The publication of this little work is not designed merely to advertise our town and county, but in addition, to supply an ever attendant want of that class of persons who contemplate a removal from the east, and a settlement in what is yet termed, the west. Nor does the writer hereof intend to indulge in flowery description at the expense of truth, or to make a point by invidious comparison. Each section of country in the west no doubt possesses natural advantages, which, to one uninformed as to other sections, seem peculiar to itself, yet it may perhaps be truthfully conceded that in the range of country stretching from the “Father ot Waters” on the east, to the dividing mountain range of the continent on the west, these apparent advantages are much more evenly distributed than is generally supposed, or than most people are willing to admit.

Believing that the Town of Ames, and its immediate vicinity, offer to incoming settlers such inducements as will satisfy all reasonable expectations or desires, I engage in the present duty with a large degree of confidence—not in my ability to disguise unpleasant facts by clothing them in unmeaning language—but from a conviction that the plain, unvarnished truth will give expression to all that need be said upon the subject I propose to treat.

The contradictions in American character are in no case more strikingly exemplified, than in the heedlessness and want of calculating foresight usually attending emigration. We are far past the period, when the removal of families, or the exodus of a people is directed by the divine hand. For the “cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night,” must be substituted such knowledge as we may possess, aided by sound judgment and common sense.

Measurably no doubt the apparent indifference to consequences to which we have referred, may be attributed to that self-confidence so natural, and we may add, so peculiar to the native citizen of our country. Men, who among their fellows, are regarded as shrewd and close calculating, and who seldom engage in an every day business transaction without careful study and mature thought, deter mining at length to change their “local habitation,” gather together their domestic treasures and “household Gods,” and away to the famed Eldorado of the west. How many disappointments; how much of physical and mental suffering; how much discouragement and unhappiness, and oftentimes despair and ruin might be obviated were these changes on which usually depend the interests of a lifetime undertaken with, and guided by, such intelligence and knowledge as men usually demand to justify the more than ordinary transactions of life.

It is too often the case that rich and productive soil is the one thing sought in a new country, and while it is true that it is a desideratum, yet how lightly should this weigh when placed in the balance with other considerations. A salubrious climate is of greater value than the alluvial deposits of ages; and of what consequence is it that a country is rich in all those productions, which so largely contribute to the sum of human enjoyment, if it is also fruitful in miasma and other health destroying influences.

But paramount to all else, except health are religious and social privileges, and educational interests. Poor indeed must that man be, who receives his full measure of happiness from material things, yet withont opportunities, how hopeless the longing for social enjoyment or mental culture, and how remote the prospect of satisfying spiritual aspirations.

As a reliable and truthful guide to those seeking homes in the west, the few practical hints embodied in these pages, together with an imperfect history of onr thrifty and pleasant town, and a descrip tion of its surroundings is submitted. Though far from perfect, it will yet, we trust, be found sufficiently full and specific as to afford all needed knowledge of this locality except such as can only be obtained by actual personal observation.