arms, who immediately fpied me, and began a fquall that you might have heard from London-bridge to Chelfea, after the ufual oratory of infants, to get me for a play-thing. The mother out of pure indulgence took me up, and put me towards the child, who prefently feized me by the middle, and got my head into his mouth, where I roared fo loud that the urchin was frighted, and let me drop; and I should infallibly have broke my neck, if the mother had not held her apron under me. The nurfe, to quiet her babe, made use of a rattle, which was a kind of hollow veffel filled with great ftones, and fastened by a cable to the child's waift: but all in vain, fo that the was forced to apply the laft remedy, by giving it fuck. Imuft confefs no object ever difguited me fo much as the fight of her monftrous breaft, which I cannot tell what to compare with, fo as to give the curious reader an idea of its bulk, fhape, and colour. It flood prominent fix feet, and could not be lefs than fixteen in circumference. The nipple was about half the bignefs of my head, and the hue both of that and the dug fo varied with spots, pimples, and freckles, that nothing could appear more naufeous: for I had a near fight of her, fhe fitting down the more conveniently to give fuck, and I ftanding on the table. This made me reflect upon the fair fkins of our English ladies, who appear fo beautiful to us, only because they are of our own fize, and their defects not to be feen but through a magnifying-glafs, where we find by experiment, that the imootheft and whiteit fkins look rough and coarse, and ill-coloured. I remember, when I was at Lilliput, the complexions of thofe diminutive people appeared to me the faireft in the world; and talking upon this fubject with a perfon of learning there, who was an intimate friend of mine, he faid that my face appeared much fairer and smoother when he looked on me from the ground, than it did upon a nearer view, when I took him up in my hand and brought him clofe, which he confefled was at firit a very fhocking fight. He faid he could difcover great holes in my fkin; that the stumps of my beard were ten times ftronger than the briftles of a boar, and my complexion made up of feveral colours altogether difagreeable: although I muft beg leave to fay for myself, that I am as fair as most of my fex and country, and very little fun-burnt by all my travels. On the other fide, difcourfing of the ladies in that emperor's court, he used to tell me one had freckles, another too wide a mouth, a third too large a nofe, nothing of which I was able to diftinguish. I confefs this reflection was obvious enough; which, how ever, I could not forbear, left the reader might think thofe vaft creatures were actually deformed; for I must do them justice to fay, they are a comely race of people; and particularly the features of my master's countenance, although he were but a farmer, when I beheld him from the height of fixty feet, appeared very well proportioned. When dinner was done, my master went out to his labourers, and, as I could difcover by his voice and gefture, gave his wife a ftrict charge to take care of me. I was very much tired, and difpofed to fleep; which my miftrefs perceiving, fhe put me on her own bed, and covered me with a clean white handkerchief, but larger and coarfer than the main-fail of a man of war. I flept about two hours, and dreamed I was at home with my wife and children, which aggravated my forrows, when I awaked, and found myself alone in a vast room, between two and three hundred feet wide, and above two hundred high, lying in a bed twenty yards wide. My miftrefs was gone about her household affairs, and had locked me in. The bed was eight yards from the floor. Some natural neceffities required me to get down: I durit not prefume to call, and, if I had, it would have been in vain with fuch a voice as mine, at fo great a distance as from the room where I lay to the kitchen where the family kept. While I was under thefe circumftances, two rats crept up the curtains, and ran smelling backwards and forwards on the bed. One of them came up almoft to my face, whereupon I rofe in a fright, and drew out my hanger to defend myfelf. Thefe horrible animals had the boldnefs to attack me on both fides, and one of them held his forefeet at my collar; but I had the good fortune to rip up his belly, before he could do me any mischief. He fell down at my feet, and the other feeing the fate of his comrade made his efcape, but not without one good wound on the back, which I gave him as he fled, and made the blood run trickling from him. After this exploit I walked gently to and fro on the bed to recover my breath, and lofs of fpirits. Thefe creatures were of the fize of a large