Reading Help Gulliver's Travels. Part I
distance. I stepped over the great western gate, and passed very `
` gently, and sidling, through the two principal streets, only in my `
` short waistcoat, for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the `
` houses with the skirts of my coat. I walked with the utmost `
` circumspection, to avoid treading on any stragglers who might `
` remain in the streets, although the orders were very strict, that `
` all people should keep in their houses, at their own peril. The `
` garret windows and tops of houses were so crowded with spectators, `
` that I thought in all my travels I had not seen a more populous `
` place. The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being `
` five hundred feet long. The two great streets, which run across `
` and divide it into four quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes `
` and alleys, which I could not enter, but only view them as I `
` passed, are from twelve to eighteen inches. The town is capable of `
` holding five hundred thousand souls: the houses are from three to `
` five stories: the shops and markets well provided. `
` `
` The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city where the two `
` great streets meet. It is enclosed by a wall of two feet high, and `
` twenty feet distance from the buildings. I had his majesty's `
` permission to step over this wall; and, the space being so wide `
` between that and the palace, I could easily view it on every side. `
` The outward court is a square of forty feet, and includes two other `
` courts: in the inmost are the royal apartments, which I was very `
` desirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for the great `
` gates, from one square into another, were but eighteen inches high, `
` and seven inches wide. Now the buildings of the outer court were `
` at least five feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride `
` over them without infinite damage to the pile, though the walls `
` were strongly built of hewn stone, and four inches thick. At the `
` same time the emperor had a great desire that I should see the `
` magnificence of his palace; but this I was not able to do till `
` three days after, which I spent in cutting down with my knife some `
` of the largest trees in the royal park, about a hundred yards `
` distant from the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each `
` about three feet high, and strong enough to bear my weight. The `
` people having received notice a second time, I went again through `
` the city to the palace with my two stools in my hands. When I came `
` to the side of the outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took `
` the other in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and gently set `
` it down on the space between the first and second court, which was `
` eight feet wide. I then stept over the building very conveniently `
` from one stool to the other, and drew up the first after me with a `
` hooked stick. By this contrivance I got into the inmost court; `
` and, lying down upon my side, I applied my face to the windows of `
` the middle stories, which were left open on purpose, and discovered `
` the most splendid apartments that can be imagined. There I saw the `
` empress and the young princes, in their several lodgings, with `
` their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty was `
` pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of the `
` window her hand to kiss. `
` `
` But I shall not anticipate the reader with further descriptions of `
` this kind, because I reserve them for a greater work, which is now `
` almost ready for the press; containing a general description of `
` this empire, from its first erection, through along series of `
` princes; with a particular account of their wars and politics, `
` laws, learning, and religion; their plants and animals; their `
` peculiar manners and customs, with other matters very curious and `
` useful; my chief design at present being only to relate such events `
` and transactions as happened to the public or to myself during a `
` residence of about nine months in that empire. `
` `
` One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, `
` Reldresal, principal secretary (as they style him) for private `
` affairs, came to my house attended only by one servant. He ordered `
` his coach to wait at a distance, and desired I would give him an `
` hours audience; which I readily consented to, on account of his `
` quality and personal merits, as well as of the many good offices he `
` had done me during my solicitations at court. I offered to lie `
` down that he might the more conveniently reach my ear, but he chose `
` rather to let me hold him in my hand during our conversation. He `
` began with compliments on my liberty; said "he might pretend to `
` some merit in it;" but, however, added, "that if it had not been `
` for the present situation of things at court, perhaps I might not `
` have obtained it so soon. For," said he, "as flourishing a `
` condition as we may appear to be in to foreigners, we labour under `
` two mighty evils: a violent faction at home, and the danger of an `
