the sake of my patron the king of Luggnagg, his majesty would
condescend to excuse my performing the ceremony imposed on
my countrymen, of trampling upon the crucifix: because I had
been thrown into his kingdom by my misfortunes, without any
intention of trading." When this latter petition was interpreted to
the Emperor, he seemed a little surprised; and said, "he believed I
was the first of my countrymen who ever made any scruple in this
point; and that he began to doubt, whether I was a real Hollander,
or not; but rather suspected I must be a Christian. However, for
the reasons I had offered, but chiefly to gratify the king of
Luggnagg by an uncommon mark of his favour, he would comply
with the singularity of my humour; but the affair must be managed
with dexterity, and his officers should be commanded to let me
pass, as it were by forgetfulness. For he assured me, that if the
secret should be discovered by my countrymen the Dutch, they
would cut my throat in the voyage." I returned my thanks, by the.
interpreter, for so unusual a favour; and some troops being at that
time on their march to Nangasac, the commanding officer had
orders to convey me safe thither, with particular instructions about
the business of the crucifix.
On the 9th day of June, 1709, I arrived at Nangasac, after a very
long and troublesome journey. I soon fell into the company of
some Dutch sailors belonging to the Amboyna, of Amsterdam, a
stout ship of 450 tons. I had lived long in Holland, pursuing my
studies at Leyden, and I spoke Dutch well. The seamen soon knew
whence I came last: they were curious to inquire into my voyages
and course of life. I made up a story as short and probable as I
could, but concealed the greatest part. I knew many persons in
Holland. I was able to invent names for my parents, whom I
pretended to be obscure people in the province of Gelderland. I
would have given the captain (one Theodorus Vangrult) what he
pleased to ask for my voyage to Holland; but understanding I was
a surgeon, he was contented to take half the usual rate, on
condition that I would serve him in the way of my calling. Before
we took shipping, I was often asked by some of the crew, whether
I had performed the ceremony above mentioned? I evaded the
question by general answers; "that I had satisfied the Emperor and
court in all particulars." However, a malicious rogue of a skipper
went to an officer, and pointing to me, told him, "I had not yet
trampled on the crucifix;" but the other, who had received
instructions to let me pass, gave the rascal twenty strokes on the
shoulders with a bamboo; after which I was no more troubled with
such questions..
Nothing happened worth mentioning in this voyage. We sailed
with a fair wind to the Cape of Good Hope, where we staid only to
take in fresh water. On the 10th of April, 1710, we arrived safe at
Amsterdam, having lost only three men by sickness in the voyage,
and a fourth, who fell from the foremast into the sea, not far from
the coast of Guinea. From Amsterdam I soon after set sail for
England, in a small vessel belonging to that city.
On the 16th of April we put in at the Downs. I landed next
morning, and saw once more my native country, after an absence
of five years and six months complete. I went straight to Redriff,
where I arrived the same day at two in the afternoon, and found
my wife and family in good health..
[The author sets out as captain of a ship. His men conspire against
him, confine him a long time to his cabin, and set him on shore in
an unknown land. He travels up into the country. The Yahoos, a
strange sort of animal, described. The author meets two
Houyhnhnms.]
I continued at home with my wife and children about five months,
in a very happy condition, if I could have learned the lesson of
knowing when I was well. I left my poor wife big with child, and
accepted an advantageous offer made me to be captain of the
Adventurer, a stout merchantman of 350 tons: for I understood
navigation well, and being grown weary of a surgeon's
employment at sea, which, however, I could exercise upon
occasion, I took a skilful young man of that calling, one Robert
Purefoy, into my ship. We set sail from Portsmouth upon the 7th
day of September, 1710; on the 14th we met with Captain Pocock,
of Bristol, at Teneriffe, who was going to the bay of Campechy to
cut logwood. On the 16th, he was parted from us by a storm; I
heard since my return, that his ship foundered, and none escaped
but one cabin boy. He was an honest man, and a good sailor, but a
little too positive in his own opinions, which was the cause of his.
destruction, as it has been with several others; for if he had
followed my advice, he might have been safe at home with his
family at this time, as well as myself.
I had several men who died in my ship of calentures, so that I was
forced to get recruits out of Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands,
where I touched, by the direction of the merchants who employed
me; which I had soon too much cause to repent: for I found
afterwards, that most of them had been buccaneers. I had fifty
hands onboard; and my orders were, that I should trade with the
Indians in the South-Sea, and make what discoveries I could.
These rogues, whom I had picked up, debauched my other men,
and they all formed a conspiracy to seize the ship, and secure me;
which they did one morning, rushing into my cabin, and binding
me hand and foot, threatening to throw me overboard, if I offered
to stir. I told them, "I was their prisoner, and would submit." This
they made me swear to do, and then they unbound me, only
fastening one of my legs with a chain, near my bed, and placed a
sentry at my door with his piece charged, who was commanded to
shoot me dead if I attempted my liberty. They sent me own
victuals and drink, and took the government of the ship to
themselves. Their design was to turn pirates and, plunder the
Spaniards, which they could not do till they got more men. But
first they resolved to sell the goods the ship, and then go to
Madagascar for recruits, several among them having died since
my confinement. They sailed many weeks, and traded with the
Indians; but I knew not what course they took, being kept a close
prisoner in my cabin, and expecting nothing less than to be
murdered, as they often threatened me..
Upon the 9th day of May, 1711, one James Welch came down to
my cabin, and said, "he had orders from the captain to set me
ashore." I expostulated with him, but in vain; neither would he so
much as tell me who their new captain was. They forced me into
the long-boat, letting me put on my best suit of clothes, which
were as good as new, and take a small bundle of linen, but no
arms, except my hanger; and they were so civil as not to search
my pockets, into which I conveyed what money I had, with some
other little necessaries. They rowed about a league, and then set
me down on a strand. I desired them to tell me what country it
was. They all swore, "they knew no more than myself;" but said,
"that the captain" (as they called him) "was resolved, after they
had sold the lading, to get rid of me in the first place where they
could discover land." They pushed off immediately, advising me
to make haste for fear of being overtaken by the tide, and so bade
me farewell.
In this desolate condition I advanced forward, and soon got upon
firm ground, where I sat down on a bank to rest myself, and
consider what I had best do. When I was a little refreshed, I went
up into the country, resolving to deliver myself to the first savages
I should meet, and purchase my life from them by some bracelets,
glass rings, and other toys, which sailors usually provide
themselves with in those voyages, and whereof I had some about
me. The land was divided by long rows of trees, not regularly
planted, but naturally growing; there was great plenty of grass,
and several fields of oats. I walked very circumspectly, for fear of
being surprised, or suddenly shot with an arrow from behind, or.
on either side. I fell into a beaten road, where I saw many tracts of
human feet, and some of cows, but most of horses. At last I beheld
several animals in a field, and one or two of the same kind sitting
in trees. Their shape was very singular and deformed, which a
little discomposed me, so that I lay down behind a thicket to
observe them better. Some of them coming forward near the place
where I lay, gave me an opportunity of distinctly marking their
form. Their heads and breasts were covered with a thick hair,
some frizzled, and others lank; they had beards like goats, and a
long ridge of hair down their backs, and the fore parts of their legs
and feet; but the rest of their bodies was bare, so that I might see
their skins, which were of a brown buff colour. They had no tails,
nor any hair at all on their buttocks, except about the anus, which,
I presume, nature had placed there to defend them as they sat on
the ground, for this posture they used, as well as lying down, and
often stood on their hind feet. They climbed high trees as nimbly
as a squirrel, for they had strong extended claws before and
behind, terminating in sharp points, and hooked. They would
often spring, and bound, and leap, with prodigious agility. The
females were not so large as the males; they had long lank hair on
their heads, but none on their faces, nor any thing more than a sort
of down on the rest of their bodies, except about the anus and
pudenda. The dugs hung between their fore feet, and often
reached almost to the ground as they walked. The hair of both
sexes was of several colours, brown, red, black, and yellow. Upon
the whole, I never beheld, in all my travels, so disagreeable an
animal, or one against which I naturally conceived so strong an
antipathy. So that, thinking I had seen enough, full of contempt
and aversion, I got up, and pursued the beaten road, hoping it.
might direct me to the cabin of some Indian. I had not got far,
when I met one of these creatures full in my way, and coming up
directly to me. The ugly monster, when he saw me, distorted
several ways, every feature of his visage, and stared, as at an
object he had never seen before; then approaching nearer, lifted up
his fore-paw, whether out of curiosity or mischief I could not tell;
but I drew my hanger, and gave him a good blow with the flat side
of it, for I durst not strike with the edge, fearing the inhabitants
might be provoked against me, if they should come to know that I
had killed or maimed any of their cattle. When the beast felt the
smart, he drew back, and roared so loud, that a herd of at least
forty came flocking about me from the next field, howling and
making odious faces; but I ran to the body of a tree, and leaning
my back against it, kept them off by waving my hanger. Several of
this cursed brood, getting hold of the branches behind, leaped up
into the tree, whence they began to discharge their excrements on
my head; however, I escaped pretty well by sticking close to the
stem of the tree, but was almost stifled with the filth, which fell
about me on every side.
