The Express.
London, England, 1858-01-25 00:00:00

THE CHAPEL.

On entering the chapel it was impossible to avoid
feeling a sort of pleasurable surprise at the mar-
-1 venous results which taste and energy, and ample
resources, had produced within so limited a spans,
and on enclevery short notice. The details of the
decorations and arrangements have already been
given, and it only remains to state that still greater
gorgeousness was added to the general effect by the
abundant display of the royal plate with which the
oonununfon table was completely covered ; much of
it was of solid gold, and the remainder of missive
silver gilt; some of it had been made in the time of
the " merry monarch ;" other portions bore date
from good Queen Anne, and the rest belonged to
periods more nearly approaching oar own time. It
is almost needless to state that immediately on the
opening of the doors each portion of the chapel was
quickly filled with its privileged occupants.
As early as half past 9 o'clock the approaches to
the palace became densely filled with carriages, and
paring the threshold we ware surprised to see all
the pasagea thronged with ladies in court, or full
morning dres, and gentlemen in varied and brilliant
uniforms. At the Queen's entrance the charming
effect of Lady Hall's floral decorations were
strikingly conspicuous, giving quite a summer glow
to the otherwise wintry aspect of the picture. Here
and there stood groups of the stalwart Life Guards in
casqae and cuirass, and the various benches were al-
ready sprinkled with'plumahand diamonds,sad satin,
and orinoline, the fair owners of which appeared
somewhat incommoded by the narrowness of the
allotted' accommodation. In the chapel itself we
noticed amongst the earliest arrivals the Lord Chief
Justine of England and Lady Stratheden. His
lordship first entered the aisle, evidently
in expectation that there a place had been
allotted to him. A member of the Commons
however speedily undeceived his lordship, and the
distinguished couple were soon afterwards taking
their places in the gallery. Shortly afterwards the
Marchioness of Clanrioarde, as wife of a cabinet mi-
Water, took her place in one of the reserved seats
near the altar, and was immediately followed by
Lady Combermere, for whom also a distin-
gnished place had been 'reserved. Her ladyship
wore a costly robe of Honiton lace overaslip of white
satin, a shawl of rare Indian fabric sprigged with
ornaments in Prussian blue, and a magnificent head-
dress of pearls and feathers. Now the Prince's
Heralds appeared in the arch, creating universal
curiosity by the grotesque splendour of their
tabards, and in the mysterious gradation of
courtly uniform glided in and oat for the
gratification and perplexity of the visitors.
Lady Ernest Bruce took her seat next to Lady
Combermere, also splendidly attired, and wearing a
costly tiara of diamonds ; Lady E. Mulgrave fol-
lowed, and so on until this favoured bench was com-
pletely filled with the fair and titled of the land. We
n oticed mitering about this time Lord and Lady Stanley
of Alderly, Duchess of Invernew, Lord Ebury and
Lady Lyndhurst, Lord de Has, Lady Torrington,
Duke of Rutland, Viscount Monck, Lady Beers-
borough, Mr. and Mrs. Talbot Baines, and Lord
Panmure. Shortly after eleven o'clock the interior
of tho chapel began to wear a highly animated
ppearance. The galleries in front, some of
which were reserved exclusively for ladies,
were now thickly studded with beauty and fashion.
At the upper end a long row of military officers in
brilliant uniform made a strong background for the
various gay colours of the ladies' toilettes.
A general burr announced the arrival of
a novelty in the way of costume. It was his Grace
of Athol' in the full costume of his clan, tartan and
philabeg, claymore and heron's plume. It
is almost needless to say that his Grace at-
tracted considerable notice, especially amongst
the foreign visitors, to whom the sight of the High-
land costume is always an event. A conspicuous
figure in the same gallery was her Grace the
Duchess of Buccleucb, wearing a magnificent robe
of maimeAthe new court colour. Lord Derby now
appeared in the vestibule in a magnificent uniform,
looking as fresh and as ready to be the Rupert of
debate as in the palmiest times of parliamentary
warfare. Sir George Grey and Mr. Labouchere
now took their seats on Lady Combermere's
bench, the former in cabinet uniform, and
the latter in the homely garb of an
elder brother of the Trinity Roue. We regret
to be obliged to add that the Secretary for the
Colonies had forgotten his bridal favours. Ano-
ther bustle ensued, and another group
of cabinet ministers made their appearance. Lord
Clarendon seemed for the moment to have for-
gotten the cares of diplomacy, aod the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer himself looked a shade
less serious than usual. We observed also
' Lord Panmure, Prince Edward of Saxe
Weimar, wearing a Crimean medal, Lord and
Lady Westmoreland, the Duke; of Argyll, the
Venerable Marquis of Lansdowne, "Countess
of Derby, Countess of Granville, Lady Gains-
borough, &c. At twenty minutes to twelve
Lady Palmerston entered, and took her seat under
the right hand gallery, next to the Marchioness of
Clinricarde.
The ambassadors' gallery was totally invisible
from where we eat, but the exelusive galleries run-
ning down the sides of the chapel, and reserved for
the great ladies soon began to fill ; and on, by one
we were able to recognise our female aristocracy
as they took their places and filled up the two lines
of nodding plumes with which the little chapel was
covered on both sides.
sanliTicili:thenconfusioca:latheatrue sutallriiagnpennofofsigs:eass,thothreocgaiurrerase bitin.utes..ththse
haw pas, with its rich communion plate, its chair of
state, and its taborets, intended for the Queen, the
bride, and bridegroom, and the royal participants in

