cashiered him, if I had not been so generous as to -intercede. Her majesty had taken a marrow-bone upon her plate and, after -knocking out the marrow, placed the bone on the dish erect, as it stood -before. The dwarf watching his opportunity, while Glumdalclitch was gone -to the sideboard, 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 waist, where I stuck for some -time, and made a very ridiculous figure, I believe it was near a minute -before any one knew what was became of me; for I thought it below me to -cry out. But, as princes seldom get their meat hot, my legs were not -scalded, only my stockings and breeches in a sad condition. The dwarf, -at my entreaty, had no other punishment than a sound whipping.</p> - -<p>I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account of my fearfulness; -and she used to ask me, whether the people of my country were as great -cowards as myself? The occasion was this; the kingdom is much pestered -with flies in summer; and these odious insects, each of them as big as a -Dunstable lark,<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> hardly gave me any rest, while I sat at dinner, with -their continual humming and buzzing about my ears. They would sometimes -alight upon my victuals. Sometimes they would fix upon my nose or -forehead, where they stung me to the quick, and 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-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.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/45.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>I remember, one morning, when Glumdalclitch 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<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> of as many bag-pipes. 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 despatched 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 shown them, with some other curiosities, in several parts -of Europe, upon my return to England, I gave three of them to Gresham -College,<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> and kept the fourth for myself.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/46.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IVA" id="CHAPTER_IVA"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE COUNTRY DESCRIBED. A PROPOSAL FOR CORRECTING MODERN MAPS. THE - KING'S PALACE, AND SOME ACCOUNT OF THE METROPOLIS. THE AUTHOR'S WAY - OF TRAVELLING. THE CHIEF TEMPLE DESCRIBED.</p></div> - -<p>I now intend to give the reader a short description of this country, as -far as I travelled in it, which was not above two thousand miles round -Lorbrulgrud, the metropolis. For the queen, whom I always attended, -never went farther 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 reacheth 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 northwest -parts of America, wherein I shall be ready to lend them my assistance.</p> - -<p>The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to the northeast by a ridge of -mountains, thirty miles high, which are altogether impassable, by reason -of the volcanoes upon the tops: neither do the most learned know what -sort of mortals inhabit beyond those mountains, or whether they be -inhabited at all. On the three other sides it is bounded by the ocean. -There is not one sea-port in the whole 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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, near a -hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages. To satisfy my -curious reader, it may be sufficient to describe Lorbrulgrud. This city -stands upon almost two equal parts on each side the river that passes -through. It contains above eighty thousand houses, and about six hundred -thousand inhabitants. It is in length three <i>glomglungs</i> (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 a hundred feet: I -paced the diameter and circumference several times barefoot, and, -computing by the scale, measured it pretty exactly.</p> - -<p>The king's palace is no regular edifice, but a heap of buildings, about -seven miles round: the chief rooms are generally two hundred and forty -feet high, and broad and long in proportion. A coach was allowed to -Glumdalclitch and me, wherein her governess frequently took her out to -see the town, or go among the shops; and I was always of the party, -carried in my box; although the girl, at my own desire, would often take -me out, and hold me in her hand, that I might more conveniently view the -houses and the people as we passed along the streets, I reckoned our -coach to be about the square of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so -high: however, I cannot be very exact.</p> - -<p>Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen ordered -a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet square and ten -high, for the convenience of 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,<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> with a window in the middle -of three of the squares, and each window was latticed with iron wire on -the outside, to prevent accidents in long journeys. On the fourth side, -which had no window, two strong staples were fixed, through which the -person who carried me, when I had a mind to be on horseback, put a -leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This was always the -office of some grave, trusty servant, in whom I could 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; for I soon began to be known and esteemed among the greatest -officers, I suppose more on account of their majesties' favor than any -merit of my own.</p> - -<p>In journeys, when I was weary of the coach, a servant on horseback would -buckle on my box, and place it upon a cushion before him; and there I -had a full prospect of the country on three sides from my three windows. -I had in this closet a field-bed, and a hammock hung from the ceiling, -two chairs and a table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being -tossed about by the agitation of the horse or the coach. And having been -long used to sea voyages, those motions, although sometimes very -violent, did not much discompose me.</p> - -<p>Whenever I had a mind to see the town, it was always in my travelling -closet, which Glumdalclitch held in her lap, in a kind of open sedan, -after the fashion of the country, borne by four men, and attended by two -others in the queen's livery. The people, who had often heard of me, -were very curious to crowd about the sedan, and the girl was complaisant -enough to make the bearers stop, and to take me in her hand, that I -might be more conveniently seen.</p> - -<p>I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and particularly the tower -belonging to it, which is reckoned the highest in the kingdom. -Accordingly, one day my nurse carried me thither, but I must truly say -I came back disappointed; for the height is not above three thousand -feet, reckoning from the ground to the highest pinnacle top; which, -allowing for the difference between the size of those people and us in -Europe, is no great matter for admiration, nor at all equal in -proportion (if I rightly remember) to Salisbury steeple.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> 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 nearly a hundred feet thick, built of hewn stone, whereof each -is about forty feet square, and adorned on all sides with statues of -gods and emperors, cut in marble larger than life, placed in their -several niches. I measured a little finger which had fallen down from -one of these statues, and lay unperceived among some rubbish, and found -it exactly four feet and an inch in length. Glumdalclitch wrapped it up -in her handkerchief and carried it home in her pocket, to keep among -other trinkets, of which the girl was very fond, as children at her age -usually are.</p> - -<p>The king's kitchen is indeed a noble building, vaulted at top, and about -six hundred feet high. The great oven is not so wide by ten 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 -critic would be apt to think I enlarged a little, as travellers are -often suspected to do. To avoid which censure, I fear I have run too -much into the other extreme; and that if this treatise should happen to -be translated into the 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.</p> - -<p>His majesty seldom keeps above six hundred horses in his stables: they -are generally from fifty-four to sixty feet high. But when he goes -abroad on solemn days, he is attended for state by a militia guard of -five hundred horse, which indeed I thought was the most splendid sight -that could be ever beheld, till I saw part of his army in battalia,<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> -whereof I shall find another occasion to speak.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/47.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VA" id="CHAPTER_VA"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>SEVERAL ADVENTURES THAT HAPPENED TO THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR SHOWS - HIS SKILL IN NAVIGATION.