Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
expressions of the highest acknowledgment. `
` `
` On the 16th of February I took leave of his majesty and the court. `
` The king made me a present to the value of about two hundred pounds `
` English, and my protector, his kinsman, as much more, together with `
` a letter of recommendation to a friend of his in Lagado, the `
` metropolis. The island being then hovering over a mountain about `
` two miles from it, I was let down from the lowest gallery, in the `
` same manner as I had been taken up. `
` `
` The continent, as far as it is subject to the monarch of the flying `
` island, passes under the general name of Balnibarbi; and the `
` metropolis, as I said before, is called Lagado. I felt some little `
` satisfaction in finding myself on firm ground. I walked to the `
` city without any concern, being clad like one of the natives, and `
` sufficiently instructed to converse with them. I soon found out `
` the person's house to whom I was recommended, presented my letter `
` from his friend the grandee in the island, and was received with `
` much kindness. This great lord, whose name was Munodi, ordered me `
` an apartment in his own house, where I continued during my stay, `
` and was entertained in a most hospitable manner. `
` `
` The next morning after my arrival, he took me in his chariot to see `
` the town, which is about half the bigness of London; but the houses `
` very strangely built, and most of them out of repair. The people `
` in the streets walked fast, looked wild, their eyes fixed, and were `
` generally in rags. We passed through one of the town gates, and `
` went about three miles into the country, where I saw many labourers `
` working with several sorts of tools in the ground, but was not able `
` to conjecture what they were about: neither did observe any `
` expectation either of corn or grass, although the soil appeared to `
` be excellent. I could not forbear admiring at these odd `
` appearances, both in town and country; and I made bold to desire my `
` conductor, that he would be pleased to explain to me, what could be `
` meant by so many busy heads, hands, and faces, both in the streets `
` and the fields, because I did not discover any good effects they `
` produced; but, on the contrary, I never knew a soil so unhappily `
` cultivated, houses so ill contrived and so ruinous, or a people `
` whose countenances and habit expressed so much misery and want. `
` `
` This lord Munodi was a person of the first rank, and had been some `
` years governor of Lagado; but, by a cabal of ministers, was `
` discharged for insufficiency. However, the king treated him with `
` tenderness, as a well-meaning man, but of a low contemptible `
` understanding. `
` `
` When I gave that free censure of the country and its inhabitants, `
` he made no further answer than by telling me, "that I had not been `
` long enough among them to form a judgment; and that the different `
` nations of the world had different customs;" with other common `
` topics to the same purpose. But, when we returned to his palace, `
` he asked me "how I liked the building, what absurdities I observed, `
` and what quarrel I had with the dress or looks of his domestics?" `
` This he might safely do; because every thing about him was `
` magnificent, regular, and polite. I answered, "that his `
` excellency's prudence, quality, and fortune, had exempted him from `
` those defects, which folly and beggary had produced in others." He `
` said, "if I would go with him to his country-house, about twenty `
` miles distant, where his estate lay, there would be more leisure `
` for this kind of conversation." I told his excellency "that I was `
` entirely at his disposal;" and accordingly we set out next morning. `
` `
` During our journey he made me observe the several methods used by `
` farmers in managing their lands, which to me were wholly `
` unaccountable; for, except in some very few places, I could not `
` discover one ear of corn or blade of grass. But, in three hours `
` travelling, the scene was wholly altered; we came into a most `
` beautiful country; farmers' houses, at small distances, neatly `
` built; the fields enclosed, containing vineyards, corn-grounds, and `
` meadows. Neither do I remember to have seen a more delightful `
` prospect. His excellency observed my countenance to clear up; he `
` told me, with a sigh, "that there his estate began, and would `
` continue the same, till we should come to his house: that his `
` countrymen ridiculed and despised him, for managing his affairs no `
` better, and for setting so ill an example to the kingdom; which, `
` however, was followed by very few, such as were old, and wilful, `
` and weak like himself." `
` `
` We came at length to the house, which was indeed a noble structure, `
