Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
They are prodigiously nimble from their infancy. However, I once `
` caught a young male of three years old, and endeavoured, by all `
` marks of tenderness, to make it quiet; but the little imp fell a `
` squalling, and scratching, and biting with such violence, that I `
` was forced to let it go; and it was high time, for a whole troop of `
` old ones came about us at the noise, but finding the cub was safe `
` (for away it ran), and my sorrel nag being by, they durst not `
` venture near us. I observed the young animal's flesh to smell very `
` rank, and the stink was somewhat between a weasel and a fox, but `
` much more disagreeable. I forgot another circumstance (and perhaps `
` I might have the reader's pardon if it were wholly omitted), that `
` while I held the odious vermin in my hands, it voided its filthy `
` excrements of a yellow liquid substance all over my clothes; but by `
` good fortune there was a small brook hard by, where I washed myself `
` as clean as I could; although I durst not come into my master's `
` presence until I were sufficiently aired. `
` `
` By what I could discover, the Yahoos appear to be the most `
` unteachable of all animals: their capacity never reaching higher `
` than to draw or carry burdens. Yet I am of opinion, this defect `
` arises chiefly from a perverse, restive disposition; for they are `
` cunning, malicious, treacherous, and revengeful. They are strong `
` and hardy, but of a cowardly spirit, and, by consequence, insolent, `
` abject, and cruel. It is observed, that the red haired of both `
` sexes are more libidinous and mischievous than the rest, whom yet `
` they much exceed in strength and activity. `
` `
` The Houyhnhnms keep the Yahoos for present use in huts not far from `
` the house; but the rest are sent abroad to certain fields, where `
` they dig up roots, eat several kinds of herbs, and search about for `
` carrion, or sometimes catch weasels and luhimuhs (a sort of wild `
` rat), which they greedily devour. Nature has taught them to dig `
` deep holes with their nails on the side of a rising ground, wherein `
` they lie by themselves; only the kennels of the females are larger, `
` sufficient to hold two or three cubs. `
` `
` They swim from their infancy like frogs, and are able to continue `
` long under water, where they often take fish, which the females `
` carry home to their young. And, upon this occasion, I hope the `
` reader will pardon my relating an odd adventure. `
` `
` Being one day abroad with my protector the sorrel nag, and the `
` weather exceeding hot, I entreated him to let me bathe in a river `
` that was near. He consented, and I immediately stripped myself `
` stark naked, and went down softly into the stream. It happened `
` that a young female Yahoo, standing behind a bank, saw the whole `
` proceeding, and inflamed by desire, as the nag and I conjectured, `
` came running with all speed, and leaped into the water, within five `
` yards of the place where I bathed. I was never in my life so `
` terribly frightened. The nag was grazing at some distance, not `
` suspecting any harm. She embraced me after a most fulsome manner. `
` I roared as loud as I could, and the nag came galloping towards me, `
` whereupon she quitted her grasp, with the utmost reluctancy, and `
` leaped upon the opposite bank, where she stood gazing and howling `
` all the time I was putting on my clothes. `
` `
` This was a matter of diversion to my master and his family, as well `
` as of mortification to myself. For now I could no longer deny that `
` I was a real Yahoo in every limb and feature, since the females had `
` a natural propensity to me, as one of their own species. Neither `
` was the hair of this brute of a red colour (which might have been `
` some excuse for an appetite a little irregular), but black as a `
` sloe, and her countenance did not make an appearance altogether so `
` hideous as the rest of her kind; for I think she could not be above `
` eleven years old. `
` `
` Having lived three years in this country, the reader, I suppose, `
` will expect that I should, like other travellers, give him some `
` account of the manners and customs of its inhabitants, which it was `
` indeed my principal study to learn. `
` `
` As these noble Houyhnhnms are endowed by nature with a general `
` disposition to all virtues, and have no conceptions or ideas of `
` what is evil in a rational creature, so their grand maxim is, to `
` cultivate reason, and to be wholly governed by it. Neither is `
` reason among them a point problematical, as with us, where men can `
` argue with plausibility on both sides of the question, but strikes `
