Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
particular account. `
` `
` The question to be debated was, "whether the Yahoos should be `
` exterminated from the face of the earth?" One of the members for `
` the affirmative offered several arguments of great strength and `
` weight, alleging, "that as the Yahoos were the most filthy, `
` noisome, and deformed animals which nature ever produced, so they `
` were the most restive and indocible, mischievous and malicious; `
` they would privately suck the teats of the Houyhnhnms' cows, kill `
` and devour their cats, trample down their oats and grass, if they `
` were not continually watched, and commit a thousand other `
` extravagancies." He took notice of a general tradition, "that `
` Yahoos had not been always in their country; but that many ages `
` ago, two of these brutes appeared together upon a mountain; whether `
` produced by the heat of the sun upon corrupted mud and slime, or `
` from the ooze and froth of the sea, was never known; that these `
` Yahoos engendered, and their brood, in a short time, grew so `
` numerous as to overrun and infest the whole nation; that the `
` Houyhnhnms, to get rid of this evil, made a general hunting, and at `
` last enclosed the whole herd; and destroying the elder, every `
` Houyhnhnm kept two young ones in a kennel, and brought them to such `
` a degree of tameness, as an animal, so savage by nature, can be `
` capable of acquiring, using them for draught and carriage; that `
` there seemed to be much truth in this tradition, and that those `
` creatures could not be yinhniamshy (or aborigines of the land), `
` because of the violent hatred the Houyhnhnms, as well as all other `
` animals, bore them, which, although their evil disposition `
` sufficiently deserved, could never have arrived at so high a degree `
` if they had been aborigines, or else they would have long since `
` been rooted out; that the inhabitants, taking a fancy to use the `
` service of the Yahoos, had, very imprudently, neglected to `
` cultivate the breed of asses, which are a comely animal, easily `
` kept, more tame and orderly, without any offensive smell, strong `
` enough for labour, although they yield to the other in agility of `
` body, and if their braying be no agreeable sound, it is far `
` preferable to the horrible howlings of the Yahoos." `
` `
` Several others declared their sentiments to the same purpose, when `
` my master proposed an expedient to the assembly, whereof he had `
` indeed borrowed the hint from me. "He approved of the tradition `
` mentioned by the honourable member who spoke before, and affirmed, `
` that the two Yahoos said to be seen first among them, had been `
` driven thither over the sea; that coming to land, and being `
` forsaken by their companions, they retired to the mountains, and `
` degenerating by degrees, became in process of time much more savage `
` than those of their own species in the country whence these two `
` originals came. The reason of this assertion was, that he had now `
` in his possession a certain wonderful Yahoo (meaning myself) which `
` most of them had heard of, and many of them had seen. He then `
` related to them how he first found me; that my body was all covered `
` with an artificial composure of the skins and hairs of other `
` animals; that I spoke in a language of my own, and had thoroughly `
` learned theirs; that I had related to him the accidents which `
` brought me thither; that when he saw me without my covering, I was `
` an exact Yahoo in every part, only of a whiter colour, less hairy, `
` and with shorter claws. He added, how I had endeavoured to `
` persuade him, that in my own and other countries, the Yahoos acted `
` as the governing, rational animal, and held the Houyhnhnms in `
` servitude; that he observed in me all the qualities of a Yahoo, `
` only a little more civilized by some tincture of reason, which, `
` however, was in a degree as far inferior to the Houyhnhnm race, as `
` the Yahoos of their country were to me; that, among other things, I `
` mentioned a custom we had of castrating Houyhnhnms when they were `
` young, in order to render them tame; that the operation was easy `
` and safe; that it was no shame to learn wisdom from brutes, as `
` industry is taught by the ant, and building by the swallow (for so `
` I translate the word lyhannh, although it be a much larger fowl); `
` that this invention might be practised upon the younger Yahoos `
` here, which besides rendering them tractable and fitter for use, `
` would in an age put an end to the whole species, without destroying `
` life; that in the mean time the Houyhnhnms should be exhorted to `
` cultivate the breed of asses, which, as they are in all respects `
` more valuable brutes, so they have this advantage, to be fit for `
` service at five years old, which the others are not till twelve." `
` `
