The New York herald., 1879-10-16
PRINCE VALDEMAR.


THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THEIR SEA KINGS
soS-aRASD RECEPTION AT ST. THOMAS
WITH oILcLoTH, SPEECHES AND A PARTIALLY
EcLIpsED ILLUMINATION.
ST. THOMAS Sept. 81, 1879.
The Danish corvette Dagmar with Prince Valde-
mar on board, cast anchor in this harbor at about
ten A. NJ to-day. Immediately on anchoring she ex-
changed salutes with the fort Shortly after the
Governor went on board to pay his respects to the
Prince. and he was saluted with fifteen guns. Ar
rangemonts were for the Prince to land ut three
p. NJ. and with commendable punctuality the
DaGmar's cutter. with His Royal Highnoss and the
Captain OF the corvette. touched the wharf as the
hour struck. long strip of oilcloth instead OF
the traditional scarlet velvet. was spread on the
edge OF the wharf steps. The Prince was received
upon landing By the Governor in full parsphernalia
by full guard of honor and the military band. who
soon he touched the wharf struck mp the
Royal Danish March. After walking along another
strip of oiicioth tho Governor and Prince reached
the first trumphal arch. which was decorated not
only with the royal arms aud evergreens. but with
busts of Their Majestes the King and Queen of Dem
mark. Clustered about this arch all the off,
cials in full costume and number OF prominent and
other ctizons in full evening costume. Upon roach
ing the inside edge Of the entrance OF the arch the
chairman Of the Colonial Council stepped forward
and made his address.
THE PRINCE REPLIES.
The Prince. who during the delivery of this long
address showed some signs Of impatience. but re-
pestedly bowed, replied briefly as follows -"Allow
to thank you for your kind address and for this
handsome reception. bring to you all the good
wishes and greetings of my father. His Majesty the
King. again thank you for this beautiful recop-
tion have to-day met with here" Upon the con-
clusion OF this reply no cordially shook hands with
the Chairman of tho Colonial Council. upon which
the air was rent with shouts Of Long Live the
King!" and waving of tho official chapeau. The
Prince. who Is tall and manly looking and
dressed in the uniform Of q naval lieutenant
and decorated with the silver of the Dannebog
and the star and blue sash Of the Order of the Ele
phant. then accompanied the Governor to his
rage and drove the length of the main street of the
town. The street presented very animated appear
ali closed. and from the roofs Of these as we'll a.
from the private houses along the route innumer-
many places wide strips Of diierent colored stniss
stretched across the street with inscriptions of
welcome; Many Of the private houses were richly
| decorated with hags and evergreens. Alto
| gether the town presented very gala ap-
pearsnce and the hags displayed were countless
Shortly after levee had been held the Prince
drove with the Governor to tho parade ground.
where large numbers of the lower orders had
and sh IN ana S
| to the Government House, followed and surrounded
| by the populace. rendered frantic in their excite
| Governor gave dinner in his honor. Covers were
laid for thirtyhvc It was intended that In tho
| evening there should be general illumination OF
the town aud display OF fireworks from
the fort. and this was partly carried out
| Many commenced to light their houses and trans
parcncies at seven p M. and tho general effect pro-
duced, especially from the water. was very fne.
Singular to say. none Of the public buildings
| illuminated. Many Of the private houses very
tastefully illuminated with colored lights and trans
parencies. and this illumination quite general.
even little nuts showing lights Many of the build
ings had perforated gas pipes running along the bal
and cornices, and the innumerable jets of gas
presented beautiful appearance. In each instance
there was attached to these pipes large v.
Win gas gas as ay,,, h. sb,. ussn tna' a,o
instances numbers Of them. illuminated either by
candies or oil lamps. The German. French and
British in port displayed innumerable blue
| lights and threw up many rockets. The Prince
sailed for ST. Croix In the Dagmar on the morning
Of September 20, whittier the ship had been orig
inally bound to be there october l. at which time
the labor contracts for the year expire and the pres
once Of . man-of-war required to control any
excitement which might ensue.