Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-07
ON CORONATION EVE,
The Preparations that Have Been
Made for CrOynin. Alexander HI.
at Moscow.


The Minister-Sire, can take upon myself to
assure you that your life will be safe through
out the memorable day soon to dawn upon u.s.
The Czar-Memorable day. Memorable ia /?
It's a memorable day could very we'll dispense
with it. (Sighs)
Minister assure Your Majesty that no pre-
caution has been ne elected In the first place
there Will be nobody in the streets
! Czar-Nobody in the streets? But, bless me.
that will be rather dull for coronation
Unsatisfactory but the police mean I
have detailed 10 600 men. who. in assorted dis.
/ gulStS OF peasants. nouj ks and the ike r-ili
surround ANA escort Your Majestys cagr.a g.
/ filing the air with joyo us cries.
| Czar-But are you certain that there are no
| Nlhists alnonr them?
MiniSter-l nave provided FOR that. Each man
! Is instructed the moment that he notices Il SIlS-
pclouS movement on the part OF his ne, ghbOr to
blow out that neiThbor'S brains
Czar-Bnt, say, may be hit by one of the
flying balls, You know.
Min.Ster-Then. Your Majesty will surr"css
the reviewers and serve out da r.erS t,:ld
CZar-An IMPROVEMENT IA great imp {, gcnient
And how about the windows along tAe route. OF
! the PROCESSION?
Nj nister-ihey have been seen to and viii l,e
dulN locked and the curtains III he draw
CZar-But the fellows hight pot Inc through
the giais. You Know. They wouldn't stdl,t at
smashing it-they have TO respect for ai,thi1r.
Minster-Ihen | VIII have all the windows
boarded up.
CZar-That'n be expensive. won't it? If nli.ht
be better to drive all the inhabitants dow. mo
their cellars and Keep them there for twenty
four hours.
M;nister-An excellent idea anil one that fg-
fleets treat credit OH Your !laic>tys ,mD,.ris IL
Seilu!ty. But will permit myself to observe
that 1t confined to the cellars the pnpui..; in
would have opportunities for runuellIng-
CARLY SAINT Serg!us. | never tnou h. OF
thai Still we might put . detective IN each
cellar to give the alarm
Minister--But il there should happen to De g
household of Mn Isis. a solitary watCi!ti;.a
would be stranglcd before
Cz@-l:igit. right fear we must abandon
the idea and fall back on boardin. up the win
dOwS. As To the church.
Minister-It has been rigidly inspected and
the walls have been sounded
CZar-The pictures behind which Nj
Minister have mad them taken down and
! the organ pipes removed. The whole buinr
Is as bare "a my hand There Is not cover for Il
cat. let alone con :piratOr.
CZar-Sti it is a pity to omit the mus cal
portion of the ceremony.
Mnister-We shall iraye "A band from one If
Your MaleSty's most faithful regiments
tzar-Be sure there are 40 explosives in the
brasses, and See that no Nihist Cunceals himS, If
! in the drum.
Minister will post one of my trustiest men
INSIDE of It, Your Majesty. AS Tor the list Of i'll
Eited guests. shall 90 over that IN person aud
give special attention to the delivery of the nvi-
/ tations
| CART seems IL me that there is a good
deal of risk about that. ticket hi rbt 90 asi ray
| or one might be forced
Minister-Ye-es. there's no DENYING that
! Still. don't see how-but L.; NE Are is it a,,-
soiuteiy necessary that there should be any spec
| tatOr present !
Czar-Certainly not
/ Minister-in that case think it would impart
an additional character oi grandeur To the crrp-
lnony were IT performed without the presence If
crowd To stare and distract suppose that We.
make 1t mere tete-a-tete between Your Ma
/ Je>ty aud Divine Providence
| Czar-That is by no means a bad idea and
! 1t has something majestic and Gutocrat'c about
IL. You may cancel the LIST of invitations.
| The vaults Of the cathedral nave. suppDse-
Minister-TEey have Oeei VISITED Sire, and
the only mine We found there has been carefully
! removed. that there is not the slightest
| ground for apprehension OH that score
Garland my carriage has been irOn-cad!
Minister-lt has, re; four inches of IRON
with a three-fo0t bacsin. of solid teak All
| being seen to. =
| Czar-But. hold on, We have overlooked the
greatest danger Of all. Tie crown. They might
nave a cartridge or Il spr ng-gun. or something
10 II, and blow my annointed head off.
Mih!Ster-lOur Majesty need not fear. / will
carry the crown i'll a hat-box under my own arm
| ana give 1t to the Patr arch with nv own hands
! CZar-Tls well! All our arrangements then
| are made lind them satisfactory and Will re-
/ ward your prudent and loyal care. Goodnight!
snail see you lii the morning. exit Minister
/ Now. let Inc see who in thunder shall SIT to
| keep an eve on him till tomorrow morninr?-
Translated freely JicD, the French Of Z. Veyon
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