INTRODUCTION
ItisacuriousfactthatofthatclassofliteraturetowhichMunchausenbelongs，thatnamelyof/VoyagesImaginaires/，thethreegreattypesshouldhaveallbeencreatedinEngland。Utopia，RobinsonCrusoe，andGulliver，illustratingrespectivelythephilosophical，theedifying，andthesatiricaltypeoffictitioustravel，wereallwritteninEngland，andattheendoftheeighteenthcenturyafourthtype，thefantasticallymendacious，wasevolvedinthiscountry。OfthistypeMunchausenwasthemodernoriginal，andremainstheclassicalexample。Theadaptabilityofsuchaspeciesofcompositiontolocalandtopicalusesmightwellbeconsideredprejudicialtoitschancesofobtainingapermanentplaceinliterature。YetMunchausenhasundoubtedlyachievedsuchaplace。TheBaron’snotorietyisuniversal，hischaracterproverbial，andhisnameasfamiliarasthatofMr。LemuelGulliver，orRobinsonCrusoe，mariner，ofYork。
Condemnedbythelearned，likesomeothermasterpieces，asworthless，Munchausen’stravelshaveobtainedsuchaworld—widefame，thatthestoryoftheiroriginpossessesageneralandhistoricinterestapartfromwhateverofobscurityorofcuriosityitmayhavetorecommendit。
TheworkfirstappearedinLondoninthecourseoftheyear1785。Nocopyofthefirsteditionappearstobeaccessible;itseems，however，tohavebeenissuedsometimeintheautumn，andinthe/CriticalReview/forDecember1785thereisthefollowingnotice：\"BaronMunchausen’sNarrativeofhisMarvellousTravelsandCampaignsinRussia。Small8vo，IS。（Smith）。Thisisasatiricalproductioncalculatedtothrowridiculeontheboldassertionsofsomeparliamentarydeclaimers。Ifrantmaybebestfoiledatitsownweapons，theauthor’sdesignisnotill—founded;forthemarvelloushasneverbeencarriedtoamorewhimsicalandludicrousextent。\"Thereviewerhadprobablyreadtheworkthroughfromonepapercovertotheother。Itwasinfacttooshorttoborethemostblaséofhiskind，consistingofbutforty—ninesmalloctavopages。Thesecondedition，whichisintheBritishMuseum，bearsthefollowingtitle;
\"BaronMunchausen’sNarrativeofhisMarvellousTravelsandCampaignsinRussia;humblydedicatedandrecommendedtocountrygentlemen，andiftheypleasetoberepeatedastheirownafterahunt，athorseraces，inwateringplaces，andothersuchpoliteassemblies;roundthebottleandfireside。Smith。PrintedatOxford。1786。\"Thefactthatthislittlepamphletagainconsistsofbutforty—ninesmalloctavopages，combinedwiththesimilarityoftitle（asfarasthatofthefirsteditionisgiveninthe/CriticalReview/），publisher，andprice，affordsastrongpresumptionthatitwasidenticalwiththefirstedition。Thiseditioncontainsonlychaptersii。，iii。，iv。，v。，andvi。（pp。10—44）ofthepresentreprint。Thesechaptersarethebestinthebookandtheirsubstantialifpeculiarmeritcanhardlybedenied，butthepamphletappearstohavemetwithlittlesuccess，andearlyin1786Smithseemstohavesoldthepropertytoanotherbookseller，Kearsley。Kearsleyhaditenlarged，butnot，weareexpresslyinformed，intheprefacetotheseventhedition，bythehandoftheoriginalauthor（whohappenedtobeinCornwallatthetime）。
Healsohaditillustratedandbroughtitoutinthesameyearinbookformattheenhancedpriceoftwoshillings，underthetitle：
\"GulliverReviv’d：TheSingularTravels，Campaigns，VoyagesandSportingAdventuresofBaronMunnikhousoncommonlypronouncedMunchausen;asherelatesthemoverabottlewhensurroundedbyhisfriends。AneweditionconsiderablyenlargedwithviewsfromtheBaron’sdrawings。London。1786。\"Awell—informed/CriticalReviewer/
wouldhaveamendedthetitlethus：\"Lucianreviv’d：orGulliverBeatwithhisownBow。\"
Foureditionsnowsucceededeachotherwithrapidityandwithoutmodification。AGermantranslationappearedin1786withtheimprintLondon：itwas，however，inrealityprintedbyDieterichatG？ttingen。
Itwasafreerenderingofthefifthedition，theprefacebeingaclumsycombinationofthatprefixedtotheoriginaleditionwiththatwhichKearsleyhadaddedtothethird。
Thefifthedition（whichis，withtheexceptionoftriflingdifferencesonthetitle—page，identicalwiththethird，fourth，andsixth）isalsothatwhichhasbeenfollowedinthepresentreprintdowntotheconclusionofchaptertwenty，whereitendswiththewords\"thegreatquadrangle。\"ThesupplementtreatingofMunchausen’sextraordinaryflightonthebackofaneagleoverFrancetoGibraltar，SouthandNorthAmerica，thePolarRegions，andbacktoEnglandisderivedfromtheseventheditionof1793，whichhasanewsub—title：——
\"Gulliverreviv’d，ortheViceofLyingproperlyexposed。\"Theprefacetothisenlargededitionalsoinformsthereaderthatthelastfoureditionshadmetwithextraordinarysuccess，andthatthesupplementarychapters，all，thatis，withtheexceptionofchaptersii。，iii。，iv。，v。，andvi。，whichareascribedtoBaronMunchausenhimself，weretheproductionofanotherpen，written，however，intheBaron’smanner。Tothesameingeniouspersonthepublicwasindebtedfortheengravingswithwhichthebookwasembellished。TheseventhwasthelasteditionbywhichtheclassictextofMunchausenwasseriouslymodified。Evenbeforethisimportantconsummationhadbeenarrivedat，asequel，whichwaswithinafractionaslongastheoriginalwork（itoccupiespp。163—299ofthisvolume），hadappearedunderthetitle，\"ASequeltotheAdventuresofBaronMunchausen……HumblydedicatedtoMr。BrucetheAbyssiniantraveller，astheBaronconceivesthatitmaybesomeservicetohim，previoustohismakinganotherjourneyintoAbyssinia。ButifthisadvicedoesnotdelightMr。Bruce，theBaroniswillingtofighthimonanytermshepleases。\"Thisworkwasissuedseparately。London，1792，8vo。
Suchisthehistoryofthebookduringthefirsteightorconstructiveyearsofitsexistence，beyondwhichitisnecessarytotraceit，untilatleastwehavetoucheduponthelong—vexedquestionofitsauthorship。
Munchausen’stravelshaveinfactbeenascribedtoasmanydifferenthandsasthoseofOdysseus。But（asinmostotherrespects）itdiffersfromthemoreancientfabulousnarrativeinthatitsauthorshiphasbeenthesubjectofbutlittlecontroversy。Manypeoplehaveentertainederroneousnotionsastoitsauthorship，whichtheyhavecirculatedwithcompleteassurance;buttheyhavenotfeltitincumbentuponthemtosupporttheirownviewsortocombatthoseofotherpeople。Ithas，moreover，beenfrequentlystatedwithequalconfidenceandinaccuracythattheauthorshiphasneverbeensettled。
AnearlyandpersistentversionofthegenesisofthetravelswasthattheytooktheiroriginfromtherivalryinfabuloustalesofthreeaccomplishedstudentsatG？ttingenUniversity，Bürger，K？stner，andLichtenberg;anotherranthatGottfriedAugustBürger，theGermanpoetandauthorof\"Lenore，\"hadatalaterstageofhiscareermetBaronMunchauseninPyrmontandtakendownthestoriesfromhisownlips。
PercyinhisanecdotesattributestheTravelstoacertainMr。M。
（MunchausenalsobeganwithanM。）whowasimprisonedatParisduringtheReignofTerror。Southeyinhis\"Omniana\"conjectured，fromthecoincidencesbetweentwoofthetalesandtwoinaPortugueseperiodicalpublishedin1730，thattheEnglishfictionsmusthavebeenderivedfromthePortuguese。WilliamWestthebooksellerandnumerousfollowershavestatedthatMunchausenoweditsfirstorigintoBruce’sTravels，andwaswrittenforthepurposeofburlesquingthatunfairlytreatedwork。PiererboldlystatedthatitwasasuccessfulanonymoussatireupontheEnglishgovernmentoftheday，whileMeuselwithequaltemerityaffirmedinhis\"Lexikon\"thatthebookwasatranslationofthe\"well—knownMunchausenlies\"executedfroma（non—existent）GermanoriginalbyRudolphErichRaspe。Awriterinthe/Gentleman’sMagazine/for1856callsthebookthejointproductionofBürgerandRaspe。
Ofalltheconjectures，ofwhichthesearebutaselection，themostaccuratefromaGermanpointofviewisthatthebookwastheworkofBürger，whowasthefirsttodresstheTravelsinaGermangarb，andwasforalongtimealmostuniversallycreditedwiththesoleproprietorship。Bürgerhimselfappearsneithertohaveclaimednordisclaimedthedistinction。Thereis，however，nodoubtwhateverthatthebookfirstappearedinEnglishin1785，andthatBürger’sGermanversiondidnotseethelightuntil1786。ThefirstGermanedition（thoughinrealityprintedatG？ttingen）boretheimprintLondon，andwasstatedtobederivedfromanEnglishsource;butthiswas，reasonablyenough，heldtobemerelyameasureofprecautionincasetheactualBaronMunchausen（whowasawell—knownpersonageinG？ttingen）shouldbestupidenoughtofeelaggrievedatbeingmadethebuttofagrosscaricature。Inthiswaythediscrepancyofdatesmentionedabovemighteasilyhavebeenobscured，andBürgermightstillhavebeencreditedwithaworkwhichhasprovedabetterprotectionagainstoblivionthan\"Lenore，\"haditnotbeenfortheofficioussensitivenessofhisself—appointedbiographer，KarlvonReinhard。Reinhard，inananswertoanattackmadeuponhisheroforbringingoutMunchausenasapot—boilerinGermanandEnglishsimultaneously，definitelystatedinthe/BerlinGesellschafters/ofNovember1824，thattherealauthoroftheoriginalworkwasthatdisreputablegenius，RudolphErichRaspe，andthattheGermanworkwasmerelyafreetranslationmadebyBürgerfromthefiftheditionoftheEnglishwork。Bürger，hestated，waswellawareof，butwastoohigh—
mindedtodisclosetherealauthorship。
TakingReinhard’ssolemnasseverationinconjunctionwiththeascertainedfactsofRaspe’scareer，hisundoubtedacquaintancewiththeBaronMunchausenofreallifeandthefirstappearanceoftheworkin1785，whenRaspewascertainlyinEngland，thereseemstobelittledifficultyinacceptinghisauthorshipasapositivefact。Thereisnodifficultywhatever，increditingRaspewithasufficientmasteryofEnglishidiomtohavewrittenthebookwithoutassistance，forasearlyasJanuary1780（sincewhichdateRaspehadresideduninterruptedlyinthiscountry）WalpolewrotetohisfriendMasonthat\"RaspewritesEnglishmuchaboveillandspeaksitasreadilyasFrench，\"andshortlyafterwardsheremarkedthathewroteEnglish\"surprisinglywell。\"Inthenextyear，1781，Raspe’sabsolutecommandofthetwolanguagesencouragedhimtopublishtwomoderatelygoodprose—translations，oneofLessing’s\"NathantheWise，\"andtheotherofZachariae’sMock—heroic，\"TabbyinElysium。\"Theerraticcharacterofthepunctuationmaybesaid，withperfectimpartiality，tobetheonlydistinguishingfeatureofthestyleoftheoriginaleditionof\"Munchausen。\"
Curiousasisthislonghistoryofliterarymisappropriation，thechequeredcareeroftherightfulauthor，RudolphErichRaspe，offersachapterinbiographywhichhasquiteasmanypointsofsingularity。
BorninHanoverin1737，RaspestudiedattheUniversitiesofG？ttingenandLeipsic。Heisstatedalsotohaverenderedsomeassistancetoayoungnoblemaninsowinghiswildoats，asequeltohisuniversitycoursewhichmaypossiblyhelptoexplainhissubsequentaberrations。Theconnectioncannothavelastedlong，asin1762，havingalreadyobtainedreputationasastudentofnaturalhistoryandantiquities，heobtainedapostasoneoftheclerksintheUniversityLibraryatHanover。
NolaterthanthefollowingyearcontributionswritteninelegantLatinaretobefoundattachedtohisnameintheLeipsic/NovaActaEruditorum/。In1764healludedgracefullytotheconnectionbetweenHanoverandEnglandinapieceuponthebirthdayofQueenCharlotte，andhavingbeenpromotedsecretaryoftheUniversityLibraryatG？ttingen，theyoungsavantcommencedatranslationofLeibniz’sphilosophicalworkswhichwasissuedinLatinandFrenchaftertheoriginalMSS。intheRoyalLibraryatHanover，withaprefacebyRaspe’soldcollegefriendK？stner（G？ttingen，1765）。Atonceacourtier，anantiquary，andaphilosopher，Raspenextsoughttodisplayhisvocationforpoliteletters，bypublishinganambitiousallegoricalpoemoftheageofchivalry，entitled\"HerminandGunilde，\"whichwasnotonlyexceedinglywellreviewed，butreceivedthehonourofaparodyentitled\"HarlequinandColumbine。\"HealsowrotetranslationsofseveralofthepoemsofOssian，andadisquisitionupontheirgenuineness;andthenwithbetterinspirationhewroteaconsiderabletreatiseon\"Percy’sReliquesofAncientPoetry，\"withmetricaltranslations，beingthusthefirsttocalltheattentionofGermanytotheseadmirablepoems，whichwereafterwardssosuccessfullyransackedbyBürger，Herder，andotherearlyGermanromanticists。
