Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-03-22
THE GROWTH OF orPH1LADELPniA,

The population of PHILADELPHIA !. pory
greater than that of any European CITY. ex-
cept London. Paris, and probably Constan-
tinople. The prominent and populous Eu-
rOpean cities rank as follows Berlin lin
lS6ll, 547 57l ; St. Petersburg lin 1853,
go, ~ Vienna lin 1871 47G, 222 Liv-
erpool liz 1860, 4S4 337 Naples lin 1902
4 ,Oe5; GLASGOW lin 1866, 432 265. Phil
adelphia contained, in 1860. SOS. 81, and
has since, no doubt been increased to up
wards OF Il 1000, and may now reach 30
600. The population Of London, according
to the census taken last year, was ,, ,037, 99I,
and Of Paris, according to the French cen
sus Of 1866, lS2S.274. The growth ofthis
city has been so steady, and uniform. its
prosperity rests on such a solid basis, and
there are so few obstacles in its indefinite
extension, that it is probably destined at
no distant period to become one or tlro rI1oet
populous cities in the world, to rival Paris
or London, as II has already Outstrlpped
Vienna, Berlin. Naples, aud St Petersburg
The causes Of the growth Of modern cities,
is a subject well worthy of investigation.
The at1luence Of central governments, with
the attractions Of glittering courts, and the
expenditure Of public money, have built up
the European capitals, but in the United
States only Washington and the seats Of
State governments are sensibly advanced in
this manner, Our leading cities must de
pend upon the amount Of general business
transacted, and the inducements offered as
permanent or transient residences tC those
who derive livelihood from industrial OPP
erationS which they do not personally super
intend, from estates, mines, manufactures,
stocks, or fixed incomes. Philadelphia
unites in greater degree than any other
city both these requisites. Her natural IA
cilities for business have been severely test
ed by serious mutations. She has in turn
enjoyed and lost the pre- eminence Of being
| the capital, the leading seaport, and the f.
nancial centre Of the nation. Various forms
of commercial activity have, at different
tiUeS grown into great importance, and
subsequently been destroyed by uuavolda-
bic changes in the currents Of trade. But
she has nobly Surm0unted all these difficult
ties Bafilcd in one direction she has turn
ed to another and fully recovering from
| these temporary disasters, has gone steadily
| onward, constantly swelling the volume Of
! her financial transactions and increasing the
| business connections Of her citizens. She
| has thus shown sturdy vitality that cannot
| fail to exert favorable influence upon her
/ future career, and that demonstrates the val
uc of her many natural advantages for man
/ utactures and for domestic commerce, as well
as OF her immediate connection with one Of
/ the most prosperous and productive portions
/ Of the UniUu. Constant vigilance and en-
/ terprise are required in these days Of eager
/ rivalry to preserve her due share Of the bu
| siucss which should naturally accrue from
| geographical position and present develop
ment but if they are displayed the sources
OF useful and profitable employment Will IN
/ crease even more rapidly than hel pOpuia-
ton. The growth Of cities is not. however,
/ dependent exclusively upon the extent Of
| their business Their attractions as a place
| Of residence are Of great importance, alike
| to the crowd Of delivers who form the bulk
Of their population, and to those who are
| enabled 10 select their homes without refer
/ ence to pecunilry considerations. An abun-
/ dance Of wholesome food In convenient mar
/ kCt places, cheap and cOmmOdious dwellings,
pure water and gas, clean and well paved
! streets, healthtui location. convenient facIi-
| tiles for travelling at all times from one 10
/ ca!ity to another. brilliant stores. commodi-
/ Gus hotels, spacious parks, churches, schools
( amusements, libraries, literary and sc.enti-
/ tlc institutions, combine to retain and at
/ tract, whil2 any marked deficiency Of an IN
/ portant requisite repclS, population. In
its general features, Fhiladel lphia is by uni
vcrsal confession one Of the most delightful
places Of residence in the country, and she
will preserve this character by prompt ac-
! ton in removing the minor or temporary
evils to which we frequently advert, and by
| vigorously following up the efforts already
begun, to increase the usefulness Of many of
her most attractive public institutions The
welfare of her toiling people imperatiyely
demands pure water, unrestricted railway
facilities, cheap gas, and comfortable dwell
lings The more luxurious classes find here
social and intellectual attractions scarcely
inferior to those which draw to the great
European centres for a large portion Of each
year the leading families of the respective
| Kingdoms. If we continue to provide for
the general necessities by sagacious munich
pal legislation and individual effor,, and
steadily improve our natural business ad-
vantages, a grand future evidently awaits
this city.-PcSs.