` invasion, by a most potent enemy, from abroad. As to the first, `
` you are to understand, that for about seventy moons past there have `
` been two struggling parties in this empire, under the names of `
` Tramecksan and Slamecksan, from the high and low heels of their `
` shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, `
` indeed, that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient `
` constitution; but, however this be, his majesty has determined to `
` make use only of low heels in the administration of the government, `
` and all offices in the gift of the crown, as you cannot but `
` observe; and particularly that his majesty's imperial heels are `
` lower at least by a drurr than any of his court (drurr is a measure `
` about the fourteenth part of an inch). The animosities between `
` these two parties run so high, that they will neither eat, nor `
` drink, nor talk with each other. We compute the Tramecksan, or `
` high heels, to exceed us in number; but the power is wholly on our `
` side. We apprehend his imperial highness, the heir to the crown, `
` to have some tendency towards the high heels; at least we can `
` plainly discover that one of his heels is higher than the other, `
` which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst of these `
` intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from the `
` island of Blefuscu, which is the other great empire of the `
` universe, almost as large and powerful as this of his majesty. For `
` as to what we have heard you affirm, that there are other kingdoms `
` and states in the world inhabited by human creatures as large as `
` yourself, our philosophers are in much doubt, and would rather `
` conjecture that you dropped from the moon, or one of the stars; `
` because it is certain, that a hundred mortals of your bulk would in `
` a short time destroy all the fruits and cattle of his majesty's `
` dominions: besides, our histories of six thousand moons make no `
` mention of any other regions than the two great empires of Lilliput `
` and Blefuscu. Which two mighty powers have, as I was going to tell `
` you, been engaged in a most obstinate war for six-and-thirty moons `
` past. It began upon the following occasion. It is allowed on all `
` hands, that the primitive way of breaking eggs, before we eat them, `
` was upon the larger end; but his present majesty's grandfather, `
` while he was a boy, going to eat an egg, and breaking it according `
` to the ancient practice, happened to cut one of his fingers. `
` Whereupon the emperor his father published an edict, commanding all `
` his subjects, upon great penalties, to break the smaller end of `
` their eggs. The people so highly resented this law, that our `
` histories tell us, there have been six rebellions raised on that `
` account; wherein one emperor lost his life, and another his crown. `
` These civil commotions were constantly fomented by the monarchs of `
` Blefuscu; and when they were quelled, the exiles always fled for `
` refuge to that empire. It is computed that eleven thousand persons `
` have at several times suffered death, rather than submit to break `
` their eggs at the smaller end. Many hundred large volumes have `
` been published upon this controversy: but the books of the Big- `
` endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party rendered `
` incapable by law of holding employments. During the course of `
` these troubles, the emperors of Blefusca did frequently expostulate `
` by their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, `
` by offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet `
` Lustrog, in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is `
` their Alcoran). This, however, is thought to be a mere strain upon `
` the text; for the words are these: 'that all true believers break `
` their eggs at the convenient end.' And which is the convenient `
` end, seems, in my humble opinion to be left to every man's `
` conscience, or at least in the power of the chief magistrate to `
` determine. Now, the Big-endian exiles have found so much credit in `
` the emperor of Blefuscu's court, and so much private assistance and `
` encouragement from their party here at home, that a bloody war has `
` been carried on between the two empires for six-and-thirty moons, `
` with various success; during which time we have lost forty capital `
` ships, and a much a greater number of smaller vessels, together `
` with thirty thousand of our best seamen and soldiers; and the `
` damage received by the enemy is reckoned to be somewhat greater `
` than ours. However, they have now equipped a numerous fleet, and `
` are just preparing to make a descent upon us; and his imperial `
` majesty, placing great confidence in your valour and strength, has `
` commanded me to lay this account of his affairs before you." `
` `
` I desired the secretary to present my humble duty to the emperor; `
` and to let him know, "that I thought it would not become me, who `
` was a foreigner, to interfere with parties; but I was ready, with `
` the hazard of my life, to defend his person and state against all `
