Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
rabbits, and of a certain beautiful animal, about the same size, `
` called nnuhnoh, the skin of which is covered with a fine down. Of `
` these I also made very tolerable stockings. I soled my shoes with `
` wood, which I cut from a tree, and fitted to the upper-leather; and `
` when this was worn out, I supplied it with the skins of Yahoos `
` dried in the sun. I often got honey out of hollow trees, which I `
` mingled with water, or ate with my bread. No man could more verify `
` the truth of these two maxims, "That nature is very easily `
` satisfied;" and, "That necessity is the mother of invention." I `
` enjoyed perfect health of body, and tranquillity of mind; I did not `
` feel the treachery or inconstancy of a friend, nor the injuries of `
` a secret or open enemy. I had no occasion of bribing, flattering, `
` or pimping, to procure the favour of any great man, or of his `
` minion; I wanted no fence against fraud or oppression: here was `
` neither physician to destroy my body, nor lawyer to ruin my `
` fortune; no informer to watch my words and actions, or forge `
` accusations against me for hire: here were no gibers, censurers, `
` backbiters, pickpockets, highwaymen, housebreakers, attorneys, `
` bawds, buffoons, gamesters, politicians, wits, splenetics, tedious `
` talkers, controvertists, ravishers, murderers, robbers, virtuosos; `
` no leaders, or followers, of party and faction; no encouragers to `
` vice, by seducement or examples; no dungeon, axes, gibbets, `
` whipping-posts, or pillories; no cheating shopkeepers or mechanics; `
` no pride, vanity, or affectation; no fops, bullies, drunkards, `
` strolling whores, or poxes; no ranting, lewd, expensive wives; no `
` stupid, proud pedants; no importunate, overbearing, quarrelsome, `
` noisy, roaring, empty, conceited, swearing companions; no `
` scoundrels raised from the dust upon the merit of their vices, or `
` nobility thrown into it on account of their virtues; no lords, `
` fiddlers, judges, or dancing-masters. `
` `
` I had the favour of being admitted to several Houyhnhnms, who came `
` to visit or dine with my master; where his honour graciously `
` suffered me to wait in the room, and listen to their discourse. `
` Both he and his company would often descend to ask me questions, `
` and receive my answers. I had also sometimes the honour of `
` attending my master in his visits to others. I never presumed to `
` speak, except in answer to a question; and then I did it with `
` inward regret, because it was a loss of so much time for improving `
` myself; but I was infinitely delighted with the station of an `
` humble auditor in such conversations, where nothing passed but what `
` was useful, expressed in the fewest and most significant words; `
` where, as I have already said, the greatest decency was observed, `
` without the least degree of ceremony; where no person spoke without `
` being pleased himself, and pleasing his companions; where there was `
` no interruption, tediousness, heat, or difference of sentiments. `
` They have a notion, that when people are met together, a short `
` silence does much improve conversation: this I found to be true; `
` for during those little intermissions of talk, new ideas would `
` arise in their minds, which very much enlivened the discourse. `
` Their subjects are, generally on friendship and benevolence, on `
` order and economy; sometimes upon the visible operations of nature, `
` or ancient traditions; upon the bounds and limits of virtue; upon `
` the unerring rules of reason, or upon some determinations to be `
` taken at the next great assembly: and often upon the various `
` excellences of poetry. I may add, without vanity, that my presence `
` often gave them sufficient matter for discourse, because it `
` afforded my master an occasion of letting his friends into the `
` history of me and my country, upon which they were all pleased to `
` descant, in a manner not very advantageous to humankind: and for `
` that reason I shall not repeat what they said; only I may be `
` allowed to observe, that his honour, to my great admiration, `
` appeared to understand the nature of Yahoos much better than `
` myself. He went through all our vices and follies, and discovered `
` many, which I had never mentioned to him, by only supposing what `
` qualities a Yahoo of their country, with a small proportion of `
` reason, might be capable of exerting; and concluded, with too much `
` probability, "how vile, as well as miserable, such a creature must `
` be." `
` `
` I freely confess, that all the little knowledge I have of any `
` value, was acquired by the lectures I received from my master, and `
` from hearing the discourses of him and his friends; to which I `
` should be prouder to listen, than to dictate to the greatest and `
` wisest assembly in Europe. I admired the strength, comeliness, and `
` speed of the inhabitants; and such a constellation of virtues, in `
` such amiable persons, produced in me the highest veneration. At `
