The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-12
A COLD COUNTRY.
HOW THE PEOPLE PASS THEIR
LIVES IN ICELAND.
Interesting Story OF the Early Settle
ment Of the Distant North-A
Nation of Intelligence
and Thrift

duNculuTOuS NOTWeSi iduS WIN HCo " 10
rugged coasts to escape the encroach-
ments of their king. They were bold
warriors, to whom submission was i'm
possible. Together they swore to he
free. Though some kindred spirits
sought q refuge on the Shetland, the
Orkney and the Farce islands, it was to
Iceland that majority of the malcon-
tents sailed in search of new home.
They founded there free republic OF
aristocratic character, much like those
that tlourished in. Greece before the
Christian era. 1t consisted of mobiles, or
independent chiefs, their free retainers
and slaves.
These social grades were very dis
tinctly marked. even in personal appear
ance. The mobiles were fair, with blonde
locks and fine, intelligent eyes. To them
is ascribed all the beauty of their race.
They were brave and naughty, yet
simple in manners and devoted to grace
full and heroic pursuits. The middle
grade, called chnrls, were florid and red
haired. Their features were OF coarser
mold and their occupations were more
laborious. The slaves are described as
swarthy and black.haired, with faces
like the Lamps. Th ugh under the con-
troll of their masters, their condition was
by no means so hopeless as that OF the
modern slave, for those who in any way
distinguished themselves were CON-
monty rewarded with freedom and gift
of land.
The loss of independence that fol-
lowed acceptance Of Norwegian rule in
the thirteenth Century WAS accompanied
by decrease of mental vigor. Books
were still written, but they offered no
new ideas. The people began to live
upon the past. Though they have never
lost heir taste for letters and have al
ways remained fond of study, they have
never since reached the creative power
of that early time.
The union of Norway with Denmark
in 1850 transferred Iceland to Danish
rule, under which it still remains. The
selfish policy of the new government
caused steady decline in material pros
perity. Compelled to deal with Danes
only in all commercial affairs, the people
suffered from their greed. The former
proud post ton of the is and was almost
forgotten in the obscurity that gradually
surrounded it. Poor, oppressed, and
isolated, the world passed it by. But q
general revival of thought and power is
, now progressing in that bleak but bean-
tiful land. In its learned societies are
scholars Of merit, and the new authors
are laying claim to recognition. IN 1911
the King of Denmark signed new con-
stitution that gave to Iceland legislative
independence, with some administrative
control over their own affairs. But they
are not represented in the Danish legis-
lature, and their Governor is appointed
by the King. This chief executive is
responsible to the ministerial department
of justice in Copenhagen. In the lcgs-
lature, called ''althing," there are two
. houses. The upper house contains six
members nominated by the King. and
six more chosen by themselves from the
tn rty deputies elected by the people.
The remaining twenty-four members
! constitute the lower house.
The people of Iceland are we'll ed
ucated indeed, it is impossible to find
one who cannot read and write. As oil
are instructed in youth, teachers are
abundant, aud the climate. together
. with the long. dark winters that make
| out-of door work impossible, give much
time for study. Simple. temperate tastes
foster their inherited love of books. 1t
is common habit for families to draw
together in the evening, children and
servants with the rest to listen to the
reading of some good book, while their
hands are employed with light but use
full labor. Observations are occasionally
made by the older or wiser members of
the group to aid the understanding of
the young ard ignorant. Even in most
remote quarters and among the poorest
there is knowledge of social amenities
that has produced gentle manners. Chill
dren will offer Their hands to strangers
with polite greeting. while their elders
will never refuse them hospitality. The
instruction of the young is further pro-
vided for by novel ecclesiastical law,
giving the priest right to forbid the
marriage Of any woman who is unable
to read.
A fault in the education of this peo-
pie is that students devote themselves
almost wholly to language and literature,
to the neglect of science and mathe-
matics. They have wonderful faculty
for acquiring languages. Cine commonly
meets people who can easily converse iu
Danish and English, and often in French,
German, or La. in. Their own tongue is
the ancient Scandinavian, which has
been preserved among them in almost
changeIess purity. 1t is the Oldest dia-
lect Of Europe, which their isolated posi-
tion and constant study of national lit
eraturc have kept uLmodifed by the in
huences at work upon the continent.
Says Sir David Wedderburn: Social
equality is complete in Iceland. The
priest en- oys certain rank and distinc-
ton, but even the Governor, whose Of
fee is ore of power as well as of dignity,
is liable to have his hand grasped by far
mer or fisherman with the familiar in
ouiry: 'lIow are you, FinserG"
The Icelanders of to day are reither
strong nor handsome. Their features
are harsh, but this fault is partly ato-.ed
for by gentle expression and frank blue
eyes In character they are cheerful,
but never nos!lv merry, and their m .nds
are serious andfchective. Hospitality is
one of their chief virtues. They will en-
tertain all corners as we'll as they are able.
To be sure, guests always oIler q gift of
money if they can do SO, and from
foreigners it is expected; but no one is
turned away.
Many churches have small collection
of books that are lett in the care of the
priest for the use of any family in the
district that desires instruction or amuse-
ment. The priest also aids in teaching