LADIES' COLUMN. RAIMENT AND THE RUSSIAN COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN. RAIMENT AND THE RUSSIAN COURT.

The Russian Court, military, aud Ministerial dress is costly aud rich in the extreme (says the English Illustrated Magazine for' July), and this richness ia carried out even to the liveries of the sorvauts, their scarlet coats being literally ablaze with gold. It ia a fact that no Court in tho world presents such a picturesque and magnificent appearance as does that of Russia; at any function, therefore, the show is brilliant, and more especially, perhaps, at a ball, when the rich evening toilettes of the ladies, enhanced by jewels of priceless worth, add much to the already brilliant effect. The Russian dances at the Imperial Palace, St. Petersburg, are of a very stately description, and both the Emperor and Empress take part in them very thoroughly. The aspect of the Ar-morial-hall, where the supper is often laid, is grand beyond all description. This meal 13 not partaken of standing, as at the majority of the Courts, bub the guests sit down at the long rowß of tables. A procession ia formed, which is headed by His Imperial Majesty and tho most distinguished lady present, and the room is chen entered iv 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 ia one service alone, capable of dining 500 persons, that is .^composed entirely of the purest silver overlaid with gold.