Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
I now intend to give the reader a short description of this `
` country, as far as I travelled in it, which was not above two `
` thousand miles round Lorbrulgrud, the metropolis. For the queen, `
` whom I always attended, never went farther when she accompanied the `
` king in his progresses, and there staid till his majesty returned `
` from viewing his frontiers. The whole extent of this prince's `
` dominions reaches about six thousand miles in length, and from `
` three to five in breadth: whence I cannot but conclude, that our `
` geographers of Europe are in a great error, by supposing nothing `
` but sea between Japan and California; for it was ever my opinion, `
` that there must be a balance of earth to counterpoise the great `
` continent of Tartary; and therefore they ought to correct their `
` maps and charts, by joining this vast tract of land to the north- `
` west parts of America, wherein I shall be ready to lend them my `
` assistance. `
` `
` The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to the north-east by a ridge `
` of mountains thirty miles high, which are altogether impassable, by `
` reason of the volcanoes upon the tops: neither do the most learned `
` know what sort of mortals inhabit beyond those mountains, or `
` whether they be inhabited at all. On the three other sides, it is `
` bounded by the ocean. There is not one seaport in the whole `
` kingdom: and those parts of the coasts into which the rivers `
` issue, are so full of pointed rocks, and the sea generally so `
` rough, that there is no venturing with the smallest of their boats; `
` so that these people are wholly excluded from any commerce with the `
` rest of the world. But the large rivers are full of vessels, and `
` abound with excellent fish; for they seldom get any from the sea, `
` because the sea fish are of the same size with those in Europe, and `
` consequently not worth catching; whereby it is manifest, that `
` nature, in the production of plants and animals of so extraordinary `
` a bulk, is wholly confined to this continent, of which I leave the `
` reasons to be determined by philosophers. However, now and then `
` they take a whale that happens to be dashed against the rocks, `
` which the common people feed on heartily. These whales I have `
` known so large, that a man could hardly carry one upon his `
` shoulders; and sometimes, for curiosity, they are brought in `
` hampers to Lorbrulgrud; I saw one of them in a dish at the king's `
` table, which passed for a rarity, but I did not observe he was fond `
` of it; for I think, indeed, the bigness disgusted him, although I `
` have seen one somewhat larger in Greenland. `
` `
` The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, `
` near a hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages. To `
` satisfy my curious reader, it may be sufficient to describe `
` Lorbrulgrud. This city stands upon almost two equal parts, on each `
` side the river that passes through. It contains above eighty `
` thousand houses, and about six hundred thousand inhabitants. It is `
` in length three glomglungs (which make about fifty-four English `
` miles,) and two and a half in breadth; as I measured it myself in `
` the royal map made by the king's order, which was laid on the `
` ground on purpose for me, and extended a hundred feet: I paced the `
` diameter and circumference several times barefoot, and, computing `
` by the scale, measured it pretty exactly. `
` `
` The king's palace is no regular edifice, but a heap of buildings, `
` about seven miles round: the chief rooms are generally two hundred `
` and forty feet high, and broad and long in proportion. A coach was `
` allowed to Glumdalclitch and me, wherein her governess frequently `
` took her out to see the town, or go among the shops; and I was `
` always of the party, carried in my box; although the girl, at my `
` own desire, would often take me out, and hold me in her hand, that `
` I might more conveniently view the houses and the people, as we `
` passed along the streets. I reckoned our coach to be about a `
` square of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so high: however, I `
` cannot be very exact. One day the governess ordered our coachman `
` to stop at several shops, where the beggars, watching their `
` opportunity, crowded to the sides of the coach, and gave me the `
` most horrible spectacle that ever a European eye beheld. There was `
` a woman with a cancer in her breast, swelled to a monstrous size, `
` full of holes, in two or three of which I could have easily crept, `
` and covered my whole body. There was a fellow with a wen in his `
` neck, larger than five wool-packs; and another, with a couple of `
` wooden legs, each about twenty feet high. But the most hateful `
` sight of all, was the lice crawling on their clothes. I could see `
` distinctly the limbs of these vermin with my naked eye, much better `