In the midst of this distress, I observed them all to run away on a
sudden as fast as they could; at which I ventured to leave the tree
and pursue the road, wondering what it was that could put them
into this fright. But looking on my left hand, I saw a horse
walking softly in the field; which my persecutors having sooner
discovered, was the cause of their flight. The horse started a little,
when he came near me, but soon recovering himself, looked full
in my face with manifest tokens of wonder; he viewed my hands
and feet, walking round me several times. I would have pursued.
my journey, but he placed himself directly in the way, yet looking
with a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence. We
stood gazing at each other for some time; at last I took the
boldness to reach my hand towards his neck with a design to
stroke it, using the common style and whistle of jockeys, when
they are going to handle a strange horse. But this animal seemed
to receive my civilities with disdain, shook his head, and bent his
brows, softly raising up his right fore-foot to remove my hand.
Then he neighed three or four times, but in so different a cadence,
that I almost began to think he was speaking to himself, in some
language of his own.
While he and I were thus employed, another horse came up; who
applying himself to the first in a very formal manner, they gently
struck each other's right hoof before, neighing several times by
turns, and varying the sound, which seemed to be almost
articulate. They went some paces off, as if it were to confer
together, walking side by side, backward and forward, like
persons deliberating upon some affair of weight, but often turning
their eyes towards me, as it were to watch that I might not escape.
I was amazed to see such actions and behaviour in brute beasts;
and concluded with myself, that if the inhabitants of this country
were endued with a proportionable degree of reason, they must
needs be the wisest people upon earth. This thought gave me so
much comfort, that I resolved to go forward, until I could discover
some house or village, or meet with any of the natives, leaving the
two horses to discourse together as they pleased. But the first,
who was a dapple gray, observing me to steal off, neighed after
me in so expressive a tone, that I fancied myself to understand.
what he meant; whereupon I turned back, and came near to him to
expect his farther commands: but concealing my fear as much as I
could, for I began to be in some pain how this adventure might
terminate; and the reader will easily believe I did not much like
my present situation.
The two horses came up close to me, looking with great
earnestness upon my face and hands. The gray steed rubbed my
hat all round with his right fore-hoof, and discomposed it so much
that I was forced to adjust it better by taking it off and settling it
again; whereat, both he and his companion (who was a brown
bay) appeared to be much surprised: the latter felt the lappet of my
coat, and finding it to hang loose about me, they both looked with
new signs of wonder. He stroked my right hand, seeming to
admire the softness and colour; but he squeezed it so hard
between his hoof and his pastern, that I was forced to roar; after
which they both touched me with all possible tenderness. They
were under great perplexity about my shoes and stockings, which
they felt very often, neighing to each other, and using various
gestures, not unlike those of a philosopher, when he would
attempt to solve some new and difficult phenomenon.
Upon the whole, the behaviour of these animals was so orderly
and rational, so acute and judicious, that I at last concluded they
must needs be magicians, who had thus metamorphosed
themselves upon some design, and seeing a stranger in the way,
resolved to divert themselves with him; or, perhaps, were really
amazed at the sight of a man so very different in habit, feature,
and complexion, from those who might probably live in so remote.
a climate. Upon the strength of this reasoning, I ventured to
address them in the following manner: "Gentlemen, if you be
conjurers, as I have good cause to believe, you can understand my
language; therefore I make bold to let your worships know that I
am a poor distressed Englishman, driven by his misfortunes upon
your coast; and I entreat one of you to let me ride upon his back,
as if he were a real horse, to some house or village where I can be
relieved. In return of which favour, I will make you a present of
this knife and bracelet," taking them out of my pocket. The two
creatures stood silent while I spoke, seeming to listen with great
attention, and when I had ended, they neighed frequently towards
each other, as if they were engaged in serious conversation. I
plainly observed that their language expressed the passions very
well, and the words might, with little pains, be resolved into an
alphabet more easily than the Chinese.
I could frequently distinguish the word YAHOO, which was
repeated by each of them several times: and although it was
impossible for me to conjecture what it meant, yet while the two
horses were busy in conversation, I endeavoured to practise this
word upon my tongue; and as soon as they were silent, I boldly
pronounced YAHOO in a loud voice, imitating at the same time,
as near as I could, the neighing of a horse; at which they were both
visibly surprised; and the gray repeated the same word twice, as if
he meant to teach me the right accent; wherein I spoke after him
as well as I could, and found myself perceivably to improve every
time, though very far from any degree of perfection. Then the bay
tried me with a second word, much harder to be pronounced; but
reducing it to the English orthography, may be spelt thus,.
HOUYHNHNM. I did not succeed in this so well as in the former;
but after two or three farther trials, I had better fortune; and they
both appeared amazed at my capacity.
After some further discourse, which I then conjectured might
relate to me, the two friends took their leaves, with the same
compliment of striking each other's hoof; and the gray made me
signs that I should walk before him; wherein I thought it prudent
to comply, till I could find a better director. When I offered to
slacken my pace, he would cry HHUUN HHUUN: I guessed his
meaning, and gave him to understand, as well as I could, "that I
was weary, and not able to walk faster;" upon which he would
stand awhile to let me rest..
[The author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his house. The house
described. The author's reception. The food of the Houyhnhnms.
The author in distress for want of meat. Is at last relieved. His
manner of feeding in this country.]
Having travelled about three miles, we came to a long kind of
building, made of timber stuck in the ground, and wattled across;
the roof was low and covered with straw. I now began to be a little
comforted; and took out some toys, which travellers usually carry
for presents to the savage Indians of America, and other parts, in
hopes the people of the house would be thereby encouraged to
receive me kindly. The horse made me a sign to go in first; it was
a large room with a smooth clay floor, and a rack and manger,
extending the whole length on one side. There were three nags
and two mares, not eating, but some of them sitting down upon
their hams, which I very much wondered at; but wondered more
to see the rest employed in domestic business; these seemed but
ordinary cattle. However, this confirmed my first opinion, that a
people who could so far civilise brute animals, must needs excel
in wisdom all the nations of the world..
The gray came in just after, and thereby prevented any ill
treatment which the others might have given me. He neighed to
them several times in a style of authority, and received answers.
Beyond this room there were three others, reaching the length of
the house, to which you passed through three doors, opposite to
each other, in the manner of a vista. We went through the second
room towards the third. Here the gray walked in first, beckoning
me to attend: I waited in the second room, and got ready my
presents for the master and mistress of the house; they were two
knives, three bracelets of false pearls, a small looking-glass, and a
bead necklace. The horse neighed three or four times, and I waited
to hear some answers in a human voice, but I heard no other
returns than in the same dialect, only one or two a little shriller
than his. I began to think that this house must belong to some
person of great note among them, because there appeared so much
ceremony before I could gain admittance. But, that a man of
quality should be served all by horses, was beyond my
comprehension. I feared my brain was disturbed by my sufferings
and misfortunes. I roused myself, and looked about me in the
room where I was left alone: this was furnished like the first, only
after a more elegant manner. I rubbed my eyes often, but the same
objects still occurred. I pinched my arms and sides to awake
myself, hoping I might be in a dream. I then absolutely concluded,
that all these appearances could be nothing else but necromancy
and magic. But I had no time to pursue these reflections; for the
gray horse came to the door, and made me a sign to follow him.
into the third room where I saw a very comely mare, together with
a colt and foal, sitting on their haunches upon mats of straw, not
unartfully made, and perfectly neat and clean.
The mare soon after my entrance rose from her mat, and coming
up close, after having nicely observed my hands and face, gave
me a most contemptuous look; and turning to the horse, I heard
the word YAHOO often repeated betwixt them; the meaning of
which word I could not then comprehend, although it was the first
I had learned to pronounce. But I was soon better informed, to my
everlasting mortification; for the horse, beckoning to me with his
head, and repeating the HHUUN, HHUUN, as he did upon the
road, which I understood was to attend him, led me out into a kind
of court, where was another building, at some distance from the
house. Here we entered, and I saw three of those detestable
creatures, which I first met after my landing, feeding upon roots,
and the flesh of some animals, which I afterwards found to be that
of asses and dogs, and now and then a cow, dead by accident or
disease. They were all tied by the neck with strong withes
fastened to a beam; they held their food between the claws of their
fore feet, and tore it with their teeth.
The master horse ordered a sorrel nag, one of his servants, to untie
the largest of these animals, and take him into the yard. The beast
and I were brought close together, and by our countenances
diligently compared both by master and servant, who thereupon
repeated several times the word YAHOO. My horror and
astonishment are not to be described, when I observed in this
abominable animal, a perfect human figure: the face of it indeed.
was flat and broad, the nose depressed, the lips large, and the
mouth wide; but these differences are common to all savage
nations, where the lineaments of the countenance are distorted, by
the natives suffering their infants to lie grovelling on the earth, or
by carrying them on their backs, nuzzling with their face against
the mothers' shoulders. The fore-feet of the YAHOO differed from
my hands in nothing else but the length of the nails, the coarseness
and brownness of the palms, and the hairiness on the backs. There
was the same resemblance between our feet, with the same
differences; which I knew very well, though the horses did not,
because of my shoes and stockings; the same in every part of our
bodies except as to hairiness and colour, which I have already
described.