` you with immediate conviction; as it must needs do, where it is not `
` mingled, obscured, or discoloured, by passion and interest. I `
` remember it was with extreme difficulty that I could bring my `
` master to understand the meaning of the word opinion, or how a `
` point could be disputable; because reason taught us to affirm or `
` deny only where we are certain; and beyond our knowledge we cannot `
` do either. So that controversies, wranglings, disputes, and `
` positiveness, in false or dubious propositions, are evils unknown `
` among the Houyhnhnms. In the like manner, when I used to explain `
` to him our several systems of natural philosophy, he would laugh, `
` "that a creature pretending to reason, should value itself upon the `
` knowledge of other people's conjectures, and in things where that `
` knowledge, if it were certain, could be of no use." Wherein he `
` agreed entirely with the sentiments of Socrates, as Plato delivers `
` them; which I mention as the highest honour I can do that prince of `
` philosophers. I have often since reflected, what destruction such `
` doctrine would make in the libraries of Europe; and how many paths `
` of fame would be then shut up in the learned world. `
` `
` Friendship and benevolence are the two principal virtues among the `
` Houyhnhnms; and these not confined to particular objects, but `
` universal to the whole race; for a stranger from the remotest part `
` is equally treated with the nearest neighbour, and wherever he `
` goes, looks upon himself as at home. They preserve decency and `
` civility in the highest degrees, but are altogether ignorant of `
` ceremony. They have no fondness for their colts or foals, but the `
` care they take in educating them proceeds entirely from the `
` dictates of reason. And I observed my master to show the same `
` affection to his neighbour's issue, that he had for his own. They `
` will have it that nature teaches them to love the whole species, `
` and it is reason only that makes a distinction of persons, where `
` there is a superior degree of virtue. `
` `
` When the matron Houyhnhnms have produced one of each sex, they no `
` longer accompany with their consorts, except they lose one of their `
` issue by some casualty, which very seldom happens; but in such a `
` case they meet again; or when the like accident befalls a person `
` whose wife is past bearing, some other couple bestow on him one of `
` their own colts, and then go together again until the mother is `
` pregnant. This caution is necessary, to prevent the country from `
` being overburdened with numbers. But the race of inferior `
` Houyhnhnms, bred up to be servants, is not so strictly limited upon `
` this article: these are allowed to produce three of each sex, to `
` be domestics in the noble families. `
` `
` In their marriages, they are exactly careful to choose such colours `
` as will not make any disagreeable mixture in the breed. Strength `
` is chiefly valued in the male, and comeliness in the female; not `
` upon the account of love, but to preserve the race from `
` degenerating; for where a female happens to excel in strength, a `
` consort is chosen, with regard to comeliness. `
` `
` Courtship, love, presents, jointures, settlements have no place in `
` their thoughts, or terms whereby to express them in their language. `
` The young couple meet, and are joined, merely because it is the `
` determination of their parents and friends; it is what they see `
` done every day, and they look upon it as one of the necessary `
` actions of a reasonable being. But the violation of marriage, or `
` any other unchastity, was never heard of; and the married pair pass `
` their lives with the same friendship and mutual benevolence, that `
` they bear to all others of the same species who come in their way, `
` without jealousy, fondness, quarrelling, or discontent. `
` `
` In educating the youth of both sexes, their method is admirable, `
` and highly deserves our imitation. These are not suffered to taste `
` a grain of oats, except upon certain days, till eighteen years old; `
` nor milk, but very rarely; and in summer they graze two hours in `
` the morning, and as many in the evening, which their parents `
` likewise observe; but the servants are not allowed above half that `
` time, and a great part of their grass is brought home, which they `
` eat at the most convenient hours, when they can be best spared from `
` work. `
` `
` Temperance, industry, exercise, and cleanliness, are the lessons `
` equally enjoined to the young ones of both sexes: and my master `
` thought it monstrous in us, to give the females a different kind of `
` education from the males, except in some articles of domestic `
` management; whereby, as he truly observed, one half of our natives `
