We have followed the course of events which have developed the city of Lowell from a small, scattering settlement to an important city, with an area of nearly twelve square miles, occupied by more than sixty thousand inhabitants.  The daily life of its continually changing population has not been dwelt upon.  In the early days the projectors of the city cared for the religion, the education, and the savings of those whom they employed.  New England farms contributed their fairest children to the mills.  The field was open to the world, and from every section flocked those seeking honest employment.  First in great numbers came the people from England and Ireland, and, later, the thrifty French, Germans, Swedes, and Canadians.  All nations have contributed to the advancement of Lowell, each adding of his labor or thought to the improvement of the city.

Lowell is laid out with a certain irregular regularity.  The mills came first:  the business came afterward; and one finds canals, business blocks, and mills built close together.  Only an intelligent study of a map of the city will give one an idea of its plan.  It was not modeled after the city of Philadelphia.

[Illustration:  A PLAN of SUNDRY FARMS &c.  PATUCKET in the town of CHELMSFORD.  MDCCCXXI.]

Over seventeen millions of dollars are invested in manufacturing.  There are one hundred and fifty-three mills, over eight hundred thousand spindles, and twenty thousand looms.  The mills give employment to thirteen thousand female operatives and ten thousand male operatives.  Two hundred million yards of cotton goods are yearly sent from Lowell to clothe the world.  Of woolen goods, more than eight million yards.  Nearly three million yards of carpeting are made in the city every year, and a fabulous number of shawls.  Thirteen million pairs of stockings were the last year’s product.  The Southern States contribute yearly thirty-four thousand tons of cotton, which is here made into the most delicate fabrics.  The calico and printed goods made in Lowell in the year 1882 would twice encircle the earth at the equator—­and then all would not be used to do it.

[Illustration]