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THE national event of the week has been the marriage of the Princess Royal. The bridegroom did not arrive at Buckingham Palace until Saturday afternoon. He landed at Dover early in the morning ; was received by Count Bernstorff, and welcomed with an address of con- gratulation by the Corporation. The Prince travelled to London by a special train ; and found the Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred, waiting at the Bricklayer's Arms station to receive him. His arrival completed the royal circle. On Sunday the Queen and all her Protestant guests heard a sermon from the Bishop of Oxford in her private chapel.

The arrangements having been carried out as preordained, the mar- riage of the Princess Royal of England and Prince Frederick William of Prussia took place on the day appointed, Monday the 25th Janu- ary, and in the place appointed, the Chapel Royal of St. James's Palace. The morning was raw and chilly. The trees and grass were covered with rime, and a thick white mist obscured the atmosphere. But long before noon the sun had cleared the air, dissolved the rime, and thawed the frosty ground. A little before eleven the great Officers of State and others who were to take part in the ceremonial began to ar- rive at Buckingham Palace, •while the band of the Grenadier Guards played Mendelssohn's famous "Wedding March" in the quadrangle. Soon afterwards, the principal actors began to quit the Palace for St. James's. First, the Princess of Prussia, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, the Princes Frederick Charles, Frederick Albert, and Adalbert of Prussia, the Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmmingen, the Duke of Brabant, and the Count of Flanders, drove off. The next to depart was the bridegroom, with an escort of cavalry. Prince Albert of Prussia, Prince Arthur, and Prince Leopold, the Princesses Alice, Helena, Louisa, the Ring of the Belgians, the Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, followed in rapid succession. Lastly appeared the Queen and her daugh- ter the bride, in a state carriage with cream-coloured horses. They alighted from the carriage under a covered way leading from the private entrance of St. James's Palace through the garden. This covered way was lined with scarlet and purple cloth ; the pillars supporting the roof were wreathed with holly, furze, and laurwitinus in flower ; and the blended colours of England and Prussia drooped over each column. Passing along this way, the Queen and the Princess arrived at the prin- cipal entrance, which was tastefully adorned with leaves and flowers na- tive and exotic; and, walking up a staircase where creeping plants and roses and camelias screened the banisters, they entered the royal closet. Here the Queen went into the robing-room, and the Princess into the retiring-room. These rooms and the throne-room, where her Majesty's procession was to be formed, had been, like all the rest of the apartments used on this occasion, made gay with painting and gilding arida profusion of flowers.

During the progress of the Royal party from one Palace to the other, the privileged spectators of the processions and the marriage ceremony had gradually reached their allotted places. The rooms through which the processions were to pass were bordered on one side by ranks of ladies in brilliant dresses befitting a wedding-day, here and there relieved by officers in uniform. All around were flowers. The railings of the great staircase leading to the Colour Court were gilded and twined with wreaths; on the landings were draped mirrors; at the stair-head, set in a frame formed of the colours of England and Prussia supported by *in branches, were the initials of the Prince and Princess writ in white flowers on a green ground. In the colonnade, wreaths of evergreens,

united, by wedding-favours and susleiniage Unquote, stretched from columallevalumnand beneath each knot of white satin stood a soldier

in ut uniform ofsthe LifeIntterds.

' crigit We vet and gold, ankgilding, and the addition of Royal is neither - oor llataisame ; but a profusion of me a gallery on each aide, made it a more fitting stone for a state marriage than it wad when Queen Victoria appeared there as a bride eighteen years ago. A broad path covered with crimson cloth led from the entrance to the altar. On either side rose ranks of seats, and above them the two

galleries previously mentioned. The walls around the altar were hung with crimson silk velvet, fringed with gold. The altar was enclosed with; a light railing of blue and gold ; and to the right and left, on a raised platform, were from forty to fifty settees, her Majesty's chair being placed on the left, and near it five smaller seats or stools for her children.

