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Being wondrous but veracious happenings which befell my ancestors, here translated and for the first time printed from manuscripts found most miraculously by myself
CONTAINING, AS WELL, AND AS PERSPICACIOUSLY SET FORTH, NOT ALONE MY ADVENTURES IN SECURING THESE REMARKABLE DOCUMENTS, BUT A VERY ENTRANCING AND ENTERTAINING SERIES OF THRILLING INCIDENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN MY LIFE PRIOR TO AND WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE GLORIOUS CREATURE WHOSE HUSBAND I BECOME AS A FITTING CLIMAX TO A CAREER SO UNCEASINGLY FRAUGHT WITH DANGER
The full force of these heart-stopping episodes is brought nearer and clearer to the reader who combines with the text the clever
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1. Ka In begat 2. Fabel; who begat 3. Fa Ker; who begat 4. Pur Ju Ry; who begat 5. Fal Seh Ood; who begat 6. Tru Thless; who begat 7. Li Ing; who begat 8. Li Ur; who begat 9. Fay Re Tales; who begat 10. Fik Shun; who begat 11. Sto Ry; who begat 12. An An Ias; who begat 13. Wha Pur; who begat 14. Ala Din; who begat 15. Sin Bad; who begat 16. El Ra Shad; who begat 17. Mun Chaus Sen (the elder); who begat 18. Mun Chau Sen (my grandfather); who begat 19. Mun Chau Sen (my father); who begat 20. Munchausen (myself).
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_Statement of the case, containing facts, figures, dates, and circumstances that constitute the reason for and the beginning of this history—my father’s demise; his legacy; some youthful happenings incident to the legacy, the possession of which was exceedingly difficult._
WHEN I was about five years of age, I was summoned, one morning, to the bedside of my father, where I learned that he was at the point of death from an accident.
I was one of fourteen children—the fourteenth; seven boys and seven girls, the girls and boys alternating until I was reached.
I was very much surprised, upon entering the room in which he lay, to observe all the other members of the family leave, and close the door. This, I afterward learned, was by my father’s special direction. While I had been favored by him in many things, it had seemed to me I was the recipient of more chastisement than any of my brothers; and, yet, I must say I was indulged much beyond my deserts.