The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-05
AN EMPRESS WORTH LOOKING AT
The Amazing SpIentfor of the CzArsna De-
scrined hx nm American Lady.

The Amazing spIentior of the CzArsna De-
scrioed by an American Lady.
An American lady now in ST. Petersburg thus
decribes a court reception at the Winter Palace;
I'VE women folks accustomed through
Ignorance, | SUPPOSED to think and speak OF
Russia as semi barDarious country. liz = IN
some respects, but in others it is the most splen
did country-with the exception OF our OWN
the world. and ST Petersburg is ths most inter-
esting of all European cities. Through the IN
troductlons brought with US, have been
enabied TO obtain entree to the presence OF
royalty and see the Interior Of the finest of all
the palaces. 1t was bitter cold day when We
drove a gorgeous sleigh to tho Winter Palace
which was like fairy picture in the fading
hight without. and lllumlncd within with the
briilixncy of thousands of candles-to attend
court reception. The effect of the light the
snow and upon the gay equipaces Of the nu-
merous guests was indescribable. We APP
preached the empress through 5000 officials.
First through superb State departments. Zach
blazing with a thousand wax taperS and gor-
geous with priceless hangings, malachite pillars,
works of art. and tropical flowers and ferns
The sight was worth tie Journey from rom new Nv
beauty, inlaid with ebony and rosewood and
ivory.
LAS we waited for our turn had gond OPP
portunitv Co see, and | made much OF It AT
last we entered the throne room, and there, sur
rounded by of splendor, stood the En-
press, herself a moving mass of diamonds she
was the most dazzling sight of all On her mead
was a crown once worn by the great Elizabeth.
1t the first time had seen real crown on
royalty, for the diamond tiara worn by Queen
Victoria last summer at her reception was not a
crown except in name. AIRS. Aston used to wear
fine one. But this the imperial
head worthy to adorn the Empress OF all
the Russias Describe it, No. I only saw
millions of colored and white sparks OF
light emitted from &c at every motion OF the
royal person. The necklace was made from
what was left over of tho crown. 1t reached
from her neck to her waist, and had rubles,
sapphires and diamonds enough in 1T to have
supplied a thousand ordinary royal necklaces.
The i'm perial orders worn her breast con-
tanned all the gems of the East They scinal-
lated with light, and that is all can say OF
vet with train of white velvet embroidered
with enough gold to stock mine, and bordered
with real gold balls The front of the gown
was -rnament ted with ropes of pink coral, set IN
diamonds and fastened at intervals Never saw
l human being thus arrayed. Solomon might
have put more, but do not believe it She
was enough of herself to take the breath out of
a body, but surrounded she was by grand
duchesses, each one ablaze with jewels worth q
kingdom, she the most wonderful sight
ever witnessed in my life. I did not know
mortal could look magnificent.
1.-THE position of her sister. the Princess OF
Wales is almost obscure compared to the
peerless destiny of this Empress of all the Rus
slas and, if tho psrty succeeds Empress OF
Asia well. The officials in their eemibarba-
grandeur number hundreds upon hun
dreds. but paid no attention to them; tho
Empress and the palace were what l Went TO
see aud the sight has thrown me into a pecu-
liar mental condition. My less fascinated COM
panon, who had been to court before. TOOK my
breath away from me by remarklng that she
pltied the poor woman. Why2 Because she
will not find anything in heaven in the
peace of mindl OF that indeed l think she
stands in great need now poor thing'