The Portland daily press., 1883-05-28
Long Delayed Ceremony Ac-
complished.
Nihilists Fail to Pat in an Appear
ance.
Coronation of the Emperor and Empress
OF Russia.


and from other parts of the Empire who were
striving to secure eligible places from which to
view the procession and such portions Of the
ceremony itself as those not particularly favor
cd might be able to witness. Even at far ear
lier hour and in fact during the entire night
there was unusual activity In the streets, for
not only were there those whose anxiety and
excitement In respect to the event kept them
awake but strong guards of soldiery patrolled
all parts of the city and gave the scene semi
martial appearance.
Great bodies Of military begau shortly before
six o'clock to deploy along the route of process
sion, four miles in length, and to occupy the
streets on either side keeping the people back
on the walks. All unreseryed spaces In the
streets were speedily filed by eager sightseers,
while windows, doorways and house tops were
let out at fabulous prices to visitors. Those
dignitaries of the realm who were TO take part
in the actual ceremony OF coronation assem-
bled according to prearranged plans at the Ca
thedral of the Holy Assumption within the
walls of the Kremlin. These functlonarles
entered the building at 7.30 a. m. AT eight
O'Clock there followed in order Princes OF for
eign governments, nobility of Russia and other
States of Europe and special and regular am
bassadors of foreign countries residing In Rus
sia. The utmost care was exercised TO prevent
the admission of any unauthorized or improper
person. each one as he appeared at the en-
trance being required to exhibit carefully
prepared ticket OF admission which was sub
iected TO the closest scrutiny. This form was
observed both at the gate of the Kremlin and
at the doors OF the Cathedral. At the request
of Gen. Won Schweinitz, ambassador from
Germany, the eighty members comprising the
diplomatic corps here assembled at his man
sion and were conveyed thence TO the Kremlin
in superbly equipped coaches. The remainder
of the diplomatic body consisting of attaches
of various legations were assigned to positions
in the tribune, Just out side OF the cathedral
proper. but inside the enclosure OF the Krem-
lin. When the white walls OF that wondrous
place enclosed all the crowd that could be adj
mitted choir OF boys chanted the fe Deum
and amidst profound silence outside the church
as well as in, the clergy accompanied by
acolytes bearing q cross and ever Of holy
waterproceeded TO receive the Czarovitch
This scion of royalty who was in the midst OF
a brilliant cortege took q place at the right
hand OF the throne. When the imperial pre-
cession started 1t was made known to those in
side the cathedral by renewed ringing of BELLS
sonorons music from scores Of bands and by tle
shouts of those outside As the royal pair ap-
peared at the doors of the palace the multi
tude uncovered their heads and burstinto loud
acclamations. Even the women were bonnet
bare, and the enthusiasm was as unaffected as
il was spontaneous and hearty. AT the head
OF the royal procession which now entered the
Kremlin, was the master Of ceremonies hanked
by heralds richly clad and mounted upon white
horses. 1t was OF immense length and CON-
prised deputies from the Asiatic states of the
Empire, students OF the university, clergy,
judges, nobility, and projects from every sec
lion of the empire. When its front rank reach
ed the doors of the palace it was met by the
Emperor wearing the white uniform Of a col
onel of the Imperial Guards, and the Empress
dressed infsRussian national costume Eof black
velvet richly embroidered with diamonds, her
zone girdled with magnificent belt OF precious
stones. The pair placed themselves beneath
the canopy richly wrought in silk and gold and
borne by 80 generals.
They then took place near the head OF the
procession, being directly after the regalia. AT
this moment the entire body OF clergy emerged
from the cathedral in order to meet the rega-
liza .zrhich thaR 1nnbliel1 snrinkled with holy
water and perfumed with fncense Z
Upon entering the portals Of the cathedral,
the Emperor and Empress were received by
the Metropolitan OF Moscow. The Metropoli-
tans Of Novgorod and KieH presented TO them
the cross to be kissed aud sprinkled with holy
water, first to the Emperor and then 10 the
Empress. Before the sacred images which
fanked tire door OF the cathedral, they kneel-
ed and bowed their heads, after which they
were conducted to the ancient throne Of ivory
aud silver. Alexander occupied the historical
throne of Czar Vladimir Monomague, while
the Empress was seated in an arm chair, GID
ed and encrusted with jewels The thrones
were placed upon a dais, erected between the
middle columns of the cathedral. Over the
pals was a canopy OF scarlet velvet.