` than those of a European louse through a microscope, and their `
` snouts with which they rooted like swine. They were the first I `
` had ever beheld, and I should have been curious enough to dissect `
` one of them, if I had had proper instruments, which I unluckily `
` left behind me in the ship, although, indeed, the sight was so `
` nauseous, that it perfectly turned my stomach. `
` `
` Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen `
` ordered a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet `
` square, and ten high, for the convenience of travelling; because `
` the other was somewhat too large for Glumdalclitch's lap, and `
` cumbersome in the coach; it was made by the same artist, whom I `
` directed in the whole contrivance. This travelling-closet was an `
` exact square, with a window in the middle of three of the squares, `
` and each window was latticed with iron wire on the outside, to `
` prevent accidents in long journeys. On the fourth side, which had `
` no window, two strong staples were fixed, through which the person `
` that carried me, when I had a mind to be on horseback, put a `
` leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This was always the `
` office of some grave trusty servant, in whom I could confide, `
` whether I attended the king and queen in their progresses, or were `
` disposed to see the gardens, or pay a visit to some great lady or `
` minister of state in the court, when Glumdalclitch happened to be `
` out of order; for I soon began to be known and esteemed among the `
` greatest officers, I suppose more upon account of their majesties' `
` favour, than any merit of my own. In journeys, when I was weary of `
` the coach, a servant on horseback would buckle on my box, and place `
` it upon a cushion before him; and there I had a full prospect of `
` the country on three sides, from my three windows. I had, in this `
` closet, a field-bed and a hammock, hung from the ceiling, two `
` chairs and a table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being `
` tossed about by the agitation of the horse or the coach. And `
` having been long used to sea-voyages, those motions, although `
` sometimes very violent, did not much discompose me. `
` `
` Whenever I had a mind to see the town, it was always in my `
` travelling-closet; which Glumdalclitch held in her lap in a kind of `
` open sedan, after the fashion of the country, borne by four men, `
` and attended by two others in the queen's livery. The people, who `
` had often heard of me, were very curious to crowd about the sedan, `
` and the girl was complaisant enough to make the bearers stop, and `
` to take me in her hand, that I might be more conveniently seen. `
` `
` I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and particularly the `
` tower belonging to it, which is reckoned the highest in the `
` kingdom. Accordingly one day my nurse carried me thither, but I `
` may truly say I came back disappointed; for the height is not above `
` three thousand feet, reckoning from the ground to the highest `
` pinnacle top; which, allowing for the difference between the size `
` of those people and us in Europe, is no great matter for `
` admiration, nor at all equal in proportion (if I rightly remember) `
` to Salisbury steeple. But, not to detract from a nation, to which, `
` during my life, I shall acknowledge myself extremely obliged, it `
` must be allowed, that whatever this famous tower wants in height, `
` is amply made up in beauty and strength: for the walls are near a `
` hundred feet thick, built of hewn stone, whereof each is about `
` forty feet square, and adorned on all sides with statues of gods `
` and emperors, cut in marble, larger than the life, placed in their `
` several niches. I measured a little finger which had fallen down `
` from one of these statues, and lay unperceived among some rubbish, `
` and found it exactly four feet and an inch in length. `
` Glumdalclitch wrapped it up in her handkerchief, and carried it `
` home in her pocket, to keep among other trinkets, of which the girl `
` was very fond, as children at her age usually are. `
` `
` The king's kitchen is indeed a noble building, vaulted at top, and `
` about six hundred feet high. The great oven is not so wide, by ten `
` paces, as the cupola at St. Paul's: for I measured the latter on `
` purpose, after my return. But if I should describe the kitchen `
` grate, the prodigious pots and kettles, the joints of meat turning `
` on the spits, with many other particulars, perhaps I should be `
` hardly believed; at least a severe critic would be apt to think I `
` enlarged a little, as travellers are often suspected to do. To `
` avoid which censure I fear I have run too much into the other `
` extreme; and that if this treatise should happen to be translated `
` into the language of Brobdingnag (which is the general name of that `
` kingdom,) and transmitted thither, the king and his people would `