The privileged guests gradually filled up the spaces carefully allotted

to them with a due regard to the breadth of resplendent skirts pressed out by a substructure of crinoline. Among the earliest arrivals were the Lord Chief Justice and Lady Stratheden ; then a host of Peeresses, a group of Heralds, several Cabinet Ministers, all, with the exception of Mr. Baines, Mr. Vernon Smith, and Mr. Labouchere, adorned with wedding-favours. The Duchess of Richmond, the Countess of Derby, and the Countess of Jersey, wore conspicuous for the richness, of their dresses and the brightness of their jewels. The Duke of Atholl made a show in full Highland coatieme. The Ministers wore the Windsor uni- form; Most of the other Peers were in military garb. As the Foreign Princes and Dukes arrived, each wearing some showy military or naval dress, they took their seats on the raised platform round the altar. A hum of suppressed conversation pervaded the chapel, and a constant movement among the ladies, which caused their jewels to sparkle. Like other crowds, this aristocratic array was easily moved. A countess dropped her cloak from the gallery, and a suppressed titter ensued ; another, looking over the balustrade, "moulted the feathers of her head- dress, and as they sailed slowly down, every one looked up, as people do at a theatre when a playbill falls from the boxes to the pit."

A little before twelve o'doelr, the Princess of Prussia entered, robed

in white satin worked with silver ; and the whole assembly rose as she passed on to her place. Then were heard distant trumpet strains—the Queen was coming. But before she entered, the Princess . Mary passed along the chapel; then the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge; and after them the Duchess of Kent. Lord Palmerston came next, bearing the sword of state. Then, preoeded by the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, the Queen entered, leading Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold, and followed by the Princesses Alice, Helena, and Louisa, hand-in-band, Her Majesty wore a dress of lilac velvet, on her brow a castellated crown of pearls and diamonds, and among her jewels sparkled the Koh- i-noor. She took her chair near the agar, the younger children—the Princesses in white with corn-flowers and daisies, the Princes in the Highland dress—sat beside her' and from the moment of her entry all in the presence remained standing. Lord Palmerston stood on the right and the Duchess of Sutherland on the left of the Queen. The next person who arrived was the Prince-bridegroom, wearing the rich uniform of a Prussian General. He walked slowly up the chapel, bowed with "profound reverence," first to the Queen, then to .his mother; then knelt in front of the altar for a few moments; then rose and stood at the right of the altar waiting for his bride. Here a pause ensued. The whole assembly grew perfectly still with expectation ; the movement of plumed and jewelled heads ceased, and all eyes were bent upon the entrance. The strains of the trumpets were once more heard ; and soon—her father the Prince Consort on one side, her grand-uncle King Leopold on the other—entered the bride, followed by her youthful bridesmaids. The aspect of the Princess Royal at this moment is thus described- " The gorgeous veil she wears dependine° from her head-dress is thrown

ofn and, hanging in massive folds behind, leaves the expression of her face completely visible as she walks slowly, her head slightly stooped in bashful- ness, and her eyes cast down upon the ground. Thus all can see distinctly the mild, amiable expression of her face so replete with kindness and deep feeling, and a peculiarly touchingaspect of sensitiveness. Her bright bloom of colour has completely deserted her; and even when compared with her snowy dress her cheeks seem pale, and her whole appearance denotes tremu- lousness and agitation." When she reached the altar, she blushed deeply, and bowed to her

mother and the Princess of 1.14-ussia. Then the bridegroom advancing, knelt on one knee, and pressed her hand "with an expression of fervent admiration that moved the august audience." All the parties were now present around the altars The bride and bridegroom took their places in the centre on one side, but at a little distance, stood the Prince Consort and King Leopold, on the other the Prince of Prussia and his son Prince Albert of Prussia.

The ceremonial now began, with the following verses set to an old

chorale—

This day with gladsome voice and heart We praise Thy name, 0 Lord, who art Of all good things the giver ! For England's first-born Hope we pray ! From hour to hour, from day to day, Be near her now and ever!

King of Kings, Lord of Lords— Father, Son and Holy Spirit—

We adore'Thee !