mastiff, but infinitely more nimble and fierce, fo that, if I had taken off my belt before I went to fleep, I must infallibly have been torn to pieces and de voured. voured. I meafured the tail of the dead rat, and found it to be two yards long, wanting an inch; but it went again't my ftomach to drag the carcafe off the bed, where it lay ftill bleeding; I obferved it had yet fome life, but, with a strong flash crofs the neck, I thoroughly difpatched it. Soon after my miftrefs came into the room, who seeing me all bloody, ran and took me up in her hand. I pointed to the dead rat, fmiling, and making other figns to fhew I was not hurt, whereat fhe was extremely rejoiced, calling the maid to take up the dead rat with a pair of tongs, and throw it out of the window. Then the fet me on a table, where I fhewed her my hanger all bloody, and, wiping it on the lappet of my coat, returned it to the fcabbard. I was preffed to do more than one thing, which another could not do for me, and therefore endeavoured to make my miftrefs underftand that I defired to be fet down on the floor; which after he had done, my bafhfulness would not fuffer me to exprefs myfelf farther, than by pointing to the door and bowing feveral times. The good woman, with much difficulty, at laft perceived what I would be at, and taking me up again in her hand, walked into the garden, where he fet me down. I went on one fide about two hundred yards, and beckoning to her not to look or to follow me, I hid myself between two leaves of forrel, and there difcharged the neceflities of nature. I hope the gentle reader will excufe me for dwelling on thefe and the like particulars, which, however infignificant they may appear to grovelling vulgar minds, yet will certainly help a philofopher to enlarge his thoughts and imagination, and apply them to the benefit of public as well as private life, which was my fole defign in prefenting this and other accounts of my travels to the world; wherein I have been chiefly ftudious of truth, without affecting any ornaments of learning or of ftyle. But the whole fcene of this voyage made fo ftrong an impreffion on my mind, and is fo deeply fixed in my memory, that in committing it to paper I did not omit one material circumftance: however, upon a ftrict review, I blotted out feveral paffages of lefs moment which were in my first copy, for fear of being cenfured as tedious and trifling, whereof travellers are often, perhaps not without juftice, accufed. CHA P. II. A defeription of the farmer's daughter. The author carried to a market-town, and then to the metropolis. The particulars of his journey. My mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a child of towardly parts for her age, very dexterous at her needle, and fkilful in dreifing her baby. Her mother and the contrived to fit up the baby's cradle for me against night; the cradle was put into a fmall drawer of a cabinet, and the drawer placed upon a hanging fhelf, for fear of the rats. This was my bed all the time I ftayed with thofe people, though made more convenient by degrees. as I began to learn their language, and make my wants known. This young girl was fo handy, that, after I had once or twice pulled off my cloaths before her, the was able to drefs and undrefs me, though I never gave her that trouble when she would let me do either myself. She made me feven fhirts, and fome other linen, of as fine cloth as could be got, which indeed was coarfer than fack-cloth; and these she constantly washed for me with her own hands. She was likewife my fchool-mistress to teach me the language: when I pointed to any thing, the told me the name of it in her own tongue, fo that in a few days I was able to call for whatever I had a mind to. She was very good-natured, and not above forty feet high, being little for her age. She gave me the name of Grildrig, which the family took up, and afterwards the whole kingdom. The word imports what the Latins call nanunculus, the Italians bomuncelerim, and the English mannikin. To her i chiedy owe my prefervation in that country: we never parted while I was there: I called her my Glamdalelitch, or little nurfe; and fhould be guilty of great ingratitude, if I omitted this honourable mention of her care and affection towards me, which I heartily with it lay in my power to requite as the deferves, inftead of being the innocent, but unhappy inftrument of her disgrace, as I have too much reafon to fear. It now began to be known and talked of in the neighbourhood, that my master had found a trange animal in the field, about the bignefs of a splacknuck, but exactly fhaped in every part like a human creature; which it likewife imitated in all its actions; feemed to fpeak in a little language