The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-24

sentatives of the nobility, take their
places among them. The throne plat
form is in the very middle of the ca
thedral, and rugs of the rarest kind,
mostly presents from eastern poten-
tates, cover the path from the throne to
the altar. On both sides of this path ex-
tend the two long rows of priests
Representatives of the lower classes of
the people-the merchants and the
peasants-are also present. These rep
resentatives are stationed on the broad
elevation running along the three sides
of the cathedral. The ascent toward
the wall is very gradual. forming a
perfect amphitheater. The foremost
places are given to the ambassadors,
special ENJOYS and representatives of
foreign rulers. ENJOYS and deputies
who, however, according to their Gus
toms cannot enter the temple with
heads uncovered-this being a strict re-
quirement in a consecrated Russian
church-have a special platform erect
ed for their use outside, and here take
their place such tributary rulers as the
Ameer of Bukhara, the Khan of Khiva,
Populations of the peoples inhabiting
the Turkestan, the Transcaspean lands
and the Transcaucausus, as well as the
ENJOYS of Turkey, Persia, Corea, China
and the other Asiatic countries. Even
so great a parsonage as Ii Hung Chang
takes his place on that outside plat
form and sees nothing of the actual
coronation.
When everybody is in place the peal
of the church bells ceases and the SER
vices begin. The eldest of the metro
politans-a very old, white-haired
monk. wearing a golden mitre studded
with a great number of precious stones,
ascends, supported by assistants, the
steps leading up to the throne. The
car and the czaritza rise to their feet
and remain standing while the old man
addresses a short speech to the en-
peror, ending IL with a request that he
recite the creed aloud-So that all pres
ent may hear and know that Nicholas
II. follows the teachings of his church
to the letter.
In answer to the metropolitan solemn
query: What is your belief" Car
Nicholas stands up erect and recites
the creed of the Eastern Catholic
church in a voice distinctly heard in
the remotest recesses of the cathedral
at the end of which the metropolitan
eXclaims, addressing the car: THE
blessing of the Holy Ghost be upon
thee" -tt.
THE CORONATION PROPER.
After the reading of the Gospel, the
car takes off the ordinary chain of the
order of st. Andrew and calls on at
tendant chamberlains for the imperial
mantle, "porphira," and the diamond
chain of the order that goes with 1t.
The porphira is brought forward by
the metropolitans and put on the EN-
peror's shoulders. 1t is made of gold
cloth embroidered with the imperial
arms. is lined with snow-white ermine
and has clasps of large diamonds set
in the shape of griffins.
The oldest metropolitan gives the
car his benediction: In the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy GhostT He then puts both his
pale, dried-up hands crosswise on the
reverently bent head of the monarch
and recites two extremely touching
prayers. in which he duplicates the
king of kings TO shower his blessings
on the earthly ruler who prayfully
bends his head before Him.
THE CZAR SELF-CROwNED.
The prayers ended, the metropolitan
takes the crown and presents it TO the
car. who himself places il upon his
head. while the metropolitan pro-
nounces the benediction. This crown is
formed of a circle that fits on the head
and is thickly set with large diamonds
and precious stones of the purest
water: above these rise two gold bars,
set crosswise and surmounted by
cross of diamonds that rests on an orb
represented here by a ruby of wonder
full color and purity and larger than a
pigeons egg. The two parts Joined BY
the ruby symbolic the eastern and
western parts of the Russian Empire.
The crown represents the value OF one
million dollars and contains no less
than 1854 diamonds. Then the car
takes the sceptre having the celebrated
Odloff diamond set in II. and the orb
surmounted by the cross. the symbol of
the Empire OF Russia, while the metro
politan holds forth a speech, explaining
significance OF the regalia.
GROWING HIS CONSORT.
This terminates the coronation OF the