In1767RaspewasagainadvancedbybeingappointedProfessorattheCollegiumCarolinuminCassel，andkeeperofthelandgraveofHesse’srichandcuriouscollectionofantiquegemsandmedals。HewasshortlyafterwardsappointedLibrarianinthesamecity，andin1771hemarried。Hecontinuedwritingonnaturalhistory，mineralogy，andarch？ology，andin1769apaperinthe59thvolumeofthePhilosophicalTransactions，onthebonesandteethofelephantsandotheranimalsfoundinNorthAmericaandvariousborealregionsoftheworld，procuredhiselectionasanhonorarymemberoftheRoyalSocietyofLondon。Hisconclusioninthispaperthatlargeelephantsormammothsmusthavepreviouslyexistedinborealregionshas，ofcourse，beenabundantlyjustifiedbylaterinvestigations。WhenitisaddedthatRaspeduringthispartofhislifealsowrotepapersonlithographyanduponmusicalinstruments，andtranslatedAlgarotti’sTreatiseon\"Architecture，Painting，andOperaMusic，\"enoughwillhavebeensaidtomakemanifesthisveryremarkableandsomewhatprolixversatility。In1773hemadeatourinWestphaliainquestofMSS。，andonhisreturn，bywayofcompletinghiseducation，heturnedjournalist，andcommencedaperiodicalcalledthe/CasselSpectator/，withMauvillonashisco—editor。In1775hewastravellinginItalyonacommissiontocollectarticlesofvertuforthelandgrave，anditwasapparentlysoonafterhisreturnthathebeganappropriatingtohisownusevaluablecoinsabstractedfromthecabinetsentrustedtohiscare。Hehadnodifficultyinfindingamarketfortheantiqueswhichhewishedtodisposeof，andwhich，ithasbeencharitablysuggested，hehadeveryintentionofreplacingwheneveropportunityshouldserve。Hisconsequentprocedurewas，itistrue，scarcelythatofahardenedcriminal。HavingobtainedthepermissionofthelandgravetovisitBerlin，hesentthekeysofhiscabinetbacktotheauthoritiesatCassel——anddisappeared。Histhefts，totheamountoftwothousandrixdollars，werepromptlydiscovered，andadvertisementswereissuedforthearrestoftheCouncillorRaspe，describedwithoutsuspicionofflatteryasalong—facedman，withsmalleyes，crookednose，redhairunderastumpyperiwig，andajerkygait。Thenecessitiesthatpromptedhimtocommitafelonyarepossiblyindicatedbytheadditionthatheusuallyappearedinascarletdressembroideredwithgold，butsometimesinblack，blue，orgreyclothes。
HewasseizedwhenhehadgotnofartherthanKlausthal，intheHartzmountains，buthelostnotimeinescapingfromtheclutchesofthepolice，andmadehiswaytoEngland。Heneveragainsetfootonthecontinent。
HewasalreadyanexcellentEnglishscholar，sothatwhenhereachedLondonitwasnotunnaturalthatheshouldlooktoauthorshipforsupport。Withoutlossoftime，hepublishedinLondonin1776avolumeonsomeGermanVolcanoesandtheirproductions;in1777hetranslatedthethenhighlyesteemedmineralogicaltravelsofFerberinItalyandHungary。In1780wehaveaninterestingaccountofhimfromHoraceWalpole，whowrotetohisfriend，theRev。WilliamMason：\"ThereisaDutchs？avantcomeoverwhoisauthorofseveralpiecessolearnedthatIdonotevenknowtheirtitles：buthehasmadeadiscoveryinmywaywhichyoumaybesureIbelieve，foritproveswhatIexpectedandhintedinmy’AnecdotesofPainting，’thattheuseofoilcolourswasknownlongbeforeVanEyck。\"Raspe，hewentontosay，haddiscoveredaMS。ofTheophilus，aGermanmonkinthefourthcentury，whogavereceiptsforpreparingthecolours，andhadtherebyconvictedVasarioferror。\"Raspeispoor，andIshalltryandgetsubscriptionstoenablehimtoprinthiswork，whichissensible，clear，andunpretending。\"Threemonthslateritwas，\"PoorRaspeisarrestedbyhis/tailor/。Ihavesenthimalittlemoney，andhehopestorecoverhisliberty，butIquestionwhetherhewillbeabletostruggleonhere。\"His\"EssayontheOriginofOilPainting\"wasactuallypublishedthroughWalpole’sgoodserviceinApril1781。HeseemstohavehadplansofgoingtoAmericaandofexcavatingantiquitiesinEgypt，wherehemighthavedonegoodservice，butthebadnamethathehadearneddoggedhimtoLondon。TheRoyalSocietystruckhimoffitsrolls，andinrevengeheissaidtohavethreatenedtopublishatravestyoftheirtransactions。Hewasdoubtlessoftenhardputtoitforaliving，butthevarietyofhisattainmentsservedhimingoodstead。Hepossessedorgainedsomereputationasaminingexpert，andmakinghiswaydownintoCornwall，heseemsforsomeyearssubsequentto1782tohavebeenassay—masterandstorekeeperofsomeminesatDolcoath。WhilestillatDolcoath，itisveryprobablethatheputtogetherthelittlepamphletwhichappearedinLondonatthecloseof1785，withthetitle\"BaronMunchausen’sNarrativeofhisMarvellousTravelsandCampaignsinRussia，\"andhavinggivenhis/jeud’esprit/
totheworld，andpossiblyearnedafewguineasbyit，itisnotlikelythathegavemuchfurtherthoughttothematter。Inthecourseof1785or1786，heentereduponataskofmuchgreatermagnitudeandimmediateimportance，namely，adescriptivecatalogueoftheCollectionofPastesandImpressionsfromAncientandModernGems，formedbyJamesTassie，theeminentconnoisseur。TassieengagedRaspein1785totakechargeofhiscabinets，andtocommencedescribingtheircontents：hecanhardlyhavebeenignorantofhisemployé’sdelinquenciesinthepast，butheprobablyestimatedthatmerecastsofgemswouldnotoffersufficienttemptationtoamanofRaspe’seclectictastestomaketheexperimentadangerousone。Earlyin1786，Raspeproducedabriefbutwell—executedconspectusofthearrangementandclassificationofthecollection，andthiswasfollowedin1791by\"ADescriptiveCatalogue，\"inwhichoverfifteenthousandcastsofancientandmodernengravedgems，cameos，andintagliosfromthemostrenownedcabinetsinEuropewereenumeratedanddescribedinFrenchandEnglish。Thetwoquartovolumesareamonumentofpatientandhighlyskilledindustry，andtheystillfetchhighprices。TheelaborateintroductionprefixedtotheworkwasdatedfromEdinburgh，April16，1790。
Thislaborioustaskcompleted，Raspelostnotimeinapplyinghimselfwithrenewedenergytomineralogicalwork。Itwasannouncedinthe/ScotsMagazine/forOctober1791thathehaddiscoveredintheextremenorthofScotland，wherehehadbeeninvitedtosearchforminerals，copper，lead，iron，manganese，andothervaluableproductsofasimilarcharacter。FromSutherlandhebroughtspecimensofthefinestclay，andreportedafineveinofheavysparand\"everysymptomofcoal。\"ButinCaithnesslaytheloadstonewhichhadbroughtRaspetoScotland。ThiswasnootherthanSirJohnSinclairofUlbster，abenevolentgentlemanofaningeniousandinquiringdisposition，whowasanxioustoexploitthesupposedmineralwealthofhisbarrenScottishpossessions。WithhimRaspetookuphisabodeforaconsiderabletimeathisspray—beatencastleonthePentlandFirth，andthereisatradition，amongmembersofthefamily，ofSirJohn’sunfailingappreciationofthewideintelligenceandfacetioushumourofRaspe’sconversation。SinclairhadsomeyearspreviouslydiscoveredasmallveinofyellowmundickonthemoorofSkinnet，fourmilesfromThurso。TheCornishminersheconsultedtoldhimthatthemundickwasitselfofnovalue，butagoodsignoftheproximityofothervaluableminerals。Mundick，saidthey，wasagoodhorseman，andalwaysrodeonagoodload。HenowemployedRaspetoexaminetheground，notdesigningtomineithimself，buttoletitouttoothercapitalistsinreturnforaroyalty，shouldtheinvestigationjustifyhishopes。
