第8章

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，andthatthosecreaturescouldnotbeYINHNIAMSHY(orABORIGINESoftheland)，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

(meaningmyself)whichmostofthemhadheardof，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，andbuildingbytheswallow(forsoItranslatethewordLYHANNH，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，andbeingpointedlikestakeswithasharpstone(fortheHOUYHNHNMSknownottheuseofiron)，theystickthemerectintheground，aboutteninchesasunder，andthenweaveinoatstraw，orsometimeswattles，betweenthem。Theroofismadeafterthesamemanner，andsoarethedoors。

TheHOUYHNHNMSusethehollowpart，betweenthepasternandthehoofoftheirfore-foot，aswedoourhands，andthiswithgreaterdexteritythanIcouldatfirstimagine。Ihaveseenawhitemareofourfamilythreadaneedle(whichIlentheronpurpose)withthatjoint。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，therepresentativeshadtakenoffenceathiskeepingaYAHOO(meaningmyself)inhisfamily，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-servant(forso，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；andIoftenheardthesorrelnag(whoalwayslovedme)cryingout，"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，andpaddlingoutofthereachoftheirdarts(beingacalmday)，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，andsentherlongboatwithvesselstotakeinfreshwater(fortheplace，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，bydetectingmyerrors(iftherebeany)，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；andtoanswer(butwiththeutmostbrevity)thefewquestionsIaskedher。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。