Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-21
A Russian wedding in High Life.

A Russian Wedding in High Life.
The following letter is from an American cit
izen to the editors Of the Baltimore Patriot, da-
ted Moscow, Sept 25th, 1858.
MRssRs EDIToRs 1t has occurred to me that
it might not prove uninterestng to many of your
readers if | avail myself of a place in your col
ums to lay before them brief account of some
of the ceremonies and festal incidents of mar
riaee in Russian "high life," which has lately
been celebrated in this vicinity, and at which
had the pleasure OF being welcome guest.
The families of the "happy pairs'' are Of the
"haut noJlesse" of the Empire, and possess in
addition to their titles and patents and nobility
(what we practical people regard with far more
respect) immense wealth, which to their credit
it must be said. they expend in generous and
refined hospitality, acquiting themselves with
honor of the obligations which their position
and fortune have entailed upon them.
The lady (by courtesy she should be named
irst,) is the second daughter of Prince George
Galitzin, and has, in common with her two sls-
ters, inherited the beauty of mother long cele'
brated as the reigniDg belle OF Moscow and St:
Petersburg. The bridegroom, Lieutenant OF
the Hussars of the Imperial Guard, is the eldest
son of His Excellency General Nicholas Rumini,
Chamberlain to His Majesty, Counsellor of State
Grand Gross of the order Of st. Anne. &C., &C.,
with half dozen other titles and decorations
of no other than local Importance or interest.
| 1t so happened that the estates of the two
families Joined, and the season being favorable,
it was decided to celebrate the wedding in the
country. Their respective friends were invited
to repair to the datcL Gn English, country seaD
of one or the other, and thus was assembled 9
gay and brilliant society all ready to enjoy the
promised pleasures of such an event, and to par.
ticpate in, and sympathize with the happt'
ness it would impart to both families.
The marriage ceremony took place in the
church attached to the estate Of the brides faith
er. and as it only differed from that of the poor
est peasant in this, that the toilettes and number
of attendants were more elegant or more numer'
GUS, and as the ceremony n the Greek church 10
very different from that we are accustomed 10
see with Us, here insert short account OF the
same.
In the first place, supposing the bride ana
groom to have a certain position, they each pro-
vide themselves first with married lady, spe.
cies OF god mother, who replaces the natural pa
rent for the time, also with gentleman attend.
ant, sometimes more than one and the LADY ls
sometimes accompanied by bridesmaids. Other
sponsors, if you may SO call them, and "gdreons
des nosces" are necessary the lady attendants
are luxury. When the toilette Of the bride is
completed she sends her cavalier to announce
that fact to the gentleman, who, thereupon
leaves his house for the church door accompa-
MED by his family ard friends, whilst hrs
groomsman hurries off to notify the bride; she
similarly escorted repairs to the church, where
she is met by the groom and led within the door.
Here the Priest aud ChauDters (all male voices)
receive the pair and the ceremony commences
by prayer and chaunting; afterwards the two
rings are blessed exchanged and passed over the
finger OF each; then the officiating clergyman
extends to the pair his embroidered "stote,"
which they both grasp and by which they are
led three times round the church, or rather round
q desk, on which is placed q copy of the gospels;
these they kiss and are then led up to the door
of the 'sikonostas," in other words the partition
which divides the sanctuary and altar from the
people, when after more prayers and singing
gold crowns are either placed on the heads OF
the pair, or held over each, by their attendants,
no easy task, for this is kept up whilst more
PRAYERS are said /; another procession is made
and the fnal blessing pronounced, whereupon
the usual Fluctuations are extended by the friends.
The parents of the bridegroom take no part
and remain, if present, in the back ground. be-
fore the conclusion of the ceremony they hurry
off to their home, whittier also the whole party
repair The bridal pair descend flrst and the
lady is met at the door by her new made rela'
tions. bearing in their hands bread and SAT-,
which are rendered and partaken OF as emblem
atical of the welcome they extend to the WIG
of their son. All now enter the house, when
supper is laid out, after which the bride dis'
tributes to each of the guests box of bon -bons,
a most extensive substitute for the boxes of
brides cake handed around with US. These
boxes are very handsome, and vary in price ac'
cording to the means of the party, from 81 TO
$40 a piece. After this the newly married pair
are escorted to their carriage, and leave for their
own home, or for an apartment already proVi-
ded at some hotel.
The foregoing is the outline of the ceremonies
on the occasion of the wedding referred to, when
all that wealth and refined taste could lend to
the interest of the pageant was lavshed ID pro-
fusion.
The day after, large dinner party of some
GO persons assembled in the spacious mansion
of MIR. Rumn when, after doing justice Gas the
reporters saw to the good things spread before
rs. one of the groomsmen proposed the health OF
the bride and groom. Thereupon all rose and
ssluted them; the immediate family approached
and embraced them, while band OF music OF
60 pieces. (Which remained at the chateau for
four days) gave forth three times series OF mu-
sical hairrais. These combined with the cheers
of the guests, were most effective. Subsequent
" the heads of the two families and the attend
ants were toasted after which the party sePa,,
rated until evening, when we again assembled
for dance. The waltz, polka, and quadrlle in
turn became the order of the evening. when we
again assembled for dance. The waltz, polka,
and quadrille in turn became the or order o. OF tn the
evening. winding up with the graceful mazurka,
a dance unknown with US, and which it is great.
" to be regretted some Monsieur KorPony, OF
Polka celebrity, has not introduced. Alter the
mazurka an elegant supper; and then good
night"