New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-16
THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.

THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
TIE SERVICE ANNOUNCED BY THE flHiND of oAN'
xox--scysKs IN THE WINTER PALACE-DEsCRIp-
TroN OF TWO RELIGIOUS sERvICEs-APPEAR-
AsCE OF NUMEROUS DISTINGUISHED PERSONS.
rFRox AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBoNhI
ST. PETERSBURG Aug. 2S.-I omitted to mention
Yesterday that the Imperial party reached the VIII
ter Palace just in time to escape heavy
A marter Of an hour after the last OF the cortege
had reached the grand entrance, the SKY was op-
scnred and the rain began to fall There
was no premonitory sprinkle or driz-
zle: the shower came down very much as
though a thousand buckets had been suddenly over
turned at preconcerted signal For ten minutes or
more there was such fall of hailstones that little
drifts of them could be seen in many places. People
fled into doorways and wherever else they could
find shelter but q great many were unable to reach
any protection. and were drenched to the skin.
The city was gayly decorated not only on the line
of march. but on all the principal streets. or
course the Russian colors were predominant and
sometimes along two OF three blocks no other nag
could be seen than that of the great nation of the
north. The German flag was also prominently dis
played Now and then O French or Austrian flag
fnttered from q window, and on one building there
was profusion of bunting that proved on inspec-
ton to be the complete system of signals In Mar
ryatt's Code.
The city was Illuminated last night, but the affair
was not noteworthy for brilliancy or grandeur.
Along the Nevski the lamps were removed from the
lamp-posts and IN their places had been screwed
curious lot of many-ponted stars. two feet or
more in diameter. Some of the private houses shops
and hotels had devices of their own more or less
ornamental, most of them containing the letter A.
In few places there were monograms that included
L IL. IL h-,I and ann
of them were very tasteful. About o'clock
walked to the Palace expecting to find it blaze of
light. To my surprise it was as somber as usual.
The Imperial yacht was anchored in front of the
palace and was beautifully lighted. Half dozen
other yachts were near her, and all were Sighted,
but evidently it was not etiquette for them to put
on luminous dress equal to that Of the Imperial
boat The current of the Neva kept them almost
immoyably fixed in line with the bank, and by
walking out on the bridge below the Palace saw
that the Illuminated only on one side
Evidently it was considered waste of material and
labor to make the spectacle visible from the shore
opposite the Palace.
On the whole the illumination was nothing ex-
traordnary-far behind that of Tsarskoe Selo
week ago, and not equal to what have seen in
London. Paris, or Vienna on occasions OF far less
moment. The main streets were full OF people, and
several times was rather closely damned into the
crowd. Russian crowd is not agreeable ), 1T is
more inclined to compression than q stranger
desires. sheepskin coat that has been
worn decade or so, is not pleasant
when held under the nose. The heart
of the peasant warns toward his Emperor
and he does not mind great deal Of pushing and
perspir1ng If thereby he may come nearer to the
Imperial family or the spectacle made in its honor.
The policemen argued and pleaded instead of
brutally driving back the popuace; and in spite OF
their arduous duties did not see one Of them lose
his temper on any occasion. Several times became
entangled in the surging mass OF Muscovitc
humanity and was very glad to get out of it and
return to my hotel By IL o'clock most of the lights
had been lput out and the streets were rapidly
cleared of the crowds that had filled them.
At o'clock this morning five shots from the can
non of the fortress where Peter the Great lies buried
announced, as the official programme has it, La
celebration du marriage de Son Alesse Imp6iae Mon
se.0near 10 Grand Due Vladimir Alerandroritch drec
Son Altese Grande Ducale Madame la Duchesss Marie
de Meckenbourq- Schwain" About II o'clock the per-
sons invited to the wedding began to assemble at
the Palace, and as did not want to come late was
there ahead of the crowd. Gen. Pomutz, our
energetic and patriotic Consul-General, kindly
undertook to secure me good position.
About 1000 persons were present of both sexes and
various ages and the rules in regard to dress were
vigorously enforced Three of the entrances to the
Palace were used on this occasion, and the entrance
for each guest was designated his ticket of invi
tatiop. Furthermore, the hall where each
person should 60 was designated, and con-
seouently there was nonei of the crowding,
pushing and misunderstanding consequent upon
a grand assemblage in America. The members OF
the Holy Synod and the High Clergy were to
assemble in the chapel, the members of the Council
of the Empire and the Diplomatic Corps were to
meet in the Alexander Hall, and thence they would
be invited to pass into the chapel before the arrival
of the Imperial family, in order to assist
at the marriage ceremony. The Hall of
Concerts was to be the rallying point of
the ladies of honor, the mstresses of the courts,
of the Grand Duchesses, the Maids of Honor, Sena-
tors Secretaries Of State and all other persons Of
equal grade. In the great hall dedicated to the
Emperor Nicholas the officers of the army and navy
and of the suite and staff of the Emperor were to
meet. Persons having the right to 90 to court but
holding no official position were to meet in the
Sale des Armoiries, and the notable Russian and
foreign merchants were to meet in the hall of the
marshas.
The Winter Palace of st. Petersburg is one of the
finest residences in Europe. Pretty nearly all that
money could do was done to make the Palace mag
nifcent one, and when it is remembered that the
edifice was completed in fifteen months, latter o
coudagration in 1877 the establishment
of the visitor is proportionaly increased.
To-day people wander up and down the halls look
at the furniture pictures and frescoing, crticise
the dress of those them, gather in little groups
talk of the weather anything else greet ac-
auaintances receive introductions, and do in fact
pretty much what they do elsewhere in gatherings
of social character. If we are in the Alex
ander Hall. we are politely requested to walk into
the chapel, and there we are ranged in a line