New-York tribune., 1874-08-27

persons. lu6Io wan uO uoto VIAL was noSo"Ssy Avn
pOliteness, on either side.
Finally. dinner was announced, the King gave his
arm to Madame Finssen, the band blew its trum-
pets and we marched into the large hall Of the Uni
versity. which was decorated with flags, pyramids
of rifles. stars of swords and other warlike orna-
ment, not quite appropriate to unarmed and peace
full Iceland. My place proved to be between Capt.
Malte-B -Brun Ia nephew of tho famous geog-
rapher) and On officer who introduced himself
as Commandant Letourneur of the French
Navy. Next to him. at the end of the table. sat
the Kings Adutant. Won Hedemann. The mena,
printed in gold, which lay by my plate. announced
a dinner such as Iceland could scarcely furnish
and. indeed, although served with deicately artfui
sauces to disguise the fact, almost every dish came
in cans from Copenhagen. The silver plate and
porcelain. with the royal arms, tho wine glasses
cakes and bon -bons-everything. think except the
snipe and salad, was Danish. We had duck and
venison. green peas, truffies, etc. but the rarcst
thing for the native guests must have been the dish
of black Hamburg grapes which came with the
dessert. They were as fresh as if just plucked.
The King finally rose. briefly expressed his thanks
for the friendly reception he had received, hoped
that the Constitution he had brought with him
might contribute to the material prosperity of the
island the development of its people, and closed
with the toast: Long live Old Iceland" The
full force of the band struck in with the cheers that
followed signal from the roof started the cannon
of the war ships; shores and harbOr rang. and all
the inhabitants knew that "the King drinks to
Iceland' = Klein the Minister of Justice, next made
speech which gave great satisfaction, although
so far as could understand 1.-THE substance ap-
peared to be theoretc rather than practical He spoke
of the mutual rights and duties of monarch and peo-
pie; and, inasmuch his expressions must have
been previously submitted to the King, they were
accepted by the Icelanders as virtually emanating
from the latter. He gave the health of the Crown
Prince and there was fresh rejoicing when the King,
in returning thanks promised that the latter should
learn the Icelandic language. There were other
toasts to the Queen of Denmark, Prince Waldemar,
and the remaining members of the Royal Family.
and then the company rose. Half an hour was de-
voted to cigars coffee and conversation in the outer
hail. by which time it was o'clock, and the peoples
festival had commenced on the eastern hill.
The road thther led past the prison. which is alto
gether the finest building in Rejkiavik. But, alas
for the wisdom of those who decreed its erecton it
waits in vain for an inmate. The smoothly-cut
walls of gray lava-stone, the cheerful cells. the
spacious prison-yard invite some one to be culprit
and enjoy their idle luxures but the people too
ignorant to accept the call On the summit of the
hill above there is a rather graceful square tower,
built by the students during their play a
place of shelter when the weather was stormy; but
now it serves as beacon for vessels at sea and
weary travellers approaching from the interior.
The road, which was 80 broad and smooth that it
must have been specially made for the festival now
crossed long hollow in the stony soil and climbed
hill opposite. nearly a mile away, where flags
tents. and a moving multitude announced the loca-
ton of Austurvei The broad. rounded summit of
the hill had been laboriOusly cleared of stones, and
furnished space where four five thousand people
could have been accommodated; but not more than
two thousand were present. There were a rostrum
for speeches. tent for the King another tent which
suggested possibility of northumberland that
was all But the elevation, slight as it was COM
manded singuarly bleak and sublime panoramic
view. On all sides the eye overlooked great spaces
of sailless sea or barren shore, until, fifty miles
away, ranges of dark volcanic hills inclOsed the
horizon. The level evening sunshine fell coldly
across the vast view, the wind blew sharp and keen
from the north, and with every allowance for the
tough constitutions Of the Icelandic people, could
not see how much festivity was to be extracted
from the place. time and temperature.
Nothing was done. of course, until the Kings
arrival. Then in firing salute with hand
losing his right hand Finally, when the Royal
progress had been made through lines of eagerly
staring and embarrassed natives, the singing began.
In Iceland nothing is done without singing. and it
is the most attractive feature of the celebration
thus far The song was followed by speeches from
the rostrum. chiefly greetings to the people, winding
up with sentiments and cheers Admiral Lagercrautz
spoke for Sweden, ROlfsen, the author, for Norway
land his elOQuence awOke real enthusiasm, and
then various others followed, the admirable male
choir of Rejkiavik interrupting the speeches with
national songs.
PERSONAL EPISODE.
Il have been pOndering for several minutes how
to introduce the next episode of the celebration.
1t is so easy for the reader to disparage, in his
thought, the writer who is compelled to mention
himself! Yet the reporter, as am here, must needs
brave all prejudice of the sort. and attend to his
plain duty first of all. So let it be now Two days
ago we were discussing in the cabin of our steamer
the question whether we in our capacity as Ameri-
cans should make even an unofficial representation
at this festival. We knew that the Icelanders de-
sired that our presence, which seemed to be well
come to them, should be in some way manifested;
vet it seemed difficult to decide how this should be
done. The proposal on my part, to address poetic
greeting to Iceland, was cordially received by my
companions that could only comply The stanzas
which follow were written in all haste, in the midst
of distractng talk and make claim to any poetic
merit
AMERICA TO ICELAND.
We come, the children Of thy vinland,
The youngest Of the worlds high peers,
land Of steel, and song. and saga,
To greet thy glorious thousand years
Across that sea the son OF Erik
Dared with his venturOus dragons PROV;
From shores where ThOrfnn set thy banner,
Their latest children seek thee now
Hail. motherland OF skads and heroes,
BY love Of freedom hither hurled,
Fire IN their hearts as in thy mountains,
And strength like thine to shake the world