Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-11-23

ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 19.--This morning
opened cold and foggy and the enbienis OF
mourning everywhere displayed We're drip
ping with moisture. All the mourning lines
Of people conYerged upon the Cathedral Of
st. Peter and st. Paul where the booming of
cannon announced the beginning of tie fune-
raj services OF the late Alexander Ill the
religious service over tine body of the dead
Emperor was probably the most magnificent
OF modern times. The music was divine ami
the performance of the liturgy sublime in the
eXt.ene The cream of the royalty and 10
biiity OF the empire assisted at the service
and princes OF the blood, pfelatGs of the
orthodox church, noblemen, representatives
of foreign soyereigns and princes, foreign
diplomats, and other distinguished person
ages, i1itel in the dcVotons and pteadings to
Aeavel. Tor tie EepOse OF the soul OF thG dead.
The signal for the services to begin was the
firing OF three guns from the fortress. Just
as the tiiiid gun was fired Nicholas IL and
the imperial family appeared at the door of
the cathedral. and preceded by the Metropol
itan Of St. Petersburg and the mam5e OF the
Holy synod, all Of them magniticently robed
in vestments of black and silver, passed
towards the catataiqae. The Metropolitan
of st. Petersburg carried the great crucifix
and spsinhied holy water upon those about
him, at the same time aulitly repeating
prayer After the Gar anti the imperial
family and the holy synod had taken their
places, the metropolitan began the mortuary
mass. The air inside the church was heavy
with incense and the dim Light within was
starred with thousands Of tapers each mourn
e. and visitor holding one. The first taper
was lighted by the Gar. The harmony of
the male choir. which sang without instru-
mental accom- pa!inent, was perfect. Their
voices we're Of marvellous richness and pnrity,
and the effect throughout the solemn service
Was deeply Impressive. After tie general
mass for the dead with its elaborate ceremo-
ny, the special service for q dead Gar was
begun, after which Psalm 81 was sung by an
unseen male choir. Then followed the sing
ing Of Psalm 119, which was divided into
three stations. Six litanies We're then sung
by the metropolitan and the choir a beau-
tfully rendered "Gloria In Excelsis DER
followed the litanies. which was succeeded
by an information by the Metropolitan. After
another short prayer eight troparous by Holy
John, the Monk OF Damascus, were pronounc-
ed. After the repetition of the Holy. Holy and
the Lords Prayer the metropolitan repeated
thrice: ''May thy memory endure forever, oh
our brother, who was worthy to be blessed
with remembrance The choir sang this
three times and the Metropolitan then pro-
nounced the words Of dissolution for the dead
as follows: ''Christ, our Lord, who com
manded the apostles to retain OF remit sins,
through whom / received power to DO the
same, pardon thee my spiritual child, for
whatever sins, voluntary OF involuntary,
thou mavest have committed in this life, now
and forever unto the ages Of ages. Amen"
After pause. during which silent prayer was
offered Up, the Gar stepped forward to the
coffin and kissed the lips OF the dead Emperor.
the other members Of the imperial family and
those bound by ties Of blood or marriage fol-
lowing the Gar, standing by the side of the
coffin until all the fareWells were over Then
eight generals appeared, bearing the lid of the
coftin Which was fastened in its place The
grand dukes then lifted the copiu to their
shoulders and pore it to the entrance of the
imperial vault which opened in the pave
ment, and a moment later the mortal remains
of Alexander Iii were lowered into the rest
ing place of his imperial ancestors. AS the
coffin was lowered into the vault, the Czarina,
who had throughout the service been under d
terrible strain, fell to her knees and wept.
She was supported by her son, the Gar Mich
olas Il, and led away sobbing convulsively.
Tie funeral rites were concluded at $50 z.
NJ, when the scene suddenly changed. At
the first salyo Of artillery the mourning flag
at the fortress was lowered and in its place
appeared the imperial standard at full mast.
The bands at this writing-3l5 2. Mare
playing lively airs and marches, and the vast
crowds which throng the streets are surging
toward the Winter Palace.