The Express.
London, England, 1856-09-29 00:00:00

THE EXPRB3B, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 29, 1856.

THE CORONATION FETES
AT MOSCOW.

(FROM OCR &MCI/A CORRESPONDENT.)
MOSCOW, Sam, 19.

We are gradually approaching the end of our vo-
luminous programme, and I an enure you that to
those whose duty it has been to assist " at every
pageant or festivity, the prospect is the reverse of
disagreeable. The Russians, who have been enter-
tained in classes and sections, ars of course as fresh
ea ever; but the strangers, great and small, who
haw been hurried day and night from review to ball,
from religious ceremonial to imperial banquet, look
forward with unmitigated satiefectke to the time
when the famous festivities of the Great Cur's
coronation shall have become a "pleasure of
memory," and nothing will remaia to be done
save to get home as rapidly as possible, and
recount, with all due traveller's amplifications, the
wonders in which we have been spectators or putt-
cdpatore. It will be found, on looking back through
the coronation festivities, that the feasting has been
pretty generally divided between the church, the
army, and the noblesse—the two latter terms being
pretty well convertible, seeing that every noble ea-
pable of baring arms is an officer, and every officer
ie a noble by virtue of his epaulettes. In the uni-
versal homage paid to the church by the highest and
greatest in the land, may be found the recognition
of the vast physical force of the mojik population,
whose represent►tives the clergy are, the upper
chases, as in almost every continental country, being
rather lukewarm in the matter of religions ob-
servances. In the army is concentrated the
whole machinery of secular government, end there-
fore it is hardly to be wondered at that on im-
portant ocoasions,thoe two great sections of the state
should come in for the lion's share of the pageants,
the dinners, the ball ,and the ceremonials. As for the
commercial classes, so prominent and powerful in
England, they are still kept somewhat in the back-
ground, although during the short reign of the pre-
sent Emperor their social position has already been
considerably improved. At the coronation they had
a place in the procealoo, and this week they had the
honour of entertaining his Imperial Majesty in per-
son, together with all the officers of the guards who
are now quartered is Moscow or its neighbour-
hood. The banquet, one of the most splendid
and costly of the ooramation series, took place in
the great riding-school, a building which is itself
one of the most remarkable sights in this most re-
markable city. Its erection has been a necessity at
once of the Russian climate and the Russian system;
the one rendering out-door exercise impossible for a
large portion of the year, the other making indis-
pensable the existence of a locality in which
military evolutions may be carried on without
interruption. Of upwards of twice the area
of Westminster Hall, the great riding-school
an aoommodste within its vast enclosure
two complete regiments of mounted dragoons, who
are thus enabled in the coldest day in winter to
parade and go through their evolutions under cover
and serenaded by an Italian climate. The late
Emperor has often reviewed his favourite chevalier
guards in the Moscow riding school, at a time when
half an hour's exposure in the open air would have
been certain death to man and hone. One of the
greatest curiosities of this extraordinary building is
its flat roof, built entirely of wood, and having no
support but the external walls between which it
stretches, a vast expanse, exciting the spectators'
wonder as to the mechanical means by which it can
be sustained Witbeet a single eeppoMinig eolOmn
I believe the medial adopted has been to build
it in anion, es we build the mainmasts
of oar three deckers, and then to lay it
on the walls se if it were a lid. For the banquet of
the merchants to the Emperor and the army, the
rent was expensively and tastefully decorated. At
the upper end was a dais, covered with crimson cloth
and decorated with the imperial insignia, and in-
geniously contrived military trophies, and upon it
was placed a to►le laden with gold and silver plats,
and decorated with magnificent vases in malachite
and japer. This was for the Emperor, the Grand
Dukes, the generals who had also the honour to
be aidemde-amp to his Imperial Majesty, and such
of the ambassadors a belonged to the noble pref..-
sion of arms. Singularly enough, the ocasequence
of this regulation was that the only ambassador who
had the boor of dieing at the imperial table was
Aali Pacha, who, being a googol in the Turkish
army, was qualified to participate in this exclu-
sively military feast. The other ambassadors were
present as spectators, bat the Turk alone
was permitted to put hie feet under the imperial
mahogany. The rest of the guests dined at forty-
eight long tables running parallel along the room,
and offering sitting socommodation for nearly four
thousand guests. Everything good oe rare in the
way of eatables and drinkable, was present in the
utmost profane, and it only wanted Mr. Bathe
gliding silently amongst the guests, and the sten-
torian Higgs or Harker, imploring "Woos for die
chair," to asks one fancy that the scene was the
London Tavern swelled to gigantic proportions, the
occasion some grand civic entertainment, and that
Bialiopagas street, not the Hamlin Gardens,
was the ketss a quo of a great prandial solemnity.
" One touch of diner makes the whole world kin ;"
Rondo field-marshals enjoy good things quite as
well as London aldermea, and pale Circassian from
the Caucasus are as critical jedgse of a glue of claret
u the worshipful wards. of the Fishmongers' Com-
pany. In one particular, however, the banquet of
the riding school was decidedly in advance of English
public dinners. There were no long epochal Whore
the oompany,or distract the "gentlemen of the press."
No perspiring orator, " unaccustomed to pubis speak.
{netted "taken entirely by surprine,"pouted for half
an hour his sickening platitudes into disgusted ears, is-
der a discordant firs of hostile forks and spoons. Neither
wss there any bothering or nonsensical list of toasts,
but at intervals the Emperor rose and took wine with
the gusts, the walls rang with one straw, hewn.
does, memayllabie cheer from four thound manly
voice, le response, and in a moment every one was
again seated and absorbed in the die main
of the liquid luxuries of the feast. At
seek a moment. the com d'etil was the
most striking that could possibly be imagined. I
have before alluded to the great variety and splen-
dour of the Russian military uniforms. There is
hardly a colour that has not been called into
requisition to classify the various corps of
the vast Russian arm!, nor has the wildest
dream that ever entered the brain of military tailor
remained unrealised. Scarlet and green, crimson and
tithe, and mu pink and violet, might be reckoned
amoaget the brilliant mikes, that surrounded the
long tables in the riling schook and when the
wearers rose shoultampouely to honour their Sove-
reign's toast, the glitter of gold and diver, and the
gay variety of eoiour,at coos charmed. dazzled, and
and almost confonaded the spectator. The galleries,
were filled with the feels noblesse in grand toilette
there was the Resat military music, and I may
honestly say, in the recognised formula, that theses-
may retired " highly delighted with the evening's
satertainment." Ores drawback then was, however,

