SALT LAKE, CITY OF THE GREAT

SALT LAKE, CITY OF THE GREAT, in the United States of North America, capital of the territory of Utah, in a beautiful and richly-cultivated plain, bounded on the E. by a range of snowy mountains bearing the name of Wahsatchan, and on the W. by the Jordan River, on the right bank of which the city stands, about 22 miles S. of the Great Salt Lake, and 4350 feet above the level of the

sea; N. Lat. 40. 46., W. Long. 112. 6. It is laid out on a very regular and systematic plan, divided into 260 squares by streets, 130 feet broad, crossing each other at right angles. Each of these squares is 10 acres in extent, and occupied by eight houses standing 20 feet back from the street, and surrounded with extensive grounds planted with trees and shrubbery. The houses are built of bricks dried in the sun, and have in general only one storey. A perennial stream of water flows through the town, and is carried by channels to each house and garden. Of the public buildings the most important will be the great temple, the foundations of which have been laid, and to the construction of which each of the saints has to contribute his tithe in money and labour. In the large square where it stands are the house of the president or high priest, and other public buildings. The city has also a fine theatre, which cost more than L. 4000. Salt Lake City was laid out in 1847 by a company of 143 Mormons. (See MORMONISM and UTAH.) Pop. (1853) estimated at 10,000.