The San Francisco call., 1896-10-08
Nicholas Lays the First Stone of
the B.idge to Bear His
Fathers Name.
INCIDENTS OF THE CEREMONY
Their NECESSITIES Showered With Gifts
and Flowers by Officials and
MaidenS.

PARIS, FRANCE, Oct. IA cold, drizz-
ling rain fell throughout the forenoon, but
despite the discomfort of being out of
doors thousands of people assembled IN
the vicinity of the Russian embassy,
hoping to catch a glimpse of the imperial
visitors.
President Faure with Nine. Faure and
Mile. Faure, drove to the Russian mbassy
at o'clock this morning for the purpose
of mpanying the Czar and Czarina in
their sightseeing tour of the city.
The Gear expressed the thanks of him.
self and the Czarina for the courtesy
shown to them by the President and his
family, and invited NJ. Faure to occupy a
seat IN his landau. The party started on
their trip half an hour behind the time
fixed by the programme. The Carina
wore gray dress and looked bright and
fresh, but the Czar looked pale and wore
serious expression.
The party was driven to the Cathedral
of Notre Dame, where they were received
by Cardinal Richards, Archbishop OF
Paris, who was clad in his archiepiscopal
robes. Assisting the Cardinal in the re-
ception of the visitors were the Vicar
General of the archdiocese and the mem
bers of the Maroponitan Chapter. Tne
streets through which the party passed
were lined with people, and the great
square fronting the cathedral was densely
packed. The enthusiasm of the people
along the route and in the square was
manifested by almost incessant cheering.
The Car and Czarina, after leaving the
o1 vic ha 10 In
the Pantheon and the Hotel des Invalides,
returning to the Russian embassy for
luncheon. In the afternoon the Gar laid
the first stone of the new bridge across the
Seine, to be known as the Alexander Ill
bridge, in honor of the late Gar of Russia,
father of Nicholas II. The weather was
showery. The Gar while at the Pantheon
paid q visit to the tomb of the late Presi-
dent Carnot, upon which his Males ty
placed a magnificent wreath OF white
flowers. Nine. Carnot and her sons were
present.
The Czar and Czarina left the embassy
at 2:45 O'Clock and reached the site of the
Pont de Alexandra III at 3 O'Clock. M.
Boucher, Minister of Commerce, welcomed
the Czar and Czarina and President Faure,
all of whom stood under marquee. Sun
shine broke through the clouds as the
military band struck up the Russian an
them, at the conclusion of which the En-
fants de Lutece sang the "Soldiers'
Chorus from "Faust." NJ. Mounet
Sully then recited NJ. Herides' splendid
ode OF welcome to the Paix ct Rodur.
A Golfer containing an account of the
laying of the foundation stone of the
bridge Alexander III and some coins
which were struck off at the mint to-day
were presented to the Gar. Another
Golfer with similar contents was then
placed in the cavity which had been
formed for its reception in the $4,000 kilo-
CRANE foundation block of granite which
had been placed upon truck-mounted rails
and the cavity closed with plate of pol
ished granite ornamented with a pair of
steel rings.
The Car and Czarina and President
Faure then left the tribune in which they
stood, NJ. Boucher guiding them. M.
Boucher presented trowel and hammers
to the Czar and Czarina, who successfully
struck blows upon the plate, closing the
cavity in the stone. A squad OF sailors
then holsted the French and Russian
while the guns OF the Hotel des Invalides
thUndered salvo of twenty-one guns.
The military bands played, while flom
the left bank of the Seine betiowereG
boat started, conveying forty maidens
with present TO the Czarina of a chiseled
silver vase enriched with jewels and a
magnificent bouquet.
An immense crane hoisted the founda-
tion-stone and lowered it into place, while
the Car and Czarina resumed their places
on the tribune. M. Boucher read the
minutes of the function, which the Czar
signed first, the Czarina next and finally
President Faure.
While the forty maidens were landing
from their boats, the Enfants de Lutece
chauted France, France" The maidens
then approached the CzarIna and pre-
sented their gifts. Her Majesty accepted
them and expressed her admiration
OF the presents, at the same thanking the
maldens with the peculiar grace which has
already won the hearts of all Parisians.
The procession was reformed at o'clock
amid the mingled strains of the Russian
anthem and the MarseiIlaise and the cheers
of the crowd. The route to the mint was
thronged with wildly cheering people who
had preserved their good nature and
patience despite the hours they had
waited for the appearance of the Russian
visitors, the procession being at that time
an hour behind the time fixed by the pro-
gIamme.
After their visit to the academy the
Gar and Czarina proceeded to the Hotel
de Vile, where NJ. Baudin, President of
the Municipal Council, received them. NJ.
Baudin read an address expressing the
wishes of the people for the welfare of
their majesties and rendering on behalf of
the city of Paris the homage dictated by
love of country and faith in the
destinies of the two great friendly nations.
The Gar replied to M. Baudin's ad-
dress, briefly thanking him, as the repre-
sentative of the city, for the good wishes
after an inspection of the
chief halls, including the court of honor,
which was carpeted with fresh flowers and
decorated, the Gar and
Czarina at o'clock took their departure
for the Russian embassy, amid the en-
thusiastic cheers of the crowds. Almost
all the municipal officials were present at
the reception