</p></div> - -<p>I should have lived happily enough in that country, if my littleness had -not exposed me to several ridiculous and troublesome accidents, some of -which I shall venture to relate. Glumdalclitch often carried me into the -gardens of the court in my smaller box, and would sometimes take me out -of it, and hold me in her hand, or set me down to walk. I remember, -before the dwarf left the queen, he followed us one day into those -gardens, and my nurse having set me down, he and I being close together, -near some dwarf apple-trees, I must needs show my wit by a silly -allusion between him and the trees, which happens to hold in their -language, as it doth in ours. Whereupon the malicious rogue, watching -his opportunity, when I was walking under one of them, shook it directly -over my head; by which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a -Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the -back as I chanced to stoop, 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.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/48.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth grass-plot to divert -myself, while she walked at some distance with her governess. In the -meantime there suddenly fell such a violent shower of hail, that I was -immediately, by the force of it, struck to the ground; and when I was -down, the 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 fours, and shelter myself by lying flat on my face on the lee-side -of a border of lemon-thyme, but so bruised from head to foot that I -could not go abroad in ten days. Neither is this at all to be wondered -at, because nature, in that country, observing the same proportion -through all her operations, a 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.</p> - -<p>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 governess and some ladies of her acquaintance, -she was absent and out of hearing, a small white belonging to one of the -chief gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to -place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, came directly up, and -taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his master, wagging his tail, -and set me gently on the ground. By good fortune, he had been so well -taught, that I was carried between his teeth without the least hurt, or -even tearing my clothes. But the poor gardener, who knew me well, and -had a great kindness for me, was in a terrible fright: he gently took me -up in both his hands, and asked me how I did; but I was so amazed and -out of breath, that I could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came to -myself, and he carried me safe to my little nurse, who by this time had -returned to the place where she left me, and was in cruel agonies when I -did not appear nor answer when she called. She severely reprimanded the -gardener on account of his dog, but the thing was bushed 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.</p> - -<p>This accident absolutely determined Glumdalclitch 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 over the garden, made a stoop at me; and if I had not -resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a thick espalier,<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> 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. 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.</p> - -<p>I cannot tell whether I were more pleased or mortified to observe in -those solitary walks that the smaller birds did not appear to be at all -afraid of me, but would hop about within a yard's distance, looking for -worms and other food, with as much 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.</p> - -<p>When I attempted to catch any of these birds they would boldly turn -against me, endeavoring to pick my fingers, which I durst not venture -within their reach; and then they would hop back unconcerned to hunt for -worms and 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 of letting 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.</p> - -<p> -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 sail or an oar, and whether a little exercise of rowing might -not be convenient for my health. I answered, that I understood both very well; -for, although my proper employment had been to be surgeon or doctor to the -ship, yet often, upon a pinch, I was forced to work like a common mariner. But -I could not see how this could be done in their country, where the smallest -wherry was equal to a first-rate man-of-war among us, and such a boat as I -could manage would never live in any of their rivers. -</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="BIRDS" id="BIRDS"></a> - <img src="images/49.jpg" - alt="THE SMALLER BIRDS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AT ALL AFRAID OF -ME." title="THE SMALLER BIRDS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AT ALL AFRAID OF -ME." /> -<p class="caption">"THE SMALLER BIRDS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AT ALL AFRAID OF ME."</p> -</div> - -<p>Her majesty said, if I could contrive a boat, her own joiner should make -it, and she would provide a place for me to sail in. The fellow was an -ingenious workman, and, by my instructions, in ten days finished a -pleasure-boat, with all its tackling, able conveniently to hold eight -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 trial; where I could not -manage my two sculls,<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> or little oars, for want of room.</p> - -<p>But the queen had before contrived another project. She ordered the -joiner to make a wooden trough of three hundred feet long, fifty broad, -and eight deep; which, 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 their pages would blow my sail forward with their -breath, while I showed my art by steering starboard<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> or larboard, as -I pleased. When I had done, Glumdalclitch always carried back my boat, -into her closet, and hung it oh a nail to dry.</p> - -<p>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 Glumdalclitch, very officiously lifted me up to -place me in the boat, but I happened to slip through her fingers, and -should infallibly have fallen down forty feet upon the floor, if, by the -luckiest chance in the world, I had not been stopped by a -corking-pin<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> that stuck in the good gentlewoman's stomacher;<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> the -head of the pin passed between my shirt and the waistband of my -breeches, and thus I held by the middle in the air, till Glumdalclitch -ran to my relief.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="GALE" id="GALE"></a> - <img src="images/50.jpg" - alt="GAVE ME A GALE WITH THEIR FANS." title="GAVE ME A GALE WITH THEIR FANS." /> -<p class="caption">"GAVE ME A GALE WITH THEIR FANS."</p> -</div> - -<p>Another time, one of the servants, whose office it was to fill my trough -every third day with fresh water, was so careless as to let a huge frog -(not perceiving it) slip out of his pail. The frog lay concealed till I -was put into my boat, but then seeing a resting-place, climbed up, and -made it lean so much on one side that I was forced to balance it with -all my weight on the other to prevent 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. 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.</p> - -<p> -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 not stirring from -my seat; and then I saw this frolicsome 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. -</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/51.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>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 espied me, and reaching one of his paws in at the door, as a cat -does when she plays with a mouse, although I often shifted place to -avoid him, he at length seized the lappet of my coat (which, being made -of that country silk, was very thick and strong), and dragged me out. He -took me out in his right fore-foot, and held me as a nurse does a child, -just as I have seen the same sort of creature do with a kitten in -Europe: and, when I offered to struggle, he squeezed me so hard that I -thought it more prudent to submit. I have good reason to believe that he -took me for a young one of his own species, by his often stroking my -face very gently with his other paw.</p> - -<p>In these diversions he was interrupted by a noise at the closet door, as -if somebody were opening it; whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the -window, at which he had come in, and thence upon the leads and gutters -walking upon three legs, and holding me in the fourth, till he clambered -up to a roof that was next to ours. I heard Glumdalclitch give a shriek -at the moment he was carrying me out. The poor girl was almost -distracted. That quarter of the palace was all in an uproar; the -servants ran for ladders; the monkey was seen by hundreds in the court, -sitting upon the ridge of a building, holding me like a baby in one of -his fore-paws: 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.</p> - -<p>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 tile, -and made his escape. Here I sat for some time, five 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 eaves; but an honest lad, one of my nurse's footmen, climbed up, -and putting me into his breeches-pocket, brought me down safe.</p> - -<p>I was so weak and bruised in the sides with the squeezes given me by -this odious animal, that I was forced to keep my bed a fortnight. The -king, queen, and all the court, sent every day to inquire after my -health, and her 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.</p> - -<p>When I attended the king, after my recovery, to return him thanks for -his favors, 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. He desired to know what I would have done upon such an -occasion in my own country. I told his majesty that in Europe we had no -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.