CZAR OF RUSSIA'S FUNERAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10198, 2 January 1895, Page 2

CZAR OF RUSSIA'S FUNERAL.

Mosco w esTmourning. VIVID DESCRIPTION OF SCENE. On Saturday evening (Nov. 10) the train bearing the body of the late Czar Alexander 111. from the Crimea to the ancient city of Moscow, reached Spassow Monastery, near the soene of the Borki railway accident in 1888. The station was draped in black and lighted by torches. The bells of the monastery wore tolled. A military band played a chorale. The monks said mass over the coffin ; and then, admist the solemn chanting of a hymn and the tolling of the bells, the train proceeded on. its melancholy journey. At twenty minutes to eleven on Saturday night the funeral train arrived outside Moscow ; and early on Sunday forenoon the hearse, as the centre of a remarkable procession, passed through the crowded streets of the city, from the railway station to the Cathedral church within the ■walla of the Kremlin. In the streets of the ancient capital, on Saturday, mounted heralds, clad in mediaeval tabards of black velvet embroidered with silver eagles, proclaimed the pend- , ing arrival of the imperial remains. In the dim light of evening, and through the long hours of the ensuing night, the people of Moscow were busy erecting huge funereal columns, arches, and other innumerable signs of mourning. Tho : streets glowed with the flare of many 1 fires, for an intense frost prevailed, the = thermometer having fallen to zero. The i red glare of the bonfires contrasted sharply with the silver light of the moon, ' then nearly at the full. The dawn of i day revealed a city wrapped in an all- . absorbent gloom. There was not a house , front without some emblematic flag or ; festoon. All metallic or shining objects , along tho line of route, including tho i street lamps, were shrouded with sable j draperies. Clocks were Btopped ; and , for a time an almost unearthly stillness \ prevailed. Snow had fallen during the . night, and the roads were deeply sauded ! and strewn with twigs of pine. At five o'clock the citizens of Moscow , began to take up positions along the . route. In less than three hours every \ available inch of space was occupied. The solemn hush of the immense multitude , was at length broken by the sound of the signal guns of the ancient fortress. The . tolling of innumerable bells and the firing ! of minute guns from the Kremlin towers . continued throughout tho march of the funeral pageant from railway station to the Archangel Cathedral. The grey still cold of the Russian winter gave a spectral aspect to the snow-covered houses and their sombre drapery. Much curiosity was evinced to see the young Emperor, who walked erect with the Prince of Wales, in the uniform of an English Field Maishal, right through the streets which he then trod for the tirnt time as ruler. The procession, which consisted of sixtyfour distinct groups, began to form in detachments at six o'clock at the Nicholas station, where a mortuary pavilion was erected in blfnk and white, with green festoons of pine, box, and cypress twigs, aud black and white streamers surmounted by a cross. The funeral train, which was followed immediately by the train conveying the Royal mourners, was met by tho Grand Duke Sergius (Governor-General of Moscow), the Grand Duchess, tho Grand Duke Michael, the Metropolitan (impos- j ing in vestments stiff with silver brocade) | and thirty-hix bishops (gorgeously robed in satin and gold, and bearing jewelled mitres). There wore also present tho commander of tho garrison and numerous distinguished military officers (their brilliant uniforms dulled with crape), and v.nious civic authorities. The Standa i (/'* special correspondent gives a vivid description of the scene on tho arrival of the train: — At twenty minutes to eleven the train steamed slowly in, and was gi-oeted with music by the band of the Guard of Honour of the 12th Astrakhan Regiment. The Metropolitan, surrounded by the Bishops, recited tho liturgy. Pour Generals withdrew from the coffin the Imperial ermine-bordered golden pill. The Emperor, the Prince of Wales, and tho Grand Dukes lifted the heavy coffin and bore it slowly, bareheaded, between a lino of ladies of high rank on the right and dignitaries of Moscow on tho left, to the golden car which was waiting at tho foot ol the stops, everybody kneeling the whilo. On the coffin were laid the crown and sword. Amidst profound silence the coffin was lifted upon the car, immediatel y after which the Generals designated tock tivsir places alongside. At this moment