Ignatius Critical Editions: Gullivers Travels by Jonathan Swift

Author:Jonathan Swift [Swift, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spiritual & Religion
ISBN: 9781586173951
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Published: 2010-03-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The Author leaves Luggnugg and sails to Japan. From thence he returns in a Dutch Ship to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to England.

I thought this Account of the Struldbruggs might be some Entertainment to the Reader, because it seems to be a little out of the common Way; at least, I do not remember to have met the like in any Book of Travels that hath come to my Hands: And if I am deceived, my Excuse must be, that it is necessary for Travellers, who describe the same Country, very often to agree in dwelling on the same Particulars, without deserving the Censure of having borrowed or transcribed from those who wrote before them.

There is indeed a perpetual Commerce between this Kingdom and the great Empire of Japan; and it is very probable that the Japanese Authors may have given some Account of the Struldbruggs; but my Stay in Japan was so short, and I was so entirely a Stranger to the Language, that I was not qualified to make any Enquiries. But I hope the Dutch upon this Notice will be curious and able enough to supply my Defects.

His Majesty having often pressed me to accept some Employment in his Court, and finding me absolutely determined to return to my Native Country; was pleased to give me his Licence to depart; and honoured me with a Letter of Recommendation under his own Hand to the Emperor of Japan. He likewise presented me with four Hundred and forty-four large Pieces of Gold (this Nation delighting in even Numbers) and a red Diamond which I sold in England for Eleven Hundred Pounds.

On the 6th Day of May, 1709, I took a solemn Leave of his Majesty, and all my Friends. This Prince was so gracious as to order a Guard to conduct me to Glanguenstald, which is a Royal Port to the South-West Part of the Island. In six Days I found a Vessel ready to carry me to Japan; and spent fifteen Days in the Voyage. We landed at a small Port-Town called Xamoschi, situated on the South-East Part of Japan. The Town lies on the Western Part, where there is a narrow Streight, leading Northward into a long Arm of the Sea, upon the North-West Part of which, Yedo the Metropolis stands. At landing, I shewed the Custom-House Officers my Letter from the King of Luggnagg to his Imperial Majesty: They knew the Seal perfectly well; it was as broad as the Palm of my Hand. The Impression was, A King lifting up a lame Beggar from the Earth. The Magistrates of the Town hearing of my Letter, received me as a publick Minister; they provided me with Carriages and Servants, and bore my Charges to Yedo, where I was admitted to an Audience, and delivered my Letter; which was opened with great Ceremony, and explained to the Emperor by an Interpreter, who then gave me Notice of his Majesty’s Order, that I should signify my Request; and whatever it were, it should be granted for the sake of his Royal Brother of Luggnagg.

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