offered the greatest novelty to his party was the loud and incessant choruses of the myriads of frogs which fill the marshes. We subjoin his amusing account of these reptiles in a note.13 The inhabitants are chiefly descendants of the ancient Saxons; a part of them derive their origin from the Wendes, an ancient tribe, early assimilated in language and customs to the Germans. The nobility of Holstein are numerous and wealthy. This province is united with Sleswick under one governor. Gluckstadt, the capital, is situated upon the Elbe, and contains a population of about 6000 souls. Kiel, the seat of a university, has 7,500 souls. Plön, the ancient residence of the Dukes of Holstein-Plön, is situated in a district of great beauty.

Altona.] Altona, sometimes called Altena, in the Lordship of Pinneberg, is the second city in the Danish dominions with regard to population. It is situated upon the Elbe, at a very short distance from Hamburg, and was built in that situation that it might attract a share of the trade of that commercial city. It became subject to the Danes in 1640; and, in 1664, was erected into a city. About the beginning of the 18th century, it was almost entirely laid in ashes by the Swedes, but it has recovered all its former consequence, and now contains a motley population of 30,000 souls, with several wealthy commercial houses.

3d. Lauenburg.] The duchy of Lauenburg was in ancient times inhabited by the Polabers, a Wendish tribe, who were subjugated by Duke Henry the Lion. After having successively come under the dominion

of different Saxon lines, in 1689 it fell to the House of Brunswick; and the Wolfenbuttle line of this house resigned its pretensions to the district, in 1706, in favour of the Brunswick-Luneburg or Hanoverian line, with whom it remained till 1815, when it was, with the exception of a small district, given to Prussia, who yielded it again to Denmark. Its territorial surface is about 600 square miles, presenting a low flat, fertile plain, bounded by the Elbe and intersected by the Stecknitz and Bille. There is a considerable intercourse between Lubec and Lauenburg; but the population is wholly occupied in agriculture. The inhabitants are Germans, speaking the Low German dialect. This duchy is divided into four bailiwicks, viz. Ratzeburg, Lauenburg, Schwarzenbeck, and Steinhorst, and has its peculiar government guaranteed to it by the king of Denmark. Ratzeburg, the principal town, situated upon an island in the lake of the same name, contains a population of 2,100 inhabitants.

Authorities.] The following works illustrate the geography and history of Denmark: Messenii Scandia Illustrata, Stockholmiæ, 1700.— Delicia Daniæ, Norvegiæ, &c. Lugd. Bat. 1706.-Roger, Lettres sur le Danmarc, 1764-1768.-Dr Andrew's Revolution of Denmark, 1774. -Coxe's Travels, Lond. 1784.-Baron Riesbeck's Travels, Lond. 1787.

13" To call it croaking, would convey a very erroneous idea of it, because it is really harmonious; and we gave to these reptiles the name of Holstein nightingales. Those who have not heard it, would hardly believe it to be possible for any number of frogs to produce such a powerful and predominating clamour. The effect of it, however, is certainly not unpleasing; especially after sunset, when all the rest of animated nature is silent, and seems to be at rest. The noise of any one of them singly, as we sometimes heard it near the road, was, as usual, disagreeable, and might be compared to the loudest quacking of a duck; but when, as it generally happened, tens of thousands, nay, millions, sang together, it was a choral vibration, varied only by cadences of sound, something like those produced upon musical glasses; and it accorded with the uniformity which twilight cast over the woods and waters.'

-Swinton's Voyage performed in the years 1788-1791.-Voyage au Nord de l'Europe, Paris, 1796.-Catteau's Tableau des états Danois, Paris, 1802.-Wraxall's Tour.-Mallet's Northern Antiquities, Edin. 1809.-Macdonald's Travels, published in 1810.-Birsgelin's Travels, published in 1810.-Wolff's Northern Tour, Lond. 1814.-Geographie over Konegeriget Danemark forfattet af S. B. Juul og Kron. Copenhagen, 1816.-Clarke's Travels, Part 3d. Scandinavia, Lond. 1824.-Schlegel's Denmarks og Hertugdommen's Statsret (on the Constitution of Denmark, &c.)-Feldborg's Denmark Delineated.

CHAP. IX.-THE FEROE ISLANDS.

Number and Extent.] THE Feroe Islands lie to the N. W. of Denmark, between Iceland and the Shetland Isles. They are twenty-five in number, seventeen of which are inhabited, the rest being mere cliffs and holms. Their total superficial extent has been estimated at 500, and by others at 860 square miles, and the inhabitants at 5,300, although they could support a much larger population. It is probable they derived their name from the wild sheep, called fary, which were found upon them by the first settlers.

History.] This group was discovered and colonized by fugitive Normans, between the years 858 and 868. They do not appear to have attracted much notice from Britain at any period. During the American war they became notorious for smuggling, and continued to be so till the annihilation of the Dutch and Danish East India trade, during the French revolutionary war. The language is a Danish dialect of the Norse. The islanders are a laborious and simple race of men, leading a very primitive life, although by no means destitute of the necessaries of life. Their ordinary food is barley, milk, flesh, fish, and bread. Beer is considered a luxury, and spirits are only used on solemn occasions.

