CHAPTERIX。
[AgranddebateatthegeneralassemblyoftheHOUYHNHNMS,andhowitwasdetermined。ThelearningoftheHOUYHNHNMS。Theirbuildings。Theirmannerofburials。Thedefectivenessoftheirlanguage。]
Oneofthesegrandassemblieswasheldinmytime,aboutthreemonthsbeforemydeparture,whithermymasterwentastherepresentativeofourdistrict。Inthiscouncilwasresumedtheirolddebate,andindeedtheonlydebatethateverhappenedintheircountry;whereofmymaster,afterhisreturn,givemeaveryparticularaccount。
Thequestiontobedebatedwas,"whethertheYAHOOSshouldbeexterminatedfromthefaceoftheearth?"Oneofthemembersfortheaffirmativeofferedseveralargumentsofgreatstrengthandweight,alleging,"thatastheYAHOOSwerethemostfilthy,noisome,anddeformedanimalswhichnatureeverproduced,sotheywerethemostrestiveandindocible,mischievousandmalicious;
theywouldprivatelysucktheteatsoftheHOUYHNHNMS'cows,killanddevourtheircats,trampledowntheiroatsandgrass,iftheywerenotcontinuallywatched,andcommitathousandotherextravagancies。"Hetooknoticeofageneraltradition,"thatYAHOOShadnotbeenalwaysintheircountry;butthatmanyagesago,twoofthesebrutesappearedtogetheruponamountain;
whetherproducedbytheheatofthesunuponcorruptedmudandslime,orfromtheoozeandfrothofthesea,wasneverknown;
thattheseYAHOOSengendered,andtheirbrood,inashorttime,grewsonumerousastooverrunandinfestthewholenation;thattheHOUYHNHNMS,togetridofthisevil,madeageneralhunting,andatlastenclosedthewholeherd;anddestroyingtheelder,everyHOUYHNHNMkepttwoyoungonesinakennel,andbroughtthemtosuchadegreeoftameness,asananimal,sosavagebynature,canbecapableofacquiring,usingthemfordraughtandcarriage;
thatthereseemedtobemuchtruthinthistradition,andthatthosecreaturescouldnotbeYINHNIAMSHYorABORIGINESoftheland,becauseoftheviolenthatredtheHOUYHNHNMS,aswellasallotheranimals,borethem,which,althoughtheirevildispositionsufficientlydeserved,couldneverhavearrivedatsohighadegreeiftheyhadbeenABORIGINES,orelsetheywouldhavelongsincebeenrootedout;thattheinhabitants,takingafancytousetheserviceoftheYAHOOS,had,veryimprudently,neglectedtocultivatethebreedofasses,whichareacomelyanimal,easilykept,moretameandorderly,withoutanyoffensivesmell,strongenoughforlabour,althoughtheyyieldtotheotherinagilityofbody,andiftheirbrayingbenoagreeablesound,itisfarpreferabletothehorriblehowlingsoftheYAHOOS。"
Severalothersdeclaredtheirsentimentstothesamepurpose,whenmymasterproposedanexpedienttotheassembly,whereofhehadindeedborrowedthehintfromme。"Heapprovedofthetraditionmentionedbythehonourablememberwhospokebefore,andaffirmed,thatthetwoYAHOOSsaidtobeseenfirstamongthem,hadbeendriventhitheroverthesea;thatcomingtoland,andbeingforsakenbytheircompanions,theyretiredtothemountains,anddegeneratingbydegrees,becameinprocessoftimemuchmoresavagethanthoseoftheirownspeciesinthecountrywhencethesetwooriginalscame。Thereasonofthisassertionwas,thathehadnowinhispossessionacertainwonderfulYAHOO
meaningmyselfwhichmostofthemhadheardof,andmanyofthemhadseen。Hethenrelatedtothemhowhefirstfoundme;
thatmybodywasallcoveredwithanartificialcomposureoftheskinsandhairsofotheranimals;thatIspokeinalanguageofmyown,andhadthoroughlylearnedtheirs;thatIhadrelatedtohimtheaccidentswhichbroughtmethither;thatwhenhesawmewithoutmycovering,IwasanexactYAHOOineverypart,onlyofawhitercolour,lesshairy,andwithshorterclaws。Headded,howIhadendeavouredtopersuadehim,thatinmyownandothercountries,theYAHOOSactedasthegoverning,rationalanimal,andheldtheHOUYHNHNMSinservitude;thatheobservedinmeallthequalitiesofaYAHOO,onlyalittlemorecivilizedbysometinctureofreason,which,however,wasinadegreeasfarinferiortotheHOUYHNHNMrace,astheYAHOOSoftheircountryweretome;that,amongotherthings,ImentionedacustomwehadofcastratingHOUYHNHNMSwhentheywereyoung,inordertorenderthemtame;thattheoperationwaseasyandsafe;thatitwasnoshametolearnwisdomfrombrutes,asindustryistaughtbytheant,andbuildingbytheswallowforsoItranslatethewordLYHANNH,althoughitbeamuchlargerfowl;thatthisinventionmightbepractisedupontheyoungerYAHOOShere,whichbesidesrenderingthemtractableandfitterforuse,wouldinanageputanendtothewholespecies,withoutdestroyinglife;thatinthemeantimetheHOUYHNHNMSshouldbeexhortedtocultivatethebreedofasses,which,astheyareinallrespectsmorevaluablebrutes,sotheyhavethisadvantage,tobefitforserviceatfiveyearsold,whichtheothersarenottilltwelve。"
Thiswasallmymasterthoughtfittotellme,atthattime,ofwhatpassedinthegrandcouncil。Buthewaspleasedtoconcealoneparticular,whichrelatedpersonallytomyself,whereofI
soonfelttheunhappyeffect,asthereaderwillknowinitsproperplace,andwhenceIdateallthesucceedingmisfortunesofmylife。
TheHOUYHNHNMShavenoletters,andconsequentlytheirknowledgeisalltraditional。Buttherehappeningfeweventsofanymomentamongapeoplesowellunited,naturallydisposedtoeveryvirtue,whollygovernedbyreason,andcutofffromallcommercewithothernations,thehistoricalpartiseasilypreservedwithoutburdeningtheirmemories。Ihavealreadyobservedthattheyaresubjecttonodiseases,andthereforecanhavenoneedofphysicians。However,theyhaveexcellentmedicines,composedofherbs,tocureaccidentalbruisesandcutsinthepasternorfrogofthefoot,bysharpstones,aswellasothermaimsandhurtsintheseveralpartsofthebody。
Theycalculatetheyearbytherevolutionofthesunandmoon,butusenosubdivisionsintoweeks。Theyarewellenoughacquaintedwiththemotionsofthosetwoluminaries,andunderstandthenatureofeclipses;andthisistheutmostprogressoftheirastronomy。
Inpoetry,theymustbeallowedtoexcelallothermortals;
whereinthejustnessoftheirsimiles,andtheminutenessaswellasexactnessoftheirdescriptions,areindeedinimitable。Theirversesaboundverymuchinbothofthese,andusuallycontaineithersomeexaltednotionsoffriendshipandbenevolenceorthepraisesofthosewhowerevictorsinracesandotherbodilyexercises。Theirbuildings,althoughveryrudeandsimple,arenotinconvenient,butwellcontrivedtodefendthemfromallinjuriesofandheat。Theyhaveakindoftree,whichatfortyyearsoldloosensintheroot,andfallswiththefirststorm:
