The New York herald., 1869-09-18
GREECE.


GREECE.
Baptism OF Prince Goorse-The Grand
Duke Constantine Of Russia-Imp posing
Ccremonies-Grand Dinner and Ball.
ATHENS. August 2S, 1889.
King George and his court accompanied by the
diplomatic corps, are passing the summer at Corfu,
the chief and most beautiful OF the seven Ionian
Islands. On tho 9th OF August tho young Prince
George was baptized with all the imposing ceremo-
niles OF the Greek Church. What gave especial sctat
to the occasion the presence Of the Grand Duke
Constantine the father Of olga Queen Of the Creeks
who had arrived few days previously IN the Rus.
sian corvette Ascola, for the especial purpose Of
standing godfather to the royal infant. The Duke
Is about forty years OF age. He has
nne figure and q refined and agreeable
expression of countenance. AS chief engineer and
admiral OF the neet his position in Russia il one Of
great Importance and influence. He takes the live
hest interest all matters relating to national pro-
gress, and ia astonIshingy well Informed on every
subject connected with public Affairs at nome and
abroad. His memory is remarkable. There Is no pub
Lie man or event In Europe with which he Is unac'
quainted either by report or observation, and in the
details OF military and naval affairs he is wonder
fully familiar for man OF his position. English and
American naval officers have more than once admit
ted that they have found themselves hors de combat
In professional discussion with his Imperial Highness
Like all his countrymen, he has strong sympathies
with the United States and does not hesitate to ex
press them in the most emphatic manner whenever
occasion offers.
The ceremonies at the Greek church on the occa-
sion Of the baptism Of the royal Prince were. accord
ing to Greek papers, only exceeded IN splendor by
those which took place in Athens last year when the
nrst prince the heir the throne, was christened.
The whole day and night given up to festiyity
Bell ringing ana cannon firing at sunrise, noon aud
night, say nothing Of the salv0 OF guns from the
fortress which announced the immersion Of the
child. The number Of priests who oficiated on the
occasion could not have been less than twenty, but
1t difficult TO count them as they stood grouped
around the font In front Of the altar In their robes
OF gltterlng brocade, bearing lighted candles and
chanting the peculiar service OF the Greek Church.
The Archbishop immersed the child dipping the
httle screaming infant three times, is the CUSTOM
,ne e. Grand Duke presented the babe ana for long
time held 1t In his arms swinging to and fro and al
ternatey kissing the little red lace to keep the child
quiet
The Grand Mistress OF the Court elegantly attired
tu heavy blue silk and train 1esooned with lace,
stood next the Duke upon the platform. The King,
court and suite OF the Duke stood below the PLATFORM
allttle removed from 1t. Opposite his Majesty were
corps and the wives Of the Minister'S Behind these
the foreign consuls Places were also assigned to
harbor the functionarles OF the State and the mill
tary otiicals. The body OF the large edlnce was
sicSet' and nd the galleries were reserved for
ladies. This portion Of the church present.
Cd striking contrast % . OF silks jewelry and nd
and military bodies below and the robes Of the
clergy. No sooner was the child immersed than
three tetos tchecrs) broke invoiuntaniy IRON the
spectators which was met by word Of rsbuke from
one OF the orhciating priests, and the rest Of the
somewha tedious ceremony proceeded without in
terruption. the King, court and officials retired,
bus Majesty being greeted win huzzas as no passed
subsequently an Interesting scene took place at
the palace where the chief officials Of the Kingdom
WHO were In Corfu were formally presented to the
la the evening the King gave . banquet at the
charming summer chateau near Corfu 70 the dip!o.
town the people were regaled with illuminatons.
fireworks and music on the esplanade. Every Cor
fate have been present; for from an early hotr
in the evening until past midnight an immense
crowd perambuiated the streets and the public
the gs d a the wapsd @
were defined by rows Of gilt ering lamps Blue, red
and green Bengal lights from tlme to. time shed a
theatrical glare over the vast crowd Of gazers, and
from the ramparta threw out upon the still waters OF
tho harbor part-coored radiance which in Its ef
feet was lndescrbaby beautiful. Thus passed the
nrst day OF the baptlsma ceremonies. winch had at
tracted to Corfu hosts OF strangers and transformed
the quaint and quiet old town into babel Of many
tongues. As to the writer, who arrived at a late
hour, scarcely room In hotel was to be had at
In the whole town, but these had long before been
taken possession OF by the foreign ministers and the
officials from Athens, which latter had been sum.
moned to the ceremony One old admiral appeared
to be rushing round at his wits ends TO find suit
OF rooms ewhese sulting his official proportions
In this respect the humber civian travellers were
better OF, for room eight by ten feet was good
enough for US.
which came or the evening following the baptisma
ceremony. IL took place at the palace In town, an
Imposing edlfce which was built for the Lord Higi
COMMISSION who for fifty years ruled these beau
tiul Islands with an English roo OF iron. TneJ say
the rod OF iron was necessary; but 1t appears tna
after good trial Of 1t the Greeks thought otherwis'
6on0ye nlalgre the Brtislers had to cede thu
Islands to the kingdom OF Greece. How far thest
people who don't IKE restralnt-especlay that I'm
posed upon them by foreIgners--are better of nov
than then IS question for statesmen TO decide.
But to return to the palace ball. The nags OF al
nations hung IN festoons around the grand staircase
and the band occupied the space in front OF tn,
landing. Three spacious bathrooms were throwI
open, which were filled at an early nOur by the dis
tinguiBhed guests. The throne room" was reserved
for the royal family, the foreign representatives
the ofiical guests Dancing was kept up until nv
British, Russian anu United States ministers re
bpectivey.
po SoSa s a.d p
Old. lie danced With much grace. Tho Quee
Is the embodiment OF feminine beauty. Her ski
fs OF uazZhng whiteness, and She was br
liant with diamonds Of enormous size. We observes
several charming faces and figures among the Gree
ladies' .% these sv a. tn VC1u rn s e nsSns AUG
nrI l was extremely disappointed In seeing n
pauQna costumes. French fashions are gradual
We return TO Italy BY the way OF Brindisi. Tn
steamer brought US over from Italy In ten hour
And IN my opinion this route Ia far more preierab
than the long sea voyage In the Trieste steamers.
cannot say much for the railway ride down IN
coast Of Italy. for, especially from Ancons, I'll
view was uresome In the extreme
ihe lonan Islands are hot at this season, bl
uost attractive after October