The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-23

rbt Most Gorgeous Ceremony Known to
Modern Times.

Modern Times.
The coronation Of a czar is perhaps the
most gorgeous ceremony known to modern
times. We may call it barbaric and child
lsh, but 1t certainly is splendid in the high
est degree.
1t always takes place In Moscow-else-
where it would not be legal-and for days
Beforehand the city wears a holiday appear
ance. An old law still unrevoked, requires
each house to receive three coats OF white
paint in honoras the occasion, and the in
habitants vie wloh each other In the mag
aificence OF their decorations.
The grand procession, with which the
ceremonies open. is first sarmed at the cav
airy barracks. Sixty her.ids mounted up
on cream colorcd horses range themselves
20 abreast before the door and sound their
trumpets. The commandant appears and
asks, as II surprised, what they will with
him. to which the master of the ceremonies
replies:
s'The car commands thee to follow me-"
The regiment then issues forth and
marches, preceded by the heralds, 70 the
cathedral, where they are awaited by the
clergy, then TO the law courts, where the
judges are assembled, and next TO the
headquarters Of the various mobiles, gov
ernors, deputations and guilds, all Of
whom, after the same formal question and
answer, join the procession.
Thus continually increasing it passes on
20 the closed gate of the Kremlin. The
trumpets again sound. and the commander
of the garrison inquiries what the people
want.
"The car" They cry.
"What forY" asks the officer.
'"To crown him most powerful of the
powerful"
Upon which the gates are flung open, and
they all pass in.
They next proceed 10 the palace, where
in response to their demand they are joined
by the car in colonels uniform, accom-
panied by the czarina in the dress of Rus
sian peasant.
Thence they go over n path strewn with
bay leaves TO the cathedral Of the Holy As
sumption, within which, beneath scarlet
canopy embroidered with gold, stands the
famous throne Of Vladimir Monomaque
Beside 1t is a smaller throne for the car
ina, and before it table upon which lie q
crown, a scepter and a 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 formula
requiring any one who knows a reason why
the coronation should not take place to
come forward and declare IL.
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 ms this
robe covers and protects thee"
To which the czar replies, II will. will,
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
they rise, all present kneel. shouting,
''Long tive the czar.''
The mobiles approach to swear allegiance
and receive their swords from his hand.
He is then anointed within the inner sane
tuary, and next, upon leaving the cathe-
dral, passes with the great procession
though the chief streets of the city, the inn
perial carriage, ia accordance with ancient
custom, being escorted by guard of 100
young girls of high rank, armed with huge
bouquets. Waverly Magazine.