The New York herald., 1874-10-01

/ Nuptia Mass and Marriage
! MARIA EWING SHERMAN,
! THOMAS WILLIAM FITCH,
Engineer Corps. United States Navy,
which will be soemniZed by
{ His Grace j. b. Purcell,
/ Most Rev. Archbishop OF Cincinnati,
( IN st. Aoysus church,
Washington, ID. o.,
on Thursday, october l. 1874
at eleven O'Clock.
while on narrow, long card, without which no
one could obtain ingress to the church. was en-
graved:-
/ PRESENT THIS AT THE CHURCH DOOR, /
the whole being In q large square envelope,
without monogram initial. Could 1t be pos
sible that so many years had come and gomez 1t
made US feel old to receive the wedding card OF
the daughter OF what seemed but yesterdays
bride.
MISS SHERMAN
has been quite lavorlte In the small circle whom
sne admitted to the enjoyment or her friendship,
and greatly admired by society generally, not for
"perlect beauty" which she did not possess,
but tor certain charm OF manner. a gracious
sweetness OF features and delightful simplicity
OF character. She Is above the medium height
with tair complexion. cold, dark gray eyes,
aquiline nose, proud, lmperious mouth, and light
pose OF manner and much reserve with strangers.
Her independence OF character has always been
marked and her Indifference to what are known
as ''beaux'' much commented upon. An incident
that came to our knowledge during the visit OF
PRINCE ARTHUR
to this country win convey a correct idea OF ex-
actly how independent she was While on visit
to this city the Prince, who was very ''unassum-
Ing, clever fellow" so the young men said. was
greatly llontzed Dinners, parties receptions ana
germans were given in his honor. In return for
all this kindness to the son OF his Queen, Sir
Edward Thornton conceived the happy idea OF CIV
ing ball. Masonic Temple was hired, and every
energy put forward to make the affair worthy OF
the guests and the royal host and his Minister.
The best decorators were engaged to do the hall,
the m0distes were crazed BY the demand for new
robes du bal. The caterer lived on the road from
his Kitchen in Washington to Delmonico's door in
New York. Florists were hidden to spare ''no ex-
pense." A clerk "was engaged day and night in
answering notes" begging, praying, beseeching
'dear Lady Thornton for an invitation" But su-
perior to everything was the question,
"With whom will he dancer" Each prin.
cess among our bellies thought surely with
her and each fanced the other would be the
Cinderella left In the cold. Mrs. Thornton made
list and gave it to one Of the Legation, and from
that list the partners were chosen for ''His High
ness" The Dali, opened by Mrs. Thornton and
the Prince, at the first valss to one Of those be-
witchng airs that inspire the feet and nutter the
heart, Prince Arthur advanced to Miss Sherman
to demand ner hand "pour lie valse." Raising ner
cold eyes and slightly arching her always haughtily
proud head. she sad:-
"Thank you, but the rules OF my church do not
allow me to do the round Dances" pause aud
Arthur, too well bred to urge compliance against
principles, remained quietly chatting until
LES LANCIERS
was announced. aud then, Offering h:s Assa 70 80
sherman, tney led the dance. The incident Gre
ated profound sensation among the beaux and
bellies, and made impression the Prince.
From that time he visited frequently at the Gen.
eral's, and on his return to England sent, with
letter. superb locket OF Etruscan gold. On one side
is a turquoise surrounded by diamonds and on the
other photograph OF His Highness the whole
sent ''To the young lady who all others In Amer
leo he admired the most" In the spring OF 1871
Miss Sherman made a visit to Fort Leavenworth,
and while there was thrown from a
horse, sustaining serious injuries and pro.
ducing results so alarming that her
physicians ordered a European trip. After
a protracted stay abroad. during which she re-
gained health, her face was turned home ward
London first becoming the objective point In
sauntering through the Crystal Palace she was
presented to the gentleman who to-day became
her husband.
is New Yorker and man or fine personnel with
large frame, square shoulders brown hair and
beard, honest eyes, and compares most favorably
with the plain. Insignificant Engishman who took
from our "bonnie Princess Neiiie.n Mr..
Fitch did not return on the steamer with
Miss Sherman, for, unfortunately for this roman
tic story, his passage was engaged, and the
voy age home was made alone. In New York he
awaited with impatience the steamer fetching
over the water what he suddenly found had be-
come necessary to hts happiness. On her arrival,
After lev days. rest IN the great city Mr.. Fitch
accepted the invitation to return with General
Sherman and family. We all remember the beau
tllul reception given by "the STAR" to the daugn-
ter OF their chief. and with what pleasure friends
and society welcomed her home.
THE ENGAGEMENT
was soon noised about, but Washington being
place most prolific In scandal gossip, those who
knew the gentle .Minnien best thought it only
gossip.
THE TRoUssEAU
was ordered from Paris, and 1t comprises every.
thing essential to a woman's happiness. There
are soft cashmere morning robes, dainty Jackets
rich in embroidery, street dresses fashioned OF
costly gros d'Orleans, with polonalse or cuirass
OF camel's hair or matelasee dinner costumes or
gros grain embroidered in coors with tropical
flowers and birds, and garments with rich velvet
and costly lace, evening dresses OF sheeny,
gmmerng Silk the lustrous folds half
hidden beneath drapings OF diaphanous
Illusion and muslin almost concealed by
foamlng, snowy lace, coquettish hats and
exquisite bonnets, superb sets OF frosty
lace with designs OF flowers so hie.llke that every
breath moved them into being; parasols, covered
with thread lace In rich artistic patterns. the