ThenecessaryfundswereputatRaspe’sdisposal，andmassesofbright，heavymaterialwerebroughttoThursoCastleasaforetasteofwhatwascoming。Butwhenthetimecameforthefruitionofthisgoldenpromise，Raspedisappeared，andsubsequentinquiriesrevealedthedeplorablefactthattheseopulentoreshadbeencarefullyimportedbytheminingexpertfromCornwall，andplantedintheplaceswheretheywerefound。SirWalterScottmusthavehadtheincident（thoughnotRaspe）inhismindwhenhecreatedtheDousterswivelofhis\"Antiquary。\"AsforRaspe，hebetookhimselftoaremotepartoftheUnitedKingdom，andhadcommencedsomeminingoperationsincountryDonegal，whenhewascarriedoffbyscarletfeveratMuckrossin1794。SuchinbriefoutlinewasthecareerofRudolphErichRaspe，scholar，swindler，andundoubtedcreatorofBaronMunchausen。
ThemeritofMunchausen，astheadultreaderwillreadilyperceive，doesnotresideinitsliterarystyle，forRaspeisnoexceptiontotherulethatamanneverhasastyleworthyofthenameinalanguagethathedidnotprattlein。ButitisequallyobviousthattherealandoriginalMunchausen，asRaspeconceivedanddoubtlessintendedatonetimetodevelophim，wasadelightfulpersonagewhomitwouldbetheheightofabsurditytodesignateamereliar。Unfortunatelythetaskwastakenoutofhishandandagoodcharacterspoiled，likemanyanother，bymeresequel—mongers。Raspewasanimpudentscoundrel，andfortunatelyso;hisimpudencerelievesusofanydifficultyinresolvingthequestion，——towhom（ifanyone）didheowetheoriginalconceptionofthecharacterwhosefameisnowsouniversal。
WhenRaspewasresidentinG？ttingenheobtained，inallprobabilitythroughGerlachAdolphvonMunchausen，thegreatpatronofartsandlettersandofG？ttingenUniversity，anintroductiontoHieronynimusKarlFriedrichvonMunchausen，atwhosehospitablemansionatBodenwerderhebecameanoccasionalvisitor。Hieronynimus，whowasbornatBodenwerderonMay11，1720，wasacadetofwhatwasknownastheblacklineofthehouseofRintelnBodenwerder，andinhisyouthservedasapageintheserviceofPrinceAntonUlrichofBrunswick。
Whenquiteastriplingheobtainedacornetcyinthe\"BrunswickRegiment\"intheRussianservice，andonNovember27，1740，hewascreatedalieutenantbyletterspatentoftheEmpressAnna，andservedtwoarduouscampaignsagainsttheTurksduringthefollowingyears。In1750hewaspromotedtobeacaptainofcuirassiersbytheEmpressElizabeth，andabout1760heretiredfromtheRussianservicetoliveuponhispatrimonialestateatBodenwerderinthecongenialsocietyofhiswifeandhisparagonamonghuntsmen，R？semeyer，forwhoseparticularbenefithemaintainedafinepackofhounds。Hekeptopenhouse，andlovedtodiverthisguestswithstories，notinthebraggartveinofDugaldDalgetty，butsoembellishedwithpalpablyextravagantliesastocrackwithahumourthatwasalltheirown。ThemannerhasbeenappropriatedbyArtemusWardandMarkTwain，butitwasinventedbyMunchausen。Nowthestoriesmainlyrelatetosportingadventures，andithasbeenassertedbyonecontemporaryofthebaronthatMunchausencontractedthehabitofdrawingsuchalong—bowasameasureofself—defenceagainsthisinvaluablebutloquacioushenchman，theworthyR？semeyer。Butitismoreprobable，asishintedinthefirstpreface，thatMunchausen，beingashrewdman，foundthepracticeasovereignspecificagainstboresandallotherkindsofseriousorirrelevantpeople，whileitnaturallyendearedhimtothefriendsofwhomhehadnosmallnumber。
Hetoldhisstorieswithimperturbable/sangfroid/，inadrymanner，andwithperfectnaturalnessandsimplicity。Hespokeasamanoftheworld，withoutcircumlocution;hisadventureswerenumerousandperhapssingular，butonlysuchasmighthavebeenexpectedtohappentoamanofsomuchexperience。Asmilenevertraversedhisfaceasherelatedtheleastcredibleofhistales，whichthelessintimateofhisacquaintancebeganintimetothinkhemeanttobetakenseriously。Inshort，sostrangelyentertainingwerebothmannerandmatterofhisnarratives，that\"Munchausen’sStories\"becameaby—wordamongahostofappreciativeacquaintance。AmongthesewasRaspe，whoyearsafterwards，whenhewasstarvinginLondon，bethoughthimselfoftheincomparablebaron。Hehalfrememberedsomeofhissportingstories，andsupplementedthesebygleaningsfromhisowncommonplacebook。Theresultisacuriousmedley，whichtestifiesclearlytolearningandwit，andalsototheturningoverofmustyoldbooksof/faceti？/writteninexecrableLatin。
ThestoryoftheBaron’shorsebeingcutintwobythedescendingportcullisofabesiegedtown，andthehorseman’sinnocenceofthefactuntil，uponreachingafountaininthemidstofthecity，theinsatiatethirstoftheanimalbetrayedhisdeficiencyinhindquarters，wasprobablyderivedbyRaspefromthe/Faceti？
Bebelian？/ofHeinrichBebel，firstpublishedatStrassburghin1508。
Thereitisgivenasfollows：\"DeInsigniMendacio。Faberclaviculariusquemsuperiusfabrummendaciorumdixi，narravitsetemporebelli，credenssuossesubsecuturosequitandoadcujusdamoppidiportaspenetrasse：etcumadportasvenissetcataractamturredemissam，equumsuumpostephippiumdiscidisse，dimidiatumquereliquisse，atquesemediaparteequiadforumusqueoppidiequitasse，etcaedemnonmodicamperegisse。Sedcumretrocederevelletmultitudinehostiumobrutus，tumdemumequumcecidissesequecaptumfuisse。\"
