Collected in a book called _The Travels of Baron Munchausen_ is a series of the most extravagant stories imaginable. No one can possibly believe them to be true, and yet when we are reading them they do not appear so absurdly ridiculous as they seem afterward when we think of them. The book is said to have been written by a German named Rudolph Erich Raspe, but we cannot be sure of it, as there are no proofs. It is said, too, that there was a German officer, a Baron Hieronymous Karl Friedrich Munchausen who lived in the early part of the eighteenth century and who told such marvelous stories that he was very popular among his fellow officers and that his stories have been collected in a book. The book appeared first in 1793, and some have believed that it was written to ridicule the books of travel which had appeared from time to time, some of which contained narratives not much less incredible than some of the Baron's fanciful tales. It is probable, however, that the book is merely a collection of very old stories with many newer ones included among them, and that it was written solely for entertainment. The Baron always insists upon the strict truthfulness and accuracy of his stories and grows quite indignant when his veracity is questioned. To verify his words he printed the following notice at the beginning of his book: _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 honor, 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. SINBAD. ALADDIN. _Sworn at the Mansion House 9th November last, in the absence of the Lord Mayor_. JOHN (_the Porter_). In this volume a few of his most amusing stories are printed--all, perhaps, that it is worth while to read. I