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

THE FLORAL DECO RAT.

;ranee

The fl iral decorations are of a n.itUtr refined
and various that they require especial notice, to
give an idea of the wonderful effect produced by
the productions of nature even in the inclement
month of January. Right and left of the archway
of the State entrance has suddenly arisen a ver ant
screen of Portugal laurel and bay trees, which
appear in fine r-ltef against the scarlet and purple
drapery, by which this opening is adorned, whilst
the whole length of the outside appears to be a
wood of evergreens. A boss of evergreens and
flowers at the highest point is adorned in the
centre with a magnificent knot of the united
colours of England—red, white, and blue—and
Prussia—black and white—in compliment to the
royal bridegroom, Prince Frederick William. On
entering this covered way, beautiful garlands of the
most luxuriant evergreens, and of very large
dimensions, with handsome pendants formed of
tendrils of ivy, are hung from pillar to pillar
throughout the whole length. The garlands are
formed with a double twist of laurustinus in flower,
alternated with golden furze, the centre coil being
made of holly, covered with berries. Over each
column the garlands are united by bridal
knots of white satin and silver, with streamers of
the colours of England and Prussia. A second
row of garlands of the same description ornaments
the opposite side, and the door by which her
Majesty entered appeared as if sat in a frame of the
most exquisite einibination of flowers, leaves, and
berries. Tile windows on both sides of the covered
way have a similar framework, as well as the new
doors for the royal suite, on each side of her
Majesty's entrance, although of course less gor-
geomily decorated than the d ,orway through which
the Queen pa,sed, and over which is an arch formed
of real palm branches. The bannister of the royd
staircase, by which the Queen ascended to her re-
tiring room, is intertwined with 614 delicate foliage
of a rare creeping plant inio which is interwoven
roses and camellias.

THE INTERIOR OF THE CHAPEL ROYAL.
The Chapel-Royal has been completely re-
molelled and beautified. Tue large pews have
ben i emovel, and seats erected in their Att,ad ris-
ing one above the other, so as to afford accom-
modation to the largest possible number. In addi-
tion to this, two substantial galleries have been
erected on the same elevation as the royal pew,
giving increased accomm ,elation to a,aeut 200 per-
sons. These galleries are constructed of polished
oak, harm inising with the rest of the Chapel, re-
hayed wi h meiall:ous , the royal arms of England
and Prussia. Time embrasure opposite the org,n
has been carried out shout 10 feet for the accom-
modation of the orchestra, which comprised the
principal artists and vocalists of English celebrity]
as well as the elite of the boys of Westminster
Alll3l, and St. Paul's. The wind tws at he bick
of the altar have been l.,wered six feet, and filed
up with stained glass. The ben -ficial effect of this
change was apparent. at a glance, and was evidently
appreciated by those present. It has entirely re-
-moved the sombre line which formerly pervaded
the chapel and became one of its great attractions. 0
This is one of the alterations it is stated will be
permanent, from its being a decidedly beneficial
improvement. Tue Riiyal pew over the entrauce
porch, has been draped with curtains and fittings
of crimson velvet and gold, and set apart for the
accomm ,dation of the corps diplomatique, more
than thirty of whom were pre emit on the occasion.
In front of where the communion rails stood a
haut-pas has been raised, extending down the
church as far as the reading desk, for the accom-
modation of the Royal relatives of the high con-
tracting parties, the bridesmaids and others in
immediate attendance. The haut pus and centre
aisle have both been covered in "bishop's blue,"
and to this, along with the slender columns of the
same colour that support the gallery, much of the
cheerful aspect which has been attained is to be
attributed. The hangings and draperies are of
crimson velvet, looped with rich silk lace of the
same colour, and the chairs of state and tabarets
on which the royal visitors were accommodated are
of the same colour, with the addition of much
gilding and bullion decorations.
The calved oakwork of the galleries has been
greatly relieved witha cornice of gilding in keeping
with the crown and shield, bearing the royal cypher
and the emhlaz muments of Engiand and Prussia
fixed to the spaudrils of the arches supporting the
galleries, bringing out the chaste oak carvings with
great effect. The railings in frolt of the royal
pew are elaborately gilded, a lding much to the
beauty and charm of the scene.
On the floor the three rows of seats on each side
are covered with crimson velvet, richly trimm,d
with silk fringe of the same c.dour, and are r gu-
larly divided into compartments, paged with a
proper regard to the prevailing fashion in ladies,
costume.
The drapery which surmounts the altar is of the
richest crimson velvet, bordered with deep gold
lace and fringe. The altar is covered with the same
material. The railing has been richly gilded, and
the some rich blue colour which has been so ex
sively used in the decorations throughout the p dace
has been added in suck a manner as to bring out
the whole altar with great effect, the rich coloured
velvet of the hangings forming an admirable back-
ground.
On the left of the altar seats were placed and
occupied by her Majesty, on her left were the
Princesses Alice, lit-dews, and Louisa, and en the
right of the Queen were ti• Princes Arthur and
Leopold. Thu Prince of \Vales occupied a place
reserved for him more immediately in front, and
Prince Alfred was seated amongst the illustrious
friends and supporters of the bridegroom, on the
right. 8.. s Royal Hightless the Prince Consort'
and the King ef B lgians oocupieti seats in the
front of the altar, in the centre of time haut-pas,
and the Prince and Pi incess of Prussia ou the right
.immediately behind the bridegroom. The seats
occupied by all the royal personages in time haut-
pas were exactly alike, being elegant settees of
white, and cove red with crimson velvet, and richly
embroidered with gold. The chair of state of her
Majesty his be en manufactured expressly for the
occasion, and is a very elegant modern piece of
furniture, in the shape of au easy low chair, being
covered with the same material as the other, and
surmounted with a richly-worked gilded orown.
The communion plate has been newly burnished,
and looks as if it were perfectly now, instead
of having been in use iu the time of Henry
VIII., Charles 1., Anne, and George I.
Some additional ornaments have been added to the
chapel, in the shape of the arms of Henry VIII.
placed under the royal pew, and the royal initials
at the top of the different columns. The effect of
the new galleries being found to be so completely in
keeping with the general character of the chapel, it
has also been determined to retain them.
THE BRIDAL DRESSES.

Her Majesty, with her usual good taste, and
desire to promote the interests of British manufac-
ture, has selected fabrics of Spitalfields production.
Her Majesty wore a rich moire antique of a deli-
Cate " mauve," or the colour of the early bloom of
the " mallow." It is more delicate and chaste in
its hue thßn even the peach. The dress is shot
with silver thre ids woven in the material. The
rain is of ricti Lyons velvet, of the same colour as
the robe. The Princess Royal wore a dress of white
moire antique, shot with threads of the purest
gold ; and the one in which the Princess will make
her entry into Berlin will be a white poult de soie,
with stripes of siilver. The effect of this introdue.