2-969-798 - /Heritage Images

Marriage of Sir Robert Peel and Lady Emily Hay - The Dejeuner in the Waterloo Gallery at Apsley House, [London], 1856. 'The table, which was a miracle of ornamental decoration, extended from end to end of the gallery; and at each extremity rose...ornamented with garlands of flowers, the two gigantic candelabra of Russian porphyry...In the middle of the table was the celebrated Portuguese plateau, extending, in solid silver, five-and-twenty feet. From the centre...rose the elegant Wedding Cake...Orange-trees, bearing ripe fruit and blossoms, shed their odours upon the table...The famous Dresden vases were filled with choice camellias, Indian azaleas, lilies of the valley, and hyacinths in full bloom and fragrance...the flowers...were furnished by Mr. James Veitch, jun. of the King's-road Nursery, the credit of their tasteful arrangement being due to Mr. Harding, of Clifford-street'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.