Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and according to my `
` direction, in three weeks finished for me a wooden chamber of `
` sixteen feet square, and twelve high, with sash-windows, a door, `
` and two closets, like a London bed-chamber. The board, that made `
` the ceiling, was to be lifted up and down by two hinges, to put in `
` a bed ready furnished by her majesty's upholsterer, which `
` Glumdalclitch took out every day to air, made it with her own `
` hands, and letting it down at night, locked up the roof over me. A `
` nice workman, who was famous for little curiosities, undertook to `
` make me two chairs, with backs and frames, of a substance not `
` unlike ivory, and two tables, with a cabinet to put my things in. `
` The room was quilted on all sides, as well as the floor and the `
` ceiling, to prevent any accident from the carelessness of those who `
` carried me, and to break the force of a jolt, when I went in a `
` coach. I desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats and mice from `
` coming in. The smith, after several attempts, made the smallest `
` that ever was seen among them, for I have known a larger at the `
` gate of a gentleman's house in England. I made a shift to keep the `
` key in a pocket of my own, fearing Glumdalclitch might lose it. `
` The queen likewise ordered the thinnest silks that could be gotten, `
` to make me clothes, not much thicker than an English blanket, very `
` cumbersome till I was accustomed to them. They were after the `
` fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the Persian, and partly `
` the Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit. `
` `
` The queen became so fond of my company, that she could not dine `
` without me. I had a table placed upon the same at which her `
` majesty ate, just at her left elbow, and a chair to sit on. `
` Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on the floor near my table, to `
` assist and take care of me. I had an entire set of silver dishes `
` and plates, and other necessaries, which, in proportion to those of `
` the queen, were not much bigger than what I have seen in a London `
` toy-shop for the furniture of a baby-house: these my little nurse `
` kept in her pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals as I `
` wanted them, always cleaning them herself. No person dined with `
` the queen but the two princesses royal, the eldest sixteen years `
` old, and the younger at that time thirteen and a month. Her `
` majesty used to put a bit of meat upon one of my dishes, out of `
` which I carved for myself, and her diversion was to see me eat in `
` miniature: for the queen (who had indeed but a weak stomach) took `
` up, at one mouthful, as much as a dozen English farmers could eat `
` at a meal, which to me was for some time a very nauseous sight. `
` She would craunch the wing of a lark, bones and all, between her `
` teeth, although it were nine times as large as that of a full-grown `
` turkey; and put a bit of bread into her mouth as big as two twelve- `
` penny loaves. She drank out of a golden cup, above a hogshead at a `
` draught. Her knives were twice as long as a scythe, set straight `
` upon the handle. The spoons, forks, and other instruments, were `
` all in the same proportion. I remember when Glumdalclitch carried `
` me, out of curiosity, to see some of the tables at court, where ten `
` or a dozen of those enormous knives and forks were lifted up `
` together, I thought I had never till then beheld so terrible a `
` sight. `
` `
` It is the custom, that every Wednesday (which, as I have observed, `
` is their Sabbath) the king and queen, with the royal issue of both `
` sexes, dine together in the apartment of his majesty, to whom I was `
` now become a great favourite; and at these times, my little chair `
` and table were placed at his left hand, before one of the salt- `
` cellars. This prince took a pleasure in conversing with me, `
` inquiring into the manners, religion, laws, government, and `
` learning of Europe; wherein I gave him the best account I was able. `
` His apprehension was so clear, and his judgment so exact, that he `
` made very wise reflections and observations upon all I said. But I `
` confess, that, after I had been a little too copious in talking of `
` my own beloved country, of our trade and wars by sea and land, of `
` our schisms in religion, and parties in the state; the prejudices `
` of his education prevailed so far, that he could not forbear taking `
` me up in his right hand, and stroking me gently with the other, `
` after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me, "whether I was a whig or `
` tory?" Then turning to his first minister, who waited behind him `
` with a white staff, near as tall as the mainmast of the Royal `
` Sovereign, he observed "how contemptible a thing was human `
` grandeur, which could be mimicked by such diminutive insects as I: `
` and yet," says he, "I dare engage these creatures have their titles `
` and distinctions of honour; they contrive little nests and burrows, `
