第5章

ThisislandwasatagreaterdistancethanIexpected，andIdidnotreachitinlessthanfivehours。Iencompasseditalmostround，beforeIcouldfindaconvenientplacetolandin；whichwasasmallcreek，aboutthreetimesthewidenessofmycanoe。I

foundtheislandtobeallrocky，onlyalittleintermingledwithtuftsofgrass，andsweet-smellingherbs。Itookoutmysmallprovisionsandafterhavingrefreshedmyself，Isecuredtheremainderinacave，whereofthereweregreatnumbers；Igatheredplentyofeggsupontherocks，andgotaquantityofdrysea-weed，andparchedgrass，whichIdesignedtokindlethenextday，androastmyeggsaswellasIcould，forIhadaboutmemyflint，steel，match，andburning-glass。IlayallnightinthecavewhereIhadlodgedmyprovisions。Mybedwasthesamedrygrassandsea-weedwhichIintendedforfuel。Isleptverylittle，forthedisquietsofmymindprevailedovermyweariness，andkeptmeawake。Iconsideredhowimpossibleitwastopreservemylifeinsodesolateaplace，andhowmiserablemyendmustbe:yetfoundmyselfsolistlessanddesponding，thatIhadnotthehearttorise；andbeforeIcouldgetspiritsenoughtocreepoutofmycave，thedaywasfaradvanced。Iwalkedawhileamongtherocks:theskywasperfectlyclear，andthesunsohot，thatIwasforcedtoturnmyfacefromit:whenallonasuddenitbecameobscure，asIthought，inamannerverydifferentfromwhathappensbytheinterpositionofacloud。I

turnedback，andperceivedavastopaquebodybetweenmeandthesunmovingforwardstowardstheisland:itseemedtobeabouttwomileshigh，andhidthesunsixorsevenminutes；butIdidnotobservetheairtobemuchcolder，ortheskymoredarkened，thanifIhadstoodundertheshadeofamountain。AsitapproachednearerovertheplacewhereIwas，itappearedtobeafirmsubstance，thebottomflat，smooth，andshiningverybright，fromthereflectionoftheseabelow。Istooduponaheightabouttwohundredyardsfromtheshore，andsawthisvastbodydescendingalmosttoaparallelwithme，atlessthananEnglishmiledistance。Itookoutmypocketperspective，andcouldplainlydiscovernumbersofpeoplemovingupanddownthesidesofit，whichappearedtobesloping；butwhatthosepeoplewheredoingIwasnotabletodistinguish。

Thenaturalloveoflifegavemesomeinwardmotionofjoy，andI

wasreadytoentertainahopethatthisadventuremight，somewayorother，helptodelivermefromthedesolateplaceandconditionIwasin。Butatthesametimethereadercanhardlyconceivemyastonishment，tobeholdanislandintheair，inhabitedbymen，whowereable(asitshouldseem)toraiseorsink，orputitintoprogressivemotion，astheypleased。Butnotbeingatthattimeinadispositiontophilosophiseuponthisphenomenon，Iratherchosetoobservewhatcoursetheislandwouldtake，becauseitseemedforawhiletostandstill。Yetsoonafter，itadvancednearer，andIcouldseethesidesofitencompassedwithseveralgradationsofgalleries，andstairs，atcertainintervals，todescendfromonetotheother。Inthelowestgallery，Ibeheldsomepeoplefishingwithlonganglingrods，andotherslookingon。Iwavedmycap(formyhatwaslongsincewornout)andmyhandkerchieftowardtheisland；anduponitsnearerapproach，Icalledandshoutedwiththeutmoststrengthofmyvoice；andthenlookingcircumspectly，Ibeheldacrowdgathertothatsidewhichwasmostinmyview。Ifoundbytheirpointingtowardsmeandtoeachother，thattheyplainlydiscoveredme，althoughtheymadenoreturntomyshouting。ButI

couldseefourorfivemenrunningingreathaste，upthestairs，tothetopoftheisland，whothendisappeared。Ihappenedrightlytoconjecture，thattheseweresentfororderstosomepersoninauthorityuponthisoccasion。

Thenumberofpeopleincreased，and，inlessthanhalfallhour，theislandwasmovedandraisedinsuchamanner，thatthelowestgalleryappearedinaparalleloflessthenahundredyardsdistancefromtheheightwhereIstood。Ithenputmyselfinthemostsupplicatingposture，andspokeinthehumblestaccent，butreceivednoanswer。Thosewhostoodnearestoveragainstme，seemedtobepersonsofdistinction，asIsupposedbytheirhabit。Theyconferredearnestlywitheachother，lookingoftenuponme。Atlengthoneofthemcalledoutinaclear，polite，smoothdialect，notunlikeinsoundtotheItalian:andthereforeIreturnedananswerinthatlanguage，hopingatleastthatthecadencemightbemoreagreeabletohisears。Althoughneitherofusunderstoodtheother，yetmymeaningwaseasilyknown，forthepeoplesawthedistressIwasin。

Theymadesignsformetocomedownfromtherock，andgotowardstheshore，whichIaccordinglydid；andtheflyingislandbeingraisedtoaconvenientheight，thevergedirectlyoverme，achainwasletdownfromthelowestgallery，withaseatfastenedtothebottom，towhichIfixedmyself，andwasdrawnupbypulleys。

CHAPTERII。

[ThehumoursanddispositionsoftheLaputiansdescribed。Anaccountoftheirlearning。Ofthekingandhiscourt。Theauthor\'sreceptionthere。Theinhabitantssubjecttofearanddisquietudes。Anaccountofthewomen。]

Aymyalighting，Iwassurroundedwithacrowdofpeople，butthosewhostoodnearestseemedtobeofbetterquality。Theybeheldmewithallthemarksandcircumstancesofwonder；neitherindeedwasImuchintheirdebt，havingnevertillthenseenaraceofmortalssosingularintheirshapes，habits，andcountenances。Theirheadswereallreclined，eithertotheright，ortheleft；oneoftheireyesturnedinward，andtheotherdirectlyuptothezenith。Theiroutwardgarmentswereadornedwiththefiguresofsuns，moons，andstars；interwovenwiththoseoffiddles，flutes，harps，trumpets，guitars，harpsichords，andmanyotherinstrumentsofmusic，unknowntousinEurope。Iobserved，hereandthere，manyinthehabitofservants，withablownbladder，fastenedlikeaflailtotheendofastick，whichtheycarriedintheirhands。Ineachbladderwasasmallquantityofdriedpeas，orlittlepebbles，asIwasafterwardsinformed。Withthesebladders，theynowandthenflappedthemouthsandearsofthosewhostoodnearthem，ofwhichpracticeIcouldnotthenconceivethemeaning。Itseemsthemindsofthesepeoplearesotakenupwithintensespeculations，thattheyneithercanspeak，norattendtothediscoursesofothers，withoutbeingrousedbysomeexternaltactionupontheorgansofspeechandhearing；forwhichreason，thosepersonswhoareabletoafforditalwayskeepaflapper(theoriginalisCLIMENOLE)intheirfamily，asoneoftheirdomestics；noreverwalkabroad，ormakevisits，withouthim。

Andthebusinessofthisofficeris，whentwo，three，ormorepersonsareincompany，gentlytostrikewithhisbladderthemouthofhimwhoistospeak，andtherightearofhimorthemtowhomthespeakeraddresseshimself。Thisflapperislikewiseemployeddiligentlytoattendhismasterinhiswalks，anduponoccasiontogivehimasoftflaponhiseyes；becauseheisalwayssowrappedupincogitation，thatheisinmanifestdangeroffallingdowneveryprecipice，andbouncinghisheadagainsteverypost；andinthestreets，ofjustlingothers，orbeingjustledhimselfintothekennel。

Itwasnecessarytogivethereaderthisinformation，withoutwhichhewouldbeatthesamelosswithmetounderstandtheproceedingsofthesepeople，astheyconductedmeupthestairstothetopoftheisland，andfromthencetotheroyalpalace。

Whilewewereascending，theyforgotseveraltimeswhattheywereabout，andleftmetomyself，tilltheirmemorieswereagainrousedbytheirflappers；fortheyappearedaltogetherunmovedbythesightofmyforeignhabitandcountenance，andbytheshoutsofthevulgar，whosethoughtsandmindsweremoredisengaged。

Atlastweenteredthepalace，andproceededintothechamberofpresence，whereIsawthekingseatedonhisthrone，attendedoneachsidebypersonsofprimequality。Beforethethrone，wasalargetablefilledwithglobesandspheres，andmathematicalinstrumentsofallkinds。Hismajestytooknottheleastnoticeofus，althoughourentrancewasnotwithoutsufficientnoise，bytheconcourseofallpersonsbelongingtothecourt。Buthewasthendeepinaproblem；andweattendedatleastanhour，beforehecouldsolveit。Therestoodbyhim，oneachside，ayoungpagewithflapsintheirhands，andwhentheysawhewasatleisure，oneofthemgentlystruckhismouth，andtheotherhisrightear；atwhichhestartledlikeoneawakedonthesudden，andlookingtowardsmeandthecompanyIwasin，recollectedtheoccasionofourcoming，whereofhehadbeeninformedbefore。Hespokesomewords，whereuponimmediatelyayoungmanwithaflapcameuptomyside，andflappedmegentlyontherightear；butI

madesigns，aswellasIcould，thatIhadnooccasionforsuchaninstrument；which，asIafterwardsfound，gavehismajesty，andthewholecourt，averymeanopinionofmyunderstanding。

