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 dwelling1 on the same particulars, without deserving the censure2 of having borrowed or transcribed3 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 entirely4 a stranger to the language, that I was not qualified5 to make any inquiries6. But I hope the Dutch, upon this notice, will be curious and able enough to supply my defects.
His majesty7 having often pressed me to accept some employment in his court, and finding me absolutely determined8 to return to my native country, was pleased to give me his license9 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 vessel10 ready to carry me to Japan, and spent fifteen days in the voyage. We landed at a small port-town called Xamoschi, situated11 on the south-east part of Japan; the town lies on the western point, where there is a narrow strait leading northward12 into along arm of the sea, upon the north-west part of which, Yedo, the metropolis13, stands. At landing, I showed the custom-house officers my letter from the king of Luggnagg to his imperial majesty. They knew the seal perfectly14 well; it was as broad as the palm of my hand. The impression was, A KING LIFTING UP A LAME15 BEGGAR FROM THE EARTH. The magistrates16 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 transact17 affairs with the Hollanders. He soon conjectured18, by my countenance19, that I was a European, and therefore repeated his majesty’s commands in Low Dutch, which he spoke20 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 shipping21 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 humbly22 entreated23 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 condescend24 to excuse my performing the ceremony imposed on my countrymen, of trampling25 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 scruple26 in this point; and that he began to doubt, whether I was a real Hollander, or not; but rather suspected I must be a Christian27. However, for the reasons I had offered, but chiefly to gratify the king of Luggnagg by an uncommon28 mark of his favour, he would comply with the singularity of my humour; but the affair must be managed with dexterity29, 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 thither30, 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 stout31 ship of 450 tons. I had lived long in Holland, pursuing my studies at Leyden, and I spoke Dutch well. The seamen32 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 concealed33 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 contented34 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 evaded35 the question by general answers; “that I had satisfied the Emperor and court in all particulars.” However, a malicious36 rogue37 of a skipper went to an officer, and pointing to me, told him, “I had not yet trampled38 on the crucifix;” but the other, who had received instructions to let me pass, gave the rascal39 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 Cape40 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.
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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transcribed
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| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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10
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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12
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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13
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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18
conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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34
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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35
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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