The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-02-14
from the Boston Journal.
The Discovery of America by the
Northmen.

neum Gallery, is one by Lsuize, which is
calculated to attract the attention of visit
ors, as well BY the character OF the subject
as by the happy manner in which it is
treated by this celebrated artist, who i. re-
'narkable for the life which he puts into
his works. The subject of this painting
is the "Landing of the Mortimer on the
Coast o. America" earl in the eleventh
century. 1t may not be uninterestiny at
this time, to indulge the associations
which the sight OF this picture must con
Jure up in every mind, and look back to
tue history of tina. period, when according
to records. which have the semblsnce Of
authenticity. The coast Of New England
was discovered and visited by the barbar
ans of the north of Europe.
Historians have for centuries alluded to
the tradition that this country was discoy
cred by the Mortimer, or adventures
from Iceland, several centuries before the
birth of Columbus or Colon. But it is
only within comparatively few years
that particular attention has been given to
this subject. The Royal Society of North
ern Antiquarians at Copenhagen, have dis
covered ancient authentic documents, re-
lating to this subject, of most valuable
character, which documents have been pub
li>hel in large quarto volume, entitled
"Antiquatatis Amercana These docu>
ments consist Of narratives of he VOYAGES
of the adventures who discovered and
colonized Greenland, and subsequently ex
tended their discoveries and settlements TO
par. Of New England, also of copious ex-
tracts from lcelandc contemporary writers,
and geographical notices.
The narratives appear to have been wit
ten in straightforward style, free from
romance or exaggsration, which might
have been expected in records of this de-
scription. They carry with them internal
evidence OF truth, and are corroborated by
numerous geographical facts. A .meaere
outline of which may hot be uuin,erssling
to our readers.
Iceland situated between Norway and
Greenland, in the North Atlantic, but
much nearer to Greenland than to Nor,
way, although discovered in SCI, was not
colonlzed until SIS, when IugoIf, a Nor
wegian, with some followers, landed on
those shores. Since that time, Iceland
has been Inhabited by race of Norwe gian
origin. Soma time after this, ThoIvad.
for some was compelled TO flee from Nor
way, and with bis son Eirek the Red, pro
ceeded 10 Iceland, where the father soon
after died; but Eirek, having Inherited a
portion of his fathers spirit quarree,l
with his ne;ghbors, and committed HON
icide, and found it necessary to quit Ice
land.
lie fitted out vessel, for the avowes
purpose of discovering sume rocks or is
lands. said to have been seen some years
before, by Gunpitiorn, and hencetorth
called the rocks of Gunnibiorn. Tins was
n the year 9S2 at a time whea the
quadrant and the compass, those impor-
taut instruments in navigation were un-
known. lie did not find the rscks he
was in quest of, but he discovered, aud
landed on the coast OF Greenland. He
passed two winters iii that country, max
ing expl oratiens, but returne,.. to Iceland
in The following summer The next wear
he returned to Greenland to fix there bis
permanent residence. lie was aecompa
MED by twenty five ships, with many eni
grants on board, fourteen of which only
reached Greenland the others were nev
er heard Of afterwards, or were driven
back. Among those who accompanied
Eirek was Heliulf, who went over To
Greenland with his family. At this time,
the son of Ueriul Barni Heriulson, was
absent in Norway, in ship Of his own.
On returning to Iceland, and finding
that his fat her had left for the new CONT
nent, he determined to follow him; but
after a time he me. with heavy gales from
the northeast, accompanied with thick fogs
which continued for many days. After
the weather cleared up, they saw the Ian
which was not Greenland, for it WAS not
mountainous, nor WAS the coast encumber-
ed with mountains of ice. The crew wecu
anxious to land, but Biarnl would not suf-
fer it, and sailed f.oms the land to the
Northeast, and after two days fair wind.
he uade another point Of land, which B.
atai thought reseMbled Greenland no
more than the first. lie would uot ALLOW
tuo solloio w idhh, pus piOCSctcd oiiy dIN.
in three days he saw another pronentory
which was high and mountainous, and
covered with ice lie coasted alon. the
shore, until he found it to be an isl and
lie continued on his course with fail
wind, for four 1avs more, when lie discov
ed Greenland, and soon found. Eastbugd,
Erek's settlement. The first land which
Biarni saw, is supposed TO have been Cape
Cod, the second Cape Sable aud the third
Newfoundland.
Biarui was much blamed for having ex
plored the country--and Lief, the son Of
Eireck bought his shir, and with crew
of thirty.ive men, sailed in ques. Of the
country which Biarni had neglected to ex
plore. Following the direction Of Biarui,
be made the island ofsN Newfoundland, Ian
ded upon it, bu. finding i: barren AMI
rocky, lie called it Heliuland. OF the land
of broad stones. Proceeding to the Sonth
West he fell in with Noys Scotia.Thi
he named 1farkiaad. or land OF the code
After passlno some days on the sea be dis