Turtle Reader

I confess, it was whispered to me, “that I was bound in duty,
as a subject of England, to have given in a memorial to a secretary
of state at my first coming over; because, whatever lands are discovered
by a subject belong to the crown.” But I doubt whether our
conquests in the countries I treat of would [...]

As soon as I entered the house, my wife took me in her arms, and kissed
me; at which, having not been used to the touch of that odious animal
for so many years, I fell into a swoon for almost an hour. At
the time I am writing, it is five years since my last return to [...]

Our voyage passed without any considerable accident. In gratitude
to the captain, I sometimes sat with him, at his earnest request, and
strove to conceal my antipathy against human kind, although it often
broke out; which he suffered to pass without observation. But
the greatest part of the day I confined myself to my cabin, to avoid
seeing any of [...]

I was at a loss what to do, for I durst not return to the same landing-place,
but stood to the north, and was forced to paddle, for the wind, though
very gentle, was against me, blowing north-west. As I was looking
about for a secure landing-place, I saw a sail to the north-north-east,
which appearing every minute more [...]

I paid my respects to the rest of the Houyhnhnms in his honour’s
company; then getting into my canoe, I pushed off from shore.

Chapter XI.

[The author’s dangerous voyage. He arrives at New Holland,
hoping to settle there. Is wounded with an arrow by one of the
natives. Is seized and carried by force into a Portuguese ship.
The great [...]

My master, in a few words, made me a very gracious reply; allowed me
the space of two months to finish my boat; and ordered the sorrel nag,
my fellow-servant (for so, at this distance, I may presume to call him),
to follow my instruction; because I told my master, “that his
help would be sufficient, and I knew [...]

When I thought of my family, my friends, my countrymen, or the human
race in general, I considered them, as they really were, Yahoos in
shape and disposition, perhaps a little more civilized, and qualified
with the gift of speech; but making no other use of reason, than to
improve and multiply those vices whereof their brethren in this [...]

I could, with great pleasure, enlarge further upon the manners and
virtues of this excellent people; but intending in a short time to publish
a volume by itself, expressly upon that subject, I refer the reader
thither; and, in the mean time, proceed to relate my own sad catastrophe.

Chapter X.

[The author’s economy, and happy life, among the Houyhnhnms.
His [...]

The Houyhnhnms have no letters, and consequently their knowledge
is all traditional. But there happening few events of any moment
among a people so well united, naturally disposed to every virtue, wholly
governed by reason, and cut off from all commerce with other nations,
the historical part is easily preserved without burdening their memories.
I have already observed that they [...]

Every fourth year, at the vernal equinox, there is a representative
council of the whole nation, which meets in a plain about twenty miles
from our house, and continues about five or six days. Here they
inquire into the state and condition of the several districts; whether
they abound or be deficient in hay or oats, or cows, or [...]