, 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 9th Nov. last, in the absence of the Lord Mayor._ JOHN
(_the Porter_).

TRAVELS OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN

CHAPTER I

[THE BARON IS SUPPOSED TO RELATE THESE ADVENTURES TO HIS FRIENDS OVER A
BOTTLE.]

_The Baron relates an account of his first travels--The astonishing
effects of a storm--Arrives at Ceylon; combats and conquers two
extraordinary opponents--Returns to Holland._

Some years before my beard announced approaching manhood, or, in other
words, when I was neither man nor boy, but between both, I expressed in
repeated conversations a strong desire of seeing the world, from which
I was discouraged by my parents, though my father had been no
inconsiderable traveller himself, as will appear before I have reached
the end of my singular, and, I may add, interesting adventures. A
cousin, by my mother's side, took a liking to me, often said I was
fine forward youth, and was much inclined to gratify my curiosity.
His eloquence had more effect than mine, for my father consented to my
accompanying him in a voyage to the island of Ceylon, where his uncle
had resided as governor many years.

We sailed from Amsterdam with despatches from their High Mightinesses
the States of Holland. The only circumstance which happened on our
voyage worth relating was the wonderful effects of a storm, which
had torn up by the