It would have been an imposing sight.
In the boat many signs admonished that we were floating eastward.

A shabbily-dressed phrenologist laid his hand on every head which would bend, with half-conceited, half-sheepish expression, to the trial of his skill.

Knots of people gathered here and there to discuss points of theology.

A bereaved lover was seeking religious consolation in--Butler's Analogy, which he had purchased for that purpose.
However, he did not turn over many pages before his attention was drawn aside by the gay glances of certain damsels that came on board at Detroit, and, though Butler might afterwards be seen sticking from his pocket, it had not weight to impede him from many a feat of lightness and liveliness.

I doubt if it went with him from the boat.
Some there were, even, discussing the doctrines of Fourier.