Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
with black moustache, black stockings, a black silk hat, a black waistcoat, `
` black trousers, a white cravat, and dogskin gloves. He might have been `
` taken for a clergyman. He went from one end of the train to the other, `
` and affixed to the door of each car a notice written in manuscript. `
` `
` Passepartout approached and read one of these notices, which stated that `
` Elder William Hitch, Mormon missionary, taking advantage of his presence `
` on train No. 48, would deliver a lecture on Mormonism in car No. 117, `
` from eleven to twelve o'clock; and that he invited all who were desirous `
` of being instructed concerning the mysteries of the religion of the `
` "Latter Day Saints" to attend. `
` `
` "I'll go," said Passepartout to himself. He knew nothing `
` of Mormonism except the custom of polygamy, which is its foundation. `
` `
` The news quickly spread through the train, which contained `
` about one hundred passengers, thirty of whom, at most, `
` attracted by the notice, ensconced themselves in car No. 117. `
` Passepartout took one of the front seats. Neither Mr. Fogg `
` nor Fix cared to attend. `
` `
` At the appointed hour Elder William Hitch rose, and, in an irritated voice, `
` as if he had already been contradicted, said, "I tell you that Joe Smith `
` is a martyr, that his brother Hiram is a martyr, and that the persecutions `
` of the United States Government against the prophets will also make a martyr `
` of Brigham Young. Who dares to say the contrary?" `
` `
` No one ventured to gainsay the missionary, whose excited tone contrasted `
` curiously with his naturally calm visage. No doubt his anger arose `
` from the hardships to which the Mormons were actually subjected. `
` The government had just succeeded, with some difficulty, in reducing `
` these independent fanatics to its rule. It had made itself master of Utah, `
` and subjected that territory to the laws of the Union, after imprisoning `
` Brigham Young on a charge of rebellion and polygamy. The disciples `
` of the prophet had since redoubled their efforts, and resisted, `
` by words at least, the authority of Congress. Elder Hitch, as is seen, `
` was trying to make proselytes on the very railway trains. `
` `
` Then, emphasising his words with his loud voice and frequent gestures, `
` he related the history of the Mormons from Biblical times: how that, `
` in Israel, a Mormon prophet of the tribe of Joseph published the annals `
` of the new religion, and bequeathed them to his son Mormon; `
` how, many centuries later, a translation of this precious book, `
` which was written in Egyptian, was made by Joseph Smith, junior, `
` a Vermont farmer, who revealed himself as a mystical prophet in 1825; `
` and how, in short, the celestial messenger appeared to him `
` in an illuminated forest, and gave him the annals of the Lord. `
` `
` Several of the audience, not being much interested in `
` the missionary's narrative, here left the car; but Elder Hitch, `
` continuing his lecture, related how Smith, junior, with his father, `
` two brothers, and a few disciples, founded the church of the `
` "Latter Day Saints," which, adopted not only in America, `
` but in England, Norway and Sweden, and Germany, counts many artisans, `
` as well as men engaged in the liberal professions, among its members; `
` how a colony was established in Ohio, a temple erected there at a `
` cost of two hundred thousand dollars, and a town built at Kirkland; `
` how Smith became an enterprising banker, and received from a simple mummy `
` showman a papyrus scroll written by Abraham and several famous Egyptians. `
` `
` The Elder's story became somewhat wearisome, and his audience `
` grew gradually less, until it was reduced to twenty passengers. `
` But this did not disconcert the enthusiast, who proceeded with `
` the story of Joseph Smith's bankruptcy in 1837, and how his ruined `
` creditors gave him a coat of tar and feathers; his reappearance `
` some years afterwards, more honourable and honoured than ever, `
` at Independence, Missouri, the chief of a flourishing colony `
` of three thousand disciples, and his pursuit thence by outraged Gentiles, `
` and retirement into the Far West. `
` `
` Ten hearers only were now left, among them honest Passepartout, `
` who was listening with all his ears. Thus he learned that, `
` after long persecutions, Smith reappeared in Illinois, `
` and in 1839 founded a community at Nauvoo, on the Mississippi, `
` numbering twenty-five thousand souls, of which he became mayor, `
` chief justice, and general-in-chief; that he announced himself, `
` in 1843, as a candidate for the Presidency of the United States; `