Theking，asfarasIcouldconjecture，askedmeseveralquestions，andIaddressedmyselftohiminallthelanguagesI

had。WhenitwasfoundIcouldneitherunderstandnorbeunderstood，Iwasconductedbyhisordertoanapartmentinhispalace(thisprincebeingdistinguishedaboveallhispredecessorsforhishospitalitytostrangers)，wheretwoservantswereappointedtoattendme。Mydinnerwasbrought，andfourpersonsofquality，whomIrememberedtohaveseenveryneartheking\'sperson，didmethehonourtodinewithme。Wehadtwocourses，ofthreedisheseach。Inthefirstcourse，therewasashoulderofmuttoncutintoanequilateraltriangle，apieceofbeefintoarhomboides，andapuddingintoacycloid。Thesecondcoursewastwoduckstrussedupintheformoffiddles；sausagesandpuddingsresemblingflutesandhautboys，andabreastofvealintheshapeofaharp。Theservantscutourbreadintocones，cylinders，parallelograms，andseveralothermathematicalfigures。

Whilewewereatdinner，Imadeboldtoaskthenamesofseveralthingsintheirlanguage，andthosenoblepersons，bytheassistanceoftheirflappers，delightedtogivemeanswers，hopingtoraisemyadmirationoftheirgreatabilitiesifIcouldbebroughttoconversewiththem。Iwassoonabletocallforbreadanddrink，orwhateverelseIwanted。

Afterdinnermycompanywithdrew，andapersonwassenttomebytheking\'sorder，attendedbyaflapper。Hebroughtwithhimpen，ink，andpaper，andthreeorfourbooks，givingmetounderstandbysigns，thathewassenttoteachmethelanguage。

Wesattogetherfourhours，inwhichtimeIwrotedownagreatnumberofwordsincolumns，withthetranslationsoveragainstthem；Ilikewisemadeashifttolearnseveralshortsentences；

formytutorwouldorderoneofmyservantstofetchsomething，toturnabout，tomakeabow，tosit，ortostand，orwalk，andthelike。ThenItookdownthesentenceinwriting。Heshowedmealso，inoneofhisbooks，thefiguresofthesun，moon，andstars，thezodiac，thetropics，andpolarcircles，togetherwiththedenominationsofmanyplainsandsolids。Hegavemethenamesanddescriptionsofallthemusicalinstruments，andthegeneraltermsofartinplayingoneachofthem。Afterhehadleftme，Iplacedallmywords，withtheirinterpretations，inalphabeticalorder。Andthus，inafewdays，bythehelpofaveryfaithfulmemory，Igotsomeinsightintotheirlanguage。

Theword，whichIinterprettheflyingorfloatingisland，isintheoriginalLAPUTA，whereofIcouldneverlearnthetrueetymology。LAP，intheoldobsoletelanguage，signifieshigh；

andUNTUH，agovernor；fromwhichtheysay，bycorruption，wasderivedLAPUTA，fromLAPUNTUH。ButIdonotapproveofthisderivation，whichseemstobealittlestrained。Iventuredtooffertothelearnedamongthemaconjectureofmyown，thatLaputawasQUASILAPOUTED；LAP，signifyingproperly，thedancingofthesunbeamsinthesea，andOUTED，awing；which，however，I

shallnotobtrude，butsubmittothejudiciousreader。

Thosetowhomthekinghadentrustedme，observinghowillIwasclad，orderedatailortocomenextmorning，andtakemeasureforasuitofclothes。ThisoperatordidhisofficeafteradifferentmannerfromthoseofhistradeinEurope。Hefirsttookmyaltitudebyaquadrant，andthen，witharuleandcompasses，describedthedimensionsandoutlinesofmywholebody，allwhichheentereduponpaper；andinsixdaysbroughtmyclothesveryillmade，andquiteoutofshape，byhappeningtomistakeafigureinthecalculation。Butmycomfortwas，thatI

observedsuchaccidentsveryfrequent，andlittleregarded。

Duringmyconfinementforwantofclothes，andbyanindispositionthatheldmesomedayslonger，Imuchenlargedmydictionary；andwhenIwentnexttocourt，wasabletounderstandmanythingsthekingspoke，andtoreturnhimsomekindofanswers。Hismajestyhadgivenorders，thattheislandshouldmovenorth-eastandbyeast，totheverticalpointoverLagado，themetropolisofthewholekingdombelow，uponthefirmearth。

Itwasaboutninetyleaguesdistant，andourvoyagelastedfourdaysandahalf。Iwasnotintheleastsensibleoftheprogressivemotionmadeintheairbytheisland。Onthesecondmorning，abouteleveno\'clock，thekinghimselfinperson，attendedbyhisnobility，courtiers，andofficers，havingpreparedalltheirmusicalinstruments，playedonthemforthreehourswithoutintermission，sothatIwasquitestunnedwiththenoise；neithercouldIpossiblyguessthemeaning，tillmytutorinformedme。Hesaidthat，thepeopleoftheirislandhadtheirearsadaptedtohear"themusicofthespheres，whichalwaysplayedatcertainperiods，andthecourtwasnowpreparedtobeartheirpart，inwhateverinstrumenttheymostexcelled。"

InourjourneytowardsLagado，thecapitalcity，hismajestyorderedthattheislandshouldstopovercertaintownsandvillages，fromwhencehemightreceivethepetitionsofhissubjects。Andtothispurpose，severalpackthreadswereletdown，withsmallweightsatthebottom。Onthesepackthreadsthepeoplestrungtheirpetitions，whichmountedupdirectly，likethescrapsofpaperfastenedbyschoolboysattheendofthestringthatholdstheirkite。Sometimeswereceivedwineandvictualsfrombelow，whichweredrawnupbypulleys。

TheknowledgeIhadinmathematics，gavemegreatassistanceinacquiringtheirphraseology，whichdependedmuchuponthatscience，andmusic；andinthelatterIwasnotunskilled。Theirideasareperpetuallyconversantinlinesandfigures。Iftheywould，forexample，praisethebeautyofawoman，oranyotheranimal，theydescribeitbyrhombs，circles，parallelograms，ellipses，andothergeometricalterms，orbywordsofartdrawnfrommusic，needlessheretorepeat。Iobservedintheking\'skitchenallsortsofmathematicalandmusicalinstruments，afterthefiguresofwhichtheycutupthejointsthatwereservedtohismajesty\'stable。

Theirhousesareveryillbuilt，thewallsbevil，withoutonerightangleinanyapartment；andthisdefectarisesfromthecontempttheybeartopracticalgeometry，whichtheydespiseasvulgarandmechanic；thoseinstructionstheygivebeingtoorefinedfortheintellectsoftheirworkmen，whichoccasionsperpetualmistakes。Andalthoughtheyaredexterousenoughuponapieceofpaper，inthemanagementoftherule，thepencil，andthedivider，yetinthecommonactionsandbehaviouroflife，I

havenotseenamoreclumsy，awkward，andunhandypeople，norsoslowandperplexedintheirconceptionsuponallothersubjects，exceptthoseofmathematicsandmusic。Theyareverybadreasoners，andvehementlygiventoopposition，unlesswhentheyhappentobeoftherightopinion，whichisseldomtheircase。

Imagination，fancy，andinvention，theyarewhollystrangersto，norhaveanywordsintheirlanguage，bywhichthoseideascanbeexpressed；thewholecompassoftheirthoughtsandmindbeingshutupwithinthetwoforementionedsciences。

Mostofthem，andespeciallythosewhodealintheastronomicalpart，havegreatfaithinjudicialastrology，althoughtheyareashamedtoownitpublicly。ButwhatIchieflyadmired，andthoughtaltogetherunaccountable，wasthestrongdispositionI

observedinthemtowardsnewsandpolitics，perpetuallyinquiringintopublicaffairs，givingtheirjudgmentsinmattersofstate，andpassionatelydisputingeveryinchofapartyopinion。IhaveindeedobservedthesamedispositionamongmostofthemathematiciansIhaveknowninEurope，althoughIcouldneverdiscovertheleastanalogybetweenthetwosciences；unlessthosepeoplesuppose，thatbecausethesmallestcirclehasasmanydegreesasthelargest，thereforetheregulationandmanagementoftheworldrequirenomoreabilitiesthanthehandlingandturningofaglobe；butIrathertakethisqualitytospringfromaverycommoninfirmityofhumannature，incliningustobemostcuriousandconceitedinmatterswherewehaveleastconcern，andforwhichweareleastadaptedbystudyornature。

Thesepeopleareundercontinualdisquietudes，neverenjoyingaminutespeaceofmind；andtheirdisturbancesproceedfromcauseswhichverylittleaffecttherestofmortals。Theirapprehensionsarisefromseveralchangestheydreadinthecelestialbodies:forinstance，thattheearth，bythecontinualapproachesofthesuntowardsit，must，incourseoftime，beabsorbed，orswallowedup；thatthefaceofthesun，will，bydegrees，beencrustedwithitsowneffluvia，andgivenomorelighttotheworld；thattheearthverynarrowlyescapedabrushfromthetailofthelastcomet，whichwouldhaveinfalliblyreducedittoashes；andthatthenext，whichtheyhavecalculatedforone-and-thirtyyearshence，willprobablydestroyus。Forif，initsperihelion，itshouldapproachwithinacertaindegreeofthesun(asbytheircalculationstheyhavereasontodread)itwillreceiveadegreeofheattenthousandtimesmoreintensethanthatofredhotglowingiron，andinitsabsencefromthesun，carryablazingtailtenhundredthousandandfourteenmileslong，throughwhich，iftheearthshouldpassatthedistanceofonehundredthousandmilesfromthenucleus，ormainbodyofthecomet，itmustinitspassagebesetonfire，andreducedtoashes:thatthesun，dailyspendingitsrayswithoutanynutrimenttosupplythem，willatlastbewhollyconsumedandannihilated；whichmustbeattendedwiththedestructionofthisearth，andofalltheplanetsthatreceivetheirlightfromit。