` This was all my master thought fit to tell me, at that time, of `
` what passed in the grand council. But he was pleased to conceal `
` one particular, which related personally to myself, whereof I soon `
` felt the unhappy effect, as the reader will know in its proper `
` place, and whence I date all the succeeding misfortunes of my life. `
` `
` The Houyhnhnms have no letters, and consequently their knowledge is `
` all traditional. But there happening few events of any moment `
` among a people so well united, naturally disposed to every virtue, `
` wholly governed by reason, and cut off from all commerce with other `
` nations, the historical part is easily preserved without burdening `
` their memories. I have already observed that they are subject to `
` no diseases, and therefore can have no need of physicians. `
` However, they have excellent medicines, composed of herbs, to cure `
` accidental bruises and cuts in the pastern or frog of the foot, by `
` sharp stones, as well as other maims and hurts in the several parts `
` of the body. `
` `
` They calculate the year by the revolution of the sun and moon, but `
` use no subdivisions into weeks. They are well enough acquainted `
` with the motions of those two luminaries, and understand the nature `
` of eclipses; and this is the utmost progress of their astronomy. `
` `
` In poetry, they must be allowed to excel all other mortals; wherein `
` the justness of their similes, and the minuteness as well as `
` exactness of their descriptions, are indeed inimitable. Their `
` verses abound very much in both of these, and usually contain `
` either some exalted notions of friendship and benevolence or the `
` praises of those who were victors in races and other bodily `
` exercises. Their buildings, although very rude and simple, are not `
` inconvenient, but well contrived to defend them from all injuries `
` of and heat. They have a kind of tree, which at forty years old `
` loosens in the root, and falls with the first storm: it grows very `
` straight, and being pointed like stakes with a sharp stone (for the `
` Houyhnhnms know not the use of iron), they stick them erect in the `
` ground, about ten inches asunder, and then weave in oat straw, or `
` sometimes wattles, between them. The roof is made after the same `
` manner, and so are the doors. `
` `
` The Houyhnhnms use the hollow part, between the pastern and the `
` hoof of their fore-foot, as we do our hands, and this with greater `
` dexterity than I could at first imagine. I have seen a white mare `
` of our family thread a needle (which I lent her on purpose) with `
` that joint. They milk their cows, reap their oats, and do all the `
` work which requires hands, in the same manner. They have a kind of `
` hard flints, which, by grinding against other stones, they form `
` into instruments, that serve instead of wedges, axes, and hammers. `
` With tools made of these flints, they likewise cut their hay, and `
` reap their oats, which there grow naturally in several fields; the `
` Yahoos draw home the sheaves in carriages, and the servants tread `
` them in certain covered huts to get out the grain, which is kept in `
` stores. They make a rude kind of earthen and wooden vessels, and `
` bake the former in the sun. `
` `
` If they can avoid casualties, they die only of old age, and are `
` buried in the obscurest places that can be found, their friends and `
` relations expressing neither joy nor grief at their departure; nor `
` does the dying person discover the least regret that he is leaving `
` the world, any more than if he were upon returning home from a `
` visit to one of his neighbours. I remember my master having once `
` made an appointment with a friend and his family to come to his `
` house, upon some affair of importance: on the day fixed, the `
` mistress and her two children came very late; she made two excuses, `
` first for her husband, who, as she said, happened that very morning `
` to shnuwnh. The word is strongly expressive in their language, but `
` not easily rendered into English; it signifies, "to retire to his `
` first mother." Her excuse for not coming sooner, was, that her `
` husband dying late in the morning, she was a good while consulting `
` her servants about a convenient place where his body should be `
` laid; and I observed, she behaved herself at our house as `
` cheerfully as the rest. She died about three months after. `
` `
` They live generally to seventy, or seventy-five years, very seldom `
` to fourscore. Some weeks before their death, they feel a gradual `
` decay; but without pain. During this time they are much visited by `
` their friends, because they cannot go abroad with their usual ease `
` and satisfaction. However, about ten days before their death, `
` which they seldom fail in computing, they return the visits that `
` have been made them by those who are nearest in the neighbourhood, `
