第4章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"A Visit to Iceland",免费读到尾

  Inwinterthepeasantsoftencomewithshovels,pickaxes,andhorsestofetchthedoctor。Theythengobeforehim,andhastilyrepairtheworstpartoftheroad;whilethedoctorridessometimesononehorse,sometimesonanother,thattheymaynotsinkunderthefatigue。Andthustheprocessiontravelsformany,manymiles,throughnightandfog,throughstormandsnow,foronthedoctor\'spromptitudelifeanddeathoftenhang。Whenhethenreturns,quitebenumbed,andhalfdeadwithcold,tothebosomofhisfamily,intheexpectationofrestandrefreshment,andtorejoicewithhisfriendsoverthedangersandhardshipshehasescaped,thepoordoctorisfrequentlycompelledtosetoffatonceonanewandimportantjourney,beforehehasevenhadtimetogreetthedearonesathome。

  Sometimesheissentforbysea,wherethedangerisstillgreateronthestorm-tostelement。

  Thoughthesalaryofthemedicalmenisnotatallproportionatetothehardshipstheyarecalledupontoundergo,itisstillfarbetterthanthatofthepriests。

  Thesmallestlivingsbringinsixtoeightflorinsannually,therichest200florins。Besidesthis,thegovernmentsuppliesforeachpriestahouse,oftennotmuchbetterthanapeasant\'scottage,afewmeadows,andsomecattle。Thepeasantsarealsorequiredtogivecertainsmallcontributionsinthewayofhay,wool,fish,&c。

  Thegreaternumberofpriestsaresopoor,thattheyandtheirfamiliesdressexactlylikethepeasants,fromwhomtheycanscarcelybedistinguished。Theclergyman\'swifelooksafterthecattle,andmilkscowsandeweslikeamaid-servant;whileherhusbandproceedstothemeadow,andmowsthegrasswiththelabourer。Theintercourseofthepastoriswhollyconfinedtothesocietyofpeasants;andthisconstitutesthechiefelementofthat\"patriarchallife\"whichsomanytravellersdescribeascharming。I

  shouldliketoknowwhichofthemwouldwishtoleadsuchalife!

  Thepoorpriesthas,besides,frequentlytoofficiateintwo,three,orevenfourdistricts,distantfromfourtotwelvemilesfromhisresidence。EverySundayhemustdodutyatoneorotherofthesedistricts,takingtheminturn,sothatdivineserviceisonlyperformedateachplaceonceineverythreeorfourweeks。Thejourneysofthepriest,however,arenotconsideredquitesonecessaryasthoseofthedoctor;foriftheweatherisverybadonSundays,particularlyduringthewinter,hecanomitvisitingthemostdistantplaces。Thisisdonethemorereadily,asbutfewofthepeasantswouldbeatchurch;allwholivedatadistanceremainingathome。

  TheSysselmannanofficersimilartothatofthesheriffofacountyisthebestoff。Hehasagoodsalarywithlittletodo,andinsomeplacesenjoysinadditionthe\"strand-right,\"whichisattimesnoinconsiderableprivilege,fromthequantityofdrifttimberwashedashorefromtheAmericancontinent。

  Fishingandthechaseareopentoall,withtheexceptionofthesalmon-fisheriesintherivers;thesearefarmedbythegovernment。

  Eider-duckswaynotbeshot,underpenaltyofafine。Thereisnomilitaryservice,forthroughoutthewholeislandnosoldiersarerequired。EvenReikjavikitselfboastsonlytwopolice-officers。

  Commerceisalsofree;buttheislanderspossesssolittlecommercialspirit,thateveniftheyhadthenecessarycapital,theywouldneverembarkinspeculation。

  ThewholecommerceofIcelandthusliesinthehandsofDanishmerchants,whosendtheirshipstotheislandeveryyear,andhaveestablishedfactoriesinthedifferentportswheretheretailtradeiscarriedon。

  TheseshipsbringeverythingtoIceland,corn,wood,wines,manufacturedgoods,andcolonialproduce,&c。Theimportsarefree,foritwouldnotpaythegovernmenttoestablishoffices,andgiveservantssalariestocollectdutiesuponthesmallamountofproducerequiredfortheisland。Wine,andinfactallcolonialproduce,arethereforemuchcheaperthaninothercountries。

  Theexportsconsistoffish,particularlysaltedcod,fish-roe,tallow,train-oil,eider-down,andfeathersofotherbirds,almostequaltoeider-downinsoftness,sheep\'swool,andpickledorsaltedlamb。Withtheexceptionofthearticlesjustenumerated,theIcelanderspossessnothing;thirteenyearsago,whenHerrKnudsonestablishedabakehouse,{31}hewascompelledtobringfromCopenhagen,notonlythebuilder,buteventhematerialsforbuilding,stones,lime,&c。;foralthoughtheislandaboundswithmassesofstone,therearenonewhichcanbeusedforbuildinganoven,orwhichcanbeburntintolime:everythingisoflava。

  Twoorthreecottagessituatedneareachotherareheredignifiedbythenameofa\"place。\"Theseplaces,aswellastheseparatecottages,aremostlybuiltonlittleacclivities,surroundedbymeadows。Themeadowsareoftenfencedinwithwallsofstoneorearth,twoorthreefeetinheight,topreventthecows,sheep,andhorsesfromtrespassinguponthemtograze。Thegrassofthesemeadowsismadeintohay,andlaidupasawinterprovisionforthecows。

  Ididnothearmanycomplaintsoftheseverityofthecoldinwinter;thetemperatureseldomsinkstotwentydegreesbelowzero;

  theseaissometimesfrozen,butonlyafewfeetfromtheshore。

  Thesnowstormsandtempests,however,areoftensoviolent,thatitisalmostimpossibletoleavethehouse。Daylightlastsonlyforfiveorsixhours,andtosupplyitsplacethepoorIcelandershaveonlythenorthernlight,whichissaidtoilluminethelongnightswithabrilliancytrulymarvellous。

  ThesummerIpassedinIcelandwasoneofthefinesttheinhabitantshadknownforyears。DuringthemonthofJunethethermometeroftenroseatnoontotwentydegrees。Theinhabitantsfoundthisheatsoinsupportable,thattheycomplainedofbeingunabletoworkortogoonmessagesduringtheday-time。Onsuchwarmdaystheywouldonlybegintheirhay-makingintheevening,andcontinuedtheirworkhalfthenight。