Theyaresoperpetuallyalarmedwiththeapprehensionsofthese，andthelikeimpendingdangers，thattheycanneithersleepquietlyintheirbeds，norhaveanyrelishforthecommonpleasuresandamusementsoflife。Whentheymeetanacquaintanceinthemorning，thefirstquestionisaboutthesun\'shealth，howhelookedathissettingandrising，andwhathopestheyhavetoavoidthestrokeoftheapproachingcomet。Thisconversationtheyareapttorunintowiththesametemperthatboysdiscoverindelightingtohearterriblestoriesofspiritsandhobgoblins，whichtheygreedilylistento，anddarenotgotobedforfear。

Thewomenoftheislandhaveabundanceofvivacity:they，contemntheirhusbands，andareexceedinglyfondofstrangers，whereofthereisalwaysaconsiderablenumberfromthecontinentbelow，attendingatcourt，eitheruponaffairsoftheseveraltownsandcorporations，ortheirownparticularoccasions，butaremuchdespised，becausetheywantthesameendowments。Amongthesetheladieschoosetheirgallants:butthevexationis，thattheyactwithtoomucheaseandsecurity；forthehusbandisalwayssoraptinspeculation，thatthemistressandlovermayproceedtothegreatestfamiliaritiesbeforehisface，ifhebebutprovidedwithpaperandimplements，andwithouthisflapperathisside。

Thewivesanddaughterslamenttheirconfinementtotheisland，althoughIthinkitthemostdeliciousspotofgroundintheworld；andalthoughtheylivehereinthegreatestplentyandmagnificence，andareallowedtodowhatevertheyplease，theylongtoseetheworld，andtakethediversionsofthemetropolis，whichtheyarenotallowedtodowithoutaparticularlicensefromtheking；andthisisnoteasytobeobtained，becausethepeopleofqualityhavefound，byfrequentexperience，howharditistopersuadetheirwomentoreturnfrombelow。Iwastoldthatagreatcourtlady，whohadseveralchildren，——ismarriedtotheprimeminister，therichestsubjectinthekingdom，averygracefulperson，extremelyfondofher，andlivesinthefinestpalaceoftheisland，——wentdowntoLagadoonthepretenceofhealth，therehidherselfforseveralmonths，tillthekingsentawarranttosearchforher；andshewasfoundinanobscureeating-houseallinrags，havingpawnedherclothestomaintainanolddeformedfootman，whobeathereveryday，andinwhosecompanyshewastaken，muchagainstherwill。Andalthoughherhusbandreceivedherwithallpossiblekindness，andwithouttheleastreproach，shesoonaftercontrivedtostealdownagain，withallherjewels，tothesamegallant，andhasnotbeenheardofsince。

ThismayperhapspasswiththereaderratherforanEuropeanorEnglishstory，thanforoneofacountrysoremote。Buthemaypleasetoconsider，thatthecapricesofwomankindarenotlimitedbyanyclimateornation，andthattheyaremuchmoreuniform，thancanbeeasilyimagined。

Inaboutamonth\'stime，Ihadmadeatolerableproficiencyintheirlanguage，andwasabletoanswermostoftheking\'squestions，whenIhadthehonourtoattendhim。Hismajestydiscoverednottheleastcuriositytoinquireintothelaws，government，history，religion，ormannersofthecountrieswhereIhadbeen；butconfinedhisquestionstothestateofmathematics，andreceivedtheaccountIgavehimwithgreatcontemptandindifference，thoughoftenrousedbyhisflapperoneachside。

CHAPTERIII。

[Aphenomenonsolvedbymodernphilosophyandastronomy。TheLaputians\'greatimprovementsinthelatter。Theking\'smethodofsuppressinginsurrections。]

Idesiredleaveofthisprincetoseethecuriositiesoftheisland，whichhewasgraciouslypleasedtogrant，andorderedmytutortoattendme。Ichieflywantedtoknow，towhatcause，inartorinnature，itoweditsseveralmotions，whereofIwillnowgiveaphilosophicalaccounttothereader。

Theflyingorfloatingislandisexactlycircular，itsdiameter7837yards，oraboutfourmilesandahalf，andconsequentlycontainstenthousandacres。Itisthreehundredyardsthick。

Thebottom，orundersurface，whichappearstothosewhoviewitbelow，isoneevenregularplateofadamant，shootinguptotheheightofabouttwohundredyards。Aboveitlietheseveralmineralsintheirusualorder，andoverallisacoatofrichmould，tenortwelvefeetdeep。Thedeclivityoftheuppersurface，fromthecircumferencetothecentre，isthenaturalcausewhyallthedewsandrains，whichfallupontheisland，areconveyedinsmallrivuletstowardthemiddle，wheretheyareemptiedintofourlargebasins，eachofabouthalfamileincircuit，andtwohundredyardsdistantfromthecentre。Fromthesebasinsthewateriscontinuallyexhaledbythesuninthedaytime，whicheffectuallypreventstheiroverflowing。Besides，asitisinthepowerofthemonarchtoraisetheislandabovetheregionofcloudsandvapours，hecanpreventthefallingofdewsandrainwheneverhepleases。Forthehighestcloudscannotriseabovetwomiles，asnaturalistsagree，atleasttheywereneverknowntodosointhatcountry。

Atthecentreoftheislandthereisachasmaboutfiftyyardsindiameter，whencetheastronomersdescendintoalargedome，whichisthereforecalledFLANDONAGAGNOLE，ortheastronomer\'scave，situatedatthedepthofahundredyardsbeneaththeuppersurfaceoftheadamant。Inthiscavearetwentylampscontinuallyburning，which，fromthereflectionoftheadamant，castastronglightintoeverypart。Theplaceisstoredwithgreatvarietyofsextants，quadrants，telescopes，astrolabes，andotherastronomicalinstruments。Butthegreatestcuriosity，uponwhichthefateoftheislanddepends，isaloadstoneofaprodigioussize，inshaperesemblingaweaver\'sshuttle。Itisinlengthsixyards，andinthethickestpartatleastthreeyardsover。Thismagnetissustainedbyaverystrongaxleofadamantpassingthroughitsmiddle，uponwhichitplays，andispoisedsoexactlythattheweakesthandcanturnit。Itishoopedroundwithahollowcylinderofadamant，fourfeetyardsindiameter，placedhorizontally，andsupportedbyeightadamantinefeet，eachsixyardshigh。Inthemiddleoftheconcaveside，thereisagroovetwelveinchesdeep，inwhichtheextremitiesoftheaxlearelodged，andturnedroundasthereisoccasion。

Thestonecannotberemovedfromitsplacebyanyforce，becausethehoopanditsfeetareonecontinuedpiecewiththatbodyofadamantwhichconstitutesthebottomoftheisland。

Bymeansofthisloadstone，theislandismadetoriseandfall，andmovefromoneplacetoanother。For，withrespecttothatpartoftheearthoverwhichthemonarchpresides，thestoneisenduedatoneofitssideswithanattractivepower，andattheotherwitharepulsive。Uponplacingthemagneterect，withitsattractingendtowardstheearth，theislanddescends；butwhentherepellingextremitypointsdownwards，theislandmountsdirectlyupwards。Whenthepositionofthestoneisoblique，themotionoftheislandissotoo:forinthismagnet，theforcesalwaysactinlinesparalleltoitsdirection。

Bythisobliquemotion，theislandisconveyedtodifferentpartsofthemonarch\'sdominions。Toexplainthemannerofitsprogress，letABrepresentalinedrawnacrossthedominionsofBalnibarbi，letthelineCDrepresenttheloadstone，ofwhichletDbetherepellingend，andCtheattractingend，theislandbeingoverC:letthestonebeplacedinpositionCD，withitsrepellingenddownwards；thentheislandwillbedrivenupwardsobliquelytowardsD。WhenitisarrivedatD，letthestonebeturneduponitsaxle，tillitsattractingendpointstowardsE，andthentheislandwillbecarriedobliquelytowardsE；where，ifthestonebeagainturneduponitsaxletillitstandsinthepositionEF，withitsrepellingpointdownwards，theislandwillriseobliquelytowardsF，where，bydirectingtheattractingendtowardsG，theislandmaybecarriedtoG，andfromGtoH，byturningthestone，soastomakeitsrepellingextremitytopointdirectlydownward。Andthus，bychangingthesituationofthestone，asoftenasthereisoccasion，theislandismadetoriseandfallbyturnsinanobliquedirection，andbythosealternaterisingsandfallings(theobliquitybeingnotconsiderable)isconveyedfromonepartofthedominionstotheother。

Butitmustbeobserved，thatthisislandcannotmovebeyondtheextentofthedominionsbelow，norcanitriseabovetheheightoffourmiles。Forwhichtheastronomers(whohavewrittenlargesystemsconcerningthestone)assignthefollowingreason:thatthemagneticvirtuedoesnotextendbeyondthedistanceoffourmiles，andthatthemineral，whichactsuponthestoneinthebowelsoftheearth，andintheseaaboutsixleaguesdistantfromtheshore，isnotdiffusedthroughthewholeglobe，butterminatedwiththelimitsoftheking\'sdominions；anditwaseasy，fromthegreatadvantageofsuchasuperiorsituation，foraprincetobringunderhisobediencewhatevercountrylaywithintheattractionofthatmagnet。

Whenthestoneisputparalleltotheplaneofthehorizon，theislandstandsstill；forinthatcasetheextremitiesofit，beingatequaldistancefromtheearth，actwithequalforce，theoneindrawingdownwards，theotherinpushingupwards，andconsequentlynomotioncanensue。

Thisloadstoneisunderthecareofcertainastronomers，who，fromtimetotime，giveitsuchpositionsasthemonarchdirects。

