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+====== The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen ======
+From [[http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=3154|Project Gutenberg]]
+==== Disclaimer ====
+[[Disclaimer for Project Gutenberg]]
+===== PREFACE  TO THE FIRST EDITION =====
+Baron Munnikhouson or Munchausen, of Bodenweder, near Hamelyn on the
+Weser, belongs to the noble family of that name, which gave to the
+King's German dominions the late prime minister and several other
+public characters equally bright and illustrious. He is a man of great
+original humour; and having found that prejudiced minds cannot be
+reasoned into common sense, and that bold assertors are very apt to
+bully and speak their audience out of it, he never argues with either
+of them, but adroitly turns the conversation upon indifferent topics
+and then tells a story of his travels, campaigns, and sporting
+adventures, in a manner peculiar to himself, and well calculated to
+awaken and shame the common sense of those who have lost sight of it
+by prejudice or habit.
+As this method has been often attended with good success, we beg leave
+to lay some of his stories before the public, and humbly request those
+who shall find them rather extravagant and bordering upon the
+marvellous, which will require but a very moderate share of common
+sense, to exercise the same upon every occurrence of life, and chiefly
+upon our English politics, in which /old habits/ and /bold
+assertions/, set off by eloquent speeches and supported by
+constitutional mobs, associations, volunteers, and foreign influence,
+have of late, we apprehend, but too successfully turned our brains,
+and made us the laughing-stock of Europe, and of France and Holland in
+particular.
+==== TO THE PUBLIC ====
+Having heard, for the first time, that my adventures have been
+doubted, and looked upon as jokes, I feel bound to come forward and
+vindicate my character /for veracity/, by paying three shillings at
+the Mansion House of this great city for the affidavits hereto
+appended.
+This I have been forced into in regard of my own honour, although I
+have retired for many years from public and private life; and I hope
+that this, my last edition, will place me in a proper light with my
+readers.
+==== AT THE CITY OF LONDON, ENGLAND. ====
+  /We/, the undersigned, as true believers in the /profit/, do most
+  solemnly affirm, that all the adventures of our friend Baron
+  Munchausen, in whatever country they may /lie/, are positive and
+  simple facts. /And/, as we have been believed, whose adventures
+  are tenfold more wonderful, /so/ do we hope all true believers
+  will give him their full faith and credence.
+                                                       GULLIVER. x
+                                                       SINBAD.   x
+                                                       ALADDIN.  x
+  /Sworn at the Mansion House
+th Nov. last, in the absence
+  of the Lord Mayor./
+                        JOHN (/the Porter/).
+===== Contents =====
+[[Contents Page]]