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inside front cover
Tiny CSS Projects
Martine Dowden and Michael Gearon

To comment go to liveBook

Manning

Shelter Island

For more information on this and other Manning titles go to


www.manning.com
Copyright

For online information and ordering of these and other


Manning books, please visit www.manning.com. The
publisher offers discounts on these books when ordered in
quantity.

For more information, please contact

Special Sales Department


Manning Publications Co.
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PO Box 761
Shelter Island, NY 11964
Email: [email protected]

©2023 by Manning Publications Co. All rights


reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a


retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by means
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without
prior written permission of the publisher.

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers


to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks.
Where those designations appear in the book, and Manning
Publications was aware of a trademark claim, the
designations have been printed in initial caps or all caps.

♾ Recognizing the importance of preserving what has been


written, it is Manning’s policy to have the books we publish
printed on acid-free paper, and we exert our best efforts to
that end. Recognizing also our responsibility to conserve the
resources of our planet, Manning books are printed on
paper that is at least 15 percent recycled and processed
without the use of elemental chlorine.

Manning Publications Co.


20 Baldwin Road Technical
PO Box 761
Shelter Island, NY 11964

Development editor: Elesha Hyde


Technical development editor: Arthur Zubarev
Review editor: Adriana Sabo
Production editor: Andy Marinkovich
Copy editor: Keir Simpson
Proofreader: Katie Tennant
Technical proofreader: Louis Lazaris
Typesetter: Dennis Dalinnik
Cover designer: Marija Tudor
ISBN: 9781633439832
contents

Front matter
preface
acknowledgments
about this book
about the authors
about the cover illustration

1 CSS introduction
1.1 Overview of CSS
Separation of Concerns
What is CSS?

1.2 Getting started with CSS by creating an article layout


1.3 Adding CSS to our HTML
Inline CSS
Embedded CSS
External CSS

1.4 The cascade of CSS


User-agent stylesheets
Author stylesheets
User stylesheets
CSS reset
Normalizer
The !important annotation
1.5 Specificity in CSS
1.6 CSS selectors
Basic selectors
Combinators
Pseudo-class and pseudo-element selectors
Attribute value selectors
Universal selector
1.7 Different ways to write CSS
Shorthand
Formatting

2 Designing a layout using CSS Grid


2.1 CSS Grid
2.2 Display grid
2.3 Grid tracks and lines
Repeating columns
The minmax() function
The auto keyword
The fractions (fr) unit
2.4 Grid template areas
The grid-area property
The gap property
2.5 Media queries
2.6 Accessibility considerations
3 Creating a responsive animated loading screen
3.1 Setup
3.2 SVG basics
Positions of SVG elements
Viewport
Viewbox
Shapes in SVG
3.3 Applying styles to SVGs
3.4 Animating elements in CSS
Keyframe and animation-name
The duration property
The iteration-count property
The animation shorthand property
The animation-delay property
The transform-origin property
3.5 Accessibility and the prefers-reduced-motion media query
3.6 Styling an HTML progress bar
Styling the progress bar
Styling the progress bar for -webkit- browsers
Styling the progress bar for -moz- browsers
4 Creating a responsive web newspaper layout
4.1 Setting up our theme
Fonts
The font-weight property
The font shorthand property
Visual hierarchy
Inline versus block elements
Quotes
4.2 Using CSS counters
The symbols descriptor
The system descriptor
The suffix descriptor
Putting everything together
@counter versus list-style-image
4.3 Styling images
Using the filter property
Handling broken images
Formatting captions
4.4 Using the CSS Multi-column Layout Module
Creating media queries
Defining and styling columns
Using the column-rule property
Adjusting spacing with the column-gap property
Making content span multiple columns
Controlling content breaks
4.5 Adding the finishing touches
Justifying and hyphenating text
Wrapping the text around the image
Using max-width and a margin value of auto
5 Summary cards with hover interactions
5.1 Getting started
5.2 Laying out the page using grid
Layout using grid
Media queries

5.3 Styling the header using the background-clip property


Setting the font
Using background-clip
5.4 Styling the cards
Outer card container
Inner container and content
5.5 Using transitions to animate content on hover and focus-
within
6 Creating a profile card
6.1 Starting the project
6.2 Setting CSS custom properties
6.3 Creating full-height backgrounds
6.4 Styling and centering the card using Flexbox
6.5 Styling and positioning the profile picture
The object-fit property
Negative margins

6.6 Setting the background size and position


6.7 Styling the content
Name and job title
The space-around and gap properties
The flex-basis and flex-shrink properties
The flex-direction property
Paragraph
The flex-wrap property

6.8 Styling the actions


7 Harnessing the full power of float
7.1 Adding a drop cap
Leading
Justification
First letter
7.2 Styling the quote
7.3 Curving text around the compass
Adding shape-outside: circle
Adding a clip-path
Creating a shape using border-radius
7.4 Wrapping text around the dog
Using path() . . . or not yet
Floating the image
Adding shape-margin

8 Designing a checkout cart


8.1 Getting started
8.2 Theming
Typography
Links and buttons
Input fields
Table
Description list
Cards
8.3 Mobile layout
Table mobile view
Description list
Call-to-action links
Padding, margin, and margin collapse
8.4 Medium screen layout
Right-justified numbers
Left-justifying the first two columns
Right-justifying numbers in the input fields
Cell padding and margin
8.5 Wide screens
9 Creating a virtual credit card
9.1 Getting started
9.2 Creating the layout
Sizing the card
Styling the front of the card
Laying out the back of the card
9.3 Working with background images
Background property shorthand
Text color

9.4 Typography
@font-face
Creating fallbacks using @supports
Font sizing and typography improvements

9.5 Creating the flipping-over effect


Position
Transitions and backface-visibility
The transition property
The cubic-bezier() function

9.6 Border radius


9.7 Box and text shadows
The drop-shadow function versus the box-shadow property
Text shadows
9.8 Wrapping up
10 Styling forms
10.1 Setting up
10.2 Resetting fieldset styles
10.3 Styling input fields
Styling text and email inputs
Making selects and textareas match the input styles
Styling radio inputs and check boxes
Using the :where() and :is() pseudo-classes
Styling selected radio and checkbox inputs
Using the :checked pseudo-class
Shaping the selected radio buttons’ inner disk
Using CSS shapes to create the check mark
Calculating specificity with :is() and :where()

10.4 Styling drop-down menus


10.5 Styling labels and legends
10.6 Styling the placeholder text
10.7 Styling the Send button
10.8 Error handling
10.9 Adding hover and focus styles to form elements
Using :focus versus :focus-visible
Adding hover styles
10.10 Handling forced-colors mode
11 Animated social media share links
11.1 Working with CSS architecture
OOCSS
SMACSS
BEM
11.2 Setting up
11.3 Sourcing icons
Media icons
Icon libraries

11.4 Styling the block


11.5 Styling the elements
Share button
Share menu
Share links
scale()
The inherit property value
11.6 Animating the component
Creating a transition
Opening and closing the component
Animating the menu
12 Using preprocessors
12.1 Running the preprocessor
Setup instructions for npm
.sass versus .scss
Setup instructions for CodePen
Starting HTML and SCSS
12.2 Sass variables
@extend

12.3 @mixin and @include


object-fit property
Interpolation
Using mixins
border-radius shorthand

12.4 Nesting
12.5 @each
12.6 Color functions
12.7 @if and @else
12.8 Final thoughts

Appendix.

index
front matter

preface
One of the hard parts of learning a new language or skill is
extrapolating the individual skills learned into the thing
we’re trying to build. Although we may know the mechanics
of grid or understand how flex works, learning which to
choose and when (or how) to achieve a specific end that
we’re envisioning can be challenging. Rather than start with
the theory and then apply it to our projects, in this book we
took the opposite approach. We started with the project and
then looked at which skills and techniques are necessary to
achieve our end.

But why talk about CSS? We can write an entire application


using nothing but browser-provided defaults, but it wouldn’t
have much personality, now, would it? With CSS, we can
achieve a lot for both our users and our business needs. For
everything from brand recognition to guiding users with
consistent styles and design paradigms to making the
project eye-catching, CSS is an important tool in our
toolbox.

Regardless of libraries, preprocessors, or frameworks, the


underlying technology that drives how our applications and
websites look is CSS. With that in mind, so as not to get
sidetracked by the individual quirks and functionality of
libraries and frameworks, we chose to go back to the
basics, writing this book in plain old vanilla CSS because, if
we understand CSS, applying it to any other tech stack or
environment becomes much easier down the line.

acknowledgments
We, Martine and Michael, thank Andrew Waldron,
acquisitions editor, and Ian Hough, assistant acquisitions
editor, for all their support and enthusiasm about getting
the book off the ground and during the development
process. We thank Elesha Hyde, development editor, who
was a huge source of support from start to finish, providing
professional guidance, editing, and encouragement. Louis
Lazaris, technical proofreader, and Arthur Zubarev, technical
development editor, provided thoughtful, useful technical
feedback and code reviews. Thank you both for all your
input. Finally, we send a huge thank-you to all the early-
access readers and reviewers throughout the process,
whose input helped shape and develop this book.

