Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
fill their coffers with forfeitures; and raise, or sink the opinion `
` of public credit, as either shall best answer their private `
` advantage. It is first agreed and settled among them, what `
` suspected persons shall be accused of a plot; then, effectual care `
` is taken to secure all their letters and papers, and put the owners `
` in chains. These papers are delivered to a set of artists, very `
` dexterous in finding out the mysterious meanings of words, `
` syllables, and letters: for instance, they can discover a close `
` stool, to signify a privy council; a flock of geese, a senate; a `
` lame dog, an invader; the plague, a standing army; a buzzard, a `
` prime minister; the gout, a high priest; a gibbet, a secretary of `
` state; a chamber pot, a committee of grandees; a sieve, a court `
` lady; a broom, a revolution; a mouse-trap, an employment; a `
` bottomless pit, a treasury; a sink, a court; a cap and bells, a `
` favourite; a broken reed, a court of justice; an empty tun, a `
` general; a running sore, the administration. `
` `
` "When this method fails, they have two others more effectual, which `
` the learned among them call acrostics and anagrams. First, they `
` can decipher all initial letters into political meanings. Thus N, `
` shall signify a plot; B, a regiment of horse; L, a fleet at sea; `
` or, secondly, by transposing the letters of the alphabet in any `
` suspected paper, they can lay open the deepest designs of a `
` discontented party. So, for example, if I should say, in a letter `
` to a friend, 'Our brother Tom has just got the piles,' a skilful `
` decipherer would discover, that the same letters which compose that `
` sentence, may be analysed into the following words, 'Resist -, a `
` plot is brought home--The tour.' And this is the anagrammatic `
` method." `
` `
` The professor made me great acknowledgments for communicating these `
` observations, and promised to make honourable mention of me in his `
` treatise. `
` `
` I saw nothing in this country that could invite me to a longer `
` continuance, and began to think of returning home to England. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author leaves Lagado: arrives at Maldonada. No ship ready. `
` He takes a short voyage to Glubbdubdrib. His reception by the `
` governor.] `
` `
` The continent, of which this kingdom is apart, extends itself, as I `
` have reason to believe, eastward, to that unknown tract of America `
` westward of California; and north, to the Pacific Ocean, which is `
` not above a hundred and fifty miles from Lagado; where there is a `
` good port, and much commerce with the great island of Luggnagg, `
` situated to the north-west about 29 degrees north latitude, and 140 `
` longitude. This island of Luggnagg stands south-eastward of Japan, `
` about a hundred leagues distant. There is a strict alliance `
` between the Japanese emperor and the king of Luggnagg; which `
` affords frequent opportunities of sailing from one island to the `
` other. I determined therefore to direct my course this way, in `
` order to my return to Europe. I hired two mules, with a guide, to `
` show me the way, and carry my small baggage. I took leave of my `
` noble protector, who had shown me so much favour, and made me a `
` generous present at my departure. `
` `
` My journey was without any accident or adventure worth relating. `
` When I arrived at the port of Maldonada (for so it is called) there `
` was no ship in the harbour bound for Luggnagg, nor likely to be in `
` some time. The town is about as large as Portsmouth. I soon fell `
` into some acquaintance, and was very hospitably received. A `
` gentleman of distinction said to me, "that since the ships bound `
` for Luggnagg could not be ready in less than a month, it might be `
` no disagreeable amusement for me to take a trip to the little `
` island of Glubbdubdrib, about five leagues off to the south-west." `
` He offered himself and a friend to accompany me, and that I should `
` be provided with a small convenient bark for the voyage. `
` `
` Glubbdubdrib, as nearly as I can interpret the word, signifies the `
` island of sorcerers or magicians. It is about one third as large `
` as the Isle of Wight, and extremely fruitful: it is governed by `
` the head of a certain tribe, who are all magicians. This tribe `
` marries only among each other, and the eldest in succession is `
` prince or governor. He has a noble palace, and a park of about `
` three thousand acres, surrounded by a wall of hewn stone twenty `
` feet high. In this park are several small enclosures for cattle, `
` corn, and gardening. `
` `
` The governor and his family are served and attended by domestics of `
` a kind somewhat unusual. By his skill in necromancy he has a power `
` of calling whom he pleases from the dead, and commanding their `
` service for twenty-four hours, but no longer; nor can he call the `
` same persons up again in less than three months, except upon very `
` extraordinary occasions. `
` `
` When we arrived at the island, which was about eleven in the `
` morning, one of the gentlemen who accompanied me went to the `
` governor, and desired admittance for a stranger, who came on `
` purpose to have the honour of attending on his highness. This was `
` immediately granted, and we all three entered the gate of the `
` palace between two rows of guards, armed and dressed after a very `
` antic manner, and with something in their countenances that made my `
` flesh creep with a horror I cannot express. We passed through `
` several apartments, between servants of the same sort, ranked on `
