The character of immigration to this country, and its usual routes from East to West, is a subject deserving of more than a passing notice in this connection. It is a matter of surprise to many that there is such a pronounced difference between the class of immigration to the Western States, and that to the Southwestern sections of our country. All comprehend the fact that there is a wide difference in the general characteristics and habits, in enterprise and industry between the two classes, even when immigration is from the same general source, yet, they do not understand why it is that settlers in Nebraska, Iowa, or any other of the more immediate Western States should bring with them those habits of industry, economy and enterprise, while those starting from the same point and settling in the south or southwest -- south of the thirty-fourth degree of north latitude -- should, in a brief space of time, lose those habits entirely, and become imbued with that same inertia, indolence or lassitude witnessed in those of the manor born. This indolence is a habit of an entirely different birth from slothfullness [sic] and improvidence. It is one of the legitimate results of climate; results that it is impossible to escape, simply because there is an absence of that metalic [sic] element in the air, so necessary in infusing vigor and animation to animal life. Under this influence the body becomes torpid and inactive, and indeed, the most active, enterprising and vigorous soon succumb to the influences of the climate in this respect. Nor is this effect confined to animal life. It takes within its scope vegetables, which, after their

maturity, cannot be kept for any length of time -- as at the North -- without their decaying. This is also the case with fruits, which, like potatoes, turnips, cabbage, onions, etc., cannot be carried through the fall and winter months. Neither can meats be cured in salt or brine there as at the North. This is one of the chief obstacles encountered by settlers south of the thirty-fourth degree of north latitude, and this obstacle is too serious to be overcome even by the numerous other advantages the more southern section of this country offers to immigration.

     Then, again, the flow of immigration from East to West has, as a rule, been over the two great parallel lines -- natural routes -- from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the one known as the great central route, which traverses east and west, the States of Massachusetts, New York, northern Ohio and southern Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Nevada, and California, to the Pacific, and the other known as the great valley or plateau of the Chattanooga, which commences at the Atlantic in North Carolina, traversing in its westerly course, the States of Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Southern Arizona, ending at San Diego, on the Pacific. It was over these two great parallel lines that the early pioneer, with his pack upon his shoulders, first wended his way, only to be followed at a later day by the pack horse, wagon and stage coach, and lastly by the railway engine, the great representative of American enterprise, the chief factor in developing the many resourses [sic] of this country.

     Confining its movement to these two great routes, seldom resorting to latteral [sic] lines, immigration to the immediate Western States and Territories on the central route has been chiefly from the Eastern and Middle States, as also from the larger portion and better class of Europeans landing at New York, Boston and Philadelphia. While on the other hand, immigration over the southern line has been and is still largely composed of people from the eastern and middle portions of what are called the Southern States, or to States east of the Mississippi River and south of the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude.

     The total immigration to the United States, from 1820 to March 31, 1879, was 9,794,264, of which 5,848,423 were males, 3,810,944 females and 134,897 sex not stated.

     The following statement shows the immigration to this country from August 1, 1855, to December 31, 1878, as also the States and Territories chosen by the immigrants:

     The tide of immigration commenced its flow towards points west of the Missouri River as early as 1847, the Mormons being

the avaunt courier of the moving thousands that were attracted towards the Pacific coast by the gold excitement that began in 1849. And it was in a great measure due to that excitement that the vast, fertile country stretching away from the Missouri River to the base of the Rocky Mountains, was so rapidly developed into productive and vigorous life. Yes, it was owing to the constant and enormous flow of travel to California, Utah and Oregon, from 1849 to 1854 that the grand enterprise of a transcontinental railway was conceived in 1853, and matured by provisions for its construction in 1862. A chain of events, beginning with the date that California was acquired by this Government, were not only fruitful in their results so far as pertains to the development of the various latent resources of the Great West, but were the chief factor in the construction of a railway from ocean to ocean, a work which stands as the marvel of the age.

     The towering ranges of the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains, which like grim sentinels stand guard over the mines of wealth that lie buried in the slopes beyond, have been overcome and converted into a steel ribbed railway, and along their bleak and rugged sides, which before, could only be passed after weeks of the most arduous toil, are now avenues over which travel and commerce passes at the rate of twenty miles an hour.

     The change wrought in the past dozen years is truly wonderful. A country rich in agricultural productiveness, traversed by railways, and doted all over with thriving towns and cities, marks the route, along whose toilsome trails, but a few short years ago, moved countless thousands who turned their footsteps westward in search of fickle fortune or homes in the New West. Immigration then moved upon parallel lines, those coming from the East and Southeast, via St. Louis, followed the south bank of the Platte, while those from the East and Northeast, moving via Chicago, followed the north valley of the Platte, the two routes forming a junction at Fort Kearney, those north of the Platte crossing over to the south side, and the whole again crossing to the north side at a point near old Julesburgh.

     In this ever moving human caravan, one would see many hardy gold-seekers making the journey on foot, with their outfit

strapped on their backs, while further on in the line of march would be seen hand carts and wheelbarrows vigorously propelled by human strength; and still further on were carriages and vehicles of all description, from a light sulky to ponderous freight wagons, many of which were covered and well arranged for cooking and sleeping apartments. Some were propelled by horses or mules, some by oxen some by cows, while other of the lighter class, employed as motive power, goats and even dogs. Vast droves of cattle and sheep were also to be seen moving towards the west. Such were the active, ever changing scenes that met the eye during the palmy days of the over-land route to California. But the march of civilization and steam has wrought the change we see to-day, and abridged the time between the two oceans from three months to one week, railways now being the pioneers and the locomotive whistle the great tocsion of prosperity and civilization.

HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, FREMONT.