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,

CHAPTER III.

33-47

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-

CHAPTER VIII.

The Great Geyser-Its Size and Appearance-Numerous Hot
Springs in the Vicinity-Springs of Boiling Mud-Beautiful
Colored Clays-A Seething Cauldron-The Little Geyser-
Wait for an Eruption of the Great Geyser-Singular Warnings,
or Signal Guns-An Eruption-The Strokr, another Geyser-
Forced Eruption of the Strokr-Surtshellir, or the Devil's Cave
-A Warm Bath-How to Cook a Dinner without Fire-Beau-
tiful Birds-Termination of the "Show,"
100-113

CHAPTER IX.

Journey towards Mount Hekla—Iceland Rivers-Haying-An Ice-
land Meadow-How the Horses Live-Beautiful Birds-The
Pochard-Playing Mazeppa-Swimming a River Horseback—
-A Hospitable Icelander-Herre Johann Briem-Slanders and
Falsehoods of Madame Pfeiffer,
114-123

CHAPTER X.

Productions of Iceland-White Clover-A Singular Ferry-Horses
Swimming-Sleeping Under the Bed-Sleeping in a Church-
An Iceland Salute-Iceland Horses-An Icelander with a Brick
in his Hat-Boyish Sports-Rolling Stones down Hill-Guess 1
rolled a Big One down-Guess it knocked the Stone Wall
over-"Guess" a certain Yankee had to pay for it, too, 124-131

CHAPTER XI.

Ascent of Mount Hekla-Preparations and "Victualing” for the
Trip-Mountain Gorges-Hard Climbing for Ponies-Obliged
to Dismount, and leave our Horses-Streams of Lava-Smoke
and Fire-Variegated Appearance and Color of the Lava-