A
LETTER from Capt. Gulliver, to his Cousin Sympson
I HOPE you will be ready to own publickly, whenever you shall be called
to it, that by your great and frequent Urgency you prevailed on me to
publish a very loose and uncorrect Account of my Travels; with Direction
to hire some young Gentlemen of either University to put them in Order,
and correct the Style, as my Cousin Dampier did by my Advice, in his
Book called A Voyage round the World. But I do not remember I gave you
Power to consent that any thing should be omitted, and much less that
any thing should be inserted: therefore, as to the latter, I do here
renounce every thing of that Kind; particularly a Paragraph about her
Majesty the late Queen Anne, of most pious and glorious Memory; although
I did reverence and esteem her more than any of human Species. But you,
or your Interpolator, ought to have considered, that as it was not my
Inclination, so was it not decent to praise any Animal of our Composition
before my Master Houyhnhnm: And besides the Fact was altogether false;
for to my Knowledge, being in England during some Part of her Majesty's
Reign, she did govern by a chief Minister; nay, even by two successively;
the first whereof was the Lord of Godolphin, and the second the Lord
of Oxford; so that you have made me say the thing that was not. Likewise,
in the Account of the Academy of Projectors, and several Passages of
my Discourse to my Master Houyhnhnm, you have either omitted some material
Circumstances, or minced or changed them in such a Manner, that I do
hardly know mine own Work. When I formerly hinted to you something of
this in a Letter, you were pleased to answer that you were afraid of
giving Offense; that People in Power were very watchful over the Press,
and apt not only to interpret, but to punish every thing which looked
like an Innuendo (as I think you called it.) But pray, how could that
which I spoke so many Years ago, and at about five Thousand leagues
distance, in another Reign, be applied to any of the Yahoos who now
are said to govern the Herd; especially at a time when I little thought
on or feared the Unhappiness of living under them. Have not I the most
reason to complain, when I see these very Yahoos carried by Houyhnhnms
in a Vehicle, as if these were Brutes, and those the rational Creatures?
And indeed, to avoid so monstrous and detestable a Sight was one principal
Motive of my Retirement hither.
Thus much I thought proper to tell you in Relation to yourself, and
to the Trust I reposed in you.
I do in the next Place complain of my own great Want of Judgment, in
being prevailed upon by the Intreaties and false Reasonings of you and
some others, very much against mine own Opinion, to suffer my Travels
to be published. Pray bring to your Mind how often I desired you to
consider, when you insisted on the Motive of publick good; that the
Yahoos were a species of Animals utterly incapable of Amendment by Precepts
or Examples: And so it hath proved; for instead of seeing a full Stop
put to all Abuses and Corruptions, at least in this little Island, as
I had Reason to expect: Behold, after above six Months Warning, I cannot
learn that my Book hath produced one single Effect according to mine
Intentions: I desired you would let me know by a Letter, when Party
and Faction were extinguished; Judges learned and upright; Pleaders
honest and modest, with some Tincture of common Sense; and Smithfield
blazing with Pyramids of Law-Books; the young Nobility's Education entirely
changed; the Physicians banished; the female Yahoos abounding in Virtue,
Honour, Truth and good Sense; Courts and Levees of great Ministers thoroughly
weeded and swept; Wit, Merit and Learning rewarded; all Disgracers of
the Press in Prose and Verse condemned to eat nothing but their own
Cotten, and quench their Thirst with their own Ink. These, and a Thousand
other Reformations, I firmly counted upon by your Encouragement; as
indeed they were plainly deducible from the Precepts delivered in my
Book. And, it must be owned that seven Months were a sufficient Time
to correct every Vice and Folly to which Yahoos are subject, if their
Natures had been capable of the least Disposition to Virtue or Wisdom:
Yet so far have you been from answering mine Expectation in any of your
Letters; that on the contrary you are loading our Carrier every Week
with Libels, and Keys, and Reflections, and Memoirs, and Second Parts;
wherein I see myself accused of reflecting upon great States-Folk, of
degrading human Nature (for so they have still the Confidence to stile
it), and of abusing the Female Sex. I find likewise that the Writers
of those Bundles are not agreed among themselves; for some of them will
not allow me to be Author of my own Travels; and others make me Author
of Books to which I am wholly a Stranger.
I find likewise that your Printer hath been so careless as to confound
the Times, and mistake the Dates of my several Voyages and Returns;
neither assigning the true Year, or the true Month, or Day of the Month:
And I hear the original Manuscript is all destroyed, since the Publication
of my Book. Neither have I any Copy left; however, I have sent you some
Corrections, which you may insert, if ever there should be a second
Edition: And yet I cannot stand to them, but shall leave that Matter
to my judicious and candid Readers, to adjust it as they please.
I hear some of our Sea-Yahoos find Fault with my Sea-Language, as not
proper in many Parts, nor now in use. I cannot help it. In my first
Voyages, while I was young, I was instructed by the oldest Mariners,
and learned to speak as they did. But I have since found that the Sea-Yahoos
are apt, like the Land ones, to become new fangled in their Words, which
the latter change every Year, insomuch as I remember upon each Return
to mine own Country their old Dialect was so altered that I could hardly
understand the new. And I observe, when any Yahoo comes from London
out of Curiosity visit me at mine own House, we neither of us are able
to deliver our Conceptions in a Manner intelligible to the other.
If the Censure of Yahoos could any Way affect me, I should have great
Reason to complain that some of them are so bold as to think my Book
of Travels a mere Fiction out of mine own brain; and have gone so far
as to drop Hints, that the Houyhnhnms and Yahoos have no more Existence
than the Inhabitants of Utopia.
Indeed I must confess, that as to the People of Lilliput, Brobdingrag
(for so the Word should have been spelt, and not erroneously Brobdingnag),
and Laputa; I have never yet heard of any Yahoo so presumptuous as to
dispute their being, or the Facts I have related concerning them; because
the Truth immediately strikes every Reader with Conviction. And is there
less Probability in my Account of the Houyhnhnms or Yahoos, when it
is manifest as to the latter, there are so many Thousands even in this
City, who only differ from their Brother Brutes in Houyhnhnmland, because
they use a Sort of a Jabber, and do not go naked? I wrote for their
Amendment, and not their Approbation. The united Praise of the whole
Race would be of less Consequence to me than the neighing of those two
degenerate Houyhnhnms I keep in my stable; because from these, degenerate
as they are, I still improve in some Virtues, without any Mixture of
Vice.