itgrowsverystraight,andbeingpointedlikestakeswithasharpstonefortheHOUYHNHNMSknownottheuseofiron,theystickthemerectintheground,aboutteninchesasunder,andthenweaveinoatstraw,orsometimeswattles,betweenthem。Theroofismadeafterthesamemanner,andsoarethedoors。
TheHOUYHNHNMSusethehollowpart,betweenthepasternandthehoofoftheirfore-foot,aswedoourhands,andthiswithgreaterdexteritythanIcouldatfirstimagine。IhaveseenawhitemareofourfamilythreadaneedlewhichIlentheronpurposewiththatjoint。Theymilktheircows,reaptheiroats,anddoalltheworkwhichrequireshands,inthesamemanner。
Theyhaveakindofhardflints,which,bygrindingagainstotherstones,theyformintoinstruments,thatserveinsteadofwedges,axes,andhammers。Withtoolsmadeoftheseflints,theylikewisecuttheirhay,andreaptheiroats,whichtheregrownaturallyinseveralfields;theYAHOOSdrawhomethesheavesincarriages,andtheservantstreadthemincertaincoveredhutstogetoutthegrain,whichiskeptinstores。Theymakearudekindofearthenandwoodenvessels,andbaketheformerinthesun。
Iftheycanavoidcasualties,theydieonlyofoldage,andareburiedintheobscurestplacesthatcanbefound,theirfriendsandrelationsexpressingneitherjoynorgriefattheirdeparture;nordoesthedyingpersondiscovertheleastregretthatheisleavingtheworld,anymorethanifhewereuponreturninghomefromavisittooneofhisneighbours。Iremembermymasterhavingoncemadeanappointmentwithafriendandhisfamilytocometohishouse,uponsomeaffairofimportance:onthedayfixed,themistressandhertwochildrencameverylate;
shemadetwoexcuses,firstforherhusband,who,asshesaid,happenedthatverymorningtoSHNUWNH。Thewordisstronglyexpressiveintheirlanguage,butnoteasilyrenderedintoEnglish;itsignifies,"toretiretohisfirstmother。"Herexcusefornotcomingsooner,was,thatherhusbanddyinglateinthemorning,shewasagoodwhileconsultingherservantsaboutaconvenientplacewherehisbodyshouldbelaid;andIobserved,shebehavedherselfatourhouseascheerfullyastherest。Shediedaboutthreemonthsafter。
Theylivegenerallytoseventy,orseventy-fiveyears,veryseldomtofourscore。Someweeksbeforetheirdeath,theyfeelagradualdecay;butwithoutpain。Duringthistimetheyaremuchvisitedbytheirfriends,becausetheycannotgoabroadwiththeirusualeaseandsatisfaction。However,abouttendaysbeforetheirdeath,whichtheyseldomfailincomputing,theyreturnthevisitsthathavebeenmadethembythosewhoarenearestintheneighbourhood,beingcarriedinaconvenientsledgedrawnbyYAHOOS;whichvehicletheyuse,notonlyuponthisoccasion,butwhentheygrowold,uponlongjourneys,orwhentheyarelamedbyanyaccident:andthereforewhenthedyingHOUYHNHNMSreturnthosevisits,theytakeasolemnleaveoftheirfriends,asiftheyweregoingtosomeremotepartofthecountry,wheretheydesignedtopasstherestoftheirlives。
Iknownotwhetheritmaybeworthobserving,thattheHOUYHNHNMS
havenowordintheirlanguagetoexpressanythingthatisevil,exceptwhattheyborrowfromthedeformitiesorillqualitiesoftheYAHOOS。Thustheydenotethefollyofaservant,anomissionofachild,astonethatcutstheirfeet,acontinuanceoffoulorunseasonableweather,andthelike,byaddingtoeachtheepithetofYAHOO。Forinstance,HHNMYAHOO;WHNAHOLMYAHOO,YNLHMNDWIHLMAYAHOO,andanill-contrivedhouseYNHOLMHNMROHLNW
YAHOO。
Icould,withgreatpleasure,enlargefurtheruponthemannersandvirtuesofthisexcellentpeople;butintendinginashorttimetopublishavolumebyitself,expresslyuponthatsubject,Ireferthereaderthither;and,inthemeantime,proceedtorelatemyownsadcatastrophe。
CHAPTERX。
[Theauthor'seconomy,andhappylife,amongtheHouyhnhnms。Hisgreatimprovementinvirtuebyconversingwiththem。Theirconversations。Theauthorhasnoticegivenhimbyhismaster,thathemustdepartfromthecountry。Hefallsintoaswoonforgrief;butsubmits。Hecontrivesandfinishesacanoebythehelpofafellow-servant,andputstoseaataventure。]
Ihadsettledmylittleeconomytomyownheart'scontent。Mymasterhadorderedaroomtobemadeforme,aftertheirmanner,aboutsixyardsfromthehouse:thesidesandfloorsofwhichI
plasteredwithclay,andcoveredwithrush-matsofmyowncontriving。Ihadbeatenhemp,whichtheregrowswild,andmadeofitasortofticking;thisIfilledwiththefeathersofseveralbirdsIhadtakenwithspringesmadeofYAHOOS'hairs,andwereexcellentfood。Ihadworkedtwochairswithmyknife,thesorrelnaghelpingmeinthegrosserandmorelaboriouspart。
Whenmyclotheswereworntorags,Imademyselfotherswiththeskinsofrabbits,andofacertainbeautifulanimal,aboutthesamesize,calledNNUHNOH,theskinofwhichiscoveredwithafinedown。OftheseIalsomadeverytolerablestockings。I
soledmyshoeswithwood,whichIcutfromatree,andfittedtotheupper-leather;andwhenthiswaswornout,IsupplieditwiththeskinsofYAHOOSdriedinthesun。Ioftengothoneyoutofhollowtrees,whichImingledwithwater,oratewithmybread。
Nomancouldmoreverifythetruthofthesetwomaxims,"Thatnatureisveryeasilysatisfied;"and,"Thatnecessityisthemotherofinvention。"Ienjoyedperfecthealthofbody,andtranquillityofmind;Ididnotfeelthetreacheryorinconstancyofafriend,northeinjuriesofasecretoropenenemy。Ihadnooccasionofbribing,flattering,orpimping,toprocurethefavourofanygreatman,orofhisminion;Iwantednofenceagainstfraudoroppression:herewasneitherphysiciantodestroymybody,norlawyertoruinmyfortune;noinformertowatchmywordsandactions,orforgeaccusationsagainstmeforhire:herewerenogibers,censurers,backbiters,pickpockets,highwaymen,housebreakers,attorneys,bawds,buffoons,gamesters,politicians,wits,splenetics,tedioustalkers,controvertists,ravishers,murderers,robbers,virtuosos;noleaders,orfollowers,ofpartyandfaction;noencouragerstovice,byseducementorexamples;nodungeon,axes,gibbets,whipping-posts,orpillories;nocheatingshopkeepersormechanics;nopride,vanity,oraffectation;nofops,bullies,drunkards,strollingwhores,orpoxes;noranting,lewd,expensivewives;nostupid,proudpedants;noimportunate,overbearing,quarrelsome,noisy,roaring,empty,conceited,swearingcompanions;noscoundrelsraisedfromthedustuponthemeritoftheirvices,ornobilitythrownintoitonaccountoftheirvirtues;nolords,fiddlers,judges,ordancing-masters。
