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.