Hear us, while we kneel before Thee !" Then the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Bishop

of Oxford, the Dean of Windsor, and Dr. Wesley, performed various parts of the service in turn, strictly following the rubric. The Prince Consort gave away the bride. The responses of the bridegroom were loud, clear, and earnest ; but the Princess's replies were hardly heard, and she seemed overcome almost to fainting. The service concluded with the Hallelujah Chorus. For a description of what followed, we are in to the enthusiastic reporter of the Times- " Hardly had the last words of the chores died away in solemn echoes,

when the ceremonial as arranged by Chamberlains and Heralds ended ; and the bride, giving vent to her evidently long pent-up &dings, turned and flung herself upon her mother's bosom with a suddenness and depth Of feeling that thrilled through every heart. Again and again her Majesty strained her to her heart and kissed her, and tried to conceal her emotion ; but it was both needless and in vain, for all perceived it, and there were

sew who did not share it. We need not mention how the bridegroom em- braced her; and how, as she quitted him, with the tears now plainly stealing down her cheeks, she threw herself into the arms of her father, while her royal husband was embraced by the Princess of Prussia in a manner that evinced all that only a mother's love can show. The most affecting recog- nition, however, took place between the bridegroom and his royal father ; for thelatter seemed overpowered with emotion, and the former, after clasp- ing him twice to his heart, knelt and kissed his parent's hand. "The Queen then rose, and, hurrying across the haut pas with the Prince Consort, embraced the Princess of Prussia as one sister would another after long parting, and, turning to the Prince of Prussia, gave him her bend; which as he stooped to kiss she stopped him, and declined the con- deecension by offering her cheek instead. But words will feebly convey the erect of the warmth, the abandonment of affection and friendship, with which these greetings passed, the reverence with which the bridegroom sa- luted her Majesty, the manly heartiness with which he wrung the Prince Consort's hand, for by the working of his face it was evident he could not trust his tongue to speak." * When the procession left the Chapel Royal, the bride and bridegroom walking together, the Princess recovered her natural gay expres- sion, her eolour returned, and her eyes sparkled with light. In the throne-room all the parties were once more united ; and here, on a table in front of the throne, lay the marriage-register ; which was attested in the legal form, in the presence of the Bishops, and witnessed by a great number of illustrious persons. Among the names that followed those of the bride and bridegroom were these, and in this form-

. " Troroars.

ALBERT, Prince Consort.

Prossen of Par:sera.

Avesesso, Princess of Prussia, Duchess of Saxony. LEOPOLD.

Voolooss.

ALBERT RDWAR.D.

ALFRED.

ALICE. • AUGUSTA.

GEORGE.

MARY ADELAIDIOt

All being completed, the Queen and the brilliant company returned to Buckingham Palace at twenty minutes past two. Shortly afterwards, the Queen and her children showed themselves to the vast masses of people collected about the Palace. First the Queen stepped out on to the balcony and b wed to the crowd before her. She then re- tired, but soon returned, and, leading by the hand the Princess Royal, presented her to the multitude. Asi the Queen withdrew, Prince Frederick William took his place by the aide of his bride, and hand-in-hand the illustrious pair received a vociferous ovation, such as they are net likely soon to forget. The Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales, the Prince and Princess of Prussia' in turn appeared before the delighted spectators, and received a hearty welcome ; and finally, the bride and bridegroom agaie came forward, and took a farewell greeting. The people were charmed. On all sides, from rich and poor, exclamations arose, "How good of her !" " How like her !" 'Now that is kind indeed "

The Court newsman alone reports what took place at the wedding- breakfast in the state dinner-room of Buckingham Palace.