` that they call houses and cities; they make a figure in dress and `
` equipage; they love, they fight, they dispute, they cheat, they `
` betray!" And thus he continued on, while my colour came and went `
` several times, with indignation, to hear our noble country, the `
` mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France, the arbitress of `
` Europe, the seat of virtue, piety, honour, and truth, the pride and `
` envy of the world, so contemptuously treated. `
` `
` But as I was not in a condition to resent injuries, so upon mature `
` thoughts I began to doubt whether I was injured or no. For, after `
` having been accustomed several months to the sight and converse of `
` this people, and observed every object upon which I cast mine eyes `
` to be of proportionable magnitude, the horror I had at first `
` conceived from their bulk and aspect was so far worn off, that if I `
` had then beheld a company of English lords and ladies in their `
` finery and birth-day clothes, acting their several parts in the `
` most courtly manner of strutting, and bowing, and prating, to say `
` the truth, I should have been strongly tempted to laugh as much at `
` them as the king and his grandees did at me. Neither, indeed, `
` could I forbear smiling at myself, when the queen used to place me `
` upon her hand towards a looking-glass, by which both our persons `
` appeared before me in full view together; and there could be `
` nothing more ridiculous than the comparison; so that I really began `
` to imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size. `
` `
` Nothing angered and mortified me so much as the queen's dwarf; who `
` being of the lowest stature that was ever in that country (for I `
` verily think he was not full thirty feet high), became so insolent `
` at seeing a creature so much beneath him, that he would always `
` affect to swagger and look big as he passed by me in the queen's `
` antechamber, while I was standing on some table talking with the `
` lords or ladies of the court, and he seldom failed of a smart word `
` or two upon my littleness; against which I could only revenge `
` myself by calling him brother, challenging him to wrestle, and such `
` repartees as are usually in the mouths of court pages. One day, at `
` dinner, this malicious little cub was so nettled with something I `
` had said to him, that, raising himself upon the frame of her `
` majesty's chair, he took me up by the middle, as I was sitting `
` down, not thinking any harm, and let me drop into a large silver `
` bowl of cream, and then ran away as fast as he could. I fell over `
` head and ears, and, if I had not been a good swimmer, it might have `
` gone very hard with me; for Glumdalclitch in that instant happened `
` to be at the other end of the room, and the queen was in such a `
` fright, that she wanted presence of mind to assist me. But my `
` little nurse ran to my relief, and took me out, after I had `
` swallowed above a quart of cream. I was put to bed: however, I `
` received no other damage than the loss of a suit of clothes, which `
` was utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly whipt, and as a farther `
` punishment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream into which he had `
` thrown me: neither was he ever restored to favour; for soon after `
` the queen bestowed him on a lady of high quality, so that I saw him `
` no more, to my very great satisfaction; for I could not tell to `
` what extremities such a malicious urchin might have carried his `
` resentment. `
` `
` He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the queen a- `
` laughing, although at the same time she was heartily vexed, and `
` would have immediately cashiered him, if I had not been so generous `
` as to intercede. Her majesty had taken a marrow-bone upon her `
` plate, and, after knocking out the marrow, placed the bone again in `
` the dish erect, as it stood before; the dwarf, watching his `
` opportunity, while Glumdalclitch was gone to the side-board, `
` mounted the stool that she stood on to take care of me at meals, `
` took me up in both hands, and squeezing my legs together, wedged `
` them into the marrow bone above my waist, where I stuck for some `
` time, and made a very ridiculous figure. I believe it was near a `
` minute before any one knew what was become of me; for I thought it `
` below me to cry out. But, as princes seldom get their meat hot, my `
` legs were not scalded, only my stockings and breeches in a sad `
` condition. The dwarf, at my entreaty, had no other punishment than `
` a sound whipping. `
` `
` I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account of my `
` fearfulness; and she used to ask me whether the people of my `
` country were as great cowards as myself? The occasion was this: `
` the kingdom is much pestered with flies in summer; and these odious `
` insects, each of them as big as a Dunstable lark, hardly gave me `
` any rest while I sat at dinner, with their continual humming and `
