The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-06

fectly comfortable, and exemplied the truth of
that old proverb, "Bde with saints and eat their
dinners" SC. After dinner took stroll along
the banks of the river, and was here very much
surprised by the spirit of enterprise and manufac-
turing advancement that is displyed every
side. In fact, the Mormons would seem to act as
if they expected to hold their present location for
all time to come, and lay out, improve, and build
necessarily on spot which, in another month,
may be a heap of ashes. Mills, potteries, brick
yards, and boundaries meet your steps in frequent
succession, and the mechanical arts are here car
red with perfection difficult to surpass.
Among number of other objects, | was struck
by the singular construction OF a current mill,
which, although rough in execution, evinced an
ingenuity in design worthy of inspection, exhibit
ting the application of a mechanical agent had
hitherto supposed neglected in this part of the
West namely, the rapid and powerful current of
the Mississippi. Upon request, was cvllly shown
through the building and hadexplained everyobject
OF importance thought fit to inspect In the eve
ming rode out to view the town. The streets
generally level, laid out at right angles and ofgreat
width. This, Joined to the custom of alotting to
each house an acre OF land, which is either cult
waited as q kitchen garden, teeming with vegeta
bles and fruits or an ornamental one, studded with
flowers, gives to many localities an interesting
and beautiful appearance. In fact the principle
pursued by the Mormons in laying out their town
in four acre lots to each of which is assigned
dwelling, consider one of the most admirable de-
signs in forming beautiful and healthy place OF
residence in existence. For although of necessity
Its dimensions will be greatly expanded, and pos
bly, extend over so large district as to
prove in some points of view dsadvantageous,
still, If the town should ever become OF such mag
nitude as to require greater condensation, (Which
in the majority of our country towns would not,
If ever, occur in half century, separate quar-
ter might be allotted for that purpose, and the re-
mainder OF the inhabitants, whose time and pur-
suits were not of such vital importance, enjoy the
facilities of congregation with the health and
amusements of rural life. lit is a perfectly we'll
established fact that the pursuits of agriculture,
though followed in soever limited degree, will
always act an antidote to the ennui, reckless
ness and depravity, incident to the dense associa-
ton OF masses; and the physical vigor, integrity,
independence and responsibility OF character In
separable to the calling of farmer, would a
thousand fold counterbalance any disadvantages
arising from too wide extension of locality.
The houses on the outskirts of the town are prin-
cipally small, one story in height, and built oil
brick, offering in their appearance nothing wor-
thy of note but many of the edifices on the
main streets exhibit decided pretentions to style
and beauty, being commodious, well built, and OF
handsome exterior In fact, the frequent occur
renee OF new buildings, and the progress OF ma
nuiactures, would seem to argue well for the
temporal advancement of the "saints." What
the real condition OF their sosiety may be, how
far a speciousness of appearance may be resorted
to, in order to deceive Strangers or how the laws
and ordinances, necessary Tor the jurisdiction OF
fifteen or twenty thousand people, can be carried
out in city without charter, or with the ex-
ception of the influence of the twelve elders,)
without any ordinary or ostensible means OF self
government, l am unable to determine. II Is
true, that the streets of Nauvoo are every night
vgilantly guarded by several hundred police; but
their efforts seem rather directed to the detection
of spies, and repulsion OF the neighborng peo-
pie, whom they designate by the title OF "mobs,
than tor any purpose ofinternal regulation. There
is one point in the social organization of the Nor
mons that offers a bold contrast to all modern
associations, and for which, at least they deserve
the palm OF originality they are people who
tn ttyax fl,n old of
and as such, deserve to be buried under wooden
pyramid. They exultngly informed me that
there was not lawyer or physician in the whole
city; When l questioned them how they sue.
ceeded in quelling difficulties, and settling
disputes, and how they cured the p" ills
that flesh is heir to-" for the first, they stoutiy
denied the existence Of any discussions in their
community; and for the last, they acknowledged
no remedy but divine inspiration. To this, how
ever, decidedly objected, urging the utter lmpos-
sibility of any body OF men, OF so great magnl-
tude, living together without some collision oil
person or interest, and, at the same tune, also
strongly demurrng as to the potency oiinspirauon
in setting broken leg or curing luInbago IN the
back. Their reply was, that If at any time there
might exist difference of opinion strong enough
to approach even the shadow of dispute, it
was Immediately and without further appeal
settled by the elders; and, as regarded the irac-
ture of limb, there were many among them,
who, by the assistance of grace and knowledge
OF surgery, always possessed the power of healing
it. The first part OF their answer appeared rea-
sonable enough but as to the latter. was little
dubious not being perfectly satisfied of the fact
why "grace'' and surgery should not agree a:
well as grace" and singing, and why doctor in
practice was not physician in profession, unless
TO be sure, the one was compensated in money
and the other in presents. After a ride Of nearly
two miles through one street, in which the houses
were still CONTINUOUSLY placed as in ether part
of the town, we turned, and came back by an
other route. The appearance OF the inhabitdnt
as we passed along, most Of whom were of tn,
poorer classes, seated at their meals or quietly
joyng the evening air, did not seem to Justify the
extent of poverty and wretchedness had beer
led to expect amorg them and as for the females
they were dressed with a neatness, simplicity anc
taste bad rarely seen equallcd. The shades o
evening had fallen darby around when my cice-
rome pointed out the temple, short distance
from the spot but all that could be seen with
distnctness were the outlines of its dark form
heaving up sombrcy against the evening sky,
while its base appeared surrounded and cum
bered with huge blocks of stone, and heaps OF
building materials, of every form and description.
/ returned, therefore, without stopping, ana re-
tired for the night, but was long kept awake py
tbs strains of wild and peculiar, out sweet
hymn, proceeding from house OPPOSITE, whose
courettish occupants had observed playing AT DO,
peen the whole afternoon. The next morning L
visited the temple. At the first view was some
what disappointed in my anticpatons. Although
of immense magnitude, and evidently constructed