The great difficulty that seemed to stick with the two horses, was
to see the rest of my body so very different from that of a
YAHOO, for which I was obliged to my clothes, whereof they had
no conception. The sorrel nag offered me a root, which he held
(after their manner, as we shall describe in its proper place)
between his hoof and pastern; I took it in my hand, and, having
smelt it, returned it to him again as civilly as I could. He brought
out of the YAHOOS' kennel a piece of ass's flesh; but it smelt so
offensively that I turned from it with loathing: he then threw it to
the YAHOO, by whom it was greedily devoured. He afterwards
showed me a wisp of hay, and a fetlock full of oats; but I shook
my head, to signify that neither of these were food for me. And
indeed I now apprehended that I must absolutely starve, if I did
not get to some of my own species; for as to those filthy
YAHOOS, although there were few greater lovers of mankind at.
that time than myself, yet I confess I never saw any sensitive
being so detestable on all accounts; and the more I came near
them the more hateful they grew, while I stayed in that country.
This the master horse observed by my behaviour, and therefore
sent the YAHOO back to his kennel. He then put his fore-hoof to
his mouth, at which I was much surprised, although he did it with
ease, and with a motion that appeared perfectly natural, and made
other signs, to know what I would eat; but I could not return him
such an answer as he was able to apprehend; and if he had
understood me, I did not see how it was possible to contrive any
way for finding myself nourishment. While we were thus
engaged, I observed a cow passing by, whereupon I pointed to her,
and expressed a desire to go and milk her. This had its effect; for
he led me back into the house, and ordered a mare-servant to open
a room, where a good store of milk lay in earthen and wooden
vessels, after a very orderly and cleanly manner. She gave me a
large bowlful, of which I drank very heartily, and found myself
well refreshed.
About noon, I saw coming towards the house a kind of vehicle
drawn like a sledge by four YAHOOS. There was in it an old
steed, who seemed to be of quality; he alighted with his hind-feet
forward, having by accident got a hurt in his left fore-foot. He
came to dine with our horse, who received him with great civility.
They dined in the best room, and had oats boiled in milk for the
second course, which the old horse ate warm, but the rest cold.
Their mangers were placed circular in the middle of the room, and
divided into several partitions, round which they sat on their
haunches, upon bosses of straw. In the middle was a large rack,.
with angles answering to every partition of the manger; so that
each horse and mare ate their own hay, and their own mash of oats
and milk, with much decency and regularity. The behaviour of the
young colt and foal appeared very modest, and that of the master
and mistress extremely cheerful and complaisant to their guest.
The gray ordered me to stand by him; and much discourse passed
between him and his friend concerning me, as I found by the
stranger's often looking on me, and the frequent repetition of the
word YAHOO.
I happened to wear my gloves, which the master gray observing,
seemed perplexed, discovering signs of wonder what I had done
to my fore-feet. He put his hoof three or four times to them, as if
he would signify, that I should reduce them to their former shape,
which I presently did, pulling off both my gloves, and putting
them into my pocket. This occasioned farther talk; and I saw the
company was pleased with my behaviour, whereof I soon found
the good effects. I was ordered to speak the few words I
understood; and while they were at dinner, the master taught me
the names for oats, milk, fire, water, and some others, which I
could readily pronounce after him, having from my youth a great
facility in learning languages.
When dinner was done, the master horse took me aside, and by
signs and words made me understand the concern he was in that I
had nothing to eat. Oats in their tongue are called HLUNNH.
This word I pronounced two or three times; for although I had
refused them at first, yet, upon second thoughts, I considered that
I could contrive to make of them a kind of bread, which might be.
sufficient, with milk, to keep me alive, till I could make my
escape to some other country, and to creatures of my own species.
The horse immediately ordered a white mare servant of his family
to bring me a good quantity of oats in a sort of wooden tray. These
I heated before the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed them till the
husks came off, which I made a shift to winnow from the grain. I
ground and beat them between two stones; then took water, and
made them into a paste or cake, which I toasted at the fire and eat
warm with milk. It was at first a very insipid diet, though common
enough in many parts of Europe, but grew tolerable by time; and
having been often reduced to hard fare in my life, this was not the
first experiment I had made how easily nature is satisfied. And I
cannot but observe, that I never had one hours sickness while I
stayed in this island. It is true, I sometimes made a shift to catch a
rabbit, or bird, by springs made of YAHOO'S hairs; and I often
gathered wholesome herbs, which I boiled, and ate as salads with
my bread; and now and then, for a rarity, I made a little butter, and
drank the whey. I was at first at a great loss for salt, but custom
soon reconciled me to the want of it; and I am confident that the
frequent use of salt among us is an effect of luxury, and was first
introduced only as a provocative to drink, except where it is
necessary for preserving flesh in long voyages, or in places
remote from great markets; for we observe no animal to be fond
of it but man, and as to myself, when I left this country, it was a
great while before I could endure the taste of it in anything that I
ate..
This is enough to say upon the subject of my diet, wherewith other
travellers fill their books, as if the readers were personally
concerned whether we fare well or ill. However, it was necessary
to mention this matter, lest the world should think it impossible
that I could find sustenance for three years in such a country, and
among such inhabitants.
When it grew towards evening, the master horse ordered a place
for me to lodge in; it was but six yards from the house and
separated from the stable of the YAHOOS. Here I got some straw,
and covering myself with my own clothes, slept very sound. But I
was in a short time better accommodated, as the reader shall know
hereafter, when I come to treat more particularly about my way of
living..
[The author studies to learn the language. The Houyhnhnm, his
master, assists in teaching him. The language described. Several
Houyhnhnms of quality come out of curiosity to see the author.
He gives his master a short account of his voyage.]
My principal endeavour was to learn the language, which my
master (for so I shall henceforth call him), and his children, and
every servant of his house, were desirous to teach me; for they
looked upon it as a prodigy, that a brute animal should discover
such marks of a rational creature. I pointed to every thing, and
inquired the name of it, which I wrote down in my journal-book
when I was alone, and corrected my bad accent by desiring those
of the family to pronounce it often. In this employment, a sorrel
nag, one of the under-servants, was very ready to assist me.
In speaking, they pronounced through the nose and throat, and
their language approaches nearest to the High-Dutch, or German,
of any I know in Europe; but is much more graceful and
significant. The emperor Charles V. made almost the same
observation, when he said "that if he were to speak to his horse, it
should be in High-Dutch.".
The curiosity and impatience of my master were so great, that he
spent many hours of his leisure to instruct me. He was convinced
(as he afterwards told me) that I must be a YAHOO; but my
teachableness, civility, and cleanliness, astonished him; which
were qualities altogether opposite to those animals. He was most
perplexed about my clothes, reasoning sometimes with himself,
whether they were a part of my body: for I never pulled them off
till the family were asleep, and got them on before they waked in
the morning. My master was eager to learn "whence I came; how I
acquired those appearances of reason, which I discovered in all
my actions; and to know my story from my own mouth, which he
hoped he should soon do by the great proficiency I made in
learning and pronouncing their words and sentences." To help my
memory, I formed all I learned into the English alphabet, and writ
the words down, with the translations. This last, after some time, I
ventured to do in my master's presence. It cost me much trouble to
explain to him what I was doing; for the inhabitants have not the
least idea of books or literature.
In about ten weeks time, I was able to understand most of his
questions; and in three months, could give him some tolerable
answers. He was extremely curious to know "from what part of
the country I came, and how I was taught to imitate a rational
creature; because the YAHOOS (whom he saw I exactly
resembled in my head, hands, and face, that were only visible),
with some appearance of cunning, and the strongest disposition to
mischief, were observed to be the most unteachable of all brutes."
I answered, "that I came over the sea, from a far place, with many
others of my own kind, in a great hollow vessel made of the.
bodies of trees: that my companions forced me to land on this
coast, and then left me to shift for myself." It was with some
difficulty, and by the help of many signs, that I brought him to
understand me. He replied, "that I must needs be mistaken, or that
I said the thing which was not;" for they have no word in their
language to express lying or falsehood. "He knew it was
impossible that there could be a country beyond the sea, or that a
parcel of brutes could move a wooden vessel whither they pleased
upon water. He was sure no HOUYHNHNM alive could make
such a vessel, nor would trust YAHOOS to manage it."
The word HOUYHNHNM, in their tongue, signifies a HORSE,
and, in its etymology, the PERFECTION OF NATURE. I told my
master, "that I was at a loss for expression, but would improve as
fast as I could; and hoped, in a short time, I should be able to tell
him wonders." He was pleased to direct his own mare, his colt,
and foal, and the servants of the family, to take all opportunities of
instructing me; and every day, for two or three hours, he was at
the same pains himself. Several horses and mares of quality in the
neighbourhood came often to our house, upon the report spread of
"a wonderful YAHOO, that could speak like a HOUYHNHNM,
and seemed, in his words and actions, to discover some
glimmerings of reason." These delighted to converse with me:
they put many questions, and received such answers as I was able
to return. By all these advantages I made so great a progress, that,
in five months from my arrival I understood whatever was
spoken, and could express myself tolerably well..