  Thechangesintheweatherareveryremarkable。Twentydegreesofheatononedaywouldbefollowedbyrainonthenext,withatemperatureofonlyfivedegrees;andonthe5thofJune,ateighto\'clockinthemorning,thethermometerstoodatonedegreebelowzero。ItisalsocuriousthatthunderstormshappeninIcelandinwinter,andaresaidnevertooccurduringthesummer。

  Fromthe16thor18thofJunetotheendofthemonththereisnonight。Thesunappearsonlytoretireforashorttimebehindamountain,andformssunsetandmorning-dawnatthesametime。Asononesidethelastbeamfadesaway,theorbofdayre-appearsattheoppositeonewithredoubledsplendour。

  DuringmystayinIceland,fromthe15thofMaytothe29thofJuly,Ineverretiredtorestbeforeeleveno\'clockatnight,andneverrequiredacandle。InMay,andalsointhelatterportionofthemonthofJuly,therewastwilightforanhourortwo,butitneverbecamequitedark。Evenduringthelastdaysofmystay,Icouldreaduntilhalf-pastteno\'clock。Atfirstitappearedstrangetometogotobedinbroaddaylight;butIsoonaccustomedmyselftoit,andwheneleveno\'clockcame,nosunlightwaspowerfulenoughtocheatmeofmysleep。Ifoundmuchpleasureinwalkingatnight,atpastteno\'clock,notinthepalemoonshine,butinthebroadblazeofthesun。

  Itwasamuchmoredifficulttasktoaccustommyselftothediet。

  Thebaker\'swifewasfullycompetenttosuperintendthecookingaccordingtotheDanishandIcelandicschoolsoftheart;butunfortunatelythesemodesofcookerydifferwidelyfromours。Onethingonlywasgood,themorningcupofcoffeewithcream,withwhichthemostaccomplishedgourmandcouldhavefoundnofault:

  sincemydeparturefromIcelandIhavenotfoundsuchcoffee。I

  couldhavewishedforsomeofmydearViennesefriendstobreakfastwithme。Thecreamwassothick,thatIatfirstthoughtmyhostesshadmisunderstoodme,andbroughtmecurds。ThebuttermadefromthemilkofIcelandiccowsandewesdidnotlookveryinviting,andwasaswhiteaslard,butthetastewasgood。TheIcelanders,however,findthetastenotsufficiently\"piquant,\"andgenerallyqualifyitwithtrain-oil。Altogether,train-oilplaysaveryprominentpartintheIcelandickitchen;thepeasantconsidersitamostdeliciousarticle,andthinksnothingofdevouringaquantityofitwithoutbread,orindeedanythingelse。{32}

  Ididnotatallrelishthedietatdinner;thismealconsistedoftwodishes,namely,boiledfish,withvinegarandmeltedbutterinsteadofoil,andboiledpotatoes。UnfortunatelyIamnoadmireroffish,andnowthiswasmydailyfood。Ah,howIlongedforbeef-

  soup,apieceofmeat,andvegetables,invain!AslongasI

  remainedinIceland,IwascompelledquitetogiveupmyGermansystemofdiet。

  AfteratimeIgotonwellenoughwiththeboiledfishandpotatoes,butIcouldnotmanagethedelicaciesoftheisland。WorthyMadameBernhoft,itwassokindlymeantonherpart;anditwassurelynotherfaultthatthesystemofcookeryinIcelandisdifferentfromours;butIcouldnotbringmyselftoliketheIcelandicdelicacies。

  Theywereofdifferentkinds,consistingsometimesoffishes,hard-

  boiledeggs,andpotatoeschoppeduptogether,coveredwithathickbrownsauce,andseasonedwithpepper,sugar,andvinegar;atothers,ofpotatoesbakedinbutterandsugar。Anotherdelicacywascabbagechoppedverysmall,renderedverythinbytheadditionofwater,andsweetenedwithsugar;theaccompanyingdishwasapieceofcuredlamb,whichhadaveryunpleasant\"pickled\"flavour。

  OnSundayswesometimeshad\"ProtheGrutze,\"properlyaScandinaviandish,composedoffinesagoboiledtoajelly,withcurrant-juiceorredwine,andeatenwithcreamorsugar。Tapfen,akindofsoftcheese,isalsosometimeseatenwithcreamandsugar。

  InthemonthsofJuneandJulythedietimprovedmaterially。Wecouldoftenprocuresplendidsalmon,sometimesroastlamb,andnowandthenbirds,amongwhichlatterdaintiesthesnipeswereparticularlygood。Intheeveningcamebutter,cheese,coldfish,smokedlamb,andeggsofeider-ducks,whicharecoarserthanhen\'seggs。IntimeIbecamesoaccustomedtothiskindoffood,thatI

  nolongermissedeithersouporbeef,andfeltuncommonlywell。

  Mydrinkwasalwaysclearfreshwater;thegentlemenbegantheirdinnerwithasmallglassofbrandy,andduringthemealalldrankbeerofHerrBernhoft\'sownbrewing,whichwasverygood。OnSundays,abottleofportorBordeauxsometimesmadeitsappearanceatourtable;andaswefaredatHerrBernhoft\'s,soitwasthecustominthehousesofallthemerchantsandofficials。

  AtReikjavikIhadanopportunityofwitnessingagreatreligiousceremony。Threecandidatesoftheologywereraisedtotheministerialoffice。ThoughthewholecommunityhereisLutheran,theceremoniesdifferinmanyrespectsfromthoseofthecontinentofEurope,andIwillthereforegiveashortsketchofwhatIsaw。

  Thesolemnitybeganatnoon,andlastedtillfouro\'clock。I

  noticedatoncethatallthepeoplecoveredtheirfacesforamomentonenteringthechurch,themenwiththeirhats,andthewomenwiththeirhandkerchiefs。Mostofthecongregationsatwiththeirfacesturnedtowardsthealtar;butthisrulehaditsexceptions。Thevestmentsofthepriestswerethesameasthosewornbyourclergymen,andthecommencementoftheservicealsocloselyresembledtheritualofourownChurch;butsoonthisresemblanceceased。Thebishopsteppeduptothealtarwiththecandidates,andperformedcertainceremonies;thenonewouldmountthepulpitandreadpartofasermon,orsingapsalm,whiletheotherclergymensatroundonchairs,andappearedtolisten;thenasecondandathirdascendedthepulpit,andafterwardsanothersermonwaspreachedfromthealtar,andanotherpsalmsung;thenasermonwasagainreadfromthepulpit。Whileceremonieswereperformedatthealtar,thesacerdotalgarmentswereoftenputonandtakenoffagain。Ifrequentlythoughttheservicewascomingtoaclose,butitalwaysbeganafresh,andlasted,asIsaidbefore,untilfouro\'clock。Thenumberofformssurprisedmegreatly,astheritualoftheLutheranChurchisingeneralexceedinglysimple。

