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dotted over with the habitations of men, with such majestic profusion, that I was almost willing to believe myself mistaken, and instead of being in Nauvoo of Illinois, among Mormons, that I was in Italy at the city of Leghorn, which the location of Nauvoo resembles very much. I gazed for some time with fond admiration upon the plain below. Here and there arose a tall majestic brick house, speaking loudly of the genius and untiring labour of the inhabitants, who have snatched the place from the clutches of obscurity, and wrested it from

the bonds of disease; and in two or three short years, rescued it from a dreary waste to transform it into one of the first cities in the west. The hill upon which I stood was covered over with the dwellings of men, and amid them was seen to rise the hewn stone and already accomplished work of the Temple, which was now raised fifteen or twenty feet above the ground. The few trees that were permitted to stand are now in full foliage, and are scattered with a sort of fantastic irregularity over the slope of the hill.

"But there was one object which was far more noble to behold, and far more majestic than any other yet presented to my sight, and that was the wide spread and unrivalled father of waters, the Missis sippi river, whose mirror-bedded waters lay in majestic extension before the city, and in one general curve, seemed to sweep gallantly by the beautiful place. On the farther side was seen the dark green woodland, bending under its deep foliage, with here and there an interstice bearing the marks of cultivation. A few houses could be seen through the trees on the other side of the river, directly opposite to which is spread a fairy isle, covered with beautiful timber. The isle and the romantic swell of the river soon brought my mind back to days of yore, and to the bright emerald isles of the far-famed fairy land. The bold and prominent rise of the hill, fitting to the plain with exact regularity, and the plain pushing itself into the river, forcing it to bend around its obstacle with becoming grandeur, and fondly to cling around it to add to the heightened and refined lustre of this sequestered land.

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I passed on into the more active parts of the city, looking into every street and lane to observe all that was passing. I found all the people engaged in some useful and healthy employment. The place was alive with business-much more so than any place I have visited since the hard times commenced. I sought in vain for anything that bore the marks of immorality, but was both astonished and highly pleased at my ill success. I could see no loungers about the streets. nor any drunkards about the taverns. I did not meet with those distorted features of ruffians, or with the ill-bred and impudent. I heard not an oath in the place, I saw not a gloomy countenance; all were cheerful, polite, and industrious."

The following letter, purporting to be written by an “Englishman,” was published about the same time by most of the American newspapers, and gave some further particulars of this extraordinary people, and the beautiful city which they founded. It is doubtful, however, whether the writer were quite such a stranger among the Mormons as he was willing to make the world believe.

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Having, whilst in my native land, heard a great deal said re

specting the people called Mormons, I thought it would be well, in the course of my rambles (or tour) to visit their city, hold converse with them, investigate their principles, and judge for myself. I had heard, previous to my leaving England, some of their missionaries, among whom were Elders Woodruff, Richards, and Young. I thought they were setters forth of strange doctrine, yet it had an influence on my mind, so that I felt determined, as soon as opportunity served, to hear both sides of the question, as well from the Missourians as from any other source, with an unprejudiced mind. I had, previous to this time, been a member of the Methodist church; but having observed that there existed in the breasts of those people a very strong prejudice with respect to the Mormons, I could not give full credence to their statements, neither could I rest satisfied with the statement of the Mormons; I thought it was possible that they might dissemble in England, but, as a people, they could not do so at home, their actions would appear ungarnished; they would there act out their principles, and their moral and religious influence would there be seen as clear as the sun at noon-day; but, above all, I wanted to know something concerning the Missourian persecution; so, after having overcome all opposition (some of my friends being greatly alarmed lest I should become a follower of Joe, as they termed it), I took ship and arrived in safety at New Orleans. I then sailed up the Mississippi, and landed at St. Louis. As soon as I had taken lodgings, I commenced my inquiries respecting the Mormons. What think you of the Mormons? I asked. I had scarcely spoken before my ears were saluted from all quarters, from high and low, rich and poor. The Mormons! The mean Mormons! The G- -d d- -d Mormons! The deluded Mormons, &c. I heard them calumniated and vilified-nay, abused beyond belief. They informed me that their crimes were of the deepest dye, that polygamy was not only tolerated, but practised amongst them; that they would rob and plunder, and that blood and murder was to be found in their skirts; that after they had stripped the poor stranger of his all, they confined him in a kind of dungeon, underneath the Temple, where he was fed upon bread and water, until death put a period to his sufferings-left to die alone without a kind friend by him to perform the last sad offices, or to see him consigned to the silent tomb; but like a dog he was left to die, and like a dog he was buried. Well, one would have thought that after having heard all this my courage must have failed, and that I would at once have given up the search; but I called to mind the old adage-Nothing venture nothing have.' History also informed me of the wonderful exploits performed in days of yore by the chivalrous and noble knights of England, and so I felt determined to see and behold the