Do these miserable Animals presume to think that I am so far degenerated
as to defend my veracity? Yahoo as I am, it is well known through all
Houyhnhnmland, that by the Instructions and Example of my illustrious
Master I was able in the Compass of two Years (although I confess with
the utmost Difficulty) to remove that infernal Habit of Lying, Shuffling,
Deceiving, and Equivocating, so deeply rooted in the very Souls of all
my Species, especially the Europeans.
I have other Complaints to make upon this vexatious Occasion; but I
forbear troubling myself or you any further. I must freely confess,
that since my last Return, some Corruptions of my Yahoo Nature have
revived in me by conversing with a few of your Species, and particularly
those of mine own Family, by an unavoidable Necessity; else I should
never have attempted so absurd a Project as that of reforming the Yahoo
Race in this Kingdom; but I have now done with all visionary Schemes
for ever.
April 2, 1727.
THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER
THE AUTHOR of these Travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my antient and
intimate Friend; there is likewise some Relation between us by the Mother's
Side. About three Years ago Mr. Gulliver, growing weary of the Concourse
of curious People coming to him at his House in Redriff, made a small
purchase of land, with a convenient house, near Newark in Nottinghamshire,
his native Country; where he now lives retired, yet in good Esteem among
his Neighbours.
Although Mr. Gulliver was born in Nottinghamshire, where his Father
dwelt, yet I have heard him say his Family came from Oxfordshire; to
confirm which, I have observed in the Church-Yard at Banbury, in that
County, several Tombs and Monuments of the Gullivers.
Before he quitted Redriff, he left the Custody of the following Papers
in my Hands, with the Liberty to dispose of them as I should think fit.
I have carefully perused them three Times. The style is very plain and
simple; and the only Fault I find is, that the Author, after the Manner
of Travelers, 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 Neighbours
at Redriff, when any one affirmed a Thing, to say it was as true as
if Mr. Gulliver had spoke it.
By the Advice of several worthy Persons, to whom, with the Author's
Permission, I communicated these Papers, I now venture to send them
into the World, hoping they may be at least, for some time, a better
Entertainment to our young Noblemen than the common Scribbles of Politicks
and Party.
This Volume would have been at least twice as large, if I had not made
bold to strike out innumerable Passages relating to the Winds and Tides,
as well as to the Variations and Bearings in the several Voyages; together
with the minute Descriptions of the Management of the Ship in Storms,
in the Style of Sailors. Likewise the Account of the 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 shall
be ready to gratify him.
As for any further Particulars relating to the Author, the Reader will
receive Satisfaction from the first Pages of the Book.
Richard Sympson.
PART I: A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
CHAPTER I.
The Author gives some Account of himself and Family: His first Inducements
to travel. He is shipwreck'd, and swims for his Life: Gets safe on shoar
in the Country of Lilliput: Is made a Prisoner, and carry'd up the Country.
MY FATHER had a small Estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the Third of
five Sons. He sent me to Emanuel-College in Cambridge, at Fourteen Years
old, where I resided three Years, and applyed my self 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 Mathematicks,
useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would
be some time or other my Fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went
down to my Father; where, by the Assistance of him and my Uncle John,
and some other Relations, I got Forty Pounds, and a Promise of Thirty
Pounds a Year to maintain me at Leyden: There I studied Physick two
Years and seven Months, knowing it would be useful in long Voyages.
Soon after my Return from Leyden, I was recommended, by my good Master
Mr. Bates, to be Surgeon to the Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannell Commander;
with whom I continued three Years and a half, making a Voyage or two
into the Levant, and some other Parts. When I came back, I resolved
to settle in London, to which Mr. Bates, my Master, encouraged me, and
by him I was recommended to several Patients. I took Part of a small
House in the Old Jury; and being advised to alter my Condition, I married
Mrs. Mary Burton, second Daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton, Hosier, in Newgate-street,
with whom I received four Hundred Pounds for a Portion.
But, my good Master Bates dying in two Years after, and I having few
Friends, my Business began to fail; for my Conscience would not suffer
me to imitate the bad Practice of too many among my Brethren. Having
therefore consulted with my Wife, and some of my Acquaintance, I determined
to go again to Sea. I was Surgeon successively in two Ships, and made
several Voyages, for six Years, to the East and West-Indies, by which
I got some Addition to my Fortune. My Hours of Leisure I spent in reading
the best Authors, antient 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, 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 Jury to Fetter-Lane, and from thence to Wapping hoping
to get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account.
After three Years Expectation that things would mend, I accepted an
advantageous Offer from Captain William Prichard, Master of the Antelope,
who was making a Voyage to the South-Sea. We set sail from Bristol May
4th, 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 North-west of Van Diemen's Land. By an Observation,
we found ourselves in the Latitude of 30 Degrees 2 Minutes South. Twelve
of our Crew were dead by immoderate Labour and ill Food, the rest were
in a very weak Condition. On the 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; 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 Labour while we were in the Ship. We therefore
trusted ourselves to the Mercy of the Waves, and in about half an Hour
the Boat was overset by a sudden Flurry from the North. What became
of my Companions in the Boat, as well as of those who escaped on the
Rock, or were left in the Vessel, I cannot tell; but conclude they were
all lost. For my own Part, I swam as Fortune directed me, and was pushed
forward by Wind and Tide. I often let my Legs drop, and could feel no
Bottom: but when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer,
I found myself within my Depth; and by this Time the Storm was much
abated. The Declivity was so small, that I walked near a Mile before
I got to the Shore, which I conjectur'd was about eight a-clock in the
Evening. I then advanced forward near half a Mile, but could not discover
any sign of Houses or Inhabitants; at least I was in so weak a Condition,
that I did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and
the Heat of the Weather, and about half a Pint of Brandy that I drank
as I left the Ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down
on the Grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than
ever I remember to have done in my Life, and, as I reckoned, above Nine
Hours; for when I awakened, it was just Day-light. I attempted to rise,
but was not able to stir: For as I happen'd to lye 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 Armpits
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
downwards as much as I could, I perceived it to be a human Creature
not six Inches high, with a Bow and Arrow in his hands, and a Quiver
at his Back. In the 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
a Hundred Arrows discharged on my left Hand, which pricked me like so
many Needles; and besides they shot another Flight into the Air, as
we do Bombs in Europe, whereof many, I suppose, fell on my Body (though
I felt them not) and some on my Face, which I immediately covered with
my left Hand. When this Shower of Arrows was over, I fell a groaning
with Grief and Pain, and then striving again to get loose, they discharged
another Volly larger than the first, and some of them attempted with
Spears to stick me in the Sides; but, by good Luck, I had on me a Buff
Jerkin, which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent Method
to lie still, and my Design was to continue so till Night, when, my
left Hand being already loose, I could easily free myself: And as for
the Inhabitants, I had Reason to believe I might be a Match for the
greatest Armies they could bring against me, if they were all of the
same Size with him that I saw. But Fortune disposed otherwise of me.
