第1章

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTIONTOSEVERALWORKS

PREFACE

DEDICATIONTOTHEPUBLIC

INTRODUCTIONTOTHEVOYAGETOLISBON

THEVOYAGE

INTRODUCTIONTOSEVERALWORKS

WhenitwasdeterminedtoextendthepresenteditionofFielding，notmerelybytheadditionofJonathanWildtothethreeuniversallypopularnovels，butbytwovolumesofMiscellanies，therecouldbenodoubtaboutatleastoneofthecontentsoftheselatter。TheJournalofaVoyagetoLisbon，ifitdoesnotrankinmyestimationanywhereneartoJonathanWildasanexampleofourauthor’sgenius，isaninvaluableanddelightfuldocumentforhischaracterandmemory。Itisindeed，ashasbeenpointedoutintheGeneralIntroductiontothisseries，ourmainsourceofindisputableinformationastoFieldingdanssonnaturel，anditsvalue，sofarasitgoes，isoftheveryhighest。Thegentleandunaffectedstoicismwhichtheauthordisplaysunderadiseasewhichheknewwellwasprobably，ifnotcertainly，mortal，andwhich，whethermortalornot，mustcausehimmuchactualpainanddiscomfortofakindmoreintolerablethanpainitself;hisaffectionatecareforhisfamily;evenlittlepersonaltouches，lessadmirable，buthardlylesspleasantthanthese，showinganEnglishman’sdisliketobe\"done\"andanEnglishman’sdeterminationtobetreatedwithproperrespect，arescarcelylessnoticeableandimportantonthebiographicalsidethantheunimpairedbrilliancyofhissatiricandyetkindlyobservationoflifeandcharacterisonthesideofliterature。

Thereis，asisnowwellknownsinceMr。Dobson’sseparateeditionoftheVoyage，alittlebibliographicalproblemaboutthefirstappearanceofthisJournalin1755。ThebestknownissueofthatyearismuchshorterthantheversioninsertedbyMurphyandreprintedhere，thepassagesomittedbeingchieflythosereflectingonthecaptain，etc。，andsolikelytoseeminvidiousinabookpublishedjustaftertheauthor’sdeath，andforthebenefit，aswasexpresslyannounced，ofhisfamily。ButthecuriousthingisthatthereisANOTHERedition，ofdatesoearlythatsomeargumentisnecessarytodeterminethepriority，whichdoesgivethesepassagesandisidenticalwiththelaterorstandardversion。Forsatisfactiononthispoint，however，I

mustreferreaderstoMr。Dobsonhimself。

Theremighthavebeenalittle，butnotmuch，doubtastoacompanionpiecefortheJournal;forindeed，afterweclosethis（withorwithoutits\"FragmentonBolingbroke\"），theremainderofFielding’sworkliesonadistinctlylowerlevelofinterest。Itisstillinteresting，oritwouldnotbegivenhere。Itstillhas——atleastthatpartwhichhereappearsseemstoitseditortohave——interestintrinsicand\"simpleofitself。\"Butitisimpossibleforanybodywhospeakscriticallytodenythatwenowgetintotheregionwhereworkismoreinterestingbecauseofitsauthorshipthanitwouldbeifitsauthorshipweredifferentorunknown。Toputthesamethinginasharperantithesis，Fieldingisinteresting，firstofall，becauseheistheauthorofJosephAndrews，ofTomJones，ofAmelia，ofJonathanWild，oftheJournal。Hisplays，hisessays，hismiscellaniesgenerallyareinteresting，firstofall，becausetheywerewrittenbyFielding。

Yetoftheseworks，theJourneyfromthisWorldtotheNext（which，byagrimtrickoffortune，mighthaveservedasatitleforthemoreinterestingVoyagewithwhichwehaveyokedit）

standsclearlyfirstbothinscaleandmerit。Itisindeedveryunequal，andastheauthorwastoleaveitunfinished，itisapitythathedidnotleaveitunfinishedmuchsoonerthanheactuallydid。Thefirsttenchapters，ifofakindofsatirewhichhasnowgrownratherobsoleteforthenonce，areofagoodkindandgoodintheirkind;thehistoryofthemetempsychosesofJulianisofalessgoodkind，andlessgoodinthatkind。Thedateofcompositionofthepieceisnotknown，butitappearedintheMiscellaniesof1743，andmayrepresentalmostanyperiodofitsauthor’sdevelopmentpriortothatyear。Itsformwasaverycommonformatthetime，andcontinuedtobeso。Idonotknowthatitisnecessarytoassignanyveryspecialorigintoit，thoughLucian，itschiefpractitioner，wasevidentlyandalmostavowedlyafavoritestudyofFielding’s。TheSpanishromancers，whetherborrowingitfromLucianornot，hadbeenfondofit;

theirFrenchfollowers，ofwhomthechiefwereFontenelleandLeSage，hadcarrieditnorthwards;theEnglishessayistshadalmostfromthebeginningcontinuedtheprocessofacclimatization。

Fieldingthereforefounditreadytohishand，thoughthepresentconditionofthisexamplewouldleadustosupposethathedidnotfindhishandquitereadytoit。Still，intheactual\"journey，\"therearetouchesenoughofthemaster——notyetquiteinhisstageofmastery。ItseemedparticularlydesirablenottoclosetheserieswithoutsomerepresentationoftheworktowhichFieldinggavetheprimeofhismanhood，andfromwhich，hadhenot，fortunatelyforEnglishliterature，beendrivendecidedlyagainsthiswill，wehadhadinallprobabilitynoJosephAndrews，andprettycertainlynoTomJones。Fielding’speriodicalanddramaticworkhasbeencomparativelyseldomreprinted，andhasneveryetbeenreprintedasawhole。Thedramasindeedareopentotwoobjections——thefirst，thattheyarenotvery\"proper;\"thesecond，andmuchmoreserious，thattheydonotredeemthiswantofproprietybythepossessionofanyremarkableliterarymerit。Three（ortwoandpartofathird）seemedtoescapethisdoublecensure——thefirsttwoactsoftheAuthor’sFarce（practicallyapiecetothemselves，forthePuppetShowwhichfollowsisalmostentirelyindependent）;thefamousburlesqueofTomThumb，whichstandsbetweentheRehearsalandtheCritic，butnearertotheformer;andPasquin，thematurestexampleofFielding’ssatiricworkindrama。Theseaccordinglyhavebeenselected;therestIhaveread，andhewholikesmayread。Ihavereadmanyworsethingsthaneventheworstofthem，butnotoftenworsethingsbysogoodawriterasHenryFielding。Thenextquestionconcernedtheselectionofwritingsmoremiscellaneousstill，soastogiveinlittleacompleteideaofFielding’svariouspowersandexperiments。Twodifficultiesbesetthispartofthetask——wantofspaceandtheabsenceofanythingsomarkedlygoodasabsolutelytoinsistoninclusion。TheEssayonConversation，however，seemedprettyperemptorilytochallengeaplace。ItisinastylewhichFieldingwasveryslowtoabandon，whichindeedhasleftstrongtracesevenonhisgreatnovels;andifitsmannerismisnotnowveryattractive，theseparatetraitsinitareoftensharpandwell-drawn。ThebookwouldnothavebeencompletewithoutaspecimenortwoofFielding’sjournalism。TheChampion，hisfirstattemptofthiskind，hasnotbeendrawnuponinconsequenceoftheextremedifficultyoffixingwithabsolutecertaintyonFielding’spartinit。Idonotknowwhetherpoliticalprejudiceinterferes，morethanIhaveusuallyfounditinterfere，withmyjudgmentofthetwoHanoverian-partisanpapersofthe’45time。Buttheycertainlyseemtometofailinredeemingtheirdoseofrancorandmisrepresentationbyanysufficientevidenceofgeniussuchas，tomytaste，savesnotonlythepartyjournalisminverseandproseofSwiftandCanningandPraedononeside，butthatofWolcotandMooreandSydneySmithontheother。Eventheoften-quotedjournalofeventsinLondonundertheChevalierisoverwroughtandtedious。ThebestthingintheTruePatriotseemstometobeParsonAdams’letterdescribinghisadventurewithayoung\"bowe\"ofhisday;andthisIselect，togetherwithoneortwonumbersoftheCoventGardenJournal。IhavenotfoundinthislatteranythingmorecharacteristicthanMurphy’sselection，thoughMr。Dobson，withhisunfailingkindness，lentmeanoriginalandunusuallycompletesetoftheJournalitself。

