The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1897-08-27
n. Faure In st Petersburg.

St. Petersburg, August "a. President
Faure, M. Hanotaux, the French
minister for foeign affairs, and the
suite of the president, on board the
imperial yacht Alexandria, entered
the Neva at noon. The river was
crowded with lavishly decorated ex-
cursion steamers and the quays were
black with spectators. The French
cruiser Surcouf, which was near the
landing stage, manned her yards and
her sailors gave ringing cheers as the
Alexandria reached her quay. The
Russians responded with roars OF
cheering.
Upon disembarking, President
Faure was received by the governor
and civic authorities and by guard
of honor from the Alexader III Neva
Temrkasky regiment of infantry
Standing in front of the regiment was
row of the highest army officers OF
Russia. The president, in few
words, spoken in Russian, greeted
the soldiers, who replied with a loud
cheer.
M. Faure then inspected the Guard
of Honor and afterward the president
and his suite, escorted by Ural Cos
sacks, were driven in open carriages
to the cathedral of ST. Peter and st.
Paul. Though rain was falling
heavily, the streets were densely
packed with people who vociferously
cheered the president of France.
After placing wreath and a golden
olive branch on the tomb of the late
Car Alexander III in the cathedral,
President Faure drove across the
Neva and laid the cornerstone of the
new French hospital,
The president afterward visited the
house which Peter the Great built in
1903 on the bank of the Neva in Or
der to superintend the construction
of St. Petersburg The president ex-
amined the various objects made by
Peter The Great, the chair and stool,
etc, and Thea traversed the garden
leading to the riverside where the
czar was waiting for him in launch.
NJ. Faure embarked in this vessel,
which had the Russian and French
flags flying from her stern, and cross
ed the Neva.
The imperial and presidential party
landed on the others side of the river
and took part in the ceremony of lay
ing the foundation stone Of the new
Troitsky bridge, one of the features
of the accession being magnificent
choir singing. The metropolitan,
who ot1iciated prayed for the czar
and for President Faure and France.
The usual scenes of enthusiasm
We're witnessed everywhere and the
French sailors who were allowed to
come ashore were embraced by the
Russian population.
The spectacle at the inauguration
of the bridge was brilliant. Around
picturesque tent were grouped then
high court dignitaries in splendid
uniforms, and municipal councillors
and the clergy in gorgeous robes,
while in the back ground stood four
immense stands filled with ladies in
elegant toilets and officers in uniform,
making a scene of great animation
and sparkling with color.
The czar, President Faure, the
metropolitan and the men of st. Pc
tersburg surrounded by the grand
dukes, M. Honatoux, the French
minister for foreign affairs; the count
of Montebello, the French ambassador
to Russian and other French officers,
formed the central group in front of
the tent where the Inauguration was
solemnly performed.
In an open carriage and amid a
drenching rain, M. Faure visited the
cathedral of st. Issac and called at
the respective embassies. He was
then obliged to return to the Winter
palace to make a change of clothing.
The afternoon was spent in receiving
municipal deputations from various
towns bringing addresses and gifts.
The hour before dinner was devoted
to a. reception of ambassadors and
members of the diplomatic cotps,
with general conversation.
M. t'aure dined at the French en-
bassy and after dinner held recrp-
tion for the members of the French
colony in st. Petersburg. Early in
the evening, he returned to Peterhof
by the imperial train. He was greet
ed with enthusiastic popular demon