, that Writers of Travels, like
Dictionary-Makers, are sunk into Oblivion by the Weight and Bulk of those who
come last, and therefore lie uppermost. And it is highly probable, that such
Travellers who shall hereafter visit the Countries described in this Work of
mine, may by detecting my Errors, (if there be any) and adding many new
Discoveries of their own, jostle me out of Vogue, and stand in my Place; making
the World forget that ever I was an Author. This indeed would be too great a
Mortification if I wrote for Fame: But, as my sole Intention was the PUBLICK
GOOD, I cannot be altogether disappointed. For, who can read of the Virtues I
have mentioned in the glorious Houyhnhnms, without being ashamed of his own
Vices, when he considers himself as the reasoning, governing Animal of his
Country? I shall say nothing of those remote Nations where Yahoos preside;
amongst which the least corrupted are the Brobdingnagians, whose wise Maxims in
Morality and Government, it would be our Happiness to observe. But I forbear
descanting further, and rather leave the judicious Reader to his own Remarks and
Applications.
    I am not a little pleased that this Work of mine can possibly meet with no
Censurers: For what Objections can be made against a Writer who relates only
plain Facts that happened in such distant Countries, where we have not the least
Interest with respect either to Trade or Negotiations? I have carefully avoided
every Fault with which common Writers of Travels are often too justly charged.
Besides, I meddle not the least with any Party, but write without Passion,
Prejudice, or Ill-will against any Man or Number of Men whatsoever. I write for
the noblest End, to inform and instruct Mankind, over whom I may, without Breach
of Modesty, pretend to some Superiority, from the Advantages I received by
conversing so long among the most accomplished Houyhnhnms. I write without any
View towards Profit or Praise. I never suffer a Word to pass that may look like
Reflection, or possibly give the least Offence even to those who are most ready
to take it. So that, I hope, I may with Justice pronounce myself an Author
perfectly blameless; against whom the Tribes of Answerers, Considerers,
Observers, Reflecters, Detecters, Remarkers, will never be able to find Matter
for exercising their Talents.
    I confess, it was whispered to me, that I was bound in Duty as a Subject of
England, to have given in a Memorial to a Secretary of State, at my first coming
over; because, whatever Lands are discovered by
