FRANKFORT,

The capital of the State, is situated in Franklin county, on the northeast bank of the Kentucky River, 60 miles from its mouth, 53 miles east of Louisville, and 550 miles west of Washington. Latitude 38° 14′ N., longitude 84° 40′ W. The site of the town is a deep valley, surrounded by abrupt hills. Towards the northeast it rises to a considerable height, and from this portion of the town views may be had of some most exquisite scenery.

The city is regularly laid out, and is generally well built. Many of the houses are constructed of a fine limestone or marble which abounds in the vicinity. The general appearance of the city is handsome and picturesque.

The State Capitol is a fine building of white marble. It stands on an eminence near the centre of the town. Frankfort contains the Governor's House, the State Penitentiary, the State Arsenal, a Court House, six churches, several good schools, the State Institution for Feeble Minded Children, and the Kentucky Military Institute. It is lighted with gas, and is supplied with spring-water brought into the town in iron pipes. Two newspapers are published here. In 1870, the population was 5396.

The Kentucky River is 100 yards wide at Frankfort, and is spanned by a chain bridge which connects the city with the suburb of South Frankfort. Steamers ascend to the city, which is the centre of an active trade. The river here flows through a deep channel of limestone rock, and is noted for its beautiful scenery. Railroads connect Frankfort with Louisville, Cincinnati, Nashville, and the other cities. of the Union.

Frankfort was established by Act of the Legislature of Virginia, in 1786. It was made the capital of Kentucky in 1792. During the civil war, it was captured by the Confederate cavalry, on the 6th of September, 1862.

LOUISVILLE,

The largest city in the State, is situated in Jefferson county, on the south or left bank of the Ohio River, at the head of the falls, 51 miles west of Frankfort, 625 miles by the course of the river below Pittsburg, 394 miles above the mouth of the Ohio, and 590 miles. west-by-south from Washington.

The city is built on a spacious sloping plain, 70 feet above low

water mark, and is laid out with regularity, the streets, which are from 60 to 120 feet in width, intersecting at right-angles in a direction with and from the river. Ten streets run parallel with the river, and thirty streets intersect them. Along the river shore are extensive wharves. The streets are generally well paved, and are in many instances shaded with trees. The general appearance of the city is bright and attractive, and here are to be seen some of the handsomest buildings in the West. The surrounding country is very beautiful.

The principal public buildings are the City Hall, the Court House, the Custom House, and the Masonic Hall, all of which are handsome structures.

The schools of Louisville have always been regarded as among the best in the country. Its public schools are perhaps the oldest in the West. There are a number of public schools for both sexes, and several flourishing private seminaries. The higher schools are the University of Louisville, and the Medical Institute. There is a Law School connected with the University. The Mercantile Library is a flourishing institution with a good collection of books; and the Historical Society possesses many interesting documents relating to the early history of the State.

The Benevolent Institutions are well managed. They are the State Asylum for the Blind, whose handsome buildings were erected partly by the contributions of the citizens; the State Marine Asylum, two

Orphan Asylums, and several societies for the relief of the poor and suffering.

The city contains about 40 churches, and about 12 newspaper and 4 magazine offices; and is lighted with gas, and supplied with water from the Ohio River. It possesses an efficient police force, and a steam fire engine service. It is governed by a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 100,753.

Louisville is connected with all parts of the country by railway. The Ohio is here crossed by a magnificent railway bridge, which gives the city unbroken communication with the East and West.