  Onthisoccasionaconsiderablenumberofthecountrypeoplewereassembled,andIhadthusagoodopportunityofnoticingtheircostumes。Thedresseswornbythewomenandgirlsareallmadeofcoarseblackwoollenstuffs。Thedressconsistsofalongskirt,aspencer,andacolouredapron。Ontheirheadstheywearaman\'snightcapofblackcloth,thepointturneddownwards,andterminatinginalargetasselofwoolorsilk,whichhangsdowntotheshoulder。

  Theirhairisunbound,andreachesonlytotheshoulder:someofthewomenwearitslightlycurled。Iinvoluntarilythoughtofthepoeticaldescriptionsofthenorthernromancers,whogrowenthusiasticinpraiseofideal\"angels\'headswithgoldentresses。\"

  Thehairiscertainlyworninthismannerhere,andourpoetsmayhaveborrowedtheirdescriptionsfromtheScandinavians。Butthebeautifulfaceswhicharesaidtobeamforthfromamongthosegoldenlocksexistonlyinthepoet\'svividimagination。

  Ornamentaladditionstothecostumeareveryrare。InthewholeassemblyIonlynoticedfourwomenwhoweredresseddifferentlyfromtheothers。Thecordswhichfastenedtheirspencers,andalsotheirgirdles,wereornamentedwithagarlandworkedinsilverthread。

  Theirskirtswereoffineblackcloth,anddecoratedwithaborderofcolouredsilkafewinchesbroad。Roundtheirneckstheyworeakindofstiffcollarofblackvelvetwithaborderofsilverthread,andontheirheadsablacksilkhandkerchiefwithaverystrangeaddition。Thisappendageconsistedofahalf-moonfastenedtothebackofthehead,andextendingfiveorsixinchesabovetheforehead。Itwascoveredwithwhitelawnarrangedinfolds;itsbreadthatthebackoftheheaddidnotexceedaninchandahalf,butinfrontitwidenedtofiveorsixinches。

  Themen,Ifound,wereclothedalmostlikeourpeasants。Theyworesmall-clothesofdarkcloth,jacketsandwaistcoats,felthats,orfurcaps;andinsteadofbootsakindofshoeofox-hide,sheep,orseal-skin,boundtothefeetbyaleatherstrap。Thewomen,andeventhechildrenoftheofficials,allwearshoesofthisdescription。

  ItwasveryseldomthatImetpeoplesowretchedlyandpoorlycladaswefindthembuttooofteninthelargecontinentaltowns。I

  neversawanyonewithoutgoodwarmshoesandstockings。

  Thebetterclasses,suchasmerchants,officials,&c。aredressedintheFrenchstyle,andratherfashionably。Thereisnolackofsilkandothercostlystuffs。SomeofthesearebroughtfromEngland,butthegreaterpartcomefromDenmark。

  Ontheking\'sbirthday,whichiskepteveryyearatthehouseoftheStiftsamtmann,thefestivitiesaresaidtobeverygrand;onthisoccasionthematronsappeararrayedinsilk,andthemaidensinwhitejaconet;theroomsarelightedwithwaxtapers。

  SomespeculativegeniusorotherhasalsoestablishedasortofclubinReikjavik。Hehas,namely,hiredacoupleofrooms,wherethetownspeoplemeetofaneveningtodiscuss\"tea-water,\"breadandbutter,andsometimesevenabottleofwineorabowlofpunch。Inwintertheproprietorgivesballsintheseapartments,charging20

  kr。foreachticketofadmission。Herethetowngrandeesandthehandicraftsmen,infactallwhochoosetocome,assemble;andtheballissaidtobeconductedinaveryrepublicanspirit。TheshoemakerleadsforththewifeoftheStiftsamtmanntothedance,whilethatofficialhimselfhasperhapschosenthewifeordaughteroftheshoemakerorbakerforhispartner。Therefreshmentsconsistof\"tea-water\"andbreadandbutter,andtheroomislightedwithtallowcandles。Themusic,consistingofakindofthree-stringedviolinandapipe,issaidtobeexquisitelyhorrible。

  Insummerthedignitariesmakefrequentexcursionsonhorse-back;

  andontheseoccasionsgreatcareistakenthattherebenolackofprovisions。Commonlyeachpersoncontributesashare:somebringwine,otherscake;others,again,coffee,andsoon。TheladiesusefineEnglishside-saddles,andwearelegantriding-habits,andprettyfelthatswithgreenveils。Thesejaunts,however,areconfinedtoReikjavik;for,asIhavealreadyobserved,thereis,withtheexceptionofthistown,noplaceinIcelandcontainingmorethantwoorthreestoresandsomehalf-dozencottages。

  Tomygreatsurprise,Ifoundnolessthansixsquarepiano-fortesbelongingtodifferentfamiliesinReikjavik,andheardwaltzesbyourfavouritecomposers,besidesvariationsofHerz,andsomepiecesofLiszt,Wilmers,andThalberg。Butsuchplaying!Idonotthinkthatthesetalentedcomposerswouldhaverecognisedtheirownworks。

  Inconclusion,Imustofferafewremarksrelativetothetravellinginthiscountry。

  ThebesttimetochooseforthispurposeisfromthemiddleofJunetotheendofAugustatlatest。UntilJunetheriversaresoswollenandturbulent,byreasonofthemeltingsnows,astorenderitverydangeroustoridethroughthem。Thetravellermustalsopassovermanyafieldofsnownotyetmeltedbythesun,andfrequentlyconcealingchasmsandmassesoflava;andthisisattendedwithdangeralmostasgreat。Ateveryfootstepthetravellersinksintothesnow;andhemaythankhisluckystarsifthewholerottensurfacedoesnotgiveway。InSeptembertheviolentstormsofwindandraincommence,andheavyfallsofsnowmaybeexpectedfromdaytoday。

  Atent,provisions,cookingutensils,pillows,bed-clothes,andwarmgarments,arehighlynecessaryforthewayfarer\'scomfort。Thisparaphernaliawouldhavebeentooexpensiveformetobuy,andIwasunprovidedwithanythingofthekind;consequentlyIwasforcedtoendurethemostdreadfulhardshipsandtoil,andwasfrequentlyobligedtorideanimmensedistancetoreachalittlechurchoracottage,whichwouldaffordmeshelterforthenight。Mysolefoodforeightortendaystogetherwasoftenbreadandcheese;andI

  generallypassedthenightuponachestorabench,wherethecoldwouldoftenpreventmyclosingmyeyesallnight。

