Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-09-11

| sometimes beautiful. But it is OF
them collectively in the ballroom that
7 wish mainly to speak. How happy
they seemed in their becoming dresses!
How lively they chatted in their sweet
language, and how they looked at
each other from stop to toe," as 1
have seen them, in regions not so near
the North Pole, rigidly scrutinizing
what each wore-whether the head
dress was all right; whether the gold
band or gold strap or silver, as the case
might be, around the forehead was of
great or little richness; whether the
little jacket was properly trimmed and
ornamented with the same precious
metals. and whether the feet which
peeped out from beneath the short
skirts were of proper size and properly
shodl At least they seemed to be doing
all this. Icelandic maidens may not
be at all envious; but as [ cannot con-
slider lady altogether interesting I'M
less she is somewhat envious, con-
clude that they Chose Icelandic maid
ens) were exceedingly envious, since L
found them very interesting.
NO NATIONAL COSTUME.
The men do not at the present time
have any national costume. Themore' S
the pity, as something on their part to
balance the ladies' dresses would Ger
! tainIy have added greatly to the attrac-
lions of the scene. And [ hope it viii
lie a long time before the Icelandlc
maidens abandon their present style
of dress; and [ think it will, for they
know that it is pretty, and that from a
woman is a certain guarantee. The
| two principal features are the head
| dress and the-well / she'll ven
ture simply to call it a jacket,
| not having much acquaintance with
the milleners' vocabulary, and every
body understands what jacket means.
| It reaches little below the
waist, and is encircled by a metal,
gold or silver belt, often OF the most
elaborate workmanship, and of native
Icelandic production. The Icelandlc
silver and gold-smiths are quite ia,
nous, and I have secured several spe-
cimens of their handiwork which are
| very beautiful. These belts are often
| Of great value, worth many hundreds
of dollars, a1d are kept as Leirlooms
in the families, falling to the eldest
| daughter on the death of the mother.
They ore faetened in front by hugs
clasps of filagree work, to which are
| appended rafting ornaments. The
Jacket is fastened front, generally &c
the neck, with deliberately worked but
tons on either side, and brought to-
gether with long chain, Topped from
Size to side. The whole front and
sometimes much OF the back is cover
ell with embroidery, in leaves or vines
or flowers, in geld or silver thread.
y, &c, "a
broidered collar Of the same material,
above which peeps snow white rut1ie
thet is most bewitching,
STYLE ON WEARING TIE HAIR
The head DIRE IS is more difficult to
describe. T. is short helmet, not
fitted to the head like that Of Il cuiras-
sier, but set on top OF 1t and pinned to
the hair. The crest comes forward
nearlv to a point. The body of one ]
have examined was made of paste
board and brass wire, stuffed with cot
ton and covered with white silk But
| the great feature is the vail. When
/ the helmet is firmly pinned on tie veil
! is attached. This veil is about a yard
! long. and of the same width. Bling
drawn together at the top uutii nlr-
/ roWed to the cIraun er iuc' Of the
! head It IS OrnanCltt,9 {. with Il ring OF
| stars or butterflies, or :, and Of gUil
OF silver, and tits Del;ig f:ists ned to tie
| helmet, fila veil i lifted aud tIruwil
/ back, and line times in tn out peeps
a c:Ierrv and nrly ht and ru-v a fGce as
EI.aiI would ever wish to look upon. The
Skirt is sometimes, though rarely, or
| namcGted, and tie sleeves follow no
other fashion than WOman's caprice
The ladies who are attireG i'll this
dead dress did not, however, I'll wear
the other parts of the native costume.
Many wore long white dresses with the
metal belt, others the short skirt and q
white body, never, however, without
the metal ornament. THIS much for
tie costumes OF the people.
ENTRANCE OF THE KING.
The King came in al half-past nine
with Madame Einsen, wife of the Gov
ernor, on his arm. He was attired in
his usual simple uniform, with plain
sword, and Madame Finsen Was dress
| ed as any lady of refined taste would
| have been under similar circumstances
[ cannot tell what sic wore for the
! benefit Of the ladies, for, as I said be.
| fore, / am not posted In such matters
but / remember there was protusior
OF real Point lace on her dress.
THE BALL OPENED.
Tie King opened the ball and after
| the first hush of respect had passed
after the Kings entrance had been an.
nounced, and the presentations had
| taken place, and the first set was
danced, and the King began to move
around with kindly smile upon his
face and cordial greeting in his hand
merry buzz went round and the
dances waxed fast and furious. His
Majesty, the King, was seldom idle.
He danced with everybody that he
could, and his youthful, Joyous son
was not behind him. Everybody was
| pleased, everybody was delighted with
the King. Upon my word, seeing how
the King behaved, I cannot see how
anybody could help but love him
not respect him as q king alone, but
love him for his manly ways and LIS
kindly qualities. Indeed, he seemed
heartily, without affectation quite as
| much MS without reserve, to make tie
joys of those, his far-off subjects, his
own, and he certainly did it thorough
~, though seemingly unconscious to
himself.
THE BANQUET.
The supper room was next the
dancing hall and was the same in
which the State dinner last Sunday was
given, st which the Herald commits
sloner was present. Both rooms were
handsomely decorated with flags and
every sort Of arms that these enthusi-
astic people could procure of their own
or borrow from the fleet. I have never
seen more lively dance or one that
was more enjoyed by everybody, and
[ have not heard more hearty cheers
than those which greeted the King,
after we had gone to supper (and the
supper was really excellent and taste
fully arranged with flowers and gar
lands of green), when this toast was
given Long live Christian IN."-
Cheer after cheer indeed. burst forth
as IT new geyser Of enthusiasm had
suddenly broken loose.
THE END OF THE Festivities