The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-06-27
MOSCOW LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
Moscow, MAY 80, 1883.

The scene at the Opera House lae|
night. on the occasion of the visit Of
the Emperor and Empress, was one
of extraordinary splendor. The bril-.
liantly lighted theatre glittered with
magnificent uniforms and beautiful
costumes, set off with a profusion OF
diamonds and other jewels. The
Gar and Czarina entered the I'M
perial box at half-past seven, and
were saluted by the audience, who
had risen in a body, with burst OF
cheering, which subsided 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 En-
press, whose brilliant toilet culmi-
mated in a diadein of extraordinary
lustre, both wore the Gordon of the
forder of st. Andrew. Amidst the
profusion of precious stones in all
parts of the house, the parure OF
emeralds worn by the Grand Ouch
ess Vladimir excited the most gene
raj admiration.
On their Majesties rising to leave
at the conclusion of the performance
the audience also rose, and, turning
to the Imperial box, cheered with
such persistence that the Emperor
and Empress, who had already re-
tired, came back into the theatre and
remained standing in their box in
full view of the assemblage, while
the orchestra played the national
hymn.
The truly and unafiectedly devout
spirit of holy Russia was manifest
throughout yesterdays rejoicings.
A deep and abiding sentiment of re-
ligion sanctified the ceremonial
and animated those who took part
in it, whether as actors or as specta-
tors. 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
prostrated themselves before the ma
tional shrines. All thoughts and
aspirations turned to the throne of
Grace, seeking the Divine blessing
and favor. All pious and patriotic
Russians gladly paid their duty to
the elected of Heaven. On the very
threshold of the city the municipal
authorities offered suit and service.
Next came the loyal address of the
Boyarps and the homage of the SEN
ate all the while the presiding cler-
gy bore aloft crosses and holy icons.
From church to church and from
shrine to shrine their Imperial Maj
estes passed in state, offering pray
ers 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 west met and commln-
gled 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 feel
ing of security, to make perfect a
magnificent pageant-a semblance
of unparalleled power. All those
fierce fighting men from Asiatic
Russia, and squandrons of Cossacks
and deputations of the high nobility
came together to acknowledge the
supremacy of one man. Mounted
equerries, couriers, court servants,
huntsmen, pages, and masters of the
ceremonies, all in splendid uniforms
and rich liveries, swelled the strange
and dazzling spectacle. The Ambas-
sadors and correspondents, used to
the sights of warlike shows, and civ
il pageantry, must have wondered
at the strange and startling sight, in
which civilization and semi barbar-
ism blended in an ever shifting ka-
ledoscopic feast of color. 1t is be-
yond question that the house of Ro-
manoff has deserved well of the great
and diversified Russian nation. The
Emperors i'll tated father was, at
least during the early years of his
chequered reign, man OF large and
liberal ideas; and, while he endeav-
ored to carry out the national tradi-
tions abroad, laid the foundations
for future freedom at home. For the
moment the universal gaze turned
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 spar
ed to set the glittering bauble upon
his brow, and thereafter to reign
Justly and securely over a loval peo-
pie, is the sincere wish of all friends
to order and the stable government
of a nation in sore need of peace and
progress.