The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-10-01
A ROYAL MARRIAGEIN RUSSIA

mas contributed to the columns OF the New York
Journal OF Commerce an account of the late mar
Iiage of the Grand Duchess Olga, daughter of the
Emperor Nicholas, to the Crown Prince of Wir-
temberg. The ceremony took place at the town
OF Peterhof on the Gulf of Finland, some l6 miles
below st. Petersburg, where there is an Imperial
palace. DIR. Baird who was guest of His I'M
perial Highness, the Prince Of Oldenburg, was
present at the marriage of the Grand Duchess
by particular request of the Emperor and EN-
press, an honor paid to his character as a man and
tribute TO his admirable phianthropic princi-
pies. An ald-de-camp of the Prince was sent to
take him to the Palace, and to see that he had
proper position in the chapel. We necessarily
curtall the account which occupies above two
columns in the Journal of Commerce. and give
the condensation as follows:
The chapel OF the Palace at Peterhoff is a small
one, not exceeding 35 or 40 feet square. The
walls and dome were gorgeousy adorned with
pictures and gliding. | know not when have
seen anything so splendid. There was not seat
OF any kind in it, save two three chairs for the
Empress, and one or two other ladies' whose health
is not good. There was no carpet on the floor
nor any thing which resembled one. A platform
OF about one foot in height and some twelve or
hfteen feet square, occupied the centre. Anal
tar more OF the shape OF reading desk than any,
thing else, stood on the platform, but not in its
centre. BY the side of it stood two small tables
on which rested two marriage crowns.
1t was some time after our arrival that the I'm
perlal family came. After them followed q eat
number OF officers and ladies' who filed the ante
chamber or vestibule, or whatever else it NAV be
called. The Archbishop of st. Petersburg, ac-
companled by several other dignitaries, dressed
in their snowy and heavy robes, which seemed
to be composed more of silver and gold than any
thing else, and wearing their mitres, met the
Emperor and Empress and the rest of the Imperial
group in the middle of the other ROOM and re-
ceived them in oriental styIe-bowng most pro-
foundly, and kissing their hands, an homage
which was as graciously returned. Entering the
chapel, the Emperor presented his daughter and
her afhanced to the Imperial chaplain. who was
to perform the ceremony, and who received them
on the estrada Or platform | had expected that
the Metropolitan would perform this service but
ne is monk, and no monk is allowed in Russia
10 perform the marriage ceremony
Alter the presentation of the persons who were
TO be married, the Emperor, Empress, and the
members OF the Imperial family, took their places
al 'he SIDE oil the chapel opposite the Ambassa-
doris, and on the right hand of the officiating
priest.
After all had taken their places the service
commenced. The Grand Duchess and the
Prince OF Wurtemburg standing on the platform.
occupied conspicuous station and went tbrouoh
their portion of the ceremony in an admirable
manner. The Prince was dressed in the uniform
OF =" urtemburg officer Of the highest rank He
Is hne looking young man: well-formed ot
proper height, possesses very pleasant connten.
ance, and has the reputation of unblemisbed NOR
ais ana me talents. The Grand Duchess is TWEEN
" Iouf years OF age and is older than her hus
Danu' II MS IS often the case in ROYAL MARRIAGES
ana Is getting quite common amongst RepubG
edhs.) Inc bride is a beautiful woman-sbe is
even called the most beautiful woman in Eu.
rope She is rather above the medium heiobt of
mas bright blue 70
and auburn hair. Her dress was magniGcent
In the first place she wore white silk dress
with large sleeves, that were adorned as was
the sElrt with rich border OF flowers in silver
a red velvet riband, OF couple of inches in
width, passed from one shoulder over or beneath
her bosom round to the other side, from which
luhs numerous diamonds as pendants. A neck
lace oil the richest and most splendid kind. all
sparkling with precious stones, adorned With
many fold, her neck and bosom whilst two
tresses oil her hair fell on her fair shoulders he
nina, and two more descended before coro
net, studded with precious stones. rested on her
mead whilst train made of the richest purnle
VeVet, and lined and bordered with the most
oe@"ulul ernlne, some ten or twelve feet long
ana SIX wide, attached to her dress below the
shoulders, descended behind, and was borne bv
hVe great officers of state. When she ascende1
the platform, and throughout the ceremony she
was rather paer than usual but seemed to no
seh-possessed. The graceful manner in which
sne s.ood' and the great beauty and Ioveliness
"hlch neam from her countenance, charmed ev.
cry one' and made impossible to take their ewes
me marriage was very long, and consisted of
reading portions of the Gospels and Enistles ~
chanhng oil prayers and hymns the chaplain
s ana TWO deacons who assisted him, taking the
!ead. Never have heard such singing or chant.
ing as from that choir, which consisted If trn,,
sixty to eighty boys and men. There was M in
s,rGmen's OF any kind. have heard the Pope's
cno i, many times in the Sistine chapel, but rev.
er dld ! hear any thing like this The bass and
soprano voices were wonderful. A great portion
oil the singing consisted of the responses 70 tHa
prayers chanted by the whole choir, which were
truly sublime. my" were
AT the commencement Of the ceremony. wav
candle was put into the lett hands of tbe br;dn
an ana bridegroom, which they held until IFS close
The marriage crowns were held over Their boaJ,
during almost the whole ceremony the Grand
Duke Constantine holding one over the Princess
.ne Grand Duke Nicholas holding the other over
his brother. law ~