THE RUSSIAN COURT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVI, Issue 1319, 28 July 1899, Page 2

THE RUSSIAN COURT.

. The Russian Court military and I ministerial dress is costly and rich, in I the extreme, and this richness is carI ried 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 ball, when the rich evening toilets ! of the ladies, enhanced by jewels of ! priceless worth, add much to the already brilliant effect. The Russian dances are of a very stately description and the Emperor and Empress take part in them very thoroughly. | The aspect of the armorial hall, where the supper is often laid, is grand beyond description. This meal is not partaken of standing, as at the ma- ; jority 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 ia composed entirely of the purest silver, overlaid with gold. Added to all this the use of a variety of the choicest fruits and 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

i 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 woald be utterly 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. Everything is of Oriental magnificence, and to see.it all the eye must weary of the continuous dazzle.