Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-05-28
REJOICING IN RUSSIA
The Coronation Of The Gar a MaSalA-
cent Spectacle.
GREAT SPLENDOR IN MOSCOW
The Capital Thronged With
Visitors.

bIou Cupulhs bVbTy WueIu Wtrb TSHplel~
dent with sunshine. The bells Of all
the churches. joined with those Of tie
cathedral at the conclusion OF different
portions OF the ceremonies, broken
now and then by the booming Of can
bon, filled the air with grand music,
which thrilled even the most impas.
sive Mouiik. Throughout the night
and early this morning hundreds OF
people had hocked from the country
and at 730 O'Clock, when the first
artillery salute echoed over the city, all
the streets in the vicinity OF the Krem-
jim were densely thronged. Higher
than all was the tower Of Ivan Velicsi,
whose golden cup3la and immense cross
of gold reflected the sun far and wide
The immense gilt dome OF the Uspenski
Cathedral and the four large and four
smaller cupolas nearby aso stood ont
gloriously in the sunshine, sharply
marked against the cloudleas sky.
The streams Of people moving in the
direction Of the Kremlin at dawn were
composed of all natiopalities and all
classes, including Mouiiks in their
holiday attire OF long black coata and
fiat caps, pilgsi'ns with their odd dress,
bundles and slaves, well-dressed ritl-
zens, officers of all ranks and branches
Of the army and navy and foreigners
from all lands, on foot and in carriages.
Nearly all the latter had secured re-
served seats or standing room outside
or about the cathedral approaches,
while a number had keen able TO pro-
cure cards Of admission to the cathe-
dral itself. The officers were all in
full dress uniform and wore white
gloves.
BY & O'Clock many thousands Of peo.
pie had collected in the grand square
about the Kremlin gates and others
were besieging all parts Of the collec.
tion of buildings which was the centre
OF interest for all. Inside the Kremlin
there were sounds of martial music
and the heavy tramp of moving troops.
At O'Clock the excitement may be
said to have commenced with the arri-
val OF the first of the masters of cere-
monies and the reception of some of
the favored few who were 10 witness
the ceremonies.
The centro Of the cathedral was occu
pied by large estrada or dais covered
with crimson plush and near the
thrones, which were ON the dais,
against a velvet draped pillar, was a
chair for the ex. Empress, Marie Eco
dorovna. SUSPENDED above the thrones
was gorgeous square baldaquin OF
red and gold, bearing the imperial
arms and having silver crown on a
gold cushion at each corner. All
around the border of the baldaquin
were plumeo of white. yellow and black,
the national colors. Three sides Of the
cathedral we're occupied by temporary
galleries, erected for the accommoda-
ton of the guests.
The first arrival of any importance
was the Bishop of Peterborough. He
was followed by two Armenian bishops.
Next, one by one, came dozen maids
of honor, whose court dresses of vari-
GUS colors, yellow, blue, gray. red and
mauve added much to the attractive
ness of the scene. Soon afterwards the
members of the diplomatic corps began
assembling in the gallery to the left Of
the throne. They wore dazzling uni
forms of all eolors and their breasts
sparkled with many ieweled orders.
Meanwhile the priests, in low, pleas
ant chanting soto voce, had been say
ing the morning prayers and kissing
the hands and feet Of the sacred images.
Later the eight sacred doors separating
the altar from the body of the church
were opened and the sacred Offices of
the credence began. While this was
proceeding curious incident occurred.
Six court officials changed the poBi-
tion of the thrones, placing the EN-
press on the Cars right, instead of
on the left.
In brief, at ll,20 o'clock, the
booming of cannon aud the pealing of
bells announced that the act of corona
tion had been completed. At noon
their imperial majesties were
anointed and about to enter the holy
door leading TO the altar 10 receive holy
communion, the air was filled with JOY
bells and cannon doomed salutes which
echoed far and wide. At II, 80 O'Clock
the ceremonies at the cathedral were
finished. Their majesties reached the
Granovitaia Palata at p. m. On leav-
ing the cathedral their majesties were
attired in all imperial splendor and
proceeded to the red terrace of the
palace in full view of the immense
multitude assembled, loyalty and on
Enthusiastically greeted on all Sides The
fscene was one of indescribable enthus-
Easm. the crowd being carried away by
the intensity of the feeling awakened.
y The spectacle OF the coronation was
Impressive in the extreme, with its
tependor Of religious ritual and the
solemn pomp OF Russian majesty. The
lancient religious and regal rite WAC
followed with the minutest detail,
Only about 1000 persons actually wit
messed the coronation ceremonies.
pThese spectators, as rule. wore gorge
bus Uniforms and the ladies' were most
brilliantly dressed. The Gear was
crowned with exactly the same roligi-
pus observances and gorgeous pageantry
las nis grandfather.
/ The weather fulfilled the prophecies
lof the peasants, who, fortnight ago,
when the city was swept by biting
winds and driving sleet, declared II
would be fine for the coronation, "as
God would not have it otherwise. -
During the last few days the unusually
late spring nut forth all its glory and
tthe trees are now verdant with delicate
foliage.
Late in the day an imperial ukase was
issued, announcing many promotions
and decorations of Russian diplomats
and establishing, as special dietinc
(tion to the clergy, silver cross 10 b'
worn on the breast. The Metropoli
fans of st. Petersburg, Kief and Mos
cow, who olliciated at the coronation
ceremonies, will receive an imperia
letter and new cross in diamonds.
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q. u. a. NJ. State Council.