incessant and heavy rain, till about six or seven in the evening, prevented my botanising; but, as we had no darkness, even at the hour of midnight, I could just as well pursue my employment then as in the middle of the day. The unpleasant light, caused by the horizontal rays of the sun striking on the ground, so beautifully described by Linnæus, when botanising in Lapland, is not experienced here; for the sun, in this part of Iceland, is never altogether above the horizon at midnight, nor, if it had been so, would it have had that effect this summer, there being no one period, that I recollect, during the continuance of the longest days, when the horizon in the north was perfectly free from clouds. At such times as the sky is not altogether overcast, the light at mid *Fugit me quid sit, quod visum in alpibus nostris, tempore nocturno, ita confundit, ut non tantâ claritate possimus objecta distinguere ac mediâ die, licet sol æque clarus exsistat; sol enim horizonti proximus radios horizontales dispergens vix pileo ab oculis abigi potest; umbræ dein herbarum extenduntur in infinitum et implicantur inter se, tremunt deinde spirante aquilone, ut vix videre et distinguere queamus objecta diversissima."-Linnæi Fl. Lapp. edit. 2da. p. 137. night, at this season, is about as great as that of a moderately dull noon in winter in England. In a walk of a few miles to the south of the town this evening, I met with Rubus saxatilis (sparingly in flower), Polypodium arvonicum, plentiful, Trichostomum ellipticum, and Hypnum filamentosum, growing among the rocks, In bogs I found two new species of Carex, and Meesia dealbata, with fully-formed capsules. This evening Mr. Jorgensen took possession of the governor's house, and removed his residence thither; but I do not recollect, exactly, whether it was from this period, or, as I rather think, shortly after, that he was considered as governor of Iceland. Tuesday, This being the day appointed for June 27. paying our respects to the old Stiftsamptman *, Olaf Stephensen, who has the * Stiftsamptman is the Icelandic title for the governor, and, consequently, belongs to Count Tramp. But, as this gentleman (Stephensen), on account of his services to the country, was allowed to retire from his government, and still retain the title of Stiftsamptman, I shall, by way of distinction, apply it in this work to him, and, in mentioning Count Tramp, shall use the term of Governor. title of Geheime Etatsroed, and was formerly governor of the island, Mr. Phelps, Mr. Jorgensen, and myself embarked at twelve o'clock in an Icelandic sailing-boat, with eight rowers, and had a passage of about four miles to his house, which is on the pleasant little island of Vidöe. As we approached this island, we got a view of the house, standing in a well-sheltered situation, between two hills, and, at a little distance, it had the appearance of a very respectable residence, being larger, and with something more imposing in its exterior, than any other I had yet seen. It is built of stone cemented together, has a number of glass windows, and is covered with a boarded roof. However, when we landed and came nearer, we perceived a lamentable want, as well of carpenters and bricklayers, as of glaziers. The glass, in such of the windows as still preserved any, was of the most ordinary quality; and in most instances the panes were broken, though this was concealed from view on the outside by a wooden shutter. The door-way was in the centre, but hid by a miserable sort of wooden porch, on each side of which was a door for entrance, which, if kept in better repair, might answer very well for a screen to the cold winds, but, in its present shattered state, is neither fit for use nor ornament. I could compare it to nothing so much as a pig-stye placed against the wall, and made rather higher than usual. However, with all this want of artificers, which appeared on the exterior of the house, there was a possessor within, whose reception of us and whose excellent fare would do credit to the actual governor, much more to the exgovernor, of any country, and deserve to be mentioned rather particularly. Indeed, I am the more tempted to enlarge upon this subject, as it is the first opportunity I have had of seeing the manners of a well-bred Icelander, and it is scarcely possible to have a more favorable one. When we were within a few hundred yards of the house, the Stiftsamptman came to welcome us to the country, and to his little island. He had a fine and healthy countenance, and, although in his seventy-eighth year, had the perfect use of his faculties. In conversation he was extremely fluent and animated. He wore, on this occasion, his full-dress uniform as Governor of Iceland, except the sword. His coat was of scarlet cloth, turned up with green, and ornamented with gold lace: his pantaloons of blue cloth, with gold trimmings; and he had half-boots with gold bindings and tassels, and a three-cornered hat, likewise ornamented with gold tassels, and trimmings of the same, and with a long white feather. We were immediately ushered through the portico, where we were obliged to stoop at the door-way, into a spacious hall, with a large wooden staircase; and hence through a large and lofty parlor into his bed-room, where I presented to him a letter of introduction, and a present of prints and books from Sir Joseph Banks, whose very name made him almost shed tears. During the time that Mr. Jorgensen was translating the letter to him, he frequently interrupted his reading, to relate some of the many noble and generous acts which Baron Banks (as he called him) had done for his countrymen. He asked a hundred questions about him in the most affectionate manner, particularly respecting his age and health. Then he related anecdotes of what passed during Sir Joseph's stay in the island thirty-seven years ago, in a manner |