Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-29

and dazzling in its sumptuous decorations
Of gold and colors. The seats had all been
removed, and the crowd surged to and fro,
though forsat least an hour it was most con-
cerned with the collation. which was set in
the corridors. We had been fasting q long
time, and the feeding OF such multitude
involved good deal Of confusion, but the
supply was choice and generous, and in
time we passed into the great hall between
lines Of girls dressed in the bright and
pretty Dalecarlian peasant costume, carry
ing baskets of flowers from which they gave
a bouquet to each visitor. Here there were
more speeches-the rector taking the lead,
and Schrader, OF Berlin, High Priest Modi,
and others speaking from the tribune. No
body paid very much attention to the
speeches, I regret to say, and from the
gallery nothing could be heard but
the confused murmur Of the seething
throng OF visitors and white-capped students;
introductions and meetings. eating, drink
ing, walking about were all going on. The
fact is the company was really too tired
physica lily to remain still long enough to
hear what was being said. There was in
slant silence. though, when the student
chorus gathered upon the platform. About
80 students formed semi-circle about their
leader and sang without notes some we'll
known
SWEDISH AIRS.
1t was the perfection of male-part singing;
faultless time and harmony and excellent
effects in shading, showed | ng and careful
training. The rich, effective bass vas notice
able, but was we'll balanced by the fine first
tenor voices. so scarce In our own student
choruses. We were not too tired to hear
them again and again, and then to call them
to the front hallway. where they rendered
some or Lassen's and Kjerulf's songs.
The university authorities showed us one
special favor which was perhaps the most
appreciated of all the arrangements for the
day, not the less so for having been decided
upon during the exercises as Sudden happy
thought From the library building was
brought over the small glass case contain
ing that priceless treasure to all students of
Teutonic languages, the Codex Argenteus,
or Silver Book, containing Ulfias' Gothic
version OF the gospel, made in the fourth
century. From this unique manuscript has
been recovered the Gothic language, which
lies at the very root Of Germanic compare
tive philology. It is written on leaves of
purple parchment in letters of silver and
gold, and is bound in heavy covers of silver,
whence its name. We had ample opportu-
nifty to inspect it closely, as it was puton the
table in the room Of the Consistorv, cham
ber where the furniture and decoration is
even richer than in the great hall. 1t was
late at night when we left, marching in
long procession downhill to the station,
through crowds which seemed even greater
than those which greeted our arrival, and
the windows along our way were lighted
with clusters o. candles.
The fete given at the Grand Hotel on
Tuesday night by the Count and Countess
Landberg was characterized by q lavish
display which was meant to be suggestive
OF Oriental magnifcence. The great ban
quoting balls and half dozen other apart
nents on the first floor were reserved icr the
purpose. A small army of servants was on
hand, lining the way from the street to the
parlor, all dressed in oriental costumes.
There was an immense crowd present, in
cluding the notables and court circles of
Stockholm in State array.
THE KING AND CROWN PRINCE
arrived at 9 o'clock. and were received with
much pomp and circumstance. Both wore
ordinary evening dress (except that they
had ON the blue sash and star of the Sera-
phi.h Order), and this costume seemed to
show their fine figures even better than mill
itary uniform. The decorations of the
rooms were most elaborate. At one end of
the banquet hall was life-sized
statue OF King Oscar, modelled for
the occasion, and representing him
crowned by an Egyptian genius, Then
there was an Egyptian drinking hall
provided with appropriate mural paintings
in mock lithographic style. There was
bowery ante-room filled with tropical plants,
in which were mingled colored incsndescent
lights and where punches OF hothouse grapes
were tied to real grape vines. An orchestra
PLAYED a long musical programme, and
there were even Oriental dances in costume,
and of course a sumptuous supper with a
great profusion OF wines. The royal party
had a small room to themselves, where
about 10 persons sat down to a regular sup
per, while the rest of US found supplies at
the tables in the other rooms, or were gra-
ciously permitted to stand at the door and
watch the royal group at their meal. When
the time came for the King to be driven away
the whole distance rom the hotel to the
palace was illuminated by red Bengal lights
set at short distances along the quay and
over the bridges, which were prettily re-
fectedin the water.
1 think it will be seen from these accounts
that the Orientalists are being treated to a
good ieal beside the dry details OF scientific
work 1t might aim Jst be said that every
effort is being made that the sessions of the
Congress shall interfere as little as possible
with the round of entertainments, which is
still at its height. On Thursday and Fri
day there were great fetes, the latter being
given by the citizens of Stockholm at the
suburban villa of Hasselbacken.
JAMES TAFT HATFIELD.