The bee., 1883-06-16
i CURIOUS CEREMONY;
How the FormnI Announcement of the Rus
sinn Cznr,s Gnrnnn finn xYaS Made.

The proclamation by the herad5 at
Moscow that the coronation OF the
emperor had been fixed for the Hollow
ing Sunday at the Cathedral OF the
Assumption was one Of the most IN
teresting spectacles as far a' the pub
lie were concerned, they being aDSo-
lutely shut out of any view whatever
OF the coronation ceremonies. In the
space between the senate house AM
the arsenal as early ass O'Clock large
number of people had assembled. Inc
place wa' kept Gear by mounted ana
foot police, who discharged their du-
ties with G )od temper. but there was
no attempt to preserve order when the
heralis threw copies among the spec
tators. The won .er was that those
who happily caught copies flying
through the air were not torn IN pieces
/ by those less fortunate. First the
troops arrived. 90 Gardes-a cheyal, 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-twely3 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 al each leT,
terminating in g)ld ntasses. On their
heads were plumes OF white ostrlch
feathers. Each horse was led by two
grooms, third walking by its side.
The men wore high boots and splendid
dresses of black aud 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
ii ,ntly 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 y Soon
after two hundred Cheyalier 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 an inter' a!
for the heralGs and masters OF cere-
monies to take up their positions.
When they appeared there was the
greatest excitement among the crowd.
| Half dozen mounted gendarmeS rode
among the people to clear tie space.
The two heralds were remarkably
fine men. They were magnificent
tabards, as if kings or princes them
selves. At first si2ht one was irreSlst
ably reminded Of Henry Will, a5 p c.
tured at the meeting with the French
king on the field of the cloth of gold
Their yellow silk tabards locked like a
mas of gold. On their breasts was the
large geimperial eagle, worked in imperial
colors, an headdreSs Of white velvet,
and turned up cap, with hanging
plumes of the imperial co'ors, and
b oad uff top boots. Their horses
had white trappings, with emblazoned
eagles and the imper al lors. They
were accompanied hy six masters of
ceremonies in full gold laced uniforms
with the secretary Of the holy synod
and the 9th off G ais in court Dir SIS.
The secretary of the holy syn ID, with
another court functionaty, rode out in
front of the Inc. For moment he
was in erru ted by the horse Of one Of
the heralds which suddenly became
restive With the greatet difficulty
the rider kept his scat. Some officers
luckily closed round to prevent his
beng 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
wa3 to the following effect: 1.-The
grand and puiSsant Alexander AleXan-
drovitch has ascPnded the throne of
his ances o"s and the thrones of Po-
land and o. the grand du' hy of Finland,
indi so ubly united with Lis sovereignty
And a:cor ling to usag adopted hy his
glorious predeC esSors he has deigned to
ordain that with the aid of the Om-
MP tent his coro1at on and the act of
sacred unction should take place on
Sunday next, and to which coronation
should also be admitted his august
spouse, Marie Feodorovna. Th sol
emn announcement is made of this
sacred act by this present proclamation
t. all his faithful sub 'ects, in order
that they may renew their endeavors
of piety and implore favor of the King
of Kings that He wou ddeign with His
almighty prOte tion the reiTn of his
n aesty and of his augut spouse, and
that He will assure to that reign the
peace and tranquility which are indis-
pensable fr the glory of His holy
name and the happiness of the Faith
erland." The secretary of the holy
synod, who was a smart. gOod-lCokiDg
young man, dischar red his duty we'll,
and read in a clear, loud 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
already 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 of to the next spot at which
the ceremony was to be repeated. This
was nearly in front of the monument
of Minin and Pojars y. the bands of
the emper rs regiment leading and
Dlnyinp the national anthem. At the