Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-29

completely packed last evening long before the
lecturer made bis appearance
Prof Chadbourne having recently visited Ice
land made 1t more particularly the subject Of the
evening to describe his journey, and told many
pleasing incidents. The lcelanders love Of learn
ing and knowledge of literature 10 remarkable. Al
most every scholar Of the common schools 10 well
yersed in Greek, and can readily read from q
Greek book and translate II for you into Latin
far-of country the spirit Of civilization wide
spread, and ind himself In the midst Of such a
civilized people They are remarkable for their
hospitality, such as they have to give, and a
their turf and earth-covered roofs This people
claim to be the first DISCOVERIES Of our ewn coun-
try, and hence subjec Of interest TO US Here
the lecturer introduced many facts connected
with the Icelander's accidental discovery Of our
continent, the most Of which are familiar to his
torians.
Travellers, in trsversing this dangerous country,
TO which the Alps are no comparison, employ
generally three guides and five ponies for baggage,
&c. These ponies as well acquainted with
the bride paths upon the cliffs, and the winding
way among the mountains, IS the best Of guides,
and all one has to do Is to cling to the animals
back and hold on to his name TO be perfectly safe
while ascending the most giddy nights. There
are no roads in Iceland; only bride paths The
valleys are green with grass, while the hills are
white with snow and ice. Water falls In the
valleys abound, presenting very majestic picture
indeed Many Of the ruins Of their ancient temples
vet remain.
The men Of this country are fine specimens Of
natures noblemen; Of good size and hard working.
They respect American life and history The
lecturer found two large volumes of American
works, and some from the Smithsonian Institu-
ton.
They visited two large craters Of boiling water,
and the basin Of tue great Geyser, where once In
ten hours subteranean thunderings are heard, and
columns Of water some twenty feet In diamater,
are forced to elevation sometimes Of 500 feet
Being anxious to witness an eruption, the speaker
sat down to await the appointed time. Being
aware that the water always considerable just
before an cru ption. he laid himself down with his
head from the crater and feet near tie waters edge
50 as to be warned when he,water should rise, in
case he should fall asleep. In this uncomforts bic
position he did sleep, however, till he felt the
water upon his feet, when he knew the eruption
was near at hand. The earth shook all around
him; and suddenly the waters Of the Geyser OF
Iser were thrown up nearly 100 feet. IL was the
most terrific sig ht he eve beheld. he afterwards
walked up to the basin, and found II completely
emptIed OF Its water, and none could be seen in
the crater
The next day being Sabbath, they sojourned
over, and were Informed that the people had great
respect for the Sabbath. On inquiry as to how
their Sabbaths were spent, was told, "In the morn
ing we attend church, and in the afternoon dance
and play cards"
tnight the lecturer repaired to hut for lodg-
fnz. As soon az he sat down, the woman OF the
,ho1ss seized his boots and bore them eff; return
fng gave him for his bed a sort Of blanket OF
covering made in the shape Of bag, which II
sid into fhe woman then placed bowl OF
milk near his head, said prayer over him, snd
left him TO his repose.
In the interior they live mostly upon the pro
ducts OF their sheep and cattle, obtaining WOO
from the former and food from the latter Vii
lapes are nothing more than little cluster Of tive
or three Of these earth-coyered huts. The chill
drsn are taught during the long winter nights a
home Children become scholars, and parent
tine teachers There 10 not mEn or woman /:
all Iceland, 10 has been stated, that cannot rei6
and write. The only wild animals are foxes
white bears and reindeer. The ducks are grea
- 1rce Of revenue, through their down. And tn
~, prohibits the firing of gun, which woul'
-. - them away; in consequence OF this the
S.,i,hens div "ng them from their places Of abode
rIHnous nv lines her nest with the down
nincE, tom ~ b,. ~st. This down Is taken b
the Icelandefs She .. "a nIncked hare an,
times, or until her breast Pm re- Iti. al,
each time the down Is taken fl his breast. lou
the male bird sometimes plucks -I.augbter
the lecturer very much doubted it. l.
---- 'apl
was South Carolina, usual, only a little more
Early In the evening, a man, In a state Of fever
rushed into Browns Hotel and announced thai
Senator Hunter had received a dispatch from
Charleston stating that the Carolinians had made
an attack on Fort Sumter, and were sent bach
with flea in the ear by Major Anderson's little
party Of men Some few Of the credulous gave
to the story, but those better posted pronounced
IL to be bogus One solitary secession coclad,
made It's appearance during the evening, wearing
q lonesome aspect, and evidently pining for sym
Pathy that was not forthcoming. Hon. James |.
Orr, one Of the Sovereign Commissioners, mad,
his appearance for a few moments in conversation
with an Alabama member, looking as urbane anC
jovial a. ever, and appearing a good deal NOR
like q citizen than ''foreigner.n
At the National, the only thing worth motto
was an animated discussion between an enth usi
astic but good -humored democrat on the one side
and three or four equally even-tempered repub
heans on the other, to how far slaves wer
properly" &c.
At wfllards', sundry anxious parties, Of a.
political com plsxions, waited to sateh, by hook o
crook, some inkling Of what was going on in tn
bordsr-state caucus, then being held In the NJ usi
Hall.
INcKNDIARTsN AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. =
The recent incendary operations In various part
Of the city have touched slightly every city insu
snee company The amount Of the loss IT, to b
sure not very great; but the continuance Of hrt
in the same ratio would eat away the capit
Of snme Of the stock companies. Three nres d