of its own, had already learned feveral words of theirs, NARRATIVES, DIALOGUES, &c. 893 being carried about for a moniter, I confidered myself to be a perfect ftranger in the my liberty; and as to the ignominy of country, and that fuch a misfortune could never be charged upon me as a reproach, if king of Great Britain himfeif, in my condiever I fhould return to England, fince the tion, muft have undergone the fame diftrefs. the neighbouring town, and took along with My mafter, purfuant to the advice of his friend, carried me in a box the next day to him his little daughter, my nurfe, upon a pillion behind him. The box was clofe on every fide, with a little door for me to go air. The girl had been fo careful as to put in and out, and a few gimlet-holes to let in the quilt of her baby's bed into it for me fhaken and difcompofed in this journey, to lie down on. However I was terribly though it were but of half an hour. For the horse went about forty feet at every step, and trotted fo high, that the agitation was equal to the rifing and falling of a fhip in Our journey was fomewhat farther than a great form, but much more frequent. from London to St. Alban's. My mafter alighted at an inn which he ufed to frequent; and after confulting a while with preparations, he hired the graltrud or crier the inn-keeper, and making fome neceflary creature to be feen at the fign of the Green Eagle, not fo big as a placknuck (an animal to give notice through the town of a strange in that country very finely fhaped, about fix` feet long) and in every part of the body refeveral words, and perform an hundred difembling an human creature, could fpeak' verting tricks. theirs, went erect upon two legs, was tame and gentle, would come when it was called, do whatever it was bid, had the fineft limbs in the world, and a complexion fairer than a nobleman's daughter of three years old. Another farmer who lived hard by, and was a particular friend of my mafter, came on a vifit on purpofe to enquire into the truth of this flory. I was immediately produced, and placed upon a table, where I walked as I was commanded, drew my hanger, put it up again, made my reverence to my maf ter's gueft, asked him in his own language how he did, and told him he was welcome, juft as my little nurfe had inftructed me. This man, who was old and dim-fighted, put on his fpectacles to behold me better, at which I could not forbear laughing very heartily, for his eyes appeared like the full moon fhining into a chamber at two windows. Our people, who difcovered the caufe of my mirth, bore me company in laughing, at which the old fellow was fool enough to be angry and out of countenance. He had the character of a great mifer, and, to my misfortune, he well deferved it, by the curfed advice he gave my mafter, to fhew me as a fight upon a market-day in the next town, which was half an hour's riding, about two-and-twenty miles from our houfe. I gueffed there was fome mifchief contriving, when I obferved my mafter and his friend whispering long together, fometimes pointing at me; and my fears made me fancy that I overheard and understood fome of their words. next morning Glumdalclitch, my little nurfe, But the told me the whole matter, which fhe had cunningly picked out from her mother. The poor girl laid me on her bofom, and fell a room of the inn, which might be near three weeping with fhame and grief. She ap- hundred feet fquare. My little nurfe food I was placed upon a table in the largest prehended fome mifchief would happen to me from rude vulgar folks, who might of me, and direct what I should do. My on a low ftool clofe to the table to take care fqueeze me to death, or break one of mafter, to avoid a crowd, would fuffer only my limbs by taking me in their hands. thirty people at a time to fee me. I walked She had alfo obferved how modeft I was in about on the table as the girl commanded: my nature, how nicely I regarded my ho- the afked me queftions, as far as fhe knew nour, and what an indignity I fhould conceive it to be expofed for money as a pub- and I answered them as loud as I could. I lic fpectacle to the meaneft of the people. turned about feveral times to the company, my understanding of the language reached, She faid, her papa and mamma had pro- paid my humble refpects, faid they were mifed that Grildrig fhould be hers, but now welcome, and ufed fome other fpeeches I The found they meant to ferve her as they had been taught. I took up a thimble did last year, when they pretended to give filled with liquor, which Glumdalclitch had her a lamb, and yet, as foon as it was fat, given me for a cup, and drank their health. fold it to a butcher. For my own part, II drew out my hanger, and flourished with may truly