The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-08-27

" VA Gn0 S1AS
In Dedication Of the New Bridge-Visited
by Depretations With Addresses from Va.
rious Cities.
n st. Petersburg, August 24.-President
Faure, NJ. Hanotaux, the French min
lister for foreign affairs, n the suite
of the president, on board the imperial
yacht Alexandria, entered the Neva at
noon. The river was crowded with
lavishly decorated excursion steamers
and the quays were black with specta-
tors. The French cruiser Surcouf,
which was near the landing stage,
manned her yards and her sailors gave
ringing cheers as the Alexandria reach
ed her quay. The Russians responded
with roars of cheering.
Upon disembarking, President Faure
was received by the governor and civic
authorities and by a guard of hono
from the Alexader III Neva Temrk-
asky regiment Of infantry.
in front Of the regiment was a row or
highest army officers Of Russia. The
president, in a few words, spoken in
Russian, greeted the soldiers, who re-
piled with a lou 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 cathe dral Of ST. Peter and st. Paul.
Though rain was falling heavily, the
streets were densely packed with peo-
pie who vociferously cheered the presi-
dent of France.
After placing a 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
1908 on the bank of the Neva in order
to superintend the construction OF ST.
Petersburg. The president
the various objects made by Peter
The Great, the chair and stool, etc., ana
then traversed the garden leading TO
the riverside where the car was walt
ing for him in a launch. M. Faure en-
barked in this vessel, which had the
Russian and French flags flying from
her stern, and crossed the NeVa.
The imperial and presidential party
landed on the others side of the river
and took part in the ceremony OF laying
the foundation stone of the new TrOlt-
sky bridge, one of the features or the
occasion being magnificent choir sing
ing. The metropolitan, who oholateo,
prayed for the car and Tor Presloent
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 Russian
population.
The spectacle at the Inauguration of
the bridge was brilliant. AROUND a
picturesque tent were grouped the
high court dignitaries in splendid uni
forms, and municipal councillors and
the clergy in gorgeous robes, while in
The back ground stood four immense
stands filled with ladies in elegant toll
cts and officers in uniform, making a
scene of great animation and sparkling
with color.
The car, President Faure, the
metropolitan and the men of st. Pc
tersburg surrounded by h grand
dukes, M. Honatoux, the French min
lister 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 ccrriage and mid a
OrGnCnlnS RAIL-, M. ioAtCu SAN
cathedral Of st. Isaac and called at the
respective embassies. He was then
obliged to return to the Winter palace
to make a change of clothing. The af-
ternoon was spent in receiving munich
pal populations from various towns
bringing addresses and gifts. The
hour before dinner was devoted to a
reception of ambassadors n members
of the diplomatic corps, with general
conversation.
M. Faure dined at the French m
bassy and after Inner held a recep-
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 greeted
with enthusiastic popular demOnstra-
tion wherever he appeared in the pub
1ic.thorOughfares.
The Grand Army Encampment.