The Press. — London, England, 1856-09-20 00:00:00

894 CORONATION OF THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER. EVERY detail of this magnificent ceremony has reached us this week, and rarely has the coronation of a monarch been so fully or so felicitously de scribed. The first requisite to ceremonial success was apparent at break of dawn. A clear sky and a bright sun ushered in a "beautiful day," upon which so much depended. Everyone was up at daylight, and, perhaps, if the truth were told, very few ladies went to bed at all the night previous. By six o'clock the Kremlin gates were surrounded by a crowd of officers and ladies in full dress, blocked in by car riages, horses, and soldiers. The tickets of admission fcr the inner court were limited. The gates were soon after thrown open, and the crush to get in to the outer court was something unexampled. Sixty thousand persons, it was estimated, were crowded into the outer court. Once within the inner court a task by no means easy to accomplish, St. Andrew's hall in the palace was the great attraction. Here were placed the crown, globe, and sceptre : At the upper end of the hall, on the left-hand side, there is a great crowd of persons at one aide of a small table They are feasting their eyes on the crown, the sceptre, and the globe, which will be used presently in the great cere mony of the day. The only praise that can be given to diamonds belongs to those in the crown—they are very big and very bright. The crown is a cluster of Koh-i•noors, and there is a wreath of diamonds in the form of oak leaves around it which is dazzling as the sun himself. Many of these brilliants are the size of pistol balls of the good old duelling diameter. As to the sceptre, there is a tip to it formed of a famous diamond, which one is almost afraid to talk about. I really would not venture to state how large it seems to be, and shall content myself by saying that this is the precious stone for which Catherine IL gave nearly 80,0001. and a large pension for life to a runaway alave.—Time, cor., Sept. 8. But there was something more worthy of notice in the hall. The veterans of Napolecn's wars, the picked Grenadiers of the Palace, lined the hall from door to door : To me those fine old soldiers were more interesting and attractive than all the display of riches and the blaze of gold and silver around and above us. Their dress recalled the days of those Titanic struggles which shook all Europe. The huge bearskin cap, with white tassels and gilt cords, the ample broad-chested coatee and cr.ias•belt, and the white pantaloons with many buttons at the outer side from the knee to the foot, reminded one of the time when Katnsoff and Blucher and Murat and Wellington were the heroes of fast•recurring battles. As you walk along that wall of soldiers it is difficult to believe that they have lived under three emperors, and have fought against the great Napoleon. They are all in perfect preservation. The only thing to betray old age is a certain stiffness about the knee, and those implacable and invincible and inevitable wrinkles which will come upon as as records of so many lustre.. The hair is jet black, the moustache is lustrous and dark as the boot which was wont to affright the feline of our boyhood, and the whiskers—for old Russia wore whiskers—are of the same fine polish. The surprise into which you may be thrown at such evidences of juvenility on the part of men who have seen the horrors of the Beresina, and who beheld Murat turn his back at Yaros lavitz, is removed, however, when you see that the veteran who touches his moustache blackens the fingers of his glove; he has had his hair dyed, just as his boots have been polished—for effect. Some of these veterans are historical monuments—some have served under Suwaroff at Ismail and in Italy—others have marched triumphantly into Paris—others have crossed the Balkan with Diebitsch. Of all their numerous decorations these veterans seem to prize Ito Paris medal and riband the most, and they point to it with great pride, though it hangs amid memorials of tremendous battle-fields. How these rugged old warriors, the relics of Austerlitz, Friedland, Eylau, Pultowa, and Borodino must smile in their hearts at the medal which has this day been given away to nearly all Russia on account of the late war !—lb. Amidst the throng of generals and soldiers crowded in the hall were some whose names within the last two years have become well known to Europe : In a quiet group, beside a golden pillar, there stands Gortschakoff, whose name will he ever associated with that masterly retreat which deprived France and England of half their triumph. When last the writer saw that great gaunt figure it wits stalking up the aisle of St. Paul's at the funeral of our great duke. Since then years—and a few months which brought with them such cares as years seldom know—have bowed down his figure, and have wrinkled that broad high brow. The prince is covered with orders, crosses, and ribands ; stars of dia monds glitter on his breast; but there is an air of gravity and care about him which shows that these honours have not been lightly bought. His eyes are dim, and the use of a pair of black-mounted spectacles adds to the severity of the expression of his face. In another group near the prince may be seen the intrepid little naval officer Biruleff, who has received high marks of favour from his country men for his conduct at Sebastopol. He led no less than thirteen sorties against the allied trenches, and escaped unhurt till the last, when he was badly wounded, and re tired to Moscow to reap the fruits of his intrepidity. In another spot Prince Menschikoff, who is still a favorite with the Russians, is speaking with his usual dryness of manner t o an a t tentive li tt l e audience. The prince is very sore respecting the criticism to which 4 _ .. THE PRESS. he has been exposed for his plan of defence at the Alma, and the letters which have appeared in the public