New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-09
NEU-YEAR'S DAY IN RUSSIA.
REVIVAL OF COURT CUSTOMS on THE FIRST DAY
OF THE YEAR-SIGNIFlCANT RECEPTION OF
TIE VARIOUS FOREIGN MINISTER'S.
IRON OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE


TIE VARIOUS FOREIGN MINISTER'S.
fFROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 16.-This year the
Russian court returned to good old custom which has
been out Of vogue for years and had what Is called
a SOrtie reception the Russian New Years day'
which was last Friday The Court called together
al IL o'clock for religious service in the chapel of the
Winter Palace This is one OF those grand occasions when
all the men are i'll full and all the ladies in ma
tonal court Dress which is the same that OF the Rus
sian peasant women, with difference, OF course III ma
teIias 1t is, therefore, one OF the sights Tor Il
stranger who happens to be in ST. Petersburg at
the time The Gold Hail. which has galleries, is open
to such as can procure tickets from the Marshal OF
the Palace. or other high official. When L
arrived there about noon, found the immense room
| wen-peoped with generals covered with ribbons and
orders and in most gorgeous pumage and with LADIES IN
tiaras and trains of every color Of the rainbow Soon
the chant which was audible from the chapel ceased
the great doors thrown OPEN and the Emperor and
Empress appeared. The Emperor was in the simple
| dark green uniform of the PreObrazhensky Regiment
with the grand Gordon Of St. George The Empress wore
dress Of cloth of silver with train of dark crimson vel
vet gorgeousy embroidered with gold On her head was
| n tiara also of crimson velvet, covered with
| opals and diamonds, over which was thrown a
vail studded with golden points. Her necklace
was three strings OF large pearls, and the
corsage was ornamentcd with immense Opals set in
double rows Of diamonds. row Of large diamond but
tons fastened the skirt its whole length Next TO their
Maesties came the other members of the Imperial
family and finally a procession Of maids of honor in
white with scarlet trains, and Of gentlemen in waiting,
in elaborate gold-embrodcred uniforms. The hall
now All abaZe with gold and color. Both of their Males
ties seemed he in perfect health and passed directly
into the Throne Room Of Peter the Great where through
the open DOORS could be the Diplomatic Corps wait
ing to present its salutatons. Both the Emperor and
Empress paid marked attentions 10 the British and Turk
Ia
ters The Austrian Minister received somewhat
cooy but the Marquis de Gabliac the French
Charge dAfaTes. had several moments OF CON
versatOn with their Majesties. To the American
Minister the Emperor expressed his great satisfaction at
the pleasant relations existing between the two cOun-
tries and hoped that they would draw still closer to each
other He added that the Grand Duke Alexis was look
ing forward his visit to the United states next June
with great pleasure The Empress, who was exceedingly
cordial and shook hands twice with Mr. Curtin mentioned
her great desire that peace should come to Europe
and that should come TO trouble II still further
may add with regard TO the visit of the Grand Duke
Alexis TO America that he will leave st. Petersburg
toward the end OF May in the fgate Sveteana and AS
that ship carry coal but for five six days, he will
sail and not steam The Grand Duke will expect to
return to St. Petersburg by the end Of September. He Ia
delighted with the proposed trip, and is now diligently
reading the United States and their institutions
with Mr.. MechiD his former English tutor.
full mood having entirely recovered from his recent vo
lent attack OF govt He very attentive to Rustim
Bey, the Turkish ambassador, The next day the Prince
gave a large diplomatic dinner party in honor OF the
Turkish ambassador. When the reception Of the Diplo
matte Body over the Imperial Family passed into
the White Hall. whore all the ladies in succession, hold
ing each others trains filed by and kissed the Empresss
hand This part OF the ceremony did not witness.
The paying of formal visits is prevalent in ST. Pc
tersburg in York, but there is mitigation OF
tho evil here, which might with profit he introduced
there. few days before, the newspapers inform one
that boxes will be put nIspecifed places to receive con-
trbutiOns for some benevolent purpose. The name OF
every who deposits a certain sun-ths Year four
and half rOuOess printed iH the JOuFndide ST. Peters
bog and in special list sent about with the theatrical
programmes, and all such persons excused from max
ing visits This practice introduced this year into
Brussels and promises 10 become permanent there.
There has been very unfortunate hunting accident
here. On Tuesday the Emperor went bear shooting a
sport OF which he IL fond and IN which he INDUCES
about week. This was at Malo-Vishora long dis
lance down the Moscow irOad. The Emperor shot the
bear and Mr. skaratn, Of his suite went into the
wood 10 see II the animal dead report was heard
and Mr. skar8tin fell The Emperor and others rushed
ND inst In time 10 hear him say "SaD," CT ,auseIr)
before he died The bullet entered his back on the right
side and came out OF the left breast The official account
is that Mr. skaristin trpped on log fell and that
his gun was thus discharged Various rumors of very
different character In circulation and 1 am told
Nv a gentleman who was present, that
a. Mr. skariatn approached the bear rose
up and seized him by the shoulders Some one fired at
he hear but lust AT that the bear turned skar
attn about 50 that he in the direct line Of aim The
hunting party course returned at once 10 town, and
Inc Emperor went himself to the opera To- inform the
Empress and bring away the Imperial family who were
there Mr. SkaIiatin was much liked ana ls death has
cast gloom over ST. Petersburg society This Is said to
G The SECOND similar fatal accident Ia the Imperial hunt
ing party this Winter.
Tho King of the Belgians is now on another