MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 57, 26 May 1863, Page 2

MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

( From the llonie Ifetvs.) Late into the night of Saturday, the 7th March 1863, the excitement arising from the arrival and reception of tho Princess Alexandra throbbed through the towns of Windsor and Eton, and subsided only as Sunday and its church bells broke, solemnly upon the inhabitants. For that day there was a stately hush over the scene of the recent rejoicings : the "Bishop of Oxford preached in St George's Chapel ; and the presence of ereafc personages in and about the castle was manifested by the air of unusual state that pervaded all the approaches. But Sunday had scarcely faded into midnight when the buzz of preparations for fresh labors of love and loyalty begun to be heard again. Monday was a gela day and a day of high expectation, in Windsor and its neighboi-kood The prince and princess drove out in an open carriage, and showed themselves to everybody, and were every where received with renewed reclamations of de. light and devotion. Other great people were in movement all day long in carriages, and on horseback and on foot, andithe streets, roads, and parks wore alive with joyous bustle. If the whole population brought out into the open air by the occasion, or idling in windows and balconies, were going to bo m-irried themselves, thov could not have displayed greater enthusiasm. Then came a magnificent display of fireworks in the Home Park at njght, which is said to have transcended all previous efforts in that wav, and which was witnessed from the windows and terraces of the castle by the illusti-ious and distinguished persons who, to the number of upwards of one hundred, were the Queen's chests for that day. Full as the town wai of strangers — as much as L 5 having been asked for three beds and a sitting room for the one night — the morning trains in rapid succession brought an immense accession of visitors. It soon became a serious question as to how they were to bo disposed of. Lines of galleries, commanding an admirable view of the route of the procession, and extending from the private grounds to the iron gates, were early filled with spectators; and the courtyard of the castle was furnished with platforms to accommodate a large number of persons. The first stir tbnt sent a palpitation throughout the masses who wore there assembled, was the appearance on t^o ground at about half-past 10 o'clock of the Coldstream Guards. They were soon formed so as to keep the line leading from the gate through which the procession was to move to the entrance for the bride and bridegroom. With the Coldstreams were united in this duty the IWkshiro volunteers, under Col. Lindsay. The Grenadiers and Fusiliers were on duty in other parts of the wound. At. 11 o'clock the Ist Regiment of the Ilorre Guards came in, and took their stations, and immediately after, the Eton scholars, all of them wearing rosettes, made a rush up the hill and stationed themselves on the south side, behind the Horse Guards. At a quarter past 11 all admission within the castle gates wore stopped, and the spectalo which presented itself was brilliant in the highest degree. The east end of the broad drive, where it connects itself with the park, may bo. regarded as tho base of the triangle, the sides of which run gradually narrowing (ill they form tho main road to the town entrance to the castle. Along the roadway, and immediately behind the Guards, stood a double lino of spectators. Behind these, on the south side rose the upper and middle platforms, full of gentlemen and ladies — the former with rosettes, the latter glittering in their bright scarlet, bine and magout.i mantles, and thoir light and flowered bonnets. Still further down, in the hollow of the slope and surrounding the door by which the bridal processions was to enter tho Chapel Royal, was the third platform, occupied by a more highly favored and a more brilliantly attired group. In the distance, on the north side, rose the grey, solid frame of the grand old castle, in fine contrast with the hot and varied coloring on the opposite side. Tlie coup rPreil, as ifc took in the whole view, with the flags floating from the triumphal arch before the castle gates, anil enlivened by rays of sunlight, Such as of themselves never fail to exhilirate any crowd in the month of March in this northern clime, was at once magnificent and invigorating, and when taken in connection with the eve its with which it was associated, raay be regarded as combining with the artistic and the natural, something of the sympathetic and the sublime. The morning had broken with rather a sligh chill, after a frost. v