` first, indeed, I did not feel that natural awe, which the Yahoos `
` and all other animals bear toward them; but it grew upon me by `
` decrees, much sooner than I imagined, and was mingled with a `
` respectful love and gratitude, that they would condescend to `
` distinguish me from the rest of my species. `
` `
` When I thought of my family, my friends, my countrymen, or the `
` human race in general, I considered them, as they really were, `
` Yahoos in shape and disposition, perhaps a little more civilized, `
` and qualified with the gift of speech; but making no other use of `
` reason, than to improve and multiply those vices whereof their `
` brethren in this country had only the share that nature allotted `
` them. When I happened to behold the reflection of my own form in a `
` lake or fountain, I turned away my face in horror and detestation `
` of myself, and could better endure the sight of a common Yahoo than `
` of my own person. By conversing with the Houyhnhnms, and looking `
` upon them with delight, I fell to imitate their gait and gesture, `
` which is now grown into a habit; and my friends often tell me, in a `
` blunt way, "that I trot like a horse;" which, however, I take for a `
` great compliment. Neither shall I disown, that in speaking I am `
` apt to fall into the voice and manner of the Houyhnhnms, and hear `
` myself ridiculed on that account, without the least mortification. `
` `
` In the midst of all this happiness, and when I looked upon myself `
` to be fully settled for life, my master sent for me one morning a `
` little earlier than his usual hour. I observed by his countenance `
` that he was in some perplexity, and at a loss how to begin what he `
` had to speak. After a short silence, he told me, "he did not know `
` how I would take what he was going to say: that in the last `
` general assembly, when the affair of the Yahoos was entered upon, `
` the representatives had taken offence at his keeping a Yahoo `
` (meaning myself) in his family, more like a Houyhnhnm than a brute `
` animal; that he was known frequently to converse with me, as if he `
` could receive some advantage or pleasure in my company; that such a `
` practice was not agreeable to reason or nature, or a thing ever `
` heard of before among them; the assembly did therefore exhort him `
` either to employ me like the rest of my species, or command me to `
` swim back to the place whence I came: that the first of these `
` expedients was utterly rejected by all the Houyhnhnms who had ever `
` seen me at his house or their own; for they alleged, that because I `
` had some rudiments of reason, added to the natural pravity of those `
` animals, it was to be feared I might be able to seduce them into `
` the woody and mountainous parts of the country, and bring them in `
` troops by night to destroy the Houyhnhnms' cattle, as being `
` naturally of the ravenous kind, and averse from labour." `
` `
` My master added, "that he was daily pressed by the Houyhnhnms of `
` the neighbourhood to have the assembly's exhortation executed, `
` which he could not put off much longer. He doubted it would be `
` impossible for me to swim to another country; and therefore wished `
` I would contrive some sort of vehicle, resembling those I had `
` described to him, that might carry me on the sea; in which work I `
` should have the assistance of his own servants, as well as those of `
` his neighbours." He concluded, "that for his own part, he could `
` have been content to keep me in his service as long as I lived; `
` because he found I had cured myself of some bad habits and `
` dispositions, by endeavouring, as far as my inferior nature was `
` capable, to imitate the Houyhnhnms." `
` `
` I should here observe to the reader, that a decree of the general `
` assembly in this country is expressed by the word hnhloayn, which `
` signifies an exhortation, as near as I can render it; for they have `
` no conception how a rational creature can be compelled, but only `
` advised, or exhorted; because no person can disobey reason, without `
` giving up his claim to be a rational creature. `
` `
` I was struck with the utmost grief and despair at my master's `
` discourse; and being unable to support the agonies I was under, I `
` fell into a swoon at his feet. When I came to myself, he told me `
` "that he concluded I had been dead;" for these people are subject `
` to no such imbecilities of nature. I answered in a faint voice, `
` "that death would have been too great a happiness; that although I `
` could not blame the assembly's exhortation, or the urgency of his `
` friends; yet, in my weak and corrupt judgment, I thought it might `
` consist with reason to have been less rigorous; that I could not `
` swim a league, and probably the nearest land to theirs might be `
` distant above a hundred: that many materials, necessary for making `
` a small vessel to carry me off, were wholly wanting in this `
` country; which, however, I would attempt, in obedience and `
` gratitude to his honour, although I concluded the thing to be `
` impossible, and therefore looked on myself as already devoted to `
