Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-07-19
A Notable and Beautiful wedding.

Westmoreland county, Virginia, there
was celebrated on last Thursday even
ing ceremony that will live long III
the memory of those whose privilege 1t
was to be present on that occasion. III
was the cementing of ties which bound
in closer union two historic tamlles-
the Washingtons and Wirts-not only
prominent in State affairs, but also III
the colonial history of the country.
George Douglas Washington, OF caro-
line county, descendant of the I'm,
mortal George, in the language OF God
and the church did promise to forever
care for and protect as his welded VIE
Agnes Writ, daughter of DIR. Wni.
Writ, and granddaughter of the dlsiln,
guished VIM. Writ, attorney general OF
the United States. The festivities Incl
dent to the marriage commenced three
days prior to the wedding in the form
ofan elegant dinner given by the bride
elects brother, Mr.. Daniel Payne Wlrt,
at his beautiful home, Bleak Hall. All
the delicacies of the season with wine
courses were served, the center piece
representing Cupid being especially
pretty. After the collation. music and
dancing occupied the remainder OF the
evening. Tuesday opened up with a
repetition of the merry-making. a
dinner was given by Mr.. Wilson, the
present owner of Wakefield Farm the
birthplace of Washington, and crab
bling, sailing and horse racing ended
the day'ssport Wednesday Col. r. j..
Washington, State Senator and Com
monwealth attorney, brother-in-law OF
the bride-elect, gave, in honor of the
occasion, supper, long to be remem-
bered by those who were at the festive
board. The floral decorations were
particularly tasteful and beautiful. An
immense Silver epergne filled with
choice roses banked with maiden-hair
ferns formed the center piece,
while at either end of the long
mahogany table were two tall silver
candlebra, family heirlooms, which
shed their soft and mellow light upon
the good things with which the table
was loaded. Dancing, vocal and in
strumental music was INDUCED in, and
when the party dispersed the neighing
of impatient horses and the day god
peeping over the eastern horizon indi-
Gated that all had forgotten time and
given themselves up wholly to jolifica-
ton. Thursday, the wedding day,
opened auspiciously. The suns rays
never looked brighter, the woodland
minstrels' music soft and low seemed
to linger still as fingers parting light.
A wedding breakfast at high noon
served at Wirtland, the beautiful home
of the Wirts, commenced the days APP
preaching festivities. Entering Writ
land from the main road one passes
through an old fashioned swinging gate
over a graveled road shaded by trees
on either side, and stretching to right
and left the eye is rested by lovely
lawns and gentle slopes with here and
there a miniature ravine. After few
minutes drive which appears like pass
ing through a veritable fairyland you
take spiral course and suddenly come
to halt in front or Wirtland, the pa
latial home of the bride-elect. The
house is of graystone with clustering
vines climbing its ancient walls and
lovely porches which run the circuit
of the house. The wide halls are in
laid with marble tiling, the staircases
with polished oak. Everything indi-
Gates wealth and elegance. There are
over a hundred acres in lawn and
flower beds, and it looks like one large
range of park which with the assistance
of man has been made one of the most
beautiful landscapes that the eye would
care to rest upon. The hour of the
marriage is at hand The ushers in full
evening dress who were Mr.. Ed
mund Taylor, of Richmond, Mr..
John T. Edgerton, of Baltimore,
DR.. Richard Washington, of New
York, Mr.. John Critcher, jr., OF
! Alexandria Mr.. Writ Washington,
of Nyestmoreland, and DR.. Frank d.
Hester, of Alexandria, preceded the
bride and her maids by an hour. When
the church, a beautiful old-fashioned
brick editice overgrown with ivy, was
reached it was found to have been
dressed by the young. ladies of the
neighborhood under the direction and
with the assistance of two decorators
from New York. The chancel of the
church runs nearly the entire length Of
it and has in the centre an archway I'M
der which the minister stands. The
same was beautifully decorated with
ferns, ivy and a profusion of flowers
tastclully arranged, while from the cen
ire of it was suspended an immense
loral bell made of wild daisies, and the
tongue of buttercups. The bridal party
arrived at the church just at twilight.
at the hour when the evening seems to
hang upon the night The only light
in tie church is that which comes from
an ancient Egyptian lamp which rests
upon the Bible stand. The six ushers
came in in twos, passing to the right
and left. The groom entered with his
best man, Mr.. VIM. Dabncy Writ, from
the vestry door the two maids of hon
or. Miss Corrnnc Harrison and Miss
Lilly Sprigg, both of Washington,
beautifully attired in gowns of light
silk followed. Little Miss Augusta
Writ, niece of the bride, was the flower
bearer, carrying a bouquet of bride
roses. The bride to the sweet strains
of Lohengrin's march, Immediately fol-
lowed on the arm of her father, looking
lovely, in dress of white silk with lace
trimmings. The ornaments were dia-
monds and pearls. The groom met her
at the altar and the beautiful marriage
ceremony of the Episcopal church
was conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Latane.
Every seat in the church was filled.
All of the old family servants were