New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-05
ICELAND'S MILLENiAL.
INCOMPATIBLE LETTERS.


Among the letters written from Iceland, de,
scripve OF the remarkable milIennia celebration held
there on August O. Mr. Bayard Taylors, as published In
THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE, are conspicuous. As mar
ratOr OF travellers tales he has no superior ana MS rep
utaton for veracty very comfortable in these days
OF exacgeraton He describes the Iceanders as sturdy
selreant race courteous in manners. and possessing
one aspect Mr. Taylor presents, which is ex
tremely depressing III humanitarian point or view:
the political this people. These Iceianders
then centuries of ignorance, are to receive the
heayen-b0rn boon of modern politics. " grand, true
hearted people, innocent children IN their trust ana their
affections, almost more than men IN their brave unmOr
murlng endurance" to receive political educa-
ton" Mr. Taylor does not seem to be afected by tne
gloom which his announcement fPresaadoWs anu Per
geographical position ana It's scattered popualon our
see land which knows not the predatory politician
taking needless steps for his Introduction ana perpetual
''''' VALUABLE LITERARY PRODUCTIONS.
From The Providence Journal
The letters from Iceland by Bayard Taylor
In THE NEw-YORK TRIBUNE contain very interesting
descriptions OF that country and OF the grand menna
festival which celebrated there on the 9th and 18th
OF August These letters have done more to draw aten-
ton to this remote part OF the world than any other
publications times They describe the incidents OF
the voyage thher including the Farce Islands
and they abound in deneaton OF scenery and OF life
Tney will undoubtedly be collected into a Mr.
TayOrs return to the United States and when thus col
long series Of books OF travel which he has given ~
tue public.
AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT.
Iceland has celebrated her thousandth birth
day The inhabitants of the foamgrt island solemny
pssse music and very interesting account Of
which Bayard Taylor has sent to The TRIBUNE Chris
tan Of Denmark visited for the first time his prov
nce and subjects in state, accompanied by the Crown
Prince. Many foreign visitors also witnessed the sol
Germany, and the United states aoated in company
with the Danish emblems and the white fall
Tepres SCI ie The Of other
nations brought congratuIatory documents, and. in
written by Bsyard Taylor to the land OF steel and
saga" which translated into Icelandic and read
took place at Reikiavik the present OF justice and
after interval of three days at Thngvaa, which
bonOred as place selected by the independent Chiefs
first took the babitlbe part of the island wherein
to form their superior government for all on the whole
the spectators appear have gained remarkably favor
able impression Of this strange people, who shut out
from intercourse with the world yet seem to be sturdy
Intelligent, and race and not less grand in
character than rockbound mountainous land which
they are proud to call their country.
A CREDIT TO JOURNALIsM
From The Ns,o- Yorh Mall
Any nation, in these Kaleidoscope modern
times of ours which has maintained It's Identity nd
yIduaty traditions and language for thousand years.
Is certainly entitled to the notice Of the civilized world
on the of its centennial There Is something
sublime the idea or national continuance for
such a length OF ttme-even though nslar ISOLATION has
protected, consolidated and cemented nationality as
has been with the people OF Iceland And all
the Northern nations must feel peculiar interest IN the
celebration Of Mennal whose o6servances recall the
religious faith the early poetry and the supersttons or
the hardy which have impaired ther yigor " the
strongest nations in the world. -s.r>~S --sSs~-
Two Of morning contemporaries bring before their
readers through the admirable descriptions OF their
respondents vivid pictures OF this peculiar people, OF
their customs laws government aud pecularities-and
give In days issue enough Information 10 furnish
material for interesting volumes. In time when
Journals think that IL their mission
TO invade the privaces OF domestic life; TO employ
shameless reporters to listen at keyhole to oetray the
condolences OF private 20 parade the worth
less tatle Of malicious gossp and TO deluge the land
with flood OF nastiness IL ia refreshing to find two
Journals like TRIBUNE and The Herald elevatnR the
dignity OF journalism by sending out such eminent tray
eers as ayard Taylor and Dr. Hayes to present TO their
graphic aud trustworthy accounts Of the Iceland
NOVEL FIELD.
Fror. IA< Bosion Adrerhs,r.
The interesting account OF the celebration OF
"the Skald T OF America" as Bayard Taylor mod
| estly styles himself will not want readers. IL was
novel field for traveller more cosmopolitan than
he has BEEN but he entered upon 10 with confidence
and has performed his task gracefully ana thoroughly
II is apparent that the King OF Denmark made better
manners and the cordial courtesy he paid 70 all who
came within his presence than by the new constitution
which he brought with him. That instrument, though
IL opens epoch TO the people OF Iceland, and
| ernment grants them little. II is the King and the
royal prerogave first Iceland and her interests after
ward Tho Danish power, represented by officials
whom they have control and having interests III
with themselves, scarcely speaking their Ian
guage remains and Will be, has been de
all their constituencies their Jealousy and the rash hot
blood sleeping under their grave demeanor Mr. Taylor
says he knows people worthy the honest and
| unselnsh friendship OF their rulers.
In A rnx-i-