night ; but as the sun ascended the heavens, the day became bright and warm, diffusing a genial lustre over the scene. At half-past eleven the first carriage of the procession to the chapel approached the gates, when all at once there wf s a bustle of commotion, and every eye was directed to its approach. The first part of the procession consisted of the royal guests, The/ came in seven state carriages. The first three can iages contained equerries, adjutants, and gentlemen in attendance on the royal personages who occupied the remaining four ; in the first of which -were seated 11. H. the Maharajah Dhuloep Singh; his S. 11. Prince Edward, of Saxe Weimar ; and his S. H. the Prince of Leningen ; the others being principally occupied by members of the family of the Princess Alexandra. The splendour of the Maharajah i Dhuleep Singh's appearance in his turban j and oriental robes, crusted witVi jewels, and resplendent with gold, was a theme of universal admiration. His munificent gift to the princess Alexandra of a bouquet holder which cost £1000, was amply rewarded by the hearty cheers which greeted him as the carriage passed along the line. The sixth and seventh carriages, containing the sisters and brothers of the bride, were received with loud acclamations, which were very cordially and gracefully acknowledged. At a quarter before twelve appeared the second procession, consisting of the royal family and household, occupying eleven carriages. Tho first six contained tho household, "and the remaining five the members of tho royal family, the last being occupied by her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Prussia, and her little son, Prince William of Prussia. Next followed, at twelve o'clock precisely, the procession of the bridegroom. Public expectation was now nearly wrought to its height. There was but one sight more to transcend the interest of this part of the ceremonial. There were six carriages, five of which were ocenpied by members of the different royal households, and in the last sat his Royal Highness the bridegroom, and the reigning Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha and the Crown Prince of Prussia, his supporters or groomsmen. In another quarter of an hour came the procession of the bride, shorter but incomparably more interesting than any of its predecessors. Trumpets and Life Guards seldom before appealed to such beating hearts as on this occasion. There were only four carriages. In the first, second and third came chamberlains and ladies in attendance ; and in the fourth appeared, to the infinite delight of the thousands of spectators, the bride, supported by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Christian of Denmark. As their Royal Highnesses passed down the Hue the outbursts of affectionate devotion exceeded,

if that were possible, the exhibition of the previous'; Saturday!;; Shejloplced very pale, but : there jSjvajj a remarkable expression of J^w"6etnesJi;o[n;bTer eyes whiiih showed that the^ >-pa[itbr'Wira.'b(i^Mioi|[^^;l:i£^|3.;'iioTelty of her situation, arid not by any sentiment of melancholy or distrust. The white veil falling lightly from her head, and the wedding wreath that sat gracefully upon her forehead, framed one of the most charming pictures the imagination of a painter could conceive. The several processions now entered St George's Chapel, and we must follow them. The porch and arched passages leading to the nave were filled soon after nine o'clock. The western entrance, opening into the upper part of the nave was not opened till after ten o'clock; the assembly was gradually filtered through into the nave, and the gentlemen of the Lord Cham--berlain's department finally distributed the bappy atoms along the scarlet benches within. As drift upon drift of those favored with tickets came fluttering from the doorways, each succeeding row higher and higher was occupied. At eleven o'clock there was no more room, and the doors were closed. Many of the most distinguished families and persons in the empire Avere represented on these benches. The sight was one of marvellous splendor and beauty, as may be inferred from the fact that the number of ladies exceeded that of gentlemen by three to one. With respect to the general effect, it should be observed that it was the wish of the Sovereign that bright colors should be avoided, and that mauve, lavender, or light blue should be worn. The result was charming, because it produced a harmony of coloi such as has never been witnessed before. It would be an excellent thing if a similar regulation were enjoined on all state occasions. If there was something lost in the way of contrast, which is often violent, it was amply counterbalanced by the