The herald., 1896-10-08
HIS MAJESTY OF RUSSIA
0rasps the TroweI and Calls for - More
sSs Mort"
There Were Poetry and Music, Long
Speeches and Military Displays ana
Lots of Royal Tomfoolery
Associated Press Special Wire

at 2:S0 D. m, where speech was made
by President Faure, the usual immense
crowds cheering and bright sunshine
prevailing. The imperial standard of
Russia was hoisted, the Russian an
them was played and the ceremonies
were carried out without a hitch.
President Faure stood beside the czar
and czarina. Grouped around them
were the presidents of the senate and
chamber Of deputies, ministers and cab
met officers, and further back were the
members Of the diplomatic corps. The
stands erected for the senators, men,
bers Of the chamber and mayors of the
different towns. etc, were heavily
loaded and the entire vicinity was
densely packed with people.
Paul Mounet read the stanza, COM
posed for the occasion by Jose Heredia,
whom the czar asked to be presented
warmly shaking hands with the poet
The czarina also extended her hand,
which Heredia kissed. M. Bouchere,
the minister Of commerce, then deliv-
cred a short address, begging his maj
esty in the name of the republic to
lay the first stone of the bridge and thus
accord to a great work Of civilization
and peace his high appreciation and the
gracious patronage Of the empress. Af-
ter the czar and czarina had signed
the formal document prepared for the
occasion, the czar was handed trowel
by President Faure with which his
majesty spread a small portion of NOR
tor and tapped the corner stone with
a mallet.
At the same moment boat, In which
were a group of maidens dressed in
white left the right bank of the river
and crossed the stream to the place of
the ceremony where they presented the
czarina with silver vase containing
some splendid flowers.
The czarina. accepting the gift. eX-
tended her hands to the maidens, each
of whom bowed deeply and kissed it.
Their majesties and President Faure
then drove to the mint and from there
to the French institute. At the latter
place M. de Gouve made speech of
welcome, recalling the first visit of
Peter the Great, and M. Soppe read an
ode to the imperial visitors
The latter afterwards signed the min
utes of the meeting and proceeded to
visit the Hotel de Vile.
The place de Hotel de Vile was pro-
fusely decorated with flags and lamps
were already lighted as the imperial
party arrived. Their appearance was
the signal for choruses and orchestras
stationed on stands to burst into
hymn Of welcome which was followed by
the Marseillaise and the Russian anth-
EN-.
President Faure, with the czar and
czarina on either side Of him, ascended
the steps amid the cheers of the crowds,
the troops presenting arms, the bugles
sounding fanfare.
In reply to an address by the president
of the municipal council the czar simply
eypre ssed his thanks. He traversed the
provost's hall while the choirs of the
opera and of the conservatoire sang the
Russian hymn, accompanied by the band
of the Garde republicaine and entered
the cour d'honneur which was trans
formed into a magnificent winter gar
and there among flower beds which were
surrounded by rockery over which fell
cascades, while illuminated fountains
played amidst the flower beds.
At the further end Of the garden a
crimson staircase rose from the banks
Of flowers.
The imperial Russian pair, escorted by
M. Baudin, ascended the staircase and
half way up turned and admired the
fairy-like scene the spectators from
the balconies overlooking the court
cheering wildly in the meantime.
The czar and czarina then continued
their ascent until they reached the hall
Of cariytides, where they stopped and
gazed upon the onyx vase given to Paris
by the Gear Alexander III, father of the
present czar. Thence they entered the
hall of fetes, where 4O00 persons were
awaiting them, standing, the somber
evening dress of the men being relieved
by the bright costumes of the ladies.
The hall was ablaze with light. The
Russian sovereigns were then seated
with President Faure between them on
sort of throne, the dignitaries Of their
suites and of the French government
who were designated to attend upon
them being grouped around while they
listened to the concert. The imperial
party left the Hotel de Vile at o'clock
and returned to the Russian embassy.
sistible crush in the vicinity of ehe Rus
sian embassy We're so great tonight that
it was feared there must be many acci-
dents. The frantic enthusiasm in every
part of the city tonight is greater even
than 1t was yesterday. The illumina-
tions tonight are repeated in all Of the
public buildings and numerous private
buildings on a grand scale. President
Faure arrived at the Russian embassy
at z o'clock as the guest of honor at a
dinner for 400 covers. The czar presided,
Nine. Faure being placed upon his right.
The czarina sat opposite the czar with
President Faure upon her right. The
czar and czarina and President and
Mime. Faure, after the dinner drove to
the theater Francais, arriving thehe at
10 o'clock to attend the gala performance.
The illustrious visitors received an ova-
ton from the crowds along the route.
A SUSPECT HELD -