THE RUSSIAN COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE RUSSIAN COURT.

DAZZLING RICHNESS OF ITS

PUBLIC FUNCTIONS.

The Russian court military and ministerial dress is costly and rich in the extreme, and this richness is carried out even to the liveries of the servants, their scarlet coats being literally ablaze with gold. It is a fact, says the 'English Illustrated Magazine,' that no court in the world presents such a picturesque and magnificent appearance as does that of Russia. At any function, therefore, the show is brilliant, but more especially, perhaps, at a.-.ba11,; when the rich evening toilets of the ladies, enhanced by jewels of priceless worth, add much to the already brilliant effect. T__2 Russian dances are of a very stately description, and both the Emperor and Empress take part in them very thoroughly. T .'..'' !>;' ■';'-,", The aspect of the armorial hall, where the supper is often laid, is grand beyond all description. This meal is not partaken of standing, as at the majority of courts, but the guests sit down at the long rows of tables. A procession is formed, which

is headed by His Imperial Majesty and the most distinguished lady present, and the room is then entered.in the order of precedence. Of course,, an immense quantity of plate is displayed. This and the china that is also used are noted throughout Europe for their richness and beauty. There is one service alone capable of dining 500 persons that is composed entirely of the purest silver, overlaid with gold. Added to all this the use of a variety of the choicest fruits and the rarest flowers, among which orchids figure largely, makes the scene one of most gorgeous magnificence. During the evening a state progress through the suite of rooms is made by the Imperial personages and the chief officers !;of the "household, the 'guests forming up into 'a long avenue on either side. One special feature is that two or'three of the largest halls in the palace are on the occasion of the ball fitted up as a huge conservatory, palms, exotics, ferns, banks of flowers, and even fruit trees being transplanted thither with the most marvellous effect. Electric light is carried throughout and glows down from myriads of globes of a variety of colours. In this veritable fairyland hundreds of seats are placed for the convenience of the guests between the dances. It would be ntterlv impossible to mention the rare works of art to be seen in this palace, comprising paintings, statuary, collections of jewels, antiquities and curios of every description. (''verything is of Oriental magnificence, and to see it all the eye must weary of the continuous dazzle.