Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
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descanting further, and rather leave the judicious reader to his `
` own remarks and application. `
` `
` I am not a little pleased that this work of mine can possibly meet `
` with no censurers: for what objections can be made against a `
` writer, who relates only plain facts, that happened in such distant `
` countries, where we have not the least interest, with respect `
` either to trade or negotiations? I have carefully avoided every `
` fault with which common writers of travels are often too justly `
` charged. Besides, I meddle not the least with any party, but write `
` without passion, prejudice, or ill-will against any man, or number `
` of men, whatsoever. I write for the noblest end, to inform and `
` instruct mankind; over whom I may, without breach of modesty, `
` pretend to some superiority, from the advantages I received by `
` conversing so long among the most accomplished Houyhnhnms. I write `
` without any view to profit or praise. I never suffer a word to `
` pass that may look like reflection, or possibly give the least `
` offence, even to those who are most ready to take it. So that I `
` hope I may with justice pronounce myself an author perfectly `
` blameless; against whom the tribes of Answerers, Considerers, `
` Observers, Reflectors, Detectors, Remarkers, will never be able to `
` find matter for exercising their talents. `
` `
` I confess, it was whispered to me, "that I was bound in duty, as a `
` subject of England, to have given in a memorial to a secretary of `
` state at my first coming over; because, whatever lands are `
` discovered by a subject belong to the crown." But I doubt whether `
` our conquests in the countries I treat of would be as easy as those `
` of Ferdinando Cortez over the naked Americans. The Lilliputians, I `
` think, are hardly worth the charge of a fleet and army to reduce `
` them; and I question whether it might be prudent or safe to attempt `
` the Brobdingnagians; or whether an English army would be much at `
` their ease with the Flying Island over their heads. The Houyhnhnms `
` indeed appear not to be so well prepared for war, a science to `
` which they are perfect strangers, and especially against missive `
` weapons. However, supposing myself to be a minister of state, I `
` could never give my advice for invading them. Their prudence, `
` unanimity, unacquaintedness with fear, and their love of their `
` country, would amply supply all defects in the military art. `
` Imagine twenty thousand of them breaking into the midst of an `
` European army, confounding the ranks, overturning the carriages, `
` battering the warriors' faces into mummy by terrible yerks from `
` their hinder hoofs; for they would well deserve the character given `
` to Augustus, Recalcitrat undique tutus. But, instead of proposals `
` for conquering that magnanimous nation, I rather wish they were in `
` a capacity, or disposition, to send a sufficient number of their `
` inhabitants for civilizing Europe, by teaching us the first `
` principles of honour, justice, truth, temperance, public spirit, `
` fortitude, chastity, friendship, benevolence, and fidelity. The `
` names of all which virtues are still retained among us in most `
` languages, and are to be met with in modern, as well as ancient `
` authors; which I am able to assert from my own small reading. `
` `
` But I had another reason, which made me less forward to enlarge his `
` majesty's dominions by my discoveries. To say the truth, I had `
` conceived a few scruples with relation to the distributive justice `
` of princes upon those occasions. For instance, a crew of pirates `
` are driven by a storm they know not whither; at length a boy `
` discovers land from the topmast; they go on shore to rob and `
` plunder, they see a harmless people, are entertained with kindness; `
` they give the country a new name; they take formal possession of it `
` for their king; they set up a rotten plank, or a stone, for a `
` memorial; they murder two or three dozen of the natives, bring away `
` a couple more, by force, for a sample; return home, and get their `
` pardon. Here commences a new dominion acquired with a title by `
` divine right. Ships are sent with the first opportunity; the `
` natives driven out or destroyed; their princes tortured to discover `
` their gold; a free license given to all acts of inhumanity and `
` lust, the earth reeking with the blood of its inhabitants: and `
` this execrable crew of butchers, employed in so pious an `
` expedition, is a modern colony, sent to convert and civilize an `
` idolatrous and barbarous people! `
` `
` But this description, I confess, does by no means affect the `
` British nation, who may be an example to the whole world for their `
` wisdom, care, and justice in planting colonies; their liberal `
