Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-09-30
A Quaker Wedding In England.

From the Newcastle Chronicle.l
| A marriage ceremony attended by more than
usually interesting circumstances, took place on
| Wednesday morning, in the Friends Meeting
House at Darlington. The bridegroom WAS Mr..
| Alfred Richardson, Of Lisburn near Belfast in
| Ireland, partner in one of the largest linen
manufactures OF Belfast, and son OF Mr.. John
| PIN Richardson, of Chetenham Gloucester
shire. The bride was Mss Emma Leathsm,
daughter OF the late Charles A. Lestham, OF
Cleveland Lawn, Mlddlesborough-one of the
original partners Of the firm OF Gilkes, Wilson,
Pesse i Co., of that town-snd niece OF Mr.
John Bright, NJ. p, by marriage. Considerable
interest appeared TO be taken in the ceremony
BY the Inhabitants OF Darlington. induced no
doubt to some extent BY the knowledge that
Mr.. John Bright and his wife were TO be pres
ent. The modest and unpretcnding chapel or
meeting house of the Society OF Friends, in
Skinnergate, was quite filled aud crowd that
gathered around the doorway displayed much
eagerne-s and curiosity in witnessing the
rival OF those who were to take part IA the
soiemni2ation of the rlte.
The brides dress was composed of white satin,
with wreath OF flowers consisting of stephan
otis and orange blossom and white heath with
an embroidered tulle veil The bridesmaids
were dressed in ivory white muslin skirts and
dsmssk silk rablien, wild flowers OF oak ivy
leaves, and oats, the bonnets being trimmed
with tulle and howers of the same kind.
Mr.. John Bright and Mrs, Bright, who settled
themselves at the further end of the meeting
house, underneath the seat reserved for the
Z" elders
The bridal party entered the church at half
past ten and took the seats aotted to them at
the upper end OF the room, around small table
on which rested the certificate OF marriage.
There was pause OF considerable duration
while the chapel was being filled and then Mr..
Samuel Hare rose from his seat on an elevated
dais-the only equivalent for pulpit or plat
form which the Friends possesr-and announced
that as many OF those present might not be
aware that the solefnnization OF the marriage
rite was conducted by the Friends in the same
manner as their public worship, he hoped the
congregation would unite IN prayer for bless
ing OIL their proceedings. Another pause ell.
sued, the silence being so profound that the fall
of pin might have been heard,
Mrs. Catherine Backhouse, of Beechwood,
lady stricken in years, and apparently very fee-
BILE in body, though full OF spiritual unction,
| next rose to her feet, and made signs that she
was going TO engage III prayer, wheieupon the
congregation as whole stood up, and some OF
the old Quakers who had until now kept OIL their
hats, in manner that almost insensibly sugges-
ted contrast with the House OF Commons de-
youtly uncovered and bent their heads. The
prayer OF Mrs. Backhouse was characterized by
great feryor and remarkable appropriateness
On its conclusion, another prolonged interval of
silence occurred and then without the slightest
delivered short exhortation. Aud now came
the act OF marriage. Without being called upon
by any one, and without the aid of either priest
or presbyter, the bridegroom quietly rose and
said In the fear OF God, and III tho presence
Of this assembly, |, A. richardson take Emma
Leatham TO be my wl.e, promising TO be unto her
loving and faithful husband until it shall pleaee
the Lord by death to separate us. A similar de-
claration was then made by the bride in clear
and arflculate yoice-nothing being said by either
~ m l.ta1 81.
| making and signing of this declaration is tile
whole ceremony Of marriage among the Society
OF Friends. After 1t was over however, Mr.. s.
Hare offered up short prayer chiefly directed
towards an invocation Of blessing on the newly
married pair. The clerk OF the meeting Mr.
Wilmotl then came forward and read the certifi-
cate to the assembled congregation. Ii bore that
the bride and bridegroom ..haying duly made
known their intention Of taking each other in
marriage and public notice Of such their intell-
ton having been given, and the consent Of sur
yiying parents having been signiied, the pro,
| ceeding of the said Alfred Richardson aud En-
| ma Leatllam was allowed at the monthly meet
ing OF the religious Society Of Friends, held at
Darlington in the County of Durham" the sol
emnization of the said marriage, took place Sat
public meeting for worship of the aforesaid
society in then meeting house at Dar-
| iington. After this certificate had been
read over, it was conveyed back to the table,
and signed by tile bridegroom and bride,
next by the the mother Of the bride and Mr. W
| IL. Leatham. and afterwards by I. Richardson.
| 9. Il. Richardson John Bright and Mrs Bright
| 1t was announced that at the close of the meet
| ing an opportunity would be afforded to any one
who wished to sign the certificate OF doing 60
$50 far as room can be found. The certificate
was beautifully illuminated, and contained in
the upper left hand corner excellent photographs
OF the bride and bridegroom. At the conclusion
OF the service, which now terminated a number
OF the congregation remained for the purpose OF
signing the certificate OF marriage
hearty cheer was given to AIr. Bright az the
Right Hon. gentlema. emerged from the meet
ing house.
A handsome dJeu,ai' afterwards touk place at
the hOnse Of the brides mother