"The wedding-cake was placed in the middle of the table. It was be- tween six and seven feet in height, and was divided from the base to the top into three compartments, all in white. The upper part was formed of a chime of open work, on which rested a crown: Eight columns, on a circu- lar plinth, supported the dome, and enclosed an altar upon which stood two Cupids holding a medallien having the profile of the Princess Royal on one side and that of Prince Frederick William of Prussia on the other. Fes- toons of jasmine were suspended from the capitals of the columns ; and baste of the Queen, the Prince Consort, the Prince of Prussia, and the Princess of Prussia, were planed on four equidistant bases projecting from the plinth. The middle portion contained niches in which were a number of statues, including those of Innocence and Wisdom. These statues were separated by broad buttresses of an ornamental character, the upper parts decorated with festoons of orange blossom and silver leaves. The si4jof the cake itself displayed the arms of Great Britain and Prussia pined a r- nately on panels of white satin ; and between each coat of arms was a me- dallion of the Princess Royal and Prince Frederick William, encircled by orange blossom, and surmounted by an imperial crown. Rows of pearls bordered each division of the cake, which was made by M. Pagniez, her Majesty's confectioner. The cake was divided into a certain number of portions or slices, and each portion was decorated with a medallion of the royal bride and bridegroom. The plateau contained fourteen gilt baskets and vases of silver gilt, the former elevated on golden tripods, and all filled with artificial flowers.

"The illustrious party consisted of the Queen, the Prime Consort, the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, Prince Arthur Prince Leopold, the Princess Alice, the Priucess Helena, the Prinoess Louisa, the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Mary of Cambridge, the .11uke of Cambridge, the King of the Belgians, the Duke of Brabant, the Count of Flanders, the Prince and Princess Frederick William of Prussia, the Prince and Princess of Prussia, Prince Albert of Pruasia, Prince Frederick Charles 91 Prussia, Prince Frederick Albert of Prussia, Prince Adalbert of Prussia, the Prince of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, the Duchess of Orleans, the Count de Paris, the Duke de Chartres, the Princess de Salerno, the Duke and Duchess d'Aumale, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, the Prince of Leiningen, Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Langentorg, and Prince .Tuliva of Holstein Gluelcsburg."

About half-past four o'clock the bride and bridegroom left Buckingham Palace for Windsor. They drove through the Parks, amid ranks of car- riages and crowds of people, to the station of the Great Western Railway. There a special train, driven by Mr. Gooch, awaited them •' and they arrived at Windsor a little after half-past six. Here the Eton boys made a grog display. At their request, the horses were taken from the royal

* The accuracy of this passage has been questioned. The Horning Post says- " The plain, honest embrace of a mother and daughter after the marriage is cask gerated into 'sobs struggling for utterance ': while the bridegroom is said to have ' gone down on his knees' and 'embraced his bride ' before the whole congregation. There ean be no doubt this is very pretty and interesting to the class for whom it is intended, but after :LILA is simply fabulous. There was certainly no want of feel- sag exhibited by any of the august parties, but equally true that there was notheatrical '*ion of it. The only tears which those nearest to the altar saw shed on the haPProccasion were those due to the very natural emotion of the Princess Alice at the thought of losing her sister and companion."

+ The fifth name en this list is the Ring of the Belgians ; the sixth is the anht:48 ot Rent; then tkte Prince of Wales, whose form of signature it is interest- ingtoise; nent,tvce of his younger brothers and sisters ; the Duchess of Caro- wiftn-litbe ThalswerOambridge ; the Princess Mary.

carriage, and a hundred excited boys, hauling before and pushing behind, landed it at the Castle; the remainder of the boys forming a volunteer escort. The Princess personally thanked the leading boys, and smut champagne for all. The newly-married pair took up their residence in the Lancaster Tower of Windsor Castle.

At Buckingham Palace in the evening the Queen gave a state con- cert. A large and distinguished. company attended. There were two novelties in the performances arising out of the event of the morning.: one was a serenade composed for the occasion by Mr. Costa ; the other was the following addition to "God save the !Queen," by Mr. Tenny- son the Peet Laureate-

" God bless our Prince and Bride, God keep their lands allied, God save the Queen !

Clothe them with righteousness, Crown them with happiness, Them with all blessings bless, • God save the Queen !

"Pair fall this hallow'd hour, Farewell, our England's dower.

God save the Queen !

Farewell, fair rose of May !

Let all the people say, God bless the marriage-day ! God bless the Queen ! "

The Queen took leave of all her guests, except the Duke of Saxe-Co- burg, on Tuesday ; and went on Wednesday to Windsor Castle. There, on Thursday, she presided at the installation of her son-in-law as a Knight of the Garter. The Princess Frederick William of Prussia was present at the ceremony.