` were good for nothing but bringing children into the world; and to `
` trust the care of our children to such useless animals, he said, `
` was yet a greater instance of brutality. `
` `
` But the Houyhnhnms train up their youth to strength, speed, and `
` hardiness, by exercising them in running races up and down steep `
` hills, and over hard stony grounds; and when they are all in a `
` sweat, they are ordered to leap over head and ears into a pond or `
` river. Four times a year the youth of a certain district meet to `
` show their proficiency in running and leaping, and other feats of `
` strength and agility; where the victor is rewarded with a song in `
` his or her praise. On this festival, the servants drive a herd of `
` Yahoos into the field, laden with hay, and oats, and milk, for a `
` repast to the Houyhnhnms; after which, these brutes are immediately `
` driven back again, for fear of being noisome to the assembly. `
` `
` Every fourth year, at the vernal equinox, there is a representative `
` council of the whole nation, which meets in a plain about twenty `
` miles from our house, and continues about five or six days. Here `
` they inquire into the state and condition of the several districts; `
` whether they abound or be deficient in hay or oats, or cows, or `
` Yahoos; and wherever there is any want (which is but seldom) it is `
` immediately supplied by unanimous consent and contribution. Here `
` likewise the regulation of children is settled: as for instance, `
` if a Houyhnhnm has two males, he changes one of them with another `
` that has two females; and when a child has been lost by any `
` casualty, where the mother is past breeding, it is determined what `
` family in the district shall breed another to supply the loss. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IX. `
` `
` `
` `
` [A grand debate at the general assembly of the Houyhnhnms, and how `
` it was determined. The learning of the Houyhnhnms. Their `
` buildings. Their manner of burials. The defectiveness of their `
` language.] `
` `
` One of these grand assemblies was held in my time, about three `
` months before my departure, whither my master went as the `
` representative of our district. In this council was resumed their `
` old debate, and indeed the only debate that ever happened in their `
` country; whereof my master, after his return, give me a very `
` particular account. `
`
` caught a young male of three years old, and endeavoured, by all `
` marks of tenderness, to make it quiet; but the little imp fell a `
` squalling, and scratching, and biting with such violence, that I `
` was forced to let it go; and it was high time, for a whole troop of `
` old ones came about us at the noise, but finding the cub was safe `
` (for away it ran), and my sorrel nag being by, they durst not `
` venture near us. I observed the young animal's flesh to smell very `
` rank, and the stink was somewhat between a weasel and a fox, but `
` much more disagreeable. I forgot another circumstance (and perhaps `
` I might have the reader's pardon if it were wholly omitted), that `
` while I held the odious vermin in my hands, it voided its filthy `
` excrements of a yellow liquid substance all over my clothes; but by `
` good fortune there was a small brook hard by, where I washed myself `
` as clean as I could; although I durst not come into my master's `
` presence until I were sufficiently aired. `
` `
` By what I could discover, the Yahoos appear to be the most `
` unteachable of all animals: their capacity never reaching higher `
` than to draw or carry burdens. Yet I am of opinion, this defect `
` arises chiefly from a perverse, restive disposition; for they are `
` cunning, malicious, treacherous, and revengeful. They are strong `
` and hardy, but of a cowardly spirit, and, by consequence, insolent, `
` abject, and cruel. It is observed, that the red haired of both `
` sexes are more libidinous and mischievous than the rest, whom yet `
` they much exceed in strength and activity. `
` `
` The Houyhnhnms keep the Yahoos for present use in huts not far from `
` the house; but the rest are sent abroad to certain fields, where `
` they dig up roots, eat several kinds of herbs, and search about for `
` carrion, or sometimes catch weasels and luhimuhs (a sort of wild `
` rat), which they greedily devour. Nature has taught them to dig `
` deep holes with their nails on the side of a rising ground, wherein `
` they lie by themselves; only the kennels of the females are larger, `
` sufficient to hold two or three cubs. `
` `
` They swim from their infancy like frogs, and are able to continue `
` long under water, where they often take fish, which the females `
