ing the hope that his majesty's visit to Iceland might be one which coming generations would cherish. While the people of Iceland must regret the address went on-that his majesty's eye should rest everywhere upon the results of the Danish government of past ages-poverty and misery-it was a matter of congratulation for ruler and ruled that there lingered still, despite long troubles and severe trials, in the heart of the nation, the old manhood and endurance. The Icelandic nation had never been so determined as now, when the rays of the general civilization of the world had begun to dawn upon the people by their more free and frequent intercourse with other countries, to assert its right to an Icelandic national existence, the ideal purpose of which should be the steady development of the people in every direction, intellectual and material.” Having been favoured with an old copy of the Times, I find that as the king rode away at the conclusion of the national meeting, "nearly the whole of the assembled crowds of Thingvalla ranged themselves on both sides of the road, in order to give His Majesty one more farewell cheer." It is very gratifying to an English mind, considering the tender relationship of His Majesty to our Princess of Wales, to hear that "with truth Iceland never saw a more welcome guest; his dignified bearing, his ready affability and wonderfully winning manners and unassuming simplicity, are qualities which have won for him the whole heart of the people." Amid the demonstrations of affection to King Christian IX., “ close to the road on the left, a little in front of the spot where his majesty was to stop to listen to the address of welcome, were stationed twenty-four young maidens in Icelandic dress," like priestesses of old, "with flowers ready to strew in His Majesty's path as soon as he should move on after the greeting." Among the ships of different nations in the harbour of Reikjavik that had 66 come to do honour to the occasion, was a manof-war from Norway, the mother country, "with a deputation on board of Norwegian students, litérateurs and poets, the latter sent by order of King Oscar of Sweden." To represent this European power there is a consul, as popular as he is well known, Mr. Siemsen; there being also a consul for the French, and a consul for the Dutch, all three resident in Reikjavik. But to represent English interests there is no resident authority, while the number of British vessels employed in fishing round this coast, to mention but one kind of trade here carried on, makes that to be a want often felt; and at many places with which England has far less to do than Reikjavik, there is an English consul. It was remarked on the occasion of the late festival, that England, the nearest neighbour to Iceland, had sent no ship, while France, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, each sent one ship at least; moreover, to represent each of these powers, there is now E a resident authority; England continues to withhold acknowledgment from a constitutional entity of political Europe, increasing in commerce, prosperity and power day by day, while the alliance of royalty with Denmark only makes that omission all the more extraordinary. When the late administration, indifferent to foreign policy, omitted, with great want of attention, to send even a single ship to represent England at the coronation of His Majesty King Oscar II. in Stockholm, they had the wisdom, on discovering the mistake, to send not only five men-of-war to the coronation afterwards at Trondhjem, albeit secondary in importance, but also a Prince of the blood, whose presence atoned quickly for the error. May we not in this case hope the present government will make up for an omission by appointing some one to represent us, will amend this piece of foreign policy, and discontinue the anomaly of there being no resident authority, without any more delay ? |