The Saint Louis Directory for the year 1845, the first publication of the kind by the present compiler, (whether it shall prove the last or not,) is now offered to the public as the fruit of much labor and care. To render it as perfect as possible, every house in the city has been vis-ited, where streets and avenues were traceable by means of index boards, or their names were satisfactorily ascertainable from tradition; and where the requisite information could not be obtained on the first call, many houses have been visited twice, thrice, or oftener, for that purpose. The names have been taken with all the care such an undertaking would per-mit; and every precaution has been taken to render this what a Direc-tory ought to be—afull and correct general index to the localities of the entire population of the city.

As this is my first effort of the kind, it would be marvellous indeed if it did not prove defective to some extent, at least. When I embarked in this enterprise, I believed myself to posses as good an intuitive, or in-stinctive Knowledge of the business of directory compiling as any other; but I soon discovered that I had much to learn, with no other instructor at hand than Experience. If, however, I had the same work to do again, with the Knowledge I have already acquired, I doubt not but that such work would prove materially more perfect than the present. But, as I have a few other subjects to touch upon in the course of these introductory observations, I will here, and at once, discuss, explain, palliate, justify, and finally dispose of the imperfections of this, my humble, unpretending production, as briefly as possible, and then submit its fate to the ordeal of public opinion.

In the course of my passage through this city, I encountered a rabble of philosophers and wise men, who knew all, and a great deal more than all, about dierectory-making, but unfortunately for me, no two of them knew any thing alike; consequently, I was unable to compound, from their joint and aggregate knowledge, any thing like an infallible system. This was a source of great embarrasment, perplexity, disquietude and discouragement to me, insomuch, that on numerous occasions, and even after I had made considerable advance in the canvassing, I was tempted to abandon the work in despair of giving any thing like a reasonable pub-lic satisfaction. Most opportunely for my comfort and encouragement, however, I met with one man, who had visted all the principal cities of Great Britain, Continental Europe, and the United States, and conse-

quently knew more than all the rest together, and he had Never Vet Seen a good Derectory. This was "as water to a thirsty soul." Animation, before almost suspended, was now restored—my spirits revived—my energies returned—and I determined to persevere to the end; and if I must needs suffer immolation, impalement, tortures, racks and thumb-screws, and all that, I felt content to suffer in such company as the Long-worths, the M’Elroys, the Cists, and other veteran directory compilers of our own country, who had once to learn as well as myself, and even yet have not been able to stop the months of the two-penny critics.

Two main ingredients enter into the composition of a perfect directory—the inclusion of all the names, and their location in their proper places of business or residence. As regards the latter, I believe there will be extremely small occasion for fault-finding furnished in the follow-ing pages.

With respect to the former, there are three ways in which it may be impossible to get all the names—first, by finding no person at home, to furnish the requisite information, nor any one adjacent to furnish the same satisfactorily: secondly, by removals from parts of the city over which I had not passed, to parts of the city over which I had passed: and, thirdly, by the squeamish withholdment of the name desired, on account of the indulgence of a morbid sense of mock-dignity on the part of the person applied to. I know there are a few names in this city which will not appear in this work, and to the above causes, exclusively, may their omissions be attributed. One evidence that there cannot be many names omitted, is the fact, that the following alphabetical list contains about eighteen hundred more names than there were votes polled in this city at the late presidential election, where, no doubt, all the legal voters of the city, and many from the county, voted, if not, withal, many who were not entitled to a vote.

As to those who have changed their places of business or residence since I took their names, and they have not furnished me with notice of such change, I hope they will be a little modest in censuring me for not making the necessary corrections, without such notice. I have made many corrections myself, where I knew such changes to have taken place.

The re-numbering of the city will now receive a moment’s attention, as that, no doubt, will furnish grounds for charitable stricture by those who appear to have been sent into the world for no other purpose than to watch and govern its motions.

I commenced canvassing, for this work, on the 27th of May. Between that day and the first of June, I was informed taht an ordinance had been passed for re-numbering the houses of the city. Upon inquiry, I also ascertained, officially, that the contract for ddoing the same had been en-tered into, and that the work was to be completed by the 6th of July. On the first of June, therefore, I suspended operations, intending to await the commencement of the numbering, and then to follow on after the

numberers, as fast as they progressed. In this way, I waited till the 8th of July, which was after the time the numbering was to have been com-pleted, and yet it was not then commenced!—the numbering not being commenced at the time it ought to have been completed: from such pre-mises, I was utterly nuable to make deduction when it would be com-menced. This might be to-morrow; and then again it might not be until some time near "the latter Lammas," that is to say—never. I ac-cordingly recommenced canvassing, on the day above named, by taking down the locations of individuals and firms, in the manner exhibited in the following pages, which was the best that could have been adopted in the absence of numbers, and finished during the second week of Septem-ber. I never learnt on what day the numbering was either commenced or completed, but my impression is, that the former was about the mid-dle of August, and the latter about the middle of November. This I know, however, that Carr-street, on the north of Market, was numbered on the 5th, and Elm, on the south, on the 28th of October. If the streets on the south of, and parallel with Elm, were numbered afterwards, the work could not have been completed previous to the middle of Novem-ber. This would have been rather long for me to have waited, for I could not have taken account of the last number until it had been put up—which was, probably, more than two months after I had finished canvassing; and, even after that, I would have had a considerable part of the city to have passed through, as the whole of the city is not num-bered, and it was impossible for me to know where, on any particular street, the numbering would be discontinued, or what streets would not be numbered at all. I had, therefore, to pass along the principal streets, (Market, and the business part of the streets north of Market,) a second time, and took down the numbers which I have, being those of business stands, and of such residences as I knew the names of the occupants. This, together with the corrections thereby rendered necessary to the original entries, took from three to four weeks more of my time, so that, between the commencement and completion of my canvassing, I may be said to have lost at least two months of time, occasioned by the re-num-bering. These facts I state, merely as defensory of myself; at the same time, disclaiming all, and every thing, savoring of censure upon the con-tractor, as I have understood, unofficially, that he had his time for com-pleting the work extended once or oftener.

