The Sun.
London, England, 1823-08-11 00:00:00

THE JERNINGHAM FAMILY.

This Family have been so long distinguished
in Norfolk, and so deservedly esteemed for high
Personal worth, that we feel much pleasure in
copying the following article front the Norwich
Mercury of Saturday last :

A few months since we had the pleasure to record the cele-
bration of the day on which tlr. JERKIN-GRAIL, the heir of
.Sir GEORGE JERNINGUA at, Bart. of Cossey, came of age,
and we haie no# to relate the circumstances attending the mar.
riage of the eldest daughter Of the same ancient house. We
are most happy in the performance of this duty, not so mtich
because we have daily opportunities of knowing the worth of
this family, as because our narration will present a picture
which we could Wish to see oftener realized—namely, the por.
traiture of a Country . Gentleman living upon his estate, and
while giving a noble example upon his own establish:o,C.
of all the aCcomplishments of modem refinement, at
the same time maintaining old principles unimpaired,
preserving a ntost benevolent superintendence and care
over his humbler Connections and dependants,. andhind
ing all together by virtuous example and by kindness as
unremitting as exemplary. 'Nor is it less gratifying to see
how on such Occasions as these, gratitude and affection work
upon the pdpular mind, and. With what earnest zeal the cotta.
germ endeavoUr to exalt, whilst they participate the happiness
of the Several branches of a family so mindful of their comforts.
Accustomed to consider every thing that falls under our ob-
servation in its public light, we look upon these bonds of red.'
prical obligation, not only as made lei the benefit of the parties
most immediately concerned, but also for the support of prin-
ciples which are amongst the best preservers of the natural
health of society.

The marriage was celebrated at Cossey on Wednesday last—
, first in the Chapel attached to the house, aci.:Uttling to the im-
posing ceremonies of the ancient faith, by the Rev. T. C. Hus..
eubeth, domestic chaplain to Sir George, and afterwards at the
• village church (by special license) by our venerable Bishop of
the Diticese, assisted by the Rev. T. Watson". We were not
present at the Chapel, but we never witnessed a name splendid,
beautiful, or Solemn ceremony than the marriage at the
church.

• •
At ten o'clock the party set out' front the Hall in ten car-
riages ; the postillions and servants Attending them in white
faionrs and gloies, and' the gorses heads' .adorned with White
ribbatids. At the Park-gate the tenants arid the principal in-
habitants*of the Village had iiitembled on hillieback to enjoy
the honour of escorting' the Dide. Tll (and indeed all the
other complimentary parid of the fettivaV, was the tontatroits
act of the tenants and ' leader carried the banner
of the House.. They preceded the darriagi3 through..the yd.
lage, which within the previous 18 hours had 'pen decorated
from one end to the other ,ifith tritnneeil arches and bower
ornamented with flower-4 flu s,
.and white favours. There- was
not a single house in this poOnioirie place that was not adorned
with some rustic emblem of gratuktion. The entire road thro'
it, upward* of *as strewed With rushes, and over the
church-gate way erected a frige arch, spell fancied and well
executed,•surmounted- by the Felton crest' of the anus of Jcr-
nir.igliani. • The thistle and the sore were emblematically en-
twined, and the whole eiltage eihibited one delightful Scene of
rural ifaiety. . .
Arrived at die (..;hiireh.gate, the cavaltlide drew up iii aline
and remained uncovered, while the carriages passed. The,
party alighted at the gate, anti eight girls of the village, attired
in white and crowned with garlands, streuted die path to the.
church and to the altar with tioWere. Sir George led the way.
up the aisle, the Bride leaning..epon his arm ; eight Brides-
maids—four sisters and flair first cousins to the Bride---the
Bridegroom'leading lady .lerningliatrithe nearest relatives
of Sir George and of his Lady, with their sbhti; closed the pro.. i
cession.—Among these we were glad to notice Sir George's
sister, Lady BedingOid, A° came front *Weill eh purliiise to
'witness this joyful event. The dresirea of the party were most
splendid:
To such of our readeriel have net seen this- femily, it it ne-
.cessary to say, that perhaps there is no other instance Where so
much of stature, form, dignity, ind grace, is to be found united
in so many individuals of the same house. Sir Oeorgesthed at 1
the altar, surrounded by his six eons, while her Ladyship • took'
her piece by the side of the Bride (her other foiir daughters'
ranged behind .11,r—
-" In the sober charmt direr dignity
Of a omanhood mature, nor verstug yet
Upon decay ; in gesture like a queen,
Such inborn and habitual majesty
Ennobled all her titeps."
The dress of the Bride (a Brussels trice robe stain
—her veil of the same material, fasterfed by a knell wreath or.
orange flower buds) combined the extremes of richness and
chastity in taste, and altogether " a inure delightful vision
surely never lighted on this orb."
—" Beauty and grace and innoeence hi her
In heavenly union shone
--• Yeti she seethed!
Angel, or soul beatified, front realms
Of bliss on errand of connubial love
To earth re.sent." , •
The Bishop read the service—tenderly--afrectionately—like
the selemn exhortation of a parent—yet with the dignity of hia
order, and with the earnestness of religioue' conviction. The
whole congregation was deeply moved.
The procession then returned to the• lialft where the lint:re-
. men drew up and greeted the party with nine hearty cheer,.
During breakfast the bells rang and guns were ciontinuully
heard. The whole village assembled before the hall, and a
military baud of music' playing, dancing was begun and kept
up with spirit. Sir George, Lady .lerningham, and many of
- the guests, mingled with the villagers, reeeinig the respectful
congratulations of all. • •
At one o'clock Mr tins dirs. Fraser /eft the Rail In their
travelling chariot rind four, on their wait to Beaufort Castle, iii
the Highlands. The hand phiyed " Auld Lung ryne," and
the whole populace cheered. Pile heriemen escorted them to
the Eastern Gate of the Park, where they gave three hearty
parting cheers.
About two o'clock a cricket match was comnienced between
the married and the single men'for prizes ; foot races-Ware run, ,
and mirth and joy universally prevailed. The band played at
intervals, while parties danced under the line old trees that
shadow the approach.to the Hall, and tile nail refeesliments
were amply distributed throughout the day. There was bat
one general feeling, and the appearance of the ladies. at the
windows and upon the lawn, thepresence of the young pntle-
tnen of' the family, and their joining in the sports seemed-to in.
spire new animation throughout the whole happy groups—'
Darkness only closed the scene abroad, while in the. Hall the
ball was kept up by the tenantry, and enlivened by the pre.
sense of the familyl the junior branches joining in the dance.
If we dwell on this scene with a zest which maybe supposed
to be only felt by those who witnessed or • partook of its plea,
sures, it. is because we think nothing can be more useful than
such demonstrations of reciprocal good feeling between the high
Ind the humble. At a time - *hen gulphs of such frightful
magnitude are opening between these orders, And the whole
ternicallate ground seems kinking away—at a time when exclu-
sions ,on account of .religious distinctions are maintained by
ninny with such inveterate pertinacity, It is truly delightful to
read the influence of character and of goodness in this, the grate-
ful homage of hutuble minds. Nor did this strike us alone :-
our venerable Prelate, in *short-converiation tee had the honour
to enjoy with him, in his passage from the church .to his car-
. TiVe, entered exactly into this just apprehension, and interpret-
ing the feelings of the inhabitants of • Covey eiright.his lord-
ship -illustrated his obeivation by a line, which, though applied
to* nronareh, is teat leseeppropriete to,tha Lord of thitatieller
community, of whom the good old Bishop said.—
He read the history in a people's love."