The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-09-19
Iceland. and Its volcanoes.
New York Herald.i

There could hardly be anything more in
congrueus, as would first appear, than the
association of Iceland and volcanic ernp-
ton. Yet the island in the Artic seas
which bears that name has been, during the
present year, the scene of one ofthe most ter
rife explosions, if we may 30 designate it,
that has ever been witnessed, and it is par
ticularly calculated to excite our sympa-
thies at the present time, the lcelanders
having only last year celebrated their
millenial, or thousandth year of their repub;
lie. The Island itself has never been of great
consequence IN the world as politicA
power, but has been the sc at of remark
able intelligence. In area it exceeds by
about e-fourth that of ireland, although
only about seven thousand square miles of
it are habitable. This portion is, as it
were, girdle of green investing vast
collection of volcanic mountains. In many
places this girdle is very narrow, indeed,
almost entirely lost, while in other place
it expands along the banks of rivers good
way into the interior. population OF
supported mainly by the rearing of sheep
and cattle and the catching of hsh-these
latter being salmon and cod. Where pas
ture lands for sheep exist the docks ARE large
and the prof 8 in wool considerable. In
strict sense there is no farming, although
the ordinary garden vegetables are cultl-
waited successfully. The people retain
their ancient characteristics, aud it is OF
intere st to us to remember that the strong
est element of our language, which we are
in the habit of calling Saxon, is now
spoken only in Iceland in its original purity
The Icelauders, though SO far away, are
yery near to us. About one third of the
entire Island has been, as it were, shaker
to pieces, and the most disastrous cOnse
ouences have resulted from the pouring
forth of streams of lava and the emission
from the bowels of the earth of vast volume!
of hot sand and ashes. Nothing has, per
haps, ever equaled 1T since the awfu
catastrophe which over whelmed Pompei
and Herculaneum. The region mos
disturbed is the eastward of the centre o
the island, and, beginning in the vas
unexplored region of the Vatua Jokul
extend snorthward to the wilds of Myvatu
Most of this region is clothed with perpet
ual ice and snow, and out from this area
frost came on the % b of March last blaz
of fire. showers OF red hot lava and cloud
of smoke and ashes. So dense did the latte
become that in short time the light G
heaven was obscured. Candles were light
: ed at MONDAY. By o'clock in the after
noon the shower of ashes had somewha
9 abated, and then whole farms were covere
f from one and half to eight inches dee
f with tins smothering sulphurous blanke
The iohubiteG portions comprise, OF course
hut small part of the area thus covered
but the pasture lands of Jkuldal and F'loto
+ dalsIerad, thus converted practically Int
a Il desert, brace three thousand squar
( miles. Here and there patches are toun
q where few cows and sheep find pasture
but the people have mostly fed away. Th
safety of the people depends upon keepin
: their cows alive during the coming wlntel
f for on milk and what they make from
f are the Icelanders principally dependen
f The demand is for fodder for these animal
, so necessary to the existence of the peopl.
A single shipload of grain and hay woul
be god send to these unhappy dwellel
q in the North sea, whom frost and fire alik
f threaten with destruction. Probably thel
has not been within the memory of an
: living man year when the elements hay
p wrought in various quarters of the wor
; greater calamities but no sadder plea fc
: help comes from anywhere than from poo
y volcano shaken Iceland.