The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-15
ICELAND.
It's Inhabitants a People of More Than
Ordinary Intelligence

ITS Inhabitants People of More Than
Ordinary Intelligence.
From the name and situation, one
might expect to fnd Iceland cold,
deSolate country, shrouded much OF the
time in snow and bordered, like the
east coast of its neighbor. Greenland.
with almost impenetrable fields of ice.
The Gulf Stream, however. plays an
important part in modifying and equal.
izing the climate, and though the sum-
mers are somewhat cooler and shorter,
the winters are far milder than in some
parts of our own country. Quite diff
ference exists between the climates OF
the southern and northern parts of the
island; but if we trace the isothermal
or line of mean temperature, equal to
that of Akurey'ri on the north coast,
we will find it leading US far south in
other countries that boast of a more
salubr;ous climate.
With the exception of the priests
Uutheran) and few merchants, the
people are all farmers. Those who live
near the sea, or one of the many fiords,
combine several occupations, and thus
gain a good livelihood. or even
wealth. The priests hold their posi-
ton under the Government, and are
paid from the public treasury, but
they generally add farming to
their official duties. The merchants
have their stores at one of the small
villages about the coast, and carry
stock comprising almost everything.
Sometimes they employ agents who
travel through the country buying pO-
MES, which they ship to Scotland, or
perhaps they own a small vessel which
coasts around the island, EIIving oil
and Goldfish. The farmers obtain all
the necessaries of life from the land and
waters about him. The rocks and turf
are his building material, the bogs fur
nish inexhaustible supplies of peat for
fuel. the rivers swarm with salmon dur
ing the summer and the sheep yield
wool for his clothing. If near the sea,
the almost domesticated elder duck con-
tributes its eggs and down, the seals
and sharks give oil for his light. and
Goldfish are added TO his winter stores.
Once year he Journeys to Reykiavik
or one of the smaller villages and bar
ters his produce for things that serve
to make his isolated life more comfort
able. Usually wool and elder down
are the things brought. For these he
is given credit by the merchant. and
permitted to draw his yearly sup
ply of goods, consisting of rye
meal, flour coffee, sugar, calico and
lumber. Upon the farms the houses.
with very few exceptions, are clusters
of low, uncovered huts with gable
ends, doors and window frames of
wood, and, if seen from distance, are
not easily recognized by the stranger.
Sheep and even ponies are frequently
seen upon the roofs in quest of the grass
that grows more luXuriantly there than
in the pastures; but the interior of the
houses is often made very comfortable
by paneling and flooring with wood,
painted, and sometimes nicely furn-
ished. Not having much to do at any
season, not caring to exert himself be-
yond his yearly neceSS ties, the Ice
lander finds much time for reading, his
favorite occupation. One who can not
both read and write is not to be found,
and indeed, as a whole. they are one of
the best educated people on the globe.
Well informed in history, geography,
and literature, especially of their own
country, the traveller is often surprised
to find these people conversing very
intelligently about persons and
events of all countries and ages.
though they themselves may never
have been ont of sight of their
own island. A faculty for learning
languages is certainly trait of these
people. as every one meets persons who
converse huently in Danish and En-
glish, and perhaps German Or French.
or even Latin. This in the towns and
villages where they come in contact
with people of other nations. Further
inland no chance is afforded for prac-
tice, but many of the people, Tead un-
derstandingly languages which they do
not speak. There are those ON the
island who have travelled extensively in
other countries, and having studied
their institutions and learned of the
people, are now trying to give their
countrymen the benefit of the knowl-
edge and to gain from other people
that recognition to which th&r native
land is certainly entitled. Two or
three learned societies lead a. flourish
ing existence here; and after wears of
inactivity the country is again bringing
forth authors and scholars who can not
but be recognized among those of other
nations. Atseveral places on tlee island
there are well equipped printing offices.
~ T. Times.