of the past year, show that the probability of this country ever becoming either Germanized or Irelandized, is extremely remote. It must be a very contracted national party which could found a platform on such probability. The proportion of Irish and Germans arrived in New York for the three years past, appears from the following, in comparison with the total of all nations for the same period: 1856. 52,892 55,846 48,043 43,996 136,233 141,672 A The proportion of Irish and Germans arrived since the commencement of the year, appears in the following table :— According to the prognostications of the Liverpool Times, an increased emigration may be expected next spring. That paper recently remarked, that "last year there was an unusually small amount of emigration, owing to the war, the drafts for the army and navy, increased employment at home, and the check given to emigration to the United States by the stringent American regulation, and the political objections to Catholics and the Irish, and to naturalization, which had before been freely granted. The employment of many large steamers, now disengaged from the transport service, and reduced fares, coupled with the prosperous state of Canada and Australia, will lead to an increased emigration next spring." The experience with emigrants at Castle Garden, resulting from the establishment of an emigrant landing at that point, continues to be of the most satisfactory character. For instance, the wrecked passengers of the ship New York, found there, immediately on reaching the city, ample accommodations, where every want was supplied. But the chief advantage arises from the prevention of an enormous amount of extortion and fraud. The mortality on board of emigrant ships has almost wholly ceased. CENSUS OF THE STATE OF IOWA IN 1856. In the Merchants' Magazine for February, 1857, (vol. xxxvi., pages 247-248,) we gave a statement of the "Population and Progress of Iowa," according to the last Annual Message of the Governor of the State. We then gave a synopsis of the census taken in June, 1856, which, as we then stated, was "somewhat defective, two counties and several townships in other counties, not having been returned at all, whilst in almost all the counties there are very great omissions." Since then, we have received more full returns, by which it appears that the total population at the time of the census was 509,414, instead of 503,625 as before stated. From these returns we have compiled the following table of the number of inhabitants in each county : 271 509,414 Van Buren Wapello... Warren .......... Washington Woodbury Total..... 83,906 89,224 274,012 235,402 Other items relative to the population are: Number of married persons Widowed persons ..... Deaf and dumb..... Blind 170,979 | Insane 371 11,073 Idiotic Owners of land 103 Paupers ...... The following is a synopsis of the progress of population by classes : In 1852 the number of voters was 43,019; in 1854, 59,284; and in 1856, 101,607-consisting of 86,815 native voters, and 14,492 naturalized voters. Number of aliens in 1852, 7,211; in 1854, 10,378; and in 1856, 15,104. Number of militia in 1854, 50,284; and in 1856, 92,376. In 1840 there were 16 slaves reported, but in no other year. PROGRESS OF POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. At a low estimate, the present territory of the United States is able to sustain 300,000,000 of inhabitants, and it would not be extravagant to rate its ability as high as 500,000,000. With the density of Russia, we should have 80,000,000. With the density of New England, we should have 123,000,000. With the density of the Middle States, we should have 170,000,000. With the density of France, we should have 500,000,000. With the density of Britain, we should have 660,000,000. With the density of Belgium, we should have 1,150,000,000. With a rate of increase decidedly inferior to that of the ten years ending in 1850, we should number, in 1900, 110,000,000; and with the lowest rate of increase that is at all probable, we shall count not less than 75,000,000. If we take the last mentioned number as the basis of new calculations, and allow an average increase of only 10 per cent in each ten years—in place of 34 per cent, the present rate-then, in one hundred years from 1900, the population of this country will have reached nearly 200,000,000. This cannot be considered an extravagant calculation. Is it not likely to be surpassed? Facts, adduced in preceding pages demonstrate the probability of a high rate of increase, notwithstanding a very considerable density of population. And it is to be remembered that, in addition to the vast amount of fertile soil that remains to be improved, the endless resources of our mines and forests, and our unexampled facilities for commerce, the institutions of the country, political, social, and religious-favor the creation of wealth and the increase of our numbers. Land is easily obtained or exchanged; population, capital, and products flow readily from one part of the country to another; freedom begets energy; law gives security; education adds her light; and religion has free course in her glorious work. The gates of emigration stand wide open; and multitudes will continue to enter them, so long as they can obtain freer and happier lands here than they can find in Europe. It is altogether probable that, if the country succeeds in maintaining the purity of its political institutions, in one hundred years its population will number more than 250,000,000; and the child is born who shall read the reports of the census which shall sum up that aggregate, while grandchildren of those now entering upon the duties of citizens, shall then be in the maturity of their powers, and occupying the most responsible stations in the gift of a nation nearly ten times as numerous as our own is now. POPULATION OF NICARAGUA, AND OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Nicaragua is about 250 miles in length by about 150 in breadth in the widest part, and this includes both lakes, but not any portion of the Mosquito Territory. The level of Lake Nicaragua above the Pacific Ocean is 128 feet, and that of Lake Managua above the Pacific is 156 feet. The population is estimated at 268,000, and thus divided : In this connection, and as possessing interest, we subjoin the population of Central America, which is divided into five States, as follows: It will thus be seen that the total square miles of the five States is over 155,000, and the total population is over 2,000,000. The climate and scenery are said to be equal to those of any portion of the world. MILITIA OF THE UNITED STATES. By the latest returns received at the War Department, which have been communicated to Congress, it appears that the number of men comprising the militia of the several States, amounts to 2,716,094. These returns are by no means correct, and we believe the number might be safely estimated at 3,500,000, There are no returns from the State of Iowa, and the Territories of Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, and New Mexico : THE PROGRESS OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATION IN THE UNITED STATES. The most ample resources are unavailable, and practically non-existent, unless they can be reached. Nature has done much for us here, and Art is supplying her wants. 1. The natural facilities afforded by coasts, of lake and ocean, and our numberless rivers, are remarkable. The great central valley is bound in one, by the Mississippi and its tributaries, which constitute an "inland sea," into which wide prairie regions are thrust as headlands. The eastern slope of the Alleghanies is furrowed with navigable rivers, communicating with the Atlantic, and uniting the interior with the seaboard. Along the northern boundary is that great chain of lakes-the Mediterranean of North America-navigable for the largest ships, and thronging with vessels burdened with the products of prairies, forests, and mines. 2. The artificial facilities are already considerable. Several lines of communication cross the northern tier of States, from the lakes to the Mississippi, and to the sea. The Alleghanies are turned at both ends, and pierced in the middle. "With the exception of a few miles in Virginia, there are connected lines of railway from Waterville, Maine, to Montgomery, Alabama; and roads are projected, or in course of construction, that will probably, ere long, continue the connection from Calais to New Orleans. Lines of completed railroad now connect, more or less directly, the four great cities of the Atlantic seaboard-Boston, New York, |