` have reason to complain that I had done them an injury, by a false `
` and diminutive representation. `
` `
` His majesty seldom keeps above six hundred horses in his stables: `
` they are generally from fifty-four to sixty feet high. But, when `
` he goes abroad on solemn days, he is attended, for state, by a `
` military guard of five hundred horse, which, indeed, I thought was `
` the most splendid sight that could be ever beheld, till I saw part `
` of his army in battalia, whereof I shall find another occasion to `
` speak. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V. `
` `
` `
` `
` [Several adventurers that happened to the author. The execution of `
` a criminal. The author shows his skill in navigation.] `
` `
` I should have lived happy enough in that country, if my littleness `
` had not exposed me to several ridiculous and troublesome accidents; `
` some of which I shall venture to relate. Glumdalclitch often `
` carried me into the gardens of the court in my smaller box, and `
` would sometimes take me out of it, and hold me in her hand, or set `
` me down to walk. I remember, before the dwarf left the queen, he `
` followed us one day into those gardens, and my nurse having set me `
` down, he and I being close together, near some dwarf apple trees, I `
` must needs show my wit, by a silly allusion between him and the `
` trees, which happens to hold in their language as it does in ours. `
` Whereupon, the malicious rogue, watching his opportunity, when I `
` was walking under one of them, shook it directly over my head, by `
` which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a Bristol `
` barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the back `
` as I chanced to stoop, and knocked me down flat on my face; but I `
` received no other hurt, and the dwarf was pardoned at my desire, `
` because I had given the provocation. `
` `
` Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth grass-plot to divert `
` myself, while she walked at some distance with her governess. In `
` the meantime, there suddenly fell such a violent shower of hail, `
` that I was immediately by the force of it, struck to the ground: `
` and when I was down, the hailstones gave me such cruel bangs all `
` over the body, as if I had been pelted with tennis-balls; however, `
` I made a shift to creep on all fours, and shelter myself, by lying `
` flat on my face, on the lee-side of a border of lemon-thyme, but so `
` bruised from head to foot, that I could not go abroad in ten days. `
` Neither is this at all to be wondered at, because nature, in that `
`
` country, as far as I travelled in it, which was not above two `
` thousand miles round Lorbrulgrud, the metropolis. For the queen, `
` whom I always attended, never went farther when she accompanied the `
` king in his progresses, and there staid till his majesty returned `
` from viewing his frontiers. The whole extent of this prince's `
` dominions reaches about six thousand miles in length, and from `
` three to five in breadth: whence I cannot but conclude, that our `
` geographers of Europe are in a great error, by supposing nothing `
` but sea between Japan and California; for it was ever my opinion, `
` that there must be a balance of earth to counterpoise the great `
` continent of Tartary; and therefore they ought to correct their `
` maps and charts, by joining this vast tract of land to the north- `
` west parts of America, wherein I shall be ready to lend them my `
` assistance. `
` `
` The kingdom is a peninsula, terminated to the north-east by a ridge `
` of mountains thirty miles high, which are altogether impassable, by `
` reason of the volcanoes upon the tops: neither do the most learned `
` know what sort of mortals inhabit beyond those mountains, or `
` whether they be inhabited at all. On the three other sides, it is `
` bounded by the ocean. There is not one seaport in the whole `
` kingdom: and those parts of the coasts into which the rivers `
` issue, are so full of pointed rocks, and the sea generally so `
` rough, that there is no venturing with the smallest of their boats; `
` so that these people are wholly excluded from any commerce with the `
` rest of the world. But the large rivers are full of vessels, and `
` abound with excellent fish; for they seldom get any from the sea, `
` because the sea fish are of the same size with those in Europe, and `
` consequently not worth catching; whereby it is manifest, that `
` nature, in the production of plants and animals of so extraordinary `
` a bulk, is wholly confined to this continent, of which I leave the `
` reasons to be determined by philosophers. However, now and then `
` they take a whale that happens to be dashed against the rocks, `
` which the common people feed on heartily. These whales I have `
` known so large, that a man could hardly carry one upon his `
` shoulders; and sometimes, for curiosity, they are brought in `
` hampers to Lorbrulgrud; I saw one of them in a dish at the king's `
