Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-06-23
NAUVOO TEMPLE.

NAUFOO TEMPLE.
The following description Of the Mormon
Temple of Nauvoo,is taken from The Han
cock Eagle:
II stands in most prominent position on
the bluff which overlooks the lower town
and river; and such is the elevation Of lis
spire, that it is distinctly visible from dis.
lance of twenty or thirty miles in various d>
reciions.
Viewed from the bank of The river, its
whole appearance is grand and imposing.
The material of which is chiefly built. is
white limestone, which has been worked
and faced down TO perfect surface.
lis dimensions, as far as we can recollect
are as follows:
Length 1873 feet,
Width SO fee'.
Height to coiuh Of roof II feet.
From the ground TO the top Of spife ITO
feet.
The upper windows of the steeple serve
as an observatory, Gom which mngnifce nj
view OF The surround ny con,ry may be had.
The Mississippi is seen winding its serpen-
tine form along the wooded valley to the
North and South--he hills of Iowa rise in
bold relief In The westward, and loose them
selves in the blue distance; while The pra>
iries, fields. gardens and private buildings
lie spread out like map below.
The walls of The Temple are of massive
stone. and at least Two feet thick. On eli.
Their side, and at the end, are rows of grace
ful pilas!ers, crowned with elabora,ely carv-
ed caps, upon the external surface oil. which
is exhibited in bas relicf the face Of the
''man in the lnoon,'' and two hands grasp
ing trNmpets. Each plaster rests upon in
verted crescenis, and are al least fifty feet
long. They are thirty in number, and the
uniled cost of them is estimated at about
SlCO,O30.
sTe structure is lighted by four rows OF
windows. two of which are quadrilateral
and Two circular. These, with the ohe,
novel architectural embellishments, give the
whole pile an original and not unpleasing
aspect.
An the entrances are from the West
and the immense doorways, are gained by
a aigh, of stone steps. The interior con.
tains basement in the centre Of which
stands the celebrated bapismai font. Two
great halls which extend nearly the entire
Icng h and tradlh Of The building; and the
third hill underneath the roof, with small a.
parimens on either SIDE.
The bapiismal font is ms st extraordina
ny wolk, and viii stand monument. o.
Mormon extravaganza and groiesqueness o
TASTE. II 8 N immense s:une reserve r
| H., 4
cnt on, Of stone, and as large as lfe."-
! The effect of The first view of these rigid
animals, standing in such singular posi-
ton, and wearing such mysterious coun,en-
ances. is somewhat startling; but feeling
OF superstition soon gives way TO cu,ios ~
aud he behOldei is lost in wonder at the
magnitude of The design, ard ex,raordnar,
amonnt OF labor that must have been ex
pended in the erection Of The work.
The ball on the first floor WIS intel ded Il.
the regular meet:ng-pIace of the congrega
| ton, and whea feed from the tubb sh ant
surplus ,'uber that now cucumber. il, vii
have IA beIntt ul and ,npos NJ Eff :ct Tue
Architectural decorations are cla>ie and ricl
and tie TWO grand pulp's at the east ant
west ends. give To The whole appearance q
| OneLt i magni fceuce.
Thc ate Us it may be caledD IS lieh'e'
tom The root, and was designed FOR IA larg,
schoo-,oom.
Leaving the body Of The building, yo'
ascend 10 The bell room Of The s.eepe
thence 10 The clock room, and last TO tn
observatory.
The immense structure is chcfd'ouvr
ai architecture, aud will rank in grandeu
with the la,gest and most costly edlfces o
modern times.
The eniire cost of its erection is estima
Led at between 700 and SEQ thousand dol
lars.
The Temple will be nearly completes
and in readiness for dedication by the frs
of May
Alter it shall have been consecraied,
VIII be abandoned as a place of religion
worsh p by The sect that erected it, and eli
Iher sold or rented for college.
II has been examined by the agents q
Two or three different institutions; and from
whit we can learn, is likely 10 be transfer
red to he Methods S. by them 10 be used 70
Literary aud religious purpos IS.