` endowments for the advancement of religion and learning; their `
` choice of devout and able pastors to propagate Christianity; their `
` caution in stocking their provinces with people of sober lives and `
` conversations from this the mother kingdom; their strict regard to `
` the distribution of justice, in supplying the civil administration `
` through all their colonies with officers of the greatest abilities, `
` utter strangers to corruption; and, to crown all, by sending the `
` most vigilant and virtuous governors, who have no other views than `
` the happiness of the people over whom they preside, and the honour `
` of the king their master. `
` `
` But as those countries which I have described do not appear to have `
` any desire of being conquered and enslaved, murdered or driven out `
` by colonies, nor abound either in gold, silver, sugar, or tobacco, `
` I did humbly conceive, they were by no means proper objects of our `
` zeal, our valour, or our interest. However, if those whom it more `
` concerns think fit to be of another opinion, I am ready to depose, `
` when I shall be lawfully called, that no European did ever visit `
` those countries before me. I mean, if the inhabitants ought to be `
` believed, unless a dispute may arise concerning the two Yahoos, `
` said to have been seen many years ago upon a mountain in `
` Houyhnhnmland. `
` `
` But, as to the formality of taking possession in my sovereign's `
` name, it never came once into my thoughts; and if it had, yet, as `
` my affairs then stood, I should perhaps, in point of prudence and `
` self-preservation, have put it off to a better opportunity. `
` `
` Having thus answered the only objection that can ever be raised `
` against me as a traveller, I here take a final leave of all my `
` courteous readers, and return to enjoy my own speculations in my `
` little garden at Redriff; to apply those excellent lessons of `
` virtue which I learned among the Houyhnhnms; to instruct the Yahoos `
` of my own family, is far as I shall find them docible animals; to `
` behold my figure often in a glass, and thus, if possible, habituate `
` myself by time to tolerate the sight of a human creature; to lament `
` the brutality to Houyhnhnms in my own country, but always treat `
` their persons with respect, for the sake of my noble master, his `
` family, his friends, and the whole Houyhnhnm race, whom these of `
` ours have the honour to resemble in all their lineaments, however `
` their intellectuals came to degenerate. `
` `
` I began last week to permit my wife to sit at dinner with me, at `
` the farthest end of a long table; and to answer (but with the `
` utmost brevity) the few questions I asked her. Yet, the smell of a `
` Yahoo continuing very offensive, I always keep my nose well stopped `
` with rue, lavender, or tobacco leaves. And, although it be hard `
` for a man late in life to remove old habits, I am not altogether `
` out of hopes, in some time, to suffer a neighbour Yahoo in my `
` company, without the apprehensions I am yet under of his teeth or `
` his claws. `
` `
` My reconcilement to the Yahoo kind in general might not be so `
` difficult, if they would be content with those vices and follies `
` only which nature has entitled them to. I am not in the least `
` provoked at the sight of a lawyer, a pickpocket, a colonel, a fool, `
` a lord, a gamester, a politician, a whoremonger, a physician, an `
` evidence, a suborner, an attorney, a traitor, or the like; this is `
` all according to the due course of things: but when I behold a `
` lump of deformity and diseases, both in body and mind, smitten with `
` pride, it immediately breaks all the measures of my patience; `
` neither shall I be ever able to comprehend how such an animal, and `
` such a vice, could tally together. The wise and virtuous `
` Houyhnhnms, who abound in all excellences that can adorn a rational `
` creature, have no name for this vice in their language, which has `
` no terms to express any thing that is evil, except those whereby `
` they describe the detestable qualities of their Yahoos, among which `
` they were not able to distinguish this of pride, for want of `
` thoroughly understanding human nature, as it shows itself in other `
` countries where that animal presides. But I, who had more `
` experience, could plainly observe some rudiments of it among the `
` wild Yahoos. `
` `
` But the Houyhnhnms, who live under the government of reason, are no `
` more proud of the good qualities they possess, than I should be for `
` not wanting a leg or an arm; which no man in his wits would boast `
` of, although he must be miserable without them. I dwell the longer `
` upon this subject from the desire I have to make the society of an `
` English Yahoo by any means not insupportable; and therefore I here `
` entreat those who have any tincture of this absurd vice, that they `