We thank all the reviewers: Abhijith Nayak, Al Norman,


Alain Couniot, Aldo Solis Zenteno, Andy Robinson, Anil
Radhakrishna, Anton Rich, Aryan Maurya, Ashley Eatly,
Beardsley Ruml, Bruno Sonnino, Carla Butler, Charles Lam,
Danilo Zekovic´, Derick Hitchcock, Francesco Argese,
Hiroyuki Musha, Humberto A. Sanchez II, James Alonso,
James Carella, Jereme Allen, Jeremy Chen, Joel Clermont,
Joel Holmes, Jon Riddle, Jonathan Reeves, Jonny Nisbet,
Josh Cohen, Kelum Senanayake, Lee Harding, Lin Zhang,
Lucian Enache, Marco Carnini, Marc-Oliver Scheele, Margret
“Pax” Williams, Matt Deimel, Mladen Ðuric´, Neil Croll, Nick
McGinness, Nitin Ainani, Pavel Šimon, Ranjit Sahai, Ricardo
Marotti, Rodney Weis, Steffen Gläser, Stephan Max, Steve
Grey-Wilson, and Vincent Delcoigne. Your suggestions
helped make this book better.

Martine Dowden: I thank my family, friends, and coworkers


at Andromeda Galactic Solutions for their unwavering
support and encouragement through my career and the
writing of this book.

I’d also like to recognize the Mozilla Foundation and the


countless individual contributors to the MDN docs for their
tireless efforts in providing the developer community
documentation for web languages such as CSS. Finally, I’d
like to thank the creators, Lennart Schoors and Alexis
Deveria, and all the contributors to Caniuse, for making it
easy to know which browsers will support which CSS
features.

Michael Gearon: This being my first book, producing it has


been a fun and challenging process. I’d like to thank all my
family members for their support, especially my wife, Amy
Smith, who has been there through the whole process. I
must also say a special thank-you to my cats, Puffin and
Porg, who tried (and failed) to get the odd word in the
book.
about this book
Tiny CSS Projects enables designers and developers to learn
CSS through a series of 12 projects.

Who should read this book?

Tiny CSS Projects is for readers who know the basics of


HTML and frontend development. No experience in CSS is
required. Both beginners and experienced coders will
develop a deeper understanding of CSS through this book.
Rather than present a theoretical view of CSS, each chapter
applies a different part of CSS to a project to demonstrate
in practice how CSS works.

How this book is organized: A roadmap

The book has 12 chapters, each of which is a self-contained


project:

Chapter 1, “CSS introduction”—This chapter’s project


walks readers through the basics of CSS, examining
cascade, specificity, and selectors.
Chapter 2, “Designing a layout using CSS grids”—This
chapter explores CSS grids by designing a layout for an
article while, in the process, looking at concepts such as
grid tracks, minmax(), repeat functions, and the
fractions unit.
Chapter 3, “Creating a responsive animated loading
screen”—This project uses CSS to create a responsive
animated loading screen, using scalable vector graphics
and animation to style an HTML progress bar.
Chapter 4, “Creating a responsive web newspaper
layout”—This chapter is about designing a multicolumn
responsive web newspaper layout. It explores the CSS
Multi-column Layout Module, counter styles, and broken
images, as well as how to adapt the layout by using
media queries.
Chapter 5, “Summary cards with hover interactions”—
This project creates a series of cards using background
images, transitions to reveal content on hover, and
media queries to check capabilities and browser window
size.
Chapter 6, “Creating a profile card”—This chapter’s
project creates a profile card and explores custom
properties and background gradients, as well as setting
image sizes and using Flexbox for layout.
Chapter 7, “Harnessing the full power of float”—This
chapter shows the power of CSS floats to position
images, shape content around CSS shapes, and even
create a drop cap.
Chapter 8, “Designing a checkout cart”—This chapter is
about designing a checkout cart, which involves styling
responsive tables, using a CSS grid for layout,
formatting numbers, and setting CSS conditionally
based on viewport size by using media queries.
Chapter 9, “Creating a virtual credit card”—This chapter
focuses on creating a virtual credit card and achieving a
3D effect by flipping the card over on hover.
Chapter 10, “Styling forms”—This chapter looks at
designing forms, including radio buttons, inputs, and
drop-down menus, as well as promoting accessibility.
Chapter 11, “Animated social media share links”—This
project employs CSS transitions to animate social media
share links and examines CSS architecture options such
as OOCSS, SMACSS, and BEM.
Chapter 12, “Using preprocessors”—The final chapter
demonstrates how we can use preprocessors when
writing CSS and presents the Sass syntax.

About the code


This book contains many examples of source code, both in
numbered listings and inline with normal text. In both
cases, source code is formatted in a fixed-width font
like this to separate it from ordinary text. Sometimes
code is also in bold to highlight changes from previous
steps in the chapter, such as when a new feature adds to an
existing line of code.

In many cases, the original source code has been


reformatted; we’ve added line breaks and reworked
indentation to accommodate the available page space in the
book. In some cases, even this was not enough, and listings
include line-continuation markers (➥). Code annotations
accompany many of the listings, highlighting important
concepts.

You can get executable snippets of code from the liveBook


(online) version of this book at
https://livebook.manning.com/book/tiny-css-projects. The
complete code for the examples in the book is available for
download from the Manning website at
https://www.manning.com and from GitHub at
https://github.com/michaelgearon/Tiny-CSS-Projects.

liveBook discussion forum


Purchase of Tiny CSS Projects includes free access to
liveBook, Manning’s online reading platform. Using
liveBook’s exclusive discussion features, you can attach
comments to the book globally or to specific sections or
paragraphs. It’s a snap to make notes for yourself, ask and
answer technical questions, and receive help from the
authors and other users. To access the forum, go to
https://livebook.manning.com/book/tiny-css-
projects/discussion. You can also learn more about
Manning’s forums and the rules of conduct at
https://livebook.manning.com/discussion.

Manning’s commitment to our readers is to provide a venue


where a meaningful dialogue between individual readers
and between readers and authors can take place. It is not a
commitment to any specific amount of participation on the
part of the authors, whose contributions to the forum
remain voluntary (and unpaid). We suggest that you try
asking them some challenging questions lest their interest
stray! The forum and the archives of previous discussions
will be accessible from the publisher’s website for as long as
the book is in print.

Other online resources


Often, we can’t remember how a property works or what
values are available to us. One great resource for looking up
how a particular property, function, or value works is the
MDN docs (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US).

Although any given aspect of CSS functionality may be


defined in the CSS specification, that doesn’t mean all
browsers support it yet. We often find ourselves needing to
understand which browsers support what and whether we
should create a fallback or use alternative methods to
achieve our goal. Caniuse (https://caniuse.com) is a great
resource that allows us to check a particular property or
function to see how well supported it is in browsers by
version.

Finally, to make sure that everyone can access and use our
websites and applications, we can’t forget the importance of
accessibility. The documents provided by the World Wide
Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative are great
places to start, and they link to many other resources,
including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
(https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals).
about the authors

Martine Dowden is an author, international speaker, and


award-winning chief technology officer of Andromeda
Galactic Solutions. Her expertise includes psychology,
design, art, accessibility, education, consulting, and
software development. Tiny CSS Projects is her fourth book
about web technologies and draws on 15 years of
experience in building web interfaces that are beautiful,
functional, and accessible. For her community contributions,
Martine has been named a Microsoft MVP in Developer
Technologies and a Google Developer Expert in Web
Technologies and Angular.
Michael Gearon is a user experience designer and frontend
developer from Wales, UK. He earned a BS in Media
Technology at the University of South Wales while practicing
coding and design. Since then, Mike has worked with well-
known UK brands, including Go.Compare and Ageas. He
now works in the Civil Service, previously for Companies
House and currently at Government Digital Service.

about the cover illustration


The figure on the cover of Tiny CSS Projects is captioned
“M’de. de bouquets à Vienne,” or “Flower seller from
Vienna,” and is taken from a collection by Jacques Grasset
de Saint-Sauveur, published in 1797. Each illustration is
finely drawn and colored by hand.

In those days, it was easy to identify where people lived


and what their trade or station in life was just by their
dress. Manning celebrates the inventiveness and initiative of
the computer business with book covers based on the rich
diversity of regional culture centuries ago, brought back to
life by pictures from collections such as this one.
1 CSS introduction

This chapter covers


A brief overview of CSS
Basic CSS styling
How to select HTML elements effectively

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is used to control the


appearance of the elements of a web page. CSS uses style
rules to instruct the browser to select certain elements and
apply styles and effects to them.

Chapter 1 is a good place to start if you’re new to CSS or in


need of a refresher. We’ll start with a brief history of CSS
and swiftly move on to getting started with CSS, looking at
ways to link CSS with HTML.

When we have our CSS up and running, we’ll look at the


structure of CSS by creating a static, single-column article
page with basic media components such as headings,
content, and imagery to see how everything works together.