But where no numbers are herein expressed, the direction is invaria-ply so definite and plain, as to lead enquirer at once, if not to the very door, at least to within a very few doors, of the place desired to be found. A person residing, or doing business on a corner, the particular corner is always designated, by the abbreviations ne, se, nw, sw, that is, north-east, north-west, &c. And any person located between corners, is designated by the particular side of the street occupied, by the abbrevia-tions es, ws, ns, ss, for east side, west side, &c.; and by the bearing of the location from the next street running cross-wise, as, "ns (northside)

of Morgan, w (west) of Sixth." Thus, the corners being deducted from the front of a block the length of fron between the corners not being great, and the side of the street being defined, the enquirer arrives, with-out difficulty, at within a few dorrs of the one sought, and a single enquiry does the rest. The city of Cincinnati, now estimated to contain 90,000 inhabitants, has not a single door nambered within it: yet, in a less explicit form have a directories of that city been annually made, and liber-ally patronized, for many years past. The directory for that city for 1843 contain no less than 345 business cards!

Something has been said about the length of time this publication hasbeen forthcoming. Upon this point, I would briefly say, that the time I have unavoidably lost, from the causes already mentioned, has been about two months: had it not been for which, it would have been out about the 20th of October; and, considering that I lost about five weeks of this time at my very out-set, it may be considered that I did not actual-ly begin until the 8th of July.

The preceding furnishes my explanation - apology-defence-Justification, for the time occupied in the getting out of this book, and for the omission of a part of the numbers, and the unavoidablility of the omis-sion; and with the charitable, I trust it will prove sufficient, especially as but a part of the city is numbered after all. But, be the defects and im-perfections of this work what they may, whether few or many, small or great, it will nevertheless, be immensely useful, and will often be referred to by many who ougth to purchase a copy, but who, to save the enormous sum of one hundred cents, will most honorably avail themselves of their neighbors’ generosity!

A Directory of Streets and Avenues herein contained, and for the first time published in a Directory of this city, will prove hightly useful, not only to strangers, but to citizens also.

If a Directory is of any use, never did a city of thirty-five thousand inhabitants stand in greater need than St. Louis does at the present time. By an estimate, based upon an analysis of a part of the last Directory, and a comparison of the same with the corresponding part of this, at least one-third of the names of individuals and firms contained in the last are no longer here; a greater number take their place in the present Direc-tory; and of those names which are contained in both, a very large pro-portion, perhaps fully one-half, have changed their locations since the last Directory was canvassed for, which was in the winter of 1841-42. Owing to the fluctuation of population, a Directory of this city ought to be made out at least every year, and then the names inserted ought to be confined to persons indentified with the interest of the place, by a house- hold or business tenure, as is the case in eastern cities. In getting up this Directory, I have to an extent and to a greater than I would again, adopted the last Directory as a precedent, by inserting the names of non-housekeepers and non-business proprietors; such as single clerks, jour-neymen, & c. Nearly all, in the last Directory, who are now absent, are

of those classes; and all the use there is in inserting their names is, the enlargement of a book, at additional expense, and for no other purpose than to porclaim the fact, that, in times past, such persons have actually resided or sojourned in St. Louis. I mention this now, because it was my intention, when I embarked in this undertaking, to make its repetition a regular annual business, provided my present effort should render such general satisfaction as to afford me sufficient encouragement. Therefore, if I ever do undertake the publication of another Directory, I will con-fine the work solely to the names of persons in some sort anchored to the place by a hosehold or business tenure.

It was my intention to have comprised within this publication a mass of local statistical matter, manufacturing, commercial, and miscellaneous, which, though not technically entering into the composition of such a work, might yet very properly be inserted therein; but in the loss of time before mentioned has prevented me from doing this. The same cause has prevented me from procuring, by personal applicaton to the proper persons, abstracts of the chartered and uncharted organized institu-tions, associations, and compaines; such as Masons, Oddfellows, Mili-tary, Benevolent, &c. Some of them have been voluntarily furnished and inserted, but the rest are omitted through no fault of mine, as I have made several calls for them through the public prints. I propose to myself to furnish something of these kinds in the spring, in connection with a comprehensive Business Directory, at a cheap, rate, accompanied by a map of the city, the most accurate, and the only accurate one that will then be extant; and until it shall appear, if it shall appear, ther neither is, nor will be, any other such.

With respect to our local history-that having been already twice given, first by Mr. Keemle, up to 1838, and afterward by Mr. Cham-bers, one of the publisher of the last Directory, up to 1842—its repeti-tion here would be utterly superfluous. Our subsequent history is the two or three years’ history of the steady, noiseless, but rapid growth of an infant city, as to years, but of gigantie stature as to dimensions and enterprise. It is a trite saying, "that it is the country that makes the town"— which signifies, that without a dense circumjacent country pop-ulation, a town can never attain to any thing like distinction. The case of St. Louis, to a material extent, is an exception to this proverb. Saint Louis, it is true, is the great commercial mart of almost half a conti-nent, (calling North America alone a continent,) but this half a continent is as yet, comparatively in a wilderness state. Without the advantages of a dense surrounding "country" population, St. Louis has augmented from a town of about 5,000 inhabitants in 1830, to a city of 35,000 in 1844— an aggregate increase of 560 per cent. on the former population, in the short space of fourteen years. If such be the case then, when the country does not, what is to be her destiny when the country shall, contribute its mite towards making the town? What is to be her destiny when Missouri and Illinois become to her (and which cannot be long

hence) what Ohio and Kentucky are to Cincinnati?—or rather, what may we not expect to find her, when Missouri and Illinois shall contain their millions each, the present territories now tributary to her shall contain their millions, and the territories yet unorganized and unnamed, stretch-ing from the western boundaries of Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa, to the great Pacific, which will be equally tributary, shall contain their mil-lions? Without presuming to prophecy, would it be preposterous to pre-dict, taking the past and the present as data from which to calculate the future, that by the time "this generation shall pass away," St. Louis will not be behind the then existing city of the third magnitude in the Union? Let me here, then, hazard the prediction, that before the lapse of time ordinarily allotted to one generation—about thirty-five years, (or up to 1380) St. Louis will be surpassed only by New York and New Orleans. In 1813, Cincinnati was estimated to contain 60,000 inhabit-ants, and that in 1850 it would reach 125,000. the natural advantages of Saint Louis Far surpass those of Cincinnati. The scope of country dependant on Saint Louis far exceeds that dependant on Cincinnati, and in a brief period the extraneous population dependant on the for-mer will exceed, manifold, that dependant on the latter. All that Saint Louis asks, by way of auxiliary—and it is what the whole West de-mands, and in time will have—is, the fostering care of a kindly general government, such as will give to all, navigable streams and good harbors.