` and that finally, being drawn into ambuscade at Carthage, `
` he was thrown into prison, and assassinated by a band of men `
` disguised in masks. `
` `
` Passepartout was now the only person left in the car, and the Elder, `
` looking him full in the face, reminded him that, two years after `
` the assassination of Joseph Smith, the inspired prophet, Brigham Young, `
` his successor, left Nauvoo for the banks of the Great Salt Lake, where, `
` in the midst of that fertile region, directly on the route of the emigrants `
` who crossed Utah on their way to California, the new colony, thanks to `
` the polygamy practised by the Mormons, had flourished beyond expectations. `
` `
` "And this," added Elder William Hitch, "this is why the jealousy of Congress `
` has been aroused against us! Why have the soldiers of the Union invaded `
` the soil of Utah? Why has Brigham Young, our chief, been imprisoned, `
` in contempt of all justice? Shall we yield to force? Never! `
` Driven from Vermont, driven from Illinois, driven from Ohio, `
` driven from Missouri, driven from Utah, we shall yet find some `
` independent territory on which to plant our tents. And you, `
` my brother," continued the Elder, fixing his angry eyes `
` upon his single auditor, "will you not plant yours there, `
` too, under the shadow of our flag?" `
` `
` "No!" replied Passepartout courageously, in his turn retiring `
` from the car, and leaving the Elder to preach to vacancy. `
` `
` During the lecture the train had been making good progress, `
` and towards half-past twelve it reached the northwest border `
` of the Great Salt Lake. Thence the passengers could observe `
` the vast extent of this interior sea, which is also called the Dead Sea, `
` and into which flows an American Jordan. It is a picturesque expanse, `
` framed in lofty crags in large strata, encrusted with white salt-- `
` a superb sheet of water, which was formerly of larger extent than now, `
` its shores having encroached with the lapse of time, and thus at once `
` reduced its breadth and increased its depth. `
` `
` The Salt Lake, seventy miles long and thirty-five wide, `
` is situated three miles eight hundred feet above the sea. `
` Quite different from Lake Asphaltite, whose depression `
` is twelve hundred feet below the sea, it contains considerable salt, `
` and one quarter of the weight of its water is solid matter, `
` its specific weight being 1,170, and, after being distilled, 1,000. `
` Fishes are, of course, unable to live in it, and those which descend `
` through the Jordan, the Weber, and other streams soon perish. `
` `
` The country around the lake was well cultivated, for the Mormons `
` are mostly farmers; while ranches and pens for domesticated animals, `
` fields of wheat, corn, and other cereals, luxuriant prairies, `
` hedges of wild rose, clumps of acacias and milk-wort, `
` would have been seen six months later. Now the ground `
` was covered with a thin powdering of snow. `
` `
` The train reached Ogden at two o'clock, where it rested for six hours, `
` Mr. Fogg and his party had time to pay a visit to Salt Lake City, `
` connected with Ogden by a branch road; and they spent two hours `
` in this strikingly American town, built on the pattern of other cities `
` of the Union, like a checker-board, "with the sombre sadness of right-angles," `
` as Victor Hugo expresses it. The founder of the City of the Saints `
` could not escape from the taste for symmetry which distinguishes `
` the Anglo-Saxons. In this strange country, where the people `
` are certainly not up to the level of their institutions, `
` everything is done "squarely"--cities, houses, and follies. `
` `
` The travellers, then, were promenading, at three o'clock, `
` about the streets of the town built between the banks of the `
` Jordan and the spurs of the Wahsatch Range. They saw few `
` or no churches, but the prophet's mansion, the court-house, `
` and the arsenal, blue-brick houses with verandas and porches, `
` surrounded by gardens bordered with acacias, palms, and locusts. `
` A clay and pebble wall, built in 1853, surrounded the town; `
` and in the principal street were the market and several hotels `
` adorned with pavilions. The place did not seem thickly populated. `
` The streets were almost deserted, except in the vicinity of the temple, `
` which they only reached after having traversed several quarters `
` surrounded by palisades. There were many women, which was easily `
` accounted for by the "peculiar institution" of the Mormons; `
` but it must not be supposed that all the Mormons are polygamists. `
` They are free to marry or not, as they please; but it is worth noting `
