The New York herald., 1873-07-12
RECORD OF TEE SOLEMN CONTRACT
Important Political COnsid
eratiOns Involved.
The Brides Fortune and Ac
complishments. W
Interesting Incidents During the Prog.
a ress Of the Courtship.
TELEGRAM 70 THE NEW YORK HERALD.

LONDON, July II, 1879.
A marriage has been finally arranged be-
tween His Royal Highness Prince Alfred
Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh, the fourth
child and second son of Her Majesty Queen
Victoria, and Her Imperial Hghness the
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrowna of
Russia, the fourth child and only daughter
Of His Majesty the Gar Alexander the Second.
.,, TIE CONTRACT SEALED.
The final settlement and arrangement Of the
contract took place at the hour of eleven
o'clock this 9th inst) night.
~ POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS.
The Duke Of Edinburgh thus foregoes his
right Of succession to the Duchy Of SAKE
Coburg, which fact involves important political
considerations.
TILE GRAND DUCHESS MARIA
Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess
Maria Alexandrowna, the bride elect, was born
on the 18th Of October (5th, Russian style).
in the year 1853 She is consequently in the
twentieth year Of her age.
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.
Ills Royal Highuess the Duke of Edinburgh,
Duke Of SAKE and Count of Ulster and of
Kent, was bern on the 9Th of August, in the
year 1874. He is, consequently, on the eve of
completing the twenty-ninth year of his age.
His Royal Highness holds the commission of
Captain in the Royal Navy.
Courtship, Cooling and q Large Fortune,
with a Most Amtable Lady.
letter from Naples, under date Of May s. fur.
nishes some very interesting facts relative to the
progress of the courtshp OF the royal lovers. The
writer reports:-
Prince Alfred or England left Sorrento this morn.
ing route to England. Before starting His Royal
Highness and the Grand Duchess Maria OF Russia
rode out to take last view OF one OF the many
charming scenes in the neighborhood, for the
members Of the Imperial family are early in their
was at anchor under the villa There
can be no hesitation, alter all that is freely
% rte ~ n speaking N Of the
Maria. Those who should be well informed tell me
that they met at Hesse-Darmstadt year or two
has existed between them. During Prince Alfred's
residence In Sorrento though nominally staying at
the Tasso, he has been constantly at the Imperial
villa from morning till night. His Royal Hlghness
is now returning to London, but will leave 1t again
shortly, and join the Empress of Russia and the
Grand Duchess at Jugenheim, In Hesse-Darmstadt.
The Emperor oil Russia will also be there later and
of1cisl publicity will then, no doubt, be given to
the marriage that is to be.
one dinicnty existed which has been sur
mounted. 1t was proposed as condition that
the Duke OF Edinburgh should reside certain
period of time every year in Russta but he refused
to bind himself Something more than rumor says
that the Grand Duchess Will bring her husband
E2c,0 900 q year, besides s20o o00 but yet larger
fortune will be the sweet, amiabe disposition OF
which every one about the court speaks
1t Is Just now said that the young couple are to
lye half the year at Least in Russia and have OF
the new houses on the quay, In front OF the Ad-
miralty. at ST. Petersburg. The BRIDES fortune is
to be million OF rubes. One Of the CHEF causes
OF delay IN the arrangement Of the match has been
the wish on each side to stipu!ate for living the
greater part of the year in England or Russia re-
spectively. Hence the compromise Of dividing the
time equally between the two. question OF
precedence In England Is said to have contributed
to this delay. fIiu