Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-06-20
From Our Regular Correspondent
Moscow Letter.
Moscow, May 80, 1888.

Moscow Letter.
MOSCOW. May 80. 1883.
The scene at the opera house last night.
on the occasion of The visit of the emperor
and empress, was one of extraordinary
splendor. The brilliantly lighted theatre
glittered with magnificent uniforms and
beautiful costumes, set off with a profusion
of diamonds and other jewels. The czar
and the czarina entered the imperial box
at half past seven. and were saluted by the
audience who had risen in body, with a
burst of cheering, which subsidized while
the national anthem was being played,
but broke out afresh as soon as the music
ceased.
The car, who was in the uniform of
the chevalier guard, and the empress,
whore brilliant toilette eliminated in a
diadem of extraordinary lustre, both wore
the Gordon of the order of st. Andrew.
Amidst the profusion of precious stones In
all parts of tho house, the parure of
emeralds worn by the Grand Duchess
Vladimir excited the most general admira
ton.
On their majesties rising to leave at the
conclusion of the performance the audi
ence also rose, and. turning to the imperial
box cheered with such persistence that
the emperor and empress, who had already
retired, came back into the theatre and
remained standing in their box in full
view of the assemblage, while the orches-
ira played the national hymn.
The truly and unaffectedly devout spirit
of holy Russia was manifest throughout
yesterdays rejoicings. A deep and abiding
sentiment of religion sanctified the cere-
monial. and animated those who took part
in it, whether as actors or as spectators.
The people who had prayed in the
churches for the safety and welfare of the
reigning house looked on with awe as the
imperial family Frustrated themselves
before the national shrines. All thoughts
and aspirations turned to the Throne OF
Grace, seeking the divine blessing and
fovor. All pious and patriotic Russians
gladly paid their duty to the elected Of
Heal en-. On the very threshold of the
city the municipal authorities offered suit
and service. Next came the loyal address
of the Boyards and the homage of the
Senate; all the while the presiding clergy
bore aloft crosses and holy icons. From
church to church and from shrine 10 shrine
their imperial majesties passed in state,
offering prayers and thanksgiving to the
Most High, as the bells pealed and the
cannons roared and the people along the
route shouted themselves hoarse with
cries of approving welcome. The east
and the west met and commingled in the
streets of Moscow to do honor TO the
monarch of that wide empire. From
Bokhara and Khiva. from Tashkent, from
Astrakhan and remote Sarmakhand, came
chiefs and leaders of half savage hordes
to swell the triumph of their confessed
lord, the master of many legions. Nothing
was wanting, save the feeling of security,
to make perfect magnificent pageant-a
semblance of unparalleled power. All
those fierce fighting men from Asiatic
Russia, and squadrons, of cossacks and
Populations of the high nobility, came
together TO acknowledge the supremacy
of one man. Mounted eguerries, couriers,
court servants, huntsmen, pages, and
masters of the ceremonies. all in splendid
uniforms and rich liveries, swelled the
strange and dazzling spectacle. The
ambassadors and correspondents, used to
the sights of warlike shows and civil
pagentry, must have wondered at the
strange and startling sight. in which
civilization and semi barbarism blended
in an ever shifting Kaleidoscope feast OF
color. 1t is beyond question that the
House of Romauoff has deserved we'll of
the great and diversified Russian nation.
The emperor's i'll fated father was, al
least during the early years of his
chequered reign, man of large and
liberal ideas; and, while he endeavored to
carry out the national traditions abroad,
laid the foundations of future freedom at
home. For the moment the universal
gaze turns toward Moscow, and rests
upon the one conspicuous and central
figure, within reach of whose outstretched
hand lies the Imperial crown of all the
Russians. That he may be spared to set
the glttering bauble upoa his brow, and
thereafter to reign justly and securely
over loyal people, is the sincere wish Of
all friends to order and the stable govern
ment of nation in sore need of peace
and progress.