“ The site of Richmond is of great natural beauty. It is regularly laid out on a succession of low hills that rise from the northern bank of the James, the highest point reaching an altitude of 250 feet above the sea. The area is about 51⁄2 square miles. More than three-fourths of the total street mileage (120 miles) is paved, macadam and Belgian blocks being used in the more important thoroughfares. The parks and cemeteries of Richmond and its momunents are of especial interest. ”

“ Plans are under way for deepening the channel of the James from Richmond to the sea, so as to provide a minimum depth of 22 feet at mean low tide. This improvement will add considerably to the commercial advantages of the city. As an industrial centre, Richmond ranks first in the State, its tobacco and iron interests being of primary importance. It is one of the leading tobacco markets in the United States, the tobacco industry being represented by stemming and rehandling establishments, and by manufactories of chewing and smoking tobacco, snuff, cigars, and cigarettes. ”

“ The public park system, with an aggregate area of 376 acres, includes Reservoir Park of 300 acres on the western bounds of the city; Monroe, Gamble's Hill, Jefferson, Marshall, and Chimborazo parks, besides the Capitol Square. Capitol Square, on Shockoe Hill in the heart of Richmond, is 12 acres in extent. Here is situated the State Capitol (1785-96) , modeled at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, after the Maison Carrée at Nîmes. In the Capitol are busts and portraits of many eminent men, including the celebrated marble statue of Washington by the French sculptor Houdon in the rotunda. ”