</p> - -<p>However, 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 endeavor to do himself honor among those who are out of all degree of -equality or comparison with him. And yet I have seen the moral of my own -behavior very frequent in England since my return, where a little -contemptible varlet,<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>I was every day furnishing the court with some ridiculous story; and -Glumdalclitch, although she loved me to excess, yet was arch enough to -inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would -be diverting to her majesty. The girl, who had been out of order, was -carried by her governess to take the air about an hour's distance, or -thirty miles from town. They alighted out of the coach near a small -footpath in a field, and, Glumdalclitch setting down my travelling-box, -I went out of it to walk. There was a pool of mud 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 handkerchief, for I was -filthily bemired; and my nurse confined me to my box till we returned -home, when the queen was soon informed of what had passed, and the -footman spread it about the court; so that all the mirth for some days -was at my expense.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIA" id="CHAPTER_VIA"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>SEVERAL CONTRIVANCES OF THE AUTHOR TO PLEASE THE KING AND QUEEN. HE - SHOWS HIS SKILL IN MUSIC. THE KING INQUIRES INTO THE STATE OF - ENGLAND, WHICH THE AUTHOR RELATES TO HIM. THE KING'S OBSERVATIONS - THEREON.</p></div> - -<p>I used to attend the king's levee<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> 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 country, -was only shaved twice a week. I once prevailed on the barber to give me -some of the suds or lather, out of which I picked forty or fifty of the -strongest stumps of hair, I then took a piece of fine wood and cut it -like the back of a comb, making several holes in it at equal 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 country so nice and exact -as would undertake to make me another.</p> - -<p>And this puts me in mind of an amusement wherein I spent many of my -leisure hours. I desired the queen's woman to save for me the combings -of her majesty's hair, whereof in time I got a good quantity; and -consulting with my friend the cabinet-maker, who had received general -orders to do little jobs for me, I directed him to make two -chair-frames, no larger than those I had in my box, and 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. Of these hairs (as I had -always a mechanical genius) I likewise made a neat little purse, about -five feet long, with her majesty's name deciphered in gold letters, -which I gave to Glumdalclitch, by the queen's consent. To say the truth, -it was more for show than use, being not of strength to bear the weight -of the larger coins, and therefore she kept nothing in it, but some -little coins that girls are fond of.</p> - -<p>The king, who delighted in music, had frequent concerts at court, to -which I was sometimes carried, and set in my box on a table to hear -them; but the noise was so great that I could hardly distinguish the -tunes. I am confident that all the drums and trumpets of a royal army -beating and sounding together just at your ears, could not equal it. My -practice was to have my box removed from the place where the performers -sat, as far as I could, then to shut the doors and windows of it, and -draw the window-curtains, after which I found their music not -disagreeable.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/52.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>I had learnt in my youth to play a little upon the spinet.<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> -Glumdalclitch kept one in her chamber, and a master attended twice a -week to teach her. I called it a spinet, because it somewhat resembled -that instrument, and was played upon in the same manner.</p> - -<p>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 nearly sixty feet long, each key being -almost a foot wide, so that with my arms extended I could not reach to -above five keys, and to press them down required a good smart stroke -with my fist, which would be too great a labor, and to no purpose. The -method I contrived was this: I prepared two round sticks, about the -bigness of common cudgels; they were thicker at one end than the other, -and I covered the thicker ends with a piece of mouse's skin, that by -rapping on them I might neither damage the tops of the keys nor -interrupt the sound. Before the spinet a bench was placed about four -feet below the keys, and I was put upon the bench. I ran sideling upon -it that way and this as fast as I could, banging the proper keys with my -two sticks, and made a shift to play a jig to the great satisfaction of -both their majesties; but it was the most violent exercise I ever -underwent, and yet I could not strike above sixteen keys, nor -consequently play the bass and treble together as other artists do, -which was a great disadvantage to my performance.</p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> He would then command me -to bring one of my chairs out of the box, and sit down within three -yards distance upon the top of the cabinet, which brought me almost to a -level with his face. In this manner I had several conversations with -him. I one day took the freedom to tell his majesty that the contempt -he discovered towards Europe and the rest of the world did not seem -answerable to those excellent qualities of mind that he was master of; -that reason did not extend itself with the bulk of the body; on the -contrary, we observed in our country that the tallest persons were -usually 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<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> 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 he conjectured of other -monarchs by my former discourses), he should be glad to hear of anything -that might deserve imitation.</p> - -<p>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 praise of my own dear native country, in a style equal to its merits -and felicity.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="EXERCISE" id="EXERCISE"></a> - <img src="images/53.jpg" - alt="THE MOST VIOLENT EXERCISE I EVER UNDERWENT." title="THE MOST VIOLENT EXERCISE I EVER UNDERWENT." /> -<p class="caption">"THE MOST VIOLENT EXERCISE I EVER UNDERWENT."</p> -</div> - -<p>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 plantations 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 both 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 -country, by their valor, conduct, and fidelity. That these were the -ornament and bulwark of the kingdom, worthy followers of their most -renowned ancestors, whose honor 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 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.</p> - -<p>That the other part of the parliament consisted of an assembly, called -the House of Commons, who were all principal gentlemen, <i>freely</i> picked -and culled out by the people themselves, for their great abilities and -love of their country, to represent the wisdom of the whole nation. And -that these two bodies made up the most august assembly in Europe, to -whom, in conjunction with the prince, the whole legislature is -committed.</p> - -<p>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 valor and achievements of our forces by sea and -land. I computed the number of our people, by reckoning how many -millions there might be of each religious 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 honor of my country. -And I finished all with a brief historical account of affairs and events -in England for about a hundred years past.</p> - -<p>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 what questions -he intended to ask me.</p> - -<p>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 -are to be created new lords; whether the humor of the prince, a sum of -money to a court lady as a prime minister, or a design of strengthening -a party opposite to the public interest, ever happened to be motives in -those advancements? What share of knowledge these lords had in the laws -of their country, and how they came by it, so as to enable them to -decide the properties of their fellow-subjects in the last resort? -Whether they were always so free from avarice, partialities, or want, -that a bribe or some other sinister view could have no place among them? -Whether those holy lords I spoke of were always promoted to that rank -upon account of their knowledge in religious matters and the sanctity of -their lives; had never been compilers with the times while they were -common priests, or slavish prostitute chaplains to some noblemen, whose -opinions they continued servilely to follow, after they were admitted -into that assembly?</p> - -<p>He then desired to know what arts were practised in electing those whom -I called commoners; whether a stranger, with a strong purse, might not -influence the vulgar voters to choose him before their own landlord, or -the most considerable gentleman in the neighborhood? How it came to pass -that people were so violently bent upon getting into this assembly, -which I allowed to be a great trouble and expense, often to the ruin of -their families, without any salary or pension: because this appeared -such an exalted strain of virtue and public spirit, that his majesty -seemed to doubt it might possibly not be 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 -public 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 inquiries -and objections, which I think it not prudent or convenient to repeat.