Birmingham state herald., 1896-05-24
CORONATION PRELUDES.
The Proclamation by Pictures Was an lmpos- ing Event t-Spirited Description of the
 Scenes in Moscow.

Moscow, May 23.-Ats g o'clock this morning one of the most interesting sights connected with the Festivities took
 place in the senate square, in front of the
 arsenal inside the Kremlln. It was the
 proclamation of coronation by the pie
 lures on the Russian shields. With the
 exception of the emblems of mourning and the wording of the proclamation, the
 ceremony was in all respects the same as
 the one witnessed in St. Petersburg at
 the funeral of the late cZar.
 Many people had gathered to listen to
 the proclamation and to see the sight,
 though, as it was to be repeated in other
 parts of the city, the crowds in the an-
 cient citadel of the Kremln were not ex- cessively large.
 Drawn up on two sides of the square.
 fianked by the arsenal and the ancient
 senate house, were four squadrons of
 cuirassiers, two of the Life guards and
 two of the Chevalier guards These were
 commanded by general, supported by
 his officers. On either flank of the lines
 of the cuirassiers, whose coats of mail
 glistened in the morning light, were regi-
 mental bands. At the side, near the gen. eral, were two secretaries of the senate,
 two aides-de-camp and four masters of ceremonies in rich costumes and mounted on magnificent horses. In the very cen ter of the square, facing the artillery bar
  they were escorted by an equal number of eSquires.
 As 9 o'clock rang out from the Ivan tower the heralds sounded flourish upon their golden trumpets and the crowd rev erently uncovered to hear the prOclama- tion, while the cuira ssers and guards sat like rigid statues in serried lines. one of the secretaries of the senate rode few paces forward and read in loud tone the following proclama tion:
 Our most august, most high and most mighty sovereign, Emperor Nicholas Atexandrovitch, having ascended the hereditary throne of the empire of all the Russians and of the kingdom of Po- land, and of the Grand Duchy of Finland, which are inseparable from it. has been pleased to ordain, in imitation of his predecessors and glorious ancestors, that the sacred solemnity of the coronation and consecration of his imperial majes- ty, which his majesty wills that his au- gust consort, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna shall share, do, with the aid of the Almighty, take place on the 14th (26th) of May. By the present proc lamation, therefore, this solemn act is announced to all the faithful subjects of his ma jesty, to the end that on this au- spicfous day they may send up to the | King of Kings their most fervent pray CTS and implore the Almighty One to ex- tend the favor of His blessing to the reign of his majesty, to the maintenance of peace and tranquility to the very great glory of His holy name, and to the un- changing veal of the empire"
 Having read the proclamation, which was received with cheers by the people, | the secretary retired to his former place and the esquires threw into the midst of | the crowd Beautifully illuminated copies | of the proclamation, on which were en- graved the arms and insignia of Nicholas l II. A desperate struggle then took place | in the crowd in order to secure copies of l the precious document and as the strug- 1 gle ensued the bands struck up the | strains of Russian military march, the l officers ranked up, the cuircassiers fell | in line behind the heralds and the whole | party rode away past the Ivan tower | through the great bell square and out | through the Spasky gate to repeat in l different quarters of the town the cere- l mony just witnessed. The same solem- nity will be enacted in a similar manner | tomorrow and the day after; thus on the | three days preceding the coronation is | the great event announced publicly to l the people, who show great curiosity and eagerness to hear the proclamation. In addition to this formality two mas l ters of ceremonies in gala chariots for | mally announced to the foreign diplo- mats, plenipotentiaries and special en- voys the day fixed for the coronation. AJo. O.