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    The union of the representatives of" two nations took place on Monday at St . James ' s Palace , amidst circumstances of great splendour for 'the few , and of shabby dulness for the many . A fog ushered m the morning ; and the loyal began to tremble for the Queen ' s weather . But it was not long before the obscurity cleared off , and a bright , mild day , with a clear sky and a wind from the south , shed cheerful influences on bride and bridegroom , on royal guests and courtly satellites , on the-golden-and many-hued splendours of the palace with its jubilant throngs , and on the West- 'end streets with their throngs ot much"forgiving , little--eared-for , ' common people . ' Along the chief lines , the somewhat tawdry flags , which have done duty on so many recent occasions , flirted languidly with the still air ; and conspicuous among them hung the gloomy ensign of Prussia , with its black double eagle on a white ground , side by side with , the warm and flushing standard of England . Some wreaths and festoons also drooped from wall and parapet ; the dusky skeletons of what were to be illuminations showed grimly from the house-fronts ; and transparencies , waiting to be made vital by the kindling soul of light within them , here and there trave promise of what the darkness would" bring forth . But , though these features of the day were not of a specially exhilirating character , the good-natured ' many-headed '—nowhere more good-natured than in England—walked merrily to and fro , enjoying the fine weather , and the unusual -holiday , and the infectious sense of something gallant and gorgeous that was being done somewhere ( it might have been in the Bermuda Islands for anything they saw of it ) , and the sheer feeling of good will to the fair , sweet face that was then going , in all the tenderness of its youth , in all the freshness of its unblunted hopes , to enter the strange , new circle of affectionate wedlock . The greater number of shops kept open ; but some were closed , and all were empty , and the streets were alive with holiday faces , and the bells talked from the steeples in their liveliest accents . .

    Such were the outside features of the occasion . We must now , by means of the favoured daily press , enter the Palace , and bring- before the eyes of the readef'the ceremonial itself , in all its processional magnificence , its heraldic pomp , and its warmth of feminine beauty—the whole glorified by that inexpressible union of exaltation and pathos , of pride and humility , which music can alone effect : — THE ROYAL , CLOSKT , &C , AT ST . JAMES ' S . " Upon arriving at St . James ' s , " says the Times , " the Royal party alighted under a covered way erected at the private entrance from the garden . Here the floral and other decorations were marked by exquisite taste . The interior of the pavilion was lined with scarlet and purple cloth , and tlio drapery was arranged in elegant folds around the opening at either end . The slender pillars which supported the roof were connected by

    garlands formed of holly , golden furze , nnd luurustinus in flower , with pendants composed of tendrils of ivy . A knot with streamers of the the colours of England and Prussia united the garlands over each column . The principal entrance to the Palace was set in a frame of leaves , flowers , and berries , combined in a highly pleasing manner , and was surmounted by an arch , consisting of palm branches and other exotic plants . Her Majesty was reoeived by the great officers of State , and conducted to the Royal Closet . The banister of the narrow staircase by which the Queen ascended was tastefully decorated with creeping plants , interwoven with roses and caniellus , nnd much had been dono by varnishing and gilding , to deprive this most Inconvenient ( light of stairs of ita ordinary moan appearance . A change , almost magioul in its effect , has been mndo in tlio Royal Closet . The walls wore covered with rioh embossments

    in white and gold , tlio coiling was chnstely pnlntod and gilded In thu sumo colours , while nothing could exceed tho richness and eleganco of the furniture From the Royal Olosot tho Princess Royal , acoompaulcd by Princo Albort ami tho King of tlio Belgians , was conducted to tlio Retiring Room , a remarkably handsome apartment , exquisitely decorated for the occasion . Her Majesty , however , passed at once Into the Robing Room , ono of tlio noblcdt saloons in the Paluoo , fitted with tho rioh and quaint but somewhat sombre furniture of the time of Quoon Anne . Her Majoaty ' a procession woh formed in tho Throne Koom , where an elegant ttvblo , oovored with crimson velvet cloth festooned with bluo cords and

    ^ tftlsols 7 Ii ( ul lioeii piaWdT 6 irtlRritgTTiri ^ r * thT ! rra * rtMlnigo rogistor , Tlio windows wore filled with flowers , and tlio xnantolplooo lioro a miniaturo parterre , tho odgoa of the white inarblo boiny fringed with dollonte twining plants . No attempt eoomed to liavo been mado , oxcopt by the Introduction of ( lowaiw , to improvo tho Slato ' npiirtmontf . Abroad atrip of crimson oiirpot had been laid down the centre of tho rooniH through which tlio bridal procosslons wero to pass j but littlo inoro had been dono in Iho way of upholHtory . "

