The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-06-02 00:00:00

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of stone, but like balls, and pillars, and crowns, and
pyramids of variegated fire.

The Special Correspondent of the Morning Post
says :—Electricity played a prominent part in the
illumination. The expenses for converting the city
int,. a fairyland spectacle must have cost a fabulous
sum, which will be sustained partly by the Municipal
Commission and par ly by the Imperial Palace. The
Kremlin and its ramparts, the Cathedral of Basilius
and part of the Sophia Embankment, were illuminated
by the Imperial Administration. When at nine pre-
cisely the signal for the electric illumination was given
the thousands who crowded the streets and were dazzled
by the sudden display of so much light could not
repress a cry of joy which sounded terrific. Eight
electric stars, of the power of 40,000 candles each,
placed at tke top of the Ivan-Velik Tower, produced
an amazing effect, one of the stars projecting its light
on the Karmoskvoretchie. Thousands and thousands
of coloured lamps, representing the Imperial colours,
formed an elegant and fantastic pavilion in the
Arbate-square. The effect of the architectural design
of the Kremlin in small lights, the illumination at the
opera and the museum, the fiery archway, the stars
and monograms of all dimensions produced a wonder-
ful effect. The crowds moving slowly made their way
to Pritchio-Teusky Boulevard, one of the finest streets
in Moscow, and to the Red-square, where colossal
transparencies of imposing magnitude and representing
favourite "episodes of national life produced a mar,
vellous effect. Wherever the illumination was bril-
liant and splendid the crowd of people and carriages
and vehicles was simply indescribable. The Duke and
Duchess of Edinburgh and Lord Wolseley, who were
driving about apparently greatly enjoying the
spectacle, were warmly cheered; but public enthusiasm
had no bounds when their Majesties the Empercr and
Empress and the members of the Imperial Family
appeared on the Kremlin to view the wonderful
spectacle which lay before their eyes. The Emperor
later drove without any escort through the principal
portions of the city.

At St. Petersbnrg, on Sunday, the coronation of the
Emperor and Empress was solemnly celebrated by
Divine service in all the churches and a parade of the
troops. In the evening the city was brilliantly illu•
minated, and the streets were thronged with people.
Perfect order prevailed amid the rejoicings.

All the Sovereigns and heads of foreign States
addressed felicitations to the Czar by telegraph on
the occasion of the coronation. The telegram from
the German Emperor was long and extremely cordial.
The Czar, in his reply, said he was conscious of the
responsibility imposed upon him by his coronation,
and -that he hoped, with the aid of Providence, to
carry out his mission to the end.

The Times in a leader says :—The magnificent cere-
mony of the coronation of the Czar passed off with all
the eclat that befits so great an occasion and without a
single contretemps of any kind. This result
was not attained without the most minute
and elaborate preparation. Everything down to
the very smallest detail had been foreseen, pre-
arranged. and rehearsed, so far as that was possible
in the absence of the principal figures. It some-
times happens, however, that an unforeseen acci-
dent mars the perfection of arrangements even
thus carefully elaborated, and we need not attempt
to disguise the fact that on this occasion there
were some special reasons for hesitating to call the
day happy until it was over. The great national
event awaited by all Enssia with feelings the most
intense, and by the world at large with no common
interest, has fortunately, accomplished itself with a
felicity which may be taken as auspicious of a happy
and peaceful reign.