(Special to Press Association.) London, May 27th.

Otago Witness, Issue 1645, 2 June 1883, Page 19

(Special to Press Association.) London, May 27th.

(Tteceive'i May 30th. a- 10 30 p ru.) Tho coronation procession from the Kremlin Palace to the cathedral was an immense and grand one. «• The Emperor rode under a canopy upheld by 32 generals, surrounded by Asiatic princes, civil and military officers, and delegates from allparts of the Empire. He was dressed in the uniform of a colonel of the Imperial Guard. The Empress wore the national costume, profusely bedizened with diamond*. The elaborate ceremonies attendant on the coronation were performed by tho Metropolitans of Moscow, Novgorod, and Kieff. Their Imperial Majesties were seated on thrones of ivory and silver in thp centre of the cathedral, and were surrounded by Imperial and foreign princes, and the special ambassadors from foreign countries with their suites. The Czar maintained a grave and dignified attitude throughout the ceremony, while that of the Empress was simple and touching. The conclusion of the ceremony was announced by prolonged salutes, and peals from the bells of the Kremlin and all the churches of Moscow. The feelings of the immense multitude assembled outside were expressed by prolonged and hearty cneering. The Czar, after being anointed, partook of the holy communion, and their Majesties then rejoined the procession and returned to the palace, concluding a spectacle unparalleled for its richness and diversity. A magnificent state banquet followed. (Keceived May 31st, at 1 30 a m.) 1 The coronation of the Czar took place at the Church of the Assumption, within the precincts of the Kremlin, and in accordance with the programme previously announced. The ceremony passed off with the greatest iclat and success, in the presence of one of the most brilliant assemblages ever seen, including princes, ambassadors, and distinguished foreigners of all nations. Among those who witnessed the ceremony were the Duke of Edinburgh, M. Waddington, and Loid Wolseley. The ceremony was throughout in strict accordance with ancient custorra, the Metropolitan of Moscow and other high dignitaries of the Greek Church taking a prominent part in the rite. The city was en f6te, and magnificently decorated with flags and banners : and festivities were organised in all parts. In the evening there was a general illumination, the electric light being displayed from the Kremlin and other points. The streets were thronged with thousands of enthusiastic spectators. Some particulars in the Home papers of the preparations then being made for the coronation show what a gorgeous ceremony it was to be. - One correspondent stated : " The enormous outlay — something like four millions sterling— that is being made at Moscow for the coronation of the Czar and the Czarina, is the theme of general comment. It certainly would seem that the vast sum thus appropriated to a mere ceremony might be more usefully eraploytd, in view of the urgent need of roads, schools, &c, which is retarding the advance of the semi-barbarous country so heavily taxed and so shamelessly fleeced by its rulers." An idea of the way the money was to be spent will be gathered from the fact that the walls and towers of the Kremlin were to be illuminated throughout with various coloured lamps, while the towers of the Assumption and of John the Great were to be outlined with 3500 Edison lights, and four electric suns, of the power of 40,000 candles each, were being placed on the four turrets on the outer walls. A paragraph in the Home News says :— " The Paris Lanterno saj's the invitations to the coronation of tho Czar have been sent to carefully-selected anti-Republican French journals, such as the Figaro, Gaulois, Clairon, Union, and Gazette de France. Their correspondents are to be splendidly treated. The Czar will pay their travelling "and hotel expenses, and present everyone with a gratification of 5000 roubles. The Lanterne suggests that they would do well to ask for prepayment, as, if all is true about the dynamite preparations, there may be no paymaster after the ceremony. The dynamite preparations alluded to hanpily came to naught. One account stated that the Governor of Moscow had received an anonymous letter declaring that everything possible would be done to prevent the coronation of the Czar taking place, and even, if necessary, the Kremlin itself would be destroyed, with all the guests attending the ceremony. It was also reported that the Emperor and Empress would travel t«> Moscow by a circuitous route. The exact direction was I kept strictly secret, co that the precise point remained unknown at which their entry iuto Moscow would take place.