In common with other cities, ours has come in for a share of the embarrassment and paralysis so universal throughout the whole length and breadth of our country, in its business operations, though not to so great an extent as in many, or most other cities; but she is now rapidly recovering her lost ground. The hum of business has revived—population and capital are pouring in uponj us like a flood—manufacturing estab-lishments are springing up in all directions, and the mechanical classes are extending their borders in a corresponding ratio; and as to the mechanical and manufacturing products of our city, they have taken the exclusive place of those of other distant manufacturing cities, to which we, and the country around us, used to look for supply. In short, the products of our mechanics and manufacturers, in effect, almost form a chevaux de frize across the Mississippi at the lower end of our wharf, with respect to the important ef distant manufactures. Steam-enginery, all sorts of machinery, carriages, agricultural implements, household furni-ture—in fact, all articles of luxury, comfort, convenience, and necessity, are now manufactured here in the mostelegant and substantial manner, and in such abundance as to supply the demands of the city and country around, to an immense extent; insomuch, that this is no longer a place of consignment, as formerly, for the sale of the sale of the manufactures of other places, sent here to find a market, but a place of production, for the supply of other distnat markets. Many mechanics who left the city during the late pressure have returned, declaring this to be the best place they could find. Before the publication of another Directory of this city, we hope

to welcome the return of many more of those wanderers from us, and to renew a more durable acquaintance with them.

With respect to the mercantile business of this city, without speaking advisedly upon the subject, I would say, that from three-fourths to seven-eighths of the consumption of Missouri and Iowa, and those parts of Illinois and Wisconsin finding an outlet by the Mississippi, are furnished by our wholesale merchants; and of our commission and forwarding houses, it may be said, that they are either the purchasers of the staple commodities of the same vast region of country, or the factors through whose hands the same pass.

The private and public improvements of our city, put up or finished the present season, without knowing positively, I believe to exceed that of any previous season, although greatly impeded by the late unprecedented freshet in the Mississippi, by which nearly all the wood along our river coast, which furnishes our brickmaker,s was carried off, and the sand used for building was so submerged, that, for a long time, there was none to be procured: nevertheless, among the public buildings put up this season, or finished which had been previously commenced, may be numbered—one Baptist, four Catholic, three Methodist nd two Presbyterian chruches, all of which, while they are spacious, comfortable, and substantial, possess the rare merit of having nothing gaudy about them. Under this head may be mentioned the completion of the previously unfinished part of the new Court-house, so far as it had been commenced. The north, south and west wings of that stately edifice are now completed, and present an appear-ance, both without and within, which for arrangement, taste and execu-tion, does honor to our architects and mechanics, and no less to our County Court for public spirit. The east wing, it is said, will be commenced at an early period; and the whole, when finished, will present an appear-ance which, as a public ornament, will hardly be surpassed by any thing of the kind in the West, even if in the East.

Among the products of private enterprise, in this city, are several of re-cent date, which, for magnitude, may be ranked among those of a public character; and, prominent among these, stand the two substantial and capacious brick Tobacco Warehouses of Col; Joshua B. Brant. And we are gratified to know, that with Inspectors unsurpassed inj professional knowledge, stern integrity, and a wide-extended celebrity, those ware-houses are patronized to an extent commensurate with the public spirit of the proprietor, and the moral and professional worth of the officers con-nected therewith. Since their erection, the following inspections have been made at those warehouses;—415 hhds in 1841; 1,750, in 1842; 6,847, in 1843, and 3,303 in 1844; showing a rapid annual increase until the pre-sent year, which has been cut short only by the failure of the crop of 1843. The average price of certain fifty bogheads of tobacco, inspected and sold at those warehouses the present season, is $6 18 per hundred.

There are many other prominent establishments in this city no less de-serving of notice here, but for want of the necessary information respecting which I am compelled to defer them for the present. Ample justice will be done them in my (at present contemplated) Busniess Directory of the city.

Our Water Works, which for many years furnished an ample supply of water for all domestic and manufacturing purposes, and which, at first, it was supposed would have sufficed for a much longer period than to the present time, have proven deficient. The reservoir is at present undergo-ing enlargement; but even now, when completed, can serve but a few years longer, when it must be caste aside, as insusceptible of farther en-largement. A new reservoir, therefore, must sooner or latter be erected, on a different site; and, in the mean time, it might not prove to be the most preposterous act ever perceptrated, were our city legislature to order a re-connoissanceof the country between this city and the Merrimac, to ascer-tain the practicability, and, if practicable, the expense, of procuring a supply of water from that river. This idea is suggested merely as ``a word to the wise.’’

Like every other thrifty infant community, we, too, have our privations, among which, that of not having our streets lighted with gas is severely felt; but this desideratum we look forwared to with confidence in the course of a very few years.

It is impossible for me even to allude to, much less to dwell at length upon, all the subjectsw of ordinary and extraordinary public moment, with respect to our city; but there is one of a rather melancholy character which I would here advert to as matter of general history, in which that of St. Louis is involved to a certain extent; and this I attempt, because no other, that I am aware of, has yet undertaken the same. I hope this attempt may operate as an incentive to some one more competent that I am, and whose information is more ample than mine is, to undertake and complete it. This is with reference to the recent flood.