` each side as before, till we came to the chamber of presence; `
` where, after three profound obeisances, and a few general `
` questions, we were permitted to sit on three stools, near the `
` lowest step of his highness's throne. He understood the language `
` of Balnibarbi, although it was different from that of this island. `
` He desired me to give him some account of my travels; and, to let `
` me see that I should be treated without ceremony, he dismissed all `
` his attendants with a turn of his finger; at which, to my great `
` astonishment, they vanished in an instant, like visions in a dream `
` when we awake on a sudden. I could not recover myself in some `
` time, till the governor assured me, "that I should receive no `
` hurt:" and observing my two companions to be under no concern, who `
` had been often entertained in the same manner, I began to take `
` courage, and related to his highness a short history of my several `
` adventures; yet not without some hesitation, and frequently looking `
` behind me to the place where I had seen those domestic spectres. I `
` had the honour to dine with the governor, where a new set of ghosts `
` served up the meat, and waited at table. I now observed myself to `
` be less terrified than I had been in the morning. I stayed till `
` sunset, but humbly desired his highness to excuse me for not `
` accepting his invitation of lodging in the palace. My two friends `
` and I lay at a private house in the town adjoining, which is the `
` capital of this little island; and the next morning we returned to `
` pay our duty to the governor, as he was pleased to command us. `
` `
` After this manner we continued in the island for ten days, most `
` part of every day with the governor, and at night in our lodging. `
` I soon grew so familiarized to the sight of spirits, that after the `
` third or fourth time they gave me no emotion at all: or, if I had `
` any apprehensions left, my curiosity prevailed over them. For his `
` highness the governor ordered me "to call up whatever persons I `
` would choose to name, and in whatever numbers, among all the dead `
` from the beginning of the world to the present time, and command `
` them to answer any questions I should think fit to ask; with this `
` condition, that my questions must be confined within the compass of `
` the times they lived in. And one thing I might depend upon, that `
` they would certainly tell me the truth, for lying was a talent of `
` no use in the lower world." `
` `
` I made my humble acknowledgments to his highness for so great a `
` favour. We were in a chamber, from whence there was a fair `
` prospect into the park. And because my first inclination was to be `
` entertained with scenes of pomp and magnificence, I desired to see `
` Alexander the Great at the head of his army, just after the battle `
` of Arbela: which, upon a motion of the governor's finger, `
` immediately appeared in a large field, under the window where we `
` stood. Alexander was called up into the room: it was with great `
` difficulty that I understood his Greek, and had but little of my `
` own. He assured me upon his honour "that he was not poisoned, but `
` died of a bad fever by excessive drinking." `
` `
` Next, I saw Hannibal passing the Alps, who told me "he had not a `
` drop of vinegar in his camp." `
` `
` I saw Caesar and Pompey at the head of their troops, just ready to `
` engage. I saw the former, in his last great triumph. I desired `
` that the senate of Rome might appear before me, in one large `
` chamber, and an assembly of somewhat a later age in counterview, in `
` another. The first seemed to be an assembly of heroes and `
` demigods; the other, a knot of pedlars, pick-pockets, highwayman, `
` and bullies. `
` `
` The governor, at my request, gave the sign for Caesar and Brutus to `
` advance towards us. I was struck with a profound veneration at the `
` sight of Brutus, and could easily discover the most consummate `
` virtue, the greatest intrepidity and firmness of mind, the truest `
` love of his country, and general benevolence for mankind, in every `
` lineament of his countenance. I observed, with much pleasure, that `
` these two persons were in good intelligence with each other; and `
` Caesar freely confessed to me, "that the greatest actions of his `
` own life were not equal, by many degrees, to the glory of taking it `
` away." I had the honour to have much conversation with Brutus; and `
` was told, "that his ancestor Junius, Socrates, Epaminondas, Cato `
` the younger, Sir Thomas More, and himself were perpetually `
` together:" a sextumvirate, to which all the ages of the world `
` cannot add a seventh. `
` `
` It would be tedious to trouble the reader with relating what vast `
` numbers of illustrious persons were called up to gratify that `
` insatiable desire I had to see the world in every period of `
` antiquity placed before me. I chiefly fed mine eyes with beholding `
` the destroyers of tyrants and usurpers, and the restorers of `
` liberty to oppressed and injured nations. But it is impossible to `
` express the satisfaction I received in my own mind, after such a `
` manner as to make it a suitable entertainment to the reader. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VIII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [A further account of Glubbdubdrib. Ancient and modern history `
` corrected.] `
` `
` Having a desire to see those ancients who were most renowned for `
` wit and learning, I set apart one day on purpose. I proposed that `
` Homer and Aristotle might appear at the head of all their `
` commentators; but these were so numerous, that some hundreds were `