IhadthefavourofbeingadmittedtoseveralHOUYHNHNMS,whocametovisitordinewithmymaster;wherehishonourgraciouslysufferedmetowaitintheroom,andlistentotheirdiscourse。
Bothheandhiscompanywouldoftendescendtoaskmequestions,andreceivemyanswers。Ihadalsosometimesthehonourofattendingmymasterinhisvisitstoothers。Ineverpresumedtospeak,exceptinanswertoaquestion;andthenIdiditwithinwardregret,becauseitwasalossofsomuchtimeforimprovingmyself;butIwasinfinitelydelightedwiththestationofanhumbleauditorinsuchconversations,wherenothingpassedbutwhatwasuseful,expressedinthefewestandmostsignificantwords;where,asIhavealreadysaid,thegreatestdecencywasobserved,withouttheleastdegreeofceremony;wherenopersonspokewithoutbeingpleasedhimself,andpleasinghiscompanions;
wheretherewasnointerruption,tediousness,heat,ordifferenceofsentiments。Theyhaveanotion,thatwhenpeoplearemettogether,ashortsilencedoesmuchimproveconversation:thisI
foundtobetrue;forduringthoselittleintermissionsoftalk,newideaswouldariseintheirminds,whichverymuchenlivenedthediscourse。Theirsubjectsare,generallyonfriendshipandbenevolence,onorderandeconomy;sometimesuponthevisibleoperationsofnature,orancienttraditions;upontheboundsandlimitsofvirtue;upontheunerringrulesofreason,oruponsomedeterminationstobetakenatthenextgreatassembly:andoftenuponthevariousexcellencesofpoetry。Imayadd,withoutvanity,thatmypresenceoftengavethemsufficientmatterfordiscourse,becauseitaffordedmymasteranoccasionoflettinghisfriendsintothehistoryofmeandmycountry,uponwhichtheywereallpleasedtodescant,inamannernotveryadvantageoustohumankind:andforthatreasonIshallnotrepeatwhattheysaid;onlyImaybeallowedtoobserve,thathishonour,tomygreatadmiration,appearedtounderstandthenatureofYAHOOSmuchbetterthanmyself。Hewentthroughallourvicesandfollies,anddiscoveredmany,whichIhadnevermentionedtohim,byonlysupposingwhatqualitiesaYAHOOoftheircountry,withasmallproportionofreason,mightbecapableofexerting;
andconcluded,withtoomuchprobability,"howvile,aswellasmiserable,suchacreaturemustbe。"
Ifreelyconfess,thatallthelittleknowledgeIhaveofanyvalue,wasacquiredbythelecturesIreceivedfrommymaster,andfromhearingthediscoursesofhimandhisfriends;towhichIshouldbeproudertolisten,thantodictatetothegreatestandwisestassemblyinEurope。Iadmiredthestrength,comeliness,andspeedoftheinhabitants;andsuchaconstellationofvirtues,insuchamiablepersons,producedinmethehighestveneration。Atfirst,indeed,Ididnotfeelthatnaturalawe,whichtheYAHOOSandallotheranimalsbeartowardthem;butitgrewuponmebydecrees,muchsoonerthanI
imagined,andwasmingledwitharespectfulloveandgratitude,thattheywouldcondescendtodistinguishmefromtherestofmyspecies。
WhenIthoughtofmyfamily,myfriends,mycountrymen,orthehumanraceingeneral,Iconsideredthem,astheyreallywere,YAHOOSinshapeanddisposition,perhapsalittlemorecivilized,andqualifiedwiththegiftofspeech;butmakingnootheruseofreason,thantoimproveandmultiplythoseviceswhereoftheirbrethreninthiscountryhadonlythesharethatnatureallottedthem。WhenIhappenedtobeholdthereflectionofmyownforminalakeorfountain,Iturnedawaymyfaceinhorroranddetestationofmyself,andcouldbetterendurethesightofacommonYAHOOthanofmyownperson。ByconversingwiththeHOUYHNHNMS,andlookinguponthemwithdelight,Ifelltoimitatetheirgaitandgesture,whichisnowgrownintoahabit;andmyfriendsoftentellme,inabluntway,"thatItrotlikeahorse;"which,however,Itakeforagreatcompliment。NeithershallIdisown,thatinspeakingIamapttofallintothevoiceandmanneroftheHOUYHNHNMS,andhearmyselfridiculedonthataccount,withouttheleastmortification。
Inthemidstofallthishappiness,andwhenIlookeduponmyselftobefullysettledforlife,mymastersentformeonemorningalittleearlierthanhisusualhour。Iobservedbyhiscountenancethathewasinsomeperplexity,andatalosshowtobeginwhathehadtospeak。Afterashortsilence,hetoldme,"hedidnotknowhowIwouldtakewhathewasgoingtosay:thatinthelastgeneralassembly,whentheaffairoftheYAHOOSwasenteredupon,therepresentativeshadtakenoffenceathiskeepingaYAHOOmeaningmyselfinhisfamily,morelikeaHOUYHNHNMthanabruteanimal;thathewasknownfrequentlytoconversewithme,asifhecouldreceivesomeadvantageorpleasureinmycompany;thatsuchapracticewasnotagreeabletoreasonornature,orathingeverheardofbeforeamongthem;theassemblydidthereforeexhorthimeithertoemploymeliketherestofmyspecies,orcommandmetoswimbacktotheplacewhenceIcame:thatthefirstoftheseexpedientswasutterlyrejectedbyalltheHOUYHNHNMSwhohadeverseenmeathishouseortheirown;fortheyalleged,thatbecauseIhadsomerudimentsofreason,addedtothenaturalpravityofthoseanimals,itwastobefearedImightbeabletoseducethemintothewoodyandmountainouspartsofthecountry,andbringthemintroopsbynighttodestroytheHOUYHNHNMS'cattle,asbeingnaturallyoftheravenouskind,andaversefromlabour。"
Mymasteradded,"thathewasdailypressedbytheHOUYHNHNMSoftheneighbourhoodtohavetheassembly'sexhortationexecuted,whichhecouldnotputoffmuchlonger。Hedoubteditwouldbeimpossibleformetoswimtoanothercountry;andthereforewishedIwouldcontrivesomesortofvehicle,resemblingthoseI
haddescribedtohim,thatmightcarrymeonthesea;inwhichworkIshouldhavetheassistanceofhisownservants,aswellasthoseofhisneighbours。"Heconcluded,"thatforhisownpart,hecouldhavebeencontenttokeepmeinhisserviceaslongasI
lived;becausehefoundIhadcuredmyselfofsomebadhabitsanddispositions,byendeavouring,asfarasmyinferiornaturewascapable,toimitatetheHOUYHNHNMS。"
Ishouldhereobservetothereader,thatadecreeofthegeneralassemblyinthiscountryisexpressedbythewordHNHLOAYN,whichsignifiesanexhortation,asnearasIcanrenderit;fortheyhavenoconceptionhowarationalcreaturecanbecompelled,butonlyadvised,orexhorted;becausenopersoncandisobeyreason,withoutgivinguphisclaimtobearationalcreature。
Iwasstruckwiththeutmostgriefanddespairatmymaster'sdiscourse;andbeingunabletosupporttheagoniesIwasunder,I
