On the topic of hobbits being liars, I agree that hobbits are not morally superior to humans, and that they are no more likely to lie than anyone else is. I also remembered that when Frodo dissapeared in the Prancing Pony he lied and said "I haven't dissapeared," then made up somethiong to explain why he suddenly went missing.
Although now I see why the Prologue isn't part of the appendices, it certainly makes more sense when it's read after reading the book. I heard once that maybe Tolkien did it like that so that once you've finished reading LotR you go back to see what
was in that Prologue, and thus you're enticed to read the book all over again...
. That actually did happen to me once.
~Carnie~