The Portland daily press., 1896-05-27
BELLS OF KREMLIE PEALED
When RusSia's Gar Assumed the
Grown.
CLIMAX OF THE WONDERFUL
PAGEANT In MOSCOW.

Emperor and Empress Invested With the
crown and Sceptre, Amid Cheers of
Multitude Thunders of Cannon and
Peal of Bells-Happy and Gay Was the
Imp eriai City Yesterday.
Moscow, May g6.-Today was the chief
DAY OF all the ceremonies connected with
this festive occasion, the day up to
Whleh all the previous days have led.
The weather was fine and the sky
cloudless.
Troops headed by bands of music
began moving at O'Clock in the morn
ing, marching to the Kremlin. At z
O'Clock salvo OF twenty -one guns was
tired, and at 73O the bells of the
cathedral began to peal.
| Assembled in the hall of the Kremlin
palace were all of the pcrsonages forming
the C7ar's cortege. No one outside the
members of the Imperial family, the
foreign soyereigns, princes or their
representatives. the diplomatic corps and
a favored few were allowed to enter the
cathedral Of the Assumption where the
ceremony was to occur.
Near the Cathedral of the Assumption
were two squadrons Cf the cuirassler
guard of the Emperor in gala uniforms.
On each side of the walk leading to the
other eathedrals were Circassans, be-
longing to the Cars personal escort, also
other troops. just before it was time for
the Gar to appear at the top of the red
square, the broad spaces of the Kremlin
were densely packed with perhaps 100 900
people. The cathedral presented most
brilliant appearance within. Plates of
gold cover the walls, and there is scarcely
any space that is not coated with
precious metals Or stones or painted with
| frescoes.
Between the four pillars in the centre
OF the church, on dais covered with red
velvet, bordered with heavy gold trim
mlngs, embroidered at the corners with
eagles, were two thrones. Over the
thrones was magnificent square bald
acnln OF purple velvet, lined with
ermine, hanging from the roof between
the two pillars furtherest from the
lconostas In the centre, surrounding
the baldachin was an immense gilded
crown. The dais was surrounde ed by a
gllood balustrade, around which the I'm
perlal family grouped themselves.
Az s.l5 numerous ladies and gentlemen
OF the court, in brillihnt-dresses and uni
forms, entered and took their places, and
at 8 30 the great bell in the Ivan tower
began to boom. giving the signal to all
other bells which took up the peal and
resounded throughout tho city. A large
| number of bishops and priests in magnifi-
cent ceremonial robes were in attendance.
AS the bell Of Ivan Veliik tolled out
| the half hour, the male choir began to
lntone the Te Deum. AT q quarter to
nine the diplomatic body and special en-
voys, headed by the Count De Monte
bello, the French ambassador, slowly
filed into the sacred building.
The choir continued singing and ut 8
O'Clock the sound of cheers and roars
from the waiting throngs outside an
nounced the fact that the royal party was
| approaching.
AS they descended the red staircase,
from Kremlin palace and crossed the en-
| closure to the cathedral, shout after shout
rose upon the air. Drums sounded, bells
pealed, and the bands played the national
anthem. At these sounds the metropoli-
tans and several Of the higher clergy pro-
ceeded to the southern entrance Of the
cathedral. Then through the throng
were seen the great dignitaries of the
state, bearing the Imperial insignia, re-
gala and coronation robes, which they
deposited upon table near the throne.
The first Of the Imperial party to appear
was the Dowager Czarina, mother Of the
Emperor, who GAME separately from the
Emperor and Empress and their attend
ants. Dowager Empress wore crown
and an Imperial mantle.
| -Four cham berlains bore her train as
she assembled her throne on a dais level
with the other two thrones. Immediate
ly after, amid tumultuous shouts from
outside. the Emperor and Empress ap-
peared at the door. They were received
| by the clergy and escorted to the steps of
the altar. The Emperor was in the dark
green and gold uniform of general of
the Guards.
The Empress was dressed in a silver
robe with long train, which was born
| by four pages. Arriving at the altar the
Metropolitan of Moscow and the Grand
Duke Sergius welcomed the Emperor and
Empress in the holy building. The
Metropolitan Of St. Petersburg presented
the cross for them to kiss, and the Metro
politan of Kief presented them with the
holy water. After bowling three times
before the altar and kissing the sacred
| images, their NECESSITIES assembled the stops
and took their places in front of the altar
with their backs to the thrones. The
| scene was one of great beauty. As the
Emperor and Empress entered the
| cathedral the choir sang Psalms 1O1.
The Metropolitan of st. Petersburg as
the hymn ceased. stepped forward and
"Gratias Spiritus Sancti sit Semper
tecum. Amen" and bidding him read
aloud the orthodox creed, which he did
in voice audible to all. This was fol-
=.