The New York herald., 1874-08-27

the roofs Of houses, and the air perfumed with
filth and fish. The truth Is that only lew huts in
the outskirts are covered with turf, the main part
OF the houses of the town being rooted with slate.
There are two principal streets. with plenty OF
shops. where one may buy anything from a
penny whistle to u pilot cloth coat. The houses
look neat and clean, with everywhere neat white
curtains behind the glass and pretty flowers to
brighten them. and pleasant faces peering out
among them 10 complete the picture OF home-iKe
contentment and comfort AS for the smell of fish,
IL was not half so offensive as in many another
town have seen whose prosperity depends upon
Its fishing business, and the streets were clean
as any streets need be. How much of this may be
due to common causes, and how much to
the coming OF the King, cannot pre-
tend TO say, but l have certainly been most
favorably impressed with Reikiavlk, although
saw it ir driving southwest wind and pelt.
ing rain or The TACT Of the coming OF the King
there Is, one could easily see, no doubt on any
body's mind. Fences were being dauhed hurrledly
with paint and whtewash, new paings were
being put in old fences, dilapdated walls were
being rebuilt, and everybody seemed on the tip
toe OF expectations Great was the wonder with
which they looked on us. for we had perhaps
knowledge Of
THE COMING OF THE KING.
Yes, we had knowledge--we had left him In the
harbor OF Thcrshavn; sound asleep. no doubt
but, with stout ship under him, sure TO greet tue
good people OF Reikiavik 10y tomorrow. And
right happy they were made ty the intelligence.
Happy enough already in the prospect, they were
now made thrice so by this direct intelligence
and the preparations for his reception we're
pushed on with still greater energy. These pre-.
parations are, to be sure, not SO grand as we i'm
agine 10 De betting royalty, bat they are elab
crate in proportion to che means OF the loyal Ice.
landers. long jetty runs ont into the oay and
frcm a line OF white posts on either side
futter the Danish colors, in streaming
pennants, and at its upper end Is a broad canopy
OF pure red, closely interspcrsed with white--:he
national colors-while tour royal ensigns ~ at the
corners. IL Is great day OF expectation to these
people, and well 1t may be, for never yet have the
ReiKiavikers looSel upon Slng, nay such king
as their Christian IX., who Is TO give them new
constitution, and TO whom they are Thoroughly
loyal, II one may judge by appearances. AS have
had frequent occasion to OBSERVE II the average
iceander ocars little love to the average Dane,
He LOVES THE King But NOT DENMARK.
The ha-oor presents quite a lively appearance.
About twenty vessels great and small are lying
about us. and over 10 the left six ships OF war,
two French one Danish, one German, one ywcde
and one Norwegian. Our own nag is only repre-
sentad at the forcmast OF our little Albion, and
SEE no English colors but the nags that noat over
her stern. Now we await the coming OF the King,
preliminary 10 the festivities, which are TO be
grand beyond anything ever before seen on this
island.
TIE PROGRAMME OF TIE FESTIVITIES.
On sunday there u 10 be public service 10 the