The HOUYHNHNMS, who came to visit my master out of a
design of seeing and talking with me, could hardly believe me to
be a right YAHOO, because my body had a different covering
from others of my kind. They were astonished to observe me
without the usual hair or skin, except on my head, face, and hands;
but I discovered that secret to my master upon an accident which
happened about a fortnight before.
I have already told the reader, that every night, when the family
were gone to bed, it was my custom to strip, and cover myself
with my clothes. It happened, one morning early, that my master
sent for me by the sorrel nag, who was his valet. When he came I
was fast asleep, my clothes fallen off on one side, and my shirt
above my waist. I awaked at the noise he made, and observed him
to deliver his message in some disorder; after which he went to
my master, and in a great fright gave him a very confused account
of what he had seen. This I presently discovered, for, going as
soon as I was dressed to pay my attendance upon his honour, he
asked me "the meaning of what his servant had reported, that I
was not the same thing when I slept, as I appeared to be at other
times; that his vale assured him, some part of me was white, some
yellow, at least not so white, and some brown."
I had hitherto concealed the secret of my dress, in order to
distinguish myself, as much as possible, from that cursed race of
YAHOOS; but now I found it in vain to do so any longer. Besides,
I considered that my clothes and shoes would soon wear out,
which already were in a declining condition, and must be supplied
by some contrivance from the hides of YAHOOS, or other brutes;.
whereby the whole secret would be known. I therefore told my
master, "that in the country whence I came, those of my kind
always covered their bodies with the hairs of certain animals
prepared by art, as well for decency as to avoid the inclemencies
of air, both hot and cold; of which, as to my own person, I would
give him immediate conviction, if he pleased to command me:
only desiring his excuse, if I did not expose those parts that nature
taught us to conceal." He said, "my discourse was all very strange,
but especially the last part; for he could not understand, why
nature should teach us to conceal what nature had given; that
neither himself nor family were ashamed of any parts of their
bodies; but, however, I might do as I pleased." Whereupon I first
unbuttoned my coat, and pulled it off. I did the same with my
waistcoat. I drew off my shoes, stockings, and breeches. I let my
shirt down to my waist, and drew up the bottom; fastening it like a
girdle about my middle, to hide my nakedness.
My master observed the whole performance with great signs of
curiosity and admiration. He took up all my clothes in his pastern,
one piece after another, and examined them diligently; he then
stroked my body very gently, and looked round me several times;
after which, he said, it was plain I must be a perfect YAHOO; but
that I differed very much from the rest of my species in the
softness, whiteness, and smoothness of my skin; my want of hair
in several parts of my body; the shape and shortness of my claws
behind and before; and my affectation of walking continually on
my two hinder feet. He desired to see no more; and gave me leave
to put on my clothes again, for I was shuddering with cold..
I expressed my uneasiness at his giving me so often the
appellation of YAHOO, an odious animal, for which I had so utter
a hatred and contempt: I begged he would forbear applying that
word to me, and make the same order in his family and among his
friends whom he suffered to see me. I requested likewise, "that the
secret of my having a false covering to my body, might be known
to none but himself, at least as long as my present clothing should
last; for as to what the sorrel nag, his valet, had observed, his
honour might command him to conceal it."
All this my master very graciously consented to; and thus the
secret was kept till my clothes began to wear out, which I was
forced to supply by several contrivances that shall hereafter be
mentioned. In the meantime, he desired "I would go on with my
utmost diligence to learn their language, because he was more
astonished at my capacity for speech and reason, than at the figure
of my body, whether it were covered or not;" adding, "that he
waited with some impatience to hear the wonders which I
promised to tell him."
Thenceforward he doubled the pains he had been at to instruct me:
he brought me into all company, and made them treat me with
civility; "because," as he told them, privately, "this would put me
into good humour, and make me more diverting."
Every day, when I waited on him, beside the trouble he was at in
teaching, he would ask me several questions concerning myself,
which I answered as well as I could, and by these means he had
already received some general ideas, though very imperfect. It.
would be tedious to relate the several steps by which I advanced
to a more regular conversation; but the first account I gave of
myself in any order and length was to this purpose:
"That I came from a very far country, as I already had attempted to
tell him, with about fifty more of my own species; that we
travelled upon the seas in a great hollow vessel made of wood,
and larger than his honour's house. I described the ship to him in
the best terms I could, and explained, by the help of my
handkerchief displayed, how it was driven forward by the wind.
That upon a quarrel among us, I was set on shore on this coast,
where I walked forward, without knowing whither, till he
delivered me from the persecution of those execrable YAHOOS."
He asked me, "who made the ship, and how it was possible that
the HOUYHNHNMS of my country would leave it to the
management of brutes?" My answer was, "that I durst proceed no
further in my relation, unless he would give me his word and
honour that he would not be offended, and then I would tell him
the wonders I had so often promised." He agreed; and I went on
by assuring him, that the ship was made by creatures like myself;
who, in all the countries I had travelled, as well as in my own,
were the only governing rational animals; and that upon my
arrival hither, I was as much astonished to see the
HOUYHNHNMS act like rational beings, as he, or his friends,
could be, in finding some marks of reason in a creature he was
pleased to call a YAHOO; to which I owned my resemblance in
every part, but could not account for their degenerate and brutal
nature. I said farther, "that if good fortune ever restored me to my
native country, to relate my travels hither, as I resolved to do,.
everybody would believe, that I said the thing that was not, that I
invented the story out of my own head; and (with all possible
respect to himself, his family, and friends, and under his promise
of not being offended) our countrymen would hardly think it
probable that a HOUYHNHNM should be the presiding creature
of a nation, and a YAHOO the brute.".
[The Houyhnhnm's notion of truth and falsehood. The author's
discourse disapproved by his master. The author gives a more
particular account of himself, and the accidents of his voyage.]
My master heard me with great appearances of uneasiness in his
countenance; because doubting, or not believing, are so little
known in this country, that the inhabitants cannot tell how to
behave themselves under such circumstances. And I remember, in
frequent discourses with my master concerning the nature of
manhood in other parts of the world, having occasion to talk of
lying and false representation, it was with much difficulty that he
comprehended what I meant, although he had otherwise a most
acute judgment. For he argued thus: "that the use of speech was to
make us understand one another, and to receive information of
facts; now, if any one said the thing which was not, these ends
were defeated, because I cannot properly be said to understand
him; and I am so far from receiving information, that he leaves me
worse than in ignorance; for I am led to believe a thing black,
when it is white, and short, when it is long." And these were all
the notions he had concerning that faculty of lying, so perfectly
well understood, and so universally practised, among human
creatures..
To return from this digression. When I asserted that the YAHOOS
were the only governing animals in my country, which my master
said was altogether past his conception, he desired to know,
"whether we had HOUYHNHNMS among us, and what was their
employment?" I told him, "we had great numbers; that in summer
they grazed in the fields, and in winter were kept in houses with
hay and oats, where YAHOO servants were employed to rub their
skins smooth, comb their manes, pick their feet, serve them with
food, and make their beds." "I understand you well," said my
master: "it is now very plain, from all you have spoken, that
whatever share of reason the YAHOOS pretend to, the
HOUYHNHNMS are your masters; I heartily wish our YAHOOS
would be so tractable." I begged "his honour would please to
excuse me from proceeding any further, because I was very
certain that the account he expected from me would be highly
displeasing." But he insisted in commanding me to let him know
the best and the worst.
I told him "he should be obeyed." I owned "that the
HOUYHNHNMS among us, whom we called horses, were the
most generous and comely animals we had; that they excelled in
strength and swiftness; and when they belonged to persons of
quality, were employed in travelling, racing, or drawing chariots;
they were treated with much kindness and care, till they fell into
diseases, or became foundered in the feet; but then they were sold,
and used to all kind of drudgery till they died; after which their
skins were stripped, and sold for what they were worth, and their
bodies left to be devoured by dogs and birds of prey. But the
common race of horses had not so good fortune, being kept by.
farmers and carriers, and other mean people, who put them to
greater labour, and fed them worse." I described, as well as I
could, our way of riding; the shape and use of a bridle, a saddle, a
spur, and a whip; of harness and wheels. I added, "that we
fastened plates of a certain hard substance, called iron, at the
bottom of their feet, to preserve their hoofs from being broken by
the stony ways, on which we often travelled."
My master, after some expressions of great indignation, wondered
"how we dared to venture upon a HOUYHNHNM'S back; for he
was sure, that the weakest servant in his house would be able to
shake off the strongest YAHOO; or by lying down and rolling on
his back, squeeze the brute to death." I answered "that our horses
were trained up, from three or four years old, to the several uses
we intended them for; that if any of them proved intolerably
vicious, they were employed for carriages; that they were severely
beaten, while they were young, for any mischievous tricks; that
the males, designed for the common use of riding or draught, were
generally castrated about two years after their birth, to take down
their spirits, and make them more tame and gentle; that they were
indeed sensible of rewards and punishments; but his honour
would please to consider, that they had not the least tincture of
reason, any more than the YAHOOS in this country."