1.1 Overview of CSS


Håkon Wium Lie proposed the idea of CSS in 1994, a few
years after Tim Berners-Lee created HTML in 1990. CSS was
introduced to separate styling from the content of the web
page through the options of colors, layout, and typography.
1.1.1 Separation of Concerns
This separation of content and presentation is based on the
design principle Separation of Concerns (SoC). The idea
behind this principle is that a computer program or
application should be broken into individual, distinct sections
segregated by purpose. The benefits of keeping good SoC
include

Decreased code duplication and, therefore, easier


maintainability
Extendibility, because it requires elements to focus on a
single purpose
Stability, because code is easier to maintain and test

With this principle in mind, HTML serves as the structure and


content of a web page, CSS is the presentation, and
JavaScript (JS) provides additional functionality. Together,
they form the web pages. Figure 1.1 displays a diagram of
this process.
Figure 1.1 A breakdown of a web page

Since the introduction of smartphones in the mid-2000s, the


web has expanded to mobile websites (often using m.
subdomains, such as m.mywebsite.com), which tend to have
fewer features than the desktop versions, and to responsive
and adaptive designs. There are benefits and drawbacks to
creating responsive/adaptive or mobile-specific websites.

The difference between responsive and


adaptive designs
Responsive design uses a single fluid layout that can change based on factors
such as screen size, orientation, and device preferences. Adaptive design can
also change based on these factors. But instead of having a single fluid layout,
we can create multiple fixed layouts, which gives us greater control of each one—
at the cost of taking more time than a singular responsive layout. In practice, we
can use both methods in conjunction with one another.

In general, responsive and adaptive designs are the way the


industry is moving, especially as CSS expands, giving us
more ability to apply CSS based on window sizes and media
types (such as screen or print). Since the announcement of
CSS in 1994, there have been three overall releases:

1996—First World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)


recommendation of CSS
1997—First working draft of CSS2
1999—First three CSS3 drafts (color profiles,
multicolumn layouts, and paged media;
https://www.w3.org/Style/CSS20)

After 1999, the release strategy was changed to allow for


faster, more frequent releases of new features. Now CSS is
divided into modules, with numbered levels starting at 1 and
incrementing upward as features and functionality evolve
and expand.

A CSS level-1 module is something that’s brand new to CSS,


such as a property that hasn’t existed as an official standard
before. Modules that have gone through a few versions—
such as media queries, color, fonts, and cascading and
inheritance modules—have higher-level numbers.

The benefit of breaking CSS into modules is that each part


can move independently, without requiring large sweeping
changes to the language as a whole. There have been some
discussions about the need for someone to declare the
current stage as CSS4, even if only to acknowledge that CSS
has changed a lot since 1999. This idea hasn’t gained any
traction so far, however.
1.1.2 What is CSS?
CSS is a declarative programming language: the code tells
the browser what needs to be done rather than how to do it.
Our code says we want a certain heading to be red, for
example, and the browser determines how it’s going to apply
the style. This is useful because if we want to increase the
line height of a paragraph to improve the reading
experience, it’s up to the browser to determine the layout,
sizing, and formatting of that new line height, which reduces
effort for the developer.

Domain-specific language
CSS is a domain-specific language (DSL)—a specialized language created to solve
a specific problem. DSLs are generally less complex than general-purpose
languages (GPLs) such as Java and C#. CSS’s specific purpose is to style web
content. Languages such as SQL, HTML, and XPath are also DSLs.

CSS has come a long way since 1994. Now we have ways to
animate and transition elements, create motion paths to
animate Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) images, and
conditionally apply styles based on viewport size. This type
of functionality used to be possible only through JavaScript
or Adobe Flash (now retired). We can look at CSS Zen
Garden (www.csszengarden.com) for a glimpse of the
possibilities; by looking at the first versus last designs, we
can observe CSS’s progression over time
(https://www.w3.org/Style/CSS20).
In the past, design choices such as the use of transparency,
rounded corners, masking, and blending were possible but
required unconventional CSS techniques and hacks. As CSS
evolved, properties were added to replace these hacks with
standard, documented features.

CSS preprocessors
The evolution of CSS also led to the creation of CSS preprocessors and the
introduction of Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets (Sass), released in 2006.
They were created to facilitate writing code that’s easier to read and maintain, as
well as to provide added functionality that’s not available in CSS alone. We’ll use
a preprocessor to style a page in chapter 12.

It could be said that CSS is in a golden age. With the


continual development of the language, opportunities for
new and creative experiences are virtually endless.

1.2 Getting started with CSS by creating an


article layout
In our first project, we’ll explore a common use case on the
web: creating a single-column article. This chapter focuses
on how to link CSS to HTML and explores the selectors we
can use to style our HTML.

The first thing we need to understand is how to tie our CSS


to our HTML and how to select an element. Then we can
worry about what properties and values we want to apply.
Let’s start by going over some basics.

If you’re new to coding, you can often find free tools to use
for these projects. You have the option of coding online, or
you can do the work on your computer, using a code editor
such as Sublime Text (https://www.sublimetext.com),
Brackets (https:// brackets.io), or Visual Studio Code
(https://code.visualstudio.com). Alternatively, you can use a
basic text editor such as TextEdit for Mac
(http://mng.bz/rd9x), Windows Notepad
(http://mng.bz/VpAN), or gedit for Linux
(https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Gedit).

The downside to using a basic text editor instead of a code


editor or integrated development environment (IDE) is that
it lacks syntax highlighting. This highlighting displays text in
different colors and fonts according to its purpose in the
code, which helps readability.

You can also use a free online development editor such as


CodePen (https://codepen.io). Online development editors
are great ways to test ideas; they provide quick, easy access
for frontend projects. CodePen provides a paid pro option
that allows you to host assets such as images, which you’ll
need in later chapters. Another option is to link to the
GitHub location where the images are stored, as all assets
that are uploaded to GitHub are stored in the
raw.githubusercontent.com domain.

When you have a code editor installed on your computer or


have chosen an online editor and created an account, you’ll
need to get the starter code for the chapter. We created a
code repository in GitHub
(https://github.com/michaelgearon/Tiny-CSS-Projects)
containing all the code you’ll need to follow along with each
chapter. Figure 1.2 shows a screenshot of the repository.

Figure 1.2 Tiny-CSS-Projects repository in GitHub

The code is organized in folders by chapter. Inside each


chapter folder are two versions of the code:
before—Contains the starter code for the project. You’ll
want this version if you’re coding along with the chapter.
after—Contains the completed project as it is at the
end of the chapter with the presented CSS applied.

Download (or, if you’re familiar with Git, clone) the project,


using the Code drop-down menu at the top of the screen. If
you’re coding along with the chapter, grab the files from the
before folder for chapter 1 and copy them to your project
folder or pen. You should see an HTML file with some starter
code and an empty CSS file. If you open the HTML file in a
web browser or copy the contents of the <body> tag into
CodePen, you’ll see that the content is unstyled except for
the defaults provided by your browser (figure 1.3). Now
you’re ready to start styling the content with CSS, as shown
in listing 1.1.
Random documents with unrelated
content Scribd suggests to you:
'Tis hers, to see the smile
The new blest mother gives;
And hers to hear their answering joy—
"Hush all thy fears, he lives."

The record of her works


In volumes ne'er is known,
'Tis written as on marble carved
In grateful hearts alone.
ELVIRA S. BARNEY.
Although in this book Dr. Barney is classed among the medical fraternity
her labors and history have been interwoven with those of the Latter Day
Saints from her childhood, in so many varied and useful fields of labor, that
I am compelled to pause at the very beginning of this sketch, (necessarily
brief) knowing I must omit so many particulars, both valuable and
instructive.

If Dr. Barney had, in her childhood, possessed the advantages of obtaining a


thorough education, and opportunities for the best development of those
many abilities which have manifested themselves under the most dispiriting
surroundings, it would be difficult at present to estimate what she might
have accomplished. She represents the practical, domestic, experience of a
Latter Day Saint; orphaned, and almost alone, but possessing that
indomitable spirit that rises above every obstacle, and turns to account
every available means no matter how humble, that cultivates every inherent
power to its best uses; an upbuilder in everything pertaining to the interests
of her people, ready to aid on the right and on the left, forgetful of self.

Elvira S. Barney was born March 17, 1832, in Gerry, Chawtawque County,
New York, being the daughter of Samuel C. Stevens, a merchant, and his
wife, Minerva Althea Field, a school teacher. Her great grand-father, Joseph
Stevens, took an active part in the Revolutionary War; her grand-father,
Simon Stevens, was a doctor; her uncles were doctors and lawyers. When
twelve years old Elvira heard the gospel preached by a Mormon Elder, and
from that time daily prayed in secret till the Lord gave her a testimony that
satisfied her heart. She was baptized in 1844, and went with her parents to
Nauvoo, where her father died after a brief illness, on October 4th. In the
January following Elvira and her mother were preparing for the journey
across the wilderness, parching corn, etc.; but her mother, overcome by toil,
grief and exhaustion, died on the 6th of the month. Their farm, household
goods, etc., were sold, and the five children received ten dollars each to fit
them out for a western journey. Elvira parted with her twin brother, fourteen
years old, with tears in his eyes, and she never saw him again. He died six
years after. Elvira was taken some twenty-five miles across the prairie
among strangers, and there spent the winter. There were no children for her
to mate with, no one to feel tenderly for the lonely, quiet aching heart of this
orphan girl. When spring approached she rejoined her married sister to wait
upon her, traveling west with her, sometimes living in a brush-house (while
recruiting) and sleeping under a wagon while traveling, and once awoke to
find several inches of snow covering them. Exposure brought her to death's
door, but she lived after long suffering. She witnessed the solemn separation
of the "Mor-Battallion" from their families and friends. During one winter
she lived in a dug-out in a side hill on the Missouri River, and was forced to
live on corn bread and water; their tallow candles they could not afford to
burn, but used them to grease their bake-kettles. Here, however, willing to
be useful she helped to teach school, studying nights by a chip-fire to keep
in advance of her pupils. Many of our public speakers of today, can date
their first lessons in elocution and arithmetic to her training.