` destruction; that the certain prospect of an unnatural death was `
` the least of my evils; for, supposing I should escape with life by `
` some strange adventure, how could I think with temper of passing my `
` days among Yahoos, and relapsing into my old corruptions, for want `
` of examples to lead and keep me within the paths of virtue? that I `
` knew too well upon what solid reasons all the determinations of the `
` wise Houyhnhnms were founded, not to be shaken by arguments of `
` mine, a miserable Yahoo; and therefore, after presenting him with `
` my humble thanks for the offer of his servants' assistance in `
` making a vessel, and desiring a reasonable time for so difficult a `
` work, I told him I would endeavour to preserve a wretched being; `
` and if ever I returned to England, was not without hopes of being `
` useful to my own species, by celebrating the praises of the `
` renowned Houyhnhnms, and proposing their virtues to the imitation `
` of mankind." `
` `
` My master, in a few words, made me a very gracious reply; allowed `
` me the space of two months to finish my boat; and ordered the `
` sorrel nag, my fellow-servant (for so, at this distance, I may `
` presume to call him), to follow my instruction; because I told my `
` master, "that his help would be sufficient, and I knew he had a `
` tenderness for me." `
` `
` In his company, my first business was to go to that part of the `
` coast where my rebellious crew had ordered me to be set on shore. `
` I got upon a height, and looking on every side into the sea; `
` fancied I saw a small island toward the north-east. I took out my `
` pocket glass, and could then clearly distinguish it above five `
` leagues off, as I computed; but it appeared to the sorrel nag to be `
` only a blue cloud: for as he had no conception of any country `
` beside his own, so he could not be as expert in distinguishing `
` remote objects at sea, as we who so much converse in that element. `
` `
` After I had discovered this island, I considered no further; but `
` resolved it should if possible, be the first place of my `
` banishment, leaving the consequence to fortune. `
` `
` I returned home, and consulting with the sorrel nag, we went into a `
` copse at some distance, where I with my knife, and he with a sharp `
` flint, fastened very artificially after their manner, to a wooden `
` handle, cut down several oak wattles, about the thickness of a `
` walking-staff, and some larger pieces. But I shall not trouble the `
` reader with a particular description of my own mechanics; let it `
`
` called nnuhnoh, the skin of which is covered with a fine down. Of `
` these I also made very tolerable stockings. I soled my shoes with `
` wood, which I cut from a tree, and fitted to the upper-leather; and `
` when this was worn out, I supplied it with the skins of Yahoos `
` dried in the sun. I often got honey out of hollow trees, which I `
` mingled with water, or ate with my bread. No man could more verify `
` the truth of these two maxims, "That nature is very easily `
` satisfied;" and, "That necessity is the mother of invention." I `
` enjoyed perfect health of body, and tranquillity of mind; I did not `
` feel the treachery or inconstancy of a friend, nor the injuries of `
` a secret or open enemy. I had no occasion of bribing, flattering, `
` or pimping, to procure the favour of any great man, or of his `
` minion; I wanted no fence against fraud or oppression: here was `
` neither physician to destroy my body, nor lawyer to ruin my `
` fortune; no informer to watch my words and actions, or forge `
` accusations against me for hire: here were no gibers, censurers, `
` backbiters, pickpockets, highwaymen, housebreakers, attorneys, `
` bawds, buffoons, gamesters, politicians, wits, splenetics, tedious `
` talkers, controvertists, ravishers, murderers, robbers, virtuosos; `
` no leaders, or followers, of party and faction; no encouragers to `
` vice, by seducement or examples; no dungeon, axes, gibbets, `
` whipping-posts, or pillories; no cheating shopkeepers or mechanics; `
` no pride, vanity, or affectation; no fops, bullies, drunkards, `
` strolling whores, or poxes; no ranting, lewd, expensive wives; no `
` stupid, proud pedants; no importunate, overbearing, quarrelsome, `
` noisy, roaring, empty, conceited, swearing companions; no `
` scoundrels raised from the dust upon the merit of their vices, or `
` nobility thrown into it on account of their virtues; no lords, `
` fiddlers, judges, or dancing-masters. `
` `
` I had the favour of being admitted to several Houyhnhnms, who came `
` to visit or dine with my master; where his honour graciously `
` suffered me to wait in the room, and listen to their discourse. `
` Both he and his company would often descend to ask me questions, `
` and receive my answers. I had also sometimes the honour of `
` attending my master in his visits to others. I never presumed to `
` speak, except in answer to a question; and then I did it with `
` inward regret, because it was a loss of so much time for improving `
