Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-05-26
TO-DAY'S TEbEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Coronation of the Gar.

chief day OF all CnOSe given up W CIV
coronation ceremonies. Early in the
morning were assembled in the halls of
the Kremlin Palace all of the person
ages forming the Cars cortege, the
ladies of the court, noted dignitaries,
officers in uniform, etc. A mass OF peo-
pie filled the square, but thousands
could not hope to zee the coronation act
itself, but .only the ceremonies which
took place without the cathedral. Near
the cathedral of Assumption were
suuadrons of the Cuirassier Guard,
scarlet. coated Circassians, dragons and
detachments of other troops. Just be-
fore it was time for the Gar to appear,
the broad spaces of the Kremlin were
densely packed with perhaps 100000
people. At $50 the great bell in the
Ivan tower began to boom, giving the
signal to all other bells, which took up
the peal, and resounded throughout the
city.
At nine o'clock the sound of cheers
and roars from the waiting throngs
outside announced the fact that the
royal party was approaching. AS the
Emperor and Empress and their bril-.
liant suite crossed the enclosure shout
after shout rose, drums sounded, bells
pealed, and the bands played the ma
tional anthem. Amid tumultous shouts
from outside, the Emperor and Empress
appeared at the door. They were re-
ceived by the clergy and escorted to
the steps of the altar. The Emperor
was in 1he dark green and gold uni.
form of general. The Empress was
dressed in silver robe with q long
train, which was borne by four pages.
Arriving at the altar steps the Metro
politan of st. Petersburg presented the
cross for them to kiss, and the Metro
! politan of KieG presented them with
the holy water. After kissing the sa-
cred images, their majesties assembled
the steps and took their places in front
of the altar. The scene was one of
great beauty. The blaze of gold and
Silver, the brilliancy of the uniforms
and orders, the richness of the court
toilettes worn by the ladies, the spark
ling and precious gems, the clouds OF
incense pervading the church, the SOL
emn sweetness of the singing, all con-
tributed to the splendor of the occa-
sion. AS the Emperor and Empress
entered the cathedral, the choir sang
Psalm 101. As the hymn Of the choir
ceased the Metropolitan of st. Peters,
burg handed the Emperor a missal,
bidding him read aloud the orthodox
creed. The Metropolitans then assist
ed the Gear to don the imperial mantle,
made of cloth of gold, lined with en-
mine.
The Gear then received the crown
from the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg
and, standing in full sight.of all the
people, and still before the altar, with
both hands placed the crown upon his
head and taking his sceptre in which
blazed the famous Orlotf diamond, in
his right hand, and the globe of the
empire in his left, he took his seat upon
the throne, the Empress still standing
in her former place. This was the
supreme moment of all.
Upon taking his seat on the throne,
the cannon of the arsenal Numbered
forth, the bells rang, and the bands
masse outside played the national
anthems. The Emperor, after merely
occupying the throne for few seconds,
rose and turned to the Empress and,
taking off his crown, touched her fore
head with 1t. She then knelt before
him on a velvet cushion, when the
Emperor placed upon her head her
own crown. The Empress's ladies of
honor fixed the crown on her head
with gold comb, and then robed her
| in her mantle of cloth of gold, ermine-
lined like the Emperor's. She was
also invested with the collar of ST.
Andrew, and was led to her throne BY
the Emperor and remained seated at
at his side. The Emperor then resumed
his sceptre and orb and the clergy broke
in magnificent anthem, the choir an
swering. The members of the imperial
family and the foreign princes now ad-
vanced and congratulated the imperial
| family. Suddenly the cannon, bells and
bands ceased and silence ensued, while
the Car knelt and solemnly uttered
prayer. When he rose from his knees,
the Metropolitan of st. Petersburg be.
gan prayer for the Emperor, at which
every one in the Cathedral knelt, with
the exception of the Emperor, who
stood erect, wearing his crown. The
royal couple then descended from the
dais and walked to the entrance of the
sanctuary, where the Metropolitan of
st. Petersburg, with branch of gold,
sprinkled the forehead, the eyes, lips,
nostrils, ears, breast and the palms
and backs of the hands of the Emperor
with consecrated oil, the Prelate of
Kieff removing the oil with linen
cloth. The Empress was merely
sprinkled upon the forehead. Resum-
ing their places upon the dias, mass
was now begun, and, after the consecra-
ton of the elements, the Emperor en-.
tered the sanctuary and received the
communion. The Empress likewise
received communion, but kneeling at
the sanctuary, as women are not al
lowed within the ikonostas.
Then amid salvo of cannon and
the changing of bells, to which were
joined the mighty acclamations of the
people, the imperial couple, arrayed in
their coronation splendor, emerged
from the cathedral, re-entered the Co.
thedral square and thence walked to
the cathedral of the Annunciation,
several high dignitaries carrying the
trains of their nantes. The strains of
the national anthem, the joyful pealing
of the bells, the thunder of the cannon
and the loud prolonged roar of the peo-