, 1874-08-30
Tbs Mfl'enial Celebration, as Describ-
ed by Bayard Taylor.
Proceedings at Rejkiavik and
Thingvalla.
Religious Services, Banquets, Speeches,
and Songs.
What King Christian Said and
Did.



REIE1Av1K, Aug. =, 1874
The h1st OF the two days set apart for tn
commemorative festivities dawned cloudless an
splendid.
We went ashore at 1890 o'clock, and foun
everybody fastening toward the Cathedral TIL
cpcn. grassy square around the old building VIA
covered With picturesque groups of people tn
lake in the rear Of the town glittered in the sun
snd the high peaks of Keylur slept in the blu
distarco Genuine Icslandic costumes ap
pos1ed at last, and original and grace
fnl they we're. The women wore white he1
nets Of curious pattern, the horn curving owe
in 'front.' inches above the head the base richl,
embroidered with gold. and white vail throw1
oyet Ill and floating upon the shoulders. The,
had also closely fitting jackets Of dark cloth
learily braided with gold or silver, aud broat
belts Of silver filigreo work Not more than hal
= dozen OF the men in all woro the old nations
costume. It consists OF q Jacket and knee
breeches OF dark-eray homespun cloth, stock.
ings Of the same cloth, seaIskin shoes. and a
round hat with the brim turned up. The onlJ
armament is bow OF red ribbon ut tue knee.
Tho King and his cortege had just entered
THE CATHEDRAL
=, ve reached it. ana the foreign naval officers
who lad been invited to the ceremony were
c1owdiug with the natives into the low northern
portal We had been furnished with slips OF
nsrchucnt as admission tickets to seats in the
main aisle, aud the sucrlstan placed US in front,
opposite the Bishops pulpit. The choir was
singing one Of ten new anthems composed for
the occasion lights we're burning in the chande-
lie1s on tha altar, md between tile gallery-pill-
srs; vEeaths OF heather decorated the walls,
choir, and galleries. and there WAS glow OF flow
ers around Thorwaldsen's baptisnal font. The
dull red OF the walls and dark panels of tho
wooden calling harmonized well with these simple
dorhments; the building wore an aspect Of
cheerful solcmnity, becoming tho occasion. The
seats filled rapidly during the chant. men and
women sitting together as they could find places.
Then the Sc ry1ce commenced, after the Ancient
Luthe,an fashi Oh. In fact it Was nearly an
exact repetition OF that We had seen in Thor
sharn except that the 1cciandic. language was
usel The hymns we're very simply and grandlr
sung; aud the Psalm of Praise," written by
Matthias Jochumsson, and composed BY Sye,u-
bjo1nsson-the fret musical work by native
1celander I an told-produced wonderful
effect, In whichever direction l looked saw
eyes filled With tears. The repetition Of tho re-
fraiu Islc,uls uiusund DR." lcc!nnd's thousand
years." rang through tho Cathedral in tones
which were solemn rather than proud. AID gave
expression to the earncct, religious spirit III
which the people have ccne together.
The sermon. By Bishop Ijctursson. was quito
unintelIigible 70 me- It WAS delivered IN
lamentlng. almost lach1ymose voice, with ecarce-
b change of infection from beginning to end;
and the Impression, If any we're really intended.
must hare been much diminished by tho copi-
GUS doses of snuf taken by the speaker, aud
the appearance OF his handkerchief, ah it lay on
the pulpitdesk. Tbs exercises lasted for an
hour and half, closing with another glorious
anthem. By following the printed words, Us
they were sung By the choir, lot only acquired
the pronunciation Of the language, hut per-
cei7cd lis admirable adaptablllty to music and
poetry. The meaning OF many OF the words
came to ne, without their grammar making
clear, at 1east, the general seneo Of the hymn.
The programme for tho popular celebration in
the evening included a proceHsion, which should
lease the catbedra!-e1uare It $50 o'clock.
Aauy of tho people, however, hurried away be-
fore that hour, If shy to take part IN anything
20 formal, while groups Of others fingered about
tho place. waiting for some yoce OF organization
which never cams. At least, up to O'Clock,
whea Mr.. Field, DR.. Hayes, and myself betook
ourselves to
TIE ROYAL BANQUET,
there we're no indications that any procession
would he formed. |
At tie University Building lackey in scarlet |
coat tcrk our hats ard ma1ltles and directed us
to the waiiing-room up stairs. 4 number Ut Ice |
and down, to peep into tho dlning-halls. inspect
the musicians and their instruments. ard other
wise indulge their curiostJ. It must have been
m extraordinary sight to the most OF them The
toyd pantries, extemporized out OF the zccita-
hon-rootns, seemed to attract them especially,
and eTen the empty dish had ity interest for
them unti! the Winds begaB to appear. Bytwos,
and threes and hal-dozcns, the guests gathered.
Except the Icelandere, the Danish poet, Carl
andersen and ourselves, all we're in civil, mil
hal
Baron Holten, who seems to have been chosen
Ike bis fellow Marsbals at all Courts for love
pf good cheer and good-fellowship, Gov. Fins
len, Minister Klein. Capt. Malte-Brnn, Admiral
Lagercrautz of the Swedish Navy, the Bishop,
cnlef-Jubtice JunassoD, and fioa1lv our hale and
hearty friend Dr.. Ajaltalin, were among the
lumber. Last OF all camo Madame Fins
zen, preceding the King and Prince WAlde-
mar. Tall and stately, in her black moire robe
4e vas composed and perfect in manner as
Chen We saw her descend tho garden steps to
Fe:com- His Majesty.
The King walked around the circle without any
efenony. exchanging few words with each
erson as ho passed. The Marshal did not make
"a appearance when our turn came. go We were
ell introduced us American guests and not az
ad''1duals. Prince Waldemar is younger ts1anl
aought,-not moro than 1o OF 19,-and still boy |
my dlfidcnt i'll his manner He seemed in
ined to keep in the background us much as pos
ole / found Christian TX. as frank, simple.
~ cordial az be appeared at first What he said
ID not necessary to repeat. being the usual
'on On places 1ndu?ged in where both sides are
:strlcted by etiquette Of place aud persons. !
hare was no more than was necessary for polite
LIB On either eide.
FINALLY, DINNER VAS ANNOUNCED.
% King gave his asIa to Madame Finssen, the
nd blew its trumpets, and we marched into t
o large hall Of the University. which was !
'corated with angs, pyramids OF rifles, stars Of
Fofda, and other wnrlike ornament not quite 1