    THE CHAPEL ROYAL . " ¦ Among all the alterations , " says the same journal , " which the Chapel Royal has undergone , those which have been made for this ceremonial are by no means among the least . Holbein himself would not have -known his work among yesterday ' s improvements , and that they are- great improvements may be judged from the fact that the interior of the building looked not only rroli but almost spacious , and as if it really was meant to accommodate a number of visitors . The old high pews had been entirely swept away , and a sufficiently broad path left up the centre of the building from the doorway to the altar . On either side of this , rising one above the other , are four rows of seats , covered with crimson and bordered with gold lace . These accommodate one

    hundred and fifty persons , the gentlemen being allowed a space of twenty inches , and the Iadie 3 no more than two feet . The latter indulgence , however , as it turned out , was a most feeble and inadequate concession to the fashions of the day , and great was the struggling and grievous the injury to robes of State before the ladies could reduce themselves to the required standard . Above these seats and along the walls at each side , at about eight feet from the ground , two galleries have been erected , which are intended to be temporary , but which have been so massively constructed , so richly adorned , and effect such a great improvement in the interior , that it is to be hoped they will be suffered to remain . The cornice of the galleries is ornamented With a handsome scroll-work of carved oak , in keeping 1 . with the rest of

    the chapel ; light blue and gold columns support them in the front , and from the spandrils of the arches spring gold headings , marking the outlines of the wiiole in the mo st tasteful manner . Over each column is a shield wtth the Royal cypher surmounted with the crown , and a light handsome railing of blue and gold closes the whole in ifront . These galleries held on Monday , when full , rather less than one hundred and fifty peers and peeresses , making the total number of seated visitors who could witness-the ceremony from all parts of the chapel not quite three hundred . There were other places than these * however , in which many peers and peeresses were placed , but angels' visits are frequent compared with the number of glimpses which they could have' had of what was passing . We presume , however , the privilege of beiner under the same roof when the ceremonial took

    place was considered all-sufficient . The seats . provided for the representatives of the public were really excellent and well placed , affording ample accommodation for all the journalists present . They were on the basement floor , on the left-hand side , and corresponded with the seats occupied by most of her Majesty ' s Ministers on the right of the chapel . According to a popular Court fiction , however , no reporters were supposed to be present . " At the upper end of the Chapel , round the haut-pas and altar , all the walls had been hung with the richest crimson silk velvet with a deep and massive bullion fringe . The effect of this was rather too heavy , and in the shadows and corners of the sacred building it seemed so dark in tone as to have almost the appearance of black drapery . But for the extra window which has been added to that end of tho chapul , this would have been a most serious error . The nltar is draped in the

    same style , and a beautiful semicircular communion rail runs round the whole . The communion table is heightened to bear the gold plate , which shows gorgeously upon the crimson velvet . The plate here is most massive , though not so antique as is generally supposed , the Saints of tho Commonwealth having manifested a most carnal weakness for the beautiful service which was given to tho church by Charles I . Ono noble flagon of this set , howover , still remains , though the history of its hairbreadth escapes from tho grasp of the Fifth Monarchy men would almost fill a volume . The rest of tho sorvice , including tlio noblo and lofty candelabra and tho largo salver of tho last supper , is mostly of tho time of Anno and tlio first George . It

    includes n massive gold sorvico of Anne ' s reign—the only one of tho kind Sn tho possession of the Crown . Round tho altar on the right and loft , forty or fifty magnificent settees in crimson and gold wore carefully arranged . Tho low chnir of State on tho left , with five little stools , two at ono side and three at tho other , showed at once whoro her Majesty would sit , surrounded by her Royal children . Her Majesty ' s pew , ovor tho entrance , was richly dressed and decorated anew lWr tho accommodation of the Corps Diplomatique , all tho chief members of which woro , of course , to bo present on such an occasion . Tho old rocoss of tho organ-loft and that faqing it have boon much enlarged—tho former for tho accommodation of tlio members of tho choir , tho latter for nor Majesty ' s private band . "

    . Wo now borrow from tho excellently written account in tho Daily News , which says : — " A dim atmoaphoro , as if from clouds of incense , T ^' vTiuo ' cVWdry tlfi n ~ g ^ nir , and over and anon tho solemn stillness of expectation was interrupted by somo now arrival , parhapa soiiio groat figure In future plcturos , but now paying homago in his or hor apparol to tho general splendour , and tending by thoir prosonco to add ono more itom to tlio dreamlike mngnUlconaa of tho flcono . Tlioro ia a hush , u stillness that may b « hoard ; thou tho distant boom of nrtillory ; thon tho faint strain of itiMtant trumpets , which , gradually swells into tho martial

    fulness which no other instrument can imitate , and at last the first great incident of the day ' s pageant is made manifest to the straining eyes of the spectators in the Chapel Royal . A lady of most regal bearing but pale and slenr tfir , U seen at the threshold , and , at tended by a princely train , she walks , majestically up the aisle . It is thePrmcess Royal df Prussia , the mother of the young son-in-law of England , and never was royal personage more emphatically distinguished by a noble and queenly presence . The great ladies who crowd the reserved benches are almost audible in their commendations , and a general Obeisance is Cheerfully accorded to the impressive and dignified bow of the august visitor . In a moment her Royal Highness is seen seated on her tabaret of state on the Jiaut-pas , surrounded by some young officers of the

