manufacture of the best article of molasses in the county; he is also President of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society, and President of the Jordan Irrigation Company in addition to this, he is Chairman of the Board of Examination of Physicians, which, although not occupying so great an amount of time, is a matter of no small interest, as we have been imposed upon in this country by the pretensions of all species of quacks-Allopathic, Homœopathic, Old School, New School, Eletro-Biological, Astrological, Hydrophatbic, Thomsonian, semi-Thomsonian, and simmered-down Botanic. The interest which Elder Woodruff has taken in endeavoring to sift out the excessive poison and to modity the other extremes of heat and cold, have, doubtless, been beneficial to the community. Drs. Anderson and Taite are the principal surgeons; Dr. Dunyon has an extensive practice; Dr. Hovey is extreme Thomsonian, and thoroughly cooks his patients; Dr. Levi Richards practices very little, being feeble in health. There has been an immense sight of whooping cough and a hoarse cough very much resembling it, without the whoop, which has caused many deaths. but principally among children. The result of all these labors of Elder W. show upon him the wear and tear very materially.

Elder George A. Smith has devoted about nearly half the past year inside the Historian's Office, though by no means as efficient as formerly; has travelled and preached to the Saints in Tooele, Davis, Great Salt Lake and Utah Counties considerably, and accompanied President Young on all his preaching expeditions, and took an active part in organizing the Mission to the cotton country, assisted by F. D. Richards; most of the Twelve being absent from the city at the time; upwards of 500 men having moved to the cotton country in the last fitteen months. Part of his family reside in Great Salt Lake City, part in Provo and part in Parowan. He is the heaviest man of the Twelve, weighing 270lbs.; deprived of the pleasure of dancing for three years from a sprained anele, &c.

Eider Amasa M. Lyman arrived here Sept. 16, 1862. Since that time he has visited and delivered addresses in nearly

all the settlements in the south part of the territory. He was elected a Representative to the Legislative Assembly from the County of Beaver. He is now making arrangements to establish himself permanently at Fillmore, in Millard County.

Elder Benson resides at Logan, in Cache County, having moved his family and established himself in that place. He is building mills, raising cattle and cultivating fruit. His labors are extended to twelve principal towns in that county. He has devoted his time to preaching and setting in order the things that are wanting, the chief difficulty being to manage the relation of the Saints with the predatory Indians; the settlers in that region of country have been heavily taxed by them. Elder Benson visited the cotton country with President Young. He has sat in the Legislative Assembly forty days. He is the first person who has raised an apple in Cache County.

Elder C. C. Rich principally resides at Centerville. Since his return he has been teaching the Saints in Davis, Morgan, Tooele, Utah and Great Salt Lake Counties, and looking after those interests which an absence of two and a-half years makes absolutely necessary.

He

Elder Lorenzo Snow resides at Brigham City, in Box Elder County. has also accompanied the President on his visits. He has preached considerably in Box Elder and adjoining counties. He has built mills and induced the people to build an elegant Court-house, and his inspiring spirit has had its effects in making Brigham one of the best architectural towns in the territory. He is a patron of the fine arts, which is visible in everything round him. He bears his age remarkably.

Elder Erastus Snow moved his family to the cotton country a year ago last November. He took a very active part in presiding over the mission. He designed the plan of the city of St. George, laid it out and commenced its settlement. He has been constantly engaged preaching, counselling, and building mills and putting up machinery, his family also being compelled to live out of doors during the past year. He has travelled and preached through Washington and adjoining counties, devoting

his energies to the development of cotton and other products suitable to that climate, desirous that the Saints may be clad in home-made.

Elder F. D. Richards has built one of the best grist mills in the territory, which he has got in successful operation. He has preached considerably in this, Davis and adjoining counties.

Distance to Elder Hyde's location, 140 miles; to Elder A. Lyman's, 165; to Elders O. Pratt and E. Snow's, 340; to Elder E. T. Benson's, 90; to Elder C. C. Rich's, 14; to Elder Lorenzo Snow's, 60. This kind of summary shows you that our Quorum has been exceedingly husy in counselling and settling difficulties, making farms, establishing manufactures, travelling, preaching and looking after families not too amply furnished, legislation, and a good deal of hard thinking and making new settlements.

