Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
not in the least sensible of the progressive motion made in the air `
` by the island. On the second morning, about eleven o'clock, the `
` king himself in person, attended by his nobility, courtiers, and `
` officers, having prepared all their musical instruments, played on `
` them for three hours without intermission, so that I was quite `
` stunned with the noise; neither could I possibly guess the meaning, `
` till my tutor informed me. He said that, the people of their `
` island had their ears adapted to hear "the music of the spheres, `
` which always played at certain periods, and the court was now `
` prepared to bear their part, in whatever instrument they most `
` excelled." `
` `
` In our journey towards Lagado, the capital city, his majesty `
` ordered that the island should stop over certain towns and `
` villages, from whence he might receive the petitions of his `
` subjects. And to this purpose, several packthreads were let down, `
` with small weights at the bottom. On these packthreads the people `
` strung their petitions, which mounted up directly, like the scraps `
` of paper fastened by school boys at the end of the string that `
` holds their kite. Sometimes we received wine and victuals from `
` below, which were drawn up by pulleys. `
` `
` The knowledge I had in mathematics, gave me great assistance in `
` acquiring their phraseology, which depended much upon that science, `
` and music; and in the latter I was not unskilled. Their ideas are `
` perpetually conversant in lines and figures. If they would, for `
` example, praise the beauty of a woman, or any other animal, they `
` describe it by rhombs, circles, parallelograms, ellipses, and other `
` geometrical terms, or by words of art drawn from music, needless `
` here to repeat. I observed in the king's kitchen all sorts of `
` mathematical and musical instruments, after the figures of which `
` they cut up the joints that were served to his majesty's table. `
` `
` Their houses are very ill built, the walls bevil, without one right `
` angle in any apartment; and this defect arises from the contempt `
` they bear to practical geometry, which they despise as vulgar and `
` mechanic; those instructions they give being too refined for the `
` intellects of their workmen, which occasions perpetual mistakes. `
` And although they are dexterous enough upon a piece of paper, in `
` the management of the rule, the pencil, and the divider, yet in the `
` common actions and behaviour of life, I have not seen a more `
` clumsy, awkward, and unhandy people, nor so slow and perplexed in `
` their conceptions upon all other subjects, except those of `
` mathematics and music. They are very bad reasoners, and vehemently `
` given to opposition, unless when they happen to be of the right `
` opinion, which is seldom their case. Imagination, fancy, and `
` invention, they are wholly strangers to, nor have any words in `
` their language, by which those ideas can be expressed; the whole `
` compass of their thoughts and mind being shut up within the two `
` forementioned sciences. `
` `
` Most of them, and especially those who deal in the astronomical `
` part, have great faith in judicial astrology, although they are `
` ashamed to own it publicly. But what I chiefly admired, and `
` thought altogether unaccountable, was the strong disposition I `
` observed in them towards news and politics, perpetually inquiring `
` into public affairs, giving their judgments in matters of state, `
` and passionately disputing every inch of a party opinion. I have `
` indeed observed the same disposition among most of the `
` mathematicians I have known in Europe, although I could never `
` discover the least analogy between the two sciences; unless those `
` people suppose, that because the smallest circle has as many `
` degrees as the largest, therefore the regulation and management of `
` the world require no more abilities than the handling and turning `
` of a globe; but I rather take this quality to spring from a very `
` common infirmity of human nature, inclining us to be most curious `
` and conceited in matters where we have least concern, and for which `
` we are least adapted by study or nature. `
` `
` These people are under continual disquietudes, never enjoying a `
` minutes peace of mind; and their disturbances proceed from causes `
` which very little affect the rest of mortals. Their apprehensions `
` arise from several changes they dread in the celestial bodies: for `
` instance, that the earth, by the continual approaches of the sun `
` towards it, must, in course of time, be absorbed, or swallowed up; `
` that the face of the sun, will, by degrees, be encrusted with its `
` own effluvia, and give no more light to the world; that the earth `
` very narrowly escaped a brush from the tail of the last comet, `
