 only as a
Provocative to Drink; except where it is necessary for preserving of Flesh in
long Voyages, or in Places remote from great Markets. For we observe no Animal
to be fond of it but Man: And as to myself, when I left this Country, it was a
great while before I could endure the Taste of it in any thing that I eat.
    This is enough to say upon the Subject of my Dyet, wherewith other
Travellers fill their Books, as if the Readers were personally concerned,
whether we fare well or ill. However, it was necessary to mention this Matter,
lest the World should think it impossible that I could find Sustenance for three
Years in such a Country, and among such Inhabitants.
    When it grew towards Evening, the Master Horse ordered a Place for me to
lodge in; it was but Six Yards from the House, and separated from the Stable of
the Yahoos. Here I got some Straw, and covering myself with my own Cloaths,
slept very sound. But I was in a short time better accommodated, as the Reader
shall know hereafter, when I come to treat more particularly about my Way of
living.
 

                                   Chap. III.

The Author studious to learn the Language, the Houyhnhnm his Master assists in
teaching him. The Language described. Several Houyhnhnms of Quality come out of
Curiosity to see the Author. He gives his Master a short Account of his Voyage.
 
My principal Endeavour was to learn the Language, which my Master (for so I
shall henceforth call him) and his Children, and every Servant of his House were
desirous to teach me. For they looked upon it as a Prodigy, that a brute Animal
should discover such Marks of a rational Creature. I pointed to every thing, and
enquired the Name of it, which I wrote down in my Journal Book when I was alone,
and corrected my bad Accent, by desiring those of the Family to pronounce it
often. In this Employment, a Sorrel Nag, one of the under Servants, was very
ready to assist me.
    In speaking, they pronounce through the Nose and Throat, and their Language
approaches nearest to the High Dutch or German, of any I know in Europe; but is
much more graceful and significant. The Emperor Charles V. made almost the same
Observation when he said, That if he were to speak to his Horse, it should be in
High Dutch.
    The Curiosity and Impatience of my Master were so great, that he spent many
Hours of his Leisure to instruct me. He was convinced (as he afterwards told me)
that
