(Here, and in the following sections, difficult words and phrases, as well as allusions and historical references, are explained.)
to alter my condition to marry.
hosier a haberdasher, a person whose work or business is selling men’s furnishings, such as hats, shirts, neckties, and gloves.
four hundred pounds for a portion The part of a man’s money or property contributed by his bride; here, meaning Gulliver’s dowry.
East and West Indies East: Malay Archipelago; especially, the islands of Indonesia; West: the large group of islands between North America and South America; it includes the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas.
Van Diemen’s Island former name for Tasmania.
declivity a downward slope or sloping, as of a hill.
several slender ligatures the ropes used to tie Gulliver to the ground.
buff jerkin a short, closefitting, sleeveless jacket or vest made of soft brownish leather.
durst dared.
hogshead a large barrel or cask holding from 63 to 140 gallons.
retinue a body of assistants, followers, or servants attending a person of rank or importance.
Signet Royal an official seal.
express a special messenger; courier.
soporiferous medicine medicine that causes or tends to cause sleep.
latitude angular distance, measured in degrees, north or south from the equator.