In common with all the alluvian portion of the country watered by the Mississippi, the Missouri, and their tributaries, St. Louis has come in for a portion of the damage, though not of the devastation, occasioned by the late unprecedented freshet in those rivers. The extent of damage sustained along the entire length of those streams is above computation. The high-est estimate might not approach within millions of dollars of the actual loss sustained by all the sufferers. The oldest inhabitant can recollect nothing of the kind comparable with it. The greatest previous freshet upon record, or of which any traces remain, presents a mere contrast, instead of a com-parison. That was in 1785, which, according to existing land-marks and authentic records still in preservation, the recent freshet exceeded by about seven feet. This is ascertained by land-marks at St. Geneviere, and the records of the Catholic literary institition at Kaskaskia. Here, it covrede the ``American Bottom,’’ In Illinois, opposite this city, fully to he above average depth; insomuch, that the Iola and New Haven steamboats plied regularly, daily, for weeks, between this city and ``The Bluffs,’’ in Illinois, at the eastern extremily of the ``Bottom,’’ a distance of eight miles from the river, and where the great mail from Louisville came in contactwith the flood. Their business was, the conveyance of the mail, travelers, and people attending our market. We have head of some, and doubt not that many human lives were lost; much live stock is known certainly to have been lost; and of household effects, and the remaining agricultural products of the previous season, it is equally well known that comparative-

ly nothing was saved. One incident, of which we have heard as having occurred in the ``American Bottom,’’ is worthy of note. There is a knoll or rising ground in the ``Bottom,’’ to which, as the water rose, the stock of the neighborhood instinctively restored for security. It was soon densely populated; and as the water rose higher and higher, and the solid terra firma disappeared beneath, this population became more and more dense, in consequence of the diminution of the space occupied by them. At length the knoll became so nearly covered that there was not room for all, and the smaller animals first, and afterwards the larger, were compelled to com-mit themselves ``to he mercy of a rule stream,’’ that bore them forever away from human sight.

In this distressing exigency, hundreds of families fled to this place, per-fectly destitute, as to ``a city of refuge.’’ Here, all the comfort and relief was administered that could, be, and our philanthropic and humane citi-zens appered to vie with end emulate each other, as to who of them, who could, should do the most. There rich ``cast in of their abundance,’’ and the ``Poor widow her two mites’;; and if the sufferers have not been re-sotred to thei previous condition, it is more attributable to the inadequacy of finite means, thatn to the lack of proper disposition.

I would that I could here do that honor to the meritorious, individually, which the mere mention of their names would confer; but that is imprac-ticable, as aI neither know all their names, nor would I have room for them i I did know them. The ladies, like those of old, of whom it is honorably recorded, were

``Last at the cross, earliest at the grave,’’

on this occasion, too, signally distinguished themselves by their incessant devotion to the cause of destitute and suffering humanity. But, while I cannot do justice to all, for the reason just mentioned, I fell imperiously called upon to make individual mention of the name of our worthy Mayor, Hon. Bernard Pratte, for the part he performed, both personally and officially, in ministering to the wants of the destitute: and our medical corps will never experience the pangs of remorse, or disturbed slumbers, on account of the many, and, in some cases, the long continued, gratuitous professional services rendered to the sufferers, from disease induced by anx-iety, exposure, and privations.

The injury sustianed by St. Louis, from this calamity, is more consequen-tial than immediate. The loss sustained by damage and property, floated off was considerable, but the rout and discomfiture which the inhabitants of the lower part of the city sustained, was more serious, as being of circum-stances less able to sustain them. Most of the inhabitants east of Carondelet-avenue were compelled to decamp; also, along Front street, the whole length of the city above Carondelet-avenue, and part of the south First and Sec-ond streets. These were driven from thei houses, but, unlike the country people, they had the facilities at hand for saving their effects, and return-ing to their homes when the ``waters were abated.’’

These may be considered as the immediate effects of the flood; the conse-quenial consists in the check which it gave to business generally. Occur-ring in, and continuing throughout the most active business season of the year, (the mohth of June) the effect was, the rendering it a perfect blank

page in the book of commercial transactions. Superadded to this, the circumstance of the carrying away by the flood of all the wood along our river coast, from which we were wont to procure supply for the burning of brick, and the submerging of the sand used for mortar, in building, have prevent-ed the erection of, perhaps, hundreds of houses that otherwise would have been erected, and cut off employment from thousands of workmen that otherwise would have found employment.

The area of territolry inundated above St. Louis, and of which St. Louis is the commercial metropolis, if compacted within one common boundary, would fall little short of that of one of our medium-sized States. The loss of personal property within the same, was of itself immense in value; but even this was comparatively trivial, when compared with that of the accu-mulated freehold improvement of years previous, which were also lost together with the entire present year’s crop. All this was not only the immediate loss of the farmer, and of the country also, but consequentially of the St. Louis merchant, as the purchaser,or agent, of the producer.

A monument, commemorative of this great public, semi-national calami-ty, has been erected at the city expense, in front of the Centre Market, with the height to which the water rose inscribed upon it. In the base of the column is deposited a manuscript document, writteb by Dr. C. Pres-ton, of this city, containing a detailed account, or journal, of the rise and fall of the river, and with which he has kindly favored me with a copy, which, with pleasure, I append to this article. It contains a mass of statis-tical matter, notices of institutions, of local improvements, public and pri-vate, and much other matter o public interest. I had prepared many notices, on the same subjects, for insertion herein; but as they are all in-cluded in the document furnished by Dr. P., the corresponding ones of my own compilation are consequently omitted.

The idea of saying a word with respect to the general health of this city, has been suggested by the accidently geting hold of a late number of the ``Boston Medical and Surgical Journal,’’ which contains an interesting article upon the subject of ``Mortality among Children in St. Louis,’’ con-densed form a more voluminous article from the pen of Dr. V. J. Fourgeaud, of the city, and originally pyblished in the ``Saint Louis Medical and Sur-gical Journal.’’ Without the consent or privity of Dr. F., I hereto append the Boston article also, as one of public interest. In addition thereto, I will only add, that such a thing as a localk, or periodical epidemic, is unknown here, and that the general health of this city is not surpassed by that of any other of equal population in the east or north.