</p> - -<p>Upon what I said in relation to our courts of justice, his majesty -desired to be satisfied in several points; and this I was the better -able to do, having been formerly almost ruined by a long suit in -chancery,<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> which was decreed for me with costs. He asked what time -was usually spent in determining between right and wrong, and what -degree of expense? Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead in -causes, manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive? Whether -party in religion or politics was 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<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> upon at their pleasure? Whether they had ever, at different -times, pleaded for or 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 admitted as members -in the lower senate?</p> - -<p>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 particular 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 found to pay -them. He wondered to hear me talk of such chargeable and expensive wars; -that certainly we must be a quarrelsome people, or live among very bad -neighbors and that our generals must needs be richer than our kings. He -asked what business we had out of our own islands, unless upon the score -of trade or treaty, or to defend the coasts with our fleet. Above all, -he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst -of peace and among a free people. He said if we were governed by our 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 a hundred -times more by cutting their throats?</p> - -<p>He laughed at my odd kind of arithmetic (as he was pleased to call it), -in reckoning the numbers of our people by a computation drawn from the -several sects among us, in religion and politics. He said, he knew no -reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should -be obliged to change, or should not be obliged to conceal them. And as -it was tyranny in any government to require the first, so it was -weakness not to enforce the second: for a man may be allowed to keep -poisons in his closet, but not to vend them about for cordials.</p> - -<p>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 -dependence, as well as habituate them to vile companions, wholly take -them from the improvement of their minds, and force them, by the losses -they received, to learn and practise that infamous dexterity upon -others?</p> - -<p>He was perfectly astonished with the historical account I gave him of -our affairs during the last century, protesting it was only a heap of -conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, -the very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, -cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could -produce.</p> - -<p>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 stroking me gently, -delivered himself in these words which I shall never forget, nor the -manner he spoke them in: "My little friend Grildrig, you have made a -most admirable panegyric upon your country; you have clearly proved that -ignorance, idleness, and vice are the proper ingredients for qualifying -a legislator; that laws are best explained, interpreted, and applied by -those whose interest and abilities lie 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 perfection is required towards the -procurement of any one station among you; much less that men are -ennobled on account of their virtue, that priests are advanced for their -piety or learning, soldiers for their conduct or valor, judges for their -integrity, senators for the love of their country, or counsellors for -their wisdom. As for yourself, continued the king, who have spent the -greatest part of your life in travelling, I am well disposed to hope you -may hitherto have escaped many vices of your country. But by what I have -gathered from your own relation, and the answers I have with much pains -wrung 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."</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="PANEGYRIC" id="PANEGYRIC"></a> - <img src="images/54.jpg" - alt="YOU HAVE MADE A MOST ADMIRABLE PANEGYRIC." title="YOU HAVE MADE A MOST ADMIRABLE PANEGYRIC." /> -<p class="caption">"YOU HAVE MADE A MOST ADMIRABLE PANEGYRIC."</p> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIIA" id="CHAPTER_VIIA"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE AUTHOR'S LOVE OF HIS COUNTRY. HE MAKES A PROPOSAL OF MUCH - ADVANTAGE TO THE KING, WHICH IS REJECTED. THE KING'S GREAT - IGNORANCE IN POLITICS. THE LEARNING OF THAT COUNTRY VERY IMPERFECT - AND CONFINED. THE LAWS, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS, AND PARTIES IN THE - STATE.</p></div> - -<p>Nothing but an extreme love of truth could have hindered me from -concealing this part of my story. It was in vain to discover my -resentments, which were always turned into ridicule; and I was forced to -rest with patience, while my noble and beloved country was so -injuriously treated. I am as heartily sorry as any of my readers can -possibly be, that such an occasion was given: but this prince happened -to be so curious and 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 this 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 favorable turn, by many degrees, than the -strictness of truth would allow. For I have always borne that laudable -partiality to my own country, which Dionysius Halicarnassensis<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> 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 endeavor, -in those many discourses I had with that monarch, although it -unfortunately failed of success.</p> - -<p>But great allowances should be given to a king who lives wholly secluded -from the rest of the world, and must therefore be altogether -unacquainted with the manners and customs that most prevail in other -nations: the want of which knowledge will ever produce many prejudices, -and a certain narrowness of thinking, from which we and the politer -countries of Europe are wholly exempted. And it would be hard indeed, if -so remote a prince's notions of virtue and vice were to be offered as a -standard for all mankind.</p> - -<p>To confirm what I have now said, and farther to show the miserable -effects of a confined education, I shall here insert a passage which -will hardly obtain belief. In hopes to ingratiate myself farther into -his majesty's favor, I told him of an invention discovered between three -and four hundred years ago, to make a certain powder into a heap, on -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 agitation greater than thunder. That a -proper quantity of this powder rammed into a hollow tube of brass or -iron, according to its bigness, would drive a ball of iron or lead with -such violence and speed as nothing was able to sustain its force. That -the largest balls thus discharged would not only destroy whole ranks of -an army at once, but batter the strongest walls to the ground, sink -down ships with a thousand men in each to the bottom of the sea; and, -when linked together by a chain, would cut through masts and 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 workman -how to make those tubes of a size proportionable to all other things in -his majesty's kingdom, and the largest need not to be above a hundred -feet 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 for so many marks that I had received of his -royal favor and protection.</p> - -<p>The king was struck with horror at the description I had given him of -those terrible engines, and the proposal I had made. He was amazed, how -so impotent and grovelling an insect as I (these were his expressions), -could entertain such inhuman ideas, and in so familiar a manner, as to -appear wholly unmoved at all 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 although few things -delighted him so much as new discoveries in art or in nature, yet he -would rather lose half his kingdom than be privy to such a secret, which -he commanded me, as I valued my life, never to mention any more.</p> - -<p>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, endowed 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 them to have arisen -from their ignorance, by not having hitherto reduced politics into a -science, as the more acute wits of Europe have done. For I remember very -well, in a discourse one day with the king, when I happened to say there -were 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 I 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 bounds, to common sense and -reason, to justice and lenity, to the speedy determination of civil and -criminal causes, with some other obvious topics, which are not worth -considering. And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two -ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground, -where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more -essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put -together.</p> - -<p>The learning of this people is very defective, consisting only in -morality, history, poetry, and mathematics, wherein they must be allowed -to excel. But the last of these is wholly applied to what may be useful -in life, to the improvement of agriculture, and all mechanical arts; so -that among us it would be little esteemed. And as to ideas, entities, -abstractions, and transcendentals,<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> I could never drive the least -conception into their heads.