gain in the blended tone of the ensemble. There is a mysterious reception chamber, hidden by the rich folds of a vast drapery of purple silk, and within are waiting theini vited guests of the Queen, rea-ly to form into ! a procession, whe c the proper moment comes. On a sudden— far remote indeed — are heard from the world beyond the. walls, the bars of " Gorl Save the Queen," and as they are yet 1 sounding nearer and nearer, the purple curtain is drawn back, and there enters into the nave the procession of the royal guests. We cannot undertake to enumerate them. They have been already chronicled in the court lists, and are familiar to the reader of those records. Prominent amongst them, or, rather first, for he heads the procession, is his highness Dhuleep Singh. The representative of the dories of the Khalsa, the descendant of the Lion of Lahore, is resplendent in cloth of gold kirkob, with collar of pearls and sheen of yellow satin ; and it is strange to ccc him here among the fair-haired Norsemen and Teutons whose boldest adventures had never led them within half the world's circumference of the land we have made our own. Next to the Maharajah is Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, who fought in our ranks at Inkermann ; and the illustrious line is closed by Colonel Seymour, who stood near at hand in that teriible press of men. When these had all passed into the chapel, the music ceased, and silence followed for a little while. Then once more the purple curtain was thrown open, the trumpets gave forth their peals to the roll of the kettledrums, and the train of pursuivants and heralds, two by two, marched slowly towards the chapel, heading the great procession of the Royal Family and the Queen's Household. The effect of the procession, slow in pace, brightly colored, and proudly resplenjfent, was very beautiful ; and its beauty and its interest were greatly enhanced by the presence of the children of the house endeared to the nation by the virtues and sorrows of the Queen. The appearance of the young princesses of England elicited a universal expression of profound admiration and sympathy. And when the Crown Princess of Prussia came, leading by the hand his litds Royal Highness Prince William of Prussia, whose tiny gait was revealed by a Highland costume, a soft sound stole through the nave, which the genius of the place alone repressed from swelling into an enthusiastic development. But it was, nevertheless, the index to the feelings of the whole Euglish heart. Again the flourish of trumpets and the Toll of drums awakened the echoes of the chapel, and the procession of the bridegroom entered and passed tip the nave, every eye looking blessings, and every head paying homage as the young prince, whose military costume is almost concealed under his mantle of the Garter, advances towards the scene where the dream of his young life is to be realised. We must now pass out of the nave into the choir, whose exclusive precincts are reserved for royalty, and the high officers of state above. It is a sanctuary worthy of such presence. The place is full of historical memories, which at once flash across the mind, but which we have not time to linger over now. Up tho centre of the chapel is a rich carpet worked at the borders with the prince's plume and motto, and his own and his bride's monogram. Near the altar is a raised dais approached by three broad steps, and giving an ample platform for the accommodation of the bridal party. It is covered with garterblue velvet cloth, on which is worked the old heraldic Tudor rose, encircled by the motto of the garter. Around are crimson and gold seats with fringes and tassels of bullion. Screens have been removed on all sides, and accommodation benches provided for the invited guests. A special place, that nearest to the altar, is reserved for the royal acadamician, Mr W. P. Frith, who, in full court costume, sits here to take his drawings for the great picture of the Royal Marriage, which he is to paint by command, and for the copyright of which a higher sum has been paid than was ever before offered for any picture. The seat se'ected for Mr Frith is immediately behind the royal personages on th.c Haut Pas, from which point the design is to be taken. Above the altar, on tlie left, jutting out from the wall, is the royal pew, covered with quaint old carving, and still more curious heraldic emblazonments, built in the days of Henry VII., when kings were expected to be present at the " low" or kneeling mass every morning. Part of the pannelling is removed from the front, and its antique window sills are draped with massive folds of purple velvet, fringed richly and deeply Avith bullion lace. This is for her