The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-17
A Wedding at Newport.

A wedding which took place on Tuesday at
Newport was described at great length In
the newspapers OF New York and other
cities. 1t was reported almost as fully and
particularly IA II 1t had been a royal
matrimonial alliance. Portraits Of the
bride and groom added interest to the text.
and minute details as to the marriage cere-
mony. the wedding breakfast the guests,
the costumes. and the gifts to the bride
were presented in attractive form.
Yet the young people married are private
individuals simply. They hold no public
place whatever, have no titles and in no
official way are distinguished from the mass
OF American citizens. Why, then, was the
popular interest in their marriage 80 great
as to require that the newspapers should
describe the occasion with such careful elab-
Grafton? The beauty OF the bride was I'M
Questtonably chief reason. but why had
the fame OF her charms spread 80 widely?
Within the last twenty years there has de-
veloped In this country. and more especially
In New York, q circle OF luxurious society
which has distinct place in the interest OF
the public. Its dimensions are so small that
all Of its more prominent members both men
characters. They are known by name
throughout the Union, and photography and
engraving have made familiar their faces
also. Their comings and golngs are reported
In the newspapers as the movements OF per-
sonages regarding whom the public have q
right to he curious. They are always con-
splcuous, not by reason OF any effort OH their
own part to court observation. but because Of
the popular interest in their personality and
the fascination and glamour which luxury
and elegance always have won from the poor
est They are like the rare and priceless
jewels In crowns. upon which the people
look with feelings approaching awe. Their
life Of pleasure stimulates curiosity and
awakens admiration. AS beings apart from
the rough and tumble Of the world OF sordid
cares and pursuits. they have the charm OF
creatures OF romance.
1t has always been thus. The prince in
the fairy tale and the princess beautiful be.
and the grandeur OF their surroundings,
stir the Imagination OF every genera.
ton. Mankind is all OF the same clay,
and yet the popular fancy distinguishes
its heroes as II thew were beings
Of a different mould from the rest
OF mortal men. 1t will never let socie-
ty fall to the monotonous level to which
socialism would reduce 1t, but insists on
eminences inaccessible to ordinary climbers.
1t looks forward to Golden Age and that
time Of beauty and Joy is typifed for it by
the gayety and luxury Of the fortunate ones
OF this hard and prosaic period. 1t wants to
hear OF the beauty OF the bride arrayed like
the princess In the story and upon whom
wealth showers like the gold In the tradi-
ton Of mythology.
The popular interest In such wedding as
occurred at Newport on Tuesday Is, there
fore, an expression OF the popular poetic
sentiment. and wealth and luxury served
their best purpose. 30 fur Us the general
elevation OF society Is concerned. In cult
waiting and gratifying a feeling and an
aspiration which raise men and women into
such an atmosphere.