The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-12

W ScpCeHUtr JU, TWO weeks later.
Our Great Salt Lake Correspondence.
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, Sept 80, 1866
Description Of the Route to the Salt Lake Valley
The Topography Of Salt Lake City The Grass.
hopper Plngus-Emigration- Brigham Young
Observation-Disclosures of tie Mormon Luz
dies, &c.
The Saint" who for the first time wends his
way to the "valley of the Mountains must no
doubt often compare himself with the hero of Bun
vans delightful alleyory, the Pilgrims Progress
for Of all rough entrances to place. the last hun
dred miles of the route to this place certainly cones
nearer to the learned tinckers description of hard
road to travel" The road winds through narrow
ravnes, within few inches of the edges of high
creek banks along siding hills, over mrcy sp.ts
and nasty holes, crossing creeks almost innumeraLe
times, up and down two long steep and rough noun
tains; and lastly, through it's numerous windingson
the last few miles Of the road keeps the stranger in
momentary expectation of emerging suddenly into
the oasis Of half desert mid continent. As the
stranger leaves the narrow confines of emigration.
he sees before him valley apparently not
more than five or six miles in width, and n0r:h-
ward, seemiy the same distance, Great Salt
Lake, like silver line cleaning across the valley,
while he thinks q mile and halfs travel will
bring him to the city which, partly hid by point
OF the East Mountains lays before him; five good
miles of travel, however, only brings him to the
edge of the city, and upon enquring he learns that
fifteen miles more of travelling in straight Inc
will only find him ut the foot of the West NOM
tans, and twenty more upon the southeastern shores
OF the lake. This deception, on the part Of nature,
in regard TO the landmarks of this valley, is tobe
ascrbed to the purity of the atmosphere and the
deep but gradual descent of the land from the moan
tans to the centre.
Great Salt Lake City is situated the east side Of
the river Jordan, small stream that flows north.
ward into Great Salt Lake. The streets, which are
eight rods wide, cross each other at right angles
running parallel to the four cardinal points of the
compass There are nineteen wards in the city,
each containing nine squares, and each square con-
tains six lots Of and quarter acres each These
lots were originally given to actual settlers but
vary in price from one hundred and fifty dollars in
the outskirts to as many for small piece in the
centre Of the city; they being rapidly subdivded
and no doubt the city WILL in time, be rs compactly
built any Gentle city. The streets are still in
primitive condition, being neither graded nor paved;
they, however, present hard surface But, in one
of the high winds that sometimes sweep the Streets
w.
sional ul in old Boreas tide that person can dis
celn his whereabouts. There is no shade along the
walks, except what ia made by some diminutive
specimens OF future expectations. This is not to be
wondered at however, when we consider that seven
years ago nothing Of the tree kind grew upon the
land now occupied by the city. Two large streams,
flowing from the East Mountains, have been divert
cd from their old channels. and are led by large
rhpa IN III uba hu NJ aIlnx
bitches along the edges of the sidewalks the water
is caused to ramify throughout the city and water
every square. From these bitches each lot is en-
titled to the water, for irrigation, certain mum
Der of hours every week, according to the abul,
dance or scarcity. The houses are either built of
logs or adobes, sun-dried bricks, though chiefly
OF the latter. These blue or cream-colored adobe
houses give to the city a quiet, Quakerlike
appearance, in agreeable contrast 70 the glaring
colors OF the buildings in Eastern towns
On account Of the high winds quite frequent
in these regions nine. tenths Of the buildings are
less than two stories in height. few flower gar
dens claim the passing tribute Of admiration; bat,
as general thing, utility reigns throughout the
ity from tie pole fences TO the inward dccoraI ons
she houscs. Rich, indeed, must be the man Who
IN these far-off regions can gather around him ali
the things Of comfort ard ornament that adorn the
houses of Eastern mechanics. Each ward CONTAINS
6 sclcolhouse, wherein, as a general thing school
il only taught during the few winter months. mad,
wall, eight feet high by sa feet thick at the base
surrounds the city rs protection against the In
dams in case Of sle. Ths city is computed TO.
contain fifteen TIL -n nhsbtanis
The city governi1t y INSISTS OF Mayor Board
OF Aldermen, ana CoIlmon Council. There are
also, justices and constablcs; but imagine. they
are Offices OF honor rather than profit for the Nor
mons, generally, dislike going 10 law. Over each
ward the church has bishop, whose Office, in con-
junction with two councillors, Is to attend to the
sick and needy, and settle oil minor disputes or
qrareis tlat may occur between persons residing
to nave wronged or slandered brother
or sister, and refuses TO make restitution.
or ssk forgiveness, lac Ia dls!eloy shippcd or
cut m from the church until he rcpen,s snch nor
sou being on par with cSn,nsL xnssg the Cen