` forced to attend in the court, and outward rooms of the palace. I `
`
` of public credit, as either shall best answer their private `
` advantage. It is first agreed and settled among them, what `
` suspected persons shall be accused of a plot; then, effectual care `
` is taken to secure all their letters and papers, and put the owners `
` in chains. These papers are delivered to a set of artists, very `
` dexterous in finding out the mysterious meanings of words, `
` syllables, and letters: for instance, they can discover a close `
` stool, to signify a privy council; a flock of geese, a senate; a `
` lame dog, an invader; the plague, a standing army; a buzzard, a `
` prime minister; the gout, a high priest; a gibbet, a secretary of `
` state; a chamber pot, a committee of grandees; a sieve, a court `
` lady; a broom, a revolution; a mouse-trap, an employment; a `
` bottomless pit, a treasury; a sink, a court; a cap and bells, a `
` favourite; a broken reed, a court of justice; an empty tun, a `
` general; a running sore, the administration. `
` `
` "When this method fails, they have two others more effectual, which `
` the learned among them call acrostics and anagrams. First, they `
` can decipher all initial letters into political meanings. Thus N, `
` shall signify a plot; B, a regiment of horse; L, a fleet at sea; `
` or, secondly, by transposing the letters of the alphabet in any `
` suspected paper, they can lay open the deepest designs of a `
` discontented party. So, for example, if I should say, in a letter `
` to a friend, 'Our brother Tom has just got the piles,' a skilful `
` decipherer would discover, that the same letters which compose that `
` sentence, may be analysed into the following words, 'Resist -, a `
` plot is brought home--The tour.' And this is the anagrammatic `
` method." `
` `
` The professor made me great acknowledgments for communicating these `
` observations, and promised to make honourable mention of me in his `
` treatise. `
` `
` I saw nothing in this country that could invite me to a longer `
` continuance, and began to think of returning home to England. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author leaves Lagado: arrives at Maldonada. No ship ready. `
` He takes a short voyage to Glubbdubdrib. His reception by the `
` governor.] `
` `
` The continent, of which this kingdom is apart, extends itself, as I `
` have reason to believe, eastward, to that unknown tract of America `
` westward of California; and north, to the Pacific Ocean, which is `
` not above a hundred and fifty miles from Lagado; where there is a `
` good port, and much commerce with the great island of Luggnagg, `
` situated to the north-west about 29 degrees north latitude, and 140 `
` longitude. This island of Luggnagg stands south-eastward of Japan, `
` about a hundred leagues distant. There is a strict alliance `
` between the Japanese emperor and the king of Luggnagg; which `
` affords frequent opportunities of sailing from one island to the `
` other. I determined therefore to direct my course this way, in `
` order to my return to Europe. I hired two mules, with a guide, to `
` show me the way, and carry my small baggage. I took leave of my `
` noble protector, who had shown me so much favour, and made me a `
` generous present at my departure. `
` `
` My journey was without any accident or adventure worth relating. `
` When I arrived at the port of Maldonada (for so it is called) there `
` was no ship in the harbour bound for Luggnagg, nor likely to be in `
` some time. The town is about as large as Portsmouth. I soon fell `
` into some acquaintance, and was very hospitably received. A `
` gentleman of distinction said to me, "that since the ships bound `
` for Luggnagg could not be ready in less than a month, it might be `
` no disagreeable amusement for me to take a trip to the little `
` island of Glubbdubdrib, about five leagues off to the south-west." `
` He offered himself and a friend to accompany me, and that I should `
` be provided with a small convenient bark for the voyage. `
` `
` Glubbdubdrib, as nearly as I can interpret the word, signifies the `
` island of sorcerers or magicians. It is about one third as large `
` as the Isle of Wight, and extremely fruitful: it is governed by `
` the head of a certain tribe, who are all magicians. This tribe `
` marries only among each other, and the eldest in succession is `
` prince or governor. He has a noble palace, and a park of about `
` three thousand acres, surrounded by a wall of hewn stone twenty `
` feet high. In this park are several small enclosures for cattle, `
` corn, and gardening. `
` `
` The governor and his family are served and attended by domestics of `
` a kind somewhat unusual. By his skill in necromancy he has a power `
` of calling whom he pleases from the dead, and commanding their `
` service for twenty-four hours, but no longer; nor can he call the `
` same persons up again in less than three months, except upon very `
` extraordinary occasions. `
` `
` When we arrived at the island, which was about eleven in the `
` morning, one of the gentlemen who accompanied me went to the `
` governor, and desired admittance for a stranger, who came on `
` purpose to have the honour of attending on his highness. This was `
` immediately granted, and we all three entered the gate of the `
` palace between two rows of guards, armed and dressed after a very `
` antic manner, and with something in their countenances that made my `
` flesh creep with a horror I cannot express. We passed through `
` several apartments, between servants of the same sort, ranked on `
` each side as before, till we came to the chamber of presence; `