Majesty, and the floor of the pew has beenheightened inside, so that the window sills reach no higher than about a foot from the floor, that her Majesty might see and be seen as she was throughout the ceremony. I The moving out of heralds and others in ( gorgous official costumes, and the universal buzz of expectation, announce the rapid approach of the hour Avhen the crowning act of the day is to be solemnised. People begin to arrive to take their places in the stalls. The first to enter is the Marchioness of Ailesbury, j who takes her seat in a stall of a Knight of j the Garter. As if they had been waiting for j this example to be set, and for some one to break the stately solitude of the shrine, many ladies follow the Marchioness quickly — Lady Edward Seymour and Lady De Ros, and the Countess A and M Danneschjold and Viscountess Torrington. Mr Frith seats himself next to the Countess of Caithness ; and the Countess of Derby, like the Marchioness of Ailesbury, dressed in blue, seats herself, near where the banner of her noble husband, I droops over his vacant stall. Then followed in rapid succession the Marchioness of Ely \ Countess Cowley, Countess of Spencer, Viscountess Combermere, Duchess of St. Albans, Marchioness of Westminster, Countess Gleichen, Viscountess Jocelyn, Duchess of Athol, Countess of Gainsborough, Countesses of Macclesfield and Desart, Marchioness of Carmarthen, Coun- | tesa Ducie, Lady Cemoys, Countess of Bess, i

"borough, Vicountess Bury, and the wife the* Deputy Chamberlain, Viscount Castleross, whose superb tiolette provofc admiration even in that assemblage of ran and wealth. All are in full court dress, \rj| the exception that they wore no trains, and gj without exception,Vre dressed in velvet 5 satin either of blue, 1 mauve, or violet cola the latter being the prevailing tone. .Ml, <^ wear feathers and diamonds in. their hair, q some show tiaras, of brilliants almost lati enough to form headdresses, so c f a7 j^£^£i the glittering jewels cover the ra^frgdfe regal crown. The last of the peeresses arrive is Lady Palnierstone. She has bej detained at the railway-station, and has bee enabled to reach the chapel in time only wil the greatest difficulty. A" J ■; Almost the first male visitor to pui/in \ appearance is Sir George Grey, whb coni accompanied by Lady Grey. They take the places on the left, and are quickly followe by Lord and Lady Stanley of Alderly, § Charles and Lady Mary Wood, Mr Milij Gibson, Mr and Mrs Caxdwell, the Master 1 Trinity, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mrs Gladstone, Lady Alfred Paget, the E5 and Countass of * Hardwicke, Lord B ris, the Earl and Countess of Suffi! the Duke of St. Albans, the. Duke Athol, the Duke and Duchess of Argy Earl and Countess De la Warr, Lady Prob Lord Churchill, Sir G. C. Lewis, Hoi Mrs. W.Hooper, Lady A. Bruce, Miss Bii dulph, Mrs C. Grey, Mrs Wellesley, tj Duchess of Somerset, and the Countess < Shaftsbury. All gentlemen are in full 08 cial uniform, and wear the chief insignia ( whatever orders they have the honor to poi sess, collars and badges in the fullest stat The Lord and Lady Mayoress are among the late arrivals. Mr and Mrs Disraelis also late. The leader of the opposition i his Windsor uniform, and Mrs Disraeli radiant with diamonds. Suddenly there is just a perceptible moveme — a kind ot consciousness that something has 0 turred which tells at once that the Queen is eitb coming or has come, and all eyes are quiei directed towards the quaint old pew in the wi la another instant the Queen herself appears, 8 companied by his Royal Highness the Duke Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the brother of the L prince, and, as we all know, so like him as make the resemblance almost startling as he stai by the side of Her Majesty, The Queen wet the simplest and plaine.-t of widow's weeds widowVcap, a black silk dress with white coll and cuffs, and black gloves. The only colors whii appear upon her are the star of the Order of t! Garter, and its blue ribband, narrowed to (! width her Majesty usually wears, across her le shoulder, blie looks well in health, but thinn ani older, with the permanent traces of de grief and care stamped on every lineament of 1 features, She stands at the window of the royal pew, little withdrawn from general gaze, and onlj be seen at all by those on the opposite side of t choir glancing quietly into the interior, while t Duke of Siixe-C^burg- speaks, and apparently c plains Vbe arrangements going on below for t great ceremony which has drawn, her forth frii ncr mourning an! seciusion. After a few minul she seats herself a little away from the windo and the duke retires, the hon. Mrs. R. Bruce, cla like the Queen, in