The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-01-01

was performed WIN rare precision ana success, ana
with a magnifcence to which no historical pageant
can claim superiority. The following extracts from
one of the correspondents letters viii interest our
readers.
THE BANQUETING HALL.
Let Us enter the banqueting hall. Surely here are
the riches of the world {! Such a glare of gold plate,
such a wild profusiOn of goblets, vases, cups, salvers,
heaped on the walls of this glittering room This is
the Granovitaya Palata, the hall of the ancient Tsars
-(for so the Russians spell the word in French
Can it be described !? Assuredly not by the pen, nor
by the pencil of any artist but one who can dip his
brush in the hues of the rainbow. The low many
arched roof Of the hall is sustained by n huge square
pillar in the center, round which is placed a. plat
form with receding lodges to the height of nine or ten
feet, each ledge groaning with ancient vases and
dishes in gold and silver. Some of these are of the
ouaintest form and most curious workmanship
models of old castles and palaces, strange animals,
battle pieces, birds-craftily worked in past centu-
ries by forgotten descendants of Tubal Cain, and each
a museum in itself On the right hand of the hall,
on enterin%, there is a buffet, which seems crushed
beneath the masses of gold vessels upon it, each a
study, but enriched above all by the grand cup from
Benvenuto's own hand, for which Russia paid the
sum of 100000. On the left there is an eSfrade for
the orchestra and for the singers, among whom are
Lablache, Dumeric, Bosio, Calzolari, and Tagliaico.
It is covered with cramoisied purple velvet, Will cold
tringes and borders. The imperial throne is placed
at the end of the room, opposite the buffet on the
right hand side.
THE EMPEROR IN SIGHT.
Now the Imperial dais comes in sight, and the
Emperor himself presents himself to the people. not
amid cheers, but loud shrill cries which oyernower
the tolling of the bells, the crash of arms, and the
loud tourishes OF drums and trumpet which rise all
around us. Before him march two priests with a
gold basin full Of holy water, which an archbishop
sprinkles p~rofusely on the scarlet cloth. The dais is
upheld by general officers, assisted by colonies of
regiments of the rank of general major. His Majesty,
who is attired in military uniform, is followed " his
ministry and aid-de-camp generals. and Immediately
behind him walks the COmmandant of the Chevalier
Garde, with his naked sword in his hand and his
helmet on his head. The Emperor, who possesses q
fine, erect, and stately figure, marched with n meas
ured stride, and bowed right and left as he passed
down the estrada. The Empress followed behind him.
under the same dais, with thirteen ladies of honor
around her, and her appearance was the signal for
repeated outbursts of cheering. A platoon of the
Chevalier Gardes followed the dais, and affer them
came q member of each family of the high Russian
nobility three and three. The hourishng of trun~nets
the strains OF the numerous bands, the cheers of the
people, the measured hurras of the soldierv. the roll
of drums, the clang of bells, deafened the ears and
almost overwhelmed the senses. The metropolitans
of Moscow and NOvgorod, who had previously blessed
and watered the Imperial Ensign. stood at the door
of the Cathedral OF the Assumption, and as their
Majesties approached, the former presented the Holv
Rood to kiss, which they did most reverently, and the
latter sprinkled them with holy water.
THE CEREMONY.
We are now inside the cathedral with them. and
III W. ~ AOhCS 1t CtISuIOIN llSJIQcG With mean
ing and full of sacred solemnity to the mind of the
unsophisticated Russian. The Empress Dowager and
the Imperial family have already entered the church
and taken their places on the platform around the
thrones. Amid the ringing of bells and the shouts o
the populace the young Emperor and his bride reach
the entrance OF the church. And now they detacI
themselves from The crowd of officials about them. and
passing along the gorgeous screen that separates III,
ciancel from the church, they fall ON their knees he
fore the images OF the saints, kiss with fervent raver.
ence the sacred relics, and offer up silent nravers I,
Heaven. And now the Emperor, followed nv hi
bride, mounts the platform of the throne, and reneot
from u book delivered to him by the Archbishop o
Moscow the confession of his Christian faith. H
then receives the benediction of the Archbishop, ana
suddenly the choir, which has hitherto preserves
silence, burst out in psalms and praises to God, an,
the holy building vibrates with the ring of their har
monious voices. There is no note of organ nor sounl
of other instruments. The singers, admirably organ
lied, and chanting with astonishing power and pre-
cision. need no support the plaintive soprano voice
of the boys rise clear and distinct above the dee
tones of the rich BASES, and the sustained harmony
solemn and affecting, throbs through the holy build
ing.
But already the Imperial mantle of silver an
ermine, richly studded with gems, is in the hands {
the archbishop, who proceeds to clasp it round tn
shoulders of His Majesty. Next follows the grea
crown, which is placed by the same hands on tn
Imperial head, reYe.ently bent to receive it and til