ItistothesamekindnessthatIowetheopportunityofpresentingthereaderwithsomethingindisputablyFielding’sandverycharacteristicofhim，whichMurphydidnotprint，andwhichhasnot，sofarasIknow，everappearedeitherinacollectionoraselectionofFielding’swork。AfterthesuccessofDavidSimple，Fieldinggavehissister，forwhomhehadalreadywrittenaprefacetothatnovel，anotherprefaceforasetofFamiliarLettersbetweenthecharactersofDavidSimpleandothers。ThisprefaceMurphyreprinted;butheeitherdidnotnotice，ordidnotchoosetoattendto，anotetowardstheendofthebookattributingcertainoftheletterstotheauthorofthepreface，theattributionbeingaccompaniedbyanagreeablywarmandsisterlydenunciationofthosewhoascribedtoFieldingmatterunworthyofhim。FromthesetheletterwhichIhavechosen，describingarowontheThames，seemstomenotonlycharacteristic，but，likeallthismiscellaneouswork，interestingnolessforitsweaknessthanforitsstrength。Inhardlyanyotherinstanceknowntomecanwetracesoclearlytheinfluenceofasuitablemediumandformonthegeniusoftheartist。Therearesomewriters——Drydenisperhapsthegreatestofthem——towhomformandmediumseemalmostindifferent，theirall-roundcraftsmanshipbeingsuchthattheycanturnanykindandeverystyletotheirpurpose。Thereareothers，ofwhomI

thinkourpresentauthoristhechief，whoareneverreallyathomebutinonekind。InFielding’scasethatkindwasnarrativeofapeculiarsort，half-sentimental，half-satirical，andalmostwhollysympathetic——narrativewhichhasthesingulargiftofportrayingtheliveliestcharacterandyetofadmittingthewidestdisgressionandsoliloquy。

Untilcomparativelylateinhistooshortlife，whenhefoundthisspecialpathofhis（anditisimpossibletosaywhethertheactualfindingwasinthecaseofJonathanorinthecaseofJoseph），hedidbutflounderandslip。Whenhehadfoundit，andwascontenttowalkinit，hestrodewithassureandsteadyastepasanyother，eventhegreatest，ofthosewhocarryandhandonthetorchofliteraturethroughtheages。Butitisimpossibletoderivefullsatisfactionfromhisfeatsinthispartoftheracewithoutsomenotionofhisperformanceselsewhere;andIbelievethatsuchanotionwillbesuppliedtothereadersofhisnovelsbythefollowingvolumes，inaverylargenumberofcases，forthefirsttime。

THEJOURNALOFAVOYAGETOLISBON

DEDICATIONTOTHEPUBLIC

Yourcandorisdesiredontheperusalofthefollowingsheets，astheyaretheproductofageniusthathaslongbeenyourdelightandentertainment。Itmustbeacknowledgedthatalampalmostburntoutdoesnotgivesosteadyanduniformalightaswhenitblazesinitsfullvigor;butyetitiswellknownthatbyitswavering，asifstrugglingagainstitsowndissolution，itsometimesdartsarayasbrightasever。Inlikemanner，astrongandlivelygeniuswill，initslaststruggles，sometimesmountaloft，andthrowforththemoststrikingmarksofitsoriginalluster。

Whereverthesearetobefound，doyou，thegenuinepatronsofextraordinarycapacities，beasliberalinyourapplausesofhimwhoisnownomoreasyouwereofhimwhilsthewasyetamongstyou。And，ontheotherhand，ifinthislittleworkthereshouldappearanytracesofaweakenedanddecayedlife，letyourownimaginationsplacebeforeyoureyesatruepictureinthatofahandtremblinginalmostitslatesthour，ofabodyemaciatedwithpains，yetstrugglingforyourentertainment;andletthisaffectingpictureopeneachtenderheart，andcallforthameltingtear，toblotoutwhateverfailingsmaybefoundinaworkbeguninpain，andfinishedalmostatthesameperiodwithlife。Itwasthoughtproperbythefriendsofthedeceasedthatthislittlepieceshouldcomeintoyourhandsasitcamefromthehandsoftheauthor，itbeingjudgedthatyouwouldbebetterpleasedtohaveanopportunityofobservingthefaintesttracesofageniusyouhavelongadmired，thanhaveitpatchedbyadifferenthand，bywhichmeansthemarksofitstrueauthormighthavebeeneffaced。Thatthesuccessofthelastwritten，thoughfirstpublished，volumeoftheauthor’sposthumouspiecesmaybeattendedwithsomeconveniencetothoseinnocentshehathleftbehind，willnodoubtbeamotivetoencourageitscirculationthroughthekingdom，whichwillengageeveryfuturegeniustoexertitselfforyourpleasure。TheprinciplesandspiritwhichbreatheineverylineofthesmallfragmentbeguninanswertoLordBolingbrokewillunquestionablybeasufficientapologyforitspublication，althoughvitalstrengthwaswantingtofinishaworksohappilybegunandsowelldesigned。PREFACETHEREwouldnot，perhaps，beamorepleasantorprofitablestudy，amongthosewhichhavetheirprincipalendinamusement，thanthatoftravelsorvoyages，iftheywerewroteastheymightbeandoughttobe，withajointviewtotheentertainmentandinformationofmankind。Iftheconversationoftravelersbesoeagerlysoughtafterasitis，wemaybelievetheirbookswillbestillmoreagreeablecompany，astheywillingeneralbemoreinstructiveandmoreentertaining。ButwhenIsaytheconversationoftravelersisusuallysowelcome，Imustbeunderstoodtomeanthatonlyofsuchashavehadgoodsenseenoughtoapplytheirperegrinationstoaproperuse，soastoacquirefromthemarealandvaluableknowledgeofmenandthings，bothwhicharebestknownbycomparison。Ifthecustomsandmannersofmenwereeverywherethesame，therewouldbenoofficesodullasthatofatraveler，forthedifferenceofhills，valleys，rivers，inshort，thevariousviewsofwhichwemayseethefaceoftheearth，wouldscarceaffordhimapleasureworthyofhislabor;

andsurelyitwouldgivehimverylittleopportunityofcommunicatinganykindofentertainmentorimprovementtoothers。

Tomakeatraveleranagreeablecompaniontoamanofsense，itisnecessary，notonlythatheshouldhaveseenmuch，butthatheshouldhaveoverlookedmuchofwhathehathseen。Natureisnot，anymorethanagreatgenius，alwaysadmirableinherproductions，andthereforethetraveler，whomaybecalledhercommentator，shouldnotexpecttofindeverywheresubjectsworthyofhisnotice。Itiscertain，indeed，thatonemaybeguiltyofomission，aswellasoftheoppositeextreme;butafaultonthatsidewillbemoreeasilypardoned，asitisbettertobehungrythansurfeited;andtomissyourdessertatthetableofamanwhosegardensaboundwiththechoicestfruits，thantohaveyourtasteaffrontedwitheverysortoftrashthatcanbepickedupatthegreen-stallorthewheel-barrow。Ifweshouldcarryontheanalogybetweenthetravelerandthecommentator，itisimpossibletokeepone’seyeamomentofffromthelaboriousmuch-readdoctorZacharyGray，ofwhoseredundantnotesonHudibrasIshallonlysaythatitis，Iamconfident，thesinglebookextantinwhichabovefivehundredauthorsarequoted，notoneofwhichcouldbefoundinthecollectionofthelatedoctorMead。

Astherearefewthingswhichatraveleristorecord，therearefeweronwhichheistoofferhisobservations：thisistheofficeofthereader;anditissopleasantaone，thatheseldomchoosestohaveittakenfromhim，underthepretenseoflendinghimassistance。Someoccasions，indeed，thereare，whenproperobservationsarepertinent，andotherswhentheyarenecessary;

butgoodsensealonemustpointthemout。Ishalllaydownonlyonegeneralrule;whichIbelievetobeofuniversaltruthbetweenrelatorandhearer，asitisbetweenauthorandreader;

thisis，thatthelatterneverforgiveanyobservationoftheformerwhichdothnotconveysomeknowledgethattheyaresensibletheycouldnotpossiblyhaveattainedofthemselves。

Butallhispainsincollectingknowledge，allhisjudgmentinselecting，andallhisartincommunicatingit，willnotsuffice，unlesshecanmakehimself，insomedegree，anagreeableaswellasaninstructivecompanion。Thehighestinstructionwecanderivefromthetedioustaleofadullfellowscarceeverpaysusforourattention。Thereisnothing，Ithink，halfsovaluableasknowledge，andyetthereisnothingwhichmenwillgivethemselvessolittletroubletoattain;unlessitbe，perhaps，thatlowestdegreeofitwhichistheobjectofcuriosity，andwhichhaththereforethatactivepassionconstantlyemployedinitsservice。This，indeed，itisinthepowerofeverytravelertogratify;butitistheleadingprincipleinweakmindsonly。

Torenderhisrelationagreeabletothemanofsense，itisthereforenecessarythatthevoyagershouldpossessseveraleminentandraretalents;sorareindeed，thatitisalmostwonderfultoseethemeverunitedinthesameperson。Andifallthesetalentsmustconcurintherelator，theyarecertainlyinamoreeminentdegreenecessarytothewriter;forherethenarrationadmitsofhigherornamentsofstyle，andeveryfactandsentimentoffersitselftothefullestandmostdeliberateexamination。Itwouldappear，therefore，Ithink，somewhatstrangeifsuchwritersastheseshouldbefoundextremelycommon;sincenaturehathbeenamostparsimoniousdistributorofherrichesttalents，andhathseldombestowedmanyonthesameperson。But，ontheotherhand，whythereshouldscarceexistasinglewriterofthiskindworthyourregard;and，whilstthereisnootherbranchofhistory（forthisishistory）whichhathnotexercisedthegreatestpens，whythisaloneshouldbeoverlookedbyallmenofgreatgeniusanderudition，anddelivereduptotheGothsandVandalsastheirlawfulproperty，isaltogetherasdifficulttodetermine。Andyetthatthisisthecase，withsomeveryfewexceptions，ismostmanifest。OftheseIshallwillinglyadmitBurnetandAddison;iftheformerwasnot，perhaps，tobeconsideredasapoliticalessayist，andthelatterasacommentatorontheclassics，ratherthanasawriteroftravels;whichlasttitle，perhaps，theywouldbothofthemhavebeenleastambitioustoaffect。Indeed，ifthesetwoandtwoorthreemoreshouldberemovedfromthemass，therewouldremainsuchaheapofdullnessbehind，thattheappellationofvoyage-writerwouldnotappearverydesirable。IamnothereunapprisedthatoldHomerhimselfisbysomeconsideredasavoyage-writer;and，indeed，thebeginningofhisOdysseymaybeurgedtocountenancethatopinion，whichIshallnotcontrovert。

