3-043-788 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Rejoicings at Great Malvern, in honour of the marriage of Earl Beauchamp, 1868. The marriage of Earl Beauchamp to Lady Mary Stanhope...was celebrated with much festive pomp...[at] Madresfield Court...arrangements were made for a bonfire upon a rock about half way up the hill of the Worcestershire Beacon...At seven o'clock a torchlight procession...was formed at the Abbey gateway and proceeded up the hill to the bonfire rock...Three hundred torches of a peculiar construction had been provided, and the effect of this procession...was very picturesque and effective...a display of marine signal-lights and rockets, with mortars and the roar of the artillery, announced that the bonfire was lighted. It burned so vividly as to be seen conspicuously far over the vale below, and it continued burning splendidly all through the night. At nine o'clock a grand display of rockets, shells, and coloured fires was exhibited from Bellevue-terrace, in the presence of an immense number of spectators. In addition to this, several fire-balloons were sent up, and the electric and oxy-hydrogen lights were exhibited at intervals from the abbey tower...The sketch of the illuminations which we have engraved was drawn by Mr. Oldmeadow. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.