Theyspendthegreatestpartoftheirlivesinobservingthecelestialbodies，whichtheydobytheassistanceofglasses，farexcellingoursingoodness。For，althoughtheirlargesttelescopesdonotexceedthreefeet，theymagnifymuchmorethanthoseofahundredwithus，andshowthestarswithgreaterclearness。ThisadvantagehasenabledthemtoextendtheirdiscoveriesmuchfurtherthanourastronomersinEurope；fortheyhavemadeacatalogueoftenthousandfixedstars，whereasthelargestofoursdonotcontainaboveonethirdpartofthatnumber。Theyhavelikewisediscoveredtwolesserstars，orsatellites，whichrevolveaboutMars；whereoftheinnermostisdistantfromthecentreoftheprimaryplanetexactlythreeofhisdiameters，andtheoutermost，five；theformerrevolvesinthespaceoftenhours，andthelatterintwenty-oneandahalf；

sothatthesquaresoftheirperiodicaltimesareverynearinthesameproportionwiththecubesoftheirdistancefromthecentreofMars；whichevidentlyshowsthemtobegovernedbythesamelawofgravitationthatinfluencestheotherheavenlybodies。

Theyhaveobservedninety-threedifferentcomets，andsettledtheirperiodswithgreatexactness。Ifthisbetrue(andtheyaffirmitwithgreatconfidence)itismuchtobewished，thattheirobservationsweremadepublic，wherebythetheoryofcomets，whichatpresentisverylameanddefective，mightbebroughttothesameperfectionwithotherartsofastronomy。

Thekingwouldbethemostabsoluteprinceintheuniverse，ifhecouldbutprevailonaministrytojoinwithhim；butthesehavingtheirestatesbelowonthecontinent，andconsideringthattheofficeofafavouritehasaveryuncertaintenure，wouldneverconsenttotheenslavingoftheircountry。

Ifanytownshouldengageinrebellionormutiny，fallintoviolentfactions，orrefusetopaytheusualtribute，thekinghastwomethodsofreducingthemtoobedience。Thefirstandthemildestcourseis，bykeepingtheislandhoveringoversuchatown，andthelandsaboutit，wherebyhecandeprivethemofthebenefitofthesunandtherain，andconsequentlyafflicttheinhabitantswithdearthanddiseases:andifthecrimedeserveit，theyareatthesametimepeltedfromabovewithgreatstones，againstwhichtheyhavenodefencebutbycreepingintocellarsorcaves，whiletheroofsoftheirhousesarebeatentopieces。Butiftheystillcontinueobstinate，oroffertoraiseinsurrections，heproceedstothelastremedy，bylettingtheislanddropdirectlyupontheirheads，whichmakesauniversaldestructionbothofhousesandmen。However，thisisanextremitytowhichtheprinceisseldomdriven，neitherindeedishewillingtoputitinexecution；nordarehisministersadvisehimtoanaction，which，asitwouldrenderthemodioustothepeople，soitwouldbeagreatdamagetotheirownestates，whichallliebelow；fortheislandistheking\'sdemesne。

Butthereisstillindeedamoreweightyreason，whythekingsofthiscountryhavebeenalwaysaversefromexecutingsoterribleanaction，unlessupontheutmostnecessity。For，ifthetownintendedtobedestroyedshouldhaveinitanytallrocks，asitgenerallyfallsoutinthelargercities，asituationprobablychosenatfirstwithaviewtopreventsuchacatastrophe；orifitaboundinhighspires，orpillarsofstone，asuddenfallmightendangerthebottomorundersurfaceoftheisland，which，althoughitconsist，asIhavesaid，ofoneentireadamant，twohundredyardsthick，mighthappentocrackbytoogreatashock，orburstbyapproachingtoonearthefiresfromthehousesbelow，asthebacks，bothofironandstone，willoftendoinourchimneys。Ofallthisthepeoplearewellapprised，andunderstandhowfartocarrytheirobstinacy，wheretheirlibertyorpropertyisconcerned。Andtheking，whenheishighestprovoked，andmostdeterminedtopressacitytorubbish，orderstheislandtodescendwithgreatgentleness，outofapretenceoftendernesstohispeople，but，indeed，forfearofbreakingtheadamantinebottom；inwhichcase，itistheopinionofalltheirphilosophers，thattheloadstonecouldnolongerholditup，andthewholemasswouldfalltotheground。

Byafundamentallawofthisrealm，neithertheking，noreitherofhistwoeldestsons，arepermittedtoleavetheisland；northequeen，tillsheispastchild-bearing。

CHAPTERIV。

[TheauthorleavesLaputa；isconveyedtoBalnibarbi；arrivesatthemetropolis。Adescriptionofthemetropolis，andthecountryadjoining。Theauthorhospitablyreceivedbyagreatlord。Hisconversationwiththatlord。]

AlthoughIcannotsaythatIwasilltreatedinthisisland，yetImustconfessIthoughtmyselftoomuchneglected，notwithoutsomedegreeofcontempt；forneitherprincenorpeopleappearedtobecuriousinanypartofknowledge，exceptmathematicsandmusic，whereinIwasfartheirinferior，anduponthataccountverylittleregarded。

Ontheotherside，afterhavingseenallthecuriositiesoftheisland，Iwasverydesiroustoleaveit，beingheartilywearyofthosepeople。TheywereindeedexcellentintwosciencesforwhichIhavegreatesteem，andwhereinIamnotunversed；but，atthesametime，soabstractedandinvolvedinspeculation，thatI

nevermetwithsuchdisagreeablecompanions。Iconversedonlywithwomen，tradesmen，flappers，andcourt-pages，duringtwomonthsofmyabodethere；bywhich，atlast，Irenderedmyselfextremelycontemptible；yettheseweretheonlypeoplefromwhomIcouldeverreceiveareasonableanswer。

Ihadobtained，byhardstudy，agooddegreeofknowledgeintheirlanguage:IwaswearyofbeingconfinedtoanislandwhereIreceivedsolittlecountenance，andresolvedtoleaveitwiththefirstopportunity。

Therewasagreatlordatcourt，nearlyrelatedtotheking，andforthatreasonaloneusedwithrespect。Hewasuniversallyreckonedthemostignorantandstupidpersonamongthem。Hehadperformedmanyeminentservicesforthecrown，hadgreatnaturalandacquiredparts，adornedwithintegrityandhonour；butsoillanearformusic，thathisdetractorsreported，"hehadbeenoftenknowntobeattimeinthewrongplace；"neithercouldhistutors，withoutextremedifficulty，teachhimtodemonstratethemosteasypropositioninthemathematics。Hewaspleasedtoshowmemanymarksoffavour，oftendidmethehonourofavisit，desiredtobeinformedintheaffairsofEurope，thelawsandcustoms，themannersandlearningoftheseveralcountrieswhereIhadtravelled。Helistenedtomewithgreatattention，andmadeverywiseobservationsonallIspoke。Hehadtwoflappersattendinghimforstate，butnevermadeuseofthem，exceptatcourtandinvisitsofceremony，andwouldalwayscommandthemtowithdraw，whenwewerealonetogether。

Ientreatedthisillustriousperson，tointercedeinmybehalfwithhismajesty，forleavetodepart；whichheaccordinglydid，ashewaspleasedtotellme，withregret:forindeedhehadmademeseveraloffersveryadvantageous，which，however，I

refused，withexpressionsofthehighestacknowledgment。

Onthe16thofFebruaryItookleaveofhismajestyandthecourt。ThekingmademeapresenttothevalueofabouttwohundredpoundsEnglish，andmyprotector，hiskinsman，asmuchmore，togetherwithaletterofrecommendationtoafriendofhisinLagado，themetropolis。Theislandbeingthenhoveringoveramountainabouttwomilesfromit，Iwasletdownfromthelowestgallery，inthesamemannerasIhadbeentakenup。

Thecontinent，asfarasitissubjecttothemonarchoftheflyingisland，passesunderthegeneralnameofBALNIBARBI；andthemetropolis，asIsaidbefore，iscalledLAGADO。Ifeltsomelittlesatisfactioninfindingmyselfonfirmground。Iwalkedtothecitywithoutanyconcern，beingcladlikeoneofthenatives，andsufficientlyinstructedtoconversewiththem。I

soonfoundouttheperson\'shousetowhomIwasrecommended，presentedmyletterfromhisfriendthegrandeeintheisland，andwasreceivedwithmuchkindness。Thisgreatlord，whosenamewasMunodi，orderedmeanapartmentinhisownhouse，whereI

continuedduringmystay，andwasentertainedinamosthospitablemanner。

Thenextmorningaftermyarrival，hetookmeinhischariottoseethetown，whichisabouthalfthebignessofLondon；butthehousesverystrangelybuilt，andmostofthemoutofrepair。Thepeopleinthestreetswalkedfast，lookedwild，theireyesfixed，andweregenerallyinrags。Wepassedthroughoneofthetowngates，andwentaboutthreemilesintothecountry，whereIsawmanylabourersworkingwithseveralsortsoftoolsintheground，butwasnotabletoconjecturewhattheywereabout:neitherdidobserveanyexpectationeitherofcornorgrass，althoughthesoilappearedtobeexcellent。Icouldnotforbearadmiringattheseoddappearances，bothintownandcountry；andImadeboldtodesiremyconductor，thathewouldbepleasedtoexplaintome，whatcouldbemeantbysomanybusyheads，hands，andfaces，bothinthestreetsandthefields，becauseIdidnotdiscoveranygoodeffectstheyproduced；but，onthecontrary，Ineverknewasoilsounhappilycultivated，housessoillcontrivedandsoruinous，orapeoplewhosecountenancesandhabitexpressedsomuchmiseryandwant。

ThislordMunodiwasapersonofthefirstrank，andhadbeensomeyearsgovernorofLagado；but，byacabalofministers，wasdischargedforinsufficiency。However，thekingtreatedhimwithtenderness，asawell-meaningman，butofalowcontemptibleunderstanding。