But，whateverspeciesofwritingtheOdysseyisof，itissurelyattheheadofthatspecies，asmuchastheIliadisofanother;

andsofartheexcellentLonginuswouldallow，Ibelieve，atthisday。

But，inreality，theOdyssey，theTelemachus，andallofthatkind，aretothevoyage-writingIhereintend，whatromanceistotruehistory，theformerbeingtheconfounderandcorrupterofthelatter。IamfarfromsupposingthatHomer，Hesiod，andtheotherancientpoetsandmythologists，hadanysettleddesigntopervertandconfusetherecordsofantiquity;butitiscertaintheyhaveeffectedit;andformypartImustconfessIshouldhavehonoredandlovedHomermorehadhewrittenatruehistoryofhisowntimesinhumbleprose，thanthosenoblepoemsthathavesojustlycollectedthepraiseofallages;for，thoughI

readthesewithmoreadmirationandastonishment，IstillreadHerodotus，Thucydides，andXenophonwithmoreamusementandmoresatisfaction。Theoriginalpoetswerenot，however，withoutexcuse。Theyfoundthelimitsofnaturetoostraightfortheimmensityoftheirgenius，whichtheyhadnotroomtoexertwithoutextendingfactbyfiction：andthatespeciallyatatimewhenthemannersofmenweretoosimpletoaffordthatvarietywhichtheyhavesinceofferedinvaintothechoiceofthemeanestwriters。Indoingthistheyareagainexcusableforthemannerinwhichtheyhavedoneit。

Utspeciosadehinemiraculapromant。

Theyarenot，indeed，soproperlysaidtoturnrealityintofiction，asfictionintoreality。Theirpaintingsaresobold，theircolorssostrong，thateverythingtheytouchseemstoexistintheverymannertheyrepresentit;theirportraitsaresojust，andtheirlandscapessobeautiful，thatweacknowledgethestrokesofnatureinboth，withoutinquiringwhetherNatureherself，orherjourneymanthepoet，formedthefirstpatternofthepiece。Butotherwriters（IwillputPlinyattheirhead）

havenosuchpretensionstoindulgence;theylieforlyingsake，orinorderinsolentlytoimposethemostmonstrousimprobabilitiesandabsurditiesupontheirreadersontheirownauthority;treatingthemassomefatherstreatchildren，andasotherfathersdolaymen，exactingtheirbeliefofwhatevertheyrelate，onnootherfoundationthantheirownauthority，withoutevertakingthepainsoradaptingtheirliestohumancredulity，andofcalculatingthemforthemeridianofacommonunderstanding;but，withasmuchweaknessaswickedness，andwithmoreimpudenceoftenthaneither，theyassertfactscontrarytothehonorofGod，tothevisibleorderofthecreation，totheknownlawsofnature，tothehistoriesofformerages，andtotheexperienceofourown，andwhichnomancanatonceunderstandandbelieve。Ifitshouldbeobjected（anditcannowherebeobjectedbetterthanwhereInowwrite，[12]asthereisnowheremorepompofbigotry）thatwholenationshavebeenfirmbelieversinsuchmostabsurdsuppositions，Ireply，thefactisnottrue。

Theyhaveknownnothingofthematter，andhavebelievedtheyknewnotwhat。Itis，indeed，withmenomatterofdoubtbutthatthepopeandhisclergymightteachanyofthoseChristianheterodoxies，thetenetsofwhicharethemostdiametricallyoppositetotheirown;nay，allthedoctrinesofZoroaster，Confucius，andMahomet，notonlywithcertainandimmediatesuccess，butwithoutoneCatholicinathousandknowinghehadchangedhisreligion。

[12]AtLisbon。

Whatmotiveamancanhavetositdown，andtodrawforthalistofstupid，senseless，incredibleliesuponpaper，wouldbedifficulttodetermine，didnotVanitypresentherselfsoimmediatelyastheadequatecause。Thevanityofknowingmorethanothermenis，perhaps，besideshunger，theonlyinducementtowriting，atleasttopublishing，atall。Whythenshouldnotthevoyage-writerbeinflamedwiththegloryofhavingseenwhatnomaneverdidorwillseebuthimself？Thisisthetruesourceofthewonderfulinthediscourseandwritings，andsometimes，I

believe，intheactionsofmen。Thereisanotherfault，ofakinddirectlyoppositetothis，towhichthesewritersaresometimesliable，when，insteadoffillingtheirpageswithmonsterswhichnobodyhatheverseen，andwithadventureswhichneverhave，norcouldpossiblyhave，happenedtothem，wastetheirtimeandpaperwithrecordingthingsandfactsofsocommonakind，thattheychallengenootherrightofbeingrememberedthanastheyhadthehonorofhavinghappenedtotheauthor，towhomnothingseemstrivialthatinanymannerhappenstohimself。

Ofsuchconsequencedohisownactionsappeartooneofthiskind，thathewouldprobablythinkhimselfguiltyofinfidelityshouldheomittheminutestthinginthedetailofhisjournal。

Thatthefactistrueissufficienttogiveitaplacethere，withoutanyconsiderationwhetheritiscapableofpleasingorsurprising，ofdivertingorinforming，thereader。Ihaveseenaplay（ifImistakenotitisoneofMrs。Behn’sorofMrs。

Centlivre’s）wherethisviceinavoyage-writerisfinelyridiculed。Anignorantpedant，towhosegovernment，forIknownotwhatreason，theconductofayoungnoblemaninhistravelsiscommitted，andwhoissentabroadtoshowmylordtheworld，ofwhichheknowsnothinghimself，beforehisdeparturefromatown，callsforhisJournaltorecordthegoodnessofthewineandtobacco，withotherarticlesofthesameimportance，whicharetofurnishthematerialsofavoyageathisreturnhome。Thehumor，itistrue，isherecarriedveryfar;andyet，perhaps，verylittlebeyondwhatistobefoundinwriterswhoprofessnointentionofdealinginhumoratall。Ofoneorother，orbothofthesekinds，are，Iconceive，allthatvastpileofbookswhichpassunderthenamesofvoyages，travels，adventures，lives，memoirs，histories，etc。，someofwhichasingletravelersendsintotheworldinmanyvolumes，andothersare，byjudiciousbooksellers，collectedintovastbodiesinfolio，andinscribedwiththeirownnames，asiftheywereindeedtheirowntravels：thusunjustlyattributingtothemselvesthemeritofothers。

Now，fromboththesefaultswehaveendeavoredtosteerclearinthefollowingnarrative;which，howeverthecontrarymaybeinsinuatedbyignorant，unlearned，andfresh-watercritics，whohavenevertraveledeitherinbooksorships，Idosolemnlydeclaredoth，inmyownimpartialopinion，deviatelessfromtruththananyothervoyageextant;mylordAnson’salonebeing，perhaps，excepted。Somefewembellishmentsmustbeallowedtoeveryhistorian;forwearenottoconceivethatthespeechesinLivy，Sallust，orThucydides，wereliterallyspokenintheverywordsinwhichwenowreadthem。Itissufficientthateveryfacthathitsfoundationintruth，asIdoseriouslyaveristheeaseintheensuingpages;andwhenitisso，agoodcriticwillbesofarfromdenyingallkindofornamentofstyleordiction，orevenofcircumstance，tohisauthor，thathewouldberathersorryifheomittedit;forhecouldhencederivenootheradvantagethanthelossofanadditionalpleasureintheperusal。

