barely hinted at above, the city can boast of as handsome residences and hotels as any city in the South.

Its public school buildings, its handsome church edifices, its street railway system, its electric lights and attractive public parks show that the city is not wholly engrossed with the spirit of accumulation of gain.

As one passes along the spacious streets and broad avenues, he is struck with amazement at every step, when he remembers that only a few years ago the spot which it now occupies was a castaway old field.

While Col. McClure of the Philadelphia Times was en route to the New Orleans Exposition, three years ago, he wrote thus concerning Birmingham:

"Three trunk railway lines cross each other in this city, giving it the best railway facilities of any interior Southern center, excepting those of Atlanta. These lines, extending by main routes to the gulf, to the coast, to the east, to the lakes, and to the west, and reaching every part of the country by their connections and tributaries, furnish rare facilities for the development of the wealth that abounds here; and new and important railway lines are soon to be added to them. And when it is considered that as railway outlets multiply, the great river highway of the Warrior will be hastened to completion, the business possibilities of this region would seem increditable to the North, even when cautiously stated. Through the kindness of the Mayor and the President of the Board of Trade, I was enabled to visit and thoroughly examine the great coal mines and iron establishments which have created Birmingham, and the universal activity and unerring signs of prosperous operations present a marked contrast with our coal and iron regions in the North.

"There is a furnace here on a farm that furnishes everything necessary to make iron-the iron ore, coal, limestone and sandbut the great beds of iron, coal and limestone are in a radius of four or five miles. That these exhaustless sources of wealth in such close proximity must soon defy competition in the product of the ordinary iron, I regard as no longer a doubtful problem; but it is yet doubtful whether the competition can extend to the better qualities of iron and steel. The manufacture of steel has

not been attempted as yet, and while it is claimed that it will soon be produced here at the same relative cost as iron and equal in quality to the steel of Pennsylvania, I feel no assurance that it can be done at all. The faith of the iron men of Birminghaın is so strong in its resources that they confidently claim everything for it possessed by any other iron district of the world, even to the blades of Damascus; but here, as elsewhere in all the world, there will be material limitations upon the perfection of iron products.'

Since that time the change has been so great that the distinguished Philadelphian would scarcely recognize the same city could he visit it now. The city limits have been greatly extended, the most expensive and attractive buildings have been erected, the population has been vastly increased, extensive dummy lines have been established so as to reach out in every possible direction, extending sometimes the distance of fifteen miles, important railroads have been built and large suburban interests have grown up. Instead of the three railway trunk lines, to which allusion is made, there are now five, viz: Louisville & Nashville, Queen & Crescent, Georgia Pacific, Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham, and Columbus & Western. Besides these there are extensions from the great systems which penetrate the regions adjacent to Birmingham in all directions. About Birmingham, as a common center, there have sprung up many

SUBURBAN TOWNS.

Among these may be mentioned Avondale, with a population of 2,000, with its furnaces, stove-works and other improvements. Its connection with the city is by rail, street car and dummy lines.

Woodlawn is another town which, by its healthful and attractive location and its railroad facilities, has won the admiration of all visitors. It is about four miles east of Birmingham, has a population of 1,500, and is situated upon the Alabama Great Southern, Georgia Pacific, and Columbus & Western railroads. By dummy line, passage to the city may be secured every few minutes. It is most attractive as a place of residence.

Between the two last named points is located the Birmingham Safe and Lock Factory.

East Lake, six miles distant from the city, is a most picturesque town, which shows alike the undulations of the foot hills of the neighboring mountains and the grassy smoothness of Ruhama Valley. Its water is from crystal mountain springs, pure and healthful. It has a charming artificial lake of thirty acres, handsome residences, and is the location of Howard College-the Baptist institution of the State, and the Atheneum, a superior college for girls and young women. It has connection with Birmingham by dummy transit. It is being rapidly peopled by an intelligent population, attracted hither largely by the excellent educational advantages enjoyed.

Lake View is a resort for rest and pleasure, though it has an excellent school for the education of young women, being provided with an immense hotel, a romantić artificial lake, for boating and bathing purposes, and extensive grounds for out-door sports.

BESSEMER.

This is a city of scarcely more than a year's growth. It is situated upon the Alabama Great Southern Railroad of the Queen & Crescent system, and is about fourteen miles southwest of Birmingham. Already it has a population of 2,500, and its broad and well graded streets, its attractive architecture, its furnaces and adjacent mines, and its dummy and railway system give promise of vast possibilities.

Several railway lines are already projected, and it is believed that they will be speedily constructed.

The transportation facilities of the county are unexcelled, as it is penetrated by five of the grand railway thoroughfares of the South, viz: Louisville & Nashville, Alabama Great Southern, the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham, the Georgia Pacific and the Columbus & Western. Other important lines are being turned in this direction, and some of these will seek Birmingham as a terminal point. Besides these there are many extensions

from the main trunk lines.

Excellent church and educational advantages prevail in all the points named in the county, while throughout the country districts a common school system is sustained.

SOUTHERN FEMALE UNIVERSITY.

The Southern Female University, situated at Lakeview, Birmingham, Ala., is 150 feet above the city, elegantly furnished, heated by steam, electric lights and electric bells. Supplied throughout with pure water. Boats of latest improvement on lake for use of pupils. Beautiful lawn tennis grounds. Finest Natatorium in the country. Chalybeate spring water, equal to those of Virginia and Germany. Over twenty States represented this scholastic year. Faculty first-class in every particular. Moral tone of school is all that could be desired.

EAST LAKE ATHENEUM.

The East Lake Atheneum is a college founded by Dr. Solomon Palmer for the higher education of young ladies. It is situated at East Lake, a delightful residence suburb of Birmingham, with which it has reliable communication by dummies every thirty minutes. It was chartered with ample powers by the Legislature of 1890-91. It did not secure its new and handsome building until 1892-93. This building as shown here is one of the prettiest in the State, and occupies a commanding site on Atheneum Eminence, which overlooks the city six miles distant and all the surrounding country. The building is constructed of stone taken from a quarry not a mile distant, and of pressed bricks. It is heated throughout by steam and has a chapel, recitation, dining and

bed rooms, to accommodate 150 or 200 pupils. In fact it has averaged an enrollment of two hundred pupils ever since founded in 1890. It has some ten or twelve regular teachers all experienced and specially fitted for the work required of them. Besides the literary department special facilities are offered for music, both instrumental and vocal, art, elocution and stenography. The