fellintoaswoonathisfeet。WhenIcametomyself,hetoldme"thatheconcludedIhadbeendead;"forthesepeoplearesubjecttonosuchimbecilitiesofnature。Iansweredinafaintvoice,"thatdeathwouldhavebeentoogreatahappiness;thatalthoughIcouldnotblametheassembly'sexhortation,ortheurgencyofhisfriends;yet,inmyweakandcorruptjudgment,Ithoughtitmightconsistwithreasontohavebeenlessrigorous;thatI
couldnotswimaleague,andprobablythenearestlandtotheirsmightbedistantaboveahundred:thatmanymaterials,necessaryformakingasmallvesseltocarrymeoff,werewhollywantinginthiscountry;which,however,Iwouldattempt,inobedienceandgratitudetohishonour,althoughIconcludedthethingtobeimpossible,andthereforelookedonmyselfasalreadydevotedtodestruction;thatthecertainprospectofanunnaturaldeathwastheleastofmyevils;for,supposingIshouldescapewithlifebysomestrangeadventure,howcouldIthinkwithtemperofpassingmydaysamongYAHOOS,andrelapsingintomyoldcorruptions,forwantofexamplestoleadandkeepmewithinthepathsofvirtue?thatIknewtoowelluponwhatsolidreasonsallthedeterminationsofthewiseHOUYHNHNMSwerefounded,nottobeshakenbyargumentsofmine,amiserableYAHOO;andtherefore,afterpresentinghimwithmyhumblethanksfortheofferofhisservants'assistanceinmakingavessel,anddesiringareasonabletimeforsodifficultawork,ItoldhimIwouldendeavourtopreserveawretchedbeing;andifeverIreturnedtoEngland,wasnotwithouthopesofbeingusefultomyownspecies,bycelebratingthepraisesoftherenownedHOUYHNHNMS,andproposingtheirvirtuestotheimitationofmankind。"
Mymaster,inafewwords,mademeaverygraciousreply;allowedmethespaceoftwomonthstofinishmyboat;andorderedthesorrelnag,myfellow-servantforso,atthisdistance,Imaypresumetocallhim,tofollowmyinstruction;becauseItoldmymaster,"thathishelpwouldbesufficient,andIknewhehadatendernessforme。"
Inhiscompany,myfirstbusinesswastogotothatpartofthecoastwheremyrebelliouscrewhadorderedmetobesetonshore。
Igotuponaheight,andlookingoneverysideintothesea;
fanciedIsawasmallislandtowardthenorth-east。Itookoutmypocketglass,andcouldthenclearlydistinguishitabovefiveleaguesoff,asIcomputed;butitappearedtothesorrelnagtobeonlyabluecloud:forashehadnoconceptionofanycountrybesidehisown,sohecouldnotbeasexpertindistinguishingremoteobjectsatsea,aswewhosomuchconverseinthatelement。
AfterIhaddiscoveredthisisland,Iconsiderednofurther;butresolveditshouldifpossible,bethefirstplaceofmybanishment,leavingtheconsequencetofortune。
Ireturnedhome,andconsultingwiththesorrelnag,wewentintoacopseatsomedistance,whereIwithmyknife,andhewithasharpflint,fastenedveryartificiallyaftertheirmanner,toawoodenhandle,cutdownseveraloakwattles,aboutthethicknessofawalking-staff,andsomelargerpieces。ButIshallnottroublethereaderwithaparticulardescriptionofmyownmechanics;letitsufficetosay,thatinsixweekstimewiththehelpofthesorrelnag,whoperformedthepartsthatrequiredmostlabour,IfinishedasortofIndiancanoe,butmuchlarger,coveringitwiththeskinsofYAHOOS,wellstitchedtogetherwithhempenthreadsofmyownmaking。Mysailwaslikewisecomposedoftheskinsofthesameanimal;butImadeuseoftheyoungestI
couldget,theolderbeingtootoughandthick;andIlikewiseprovidedmyselfwithfourpaddles。Ilaidinastockofboiledflesh,ofrabbitsandfowls,andtookwithmetwovessels,onefilledwithmilkandtheotherwithwater。
Itriedmycanoeinalargepond,nearmymaster'shouse,andthencorrectedinitwhatwasamiss;stoppingallthechinkswithYAHOOS'tallow,tillIfounditstaunch,andabletobearmeandmyfreight;and,whenitwasascompleteasIcouldpossiblymakeit,IhaditdrawnonacarriageverygentlybyYAHOOStothesea-side,undertheconductofthesorrelnagandanotherservant。
Whenallwasready,andthedaycameformydeparture,Itookleaveofmymasterandladyandthewholefamily,myeyesflowingwithtears,andmyheartquitesunkwithgrief。Buthishonour,outofcuriosity,and,perhaps,ifImayspeakwithoutvanity,
partlyoutofkindness,wasdeterminedtoseemeinmycanoe,andgotseveralofhisneighbouringfriendstoaccompanyhim。Iwasforcedtowaitaboveanhourforthetide;andthenobservingthewindveryfortunatelybearingtowardtheislandtowhichI
intendedtosteermycourse,Itookasecondleaveofmymaster:
butasIwasgoingtoprostratemyselftokisshishoof,hedidmethehonourtoraiseitgentlytomymouth。IamnotignoranthowmuchIhavebeencensuredformentioningthislastparticular。Detractorsarepleasedtothinkitimprobable,thatsoillustriousapersonshoulddescendtogivesogreatamarkofdistinctiontoacreaturesoinferiorasI。NeitherhaveI
forgottenhowaptsometravellersaretoboastofextraordinaryfavourstheyhavereceived。But,ifthesecensurerswerebetteracquaintedwiththenobleandcourteousdispositionoftheHOUYHNHNMS,theywouldsoonchangetheiropinion。
IpaidmyrespectstotherestoftheHOUYHNHNMSinhishonour'scompany;thengettingintomycanoe,Ipushedofffromshore。
CHAPTERXI。
[Theauthor'sdangerousvoyage。HearrivesatNewHolland,hopingtosettlethere。Iswoundedwithanarrowbyoneofthenatives。IsseizedandcarriedbyforceintoaPortugueseship。
Thegreatcivilitiesofthecaptain。TheauthorarrivesatEngland。]
IbeganthisdesperatevoyageonFebruary15,1714-15,atnineo'clockinthemorning。Thewindwasveryfavourable;however,I
madeuseatfirstonlyofmypaddles;butconsideringIshouldsoonbeweary,andthatthewindmightchopabout,Iventuredtosetupmylittlesail;andthus,withthehelpofthetide,I
wentattherateofaleagueandahalfanhour,asnearasI
couldguess。MymasterandhisfriendscontinuedontheshoretillIwasalmostoutofsight;andIoftenheardthesorrelnagwhoalwayslovedmecryingout,"HNUYILLANYHA,MAJAHYAHOO;"
"Takecareofthyself,gentleYAHOO。"
Mydesignwas,ifpossible,todiscoversomesmallislanduninhabited,yetsufficient,bymylabour,tofurnishmewiththenecessariesoflife,whichIwouldhavethoughtagreaterhappiness,thantobefirstministerinthepolitestcourtofEurope;sohorriblewastheideaIconceivedofreturningtoliveinthesociety,andunderthegovernmentofYAHOOS。ForinsuchasolitudeasIdesired,Icouldatleastenjoymyownthoughts,andreflectwithdelightonthevirtuesofthoseinimitableHOUYHNHNMS,withoutanopportunityofdegeneratingintothevicesandcorruptionsofmyownspecies。