which must be mentioned. The givers of the feast, who
had spent 200,000 rubles in its preparation, were not
permitted to be partakers, but were ooneded by the
gracious deportment of the Emperor, wko on
retiring from the table 000deeoendingly thanked
them for their hospitality, and complimented
them on the taste and profeelon of the dinner.
There was simultaneously another dinner for
the soldiers, in the Kremlin Gardens, and it is
satisfactory to be able to record that, unlike a recent
similar entertainment in London, there was enough
and to spare for all the guests. Each soldier had
soup, two kinds of meat, pastry, and pain a discretion,
and for the lobricatory process a bottle of sherry and
a bottle of beer; and the despatch with which the
liberal allowance of solids and fluids was demolished
by the sun-burnt heroes of Sebastopol was one of the
most amusing features in the whole day's festivities.
The evening was devoted to a different but not less
brilliant gala. For the fifth time since we arrived in
Moscow, Lady °resents threw open her splendid
saloons to the Russian noblesse, and it would be hard
to find a more distinguished company than assembled
at the ball of last evening. There were the Grand
Duke Constantine and his beautiful wife, the Grand
Duke Nicholas, the Grand Duchess Marie, and seve-
ral other members of the imperial family. There
were princesses and countesses without number, and
amongst the men might be recognised the most dis-
tinguished names in the military or diplomatic circles
of Russia. Lady Granville danced with the Grand
Duke, but his lordship was too busy all night making
his guests comfortable to joie in the Terpeyohorean
pastime. McAllister, Lord Stafford's piper, was in
attendance in the ante-room in fall uniform, kilt,
and philibeg, it being the intention of the noble host
that in some interval of the dance the Russian guests
should be made acquainted with the peculiar cha-
racteristics of Highland music. Bat the herdic soul
of McAllister was impatient of restraint. For some
moments he remained standing in the anteroom,
beating time to an imaginary reel, and champing
like a war horse impatient of the bit, until at last,
what with the strains of rival music from the band,
the intoxicating influence of a thousand wax lights
reflected from the porcelain walls, and the bright forms
of beauty that flitted to and fro before the gaze of
the bewildered Highlander, flesh and blood could
hold out no longer ; the inspired Gael shouldered his
pipes, and, striking up a pibroch that would awaken
the dead, marched, with measured tread, as if at the
head of his elan, into the centre of the brilliant ring
round which Grand Dukes and Duchesses were at
that moment dancing the polonaise. Loud above the
puny attempts of catgut and brass rose the wild
martial note of the bagpipes. The musicians threw
down their instruments in despair, the company
ceased dancing, and McAllister was in a moment the
centre of an admiring circle, completely absorbed in
his pibroch, and beating time with as much accuracy
and sangfroid as if unoonscione of the presence
of the foremost of the world's lige. 1 watched the
effect of this strange music on the unaccustomed ears
of the Russians with great interest. They were at first
evidently astounded, the officers putting their hands
to their ears, and the ladies crossing their hands and
gazing on the kilted /Bolus in mote surprise. But
soon it became evident that there was a sympathy
between the warlike race on the one aide and the
warlike music on the other. Both ladies and gentle-
men chatted, smiled, and listened; and when, shortly
after, the Grand Declaim Cinstantine, one of the
most beautiful women in Ramis, retired to another
apartment, she sent for McAllister, who played " The
White Cooked." in a manner that elicited her impe-
rial highnesa's gracious oommendation. From that