` buzzing about mine ears. They would sometimes alight upon my `
` victuals, and leave their loathsome excrement, or spawn behind, `
` which to me was very visible, though not to the natives of that `
` country, whose large optics were not so acute as mine, in viewing `
` smaller objects. Sometimes they would fix upon my nose, or `
` forehead, where they stung me to the quick, smelling very `
` offensively; and I could easily trace that viscous matter, which, `
` our naturalists tell us, enables those creatures to walk with their `
` feet upwards upon a ceiling. I had much ado to defend myself `
` against these detestable animals, and could not forbear starting `
` when they came on my face. It was the common practice of the `
` dwarf, to catch a number of these insects in his hand, as `
` schoolboys do among us, and let them out suddenly under my nose, on `
` purpose to frighten me, and divert the queen. My remedy was to cut `
` them in pieces with my knife, as they flew in the air, wherein my `
` dexterity was much admired. `
` `
` I remember, one morning, when Glumdalclitch had set me in a box `
` upon a window, as she usually did in fair days to give me air (for `
` I durst not venture to let the box be hung on a nail out of the `
` window, as we do with cages in England), after I had lifted up one `
` of my sashes, and sat down at my table to eat a piece of sweet cake `
` for my breakfast, above twenty wasps, allured by the smell, came `
` flying into the room, humming louder than the drones of as many `
` bagpipes. Some of them seized my cake, and carried it piecemeal `
` away; others flew about my head and face, confounding me with the `
` noise, and putting me in the utmost terror of their stings. `
` However, I had the courage to rise and draw my hanger, and attack `
` them in the air. I dispatched four of them, but the rest got away, `
` and I presently shut my window. These insects were as large as `
` partridges: I took out their stings, found them an inch and a half `
` long, and as sharp as needles. I carefully preserved them all; and `
` having since shown them, with some other curiosities, in several `
` parts of Europe, upon my return to England I gave three of them to `
` Gresham College, and kept the fourth for myself. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IV. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The country described. A proposal for correcting modern maps. `
` The king's palace; and some account of the metropolis. The `
` author's way of travelling. The chief temple described.] `
` `
` I now intend to give the reader a short description of this `
`
` direction, in three weeks finished for me a wooden chamber of `
` sixteen feet square, and twelve high, with sash-windows, a door, `
` and two closets, like a London bed-chamber. The board, that made `
` the ceiling, was to be lifted up and down by two hinges, to put in `
` a bed ready furnished by her majesty's upholsterer, which `
` Glumdalclitch took out every day to air, made it with her own `
` hands, and letting it down at night, locked up the roof over me. A `
` nice workman, who was famous for little curiosities, undertook to `
` make me two chairs, with backs and frames, of a substance not `
` unlike ivory, and two tables, with a cabinet to put my things in. `
` The room was quilted on all sides, as well as the floor and the `
` ceiling, to prevent any accident from the carelessness of those who `
` carried me, and to break the force of a jolt, when I went in a `
` coach. I desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats and mice from `
` coming in. The smith, after several attempts, made the smallest `
` that ever was seen among them, for I have known a larger at the `
` gate of a gentleman's house in England. I made a shift to keep the `
` key in a pocket of my own, fearing Glumdalclitch might lose it. `
` The queen likewise ordered the thinnest silks that could be gotten, `
` to make me clothes, not much thicker than an English blanket, very `
` cumbersome till I was accustomed to them. They were after the `
` fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the Persian, and partly `
` the Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit. `
` `
` The queen became so fond of my company, that she could not dine `
` without me. I had a table placed upon the same at which her `
` majesty ate, just at her left elbow, and a chair to sit on. `
` Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on the floor near my table, to `
` assist and take care of me. I had an entire set of silver dishes `
` and plates, and other necessaries, which, in proportion to those of `
` the queen, were not much bigger than what I have seen in a London `
` toy-shop for the furniture of a baby-house: these my little nurse `
` kept in her pocket in a silver box, and gave me at meals as I `
` wanted them, always cleaning them herself. No person dined with `
` the queen but the two princesses royal, the eldest sixteen years `
` old, and the younger at that time thirteen and a month. Her `
` majesty used to put a bit of meat upon one of my dishes, out of `