` being carried in a convenient sledge drawn by Yahoos; which vehicle `
` they use, not only upon this occasion, but when they grow old, upon `
` long journeys, or when they are lamed by any accident: and `
` therefore when the dying Houyhnhnms return those visits, they take `
` a solemn leave of their friends, as if they were going to some `
` remote part of the country, where they designed to pass the rest of `
` their lives. `
` `
` I know not whether it may be worth observing, that the Houyhnhnms `
` have no word in their language to express any thing that is evil, `
` except what they borrow from the deformities or ill qualities of `
` the Yahoos. Thus they denote the folly of a servant, an omission `
` of a child, a stone that cuts their feet, a continuance of foul or `
` unseasonable weather, and the like, by adding to each the epithet `
` of Yahoo. For instance, hhnm Yahoo; whnaholm Yahoo, ynlhmndwihlma `
` Yahoo, and an ill-contrived house ynholmhnmrohlnw Yahoo. `
` `
` I could, with great pleasure, enlarge further upon the manners and `
` virtues of this excellent people; but intending in a short time to `
` publish a volume by itself, expressly upon that subject, I refer `
` the reader thither; and, in the mean time, proceed to relate my own `
` sad catastrophe. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER X. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author's economy, and happy life, among the Houyhnhnms. His `
` great improvement in virtue by conversing with them. Their `
` conversations. The author has notice given him by his master, that `
` he must depart from the country. He falls into a swoon for grief; `
` but submits. He contrives and finishes a canoe by the help of a `
` fellow-servant, and puts to sea at a venture.] `
` `
` I had settled my little economy to my own heart's content. My `
` master had ordered a room to be made for me, after their manner, `
` about six yards from the house: the sides and floors of which I `
` plastered with clay, and covered with rush-mats of my own `
` contriving. I had beaten hemp, which there grows wild, and made of `
` it a sort of ticking; this I filled with the feathers of several `
` birds I had taken with springes made of Yahoos' hairs, and were `
` excellent food. I had worked two chairs with my knife, the sorrel `
` nag helping me in the grosser and more laborious part. When my `
` clothes were worn to rags, I made myself others with the skins of `
` rabbits, and of a certain beautiful animal, about the same size, `
`
` `
` The question to be debated was, "whether the Yahoos should be `
` exterminated from the face of the earth?" One of the members for `
` the affirmative offered several arguments of great strength and `
` weight, alleging, "that as the Yahoos were the most filthy, `
` noisome, and deformed animals which nature ever produced, so they `
` were the most restive and indocible, mischievous and malicious; `
` they would privately suck the teats of the Houyhnhnms' cows, kill `
` and devour their cats, trample down their oats and grass, if they `
` were not continually watched, and commit a thousand other `
` extravagancies." He took notice of a general tradition, "that `
` Yahoos had not been always in their country; but that many ages `
` ago, two of these brutes appeared together upon a mountain; whether `
` produced by the heat of the sun upon corrupted mud and slime, or `
` from the ooze and froth of the sea, was never known; that these `
` Yahoos engendered, and their brood, in a short time, grew so `
` numerous as to overrun and infest the whole nation; that the `
` Houyhnhnms, to get rid of this evil, made a general hunting, and at `
` last enclosed the whole herd; and destroying the elder, every `
` Houyhnhnm kept two young ones in a kennel, and brought them to such `
` a degree of tameness, as an animal, so savage by nature, can be `
` capable of acquiring, using them for draught and carriage; that `
` there seemed to be much truth in this tradition, and that those `
` creatures could not be yinhniamshy (or aborigines of the land), `
` because of the violent hatred the Houyhnhnms, as well as all other `
` animals, bore them, which, although their evil disposition `
` sufficiently deserved, could never have arrived at so high a degree `
` if they had been aborigines, or else they would have long since `
` been rooted out; that the inhabitants, taking a fancy to use the `
` service of the Yahoos, had, very imprudently, neglected to `
` cultivate the breed of asses, which are a comely animal, easily `
` kept, more tame and orderly, without any offensive smell, strong `
` enough for labour, although they yield to the other in agility of `
` body, and if their braying be no agreeable sound, it is far `
` preferable to the horrible howlings of the Yahoos." `
` `
` Several others declared their sentiments to the same purpose, when `
` my master proposed an expedient to the assembly, whereof he had `