When the People observed I was quiet, they discharged no more Arrows:
But, by the Noise increasing, I knew their Numbers were greater; and
about four Yards from me, over against my right Ear, I heard a Knocking
for above an Hour, like People at work; when turning my Head that Way,
as well as the Pegs and Strings would permit me, I saw a Stage erected
about a Foot and a half from the Ground, capable of holding four of
the Inhabitants, with two or three Ladders to mount it: From whence
one of them, who seemed to be a Person of Quality, made me a long Speech,
whereof I understood not one Syllable. But I should have mentioned,
that before the principal Person began his Oration, he cryed out three
times, Langro Dehul san: (these Words and the former were 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 Threatnings, and others of Promises, Pity and Kindness.
I answered in a few Words, but in the most submissive Manner, lifting
up my left Hand and both 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
on 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 eat them by two or three at
a Mouthful, and took three Loaves at a time, about the bigness of Musket
Bullets. They supplied me as fast as they could, shewing a thousand
Marks of Wonder and Astonishment at my Bulk and Appetite. I then made
another Sign that I wanted Drink. They found by my eating that a small
Quantity would not suffice me, and being a most ingenious People, they
slung up with great Dexterity one of their largest Hogsheads, then rolled
it toward my Hand, and beat out the Top; I drank it off at a Draught,
which I might well do, for it hardly held half a Pint, and tasted like
a small Wine of Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought me a
second Hogshead, which I drank in the same Manner, and made Signs for
more, but they had none to give me. When I had performed these Wonders,
they shouted for Joy, and danced upon my Breast, repeating several times
as they did at first, Hekinah Degul. They made me a Sign that I should
throw down the two Hogsheads, but first warning the People below to
stand out of the Way, crying aloud, Borach Mivola, and when they saw
the Vessels in the Air, there was a universal Shout of Hekinah Degul.
I confess I was often tempted, while they were passing backwards and
forwards on my Body, to seize Forty or Fifty of the first that came
in my Reach, and dash them against the Ground. But the Remembrance of
what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do;
and the Promise of Honour I made them, for so I interpreted my submissive
Behaviour, soon drove out these Imaginations. Besides, I now 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 dare venture to mount and walk upon my Body, while one
of my Hands was at Liberty, without trembling at the very Sight of so
prodigious a Creature as I must appear to them. After some time, when
they observed that I made no more Demands for Meat, there appeared before
me a Person of high Rank from his Imperial Majesty. His Excellency having
mounted on the small of my right Leg, advanced forwards up to my Face,
with about a Dozen of his Retinue; And producing his Credentials under
the Signet Royal, which he applied close to my Eyes, spoke about ten
Minutes, without any Signs of Anger, but with a kind of determinate
Resolution; often pointing forwards, which, as I afterwards found, 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 encreased, I gave Tokens to let them know
that they might do with me what they pleased. Upon this the Hurgo and
his Train withdrew with much Civility and chearful Countenances. Soon
after I heard a general Shout, with frequent repetitions of the words,
Peplom Selan, and I felt great Numbers of the People on my Left Side
relaxing the Cords to such a Degree, that I was able to turn upon my
Right, and to ease myself with making Water; which I very plentifully
did, to the great Astonishment of the People, who conjecturing by my
Motions what I was going to do, immediately opened to the right and
left on that Side, to avoid the Torrent which fell with such Noise and
Violence from me. 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 sleeping 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 tyed in the Manner I have
related (which was done in the Night while I slept), that plenty of
Meat and Drink should be sent me, and a Machine prepared to carry me
to the Capital City.
This Resolution perhaps may appear very bold and dangerous, and I am
confident would not be imitated by any Prince in Europe on the like
Occasion; however, in my Opinion, it was extremely Prudent, as well
as Generous. For supposing these People had endeavoured to kill me with
their Spears and Arrows while I was asleep, I should certainly have
awakened 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 tyed; 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 great
perfection in Mechanicks by the Countenance and Encouragement of the
Emperor, who is a renowned Patron of Learning. This Prince has several
Machines fixed on Wheels for the Carriage of Trees and other great Weights.
He often builds his largest Men of War, whereof some are Nine Foot long,
in the Woods where the Timber grows, and has them carried on these Engines
three or four Hundred Yards to the sea. Five Hundred Carpenters and
Engineers were immediately set at work to prepare the greatest Engine
they had. It was a Frame of Wood raised three Inches from the Ground,
about seven Foot long and four wide, moving upon twenty- two Wheels.