` built according to the best rules of ancient architecture. The `
` fountains, gardens, walks, avenues, and groves, were all disposed `
` with exact judgment and taste. I gave due praises to every thing I `
` saw, whereof his excellency took not the least notice till after `
` supper; when, there being no third companion, he told me with a `
` very melancholy air "that he doubted he must throw down his houses `
` in town and country, to rebuild them after the present mode; `
` destroy all his plantations, and cast others into such a form as `
` modern usage required, and give the same directions to all his `
` tenants, unless he would submit to incur the censure of pride, `
` singularity, affectation, ignorance, caprice, and perhaps increase `
` his majesty's displeasure; that the admiration I appeared to be `
` under would cease or diminish, when he had informed me of some `
` particulars which, probably, I never heard of at court, the people `
` there being too much taken up in their own speculations, to have `
` regard to what passed here below." `
` `
` The sum of his discourse was to this effect: "That about forty `
` years ago, certain persons went up to Laputa, either upon business `
` or diversion, and, after five months continuance, came back with a `
` very little smattering in mathematics, but full of volatile spirits `
` acquired in that airy region: that these persons, upon their `
` return, began to dislike the management of every thing below, and `
` fell into schemes of putting all arts, sciences, languages, and `
` mechanics, upon a new foot. To this end, they procured a royal `
` patent for erecting an academy of projectors in Lagado; and the `
` humour prevailed so strongly among the people, that there is not a `
` town of any consequence in the kingdom without such an academy. In `
` these colleges the professors contrive new rules and methods of `
` agriculture and building, and new instruments, and tools for all `
` trades and manufactures; whereby, as they undertake, one man shall `
` do the work of ten; a palace may be built in a week, of materials `
` so durable as to last for ever without repairing. All the fruits `
` of the earth shall come to maturity at whatever season we think fit `
` to choose, and increase a hundred fold more than they do at `
` present; with innumerable other happy proposals. The only `
` inconvenience is, that none of these projects are yet brought to `
` perfection; and in the mean time, the whole country lies miserably `
` waste, the houses in ruins, and the people without food or clothes. `
` By all which, instead of being discouraged, they are fifty times `
` more violently bent upon prosecuting their schemes, driven equally `
` on by hope and despair: that as for himself, being not of an `
` enterprising spirit, he was content to go on in the old forms, to `
` live in the houses his ancestors had built, and act as they did, in `
` every part of life, without innovation: that some few other `
` persons of quality and gentry had done the same, but were looked on `
` with an eye of contempt and ill-will, as enemies to art, ignorant, `
` and ill common-wealth's men, preferring their own ease and sloth `
` before the general improvement of their country." `
` `
` His lordship added, "That he would not, by any further particulars, `
` prevent the pleasure I should certainly take in viewing the grand `
` academy, whither he was resolved I should go." He only desired me `
` to observe a ruined building, upon the side of a mountain about `
` three miles distant, of which he gave me this account: "That he `
` had a very convenient mill within half a mile of his house, turned `
` by a current from a large river, and sufficient for his own family, `
` as well as a great number of his tenants; that about seven years `
` ago, a club of those projectors came to him with proposals to `
` destroy this mill, and build another on the side of that mountain, `
` on the long ridge whereof a long canal must be cut, for a `
` repository of water, to be conveyed up by pipes and engines to `
` supply the mill, because the wind and air upon a height agitated `
` the water, and thereby made it fitter for motion, and because the `
` water, descending down a declivity, would turn the mill with half `
` the current of a river whose course is more upon a level." He `
` said, "that being then not very well with the court, and pressed by `
` many of his friends, he complied with the proposal; and after `
` employing a hundred men for two years, the work miscarried, the `
` projectors went off, laying the blame entirely upon him, railing at `
` him ever since, and putting others upon the same experiment, with `
` equal assurance of success, as well as equal disappointment." `
` `
` In a few days we came back to town; and his excellency, considering `