` that it is mainly the female citizens of Utah who are anxious to marry, `
` as, according to the Mormon religion, maiden ladies are not admitted `
` to the possession of its highest joys. These poor creatures seemed `
` to be neither well off nor happy. Some--the more well-to-do, no doubt-- `
` wore short, open, black silk dresses, under a hood or modest shawl; `
` others were habited in Indian fashion. `
` `
` Passepartout could not behold without a certain fright these women, `
` charged, in groups, with conferring happiness on a single Mormon. `
` His common sense pitied, above all, the husband. It seemed to him `
` a terrible thing to have to guide so many wives at once across `
` the vicissitudes of life, and to conduct them, as it were, `
` in a body to the Mormon paradise with the prospect of seeing them `
` in the company of the glorious Smith, who doubtless was the chief ornament `
` of that delightful place, to all eternity. He felt decidedly repelled `
` from such a vocation, and he imagined--perhaps he was mistaken-- `
` that the fair ones of Salt Lake City cast rather alarming glances `
` on his person. Happily, his stay there was but brief. At four the party `
` found themselves again at the station, took their places in the train, `
` and the whistle sounded for starting. Just at the moment, however, `
` that the locomotive wheels began to move, cries of "Stop! stop!" were heard. `
` `
` Trains, like time and tide, stop for no one. The gentleman `
` who uttered the cries was evidently a belated Mormon. He was `
` breathless with running. Happily for him, the station had neither `
` gates nor barriers. He rushed along the track, jumped on the rear `
` platform of the train, and fell, exhausted, into one of the seats. `
` `
` Passepartout, who had been anxiously watching this amateur gymnast, `
` approached him with lively interest, and learned that he had taken flight `
` after an unpleasant domestic scene. `
` `
` When the Mormon had recovered his breath, Passepartout ventured `
` to ask him politely how many wives he had; for, from the manner `
` in which he had decamped, it might be thought that he had twenty at least. `
` `
` "One, sir," replied the Mormon, raising his arms heavenward `
` --"one, and that was enough!" `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXVIII `
` `
` IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT DOES NOT SUCCEED IN MAKING ANYBODY LISTEN TO REASON `
` `
`
` black trousers, a white cravat, and dogskin gloves. He might have been `
` taken for a clergyman. He went from one end of the train to the other, `
` and affixed to the door of each car a notice written in manuscript. `
` `
` Passepartout approached and read one of these notices, which stated that `
` Elder William Hitch, Mormon missionary, taking advantage of his presence `
` on train No. 48, would deliver a lecture on Mormonism in car No. 117, `
` from eleven to twelve o'clock; and that he invited all who were desirous `
` of being instructed concerning the mysteries of the religion of the `
` "Latter Day Saints" to attend. `
` `
` "I'll go," said Passepartout to himself. He knew nothing `
` of Mormonism except the custom of polygamy, which is its foundation. `
` `
` The news quickly spread through the train, which contained `
` about one hundred passengers, thirty of whom, at most, `
` attracted by the notice, ensconced themselves in car No. 117. `
` Passepartout took one of the front seats. Neither Mr. Fogg `
` nor Fix cared to attend. `
` `
` At the appointed hour Elder William Hitch rose, and, in an irritated voice, `
` as if he had already been contradicted, said, "I tell you that Joe Smith `
` is a martyr, that his brother Hiram is a martyr, and that the persecutions `
` of the United States Government against the prophets will also make a martyr `
` of Brigham Young. Who dares to say the contrary?" `
` `
` No one ventured to gainsay the missionary, whose excited tone contrasted `
` curiously with his naturally calm visage. No doubt his anger arose `
` from the hardships to which the Mormons were actually subjected. `
` The government had just succeeded, with some difficulty, in reducing `
` these independent fanatics to its rule. It had made itself master of Utah, `
` and subjected that territory to the laws of the Union, after imprisoning `
` Brigham Young on a charge of rebellion and polygamy. The disciples `
` of the prophet had since redoubled their efforts, and resisted, `
` by words at least, the authority of Congress. Elder Hitch, as is seen, `
` was trying to make proselytes on the very railway trains. `
` `
` Then, emphasising his words with his loud voice and frequent gestures, `
` he related the history of the Mormons from Biblical times: how that, `
