Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-27
CAR CROWNED.
Grandest Sight the City of
Moscow Has Ever Seen.
Nicholas Il and His Fair Wife Crown
ed Before Cheering Thousands.
Whole World Unites in Paying Honor TO Rulers
o. Russian Empire.

Moscow. May 26.-Today was the
chief day of all the ceremonies con-
nected with this festive occasion. the
day up to which all the previous days
have led The weather is fine and the
sky cloudless The kremlin, which
was the center of attraction, was early
surrounded by waiting crowds who had
no possible hope of getting inside, but
were satisfied to see what they could
outside the walls.
Troops headed by bands of music
began moving at O'Clock in the morn
ing marching to the kremlin. At I
O'Clock a salvo of 81 guns was fired and
at 80 the bells of the cathedral began
to peal.
Assembled in the halls of the krem
lin palace were all of the personages
forming the Cars cortege the ladies
of the court, noted dignitaries, officers
in uniform, etc. All of the accesses to
the palace and the cathedral. were
guarded by double lines of troops, and
around and within the courts of the
palace We're squadrons of cavalry.
Crowds thronged the streets at an
early hour. and those who We're fortu-
nate enough to possess cards of admis
sion to the small cathedral of the as
sumption. where the coronation cere-
monies were solemnized, We're early at
the Kremlin seeking their places.
Just before it was time for the Car
to appear at the top of the red square
the broad spaces of the kremlin were
packed with perhaps 100000 people
pressing closely up to the very fence
of the inner square between the cathe-
drals.
At sis numerous ladies and gentle
men of the court, in brilliant dresses
and uniforms, entered and took their
places. and al $50 the great bell in the
Ivan tower began to boom, giving the
signal to all the bells which took up
the peal and resounded Throughout the
city. A large number of bishops and
priests in magnificent ceremonial robes,
were in attendance.
AS the bell of the Ivan Neliki tolled
out the half hour the male choir, which
in Greek churches is always concealed.
began to intone the tie deum. AT S.45
the diplomatic body and special ENJOYS.
headed by the Count de MontebelO.
the French ambassador. the Doyen of
the diplomatic corps. slowly filed into
the sacred building.
The choir continued singing. and at O.
o'clock the sound of cheers and roars
from the waiting thrOng outside an
nounced the fact that the royal party
was approaching. All Moscow had
come to catch a glimpse of the Emperor
and Emperess and their brilliant suite.
as they descended the red staircase
from the Kremlin palace and crossed
the nnnInC1ra no
after shout rose upon the air. drums
sounded. bells pealed. and the bands,
grouped in the great square, played
the national anthem.
At these sounds the metropolitans of
Moscow, st. Petersburg and Kieff, and
several of the higher clergy proceeded
to the southern entrance of the cathe-
drai. Then through the throng were
seen the great dignitaries of state.
bearing the imperial insignia, regalia
and coronation robes. which they de-
posted on richly worked cushions up
on table near the throne. The sword
and flag of state We're stationed on
each side of the short fight of steps
leading UP from the alter to the throne
dals. and were guarded by four majors
general with drawn swords
ne HrSt OF the Imperial party to APP |
pear was the Dowage Czarina, mother
of the Emperor, who came separately
from the Emperor and Empress. and
their attendants. The DOwager EN- |
press wore crown and imperial man
tie, and was accompanied by those
members of the imperial family who
were not included in the Cars cor
tege and the ladies and officials of her
court. Four chamberlains bore her
train as she assembled her throne on a |
dais level with the other two thrones. !
Immediately after. amid tumultuous
shouts from outside. the Emperor and
Empress appeared at the door They
were received by the clergy and es-
corted to the steps of the altar. The
Emperor was in the dark green and
gold uniform Of general of tire
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