wonderful place, with the history of which I had become acquainted. I had, however, determined within myself to sell my liberty and life as dearly as I could, in case the reports I had heard should prove but the fact was, I did not place much confidence in their Jackthe-Giant-Killer's tales, looking upon them as being too marvellous to be true.

true;

as I

"I landed at Nauvoo on a beautiful morning in the summer season. I felt a degree of superstitious dread creep over me set my foot upon the shore. Presently I discovered some armed men advancing towards where I was, but immediately perceived that they were peaceable citizens of the place, engaged in a pleasure party. As I walked onward, I felt myself comparatively at home, as I now and again met with an Englishman that I once had gazed upon in my native land. I directed my course towards the Temple, and after having gazed upon and thoroughly examined every part of it, I was soon led to the conclusion that there was not much danger to be apprehended from being confined in its subterranean vaults or dungeons; I took up my abode as convenient to the edifice as I could, in order that I might be the better enabled to take cognizance of every circumstance which might come under my observation; I had resolved to keep upon a strict look-out, and to keep my head and understanding from being confused, in order that I might be enabled to judge correctly, and have a true and correct report to send to my native land, should I be permitted to reach its shores in safety.

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The city is of great dimensions, laid out in beautiful order; the streets are wide, and cross each other at right angles, which will add greatly to its order and magnificence when finished. The city rises on a gentle incline from the rolling Mississippi, and as you stand near the temple, you may gaze on the picturesque scenery around; at your side is the temple, the wonder of the world; round about, and beneath, you may behold handsome stores, large mansions, and fine cottages, interspersed with varied scenery; at the foot of the town rolls the noble Mississippi, bearing upon its bosom the numerous steam-ships which are conveying the Mormons from all parts of the world to their home. I have seen them landed, and I have beheld them welcomed to their homes with the tear of joy and the gladdening smile, to share the embrace of all around. I have heard them exclaim, How happy to live here! how happy to die here! and then how happy to rise here in the resurrection! It is their happiness; then why disturb the Mormons so long as they are happy and peaceable, and are willing to live so with all men? I would say, 'Let them live.'

"The inhabitants seem to be a wonderfully enterprising people. The walls of the temple have been raised considerably this summer; it is calculated, when finished, to be the glory of Illinois. They are endeavouring to establish manufactories in the city. They have enclosed large farms on the prairie ground, on which they have raised corn, wheat, hemp, &c.; and all this they have accomplished within the short space of four years. I do not believe that there is another people in existence who could have made such improvements in the same length of time, under the same circumstances. And here allow me to remark, that there are some here who have lately emigrated to this place, who have built themselves large and convenient houses in the town; others on their farms on the prairie, who, if they had remained at home, might have continued to live in rented houses all their days, and never once have entertained the idea of building one for themselves at their own expense.

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'Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, is a singular character; he lives at the Nauvoo Mansion House,' which is, I understand, intended to become a home for the stranger and traveller; and I think, from my own personal observation, that it will be deserving of the name. The Prophet is a kind, cheerful, sociable companion. I believe that he has the good-will of the community at large, and that he is ever ready to stand by and defend them in any extremity; and as I saw the Prophet and his brother Hyrum conversing together one day, I thought I beheld two of the greatest men of the nineteenth century. I have witnessed the Mormons in their assemblies on a Sunday, and I know not where a similar scene could be effected or produced. With respect to the teachings of the Prophet, I must say that there are some things hard to be understood; but he invariably supports himself from our good old Bible. Peace and harmony reigns in the city. The drunkard is scarcely ever seen, as in other cities, neither does the awful imprecation or profane oath strike upon your ear; but, while all is storm, and tempest, and confusion abroad respecting the Mormons, all is peace and harmony at home."

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