14 



year gives 15,295.) The next eight years, 1838, would be 

 30,440; the next eight years, 1846, would be 60,880, and the 

 next eight years, 1854, 121,760. The census for 1855, one year 

 later, gives 148,774, exclusive of Williamsburgh and Bushwick, 

 which were annexed that year. 



If we estimate the increase of taxable property in the same 

 ratio, the result will be far short of the reality, the comparison 

 standing thus: 



Actual valuation. Doubled each 8th year. 



In 1814 $ 1,459,791 



In 1822 2,727,501 $2,919,582 



In 1830 6,844,239 5,839,164 



In 1838 27,994,819 11,678,328 



In 1846 30,642,562 23,356,656 



In 1854 88,923,081 46,713,312 



Carrying the estimate another period of eight years would 

 give, in 1862, $93,426,624, while the valuation for 1859 is 

 $101,047,136. The above valuation includes the boundaries of 

 the present city as enlarged. Although there have been great 

 irregularities in the ratio of increase, consequent upon commer- 

 cial and monetary crises, yet the general average much more 

 than sustains the allegation that the city has, for the past forty 

 years, doubled her population, and far more than doubled her 

 wealth, every eighth year, or in that proportion. 



As to the probabilities of its future increase, and the question 

 whether it can probably continue in an equal ratio for another 

 period of forty years, it must remain a subject of conjecture. 

 To continue the hypothesis, by taking a fresh start with the 

 census of 1855 of the present enlarged city of Brooklyn, and the 

 year 1895 would give a population of 6,468,000, and a property 

 valuation of $3,260,837,280. 



These results are so enormous that the exclamation " Impos- 

 sible," instinctively falls from our lips. To continue in that 

 ratio for an indefinite period, would, ere many generations, 

 absorb the population of one-half the globe; there must, there- 

 fore, be a limitation somewhere; but who shall venture to fix 

 that limitation ? 



It may, however, safely be averred, that so long as the great 

 commercial metropolis continues to increase in the ratio of the 

 past fifty years, so long must Brooklyn not only continue her 

 past ratio of increase, but even exceed it, for the reason that 

 the expansion of New York city must soon cease, for want of 



