The New York herald., 1874-08-30
IC E L A N D
The Kings Grand Ball at
Reikiavik.
The Toilets of the Ladies and the
Costumes of the Men.
THE END OF THE CELEBRATION.

was oetaued Dy your correspondent, DR.. Hayes,
to remain behind to send you a description OF the
concluding event OF the celebration. This was the
grand ball OF Monday evening, given in the large
hall OF the seminary. The morning services diff
fered but little from those OF the previous Sun
day, and do not need description. The ball was a
most interesting affair. So far as enjoyment was
concerned it certainly eclipsed everything that
has heretofore happened, II its political signin-
cance was, ana it undoubtedly was echpsed by
the more important ceremony The invitations
were quite Informal, being merely verbal. and con.
veyed through some official properly authorized
The King was present, with his son. Prince Walde-
mar, and 1t called the Kings bali. although it
was really given by the now enthusiastic Reikia-
vikers.
SCENES IN THE BALLROOM.
When your correspondent entered the ballroom
at nine O'Clock very gay and unusual scene met
his eyes. Oficers IN the gay uniforms OF Denmark.
sweden, Norway, France and Germany were mixed
up with the plain dresses OF domestic and foreign
guests; while Do.h were LETT altogether in the
shade 10y the great array OF rich toilets OF the
ladies. most OF whom were dressed in the piclu-
rescue celandlc costume, white only compara-
lively lew were arrayed in the long skirts ana low
necks OF the ordinary ballroom. 1t was an exceed
ngly interesting and beautiful pictures Tor. besides
the light dresses which were 80 becoming, the Ice
landic girls are iresh, and have q rich, healthy
glow OF cheek that IL very refreshing to behold.
They are withal pretty OF feature ana sometimes
beautiful But 1t 10 OF them collectively in the
ballroom that l wish manly to speak. How
happy they seemed In their becom-
ing dresses How lively they chatted in their
sweet language and how they looked at eacn other
from top 20 toe as have seen them, IN regions
not SO near the North Pole, rlgidly scrutiniz.ng
what each wOre-whether the headdress all
nI,l Ia
yer, as the case mightbe around the forehead was
OF great little richness; whether the little jacket
was property trimmed ana ornamented with the
same precious metals, and whether the feet whc n
pecped out ON beneath the short skirts were or
proper size and properly shoil At least they
seemed to be doing all tins. Iceiandic maldenS
may not ne at all envious; but rs cannot consider
u lady altogether interesting unless she Is some
what envious, conclude that they (tnose lceiandic
maidens) were exceedingly envious, since found
them very interesting.
NO NATIONAL COSTUME.
The men do not at the present time have any
national costume. The more's the pity, as some
thing on their part to balance the ladies' dresses
would certainly nave added greatly to the attrac-
tons OF the scene. And I hope 1t will be long
time before the Icelandic maidens abandon their
present style OF dress; and think 1t will, lor they
know that it Is pretty, and that from woman Is a
certain guarantee. The two principal features
are the headdress and the-weu snail venture
simply TO call 1t jacket, not having much ac-
quaintance with the miAiners vocabulary, and
every body understands what jacket means. 1t
reaches little below the waist aud Is enclrcled by
a metal, gold or silver belt, often OF the most
elaborate workmanship. ana OF native Icelandic
production. The lceandic suyer and gold
smiths are quite famous, and 1 have
| secured several specimens Of their handiwork
which are very beautiful These belts are often OF
great value, worth many hundreds OF dollars, and
are kept as heirooms IN the family, falling to the
eldest daughter on the death OF the mother they
are fastened in front by huge clasps OF hlagree
work, to which appended rafting ornaments.
The jacket Is fastened in 'front.' generally to the
neck with elaborateiy wrought buttons on either
! slde and brought together with Il long cham,
loOped from side to side. The whole front and
| sometimes much OF the back rs covered with EN-
Droidery, in leaves vines or flowers, IN gold or
silver thread. Around the neck there is often an
| embroidered collar OF the same material, above
| which peeps q snow white rulile that Is most be-
wiching
STYLE OF WEARING THE HAIR.
The headdress is more dltllcult to describe. 1t Is
sort of helmet not fitted to the head like that OF
! a cuirassier, but set on top OF 1t and pinned TO
| the hair. The crest comes forward nearly to u
! point The body OF one l have examined was
| made of pastepoard and brass wire. stuffed with
cotton and covered with white SILK. But the great
feature is the VEIL When the helmet" Is firmly
! pinned on the veil Is attached. This ven is about
| a yard long and OF the same width Being drawn
together at the top until narrowed to the circum-
| ference Of the head 1t Is ornamented with ring
of stars or butterflies or band of gold or silver,
! and this being fastened TO the "heimet" the ven
! is lifted and thrown back, and nine times In ten
out peeps CHEEKY and bright and rosy face as
man would ever wish to look upon. The skirt Is
sometimes, though rarely, ornancnted, and the
sleeves follow no other fashion than woman 5
! caprice.
The ladies who were attired in this headdress
| did not however, all wear the other parts OF the
native costume. Many wore long white dresses
with the metal belt, others the short skirt and a
white body never, however, without the metal or.
nament THUS much for the costumes OF the people
ENTRANCE Of THE KING
Tne King came IN ut halfpast nine with Madame
| Fnsen, wife OF the Governor on his arm. He was
| attired In his usual simple uniform, with pan
| sword, and Madame Finsen was dressed as any
lady of redneA taste would have been under sin
| lar circumstance i cannot tell what she wore
for tue benefit OF the ladies', for as | said be-
fore, am not posted IN sucn matters, but re-
| member there was profuson Of real point lace on
her dress.
THE BALI OPENED.
The King opened the ball and alter the first huSf
OF respect had passed after the Kings entrance
had been announced, and the presentations ha,
taken place, ana the first set was danced, and The
King began 10 around with kindly snil,
upon his lace and u cordial greeting in his hand,
merry buzz went round and the dances waXet
last and iurious His Majesty, the King, VA
seldom idle. lie danced with everybody tha
he could, and his youthful, joyous son was not be
mind him. Everybody was pleased, everybody wa
delighted with the King. Unon my word. seein
how the King behaved. cannot sec low anybod
could nelp but loye hlu,--nor respect him as q Kin
alone, but love INN Tor his manly ways aud hi
kindly qualities. Indeed he seemed heartily, wtt
out aGectaton quite as much as without reserve
TO make the joys OF those. his aaron subjects, III