There I remained for some months, deprived of
all intercourse with rational creatures; a circumstance for which
I was not sorry, as I had the more time to project schemes of
revenge against the tyrant who confined me, and the wretch who had
betrayed my private conversation. But tired, at length, with these
fruitless suggestions, I was fain to unbend the severity of my
thoughts by a correspondence with some industrious spiders, who
had hung my dungeon with their ingenious labours.
"I considered their work with such attention that I soon became an
adept in the mystery of weaving, and furnished myself with as many
useful observations and reflections on that art, as will compose
a very curious treatise, which I intend to bequeath to the Royal
Society, for the benefit of our woollen manufacture; and this with
a view to perpetuate my own name, rather than befriend my country;
for, thank Heaven! I am weaned from all attachments of that kind,
and look upon myself as one very little obliged to any society
whatsoever. Although I presided with absolute power over this
long-legged community, and distributed punishments and rewards to
each, according to his deserts, I grew impatient of my situation;
and my natural disposition one day prevailing, like a fire which
had long been smothered, I wreaked the fury of my indignation upon
my innocent subjects, and in a twinkling destroyed the whole race.
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