Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-09-10
MISCELLAN N Y.
ROYAL Marriage at the Sandwich Islands.

On the 10th of July last, King Kamehameha
of the Sandwich Islands, aged % years,was mar
ried to Miss Emma Rookie, young English
lady, aged 30, daughter of DR.. 7. O. B. Rookie.
The Polynesian gives long account OF the
marriage ceremonies. The great Stone church
at Honolulu was decorated very gaudily for the
event. The pulpit was profusely draped with
flowers. A large platform, upon which the cere-
mony was performed, was erected Immediately
in front of it, and so high was it that everybody
in the church could behold the imposing scene
thereon enacted The wide steps that led to
this platform assembled from the centre asile.-
The altar. with all its accompaniments OF cush-
ions. &C., was prepared for the occasion, and
was as brilliant in material as it was elegant IN
design. 1t burnt with scarlet and gold, and
might have given permanent ustee to some
churches ambitious of display. On the tower
the great standard hoated to the breeze. Where
all the flags came from that adorne Honolulu
that day is mystery.
The road from the palace gates to the church
was laid down with rushes, and lined with sol
diery, and behind them spectators,for the edi1ce
could only contain fraction ofthose W no want
ed to see the sight. Shortly after II o'clock,
the cortege of the bride, consisting of several
carriages, with grooms at the horses heads, Ia
vors, and all that belonged to the occasion, pass
ed by the entrance of her future home, when
the royal groom with his train of equipages,
dashed out and the two companies coalestlng
passed on their way. On each side Of the car
riages were carried gay kahils, of all ornaments
the most national and most becoming in pro-
cession. The Prince shared with his broth or a
seat in the carriagea the rest of the conf 'any
followed in due order. The aides de-camp ap-
peared on horseback, Capt. Ford's cavalry, which
formed an escort, preceding and closing up the
procession. As the King issued from the pala ce
gate the firing of royal salute was commenced,
and during the passage to the church q ceremony
common in old times, but which few now among
US have seen before, was observed. The soldiers
by order, and great part of the spectators from
feeling of spontaneous loyalty, ,prostrated them
selves till their foreheads touched the ground
The Hulumaa0s divesting themselves of their
outer garments, threw them under the horses
feet On arriving at the sacred edihce the pro :
cession formed on foot and walked up the wide
aisle, the palace band playing "God save the
King" The bride and her company, on ascend
ing the platform, took their positions to the
right, while his Majesty and suite occupied the
space on the other side of the altar. The Epis-
copal marriage service was read by the Rev. Il.
Armstrong in both Hawaiian and English; this
heightened the ceremony, and, if anything, rem
dered it moro imposing-each promise being
doubly made.
His Majesty appeared in full uniform, and the
brides dress offered unmistskesble evidence OF
its Partisan origin. Nothing could have been
more elegant or have better suited her fairy
like proportions The robe was of white silk.
heavy and lustrous, with three founces richly
embroidered. The veil was of Brussels point
lace, confined to the hair by wreath of roses
and orange flowers, richly blended Her jewelry
consisted of suberb set of diamonds, elegantly
designed. The tout ensemble was happy in the
extreme, and in perfect keeping with the slight
ly perceptible pallof which was natural to the
occasion. The bridesmaids, who numbered no
more than the Graces, appeared as bridesmaids
only can. Of the many who would have done
honor to such an occasion, only the Princess
Victoria Kaahumanu, the Hon. Miss Lydia Kam-
akaeha and Miss Mary Pitman, were invited to
undertake the responsibilities of that office; but
the background was literally filled in with the
relations of the bride. Upon Dr. I. @. B. Rookie
devolved the honorable part of giving away the
bride, his daughter.
Whilst the ceremony was still being perform
ed, salute of artillery, declared the fact that
the "pretty oath Of yea and nay" had been pro-
nouneed. As the bridal party left the church,
another salute from the battery ON shore, and
still another from the French brig-of-war Alci-
blade, announced of the royal pair that "fast as
the priest could make them they were one."
The cortege having returned to the palace,
their Msjesties were waited upon by the diplo.
matte and consular corps and received their
formal congratulations. A grand ball was given
in the evening at the palace, where between
three and four hundred guests were present.
The building had been newly and richly furnish
ed. 1t and the grounds were Illuminated for the
occasion, and presented beautiful sight. At
each end of the avenue that leads from the l,rin-
cipal gate, triumphal arch had been erected,
by crown and the royal cast of
arms lamps and transparencies shining through
leaves completed the design. On all the Lamps
that were attached to the trees mottos were
seen, and pyramid of variegated lights was
built round the flag staff The large verandah
was similarly illuminated, and the ediice glared
with lights to its very summit. The supper tables
were laid in a circular tent of dimensions more
than sufficient to accommodate the hume rous
guests. All the ground was strewed with crisp
grass or reeds, and soldisry drawn up here and