ThereadermayrememberwhatIrelated,whenmycrewconspiredagainstme,andconfinedmetomycabin;howIcontinuedthereseveralweekswithoutknowingwhatcoursewetook;andwhenIwasputashoreinthelong-boat,howthesailorstoldme,withoaths,whethertrueorfalse,"thattheyknewnotinwhatpartoftheworldwewere。"However,Ididthenbelieveustobeabout10
degreessouthwardoftheCapeofGoodHope,orabout45degreessouthernlatitude,asIgatheredfromsomegeneralwordsI
overheardamongthem,beingIsupposedtothesouth-eastintheirintendedvoyagetoMadagascar。Andalthoughthiswerelittlebetterthanconjecture,yetIresolvedtosteermycourseeastward,hopingtoreachthesouth-westcoastofNewHolland,andperhapssomesuchislandasIdesiredlyingwestwardofit。
Thewindwasfullwest,andbysixintheeveningIcomputedI
hadgoneeastwardatleasteighteenleagues;whenIspiedaverysmallislandabouthalfaleagueoff,whichIsoonreached。Itwasnothingbutarock,withonecreeknaturallyarchedbytheforceoftempests。HereIputinmycanoe,andclimbingapartoftherock,Icouldplainlydiscoverlandtotheeast,extendingfromsouthtonorth。Ilayallnightinmycanoe;andrepeatingmyvoyageearlyinthemorning,Iarrivedinsevenhourstothesouth-eastpointofNewHolland。ThisconfirmedmeintheopinionIhavelongentertained,thatthemapsandchartsplacethiscountryatleastthreedegreesmoretotheeastthanitreallyis;whichthoughtIcommunicatedmanyyearsagotomyworthyfriend,Mr。HermanMoll,andgavehimmyreasonsforit,althoughhehasratherchosentofollowotherauthors。
IsawnoinhabitantsintheplacewhereIlanded,andbeingunarmed,Iwasafraidofventuringfarintothecountry。Ifoundsomeshellfishontheshore,andatethemraw,notdaringtokindleafire,forfearofbeingdiscoveredbythenatives。I
continuedthreedaysfeedingonoystersandlimpets,tosavemyownprovisions;andIfortunatelyfoundabrookofexcellentwater,whichgavemegreatrelief。
Onthefourthday,venturingoutearlyalittletoofar,Isawtwentyorthirtynativesuponaheightnotabovefivehundredyardsfromme。Theywerestarknaked,men,women,andchildren,roundafire,asIcoulddiscoverbythesmoke。Oneofthemspiedme,andgavenoticetotherest;fiveofthemadvancedtowardme,leavingthewomenandchildrenatthefire。ImadewhathasteIcouldtotheshore,and,gettingintomycanoe,shovedoff:thesavages,observingmeretreat,ranafterme:
andbeforeIcouldgetfarenoughintothesea,dischargedanarrowwhichwoundedmedeeplyontheinsideofmyleftknee:I
shallcarrythemarktomygrave。Iapprehendedthearrowmightbepoisoned,andpaddlingoutofthereachoftheirdartsbeingacalmday,Imadeashifttosuckthewound,anddressitaswellasIcould。
Iwasatalosswhattodo,forIdurstnotreturntothesamelanding-place,butstoodtothenorth,andwasforcedtopaddle,forthewind,thoughverygentle,wasagainstme,blowingnorth-west。AsIwaslookingaboutforasecurelanding-place,I
sawasailtothenorth-north-east,whichappearingeveryminutemorevisible,IwasinsomedoubtwhetherIshouldwaitforthemornot;butatlastmydetestationoftheYAHOOraceprevailed:
andturningmycanoe,Isailedandpaddledtogethertothesouth,andgotintothesamecreekwhenceIsetoutinthemorning,choosingrathertotrustmyselfamongthesebarbarians,thanlivewithEuropeanYAHOOS。IdrewupmycanoeascloseasIcouldtotheshore,andhidmyselfbehindastonebythelittlebrook,which,asIhavealreadysaid,wasexcellentwater。
Theshipcamewithinhalfaleagueofthiscreek,andsentherlongboatwithvesselstotakeinfreshwaterfortheplace,itseems,wasverywellknown;butIdidnotobserveit,tilltheboatwasalmostonshore;anditwastoolatetoseekanotherhiding-place。Theseamenattheirlandingobservedmycanoe,andrummagingitallover,easilyconjecturedthattheownercouldnotbefaroff。Fourofthem,wellarmed,searchedeverycrannyandlurking-hole,tillatlasttheyfoundmeflatonmyfacebehindthestone。Theygazedawhileinadmirationatmystrangeuncouthdress;mycoatmadeofskins,mywooden-soledshoes,andmyfurredstockings;whence,however,theyconcluded,Iwasnotanativeoftheplace,whoallgonaked。Oneoftheseamen,inPortuguese,bidmerise,andaskedwhoIwas。Iunderstoodthatlanguageverywell,andgettinguponmyfeet,said,"IwasapoorYAHOObanishedfromtheHOUYHNHNMS,anddesiredtheywouldpleasetoletmedepart。"Theyadmiredtohearmeanswerthemintheirowntongue,andsawbymycomplexionImustbeaEuropean;butwereatalosstoknowwhatImeantbyYAHOOSandHOUYHNHNMS;andatthesametimefella-laughingatmystrangetoneinspeaking,whichresembledtheneighingofahorse。Itrembledallthewhilebetwixtfearandhatred。Iagaindesiredleavetodepart,andwasgentlymovingtomycanoe;buttheylaidholdofme,desiringtoknow,"whatcountryIwasof?whenceIcame?"withmanyotherquestions。Itoldthem"IwasborninEngland,whenceIcameaboutfiveyearsago,andthentheircountryandourswereatpeace。Ithereforehopedtheywouldnottreatmeasanenemy,sinceImeantthemnoharm,butwasapoorYAHOOseekingsomedesolateplacewheretopasstheremainderofhisunfortunatelife。"
Whentheybegantotalk,IthoughtIneverheardorsawanythingmoreunnatural;foritappearedtomeasmonstrousasifadogoracowshouldspeakinEngland,oraYAHOOinHOUYHNHNMLAND。ThehonestPortuguesewereequallyamazedatmystrangedress,andtheoddmannerofdeliveringmywords,which,however,theyunderstoodverywell。Theyspoketomewithgreathumanity,andsaid,"theyweresurethecaptainwouldcarrymeGRATIStoLisbon,whenceImightreturntomyowncountry;thattwooftheseamenwouldgobacktotheship,informthecaptainofwhattheyhadseen,andreceivehisorders;inthemeantime,unlessI
wouldgivemysolemnoathnottofly,theywouldsecuremebyforce。Ithoughtitbesttocomplywiththeirproposal。Theywereverycurioustoknowmystory,butIgavethemverylittlesatisfaction,andtheyallconjecturedthatmymisfortuneshadimpairedmyreason。Intwohourstheboat,whichwentladenwithvesselsofwater,returned,withthecaptain'scommandtofetchmeonboard。Ifellonmykneestopreservemyliberty;butallwasinvain;andthemen,havingtiedmewithcords,heavedmeintotheboat,whenceIwastakenintotheship,andthenceintothecaptain'scabin。
