The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-15
HOW CAR Is CROWNED.
Most Gorgeous Ceremony Known to
Modern Times.

The coronation Of a car Is perhaps the
most gorgeous ceremony known to modern
times. We may call It barbaric and child
ish, but ii certainly is splendid In the
highest degree, says Waverley Magazine.
1t always takes place in Moscow
elsewhere IL would not be legal-and for
days beforehand the city wears a holiday
appearance. An old law, still unrevoked,
requires each house to receive three
coats of white paint in honor OF the occa-
sion, and the inhabitants vie with each
other in the magnihcence OF their decora-
lions.
The grand procession. with which the
ceremonies open, is first formed at the
cavalry barracks. Sixty heralds, mounted
upon cream-coiored horses range II en-
selves twenty abreast before the door and
sound their trumpets The commandment
appears and asks, as If surprised, what
they will with him. to which the master
Of the ceremonies replies:
'Ihe car commands thee TO follow me-"
The regiment then issues forth, and
marches, preceded by the heralds, to the
cathedral, where they are awaited by
the clergy, then TO the law courts. where
the judges are assembled and next 10 tie
headquarters Of the various mobiles, gov
ernors, Populations and guilds, all OF
whom, after the same formal question
and answer, join the procession
Thus, continually increasing, Il passes
on to the closed gate OF the kremlin. The
trumpets again sound and the commander
Of the garrison inquiries what the people
want.
1.-The car" they cry.
what for?" ask the officer
ITO crown him most powerful OF the
powerful
Upon which the gates are flung open and
they all pass in.
They next proceed TO the palace, where.
In response TO their demand, they are
Joined by the czar, In coloneis uniform.
accompanied by the czarina In the dress
of a Russian peasant.
Thence they 20, over a path strewn
with bay leaves, to the cathedral of the
Holy Assumption, within which, beneath
a scarlet canopy embroidered with gold
stands the famous throne of Vladimir
Monomaque. Beside II is smaller throne
for the czarina and before it table.
upon which lie crown. a scepter and an
ermine mantle.
AS soon as the car mounts the throne
he is surrounded by his mobiles. who draw
their swords and lay them at his feet. The
bishop OF Kazan then repeats three times
a formula requiring any one who knows
a reason why the coronation should not
take place TO come forward and declare IT,
No answer being made, the car kneels
and the ermine mantle is placed upon his
shoulders by the archbishop of Moscow,
who says as he does so:
Cover and protect thy people as this
robe covers and protects thee"
To which the car replies, II will, will,
l Will" thrice kissing the prelate's hand.
He is then invested with the crown and
scepter. after which he himself crowns
his wife. holding the crown above her
head while both remain in silent prayer.
At last rise, all present kneel, shouting:
Long live the czar!'
The mobiles approach TO swear allegi-
ance and receive their swords from his
hand. He Is then amounted within the in
ner sanctuary, and next, upon leaving the
cathedral. passes with the great process
sion through tina chief streets OF the city.
the imperial carriage. In accordance with
ancient custom. being escorted by a guard
OF 100 young girls OF high rank, armed
With huge bouquets.-Chicago News.
+ o Fair and stately maid, whose eyes
Were kindled In the upper skies
A . a ~.