Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-19
Reception Of NOrdenaatola ~ sne
swedes. Brief sketch of his Life.

Recentiou Of Nordensl30A ~ the
swedes. Brief sketch of his1afe.
The all absorbing theme in the Swedish
capital for the past few days has been the re-
ception of Nordenskjold on his return nom
his long and successful voyage Of discovery.
Weeks had been spent in costly psePnaf'ees
for the occasion, which has avakened nisn-
" enthusiastic interest in all sections OF the
kingdom. The Swedes have given Il uely
national importance. King, msgnates' om-
Gals and people have cordially united to
crown with laurels the daring navigator on
his arrival at Stockholm in the Vega on the
evening of the 24th inst Distinguished
honors had been paid him at Naples, Rome,
London. Paris and Copenhagen. and they
were determined not to be eclipsed In their
public attestations Of regard for their fellow
citizen who had won such brilliant renown BY
his scientific studies and his exploits - .
daring and sagacious navigator amid the ice
and perils of the polar seas, whom they re-
gard With pride and devoted esteem. The prep
arations for his reception were extensive and
elaborate and in the sequel highly successful.
The honors paid him in this regardwere even
more than royal. No monarch who has ever
visited this capital received such manifesto
lions of scenic magni6cence and popular en-
,husiasm. An elaborate bridge was con-
structed from the water line over the quay
and one of the principal business streets, to
the Rpyal Palace. On each side Of the broad
passage-way of the bridge were reared columns
of classic design, and midway was erected
an .sArch of Triumph" in BETTING style of
architecture. The landing from the Vega
was at the foot of the broad steps leading
from the waters edge over the bridge and
through the triumphal arch to the threshold
of the Palace, where the hero of the day was
received by the King in person attended by
his higher officials. He and his brave asso-
ciate, Polarder. were greeted with great
warmth of cordiality by the royal host amid
the discharge of cannon, . magnificent dis
play of fireworks, and the enthusiastic accla-
nation of a vast multitude of the citizens of
Stockholm and numerous other cities and
towns of the country. A fleet of one hun
dred and fifty steamers and steam launches
went out some thirty miles to meet him and
serve as an escort as his vessel came from
the Baltic, and as he approached the city, for
the distance of ten miles there was q contin-
uous chain of fireworks and illuminations, it
being in the evening. The chief buildings
of the city were brilliantly illuminated and
the broadly extended and long succession of
fireworks was surprisingly fine. More than
100000 persons were probably out
to witness the display and to share
in the common respect to the successful dis
coverer of the pathway through the polar seas
of the North. All classes and professions
seem to take equal interest in the brilliant
tokens of regard awarded him. For magnif
cence and completeness Of scenic effect, the.
display was never equalled in this city. On
the following evening, the 25th, the King
gave a dinner to Professor Nordenskjold's
honor in the chief hall of the Palace, called
the ''White Sea-" at which one hundred and
sixty persons were seated at the table, made
up of the representatives of the Foreign Le-
cations. principal government officials, men,
bers of the scientific bodies, and leading men
of business. During the present week there
is continuous round of feasts and ovations
to Nordenskjold and Polander, by the scien-
tific, commercial, and other associations.
The King takes special and indefatigable
personal interest In these Ovations. He ad
vanced literally Of his private funds towards
fitting out the Vega expedition, the remain
der of the expense being betrayed BY Mr..
Oscar Dixon, Of GOttenburg, wealthy
Swedish merchant, whose father was a native
Scotchman. This is the eighth expedition of
q similar character to which Mr.. Dixon has
been the larger financial contributor, and the
ninth on which Nordenskjold has been en-
gagged, and he is now only forty-eight years
of age. Like most men of signal merit, he
is very plain and unpretending in his general
manner and expression. He has q short,
compact frame, a massive head, visage of
iron in its general outlines, yet lighted up
with the real ideality of genius and written
all over with an indomitable resolution and
energy. He already begins to talk about an
other expedition in 1888.
These distinguishing honors to plain man
of science and the heroic navigator-what q
change do they indicate in the minds of men
within the last three or four centuries. Gal
ileo prosecuted and covered with obloquy and
neglect. Columbus returning from the new
world he had discovered, in chains. to SPAN
whose service he had so brilliantly illustrated
and whose dominion he had so vastly extend
ed. The men Of science and discovery, once
the humble servants of selfish and despotic
monarchs and beggars at the doors Of feudal
lords. are now applauded and respected by
intelligent millions Of people and receive the
homage Of kings and the plaudits of states
men. An astonishing and beneHcent revolu-
ton, but foretsste of greater things to
come. ar-- .st'- s@ - o.
This man thus honored and esteemed by
the Swedes,. is not native of this
country. Though now . Swedish cit
izen, ho was born in Finland, and,
until he was twenty-eight years of age
owed allegiance to the Gar of Russia, though
his father was Swede. For centuries Fin
land belonged to Sweden, and there are in
that country at this time 100000 Swedish
speaking people. The immediate mcestry of
Nordenskjold were persons Of learning and
intellectual distinction. His father, trained
to the law, gave up the profession, and full of
eager interest for natural philosophy, came
to Stockholm to study Chemistry and Miner
alogy, under the famous Berzelius. whose
chemical genius is known to the chemical
students of all lands. Afterwards the senior
Nordenskjold achieved distinction in the
Mining Board of Finland, and by extensive
travels over the mining districts of Europe.
Great energy and commanding talent for
philosophical and scientific Investigations
were united IN the Nordenskjold family.
Common to its principal members was the
passion for collection of minerals, plants and
chronological objects and specimens, Of which
they made and carefully maintained an ex-
tensive accumulation. Born At Helsingfers.
in November 1882, his childhood was sur
rounded by these treasures Of science and
under the stimulating influence of