River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-04-11
A Royal Marriage Procession.

A correspondent in Madrid who wit
messed the recent marriage of the King of
Spain to the Princes Mercedes, describes
the marrlag eprocession in the following
terms The procession was headed by
the " shawms and tym oals of the place.
The tymbas were carried on horseback,
one on either side of the horse, and cover
ed with tapestry that bore the unmlstak
able stamp of antiquity. They were
beaten from time to time by a quantity
attired attendant who walked beside the
horse. Then came the heralds, richly
dressed, with bronzed maces over their
shoulders; then number of PatGffeneros
and these were followed by twenty led
horses, some with saddles and Others with
side-saddles, all with rich, strange hous-
ings. A part of the royal guard came
next, and after these the ambassadors In
their respective carriages, all In state,
and after these many of the Sarish
arstocracv, in their magnificent
state carriages, used only on such
occasions. / noticed that of Med
maceii-coachman footmen and outriders
in embroidered green and gold livery,
the horses wearing immense clusters OF
OF the Duke of Alba, with blue and white
livery land plumes; that of the Duke OF
Sesto; that of Fernan Nunez, and of the
newly created Duke of Santona. Next
came long line of carriages with the
ladies and gentlemen oil the palace IN the
order of their rank, followed by another
section of the royal guard, whose uniform
is scar ct and white, with steel helmets.
The horses are jet black.
The royal family followed. First came
the infanta Christina. Her carriage was
drawn By six horses, with white and
crimson ostrich plumes; it was preceded
by two outriders, and two gentlemen-in-
waiting rode beside the carriage. Next
came the Count and Countess of Paris;
their carriage was also drawn by six
horses with outriders as well. And next
came the young infantas in beautiful
blue and gilt carriage drawn by six
cream .coloied horses, with pure white
ostrich plumes. This carriage looked for
all the world as though it had come
straight from fairy-land for what with
its being all gold, white and blue outside,
with horses that looked like magnlhed
kittens. and inside all white, pink and
blue tulle, snowy blonde wells, huge
bouquets of natural flowers and sweet
young faces with great blue eyes, nothing
more exquisite, Iantastical and unreal
could be imagined. Next came, with the
same number of horses and outriders, the
carriage of the Duke and Duchess OF
Montpensier. who were accompanied by
their son, Don Antonio, and daughter,
Dona Christina. The Princess of Astu-
rias came next,accompanied by her father
Don Francisco de Asis, in a magnificent
carriage drawn by six horses with white
and crimson plumes, and preceded by
four outriders.
Then followed the empty carriage
which always precedes the royal carriage
ON state occasions. This carriage was
drawn by eight horses. And last of all
the superb tortsise-shell and silver gilt
state carriage, lined with white satin and
looking ike an immense bonbonniere,
and in it came the royal bride and bride
groom. The eight horses that drew the
carriage were pure white, the immense
clusters of ostrich feathers on their heads
pure white, the harnesses scarlet and
gold, and the mounted jockeys in scarlet
and white uniforms.