The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-08-03 00:00:00

MARRIAGE OF MAD]
NILSSON.

On Saturday, the 27th, the marriage of
NILSSON with M. AVOUSTZ ROUZAUD, of Paris, waa
orAemnized in Weetmiu.iter Abbey under cireumetatces
of minimal intereet and echt t.

The vast interior of the Abbey was filled from the
great west door to the altar, and the crowds of spec-
tators assembled round the doors, and the continuous
stream of carriage" into Dean's-yard, gave to the
scene something of a public character. The nave
was thrown open to the public, and was densely
crowded. The choir was reserved for those who
had received special invitations, and the number
included most of the Foreign Auibaesadors and
their families, the aristocratic patrons of Italian
opera, and the leading operst c celebrities. So great
was the de-ire to be present that chairs were placed
for those who could not be otherwise accommodated
in the centre of the nave on each aide of the clear
space left for the nuptial procession. The great
, majority of the company were ladies, and as there
was a large admixture of foreigners, the snooper
toilettes worn on the occasion were distinguished by un-
usual taste, variety, and richness. The spectacle was
therefore one of remarkable brilliancy. Among the com-
pany were the Baron and Baroness Brunnow. the
Swedish Minister and Baroness Ilochschild, Madame
Murrieta, General Schenck and the Misses Schenck,
Lady Emily Peel, Lori Cameys, Vivount Bar Shah n,
Is!. P., the hlaripds 41 Lin Ile, M.P., Sir G. Arnotage,
Mr. A. Kiunaud, M.P., Mr. G. C. Bentinek, M. P.,
the Rev. Lord A. C onpton, Colonel Towline, M.P.,
Sir Miehael Costa, Mdlle. Titiens, Sir Jules Benedict,
Mr. Maplenon, Signor Gardoni, Mr. Charles HaW,
and Signor Foil.
The choristers and clergy of the Abbey stood inside
the ~eat west door (which was kept closed) in he
di-
ness to receive the bridal procession. About half pant
eleven the bridegroom, attended by Mr. Walter Vivian,
jun., and accenipnnied by hinuncle, Admiral Rouznad,
of toe French Navy, and two friends, entered the
Abbey. M. Rouz.ud was in ordinary mornitig coetume.
As soon as the bridal laity left the Jerunalemillaniber,
Mr. Toile, the organist played as a voluntary an
air of Randers entitled, Guardian Angel, Oh protect
her." The i cession, headed by the choristers,
and ineludi, ! the clergy of the Abbey, then slowly
advani rd up nave, the choristers singing the Ger-
man chorale, ' Now thank weal our God." Dean Stan-
ley walked lido, lately 'before the bride, who lesued
upon the arm of Count Steinback, Seeretary to the
Swedish Embassy. She was attired in a dress of white
embroidered satin a long white bridal veil, and a rich
wreath of orange onsomr. She also carried a splendid
bouquet of white 1 rivers. How chancing the Swedish
prima donna looked it is unnecessary to describe. The
bridesmaids were five in number— the Princess
Catherine Pcniatownky, the Baroness Florence de
Bretton, Miss Kate Vivian, and Mina Cavendish Ben-
thick and Miss Venetia Cavendish Rentinck, daughters
of Mr. G. Cavendish Bentindk. The bridestnahhi wore
white muslin dresses over light blue bodices trimmed
with pink riband, and wore chaplets 14 roseas in their
hair.

At the organ s..reen the procession was joined by the
bridegroom an I his "bet man." Arrangements had
been made for the n.arriage service to be read in the
tnidille of the choir, the ritual declaring that bride-
groom and bride "shall come into the body of the
church with their friends and neighbours." Here
accordingly, in the midst of the brilliant throng,
the bride an I bridegroom knelt while the •marria4e
service wa, reverently and impressively read by
the Dean. When Dr. Stanley asked, " Who giveth
this woman to be married to this man l" Count
Steinback stepped forward, and the bride awl
bridegroom thereupon plighted their troth, and
the ring having been put upon the bride's finger, the
Dean pronounced them to ite man and wife. The pro-
cession was then re-formed—the organ playing a chant
adapted from Beethoven—and slowly proceeded up the
Abbey to the Sacrarium, where the psalm Beati thanes
was intoned by the pr t centor, the Rev. S. Flood Jones.
Immediately before the address, "All ye that are
married," the choir rang a beautiful marriage chorale
composed by Mr. Tune to the hymn beginuing.

f' Father of Life confessing
Thy Majesty and power.
We seek thy gracious blessing
To greet the bridal hour."
After the address prescribed by the rubric the Dean
gave the benediction, and the bridegtoom, rising and
giving the bride his arm, led her down the church, the
organ playing Meudelssolui's Wedding March. The
bridesmaids awl em verallnenlsfoll,wed to the 3 erusaleni
Chamber. Mdlle Nilsson looked flushed and somewhat
oppressed by the heat, but preserved an admirable COM-
posure and self-possession, awl as she ps,s.d down the
church acknowledged the salutations of Mile. Titiens
and other friends with her usual grace and sweetness.
The musical portion of the serv.co, it will be seen, was
as siroplein i's chara ter as it was well chosen and
well executed.

After the marriage had been duly, registered and
attested in the Jerusalem Chamber, M. and Madame
Rouzaud, with the rest of the bridal party, proceeded
to Grafton-street, where, at the residence of Mr.
Cavendish Bentmck. the naddirg breakfast was given.
A crowd hail assembled at the entran e, who gave the
bride and bridegroom a warm reception. Many
aristocratic and operatic celebrities were present at the
breakfast, and after it was concluded Mr. Cavendish
Bentinek proposed the "Health of the Bride and Bri.le-
groom." Of the bride he said tirit her rharacter and
her fame had been already too well estahlishe 1 to need
any words at his hands. He mid a high compliment
to the sterling gmel qualities of the bridegroom, and
believed it would be found that their great favourite
Mdlle. Nilsson could not have been better uniteri.
Mr. Walter Vivian proposed "The nridesruaids," to
which the bridegroom responded in excellent English.
The wedding presents displayed in the drawing-rooms
were much wirnin.a. The Prize.. of Wales sent a
magnificent gold bracelet set with diamonds. The
bridegroom's present was a costly necklace formed of
three rows of Oriental pearls. Among those who sent
wedding presents were Viscountess Folkestone, Lady
Anthony de Rs .thschild, Mfille. Thiene, Lady Angusta
Sturt, Lady Walter Campbell, the Princess Catherine
Poniatowsky, the Conntear of Bradford, the Countess
Dowager of Es-ex, Baron Leopold de Rothschild, L .rd
Edward Somerset, Baron Ferdinandde Rothschild, the
Earl of Dr vilify, Sir Jules Benedict, the Duke of Man-
chester, the Marquis of Headfott, and Sir Robert and
Lady Emily Peel.

Shortly after the wedding breakfast the bride and
bridegroom left towm en route for Ffitl/04 aud Switzer.
land.