HisnamewasPedrodeMendez;hewasaverycourteousandgenerousperson。Heentreatedmetogivesomeaccountofmyself,anddesiredtoknowwhatIwouldeatordrink;said,"Ishouldbeusedaswellashimself;"andspokesomanyobligingthings,thatIwonderedtofindsuchcivilitiesfromaYAHOO。However,I
remainedsilentandsullen;Iwasreadytofaintattheverysmellofhimandhismen。AtlastIdesiredsomethingtoeatoutofmyowncanoe;butheorderedmeachicken,andsomeexcellentwine,andthendirectedthatIshouldbeputtobedinaverycleancabin。Iwouldnotundressmyself,butlayonthebed-clothes,andinhalfanhourstoleout,whenIthoughtthecrewwasatdinner,andgettingtothesideoftheship,wasgoingtoleapintothesea,andswimformylife,ratherthancontinueamongYAHOOS。Butoneoftheseamenpreventedme,andhavinginformedthecaptain,Iwaschainedtomycabin。
Afterdinner,DonPedrocametome,anddesiredtoknowmyreasonforsodesperateanattempt;assuredme,"heonlymeanttodomealltheservicehewasable;"andspokesoverymovingly,thatatlastIdescendedtotreathimlikeananimalwhichhadsomelittleportionofreason。Igavehimaveryshortrelationofmyvoyage;oftheconspiracyagainstmebymyownmen;ofthecountrywheretheysetmeonshore,andofmyfiveyearsresidencethere。Allwhichhelookeduponasifitwereadreamoravision;whereatItookgreatoffence;forIhadquiteforgotthefacultyoflying,sopeculiartoYAHOOS,inallcountrieswheretheypreside,and,consequently,theirdispositionofsuspectingtruthinothersoftheirownspecies。Iaskedhim,"whetheritwerethecustominhiscountrytosaythethingwhichwasnot?"Iassuredhim,"Ihadalmostforgotwhathemeantbyfalsehood,andifIhadlivedathousandyearsinHOUYHNHNMLAND,Ishouldneverhaveheardaliefromthemeanestservant;thatI
wasaltogetherindifferentwhetherhebelievedmeornot;but,however,inreturnforhisfavours,Iwouldgivesomuchallowancetothecorruptionofhisnature,astoansweranyobjectionhewouldpleasetomake,andthenhemighteasilydiscoverthetruth。"
Thecaptain,awiseman,aftermanyendeavourstocatchmetrippinginsomepartofmystory,atlastbegantohaveabetteropinionofmyveracity。Butheadded,"thatsinceIprofessedsoinviolableanattachmenttotruth,Imustgivehimmywordandhonourtobearhimcompanyinthisvoyage,withoutattemptinganythingagainstmylife;orelsehewouldcontinuemeaprisonertillwearrivedatLisbon。"Igavehimthepromiseherequired;
butatthesametimeprotested,"thatIwouldsufferthegreatesthardships,ratherthanreturntoliveamongYAHOOS。"
Ourvoyagepassedwithoutanyconsiderableaccident。Ingratitudetothecaptain,Isometimessatwithhim,athisearnestrequest,andstrovetoconcealmyantipathyagainsthumankind,althoughitoftenbrokeout;whichhesufferedtopasswithoutobservation。ButthegreatestpartofthedayIconfinedmyselftomycabin,toavoidseeinganyofthecrew。Thecaptainhadoftenentreatedmetostripmyselfofmysavagedress,andofferedtolendmethebestsuitofclotheshehad。ThisIwouldnotbeprevailedontoaccept,abhorringtocovermyselfwithanythingthathadbeenonthebackofaYAHOO。Ionlydesiredhewouldlendmetwocleanshirts,which,havingbeenwashedsinceheworethem,Ibelievedwouldnotsomuchdefileme。TheseI
changedeverysecondday,andwashedthemmyself。
WearrivedatLisbon,Nov。5,1715。Atourlanding,thecaptainforcedmetocovermyselfwithhiscloak,topreventtherabblefromcrowdingaboutme。Iwasconveyedtohisownhouse;andatmyearnestrequestheledmeuptothehighestroombackwards。I
conjuredhim"toconcealfromallpersonswhatIhadtoldhimoftheHOUYHNHNMS;becausetheleasthintofsuchastorywouldnotonlydrawnumbersofpeopletoseeme,butprobablyputmeindangerofbeingimprisoned,orburntbytheInquisition。"Thecaptainpersuadedmetoacceptasuitofclothesnewlymade;butIwouldnotsufferthetailortotakemymeasure;however,DonPedrobeingalmostofmysize,theyfittedmewellenough。Heaccoutredmewithothernecessaries,allnew,whichIairedfortwenty-fourhoursbeforeIwouldusethem。
Thecaptainhadnowife,norabovethreeservants,noneofwhichweresufferedtoattendatmeals;andhiswholedeportmentwassoobliging,addedtoverygoodhumanunderstanding,thatIreallybegantotoleratehiscompany。Hegainedsofaruponme,thatI
venturedtolookoutofthebackwindow。BydegreesIwasbroughtintoanotherroom,whenceIpeepedintothestreet,butdrewmyheadbackinafright。Inaweek'stimeheseducedmedowntothedoor。Ifoundmyterrorgraduallylessened,butmyhatredandcontemptseemedtoincrease。Iwasatlastboldenoughtowalkthestreetinhiscompany,butkeptmynosewellstoppedwithrue,orsometimeswithtobacco。
Intendays,DonPedro,towhomIhadgivensomeaccountofmydomesticaffairs,putituponme,asamatterofhonourandconscience,"thatIoughttoreturntomynativecountry,andliveathomewithmywifeandchildren。"Hetoldme,"therewasanEnglishshipintheportjustreadytosail,andhewouldfurnishmewithallthingsnecessary。"Itwouldbetedioustorepeathisarguments,andmycontradictions。Hesaid,"itwasaltogetherimpossibletofindsuchasolitaryislandasIdesiredtolivein;butImightcommandinmyownhouse,andpassmytimeinamannerasrecluseasIpleased。"
Icompliedatlast,findingIcouldnotdobetter。IleftLisbonthe24thdayofNovember,inanEnglishmerchantman,butwhowasthemasterIneverinquired。DonPedroaccompaniedmetotheship,andlentmetwentypounds。Hetookkindleaveofme,andembracedmeatparting,whichIboreaswellasIcould。DuringthislastvoyageIhadnocommercewiththemasteroranyofhismen;but,pretendingIwassick,keptcloseinmycabin。OnthefifthofDecember,1715,wecastanchorintheDowns,aboutnineinthemorning,andatthreeintheafternoonIgotsafetomyhouseatRotherhith。7
Mywifeandfamilyreceivedmewithgreatsurpriseandjoy,becausetheyconcludedmecertainlydead;butImustfreelyconfessthesightofthemfilledmeonlywithhatred,disgust,andcontempt;andthemore,byreflectingonthenearallianceI
hadtothem。Foralthough,sincemyunfortunateexilefromtheHOUYHNHNMcountry,IhadcompelledmyselftotoleratethesightofYAHOOS,andtoconversewithDonPedrodeMendez,yetmymemoryandimaginationwereperpetuallyfilledwiththevirtuesandideasofthoseexaltedHOUYHNHNMS。AndwhenIbegantoconsiderthat,bycopulatingwithoneoftheYAHOOspeciesIhadbecomeaparentofmore,itstruckmewiththeutmostshame,confusion,andhorror。
