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Letters from Cramer

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Cramer to July 30 . It was perhaps well that I could not continue in bed after 5 o’clock this morning, as I have had an opportunity of witnessing alone and undisturbed the loyal solicitude wherewith these unsophisticated subjects of King Christian IX mean to welcome him to-day. In every direction hands are busy removing from the not over-cleanly streets of Reykjavik whatever eyesores may possibly meet the casual glance of the sovereign. The gutters are cleaned out and the refuse removed to such a distance that pollution of the sweet air of the place is impossible. Flag-staffs are being arranged, now attached to the house-tops, now slantingly thrust out of open windows. The pier where His Majesty is to land is decorated with red cloth under foot, and festoons are hung on either side of it supported on poles, and terminating in what is meant to represent a gate of honor. The festoons are made of homely herbs, chiefly heather of various kinds, interspersed here and there with tiny Alpine flowers, which give a delicate relief to the heavy heather-bloom. Altogether, these festoons are very tastefully arranged and knit in quite an artistic manner. The gate of honor represents a canopy resting on bare wooden poles and terminating in a red cushion at the top supporting a crown. To the right of the pier is erected a stand for the fair sex, where, as they are not expected to cheer His Majesty, it being considered an unladylike proceeding, they are to wave him their welcome with white handkerchiefs. A watchman is already stationed on an eminence above Reykjavik at the so-called college-beacon, whose business is to give the signal when His Majesty is sighted for the ships in the harbor to decorate. The harbor itself presents an unusually festive appearance. There is a German man-of-war sent specially for the occasion; a Swedish, under the command of Admiral Lagerkrautz; a Norwegian, with a deputation on board of Norwegian students, littérateurs, and poets, the latter two sent by order of King Oscar of Sweden. Then there are two French men-of-war and a Danish gunboat, besides a goodly variety of other craft of various sizes. Shortly before 1 o’clock the Jylland passed through the assembled men-of-war, from the manned yards of which there re-echoed a loud and long hurrah. As soon as she had dropped anchor, August 20, 1874

From Cramer
To July 30 . It was perhaps well that I could not continue in bed after 5 o’clock this morning, as I have had an opportunity of witnessing alone and undisturbed the loyal solicitude wherewith these unsophisticated subjects of King Christian IX mean to welcome him to-day. In every direction hands are busy removing from the not over-cleanly streets of Reykjavik whatever eyesores may possibly meet the casual glance of the sovereign. The gutters are cleaned out and the refuse removed to such a distance that pollution of the sweet air of the place is impossible. Flag-staffs are being arranged, now attached to the house-tops, now slantingly thrust out of open windows. The pier where His Majesty is to land is decorated with red cloth under foot, and festoons are hung on either side of it supported on poles, and terminating in what is meant to represent a gate of honor. The festoons are made of homely herbs, chiefly heather of various kinds, interspersed here and there with tiny Alpine flowers, which give a delicate relief to the heavy heather-bloom. Altogether, these festoons are very tastefully arranged and knit in quite an artistic manner. The gate of honor represents a canopy resting on bare wooden poles and terminating in a red cushion at the top supporting a crown. To the right of the pier is erected a stand for the fair sex, where, as they are not expected to cheer His Majesty, it being considered an unladylike proceeding, they are to wave him their welcome with white handkerchiefs. A watchman is already stationed on an eminence above Reykjavik at the so-called college-beacon, whose business is to give the signal when His Majesty is sighted for the ships in the harbor to decorate. The harbor itself presents an unusually festive appearance. There is a German man-of-war sent specially for the occasion; a Swedish, under the command of Admiral Lagerkrautz; a Norwegian, with a deputation on board of Norwegian students, littérateurs, and poets, the latter two sent by order of King Oscar of Sweden. Then there are two French men-of-war and a Danish gunboat, besides a goodly variety of other craft of various sizes. Shortly before 1 o’clock the Jylland passed through the assembled men-of-war, from the manned yards of which there re-echoed a loud and long hurrah. As soon as she had dropped anchor
August 20, 1874

No. 191. Mr. Cramer to Mr. Fish. Legation of the United States, Copenhagen, August 20, 1874. (Received September 9.) No. 271.] Sir: I have the honor to send you, herewith…

19th CenturyDiplomacyReconstruction