affirm, that I was lefs concerned it after the manner of fencers in England. than my nurfe. I had a ftrong hope, which My nurfe gave me part of a ftraw, which never left me, that I fhould one day recover I exercifed as a pike, having learned the art art in my youth. I was that day fhewn to twelve fets of company, and as often forced to act over again the fame fopperies, till I was half dead with weariness and vexation. For those who had seen me made fuch wonderful reports, that the people were ready to break down the doors to come in. My master, for his own intereft, would not fuffer any one to touch me except my nurfe; and to prevent danger, benches were fet round the table at fuch a distance as to put me out of every body's reach. However, an unlucky fchool-boy aimed a hazel-nut directly at my head, which very narrowly miffed me; other wife, it came with fo much violence, that it would have infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almoft as large as a fmall pumpion: but I had the fatisfaction to fee the young rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room. My master gave public notice, that he would fhew me again the next market-day, and in the mean time he prepared a more convenient vehicle for me, which he had reafon enough to do; for I was fo tired with my firft journey, and with entertaining company for eight hours together, that I could hardly ftand upon my legs, or fpeak a word. It was at least three days before I recovered my ftrength; and that I might have no reft at home, all the neighbouring gentlemen from an hundred miles round, hearing of my fame, came to fee me at my master's own houfe. There could not be fewer than thirty perfons with their wives and children (for the country is very populous;) and my mafter demanded the rate of a full room whenever he fhewed me at home, although it were only to a fingle family: fo that for fome time I had but little eafe every day of the week (except Wednesday, which is their fabbath) although I were not carried to the town. My mafter, finding how profitable I was like to be, refolved to carry me to the most confiderable cities of the kingdom. Having therefore provided himself with all things neceffary for a long journey, and fettled his affairs at home, he took leave of his wife, and upon the 17th of Auguft 1703, about two months after my arrival, we let out for the metropolis, fituated near the middle of that empire, and about three thousand miles diftance from our houfe: my matter made his daughter Glumdalclitch ride behind him. She carried me on her lap in a box tied about her waift. The girl had lined it on all fides with the fofteft cloth fhe could get, well quilted onderneath, furnished it with her baby's bed, provided me with linen and other neceffaries, and made every thing as convenient as the could. We had no other company but a boy of the house, who rode after us with the luggage. My mafter's defign was to fhew me in all the towns by the way, and to step out of the road for fifty or an hundred miles, to any village, or perfon of quality's houfe, where he might expect custom. We made eafy journies of not above feven or eight score miles a day: for Glumdalclitch, on purpose to fpare me, complained the was tired with the trotting of the horse. She often took me out of my box at my own defire to give me air, and fhew me the country, but always held me faft by a leading-ftring. We paffed over five or fix rivers many degrees broader and deeper than the Nile or the Ganges; and there was hardly a rivulet so small as the Thames at London-bridge. We were ten weeks in our journey, and I was fhewn in eighteen large towns, befides many villages and private families. On the 26th day of October, we arrived at the metropolis, called in their language Lorbrulgrud, or Pride of the Universe. My mafter took a lodging in the principal street of the city, not far from the royal palace, and put up bills in the ufual form, containing an exact defcription of my perfon and parts. He hired a large room between three and four hundred feet wide. He provided a table fixty feet in diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and palifadoed it round three feet from the edge, and as many high, to prevent my falling over. I was fhewn ten times a day, to the wonder and fatisfaction of all people. I could now speak the language tolerably well, and perfectly underflood every word that was spoken to me. Befides, I had learned their alphabet, and could make a fhift to explain a fentence here and there; for Glumdalclitch had been my inftructor while we were at home, and at leisure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her pocket, not much larger than a Santon's Atlas; it was a common treatife for