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Show 156 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES LN THE FAE WEST. contributed a new coat from his wardrobe. I was indebted to him also for a great deal of kindness and attention during my illness. With my striped cassimeres, black frock coat, and a white vest borrowed for the occasion from Capt. Morris, " en regie"-I was as fashionably attired as any one whom I met during the evening. My friend, Egloffstien, was also invited, but there were no clothes in the city of Salt Lake to fit him; he had grown so fat and corpulent, that ready-made clothes of his size, would have been unsaleable, consequently, he declined going. During the day, extensive culinary preparations were being made at Mr. E. T. Benson's house, where we messed. Mr. Benson had four wives; they were, on this occasion, all engaged; one making pastry and cakes, another roasting and preparing wild geese and ducks, and garnishing fat hams, etc., while the others were selecting the garments which were to be worn by the ladies on this interesting occasion. I could not exactly perceive why such extensive cooking preparations were making; on enquiry, I learned that in this isolated city, thousands of miles from civilization, and buried, as it were, in Ihe mountains, it was a very expensive thing to prepare a supper for a large company, at the cost of a single individual. Sugar was worth 75 cents per pound, and very scarce ; sperm candles, $1.50 per pound, and everything else in proportion. It was expected, and understood, that all families who were invited, should bring their own provisions, candles, etc., and contribute for the music. The Governor furnished the ball-room only. Strangers, of course, were exceptions to the rule. At the^ippointed hour T made my appearance, chap |
