The New York herald., 1874-08-07

from which stone and sulphurous vapors are
emitted The last eruption OF Hecla was in 1S4546.
Ine most destructive OF all was that Of Skaptar
!okui In l7e3. when not only vast streams Of lava
desolated the adjacent country but whole farms
were buried in ashes, clouds OF which were waited
by the winds az far away as the Shetland Islands.
1t seems surprising that such an island should
De peoped; but the truth is, the Inhabitants
seem fond Of their honors, cannot be persuaded
to quit them The last proof OF this is found In the
Mct that very few Of them emigrate to other
countries. The island itself has a peculiarly in
teresting history in connection with the achieve.
ments OF the old Mortimer who found them
refuge rom the tyranny Of Harold Haarfager, King
OF Norway, who. having conquered the minor
Kings, or jars, OF Norway, forced them into banisn-
ment or submission, the former OF which alter
natives many OF them accepted, prcferring freedom
in an island brstling with volcanoes to their
native homes with tyranny and oppression. The
first settlers In Iceland were, therefore, the best
people IN all Norseland. Many Of them were
actual kings. Abandoning their warliAe habits
they became peaceful and cultivated learning.
In time they became the most learned people Of
the north OF Europe, and the distinction they then
acquired has not yet been lost although the people
have clearly degenerated. Instead OF the vigorous
sea-kings that they were in oden times, they are
now rather puny, indoent race, without think
ing much OF Improvement or OF energy. They
have. indeed, become dimlnutive in stature and
dwared IN intellect since the days OF Eric with the
Red Hand who discovered Greenland, and of
Snorro, who wrote the Edda.
THEY CARE LITTLE FOR LUxURIEs,
since they seek for nothing beyond what nature
yields. Having food and raiment, let US be there.
with content" Yet, tor all their peaceful disposi-
tion, they once had religious war. Their repub-
lican government was founded in s74 under the
old religion of Odin, who taught that ''to ride q
horse and cast spear and bend bow' was the
chief end and aim Of man. Christianity was intro
duced, and the cross TOOK the place Of the gods
Thor and Odin in the year 1000 but there was no
particular hostility manifested until the time OF
the Reformation in the sixteenth century.
Then, as was the custom elsewhere, Cath
ocs and Protestants killed each other
promiscuously and in all possible ways. The Pro-
testants in the end triumphed. and the prevailing
religion has since that been the State religion OF
Denmark. Even now the Catholic mission at
ReyKjavik does not flourish. because places Of
public worship are prohibited unless they are of
the established religion.
FREEDOM ONCE MORE.
1t was in 1881 that the sovereignty Of the repub-
way. 1t was done through Marbury and never
since has Iceland been entirely free until now,
when King Christian TX. gives the people q free
constitution. The Norwegian crown being an
nexed to that of Denmark by the Calmor union,
land became Danish and was much neeced by the
Crown up to 177a The trade with English mer-
chants was however, during parts OF this period
quite extensive. They brought clothing and
bread and took away drled fish.
In later days the island has not been without
certain political cOnvulsions. A pirate named
GEpin stole all their money in 1903, and
one J0rgensen set up rebellion there
against the established authority OF the King
and his one policeman captured the island, issued
proclamations, and did not desist in his rebenious
purposes until British man-oL war came and
carried him of. He figures largely in modern
1celandic history as patriot Of the first water.
He would free Iceland OF the Danish Crown and
proclaim himself Protector OF Iceland and Com
mander-in-chief by sea and land. even assuming
the power to make wars and conclude peace
with foreign potentates" until fair constitution
was established by the people. Fortunately, per.
naps, for this same people, this self-sacrlfcing
dictator dctators are usually Of that complexion)
did not succeed In his designs for now they would
have free constitution without any fighting and
without any dictator. Now already they have
free trade, which is working well 1t ought to
do, and If they are not growing absolutely rich
under its operation they are at least happy and
envy nobody else. have seen no Icelander who
ever cared to leave hts own country, nor one who
having left it did not wish as soon as possible to
60 back.
Celebration OF Iceland's Millennial I'm
Ithaca, N. Y.
ITHACA, August 9. 1874.
Iceland's millennial was celebrated here last
evening at the residence of Professor d. W. Flske,
on University hill. At eight O'Clock the national
airs of Iceland and America were played upon
the university Chimes followed by other
tunes appropriate to the occasion, among them
"From Greenand's Icy Mountains" &c. Some re-
marks on the history of Iceland were then made by
Professor Fiske. and the evening closed with fine
display of fireworks.
Among those present were the families OF Presi-
dent White and several professors and q number OF
distinguished strangers from abroad.