Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-05-24
FOREIGN NEWS.
FROM RUSSIA.
Moscow's Magnificent Decorations
Description of the Coronation
Throne.
Moscow, May 23.

The decorations of the streets and houses
here have been nearly completed. Ever
skawa street is almost concealed BY the bunt-
ing which iutters-at every door and coigne
of vantage. Kiosks have been constructed
of Russia carved wood, in which the city
worthless or military bands will be installed.
Heraldic devices and coat of arms have been
invented for every province Of Asia. On all
sides are pictures of the imperial family and
words of salutatior, in letters of every size.
in Slav or Russian. encircle garlands sur
rsunded BY colored lamps. Eikons. or holy
images, glowing with FURNISHED metal, vie
with massive shields and rich Byzantine por-
traits of former Cars, carried aloft on gi-
gantic spars, from which float banners of
many forms and shapes. Ten thousand cupo-
las of the Russian churches rise in flaming
gold beads or silver star spangled blues.
crude green's or studded with immense nail
heads of every color, lighted BY a brilliant
sun and tempered by floating clouds.
In the foreground are dashing troikas, W it'll
silver harnessed steeds, open caleches, full OF
varied uniforms or curious Asiatic costumes.
less pretentions droskys, with quaint drivers,
dashing recklessly by in every direction,
while to the right and left are muJiks in red
shirts and boots, and INQUIRIES in green and
liveries, jostled by general of the Cossack
aDidZc WIFI OTucrs, UT cCoN leu az D1
the officials. or hustled by the police ser
geant. The feverish brustle of excitement
is.added to by passing cavalry or the band of
some terdy regiments. All the first hotels
and public editices have special decorations
The palace of the governor of Moscow is
covered with garlands and sweet fir leaves,
festooned from the windows to the ground In
the centre is monogram of the initials "A.
NJ" ten feet high, in rose blossoms. Every
detail of door or window is picked out in
colored lamps, which at night will transform
the facade into bowers of brightness, while
the portico is of forest fir boughs and flowers.
Every shop is Respondent with hugh gold
letters on black ground. the characters be.
ing in Russo-Greek or antique Slav. These
add something cabalistic to the magic of the
whole, while the respondent profusion of the
church porches and the fretwork of light iron
canopies over every hotel door vary the out
lines, until the whole scene becomes a mar
vel of povelty and varied attraction.
In the Cathedral of the Assumption is the
coronation throne. A canopy is raised of
crimson and gold, ornamented with gold lace
fringe. cords and tassels; the framework
hung with cloth of gold, the cornish gilt with
sculptured ornaments, having at its four cor
ners imperial crowns, gilt. with gilt eagles in
the centre of each, sculptured ornaments
above, tufts of ostrich feathers the cOlors of
the empire in the centre of the hangings on
each side escutcheons surmounted by crowns
with the cypher of His Majesty the Emperor
on gold field; at the corner of the hangings
gilt eagles, and on the festoons gold crosses.
On the ceiling is the coat of arms ofthe en-
pire, surrounded by those of the kingdoms of
Kasan, Astrakhan, Poland, Siberia, Taurida,
and Georgia and its provinces; the grand
dukedoms of Kiev. Vladimir, Novgorod and
Finland; the family coat of arms of His
Majesty, and by those of all the possessions
named in the grand imperial title. At the
corners of the ceiling is the cipher monogram
of His Majesty, surmounted by the imperial
crown and encircled by the collar of the order
of st. Andrew. Under The canopy the estrada
of the throne is hung with crimson velvet,
ornamented it'll gold lace and elevated by
twelve steps separated by two platforms. A
gilt balustradipg runs around the estrada of
the throne and by the side of the steps. On
the First and last steps there are four gilt
eagles on pedestals. On an elevation in the
middle of the estrada, likewise covered with
crimson velvet and ornamented with gold
lace, is placed for His Majesty. the Emperor,
the throne of the Gar John III, and for Her
Majesty, the Empress Marie Feodorovina,
the throne of Michael Feodorovitch. To the
left of the throne is placed table destined
to receive the imperial ensigns, and is COW
cred with crimson velvet with gold lace and
fringe, and with cloth of gold with border
of gold fringe.