WhenIgavethatfreecensureofthecountryanditsinhabitants，hemadenofurtheranswerthanbytellingme，"thatIhadnotbeenlongenoughamongthemtoformajudgment；andthatthedifferentnationsoftheworldhaddifferentcustoms；"withothercommontopicstothesamepurpose。But，whenwereturnedtohispalace，heaskedme"howIlikedthebuilding，whatabsurditiesI

observed，andwhatquarrelIhadwiththedressorlooksofhisdomestics？"Thishemightsafelydo；becauseeverythingabouthimwasmagnificent，regular，andpolite。Ianswered，"thathisexcellency\'sprudence，quality，andfortune，hadexemptedhimfromthosedefects，whichfollyandbeggaryhadproducedinothers。"Hesaid，"ifIwouldgowithhimtohiscountry-house，abouttwentymilesdistant，wherehisestatelay，therewouldbemoreleisureforthiskindofconversation。"Itoldhisexcellency"thatIwasentirelyathisdisposal；"andaccordinglywesetoutnextmorning。

Duringourjourneyhemademeobservetheseveralmethodsusedbyfarmersinmanagingtheirlands，whichtomewerewhollyunaccountable；for，exceptinsomeveryfewplaces，Icouldnotdiscoveroneearofcornorbladeofgrass。But，inthreehourstravelling，thescenewaswhollyaltered；wecameintoamostbeautifulcountry；farmers\'houses，atsmalldistances，neatlybuilt；thefieldsenclosed，containingvineyards，corn-grounds，andmeadows。NeitherdoIremembertohaveseenamoredelightfulprospect。Hisexcellencyobservedmycountenancetoclearup；hetoldme，withasigh，"thattherehisestatebegan，andwouldcontinuethesame，tillweshouldcometohishouse:

thathiscountrymenridiculedanddespisedhim，formanaginghisaffairsnobetter，andforsettingsoillanexampletothekingdom；which，however，wasfollowedbyveryfew，suchaswereold，andwilful，andweaklikehimself。"

Wecameatlengthtothehouse，whichwasindeedanoblestructure，builtaccordingtothebestrulesofancientarchitecture。Thefountains，gardens，walks，avenues，andgroves，werealldisposedwithexactjudgmentandtaste。IgaveduepraisestoeverythingIsaw，whereofhisexcellencytooknottheleastnoticetillaftersupper；when，therebeingnothirdcompanion，hetoldmewithaverymelancholyair"thathedoubtedhemustthrowdownhishousesintownandcountry，torebuildthemafterthepresentmode；destroyallhisplantations，andcastothersintosuchaformasmodernusagerequired，andgivethesamedirectionstoallhistenants，unlesshewouldsubmittoincurthecensureofpride，singularity，affectation，ignorance，caprice，andperhapsincreasehismajesty\'sdispleasure；thattheadmirationIappearedtobeunderwouldceaseordiminish，whenhehadinformedmeofsomeparticularswhich，probably，Ineverheardofatcourt，thepeopletherebeingtoomuchtakenupintheirownspeculations，tohaveregardtowhatpassedherebelow。"

Thesumofhisdiscoursewastothiseffect:"Thataboutfortyyearsago，certainpersonswentuptoLaputa，eitheruponbusinessordiversion，and，afterfivemonthscontinuance，camebackwithaverylittlesmatteringinmathematics，butfullofvolatilespiritsacquiredinthatairyregion:thatthesepersons，upontheirreturn，begantodislikethemanagementofeverythingbelow，andfellintoschemesofputtingallarts，sciences，languages，andmechanics，uponanewfoot。Tothisend，theyprocuredaroyalpatentforerectinganacademyofprojectorsinLagado；andthehumourprevailedsostronglyamongthepeople，thatthereisnotatownofanyconsequenceinthekingdomwithoutsuchanacademy。Inthesecollegestheprofessorscontrivenewrulesandmethodsofagricultureandbuilding，andnewinstruments，andtoolsforalltradesandmanufactures；whereby，astheyundertake，onemanshalldotheworkoften；apalacemaybebuiltinaweek，ofmaterialssodurableastolastforeverwithoutrepairing。Allthefruitsoftheearthshallcometomaturityatwhateverseasonwethinkfittochoose，andincreaseahundredfoldmorethantheydoatpresent；withinnumerableotherhappyproposals。Theonlyinconvenienceis，thatnoneoftheseprojectsareyetbroughttoperfection；andinthemeantime，thewholecountryliesmiserablywaste，thehousesinruins，andthepeoplewithoutfoodorclothes。Byallwhich，insteadofbeingdiscouraged，theyarefiftytimesmoreviolentlybentuponprosecutingtheirschemes，drivenequallyonbyhopeanddespair:thatasforhimself，beingnotofanenterprisingspirit，hewascontenttogoonintheoldforms，toliveinthehouseshisancestorshadbuilt，andactastheydid，ineverypartoflife，withoutinnovation:thatsomefewotherpersonsofqualityandgentryhaddonethesame，butwerelookedonwithaneyeofcontemptandill-will，asenemiestoart，ignorant，andillcommon-wealth\'smen，preferringtheirowneaseandslothbeforethegeneralimprovementoftheircountry。"

Hislordshipadded，"Thathewouldnot，byanyfurtherparticulars，preventthepleasureIshouldcertainlytakeinviewingthegrandacademy，whitherhewasresolvedIshouldgo。"

Heonlydesiredmetoobservearuinedbuilding，uponthesideofamountainaboutthreemilesdistant，ofwhichhegavemethisaccount:"Thathehadaveryconvenientmillwithinhalfamileofhishouse，turnedbyacurrentfromalargeriver，andsufficientforhisownfamily，aswellasagreatnumberofhistenants；thataboutsevenyearsago，aclubofthoseprojectorscametohimwithproposalstodestroythismill，andbuildanotheronthesideofthatmountain，onthelongridgewhereofalongcanalmustbecut，forarepositoryofwater，tobeconveyedupbypipesandenginestosupplythemill，becausethewindandairuponaheightagitatedthewater，andtherebymadeitfitterformotion，andbecausethewater，descendingdownadeclivity，wouldturnthemillwithhalfthecurrentofariverwhosecourseismoreuponalevel。"Hesaid，"thatbeingthennotverywellwiththecourt，andpressedbymanyofhisfriends，hecompliedwiththeproposal；andafteremployingahundredmenfortwoyears，theworkmiscarried，theprojectorswentoff，layingtheblameentirelyuponhim，railingathimeversince，andputtingothersuponthesameexperiment，withequalassuranceofsuccess，aswellasequaldisappointment。"

Inafewdayswecamebacktotown；andhisexcellency，consideringthebadcharacterhehadintheacademy，wouldnotgowithmehimself，butrecommendedmetoafriendofhis，tobearmecompanythither。Mylordwaspleasedtorepresentmeasagreatadmirerofprojects，andapersonofmuchcuriosityandeasybelief；which，indeed，wasnotwithouttruth；forIhadmyselfbeenasortofprojectorinmyyoungerdays。

CHAPTERV。

[TheauthorpermittedtoseethegrandacademyofLagado。Theacademylargelydescribed。Theartswhereintheprofessorsemploythemselves。]

Thisacademyisnotanentiresinglebuilding，butacontinuationofseveralhousesonbothsidesofastreet，whichgrowingwaste，waspurchasedandappliedtothatuse。

Iwasreceivedverykindlybythewarden，andwentformanydaystotheacademy。Everyroomhasinitoneormoreprojectors；andIbelieveIcouldnotbeinfewerthanfivehundredrooms。

ThefirstmanIsawwasofameagreaspect，withsootyhandsandface，hishairandbeardlong，ragged，andsingedinseveralplaces。Hisclothes，shirt，andskin，wereallofthesamecolour。Hehasbeeneightyearsuponaprojectforextractingsunbeamsoutofcucumbers，whichweretobeputinphialshermeticallysealed，andletouttowarmtheairinrawinclementsummers。Hetoldme，hedidnotdoubt，that，ineightyearsmore，heshouldbeabletosupplythegovernor\'sgardenswithsunshine，atareasonablerate:buthecomplainedthathisstockwaslow，andentreatedme"togivehimsomethingasanencouragementtoingenuity，especiallysincethishadbeenaverydearseasonforcucumbers。"Imadehimasmallpresent，formylordhadfurnishedmewithmoneyonpurpose，becauseheknewtheirpracticeofbeggingfromallwhogotoseethem。

Iwentintoanotherchamber，butwasreadytohastenback，beingalmostovercomewithahorriblestink。Myconductorpressedmeforward，conjuringmeinawhisper"togivenooffence，whichwouldbehighlyresented；"andthereforeIdurstnotsomuchasstopmynose。Theprojectorofthiscellwasthemostancientstudentoftheacademy；hisfaceandbeardwereofapaleyellow；

hishandsandclothesdaubedoverwithfilth。WhenIwaspresentedtohim，hegavemeacloseembrace，acomplimentI

couldwellhaveexcused。Hisemployment，fromhisfirstcomingintotheacademy，wasanoperationtoreducehumanexcrementtoitsoriginalfood，byseparatingtheseveralparts，removingthetincturewhichitreceivesfromthegall，makingtheodourexhale，andscummingoffthesaliva。Hehadaweeklyallowance，fromthesociety，ofavesselfilledwithhumanordure，aboutthebignessofaBristolbarrel。

Isawanotheratworktocalcineiceintogunpowder；wholikewiseshowedmeatreatisehehadwrittenconcerningthemalleabilityoffire，whichheintendedtopublish。

