Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-11-27
TIE CAR Welded.
ST. Petersburg's Gloom Soon
Changes to Rejoicing.
Princess Alexandra Becomes the
Empress of Russia.
The Royalty Of Europe Present-A Scene OF
Great Spleador,

St. Petersburg. Nov. a6-The Car of
Russia, Nicholas H., was married, today,
Ia Princess Alexandra with the most
imposing ceremonies and in the preScnos
of an immense assemhlagc of dignitaricS-
Long before dawn the people began
fGoking To the palace quay which was
soon dcnScly packed. by $ o'clock the
streets were thronred with the people in
gala attire. The whole aspect Of the city
was that Of n sudden awakening from the
dismal lcthargy of the past week to the
life and brightness which is the wontcd
character of the gay winter season.
At ll30 Prince Dolgaruuli, grand
master of ceremonies, and Count Norout
znff Dachkoff, minister of the imperial
court, announced to Emperor Nicholas
that all was ready and Princess AlcXan-
ira. her trail horne by four court digni-
tarios two on each side and the extremity
Of the garment held by the grand cham
hcrlan. entered the hall. She wore u
icwellcd crown and a robe of white
brocadcd silk with a mantle Of strawberry
colorcd velvet trimmed with gold and II
duublc row of c1ninc As the procession
to the cathedral was being formed 81 guns
were fired from the fortress
The spectacle was of the utmost brill
liancy aS the procession flied from the gur-
gcous Malachite hall and travcrscd the
Concert, Nicholas, AvHnt Field Marshal,
and Arnlorlal halls, through the entire
length and breadth of the palace. When
the procession reached the cathedral twas
met ut the entrance by Arch Priest .lany-
schcll, chaplain of the late Car, the holy
synod ana the court clergy bearing crosses.
holy water and sacred hooks. -
The arch priest conducted the Car To u
position upon n dias which had been
placed i'm the center of the chaacCl behind
the rail As the Emperor took his place ut
the right of the dins. the C2arina led Irin-
cess Alexandra 10 him and placed her at
his left hand. Tho Czarina then took her
place in the chancclat the right of tine dias.
The crosses holy water and sacred books
were then placed before the gate of inko-
nostas and the marfiage service in use in
the Orthodox church was begun by tho
singing of Psalm l35.
The ceremony was of the most imprCs-
~iyc character and lasted uei,rly two hours.
After the psalm the arch priest said a few
words of instruction to the couple, telling
them what Is the mystery Of marriage
aud how in marriage they would have to
At the conclusion Of this the prclatc
turned To the Car and said: 81 Hast thou,
Nicholas, n good and uncoustraincd Will
and firm determination 10 take uniuthy-
self this woman Alexandra, whom here
thou sCest before thCc;'
20 this the Czan answered ~ have,
reverend father
The arch priest then asked ''1hou hast
not vowed thyself to another BRIDE
The Gar answered; - have not vowed
myself, reverend fath"r
The same questions were asked Of
Princess Alexandra with similar answers.
After prayer the arch priest took two
crowns placing the first one upon the
head of The Car saying: "Ihc servant
Of God. Nicholas, is crowned for the hand
maid Of God, Alexandra, In the nam" of
the Father and Of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost"
Placing the other crown upon the head
of the bride, hc said: "Thr handmade Of
God. Alexandra is crowned for the servant
Of God, Nicholas, in the name of the Father
and of the son and Of the Holy Ghost"
The prclatc then blessed the couple thrco
times. thrice saying: 90 Lord, our God,
crown them with glory and honor. "
After anthems and prayers the "com-
mon cup" was brought and blessed. Tho
cup was filed and handed first to the Gar
ard then 10 the Princess each taking u
sip Of the wine.
The arch priest took the couple by the
hand. the grnomsmnn and bridesmaid
walking behind and holding the crowns
over their heads, and led them three times
around the das, the choir meanwhile sing
ing.
The rings were then exchanged for the
last time, they having been exchanged
twice before. The prelate then took the
crown from the Gar aud then offered
prayers.
The Gar trcn kissed the bride and the
guests came forward to congratulate the
couple
At the conclusion Of the congratulH-
tions the dismissal was pronounced, and
the wedding guests returned to the winter
palace.
As the bridal party came out Of the
cathedral. the sun shone for the first time
during the day.
The correspondent Of the United Press
and the correspondents Of three London
newspapers were the only representatives
of tho press who were favored with view
of the procession inside the palace prior 10
this march To the cathedral. The effects
were magnificent. especially in Malachite
hall, the ceiling Of which Is supported by
Is columns Of malachite. The tables,
vases, etc, are Of the same material, and
CONTINUED on I'd page.