The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-05

Two richly gilded arm chairs Of mar
Velous workmanship occupied the dais.
on which also rested two soft, silken
cushions, upon which the bridal cou-
pie knelt. Immediately facing The
throne we're gilded divans on which
were seated Queen Christina, Princess
Henry of ~Battenberg, the Infantas, he
princes and the members of the Bat
tenberg and other royal families. Be-
side them were the foreign princes,
arcndukes and grane dukes in their
richest uniforms, with the prin-
cesSes ard ducheSses in marvellous
court gowns, with trains four yards
long, corsa ges and hair blazing With
jewels and with flmy, white mantil-
las floating lightly oyer the head and
shoulders. mantillas being rigidly le-
quired.
Mr.. Whitridge, the American spe-
cial envoy, who was in evening dress,
sat among the other ENJOYS and Min
lister and Mrs. Collier were seated with
the resident diplomats. The wife of
the American minister, who was the
only American M present, wOre a
Partisan court gown Of white lace over
white satin, embroidered with silver
roses.
As the royal couple entered the as
semblage arose and two hundred
~choiresters intOned a professional
hymn. The king looked calm, happy
and slightly pale as usual.
The bride entered with her mother,
brother and Queen Christina, the sill
vered embroidery of her wedding
dress being reflected by the myriad of
1;~l+ , ,,~+;l +In I'LL ~1-o4 +N hn
robed in jewels. Her veil, slightly
drawn aside, revealed her clear, fine
features with cheeks full of youthful
color.
The king advanced to meet the
bride and they stood together as the
marriage service began. The cere-
mOny was performed with all the i'm
p~ressiveneSs of the Roman ritual, Car"
dinal Sancha, Archbishop of Toledo,
robed in crimson officiating, assisted by
a special nuncie of the pope and the
highest dIgnitaries Of the church,
with score Of acolytes and incense
burners. The ceremony, which lasted
nearly an hour, terminated with the
nuncie pronouncing the pope's bene-
dictiOn on the newly married couple
and the chanting of the te deum.
THE PRESENTS.
The presents for King Alfonso and
his bride are arriving from all quar-
ters of the globe, from countries and
their rulers. from provinces n cit
les, and even from school children OF
Spain who nave contributed their mite
to show their loyalty to the king.
Some of these gifts are as follows.
The queen mother presents the king
with her portrait painted by Moreno
Caroonero. The city of Madrid gives
all enduring present to the bride by
establishing a wOrkmens' quarter
which is baptized in the name Of
Queen Victoria Eugenia. The mayor
of Madrid has invited all the mayors
of Spain to sign an artistic album ex-
pressing their hOmages to the young
couple. The manufacturers Of BARGE
Iona have presented the bride with a
diadem of diamonds valued at $50, coo
pesetas.
The presents from royalty are not
able mainly for their elegance and
taste rather than their intrinsic worth,
although some of them are of great
value. The emperor of Germany sends
some splendid hunting trophies, made
of heads of wild boars INK stays which
Alfonso killed during his hunt in the
imperial hunting preserves Of Ger
many. France sends some CT the finest
productions Of 'Sevres porcelain and
the oGbelin tapestry factories. The
Spaniards of Argentina cabled to rhe
famous sculptor, Mariana Boulliure,
ordering busts of Alfonso and the
bride, in marble or bronze and tIF"S-
hitting $4,000 pesetas.
Queen Christiana presents the bride
with a priceless court mantle which
belonged to Queen Isabel II. of dark
red velvet wonderfully embroidered i'll
gold. The brides presents from the
Spanish aristocracy include many his
tOric jewels, fine old fans, laces and
pOrcelains. The daughter of the Duke
of Alba sent her a gold waist buckle
set in rubies. The presents from the
people of Spain show the sympathy
with which they receive the foreign
princess. The schOol-teachers through
out the country have subscribed Il
large amount for a sumptuous edition
Of Don QuixOte, accompanied by Il
message of felicitation on parchment.
The friends OF the king of BiarritZ
have united in making a truly royal
gift of the Villa Mouriscot and its
splendid estates, where the royal
courtship began. The English resi-
dents are vieing with the Spaniards in
! giving presents, the English colonies
OF the interior towns having raised
100 600 pesetas for a diamond and
pearl necklace. Many of the presents
from rulers and state are yet to be
announced.
THE WEDDING FETES.
The fetes for the kings wedding
have been prepared on an unusual
scale of lavishness. They are divided
in three parts, the first including the
family fetes, celebrated at the royal
palace by the members of the royal
family; second, the fetes offered &c
the visiting princes, envoys n high
functionaries; and, third, the popular
fetes organized for the people. These