Therewasamostingeniousarchitect，whohadcontrivedanewmethodforbuildinghouses，bybeginningattheroof，andworkingdownwardtothefoundation；whichhejustifiedtome，bythelikepracticeofthosetwoprudentinsects，thebeeandthespider。

Therewasamanbornblind，whohadseveralapprenticesinhisowncondition:theiremploymentwastomixcoloursforpainters，whichtheirmastertaughtthemtodistinguishbyfeelingandsmelling。Itwasindeedmymisfortunetofindthematthattimenotveryperfectintheirlessons，andtheprofessorhimselfhappenedtobegenerallymistaken。Thisartistismuchencouragedandesteemedbythewholefraternity。

InanotherapartmentIwashighlypleasedwithaprojectorwhohadfoundadeviceofploughingthegroundwithhogs，tosavethechargesofploughs，cattle，andlabour。Themethodisthis:inanacreofgroundyoubury，atsixinchesdistanceandeightdeep，aquantityofacorns，dates，chestnuts，andothermastorvegetables，whereoftheseanimalsarefondest；thenyoudrivesixhundredormoreofthemintothefield，where，inafewdays，theywillrootupthewholegroundinsearchoftheirfood，andmakeitfitforsowing，atthesametimemanuringitwiththeirdung:itistrue，uponexperiment，theyfoundthechargeandtroubleverygreat，andtheyhadlittleornocrop。Howeveritisnotdoubted，thatthisinventionmaybecapableofgreatimprovement。

Iwentintoanotherroom，wherethewallsandceilingwereallhungroundwithcobwebs，exceptanarrowpassagefortheartisttogoinandout。Atmyentrance，hecalledaloudtome，"nottodisturbhiswebs。"Helamented"thefatalmistaketheworldhadbeensolongin，ofusingsilkworms，whilewehadsuchplentyofdomesticinsectswhoinfinitelyexcelledtheformer，becausetheyunderstoodhowtoweave，aswellasspin。"Andheproposedfurther，"thatbyemployingspiders，thechargeofdyeingsilksshouldbewhollysaved；"whereofIwasfullyconvinced，whenheshowedmeavastnumberoffliesmostbeautifullycoloured，wherewithhefedhisspiders，assuringus"thatthewebswouldtakeatincturefromthem；andashehadthemofallhues，hehopedtofiteverybody\'sfancy，assoonashecouldfindproperfoodfortheflies，ofcertaingums，oils，andotherglutinousmatter，togiveastrengthandconsistencetothethreads。"

Therewasanastronomer，whohadundertakentoplaceasun-dialuponthegreatweathercockonthetown-house，byadjustingtheannualanddiurnalmotionsoftheearthandsun，soastoanswerandcoincidewithallaccidentalturningsofthewind。

Iwascomplainingofasmallfitofthecolic，uponwhichmyconductorledmeintoaroomwhereagreatphysicianresided，whowasfamousforcuringthatdisease，bycontraryoperationsfromthesameinstrument。Hehadalargepairofbellows，withalongslendermuzzleofivory:thisheconveyedeightinchesuptheanus，anddrawinginthewind，heaffirmedhecouldmakethegutsaslankasadriedbladder。Butwhenthediseasewasmorestubbornandviolent，heletinthemuzzlewhilethebellowswerefullofwind，whichhedischargedintothebodyofthepatient；

thenwithdrewtheinstrumenttoreplenishit，clappinghisthumbstronglyagainsttheorificeofthenfundament；andthisbeingrepeatedthreeorfourtimes，theadventitiouswindwouldrushout，bringingthenoxiousalongwithit，(likewaterputintoapump)，andthepatientrecovered。Isawhimtrybothexperimentsuponadog，butcouldnotdiscernanyeffectfromtheformer。

Afterthelattertheanimalwasreadytoburst，andmadesoviolentadischargeaswasveryoffensivetomeandmycompanion。

Thedogdiedonthespot，andweleftthedoctorendeavouringtorecoverhim，bythesameoperation。

Ivisitedmanyotherapartments，butshallnottroublemyreaderwithallthecuriositiesIobserved，beingstudiousofbrevity。

Ihadhithertoseenonlyonesideoftheacademy，theotherbeingappropriatedtotheadvancersofspeculativelearning，ofwhomI

shallsaysomething，whenIhavementionedoneillustriouspersonmore，whoiscalledamongthem"theuniversalartist。"Hetoldus"hehadbeenthirtyyearsemployinghisthoughtsfortheimprovementofhumanlife。"Hehadtwolargeroomsfullofwonderfulcuriosities，andfiftymenatwork。Somewerecondensingairintoadrytangiblesubstance，byextractingthenitre，andlettingtheaqueousorfluidparticlespercolate；

otherssofteningmarble，forpillowsandpin-cushions；otherspetrifyingthehoofsofalivinghorse，topreservethemfromfoundering。Theartisthimselfwasatthattimebusyupontwogreatdesigns；thefirst，tosowlandwithchaff，whereinheaffirmedthetrueseminalvirtuetobecontained，ashedemonstratedbyseveralexperiments，whichIwasnotskilfulenoughtocomprehend。Theotherwas，byacertaincompositionofgums，minerals，andvegetables，outwardlyapplied，topreventthegrowthofwoolupontwoyounglambs；andhehoped，inareasonabletimetopropagatethebreedofnakedsheep，alloverthekingdom。

Wecrossedawalktotheotherpartoftheacademy，where，asI

havealreadysaid，theprojectorsinspeculativelearningresided。

ThefirstprofessorIsaw，wasinaverylargeroom，withfortypupilsabouthim。Aftersalutation，observingmetolookearnestlyuponaframe，whichtookupthegreatestpartofboththelengthandbreadthoftheroom，hesaid，"PerhapsImightwondertoseehimemployedinaprojectforimprovingspeculativeknowledge，bypracticalandmechanicaloperations。Buttheworldwouldsoonbesensibleofitsusefulness；andheflatteredhimself，thatamorenoble，exaltedthoughtneverspranginanyotherman\'shead。Everyoneknewhowlaborioustheusualmethodisofattainingtoartsandsciences；whereas，byhiscontrivance，themostignorantperson，atareasonablecharge，andwithalittlebodilylabour，mightwritebooksinphilosophy，poetry，politics，laws，mathematics，andtheology，withouttheleastassistancefromgeniusorstudy。"Hethenledmetotheframe，aboutthesides，whereofallhispupilsstoodinranks。

Itwastwentyfeetsquare，placedinthemiddleoftheroom。Thesuperficeswascomposedofseveralbitsofwood，aboutthebignessofadie，butsomelargerthanothers。Theywerealllinkedtogetherbyslenderwires。Thesebitsofwoodwerecovered，oneverysquare，withpaperpastedonthem；andonthesepaperswerewrittenallthewordsoftheirlanguage，intheirseveralmoods，tenses，anddeclensions；butwithoutanyorder。

Theprofessorthendesiredme"toobserve；forhewasgoingtosethisengineatwork。"Thepupils，athiscommand，tookeachofthemholdofanironhandle，whereoftherewerefortyfixedroundtheedgesoftheframe；andgivingthemasuddenturn，thewholedispositionofthewordswasentirelychanged。Hethencommandedsix-and-thirtyofthelads，toreadtheseverallinessoftly，astheyappearedupontheframe；andwheretheyfoundthreeorfourwordstogetherthatmightmakepartofasentence，theydictatedtothefourremainingboys，whowerescribes。Thisworkwasrepeatedthreeorfourtimes，andateveryturn，theenginewassocontrived，thatthewordsshiftedintonewplaces，asthesquarebitsofwoodmovedupsidedown。

Sixhoursadaytheyoungstudentswereemployedinthislabour；

andtheprofessorshowedmeseveralvolumesinlargefolio，alreadycollected，ofbrokensentences，whichheintendedtopiecetogether，andoutofthoserichmaterials，togivetheworldacompletebodyofallartsandsciences；which，however，mightbestillimproved，andmuchexpedited，ifthepublicwouldraiseafundformakingandemployingfivehundredsuchframesinLagado，andobligethemanagerstocontributeincommontheirseveralcollections。

Heassuredme"thatthisinventionhademployedallhisthoughtsfromhisyouth；thathehademptiedthewholevocabularyintohisframe，andmadethestrictestcomputationofthegeneralproportionthereisinbooksbetweenthenumbersofparticles，nouns，andverbs，andotherpartsofspeech。"

Imademyhumblestacknowledgmenttothisillustriousperson，forhisgreatcommunicativeness；andpromised，"ifeverIhadthegoodfortunetoreturntomynativecountry，thatIwoulddohimjustice，asthesoleinventorofthiswonderfulmachine；"theformandcontrivanceofwhichIdesiredleavetodelineateonpaper，asinthefigurehereannexed。Itoldhim，"althoughitwerethecustomofourlearnedinEuropetostealinventionsfromeachother，whohadtherebyatleastthisadvantage，thatitbecameacontroversywhichwastherightowner；yetIwouldtakesuchcaution，thatheshouldhavethehonourentire，withoutarival。"

Wenextwenttotheschooloflanguages，wherethreeprofessorssatinconsultationuponimprovingthatoftheirowncountry。

Thefirstprojectwas，toshortendiscourse，bycuttingpolysyllablesintoone，andleavingoutverbsandparticiples，because，inreality，allthingsimaginablearebutnorms。

Theotherprojectwas，aschemeforentirelyabolishingallwordswhatsoever；andthiswasurgedasagreatadvantageinpointofhealth，aswellasbrevity。Foritisplain，thateverywordwespeakis，insomedegree，adiminutionofourlungebycorrosion，and，consequently，contributestotheshorteningofourlives。

