bling an human Creature; could fpeak feveral Words, and perform an hundred diverting Tricks.

me.

I was placed upon a Table in the largest Room of the Inn, which might be near three hundred Foot fquare. My little Nurfe ftood on a low Stool clofe to the Table, to take care of me, and direct what I should do. My Mafter, to avoid a Croud, would fuffer only thirty People at a Time to fee I walked about on the Table as the Girl commanded; fhe asked me Questions as far as fhe knew my Understanding of the Language reached, and I answered them as loud as I could. I turned about feveral Times to the Company, paid my humble Refpects, faid they were welcome; and ufed fome other Speeches I had been taught. I took up a Thimble filled with Liquor, which Glumdalclitch had given me for a Cup, and drank their Health. I drew out my Hanger, and flourished with it after the Manner of Fencers in England. My Nurse gave me Part of a Straw, which I exercised as a Pike, having learned the Art in my Youth. I was that Day fhewn to twelve Sets of Company; and as often forced to go over again with the fame Fopperies, until I was half dead with Weariness and Vexation. For, thofe who had seen me, made fuch wonderful Reports, that the People were ready to break down the Doors to come in. My Mafter for his own Intereft would not suffer any one to touch me, except my Nurfe; and, to prevent Danger, Benches were fet round the Table at fuch a Distance, as put me out of every Body's Reach. However, an unlucky School-Boy aimed a Hazel Nut directly at my Head, which very narrowly miffed me; otherwife, it came with fo much Violence, that it would have infallibly knocked out my Brains; for it was almoft as large as a fmall

Pumpion;

Pumpion: But I had the Satisfaction to fee the young Rogue well beaten, and turned out of the Room.

My Mafter gave publick Notice, that he would fhew me again the next Market-Day: And, in the mean Time, he prepared a more convenient Vehicle for me, which he had Reafon enough to do; for I was fo tired with my first Journey, and with entertaining Company eight Hours together, that I could hardly ftand upon my Legs, or speak a Word, It was at least three Days before I recovered my Strength; and that I might have no Rest at Home, all the neighbouring Gentlemen from an hundred Miles round, hearing of my Fame, came to fee me at my Mafter's own Houfe. There could not be fewer than thirty Perfons with their Wives and Children; (for the Country is very populous ;) and my Master demanded the Rate of a full Room whenever he fhewed me at Home, although it were only to a fingle Family. So, that for fome Time, I had but little Ease every Day of the Week, (except Wednesday, which is their Sabbath) although I were not carried to the Town.

My Master, finding how profitable I was like to be, resolved to carry me to the most confiderable Cities of the Kingdom. Having therefore provided himself with all Things neceffary for a long Journey, and fettled his Affairs at Home; he took Leave of his Wife; and upon the 17th of August 1703, about two Months after my Arrival, we fet out for the Metropolis, fituated near the Middle of that Empire, and about three thoufand Miles diftance from our Houfe: My Mafter made his Daughter Glumdalclitch ride behind him. She car ried me on her Lap in a Box tied about her Waift. The Girl had lined it on all Sides with the fofteft

Cloth

Cloth fhe could get, well quilted underneath; furnifhed it with her Baby's Bed, provided me with Linnen and other Neceffaries; and made every Thing as convenient as fhe could. We had no other Company but a Boy of the House, who rode after us with the Luggage.

My Master's Defign was to fhew me in all the Towns by the Way, and to ftep out of the Road for fifty or an hundred Miles, to any Village or Perfon of Quality's Houfe, where he might expect Custom. We made eafy Journies of not above feven or eight Score Miles a Day: For Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, complained fhe was tired with the trotting of the Horfe. She often took me out of my Box at my own Defire, to give me Air, and fhew me the Country; but always held me faft by Leading Strings. We paffed over five or fix Rivers many Degrees broader and deeper than the Nile or the Ganges; and there was hardly a Rivulet fo fmall as the Thames at London-Bridge. We were ten Weeks in our Journey; and I was fhewn in eighteen large Towns, befides many Villages and private Families.

ON the 26th Day of October, we arrived at the Metropolis, called in their Language Lorbrulgrud, or Pride of the Universe. My Master took a Lodging in the principal Street of the City, not far from the Royal Palace; and put out Bills in the ufual Form; containing an exact Defcription of my Perfon and Parts. He hired a large Room between three and four hundred Foot wide. He provided a Table fixty Foot in Diameter, upon which I was to act my Part; and pallifadoed it round three Foot from the Edge, and as many high, to prevent my falling over. I was fhewn ten Times a Day to the Wonder and Satisfaction of all Pepple.

ple. I could now fpeak the Language tolerably well; and perfectly understood every Word that was fpoken to me. Befides, I had learned their Alphabet, and could make a Shift to explain a Sentence here and there; for Glumdalclitch had been my Inftructor while we were at Home, and at leifure Hours during our Journey. She carried a little Book in her Pocket, not much larger than a Sanfon's Atlas; it was a common Treatife for the Ufe of young Girls, giving a fhort Account of their Religion; out of this the taught me my Letters, and interpreted the Words.

CHAP.

The Author fent for to Court. The Queen buys him of bis Mafter the Farmer, and presents him to the King. He difputes with his Majesty's great Scholars. An Apartment at Court provided for the Author. He is in high Favour with the Queen. He ftands up for the Honour of his own Country. His Quarrels with the Queen's Dwarf.

E

HE frequent Labours I underwent every Day, made in a few Weeks a very confiderable Change in my Health: The more my Mafter got by me, the more unfatiable he grew.

I had quite loft my Stomach, and was almoft reduced to a Skeleton. The Farmer observed it; and concluding I foon must die, refolved to make as good a Hand of me as he could. While he was thus reafoning and refolving with himself; a Slardral, or Gentleman Usher, came from Court, commanding my Master to bring me immediately thither for the Diversion of the Queen and her Ladies. Some of the latter had already been to fee me; and reported ftrange Things of

my