In conclusion: I would here call the attention of the reader to the map of the city of St. Louis, as it hangs upon the wall, and ask him if he ever be-held a model of the hull of a steamboat of much perfect proportions, drawn by the hands of the architect, than that map presents. That map, the product of the joint action of nature and legislation, is the de facto min-ature representation of a craft of stupendous dimensions,—no less than five miles in length, and proportionate depth of hold, and which is now ini actual process of construction, in the county of St. Louis, and State of Missouri. The keel and stem post, (or eastern and north-eastern boundary,) consisting of one continuous, connected piece of material, was got out, furnished on

the ground, and placed upon the blocks, by Dame Nature herself; and are of such durable, imperishable, indestructible material, as to be considered by many to be of co-extensive duration with time itself, and to require no in-surance. The stern-post and deck, (or southern and western boundaries,) were furnished, erected, and placed in their positions by ``the multitude of counsellos’’ in legislature assembled, and are considered little, if any, more liable to dilapidation and decay, than the part furnished by Nature The latter is, as yet, considered rather incomplete, in that it lacks a rubber in the south, and cabin, flue-pipes, masts and rigging on the west; but these can, and are to be supplied when the hull is completed. Beside a freight of incalculable, inconveivable amount, which he hold is capable of contain-ing, the cabins and state-rooms, according to the plan, are calculated, when finished, for the comfortable accommodation of least 500,000 cabin pas-sengers, together with an abundant space for the accommodation of all the officers, firemen, seamen, deck-hands, and any number of deck passengers. The commencement of construction is of but recent date; but already no less than 85,000 workmen are employed upon the hull; and the contractors have advertised for more help, which is pouring in daily and hourly. At least ten times as many hands as are now employed—or 350,000, it is estima-ted, will actually be employed, all at the same time, before it is completed, which, from the present time, will be within one-third of the time the ark was building, which was a pefect child’s toy in the comparison. When completed, it is destined to do a business commensurate with its vast di-mensions and capacity; to traverse all seas, by proxy, from China, (by way of the Pacific) in the west, to the Levant in he east, and from the Arctic to the Antarctic Circles. But as no country could furnish fuel sufficient for the propulsion, by steam-power, of a craft of such huge dimensions, even if old Aeolus himself could furnish blast enough to fill its sails, yet will she be full rigged, as if for sea, with enginery, masts, &c., but still lie at anchor in the port where she is now being constructed, and carry on her immense com-meerce by means of her hundreds of long-boats, yawls, jolly-boats, and ten-ders, which will navigate all the oceans, seas, gulfs, bays, friths, straits, rivers and estuaries of the vast globe, and bring and trans-ship to her, as she lies at anchor in port, of all the rich products and fabrics of all countries and climes. The intention of the proprietors of this vessel is, to render it the tunnel, the grand focus, through which most of the commerce carried on between all surrounding points shall pass. May thei enterprise and public spirit be crowned with the most signal success! and of that success, with Father Paul, let every one say—``Esto perpetua.’’

I had almost forgot to mention, that this vessel has been already named, the ``Saint Louis.’’

Finally, fellow workmen upon this immense steamboat—having finished the job upon it which I had contracted for, (to form the list of the crew and passengers, and note the respective avocations of each on board) I must take leave of absence for a season—at least, until I can ascertain how my performance is appreciated. If approved by you, I shall in due season apply for a similar job; if disapproved of, I will never trouble you

again in the way. The best evidence of your approval will be in the manifestationo f a spirit of competition and monopoly among yourselves, who, of you all, shall become possessed of a copy of this, my dedication of the result of my labors—which, as Alexander bequeathed his empire, so I dedicated, "To The Most Worthy;" and who are the most worthy, I leave to every man to judge for himself.

The Compiler

The city of Saint Louis is the commercial metropolis of the State of Missouri. It is situated on a limestone bluff, which rises abruptly from the west bank of the Mississippi river, about eighteen miles below its junction with the Missouri, one hundred and ninety miles from the mouth of the Ohio, and about twelve hundred miles from New Orleans.

From one to two hundred feet from the river, in an ordinary stage of water, just under the verge of the bluff, stores are built, presenting limestone fronts, from two to four stories in height, for a distance of a mile or more along the river, where most of the commission and forwarding business is done.

The river has a bold shore, so that steamboats of all sizes can moor close in, with their bows to the shore, to receive or discharge their cargoes.

There are from fifty to sixty steamboats to be counted here at almost any season of the year, destined either to New Or-leans or up the Ohio; or to the Upper Mississippi, the Mis-souri, or Illinois rivers, and their tributaries.

Saint Louis may be considered the head of navigation on the Mississippi for large boats, as the numerous smaller ones from above tranship their freight here to the larger boats engaged in the lower trade, either to New Orleans, or to ports up the Ohio.

There are about one hundred steamboats enrolled here, be-sides which, there are at least one hundred and fifty enrolled elsewhere, that do their share of the carrying trade of the city, enhancing the number of tons to nearly fifty thousand. The capital invested in these boats cannot be much short of four hundred thousand dollars.

Ten years ago, and Saint Louis was a mere trading village, not exceeding seven thousand inhabitants. In 1837 it had increased to fourteen thousand, including the present limits of the city, which have been extended to embrace five miles along the river, and from one to two miles back. The city now contains about thirty-five thousand inhabitants, and is more rapidly increasing than any town of its dimensions in the Union.

The street along the levee, in front of the stores alluded to, on the river, is called Water, or Front-street; the next street to this is called First, or Main street, which extends about two miles along the river, where the principal wholesale dry-goods business is done: then follow the other parallel streets—Sec-ond, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, & c.

The streets which cross these at right angles, are named somewhat like those of Philadelphia, after the forest and fruit trees of the country. Market-street commences where the ferry boats land from Illinois, and divides the city about in the centre and is one of the avenues leading to country.

The Episcopalians have three churches here, and Kemper college, situated about five miles west fo the city, is under their supervision, to which is attached a medical department, and a building within the city where lectures are delivered during the winter.— There is an orphan asylum under the su-pervision of the females of this denomination.

The Presbyterians have six churches, including one Seceder, or Associate Reformed Presbyterian. The Baptists have two churches; the Methodists three; the German Lutherans one; the Dutch Reformed one; the Unitarians one; the people of color have one Methodist and one Baptist; the Disciples, or those familiarly known by the name of the Campbell Baptists, worship at present in the Lyceum; the Universalists have a society, but no building; the Protestants generally, have an orphan asylum, on Seventh-street, between Franklin-avenue and Morga-street, which is under the supervision of an asso-ciation of ladies.

