The above result concerning wages being arrived at, the subject of the cost of living becomes an interesting question. We present a table showing the prices of

groceries, provisions, fuel, dry goods, boots, rent, and board, for 1860, 1872, and 1878, together with a column showing the per centage of increase or decrease on each item of expense for 1878, as compared with 1860:

101

ADVICE TO THOSE SEEKING NEW HOMES.

"GO WEST, YOUNG MAN."-Horace Greeley.

For some years after the late civil war, emigration from Europe increased, and the average number of arrivals of immigrants, for the port of New York alone, for the nine years 1865-1873, both inclusive, was 240,000. But in 1874 there was a sudden reduction in the number of arrivals; falling off from 266,818 in 1873 to 104,041 in 1874; 84,560 in 1875; 68,264 in 1876, and 54,536 in 1877. In 1878 the trade began to rise again-75,347 coming to the port of New York, and 138,469 at all points. It should be said, also, that a larger number than formerly came into the country by way of the Dominion of Canada, and other Atlantic and Pacifio ports. In all, about 4,612,000 immigrants have arrived in this country since 1861. The past falling off in immigration was due to several causes; the depression in business and finances, which had lasted from 1873 to 1878, had caused many business failures, and the reduction in values, a necessary prelude to resumption, had almost paralyzed manufacturing. Our immense agricultural crops were sold at very low prices, because there was not, until 1877 and 1878, a large demand for them from Europe, the cereals of Southern Russia being marketed at a lower price-and the production was too great for the consumption of the home market. Meanwhile the demand for labor at remunerative prices was, until 1877, taking all things into account, better in Europe than here-and the number of emigrants who returned to their homes in Europe was greater than at any previous period. As our condition began to improve, and business grew more brisk, and manufacturing revived here, the state of affairs in Europe became rapidly worse; in Great Britain the indebtedness in India was crushing the wealthy firms engaged in that trade; the demand for their manufactures from this country and other countries was rapidly diminishing, and, to a large extent, our goods were taking their place. There was little demand, except from India, which could not pay, for British iron and steel: Belgium, France and Germany were underbidding English iron masters on their own soil. The goods of Manchester and Sheffield remained on their shelves, and American goods of better quality were offered in those cities at lower prices. The failure of the Bank of the City of Glasgow in October, 1878, of the West of England Bank in December, and of one or two smaller institutions subsequently, caused great numbers of failures; and the extensive strikes which followed the attempt of the manufacturers, ship builders and mine owners to reduce wages, added to the general gloom. While this reduction was a matter of necessity on the part of the capitalists, it bore with great severity on the working classes. When, in addition to this, the government was carrying on war in Afghanistan and in Zululand, and had accepted heavy responsibilities in Asia Minor, Cyprus and Egypt, involvin increased taxation, and India was hopelessly in debt, there was great room fo apprehension, and the tendency to emigration is a natural consequence of that apprehension.

On the Continent the condition of things was not much better. Germany, Italy, Spain and France were in a condition of upheaval. Socialism on the one side and Ultra-montanism on the other, are threatening the peace of all four, and attempts at repression only aggravate the difficulty. Russia is permeated by Nihilism, the worst form of socialism, because it is only destructive, with no desire or intention of reconstruction. Turkey is in a deplorable state, but her people do not migrate westward. From the other countries named, as well as from the Scandinavian States, the probabilities are strong of a greater immigration to this country than we have ever seen. Neither Canada nor Australasia offer any such inducements to the industrious and peace-loving immigrants as we can offer-and we shall, unquestionably, receive the larger portion of them.

Let us, then, give some friendly and disinterested advice to those who are intending to come and make their homes in our country. We are not interested in any land scheme-any railroad or transportation company; we are not citizens of any of the so-called land States or Territories, and do not own an acre of land in any one of them; we are simply intelligent citizens of the United States, patriotic enough to desire the growth and prosperity of our country, and its settlement by honest, upright, law-abiding, industrious citizens, who will build up for themselves and their children homes here in which they may enjoy long life and prosperity.

