The next building to the eastward is the Bee-Hive House, so named from models of bee-hives, on the top and in front of it. The honey-bee is the Mormon symbol, as according to "Reformed Egyptian," _Deseret_ means "the honey-bee." As yet, however, the term applies only by faith, to Utah, as that industrious insect is almost an utter stranger to her borders.
The Bee-Hive House is a large, handsome adobe building, excellently plastered on the outside, and dazzlingly white. It is a two-storied tenement, and balconied from ground to roof. On the top is an observatory, surmounted by a bee-hive. Its cost was about $65,000, and it is the best edifice in the Territory.
Eastward still, and farther back from the road, stands the school-house, a white building, with green blinds, and a cupola. Here the children of the Prophet, about fifty in number, are educated. Though not an educated man himself, nor a patron of learning, among the people he employs good teachers, and takes considerable pains in the education of his children.
Farther to the right, upon an eminence, stands the "White House," occupied by Mrs. Young, the first wife, and her children. This is a very lonesome-looking old house, just such a one as you might fancy to be haunted. It was the first one built by Young, and glass being then very expensive, the windows are few and small.
These, with other smaller buildings, make up the improvements on the Prophet's Block, and constitute a small town of themselves.
The "Lion House" is a three-storied building. First, a basement, built of stone; then the main building, of wood, with peaked gable, and narrow-pointed Gothic windows, and steep roof. This house cost over $30,000, and would have cost more, but for the 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 their hands, and were then coolly told to "shingle the Lion House in the name of the Lord, and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood." A large lion, carved in stone, is placed upon a pillared portico, in front of this edifice, "resting, but watchful."