GULLIVER’S TRAVELS

into Several Remote Nations of the World

by Jonathan Swift

THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.

[As given in the original edition.]

The author of these Travels, Mr. Lemuel Gulliver, is my ancient

and intimate friend; there is likewise some relation between us

on the mother's side. About three years ago, Mr. Gulliver

growing weary of the concourse of curious people coming to him at

his house in Redriff, made a small purchase of land, with a

convenient house, near Newark, in Nottinghamshire, his native

country; where he now lives retired, yet in good esteem among his

neighbours.

Although Mr. Gulliver was born in Nottinghamshire, where his

father dwelt, yet I have heard him say his family came from

Oxfordshire; to confirm which, I have observed in the churchyard

at Banbury in that county, several tombs and monuments of the

Gullivers.

Before he quitted Redriff, he left the custody of the following

papers in my hands, with the liberty to dispose of them as I

should think fit. I have carefully perused them three times.

The style is very plain and simple; and the only fault I find is,

that the author, after the manner of travellers, is a little too

circumstantial. There is an air of truth apparent through the

whole; and indeed the author was so distinguished for his

veracity, that it became a sort of proverb among his neighbours

at Redriff, when any one affirmed a thing, to say, it was as true

as if Mr. Gulliver had spoken it.

By the advice of several worthy persons, to whom, with the

author's permission, I communicated these papers, I now venture

to send them into the world, hoping they may be, at least for

some time, a better entertainment to our young noblemen, than the

common scribbles of politics and party.

This volume would have been at least twice as large, if I had not

made bold to strike out innumerable passages relating to the

winds and tides, as well as to the variations and bearings in the

several voyages, together with the minute descriptions of the

management of the ship in storms, in the style of sailors;

likewise the account of longitudes and latitudes; wherein I have

reason to apprehend, that Mr. Gulliver may be a little

dissatisfied. But I was resolved to fit the work as much as

possible to the general capacity of readers. However, if my own

ignorance in sea affairs shall have led me to commit some

mistakes, I alone am answerable for them. And if any traveller

hath a curiosity to see the whole work at large, as it came from

the hands of the author, I will be ready to gratify him.

As for any further particulars relating to the author, the reader

will receive satisfaction from the first pages of the book.

RICHARD SYMPSON.

A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN GULLIVER TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON.

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1727.