The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-23


interior are large herds Of wild reindeer, where .
good marksman could select nice piece Of venison
Henderson, the missionary, saw large flock. that
approached quite him before Offering TO retreat
portation Of white bears from Greenland who not
unfrequently float over on fields of ice, might afford
q little sport, and perhaps profit, but would be
rather tough eating. l. however, carried no arms,
furnished me; 60 did not speak to the birds In the
loud tones OF villanous saltpetre. have bad my
muderous propensities--nurtured when lad, by
ahootirg crows and squirrels-the most excited
me to act with very unbecoming familiarity.
These birds were sacred to Odin, and believe the
fcelanders never modest them. Odin had two; one
for memory, and the other for news. They used to
fly abroad during the day and return at night,
bringing intelligence from all parts Of the world.
One would perch on his right shoulder, and the
other his left, and relate to him everything that
was goicg on, at the same time refreshing his
navians never used TO make voyage, or 60 q jour-
ney, without them. Floki, q Norwegian pirate, one
OF the first settlers Of Iceland took three Of them
with him when he started on his voyage, taking
them az pilots, to show him the way. After get
ting some distance beyond the Farce Islands, he
let off one, and he returned to Farce. Sailing
awhile longer, he sent OH another; and, after o
wide circuit in the air, he returned to the ship
Sailing some days more he released the third,
and he flew away to the northwest. Follow
ing him, lie soon reached the coast of Iceland
There seems to be pair OF these birds living ne ar
almost every honse in Iceland have never seen a
church. with a house near by, where there was uot
pair of ravens. They seem to be q much larger
bird here, than any oil the kind that ever saw ia
America. At the little church and farmhouse Of
Eaukadsr, near the Geysers, were two; and they
ould Often aljght on the chuych, and sometimes on
gate post but few feet from me. One of the m
showed great aversion to Nero and would some
times swoop down and nearly hit the dogs head.
Believing him to be nothing but heather, l had a
m US IN and "A bull Inf thvnn htvvS
But my COILS pistol was far away, and his black
ravenshp could worship Odin, ThoG oTany other
deity be pleased.
II these birds not Christians, there is one ex-
euse for them. They are very loog lived, and, per-
haps, having distinct recollection that some Of
the buildings now used as places of worship, were
built and used for worship during the days Of idola
try and heathenism, they have been unconscious of
the introduction Of Christianity. The ravens here
have the same costume in other countries, dress
ing in the "inky cloak" and customary suits of
solemn black" Their language, too, always being
uttered i'll slow and solemn tones, adds to their ap-
pearance OF gravity and wisdom.
MAGDALEN HEPBuRN-A Story OF TIE
ScoTTIsH REF0RMATIoN-We have here we'll
told story of period dear to all lovers Of
liberty, when the lab0rs of Knox and his fellow
reformers broke down the despotism of the Ro-
mish Church and emancipated the great masses
Of mankind from its chains. The heroine is the
betrothed Of fayorite disciple of the great
apostle Of religious freedom, and the stirring
public events Of the epoch are made to chequer
''the course of their true love" and to furnish
the incidents of an interesting tale. The fol-
lowing is welldescribed picture of those
troublous times
The May sunshine lies warm and bright upon the
fertile shire of AYR. The little gardens white with
blossoms, the hedgerows fragrant with hawthorn,
the whole country dewy and fun Of odors, refresh
the soul Of the way farer. But peace and the fair
promise Of peace, which lies so softly on hill and
vel by these verdant roads. "First pure, then
peaceable, says their faith and the first has to be
reached, whatever the cost may be.
The paths are glistening with an lily shower,
and the leaves glow and twinkle between the soft
wind that is abroad and the genial May sun.
Wherever you can see, by every highway and lane
little bands Of gentlemen are gathering to the gray
and humble church which stands within this reve
rent enclosure of graves. Scores Of serving men
about hold the horses Of their masters, aud them.
selves press as near they may to hear what they
can OF the proceedings within Noblemen, knights
and minor barons, yeomen Of substance, burgesses
of the adjacent towns, and even peasants in home
spun gray, crowd within the walls. You viii zee by
glance that reformation" has been made in this
church already-that before the disrobed altar, with
its bare space and vacant candesticks, stands
reading desk bearing great Bible, and that the
Saint has forsaken his shrine in this little niche
apart. The church is low and dark, with heavy
rounded arches and pillars Of great thickness, and
here and there the dim bazonry of an antique coat
Of arms placed above an arch, or sepuchrai efigy
in the gloom of the upper corners, give . sombre
historical ornamentation to those bare cold walls.
On benches, on folding stools and rude chairs, and
standing in groups wherever there is space, large
assembly is collected, and jealous though the times
are, you can see the peasants homespun coat brush
ing the velvet sleeve Of the high descended laird
and the burgesss gold Chain gttering side by side
with the jeweled cap and rich embroidery of the
young noble. The little church is thronged in
every part-the chancel ITSELF into which you look
| from the further end into a cavern, with its
highly elevated floor and slightly lowered roof, is
alive with earnest faces strangely lighted up by the
dim, faint, many colored light which shines through
/ the great window in the end.
A grave and dignified man, standing on the chan.
Gel steps, reads from paper In his hand His black
dOublet and hose, his close skull cap and bonnet OF
black stun, and his falling band, proclaim the I'M
| armed man preacher Of the reformation. Placed
at either side of him, but on lower step, two gen
| tlemen OF holder bearing guard the man Of peace
One, Of fiery and vehement countenance, fixes his
eyes and his attention eagerly on the reader, and
bites his lip as he proceeds; the other, to whom
this letter either is familiar or indifferent turns his
regard towards the assembled company, and eagerly
sxamlnss then aspect and bearing His face 1
weathers, and his strong, athletic figure seems to
have got rid OF every encumbrance every hing but
the massive framework, the elements Of strength
and vgor and endurance, which fit him for his toll
His eyes discuss this assembly with ceaseless ami
nation, Frightening here and there as they fall upon
known face; and yon see that he himself has nc
need OF being moved by the document which II
read but that he eagerly watches and calculates its
effect on others.
81 ever thought she was false, like all her race,
burst from the lips Of the impatient Laird of Gata
girth, who stood on the other side of the preacher
Paul Hepburn, who held the place AZ his RICH,
hand, raised his finger to call for silence. "Lordi
and gentlemen, the congregation look for nothing
but siege and battle in st. tombstone. What SAY
your ! must carry your answer back to them tha
/ sent me; will you aid or no?
mingled din Of voices broke upon the silence
Here compromiser cried, keep the peace, il
| Coos name, as long as it may be kept" Another
! advised. "Let the men OF st. Johnstone hold the
own. Marry, we will even do as much when tn,
lady gars ride her army westaway."
NEEDLE not In ether mems quarrels," shouted
one; 1.-THE peace Of Kyle Is than the strife IL
the North