The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-03-07
THE AGLO.RUSSIAN WEDDING.

of the Duke of Edinburgh and the Grand
Duchess Maria. The marriage is said to
be extremely popular throughout Russia,
and is regarded as happy omen for both
countries. Every print-shop contains por
traits of the Duke of Edinburgh and the
Grand Duchess Maria; and the Dukes
likeness has become as familiar to the Rus
slams as that of their own Princess. The
most popular portrait is one which was
taken at Darmstadt by Backoven, and
which represents the Grand Duchess lean
ing on the Dukes arm. OF this photo
graph alone London House ordered 10,-
600 copies, thus preventing the ST. Peters
burg picture vendors from obtaining any
thing like the supply which they demand
ed. The Grand Duchess is said to speak
English better than most English girls,
and to have ga most pleasant and easy
manner, and a presence singularly lady
like and distinguished"
During the visit OF the Duke skating
festival took place On lake, which is thus
described:
1t was a large lake, dotted with small
artificial islands, connected by rustic
bridges, and covered with trees. Chinese
lanterns and variegated glass lamps were
suspended from every branch, and from
posts and devices, most artistically ar
ranged; gigantic shells, as they seemed to
be from distance, were illuminated from
behind by colored fires, each shell formed
from solid blocks of ice. These placed so
as to terminate vista. The skater, skim
ming across space in shadow, suddenly
found himself with powerful lime-light
streaming upon him, and far in his wake;
or conspicuous in the midst of blue, red,
or green halo. These soft, every varying
Examinations gave charming color and
effectiveness. Two OF three hundred ladies
and gentlemen were ON the ice, all select
citizens ! should say the majority of the
skaters, especially lady skaters, were Eng
fish; a good honest Glasga dialect l I'M
doubtedly heard in one of the fairy grot-
toes. A Welsh family was there to my
knowledge, for l had the pleasure of using
the skates of one of the younger members.
French dialoge and Russian compliments
mingled everywhere. The American Min
lister, and Mr.. Schuyler, Secretary of Lega-
ton, l also noticed, and Miss Jewell, the
American Minister'S eldest daughter, by
universal consent, was the prettiest skater
in the rink. A gorgeously decorated arbor
half hidden amongst trees was occupied
by band, which played choice operate
and dance music. 1t was a sight to be
gazed upon, and an exercise to be taken
part in, for hours without fatigue. Grace
full as swans, the young girls, arm in arm,
or hand in hand, in twos, threes, or, tours,
fit through the streams of light to the
strains of Verdi; or, with partners of the
other sex, whirl and wheel to the music of
Strauss. All is motion, and the poetry Of
motion. A thaw had set in in the morn
ing. but the ice was in perfect order, swept
as it was perpetually by an army of liveried
attendants"
Dean Stanley preached in the English
church on the Sunday afternoon, "the
Marriage in Cana of Galilee." The next
day he read his sermon to the Grand Ouch
ess, who had not been able to attend.
At the ceremony of blessing the waters
of the Neva on Sunday, the Czarawitz, the
Grand Dukes, and the English Princes
witnessed the spectacle from a pavilion at
the rivers edge, and the ladies from the
windows of the Winter Palace.
The first feature in the proceedings con-
sists in the Emperor drinking some of the
water from a golden bowl. He then pre-
sents the bowl filled with gold coins to the
Metropolitan. An under priest then sprin-
kles the people. 1t was formerly the Gus
tom for people to descend to the river, and
dip their heads into the wator, but so
many were drowned that the practice was
discontinued by Imperial order.
Previous to the actual ceremony of the
benediction, there was service in the
Imperial Chapel of the Winter Palace at
which the Metropolitans of Novgorod, ST.
Petersburg, and Moscow otficiated. The
Car, the Imperial familg, and the foreign
Princes were present; and the diplomatic
circle, the Ministers of State, and the
mobiles and officers of the Russian army
and navy, to the number of about 1000
filled the chapel and the saloon and CORR
doris of the Winter Palace. A despatch to
the Times, says:
ha cd
and was solemn and splendid. The fine
singing and recitative of the Russian Rit-
ual the rich robes of the dignitaries, the
pomp of silken embroidered banners, of
golden crosses and jeweled cuffs, the long
curling hair and dignitied countenances of
the Metropolitans and Bishops, of the
priests and choristers, made the ecclesias
teal part of the ceremony very gorgeous
and impressive. To this was added the
magnifcence of thousand uniforms.
The mass and color Of the great process
sion as it descended the great staircase and
traversed the corridors between lines of
soldery presenting arms was magnificent"
The clergy walked first, with the choir
of the Imperial Chapel, carrying candles
and censers, and singing verses:
CATER the Metropoitans and their cross
bearers and attendants there was break
in the line, and then followed the Gar, the
Cezarevitch, the Grand Duke, and all the
Court, every one walking bareheaded.-
Lastly came the flags of the regiments,
carried by soldiers. The procession passed
ont of the river entrance of the Palace,
across the quay to pavilion built at the
edge of the frozen Neva. There the Cross
was dipped into the water where the ice
had been broken, and the river received
the benediction of the Metropolitan to the
thunder of the guns of the fortresses of
St. Peter and St. Paul. Then followed a
service of singing and chanting, and next
the colors of the regiments were blessed.