, 1875-10-02
A VISIT TO ICELAND.

The Scotsman says -
Captain Burton has lust arrived in Edinburgh
from Iceland, where he has been during the last
month on a tour of investigation, in company with
party of eight other gentlemen. The lmmedl"
ate object of their visit was to examine the ex-
tensive sulphur mines which were worked IN the
north eastern part of the island about the begin
ming of the present century, and for the reopen"
ing of which q company has recently been
formed. 1t is unnecessary here to allpde to the
causes which led to these mines being abandoned
but it would seem that the company referred to has
succeeded in obtaining from the Danish Govern
ment the needful concessions to enable them to
develope what has all the appearance of beoom'
inc q most valuable ulphur-producing district
Besides Captain Burton, who had charge OF the
expedition, the party consisted of Mr.. Kent q
commissioner of the company ; Mr.. Tenant son
of Mr.. Tenant, NJ. P; Mr.. Locke, Mr.. Cole,
surveyor Mr.. Green, geolegist Mr.. Hope Jun,
Leith Mr.. Baldwin, and Mr.. tombstone. Inc
two aforementioned gentleman were not connected
with the surveying party, but went out on a
sporting tour. On the 5h of July Captain Burton
and his friends sailed from Granton in the steam
ship Fifeshire, which was under the command or
Captain Main. On the last day OF the voyages
quantities of ashes and pumice-stone were found
in the sea, and in the neighbourhood OF Husavik,
a factory station on the northeast coast, the
shore was literally strewn with these indications
of the recent eruptions, the pieces in some cases
being as large as q mans list. Husavik Is
distant about ~ miles from the furthest east
of the sulphur mines. 1t consists OF a
small collection of houses inhabited by fisher
men and others, who are very much under
the thumb of the agent or factor of the place
"a parsonage not unlike a class to be met with
in Shetland, at least in his manner of detailing
with the natives. The barter or truck system
seems to be prevalent in Iceland in its most ag-
prayated form. Captain Burton states that he
I'D a. Io-bovr horn IN hn n most AYaaIInnf nuA
although the reverse was reported by Henderson,,
a traveller who visited the place some years ago.
Accordingly, careful soundings were made, and
q chart drawn of the bay with a view to future re-
ouirements. Another important fact which was
elected bv the party was that plenty of labour
is to be had in the 'nefghbourhood, except for a
short time during the haymaking season go that
what MIGHT have been O formidable difficulty in
any attempt to open up the mines does not appear
to exist. Finding that q sufficient number of po-
MES for travelling purposes could not be obtained
at Husavik, the Captain and Mr.. remnant went
off in the Fifeshire to Akreyri, q township about
six hours sail further north, with o view OF sup
plying this deficiency. The Governor of A;kreyi,
hv name Kristiansson, received them hosp 'tably,
and protested himself most willing to further the
objects of the expedition as far as lay in his pow
err Asin most of the other settlements, the industry
here is fishing, with a little barter in merchandise
added, which is carried on with those further in
land. After spending some little time at the
northern capital Captain Burton returned to
Husavik, on reaching which they found that Mr..
Cole had already started to survey the road be-
tween that point and the sulphur mines. in order
TO determine how far the route could be made
available for the transit of the mineral to the
sea coast. A visit was afterwards made to Reyk-
iahlith, in the vicinity of a large lake, which
goes under the name of Myvatn. where it is
intended the head quarters of the company should be
set up. Around this district the prospecting WORK OF
the party was done, and when this was accomplished
Captain Burton took the opportunity OF visiting the
southern focus of the eruption in the beginning OF
the present year. This vent in the earth they founo
to be a mere ravine, which was kept open oy tne
tension of the gosses within. The fire fire na . pretty
we'll burnt itself out. Further south there / . SECOND
focus of eruption, but want Of time prevented mem
from paying it a visit. At Husavik, some thlrty
sacks Of sulphur were collected ,ss @ to be taken ,hs nei nG%e =.
IpoJ nos listed bv a severe snowstorm, which lasted
about 10 days, and as the party mad by this time
finished their business and returned to husavik IN
order to wait for the Fifeshire. which mao NOT yet