  Itisadvisabletobeprovidedwithawaterproofcloakandasailor\'starpaulinhat,asadefenceagainsttherain,whichfrequentlyfalls。Anumbrellawouldbetotallyuseless,astherainisgenerallyaccompaniedbyastorm,or,atanyrate,byastrongwind;whenweaddtothis,thatitisnecessaryinsomeplacestoridequickly,itwilleasilybeseenthatholdinganumbrellaopenisathingnottobethoughtof。

  AltogetherIfoundthetravellinginthiscountryattendedwithfarmorehardshipthanintheEast。Formypart,Ifoundthedreadfulstormsofwind,thepiercingair,thefrequentrain,andthecold,muchlessendurablethantheOrientalheat,whichnevergavemeeithercrackedlipsorcausedscalestoappearonmyface。InIcelandmylipsbegantobleedonthefifthday;andafterwardstheskincameoffmyfaceinscales,asifIhadhadthescrofula。

  Anothersourceofgreatdiscomfortistobefoundinthelongriding-habit。Itisrequisitetobeverywarmlyclad;andtheheavyskirts,oftendrippingwithrain,coilthemselvesroundthefeetofthewearerinsuchamanner,astorenderherexceedinglyawkwardeitherinmountingordismounting。Theworsthardshipofall,however,isthebeingobligedtohalttorestthehorsesinameadowduringtherain。Thelongskirtssuckupthewaterfromthedampgrass,andthewearerhasoftenliterallynotadrystitchinallhergarments。

  Heatandcoldappearinthiscountrytoaffectstrangersinaremarkabledegree。Thecoldseemedtomemorepiercing,andtheheatmoreoppressiveinIceland,thanwhenthethermometerstoodatthesamepointsinmynativeland。

  Insummertheroadsaremarvellouslygood,sothatonecangenerallyrideataprettyquickpace。Theyare,however,impracticableforvehicles,partlybecausetheyaretoonarrow,andpartlyalsoonaccountofsomeverybadplaceswhichmustoccasionallybeencountered。Onthewholeislandnotasinglecarriageistobefound。

  Theroadisonlydangerouswhenitleadsthroughswampsandmoors,oroverfieldsoflava。Amongthesefields,suchasarecoveredwithwhitemossarepeculiarlytobefeared,forthemossfrequentlyconcealsverydangerousholes,intowhichthehorsecaneasilystumble。Inascendinganddescendingthehillsveryformidablespotssometimesopposethetraveller\'sprogress。Theroadisattimessohiddenamongswampsandbogs,thatnotatraceofitistobedistinguished,andIcouldonlywonderhowmyguidealwayssucceededinregainingtherightpath。Onecouldalmostsupposethatonthesedangerouspathsbothhorseandmanareguidedbyakindofinstinct。

  TravellingismoreexpensiveinIcelandthananywhereelse,particularlywhenonepersontravelsalone,andmustbearalltheexpenseofthebaggage,theguide,ferries,&c。Horsesarenotletoutonhire,theymustbebought。Theyare,however,verycheap;apack-horsecostsfromeighteentotwenty-fourflorins,andariding-

  horsefromfortytofiftyflorins。Totravelwithanyideaofcomfortitisnecessarytohaveseveralpack-horses,fortheymustnotbeheavilyladen;andanadditionalservantmustlikewisebehired,astheguideonlylooksafterthesaddle-horses,and,atmost,oneortwoofthepack-horses。Ifthetraveller,attheconclusionofthejourney,wishestosellthehorses,suchawretchedlylowpriceisoffered,thatitisjustaswelltogivethemawayatonce。Thisisaproofofthefactthatmenareeverywherealikereadytofollowuptheiradvantage。Thesepeoplearewellawarethatthehorsesmustbeleftbehindatanyrate,andthereforetheywillnotbidforthem。ImustconfessthatIfoundthecharacteroftheIcelandersineveryrespectbelowtheestimateIhadpreviouslyformedofit,andstillfurtherbelowthestandardgiveninbooks。

  Inspiteoftheirscantyfood,theIcelandichorseshaveamarvellouspowerofendurance;theycanoftentravelfromthirty-

  fivetofortymilesperdiemforseveralconsecutivedays。Buttheonlydifficultyistokeepthehorsemoving。TheIcelandershaveahabitofcontinuallykickingtheirheelsagainstthepoorbeast\'ssides;andthehorseatlastgetssoaccustomedtothismodeoftreatment,thatitwillhardlygoifthestimulusbediscontinued。

  Inpassingthebadpiecesofroaditisnecessarytokeepthebridletightinhand,orthehorsewillstumblefrequently。Thisandthecontinualurgingforwardofthehorserenderridingveryfatiguing。

  {33}

  Notalittleconsiderationiscertainlyrequiredbeforeundertakingajourneyintothefarnorth;butnothingfrightenedme,——andeveninthemidstofthegreatestdangersandhardshipsIdidnotforonemomentregretmyundertaking,andwouldnothaverelinquisheditunderanyconsideration。

  ImadeexcursionstoeverypartofIceland,andamthusenabledtoplacebeforemyreaders,inregularorder,thechiefcuriositiesofthisremarkablecountry。IwillcommencewiththeimmediateneighbourhoodofReikjavik。

  CHAPTERIV

  May25th。

  StiftsamtmannvonH-wastodaykindenoughtopaymeavisit,andtoinvitemetojoinhispartyforaridetothegreatlakeVatne。I

  gladlyacceptedtheinvitation,for,accordingtothedescriptiongivenbytheStiftsamtmann,IhopedtobeholdaveryEden,andrejoicedattheprospectofobservingtherecreationsofthehigherclasses,andatthesametimegainingmanyacquisitionsinspecimensofplants,butterflies,andbeetles。IresolvedalsototestthecapabilitiesoftheIcelandichorsesmorethoroughlythanIhadbeenabletododuringmyfirstridefromHavenfiordtoReikjavik,asI

  hadbeenobligedonthatoccasiontorideatafoot-pace,onaccountofmyoldguide。

  Thehourofstartingwasfixedfortwoo\'clock。AccustomedasIamtostrictpunctuality,Iwasreadylongbeforetheappointedtime,andattwoo\'clockwasabouttohastentotheplaceofrendezvous,whenmyhostessinformedmeIhadplentyoftime,forHerrvonH-

  wasstillatdinner。Insteadofmeetingattwoo\'clock,wedidnotassembleuntilthree,andeventhenanotherquarterofanhourelapsedbeforethecavalcadestarted。Oh,Syriannotionsofpunctualityanddispatch!Here,almostattheveryantipodes,didI

  oncemoregreetye。

  Thepartyconsistedofthenobilityandthetowndignitaries。AmongtheformerclassmaybereckonedStiftsamtmannvonH-andhislady;

  aprivycouncillor,HerrvonB-,whohadbeensentfromCopenhagentoattendthe\"Allthing\"politicalassembly;andaDanishbaron,whohadaccompaniedthecouncillor。Inoticedamongthetowndignitariesthedaughterandwifeoftheapothecary,andthedaughtersofsomemerchantsresidenthere。

