The Staffordshire and Potteries Examiner. — 1881-04-02 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

MEM. LATE cwt. • I .1, , The remains of the kite' Emperor Alexander 16171 were on Sunday deposited in the Imperial vault in the Church of the Fortress of SS.. Peter and Paul, at St. Petersburg, where the remains had been lying in State, and where they had been visited by countless thousands of his sorrowing subjects. By ten o'clock in the morning the building was filled by ,a distinguished assemblage of persons who were privileged 'ttiuwitness the Impressive ceremony. A portion of the edifice was, however, reserved for the Imperial mourners and those Princes who were to represent the Crowned Heads of Europe at the obsequies of their august compeer. The Emperor Alexander 111. and the Empress, With the Grand Dukes and other members of the Russian Imperial family, arrived in the Cathedral soon after half-past ten o'clock. The mournful procession passed up the nave, preceded by the Metropolitan and attendant priests in brocades, robes, and jewelled mitres, to the dais, where they at once occupied the places assigned to them on . the right of the coffin, the Emperor being placed with his back to the column behind the Imperial regalia. The Empress and the Duchess of Edinburgh stood beside him, and the rest of the Imperial family took their places at the further corner of the platform. Immediately behind the dais on either side were Representatives of the various countries, Delegates from the more important cities and corporations,and the whole Diplomatic Uorps. The body of the Church was occupied by officials of the first and second rank, and Deputies from all parts of the Empire situate within ten days' jorney of the capital. The sad ceremony then commenced. Towards the middle of the service, the deep solemnity of which was softened by the sweet voices of the boy choristers, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke' of Edinburgh, the Crown Prince of Germany, and others arrived, and joined their august relatives under the central canopy, the Princess of Wales standing beside her sister, now, Empress of Russia. The religious service, which was conducted with imposing grandeur and deep impreseiveness, occupied a considerable time, during which many signs of genuine grief were displayed by the distinguished congregation as well as the illustrious mourners. Soon after one o'clock the Emperor stepped forward, and kissed the lips of his deceased father. His Imperial Majesty then stood by whilst the rest of the Imperial family followed his example. The Czar then covered for the last time the face of the murdered Monarch. Assisted by the Princes who were present, toe Grand Dukes lifted the coffin, and carried it steadily and carefully to the side of the open vault. It was at this moment that the Ned scene reached its culminating point, and the eagerness of all present to witness the final and most touching part of the ceremony caused some crowding around the central spot. The lid of the coffin was now fastened in the presence of the mourners, and the body of the Czar in its massive coffin was gently lowered into the vault. Upon the ground beside the grave were strewn leaves and sand, of which the Emperor scattered a little upon the coffin as it lay in the vault. His Majesty's example was followed,by all who were present at the ceremony, as one by one they filed by the spot whore rests all that is mortal of Russia's late Ruler. Flowers and wreaths were strewn upon the catafalque. As the last rite was accomplished the troops stationed outside the Cathedral fired three rounds of musketry; the cannon of the Fortress thundered forth a salvo across the Neva; the Imperial flag was hoisted, and the crowds watching far off behind the serried ranks of the soldiery, then knew that the Czar Liberator had been laid with his fathers. The Emperor and Empress then returned to the Winter Palace. - They were followed by the Grand Dukes and other members of the Imperial Family, the Prince' and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh; and the German Crown Prince.