The Catholics have six churches, including three now being built. The Saint Louis Cathedral, which was dedicated in the fall of 1834, is the oldest, and is situated on the corner of Walnut and Second streets.

The College of Jesuits have an University, called the "St. Louis," within the city, to which is attached a fine chapel re-cently built, called "Saint Francis Xavier." There is also a medical school attached to this University, making two contem-porary schools within the city. Thyere is also a free school for boys, under the supervision of this college.

The Sisters of Charity superintend a charity hospital, situ-ated on the corner of Fourth and Spruce streets, the only hospital within the city; the City pays towards the support of this Hospital about ten thousand dollars annually, and about two thousand dollars is paid by the United States, with a pri-vilege of sending a number of patients.

The order of the "Sacred Heart" have a convent in this south part of the city, to which is attached a female seminary.

On account of high water, the order of "Vissitation" from Kaskaskia, have removed their female boarding-school to this city, of which there are two, one on Sixth-street, near Pine, and one in the late mansion of Mrs. Biddle, on Broadway.

The City have three free schools, and have in contempla-tion the establishment of a high school, and additional primary schools.

There are several select schools of high reputation, among which the "English and French Collegiate Institute," superin-tended by Professor and Mrs. Bonfils,

The State subsequently built a tobacco-warehouse on the corner of Washington-avenue and Sixth-street, on a lot one hundred and fifty feet square; the building is three stories high, and one hundred and fifty by one hundred and thirty feet, and cost, including the lot, twenty-five thousand dollars.

William Waddingham, Esq., has erected a hemp-warehouse, on Main-street, between Cherry and Wash streets; the build-ing is of brick, three stories high, one hundred and twnenty-four by one hundred and twelve feet. The cost of this building was between nine and ten thousand dollars, exclusive of the ground: it is rensted by G. W. Jenks, Esq.

Chouteau’s Pond, is a beautiful sheet of fresh water, sup-ported by a small virulet, on which there is a paper-mill, and by springs from the bottom and margin; the lower part of this pond is in the central part of the city, at the junction of Market and ninth streets, and it extends south and west, and then north to Market-street again, forming part of a circle, or a half moon, of about two miles in extent, averaging a quarter of a mile in breadth.

The outlet of this pond is on the east side, where it propels a flouring-mill, except in extremely dry weather. This fairy lake affords sport for the angler, as well as for the oarsmen of the Ripple and other boat-clubs.

On the southern limits of the city, three miles from Market-street, is the United States Arsenal; three miles further down the river, is the ancient French village of Carondelet; and four miles further is the Jefferson Barracks, the head quarters of the Western army, being ten miles below the city of St. Louis.

There are in this State the villages of Florisant, Manchester, and St. Charles; and in the State of Illinois opposite, Illinois Town, Brooklyn, Belleville, Cahokia, and Alton, none of which exceed a distance of twenty-five miles from St. Louis

The staple of this region, shipped to and from this city, are tobacco, hemp, wheat, and other grain; flour, beef, pork, hides, furs, peltries, live-stock, lead, &c.; and it will not be long be-fore iron may be added, as the ore of the Merrimack cannot be surpassed, to say nothing of the Iron Mountain.

The American Fur Company, located here, employ a capital of over half a million of dollars, and give employment to several hundred persons.

There is good bituminous coal here and on the Illinois side of the river, within from five to ten miles from the city. The price varies from six to fifteen cents per bushel.

There are two steam-ferry companies, with two boats each, constantly plying between this and Illinois Town. There is also one boat running from the upper part of the city to Brooklyn.

In the north part of the city there are two tumuli, or mounds, on the lower one of which the city has constructed a reservoir, into which water is raised by steam power from the river, and from thence conducted by iron pipes to the consumer

On the Upper Mound, Messrs. Vandewenter and Field have built a pavilion, for a pleasure resort. This mound is situated on Broadway, near the river, about one mile and quarter from the Court-house. It is of an oblong shape, and about fitty feet higher than the street which runs alog its base; and about eighty or ninety feet above the river at this time, (November 30th, 1844.)

The pavilion is a wooden building, 80 feet long and two stories high, from the top of which there is a magnificent view up and down the river, and over a portion of the city.

Flour, white-lead, red-lead, linseed oil, castor oil, &c., are manufactured here, and the business of iron casting, sugar refining, tanning, stone cutting, boat building and repair-ing, brick making, sawing of lumbar, planning, &c., are carried on here toa considerable extent; and in fine, the handiwork of the artizan is seen in almost every branch, adequate to the wants of the city, for either use of ornament.

There is a cotton factory in progress in the rear of the store on the

There are, for the repairing of vessels and steamboats, one inclined way, and one floating dock.

There are about fourteen flouring mills, propelled by steam-power.

There are about twelve steam saw mills located along the river, within the city limits.

There are six breweries, two planing machines, one hemp, cotton bagging, and rope factory, two white lead factories,&c.

There are seven daily papers, the Republican, the New Era, Missourian, Reporter, Evening Gazette, Reveille, People’s Organ, and the Saint Louis American, the latter advocating the principles of the American party. There are eleven weeklies, three tri-weeklies, and one semi-monthly.

There are two packing establishments, one in the south part of he city, on Second-street, by Mr. Risley, who slaughtered, last year, 614 beeves and 6500 hogs; the other is in the north part of the city, on Broadway,

The present mayor, is the Hon. Bernard Pratte.

There is a Lyceum, with a good library, in rooms on the corner of Pine and Third streets.

The Mechanics’ Institute have a lecture room, on Third street, between Market and Chesnut streets.

The apprentices are preparing a reading, or lecture room,under the Unitarian Church, on the corner of Pine and Fourthstreets: a highly commendable enterprise.

This year will long be remembered, for the unusual rise ofwater in the Mississippi and its tributaries, occasioned by re-peated heavy rains at the norht and west: so remarkable hasthis rise been, that it will form an epoch of reference for future generations and historians of this great valley; and may it belong before they have its parallel to record!