` where, after three profound obeisances, and a few general `
` questions, we were permitted to sit on three stools, near the `
` lowest step of his highness's throne. He understood the language `
` of Balnibarbi, although it was different from that of this island. `
` He desired me to give him some account of my travels; and, to let `
` me see that I should be treated without ceremony, he dismissed all `
` his attendants with a turn of his finger; at which, to my great `
` astonishment, they vanished in an instant, like visions in a dream `
` when we awake on a sudden. I could not recover myself in some `
` time, till the governor assured me, "that I should receive no `
` hurt:" and observing my two companions to be under no concern, who `
` had been often entertained in the same manner, I began to take `
` courage, and related to his highness a short history of my several `
` adventures; yet not without some hesitation, and frequently looking `
` behind me to the place where I had seen those domestic spectres. I `
` had the honour to dine with the governor, where a new set of ghosts `
` served up the meat, and waited at table. I now observed myself to `
` be less terrified than I had been in the morning. I stayed till `
` sunset, but humbly desired his highness to excuse me for not `
` accepting his invitation of lodging in the palace. My two friends `
` and I lay at a private house in the town adjoining, which is the `
` capital of this little island; and the next morning we returned to `
` pay our duty to the governor, as he was pleased to command us. `
` `
` After this manner we continued in the island for ten days, most `
` part of every day with the governor, and at night in our lodging. `
` I soon grew so familiarized to the sight of spirits, that after the `
` third or fourth time they gave me no emotion at all: or, if I had `
` any apprehensions left, my curiosity prevailed over them. For his `
` highness the governor ordered me "to call up whatever persons I `
` would choose to name, and in whatever numbers, among all the dead `
` from the beginning of the world to the present time, and command `
` them to answer any questions I should think fit to ask; with this `
` condition, that my questions must be confined within the compass of `
` the times they lived in. And one thing I might depend upon, that `
` they would certainly tell me the truth, for lying was a talent of `
` no use in the lower world." `
` `
` I made my humble acknowledgments to his highness for so great a `
` favour. We were in a chamber, from whence there was a fair `
` prospect into the park. And because my first inclination was to be `
` entertained with scenes of pomp and magnificence, I desired to see `
` Alexander the Great at the head of his army, just after the battle `
` of Arbela: which, upon a motion of the governor's finger, `
` immediately appeared in a large field, under the window where we `
` stood. Alexander was called up into the room: it was with great `
` difficulty that I understood his Greek, and had but little of my `
` own. He assured me upon his honour "that he was not poisoned, but `
` died of a bad fever by excessive drinking." `
` `
` Next, I saw Hannibal passing the Alps, who told me "he had not a `
` drop of vinegar in his camp." `
` `
` I saw Caesar and Pompey at the head of their troops, just ready to `
` engage. I saw the former, in his last great triumph. I desired `
` that the senate of Rome might appear before me, in one large `
` chamber, and an assembly of somewhat a later age in counterview, in `
` another. The first seemed to be an assembly of heroes and `
` demigods; the other, a knot of pedlars, pick-pockets, highwayman, `
` and bullies. `
` `
` The governor, at my request, gave the sign for Caesar and Brutus to `
` advance towards us. I was struck with a profound veneration at the `
` sight of Brutus, and could easily discover the most consummate `
` virtue, the greatest intrepidity and firmness of mind, the truest `
` love of his country, and general benevolence for mankind, in every `
` lineament of his countenance. I observed, with much pleasure, that `
` these two persons were in good intelligence with each other; and `
` Caesar freely confessed to me, "that the greatest actions of his `
` own life were not equal, by many degrees, to the glory of taking it `
` away." I had the honour to have much conversation with Brutus; and `
` was told, "that his ancestor Junius, Socrates, Epaminondas, Cato `
` the younger, Sir Thomas More, and himself were perpetually `
` together:" a sextumvirate, to which all the ages of the world `
` cannot add a seventh. `
` `
` It would be tedious to trouble the reader with relating what vast `
` numbers of illustrious persons were called up to gratify that `
` insatiable desire I had to see the world in every period of `
` antiquity placed before me. I chiefly fed mine eyes with beholding `
` the destroyers of tyrants and usurpers, and the restorers of `
` liberty to oppressed and injured nations. But it is impossible to `
` express the satisfaction I received in my own mind, after such a `
` manner as to make it a suitable entertainment to the reader. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER VIII. `
` `
` `
` `
` [A further account of Glubbdubdrib. Ancient and modern history `
` corrected.] `
` `
` Having a desire to see those ancients who were most renowned for `
` wit and learning, I set apart one day on purpose. I proposed that `
` Homer and Aristotle might appear at the head of all their `
` commentators; but these were so numerous, that some hundreds were `
` forced to attend in the court, and outward rooms of the palace. I `
`