papers from hint and his accusers are a new feature in Russian journalism. The prince's friends say that his plan was frustrated by the neglect of the general who commanded the left wing to carry out his instructions ; these were, to allow five or six battalions of the French to get up to the edge of the plateau, and then to attack them, and hurl them down on the columns ascending from below; but, instead of doing so, the general permitted nine or ten battalions and a battery of artillery to crown the heights before he assailed them with all his force, and then they were too strong to be dislodged. However this may be, it is certain that the Russians regard Prince Menschikoff as the most accomplished general they possess so far as re gards the theory of war. He is extremely well read in many branches of learning, and is said to be us various and versatile as our own Achitophel—chemist, doctor, naturalist, geologist, lawyer, diplomatist, soldier, sailor, ti:c. His manner is imperious and harsh, albeit he is given to theory and reverie rather than action, and he never " receives " at his house or studies the arts of popu larity. Tedtleben is also in the hall, but I cannot see him, lost as he is in the crowd of generals and statesmen. There, too, is the second Gortschakoff, who is as celebrated as his great relative, and the bluff, soldierly, and intelli gent looking Aide-de-Camp General Luders, whose arrival with fabulous reinforcements was our constant bugbear in the Crimea. Towering by a head at least over all this assemblage, and conspicuous for his fine bearing and face, notwithstanding those horrid spectacles, Major or Colonel Stalipine is readily conspicuous, and, although not many Englishmen or Frenchmen may have heard of him. he is known throughout Russia for his bravery and devotion on the day of the Tschernaya. He served on the staff of General Read, and when that officer fell he was seen under a tremendous fire coolly walking through the field looking for his body ; not succeeding in that object, he came, however, upon the place where General Mayern was lying badly wounded, and, takinghim upon his gigantic shoulders, he bore Lim out of the fight and escaped, in spite of all the efforts of the French to shoot him down as be strode off with his burden.—lb. The foreign ambassadors assembled at Count Morny's at an early hour, and at nine o'clock a great commotion took place in the outer court. It was the arrival of COUNT 3f ORNY. The Gendarmes riding gently through the people make a lane for the first carriage of the French Embassy. It comes up right gorgeously—running footmen, bewigged coachmen, grand chasseur,—a regular glass coach, all gold hangings ; the horses and harness are unexceptionable, bnt it is rather startling to hear in the Kremlin a vigorous interpellation addressed from the dignitary on the box to the leading palefrenier, " Now then, Bill ! why the don't yon leave the osses"eds halone?" The reply is lost in the Russian cries of " attention " along the line as Count de Morny descends from his carriage and steps on the edrade, where he is received by a High Chamberlain in waiting. His Excellency is dressed de rigueur, and is really a well-appointed "fine-looking gentleman," as our great Pendennis would say. Some of his suite have arrived on horseback, and the other carriages of the cm bassy are rather put into the shade by the splendour of their chiefs.—lL. LORD GRANVILLE. Not so showy, but in all other respects at least as good as the count's coach, is that of the English Ambas sador, who, and the Countess Granville, descend, are received by the Chamberlain, and in like manner enter the Cathedral. Lord Granville wears the Windsor uniform, and Lady Granville, who to all our eyes is dressed with great richness and taste, is quite glorious with diamonds. The horses are worthy of the best turn out in " the park." Que voider vow de plus 2—lb. PRINCE ESTERRAZY. And now, amid a little battalion of bareheaded running footmen, a very tine old coach, with a poor team of horses, drives up, and from it descends—what is this? A very fine old gentleman indeed, somewhat gone in years, but right royal and splendid in air and attire. It is Prince Paul Esterhazy, Ambassador of Austria. He is dressed in puce silk or velvet, with a hussar jacket of the same material, braided all over with pearls. Diamonds flash forth from all the folds of his clothing. His maroon coloured boots, which come up to the knee, are crusted with pearls and diamonds, and on his heels are spurs of brilliants, which glitter finely in the sunshine. One would almost be proud to be kicked by such a boot, but perhaps such an honour is only reserved for the great and noble. —lb. The coronation itself took place in the small Church of the Assumption, a building scarcely capable of containing one thousand persons. With the imperial apartments in the Kremlin this church communicates exteriorly by a flight of steps. from the base of which a broad platform, sweeping round the exterior esplanade, extended to the point of junction. The courts of the Kremlin are two—an inner and outer court. In both galleries were erected for spectators, and on the platform of the inner court those who were most fortunate witnessed the imperial processions as they came down the steps and passed over the platform into the church. During the coronation the church doors were left open. At ten o'clock the procession of the Empress Mother issued from the palace, passed through the galleries, and entered the Church of the Assumption. The Imperial lady was attended by a magnificent retinue. As the last of her attendants disappeared, the processions of the Emperor and Empress came forth. Pages, peasants, soldiers, heralds, nobles, SATURDAY, the crown and sceptre, and the great officers of State lead the way. TIFF. EMPEROR. And now the Imperial canopy comes in sight, and the Emperor prcsen:s himself to the people, not amid cheers, but loud shrill cries, which overpower the tolling