  Ourroadlaythroughfieldsoflava,swamps,andverypoorgrassypatches,inagreatvalley,swellinghereandthereintogentleacclivities,andshutinonthreesidesbyseveralrowsofmountains,toweringupwardsinthemostdiversifiedshapes。Inthefardistanceroseseveraljokulsorglaciers,seemingtolookproudlydownuponthemountains,asthoughtheyasked,\"Whywouldyedrawmen\'seyesuponyou,whereweglisteninoursilversheen?\"IntheseasonoftheyearatwhichIbeheldthem,theglacierswerestillverybeautiful;notonlytheirsummits,buttheirentiresurface,asfarasvisible,beingcoveredwithsnow。Thefourthsideofthevalleythroughwhichwetravelledwaswashedbytheocean,whichmeltedasitwereintothehorizoninimmeasurabledistance。Thecoastwasdottedwithsmallbays,havingtheappearanceofsomanylakes。

  Astheroadwasgood,wecouldgenerallyrideforwardatabriskpace。Occasionally,however,wemetwithsmalltractsonwhichtheIcelandichorsecouldexerciseitssagacityandaddress。Myhorsewascarefulandfreefromvice;itcarriedmesecurelyovermassesofstoneandchasmsintherocks,butIcannotdescribethesufferingitstrotcausedme。Itissaidthatridingismostbeneficialtothosewhosufferfromliver-complaints。Thismaybethecase;butIshouldsupposethatanyonewhorodeuponanIcelandichorse,withanIcelandicside-saddle,everydayforthespaceoffourweeks,wouldfind,attheexpirationofthattime,herlivershakentoapulp,andnopartofitremaining。

  AlltherestofthepartyhadgoodEnglishsaddles,minealonewasofIcelandicorigin。Itconsistedofachair,withaboardfortheback。Theriderwasobligedtositcrookeduponthehorse,anditwasimpossibletokeepafirmseat。WithmuchdifficultyItrottedaftertheothers,formyhorsewouldnotbeinducedtobreakintoagallop。

  Atlength,afterarideofanhourandahalf,wereachedavalley。

  InthemidstofatolerablygreenmeadowIdescriedwhatwas,forIceland,afarmofconsiderabledimensions,andnotfarfromthisfarmwasaverysmalllake。IdidnotdaretoaskifthiswastheGREATlakeVatne,orifthiswasthedeliciousprospectIhadbeenpromised,formyquestionwouldhavebeentakenforirony。IcouldnotrefrainfromwonderwhenHerrvonH-beganpraisingthelandscapeasexquisite,andfartherdeclaringtheeffectofthelaketobebewitching。Iwasobliged,forpoliteness\'sake,toacquiesce,andleavetheminthesuppositionthatIhadneverseenalargerlakenorafinerprospect。

  Wenowmadeahalt,andthewholepartyencampedinthemeadow。

  Whilethepreparationsforasocialmealweregoingon,Iproceededtosatisfymycuriosity。

  Thepeasant\'shousefirstattractedmyattention。Ifoundittoconsistofonelargechamber,andtwoofsmallersize,besidesastoreroomandextensivestables,fromwhichIjudgedthattheproprietorwasrichincattle。Iafterwardslearntthatheownedfiftysheep,eightcows,andfivehorses,andwaslookeduponasoneoftherichestfarmersintheneighbourhood。Thekitchenwassituatedattheextremeendofthebuilding,andwasfurnishedwithachimneythatseemedintendedonlyasaprotectionagainstrainandsnow,forthesmokedisperseditselfthroughoutthewholekitchen,dryingthefishwhichhungfromtheceiling,andslowlymakingitsexitthroughanair-hole。

  Thelargeapartmentboastedawoodenbookshelf,containingaboutfortyvolumes。SomeoftheseIturnedover,andinspiteofmylimitedknowledgeoftheDanishlanguage,couldmakeoutenoughtodiscoverthattheywerechieflyonreligioussubjects。Butthefarmerseemedalsotolovepoetry;amongtheworksofthisclassinhislibrary,InoticedKleist,Muller,andevenHomer\'sOdyssey。I

  couldmakenothingoftheIcelandicbooks;butoninquiringtheircontents,Iwastoldthattheyalltreatedofreligiousmatters。

  Afterinspectingthese,Iwalkedoutintothemeadowtosearchforflowersandherbs。FlowersIfoundbutfew,asitwasnottherighttimeoftheyearforthem;mysearchforherbswasmoresuccessful,andIevenfoundsomewildclover。Isawneitherbeetlesnorbutterflies;but,tomynosmallsurprise,heardthehummingoftwowildbees,oneofwhichIwasfortunateenoughtocatch,andtookhometopreserveinspiritsofwine。

  Onrejoiningmyparty,Ifoundthemencampedinthemeadowaroundatable,whichhadinthemeantimebeenspreadwithbutter,cheese,bread,cake,roastlamb,raisinsandalmonds,afeworanges,andwine。Neitherchairsnorbenchesweretobehad,forevenwealthypeasantsonlypossessplanksnailedtothewallsoftheirrooms;soweallsatdownuponthegrass,anddidamplejusticetothecapitalcoffeewhichmadethecommencementofthemeal。Laughterandjokespredominatedtosuchanextent,thatIcouldhavefanciedmyselfamongimpulsiveItaliansinsteadofcoldNorthmen。

