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

THE INTERIOR OF THE CHAPEL ROYAL.

The Chapel-Royal has been completely re-
modelled and beautified. The large pews have
been removed, and seats erected in their stead ris-
ing one above the other, so as to afford accom-
modation to the largest possible number. Iu addi-
tion to this, two substantial galleries have been
erected on the same elevation as the royal pew,
giving increased accommodation to about 200 per-
sons. These galleries are constructed of polished
oak, harm .nosing with the rest of the Chapel, re-
lieved wirh medallions of the royal arms of England
and Prussia. Tue embrasure opposite the organ
has been carried out about 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
Abbey and St. Paul's. The wind Jays at the b tuk
of the altar have been lowered six feet, and gated
up with stained glass. The beneficial effect tit 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.
This is one of the alterations it is stated will be
permanent, from its being a decidedly beneficial
improvement. The Royal pew over the entrance
porch, has been draped with curtains and fittings
of crimson velvet and gold, and set apart for the
accommodation of the corps diplormatique, more
than thirty of whom were preaeut on the occasion.
In front of where the communion rails stood a
haut-pas has been raised, ext,,nding down the
church as far as the reading desk, for the accom-
modation of the Royal relatives of the high con-
tracting parties, the bride-tmaids and others ie
immediate attendance. The haut-pas 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, arid the chairs of state and Cabarets
on which the royal visitors were aceoeimedated are
of the same colour, with the addition of much
gilding and bullion decorations.
The carved oakwork of the galleries has been
greatly relieved with a cornice of gilding in keeping
with the crown and shield, bearing the royal cypher
and the emblazonments of England and Prussia
fixed to the spandrels of the arenas supporting the
galleries, bringing out the chaste oak carvings with
great effect. The railings in front of the royal
pew are elaborately gilded, adding 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 trimmed
with silk fringe of the same colour, and are regu-
larly divided into compartments, guaged 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 same rich blue colour which has been so exten-
sively used in the decorations throughout the palace
has been added in such 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, Helena, and Louisa, and on the
right of the Queen were the Princes Arthur and
Leopold. The Prince of Wales 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 tie
right. His Royal Highness the Prince Consort
and the King of the Bagiaus occupied seats in the
front of the altar, in the centre of the haut-pas,
and the Prince and Pi incess of Prussia on the right
immediately behind the bridegroom. The seats
occupied by all the royal personages in the haut-
pas were exactly alike, being elegant seteaes of
white, and covered with crimson velvet, and richly
embroidered with gold. The chair of state of her
Majesty has been manufactured expressly felt the
occasion, and is a very elegant modern piece of
furniture, in the shape of an easy low chair, being
covered with the same material as the other, and
surmounted with a richly-worked gilded crown.
The communion plate has been newly burnished,
and looks as if it were perfectly new, instead
of having been in use in 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, arid 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 than even the peach. The dress is ishot
with silver threads woven in the material. The
train is of rich 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 silver, The effect of this introdue-