Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-15
THE ROYAL WEDDING.

THE ROYAL WEDDING.
Extracts from the English papers describ-
ing the brilliant ceremony at the nuptlals
of Princess Beatrice, the youngest daughter
of Queen Victoria, and Prince Henry of
Battenberg, have been published from time
to time. These accounts represented the
pageant from the staid and stately aristo'
cratic standpoint The London Truth con-
tains q long and entertaining account in a
pleasant, popular vein, with an occasional
touch of humor. Below are some extracts
which the appreciative reader will enjoy.
The defiant tonen ascribed to the Princess
has reference of course to the strong oppo-
sition to the marriage. According to the
proyerb, cat may look at king; and it
would seem that the independent press of
free and enlightened England feels at liberty
to describe, and, if need be, criticise with
out constraint the most imposing displays
of ROYALTY ITSELF One may almost fancy
that, in the following vivacious and racy
description, he sees with the actual eye the
interesting ceremony:
SAT last the roll of many wheels was
heard then there was an immense bustle
about the entrance, and, after deal OF
fuss and fuming on the part Of the officials,
(Sir Spencer Ponsonby-Fane rushing about
with the restless activity of fly in drum,
Lord Lathon and Lord Mount-Edgcombe
appeared in the Household uniforms, bear
ing their white wands, and conducted the
first procession of royal personages up the
church to their places in the chancel. The
Count and Countess Erbach came first, and
were followed by several pairs of Hessan
ROYALTIES in their order of precedence, and
then came the English lot. Germans have
to go through such a prodigious amount of
daily ceremony at their ridiculous courts
that they gradually become possessed of
that "happy yacuity" which enabled Sir
Francis Clavering to "face dinner,
death, a church, or marriage with the
same Indifferent ease" The Duke Of Edin-
burgh, who wore naval uniform, looked
even more sour and superclious than usual;
and the sullen expression which has become
habitual to the Duchess, appeared to be &C.
centuated for the occasion, although she
ought TO have been delighted to see the son
of her mothers favorite brother achieving
such q marriage.
'Princess Louise looked d~well, but she has
very fighty manner. Lord Lorne has
something of his sire's bantam,liko air;
He was in tartans, but certainly looked
yery common. The Duke and Duchess of
Connauyht appeared as kindly and pleasant
as usual, but they have not benefited in
appearance by their stay in India. and the
Duke is by far the oldest looking Of the
Queens sons. With them walked their
little girl, charming child, who was very
nicely dressed Prince Albert Victor wore
the uniform Of the Teuth Hussars, but he Is
so meek and timid-looking young man
that when in military garb he always re-
minds one of q lamb in the skin of wolf
| Prince George of Wales, in naval uniform,
seemed thoroughly we'll pleased with him.
self. He is o very ordinary looking lad, but
apparently has more "go" about him than
| his brother. The Princess of Wales, who
entered last was-as at all recent roya.
! enthusiastically the most beautiful and
| graceful of the party, and she was we'll
suited by her white dress, with the trim
mings of natural roses She carried splen-
| did bouuuet
Hardly had the royalties arranged them
selves when it became necessary for the
household officers to hurry back to the en-
trance to receive the bridegroom. who
walked quickly up to the altar, with the
Prince of Bulgaria on one side and Prince
Francis of Battenberg on the other Ell
quettee prescribes that on arriving at the
altar royal bridegroom shall kneel for
some minutes in prayer, but the matter had
not been made clear to Prince Henry, who
stood like statue, looking at the communion
table and its gold plate, with his back to the
congregation There was really nothing
more admirable throughout the proceed.
ings than the self possession Of the bride
groom during this period, for he was-kept
waiting cruel time. 1t was no slight or.
deal to have to stand for some twenty min
utes against the altar rails, with the clergy
gazing on one side and every eye in the
chapel on the other. ! conceived a high
opinion of Prince Henry's force of charac
ter from his demeanor under such trying
circumstances but Prussian officers are sc
we'll drilled that they are generally equal te
anything of the Sort
'sThe Prince of Wales lin Field Marshal's
uniform) seemed i'll at ease and out of sorts,
and so also did the Queen, who looked e1
ceedingy cross and who was dressed, as she
always is at State functions, in black satin
with white tulle cap and veil.
"Prince Henry turned round as the bride
approached, and made o profound bow
Everything being at last settled the service
was at once commenced by the Archbishop
who took the whole of it himself. Tho Prin
cess made her responses very clearly ane
decidedly, with just suspicion of detlanc'
in her tone and the Prince, who had beer
carefully drilled, had learned his Lesson 81
we'll that he only made one slip, which wa
attributable to the Archbishop, who made
very unnecessary pause in the middle OF on