The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-20
GAR TAXES PART
 IN CEREMONIES Makes First Public Appearance
 of the Season. BLESSING OF THE WATERS Procession From Palace Was Glitter ing Pageant and Was Participated In By the Crack Regiments
 of the Empire.
BLESSING OF THE WATERS

St. Petersburg, January 19.-The czar made his first public appearance this sea- son at today,s solemn ceremony of bless ing the waters. In the orthodox church this right is commemorative of the bap- tism of the Saviour. It took place in an open chapel built on a quay extending far from the winter palace.
 It was preceded by a religious service within the palace which was attended by the imperial family with the exception of the czarina, whose condition was such as to prevent her being present, and the court officials, nobility and representa- lives of the foreign powers
 The scene outside the chapel was ex- tremey impressive, the thermometer reg istering below zero and the atmosphere was clear. In the back ground was the sprawling. pink city, -mantled, over which the gilded domes of the churches hung like golden bubbles. blown against a blue sky.
 Massed With Humanity.
 In front was the broad, frozen Neva, manity. The bare-headed procession moved through double lines of imperial infantry and sailor guard from the pal ace to the chapel with the cross and gospels held aloft preceded by the Met ropolitan and the higher clergy in gold embroidered vestments with church ban ners and followed by the scarlet-gowned court choir, the chamberlains and the other court officials.
 Then came the officers of crack regi- ments without their overcoats, thus per miting a gorgeous display of uniforms bearing the battle flags of the empire. The grand duke immediately preceded the czar, who carried himself easily. He wore a simple uniform, that of the fa- nous Preobrajenski regiment, the cross of St. Andrew glittering on his breast. This was his only decoration.
 Held Helmet on Hand.
 Teh czar, who held his helmet in his hand, looked strong and well. A rocket screaming up from the middle of the river signalled his majesty's appearance, which was greeted with a salvo of ar tillery of 101 guns from the fortress of Saints Peter and Paul. punctuated with the simultaneous chiming of bells throughout the city.
 When the czar had taken up his posi- tion in the chapel and the Yobello had been broken, the Metropolitan blessed the shadowy waters and the cross was dipped thrice therein.
 Ladies Witness Ceremony.
 The diplomatic corps and the ladies of the court witnessed the brief ceremony from the window of the palace. United States Ambassador Mccormick and Mrs. Mccormick, Secretary Eddy of the em- bassy. Naval Attache Smith and the Jap anese minister, M. Kurino, were among those present.
 When the rite was finished thousands of people swarmed across the ice and dipped up water with which to sanctify their homes
 Similar ceremonies were observed througout Russia.
 The diplomats, exchanging views at the palace. UT animously agreed that the Rus so-Japapese situation has much improved.
 
 more interested In the situation than was Russia.
 The correspondent adds that the action of the United States had quito upset Vice