Elvira crossed the mountains in the first company in 1848, and arrived in
this valley by the side of two yoke of oxen, with a sick sister and a brother-
in-law with a broken arm, in her care. Her first lesson in surgery was the
helping to set this arm, and her first practice in medicine was the breaking
up of her sister's fever. Soon after this Elvira made herself a pair of buck-
skin moccasins. The first meeting she attended was in a bowery, and her
best calico dress had patches on the elbows. Before the next winter she
worked six weeks for a pair of leather shoes. There was not much
aristocracy here in those days. They held meetings in tents, sang praises to
God, and danced with as much sincerity and purity of heart as even King
David did before the Lord, for they knew God was with them. Said her
sister, who afterward turned from the faith: "If God had not been with us
when we were driven out at the battle of Nauvoo, we should have perished,
but when we were starving he sent quails, and they were so tame they came
into our tents where the sick were lying, and they even took them in their
hands." Thousands witnessed the miracle. After they arrived in the valley,
crickets large and numerous threatened their crops, (their only recourse) but
the Lord in answer to prayers sent sea-gulls in such flocks that the air was
darkened, and they destroyed the crickets. The heavens were not as brass
above their heads; they helped and loved each other, and God heard and
loved them. Their laws were few and simple; in a Bishop's court a brother
forgave his brother.

In the summer of 1849, Elvira earned fifty dollars at different kinds of


work, and making straw hats for the emigrants going to California to get
gold the Battallion boys were the first to find. In the spring of 1849, Elvira
had been appointed to go on a mission to the Society Islands; this was
postponed, and in the spring of 1851, with her husband, she started in the
company of Apostle Parley P. Pratt on his mission to Chili. They were
harassed by Indians while crossing the deserts, and Elvira arrived in Los
Angelos sick with a fever, and laid sixteen days in a tent made of sheets.
Her sister here buried her babe; took steamer and landed in San Francisco,
Elvira contracting inflammatory rheumatism on the voyage, and was stiff
and helpless four days. Parley P. Pratt administered to her, and the next
morning she helped to get breakfast. Through some trouble between the
Islanders and the French the Mission was changed to the Sandwich Islands.
Having been left behind to recruit her health, Sister Elvira went to work in a
hotel as waiter at one hundred dollars a month, and soon was able to pay
her passage to the Sandwich Islands, besides having means to support her
while there. On arriving at Lahaiva, on the island of Mai, the captain gave
her his arm and they walked through the streets in quest of her husband
followed by the natives, old and young, they to admire and be friendly, the
strangers feeling mortified with such honors. Remained a month there then
embarked on the ship Hulumann. The previously mentioned captain came
on board and treated them to a Christmas dinner. After four days sail landed
at Kawhow, Hawaii, in the fall of 1851. Sister Elvira lived six months
among the natives on their island food, mostly of taro and sweet-potatoes
made into a batter and soured, short rations at that, yet attained the weight
of one hundred and fifty pounds. Says she: "Don't smile when I tell you I
often thought of Alexander Selkirk who said he was 'Monarch of all he
surveyed.' Here months passed, living on the lava strewn island, no ships
came to bring tidings, I was left to view the rolling billows that separated
me from all I held dear, country and friends. Fancy the loneliness of those
long months, not a white woman to speak to in my own tongue. Here I was
studying a foreign language and teaching the natives to speak my own." In
the mean time sister Elvira acquired the art of swimming, which means
enabled her afterwards, to all appearances, to save one of the ladies of this
book from drowning in a bottomless spring in Utah. During eleven months
spent on four islands, Sister Elvira wrote a letter to a native lawyer in his
own tongue, and although over thirty years have elapsed she is able to
converse fluently with the natives who have gathered to this city.

Leaving all her means but five dollars with her husband, she arrived
penniless at Honolulu en route for San Francisco, by counsel of Phillip B.
Lewis, President of the Sandwich Islands Mission. Here, in answer to
prayer, after all other efforts had failed to procure means, a stranger she
never saw before nor since, called upon her. In answer to his few questions
he learned her situation as a missionary's wife preaching the Gospel without
purse or scrip. He handed her the money, eighty dollars, to pay her passage
to San Francisco, and she gave him her note for it, and embarked. Three
times she escaped shipwreck, the last time, just outside the Golden Gate of
the Bay of San Francisco. On her arrival there she borrowed the money of a
friend and returned it to the stranger, and repaid this by making fine shirts at
ten dollars apiece. The wife of the gentleman for whom she made them
presented her with a complete set of clothing, the outer garment being a
new silk dress. Sister Elvira says: "The Lord knew I needed them and I
thanked Him and the giver also." Of the San Francisco Saints she says,
"The welcome I received by the remaining Saints there, and the heavenly
influence we enjoyed together is the one most marked oasis of my life, for
truly they blessed me and God blessed them." Sister Elvira wasted no time,
but in various ways earned means, part of which she sent to assist the
Sandwich Islands Mission. In 1856 she returned to Salt Lake City, riding
seven hundred miles on horseback, and here resumed school teaching. In
1859, she assisted in the amputation of a dear friend's arm. In 1860, traveled
east to visit kindred and rode sixteen days by stage. In 1864, went to
Wheaton College and returned home after nearly two years absence. From
1859 to 1863 had taught school in ten different places, generally four terms
a year. Had during these previous years taken at different times four
homeless children into her care until other ways opened for them. In 1873
adopted a boy whom she schooled and provided for for ten years. In this
year also began writing up her genealogical record which she has traced
back to the year 1600. In 1876 wrote a pamphlet on seri-culture, and
suggested the appointment of a meeting on that subject. Advanced as a loan
the first fifty dollars to establish the "home made straw hat industry."
Canvassed the Thirteenth Ward and traveled in the interest of the Woman's
Exponent. Was appointed agent for and canvassed the city for the Women of
Mormondom, and raised fifty shares ($25.00 each) in one day. Was
appointed a committee for purchasing grain for the Grain Association
(President E. B. Wells). In 1876 traveled south and held forty-five meetings
in twenty-seven days, in the interest of Women's Work in Utah. In 1878
attended the Deseret University. Up to date of February, 1879, had earned
over nine thousand dollars by her own labors, and built a good commodious
house, her home. October, 1879, started East to continue her medical
studies which she had prosecuted at home for several years, and attended
three complete courses; returning home in the spring of 1883, prepared to
pursue this her chosen vocation after a long and eventful experience in
many fields of usefulness.

Realizing her own early desires for knowledge and the inconvenience of
limited privileges, Dr. Barney fitted up her large house to accommodate
lady boarders, thus affording them the convenience of home and college
under one roof, with the privilege of boarding themselves, and receiving
gratuitous medical instructions for one year.

She has crossed the Pacific Ocean twice, the western deserts twice, the
eastern plains five times: has wrought at different humble occupations
belonging to a new country, learning later fine embroidery, pencil work,
draughting in architecture, delivering lectures, &c., one tenth cannot be told
in these pages. Sister Barney also has received the gifts of prophecy,
tongues and interpretation of tongues, as the writer can testify.

Her step is as quick as ever, her carriage erect; she says; "My life has been
real, my life has been earnest, and now if any of my works praise me then
truly I am praised. If any one has done better I should be happy to read their
chapter; yet I realize many of our Mormon ladies' lives have been similar,
and it is such women that will teach and train sons for the nation."
EMILY HILL WOODMANSEE.
Emily Hill Woodmansee, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Slade Hill, was
born in the south-west of England, near Warminster, Wilts, March 24, 1836.
Quoting her own words:

"Of my pedigree I will simply say that my parents were honorable, hard-
working people, too independent in spirit to stoop to mean actions, much
less to sully their conscience to curry favor. The youngest living of eleven
children, I fully enjoyed the privileges often accorded the youngest member
of a family, (ie) of having things my own way. My parents as well as my
brothers and sisters were very kind to me, and I can truly say—slightly
reversing a word in the lines of one of our poets, that,

'I never knew what trouble was


Till I became a Mormon.'

"When but a mere child I was much concerned about my eternal salvation
and felt that I would make any sacrifice to obtain it. I asked all kinds of
questions of my mother and sisters, seeking how to be saved, but could get
no satisfaction from them nor from the religious body (Wesleyans) to which
they belonged.

"Hungry and thirsty for truth, I searched the Scriptures, invariably turning
to the lives of ancient apostles or to the beautiful writings of the Prophet
Isaiah. I was never weary of reading his prophecies, the glory of a Latter-
Day Zion that burthened his inspirations possessed for me a charm
irresistible. Truly I was waiting for something, I knew not what, that came
to me sooner than I expected.

"When I was about twelve years old, my cousin, Miriam Slade, (afterward
the wife of Edward Hanham,) came to visit us; she was very merry-hearted
and we had anticipated her visit, expecting a good deal of fun; but she was
too full of a 'new religion' to do anything but preach. 'God,' she said, 'had
spoken from the heavens to a man named Joseph Smith; the Gospel was
restored to the earth, the honest in heart were commanded to gather to the
land of Zion for safety, for this was the last Dispensation, and the hour of
God's judgment had come!'

