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The Celestial Railroad
Heshoutedafterus,butinsostrangeaphraseologythatweknewnotwhathemeant,norwhethertobeencouragedoraffrighted.
ItwaslateinthedaywhenthetrainthunderedintotheancientcityofVanity,whereVanityFairisstillattheheightofprosperity,andexhibitsanepitomeofwhateverisbrilliant,gay,andfascinatingbeneaththesun.AsIpurposedtomakeaconsiderablestayhere,itgratifiedmetolearnthatthereisnolongerthewantofharmonybetweenthetown’s-peopleandpilgrims,whichimpelledtheformertosuchlamentablymistakenmeasuresasthepersecutionofChristianandthefierymartyrdomofFaithful.Onthecontrary,asthenewrailroadbringswithitgreattradeandaconstantinfluxofstrangers,thelordofVanityFairisitschiefpatron,andthecapitalistsofthecityareamongthelargeststockholders.ManypassengersstoptotaketheirpleasureormaketheirprofitintheFair,insteadofgoingonwardtotheCelestialCity.Indeed,sucharethecharmsoftheplacethatpeopleoftenaffirmittobethetrueandonlyheaven;stoutlycontendingthatthereisnoother,thatthosewhoseekfurtheraremeredreamers,andthat,ifthefabledbrightnessoftheCelestialCitylaybutabaremilebeyondthegatesofVanity,theywouldnotbefoolsenoughtogothither.Withoutsubscribingtotheseperhapsexaggeratedencomiums,Icantrulysaythatmyabodeinthecitywasmainlyagreeable,andmyintercoursewiththeinhabitantsproductiveofmuchamusementandinstruction.
