The record-union., 1896-05-26
Gorgeous Regalias to be Worn by the
Emperor and Empress.
Special nasses Said in All the
Churches of rloscOW Yesterday,
With Appropriate Prayers for
Blessings on Their Imperial
rlajesties, Upon Their Coronation.

MOSCOW, May 25.-At 3:15 p. m to-
day the gorgeous regalia which will be
used at the ceremony tomorrow was
transferred with great pOmp from the
treasury to the Hall of St Andrew in
the Kremlin Palace. The most import
ant of these is a magnificent crown
which was manufactured by Geneva
JeWeler at the command of the Empress
Catharine II. Immediately after her ac-
ceSsion to the throne. Lit somewhat re-
Sembles mitre SurInounted by a cross
of flawless diamonds and the celebrated
pearshaped ruby, which has scarcely
a superior in the world. This forms the
only touch of color, the rest of the
stones being diamonds and pearls. The
setting is of silver, and there is a band
of purple velvet inside. The value of
the crown is over / 100000 roubles.
But that of the scepter surpasses it.
Made for the coronation of the Emperor
Paul in 1897, it is the most wonderful
thing of its kind which has ever been
known, for the famous Orloff diamond
surmountS 1t. The orb also dates from
the reign of the same Car, and is of
solid gold set with three rows of brill
iants and huge almond-shaped dia-
by an exquisite sapphire worth a for
tune.
The Car will also don the collar. star
and jewels of the Order of st. Andrew,
valued at over 100000 roubles This
order is never worn save on a day of
coronation, and is adorned with five
pink diamonds and two Siberian aqua
marines, one blue and the other green,
set in diamonds.
The jewels which the Czarina will
wear are little inferior in value. The
state coronet contains stones of un-
equaled beauty. The necklet worn with
it consists of huge single stones, with
changing pendants of still larger dia-
monds. The corOnat ton robe is the most
costly ever beheld, and the masses of
precious stones which her imperial ma
jesty will wear in addition will be of in
credible value. They include the smaller
insignia of the ST. Andrew order, set
with gems representing fortune These
magnificent symbols of authority will
remain in the throne room during the
night, guarded by a detachment of the
grenadiers of the palace and several
gentlemen Of the court.
This afternoon the Emperor and EN-
press left the palace of Alexandria and
took up their quarters in the Kremlin
Their chief devotions were paid to-day
in the Cathedral of the Redeemer, a
small chapel upon the gold court sup
mounted by twelve small gilded cupo-
las. This private chapel of the palace
contains a miracle working image of
the Savior, and here before the golden
Ikonostas the imperial couple perform
their acts of preparation for the NOR
rows sacred ceremony
All day long preparations have gone
forward for tomorrow, and many of
the tribunes which were erected for the
triumphal entry have been removed
so that more space can be given for the
massing of soldiers and grouping of in
vited guests. The decorations through
out the city have been looked to and re-
newed where necessary. Full prepara-
tions for the illumination have been
made, so much SO, that had a stranger
happened upon Moscow to-day he
might almost have thought a new town
was in process of erection.
Special masses have been said at all
the churches in Moscow to-day, with
appropriate prayers for blessings on
the Emperor and Empress upon their
coronation.
The weather throughout the day was
clear and bright.
rehearsal of the grand gala per-
formance which will begin at the
Grand Theater or Opera-house of Mos
cow was held tonight.