The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-11
y this country, was confessed by an Russians to

OF "AuYpay's HANDBOOK OF Russia" and other
here, few weeks ago, 1t was publicly announced
that Mr. Michel was appointed Interpreter and
guide1"bear leader m point OF iact-to him and
on my way out here. l met Mr.. Michel at Berlin
and learned that he was on his way to England
was much astonished. On arrival here found ali
the English colony telling about Mr.. Mchelps an.
expected departure, at which the Prince was re.
the act was is still officially unexplained but the
fact H. tDat che Emperor took occasion TO explain
his personal dislike to Mr.. MicheN and his positive
refusal to have him any longer at Court. Under
these circumstances the Ambassador could only
And means to send his subordinate or without any
scandal. What were the grounds for the imperia
dislike no one knows Some say that Mr.. Michel
knew too much OF the inner life of the Russian
Court; Others that the Emperor Imagined that the
articles against Russia as regards the Khivan an
nexation, which have appeared in the London
Times az emananng rom their Berlin correspond.
emf, were really inspired by Mr. Michel, OF the
truth OF these rumors 1t is impossible 10 give any
opinion. The fact remains that Mr. Michell is not
here, and there is no one at the English EMBASSY
to take his place..
v,.,,,c .,. ,on At TIL !. OPERA "a.
and theatrical performances the Emperor has
caused them to be taken several times to the thea
tire, though he has not himself accompanied them.
On Friday, the night alter their arrival they visited
the Grand Theatre where Italian Opera Is given.
Patti In "La Traviata" drew tremendous house.
eighteen roaoes tsl2 being asked and paid for
seat. The state box Is In the centre OF the house.
but this 10 only used on State occasions by the i'm
periai visitors who, on this evening, were In two
tier sat the the Prince Of Wales and the Grand
Dukes Constantine and Vladimir, with attendant
stafl; in the one Immediately underneath. on the
lowest tier, the Princess OF Wales, the Princess
Dagmar the Czarevna), and the bethrothed This
young lady Is certainly not classicaly beautiful,
to be most kindly and amiable. She was dressed i
In white. as was the Princess Dagmar, while the
Princess OF wales, who looked much fatigued after
do, Asz.A
dark brown SILK gown. The Duke OF Edinburgh
was with his bride for q few minutes but the
Sexs box close ' oS to iSa ne renamed IN the
was In splendid voice and sang charmlngly. and
the opera, 30 far as mise en- scene and decorations
were concerned, wassplendidly mounted. I was,
however, very much disappointed with the theatre.
Neither In size nor in embellishments is 1t to be
compared 1s WIN DAYS Opera House nor Covent
Garden Theatre, and 1t s miserably lighted 1t IS,
however. highly patronized, and the Americaf
the lower tier.
THE BRIDEGROOM NOT POPULAR.
High omclals, both Russian and English, are. in
as one which is not merely likely TO make comforta-
bic certain diplomatic relations but being highly
opposed BY the people Of botn countries. am IN
lance does not excite the slightest interest-there
being so many English Princes that no one out OF
the Duke OF Edinburgh is decidedly not popular.
The people dislike the expression OF his face which
they fud stern and forbidding, though undoubtedly
ner. and they complain that he does not pay sum-
cient respect to the Emperor nor suificientiatten.
ton to his betrotaed: It Is perhaps. under these
what the compatri0ts OF their wives think OF them.
cess Helena Of England; his brothers-inlaw snub
him, Punch jeered at him and the people were sup
posed to be strongly adverse to the marriage, and
yet he gets on well enough. 4
SHADOW OVEN THE FESTIVITIES.
A partial gloom has been spread over the Court
and and check given even to the few ante-nuptial
Festivities which had been prepared by the some.
what sudden death Of Field Marshal Berg. This
veteran, who was over eighty. years Of age, came
the ceremonial, but caught cold and died at the
been Noted for his
1868 broke out Marshal Berg was sent to suppress
it. This he did with the greatest rigOr, re-
ernorship Of Poland, which he held Til his death.
The Emperor was very fond OF the old man, who
was always treated with regal honors, and when
TO see him. The Marshal was buried this morning
(Tuesday), the Emperor and the Prince Of Wales
attending on horseback.
THE BLESSING OF TIE NEvA.
An hour after this veteran had breathed his last,
the Emperor his guests and all the Court attended.
blessing the waters Waters Of the Nevs, when takes
place every 9th Of January told stye), and is a
grand and Interesting ceremonial In accordance
with the remarkable courtesy which has been
shown to the representatives Of the press since
our arrival here, we were allowed to witness the
Paace # haIpast Zen ocsccE gun was fred as
signal, the great gates Of the Palace were thrown
open. and procession, such % 1 have scarcely
by very thin priest, with long, fair hair hanging
far down over his shoulders, carrying red lamp.
which he swung to and fro with Q rotatory motion,
chanting at the same time hymn. Following
n% sps S9oss ns nndf s
Sevy Of officers Sorms CON-
ceivable hue, from the purest white or brightest
SCARLET to che deepest purple. and even dead black.
Hundreds and hundreds Of these Officers poured
iorth followed by scores Of eccleslastics all in the
gorgeous robes of the priesthood Of the Greek
Church, and, making one unbr9 ,Ae line formed
river river bank. Then the Metropolitan 81
Srf ISSUED c4e T ysSsraSf Sa
Russian and English princes, ali in Iull Uniform.
MS GaH Vast 70 In
stretching far away along the river bank, number
ing hundreds OF thousands stood, In one instant,
the steps Of the kiosk with hammer in one hand
and large gold cup IN the other broke the ice on
the river and filling the cup with the water which
had dubbed up presented 1t On Bonded knee to
the Metropolitan. After blessing had been in.
voked upon it it was handed to the Emperor, who
ns M a when q %as W the
Emperor nled it with half imperial gold pieces ana
gave it to the Metropolitan Tor the poor A rocket
blazed in the air, and an imperial salute of 10l
guns from the fortress on the other side Of the river
proclaimed that the ceremony was accomplished.
COMPENSATION AND A CONTRAST.
On this same sunday afternoon the Princess at
tended English divine service at the Episcopal
chapel, where Dean Stanley. OF Westminster Abb
hey, who has come out expressly to perform the
Anglican marriage ceremony, preached very eff
fectve sermon, taking for his text the words,
''There was marriage in Cana OF Galilee." The
Dean, who has travelled IN the East, made capital
word picture OF the scene OF the miracle; and
when he worked round to the forthcoming mar
rage was eloquent and brilliant. The chapel,
which holds about Co., was crammed, many Rus
sian ladies Of rank being present; but in the even
Ing on the principle, suppose, OF conforming to
the customs OF the natives, and doing in Russia as
the Russians do-wnich holds good here as well as
at Rome-tne Princes went to the opera and were
apparently delighted with new French ballet,
lie Papillon" (the Butterfly, produced for the
first time on that occasion.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER'S HOSPITALITY.
The rival festivity OF the week has been the
ball last night given by the American Minister and
Mrs. Jewell. The oiices OF the Legation are con-
veniently situated on the MOka canal, and here
lives the Secretary, Mr.. SCHUYLER who ID not only
most amiable and courteous, put, now Mr.. Michel
I A. Iii A4.A