, 1874-09-30

scene at IhlngVelllr. lie Has clearly an ar
tistic eye to the picturesque, and spoke
feelinglY of the view OF the valley from
the old Law Mount. The amusing Incl
dents of The journey were evidently enjoy
ed by him immensely, and doubt if any
one has for a long while t%raversed the rude
road between Reykjavik and the Geysers
who got more amusement out Of it than
His Majesty of Denmark at least | should
think so from the way he talked about it.
To be sure he was a king, and could have
his own way, and did not belong to a par
ty where, as is usual with all parties eyerv-
where, everybody having a way OF his own,
II wanting to do this and another want
ing to do that, everybody wanting to do
all things at one and the same time.
The conversation about the journey over,
the King graciously referred to the Herald,
and he was clearly quite well posted as to
its enterprise and public spirit, and when
told him that | would like TO publish in
the Herald some words of his respecting
this Icelandic miIlenial celebration, he an
swered in English;-
1t is a great compliment you pay me
by thinking that the world will care to
know my opinions through so populara
Journal"
| assured him hat the event was in my
wv country watched with much interest,
and then added
"Your Majesty knows that Iceland was
once a republic and [ come from a repub-
lie, and it is but natural we should cherish
lis memory. Besides, it was people from
Iceland who We're the first white men to
land on the shores of America, and while
remembering Columbus, we cannot forget
Left Erickson"
The republic did not seem to please him
particularly, for Iceland is, or has been of
late, anything but a republic; but he
smiled at The idea, aud asked some ques-
tons about our life and political matters,
manifesting much interest in the country
generally. When a favourable opportu-
nifty offered | asked him about the new
constitution which he had given the lee
landers. He smiled again and said, in sub
stance, that his Minister for Iceland was
better posted than himself, but afterwards
he answered every point Of my question
q would like" | said, "to publish
whatyour Majesty YOURSELVES to say, il it
is not oh Objectionable to you. Your WI
words will carry great weight, and will,
I assure you, be much valued by the read
ers of the Herald"
Il hope" said he, in reply, this new
constitution will give satisfaction to the
people of Iceland. They are a fine peo-
pie, and their prosperity is very dear to
me. In all Constitutional governments the
people must have a systematic representa-
ton and local form Of administration, and
this, l think, the new constitution grants
them"
"If your Majesty please" I continued,
"might | ask how it is that the new gov
eminent differs from the oId2 :"
The King answered with great frank
ness, "By the new constitution there is
given to IceIand-which hitherto had on
ly a consultative influence over its own
affairs through its A%Ithing-a full pow
or of legislation and taxation, while the
affairs of Iceland were formerly divided b
tween the bureaus of different ministers
in Denmark. Iceland has now its own
special Minister, to whose portfolio be-
longs all that concern the Island while
such affairs as concern Denmark and Ice
land in common continue to be in the