One hundred years ago
THE YOUNG Czar was married on Monday to the Princess Ala of Hesse with a ceremonial which, though restricted on account of the late Czar's recent death, was sufficiently gorgeous TheWhite Palace was thrown open for the reception of "all Russia," every order in the State being represented, and all present having laid aside for the day all signs of mourning. The proces- sion from the Palace to the church was witnessed by enormous crowds, and it was noticed with enthusiasm that on the return journey the guards round the Czar's carriage were withdrawn, and the people allowed to approach as closely as they would. The Czar, indeed, is anxious to show that he has no fear of the Nihilists, and appears in the streets of St. Petersburg unattended, as Nicholas I. used to do. This fact, the new treat- ment of special correspondents at the wedding, and some rumours, have given the Russians hope that the new reign may be less gloomy and possibly more Liberal than the last. The Czar, howev- er, in the manifesto announcing his marriage, though he remits arrears of taxes to a large amount, and pardons the Polish rebels of 1862, makes 110 promises, and introduces no change. The Nihilists, though they issue abusive proclamations, clearly intend, from the language of those proclamations, to give him time. He has a marvellous opportu- nity, far greater than that of the Ger- man Emperor.
The Spectator 1 December 1894
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