Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-28
IceIaud's MiiIeuDfal.


The celebration of the one thousand years OF
the existence of Iceland as an inhabited country
began at Reikiavik. August ., and continued
two DAYS, the King of Denmark, Christian TX =,
and one of his sons being present, the monarch
illustrating the occasion BY presenting Iceland
with free constitution which he had brought
over with him in his royal ship. The occasion
was memorable from the additional fact that it
was the first time a king had ever set foot on
Iceland, except the old Morse kings, whose ships
tnousand years ago gave 1t the germs of the
at the millenDisl celebration was q party of
Americans who had come nth others in a small
yacht from Scotland. Among these were DR.. /
L. Hayes, the arctic explorer, who is the CORES
pendent of the New York Herald, and true to
the traditions that seem to cling 20 that organ
proceeded at the first opportunity to "rnter
view" the King OF Denmark. Another CORES
pondent, Bayard Taylor, sent ont by the New
York Tribune, wrote poem, which ws s read in
the presence of the king, entitled "America ID
Iceland, )" ara was applauded by the monarch
at the reception of the king and the banque
in the Univ ersity building all were in civil
military Or naval uniform. The royal marshal
Bar Baron Holton, who seems to have been chosen
like bis fellow marshals at all courts, for love
OF good cheer and good fellowship; Governor
Finssep. Minister Klein, Captain Matte Brun,
Admiral Cegercrautz, of the s wedish navy; the
bishop, Chief Justice Jodasson, and DIR. Alfalfa
lin, were among the number Last of all came
Madame Finssen, preceding the king anG
Prince Waldem2r. Tall and stately, in her
black MORO robe, che was as composed and
perfect in manner as when we saw her descend
the garden steps to welcome his majesty. Th@
king walked around the circle without any GER
enemy, exchanging a few words with each per
son as he passed. MIR. Taylor says "I found
Christian TX. as frank, simple, and cordial a.
he appeared at first" Finally, dinner was An
nounced, the king gave his arm to Madame
Finssep, the band blew its trumpets, and W.
marched into the large hall OF the university
which was decorated with flags, pyrs mids OF
rifles, stars OF swords, and other warlike orna
ment, not quite appropriate - the unarmed and
peaceful Iceland. My place proved to be be.
tween Captain Matte Brun, q nephew of the
famous geographer, and an officer who intro
duced himself as Commandsnt Letourner, of the
French navy. Next to him, at the end OF the
table, sat the kings adjutant, Won Hedemsnn.
The menu, printed in gold, which Law BY nv
plato; announced dinner such as Iceland
could scarcely furnish-apd, indeed, although
served with deicately artful sauces, to dis
guise the fact, almost every dish came I'm can
from Copenhagen. The silver plate and porce-
CAKES and bon bons-everything, L think, ex
eePt the sDipe and salad, was Danish. We had
uuck and yenson, green peas, truffies, &c, bui
the Tarest thing for the native guests must have
been the dish OF black Hamburg grapes which
came With the dessert. They were as fresh a.
II just p!ucked. The king finally rose, brief,
expressed his thanks for tue friendly receutio,,
be had received. hoped that the Constitution h
Lad brought with him might contribute to to-
material prosperity of the island aud the deyel-
opment OF its people, and closed with the t,4ss
"LODg live Old Iceland" The full force of ths
band struck in With the cheers that followed;
signal from the roof started the cannon fron
the war ships; shores and hsrbOr rang, and a.
the nbabItants knew that "The king drinks t.
Iceland" Speeches were subsequently mad
by number of persons, including Klein, the
Danish minister OF Justice.