Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-02-24

bud garden of girls" that bloom in fair array
behind her.
The Court list of the ceremonial tells US thai
the illustrous parsonage on whom her right
hand gently rests is the Prince Consort, that or
her left stands his Majesty the King of the Bel
gians, and from the same source We derive oui
knowledge that both are in full uniform, and
wear the collars and insignia of the great Euro
pean orders of knighthood to which each be-
longs. Without these aids to recognition, even
these royal personages would pass to the altar
unnoticed and unknown, so deep, so al-absorb.
ing is the interest excited by the appearance Of
the bride herself. The gorgeous veil she wears
depending from her headdress is thrown off, and
hanging in massive folds behind, leaves the ex-
preston of her face completely visible as she
walks slowly, her head slightly stopped in bash
! fulness, and her eyes cast down upon the ground
Thus all can see distinctly the mild, ar1iabe ex.
preston of her face, SO repete with kindness
and deep feeling, and that peculiarly touching
aspect of sensitiveness, to attempt to portray
which would
'0ny prove how vainly words essay
TO fix the spark of beautys heavenly ray"
Her bright bloom of color has completely desert
ed her, and even when compared with her snowy
dress her cheeks seem pale, and her whole ap-
pearancs denotes tremulousuess and agitation.
In these ceremonies We believe the dress OF
the bride ranks only next III importance to the
celebration of the service; but on this occasion
the Princess Royal wore one so thoroughly in
good taste that it is difficult to remark anything
save that it is exguistely becoming, beautiful
and white In fact its unity only recalls to
mind the belle of the French court, who is said
to dress with such q perfection of good taste
that one can never observe what she wears
While, however, we mention this as the actual
effect of the costume, we may state, for the fur
ther information of our readerSs thatit was man
ufactursd by Mrs. paryil, desigdea oy Miss Janet
Fife, and composed of rich rO1e of white moire
antique, ornamented with three hounces of Hon
iton lace.
| The design of the lace consists of bouquets in
open work of the rose, shamrock and thistle, in
three medallions At the top OF each tiounce in
front of the dress are wreaths of orange and
myrtle bossoms-the latter being the bridal
flower OF Germany-every wreath terminating
with bouquets of the same flowers, and the length
of each being so graduated rs to give the appear
ance of robe defined by flowers. The apex of
this floral pyramid is formed by large bouquet
worn on the girdle. The train, which is of the
unusual length of more than three yards Is OF
white moire antique, trimmed with two rows OF
Honiton lace surmounted by wreaths similar to
those OH the founces of the dress, with bouquets
at short intervals.
Next to the interest excited by the appearance
of the bride herself is the feeling created by the
fair bridesmaids, who, sin gloss of satin and
gnmer Of pearls, follow in stately array, bear.
ing up the rich train of the Princess Royal be-
tween them. The ladies honored with this dis
tinguished mark of royal favor are all among the
personal friends of the young bride, and, what is
singular, are every one lineaily descended from
the great royal houses of England and Scotland.
They follow the bride two by two-Lady Susan
Charlotte Catherine Pelham Clinton, daughter
OF the Duke of Newcastle; Lady Cecilia Cathe-
rine Gordon LennoX, daughter OF the Duke of
Richmond; Lady Katherine Hamilton, daughter
of the Marquis of Abercorn Lady Emma Char
otte Smith Stanley, daughter Of the Earl of Der
by; Lady Susan Catherine Mary Murray, daugh-
ter of the Earl of Dunmore; Lady Constance
Vllhers, daughter of the Earl of Clarendon !;
Lady Victoria Noel, daughter Of the Earl of
Gainsborough; and Lady Cecilia Maria Char
lotte Molyneux, daughter Of the Earl of Seton.
1t is but faint praise to say how well these
noble maidens upheld even the high tradltlonary
fame of Engand's beauty-hoY bright they
showed, even in an assemblage ofthe tairest and
noblest in the land. AS they move slowly for
ward, scanning the brilliant audiences with timid
glances, now and then the lines which Dryden
has applied to the Queens attendants, in the
"Flower and the Leaf" irresistibly occur to the
memory, and the spectators realize the vision OF
the poet when he sung
"a train less fair, as ancient fathers tell,
Seduced the sons of Heaven 10 rebel
I 49,, 4 phu u
Less than an angel would their worth debase.
But their attire, like llyeries of kind
Simple but rich is fresh within my mind;
In satin white as snow the troop was gownd,
The seams with sparkling jewels set around"
The dresses worn by this fair train are from a
design furnished by the llustrious bride herself.
They consist of white glace petticoat entirely
covered by six deep tulle founces, over which
falls tunic of tulle trimmed with ruches of tulle,
looped up on one side with bouquet of pink
roses and white heather. The body is trimmed
with draperies of tulle, with hanging sleeves of
the same material trimmed with ruches. A
bouquet of the same flowers is worn on the gir-
alle and upon each shoulder
q As the bride passes up to the altar she stops
and makes deep reverence to her mother,
though with evident agitation, and her face
hushes like crimson; then, again turning, she
renders the same homage to the Prince of Prus-
sia. As she does so, the bridegroom elect ad-
vances, and, kneeling on one knee, presses her
hand with an expression of fervent admiration
that moved the august audience. Taking their
places then at the altar, and with their illustri-
Gus relatives standing round in group of une-
oualled brilliancy, the service commences with
the chorale, which peas through the little build
ing with the most solemn effect. The words are
particularly appropriate, full of feeling and pie;
ty, and the audience follow them in whispered
cadence as the choir sings:-
"This day, with gladsome voice and heart,
We praise Thy name o Lord, who art
OF all good things the giyer!
For England's tirst-born Hope we pray!
Be near her now and ever!
King of Kings, Lord of Lords,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Hear us while we kneel before Thee"
The Hymn over, the Lord Archbishop of Can
terbury took his place in the centre of the altar,
and assisted by the Bishop of London, as Dean
of the Chapel Royal, the Bishop of Oxford, as
Lord high almoner, the Bishop Of Chester, as
.lo.ot tbo naon nf Win1cor 90 do