The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-29
VOL. TX.

few rich commodities were to be obtained
without paying heavy sum in this partic-
ular stock, as mans business was seldom
very lucrative, unless he knew precisely
when and how to throw his hoard of Con-
science into the market. Yet as his stock
was the only thing of permanent value,
whoever parted with it was sure to find
himselfa loser in the long run. Several
Of the speculations were of questionable
character. Occasionally, member of
Congress recruited his pocket by the sale
of his constituents and was assured that
public officers have often sold their country
at very moderate prices. Thousands sold
their happiness for whim. Gilded chains
were in great demand, and purchased with
almost any sacrifice. In truth, those who
desired, according TO the old adadge, TO
sell anything valuable for a song, might
find customers all over the Fair; and there
were innumerable messes of pottage, pip
ing hot, for such as chose to buy them with
their birthrights. A few articles, howev-
err, could be found genuine at Vanity Fair.
If customer wished TO renew lis stock of
youth, the dealers offered him set of false
teeth and an auburn wig; if he demanded
peace of mind, they recommended opium
- d brandy bottle.
Tracts of land and golden mansions, sit
uate in the Celestial City, were often ex-
changed, at very disadva ntas eoUs rates,
for few years lease of small. dismal, in
convenient tenements in Vanity Fair
Prince BeeIZebub himself took great inter-
est in ihis sort of traffic, and sometimes
condescended to NEEDLE with smaller mat
tiers. ] once had the pleasure to see him
bargaining with miser for his soul, which,
after much ingenious skirmishing on both
sides, his Highness succeeded in obtaining
at about the value of sixpence. The prince
remarked, with a smile, that he was los
er by the bargain.
Day after day, as walked the streets of
Vanity, my manners and department be-
came more and more like those of the inhab-
itants. The place began to seem ike home;
the idea of pursuing my travels to the &C.
lestial City was almost obliterated from my
mind. Twas reminded of 1t, however, BY
the sight of the same pair of simple pill
grims at whom we had laughed SO heartily,
when Apollyon pufftd smoke and steam in
their faces, at the commencement of our
journey. There they stood amid the dense
est buste of Vanity-the dealers offering
them their purple and fine linen, and Jew
els the men of wit and humor gliding at
them /; pair of buxom ladies ogling them
askance while the benevolent Mr.. Smooh-
it-away whispered some of his wisdom at
their elbows, and pointed to a newly
erected iemple,-but there were these
worthy simpletons, making the scene look
wild and monstrous, merely by their sturdy
reputation of all part in its business or
pleasures.
One them-his name was 'Stick-to- the
-. r.
species ofsympathy anu almost admiration,
which, to my own great surprise, | could
not help feeling for this pragmatic couple.
1t prompted him to address me.
Sir" inquired be, with sad, yet mild
and kindly voice, ''do you call yourself pill
GRIM"
YES" replied, "my right to that appel
lation is inGubitable. l am merely sojourn-
or here in Vanity Fair, being bound to the
Celestial City by the new railroad"
'Alas. friend,' rejoined Mr.. Stick-to-the-
right, 81 do assure you, and beseech you to
receive the truth Of my words, thatwhole con-
Germ is a bubble. You may travel on it all
your lifetime, were you TO live thousands of
years, and never get beyond the limits of Vi an
ity Fairl-Yea; though you should deem
yourself entering the gates of the Blessed
city, it will be nothing but miserable delu-
sion"
The Lord of the Celestial City, began
the other pilgrim, whose name was Mr.. Co.
the-old- way, ''has refused, and will ever re-
fuse, TO grant an act ofincorpOration for this
railroad and unless that be obtained, no pas
senger can ever hope to enter his domains
Wherefore, every man who buys a ticket,
must lay his account with losing the pur-
chase money-which is the value Of his own
sonl."
s'Poh, nonsense !" said Mr.. Smooth-it-away,
taking my arm and leading me off, ''these
fellows ought to be indicted for a libel. II
the law stood as it once did in Vanity Fair,
we should see them grinning through the iron
bars of the prison window"
This incident made considerable impress
sion on my mind, and contributed with other
circumstances TO indispose me to a perma-
nent residence in this city of Vanity; altho,'
of course, was not simple enough to give
up my original plan Of gliding along easily
and cOmmodiously by railroad. Still grew
anxious to be gone.-There was one strange
thing that troubled me; amid the occupations
or amusements Of the fair, nothing was more
common than for person-whether at feast,
theatre, or at church, or trafficking forwealth
and honors, or whatever he might be doing,
and however unreasonable the interruption
suddenly to vanish like sOap-bubble, and
be never more seen Of his fellows; and so ac-
customed were the latter to such little acct
dents, that they went on with their business,
as quietly as if nothing had happened. But
it was otherwise with me.
Finally after pretty long residence at the
Fair, resumed my journey towards the &C.
lestial City, still with Mr.. SmoOth-it-away
at my side. AT short distance beyond the
suburbs of Vanity, we passed the anc ientsil-
vermine, of which Demas was the first dis
coverer, and which is now wrought to great
advantage, supplying nearly all the coined
currency of the world. A little further on
ward was the spot where Lots wife had stood
for ages, under the semblance of a pillar of
salt. Curious travellers have carried itaway
by peacemeals. Had all regrets been pun
ished as vigorously as this poor DANES were,
my yearnings might have produced SINH
lar change in my own cerporeal substance,
and left me a warning to future pilgrims.
The next remarkable object was a large
ediice, constructed of moss-grown stone, but
IN modern and airy style of architecture