ThedrinkingatthefountainwasprobablyanembellishmentofRaspe’sown。ManyofBebel’sjestswererepeatedinJ。P。Lange’s/Delici？Academic？/（Heilbronn，1665），asectionofwhichwasexpresslydevotedto\"MendaciaRidicula\";buttheyarnitselfisprobablymucholderthaneither。Similarly，thequaintlegendofthethawingofthehornwastoldbyCastiglioneinhis/Cortegiano/，firstpublishedin1528。ThisishowCastiglionetellsit：AmerchantofLuccahadtravelledtoPolandinordertobuyfurs;butastherewasatthattimeawarwithMuscovy，fromwhichcountrythefurswereprocured，theLucchesemerchantwasdirectedtotheconfinesofthetwocountries。OnreachingtheBorysthenes，whichdividedPolandandMuscovy，hefoundthattheMuscovitetradersremainedontheirownsideoftheriverfromdistrust，onaccountofthestateofhostilities。TheMuscovites，desirousofbeingheardacrosstheriverannouncedthepricesoftheirfursinaloudvoice;butthecoldwassointensethattheirwordswerefrozenintheairbeforetheycouldreachtheoppositeside。HereuponthePoleslightedafireinthemiddleoftheriver，whichwasfrozenintoasolidmass;andinthecourseofanhourthewordswhichhadbeenfrozenupweremelted，andfellgentlyuponthefurtherbank，althoughtheMuscovitetradershadalreadygoneaway。Thepricesdemandedwere，however，sohighthattheLucchesemerchantreturnedwithoutmakinganypurchase。A
similarideaisutilisedbyRabelaisin/Pantagruel/，andbySteeleinoneofhis/Tatlers/。Thestoryofthecherrytreegrowingoutofthestag’shead，again，isgiveninLange’sbook，andthefactthatallthreetalesareofgreatantiquityisprovedbytheappearanceofcounterpartstotheminLadyGuest’seditionofthe/Mabinogion/。Agreatnumberof/nug？canor？/ofaperfectlysimilartypearenarratedinthesixteenthcentury\"TravelsoftheFinkenritter\"attributedtoLorenzvonLauterbach。
Tohumorouswaifsofthisdescription，withoutfixedoriginorbirthplace，didRaspegiveaclassicalsettingamongstembroideredversionsofthebaron’ssportingjokes。TheunscrupulousmannerinwhichheaffixedMunchausen’sownnametothecompleted/jeud’esprit/
is，ethicallyspeaking，theleastpardonableofhiscrimes;forwhenRaspe’slittlebookwasfirsttransformedandenlarged，andthentranslatedintoGerman，thegenialoldbaronfoundhimselfthevictimofanunmercifulcaricature，andwithoutaragofconcealment。ItisconsequentlynotsurprisingtohearthathebecamesouredandreticentbeforehisdeathatBodenwerderin1797。
Strangershadalreadybeguntocomedowntotheplaceinthehopeofgettingaglimpseoftheeccentricnobleman，andfoolishstoriesweretoldofhisthunderingouthislieswithapoplecticvisage，hiseyesstartingoutofhishead，andperspirationbeadinghisforehead。Thefountainofhisreminiscenceswasinrealityquitedriedup，anditmustbeadmittedthatthisexcellentoldmanhadonlytoogoodreasontoconsiderhimselfaninjuredperson。
Inthisway，then，cametobewrittenthefirstdelightfulchaptersofBaronMunchausen’s\"NarrativeofhisTravelsandCampaignsinRussia。\"
Itwasnotprimarilyintendedasasatire，norwasitspeciallydesignedtotakeoftheextravagantflightsofcontemporarytravellers。Itwasratheraliteraryfrivolity，thrownoffatoneeffortbyatatterdemaliongeniusinsoreneedofafewguineas。
Theremainderofthebookisamelancholyexampleofthefallacyofenlargementsandofsequels。NeitherRaspenorthebaroncanbeseriouslyheldresponsibleforasinglewordofit。Itmusthavebeenwrittenbyabookseller’shack，whomitisnowquiteimpossibletoidentify，butwhowasevidentlyofnativeorigin;andthebookisacharacteristicallyEnglishproduct，fullofpersonalandpoliticalsatire，withjustatwangofedification。Thefirstcontinuation（chaptersoneandseven，totwenty，inclusive），whichwassuppliedwiththethirdedition，ismerelyamodern/rechauffé/，with\"uptodate\"allusions，ofLucian’s/VeraHistoria/。PrototypesofthemajorityofthestoriesmayeitherbefoundinLucianorinthetwentyvolumesof/VoyagesImaginaires/，publishedatParisin1787。Incase，however，anyreadershouldbescepticalastotheaccuracyofthisstatementhewillhavenoverygreatdifficultyinsupposing，asDr。
JohnsonsupposedofOssian，thatanybodycouldwriteagreatamountofsuchstuffifhewouldonlyconsenttoabandonhismindtothetask。
WiththesupplementarychapterscommencetopicalallusionstotherecentlyissuedmemoirsofBarondeTott，anenterprisingFrenchmanwhohadservedtheGreatTurkagainsttheRussiansintheCrimea（anEnglishtranslationofhisbookhadappearedin1785）。Thesatireuponthisgallantsoldier’sveracityappearstobequiteundeserved，thoughonecanhardlyreadportionsofhisadventureswithoutbeingforciblyremindedoftheBaron’slaconicstyle。ItisneedlesstoaddthattheamazingaccountofDeTott’soriginisgrosslylibellous。Theamountofpublicinterestexcitedbythe？ronauticalexploitsofMontgolfierandBlanchardwasalsoplayfullysatirised。TheirfirstimitatorinEngland，VincenzoLunardi，hadmadeasuccessfulascentfromMoorfieldsasrecentlyas1784，whileinthefollowingyearBlanchardcrossedthechannelinaballoonandearnedthesobriquet/DonQuixotedelaManche/。Hisgrotesqueappropriationofthemotto\"/Sicituradastra/\"madehim，atleast，afitobjectforMunchausen’sgibes。IntheBaron’svisittoGibraltarwehaveevidencethattheanonymouswriter，incommonwiththerestofthereadingpublic，hadbeenstudyingJohnDrinkwater’s\"HistoryoftheSiegeofGibraltar\"
（completedin1783），whichhadwithextremerapidityestablisheditsreputationasamilitaryclassic。Similarly，inthePolaradventures，the\"VoyagetowardstheNorthPole，\"1774，ofConstantineJohnPhipps，afterwardsLordMulgrave，isgentlyridiculed，andsoalsosomeincidentsfromPatrickBrydone’s\"TourthroughSicilyandMalta\"
（1773），are，fornoobviousreason，contemptuouslydraggedin。Theexploitationofabsurdandlibellouschap—booklivesofPopeClementXIV。，thefamousGanganelli，canonlybedescribedasalowbidforvulgarapplause。AFrenchtranslationofBaronFriedrichvonTrenck’scelebratedMemoirsappearedatMetzin1787，anditwouldcertainlyseemthatinoverlookingthemthecompilerofMunchausenwasguiltyofagraveomission。Hemay，however，haveregardedTrenck’sadventureslessasmaterialforridiculethanasaseriesof/hableries/whichthreatenedtorivalhisown。
TheSeventhEdition，publishedin1793，withthesupplement（pp。142—
161），was，withtheabominableproclivitytoedificationwhichmarkedthepublisheroftheperiod（thatof\"GoodyTwo—Shoes\"and\"SandfordandMerton\"），styled\"GulliverReviv’d：/ortheViceofLyingProperlyExposed/。\"Thepreviousyearhadwitnessedthefirstappearanceofthesequel，ofwhichthefulltitlehasalreadybeengiven，\"withtwentycapitalcopperplates，includingthebaron’sportrait。\"ThemeritofMunchausenasamouthpieceforridiculingtraveller’stall—talk，orindeedanythingthatshockedtheincredulityoftheage，wasbythistimewidelyrecognised。AndhencewithsomelittleingenuitythepopularcharacterwaspressedintotheserviceofthevulgarclamouragainstJamesBruce，whose\"TravelstoDiscovertheSourcesoftheNile\"hadappearedin1790。InparticularBruce’sdescriptionoftheAbyssiniancustomoffeedingupon\"livebullsandkava\"provokedachorusofincredulity。ThetravellerwasridiculeduponthestageasMacfable，andinacloudofephemeralproductions;noristhefollowingallusioninPeterPindarobscure：——