` which I carved for myself, and her diversion was to see me eat in `
` miniature: for the queen (who had indeed but a weak stomach) took `
` up, at one mouthful, as much as a dozen English farmers could eat `
` at a meal, which to me was for some time a very nauseous sight. `
` She would craunch the wing of a lark, bones and all, between her `
` teeth, although it were nine times as large as that of a full-grown `
` turkey; and put a bit of bread into her mouth as big as two twelve- `
` penny loaves. She drank out of a golden cup, above a hogshead at a `
` draught. Her knives were twice as long as a scythe, set straight `
` upon the handle. The spoons, forks, and other instruments, were `
` all in the same proportion. I remember when Glumdalclitch carried `
` me, out of curiosity, to see some of the tables at court, where ten `
` or a dozen of those enormous knives and forks were lifted up `
` together, I thought I had never till then beheld so terrible a `
` sight. `
` `
` It is the custom, that every Wednesday (which, as I have observed, `
` is their Sabbath) the king and queen, with the royal issue of both `
` sexes, dine together in the apartment of his majesty, to whom I was `
` now become a great favourite; and at these times, my little chair `
` and table were placed at his left hand, before one of the salt- `
` cellars. This prince took a pleasure in conversing with me, `
` inquiring into the manners, religion, laws, government, and `
` learning of Europe; wherein I gave him the best account I was able. `
` His apprehension was so clear, and his judgment so exact, that he `
` made very wise reflections and observations upon all I said. But I `
` confess, that, after I had been a little too copious in talking of `
` my own beloved country, of our trade and wars by sea and land, of `
` our schisms in religion, and parties in the state; the prejudices `
` of his education prevailed so far, that he could not forbear taking `
` me up in his right hand, and stroking me gently with the other, `
` after a hearty fit of laughing, asked me, "whether I was a whig or `
` tory?" Then turning to his first minister, who waited behind him `
` with a white staff, near as tall as the mainmast of the Royal `
` Sovereign, he observed "how contemptible a thing was human `
` grandeur, which could be mimicked by such diminutive insects as I: `
` and yet," says he, "I dare engage these creatures have their titles `
` and distinctions of honour; they contrive little nests and burrows, `
` that they call houses and cities; they make a figure in dress and `
` equipage; they love, they fight, they dispute, they cheat, they `
` betray!" And thus he continued on, while my colour came and went `
` several times, with indignation, to hear our noble country, the `
` mistress of arts and arms, the scourge of France, the arbitress of `
` Europe, the seat of virtue, piety, honour, and truth, the pride and `
` envy of the world, so contemptuously treated. `
` `
` But as I was not in a condition to resent injuries, so upon mature `
` thoughts I began to doubt whether I was injured or no. For, after `
` having been accustomed several months to the sight and converse of `
` this people, and observed every object upon which I cast mine eyes `
` to be of proportionable magnitude, the horror I had at first `
` conceived from their bulk and aspect was so far worn off, that if I `
` had then beheld a company of English lords and ladies in their `
` finery and birth-day clothes, acting their several parts in the `
` most courtly manner of strutting, and bowing, and prating, to say `
` the truth, I should have been strongly tempted to laugh as much at `
` them as the king and his grandees did at me. Neither, indeed, `
` could I forbear smiling at myself, when the queen used to place me `
` upon her hand towards a looking-glass, by which both our persons `
` appeared before me in full view together; and there could be `
` nothing more ridiculous than the comparison; so that I really began `
` to imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size. `
` `
` Nothing angered and mortified me so much as the queen's dwarf; who `
` being of the lowest stature that was ever in that country (for I `
` verily think he was not full thirty feet high), became so insolent `
` at seeing a creature so much beneath him, that he would always `
` affect to swagger and look big as he passed by me in the queen's `
` antechamber, while I was standing on some table talking with the `
` lords or ladies of the court, and he seldom failed of a smart word `
` or two upon my littleness; against which I could only revenge `
` myself by calling him brother, challenging him to wrestle, and such `
` repartees as are usually in the mouths of court pages. One day, at `
` dinner, this malicious little cub was so nettled with something I `
` had said to him, that, raising himself upon the frame of her `
` majesty's chair, he took me up by the middle, as I was sitting `
` down, not thinking any harm, and let me drop into a large silver `