` indeed borrowed the hint from me. "He approved of the tradition `
` mentioned by the honourable member who spoke before, and affirmed, `
` that the two Yahoos said to be seen first among them, had been `
` driven thither over the sea; that coming to land, and being `
` forsaken by their companions, they retired to the mountains, and `
` degenerating by degrees, became in process of time much more savage `
` than those of their own species in the country whence these two `
` originals came. The reason of this assertion was, that he had now `
` in his possession a certain wonderful Yahoo (meaning myself) which `
` most of them had heard of, and many of them had seen. He then `
` related to them how he first found me; that my body was all covered `
` with an artificial composure of the skins and hairs of other `
` animals; that I spoke in a language of my own, and had thoroughly `
` learned theirs; that I had related to him the accidents which `
` brought me thither; that when he saw me without my covering, I was `
` an exact Yahoo in every part, only of a whiter colour, less hairy, `
` and with shorter claws. He added, how I had endeavoured to `
` persuade him, that in my own and other countries, the Yahoos acted `
` as the governing, rational animal, and held the Houyhnhnms in `
` servitude; that he observed in me all the qualities of a Yahoo, `
` only a little more civilized by some tincture of reason, which, `
` however, was in a degree as far inferior to the Houyhnhnm race, as `
` the Yahoos of their country were to me; that, among other things, I `
` mentioned a custom we had of castrating Houyhnhnms when they were `
` young, in order to render them tame; that the operation was easy `
` and safe; that it was no shame to learn wisdom from brutes, as `
` industry is taught by the ant, and building by the swallow (for so `
` I translate the word lyhannh, although it be a much larger fowl); `
` that this invention might be practised upon the younger Yahoos `
` here, which besides rendering them tractable and fitter for use, `
` would in an age put an end to the whole species, without destroying `
` life; that in the mean time the Houyhnhnms should be exhorted to `
` cultivate the breed of asses, which, as they are in all respects `
` more valuable brutes, so they have this advantage, to be fit for `
` service at five years old, which the others are not till twelve." `
` `
` This was all my master thought fit to tell me, at that time, of `
` what passed in the grand council. But he was pleased to conceal `
` one particular, which related personally to myself, whereof I soon `
` felt the unhappy effect, as the reader will know in its proper `
` place, and whence I date all the succeeding misfortunes of my life. `
` `
` The Houyhnhnms have no letters, and consequently their knowledge is `
` all traditional. But there happening few events of any moment `
` among a people so well united, naturally disposed to every virtue, `
` wholly governed by reason, and cut off from all commerce with other `
` nations, the historical part is easily preserved without burdening `
` their memories. I have already observed that they are subject to `
` no diseases, and therefore can have no need of physicians. `
` However, they have excellent medicines, composed of herbs, to cure `
` accidental bruises and cuts in the pastern or frog of the foot, by `
` sharp stones, as well as other maims and hurts in the several parts `
` of the body. `
` `
` They calculate the year by the revolution of the sun and moon, but `
` use no subdivisions into weeks. They are well enough acquainted `
` with the motions of those two luminaries, and understand the nature `
` of eclipses; and this is the utmost progress of their astronomy. `
` `
` In poetry, they must be allowed to excel all other mortals; wherein `
` the justness of their similes, and the minuteness as well as `
` exactness of their descriptions, are indeed inimitable. Their `
` verses abound very much in both of these, and usually contain `
` either some exalted notions of friendship and benevolence or the `
` praises of those who were victors in races and other bodily `
` exercises. Their buildings, although very rude and simple, are not `
` inconvenient, but well contrived to defend them from all injuries `
` of and heat. They have a kind of tree, which at forty years old `
` loosens in the root, and falls with the first storm: it grows very `
` straight, and being pointed like stakes with a sharp stone (for the `
` Houyhnhnms know not the use of iron), they stick them erect in the `
` ground, about ten inches asunder, and then weave in oat straw, or `
` sometimes wattles, between them. The roof is made after the same `
` manner, and so are the doors. `
` `
` The Houyhnhnms use the hollow part, between the pastern and the `
` hoof of their fore-foot, as we do our hands, and this with greater `
` dexterity than I could at first imagine. I have seen a white mare `