` which would have infallibly reduced it to ashes; and that the next, `
` which they have calculated for one-and-thirty years hence, will `
` probably destroy us. For if, in its perihelion, it should approach `
` within a certain degree of the sun (as by their calculations they `
` have reason to dread) it will receive a degree of heat ten thousand `
` times more intense than that of red hot glowing iron, and in its `
` absence from the sun, carry a blazing tail ten hundred thousand and `
` fourteen miles long, through which, if the earth should pass at the `
` distance of one hundred thousand miles from the nucleus, or main `
` body of the comet, it must in its passage be set on fire, and `
` reduced to ashes: that the sun, daily spending its rays without `
` any nutriment to supply them, will at last be wholly consumed and `
` annihilated; which must be attended with the destruction of this `
` earth, and of all the planets that receive their light from it. `
` `
` They are so perpetually alarmed with the apprehensions of these, `
` and the like impending dangers, that they can neither sleep quietly `
` in their beds, nor have any relish for the common pleasures and `
` amusements of life. When they meet an acquaintance in the morning, `
` the first question is about the sun's health, how he looked at his `
` setting and rising, and what hopes they have to avoid the stroke of `
` the approaching comet. This conversation they are apt to run into `
` with the same temper that boys discover in delighting to hear `
` terrible stories of spirits and hobgoblins, which they greedily `
` listen to, and dare not go to bed for fear. `
` `
` The women of the island have abundance of vivacity: they, contemn `
` their husbands, and are exceedingly fond of strangers, whereof `
` there is always a considerable number from the continent below, `
` attending at court, either upon affairs of the several towns and `
` corporations, or their own particular occasions, but are much `
` despised, because they want the same endowments. Among these the `
` ladies choose their gallants: but the vexation is, that they act `
` with too much ease and security; for the husband is always so rapt `
` in speculation, that the mistress and lover may proceed to the `
` greatest familiarities before his face, if he be but provided with `
` paper and implements, and without his flapper at his side. `
` `
` The wives and daughters lament their confinement to the island, `
` although I think it the most delicious spot of ground in the world; `
` and although they live here in the greatest plenty and `
` magnificence, and are allowed to do whatever they please, they long `
` to see the world, and take the diversions of the metropolis, which `
` they are not allowed to do without a particular license from the `
` king; and this is not easy to be obtained, because the people of `
` quality have found, by frequent experience, how hard it is to `
` persuade their women to return from below. I was told that a great `
` court lady, who had several children,--is married to the prime `
` minister, the richest subject in the kingdom, a very graceful `
` person, extremely fond of her, and lives in the finest palace of `
` the island,--went down to Lagado on the pretence of health, there `
` hid herself for several months, till the king sent a warrant to `
` search for her; and she was found in an obscure eating-house all in `
` rags, having pawned her clothes to maintain an old deformed `
` footman, who beat her every day, and in whose company she was `
` taken, much against her will. And although her husband received `
` her with all possible kindness, and without the least reproach, she `
` soon after contrived to steal down again, with all her jewels, to `
` the same gallant, and has not been heard of since. `
` `
` This may perhaps pass with the reader rather for an European or `
` English story, than for one of a country so remote. But he may `
` please to consider, that the caprices of womankind are not limited `
` by any climate or nation, and that they are much more uniform, than `
` can be easily imagined. `
` `
` In about a month's time, I had made a tolerable proficiency in `
` their language, and was able to answer most of the king's `
` questions, when I had the honour to attend him. His majesty `
` discovered not the least curiosity to inquire into the laws, `
` government, history, religion, or manners of the countries where I `
` had been; but confined his questions to the state of mathematics, `
` and received the account I gave him with great contempt and `
` indifference, though often roused by his flapper on each side. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER III. `
` `
` `
` `
` [A phenomenon solved by modern philosophy and astronomy. The `
` Laputians' great improvements in the latter. The king's method of `