After the usual spring rise in the river, which was higher than it had been since the great rise of 1826; on the 11th of June, the river had fallen about four feet, and on the 12th it commenced again to rise from six to ten inches in twenty-four hours, and continued about the same ratio on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th of June, and on the 17th it had attained a height of six inches above the late spring rise.

On the 18th, it rose 2 inches

" 19th, — 9 "

" 20th, — 10 "

" 21st, — 15 "

On the 22d, it rose 7 inches

" 23d, — 14 1/2 "

" 24th, — 11 "

" 25th, — 4 "

on the 26th, 2 inches, and came to a stand this day, at 6 o’clock, P.M.: on the 27th, it remained stationary until 4’ o’clock, P.M., entirely submerging the first stories of the buildings on the Levee, or Water-street, attaining a height, as will be seen by the inscription on the Monument, of 38 ft. 1 in. above low water mark, and 7ft. 7 in. above the city grade. On the 28th, the water began gradually to recede, and had fallen, the first twenty-four hours, four and a half inches:

On the 29th, it fell 6 1/2 inches

" 30th, — 9 1/2 "

" July 1st, — 11 "

" 2d, — 10 "

" 3d, — 9 1/2 "

" 4th, — 9 "

" 5th, — 7 1/2 "

" 6th, — 7 "

On the 7th, it fell 4 inches

" 8th, — 2 "

" 9th, it rose again 1 inch

" 10th, it fell again 1 1/2 "

" 11th, — 1 1/2 "

" 12th, — 3 "

" 13th, — 3 "

and at this date (14th of July) it had just left the first floor of the stores on the Levee, and continued to fall gradually until the latter part of August, or 1st of September.

The citizens have erected a Monument on a line with the curb-stone on Water-street, opposite the centre of the east front

of the Market-house, to commemorate this deplorable visitation, on which is the following inscription:—

"High Water, June 27, 1844.

7 Feet 7 Inches Above The City Directrix. 38 Feet 11 Inch Above Low Water Mark."

This Monument is a plain obelisk, of limestone, 16ft. in height, set in a pedestal of the same material, about 4ft. square, and 3 ft. thick. It was designed by the city engineer, Mr. Kayser. and wrought by Mr. — Wood, stone-cutter.

There have been between five and six hundred good substan-tial brick buildings built here this year, and there would have been a larger number had not the high water cut off the means of procuring sand, which suspended building operations for two months at least: besides these, there are many smaller buildings and shanties, not included in this estimate.

There are from forty to fifty millions of brick made here an-nually, and put into buildings here and in the vicinity.

The extent of this valley, of which this city is destined to be the interior metropolis, is from north to south about twelve degrees, by ten east and west, and embraces an area of five hundred and thirty-two thousand square miles, with fifteen thousand miles of steamboat navigation.

The Mississippi river is navigable from the gulf of Mexico to the falls of St. Anthony, a distance of twenty-two hundred miles.

The trade of this city, connected with the mining districts, the fur trade, the trade with Mexico by way of Santa Fe, added to the increasing agricultural trade of this State, of Illinois, Wis-consin, and Iowa, will guarantee to St. Louis, dimensions, pros-perity, and ultimate wealth, second only to New Orleans in this immense valley, watered by its Father of Waters and tri-butaries, dotted by its hundred cities, destined shortly to be peopled by untold millions.

By Victor J. Fourgeaud, Of St. Louis.

[Population of St. Louis in 1841, 30,000. Latitude, 38 deg., 37 min., 28. see Longitude, 90 deg., 15 min., 39 sec. west of Greenwich.]

In the year 1841 there were 935 deaths in the city of Saint Louis — 447 of which were persons over 7 years of age; and 488 were children under 7 years of age.

The mortality among children under 7 years of age was great-er than among persons over that age; the difference being 41 in favor of the latter. The ratio of mortality among children, in proportion to the whole population, was a 1 to 61. The month of July was the most fatal, both to children and adults.

In the year 1842, there were 658 deaths — 388 of which were persons over 7 years; and 270 were children under 7.

This year was peculiarly favorable, especially to children; only 270 having died, being 218 less than in 1841, and 375 less than in 1843. The whole number of deaths was 658; 277 less than in 1841, and 481 less than in 1843. This was a very moderate mortality for a city having at least 30,000 inhabitants.

The ratio of mortality among children, in proportion to the whole population, was as 1 to 111.

In the year 1843, there were 1139 deaths — 494 of which were persons over 7 years; and 645 were children under 7.

This shows a great increase of mortality, especially among children; 645 having died, making the aggregate number of deaths among them amount to 151 over that of all other persons over 7 years of age. July, August, September and October were peculiarly unfavorable to infants; no less than 477 having died during these four months. August, particularly, seemed to have been the most fatal for them; 209 having died in that month. The ratio of mortality among them, in proportion to the whole population, was as 1 to 46.

Thus, there were 1403 deaths among children under 7 years of age in the course of the last three years. The number of fatal cases among persons over that age amounts to 1329, being 74 less than among children. The whole mortality in St. Louis for that period amounts to 2732, including adults and children.

Thus the average mortality of this place rates at 910 2/3 per annum, or as 1 to 33.

The four first months of the year were most favorable to children, April especially, only 25 having died in this month during the thee years. July, August, September and October were the most unfavorable, especially July and August, 313 having died in the former, and 322 in the latter month, in three years.

During these three years, the diseases most fatal to children were, cholera infantum (238) and convulsions (147: total, 385).

The whole number of deaths among children being 1403, if we deduct from this number 297 cases reported as unknown, we will have 1106 known cases; and we will perceive that these two maladies alone (cholera infantum and convulsions) have carried to the grave more than one-third of the whole number of children whose diseases were recorded.

Respecting convulsions, we deem it only necessary to remind the reader, that generally they are but a symptom of other diseases, such, for instance, as encephalitis, meningitis, &c.; they are often sympathetic, and produced by affections distinct from those of the nervous centres, as dentition, worms, &c.; lastly, they may be essential or idiopathic; but these cases are said, by our most distinguished pathologists, to be of rare occurrence. We earnestly call the attention of the profession to this subject, and entreat them to abandon the vague term, "convulsions," when it denotes but a symptom, and call dis-eases by their proper names. We urge this because, as we have already said, they are a symptom attendant on different diseases, which it would be dangerous to confound. We should err in believing that during the last three years 147 children have died of "convulsions, essential or idiopathic;" we can only conclude, that during that time 147 have been the victims of different diseases, having convulsions for a symptom.

