The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-22
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Celestial Rail-
road,
BIZ NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.

that, by the public spirit Of some of the in
habitants, railroad has recently been estab-
lished between this populous and fourishing
town, and the Celestial City. Having little
time upon my hands, resolved to crafty
liberal curiosity by having trip thther. Ac-
cordingly, one fine morning, after paying my
bill at the hotel, and directing the porter TO
stow my luggage behind coach, took my
seat in the vehicle, and set out for the Station
house. 1t was my good fortune to enjoy the
company of gentleman-one Mr.. Smooth
it-away-who, though he had never actually
visited the Celestial City, yet seemed as well
acquainted with IFS laws, customs, policy, and
statistics, as with those of the city of De-
struction, ofwhich he was native townsman.
Being, moreover, director of the railroad
corporation and one Of its largest stockhold-
ers. he had it in his power to give me all de-
sirable information respecting that praisewor-
thy enterprise.
Our coach ratified out of the city, and, at a
short distance from its outskirts, passed over
bridge of elegant construction, but some
what too slight, as | imagined, to sustain any
considerable weight. On both sides lay an
extensive quagmire, which could not have
been more disagreeable, either to sight or
smell, had all the kennels of the earth emp
tied their pollution there.
This" remarked Mr.. Smooth-it- away, lis
the famous Slough of Despond-a disgrace
TO all the neighbOrhood; and the greater, that
it might SO easily be converted into finn
ground.
81 have understood" said /, ''that efforts
have been made for that purpose, from time
immemorial. Bunyan mentions that above
twenty thousand cart-loads of wholesome
Instructions have been thrown in here, without
effect
Every probably and what effect could
be anticipated from such unsubstantial stuff"
cried Mr.. SmoOth-it-away. You observe
this convenient bridge. We obtained suf-
fcient foundation for it, by throwing into the
Slough some editions Of books of morality,
volumes ofFrench philosophy and German
ratlonaIsm, tracts, sermons and essays of
modern clergymen, extracts from Plato, Con-
fucius, and various IIindoo sages, together
with few ingenious commentaries upon
texts of Scripture-all of which, by some sci
entifc process have been converted into a
mass like granite. The whole bog might be
filled up with similar Natter
1t really seemed 70 me, however, that the
bridge yibrated and heaved up and down,in
very formidable manner; and, spite of Mr..
Smooth-it-away's testimony TO the solidity of
It's foundation, should be 10th TO cross it in
a crowded omnibus; especially, if each pas
senger were encumbered with as heavy lug
gage as that gentleman and myself. Never
theless, we got over without accident, and
found ourselves at the Station house. This
very neat and spacious edifice is erected on
the site of the little Wicket Gate, which for
merry, as old pilgrims will recoliect, stood di
rectly across the highway, and, by its incOn-
venlent narrowness. was great obstruction
10 the traveller of liberal mind and expansive
stomach The reader of John Bunyan will
be glad to know. that Christians old frieLd
Evangelist, who was accustomed TO supply
each pilgrim with a mystic roll, now presides
at the tickct-oifice. Some malicious persons,
it is true, deny the identity of this reputable
character with the Evangelistof old times, land
even pretend to bring competent evidence of
an imposture. Without involving myself i'll
the dispute, | shall merely observe, that so far
as my experience goes, the square pieces of
paste-board, now delivered to passenge are
much more convenient and useful along the
road, than the antique roll of parchment
Whether they will be readily received at
the gate oft the Celestial City, decline Civ
ing an opinion.
A large number OF passengers were already
at the Station-house, awaiting the departure
of the cars. By the aspect and demeanor of
these persons, it was easy to judge that the
feelings of community had undergone very
favorable change, in reference to the celes
tial pilgrimage. 1t would have done Bun
vans heart good to see it. Instead of a lone
ly ragged man, with huge burden on his
back, plodding along sorrowfully on foot,
while the whole city hooted after him, here
were parties, of the first gentry and most re-
spectacle people in the neighborhood, setting
forth towards the Celestial City, as cheerfully
as il the pilgrimage were merely summer
tour. Among the gentlemen were charac.
tiers of deserved eminence, magistrates, poll
tcans, and men of wealth, by whose exam
pie religion could not but be greatly recon-
mended to their meaner brethren. In the Ia
dies department too i reioiced to distinguish
some of those flowers Questionable society,
who are so well fitted to adorn the most ele-
waited circles of the Celestial City. There
was much pleasant conversation about the
news of the day, topics of business, politics,
or the lighter matters of amusement; while
religion, though Individually the main thing
at heart, was thrown tastefully into the back
ground. Even an infdel would have heard
little or nothing TO shock his sensibility.
One great convenience of the new method
of going on pilgrimage, must not forget TO
mention. Our enormous burdens, instead of
being carried OH our shoulders, as had been
the custom of old, were all snugIy deposited
in the baggage-car, and, as | was assured
would be delivered to their respective owners
at the journeys end. Another thing, like
wise, the benevolent reader will be delighted
to understand. 1t may be remembered that
there was an ancient feud between Prince
BeeIzebub and the keeper of the Wicket
Gate and that the adherents of the former
distinguished parsonage were accustomed to
shoot deadly arrows at honest pilgrims, while
knocking at the door. This dispute much
to the credit as well of the illustrious poten-
tate above mentioned, as Of the worthy Di-
rectors Of the railroad, has been Practically
arranged, on the principle of mutual COM
promise. Tho Princes subjests are now pref
~ numerously employed about the Station
house. some in taking care of the baggage,
others in collecting fuel, feeding the engines,
and such cousenial occupations; and can