Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1842-01-06
.Alorol on0 i{rItQious,


FOR THE TELEGRAPH.
MR. EpnoE.-The following imperfect sum-
mary is from volume great iateres published
by Or. Henderson, who vas employed by the
Foreign Bible Society to inves tigae the want Of
Bibles in Iceland, and mike arrangements for n
supply. II is transmitted for publication in the
Telegraph, If You think propet. F.
Iceland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean on the
confines of the Polar circle, and is about 300 miles
long and eco broad. 1t was discovered by the
Norwegians in The year $50, and colonzed in
So About OPS the inhabitants Of Iceland formed
themselves into republic. This continued about
$50 years-when Hacon king OF Norway partially
subdued them Since the year 1857 they have
acknowledged the supremacy of Denmark. The
leelanders claim the honor Of the first discovery
of America. In the wear 1901 Barni Hurialfson
in voyage from Iceland to Greenland (Which
country was discovered 120 years bcfore) was
driven by violent gale into the coast Of Labru-
dor. DR.. Il. is Of the opinion that the Island
owes lis formation to submarine volcanoes. In
other place is there crowded together such a
number Of burning mountains, boiling springs,
and immense tracts Of lava. Even the mountains
OF ice with which the spectator is surrounded are
frequently seen to cunt smoke and flames, and
pour down upon the plains flood of boiling water,
or torrents of red hot lava There are dismal
tracts ottawa through the island indeed the foot
is often scorched by the ground on which it trcnds
and the ever burning cavrrns ofsulphur turns the
brightness OF the MONDAY sun into darkness
The whole interior of the island is one immense
cluster of iiightiul mountains vomiting liquid
fire, or crested with eternal snow. Iceland is
remarkable for its hot springs. Dir. Il. mentions
one 800 feet in circumference, and about 200 be-
low the brim of the crater 1t is constantly cast
iEg up liquid sulphur from ~ to 30 leet--somc OF
the springs cast up water to the astonishing
heighth of 100 feet or more. The population of
the island is about 80 600. It was probably much
greater formerly. Dr. Henderson speaks Of the
icelandtrs int lligcnt and pous people
Notwithstanding all the privations and dangers
to which they exposed from physical causes
they live under the practical influence of one of
their common proverbs "Iceland is the best and
on which the sun shines" Their language, dress
and mode of life have been invariably the same
during a period of nine centuries. The early and
successful application of the Icelandcrs 10 the
study of the sciences, forms perfect anomaly in
the history of literature At period when the
darkest GLOOM was spread all over Europe, they
were cultivating poetry and history and laying up
stores of kno Wedge for the benefit of other ma
tons. Domestic E}ucotjoa is most rigidly at
tended 10 and although they have but one sol
it,ty school on the island-it is rare 10 meet with
boy or girl who has attained the age of nine OF
len, who cannot read or write with easc-many
of them nre good classical scholars. DR.. Ii, says
be scarcely recolects entering INT, in which
he did not find some individual capable ofenter
inr into conversation with him on topics alto
reller above the understanding Of people in the
same ranks of society in other countries. iif
found clergyman living in a room eight feet il
length by SIX in breadth, annual income
of about fifteen dolars-who had translated Mil
fon Paradise Lost-Klopstock Messiah, ant
other works in a style superior in some instance:
so the original itself. There is an altar for Goo
IN almost every family. 1t is universally The
custom to give thanks to God before and afte
meal When an Iceander awakes he does no
salute any person who may have slept in the
room with him, bnt hastens TO the door and lift
ing o. his ewes towards Heaven, adores him wht
made the heavens and the earth-the author ant
preserver of his life, and the source of every bes
sing. He then returns into the house, and sa
lutcs every one whom he meets, with ''God gran
you good day