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There were several false alarms before the bridal party arrived. Then in came the great Barnum and several of the relatives of the happy pair, and took their seats; and in a few moments more the stir and the buzz of voices near to the door told of the real arrival.

Commodore Nutt and Minnie Warren (the bride's sister) led the way, and the bride and bridegroom came after.

Every body was on the cushions at once, and eager to see, though none could do so, save the few who sat along by the middle aisle. But the murmur of voices and little exclamations and laughs followed the party, and marked their very slow progress up the aisle, until they reached the open space and ascended the steps of the little dais prepared for them in front of the chancel rail.

Then the nonchalant Nutt handed his lady to the opposite side, Thumb and the bride stepped between, and there was the bridal party.

Now Nutt, for size, is such a man as might be made after supper of a cheese-paring. He is a full head shorter than Tom Thumb, but is self-possessed and easy to the most perfect extent. Tom Thumb is also considerably stouter than Nutt. He, a veteran in the show business, was also, of course, quite at his ease.

Lavinia is a little lady of very fair proportions, decidedly of the plump style of beauty, with a well-rounded arm and full bust, and all the appearance of amiable enbon-point. Her countenance is animated and agreeable; complexion decidedly brunette, black hair, very dark eyes, rounded forehead, and dimpled cheeks and chin.

Her little sister is, to our heretical taste, the prettier of two.

Altogether they made, after all, a dainty little group.

It was the great moment of the great show; the ladies were in such extreme ecstasies that there was perfect silence, and the Rev. Mr. Willey came forward and read the marriage rite. Thumb and Lavinia responded clearly and affirmatively at the proper places, and in due time a very tall and very slim gentleman, in very black clothes, the very essence of respectability, ascended the steps of the dais with the measured tread of the Commander in "Don Juan," though he did not make so much noise about it, and gave the bride away.

Then they knelt for prayer, and the rich sunlight fell through the painted windows upon them --

And threw warm gules upon the bride's fair breast, As down she knelt for Heaven's grace and boon; Rose bloom fell on her hands together prest, And on her silver cross soft amethyst, And on her hair a glory like a saint.

Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Taylor, the Rector of Grace Church, pronounced the benediction. Bishop Potter was not present. The Potter was afraid to mold into one these two little bits of the precious porcelain of human clay?

THE BRIDAL TOUR.

On the day succeeding the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Stratton left New York to visit Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and the residences of their respective parents in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The following extract from the Philadelphia Press, presents a pleasing picture of the reception given the little couple in the Quaker city.

GENERAL TOM THUMB IN PHILADELPHIA

THE RECEPTION AT THE CONTINENTAL.

The expectation of the arrival of General Tom Thumb and his bride, created a maximum of excitement in the extended vicinity of every spot where it was hoped he would set foot. Notwithstanding all the laudable means taken to make the affair as exclusive as possible, a mass of people were on tip-toe with curiosity and eagerness. At seven o'clock last evening the momentous arrival took place. The consequence of the first intimation of this was a general and immediate rush, on the part of the ladies particularly. Some of these were strolling at the time up and down the corridors; some were reading "no Name," in the parlors; some were completing their after-dinner naps before grate fires; some were dressing for the occasion; and all were either thinking or dreaming of the impending crisis. Be this, however, as it may, it is certain that a universal rush betokened the arrival of the mimic miniature Adam and Eve -- the Oberon and Titania of the modern epoch. How they got out of the carriage, probably neither themselves nor the fast thickening crowd never knew and never will know. How they ascended the staircase and made their entree into parlor 22, must be a matter of mystification to them to their dying days. That they did get there is certain.

THE PARLOR into which they were ushered made a very good reception room for bride and groom. Perhaps Mrs. General Tom Thumb only sighed for furniture less Brobdignagian, and longed for a cabinetmaker with Gulliver's accuracy of execution. But "why should Titania cross her Oberon?" If this wish was felt the little lady never evinced it. She could truly quote Shakspeare in saying: "I jest with Oberon, and make him smile!" General Tom Thumb was during the whole evening as smiling as smiling could be. The parlor was furnished as parlors of hotels usually are under the circumstances. There was velvet carpet, a chaste mirror, a glowing grate, a shining chandelier, a little stand laid with brown bread and toasted muffins, a table tastefully laid a neat supper, chairs and sofas sufficient to make the crowd thicker still.