` will not presume to come in my sight. `
` `
` `
` `
`
` own remarks and application. `
` `
` I am not a little pleased that this work of mine can possibly meet `
` with no censurers: for what objections can be made against a `
` writer, who relates only plain facts, that happened in such distant `
` countries, where we have not the least interest, with respect `
` either to trade or negotiations? I have carefully avoided every `
` fault with which common writers of travels are often too justly `
` charged. Besides, I meddle not the least with any party, but write `
` without passion, prejudice, or ill-will against any man, or number `
` of men, whatsoever. I write for the noblest end, to inform and `
` instruct mankind; over whom I may, without breach of modesty, `
` pretend to some superiority, from the advantages I received by `
` conversing so long among the most accomplished Houyhnhnms. I write `
` without any view to profit or praise. I never suffer a word to `
` pass that may look like reflection, or possibly give the least `
` offence, even to those who are most ready to take it. So that I `
` hope I may with justice pronounce myself an author perfectly `
` blameless; against whom the tribes of Answerers, Considerers, `
` Observers, Reflectors, Detectors, Remarkers, will never be able to `
` find matter for exercising their talents. `
` `
` I confess, it was whispered to me, "that I was bound in duty, as a `
` subject of England, to have given in a memorial to a secretary of `
` state at my first coming over; because, whatever lands are `
` discovered by a subject belong to the crown." But I doubt whether `
` our conquests in the countries I treat of would be as easy as those `
` of Ferdinando Cortez over the naked Americans. The Lilliputians, I `
` think, are hardly worth the charge of a fleet and army to reduce `
` them; and I question whether it might be prudent or safe to attempt `
` the Brobdingnagians; or whether an English army would be much at `
` their ease with the Flying Island over their heads. The Houyhnhnms `
` indeed appear not to be so well prepared for war, a science to `
` which they are perfect strangers, and especially against missive `
` weapons. However, supposing myself to be a minister of state, I `
` could never give my advice for invading them. Their prudence, `
` unanimity, unacquaintedness with fear, and their love of their `
` country, would amply supply all defects in the military art. `
` Imagine twenty thousand of them breaking into the midst of an `
` European army, confounding the ranks, overturning the carriages, `
` battering the warriors' faces into mummy by terrible yerks from `
` their hinder hoofs; for they would well deserve the character given `
` to Augustus, Recalcitrat undique tutus. But, instead of proposals `
` for conquering that magnanimous nation, I rather wish they were in `
` a capacity, or disposition, to send a sufficient number of their `
` inhabitants for civilizing Europe, by teaching us the first `
` principles of honour, justice, truth, temperance, public spirit, `
` fortitude, chastity, friendship, benevolence, and fidelity. The `
` names of all which virtues are still retained among us in most `
` languages, and are to be met with in modern, as well as ancient `
` authors; which I am able to assert from my own small reading. `
` `
` But I had another reason, which made me less forward to enlarge his `
` majesty's dominions by my discoveries. To say the truth, I had `
` conceived a few scruples with relation to the distributive justice `
` of princes upon those occasions. For instance, a crew of pirates `
` are driven by a storm they know not whither; at length a boy `
` discovers land from the topmast; they go on shore to rob and `
` plunder, they see a harmless people, are entertained with kindness; `
` they give the country a new name; they take formal possession of it `
` for their king; they set up a rotten plank, or a stone, for a `
` memorial; they murder two or three dozen of the natives, bring away `
` a couple more, by force, for a sample; return home, and get their `
` pardon. Here commences a new dominion acquired with a title by `
` divine right. Ships are sent with the first opportunity; the `
` natives driven out or destroyed; their princes tortured to discover `
` their gold; a free license given to all acts of inhumanity and `
` lust, the earth reeking with the blood of its inhabitants: and `
` this execrable crew of butchers, employed in so pious an `
` expedition, is a modern colony, sent to convert and civilize an `
` idolatrous and barbarous people! `
` `
` But this description, I confess, does by no means affect the `
` British nation, who may be an example to the whole world for their `
` wisdom, care, and justice in planting colonies; their liberal `
` endowments for the advancement of religion and learning; their `
