The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-08-15
THE LAST ROYAL WEDDING AND
~ SCANDAL.
vIIc1 oRIA's SINGULAR CONDUCT.

= - .
VI, vIc1 oRIA's SINGULAR CoNDUcT.
The London correspondent Of the
Chicago Joss7aal gives the following
particulars of the recent marriage and
sacrifice of one of her daughters: :.
A ROYAL MARRIAGE.
All these matters, however, pale be-
meath the great event of the week, the
marriage of the Princess Helena, the
third daughter of Queen Victoria, which
took place on Thursday last. There is
something really distressing about the
affair, as you will admit when ] narrate
the facts. The match from first to last,
has been distasteful to the nation, and
now that the Queen has persisted in
sacrificing her, child, if she could read
the hearts Of her people she would find
therein recorded an universal sentence
of condemnation. 1t is supposed, some
little time since, that the marriage
would not take place, but the Queen
was obstinate and persisted in her de-
termination. 49,
The real truth is, that, aside from
other objections to the bridegroom,
ne actually mas wife and four CT ildren
living in Germany. 1t is true that the
marriage was called a morganatic one,
but it was solemnized, nevertheless, UNI
der the authority Of the church. Wheth-
er the Princess Helena wes aware OF
this fact or not is doubtful, but the
Queen was, and recklessly trampled all
considerations of morality and justice,
to say nothing of religion, under foot.
1t is well known that she was re1non-
strated with on the subject, but to no
effect. She had set her mind upon the
marriage, and defended her future SON.
in-law with the utmost spirit.
The cause OF her infatuation has just
beeu revealed. When the statue of the
late Prince Consort was inaugurated in
Germany last year, the Queens atten-
ton was attracted by one of the specta-
tors who seemed to be overwhelmed
with emotion, and throughout the cere-
mony his handkerchief was constantly
employed in wiping from his face what
were apparently tears. (Some who
were present say, for tears read perspi-
ration.) This sort of conduct was just
the thing to touch the Queeu's sensibil-
tiles. She inquired at once who the In
dividual was, and learned that it was
Prince Christian of Schleswig- Holstein.
She seut for him, and finally threw her
daughter into his arms, since which her
infatuation has been complete. There
is scarcely any one who does not believe
that this petty German Prince, poor
even to poverty, his real income being
ouly about thousand dollars year,
an adventurer, a notorious gambler and
sporting man, man with all the low
vices of the German character and none
of its virtues, was simply playing a
part which he had thoroughly studied
beforehand. Conscious of the Queens
weakness, he pnrposely placed himself
in her way, and by his crocodile tears
on the occasion mentioned, secured an
interest in her which he has managed
to increase and retain until he has final
ly accomplished his purpose. l am sor-
ny to say there is no room to doubt the
correctness of these statements.
1t was the place Of the Prince of
Wales to give away his sister at the al
tar. He plumply refused to do so, al
though he was present. at the ceremony,
to avoid future scandal. Failing him,
| that duty devolved upon his young
brother, the Duke of Cambridge. He
not only declined, but was not present
at the wedding at all. The bride
groom's father, brother, and sister, al
though especially invited by the Queen,
all refused to come to England, and by
their presence sanction the outrage
then committed. Although it is sad
affair, and while much sympathy is felt
for the young bride, the auguries for
her future are of the darkest character,
and the Queen and her mother has sunk
to very low degree in the estimation
of her subjects. The newly welded
pair have gone to Osborne to pass the
| hOnpvmoon