Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-06-14
A CURIOUS CEREMONY.
How the Formal Announcement of the Rus
sim Czrr,s COrnnntion was NHade.

The proclamation by the herads at
Moscow that the coronation OF the
emperor had been fixed for the follow
ing Sunday at the Cathedral OF the
Assumption was one Of the most In
teresting spectacles as far a' the pub
lie were concernel, they being abso-
lutely shut out of any view whatever
of the coronation ceremonies, In the
space between the senate house and
the arsenal as early ass o'clock large
number of people had assembled. The
place was kept Gear bv mounted and
foot police, who discharged their du-
ties with good temper, but there was
no attempt to preserve order when the
heralds threw copies among the spec
tators. The wonder was that those
who happily caught copies flying
through the air were not torn in pieces
by those less fortunate. First the
troops arrived. 30 Gardes-a cheval, or
Emperor's Guard, in which tunics with
silver helmets and breastplates and red
laces with pennons.
Then came one Of the most curious
parts of the procesSion-twelv3 led
horses, beautiful animals, perfectly
white, capariSoned in gorgeous fash
ion, their whole body, neck and tail in
closed in housing Of yellow silk en-
blazoned with the imperial eagles,
national colors and curious devices.
This cloth was drawn off a. each ler,
terminating in gold tasseis. On their
heads were plumeS of white ostrich
feathers. Each horse was led by two
crooms, a third walking by its side.
The men wore high boots and splendid
dresses of back and gold. At no pre-
vious proclamation hal there been
more than six. On the present occa-
sion six formed part as representing
the dignity of the emperor and six the
empress. While the crowd was pa
tiantly waiting the arrival OF other
troops and the approach of the heraldS,
Prince Vladimir drove past in an open
carriage. The emperor's guards
shouted, "Good health to you" Soon
after two hundred Chevalier Guards.
or regiment of the empr IS, rode to
the ground in splendid uniforms, which
differ slightly from those OF the en-
peror's regiments. The helmets have
golden eagles and large pennonS of
blue. Between the squadronS OF the
two regiments there was al interval
for the heralds and masters of cere-
monies to take up their positions.
When they appeared there was the
greatest excitement among the crowd.
Half q dozen mounted gendarmeS rode
among the people to clear tie space.
The two heralds were remarkably
fine men. They wore magnificent
tabards, as if kings or princes them
selves. At first sight one was irreSist-
ably reminded of Henry VIII, as pic
tured at the meeting with the French
king on the field of the cloth of gold
Their yellow silk tabards looked like
mass of gold. On their breasts was the
large imperial eagle, worked in imperial
colors, AMI a headdre3S of white velvet,
and turned Up cap, with hanging
plumes of the imperial coIors, and
broad huff top boots. Their horses
had white trappings, with emblazoned
eagles and the imper al colorS. They
were accompanied by six masters of
ceremonies in full gold laced uniforms
with the secretary of the holy synod
and the other officials in court dress.
The secretary of the holy synod, with
another court functionary, rode out in
front of the line. For moment he
was interrupted by the horse of one OF
the heralds which suddenly became
restive. With the greatest difficulty
the rider kept his seat. Some officers
luckily closed round to prevent his
being thrown. Certainly that would
have been an unfortunate commence
ment of the ceremonies. At last the
clock struck nine and the proclamation
was read for the first time.
As translated from the Russian it
was to the following effect: "The
grand and puissant Alexander AleXan-
drovitch has assembled the throne of
his ancestors and the thrones of Po-
land and of the grand duChy of Finland,
indi. so,ubly united with his sovereignty
And according to usage adopted by his
glorious predecessors he has deigned to
ordain that with the aid of the Om-
nip tent his coronation and the act of
sacred JUNCTION should take place on
Sunday next, and to which coronation
should also be admitted his august
spouse, Marie FeodOroyna. Tha sol
emn announcement is made of this
sacred act by this present proclamation
10 all his faithful subjects, in order
that they may renew their endeavors
of piety and implore favor of the King
of Kings that He wou deign with His
almighty prote .tion the reign of his
majesty and of his augu't spouse, and
that He will assure to that reign the
peace and tranquility which are indis-
pensable fJr the glory of His holy
name and the happiness of the Faith
erland." The secretary of the holy
synod, who was smart. good-lCoking
young man, discharr red his duty well,
and read in clear, loud v ice.
In ta1tly he ceased the crowd,
which stood uncovered, raised loud
cheers, waved their hats and made the
sign of the cross. The troops saluted.
Then followed the scene of excitement
alreadv described. Two heralds riding
forward threw copies of the proclama-
tion broadcast. These Immediately
disappeared among the people.
Another supply was then forthcoming.
The secretary of the holy synod then
marched off to the next spot at which
the ceremony was to be repeated. This
was nearly in front of the monument
D.. l. e