Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-02-20
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RUSSIAN pA9EANTRY.

- RUSSIAN pA;oEszxrl'R7::
The Scenes at tho Baptism Of the
Czarevitch's Son.
| st. Petersburg Cor. Boston Advertiser.
Yesterday the third son Of the Clare.
witch Michael Alexandrovitch, was bap-
tized. The ceremony was performed in
the Winter Palace at l04 in the morn
ing. Punctually at ten o'olock the pro-
cession started from the palace Of the
Czarevitch. Five hundred Cossacks of
the Caucasus, the emperor's body guard.
These were mounted on fine horses all
of the same color. There we're two rows
of them, stretching from one side Of the
street to the other. Behind them rode
an officer, and next four grooms in scar
lot coats trimmed with gold and lined
with white fur, and three cornered hats
A gilt coach followed, drawn by six bay
horses with gilt harness, and containing
the master of ceremonies of the Care
vitch's court. Then came another coach,
like the first, only larger. In this were
the cushion bearer" and "blanket
bearer" one of them being Count kot.
zebue, the governor of Poland, and the
other Prince Suvaroti, grandson of the
great prince of that name. Behind
this was third gilt coach, in which rode
the mistress of ceremonies of the Ces-
ervena's court and the baby. This last
had four outriders on,each side. Every
coach has a cOachman on the box, two
men in the rumble behind, and postil
ions on the horses, besides three men
walking in the road on each side Of the
horses. These were dressed in the impe-
rial livery; scarlet, trimmed with gold,
and black cooked hats. There coats were
lined with white fur and very long.
Finally another company of Cossacks
brought up the rear. This procession
moved slowly to the palace. Mean
time, in the emperor's chapel, at
one end of the palace, all the
members of the diplomatic corps
were waiting, the gentlemen in
brilliant uniforms, the ladies in low
necked dresses and court trains. The
American minister was the only person
in plain black dress. The metropolitan
Of St. Peter and many priests were also
waiting in gorgeous gold and white bro
cades, also the imperial choir in red
trimmed with gold. Presently the me-
tropolitan walked half way to the door,
bearing an leone and followed by priest
with the holy water. The emperor en-
tered and met him here, kissed the
leone, and received some Of the water.
His example was followed by each men,
Der Of the imperial family in turn as
they entered. The empress was not we'll
enough to be present. Then the process
sion walked walked up the chapel and
took their places inside gilt rail which
separated the doors of the altar from the
rest of the church. The maids of honor
and all the ladies and gentlemen of the
court took up their positions behind the
diplomatic corps. All tAe ladies were in
Russian costume, and all the grand
duchesses were followed by the train
bearers. The Russian court dress con-
sists simply of first skirt, then low
waist and long train attached (which
train is generally carried over the arm,
as there is seldom room enough to spread
it out) wide open sleeves which fall
away and leave the arm bare, tiara on
the head the color of the train, with
veil attached which tails down behind.
The dresses can, of course, be made more
or less elegant according to the jewels
and material used.
The jewels worn at this Russian court
surpass any others in the world. The
Grand Duchess Constantine is said to
have the finest Of any Of the imperial
family. She has many of the crown
jewels of Poland. Yesterday she wore
train Of gray satin trimmed all around
with Russian sable fur. The fur trim
ming around the neck was headed with
diamonds and fastened on the shoulder
with an immense emerald. On her neck
she had strings of diamonds and pearls.
Her tiara was thickly sewn with dia-
monds, and her veil was of very old,
rich lace, which fell far down over the
back of her dress. The Grand Duchess
Nicholas wore cloth Of gold dress,
trimmed with exquisite lace and dia-
mond ornaments.
The principal object Of interest to the
spectators was the daughter of the Grand
Duke Michael, Governor of Caucasus,
who is to be married in January. She
is tall and pretty. The family have Just
arrived in St. Petersburg. All last win
ter their palace was closed. The Grand
Duchess Michael wore dr;ss Of silver
cloth and emeralds OF wonderful beauty.
All the jewels were magnidc at, not only
among the grand duchesses bit on the
ladies of honor and all the eople at
tached to the court. Thes' latter gen.
orally wore white satin skirt, nd trains
of colored velvet, red for, he maids of
honor. and blue and green for the mar.
ried ladies. Some Of the empress maids
of honor have lived in the palace thirty
years.