Not a great while ago, passing through

the gate of dreams, I visited that region of the earth in which lies the famous

city of Destruction. It interested me much to learn that, by the public spirit

of some of the inhabitants, a railroad has recently been established between

this populous and flourishing town, and the Celestial City. Having a little

time upon my hands, I resolved to gratify a liberal curiosity to make a trip

thither. Accordingly, one fine morning, after paying my bill at the hotel, and

directing the porter to stow my luggage behind a coach, I took my seat in the

vehicle and set out for the Station-house. It was my good fortune to enjoy the

company of a gentleman—one Mr. Smooth-it-away—who, though he had never actually

visited the Celestial City, yet seemed as well acquainted with its laws,

customs, policy, and statistics, as with those of the city of Destruction, of

which he was a native townsman. Being, moreover, a director of the railroad

corporation, and one of its largest stockholders, he had it in his power to

give me all desirable information respecting that praiseworthy enterprise.