` suppressing insurrections.] `
` `
` I desired leave of this prince to see the curiosities of the `
` island, which he was graciously pleased to grant, and ordered my `
` tutor to attend me. I chiefly wanted to know, to what cause, in `
` art or in nature, it owed its several motions, whereof I will now `
` give a philosophical account to the reader. `
` `
` The flying or floating island is exactly circular, its diameter `
` 7837 yards, or about four miles and a half, and consequently `
` contains ten thousand acres. It is three hundred yards thick. The `
` bottom, or under surface, which appears to those who view it below, `
` is one even regular plate of adamant, shooting up to the height of `
` about two hundred yards. Above it lie the several minerals in `
` their usual order, and over all is a coat of rich mould, ten or `
` twelve feet deep. The declivity of the upper surface, from the `
` circumference to the centre, is the natural cause why all the dews `
` and rains, which fall upon the island, are conveyed in small `
` rivulets toward the middle, where they are emptied into four large `
` basins, each of about half a mile in circuit, and two hundred yards `
` distant from the centre. From these basins the water is `
` continually exhaled by the sun in the daytime, which effectually `
` prevents their overflowing. Besides, as it is in the power of the `
` monarch to raise the island above the region of clouds and vapours, `
` he can prevent the falling of dews and rain whenever he pleases. `
` For the highest clouds cannot rise above two miles, as naturalists `
` agree, at least they were never known to do so in that country. `
` `
` At the centre of the island there is a chasm about fifty yards in `
` diameter, whence the astronomers descend into a large dome, which `
` is therefore called flandona gagnole, or the astronomer's cave, `
` situated at the depth of a hundred yards beneath the upper surface `
` of the adamant. In this cave are twenty lamps continually burning, `
` which, from the reflection of the adamant, cast a strong light into `
` every part. The place is stored with great variety of sextants, `
` quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes, and other astronomical `
` instruments. But the greatest curiosity, upon which the fate of `
` the island depends, is a loadstone of a prodigious size, in shape `
` resembling a weaver's shuttle. It is in length six yards, and in `
` the thickest part at least three yards over. This magnet is `
`
` by the island. On the second morning, about eleven o'clock, the `
` king himself in person, attended by his nobility, courtiers, and `
` officers, having prepared all their musical instruments, played on `
` them for three hours without intermission, so that I was quite `
` stunned with the noise; neither could I possibly guess the meaning, `
` till my tutor informed me. He said that, the people of their `
` island had their ears adapted to hear "the music of the spheres, `
` which always played at certain periods, and the court was now `
` prepared to bear their part, in whatever instrument they most `
` excelled." `
` `
` In our journey towards Lagado, the capital city, his majesty `
` ordered that the island should stop over certain towns and `
` villages, from whence he might receive the petitions of his `
` subjects. And to this purpose, several packthreads were let down, `
` with small weights at the bottom. On these packthreads the people `
` strung their petitions, which mounted up directly, like the scraps `
` of paper fastened by school boys at the end of the string that `
` holds their kite. Sometimes we received wine and victuals from `
` below, which were drawn up by pulleys. `
` `
` The knowledge I had in mathematics, gave me great assistance in `
` acquiring their phraseology, which depended much upon that science, `
` and music; and in the latter I was not unskilled. Their ideas are `
` perpetually conversant in lines and figures. If they would, for `
` example, praise the beauty of a woman, or any other animal, they `
` describe it by rhombs, circles, parallelograms, ellipses, and other `
` geometrical terms, or by words of art drawn from music, needless `
` here to repeat. I observed in the king's kitchen all sorts of `
` mathematical and musical instruments, after the figures of which `
` they cut up the joints that were served to his majesty's table. `
` `
` Their houses are very ill built, the walls bevil, without one right `
` angle in any apartment; and this defect arises from the contempt `
` they bear to practical geometry, which they despise as vulgar and `
` mechanic; those instructions they give being too refined for the `
` intellects of their workmen, which occasions perpetual mistakes. `
` And although they are dexterous enough upon a piece of paper, in `
` the management of the rule, the pencil, and the divider, yet in the `