` table, which passed for a rarity, but I did not observe he was fond `
` of it; for I think, indeed, the bigness disgusted him, although I `
` have seen one somewhat larger in Greenland. `
` `
` The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, `
` near a hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages. To `
` satisfy my curious reader, it may be sufficient to describe `
` Lorbrulgrud. This city stands upon almost two equal parts, on each `
` side the river that passes through. It contains above eighty `
` thousand houses, and about six hundred thousand inhabitants. It is `
` in length three glomglungs (which make about fifty-four English `
` miles,) and two and a half in breadth; as I measured it myself in `
` the royal map made by the king's order, which was laid on the `
` ground on purpose for me, and extended a hundred feet: I paced the `
` diameter and circumference several times barefoot, and, computing `
` by the scale, measured it pretty exactly. `
` `
` The king's palace is no regular edifice, but a heap of buildings, `
` about seven miles round: the chief rooms are generally two hundred `
` and forty feet high, and broad and long in proportion. A coach was `
` allowed to Glumdalclitch and me, wherein her governess frequently `
` took her out to see the town, or go among the shops; and I was `
` always of the party, carried in my box; although the girl, at my `
` own desire, would often take me out, and hold me in her hand, that `
` I might more conveniently view the houses and the people, as we `
` passed along the streets. I reckoned our coach to be about a `
` square of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so high: however, I `
` cannot be very exact. One day the governess ordered our coachman `
` to stop at several shops, where the beggars, watching their `
` opportunity, crowded to the sides of the coach, and gave me the `
` most horrible spectacle that ever a European eye beheld. There was `
` a woman with a cancer in her breast, swelled to a monstrous size, `
` full of holes, in two or three of which I could have easily crept, `
` and covered my whole body. There was a fellow with a wen in his `
` neck, larger than five wool-packs; and another, with a couple of `
` wooden legs, each about twenty feet high. But the most hateful `
` sight of all, was the lice crawling on their clothes. I could see `
` distinctly the limbs of these vermin with my naked eye, much better `
` than those of a European louse through a microscope, and their `
` snouts with which they rooted like swine. They were the first I `
` had ever beheld, and I should have been curious enough to dissect `
` one of them, if I had had proper instruments, which I unluckily `
` left behind me in the ship, although, indeed, the sight was so `
` nauseous, that it perfectly turned my stomach. `
` `
` Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen `
` ordered a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet `
` square, and ten high, for the convenience of travelling; because `
` the other was somewhat too large for Glumdalclitch's lap, and `
` cumbersome in the coach; it was made by the same artist, whom I `
` directed in the whole contrivance. This travelling-closet was an `
` exact square, with a window in the middle of three of the squares, `
` and each window was latticed with iron wire on the outside, to `
` prevent accidents in long journeys. On the fourth side, which had `
` no window, two strong staples were fixed, through which the person `
` that carried me, when I had a mind to be on horseback, put a `
` leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This was always the `
` office of some grave trusty servant, in whom I could confide, `
` whether I attended the king and queen in their progresses, or were `
` disposed to see the gardens, or pay a visit to some great lady or `
` minister of state in the court, when Glumdalclitch happened to be `
` out of order; for I soon began to be known and esteemed among the `
` greatest officers, I suppose more upon account of their majesties' `
` favour, than any merit of my own. In journeys, when I was weary of `
` the coach, a servant on horseback would buckle on my box, and place `
` it upon a cushion before him; and there I had a full prospect of `
` the country on three sides, from my three windows. I had, in this `
` closet, a field-bed and a hammock, hung from the ceiling, two `
` chairs and a table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being `
` tossed about by the agitation of the horse or the coach. And `
` having been long used to sea-voyages, those motions, although `
` sometimes very violent, did not much discompose me. `
` `
` Whenever I had a mind to see the town, it was always in my `
` travelling-closet; which Glumdalclitch held in her lap in a kind of `
` open sedan, after the fashion of the country, borne by four men, `
` and attended by two others in the queen's livery. The people, who `
` had often heard of me, were very curious to crowd about the sedan, `
