The New York herald., 1874-08-27
KING CHRISTIAN INTERVIEWED
Herald-What He Thinks OF the Now
Constitution OF Iceland.
On poApn TIE STEAM YAdur A y aIoN

Constitution OF xCo1800s
ON BOARD THE STEAM YACHT ALBIoN,(
AT SEA, August II, 1874
followed tho King to Relk1avik from the plain
of Thingvalla, for had an invitation from him
to come, through Marshal Helsten, his Chamber
lain, to personal interview, and this came in con-
sequence OF his having learned that I was the
agent OF the NEW YORK HERALD. The rain con-
tinued to fall after we left the plan and 1t was
thousand pities. for the happiness Of the people
who had gathered there was much disturbed.
Singing and dancing were. however, heard all
through the night, which to us was miserable
enough. At three O'Clock the next morn.
ing we struck our tents and started.
BY this time the rain was falling in
perfect torrents The ride was dismal enough, and
weary, wet to the skin and covered with mud,
arrived in Reikiavik at quarter to one, having
been nearly ten hours on the way. l had expected
to have made 1t in eight or nine, but the roads
were so slippery that sreat caution was necessary.
The last four miles OF the way were, however,
better; the sun came out, and, by making a dash
ahead, managed to get in in season. But it
would never do to present myself before the King
in such costume, with whole pounds and pounds
of mud pastered all over me. So FASTENED on
board, transformed myself as speedily as
possible, and having got myself with
most uncomfortable haste inside OF q
clawhammer coat and regulation tie,
was at halfpast one ushered in to the King BY his
courteous adjutant. Hedemann; or, rather, the
KING ushered himself into my presence, for while
was passing the compliments OF the day with the
adjutant, waiting an opportunity to be announced,
the King, heating my voice, opened the door him.
self and rec ID me with cheerfdl "GOod morn
lIr'' Il u a cutu.a grasp Of the hand.
was nvre than ever impressed with his kindly
dlspo sition and lnborn courtesy OF manner, quail
ties which, always noticeable anywhere in anybody
are particularly likely to attract attention when
shown by King among people not accustomed
to the ways of kings hence his great popularity
with the Icelanders.
THE GOVERNORS HOUSE
Is q toleraby commodius building, two stories
high, and whitewashed. In front OF II there Is
sloping garden OF more than quarter OF an acre,
where patches OF fresh green grass alternate with
rows OF lettuce, cabbage, radishes and potatoes,
but no mowers. Plenty OF them there are. how.
ever. IN the windows, peeping from underneath
the snow-white curtains, and they have q very
cheerful look. The hallway Is narrow, and. while
the King IL there Is guarded by sentinel in q
badly fitting red coat, with silver buttons, and
sergeant's sword. The adjutant's room Is at tue
end Of the hallway and looks out upon the rear.
The Kings reception room is TO the right and Is
about lorty feet by twenty. 1t Is not carpeted,
but there Is fine rug In the centre OF 1t and other
small ones here and there. l like this very CON-
mon Danish custom OF clean floors and the absence
OF dirty carpets.
In the centre was neat mahogany table, and
some old, well polished mahogany chairs stood
about here and there. There were two or three
smaller tables, writing desk, few engravings
on the wall, one of the King, another OF the Queen
OF Denmark, and In general that was all The
walls we're papcred with a plain white paper,
ana nothing could be more simple and unregal
than this present abode OF royalty. The King was
at,trcd in CONT mon and rather well worn walking
dress. He struck me as having good deal OF the
English gentleman about him. He is good borse-
man, is fond Of shooting, takes long walks and
dresses plainly am told that In his domestic life
his tastes and Eabits are extremely simple, and
should think so from what observed.
There was no one present at our interview but his
son, the handsome spirited.looking young Prince