204 ESSAYS AND LETTERS
timidly expressed by some of them,* to be allowed to inform the authorities of their needs, 'insensate dreams.'
And what followed ? ^Vas Russian society shocked ? Did enlig-htened and honest people — the Liberals — express their indignation and repulsion ? Did they at least refrain from laudation of this Government, and from participating in it and encouraging it ? Not at all. From that time a specially intense competition in adulation commenced, both of the father and of the son who imitated him. And not a protesting voice was heard, except in one anonymous letter, cautiously expressing disapproval of the young Tsar's conduct. From all sides fulsome and flattering addresses were brought to the Tsar, as well as (for some reason or other) iconsf which nobody wanted and which serve merely as objects of idolatry to benighted people. An insane expenditure of money : a Coronation amazing in its absurdity, was arranged ; the arrogance of the rulers and their contempt of the people caused thousands to perish in a fearful calamity — which was regarded as a slight eclipse of the festivities, which did not termi- nate on that account. I An exhibition § was organized, which no one wanted except those who organized it, and which cost millions of roubles. In the Chancellery of the Holy Synod, with unparalleled effrontery, a new
- By the representatives of the Local Government of
Tver and others, at a reception in the Winter Palace on the accession of Nicholas II.
f Icons are conventional paintings of Grod, Jesus, angels, saints, the 'Mother of God,' etc., usually done on bits of wood, with much gilding. They are hung up in the corners of the rooms, as well as in churches, etc., to be prayed to.
t As part of the Coronation festivities, a ' People's Fete' was arranged to take place on the Hodinskoe Field, near Moscow. Owing to bad arrangements, some 3,000 people were killed when trying to enter the grounds, and many others were injured. This occurred on Saturday, May 18, O.S., 1896. That same evening the Emperor danced at the grand ball given by the French Ambassador in Moscow.
§ The unsuccessful Exhibition at Nizhni Novgorod in 1896.