` common actions and behaviour of life, I have not seen a more `
` clumsy, awkward, and unhandy people, nor so slow and perplexed in `
` their conceptions upon all other subjects, except those of `
` mathematics and music. They are very bad reasoners, and vehemently `
` given to opposition, unless when they happen to be of the right `
` opinion, which is seldom their case. Imagination, fancy, and `
` invention, they are wholly strangers to, nor have any words in `
` their language, by which those ideas can be expressed; the whole `
` compass of their thoughts and mind being shut up within the two `
` forementioned sciences. `
` `
` Most of them, and especially those who deal in the astronomical `
` part, have great faith in judicial astrology, although they are `
` ashamed to own it publicly. But what I chiefly admired, and `
` thought altogether unaccountable, was the strong disposition I `
` observed in them towards news and politics, perpetually inquiring `
` into public affairs, giving their judgments in matters of state, `
` and passionately disputing every inch of a party opinion. I have `
` indeed observed the same disposition among most of the `
` mathematicians I have known in Europe, although I could never `
` discover the least analogy between the two sciences; unless those `
` people suppose, that because the smallest circle has as many `
` degrees as the largest, therefore the regulation and management of `
` the world require no more abilities than the handling and turning `
` of a globe; but I rather take this quality to spring from a very `
` common infirmity of human nature, inclining us to be most curious `
` and conceited in matters where we have least concern, and for which `
` we are least adapted by study or nature. `
` `
` These people are under continual disquietudes, never enjoying a `
` minutes peace of mind; and their disturbances proceed from causes `
` which very little affect the rest of mortals. Their apprehensions `
` arise from several changes they dread in the celestial bodies: for `
` instance, that the earth, by the continual approaches of the sun `
` towards it, must, in course of time, be absorbed, or swallowed up; `
` that the face of the sun, will, by degrees, be encrusted with its `
` own effluvia, and give no more light to the world; that the earth `
` very narrowly escaped a brush from the tail of the last comet, `
` which would have infallibly reduced it to ashes; and that the next, `
` which they have calculated for one-and-thirty years hence, will `
` probably destroy us. For if, in its perihelion, it should approach `
` within a certain degree of the sun (as by their calculations they `
` have reason to dread) it will receive a degree of heat ten thousand `
` times more intense than that of red hot glowing iron, and in its `
` absence from the sun, carry a blazing tail ten hundred thousand and `
` fourteen miles long, through which, if the earth should pass at the `
` distance of one hundred thousand miles from the nucleus, or main `
` body of the comet, it must in its passage be set on fire, and `
` reduced to ashes: that the sun, daily spending its rays without `
` any nutriment to supply them, will at last be wholly consumed and `
` annihilated; which must be attended with the destruction of this `
` earth, and of all the planets that receive their light from it. `
` `
` They are so perpetually alarmed with the apprehensions of these, `
` and the like impending dangers, that they can neither sleep quietly `
` in their beds, nor have any relish for the common pleasures and `
` amusements of life. When they meet an acquaintance in the morning, `
` the first question is about the sun's health, how he looked at his `
` setting and rising, and what hopes they have to avoid the stroke of `
` the approaching comet. This conversation they are apt to run into `
` with the same temper that boys discover in delighting to hear `
` terrible stories of spirits and hobgoblins, which they greedily `
` listen to, and dare not go to bed for fear. `
` `
` The women of the island have abundance of vivacity: they, contemn `
` their husbands, and are exceedingly fond of strangers, whereof `
` there is always a considerable number from the continent below, `
` attending at court, either upon affairs of the several towns and `
` corporations, or their own particular occasions, but are much `
` despised, because they want the same endowments. Among these the `
` ladies choose their gallants: but the vexation is, that they act `
` with too much ease and security; for the husband is always so rapt `
` in speculation, that the mistress and lover may proceed to the `
` greatest familiarities before his face, if he be but provided with `
` paper and implements, and without his flapper at his side. `
` `
` The wives and daughters lament their confinement to the island, `