moment he became the fashion, and several time. in
the mune of the evening he played again to admiring
audiences. I may mention before parting with our
musical Mend, that sines his arrival he has been
quits a lion amongst the Russians, who follow him
in crowds through the streets. There is mach spe-
culation amongst the manias as to his real character
and functions, but the most prevailing impression is
that he is the chief of all the foreign ambassadors,
end that with a fastidious refinement of hauteur, he
prefers walking, on the ground that none of the car-
riages are grand enough for his notions of personal,
dignity. At about one o'clock the ball was at its
climax, there being more than 600 persons present,
and at half-past one the GrandDuks led Lady Granville,'
and Lord Granville the Grand Daohess, to the impe-
rial supper room, where an entertainment, combining
English abundance with continental elegance, was
prepared for their imperial highnesses. Both here,
and at the buffets foe the general company, every-
thing was served on massive plate t the wince and
viands were of the highest character t and the Rog-
gen noblesse, no bad fudges in such matters, gave
the best possible proof of their approval in the gusto
with which they partook of the good things pro-1
vided. In fine, the ball was universally pronounced 1
to be un grand swam

FRANCE.

(MOM on OWN

PARIS, SUNDAY EVINING.

The Emperor and the Empress arrived yesterday
evening at Barnum, to be present at the dramatic
representation which the town is now giving in their
honour. The grated review of the garrison will not
take place till to-morrow. The Court will finally
leave Biarritz on Tuesday foe Bordeaux, her we,
splendid fetes have been organised in honour
of their Majesties. Last Friday there was a
brilliant entertainment given at the Villa
Eugenie. The Count de Hatsfeld and Madame
de Hatzfeld, and the First Secretary of the
Prussian Embassy, the Prinae de Reuse, were in.
vited. His Majesty's Prussian guests quitted
Biarritz yesterday morning for Paris. It is in con-
templation to open a subscription of 60 a. per bead
at Biarritz, to Greet a monument in commemo-

ration of the sojourn of their Majesties in that place.
The Mayor is at the head of the movement.

The Princess Mathilde has left for Stuttgard, to
visit the court of the King of Wartemburg, who is a
near relative of Prince Jerome. Prince Lucien is
now continuing his journey in Spain, for the purpose
of extending his knowledge of the Basque dialect.
Hs is accompanied by two Spanish noblemen, the
Marquis of Vaideating and Don Antonio de
Atmotqui. It is alarmed that he is everywhere
well received.

Yesterday a report was spread at the Bourse that
the Perim and Lyons Railway Company had sus-
tained au even severer loss in its scrip than that of
the Northern of Fromm Company. La Sociati of
Lyons gives the lie to this rumour.
The little Bourn was ant very animated today.
The Three per Cents. naliesd Mfr. 25e. and
68*. 16e.

The Monsieur de la Flans announces that the do-
peados@ to Cayenne have been enspended.
The Petrie contradicts the report of the pregnancy
of the Countess de Chambord.

PARIS. SATURDAY RVIDDIO.

To-day there has been mai a a great agitation on
'Change. Large sales mem effected from the emu-
=moment of the market is every Had of securities;
the Roots and shares were eriatitmally milers at every
priest it was a puma! Fazio. Thiess opined at 681.7C0g

land declined to 68f. 35c.; the Mobilier varied from
1,632 f. 600. to 1,620 f. ; the Lyons shares were par-
ticularly affected from 1,305 f. to 1,280 f.; the Austrian
shares fell to 825 f. and 820 f. ; the Orleans at 1,310 f.;
the Noethum at 960 f.; the Great Central at 640 f.
the Eastern shares at 885 f. The closing prices were:
Three per Cents., 68.16; Four-and-a-Half per
Cents., 91.40.

