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History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

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AT THE TABERNACLE. 589<br />

or calicoes, as they were able to afford, usually <strong>of</strong><br />

plain pattern and dark color, though a few were dressed<br />

in gaudy attire, and with a little faded finery. 44 The<br />

congregation was seated on long rows <strong>of</strong> benches<br />

opposite the platform, from which they were separated<br />

by the space allotted to the orchestra, then consisting<br />

<strong>of</strong> a violin and bass viol, vocal music being<br />

rendered by two female and four male singers. The<br />

oratory was somewhat <strong>of</strong> the Boanerges stamp, and<br />

contained much round abuse <strong>of</strong> the gentiles; but<br />

looking at the audience, which consisted, in the main,<br />

<strong>of</strong> a thriving, contented, and industrious class <strong>of</strong><br />

people, light-hearted and ever ready to laugh at the<br />

somewhat broad jokes <strong>of</strong> the church dignitaries, it<br />

was impossible to believe all the hard things spoken<br />

and written <strong>of</strong> them by their enemies. Moreover,<br />

about one third <strong>of</strong> the population consisted at this<br />

date <strong>of</strong> emigrants from Great Britain, and at least<br />

two fifths were foreigners <strong>of</strong> other nationalities, most<br />

<strong>of</strong> them Danes, Swedes, or Norwegians. They were<br />

fair types <strong>of</strong> their race, and it is not very probable<br />

large and loose, and white socks and slippers. His fashion was followed by<br />

some <strong>of</strong> the elders. Ward's Husband in <strong>Utah</strong>, 34-5. Burton says that the<br />

prophet was dressed in gray homespun, and wore a tall steeple-crowned hat, as<br />

did most <strong>of</strong> the elders. Describing one <strong>of</strong> his addresses, he writes:<br />

' <strong>Brigham</strong><br />

<strong>Young</strong> removed his hat, advanced to the end <strong>of</strong> the tribune, and leaning<br />

slightly forward upon both hands, propped on the green baize <strong>of</strong> the tribune,<br />

addressed his followers. The discourse began slowly, word crept titubantly<br />

after word, and the opening phrases were hardly audible; but as the orator<br />

warmed, his voice rose high and sonorous, and a fluency so remarkable succeeded<br />

falter and hesitation, that although the phenomenon is not rare in<br />

strong speakers, the latter seemed almost to have been a work <strong>of</strong> art. The<br />

manner was pleasing and animated, and the matter fluent, impromptu, and<br />

well turned, spoken rather than preached; if it had a fault, it was rather<br />

rambling and disconnected. . .The gestures were easy and rounded, not without<br />

a certain grace, though evidently untaught; one, however, must be excepted,<br />

namely that <strong>of</strong> raising the forefinger. . .The address was long. God<br />

is a mechanic. Mormonism is a great fact. Religion has made him, the<br />

speaker, the happiest <strong>of</strong> men. He was ready to dance like a shaker. At<br />

this sentence the prophet, who is a good mimic and has much <strong>of</strong> the old New<br />

English quaint humor, raised his right arm, and gave, to the amusement <strong>of</strong><br />

the congregation, a droll imitation <strong>of</strong> Anne Lee's followers.' City <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Saints, 317. , , .<br />

4i For many years after their arrival in the valley the women dressed in<br />

homespun linseys, as there was nothing else to wear. At one time <strong>Brigham</strong>,<br />

in order to discourage extravagance, decreed that the men must not dance<br />

with women who were dressed in other than homespun garments. Jennings,<br />

Mat. Progress, MS., 1.

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