The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-07
A MARRIAGE IN THE RoTHsCHu.D
FAMILY

!
Park, near Chiswick, the country seat o
Baron Lionel de Rothschild. The contract
ing parties were the representatives of the
two great-or rather, greatest-frms of the
Rothschild family. the bride being Miss Le'
onora, the eldest daughter of Baron Lionel
and the bridegroom Baron Alphonse, the
eldest son of Baron James Rothschild, oi
Paris. The wedding repast was laid out in
two large rooms, one of which was specially
built on to the dining room, for the occa-
sion. Both were decorated with exquisite
taste and splendor. The walls were cover
ed with large mirrors, with ornamental trel-
lis work between, up which were twined
long garlands of artificial passion flowers,
lilies, wreaths of orange blossoms and other
emblematic Flora, suited to the occasion.
The outer saloon was lighted from the
roof, which was entirely composed of glass.
over the panes of which were strained fut-
ings of white and pink silk in the form of a
Maltese cross. The subdued roseate hue
thus shed into the chamber beneath pro-
duced most beautiful effect. Tables were
ranged along the whole length of both
apartments, and, but that in this age of pro-
gress tables turn instead of groaning, we
should have expected them to demonstrate
at the weight of silver which was piled upon
them. Great center7pieces. epergnes, can
delabra, race cups, and massive tankards,
flower vases, and the chefs d'euvre of Sc
vres, Dresden and Worcester. strewed the
board in rich profusion. The wedding
cake, very marvel of sugar architecture,
was in the centre at the top, upon a salver.
which for size and weight might have done
duty as shield for Achilles. while behind
the seats of honor rose up buffet of gold
plate-a background quite in keeping with
the corgeousness of the whole scene. The
covers were laid for 14O. Only the plate
of the family was used. We cannot hazard
a guess as to either its weight or value, but
it must be enormous.
The bridal presents. both in quality and
variety, were more than sufficient to have
stocked an Eastern bazaar; SO a mere
glance at the most prominet must suffice.
Breakfast services, as usual, distinctly pre-
vailed, there being some five or six Of them,
all of silver, except one set from Mrs Mont
fore, which was of massive standard gold,
enriched with the most elaborate chasings.
To this princely gift succeeded long row
of candlesticks, gold and silver flagree,
and enameled ivory work boxes, lace, fans,
jeweled buttons, prayer books bound in
gold and jeweled, escritoires of buhl and
marqueterie, more breakfast services, and
lace parasol. The latter was in kind
of jewel case, the handle was covered with
serpents of rubies and diamonds, and the
tip of each rib was formed of an oyal-shap
ed emerald and large pearl.
Arranged on a table by themselves were
the jewels, a dazzling pile, all given by diff
ferent members of the Rothschild family
Close by these, and in we'll merited place
of honor, were some humble but beautifully
worked little presents from the scholars
and pupil teachers Of the Jewish Free
School. Shortly before 3 o'clock, the guests
who were invited to be present at the cere
mony, began to arrive. The chief men,
bers of the Rothschild family, both here
and in France, were of course also present.
The visitors assembled in the drawing room,
where DIR. Adler, the chief rabbi. assisted
by Mr.. Archer and Mr.. Green, prepared to
perform the ceremony according to the
rites of the Jewish religion. A velvet can
opy, supported by four of the bridegroom's
garcons d. honneur, was placed at the up
per end of the room. The bridegroom was
then led in by his nearest male relatives,
and placed under the canopy. The bride,
who till then had remained in her apart
ment, descended to tho saloon, attended by
no less than sixteen bridesmaids, all attired
alike in white dresses, trimmed with light
blue. the bride wearing the usual lace dress
and orange blossoms.
At the door of the saloon she was met by
her mother, who, assisted by the brides
maids, completely enveloped her whole fig
ure and person in veil which reached to
the ground, ana WHICH Is worn III Coupil-
ance with the Scriptural verse in Genesis
relating to Rebecca. She was then con-
Quoted to the saloon with the same forms al
the bridegroom, and placed under the can
opy. The chief rabbi, having pronounced
a most eloquent exhortion to each, the SER
vice was commenced in Hebrew. The be-
trothed then drank cup of wine and wa
ter. and the bridegroom taking the ring,
placed it on the brides finger, repeating in
Hebrew slowly. ABehold, thou art betroth
ed unto me, with this ring, according to
the rites of Moses and Israeli The mar
riage contract was then read, and prayers
resumed, the betrothed again drank glass
of wine between them, and the glass being
laid on the ground empty, the bridegroom
crushed it with his foot, all the relations at
the same time wishing lin Hebrew) that the
marriage might be happy, and the bride
and bridegroom be as irrevocably Joined as
the pieces of glass were sundered.
ALo.&., bo,r aftar n, o. oo,,oI, sion of fho