The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-06-26

prosaic citizens of the present times to
hehold.
Suddenly two fair forms were seen
archbishop, bowling their heads and
kissing the golden cross first and then
placing their fingers on the asperges
saturated with holy water. reverently
making the sign of the cross and Of
fering their hands to the archbishop
to touch with his lips. The trains of
the two expresses, for they it was,
did credit to the lame little dressmaker
from southern Russia.
While all eyes We're thus riveted on
the imperial ladies. who looked as
though they might be sisters, the car
had already preceded them. observing
exactly the same ceremonies. But he
had glided in softly and almost i'm
perceptibly, attired in dark greenish
military uniform, which looked almost
ugly by comparison with the magnif-
icent uniforms Of the courtiers and dig
nitaries. His size, too, was against
him in an assembly consisting Of men
tall enough to pass as descendants Of
Og. king of Bashan.
On the right hand Of the throne, at
the open door. stood the grand duch-
esses and other ladies. their gracefully
soiled trains in front Of them, so that
they seemed at that distance like god
desses resting on clouds tinged with
the gold Of dawn.
The car followed the movements Of
the prelate attentively, crossing him.
self devoutly and standing the while
between the two expresses, percept-
bly, the smallest figure of the three.
When the last notes of the ecclesias-
teal chant had died away two imperial
ladies' glided gracefully toward the
throne and took their places in front
of the open door on the right hand
side. Others also moved toward the
door. the choir boys and inferior clergy
among them, and the Emperor Nicholas
remained quite alone. The car then
passed through the painful ordeal Of
walking the whole length Of the hall,
the cynosure Of all eyes. He moved
slowly and somewhat fitfully, evident
" keenly conscious that every eye was
fixed upon him. l saw his father In
similar circumstances and admired the
mixture of ease and dignity which
characterized him, but it must be adj
mitted that the conditions were very
different. although apparently similar.
The emperor turned occasionally to the
right and left. nodding slightly to the
no nos mn nffnn
to the side where gold embroidered uni
forms sparkled than to the black mass
of the cOmmOners.
What were his thoughts at that criti-
cal moment? Did he reflect that be
was having the lists cleared for
political combat the like of which has
not been witnessed for centuries? Did
he realize that the old order of things
has to be abolished; that many Of
those now present had come to abolish
or to demOlish it? He passed on with
occasional slight indications Of nerv-
BUSINESS, which may have been the re-
suit Of mOmentary embarrassment.
The emperor assembled the throne
with exaggerated slowness and deliber-
mantle of state lying where it had been
thrown, he took a paper from the hand
Of the minister of the court and In a
loud, distinct, even voice read his
speech. Every word was audible to the
farthest corners Of the spacious hall.
When his majesty had ceased speak
ing thunderous applause rent the air
l,o< r,.J 90
minutes without even a momentary
pause. 1t was deafening, unwonted,
enthusiastic. But it came from the
side where stars, ribbons, medals and
gold embroidery daZzled the eye Of the
observer. The peoples representatives
were silent, morose, motiOnless. No
chord in their hearts had been touched.
OF the magnetism which emanates
from leaders Of men and takes men
captive there was no sign in that bril-
liant assembly.
In half an hour the whole pageant
which fOreshadOwed far resonant
changes in the Russia empire, had fit
ted before the eyes, caressing them for
a moment and then vanishing like a
dream. The band had, at our end Of
the hall, struck up God Save the Gar"
by way Of accompanying the popular
applause, and the emperor descended
the throne, remaining at the lowest
step until the procession had reformed
and the regalia had been borne out.
Then he advanced before the two en-
presses and moved down the throne
room slowly as before, seemingly
touched by the one sided applause
which accompanied him all the way.
Passing through the door opposite the
throne he disappeared from our view.