On a beautiful June morning—some sixteen years ago—
(Music, very loud till the scene is off.)
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—and she fainted on Reginald's breast! (At this part of the lecture Artemus pretended to tell a story—the piano playing loudly all the time. He continued his narration in excited dumb-show—his lips moving as though he were speaking. For some minutes the audience indulged in unrestrained laughter.)
(Picture of) The Prairie on Fire.
A prairie on fire is one of the wildest and grandest sights that can be possibly imagined.
These fires occur—of course—in the summer—when the grass is dry as tinder—and the flames rush and roar over the prairie in a manner frightful to behold. They usually burn better than mine is burning to-night. I try to make my prairie burn regularly—and not disappoint the public—but it is not as high-principled as I am. (The scene was a transparent one—the light from behind so managed as to give the effect of the prairie on fire. Artemus enjoyed the joke of letting the fire go out occasionally, and then allowing it to relight itself.)
(Picture of) Brigham Young at home.