Alexandria Gazette

Bridal Presents of the Duchess of Orleans—The following are the most remarkable articles in the trousseau of the Princess Helena. A toilette table of antique form entirely covered with lace, with a beautiful veil over the glass of the same material, exclusively worked with the cipher of her Royal Highness, surmounted by a coronet. A large dressing case framed of the most rare and beautiful foreign woods, containing a ewer and basin, a writing stand made by Fossin, and a flower vase, all of silver gilt and richly enamelled. Of jewelry there are six sets of ornaments—one of brilliants, one of brilliants and rubies, the rubies all being of the same tint, which is very rare; one of turquoises and brilliants, one of emeralds and brilliants; and the last, which is exquisitely delicate, is of white pearls. Add to these a case of six superb rings, and twelve snuff boxes enriched with diamonds, destined for presents. The cost of the jewelry, it is said, amounts to 700,000 francs. The ornaments will, it is said, be presented thus—the King will give with his own hand the set of brilliants, the Queen of the Belgians that of emeralds, and the Duke of Orleans that of rubies. The marriage medal to be presented to the bride's gold and measures two inches and a half in diameter.

The shawls are 12 in number, six of French manufacture, and six from India. Among the latter is one of the emperor green, with palm ornaments worked in gold, a present from the Queen of England. The marriage robe is made entirely of lace, and cost 5000 fr. It was in the last exhibition of useful arts at the Louvre, and universally admired. The other dresses, 24 in number, are too many and too varied for us to attempt to describe. The same may be said as to the head dresses, among which are two turbans of Algerine manufacture, pre-eminently beautiful. The details of the linen surpass our technical knowledge. We will not, however, pass over the pocket handkerchiefs, which are most beautifully embroidered, and have borders of Valenciennes lace four inches deep. Two white muffs, one of the feathers of the bird called the aigrette. Two white boas, one of which is of ostrich down. Four heron plumes, several birds of Paradise, with numerous other varieties. There are also a great many articles in satin, velvet, silk, and other rich stuffs.