` carry home to their young. And, upon this occasion, I hope the `
` reader will pardon my relating an odd adventure. `
` `
` Being one day abroad with my protector the sorrel nag, and the `
` weather exceeding hot, I entreated him to let me bathe in a river `
` that was near. He consented, and I immediately stripped myself `
` stark naked, and went down softly into the stream. It happened `
` that a young female Yahoo, standing behind a bank, saw the whole `
` proceeding, and inflamed by desire, as the nag and I conjectured, `
` came running with all speed, and leaped into the water, within five `
` yards of the place where I bathed. I was never in my life so `
` terribly frightened. The nag was grazing at some distance, not `
` suspecting any harm. She embraced me after a most fulsome manner. `
` I roared as loud as I could, and the nag came galloping towards me, `
` whereupon she quitted her grasp, with the utmost reluctancy, and `
` leaped upon the opposite bank, where she stood gazing and howling `
` all the time I was putting on my clothes. `
` `
` This was a matter of diversion to my master and his family, as well `
` as of mortification to myself. For now I could no longer deny that `
` I was a real Yahoo in every limb and feature, since the females had `
` a natural propensity to me, as one of their own species. Neither `
` was the hair of this brute of a red colour (which might have been `
` some excuse for an appetite a little irregular), but black as a `
` sloe, and her countenance did not make an appearance altogether so `
` hideous as the rest of her kind; for I think she could not be above `
` eleven years old. `
` `
` Having lived three years in this country, the reader, I suppose, `
` will expect that I should, like other travellers, give him some `
` account of the manners and customs of its inhabitants, which it was `
` indeed my principal study to learn. `
` `
` As these noble Houyhnhnms are endowed by nature with a general `
` disposition to all virtues, and have no conceptions or ideas of `
` what is evil in a rational creature, so their grand maxim is, to `
` cultivate reason, and to be wholly governed by it. Neither is `
` reason among them a point problematical, as with us, where men can `
` argue with plausibility on both sides of the question, but strikes `
` you with immediate conviction; as it must needs do, where it is not `
` mingled, obscured, or discoloured, by passion and interest. I `
` remember it was with extreme difficulty that I could bring my `
` master to understand the meaning of the word opinion, or how a `
` point could be disputable; because reason taught us to affirm or `
` deny only where we are certain; and beyond our knowledge we cannot `
` do either. So that controversies, wranglings, disputes, and `
` positiveness, in false or dubious propositions, are evils unknown `
` among the Houyhnhnms. In the like manner, when I used to explain `
` to him our several systems of natural philosophy, he would laugh, `
` "that a creature pretending to reason, should value itself upon the `
` knowledge of other people's conjectures, and in things where that `
` knowledge, if it were certain, could be of no use." Wherein he `
` agreed entirely with the sentiments of Socrates, as Plato delivers `
` them; which I mention as the highest honour I can do that prince of `
` philosophers. I have often since reflected, what destruction such `
` doctrine would make in the libraries of Europe; and how many paths `
` of fame would be then shut up in the learned world. `
` `
` Friendship and benevolence are the two principal virtues among the `
` Houyhnhnms; and these not confined to particular objects, but `
` universal to the whole race; for a stranger from the remotest part `
` is equally treated with the nearest neighbour, and wherever he `
` goes, looks upon himself as at home. They preserve decency and `
` civility in the highest degrees, but are altogether ignorant of `
` ceremony. They have no fondness for their colts or foals, but the `
` care they take in educating them proceeds entirely from the `
` dictates of reason. And I observed my master to show the same `
` affection to his neighbour's issue, that he had for his own. They `
` will have it that nature teaches them to love the whole species, `
` and it is reason only that makes a distinction of persons, where `
` there is a superior degree of virtue. `
` `
` When the matron Houyhnhnms have produced one of each sex, they no `
` longer accompany with their consorts, except they lose one of their `
` issue by some casualty, which very seldom happens; but in such a `
` case they meet again; or when the like accident befalls a person `
` whose wife is past bearing, some other couple bestow on him one of `