  Therewasnolackofwit;butto-dayIwasunfortunatelyitsbutt。

  Andwhatwasmyfault?——onlymystupidmodesty。TheconversationwascarriedonintheDanishlanguage;somemembersofourpartyspokeFrenchandothersGerman,butIpurposelyabstainedfromavailingmyselfoftheiracquirements,inordernottodisturbthehilarityoftheconversation。Isatsilentlyamongthem,andwasperfectlycontentedinlisteningtotheirmerriment。Butmybehaviourwassetdownasproceedingfromstupidity,andIsoongatheredfromtheirdiscoursethattheywerecomparingmetothe\"stoneguest\"inMozart\'sDonGiovanni。Ifthesekindpeoplehadonlysurmisedthetruereasonofmykeepingsilence,theywouldperhapshavethankedmefordoingso。

  Aswesatatourmeal,IheardavoiceinthefarmhousesinginganIcelandicsong。Atadistanceitresembledthehummingofbees;onanearerapproachitsoundedmonotonous,drawling,andmelancholy。

  Whilewewerepreparingforourdeparture,thefarmer,hiswife,andtheservantsapproached,andshookeachofusbythehand。ThisistheusualmodeofsalutingsuchHIGHpeopleaswenumberedamongourparty。Thetruenationalsalutationisaheartykiss。

  Onmyarrivalathometheeffectofthestrongcoffeesoonbegantomanifestitself。Icouldnotsleepatall,andhadthusampleleisuretomakeaccurateobservationsastothelengthofthedayandofthetwilight。Untileleveno\'clockatnightIcouldreadordinaryprintinmyroom。Fromeleventilloneo\'clockitwasdusk,butneversodarkastopreventmyreadingintheopenair。

  Inmyroom,too,Icoulddistinguishthesmallestobjects,andeventellthetimebymywatch。Atoneo\'clockIcouldagainreadinmyroom。

  EXCURSIONTOVIDOE。

  ThelittleislandofVidoe,fourmilesdistantfromReikjavik,isdescribedbymosttravellersasthechiefresortoftheeider-duck。

  Ivisitedtheislandonthe8thofJune,butwasdisappointedinmyexpectations。Icertainlysawmanyofthesebirdsonthedeclivitiesandinthechasmsoftherocks,sittingquietlyontheirnests,butnothingapproachingthethousandsIhadbeenledtoexpect。Onthewhole,Imayperhapshaveseenfromonehundredtoahundredandfiftynests。

  Themostremarkablecircumstanceconnectedwiththeeider-ducksistheirtamenessduringtheperiodofincubation。Ihadalwaysregardedasmythsthestoriestoldabouttheminthisrespect,andshoulddosostillhadInotconvincedmyselfofthetruthoftheseassertionsbylayinghandsupontheducksmyself。Icouldgoquiteuptothemandcaressthem,andeventhentheywouldnotoftenleavetheirnests。Somefewbirds,indeed,didsowhenIwishedtotouchthem;buttheydidnotflyup,butcontentedthemselveswithcoollywalkingafewpacesawayfromthenest,andtheresittingquietlydownuntilIhaddeparted。Butthosewhichalreadyhadliveyoung,beatoutboldlywiththeirwingswhenIapproached,struckatmewiththeirbills,andallowedthemselvestobetakenupbodilyratherthanleavethenest。Theyareaboutthesizeofourducks;

  theireggsareofagreenishgrey,ratherlargerthanhen\'seggs,andtasteverywell。Altogethertheylayabouteleveneggs。Thefinestdownisthatwithwhichtheylinetheirnestsatfirst;itisofadarkgreycolour。TheIcelanderstakeawaythisdown,andthefirstnestofeggs。Thepoorbirdnowrobsherselfoncemoreofaquantityofdownwhichis,however,notofsofineaqualityasthefirst,andagainlayseggs。Forthesecondtimeeverythingistakenfromher;andnotuntilshehasathirdtimelinedthenestwithherdownistheeider-duckleftinpeace。Thedownofthesecond,andthatofthethirdqualityespecially,aremuchlighterthanthatofthefirst。Ialsowassufficientlycrueltotakeafeweggsandsomedownoutofseveralofthenests。{34}

  Ididnotwitnessthedangerousoperationofcollectingthisdownfrombetweenthecleftsofrocksandfromunapproachableprecipices,wherepeopleareletdown,ortowhichtheyaredrawnup,byropes,atperiloftheirlives。Thereare,however,noneofthesebreak-

  neckplacesintheneighbourhoodofReikjavik。

  SALMONFISHERY。

  ImadeanotherexcursiontoaveryshortdistancetwomilesfromReikjavik,inthecompanyofHerrBernhoftandhisdaughter,totheLaxselvsalmonrivertowitnessthesalmon-fishing,whichtakesplaceeveryweekfromthemiddleofJunetothemiddleofAugust。

  Itisconductedinaverysimplemanner。Thefishcomeuptheriverinthespawningseason;thestreamisthendammedupwithseveralwallsofstonelooselypiledtotheheightofsomethreefeet;andtheretreatofthefishtotheseaisthuscutoff。Whenthedayarrivesonwhichthesalmonaretobecaught,anetisspreadbehindeachofthesewalls。Threeorfoursuchdamsareerectedatintervals,offromeightytoahundredpaces,sothatevenifthefishesescapeonebarrier,theyaregenerallycaughtatthenext。

  Thewaterisnowmadetorunoffasmuchaspossible;thepoorsalmondarttoandfro,becomingeverymomentmoreandmoreawareofthesinkingofthewater,andcrowdtotheweirs,cuttingthemselvesbycontactwiththesharpstonesofwhichtheyarebuilt。Thisisthedeepestpartofthewater;anditissoonsothrongedwithfish,thatmen,stationedinreadiness,canseizethemintheirhandsandflingthemashore。

  Thesalmonpossessremarkableswiftnessandstrength。Thefishermanisobligedtotakethemquicklybytheheadandtail,andtothrowthemashore,whentheyareimmediatelycaughtbyothermen,whoflingthemstillfartherfromthewater。Ifthisisnotdonewithgreatquicknessandcare,manyofthefishesescape。Itiswonderfulhowthesecreaturescanstrugglethemselvesfree,andleapintotheair。Thefishermenareobligedtowearwoollenmittens,ortheywouldbequiteunabletoholdthesmoothsalmon。Ateveryday\'sfishing,fromfivehundredtoathousandfisharetaken,eachweighingfromfivetofifteenpounds。OnthedaywhenIwaspresenteighthundredwerekilled。Thissalmon-streamisfarmedbyamerchantofReikjavik。

