The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-01

|
anniversary of Peter the Great one of the most
remarkable mOnarchs, as well as one of the most
wonderful men, OF ancient or modern times-the
man who gave the hrst impulse OF civilization to
| Russia who commenced that work Of extension
and consolidation which has spread the Russian
empire over 0ne.fOurth Of the labitable globe the
man who laid the foundations OF her present great
ness and power; who found her without single
armed or unarmed vessel and left her with a feet
capable OF coping with the most powerful then in
the world, and created o large and powerful
army, and brought 1t into state OF discipline
which enabled him to almost double the extent Of
his empire Nor were his efforts confined to warlike
purposes He built canals and roads throughout the
empire; he founded universities and schools, and
established commercial relations with nearly every
nation on the globe. He broke down with strong
hand and an iron Will the old-tme
superstitons ana prejudces against progress
and enlightenment which, up to that moment had
rendered the country impervious to outward civlli
Zation he invited the immigration Of strangers and
the manufactures and improvements they brought
with them; he encouraged the arts and sciences,
fostered learning, and he tried and actually sue
ceeded to wonderful degree by the mere force Of
his Will and versatility OF his genius In
accomplishing, In few short years.
political and moral changes in Russia
that have required in other countries centuries to
effect. Go where you will in Russia you will find
traces OF Peters hand; even In building new roads
to-day they often discover that he had projected
or actually commenced, road in the same spot
tending to the same purposes 200 years ago. And
he was as wonderfully endowed physically as men,
tally. Fully six feet six inches tall, with hercuean
frame that was proof against fatigue as 1t was
against hunger, cold and prvation; with an extra
ordinary manual dexterty and skill in the use OF
tools and implements as well as OF arms-a mechanic,
carpenter shipwright, blacksmth-he
well calculated to crush and overawe the
proud and naughty aristOcracy who, attached
to the traditions OF the past, opposed his
reforms nouted his new-angled notions OF progress
and reform. and who would, had they dared, have
made an end ofhim and them together. The Russians
have reason to celebrate the birthday OF such
man; for, in spite Of all his vices he did more to
elevate his country, by forcing 1t into the path OF
civilization, than centuries Of slow development
have done for others.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EVENT.
For some weeks preparations have been in pro-
Qress for the celebration OF his two hundredth ami
versary on grand scale. Seats had been built all
around the great st. Isaac's square, on which is
situated the famous equestrian statue of Peter,
familiar to every school boy in America through the
pcturc-; orders were given for the proper OBJ
servance OF the day and arrangements made for a
grand religious service on the place
PRELIMINARY FEsTIvITIE5.
| The day before yesterday the celebration was
commenced by grand procession on the river,
| when boat which Peter made with his own hands
! was taken from the house where it Is carefully
preserved mounted on a barge decorated with flags
! and streamers, and escorted down the Neva by the
| Grand Dukes Constantine and Nicholas, amid sautes
from the shipping In the river, and the boats OF the
the fortress and along the shore, and the shouts Of
she enthusiastic crowd, who had got upa wonderful
transferred to the railroad to be taken to Moscow
for the opening OF the Exhibition, Which takes place
to-day.
! this morning by the Emperor and all the imperial
family, together With all the principal dignltaries
the church in fac fortress across the river where
is the tomb Of Peter, and assisting at grand high
| mass for tie repose of his soul. smaller boat
than the one previously spoken o., likewise made
by Peter which Is kept here, was placed on barge,
honor bearing velvet cushions, on which were
placed the uniform, order anu decorations worm by
Peter at the battle of Pultowa where he gained
famous victory the Swedes, got into boats and,
forming into procession, proceeded down the
river mile past the little old house Peter used to
a third OF mile long, the habitation of his de-
scendants past the building Of the Admiralty he
founded, to St. lsaac's square, where they landed
SCENES AT 81. IsAAC's CHURCH.
Here they formed into another procession, headed
by priests, bearing banners and the mementoes,
which seemed to be held In as great vencratlOn as
IL they had been those OF some holy canonized saint
followed 10y chorlstcrs, in scarlet robes, chanting
| the weary, melancholy service OF the Greek Church
the bishops In their gorgeous robes, Respondent
with gold ana Jewels; the dignitares OF State, the
corporations, and, lastly, by the imperial family
the Grand Duchess Ragmar, and the ladies' Of the
Court on foot; the Emperor and his star on horse
| back-all marched slowly across the immense place
! 10 st. Isaac's church, where another service was
held.
While this was going on an altar was being hastily
! constructed before the great statue and between
it and the river for the performance of another re-
| turned to the statue in about an hour In the same
order in which 1t left the river. The priests and
bishops gathered around this newly raised altar,
the Emperor and his STAFF approached upon one
side without dismounting and the ladies OF the
Court upon the other standing. The scene at this
moment became peculiarly striking and inter-
GRAND AND IMPRESSIVE SCENE
| Twas most kindly furnished place IN the bal
cony OF the Senate buildings overlooking the place,
with the members OF the diplomatic body, and had
an excellent view Of the scene . Imagine large
f niss' On the The opposite the Admiralty kai ZEN" en-
S s"S ssse a?9 S @ fSs s Seda mi Ss
Isaac's church., Its magnificent gilded dome tower
ing high into heaven and cleaning In the sunlight
river clear and calm and placid lined with forest OF
masts gay and splendid with their brilliant foliage
of nags colors va streamers on the tops OF the
houses OF the Admiralty, OF the Senate and OF the
church crowds aud crowds OF people; in the square
itself as 900 soldiers of the Imperial Guard, Infantry
and cavalry in serried motioness masses, SO regu-
| lar you could count their files Ike rows OF corn,
their bayonets and culrasses glistening Ike mir
uniforms glowing In the sunshine, their white
| horsehair plumes waving In the wind in the
| centre, but nearer the river, the altar
surrounded by the priests in their gorgeous robes;
| the Emperor and his star on horseback, but I'M
| covered; the beautiful young Grand Duchess Dag
mar. In long white robes, standing there with
| Bonded head and folded hands, like some young
Druidical priestess; further back the ladies OF the
Court In the same devotional attitude; and the
| clear sunshine over all Frightening up everything
with its MONDAY splendo-rit was a spectacle such
as can be seen nowhere else I'm the world. They
remained thus for some minutes in silent prayer
| and could not help plying the Grand Duchess and
the ladies generally, for they had been on
their since eight O'Clock in the morning, either
in st. Peters church, in the fortress St. Isaacs
or here on the place-y0u never sit or kneel 1t must
| he me red n Russian Church-aud 10