</p> - -<p>No law of that country 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<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> enough to -discover above one interpretation; and to write a comment upon any law -is a capital crime. As to the decision of civil causes, or proceedings -against criminals, their precedents are so few, that they have little -reason to boast of any extraordinary skill in either.</p> - -<p>They have had the art of printing, as well as the Chinese, time out of -mind: but their libraries are not very large; for that of the king, -which is reckoned the largest, doth not amount to above a thousand -volumes, placed in a gallery of twelve hundred feet long, from whence I -had liberty to borrow what books I pleased. The queen's joiner had -contrived in one of Glumdalclitch's rooms, a kind of wooden machine, -five-and-twenty feet high, formed like a standing ladder; the steps were -each fifty feet long: it was indeed a movable pair of stairs, the lowest -end placed at ten feet distance from the wall of the chamber. The book I -had a mind to read was put 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 paste-board, and in the largest folios not above eighteen or -twenty feet long.</p> - -<p>Their style is clear, masculine, and smooth, but not florid; for they -avoid nothing more than multiplying unnecessary words, or using various -expressions. I have perused many of their books, especially those in -history and morality. Among the rest, I was much diverted with a little -old treatise, which always lay in Glumdalclitch's 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 country -could say upon such a subject.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/55.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>This writer went through all the usual topics of European moralists, -showing how diminutive, contemptible, and helpless an animal was man in -his own nature; how unable to defend himself from inclemencies of the -air, or the fury of wild beasts; how much he was excelled by one -creature in strength, by another in speed, by a third in foresight, by a -fourth in industry. He added, that nature was degenerated in these -latter declining ages of the world, and could now produce only small -births, in comparison to 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 skulls, 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 a house, or a stone cast from the hand of a boy, or being drowned -in a little brook. From this way of reasoning the author drew several -moral applications, useful in the conduct of life, but needless here to -repeat. For my own part, I could not avoid reflecting, how universally -this talent was spread, of drawing lectures in morality, or, indeed, -rather matter of discontent and repining, from the quarrels we raise -with nature. And I believe, upon a strict inquiry, those quarrels might -be shown as ill-grounded among us as they are among that people.</p> - -<p>As to their military affairs, they boast that the king's army consists -of a hundred and seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty-two thousand -horse: if that may be called an army which is made up of tradesmen in -the several cities, and farmers in the country, whose commanders are -only the nobility and gentry, without pay or reward. They are indeed -perfect enough in their exercises, and under very good discipline, -wherein I saw no great merit; for how should it be otherwise, where -every farmer is under the command of his own landlord, and every citizen -under that of the principal men in his own city, chosen after the manner -of Venice, by ballot?</p> - -<p>I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud drawn out to exercise in a -great field, near the city, of twenty miles square. They were in all not -above twenty-five thousand foot, and six thousand horse: but it was -impossible for me to compute their number, considering the space of -ground they took up. A cavalier, mounted on a large steed, might be -about ninety feet high. I have seen this whole body of horse, upon a -word of command, draw their swords at once, and brandish them in the -air. Imagination can figure nothing so grand, so surprising, and so -astonishing! it looked as if ten thousand flashes of lightning were -darting at the same time from every quarter of the sky.</p> - -<p>I was curious to know how this prince, to whose dominions there is no -access from any other country, came to think of armies, or to teach his -people the practice of military discipline. But I was soon 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 the -whole race of mankind is subject; the nobility often contending for -power, the people for liberty, and the king for absolute dominion. All -which, however, happily tempered by the laws of that kingdom, have been -sometimes violated by each of the three parties, and have more than once -occasioned civil wars, the last whereof was happily put an end to by -this prince's grandfather, in a general composition;<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> and the -militia, then settled with common consent, hath been ever since kept in -the strictest duty.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/56.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<div class="center"> -<img src="images/bar.png" - alt="bar design" title="bar design" /></div> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIIIA" id="CHAPTER_VIIIA"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>THE KING AND QUEEN MAKE A PROGRESS<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> TO THE FRONTIERS. THE AUTHOR - ATTENDS THEM. THE MANNER IN WHICH HE LEAVES THE COUNTRY VERY - PARTICULARLY RELATED. HE RETURNS TO ENGLAND.</p></div> - -<p>I had always a strong impulse that I should sometime recover my liberty, -though it was impossible to conjecture by what means, or to form any -project with the least hope of succeeding. The ship in which I sailed -was the first ever known to be driven within sight of the 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 tumbrel<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> to Lorbrulgrud. I was treated with much kindness: I was -the favorite of a great king and queen, and the delight of the whole -court; but it was upon such a footing as ill became the dignity of human -kind. I could never forget those domestic pledges I had left behind me. -I wanted to be among people with whom I could converse upon even terms, -and walk about the streets and fields, without being afraid of being -trod to death like a frog or a young puppy. But my deliverance came -sooner than I expected, and in a manner not very common: the whole story -and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="FOREBODING" id="FOREBODING"></a> - <img src="images/57.jpg" - alt="SHE HAD SOME FOREBODING." title="SHE HAD SOME FOREBODING." /> -<p class="caption">"SHE HAD SOME FOREBODING."</p> -</div> - -<p>I had now been two years in this country; and about the beginning of -the third, Glumdalclitch and I attended the king and queen in a progress -to the south coast of the kingdom. I was carried, as usual, in my -travelling-box, which, as I have already described, was a very -convenient closet of twelve feet wide. And I had ordered a hammock to be -fixed by silken ropes from the four corners at the top, to break the -jolts, when a servant carried me before him on horseback, as I sometimes -desired, and would often sleep in my hammock while we were upon the -road. On the roof of my closet, not directly over the middle of the -hammock, I ordered the joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square, to -give me air in hot weather as I slept, which hole I shut at pleasure -with a board that drew backwards and forwards through a groove.</p> - -<p>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 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<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>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, 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 windows 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 fastened at -the top of my box for the conveniency of carriage. I felt my box raised -very high in the air, and then borne forward with prodigious speed. The -first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterwards -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 enabled him to discover his quarry<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> at a great -distance, though better concealed than I could be within a two-inch -board.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/58.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<p>In a little time I observed the noise and flutter of wings to increase -very fast, and my box was tossed up and down like a sign in a windy day. -I heard several bangs or buffets, as I thought, given to the eagle (for -such I am certain it must have been, that held the ring of my box in his -beak), and then all on a sudden felt myself falling perpendicularly down -for above a minute, but with such incredible swiftness, that I almost -lost my breath. My fall was stopped by a terrible squash,<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> that -sounded louder to my ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which I -was quite in the dark for another minute, and then my box began to rise -so high that I could see light from the tops of the windows. I now -perceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, by the weight of my body, -the goods that were in, and the broad plates of iron fixed for strength -at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated about five feet deep -in the water. I did then, and do now suppose, that the eagle which flew -away with my box was pursued by two or three others, and forced to let -me drop while he defended himself against the rest, who hoped to share -in the prey. The plates of iron fastened at the bottom of the box (for -those were the strongest) preserved the balance while it fell, and -hindered it from being broken on the surface of the water. Every joint -of it was well grooved, and the door did not move on hinges, but up and -down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very little water -came in. I got with much difficulty out of my hammock, having first -ventured to draw back my slip-board on the roof already mentioned, -contrived on purpose to let in air, for want of which I found myself -almost stifled.