The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-19
Coronation Legends.
yANCIFUL TALES OF THE CEREMONY AS

YAM IFIL TALES of tLhhmONi 40 iVi-D
TO THE PEASANTS.
A st. Petersburg letter says: Since my
attendance at Moscow / have wondered
what reports the Asatics and the repre-
sentatiyes of the northern tribes and the
mouiiks OF the vast empire would receive
of the brilliant scenes OF the coronation fes-
tiyities, And il seemed to me that one
SOLITARY picture would be all that would be
taken TO them. With what deep interest,
thought j, will the peasants dwelling along
the Siberian post-roads, the natives in their
winter huts beyond the Ural and along
the northern rivers listen to the story OF
how at the banquet given in the imperial
palace in the Krcmlin after the coronation
ceremonies two doves flew in at the open
windows OF the banqueting-hall, and after
circling about the heads OF the Car and
his lovely Czaritza flew away again as softly
as they had come in. The dove is sacred
bird in RUSSIA bird OF good omen-and
the incident Of the banqucting-hall above
narrated-the truth OF which Is well
youched for-will be looked upon by the
moujik and the jewellers in the most dis
tant parts OF the Empire as bright omen
for the reign OF Alexander Ill. in Russia.
This incident, which, i notice, Is ridiculed
by many European papers. is really worthy
oil stIlOuS lotiNC, iOl IL Nv ohNtt hip'N N''N''
any other event, gives, in the minds OF the
millions OF Russian peasants, q peculiar
conservation TO the rule OF Alexander III.
And what the story that will reach the
nomads OF Central Asia through their trou-
badours? Before l left Moscow was fa-
yored with a copy OF lengthy poem which
was being translated into Bokharian, and
which will doubtless be heard in many
kibitka before the winter sets in. 1t reads
In prose thus:
..The sun rose in splendor and shOne
pnon the great plains around. and saw, as
though n great sea, q dense multitude f0w-
ing on toward the red Kremlin and pass
under its Holy Gate and its high towers.
"There was supreme calm, a quietness
undisturbed; the people watched the hand
of the great clock, awaiting the solemn
moment, and the sun was suspended high
In the sky, like q ball, surrounded with
transparent vapor.
"At last from the Kremlin was heard the
old, familiar sound from Ivan Veleki. The
sound caused all to uemble and the whole
of Moscow crossed Itself.
"The sun burst forth with full splendor
making the gilded head OF Ivan to gllttel
like gold, and the sounds OF hundreds o
bells filed the air pleasantly, sweetly.
"But the Car has not yet come; tn
service Is read in the Holy Temple, ant
then, with mercy writ on his lace, might,
and powerful, standing erect, the Car ap
pearee; OF his side the beautiful Czaritza
"They followed the purple way uEde
the canopy, golden and beautifully deco
rated; they came to the door OF the Cathe
dral, where they were hailed with tri
umphant song.
And they shOne with beauty. The,
stood on the elevated place, and, following
the example OF times gone by, the Fathe
reads the creed, and from the sacred pre-
clncts OF the altar Is carried the gittering
costly crown OF the Russian Car.
"And the Car, in sovereign grandeu
and sacred humility, receives the crow
from the holy hands and places 1t reveren,
ly upon his own head, and the cannon
boom forth, announcing the browning +
the people.
"Then another crown Is brought, and |
placed by the Car upon the head of tn
lovely Czaritza. kneeling before him. No
my language is too poor to give the Who'll
story. The cannon booming forth agail
and again tell the news 10 the people stand
ing outside in the Kremlin.
"The sun shone forth, and everything
seemed to be moved with the great re
ioicing around. The services are finished
and the Car, crowned TO the glory OF God
is now returning 10 partake OF the breae
and salt under the protection Of the might,
eagle OF the rulers Of Russia.
"And. behold. In the banquetiEg hal
two sacred doves appeared. They flew
about the heads Of the Car and bis Lowell,
consort. They brought to them the bless
ings Of Heaven, and they sped away OF
lithesome wing out into the world TO tel
the people OF the grandeur OF the White
Car and the loveliness OF the treasured
Czaritza.
ain the evening, above the golden
domes OF Moscow, the Kremlin was made
brilliant with the lighted lamps. The head
of Ivan shone in respondent light. The
whole OF Moscow was ablaze, and the peo-
pie sang as with one voice the national
hymn TO the Car:
sGod bless our eraccus Gar,
Mighty in splendor!
Rule 70 our glory aye,
gesred by his foes away,
Faithful DefenderIn