"Right faithfully she testified to her knowledge of these things, much to the
surprise of our family, who were considerably amused at her earnestness as
well as at the novelty of her belief, and notwithstanding I listened
attentively, I thought her assertions too good to be true. The next Sunday
my cousin informed us that the Latter-Day Saints had appointed a meeting
for that day at an adjoining village called Chalford, and invited us to go. As
it was a distance of five or six miles, making a long walk there and back,
none of my brothers cared to go, and my elder sisters considered themselves
altogether too respectable (?) to attend an outdoor meeting of such a
primitive sect, therefore they declined to go, and no one thought of sending
me till I suggested it. Turning to my father, my sisters said, (laughingly,)
'Yes, send Em, she will tell us all about it.'

"In five minutes Miriam Slade and myself were on the road, accompanied
by Mr. Wm. Bowring, (brother to Henry E. Bowring of Brigham City,) and
by Edward W. Tullidge, then a youth, but now well-known as a talented
writer and also as the proprietor and editor of Tullidge's Quarterly
Magazine. Never, never shall I forget that day, surely it was the turning
point of my whole life. A few devoted worshippers of truth met together in
a small house, to bear their testimony to one another and to worship God!
And He was in their midst and that to bless them. Even as in the Day of
Pentecost, they spake in tongues and prophesied, which prophecy I have
seen fulfilled. Unlike the Jews who were 'pricked in their hearts,' I did not
even ask, 'What shall I do to be saved.' 'The way' was open before me, and
simple and young as I was I instinctively knew that 'I could not err therein.'

The Eternal! spake, and honest hearts discerning


The voice and message of the holiest One!
Hail it as though their souls had e'en been yearning
For light and truth, e'en since their lives begun.

"It was indeed as though I had been brought 'out of darkness into marvelous
light,' and I could not shut my eyes against it.
"In the evening I attended an out door 'Mormon Meeting,' and though
naturally sensitive to ridicule, I did not care the least for the sneers of the
crowd but joined in the songs of the Saints as well as I could, for in my
childish way I wanted it understood that I was not ashamed to count one
with the peculiar people called Latter-Day Saints.

"Many a time since, when 'offences' have come in my way, over which with
mortal weakness I have almost stumbled, the testimony of that eventful day
has been to me a precious recollection which nothing could obliterate. I was
so overjoyed at finding what I had so long desired, and so eager to convince
my friends that I could hardly wait to get home. As soon as I was inside the
house and almost before anyone else could speak, I astounded them all by
the emphatic declaration that I knew the Latter-Day Saints were the right
people; and I would join them as soon as I was big enough. I was never sent
to 'take notes' of the 'Mormons' again, but on the contrary was closely
watched lest I should be led away by a 'sect that was everywhere spoken
against.' My early study of the Scriptures now stood me in good stead, and I
searched the Bible more diligently than ever, so that I might give a good
reason for my faith to the hosts that assailed me, (right reverends among the
number,) who, finding it easier to cry 'delusion' than to prove it, generally
wound up by informing me that I wasn't old enough to know my own mind,
and was altogether too young to judge of so grave a matter. Meantime my
persistent faith invoked such a tempest of wrath over my head, that I could
not even get an opportunity to be baptized, and the elders did not think it
wisdom (because of my tender years) to perform the ceremony without my
parents' consent. I well remember looking forward to a period when I
should be old enough to act for myself, and it seemed a lifetime.

"About this time one of the elders brought Brother John Halliday (brother to
Bishop Halliday of Santaquin) to our house, who bore such a powerful
testimony to the divine mission of Joseph Smith, that my sister, Julia, (now
Mrs. Ivins of St. George) exclaimed, 'If ever there was a man of God I'm
sure he is one, and I'll be a Latter-Day Saint, too!' From that time I had a
friend in the family, and we were both determined that cost what it might
we would be true to the light within us. Only once in a great while could we
steal away and meet with the Saints, but although we were not yet baptized
we partook of the sacrament and paid out our pocket money to the Church
funds like actual members.

"On one of these occasions Brother Halliday blessed me and confirmed


upon me the promise that I should write in prose and in verse and thereby
comfort the hearts of thousands. After this I was baptized March 25, 1858, I
was then sixteen, but had virtually been a Latter-Day Saint for four years.

"Denied the privilege of freely meeting with the Saints, I all the more
earnestly desired to gather to Zion; but fearing I might be forcibly detained
if I attempted to leave home directly for America, I obtained my parents'
consent to visit my sister, Julia—who had already gone to Northampton
(quite a long distance from home) hoping that the way would open up, so
we might earn enough to emigrate. There for the first time I enjoyed
religious freedom and there also I took my lessons of hard times; preparing
me for greater hardships in store.

"In the month of May, 1856, we sailed for America on the ship, Thornton,
Captain Collins, commander; Brother James G. Willie had charge of the
Saints, (a company of eight hundred) and a good captain he was. We had a
pleasant trip with the exception of one heavy storm which I would not have
missed for a great deal.

"From New York we traveled by rail and by way of Lake Erie to the
camping ground in the neighborhood of Iowa City; there we were obliged
to wait till the companies were ready to start, and surely if we had been
natural or unnatural curiosities we could not have been commented on or
stared at any more by the people surrounding us. 'Mormons, men, women
and children, and worse, a lot of young girls, bound for Salt Lake and going
to pull 'hand carts!' Shocking!'

"Yet, for the potent reason that no other way seemed open, and on the
principle of 'descending below all things,' I made up my mind to pull a hand
cart. 'All the way to Zion,' a foot journey from Iowa to Utah, and pull our
luggage, think of it! Anonymous letters, and warnings from sympathizing
outsiders were mysteriously conveyed to us, setting forth the hardships and
impossibilities of such a journey, and offering us inducements to stay. Many
who started out with us backed out in a few days; my sister broke down and
was unable to walk and I remember asking myself (footsore and weary with
the first week of walking and working) if it was possible for me, faith or no
faith, to walk twelve hundred miles further. The flesh certainly was weak
but the spirit was willing, I set down my foot that I would try, and by the
blessing of God I pulled a hand cart a thousand miles and never rode one
step. Some thrilling scenes I could relate incident to that journey, but must
forbear for want of space. Suffice it to say that after a long and wearisome
journey, being entirely out of provisions, we halted for want of strength to
proceed, and never should I have beheld (with mortal eyes) 'the city of the
Saints' had not the compassionate people of Utah sent out a number of
brave-hearted brethren with food and clothing to our relief. May they all be
everlastingly blessed.

"In the month of June, 1857, firmly believing in the principle of plural
marriage I entered into it. The result of this marriage was one child only, for
a little more than three years after said marriage, my husband went on a
mission to England, and after I had worked for upwards of four years to
maintain myself and little one, my husband himself sent me word that he
never intended to set foot in Utah again. And here I must be allowed to say
in behalf of myself and other true women who have endured such
separations, and to whom, perhaps, it is counted as nothing, no one can
realize what such an ordeal is, unless they have passed through it. All that I
had hitherto suffered seemed like child's play compared to being deserted
by the one in whom I had chosen to place the utmost confidence, who
himself had fixed an impassable gulf between us by ignoring the very
principles by which he had obtained me, leaving myself and my little one
(for all he knew) to sorrow and destitution. Harder still, was it for me to
believe that this abandonment had been deliberately planned. I could not
accept the fact till President Young, (speaking to me of my husband),
emphatically said, 'Don't you know he asked for his mission? If he hadn't I
wouldn't have sent him till the day of his death!' That was enough for me, I
comprehended all that it meant, and independent of Brigham Young's word
I was forced to believe it.

"I had striven hard to keep out of debt,—determined to do my part as a


missionary's wife, that when my husband came back he might not be
hampered on my account. Nevertheless 'hard times' stared me in the face,
and I was almost overwhelmed by circumstances beyond my control.
During the winter season of 1863-4, (owing to the war and many
circumstances combined) provisions and other necessaries commanded
almost fabulous prices, and I could not see how I should ever be able to
keep 'the wolf from the door.' To add to my trouble, the house I occupied
(and to which I had been led to believe I had some claim,) was sold over my
head and thus I had the prospect of being homeless, at a time when rents
were going up double and treble. One night when I was so weary with
overwork and anxiety, pondering what to do, these words impressed me as
if audibly spoken, TRUST IN GOD AND THYSELF. Instantly I arose and
composed the following lines:

A priceless boon! is a friend indeed


Greet him as such when his face you see;
But those who fail thee in time of need—
Shun them, as false friends should shunned be.
They proffer this, and they promise that,
But promise, alas, is a doubtful elf.
So would'st thou weather the storms of life—
Trust thou in God! and thyself.

Keep a brave heart, though the waves roll high,


Let thine aim be true as the magnet's steel;
Look unto God! with a steadfast eye,
And trust Him always, in woe or weal.
Man may deceive, but God! is true;
Mortals may pander to love of pelf,
Like "Angel's visits" firm friends are few,
Trust thou in God! and thyself,

Should friends, nor fortune, nor home be thine—


Cringe not for this, nor beg for that;
The earnest seekers will surely find
Something to thoroughly labor at.
'Tis a cheering maxim to keep in view—
That diligence leads to plenty's shelf;
And whatsoever thy hands pursue—
Trust thou in God! and thyself.