We have taken the utmost pains to obtain the most thorough information possi→ ble in regard to the different States and Territories which are inviting immigration, and what we have to say here, will be found to be entirely true, and without any coloring of personal interest.

But it is not alone for European emigrants that we have collected this information. Since 1873 more than two million American citizens have migrated from the Eastern States to the States and Territories west of the Mississippi; and perhaps as many more, most of them mechanics and young farmers, though including also other professions and trades, are fully determined to go within the next year or two. We would not seek to detain them at the East, for there is a grand field for development in the West, and the greater the number of intelligent, industrious and patriotic American citizens who shall settle its vast prairies and carry thither the religious, literary and political institutions which have caused the East to prosper in the past, the stronger will be the guaranty of the perpetuity of our Union with its noble heritage of free institutions.

To both classes, then-the emigrants from foreign lands and our own sons, brothers and friends-who are setting their faces westward, we would address our counsels.

1. We would say, first, to all intending emigrants, whether from our own or foreign countries, do not go West without some ready money beyond your travelling expenses, and the amount necessary to secure your lands. If you are intending to be farmers, you will need money to stock your farm, to buy seed and food for your stock, and to support your family until you can realize on your first crop. The emigrant who is thus unprovided will fare hard in a new country, though the settlers there are as generous and helpful as they can be. The larger the amount of ready money an emigrant can command, the more easily and pleasantly will he be situated. The building of a rude house, and furnishing it in the plainest way, will consume considerable money-and the first breaking up of his land, the necessary agricultural implements and machines, and the hire of help in putting in his crops, aside from the cost of stock and fodder, will add to his early expenses. The man who can go to any of the western States or Territories and take up a farm and have on hand, after paying the necessary fees and land expenses, $1,000 (£200), will have a very comfortable time, and will, under ordinary circumstances, be well situated for the future. The man who has a much smaller sum will find that he has many hardships to undergo, and will do better to seek employment as a hired laborer for the first year, purchasing his land meanwhile, and if possible, getting in a crop.

The mechanic or operative who goes West for a home also needs capital, though perhaps not as much, if his calling is one of those which are indispensable in a new country. A good carpenter, mason, blacksmith, miller, sawyer, stone-cutter, brickmaker, painter and glazier will be reasonably sure of remunerative work very soon; but two or three hundred dollars at least, and as much more as they can command, will be needed. For professional men there may be a longer waiting required. The clergyman may have a congregation to preach to, but the salary he will receive from them at first will be very small, and unless he can derive at least a part of his salary from other sources, he will be very sure to suffer. The physician will find his services in demand but his fees will, many of them, be collected with difficulty. The lawyer may have to wait long for business, but will generally manage to get his pay for his services. The editor, the artist, the bookseller, and the dealers in luxuries generally must wait till society reaches its second stage of development.

2. Be deliberate in the choice of a location, and do not decide until you have carefully weighed all the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is our purpose to set these before you so fully and fairly as to aid you in this matter.

It is not necessary to go to the West in order to find land at a reasonable price, in good and healthy locations, and within moderate distance of a good market. There are large tracts in Maine of very fair land, with ready access by river or railroad to good, though not large, markets. The soil is not as rich as that at the West, and the winters are long and cold; the climate is healthy, except a strong tendency to pulmonary consumption, which is the scourge of most cold climates on the seaboard; but these lands compare very well with the new Canadian lands, and are more accessible to markets. Wheat, rye and barley can be grown to advantage, but the summers are not generally long enough for Indian corn, though a very large business is done at Saco, Biddeford, &c., in canning the green corn for consumption. The long winters make the rearing of cattle and sheep less profitable than in southern regions. The other New England States have but little land which, at the prices at which it would be sold, would be attractive to emigrants.

