The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-11-03
Mark sTwain's Map of the Fortinestions
oT Parfs.


Of Paris.
Mark Twain's map of the Fortifca-
tions of Paris is published in the |
Gdla1y, this month, with the following
explanatory introduction:
published my Map of the Forti-
fications of Paris in my own paper . |
fortnight ago., but / am obliged to re-
produce tin the GALAXY to satisfy the
extraordinary demand for it which
has arisen in military circles:.through-
out the country. General Grants
outspoken commentator originated
this demand, and General sSherman's
fefvent endorsement added fuel to it.
The result is that tons of these maps
have been fed to the suffering soldiers
of our land, but without avail. They
hunger still. We will cast the GALAXY
into the breach, and stand by and
await the effect.
The next Atlantic mail will doubt
less bring news of European frenzy
for the map. 1t is reasonable to ex-
pect that the seige Of Paris win be
suspended till a German translation
of it can be forwarded Gt is now in
preparatory, and that the defense of
Paris viii likewise be suspended to
await the arrival of the French trsns-
lation (now progressing under my
hands, and likely to be uniQue.) King
Williams high praise of the map and
Napoleon's frank enthusiasm concern
ing its execution will ensure its
prompt adoption as the only authori-
tative and legitimate exposition of the
present military situation. 1t is plain
that if the Prussians cannot get into
Paris with the facilities afforded by
this production of mine they ought to
deliver the enterprise into abler hand.
Strangers to me keep insisting that
this map does not "explain itself
One person came to me with blood
shot eye and harassed look about
him, and shook the map in my face,
and said he believed was some new
kind of an idiot. I have been abused
agood deal by other quick-tempered
indiyidnais like him, who came with
similar complaints. Now, therefore,
l yield willingly, and for the iuform-
alton Of the ignorant will briefly ex-
plain the present military position al
illustrated by the map. Part of the
Prdssian forces, under Prince Fred
erick William, are now boarding al
the "farm house" in the margin of the
map. There is nothing between them
and Vincennes but rail fence in bad
repair. Amy corporal can see at .
glance that they have only to burn it
pull it down, climb over, crawl under
or walk around ii, just as the com.
mander-in-chief shall direct. Still
another portion of the Prussian forces
are at Podunk, under Won Moltke
They have nothing to do but to foa
down the Seine on raft and scale tn,
walls Of Paris. Let the worshipperl
= =
of that overrated soldier believe ii
him still, and abide the result /; form,
j do not think that he will ever thinl
of raft. AT Omaha and the High
Bridge are vast masses of Prussial
infantry, and it is only fair to say tina
they are likely to stay there, as tina
figure of a window-sash between
them stands for brewery. AVA,
up out of sight over the top of tn
map is the feet of the Prussian navy
ready at any time to come csvortin,
down the Erie Canal (nnIess som
new iniquity of an unprincipled leg
islature shall put up the tolls, and .
renderit cheaper to walk). To me
looks as if Paris is singularly clos
place. She was never situated befor
as she is in this map. X
MARK TWAIN.