Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-28
A ReIHiDisCence 0f GOrSsChaiIOff.


In September, 1856 the writer with num-
Der OF other americans. arrived at Moscow with
the especial object of witnessing the coronation
of the Emperor Alexander. We took lodgings
ar French boarding house where we were
made very comfortable, and were Just in time to
See the Imperial entry into the city prior to the
cofonatIon-a most superby ordered ceremo-
mar. III. Thomas seymour Of Connecticut
represented at that time the United States We
lound mat admission TO the coronation ceremO-
MES c0I.!d only be had by ticket. and on apply-
Ing TO Mr. seymour. found that only a certain
number had been allotted to him, not enough
for orr party and such other Americans
as had already applied. Furthermore,
Mr.. Seymour did not seem to think ne could
ger any more-so at least we We're told. He
was M dilemma. Fortunately at the same
motel was STAYING Russian general of the Mos
cow Iniilfia-a bright, kindly old man. To him
We stated the case and asked his advice
'EcTlre III Prince &c GOrtscfakoff: was his suy-
1estIoD. Ard SO it happened that the writer
was deputed to draw up letter in French "a
son atesse le Prince" setting forth that we
were American citizens, come to Moscow for the
purpose OF seeing the grand ceremonies of the
coronation; that the American minister had
made application for tickets, but by some mis-
take the proper number bad not been issued so
that we respectfully applied to his highness. the
Prince tie Gort-chakof % cause six more to be
assigned To u.s. one OF whom. the writer. would
duly wait upon him on his next audience The
bon acc.3lel always shown American citizens
bS Tie Russian people Induced the hope that
this application would not he in VAIN This we
all signed. having first submitted 1t to our Rms
sian TREND Who pronounced it tires bien ecrit .
and gave the writer instructions how to pre-
sent it.
So went to the Office of Prince Gortschakofr
and delivered the letterin the manner instructed
" AIeZ. youS MEME" said our friend Then
two days later attended the audience "They
oh!y let IN a few at a time at the door" said
the General. but be bOid don't let the hussar
smut the door IN your face. Press In as If YOU
had right to enter. and once in you will have
no difficulty"
1t was just as he said; bold demeanor. a
shove with the shoulder, the door was kept
open and shut behind me. and found m, self
one among some twenty others in q plainly fur-
nished business Office, in dimensions about
twenty-five by thirty feet. moving quietly among
whom. and Pausing to ask each question
was nledium-sized. Engsf-loOkng man.
with fresh, rosy face, short, gray side
whIsker and keen yet kindly eyes. As ne came
near me, following Instructions I saluted him:
Mon Prince!" and stated in French that was
the American who mad taken the liberty of an.
plying tor some tickets for the coronation He
smiled pleasantly and replied in English. .sAh! |
pave Your affair, gave me friendly pat On the
shoulder turned to his secretary, said something
In low voice. and turning to me said kindly:
lie VIII give you what you want" The secre-
tary produced little package, which | took,
Dowing politely; another bow from the Prince:
the door flew open; the husser saluted respect
July, and | returned to our hotel the pleased
bearer OF six excellent seats within the palace
courtyard enclosure Of the Kremlin.
We had an excellent view of the EmperOr de-
scendng the palace steps and entering the Ca
thedrai. whence after half an hour or so he is
sued with the Imperial crown on his head. seen
ire IN the right hand and golden ball in the left:
canopy over his head upheld by silver rods: he
wore military uniform and his breast was Gov
cred with orders The rods were held by great
dgnitaries. The Empress with her attendant
maids OF honor followed and the Empress Dow
one OF the gates of the kremlin and walked on
raised platform outside the walls before the
PROSTATE multitude OF every eastern cline:
then re-entered by another gate and passing
across the courtyard reascended the steps of the
palace.
Brilliant as 1t was. the simple demeanor of
the Kind old man In his close buttoned English
dress coat, with single decoration on his
breast. the friendly smile, the courteous tap on
the shoulder. lived in my memory more sharply
defined than the gorgeous costumes of corona
ton day.