What! though thy flesh and thy strength should fail?


Surely 'were better to wear than rust;
Than never to try, 'twere better to die,
In striving bravely to fill our trust,
But fear not thou, for God! is good—
He is the giver of strength and wealth.
When faithless feelings or friends intrude—
Trust thou in God! and thyself.

"Immediately after this my way opened up before me, almost within the
week I secured another home, which if not very commodious had for me
the satisfying charm of being my own.

"On May 7, 1864, I again entered into plural marriage, and was sealed by
Heber C. Kimball to Joseph Woodmansee, to whom I have borne four sons
and four daughters. Two of these died in infancy, leaving me a family of
seven, including my first born.

"Nearly twenty years have rolled by since my second marriage, during


which time I have seen many changes of fortune which I cannot now relate,
but I will say this much of my children's father. Misfortunes that have
befallen him have never affected his faith, he has proven his allegiance to
the principles and priesthood of God at considerable sacrifice to himself and
family, enduring reverses uncomplainingly.

"Of my children I need say but little, but I fervently hope that each and all
of them may seek and obtain for themselves a knowledge of the truth,
(called Mormonism) for I know it can make them wise unto salvation, and
may they be willing if needs be to endure reproach and privation for
principle's sake. I doubt not that all my troubles have been for my good, and
to-day I am more than thankful for my standing in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints."

And wherefore should I cease to sing


Of Zion and the Latter Day?
I could not find a nobler theme,
Nor choose a lovelier, loftier lay.
Too insignificant is my praise—
Too feeble is my lyre and tongue,
For of these longed for, Latter Days
Have royal bards and prophets sung.

Ne'er shall our hearts ungrateful be;


Ne'er shall our songs be void of praise,
For God has suffered us to see
"The Zion" of the Latter Days.
Though all the world in scorn deride—
Our numbers shall not cease to flow;
Our soul's sincerest, purest love
Thrills unto Zion's weal or woe.

When she is sad, then I am sad;


When she is bound I am not free;
When she is glad then I am glad
And all things prosper well with me.
I love to see her power extend,
Her influence and her reign increase—
Then wonder not, "for Zion's sake—
Will I not hold my peace."

"I desire to live to make up for past short-comings by future diligence, that I
may help (in my humble way) to build up 'the kingdom whose dominion,
power and greatness shall be given to the Saints of the most High! who
shall possess it forever and ever.'"

The faith of the Saints shall astonish the world


And puzzle the wise to explain it;
Hosannah! hosannah! Truth's flag is unfurled,
And the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
HANNAH T. KING.
"The University town of Cambridge, England, I am proud to say, is the
place of my nativity. I was reared among its classic shades and bowers. For
the last thirty years America has been my adopted country, and I love her
with a loyal and devoted appreciation, but the home and the haunts of
childhood and youth leave on every mind indelible impressions and when
brought to a focus upon the past as at the present moment, 'The distant
spires and antique towers' rise up before me in all their vividness by the
power of that most wonderful faculty, MEMORY.

"I was born and reared in the High Church of England, and nothing but the
high Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints could have caused me to
secede from its high tenets and truly liberal principles; it stands second to
none of the churches of the world.

"Any son or daughter might have been proud of such parents as mine, they
were fine in person, highly moral, and intellectual, were descended from a
highly born family, and were honored and respected by all who knew them;
they reared their children with great care and watchfulness, giving them
such an education as would fit them for all good society of whatever grade.
Blessed be their memory!

"I was married at the early age of seventeen, but in my mind and character I
was older than many girls at twenty. I have lived long enough to authorize
the woman to sit in judgment on the girl.

"I had a sweet, happy home, for I had the faculty to make it so; I had ten
beautiful children but death robbed me of several. We gave the surviving
ones a liberal education with accomplishments; as they grew up they repaid
us in being all we desired. From a child I had been accustomed to write
much—keeping a journal and a book for choice extracts, etc. My father was
unavoidably much away from home on business, but he enjoined me to
write frequently to him, and to do his bidding was my delight, for he was
my beau ideal of all that was good. Since at nine or ten I became a letter
writer, and the thousands I have written in my long life would form a
towering paper pillar. After some years of my married life I became a writer
for the local papers and also wrote two books, one for my girls and the
other for the boys, 'The Toilet' and the 'Three Eras,' dedicating them to each.
These books were patronized by the aristocracy of England. I also wrote
considerable poetry all my life.

"In 1849, 'a change came o'er the spirit of my dream.' I had a young woman
who had worked for me eleven years as dressmaker, she was highly
respectable, conscientious and good. In September, 1849, she was in the
house at work, and on the evening of the 4th, when work was laid aside, she
told me she wished to speak to me privately, as she had something she
wished to communicate to me. I at once gave her the audience she
requested and she then laid before me the organization of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the first principles of the same. Of
course I was startled! But the spirit of God witnessed to my spirit that she
spoke truth! I compared all she told me by the Bible which had ever been
my standard of truth—it endorsed all she said! I studied, I prayed,—she
gave me to read 'Spencer's Letters'—they made me a willing convert. I read
many other prominent works with which my teacher furnished me. Fifteen
months passed, and yet I had not attended the Latter-Day Saint Meetings, or
seen a single member, but this young woman, yet even at that time I was a
confirmed Latter-Day Saint. I then was introduced to an elder from
America, and after his first sermon I was baptized by him in the classic
waters of the Camm, my native river.

"Soon I began to see the antagonisms I had to meet. I, a member of the


Church of England. My grandfather a rector in the same, my father and my
mother, my family and friends! All had to be met, could I bring the gray
hairs of my parents in sorrow to the grave? Could I reduce my family to
comparative poverty and reverses of every kind? Could I so lay my all upon
the altar of my God? Could I like Abraham of old, arise and go to a far
country—even the wilds of America? It would take more than I have space
to elaborate this subject—suffice, strength was given me—I passed under
'the car of Juggernaut,' which is no overstrained flower of language but a
veritable simile. Suffice, the votary lived! and I came out convinced,
determined, and the calm, as it were, of a summer morning was upon me! A
conviction had been given me that it was indeed the work of the last days,
when all dispensations should be gathered in one, when that people I had all
my life prayed for in the Church of England should be 'prepared for the
second coming of the Savior,' were indeed organized upon the earth by the
voice of God Himself and His Son, Jesus Christ, appearing to a youth, even
Joseph Smith, and appointing him as the prophet of the last dispensation,
under the immediate direction of the Lord Jesus Himself. The Church was
organized with six members, on the 6th of April, 1830.

"Of this Church I became a member by the requisite act of baptism by


immersion, under the hands of the American missionary. From that time I
had the spirit of 'gathering,' and in June, 1853, I left my home and many
that were dear to me, my own immediate family accompanying me—and as
I stood on the deck of the Golconda I said, 'My native land, good night.' Ox
teams conveyed us over the prairies, and on the 19th of September, 1853,
we entered Salt Lake City. Here we built a home which has been my
sanctuary. I know God was with me, and my loved ones also were with me.
The union of my family was remarkable, that, and the Spirit of God enabled
us to 'remove mountains.'

"In a brief sketch like this it is impossible to give even the outline, but could
I place in a book, first our antecedents, and then the marvelous events of
those three years, the laying aside our Lares and Penates, surely the skeptic
would agree that there was a power with us that the world knows nothing
of! for even though we knew we were the agents it was 'marvelous in our
eyes.' Perhaps I have filled the brief space allotted me for the purpose for
which I was called upon to write, surely my few words will be a testimony
that I rejoice I am a Latter-Day Saint. I have passed through many reverses
and tribulations, but in my darkest hours the Gospel has been a light upon
my path and a lamp for my feet, and I realize day by day the smile and
approbation of God upon me.

"It has been my delight to write for the Saints since I have lived in Salt
Lake City, and my reward has been their love and rich appreciation of my
writings. I have been a constant writer for the Woman's Exponent, a paper
got up and entirely carried on by the women of our people. President Young
desired me to write for it and I have done so with pleasure to the best of my
ability, both in prose and in verse.

"For two years I had a school in my own house, and it promised to be a


success, but my health failed, and to my sorrow I had to relinquish it. I was
appointed to preside over the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement
Association of the Seventeenth Ward, which position I held for one year,
but resigned from feeble health. I was then appointed First Counselor to
Marinda Hyde, President of the Relief Society of the Seventeenth Ward,
which office I still have the honor to hold. My desire has ever been to be
useful 'in my day and generation,' especially in the work of the last days, for
in that I have joy and ample satisfaction.

"The history of the people of God as we read it in the Bible, repeats itself in
a remarkable manner in the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth to-day,
and those who need a testimony of its truth, I advise them to compare and
observe the workings of the self-same spirit of antagonism, and they will
hardly need another."

I select a portion of one of Mrs. King's poems; her prose and verse are alike,
always lofty in character; her prose writings would form more than one
valuable volume for the libraries of the Saints, or indeed those not of our
faith. Historical and character sketches seem a peculiar gift with her.
Among the many admirers of her poems the English Saints regard her with
special fondness, for is she not their own? and they anticipate her
contributions, as we look forward to flowers of spring, to summer's wealth
of fruits, to autumn's harvest time.

REST.

