The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-10-10
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., October 9th, 1877

WASHINGTON, D. c., October 9th, 1874.
DEAR WuG:-For several weeks past,
Washington society has been stirred to
a pleasan, excitement in view OF the dis
tinguished nuptials of Miss Maria Ewing
Sherman, daughter of the General of the
Army, and Thomas William Fitch, engineer
corps, United States Navy. Apart from
the position of the parties, which would
naturally cause society," to grow jubi-
liant and commendatory, if not to fawn and
tlatter, there was some real interest in the
"joining together of hands " of the cou-
pie, inasmuch as it is said that the bond of
true love cemented the union. October LIST
instant, the day set apart for the eventful
marriage was all that could be wished for.
Heaven sent her most brilliant sunlight and
bracing breath; nature her most fragrant
flowers. "Society" sent the brave and
the fair. Everything that could be done to
honor the nuptials of the daughter of the
brave soldier and his gentle wife, was done.
Even the cable" was brought into use to
hasten from Partisan shops and French fin
gers, dainty robes and dainty French con-
fectiens, and the hundred and one exqui-
site nothings that go SO far toward adorn-
ing woman's toilet. 1t was the nearest
approach to Royal splendor and ostentation
that has ever been attempted in this coun-
try; equalled only by some of the Monarch
ical habitudes of the old world. 1t was
remindful of some of the dazzling page
ants read of as happening during the reign
of some of the early Bourbons under the
voluptuous expenditures of Louis XIV,
when every court of Europe rendered hon.
age to the power and affluence of Mazarin.
by Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, as
sisted by large number of dignataries of
the Catholic Church from different parts of
the country, who were dressed in all the
magnificence and splendor suitable to the
high position and the occasion. The scenes
in church were brilliant in the extreme;
the air was heavy with the oder of roses
and .iessamine, while the languid scent
exhaled by tube roses was almost oyercom-
ing. On the altar blazed a thousand lights,
glistening like stars amid rich blossoms
and tender vines heaped in luxurious pro-
fusion on the massive marble altar. Uni
forms worn by brave soldiers and naval
heroes glittered in the broken rays of sun
light that sifted through the half opened
windows. While choice music from the
mellow notes of organ harmonizing with
the dulcet voices of singers assembled to
invoke on the young couple every blessing
and every mercy. Here, there, and every
where, worn by stately matrons and their
fair daughters were the gorgeous costumes
and bewitching bonnets imported from
Paris for the occasion.
The description of the wedding would be
incomplete in the estimation of your lady
readers, without describing the "bridal
toilets" and will state for their exclusive
benefit, that the BRIDES dress was made by
Worth in Paris. 1t was of gros-grain, and
made in basque, high at the throat with
narrow ruff Of the same, inside of which
was one Of crepe-lsse, and fastened with
silk bow, in the centre of which was
spray of orange flowers. Two folds of
crepe-lisse, one above the other, finished
the edge or skirt of the basque. The
sleeves were close fitting, except at the
wrists, where they were a little open, and
finished on the outside with full plated
ruffle of gros-g grain, inside of which there
was one of crepe lisse. The front width
of the skirt was plain to the knee, where
it was met by box of plated tiounce over
4 quarter of yard wide; under this were
two narrow t1ounces edged with gros- grain,
and covered with diagonal piping of satin.
This trimming extended backwards from
the front over three widths, where it joined
flounce a quarter of a yard wide and
bound like those above, which run en-
tirely around the skirt. On each side were
satin lapels edged with folds of crepe-lisse.
On the right side superb garland of
orange flowers hung gracefully from the
waist to the satin bow on the train. Her
vail was of tulle, and covered her entire
person in light folds, and was confined to
her head by coronal CT orange blossoms
oh 4 in af ha han
She wore magnificent set of pearls-her
mothers present-and carried bouquet of
rare flowers, which, with the bouquets of
the bridesmaids were ordered from Boston
by Lieutenant Fitch.
The dress of the first bridesmaid, Miss
Lizzie Sherman, was of white gros- grain,
with long train and basque, high at the
throat, where it finished with ruff of same
material, and an inside one of plated
crepe lisse; sleeves made close and ending
at the waist with plated rutfles of silk and
crepe lisse. The front width of the skirt
was covered from the waist down with
alternate plated ruffles of gros- grain and
crepe-lisse. The over dress was of crepe
lisse, arranged in panier boutfant prettily
draped, and held in place by garland of
roses. The vail was of tulle arranged at
the back of the head, and held in place by
a spray of half open roses, handsome set
of pearls, and bouquet Of tea roses. De-
scribing one of the bridesmaids dresses
describes all the rest, the only difference
being in the color of the flowers with which
they were ornamented.
To describe who were there, and who
they were, would fill page of The Wing;
enough to state that every official connec-
ed with the Government, including all
the foreign legations in the city, and
large number of both branches of Congress,
members of the press, clergy, private citi-
zens, and guests from abroad, making in
all nearly two thousand persons.
The reception was in keeping with all
the rest of the ceremonies. Plenty to eat
and drink of the very best the land could
afford, and so managed that no confusion
whatever occurred to mar or interfere with
the pleasures of the guests.
While the event is looked upon by some
as little in advance of the simplicity of
our institutions, it is made excusable by
others by the loving anxiety that all
parents feel for the happiness of those
they love the best.
The presents to the bride were of the
most costly character; gold and silver
enough to start jewelry establishment:
clocks, fans, furniture slippers, and every
imaginable token OF love and friendship
that ingenuity could invent.
In the evening General Sherman and
family received the guests from abroad.
And thus ended an event in social life that
will long be remembered by the citizens of
Washington as the most magnificent they
ever witnessed, or perhaps, will ever wit
ness again. OBSERVER.
THE GRE AT STRIDE.-The displayed ad-
vertisement of Wanamaker & Brown, that