Anexpedientwasthereforeoffered，"thatsincewordsareonlynamesforthings，itwouldbemoreconvenientforallmentocarryaboutthemsuchthingsaswerenecessarytoexpressaparticularbusinesstheyaretodiscourseon。"Andthisinventionwouldcertainlyhavetakenplace，tothegreateaseaswellashealthofthesubject，ifthewomen，inconjunctionwiththevulgarandilliterate，hadnotthreatenedtoraisearebellionunlesstheymightbeallowedthelibertytospeakwiththeirtongues，afterthemanneroftheirforefathers；suchconstantirreconcilableenemiestosciencearethecommonpeople。

However，manyofthemostlearnedandwiseadheretothenewschemeofexpressingthemselvesbythings；whichhasonlythisinconvenienceattendingit，thatifaman\'sbusinessbeverygreat，andofvariouskinds，hemustbeobliged，inproportion，tocarryagreaterbundleofthingsuponhisback，unlesshecanaffordoneortwostrongservantstoattendhim。Ihaveoftenbeheldtwoofthosesagesalmostsinkingundertheweightoftheirpacks，likepedlarsamongus，who，whentheymetinthestreet，wouldlaydowntheirloads，opentheirsacks，andholdconversationforanhourtogether；thenputuptheirimplements，helpeachothertoresumetheirburdens，andtaketheirleave。

Butforshortconversations，amanmaycarryimplementsinhispockets，andunderhisarms，enoughtosupplyhim；andinhishouse，hecannotbeataloss。Thereforetheroomwherecompanymeetwhopractisethisart，isfullofallthings，readyathand，requisitetofurnishmatterforthiskindofartificialconverse。

Anothergreatadvantageproposedbythisinventionwas，thatitwouldserveasauniversallanguage，tobeunderstoodinallcivilisednations，whosegoodsandutensilsaregenerallyofthesamekind，ornearlyresembling，sothattheirusesmighteasilybecomprehended。Andthusambassadorswouldbequalifiedtotreatwithforeignprinces，orministersofstate，towhosetonguestheywereutterstrangers。

Iwasatthemathematicalschool，wherethemastertaughthispupilsafteramethodscarceimaginabletousinEurope。Theproposition，anddemonstration，werefairlywrittenonathinwafer，withinkcomposedofacephalictincture。This，thestudentwastoswallowuponafastingstomach，andforthreedaysfollowing，eatnothingbutbreadandwater。Asthewaferdigested，thetincturemountedtohisbrain，bearingthepropositionalongwithit。Butthesuccesshasnothithertobeenanswerable，partlybysomeerrorintheQUANTUMorcomposition，andpartlybytheperversenessoflads，towhomthisbolusissonauseous，thattheygenerallystealaside，anddischargeitupwards，beforeitcanoperate；neitherhavetheybeenyetpersuadedtousesolonganabstinence，astheprescriptionrequires。

CHAPTERVI。

[Afurtheraccountoftheacademy。Theauthorproposessomeimprovements，whicharehonourablyreceived。]

Intheschoolofpoliticalprojectors，Iwasbutillentertained；

theprofessorsappearing，inmyjudgment，whollyoutoftheirsenses，whichisascenethatneverfailstomakememelancholy。

Theseunhappypeoplewereproposingschemesforpersuadingmonarchstochoosefavouritesuponthescoreoftheirwisdom，capacity，andvirtue；ofteachingministerstoconsultthepublicgood；ofrewardingmerit，greatabilities，eminentservices；ofinstructingprincestoknowtheirtrueinterest，byplacingitonthesamefoundationwiththatoftheirpeople；ofchoosingforemploymentspersonsqualifiedtoexercisethem，withmanyotherwild，impossiblechimeras，thatneverenteredbeforeintotheheartofmantoconceive；andconfirmedinmetheoldobservation，"thatthereisnothingsoextravagantandirrational，whichsomephilosophershavenotmaintainedfortruth。"

But，however，IshallsofardojusticetothispartoftheAcademy，astoacknowledgethatallofthemwerenotsovisionary。Therewasamostingeniousdoctor，whoseemedtobeperfectlyversedinthewholenatureandsystemofgovernment。

Thisillustriouspersonhadveryusefullyemployedhisstudies，infindingouteffectualremediesforalldiseasesandcorruptionstowhichtheseveralkindsofpublicadministrationaresubject，bythevicesorinfirmitiesofthosewhogovern，aswellasbythelicentiousnessofthosewhoaretoobey。Forinstance:whereasallwritersandreasonershaveagreed，thatthereisastrictuniversalresemblancebetweenthenaturalandthepoliticalbody；cantherebeanythingmoreevident，thanthatthehealthofbothmustbepreserved，andthediseasescured，bythesameprescriptions？Itisallowed，thatsenatesandgreatcouncilsareoftentroubledwithredundant，ebullient，andotherpeccanthumours；withmanydiseasesofthehead，andmoreoftheheart；withstrongconvulsions，withgrievouscontractionsofthenervesandsinewsinbothhands，butespeciallytheright；withspleen，flatus，vertigos，anddeliriums；withscrofuloustumours，fulloffetidpurulentmatter；withsourfrothyructations:withcanineappetites，andcrudenessofdigestion，besidesmanyothers，needlesstomention。

Thisdoctorthereforeproposed，"thatuponthemeetingofthesenate，certainphysiciansshouldattenditthethreefirstdaysoftheirsitting，andatthecloseofeachday\'sdebatefeelthepulsesofeverysenator；afterwhich，havingmaturelyconsideredandconsulteduponthenatureoftheseveralmaladies，andthemethodsofcure，theyshouldonthefourthdayreturntothesenatehouse，attendedbytheirapothecariesstoredwithpropermedicines；andbeforethememberssat，administertoeachofthemlenitives，aperitives，abstersives，corrosives，restringents，palliatives，laxatives，cephalalgics，icterics，apophlegmatics，acoustics，astheirseveralcasesrequired；and，accordingasthesemedicinesshouldoperate，repeat，alter，oromitthem，atthenextmeeting。"

Thisprojectcouldnotbeofanygreatexpensetothepublic；andmightinmypooropinion，beofmuchuseforthedespatchofbusiness，inthosecountrieswheresenateshaveanyshareinthelegislativepower；begetunanimity，shortendebates，openafewmouthswhicharenowclosed，andclosemanymorewhicharenowopen；curbthepetulancyoftheyoung，andcorrectthepositivenessoftheold；rousethestupid，anddampthepert。

Again:becauseitisageneralcomplaint，thatthefavouritesofprincesaretroubledwithshortandweakmemories；thesamedoctorproposed，"thatwhoeverattendedafirstminister，afterhavingtoldhisbusiness，withtheutmostbrevityandintheplainestwords，should，athisdeparture，givethesaidministeratweakbythenose，orakickinthebelly，ortreadonhiscorns，orlughimthricebybothears，orrunapinintohisbreech；orpinchhisarmblackandblue，topreventforgetfulness；andateveryleveeday，repeatthesameoperation，tillthebusinessweredone，orabsolutelyrefused。"

Helikewisedirected，"thateverysenatorinthegreatcouncilofanation，afterhehaddeliveredhisopinion，andarguedinthedefenceofit，shouldbeobligedtogivehisvotedirectlycontrary；becauseifthatweredone，theresultwouldinfalliblyterminateinthegoodofthepublic。"

Whenpartiesinastateareviolent，heofferedawonderfulcontrivancetoreconcilethem。Themethodisthis:Youtakeahundredleadersofeachparty；youdisposethemintocouplesofsuchwhoseheadsarenearestofasize；thenlettwoniceoperatorssawofftheocciputofeachcoupleatthesametime，insuchamannerthatthebrainmaybeequallydivided。Lettheocciputs，thuscutoff，beinterchanged，applyingeachtotheheadofhisoppositeparty-man。Itseemsindeedtobeaworkthatrequiressomeexactness，buttheprofessorassuredus，"thatifitweredexterouslyperformed，thecurewouldbeinfallible。"

Forhearguedthus:"thatthetwohalfbrainsbeinglefttodebatethematterbetweenthemselveswithinthespaceofoneskull，wouldsooncometoagoodunderstanding，andproducethatmoderation，aswellasregularityofthinking，somuchtobewishedforintheheadsofthose，whoimaginetheycomeintotheworldonlytowatchandgovernitsmotion:andastothedifferenceofbrains，inquantityorquality，amongthosewhoaredirectorsinfaction，thedoctorassuredus，fromhisownknowledge，that"itwasaperfecttrifle。"

Iheardaverywarmdebatebetweentwoprofessors，aboutthemostcommodiousandeffectualwaysandmeansofraisingmoney，withoutgrievingthesubject。Thefirstaffirmed，"thejustestmethodwouldbe，tolayacertaintaxuponvicesandfolly；andthesumfixeduponeverymantoberated，afterthefairestmanner，byajuryofhisneighbours。"Thesecondwasofanopiniondirectlycontrary；"totaxthosequalitiesofbodyandmind，forwhichmenchieflyvaluethemselves；theratetobemoreorless，accordingtothedegreesofexcelling；thedecisionwhereofshouldbeleftentirelytotheirownbreast。"Thehighesttaxwasuponmenwhoarethegreatestfavouritesoftheothersex，andtheassessments，accordingtothenumberandnatureofthefavourstheyhavereceived；forwhich，theyareallowedtobetheirownvouchers。Wit，valour，andpoliteness，werelikewiseproposedtobelargelytaxed，andcollectedinthesamemanner，byeveryperson\'sgivinghisownwordforthequantumofwhathepossessed。Butastohonour，justice，wisdom，andlearning，theyshouldnotbetaxedatall；becausetheyarequalificationsofsosingularakind，thatnomanwilleitherallowtheminhisneighbourorvaluetheminhimself。

