The Portland daily press., 1880-03-18


| bound northern limits obtained for him revo-
cation of exile. and the happy termination of
| this expedition, which had for its main object
the extension of Russian commerce and re-
sources, has honored the name which was Ia
| booed before.
When it was first announced that the Vega
would call at Naples on her way home it may
be believed that there were not half dozen
people here, outside the Swedish consulate
who knew what the Vega was or where she
had come from, but as soon as the authorities
heard that the principal cities of Europe had
stretched out their arms eagerly to welcome
the adventurous exploring party they opened
their eyes to the fact thai this was to be the
first European port OF call on the vessels re-
turn, that here perhaps some OF the scientific
men would land and pursue from hence their
journey across the continent by rail, and that
it was plain that Naples must show what Nea-
politans could do to give an imposing recep-
tion to their illustrious visitor.
The clubs took up the matter with spirit and
put before the Swedish consul no end of plans
of the most extraordinary nature, all of them
impracticable from the want of time and
means, for if report says truth, the Neapolitans
are always eager to make great show, pro-
vided the money spent is not their own!
However, the affair ended by programme
being drawn up which, though not satisfying
the extravagant ideas Of the greater number,
was in accordance with the consul's wishes.
At noon the long expected vessel was seen
coming into the bay between the island OF Ca
pfi and the point Of the promontory of Sorrento
lying purple and misty in the distance
The flag ship in the port Immediately fired
three guns at an interval OF half a minute, and
from the dockyards of Castellamare a steamer
all decked with flags ran tout to meet the Vega
with party of captains and naval men-old
fogies who remembered the day when steam
ers were thing unheard of, a-chimera of the
future, old battered sailors who had seen the
ships in the days of whale fishing returning
with treasure and who looked upon the Vega
as a wonder, as ship who sailed under so for
tunate star that even to touch her would
give good luck; and young men who were but
beginning their career in times so much more
favored by the silver car we call the Progress
of Civilization. And Professor Nordenschiold,
ever kind and conslderate, showed them over
his little craft
Then it steamed into the port and was sa-
luted by twenty-one guns-an honor few pri-
vate vessels have!
On shore, by the steps of the Rotonda or
landing-place the receiving committee had
erected pavilion on which the flag Of Sweden
and that of Italy blended prettily and formed
a sort oftrophy beside the huge dark anchors
lying about and the frowningicannons from the
forts around and above. The Mayor of Naples.
the Prefect of the Province, two or three Ad-
mirals, the Ministers of Sweden and Denmark
al Cn6 COurt OI hOII16 anu lQaQy Oh tn6 atIdC0eS
t. the legation, the Consul in Naples. members
of the Lower House representing the Italian
government, Prince Teano, the President of
| the Geographical Society of Italy, Commander
Sierra who was to decorate Professor Nordens-
chiold in the name of the King with the Order
of the Corona d'ItdliG as Grand Officer, and
many other men were waiting there to receive
the officers of the Vega. As these came on
shore the sailors Of the war vessels in the port
ran out on the yards and their hurrahs were
hoe hxrf fI,o oxvd hat 1ipa1 tha
Fiua Ia Vega, Fira la .Srezia Bore della
Marina Itdiidna' was heard everywhere.
Lieutenant Bore is an Italian, and chosen out
of fourteen competitors has bravely carried the
flag of his country beside that Of Sweden all
through the long and tedious Arctic voyage
That one of their own countrymen should be-
long to the Expedition, was in itself sufficient
honor to give the impetus to the welcome the
Neapolitans have organized.
panions were taken by the Snydic (or Lord
Mayor to the Hotel Royal des Etrangers in
the carriages OF the Municipality. Two thous-
and students from the university headed by
their banner were there and committee of
twelve Of them presented to Nordedschiold an
album containing some thousands of signatures
richly bound and ornamented, as greeting
and memento of their stay in Naples The
usual presentations then took place, and the
next evening grand banquet was given them,
presided by Count Guisso, the Snydic OF Ma
pies and attended by the consuls of the differ
ent countries and the representatives of the
scientific societies, the press, &c. There were
Snydic had on his right hand Professor Nor
denschi0ld and Commander Pallender on his
left the other officers of the Vega being seated
by the side of Italians according to rank.