Again，ifanymerelycommonincidentshouldappearinthisjournal，whichwillseldomIapprehendbethecase，thecandidreaderwilleasilyperceiveitisnotintroducedforitsownsake，butforsomeobservationsandreflectionsnaturallyresultingfromit;andwhich，ifbutlittletohisamusement，tenddirectlytotheinstructionofthereaderortotheinformationofthepublic;towhomifIchoosetoconveysuchinstructionorinformationwithanairofjokeandlaughter，nonebutthedullestoffellowswill，Ibelieve，censureit;butiftheyshould，IhavetheauthorityofmorethanonepassageinHoracetoallegeinmydefense。Havingthusendeavoredtoobviatesomecensures，towhichamanwithoutthegiftofforesight，oranyfearoftheimputationofbeingaconjurer，mightconceivethisworkwouldbeliable，Imightnowundertakeamorepleasingtask，andfallatoncetothedirectandpositivepraisesoftheworkitself;ofwhichindeed，Icouldsayathousandgoodthings;butthetaskissoverypleasantthatI

shallleaveitwhollytothereader，anditisallthetaskthatIimposeonhim。Amoderationforwhichhemaythinkhimselfobligedtomewhenhecomparesitwiththeconductofauthors，whooftenfillawholesheetwiththeirownpraises，towhichtheysometimessettheirownrealnames，andsometimesafictitiousone。Onehint，however，Imustgivethekindreader;

whichis，thatifheshouldbeabletofindnosortofamusementinthebook，hewillbepleasedtorememberthepublicutilitywhichwillarisefromit。Ifentertainment，asMr。Richardsonobserves，bebutasecondaryconsiderationinaromance;withwhichMr。Addison，Ithink，agrees，affirmingtheuseofthepastrycooktobethefirst;ifthis，Isay，betrueofamereworkofinvention，sureitmaywellbesoconsideredinaworkfounded，likethis，ontruth;andwherethepoliticalreflectionsformsodistinguishingapart。ButperhapsImayhear，fromsomecriticofthemostsaturninecomplexion，thatmyvanitymusthavemadeahorriddupeofmyjudgment，ifithathflatteredmewithanexpectationofhavinganythinghereseeninagravelight，orofconveyinganyusefulinstructiontothepublic，ortotheirguardians。Ianswer，withthegreatmanwhomIjustnowquoted，thatmypurposeistoconveyinstructioninthevehicleofentertainment;andsotobringaboutatonce，liketherevolutionintheRehearsal，aperfectreformationofthelawsrelatingtoourmaritimeaffairs：anundertaking，Iwillnotsaymoremodest，butsurelymorefeasible，thanthatofreformingawholepeople，bymakinguseofavehicularstory，towheelinamongthemworsemannersthantheirown。

INTRODUCTION

InthebeginningofAugust，1753，whenIhadtakenthedukeofPortland’smedicine，asitiscalled，nearayear，theeffectsofwhichhadbeenthecarryingoffthesymptomsofalingeringimperfectgout，IwaspersuadedbyMr。Ranby，theking’spremiersergeant-surgeon，andtheablestadvice，Ibelieve，inallbranchesofthephysicalprofession，togoimmediatelytoBath。

IaccordinglywrotethatverynighttoMrs。Bowden，who，bythenextpost，informedmeshehadtakenmealodgingforamonthcertain。Withinafewdaysafterthis，whilstIwaspreparingformyjourney，andwhenIwasalmostfatiguedtodeathwithseverallongexaminations，relatingtofivedifferentmurders，allcommittedwithinthespaceofaweek，bydifferentgangsofstreet-robbers，IreceivedamessagefromhisgracethedukeofNewcastle，byMr。Carrington，theking’smessenger，toattendhisgracethenextmorning，inLincoln’s-inn-fields，uponsomebusinessofimportance;butIexcusedmyselffromcomplyingwiththemessage，as，besidesbeinglame，IwasveryillwiththegreatfatiguesIhadlatelyundergoneaddedtomydistemper。

Hisgrace，however，sentMr。Carrington，theverynextmorning，withanothersummons;withwhich，thoughintheutmostdistress，Iimmediatelycomplied;buttheduke，happening，unfortunatelyforme，tobethenparticularlyengaged，afterIhadwaitedsometime，sentagentlemantodiscoursewithmeonthebestplanwhichcouldbeinventedforputtinganimmediateendtothosemurdersandrobberieswhichwereeverydaycommittedinthestreets;uponwhichIpromisedtotransmitmyopinion，inwriting，tohisgrace，who，asthegentlemaninformedme，intendedtolayitbeforetheprivycouncil。

Thoughthisvisitcostmeaseverecold，I，notwithstanding，setmyselfdowntowork;andinaboutfourdayssentthedukeasregularaplanasIcouldform，withallthereasonsandargumentsIcouldbringtosupportit，drawnoutinseveralsheetsofpaper;andsoonreceivedamessagefromthedukebyMr。

Carrington，acquaintingmethatmyplanwashighlyapprovedof，andthatallthetermsofitwouldbecompliedwith。Theprincipalandmostmaterialofthosetermswastheimmediatelydepositingsixhundredpoundinmyhands;atwhichsmallchargeI

undertooktodemolishthethenreigninggangs，andtoputthecivilpolicyintosuchorder，thatnosuchgangsshouldeverbeable，forthefuture，toformthemselvesintobodies，oratleasttoremainanytimeformidabletothepublic。

IhaddelayedmyBathjourneyforsometime，contrarytotherepeatedadviceofmyphysicalacquaintance，andtotheardentdesireofmywarmestfriends，thoughmydistemperwasnowturnedtoadeepjaundice;inwhichcasetheBathwatersaregenerallyreputedtobealmostinfallible。ButIhadthemosteagerdesireofdemolishingthisgangofvillainsandcut-throats，whichIwassureofaccomplishingthemomentIwasenabledtopayafellowwhohadundertaken，forasmallsum，tobetraythemintothehandsofasetofthief-takerswhomIhadenlistedintotheservice，allmenofknownandapprovedfidelityandintrepidity。

Aftersomeweeksthemoneywaspaidatthetreasury，andwithinafewdaysaftertwohundredpoundsofithadcometomyhands，thewholegangofcut-throatswasentirelydispersed，sevenofthemwereinactualcustody，andtherestdriven，someoutofthetown，andothersoutofthekingdom。Thoughmyhealthwasnowreducedtothelastextremity，Icontinuedtoactwiththeutmostvigoragainstthesevillains;inexaminingwhom，andintakingthedepositionsagainstthem，Ihaveoftenspentwholedays，nay，sometimeswholenights，especiallywhentherewasanydifficultyinprocuringsufficientevidencetoconvictthem;whichisaverycommoncaseinstreet-robberies，evenwhentheguiltofthepartyissufficientlyapparenttosatisfythemosttenderconscience。

Butcourtsofjusticeknownothingofacausemorethanwhatistoldthemonoathbyawitness;andthemostflagitiousvillainuponearthistriedinthesamemannerasamanofthebestcharacterwhoisaccusedofthesamecrime。Meanwhile，amidstallmyfatiguesanddistresses，Ihadthesatisfactiontofindmyendeavorshadbeenattendedwithsuchsuccessthatthishellishsocietywerealmostutterlyextirpated，andthat，insteadofreadingofmurdersandstreet-robberiesinthenewsalmosteverymorning，therewas，intheremainingpartofthemonthofNovember，andinallDecember，notonlynosuchthingasamurder，butnotevenastreet-robberycommitted。Somesuch，indeed，werementionedinthepublicpapers;buttheywereallfoundonthestrictestinquiry，tobefalse。Inthisentirefreedomfromstreet-robberies，duringthedarkmonths，nomanwill，Ibelieve，scrupletoacknowledgethatthewinterof1753

standsunrivaled，duringacourseofmanyyears;andthismaypossiblyappearthemoreextraordinarytothosewhorecollecttheoutrageswithwhichitbegan。Havingthusfullyaccomplishedmyundertaking，Iwentintothecountry，inaveryweakanddeplorablecondition，withnofewerorlessdiseasesthanajaundice，adropsy，andanasthma，altogetherunitingtheirforcesinthedestructionofabodysoentirelyemaciatedthatithadlostallitsmuscularflesh。MinewasnownolongerwhatwascalledaBathcase;nor，ifithadbeenso，hadIstrengthremainingsufficienttogothither，arideofsixmilesonlybeingattendedwithanintolerablefatigue。InowdischargedmylodgingsatBath，whichIhadhithertokept。Ibeganinearnesttolookonmycaseasdesperate，andIhadvanityenoughtorankmyselfwiththoseheroeswho，ofoldtimes，becamevoluntarysacrificestothegoodofthepublic。But，lestthereadershouldbetooeagertocatchatthewordVANITY，andshouldbeunwillingtoindulgemewithsosublimeagratification，forI

thinkheisnottooapttogratifyme，Iwilltakemykeyapitchlower，andwillfranklyownthatIhadastrongermotivethantheloveofthepublictopushmeon：Iwillthereforeconfesstohimthatmyprivateaffairsatthebeginningofthewinterhadbutagloomyaspect;forIhadnotplunderedthepublicorthepoorofthosesumswhichmen，whoarealwaysreadytoplunderbothasmuchastheycan，havebeenpleasedtosuspectmeoftaking：onthecontrary，bycomposing，insteadofinflamingthequarrelsofportersandbeggars（whichIblushwhenIsayhathnotbeenuniversallypracticed），andbyrefusingtotakeashillingfromamanwhomostundoubtedlywouldnothavehadanotherleft，Ihadreducedanincomeofaboutfivehundredpounds[13]a-yearofthedirtiestmoneyuponearthtolittlemorethanthreehundredpounds;aconsiderableproportionofwhichremainedwithmyclerk;and，indeed，ifthewholehaddoneso，asitought，hewouldbebutillpaidforsittingalmostsixteenhoursinthetwenty-fourinthemostunwholesome，aswellasnauseousairintheuniverse，andwhichhathinhiscasecorruptedagoodconstitutionwithoutcontaminatinghismorals。

[13]Apredecessorofmineusedtoboastthathemadeonethousandpoundsa-yearinhisoffice;buthowhedidthis（ifindeedhedidit）istomeasecret。Hisclerk，nowmine，toldmeIhadmorebusinessthanhehadeverknownthere;IamsureI

hadasmuchasanymancoulddo。Thetruthis，thefeesaresoverylow，whenanyaredue，andsomuchisdonefornothing，that，ifasinglejusticeofpeacehadbusinessenoughtoemploytwentyclerks，neitherhenortheywouldgetmuchbytheirlabor。

