Мхи старой усадьбы
The Celestial Railroad
Intruth,thosewhodesired,accordingtotheoldadage,tosellanythingvaluableforasong,mightfindcustomersallovertheFair;andtherewereinnumerablemessesofpottage,pipinghot,forsuchaschosetobuythemwiththeirbirthrights.Afewarticles,however,couldnotbefoundgenuineatVanityFair.Ifacustomerwishedtorenewhisstockofyouththedealersofferedhimasetoffalseteethandanauburnwig;ifhedemandedpeaceofmind,theyrecommendedopiumorabrandybottle.
Tractsoflandandgoldenmansions,situateintheCelestialCity,wereoftenexchanged,atverydisadvantageousrates,forafewyears’leaseofsmall,dismal,inconvenienttenementsinVanityFair.PrinceBeelzebubhimselftookgreatinterestinthissortoftraffic,andsometimescondescendedtomeddlewithsmallermatters.Ioncehadthepleasuretoseehimbargainingwithamiserforhissoul,which,aftermuchingeniousskirmishingonbothsides,hishighnesssucceededinobtainingataboutthevalueofsixpence.Theprinceremarkedwithasmile,thathewasaloserbythetransaction.
Dayafterday,asIwalkedthestreetsofVanity,mymannersanddeportmentbecamemoreandmorelikethoseoftheinhabitants.Theplacebegantoseemlikehome;theideaofpursuingmytravelstotheCelestialCitywasalmostobliteratedfrommymind.Iwasremindedofit,however,bythesightofthesamepairofsimplepilgrimsatwhomwehadlaughedsoheartilywhenApollyonpuffedsmokeandsteamintotheirfacesatthecommencementofourjourney.