It put me to the pains of many circumlocutions, to give my master
a right idea of what I spoke; for their language does not abound in
variety of words, because their wants and passions are fewer than
among us. But it is impossible to express his noble resentment at
condescend to excuse my performing the ceremony imposed on
my countrymen, of trampling upon the crucifix: because I had
been thrown into his kingdom by my misfortunes, without any
intention of trading." When this latter petition was interpreted to
the Emperor, he seemed a little surprised; and said, "he believed I
was the first of my countrymen who ever made any scruple in this
point; and that he began to doubt, whether I was a real Hollander,
or not; but rather suspected I must be a Christian. However, for
the reasons I had offered, but chiefly to gratify the king of
Luggnagg by an uncommon mark of his favour, he would comply
with the singularity of my humour; but the affair must be managed
with dexterity, and his officers should be commanded to let me
pass, as it were by forgetfulness. For he assured me, that if the
secret should be discovered by my countrymen the Dutch, they
would cut my throat in the voyage." I returned my thanks, by the.
interpreter, for so unusual a favour; and some troops being at that
time on their march to Nangasac, the commanding officer had
orders to convey me safe thither, with particular instructions about
the business of the crucifix.
On the 9th day of June, 1709, I arrived at Nangasac, after a very
long and troublesome journey. I soon fell into the company of
some Dutch sailors belonging to the Amboyna, of Amsterdam, a
stout ship of 450 tons. I had lived long in Holland, pursuing my
studies at Leyden, and I spoke Dutch well. The seamen soon knew
whence I came last: they were curious to inquire into my voyages
and course of life. I made up a story as short and probable as I
could, but concealed the greatest part. I knew many persons in
Holland. I was able to invent names for my parents, whom I
pretended to be obscure people in the province of Gelderland. I
would have given the captain (one Theodorus Vangrult) what he
pleased to ask for my voyage to Holland; but understanding I was
a surgeon, he was contented to take half the usual rate, on
condition that I would serve him in the way of my calling. Before
we took shipping, I was often asked by some of the crew, whether
I had performed the ceremony above mentioned? I evaded the
question by general answers; "that I had satisfied the Emperor and
court in all particulars." However, a malicious rogue of a skipper
went to an officer, and pointing to me, told him, "I had not yet
trampled on the crucifix;" but the other, who had received
instructions to let me pass, gave the rascal twenty strokes on the
shoulders with a bamboo; after which I was no more troubled with
such questions..
Nothing happened worth mentioning in this voyage. We sailed
with a fair wind to the Cape of Good Hope, where we staid only to
take in fresh water. On the 10th of April, 1710, we arrived safe at
Amsterdam, having lost only three men by sickness in the voyage,
and a fourth, who fell from the foremast into the sea, not far from
the coast of Guinea. From Amsterdam I soon after set sail for
England, in a small vessel belonging to that city.
On the 16th of April we put in at the Downs. I landed next
morning, and saw once more my native country, after an absence
of five years and six months complete. I went straight to Redriff,
where I arrived the same day at two in the afternoon, and found
my wife and family in good health..
[The author sets out as captain of a ship. His men conspire against
him, confine him a long time to his cabin, and set him on shore in
an unknown land. He travels up into the country. The Yahoos, a
strange sort of animal, described. The author meets two
Houyhnhnms.]
I continued at home with my wife and children about five months,
in a very happy condition, if I could have learned the lesson of
knowing when I was well. I left my poor wife big with child, and
accepted an advantageous offer made me to be captain of the
Adventurer, a stout merchantman of 350 tons: for I understood
navigation well, and being grown weary of a surgeon's
employment at sea, which, however, I could exercise upon
occasion, I took a skilful young man of that calling, one Robert
Purefoy, into my ship. We set sail from Portsmouth upon the 7th
day of September, 1710; on the 14th we met with Captain Pocock,
of Bristol, at Teneriffe, who was going to the bay of Campechy to
cut logwood. On the 16th, he was parted from us by a storm; I
heard since my return, that his ship foundered, and none escaped
but one cabin boy. He was an honest man, and a good sailor, but a
little too positive in his own opinions, which was the cause of his.
destruction, as it has been with several others; for if he had
followed my advice, he might have been safe at home with his
family at this time, as well as myself.
I had several men who died in my ship of calentures, so that I was
forced to get recruits out of Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands,
where I touched, by the direction of the merchants who employed
me; which I had soon too much cause to repent: for I found
afterwards, that most of them had been buccaneers. I had fifty
hands onboard; and my orders were, that I should trade with the
Indians in the South-Sea, and make what discoveries I could.
These rogues, whom I had picked up, debauched my other men,
and they all formed a conspiracy to seize the ship, and secure me;
which they did one morning, rushing into my cabin, and binding
me hand and foot, threatening to throw me overboard, if I offered
to stir. I told them, "I was their prisoner, and would submit." This
they made me swear to do, and then they unbound me, only
fastening one of my legs with a chain, near my bed, and placed a
sentry at my door with his piece charged, who was commanded to
shoot me dead if I attempted my liberty. They sent me own
victuals and drink, and took the government of the ship to
themselves. Their design was to turn pirates and, plunder the
Spaniards, which they could not do till they got more men. But
first they resolved to sell the goods the ship, and then go to
Madagascar for recruits, several among them having died since
my confinement. They sailed many weeks, and traded with the
Indians; but I knew not what course they took, being kept a close
prisoner in my cabin, and expecting nothing less than to be
murdered, as they often threatened me..
Upon the 9th day of May, 1711, one James Welch came down to
my cabin, and said, "he had orders from the captain to set me
ashore." I expostulated with him, but in vain; neither would he so
much as tell me who their new captain was. They forced me into
the long-boat, letting me put on my best suit of clothes, which
were as good as new, and take a small bundle of linen, but no
arms, except my hanger; and they were so civil as not to search
my pockets, into which I conveyed what money I had, with some
other little necessaries. They rowed about a league, and then set
me down on a strand. I desired them to tell me what country it
was. They all swore, "they knew no more than myself;" but said,
"that the captain" (as they called him) "was resolved, after they
had sold the lading, to get rid of me in the first place where they
could discover land." They pushed off immediately, advising me
to make haste for fear of being overtaken by the tide, and so bade
me farewell.
In this desolate condition I advanced forward, and soon got upon
firm ground, where I sat down on a bank to rest myself, and
consider what I had best do. When I was a little refreshed, I went
up into the country, resolving to deliver myself to the first savages
I should meet, and purchase my life from them by some bracelets,
glass rings, and other toys, which sailors usually provide
themselves with in those voyages, and whereof I had some about
me. The land was divided by long rows of trees, not regularly
planted, but naturally growing; there was great plenty of grass,
and several fields of oats. I walked very circumspectly, for fear of
being surprised, or suddenly shot with an arrow from behind, or.
on either side. I fell into a beaten road, where I saw many tracts of
human feet, and some of cows, but most of horses. At last I beheld
several animals in a field, and one or two of the same kind sitting
in trees. Their shape was very singular and deformed, which a
little discomposed me, so that I lay down behind a thicket to
observe them better. Some of them coming forward near the place
where I lay, gave me an opportunity of distinctly marking their
form. Their heads and breasts were covered with a thick hair,
some frizzled, and others lank; they had beards like goats, and a
long ridge of hair down their backs, and the fore parts of their legs
and feet; but the rest of their bodies was bare, so that I might see
their skins, which were of a brown buff colour. They had no tails,
nor any hair at all on their buttocks, except about the anus, which,
I presume, nature had placed there to defend them as they sat on
the ground, for this posture they used, as well as lying down, and
often stood on their hind feet. They climbed high trees as nimbly
as a squirrel, for they had strong extended claws before and
behind, terminating in sharp points, and hooked. They would
often spring, and bound, and leap, with prodigious agility. The
females were not so large as the males; they had long lank hair on
their heads, but none on their faces, nor any thing more than a sort
of down on the rest of their bodies, except about the anus and
pudenda. The dugs hung between their fore feet, and often
reached almost to the ground as they walked. The hair of both
sexes was of several colours, brown, red, black, and yellow. Upon
the whole, I never beheld, in all my travels, so disagreeable an
animal, or one against which I naturally conceived so strong an
antipathy. So that, thinking I had seen enough, full of contempt
and aversion, I got up, and pursued the beaten road, hoping it.
might direct me to the cabin of some Indian. I had not got far,
when I met one of these creatures full in my way, and coming up
directly to me. The ugly monster, when he saw me, distorted
several ways, every feature of his visage, and stared, as at an
object he had never seen before; then approaching nearer, lifted up
his fore-paw, whether out of curiosity or mischief I could not tell;
but I drew my hanger, and gave him a good blow with the flat side
of it, for I durst not strike with the edge, fearing the inhabitants
might be provoked against me, if they should come to know that I
had killed or maimed any of their cattle. When the beast felt the
smart, he drew back, and roared so loud, that a herd of at least
forty came flocking about me from the next field, howling and
making odious faces; but I ran to the body of a tree, and leaning
my back against it, kept them off by waving my hanger. Several of
this cursed brood, getting hold of the branches behind, leaped up
into the tree, whence they began to discharge their excrements on
my head; however, I escaped pretty well by sticking close to the
stem of the tree, but was almost stifled with the filth, which fell
about me on every side.
