Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-07
Wedding of Philip and MARY.

We take the following interesting doscrip-
ton of the marriage Of the above royal per-
sonages from Prescott's new work.
" Some embarrassment occurred as to the
person who shoold give the Queen away
part Of the ceremony not provided for.
After a brief conference, it was removed by
the Marquis of Winchester and the Earls of
Pembroke and Derby; who took it on them
selves to give away in the name Of the whole
realm; at which the multitude raised shout
that made the walls Of the cathedral ring
again. The marriage service wasthen conclu-
dod by the Bishop of Winchester. Philip
and Mary resumed their seats, and mass was
performed, when the bridegroom, rising, gave
his consort the kiss of peace according to
the custom of the time. The whole ceremony
occupied nearly four hours, AT the close of
it. Philip taking Mary by the hand led her
from the church. The royal couple were
followed by the long train of preIates and
nobles and were preceded by the Earls of
Pembroke and Derby, each bearing aloft
naked sword, the symbol of sovereignty. The
effect of the spectacle was heightened by the
various costumes of the two nations-the
richly tinted and picturesque dresses of the
Spaniards, and the solid magnifcence Of the
English and Flemings, mnging together in
gay confusion. The gttering procession
moved slowly on to the blithe sounds of festal
music, while the air was rent with the royal
acclamatons Of the populace, delighted, as
usual, with the splondor Of the pageant. In
the great hall Of the Episcopal palace, sump-
tuous banquet was prepared for the whole
company. At one end of the apartment was.
dais, on which, under superb canopy, a
table was set for the King and Queen; and
third seat was added for Bishop Gardiner, the
only one of the great lords who was admitted
to the distinction Of dining with royalty.
Below the dais, the tables we're set on either
side through the whole length of the hall, for
the English and Spanish nobles all arran-
ged--a perilous point Of etiquette with due
regard to their relative ranks. The royal
table was coverd with dishes of gold. A
specious beaufet, rising to the height of eight
stages or shelves, and filled with profusion
VI Soiu ohu silEOi NV6eels, hoiuSWHab OSLenIa-
tiously displayed the magnifence of the pre-.
late, or of his sovereign. Yet this ostenta-
ton was rather Spanish than English and
was one of the forms in which the Castilian
grandec loved to display his opuleuce.
+" AT the bottom of the hall was an orch.
estra, occupied by band of excellent perfor-
mers, who enlivened the repast by their music
But the most interesting part Of the show
: was that of the Winchester boys, some Of
whom were permitted to enter the presence,
and recite in Latin their epithaamums ii
honor of the royal nuptial, for which they re-
ceived handsome guerdon from the Queen.
After the banquet came the ball, at which
if we are to take an old English authority
the Spaniards were greatly out of counte
nance when they saw the English so far exec
them This seems somewhat strange. consi
deriug that dancing is, and always has been
: the national pastime of Spain. Dancing i.
, to the Spaniard What music is to the Italian
the very condition Of his social existence
1t did not continue late on the present ocea,
sion, and, at the temperate hour of nine, tn,
bridal festivities closed for the evening""