The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-04-02 00:00:00

MANIFESTO OF ALEXANDER 111.

The following Imperial manifesto, dated March 26,
has been promulgated :

"We, Alexander 111., ascending the throne of our an-
cestors with the firm intention of securing and strengthen-
ing the tranquility and welfare of the Empire intrusted to
us by Almighty Providence, and following the example of
our memorable predecessors the late Emperors Nicholas I.
and Alexander 11., have recognised it as our sacred duty
to decide on certain measures co be adopted under extraor-
dinary circumstances. For this cause and in view of the
minority of the heir to our throve, the Grand Duke
Nicholas Alexandrovitch, it is our will and pleasure, in ac-
cordance with the fundamental laws of the Empire and the
statutes of our Imperial family, to ordain and proclaim as
follows :

'l. In the event of our demise before our much-beloved
son and heir has attained the full age established by law for
the assumption of the Imperial duties, we hereby appoint
our much-beloved brother the Grand Duke Vladimir Alex-
androvitch as Regent of the Empire and the inseparable
kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Finland until
such time as his Imperial Highness shall have attained the
requisite age.
" 2. Should it please the Almighty after our death also
to call to himself before the attainment of his majority our
first-born son, our much-beloved brother the Grand Duke
Vladimir Alexandrovitch will remain Regent of the Empire
after our next son shall have ascended the throne hi virtue
of the law of succession until he also shall have attained his
majority.
"3. In the cases mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 of this our
manifesto, the guardianship of our first-born son, and of all
our other children, shall. in strict accordance with the nro-
visions of the law, rest with our much-beloved Consort, the
Empress Maria Feodorvna, until such time as their Imperial
Highnesses shall have attained their majority.
" In setting forth and proclaiming our will and pleasure
regarding the administration of the Empire during the
minority of the heir to our throne, ,hile testifying our
veneration for the laws of our fatherland, and allaying
beforehand all doubts in this respect, we implore the bless-
ing of the Almighty upon our continued efforts for the pro-
motion of the welfare, power, and happiness of the Empire
which He has intrusted to our care."

INVESTITURE OF TiclE CZAR WITH
THE ORDER OF THE GARTER.

Writing on Monday, a St. Petersburgh Correspondent of
the Daily News gives the following description of the in-
vestiture, of the Czar with the Order of the Garter:—

After the impressive funeral ceremonies of a more
or less public character which have occupied much of
the past fortnight and reached their memorable
climax in the affecting ceremonial at the Fortress
Cathedral yesterday, it is agreeable on the morrow of
these mournful associations to record a ceremony of a
private nature, but of public moment, and interest-
ing not only in itself, but in its historic character.
To-day his Majesty Alexander 111. has taken his
place amongst the illustrious knights of the most
noble Order of the Garter' and at the hands of the
Prince of Wales, specially delegated by her Majesty,
has been invested with the insignia of this most coveted
Order. The ceremony commenced at half-past twelve,
when the mission specially delegated by the Queen
was received at the Winter Palace, and a procession
was formed to the Thrme-room, headed by the officers
of the Imperial household. Then followed the members
of the suite of the Prince of Wales, each carrying
part of the insignia of the order ; Colonel Clarke
with the star, Colonel Teesdale carrying the collar,
Lieutenant-General Sir Dighton Probyn bearing the
Riband and the George; and Major-General Sir John
Cowell bearing the Garter. After these came the ,
four Knights of the Order present in St. Petersburg,
namely, the Grand Duke of Hesse, the Crown Prince
of Germany, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince
of Wales' representing the Queen on this occa-
sion, and attended by their gentlemen-in-waiting.
The Emperor Alexander 111., not wearing the
decoration of any other Order, stood in front of
the Throne with the Empress, the Duchess of Edin-
burgh, and all the members of the Imperial family,
with the Court dignitaries ranged around, to receive
the mission. In the absence of Garter King-at-Arms,
Lord Suffield handed the insignia to the Prince of
Wales, who then advanced towards the Emperor and
announced the object of the mission. The Emperor
replied in fitting terms.
The Garter having been delivered to the Prince of
Wales, he, assisted by the Duke of Edinburgh, buckled
it on in due form. The Riband and the George were
affixed by the Prince on the left shoulder and under the
right arm, obliquely to the right side, the Star on
the left breast. The Collar of the Order was de-
livered by the Prince of Wales to the Emperor,
and by him handed to an officer of the Imperial
, household. Lord Dufferin, in full uniform, wearing
the insienia of the Order of St. Patrick, of a Knight
Commander of the Bath, and the Grand Cross of St.
Michael and St. George, and attended by the members
of the British Embassy, was present at the ceremony.
Such an act of international courtesy, so promptly
and gracefully fulfilled on behalf of the Queen, can-
not but be cordially welcomed by the Emperor
Alexander 111.