AssoonasIenteredthehouse,mywifetookmeinherarms,andkissedme;atwhich,havingnotbeenusedtothetouchofthatodiousanimalforsomanyyears,Ifellintoaswoonforalmostanhour。AtthetimeIamwriting,itisfiveyearssincemylastreturntoEngland。Duringthefirstyear,Icouldnotenduremywifeorchildreninmypresence;theverysmellofthemwasintolerable;muchlesscouldIsufferthemtoeatinthesameroom。Tothishourtheydarenotpresumetotouchmybread,ordrinkoutofthesamecup,neitherwasIeverabletoletoneofthemtakemebythehand。ThefirstmoneyIlaidoutwastobuytwoyoungstone-horses,whichIkeepinagoodstable;andnexttothem,thegroomismygreatestfavourite,forIfeelmyspiritsrevivedbythesmellhecontractsinthestable。Myhorsesunderstandmetolerablywell;Iconversewiththematleastfourhourseveryday。Theyarestrangerstobridleorsaddle;theyliveingreatamitywithmeandfriendshiptoeachother。
CHAPTERXII。
[Theauthor'sveracity。Hisdesigninpublishingthiswork。Hiscensureofthosetravellerswhoswervefromthetruth。Theauthorclearshimselffromanysinisterendsinwriting。Anobjectionanswered。Themethodofplantingcolonies。Hisnativecountrycommended。Therightofthecrowntothosecountriesdescribedbytheauthorisjustified。Thedifficultyofconqueringthem。Theauthortakeshislastleaveofthereader;
proposeshismanneroflivingforthefuture;givesgoodadvice,andconcludes。]
Thus,gentlereader,Ihavegiventheeafaithfulhistoryofmytravelsforsixteenyearsandabovesevenmonths:whereinIhavenotbeensostudiousofornamentasoftruth。Icould,perhaps,likeothers,haveastonishedtheewithstrangeimprobabletales;
butIratherchosetorelateplainmatteroffact,inthesimplestmannerandstyle;becausemyprincipaldesignwastoinform,andnottoamusethee。
Itiseasyforuswhotravelintoremotecountries,whichareseldomvisitedbyEnglishmenorotherEuropeans,toformdescriptionsofwonderfulanimalsbothatseaandland。Whereasatraveller'schiefaimshouldbetomakemenwiserandbetter,andtoimprovetheirmindsbythebad,aswellasgood,exampleofwhattheydeliverconcerningforeignplaces。
Icouldheartilywishalawwasenacted,thateverytraveller,beforehewerepermittedtopublishhisvoyages,shouldbeobligedtomakeoathbeforetheLordHighChancellor,thatallheintendedtoprintwasabsolutelytruetothebestofhisknowledge;forthentheworldwouldnolongerbedeceived,asitusuallyis,whilesomewriters,tomaketheirworkspassthebetteruponthepublic,imposethegrossestfalsitiesontheunwaryreader。Ihaveperusedseveralbooksoftravelswithgreatdelightinmyyoungerdays;buthavingsincegoneovermostpartsoftheglobe,andbeenabletocontradictmanyfabulousaccountsfrommyownobservation,ithasgivenmeagreatdisgustagainstthispartofreading,andsomeindignationtoseethecredulityofmankindsoimpudentlyabused。Therefore,sincemyacquaintancewerepleasedtothinkmypoorendeavoursmightnotbeunacceptabletomycountry,Iimposedonmyself,asamaximnevertobeswervedfrom,thatIwouldstrictlyadheretotruth;
neitherindeedcanIbeeverundertheleasttemptationtovaryfromit,whileIretaininmymindthelecturesandexampleofmynoblemasterandtheotherillustriousHOUYHNHNMSofwhomIhadsolongthehonourtobeanhumblehearer-
NECSIMISERUMFORTUNASINONEMFINXIT,VANUMETIAM,MENDACEMQUE
IMPROBAFINGET。
Iknowverywell,howlittlereputationistobegotbywritingswhichrequireneithergeniusnorlearning,norindeedanyothertalent,exceptagoodmemory,oranexactjournal。Iknowlikewise,thatwritersoftravels,likedictionary-makers,aresunkintooblivionbytheweightandbulkofthosewhocomelast,andthereforelieuppermost。Anditishighlyprobable,thatsuchtravellers,whoshallhereaftervisitthecountriesdescribedinthisworkofmine,may,bydetectingmyerrorsiftherebeany,andaddingmanynewdiscoveriesoftheirown,justlemeoutofvogue,andstandinmyplace,makingtheworldforgetthateverIwasanauthor。Thisindeedwouldbetoogreatamortification,ifIwroteforfame:butasmysoleintentionwasthepublicgood,Icannotbealtogetherdisappointed。ForwhocanreadofthevirtuesIhavementionedinthegloriousHOUYHNHNMS,withoutbeingashamedofhisownvices,whenheconsidershimselfasthereasoning,governinganimalofhiscountry?IshallsaynothingofthoseremotenationswhereYAHOOSpreside;amongwhichtheleastcorruptedaretheBROBDINGNAGIANS;whosewisemaximsinmoralityandgovernmentitwouldbeourhappinesstoobserve。ButIforbeardescantingfurther,andratherleavethejudiciousreadertohisownremarksandapplication。
Iamnotalittlepleasedthatthisworkofminecanpossiblymeetwithnocensurers:forwhatobjectionscanbemadeagainstawriter,whorelatesonlyplainfacts,thathappenedinsuchdistantcountries,wherewehavenottheleastinterest,withrespecteithertotradeornegotiations?Ihavecarefullyavoidedeveryfaultwithwhichcommonwritersoftravelsareoftentoojustlycharged。Besides,Imeddlenottheleastwithanyparty,butwritewithoutpassion,prejudice,orill-willagainstanyman,ornumberofmen,whatsoever。Iwriteforthenoblestend,toinformandinstructmankind;overwhomImay,withoutbreachofmodesty,pretendtosomesuperiority,fromtheadvantagesIreceivedbyconversingsolongamongthemostaccomplishedHOUYHNHNMS。Iwritewithoutanyviewtoprofitorpraise。Ineversufferawordtopassthatmaylooklikereflection,orpossiblygivetheleastoffence,eventothosewhoaremostreadytotakeit。SothatIhopeImaywithjusticepronouncemyselfanauthorperfectlyblameless;againstwhomthetribesofAnswerers,Considerers,Observers,Reflectors,Detectors,Remarkers,willneverbeabletofindmatterforexercisingtheirtalents。
Iconfess,itwaswhisperedtome,"thatIwasboundinduty,asasubjectofEngland,tohavegiveninamemorialtoasecretaryofstateatmyfirstcomingover;because,whateverlandsarediscoveredbyasubjectbelongtothecrown。"ButIdoubtwhetherourconquestsinthecountriesItreatofwouldbeaseasyasthoseofFerdinandoCortezoverthenakedAmericans。TheLILLIPUTIANS,Ithink,arehardlyworththechargeofafleetandarmytoreducethem;andIquestionwhetheritmightbeprudentorsafetoattempttheBROBDINGNAGIANS;orwhetheranEnglisharmywouldbemuchattheireasewiththeFlyingIslandovertheirheads。TheHOUYHNHNMSindeedappearnottobesowellpreparedforwar,asciencetowhichtheyareperfectstrangers,andespeciallyagainstmissiveweapons。However,supposingmyselftobeaministerofstate,Icouldnevergivemyadviceforinvadingthem。Theirprudence,unanimity,unacquaintednesswithfear,andtheirloveoftheircountry,wouldamplysupplyalldefectsinthemilitaryart。ImaginetwentythousandofthembreakingintothemidstofanEuropeanarmy,confoundingtheranks,overturningthecarriages,batteringthewarriors'facesintomummybyterribleyerksfromtheirhinderhoofs;fortheywouldwelldeservethecharactergiventoAugustus,RECALCITRAT
