The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-02-12
A Royal Wedding.
The Nuptials of Prince Alfred and Prin-
cess Maria.
MAGNIFICENT CEREMONIES.

Liz cereLnouleS VI bn6 royal marriage
commenced at noon on Friday, in the
presence of large and brilliant assem-
blage, at the Winter Palace. The vari-
GUS galleries were filed with ladies,
sumptuously attired. There was a
prevalence of peculiar Russian Co.'S
tunes, made mainly of velvet and dia-
monds. The gentlemen all wore uni
forms, with the exception of the Ameri-
can diplomates. After assembling, q
procession was formed with the grand
equerries, chamberlains and other
officers of Court leading. Then came
the Czar Alexander and the Czarina
the Imperial Prince, the Czarowitz and
his wife Princess Dagmar; the Prince
and Princess of Wales Grown Prince,
Frederick William, and Grown Princess
OF Germany Prince and Princess of
Denmark and Prince Arthur of Eng
land. Then came the bride and BRIDE
groom, the bridegroom wearing the
Russian naval uniform.
The bride, Princess Maria Alex
androvna, was splendidly appareled in
long crimson velvet mantle, trimmed
with ermine, and wore cornet of dia:
monds. Her train was borne up by
four pages.
Then followed an immense process
sion, made up of members of the i'm
perial Russian family, princes, prin-
cesses and court officials, the Imperial
Russian Prince, wearing the uniform of
the Cuirassiers, the Prince of Wales
the scarlet British uniform, and the
Prussian prince that of Russian
colonel. All the gentlemen were dec
Grated with the insignia of the Russian
Order of st. Andrew.
The Princess of Wales was dressed in
dark crimson velvet, and wore diamond
coronet and collar, with pearl neck
lace.
The Imperial German Princess was
habited the same as the Russian Prin-
cess, in dress of blue velvet, with gold
| trimmings.
Prince Arthur, of England, wore the
uniform of the British rifle brigade
when acting as groomsman, and all
other persons present appeared wearing
wedding favors of silver.
The procession, upon reaching the
Russian church, was received by the
Metropolitan, at the head of the men,
bers of the Russian Church Holy Synod,
bearing crosses, sacred vessels and holy
water. The Emperor of Russia con-
Quoted the bride and bridegroom to the
middle of the church, assuming
station with the Empress Immediately
behind them. Around the bridegroom
stood Prince Arthur and the Grand
Dukes.
The wedding rings were borne on
golden salvers and deposited on the
altar, temporarily, by the Imperial Con-
fessor, until they were placed on the
fingers of the bride and bridegroom.
The magnificent chapel was illumint-
ed with wax candles and the floor cover
ed with carpet of velvet with pattern
OF crimson and gold. The pillars of
the altar were covered with gold.
The Greek marriage ceremony was
unique. There was an absence of
music. The chants were intoned, and
there were prayers offered up, 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 Sergius
of Russia the crown over the bride.
The Imperial Confessor then said
"Thou servant of God, Alfred Ernest
Edward, art crowned for this hand
maiden of God, Marie Alexandrovna,
in the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Ghost"
Then was read the Epistle of
Paul to the Ephesians, fifth chapter,
from the twentieth to the twenty-third
verse inclusive.
After the Epistle came the reading of
the Gospel account of the marriage at
Cana in Galilee.
Then the crowns were removed and
the married couple walked thrice around
raised dais, holding the tip of the
confessor's robe in one hand, and a
lighted candle in the other. At the
conclusion of the ceremony the sacra-
mental cup was brought forth, blessed,
and its contents partaken of by the
bridal pair, the confessor presenting
the cross, which the bride and BRIDE
groom both kissed. The deacon deliv-
cred an admonition on the marriage
duties, and Immediately afterwards the
choir chanted "Glory to Thee. o Lord"
concluding with the benediction by the
clergyman. Thus ended the Greek SER
vice.
The procession slowly reformed. the
party proceeding to the Hall Alexander,
for the performance of the Anglican
Church service. Very Reverend Dean
Stanley, of Westminster Abbey, Off
ciated. The hall is rather small. The
walls were decorated with battle pic
lures.
Dean Stanley, who, during the
solemnization of the Greek Church SER
vice wore Protestant Episcopal Doc
tor OF Divinity's hood and gown, and
who now appeared at the altar wearing
an Episcopal surplice, with the jeweled
collar of the Order of the Bath around
his neck, was assisted by two of the
resident English clergy. The members
OF the English colony, including bank
ers and merchants, were gathered on
the left of the altar. Conspicuous
among them were Governor Jewell, the
American Minister Lord Lotus, the
English Minister, and the officials of
the Diplomatic Corps. Many English
men in scarlet uniforms were also pres
ent. Especially noticeable was the
venerable Prince Gortschakoff, sur
rounded by the leading members of the
Russian nobility. They gathered on
the right side of the altar. The Episco-
pal chants were given by Russian
chorlster lads clad in long crimson
dresses. When the marriage process
sion entered the bride walked between
her father and the bridegroom. Prince
Arthur walked behind. The Anglican
wedding service was then performed by
Dean Stanley the Prince and prinoass