The Shout I heard was upon the Arrival of this Engine, which it seems
set out in four Hours after my Landing. It was brought parallel to me
as I lay. But the principal Difficulty was to raise and place me in
this Vehicle. Eighty Poles, each of one Foot high, were erected for
this Purpose, and very strong Cords of the bigness of Pack thread were
fastened by Hooks to many Bandages, which the Workmen had girt round
my Neck, my Hands, my Body, and my Legs. Nine Hundred of the strongest
Men were employed to draw up these Cords by many Pulleys fastned on
the Poles, and thus, in less than three Hours, I was raised and slung
into the Engine, and there tyed fast. All this I was told, for while
the whole Operation was performing, I lay in a profound Sleep, by the
Force of that soporiferous Medicine infused into my Liquor. Fifteen
Hundred of the Emperor's largest Horses, each about four Inches and
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 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 that Day, and rested at Night with Five Hundred Guards
on each Side of me, half with Torches, and half with Bows and Arrows,
ready to shoot me if I should offer to stir. The next Morning at 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 antient 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 on as prophane, and therefore had been applied
to common Use, and all the Ornaments and Furniture carried away. In
this Edifice it was determined I 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 Smiths conveyed fourscore and eleven Chains, like those that
hang to a Lady's Watch in Europe, and almost as large, which were locked
to my Left Leg with six and thirty Padlocks. Over against this Temple,
on the other Side of the great highway, at twenty Foot Distance, there
was a Turret at least Five Foot high. Here the Emperor ascended with
many principal Lords of his Court, to have an opportunity of viewing
me, as I was told, for I could not see them. It was reckoned that above
a hundred thousand Inhabitants came out of the Town upon the same Errand;
and in spite of my Guards, I believe there could not be fewer than ten
thousand, at several Times, who mounted upon my Body by the Help of
Ladders. But a Proclamation was soon issued to forbid it upon Pain of
Death. When the Workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose,
they cut all the Strings that bound me; 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 Semicircle; but, being fixed within four Inches of the Gate, allowed
me to creep in, and lie at my full Length in the Temple.
CHAPTER II.
The Emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the Nobility, comes
to see the Author in his Confinement. The Emperor's Person and Habit
describ'd. Learned Men appointed to teach the Author their Language.
He gains Favour by his mild Disposition. His Pockets Are searched, and
his Sword and Pistols taken from him.
WHEN I found myself on my Feet, I looked about me, and must confess
I never beheld a more entertaining Prospect. The Country round appeared
like a continued Garden, and the inclosed Fields, which were generally
Forty Foot square, resembled so many Beds of Flowers. These Fields were
intermingled with Woods of half a Stang, and the tallest Trees, as I
could judge, appeared to be seven Foot high. I viewed the Town on my
left Hand, which looked like the painted Scene of a City in a Theatre.
I had been for some Hours extremely pressed by the Necessities of Nature;
which was no Wonder, it being almost two Days since I had last disburthened
myself. I was under great Difficulties between Urgency and Shame. The
best Expedient I could think on, was to creep into my House, which I
accordingly did; and shutting the Gate after me, I went as far as the
Length of my Chain would suffer, and discharged my Body of that uneasy
Load. But this was the only Time I was ever guilty of so uncleanly an
Action; for which I cannot but hope the candid Reader will give some
Allowance, after he has maturely and impartially considered my Case,
and the Distress I was in. From this Time my constant Practice was,
as soon as I rose, to perform that Business in open Air, at the full
Extent of my Chain, and due Care was taken every Morning before Company
came, that the offensive Matter should be carried off in Wheel-barrows,
by two Servants appointed for that Purpose. I would not have dwelt so
long upon a Circumstance, that perhaps at first sight may appear not
very momentous, if I had not thought it necessary to justify my Character
in point of Cleanliness to the world; which I am told some of my Maligners
have been pleased, upon this and other Occasions, to call in question.
When this Adventure was at an end, I came back out of my House, having
occasion for fresh Air. The Emperor was already descended from the Tower,
and advancing on Horse-back towards me, which had like to have cost
him dear; for the Beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused
to such a Sight, which appeared as if a Mountain moved before him, he
reared up on his hinder Feet: But that Prince, who is an excellent Horse-
man, 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, and ten with
Liquor; each of the former afforded me two or three good Mouthfuls,
and I emptied the Liquor of ten Vessels, which was contained in earthen
Vials, into one Vehicle, drinking it off at a Draught; and so I did
with the rest. The Empress, and young Princes of the Blood, of both
Sexes, attended by many Ladies, sat at some distance in their Chairs;
but upon the Accident that happened to the 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. His Dress was very plain and simple, and
the Fashion of it between the Asiatick and the European; but he had
on his Head a light Helmet of Gold, adorned with Jewels, and a Plume
on the Crest. He held his Sword drawn in his Hand, to defend himself,
if I should happen to break loose; it was almost three Inches long,
the Hilt and Scabbard were Gold, enriched with Diamonds. His Voice was
shrill, but very clear and articulate, and I could distinctly hear it
when I stood up. The Ladies and Courtiers were all most 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 ; but all to no Purpose.
After about two Hours the Court retired, and I was left with a strong
Guard, to prevent the Impertinence, and probably the Malice of the Rabble,
who were very impatient to croud about me as near as they durst, and
some of them had the impudence to shoot their Arrows at me as I sate
on the Ground by the Door of my House, whereof one very narrowly missed
my left Eye. But the Colonel ordered six of the Ringleaders to be seized,
and thought no Punishment so proper as to deliver them bound into my
Hands, which some of his Soldiers accordingly did, pushing them forwards
with the But-Ends of their Pikes into my Reach; I took them all in my
right Hand, put five of them into my Coat-Pocket, and as to the sixth,
I 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 obliged at this
Mark of my Clemency, which was represented very much to my Advantage
at Court.
Towards Night I with some Difficulty got into my House, where I lay
on the Ground, and continued to do so about a Fortnight; during which
Time the Emperor gave Orders to have a Bed prepared for me. Six hundred
Beds of the common Measure were brought in Carriages, and worked up
in my House; a hundred and fifty of their Beds sewn 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, that was of
smooth Stone. By the same Computation they provided me with Sheets,
Blankets, and Coverlets, tolerable enough for one who had been so long
enured to Hardships as I.
As the News of my Arrival spread through the Kingdom, it brought prodigious
Numbers of rich, idle, and curious People to see me; so that the Villages
were almost emptied, and great Neglect of Tillage and Household Affairs
must have ensued, if his Imperial Majesty had not provided, by several
Proclamations and Orders of State, against this Inconveniency. He directed
that those who had already beheld me should return Home, and not presume
to come within fifty Yards of my House without Licence from Court; whereby
the Secretarys of State got considerable Fees.