In the midst of this distress, I observed them all to run away on a
sudden as fast as they could; at which I ventured to leave the tree
and pursue the road, wondering what it was that could put them
into this fright. But looking on my left hand, I saw a horse
walking softly in the field; which my persecutors having sooner
discovered, was the cause of their flight. The horse started a little,
when he came near me, but soon recovering himself, looked full
in my face with manifest tokens of wonder; he viewed my hands
and feet, walking round me several times. I would have pursued.
my journey, but he placed himself directly in the way, yet looking
with a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence. We
stood gazing at each other for some time; at last I took the
boldness to reach my hand towards his neck with a design to
stroke it, using the common style and whistle of jockeys, when
they are going to handle a strange horse. But this animal seemed
to receive my civilities with disdain, shook his head, and bent his
brows, softly raising up his right fore-foot to remove my hand.
Then he neighed three or four times, but in so different a cadence,
that I almost began to think he was speaking to himself, in some
language of his own.
While he and I were thus employed, another horse came up; who
applying himself to the first in a very formal manner, they gently
struck each other's right hoof before, neighing several times by
turns, and varying the sound, which seemed to be almost
articulate. They went some paces off, as if it were to confer
together, walking side by side, backward and forward, like
persons deliberating upon some affair of weight, but often turning
their eyes towards me, as it were to watch that I might not escape.
I was amazed to see such actions and behaviour in brute beasts;
and concluded with myself, that if the inhabitants of this country
were endued with a proportionable degree of reason, they must
needs be the wisest people upon earth. This thought gave me so
much comfort, that I resolved to go forward, until I could discover
some house or village, or meet with any of the natives, leaving the
two horses to discourse together as they pleased. But the first,
who was a dapple gray, observing me to steal off, neighed after
me in so expressive a tone, that I fancied myself to understand.
what he meant; whereupon I turned back, and came near to him to
expect his farther commands: but concealing my fear as much as I
could, for I began to be in some pain how this adventure might
terminate; and the reader will easily believe I did not much like
my present situation.
The two horses came up close to me, looking with great
earnestness upon my face and hands. The gray steed rubbed my
hat all round with his right fore-hoof, and discomposed it so much
that I was forced to adjust it better by taking it off and settling it
again; whereat, both he and his companion (who was a brown
bay) appeared to be much surprised: the latter felt the lappet of my
coat, and finding it to hang loose about me, they both looked with
new signs of wonder. He stroked my right hand, seeming to
admire the softness and colour; but he squeezed it so hard
between his hoof and his pastern, that I was forced to roar; after
which they both touched me with all possible tenderness. They
were under great perplexity about my shoes and stockings, which
they felt very often, neighing to each other, and using various
gestures, not unlike those of a philosopher, when he would
attempt to solve some new and difficult phenomenon.
Upon the whole, the behaviour of these animals was so orderly
and rational, so acute and judicious, that I at last concluded they
must needs be magicians, who had thus metamorphosed
themselves upon some design, and seeing a stranger in the way,
resolved to divert themselves with him; or, perhaps, were really
amazed at the sight of a man so very different in habit, feature,
and complexion, from those who might probably live in so remote.
a climate. Upon the strength of this reasoning, I ventured to
address them in the following manner: "Gentlemen, if you be
conjurers, as I have good cause to believe, you can understand my
language; therefore I make bold to let your worships know that I
am a poor distressed Englishman, driven by his misfortunes upon
your coast; and I entreat one of you to let me ride upon his back,
as if he were a real horse, to some house or village where I can be
relieved. In return of which favour, I will make you a present of
this knife and bracelet," taking them out of my pocket. The two
creatures stood silent while I spoke, seeming to listen with great
attention, and when I had ended, they neighed frequently towards
each other, as if they were engaged in serious conversation. I
plainly observed that their language expressed the passions very
well, and the words might, with little pains, be resolved into an
alphabet more easily than the Chinese.
I could frequently distinguish the word YAHOO, which was
repeated by each of them several times: and although it was
impossible for me to conjecture what it meant, yet while the two
horses were busy in conversation, I endeavoured to practise this
word upon my tongue; and as soon as they were silent, I boldly
pronounced YAHOO in a loud voice, imitating at the same time,
as near as I could, the neighing of a horse; at which they were both
visibly surprised; and the gray repeated the same word twice, as if
he meant to teach me the right accent; wherein I spoke after him
as well as I could, and found myself perceivably to improve every
time, though very far from any degree of perfection. Then the bay
tried me with a second word, much harder to be pronounced; but
reducing it to the English orthography, may be spelt thus,.
HOUYHNHNM. I did not succeed in this so well as in the former;
but after two or three farther trials, I had better fortune; and they
both appeared amazed at my capacity.
After some further discourse, which I then conjectured might
relate to me, the two friends took their leaves, with the same
compliment of striking each other's hoof; and the gray made me
signs that I should walk before him; wherein I thought it prudent
to comply, till I could find a better director. When I offered to
slacken my pace, he would cry HHUUN HHUUN: I guessed his
meaning, and gave him to understand, as well as I could, "that I
was weary, and not able to walk faster;" upon which he would
stand awhile to let me rest..
[The author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his house. The house
described. The author's reception. The food of the Houyhnhnms.
The author in distress for want of meat. Is at last relieved. His
manner of feeding in this country.]
Having travelled about three miles, we came to a long kind of
building, made of timber stuck in the ground, and wattled across;
the roof was low and covered with straw. I now began to be a little
comforted; and took out some toys, which travellers usually carry
for presents to the savage Indians of America, and other parts, in
hopes the people of the house would be thereby encouraged to
receive me kindly. The horse made me a sign to go in first; it was
a large room with a smooth clay floor, and a rack and manger,
extending the whole length on one side. There were three nags
and two mares, not eating, but some of them sitting down upon
their hams, which I very much wondered at; but wondered more
to see the rest employed in domestic business; these seemed but
ordinary cattle. However, this confirmed my first opinion, that a
people who could so far civilise brute animals, must needs excel
in wisdom all the nations of the world..
The gray came in just after, and thereby prevented any ill
treatment which the others might have given me. He neighed to
them several times in a style of authority, and received answers.
Beyond this room there were three others, reaching the length of
the house, to which you passed through three doors, opposite to
each other, in the manner of a vista. We went through the second
room towards the third. Here the gray walked in first, beckoning
me to attend: I waited in the second room, and got ready my
presents for the master and mistress of the house; they were two
knives, three bracelets of false pearls, a small looking-glass, and a
bead necklace. The horse neighed three or four times, and I waited
to hear some answers in a human voice, but I heard no other
returns than in the same dialect, only one or two a little shriller
than his. I began to think that this house must belong to some
person of great note among them, because there appeared so much
ceremony before I could gain admittance. But, that a man of
quality should be served all by horses, was beyond my
comprehension. I feared my brain was disturbed by my sufferings
and misfortunes. I roused myself, and looked about me in the
room where I was left alone: this was furnished like the first, only
after a more elegant manner. I rubbed my eyes often, but the same
objects still occurred. I pinched my arms and sides to awake
myself, hoping I might be in a dream. I then absolutely concluded,
that all these appearances could be nothing else but necromancy
and magic. But I had no time to pursue these reflections; for the
gray horse came to the door, and made me a sign to follow him.
into the third room where I saw a very comely mare, together with
a colt and foal, sitting on their haunches upon mats of straw, not
unartfully made, and perfectly neat and clean.
The mare soon after my entrance rose from her mat, and coming
up close, after having nicely observed my hands and face, gave
me a most contemptuous look; and turning to the horse, I heard
the word YAHOO often repeated betwixt them; the meaning of
which word I could not then comprehend, although it was the first
I had learned to pronounce. But I was soon better informed, to my
everlasting mortification; for the horse, beckoning to me with his
head, and repeating the HHUUN, HHUUN, as he did upon the
road, which I understood was to attend him, led me out into a kind
of court, where was another building, at some distance from the
house. Here we entered, and I saw three of those detestable
creatures, which I first met after my landing, feeding upon roots,
and the flesh of some animals, which I afterwards found to be that
of asses and dogs, and now and then a cow, dead by accident or
disease. They were all tied by the neck with strong withes
fastened to a beam; they held their food between the claws of their
fore feet, and tore it with their teeth.
The master horse ordered a sorrel nag, one of his servants, to untie
the largest of these animals, and take him into the yard. The beast
and I were brought close together, and by our countenances
diligently compared both by master and servant, who thereupon
repeated several times the word YAHOO. My horror and
astonishment are not to be described, when I observed in this
abominable animal, a perfect human figure: the face of it indeed.
was flat and broad, the nose depressed, the lips large, and the
mouth wide; but these differences are common to all savage
nations, where the lineaments of the countenance are distorted, by
the natives suffering their infants to lie grovelling on the earth, or
by carrying them on their backs, nuzzling with their face against
the mothers' shoulders. The fore-feet of the YAHOO differed from
my hands in nothing else but the length of the nails, the coarseness
and brownness of the palms, and the hairiness on the backs. There
was the same resemblance between our feet, with the same
differences; which I knew very well, though the horses did not,
because of my shoes and stockings; the same in every part of our
bodies except as to hairiness and colour, which I have already
described.
