Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-28
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY IS, 1922.
THE HALF.ROYAL WEDDING.

THE HALF.ROYAL WEDDING.
All England is In a social turmoil.
and all the rest Of the world in a state
OF sympathetic semi-ecstasy, today.
over the wedding. In Westminster
Abbey. this afternoon, OF Princess
Mary, daughter OF King George V.
and the yiscount Iascelles, member
OF n distinguished family OF estab-
lished English nobility. For weeks
the preparations for the great event
have been under way, and 1t culmi-
mated this afternoon in the nuptial
ceremony, before an nssemblage OF
royal, noble and gentle notables the
like OF which has not been seen in
London for many a day. =
Incongruous as 1t may seem, this
royal, or rather scmi-royal. we'd
cing-as the groom is not connected
to some extent. In the sumptuousness
OF its accompa niments, to the enforced
economies of the times brought about
by the World War. In the first place,
the royal father OF the bride suffered
heavily in his private purse by the
wars exactions and was not in finan-
cial position to spread himself in pro-
viding all the old-cstablished acces-
sories OF a royal wedding. Nor did
the bride indulge in the customary
extravagances of trousseau, although
her wedding gown. OF course, WAS
truly magnificent.
The people OF England. however, OF
high and low degree, took an extraor-
dinary interest in this wedding, and
participated In the preparations with
eager rest and most extensively. De-
spite the poverty OF the times. tho
wedding presents were enormous IN
number and came from people in all
the walks OF life. Even the children
of the country and of the English
colonies and provinces Joined in send
ing gifts TO the bride. to the best of
their limited financial resources.
This widespread and generous SYM
pathy in the wedding OF princess of
the royal house OF England was an
exemplification of the fne old adage:
"One touch OF nature makes the
whole world kim" For the great ele-
mental touch of nature" human love
was the basis of this union in holy
wedlock OF these two exalted per.
sonages. Contrary 10 the custom tha,
has prevailed among royalty for Gen.
turies. the bride was not only per-
mitted TO make her own choice OF q
husband, but to go outside the duly
created circles of royalty in making
the selection. In a word, she wa.
wooed and Won just as the humbles
daughter of Great Britain is wooet
and won, by the suitor who obtained
her hearts best affection. This wa.
love match. pure and simple, a,
faithful and sympathetic as the rea
love matches OF ordinary persons.
In this respect today's notable wed
ding was analogous TO that OF tn
brides distinguished great-grand
mother. Queen Victoria of England
Victoria was the daughter of tn
Duke OF Kent, fourth son OF KIM
George III, and succeeded to tn
throne on the death OF her uncle
William ". She was crowned, wit
great ceremony and solemnity, il
Westminster Abbey. June 2s. 1888.
Naturally. the question OF a suitabl
consort was the subject OF much con
cern among the political advisers c
the young queen. but she took tn
selection in her own hands, and woul
not be denied. Her maiden inclina
tions and her maiden heart wer
freely TO her cousin. Albert. Prince {
Saxe-Coburs Gotha, and there the
rested. because OF the immutable fac
that she loved him and he loved he
Her advisers were not pleased wit
the choice. but they had to submit
and for once a royal ruler took TO hei
self n husband OF her own choosing
They were married in Westminsts
Abbey. June 10. 1870. and then 70
lowed more than twenty years
welded bliss and conEenial compar
ionship as sincere and complete &
any that attended the union OF tr,
and loving hearts in the various wall
~ life. The Prince Consort SOC
gained the affections OF the Britt.
public. and his death. which occurr,