Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-09-11
IceIand's NIiIlenntaI.

The New York Tribune of August q,
prints letters from Baysrd Taylor, describ-
ing his journey to Iceland, the visit and
reception of the King of Denmark, festi-
val in honor OF the King of Thingvalla,
and the new order of things naugurated
by the constitution granted TO the island
after a thousand years of merely colonial
existence. We quote from the letters:
The mllennial celebration at Rejkiavik
took place on the ID inst, and consisted of
commemorative services in the cathedral,
a banquet in the hall of the university, and
popular festival on the hill of Austurvel-
Ii, a mile from the town. AT the cathedral
the women wore white hemlets of a curl
GUS pattern, the horn curving over in front,
six inches above the head, the base richly
embroidered with gold, and a white veil
thrown over all and floating upon the
shoulders. They had also closely fitting
jackets OF dark cloth braided with gold or
silver, and broad belts of silver filigree
work. Not more than half dozen of the
men, in all, wore the old national costume.
1t consists of jacket and knee brooches
Of dark gray homespun cloth, stockings of
lHO Shult ClOlu, btdlShlu onOcS anu
hat with the brim turned up. The only
ornament is a bow OF red ribbon at the
knee. The hymns were very simple and
grandly sung; and the "Psalm Of Praise"
written by Matthias Jechumsson, and conf
posed by Sveinbjornsson-the first musical
work by a native Icelander-produced a
powerful effect. Eyes were filled with
tears. The repetition of the refrain, Is
lands thuSund ar, "Icelands thousand
years." rang through the cathedral in tones
which were solemn rather than proud. and
gave expression TO the earnest religious
spirit in which the people had come togelh-
er. The sermon, by Bishop Pictursson,
was delivered in lamenting, almost lach-
rymose voice, with hardly change of in
Election from beginning to end and the
impression, if any were really intended,
mnst have been much diminished by the
copious doses of snuff taken by the speak
or, and the appearance of his hand erchiei
as 1t lay on the pulpit desk. The exercises
lasted An hour and half, closing with an
other glorious anthem.
At the banquet, the writer found Chris
tian TX. frank, simple and cordial. AMER
the dinner, he rose, briefly expressed his
thanks for the friendly reception he had
received, hoped that the constitution he
had brought with him might contribute ia
the material prosperity OF the island and
the development of its people, and closed
with the toast "Long live old Iceland p
The full force of the band struck in with
the cheers that followed a signal from the
roof started the cannon of the war ships
shores and harbor rang, and all the inhab
itants knew that "the king drinks to Ice
land" At the festival in the evening there
were singing and dancing and bOntires and
some more speech making. The next day
the journey was begun TO Thingvalla
where there was a national festival on thu
7th.
The exercises at the Mound of the Judg
es were to commence at 10, so, after taking
coffee, set out with our German guests t.
visit the famous Logberg, or Hill of the
Law, where the Althing or Popular As
sembly of Iceland was held for nearly SOC
years. After crossing the plank bridge
which had been thrown across the river
the king was arrested by the dismal adj
dress of the people OF Iceland on the occa.
sion of the thopsandth anniversary. i
WAS read by Herr Thomson OF Bressas
tadr. Hearty loyalty, covering strong
expression of the distinct desire OF thu
people for independence in their own gov
eminent, characterized this as all the othe
addresses. The King responded briefly
there were cheers, the band struck up thu
Danish national anthem, and the process
sion moved forward to the mound. TIL,
people seemed to have lost, at last, thei
apathetic expression; their faces wer,
bright and animated, they cheered Justify
and even we, who came last in the ranks
received our full share OF greetings. Tn,
remaining ceremony consisted simply il
the reception of commemorative addresses
which had been forwarded TO Iceland. Tn,
National Committee, with Fredriksson a
President and Msgnnsson as chief acliy,