In this connection it would be ins teresting to recall the 1914 Kreschen sky Parade held in St. Petersburg on the banks of the' mighty Neva, and destined be the last in the history of Imperial Russia. 1 hogan in the White Hall of the Win ter Palace. Sixteen deep, the pid the nation's Guarda stood like thousands of poised statues on both Sides of the' huge Hall, Even the banners and standards on the right Gank seemed a solid wall of colour.
Straight as an arrow and taller than anyone in the room, the Grand Duke Nicolai Nicolaleviteh, then Commander-in-Chief of the All-Guards and of the St. Petersburg Military District, walked in with ight step, his white hair setting oft the crimson of this Comack Guards uniform.
"Order arms! Before this sharp command of the Grand Duke ceased reverberating through the igh-cell-inged hall, the parade noiselessly towered rifle butts to the parquelted oer, A "Rehentve the lowering of the colours the Grand Duke continued The wall of colour came to life, anil with a soft rustling fell slowly for-Ward. Suddenly ite fall was chpeked. The illusion of the wall was gone, Instead, the different banners and standards stood out, each disth from the "other, "Ae you wert Bverything ly back in pinee.
'A. procession streamed into the White Hall. First came the heralds and pages, followed by members of the court' attired in glittering. uniforms. Then the peors and high cials of the government passed before the parade, then the members of the Imperial Family. "There came a break in the procession, and the Grand Duke is once again alone with his troops. Sharp, ike the fall of 2 knife, the command: "Present arms!"
Little Father's Entry All movement, all breathing stopocd. His Majesty entered, and while the standards were slowly dipped in salute, walked with simple dignity: down"the hall. With a flash of the sword, the Grand Duke walked up to the Tsar and made his report. His Majesty then Ingpected the troops, passing before this flower of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.