Level 5: Gulliver's Travels

CHAPTER I.The author gives some account of himself and family. His firstinducements to travel. He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life. Getssafe on shore in the country of Lilliput; is made a prisoner, and carriedup the country.My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire: I was the third of fivesons. He sent me to Emanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my studies; butthe charge of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound apprentice to Mr. JamesBates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued four years.My father now and then sending me small sums of money, I laid them out inlearning navigation, and other parts of the mathematics, useful to thosewho intend to travel, as I always believed it would be, some time orother, my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down to myfather: where, by the assistance of him and my uncle John, and some otherrelations, I got forty pounds, and a promise of thirty pounds a year tomaintain me at Leyden: there I studied physic two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages.Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master, Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannel, commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyageor two into the Levant, and some other parts. When I came back Iresolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master, encouragedme, and by him I was recommended to several patients. I took part of asmall house in the Old Jewry; and being advised to alter my condition, Imarried Mrs. Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier, in Newgate-street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for aportion.But my good master Bates dying in two years after, and I having fewfriends, my business began to fail; for my conscience would not suffer meto imitate the bad practice of too many among my brethren. Havingtherefore consulted with my wife, and some of my acquaintance, Idetermined to go again to sea. I was surgeon successively in two ships, and made several voyages, for six years, to the East and West Indies, bywhich I got some addition to my fortune. My hours of leisure I spent inreading the best authors, ancient and modern, being always provided witha good number of books; and when I was ashore, in observing the mannersand dispositions of the people, as well as learning their language;wherein I had a great facility, by the strength of my memory.The last of these voyages not proving very fortunate, I grew weary of thesea, and intended to stay at home with my wife and family. I removedfrom the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping toget business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account. Afterthree years expectation that things would mend, I accepted anadvantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the Antelope, who was making a voyage to the South Sea. We set sail from Bristol, May4, 1699, and our voyage was at first very prosperous.