The Press. — London, England, 1857-03-07 00:00:00

234 century who had questioned the prerogatives of Longshanks ? He would have been drowned in a butt of his own ale, or smothered in a tub of his own grains! Though our author's estimate of the Stuarts is not too favourable, nevertheless the character of the lamented Prince Henry suffers nothing in his bands. He has brought together a collection of very entettaining anecdotes of that prince, all tending to heighten, or at least sustain, the estimate we bad previously formed of him. The information contained in Mr. Edgar's book, though poured out in a careless, popular style, could not have been obtained without continuous and extensive reading. His volume is an original work, based on p3rsonal investigation of the subject, and not a mere o impilation from Hume or Lingard. A better book f)r a prize or birthday present to boys of twelve or fifteen we have seldom met with. MARRI.tGE OF MESS RO THSCHILD. THE marriage of Miss Rothschild, which has so long kept the fashionable world in a state of anticipated excitement, was solemnised on Wednesday last, sit Gunnersbury park. We extract the following account of the brilliant ceremony from the Morning Post : G once the abode of a monarch's _ favourite sister, and now the suburban retreat of a " Merchant Prince," whose ancestral line dates beyond monarchies, yesterday witnessed a scene and an occasior. perhaps the most impressive and picturesque that ever found recurd in matrimonial annals. The marriage by Hebrew ceremonial of the Baron Alphonse de Rothschild to his cousin Leonora, the beauti• ful daughter of the Baron and Baroness Lionel de Roths• child, the popular head of the family in this country, is an alliance which may not inaptly be said to have a Euro pean interest. In preparation for this event extensive arrangements have been for some time in progress at Gunnersbury. The main feature of these has been the extension of the magnificent dining room, so as to accommodate the Milne row' guests bidden to the festival. This temporary expan sion of the mansion•—:ull thirty-five feet beyond its already large dimensions—and receding into sweeping recesses walled with mirrors framed with trellis and artifi.Ual flower work, was lined in every disposable form with the choicest exotics in all the bloom and perfume of Oriental nature. Draperies of white and blush-rose colour radiated from forty compartments, into which the ceiling was made to subdivide—every decoration being of the most tasteful character, and the whole amply illuminated with costly chandeliers and numerous candelabra. The general decorations of the house aro of pure white and gold. It is furnished throughout in the most elaborate manner, and is replete with articles of vertu, paintings of the highest order of art, bronzes of the rarest kind, and all of costly luxury that the most sumptuous taste can desire. The invitations included several members of the Corps Diplotriatique, a large proportion of the aristocracy, some distinguished foreigners, and the various members of the illustrious house of Rothschild. The assembled company presented a conp•d'asil the most brilliant in beauty and costume that can be con• ceived, and among the fairest the sixteen bridesmaids held a proud pre-eminence. The Chief Rabbi having taken his position in front of the canopy, the nuptial procession entered the saloon. The bridegroom—a handsome young man, with a fine open countenance—entered first, sup• ported by his father and father•in•law ; and then came the bride, between her mother and mother-in-law, the betrothed pair first meeting under the canopy. The fair bevy of bridesmaids included the following ladies:— Miss Evelina Rothschild Miss Hannah L. Rothschild Miss Adele Rothschild Miss Constance Rothschild Miss Emma Rothschild Miss Annie Rothschild Miss Theresa Rothschild Miss Hannah itothsohild Lady Maris Boyle Hon Miss Copley Miss Ashworill Miss Probyu Lady Louisa Boyle Miss O'Hara Miss Maxee Mlle. de In Greneo The costume of the bride was a chef•d'asuvre in taste and appointments. The robe was of white satin covered with real Bruxelles Point of a very rare description, trimmed with marabouts, and decorated with bouquets of orange blossom and lilies of the valley. The headdress, admirably adapted to Oriental beauty, was composed of massive braids of hair falling low upon the neck, and bound with rouleans of royal blue velvet, producing a charming effect. The bridal