Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-04-22
THE CARS CORONATION.

Europe is already turning its eyes
toward Moscow in anticipation of the
all.surpassing splendors amid which
the Car of all the Ru5sias will assume
the emblem of his power month
hence. Several potentates from dis
tant parts of the earth have already
begun their journey to the ancient
capital, where for three weeks civiliza-
tion and barbarism will vie with each
other in prodigal display of their spec
tacular resources. The late car had
scarcely been buried, eighteen months
ago, when preparations were begun for
making the coronation of his successor
the most imposing ceremony which
the modern world has seen. The
work has gone on quietly ever since.
Only within the past month have the
plaus for the transformation of the old
city everywhere become manifest.
Now it is apparent that nothing in the
history of the Christian era can CON-
pare in grandeur and magniicence
with the coming coronation OF Nice.
las Il
The official programme OF the festivi-
ties has just been made known. a
train, which will be the finest that ever
rode the rlis, will convey The Car al d
Czarina from st. Petersburg 10 Mos
COW on May Is. II will run between
double guard of soldiers, stationed
along the 100 miles of rails between Il e
TWO cities. The railroad, for that mat
ter, will be reserved for government
purposes for an entire month, from
April 27 until May 81. No attempt
will be made TO do general business in
that time, and the travelling public
aust take its chances.
The solemn entry of their imperial
maiesties to Moscow" will take place
on the 21st. This wonderful pageant
will be the chief feature OF the festivi-
ties for the general public. The Rus
sian government alone has spent more
than million dollars in preparing for
it, while the magnificent equipeges Of
ambassadors, foreign rulers, and tribu
tary princes will add much to the pomp
and splendor. The chariots, jewels
costumes, &C, which vii! pass down
me Tverskaia Che main street of Mos
cow. from the Petroyski Palace 20 the
Kremlin, viii, it is estimated rep
resent value of twenty million dollar.
Lii Hung Chang, for instance, will wear
the Celestial coronation robes, which
probably never before have been taken
out Of China. Several Ural, Circassian,
and Asiatic princes, OF whom the West
arm world seldom hears, will be there
with splendid retinues, all bearing evil
dence OF the lavish and barbaric wealth
OF their resources.
The coronation itself takes place on
the 26th in the Cathedral of the As
sumption. 1t is pity that the cere-
mony cannot take place in Moscow's
superb Cathedral of the Saviour, a
magnificent temple which accom-
modates fourteeen thousand persons
and which cost fifteen million dollars.
The Russian crown scarcely needs
description, as it is among the most
famous of Jewels. It consists of two
parts, synbolizing the Eastern and
Western empires The parts are join
ed by splendid ruby, TO which are at
tached five diamonds in the shape OF
a cross. The value of the emblem is
81, 100000. Besides the crown the
most remarkable, if not the most valu-
able, Russian imperial jewel is the scep-
tre, executed in accordance with the
orders of the Gar Paul for his corona
on in April, 1877. Its chief value is
due to the historical diamond Orlof.
This celebrated gem, about the size OF
pigeons egg, las its tale of roman ce
intrigue, and crime, which place it
alongside of the kohinoor for dramatic
Interest, while for size and beauty it
holds first rank among European