No. 592.
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Evarts.
Stockholm, April 27, 1880. (Received May 17.)
Sir: Perhaps it will not be deemed by the Secretary of State unfitting that I should communicate a condensed account of the reception given by the Swedish Government and people to Professor Nordenskjöld on his arrival in the Vega at Stockholm, the 24th. Having had distinguished honors paid him at Naples, Rome, Paris, London, and Copenhagen, the Swedes did not mean to be eclipsed in their public attestations of regard for their fellow-citizen who had won such distinguished renown by his scientific studies and exploits as a daring and sagacious navigator, whom they regard with great esteem and pride. The preparations to receive him were extensive and elaborate, and in the sequel highly successful. The honors paid him in this regard were more than equal those given any monarch that ever visited the capital. An elaborate bridge was constructed from the quay over a broad area and a principal business street to the royal palace, at midway of which was an “arch of triumph” in a befitting style of architecture. The landing from the Vega was at the foot of the broad steps leading from the water’s edge to the bridge, through the triumphal arch, to the threshold of the palace, where the hero of the day was received by the King in person, attended by his highest officials.
A fleet of 150 steamers and steam launches went out some 30 miles to meet and escort him as his vessel came in from the Baltic, and approaching the city for the distance of 10 miles there was a continuous chain of fire-works and illuminations, it being evening. The chief buildings of the city were brilliantly illuminated and the long succession of fire-works was surpassingly fine. More than 100,000 persons were probably out to witness the display and to share in the common respect to the successful navigator and discoverer. All classes and professions seem to take equal interest in the brilliant tokens awarded him. For magnificence and completeness of scenic effect the display was never equaled in Stockholm.
On the following evening, .the 25th, the King gave a dinner to his honor in the chief hall of the palace, at which 160 persons were at the table, made up of the members of the foreign legations, chief government officials, members of the scientific bodies, and leading men of business. [Page 937] During the present week there is a continuous round of feasts and ovations to Nordenskjöld and Palander, by the scientific, commercial, and other associations. The King takes a special and indefatigable personal interest in these ovations. He advanced liberally of his private funds towards fitting out the Vega expedition, the remainder of the expense being paid by Mr. Oscar Dixon, of Gottenborg, a wealthy Swedish merchant, whose father was a native of Scotland. This is the eighth expedition of a similar character to which Mr. Dixon has been the larger financial contributor, and the ninth in which Nordenskjöld has been engaged, and he is now only forty-eight years of age. Like most men of signal merit, he is very plain and unpretending in his manner and general expression. A short, compact, vigorous frame, a massive head, a visage of iron in its general outlines, yet lighted up with the real idealty of genius, and written all over with indomitable resolution and energy. He already begins to talk about another expedition in 1883.
I have, &c.,