` of our family thread a needle (which I lent her on purpose) with `
` that joint. They milk their cows, reap their oats, and do all the `
` work which requires hands, in the same manner. They have a kind of `
` hard flints, which, by grinding against other stones, they form `
` into instruments, that serve instead of wedges, axes, and hammers. `
` With tools made of these flints, they likewise cut their hay, and `
` reap their oats, which there grow naturally in several fields; the `
` Yahoos draw home the sheaves in carriages, and the servants tread `
` them in certain covered huts to get out the grain, which is kept in `
` stores. They make a rude kind of earthen and wooden vessels, and `
` bake the former in the sun. `
` `
` If they can avoid casualties, they die only of old age, and are `
` buried in the obscurest places that can be found, their friends and `
` relations expressing neither joy nor grief at their departure; nor `
` does the dying person discover the least regret that he is leaving `
` the world, any more than if he were upon returning home from a `
` visit to one of his neighbours. I remember my master having once `
` made an appointment with a friend and his family to come to his `
` house, upon some affair of importance: on the day fixed, the `
` mistress and her two children came very late; she made two excuses, `
` first for her husband, who, as she said, happened that very morning `
` to shnuwnh. The word is strongly expressive in their language, but `
` not easily rendered into English; it signifies, "to retire to his `
` first mother." Her excuse for not coming sooner, was, that her `
` husband dying late in the morning, she was a good while consulting `
` her servants about a convenient place where his body should be `
` laid; and I observed, she behaved herself at our house as `
` cheerfully as the rest. She died about three months after. `
` `
` They live generally to seventy, or seventy-five years, very seldom `
` to fourscore. Some weeks before their death, they feel a gradual `
` decay; but without pain. During this time they are much visited by `
` their friends, because they cannot go abroad with their usual ease `
` and satisfaction. However, about ten days before their death, `
` which they seldom fail in computing, they return the visits that `
` have been made them by those who are nearest in the neighbourhood, `
` being carried in a convenient sledge drawn by Yahoos; which vehicle `
` they use, not only upon this occasion, but when they grow old, upon `
` long journeys, or when they are lamed by any accident: and `
` therefore when the dying Houyhnhnms return those visits, they take `
` a solemn leave of their friends, as if they were going to some `
` remote part of the country, where they designed to pass the rest of `
` their lives. `
` `
` I know not whether it may be worth observing, that the Houyhnhnms `
` have no word in their language to express any thing that is evil, `
` except what they borrow from the deformities or ill qualities of `
` the Yahoos. Thus they denote the folly of a servant, an omission `
` of a child, a stone that cuts their feet, a continuance of foul or `
` unseasonable weather, and the like, by adding to each the epithet `
` of Yahoo. For instance, hhnm Yahoo; whnaholm Yahoo, ynlhmndwihlma `
` Yahoo, and an ill-contrived house ynholmhnmrohlnw Yahoo. `
` `
` I could, with great pleasure, enlarge further upon the manners and `
` virtues of this excellent people; but intending in a short time to `
` publish a volume by itself, expressly upon that subject, I refer `
` the reader thither; and, in the mean time, proceed to relate my own `
` sad catastrophe. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER X. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author's economy, and happy life, among the Houyhnhnms. His `
` great improvement in virtue by conversing with them. Their `
` conversations. The author has notice given him by his master, that `
` he must depart from the country. He falls into a swoon for grief; `
` but submits. He contrives and finishes a canoe by the help of a `
` fellow-servant, and puts to sea at a venture.] `
` `
` I had settled my little economy to my own heart's content. My `
` master had ordered a room to be made for me, after their manner, `
` about six yards from the house: the sides and floors of which I `
` plastered with clay, and covered with rush-mats of my own `
` contriving. I had beaten hemp, which there grows wild, and made of `
` it a sort of ticking; this I filled with the feathers of several `
` birds I had taken with springes made of Yahoos' hairs, and were `
` excellent food. I had worked two chairs with my knife, the sorrel `
` nag helping me in the grosser and more laborious part. When my `
` clothes were worn to rags, I made myself others with the skins of `
` rabbits, and of a certain beautiful animal, about the same size, `
`