The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-25
FAURE AT ST. PETERSBURG
Despite a Tremendous Downpour
of Rain
PLANS WERE CARRIED OUT
Corner Stone Of the Hospital and Foundation
Stone of Troitsky Bridge Laid-Trib-
ute to Alexander III.

olone OF lroltSky Bridge Lald-lTD-
ute to Alexander III.
st. Petersburg. Aug. 24.-Pre4tdent Fau-
re, n. Hanitoux. the French minister for
foreign affairs, and The suite Of he pres
idept, on board the imperial yacht Alex
andria, entered the Nova at noon. The
river was crowded With lavishly decor
ated excursion steamers and the quays
were black with spectators The French
cruiser surof, which was near the land
ing stage, manned her yards and her sail
ors gave ringing cheers as the Alexandria
reached her quay. The Russians Fe-
sponded With cheers. Upon disembarB-
ing. President Faure was received by the
governor and civic authorities and by
guard of honor from The Alexandria III.
| Nova Teherkiskay regiment of infantry.
Standing in front of the regiment was a
row of fuhe highest army officers of Rus
STA. The president, in few words spoken
in Russian, greeted the soldiers, who re-
| piled with loud cheers.
| M. Faure then inspected the guard of
! honor opd ). fteru-orde tbe ,,Yes.;dant ,apd
suite, escorted by Ural Cossacks, were
| driven in open carriages 10 the cathedral
of st. Peter and st. Paul. The rain was
and golden olive branch on the tomb of
the late Gar Alexander III. in the cathe-
dra,, President Faure drove across the
French hospital. The president after
wards visited The house which Peter the
Great built in 1903 ON the bank of the
Neva in order to superintend the con-
struction of st. Petersburg. The presl-
dent examined the various objects made
| by Peter the Great, the chair stool, e.c,
and then aravensed the garden leading to
the riverside. The car was waiting for
| him in a launch.
| NJ. Faure embarked in the vessel, which
| had the Russian and French flags flying
from hoists, and crossed the Neva. The
imperial and presidential party landed on
the other side of the river and cook part
| in the ceremony of laying the foundation
| stone of the new Troitlsky bridge. one of
| the features of the occasion being mag
nflcent choir singing.
The metropolitan, who officiated, pray
ed for the ear and President Faure and
France. The usual scenes of enthusiasm
were witnessed everywhere and the
French sailors, who were allowed to
come ashore, were embraced by the Rus
sian population.
The spectacle of the Inauguration of
the bridge was brilliant. Around pict-
uresque tent were grouped the highest
court dgnitaries in splendid uniforms,
the municipal councillors and the clergy
IN gorgeous robes while in the background
stood the immense stands filled with Ia
dies in elegant toilets and officers in uni
form. making a scene of animation and
dazzling with color. The czar and Presi-
dent Faure and the mayor of st. Peters
burg surrounded by the grand dukes, M.
Hanitoux. the French minister for for
eign affairs, the Count of Montebello, the
French ambassador to Russia, and other
French officers, formed the central group
in front of the tent where the Inaugural
ton was soiemnly performed.
IN an OPEN carriage and amidst. a
drenching rain M. Faure visited the
cathedral of st. Isaac and called at the
respective embassies. He was then
obliged to return to the winter palace to
make change of clothing.
The afternoon was spent in receiving
municipal populations from various
towns. bringing addresses and gifts.
The hour before dinner was devoted to a
reception of ambassadors and the diplo-
matte corps with general conversation
M Faure dined at the French embassy,
and after dinner held reception to the
members of the French COLONY in st.
Petersburg.
Early in the evening he REL,
Peterhoff by the imperial train.