President Young enjoys excellent health; cares multiply around him. He personally superintends everything of a public nature as far as possible. To conduct his private affairs would seem work enough for any man. He attends the Bishops' meetings, visits the Endowment House on almost every occasion, being as near as a man can be "everywhere present," preserving in bis communications with the brethren the same simplicity of intercourse and implicit dependence upon the providence of God as when he used to travel and preach without purse or scrip.

President Kimball's health is poor. He is compelled by necessity to remain at home, although he is always at his post in the Endowment House, where he presides.

President Wells has also suffered severely from sickness both the last and present winter. He has been at his post as President of the Legislative Council when the bed-chamber was inore fitting to his condition. It is very hard for him to be confined, for his life has been one of the most active and studious.

The telegraph has afforded us much direct information, having been for the last six months more punctual than the mail. In Great Salt Lake City, to hear of battles as they progress in the States is certainly one of the wonders of the

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GEORGE A. SMITH.

LONDON CONFERENCE.

30. Florence-street, Feb. 28, 1863. President Cannon.

Dear Brother,-Knowing that you would like to hear from me, I will endeavor to give you a synop-is of my doings here in the London Conference.

I reached this place on the 3rd inst., after a pleasant ride from Cheltenham, and found everything in a healthy condition throughout the Branches, and the kingdom of God making rapid strides in the hearts of the people. Although a spirit of persecution still exists, and many are on the look-out to find something to say against the Latter-day Saints, yet the wise policy pursued by the Saints in all their meetings has baffled end so completely nonplussed their enemies that they despair of ever being able to overthrow the kingdom of God. I was interrupted by an individual the other evening, while bearing my testimony to the truth of this Work; but he was so quietly and instantaneously shown out of the door that I had no time to answer his questions, even had I been inclined to do so. Except by a few boys, who kick the doors occasionally, we have been unmolested in all our gatherings, for which I thank God.

The spirit of emigration is making such headway here that it will almost

make a clean sweep, and the London Conference will undoubtedly feel it for some time. But, under the Presidency of brother Bentley, I think it will soon regain its accustomed vigor and numbers, on the same principle that it has recovered itself from last year's emigration. Brother Staines told the Saints last year, that they need not feel cast down in their hearts because their numbers were temporarily diminished, for, if they would be faithful, their friends and others would come into the Church, before another year would roll round, to more than make up for those who then started for the Valley. His words have been more than fulfilled; and, in all probability, there will twice the number emigrate from this Conference the coming season that did last. This is really encouraging to the brethren. They all see the hand of God in their deliverance; and I believe that his name is praised in sincerity by the majority of those here who have taken upon them the name of Christ. Your proposed visit to London is hailed with delight by your humble servant; and I anticipate a good time in company with you and brother West, and shall take pleasure in making the visit one long to be remembered by all. Give my kind regards to all the brethren, and believe me your brother,

BRIGHAM YOUNG, Jun.

Dear Brother, I embrace the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to inform you of our doings and prospects in this part of the vineyard.

A Conference was held at Abersy chan on the 8th of Feb,, at which Elders W. G. Smith, Wm. Thurgood and George Taylor were present. The morning meeting was devoted to hearing from the Branch Presidents, who reported favorably of the Work in their different Branches. Brothers Smith and Thurgood followed with appropriate remarks, exhorting the Saints to live so that the Spirit of God would abide with them continually. In the afternoon meeting, brother Smith presented the Authorities, who were unanimously sustained.

I

then read a Financial Report, which was accepted; after which, brothers Smith and Thurgood addressed the meeting at some length, touching on the law of Tithing and showing the blessings to be derived from cheerful obedience to it, and testifying that those who would do so would have greater blessings, both spiritual and temporal, than they who failed to do so. At the night meeting many strangers were present, when brother Thurgood spoke on the necessity of there being Prophets and Apostles in the last days, quoting from the Old and New Testaments and from revelations given in these days to prove that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Lord.

Throughout the day a spirit of freedom was manifest and all expressed themselves satisfied, and many said they had never enjoyed themselves better in their lives.