` although I think it the most delicious spot of ground in the world; `
` and although they live here in the greatest plenty and `
` magnificence, and are allowed to do whatever they please, they long `
` to see the world, and take the diversions of the metropolis, which `
` they are not allowed to do without a particular license from the `
` king; and this is not easy to be obtained, because the people of `
` quality have found, by frequent experience, how hard it is to `
` persuade their women to return from below. I was told that a great `
` court lady, who had several children,--is married to the prime `
` minister, the richest subject in the kingdom, a very graceful `
` person, extremely fond of her, and lives in the finest palace of `
` the island,--went down to Lagado on the pretence of health, there `
` hid herself for several months, till the king sent a warrant to `
` search for her; and she was found in an obscure eating-house all in `
` rags, having pawned her clothes to maintain an old deformed `
` footman, who beat her every day, and in whose company she was `
` taken, much against her will. And although her husband received `
` her with all possible kindness, and without the least reproach, she `
` soon after contrived to steal down again, with all her jewels, to `
` the same gallant, and has not been heard of since. `
` `
` This may perhaps pass with the reader rather for an European or `
` English story, than for one of a country so remote. But he may `
` please to consider, that the caprices of womankind are not limited `
` by any climate or nation, and that they are much more uniform, than `
` can be easily imagined. `
` `
` In about a month's time, I had made a tolerable proficiency in `
` their language, and was able to answer most of the king's `
` questions, when I had the honour to attend him. His majesty `
` discovered not the least curiosity to inquire into the laws, `
` government, history, religion, or manners of the countries where I `
` had been; but confined his questions to the state of mathematics, `
` and received the account I gave him with great contempt and `
` indifference, though often roused by his flapper on each side. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER III. `
` `
` `
` `
` [A phenomenon solved by modern philosophy and astronomy. The `
` Laputians' great improvements in the latter. The king's method of `
` suppressing insurrections.] `
` `
` I desired leave of this prince to see the curiosities of the `
` island, which he was graciously pleased to grant, and ordered my `
` tutor to attend me. I chiefly wanted to know, to what cause, in `
` art or in nature, it owed its several motions, whereof I will now `
` give a philosophical account to the reader. `
` `
` The flying or floating island is exactly circular, its diameter `
` 7837 yards, or about four miles and a half, and consequently `
` contains ten thousand acres. It is three hundred yards thick. The `
` bottom, or under surface, which appears to those who view it below, `
` is one even regular plate of adamant, shooting up to the height of `
` about two hundred yards. Above it lie the several minerals in `
` their usual order, and over all is a coat of rich mould, ten or `
` twelve feet deep. The declivity of the upper surface, from the `
` circumference to the centre, is the natural cause why all the dews `
` and rains, which fall upon the island, are conveyed in small `
` rivulets toward the middle, where they are emptied into four large `
` basins, each of about half a mile in circuit, and two hundred yards `
` distant from the centre. From these basins the water is `
` continually exhaled by the sun in the daytime, which effectually `
` prevents their overflowing. Besides, as it is in the power of the `
` monarch to raise the island above the region of clouds and vapours, `
` he can prevent the falling of dews and rain whenever he pleases. `
` For the highest clouds cannot rise above two miles, as naturalists `
` agree, at least they were never known to do so in that country. `
` `
` At the centre of the island there is a chasm about fifty yards in `
` diameter, whence the astronomers descend into a large dome, which `
` is therefore called flandona gagnole, or the astronomer's cave, `
` situated at the depth of a hundred yards beneath the upper surface `
` of the adamant. In this cave are twenty lamps continually burning, `
` which, from the reflection of the adamant, cast a strong light into `
` every part. The place is stored with great variety of sextants, `
` quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes, and other astronomical `
` instruments. But the greatest curiosity, upon which the fate of `
` the island depends, is a loadstone of a prodigious size, in shape `
` resembling a weaver's shuttle. It is in length six yards, and in `
` the thickest part at least three yards over. This magnet is `
`