Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-14
A CALAMITY IN ICELAND.

About six weeks ago there was heavy rain
of ashes and cinders along the northern coast of
Norway. covering the ground several inches
deep. Investigation revealed the tact that
these strange materials. coming from a north
westerly direction like immense clouds through
the air, were of volcanic origin. 1t was at once
thought there must have been an eruption of
Mount Hecla in Iceland.
A steamer was dispatched from Copenhagen
and that vessel has returned from B,jkjavik,
with news of an unparalleled disaster. 1t seems
that the outbreak began on Christmas, and has
continued ever sioce with scarce any interrup.
ton. For seven weeks before Christmas the
nhabitaDts were terrified by subterranean
Doises like thunder which extended through
nearly two thirds Of tie island. Early 10 Jan
uary followed earthquakes 10 all directions, and
al last, an old extinct volcano near Vatrayskud,
opened, and for four weeks continued to eject
Immense quantities of liquid FIRE, lava, ashes,
land a muddy fluid mass at boiling heat. The
village, and some smaller hamlets and farms
within a radius of twenty miles, were destroyed
aud over thousand people had to flee for their
lives.
Afterfour weeks this volcano ceased, but at that
moment another extinct volcano, nearly hun
dred miles away, near Myvatu, sent its burning
mass upon the peaceful habitations around.
village of Myvatu became prey to the
fiery elements, and the whole country for more
than fifty miles around was devastated. More
than eight hundred Of the people are reported
as having been rendered homeless Early in
March there seemed to be general upheaval'
OF the earth 10 the whole central portion of the
island; new mounds, as it were rose to the sui
tace, some to height of several hundred feet,
and over thousand feet 10 diameter at the
base, amid tremendous shocks of laundering
beneath. Th, ~ split open at the top and vom-
tied forth their burning contents upon tie sur.
face around them, covering distance of 200
miles. Ten thousand people are said to have
lost nearly all their possessions, and the re-
maloder,who live nearer to aud along the coast,
some 4O, 600 IN number, are too poor to sup
port such vast number Of needy people. Sever
al hundred persons are also reported to have
perlshed. The world renowned Geysers have
dried up since the terrible eruption began, and
Instead OF water, immense quantities of hot
smoke and ashes, which, duripg the night,
rising several thousand feet into the air. appear
like gigantic columns of hlmeless fire, visible
tor hundreds Of miles, 1t is said that nc his
torlc record of any volcanic eruption anywhere
10 the world compares with this, either in ter
Ttory over which 1t extends, the number of
newly opened craters, or the time of its dura-
tlon. The Copenhagen government has issue
an appeal for aid TO the sufferers.
A PAINTERS REVENGE -Rothschild asked
Horace Vernet TO paint bis portrait. Vernet
did 80, and, after the work was done, 1000
francs were rendered him in payment. This,
to his notion, taking into consideration bis own
reputation and means, and the fabulous wealth
OF the sitter, was ridiculous sum-so small,
md L. L..
Sendiug back the money, be asked that the
portrait be returned. Tell your master that
l will paint him portrait that will make him
immortal" The portrait was returned, and
when Vernets next great battle scene appear
ed, it was seen how well he had kept his PROM
ise. In the background were struggling groups
of men and horses, half hidden by smoke and
dust; on the ground lay dead and dying,
wounded trodden under foot, brokeD muSkets,
and all the other Accomplishments of hard
fought battle.
In the immediate foreground, with mean,
dlsOrdered garments, disheveled hair and panic
stricken cOuntenance, was an old man, running
with all haste from the scene Of conflict toward
the observer, aud tightly graspiDg money bag
uuder each arm. The countenance was that of
Baron Rothschild, aud an excellent likeness
All recognized the resemblance all remember
fortune (specuating on the news of the battle
of Waterloo, which he bad 10 advance of The
Times aud OF the government) and the revenge
was complete. Rothschild applied to the
french Government to have the thing righted
but the Assembly declined to "have any gov
eroment picture defaccd," and to-day 10 the
royal gallery at Paris the old man still hurres
away from the vicinity of cold steel and hot
lead, aod the eager guide relates to amused
visitors the story of Baron Rotbschild and the
battle Of Waterloo.
The picture is 10 gallery at Versailles Roth
schiid is painted as desperate. fugitive The
picture represents Freoch victory in Algiers
THE POETRY OF -"Marrage is
very matter Of tact affair. There is little poe
try in it, and all experience shows that it is
better to get rid of nonsense before committing
matrlmony. So says good writer; but We
beg to differ. All experience does not show
any such thing. 1t nonsense means here, as it
seems to mean, all those things that make the
poetry OF lite, We say the more you have of it
the better. Because thing is real must it be
common place The light of love illumiues
the bomeest duties; and because there must
be eating, drinking and sleeping, and earning
bread and butter 10 its years, marriage need
not be matter of fact arrangements coarse
sort OF bargain, 10 which the wife becomes q
housekeeper, and the husband the banker.
Better that there should be DO marrying at all;
for what shall they do in those hours Of trouble
and paiu which come to all of us, when every
heart Graves sympathy and when none can give
it so we'll as the lover whose love has endured
through many years. When two people of op-
poste sex, temperament and habits, resolve,
through union BY marriage, to live together
for the rest Of their lives, there is need of sen
timent between them. There is a necessity for
little romance that makes people seem better
and more beautiful than they really are, if 10
time they would not hate each other. No. if
You have no other part 10 life that is not CON-
mon-place and matter of fact, forbid that home
lite, which is the consequence of marriage, to
sink to this. Have Thousand songs without
Words" for every day. Nourish your most
delicate sentiments and weave them with the
Al. L. L. D. L. III