chaplet was formed of orange blossoms, the stephanotis, and lilies of the valley, with pendants of jessamine and May flower. Attached to the back of the head was a veil of the costliest Brussels lace, which swept the ground; and superadded to this was the distinguishing veil of the Hebrew bride (the voile a la vierge). Literally it should have been but a mask of fine linen concealing the features, but on this occasion it was represented by the more elegant and appropriate "tulle ilbseion," a most aerial fabric, entirely enveloping the face without concealing it. The dresses of the sixteen bridesmaids were of white tulle looped with blue ribbons, and velvets over very full slips of white glace. They wore wreaths and bouquets of white roses and lilies of the valley, tail on blue velvet, and tulle veils. The Chief Rabbi opened the ceremonial by an appro priate address to the bride and bridegroom, delivered in English. in the course of which he paid a high compliment to the Rothschild family, and especially to the father and mother of the bride, whose example he enjoined the young couple to emulate as the best mule of insuring a happy existence here and ►ttaining a blissful hereafter. A solemn prayer and blessing in Hebrew followed : THE PRESS. Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord our God! King of the Universe, who created the fruit of the vine. Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord our God! King of the Universe! who has sanctified us with Thy commandments, and permitted us those who are married to us by means of the canopy and the werilock. Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord! who sanctified Israel by means of the canopy and wedlock. The bridal pair now partock of a wine cup handed to them by their respective parents, after which the bride groom placed the ring on the finger of his bride, pro nouncing audibly in Hebrew that which may be thus rendered:— Behold! thou art wedded to me with this ring according tolthe law of Mosee and Israel. The marriage contract, the burden of which enforces the mutual duties of husband and wife, was next read, after which the Chief Rabbi presented another wine cup, and invoked on the wedded pair seven blessings. The Chief Rabbi then congratulated the pair, and offered up a supplication for the poor of the Laud of Promise. The wine cup (symbol of joy and sorrow in blended union) was again taken by the bridegroom, who, after tasting the contents, threw the cup on the ground, which shattered it into a thousand pieces, thus denoting the pre- carious nature of life and joy, and commemorating also that great sorrow still held sacred by the Jew—the destruction of the Temple. The whole of the service, with the exception of the introductory address, was performed in Hebrew, by Dr. Adler and the Her. Simon Asher. The ceremony concluded, the bridegroom removed the veil from his bride and saluted her. The young baroness was also saluted by her parents, and by the lair sisterhood in attendance upon her. The ordinary legal formalities of the marriage having been presently completed, the bride and bridegroom re ceived the congratulations of the assembled guests. The band of the Ist Life Guards wits stationed in the conservatory, and as soon as the marriage ceremony was completed they commenced playing a selection of favourite music. The gallery in which the bridal presents were displayed was the chief point of attraction up to the hour appointed for dinner. It would be impossible otherwise than by a catalogue of great names, and jewels rivalling the wealth of the Indies, to give an idea of the splendour and num ber of the gifts collectively displayed in this gallery, or to enumerate the donors. One set of jewels alone, the gift of the bridegroom's father, was said to be sorth 30.0001. The banquet was announced at lialipast six o'clock, at which hour the company entered the salle a manger at a given signal. The bride and bridegroom sat together at the head of the principal table. On the right of the bride sat Baron James Rothschild, Baroness Lionel de Rothschild, Count Persigny, the Duchess of Bedford, the Belgian Minister, Baroness Nathaniel de Rothschild, Lord John Russell, and Lady Anthony de Rothschild. On the left of the bridegroom were—Baroness James Rothschild, Baron Lionel de Rothschild, the Duchess of Wellington, Count Kielmansegge, and the Hon. Mrs. Fitzroy. Just as dinner was completed, and while the ices were being served, a