Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-07
THE GAZETTE.
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 7, 1859.
A MARRIAGE FESTIVAL.

Olstngulshed clergyman OF boston, as "A re-
ply to description sent him by a lady of a
grand entertainment given at Albany, was
printed and circulated at the time of writing
(more than fifty years ago. from one end of
the land to the other. 1t will be interesting
to many who see nothing more in it than the
skilful grouping of imagery. grand, ma este
and beautiful, and cannot fail to be interest
ing to all readers
"ln an accompaniment ofone of your letters,
] find picturesque description of Il fashion
able ball given in the eighborhood of Albany,
on account of the marriage Of Mr.. 5. to Miss
r. The guests were many, the accommoda
tons spacious; rendered resplendent by all
that art and taste could furnish. Fancy and
ornament combined their powers to throw a
lustre over the delighted attendants.
Three hundred silver candlesticks, and an
indefinite number Of lamps poured their
lights upon thirty mirrors, which faithfully
reflected what they received, in softening
brightness through the several apartments and
their yariegated scenery. The desserts were
exquisite, and were served with taste and
elegance. The music and amusements We're
enchanting This must have been scene
highly delightful to the man of this world and
the daughters of worldly taste and pleasure:
but l find it lasted only one short night
Nay, it blushed to meet the rising sun, as
though conscious that that little orb would
tarnish all its brightness. The ladies return
ed at three-the gentlemen at FIVE: probably
both resolved to take revenge on this distur-
Der ofnightly pleasure by dispensing with his
charms till they should be lost in the evening
hemisphere.
The reading of this description suggested
to me the thought of attempting faint sketch
of marriage festival, for which preparation
has been long making, and partial descrip-
ton given from time to time of what is to be
then exhibited. To this festival | have the
honor of an invitation; as a guest, | am en-
trusted with authority to invite others. have
heard little and imagine more of the trans
porting scene, butcould | correctly paint both
on paper, "the half could not be told This
festival is to be celebrated at place whose
length and breadth are twelve thousand fur
longs; its height and depth are proportionate-
ly elevated. 1t stands ON foundation of
twelve different kinds of precious stones, of
variegated hue, arranged with SO much art
as to throw reciprocal and increasing lustre;
and all producing such a food of splendor,
as mocks the attempts of men and angels to
describe. To this palace there are twelve
avenues, all paved with gold, leading to gates
that are of entire pearl: each gate is Of one
pearl-neither fractured nor divided. The
flooring of the palace is of pure gold, as it
were of transparent glass, and the ceiling of
jasper. The apartments, the hangings, the
ornaments, can not describe; but if they bear
an increased portion to the elegance of the
exterior. what must they be? Oh. let us be
ambitious to 60 and see. Of the guests that
are invited, can give no particular account:
and still more imperfect one of those that
will accept. OF one circle there were long
ago one hundred and forty-four thousand that
had accepted the invitation. Among these
were kings, queens, princes and princesses,
noblemen and their daughters, priests and
prophets; since when the number of invited
guests has been greatly increased, and SER
wants have been running with notes of invi-
tation to more distant towns and families,
and though they often meet with Il pray
thee have me excused" through indisposition
want of taste, or trivial and foolish engage
ments. vet upon the safest ground / assure
YOU there will be such collection las no
man can number" Ofthe dress of the guests
can also give but an imperfect account;
some few particulars only come to my knOw-
edge. Their raiment will be of wrought gold
of the most delicate and elegant needle work
and their general splendor as though they
were clothed with the sun and crowned with
q crown of stars; but their principal glory
beauty and excellence are within, IN the
sweetness of their disposition, the purity OF
their hearts, and the entire possession fthelr
souls. They are all glorious--not one worth
less character will be found among them: not
one will be watching to make untrcndly re-
marks: not one to render distance and reserve
prudential. The music of the mansion will
be from all manner Of Instruments, sottened
by an innumerable multitude OF harmonious
voices, so adjusted as TO make one perfect
whole, and to pour the full tide of sound up
on the enraptured ear. a soEg is already
prepared. and the performers are practising
in the different apartments with reference to
the festival Oh! what will the effect he
when they shall perform in full chorus. As
for the entertainments, they will doubtless be
in harmony with the whole exhibition. But
the principal object, the glory Of the whole
is vet unnamed. This is the Bridegroom
Ofhim dare not pretend to give descrlp-
ton. l shall only say he is the chletest
among ten thousand and the one altogether
lovely. Such inconceivable light and glory
continually emanate from his divine person,
that the extensive palace neeus ITO other hS.,'
its most distant corners are Illuminated with
his rays. There is particular circumstance
nv dear friend. that will add much to
the interest of the festival-every guest has "A
share in the heart and affections of this glor-
GUS bridegroom, and all combined in one myS-
teal body, constitute the happy BRIDE, for
whom all this glory is prepared.
This festival commenced will never close
will never tire: no rising or setting sun will
summon a dispersion. Pleasures more and
more extatic and refined will be continually
springing up. The heavenly bridegroom Will
feed and lead us to living fountains ofdellght'
and all occasions of sorrow will forever cease
MY friend, shall earthly scenes and festivals
of pleasure, which compared to this are like
the glow worm in the light day. so interest
our passions and engross our thoughts as to
hinder our endeavors to be suitably attired. so
that we may be hailed, welcome guests
There hope to meet the name of g IN
all its branches: there l hope to meet the CIR
Gle we have known here, enlarged by those
we have never yet known and whom we can
L. so ,>,oro OH lnt ne keen this