Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-14
ROYAL WEDDING AI MADRID
Donna Maria of Hapsburg and
 Charles of Bourbon.
The Bride and Bridegroom Knelt at the Altar-A White Satin Ribbon About Their Necks, Each Taking Part In Tying It In q knot-Old Custom Observed of Giving Thir- teen Gold Coins to Bride.

Custom Observed of Giving Thir-
 teen Gold Coins to Bride.
 Madrid, Feb 14.-In the chapel of the royal palace, and in the presence of the royal family and otticialdom of Spain, Donna Maria de Las Lercedes de Bourbon Hapsburg, princess of Asturia, was to-day welded to Prince Charles, of Bourbon. At 1O:3O d. m. there assembled in the private apart ments of Maria Christina those form ing the brides party. At the same hour there assembled in the apart ments of Infanta Donna Isabella, the persons composing the party of the bridegroom. The bridegroom's party was the first to enter the chapel, imme- diataely followed by the brides party, and on reaching the altar turned re spectively to the right and left. In front of the altar the bride and bride groom stopped and knelt, where they remained during the remainder of the ceremony, which was performed by Cardinal Sancha. As they knelt on cushions before the altar. q large white satin. veil was spread over the couple, leaving only the head of the groom uncovered
 \ White satin ribbon. called q yoke, was tied about the necks of the couple, the knot being made between them, signifying their union.
 After the mass, the simple Catholic ritual of marriage was read the cere- mony not differing in any detail from that uniting the most humble member of that faith, except that the ritual was read from q specially printed book ill Spanish. Wedding rings were ex- changed by both parties, these, of course, being of great value and unique workmanship.
 of giving coins to the bride by the bridegroom. These may be pennies, or silver or gold coins, according to the position and wealth of the contracting parties, but they must always number thirteen. Those employed to-day were thirteen gold coins, each weighing an ounce and being of the coinage bear ing the bust of Felipe, the first Span ish Bourbon monarch. They were the same as uhed at the wedding of Queen Isabel H., the grandmother of the bride.
 After the conclusion of the simple wedding service the cardinal primate pronounced a short discourse, eXhort- ing the wife to love and obey her hus- band. and the husband to love and cherish the wife, adding:
 T give thee companion, not slave.'
 The cardinal also made reference to the virtues of the ancestors of the bride and groom and pointed out the obligations the prince and princess were under to give a good example to those in an inferior station of life and then bestowed the papal and his own benediction.
 Arm and arm the newly welded cou- pie arose and left the chapel, followed by q single cortege, the two family parties merging into one. instead of leaving separately, as they entered. They traverSed the long corridors of the experiments of the queen regent, where d record of the marriage was entered in q special civil register the royal family and the same witnesses signing as signed the wedding con- tract on Tuesday.
 This ceremony ended, all repaired to the state dining room, in which the bethrothal ball was held Monday even- ing and partook of wedding break fast.
 The Princess and the now Prince of Asturia will occupy apartments in the palace. It is not intended that they shall take a wedding journey at pres ent.
 The chapel in which the ceremony was held is located in the north wing of the palace. It is rotunda shaped. with the nave opening on the main gallery of the palace and running about the inner court. Ordinarily it will seat about 15O persons. but to-day every available inch of space was oc- cupied in order to accommodate the invited guests. Though the skylights would have afforded ample light. they were covered with heavy yellow hang ings. through which the sunlight was unable to penetrate except Ill .yelloW gleams, which added to the sombre appearance that the massive style of architecture alrpady gave to the chapel. Sixteen tall columns of gray marble support the domed roof. Color was lent to the scene by red brussels carpet, which covered the entire floor to the foot of the altar. where to the right, entering from the gallery of Danes. the wall was decorated with frescoes of the Holy Trinity and the tutelary saints of Spain by GeacintO, while above the altar is an "Annuncia- tion'' painted by Raphael during hls later days.
 On the epistle side, nearest to the altar. were the members of the min istry with their wives. and the presi- dents and other officials of the senate and chamber of deputies. Behind them were the chiefs of the palace and the professors of the children of the royal family. The next tribune was devoted to the members of the diplomatic corps and their wives, and that fnrthest from the altar was occupied by the gentlemen in-waiting of the palace.
 The space in front of the tribunes was filled with chairs and benches, on which were seated the chiefs of the palace retainers, with the Duke Di SotomayOr at their head, body of halberdiers, the palace chaplains and other minor palace attendants. The side aisle was occupied by commis- sioners of the municipalities of Astur- ias and provincial deputations.
 To-day beneath the chapeIs dome gathered royalty md grandees of Spain, save the leaders and followers of the anti-governmental parties. On the gospel side of the altar was seat ed the brides party, consisting of the