` invaders." `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion. `
` A high title of honour is conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive `
` from the emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace. The empress's `
` apartment on fire by an accident; the author instrumental in saving `
` the rest of the palace.] `
` `
` The empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to the north-east of `
` Lilliput, from which it is parted only by a channel of eight `
` hundred yards wide. I had not yet seen it, and upon this notice of `
` an intended invasion, I avoided appearing on that side of the `
` coast, for fear of being discovered, by some of the enemy's ships, `
` who had received no intelligence of me; all intercourse between the `
` two empires having been strictly forbidden during the war, upon `
` pain of death, and an embargo laid by our emperor upon all vessels `
` whatsoever. I communicated to his majesty a project I had formed `
` of seizing the enemy's whole fleet; which, as our scouts assured `
` us, lay at anchor in the harbour, ready to sail with the first fair `
` wind. I consulted the most experienced seamen upon the depth of `
` the channel, which they had often plumbed; who told me, that in the `
` middle, at high-water, it was seventy glumgluffs deep, which is `
` about six feet of European measure; and the rest of it fifty `
` glumgluffs at most. I walked towards the north-east coast, over `
` against Blefuscu, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my `
` small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, `
` consisting of about fifty men of war, and a great number of `
` transports: I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for `
` which I had a warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable `
` and bars of iron. The cable was about as thick as packthread and `
` the bars of the length and size of a knitting-needle. I trebled `
` the cable to make it stronger, and for the same reason I twisted `
` three of the iron bars together, bending the extremities into a `
` hook. Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables, I went back `
` to the north-east coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and `
` stockings, walked into the sea, in my leathern jerkin, about half `
` an hour before high water. I waded with what haste I could, and `
` swam in the middle about thirty yards, till I felt ground. I `
` arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour. The enemy was so `
` frightened when they saw me, that they leaped out of their ships, `
` and swam to shore, where there could not be fewer than thirty `
`
` gently, and sidling, through the two principal streets, only in my `
` short waistcoat, for fear of damaging the roofs and eaves of the `
` houses with the skirts of my coat. I walked with the utmost `
` circumspection, to avoid treading on any stragglers who might `
` remain in the streets, although the orders were very strict, that `
` all people should keep in their houses, at their own peril. The `
` garret windows and tops of houses were so crowded with spectators, `
` that I thought in all my travels I had not seen a more populous `
` place. The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being `
` five hundred feet long. The two great streets, which run across `
` and divide it into four quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes `
` and alleys, which I could not enter, but only view them as I `
` passed, are from twelve to eighteen inches. The town is capable of `
` holding five hundred thousand souls: the houses are from three to `
` five stories: the shops and markets well provided. `
` `
` The emperor's palace is in the centre of the city where the two `
` great streets meet. It is enclosed by a wall of two feet high, and `
` twenty feet distance from the buildings. I had his majesty's `
` permission to step over this wall; and, the space being so wide `
` between that and the palace, I could easily view it on every side. `
` The outward court is a square of forty feet, and includes two other `
` courts: in the inmost are the royal apartments, which I was very `
` desirous to see, but found it extremely difficult; for the great `
` gates, from one square into another, were but eighteen inches high, `
` and seven inches wide. Now the buildings of the outer court were `
` at least five feet high, and it was impossible for me to stride `
` over them without infinite damage to the pile, though the walls `
` were strongly built of hewn stone, and four inches thick. At the `
` same time the emperor had a great desire that I should see the `
` magnificence of his palace; but this I was not able to do till `
` three days after, which I spent in cutting down with my knife some `
` of the largest trees in the royal park, about a hundred yards `
` distant from the city. Of these trees I made two stools, each `
` about three feet high, and strong enough to bear my weight. The `
` people having received notice a second time, I went again through `
` the city to the palace with my two stools in my hands. When I came `
` to the side of the outer court, I stood upon one stool, and took `
