Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-19
scene ana a Ru,.I,n C,mn.

on the night before our departure from the camp. we a.
tend 'hs rstrs'ts,' one Of tho mos, impressive and touch
ing ceremonies I ever bsheld in my life.
Tho ~shor-liyed simmer he'd already begun 10 v,ne. and
the cold transparent light, peculiar to : polar evening. war.
ed fsinier, but without tho dim. hsIy indsuue,ness. which
b,sods objects into eonfuaicn in an Enelsh nisht-f.ll.-
Here 4 sort Of subdued elearness Of tone brough, GU, I'm
strong relief Infinite masscs Of men, over which tho CIV.
ranged exhausted. until the perspective was finally los, in a
row Of white tents. standing like speetres against tho hori.
ron.
The troops had formed a living wall In IRON, Of tho i'm
petial family, who stood surrounded by the various COM
handing officers. aud all maintained n silence deep q.
dea'h'-not u limb surred-not the faintcst breath was
heard in the holy calm OF the evening; ali was hu.hed and
mouonIess' when suddenly, a fuglsmau gave tho expected
signal, and ina moment, every head was barred, and every
voice uphl'ed in the national evening hymn.
RUSSIAN NATIONAL HYMN
How weak our accents. Heavenly Sire to raiss.
Worthy OF thee. our song OF thankful praise
Great on thy throne Of clouds. esrth's lower sphere,
And in the meanest dcw-drop's sparkling tear
BY day aud night with radiance grit, o Lord.
God omnipresent, everywhere sdored!
High in the heeey clouds. that glow with gold.
The image OF Thy Godhead We behold,
While in the words VI thine own hallow'd prsy'r
We sIrive thy bouudless glories to declare
Accept the grateful homsge, which wo bring
Like iTankinccnse, q constant offering.
Thine 10 The equal sun, that shines above
Der all the children OF thy watchfui love-
Wstchiul to feed them with paternal care,
And for thy ehos'n Il Zion to prepare;
scends,
In mercy still, blessd food ! thy Isavingl body sends
Almighty dcign the humblec calls TO own
We lay before the footstool OF thy throne
VouehsAfe To grant the blessings we implorc,
As MONS sott d~ew-drcps shed their genial store:
While in our hearts to thee we affairs raise.
Our changeless law shall be thy prsy'r and praise,
The music Is sweet. solemn aud exquisit,ly adan,,d In
express the humility Of prayer, and the Simultaneous bur,t
Of harmonized sounds swelled, and rose TO the yauIt of bca-
ven with a thrilling effect, while rye, deeper interest wa.
excited by tho moral spectacle Of this countless host. these
thousands and tons OF thousands Of mighty men of war
all equaly-fromt the arbiier OF the fate of millions In m,
meanes' soldier-uniied in the attitude Of reverent, and
meek devotion and pouring forth, as il were, one voice
and one heart IN praise and thank sgiying TO their common
Maker.
ithas been my lot to be twice present at military Mass.
es, reformed on a gigantic scale, which, however, bore no
resemblance to the ceremony which | have so feebly At
tempted to deserib. One of them, which took place At
verona, was 4 mere ecclesiastic field day, where the Off
efs oil rshsion were Illustrated with tho pomp and circum-
stance Of war.
The troops were drawn up under arms Us { for n review.
the arrival OF the Vicerory Of Lombariy was announced
by tho thunder OF artillery booming along the line; and the
officiating prest-the minister OF that faith which incuIc,tss
good Will amongst mem knelt ut the central altar nmid.,
the waving OF plumes, the glancing of heluet. The cI,n,
Of sabIes, the roll OF drums, the braule Of uumpets, and 4
grand final oPerniic crash OF all the bands bigsdcd en- mas,e.
Even tue most solemn and mystic rite Of the Roman Catho-
lie Chureh-the elevation OF tho host-wss received with
the same salute as the presence Of a mortal monarch,
But here was neither proud Pageanuy to dazzle the eve,
nor the Pealing strains Of elaborate music TO rayish the ear
All was pure and lowly. The soldiers had laid aside ,bc,r
arms, and the "earthiy grear" their rank, as II the emblems
OF physical force. and the social distinctions OF the nero
human sumption were inconsistent with the true worship
OF the God OF peace, in whose sight all men arc alike. and
10 whom their united homage was now dressed in the sim
pic words, and unadorued melody of the national hymn
Inc LORDS prayer was subsequently read, and we all dis
Persed in silence TO our respective quarters. "a IL und,, to
influence of feelings too big for utteranee.