the blessing, and concluded by giving her the Apostolic salutation. His sermon was founded on Psalm ciii. 10, 11. which he illustrated from the history of the Israelites, as referred to in the gospel for the day. Both in his sermon and prayer, he took particular notice of the mercy and loving kindness of God in sending them a more abundant supply of the Holy Scriptures. When the ordinary service was over, he went into the middle of the church, and collecting the young people of both sexes around him, he catechised them, for about half an hour, from the subject of his sermon. This he did, with the view of gratifying a wish I had expressed the preceding evening, of being present at an Icelandic catechising. The exercise proved interesting in the highest degree. Though wholly unapprized of his intention, the youth replied to the questions he put to them, in the readiest and most apposite manner, and discovered an acquaintance with the cardinal points of revealed religion, which I have seldom seen equalled by those whose spiritual advantages are vastly superior. This exercise, equally instructive to the young and the aged, is but seldom attended to, during the summer months, but in winter it forms a conspicuous and important part of public duty.

Before dismissing the congregation, he gave them intimation of the new supply of Bibles, and desired such as wished to have copies to give him their names; and we had scarcely got into

the house, when it was crowded with people; who, supposing the number of copies might prove insufficient, pushed forward with uncommon eagerness, each calling out, " Put me down for a Bible-me, for a Bible, and a New Testament-me, for three New Testaments," &c. While looking at the copy I had given to Sira Sigurdr, as a specimen, some of them seemed rather concerned about the smallness of the vo lume, (this being the first octavo edition of the Icelandic Bible); but on being told by their pastor that it contained all the canonical books of Scripture, they were satisfied, and expressed the peculiar pleasure they felt in the idea that it would now be in their power to furnish their children with this infallible directory.

Inquiring into the circumstances of a poorlooking old man, whom I saw employed in the most menial services, I found he was, what is called in Icelandic, a Nidursetningr, i. e. a poor person, who lives on the parish, has no fixed dwelling place, but is supported, by turns, among the inhabitants. As there are no alms-houses for the reception of the poor in Iceland, every farmer is obliged to maintain such as are sent him by the Hreppstiori, to whom the care of the poor is committed, and in case of refusal, is subjected to a very heavy penalty. To prevent the parishes from being over-burdened, the greatest care is taken that none be allowed to settle in any other than that in which he was born, except he can give security, that neither he, nor

any of his family, shall ever be burdensome to the public. When any family happens to be so reduced, that it can no longer maintain itself, it is separated, and the members placed out in different households; and, if the husband, or wife, belong to a different part of the island, he is passed on to his native parish, perhaps never more to behold the wife of his youth. On such oc casions, a scene presents itself the most affecting that can possibly be conceived. Though there may not be a single morsel in the house, with which to satisfy the craving appetite of four or five young starvelings, and though they are themselves emaciated with hunger, still they cleave to one another, and vow that famine, and even death itself, would be more supportable than a separation.

Monday the 15th, about ten o'clock in the forenoon, I left Háls, accompanied by the clergyman, his son, and one of his servants. Immediately on setting out, we all took off our hats for about the space of five minutes, and implored the Divine mercy and protection. This laudable and impressive custom, is universally practised in such parts of Iceland as remain uncontaminated by the example of those foreigners who "live without God in the world." Before crossing, and after having crossed a river, the genuine Icelander also moves his hat in token of the sense he entertains of his dependence on the Supreme Being; and the fishermen, when they put to sea, after they have rowed the boat into quiet