much the race of human kind was degenerated› among us within these hundred years past. How the pox, under all its confequences and denominations, had altered every lineament of an Englifh countenance; fhortened the fize of bodies, unbraced the nerves, relaxed the finews and mufeles, introduced a fallow complection, and rendered the flesh loose and rancid...

I defcended fo low as to defire, that fome: English yeomen of the old ftamp might be fummoned to appear; once so famous for the fimplicity of their manners, diet, and dress; for justice in their dealings; for their true spirit of liberty; for their valour and love of their country. Neither could I be wholly unmoved, after comparing the living with the dead, when I confidered how all thefe pure native virtues were prostituted for a piece of money by their grandchildren, who, in felling their votes, and managing at elections, have acquired every vice and corruption that can poffibly be learned in a

court.

CHA P. IX.

The author returns to Maldonada. Sails to the kingdom of Luggnagg. The author confined. He is fent for to court. The manner of his admit-tance. The King's great lenity to his fubjects.

TH

HE day of our departure being come, I took leave of his highnefs, the governor of Glubdubdribb, and returned with my two companions:

B. b. 3.

companions to Maldonada, where, after a fortnight's waiting, a fhip was ready to fail for Luggnagg. The two gentlemen, and fome others, were fo generous and kind as to furnish me with provifions, and fee me on board. I was a month on this voyage. We had one violent ftorm, and were under a neceffity of fteering weftward to get into the trade-wind, which holds for above fixty leagues. On the 21st of April 1708, we failed into the river of Clumegnig, which is a fea-port town at the fouth-eaft point of Luggnagg.

We

cast anchor within a league of the town, and made a fignal for a pilot. Two of them came on board in less than half an hour, by whom we were guided between certain fhoals and rocks, which are very dangerous in the paffage, to a large bafin, where a fleet may ride in fafety within a cable's length of the town-wall.

Some of our failors, whether out of treachery or inadvertence, had informed the pilots that I was a ftranger, and a great traveller, whereof thefe gave notice to a cuftom-houfe officer, by whom I was examined very strictly upon my landing. This officer fpoke to me in the language of Bainibarbi, which, by the force of much commerce, is generally understood in that town, especially by feamen, and thofe employed in the customs. I gave him a fhort account of fome particulars, and made my ftory as plaufible and confiftent as I could; but I thought it neceffary to difguife my country, and call myself an Hollander, becaufe my intentions were for Japan, and I knew

the

the Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to enter into that kingdom. I therefore told the officer, that having been fhipwrecked on the coaft of Balnibarbi, and caft on a rock, I was received up into Laputa, or the flying island (of which he had often heard) and was now endeayouring to get to Japan, from whence I might find a convenience of returning to my own country. The officer faid, I must be confined till he could receive orders from court, for which he would write immediately, and hoped to receive an answer in a fortnight. I was carried to a convenient lodging with a centry placed at the door; however, I had the liberty of a large garden, and was treated with humanity enough, being maintained all the time at the King's charge. I was invited by several perfons, chiefly out of curiofity, because it was reported that I came from countries very remote, of which they had never heard.

I hired a young man, who came in the fame fhip, to be an interpreter; he was a native of Luggnagg, but had lived fome years at Maldonada, and was a perfect mafter of both languages. By his affiftance I was able to hold a conversa tion with those who came to vifit me; but this confifted only of their queftions and my anfwers.

The dispatch came from court about the time we expected. It contained a warrant for conducting me and my retinue to Traldragdub, or Trildrogdrib, for it is pronounced both ways, as near as I can remember, by a party of ten. horfe

horfe. All my retinue was that poor lad for an interpreter, whom I perfuaded into my fervice and at my humble request we had each of us a mule to ride on. A meffenger was difpatched half a day's journey before us to give the King notice of my approach, and to defire that his Majesty would please to appoint a day and hour, when it would be his gracious pleasure that I might have the honour to lick the duft before his foot-ftool. his is the court ftyle, and I found it to be more than matter of form. For, upon my admittance, two days after my arrival, I was commanded to crawl upon my belly, and lick the floor as I advanced; but, on account of my being a ftranger, care was taken to have it made fo clean, that the duft was not offenfive. However, this was a peculiar grace, not allowed to any but perfons of the highest rank, when they defire an ad nittance. Nay, fometimes the floor is strewed with duft on purpose, when the person to be admitted happens to have powerful enemies at court. And I have feen a great lord with his mouth fo crammed, that, when he had crept to the proper distance from the throne, he was not able to speak a word. Neither is there any remedy; because it is capital for those who receive an audience, to fpit or wipe their mouths in his Majefty's prefence. There is indeed another custom which I cannot altogether approve of: When the King had a mind to put any of his nobles to death in a gentle, indulgent manner, he commands the floor to be ftrewed with a certain

brown

brown powder of a deadly compofition, which being licked up, infallibly kills him in twentyfour hours. But in juftice to this prince's great clemency, and the care he hath of his subjects lives (wherein it were much to be wifhed that - the monarchs of Europe would imitate him) it must be mentioned for his honour, that ftrict or ders are given to have the infected parts of the floor well wafhed after every fuch execution; which if his domeftics neglect, they are in danger of incurring his royal displeasure. I myself heard him give directions that one of his pages fhould be whipt, whofe turn it was to give notice about washing the floor after an execution, but maliciously had omitted it; by which neglect a young lord, of great hopes, coming to an audience, was unfortunately poifoned, although the King at that time had no design against his life. But this good prince was fo gracious, as to forgive the poor page his whipping, upon promife that he would do so no more without fpecial orders.

To return from this digreffion: When I had crept within four yards of the throne, I raised myself gently upon my knees, and then striking my forehead seven times against the ground, I pronounced the following words, as they had been taught me the night before, Ickpling gloffthrobb fqut ferumm blhiop mlafbnalt zwin tnodbalkuffh fhiophad gurdlubb afbt. This is the compliment established by the laws of the land for all perfons admitted to the King's prefence. It may be rendered into English thus: May your celestial Majefty