tentional or an unwitting wrong? I prefer to believe that it is
based upon ignorance of the Baron's true quality, due to the fact that
his works are rarely to be found within the reach of the public: in
some cases, because of the failure of librarians to comprehend his
real motives, his narratives are excluded from Public and
Sunday-School libraries; and because of their extreme age, they are
not easily again brought into vogue. I have, therefore, accepted the
office of intermediary between the Baron and the readers of the
present day, in order that his later work, which, while it shows to a
marked degree the decadence of his literary powers, may yet serve to
demonstrate to the readers of my own time how favourably he compares
with some of the literary idols of to-day, in the simple matter of
fidelity to fact. If these stories which follow shall serve to
rehabilitate Baron Munchausen as a lover and practitioner of the arts
of Truth, I shall not have made the sacrifice of my time in vain. If
they fail of this purpose I shall still have the satisfaction of
knowing that I have tried to render a service to an honest and
defenceless man._

_Meanwhile I dedicate this volume, with sentiments of the highest
regard, to that other great realist_

MR. CORRIDOR WALKINGSTICK

_of_

GLOOMSTER ABBEY

J. K. B.

Contents

I. I Encounter the Old Gentleman
II. The Sporting Tour of Mr. Munchausen
III. Three Months in a Balloon
IV. Some Hunting Stories for Children
V. The Story of Jang
VI. He Tells the Twins of Fire-Works
VII. Saved by a Magic Lantern
VIII. An Adventure in the Desert
IX. Decoration Day in the Cannibal Islands
X. Mr. Munchausen's Adventure with a Shark
XI. The Baron as a Runner
XII. Mr. Munchausen Meets His Match
XIII. Wriggletto
XIV. The Poetic June-Bug, Together with Some
Remarks on the Gillyhooly Bird
XV. A Lucky Stroke

List of Illustrations

Portrait of Mr. Munchausen
"There was the whale, drawn by magnetic influence to the
side of _The Lyre_"
"As their bullets got to their highest point and began to
drop back, I reached out and caught them"
"I got nearer and nearer my haven of safety, the bellowing
beasts snorting with rage as they followed"
"Jang buzzed over and sat on his