The State of New York has much desirable land for settlers. The eastern twothirds of Long Island has a light, friable soil, easily cultivated, inclined to be sandy, but yielding very large crops when properly manured, with abundant manures, and railroad lines giving it speedy access to the New York and Brooklyn markets, the best on the Continent. The whole island might and should be covered with market gardens, and flower gardens. Much of this land is purchasable at from three to ten dollars an acre, and for market gardening from 10 to 20 acres is sufficient. The climate is mild and healthful, and the prompt returns for labor sure. It is necessary that the settler should know something of the business of market gardening; but this is as easily acquired as any other agricultural business. The Island is, in its greatest length, 104 miles long, and from 7 to 15 miles broad. The difficulties. in regard to this region in the past have been due to the want of good railroad communication; but these have now disappeared, and the railroads will multiply from year to year. Within ten years these lands will increase in value, certainly five fold and possibly ten fold. There are extensive tracts of land in eastern New Jersey which might also be easily transformed into rich market gardens, as some of them have already been. But to return to New York. In the northern part of the State there is a vast tract known as the John Brown Tract, covering the greater part of several large counties, of excellent farming lands, much of it forest, with numerous lakes and streams-valuable land for grain crops, especially wheat, barley, rye, oats and buckwheat, and much of it excellent grazing land. It has been proposed to set it apart as a public park, with a view to the utilization of its lakes. and streams for the supply of the canals and the upper waters of the Hudson. There are railroads and navigable streams on all sides of this vast tract, but as yet no railroad through it, though this difficulty would be readily overcome if it were fairly opened for settlement. All the cereals except Indian corn could be produced abundantly. There is much wild game in the tract, deer especially, and feathered game of all sorts, and delicious fish in great abundance. There are some bears, catamounts, lynxes, badgers, and many foxes, woodchucks, rabbits, squirrels, &c.,, &c. The markets are Ogdensburgh, Oswego, Watertown, Rome, Utica, Little Falls, Schenectady and Albany. Land can be purchased at from 50 cents to $5 per acre. Pennsylvania has, near the centre of the State, a similar tract of desirable though mountainous land.

But perhaps, in some respects, the most desirable region for some classes of immigrants and settlers is to be found in West Virginia. The region is hilly and parts of it too mountainous for cultivation, but wherever it can be cultivated the soil is rich and productive. The whole region abounds in valuable timber-black walnut, oak, ash, beech, hickory, chestnut, and other hard woods, with a fair proportion of hemlock and pine. These command high prices at markets readily accessible. Its mineral wealth of coal, of the best quality, petroleum, salt, lime, baryta, &c., is inexhaustible—and the markets of Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Norfolk and Baltimore are easily accessible from nearly all points of the State. Three railroads cross the State, one at its northern border, one at its southern, and one nearly through the centre. The Ohio River also skirts the border of the State on the north-west and is navigable for large steamers. The climate is excellent. Land can be purchased in this State at from $3 to $10 per acre, and tracts not so desirable at lower prices. The Governor of the State will furnish all the information needed.

In the Southern Atlantic States there is a fine climate and much good land offered at reasonable prices, but, with the exception of Florida, the social, political, educational and financial conditions of these States are not such as to make emigration to them desirable. The only way in which emigration to Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Arkansas, is practicable, is by colonies; and in most of those States, there would still be difficulties and disabilities which would make a residence there unpleasant. These States are ruled too much by the pistol, the rifle, and the shot-gun, to make life agreeable there. Florida is obtaining a large population of northern settlers, and though some portions of the State are subject to malarious fevers, and its principal towns suffer occasionally from yellow fever, the climate in the interior is delightful, and the culture of the orange, lemon and fig, and other semi-tropical fruits, is becoming large and profitable. Lands in desirable portions of the State are much in demand and are bringing higher prices than those we have named from other States.

Texas has, since 1870, been a favorite resort for those emigrants who desire a warm climate. The interior of the State is very healthy, and for rearing cattle, sheep and horses, its advantages are superior to those of any other State. The