The University Town.

The University is situated near the centre of the State, at Columbia, Boone county, in a beautiful and picturesque limestone region, on the elevated rolling tableland, a few miles back from the north side of the Missouri river. Were the selection of the sight to be made anew (p. 12,) perhaps no spot in the State could be found combining so many desirable elements as the seat of the State University. The town contains four thousand inhabitants, and the county is the fifth of the State in population; and in its healthfulness and scenery, and especially in those social, moral and religious influences which tend to preserve the character of youth, and promote among them gentlemanly and lady-like conduct, good order and studious habits, it can hardly anywhere be surpassed.

There are located here two highly popular colleges for female education—Christian College and Stephens College—so that Columbia is peculiarly an educational centre, and for fifty years schools have been encouraged at this place.