Thepublicwillnot，therefore，Ihope，thinkIbetrayasecretwhenIinformthemthatIreceivedfromtheGovernmentayearlypensionoutofthepublicservicemoney;which，Ibelieve，indeed，wouldhavebeenlargerhadmygreatpatronbeenconvincedofanerror，whichIhaveheardhimuttermorethanonce，thathecouldnotindeedsaythattheactingasaprincipaljusticeofpeaceinWestminsterwasonallaccountsverydesirable，butthatalltheworldknewitwasaverylucrativeoffice。Now，tohaveshownhimplainlythatamanmustbearoguetomakeaverylittlethisway，andthathecouldnotmakemuchbybeingasgreatarogueashecouldbe，wouldhaverequiredmoreconfidencethan，Ibelieve，hehadinme，andmoreofhisconversationthanhechosetoallowme;Ithereforeresignedtheofficeandthefartherexecutionofmyplantomybrother，whohadlongbeenmyassistant。Andnow，lestthecasebetweenmeandthereadershouldbethesameinbothinstancesasitwasbetweenmeandthegreatman，Iwillnotaddanotherwordonthesubject。

But，nottotroublethereaderwithanecdotes，contrarytomyownrulelaiddowninmypreface，IassurehimIthoughtmyfamilywasveryslenderlyprovidedfor;andthatmyhealthbegantodeclinesofastthatIhadverylittlemoreoflifelefttoaccomplishwhatIhadthoughtoftoolate。Irejoicedthereforegreatlyinseeinganopportunity，asIapprehended，ofgainingsuchmeritintheeveofthepublic，that，ifmylifewerethesacrificetoit，myfriendsmightthinktheydidapopularactinputtingmyfamilyatleastbeyondthereachofnecessity，whichI

myselfbegantodespairofdoing。AndthoughIdisclaimallpretensetothatSpartanorRomanpatriotismwhichlovedthepublicsowellthatitwasalwaysreadytobecomeavoluntarysacrificetothepublicgood，IdosolemnlydeclareIhavethatloveformyfamily。

Afterthisconfessiontherefore，thatthepublicwasnottheprincipaldeitytowhichmylifewasofferedasacrifice，andwhenitisfartherconsideredwhatapoorsacrificethiswas，beingindeednootherthanthegivingupwhatIsawlittlelikelihoodofbeingabletoholdmuchlonger，andwhich，uponthetermsIheldit，nothingbuttheweaknessofhumannaturecouldrepresenttomeasworthholdingatall;theworldmay，I

believe，withoutenvy，allowmeallthepraisetowhichIhaveanytitle。Myaim，infact，wasnotpraise，whichisthelastgifttheycaretobestow;atleast，thiswasnotmyaimasanend，butratherasameansofpurchasingsomemoderateprovisionformyfamily，which，thoughitshouldexceedmymerit，mustfallinfinitelyshortofmyservice，ifIsucceededinmyattempt。Tosaythetruth，thepublicneveractmorewiselythanwhentheyactmostliberallyinthedistributionoftheirrewards;andherethegoodtheyreceiveisoftenmoretobeconsideredthanthemotivefromwhichtheyreceiveit。Examplealoneistheendofallpublicpunishmentsandrewards。Lawsneverinflictdisgraceinresentment，norconferhonorfromgratitude。\"Foritisveryhard，mylord，\"saidaconvictedfelonatthebartothelateexcellentjudgeBurnet，\"tohangapoormanforstealingahorse。\"\"Youarenottobehangedsir，\"answeredmyever-honoredandbelovedfriend，\"forstealingahorse，butyouaretobehangedthathorsesmaynotbestolen。\"InlikemanneritmighthavebeensaidtothelatedukeofMarlborough，whentheparliamentwassodeservedlyliberaltohim，afterthebattleofBlenheim，\"Youreceivenotthesehonorsandbountiesonaccountofavictorypast，butthatothervictoriesmaybeobtained。\"

Iwasnow，intheopinionofallmen，dyingofacomplicationofdisorders;and，wereIdesirousofplayingtheadvocate，Ihaveanoccasionfairenough;butIdisdainsuchanattempt。Irelatefactsplainlyandsimplyastheyare;andlettheworlddrawfromthemwhatconclusionstheyplease，takingwiththemthefollowingfactsfortheirinstruction：theoneis，thattheproclamationofferingonehundredpoundsfortheapprehendingfelonsforcertainfeloniescommittedincertainplaces，whichIpreventedfrombeingrevived，hadformerlycostthegovernmentseveralthousandpoundswithinasingleyear。Secondly，thatallsuchproclamations，insteadofcuringtheevil，hadactuallyincreasedit;hadmultipliedthenumberofrobberies;hadpropagatedtheworstandwickedestofperjuries;hadlaidsnaresforyouthandignorance，which，bythetemptationoftheserewards，hadbeensometimesdrawnintoguilt;andsometimes，whichcannotbethoughtonwithoutthehighesthorror，haddestroyedthemwithoutit。Thirdly，thatmyplanhadnotputthegovernmenttomorethanthreehundredpoundexpense，andhadproducednoneoftheillconsequencesabovementioned;but，lastly，hadactuallysuppressedtheevilforatime，andhadplainlypointedoutthemeansofsuppressingitforever。ThisIwouldmyselfhaveundertaken，hadmyhealthpermitted，attheannualexpenseoftheabove-mentionedsum。

AfterhavingstoodtheterriblesixweekswhichsucceededlastChristmas，andputaluckyend，iftheyhadknowntheirowninterests，tosuchnumbersofagedandinfirmvaletudinarians，whomighthavegaspedthroughtwoorthreemildwintersmore，I

returnedtotowninFebruary，inaconditionlessdespairedofbymyselfthanbyanyofmyfriends。InowbecamethepatientofDr。Ward，whowishedIhadtakenhisadviceearlier。ByhisadviceIwastapped，andfourteenquartsofwaterdrawnfrommybelly。Thesuddenrelaxationwhichthiscaused，addedtomyenervate，emaciatedhabitofbody，soweakenedmethatwithintwodaysIwasthoughttobefallingintotheagoniesofdeath。I

wasattheworstonthatmemorabledaywhenthepubliclostMr。

Pelham。FromthatdayIbeganslowly，asitwere，todrawmyfeetoutofthegrave;tillintwomonths’timeIhadagainacquiredsomelittledegreeofstrength，butwasagainfullofwater。DuringthiswholetimeItookMr。Ward’smedicines，whichhadseldomanyperceptibleoperation。Thoseinparticularofthediaphoretickind，theworkingofwhichisthoughttorequireagreatstrengthofconstitutiontosupport，hadsolittleeffectonme，thatMr。Warddeclareditwasasvaintoattemptsweatingmeasadealboard。InthissituationIwastappedasecondtime。Ihadonequartofwaterlesstakenfrommenowthanbefore;butIborealltheconsequencesoftheoperationmuchbetter。ThisIattributedgreatlytoadoseoflaudanumprescribedbymysurgeon。Itfirstgavemethemostdeliciousflowofspirits，andafterwardsascomfortableanap。

ThemonthofMay，whichwasnowbegun，itseemedreasonabletoexpectwouldintroducethespring，anddriveofthatwinterwhichyetmaintaineditsfootingonthestage。Iresolvedthereforetovisitalittlehouseofmineinthecountry，whichstandsatEaling，inthecountyofMiddlesex，inthebestair，Ibelieve，inthewholekingdom，andfarsuperiortothatofKensingtonGravel-pits;forthegravelisheremuchwideranddeeper，theplacehigherandmoreopentowardsthesouth，whilstitisguardedfromthenorthwindbyaridgeofhills，andfromthesmellsandsmokeofLondonbyitsdistance;whichlastisnotthefateofKensington，whenthewindblowsfromanycorneroftheeast。

ObligationstoMr。WardIshallalwaysconfess;forIamconvincedthatheomittednocareinendeavoringtoserveme，withoutanyexpectationordesireoffeeorreward。

ThepowersofMr。Ward’sremedieswantindeednounfairpuffsofminetogivethemcredit;andthoughthisdistemperofthedropsystands，Ibelieve，firstinthelistofthoseoverwhichheisalwayscertainoftriumphing，yet，possibly，theremightbesomethingparticularinmycasecapableofeludingthatradicalforcewhichhadhealedsomanythousands。Thesamedistemper，indifferentconstitutions，maypossiblybeattendedwithsuchdifferentsymptoms，thattofindaninfalliblenostrumforthecuringanyonedistemperineverypatientmaybealmostasdifficultastofindapanaceaforthecureofall。

Butevensuchapanaceaoneofthegreatestscholarsandbestofmendidlatelyapprehendhehaddiscovered。Itistrue，indeed，hewasnophysician;thatis，hehadnotbytheformsofhiseducationacquiredarightofapplyinghisskillintheartofphysictohisownprivateadvantage;andyet，perhaps，itmaybetrulyassertedthatnoothermodernhathcontributedsomuchtomakehisphysicalskillusefultothepublic;atleast，thatnonehathundergonethepainsofcommunicatingthisdiscoveryinwritingtotheworld。Thereader，Ithink，willscarceneedtobeinformedthatthewriterImeanisthelatebishopofCloyne，inIreland，andthediscoverythatofthevirtuesoftar-water。

