The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1874-06-20
THE M1LLENN1AL OF ICELAND.
An Excursion Party to 60 from New
York.
The following advertisement appeared il

The following advertisement appeared in
the New York papers about June 1st:
T ABRADoR, GREENLAND. AND ICELAND2 y II \
The fast-sailing clipper schooner Mary u. Leach,
Atkins Master is intended to leave or about june
20 for above places for three months pleasure Trip
one month in Iceland.
She has two cabins, accommodating easily eight pas
sengers and being fast saer It confidently
in pursuit of health pleasure will find this the
most attractive trip of this year.
For further particulars. terms, &c. apply TO
B.J. WEINBERG, 81 Old slip.
1t transpired that DR.. Hayes, the Artic
Explorer, had conditionally chartered this
vessel to take party to Iceland to the one
thousandth anniversary Of its independence
to be celebrated August I'd 1874. DR..
Hayes on being interviewed said:
"At least fifty individuals have applied to
me for passage, but there is a distressing
contrariety of tastes among them. Some
wish to go via Dundee, Scotland, others
direct to Iceland, and the remainder declare
that their enjoyment would not be perfect
unless they could have brief ramble in Lab
rador and Iceland Ell route. Returning
home will probably touch at Norway, Spitz-
bergen, where walrus seals abound, or JAN
mayen. Representing the American Geo
graphical Society, and accompanied by
eight of its fellows, l am to be present at
the millennial celebration of the Icelandic
republic on the I'd of August. On the pre-
ceding day the King of Denmark will grant
free constitution to the island, and will
grace the occasion itself with his presence
No country has ever celebrated its thous-
andth anniversary. From the earliest
period of the worlds history Iceland has
preserved, not exactly in form but in sub
stance, a republican government. We find
there the ancient Scandinavian language.
The people preserve their original simplicity
of character and honesty in their social and
political relations. The event will undoubt-
edly attract from all parts of the world the
learned, curious, and adventurous. | may
particularize Cyrus W. Field as perhaps the
most distinguished American who is going
to Iceland. He will journey thither via
England.
''In addition to the historical interest at
tached to the commemoration of the estab-
lishment Of the Icelandic republic by the old
Mortimer, A. D. 874, my companions will
enjoy the magnificent scenery of Greenland
and portions of the interior of Iceland.
Greenland has the finest glacier system in
the world, and it has thus far, except by
myself, been but little studied. Iceland
possesses a glacier system, but none Of the
individual glaciers reach the sea and dis
charge icebergs. The island is entirely
volcanic. The mountains, very lofty and
exceedingly picturesque, are eternally
shrouded in snow and ice. At their base
and forming a narrow margin for the sea,
there is a belt of land which was once par
TALLY clothed with forests and moderately
abundant vegetation. With the seemingly
increased severity of the climate, however,
the forests have disappeared. The people
support existence by hunting, fishing, and
the tillage of the soil, and are peaceful and
prosperous. The most prominent feature of
Icelandie scenery is the great lava beds
formed by the cooling of lava streams that
were discharged by Hecla and Skeptar, the
eruption of which. in 1888, was the most
devastating that history records.
"The Iride plain of Thingvalla is solid
bed of lava, and is equal in beauty to the
Plains of Almanassa. Occupying a portion
of the first of these plains is Lagborg,
mountain on which Laggaman and his wise
met in August of each year to legislate and
adjust the affairs of the republic.
s hf'"i', , th9 st,,,,,,,an the climate Of Iaes Mr.
souls. are among the few people of the
world who live in immunity from war. In
fact. the island has never been desolated by
an enemy. Iceland is readily reached from
Europe and and this country by sailing
vessel in eighteen days. There is no more
danger in the voyage than IN ferry trip
across the North river. Although the name
of the island is suggestive of cold, no ice,
save in the form of an occasional iceberg
will be encountered. These encounters will
be in daylight and not dangerous. After
leaving Newfoundland behind us there will
be no darkness at any time, and one may
read at midnight without artificial light {"