第4章

类别:其他 作者:John Barrow字数:20600更新时间:18/12/14 11:13:28
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。 TheSysselmann(anofficersimilartothatofthesheriffofacounty)isthebestoff。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。Thepoorbirdnowrobsherselfoncemoreofaquantityofdown(whichis,however,notofsofineaqualityasthefirst),andagainlayseggs。Forthesecondtimeeverythingistakenfromher;andnotuntilshehasathirdtimelinedthenestwithherdownistheeider-duckleftinpeace。Thedownofthesecond,andthatofthethirdqualityespecially,aremuchlighterthanthatofthefirst。Ialsowassufficientlycrueltotakeafeweggsandsomedownoutofseveralofthenests。{34} Ididnotwitnessthedangerousoperationofcollectingthisdownfrombetweenthecleftsofrocksandfromunapproachableprecipices,wherepeopleareletdown,ortowhichtheyaredrawnup,byropes,atperiloftheirlives。Thereare,however,noneofthesebreak- neckplacesintheneighbourhoodofReikjavik。 SALMONFISHERY。 Imadeanotherexcursiontoaveryshortdistance(twomiles)fromReikjavik,inthecompanyofHerrBernhoftandhisdaughter,totheLaxselv(salmonriver)towitnessthesalmon-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。