In the mean time, the Emperor held frequent Councils to debate what
Course should be taken with me; and I was afterwards assured by a particular
Friend, a Person of great Quality, who was looked upon to be as much
in the Secret as any, that the Court was under many Difficulties concerning
me. They apprehended my breaking loose, that my Diet would be very expensive,
and might cause a Famine. Sometimes they determined to starve me, or
at least to shoot me in the Face and Hands with poisoned Arrows, which
would soon dispatch me: But again they considered, that the Stench of
so large a Carcass might produce a Plague in the Metropolis, and probably
spread through the whole Kingdom. In the midst of these Consultations,
several Officers of the army went to the Door of the great Council Chamber;
and two of them being admitted, gave an account of my Behavior to the
six Criminals above-mentioned, which made so favourable an Impression
in the Breast of his Majesty and the whole Board in my behalf, that
an Imperial Commission was issued out, obliging all the Villages nine
hundred Yards round the City, to deliver in every Morning six Beeves,
forty Sheep, and other Victuals for my Sustenance; together with a proportionable
Quantity of Bread, and Wine, and other Liquors: for the due Payment
of which, his Majesty gave assignments upon his Treasury. For this Prince
lives chiefly upon his own Demesnes, 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 Domesticks, who had Board-Wages allowed
for their Maintenance, and Tents built for them very conveniently on
each side of my Door. It was likewise ordered, that three hundred Taylors
should make me a Suit of Cloaths after the Fashion of the Country: That
six of his Majesty's greatest Scholars should be employ'd 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 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 Behaviour, the good
Opinion of himself and his Subjects. He desired I would not take it
ill, if he gave Orders to certain proper Officers to search me; for
probably I might carry about me several Weapons, which must needs be
dangerous things, if they answered the Bulk of so prodigious a Person.
I said, his Majesty should be satisfied, for I was ready to strip myself,
and turn out my Pockets before him. This I delivered part in Words,
and part in Signs. He replied, that by the Laws of the Kingdom I must
be searched by two of his Officers; that he knew this could not be done
without my Consent and Assistance; that he had so good an Opinion of
my Generosity and Justice, as to trust their Persons in my Hands: That
whatever they took from me should be returned when I left the Country,
or paid for at the Rate which I would set upon them. 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 I had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little Necessaries
that were of no consequence to any but myself. In one of my Fobs there
was a silver Watch, and in the other a small Quantity of Gold in a Purse.
These Gentlemen, having Pen Ink, and Paper about them, made an exact
Inventory of 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, 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 Cloath, 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
sneezing for several times together. In his right Waistcoat-Pocket we
found a prodigious Bundle of white thin Substances, folded one over
another, about the Bigness of three Men, tied with a strong cable, and
marked with black Figures; which we humbly conceive to be Writings,
every Letter almost half as large as the Palm of our Hands. In the left
there was a sort of Engine, from the back of which were extended twenty
long poles, resembling the palisades before your Majesty's Court; wherewith
we conjecture the Man Mountain combs his Head, for we did not always
trouble him with Questions, because we found it a great Difficulty to
make him understand us. In the large Pocket on the right side of his
middle Cover (so I translate the Word Ranfu-Lo, by which they meant
my Breeches) we saw a hollow Pillar of Iron, about the length of a Man,
fastened to a strong piece of Timber, larger than the Pillar; and upon
one side of the Pillar were huge Pieces of Iron sticking out, cut into
strange Figures, which we know not what to make of. In the left Pocket,
another Engine of the same kind. In the smaller Pocket on the right
side, were several round flat Pieces of white and red Metal, of different
Bulk; some of the white, which seemed to be silver, were so large and
heavy, that my Comrade and I could hardly lift them. In the left Pocket
were two black Pillars irregularly shaped: we could not, without Difficulty,
reach the Top of them as we stood at the Bottom of his Pocket. One of
them was covered, and seemed all of a Piece: but at the upper End of
the other, there appeared a white round Substance, about twice the bigness
of our heads. Within each of these was inclosed a prodigious Plate of
Steel; which, by our Orders, we obliged him to shew us, because we apprehended
they might be dangerous Engines. He took them out of their Cases, and
told us, that in his own Country his Practice was to shave his Beard
with one of these, and to cut his Meat with the other. There were two
Pockets which we could not enter: These he called his Fobs; they were
two large Slits cut into the top of his middle Cover, but squeez'd close
by the pressure of his Belly. Out of the right Fob hung a great silver
Chain, with a wonderful kind of Engine at the bottom. We directed him
to draw out whatever was fastened to that Chain; which appeared to be
a Globe, half Silver, and half of some transparent Metal: for on the
transparent side we saw certain strange Figures circularly drawn, and
thought we could touch them, till we found our Fingers stopped by that
lucid Substance. He put this Engine to our Ears, which made an incessant
Noise like that of a Water-Mill. And we conjecture it is either some
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 serve 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 requiring a strong
Hand to lift them: the other Cell contained a Heap of certain black
Grains, but of no great Bulk or Weight, for we could hold above fifty
of them in the Palms of our Hands.
This is an exact Inventory of what we found about the Body of the Man-Mountain,
who used us with great Civility, and due Respect to your Majesty's Commission.
Signed and Sealed on the fourth Day of the eighty ninth Moon of your
Majesty's auspicious Reign.
Clefren Frelock, Marsi Frelock.
When this Inventory was read over to the Emperor, he directed me, although
in very gentle Terms, to deliver up the several Particulars. He first
called for my Scymiter, which I took out, Scabbard and all. In the 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 Scymiter, which, although
it had got some Rust by the Sea-Water, was in most parts exceeding bright.
I did so, and immediately all the Troops gave a Shout between Terror
and Surprise; for the Sun shone clear, and the Reflection dazzled their
Eyes as I waved the Scymiter to and fro in my Hand. His Majesty, who
is a most magnanimous Prince, was less danted than I could expect; he
ordered me to return it into the Scabbard, and cast it on the Ground
as gently as I could, about six Foot from the end of my Chain. The next
thing he demanded was one of the hollow iron pillars, by which he meant
my Pocket-Pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as I could,
expressed to him the Use of it; and charging it only with Powder, which
by the 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 I
let it off in the Air. The Astonishment here was much greater than at
the sight of my Scymiter. Hundreds fell down as if they had been struck
dead; and even the Emperor, although he stood his ground, could not
recover himself in some time. I delivered up both my Pistols in the
same Manner as I had done my Scymiter, and then my Pouch of Powder and
Bullets; begging him that the former might be kept from the Fire, for
it would kindle with the smallest Spark, and blow up his Imperial Palace
into the Air. I likewise delivered up my Watch, which the Emperor was
very curious to see, and commanded two of his tallest Yeomen of the
Guards to bear it on a Pole upon their shoulders, as Draymen in England
do a Barrel of Ale. He was amazed at the continual Noise it made, and
the Motion of the Minute-Hand, which he could easily discern; for their
Sight is much more acute than ours; and asked the Opinions of his learned
Men about him, which were various and remote, as the Reader may well
imagine without my repeating; although indeed I could not very perfectly
understand them. I then gave up my Silver and Copper money, my Purse
with nine large Pieces of Gold, and some smaller ones; my Knife and
Razor, my Comb and Silver Snuff- Box, my Handkerchief and Journal Book.
