y union; for thou in the beginning didst create
them, male and female, and appointed the woman for a help to the man,
and for the succession of mankind. Let thine angel go before them to
guide them all the days of their life." The priest now taking hold of
the hands of both parties, led them forward and caused them to stand on
a silken carpet, which lay spread before them. The congregation usually
watch this moment with intense curiosity, for it is augured that the
party who steps first on the rich brocade will have the mastery over
the other through life. In the present case, our fair bride secured
possession of this prospective privilege with modest forwardness. Two
silver imperial crowns were next produced by a layman, which the priest
took, and first blessing the bridegroom, placed one of them on his head,
while the other, destined for the bride, was merely held over her head
by a friend, lest its admirable superstructure, raised by Charles, the
most fashionable perruquier of the capital, employed on this occasion,
should be disturbed. That famed artist had successfully blended the
spotless flower, emblematic of innocence, with the rich tresses of the
bride, which were farther embellished by a splended tiara of large
diamonds. Her white satin robe, from the hands of Mademoiselle Louise,
gracefully penciling the contours of her bust, was gathered around her
waist by a zone studded with precious stones, which fastened to her
side a _bouquet_ of white flowers. The common cup being now brought to
the priest, he blessed it, and gave it to the bridegroom, who took a sip
from its contents thrice, and transferred it to her who was to be his
mate, for a repetition of the same ceremony. After a short pause, and
some prayers from the responser, in which the choristers joined with
musical notes, the priest took the bride and bridegroom by the hand,
the friends holding their crowns, and walked with them round the desk
thrice, having both their right hands fast in his, from west to east,
saying--

"Exult, O Isaiah! for a virgin has conceived and brought forth a son,
Emanuel, God and man; the East is his name. Him do we magnify, and call
the virgin blessed!"

Then taking off the bridegroom's crown, he said--

"Be thou magnified, O bridegroom, as Abraham! Be thou blessed as Isaac,
and multiplied as Jacob, walking in peace, and performing the
commandments of God in righteousness."

In removing the bride's crown, he exclaimed--