\"NorhaveIbeenwheremen（whatlossalas！）
Killhalfacow，thensendtheresttograss。\"
ThewayinwhichBruceresentedthepopularscepticismisillustratedbythefollowinganecdotetoldbySirFrancisHead，hisbiographer。A
gentlemanonceobserved，atacountryhousewhereBrucewasstaying，thatitwasnotpossiblethatthenativesofAbyssiniacouldeatrawmeat！\"Brucesaidnotaword，butleavingtheroom，shortlyreturnedfromthekitchenwithapieceofrawbeef—steak，pepperedandsaltedintheAbyssinianfashion。’Youwilleatthat，sir，orfightme，’hesaid。Whenthegentlemanhadeatenuptherawflesh（mostwillinglywouldhehaveeatenhiswordsinstead），Brucecalmlyobserved，’Now，sir，youwillneveragainsayitis/impossible/。’\"Inreality，BruceseemstohavebeentreatedwithmuchthesameinjusticeasHerodotus。
Thetruthofthebulkofhisnarrativehasbeenfullyestablished，althoughapassionforthepicturesquemaycertainlyhaveledhimtoembellishmanyoftheminorparticulars。Anditmustberemembered，thathisbookwasnotdictateduntiltwelveyearsaftertheeventsnarrated。
ApartfromBruce，however，thesequel，likethepreviouscontinuation，containsagreatvarietyofpolitical，literary，andotherallusionsofthemostpurelytopicalcharacter——Dr。Johnson’sTourintheHebrides，Mr。Pitt，Burke’sfamouspamphletupontheFrenchRevolution，CaptainCook，TippooSahib（whohadbeenbroughttobaybyLordCornwallisbetween1790and1792）。TherevolutionarypandemoniuminParis，andtheroyalflighttoVarennesinJune1791，andthelossofthe\"RoyalGeorge\"in1782，allformthesubjectsofquizzicalcomments，andtherearemanyotherallusionstheinterestofwhichisquiteasephemeralasthoseofaDruryLanepantomimeoraGaietyBurlesque。
Neverthelesstheaccretionshaveprovedpowerlesstospoil\"Munchausen。\"ThenucleussuppliedbyRaspewasinstinctwithsomuchenergythatithassucceededinvitalisingthewholemassofextraneousextravagance。
Although，like\"Gulliver’sTravels，\"\"Munchausen\"mightatfirstsightappeartobeill—suited，inmorethanonerespect，forthenursery，yetithasprovedthedelightofchildrenofallages;andthereareprobablyfew，inthebackgroundofwhosechildishimaginationtheastonishingMunchausenhasnotatonetimeoranother，togetherwithRobinsonCrusoe，Jack—the—Giant—Killer，andthePiedPiperofHamelyn，assumedproportionsatoncegiganticandseductivelypicturesque。
Thework，ashasbeenshown，assumeditsfinalformbeforethecloseoftheeighteenthcentury;withthenineteenthitcommenceditstriumphantprogressoverthecivilisedworld。Someofthesubsequenttransformationsandmigrationsofthebookareworthyofbriefrecord。
AvoluminousGermancontinuationwaspublishedatStendhalinthreevolumesbetween1794and1800。TherewasalsoacontinuationcomprisingexploitsatWalcheren，theDardanelles，Talavera，Cintra，andelsewhere，publishedinLondonin1811。AnelaborateFrenchtranslation，withembellishmentsintheFrenchmanner，appearedatParisin1862。Immerman’scelebratednovelentitled\"Munchausen\"waspublishedinfourvolumesatDusseldorfin1841，andaveryfreerenderingoftheBaron’sexploits，styled\"Munchausen’sLugenabenteuer，\"atLeipsicin1846。TheworkhasalsobeentranslatedintoDutch，Danish，Magyar（/BarddeMánx/），Russian，Portuguese，Spanish（/ElCondedelasMaravillas/），andmanyothertongues，andanestimatethatoveronehundrededitionshaveappearedinEngland，Germany，andAmericaalone，isprobablyratherunderthanabovethemark。
Thebookhas，moreover，atthesametimeprovidedillustrationstowritersandorators，andtherichestandmostamplematerialforillustrationstoartists。Theoriginalroughwoodcutsareanonymous，butthepossibilitiesoftheworkwerediscoveredasearlyas1809，byThomasRowlandson，whoillustratedtheeditionpublishedinthatyear。
Theeditionof1859owedembellishmentstoCrowquill，whileCruikshanksuppliedsomecharacteristicwoodcutstothatof1869。ColoureddesignsforthetravelswereexecutedbyaFrenchartistRichardin1878，andillustrationswereundertakenindependentlyfortheGermaneditionsbyRiepenhausenandHosemannrespectively。TheGermanartistAdolphSchr？dterhasalsopaintedacelebratedpicturerepresentingtheBaronsurroundedbyhislisteners。Butofalltheillustrationsyetinvented，thegeneralverdicthashithertodeclaredinfavourofthosesuppliedtoThéophileGautier’sFrencheditionof1862byGustaveDoré，whofullymaintainedbythemthereputationhehadgainedforworkofasimilar/genre/inhisdrawingsforBalzac’s/ContesDr？latiques/。When，however，thepublichashadanopportunityofappreciatingtheadmirablyfantasticdrawingsmadebyMr。WilliamStrangandMr。J。B。Clarkforthepresentedition，theywillprobablyadmitthatBaronMunchausen’sindebtednesstohisillustrations，alreadyverygreat，hasbeenmorethandoubled。
PREFACE
TO
THEFIRSTEDITION
BaronMunnikhousonorMunchausen，ofBodenweder，nearHamelynontheWeser，belongstothenoblefamilyofthatname，whichgavetotheKing’sGermandominionsthelateprimeministerandseveralotherpubliccharactersequallybrightandillustrious。Heisamanofgreatoriginalhumour;andhavingfoundthatprejudicedmindscannotbereasonedintocommonsense，andthatboldassertorsareveryapttobullyandspeaktheiraudienceoutofit，heneverargueswitheitherofthem，butadroitlyturnstheconversationuponindifferenttopicsandthentellsastoryofhistravels，campaigns，andsportingadventures，inamannerpeculiartohimself，andwellcalculatedtoawakenandshamethecommonsenseofthosewhohavelostsightofitbyprejudiceorhabit。
Asthismethodhasbeenoftenattendedwithgoodsuccess，webegleavetolaysomeofhisstoriesbeforethepublic，andhumblyrequestthosewhoshallfindthemratherextravagantandborderinguponthemarvellous，whichwillrequirebutaverymoderateshareofcommonsense，toexercisethesameuponeveryoccurrenceoflife，andchieflyuponourEnglishpolitics，inwhich/oldhabits/and/boldassertions/，setoffbyeloquentspeechesandsupportedbyconstitutionalmobs，associations，volunteers，andforeigninfluence，haveoflate，weapprehend，buttoosuccessfullyturnedourbrains，andmadeusthelaughing—stockofEurope，andofFranceandHollandinparticular。
