I was born in the year 1682, in the city of Nottingham, of a good family, though not of that country, my father being a foreigner of great estate, who had married the daughter of a country gentleman in Nottinghamshire. I mention my father's family, because I am well informed, my father was the second son of a very considerable gentleman, who had three sons and two daughters. My grandfather, who was a merchant at Worcester, had two daughters, one of whom was married to a gentleman in Staffordshire, and the other to a man of York. My mother was the daughter of a clothier in Norfolk, who had four children, two sons and two daughters; the eldest son was a lawyer; the second was a doctor; the youngest daughter was married to a gentleman in Suffolk.
When I was a child, I remember my nurse's telling me that I could already read in English, and had learned to spell and write pretty well. My education began with the grammar-school; from thence I was sent to Catharine-hall in Cambridge; my name is entered in the books of that society; but having had no strong bent either to voyage or travel, I stayed there but a short time, and my father, finding no inclination in me to barbarous employments, placed me with a man of trade, who had a shop at Yarmouth.
My father, who was resolved to bring me up to some useful occupation, placed me under a surgeon and apothecary in London, where I learned the theory and practice of surgery and the dispensing of medicines. I continued with him about three years; and having a very good memory, and a careful application, I was soon able to assist him in the more difficult operations, and to compound medicines of all sorts.
At the age of twelve I was bound apprentice to Mr. James Bates, a surgeon in London; and my parents, considering the usual hazards of seafaring life, ordered my master to put me to learn navigation, in case of any occasion. It was also his good fortune that Mr. Bates was a great friend to the Royal Society, and consequently introduced me to several people of learning and curiosity.
About this time I had several opportunities of reading the journals of voyages and travels, which made such an impression upon my mind, that I often resolved to go abroad, notwithstanding the remonstrances of my parents and friends, who supposed me unfitted for such enterprises. I had a great inclination to the sea, and being well grounded in my business, I was at length determined to engage in it.
I went on board an East India man, commanded by Captain John Christian, a man of good discipline and experience; we sailed from the Downs, and I continued on board as surgeon's mate for three years, during which I visited several parts of the world, and had opportunities of observing the people and customs of different nations, which laid the foundation of my future speculations.
On the 4th of May, 1699, being then about thirty years of age, and having acquired a competent knowledge of navigation and the medical profession, I accepted the command of the ship Adventure, belonging to a merchant at Bristol; with this vessel I made several voyages to the coast of Guinea and the West Indies, where I trafficked for several commodities. During one of these voyages, we were overtaken by a violent storm, which separated me from my ship and left me upon a desolate coast, weak and exhausted. I had no weapon, no assistance, and was ready to perish, when by a providential accident I recovered my senses upon the shore.
I found myself extended upon my back, and, after some time, perceived a multitude of little people, about six inches high, coming with great speed towards me; they were dressed in a sort of laced coats, and had small swords and bucklers. They examined me on all sides; some climbed upon my hands, others upon my breast; and one, who seemed to be their chief, mounted upon my knee, and made signs to the others to bring a ladder, with which they soon scaled my body.
They bound me with a number of slender thongs and wires, which were scarce perceptible to me, but tied as fast as if I had been a criminal, and conveyed me into the city of Lilliput, where they received me with great respect and curiosity. The Emperor, a grave and severe person, came to view me, and the whole court assembled to behold the remarkable stranger, whose body, they said, covered a great part of the horizon.
Their language was entirely new to me, and their names and words sounded like the chirping of birds; yet, by the help of signs and gestures, and my own observation, I was able in a few weeks to understand their tongue, and converse with their ministers, who frequently solicited me to describe the customs and manners of our species, which they called 'giants.' I observed, with some concern, that they had a very exact and speculative knowledge of policical matters, and were a people of great subtilty and artifice.