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. He told me that sometimes, though very rarely, a childhappened to be born in a family, with a red circular spot in the forehead, directly over the left eyebrow, whichwas an infallible mark that it should never die. The spot, as he described it, was about the compass of aCHAPTER X.86 Gulliver's Travelssilver threepence, but in the course of time grew larger, and changed its colour; for at twelve years old itbecame green, so continued till five and twenty, then turned to a deep blue: at five and forty it grew coalblack, and as large as an English shilling; but never admitted any further alteration. He said, these birthswere so rare, that he did not believe there could be above eleven hundred struldbrugs, of both sexes, in thewhole kingdom; of which he computed about fifty in the metropolis, and, among the rest, a young girl born;about three years ago: that these productions were not peculiar to any family, but a mere effect of chance; andthe children of the struldbrugs themselves were equally mortal with the rest of the people. I freely own myself to have been struck with inexpressible delight, upon hearing this account: and the personwho gave it me happening to understand the Balnibarbian language, which I spoke very well, I could notforbear breaking out into expressions, perhaps a little too extravagant.I cried out, as in a rapture, Happynation, where every child hath at least a chance for being immortal! Happy people, who enjoy so many livingexamples of ancient virtue, and have masters ready to instruct them in the wisdom of all former ages! buthappiest, beyond all comparison, are those excellent struldbrugs, who, being born exempt from that universalcalamity of human nature, have their minds free and disengaged, without the weight and depression of spiritscaused by the continual apprehensions of death! I discovered my admiration that I had not observed any ofthese illustrious persons at court; the black spot on the forehead being so remarkable a distinction, that I couldnot have easily overlooked it: and it was impossible that his majesty, a most judicious prince, should notprovide himself with a good number of such wise and able counsellors.Yet perhaps the virtue of thosereverend sages was too strict for the corrupt and libertine manners of a court: and we often find by experience,that young men are too opinionated and volatile to be guided by the sober dictates of their seniors.However,since the king was pleased to allow me access to his royal person, I was resolved, upon the very first occasion,to deliver my opinion to him on this matter freely and at large, by the help of my interpreter; and whether hewould please to take my advice or not, yet in one thing I was determined, that his majesty having frequentlyoffered me an establishment in this country, I would, with great thankfulness, accept the favour, and pass mylife here in the conversation of those superior beings the struldbrugs, if they would please to admit me. The gentleman to whom I addressed my discourse, because (as I have already observed) he spoke thelanguage of Balnibarbi, said to me, with a sort of a smile which usually arises from pity to the ignorant, thathe was glad of any occasion to keep me among them, and desired my permission to explain to the companywhat I had spoke. He did so, and they talked together for some time in their own language, whereof Iunderstood not a syllable, neither could I observe by their countenances, what impression my discourse hadmade on them.After a short silence, the same person told me, that his friends and mine (so he thought fit toexpress himself) were very much pleased with the judicious remarks I had made on the great happiness andadvantages of immortal life, and they were desirous to know, in a particular manner, what scheme of living Ishould have formed to myself, if it had fallen to my lot to have been born a struldbrug. I answered, it was easy to be eloquent on so copious and delightful a subject, especially to me, who had beenoften apt to amuse myself with visions of what I should do, if I were a king, a general, or a great lord: andupon this very case, I had frequently run over the whole system how I should employ myself, and pass thetime, if I were sure to live for ever. That, if it had been my good fortune to come into the world a struldbrug, as soon as I could discover my ownhappiness, by understanding the difference between life and death, I would first resolve, by all arts andmethods, whatsoever, to procure myself riches.In the pursuit of which, by thrift and management, I mightreasonably expect, in about two hundred years, to be the wealthiest man in the kingdom.In the second place,I would, from my earliest youth, apply myself to the study of arts and sciences, by which I should arrive intime to excel all others in learning.Lastly, I would carefully record every action and event of consequence,that happened in the public, impartially draw the characters of the several successions of princes and greatministers of state, with my own observations on every point.I would exactly set down the several changes incustoms, language, fashions of dress, diet, and diversions.By all which acquirements, I should be a livingCHAPTER X.87 Gulliver's Travelstreasure of knowledge and wisdom, and certainly become the oracle of the nation. I would never marry after threescore, but live in a hospitable manner, yet still on the saving side.I wouldentertain myself in forming and directing the minds of hopeful young men, by convincing them, from my ownremembrance, experience, and observation, fortified by numerous examples, of the usefulness of virtue inpublic and private life.But my choice and constant companions should be a set of my own immortalbrotherhood; among whom, I would elect a dozen from the most ancient, down to my own contemporaries.Where any of these wanted fortunes, I would provide them with convenient lodges round my own estate, andhave some of them always at my table; only mingling a few of the most valuable among you mortals, whomlength of time would harden me to lose with little or no reluctance, and treat your posterity after the samemanner; just as a man diverts himself with the annual succession of pinks and tulips in his garden, withoutregretting the loss of those which withered the preceding year. These struldbrugs and I would mutually communicate our observations and memorials, through the course oftime; remark the several gradations by which corruption steals into the world, and oppose it in every step, bygiving perpetual warning and instruction to mankind; which, added to the strong influence of our ownexample, would probably prevent that continual degeneracy of human nature so justly complained of in allages
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