New-York tribune., 1905-06-11
THE KREMLIN At MOSCOW.
Great Fortress Near Which Grand
Duke Sergius Vas Killed.

The Kremlin, near which Grand Duke Sergius
was assassinated. is an enormous fortress and for
one thousand years has sheltered the throne and
the treasures of the Russian Empire 1t is what the
Acropolis is to Athens. the Alhambra to Spain
Windsor Castle TO London and the Vatican to
Rome. 1t stands upon eminence a city within
a city. washed on three sides by the river Volga
and inclosed by wall nearly a milo and a half
long. The Kremiln is not only the legal capital
of the empire the location of the throne and the
residence @ G Of the Gar but also the headquar
The walls inclose a large group of buildings con-
paes OF Of the the oy nod the hgre the Of the the
Assumption. in which the autocrats of all the
nunciation, in which they must be baptized and
married and the Church of st. Michael in which
laid. There are two monasteries, two barracks.
monument erected in honor of Alexander II the
emancipator: the great bell of Moscow. and the
biographies when you were a child, and the treas
ton robes state carriages, table plate, ieWeIIed
ornaments and other relies of the house of Roman
off preserved. According to an ancient custom
every ruler of Russia until recent years has had
his own crown and throne and sceptre and each
has endeaYored to surpass his predecessors in taste
and extravagance -,
Russia but the court lives in the latter place for
is always kept in readiness for its imperial tenant
and he spends few weeks there at intervals each
holy city-"Our Mother Moscow: In some RESPECTS m s
So mmense as 81 b all nfe the s0yePesns Of
Petersburg. but richer and more majestic and
Of Of ST ;, George the Order Of St Alexander Nevski
are without doubt the finest in the world The first
named is 10 feet long and 6S feet wide and the
ceiling is 5S feet from the floor. These rooms are
seldom used except at funeral or a coronation
There are numerous other state apartments fin-
ished and furnished with barbaric splendor five
hundred and SIX hundred years ago much gold
ana silver and many precious stones having been
used Gold was once so plentiful in Russia That it
was spread over the walls Of palaces; Jewels were
SO numerous that they were imbedded as orna-
ments IN doors, nantels, chandeliers, stoves and
furniture, while silver was used we use wood
for tables, picture frames, balustrades chandeliers
cabinets and thrones.
The throne of Ivan the Terrible, for example is
made OF solid silver. ornamented with gold and
studded thckly with gems His robe OF state
which Is still on exhibition, described
writer OF the fifteenth century seeming be
one sheet OF diamonds. while his neck collar
bands OF his sleeves and the train that drew
behind him were within of sable and without of
uniform pearls like large drops OF water of the
purest whteness each being of the value of a
male slave" This mantle be seen any DAY be-
tween the hours of 10 and In the treasury, and
the ancient writer did not exaEgerate its richness
According to, popular opinion. there is in the
KTemlin enough useless treasure to pay the public
debt of Russia and in the churches and palaces
enough gold and jewels to build a schooIhouse in
every village and give education every child
In the empire. The Car has twenty-one city
country palaces-aH of them sumptuously furnished
and filled with costly plate and ornaments-but the
palace az IaA GTsInitn BurEasseS them aU f~r tho