` the bad character he had in the academy, would not go with me `
` himself, but recommended me to a friend of his, to bear me company `
` thither. My lord was pleased to represent me as a great admirer of `
` projects, and a person of much curiosity and easy belief; which, `
` indeed, was not without truth; for I had myself been a sort of `
` projector in my younger days. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author permitted to see the grand academy of Lagado. The `
` academy largely described. The arts wherein the professors employ `
` themselves.] `
` `
` This academy is not an entire single building, but a continuation `
` of several houses on both sides of a street, which growing waste, `
` was purchased and applied to that use. `
` `
` I was received very kindly by the warden, and went for many days to `
` the academy. Every room has in it one or more projectors; and I `
` believe I could not be in fewer than five hundred rooms. `
` `
` The first man I saw was of a meagre aspect, with sooty hands and `
` face, his hair and beard long, ragged, and singed in several `
` places. His clothes, shirt, and skin, were all of the same colour. `
` He has been eight years upon a project for extracting sunbeams out `
` of cucumbers, which were to be put in phials hermetically sealed, `
` and let out to warm the air in raw inclement summers. He told me, `
` he did not doubt, that, in eight years more, he should be able to `
` supply the governor's gardens with sunshine, at a reasonable rate: `
` but he complained that his stock was low, and entreated me "to give `
` him something as an encouragement to ingenuity, especially since `
` this had been a very dear season for cucumbers." I made him a `
` small present, for my lord had furnished me with money on purpose, `
` because he knew their practice of begging from all who go to see `
` them. `
` `
` I went into another chamber, but was ready to hasten back, being `
` almost overcome with a horrible stink. My conductor pressed me `
` forward, conjuring me in a whisper "to give no offence, which would `
` be highly resented;" and therefore I durst not so much as stop my `
` nose. The projector of this cell was the most ancient student of `
` the academy; his face and beard were of a pale yellow; his hands `
` and clothes daubed over with filth. When I was presented to him, `
` he gave me a close embrace, a compliment I could well have excused. `
`
` `
` On the 16th of February I took leave of his majesty and the court. `
` The king made me a present to the value of about two hundred pounds `
` English, and my protector, his kinsman, as much more, together with `
` a letter of recommendation to a friend of his in Lagado, the `
` metropolis. The island being then hovering over a mountain about `
` two miles from it, I was let down from the lowest gallery, in the `
` same manner as I had been taken up. `
` `
` The continent, as far as it is subject to the monarch of the flying `
` island, passes under the general name of Balnibarbi; and the `
` metropolis, as I said before, is called Lagado. I felt some little `
` satisfaction in finding myself on firm ground. I walked to the `
` city without any concern, being clad like one of the natives, and `
` sufficiently instructed to converse with them. I soon found out `
` the person's house to whom I was recommended, presented my letter `
` from his friend the grandee in the island, and was received with `
` much kindness. This great lord, whose name was Munodi, ordered me `
` an apartment in his own house, where I continued during my stay, `
` and was entertained in a most hospitable manner. `
` `
` The next morning after my arrival, he took me in his chariot to see `
` the town, which is about half the bigness of London; but the houses `
` very strangely built, and most of them out of repair. The people `
` in the streets walked fast, looked wild, their eyes fixed, and were `
` generally in rags. We passed through one of the town gates, and `
` went about three miles into the country, where I saw many labourers `
` working with several sorts of tools in the ground, but was not able `
` to conjecture what they were about: neither did observe any `
` expectation either of corn or grass, although the soil appeared to `
` be excellent. I could not forbear admiring at these odd `
` appearances, both in town and country; and I made bold to desire my `
` conductor, that he would be pleased to explain to me, what could be `
` meant by so many busy heads, hands, and faces, both in the streets `
` and the fields, because I did not discover any good effects they `
` produced; but, on the contrary, I never knew a soil so unhappily `
` cultivated, houses so ill contrived and so ruinous, or a people `
` whose countenances and habit expressed so much misery and want. `
