The Portland daily press., 1870-10-19

MARK TwAIN's map of the Fortifcations
OF Paris" is published in the GALAXY this
month with the following explanatory intro
ton:
published my MAP of the Fortifcations
OF Paris" in my own paper a fortnight ago,
but am obliged to reproduce it in the Galaru
to satisfy the extraordinary demand for il
which has arisen in military circles through
out The country. General Grants outspoken
commentator originated this demand, and
General Sherman's ierveDt endorsement add
ed fuel to it. The result is that tons of thes.
maps have been ted to the suffering soldiers
oil our lal d, but without avail. tt ey hun
ger still. We will cast the Galaxy into the
breach and stand by and await the effect.
he next Atlantic mail will doubtless bring
news OF European frenzy Tor the map. 1t is
| reasonable to expect that the siege of Paris
will be suspended until a German translation
OF it can b. forwarded lit is now in prepara-
tion), and that the defence OF Paris will like
wise be suspended to await the reception Of
the French translation (now progressing un-
der my hands. and likely to be uniuue.) King
Williams high praise of the mtp and NapO
Icons frank enthusiasm concerning its execu.
liCn will ensure its prompt adoption in Eu
rope as the only authoritative and legitimate
| exposition of the present military situation
1t is plain that If the Prussans cannot ce
into Paris with the facilities afforded by this
production OF mine they ought to deliver the
enterprise into abler hands.
Strangers to me keep insisting that this
| map does MT "explain ITSELF" One person
came 10 me with bloodshot eyes and harrass.
ed book about him, and shook the map in my
face and said he believed l was some new
kind of idiot l have been abused a good
deal hv other OIick 1pm parad poopta lilo h;x,,
who came with similar complaints. Now
therefore, l yield willingly, and for the infor.
nation of the ignorant will briefly explain the
present military position as illustrated by the
map. Part OF the Prussian forces, under
Prince Frederick William, are now boarding
at the farm house" in the margin of the
map. There is nothing between them and
Vincennes but rail fence in bad repair
Any corporal can see at a glapce that they
have only to burn it, pull it down, crawl un-
der, climb over, or walk around it, just as the
commander-in-chiet shall elect. Another
portion OF the PruSsian forces are at POdunk,
under Won Mol:ke. They have nothing to
do but to float down the Seine on raft ano
scale the walls OF Paris. Let the worshippers
of that overrated soldier believe in him still,
and abide the resuit-for me, 1 do not believe
he will ever think OF a raft. AT Omaha and
the High Bird are vast masses OF PIussiab
infantry, and 1t is only lair to say that the;
are likely to stay there, as that ngure of a
window sash between them stands Tor brew
cry. Away up out OF sight over the top OF
the map is the fleet of the Prussian Navy.
ready at any moment to come cavorting down
the Erie canal (urless some new iniqulty OF
an unprncipled legislature shall put up the
tolls and so render it cheaper TO walk To
me 1t looks as it Paris is a sngularly close
pace. She was never situated before as sb.
is in this map. MARK TWAIN.