</p> - -<p>How often did I then wish myself with my dear Glumdalchtch, 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 juncture, -expecting every moment to see my box dashed to pieces, or at least -overset by the first violent blast or rising wave. A breach in one -single pane of glass would have been immediate death; nor could anything -have preserved the windows but the strong lattice-wires placed on the -outside against accidents in travelling. I saw the water ooze in at -several crannies, although the leaks were not considerable, and I -endeavored to stop them as well as I could, I was not able to lift up -the roof of my closet, which otherwise I certainly should have done, and -sat on the top of it, where I might at least preserve myself some hours -longer, than by being shut up (as I may call it) in the hold. Or, if I -escaped these dangers for a day or two, what could I expect but a -miserable death of cold and hunger? I was four hours under these -circumstances, expecting, and indeed wishing, every moment to be my -last.</p> - -<p>I have already told the reader that there were two strong staples fixed -upon that side of my box which had no window, and into which the servant -who used to carry me on horseback would put a leathern belt, and buckle -it about his waist. Being in this 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 the waves rise near the tops of my windows, -leaving me almost in the dark. This gave me some faint hopes of relief, -although I was not able to imagine how it could be brought about. I -ventured to unscrew one of my chairs, which were always fastened to the -floor, and having made a hard shift to screw it down again directly -under the slipping board that I had lately opened, I mounted on the -chair, and putting my mouth as near as I could to the hole, I called for -help in a loud voice and in all the languages I understood. I then -fastened my handkerchief to a stick I usually carried, and thrusting it -up the hole, waved it several times in the air, that if any boat or ship -were near, the seamen might conjecture some unhappy mortal to be shut up -in the box.</p> - -<p>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 feet -higher than I was before. Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and -handkerchief, calling for help till I was almost hoarse. In return to -which I heard a great shout repeated three times, giving me such -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 anybody -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 was moving to be delivered out of the dungeon I was -in. The voice replied I was safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; -and the carpenter should immediately come and saw a hole in the cover, -large enough to pull me out. I answered that was needless, and would -take up too much time, for there was no more to be done, but let one of -the crew put his finger into the ring, and take the box out of the sea -into the ship, and so into the captain's cabin. Some of them upon -hearing me talk so wildly thought I was mad; others laughed; for indeed -it never came into my head that I was now got among people of my own -stature and strength. The carpenter came, and in a few minutes sawed a -passage about four feet square, then let down a small ladder upon which -I mounted, and from thence was taken into the ship in a very weak -condition.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="TONGUE" id="TONGUE"></a> - <img src="images/59.jpg" - alt="SOMEBODY CALLING ... IN THE ENGLISH TONGUE." title="SOMEBODY CALLING ... IN THE ENGLISH TONGUE." /> -<p class="caption">"SOMEBODY CALLING ... IN THE ENGLISH TONGUE."</p> -</div> - -<p>The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a thousand questions, -which I had no inclination to answer. I was equally confounded at the -sight of so many pygmies, 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 cabin, gave me a -cordial to comfort me, and made me turn in upon his own bed, advising me -to take a little rest, of which I had great need. Before I went to -sleep, I gave him to understand that I had some valuable furniture in my -box, too good to be lost; a fine hammock, a handsome two chairs, a -table, and a cabinet. That my closet was hung on all sides, or rather -quilted, with silk and cotton: that if he would let one of the crew -bring my closet into his cabin, I would open it there before him, and -show him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter these absurdities, -concluded I was raving: however (I suppose to pacify me), he promised -to give orders 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 bedstead, being screwed to the floor, were much damaged by the -ignorance of the seamen, who tore them up by force. Then they knocked -off some of the boards for the use of the ship, and when they had got -all they had a mind for, let the hull drop into the sea, which, by -reason of so many breaches made in the bottom and sides, sunk to -rights.<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> And indeed I was glad not to have been a spectator of the -havoc they made; because I am confident it would have sensibly -touched me, by bringing former passages into my mind, which I had rather -forgotten.</p> - -<p>I slept some hours, but was 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 o'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.</p> - -<p>He said that about twelve o'clock at noon, as he was looking through his -glass, he spied it at a distance, and thought it was a sail, which he -had a mind to make<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a>, being not much out of his course, in hopes of -buying some biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That upon coming -nearer and finding his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what -it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing they had seen a -swimming-house. That he laughed at their folly, and went himself in the -boat, 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 wire-lattices that defenced 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 fastening a cable -to one of the staples, ordered them to tow my chest (as they called it) -towards the ship. When it was there, he gave directions to fasten -another cable to the ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest -with pulleys, which all the sailors were not able to do above two or -three feet. He said they saw my stick and handkerchief thrust out of the -hole, and concluded that some unhappy man must be shut up in the cavity. -I asked whether he or the crew had seen any prodigious birds in the air -about the time he first discovered me? to which he answered, that, -discoursing this matter with the sailors while I was asleep, one of them -said he had observed three eagles flying towards the north, but remarked -nothing of their being larger than the usual size, which I suppose must -be imputed to the great height they were at; and he could not guess the -reason of my question. I then asked the captain how far he reckoned we -might be from land?</p> - -<p>He said, by the best computation he could make, we were at least a -hundred leagues. I assured him that he must be mistaken by almost half, -for I had not left the country 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 cabin he had provided. I assured him I was well refreshed with his -good entertainment and company, and as much in my senses as ever I was -in my life.</p> - -<p>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 by the command of some prince, by exposing me in that -chest, as great criminals in other countries have been forced to sea in -a leaky vessel without provisions; for 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 ashore in the first port where we arrived. He added that his -suspicions were much increased by some very absurd speeches I had -delivered, at first to his sailors, and afterwards to himself, in -relation to my closet chest, as well as by my odd looks and behavior -while I was at supper.</p> - -<p>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, farther 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 seamen disposed of my closet). I opened it in -his own presence, and showed him the small collection of rarities I made -in the country from whence I had been so strangely delivered. There was -the comb I had contrived out of the stumps of the king's beard. There -was a collection of needles and pins, from a foot to half a yard long; -four wasps' stings, like joiners' tacks; some combings of the queen's -hair; a gold ring, which one day she made me a present of in a most -obliging manner, taking it from her 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. Lastly I -desired him to see the breeches I had then on, which were made of a -mouse's skin.