Gulliver's Travels

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.