The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-30

| ges, crowns and diamonds, all intermingled
into such a glittering, glistening confusion
that the scene could only be likened to some
swollen river full Of gold and silver, fresh
flowing into a sea Of lapsis lazuli and dia-
monds. These stood around the head of the
coffin in a semi-circle. The regalia was ar
ranged on either side of the Imperial stand
ard. To the left lay a shield and sword and
on the right were a band and sceptre crushed
with brilliants and surmounted, one by a
m~atchless sapphire and the other by the eel
ebrated Orlof diamond. Adjoining these
were the crowns of all the kindoms and prin~
cipalities which together make up the Ena-
pire of all the Russian, 10 delicate Oriental
metal work and uncut precious stones,
Greater than all these was the Imperial crown
itself, matchless in beauty, shining resplend-
emf in jewelled lustre. Then followed the
body of the deceased Gar in q %sumptuous
gilt coffin, borne by Grand Dukes Constan-
tine, Nicholas, Vladimir, Paul, Sergius, and
the Duke Of Edinburgh. & was reverently
placed exactly beneath the centre of the
dome of the catafalque. The Emperor and
his brother removed the lid from the bier
and the upper part of the body of the dead
Gar attired in the uniform of the Preocazin-
ski Guard regiment was exposed to view.
Emperor Alexander III placed himself with
the Empress and the Imperial children at
the head of the coffin. The priests and Choir
listers intoned dirges OF the Russian funeral
services, while the Metropolitan handed each
person present q slighted taper, and the dea-
cons asperged the church with holy water.
The scene was one Of great splendor. AT
the ~lecterne stood black-robed priests reading
words Of the gospel in sonorous Slavonian
Russian liturgy. At the four corners of the
catafalq1e stood as many aid-de-camp Gener-
ais, motioDless. On the steps of the dias
were a guard Of military cadets. In the
midst Of all this splendor lay the murdered
sovereign with ghastly sapturt ed face and
folded hands. The lower part Of the body
was completely hidden under the heap of
fresh flowers deposited by loving hands.
When the service was concluded Alexander
LII, kneeled on one knee, kissed the hand of
his dead father and the Empress followed his
example, then bowling slightly to persons in
the vicinity, the Imperial couple left the Ca
thedral. The Duchess of Edinburg and the
Grand Duchess were successfully conducted
to the coffin to pay their last tribute of love
and reference to the murdered sovereign.
Then followed all the Imperial and Royal
foreign princes and members of
the corps diplomatic.
They gazed awhile at the features, which,
alGuOuSn dlttlCu WtIC ytL Cd5lJ lCCOSulIeu,
then STOPPING they kissed with reverence the
hand that had signed che liberation Of 20, OO0,-
900 serfs. The corpse will lie in state until
Saturday in the shadow of the clustered COL
umns that stand about the plain-topped tombs
of white marble.
Beside the tomb of the late empress is
space, where, according to his ex- !!
wish, will rrepose the remains Of
Alexander IL forever.
Sala sends a CHASTITY description Of the late
Gar appearance after embalming, as shown
by photographs offered for sale in St Peters
burg. He says: Tbs features are seen in
the profile. The left side of the face is ex-
posed; the sparse hair is carefully brushed
from the temples; the grizzled mustach and
.hiskers carefully trimmed and kempt; but
yhe eyes are mere sunken wrecks, and there
to have been Q dire wound on the
cheek, marks of which have been partially
concealed by art. The head reposes on a
pillar of white satin. The body is closed in
green uniform tunic of the Preobozinski
Guards, with massine epauletts Of golden bull
ion. The right hand, partly bent, rests
peacefully on his breast, close to a medallion
# the same image, sacred to the Russo Greek
communion. But with this head and torso
'nds, they say, all that remains of the NOR
al coil Of Alexander I'll, there being none
# the shattered form for the craftsmen of
the Egyptian mystery to work their gloomy
kill upon from the trunk downward. The
destruction caused by the explosion had
,een thorough.