deep mourning, taking 1 place. It is twelve o'clock, and the noise cheering can be heard outside, and then a pau broken after a few minutes by the great rustle ai peculiar hum which the great mass of visitors the navo makes on rising. The first of the thi processions is at hand, but no one moves in I choir till the glittering file is seen, headed heralds and great officers ot state, coming rank rank in stately order, filing off to the right a loft as they enter the choir, till they reach t dais, which none but the most illustrious m ascend. Bhuleep Singh, with Prince Edward of Si Weimar and the Prince of Leiuingen, in his vi form of captain in tho English navy, head the lii of royal guests, but it is on the sister of the brii the lovely Princess Dagmar of Denmark, fi lowed by her royal mother, leading in oich ha the Princess Thyra aud Prince Waldemar, that looks are centred as with stately step they slot pass up the centre. All as they reach the steps the Haut Pas turn and make a deep and reverei obeisance to Her Majesty, which Hjr Majesl rising and advancing to the front, graciou acknowledges. Of these royal personages, it may be remarV here that none attracted more notice thaS* bride's mother, the Princess Christian, and i two young daughters, the Princess Dagmar v Thyra, the younger being apparently about 1 j ears of age. These princesses are both remn: ably handsome, and the older bears a strong reje blance to her sister, the Princess Alexandra, must, however, be confessed that their royal c ther monopolise i attention, and perhaps equa excited surprise. The Princess Christian lo more like a sister of the bride than her moth Her beauty, her courtly gait, and her superb 8 exquisite costume rivetted every eye. In point magnificence of apparel the Princess Christian m perhaps the most striking personage in the enti ceremonial. Tne body and train of her dress w< composed of the richest violet-colored velvet; 1 skirt of white moire antique, elaborately wori with, gold thread. Upon the bodice were diamo: ornaoieuls, and on the head a diamond tiara wi white plumes, while across the breast stretcli the scarlet aud white ribbon of Denmark. As t lon^ train, sweeping flown the nave, was bor behind the Princess Christian, it was iinpossi! to help feeling that a. right royal and rarely love woman was there, independently of her being object of such strong interest as mother of i bride. The Ceeemoity^ As soon as the royal guests had taken tli places, Dhuleep Sing and the Prince of Lciain; occupying seats in front of the altaron the south* side, the procession of the royal family and t Queen's household appeared. The Princess Mtu of Cambridge, her magnificent train borne Lady Edith Somerset, moves up the choir wi the most stately grace. At the dais her attenda pauses, and she turns to gather her train over h arm, an tl moving to the centre, makes a profou: curtesy to her Majasty, then passes at once her place on the north of the altar, in front and just beneath those treasures of ironwork, t gates of Quentin Matsys. As she passes in,i Duche : s ot Cambridge follows, with like state a ceremony, and then the Princess Beatrice, Princi Louise, and Princess Helena ascend in tui fo 'lowed by the Princes Arthur and Leopold, t latter in Highland dresses of the royal tarts All bow aud courtesy deeply to the Queen, ai the Princess Helena, who wears a train, gathe hers on her arm like the rest, and seats hers near the Duchess of Cambridge. The next is t Princess Alice, wearing a noble coronet brilliants; then the Princess Royal, looking young, as amiable, and aa timid as when, wi slow steps, she herself was led to the altar at t Chapel Ro al, but this tim» leading by the hai a finelittle'boy, who, all unawed by. the stat< pomp around, dragged om his mother's arm, h» looked behind him at th« pageant, and wi difficulty brought his little feet to surmount t three steps of the Haut Pas. All have risen they enter, and the Queen now ris«s too and bo to her daughter with a kind and winning sjpile the first that has passed across her face since, i entered the chapel. Her Majesty has evideu found an object which deeply interests her, 8 instead of seating herself 'again she remains at t closet window, watching her royal chilJren they p4ss one after another to their seats beneai and even when they are seated she leans over f front and remains gazing down at them stead with an expression of fond pride which is unn takable, and in which no trace of grief can be covered now. Again the kettle drums and trumpets.- T time all rise, except the Queen herself, and remi standing respectfully, for it is the bridegroom tl approaches. He comes slowly up the choir, pari followed and partly accompanied by the Duke Saxe Coburg and the Prince of Prussia. 