pretty incident of the day took place in the presentation, by the baroness, according to the old and hospitable custom of the family, to each lady (they were eighty in number) of an exquisite bouquet, com posed of choice flowers, for the composition of which not only had the fl , ral stores of the baroness's conservatories munificently contributed, but the whole of the Parisian markets had hem ransacked of their finest camelins. After the brnquet, the Rev. A. Greene chanted in Hebrew " Grace after Meat." When this had con cluded— The FRENCH AMBASSADOR rose and spoke as follows : Si je anis heureux d'avoir a complimenter la jeune Mariee, comma amide sa famille, j'avone que, comme Ambassa deur de France, j'eprouve quelque embarras. C'est qu'en effet, Representant d'un pays attache a l'alliance Anglaise, je ne devrais rte» faire qui pnisse etre desagreable a nos Allies ; et cependant voila que j'encourage de ma pre. Bence, et mettle de ma parole, l'enlevement, au profit de mon pays, dune des plus brillantea perles de cette ecrin de belles jennes filles dont l'Angleterre est si fiere. (Cheers.) Ce qui augmente ma responsabilite c'cst quo l'exemple pent devenir contagieux. Ce n'est pas impune ment que mes jeunes compatriotes verront arriver a Paris une des plus charmants produits de cette education Ang laise qni sait shier dune maniere si admirable le naturel et la simplicite a l'instruction la plus brillante. ll y a, pent•etre, un moyen de tout conciliet ; c'est que l'heureux Epoux, qui vs donner a mes compatriotes nn exemple si seduisant, promette de ramener sa jeune femme le plus souvent possible au milieu de sea amis d'Angleterre. Maintenant je voudrais adresser mes vceux it la jeune Mariee; mais que souhaiter a une jeune femme tout a la tuis née et mariee dans une famille qui a retrouve la lampe merveilleuse des Mille et une Nuits. Car avec cette puissance magique, quels desire, quels caprices meme, sea parens et son Mari ne pourront its pas satisfaire ? Et si le emir tie la jeune femme reste, comme j'en gUiS convaincu, au milieu des plaisirs du monde, toujours bon et corn eatissant pour l'infortune, qu'ai je besoin encore de faire tut souhait ? Est ce que ses deux excellentes tneres ne lni out pas déjà appris, comment, quand it s'agit do faire le bien, la plus petite main peut s'enlarger assez pour puiser dans ces coffres inepuisables? (Cheers.) Male puisque je ne peux faire aucun vcen le que talisman d'Aladin ne tends superflu, je me yob; force d'en emprunter un an monde des chimeres; mais it neat pas moins natutel et realisable—c'est que le roman de la jeune fille se continue comme finissent les Contes de Fees. Je m'arrete je ne veux pas retarder plus long temps le moment pour les convives de saluer la jeune Marii•e, et je me hate de porter le toast impatiemment attendu—" A Madame la Baronne Alphonse de Rothschild." His Excellency was eery loudly cheered on resuming his seat, SAiIIIRDAY; The BRIDEGROOM, in responding to the toast, said ono such an occasion he might be excused for want of words ti, express the cordial thanks of himself and his wife for such kind wishes for their happiness. He hoped and he trusted. that God would bless their union. (Cheers.) He knew that his beloved wife could not but feel the loss of her parents; but to insure her welfare would be the great object and tender care of his future life, which he devoted to her. (Cheers./ To her parents he hoped his gratitude for having given him so great a blessing would be shown in his conduct to her. To his dear friends now present—grateful as he was that they had honoured him on this occasion—he should feel still more grateful if they would come to see him at his own home. ( Hear, hear.) He could say no more, but, in conclusion, would invoke the solemn blessing of Providence on that day. (Cheers.) The Right Hon. B. DISRAELI rose and said—We have. heard, with an emotion felt by all, the wishes expressed 'or the health and happiness of the hero and heroine of this memorable day. But there are others present who are• entitled also to our affectionate respect. Under AM roof are the heads of the name and family of Rothschild--s name famous in every capital of Europe and every division of the globe—a family not more regarded for its riches than esteemed for its honour, virtues, integrity, and pubtur spirit. The father of the bridegroom has resided in Paris for many years, and in that capital the united influence of his talents and his virtues has