Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part II, III, IV
Neither is this at all to be wondered at, because nature, in that `
` country, observing the same proportion through all her operations, `
` a hailstone is near eighteen hundred times as large as one in `
` Europe; which I can assert upon experience, having been so curious `
` as to weigh and measure them. `
` `
` But a more dangerous accident happened to me in the same garden, `
` when my little nurse, believing she had put me in a secure place `
` (which I often entreated her to do, that I might enjoy my own `
` thoughts,) and having left my box at home, to avoid the trouble of `
` carrying it, went to another part of the garden with her governess `
` and some ladies of her acquaintance. While she was absent, and out `
` of hearing, a small white spaniel that belonged to one of the chief `
` gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to `
` range near the place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, `
` came directly up, and taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his `
` master wagging his tail, and set me gently on the ground. By good `
` fortune he had been so well taught, that I was carried between his `
` teeth without the least hurt, or even tearing my clothes. But the `
` poor gardener, who knew me well, and had a great kindness for me, `
` was in a terrible fright: he gently took me up in both his hands, `
` and asked me how I did? but I was so amazed and out of breath, that `
` I could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came to myself, and `
` he carried me safe to my little nurse, who, by this time, had `
` returned to the place where she left me, and was in cruel agonies `
` when I did not appear, nor answer when she called. She severely `
` reprimanded the gardener on account of his dog. But the thing was `
` hushed up, and never known at court, for the girl was afraid of the `
` queen's anger; and truly, as to myself, I thought it would not be `
` for my reputation, that such a story should go about. `
` `
` This accident absolutely determined Glumdalclitch never to trust me `
` abroad for the future out of her sight. I had been long afraid of `
` this resolution, and therefore concealed from her some little `
` unlucky adventures, that happened in those times when I was left by `
` myself. Once a kite, hovering over the garden, made a stoop at me, `
` and if I had not resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a thick `
` espalier, he would have certainly carried me away in his talons. `
` Another time, walking to the top of a fresh mole-hill, I fell to my `
` neck in the hole, through which that animal had cast up the earth, `
` and coined some lie, not worth remembering, to excuse myself for `
` spoiling my clothes. I likewise broke my right shin against the `
` shell of a snail, which I happened to stumble over, as I was `
` walking alone and thinking on poor England. `
` `
` I cannot tell whether I were more pleased or mortified to observe, `
` in those solitary walks, that the smaller birds did not appear to `
` be at all afraid of me, but would hop about within a yard's `
` distance, looking for worms and other food, with as much `
` indifference and security as if no creature at all were near them. `
` I remember, a thrush had the confidence to snatch out of my hand, `
` with his bill, a of cake that Glumdalclitch had just given me for `
` my breakfast. When I attempted to catch any of these birds, they `
` would boldly turn against me, endeavouring to peck my fingers, `
` which I durst not venture within their reach; and then they would `
` hop back unconcerned, to hunt for worms or snails, as they did `
` before. But one day, I took a thick cudgel, and threw it with all `
` my strength so luckily, at a linnet, that I knocked him down, and `
` seizing him by the neck with both my hands, ran with him in triumph `
` to my nurse. However, the bird, who had only been stunned, `
` recovering himself gave me so many boxes with his wings, on both `
` sides of my head and body, though I held him at arm's-length, and `
` was out of the reach of his claws, that I was twenty times thinking `
` to let him go. But I was soon relieved by one of our servants, who `
` wrung off the bird's neck, and I had him next day for dinner, by `
` the queen's command. This linnet, as near as I can remember, `
` seemed to be somewhat larger than an English swan. `
` `
` The maids of honour often invited Glumdalclitch to their `
` apartments, and desired she would bring me along with her, on `
` purpose to have the pleasure of seeing and touching me. They would `
` often strip me naked from top to toe, and lay me at full length in `
` their bosoms; wherewith I was much disgusted because, to say the `
` truth, a very offensive smell came from their skins; which I do not `
` mention, or intend, to the disadvantage of those excellent ladies, `
` for whom I have all manner of respect; but I conceive that my sense `
` was more acute in proportion to my littleness, and that those `
` illustrious persons were no more disagreeable to their lovers, or `
