Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-31
ICELAND'S 4MILLENIAL.

The letters of Bayard Taylor, giving ac-
count Of the celebration in Iceland of the thou
sandih year of tina, country since its settlemert
occupied ten columns of the New York Trib-
une of Thursday. His first letter is princi-
pally devoted to arrival and reception of the
King of Denmark, at Rejkiavk. A letter
written August End gives account of the
celetr ration which consisted of commemorative
services at the cathedral, a banquet in the
hall OF the University, and an out door festi-
val. We copy that part of the letter relating
to the exercises at the cathedral.
The first OF the two days set apart for the
commemorative festivities dawned cloudless
and splendid. a sharp wind from the NORTH
before sunrise, blew away every vestige of
mist or cloud; Shafell cleaned like an opal
over the water, and when, at eight o'clock, a
gun from the kings frigate gave signal, the
CLEAN and sparkle of the linked flags, as they
ran up to peak aud yard arm and down to the
water was something really glorious to behold
On shore there were signs of gathering and
preparation, and many line of moving specks
on the far hills showed that the country peo-
pie were betimes on the way.
The programme for the day consisted of COM
memorative services in the cathedral, ban.
quet in the hall of the University, and pop
ular festival on the hill of Austurvelli, mile
from the town. The last feature promised to
be the most attractive, since after songs and
speeches there were to be dancing and .fug-
eldrar myhlv-''great flying fires" The
new constitution, which went into force yes
terday, has not been announced with any
special ceremonies. Copies of it had already
reached Iceland, the people were very gener-
ally acquainted with its provisions, and con-
tent to accept it as the beginning of reform.
ho III oh ati he FRI
next at Thingvalla, have therefore an historic
cal rather than political character.
We went ashore at 10 l2 o'clock, and found
everybody fastening toward the cathedral.
The open, grassy square around the old build
ing was covered with picturesque groups; the
lake in the rear of the town glittered in the
sun, and the high peaks Of Keylur slept in the
blue distance. Genuine Icelandic costumes
appeared at last, and original and graceful
they were. The women wore white helmets
of curious pattern, the horn curging over in
front, six inches above the head, the base
richly embroidered with gold, and white
veil thrown over all and floating upon the
shoulders. They had also closely. fitting jack
cts of dark cloth, heavily braided with gold or
silver filigree work. Not more than half
dozen of the men, in all, wore the old nation
al costume. 1t consists of jacket and knee
breeches of dark-gray homespun cloth, stock
ings of the same cloth, seal-skin shoes, and a
round hat with the brim turned up. The only
ornament is a bow of red ribbon at the knee.
The King and his cortege had just entered
the cathedral as we reached it, and the for
eign naval officers who had been invited to
the ceremony were crowding with the natives
into the low northern portal. We had been
furnished with slips of parchment as admis
sion tickets to seats in the main aisle, and the
sacristan placed us in 'front.' opposite the
bishops pulpit. The choir was singing one of
the ten new anthems composed for the occa-
ion lights were burning in the chandeliers, on
the altar and between the gallery pillars
wreaths of heather decorated the walls, choir
and galleries, and there was glow OF flowers
around Thorwaldsen's baptismal font. The
dull red of the walls and dark PANELS of wood
en- ceiling harmonized well with the simple
adornments; the building wore an aspect of
cheerful soemnity, becoming the occasion
The seats filed rapidly during the chant, men
and women sitting together as they could find
places. Then the service commenced, after
the ancient Lutheran fashion. In fact, it was
nearly an exact repetition of that we had seen,
in Thorshaven, except that the Iclandic Ian
guage was used. The hymns were very grand
ly sung; and the "Psalm of Praise" writ
ten by Matthias Pochumsson, and composed
by Sveinbjornsson-the first musical work by
native Icelander, l am told-produced a
powerful effect. In whichever direction l
looked, l saw eyes filled with tears. The
repetition of the refrain; Islands 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
have come together.