Ithenhappenedtorecollect，uponahintgivenmebytheinimitableandshamefully-distressedauthoroftheFemaleQuixote，thatIhadmanyyearsbefore，fromcuriosityonly，takenacursoryviewofbishopBerkeley’streatiseonthevirtuesoftar-water，whichIhadformerlyobservedhestronglycontendstobethatrealpanaceawhichSydenhamsupposestohaveanexistenceinnature，thoughityetremainsundiscovered，andperhapswillalwaysremainso。

UponthereperusalofthisbookIfoundthebishoponlyassertinghisopinionthattar-watermightbeusefulinthedropsy，sincehehadknownittohaveasurprisingsuccessinthecureofamoststubbornanasarca，whichisindeednootherthan，asthewordimplies，thedropsyoftheflesh;andthiswas，atthattime，alargepartofmycomplaint。

Afterashorttrial，therefore，ofamilkdiet，whichIpresentlyfounddidnotsuitwithmycase，Ibetookmyselftothebishop’sprescription，anddosedmyselfeverymorningandeveningwithhalfapintoftar-water。

Itwasnomorethanthreeweekssincemylasttapping，andmybellyandlimbsweredistendedwithwater。Thisdidnotgivemetheworseopinionoftar-water;forIneversupposedtherecouldbeanysuchvirtueintar-waterasimmediatelytocarryoffaquantityofwateralreadycollected。FormydeliveryfromthisI

wellknewImustbeagainobligedtothetrochar;andthatifthetar-waterdidmeanygoodatallitmustbeonlybytheslowestdegrees;andthatifitshouldevergetthebetterofmydistemperitmustbebythetediousoperationofundermining，andnotbyasuddenattackandstorm。

Somevisibleeffects，however，andfarbeyondwhatmymostsanguinehopescouldwithanymodestyexpect，Iverysoonexperienced;thetar-waterhaving，fromtheveryfirst，lessenedmyillness，increasedmyappetite，andadded，thoughinaveryslowproportion，tomybodilystrength。Butifmystrengthhadincreasedalittlemywaterdailyincreasedmuchmore。Sothat，bytheendofMay，mybellybecameagainripeforthetrochar，andIwasathirdtimetapped;uponwhich，twoveryfavorablesymptomsappeared。Ihadthreequartsofwatertakenfrommelessthanhadbeentakenthelasttime;andIboretherelaxationwithmuchless（indeedwithscarceany）faintness。

ThoseofmyphysicalfriendsonwhosejudgmentIchieflydependedseemedtothinkmyonlychanceoflifeconsistedinhavingthewholesummerbeforeme;inwhichImighthopetogathersufficientstrengthtoencountertheinclemenciesoftheensuingwinter。Butthischancebegandailytolessen。Isawthesummermoulderingaway，orrather，indeed，theyearpassingawaywithoutintendingtobringonanysummeratall。InthewholemonthofMaythesunscarceappearedthreetimes。Sothattheearlyfruitscametothefullnessoftheirgrowth，andtosomeappearanceofripeness，withoutacquiringanyrealmaturity;

havingwantedtheheatofthesuntosoftenandmelioratetheirjuices。Isawthedropsygainingratherthanlosingground;thedistancegrowingstillshorterbetweenthetappings。Isawtheasthmalikewisebeginningagaintobecomemoretroublesome。I

sawthemidsummerquarterdrawingtowardsaclose。SothatI

conceived，iftheMichaelmasquartershouldstealoffinthesamemanner，asitwas，inmyopinion，verymuchtobeapprehendeditwould，IshouldbedelivereduptotheattacksofwinterbeforeI

recruitedmyforces，soastobeanywiseabletowithstandthem。

Inowbegantorecallanintention，whichfromthefirstdawningsofmyrecoveryIhadconceived，ofremovingtoawarmerclimate;

and，findingthistobeapprovedofbyaveryeminentphysician，Iresolvedtoputitintoimmediateexecution。AixinProvencewastheplacefirstthoughton;butthedifficultiesofgettingthitherwereinsuperable。TheJourneybyland，besidetheexpenseofit，wasinfinitelytoolongandfatiguing;andIcouldhearofnoshipthatwaslikelytosetoutfromLondon，withinanyreasonabletime，forMarseilles，oranyotherportinthatpartoftheMediterranean。

Lisbonwaspresentlyfixedoninitsroom。Theairhere，asitwasnearfourdegreestothesouthofAix，mustbemoremildandwarm，andthewintershorterandlesspiercing。

Itwasnotdifficulttofindashipboundtoaplacewithwhichwecarryonsoimmenseatrade。Accordingly，mybrothersooninformedmeoftheexcellentaccommodationsforpassengerswhichweretobefoundonboardashipthatwasobligedtosailforLisboninthreedays。Ieagerlyembracedtheoffer，notwithstandingtheshortnessofthetime;and，havinggivenmybrotherfullpowertocontractforourpassage，Ibegantopreparemyfamilyforthevoyagewiththeutmostexpedition。

Butourgreathastewasneedless;forthecaptainhavingtwiceputoffhissailing，IatlengthinvitedhimtodinnerwithmeatFordhook，afullweekafterthetimeonwhichhehaddeclared，andthatwithmanyasseverations，hemustandwouldweighanchor。

Hedinedwithmeaccordingtohisappointment;andwhenallmattersweresettledbetweenus，leftmewithpositiveorderstobeonboardtheWednesdayfollowing，whenhedeclaredhewouldfalldowntherivertoGravesend，andwouldnotstayamomentforthegreatestmanintheworld。HeadvisedmetogotoGravesendbyland，andtherewaitthearrivalofhisship，assigningmanyreasonsforthis，everyoneofwhichwas，asIwellremember，amongthosethathadbeforedeterminedmetogoonboardneartheTower。

THEVOYAGE

WEDNESDAY，June26，1754。——OnthisdaythemostmelancholysunI

hadeverbeheldarose，andfoundmeawakeatmyhouseatFordhook。BythelightofthissunIwas，inmyownopinion，lasttobeholdandtakeleaveofsomeofthosecreaturesonwhomIdotedwithamother-likefondness，guidedbynatureandpassion，anduncuredandunhardenedbyallthedoctrineofthatphilosophicalschoolwhereIhadlearnedtobearpainsandtodespisedeath。Inthissituation，asIcouldnotconquerNature，Isubmittedentirelytoher，andshemadeasgreatafoolofmeasshehadeverdoneofanywomanwhatsoever;underpretenseofgivingmeleavetoenjoy，shedrewmeintosuffer，thecompanyofmylittleonesduringeighthours;andIdoubtnotwhether，inthattime，Ididnotundergomorethaninallmydistemper。

Attwelvepreciselymycoachwasatthedoor，whichwasnosoonertoldmethanIkissedmychildrenround，andwentintoitwithsomelittleresolution。Mywife，whobehavedmorelikeaheroineandphilosopher，thoughatthesametimethetenderestmotherintheworld，andmyeldestdaughter，followedme;somefriendswentwithus，andothersheretooktheirleave;andIheardmybehaviorapplauded，withmanymurmursandpraisestowhichIwellknewIhadnotitle;asallothersuchphilosophersmay，iftheyhaveanymodesty，confessonthelikeoccasions。

IntwohourswearrivedinRotherhithe，andimmediatelywentonboard，andweretohavesailedthenextmorning;but，asthiswastheking’sproclamation-day，andconsequentlyaholidayatthecustom-house，thecaptaincouldnotclearhisvesseltilltheThursday;fortheseholidaysareasstrictlyobservedasthoseinthepopishcalendar，andarealmostasnumerous。Imightaddthatbothareoppositetothegeniusoftrade，andconsequentlycontrabonumpublicum。

Togoonboardtheshipitwasnecessaryfirsttogointoaboat;

amatterofnosmalldifficulty，asIhadnouseofmylimbs，andwastobecarriedbymenwho，thoughsufficientlystrongfortheirburden，were，likeArchimedes，puzzledtofindasteadyfooting。Ofthis，asfewofmyreadershavenotgoneintowherriesontheThames，theywilleasilybeabletoformtothemselvesanidea。However，bytheassistanceofmyfriend，Mr。

Welch，whomIneverthinkorspeakofbutwithloveandesteem，I

conqueredthisdifficulty，asIdidafterwardsthatofascendingtheship，intowhichIwashoistedwithmoreeasebyachairliftedwithpulleys。Iwassoonseatedinagreatchairinthecabin，torefreshmyselfafterafatiguewhichhadbeenmoreintolerable，inaquarterofamile’spassagefrommycoachtotheship，thanIhadbeforeundergoneinaland-journeyoftwelvemiles，whichIhadtraveledwiththeutmostexpedition。