the ceremony. In the centre, and close to the
rail, were two taborets of larger dimension, and
more costly decoration than the rest. These
were for the young couple, and of course
became the great point of observation. On
the right was the Queen's chair of state, and
around in all directions stood the taborets for the
Xing of the Belgians, the Prince and Princess of
Prussia, and the remainder of the guests according
to their order. But here, in the short ;space:of
time elapsing between the betting of the programme
and the performance of the marriage ceremony,
death had canoed a gap in the distinguished circle.
Prince William of Baden was absent, having been
recalled to the Continent by the sudden death of the
Grand Duke Louis of Baden. In a modest corner,
meet seclusion for those whose fate it is to be heard
of and read, not seen or known, were ranged the
representatives of the journals, now, almost for the
first time, having a recognised place in a great state
pageant, of which they were expected to be the
faithful chroniclers. All was decorum, all was
expectation, until, exactly at ten minutes to twelve
o'clock, a more than ordinary stir and bustle about
the do/pre announced the approach of some:peracaages
of high distinction. It was her Serene Highness
the Princess of Prussia, her train borne by two
ladies of honour, and escorted by several Prussian
officers in varied uniform. The princess bore
herself most regally, and bowed gracefully on
both sides as she walked up the aisle. At twenty
minutes past twelve o'clock the sound of the trum-
pets announced the approach of the Queen's pro-
cession in the following order :

Drams end Trumpets.
Sergeant Trumpeter.
Knight Marshal.
Heralds and Plusuivents of Arms.
Equarryin Wating to the Queen. Clak Marshal.

Comptroller of the Household. Treasurer of the Household.
Keeper of the Privy Puree.
Groom in Waiting to the Lord in Waiting to the

The Lord BUiward.

Lord Privy Beal. Lord President of the Council
Two Itorgousta- Lord High Two Sergeants-
at-Arroo. Chows Mar. et-Arun.

8411110 r Geatismaa Ugric Quarterly Water.

.
oentlearge Meat Barer, Principal Gentleman Behar
Deily Waiter King of Arnie, of the
and to the corning hie Black Rod
Sword of State. aceilfre• beating lie Rod.

The Bari Man/id, baring his baton.

Her Bayal Rights= Priaoms leery of Cambridge,
her trata been by
Lady Arabella &skullle West,
end attended by lb* Hans naval.
Hle Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
attended by Colonel Charism Tyrwhitt.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge,
Her train born by
Lady Geraldine &merest,
and attended by Baron Knesebeek.
Her Boyd Highness the Duchess of Heat,
Her train borne by
Lady Anna Maria DIMON
andi attended by Colonel Sir George Cooper, Bart.
Ths Vice Chem- The Sword of State, The Lard Clow
bdrlain. borne by berleht.
Viscount Palmerston, E.G.,
Pint Lord of the Treasury.

Ms Royal Righneee
the Priam Alfred.

HIS itoyal Highness
the Prince of Wake.

