Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-10-07

ltIoln inc NeWcaste Cnronlcle.l
marriage ceremony attended by more than
usually interesting circumstances, took place on
Wednesday morning, in the Friends Meeting
House at Darlington. Tho bridegroom was MIR.
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 Cheltenham, Gloucester
shire The bride WAS Miss Emma Leatham,
daughter OF the late Charles A. Leatham, of
Cleveland Lawn, Middlesborough-on Of tho
original partners Of the firm of Gilkee, Wilson,
Pease d Co., Of that town-and niece of Mr..
John Bright, NJ. r., by marriage. Considerable
interest appeared to be taken in the ceremony
by tho inhabitants of Darlington, induced no
doubt to some extent by the knowledge that
Mr. John Bright and his wife were to be pres
ent. Tho modest and unpretonding chapel or
meeting house OF the Society OF Friends, in
Skinnergate, was quite filled and crowd that
gathered around the doorway displayed much
eagerness and curiosity in witnessing the ar
rival OF those who were to take part in the
solemnization OF the rite.
The brides dress was composed Of white satin,
with wreath OF flowers consisting of steplan-
otis and orange blossom and white heath, with
an embroidered tnlle veil. The bridesmaids
were dressed in ivory white muslin skirts and
damssk silk tabliers, wild flowers of oak, ivy
leaves, and oats, the bonnets being trimmed
with tulle and flowers of the same kind.
Among the first to arrive ut tile chapel were
Mr. John Bright and Mrs. Bright who settled
themselves at the further end Of the meeting
house, underneath the seat reserved for tho
" elders"
Tho bridal party entered the church Mt half
past ten, and took the seats allotted to them at
the upper end of the room, around a small table
on which rested tho certificate of marriage
There was pause Of considerable, duration
v'iile tho 'Iiuf,o' hsint Allied ~5 tll4s. A.
| Samuel Hare rose from his seat elevated
dais-the only equivalent for pulpit or plat
| form which the Friends possess--and announced
| that al many of those present might not be
| aware that tho solemnization of the marriage
| rite was conducted by the Friends in the samt
manner as their public worship, he hoped the
| congregation would unite IN prayer for bless
ing on their proceedings. Another pause On
sued, the silence being 30 profound that the fal
| of pin might have been heard.
| Mrs. Catherine Backhouse, OF Beechwood q
lady stricken in years, and apparently very fee
| BILE in body, though full OF spiritual uuction
next rose to her feet, and made signs that ehi
was going to engage in prayer, whereupon thu
congregation as whole stood up, and some O.
| the old Quakers who had until now kept oil tho
hats, i'll IL manner that almost insensibiy sugges
ted a contrast with the House of Commons, de
voutly uncovered and bent their heads. Til,
prayer OF Mrs. Backhouse was characterized b,
great feryor and remarkable appropriateness.
On its conclusion, another prolonged interval o
silence occurred, and then without the slightes
call or premontion, Mr.. Harrison Penny rose All,
delivered short exhortation. And now cam
the act of marriage. Without being called upol
by any one, and without the aid of either prizes
Or presbyter, the bridegroom quietly rose an
said sin the fear Of God, and in the presenc
of this assembly, l, A. Richardson take Emm
Leatham to be my wife, promising to be unto he
loving and faithful husband until it shall pleas
the Lord by death to separate u.s." A similar de
claration was then made by the brido in a clea
and articulate voice-nothing being said by eitte
AZ to honoring and obeying the other. TIL
making and signing of this declaration is til
whole ceremony Of marriage among the Societ
of Friends. After it WAS over, however, Mr. s
Hare offered up short prayer, chiefly dlrecte
towards an invocation of blessing on the newl
married pair. The clerk of the meeting (All
Wilmo0 then came forward and read the certii
; cate to the assembled congregation. 1t bore thf
the bride and bridegroom "hayinS duly mad
, known their intention of taking each other /
i marriage, and public notice of such their inter
tion having been given and the consent Of srl
! viving parents having been sisniied, the prt
ceeding of the said Alfred Richardson and En-
! ma Leatham was allowed at the monthly NEE
, ing Of the religious Society of Friends, held
Darlington, III the County Of Durham" tho 80
emnization of tho said marriage, took place :"
, a public meeting for worship of the atoresa
: society in their meeting house at Da
: lington" After this certificate had bee
: read over, it was conveyed back to the tabl
a aud signed by the bridegroom and brid
o next by the the mother of the bride and Mr..
@ II. Leatham, and afterwards byJ. I. Rchardso
A G. L. Richardson, John Bright aud Mrs Brigl
o 1t was announced that at the close of the met
/ ing an opportunity would be afforded to any Of
y who wished to sign the certificate Of doing E
@ $50 far as room eau be found" The certiiica
@ was beautifully Illuminated, and contained
il the upper left hand corner excellent photograp
y of the bride and bridegroom. At the conclus
! of tile service, winch now terminated, numb
v OF the congregation remained for the purpose
e signing the certificate of marriage.
d A hearty cheer was given to MIR. Bright rs Z
d Right Hon. gentleman emerged from the me
g. ing house.
's A handsome deje,tpt1 afterwards took place
al the house OF the brides mother.