Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-10-10

our days Reykjavik, the capital
II Iceland, can be reached from
Leith.
Yet such is the case, and perhaps
1t may be more surprising to learn
that during the summer months the
climate is mild and eQuable, although
the extreme northern part OF the
country is north of the arctic circle
says writer in the Dundee Courier.
Last year l spent four months In
this historical and romantic island,
the inhabitants Of which still keep to
their ancient customs In language.
dress and government.
The latter, although nominally Dan
ish. as the king of Denamrk has the
Veto have, since 1903, had their own
minister, who under the direction OF
a parliament which meets every two
years, looks after the affairs OF the
country. The crown has not yet once
exercised the right to dismiss OF
amend any of the bills passed by the
althing since the practically home
uIC bliI VI loOo wac pelSoS''
During my visit the one-hundredth
anniversary of the birth OF Jon Sigurds-
son, the great patriot who established
free trade with Hll nations in 1894.
was held, and the opportunity taken
to open the new university. Former
students had to study at Copenhagen
or other recognized universities, but
now they can take their degree In law,
medicine or divinity at Reykjavik.
The opening was very impressive
and picturesque, the whole town ana
countryside turning out in gala attire,
many coming from villages or lonely
farms forty to fifty miles distant on
their strong little ponies, which are
almost the only means OF travel
ing, as there are no railways IN the
country. A few had little carts decor
ated with shrubs ard artificial flowers.
After the ceremony, which took place
IN the parliament house (the unlver-
sity proper is In the parliament house,
but there are several classrooms IN
various parts of the town., the may
or made a short speech, after which
the band struck up the lcelandlc ma
tional anthem, very weird and dole
full tune.
Reyklavk an Up to Date Capital.
A procession was then formed.
headed by the band playing the Dan
ish national anthem, followed by
the foreign consuls, who were all In
uniforms, the town and county coun-
cilors, the decorated cars and little
girls and boys (the former all dressed
in white) carrying the national flag
came In the rear. The procession
then proceeded to the cemetery, where
q massive laurel wreath was placed
on Sigurdsson's grave, which is
marked by handsome monument.
The capital itself Is modern and
up to date. While | was there Dan
ish theatrical company performed In
the little theater. and an excellent
cinematograph entertainment was
held every night. where one might see
everything from the coronation pro-
cession to the Grand National.
One of the two large and comfort
able hotels boasts of excellent music
in the restaurant every evening, both
summer and winter.
The althing or parliament consists
of forty members, who represent the
10000 inhabitants on the island, of
which II 900 reside in Reykjavik.
It is not generally known that Ice
land and not Britain Is the mother Of
iparliaments In 929 representative
narl,ament was constituted, and It's
f,rst meeting was held at Thingvellir,
great sunken plane between two
lava riffs, with Thingvalla lake before
It and the gigantic Broadshield noun
tain looking down upon 1t.
Thingvellir, which is thirty-hve
miles distant from Reykjavik, has a
we,rd and indescribable beauty and
fascination Of its own. There are
many riffs and assures In the lava COW
vered plains, which make 1t danger
ous for strangers to roam without a
guide. Many of these riffs In the
lava rock are almost hidden by the
underground and an unwary step
might precipitate one forty feet into
ice cold water Of an unknown depth.
Quite close to the Inn and the par
sonage is the largest rift. In the cen
ter of this Is the Rock of Laws, which
is alnos. All island where nearly 1,O0o
years ago laws were made and 1udg