New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-01
ROUND ABOUT EUROPE.
CAR NICHOLAS PREsIDEs AT THE
CEREMONY OF BLESSING THE
WATERS OF THE NEvA.

PEssIMIsr REPORTS CONCERNING HIS HEALTH
BELIED-FAMoUs ROMAN GALLERIES TO Be
SOLD AT AUCTIoN-DERvIsH ADVANCE on
KAssALA-cARDINAL MERTEL DYING
THE old EMPEROR cELEBRA-
TON" AT BERLIN.
Reports current to the effect that the Car is
go alarmingly Ill 10 call for the appointment OF
a regency, pending his recovery. are conclusively
proved to be unfounded by his presence at the
solemn ceremony OF the blessing OF the waters Of
the Neva, which has just taken place at ST. Peters
burg The function in question: which was fol-
lowed by imperial review of all the troops Of
the garrison in front OF the Winter Palace, Is both
long and wearsome. involving the monarch's re-
naming bareheadeI for considerable length of
time. In spite OF the piercing cold of ST. Peters
burg winter That Nicholas should have been able
to take the leading part both at the religious
ceremony and at the subsequent military parade
shows that he cannot DE seriously Ill as has
been asserted.
Art collectors and owners of picture galleries in
this country will be Interested TO learn that not
only are the old masters of Prince Sciarra Coonna
about to be brought TO the hammer at Rome. but
also those of the prlncely House OF Borghese
Until now the heads Of these two great patrician
families who are both OF them bankrupt, have
been debarred by the so-called Pasca law from
dsposing OF their pictures, some of which are
has now consented to n compromise whereby. in
return for the gift to the Nation OF certain OF
sion 10 SELL. either to native or foreign purchasers
the remainder of their paintings
Much alarm has been created, both at Rome and
in London. by the altogether unexpected news OF
an advance In forcs r. the Mahdi on Kassala-
Although the abandonment OF that most important
stronghold by the Italians TO the Anglo Egyptian
that. with its weakened italian garrison. IT may
fall into the hands OF the Dervishes before either
English or Italian achievements can reach the
city.
Cardinal Mertel. who. in point Of age. Is the
dean Of the Sacred College. Is now dying at Rome
of extreme old age. being in his nnety-third year.
He is a lawyer by profession, and lay member
OF the Synod OF Cardinals Minister Of Finance
Plus TX. he became after 1870 the principal legal
adviser Of the Holy See Like his friend and min,
sterial colleague. the late Cardinal Antonelli, he
ranks In the Sacred College as Cardinal Deacon,
and has never received the conservation OF priest
hood
Extraordinary preparations being made in
Germany for the celebration on March p next OF
the hundredh anniversary OF the birth or old
Emperor William. magnificent monument facing
the palace in which he used to live is to be UNI
yelled on that day in Berlin. and most of the SOW
erelgns Of the other States of the German Con-
federation have promised to come to Berlin 10
take part in the festivities organized for the oc-
CASTOR.
General Bourbaki, who for years past has
lived in almost monastic retirement at Bayonne.
Is reported to be dying. He played prominent
part In the siege of Metz. and was one of the
principal dupes and accusers Of Marshal Bazaine.
On the route of the unframed lcvies, which he
commanded. which crossed the frontier into Swift
erland, holly pursued by the German forces under
General Won Werder, he attempted to commit sui
eide, INJECTING upon hlmset DANGEROUS Mouiiu.
from which 1t took him a long time 10 recover.
The Pope has ordered that the next canonization
shall be celebrated in st. Peters, which will be
beautifully draped for the occasion and lighted by
hundreds upon hundreds OF great chandeliers 1t
will be the first time that a canonzation has been
celebrated In St. Peters since 1861. and l. Is esti,
mated that the cost of the ceremony VIII exceed
$4,000.
Tho journal Ohicie' is publishing the com
plete results Of the census taken last year In
France During the five years which have elapsed
since the previous census taken In 1891, the popu-
Iation Of the whole of France has increased only
by 1902 persons The annual progression has
therefore been only 5000. The census shows that
tho rural districts are becoming less and less popi
lated. while tho towns and cities are growing In
size.
The special commission sent to Central Asa by
the Russian Government TO study the question OF
the possibility of restoring the river ANU Daria
to It's ancient bed has completed It's labors and re-
turned to St. Petersburg, where 1t has reported In
favor OF the scheme. IT is declared perfectly FEAST
bic at relatively small cost, and II put Into exc
cution will modify the entire economic ana STRAIT
cgicaI conditions OF Central Asia by establishing
an uninterrupted waterway from the confines OF
Afghanistan to the Baltic.
curious legal action IS reported from London
in connection with the kidnapping In London OF the
Chinese doctor Sun Vat Sen. by the Chinese En-
bassy last October. An English servant who had
been in the employ Of the Embassy for seven years
received n promise from the doctor and his English
friends outside Of Of $3.50 if he would consti-
tute himself the means of Intercourse between them
with the view of the formers escape. or course
he was dismissed from the service of the Embassy
as soon as ever the role which he had played, In
contributing TO the escape OF the doctor from cap
tivity deportation to China and certain death
was discovered. But both the doctor and his
friends now decline TO fulfil their promises. and
the servant has therefore instituted legal proceed
ings against them for the recovery OF the money
owed to him.
MR.. HACKETT BROUGHT HERE.