  Thefishermenreceiveveryliberalpay,——infact,one-halfofthefishtaken。Andyettheyaredissatisfied,andshowsolittlegratitude,asseldomtofinishtheirworkproperly。So,forinstance,theyonlybroughttheshareofthemerchanttotheharbourofReikjavik,andwerefartoolazytocarrythesalmonfromtheboattothewarehouse,adistancecertainlynotmorethansixtyorseventypacesfromtheshore。Theysentamessagetotheiremployer,biddinghim\"sendsomefreshhands,fortheyweremuchtootired。\"Ofcourse,inacaselikethis,allremonstranceisunavailing。

  Asintherestoftheworld,soalsoinIceland,everyoccasionthatoffersisseizeduponforafeastoramerry-making。ThedayonwhichIwitnessedthesalmon-fishinghappenedtobeoneofthefewfinedaysthatoccurduringasummerinIceland。Itwasthereforeunanimouslyconcludedbyseveralmerchants,thatthedayandthesalmon-fishingshouldbecelebratedbyadejeuneralafourchette。

  Everyonecontributedsomething,andaplentifulandelegantbreakfastwassoonarranged,whichquiteresembledanentertainmentofthekindinourcountry;thisonecircumstanceexcepted,thatwewereobligedtoseatourselvesontheground,byreasonofascarcityoftablesandbenches。SpanishandFrenchwines,aswellascoldpunch,werethereinplenty,andthegreatesthilarityprevailed。

  Imadeafourthexcursion,buttoaveryinconsiderabledistance,——

  infact,onlyamileandahalffromReikjavik。Itwastoseeahotandslightlysulphurousspring,whichfallsintoariverofcoldwater。Bythisluckymeetingofextremes,watercanbeobtainedatanytemperature,fromtheboilingalmosttothefreezingpoint。Thetownspeopletakeadvantageofthisgoodopportunityintwoways,forbathingandforwashingclothes。Thelatterisundoubtedlythemoreimportantpurposeofapplication,andahuthasbeenerected,inordertoshieldthepoorpeoplefromwindandrainwhiletheyareatwork。Formerlythishutwasfurnishedwithagooddoorandwithglazedwindows,andthekeywaskeptatanappointedplaceinthetown,whenceanyonemightfetchit。Buttheservantsandpeasantgirlsweresoontoolazytogoforthekey;theyburstopenthelock,andsmashedthewindows,sothatnowthehuthasaveryruinousappearance,andaffordsbutlittleprotectionagainsttheweather。Howmuchalikemankindareeverywhere,andhowseldomtheydoright,exceptwhenitgivesthemnotrouble,andthen,unfortunately,thereisnotmuchmerittobeascribedtothem,astheirdoingrightismerelytheresultofaluckychance!Manypeoplealsobringfishandpotatoes,whichtheyhaveonlytolayinthehotwater,andinashorttimebotharecompletelycooked。

  Thisspringisbutlittleusedforthepurposeofbathing;atmostperhapsbyafewchildrenandpeasants。Itsmedicinalvirtues,ifitpossessesany,arecompletelyunknown。

  THESULPHUR-SPRINGSANDSULPHUR-MOUNTAINSOFKRISUVIK。

  The4thofJunewasfixedformydeparture。Ihadonlytopackupsomebreadandcheese,sugarandcoffee,thenthehorsesweresaddled,andatseveno\'clockthejourneywashappilycommenced。I

  wasalonewithmyguide,who,liketherestofhisclass,couldnotbeconsideredasaveryfavourablespecimenofhumanity。Hewasverylazy,exceedinglyself-interested,andsingularlyloathtodevoteanypartofhisattentioneithertomeortothehorses,preferringtoconcentrateituponbrandy,anarticlewhichcanunfortunatelybeprocuredthroughoutthewholecountry。

  IhadalreadyseenthedistrictbetweenReikjavikandHavenfiordatmyfirstarrivalinIceland。Atthepresentadvancedseasonoftheyearitworealessgloomyaspect:strawberry-plantsandviolets,——

  theformer,however,withoutblossoms,andthelatterinodorous,——

  werespringingupbetweentheblocksoflava,togetherwithbeautifulfernseightortenincheshigh。Inspiteofthetriflingdistance,Inoticed,asarule,thatvegetationwasheremoreluxuriantthanatReikjavik;foratthelatterplaceIhadfoundnostrawberry-plants,andthevioletswerenotyetinblossom。Thisdifferenceinthevegetationis,Ithink,tobeascribedtothehighwallsoflavaexistingingreatabundanceroundHavenfiord;theyprotectthetenderplantsandfernsfromthepiercingwinds。I

  noticedthatboththegrassandtheplantsbeforementionedthrovecapitallyinthelittlehollowsformedbymassesoflava。

  AcoupleofmilesbeyondHavenfiordIsawthefirstbirch-trees,which,however,didnotexceedtwoorthreefeetinheight,alsosomebilberry-plants。Anumberoflittlebutterflies,allofonecolour,and,asitseemedtome,ofthesamespecies,flutteredamongtheshrubsandplants。

  Themanifoldformsandvariedoutlineofthelava-fieldspresentaremarkableandreallyamarvellousappearance。Shortasthisjourneyis——fortenhoursareamplysufficientforthetriptoKrisuvik,——itpresentsinnumerablefeaturesforcontemplation。I

  couldonlygazeandwonder。Iforgoteverythingaroundme,feltneithercoldnorstorm,andletmyhorsepickhiswayasslowlyashechose,sothatIhadoncealmostbecomeseparatedfrommyguide。

  Oneofthemostconsiderableofthestreamsoflavalayinaspaciousbroadvalley。Thelava-streamitself,abouttwomileslong,andofaconsiderablebreadth,traversingthewholeoftheplain,seemedtohavebeencalledintoexistencebymagic,astherewasnomountaintobeseenintheneighbourhoodfromwhichitcouldhaveemerged。Itappearedtobethecoveringofanimmensecrater,formed,notofseparatestonesandblocks,butofasingleandslightlyporousmassofrocktenortwelvefeetthick,brokenhereandtherebycleftsaboutafootinbreadth。

  Another,andastilllargervalley,manymilesincircumference,wasfilledwithmassesoflavashapedlikewaves,remindingthebeholderofapetrifiedsea。Fromthemidstroseahighblackmountain,contrastingbeautifullywiththesurroundingmassesoflight-greylava。AtfirstIsupposedthelavamusthavestreamedforthfromthismountain,butsoonfoundthatthelatterwasperfectlysmoothonallsides,andterminatedinasharppeak。Theremainingmountainswhichshutinthevalleywerealsoperfectlyclosed,andI

  lookedinvainforanytraceofacrater。

  Wenowreachedasmalllake,andsoonafterwardsarrivedatalargerone,calledKleinfarvatne。Bothwerehemmedinbymountains,whichfrequentlyroseabruptlyfromthewaters,leavingnoroomforthepassageofthehorses。Wewereobligedsometimestoclimbthemountainsbyfearfullydizzypaths;atotherstoscrambledownwards,almostclingingtothefaceoftherock。Atsomepointswewereevencompelledtodismountfromourhorses,andscrambleforwardonourhandsandknees。Inaword,thesedangerouspoints,whichextendedoveraspaceofaboutsevenmiles,werecertainlyquiteasbadasanyIhadencounteredinSyria;ifanything,theywereevenmoreformidable。

