Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-05-29
THE WASHINGTON MARRIAGE.

CAPITAL DEsCRIPTIoN-THE DECORA-
rroNs-SCENEs AT THE CEREMONY
K1ssEs-CosTLY GIFTS = DEPARTURE
FOR EuRopE-FoRMER WHITE HOUSE
WEDDINGS.
&C., &C., @c.'
The absorbing event in Washington city
Thursday was the marriage OF Miss Ellen
WrenshaH Grant, daughter OF Presldent
Grant, and Mr.. Algernon Charles Frede-
rich Sartoris, of Wars Ash House, LlCch-
field, England, which took place that
morning at O'Clock in the East Room OF
the executive mansion. DR.. Tiffany, OF the
Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal church
officiating. During the morning and up
to the hour the guests took their depar-
ture the avenues leading to the mansion
were closed to all persons excepting those
invited to the wedding. There were po
licemen on the grounds to prevent intru-
sion by outside parties many of whom had
gathered at the outer gates to see the
guests ride into the Enclosure. The door
tenders had received orders to admit no
to the Baltimore "Sun" says:
| The east room, the scene of the wedding
was tastefully decorated with plants,
| flowers, and evergreens. On the east side
, was platform raised foot from the floor
and covered with portion of the carpet
several years ago presented to the govern
ment by the Sultan of Turkey. The plat
form was arched with evergreens and
| flowers, and from its center hung
A MARRIAGE BELL
of large proportions, composed of the
choicest flowers. The splendid new chan
deliers were handsomely decorated and
lighted. On the wall each side the dais
were handsome wreaths, with the initials
"a. c. F. So tastefuily set in flower
work A bronze Cupid below was fairly
covered with rare flowers, and the col
umns were twined with fresh wreaths.
The windows, all of which were closed,
the room being lit with gas, were convert
ed into Conservatives and were filed with
the choicest exotics. while in various parts
of the room green plants formed contrast
which rendered the fl wers yet more beau
$iful. White ribbons were stretched from
the doors at which the bridal party were
to enter to the daiS, the guests, about one
hundred and seyenty-fv in number. being
ranged behind the ribbons and leaving a
wide space in front of the dais. The chan
deliers, each of forty burners, were drap-
ed in lace, adding much to the effect. On
small table, covered with silk, on which
!, were placed writing utensils of gold, was
placed the official certificate OF the mar
riage, to be signed by Sir Edward Thorn
, ton and Secretary Fish as witnesses. New
er before had the east room presented so
brilliant display of artistic floral adorn-
! ment as on the present occasion. Pune
tual to the hour the invited guests entered
the east room and ranged themselves in
full view OF the platform. The toilets OF
all the ladies were of the richest descrip-
ton, and there was profusion OF point
unusually brilliant, the large display Of
flowers, with their fragrance, adding to
the charm of the interesting occasion.
; The green, blue and red rooms were hand
somely ornamented, and in the state room
handsome table was set out, with the
snowy bride cake in the center. The ia
BILE was adorned with flowers and decorat-
ed with miniature flags bearing notices.
THE WEDDING PROCESSION.
The bridal party, passing through the
blue room, entered the east room. Their
presence Immediately hushed the company
|
by music from the Marine band. First
came Mr.. Sartoris and Col. Frederick
Grant, the only groomsman; next, the
bridesmaids two by two, the President and
Miss Grant, and Mrs. Grant and her two
sons, Ulysses and Jessee These were fol-
lowed by relatives Of the family. On
reaching the platform the President trans
ferred his daughter to Mr.. Sartoris, who.
with the bride, assembled the platform,
,1or of mic in w II.
ing to receive Them and took position I'M
der the floral wedding bell. The President
and Colonel Grant, together with Miss
Barnes, one of the bridesmaids, were the
only other persons i'll nearness to the bril-
dal pair on the platform. Mrs. Grant and
her two boys standing in front, and seven
bridesmaids on the side of the structure.
THE DRESSES.
The bride wore white satin dress elab-
orately trimmed with point lace, with a
orange blossoms. There was nothing par
ticularly noticeable in the dress of the
groom, which was in the latest style of
course, with the conventional white neck
tie The bridesmaids were Misses Barnes,
Fish, Drexel, Dent, Porter, Conkling,
Sherman, and Frelinghuysen. They were
severally dressed in white corded silk, COW
cred with white illusion, with soft puffs
and pleatings, caught up with flowers.
Their sashes were OF the same material as
the dresses. -Four Of these ladies were dis
tinguished by pink roses, and the other
four by blue flowers. ALI things being in
readiness Rev. DR.. Tiffany proceeded with
the ceremony according to the form of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Every one,
as usual on such occasions, preserved a
marked silence, and listened attentiveiy to
every word, while closely watching the
manner and countenanceS of the bridal
pair
The ceremony over, the minister was
the first to kiss the bride. She Immediate
ly turned to her father, who embraced and
kissed her. Then the mother approached
and kissed her, as did also the brothers of
the bride, and numerous relatives and fe-
male friends.
The new made husband enjoyed his
share of the handshaking and orally ex-
pressed congratulations. The band play
ed the wedding march at the conclusion OF
the ceremony. Seventy carriages con-
yeyed
to the Executive Mansion. Less than two
bundled persons were present, including
| justices of the Supreme Court, members of
the Cabinet, Senators Frelinghuysen, Car
penter, Cameron, Conkling, and Logan,
| Vice President Wilson, Speaker Blaine,
General Sherman, Admiral Porter, Com
mander Altman, George W. Childs, A. J.
| Drexel Judge Pierrepont, General Ar
| thur, and Generals Porter and Babcock,
| Sir Edward and Lady Thornton.
The officers of the army and navy APP
peared in uniform. The persons above
named were accompanied by the ladies of
their respective families.
After the congratulations were over the