accomplished great designs. Many of us have witnessed the responsibility of his cares and shared in his cordial hospitality, but on all occasions we have found him alike remarkable for that joyous spirit which forms so distinguishing a feature in his character. The wisest monarch of this world has said that there is something more precious than rubies, and I am sure he has found that treasure. Those wilco are acquainted with the Baroness James Rothschild know the cultivated mind and commanding intelligence which she possesses, and how much she adorns the life of which she is the soul and inspiration. The parents of our bridegroom are not only guests under this roof, but guests in this country. am sure you will give them such a cordial expression of our goodwill that when they cross the waters which separate us from an ally, so much cherished, and who' is so well represented in this country by Count Persigny, they will carry back with them our feelings of admiration and gratitude. It is with these feelings I now pro pose " The health of the Baron and Baroness James Rothschild." Baron JAMES Rorascumn expressed his acknowledg ments in a few concise words, and said ho should be very happy to welcome all his kind friends at his own home in Paris. Lord Joust RUSSELL proposed the health of the Baron and Baroness Lionel de Rothschild, to whose public and private virtues he paid a well merited compliment, which was received with much enthusiasm. Baron LIONEL DE Roxitscnn.D, in a speech replete with great feeling, expressed that, much as he felt the parting with a beloved child, he did so with sure confidence in the happiness that was in store for her. Mr. BLRNAL OSBORNE now rose and said—l am deputed to offer to your consideration a toast which claims it, not only upon its intrinsic merits, but for the largeness of the constituency I represent. (Laughter). Possibly it may be said that as I am not among them I am not entitled to represent them; but I had the honour to conduct two of them into this saloon, and it is to the amplitude of their dresses, and not to any desertion on my part, that I owe. my banishment to this small borough—(great laughter, occasioned by its being observed that the hon. member was seated by himself at a small table in the centre of the room.) However, I can truly say they have my sympathies. (Laughter.) Their number is to me rather an ominous one—it is tee number of 16. (Roars of laughter.) Faithful to my duty, and looking at these bright stars rather in the light of an astrologer than a prophet, I should say that they have well performed their duty in revolving round that con stellation which I regret to say has become a fixed star. (Renewed laughter.) Before dinner we all saw the ceremony of breaking a wine glass, and I have had a small piece as a memento presented to me. Might I be permitted to suggest that, in carrying out that feeling of etatente cordiule, which is so much prized in this country, sixteen other young gentlemen may be imported to break sixteen other glasses with my constituents. (Cheers.) The bridesmaids is the toast lam about to give. (Cheers.) I was almost going to say I was sorry I was not in a state of life to take one of them myself. (Laughter.) But if am not, I see many around who are willing and anxious to do so, and if any one should come forward I should be most happy to propose their health. (Cheers.) On this occasion I will ask you to give it with three times three, and one cheer more for the ladies who expelled me. (Laughter and cheers.) Baron ALFRED ROTHSCHILD responded for the brides maids in an amusing speech, and immediately afterwards the guests rose and retired into the ball•room. The bride appeared with her husband for a short period among the company, but presently retired, and at ten o'clock the happy pair left Gunnerabury for the Willesden station of the London and North• Western Railway, where a special engine and carriage awaited to convey them to Cheddington, en route for Mentmore, the newly-erected mansion of Baron Meyer de Rothschild, under the Chilterns, iu the county of Bucks. The ball was kept up with unflagging gaiety until after two o'clock. Amid the hospitalities of the day the host and hostess had not forgotten their humbler and poorer friends, who were generously feasted; and the feeling of the neighbour• hood was shown in the numerous flags hung out at the houses along the road, and the festive appearance assumed by the whole vicinity,