Outside，inaglimmeringnight，Isawtheblack，amorphoushillsshootbyunweariedlyintoourwake。TheythatlongformorninghaveneverlongedforitmoreearnestlythanI。
Andyetwhendaycame，itwastoshineuponthesamebrokenandunsightlyquarteroftheworld。Mileuponmile，andnotatree，abird，orariver。Onlydownthelong，sterilecanons，thetrainshothootingandawoketherestingecho。Thattrainwastheonepieceoflifeinallthedeadlyland；itwastheoneactor，theonespectaclefittobeobservedinthisparalysisofmanandnature。
AndwhenIthinkhowtherailroadhasbeenpushedthroughthisunwateredwildernessandhauntofsavagetribes，andnowwillbearanemigrantforsome12poundsfromtheAtlantictotheGoldenGates；howateachstageoftheconstruction，roaring，impromptucities，fullofgoldandlustanddeath，sprangupandthendiedawayagain，andarenowbutwaysidestationsinthedesert；howintheseuncouthplacespig-tailedChinesepiratesworkedsidebysidewithborderruffiansandbrokenmenfromEurope，talkingtogetherinamixeddialect，mostlyoaths，gambling，drinking，quarrellingandmurderinglikewolves；howtheplumedhereditarylordofallAmericaheard，inthislastfastness，thescreamofthe\"badmedicinewaggon\"chariotinghisfoes；andthenwhenIgoontorememberthatallthisepicalturmoilwasconductedbygentlemeninfrockcoats，andwithaviewtonothingmoreextraordinarythanafortuneandasubsequentvisittoParis，itseemstome，Iown，asifthisrailwayweretheonetypicalachievementoftheageinwhichwelive，asifitbroughttogetherintooneplotalltheendsoftheworldandallthedegreesofsocialrank，andofferedtosomegreatwriterthebusiest，themostextended，andthemostvariedsubjectforanenduringliterarywork。Ifitberomance，ifitbecontrast，ifitbeheroismthatwerequire，whatwasTroytowntothis？But，alas!itisnotthesethingsthatarenecessary-itisonlyHomer。
Herealsowearegratefultothetrain，astosomegodwhoconductsusswiftlythroughtheseshadesandbysomanyhiddenperils。
Thirst，hunger，thesleightandferocityofIndiansareallnomorefeared，solightlydoweskimthesehorriblelands；asthegull，whowingssafelythroughthehurricaneandpasttheshark。Yetweshouldnotbeforgetfulofthesehardshipsofthepast；andtokeepthebalancetrue，sinceIhavecomplainedofthetriflingdiscomfortsofmyjourney，perhapsmorethanwasenough，letmeaddanoriginaldocument。ItwasnotwrittenbyHomer，butbyaboyofeleven，longsincedead，andisdatedonlytwentyyearsago。I