The Curious Republic of Gondour, and Other Whimsical Sketches

Of Salem City in the State 
Of Texas, of the first part, 

And O. B. Johnson, of the town 
Of Austin, ditto, WITNESSETH: 
That said party of first part, 
For and in consideration 

Of the sum of Twenty Thousand 
Dollars, lawful money of 
The U. S. of Americay, 
To them in hand now paid by said 

Party of the second part, 
The due receipt whereof is here— 
By confessed and acknowledged 
Having Granted, Bargained, Sold, Remised, 

Released and Aliened and Conveyed, 
Confirmed, and by these presents do 
Grant and Bargain, Sell, Remise, 
Alien, Release, Convey, and Con— 

Firm unto the said aforesaid 
Party of the second part, 
And to his heirs and assigns 
Forever and ever ALL 

That certain lot or parcel of 
LAND situate in city of 
Dunkirk, County of Chautauqua, 
And likewise furthermore in York State 

Bounded and described, to-wit, 
As follows, herein, namely 
BEGINNING at the distance of 
A hundred two-and-forty feet, 

North-half-east, north-east-by north, 
East-north-east and northerly 
Of the northerly line of Mulligan street 
On the westerly line of Brannigan street, 

And running thence due northerly 
On Brannigan street 200 feet, 
Thence at right angles westerly, 
North-west-by-west-and-west-half-west, 

West-and-by-north, north-west-by-west, 
About—

I kind of dodged, and the boot-jack broke the looking-glass. I could have waited to see what became of the other missiles if I had wanted to, but I took no interest in such things.

INTRODUCTORY TO 'MEMORANDA'

In taking upon myself the burden of editing a department in THE GALAXY magazine, I have been actuated by a conviction that I was needed, almost imperatively, in this particular field of literature. I have long felt that while the magazine literature of the day had much to recommend it, it yet lacked stability, solidity, weight. It seemed plain to me that too much space was given to poetry and romance, and not enough to statistics and agriculture. This defect it shall be my earnest endeavour to remedy. If I succeed, the simple consciousness that I have done a good deed will be a sufficient reward.**—[**Together with salary.]

In this department of mine the public may always rely upon finding exhaustive statistical tables concerning the finances of the country, the ratio of births and deaths; the percentage of increase of population, etc., etc.—in a word, everything in the realm of statistics that can make existence bright and beautiful.

Also, in my department will always be found elaborate condensations of the Patent Office Reports, wherein a faithful endeavour will at all times be made to strip the nutritious facts bare of that effulgence of imagination and sublimity of diction which too often mar the excellence of those great works.**

[** N. B.—No other magazine in the country makes a specialty of the Patent Office Reports.]

In my department will always be found ample excerpts from those able dissertations upon Political Economy which I have for a long time been contributing to a great metropolitan journal, and which, for reasons utterly incomprehensible to me, another party has chosen to usurp the credit of composing.

And, finally, I call attention with pride to the fact that in my department of the magazine the farmer will always find full market reports, and also complete instructions about farming, even from the grafting of the seed to the harrowing of the matured crop. I shall throw a pathos into the subject of Agriculture that will surprise and delight the world.

Such is my programme; and I am persuaded that by adhering to it with fidelity I shall succeed in materially changing the character of this magazine. Therefore I am emboldened to ask the assistance and encouragement of all whose sympathies are with Progress and Reform.

In the other departments of the magazine will be found poetry, tales, and other frothy trifles, and to these the reader can turn for relaxation from time to time, and thus guard against overstraining the powers of his mind. M. T.

P. S.—1. I have not sold out of the 'Buffalo Express,' and shall not; neither shall I stop writing for it. This remark seems necessary in a business point of view.