improve in fome Virtues, without any Mixture of Vice. Do these miferable Animals prefume to think, that I am so far degenerated, as to defend my Veracity: Yahoo as I am, it is well known through all Houyhnhnmland, that by the Inftructions and Example of my illuftrious Mafter, I was able in the Compass of two Years (although I confefs with the utmost Difficulty) to remove that infernal Habit of Lying, Shuffling, Deceiving, and Equivocating, fo deeply rooted in the very Souls of all my Species, especially the Europeans. I HAVE other Complaints to make upon this vexatious Occafion; but I forbear troubling myself or you any further. I muft freely confefs, that fince my last Return, fome Corruptions of my Yaboo Nature have revived in me by converfing with a few of your Species, and particularly those of mine own Family, by an unavoidable Neceffity; else I should never have attempted so abfurd a Project as that of reforming the Yahoo Race in this Kingdom; but, I have now done with all fuch vifionary Schemes for ever. April 2, 1727. THE THE Publisher to the Reader. T HE AUTHOR of these Travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my antient and intimate Friend; there is likewife fome Relation between us by the Mother's Side. About three Years ago, Mr. Gulliver growing weary of the Concourfe of curious People coming to him at his House in Redriff, made a fmall Purchase of Land, with a convenient House, near Newark, in Nottinghamshire, his Native County; where he now lives retired, yet in good Esteem among his Neighbours. ALTHOUGH Mr. Gulliver were born in Nottinghamshire, where his Father dwelt, yet I have heard him fay, his Family came from Oxfordshire; to confirm which, I have observed in the Church-Yard at Banbury, in that County, feveral Tombs and Monuments of the Gullivers. BEFORE he quitted Redriff, he left the Cuftody of the following Papers in my Hands, with the Liberty to difpofe of them as I fhould think fit. I have carefully perused them three Times: The Style is very plain and fimple; and the only Fault I find is, that the Author, after the Manner of Travellers, is a little too circumftantial. There is an Air of Truth apparent through the Whole; and indeed the Author was fo diftinguished for his Veracity, that it became a Sort of Proverb among his Neighbours at Redriff, when any one affirmed a Thing, to fay, it was as true as if Mr. Gulliver had spoke it. By the Advice of feveral worthy Perfons, to whom, with the Author's Permiffion, I communicated these Papers, I now venture to fend them into the World; hoping they may be, at least for fome Time, a better Entertainment to our young Noblemen, than the common Scribbles of Politicks and Party. THIS Volume would have been at least twice as large, if I had not made bold to strike out innumerable Paffages relating to the Winds and Tides, as well as to the Variations and Bearings in the feveral Voyages; together with the minute Defcriptions of the Management of the Ship in Storms, in the Style of Sailors: Likewise the Account of the Longitudes and Latitudes; wherein I have Reafon to apprehend that Mr. Gulliver may be a little diffatisfied: But, I was refolved to fit the Work, as, much as poffible to the general Capacity of Readers. However, if my own Ignorance in Sea Affairs fhall have led me to commit fome Miftakes, I alone am answerable for them: And, if any Traveller hath a Curiofity to fee the whole Work at large, as it came from the Hand of the Author, I will be ready to gratify him. As for any further Particulars relating to the Author, the Reader will receive Satisfaction from the firft Pages of the Book. Richard Sympfon. THE THE mily. His firft Inducements to Travel. He is Ship- wrecked, and fwims for his Life; gets safe on Shoar in the Country of Lilliput; is made a Prifoner, CHA P. II. The Emperor of LILLIPUT, attended by feveral of the Nobility, come to fee the Author in his Confinement. The Emperor's Per- Jon and Habit defcribed. Learned Men appointed to teach the Author their Language. He gains Favour by bis mild Difpofition. His Pockets are CHA P. III. The Author diverts the Empe- ror and his Nobility of both Sexes in a very uncom- mon Manner. The Diverfions of the Court of CHA P. IV. Mildendo, the Metropolis of LILLIPUT defcribed, together with the Empe- ror's Palace, a Converfation between the Author and a principal Secretary, concerning the Affairs of that Empire: The Author's Offers to ferve the CHA P. V. The Author by an extraordinary Stratagem prevents an Invafion. A bigh Title of Honour is conferr'd upon him. Ambassadors ar- rive from the Emperor of BLEFUSCU, and fue for Peace. The Empress's Apartment on fire by an Accident; the Author inftrumental in saving the CHA P. VI. Of the Inhabitants of LILLI- PUT; their Learning, Laws, and Customs. The Manner of Educating their Children: The Au- thor's Way of living in that Country. His Vin- CHA P. VII. The Author being informed of |