The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-17
FESTIVITIES AT MOSCOW.
GREAT PREPARATIoNs TO ENTER
TAIN THE PEOPLE.
No End OF Free shows, Food, and Beer for
the MuIutude-A Great Army VIII Pa
rade BEFORE the Gar and HIs Guests

No End OF Free shows, Food. snd Beer fO'
the MuItItude-A Great Army Will Pa
rade Before the Gar and Hls Guests-
Features OF the Coronation Festivities
Moscow, May 10. Though II has been occa-
slonally cloudy to-day the weather most of the
time has been bright and clear. The city is a
perfect beehive Of industry. Various streets are
being repaved and tho entire city has been
turned into an immense workshop. Dozens OF
important persons arrived to-day, and 1t is eI-
pected that visitors will come In hundreds to-
morrow.
These preparations are being made for the
popular fete, which is to be held on the Hodyn-
SKY plain on May 80. This large plain Is oppo-
site tho Pctroffskv Palace, and has been the
scene OF the fetes for the people that have
always marked coronations. Thanked on two
sides BY the exhibition buildings and the race
course, II stretches away indefinitely into tho
country. 1t was here that Napoleon massed his
troops before marching into the city OF Moscow.
Russian troops. drafted here from the various
Rarrisons for the festivities, now occupy q largo
portion of the plain, which resembles a vast
camp, and the life Incident to an e"ncampment
OF 100000 soldiers IL exhibited in all its phases.
stretching away for more than u mile are the
snow white tents OF the army corps of grena-
diers, the guards from st. Petersburg, and de-
tachments from various quarters Of the empire.
Not all have yet arrived, but 1t is learned that
before the Emperor's coming there will be in
this encampment, including the soldiers on
duty at the various palaces and fortresses in
and about Moscow, eighty-three battalions OF
infantry, thirty squadrons OF cavalry, seven
regiments OF Cossacks. and fourteen batteries.
or these vast forces the Grand Duke Vladl-
mir holds the command. 1t Is on this plain
that this mighty force will parade before the
Emperor ON the last day of the festivities, june Z.
On the part directly facing the palace, a large
grassy plain has been enclosed by Venetian
masts. upon which are hung the usual bunting
and shields. bearing the arms of various cities
and provinces of Russia. Within this enclo-
sure booths. tables, open-air theatres, merry
go-rounds, circuses, and swings are being
erected. Hundreds OF wooden booths dot
the entire circumference of the enclo-
sure, and will be loaded on Saturday week
with bread, cakes, sausages, meat pies, and
other delectable dainties dear to the Moujik
heart. At every booth there will be a large
hogshead Of ale or beer, and in some cases mead,
and. every one who joins the festival may eat
and drink to his hearts content without money
and without price. No strong drinks, however,
will be supplied. as Russian Moujlks filled with
vodka are not likely to be conducive to the
peace of the capital.
AT present hundreds OF workmen are getting
ready Tor the great popular entertainment
which will represent the hospitality of the city.
On the side nearest to the palace the imperial
pavilion has been built, from which the EN-
peror and his guests will witness the merry
making of his subjects. This pavilion is in the
Russian style OF the fifteenth century, has
two stories. and is surmounted by an r
cupola. The facade is most deliberately deco
rated. 1t is hanked by two other pav!llons for
distinguished ~visitors. and, at q greater distance.
tribunes capable of seating between 1000 and
1000 persons have been erected.