My Scymiter, Pistols, and Pouch, were conveyed in Carriages to his Majesty's
Stores; but the rest of my Goods were returned me.
I had, as I before observed, one private Pocket which escaped their
Search, wherein there was a pair of Spectacles (which I sometimes use
for the weakness of mine Eyes), a Pocket Perspective, and several other
little Conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the Emperor,
I did not think myself bound in Honour to discover, and I apprehended
they might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my Possession.
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 Behaviour had gained so far on the Emperor and
his Court, and indeed upon the Army and People in general, that I began
to conceive Hopes of getting my Liberty in a short time. I took all
possible Methods to cultivate this favourable Disposition. The Natives
came by degrees to be less apprehensive of any Danger from me. I would
sometimes lie down, and let five or six of them dance on my Hand. And
last the Boys and Girls would venture to come and play at Hide and Seek
in my Hair. I had now made good Progress in understanding and speaking
their Language. The Emperor had a mind one day to entertain me with
several of the Country Shows, wherein they exceeded all Nations I have
known, both for Dexterity and Magnificence. I was diverted with none
so much as that of the Rope-Dancers, performed upon a slender white
Thread, extended about two Foot and twelve Inches from the Ground. Upon
which I shall desire liberty, with the Reader's Patience, to enlarge
a little.
This Diversion is only practiced by those Persons who are Candidates
for great Employments, and high Favour, at Court. They are trained in
this Art from their Youth, and are not always of noble Birth, or liberal
Education. When a great Office is vacant either by Death or disgrace
(which often happens) five or six of those Candidates petition the Emperor
to 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 strait Rope, at least
an Inch higher than any other Lord in the whole Empire. I have seen
him do the Summerset several times together upon a Trencher fixed on
the Rope, which is no thicker than a common 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 my self have seen two or three Candidates break
a Limb. But the Danger is much greater when the Ministers themselves
are commanded to shew their Dexterity; for by contending to excel themselves
and their Fellows, they strain so far, that there is hardly one of them
who has not received a Fall, and some of them two or three. I was assured
that a Year or two before my Arrival, Flimnap would have infallibly
broken his Neck, if one of the King's Cushions, that accidentally lay
on the Ground, had not weakened the Force of his Fall.
There is likewise another Diversion, which is only shewn before the
Emperor and Empress, and first Minister, upon particular Occasions.
The Emperor lays on the Table three fine silken Threads of six Inches
long. One is Blue, the other Red, and the third Green. These Threads
are proposed as Prizes for those Persons whom the Emperor has a mind
to 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 Tryal 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 the new World. The Emperor holds a Stick in his Hands,
both ends parallel to the Horizon, while the Candidates, advancing one
by one, sometimes leap over the Stick, sometimes creep under it backwards
and forwards several times, according as the Stick is advanced or depressed.
Sometimes the Emperor holds one end of the Stick, and his first Minister
the other; sometimes the Minister has it entirely to himself. Whoever
performs his Part with most Agility, and holds out the longest in leaping
and creeping, is rewarded with the Blue-colored Silk; the Red is given
to the next, and the Green to the third, which they all wear girt twice
round about the middle; and you see few great Persons about this Court
who are not adorned with one of these Girdles.
The Horses of the Army, and those of the royal Stables, having been
daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very
Feet without starting. The Riders would leap them over my Hand as I
held it on the Ground, and one of the Emperor's Huntsmen, upon a large
Courser, took my Foot, Shoe and all; which was indeed a prodigious Leap.
I had the good fortune to divert the Emperor one Day after a very extraordinary
manner. I desired he would order several Sticks of two Foot high, and
the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought me; whereupon his Majesty
commanded the Master of his Woods to give Directions accordingly; and
the next Morning six Wood-men arrived with as many Carriages, drawn
by eight Horses to each. I took nine of these Sticks, and fixing them
firmly in the Ground in a Quadrangular Figure, two Foot and a half Square,
I took four other Sticks, and 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 Enterprizes.
About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was entertaining
the Court with these kind of Feats, there arrived an express to inform
his Majesty that some of his Subjects riding near the Place where I
was first taken up, had seen a great black Substance lying on the Ground,
very oddly shaped, extending its Edges round as wide as his Majesty's
Bedchamber, and rising up in the middle as high as a Man; that it was
no living Creature, as they at first apprehended, for it lay on the
Grass without Motion, and some of them had walked round it several tunes:
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. I presently knew what they meant, and
was glad at heart to receive this Intelligence. It seems upon my first
reaching the Shore after our Shipwreck, I was in such confusion, that
before I came to the Place where I went to sleep, my Hat, which I had
fastned with a String to my Head while I was rowing, and had stuck on
all the time I was swimming, fell off after I came to Land; the String,
as I conjecture, breaking by some Accident which I never observed, but
thought my Hat had been lost at Sea. I entreated his Imperial Majesty
to give Orders it might be brought to me as soon as possible, describing
to him the Use and the Nature of it: And the next Day the Waggoners
arrived with it, but not in a very good condition; they had 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 tyed by a long Cord to the
Harness, and thus my Hat was dragged along for above half an English
Mile: but the Ground in that Country being extremely smooth and level,
it receiv'd less Damage than I expected.
Two Days after this Adventure, the Emperor having ordered that part
of his Army which quarters in and about his Metropolis to be in a readiness,
took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular manner. He desired
I would stand like a Colossus, with my Legs as far asunder as I conveniently
could. He then commanded his General (who was an old experienced Leader,
and a great Patron of mine) to draw up the Troops in close Order, and
march them under me, the Foot by Twenty-four in a Breast, and the Horse
by Sixteen, with Drums beating, Colours flying, and Pikes advanced.