` `
` This lord Munodi was a person of the first rank, and had been some `
` years governor of Lagado; but, by a cabal of ministers, was `
` discharged for insufficiency. However, the king treated him with `
` tenderness, as a well-meaning man, but of a low contemptible `
` understanding. `
` `
` When I gave that free censure of the country and its inhabitants, `
` he made no further answer than by telling me, "that I had not been `
` long enough among them to form a judgment; and that the different `
` nations of the world had different customs;" with other common `
` topics to the same purpose. But, when we returned to his palace, `
` he asked me "how I liked the building, what absurdities I observed, `
` and what quarrel I had with the dress or looks of his domestics?" `
` This he might safely do; because every thing about him was `
` magnificent, regular, and polite. I answered, "that his `
` excellency's prudence, quality, and fortune, had exempted him from `
` those defects, which folly and beggary had produced in others." He `
` said, "if I would go with him to his country-house, about twenty `
` miles distant, where his estate lay, there would be more leisure `
` for this kind of conversation." I told his excellency "that I was `
` entirely at his disposal;" and accordingly we set out next morning. `
` `
` During our journey he made me observe the several methods used by `
` farmers in managing their lands, which to me were wholly `
` unaccountable; for, except in some very few places, I could not `
` discover one ear of corn or blade of grass. But, in three hours `
` travelling, the scene was wholly altered; we came into a most `
` beautiful country; farmers' houses, at small distances, neatly `
` built; the fields enclosed, containing vineyards, corn-grounds, and `
` meadows. Neither do I remember to have seen a more delightful `
` prospect. His excellency observed my countenance to clear up; he `
` told me, with a sigh, "that there his estate began, and would `
` continue the same, till we should come to his house: that his `
` countrymen ridiculed and despised him, for managing his affairs no `
` better, and for setting so ill an example to the kingdom; which, `
` however, was followed by very few, such as were old, and wilful, `
` and weak like himself." `
` `
` We came at length to the house, which was indeed a noble structure, `
` built according to the best rules of ancient architecture. The `
` fountains, gardens, walks, avenues, and groves, were all disposed `
` with exact judgment and taste. I gave due praises to every thing I `
` saw, whereof his excellency took not the least notice till after `
` supper; when, there being no third companion, he told me with a `
` very melancholy air "that he doubted he must throw down his houses `
` in town and country, to rebuild them after the present mode; `
` destroy all his plantations, and cast others into such a form as `
` modern usage required, and give the same directions to all his `
` tenants, unless he would submit to incur the censure of pride, `
` singularity, affectation, ignorance, caprice, and perhaps increase `
` his majesty's displeasure; that the admiration I appeared to be `
` under would cease or diminish, when he had informed me of some `
` particulars which, probably, I never heard of at court, the people `
` there being too much taken up in their own speculations, to have `
` regard to what passed here below." `
` `
` The sum of his discourse was to this effect: "That about forty `
` years ago, certain persons went up to Laputa, either upon business `
` or diversion, and, after five months continuance, came back with a `
` very little smattering in mathematics, but full of volatile spirits `
` acquired in that airy region: that these persons, upon their `
` return, began to dislike the management of every thing below, and `
` fell into schemes of putting all arts, sciences, languages, and `
` mechanics, upon a new foot. To this end, they procured a royal `
` patent for erecting an academy of projectors in Lagado; and the `
` humour prevailed so strongly among the people, that there is not a `
` town of any consequence in the kingdom without such an academy. In `
` these colleges the professors contrive new rules and methods of `
` agriculture and building, and new instruments, and tools for all `
` trades and manufactures; whereby, as they undertake, one man shall `
` do the work of ten; a palace may be built in a week, of materials `
` so durable as to last for ever without repairing. All the fruits `
` of the earth shall come to maturity at whatever season we think fit `
` to choose, and increase a hundred fold more than they do at `
` present; with innumerable other happy proposals. The only `
` inconvenience is, that none of these projects are yet brought to `