"I've fought the battle all my life


Of outward foes and inward strife;
The strife which flesh and spirit feel
As keenly as the barbed steel;
For ah! my soul has longed to be
A perfect thing for God to see!
And feels impatient for the time
When I the heavenly heights shall climb,
The good, in all the ages past,
My eyes in love I've ever cast,
Would imitate, admire, and aim
Their glorious pinnacles to gain;
A pedestal to call my own,
One which my form might rest upon;
My spirit feet cannot yet stand
Upon the platform they command,
But well I know I have been blest,
And shall, in time, attain the rest;
And I have sometimes felt ere while
I moved 'neath God's effulgent smile
That shed around me warmth and peace,
And gave my captive mind release.
The earth and every living thing
Did tribute to my spirit bring;
And then my soul was born anew,
Begotten by the warmth and dew
Which God's own spirit cast around,
And placed my feet on holy ground.
All things seemed tinged with light of heaven,
My friends most loved, my foes forgiven!
The fountain in my heart, to me
Brought 'living water,' ecstacy!

**********

A little Goshen was my home,


For joy and peace around it shone;
And labor's self became delight,
Making all healthy, strong and bright;
And loving spirits gathered there
As angels faithful, fond and fair.
Was I not blest? Yes, I WAS blest,
And truly 'twas a time of rest;
Yes, rest from sorrow I had known,
In youth, my sun but rarely shone,
But, oh! I fought for joy and peace,
And God, in mercy, sent release.
And blest me with so bright a time
That's rarely known in earthly clime!
And grateful did my soul arise
To Him who gave this paradise.
But, oh! this picture! its reverse!
A mighty contrast did disperse;
The light and warmth would be withdrawn
And I left freezing and forlorn;
The heavens seemed brass above my head,
The earth looked dark as molten lead;
My God was hid beneath a cloud
And I, like corse within its shroud!
Alone, forsaken, desolate thing
Hoarding my sorrows like a sting
That probed and barbed my stranded soul,
And well-nigh crushed all self-control;
The loved and loving were away,
And I to foes was left a prey;
It seemed all blessings were withdrawn,
And I left stranded and forlorn,
To see if I would faithful stand
And still hold on to virtue's hand.
Yes, many such ordeal I've passed,
And know I have not seen the last.
Oh! Father! take my shrinking soul
Beneath Thy love and sweet control;
Thy feeble, trembling child, oh spare!
Lay on no more than I can bear.
May I endure unto the end,
Whatever trials may portend;
But Thou alone must bear me up,
Or I shall fail to drain the cup."
AUGUSTA JOYCE CROCHERON.
"In the original design of the picture Representative Women of Deseret, I
did not include myself, but by the request of those whose wishes I have
always endeavored to fulfill, now do so, although there are several to whom
I would prefer giving place.

"I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 9, 1844. My father was John
Joyce, from St. John, New Brunswick—his parents were both from
England. I have heard my mother say that my uncle, Oliver Joyce, planted
the English flag on the Chinese wall at the time of the war (about 1840)
between those countries. I do not know whether he was an officer, color
bearer or ordinary private.

"My mother, Caroline A. Joyce, was the eldest daughter of John Perkins, a
sea captain, and his wife, Caroline Harriman. The Perkins and Harriman
families were among the early Puritan emigrants, the property they first
built upon still being in the possession of their descendants. I have heard
my mother speak of the oak stairs and floors being so worn with age that
they bent beneath the tread even when she was a child. My mother's mother
was the daughter of Elder John Harriman, well known in New Hampshire
as the occasional traveling companion of Lorenzo Dow, but more
particularly as the founder of a sect called the 'New Light Christian
Baptists.' He was the son of John Harriman and the daughter of a Penobscot
chief who was friendly to the white people, and permitted his only daughter
to receive Christian baptism, and she was afterwards married to him
publicly in church. This union afforded peace and security to the settlers
and gave them the alliance if needed, of a powerful tribe. The son of this
marriage received an education and married. A few weeks after, and at the
age of twenty-one, he 'received a visit from a personage who gave him a
new doctrine to preach to the children of men.' He awoke his wife, Ruth,
told her the vision and she believed him. In the morning he began to arrange
his worldly affairs so as not to interfere with his call and began to preach,
accompanied by his young wife, who rose when he had done speaking and
bore her testimony to what he had said. He traveled a certain circuit,
holding two and three days' meetings wherever he stopped, building up
quite a large church in his locality. He preached seventy-one years and died
at the age of ninety-two. He never cut his hair from the time of his call to
the ministry, and sometimes wore it braided in a queue, sometimes flowing
in waves upon his shoulders, as in his portrait. His wife, Ruth, lived beyond
her one hundredth birthday. His son, John, became a minister, but his
daughter (my grandmother) was more worldly minded. Once when he
entered the room she was standing before a mirror surveying her
appearance, being attired for some special occasion. He quietly stepped up
to her and with a pair of scissors cut off the long black ringlets that fell like
a mantle upon her bare shoulders, saying; 'These come between you and
your God.' This did not, however, quench the worldly spirit within her, for
she at the age of sixteen eloped with and was married to John Perkins, a
young sea captain, a God-fearing man but not a church member then or ever
afterwards in this life. She was very industrious, however, and had at that
age spun all her bed and table linen, etc. She became quite a politician and
used to write articles of that character, and the young men of the town used
to gather round her hearth and ask her opinion on political matters. She also
composed for them campaign songs, both words and music. My mother has
told me the only dancing she ever saw in her childhood was when her
mother, inspired by the patriotic songs she would be singing, would dance
to and fro at her spinning, instead of stepping—improvising step and figure.
She had eight sons that she said she was 'raising for her country.' Sure
enough two of them went to the war (twenty years ago) and laid down their
lives; Warren and Andrew Jackson, (so named because he was born on the
day of President Jackson's second inauguration.) Grandma was an Andrew
Jackson Democrat, he was her very beau ideal of a man. Charles served two
terms and returned safe. Lawrence, my patriot grandmother's youngest boy,
enlisted at seventeen and was sent back; 'Too young,' they told him, but he
waited one year and went again and this time they took him, and he too was
spared to return home.

"Thaddeus sailed to Labrador through many years, and John to the West
Indies. Her eldest daughter was my mother. When my mother heard and
received the Gospel in Boston, she hastened home to bear the good tidings
and obtain their permission for her baptism. She found them bitterly
opposed to this, her father reticent, her mother reproachful. Just at this time
Elder John Harriman arrived to hold a three days' meeting. Preparations had
been made for his coming, and on his arrival my grandmother received him
in her best parlor and after the usual salutations were over, unfolded to him
the story of my mother's conversion, that she had gone insane and wanted to
join the Mormons. He asked, 'Where is Caroline?' adding, reflectively, 'if
the Lord has any more light for the children of men, I for one am willing to
receive it.' His grandchild, overhearing this, was filled with joy. Her mother
came out and told her to put on her bonnet and shawl. Not knowing what
was wanted of her to perform she obeyed, and by the time she was ready,
found her brother, John, waiting with a horse and sleigh, and seating herself
therein was rapidly whirled away to some relatives several miles distant, to
remain there until sent for. Said she, 'I never saw my grandfather again.'
This was a specimen of my grandma's executive ability; no circumlocution
about her.

"I will give her own account of her receiving the Gospel, from a portion of
her manuscripts:

"'In the year 1842, I was living in the city of Boston, State of
Massachusetts. One day I heard that a strange sect were preaching in
Boylston Hall, they professed to believe in the same Gospel as taught by
Jesus Christ and the ancient Apostles. I went to hear them. As we entered
the hall they were singing a new song—the words were:

'The Spirit of God like a fire is burning,


The Latter Day Glory begins to come forth,
The visions and blessings of old are returning,
The angels are coming to visit the earth.' &c.

"After the song a young man [A] arose and taking for his text these words
—'And in the last days it shall come to pass that the Lord's House shall be
established in the tops of the mountains and all nations shall flow unto it,'
said the time for the fulfillment of this prophecy was near at hand, an angel
had appeared unto a man named Joseph Smith, having the keys of the
Everlasting Gospel to be preached to this generation, that those who obeyed
it would gather out from the wicked, and prepare themselves for the coming
of the Son of Man. He spoke of the great work already commenced in these
the last days, and while I listened, his words were like unto a song heard in
my far off childhood, once forgotten but now returning afresh to my
memory, and I cried for very joy. I went home to tell my father the good
news, but my words returned to my own heart, for both my parents thought
me insane, and talked to each other sadly of my condition and what to do
with me. My heart was filled with sorrow and disappointment. I asked for
the privilege of being baptized but was answered with these words by my
father: 'You must leave home if you join those Mormons.' I went away and
was baptized for the remission of my sins, but still with regret and an
uncertainty as to the right to disobey my parents. Soon after, my father left
the city, and my mother came and took me with her, to care for me, as she
was fearful I would be 'ruined by those deceivers.' One night I had been to
meeting where the Spirit of God seemed to fill the house, and returned
home thankful to my Heavenly Father that I ever heard the Gospel. I laid
down to rest beside my mother who commenced upbraiding me, and
instantly I was filled with remorse that I was the cause of her unhappiness. I
did not know what to say, and was hesitating, when, just over my head, a
voice, not a whisper, but still and low, said these words: 'If you will leave
father and mother, you shall have Eternal Life,' I asked, 'Mother, did you
hear that?' She answered, 'You are bewitched!' I knew then she had not
heard the voice, but my mind was at rest and I went to sleep. I have heard
the same voice since, not in dreams, but in daylight, when in trouble and
uncertain which way to go; and I know God lives and guides this people
called 'Mormons,' I know also the gifts and blessings are in the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and that same faith once delivered to the
Saints is also ours, if we live for it.