` to each other, than people of the same quality are with us in `
` England. And, after all, I found their natural smell was much more `
` supportable, than when they used perfumes, under which I `
` immediately swooned away. I cannot forget, that an intimate friend `
` of mine in Lilliput, took the freedom in a warm day, when I had `
` used a good deal of exercise, to complain of a strong smell about `
` me, although I am as little faulty that way, as most of my sex: `
` but I suppose his faculty of smelling was as nice with regard to `
` me, as mine was to that of this people. Upon this point, I cannot `
` forbear doing justice to the queen my mistress, and Glumdalclitch `
` my nurse, whose persons were as sweet as those of any lady in `
` England. `
` `
` That which gave me most uneasiness among these maids of honour `
` (when my nurse carried me to visit then) was, to see them use me `
` without any manner of ceremony, like a creature who had no sort of `
` consequence: for they would strip themselves to the skin, and put `
` on their smocks in my presence, while I was placed on their toilet, `
` directly before their naked bodies, which I am sure to me was very `
` far from being a tempting sight, or from giving me any other `
` emotions than those of horror and disgust: their skins appeared so `
` coarse and uneven, so variously coloured, when I saw them near, `
` with a mole here and there as broad as a trencher, and hairs `
` hanging from it thicker than packthreads, to say nothing farther `
` concerning the rest of their persons. Neither did they at all `
` scruple, while I was by, to discharge what they had drank, to the `
` quantity of at least two hogsheads, in a vessel that held above `
` three tuns. The handsomest among these maids of honour, a `
` pleasant, frolicsome girl of sixteen, would sometimes set me `
` astride upon one of her nipples, with many other tricks, wherein `
` the reader will excuse me for not being over particular. But I was `
` so much displeased, that I entreated Glumdalclitch to contrive some `
` excuse for not seeing that young lady any more. `
` `
` One day, a young gentleman, who was nephew to my nurse's governess, `
` came and pressed them both to see an execution. It was of a man, `
` who had murdered one of that gentleman's intimate acquaintance. `
` Glumdalclitch was prevailed on to be of the company, very much `
` against her inclination, for she was naturally tender-hearted: `
` and, as for myself, although I abhorred such kind of spectacles, `
` yet my curiosity tempted me to see something that I thought must be `
` extraordinary. The malefactor was fixed in a chair upon a scaffold `
` erected for that purpose, and his head cut off at one blow, with a `
` sword of about forty feet long. The veins and arteries spouted up `
` such a prodigious quantity of blood, and so high in the air, that `
` the great jet d'eau at Versailles was not equal to it for the time `
` it lasted: and the head, when it fell on the scaffold floor, gave `
` such a bounce as made me start, although I was at least half an `
` English mile distant. `
` `
` The queen, who often used to hear me talk of my sea-voyages, and `
` took all occasions to divert me when I was melancholy, asked me `
` whether I understood how to handle a sail or an oar, and whether a `
` little exercise of rowing might not be convenient for my health? I `
` answered, that I understood both very well: for although my proper `
` employment had been to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, `
` upon a pinch, I was forced to work like a common mariner. But I `
` could not see how this could be done in their country, where the `
` smallest wherry was equal to a first-rate man of war among us; and `
` such a boat as I could manage would never live in any of their `
` rivers. Her majesty said, if I would contrive a boat, her own `
` joiner should make it, and she would provide a place for me to sail `
` in. The fellow was an ingenious workman, and by my instructions, `
` in ten days, finished a pleasure-boat with all its tackling, able `
` conveniently to hold eight Europeans. When it was finished, the `
` queen was so delighted, that she ran with it in her lap to the `
` king, who ordered it to be put into a cistern full of water, with `
` me in it, by way of trial, where I could not manage my two sculls, `
` or little oars, for want of room. But the queen had before `
` contrived another project. She ordered the joiner to make a wooden `
` trough of three hundred feet long, fifty broad, and eight deep; `
` which, being well pitched, to prevent leaking, was placed on the `
` floor, along the wall, in an outer room of the palace. It had a `
` cock near the bottom to let out the water, when it began to grow `
` stale; and two servants could easily fill it in half an hour. Here `
` I often used to row for my own diversion, as well as that of the `
` queen and her ladies, who thought themselves well entertained with `
` my skill and agility. Sometimes I would put up my sail, and then `
` my business was only to steer, while the ladies gave me a gale with `
` their fans; and, when they were weary, some of their pages would `
