DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S MARRIAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 294, 31 March 1874, Page 2

DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S MARRIAGE.

St PETEBBBUKGHI, January 23. — The marriage ceremony of the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Maria commenced to-day in the presence of a vast assemblage of guests in tiie Winter Palace and the various g«llen«. " The ladies were sumptuously attired, tho prevailing costumes, particularly of Russian ladies, were velvet and diamonds. The men were in uniform, with tho exception of tho Ame.icun Diplomatist. After assembling, a proces ion was formed with tho Grand Equeries, Chamberlains, and other officers of the Court. Leading them camo the Emperor and Empress, the Prince and Princess Imperial, Prince and Princess of Wales, the Prince and Princes* Imperial of G.-rraany, and Prince Arthur. Then came the bride and the bridegroom, who wore the Russian naval uniform. The bride was splendidly apparelled in a long crimson velvet mantle, trimmed with ermine, and she wore a diamond coronet. Her train was borno by four pages. Then followed an immense procession of the Imperial family, priests, friends, princes and court officials. Tho Imperial Russian Prince wore the uniform of Cuirassiers, the Prince of Wales the scarlet British uniform the Prussian Prince Imperial that of a Prussian Colonel. All were decorated with the Russian Order of St Andrew, The Pi incess of Wiles was dressed in dark crimson velvet, with diamond coronet and collar, and pearl necklace. The Imperial German Princess was dressed in tho same slyle. The Russian Princess's dre->s was blue velvet and gold. Prince Arthur acted as one of the groomsmen. The procession, upon reaching the Russian Church, was recoirod by tho Metropolitan Head of tho Russian Church of the Hoy Synod, bearing crosses and sacred vessels with holy water. The Emperor conducted the bride and bridegroom to the middle of the church, assuming hia station with the Empress immediately behind. Around the bridegroom stood Prince Arthur and the Grand Dukes. The wedding rings, borne on golden salvers, were deposited on the altar temporarily until placed on tlae lingers of the bride and bridegroom. The in gnificent chapel was illuminated with innumerable wax candles ; the floor was covered with velvet, crimson and goU carpet; the pillars and altar were covered vvitli gold. The Greek marriage ceremony was uuique in tho absence of music. Chants and intoned prajers were given during the service. The crowns were held suspended over tho heads of the bncUl pair. Prince Arthur Holding the crown overthoDuke of Edinburgh, and Prince Serguis tha» over the bride. l'he Imperial (Jonlessor then said :—": — " Thou servant of God, Alfred Ernest Edward, art crowned for tins handmaiden of God, Maria Alexandra, in tho name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." Prince Arthur, becoming tired of holding the heavy crown, was relieved. Then the epistle to the Ephesians, sth chapter, 20th and 23rd verses, were read. After the reading was concluded the marriage at Canna of Galhleo was read. The Crowns were removed, and tho married couple, walked thrice around the raised dais, holding the tip of the confessor's robe with one hand and a candle in tho other. At the conclusion of this ceremony the sacramental cup was brought forward, blessed and partaken of by the bridal pair, the confessor presenting the cross, which both kisjrd. Afterward the choir sang " Glory to Thee, O Lord ! " concluding with a bened id ion. This ended the Greek services. The procession then •lowly formed, proceeding to the Hall of Alexander for the Anglican service. Dean Stanley, of Westminster Abbey, officiated. The walls were decorated with battle pictures. Dean Stanley, who during the solemnisation of the Greek church service, wore a Protestant Episcopal Doctor of Divinity hat and gown, and who now appeared on the altar wearing an Episcopal surplice with a jewelled collar of the Order of JJath around his neck, was assisted by two r-sident English clergymen. Both the American and the English embassies weie gathered on llio loft of tLo altar. Conapicn--ous au.ong them was Governor Jewntt, the American Minister, Lord Loftus, the English Minister, and Diplomatic officials. Many English officers, in full costume, were also pres.'iit. Especially notable was tho venerable Prince Gortsbakofl". surrounded by leading members of the Russian nobility. Tho Episcopal chants were given by Russian chornter I»ds, in long crimson dresses. When the marriage procc6sicn entered, the bride walked between her father and tho bridegroom. Prince Arthur walked behind. The beautiful Anglican wedding service w»» th^n impressively performed by Dean Stanley, the Prince and Princess rasponding according to the form enjoined in tho book of Common Prayer. The delivery of the final benediction, " God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost— bless, preserve, and keep you," was especially touching. Tho services being concluded, Dean Smnley congratulated the newly-married couple. Sevjral Roman Catholic dignitaries were present. Tho bride looked earnest, sweet, and fairfaced ; the bridegroom grave and self possessed. The Princess of Wales was lovely, pnle, and delicate. The German Crown Princess looked healthy — the image of her mother, Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales w»s apparently on excellent terms with the German Prince, and both looked well. During the ceremony in the English chapel, the Empress of Russia being a confirmed invalid and fatigued, seemed overcome and made a mouon of holding a handkerchief to her eyes when the married couple saluted her. The ceremony being concluded, the crowd dispersed. There was only a limited display of popular enthusiasm. An illumination of tho public squares took place, and the general scene was one of splendid festivity. The service formed an extraordinary combination of ceremony, wealth, pomp, and splendour. After the marriage rites, thero was a banquet at the Palace and subsequently n ball at the gorgeous hall. At the close of the ball the bridal couple were formally marched to tho bridal chamber, aetoinpaun'd by the Emperor and [-iofficers of the Court. The festivities were continued after the retirement of the happy couple, the Emperor being present.