Of the 238 children who died of cholera infantum, the num-ber of males far exceeds that of females. With one solitary exception, this was invariably the case during the summer months of the three years recorded. We know not whether this fact is of general occurrence, or whether it has been before remarked by any author. We respectfully request the physicians of other cities to examine and decide the matter. Opposed as we are to hypotheses, which has so often misled our science, and knowing no good reasons by which to account for this disproportion, so uniform in the statistics of this place for the last three years, we merely call attention to the fact, and refrain from all speculative explanations.

The deaths from cholera infantum average in Philadelphia 232 for each year; population, 200,000. In Washington, 44; population, 18,000. In St. Louis, 79, population, 30,000.

Thus, in Philadelphia, there is 1 death from cholera infan-tum for every 862 inhabitants; in Washington, 1 do., 411 do.; in St. Louis, 1 do., 375 do.

Thus, we see that, in other places as well as this, the disease often baffles the most skilful physicians. It is true, that the mortality occasioned by this bane of infancy, during the past year in St. Louis, was most alarming — amounting to 238,

which was in the ratio of 1 in every 126 inhabitants. But the cause of this I sincerely believe to be the want of proper medical attendance. I neither desire nor intend to insinuate aught against my fellow practitioners; on the contrary, our city has reason to be proud of her physicians. I is not to them, nor to their mal-practice, that this great mortality must be attributed. Mothers! it is because you neglect to seek their aid: it is because you do not employ, or employ them too late, that so many of your offspring are torn from your embraces. Every boat brings us a multitude of poor families unable to fee a phy-sician. True, no man deserving that title, and the respect due to it, whould refuse his advice and attendance, because a suffering being could not show the price of the consultation.

Often money cannot pay the physician. His reward — the greatest, the noblest, is in his heart — in his conscience. A philanthropic institution has been established in this city — an institution consecrated to the poor — the dispensary: but either they know it not, or neglect to avail themselves of its aid. Old nurses and charlatans are resorted to; substances injurious, perhaps poisonous, for the infant invalid, are administered inrepeated doses, and the poor baby dies, less the victim of disease, than of unwise remedies employed for its relief.

Catholic Cabinet—William Mullin—

By the present charter, all that district of country contained within the following limits consitutes the city of Saint Louis, to wit:—``Beginning at a point in the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi river, due east of the south-east corner of Saint George, in Saint Louis County; thence due west to the west line of Second Carondelet Avenue; thence north with said west line of said Avenue to the north line of Choteau Avenue; thence northwardly in a direct line to the mouth of Stoney Creek; thence due east to the middle of the channel of the Mississippi river; thence southwardly with the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi river to the place of beginning.’’

The above described ``district of country’’ is divided into six wards, respectively bounded as follows:—

First Ward.—All that part of the city lying south of a line beginning on the Mississippi river at the foot of Cedar-street; thence running westwardly along Cedar to Fourth; north-wardly along Fourth to Cerre; westwardly along Cerre to Twelfth; northwardly along Twelfth to Randolph; thence westwardly along Randolph-street to the western line of the city.

Second Ward.—All the territory lying north of the First Ward, and south of a line beginning on the Missippi at the foot of Walnut-street; running westwardly along Walnut to Seventh; northwardly along Seventh to Market; and west-wardly along Market to the western line of the city, consti-tutes the Second Ward.

Third Ward.—All the territory lying north of the Second Ward, and south of a line commencing on the Missippi at the foot of Locost; runing westward along Locust to Third; south along Third to Olive; and westwardly along Olive to the city line, constitutes the Third Ward.

Fourth Ward.—The territory lying north of the Third Ward, and south of a line commencing on the Mississippi river at the foot of Green-street; running westwardly along Green to Eighth; north along Eighth to Morgan; and west-wardly along Morgan to the city limits, constitutes the Fourth Ward.

Fifth Ward.—The territory lying north of the Fourth Ward, and south of a line beginning on the Mississippi at the foot of Cherry-street; running westwardly along Cherry to Broadway; northwardly along Broadway to Wash; and west-wardly along Wash to the western boundary of the city, con-stitutes the Fifth Ward.

Sixth Ward.—All the territory within the city limits, lying north of the north boundary line of the Fifth Ward, con-stitutes the Sixth Ward.

In all cases, the centres of the several streets above named are the dividing lines between the several wards.

Av, avenue;al, alley;bt, between;cor, corner; dw, dwelling; e, east;es, east side;n, north; ns, north side; nw, north west; s, south; se, south east; ss, south side; sw, south west; w, west; ws, west side; ups, upstairs; wh, wholesale; c. for colored persons.

Several professions will occasionally be found abbreviated, for the purpose of avoiding the doubling of al ine; such as lbrr, for laborer; cab-mkr, for cabinet maker; blksmth, for blacksmith; carp, for carpenter; brkmkr, for brickmaker; &c., &c., but the profession intended to be represented by the abbreviation will be so obvious as hardly to require elucidation.

Note.—In the following, the directions are, for the most part, brief, plain,intelligible, and to the point. I have striven to obtain the proper spelling of names; and in searching for a name, the inquirer ought to know its proper spell-ing. A person, for instance, looking for Commons, ought not to look among the Cummin’s; for Neilson, among the Nelson’s; for Macdonough, or Mackoy, among the McDonoughs and McCoys; for Walsh among the Welch’s and Welsh’s, and vice versa, and scores, or hundreds, of other like cases fo synonymes as to mere sound.

The cause of censure, in a large majority of cases, is attributable solely to the want of a knowledge of the correct spelling of the name sought for; therefore; you must know how to spell the name, else censure not if you do not find it; mind this, in part, as you go along.

Observe, that the letters I and J, U and V, are not interchangeably arranged, but I and U take precedence of J and V.