The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-01-30
Marriage OF the Duke Of Edinburgh
and Princess Maria.


Ist. Petersburg Dan. 49, Cor. New York Herald
The marriage ceremony of the Duke
OF Edinburgh and the Princess Marie
commenced Mt noon in the presence of
vast assemblage of guests in the Win
ter Palace. The various galleries were
filled with ladies symptuously attired.
The prevailing costumes were peculiarly
Russian, the ladies being mainly dress
ed Ill velvet and diamonds, and the men
i'll uniform, with the exception of the
American Diplomatists.
After the assembling, the procession
was formed with grand Equerries and
Chamberlains and other officers of the
court leading. Then came the Emperor,
Empress, Imperial Prince and Princess,
the Princess of Wales, Prince Imperial
of Germany and Denmark, and Prince
Arthur. Then the bride and the bride
groom, who wore the Russian naval I'M
form. The bride was splendidly APP
pareled III a long crimson velvet mantle,
trimmed with ermine, and wore a dia-
mond coronet. Her train was borne by
four pages.
Then followed an immense procession,
tho Imperial family, Princes, Princess,
and court officials.
The Princess of Wales was dressed
in dark crimson velvet, with diamond
coronet and collar, and pearl necklace.
The Imperial German Princess was
dressed in the same style. The Rus
sian Princess dress was of blue velvet
and gold Prince Arthur in the uniform
of the Rifle Brigade, acting as one of the
groomsmen. The procession, upon
reaching the Russian church was re-
ceived by the metropolitan head of the
Russian church, the Holy Synod bear
ing crosses and sacred vessels of holy
water. The Emperor conducted the
bride and bridegroom to the middle of
the church, assuming his station, with
the Empress Immediately behind.
Around the bridegroom stood Prince
Arthur and the Grand Dukes.
The wedding rings, borne on golden
salvers, were deposited on the alter
temporarily by the Imperial oonfessor
until placed on the fingers of the bride
and bridegroom. The magnificent chap
ell was illuminated with innumerable
wax candles, the floor covered with a
velvet crimson and gold carpet, the pill
lars and altar covered with gold. The
Greek marriage ceremony was unique.
In the absence of music, chants and in
toned prayers were given. During the
service, crowns were held suspended
over the heads of the bridal pair, Prince
Arthur holding the crown over the Duke
of Edinburgh, and Prince Serguis that
over the bride.
The procession then slowly formed,
proceeding to the Hall of Alexander for
the Anglican service. When the mar
riage-procession entered, the bride
walked between her father and the
bridegroom. Prince Arthur walked be-
hind. The beautiful Anglican wedding
service was then imprSsively perform
ed by Dean Stanley, the Prince and
Princess responding according to the
form enjoined in the book of common
prayer.
During the ceremony in the English
chapel the Empress of Russia, being a
confirmed invalid, and much fatigued,
seemed overcome with emotion, holding
a handkerchief to her eyes when the
newly married couple came to salute
her.
There was, of course, much criticism
on the bride and groom, and his re-
served and solemn manner created an
unfavorable impression.
In the evening an illumination of the
public squares of the city took place.
The general scene was one of splendid
festivity, the service all forming in ex-
traordinary combination of ceremony,
wealth, pomp and splendor.
After the marriage rites there was a
banquet at the place, Mile. Adelina
Patti singing, and subsequently bal
at Georges Hall.