cognition; but rather
of some thought of viler origin. The others continued to give utterance
to their mock admiration; and I was glad--as the girl herself appeared
to be--when the tent was pitched, and she was able to retire out of
reach of their rude ribaldry.

We had now an opportunity of studying the Mormons _chez eux memes_: for
not one of them had the slightest idea that their talk was understood by
us. Most of them appeared to be of the humbler class of emigrants--
farm-people or those of mechanical calling--artisans of the common
trades--shoemakers, blacksmiths, joiners, and the like. In the
countenances of these there was no cast that betrayed a character,
either of particular saintliness or sin. In most of them, the
expression was simply stolid and bovine; and it was evident that these
were the mere cattle of the herd. Among them could be observed a
sprinkling of a different sort of Saints--men of more seeming
intelligence, but with less moral inclinings--men of corrupt thoughts
and corrupt lives--perhaps once gentle, but now fallen--who had, no
doubt, adopted this pseudo-religion in the expectation of bettering
their temporal rather than spiritual condition. The influence of these
last over the others was quite apparent. They were evidently chiefs--
bishops or deacons--"tenths" or "seventies." It was singular enough to
see _dandies_ among them; and yet, however ludicrous the exhibition,
dandyism was there displayed! More than one "swell" strutted through
the crowd in patent-leather boots, Parisian silk hat, and coat of
shining broad-cloth! The temporary halt had offered an opportunity for
this display of personal adornment; and these butterflies had availed
themselves of the advantage, to cast for a few hours the chrysalis of
their travelling gear.

The women were of all ages; and, it might be added, of all nations.
Several European tongues mingled in the melee of sounds; but the one
which predominated was that language without vowels--the jargon of the
Welsh Principality. The continual clacking of this unspeakable tongue
told that the sons and daughters of the Cymri mustered strongest in the
migration. Many of the latter wore their picturesque native costume--
the red-hooded cloak and kirtle; and some were unspeakably fair, with
the fine white teeth, fair complexion, and ruddy cheeks, common to other
branches of the Celtic race, but nowhere so characteristic as among the
fair maidens of Cambria