Suspended from the arched ROOT, embroidered
with gold and silver braid, which was worked
with the arms of Russia and all her dependen-
IN Ina In 4
the thrones were two tables. covered with gold
cloth, upon which were placed the crowns the
orb and the sceptre. None bnt foreign princes
were accommodated with seats. The Russian
princes and dignitaries stood during the entire
ceremony, according to the custom. The dig
nitaries OF the realm, who were carrying the
standard and seals of the empire, took their
stand upon the steps OF the dais After their
maiesties had been seated, the Metropolitan of
Novrogod asked the Emperor, in loud, dis
Emperor, falling on his knees, read, In reply,
in clear voice, the Lords Prayer and the
Apostles Greed of the Greek church, the Met
ropolitan responding, MAY the grace OF the
Holy Ghost remain with thee" and descended
from the dais. The following customary sum
mons was then three times repeated BY the
bishop: "It there be any of you here present
knowing any impediment for which Alexar-
der, son OF Alexander, should not be crowned
by the grace OF God, Emperor and Autocrat OF
all the Russias, let him come forward now, in
the name OF the Holy Trinity, and show what
the impediment is, or let them remain dumb
forever" After reading selections from the
Gospel, the MetropolItans OF Novgorod and
Kieff again surrounded the dais, and invested
the Emperor with the imperial mantles OF err
mine, the Metropolitan of Moscow saying at
the same time, Cover and protect
thy people as this robe protects and
covers thee" Tho Emperor responded ''I
Will, will, / will, God helping The metro
politan Of Novogorod crossing his hands upon
the head OF the Emperor then invoked the
benedction of Almighty God upon him and
his reign and delivered to Alexander Ill the
crown Of Russia who placed IL upon his own
hoad and assuming the septre amp orb took his
seat upon the throne. He then returned the
insignia Of his title to the dignitaries appointed
TO receive them and called the Empress who
knelt before him. He touched her lightly
with the crown of the Emperor and formally
crowned her with her own crown. The express
sion and attitude of the Empress rs she knelt
was one Of sympathy with her royal husband
and touched deeply the audience. The Gar
preserved throughout grave and decorous
dignity and nobleness of demeanor which
also provoked the admiration OF all.
After the Empress had been duly invested
with the imperial mantle and their MaJesties
were both seated again on their thrones the
Arch Deacon intoned the imperial titles and
sang Doni7li suigan1 ia i1lperatoreni, which
Directly IS this part Of the ceremony was fn-
ished the bells In all tho churches OF Moscow
rang, a salute Of 101 guns was fred, and inside
the cathedral members Of the imperial family
rendered their congratulations to their msjes-
ties The Emperor then kneit and recited o
prayer, at the end OF which the clergy and all
present knelt before the Emperor. The Bishop
OF Moscow said aloud in behalf of the nation
fervent prayer for the happiness OF their ma1es-
ties Shouts of Long live the Emperor" then
rent the cathedral and were taken up by thou-
sands outside and carried from mouth to mouth
until the multitude outside the kremln
caught the sound and waved it in huge vol
ume OF human graduation TO the rem5test part
OF the city, where ii was speedily known that
another Car OF the Russais had been crowned.
The cathedral choir then sang the lie Deum,
after which the Emperor, accompanied by the
Empress and numerous dignitaries, proceeded
TO the gate OF the sanctuary, wherest the Metro-
politan OF Noygorod annointed the Emperor's
forehead, eyelidF, nostrils lips, ears, breast and
hands, at the same time exclamine, behold
the seal OF the Holy Ghost. May II keep thee
ever holy" The Empress was annointed only
on the forehead. Both partook OF the Sacra-
ment, and then left the cathedral, wearing
their crowns and mantes, the Emperor also
bearing the sceptre and orb. After praying IN
the cathedral of Michael, the Archangel, their
majesties returned to the palace, escorted
by the procession, which presented even
more splendid appearance than that which es-
corted them to the cathedral, being now aug
mented by the gorgeous state carriages oil the
Ir..e. NtAl IA AtrrAd a