The navigation of the Ohio is interrupted at Louisville by the only falls which occur in the course of the stream. These falls are very picturesque in appearance. In high stages of the water, they entirely disappear, and steamboats pass over them; but when the water is low, the whole width of the river, which is scarcely less than a mile, has the appearance of a great many broken rivers of foam, making their way over the rocks. The river is divided by a fine island, which adds to the beauty of the scene. To overcome the obstruction caused

by the falls, a canal was cut around them, in 1833. It is 21 miles long, 50 feet wide, 10 feet deep, with a total lockage of 22 feet. It was cut through the solid limestome rock, and cost $750,000. The city carries on a heavy river trade, both above and below the falls. Its wharves are at all times thronged with steamers and other river craft, carrying to and fro a merchandise inferior only to that coming and going from Pittsburg and Cincinnati. The principal exports are tobacco, bagging, rope, cordage, spirits, pork, flax, hemp, live stock, and machinery. The value of the commerce of the city is estimated. at from $80,000,000 to $100,000,000 per annum. A large number of steamers engaged in the river trade are owned in the city.

The city is also largely engaged in manufacturing enterprises. It has a number of machine shops and founderies; several large steam bagging factories, rope walks, cotton and woollen factories, flouring mills, tobacco factories, distilleries, breweries, and agricultural implement factories, whose aggregate production makes up a large portion of its industry. The city has grown rapidly in wealth and popula-. tion during the last ten years.

Louisville was laid out in 1773, but no settlement was made on the spot till 1778, when a block-house was built. In 1780, the town was established by an Act of the Virginia Legislature. In 1800, the population amounted to 600. The settlement suffered considerably in its infancy from the incursions of the Indians, but grew rapidly after the close of the second war with England.

COVINGTON,

The second city of the State, is situated in Kenton county, on the south bank of the Ohio and the west bank of the Licking, at the confluence of those rivers, and immediately opposite the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, with which it is connected by a suspension bridge. It is also connected with the city of Newport on the opposite side of the Licking by a suspension bridge. It is 60 miles north-northeast of Frankfort. The city is built on a beautiful plain extending back from the river, and the streets are so arranged as to appear from the hills back of Cincinnati as a continuation of that city. The city is well built and presents a handsome appearance from the river. Many persons doing business in Cincinnati reside here. The city is lighted with gas and supplied with water, and is connected with Cincinnati by a street railway. It contains about 10 churches, several good public and private schools, and a newspaper office. It is the seat of the

Western Theological Seminary, a richly endowed institution under the direction of the Baptists. It contains a number of rolling mills, pork houses, and manufactories of hemp, silk, and tobacco. It is governed by a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 24,505. Covington has direct railway connection with Frankfort and Louisville.

NEWPORT,

The third city of the State, is situated in Campbell county, on the south bank of the Ohio, and on the east bank of the Licking River, immediately opposite Cincinnati and Covington. It is connected with Covington by a handsome suspension bridge across the Licking. It is beautifully situated, possessing an advantage over either of the neighboring cities in this respect. It is occupied principally with residences, many of which are very handsome. It contains several schools, about 12 churches, and a newspaper office. Several large rolling mills, iron founderies, and steam mills, and a manufactory of silk goods, are located here. An arsenal and barracks of the United States army are located here at the junction of the two rivers. The city is lighted with gas, and is supplied with pure water. In 1870, the population was 15,087.

LEXINGTON,

The fourth city of the State, is situated in Fayette county, on the Town Fork of the Elkhorn River, 25 miles southeast of Frankfort, 94 miles east of Louisville, and 81 miles south of Cincinnati. It is beautifully situated in the heart of a lovely country, and is one of the prettiest and wealthiest cities in the State. It is regularly laid out in rectangular blocks, with well-paved streets bordered with ornamental trees. It is one of the best built towns in the West, many of the public and private buildings being noted for their beauty. The surrounding country is occupied with elegant country seats, and adds very much to the general appearance of Lexington.

Lexington is noted for the excellent schools which it contains. The public and private schools are in flourishing condition. Transylvania University is located here, and is regarded as one of the best schools in the West. Its law and medical schools are largely attended. Its library numbers over 25,000 volumes.

The city also contains a handsome Court House, the State Lunatic Asylum, about 12 churches, and several newspaper offices. It is lighted with gas and supplied with pure water. It is largely en