  Iwas,however,assuredthatIshouldhavenomoresuchplacestoencounterduringallmyfurtherjourneysinIceland,andthisinformationquitereconciledmetotheroadsinthiscountry。Fortherest,thepathwasgenerallytolerablysafeevenduringthistour,whichcontinuallyledmeacrossfieldsoflava。

  Ajourneyofsomeeight-and-twentymilesbroughtusatlengthintoafriendlyvalley;cloudsofsmoke,bothsmallandgreat,weresoondiscoveredrisingfromthesurroundingheights,andalsofromthevalleyitself;thesewerethesulphur-springsandsulphur-mountains。

  IcouldhardlyrestrainmyimpatiencewhilewetraversedthecoupleofmileswhichseparatedusfromKrisuvik。Afewsmalllakeswerestilltobecrossed;andatlength,atsixo\'clockintheevening,wereachedourdestination。

  Withtheexceptionofamorselofbreadandcheese,Ihadeatennothingsincethemorning;stillIcouldnotsparetimetomakecoffee,butatoncedismounted,summonedmyguide,andcommencedmypilgrimagetothesmokingmountains。Attheoutsetourwaylayacrossswampyplacesandmeadowlands;butsoonwehadtoclimbthemountainsthemselves,ataskrenderedextremelydifficultbytheelastic,yieldingsoil,inwhicheveryfootstepimprinteditselfdeeply,suggestingtothetravellertheunpleasantpossibilityofhissinkingthrough,——acontingencyrenderedanythingbutagreeablebytheneighbourhoodoftheboilingsprings。AtlengthIgainedthesummit,andsawaroundmenumerousbasinsfilledwithboilingwater,whileonallsides,fromhillandvalley,columnsofvapourroseoutofnumberlesscleftsintherocks。Fromacleftinonerockinparticularamightycolumnofvapourwhirledintotheair。OnthewindwardsideIcouldapproachthisplaceveryclosely。Thegroundwasonlylukewarminsomeplaces,andIcouldholdmyhandforseveralmomentstothegapsfromwhichsteamissued。Notraceofacraterwastobeseen。Thebubblingandhissingofthesteam,addedtothenoiseofthewind,occasionedsuchadeafeningclamour,thatIwasverygladtofeelfirmergroundbeneathmyfeet,andtoleavetheplaceinhaste。Itreallyseemedasiftheinteriorofthemountainhadbeenaboilingcaldron。Theprospectfromthesemountainsisveryfine。Numerousvalleysandmountainsinnumerableofferedthemselvestomyview,andIcouldevendiscerntheisolatedblackrockpastwhichIhadriddenfiveorsixhourspreviously。

  Inowcommencedmydescentintothevalley;atafewhundredpacesthebubblingandhissingwerealreadyinaudible。IsupposedthatI

  hadseeneverythingworthyofnotice;butmuchthatwasremarkablestillremained。Iparticularlynoticedabasinsomefiveorsixfeetindiameter,filledwithboilingmud。Thismudhasquitetheappearanceoffineclaydissolvedinwater;itscolourwasalightgrey。

  Fromanotherbasin,hardlytwofeetindiameter,amightycolumnofsteamshotcontinuallyintotheairwithsomuchforceandnoisethatIstartedbackhalfstunned,andcouldhavefanciedthevaultofheavenwouldburst。Thisbasinissituatedinacornerofthevalley,closelyshutinonthreesidesbyhills。Intheneighbourhoodmanyhotspringsgushedforth;butIsawnocolumnsofwater,andmyguideassuredmethatsuchaphenomenonwasneverwitnessedhere。

  Thereismoredangerinpassingthesespotsthanevenintraversingthemountains。Inspiteofthegreatestprecautions,Ifrequentlysankinabovetheankles,andwouldthendrawbackwithastart,andfindmyfootcoveredwithhotmud。FromtheplacewhereIhadbrokenthrough,steamandhotmud,orboilingwater,roseintotheair。

  Thoughmyguide,whowalkedbeforeme,carefullyprobedthegroundwithhisstick,heseveraltimessankthroughhalf-waytotheknee。

  Thesemenare,however,somuchaccustomedtocontingenciesofthiskindthattheytakelittleaccountofthem。Myguidewouldquietlyrepairtothenextspringandcleansehisclothesfrommud。AsI

  wascoveredwithittoabovetheankles,Ithoughtitbesttofollowhisexample。

  Forexcursionsliketheseitisbesttocomeprovidedwithafewboards,fiveorsixfeetinlength,withwhichtocoverthemostdangerousplaces。

  Atnineo\'clockintheevening,butyetinthefullglareofthesun,wearrivedatKrisuvik。Inowtooktimetolookatthisplace,whichIfoundtoconsistofasmallchurchandafewmiserablehuts。

  Icreptintooneofthesedens;itwassodarkthataconsiderabletimeelapsedbeforeIcoulddistinguishobjects,thelightwasonlyadmittedthroughaverysmallaperture。Ifoundinthishutafewpersonswhoweresufferingfromtheeruptioncalled\"lepra,\"adiseasebuttoocommonlymetwithinIceland。Theirhandsandfaceswerecompletelycoveredwiththiseruption;ifitspreadsoverthewholebodythepatientlanguishesslowlyaway,andislostwithoutremedy。

  Churchesareinthiscountrynotonlyusedforpurposesofpublicworship,butalsoserveasmagazinesforprovisions,clothes,&c。,andasinnsfortravellers。Idonotsupposethataparallelinstanceofdesecrationcouldbemetwithevenamongthemostuncivilisednations。Iwasassured,indeed,thattheseabuseswereabouttoberemedied。Areformofthiskindoughttohavebeencarriedoutlongago;andevennowthematterseemstoremainanopenpoint;forwhereverIcamethechurchwasplacedatmydisposalforthenight,andeverywhereIfoundastoreoffish,tallow,andotherequallyodoriferoussubstances。

点击下载App,搜索"A Visit to Iceland",免费读到尾