This Body consisted of three thousand Foot, and a thousand Horse. His
Majesty gave Orders, upon pain of Death, that every Soldier in his March
should observe the strictest Decency with regard to my Person; which,
however, could not prevent some of the younger Officers from turning
up their Eyes as they passed under me. And, to confess the Truth, my
Breeches were at that time in so ill a Condition, that they afforded
some Opportunities for Laughter and Admiration.
I had sent so many Memorials and Petitions for my Liberty, that his
Majesty at length mentioned the Matter, first in the Cabinet, and then
in a full Council ; where it was opposed by none, except Skyresh 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 Complection. However, he was at length persuaded
to comply; but prevailed that the Articles and Conditions upon which
I should be set free, and to which I must swear, should be drawn up
by himself. These Articles were brought to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in
Person, attended by two Under-Secretarys, 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, 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 perhaps be curious to have some Idea of the Style and Manner of
Expression peculiar to that People, as well as to know the Articles
upon which I recovered my Liberty, I have made a Translation of the
whole Instrument word for word, as near as I was able, which I here
offer to the Publick.
GOLBASTO MOMAREN EVLAME GURDILO SHEFIN MULLY ULLY GUE, most Mighty Emperor
of Lilliput, Delight and Terror of the Universe, whose Dominions extend
five thousand Blustrugs (about twelve miles in circumference) to the
Extremities of the Globe; Monarch of all Monarchs, taller than the Sons
of Men; whose Feet press down to the Center, and whose Head strikes
against the Sun: At whose Nod the Princes of the Earth shake their Knees;
pleasant as the Spring, comfortable as the Summer, fruitful as Autumn,
dreadful as Winter. His most sublime Majesty proposeth to the Man-Mountain,
lately arrived to our Celestial Dominions, the following Articles, which
by a solemn Oath he shall be obliged to perform.
First, The Man-Mountain shall not depart from our Dominions, without
our Licence under our Great Seal.
2nd, He shall not presume to come into our Metropolis, without our express
Order; at which time the Inhabitants shall have two hours warning to
keep within their Doors.
3rd, The said Man-Mountain shall confine his Walks to our principal
High Roads, and not offer to walk or lie down in a Meadow or Field of
Corn.
4th, As he walks the said Roads, he shall take the utmost care not to
trample upon the Bodies of any of our loving Subjects, their Horses,
or Carriages, nor take any of our said Subjects into his Hands, without
their own Consent.
5th, If an Express requires extraordinary Dispatch, the Man-Mountain
shall be obliged to carry in his Pocket the Messenger and Horse a Six
Days Journey once in every Moon, and return the said Messenger back
(if so required) safe to our Imperial Presence.
6th, He shall be our Ally against our enemies in the Island of Blefuscu,
and do his utmost to destroy their Fleet, which is now preparing to
invade Us.
7th, That the said Man-Mountain shall, at his 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 of our Royal
Buildings.
8th, That the said Man-Mountain shall, in two Moons time, deliver in
an exact Survey of the Circumference of our Dominions by a Computation
of his own Paces round the Coast.
Lastly, That upon his solemn Oath to observe all the above Articles,
the said Man-Mountain shall have a daily Allowance of Meat and Drink
sufficient for the support of 1728 of our Subjects, with free Access
to our Royal Person, and other Marks of our Favour. Given at our Palace
at Belfaborac the twelfth Day of the Ninety-first Moon of our Reign.
I swore and subscribed to these Articles with great Chearfulness and
Content, although some of them were not so honorable as I could have
wished; which proceeded wholly from the Malice of Skyresh Bolgolam the
High Admiral: whereupon my Chains were immediately unlocked, and I was
at full liberty; the Emperor himself in Person did me the Honour to
be by at the whole Ceremony. I made my 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 Favours he had already conferred upon me, or
might do for the future.
The Reader may please to observe, that in the last Article for the Recovery
of my Liberty the Emperor stipulates to allow me a Quantity of Meat
and Drink sufficient for the support of 1728 Lilliputians. Some time
after, asking a Friend at Court how they came to fix on that determinate
Number; he told me that his Majesty's Mathematicians, having taken the
Height of my body by the help of a Quadrant, and finding it to exceed
theirs in the Proportion of Twelve to One, they concluded from the Similarity
of their Bodies, that mine must contain at least 1728 of theirs, and
consequently would require as much Food as was necessary to support
that number of Lilliputians. By which the Reader may conceive an Idea
of the Ingenuity of that People, as well as the prudent and exact Oeconomy
of so great a Prince.
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 Offers to serve the
Emperor in his Wars.
The first Request I made after I had obtained my Liberty, was, that
I might have Licence to see Mildendo, the Metropolis, which the Emperor
easily granted me, but with a special Charge to do no hurt either to
the Inhabitants or their Houses. The People had notice by Proclamation
of my design to visit the Town. The Wall which encompassed it is two
foot 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 foot distance. I stept over the great Western Gate,
and passed very gently, and sideling through the two principal Streets,
only in my short Waistcoat, for fear of damaging the Roofs and Eaves
of the Houses with the Skirts of my Coat. I walked with the utmost Circumspection,
to avoid treading on any Stragglers, that might remain in the Streets,
although the Orders were very strict, that all People should keep in
their Houses at their own peril. The Garret-windows and Tops of Houses
were so crowded with Spectators, that I thought in all my Travels I
had not seen a more populous Place. The City is an exact Square, each
Side of the Wall being five hundred foot long. The two great Streets,
which run cross and divide it into four Quarters, are five foot wide.
The Lanes and Alleys, which I could not enter, but only viewed them
as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen Inches. The Town is capable
of holding five hundred thousand Souls. The Houses are from three to
five Stories. The Shops and Markets well provided.
