The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1883-06-16 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE CZAR'S ARRIVAL IN ST. PETERS. BURG.  The Czar and Czarina returned to St. Petersburg on Sunday, and were received by the populace with demonstrations of loyalty and goodwill.—Noticing the reception, ,the St. Petersburg Correspoodent of The Times, writing on Sunday, says : Mid-day was the hour fixed for the arrival of their Majesties from Moscow, which they left last night ; but by nine o'clock the Newsky Prospect was lined with eager spectators. The route of entry was lined on each side with a double row of all tho available military in the district of the capital—marines, cadets, /so., all wearing their Bide arms only, and behind them stood the docile spectators; but numerous as these were, there was still room enough to " circulate " on the pavement, It was a beautifully clear, but burning hot day—the first day of the real Russian summer; but the patience of the spectators was sustained by the abounding gaiety of the scene, and by the numerous bands posted all along the route. At last the mid-day gun, on the main bastion of the fortress in the river, thundered ont; the troops stood to attention, all eyes were directed towards the Moscow station, and in a few minutes there arose a distant reverberating cheer, which grew in volume like an advancing wave as it approached, and became almost deafening as it neared the cathedral, bearing their Majesties on its crest. The uncovered multitude cheered, the bells broke out, the bands struck up the National Anthem, and the popular welcome culminated. Seated beside the Empress, in an open carriage, and safer far in her companionship than in an encompassing cloud of cavalry, the Emperor, bowing his acknowledgments all the while, was driven along at a very rapid trot, with only some of the Grand Dukes and dignitaries driving in the rear. That was all the procession.  Their Majesties ascended the steps of the Cathedral, where they were received by the clergy, and went in to worship for a few minutes before the shrine of Our Lady of Kasen, though the bursts of cheering outside must have somewhat disturbed their devotions. Doubly loud rose the cheers as they came out and rollerfl away, entirely without escort, down the New. sky Prospect, past the Winter Palace, and across the bridge, into the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, where repose the ashes ef most of the Sovereigns of Rußsia since the time of Peter the Great. Within a golden crown on the marble tomb of Alexander the Emancipator burns perpetual taper fire and in front of it the deep-voiced priests chant daily prayers for the soul of the murdered monarch. Fresh wreaths continue to be placed on the tomb, and the latest tribute of affectionate reverence deposited there is a circle of immortelles "from the Bulgarian peasants to the Czar Liberator." The newly.crowned Emperor and Empress spent a few moments in devotion before the tomb of Alexander IL, and then took bat for Peterhof, their favourite suburban retreat, on the bceezy shore of the Gulf of Finland.  The Morning Post says that the Emperor presented to Lord Wolseley a magnificent gold snuff box, studded with diamonds, and worth 400 guineas, as a parting present.