the ufe of young girls, giving a thort account of their religion; out of this the taught me my letters, and interpreted the words. СНАР. CHAP. III. The author fent for to court. The queen buys him of bis mafter the farmer, and prefents him to the king. He difputes with his majefty's great fcholars. An apartment at court provided for the author. He is in high favour with the queen. He ftands up for the bonour of his own country. His quarrels with the queen's dwarf. The frequent labours I underwent every day, made in a few weeks a very confiderable change in my health: the more my mafter got by me, the more infatiable he grew. I had quite loft my ftomach, and was almost reduced to a skeleton. The farmer obferved it, and, concluding I must foon die, refolved to make as good a hand of me as he could. While he was thus Leasoning and refolving with himself, a fardral, or gentleman-ufher, came from court, commanding my mafter to carry me immediately thither for the diverfion of the queen and her ladies. Some of the latter had already been to fee me, and reported ftrange things of my beauty, behaviour, and good fenfe. Her majefty, and thofe who attended her, were beyond measure delighted with my demeanour. I fell on my knees, and begged the honour of kiffing her imperial foot; but this gracious princefs held out her little finger towards me (after I was fet on a table) which I embraced in both my arms, and put the tip of it with the utmost respect to my lip. She made me fome general questions about my country, and my travels, which I anfwered as diftinctly, and in as few words as I could. She asked, whether I would be content to live at court. I bowed down to the board of the table, and humbly anfwered that I was my mafter's flave; but if I were at my own difpofal, I should be proud to devote my life to her majefty's fervice. She then asked my master, whether he were willing to fell me at a good price. He, who apprehended I could not live a month, was ready enough to part with me, and demanded a thoufand pieces of gold, which were ordered him on the fpot, each piece being about the bignefs of eight hundred moidores; but allowing for the proportion of all things between that country and Europe, and the high price of gold among them, was hardly fo great a fum as a thoufand guineas would be in England. I then faid to the queen, fince I was now her majefty's most humble crea ture and vaffal, I must beg the favour that Glumdalclitch, who had always tended me with fo much care and kindness, and underftood to do it fo well, might be admitted into her fervice, and continue to be my nurfe and inftructor. Her majefty agreed confent, who was glad enough to have his to my petition, and eafily got the farmer's daughter preferred at court, and the poor girl herself was not able to hide her joy: my late mafter withdrew, bidding me farewell, and faying he had left me in a good fervice; to which I replied not a word, only making him a flight bow. The queen obferved my coldnefs, and, when the farmer was gone out of the apartment, asked me the reafon. I made bold to tell her majefty, that I owed no other obligation to my late mafter, than his not dafhing out the brains of a poor harmlefs creature found by chance in his field; which obligation was amply recompenfed by the gain he had made by me in fhewing me through half the kingdom, and the price he had now fold me for. That the life I had fince led, was laborious enough to kill an animal of ten times my ftrength. That my health was much impaired by the continual drudgery of entertaining the rabble every hour of the day; and that, if my mafter had not thought my life in danger, her majefty would not have got fo cheap a bargain. But as I was out of all fear of being ill-treated under the protection of fo great and good an emprefs, the ornament of nature, the darling of the world, the delight of her fubjects, the phoenix of the creation; fo I hoped my late matter's ap prehenfions would appear to be groundlefs, for I already found my fpirits to revive by the influence of her moft auguft prefence. This was the fum of my speech, deliver ed with great improprieties and hesitation; the latter part was altogether framed in the ftyle peculiar to that people, whereof I learned fome phrafes from Glumdalclitch, while fhe was carrying me to court. The queen, giving great allowance for my defectiveness in fpeaking, was however furprifed at fo much wit and good fenfe in fo diminutive an animal. She took me in her own hand, and carried me to the king, who was then retired to his cabinet. majefty, a prince of much gravity and auttere countenance, not well obferving my fhape at firft view, afked the queen at ter a cold manner, how long it was fince the His grew |