Physical Features.] The whole of these islands are composed of basaltic rocks; and some of the mountains, as Skalings-field in the Island of Stromoe, and Slatturtind in Osteroe, rise to the height of 3000 feet above the level of the sea. In the latter island there occurs a range of basaltic pillars, almost as regularly defined as those of Staffa. The principal minerals are copper, jasper, and coals. The latter might be worked to great advantage in Suderoe. A few lakes exist in some of the islands, and abundance of torrents and rivulets; but no opening between the mountains which can be called a valley, or stream that can be dignified with the name of a river. On the coasts of these islands the masses of rock in many places, viewed at a distance, suggest the idea of extensive walls, towers, castles, and spires, expanding with an effect often strikingly picturesque and sometimes awfully sublime. The shores are in many places so steep, that the inhabitants can only reach the beach by the help of cords. The best havens are those of Westmann-haven on the west coast of the Island of Stromoe, and Kingshaven on the Island of Osteroe. But the tides in the straits between the different islands are extremely rapid, and frequently form dangerous maelstreams or whirlpools, while frequent squalls increase the danger of the navigator.

Soil, Climate, and Productions.] The climate is rigorous, but not so much so as might have been expected in such a latitude. The winter is as mild as in Denmark. The soil is thin, mossy, and wet, offering little

encouragement to the agriculturist; but occasionally affording good pasture. A little barley, however, is raised; and potatoes, with a species of yellow turnip, thrive well. The land is prepared for the seed by the spade-the thin soil not admitting the employment of the plough-and the inhabitants are often so industrious as to cover the flat surfaces of stones with soil, upon which they grow potatoes and turnips. Trees are unknown, and the only fruit is that of a few different kinds of wild berries. Hay produced from natural grass is their principal crop: what grain they require being mostly imported from Denmark. The high northern situation of these islands renders the days in summer very long, and in winter short. The longest day of summer is 20 hours, and the shortest day of winter is 4 hours. But the clear twilight and frequent aurora borealis, render the latter less tedious to these islanders. Cows of a small breed, and sheep, amounting to better than 35,000, form the principal wealth of the inhabitants. The latter are of a very peculiar breed, and remain constantly exposed to the weather. The horses, which are very diminutive in stature, are only used for bearing burdens; wheel-carriages being totally unknown, and from the nature of the country, would be useless though they were known. A good dog is valued as high as a

very

COW.

coasts.

Industry.] The population of the Feroe islands is supported chiefly by bird-catching and fishing. Bird-catching-here a most arduous and hazardous employment-is prosecuted with great alacrity by these islanders, who ascend the most frightful cliffs with a long pole, having a bag-net fastened to the end, through the meshes of which the birds thrust their heads and hang suspended by the neck. Upwards of 10,000 sea-fowl are annually caught in this manner. The principal fishery is cod, though that species of fish is said to have become less abundant than formerly. Herrings are also taken occasionally, and whales sometimes appear upon the The seal-fishery in the month of September is often very productive. Manufactures and trade, as may well be supposed, do not occupy much of the attention of these simple islanders. Every man, for the most part, practises the whole of the handicraft arts, and is his own weaver, tailor, tanner, shoemaker, mason, carpenter, boat-builder, fisher, bird-catcher, and farmer. They contrive, however, to manufacture a few jackets, and upwards of 112,000 pairs of stockings annually, which, along with their surplus raw produce, as train oil, feathers, skins, and sometimes fish, tallow, and butter, they exchange with the Danes for grain and pulse, fishing materials, timber, tar, nails, lead, tobacco, tin, coffee, salt, sugar, and other luxuries.

Government.] With regard to government, these islands are under nearly the same regulations as the other Danish colonies, especially Iceland. A military officer or bailiff, with the command of thirty men is first in authority, and under him are the treasurer and the governors of the syssals or districts, which are six in number, viz. Stromoe, Norderoe, Osteroe, Waagde, Sandoe, and Suderoe. The expenses of the establishment are supplied by taxes imposed on the produce of the country, particularly on tallow, wool, and sheepskins. The religion is Lutheran ; and the direction of ecclesiastical affairs is vested in a provost, who acts under the bishop of Zealand. The islands are divided into seven parishes, and in these seven parishes there are 39 places of worship, so that almost every village has a church.

Thorshaven.] There are a great many villages and hamlets scattered

over these islands, but there is nothing resembling a town, Thorshaven excepted, which stands on a small tongue of land on the south-east side of the island of Stromoe, is the seat of government, and contains a population of about 500 souls. The houses are constructed of wood, closely crowded together, and roofed with birch-bark from Norway, over which is laid a layer of turf, which, from the dampness of the climate, retains at all times the same verdant appearance as the adjacent fields. The interior of the houses is neat, clean, and convenient.

CHAP. X.-ICELAND.

