Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-30

Coronation Of the Gear and Cxarin,.


messed on the face Of the earth In modern times
Everything that could add to the Impressive
ness Of the coronation was produced regardless
OF expense. The exercises Of the last day were
begun Sunday morning with the ringing of all
the bells in Moscow accompanied by the thunder
of artillery. The hour was not too early for the
anxious population. The streets were thrOnged
even before the changing Of bells, and the roar
OF heavy guns announced the formal opening Of
the days proceedings. The event of the day
and indeed OF the week, was to take place-the
crownlng Of the emperor and empress The
formal coronation was in the cathedral of the
Holy Assumption within the walls of the Krem-
lin The route of the procession was four miles
In length, and eagerneSS to obtain q position
from whence the gorgeous pageant could be
seen set the people astir even before o'clock.
About that hour large bodies of troops were
mustered to the sound of martial music and the
object of the early movement of the soldiers was
made apparent when lines of sOldiery were
formed on each side of the procession route to
Keep back the pressing and impatient p0pulace.
THE IMPERIAL. PROCESSION.
When the imperial procession started it was
made known to those inside the cathedral by
the renewed ringing of bells, by sonorous music
from scores Ofbands. and by the shouts of those
outside AS the royal pair appeared at the doors
OF the palace the immense multitude imme-
dIateiy uncovered their heads and burst into
net bare, and the enthusiasm was as unaffected
as 1t was spontaneous and hearty. At the head
Ol the royal procession. which now entered the
kremiin. 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
empire. students of the university. the clergy
judges. the nobility. and projects from every
section OF the empire. When it's front rank
reached the doors of the palace it was met by
81 Df 7.
colonel OF the Imperial Guards and Dy the en-
press. dressed In the Russian national costume
OF black velvet. richly embroidered with dia-
months. her zone girded with magnificent belt
OF precious stones. The empress leaned on the
arm OF her royal cOnsOrt. The pair placed them
selves beneath canopy richly wrought in silk
and gold and borne BY 80 generals of high mill
tary rank. They then took their place near the
head oil the procession. being directly after the
regal:a. At this moment the entire body of the
clergy emerged from the cathedral in order to
meet the resalia which they publicly sprinkled
with holy water and perfumed with incense.
THE SCENE IN THE CATHEDRAL.
The high dignitaries who were to take part
In the actual ceremony of coronation assem-
bled. according to a prearranged plan, in the
cathedral at IA q. m. About o'clock the
princes of foreign governments, the nobility of
Russia, ambassadors and other state dgnitaries
entered. the utmost care being exercised to
prevent the admission OF any unauthorized or
improper person.
within the portals Of the cathedral by the me-
tropOlitan OF Moscow. The metrOpOtans of
NOvgOrod and kief presented to them the cross
to be kissed and sprinkled with holy water
first the emperor and then the empress. Before
the sacred images which hanked 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 Occu- !
pied the historical throne OF the Car Vladimir
MOnOmasue, while the empress was seated in
an arm CHAIR gllded and eucruSted with Jewels. |
The thrones were placed upon a dais erected be-
tween the two middle columns of the cathedral.
over the das was canopy OF scarlet velvet, |
suspended from the arched roof embroidered
with gold and lined with silver brOcade. which
was worked with the arms of Russia and all her |
dependencies in a most ingenious manner In
front OF the thrones were two tables covered
with gold cloth, upon which were placed the
crowns. the orb and the scepter None but for
elgn princes were accommodated with seats. |
The Russian princes and dignitares stood dur
ing the entire ceremony, according to the GUS
tom OF the Greek. The diynitaries of the realm
who were carrying the standard and seals of
the empire took their stand upon the steps of the
dais.
THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS CROWNED.
When their majesties were seated the metro
pOlitan of NOygOrOd asked the emperor if he
was true believer, in response to which his
majesty fell upon his knees and read in clear
voice the Lords prayer and the apostles creed
The metropolitan then invoked the grace of the
Holy Ghost upon his majesty, after which sum-
mons, addressed generally. was read BY bishop
calling upon any who knew of any impeachment
why Alexander should not be crowned with all
his hereditary power, titles and dignities to
come forward and declare it or remain dumb
forever afterward Not murmur of opposition
was heard. and the ceremony proceeded with the
reading of selections from the gospel. The i'm
perial mantle OF ermine was then placed upon
protect thy people as this robe protects and
covers thee" The emperor responded with
earnest feeling 81 will l will 1 will, God
helping" The metropolitan of Novgorod next
crossed his hands upon the head Of his
majesty and invoked the benedctiOn of Almighty
God upon him and his reign. The crown of Rus
STA was then delivered to Alexander III, who
placed 1t upon his own head, and assuming the
scepter and orb took his seat upon the throne.
He then. after returning the insignia of his title
to the dignitaries appointed to receive them,
called the empress, who kneit before him.
smile OF touching sympathy with her husband
illumined her cOuntenance. He gently touched
her head with the imperial crown and placed
upon it the crown of the empress. The car
preserved throughout a grave and decOrOus dig
nifty and nobleness of demeanOr, which also
provoked the admiration of all. The empress
was next invested with the imperial mantle,
ana OOth their maJeStleS resumed their seats on
their respective thrones. The arch-deacon in
toned the imperial titles and sang "Domine
salyum fac imperatOrem," which was taken up
and thrice repeated by the choir.
POPULAR ENTHUSIASM.
The bells of all the churches in Moscow.
attended by salute Of 101 guns. announced to
the city that the coronation was accomplished.
Congratulations were extended to their majesties,
the emperor recited a prayer the bishop of Mos
COW prayed for the happiness Of the newly
crowned pair, and then the cathedral rang with
shouts Of Long live the emperor" This was
taken up by those outside, and the shouting
spread from the Kremln to the city, where it
was repeated by tens of thousands.
1.-THE LORDS ANOINTED"
At the gate of the sanctuary the metropolitan
of Novgorod anointed the emperor, exclaiming:
''BehOld the seal Of the Holy Ghost May it
keep thee ever holy" The empress was then
anOinted; the royal pair partook Of the sacra-
ment, and left the cathedral wearing their
crowns and imperial nantes. After PRAYER
In the cathedral of Michael the Archangel they
returned to the palace. escorted by q procession
which. augmented by the gorgeous state car
riages, presented grander spectacle than the