` myself; but I was infinitely delighted with the station of an `
` humble auditor in such conversations, where nothing passed but what `
` was useful, expressed in the fewest and most significant words; `
` where, as I have already said, the greatest decency was observed, `
` without the least degree of ceremony; where no person spoke without `
` being pleased himself, and pleasing his companions; where there was `
` no interruption, tediousness, heat, or difference of sentiments. `
` They have a notion, that when people are met together, a short `
` silence does much improve conversation: this I found to be true; `
` for during those little intermissions of talk, new ideas would `
` arise in their minds, which very much enlivened the discourse. `
` Their subjects are, generally on friendship and benevolence, on `
` order and economy; sometimes upon the visible operations of nature, `
` or ancient traditions; upon the bounds and limits of virtue; upon `
` the unerring rules of reason, or upon some determinations to be `
` taken at the next great assembly: and often upon the various `
` excellences of poetry. I may add, without vanity, that my presence `
` often gave them sufficient matter for discourse, because it `
` afforded my master an occasion of letting his friends into the `
` history of me and my country, upon which they were all pleased to `
` descant, in a manner not very advantageous to humankind: and for `
` that reason I shall not repeat what they said; only I may be `
` allowed to observe, that his honour, to my great admiration, `
` appeared to understand the nature of Yahoos much better than `
` myself. He went through all our vices and follies, and discovered `
` many, which I had never mentioned to him, by only supposing what `
` qualities a Yahoo of their country, with a small proportion of `
` reason, might be capable of exerting; and concluded, with too much `
` probability, "how vile, as well as miserable, such a creature must `
` be." `
` `
` I freely confess, that all the little knowledge I have of any `
` value, was acquired by the lectures I received from my master, and `
` from hearing the discourses of him and his friends; to which I `
` should be prouder to listen, than to dictate to the greatest and `
` wisest assembly in Europe. I admired the strength, comeliness, and `
` speed of the inhabitants; and such a constellation of virtues, in `
` such amiable persons, produced in me the highest veneration. At `
` first, indeed, I did not feel that natural awe, which the Yahoos `
` and all other animals bear toward them; but it grew upon me by `
` decrees, much sooner than I imagined, and was mingled with a `
` respectful love and gratitude, that they would condescend to `
` distinguish me from the rest of my species. `
` `
` When I thought of my family, my friends, my countrymen, or the `
` human race in general, I considered them, as they really were, `
` Yahoos in shape and disposition, perhaps a little more civilized, `
` and qualified with the gift of speech; but making no other use of `
` reason, than to improve and multiply those vices whereof their `
` brethren in this country had only the share that nature allotted `
` them. When I happened to behold the reflection of my own form in a `
` lake or fountain, I turned away my face in horror and detestation `
` of myself, and could better endure the sight of a common Yahoo than `
` of my own person. By conversing with the Houyhnhnms, and looking `
` upon them with delight, I fell to imitate their gait and gesture, `
` which is now grown into a habit; and my friends often tell me, in a `
` blunt way, "that I trot like a horse;" which, however, I take for a `
` great compliment. Neither shall I disown, that in speaking I am `
` apt to fall into the voice and manner of the Houyhnhnms, and hear `
` myself ridiculed on that account, without the least mortification. `
` `
` In the midst of all this happiness, and when I looked upon myself `
` to be fully settled for life, my master sent for me one morning a `
` little earlier than his usual hour. I observed by his countenance `
` that he was in some perplexity, and at a loss how to begin what he `
` had to speak. After a short silence, he told me, "he did not know `
` how I would take what he was going to say: that in the last `
` general assembly, when the affair of the Yahoos was entered upon, `
` the representatives had taken offence at his keeping a Yahoo `
` (meaning myself) in his family, more like a Houyhnhnm than a brute `
` animal; that he was known frequently to converse with me, as if he `
` could receive some advantage or pleasure in my company; that such a `
` practice was not agreeable to reason or nature, or a thing ever `
` heard of before among them; the assembly did therefore exhort him `
` either to employ me like the rest of my species, or command me to `
` swim back to the place whence I came: that the first of these `
` expedients was utterly rejected by all the Houyhnhnms who had ever `
` seen me at his house or their own; for they alleged, that because I `