ICELAND is situated on the verge of the Arctic Ocean. It is distant from the colonized part of Greenland 166 miles, but from the nearest point of land only 95. From the Faroe Isles it is distant 220 miles, and from Drontheim in Norway, 330. Its length from east to west is 280 miles; its mean breadth from north to south, 210. Its superficial extent is not exactly ascertained, but has been calculated at 30,500 square miles, with a population of 50,000 souls.14 Its form would be compact, approaching nearly to a circle, but for a long projection in its north-west angle.

Early History.] Iceland was discovered about A. D. 860, by a Norwegian pirate, named Nadodr, who was accidentally driven upon the coast while on a voyage to the Feroe Islands, and who gave to it the name of Snioland.15 A few years after, Gardar, a Swede, succeeded in circumnavigating the island, and gave it the name of Gardarsholm.16 The present name was given to it by Flocke, a famous pirate of those times, who explored most of the southern and western coasts of this island. The country was colonized in the year 870, by two Norwegian noblemen, Ingulf and Hiörleif. It is asserted in some of the Icelandic sagas, that there were actual settlements in the island before this period, and that as early as the fifth century, Iceland had been colonized from Scotland and Ireland; but this seems improbable. In the Landnama Bok-which is among the earliest of the Icelandic historical records-it is stated, however, that among other things, writings in the Irish language were found. The Norwegian colony settled on the south-western part of the island, on the spot where Reykiavik now stands. In the course of half-a-century, the coasts of this remote country were well-peopled; and in the Landnama Bok, which contains minute details of the spreading of the colonies, we find several names of Scotch and Irish families who came over and settled about this period. Frederick, a bishop from Saxony, began to preach the Christian doctrines in Iceland in the year 981; and Islief, the first bishop of Skalholt, was consecrated in 1057. In the year 1261, the whole of Iceland, with the exception of the eastern province, submitted to Haco VI. king of Norway. A few years afterwards the total subjection of the Icelanders was completed, but under conditions which still maintained their rights and their commerce. 1280, Magnus, the successor of Haco, gave to the island the code of laws well-known by the title of Ionsbok, which was no more than a revised copy of the ancient laws. The last political change which occurs

In

In the year 1703, the population of Iceland amounted to 50,444; in 1770, to 46,201; in 1783, to 47,287; in 1801, to 47,207, viz. 21,476 males and 25,731 females; and in 1823, to 49,269.

15 Snowland.'

16 Gardar's island.'

in the history of Iceland, was its transference from Norway to the Crown of Denmark, in the year 1381. In the year 1482, a pestilence carried off nearly two-thirds of the population: and another broke out towards the close of that century. In addition to these calamities, the Icelanders were at this period exposed to the incursions of pirates, who plundered their property, committing frequent murders, and carrying off the inhabitants. From the 11th to the middle of the 14th century, the sciences were successfully and ardently cultivated in this obscure corner of Europe; and learned Icelanders were found in the service of foreign courts. The poetry of the Troubadours was introduced into Iceland in the 12th century; but towards the 14th century the arts and sciences fell into decay, with the further loss of national independence under the Danish dominion. The decline of literature, and of the national character of the Icelanders, however, may be traced to more remote causes. Europe had now begun to emerge from darkness and barbarity, and the continental nations were gradually advancing in learning: the poets and historians of Iceland were therefore received with less distinction, while the errors and tyranny of the church of Rome, broke in upon the pure and peaceful worship of Iceland, so early as the 12th century. The reformation of religion, and the introduction of printing, about the year 1530, seemed to be the dawn of renewed life to Iceland; and in 1537, the Protestant doctrines were universally embraced. The schools were now re-established; but so great had been the depression of learning, that it was found difficult at first, to procure men of sufficient knowledge to superin.. tend them.

Modern History.] The annals of Iceland during the 17th century, are destitute of any important events. In the early part of this period, piratical incursions of the French, British, and even Algerines, were not unfrequent. Of the latter, a large body landed on various parts of the southern coast and on the Westmann Islands, and carried 400 of the inhabitants into captivity. This century also disgraces Iceland, by the superstitious enormities which were practised. A belief in necromancy was so prevalent, and held in such horror, that, within the period of 60 years, 20 persons perished in the flames! The commencement of the 18th century was marked by the destruction of 16,000 persons by the small-pox. From 1753 to 1759, the seasons were so inclement, that famine carried off 10,000 people, besides vast numbers of cattle. In 1783, the most terrible volcanic eruption on record, broke out from the neighbourhood of the mountain Skaptaa, which for more than a year showered ashes on the island. Cattle, sheep, and horses, were destroyed, and a famine ensued. The small-pox again appeared; and in a few years 11,000 people perished. On the breaking out of the war between Great Britain and Denmark, in the year 1807, the Icelanders were greatly apprehensive of absolute starvation, from the want of those necessary supplies which they were accustomed to receive from the mothercountry. On considering the case, however, licenses were humanely granted by the British government, to Danish vessels, to proceed to Iceland, under the condition of their touching at the port of Leith, both when outward-bound and on their passage home. By this arrangement, the inhabitants were regularly supplied; and though the act of piracy, committed by a Captain Gilpin, in 1808, who robbed the treasury of at least 30,000 rix-dollars, as well as the usurpation of Iörgensen, the following year, necessarily tended to excite fresh alarms in their minds,

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