The great difficulty that seemed to stick with the two horses, was
to see the rest of my body so very different from that of a
YAHOO, for which I was obliged to my clothes, whereof they had
no conception. The sorrel nag offered me a root, which he held
(after their manner, as we shall describe in its proper place)
between his hoof and pastern; I took it in my hand, and, having
smelt it, returned it to him again as civilly as I could. He brought
out of the YAHOOS' kennel a piece of ass's flesh; but it smelt so
offensively that I turned from it with loathing: he then threw it to
the YAHOO, by whom it was greedily devoured. He afterwards
showed me a wisp of hay, and a fetlock full of oats; but I shook
my head, to signify that neither of these were food for me. And
indeed I now apprehended that I must absolutely starve, if I did
not get to some of my own species; for as to those filthy
YAHOOS, although there were few greater lovers of mankind at.
that time than myself, yet I confess I never saw any sensitive
being so detestable on all accounts; and the more I came near
them the more hateful they grew, while I stayed in that country.
This the master horse observed by my behaviour, and therefore
sent the YAHOO back to his kennel. He then put his fore-hoof to
his mouth, at which I was much surprised, although he did it with
ease, and with a motion that appeared perfectly natural, and made
other signs, to know what I would eat; but I could not return him
such an answer as he was able to apprehend; and if he had
understood me, I did not see how it was possible to contrive any
way for finding myself nourishment. While we were thus
engaged, I observed a cow passing by, whereupon I pointed to her,
and expressed a desire to go and milk her. This had its effect; for
he led me back into the house, and ordered a mare-servant to open
a room, where a good store of milk lay in earthen and wooden
vessels, after a very orderly and cleanly manner. She gave me a
large bowlful, of which I drank very heartily, and found myself
well refreshed.
About noon, I saw coming towards the house a kind of vehicle
drawn like a sledge by four YAHOOS. There was in it an old
steed, who seemed to be of quality; he alighted with his hind-feet
forward, having by accident got a hurt in his left fore-foot. He
came to dine with our horse, who received him with great civility.
They dined in the best room, and had oats boiled in milk for the
second course, which the old horse ate warm, but the rest cold.
Their mangers were placed circular in the middle of the room, and
divided into several partitions, round which they sat on their
haunches, upon bosses of straw. In the middle was a large rack,.
with angles answering to every partition of the manger; so that
each horse and mare ate their own hay, and their own mash of oats
and milk, with much decency and regularity. The behaviour of the
young colt and foal appeared very modest, and that of the master
and mistress extremely cheerful and complaisant to their guest.
The gray ordered me to stand by him; and much discourse passed
between him and his friend concerning me, as I found by the
stranger's often looking on me, and the frequent repetition of the
word YAHOO.
I happened to wear my gloves, which the master gray observing,
seemed perplexed, discovering signs of wonder what I had done
to my fore-feet. He put his hoof three or four times to them, as if
he would signify, that I should reduce them to their former shape,
which I presently did, pulling off both my gloves, and putting
them into my pocket. This occasioned farther talk; and I saw the
company was pleased with my behaviour, whereof I soon found
the good effects. I was ordered to speak the few words I
understood; and while they were at dinner, the master taught me
the names for oats, milk, fire, water, and some others, which I
could readily pronounce after him, having from my youth a great
facility in learning languages.
When dinner was done, the master horse took me aside, and by
signs and words made me understand the concern he was in that I
had nothing to eat. Oats in their tongue are called HLUNNH.
This word I pronounced two or three times; for although I had
refused them at first, yet, upon second thoughts, I considered that
I could contrive to make of them a kind of bread, which might be.
sufficient, with milk, to keep me alive, till I could make my
escape to some other country, and to creatures of my own species.
The horse immediately ordered a white mare servant of his family
to bring me a good quantity of oats in a sort of wooden tray. These
I heated before the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed them till the
husks came off, which I made a shift to winnow from the grain. I
ground and beat them between two stones; then took water, and
made them into a paste or cake, which I toasted at the fire and eat
warm with milk. It was at first a very insipid diet, though common
enough in many parts of Europe, but grew tolerable by time; and
having been often reduced to hard fare in my life, this was not the
first experiment I had made how easily nature is satisfied. And I
cannot but observe, that I never had one hours sickness while I
stayed in this island. It is true, I sometimes made a shift to catch a
rabbit, or bird, by springs made of YAHOO'S hairs; and I often
gathered wholesome herbs, which I boiled, and ate as salads with
my bread; and now and then, for a rarity, I made a little butter, and
drank the whey. I was at first at a great loss for salt, but custom
soon reconciled me to the want of it; and I am confident that the
frequent use of salt among us is an effect of luxury, and was first
introduced only as a provocative to drink, except where it is
necessary for preserving flesh in long voyages, or in places
remote from great markets; for we observe no animal to be fond
of it but man, and as to myself, when I left this country, it was a
great while before I could endure the taste of it in anything that I
ate..
This is enough to say upon the subject of my diet, wherewith other
travellers fill their books, as if the readers were personally
concerned whether we fare well or ill. However, it was necessary
to mention this matter, lest the world should think it impossible
that I could find sustenance for three years in such a country, and
among such inhabitants.
When it grew towards evening, the master horse ordered a place
for me to lodge in; it was but six yards from the house and
separated from the stable of the YAHOOS. Here I got some straw,
and covering myself with my own clothes, slept very sound. But I
was in a short time better accommodated, as the reader shall know
hereafter, when I come to treat more particularly about my way of
living..
[The author studies to learn the language. The Houyhnhnm, his
master, assists in teaching him. The language described. Several
Houyhnhnms of quality come out of curiosity to see the author.
He gives his master a short account of his voyage.]
My principal endeavour was to learn the language, which my
master (for so I shall henceforth call him), and his children, and
every servant of his house, were desirous to teach me; for they
looked upon it as a prodigy, that a brute animal should discover
such marks of a rational creature. I pointed to every thing, and
inquired the name of it, which I wrote down in my journal-book
when I was alone, and corrected my bad accent by desiring those
of the family to pronounce it often. In this employment, a sorrel
nag, one of the under-servants, was very ready to assist me.
In speaking, they pronounced through the nose and throat, and
their language approaches nearest to the High-Dutch, or German,
of any I know in Europe; but is much more graceful and
significant. The emperor Charles V. made almost the same
observation, when he said "that if he were to speak to his horse, it
should be in High-Dutch.".
The curiosity and impatience of my master were so great, that he
spent many hours of his leisure to instruct me. He was convinced
(as he afterwards told me) that I must be a YAHOO; but my
teachableness, civility, and cleanliness, astonished him; which
were qualities altogether opposite to those animals. He was most
perplexed about my clothes, reasoning sometimes with himself,
whether they were a part of my body: for I never pulled them off
till the family were asleep, and got them on before they waked in
the morning. My master was eager to learn "whence I came; how I
acquired those appearances of reason, which I discovered in all
my actions; and to know my story from my own mouth, which he
hoped he should soon do by the great proficiency I made in
learning and pronouncing their words and sentences." To help my
memory, I formed all I learned into the English alphabet, and writ
the words down, with the translations. This last, after some time, I
ventured to do in my master's presence. It cost me much trouble to
explain to him what I was doing; for the inhabitants have not the
least idea of books or literature.
In about ten weeks time, I was able to understand most of his
questions; and in three months, could give him some tolerable
answers. He was extremely curious to know "from what part of
the country I came, and how I was taught to imitate a rational
creature; because the YAHOOS (whom he saw I exactly
resembled in my head, hands, and face, that were only visible),
with some appearance of cunning, and the strongest disposition to
mischief, were observed to be the most unteachable of all brutes."
I answered, "that I came over the sea, from a far place, with many
others of my own kind, in a great hollow vessel made of the.
bodies of trees: that my companions forced me to land on this
coast, and then left me to shift for myself." It was with some
difficulty, and by the help of many signs, that I brought him to
understand me. He replied, "that I must needs be mistaken, or that
I said the thing which was not;" for they have no word in their
language to express lying or falsehood. "He knew it was
impossible that there could be a country beyond the sea, or that a
parcel of brutes could move a wooden vessel whither they pleased
upon water. He was sure no HOUYHNHNM alive could make
such a vessel, nor would trust YAHOOS to manage it."
The word HOUYHNHNM, in their tongue, signifies a HORSE,
and, in its etymology, the PERFECTION OF NATURE. I told my
master, "that I was at a loss for expression, but would improve as
fast as I could; and hoped, in a short time, I should be able to tell
him wonders." He was pleased to direct his own mare, his colt,
and foal, and the servants of the family, to take all opportunities of
instructing me; and every day, for two or three hours, he was at
the same pains himself. Several horses and mares of quality in the
neighbourhood came often to our house, upon the report spread of
"a wonderful YAHOO, that could speak like a HOUYHNHNM,
and seemed, in his words and actions, to discover some
glimmerings of reason." These delighted to converse with me:
they put many questions, and received such answers as I was able
to return. By all these advantages I made so great a progress, that,
in five months from my arrival I understood whatever was
spoken, and could express myself tolerably well..