The Emperor's Palace is in the Center of the City, where the two great
Streets meet. It is 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 foot, and includes two other Courts: in the inmost are the
Royal Apartments, which I was very desirous to see, but found it extremely
difficult; for the great Gates, from one Square into another, were but
eighteen Inches high and seven Inches wide. Now the Buildings of the
outer Court were at least five foot high, and it was impossible for
me to stride over them without infinite Damage to the Pile, though the
Walls were strongly built of hewn Stone, and four Inches thick. At the
same time the Emperor had a great desire that I should see the Magnificence
of his Palace; but this I was not able to do till three Days after,
which I spent in cutting down with my Knife some of the largest Trees
in the Royal Park, about an hundred Yards distant from the City. Of
these Trees I made two Stools, each about three foot high, and strong
enough to bear my Weight. The People having received notice a second
time, I went again through the City to the Palace, with my two Stools
in my Hands. When I came to the side of the outer Court, I stood upon
one Stool, and took the other in my Hand: This I lifted over the Roof,
and gently set it down on the Space between the first and second Court,
which was eight foot wide. I then stept over the Buildings very conveniently
from one Stool to the other, and drew up the first after me with a hooked
Stick. By this Contrivance I got into the inmost Court; and lying down
upon my Side, I applied my Face to the Windows of the middle Stories,
which were left open 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 Politicks, Laws, Learning, and Religion: their
Plants and Animals, their peculiar Manners and Customs, with other Matters
very curious and useful; my chief design at present being only to relate
such Events and Transactions as happened to the Publick, or to myself,
during a Residence of about nine Months in that Empire.
One Morning, about a Fortnight after I had obtained my Liberty, Reldresal,
Principal Secretary (as they style him) of private Affairs, came to
my House, attended only by one Servant. He ordered his Coach to wait
at a distance, and desired I would give him an Hour's Audience; which
I readily consented to, on account of his Quality, and Personal Merits,
as well as the many good Offices he had done me during my Sollicitations
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 on their shoes, by which they distinguish themselves.
It is alleged indeed, that the high Heels are most agreeable to our
ancient Constitution: But however this be, his Majesty has determined
to make use of only low Heels in the Administration of the Government,
and all Offices in the Gift of the Crown, as you cannot but observe;
and particularly, that his Majesty's Imperial Heels are lower at least
by a Drurr than any of his Court; (Drurr is a Measure about the fourteenth
Part of an Inch). The Animositys between these two Parties run so high,
that they will neither eat nor drink, nor talk with each other. We compute
the Tramecksan, or High-Heels, to exceed us in number; but the Power
is wholly on our Side. We apprehend his Imperial Highness, the Heir
to the Crown, to have some Tendency towards the High-Heels; at least
we can plainly discover one of his Heels higher than the other, which
gives him a Hobble in his Gait. Now, in the midst of these intestine
Disquiets, we are 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 dropt from the Moon, or one of
the Stars; because it is certain, that a hundred Mortals of your Bulk
would, in a short time, destroy all the Fruits and Cattle of his Majesty's
Dominions. Besides, our Histories of six thousand Moons make no mention
of any other Regions, than the two great Empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu.
Which two mighty Powers have, as I was going to tell you, been engaged
in a most obstinate War for six and thirty Moons past. It began upon
the 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 Grand-father, 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 Penaltys, 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.) This, however, is thought to be a meer Strain upon the Text:
For the Words are these: That all true Believers shall break their Eggs
at the convenient End: and which is the convenient End, seems, in my
humble Opinion, to be left to every Man's Conscience, or at least in
the power of the Chief Magistrate to determine. Now the Big-Endian Exiles
have found so much Credit in the Emperor of Blefuscu's Court, and so
much private Assistance and Encouragement from their Party here at home,
that a bloody War has been carried on 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 reckon'd to be somewhat greater than Ours.
However, they have now equipped a numerous Fleet, and are just preparing
to make a Descent upon us; and his Imperial Majesty, placing great Confidence
in your Valour and Strength, has commanded me to lay this Account of
his affairs before you.
I desired the Secretary to present my humble Duty to the Emperor, and
to let him know, that I thought it would not become Me, who was a Foreigner,
to interfere with Parties; but I was ready, with the hazard of my Life,
to defend his Person and State against all Invaders.
CHAPTER V.
The Author by an extraordinary Stratagem prevents an Invasion. A high
Title of Honour is conferred upon him. Embassadors arrive from the Emperor
of Blefuscu, and sue for Peace. The Empress's Apartment on fire by an
Accident; he Author instrumental I saving the rest of the Palace.
THE EMPIRE of Blefuscu is an island situated to the North North-East
side of Lilliput, from whence it is parted only by a Channel of eight
hundred Yards wide. I had not yet seen it, and upon this Notice of an
intended Invasion, I avoided appearing on that side of the Coast, for
fear of being discovered by some of the Enemy's Ships, who had received
no Intelligence of me, all Intercourse between the two Empires having
been strictly forbidden during the War, upon pain of Death, and an Embargo
laid by our Emperor upon all Vessels whatsoever. I communicated to his
Majesty a Project I had formed of seizing the Enemy's whole Fleet: which,
as our Scouts assured us, lay at Anchor in the Harbour ready to sail
with the first fair Wind. I consulted the most experienced Seamen, upon
the Depth of the Channel, which they had often plummed, who told me,
that in the middle at High-water it was seventy Glumgluffs deep, which
is about six Foot of European Measure; and the rest of it fifty Glumgluffs
at most. I walked towards the North-East Coast over against Blefuscu;
and lying down behind a Hillock, took out my small Pocket Perspective-Glass,
and viewed the Enemy's Fleet at Anchor, consisting of about fifty Men
of War, and a great Number of Transports; I then came back to my House,
and gave Order (for which I had a Warrant) for a great Quantity 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, binding the Extremities into a Hook. Having
thus fixed fifty Hooks to as many Cables, I went back to the North-
East Coast, and putting off my Coat, Shoes, and Stockings, walked into
the Sea in my Leathern Jerkin, about half an hour before high Water.
I waded with what haste I could, and swam in the middle about thirty
Yards till I felt ground; I arrived at the Fleet in less than half an
hour. The Enemy was so frighted when they saw me, that they leaped out
of their Ships, and swam to shore, where there could not be fewer than
thirty thousand Souls. I then took my Tackling, and fastning a Hook
to a Hole at the Prow of each, I tyed 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 Necessarys
a pair of Spectacles in a private Pocket, which, as I observed before,
had scaped the Emperor's Searchers. These I took out and fastned as
strongly as I could upon my Nose, and thus armed went on boldly with
my Work, in spight of the......
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