The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-30
UNERA OF r GAR.
Splendid Description by Charles Augustus
Sala Of the Mournful Event.

MIR. Sala, the renowned correspondent OF
the London Standard, telegraphed the follow
ing description of the Cars funeral from st.
Petersburg:
have just been q spectator Of one or TIE
most MAGNIFICENT, most impressive, most pa
theic pageants, which in the course OF 9
heightened career and accustomed to the
posnps and yanities of regality, from royal
bridals and feasts to royal funerals, ] have
ever been privileged to set eyes on. Three
canons fired from the fortress directed the
various mourners to get ready and take their
places. 4 similar salute about midday gave
the signal to start, when a sable standard
bearing in white the initials of the murdered
monarch was unfurled over the fortress, the
artillery begun Eve minute guns, and all the
bells in the city began to toll. The whole
route was lined by troops Of the garrison,
Immediately behind whom the public were
permitted to stand. No galleries or platform
were erected, as heuseholders were only al
lowed ct their personal risk and peril to let
windows Or balconies to strangers. The po-
lice had taken exceptional measures to pre-
serve order, in fsae maintenance Of which
the public, by handbills, were invited to CO.
operate. ALI the houses and public buildings
showed the same amount Of sable flags and
drapery as when the Empress q year ago was
similarly conveyed from the palace to the for
tress. The route taken was from the great
plain in front Of the winter palace, by the
admiralty Quay and the English Quay to
Nicholasriki bridge, crossing which the pro-
cession took the street on the line of the
island OF Vasstleostroky, across Toolschkoff
bridge, and by Alexander Eazk to the fortress,
funeral ceremonies of the Empress last sum-
mer, the route taken was by Trinity bridge,
a wooden structure Of barges, which is re-
moved at the approach of the ice. AS the
roadway across is frozen they never are much
used. The fortress is almost Immediately
opposite the palace. There is a superstition
among the Russians against transporting the
dead over frozen ice, and the route by which
the cortege passed was some four miles in
length. The procession consisted in all of
AA~eSS |SuAoA ScmP AOAAT9 80 M6AoNkEs W
describe which would occupy many columns.
Among the noticeable features was a figure
which attracted much attention, the Knight
OF the Golden Armour, mounted upon q gor-
geously harnessed steed, carrying a drawn
sword, and supposed to synabolize the bright
and spotless character Of the departed SOW
erelgn. The most picturesque features in the
ceremonial were Populations which figured
for the first time in Russian history by pre-
senting Institutions created by the late En-
peror, the Feemstais, the Justices Of the |
Peace, and 9 motley group Of peasants, with
one at last Of venerable and patriarchal ap-
pearance, all attired in winter garb, some
with a .colored scarf, used to girdle the sheep
skins and rough cloth overcoats. Following
the Paists came the gorgeous catafalque, on
which rested the coffin under a rich canopy
Of cloth Of gold, surmounted by white ostrich
plumes. We were asking, what next, and
next, when the hearse came suddenly in view
and the *prodiglous mass Of humanity, rapid
~ SO TO speak, as quick as q flash q light
ming, uncovered. 1t was a most wonderful
sight to behold that black sea Of hats and
caps transformed into an immense expanse
of pale, upturned faces. The funeral car
was a pier Of ebony and silver, on wheels
with heavily carved silver spekes, and a su-
perstructure of black and silver. The whole
was canopied BY superb material, encircling
the columns Of the pier. The coffin Of the
illustrious deceased was almost hidden by a
golden pail, lined with satin, and the car it.
self was drawn by eight black horses, Ecom-
pletely shrouded in sable draperies. Four
General aides-de-camp stood, one at each cor
ner Of the catafalque, the polished metal Of
the wheels Of which glistened in the sunlight.
Sixteen General officers held the silken cords
Of the canopy. Behind the pier Of his muir
dered Sire walked Alexander III. in his I'm
perial solitude, bearing alone his fial sorrow
and bis state cares, end symbolizing in this
last respect his unique position. The Emper-
or was dressed in q General uniform, wear
ing the ribbon Of the Ordero Of st. Andrews.
Following the Emperor, at a respectful dis
lance, were the Minister of the household,
the Minister Of War, and three officers on
duty. Next in order followed the Grand
Dukes and Princes, according to precedence,
with foreign princes. These included the
Grand Dukes Vladimir, Alexis, Sergins,
Paul and Constantine, Michaclvovitch, Dim
itri, the three Nicholas Peter, the two Mich
:sels, George and Alexander, all on foot like
his Majesty, with innumerable Princes. Ro-
manogfski, Leuchtenberg, Nicholas and
George, Maximilianovitch, Peter Alexander
and Constantine Of Oidenburg, and the Dukes
George and Michael of M~ecklenberg Strelitz.
At length the head Of the cortege, consist