UNDIQUETUTUS。But,insteadofproposalsforconqueringthatmagnanimousnation,Iratherwishtheywereinacapacity,ordisposition,tosendasufficientnumberoftheirinhabitantsforcivilizingEurope,byteachingusthefirstprinciplesofhonour,justice,truth,temperance,publicspirit,fortitude,chastity,friendship,benevolence,andfidelity。Thenamesofallwhichvirtuesarestillretainedamongusinmostlanguages,andaretobemetwithinmodern,aswellasancientauthors;whichIamabletoassertfrommyownsmallreading。
ButIhadanotherreason,whichmademelessforwardtoenlargehismajesty'sdominionsbymydiscoveries。Tosaythetruth,I
hadconceivedafewscrupleswithrelationtothedistributivejusticeofprincesuponthoseoccasions。Forinstance,acrewofpiratesaredrivenbyastormtheyknownotwhither;atlengthaboydiscoverslandfromthetopmast;theygoonshoretorobandplunder,theyseeaharmlesspeople,areentertainedwithkindness;theygivethecountryanewname;theytakeformalpossessionofitfortheirking;theysetuparottenplank,orastone,foramemorial;theymurdertwoorthreedozenofthenatives,bringawayacouplemore,byforce,forasample;returnhome,andgettheirpardon。Herecommencesanewdominionacquiredwithatitlebydivineright。Shipsaresentwiththefirstopportunity;thenativesdrivenoutordestroyed;theirprincestorturedtodiscovertheirgold;afreelicensegiventoallactsofinhumanityandlust,theearthreekingwiththebloodofitsinhabitants:andthisexecrablecrewofbutchers,employedinsopiousanexpedition,isamoderncolony,senttoconvertandcivilizeanidolatrousandbarbarouspeople!
Butthisdescription,Iconfess,doesbynomeansaffecttheBritishnation,whomaybeanexampletothewholeworldfortheirwisdom,care,andjusticeinplantingcolonies;theirliberalendowmentsfortheadvancementofreligionandlearning;
theirchoiceofdevoutandablepastorstopropagateChristianity;theircautioninstockingtheirprovinceswithpeopleofsoberlivesandconversationsfromthisthemotherkingdom;theirstrictregardtothedistributionofjustice,insupplyingtheciviladministrationthroughalltheircolonieswithofficersofthegreatestabilities,utterstrangerstocorruption;and,tocrownall,bysendingthemostvigilantandvirtuousgovernors,whohavenootherviewsthanthehappinessofthepeopleoverwhomtheypreside,andthehonourofthekingtheirmaster。
ButasthosecountrieswhichIhavedescribeddonotappeartohaveanydesireofbeingconqueredandenslaved,murderedordrivenoutbycolonies,noraboundeitheringold,silver,sugar,ortobacco,Ididhumblyconceive,theywerebynomeansproperobjectsofourzeal,ourvalour,orourinterest。However,ifthosewhomitmoreconcernsthinkfittobeofanotheropinion,I
amreadytodepose,whenIshallbelawfullycalled,thatnoEuropeandidevervisitthosecountriesbeforeme。Imean,iftheinhabitantsoughttobebelieved,unlessadisputemayariseconcerningthetwoYAHOOS,saidtohavebeenseenmanyyearsagouponamountaininHOUYHNHNMLAND。
But,astotheformalityoftakingpossessioninmysovereign'sname,itnevercameonceintomythoughts;andifithad,yet,asmyaffairsthenstood,Ishouldperhaps,inpointofprudenceandself-preservation,haveputitofftoabetteropportunity。
Havingthusansweredtheonlyobjectionthatcaneverberaisedagainstmeasatraveller,Iheretakeafinalleaveofallmycourteousreaders,andreturntoenjoymyownspeculationsinmylittlegardenatRedriff;toapplythoseexcellentlessonsofvirtuewhichIlearnedamongtheHOUYHNHNMS;toinstructtheYAHOOSofmyownfamily,isfarasIshallfindthemdocibleanimals;tobeholdmyfigureofteninaglass,andthus,ifpossible,habituatemyselfbytimetotoleratethesightofahumancreature;tolamentthebrutalitytoHOUYHNHNMSinmyowncountry,butalwaystreattheirpersonswithrespect,forthesakeofmynoblemaster,hisfamily,hisfriends,andthewholeHOUYHNHNMrace,whomtheseofourshavethehonourtoresembleinalltheirlineaments,howevertheirintellectualscametodegenerate。
Ibeganlastweektopermitmywifetositatdinnerwithme,atthefarthestendofalongtable;andtoanswerbutwiththeutmostbrevitythefewquestionsIaskedher。Yet,thesmellofaYAHOOcontinuingveryoffensive,Ialwayskeepmynosewellstoppedwithrue,lavender,ortobaccoleaves。And,althoughitbehardforamanlateinlifetoremoveoldhabits,Iamnotaltogetheroutofhopes,insometime,tosufferaneighbourYAHOOinmycompany,withouttheapprehensionsIamyetunderofhisteethorhisclaws。
MyreconcilementtotheYAHOOkindingeneralmightnotbesodifficult,iftheywouldbecontentwiththosevicesandfolliesonlywhichnaturehasentitledthemto。Iamnotintheleastprovokedatthesightofalawyer,apickpocket,acolonel,afool,alord,agamester,apolitician,awhoremonger,aphysician,anevidence,asuborner,anattorney,atraitor,orthelike;thisisallaccordingtotheduecourseofthings:butwhenIbeholdalumpofdeformityanddiseases,bothinbodyandmind,smittenwithpride,itimmediatelybreaksallthemeasuresofmypatience;neithershallIbeeverabletocomprehendhowsuchananimal,andsuchavice,couldtallytogether。ThewiseandvirtuousHOUYHNHNMS,whoaboundinallexcellencesthatcanadornarationalcreature,havenonameforthisviceintheirlanguage,whichhasnotermstoexpressanythingthatisevil,exceptthosewherebytheydescribethedetestablequalitiesoftheirYAHOOS,amongwhichtheywerenotabletodistinguishthisofpride,forwantofthoroughlyunderstandinghumannature,asitshowsitselfinothercountrieswherethatanimalpresides。
ButI,whohadmoreexperience,couldplainlyobservesomerudimentsofitamongthewildYAHOOS。
ButtheHOUYHNHNMS,wholiveunderthegovernmentofreason,arenomoreproudofthegoodqualitiestheypossess,thanIshouldbefornotwantingalegoranarm;whichnomaninhiswitswouldboastof,althoughhemustbemiserablewithoutthem。I
dwellthelongeruponthissubjectfromthedesireIhavetomakethesocietyofanEnglishYAHOObyanymeansnotinsupportable;
andthereforeIhereentreatthosewhohaveanytinctureofthisabsurdvice,thattheywillnotpresumetocomeinmysight。