` perfection; and in the mean time, the whole country lies miserably `
` waste, the houses in ruins, and the people without food or clothes. `
` By all which, instead of being discouraged, they are fifty times `
` more violently bent upon prosecuting their schemes, driven equally `
` on by hope and despair: that as for himself, being not of an `
` enterprising spirit, he was content to go on in the old forms, to `
` live in the houses his ancestors had built, and act as they did, in `
` every part of life, without innovation: that some few other `
` persons of quality and gentry had done the same, but were looked on `
` with an eye of contempt and ill-will, as enemies to art, ignorant, `
` and ill common-wealth's men, preferring their own ease and sloth `
` before the general improvement of their country." `
` `
` His lordship added, "That he would not, by any further particulars, `
` prevent the pleasure I should certainly take in viewing the grand `
` academy, whither he was resolved I should go." He only desired me `
` to observe a ruined building, upon the side of a mountain about `
` three miles distant, of which he gave me this account: "That he `
` had a very convenient mill within half a mile of his house, turned `
` by a current from a large river, and sufficient for his own family, `
` as well as a great number of his tenants; that about seven years `
` ago, a club of those projectors came to him with proposals to `
` destroy this mill, and build another on the side of that mountain, `
` on the long ridge whereof a long canal must be cut, for a `
` repository of water, to be conveyed up by pipes and engines to `
` supply the mill, because the wind and air upon a height agitated `
` the water, and thereby made it fitter for motion, and because the `
` water, descending down a declivity, would turn the mill with half `
` the current of a river whose course is more upon a level." He `
` said, "that being then not very well with the court, and pressed by `
` many of his friends, he complied with the proposal; and after `
` employing a hundred men for two years, the work miscarried, the `
` projectors went off, laying the blame entirely upon him, railing at `
` him ever since, and putting others upon the same experiment, with `
` equal assurance of success, as well as equal disappointment." `
` `
` In a few days we came back to town; and his excellency, considering `
` the bad character he had in the academy, would not go with me `
` himself, but recommended me to a friend of his, to bear me company `
` thither. My lord was pleased to represent me as a great admirer of `
` projects, and a person of much curiosity and easy belief; which, `
` indeed, was not without truth; for I had myself been a sort of `
` projector in my younger days. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author permitted to see the grand academy of Lagado. The `
` academy largely described. The arts wherein the professors employ `
` themselves.] `
` `
` This academy is not an entire single building, but a continuation `
` of several houses on both sides of a street, which growing waste, `
` was purchased and applied to that use. `
` `
` I was received very kindly by the warden, and went for many days to `
` the academy. Every room has in it one or more projectors; and I `
` believe I could not be in fewer than five hundred rooms. `
` `
` The first man I saw was of a meagre aspect, with sooty hands and `
` face, his hair and beard long, ragged, and singed in several `
` places. His clothes, shirt, and skin, were all of the same colour. `
` He has been eight years upon a project for extracting sunbeams out `
` of cucumbers, which were to be put in phials hermetically sealed, `
` and let out to warm the air in raw inclement summers. He told me, `
` he did not doubt, that, in eight years more, he should be able to `
` supply the governor's gardens with sunshine, at a reasonable rate: `
` but he complained that his stock was low, and entreated me "to give `
` him something as an encouragement to ingenuity, especially since `
` this had been a very dear season for cucumbers." I made him a `
` small present, for my lord had furnished me with money on purpose, `
` because he knew their practice of begging from all who go to see `
` them. `
` `
` I went into another chamber, but was ready to hasten back, being `
` almost overcome with a horrible stink. My conductor pressed me `
` forward, conjuring me in a whisper "to give no offence, which would `
` be highly resented;" and therefore I durst not so much as stop my `
` nose. The projector of this cell was the most ancient student of `
` the academy; his face and beard were of a pale yellow; his hands `
` and clothes daubed over with filth. When I was presented to him, `
` he gave me a close embrace, a compliment I could well have excused. `
`