undred and six published
pages were.

However, it evidently suited the St. Louis palate, for a second edition
bears date of the same year, and in 1871 a third appeared in a
considerably enlarged form. This last one is the most interesting, for
it contains a preface and a finis which for pure, undiluted presumption
have never been excelled. The former is entitled "Explanatory," and is
worth quoting entire: "A presentation of Causes in Nature and
Civilization which, in their reciprocal action tend to fix the position
of the FUTURE GREAT CITY OF THE WORLD in the central plain of North
America, showing that the centre of the world's commerce and
civilization will, in less than one hundred years, be organized and
represented in the Mississippi Valley, and by St. Louis, occupying as
she does the most favored position on the continent and the Great River;
also a complete representation of the great railway system of St. Louis,
showing that in less than ten years she will be the greatest railway
centre in the world." Even the most arrogant citizen of St. Louis would
hardly have the boldness to maintain that ten years after this prophecy
was made, in 1881, St. Louis was "the greatest railway centre in the
world," or even that she was one of the greatest. As to the one-hundred
years prophecy nothing can as yet be affirmed, for it has eighty-seven
years more to run, but if the last thirteen can be taken as a criterion,
St. Louis has a big contract on her hands.

The last page is the most curious in the book, and in its way is
certainly unique. It is called "A Closing Word," and, being printed in
italics, has an air of emphasis and force peculiarly appropriate. The
author begins: "Thus have I written a new record--a new prophecy of a
city central to a continent of resources;" and so he goes on for half a
page of ridiculous bombast until he finishes the climax of epithets by
calling this "the Apocalyptic City--

'The New Jerusalem, the ancient seer
Of Patmos saw.'

"All hail! mistress of nations and beautiful queen of civilization! I
view thee in the light of thy destiny. Thou art transfigured before me
from thy present state to one infinitely more grand, and which
overshadows and dwarfs all civic forms in history.

"The influence of thy empire will pervade the world with invisible and
electric force. Yet, vivifying and benignant capital,--emporium of trade
and industry, seat of learning and best-applied labor, pivotal poi