Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-07-22
THE GEAR BEFORE
THE DUMA
NOTES Oh AN EYEWITNESS OF
a REMARKABLE OCCASION.


Surely the strangest phalanxes
chat ever monarch walked between
were those on his either side ON his
left massed living demonstration
OF the impressive brilliance. pomp
and authority of Empire To his
right stood the simplest body OF men
ever assembled to mold the destiny
OF a nation. France, in her most rad
zeal days adhered less regidly TO the
forms and Appearances OF democra-
cy.
The ceremonials of the church last
ed short 20 minutes Yet each re
Oeum seemed an agony of protracted
suspense; and royalty suffered. sew
aral times ! heard a clucking sound
IN the throat of the emperor as he
fought hard with his terrible nor
Yousness. Twice more he wiped his
eyes. His left hand. which was
sloved. was held before him and his
fingers twitched necessarily or all
those in the cortege only the two
ampresses gave no sign OF strain
their poise was superb. The grand
dukes. who stood i'm the ranks next
behind throughout the ceremonial.
crossed themselves repeatedly and
with extraordinary determination.
Their vigorous piety far exceeds cd
that OF the gold manacled eccIesias-
les themselves
When the last chant had been
sung. and the last blessing bestowed.
the royal suite took their place
he women 10 the left OF the throne.
the men close To the representatives
OF the army The car remained
standing in the center OF the room
a lonely and pathetic silhouet against
a brilliant background Again his
breast heaved and his shoulders
,wltched i'm the final effort he was
making for the supreme trial which
le now faced The effort was sue
essful. No further sign Of weakness
vas betrayed during the remainder
II the ceremony. From that moment
until the end the czar looked. acted
and spoke with certain degree OF
nanliness.
An aid advanced and handed him
is speech inscribed upon single
broad sheet This he received stand
ng. Quietly and firmly ne assumed
position, the paper held easily with
both hands. There was no haste I'm
MS actions. He merely looked Sc
renely over the throng. The posi-
ions or the respective sides were
now. Of course reversed. The bu-
reaucracy was TO his right. and the
Ouma 10 his left Nearest the throne.
% the right side stood the Expresses.
grand duchesses and other grandes
danes of the court. Then followed
IN successive groups, their stations
Indicated by crimson aplings. the sew
raj classes OF the court official mil
itary and naval dignitarles Next
10 the ladies. in emblazoned uniforms
" scarlet and gold. were the sena-
ors. ministers and members OF the
ouncil OF the empire Below thom
we're the adjutant ministers. digni-
aries from other cities. and the sec
pnd rank OF the court officials Then
he emperor's aids-dc-camp and per-
sonal attendants Next. the most
gorgeous group of all-the army and
navy. Stout old generals with 20
and even 25 medals bedecking their
breasts; broad sashes OF scarlet light
blue and cardinal. some worn over
he left shoulder others over the
right as 81 the wonderful uniforms
or every blazing color known 10 fab
ric-makcrs were not Zoo themselves
sufficiently striking The slightly
1uieter though magnificent uniforms
of the admirals altornatcd witb The
army There were COssack cowman-
ders in Tchekasian dress of 0acE
effect. and stately huasars wiH mr
bordered capcs aud yards of gold
and silver cord, drapcd and fasselod
uniforms as fantastic as they wcrc
dazzling Last Of al. in the section
farthest from The throne. stood The
foreign ambassadors Harpcr's
Weekly.