of the bells, the crash of arms, end the loud flourish, s of drums and trumpets which rise all around us. Beim e him march two priests with a gold basin full of lo ly water, which an Archbishop sprinkles profusely on this scarlet cloth. The canopy is upheld by General Officers, assisted by Colonels of regiments of the rank of General- Major. His Majesty, who is in military uniform, is followed by his Ministry and Aide•de•Cump•Generals, and immediately behind him walks the Commandant of the Chevalier Garde, with his naked sword in his hand and his helmet on his head. This officer, who is a General in the army, is a man of great stature, and his person is set off by his uniform—a gilt calque and crest of silver eagle, a white tunic with a scarlet back and body, on both of which are stars of brilliants and silver, and long jack boots. The Emperor, who possesses the personal advan tages of the Romanoff family—a fine, erect, and stately figure—marched with a measured stride, and bowed right and left as he passed down to the esirade. THE EMPRESS. The Empress followed behind him, under the same. campy, with thirteen ladies of honour around her, and her appearance was the signal for repeated outbursts of cheering. Her Majesty was dressed with the utmost simplicity, and presented a most charming contrast to the glare by which she was surrounded. There was a gracefulness in her movements—a quiet dignity and gentleness, which touched every heart, and turned every eye even from the person of her Imperial husband. A* the canopy was borne down the steps amid the Rheem of glittering aword•blades flourished at the presence of the Emperor, the picture dieted by the court of the Kremlin was such as one seldom sees—the splendour of the pageant, the steady lines of the soldiery, and the waving masses of the galleries as they rocked to and ins in their homage and ecstasy. THE CORONATION. Amid the ringing of bells and the shouts of the populace the young Emperor and his Empress reach the entrance of the church. And now they detach themselves from the crowd of officials about them, and, passing along the gor geous screen that separates the chancel from the church, they fall on their knees before the images of the saints,, kiss with fervent reverence the sacred relics, and offer up silent prayers to Heaven. Let the perfect grace and earnestness with which the young Empress performs these. acts be noted. She is richly attired in a white robe, studded with the finest jewels, but her head is adorned only by he: luxuriant hair, without a single ornament. Her right hand is ungloved, and with this she repeatedly crosses her self as she performs her religious offices, not mechani cally, as if going through pia of a prescribed ceremony, but fervently, religiously, and with the grace of perfect womanhood. And now the Eniper r, followed by his Empress, mounts the platform of the throne, and repeats from a book delivered to him by the Archbishop of Mos cow the confession of his Christian faith. He then receives the benediction of the Archbishop, and suddenly the choir, which has hitherto preserved silence, bursts out in psalms and praise to God, and the holy building vibrates with the ring of their harmonious voices. There is no note of organ nor sound of other instrument. The singers, ad mirably organised, and chanting with astonishing power and precision, need no support; the pbtintive soprano. voices of the boys rise clear and distinct above the deep tones of the rich hassm, and the sustained harmony, solemn and affecting, throbs through the holy building. But already the Imperial mantle of silver and ermine, richly studded with gems, is in the hands of the Arcbbisnep, who proceeds to clasp it round the shoulders of his Majesty. Next follows the great crown, which is placed by the 8:313e hands on the Imperial head, reverently bent to receive it; and the sceptre and globe are then delivered to his Ma jesty, who, invested with these royal insignia, seats himself on the throne. The Empress now approaches with a meek yet dignified air, and falls on her knees before the Emperor. His Majesty, lifting the crown from his own head, touches with it that of the Empress, and again sets it on his own brows. A lesser crown is then brought, which the Emperor places on the head of the Empress, where it is property adjusted by the Mistress of the Robes, and his Majesty, having invested the Empress with the Imperial animate, draws her towards him and tenderly embraces her. This is the signal for the whole Imperial family, with the fireign princes, to approach and congratulate their A 1 ales ties, and nothing can be more touching than the spectacle, from the evident earnestness with which embraces (which are indeed the expression of the deep and cordial love which binds in one common bond of tenderness all the members of the Imperial family) are received and re turned. Oh ! for that touch of nature which makes the whole world kin ! How electric is its effect. Here, in the midst of a ceremony necessarily stiff and formal, there is suddenly on the part of the principal performers a genuine outburst of natural feeling, and mark its effect—there is scarcely a dry eye among the masses crowded in tile church, while the feeble frame of the Empress Mother totters with outstretched arms towards the Imperial sun, and passionately clasps and holds him in a long embrace; and tears and smiles mingle together as the little Grand Dukes are seen to clamber up to the side of their father and uncle, who has to stoop low in order to reach the little faces which asked to be kissed. But the most im portant and solemn part of the ceremony has now to be performed, and there is a general stillness in the church as the Emperor descends from his throne, and proceeds to the entrance of the chancel. He is met there by the Archbishop of Moscow, who holds iu his hands the sacred vessel which contains the holy oil. Stretching fin - 1h his right hand, the venerable father takes a golden branch,