The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-17 00:00:00

Attempted Assassination of the Czar.

ST. PETERSBURG, April 16.
An abortive attempt has been made against the
life of the Emperor of Russia.

At four o'clock this afternoon as the Czar was
entering his carriage, after a promenade in the
Summer Garden, a pistol shot was fired at him by a
stranger, but without taking effect. His Majesty
is uninjured. _ _

The perpetrator of this outrage has been arrested
and brought before the Tribunal of Police.

EASTER SUNDAY AT ROME.

The Pope's Benediction Urbi et Orbi.

Easter Sunday (says the Roman correspondent
of the Morning Herald) was at its first dawning a
little threatening as to weather, but the clouds
"lifted," as we say north of the Humber, about nine
o'clock, and though the sun was never very brilliant
the day was a very fine one. I have described the
ceremony so often that a variation of detail is almost
impossible. The principal feature of St. Peter's
was the extraordinary crowd, and the great
affluence of occupants of the Royal box ; the entire
families of Naples and Saxe-Coburg, the Comte de
Flandres, and the Dowager Queen of Saxony, with
a most brilliant and numerous suite, completely
filling it, nearly double the usual number of sove-
reigns and princes being present. The Pope entered
about ton, and having received the homage of the
cardinals and the authorities of the city, sang
high mass, Cardinal Antonelli assisting as deacon,
and Cardinal Pentim as subdeacon. The annual
benediction, Urbi et Orbi, was given by the Pope
in the usual form immediately after mass. The
Communion was barely over when the crowd began
to pour out of the Basilica into the Piazza, and to
occupy every corner of the galleries and arcades
whence a good view could be enjoyed. The Pope
appeared at the window, borne on his throne, sur-
rounded by the cardinals, a few minutes before
12, and as the chimes which had heralded his ap-
proach died away his voice, clear and audible to the
furthest part of the Piazza, rose in invocation of the
blessing of God on the world and on the city. Often
as I have heard that magnificent prayerl never heard
it spoken more impressively : the Pope seemed to
throw his whole heart and soul into the words, and
his still stately and unbending figure was drawn up
to its full and majestic height, as with arms out-
stretched in the form of a cross, he rose from his
throne and blessed the crowd in the name of the
Holy Trinity ; and then, as if moved by a sudden
impulse, as the ac'lamations of the vast multitude
rang through the air, renewed it,
making the sign
of the cross a second time over the people. Was he
thinking of next Easter-day, and the events the in-
terval may bring forth ? There were few present
but put this question to themselves, although a far
greater feeling of confidence appears to reign in
well-informed quarters since the almost certain out-
break of war in the north of Italy. In such a case
a very strong impression
exists that even if the
French troops leave, the number, composition, and
instructions given to the foreign legion will be such
. as to offer an ample guarantee of the intentions of
France.

The Orchestra informs us that Signor Carlo Patti,
the young vocalist, and brother of the diva, has just ar-
rived in town from Spain, with thq, intention of appear-
ing at the wining concerts.