The HOUYHNHNMS, who came to visit my master out of a
design of seeing and talking with me, could hardly believe me to
be a right YAHOO, because my body had a different covering
from others of my kind. They were astonished to observe me
without the usual hair or skin, except on my head, face, and hands;
but I discovered that secret to my master upon an accident which
happened about a fortnight before.
I have already told the reader, that every night, when the family
were gone to bed, it was my custom to strip, and cover myself
with my clothes. It happened, one morning early, that my master
sent for me by the sorrel nag, who was his valet. When he came I
was fast asleep, my clothes fallen off on one side, and my shirt
above my waist. I awaked at the noise he made, and observed him
to deliver his message in some disorder; after which he went to
my master, and in a great fright gave him a very confused account
of what he had seen. This I presently discovered, for, going as
soon as I was dressed to pay my attendance upon his honour, he
asked me "the meaning of what his servant had reported, that I
was not the same thing when I slept, as I appeared to be at other
times; that his vale assured him, some part of me was white, some
yellow, at least not so white, and some brown."
I had hitherto concealed the secret of my dress, in order to
distinguish myself, as much as possible, from that cursed race of
YAHOOS; but now I found it in vain to do so any longer. Besides,
I considered that my clothes and shoes would soon wear out,
which already were in a declining condition, and must be supplied
by some contrivance from the hides of YAHOOS, or other brutes;.
whereby the whole secret would be known. I therefore told my
master, "that in the country whence I came, those of my kind
always covered their bodies with the hairs of certain animals
prepared by art, as well for decency as to avoid the inclemencies
of air, both hot and cold; of which, as to my own person, I would
give him immediate conviction, if he pleased to command me:
only desiring his excuse, if I did not expose those parts that nature
taught us to conceal." He said, "my discourse was all very strange,
but especially the last part; for he could not understand, why
nature should teach us to conceal what nature had given; that
neither himself nor family were ashamed of any parts of their
bodies; but, however, I might do as I pleased." Whereupon I first
unbuttoned my coat, and pulled it off. I did the same with my
waistcoat. I drew off my shoes, stockings, and breeches. I let my
shirt down to my waist, and drew up the bottom; fastening it like a
girdle about my middle, to hide my nakedness.
My master observed the whole performance with great signs of
curiosity and admiration. He took up all my clothes in his pastern,
one piece after another, and examined them diligently; he then
stroked my body very gently, and looked round me several times;
after which, he said, it was plain I must be a perfect YAHOO; but
that I differed very much from the rest of my species in the
softness, whiteness, and smoothness of my skin; my want of hair
in several parts of my body; the shape and shortness of my claws
behind and before; and my affectation of walking continually on
my two hinder feet. He desired to see no more; and gave me leave
to put on my clothes again, for I was shuddering with cold..
I expressed my uneasiness at his giving me so often the
appellation of YAHOO, an odious animal, for which I had so utter
a hatred and contempt: I begged he would forbear applying that
word to me, and make the same order in his family and among his
friends whom he suffered to see me. I requested likewise, "that the
secret of my having a false covering to my body, might be known
to none but himself, at least as long as my present clothing should
last; for as to what the sorrel nag, his valet, had observed, his
honour might command him to conceal it."
All this my master very graciously consented to; and thus the
secret was kept till my clothes began to wear out, which I was
forced to supply by several contrivances that shall hereafter be
mentioned. In the meantime, he desired "I would go on with my
utmost diligence to learn their language, because he was more
astonished at my capacity for speech and reason, than at the figure
of my body, whether it were covered or not;" adding, "that he
waited with some impatience to hear the wonders which I
promised to tell him."
Thenceforward he doubled the pains he had been at to instruct me:
he brought me into all company, and made them treat me with
civility; "because," as he told them, privately, "this would put me
into good humour, and make me more diverting."
Every day, when I waited on him, beside the trouble he was at in
teaching, he would ask me several questions concerning myself,
which I answered as well as I could, and by these means he had
already received some general ideas, though very imperfect. It.
would be tedious to relate the several steps by which I advanced
to a more regular conversation; but the first account I gave of
myself in any order and length was to this purpose:
"That I came from a very far country, as I already had attempted to
tell him, with about fifty more of my own species; that we
travelled upon the seas in a great hollow vessel made of wood,
and larger than his honour's house. I described the ship to him in
the best terms I could, and explained, by the help of my
handkerchief displayed, how it was driven forward by the wind.
That upon a quarrel among us, I was set on shore on this coast,
where I walked forward, without knowing whither, till he
delivered me from the persecution of those execrable YAHOOS."
He asked me, "who made the ship, and how it was possible that
the HOUYHNHNMS of my country would leave it to the
management of brutes?" My answer was, "that I durst proceed no
further in my relation, unless he would give me his word and
honour that he would not be offended, and then I would tell him
the wonders I had so often promised." He agreed; and I went on
by assuring him, that the ship was made by creatures like myself;
who, in all the countries I had travelled, as well as in my own,
were the only governing rational animals; and that upon my
arrival hither, I was as much astonished to see the
HOUYHNHNMS act like rational beings, as he, or his friends,
could be, in finding some marks of reason in a creature he was
pleased to call a YAHOO; to which I owned my resemblance in
every part, but could not account for their degenerate and brutal
nature. I said farther, "that if good fortune ever restored me to my
native country, to relate my travels hither, as I resolved to do,.
everybody would believe, that I said the thing that was not, that I
invented the story out of my own head; and (with all possible
respect to himself, his family, and friends, and under his promise
of not being offended) our countrymen would hardly think it
probable that a HOUYHNHNM should be the presiding creature
of a nation, and a YAHOO the brute.".
[The Houyhnhnm's notion of truth and falsehood. The author's
discourse disapproved by his master. The author gives a more
particular account of himself, and the accidents of his voyage.]
My master heard me with great appearances of uneasiness in his
countenance; because doubting, or not believing, are so little
known in this country, that the inhabitants cannot tell how to
behave themselves under such circumstances. And I remember, in
frequent discourses with my master concerning the nature of
manhood in other parts of the world, having occasion to talk of
lying and false representation, it was with much difficulty that he
comprehended what I meant, although he had otherwise a most
acute judgment. For he argued thus: "that the use of speech was to
make us understand one another, and to receive information of
facts; now, if any one said the thing which was not, these ends
were defeated, because I cannot properly be said to understand
him; and I am so far from receiving information, that he leaves me
worse than in ignorance; for I am led to believe a thing black,
when it is white, and short, when it is long." And these were all
the notions he had concerning that faculty of lying, so perfectly
well understood, and so universally practised, among human
creatures..
To return from this digression. When I asserted that the YAHOOS
were the only governing animals in my country, which my master
said was altogether past his conception, he desired to know,
"whether we had HOUYHNHNMS among us, and what was their
employment?" I told him, "we had great numbers; that in summer
they grazed in the fields, and in winter were kept in houses with
hay and oats, where YAHOO servants were employed to rub their
skins smooth, comb their manes, pick their feet, serve them with
food, and make their beds." "I understand you well," said my
master: "it is now very plain, from all you have spoken, that
whatever share of reason the YAHOOS pretend to, the
HOUYHNHNMS are your masters; I heartily wish our YAHOOS
would be so tractable." I begged "his honour would please to
excuse me from proceeding any further, because I was very
certain that the account he expected from me would be highly
displeasing." But he insisted in commanding me to let him know
the best and the worst.
I told him "he should be obeyed." I owned "that the
HOUYHNHNMS among us, whom we called horses, were the
most generous and comely animals we had; that they excelled in
strength and swiftness; and when they belonged to persons of
quality, were employed in travelling, racing, or drawing chariots;
they were treated with much kindness and care, till they fell into
diseases, or became foundered in the feet; but then they were sold,
and used to all kind of drudgery till they died; after which their
skins were stripped, and sold for what they were worth, and their
bodies left to be devoured by dogs and birds of prey. But the
common race of horses had not so good fortune, being kept by.
farmers and carriers, and other mean people, who put them to
greater labour, and fed them worse." I described, as well as I
could, our way of riding; the shape and use of a bridle, a saddle, a
spur, and a whip; of harness and wheels. I added, "that we
fastened plates of a certain hard substance, called iron, at the
bottom of their feet, to preserve their hoofs from being broken by
the stony ways, on which we often travelled."
My master, after some expressions of great indignation, wondered
"how we dared to venture upon a HOUYHNHNM'S back; for he
was sure, that the weakest servant in his house would be able to
shake off the strongest YAHOO; or by lying down and rolling on
his back, squeeze the brute to death." I answered "that our horses
were trained up, from three or four years old, to the several uses
we intended them for; that if any of them proved intolerably
vicious, they were employed for carriages; that they were severely
beaten, while they were young, for any mischievous tricks; that
the males, designed for the common use of riding or draught, were
generally castrated about two years after their birth, to take down
their spirits, and make them more tame and gentle; that they were
indeed sensible of rewards and punishments; but his honour
would please to consider, that they had not the least tincture of
reason, any more than the YAHOOS in this country."
It put me to the pains of many circumlocutions, to give my master
a right idea of what I spoke; for their language does not abound in
variety of words, because their wants and passions are fewer than
among us. But it is impossible to express his noble resentment at