[Footnote A: Elder Erastus Snow. He afterward married her to her husband,


and blessed her children's children.]

"'In the month of February, 1845, I left home, my native land and all the
friends of my youthful days, and sailed in the ship, Brooklyn, for California.
Before starting I visited my parents, then living in New Hampshire. I told
them of my determination to follow God's people, who had already been
notified to leave the United States, that our destination was the Pacific
Coast, and we should take materials to plant a colony.
"'When the hour came for parting, my father could not speak. My mother
asked, 'When shall we see you again, my child?' I answered, 'When there is
a railroad across the continent.' God grant that prophecy may be fulfilled
and her life be spared to see it. I knew it would be there, even the 'highway
cast up that the eagle's eye had never seen, nor the lion's foot had ever trod.'

"'I turned my back on all once dear, for the memory of that voice was in my
ears—'If you will leave father and mother, you shall have eternal life,' and
selling my household treasures, wrapped my child in my cloak (for the
weather was bitter cold) and started on my long journey around the Horn.

"'Of all the unpleasant memories, not one half so bitter as that dreary six
months' voyage in an emigrant ship. We were so closely crowded that the
heat of the Tropics was terrible, but 'mid all our trials the object of our
journey was never forgotten. The living faith was there and was often
manifested. I remember well one dreadful storm during which we had to be
hatched below, as the waves broke over the ship, and filled our staterooms.

"'While the elements were raging above, and we below were being tossed
about like feathers, the good old captain came down among us wearing a
solemn countenance. We tried to gather around him; he said to us: 'My
friends, there is a time in a man's life when it is fitting to prepare to die, and
that time has come to us; I have done all I can do, but, unless God
interposes we must go down.' A good sister answered, 'Captain, we were
sent to California and we shall go there.' He went up stairs, saying, 'These
people have a faith I have not.' And so it proved. We outrode the storm, we
endured another off Cape Horn; we stopped and buried one of our dear
sisters, a mother of seven children, (Mrs. Goodwin) at Juan Fernandez, and
at last reached our new home, the last day of July, 1846, to find a country at
war with our own government, a country barren and dreary, so unlike the
California of to-day, but we trusted in God and he heard our prayers; and
when I soaked the mouldy ship bread purchased from the whaleships lying
in the harbor, (returned from a four years' cruise) and fried it in the tallow
taken from the rawhides lying on the beach, God made it sweet to me and to
my child, for on this food I weaned her. I used to think of Hagar and her
babe, and of the God who watched over them, and again I remembered the
voice and the words it spoke unto me—and took courage.
"'From that day to this, I can bear my testimony to all the world that I have
known, and still know, this is the work of God and will exalt us if we seek
to know His will, and knowing it, do it.'

"My mother's testimony, written at my request, was the last work performed
by her hand. After finishing, she accompanied a caller to the gate, the chill
night air penetrated her frame and morning found her sick with pneumonia.
From that bed she was borne seven days later, from the earthly gaze of
children and friends forever. They called it death, but to her it was the
reward promised, and recorded by her own hand—'Eternal Life.'

"My mother had kept a daily journal on the ship, Brooklyn, also the first
five or six years in San Francisco, calling it 'The Early Annals of
California.' This I considered invaluable from the reliability and the fullness
of its historic matter and data, and after her demise I searched for it but it
was gone. This I thought strange indeed, for she had assured me of its
preservation about eighteen months before her last illness. I have heard her
relate many incidents of those times. Once when nearly famished,
(hostilities not yet being concluded between Mexico and the United States,)
two men ventured outside the town to lasso one of the cattle browsing so
near them, but were themselves caught by cruel Mexicans in ambush, and
killed and quartered, their bodies left lying on the sand in view of the
wretched inhabitants. At another time a Mexican was intercepted and
searched. In one boot was found an order from General Castro, to attack by
night and kill everything above four years old that could speak English. The
messenger was buried in the sand. After awhile the native women became
curious, and some of them ventured past the guard after dark, and being
touched with compassion, returned in the same cautious manner, with
bottles of leche (milk) slung around their waists under their flounced dress
skirts, and tortillas (flour and water cakes) concealed beneath their revosas
(mantles,) for the women and children. Soon after the landing the brethren
strayed around, glad to be on land and looking to see what they could find.
'Any fruit?' asked one of a returning comrade. 'Yes,' said he, 'grape, lots of
'em.' There was a rush off in that direction and a fruitless search. Being
sharply questioned, he pulled a handful of grape shot out of his pocket,
which he had picked up from the scene of a recent engagement. The same
day a gentleman passenger, traveling for pleasure, brought a bouquet of
wild flowers to me, saying: 'Little lady, I herewith present you the first
bouquet ever offered by a white man to a white woman in Yerba Buena.'
Yerba Buena was the original name of San Francisco, and means 'good
herb'—from a kind of pennyroyal growing wild there at that time. My
mother kept the flowers many years and told me the story over their
odorless ashes. My father and mother with many of the Saints, (sixteen
families) moved from the ship into the 'old adobie,' partitioned off with
quilts. Soon after he rented a house, but the largest room was required of
him as a hospital for the wounded soldiers; the next largest for a printing
office. The press was an old Spanish press, and there being no W in that
alphabet, they used to turn the M upside down. My mother used to help
decipher the dispatches, many of them being written on the battlefield with
a burnt stick or coal.

"Her first Christmas dinner in San Francisco consisted of a quart of beans


and a pound of salt pork, which the hospital steward brought to her; he told
her he would be flogged if it became known. In after days he became her
steward. One day Dr. Poet, surgeon of the navy, brought my mother a slice
of ham, a drawing of tea and a lump of butter about the size of a walnut. Dr.
Poet had told my father where he could purchase half a barrel of flour. After
baking some flour and water cakes between two tin plates in the ashes, my
mother brought her dear friend, Mrs. Robbins, (now in this city,) to share
the repast. Said Mrs. Robbins: 'Mrs. Joyce, isn't this like Boston?' This was
just after living for six months on mouldy shipbread. I have heard her say
that often she was so hungry she would willingly have walked ten miles to
obtain a slice of bread. Soon after this my mother helped to take care of the
'Donner Party,' who were found partly frozen and so famished that they
were eating their dead companions. The girl she tended, told her that they
grew to like it, and she had helped eat her brother. The true stories they told
are too dreadful to repeat, particularly as some of them are still living. The
Mormon Battallion came; peace was declared, the gold mines were
discovered, and the circumstances of the Saints were changed from
isolation and famine to wealth and grandeur. My father became very
wealthy, but prosperity caused his apostacy. My grandfather, and uncle,
John Perkins, both sea captains, came to see my mother. I well remember
sitting on grandpa's knee and learning my alphabet from the large family
Bible spread before him, he being my teacher. I often recall also the long
evenings when Uncle John held me on his knee and sang the strange,
pathetic, old-fashioned sea songs of which he knew so many and sang them
so sweetly; I used to nestle closer to him, half frightened, and at last fall
asleep. I remember one was, ''Twas down in the lowlands a poor boy did
wander,' and I have never heard it since.

"In Boston my mother was called 'The Mormon nightingale.' Strangers


indifferent to the Gospel would say, 'Let us go to Boylston Hall and hear the
singing.' A gentleman of fortune offered to take her to Italy and educate her
in singing, at the same time that Adelaide Philips (his protege) went, but her
destiny was upon another stage, to sing the hymns of the newly-restored
Gospel; and many have thought that she sang them as one inspired. Her
rendering of Wm. Clayton's hymn, 'The Resurrection Day,' will be
remembered by all who ever heard it. She purchased the first melodeon
brought to San Francisco, (by a Mr. Washington Holbrook,) thereby causing
a sensation among the wives of the ministers of five denominations, who
each wanted it for their church. She went, during the ravages of the cholera,
in San Francisco, and gathered together sixty orphan children, providing for
them until a building spot, material and means were collected by
subscription; and was one of the Board of managers of the Protestant
Orphan Asylum thus originated and founded. I remember going with her
and hearing the children sing, 'The Watcher,' a song of poverty and death.
At the expiration of one year some of the ladies objected to having a
Mormon officer among them, 'not considering Mormonism a religion at all,'
although quite willing to accept the continuance of her contributions. She
however found a larger and more congenial field of labor; brethren going on
their missions, their families left behind in Utah, received her prompt
remembrance. Also seeds, trees, &c., she sent to Utah spring and fall,
through more than twenty years. My only sister was born in San Francisco,
August, 1847, and died in St. George, Mrs. Helen F. Judd, one of the truest
Saints I ever knew. In San Francisco Parley P. Pratt was a guest at my
mother's house. She had loaned the Book of Mormon to a gentleman
belonging to the Custom House; Colonel Alden A. M. Jackson. He had been
in the Mexican War, at the battle of Buena Vista, and was with General
Scott and Zachary Taylor through that campaign. He had two horses killed
under him and received injuries that lasted throughout his life. When he
returned the book he said he had read it day and night until finished, and

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