` choice of devout and able pastors to propagate Christianity; their `
` caution in stocking their provinces with people of sober lives and `
` conversations from this the mother kingdom; their strict regard to `
` the distribution of justice, in supplying the civil administration `
` through all their colonies with officers of the greatest abilities, `
` utter strangers to corruption; and, to crown all, by sending the `
` most vigilant and virtuous governors, who have no other views than `
` the happiness of the people over whom they preside, and the honour `
` of the king their master. `
` `
` But as those countries which I have described do not appear to have `
` any desire of being conquered and enslaved, murdered or driven out `
` by colonies, nor abound either in gold, silver, sugar, or tobacco, `
` I did humbly conceive, they were by no means proper objects of our `
` zeal, our valour, or our interest. However, if those whom it more `
` concerns think fit to be of another opinion, I am ready to depose, `
` when I shall be lawfully called, that no European did ever visit `
` those countries before me. I mean, if the inhabitants ought to be `
` believed, unless a dispute may arise concerning the two Yahoos, `
` said to have been seen many years ago upon a mountain in `
` Houyhnhnmland. `
` `
` But, as to the formality of taking possession in my sovereign's `
` name, it never came once into my thoughts; and if it had, yet, as `
` my affairs then stood, I should perhaps, in point of prudence and `
` self-preservation, have put it off to a better opportunity. `
` `
` Having thus answered the only objection that can ever be raised `
` against me as a traveller, I here take a final leave of all my `
` courteous readers, and return to enjoy my own speculations in my `
` little garden at Redriff; to apply those excellent lessons of `
` virtue which I learned among the Houyhnhnms; to instruct the Yahoos `
` of my own family, is far as I shall find them docible animals; to `
` behold my figure often in a glass, and thus, if possible, habituate `
` myself by time to tolerate the sight of a human creature; to lament `
` the brutality to Houyhnhnms in my own country, but always treat `
` their persons with respect, for the sake of my noble master, his `
` family, his friends, and the whole Houyhnhnm race, whom these of `
` ours have the honour to resemble in all their lineaments, however `
` their intellectuals came to degenerate. `
` `
` I began last week to permit my wife to sit at dinner with me, at `
` the farthest end of a long table; and to answer (but with the `
` utmost brevity) the few questions I asked her. Yet, the smell of a `
` Yahoo continuing very offensive, I always keep my nose well stopped `
` with rue, lavender, or tobacco leaves. And, although it be hard `
` for a man late in life to remove old habits, I am not altogether `
` out of hopes, in some time, to suffer a neighbour Yahoo in my `
` company, without the apprehensions I am yet under of his teeth or `
` his claws. `
` `
` My reconcilement to the Yahoo kind in general might not be so `
` difficult, if they would be content with those vices and follies `
` only which nature has entitled them to. I am not in the least `
` provoked at the sight of a lawyer, a pickpocket, a colonel, a fool, `
` a lord, a gamester, a politician, a whoremonger, a physician, an `
` evidence, a suborner, an attorney, a traitor, or the like; this is `
` all according to the due course of things: but when I behold a `
` lump of deformity and diseases, both in body and mind, smitten with `
` pride, it immediately breaks all the measures of my patience; `
` neither shall I be ever able to comprehend how such an animal, and `
` such a vice, could tally together. The wise and virtuous `
` Houyhnhnms, who abound in all excellences that can adorn a rational `
` creature, have no name for this vice in their language, which has `
` no terms to express any thing that is evil, except those whereby `
` they describe the detestable qualities of their Yahoos, among which `
` they were not able to distinguish this of pride, for want of `
` thoroughly understanding human nature, as it shows itself in other `
` countries where that animal presides. But I, who had more `
` experience, could plainly observe some rudiments of it among the `
` wild Yahoos. `
` `
` But the Houyhnhnms, who live under the government of reason, are no `
` more proud of the good qualities they possess, than I should be for `
` not wanting a leg or an arm; which no man in his wits would boast `
` of, although he must be miserable without them. I dwell the longer `
` upon this subject from the desire I have to make the society of an `
` English Yahoo by any means not insupportable; and therefore I here `
` entreat those who have any tincture of this absurd vice, that they `
` will not presume to come in my sight. `
` `
` `
` `
`