The Royal Marriage in Italy

Along with the publication of part XXI of The Moonstone is an anonymous report article of “The Royal Marriage in Italy” (333-334) accompanied with an illustration of “The Crown Prince of Italy and His Bride” (333) in Harper’s Weekly. This indicates the fascination of the Other by the English as they take an interest in foreign affairs. This is furthered by the descriptions in the article, where the affairs of the couple are depicted to provide explanation for their marriage. The descriptions of the bride and prince themselves are given with an admiring tone as “the virtues and accomplishments of the bride have greatly endeared her to the people of her native Piedmont” (334). That is, though the description is in admiration and praise of her intellect, there is still the reminder that she is the Other in her native heritage. This also applies to the prince, as he is described as “a young man of promising disposition” and praising his bravery. However, there is a constant reminder of his Otherness through the illustration, where his features were made clearly to be non-English and the shading suggests a darker skin tone. This is demonstrated in The Moonstone during the conversation between Mr. Murthwaite and Mr. Bruff, where Mr. Murthwaite is regarded to be of great intellect as he explained in detail “the Indian plot” (Collins 280) of the missing diamond and the conclusion he had come to himself. However, readers are reminded of his Otherness as Mr. Bruff continuously refers to him as the “eminent traveller” as well as his ability to translate the “Hindoo correspondence” (Collins 285).

Note: There are two items in this exhibit. To access the article, click on the digitization of the illustration to enter the full items of this exhibit. 

Works Cited

Collins, Wilkie. “Chapter III.” The Moonstone. Ed. John Sutherland. Oxford University Press, 2008. 199-132. Print.

Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization. 23 May 1868. 333-334. Print.