The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-28
The Crown of Russia at Last Placed Upon
the Head of the Successor of
Alexander II.
March of the Emperor to the Cathe-
dral of the Assumption.
A Beautiful and Impressive Ceremony, Ac-
companied by Changing Bells
and Booming Cannon.
The Ceremonies Incident to CrownIng the
Car of All the Russias.


Gar of All the Russias.
Moscow, May 27,-At7 o'clock this morn
ing were inaugurated the magnificent cere-
monies attendant upon the coronation
of the Emperor and Empress. They
we're announced by the ringing of hun
dreds of bells and by the thunder of artillery.
Even at that early hour the streets were
thronged with people, visitors from abroad
and from other parts of the empire crowding
the residents, and all striving to secure suit
able places TO, Nt:.h 70 view the nroces-
sion and such portions of the ceremony itself
as those not particularly favored might be
able to witness. During the entire night, in
fact there was activity in the streets, for not
only were people there whose anxiety con-
cerning and interest in the coronation
kept them awake, but strong
squad of soldiers patrolled all
parts of the city, giving the streets
very martial appearance Great bodies of
soldiers shortly before o'clock, were sta
toned along the route of the procession
four miles in length, and occupied the
streets on either side, keeping the people or
the walks. All unreserved spaces in the
streets were speedily filled by sghtseers,
while the windows, doorways and house
tops were let out at fabulous prices to WIS.,
itors.
The dignitaries of the realm, who were to
take part in the actual ceremony of corona
ton, assembled according to prearranged
programme at the Cathedral of the Holy
Aeuu vritbiD xvollc of fba L ram
lin. These functionaries entered the mag
nifcent building at 7:90 A. M. About 8
o'clock, there followed in order the princes of
foreign governments, the nobility OF Russia
and other States of Europe, and special and
regular ambassadors from foreign countries
residing in Russia.
The utmost care was exercised to prevent
the admission of any unauthorized or i'm
proper persons, each one as he appeared at
the entrance being required to exhis,t &. care
fully prepared ticket, which was subjected to
the closest scrutiny. This form was observed
at the Kremlin and at the doors of the cathe-
dral.
At the request of General Won Schweritz,
ambassador from Germany eighty members
ILS ulplOtldllC COIDS, dSSSlllOl6Q
at his mansion, and were conveyed thence to
the Kremlin in superbly- y-equipped coaches
richly gilded as to their harness and coat of
arms. The remainder of the diplomatic body
consisting of attaches of the various legations,
were assigned to positions in the tribune,
just outside the cathedral proper, but inside
the enclosure of the Kremlin.
BEGINNING THE CEREMONY.
When the white walls of that wondrous
place closed on all of the crowd that could
be admitted, a choir of boys chanted the ''Te
Deum," and amidst profound silence outside
the church as we'll as in it, the clergy, accom-
panied by acolytes bearing the cross and
ever of holy water, proceeded to receive the
Czarevitch. This scion of royalty, who was
in the midst of a brilliant cortege, took his
place at the right hand of the throne
When the imperial procession started it
was made known throughout the inside of
the cathedral by the renewed ringing of BELLS
by sonorous music from scores of bands, and
by the shouts of those outside. AS the
royal pair appeared at the doors of the palace
the immense multitude Immediately un-
covered their heads and burst into loud ac-
clamations. Even women were bonnet
BARE and the enthusiasm was as unaffected
as it was spontaneous and hearty.
At the head OF the royal procession, which
now entered the Kremlin, was the master of
ceremonies fanked by heralds richly clad
and mounted upon pure white horses. 1t
was of immense length, and comprised
deputies from the Asiatic states of the en-
pire, students of the university, clergy,
judges, nobility and projects from every
section of the empire. When its front rank
reached the doors of the palace it was met
by the Emperor, wearing the white uniform
OF q colonel OF the Imperial guards, and by
the Empress dressed, in the Russian national
costume of black velvet, richly embroidered
with diamonds and girdled with magniti-
cent belt of precious stones. The Empress
leaned on the arm of her royal consort. The
pair placed themselves beneath the canopy,
richly wrought in silk and gold, and borne
by thirty-two generals of high military
rank They then took their place near the
head of the procession, being directly after
the regala,
At this moment the entire body Of the
clergy emerged from the cathedral in order
to meet the regalia, which they publicly
sprinkled with holy water and perfumed with
incense.
Upon entering the portals of the cathedral
theEmperorand Empress were received by the
Metropolitan OF Moscow. The Metropoltans
of Novogarod and Kief presented them the
cross to be kissed, and sprinkled with holy
water first the Emperor and then the EN-
press. Before the sacred images which
fanked the doors of the cathedral they knelt
and bowed their heads, after which they were
conducted to the ancient thrones of ivory
and silver. Alexander occupied the historical
throne of Gar Vladimer Montague, while
the Empress was seated In an armchair
gilded and encrusted with jewels. The
thrones were placed upon dais