ΤΟ MAJOR-GENERAL EDWARD SABINE, R.A., PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. MY DEAR UNCLE, It is with great pleasure that I dedicate this book to you, as a token of my gratitude for the kind interest you have taken, both in my expedition to Iceland, and in the progress of this volume. I remain, Ever yours sincerely, SABINE BARING-GOULD. Ísland far-sældar frón, Ok hag-sældar hrím-hvíta móðir! Hvar er þín fornaldar frægð, Frelsið ok manndáðin bezt? Iceland, thou fare-blessed spot, Thou use-blessed rime-whitened mother! Where are thine olden fame, And freedom, and manliness best? PREFACE INTRODUCTION CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. COASTING. First Sight of Iceland - Hjörleif's Head-Dyrhólar-The Westmann Islands - Life of the Islanders - The Yankee's Story - My first CHAPTER II. PAGE xii xix 1 Arrival-Description of Reykjavík-"A very Antient fish-like Smell!"— 26 - CHAPTER III. MÓSFELL. Leave Reykjavík-Rich Soil-Leiruvogr-Accidents-Camp out - A 48 CHAPTER IV. THINGVELLIR. The Plains of the Council-The Almanna-gjá-The Hill of Laws- PAGE 67 CHAPTER V. AMONG THE JOKULLS. Leave Thingvellir-Meyjar-skarth-A lovely View-The Big Bed breaks - CHAPTER VI. THE EAGLE TARNS. Eiriks Jökull-Taxation The Sheep's Disease-A Swan's-nest-Lava - Heithi Barren Wilderness-A Cairn-The Valley of Shadows: a Saga-A CHAPTER VIII. THE VALE OF WATERS. - Vatnsdalr-Forsæludalr-A dangerous Predicament - Thorolf wi' the 86 99 115 133 CHAPTER IX. FROM HNAUSIR TO EYJA FJORD. A Tract of Slag Cones-An Icelandic Doctor-Part from my Friends- CHAPTER X. AKUREYRI. A little Town-New Church-Site of the Town injudiciously chosen CHAPTER XI. UXAHVER. - PAGE 155 . 171 A second Guide - Icelandic Horse-calls- A theological Candidate CHAPTER XII. A REGION OF FIRE. Myvatn-Lava Streams-Reykjahlith-Sand Columns-A Plain of Boil- CHAPTER XIII. A SNOW PASS. I hold a Levee-My Plans upset-The Church of Thverá-Taking French . 220 |