</p> - -<p>I could force nothing upon 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 -Glumdalclitch's men, who was affected with the toothache, but it was as -sound as any in his head. I got it cleaned, and put it in my cabinet. It -was about a foot long, and four inches in diameter.</p> - -<p>The captain was very well satisfied with this plain relation I had given -him, and said he hoped when we returned to England I would oblige the -world by putting it on paper, and making it public. My answer was, that -I thought we were already overstocked with books of travels; that -nothing could now pass which was not extraordinary; wherein I doubted -some authors less consulted truth than their own vanity, or interest, or -the diversion of ignorant readers, that my story could contain little -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.</p> - -<p>He said he wondered at one thing very much, which was, to hear me speak -so loud, asking me whether the king or queen of that country were thick -of hearing. I told him it was what I had been used to for above two -years past, and that I wondered as much at the voices of him and his -men, who seemed to me only to whisper, and yet I could hear them well -enough. But when I spoke in that country, it was like a man talking in -the street to another looking out from the top of a steeple, unless when -I was placed on a table, or held in any person's hand. I told him I had -likewise observed another thing, that when I first got into the ship, -and the sailors stood all about me, I thought they were the most -contemptible little creatures I had ever beheld. For indeed, while I was -in that prince's country, I could never endure to look in a glass, after -my eyes had been accustomed to such prodigious objects, because the -comparison gave me so despicable a conceit of myself. The captain said -that while we were at supper he observed me to look at 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 threepence, -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 household stuff 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 that 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 a hundred -pounds to have seen my closet in the eagle's bill, and afterwards in its -fall from so great a height into the sea; which would certainly have -been a most astonishing object, worthy to have the description of it -transmitted to future ages: and the comparison of Phaeton<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> was so -obvious, that he could not forbear applying it, although I did not much -admire the conceit.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<a name="DAUGHTER" id="DAUGHTER"></a> - <img src="images/60.jpg" - alt="MY DAUGHTER KNEELED BUT I COULD NOT SEE HER." title="MY DAUGHTER KNEELED BUT I COULD NOT SEE HER." /> -<p class="caption">"MY DAUGHTER KNEELED BUT I COULD NOT SEE HER."</p> -</div> - -<p>The captain having been at Tonquin, was, in his return to England, -driven northeastward, 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 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-boat for provisions and fresh water, but I never -went out of the ship till we came into the Downs, which was on the third -day of June, 1706, about nine months after my escape. I offered to leave -pay goods in security for payment of my freight, but the captain -protested he would not receive one farthing. We took a kind leave of -each other, and I made him promise he would come to see me at my house -in Redriff. I hired a horse and guide for five shillings, which I -borrowed of the captain.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>When I came to my own house, for which I was forced to inquire, one of -the servants opened the door, I bent down to go in (like a goose under a -gate), for fear of striking my head. My wife ran out to embrace me, but -I stooped lower than her knees, thinking she could otherwise never be -able to reach my mouth. My daughter kneeled to ask my blessing, but I -could not see her till she arose, having been so long used to stand with -my head and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and then I went to take her -up with one hand by the waist. I looked down upon the servants, and one -or two friends who were in the house, as if they had been pygmies, 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.</p> - -<p>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 meantime I here conclude -the second part of my unfortunate voyages.</p> - -<div class="center"> - <img src="images/61.jpg" - alt="Illustration" title="Illustration" /> -</div> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<h2><a name="NOTE" id="NOTE"></a>NOTE.</h2> - -<p>Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1667, and died in 1745. -His parents were English. His father died before he was born, and his -mother was supported on a slender pittance by his father's brother. He -was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and all through his early life -was dependent on the generosity of others. His college career was not -highly creditable, either from the point of view of manners, morals, or -learning. After leaving college, he travelled through England on foot, -and found employment with a relative of his mother's, Sir William -Temple, in whose house was a noble library; and for two years Swift made -up for some of his shortcomings by studying diligently therein. He went -to Oxford in 1692, took a degree and was ordained in 1694. He was given -a parish in Ireland, which he soon resigned, returning to the home of -Sir William Temple, where he remained until the death of the latter in -1699.</p> - -<p>Temple left Swift a legacy, and confided to him the editing and -publishing of his works. This task completed, Swift went again to -Ireland to another parish, and threw himself into political -pamphleteering with great effect, one of the results of his exertions -being the securing of freedom from taxation for the Irish clergy. He -subsequently became Dean of St. Patrick's in Dublin, and for a period -achieved great popularity owing to his powerful political writings.</p> - -<p>While in what he called his "exile" he wrote <i>Gulliver's Travels</i>, which -was at first published anonymously, the secret of the authorship being -so closely guarded that the publisher did not know who was the author. -Dr. Johnson characterized it as "A production so new and strange that it -filled the reader with admiration and amazement. It was read by the high -and low, the learned and the illiterate." In this work, Jonathan Swift -appears as one of the greatest masters of English we have ever had; as -endowed with an imaginative genius inferior to few; as a keen and -pitiless critic of the world, and a bitter misanthropic accounter of -humanity at large. Dean Swift was indeed a misanthrope by theory, -however he may have made exception to private life. His hero, Gulliver, -discovers race after race of beings who typify the genera in his -classification of mankind. Extremely diverting are Gulliver's adventures -among the tiny Lilliputians; only less so are his more perilous -encounters with the giants of Brobdingnag.... By a singular dispensation -of Providence, we usually read the <i>Travels</i> while we are children; we -are delighted with the marvellous story, we are not at all injured by -the poison. Poor Swift! he was conscious of insanity's approach; he -repeated annually Job's curse upon the day of his birth; he died a -madman.</p> - -<p>There are numerous biographies of Swift; but probably the best -characterization of the man and his life, rather than of his books, is -to be found in Thackeray's <i>English Humorists</i>, and a closer study of -the man and his works in Leslie Stevenson's "Swift," in Morley's -<i>English Men of Letters</i>. The other biographies of him are: Lord Orrery -<i>Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift</i>, 1751; Hawkes, -on his life, 1765; Sheridan's life, 1785; Forster's life, 1875 -(unfinished); Henry Craik's life (1882). The best edition of Swift's -writings and correspondence is that edited by Scott, 1824.</p> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> - -<h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>Redriff = Rotherhithe</i>: then a Thames side village, now -part of London.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Pound</i>: nearly five dollars.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>Levant</i>: the point where the sun rises. The countries -about the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and its adjoining -waters.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> <i>Mrs.</i>: it was formerly the custom to call unmarried women -Mrs.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> <i>The South Sea</i>: the Pacific Ocean.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> <i>Van Diemen's Land</i>: N.W. from Van Diemen's Land -(Tasmania) and in latitude 30 degrees 2 minutes would be in Australia or -off the West Coast</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> <i>Cable's length</i>: about six hundred or seven hundred feet.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <i>Buff jerkin</i> a leather jacket or waistcoat.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> <i>Small</i>: weak, thin.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> <i>Signet-royal</i>: the king's seal.