Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-03-03
MISCELL A N Y.
From the London Times.
The Presents to the Princess Royal.

From the London Times.
The Presents to the Princess Royal.
Yesterday afternoon the representatives OF the
public were admitted to Buckingham Palace 70
sec the magnificent collection of bridal gifts
which have been presented to the Princess Roy
al by every member of the royal family, oy most
of the illustrious guests who have lately honor-
ed her Majesty with visit, and by some OF the
chief personages of the illustrious house with
which she is now so happily connected.
The exhibition of wedding gifts on these oc,
casions is generally made with some display OF
taste and skill in the combination OF coors ana
general effect, so as at least to exhibit the o0-
iects fairly, if not to set them OF to advantage
Under such circumstances, and with proper
management, such displays are often very at-
tractive; and with the intense interest which
attaches to all relating to the Princess koya, IL
would not be easy to render gifts to her other
than deeply interesting. Ii anything, however
could have detracted from the effect, and even
interest, of these magnificent cadeaur, 1t was
the manner in which the functonaries connect
ed with the Palace displayed them We do not
speak of the style in which they were put TO-
gether on the table in the small billiard loom.-
Il is quite possible that the arrangement might
be a matter of taste; but it surprised us 10 ma
that many OF the presents were lett without any
thing to indicate the quarter from whence they
came, and the only information beyond the name
of the person who gave it, which it was IN any
case possible to obtain, was the cost price of al
most every article exhibited, ard whether 1t was
silver gilt, or only gilt on "metal." This un-
gracious knowledge, which is generally Kept so
carefully in the background when gifts are IN
the question, was, as we have said, almost the
only kind obtanabe beyond the actual sight OF
the ANONYMOUS articles to which 1t related. one
functionary, however, possessed not even TINS
limited information, though he knew the things
were very valuable, as he Yves. PVT there 10
prevent them from being stolen." Most OF the
articles. however, were ticketed with the name
of the illustrous individual from whom they
came, 50 that catalogue OF ra,soRnee could be
formed which We append, only as general RUE
withholding the price list. The most conspicu-
Gus among the brilliant mass was the present OF
the King and Queen Of Prussie-a lofty open
coronet of diamonds, the design OF which, Win
lis spires OF brilliants and open she'll work be
tween, is probably one OF the most chaste and
graceful that has even been executed. EQUAL
with this are those given by Her Majesty Inc
first is broad diamond necklace, with treble
row of the most brilliant drops and long point,
ed terminals, which match the light tracery OF
the coronet. The second gilt from the Royal
mother consists of three massive breaches some
what in the STYLE and szeSbf the Scottish plaid
brooch but which, instead OF having an open
circet in the middle, are in each case hlled
with q noble pearl OF the very largest size and
purity of color. The Prince Consort gave su
perb brace Of brilliants aud eneralds, which Is
beautiful both in design and execution, and is
altogether most costly present This has ad-
djtiopal interest IN the eyes of visitors from its
being one of the bracelets which the young bride
wore at the Royal Chapel on Monday last That
which she wore on the left arm was also a Ola
mond and emerald bracelet,p presented by the gen
tlemen of the Royal House, but which, though
a splendid present, and probably equal IN value
to the Princes is much inferior to 1t III design
and still more so in the manner In which IL Is
set.
The Gift of the Prince of Wales in rich beau
" of effect is far superior to them all. 1t is suite
OF ear rings, brooch, and necklace OF opalS, anu
diamonds but the opals, in play OF color aud IT
ridescence are superior to any we have yet seen,
and the design of The settings is quite III keep
ing with the exquisite beauty OF the stones they
iuclose As We have said in magnificent, and
at the same time chaste effect, this gilt surpas-
ses all. But tue present OF the bridegroom Is
perhaps the most costly, though in appearance
the most simple of any. 1t Is necklace OF
pearls, and our readers may easily Judge OF their
value when we say that the necklace, though
full sized, only requires SO to complete the en-
tire circle, which graduates in from the centre,
tapering less and less in size OF jewels as it ap-
proaches each end. The three centre pearls in
this superb circet are said to be of great value.
The Queen gives third present of three silver
candelabra, which form the most regal looking
group in silver we have ever seen. The centre
piece springs from an elaborate base, and is sur
rounded by large groups OF figures exquisitely
chased in full relief. This supports between 30
and 80 branches, and is four feet high. The
two Others are TO match the centre, and are G,
oually elaborate ard almost equally massive and
lofty, There was 10 ticket to indicate whom
this was given to, one of the authorities stating
most positively that it was present from the
Queen to the bridegroom, while another assert
ed that it was presented to the brdegroom'S
father. As, however, the former statement
seemed infinitely more probable, we must be-
lieve it to be the correct one. The Princess of
Prussia gives truly regal gift of a stomacher
brooch of brliants. The stones in this superb
ornament are large and OF the purest water, and
the setting and design are exquisite. The Prin-
cess Alice gives small but beautifully formed
brooch of pearls; and the Princesses Helena,
Louisa, Victoria, give each massive stud
brooch or button, similar in shape to those in
diamond and pearl of the Queens gifts, which
we have already mentioned. These brooches
are of massive gold, ornamented with pearls and
emeralds, pearls and rubes, and pearls and sap
phires.
The Duchess of Cambridge gives q noble
bracelet of diamonds and opals and the Princess
Mary her portrait in massive gold frame and
stand. One of the most beautiful of all, how
ever, is the gift CT the brides royal father-ir-
law, the Prince of Prussia. 1t is magnificent
necklace, with pendants of exquisite design. 1t
is composed of pure brillants and turquoises,
and is called, from the size, rarity, and value of
the latter gems, the turquoise necklace. The
brides grandmother, the venerable Duchess of
Kent, gives most magnificent and useful pres
ent. 1t is large and most costly dressing case,
containing sufficient articles to fit out the toilet
tables of dozen ladies of quality, and all of
which are of massive silver gilt enriched with
bright red coral. The simplicity and exquisite
beauty of the designs for these things are not to
be surpassed. Next, probably, to this in costl-
ness, though infinitely reduced in regard to size,
is the Maharajah Duleep Singh, which is one of
the most fairy like opera glasses ever used by a
lady. The design is elaborate-arabesques of