The new North-west., 1881-03-25
The Cars Funeral.

New York, March 2l.-George Augustus
sala telegraphs from st. Petersburg regard
hg the funeral of the Gar: have just
been a spectator TO one of the most maSnih-
tent, most impressive and most pathetic pa
,eants, which, in the course of lengthen-
I'd career accustomed to pomps and vanities
of royalty, from royal bridals aud feasis to
.oyal funerals, have ever been privileged
10 set eyes Oh. Three cannon fired fi"m the
fortress directed various mourners to get
eady and take their places. A similar sa-
ute about midday gave the signal to start
shen a sable standard bearing the initials of
.he murdered monarch, was unfurled over
,he fortress. The artillery began five min
utes previous. The guns ami all the
BELLS in the city began to toll. The whoie
route was lined by troops of the garrisons,
Immediately behind whom the public were
permitted TO stand. No galleries or plat
forms were erected as householders were only
allowed at their personal iisk and peril TO
let windows or balconies to strangers. The
police had taken exceptional measures to
preserve order, in maintenance OF which, the
public, by hand bills, were invited to coop
crate. All the houses and public buildings
too, showed the same amount of sable flags
and drapery as when the Empress was simil-
arly conveyed. From the palace to the for
tress the route taken was from the grea
plain In front of the Winter Palace Dy Ad'
kmiralty quay and English quay to Nieholask
bridge, crossing which, the procession tooi
the street on the line of the Island of Nassa
lostroff across Tolschkof bridge and by
Alexander park to the fortress, entering ol
the gate called IvaDeska. AT the funera
ceremonies or the Empress last summer, th'
route taken was by Trinity bridge, woodet
structure of barges, which is removed at thu
approach of ice, although roadways acros
the frozen Neya are never much used. Tn
fortress is almost Immediately opposite tn
palace. There is superstition among tn
Russians against transporting the dead owe
frozen ice, and the route by which the COZ
tege passed was some four miles in length
The procession consisted in all Of l3 sections
comprising 172 groups, to describe whic
would occupy many columns. Among noti'
able features was a figure which attracte
much attention; the Knight Of Golden Al
NOR, mounted on gorgeously caparlsone
! steed, carving drawn sword and supposed
symbolize the bright and spctless charact'
of the departed sovereign. The most pictu
esuu. features in the ceremonial were dep
tations which figured for the first time
Russian history, representing institution
created by the late Emperor, the Zemstia
the Justices Of the Peace and motley grou
t of peasants, with one at the last of venerab
i and patriarchal appearance, all attired
e winter garb, some with colored searfs us'
n to girde the sheepskins and rough clio
y overcoats. Following the priests came the &C
Y. geous catafalque on which rested the cotii
~ under rich canopy Of cloth OF gold 81
y mounted by rich ostrich plumes.
j. were asking what next and next, VIII
IA the hearse came suddenly in view and I
lie prodigious mass of humanity, as rapidly,
20 to speak, as flash of lightning, uncover'
rk II was a most wondrous sight to bebo
~ Il
e. Into all immense expanse Of pale upturr
RS faces. The funeral car was a bier OF ebo
co and. silver OIL wheels, with heavily car'
50 silver spokes aud superstrncture OF bl'
lc- and silver. The whole was canopied
NJ superb material encircling the column OF
re- bier. The. coffin of the illustrious decea
it'll was almost hidden by a golden pail III
ed with white satin, and the vast car itself
Ide drawn by eight black horses comple'
shrouded in sable draperies. Four Gem
ades-de-camp stood one at each corner
the catafalque Of polished metal, the VIII
In of which glistened in the sunlight. Sixt
an. general officers held the silken cords Of
are canopy. Behind the bier of his murd'
,ut sire walked Alexander in his Imperial
,ne tude, bearing alone his filial sorrow and
cu-l state ca rs AID symi,olzing in this last
an spect his unique position as Emperor.
a. was dressed in Generals uniform, we
nh the ribbon of the order Of st. Andrews.