` bowl of cream, and then ran away as fast as he could. I fell over `
` head and ears, and, if I had not been a good swimmer, it might have `
` gone very hard with me; for Glumdalclitch in that instant happened `
` to be at the other end of the room, and the queen was in such a `
` fright, that she wanted presence of mind to assist me. But my `
` little nurse ran to my relief, and took me out, after I had `
` swallowed above a quart of cream. I was put to bed: however, I `
` received no other damage than the loss of a suit of clothes, which `
` was utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly whipt, and as a farther `
` punishment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream into which he had `
` thrown me: neither was he ever restored to favour; for soon after `
` the queen bestowed him on a lady of high quality, so that I saw him `
` no more, to my very great satisfaction; for I could not tell to `
` what extremities such a malicious urchin might have carried his `
` resentment. `
` `
` He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the queen a- `
` laughing, although at the same time she was heartily vexed, and `
` would have immediately cashiered him, if I had not been so generous `
` as to intercede. Her majesty had taken a marrow-bone upon her `
` plate, and, after knocking out the marrow, placed the bone again in `
` the dish erect, as it stood before; the dwarf, watching his `
` opportunity, while Glumdalclitch was gone to the side-board, `
` mounted the stool that she stood on to take care of me at meals, `
` took me up in both hands, and squeezing my legs together, wedged `
` them into the marrow bone above my waist, where I stuck for some `
` time, and made a very ridiculous figure. I believe it was near a `
` minute before any one knew what was become of me; for I thought it `
` below me to cry out. But, as princes seldom get their meat hot, my `
` legs were not scalded, only my stockings and breeches in a sad `
` condition. The dwarf, at my entreaty, had no other punishment than `
` a sound whipping. `
` `
` I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account of my `
` fearfulness; and she used to ask me whether the people of my `
` country were as great cowards as myself? The occasion was this: `
` the kingdom is much pestered with flies in summer; and these odious `
` insects, each of them as big as a Dunstable lark, hardly gave me `
` any rest while I sat at dinner, with their continual humming and `
` buzzing about mine ears. They would sometimes alight upon my `
` victuals, and leave their loathsome excrement, or spawn behind, `
` which to me was very visible, though not to the natives of that `
` country, whose large optics were not so acute as mine, in viewing `
` smaller objects. Sometimes they would fix upon my nose, or `
` forehead, where they stung me to the quick, smelling very `
` offensively; and I could easily trace that viscous matter, which, `
` our naturalists tell us, enables those creatures to walk with their `
` feet upwards upon a ceiling. I had much ado to defend myself `
` against these detestable animals, and could not forbear starting `
` when they came on my face. It was the common practice of the `
` dwarf, to catch a number of these insects in his hand, as `
` schoolboys do among us, and let them out suddenly under my nose, on `
` purpose to frighten me, and divert the queen. My remedy was to cut `
` them in pieces with my knife, as they flew in the air, wherein my `
` dexterity was much admired. `
` `
` I remember, one morning, when Glumdalclitch had set me in a box `
` upon a window, as she usually did in fair days to give me air (for `
` I durst not venture to let the box be hung on a nail out of the `
` window, as we do with cages in England), after I had lifted up one `
` of my sashes, and sat down at my table to eat a piece of sweet cake `
` for my breakfast, above twenty wasps, allured by the smell, came `
` flying into the room, humming louder than the drones of as many `
` bagpipes. Some of them seized my cake, and carried it piecemeal `
` away; others flew about my head and face, confounding me with the `
` noise, and putting me in the utmost terror of their stings. `
` However, I had the courage to rise and draw my hanger, and attack `
` them in the air. I dispatched four of them, but the rest got away, `
` and I presently shut my window. These insects were as large as `
` partridges: I took out their stings, found them an inch and a half `
` long, and as sharp as needles. I carefully preserved them all; and `
` having since shown them, with some other curiosities, in several `
` parts of Europe, upon my return to England I gave three of them to `
` Gresham College, and kept the fourth for myself. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IV. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The country described. A proposal for correcting modern maps. `
` The king's palace; and some account of the metropolis. The `
` author's way of travelling. The chief temple described.] `
` `
` I now intend to give the reader a short description of this `
`