Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-03-24
The Grand Funeral Cortege OF the
Murdered Gar.

New YORK, March 2I.-George Angus
tus Sala telegraphs from st. Petersburg |
regarding the funeral of the Car: II |
have just been a spectator of one Of the |
most magnificent, most impressive. most |
pathetic pageants on which in the course |
of a heightened career, accustomed to
the pomps and vanities of regalty. from
royal brIdals and feasts to royal funerals,
have ever been privileged to gaze upon. |
Three cannons fired from the fortress di- |
rected the various mourners to get ready
to take their places. 4 similar salvo
about midday gave the signal to start
when sable standard. bearing in white
the initials of the murdered monarch
was unfurled on the fortress. the artil-
lery began to fire 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 gal
leries or platforms were erected, as house
holders were only allowed at personal
risk and peril to let windows or balconies
to strangers. The police had taken ex-
ceptional measures to preserve order. in
the maintainance of which the public
by hand bills were invited to participate
All houses and public buildings, too.
showed the same amount of sable flags
and drapery as when the Empress, not
year ago, was similarly conveyed from
the fortress.
The route taken was from the great
plain in front of the winter palace by
the Admiralty quay and English quay to
the Nichslawisky bridge, crossing which
the procession took the street on the line
of the Island of Vassiliostroffy across
Ivolchkoff bridge, and by Alexander
park to the fortress. entering the gate
called Ivaneskaa. At the funeral cere.
monies of the Empress last summer the
route taken was by Trinity bridge,
wooden structure of barges which is re-
moved at the approach of ice, although
roadways across the frozen river are
much used. The fortress is almost i'm
mediately opposite the palace. There is
a strong supersttution among Russians
against Transporting the dead over frozen
rivers, and the route by which the cor
tege passed was some four miles in length.
The procession consisted in all of 13 sec
tions. comprising l72 groups. to describe
which would occupy many columns.
Among the noticeable features of the
procession was figure which attracted
Golden Armor," mounted on gorgeous
ly harnessed steed carrying a drawn
sword, and supposed to symbolic the
bright and spotless character of the de-.
parted sovereign. After him walked q
man alarms in sable armor. with drawn
sword.
Perhaps the most picturesque feature
: rim the ceremonies we're deputations,
which figured for the first time in Rus.
sian history, representing institutions
created by the late Emperor, the Zem.
stats, Gustices of the peace. and IA molly
group of peasants with one at least, OF
i. venerable and patriarchal appearance,
all attired in their winter garb, some
with a colored scarf used to girdle their
sheepskin and rough cloth overcoats.
Following the priests came the gorgeous
catafalque on which rested the coffin
under a rich canopy of cloth of gold
surmounted by white ostrich plumes
"Salasays." we were asking (what next
when the hearse came suddenly in view
, and the prodigious mass of humanity
rapidly, so to speak, as flash of light
ming, uncovered. 1t was the most won
derous sight to behold, that black sea OF
, hats and caps transformed into an i'm.
| hiNh1S -NPAHoC VI puIC u uIulIlcu ldCtH
THE FUNERAL CAR
was bier of ebony and silver on wheels
with heavily carved silver spokes and g
superstructure of black and silver. The
whole was canopied by a superb materia
encircling the columns of the bier. The
; coffin of the illustrious deceased was
almost hidden by a golden PAIL lined
with white satin, and the vast car itselI
). was drawn by eight black horses. com
pletely shrouded in sable draperies
Four general aids-de camps stood one al
, each corner of the catafaldue, the polished
metal wheels of which gistened in tht
l sunlight. Sixteen general officers hello
, the silken cords of the canopy. Behind
| the bier of his murdered sire walked
Alexander ILL., in his Imperial solitude
, bearing his filial sorrow and his state
cares, and symbolizing in this the Jast
2 respect of his unique position. The EN-
peror was dressed in general uniform
= wearing the ribbon of the order of St
Andrew. Following the Emperor at 9
: respectful distance came the Minister Of
household, the Minister of War and three
: officers on duty. Next in order followed
the Grand Duke and Princes according
) to precedence with foreign princes.