2 8 THE THIRD YEARBOOK 



note how uniformly this fact prevails. But the springs, still 

 further, do much to determine the topography of a region. The 

 general land-slope determines the direction of the water-flow, but 

 the water and the nature of the rocks determine the channels and 

 the character of the sloping sides of the valley. These, in turn, fix 

 the accessibility and the immediate surroundings of the home which 

 so powerfully react upon the life and character of the occupants. 

 If the site of the home is unfavorable from the aesthetic or artistic 

 standpoint; if it is beset by features which render it difficult of 

 access ; or if in any way the physical features make the labor for 

 a livelihood so onerous and taxing as to leave little time for the 

 rest and leisure so necessary for reflection, reading, and study, the 

 character of the people who occupy such homes will be distinctly 

 affected thereby. 



The location of the roadways, too, are closely connected with 

 the physical features. They follow, as far as practicable, the 

 ravines and valleys that have been caused by the streams because 

 of the easier grade. It reduces the cost of transportation to recog- 

 nize this particular point. When it is necessary for the roads to 

 ascend the hill, it is interesting to note how with increasing intelli- 

 gence the grades are carefully surveyed and improved. In locating 

 the railroads, too, the same features are observed ; the easiest grades 

 are along the streams. 



The natural lines of transportation determine also the location 

 of the villages, towns, and cities. The convergence of even but 

 two country roads to a common point is often enough to establish 

 a store, with perhaps a post-office and a cluster of houses. The two 

 roadways bring to this point the merchandise or products of two or 

 more different sections, and the opportunity for trade is created. 

 The amount of barter and sale depends upon the soil, the natural 

 products, and the extent and character of the thoroughfares. If 

 the latter are two rivers, for example, of navigable size, a city is 

 the inevitable result. These are enormously reinforced, but never 

 quite replaced, by railroads that give speed to the movement of 

 goods, but always at increased expense. The streams of a country 

 are closely associated with the industrial history. They furnish 

 the earliest and cheapest power for various kinds of mills. The 

 course of almost any stream will show a number of generations 

 of these which have come and gone keeping pace with the settlement 