` blow my sail forward with their breath, while I showed my art by `
` steering starboard or larboard as I pleased. When I had done, `
` Glumdalclitch always carried back my boat into her closet, and hung `
` it on a nail to dry. `
` `
` In this exercise I once met an accident, which had like to have `
` cost me my life; for, one of the pages having put my boat into the `
` trough, the governess who attended Glumdalclitch very officiously `
` lifted me up, to place me in the boat: but I happened to slip `
` through her fingers, and should infallibly have fallen down forty `
` feet upon the floor, if, by the luckiest chance in the world, I had `
` not been stopped by a corking-pin that stuck in the good `
` gentlewoman's stomacher; the head of the pin passing between my `
` shirt and the waistband of my breeches, and thus I was held by the `
` middle in the air, till Glumdalclitch ran to my relief. `
` `
` Another time, one of the servants, whose office it was to fill my `
` trough every third day with fresh water, was so careless as to let `
` a huge frog (not perceiving it) slip out of his pail. The frog lay `
` concealed till I was put into my boat, but then, seeing a resting- `
` place, climbed up, and made it lean so much on one side, that I was `
` forced to balance it with all my weight on the other, to prevent `
` overturning. When the frog was got in, it hopped at once half the `
` length of the boat, and then over my head, backward and forward, `
` daubing my face and clothes with its odious slime. The largeness `
` of its features made it appear the most deformed animal that can be `
` conceived. However, I desired Glumdalclitch to let me deal with it `
` alone. I banged it a good while with one of my sculls, and at last `
` forced it to leap out of the boat. `
` `
` But the greatest danger I ever underwent in that kingdom, was from `
` a monkey, who belonged to one of the clerks of the kitchen. `
` Glumdalclitch had locked me up in her closet, while she went `
` somewhere upon business, or a visit. The weather being very warm, `
` the closet-window was left open, as well as the windows and the `
` door of my bigger box, in which I usually lived, because of its `
` largeness and conveniency. As I sat quietly meditating at my `
` table, I heard something bounce in at the closet-window, and skip `
` about from one side to the other: whereat, although I was much `
` alarmed, yet I ventured to look out, but not stirring from my seat; `
` and then I saw this frolicsome animal frisking and leaping up and `
` down, till at last he came to my box, which he seemed to view with `
` great pleasure and curiosity, peeping in at the door and every `
`
` country, observing the same proportion through all her operations, `
` a hailstone is near eighteen hundred times as large as one in `
` Europe; which I can assert upon experience, having been so curious `
` as to weigh and measure them. `
` `
` But a more dangerous accident happened to me in the same garden, `
` when my little nurse, believing she had put me in a secure place `
` (which I often entreated her to do, that I might enjoy my own `
` thoughts,) and having left my box at home, to avoid the trouble of `
` carrying it, went to another part of the garden with her governess `
` and some ladies of her acquaintance. While she was absent, and out `
` of hearing, a small white spaniel that belonged to one of the chief `
` gardeners, having got by accident into the garden, happened to `
` range near the place where I lay: the dog, following the scent, `
` came directly up, and taking me in his mouth, ran straight to his `
` master wagging his tail, and set me gently on the ground. By good `
` fortune he had been so well taught, that I was carried between his `
` teeth without the least hurt, or even tearing my clothes. But the `
` poor gardener, who knew me well, and had a great kindness for me, `
` was in a terrible fright: he gently took me up in both his hands, `
` and asked me how I did? but I was so amazed and out of breath, that `
` I could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came to myself, and `
` he carried me safe to my little nurse, who, by this time, had `
` returned to the place where she left me, and was in cruel agonies `
` when I did not appear, nor answer when she called. She severely `
` reprimanded the gardener on account of his dog. But the thing was `
` hushed up, and never known at court, for the girl was afraid of the `
` queen's anger; and truly, as to myself, I thought it would not be `
` for my reputation, that such a story should go about. `
` `
` This accident absolutely determined Glumdalclitch never to trust me `
` abroad for the future out of her sight. I had been long afraid of `
` this resolution, and therefore concealed from her some little `
` unlucky adventures, that happened in those times when I was left by `
` myself. Once a kite, hovering over the garden, made a stoop at me, `
` and if I had not resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a thick `
` espalier, he would have certainly carried me away in his talons. `
` Another time, walking to the top of a fresh mole-hill, I fell to my `