` the other in my hand; this I lifted over the roof, and gently set `
` it down on the space between the first and second court, which was `
` eight feet wide. I then stept over the building very conveniently `
` from one stool to the other, and drew up the first after me with a `
` hooked stick. By this contrivance I got into the inmost court; `
` and, lying down upon my side, I applied my face to the windows of `
` the middle stories, which were left open on purpose, and discovered `
` the most splendid apartments that can be imagined. There I saw the `
` empress and the young princes, in their several lodgings, with `
` their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty was `
` pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave me out of the `
` window her hand to kiss. `
` `
` But I shall not anticipate the reader with further descriptions of `
` this kind, because I reserve them for a greater work, which is now `
` almost ready for the press; containing a general description of `
` this empire, from its first erection, through along series of `
` princes; with a particular account of their wars and politics, `
` laws, learning, and religion; their plants and animals; their `
` peculiar manners and customs, with other matters very curious and `
` useful; my chief design at present being only to relate such events `
` and transactions as happened to the public or to myself during a `
` residence of about nine months in that empire. `
` `
` One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, `
` Reldresal, principal secretary (as they style him) for private `
` affairs, came to my house attended only by one servant. He ordered `
` his coach to wait at a distance, and desired I would give him an `
` hours audience; which I readily consented to, on account of his `
` quality and personal merits, as well as of the many good offices he `
` had done me during my solicitations at court. I offered to lie `
` down that he might the more conveniently reach my ear, but he chose `
` rather to let me hold him in my hand during our conversation. He `
` began with compliments on my liberty; said "he might pretend to `
` some merit in it;" but, however, added, "that if it had not been `
` for the present situation of things at court, perhaps I might not `
` have obtained it so soon. For," said he, "as flourishing a `
` condition as we may appear to be in to foreigners, we labour under `
` two mighty evils: a violent faction at home, and the danger of an `
` invasion, by a most potent enemy, from abroad. As to the first, `
` you are to understand, that for about seventy moons past there have `
` been two struggling parties in this empire, under the names of `
` Tramecksan and Slamecksan, from the high and low heels of their `
` shoes, by which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, `
` indeed, that the high heels are most agreeable to our ancient `
` constitution; but, however this be, his majesty has determined to `
` make use only of low heels in the administration of the government, `
` and all offices in the gift of the crown, as you cannot but `
` observe; and particularly that his majesty's imperial heels are `
` lower at least by a drurr than any of his court (drurr is a measure `
` about the fourteenth part of an inch). The animosities between `
` these two parties run so high, that they will neither eat, nor `
` drink, nor talk with each other. We compute the Tramecksan, or `
` high heels, to exceed us in number; but the power is wholly on our `
` side. We apprehend his imperial highness, the heir to the crown, `
` to have some tendency towards the high heels; at least we can `
` plainly discover that one of his heels is higher than the other, `
` which gives him a hobble in his gait. Now, in the midst of these `
` intestine disquiets, we are threatened with an invasion from the `
` island of Blefuscu, which is the other great empire of the `
` universe, almost as large and powerful as this of his majesty. For `
` as to what we have heard you affirm, that there are other kingdoms `
` and states in the world inhabited by human creatures as large as `
` yourself, our philosophers are in much doubt, and would rather `
` conjecture that you dropped from the moon, or one of the stars; `
` because it is certain, that a hundred mortals of your bulk would in `
` a short time destroy all the fruits and cattle of his majesty's `
` dominions: besides, our histories of six thousand moons make no `
` mention of any other regions than the two great empires of Lilliput `
` and Blefuscu. Which two mighty powers have, as I was going to tell `
` you, been engaged in a most obstinate war for six-and-thirty moons `
` past. It began upon the following occasion. It is allowed on all `
` hands, that the primitive way of breaking eggs, before we eat them, `
` was upon the larger end; but his present majesty's grandfather, `
` while he was a boy, going to eat an egg, and breaking it according `
` to the ancient practice, happened to cut one of his fingers. `
` Whereupon the emperor his father published an edict, commanding all `
` his subjects, upon great penalties, to break the smaller end of `
` their eggs. The people so highly resented this law, that our `
