The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-08
Correspondence of the Boston Journal

SPLENDID PAGEANT VERSAILLES.
The Realization OF Bismark's Dream.
THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY.
VERSAILLES, January 19.-The cere-
mony, or rather pageant, yesterday, in
Versailles, merits preservation in i'm
mortal fame, and tits pity Germany
has no poet worthy the task. The day
vas a strange mixture Of damp, cold,
and warm sunshine, the rain occasionally
weeping little over the heroic dead,
aud then the sun chasing away tbs
tears, as unworthy ofso grand an acca.
sion. Toward 10 o'clock very brilliant
throng began to assemble in the palace
yards, and inc. eased steadily in bril-.
liapcy ard volume until the stroke Of
IL, when the King, preceded by guards
and outriders, drove furiously to the
door of the Sale des Glaces.
Entering the courtyard from the Rue
de Reservoirs about II o'clock, l found
drawn up in line the Kings body guard,
taken from all the best regiments Of the
army, and glittering like rainbow in
the hundred colors which were SO
strongly coutrasted together Throng-
ing past them were the invited guests Of
higher rank, hastily returning the
salutations of hundreds Of hands from
every direction, which embodied with
the accustomed servility the expression
Of their humbleness. The Bavarian,
Saxon aud Wurtemburg officers who had
been distinguished by the presentation
of orders were very numerous, and sl-
though very different in type from the
now so we'll known Prussiau, would
still compare very favOrably with him.
The Bavarians were especially brilliant
in their bright blue uniforms and shin
ing helmets, and many we're men Of
most majestic presence. The Wurte N
burgers were wretchedly dressed
hardly single officer even attempting
elegance. The Saxons were, as usual,
ou faa in appearance, and we're easily
distinguished, aside from their uniforms
BY their jaunty carriage and mellow
accent.
Il was evident that all the officers o.
distinction, from all sections of the
army, had left their posts to assist al
this ceremony. The tall gigantic mer
of the Garde corps, stalking about like
ghosts in their white uniforms; the
dark haired, short, stalwart Brandenbur
gers the real Berliners, with spectacle:
| on nose aud creaseSunaes- The arm -Ee'
book-carryipg the strappiog cavalry
| man, With the iron cross at his breast
and slender youth, with long hail
combed back undse his casque, auc
sowrd buckled on his thigh; all hurried
| forward to the hall, where the creates
Prussian ceremony of modern times was
to occur.
Presently the guests began to arrive
pell-mell. There was no attempt a
glory of equipages, as 10 campaigning il
| is difficult to obtain. Moltke came in ;
post carriage showing that it had un-
dertakeu recent journeys; Bismarck in I
little caleche, hardly large enough t
hold him; the crown prince in his usua
| very modest carriage, aud dozens OF OH
GERS were compelled to make their entr'
through rain, which suddenly visitet
US, in full toilet, on foot. Wagons o
all kinds were used. Halfa doze'
bsroDs would dash in an omnibus, whicl
they had happily discovered; aud tn.
immortal furniture van, which had suc'
a jolly role at the time the delegation
from the Reichstag presented the ad
dress to King William, again came iut
play. Great precautions seemed to hav'
been taken for the safety of the King
There were even landwhrmen wander
ling carelsssly about in the crowd, will
| their guns held as a huntsman holds hi
when be hears the deer breaking cover
| How did the Prussians know how ia
French fanaticism might go?.
Large masses Of troops were disposed
on the Avenue de Paris and the Plac'
d.Armes about II o'clock, and towar'
IL the King left the Prefecture ant
proceeded leisurely through the line o
soldiers, who saIuted him with deafeu.
ing shouts Of "Hurrah for the German
Emperor" Arrived at the chatea'
gate, the royal carriage drove rapid.
through the seething mass Of soldiers
strangers and civilian Germans, au'
alightnirg as the chateau clock strucl
The hour Of noon, entered the Sale de
I Glaces by the grand staircase, aloDl
which were sTayed, two and two, tn
guard composed Of picked men from :h'
various regiments.
10 the middle Of the grand hall, AM
| with its back 70 the windows which opel
on the park, 8 grand alter was erected
Upon this alter, which was GRACEFUL.
decorated, Lighted candles we're place.
aud at each side stood three pastors
clothed ia the sombre habilimeuts o
their order, and asserting the support o
the church to the new Empire. Eur
ther down the hall was another an'
smaller alter, aud 10 front of this wer
arranged the standards Of all the regi
ruepts Of the third army. Betxeen tn
two alters also. we're ranged Bavariau
| and other soldiers. In front OF th
principal alter we're several soldiers VII
4 had, in times past or 10 the recent cam