THE CZAR'S TOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5690, 8 October 1896, Page 3

THE CZAR'S TOUR.

•" THE PARIS FETES. BANQUET SPEECHES. THE EFFECTS OF BAD COOKING. [Per Press Association.] PARIS, Oct. 7. After lunching at the Bussian Embassy the Czar and Czarina attended the Russian Church, and afterwards held a reception at the Elyßee, where Madame Faure, and Senators and Deputies were presented. The Czar remarked to M. Bibot, who was Premier in 1891, that that year waa the beginning of great tilings. At night Paris was ablaze with illuminations, and presented a fairylike scene. There were splendid displays of fireworks at the Trocadero and in the Champ de Mars, and a lovely cascade of fire fell from the Eiffel Tower. In the evening there was a banquet at the Elysee, at which two hundred and seventy guests were present. President Faure in a speech of welcomesaidthe presence of the Czarsealed the bonds uniting a : powerful Empire and a laborious Republic, and already it had promoted the cause of peace. The Czar, in reply, said that le had been profoundly touched by his reception in a city exhibiting so mm-h genius and taste. He profoundly hoped that the precious bonds unitiug the nations would produce the happiest influence. It was noticed that he; never used the word " alliance " in the course of his speech. The Czar and Czarina afterwards attended the opera. Many high decorations have been conferred in honour of the Czar's visit. Madame Carnot had. an affecting interview with the Czarina. , The Czar was unwell after the banquet, and entered the opera late. He himself signalled to stop the ballet, and left suddenly. The cause is attributed to fatigue, but a correspondent of the St James's Gazette says that he was suffering from the effects of bad cooking.