Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-08-05

Iceland was first discovered and col.
ouizcd by Norwegians between the
years $40 ana $50 A. d., and, therefore,
the lceiaudcrs OF today are principally
OF scandinavian descent and while
they are IN many respects similar to
their Norwegian brothers, they have
received separate nationality and
many peculiar characteristics Of their
own.
It must be remembered that the early
settlers were the descendants Of diff
lercnt classes Of people entirely unlike
each other Tho majority however
were Of Norwegian arlstocracy who
would rather brave the dangers Of the
northern seas and settle IN a barren
and uncuitWated land than yield them
selves TO the tyranniCal reign Of Har-
old, the ilir-halred (hariagra), who
they thought was infringing upon their
personal rights by wishing to have the
entire country OF Norway governed by
one Kind or sovereign.
Upon leaving Norway some Of those
narls and mobiles went direct to lee.
land while others wandered westward
10 the Hehridiau and British Isles and
then, after "a short stay, continued their
journey noyIhward. In both cases they
brought with them many slaves and
servants of whom 10 Is quite certain,
many Were born I'm thraldom The
slaves taken from The British Isles
We're OF the Celtic race and II appears
that even those brought direct from
Norway were Of a different race than
the Scandiuayans proper The old
sages, az well ns modern research agree
as To this blending Of elements among
the early scandinavian peoples II Is
evident, therefore, that the Icelanders
have come from three different types
Of peoples n Germanic, a Celtic, and
n mixed scandinavian.
This blending Of elements has not
been without IL effects upon the peo-
pie, yet aside from this there are two
things which have left even a deeper
and more lasting impression upon the
inhabitants and been the cause Of Civ
ing them a distinct and almost pecu-
liar nationality-aud that Is. the lso-
lated situation of the country, and the
great political independence, which the
nation enjoyed for several hundred
years Because OF this long continued
ISOLATION the people have their slngu-
larltles, and &c is somewhat difficult to
understand their personal qualities, Be.
cause OF this blending Of elements and
strange characteristics peculiar 10 GER
tain localities, 1t is hardly possible 10
classify them as a typical unity. OF the
different elements represented. how
ever we Hnd the TeutouiC- Norwegian
pIcdominatng.
The majority OF the people Of Iceland
are Of blonde complexion with light
gray or blue eyes and small but rather
lengthy faces Still there are many
with black hair brown eyes and round
faces, There are also many having red
hair auburn eyes, aud frccked faces
plainly showing their Irish descent In
build the lceIWders are, as rule. not
much above medium height and weight:
and, while there are some strongly
built and muscular still the majority
are simply average. The vltal-motive
temperament predomInates throughout
and. az a rule they are rather slow IN
bodily movements, taking HE easy and
earnestly They are orderly I'm every
day life, but under the influence Of
liquor or when aroused 10 anger they
demonstrate their combatiyeness and
become 1a roaring Hons, showing that
beneath This otherwise quiet exterior.
there sfliI fingers smolderng embcrs of
the ancient Viking passion, Fortu-
n3tely, they are not dictated by mo-
meutary impulses, but generally take
time TO reason and consider before act
lng. They are rather slow thinkers
and still slower workers but when once
arI
he demonstrates remarkable energy to
gain his point and viii display great
individuality and fearessness While
I'M the thick Of "a 0ght he will also eN-
hibit great perseverance and courage.
but n the iight Is exceedingly long
and one that calls for great endurance
and different tactics, he Is prone 10 let
30 and give way 10 comparative slug
g.shness or at least change the object
ne strives for and work Tor another,
They are therefore, lacking IN stead
iastness and close application; they
are optimistic ldealsts, but not very
practical Some are prone, therefore
TO overestimate their powers and abl.
tiles for which reason they sometimes
meet disappointment and failure, but
as rule they bear disappointment with
admirable patience.
One Of tho leading traits Of character
among this people is their exceeding
self-esteem An Icelander cannot bear
10 bave u said ~ him that he Is die.
tated by some one else's opinion. He
bears little respect for authority and
wishes to be his own dictator, base and
master, both an word and deed He
listens with impotence while others
are explaining their Views and has a
strong inclination TO argue and oppose
II only for the purpose Of exhibiting
his self-rellanoe. He IL by nature OPP
positlonal and IN politics, he Is a full
FLOODED Democrat fighting for lndivid.