and protect thy people, as this robe covers and protects thee;" to which the Emperor made. answer, "I will." Then taking the crown from the priests' hands, he placed it upon his own head, and assumed the sceptre and orb. The Empress then knelt before the Emperor, who first touched her forehead with his diadem, and then placed a smaller crown upon her head, after which they both received the Holy Sacrament. The ceremony concluded, the imperial pair, wearing their crowns and coronation robes, and preceded by the priests, walked from the church to the palace under a magnificent baldachino, or canopy of silk and gold, surmounted by ostrich feathers of white, black and yellow. This was borne by thirty-two generals of the highest rank, guarded on either side by noblemen, and followed by the royal household. At the palace the Emperor and Empress received deputations from all parts of their dominions, all of whom, agreeably to custom, brought and presented, with many costly gifts, offerings of salt and brown bread; a curious gift being a bottle of fermented mare's milk, presented by one of the Kirghiz from the Steppes. At night the entire city was illuminated by a dazzling glitter of 10,000,000 colored lights in every conceivable form and device, palaces, churches, towers, walls and gates outlined with innumerable lights a dazzling scene of indescribable magnificence.

The two weeks following were devoted to receptions and balls, while national fêtes and amusements of all kinds were provided on a large scale for the lower classes.

Sebastopol, on the Crimean Peninsula, has today a population of only 11,000, but its inhabitants numbered 25,000 previous to the Crimean war. It is surrounded, on every side, by strong fortifications, now abandoned according to treaty, but doing efficient service during the war of 185355, when Russia defended herself against the combined arms of England, France, Turkey, and Italy. Sebastopol presents a picturesque appearance, both on account of its situation and the numerous ruins resulting from the war, whole streets showing traces of the heavy cannonading, not a house being left habitable after the bombardment of eighteen months. On one side of the town is Malakoff, an eminence taken and re-taken repeatedly by the French and Russians, where so many thousands perished; beyond it is the Redan; two miles away Inkerman, on the road to Moscow; and ten miles to the east, Balaklava, a small village, mostly inhabited by Tartars. In every direction, for several miles, are to be seen breastworks and fortifications, while the cemeteries contain the bodies of some 500,000 of those killed in battle.

Warsaw, the former capital of Poland, situated on the Vistula, has 337,000 inhabitants, of which

number 40,000 are Jews. Having ceased to be a place of royal residence in 1831, its palaces are now converted into public offices and barracks. Of its churches, 90 are Roman Catholic, the remaining 10 being divided among the Protestant, Greek, Mohammedan and Jewish persuasions. The citadel is strongly fortified, and in its underground cells are kept political prisoners and nihilists, 25,000 soldiers being constantly on watch to prevent insurrections, and protect the Russian frontier. Among the statues which adorn the streets of the city is one of the astronomer Copernicus, who was a native of Warsaw, one of Sigismund III., in the palace square, and an obelisk to five Polish generals, who fell fighting for Russia against their own country. The park surrounding the old Saxon palace is a beautiful promenade, and a favorite resort of the beaus and belles of Warsaw. The Jews' quarter has some points of local interest; each shop bears its sign in four different languages; the men wear long coats, and a curl hanging over each ear, and the women wigs of false red hair over their own natural locks.

The Palace of Lazienski was the residence of King Poniatowski; it is situated on an island, in the midst of a lovely lake, and surrounded by beautiful grounds. A curious and interesting feature belonging to the palace is an open-air theatre, built of stone, and ornamented with statues, the audience being seated in an amphitheatre of stone

benches graded down to the water's edge; and on a small island opposite, separated by a narrow strip of water, and accessible only by boat, is the stage where the performance takes place, while gayly-lighted barks passing to and fro add animation to this already novel scene.

CHAPTER IX.

BERLIN: DRESDEN.

BERLIN, the capital of the German Empire, as well as of Prussia, has a population of 1,123,000, and is situated on the river Spree, which is crossed by fifty bridges. It is one of the handsomest cities in Europe, and is the great centre of intellectual and artistic development of Northern Germany. It is the home of many of the best German artists and scientists, and a place of various and extensive manufactures.

Unter den Linden, so called from its double rows of lime trees, is a beautiful avenue over a mile in length, ornamented with statues, and lined with palaces and other handsome buildings. Here are continually to be seen the military, accompanied by fine bands, handsome equipages, and crowds of pedestrians.

The finest monuments of the city are, the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great, in bronze, surrounded by his leading generals, and statesmen, 31 in number; the work of the famous German sculptor, Rauch; also those of Frederick William III. the great Elector, father of Frederick I.; Blucher, Bulow, Goethe, Schiller, and other prominent men. The Brandenburg Gate, erected in 1789, surmounted by Victory in a chariot, is a magnificent triumphal arch, facing the palace at the other extremity of the Unter den Linden. This gate leads into the Thier-garten, a lovely park beautifully arranged for promenading and driving; in it are several small inclosures for open air concerts, and in the centre of the park stands a column to Victory, surmounted by an angel, commemorative of the wars of 1864-66-71.

The Royal Palace, built by Frederick I., is spacious, and used on state occasions only; at its entrance are the bronze horses presented by Nicholas of Russia, and in the court the statue of St. George and the Dragon. The palace contains 600 apartments, magnificent in gilding and mirrors. In the throne-room is an elaboratelycarved silver balcony, intended for an orchestra, and opposite the throne are golden shields, arranged on the walls as reflectors of the lights. The White Hall, used for state balls, contains the statues of the twelve electors of Brandenburg, and the banqueting hall, 70 yards long, is also the