The King of Italy had sent two wild boars
and quite a number OF pheasants from his
preserves to the committee organized for the
banquet, and the result was most successful,
| for the menu of the dinner promised good
| deal and the result came up to the expectations
| formed beforehand. Mr.. b. o. Duncan the
| United States consul in this city, was present.
| Speeches there were in abundance, but most of
| them sounded somewhat embarrassed, being in
| French, and people in general find it difficult
| to spout in any other language than their own.
translate one literally for the benefit of those
| fortunate beings who know nothing of Neapol-
| itan speeches 1t was pronounced in italian,
| and is but fair specimen Of the stretch Of lam
| guage and the superabundance of "howers Of
| speech" which are so often remarkable in the
! talk and conversation of the natives of South
Italy. The gentleman rose up and with a
majestic flourish of the hand said: ooh, In
| trepid Argonauts, greet you! and salute
| Professor Nordenschiold and Captain Pallen-
| der, your chiefs-all Of you who are returning
| to your native countries have merited the civic
| crowns that ancient Rome awarded to those
| who saved a citizens life! 1 salute you on this
| classic shore, frightened and beautified
| by the smile of God; in the coun-
cast down and trampled under foot and as
often rose up and blossoms again. On your
| glorious escutcheon Italy engrayes the words
of the Divine Dante: Pacqud che is prende,
| touch has never flowed before). and it will de-
scend from you to those who will call this era
most ancient Italy admires you and 1 hope
will initiate you. She endured Q heightened
and painful servitude, but is like the sunlight
| that passes over the mud and dirt of the earth
and yet remains forever clean and pure; and
| like star in occultation shines with double
lustre and light. Her exploring parties in
Africa and her expeditions by sea show that
| she has kept latent the fires Of Vesta. And
| thou, valient Nordenschi6ld, thou who receiv-
est the brilliant triumphs given only to in
| domitable constancy against the Wintry sea
and ice, will retake in thy strong hand the BAN
ner of scientific progress after the necessary
| rest that thou wilt know how to shorten, thou
| canst not disappear from the worlds eyes be-
| fore the sunsetting, for new triumphs await
| thee whose vision is already before me. To
| Lieutenant Bove / must say few words.
| When your expedition was on the point Of
| starting from GOttenburg and we were at the
banquet given by Dickson said to you're
| member that Italy has placed her honor in
| your hands, that you shall bear her flag by the
| side of the Swedish colors, and she requires of
you heroism, enthusiasm and possibly in an
| extreme case even the sacrifice of your life.
| You were chosen from amongst fourteen
| others; let it never be said the choice was
bad one! i saw tears in your eyes and your
| agitation was an omen of victory to come.
| Viua la Scezid Viva Giacomo Bove'
Professor Nordenschiold replied in short,
| well chosen words quite free from exaggera-
| ton. Others followed of no great importance.
| In the evening the officers of the Vega went to
| San Carlo, the opera house, which was illu-
| mined five times more than usual. When
| they entered the whole pit rose and clapped
| and applauded them vociferously. The fol-
| lowing days were occupied in taking excur-
sions to Pompeii-the city Of the Dead, to We
| suvius and to Bate.
| The Vega starts for Spain in day or two;
| she then goes to London and afterwards to
| Sweden.
| Whether this expedition will be of any use
| commercially speaking is needless to discuss.
| In sea which is only free from ice fields and
| icebergs for two months of the year one would
| think that commerce could scarcely be worth
| the risk of being blocked up for the remaining
! ten months, which would be synonymous to
| total destruction to the men on board, for it is
not every vessel that could be fitted out as the
| Vega has been. Professor Nordenschiold has
| the idea that the Russian ships of war might
| find safe refugein the Polar Sea when pursued
| by an enemy:-query? which is worse, to be
caught and nipped between ice foes or to be