Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-30
Sow YOrk cornm erc!al Adverllrer.

Il
New York Comm errlal Advertiser
There is every reason to believe that
the approaching coronation festivities
in Moscow will ho exceptionally brill
liant, and tho various court depart
ments have already for months been
extremely busy. In Moscow the prepa-
rations are more especially centred
upon tho ancient Kremlin, where tho
venerable churches and the, Imperial
palaces arc being restored, tho paint
being renewed and the quaint old
domes being regilded. Electric light
has been installed on large scale,
and on the grand fete days electric
light will send out its clear rays from
all the domes aud turrets; even the
| old byzantine wall which surrounds
the kromlin will be studded with
electric lamps. Rooms are reserved in
tho Imperial palaces for all the royal
and princely visitors who are OK.
pected, and who may bo counted by
several dozens, and the Corps Diplo-
matiquo and the nobility have already
months ago secured houses, and at
very high rents, too, for the coro
nation week. The hotels have disposed
Of evory room, in many instances at
four times the ordinary price, and
three or four roons during tho coro-
nation festivities now cost some $500
to $500. At the wish of the Gear the
greatest and most general liberalty
will bo shown during the fete days,
and there is hardly any limit to the
money and the food which arc to be
distributed. Every one who wishes
can obtain food ard small bottles with
Russian corn brandy, These bottloa
are made for the occasion and orna
mented with the Imperial initials and
crown. Outside the town there will
be arranged large fairs, with theatrical
performances, roundabouts, dancing,
restaurants, for the expenses in con
nection with which the Emperor has
given very large sum of money.
After the fetes in the New Imperial
Palace, the Governor OF Moscow. the
Grand Duke Serge, will givo a grand
fete, as will the French Ambassador
and the Club Of Nobility. There will
also be IA gala performance at the
Grand Theatre, and humber of trot-
ting races between three in hands will
take place. The stage coaches, which
are being sent from st. Petersburg,
have all been completely regided, and
the harness, which will be in red
velvet and gold, ana which is 10 cost
over el0O, 000 comes from Paris.
The New Palace, where the Emperor
is to reside during the coronation
festivities, was built by the Czar
Nicolas L., and is mixture of Moorish
and Renaissance styles. 1t is on the
red staircase of this palace that the
Emperor appears and shows himself to
the people after the coronation. Among
other magnificent apartments the New
Palace contains the st. George, the st.
Alexander, and the st. Andreas apart
ments. The first 10 in black and yell
low, and all the furniture is covered
with materials interviewer with the
st. George cross. The ST. Andreas
hall is the most elaborately appointed
room; 1t serves ms throne-room, and a
new throne chair in used for every
coronation. The gallery Of the Now
Palace contains l. splendid collection
both OF old masters, such AS Rubens,
Correggio, Titan, and Murillo, and of
Russian painters from different times.
Tho Imperial Museum comprises a
unique collection of jewels. dresses and
| other articles which have belonged to
u.
Here are tho scepter of Peter the
Great, his heavy boots, his iron walk
ing-stick, &c. the saddle of Catharine
H., studded with Jewels present
from the Sultan, also attracts much
attention. One Of the most striking
buildings in Moscow in tho Vassiii
Blagenug Cathedral, built in the year
l5j5 by Czar Ivan, in commemoration
Of tho taking of kasan. Its huge
domes arc covered with beautiful work
in enamel, and it is generally con.
sidered one OF the finest buildings in
Russia n
All the streets are to be decorated,
and at the Toersk gate two towers are
to be erected, which will be decorated
with huge flags and the initials of tho
Emperor and Empress. At the "Place
OF Triumph" will be erected pavilion
embcllshed with spires and decorated
with the arms Of Moscow for the town
council of that city. Opposite the
house of the Governor General will be
erected magnificent antique build
ing, and outside the entrance to his
house will be constructed four obellsks
Of considerable height, which will he
decorated with flags, armoria bearings
and vases. There will also be built a
platform or stand for IL, 600 children
from the national schools. On tho
square in front of theatre are being
constructed Immense pyramids and
masts, intended for tho illumination,
which will be decorated with gar!ands
and covered with lamps. A pavilion
for the illumination will also be erected
at the Liuliablanka place, and opposite
the postoflice very largo obelisk is to
be built. The Moscow bridge as we'll
as the other bridges and the quays will
be decorated with Venetian masts as
will also the public squares. Special
reception pavilions will be built for
the imperial party at the Moscow
Brest railway and at the Odinzoro
station on the Diinskoie railway.
Anent tho curious and costly prepa.
rations which are being made in Rus
sia for the grand coronation of the
Czar and Czarina, 1t is estimated that u
sum of not less than two million ster-
ling will be expended. The committee
now sitting in Moscow upon the
management for the ceremony have
placed orders for 400. 900 tankards
bearing portraits of their majesties,
and over 40, 600 gallons of brown mead
to be distributed among the poor, in
order that they may drink the health
of their rulers. Again, in the princi-
pal towns in South Russia populations
arc being elected to be present al tn.
ceremony, each one OF which will pre-
sent a gold or silver dish or other
offerings in these precious metals.