    brilliant Prussian body guard , and the coloured light ' from the window overhead gives a rich distinctness to the figure of the sitting Princess . This was the first great incident of the day , and derived additional interest from being the known harbinger of the successive processions into which the Master of the Ceremonies had divided the marriage ceremonial . Music now added its never-failing charm . The trumpets again sounded , but this time with a more prolonged note , swelling gradually into a solemn march of triumph as the Queen ' s procession approached the entrance . In came the heralds , ratnging themselves quickly right and left ; then in quick succession the officers of state , in their splendid blue and gold uniforms , the only exception being the Earl Marshal , who wore his royal scarlet with much grave

    dignity . The entrance of the Princess Mary of Cambridge made a profound impression , and very general indeed were the expressions of praise at her Royal Highness ' s graceful and dignified carriage as she walked slowly up the aisle . Her salutations were affectionately as well as respectfully returned , and many a wish was expressed that soon she might be the centre figure in a pageant similar to the present . Then came the Commander-in-Chief , the very ideal of a soldier , with his fine countenance , his martial beard , and careless manly bearing . Now the eye becomes dazzled with stars , and gold , and embroidery . A venerable lady approaches , her countenance full of " mild dignity , but , it is a pity to be obliged to add , bearing the expression of broken health and exhaustion . It is the Queen ' s mother , the Duchess

    of Kent and we have too much for which to be grateful to that illustrious lady to allow her to pass without a special recognition . The trumpets still sustain their subdued march , the peculiar music producing an effect which every one mentions with a sort of involuntary admiration , but which no one can exactly describe , and presently another lady of the Royal House approaches . The great ladies recognize the Duchess of Cambridge ; and again there is a general rising and rustling of silks , a general exchange of salutations , graceful and condescending on the one side , graceful and respectful , and obviously affectionate , on the Other . Still the martial strains swell louder and louder ; the Lord Chamberlain and Vicc-Cbamberlain approach , and presently the Prime Minister is seen manfully

    grasping the huge sword of state , and looking as if only with his life would he yield up this muchcoveted badge of the highest office in the nation . Lord Palmerston looked well , but seemed a little feeble ; bitt his was too familiar a face to excite much curiosity . A general smile of welcome told of the entrance of the heir apparent and his next brother ; and then came her Majesty , leading her two younger sons by tho hand . The living type of the greatest earthly power walked slowly up the aisle with her wonted dignity ; and her countenance woro that serious , almost sad , expression that befits a mother when about to part , perhaps for over , with her first-born child . The royal head is adorned with a castellated crown that blazes with diamonds , and tlio royal train sweeps long behind , or sways

    to and fro in tho heedless young hands of the two pages of honour . Thon come the three princesses , and tho interest in the groat procession has a pause , while-every oyo watches for tho entrance of tho bridegroom . TNow is heard more solemn and almost unearthly music , and Prince Frederick William of Prussia walks , almost quickly , up the aisle , tho tension of tho face indicating high mental excitement , and n flickering blush showing tho embarrassment of youth at being thus tho observed of all observers . There is ono feature loft , ono figure in tho picture still to bo painted , last and fairest of all , and in tho entrance of which tho interest of this eventful day may be fairly said to culminate . ' Last but not least in love , ' tho figure of tho young Princess Royal is seen approaching , hor Royal Highness followed by hor bevy of and shockalmost ol

    fair and youthful bridesmaids ; a , surprise , is felt at her juvenile , almost childlike , appearance . Smaller of stature than hor mother , tho young Princess boars strongly tho physiognomy of tho royal family . Her face is fair and fresh , hor head well sot , tho figure plump , but agile and susceptible of much grftco-amr-dignity-of-oarriago .. —TUQBG . i 9 . oqi » fu «» ioi | ,. tMoro _ in cliildllko wonder , there is an oxprossion almost of uwo on that young face , as hor lloynl Hitfliiiofw glancos timidly round nnd hesitatingly returns tho curtsey » which coma as it woro in ahowers from every aldo . Hut who aoon become * ronnaurod ; hor stop becomes firm , she nnBBOB on , and wo linvo time for a glnnao at tho brldoainaidH , who , o / ioh bonriny a bouquot alinoat m blooming aa horsolf , follow up , and at tho ^ altar form a floral Honitoirolo round tho young Princoaa . '

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    TEE MM 1 GE Of THE PRINCESS ROYAL . ¦ ¦ —? - —

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    No . 4 M > , 3- ANtTAKT 30 , 1858 . 1 THE HA DEB . m

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 30, 1858, page 99, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2228/page/3/