The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-18

crimson tint, initiating velvet, the variety Of the
tapestries, of escutcheons, OF crowns aud garands,
and streamers and oidammes, which adorn the in
terror and the exterior OF the building. presented
coap-dGa Of the most striking kind. An immense
portco at the facade Of the building had three sepa
rate entrances, to which admission indicated by
the form and color Of the tickets As you passed
through the portico four five series OF draperes,
of various colors drawn up in the form OF curtains,
and depending from great heighth, led to the in
interior. On entering the body of the church, the
coupdea was magnificent. From the lofty roof
hung long streamers pink, yellow, red, blue, and
green ornamented and richly frnged Around
the gallery ran line of drapery of crimson
velvet with gold, and between each compartment
shields displayed the arms OF France and SPAIN
Immediately in front of the high altar, and under
the orchestra the Imperial arms, with the
mounting them, were displayed in relief and along
the ases to the extremity of the choir many rows of
ustres were suspended from the roof with countless
lights The lower parts of the massive pillars that
ran along on both sides of the interior covered
with crimson velvet and the stems that shot towards
the roof were partly covered with blue cloth paper
displaying the imperial crown, the initials and they
as well as the tapestry were covered with golden
bees. The grand altar had been removed to the
canopy OF crimson velvet, lined with ermine, and
held up with golden cords, while the tracery that
rose above the altar was left uncovered and through
the intersces might be seen long blaze of light to
the extremity of the building. In the front of the
altar was platform, raised two steps from the
ground, and richly carpeted. On this were placed
two p1e-D ien with fa,teuils Of crimson vevet-that
to the right of the altar for the Emperor and that
to the left for the Empress The front Of the prize Deu
was adorned with the imperial arms wrought in gold.
The doors on the side Of the grand entrance, and
the southern and northern doors of the church, alone,
were opened to the persons invited. The central
door exclusively reserved to their Maestes and
to the ambassadors and foreign ministers, going in
body and with an escort Vast estrades, in the
form Of an amphitheatre, filling each Of the branches
Of the Latin cross were set apart for the French and
foreign diplomatic bodies the Senate the Legislative
bOsy, and the Council of State. Tribunes, opening
on to the Latin cross set apart for the ladies of
the diplomatic body the members Of the family of
the Emperor who not in the cortege of their
Maesties, the ladies of the Presidents of the great
bodies OF the State the ladies of the minister's the
marshals and admirals, the widows Of the great
dgnitaries OF the Empire, marshas and admiras,
the ladies of the grand officers the ladies of the
household of the Empress, and the ladies
Of officers of the household of the Emperor. Other
tribunes and galleries were reserved for the
ladies and gentlemen, not functionares invited. The
first row OF chairs in the nave was reserved to the
Marshals the Admirals the Grand Chancellor, and
the Grand Crosses Of the Legion of Honor. The rest
OF the nave was occupied by the Populations Of the
constituted bodies by the high functionrries of the
public administrations, and by the other persons in
vted.
arrived. Its approach was announced by brilliant
flourish Of trumpets and the music Of military
band, and the orchestra then sruck up most
effective wedding march. In a few minutes, the
Officers of State, and leading the Empress by the
hand towards the altar The Emperor wore his
usual costume. and the Empress a dress Of white
SaSem Of bans og her Ff heSd and ena veil
of pointe d'Alencon lace They were followed by
the Countess de Montijo, the Ladies of Honor, the
Ministers, the Marshas of France, and other great
dgnitaries Informed of the approach of the cortege
the Archbishop of Paris preceded by his clergy, had
gone forward to meet them towards the central GATE
by which they entered. The cortege advanced to-
Of the transept, on raised floor, covered with
mine carpet. The Emperor and Empress took their
places on their thrones. On the right of the altar,
the five Cardinals were seated; and, further down,
the Marshals of France, in full costume, and holding
their batOns of command. The church was crowded
in every part and from the remotest corner of the
nave and high galleries hundreds in vain tried to
catch even passing glimpse of the ceremony. As
soon as their Majesties placed themselves on their
thrones the Archbishop officiating salued them, and
the ceremony Of marriage then commenced.
After the blessing of the pieces OF gold and the
nuptal ring, their Maestes advanced to the foot of
the right hand. The Archbishop addressing himself
first to the Emperor and then to the Empress, recev
ed their declarations to take each other for husband
and wife, and successfully presented to the Empero
the pieces of gold and the ring. The Emperor pre-
sented the pieces of gold to the EMPRESS and placed
the ring on her finger. After the prayers, they
returned to their thrones. They successfully pre-
sented themselves at the offering. After the Pater
their NECESSITIES went to the foot Of the altar and
knelt the first chaplain Of the Emperor and
another Bishop extended above their heads
during the oraisom. During the Episcopal benedc..
ton and the reading of the gospel the choir chanted
several times the Domino salrum. The archbishop
then presented holy water to their Majesties, and
the orchestra and the singers After the Is Deum,
the great officers Of the crown the princes the min
sters and other persons who arrived in the cortege
resumed their places and their Majesties descended
from md Tho hox
formed, the Emperor gave his hand to the Empress,
and, after bowling all Sides left the church. It
was remarked, as they walked down the nave, that
the newly married pair are almost exactly Of the
same height
The cortege returned in the same order as before
| by the Rue Arcoe, the Quai Napoleon, the flower
market, the quays Of the Louvre and Tuileries, to
the Place de la Concorde, where it entered the gar
den Of the Tueries by the gate of the Pont Tournant
! The garden presented the most picturesque aspect.
The terrace adjoining the river was occupied by depu
tations from all the corporations Of the city each dis
tinguished by banner bearing appropriate mottos.
The operatives of the Canal st. Martin had live ca
gle standing the top of their banner to which it
was attachedby the feet This exhibition afforded the
soldiers much amusement AS they filed by. The bird
also attracted the notice of the Emperor who laughed
very heartily and showed it to the Empress. All the
villagers of the Baneue were represented by young
girls, attired in white, and distinguished by silk
scars of different colors Each, moreover, carried
banner, ornamented with Devices and riuas for the
Emperor and Empress. At about halt-past o'clock
the corfge entered the garden of the Tuileries and
the cavalry, after riding up to the Palace, turned to
the left and drew up in the alley adjoining the Rue
de Rivo The moment the imperial carriage made
its appearance, all the young girls rushed forward
and actually filed it with bouquets. The showerwas
great at one moment that the guards obliged
to interfere The impression made by the Empress
appearance was decidedly favorable. Everybody
thought her handsome and graceful.
At three o'clock their Majestes appeared at the
balcony of the Pavilion de rHorloge, looking into
10 CarrOucel. w
promised presentation by the Emperor of his bride
to the troops took place. After receiving their ac-
carnations for few minutes, their Majesties retired,
and appeared at the well known balcony which
commands view Of the gardens. 1t was crowded
to excess, but the applause was by no means ener-
getic. At four o'clock the newly married pair enter
ed travelling chariot, and, escorted by picked
squadron Of Carabiniers, and attended by several