It had not grown, but had been created for a special purpose.

A site had been arbitrarily selected, and a city laid out on the most magnificent scale.

But there was no independent life, for the city was wholly official in its purposes and its existence.

There were a few great public buildings, a few large private houses, a few hotels and boarding houses, and a large number of negro shanties.

The general effect was of attempted splendor, which had resulted in slovenliness and straggling confusion.