` histories tell us, there have been six rebellions raised on that `
` account; wherein one emperor lost his life, and another his crown. `
` These civil commotions were constantly fomented by the monarchs of `
` Blefuscu; and when they were quelled, the exiles always fled for `
` refuge to that empire. It is computed that eleven thousand persons `
` have at several times suffered death, rather than submit to break `
` their eggs at the smaller end. Many hundred large volumes have `
` been published upon this controversy: but the books of the Big- `
` endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party rendered `
` incapable by law of holding employments. During the course of `
` these troubles, the emperors of Blefusca did frequently expostulate `
` by their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, `
` by offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet `
` Lustrog, in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is `
` their Alcoran). This, however, is thought to be a mere strain upon `
` the text; for the words are these: 'that all true believers break `
` their eggs at the convenient end.' And which is the convenient `
` end, seems, in my humble opinion to be left to every man's `
` conscience, or at least in the power of the chief magistrate to `
` determine. Now, the Big-endian exiles have found so much credit in `
` the emperor of Blefuscu's court, and so much private assistance and `
` encouragement from their party here at home, that a bloody war has `
` been carried on between the two empires for six-and-thirty moons, `
` with various success; during which time we have lost forty capital `
` ships, and a much a greater number of smaller vessels, together `
` with thirty thousand of our best seamen and soldiers; and the `
` damage received by the enemy is reckoned to be somewhat greater `
` than ours. However, they have now equipped a numerous fleet, and `
` are just preparing to make a descent upon us; and his imperial `
` majesty, placing great confidence in your valour and strength, has `
` commanded me to lay this account of his affairs before you." `
` `
` I desired the secretary to present my humble duty to the emperor; `
` and to let him know, "that I thought it would not become me, who `
` was a foreigner, to interfere with parties; but I was ready, with `
` the hazard of my life, to defend his person and state against all `
` invaders." `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V. `
` `
` `
` `
` [The author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion. `
` A high title of honour is conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive `
` from the emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace. The empress's `
` apartment on fire by an accident; the author instrumental in saving `
` the rest of the palace.] `
` `
` The empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to the north-east of `
` Lilliput, from which it is parted only by a channel of eight `
` hundred yards wide. I had not yet seen it, and upon this notice of `
` an intended invasion, I avoided appearing on that side of the `
` coast, for fear of being discovered, by some of the enemy's ships, `
` who had received no intelligence of me; all intercourse between the `
` two empires having been strictly forbidden during the war, upon `
` pain of death, and an embargo laid by our emperor upon all vessels `
` whatsoever. I communicated to his majesty a project I had formed `
` of seizing the enemy's whole fleet; which, as our scouts assured `
` us, lay at anchor in the harbour, ready to sail with the first fair `
` wind. I consulted the most experienced seamen upon the depth of `
` the channel, which they had often plumbed; who told me, that in the `
` middle, at high-water, it was seventy glumgluffs deep, which is `
` about six feet of European measure; and the rest of it fifty `
` glumgluffs at most. I walked towards the north-east coast, over `
` against Blefuscu, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my `
` small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, `
` consisting of about fifty men of war, and a great number of `
` transports: I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for `
` which I had a warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable `
` and bars of iron. The cable was about as thick as packthread and `
` the bars of the length and size of a knitting-needle. I trebled `
` the cable to make it stronger, and for the same reason I twisted `
` three of the iron bars together, bending the extremities into a `
` hook. Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables, I went back `
` to the north-east coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and `
` stockings, walked into the sea, in my leathern jerkin, about half `
` an hour before high water. I waded with what haste I could, and `
` swam in the middle about thirty yards, till I felt ground. I `
` arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour. The enemy was so `
` frightened when they saw me, that they leaped out of their ships, `
` and swam to shore, where there could not be fewer than thirty `
`