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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1876)
12 Iceland from Norway. Ten of tlicin died on the voyage, but from the throe that lived have come the vast herds that now roam over the island. The people, however, have made no attempt. to domesticate them, and they are considered as more of u nuisance than otherwise, as they eat the moss which the peasant would prefer to save for his own use. The principle domestic ani mals, and chief wealth of the Islander, are a small kind of horse, sheep, and cattle. The sheep and cattle are housed and fed during the winter; but the horses are turned loose to browse on such roots and moss as they may be able to grub up from under the snow. But while Iceland has only a few native species of animals, it has over a hun dred species of birds. Of these, the eider duck is the most numerous and valuable. Its favorite places of resort are the nu merous small islands along the shores of the mainland, where it gathers to build its nest, which it lines witli a soft down from its own body. This down is worth from twelve to lifieeu shillings per pound, and forms a most valuable article for exportn. lion. Besides the eider-duck, some of the most numerous kinds of birds are the wild-swan, raven, plover and jyrfalcon. The cod, naddock, herring, and salmon fisheries constitute the chief wealth of Iceland. For they not only furnish the chief article of exportation, and occupy the attention or one-lialf the male popula tion, but also annually attract three and four bundled foreign vessels to the island- The mineral kingdom contributes little to the prosperity of the country. Sulphur is found, but in loo limited quantities for profitable working, and but very little is exported . The only considerable town of the island is Reykjavik, the capital. This place has a population of about 1-1,000, and owes its present prosperity to its excellent har bor and the fisheries in its vicinity. An annual fair is hold here in the month of .Inly, when the inhabitants from the sur rounding country Hook to the town to ex- hibittheir wares and barter with Danish merchants. A public library consisting of 12,000 volumes was established at this place. Books from this library are lent out, often formany months, to the inhabi. tants of remote districts who may bo too poor .to purchase them for themselves. The Icelanders are fond of literature, and as a race are as highly cultured as 11113' other people. They are especially fond of the classics, and it not unfrcquoiitly hap pens that the traveller ia addressed in Latin by his host, or even his peasant guide. Too poor to be constant ly increas ing his own slock of books, the Icelander has resorted to a method by which ho may obtain for a time (hose of his neigh bora. When he goes to church on Suwliw morning he takes a few of his own choice volumes under his arm, and from those which his neighbors bring ho makes his selections and then exchanges. If in this way he gels a volume which lie deems particularly valuable, lie copies the entire work, and thus not only adds to his own library, but to his own mental discipline and culture. After the fair at Reykjavik is over, the farmer sets about hay-making, which with him is the most important business of t lie year. This work is carried on when the weather will permit, during the wjiolo twenty-four hours of the day. Alter il is cut, it is bound up, loaded on the backs of pon ies, and carried to rude earthen houses, whore it is stored away for winter use. "When tho hay crop has been taken care of, the farmer treats his family and laborers to a festive supper, and a day is spent in jollity and sport. There is little after this to be done out of doors; for dreary winter soon sots in with his storms and darkness, and the Icelander is-obliged to pass a large part of his tinio in his hut a rude structure of earth and stone, and very poorly lighted and ventilated. Dark covered passages connect it with the smithy, storeroom, cow-shed and other outdoor buildings, whose filthy odors ren tier the atmosphere of this subterranean