` their own colts, and then go together again until the mother is `
` pregnant. This caution is necessary, to prevent the country from `
` being overburdened with numbers. But the race of inferior `
` Houyhnhnms, bred up to be servants, is not so strictly limited upon `
` this article: these are allowed to produce three of each sex, to `
` be domestics in the noble families. `
` `
` In their marriages, they are exactly careful to choose such colours `
` as will not make any disagreeable mixture in the breed. Strength `
` is chiefly valued in the male, and comeliness in the female; not `
` upon the account of love, but to preserve the race from `
` degenerating; for where a female happens to excel in strength, a `
` consort is chosen, with regard to comeliness. `
` `
` Courtship, love, presents, jointures, settlements have no place in `
` their thoughts, or terms whereby to express them in their language. `
` The young couple meet, and are joined, merely because it is the `
` determination of their parents and friends; it is what they see `
` done every day, and they look upon it as one of the necessary `
` actions of a reasonable being. But the violation of marriage, or `
` any other unchastity, was never heard of; and the married pair pass `
` their lives with the same friendship and mutual benevolence, that `
` they bear to all others of the same species who come in their way, `
` without jealousy, fondness, quarrelling, or discontent. `
` `
` In educating the youth of both sexes, their method is admirable, `
` and highly deserves our imitation. These are not suffered to taste `
` a grain of oats, except upon certain days, till eighteen years old; `
` nor milk, but very rarely; and in summer they graze two hours in `
` the morning, and as many in the evening, which their parents `
` likewise observe; but the servants are not allowed above half that `
` time, and a great part of their grass is brought home, which they `
` eat at the most convenient hours, when they can be best spared from `
` work. `
` `
` Temperance, industry, exercise, and cleanliness, are the lessons `
` equally enjoined to the young ones of both sexes: and my master `
` thought it monstrous in us, to give the females a different kind of `
` education from the males, except in some articles of domestic `
` management; whereby, as he truly observed, one half of our natives `
` were good for nothing but bringing children into the world; and to `
` trust the care of our children to such useless animals, he said, `
` was yet a greater instance of brutality. `
` `
` But the Houyhnhnms train up their youth to strength, speed, and `
` hardiness, by exercising them in running races up and down steep `
` hills, and over hard stony grounds; and when they are all in a `
` sweat, they are ordered to leap over head and ears into a pond or `
` river. Four times a year the youth of a certain district meet to `
` show their proficiency in running and leaping, and other feats of `
` strength and agility; where the victor is rewarded with a song in `
` his or her praise. On this festival, the servants drive a herd of `
` Yahoos into the field, laden with hay, and oats, and milk, for a `
` repast to the Houyhnhnms; after which, these brutes are immediately `
` driven back again, for fear of being noisome to the assembly. `
` `
` Every fourth year, at the vernal equinox, there is a representative `
` council of the whole nation, which meets in a plain about twenty `
` miles from our house, and continues about five or six days. Here `
` they inquire into the state and condition of the several districts; `
` whether they abound or be deficient in hay or oats, or cows, or `
` Yahoos; and wherever there is any want (which is but seldom) it is `
` immediately supplied by unanimous consent and contribution. Here `
` likewise the regulation of children is settled: as for instance, `
` if a Houyhnhnm has two males, he changes one of them with another `
` that has two females; and when a child has been lost by any `
` casualty, where the mother is past breeding, it is determined what `
` family in the district shall breed another to supply the loss. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IX. `
` `
` `
` `
` [A grand debate at the general assembly of the Houyhnhnms, and how `
` it was determined. The learning of the Houyhnhnms. Their `
` buildings. Their manner of burials. The defectiveness of their `
` language.] `
` `
` One of these grand assemblies was held in my time, about three `
` months before my departure, whither my master went as the `
` representative of our district. In this council was resumed their `
` old debate, and indeed the only debate that ever happened in their `
` country; whereof my master, after his return, give me a very `
` particular account. `
`