The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-01
THE LAND OF ICE.
Hardy Residents of Iceland Talk Of
Leaving for Manitoba.

",
d. T., but a few miles from the Canadian
boundary, lie three townships settled en-
tirely by Icelanders, most Of whom lived
a short time in Manitoba before crossing
into the United States. Near Sioux Falls,
in the same territory, are few Icelanders;
there is another settlement in Iowa, and
still another in Wisconsin, while in Mani
toba the fourishing settlements OF Chill,
Thingvalla and New Iceland contain sew
eral thousand OF the same people. All
these settlements in both countries, have
much the same history, and illustrate the
painful fact that for the third time i'm its
history Iceland is threatened with depopu-
lation. For the third time the climate OF
that strangely interesting island is chang
ing for the worse; and this time the change
is 30 prolonged that a scheme is projected
in the Canadian northwest to bring all the
remaining $4,000 in Iceland to the new
world.
The extinction OF such people would
be n calamity 10 the sentimental, and we
may well refuse to believe il possible; for
no doubt a remnant will remain, will find
life much more tolerable when the surplus
population is removed, and, when nature
again becomes genial, will thoroughly re-
people the old land.
Iceland is the most interesting island in
the world. About as large as Ohio. il con-
tains as many volcanoes rs this continent;
and with population never rs large as a
congressional district, Il has produced more
poets and romance writers than any State,
and has history rs fascinating as that OF
any nation. When all Europe was sunk
in the barbarism that followed the North
mems destruction Of Rome, Irish priests
and scholars found a religious community
in Iceland; and when civilization had re.
vived In only u few Mediterranean PROV
inces, and that but ieebly, Iceland was in
its golden age OF poets, preachers and
scholars. There is good evidence that
Columbus obtained his first ideas OF the
western world in Iceland, and there is
undoubted history that people Of that race
discovered America long before the Span
iards. Once in its LOLA years Of authentic
history blight fell on Iceland, its popula
ton sank TO minimum, and for 200 years
Il had neither scholars nor historians; at an
other Time the cold increased for term Of
years and threatened general destruction,
and now the same phenomenon is being
repeated, with the additional evil that the
ice flow from Greenland comes later in the
season, and has formed permanent mass
against the north side OF the island.
No class OF foreigners became American
lied 40 rapidly and easily as the Scandi.
navians. This IL true OF the Swedes, Danes,
Norwegians, and prominently true Of the
lcelanders. Those in Manitoba are en-
thusiastic for the confederation, and liberal
supporters Of all English Canadian schemes
OF progress; they have several newspapers
In their own language, and maintain good
schools and churches. In the three lee
landic townships in Dakota are some 600
voters, and the high standard Of intelli-
gcncc Is remarkable. In the church II.
brary in the little village OF Mountain ICON
tanning less than fifty houses, are several
hundred volumes in English, French, Ger
man, Norwegian, Icelandic, Greek and
Latin, and the resident preacher u.utheran)
is a most accomplished scholar. both In the
classic and modern languages. There Is
no country in the world, probably, where
education Is 30 universal Us in Iceland; the
morals Of the people are good, save the one
vice Of the Scandinavans. We may Judge
the extent Of that from a clause in the
latest trade report 20 the effect that the
import Of brandy has declined TO twenty.
four quarts per capital II the IS, 600 pco.
pie in Iceland must leave there (which all
scholars will pray will not bel, Manitoba
could not get better settlers, and should
they follow their kinsmen into the United
States they will add valuable element 10
the much composite Yankee.
Naddodr, a Norwegian viking discoy-
cred Iceland In $50, and four years later
Gaithar Syaiarrson colonized II, but soon
found that Irish Christians had located
there at least $50 years before. Their
record adds that the remaining Irish left
when the Morse pagans came" The
Norwegian settlers were disa1cctcd citi-
zcns, unwilling 10 submit 10 n new form
OF government Just established In Norway
and In OPS they made Iceland republic;
but ~ years aftcrward they renewed al
lcgiance to HRco, King Of Norway Iceland
retaining her separate legislature. In
1887 Norway and Denmark we're united,
and when again divided Iceland fell 10
Denmark, 10 which Il is still attached. In
1874 the Icclandcrs celebrated the ,OOOth
anniversary OF settlement, which attracted
visitors from all parts Of the world. The
first era Of cold and famine II but imper-
fcctly reported, but about 1850 q series Of
calamitics began, including volcanic erup-
tons. Nearly all the domestic animals
died, and the population shrunk 10 -, 900.
Prosperity returned, and the population
soon exceeded 100000 Now Il has shrunk
to 1900, not by famine this time, but by
emigration.
The climate IA remarkable. Though tho
Arctic circle touches ON the north, the
average winter, In the valleys, Is mildcr
than that Of Ohio, while the summer tenn
pcnturc very rarely exceeds G0e. The ice
drifts from Greenland Lodge on the north
and northwest coasts, usually In February
aud March, but for many years past they
have remained through the summer. 40
chilling the mir that no considerable crops
could he raised In the northern valleys.
The only grain used Is imported; but
heavy crops OF Vegetables are grown. The
wealth OF the country IL In cattle and
sheep, fish and birds The latter are won.
deriully numerous, among them the cider
duck, whose nests are strictly protected by
the people.
The Press Convention.
T1.a mamie = ~ fhs -.