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city of Washington by Baltimore and Washington Railroad
to Baltimore, thence by the Philadelphia and Baltimore
Turnpike, to the Susquehanna, and from the Susquehanna by
the Philadelphia & W. R. Road, to Mason's and Dixon's
Line, will correspond very nearly with the western boundary
of the tide-water division.

The climate, seasons and agricultural productions of this,
differ somewhat in kind as also does the nature and character
of the soil.

The present work will be devoted to a more full descrip-
tion, however, of the Tide-water section of Maryland than of
the other sections, for the reasons that the abolition of slavery
has here caused the most serious disturbances in the tenure
of landed property, and because it is less known than other
sections of the State, and consequently imigrants will find
here the cheapest and best inducements.

SOCIAL ADVANTAGES.

Of all the causes which impel men to seek new homes, none
is stronger than the hope of the enjoyment of the means which
their industry may have produced for them. One of the first
questions which naturally arises in the mind of one who is
about to purchase a home is whether it is in a good neighbor-
hood, by which is understood, not the quality of soil, or loca-
tion in reference to the conveniences for cultivation and sale
of agricultural products, but whether the residents in the
vicinity are persons of kindly feelings, accommodating dispo-
sitions, disposed to respect the rights of others, and willing
to perform the thousand and one little acts of kindness which
makes the sum of a "good neighbour;" it also is a considera-
tion whether the habits and general character of the vicinage
are such as to afford good example to the rising generation,
and whether popular opinion, the great regulator in most cases
of men's actions, is of a healthy, high and moral tone. In all
of these requisites Maryland is not surpassed as a general
thing by any portions of her sister States. Settled originally
by well educated Christian gentlemen, it has ever been dis-
tinguished for the virtues of benevolence, justice and hospi-
tality—her colonial history shows no injustice to the aborigi-
nes. It evinces the most disinterested and self-sacrificing
spirit on the part of her citizens during the war of the Revo-
lution, and ever since her population as a general thing, have
been distinguished for generous, polished hospitality. Being
situated in the middle section of the country, the population
of Maryland possesses in a very great degree the virtues of the
two sections with their defects very much moderated, much
of the industry and energy of the north, without its closeness
and intolerence, and in a great measure the chivalry of the
South without its extravagance and recklessness.

The main characteristics of her people are unselfishness,
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