Thewomenwereproposedtobetaxedaccordingtotheirbeautyandskillindressing，whereintheyhadthesameprivilegewiththemen，tobedeterminedbytheirownjudgment。Butconstancy，chastity，goodsense，andgoodnature，werenotrated，becausetheywouldnotbearthechargeofcollecting。

Tokeepsenatorsintheinterestofthecrown，itwasproposedthatthemembersshouldraffleforemployment；everymanfirsttakinganoath，andgivingsecurity，thathewouldvoteforthecourt，whetherhewonornot；afterwhich，thelosershad，intheirturn，thelibertyofrafflinguponthenextvacancy。Thus，hopeandexpectationwouldbekeptalive；nonewouldcomplainofbrokenpromises，butimputetheirdisappointmentswhollytofortune，whoseshouldersarebroaderandstrongerthanthoseofaministry。

Anotherprofessorshowedmealargepaperofinstructionsfordiscoveringplotsandconspiraciesagainstthegovernment。Headvisedgreatstatesmentoexamineintothedietofallsuspectedpersons；theirtimesofeating；uponwhichsidetheylayinbed；

withwhichhandtheywipetheirposteriors；takeastrictviewoftheirexcrements，and，fromthecolour，theodour，thetaste，theconsistence，thecrudenessormaturityofdigestion，formajudgmentoftheirthoughtsanddesigns；becausemenareneversoserious，thoughtful，andintent，aswhentheyareatstool，whichhefoundbyfrequentexperiment；for，insuchconjunctures，whenheused，merelyasatrial，toconsiderwhichwasthebestwayofmurderingtheking，hisordurewouldhaveatinctureofgreen；

butquitedifferent，whenhethoughtonlyofraisinganinsurrection，orburningthemetropolis。

Thewholediscoursewaswrittenwithgreatacuteness，containingmanyobservations，bothcuriousandusefulforpoliticians；but，asIconceived，notaltogethercomplete。ThisIventuredtotelltheauthor，andoffered，ifhepleased，tosupplyhimwithsomeadditions。Hereceivedmypropositionwithmorecompliancethanisusualamongwriters，especiallythoseoftheprojectingspecies，professing"hewouldbegladtoreceivefurtherinformation。"

Itoldhim，"thatinthekingdomofTribnia，(3)bythenativescalledLangdon，(4)whereIhadsojournedsometimeinmytravels，thebulkofthepeopleconsistinamannerwhollyofdiscoverers，witnesses，informers，accusers，prosecutors，evidences，swearers，togetherwiththeirseveralsubservientandsubalterninstruments，allunderthecolours，theconduct，andthepayofministersofstate，andtheirdeputies。Theplots，inthatkingdom，areusuallytheworkmanshipofthosepersonswhodesiretoraisetheirowncharactersofprofoundpoliticians；torestorenewvigourtoacrazyadministration；tostifleordivertgeneraldiscontents；tofilltheircofferswithforfeitures；andraise，orsinktheopinionofpubliccredit，aseithershallbestanswertheirprivateadvantage。Itisfirstagreedandsettledamongthem，whatsuspectedpersonsshallbeaccusedofaplot；

then，effectualcareistakentosecurealltheirlettersandpapers，andputtheownersinchains。Thesepapersaredeliveredtoasetofartists，verydexterousinfindingoutthemysteriousmeaningsofwords，syllables，andletters:forinstance，theycandiscoveraclosestool，tosignifyaprivycouncil；aflockofgeese，asenate；alamedog，aninvader；theplague，astandingarmy；abuzzard，aprimeminister；thegout，ahighpriest；agibbet，asecretaryofstate；achamberpot，acommitteeofgrandees；asieve，acourtlady；abroom，arevolution；amouse-trap，anemployment；abottomlesspit，atreasury；asink，acourt；acapandbells，afavourite；abrokenreed，acourtofjustice；anemptytun，ageneral；arunningsore，theadministration。(5)

"Whenthismethodfails，theyhavetwoothersmoreeffectual，whichthelearnedamongthemcallacrosticsandanagrams。First，theycandecipherallinitiallettersintopoliticalmeanings。

ThusN，shallsignifyaplot；B，aregimentofhorse；L，afleetatsea；or，secondly，bytransposingthelettersofthealphabetinanysuspectedpaper，theycanlayopenthedeepestdesignsofadiscontentedparty。So，forexample，ifIshouldsay，inalettertoafriend，\'OurbrotherTomhasjustgotthepiles，\'askilfuldeciphererwoulddiscover，thatthesameletterswhichcomposethatsentence，maybeanalysedintothefollowingwords，\'Resist——，aplotisbroughthome——Thetour。\'Andthisistheanagrammaticmethod。"

Theprofessormademegreatacknowledgmentsforcommunicatingtheseobservations，andpromisedtomakehonourablementionofmeinhistreatise。

Isawnothinginthiscountrythatcouldinvitemetoalongercontinuance，andbegantothinkofreturninghometoEngland。

CHAPTERVII。

[TheauthorleavesLagado:arrivesatMaldonada。Noshipready。

HetakesashortvoyagetoGlubbdubdrib。Hisreceptionbythegovernor。]

Thecontinent，ofwhichthiskingdomisapart，extendsitself，asIhavereasontobelieve，eastward，tothatunknowntractofAmericawestwardofCalifornia；andnorth，tothePacificOcean，whichisnotaboveahundredandfiftymilesfromLagado；wherethereisagoodport，andmuchcommercewiththegreatislandofLuggnagg，situatedtothenorth-westabout29degreesnorthlatitude，and140longitude。ThisislandofLuggnaggstandssouth-eastwardofJapan，aboutahundredleaguesdistant。ThereisastrictalliancebetweentheJapaneseemperorandthekingofLuggnagg；whichaffordsfrequentopportunitiesofsailingfromoneislandtotheother。Ideterminedthereforetodirectmycoursethisway，inordertomyreturntoEurope。Ihiredtwomules，withaguide，toshowmetheway，andcarrymysmallbaggage。Itookleaveofmynobleprotector，whohadshownmesomuchfavour，andmademeagenerouspresentatmydeparture。

Myjourneywaswithoutanyaccidentoradventureworthrelating。

WhenIarrivedattheportofMaldonada(forsoitiscalled)

therewasnoshipintheharbourboundforLuggnagg，norlikelytobeinsometime。ThetownisaboutaslargeasPortsmouth。I

soonfellintosomeacquaintance，andwasveryhospitablyreceived。Agentlemanofdistinctionsaidtome，"thatsincetheshipsboundforLuggnaggcouldnotbereadyinlessthanamonth，itmightbenodisagreeableamusementformetotakeatriptothelittleislandofGlubbdubdrib，aboutfiveleaguesofftothesouth-west。"Heofferedhimselfandafriendtoaccompanyme，andthatIshouldbeprovidedwithasmallconvenientbarkforthevoyage。

Glubbdubdrib，asnearlyasIcaninterprettheword，signifiestheislandofsorcerersormagicians。ItisaboutonethirdaslargeastheIsleofWight，andextremelyfruitful:itisgovernedbytheheadofacertaintribe，whoareallmagicians。

Thistribemarriesonlyamongeachother，andtheeldestinsuccessionisprinceorgovernor。Hehasanoblepalace，andaparkofaboutthreethousandacres，surroundedbyawallofhewnstonetwentyfeethigh。Inthisparkareseveralsmallenclosuresforcattle，corn，andgardening。

Thegovernorandhisfamilyareservedandattendedbydomesticsofakindsomewhatunusual。Byhisskillinnecromancyhehasapowerofcallingwhomhepleasesfromthedead，andcommandingtheirservicefortwenty-fourhours，butnolonger；norcanhecallthesamepersonsupagaininlessthanthreemonths，exceptuponveryextraordinaryoccasions。

Whenwearrivedattheisland，whichwasabouteleveninthemorning，oneofthegentlemenwhoaccompaniedmewenttothegovernor，anddesiredadmittanceforastranger，whocameonpurposetohavethehonourofattendingonhishighness。Thiswasimmediatelygranted，andweallthreeenteredthegateofthepalacebetweentworowsofguards，armedanddressedafteraveryanticmanner，andwithsomethingintheircountenancesthatmademyfleshcreepwithahorrorIcannotexpress。Wepassedthroughseveralapartments，betweenservantsofthesamesort，rankedoneachsideasbefore，tillwecametothechamberofpresence；

where，afterthreeprofoundobeisances，andafewgeneralquestions，wewerepermittedtositonthreestools，neartheloweststepofhishighness\'sthrone。HeunderstoodthelanguageofBalnibarbi，althoughitwasdifferentfromthatofthisisland。Hedesiredmetogivehimsomeaccountofmytravels；

and，toletmeseethatIshouldbetreatedwithoutceremony，hedismissedallhisattendantswithaturnofhisfinger；atwhich，tomygreatastonishment，theyvanishedinaninstant，likevisionsinadreamwhenweawakeonasudden。Icouldnotrecovermyselfinsometime，tillthegovernorassuredme，"thatIshouldreceivenohurt:"andobservingmytwocompanionstobeundernoconcern，whohadbeenoftenentertainedinthesamemanner，Ibegantotakecourage，andrelatedtohishighnessashorthistoryofmyseveraladventures；yetnotwithoutsomehesitation，andfrequentlylookingbehindmetotheplacewhereI

hadseenthosedomesticspectres。Ihadthehonourtodinewiththegovernor，whereanewsetofghostsservedupthemeat，andwaitedattable。InowobservedmyselftobelessterrifiedthanIhadbeeninthemorning。Istayedtillsunset，buthumblydesiredhishighnesstoexcusemefornotacceptinghisinvitationoflodginginthepalace。MytwofriendsandIlayataprivatehouseinthetownadjoining，whichisthecapitalofthislittleisland；andthenextmorningwereturnedtopayourdutytothegovernor，ashewaspleasedtocommandus。