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_ CHAPTER XI
[The author leaves Luggnagg, 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 struldbrugs 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 has 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 struldbrugs; 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 inquiries. 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 license 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 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 point, where there is a
narrow strait leading northward into along arm of the sea, upon the
north-west part of which, Yedo, the metropolis, stands. At
landing, I showed 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 public 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, by 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." This interpreter was a person employed to transact
affairs with the Hollanders. He soon conjectured, by my
countenance, that I was a European, and therefore repeated his
majesty's commands in Low Dutch, which he spoke perfectly well. I
answered, as I had before determined, "that I was a Dutch merchant,
shipwrecked in a very remote country, whence I had travelled by sea
and land to Luggnagg, and then took shipping for Japan; where I
knew my countrymen often traded, and with some of these I hoped to
get an opportunity of returning into Europe: I therefore most
humbly entreated his royal favour, to give order that I should be
conducted in safety to Nangasac." To this I added another
petition, "that for 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.
______
PART III - A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, LUGGNAGG, GLUBBDUBDRIB, AND JAPAN - CHAPTER XI [Jonathan Swift's novel: Gulliver's Travels] _
Read next: PART IV - A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS: CHAPTER I
Read previous: PART III - A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, LUGGNAGG, GLUBBDUBDRIB, AND JAPAN: CHAPTER X
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