The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-11-20

sr perrassuno, Nov. 19.-The en-.
,ombmsnt Of the remains of the late
car Alexander LII. took place to-day in
The cathedral OF 81. Peter and St Paul.
The cathedral was packed with distin-
vuished persons, including representa-.
lives Of all the imperial and royal fami-
lies Of Europe. The funeral services
ware conducted by the Metropolitan, Of
81 Petersburg, aud by the metropolitan,
II Moscow. The former conducted the
e,srIua to her place near the coffin,
which reposed in state in the center OF
the cathedral.
The car and the grand duke and the
members Of the royal family present
took up positions to the right of the
coffin. and the many military officers In
attendance were grouped behind the
hisr. On the left were the foreign am.
bSssadors and ministers and their stalls,
While grouped around in different parts
n Tho cathedral were countlese delega-
lions from Russian cities and elsewhere,
including the numerous delegations
from France.
The funeral services began at 10 a. N.
and lated until about 4 o'clock. Over
thirty members OF the royal families Of
Europe, attended by glittering suites,
we're present.
Alter the long service the czarina, the
car and others present took last fare
wall Of the remains OF Alexander III.
The car then laid the imperial mantle
over The body and the coffin was car
had by the car and certain OF the,
princes to its tomb. =,
Enormous crowds gathered on both
sides OF the Neva long before the cere'
monies commenced. The opening cere.
mony was announced by three cannon
shots from the fortress.
The car, the imperial family and the
royal mourners were received at the
door Of the cathedral by the metropoli.
tan of St. Petersburg and BY all tho
members OF the holy synod bearing
c,osses and holy water. The imperial
party formed in q solemn procession
which marched up the aisle until tho
car and the mourners reached their
appointed places. The funeral service
then commenced, and during its pro-
press tapers were handed to all the
mourners. Then the high priest, with
aburniug torch, lighted the cars taper
and afterward did the same with those
hold by the members OF the imperial
family, after which the priest lighted
the tapers OF all the other mourners In
turn according to rank, until all were
kneeIng and holding Pickering tapers
in their right hands. Clouds OF incense
and the solemn chanting Of the priests
gave the most weird effect to the whole
scene. At the conclusion OF the funeral
service the members OF the imperial
family paid their last respects to the
dead car, kissing the icon lying on his
breast. The car assisted the czarlna,
who was greatly affected.
Eight generals then removed the pail
aud carried the coffin to the altar, while
sight other generals bore the pail be,
hind the casket. The czar then placed
bis fathers imperial mantle within the
coffin, which was then finally closed
and the procession to the tomb was
formed, It was headed by the metro
politan OF st. Petersburg and the clergy
informing a solemn chant. The clergy
we're followed by the coffin, which was
borne BY the car, the grand dukes, Tor
oirn princes and the most distinguished
generals.
The most impressive portion Of the
ceremony was at the lowering of the re-
mains into the vault by high civil Off
GERS Of the government. As the coffin
disappeared from view the loud BOOM
ing oil cannon and the salvoes fired by
platoons Of infantry from the adjoining
fortress reverberated through the
church mingling with the words OF the
burial survice, and the lowering OF the
mourning flag, and the hosting Of the or
binary mperial standard on the fortress
tower proclaimed to the world outside
that the last act in the mournful drama
had been concluded. The car bore the
ordeal with fortitude, but many among
the group Of imperial and royal person.
ages clustered around tho open grave
were visibly affected.
The car remained in the church I'M
til the tomb was finally closed. After
this last ceremony the imperial insignia
were carried back, in state, in q number
OF carriages to the winter palace. and
we're there deposited in their accustom-
ed place in St Georges Hall.