Thislatterfatiguewas，perhaps，somewhatheightenedbyanindignationwhichIcouldnotpreventarisinginmymind。I

think，uponmyentranceintotheboat，Ipresentedaspectacleofthehighesthorror。Thetotallossoflimbswasapparenttoallwhosawme，andmyfacecontainedmarksofamostdiseasedstate，ifnotofdeathitself。Indeed，soghastlywasmycountenance，thattimorouswomenwithchildhadabstainedfrommyhouse，forfearoftheillconsequencesoflookingatme。InthisconditionIranthegauntlope（soIthinkImayjustlycallit）throughrowsofsailorsandwatermen，fewofwhomfailedofpayingtheircomplimentstomebyallmannerofinsultsandjestsonmymisery。NomanwhoknewmewillthinkIconceivedanypersonalresentmentatthisbehavior;butitwasalivelypictureofthatcrueltyandinhumanityinthenatureofmenwhichIhaveoftencontemplatedwithconcern，andwhichleadsthemindintoatrainofveryuncomfortableandmelancholythoughts。ItmaybesaidthatthisbarbarouscustomispeculiartotheEnglish，andofthemonlytothelowestdegree;thatitisanexcrescenceofanuncontrolledlicentiousnessmistakenforliberty，andnevershowsitselfinmenwhoarepolishedandrefinedinsuchmannerashumannaturerequirestoproducethatperfectionofwhichitissusceptible，andtopurgeawaythatmalevolenceofdispositionofwhich，atourbirth，wepartakeincommonwiththesavagecreation。Thismaybesaid，andthisisallthatcanbesaid;

anditis，Iamafraid，butlittlesatisfactorytoaccountfortheinhumanityofthosewho，whiletheyboastofbeingmadeafterGod’sownimage，seemtobearintheirmindsaresemblanceofthevilestspeciesofbrutes;orrather，indeed，ofourideaofdevils;forIdon’tknowthatanybrutescanbetaxedwithsuchmalevolence。Asirloinofbeefwasnowplacedonthetable，forwhich，thoughlittlebetterthancarrion，asmuchwaschargedbythemasterofthelittlepaltryale-housewhodresseditaswouldhavebeendemandedforalltheeleganceoftheKing’sArms，oranyotherpolitetavernoreating-house！for，indeed，thedifferencebetweenthebesthouseandtheworstis，thatattheformeryoupaylargelyforluxury，atthelatterfornothing。

Thursday，June27。——Thismorningthecaptain，wholayonshoreathisownhouse，paidusavisitinthecabin，andbehavedlikeanangrybashaw，declaringthat，hadheknownwewerenottobepleased，hewouldnothavecarriedusforfivehundredpounds。

Headdedmanyasseverationsthathewasagentleman，anddespisedmoney;notforgettingseveralhintsofthepresentswhichhadbeenmadehimforhiscabin，oftwenty，thirty，andfortyguineas，byseveralgentlemen，overandabovethesumforwhichtheyhadcontracted。Thisbehaviorgreatlysurprisedme，asI

knewnothowtoaccountforit，nothinghavinghappenedsincewepartedfromthecaptaintheeveningbeforeinperfectgoodhumor;

andallthisbrokeforthonthefirstmomentofhisarrivalthismorning。Hedidnot，however，suffermyamazementtohaveanylongcontinuancebeforeheclearlyshowedmethatallthiswasmeantonlyasanapologytointroduceanotherprocrastination（beingthefifth）ofhisweighinganchor，whichwasnowpostponedtillSaturday，forsuchwashiswillandpleasure。

Besidesthedisagreeablesituationinwhichwethenlay，intheconfinesofWappingandRotherhithe，tastingadeliciousmixtureoftheairofboththesesweetplaces，andenjoyingtheconcordofsweetsoundsofseamen，watermen，fish-women，oyster-women，andofallthevociferousinhabitantsofbothshores，composingaltogetheragreatervarietyofharmonythanHogarth’simaginationhathbroughttogetherinthatprintofhis，whichisenoughtomakeamandeaftolookat——Ihadamoreurgentcausetopressourdeparture，whichwas，thatthedropsy，forwhichI

hadundergonethreetappings，seemedtothreatenmewithafourthdischargebeforeIshouldreachLisbon，andwhenIshouldhavenobodyonboardcapableofperformingtheoperation;butIwasobligedtohearkentothevoiceofreason，ifImayusethecaptain’sownwords，andtorestmyselfcontented。Indeed，therewasnoalternativewithinmyreachbutwhatwouldhavecostmemuchtoodear。Therearemanyevilsinsocietyfromwhichpeopleofthehighestrankaresoentirelyexempt，thattheyhavenottheleastknowledgeorideaofthem;norindeedofthecharacterswhichareformedbythem。Such，forinstance，istheconveyanceofgoodsandpassengersfromoneplacetoanother。Nowthereisnosuchthingasanykindofknowledgecontemptibleinitself;

and，astheparticularknowledgeIheremeanisentirelynecessarytothewellunderstandingandwellenjoyingthisjournal;and，lastly，asinthiscasethemostignorantwillbethoseveryreaderswhoseamusementwechieflyconsult，andtowhomwewishtobesupposedprincipallytowrite，wewillhereentersomewhatlargelyintothediscussionofthismatter;therather，forthatnoancientormodernauthor（ifwecantrustthecatalogueofdoctorMead’slibrary）hatheverundertakenit，butthatitseems（inthestyleofDonQuixote）ataskreservedformypenalone。

WhenIfirstconceivedthisintentionIbegantoentertainthoughtsofinquiringintotheantiquityoftraveling;and，asmanypersonshaveperformedinthisway（Imeanhavetraveled）attheexpenseofthepublic，Iflatteredmyselfthatthespiritofimprovingartsandsciences，andofadvancingusefulandsubstantiallearning，whichsoeminentlydistinguishesthisage，andhathgivenrisetomorespeculativesocietiesinEuropethanIatpresentcanrecollectthenamesof——perhaps，indeed，thanI

oranyother，besidestheirverynearneighbors，everheardmentioned——wouldassistinpromotingsocuriousawork;aworkbegunwiththesameviews，calculatedforthesamepurposes，andfittedforthesameuses，withthelaborswhichthoserighthonorablesocietieshavesocheerfullyundertakenthemselves，andencouragedinothers;sometimeswiththehighesthonors，evenwithadmissionintotheircolleges，andwithenrollmentamongtheirmembers。

FromthesesocietiesIpromisedmyselfallassistanceintheirpower，particularlythecommunicationofsuchvaluablemanuscriptsandrecordsastheymustbesupposedtohavecollectedfromthoseobscureagesofantiquitywhenhistoryyieldsussuchimperfectaccountsoftheresidence，andmuchmoreimperfectofthetravels，ofthehumanrace;unless，perhaps，asacuriousandlearnedmemberoftheyoungSocietyofAntiquariansissaidtohavehintedhisconjectures，thattheirresidenceandtheirtravelswereoneandthesame;andthisdiscovery（forsuchitseemstobe）heissaidtohaveowedtothelightingbyaccidentonabook，whichweshallhaveoccasiontomentionpresently，thecontentsofwhichwerethenlittleknowntothesociety。

ThekingofPrussia，moreover，who，fromadegreeofbenevolenceandtastewhichineithercaseisarareproductioninsonorthernaclimate，isthegreatencouragerofartandscience，I

waswellassuredwouldpromotesousefuladesign，andorderhisarchivestobesearchedonmybehalf。Butafterwellweighingalltheseadvantages，andmuchmeditationontheorderofmywork，mywholedesignwassubvertedinamomentbyhearingofthediscoveryjustmentionedtohavebeenmadebytheyoungantiquarian，who，fromthemostancientrecordintheworld（thoughIdon’tfindthesocietyareallagreedonthispoint），onelongprecedingthedateoftheearliestmoderncollections，eitherofbooksorbutterflies，noneofwhichpretendtogobeyondtheflood，showsusthatthefirstmanwasatraveler，andthatheandhisfamilywerescarcesettledinParadisebeforetheydislikedtheirownhome，andbecamepassengerstoanotherplace。Henceitappearsthatthehumoroftravelingisasoldasthehumanrace，andthatitwastheircursefromthebeginning。

Bythisdiscoverymyplanbecamemuchshortened，andIfounditonlynecessarytotreatoftheconveyanceofgoodsandpassengersfromplacetoplace;which，notbeinguniversallyknown，seemedpropertobeexplainedbeforeweexaminedintoitsoriginal。

Thereareindeedtwodifferentwaysoftracingallthingsusedbythehistorianandtheantiquary;theseareupwardsanddownwards。

Theformershowsyouhowthingsare，andleavestootherstodiscoverwhentheybegantobeso。Thelattershowsyouhowthingswere，andleavestheirpresentexistencetobeexaminedbyothers。Hencetheformerismoreuseful，thelattermorecurious。Theformerreceivesthethanksofmankind;thelatterofthatvaluablepart，thevirtuosi。

Inexplaining，therefore，thismysteryofcarryinggoodsandpassengersfromoneplacetoanother，hithertosoprofoundasecrettotheverybestofourreaders，weshallpursuethehistoricalmethod，andendeavortoshowbywhatmeansitisatpresentperformed，referringthemorecuriousinquiryeithertosomeotherpenortosomeotheropportunity。

