The state herald., 1912-10-04

ments passed. Further south
detached rock is known as the blood
stone, where for certain offenses the
backs Of criminals were broken and
the bodies were thrown into the deep
transparent water, which rises from
| some subtaranean source and runs
from she rift underground toward the
lake.
The rufns of the booths where the
members OF the thing, or parliament,
and where at times long ago the
heroes OF the Sagas dwelt. are still
visible
Iceland an Anglers Paradise.
The Thingvalla lake teens with
trout and char. as do almost all the
lakes and rivers In Iceland. The
rivers mostly belong to farmers who
own their own land and Who charge
to about 25 cents) day per rod.
front OF from one to Ave pounds are
| plentiful ond It is a rare occasion IN
deed when ose does not return with
full basket.
There are a number OF salmon riv-
ers. the best OF which Is the Laxas
near Rukjavik. which is let to an
Epglishman. nut excellent sport can
be got in remoter districts at mod
crate charge.
In the season excellent shooting
san be obtained. No license is re-
,,,troa nnd ,ha fo-nars yaparoliy ptva
permission TO sheot over their land.
Ptcrmigan. snipe whimbrel. plover.
ducks and wild swan abound.
Among the trips which can be TAX
en- from Reykjayik are Thingyellir
and Hekla the latter about 5000 feet
above sea level. which is the highest
volcanic MOUNTAIN in Iceland. and ms
late MS 1878 was in eruption and did
great deal OF damage TO the sur
rounding farms. Fortunately. no lives
were lost II commenced on Septem-
ber 2 and lasted over four months,
the nshes actually being carried aA
far as Shetland.
Excellent accommodation can be
had at tho Parsonage. Fellsmuli. II
is usual, however. TO take several
mack ponies. as well ms riding ponies.
TO carry tents and other equipment TO
camp out. II the Great geyser Is In
cluded the trip will last at least n
week.
There is an inn near the geyser
where n bed can be obtained and
soap purchased. Strange TO say, the
Great geyser will sometimes not con
descend to spout unless he receives
from 20 10 40 pounds OF soap and
then he may remain nulky for full
week or even longer. bat on occasions
he may spurt several times DAY.
Why the soap Affects him is unknown,
and likely will remain unknown for all
time coming
on the main country roads earn.
vans of pack ponies from nve to
twelve IN number are frequently me,
with. Tho ponies are tied head TO
tail: that IL ehe leader will have n
r6pe attached to his tail which In
,as,ensd TO the bridlo OF the following
pony. and 30 on; and sometimes cows
and goats are included.
punctuniity IL not n strons point
with the Icelhnders. few hourh here
or ,hose makIns. no difference In keep
ing nppointmonta Taking thom all
round. however. they arc good ma
,u,os and extremely intelligent lot
and certainly put the average British
ar 10 shame In their knowledge OF
languages, nearly all speaking Danish
and English. n &ell NJ their own
The recognized guides arc hNhly ed
ueat.d and cultured men. who can b.
relied upon to provide good ponies.
riding yaddicr and pack saddles
Iceland has no trees with the er'
e.pt,on OF two or three small woods
ON tho east coast The government
has been endeavoting to cultivate
plnea and nrs near ReykIavik. but
hitherto have me, with but little sue
cess.
In Reykjavik there Ia large and
handsome museum. which from nm
antiquarian point Of view IL Of I'm
m.nss interest Among its collections
are many manuscripts belonging to the
old SAGA .'riters Under the same
roof is n natural history collection
embracing specimens Of all the AMI
mails. birds and nsh In Iceland. There
ia also D splendid library and good
reading room with some thousands OF
hooks OF reference In ieelAndio Eng
Il u.A n-.,a.n and FRENCH