Year: 1863




While dinner was preparing, we went out
to see the famous barn which is said to have
cost near one hundred thousand dollars. It
certainly is one of the most remarkable build
ings of the kind ever erected. 1t stands on
the steep slope of the hill so that it can be en-
| tered in one end from the road in the third
story. Its walls are of massive hewn stone
with glazed windows wherever they are need
ed.


| We began our examination in the lower
story. Here all along one side the whole bull
ding, is perhahaps one hundred and fifto feet
are stables for the cows, with the name ofeach
occupant painted on the manger. We noted the
sleeping apartments of Myrtle, Violet, Dove,
Beauty, Tulip, Rose, &c. The stalls are scru-
puIously clean. Behind, where the manure
falls, runs narrow railway track with car
upon it to carry the manure off. At one end
of the barn is large cellar into which the car
is dumped. On the other side of the stable is
similar accommodations for the horses and OK
eE. Between the two rows of stalls is a wide
passage extending the whole length, in which
is the hydrant for supplying water for them TO
drink.



with corresponding passage of Agreat width
between them them, Directly over the stall
of each animal is a square hole through which
the hay is dropped into the managers below.


Along the middle passage, on the third floor
the laden wagons of hay are driven from the
front door, level with the street, aud thrown
down into the mows. Thus in the whole bull
ding there is no pitching up, but everything
goes downward. On this floor, (the third is
also the mows for grain and room for hold
ing farming utensils.


From the top, most extensive and beauti-
ul view is obtained of the village and valley
below. Around us on every side are acres OF
vegetables growing to seed, such as onions,
turnips, beets, &c.


That large brown building yonder, big
enough for a church, is the herb house, from
which goes fresh catnip for all the crying ba-
bies-peppermint for the larger children in
pain, and all the various medicinal plants to
doctor the nation.


By this time our appetites were pretty sharp
and the neat table, set especially for our par
ty, with its snow white cloth and well filled
dishes was a very grateful sight. We did ex-
ceIlent justice to the light and pleasant bread,
well cooked meat and potatoes, lucious toma-
toes, homemade apple and blackberry pie,
new milk, grape jelly, and other dainties which
were epread out before US.


We were very careful to clean off our plates
that we might leave no swinish appearance
behind us.


After dinner we vitited the girls school, by
invitation In the vestibuIe we saw some thir-
-, IF fho
shovel pattern, honging upon pegs. The girls
are just "sisters" of smaller size, being dress.
ed in every particular as the elders are. They
looked as demure as possible, but thought
could discern twinkle of fun in many pair |
of bright little eyes, just as have seen it in
the worlds children"


Two very neat elderly Sisters presided with |
great dignity. In the proficiency of the chill.
dren and in the matter of their studies, could
not perceive any material difference from 9TH
er children of similar age.


While in the store, saw some of the Sha- |
ker Theological works, which are kept for sale.
Of course had no time to examine them. As
near as 1 can learn, they hold to the Scrip
lures in certain way, but pretend, as the
Mormons do, to have additional revelations
ALI IcG3 tDG Vi luGlI blStGlu, WIZ
came from England some seventy years ago
and who died here, holding about the same
position in their belief that j oe Smith does in
the Mormon one.


We saw nothing of the mode of worship, as
that is performed in public only on the Sab.
bath day. But the reader no doubt knows that
it consists mainly of dancing accompanied with
singing. Both the song and the dance are at
first slow and measured, but gradually the ex-
citement increases and with it the rapidity OF
word and action, until sometimes the more
spry and devout are carried off in fit. This
is done in the church. The men are arranged
on one side Tin fact, they enter by different
doors) and the women on the other. The op-
p osite parties at given signal from the lead
e r, dance toward each other. The whole effec-
[ have heard, is absurd and wicked in the ex
treme, though some youthful and imaginative
people have thought it solemn.


These Shaker brethren are celebrated over
all the region for the closeness with which
they drive bargain when they go out into
The world with things to sell. They seem to
be as desrous Of making money for the frater-
nifty as they would be if the profits were all
their own. This, perhaps is to be accounted
for, partly by the competition between the