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> <i>Half-pike</i> a short wooden staff, upon one end of which -was a steel head.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> <i>Stang</i>: an old word for a perch, sixteen feet and a half, -also for a rood of ground.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> <i>Chairs</i>: a sedan chair is here meant. It held one person, -and was carried by two men by means of projecting poles.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> <i>Crest</i>: a decoration to denote rank.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> <i>Lingua Franca</i>: a language—Italian mixed with Arabic, -Greek, and Turkish—used by Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Italians trading -with Arabs, Turks, and Greeks. It is the commercial language of -Constantinople.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> <i>Fobs</i>: small pockets in the waistband of trousers to receive a -watch.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> <i>Imprimis</i>: in the first place, (pr.) im pri' mis.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> <i>Lucid</i>: shining, transparent.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> <i>Yeomen of the guards</i>: freemen forming the bodyguard of -the sovereign.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> <i>Pocket perspective</i>: a small spy-glass or telescope.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> <i>Trencher</i>: a wooden plate or platter.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> <i>Corn</i>: such grains as wheat, rye, barley, oats.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> <i>Quadrant</i>: an instrument long used for measuring -altitudes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> <i>Skirt</i>: coat-tail.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> <i>Alcoran </i> the Koran or Mohammedan Bible.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> <i>Embargo</i>: an order not to sail.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> <i>Discompose them</i>: displace them.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> <i>Puissant</i>: powerful.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> <i>Junto</i>: a body of men secretly united to gain some -political end.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> <i>Pulling</i>: plucking and drawing, preparatory to cooking,</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> <i>Meaner</i>: of lower rank.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> <i>Portion</i>: the part of an estate given to a child.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> <i>Domestic</i>: the household and all pertaining thereto.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> <i>Exchequer bills</i>: bills of credit issued from the -exchequer by authority of parliament.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> <i>Close chair</i>: sedan chair.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> <i>Cabal</i>: a body of men united for some sinister purpose.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> <i>Lee side</i>: side sheltered from the wind.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> <i>Ancient</i>: flag, corrupted from ensign.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> <i>Downs</i>: A famous natural roadstead off the southeast -coast of Kent, between Goodwin Sands and the mainland, south of the -Thames entrance</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> <i>Black Bull</i>: inns in England are often named after -animals with an adjective descriptive of the color of the sign; as, <i>The -Golden Lion, The White Horse</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> <i>Towardly</i>: apt, docile.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> <i>Straits of Madagascar</i>: Mozambique Channel.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> <i>The line</i>: the equator.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> <i>Hinds</i>: peasants; rustics.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> <i>Pistoles</i>: about three dollars and sixty cents.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> <i>Trencher-side</i>: up to his trencher or wooden plate.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> <i>Discovering</i>: Showing.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> <i>From London Bridge to Chelsea</i>: about three miles as the -birds fly.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> <i>Pillion</i>: a cushion for a woman to ride on behind a -person on horseback. <i>From London to St. Alban's</i>: about twenty miles.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> <i>Pumpion</i>: pumpkin.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> <i>Parts</i>: accomplishments.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> <i>Sanson's Atlas</i>: a very large atlas by a French -geographer in use in Swift's time.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> <i>As good a hand of me</i>: as much money of me.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> <i>Moidore</i>: a Portuguese gold piece worth about six -dollars.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> <i>Guineas</i>: an obsolete English gold coin, of the value of -five dollars.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> <i>Phoenix</i>: a bird of fable said to live for a long time -and rise anew from its own ashes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> <i>Cabinet</i>: a private room.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> <i>Scrutoire</i>: a writing-desk.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> <i>Waiting</i>: attendance on the king.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> <i>Lusus naturae</i>: a freak of nature.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> <i>Royal Sovereign</i>: one of the great ships of Swift's -time.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> <i>Dunstable lark</i>: large larks are caught on the downs near -Dunstable between September and February, and sent to London for -luxurious tables.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> <i>Drone</i>: the largest tube of a bag-pipe, giving forth a -dull heavy tone.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> <i>Gresham College</i>, in London, is named after the founder, -an English merchant, who died in 1580.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> <i>The square of</i>: as large as the square of.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> <i>Salisbury Steeple</i>: this is about four hundred feet -high.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> <i>Battalia</i>: the order of battle.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> <i>Espalier</i>: a lattice upon which fruit-trees or shrubs are -trained.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> <i>Scull</i>: a short oar.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> <i>Starboard or larboard</i>: right or left.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> <i>Corking-pin</i>: a larger-sized pin.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> <i>Stomacher</i>: a broad belt.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> <i>Varlet</i>: knave.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> <i>Levee</i>: a ceremonious visit received by a distinguished -person in the morning.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> <i>Spinet</i>: a stringed instrument, a forerunner of our -piano.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> <i>Closet</i>: private room.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> <i>Signal</i>: memorable.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> <i>Chancery</i>: a high court of equity.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> <i>Glossing</i>: commenting.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> <i>Dionysius of Halicarnassus</i> was born about the middle of -the first century, B.C.; he endeavored in his history to relieve his -Greek countrymen from the mortification they had felt in their -subjection to the Romans, and patched up an old legend about Rome being -of Greek origin and therefore their "political mother."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> <i>Ideas, entities, abstractions, transcendentals</i>, words -used in that philosophy which deals with thinking, existence, and things -beyond the senses.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> <i>Mercurial</i>: active, spirited.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> <i>Composition</i>: compact, agreement.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> <i>Progress</i>: an old term for the travelling of the -sovereign to different parts of his country.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> <i>Tumbrel</i>: a rough cart.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> <i>Page</i>: a serving-boy, and especially one who waits on a -person of rank.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> <i>Quarry</i>: prey.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> <i>Squash</i>: shock, concussion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> <i>To rights</i> speedily.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> <i>To make</i> To get alongside.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> <i>Phaeton</i> a son of Apollo who was dashed into the river -Endanus for his foolhardiness in attempting to drive the steeds of the -sun for one day.</p></div> - 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