History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

AT THE TABERNACLE. 589
or calicoes, as they were able to afford, usually of
plain pattern and dark color, though a few were dressed
in gaudy attire, and with a little faded finery. 44 The
congregation was seated on long rows of benches
opposite the platform, from which they were separated
by the space allotted to the orchestra, then consisting
of a violin and bass viol, vocal music being
rendered by two female and four male singers. The
oratory was somewhat of the Boanerges stamp, and
contained much round abuse of the gentiles; but
looking at the audience, which consisted, in the main,
of a thriving, contented, and industrious class of
people, light-hearted and ever ready to laugh at the
somewhat broad jokes of the church dignitaries, it
was impossible to believe all the hard things spoken
and written of them by their enemies. Moreover,
about one third of the population consisted at this
date of emigrants from Great Britain, and at least
two fifths were foreigners of other nationalities, most
of them Danes, Swedes, or Norwegians. They were
fair types of their race, and it is not very probable
large and loose, and white socks and slippers. His fashion was followed by
some of the elders. Ward's Husband in Utah, 34-5. Burton says that the
prophet was dressed in gray homespun, and wore a tall steeple-crowned hat, as
did most of the elders. Describing one of his addresses, he writes:
' Brigham
Young removed his hat, advanced to the end of the tribune, and leaning
slightly forward upon both hands, propped on the green baize of the tribune,
addressed his followers. The discourse began slowly, word crept titubantly
after word, and the opening phrases were hardly audible; but as the orator
warmed, his voice rose high and sonorous, and a fluency so remarkable succeeded
falter and hesitation, that although the phenomenon is not rare in
strong speakers, the latter seemed almost to have been a work of art. The
manner was pleasing and animated, and the matter fluent, impromptu, and
well turned, spoken rather than preached; if it had a fault, it was rather
rambling and disconnected. . .The gestures were easy and rounded, not without
a certain grace, though evidently untaught; one, however, must be excepted,
namely that of raising the forefinger. . .The address was long. God
is a mechanic. Mormonism is a great fact. Religion has made him, the
speaker, the happiest of men. He was ready to dance like a shaker. At
this sentence the prophet, who is a good mimic and has much of the old New
English quaint humor, raised his right arm, and gave, to the amusement of
the congregation, a droll imitation of Anne Lee's followers.' City of the
Saints, 317. , , .
4i For many years after their arrival in the valley the women dressed in
homespun linseys, as there was nothing else to wear. At one time Brigham,
in order to discourage extravagance, decreed that the men must not dance
with women who were dressed in other than homespun garments. Jennings,
Mat. Progress, MS., 1.