` in Israel, a Mormon prophet of the tribe of Joseph published the annals `
` of the new religion, and bequeathed them to his son Mormon; `
` how, many centuries later, a translation of this precious book, `
` which was written in Egyptian, was made by Joseph Smith, junior, `
` a Vermont farmer, who revealed himself as a mystical prophet in 1825; `
` and how, in short, the celestial messenger appeared to him `
` in an illuminated forest, and gave him the annals of the Lord. `
` `
` Several of the audience, not being much interested in `
` the missionary's narrative, here left the car; but Elder Hitch, `
` continuing his lecture, related how Smith, junior, with his father, `
` two brothers, and a few disciples, founded the church of the `
` "Latter Day Saints," which, adopted not only in America, `
` but in England, Norway and Sweden, and Germany, counts many artisans, `
` as well as men engaged in the liberal professions, among its members; `
` how a colony was established in Ohio, a temple erected there at a `
` cost of two hundred thousand dollars, and a town built at Kirkland; `
` how Smith became an enterprising banker, and received from a simple mummy `
` showman a papyrus scroll written by Abraham and several famous Egyptians. `
` `
` The Elder's story became somewhat wearisome, and his audience `
` grew gradually less, until it was reduced to twenty passengers. `
` But this did not disconcert the enthusiast, who proceeded with `
` the story of Joseph Smith's bankruptcy in 1837, and how his ruined `
` creditors gave him a coat of tar and feathers; his reappearance `
` some years afterwards, more honourable and honoured than ever, `
` at Independence, Missouri, the chief of a flourishing colony `
` of three thousand disciples, and his pursuit thence by outraged Gentiles, `
` and retirement into the Far West. `
` `
` Ten hearers only were now left, among them honest Passepartout, `
` who was listening with all his ears. Thus he learned that, `
` after long persecutions, Smith reappeared in Illinois, `
` and in 1839 founded a community at Nauvoo, on the Mississippi, `
` numbering twenty-five thousand souls, of which he became mayor, `
` chief justice, and general-in-chief; that he announced himself, `
` in 1843, as a candidate for the Presidency of the United States; `
` and that finally, being drawn into ambuscade at Carthage, `
` he was thrown into prison, and assassinated by a band of men `
` disguised in masks. `
` `
` Passepartout was now the only person left in the car, and the Elder, `
` looking him full in the face, reminded him that, two years after `
` the assassination of Joseph Smith, the inspired prophet, Brigham Young, `
` his successor, left Nauvoo for the banks of the Great Salt Lake, where, `
` in the midst of that fertile region, directly on the route of the emigrants `
` who crossed Utah on their way to California, the new colony, thanks to `
` the polygamy practised by the Mormons, had flourished beyond expectations. `
` `
` "And this," added Elder William Hitch, "this is why the jealousy of Congress `
` has been aroused against us! Why have the soldiers of the Union invaded `
` the soil of Utah? Why has Brigham Young, our chief, been imprisoned, `
` in contempt of all justice? Shall we yield to force? Never! `
` Driven from Vermont, driven from Illinois, driven from Ohio, `
` driven from Missouri, driven from Utah, we shall yet find some `
` independent territory on which to plant our tents. And you, `
` my brother," continued the Elder, fixing his angry eyes `
` upon his single auditor, "will you not plant yours there, `
` too, under the shadow of our flag?" `
` `
` "No!" replied Passepartout courageously, in his turn retiring `
` from the car, and leaving the Elder to preach to vacancy. `
` `
` During the lecture the train had been making good progress, `
` and towards half-past twelve it reached the northwest border `
` of the Great Salt Lake. Thence the passengers could observe `
` the vast extent of this interior sea, which is also called the Dead Sea, `
` and into which flows an American Jordan. It is a picturesque expanse, `
` framed in lofty crags in large strata, encrusted with white salt-- `
` a superb sheet of water, which was formerly of larger extent than now, `
` its shores having encroached with the lapse of time, and thus at once `
` reduced its breadth and increased its depth. `
` `
` The Salt Lake, seventy miles long and thirty-five wide, `
` is situated three miles eight hundred feet above the sea. `
` Quite different from Lake Asphaltite, whose depression `
` is twelve hundred feet below the sea, it contains considerable salt, `
` and one quarter of the weight of its water is solid matter, `
