The Mormon Prophet and His Harem

e, Office, etc.-Description of the Harem.-Plan, Rooms, etc., of each

OPHET'

her, in regular succession. They are supposed to have been formed by the action of water, which doubtless at one time, covered the whole country, half way to the mountain tops. These benches overlook the city, which is mostly built on the flats, or bott

ncomfortable position, and looks as though desirous of soaring to his native hills, or of making a descent upon some of the denizens of earth. His business is to watch and see who enters this sacred precinct, and to see that every third load of wood brought from City Creek (or Brigham's) Canyon, which leads int

rge numbers of apple, pear, peach, and apricot trees, have been set out, and are producing every year. Grape culture also has not been neglected. It is a custom here to present the President with a spec

fy taste. No expensive flower-garden or green-house is to be seen, and this is perfectly c

t system, is given elsewhere. Back of the tithing-office, is a cattle-yard and barn, and numerous other buildings connected with tithing operations. Also a long row of buildings for various me

he Deseret store and printing-offi

ering, being appropriated to the clerks of "Brigham Young, Trustee in Trust for the Church," and those to the right, used by the clerks of "B. Young & Co." At the end opposite the door is a lar

urniture of the room. Back of, and adjoining this, is the sanctum sanctorum; the Prophet's own private bedroom. Few, even of the family, are permitted to enter this room without special invitation. Here is the "veil," behind which the Prophet receives his "

it. The honey-bee is the Mormon symbol, as according to "Reformed Egyptian," Deseret means "the honey-bee." As yet, h

ingly white. It is a two-storied tenement, and balconied from ground to roof. On the top is an observat

la. Here the children of the Prophet, about fifty in number, are educated. Though not an educated man himself, nor a pat

nd her children. This is a very lonesome-looking old house, just such a one as you might fancy to be haunte

up the improvements on the Prophet's Block

Ha

he economy of the owner. It was completed, ready for the shingles, and the shingles were waiting. At a meeting in the Tabernacle on Sunday, he announced that he had a mission for all the carpenters, and asked if they would accept it. They raised the

the inside plan o

nd-covers the floor. Two centre-tables, of solid mahogany, are placed at equal distances from the ends of the room. An elegant rose-wood piano sits at the lower end of the room. Between the windows hangs a large mirror, under which is a melodeon. A large sofa, upholstered with dark crimson velvet, occup

attend family prayers. The favorite wives, Emeline, Lucy, and Clara Decker, receive th

e Lion House, where he secretes his wealth and punishes his refractory wives. I cannot vouch for the truth of this assertion, but give it as

the Prophet, who visit at the Lion House. He very seldom introduces here any

He therefore had a hall, No. 8, prepared, leading from his office to No. 2, to which room he removed his favorite wife. Here he formerly spent much of his time. She dressed his artificial curls, petted and caressed him, and worshipped him alterna

hades with white curtains, a small mirror, also a small closet and a fireplace, constitute the furniture of this room. This was the home of a woman who had lived in a comfortable and commodious house in Boston, as it

nce a favorite with Brigham, which will account for her superior accommodations. This room is furnished as follows: a carpet similar t

d. Rag-carpet, common bedstead, stand, mirror, oak chairs, wardrobe, small cupboard and a fireplace, curtains of the preva

linds, and oil-shades. Brigham's portrait in oil, half size, hangs on the wall, also a large mirror. A rag-carpet covers the floor. A bedroom and recess are

mon bedstead, three chairs, a stand, ward

leading to E

common carpet, calico curtains, a fall-leaf table, bedstead, and t

ntracts, and his purse has become plethoric with public money, and from the continued inflow of tithing, he has indulged his "women folks" wit

nd when her husband died, she became dependent on her brother. She had long been a believer in Mormonism, and was with the Mormons at Nauvoo. After the death of her husband, she was, by the earnest persuasion of her brother Brigham, induced to be sealed to another. She protested at the time, and said it would break her heart. And in relating the story to a young friend, years afterward,-"Bessie," said she, "my poor, poor hear

d 12 are s

length of the building; it is lighted

e principal story

al cellar, where all kinds of veg

. Ash-

d a man is kept employed in weaving. A large quantity of cloth is mad

the coachm

ake, bread, and cooked provis

. Back

d as a school-room and danc

. Wash

2. Ki

. Dish

ng only a passage-way at each end. A third table extends two thirds of the length of the room. Als

ve no children. This is the case in every well-regulated Mormon family. Among Mormons, the title of mother includes that of queen, and is consequently the highest distinction a woman can attain. If a woman has no children, she

presides, when he takes his meals at the Harem. On his right sits Clara Decker, with her children, and on the left, Emeline

. Main

d 27 are s

Small si

ms, of nearly uniform size, with one door and window each. These rooms are about twelve by fifteen feet, and

common bedstead, three oak chairs, a little toi

ean. Harriet Cook, Ellen Rockwood, and Twiss, display more t

ad of oak, and a large cupboard, painted to represent mahogany. All th

except Eliza Snow's; she being a woman of considerable literary taste, and withal a writer,-having made a number o

he Wom

fairs are all centred there. The culinary department is under the control of such of the wives as Brigham from time to time appoints. She is the st

nd each woman, with her children, if she have any, files

akfast; this over, she commences the business of the day, arranges he

dollars. Brigham bought it, promising to pay the man whenever he should call. The man being poor, called in a few days. He did not get his pay. He called again, a number of times, with the same result. One of the wives became quite indignant, and said,-"If I was in his place, I neve

Parties and the theatre are the favorite amusements. At the theatre, Brigham and one or two of the favored wives sit together in "the King's box," but the remainder of the women and the children sit in what is called "Brigham's corral." T

ons. Gentiles, with whom the saints are on good terms, are well received and kindly entertained at these parties, and all join in giving themselves up to

ve, they content themselves with his kindness, and endeavor to think themselves happy. As religion is their only solace, they try to make it their only object. If it does not

in the family school. Also a teacher of French. His children have much better advantages than any other in the

am at

lls the whole family together; they sing a hymn; he prays fervently, and they separate for the duties of the day. In past times,

Prophet and Seer. The women fear and reverence him as their God, watch his countenance as he gives them counsel, and look upon every word he utter

is attention. His counsel is sought upon all subjects, even in the minutest domestic affairs of the people. So numerous are these

to Kimball and others, and to the Bishops of distant wards. The divorces of such can only come from him; and from this source alone he derives a handsome revenu

gham." This he encourages and commands. "If you do not know what to do, in order to do

and essential to be known, having a direct bearing upon the permanent maintenance of his rule and authority. The people, too, by such frequent consultations, are led to believe that their prosperity, happiness, and s

Lake, "When I obey counsel, I am prospered in eve

his family and prospects. But of late, the Prophet, having become rich, has grown haughty and proud, and as he rides along in his fine carriage, surrounded by his courtiers and sycophants,

phet, his spiritual guide, clothed in fine raiment, seated in a splendid carriage, by his side a courtesan, a so-called wife. He sees the smile and kind word, which should be given to his suffering and down-trodden people, lavished upon a harlot. He turns in disgust, and with a weary and troubled spirit, seeks temporary rest in his own humble home. Here kind poverty has protected him from