` neck in the hole, through which that animal had cast up the earth, `
` and coined some lie, not worth remembering, to excuse myself for `
` spoiling my clothes. I likewise broke my right shin against the `
` shell of a snail, which I happened to stumble over, as I was `
` walking alone and thinking on poor England. `
` `
` I cannot tell whether I were more pleased or mortified to observe, `
` in those solitary walks, that the smaller birds did not appear to `
` be at all afraid of me, but would hop about within a yard's `
` distance, looking for worms and other food, with as much `
` indifference and security as if no creature at all were near them. `
` I remember, a thrush had the confidence to snatch out of my hand, `
` with his bill, a of cake that Glumdalclitch had just given me for `
` my breakfast. When I attempted to catch any of these birds, they `
` would boldly turn against me, endeavouring to peck my fingers, `
` which I durst not venture within their reach; and then they would `
` hop back unconcerned, to hunt for worms or snails, as they did `
` before. But one day, I took a thick cudgel, and threw it with all `
` my strength so luckily, at a linnet, that I knocked him down, and `
` seizing him by the neck with both my hands, ran with him in triumph `
` to my nurse. However, the bird, who had only been stunned, `
` recovering himself gave me so many boxes with his wings, on both `
` sides of my head and body, though I held him at arm's-length, and `
` was out of the reach of his claws, that I was twenty times thinking `
` to let him go. But I was soon relieved by one of our servants, who `
` wrung off the bird's neck, and I had him next day for dinner, by `
` the queen's command. This linnet, as near as I can remember, `
` seemed to be somewhat larger than an English swan. `
` `
` The maids of honour often invited Glumdalclitch to their `
` apartments, and desired she would bring me along with her, on `
` purpose to have the pleasure of seeing and touching me. They would `
` often strip me naked from top to toe, and lay me at full length in `
` their bosoms; wherewith I was much disgusted because, to say the `
` truth, a very offensive smell came from their skins; which I do not `
` mention, or intend, to the disadvantage of those excellent ladies, `
` for whom I have all manner of respect; but I conceive that my sense `
` was more acute in proportion to my littleness, and that those `
` illustrious persons were no more disagreeable to their lovers, or `
` to each other, than people of the same quality are with us in `
` England. And, after all, I found their natural smell was much more `
` supportable, than when they used perfumes, under which I `
` immediately swooned away. I cannot forget, that an intimate friend `
` of mine in Lilliput, took the freedom in a warm day, when I had `
` used a good deal of exercise, to complain of a strong smell about `
` me, although I am as little faulty that way, as most of my sex: `
` but I suppose his faculty of smelling was as nice with regard to `
` me, as mine was to that of this people. Upon this point, I cannot `
` forbear doing justice to the queen my mistress, and Glumdalclitch `
` my nurse, whose persons were as sweet as those of any lady in `
` England. `
` `
` That which gave me most uneasiness among these maids of honour `
` (when my nurse carried me to visit then) was, to see them use me `
` without any manner of ceremony, like a creature who had no sort of `
` consequence: for they would strip themselves to the skin, and put `
` on their smocks in my presence, while I was placed on their toilet, `
` directly before their naked bodies, which I am sure to me was very `
` far from being a tempting sight, or from giving me any other `
` emotions than those of horror and disgust: their skins appeared so `
` coarse and uneven, so variously coloured, when I saw them near, `
` with a mole here and there as broad as a trencher, and hairs `
` hanging from it thicker than packthreads, to say nothing farther `
` concerning the rest of their persons. Neither did they at all `
` scruple, while I was by, to discharge what they had drank, to the `
` quantity of at least two hogsheads, in a vessel that held above `
` three tuns. The handsomest among these maids of honour, a `
` pleasant, frolicsome girl of sixteen, would sometimes set me `
` astride upon one of her nipples, with many other tricks, wherein `
` the reader will excuse me for not being over particular. But I was `
` so much displeased, that I entreated Glumdalclitch to contrive some `
` excuse for not seeing that young lady any more. `
` `
` One day, a young gentleman, who was nephew to my nurse's governess, `
` came and pressed them both to see an execution. It was of a man, `
` who had murdered one of that gentleman's intimate acquaintance. `
` Glumdalclitch was prevailed on to be of the company, very much `
` against her inclination, for she was naturally tender-hearted: `
` and, as for myself, although I abhorred such kind of spectacles, `
` yet my curiosity tempted me to see something that I thought must be `
` extraordinary. The malefactor was fixed in a chair upon a scaffold `
