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ness of their institutions, including, of course polygamy. He gays he has but one wife, but believes that polygamy is right, and ordained of God. “Brother Brigham” has seventeen regular wives, besides a great many others who are spiritually sealed to him, and each one expects to be a queen in heaven. He says a plurality of wives is not obligatory, but every true Mormon must be a polygamist in theory if not in practice. When I tell him that this institution is a scandal and disgrace to the civilization of the nineteenth century—that it is degrading to woman and debasing to man—that on account of it the whole civilized world regards them as outcasts, disgracing humanity, etc., without taking offense, he says: “Nevertheless it is right—it is no more degrading to us than it was to the patriarchs of old. God has ordained it, and if God be with us we can not fail if the whole world be against us.” He is an enthusiast and a fanatic, and I think is sincere. Whether the same can be said of the other brethren remains to be seen. While talking we are standing upon the granite foundations of the great Temple, which, when completed, will cost $5,000,000. Upon the foundations alone they have spent a million. It will be, if ever built, the finest structure on this continent. I do not believe it will ever be completed. Brigham is the architect, as he is the all in all of Mormondom.
When at St. Louis a friend gave me a letter to Hon. W. H. Hooper, delegate in Congress from Utah, He remarked at the time that it would “introduce me into the bosom of his family!” This was rather startling; but he relieved my apprehensions by telling me that Mr. Hooper had “but one wife.” Mr. Hooper is the head of a large banking house—the only one in Utah. He is an affable and courteous gentleman, and received me very cordially. His office was fall of bishops, elders, generals and colonels, to all of whom he introduced me, and, though full of business, he kindly offered me every service in his power. And here let me say that there was a frankness, cordiality and heartiness in the greeting of every Mormon whom I met in Salt Lake that surprised me, They court investigation, and say they hays nothing to conceal. This is not entirely sincere, but is partly assumed for effect. Mr. Hooper put me in charge of Bishop Little, a colonel in the Mormon Legion as well as a dignitary in
