The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-23
Moscow.

Is IL possible in any form OF language to de.
scribe Moscow Is there my artist OF tho pen
who can reproduce in his pago tho marvels OF
form and color which express 80 much OF tho
fascination that belongs to this historic city ! It
10 a miracle, this interfusion OF ancient and
modern, this kaleidoscope of Asia and Europe
contonding but never conquered, this unfinished
history OF n thousand years; and II cannot DO
fully portrayed by any efforts ofmcrc phraseology
or analysis. Besides there arc moro places in
and about Moscow that n stranger ought to
visit than any other capital can boast OF; and a
month might we'll be occupied In seeing them.
Yet, lot mo try to point out some of the
moro salient and impressive features of tho
scene, and with thom, perhaps, some Of the more
remarkable characteristics Of the Russian peo-
pie; and In doing this l shall ondoavor to speak
only Of facts, and not of the inferonceu or
suggestions OF others.
The heart Of Moscow Is the Kromlin, and what
ever injuries 1t may have received when Napo-
Icon attempted to destroy It, they have all boon
oblitcrated by most careful restoration. The
Krcmlin is the ancient citadel. n fortress sur
rounded by q wall of undetermined antiquity a
mile and q quarter in length, high and solid
enough to resist cavalry and infantry, but
not artillery. Within this wall are several
churches. two imperial palaces. two monas-
teries, an arsenal, and II museum called
tho Treasury, where arc preserved the corona
ton robes OF every Gear and CZarina, the pros
ents made to them on their accession to the
throne, or their marriages. and q great variety
of valuable articles possessed by them during
their lives. 1t Is one OF the most remarkable and
interesting collections in tho world, and tho
worth OF tho jewels in the imperial crowns and
fastened on tho imperial nantes, and even on
saddles and brides, must be something eXtraor-
binary. Tho gowns worn BY the Czarinas Mt
their coronation are all there, with their gloves
and even their shoes and stockings; and they
show plainly that, since the time Of the great
Catherine, most of these imperial ladies have
been of slender form, and have worn such
small shoes that even q modern belle might
be proud Of them. The presents to the now
Gear were also deposited thote. and l noticed
attentively tho gift Of tho Mikado as we'll as
that of the King of Corea. The Mikado's pres.
emit is a peacock in ivory. of full natural size
and most lively action, and wrought with such
refinement that every feather in tho birds tail
is q separate piece Of ivory that may be taken
out and put back again. The Corean Kings gift
Is q largo screen of porcelain, painted with ex-
traordinary skill and delicacy, and apparently
tho work Of Japanese artists. since the living
Coreans cannot do that kind OF thing.
The religious edihce in the Kremlin that one
naturally enters first is the Church Of tho AS
sumption, in which the Gears are always
crowned. Standing in the centre OF the citadel
it has a very large dome, with a smaller dome
at each Of it's four corners. These domcs are COW
cred with gold, not gliding. as we were assured.
The interior is simple in its design, but filed with
pictures and other The space in the