The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-18
From the New York Commercial Advertiser, July i6
AN INTERESTING CEREMONY,

Interesting it must have been, the reader will ad-
nit the ceremony which could gather several hun
dreds Of men, women, boys, girls, and children,
within The walls of church, on such an evening as
that Of yesterday, and keep them there from eight
o'clock till past ten,
Arriving at the church of the Ascension--Dr.
Bedell's-soon after 8 o'clock, expecting to find
there perhaps forty fifty spectators of the scene
that was to be presented, we were amazed at having
to permeate through dense mass of fashionaby-
atired humanity, which occupied the aises and all
other spaces that gave standng-rooni, well the
pews and galleries. A throng surrounded the chan
eel; the step or kneeling-stool around packed
with sitters, mostly youthful ladies; and some ad-
venturous pioneers of the sex had invaded even the
sanctity of the pulpit and reading-desk Somebody
had forgotten to open the windows, and, though
some hundreds of fans were In brisk movement,
flushed cheeks, dewy brows, and ringlets ''a going
out of curl y gave demonstration that the heat with
in was not unworthy of the fiery sunshine that had
been pouring down all day upon the walls Of the
teeming edifice.
| There was some unfortunate misarrangement, or
failure Of arrangement IN the arrival Of the parties
whose lot and pleasure It was TO occupy the chief
position in the dongs of the occasion. The rever-
end clergyman was occasionally seen at one door,
MIR. Peet at another Mr. Wetmore BUSTED back
and forth, wpng his forehead with square yard
of damp cambria; and the habitualy -sming face OF
ex-alderman Davies clouded ut times by an ex-
preston of vexed anxiety. Mr. Benton, the Secre-
tary of State, paced from side TO another of the
yestry-room occasionally showing his face at the
door, and peerng through the dim obscure that fill
ed the body of the church; for the gas was but hall
| turned on. From their movements, and expressions
that could now and then be overheard, it was evil
dent that somebody had not come, without whom all
the rest might as well have stated away.
| Half-past eight-nine o'clock-a quarter past nine
Time, though he moves but slowly to the hot con-
stituents of a crowd fortunately still does move.
| Tbo rnrti tn1a IF Tho auf 10 wnnderfu1
At last the gas flashes up and the church is bril-.
liantly lighted. trampling of many feet is heard
upon the stairs, and host of boys and girls, with
cheerful, pleasant faces, but without word, are
seen making their way through the crowd into
the front seats of the galleries-the boys side,
and the girls on the other Mr.. Wetmore and
Mr.. Davies make pathetic appeals to the ladies',
who crowd around the chancel, begging them to
clear the way little, else the WEDDING cannot
60 on.
Yes, it is wedding we have assembled to behold
that most interesting, thopght-suggesting rite, on
which we could moralize very prettily if il were
! not so hot. Mr. Bedell energies from the yestry-
] ROOM robed in his white canonicals and takes his
position within the railing-Mr. Peet at his right
hand. Why is the president and principal of the
institution for the deaf and dumb stationed there'
The marriage vow Is TO be uttered-not by the
sound of the blessed human voice. for the bride is
mute.
Now all eyes are turned to the vestry room door,
aid people, who are not favored with length of
| limb, exalt themselves on tiptoe. The candidates
for matrimony appear The groom, fine young
man, of gentlemanly and intelligent aspect The
bride, vision OF beauty in her attire of snowy
white, with the bridal chaplet GROWING her fair
brow. With their attendants they advance TO the
front Of the chancel and knee The clergyman
reads the Introductory prayer, which Mr.. Peet
translates into the language OF silence, by express
sive signs and reverential movements.
The nuptial rite proceeds-the groom answers
when he is called upon to make the solemn pledge
of fidelity, honor, and comfort-for he has the gift
ofspeech; but the fair maiden at his side looks to the
interpreter for the sense of what she has 10 promise,
and raiifes 1t only with owly bend Of her grace.
! full head. The soemnity is ended: at the close of
the final benedlction, the proud young husband Of a
moment enderly salutes his lovely bride, and many
heart whispers, 'Heaven bless them in their we'd
| ded love !"
more attractive person to the eye than Miss Eliz-
abeh Budd-now Mrs. Gallaudet-there was not,
we venture to say, even among the many beautiful
women who had come to see her married; and we
have reason to know that the graces OF mind and
heart are hers also, in corresponding measure Ed
ucaed at the institution, she has acquired all the
accomplishments not prohibited by her want Of
] speech; and we are assured that none know her
without admiration and affectonnte esteem.
! Another couple, both deaf mutes, and inmates Of
the institution, were also united in marriage-Mr
Reed and Miss Relyea--the second ceremony fol-
lowing close upon the first