The New York herald., 1874-05-22
WHITE HOUSE NUPTIALS
Wedding of Miss Nellie Grant
to MIR. Sartoris.
A Brilliant AssembIage in the
East Room.
THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY
The Bridal Pair as Viewed
During the Service.
THE GUESTS PRESENT.
List and " tie ofmthe
Bridal Pre- &c Its.
DEPARTURE OF THE COUPLE.
Their Arrival in New York
Last Evening.
The Bridal Pair as Viewed
During the Service.
THE GUESTS PRESENT.
List and v tie ofwthe
Bridal Pre- &c Its.
DEPARTURE OF THE COUPLE.
Their Arrival in New York
Last Evening.

WASHINGTON, May q, 1874.
The day which witnessed the marriage OF the
Presidents daughter was radiant with sunshine,
and long before the hour set apart for the cere-
mOny large crowd had gathered around the gates
OF the White House. Unusual precautions mad
been taken 10 prevent the admission or reprcscn-
tatives OF the press In Washington, and your cor
respondent was the only journalist present. At
about hal-past ten he arrived at the White House,
accompanied by Senators Carpenter and Cameron.
When the HERALD carriage drove up q number OF
carriages were awaiting admission to the Execu-
tive grounds. This delay was occasioned by an
accident TO carriage as the vehicle was entering
the gate. No serious results however, followed,
and In few minutes the line was again In motion.
Following the carriage OF the HERALD came
that OF Mr.. Riggs, the Washington banker, occu-
pied BY that gentleman and two ladies OF his
family. AZ Mr. Riggs carriage was entering the
gate the pole Of the carriage following was
driven through the rear OF the Riggs carriage
driving in the panel and causing alarm to the in.
made an attempt to leap from the vehicle, but was
fortunately prevented from doing so BY one Of the
police officers In attendance
THE WHITE HOUSE.
Arriving at the White House your correspond
ont was shown into one OF the retiring rooms on
the right Of the entrance, where the wraps OF the
ladies and head gear or the gentlemen were de-
posted, and where the ladies' shook out the ample
I0os o! their eeyanr dresses and cast final look
OF inquiry into the mirrors, and where the 1nal
adjustment was given by fastdious gentlemen to
their snow white neckties. Emerging from this
room the guests were at liberty to wander over
the lower rooms OF the house. Most Of the ladies'
hurried or to the East Room, and after inspecting
the horal decorations took position on either
Side OF the main door and in front or the platform
that had been erected 1or the performance
OF the ceremony. Mrs. Secretary Fish, Mrs.
Postmaster General Creswen aEd Mrs. Sharp,
sister OF Mrs. Grant. occupied the Blue
Blue Room and did the hospitalites for Mrs. Grant,
After being presented to these ladies' by Senator
Cameron the HERALD correspondent passed
through the Green Room. where wedding cake,
tasteiully done up In small white paper boxes tied
with white satin ribbon, was piled on cenIrc
table awaiting distribution among the guests, aud
ont into the famous East Room, where were as
semhl,d the major portion OF guests who had thus
far arrived.
THE EAST ROOM.
This historic room never looked better than upon
this nuptial OCCASION. Plants and cut flowers OF
various colors were arranged In elegant profusion.
In the recesses and corners and about the win.
dows and doors ferns and palms were placed. The
with evergreen, studded with japonicas and
chased with nellotrope and rare blossoms. On the
eastern side OF the r0om and Immediately In front
OF the main entrance, platform had been erected
extending between the two windows. This plat
form was about nine inches in height and covered
with Persian carpet of beautiful design, on the
east side were banks OF flowers embedded In moss
and over It's centre pending from the CELL
Ing, was large bell wrought OF the
purest white camelias ana suspended by q
cord of evergreen twisted and curled to resemble
Q rope On each side OF this marriage bell under
which the young people were TO be united, were
wreaths OF evergreens, sprinkled with delicate
white blossom. That on the right OF the bell con-
tanned the letters "a. c. +. S,n the initials OF the
bridegroom while that on the left contained the
letters IN. W. c." the initials OF the BRIDE. These
letters were composed OF small delicate ana rare
white flowers. The handsome glass chandeliers
were icstooned with ropes OF evergreen and
studded with red and white roses. A few bouquets
were placed on the mantle and tables, which CON-
pleted the floral decorations. The other rooms
were also tastciully arranged with nowers
TIE WEDDING QUESTS.
few minutes before eleven O'Clock the mem.
bcrs OF the Cabinet ana their ladies. led by Mr. and
Mrs. Fish, entered tho East Room and took posi-.
tion on the lcib ana near the platform. This was
accepted rs the signal for the near approach or
the bridal party and all not already there followed
into the room. The entire company present did
not embrace more than 125 persons. The quests
arranged themselves In two divisions, leaving q
broad avenue for the passage or the bridal party to
the platform on the opposite side OF the room. 1t
was joyous assembly, quiet In demeanor, easy
and natural In behavior. nnd illumlneJ with
smiles OF delight that revealed The hearty good
wishes entertained Ior the future happiness OF the
70 witness. There was no crowding or jostling, no
impatlcnce manifested. delightful murmur Of
conversation was maintained BY the ladies. occa-
sonally broken by zephyr OF laughter that only
served TO ripple the murmuring waves and melt
out with q musical echo.
THE BRIDAL PARTY.
lew minutes alter the entrance OF the Cabinet
Minister'S Sir Edward Tnornton, the only Amuas.
sador present except the HEEALDs ambassador),
ahd lady entered the East Room and took position
on the right ana opposite Secretary Fish. Rev. DR..
Iinany now made his appearance upon the plat
lorm, ana every voice waa hushcd and every eye
s'fained towards the door by which the bridal cor
tese was 10 enter. Thc Marine Band, when was
stationed Ia small room on the west side
OF the building ana Immediately In rear OF the
East Room, poured forth in ducet strains the
beautiful aria 81 Think OF Tnee,n after which O
wedding march was given, the hrst strains OF
winch conveyed the signal for the movement OF
the bridal party. 'Now expectation sits in tho
air." Now mad arrived the supreme moment when
We were TO look into happiness through the ewes
OF young and loving couple VINO were on the
very eve of starting on the journey OF
life together. Two young officers. one
clad In the iull uniform OF the United States Navy
the otner in that OF the Marine Corps, stepped
lightly to the platform, taking hold OF wnise satin
ribbons tnat were fastened OH cpca donr ot .nu
platform and hitherto hidden from View among
nowsfs that rlvalsd the ribbons In purity Of color
oha walking brskly u tns DOOR opposite, pressed