Telegraphicad • noes from Marseille* of the 25th,
state that moos Tuesday there has been a rise in the
price of wheat of 2f. on 16 decalitres, occasioned by
the intelligence from Asof of the scarcity of grain.
The arrivals during the last two days have amoanted
to 70,000 hectolitres. The evolutionary squadron
still remains at Toulon. Two new shocks of earth-
quake have been experienced at Constantine and
Setif.
The Assemblie Nationak, :ramming up the opinions
given by the Councils-General in their late session
on the subject of protective duties, @aye: •
The general wish, we must admit' was not in favour of
the maintenance of prohibitions. Almost everywhere it
was declared that this regime, which may have been useful
formerly, had served its time, and that there was reason to
modify it. But in what spirit, and to what eztent, was it
to be changed ? That was the difficult part of the question.
Some demand that it shall be so modified as to pass imme-
diately, and almost without transition, to tree trade;
others, and the greater number, without notelet forwar
snob radical pretensions, weuld wish the mcdtfications to
be to large as to give access in our markets to foreign
goods ; they think that the time has come to put
as end to a complete and absolute protection. Neither of
these two opinions is that of France, represented by her
conceals-general; she has taken • middle course, more
reasonable and more practical. If she has separated from
the too absolute doctrines of prohibition, she has not done so
to approach free esebacige theories, or such and such •
declaration which might lead to them at an early period
Francs is neither for prohibition nor free exthecge—she is
protectionist ; she ie willing to consent to efface from her
customs' cods words which erpress the wants of another
epoch, but she will not consent to have French manufac-
tures disarmed in pretence of foreign competition; she is
determined to reserve the manned market for her native
productions, and that is why she asks for duties which shell
afford safficiant protest* a. Such is, in our opinion, the
clear and promise sammary of the opinions of the councils
metal.
The Milos urges that since the new Customs Bill
has now been promulgated, the power conferred on
the executive by the law of 1814, to make changes
by decree in the customs tariffs, subject to ratification
by the legislature, ought to be abolished, and the
faculty in question assigned over to the Chambers
only. That it thinks is the first guarantee which
persons engaged in trade and manufactures ought to
obtain, and if the councils-general did not say so, it
must have been that they wished to leave the initia-
, five to the government.

SPAIN.
--.--

(mom A smut.

The Bourse receives with much coldness the
nomination of M. fill is to the post of Minister
of Finance. It will be recollected that he left the
ministry under M. kladoz because he did not approve
of any of the measures of the Pogrersista cabinet ;
that he habil ways been in favour of the re establish-
men of the octroi sod consumption duties, which
have been a constant source of disorder, and which
cannot be revived without leading to insurrections in
all the great towns. Moreover, M. Salaverria wishes
to levy a tax on the Rente. All these things com-
bined have caused a fall in the Bourse. In the pro-
Vin= the panic has been inch that at Murcia
the scrip of the Anticipo, which ranged
between 1 and 2 per cent. premium, is now
offered, and without purchasers, at a discount of
10 per cent. The situation of the Bank as pub.
Balled in the Gazette, exhibits an augmentation of
18,218,807 reale in, hand, and a diminution in bills
of 11,465,942 reale, as compared with the preceding
account. During the first six months of 1856, the
mortmain law has produced the following financial
result :—Property of the state, 3,461,333 ; ditto
of the clegry, 38,005,076; ditto commune., 20 per,
cent., 3,049,257; produce of the sale of boucle, 154,834;
*talons to the treasury, 3,592; total, 44,674,000 in
ruund numbers, of which amount 38,000,000
reale, is the produce of the clerical property. M.
Canter*, who foresaw the triumph of the reaction,
hastened forward the sale of the church property in
particular; and in such matters we know even Rome
respects the fart accompli.

The Madrid journals of the 22nd etate that in the
engagement at Melilla, the governor of the garrison,
General &meta, was seriously wounded. The go-
vernment had determined to forbid all such isolated
combats for the future, as even when successful they
are of no real advantage; and it contemplated
sending three steamers and between 5,000 and 10,000
men tochutise the Moors. The semi official Bpoca
mays:
A Cadiz paper states that the arques,ration placed on the
property of tke Questa-Mother is about to be taken off. Thia
is very probable, iadeed; after what took place in the
Cotter, where no categorical accusation assess% her Majesty
was made, it could not be otherwite. Cooffseation is abo-
lished in Spain; and when it was condemLed by the re.
speetable goof ',sweats of the liberal and cmeervattre potties
I in the case of the Prince of Pelee, it woo imeossible to apply 1
it to the prorerty of the mother of the Queen. Bach mea-
sures can only be adopted in revolutionary petiole, bat con-
got be persisted is when the laws recaver their empire,
I and the soaad mess of the pe.,ple regains its tights.