` had some rudiments of reason, added to the natural pravity of those `
` animals, it was to be feared I might be able to seduce them into `
` the woody and mountainous parts of the country, and bring them in `
` troops by night to destroy the Houyhnhnms' cattle, as being `
` naturally of the ravenous kind, and averse from labour." `
` `
` My master added, "that he was daily pressed by the Houyhnhnms of `
` the neighbourhood to have the assembly's exhortation executed, `
` which he could not put off much longer. He doubted it would be `
` impossible for me to swim to another country; and therefore wished `
` I would contrive some sort of vehicle, resembling those I had `
` described to him, that might carry me on the sea; in which work I `
` should have the assistance of his own servants, as well as those of `
` his neighbours." He concluded, "that for his own part, he could `
` have been content to keep me in his service as long as I lived; `
` because he found I had cured myself of some bad habits and `
` dispositions, by endeavouring, as far as my inferior nature was `
` capable, to imitate the Houyhnhnms." `
` `
` I should here observe to the reader, that a decree of the general `
` assembly in this country is expressed by the word hnhloayn, which `
` signifies an exhortation, as near as I can render it; for they have `
` no conception how a rational creature can be compelled, but only `
` advised, or exhorted; because no person can disobey reason, without `
` giving up his claim to be a rational creature. `
` `
` I was struck with the utmost grief and despair at my master's `
` discourse; and being unable to support the agonies I was under, I `
` fell into a swoon at his feet. When I came to myself, he told me `
` "that he concluded I had been dead;" for these people are subject `
` to no such imbecilities of nature. I answered in a faint voice, `
` "that death would have been too great a happiness; that although I `
` could not blame the assembly's exhortation, or the urgency of his `
` friends; yet, in my weak and corrupt judgment, I thought it might `
` consist with reason to have been less rigorous; that I could not `
` swim a league, and probably the nearest land to theirs might be `
` distant above a hundred: that many materials, necessary for making `
` a small vessel to carry me off, were wholly wanting in this `
` country; which, however, I would attempt, in obedience and `
` gratitude to his honour, although I concluded the thing to be `
` impossible, and therefore looked on myself as already devoted to `
` destruction; that the certain prospect of an unnatural death was `
` the least of my evils; for, supposing I should escape with life by `
` some strange adventure, how could I think with temper of passing my `
` days among Yahoos, and relapsing into my old corruptions, for want `
` of examples to lead and keep me within the paths of virtue? that I `
` knew too well upon what solid reasons all the determinations of the `
` wise Houyhnhnms were founded, not to be shaken by arguments of `
` mine, a miserable Yahoo; and therefore, after presenting him with `
` my humble thanks for the offer of his servants' assistance in `
` making a vessel, and desiring a reasonable time for so difficult a `
` work, I told him I would endeavour to preserve a wretched being; `
` and if ever I returned to England, was not without hopes of being `
` useful to my own species, by celebrating the praises of the `
` renowned Houyhnhnms, and proposing their virtues to the imitation `
` of mankind." `
` `
` My master, in a few words, made me a very gracious reply; allowed `
` me the space of two months to finish my boat; and ordered the `
` sorrel nag, my fellow-servant (for so, at this distance, I may `
` presume to call him), to follow my instruction; because I told my `
` master, "that his help would be sufficient, and I knew he had a `
` tenderness for me." `
` `
` In his company, my first business was to go to that part of the `
` coast where my rebellious crew had ordered me to be set on shore. `
` I got upon a height, and looking on every side into the sea; `
` fancied I saw a small island toward the north-east. I took out my `
` pocket glass, and could then clearly distinguish it above five `
` leagues off, as I computed; but it appeared to the sorrel nag to be `
` only a blue cloud: for as he had no conception of any country `
` beside his own, so he could not be as expert in distinguishing `
` remote objects at sea, as we who so much converse in that element. `
` `
` After I had discovered this island, I considered no further; but `
` resolved it should if possible, be the first place of my `
` banishment, leaving the consequence to fortune. `
` `
` I returned home, and consulting with the sorrel nag, we went into a `
` copse at some distance, where I with my knife, and he with a sharp `
` flint, fastened very artificially after their manner, to a wooden `
` handle, cut down several oak wattles, about the thickness of a `
` walking-staff, and some larger pieces. But I shall not trouble the `
` reader with a particular description of my own mechanics; let it `
`