The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-01-26 00:00:00

THE ROYAL MARRIAGE.

The whole of the sumptuous preparations and decora-
tions in connexion with this all-important event have at
last been brought to a close, and even the Chapel Royal
is declared to be complete. On Friday afternoon Her
Majesty, with the Princess Royal and their Royal High-
nesses the Prince and Princess of Prussia paid is long
visit of inspection to it, passing through the line of route
to be taken by the procession yesterday (Monday).
Her Majesty expressed herself perfectly satisfied with
all the arrangements and alterations, and which, bearing
in view the means and space at the disposal of those in-
trusted with the decorations, are really deserving of all
fair praise. The positions, too, to be occupied by all the
illustrious guests upon the hata-paa were finally deter-
mined on and approved by Her Majesty in person, who
also pointed out the place where she wished her own
Chair of State to be placed, on the left-hand side of the
altar—the side on which the young bride will stand.
On either side of Her Majesty's chair are placed five
crimson velvet stools, richly embroidered with gold lace
—the three on the left are intended for the Princesses
Alice, Helens, and Louisa; those on the right for the
Princes Arthur and Leopold. The Prince of Wales
has a place apart, more to the front of the altar, and
Prince Alfred among the illustrious guests on the right.
His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, with the King
of the Belgians, will occupy crimson stools (such as are
provided for all the royal personages except the Queen) ,
in the centre of the haat-pas, the Prince and Princess of
Prussia having places on the right immediately behind
where the bridegroom will stand. The places for Prince
William of Baden and the Duke and Duchess of Saxe
Coburg are on the right, near the noble relatives of the
bridegroom, and the Dncheas of Kent will be seated on
the left, near the Queen.
Such were the arrangements decided upon on Friday
at 3 o'clock, but the lapse of a few minutes more suf-
ficed to change them, for shortly before 4 o'clock a tele-
gram was received at Buckingham Palace announcing
the death of the Grand Duke at Baden. In consequence
of this melancholy event the Duke and Duchess of Saxe
Coburg and Prince William of Baden are plunged into
mourning, and will, we believe, immediately quit Lon-
don for the continent, and their places at the bridal
ceremony of course will be occupied by others. It was
anticipated by some that, in consequence of the late
lamented death of the Duke of Devonshire, his
Grace's cousin the Duchess of Sutherland would be pre-
vented from attending in her official capacity as Mistress
of the Robes, but we believe that her Grace will be
present on this auspicious occasion. Nothing can more
forcibly show the uncertainty of all human plans than
these changes, and rumours of changes, being caused by
death in the gay ranks of a bridal festivity. What im-
presses this feeling still more strongly is that the
Marchioness of Westmeath died on Friday afternoon.
Her Ladyship occupied apartments in St. James's
Palace which almost immediately adjoin the Chapel
Royal, and therefore all the blinds of the house were
down as a sign that death was busy, while around the
rooms artists were busy hanging the evergreens and
making ready the decorations for Monday.
As a great deal of misunderstanding has arisen as to
the time at which the distinguished persons who have
tickets will be admitted to the Chapel Royal, it is stated
that no person whatever will be admitted to the interior
of the Chapel before 10 o'clock, or later than half-past
11. Only between these hours will the holders of the
white tickets be admitted.
The following Bishops and clergy were to officiate at
the Royal Marriage
The Archbishop of Canterbury, as Primate.
The Bishop of London, as Dean of the Chapel Royal.
The Bishop of Oxford, as Lord High Almoner.
The Bishop of Chester, as Clerk of the Closet.
The Dean of Windsor, as Domestic Chaplain.
The Rev. Dr. Wesley, as Sub-Dean of the Chapel
Royal.
The following Gentlemen in Ordinary of the Chapels
Royal will officiate in the choir :—Messrs. T. Francis,
W. Lockey, J. Goss, G. W. Martin, Benson, R. Hamby,
N. Smith, Foster, Machin, Lawler, Thomas, White-
house, and Bennett. . .

Sir G. Smart will preside at the organ, assisted by
Mr. Cooper. The chorister boys will attend with their
matter, the Rev. T. Helmore. The ceremony will open
with the following chorale :
Cucuta/a.
This day, with gladsome voice and heart,
We praise Thy name, 0 Lord, who art
Of all good things the Giver!
For England's first-born Hope we pray!
Be near her now, and ever!
King of Kings, Lord of Lords,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Hear us, while we kneel before Thee!
The Deus Miseratur will be chanted during the
ceremony, and the Hallelujah Chorus at the close.
The following notice has been issued
"Lord Chamberlain's Office, Jan. 21.
"This is to give notice, that in consequence of the
unexpectedly large number of applicants for tickets to
view the Chapel Royal, St. James's, on the 27th, 28th,
and 29th inst., which have already far exceeded the
extent of the accommodation that can be afforded with

reference to the safety of the public, it bee been found
impossible to carry out the intention announced in the
papers of the sth met.—of opening the Chapel Royal on
those clays. Arrangements will, however, be made 1111
soon am possible after the Drawing Room of the 30t11
net, for opening the state Apartments, together with
the Chapel Royal, to the public for a month, when the
tickets already issued for the Chapel will be available
for both.
" Further regulations as to the issue of tickets will be
published hereafter.
" BREADALBANE, Lord Chamberlain."

Toe ROYAL WEDDING.--IVINDBOII, Friday.—The
inhabitants of Windsor have in the most liberal manner
subscribed nearly £3OO towards the entertainment of the
poor on the day of the marriage of the Princess Royal.
A spacious tent, calculated to dine 2,000 persons, has
been erected in Messrs. Nevile Reid and Co.'s yard,
where, in addition to the eating and drinking, there will
be in attendance 100 pf the Windsor and Eton Choral
Society at one end of the tent and a band of music at
the other, to give zest to the entertainment. The
feasting and rejoicing on the first day is limited to
persons over 17 years of age, and on the following day
all the children between the ages of 8 and 17 who choose
to attend will be regaled in like manner. Some diversity
of opinion with reference to beer not being allowed has
taken place, and we hear that a party have determined
to supply this beverage by placing barrels of Nevile Reid
and Co.'s sting° in various paste of the town.