A SILENT WEDDING.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 484, 28 June 1890, Page 4

A SILENT WEDDING.

The Deaf and Dumb Alphabet. A very interesting wedding ceremony wa s recently performed at St. Mary’s Church, Maryporfc, England. The happy couple were both deaf arid dumb. When the union was first contemplated it was suggested thab the services of a deaf and dumb clergyman should, if possible, be called into requisition. The Bishop of Carlisle was consulted on the subject. His lordship was of opinion that the ceremony could be performed by an ordinary clergyman, if the service were interpreted to thecontractingparties bysigns known to deaf and dumbpeople. Thiscourse was accordingly adopted, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. R. Burn, the senior curate. The contracting parties were Mr William Kiug, of Wigton, and Miss Ann Casford Mandle, daughter of a prominent resident, Mr Thomas Mandle, of Castle Bank, Maryport. Although the church is; a large one, it was literally crowded. Prior to the commencement of the service the minister alluded to the solemnity of the ceremony, and asked the people present to be as quiet and orderly as possible. Everyone, however, was anxious to see what was going on, consequently there was much pushing, confusion, and noise—so much so that the officiating clergyman found it necessary to stop the service and enjoin silence. The bride and bridegroom took up their position in the usual way at the foot of the steps leading to the communion table. The bride was attired in a fawn-coloured travelling dress trimmed with beaver. Her two sisters acted as bridesmaids, and were attired in dresses of a similar colour. The clergyman read the service aloud in the usual way. As he proceeded, the bride’s sister, prayer book in hand, indicated with her finger words that were being uttered. The bride’s brother assisted the bridegroom in a similar way. W T hen it became necessary for the contracting parties to signify to take each other for better or worse, they did so by means of the deaf and dumb alphabet, ’ the signs being interpreted by the clergyman. The ceremony of joining hands wa;s observed for a moment, but the happy couple had to stand apart whilst, by means of their fingers, they took the usual vows. The bridegroom’s deaf and dumb sister and brother, as well as ether deaf mutes, were present.