The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-11-09
MASS FOR THE ozAR.
President Cleveland a Prominent
Figure at Et- Solemn Ceremony.

President Cleveland FrOm1Dena
Figure at Et- Solemn Ceremony.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 1S94.-With
dignity and impressiveness beftting the
occasion, in the presence of an audience
limited in numbers, but distinguished in
character, the solemn requiem mass for
the repose of the soul of the late En-
peror Alexander III, was celebrated at
the Russian Legation today.
The celebrant of the mass was Bishop
Nicholas, of San Francisco. He had
three assistants, who accompanied MN
here from the West. The services We're
conducted in the drawing room of the
Legation, which was appropriately ar
ranged for the occasion. A byzantine
cross in blue velvet, embellished with
five images of the Madonna and the
Christ, in silver and gold, rose from
green background of palms and ferns
Four wax candles burned upon the i'm
provised altar. A number of Persian
rugs, of which the prevailing tone was
red, covered the floor.
Among a collection of Photographic near
the altar were those of Prince Gorts
ehakoff, the ex-Chancellor of the Empire
who, a decade ago, was one OF tne great
trinity of European statesmen, OF WnoHl
Bismarck and Disraeh were the other
.Wo; the Empress of Russia, her auto
sraph appearing in a bold firm hand at
he bottom; the late Emperor Alexan-
Ter III, the Crown Prince, Nicolas II,
aow his fathers successor, and Queen
Natalie, of Servia.
The mass and concluding service Were
conducted according to the ritual aiaoI OF
church of Russia. The service. of the
Creek church differs but slightly from
hat OF the Roman Catholic Cnurch,
while the vestments of the priests and
all the accessories of the occasion are al
most identical. 1t is custom ofs the
Greek Church that the commandments
ustom was observed today. For this
reason, therefore, those who We're ex-
sected to be present We're hidden to ap-
pear at ten o'clock, in, order that the
fatigue of standing might be m:nimized
Is far as possible, although tire celebra-
ion of the mass began an hour CARRIER;
At that hour the only persons present
were Prince Cantacuzene the Secretafaes
Of the Legation, and the members of the
domestic household.
All the members of the diplomatic
of the number were accompanied by their
wives They were the first to arrive,
some coming as early as half-past nine
o'clock. They were received at the door
upon entering by Prince Cantacuzene,
who wore his court uniform. and his
daughter. To each guest wax candle
was given and upon their appearance in
the drawing room, where the services
effect to the scene, the hundred or more
men and women present, each holdlng
lighted candle. The custom is one Whlch
pertains to all Russian funeral services,
whether conducted privately or in church.
1t was precisely ten o'clock when Presi-
dent and Mrs Cleveland alighted from
They were followed Immediately by
secretary and Mrs. Carlisle, Secretary
and Mrs. Gresham. Secretary and MRS.
Lamont Secretary Herbert and Miss
and Mrs. Olney. A moment later ex-
Secretary John W. Foster and Mrs. Fos-
ter put in an appearance, and dlrectIy
after Ambassador Bayard. President and
Mrs, Cleveland were escorted between
the long line of diplomats ranged on both
sides of the drawing room to con-
spicuous position directly opposite the
altar
Prince Cantacuzene. the Russian Min
ister, and his daughter stood beside them.
Next came the members OF the CABINET
and their wives. with the diplomatic
corps and the ladies accompanying them
grouped about the room.
The American officials wore thk con-
ventional dark Prince Albert coats and
lark trousers, and each carried IN his
hand silk hat. President CleveAand's
face wore a fatigued look, but except
ing this he seemed to be in his usual
GOOD health. The ladies present were
iressed in dark colors. The diplomatic
corps wore their court dress, which is
,onspicuously SNOWY one, by reason of
he gold lace and bright colors of which
t is composed.
The Japanese and Chinese Legations
were both present. and curlously enough
their represen tatives were grouped close
" together. Each greeted the other GER
enormously, and each in turn bowed po-
iitely to the Korean Minister and his sec
retary when they arrived, and took a po-
sition in their rear. Among the diplo-
mats present were the French Ambassa
dor, Mrs. Patenotre, and the members
of the French Legation; the German Am
bassador and his Secretaries; baron
Fava, the Italian Ambassador; the Bra
lillian Minister and his Secretaries, the
Danish Minister. conSpicuously notice
able in bright scarlet; the Mexican Min
istef, Mr.. Romero, attired in plain black,
and Mrs Romero; the Peruvian Minister
and the remaining diplomatic represen-
tatives from Central and South ArrarlHa.
The British Ambassador, Sir Julian
Pauncefote, who is absent in Europe,
was represented by Mr. Goschen, the
Secretary of the Embassy.
Meanwhile, before the guests assembled
Bishop Nicolas and his assistants, one
of the number being priest monk
we're celebrating mass. The priest monk
unlike his associates, wes attirfd II
black hat falling from which and thrown
back across the shoulders, hung a black
veil, not dis-similar to those which Worn
en- wear when in deep mourning. A loose
railing robe, also of black material
completed his attire.
When President Cleveland and his
Cabinet arrived, the dSSlStdIitS were
toning the prayers for the dead and ths
air was heavy with the incense Of the
swing censors. But tne scene was
brilhantone, Notwithstanding the solen
nifty of the occasion, by reason. of the
lights: the vivid coloring of the uni
forms of the diplomatic corps, ana tile
distinguished character of those pres
ent.
consisted of prayers for the repose q
he soul of the dead Emperor and pray
ers Of forgiveness for, for The sins eomnt at
Presidents arrival and lasted scarcely
thirty minutes Then there came for
Cantacuzene leaning forward took fror
the hands OF the President and Mrs
cleveland their lighted candles and ex.
tinguished them. He did this with those
which his daughter and himself had
been seen holding and he was at once fol
lowed BY Secretary Botzin tS Of the LIE
Carlisle, beside whom he was standing
and then his own. Their example was
followed by the others present and the
memorial service was ct an end.