p. 3

It is difficult to ascertain what are their extent, population
improvements &c. New settlements are commenced almost
every day and soon grow into important places without
any notice being taken of them by the public. Towns
and villages spring up so rapidly that one has to "keep
a sharp lookout" to be informed even of their names and
location, to say nothing about their population, trade,
buildings &c. The building of a town has in a great
degree ceased to be a matter of much interest - as much
so as an earthquake formerly did in some parts of
Missouri, where a traveler having stopped at a log cabin
was much concerned to hear the dishes begin to rattle on the
shelves and make a very disagreeable kind of music,
at which the chain and other furniture set up an unnatural
and very alarming kind of dance! The good lady
of the house, attempted to allay his fears by saying to him
"don't be afraid Sir! - it is only an 'earthquake!!"
Hence it it may be expected that [would be [illegible] of] some towns are [were] not
as fully notices in this work as their importance