1 "Wedding March" is played as they advan and the Queen rises and comes fully forward the Haut Pas is reached, and the three ascend 8 turn in line towards her, bowing deeply; 1 Dakeof Saxe Coburg and the Pnncew Prus retire to the south side of the attar, and the brM groom, after kneeling a few seconds in praj rises and stands " the rose and expectancy of tl fair State," in the centre of the Haut Pas, ato with his face towards the Queen. With the & grace that seems natural to all his ' actions, stood alone, the watched and observed of all « servers, neither bashful nor confident, but ; with manly royal bearing that became his illustrk birth and exalted station. He looked round up the splendid scene for a moment quietly and easil and his every movement, his look, his very beJ

==- : >— ■ seemed in their vivid likeness to his royal afo impress and atnazo all—even those who uir rank and station might be supposed to be lost familiar with her features. As the sound leering was heard -without, marking the Lof his youthful bride, he kept turning his [Srerj moment, for, from where he stood, in L? D tre of the altar, he could see through the a nnd down the nave beyond to where the Zn curtains would hide the marshalling of bride's procession. Often and often did he ice this way, but the curtains were motionless, f sve no siijn of the coming forth of her wLom Sw-wbtch^for with eager expectation., flastatb. a great clangor of ;trumpets,. ,h at first are muffled into a rich mdistinctbohind the curtains, the long-looked for proLn of the bride enters, and the prince giving ookfowatisfy himself of the fact of the arkeews his eyes fixed upon the Qneen, and » fflh his head again till his affianced stands o^/to Tho Queen immediately rose, and ing forward from her closet, stood prepared to ive and to welcome her future daughter. At moment tho sun broke out in great JwuhraCT, shining down into tho chapel, fell directly n the Queen's head and face, and seemed to pinate the shadow recessed about the altar— ny augury, let us hope, of the sunshine of the t that will rest on the princess and her home, fofehush was now so deop and breathless that ,the restless glitter of the jewels that twinkled vwhere seemed almost to break it, and, despite stately etiquette which had hitherto regulated „ word and gesture, all now bent far and erly forward as the hum and rustle in the nave ond showed the young bride to be drawing r ln another minute she- bad entered, ana A the fairest and almost the youngest of all lovely train that bloomed in fair array behind Though not agitated, she appeared nervous, [the soft delicate bloom of color which ordiilv imparts a look of joyous happiness to her ressive features, had all but disappeared as, h head bent down, but glancing her eyesoeca,ally from side to side, she moved slowly up M ds the altar. Seen, as she now appewed, her len brown hair contrasting with the wreath ot nee blossoms, and the rich veil depending „ it, her deep eyes flashing from under its dow and her regular features as exquisitely med'aa the ideal of a sculptor, it is no exaggeion to sayfthat she fascinated tho admiration of who hatt the good fortune to behold her. ffvbody?is absorbed by this charming bride, a alone of all that magnificent assemblage is f watdhed with anxious and loving eyes. From . way in which lier face is shaded by the veil Iber locks are bent forward as she advances, it lifficult to see her features more fully, but as nears the altar sho drops her arm, and for the t time appears "beneath the folds of her veil a to bouquet -of orange flowers, carried in a wely gift from the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh. » bouquet was composed of orange blossoms, ite Tose buds, rare orehideous flowers, and sprigs myrtle, with a trimming of Honiton lace. The rtle was sent from Osborne, and was taken m plants reared from the sprigs used in the dul bouquet of the Princess Royal. It is her iipsty's desire to have myrtle pl.ints kept in the dens of Osborne reared frcm each of the bridal in nets of the royal family. Slowly the bride reaches the Urn.it Pas, and as i stops to bow to the Queen some of her fair at.limits who are apparently even more nervous ,n herself, attempt to kneel, but, -finding then ilnke rise quickly and move on as if they die ' mean it. Then, and then only, does the Prince ■ndel's march from ' 'Joseph" had »been play\at entering, but all music hnd censed as tin rty stood around the altar, till its strains brok< t with the solemn words of the chorale-: — phis day, witb joyful heart and voice To Heav'n be raised a nations pray'r Almighty Father, deign to grant Thy blessing to fee wedded pair. So -shall