New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-22

of inglorous seclusion. With fear ana trem-
bling he will take his crown, and then lose no
time In seeking less conspicuous place oil
refuge than the historic pile wherein are cele-
brated the plories of his race and their victo-
res over Tartars and Poles. Thus Will the Gar
be crowned in the second year of his relgn-by
stealth, in unseemly haste, and with much OF
the traditional pomp and pageantry left out.
The new-crowned Caesar was temporarily re-
leased from vulgar fear of violent death. III was
not until his crimes made him odious or reign
had given cause for palace intrigue or mill
tary revolt that his life hung on the caprces OF
Jealous mistress, cOvetOus slave or restless
prntorian guard. Pertnax, drawing his robe
about his head, was butchered by his soldiers
n few weeks after he had been proclaimed
Emperor, but he had been forced tc take the
purple, SC that violence preceded his accession
70 the throne The Roman custom was to
welcome the coming and speed the departing
Caesar Nero was deserted even by his servants
in his last days and forced to stab himself III
order to avoid slow torture at the hands of his
enemies, but at the opening OF his reign he
was most popular prince Commodus, who
degraded the purple by taking part in gladla-
toral contests and training for prize-fghtlnS,
and whose life was plotted against by wife ana
sister, soldiers senators and ruihans, WAS
welcomed by n succession of fetes on his INST
Journey to the capital, and when he reached
his destination all Rome went out to proclaim
him Emperor. Alexander III. has not made
himself odous by his crimes, yet unlike the
Caesars he Is not allowed the honOrs OF coro-
nation without being harassed 10y morbid
dread of assassination. Even with regiments
massed in the streets, with detectives swarm
ing about his bed-chamber, and with the move
mems of his household studouSly concealed
as the most impenetrable of state secrets, he
remains in a state of apprehension ana terror
which finds parallel i'll Caligulas sleepIess
nights and solitary wanderings in his palace.
The Caesars who have been named were mon-
stcrs. Alexander Ill. is an average Romanoh,
not deficient in generous traits and good IN
tentiOns Yet he lives in an atmosphere OF
electric suspicion. faithful servant, meet
ing him in il park. and raising his hand only
to dofl his cap, is liable to be shot dead by an
imperial guardsman concealed in the shrub
berry.
Alexander H., arriving at Moscow with his
EMPRESS hastens to the chapel OF the lberian
Madonna to offer his prayers there i'll accord
ance with the old time custom in coronation
week. This is the celebrated icon which Mr.
Wallace says is held III peculiar ycneratlon III
Moscow. Every orthodox Russian uncovers
his head and crosses himself when he passes
the chapel. and the icon is regarded as tutelar
divinity by thousands of households. The
Car respects the religious usages OF his sub
iects and shares in large measure the ultra
Muscovite spirit which distinguishes Moscow
from ST. Petcrsburg-the enthusiasm for
National customs and the reaction against
Euopcan Influences He is in sympathy with
the religious lie and political ideas of the an
cicnt capital, and will he reyerently and en-
Enthusiastically welcomed 10y the mass OF the
population. But the brutality OF corrupt
bureaucracy and habits of systematic repres-
sion and arbitrary arrest have educated ana
armed tcrrori,ts even in Moscow. Suspicion,
apprehension and suspense cast long shadows
across the Cathedral pavement where the
coronation scene viii he enacted. NihiliSm Is
an evil spirit which cannot he exercised by
religious ccrcmonials or state paScanfIy