The representation below of the city of Kanzas, was drawn
for
Ballou's Magazine by
Mr. Kilburn, the view being taken on the spot, and
executed with his accustomed fidelity. The city is in Jackson county,
Missouri, and is located on the south bank of the Missouri River, one
hundred and thirty miles from Jefferson city. It is a place of
considerable business, and embraces all the elements of future greatness.
We present it as it appears to-day, but the cities of the West grow out of
all recognition in a very few years. In the old world, the view of a
town taken to-day would exhibit few changes from one a century old -- the
little settlements on the Rhine, for instance, are quite stationary -- while
rapid expansion and perpetual improvement are the features of our
settlements, particularly in the great West, which is dotted here and there
with faces of life and business, often a marvel even to us in New England,
with whom progress and extension are watchwords. |