by Mark Twain

In taking upon myself the burden of editing department GALAXY magazine, actuated by conviction that needed, almost imperatively, particular field of literature long felt that while the magazine literature day had much to recommend it, it yet lacked stability, solidity, weight It seemed plain that 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 good deed sufficient reward **--[**Together with salary ]

department the public may always rely upon finding exhaustive statistical tables concerning the finances country, the ratio of births and deaths; the percentage of increase of population, etc , etc --in word, everything realm of statistics make existence bright and beautiful

Also, in my department will always be found elaborate condensations Patent Office Reports, wherein faithful endeavour will at all times be made to strip the nutritious facts bare effulgence of imagination and sublimity of diction which too often mar the excellence great works **--[** N B --No other magazine country makes specialty Patent Office Reports ]

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

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

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

other departments magazine found poetry, tales, and other frothy trifles, and the reader can turn for relaxation , and thus guard against overstraining the powers mind M T

P S --1 sold "Buffalo Express," and ; neither shall I stop writing This remark seems necessary in business point of view

2 These MEMORANDA "humorous" department conduct an exclusively and professedly humorous department for always prefer the privilege of printing serious and sensible remark, one occurred , without the reader's feeling obliged to consider himself outraged keep the same mood day after day liable, some day, to want my opinion on jurisprudence, or Homeric poetry, or international law, and of small consequence whether the reader survive or not never go straining after jokes when in cheerless mood, unhackneyed subject of international law is open leave all that straining to people who edit professedly and inexorably "humorous" departments and publications

3 chosen the general title of MEMORANDA department because plain and simple, and makes no fraudulent promises print under it statistics, hotel arrivals, or anything that comes handy, without violating faith reader

4 Puns allowed place department Inoffensive ignorance, benignant stupidity, and unostentatious imbecility will always be welcomed and cheerfully accorded corner, and even the feeblest humour admitted, when do no better; but no circumstances, however dismal, will ever be considered sufficient excuse admission last--and saddest evidence of intellectual poverty, the Pun