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