THE QUEEN,

His Royal Highness .. lading .. His Royal Highaese

PrWOs Loo old.

Prinoe Artior.

Her Majeoty's Train borne by

the Groom of the Sober end Two Page; of Hollow.
Her Her Bar
Royal Highness Royal Highness Royal Highness
Princess Louisa. Prisms Alice. Primates E.
The Hester of the Horse. The Mistress of the Robes.

Tbe Lady of the Bedchamber in Waiting.
Two Maids of Honour in Waiting.
Bedchamber Woman in Waiting.
The Lady Superintendent.
_

Captain of the Yeomen Gold stick. Captain of the
of the Guard. Gentlemen-at-Arms.
Heeler of JIM Backboanda
Ilaater of the Household.

1311ree Btick In Waiting. Meld Officer in Brigade Waiting.
Tutors to their Ropl Highnesses the Prince of Wales and

Pei ms Alfred.

Biz Gestleoiewat-Arma.
Si: Yeomen of the Guard to close the Proetraioa.

The spirit-stirring drum and martial trumpet
ceased u they approached the sacred threshold, and
through the doorway could be seen the glittering
helmets of the gentlemcn•at•arms who wets to re-
main in the Ante-Chapel during the ceremony. The
company simultaneously rose as her Majesty entered
the chapel leading her two young children, and a
respectful pause ensued, while the first and most
distinguished group was being formed in the /taut pas.
Her Majesty looked well but wearing a grave aspect,
in her magnificent dress of Spitaltields manufacture,
her regal diamonds, and bearing herself with that
natural dignity of deportment which is her special
attribute.

The two young Pricces wore the Highland cos-
tume, and the others a suit of youthful court dress.

They seemed to take deep interest in the tear
nificent oeremony in which they were not the lent
interesting partakers. Lord Palmerston wielded the
sword of state with a most martial air on the
Queen's right hand, and stood firm and erect as if
more than seventy summers had not passed over his
venerable head.

The new Lord Privy Seal was much inquired
after, and audible whispers of "That's he!" were
not unfrequent. The Princess Mary of Cambridge
made a most striking and dignified figure in the
procession, and was much admired, es was also the
Duchess of Sutherland. The Queen bowed re-
peatedly as she walked slowly up the aisle,
and the other members of the royal family followed
her example, the whole congregation standing and
r -arefully acknowledging the royal salutation.
The Queen and royal children being meted, the
Prime Minister on her right, and the Duchess of
Sutherland as Mistress of the Robes close at hand,
the Master of the Ceremonies proceeded to lead the
members of the procession to their allotted places is
the choir, which speedily seemed so full of gold lace
and rich uniforms as to lead to some apprehension as
to the accommodation of the second and third pro-
cessions. The Marquis of Breadalbane„ however,
seemed to have no fears on this soore, but imme-
diately departed, attended by his vice-chamberlain,
to escort the procession of the bridegroom, which
was shortly ushered in by sundry trumpets in the
following order :

Drams and Trumpets.
Sergeant Trumpeter.
Master of the Ceremonies.
The Bridegroom's Chottemen of Honour,
between Heralds.
The Prussian Minister with the Members of his Legation.
Vlos.Chamberlain of Her Lord Chamberlain of Her
Majesty's Household. Majesty's Household.
THE BRIDEGROOM,
Supported by his Father, hi. Regal Weiner
the Pries
of Frusta,
followed by the
atteethats of his Royal Highness the Prince.
On reaching the chapel the drams and trumpets
filed off, outside the door, and immediately after-
wards Sir Edward Cast was seen marching up with
an air so solemn and important, as to attract very
general observation. Every eye was of course
tented on the young prance, who walked
up rather rapidly, as if under some slight
excitement. His Royal Highness having
for a moment at the altar, rose, and, turning to
left, made a profound obeisance to her M
The gentlemen of the bridegroom who a
fell back, some standing a short distance hos
Royal Highness on the haul pas, and the remainder
being aocommodatall with their allotted seats in the
aisle. The Prince remained standing, in a dignified
but most reverent attitude, until the arrival of the
bride's procession five minutes later.
We now bad to wait for the most interesting of
the three processions, that of the youthful bride, the
fair daughter of England, whom we were about to
lose, almost as soon as site was becoming sufficiently
known to be beloved by the public. Following the