The following Tuesday brothers Thurgood and Taylor started for their fields of labor. Brother Smith and I held a meeting that night in Pontypool, and the next night in Blaenavon. At both places we enjoyed ourselves much. The next day we went to Abergavenny, a small town on the banks of the River Wye, which for romantic scenery cannot be surpassed. Took train at this place for Hereford, where we held another Conference, or rather District meeting. This was on account of its being too far for the Saints of Hereford to go to Abersychan. We held two meetings, in which the usual business of hearing the reports from Branches and presenting the Authorities was attended to. Brother Smith and myself gave such instructions as the Spirit dictated. On the following Monday brother Smith returned to his field of labor.

I can say for the people of this Conference, they are kind and warm-hearted and are desirous of building up the kingdom of God on the earth. We are baptizing a few, and many are inquiring. Not many will gather home this year, but, if the way should be open in 1864, they will make up tor it.

Praying God to ever bless you, I remain your brother in the kingdom of God,

G. W. GRANT.

SWISS AND ITALIAN MISSION. Genéve, Switzerland, Feb. 27, 1863. President Cannon.

Dearly Beloved Brother,-It is with pleasure that I again resume the pen to give you a few items as to our progress. Firstly, I will say that we are in the enjoyment of excellent health, and blessed with a portion of the Spirit of our Master, which causes us to rejoice continually in the good cause in which we are engaged, and more especially when we see the fruits of our labor.

On the 13th inst., Elder J. Huber and myself took train for Berne, where we arrived in the evening and met a few of the Saints who have been induced to enter the fold through the labors of brother J. T. Gerber, and spent a very pleasant evening. On Sabbath, the 15th, Elders Gerber, Huber and myself climbed a mountain in the morning and entered a forest, where we called on our heavenly Father to guide and direct us through the day, &c. We then descended to the place where we met the Saints in Steffesburg when you were with us, and found the room filled to overflowing. I addressed the Saints for a short time, and brother Huber followed about an hour, when I again spoke for about an hour. I believe each meeting grows better: the Saints seemed to rejoice greatly, and I can say that they have really been advancing in their education as members of the Church of Christ. We gave them such instructions as the Lord favored us with, which were rich and abundant, and left them with our blessings.

Elder Gerber and I took train for Keasen, half way to Berne, and visited a family, about four miles in the country, who are preparing to emigrate this season, and continued our journey to Berne in the evening, where we met some twenty of the Saints and addressed them for an hour and a-half, and had an excellent meeting, in which all seemed to rejoice. We put up at the Star Hotel for the night, but got no sleep, owing to the row in the street and ringing of firebells, beating of drums and rattling of fire-engines during the most of the night. Five houses were stripped from top to bottom, and the whole town disturbed, leakage of the gas being the cause of the fire. On the 19th we

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arrived at Biel, and held a meeting in the vicinity. In this Branch the Saints have made more progress than in any I have seen for so short a time. We had an excellent meeting and a free flow of the Spirit.

On Sunday, the 22nd, we held two meetings in St. Imier, and gave such teachings as the Lord favored us with; and throughout the entire trip we had good times, and the Lord truly poured his Spirit out upon us in rich abundance, for which I feel to thank him continually. On Monday we arrived in Geneva, and found all feeling well. Last evening we had another meeting in Geneva, in which one new member presented himself for baptism and one of the long strayed ones desired to be admitted again into the fold. We have had excellent meetings, and many strangers attended, and hopes are favorable in several quarters, though the Adversary is by no means asleep, but is doing all in his power to rouse the authorities and his workmen, the priests, against us. We rejoice in our labors, and thank the Lord that we are able to combat error with truth, and that, too, which must and will prevail despite all else. I ordained a Teacher in Berne, who is taking hold with his might for the spread of the Gospel.

Brother J. Beck writes from Aechelberg, kingdom of Wurtemberg, that he has held several small meetings and has several ready for the water, although the priests of the day have had him up and treated him to twelve hours' free lodgings! He, however, writes in good spirits, and says he rejoices in the prospect of being able to establish a Branch of God's kingdom in his native land. The priest of the community read him a portion of the law, which he sends me as follows:-" No religious society is permitted to assemble without the consent of the Ecclesiastical Council of that community; and, if they permit, they must attend in order to hear what is going on; if they refuse, permission has to be sought from the higher authorities." Thus, you see, brother George, that in that quarter we have no very extra hopes of doing much openly until the Lord sees fit to change the laws or soften the hearts of the servants of Belial.

Brother Huber writes from Toggen