What mechanism do the emperor and his ministers use to see Gulliver from a height?

The emperor and his ministers utilize a turret to gain a height advantage so they can observe Gulliver more effectively. This choice is consistent with the story's portrayal of the emperor's desire to assess Gulliver and establish his status, which necessitates a better vantage point than what the ground level can provide. The turret enables them to look down upon Gulliver, highlighting the extreme differences in size between him and the inhabitants of Lilliput. This mechanism serves both a practical purpose—allowing the emperor and his ministers to see Gulliver clearly—and a thematic one, illustrating the power dynamics and the absurdity of the situation created by their substantial size difference.