no clouds of sorrow dim The sunshine of their early days; 'But happiness in endless round Shall still encompass all I.beir ways. The exqnisitely soft music of this chnnt. Nt onct ?:nn and sorrowful, was composed by tho l»(( lice Consort. It may have been this, or thf ociations and lifelong memories called up b.V scene beneath her, but certain it is that ns the r.n commenced Her Majesty drew back from .window of the pew, and', nftpr nn effort to conI her emotion, gave way to her tears and al. st soVbed ; nor did she throughout the rest oi ■ 'oremonv entirely recover her composure. lie bridal party saw nothing of this- the bile's face was turned irom the pew, and the ?feen was withdrawn too xnueh from the front 'I&ePrinoeto see her, though his looks were '■en turned in that direction. As the solemn [mi ended, the prelates advanced to the cointnu■pjfeSils, nnd the Primate, in a rich clear voice, ich was heard throughout every part of the ild]Dg,<!hoTr, and nave, commenced tho service :h the usual formulary. " Dearly beloved, we ■ Sphered together here in the sight o ,1 and in the face of this congregation to join ether this man and this woman in holy matriav." There is a solemn pause after that dreadluljuration in which they are charged to an■rif there was any impediment to the>r mare, and then aiter a moment the Primate Jed on to "Wilt thou, Albert Edward, have i woman to thy wedded wife, to live together sr God's ordinance in the holy estate of matridv ? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor 1 keep her, in sickness nnd in health ; an ;aking all other, keep thee only unto her as iff as ye both shall live ?" fo tins the Prince rather bowed than responded utterance was so indistinct To the same ■stion, " Wilt thou, Alexandra Carolina Maria, c this man to thy wedded husband ?" the rewas just audible, but nothing more, though, usual, every ear was strained to hear it. !ut. to the words — " I take thee Alexandra, to wife, to have and to hold from this day forrd, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, death us do part, according to God's holy ordiice ; and thereto I plight thee my troth." the ace repeated clearly, word for word after his re, though now, again, when it was the turn he young bride, she could be heard only to irer almost inaudibly, and her cheeks were sufd with a crimson flush, and she seemed very rous o the question, "Who giveth this woman to narried to this man ? " the royal father of the le only bowed and moved towards the princess, i was removing her glove hurriedly. Then the mate joined their hands, and in a clear, soft :e, firmly and deliberately repeated the words : With this ring I thee wed, with my body 1 i worship, and with all ray worldly poods I e endow ; in the name of the Father and of the \, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." 11l then knelt down while the prayer commenc,"o Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all nkind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author verlasting life ; send Thy blessing upon these r servants, this man and this woman, whom bless, in Thy name," was solemnly repeated then they rose, while the Primate joined their ids and said the final words, " Those whom 1 hath joined together let no man put ider." Tien was continued the usual prayer and lortation, during which the guns in the % walk were heard booming forth, and the iples throughout the town seemed to fill air with sound. Misled for a moment, Queen's band began tuning their instruits, and even the organ gave one or two limitary spurts and whistles, as if ious to lead in the race of harmony. It premature, however, and there was a tie hush, which restored the former nee, when the Primate was heard conling the exhortation. Then, raising his te, he solemnly pronounced the benedic- ■«, during which the Queen, who had IwTnore deeply affected, knelt and buried •^ace in her handkerchief. The bride and 'legroom then joined hands, and, turning Jthe Queen, gave more a nod of kindly jfidship than a bow of state, which, the ifen returned in kind. In another minute ji Queen, giving a similar greeting to the quitted the closet, and the whole jf cant went pouring in a gorgeous stream bod of colours of waving plumes, and els, out of the choir. None can tell those who were present how grand and mn was the whole ceremony, or with how :h de*? hope and true devotion the mare of the second Prince of Wales was hated in St. George's chapel,' Windsor, they left the choir the organ and band went pealing forth the Hallelujah \ leethoven : * Hallelujah to the Father And the Son of God, ie the Lord, ye everlasting choir, in holy song of joy, Worlds unborn shall sing His glory, s , The exalted Son of God.