, 1884-05-31

the officers of the Grand Ducal Dragon
Guards. Princess Victoria, the bride, who
was arrayed i'll a luStr0uS and exquisite
duchess satin robe with long flowing train,
bridal veil. diam )ndS. and a wreath Of
myrtle, was conducted to her chair on the
left Of he altar by her father, the Grand
Duke, and Prince AleA ander, both wear
ing the uniform Of a German General,
while the bridegroom, in his English ma
val uniform, and wearing the rihaTd Of
the Louis Older, was accompanied by
Princes Charles and Alexander Of Bat
tenberg.
The ceremony was shOrt-lastIng not
over half an hour-and simple, but affect
ing with it's solemn vocal music, with the
impressive adln1nitions of the preac ,er on
the SacredneSs of the marriage tie, and
with the sad family associations that
seemed to hover rOund the altar. But it
was especially affecting when, after the
rings had been exchanged, and when the
thunder of the proclamatory cannon out
side was succeeded by the choral hymn Of
praise, the prayer, aud benedIction, the
Queen of England advanced, and, with
evident emotion, embraced her welded
granddaughter and then her husband,
who stopped to kiss Her Majpsty's hand.
The Queen then embraced her SOn-iu-law
the Grand Duke, as well as the parents Of
the bridegroom
The welded couple then passed forth,
followed by the Queen and the other guests
in the same order as before. Her Majesty's
great-grandchild, Princess Fedora Vic
toria of Saxe-Meiningen, viewed the cere-
mOny from the opposite side of the altar,
near the organ, from which point Of view
d photograph Of the memorable scene was
taken. The Queen retired to the Palace,
and did not attend the wedding banquet
in the Schloss, which was given immedi-
ately after the Court and its guests had
offered their congratulations to the welded
pair.
The ceremony itself, and every detail
connected with it, made a striking impress
sion upon all who were present. The Eng
llSh residents in DarmStadt were, so far as
space permitted, furnished with tickets Of
admission to the chapel, the White Saloon,
and the courtyard. The public in the
streets behaved throughout in an orderly
and respectful manner
The weather has been so wonderfully
fine that The Queen was able to sit in the
gardens of the New Palace for a short time
yesterday. At nOon Tier Majesty drove
CuIOuSu SOilC VI luc sui OullNtlhS NIlIlScS.
Prince William of Prussia arrived here
at Q DEL eek this morning.
AT 2 o'clock to-day the whole of the
Grand Dukes guests and his family
lunched with the Queen in the New Pa
lace.
l should mention that the wedding pre-
sent of the Hereditary Grand Duke Of
HeSse and his sisters was a set of China
plates.
The wedding gifts presented to the
bridal pair are set forth in one of the apart
ments of the Palace and make a handsome
show. The following list is not complete,
but it may interest English readers. The
Queen gives a pair of gold hair ,pins, set
with diamonds and pearls, five silver ia
BILE baskets, and also several handsome
shawls, and some lace and hand-embroi-
derry. The Prince of Wales presents a
splendid dinner service, designed By Mr..
w. J. Goode, of South Audley-Strept. The
border is of royal blue and gold, with the
initials of the bride and bridegroom en-.
twined on the rim. The Princess Beatrice,
the Duke and Duchess of ConnAught, and
the Duke and Duchess of Albany combined
to furnish a DESSERT Servicc-alSo designed
by Mr.. GoOde-Of turquoise and gold, with
an oval medallion of turquoise, on which,
in white roses, are the entwined initials of
the bride and bridegroom. This stands
near a spray of flowers, each spray vary
ing in design throughout the service.
Princess Beatrice has given a ireScrePn of
painted leather, Princess Louise, Mar