TOTHEPUBLIC
Havingheard，forthefirsttime，thatmyadventureshavebeendoubted，andlookeduponasjokes，Ifeelboundtocomeforwardandvindicatemycharacter/forveracity/，bypayingthreeshillingsattheMansionHouseofthisgreatcityfortheaffidavitsheretoappended。
ThisIhavebeenforcedintoinregardofmyownhonour，althoughI
haveretiredformanyyearsfrompublicandprivatelife;andIhopethatthis，mylastedition，willplacemeinaproperlightwithmyreaders。
ATTHECITYOFLONDON，ENGLAND。
/We/，theundersigned，astruebelieversinthe/profit/，domostsolemnlyaffirm，thatalltheadventuresofourfriendBaronMunchausen，inwhatevercountrytheymay/lie/，arepositiveandsimplefacts。/And/，aswehavebeenbelieved，whoseadventuresaretenfoldmorewonderful，/so/dowehopealltruebelieverswillgivehimtheirfullfaithandcredence。
GULLIVER。xSINBAD。xALADDIN。x/SwornattheMansionHouse9thNov。last，intheabsenceoftheLordMayor。/
JOHN（/thePorter/）。
TRAVELSOF
BARONMUNCHAUSEN
CHAPTERI
[THEBARONISSUPPOSEDTORELATETHESEADVENTURESTOHISFRIENDS
OVERABOTTLE。]
/TheBaronrelatesanaccountofhisfirsttravels——Theastonishingeffectsofastorm——ArrivesatCeylon;combatsandconquerstwoextraordinaryopponents——ReturnstoHolland。/
Someyearsbeforemybeardannouncedapproachingmanhood，or，inotherwords，whenIwasneithermannorboy，butbetweenboth，Iexpressedinrepeatedconversationsastrongdesireofseeingtheworld，fromwhichIwasdiscouragedbymyparents，thoughmyfatherhadbeennoinconsiderabletravellerhimself，aswillappearbeforeIhavereachedtheendofmysingular，and，Imayadd，interestingadventures。A
cousin，bymymother’sside，tookalikingtome，oftensaidIwasfineforwardyouth，andwasmuchinclinedtogratifymycuriosity。Hiseloquencehadmoreeffectthanmine，formyfatherconsentedtomyaccompanyinghiminavoyagetotheislandofCeylon，wherehisunclehadresidedasgovernormanyyears。
WesailedfromAmsterdamwithdespatchesfromtheirHighMightinessestheStatesofHolland。Theonlycircumstancewhichhappenedonourvoyageworthrelatingwasthewonderfuleffectsofastorm，whichhadtornupbytherootsagreatnumberoftreesofenormousbulkandheight，inanislandwherewelayatanchortotakeinwoodandwater;
someofthesetreesweighedmanytons，yettheywerecarriedbythewindsoamazinglyhigh，thattheyappearedlikethefeathersofsmallbirdsfloatingintheair，fortheywereatleastfivemilesabovetheearth：however，assoonasthestormsubsidedtheyallfellperpendicularlyintotheirrespectiveplaces，andtookrootagain，exceptthelargest，whichhappened，whenitwasblownintotheair，tohaveamanandhiswife，averyhonestoldcouple，uponitsbranches，gatheringcucumbers（inthispartoftheglobethatusefulvegetablegrowsupontrees）：theweightofthiscouple，asthetreedescended，over—balancedthetrunk，andbroughtitdowninahorizontalposition：
itfelluponthechiefmanoftheisland，andkilledhimonthespot;
hehadquittedhishouseinthestorm，underanapprehensionofitsfallinguponhim，andwasreturningthroughhisowngardenwhenthisfortunateaccidenthappened。Thewordfortunate，here，requiressomeexplanation。Thischiefwasamanofaveryavariciousandoppressivedisposition，andthoughhehadnofamily，thenativesoftheislandwerehalf—starvedbyhisoppressiveandinfamousimpositions。
Theverygoodswhichhehadthustakenfromthemwerespoilinginhisstores，whilethepoorwretchesfromwhomtheywereplunderedwerepininginpoverty。Thoughthedestructionofthistyrantwasaccidental，thepeoplechosethecucumber—gatherersfortheirgovernors，asamarkoftheirgratitudefordestroying，thoughaccidentally，theirlatetyrant。
Afterwehadrepairedthedamageswesustainedinthisremarkablestorm，andtakenleaveofthenewgovernorandhislady，wesailedwithafairwindfortheobjectofourvoyage。
InaboutsixweekswearrivedatCeylon，wherewewerereceivedwithgreatmarksoffriendshipandtruepoliteness。Thefollowingsingularadventuresmaynotproveunentertaining。
AfterwehadresidedatCeylonaboutafortnightIaccompaniedoneofthegovernor’sbrothersuponashootingparty。Hewasastrong，athleticman，andbeingusedtothatclimate（forhehadresidedtheresomeyears），heboretheviolentheatofthesunmuchbetterthanI
could;inourexcursionhehadmadeaconsiderableprogressthroughathickwoodwhenIwasonlyattheentrance。
Nearthebanksofalargepieceofwater，whichhadengagedmyattention，IthoughtIheardarustlingnoisebehind;onturningaboutIwasalmostpetrified（aswhowouldnotbe？）atthesightofalion，whichwasevidentlyapproachingwiththeintentionofsatisfyinghisappetitewithmypoorcarcase，andthatwithoutaskingmyconsent。
Whatwastobedoneinthishorribledilemma？Ihadnotevenamomentforreflection;mypiecewasonlychargedwithswan—shot，andIhadnootheraboutme：however，thoughIcouldhavenoideaofkillingsuchananimalwiththatweakkindofammunition，yetIhadsomehopesoffrighteninghimbythereport，andperhapsofwoundinghimalso。I
immediatelyletfly，withoutwaitingtillhewaswithinreach，andthereportdidbutenragehim，forhenowquickenedhispace，andseemedtoapproachmefullspeed：Iattemptedtoescape，butthatonlyadded（ifanadditioncouldbemade）tomydistress;forthemomentIturnedaboutIfoundalargecrocodile，withhismouthextendedalmostreadytoreceiveme。Onmyrighthandwasthepieceofwaterbeforementioned，andonmyleftadeepprecipice，saidtohave，asIhavesincelearned，areceptacleatthebottomforvenomouscreatures;inshortIgavemyselfupaslost，forthelionwasnowuponhishind—
legs，justintheactofseizingme;Ifellinvoluntarilytothegroundwithfear，and，asitafterwardsappeared，hesprangoverme。I
laysometimeinasituationwhichnolanguagecandescribe，expectingtofeelhisteethortalonsinsomepartofmeeverymoment：afterwaitinginthisprostratesituationafewsecondsIheardaviolentbutunusualnoise，differentfromanysoundthathadeverbeforeassailedmyears;norisitatalltobewonderedat，whenIinformyoufromwhenceitproceeded：afterlisteningforsometime，I
venturedtoraisemyheadandlookround，when，tomyunspeakablejoy，Iperceivedthelionhad，bytheeagernesswithwhichhesprungatme，jumpedforward，asIfell，intothecrocodile’smouth！which，asbeforeobserved，waswideopen;theheadoftheonestuckinthethroatoftheother！andtheywerestrugglingtoextricatethemselves！
