Bring flowers, fresh flowers, for the bride to wear!
They were born to blush in her shining hair:
She is leaving the home of her childhood’s mirth,
She hath bid farewell to her father’s hearth;
Her place is now by another’s side;
Bring flowers for the locks of the fair young bride!
MRS. HEMANS.
A calm and cloudless evening followed the exciting morning which had
been experienced in L. The fairest moon of May shone above the ruined
meeting-house, which lay in blackened rubbish upon the ground. Her soft
light lit up the white dwellings and shrubbery of the village with a
holy beauty, until they stood out in bold relief against the surrounding
hills, which, in like manner, stood out in similar relief against a sky
sparkling with myriads of stars. The herbage sent up its sweetest
fragrance, and the air was balmy and delicious. In short, the earth and
sky seemed wedded in harmony, and formed a fitting emblem of the
marriage-tie about to be celebrated.
The laws regulating wedlock in the colonies were suited to the infant
state of society, and threw but few obstacles in the way of the
connection. Agreeably with this banishment of all unnecessary form, it
was not usual to celebrate their nuptials in places of public worship.
This was peculiarly fortunate in the case of Lucy Ellet, whose marriage
having been fixed for this evening, would have had to be deferred, had
it been the expectation to celebrate it in the village meeting-house.
The arrangements, however, had been made for the performance of the
ceremony in the house of her uncle, and the unpleasant affair of the
morning was not permitted to retard a matter of such vitality. Lucy’s
nerves, too, being of that firm kind which no shock could shatter or
disturb beyond the passing moment, there was no necessity for deferring
the period.
The hospitalities of her uncle’s house were thrown open to the
villagers—not, it is true, by great displays, such as grace nuptial
feasts at the present day, but by means of that unpretending welcome and
abundance of cheer, which appeals at once to the heart and appetite of
the guest. The best parlor was graced with vases of the freshest spring
flowers, and tasteful green branches interwoven with white roses—the
whole answering to the idea of a fitting place for a marriage scene.
The gate leading to Governor H—’s house was besieged by vehicles of
almost every shape and description. The company had assembled about
eight o’clock, and were awaiting the entrance of the bridal train, when
their attention was diverted by the appearance of Jessy Ellet, the young
sister of the bride, holding by the hand of a lady, who, from the fact
that she was a stranger, as well as from something striking in her
aspect, elicited an unusual degree of notice. Care, more than time, had
made inroads upon a face still exquisitely lovely; and the extreme
simplicity of her attire served to adorn the melancholy and touching
beauty of her countenance. There was something elevated in the sadness
of her expression, as though her hopes lay scarce any longer upon earth,
but were removed into a scene where disappointment and sorrow could
never come. But withal there was occasionally a lustre in her eye, and a
beaming smile upon her lip, that proved her capable of the deepest and
strongest earthly attachments.
This was evinced in her manner toward the child, upon whom she
frequently bestowed these momentary marks of affection. Retiring to a
distant part of the room, it was evident that she sought to escape
observation. Curiosity, however, had been excited, and every eye
remained fixed upon her. As she seated herself, and the little Jessy
clung to her, and looked up into her face, to make some childish sally,
a strange resemblance became perceptible between the two. Upon the brow
of each there was the same mild and placid expression; the same azure
eyes, and the identical peculiar smile, changing the expression of the
whole countenance.
The bustle attending the arrival of the guests had subsided, and the
minister, with his features settled into a suitable degree of solemnity,
stood waiting with becoming dignity the entrance of those upon whom he
was lo pronounce the nuptial benediction. The door opened, and a group
moved slowly forward. Lucy was in front, leaning on the arm which Henry
Elmore had given her as much for her support as from motives of
courtesy. She appeared attired in a manner suitable to the simplicity as
well as the importance of the ceremony. A dress of simple white
concealed by its folds the graceful proportions of her slender form.
Under it was a vest cut in the fashion of that period, in such a manner
as to give the exact outline of her shape. A few orange blossoms were
carelessly entwined in the raven braids of her hair, showing more
spotlessly by the contrast.
As they drew near to the expecting clergyman, Lucy’s step, which had
been slightly unsteady, grew firmer. Although she exhibited the least
composure of the two, yet she showed the most intentness on the
solemnity before them, and raising her eyes toward the clergyman, she
kept them fixed on him throughout the ceremony with sweet and earnest
attention.
In a moment, the low, solemn tones of the minister were heard. As he
delivered the usual opening homily, he paused frequently and long,
giving to each injunction a distinct and marked emphasis. After
performing the ceremony, when he came to the closing words, “what God
hath joined together, let not man put asunder,” he lifted his voice as
though he were addressing the guests: And when the blessing was
pronounced, for a few moments not a sound was heard in the room. The
minister advanced first, and congratulated the pair, followed by the
guests, who also approached and made their compliments.
The enjoyments of the Puritans were of a very quiet nature. They neither
jested, heard music, nor drank healths, and yet they seemed not the less
to enjoy themselves. Political leanings had not then contributed their
bitterness to private life: but religion being the chief topic of their
thoughts, became also the principal subject of their conversation.
Throughout the evening, therefore, metaphysical and doctrinal subjects
were discussed, creeds and sects compared, and their own views fortified
by Bible authority among the elder gentlemen; the merits of different
preachers balanced by the more advanced ladies; while the young people
of both sexes, without entering into the discussion of subjects of that
nature, yet tempered their remarks on more ordinary matters by many a
scriptural phrase and pious expression.
A tone of cheerfulness, however, prevailed over all, except when an eye
occasionally rested on the stranger lady, of whose melancholy look the
faintest token of liveliness seemed a mockery. This lady was not
introduced to any of the company, but remained throughout the evening in
the recess she had first chosen. She kept the hand of the fair child,
who seemed fascinated by her presence, and continued riveted to her
side. Every kindness and attention was paid her by her hosts. Frequently
Governor H. and his wife approached her and conversed; and the bride at
one time during the evening remained seated with her more than an hour.
Several persons made attempts to satisfy the curiosity her presence and
appearance excited, by questioning those whom they had seen speaking
with her. But their queries were evaded, and they obtained little or no
satisfaction. For several days succeeding she continued to form a
subject of much gossip and surmise. Not afterward, however, being seen
in L., her existence was soon forgotten.
A table groaning with every variety of excellent cheer, and in the
greatest abundance, was provided for the company. Fish, flesh and fowl,
cake of all kinds, and sweetmeats in profusion, graced the board.
Nothing was wanting that trouble and good housewifery could supply. This
repast was partaken of at an early hour, and the company returned to
their homes.