` and the girl was complaisant enough to make the bearers stop, and `
` to take me in her hand, that I might be more conveniently seen. `
` `
` I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and particularly the `
` tower belonging to it, which is reckoned the highest in the `
` kingdom. Accordingly one day my nurse carried me thither, but I `
` may truly say I came back disappointed; for the height is not above `
` three thousand feet, reckoning from the ground to the highest `
` pinnacle top; which, allowing for the difference between the size `
` of those people and us in Europe, is no great matter for `
` admiration, nor at all equal in proportion (if I rightly remember) `
` to Salisbury steeple. But, not to detract from a nation, to which, `
` during my life, I shall acknowledge myself extremely obliged, it `
` must be allowed, that whatever this famous tower wants in height, `
` is amply made up in beauty and strength: for the walls are near a `
` hundred feet thick, built of hewn stone, whereof each is about `
` forty feet square, and adorned on all sides with statues of gods `
` and emperors, cut in marble, larger than the life, placed in their `
` several niches. I measured a little finger which had fallen down `
` from one of these statues, and lay unperceived among some rubbish, `
` and found it exactly four feet and an inch in length. `
` Glumdalclitch wrapped it up in her handkerchief, and carried it `
` home in her pocket, to keep among other trinkets, of which the girl `
` was very fond, as children at her age usually are. `
` `
` The king's kitchen is indeed a noble building, vaulted at top, and `
` about six hundred feet high. The great oven is not so wide, by ten `
` paces, as the cupola at St. Paul's: for I measured the latter on `
` purpose, after my return. But if I should describe the kitchen `
` grate, the prodigious pots and kettles, the joints of meat turning `
` on the spits, with many other particulars, perhaps I should be `
` hardly believed; at least a severe critic would be apt to think I `
` enlarged a little, as travellers are often suspected to do. To `
` avoid which censure I fear I have run too much into the other `
` extreme; and that if this treatise should happen to be translated `
` into the language of Brobdingnag (which is the general name of that `
` kingdom,) and transmitted thither, the king and his people would `
` have reason to complain that I had done them an injury, by a false `
` and diminutive representation. `
` `
` His majesty seldom keeps above six hundred horses in his stables: `
` they are generally from fifty-four to sixty feet high. But, when `
` he goes abroad on solemn days, he is attended, for state, by a `
` military guard of five hundred horse, which, indeed, I thought was `
` the most splendid sight that could be ever beheld, till I saw part `
` of his army in battalia, whereof I shall find another occasion to `
` speak. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V. `
` `
` `
` `
` [Several adventurers that happened to the author. The execution of `
` a criminal. The author shows his skill in navigation.] `
` `
` I should have lived happy enough in that country, if my littleness `
` had not exposed me to several ridiculous and troublesome accidents; `
` some of which I shall venture to relate. Glumdalclitch often `
` carried me into the gardens of the court in my smaller box, and `
` would sometimes take me out of it, and hold me in her hand, or set `
` me down to walk. I remember, before the dwarf left the queen, he `
` followed us one day into those gardens, and my nurse having set me `
` down, he and I being close together, near some dwarf apple trees, I `
` must needs show my wit, by a silly allusion between him and the `
` trees, which happens to hold in their language as it does in ours. `
` Whereupon, the malicious rogue, watching his opportunity, when I `
` was walking under one of them, shook it directly over my head, by `
` which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a Bristol `
` barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the back `
` as I chanced to stoop, and knocked me down flat on my face; but I `
` received no other hurt, and the dwarf was pardoned at my desire, `
` because I had given the provocation. `
` `
` Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth grass-plot to divert `
` myself, while she walked at some distance with her governess. In `
` the meantime, there suddenly fell such a violent shower of hail, `
` that I was immediately by the force of it, struck to the ground: `
` and when I was down, the hailstones gave me such cruel bangs all `
` over the body, as if I had been pelted with tennis-balls; however, `
` I made a shift to creep on all fours, and shelter myself, by lying `
` flat on my face, on the lee-side of a border of lemon-thyme, but so `
` bruised from head to foot, that I could not go abroad in ten days. `
` Neither is this at all to be wondered at, because nature, in that `
`