Ifortunatelyrecollectedmy/couteaudechasse/，whichwasbymyside;withthisinstrumentIseveredthelion’sheadatoneblow，andthebodyfellatmyfeet！Ithen，withthebutt—endofmyfowling—
piece，rammedtheheadfartherintothethroatofthecrocodile，anddestroyedhimbysuffocation，forhecouldneithergorgenorejectit。
SoonafterIhadthusgainedacompletevictoryovermytwopowerfuladversaries，mycompanionarrivedinsearchofme;forfindingIdidnotfollowhimintothewood，hereturned，apprehendingIhadlostmyway，ormetwithsomeaccident。
Aftermutualcongratulations，wemeasuredthecrocodile，whichwasjustfortyfeetinlength。
Assoonaswehadrelatedthisextraordinaryadventuretothegovernor，hesentawaggonandservants，whobroughthomethetwocarcases。Thelion’sskinwasproperlypreserved，withitshairon，afterwhichitwasmadeintotobacco—pouches，andpresentedbyme，uponourreturntoHolland，totheburgomasters，who，inreturn，requestedmyacceptanceofathousandducats。
Theskinofthecrocodilewasstuffedintheusualmanner，andmakesacapitalarticleintheirpublicmuseumatAmsterdam，wheretheexhibitorrelatesthewholestorytoeachspectator，withsuchadditionsashethinksproper。Someofhisvariationsareratherextravagant;oneofthemis，thatthelionjumpedquitethroughthecrocodile，andwasmakinghisescapeatthebackdoor，when，assoonashisheadappeared，MonsieurtheGreatBaron（asheispleasedtocallme）cutitoff，andthreefeetofthecrocodile’stailalongwithit;nay，solittleattentionhasthisfellowtothetruth，thathesometimesadds，assoonasthecrocodilemissedhistail，heturnedabout，snatchedthe/couteaudechasse/outofMonsieur’shand，andswalloweditwithsucheagernessthatitpiercedhisheartandkilledhimimmediately！
Thelittleregardwhichthisimpudentknavehastoveracitymakesmesometimesapprehensivethatmy/realfacts/mayfallundersuspicion，bybeingfoundincompanywithhisconfoundedinventions。
CHAPTERII
/InwhichtheBaronproveshimselfagoodshot——Heloseshishorse，andfindsawolf——Makeshimdrawhissledge——Promisestoentertainhiscompanywitharelationofsuchfactsasarewelldeservingtheirnotice。/
IsetofffromRomeonajourneytoRussia，inthemidstofwinter，fromajustnotionthatfrostandsnowmustofcoursemendtheroads，whicheverytravellerhaddescribedasuncommonlybadthroughthenorthernpartsofGermany，Poland，Courland，andLivonia。Iwentonhorseback，asthemostconvenientmanneroftravelling;Iwasbutlightlyclothed，andofthisIfelttheinconveniencethemoreI
advancednorth—east。Whatmustnotapooroldmanhavesufferedinthatsevereweatherandclimate，whomIsawonableakcommoninPoland，lyingontheroad，helpless，shivering，andhardlyhavingwherewithaltocoverhisnakedness？Ipitiedthepoorsoul：thoughI
felttheseverityoftheairmyself，Ithrewmymantleoverhim，andimmediatelyIheardavoicefromtheheavens，blessingmeforthatpieceofcharity，saying——
\"Youwillberewarded，myson，forthisintime。\"
Iwenton：nightanddarknessovertookme。Novillagewastobeseen。
Thecountrywascoveredwithsnow，andIwasunacquaintedwiththeroad。
Tired，Ialighted，andfastenedmyhorsetosomethinglikeapointedstumpofatree，whichappearedabovethesnow;forthesakeofsafetyIplacedmypistolsundermyarm，andlaiddownonthesnow，whereI
sleptsosoundlythatIdidnotopenmyeyestillfulldaylight。Itisnoteasytoconceivemyastonishmenttofindmyselfinthemidstofavillage，lyinginachurchyard;norwasmyhorsetobeseen，butI
heardhimsoonafterneighsomewhereaboveme。OnlookingupwardsI
beheldhimhangingbyhisbridletotheweather—cockofthesteeple。
Matterswerenowveryplaintome：thevillagehadbeencoveredwithsnowovernight;asuddenchangeofweatherhadtakenplace;Ihadsunkdowntothechurchyardwhilstasleep，gently，andinthesameproportionasthesnowhadmeltedaway;andwhatinthedarkIhadtakentobeastumpofalittletreeappearingabovethesnow，towhichIhadtiedmyhorse，provedtohavebeenthecrossorweather—
cockofthesteeple！
WithoutlongconsiderationItookoneofmypistols，shotthebridleintwo，broughtthehorse，andproceededonmyjourney。[HeretheBaronseemstohaveforgothisfeelings;heshouldcertainlyhaveorderedhishorseafeedofcorn，afterfastingsolong。]
Hecarriedmewell——advancingintotheinteriorpartsofRussia。I
foundtravellingonhorsebackratherunfashionableinwinter，thereforeIsubmitted，asIalwaysdo，tothecustomofthecountry，tookasinglehorsesledge，anddrovebrisklytowardsSt。Petersburg。
IdonotexactlyrecollectwhetheritwasinEastlandorJugemanland，butIrememberthatinthemidstofadrearyforestIspiedaterriblewolfmakingafterme，withallthespeedofravenouswinterhunger。Hesoonovertookme。Therewasnopossibilityofescape。MechanicallyI
laidmyselfdownflatinthesledge，andletmyhorserunforoursafety。WhatIwished，buthardlyhopedorexpected，happenedimmediatelyafter。Thewolfdidnotmindmeintheleast，buttookaleapoverme，andfallingfuriouslyonthehorse，beganinstantlytotearanddevourthehind—partofthepooranimal，whichranthefasterforhispainandterror。Thusunnoticedandsafemyself，Iliftedmyheadslylyup，andwithhorrorIbeheldthatthewolfhadatehiswayintothehorse’sbody;itwasnotlongbeforehehadfairlyforcedhimselfintoit，whenItookmyadvantage，andfelluponhimwiththebutt—endofmywhip。Thisunexpectedattackinhisrearfrightenedhimsomuch，thatheleapedforwardwithallhismight：thehorse’scarcasedroppedontheground，butinhisplacethewolfwasintheharness，andIonmypartwhippinghimcontinually：webotharrivedinfullcareersafeatSt。Petersburg，contrarytoourrespectiveexpectations，andverymuchtotheastonishmentofthespectators。
Ishallnottireyou，gentlemen，withthepolitics，arts，sciences，andhistoryofthismagnificentmetropolisofRussia，nortroubleyouwiththevariousintriguesandpleasantadventuresIhadinthepolitercirclesofthatcountry，wheretheladyofthehousealwaysreceivesthevisitorwithadramandasalute。Ishallconfinemyselfrathertothegreaterandnoblerobjectsofyourattention，horsesanddogs，myfavouritesinthebrutecreation;alsotofoxes，wolves，andbears，withwhich，andgameingeneral，Russiaaboundsmorethananyotherpartoftheworld;andtosuchsports，manlyexercises，andfeatsofgallantryandactivity，asshowthegentlemanbetterthanmustyGreekorLatin，oralltheperfume，finery，andcapersofFrenchwitsor/petit—ma？tres/。