` erected for that purpose, and his head cut off at one blow, with a `
` sword of about forty feet long. The veins and arteries spouted up `
` such a prodigious quantity of blood, and so high in the air, that `
` the great jet d'eau at Versailles was not equal to it for the time `
` it lasted: and the head, when it fell on the scaffold floor, gave `
` such a bounce as made me start, although I was at least half an `
` English mile distant. `
` `
` The queen, who often used to hear me talk of my sea-voyages, and `
` took all occasions to divert me when I was melancholy, asked me `
` whether I understood how to handle a sail or an oar, and whether a `
` little exercise of rowing might not be convenient for my health? I `
` answered, that I understood both very well: for although my proper `
` employment had been to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, `
` upon a pinch, I was forced to work like a common mariner. But I `
` could not see how this could be done in their country, where the `
` smallest wherry was equal to a first-rate man of war among us; and `
` such a boat as I could manage would never live in any of their `
` rivers. Her majesty said, if I would contrive a boat, her own `
` joiner should make it, and she would provide a place for me to sail `
` in. The fellow was an ingenious workman, and by my instructions, `
` in ten days, finished a pleasure-boat with all its tackling, able `
` conveniently to hold eight Europeans. When it was finished, the `
` queen was so delighted, that she ran with it in her lap to the `
` king, who ordered it to be put into a cistern full of water, with `
` me in it, by way of trial, where I could not manage my two sculls, `
` or little oars, for want of room. But the queen had before `
` contrived another project. She ordered the joiner to make a wooden `
` trough of three hundred feet long, fifty broad, and eight deep; `
` which, being well pitched, to prevent leaking, was placed on the `
` floor, along the wall, in an outer room of the palace. It had a `
` cock near the bottom to let out the water, when it began to grow `
` stale; and two servants could easily fill it in half an hour. Here `
` I often used to row for my own diversion, as well as that of the `
` queen and her ladies, who thought themselves well entertained with `
` my skill and agility. Sometimes I would put up my sail, and then `
` my business was only to steer, while the ladies gave me a gale with `
` their fans; and, when they were weary, some of their pages would `
` blow my sail forward with their breath, while I showed my art by `
` steering starboard or larboard as I pleased. When I had done, `
` Glumdalclitch always carried back my boat into her closet, and hung `
` it on a nail to dry. `
` `
` In this exercise I once met an accident, which had like to have `
` cost me my life; for, one of the pages having put my boat into the `
` trough, the governess who attended Glumdalclitch very officiously `
` lifted me up, to place me in the boat: but I happened to slip `
` through her fingers, and should infallibly have fallen down forty `
` feet upon the floor, if, by the luckiest chance in the world, I had `
` not been stopped by a corking-pin that stuck in the good `
` gentlewoman's stomacher; the head of the pin passing between my `
` shirt and the waistband of my breeches, and thus I was held by the `
` middle in the air, till Glumdalclitch ran to my relief. `
` `
` Another time, one of the servants, whose office it was to fill my `
` trough every third day with fresh water, was so careless as to let `
` a huge frog (not perceiving it) slip out of his pail. The frog lay `
` concealed till I was put into my boat, but then, seeing a resting- `
` place, climbed up, and made it lean so much on one side, that I was `
` forced to balance it with all my weight on the other, to prevent `
` overturning. When the frog was got in, it hopped at once half the `
` length of the boat, and then over my head, backward and forward, `
` daubing my face and clothes with its odious slime. The largeness `
` of its features made it appear the most deformed animal that can be `
` conceived. However, I desired Glumdalclitch to let me deal with it `
` alone. I banged it a good while with one of my sculls, and at last `
` forced it to leap out of the boat. `
` `
` But the greatest danger I ever underwent in that kingdom, was from `
` a monkey, who belonged to one of the clerks of the kitchen. `
` Glumdalclitch had locked me up in her closet, while she went `
` somewhere upon business, or a visit. The weather being very warm, `
` the closet-window was left open, as well as the windows and the `
` door of my bigger box, in which I usually lived, because of its `
` largeness and conveniency. As I sat quietly meditating at my `
` table, I heard something bounce in at the closet-window, and skip `
` about from one side to the other: whereat, although I was much `
` alarmed, yet I ventured to look out, but not stirring from my seat; `
` and then I saw this frolicsome animal frisking and leaping up and `
` down, till at last he came to my box, which he seemed to view with `
` great pleasure and curiosity, peeping in at the door and every `
`