DL

312

мич 1854

ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by

CHARLES B. NORTON,

In the Clerk's office of the District Court for the Southern District of

New York.

BAKER, GODWIN & Co., PRINTERS,

1 SPRUCE ST., NEW YORK.

PREFACE,

CONTENTS.

XIII

CHAPTER I.

The Voyage-Stop a day at Elsinore-Elsinore Castle, Hamlet, and

Shakspeare "Independence Day" at Sea-Fourth of July

Oration-Whales and Sharks-Passengers, Live Stock, Books,

and Amusements-The Meal Sack-Sea-Birds-The Gannet, or

Solan Goose-Land at Reykjavik,

CHAPTER II.

Page 17-32

Iceland, its Discovery and Settlement-Discovery and Settlement

of Greenland and North America by the Icelanders-Ericsson

-Trading and Skirmishing between the Icelanders and the

North American Indians-Voyage of Columbus to Iceland-

Icelandic Congress, or Althing-Thingvalla, the Capital—Ad-

ministration of the Laws,

33-47

CHAPTER III.

Geographical Features of Iceland-Productions and Minerals—

Character and Literary Taste of the People-Wild and Domes-

tic Animals-Exports and Imports-Chief Towns-Habits of

the Icelanders of Olden Time-Beards,

48-60

CHAPTER IV.

Town of Reykjavik-Houses, Gardens, and Productions-A Ride

in the Country-Visit Hafnarfiorth-Preparations for a Jour-

ney in the Interior-A Party of Travelers-Face of the Coun-

try-Salmon-Fishing-A Tumble-Breakfast on the Hill-side-

Stop at a Hotel!-Splendid Scenery-Extraordinary Purity of

the Atmosphere-Almannagjá, or Chasm in the Rock-Arrive

at Thingvalla-Trout-Fishing on a large scale-Encamp for the

Night,
61-75

CHAPTER V.

Dining Out-Many Tongues, but no Confusion-A Merry Dinner-

Party-Angling-Thingvalla, and place of Meeting of the An-

cient Althing-Daring Act of a Criminal-"If you Hang a

Rogue, you must Catch him First"-Old Customs-Introduction

of Christianity, and Fall of Idolatry-A Lacteal Disquisition—

Company Separate,
76-84

CHAPTER VI.

Etymology of Icelandic Words-Similarity of the Icelandic and

English-The Iceland Numerals-Counting - Geographical

Terms,

CHAPTER VII.

85-88

Journeying to the Eastward-A Forest-Blacksmithing-Game-

Birds-The Ptarmigan-Iceland Ladies Riding Horseback-

Thingvalla Lake Rough Traveling-First View of Mount

Hekla-Broad Valleys and Large Rivers-A Cave, and Such a

Cave!-Singular Cataract-Frail Bridge—Arrive at the Gey-

sers,

89-99