` its specific weight being 1,170, and, after being distilled, 1,000. `
` Fishes are, of course, unable to live in it, and those which descend `
` through the Jordan, the Weber, and other streams soon perish. `
` `
` The country around the lake was well cultivated, for the Mormons `
` are mostly farmers; while ranches and pens for domesticated animals, `
` fields of wheat, corn, and other cereals, luxuriant prairies, `
` hedges of wild rose, clumps of acacias and milk-wort, `
` would have been seen six months later. Now the ground `
` was covered with a thin powdering of snow. `
` `
` The train reached Ogden at two o'clock, where it rested for six hours, `
` Mr. Fogg and his party had time to pay a visit to Salt Lake City, `
` connected with Ogden by a branch road; and they spent two hours `
` in this strikingly American town, built on the pattern of other cities `
` of the Union, like a checker-board, "with the sombre sadness of right-angles," `
` as Victor Hugo expresses it. The founder of the City of the Saints `
` could not escape from the taste for symmetry which distinguishes `
` the Anglo-Saxons. In this strange country, where the people `
` are certainly not up to the level of their institutions, `
` everything is done "squarely"--cities, houses, and follies. `
` `
` The travellers, then, were promenading, at three o'clock, `
` about the streets of the town built between the banks of the `
` Jordan and the spurs of the Wahsatch Range. They saw few `
` or no churches, but the prophet's mansion, the court-house, `
` and the arsenal, blue-brick houses with verandas and porches, `
` surrounded by gardens bordered with acacias, palms, and locusts. `
` A clay and pebble wall, built in 1853, surrounded the town; `
` and in the principal street were the market and several hotels `
` adorned with pavilions. The place did not seem thickly populated. `
` The streets were almost deserted, except in the vicinity of the temple, `
` which they only reached after having traversed several quarters `
` surrounded by palisades. There were many women, which was easily `
` accounted for by the "peculiar institution" of the Mormons; `
` but it must not be supposed that all the Mormons are polygamists. `
` They are free to marry or not, as they please; but it is worth noting `
` that it is mainly the female citizens of Utah who are anxious to marry, `
` as, according to the Mormon religion, maiden ladies are not admitted `
` to the possession of its highest joys. These poor creatures seemed `
` to be neither well off nor happy. Some--the more well-to-do, no doubt-- `
` wore short, open, black silk dresses, under a hood or modest shawl; `
` others were habited in Indian fashion. `
` `
` Passepartout could not behold without a certain fright these women, `
` charged, in groups, with conferring happiness on a single Mormon. `
` His common sense pitied, above all, the husband. It seemed to him `
` a terrible thing to have to guide so many wives at once across `
` the vicissitudes of life, and to conduct them, as it were, `
` in a body to the Mormon paradise with the prospect of seeing them `
` in the company of the glorious Smith, who doubtless was the chief ornament `
` of that delightful place, to all eternity. He felt decidedly repelled `
` from such a vocation, and he imagined--perhaps he was mistaken-- `
` that the fair ones of Salt Lake City cast rather alarming glances `
` on his person. Happily, his stay there was but brief. At four the party `
` found themselves again at the station, took their places in the train, `
` and the whistle sounded for starting. Just at the moment, however, `
` that the locomotive wheels began to move, cries of "Stop! stop!" were heard. `
` `
` Trains, like time and tide, stop for no one. The gentleman `
` who uttered the cries was evidently a belated Mormon. He was `
` breathless with running. Happily for him, the station had neither `
` gates nor barriers. He rushed along the track, jumped on the rear `
` platform of the train, and fell, exhausted, into one of the seats. `
` `
` Passepartout, who had been anxiously watching this amateur gymnast, `
` approached him with lively interest, and learned that he had taken flight `
` after an unpleasant domestic scene. `
` `
` When the Mormon had recovered his breath, Passepartout ventured `
` to ask him politely how many wives he had; for, from the manner `
` in which he had decamped, it might be thought that he had twenty at least. `
` `
` "One, sir," replied the Mormon, raising his arms heavenward `
` --"one, and that was enough!" `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXVIII `
` `
` IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT DOES NOT SUCCEED IN MAKING ANYBODY LISTEN TO REASON `
` `
`