The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-11

=
and Altogether, he has decided ''bankey-
nanlkav', appearance. Had he made a gri-
mace. struck an attitude, and exclaimed
stHere we is as we used to was, /" 1t would
not in the least have caused surprise
and he actually seems to tear himself away
from the assembled company, regretting that
he couldn't do something funny, and as though
il is only the fact of the Queen being close at
his heels that keeps him in anything like
order. Behind the Queen is bevy of maids
of honor, and, though it is not permitted to
say that any lady can be homely, it cannot be
denied that the Queens maids Of honor on this
auspicious occasion might easily have been
more beautiful. Possibly her Majesty thought
it judicious to keep Albert out of the way of
temptation. The Prince of Wales and Prince
Alfred, who walk with Lord Palmerston, are
scarcely noticed-lost in the attractiveness of
the juvenile Premier. Silver sticks in waiting
and yeomen of the guard, in themselves a
show when alone, bring up the rear, but are
not seen, eclipsed by what has gone
before another procession enters-that of the
bridegroom and here the Prussian uni
forms and military splendor shine in
all their glory. The young Prince appears
serious and reserved, but acknowledges grace
fully the salute given him by the company.
He presents the appearance of well-bred
young man, quite self-possessed, but aware
that something more serious than usual is
going on.
The procession having passed, all is expec-
tation for the arrival of the bride. The Lord
Chamberlain having returned from the chapel,
the tread of feet and the silvery blast of
trumpet is heard, and, preceded by one or two
officers, comes the royal maidenin whose honor
all the ceremonies are taking place. Now, the
Princess is no beauty; indeed, she has had
narrow escape from being plain; she is, more
over, not well developed for her age, and clad
in bridal garments, leaning heavily on her
father, her eyes are red with recent weeping, and
her whole appearance that of sorrow and de-
lection, it is impossible not to feel that the
marriage of such child is seacely proper,
and that she herself is being made sacrifice
to the prejudices of rank and station.
Timidly she returns the salutation that greets
her entrance, and, without pausing or delay,
the cortege passes on. Behind the Princess
walks the King of the Belgians, an old man,
who must have well remembered the occasion
when he himself, comparatively poor man,
had welded England's royal daughter, whose
early and mysterious death caused so much
national sorrow and regret. The associations
recalled by his presence are rather painful
than otherwise, and, the procession having
passed into the chapel all traces of mirth
have disappeared, and the sombre silence is
for time unbroken. Anon is heard in the
distance the swelling peal of the organ and
which commences the service. Again all is
silence, and, of the events that ensue, the
highest aristocracy and those who form the
prominent part of the procession are alone the
witnesses.
The scene, as described, was most affecting.
In voice so low and trembling as to be almost
inaudible the royal maiden made the custom
ary responses to the service, her agitation
being so great that it was feared she would
faint and fall, and more than one hand was
raised to go to her assistance, when, by a
great effort, she mastered her feelings and pro-
ceeded with the service; but no sooner was it
concluded than, with gush of tears she
threw herself on her mothers bosom, and, for
a moment, the courtly splendor, the royal
pageantry, the etiquette of state, were all for
gotten in the deep emotion of the girl, about
to be taken, perhaps forever, from her mothers
home. n
The magnificent halleluiah chorus announces
to the outsiders the conclusion of the ceremony.
The music changes, and the Wedding March
is the signal for the formation OF the
procession, which now moves towards the
| throne room. The cannon in the park
thunder forth salute, and hum OF
many voices breaks upon the ear. A
brief pause, and the roll of carriages, amid the
! loud shouts of the populace, intimate the de-
! parture of the royal cOrtege, and the marriage
of the Princess Royal of England becomes an
| event of the past.
Not SO imposing as the ceremony above de-
scribed, but still of interest, is the ceremony
of comforting the honor of knighthood. The
privilege of witnessing the exercise of this
prerogative of the Crown was afforded the
writer, during the visit of Queen Victoria to
Birmingham, the metropolis of the midland
counties, in the summer of 1865, and on the
occasion of the inauguration OF Aston Hal
and grounds as a museum and park for the
people,. f..ae. .
Few OF the ancient baronial mansions of
| England possess more historic interest than
Aston Hall, at one period the residence of the
immortal Watt, by whom was awakened the
| Wondrous power Of steam. During the
memorable struggle which convulsed the
! kingdom in the days of Cromwell, the un-
fortunate Charles sought refuge there, and
shared the hospitality of its then owner, Sil
Thomas Holte. The loyal old baronet received
the King with BETTING honors; but the Parlia-
mentariaAs, hearing of the Kings stay at the
Hall, mustered in strong force and attacked
the mansion, whose walls still bear the marks
nearly three days the inmates gallantly with
stood the assault. At length, worn out, they
were compelled to surrender. The fine ole
Hall was ruthlessly plundered by the besiegers
the family papers scattered to the winds, ant
the owner made prisoner. More than TIVE
centuries have passed away, and how changed
the gcenel Another monarch visits the ole
mansion, not, however, as a temporary asylum
but to dignity with her presence its in
auguration to the people Thousand
now press forward to the old Hall
not in antagonism to sovereign
fleeing from his subjects, but to welcome th'
presence of q well-beloved Queen. 10 describe
however, the various associations connected
MIL, tbis t;uoa hon adifoa OP the num0