The morning times., 1896-10-08

Paris, oct. THE guests Of the car
aGd czarina at the luncheon at the Rms
sian embassy, included the Duke and
Duchess of Chartres, the Duke and Duchess
of Luyens, NJ. de Labouiaye, formerly French
amt,;ls sador to st. Petersburg; Baron and
Baroness FredericksZ, the Duke of Douda-
vile, Admiral Gervais, gen. Roisdeffre, and
Prof. Nisard.
The czar and czarina left the embassy
at 2:45 O'Clock and reached the site of the
Pout lie Alexandra III, at o'clock. NJ.
Boucher, minister of commerce, welcomed
the cZar ami czarina and President Faure,
ali of whom stood under marquee. Sun
slime broke through the clouds us the
military bands struck up the Russian
anthem, at the conclusion or Which the
Enfants de Lutece sang the Soldiers
Chorus" from Faust" Al. Mounet-Sully
then recited NJ. Heredias' splendid ode Of
welcome TO the "Paix Et Rodur-"
A HANDSOME GOLFER.
A Golfer containing an account of the
laying OF the foundation stone of the bridge
Alexander Ill and some coins which were
struck off at the mint today We're pre-
senied to the cZar. Another Golfer with
similar contents was then placed in the
cavity which had been formcdfOritsIeceLt.o on
in the $4,000 kifogranime foundation block
Of granite which had been placed upon n
truck mounted upon rails, and the cavity
closed with plate of polished granite
orpaInented with a pair of steel rings.
The car and czartna and President
Faure then left tthe tribune IN which they
stood, NJ. Boucher guiding them. NJ.
Boucher prezented q trowel aud hammers
to the ear and cZarina, who succcssiyely
struck blows upon the plate, closing the
cavity in the stane. 4 squad of sailors
thea hoisted the French aud Russian col
ors upon the mast above the marquee,
,,-b,l he ~ al la In. ~
thundered salvo OF twenty-one guns.
The military bands played, while from
the left bank of the Seine beflowered
boat started, conveying forty naidens
with IL present to the czariDa OF a chiseled
silver vase enriched with Jewels and
| magnificent bouquet.
An immense crane hoisted the founda-
ton stoue and lowered it into place while
| the car and cZarna and the president
resumed their places on the tribune. NJ
Boucher read the minutes OF the function,
which the cZar signed first, the cZarira
next, aud finally President Faure. While
| the forty maidcns were landing from their
| boats the Enfants de Lutccc chanted
| France, France" The maitlcns then ap-
| proached the cZarina aud presented their
| gifts Her ma jesty accepted them and
| expressed her admiration of the preseuts,
| AT the same time thanking the niaiGens
| with that peculiar grace which has already
| won the hearts OF all Parisiaus.
| GREETED WITH CHEERS.
| TIE procession was formed at 4 O'Clock
| amid the mingled strains of the Russian
| anthem and the Marscillaise aud the cheers
| of the crowds. The route to the mint was
thronged with wildly cheering people who
| had preserved their good nature anu pa
| iIeuce despite the hours they had waited
| for the appearance OF the Russian visitors.
| tf.,. procession being at that time an hour
| behind the time fixed by the program. Ar
| irving at the mint. the landau Containing
the imperial couple stopped under the vault
| ut the foot of the staircase, which wa;
decorated with flags, plants and flowers
The c2af and czarina were greatly lu
pressed by the scene, which they declared
mad completely charmed them. The I'M
| peIial visitors were each presented with
| IL medal, after which they proceeded tC
| the academy, where they We're received
by NJ. Crancois Coppee, the Distinguishing
mtterauer, with an ode of welcome, which
he had composed himself.
At the time OF the laying of the founda
| zion stone OF the Alexander III Bridge, the
| car came into contact with provincial
| France. whose representatives occupied
| the tribunes. almost exclusively containing
| the mayors OF provincial towns, Commercial
notabIes, and sun-bro wned farmers, mum
| nering at least 10000, the ancestors Oi
whom formed the states gen eral OF
| France.