Nowtherearetwogeneralwaysofperforming（ifGodpermit）thisconveyance，viz。，bylandandwater，bothofwhichhavemuchvariety;thatbylandbeingperformedindifferentvehicles，suchascoaches，caravans，wagons，etc。;andthatbywaterinships，barges，andboats，ofvarioussizesanddenominations。But，asallthesemethodsofconveyanceareformedonthesameprinciples，theyagreesowelltogether，thatitisfullysufficienttocomprehendthemallinthegeneralview，withoutdescendingtosuchminuteparticularsaswoulddistinguishonemethodfromanother。

Commontoalloftheseisonegeneralprinciplethat，asthegoodstobeconveyedareusuallythelarger，sotheyaretobechieflyconsideredintheconveyance;theownerbeingindeedlittlemorethananappendagetohistrunk，orbox，orbale，oratbestasmallpartofhisownbaggage，verylittlecareistobetakeninstowingorpackingthemupwithconveniencetohimself;fortheconveyanceisnotofpassengersandgoods，butofgoodsandpassengers。

Secondly，fromthisconveyancearisesanewkindofrelation，orratherofsubjection，inthesociety，bywhichthepassengerbecomesboundinallegiancetohisconveyer。Thisallegianceisindeedonlytemporaryandlocal，butthemostabsoluteduringitscontinuanceofanyknowninGreatBritain，and，tosaytruth，scarceconsistentwiththelibertiesofafreepeople，norcoulditbereconciledwiththem，diditnotmovedownwards;acircumstanceuniversallyapprehendedtobeincompatibletoallkindsofslavery;forAristotleinhisPoliticshathprovedabundantlytomysatisfactionthatnomenareborntobeslaves，exceptbarbarians;andtheseonlytosuchasarenotthemselvesbarbarians;andindeedMr。MontesquieuhathcarrieditverylittlefartherinthecaseoftheAfricans;therealtruthbeingthatnomanisborntobeaslave，unlesstohimwhoisabletomakehimso。

Thirdly，thissubjectionisabsolute，andconsistsofaperfectresignationbothofbodyandsoultothedisposalofanother;

afterwhichresignation，duringacertaintime，hissubjectretainsnomorepoweroverhisownwillthananAsiaticslave，oranEnglishwife，bythelawsofbothcountries，andbythecustomsofoneofthem。IfIshouldmentiontheinstanceofastage-coachman，manyofmyreaderswouldrecognizethetruthofwhatIhavehereobserved;all，indeed，thateverhavebeenunderthedominionofthattyrant，whointhisfreecountryisasabsoluteasaTurkishbashaw。Intwoparticularsonlyhispowerisdefective;hecannotpressyouintohisservice，andifyouenteryourselfatoneplace，onconditionofbeingdischargedatacertaintimeatanother，heisobligedtoperformhisagreement，ifGodpermit，butalltheintermediatetimeyouareabsolutelyunderhisgovernment;hecarriesyouhowhewill，whenhewill，andwhitherhewill，provideditbenotmuchoutoftheroad;youhavenothingtoeatortodrink，butwhat，andwhen，andwherehepleases。Nay，youcannotsleepunlesshepleasesyoushould;forhewillorderyousometimesoutofbedatmidnightandhurryyouawayatamoment’swarning：indeed，ifyoucansleepinhisvehiclehecannotpreventit;nay，indeed，togivehimhisdue，thisheisordinarilydisposedtoencourage：

fortheearlierheforcesyontoriseinthemorning，themoretimehewillgiveyouintheheatoftheday，sometimesevensixhoursatanale-house，orattheirdoors，wherehealwaysgivesyouthesameindulgencewhichheallowshimself;andforthisheisgenerallyverymoderateinhisdemands。Ihaveknownawholebundleofpassengerschargednomorethanhalf-a-crownforbeingsufferedtoremainquietatanale-housedoorforaboveawholehour，andthateveninthehottestdayinsummer。Butasthiskindoftyranny，thoughithathescapedourpoliticalwriters，hathbeenIthinktouchedbyourdramatic，andismoretriteamongthegeneralityofreaders;andasthisandallotherkindsofsuchsubjectionarealikeunknowntomyfriends，Iwillquitthepassengersbyland，andtreatofthosewhotravelbywater;

forwhateverissaidonthissubjectisapplicabletobothalike，andwemaybringthemtogetherascloselyastheyarebroughtintheliturgy，whentheyarerecommendedtotheprayersofallChristiancongregations;and（whichIhaveoftenthoughtveryremarkable）wheretheyarejoinedwithothermiserablewretches，suchaswomeninlabor，peopleinsickness，infantsjustborn，prisonersandcaptives。Goodsandpassengersareconveyedbywaterindiversvehicles，theprincipalofwhichbeingaship，itshallsufficetomentionthatalone。Herethetyrantdothnotderivehistitle，asthestage-coachmandoth，fromthevehicleitselfinwhichhestowshisgoodsandpassengers，butheiscalledthecaptain——awordofsuchvarioususeanduncertainsignification，thatitseemsverydifficulttofixanypositiveideatoit：if，indeed，therebeanygeneralmeaningwhichmaycomprehendallitsdifferentuses，thatoftheheadorchiefofanybodyofmenseemstobemostcapableofthiscomprehension;

forwhethertheybeacompanyofsoldiers，acrewofsailors，oragangofrogues，hewhoisattheheadofthemisalwaysstyledthecaptain。

Theparticulartyrantwhosefortuneitwastostowusaboardlaidafartherclaimtothisappellationthanthebarecommandofavehicleofconveyance。Hehadbeenthecaptainofaprivateer，whichhechosetocallbeingintheking’sservice，andthencederivedarightofhoistingthemilitaryornamentofacockadeoverthebuttonofhishat。Helikewiseworeaswordofnoordinarylengthbyhisside，withwhichheswaggeredinhiscabin，amongthewretcheshispassengers，whomhehadstowedincupboardsoneachside。Hewasapersonofaverysingularcharacter。Hehadtakenitintohisheadthathewasagentleman，fromthoseveryreasonsthatprovedhewasnotone;

andtoshowhimselfafinegentleman，byabehaviorwhichseemedtoinsinuatehehadneverseenone。Hewas，moreover，amanofgallantry;attheageofseventyhehadthefinicalnessofSirCourtlyNice，withtheroughnessofSurly;and，whilehewasdeafhimself，hadavoicecapableofdeafeningallothers。

Now，asIsawmyselfindangerbythedelaysofthecaptain，whowas，inreality，waitingformorefreight，andasthewindhadbeenlongnested，asitwere，inthesouthwest，whereitconstantlyblewhurricanes，Ibeganwithgreatreasontoapprehendthatourvoyagemightbelong，andthatmybelly，whichbeganalreadytobemuchextended，wouldrequirethewatertobeletoutatatimewhennoassistancewasathand;though，indeed，thecaptaincomfortedmewithassurancesthathehadaprettyyoungfellowonboardwhoactedashissurgeon，asIfoundhelikewisedidassteward，cook，butler，sailor。Inshort，hehadasmanyofficesasScrubintheplay，andwentthroughthemallwithgreatdexterity;thisofsurgeonwas，perhaps，theonlyoneinwhichhisskillwassomewhatdeficient，atleastthatbranchoftappingforthedropsy;forheveryingenuouslyandmodestlyconfessedhehadneverseentheoperationperformed，norwaspossessedofthatchirurgicalinstrumentwithwhichitisperformed。

Friday，June28。——Bywayofprevention，therefore，Ithisdaysentformyfriend，Mr。Hunter，thegreatsurgeonandanatomistofCovent-garden;and，thoughmybellywasnotyetveryfullandtight，letouttenquartsofwater;theyoungsea-surgeonattendedtheoperation，notasaperformer，butasastudent。

IwasnoweasedofthegreatestapprehensionwhichIhadfromthelengthofthepassage;andItoldthecaptainIwasbecomeindifferentastothetimeofhissailing。Heexpressedmuchsatisfactioninthisdeclaration，andathearingfrommethatI

foundmyself，sincemytapping，muchlighterandbetter。Inthis，Ibelieve，hewassincere;forhewas，asweshallhaveoccasiontoobservemorethanonce，averygood-naturedman;and，ashewasaverybraveonetoo，IfoundthattheheroicconstancywithwhichIhadborneanoperationthatisattendedwithscarceanydegreeofpainhadnotalittleraisedmeinhisesteem。

Thathemightadhere，therefore，inthemostreligiousandrigorousmannertohisword，whenhehadnolongeranytemptationfrominteresttobreakit，ashehadnolongeranyhopesofmoregoodsorpassengers，heorderedhisshiptofalldowntoGravesendonSundaymorning，andtheretowaithisarrival。

Sunday，June30。——Nothingworthnoticepassedtillthatmorning，whenmypoorwife，afterpassinganightintheutmosttormentsofthetoothache，resolvedtohaveitdrawn。IdespatchedthereforeaservantintoWappingtobringinhastethebesttooth-drawerhecouldfind。Hesoonfoundoutafemaleofgreateminenceintheart;butwhenhebroughthertotheboat，atthewaterside，theywereinformedthattheshipwasgone;forindeedshehadsetoutafewminutesafterhisquittingher;nordidthepilot，whowellknewtheerrandonwhichIhadsentmyservant，thinkfittowaitamomentforhisreturn，ortogivemeanynoticeofhissettingout，thoughIhadverypatientlyattendedthedelaysofthecaptainfourdays，aftermanysolemnpromisesofweighinganchoreveryoneofthethreelast。