SOMETHING ABOUT A CITY.
A city is a collection of many people and houses. Why do so many people live in one place? What can all of them find to do? We have already learned that towns grow up where there is opportunity to trade. The town may be found in the valley, by the river, or upon the ocean shore.
The town will grow and at last become a city if it is situated where manufacturing can be carried on, and goods received and shipped far over the earth.
We will suppose that there was a little town in a rich valley near the mouth of a large river. Vessels from across the ocean came into the harbor and unloaded their cargoes. Steamers were made to carry freight up and down the river, and railroads were built through the valleys.
The farmers sent their grain, fruit, and cattle to the town, because they could do so easily. From the town the steamers could carry these things to all parts of the earth.
The town was such a good place for trade and commerce that more and more people came there and found work. Finally manufactories of many kinds were started. Clothing and shoes could be made there cheaply. Mills were erected to grind the grain. Great shops were needed for making machinery. Ships were built to help in carrying
back and forth.
We see now that there are many kinds of work going on. As people continue to come, the work increases. Our little town has at last become a great city.
What a noise and commotion there is! Rail road trains are going and coming. Boats are sailing in and out of the hay. We can see smoke rising from hundreds of great chimneys. Men are at work making things for the use of people all over the world.
The land where the city stands has become very valuable. Many of the buildings have been made so high that we are almost afraid that they may tumble over some time.
The streets are crowded with cars and teams, and mingled in all this confusion there are thousands of people. Some are going one way, some another. They all have work of some kind to do.
People will not come And make a great city where there are no rich lands, or bays for ships to anchor safely in. Cities grow up where there are the best opportunities to carry on trade and manu facture goods.
The position of the city is determined by the character of the land, the river, and the sea coast.