Publisher's Synopsis
Everybody knows, in a general way, that the finest place in the world is-or, alas, was-the Dutch borough of Vondervotteimittiss. Yet as it lies some distance fromany of the main roads, being in a somewhat out-of-the-way situation, there areperhaps very few of my readers who have ever paid it a visit. For the benefit ofthose who have not, therefore, it will be only proper that I should enter into someaccount of it. And this is indeed the more necessary, as with the hope of enlistingpublic sympathy in behalf of the inhabitants, I design here to give a history of thecalamitous events which have so lately occurred within its limits. No one whoknows me will doubt that the duty thus self-imposed will be executed to the best ofmy ability, with all that rigid impartiality, all that cautious examination into facts, and diligent collation of authorities, which should ever distinguish him who aspiresto the title of historia
