Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-01
Greet Iceland Arena Formed by Up.
heavaI

III all the wonders of Iceland ASbyr-
q ms unquestionahly the greatest
Yet II Is rarely visited, because of the
long ride it involves, 10 hours at the
least from HusaVik, the nearest sea-
port en- the forth coast. Besides this
most OF the books on Iceland refer to
her past history, and describe localities
fich IN legend and romance: while AS
bXrei lying remote from the historic
held, Is left to the attention of those
who study things of nature.
This great arena is the result of a
eonvulsion that must have shaken the
Island to its foundations, and is pre-
historic. The pasturelands immedi-
ately above it give no hint of it's prox-
unity, and at the entrance the scene
that meets the eye comes as surprise.
On all sides, except the east, rise per-
pendicular cliffs that sweep round in
great semi-circle, the submits show
ing the level from which the grassy
floor within has fallen. According to
Lock the height at its greatest, is 400
feet and the amphitheater enclosed is
divided down its center by two walls
of 1cVa, each 300 feet thick. Starting
from the seward side they gradually
Slope upwards towards the west till
they meet at a point more than 300 feet
above the plain. The angle thus form
&c resembles the letter V, or the prov
Of a boat and is most clearly discerni-
bic from the east, where both ends
sink down to the level; and the enter
prising visitor may ride his horse
along the summit of either side to its
extremity. The tops of these walls are
covered with turf, but the sides, of
light pinkinsh color, hardly afford
foothold for plants of any kind, being
smooth and polished as if recently
kewn. This very striking landmark
was formed by the subsistence of
vest mass of rock that formerly filled
the valley. and is supposed to have
ove1lain a subteranean channel.
At the inmost side OF the enclosure,
where the cliffs are highest and face
the apex, is a small lake OF pool, and
birch wood, the trees of larger growth
than usual but having the stems and
branches bent downwards, fiattened by
the weight of drifts. The echo here
is very good What wonder that the
Icelander-of the far distant past. the
inhabtaEt of the Holy isle, awed by
the majesty of natures own architec-
tGre., called the place Asbyrgi, or
"GeGas Enelosure," The name of Odin
meant fer him the one God that inhab-
iteth eternity whom it was forbidden
to think of as dwelling in temples
made with hands, Yet here, in the sol
emn stiffness of this grand colosseum,
he must have felt himself brought in
touon with the Infinite.
From the Voluspa, a poem dating
from sos and translated into English
by Samuel Laing. as well as from
Mallets Northern Antiquities" we
know that the ancient and primitive
religion of Scandinavia presented a
high ideal; but it was very soon lost, |
giving place to a Pantheon of heather
deities; and a later tradition declares
Asbyrgi to be the hoof-prnt of Odin's |
horse.
The ride through this weird valley is
most impressive, and the scene one
which no picture can adequately por-
tray. The whole surrounding region
is remarkable for the savage wildness
of its scenery, bearing witness to great
volcanic disturbance and the strife of
nature The fiat topped hill owes its
outline to another cause. Such hills, |
often occurring in ranges having had
their peaks apparently shaver off, are
a characteristic feature of Iceland. 1t
has been shown by experts that they |
are far older than the surrounding |
tablelands of lava, differing entirely |
from these in their construction; and |
Sir Alexander Keikie. the well known |
geologist, believes them to be the last |
yestige of a platform that at one time |
extended between Scotland and Ice |
land-London Special to Christian
Science Monitor.